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+Project Gutenberg's The Man with the Book, by John Matthias Weylland
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Man with the Book
+       or, The Bible Among the People.
+
+Author: John Matthias Weylland
+
+Release Date: December 17, 2011 [EBook #38330]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MAN WITH THE BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Julia Neufeld and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
+
+Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
+
+Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals.
+
+Hyphenation is inconsistent and has been left as in the original;
+archaic spelling has been retained. Punctuation has been normalised and
+obvious printer errors corrected.
+
+Page 65 "if they speak not according to this word" transcriber supplied
+missing word 'this'.
+
+Page 302 "the story of Christian effort" missing word 'of' supplied
+by transcriber.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  The Man with the Book;
+
+  OR,
+
+  THE BIBLE AMONG THE PEOPLE.
+
+  BY
+  JOHN MATTHIAS WEYLLAND,
+
+  AUTHOR OF
+  "ROUND THE TOWER," "A THOUGHT FOR THE WORLD,"
+  ETC., ETC.
+
+  "Oh, blest the land, the city blest,
+  Where Christ the Ruler is confest!
+  Oh, happy hearts and happy homes,
+  To whom this King in triumph comes."
+
+  _Weiszel._
+
+
+  INTRODUCTION BY THE RIGHT HON.
+  THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, K.G.
+
+  TENTH THOUSAND, ENLARGED.
+
+  LONDON:
+  S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., 9, PATERNOSTER ROW.
+  EDINBURGH & GLASGOW: J. MENZIES & CO.
+  DUBLIN: GEORGE HERBERT.
+
+
+  _Butler & Tanner,
+  The Selwood Printing Works,
+  Frome, and London._
+
+
+  To
+
+  HIS BELOVED WIFE
+
+  AND
+
+  UNWEARIED HELPER IN CHRISTIAN EFFORT
+
+  THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED
+
+  BY
+
+  THE AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+To all who desire to obtain an accurate knowledge of the inner life of
+London, and probably of all our large towns, and would ascertain, by
+studying the results of experience, the best mode of grappling with its
+evils, the following pages will be deeply interesting. They give the
+history and fruits of many years' labour among the most filthy,
+destitute, and degraded classes of the whole Metropolis. Yet these
+classes are by no means the most hopeless. A grand aggressive movement
+of Christianity against those strongholds of vice, disease, and misery,
+would end in a larger victory than in one of equal vigour against the
+obstinacy and self-satisfaction of the great body of the skilled
+artisans.
+
+The publication of such papers is very important in these days, when
+inquiry and discussion are busy to discover the true secret of what is
+required at the present crisis for dealing with the vast masses of the
+people. So far as I can see, they have as yet reached no other
+conclusion (whether it be avowed or not) than that all existing
+arrangements and organizations, singly and collectively, are inadequate
+to the task. The Established Church, by itself, is feeble; the
+Non-conformists still more so. The two, working together in harmony,
+might attain some happy issues; but, even on the supposition of their
+cordial union, a new machinery must be devised, as an adjunct to all our
+actual systems of operation.
+
+It is vain to conceive that bricks and mortar, and the multiplication of
+churches and chapels, would accomplish the purpose. The sudden
+exhibition of many places of worship would rather avert than attract the
+people, who, through our long neglect of them, are full of prejudices
+and superstitions about such matters. The money laid out on these
+edifices would be better expended on an increase and maintenance of
+living agents of every sort and degree, as manifold, as various, and as
+special, as the wonderful congeries of human beings to whom their
+efforts would be addressed.
+
+All the several agencies now at work have their merits, and the
+conductors of them can recite many instances of real success. But there
+is a lower depth into which we have to descend, and descend, not by fits
+and starts, but regularly and systematically. It is the steady
+continuity of the effort, and not its occasional vigour, that will make
+the profound and lasting impression. And this continuity cannot be kept
+up by the committees and directors alone. It must draw the main force
+of its life from the zeal, the fervour, the hearty feeling, and
+class-experience of the workers themselves. They must be numerous and
+active, and not a few of them be drawn from the very ranks they are
+enlisted to assail. The first movements must be made on individuals, or
+at most on twos and threes. Every filthy court must be invaded, the dark
+and terrible retreats be disturbed and enlightened. Such labours may
+be--nay, will be--oppressive and revolting, but perseverance will drive
+away discouragement. Doubtless it is a fierce trial to stand day by day,
+and hour by hour, face to face and hand to hand with the inhabitants of
+these pestilential and gloomy recesses; but patience for a while, and
+they may be brought from the private conversation to the cottage
+lecture, from the lecture to the mission-room, from the mission-room to
+the church or chapel, from unqualified misery to comparative joy. The
+condition of their dwellings is an awful impediment; but even this, in
+many instances, may be partially overcome. The cause is great; and the
+blessing of God has ever rested on the prayers and labours of those who
+have sought to comfort and instruct the most suffering and degraded of
+the children of men.
+
+That such men are to be found, and that their efforts enjoy no small
+success, is proved by the narratives of this book. These excellent men
+have established the principle, they have produced the results. It only
+remains that many should arise to imitate their good example, and
+extend, far and wide, the operation of this wise and solid benevolence.
+And why should they not arise, and in sufficient numbers?
+
+It is a remarkable fact--but fact it is--that, by the special mercy and
+Providence of God, a due supply of agents, able and effective for such a
+career as this, can ever be found by those who diligently seek them. Men
+and women of true hearts, of earnest piety, and of adequate powers,
+spring in abundance out of the less affluent classes of society, and are
+trained for the highest and noblest purposes. In what other way can we
+account for the array of some 450 men of the London City Mission, men
+with special zeal and special fitness to go among the masses? How else
+for the peaceful army of Bible-women and Bible-nurses? That such large
+numbers should answer to the call, and that so few, after trial, should
+be found unworthy of their vocation, is a positive marvel, and proves
+that the slow diffusion of what is good and restorative is due, not to
+the lack of qualified agents, but to the parsimony of those on whom God
+has bestowed the means of putting His gifts into life and motion.
+
+It is so--for these people, who thus devote themselves to the cause of
+our Lord, must be fed and clothed with the rest of mankind. "They that
+preach the gospel, must live of the gospel;" and the rich of the earth
+should be told that if the first and highest motive be wanting in their
+hearts, the second one may be deserving of their serious consideration.
+These agencies tend to the tranquillization of society; and as a
+tranquillizing influence, they tend to the security of property. Look at
+the results of the efforts of Miss de Broen among the Communists of
+Belleville, and it will be seen that by the spread of the gospel among
+those terrible masses, a beginning has been made more likely to
+establish a happier order of things than the indefinite multiplication
+of soldiers and _gendarmerie_.
+
+I know not how far these suggestions may recommend themselves to the
+judgment of the public at large. I offer them simply as the conclusions
+of long observation, backed by the judgment of many far more experienced
+than myself. It is at least worth while to make the effort, and try to
+what extent we may rouse and utilize the dormant qualities of the
+poorest ranks of society. We may oftentimes discern delicacy of feeling,
+honesty of character, and vigour of resolution, among these degraded but
+immortal beings. With many terrible exceptions, their parental
+affections are strong; and it is touching to observe how even poverty,
+weariness, and disease, are all, as it were, forgotten in their
+desperate struggles to maintain their children. Hidden beneath these
+sentiments there is a mighty engine wherewith to begin the work.
+
+Well, here they are! and here they will remain! Will you leave them
+alone to fester and to die? But in festering and dying they will breed
+a moral, and a political, if not a physical, epidemic.
+
+Will you advance on them in their swarming retirements of profligacy and
+pestilence? Why, then, there is a hopeful promise that the Word of God
+shall not return unto Him empty; and as the High Priest bore on his
+turban, "Holiness to the Lord," so may the missionaries--the agents, the
+men, the women, all who go forth to this great enterprise--bear
+imprinted on their foreheads, a motto of no inferior power, "_Christo in
+pauperibus_."
+
+                                                         SHAFTESBURY.
+
+  PARIS, _May 12, 1878_.
+
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+This book was written in detached papers, for _Evening Hours_ and other
+Journals, without any intention to republish them in the form of a
+volume. Meagre details and want of connection will thus be accounted
+for. The narrative extends over a period of many years, and is
+substantially true, although the writer had to depend upon memory aided
+by a few notes: verbal accuracy cannot therefore be expected. The
+difficulty of recording the histories of individuals and families in a
+few paragraphs, without their connecting links, was felt, and this may
+have given a touch of the wonderful to some incidents, which a more full
+account would have avoided. The object of the work, even in its detached
+papers, was to illustrate the mode of Missionary visitation among the
+very poor and the depraved classes; and to show the power of simple
+teaching from the Word of God among them.
+
+The kindness of Lord Shaftesbury in writing the Introduction, and of
+Mrs. Mary Sewell, in decorating each chapter with extracts, is
+acknowledged with much gratitude. Their assistance has enriched the
+volume, and the writer has an impression that many will regard it as an
+indifferent picture beautifully framed. Be this as it may, he commits it
+to the indulgence of his readers, and to the blessing of _Almighty God_,
+by the power of whose Word alone the good narrated was accomplished.
+
+      ST. JOHN'S WOOD,
+          _December, 1871_.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE TO THE TENTH EDITION.
+
+
+The favour accorded to this book has taken the author by surprise, as
+the issue of nine editions of a thousand copies rapidly succeeded each
+other. The truthfulness and simplicity of the narrative has no doubt
+promoted this result, but the secret of its success is not in the book
+itself, but in the deep interest taken by Christians generally in effort
+to evangelize the people of London.
+
+To many the difficulty of uniting disciples of various names in hearty
+co-operation appeared to be insurmountable; and the gaining of access to
+and influencing the "lapsed masses," the ungodly and criminal, to
+religion and virtue seemed all but hopeless.
+
+This simple record of mission work has had its influence in removing
+such difficulties from the minds of many, and in enlisting the sympathy
+of persons who were previously uninformed as to a Christian union which
+is auxiliary and helpful to all the Churches.
+
+At the time the narrative commenced there were only one hundred and
+twelve city missionaries employed in London; but, through the blessing
+of Almighty God and the confidence of His people, the increase of their
+number has been steady and support increasingly generous. The mission
+staff now numbers 448 effective men with 30 veterans upon the retiring
+fund; these, with the committee and their officers, examiners of
+candidates and local superintendents, number upwards of one thousand
+men, who prayerfully and with great activity seek the spiritual good and
+general uprising of the poor of the great Metropolis.
+
+Much remains to be done. In many parishes extending to the distant
+suburbs there are numerous poor districts, inhabited by myriads of
+perishing souls, to each of which the appointment of "A MAN WITH THE
+BOOK," charged to read and bring its life-giving power to bear upon each
+man, woman, and child within his influence, would indeed be a blessing
+conferred.
+
+Charged with the duty of providing for many of these "waste places" in
+the east and west of the City, the writer will gladly welcome the
+friendship and aid of those who, realizing the preciousness of personal
+salvation, from the abundance of the heart deviseth liberal things.
+
+With the committee there is one strong conviction, and it is this, that
+their work, which commenced in obscurity and feebleness, by three men
+without name, influence, or money, but who were strong in faith, prayer,
+and holy zeal--that the effort though now exceeding large--can only be
+continued and extended in the same spirit of simple trust and devotion,
+"glory" being rendered "in the Church by Jesus Christ, unto Him that is
+able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think,
+according to the power that worketh in us."
+
+      LONDON CITY MISSION HOUSE,
+        BRIDEWELL, E.C.
+          _May, 1878_.
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+ITS INTRODUCTION.
+
+  PAGE
+
+  Description.--The strange visitor.--Translators.--The chanter
+  and dog-nurse.--Thieves.--Beggars.--Prize-fighter.--A
+  widow indeed.--The power of prayer                                3
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+  ITS INFLUENCE.
+
+  A fight between women.--Turning the fever out.--Speech
+  from a barrow.--Drunken Sammy.--A Wonderful tea-pot.--Dust-man
+  and scavenger.--Lady power                                       25
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+  ITS POWER.
+
+  Black Poll.--Niggers.--Rescued.--Tom and Bess.--Costermonger's
+  wedding.--A baptism.--Pledge taken.--The
+  prison gate.--The Bible on the housetop.--The convict's
+  widow and son                                                    43
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+  ITS AUTHORITY.
+
+  A black leg.--Miniature altar.--The peacemaker.--The wafer.--An
+  animated sandwich.--Saved from error.--The
+  travelling tinker.--The dying child                              65
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+  ITS TRUTH.
+
+  Roley-Poley's opinions.--The bus-washer.--Communism. An
+  infidel club-room.--Philosophers.--Conflict with infidelity.
+  The 'strology woman.--Bible answers.--Imp woman.--The
+  converted infidel                                                81
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE COURT.
+
+  ITS CERTAIN GOOD.
+
+  A praise meeting.--Death of the widow.--Joy of the blessed.--Out
+  of the prize ring.--A farewell speech.--A fagger.--A
+  strange preacher.--Dusty and the fiddler.--Praying in the
+  cell.--Indian girl.--Genesa.--Infidel society dissolved.--Works
+  following.--The banner of love                                  103
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE BARS.
+
+  ITS LIGHT.
+
+  Between the barrels.--The true light shining.--A danger.--Light
+  in the club-room.--The change wrought.--Victory
+  gained.--Evil resisted.--Good advice.--A white sergeant.--A
+  wise removal.--The good increased                               129
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE BARS.
+
+  ITS SPIRITUAL POWER.
+
+  The clock going wrong.--Men of the fancy.--The rat-pit man.--Child
+  on the barrel.--Ticket of leave man.--A rough.--A
+  drunkard's home.--A fall and rise                               151
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE BARS.
+
+  ITS RECEPTION.
+
+  A strange request.--Touching the sceptre.--Sunday drinking.--Closed
+  on Sunday.--Pleasant opposition.--Guilty tongues.--A
+  sharp rebuke.--Uglier than a gorilla.--A knotty question.--Potman's
+  letter.--The pugilist's ring.--The beauty
+  of age.--Resting in peace                                       169
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE DEN.
+
+  ITS MAJESTY.
+
+  The sleepless city.--Teddie's den.--A strange invitation.--The
+  tea.--A midnight visit.--A visit to Rag Fair.--Many
+  rescued.--Smashers.--The better part chosen.--Dreadful
+  death-bed scene.--A stronghold destroyed                        195
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE STREETS AND NIGHT-HOUSES.
+
+  ITS SILENT FORCE.
+
+  A gilded saloon.--A pigeon plucker.--Discouragement.--The
+  Coffee Man.--Destitute.--The solitude of the city.--Madness
+  of disgrace.--The beggar and his boy.--The "Traveller's
+  Rest."--The sleepless Church.--Coffee stalls and
+  booths.--The covert from the storm.--Bible power                219
+
+
+  THE BOOK IN THE HIGHWAYS.
+
+  ITS FETTER-BREAKING.
+
+  To and from the city.--Our omnibus.--Box and monkey board.--The
+  lost day.--Crape on the whip.--Night gathering of
+  bargemen.--Fetters broken.--The silent water-ways.--Bible
+  in cabin.--The bargeman's hope                                  247
+
+
+  THE BOOK FOR ALL.
+
+  ITS UNIVERSAL GOOD.
+
+  Christian responsibility.--Faith.--The machinery man.--Man's
+  inner world.--Sin reproved.--Converse upon an omnibus.--The
+  influence of truth.--The Bible only.--Communication
+  established.--Brought nigh, very nigh                           267
+
+
+  APPENDIX.
+
+  Can You Influence the World for Christ?                         287
+
+
+
+
+  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+                                   PAGE
+
+  NIGHT MEETING WITH CABMEN      _Frontispiece_
+
+  THE DOG NURSE                     11
+
+  AN UNWELCOME VISITOR              16
+
+  A SPEECH FROM THE BARROW          28
+
+  DRUNKEN SAMMY                     32
+
+  SANITARY SUCCESS                  37
+
+  UPON THE HOUSETOP                 59
+
+  INFIDEL CLUB                      88
+
+  BEFORE THE BAR                   131
+
+  THE BACK ATTIC                   162
+
+  CARD FOR PUBLIC-ROOMS            180
+
+  THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR             199
+
+  DARK ARCHES                      205
+
+  IN DANGER                        223
+
+  ALONE IN THE CITY                231
+
+  THE COFFEE STALL                 240
+
+  OUTSIDE PASSENGERS               248
+
+  THE MONKEY BOARD                 252
+
+  SABBATH OUTCASTS                 257
+
+  THE MACHINERY MAN                273
+
+
+
+
+The Book in the Court:
+
+ITS INTRODUCTION.
+
+  "High up a dark and winding stair,
+    From floor to floor I went,
+  And heard sometimes a woman swear,
+    Or beaten child lament.
+
+  "Upon the topmost flight I found
+    A close and wretched room;
+  Alas, that any human soul
+    Should call such place a home!
+
+  "No fire was burning in the grate,
+    The walls were damp and bare;
+  The window-panes were stuffed with rags,
+    No furniture was there."
+
+                                      _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+     DESCRIPTION--THE STRANGE VISITOR--TRANSLATORS--THE CHANTER AND
+     DOG-NURSE--THIEVES--BEGGARS--PRIZE-FIGHTER--A WIDOW INDEED--THE
+     POWER OF PRAYER.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS INTRODUCTION.
+
+"He that hath my Word, let him speak my Word faithfully."
+JER. xxiii. 28.
+
+Why the inhabitants called their place of residence Paradise Court was
+never clearly understood. The parochial authorities substituted for the
+name of the garden of primeval beauty that of a lovely southern county
+of old England, and on their official papers styled it Devonshire Place.
+Many would question the propriety of the Court bearing either name, as
+it forms the centre of a labyrinth of dirty overcrowded streets. It is
+not a blind alley, as it is of elbow shape with two entrances connecting
+streets, though only used by persons of profound local knowledge. The
+houses are so ill-shaped and dilapidated as to prejudice the mind
+against London of the past generation; while the murky atmosphere--the
+cloud of ragged yellowish garments suspended from the upper windows by
+pole and line--the narrowness of the passage-way, which increases the
+thick darkness of night--the constant noise made by the drunken and
+quarrelsome, render it a place to be avoided by the respectable, however
+poor.
+
+There were, however, at the time our narrative commences, respectable
+visitors to the Court, and foremost among them for intimate acquaintance
+with the community was that valuable official the Relieving Officer.
+His approach was by some mysterious means instantaneously known, and
+produced wonderful effects; unruly sounds were hushed, quite a number of
+poor creatures were taken suddenly ill, and a most appalling condition
+of poverty was created. Strange however to say, his exit was marked by a
+revivifying influence,--low muttering occasionally burst into storms of
+abuse, but not until he had turned the corner; we may therefore suppose
+that he was in happy ignorance of the strong feeling which existed
+against him.
+
+The policeman on duty used to pause, as from professional instinct, when
+he passed each narrow entrance, and at night had been known suddenly to
+turn his bull's eye upon persons approaching or leaving the Court.
+Occasionally a visit was paid by that dreaded person, the Inspector:
+which event was always unexpected. Intelligent members of the force at a
+given moment took their position at either end, while the Inspector
+marched with several officers to a particular house, and then marched
+off with the somebody he wanted. Next morning a company of the
+inhabitants used to return the compliment, by going in a body to the
+Police Court, and for days after, the subject matter of conversation in
+the Court was, "How the 'spector got that ere hinformation what he
+received."
+
+The postman occasionally entered the place, and when he did so he
+grasped his letters firmly,--while in order to effect a proper delivery
+he deciphered strange hieroglyphics. Of course those true friends of the
+poor, the parish and dispensary doctors, were frequently to be seen in
+the place. They knew it well as a pestilent spot, and, while
+alleviating suffering, gave many certificates for the burial of the
+dead. As regards the living there was scanty record: the name of the
+place being rarely if ever written in the Vestry Register. A few out of
+the swarm of dirty, shoeless, tattered little heathen (heathen in the
+sense of being unbaptized and untaught in the Christian religion) were
+occasionally hunted for by their warm-hearted friend, the Ragged School
+teacher, who had entered their names in his class book. With two
+exceptions these were the only respectable visitors to Paradise Court;
+and the exceptions only came on Black-Monday morning. One was the stern
+broker-man, who represented the landlord of half the houses, and whose
+terrible utterance, "Pay the rent, or I will chuck your sticks into the
+Court," had a money-producing effect. The other Monday visitor was a
+lady of peculiar style, who entered the place from her suburban
+residence exactly at nine o'clock. Though shabby in dress, it was
+believed by her thirty-four miserable tenants that she was a real lady
+at home. She was fluent of speech, and gave many reasons why it would be
+wrong of her to let the rent run on. She had never been known to
+comprehend an excuse; and it was an established fact that business
+friendship existed between her and that dreadful broker-man.
+
+To this succession of official and other visitors another was to be
+added. The Paradise people knew it not; and, if they had, he would not
+have been received with demonstrations of joy; indeed the few persons
+who one March morning noticed two men in conversation at the narrow
+entrance of the Court, were made uncomfortable, as they could not
+comprehend what was meant. "I wonders if they are a coming down here,"
+observed one woman to another. "They aint mendicities," she replied; and
+hastened to inform her companion lodgers "that something was up, as two
+men, one of them an old-un, with a brown coat, and the tother a young-un
+nearly all black, was a talking and looking down." A rush to the doors
+and windows took place, but they only saw the two men part company. The
+eldest walked away and the other entered the open door of the first
+house.
+
+To remove all mystery,--the old gentleman was the training
+Superintendent of the London City Mission, and his companion a young
+Missionary whom he was placing upon the district. They had walked round
+it together, and stopping at the Court, the Superintendent said to his
+young friend, "You will find this the most trying part of the district,
+as the people are in a bad state, and have never as yet been visited.
+Enter the first house, make your way to the top back room--visit as you
+come down, and in this way press through the place. Remember it is your
+duty to make the acquaintance of every man, woman, and child, for the
+purpose of bringing them to a knowledge of salvation by our Lord Jesus
+Christ, and of doing them good by every means in your power: go, and may
+the Lord prosper you."
+
+A poet would have called that a sublime moment for the young Missionary:
+he was in possession of that which had for three years been the desire
+of his heart--the office of accredited visitor to the poor. For this he
+had prayed, studied, and passed the required examination; and it was
+with grateful heart and elastic step, that he made his way up the
+rickety stair-case, and approached the room to the occupiers of which he
+was first to deliver his message. A noise,--the beating of leather upon
+lapstones, required that a second and harder tap should be given at the
+door. It was suddenly opened by a middle-aged man, of ruffianly
+appearance, with a long black beard. In his hand was a large flat
+hammer, and in his mouth a short black pipe. With a sharp look at the
+stranger, he inquired, "Do you want me, Master?" "I am a Missionary,"
+was the reply, "and am come to make your acquaintance. Will you accept
+one of these tracts?" The man threw open the door, and said to his
+companions,--"This is a religious chap, and wants to know me." The
+visitor stepped in and gave a curious glance round the room. It was an
+attic of about ten feet square, with a low roof. In the centre was a
+heap of old boots and shoes, rubbish of the kind collected from dust
+heaps; round them were six men of various ages, and offensively dirty;
+beside each were several rows of restored articles. It was evident that
+the men were "translators,"--cobblers, who by marvellous skill in their
+art were turning destroyed shoes into articles fit for use. "If he's
+religious," exclaimed a man of diminutive stature, "I'm the customer for
+him;" and facing the visitor, demanded "Do you believe in a Supernatural
+Being? because," he continued, "if you do, I don't. He is a fool who
+says in his heart there is no God, and he is a fool who says there is
+one, because there is no proof." "Nature and the Bible"--replied the
+Missionary; but he could get no further, as at the mention of the Book
+exclamations of doubt and of abuse were uttered. He tried to proceed,
+but was cried down. As he turned away, the man who opened the door,
+said, with angry looks, "Now mind, Guv'nor, I am master here, and I live
+in the next room, and my children knows nothing of superstition, and if
+you come here with your cant I'll pitch you down." There was a momentary
+pause, which enabled the visitor to exclaim in a clear ringing voice,
+"This day has salvation come to this house," and he then descended to
+the next landing.
+
+Upon the back-room door was a rusty old padlock, showing that the
+lodgers--costermongers--were out; but the front-room door was partly
+open. "Come in," said a feeble voice; and the visitor, though nearly
+stopped by the offensiveness of the room, stepped in, and found it a
+death chamber. A woman and child were upon the bed in a high state of
+fever; and stark upon the floor, with face uncovered, lay the body of a
+boy of six years. The scene so shocked the inexperienced visitor, that
+he with sorrow expressed his regret at finding them in such a position,
+and inquired about the husband. "He is a chanter, sir," she replied,
+"and is out in the streets singing about the man who was hung on Monday
+morning. He was cut up when Bobby died in the night, and said that he
+would leave off singing when he had got half-a-crown, and come home."
+While words of consolation were being read, the "chanter" entered the
+room: his clothes were threadbare, his face pallid, and his voice husky.
+The stranger put his hand kindly upon the arm of the poor man, and
+expressed his sympathy for the bereavement he had suffered, and added,
+"I have read to your wife from the Bible, and am about to pray: let us
+kneel down." At the mention of prayer an expression of contempt passed
+over the man's face, and he hurriedly left the room. Prayer was however
+offered, and the visitor descended to the parlours: oh, such parlours!
+
+The back was occupied by an aged woman, who no doubt collected bones and
+rags from the streets, as the floor was nearly covered with them. She
+was frying fish which was partly putrid, and was so earnest in declaring
+her poverty (no doubt truthfully) that the visitor had to assure her
+that he had no temporal relief to bestow. The same plea of poverty was
+urged by three drunken-looking women who stood at the next door; upon
+his telling them that he had no money to give, but that he hoped to make
+them happy with the true riches, they shut the door in his face; and
+stepping out he breathed the refreshing air of the Court.
+
+Two more houses were passed through with varied success, and the visitor
+left for rest and refreshment. Upon his return it was evident that his
+fame had spread, as there were groups of persons ready to look at him,
+and in that look there was a hostile expression. True to his
+instructions, he merely gave tracts to several women who asked for them,
+and then made his way to the fourth house. Though all the front doors
+were open, and had the appearance of never being closed night or day,
+that door was shut and fastened, and peals of laughter could be heard
+inside, while the Missionary in vain knocked for admission. He went to
+the next house, but was brought to a pause while ascending the upper
+stairs by the barking of dogs. The door of the front attic was opened by
+a woman: at the sight of the stranger she screamed her command for
+silence, and the brutes became dumb. As she opened the door half way a
+curious sight presented itself: upon the bed were five or six puppies
+of various breeds, and chained to the floor was a white bull terrier of
+savage mien, while an ugly cur raised his nose to the edge of the basket
+in which he was reposing, and sustained a growl of low note. Bobbing a
+curtsey, she said in a plaintive tone, "I can't ask you in, sir, as the
+dogs are werry savage; but though I does try to get a honest living, a
+ticket is as acceptable to me as to them wretches what has got into the
+first floor." In answer to the inquiry, "How do you live?" she replied,
+"I brings up little dogs for fancy men, and takes in sick uns to nurse,
+and I earns my money I can tell you: why that ere bull-dog has the
+mange, and I have to rub him in with doctor's stuff, and if I didn't
+muzzle him, and pull his chain tight to the floor, he'd tear me to
+pieces; and then I have to get up in the night to feed the puppies with
+milk." When the matter of religion was referred to, she in an angry tone
+said, that she "knowed what was right, and didn't want to be preached
+at." The sagacious friends of man understood that altered tone of voice,
+and recommenced growling and barking. As it was hopeless trying to make
+himself heard at the next room, the visitor descended to make
+acquaintance with the abused in the first floor.
+
+[Illustration: "I brings up little dogs for fancy men, and takes in sick
+uns to nurse."]
+
+Both doors were open, and the lodgers were in evident expectation of a
+visit. In the front room were three men and four women: the men had
+cotton handkerchiefs of a reddish colour about their necks, their hair
+being arranged in the peculiar curl round the ear known in their circle
+as the Newgate cut. One of them, with an air of blandness, offered the
+visitor a chair, and said, "I am always glad to see a Missionary gent.
+Where I comes from, near Petticoat Lane, is one of them, maybe you knows
+him: he's werry good to chaps that gets into trouble. Now this woman
+has got a boy as is always unlucky: he went a lifting and got nabbed
+first time, and got a week, as he wasn't known; after that he hopped
+over a wall for something, and a Bobby was down on him, and for that he
+got a month; and then he relieved a gent of his ticker, and for that
+he's doing four months upon the mill, and I think that he ought to be
+reformed. He'll be out on Monday, and if you will tell me where you
+live, I will bring him to you, and you can put him somewhere. If you
+doesn't he'll be into trouble again, because, as I says, he's unlucky."
+The reasons given were not likely to stimulate zeal, but the Missionary
+arranged to see the young thief immediately after his discharge from
+prison. A friendly conversation, followed, and several young girls and
+juvenile thieves, who came in from the other room, remained to hear the
+Bible read. The evil consequences of sin were pointed out to them, and
+the way of salvation was explained. Deep emotion was expressed by
+several of these depraved persons, and there was a friendly parting.
+
+Upon the ground floor a fragrance redolent of sea-weeds filled the air,
+and was a pleasant relief from the state of the atmosphere upstairs. The
+cause of this strange perfume was apparent upon the door of the back
+room being opened by an old man, who appeared as if he was undergoing a
+salivating process. The floor was covered with baskets and trays with
+piles of whelks upon them, some of which were cooked and some were not.
+As the man was rather deaf, it was difficult to make him understand the
+object of the visit; but when he did so, he asked the stranger in. He
+refused an offered tract, with the remark, "I ain't got no larning,
+Mister, and I burns every bit of paper I gits, so it 'ould be smoke if
+you comed for it. I cooks these whelks for chaps and women as stands
+with stalls, and gets a penny a kettleful." When told "that at his age
+the great matter was not his business, but his fitness for a better
+world," he laughed and said, "All I want is to die easy, so I moves the
+things, and puts my mattress the right way, as we never knows what may
+be, and they says as it's hard to die the cross-way of boards." He was
+told that "to pray to the great God in the name of Jesus for pardon and
+His Holy Spirit, was the way for old people to be made happy, and to die
+easy." But he looked vacant, as though the subjects of pardon and
+immortality were strange to him. Upon his saying that cooking was over
+early in the evening, the visitor showed him the Bible, and said, "This
+was written by the good Father in heaven, and I will come some evening
+and read out of it." He looked pleased as he approached his fish-kettle,
+and the visitor was then glad to make his escape from a kind of warm
+sea-fog.
+
+The next house was filled with beggars. The rooms were filthy; and upon
+entering them in succession, the women and children commenced in the
+cadgers' whine to beg. "Why don't you wash your children?" was inquired
+of a mother, whose four little ones were as black as sweeps. "We haven't
+a penny," was the reply, "to buy soap with, and the little dears are so
+uncomfortable like when they wakes up, until they rubs their faces well
+with their hands, which freshens them up." Their hard begging prevented
+religious conversation. In the front parlour a man, clothed in filthy
+raiment, was smoking his pipe, while the wife was engaged in sweeping
+with an almost hairless broom. An attempt to speak to them upon the
+Gospel message provoked an outburst of low abuse from them both: the
+woman, who was evidently from the Emerald Isle, followed the visitor to
+the door, giving a long sweep with her broom; and then flourishing it
+over his head as he stepped into the Court, exclaimed, "Och, and sure
+and that's the way I sweep out rubbish!" After failing to convey
+religious instruction to the people at the next house, where the woman
+and youth abused, and the children yelled as he passed out, the young
+Missionary left the place in a state of mind exactly opposite to that in
+which he had entered it in the morning. A sense of inefficiency, of
+utter disqualification for the work, had taken possession of his mind
+and damped his zeal. To have instructed the respectable poor--to have
+removed the difficulties of men in error, would have been a pleasure;
+but to evangelize such a people as the dwellers in Paradise Court and
+its surroundings seemed hopeless. Besides the offensiveness of the
+work--the thought of spending six or more hours daily in those wretched
+dwellings, subjected to risk of contagion, insult, and personal
+violence, and that with such feeble hope of benefiting the people,
+produced a sense of regret that the effort had been made. So powerfully
+did these reasons act, that the Missionary availed himself of the
+consideration that Saturday would be an inconvenient day for the people,
+and stayed away; but on Sunday afternoon, about three o'clock, he
+approached the Court with a faint heart, and a bundle of tracts in his
+hand.
+
+[Illustration: "Where the woman and youth abused, and the children
+yelled as he passed out."]
+
+At the entrance a group of about fifteen roughs were talking together.
+Tracts were offered to each. One of them, a man of heavy frame and
+unprepossessing countenance, arising from the circumstance that it was
+deeply scarred, and had the bridge of the nose broken, approached the
+Missionary. With a smile more awe-inspiring than ordinary frowns, he
+inquired, "Are you the chap what's coming to all our rooms to make us
+religious?" To so direct a question only one reply could be given, which
+was hopefully in the affirmative. "Then," he continued, that dreadful
+smile deepening into an expression of malice, as he raised his huge
+fist, "then don't come to my room; which is good advice, cos I does
+three things at once when I'm up. I'm known in the ring as a hard
+hitter, and I've fixed the ring stakes for lots of battles,--and this is
+what I does: I deposits my fist on the top of the nose, which leaves a
+mark, and shuts up both peepers for a week or two." "Well, but members
+of the prize ring are honourable in this," was the prompt reply: "they
+never strike men who cannot box." The man seemed pleased with the
+compliment, but his companions gave an incredulous look, as much as to
+say, "We, alas, know better!"
+
+Friendly words were spoken, and tracts given to persons standing at
+their doors. While thus engaged the Missionary was stayed by a sound
+which proceeded from an upper room. It fell so strangely upon the ear
+that he stood still and gazed up at the windows, with the exclamation
+upon his lips--"Surely the Lord has His hidden ones in this place." An
+effort was evidently being made in one of the rooms to sing a song of
+praise. A cracked female voice was trying to lead other voices, not one
+of which had been attuned to melody, in singing the hymn--
+
+  "Come ye that love the Lord,
+  And let your joys be known."
+
+A woman at one of the windows, seeing the astonishment of the visitor,
+said, "It's Widow Peters, Master having a meeting: she lives here in
+the first back. She's a good un: the dear old soul is like a mother to
+us." The visitor approached the room, and as the singing ceased, opened
+the door. He saw at a glance that the company consisted of five very
+poor women. Four were seated upon the frame of the bedstead, and another
+at the table, upon which lay an open Bible and Hymn-book. "This is he,"
+exclaimed one of the women. "This is the tract man, who is coming to
+read to us out of the blessed Book." Upon this the widow rose, her
+countenance beaming with holy joy, and with that graceful dignity which
+religious life often confers upon the poor, offered her hand to the
+Missionary, exclaiming, "Come in, sir, come in, and let us praise the
+Lord together. I have pleaded with Him for poor souls in this place, and
+now He has sent His messenger with glad tidings. May the Lord bless you
+to many." This welcome was given with such genuine feeling that the
+"messenger" was overpowered. The speaker was aged; quite seventy years
+had whitened her few remaining hairs and given a decrepit appearance to
+her slender frame; but under the influence of strong religious feeling
+she stood erect, and the feebleness of her voice gave peculiar force to
+words which entered the soul. The poor women felt it as they stood with
+tearful eyes; and the young Missionary felt it, for his only answer was
+an affectionate holding of that withered hand in his, and a reverential
+gazing into the face of the old disciple.
+
+The meeting was soon brought to a close, but the aged woman and the
+young man remained in earnest conversation, as though they had enjoyed
+years of friendship. How strong is that cord of love in the spirit,
+which binds believers together because of union with the living Jesus!
+"The poor creatures down here are in dreadful darkness, and many are
+awfully wicked," observed the widow; "and my heart leapt for joy when I
+was told that a tract man was trying to speak with people in their
+rooms: it was such a faithful answer to prayer." "And who prayed for my
+coming?" was inquired. "I had heard of missionary gentlemen visiting
+other places," she replied, "and about two months ago it was laid on my
+heart to pray for my perishing neighbours, and I cried day and night
+unto the Lord."
+
+"About that time," observed the visitor, "a few believers met in the
+house of a Tunbridge Wells tradesman, to pray for a blessing upon the
+poor of London. They then agreed to raise support for a Missionary to
+one of the most necessitous districts, and wrote a letter to the
+Committee of the London City Mission to that effect. While the gentlemen
+were considering the matter they had their attention drawn to this
+neighbourhood through the opening of an Infidel Hall just by. At that
+time, after much prayer, I made application to be received as one of
+their agents. They approved of me and sent me here. But how strange it
+was, that in this place prayer should at that time have been offered for
+the same object." "Oh, no! that was not strange," she replied; "for the
+same Spirit dwells in all the disciples, and according to the Divine
+Mind and Will, teaches them what to pray for, and now we must plead for
+souls and these dry bones shall live." "After spending Friday at the
+other end of the place," observed the Missionary, "I was led to despair
+of doing any good here, as the people are so ignorant, hardened, and
+offensive. I have thought that an experienced visitor ought to come
+here in my stead." With a look of sorrow and reproof the old Christian
+exclaimed: "The Lord has sent you here with the Gospel plough, and don't
+look back. Go on, dear friend, and He will bless His faithful servant."
+In answer to the inquiry, "How long she had known the Lord, and why she
+was living in that place?" she replied, "I am the widow of a soldier:
+thirty-six years ago I was abroad with the regiment, and was converted
+at a soldiers' prayer-meeting. I then joined the Wesleyans, and have met
+in class ever since. I had a daughter, who was married to a bricklayer
+who took to drinking and used her badly. He brought her down here, and
+then I took a room in the same house to look after her. She died two
+years ago. I have three shillings weekly from the parish, and I make up
+by doing a little washing for young people at a draper's. I stop here
+now, as no one would rob or injure me; and many a poor creature will let
+me nurse them a little when they are ill, and then I speak to them about
+Jesus, and pray for their poor souls. Now you have come they must all
+hear the truth. Don't, sir, leave the poor perishing souls." At parting
+each offered prayer. The aged widow with tremulous voice and holy
+earnestness pleaded with God for the young messenger, and for the
+sinners around her, mentioning several by name. Her language was that of
+one who for years had had free access to the Holy Place, and to whom
+power had been given to wrestle with God and to prevail.
+
+That prayer was blessed to the young Missionary. As he stepped into the
+Court he felt that the coward spirit had left him, and that he had
+received power to intercede with the Almighty for perishing souls. His
+heart was too full to speak to the people; but, as he passed their
+doors, a cry of holy desire for their salvation (that best preparation
+for the work of an Evangelist) ascended to where Jesus the Mediator is
+seated at the right hand of God.
+
+
+The Book in the Court:
+
+ITS INFLUENCE.
+
+  "You are needed, brave hearts, that are facing the toil,
+  And bearing unnoticed the wearisome moil
+      That presses on every day;
+  We want the great souls that will suffer and dare,
+  And all the inglorious martyrdom bear
+      Of poverty's dreary decay."
+
+                                      _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+     A FIGHT BETWEEN WOMEN--TURNING THE FEVER OUT--SPEECH FROM A
+     BARROW--DRUNKEN SAMMY--A WONDERFUL TEAPOT--DUST-MAN AND
+     SCAVENGER--LADY-POWER.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS INFLUENCE.
+
+     "The entrance of Thy Word giveth light." PS. cxix. 130.
+
+Monday morning cast its usual gloom over Paradise Court in the persons
+of the rent collectors. Many of the men and women had gone out upon
+various callings, and others, whose supply of ready cash fell short of
+the required amount, absented themselves, leaving messages with the
+children, in some cases with, and in others without, part payment. The
+Court therefore had the appearance of quietness and moral respectability
+as the Missionary passed down. His step was firm, and his countenance
+wore an expression of decision. He had realized the difficulties of the
+position; and in calm reliance upon the help of Almighty God, had come
+to the prayerful decision that he would faithfully discharge the duties
+of his office. That day and many others of toil passed before each room
+had been visited. As the people became familiar with their new friend,
+the spirit of opposition, with a few exceptions, gave way to one of
+utter indifference. Three months passed before the statistics of the
+place were taken, and then the startling discovery was made that in that
+block of buildings there were one hundred and ninety-four rooms,
+occupied by two hundred and sixteen families, as several let corners of
+their rooms to lodgers. The population consisted of three hundred and
+eighty-six adult persons, with more than double that number of children.
+Only nine Bibles could be found in the place, and upon the morning of
+the Lord's day only two persons left its precincts to worship God in His
+temple. As month after month of stair-treading and of effort to secure
+attention passed away, the Missionary became discouraged, from the
+seeming impossibility of effecting any good in that valley of spiritual
+death. The children, to be sure, had been won by looks and words of
+kindness. They gathered round him out of doors, and looked for his smile
+as he approached the rooms. And then the people had become familiar with
+the pocket Bible, and cast glances at it as the reader held it in his
+hand, as though they had some mysterious interest in its contents. But
+this was all. No reformation had been wrought, no inquiry for salvation
+had been made; and despair of blessing was overclouding the soul of the
+Missionary, when a circumstance occurred which caused hope, like a day
+star, to dispel the darkness. That circumstance was a fight in the
+Court.
+
+One afternoon he was praying with a sick man in an upper room when his
+voice was drowned by screams, shouts, and yells in the Court below.
+Rising from his knees, he opened the window, and shuddered at the
+revolting scene which presented itself. Two women, whose vile language
+had several times repelled him from their doors, had quarrelled and been
+ejected from a neighbouring gin-bar. Upon reaching home they commenced
+fighting; and being inflamed with liquor, they had torn each other's
+clothes, and their faces were bleeding. In their fury they had seized
+each other by the hair, and lay struggling on the ground. A number of
+men and women had formed a ring, and were urging them on to the brutal
+conflict; while the people crowded to their windows, and shouted advice
+according to the side they took. It was a shocking display of rage and
+blood and blasphemy; but it was brought to a sudden close. Some one
+looked up and raised the cry, "The Bible-man is there!" Every face was
+turned up, and then the people drew in their heads and closed the
+windows. The crowd in the Court dispersed, many running like rabbits in
+at their doors. The sudden silence caused the wretched women to
+disengage themselves and to look up. They caught the steady gaze of the
+man who had spoken to them of God and judgment, and one of them with a
+bound sprang into her dwelling; while the other covered her lacerated
+face with her apron, and staggered into her door-way. A few minutes
+after, when the Missionary passed out of the Court, all was
+silence,--not a being was to be seen; but upon the pavement were spots
+of blood and pieces of hair. Though saddened, he felt thankful for the
+influence he had obtained. It would have taken several policemen to have
+quelled that disturbance; but to have subdued it by moral, or rather
+religious force, was indeed a triumph and earnest of future good.
+
+About a month after this event a sudden outbreak of scarlet and typhoid
+fever brought distress into fourteen families, but resulted in much good
+to the inhabitants. The parish doctor had ordered the removal of a woman
+to the infirmary, and two old workhouse men came with a covered
+stretcher for that purpose. The lodgers had noticed spots upon the
+patient, and raised a report of black fever. They were in a state of
+panic, and no person but the widow would approach the room. She found
+the Missionary, who was visiting in other houses, and told him that she
+had prepared the poor woman for her removal; but that the old men were
+not strong enough to carry her, and none of the neighbours would assist
+them. Upon this he followed her to the room, and taking the poor
+fever-stricken creature in his arms, carried her down and laid her
+gently on the stretcher. The people stood afar off; but, as their
+visitor left by the side of the stretcher, he caught a murmur of
+thankfulness. Upon his return from the workhouse he was received with a
+demonstration of gratitude; and seizing the opportunity, he said, "Tell
+the men that I want to speak to them, and that they will do me a
+kindness by being here this evening at seven o'clock. I want them to
+help me turn the fever out: not a man must be absent."
+
+[Illustration: "The visitor sprang on to a costermonger's barrow, and
+waving his hand, exclaimed--"]
+
+When at the appointed time the Missionary turned the corner, he was
+surprised to see the place crowded. It was evident that the men had
+rallied in their strength, and they began to cheer. The visitor sprang
+on to a costermonger's barrow, and waving his hand, exclaimed, "Many of
+our neighbours are ill, and we must for their sakes, poor things, be
+quiet. I thank you for mustering so strong; it shows that you have a
+good feeling toward me, and as I have a good feeling toward you, why, we
+are friends. Now, as a true friend, I am going to speak to you plainly,
+as we can't turn out the fever unless we work together. I expected this
+fever to come (murmurs); and this is why. You have not enough air and
+water down here, and you don't make the best use of what you have. If a
+man drinks poison he is killed by it, and if he breathes poisoned air he
+is killed in a slower way by getting weak, or having illnesses like the
+fever. Many of you sleep six or ten in a room, and always keep the
+windows shut. This poisons the air. And now about the water. To-morrow
+morning every butt must be cleansed; and let each person, when the flow
+is on, throw a pailfull down their yard and another into the Court. Mind
+two pailfulls for each person. And then you must wash yourselves more
+frequently. There are sensible women here who wash their children every
+day; there are others that do not. Now let the sensible women do a kind
+thing: let them give the dirty children a good scrubbing on the sly.
+(Laughter, and cries of 'We will.') And mind, all the rooms and stairs
+must be scrubbed. That's for the women: now for the men. You must
+whitewash your rooms. ('Let the landlords do it.') If you wait until
+they do it, some of you will be in your graves first. ('That's right.')
+Do it yourselves. A pail of whitewash is only the price of a pot of
+beer. ('That's it.') When you have done it, I will ask the collectors to
+allow you back the half-pence. ('Thank'ee, sir,' etc.) Another thing
+shall be done: I will see the officer of health, and, if necessary, the
+vestry gentlemen, and ask them to improve your drainage and water
+supply." (Here the fighting man raised his fist and exclaimed, "If they
+don't!" as though his system of deposit would of a certainty influence
+the local parliament.) "And then," the speaker continued, "we must keep
+sober. The fever is fond of drunkards, with their horrid breath and weak
+bodies, and lays hold of them first. (Sensation.) Now, to turn the fever
+out, you must promise me three things: say Yes, after each of them. Good
+use of air and water ('Yes, yes'); every room to be whitewashed ('Yes,
+yes'); and a sober Saturday night." (Murmurs.) The speaker repeated the
+last sentence in a tone of firm command: "A sober Saturday night!" and
+received a shout of "Yes, yes, yes!" Then, taking the Bible from his
+pocket, he held it up, and in a subdued voice continued, "There is a
+great Father up there, who loves us all; but you don't pray Him to take
+care of you and your children. On Sunday morning you hear the bells
+ring; but none of you go to church. This is wrong of you. Remember He
+has had it written down in His Holy Book that 'the curse of the Lord is
+in the house (the room) of the wicked; but He blesseth the habitation of
+the just.'" There was a solemn pause, and the speaker sprang from his
+uncomfortable stand and passed out at the short end of the place.
+
+[Illustration: Drunken Sammy leaning on post]
+
+One man had evidently absented himself from the sanitary meeting. This
+was plain, as Drunken Sammy approached, followed by an admiring crowd of
+boys and low people. This old man had been a drunkard for many years,
+and his neighbours used to say that he had become worse since he had had
+"something" upon his mind; this "something" being the fact that his wife
+was made ill by one of his beatings when drunk, and only lived two
+months after. He was a slop tailor, and used at times to work hard and
+remain sober for days together. During several of these intervals he
+had listened to the Christian teacher, and promised reformation; but he
+had lost the power of moral control. His habit was to stand in a gin-bar
+from early in the morning; when his money was spent he would take his
+coat to a neighbouring dolly or leaving-shop. Soon after he would return
+and leave his waistcoat and shoes. When the proceeds of these were
+spent, he was of course ejected. Upon this he commenced vagaries of the
+most comical kind; gesticulating and tumbling, while shouting lines from
+comic songs. His rule was to enter the Court by attempting a leapfrog
+over the posts at the corner; and he often fell with terrible force upon
+the pavement, to the great diversion of the public. He was always
+received by his neighbours with roars of laughter as they rushed to see
+the fun. On this occasion, however, he met with an altered reception.
+The presence of the Missionary, who had returned, at his side, and the
+subduing influence of the meeting, had its effect. "Here's that fool of
+a Sammy," exclaimed one of the women who had engaged in the fight we
+have narrated: while others looked at him with contempt,--all with
+indifference. It was much for her to call a drunkard "a fool," and for
+her friends to acknowledge the fact. As the woman lived in the same
+house with the drunkard, the visitor looked at her and said, "Take care
+of this poor man for me, and don't let him out until I call tomorrow
+afternoon." "We won't let him out!" exclaimed several voices: and the
+woman seized his arm and thrust him into the house. A smile played over
+the anxious face of the Missionary, for well he knew that the woman
+would keep her word, and that poor Sammy was _in durance vile_. What for
+him availed the British Constitution,--Magna Charta, the Bill of
+Rights, and all the legal apparatus which in these fair isles of liberty
+protect the subject? He is under arrest. Let us hope that it will be for
+his good.
+
+Next morning, on his way to the Court House, the Missionary had occasion
+to call upon an "elect lady," who was then the daughter, and who is now
+the widow of a general officer. He told her about the soldier's
+widow,--her deep piety, and her love for souls, and her poverty; and
+while he did so, the full sympathy of another Christian heart was drawn
+out in behalf of his poor people. Upon his leaving, the lady said, "I
+will pay the widow's rent, and will supply her with comforts during the
+coming winter. Let her call upon me to-morrow, as I may through her take
+a deeper interest in your mission." The day had far advanced before the
+pleasant message could be delivered: the bearer of it had obtained an
+interview with the vestry clerk, which resulted in his introduction to
+the parochial officer of health, who was so kind as to accompany him to
+the district. As they entered the place, its cleanly appearance, the
+result of a deluge of water, and the healthy smell of lime which
+pervaded the air, took the medical gentleman by surprise. This was so
+opposite to the account he had received, that the visitor, for his
+veracity's sake, had to acquaint him with the events of the day before,
+and to give an account of the speech from the barrow. "A division of
+labour," he said drily: "and you are welcome thus to usurp my duties for
+the whole parish. As regards this place, I will make such a report that
+the drainage shall be set right." As they repassed a door, a rough
+woman, who was standing as on guard, said to the Missionary, "Sammy has
+been obstreperous, sir, but I wouldn't let him out; and now he is
+quiet, as the widow has gone into his room with her teapot." As she
+mentioned the teapot her eyes twinkled with that expression of good
+humour which lit up all the eyes in Paradise Court when that valuable
+article was referred to. No remarks were ever ventured, though much was
+understood. We however will break the spell, and though the officer of
+health is present, will vote the matter urgent, and narrate its fame.
+
+That old brown teapot was bought at the wayside, and only cost
+threepence, as there was a chip upon the spout. It had however by
+association with its owner, acquired a value and a charm. In addition to
+the wonder of the inexhaustible bottle, it had certain high qualities.
+The very sick, and poor mothers with young infants, were each convinced
+that they had the first of the brew, and "that such a delicious cup of
+tea as that never was." And when the owner had refreshed herself, they
+were many who had a reversionary interest in its contents. There was a
+power of moral elevation about the article. Many a hard face assumed for
+the moment a benign expression, and many a knitted brow relaxed as the
+widow stepped from the door, threw her white apron over the teapot, and
+with an almost girlish trip passed into the room of some neighbour, who
+to equal poverty added sickness or some distress. And then an influence
+of sympathy attended the outpouring of its contents. Her supply of milk
+usually cost one farthing, and this she economised by pouring part of it
+in with the tea. In her pocket she carried a few pieces of lump sugar
+screwed up in a piece of paper, and thus the opportunity to be courteous
+was given, as each person had it sweetened to their liking. And, oh, who
+can tell how many words of motherly advice and Christian counsel were
+uttered over that old teapot? As the gentlemen stood at the door they
+heard a feeble voice uttering mighty truths; and stepping softly into
+the passage, caught the end of the conversation. "I know that I must
+have killed her," groaned drunken Sammy, "as I beat her so hard; and if
+the jury didn't say so, the coroner went on at me afterwards, and I'm so
+miserable that I wish I was dead." "You are a poor sinner, Sammy," said
+the widow; "but the blessed Lord died for you, and you musn't look so
+much into yourself. Now you feel how bad you are, you must look to the
+dear _Jesus_. One drop of His blood makes you clean and happy. Do,
+Sammy, let me pray with you." The listeners stepped out gently; and the
+sanitary officer, with ill-concealed emotion inquired about the strange
+couple, and then he said, "Send the old woman to my house, and I will
+give her some medicine for that drunken fellow which will stay his
+craving for spirits, and so assist your effort for his reformation."
+
+Upon leaving the Place the visitors stopped to speak with a group of
+four men who were standing at the entrance. One of them wore a fantail
+cap, and held a shovel and dust-basket. Another was an unmistakable
+scavenger, as he had a scoop-shovel, and was bespattered with mud. The
+others were so dirty as to make the impression that they were close
+friends, if not near relations of the former. "You have knocked off
+early," observed the Missionary, looking with kindness into the face of
+the dustman. "No we ain't, mister," replied that worthy: "we are a-goin'
+to clean out all through. We split the luck (money given to dustmen)
+last night, and I didn't wash the dust down, as we says, and I'm givin'
+summut to these chaps what's going to help; and the carts are comin'."
+"That's the right thing for you to do," was the encouraging remark. "An'
+if we be in the muck," observed the scavenger, "we can be good, as you
+speachified." "The dirt of your business is outside," was the reply,
+"but it's the dirt inside that is bad; and this will be taken away, if
+like a king we read about in the Bible, we pray, 'Create in me a clean
+heart, O God.' I will call at your rooms very soon."
+
+[Illustration: Man carrying bundle on his back]
+
+"To influence such people to act for themselves in these matters is the
+solution of the sanitary question," observed the official. "The putting
+of pure thoughts into their minds," replied the visitor, "is the secret,
+and this is a Bible work, for the saying of the wise man is true of us
+all: 'As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.'"
+
+The bearer of the message which was to gladden the widow's heart that
+evening, retraced his steps and found her in her room. She had fixed her
+spectacles, and was intent upon finding a suitable Scripture for the
+poor distressed drunkard she had just left. Some minutes passed before
+she could realize the good that had befallen her, and then she turned
+rapidly to the hundred and third Psalm, and repeated rather than read
+the words, "Bless the Lord, O, my soul; and all that is within me, bless
+His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
+benefits." She then said calmly, "It's the Lord's doings. He knows how
+feeble I am getting, and how hard it is for me to do the little bit of
+work, so He is crowning my days with mercy, and blessed be His name."
+
+Next morning the widow called upon her lady, and from that time a sweet
+expression of peace settled upon her countenance. Her scanty raiment
+gave place to a thick warm dress; and it was plain that a gracious hand
+had bestowed the woollen shawl upon her shoulders, because a judge of
+such articles would tell at a glance that it had been wrought by
+delicate fingers. And from that time her tea-pot became invested with a
+new charm, as its contents never deteriorated in quality. A new
+influence was also felt by her neighbours. The sweep, who lived in the
+corner house, once said bitterly, "Down here we are all by God and man
+forsaken." This was no longer the case. The man with the Book,
+acquainted them with the tender mercies of the _Most High_, and the
+entrance of that Word which gives light was leading one and another to
+call Him "_Abba--Father_." And then the expression of sweet sympathy in
+their trials and sufferings, though it came from an unknown source,
+softened hard hearts and prepared them for the reception of the Gospel.
+The chanter was subdued by the food given to his only child when again
+ill, and the warm covering for its bed was among the influences which
+led him to acknowledge God, and to bend his stubborn knee. A young
+labourer who had been long out of employment was saved from the first
+step in crime by a pick-axe and shovel being provided for him when he
+received the offer of work as a navvy, while several basket-women and
+others who lived by street trading were helped by small loans and gifts
+of money to recover their position, when some misfortune or difficulty
+had deprived them of their means of support. This kindliness was to them
+strange, because altogether out of their experience, and it exerted a
+daily and increasing influence for good upon many of them. The sick were
+often relieved from the intense misery which cold and hunger and family
+wants bring to them; while mothers, who had become brutalized through
+separation from all that was holy and elevating, were won and uplifted
+by acts of kindness shown to their children by the stranger-friend. That
+mighty force in the up-raising of the debased and depraved, which we
+will venture to call lady-power, was evidently at work in Paradise
+Court; and to this must be ascribed very much of the good which
+resulted. Oh, ye handmaidens of the Lord, successors of the holy women
+who ministered to His wants, and who followed Him even to Calvary, it is
+your high privilege, like Him, to stoop to those of low estate; and to
+minister of your wealth, for charity well bestowed upon the poor is
+regarded as given to Him who is worthy to receive riches; of your
+refinement, for sweetness of expression and kindliness can reach the
+hearts of the vile, and produce a first emotion of love to the Lord you
+copy; of your prayerfulness, for it must be well pleasing to Him, who
+paid the full ransom for every soul, to have those who are "afar off"
+brought by your pleadings within the influences of sovereign grace!
+
+
+The Book in the Court:
+
+ITS POWER.
+
+  "The soul has dealings with its God:
+    In such an hour we may not write,--
+  When all His grace is shed abroad,
+    And darkness melts in floods of light
+
+  "Thus, even now, that mercy came,
+    And righteous retribution slept,
+  The man could trust a Saviour's name,
+    And like a little child he wept."
+
+                                        _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+     BLACK POLL--NIGGERS--RESCUED--TOM AND BESS--COSTERMONGER'S
+     WEDDING--A BAPTISM--PLEDGE TAKEN--THE PRISON GATE--THE BIBLE ON THE
+     HOUSETOP--THE CONVICT'S WIDOW AND SON.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS POWER.
+
+     "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." PS. xix. 7.
+
+"Pioneers are required in my parish," said the Rector to the Missionary,
+at the time of his appointment. "In these densely populated parts of
+London the people have outgrown the influence of the Church. I, for
+instance, have upwards of 16,000 poor, and very few of the better
+classes. Not twenty of these poor attend church, and the dissenters draw
+very few. The sad truth is, that through neglect of religious duties the
+people are fast losing the knowledge of God; and their close contact
+with the depraved and criminal, is demoralizing them with the leaven of
+wickedness. Several of my curates have attempted to grapple with the
+evil, but its magnitude has overpowered us. In addition to
+over-crowding, the migratory habits of the people increase the
+difficulty. I am assured that in several of the streets the inhabitants
+are changed once or twice a year, and in the courts there are often
+monthly changes in the rooms. As soon therefore as good is done some of
+the people leave, and fresh comers require the work to be done over
+again. This difficulty can only be met by an order of men with special
+qualifications for the work, and sufficiently numerous to cover all the
+bad neighbourhoods; so that the people wherever they move to may be
+brought under Christian influences. Your society has an aggressive
+element of simple Christianity, which is calculated to accomplish this,
+and to keep your agents down to their work, and I therefore give you a
+hearty welcome, and the assurance of my sympathy in your labours."
+
+The Pioneer soon found that the Rector's statements as regards the
+moving habits of the people were correct. After short intervals between
+visits he frequently found persons in whom he had become interested
+gone, and not a trace of them remaining, their places being occupied by
+others. This was the case one afternoon in a house round the
+corner,--one of the houses included in the block, and which we for
+weighty reasons have regarded as part of the Court. The visitor was
+walking upstairs, when he met a new arrival of so strange a type that he
+was arrested as by an apparition. It was evidently a little girl of
+meagre form and aged expression of countenance, but here the likeness to
+our species grew doubtful. Her ethnology was not clearly developed as
+she stood with bare shoulders of raven blackness, her lank light hair
+being tied up in a bunch with pieces of rag, while the face and hands
+were of a yellowish, dirty hue. The object was startled at meeting the
+stranger, and was about to retreat, when he stopped her by asking a
+question. She answered in a sharp, precocious manner, and the following
+dialogue took place.
+
+"My good child, who are you?"
+
+"Black Poll: that me. And I goes to the gaff, and I does the changes,
+and jumps 'Jim Crow;' and when I ain't black I sings 'Charming Judy
+O'Calligan.' That me!"
+
+"Do your father and mother live here?"
+
+"What a stunner! cos I ain't got no mother: she died of cholera. Dusty,
+what does the bones, is my uncle. He took me out of the workus, and I
+earns him lots,--ten shills a week."
+
+"How many of you are there?"
+
+"Oh, a lot! We ain't together. Billy Mutton is our guv'nor; and Dusty
+has took that ere sky-parlour, and they all comes here to be blacked
+up."
+
+The Missionary approached the door indicated, and of necessity gave a
+loud knock, as men were conversing inside. To the inquiry, "What are you
+thumping there for?" he opened the door and stepped in. The man who
+confronted him was of short stature, and of the most dismal of black
+complexions. His attire was of light tweed, with broad green stripes.
+Upon his knee rested a fiddle, and its stick was in his right hand ready
+for practice. The table was placed near the window, and in addition to
+its other uses it evidently served for purposes of the toilet. Two cheap
+looking-glasses were upon it, and two tallow candles, placed in bottles,
+were burning, though it was full daylight. The men were evidently
+burning pieces of cork, adding tallow and a black powder, and then
+rubbing the precious composition over their hands and faces. Two of the
+men had completed the beautifying process, and one of them was tying on
+an immense white handkerchief, while the other with an adhesive
+composition was fixing a nasal organ of extraordinary shape and
+proportion. All this was seen while the stranger was making his office
+known, though but few words were necessary, as the tracts in his hand
+indicated his business. It was evident that the man with the fiddle
+understood him, as he without delay commenced playing "Drops of
+Brandy," and continued a medley of comic tunes, ogling his eyes and
+gesticulating in a humorous manner. He received occasional assistance
+from his companions, who struck up choruses or attitudinized with
+mirthful effect. Judging from his hearty laugh the stranger fully
+appreciated their efforts, and instead of leaving, as they no doubt
+expected, took a seat. Before the last scrape of the fiddle had died
+away he remarked coolly, "That's more than I could do, because I have
+not your ability. Why, were I to attempt a tune upon that fiddle, I
+should make such a discord as to startle and perhaps drive you all out
+of the room. The day is however coming when I shall hope to be a
+musician."
+
+To an expression of inquiry the speaker produced his pocket Bible, and
+observed: "You may not know it, but very much in this Book was written
+for and has been set to music, and the song I mean to sing is here, and
+something about the instrument I hope to play. Now there are instruments
+mentioned here which you could never play, and some which you have not
+even heard of, such as the sackbut and dulcimer; but you all know the
+harp?"
+
+"I can play it a bit," exclaimed a man at the glass.
+
+"That's the instrument," continued the stranger; "and all Christians
+will play it when they get to heaven, for it is written here, 'And I
+heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sang as it
+were a new song,' and the singers were '_redeemed_ from the earth.'" The
+meaning of the beautiful word "redemption" was then explained to them,
+and their attention directed to the Redeemer.
+
+As the child entered to have her toilet completed the speaker said, "I
+will tell you more about that another time. I really came in to ask you
+about this child. She looks ill and overdone with work. I suppose that
+she stays until very late at the gaff?" The man with the bones, who had
+mounted a naval cocked-hat, replied, "I took her out of the workus,
+guv'nor, to make a woman on her; but bless yer, her woice has gone, and
+she can't keep up with her clump shoes for twenty minutes; and as we are
+a-going werry soon to the seaside, we means to leave her with Mother
+Dell, down the Court."
+
+The men were startled as the Missionary inquired sternly, "Do you men
+believe that there is a God in heaven?"
+
+Upon several answering "Yes!" he continued: "He is the great Father of
+us all, and it is not His will that even this little one should perish.
+You know that that woman is vile and drunken, and has juvenile thieves
+and depraved people in her house, and yet you would expose this poor
+child to a life of crime. This shall not be, as I will take her, in the
+name of the Redeemer, and place her in a home."
+
+"Glad to get rid on her," was the heartless reply. But as the Missionary
+left, a dissipated-looking man, who had partly completed the blacking
+process, sprung from his glass, and following him to the stairs, said
+with emotion, "Thank you sir. I am a wicked backslider; but do take care
+of poor little Polly." This request was accompanied with a grasp of the
+hand which left a mark so black that hard washing was required to erase
+the stain; that however did not matter, as it was the grasp of
+gratitude.
+
+Next morning a lady and the Missionary entered the niggers' room. The
+child, whose complexion had by scrubbing been reduced from black to a
+whitey-brown, looked worn and ill; but her eyes brightened as the lady
+took hold of her little hand, and said, "If you are good in the new
+home, I will always be kind to you." The act of condescension, and the
+sweet tone of that educated voice, had its influence with the niggers,
+for they murmured their thanks, and gave the child an affectionate
+farewell; Dusty's voice being the last heard from the top of the stairs,
+exhorting her to "be a good un, and a credit to yer uncle."
+
+That afternoon another kindness was done, though only in the way of good
+advice, for a daughter of the Court. Her parents were old inhabitants,
+they had lived there for many years, and sustained the respectability of
+the costermonger's calling.
+
+"Should like to have a say with you, mister, if you ain't a-going," said
+the head of the family to the Missionary, as he was leaving the place;
+and when with the good wife they were seated in the little parlour,
+surrounded with partly decayed vegetables, he continued as follows: "You
+know my Bess: as good a girl as ever was, she is, and a fortune to any
+coster what gets her. Why she took to the trade quite natural like. When
+only as high as them baskets we sent her out with cat's meat, and she
+did wonderful. Such a girl to cut up a piece of horseflesh never was;
+and then you should have seen how she skewered it! Why she made lots of
+it, and all of them thought they had thumping hap'orths; howsomever the
+cats all got their bones through their furs, and then they diskivered
+what a girl our Bess was."
+
+After a pause for consideration he proceeded. "May be you doesn't know
+Tom, who sold lots of cowcumbers last summer and put a sov in the bank,
+as he doesn't put his hand to his mouth unnecessary, as he's teetotal.
+His father and I has known each other always, cos we was both born in
+Short's Court, Whitechapel, which was a curious circumstance, and we
+always has a pint when we meets. Now his Tom has a new silk round his
+neck, and looks handsome, as he always is. So he gets near my barrow
+when Bess is there, and helps her knock off trade quick, and he pushes
+home hisself. Well on Sunday he comes the swell, and wanted to walk Bess
+out, and says he to me, 'My father's a coming to have a pint with you
+over this job, as you was both born in that ere Court; and I wouldn't
+let your Bess push that ere barrow, cos I've three sovs, and I'd buy her
+a pretty donkey. That's me. And I wants Bess to be my lawful wedded
+wife.'" Here he looked at the mother, who was in tears, and inquired,
+"What would you do, master, if you was us?"
+
+The visitor felt the importance of his position, and at once rose to the
+dignity of the friend of the family: for what can be a greater proof of
+friendship than to be consulted about matrimonial alliances, their
+settlements and prospects?
+
+As arranged, the parties concerned met the following Sunday afternoon
+for consultation, and to receive the advice of their friend. He however
+found upon his arrival that other considerations than his advice had
+settled the business. The elders of Short's Court had agreed to cement a
+life-long friendship by becoming relations. The mothers were in close
+consultation about the new home to be established in the Place; and as
+for the young people, they were in an ecstatic state of mutual
+admiration. Her affection to her parents and high costermongering
+qualities had been enlarged upon to Tom's delight, and his sobriety and
+promise of the donkey had filled her cup of happiness to the brim. There
+was only one difficulty, and Tom considered it a real one, for he said
+gravely, "How is the banns to be got up? for it looks so for a coster to
+go into a church to speak to the parson."
+
+"The clergyman is coming down with me during the week," said the
+Missionary, "as he wishes to know you all: and I will bring him in here;
+and if you like to invite me I will attend the wedding." A hearty
+welcome, words of Christian counsel, and much shaking of hands followed,
+and then the affianced and their friends were left as happy as princes
+and nobles are supposed to be on such occasions.
+
+For three Sundays the banns were read and the free seats occupied with
+awkward worshippers, as a wedding was a strange event in the Court, and
+not a few of its inhabitants went to hear "Bess asked;" and then the
+third Monday, like all appointed days, arrived quickly, and brought
+excitement and joy into the Place. A party of East-end barrow-men
+arrived early, and for that day fraternized with the costers of the
+West, and young urchins were quarrelling over sundry old tin kettles and
+saucepans, which they had provided for the rough music of the evening.
+The doors and windows were thronged, and a crowd was waiting at the end
+of the Place to accompany the bride to church. At length a shout was
+raised, and the bride stepped forth, leaning upon the arm of the
+bridegroom. Her light cotton dress, pink shawl, and white cotton gloves,
+were admired by all; while the blue bonnet, with large red rose and
+white strings, was the envy as well as the admiration of the female
+portion of the crowd. The bridegroom was sensibly dressed in a new
+business suit, his happy face being surmounted with a beaver which the
+trade pronounced to be "nobby." The relations followed in a group
+behind, a mob bringing up the rear.
+
+Those who entered the church were reverential during the solemnity, the
+officiating minister was most kind to the bridal party, the happy pair
+made their marks in the register, the clerk filled in particulars, and
+the party left the church; the Missionary joined the group, and all
+marched back to the Court as merry as wedding bells. The widow, like
+another Martha, had been busy about many things, as the saveloys,
+shrimps, cake, and coffee were all ready, and she received the bride
+with a kiss of motherly affection. The simple breakfast was soon over,
+and their friend then opened his Bible and read about the marriage in
+Cana of Galilee, spoke kindly to the young people about dedication to
+God being the secret of a happy married life, and he then commended them
+in prayer to the blessing of the Almighty.
+
+Thus ended the wedding; but its influence was felt among the people, and
+from that time a higher moral tone was developed. Family secrets indeed
+were discovered, and the kind Rector often remitted fees, as a proof of
+his interest in the people, that none should wilfully live in
+transgression. On one morning alone the lay agent gave away three wives,
+and this led to the baptism of an aged woman and six children. The woman
+rented one of the houses, and went to the marriage of her lodger; she
+had attended the little mission meeting, and had become anxious about
+her salvation; without telling the cause, she had suffered deep
+spiritual distress. Upon leaving the church she expressed desire to
+speak to the clergyman, and upon being taken into the vestry told him
+that "she had not been baptized, as her parents lived in Holborn Rents,
+and did not care about religion; that she passed as a widow, and had
+grown-up children, but had not been married, which now made her
+miserable." She was exhorted to repent truly, and promised that upon
+expressing repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
+she should be baptized.
+
+About a month after, a scene of solemn interest took place at the font.
+The Rector, who was himself nearly seventy, placed the water of baptism
+upon the brow of the woman of seventy-five years, the young Missionary
+pronouncing her name. That evening a prayer-meeting was held in the
+Court, to seek a blessing upon the newly baptized, and the attendance
+was very large; unlikely persons were there, including two of the
+translators, the woman of the dogs, and a rough. The passage itself was
+crowded, and to those who engaged in prayer there were indications of
+spiritual blessing,--of an aroused state of feeling, as though the voice
+had said, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these
+slain, that they may live." The hymn, "There is a fountain filled with
+blood," was sung, and the fifth chapter of the 2nd Corinthians read. The
+Evangelist then spoke simply and clearly of judgment and of mercy, and
+besought his hearers to be reconciled to God.
+
+After the meeting several remained behind to be prayed with. One of
+these was a fishwoman of hard features and vile tongue. She was quite
+forty years of age, and had removed into the Place from a neighbouring
+street which had no thoroughfare, and was called by the people "Little
+Hell." Bad as the inhabitants in the Court were, they conceived a
+dislike to this woman, which made her life uncomfortable. She was indeed
+hateful to many. When addressed kindly at her door, and told of
+"goodness and mercy," she was subdued at once; and communicated the
+secret of her debased condition. She said, "I was a pretty little
+village girl, and when I comed up to London I got hawful wicked, and now
+I am obleged to be a fish-fag: and you make me think of the parson lady
+as made us kneel along the church and say them prayers." It was plain
+that the good impressions made in the village church so many years
+before were being revived, and she was invited to the meeting, and that
+with blessed result.
+
+Proof was also given that the blessing was not transient but real, and
+the minister of the neighbouring Baptist chapel became deeply interested
+in the Place. When the Missionary, at his request, called upon him, he
+said, "I am glad to know and to encourage you in the Lord's work; and
+then I want to speak to you about an old man. You may have heard that
+twice a week I have temperance meetings under my chapel. For some time
+past this old man has been constant in his attendance, and I am told
+that he has for years been a pest in the neighbourhood, and is called
+Drunken Sammy. When invited he signed the pledge, and since then some of
+my people have got him to attend the services. One Sunday I sent for him
+into the vestry, and he spoke of you and a widow as his friends, and of
+his promise to keep sober. He is evidently under deep religious
+convictions, and as he is very shy I have told the pew opener to keep a
+seat for him near the door. Of this I am convinced, that he will not
+break the pledge, as he speaks with anger of the cursed drink. Besides
+him, two women out of the same place are usually at chapel, and say that
+'the man who reads the Bible has made them feel that they are not
+Christians, and that they want to be happy;' so we are getting them here
+to a week-night service."
+
+This was pleasant but not strange news, because the Missionary knew that
+the acting of conscience, enlightened by the Word of God and the
+emotions of the new life, were felt by many; and that as the result,
+they were pressing into the various churches and chapels. The work
+indeed became overpowering; and it was impossible for him to speak with
+all who now desired his visits, as many in their distress kept him a
+long time. Strength equal to the day was however given; and almost
+nightly meetings in the widow's room made up for lost visits.
+
+Among those who received marked benefit was the sewerman, who occupied a
+back "parlour" for his family and the yard for rats which he caught in
+the "shores" (sewers) and brought home in a bag attached to the inside
+of his coat. The smell of rats was always strong upon him, and as he had
+a blinking peering look he was far from popular with his neighbours.
+When, however, in his earnestness to hear, he pressed forward into the
+meeting room, several smiled pleasure at seeing him, and he was motioned
+to a seat. After this he was constant in his attendance, and a gradual
+change of appearance was noticed. That he washed himself in right good
+earnest was evident, and the lighting up of his countenance, with effort
+to join in the singing, proved that his soul also was stirred by the
+glad and to him new tidings of the Saviour's mercy. He avoided
+conversation upon his spiritual state, as he knew not how to express his
+feelings, and nothing could induce him to attend with respectable people
+at public worship (he may have considered himself offensive), but he got
+to love the little meeting, and it became evident that he had attained
+to peace in believing.
+
+To the Missionary and his helpers this was a time for rejoicing; but
+they had also their discouragements and anxieties. A folded letter, for
+instance, of strange shape, and bearing the impression, "Dartmoor
+Convict Establishment," was delivered at one of the meetings; and upon
+opening it the following printed instructions met the eye: "In writing
+to the convict, direct to No. 2484 (_a._ 1, 2)." This was evidently the
+number of the young thief whose companion had asked the Missionary to
+reform him upon his first visit to the Court, on the ground of his being
+"unlucky." That effort had been made in earnest; for the mother and the
+Missionary upon the next discharge morning took their stand at the
+iron-barred gate of Coldbath Field's prison, and waited until the heavy
+lock was opened and the ponderous bolt withdrawn. Then the jail-birds
+issued out helter-skelter, looking well, and rejoicing in their liberty
+as if bent on pleasure. Some were received by their "pals," unmistakable
+members of the criminal class, and were conducted in a sort of triumph
+to their former dens, with the prospect of a little wild pleasure,
+another crime, and then a longer term of imprisonment. Our bird, a
+sharp-looking, well grown youth of seventeen years, was seized by his
+mother, and hastily informed "that this ere gent had come to reform
+him." A keen glance at the reformer and a movement of the eyelid,
+understood by such people as "the knowing wink," expressed his
+reluctance to undergo the process. He then, in a surly way, said to his
+mother, "I wants some bacca and some beer: that's what I wants; and I'll
+have it!" As he glanced at a group of persons who had hurried from the
+prison-gate to the public-house, the mother evidently felt that the
+required refreshment was the only means of keeping her son. She
+therefore whispered to her friend, "He'll bolt, yer honour; so I'll
+treat him, and then he will be a lamb, the dear will!" And then they
+also passed over to the public-house, leaving the reformer outside, and
+in a perplexity as to what he ought to do. The long walk with that
+strange-looking woman had been almost a punishment, for everybody turned
+round to look at her. She noticed the annoyance, and volunteered this
+explanation: "You see, yer honour, I must wear this ere large cap, as I
+should get rheumatics in my poor head; and it's now seventeen years
+since I ever wore a bonnet or shawl, cos of my oath. My husband was a
+good chap to me, and had only once got into trouble. Well, he went out
+with a fool what peached, and they lifted a lot of bonnets and a box of
+the beautifulest shawls as ever was; and he was collared in the place
+where they was, and he got fourteen years over the sea. I then goes down
+on my knees, and swears that I would never wear bonnet or shawl till he
+come back. He never saw our Eddy, as he was born the week after he had
+gone, and he died very soon at Van Diemen's; and I tried to bring up
+Eddy respectable like, but he's like his poor father. Now if people
+tells you that I receives, tell them that they lies; cos I lives honest,
+and does pawning for women what has got modesty, and doesn't like to be
+seen going to their Uncle's; and then I gets more on anything, and
+picks up what I can: but I'm an honest woman!"
+
+This "honest woman" and her son only remained a few minutes in the
+public-house; and as they came toward him, the heart of the Missionary
+yearned for their salvation. That fine youthful countenance had already
+the lines of viciousness upon it; and he was not improved by the short
+cut hair and the long pipe he was smoking. Poor fellow, he was but one
+of thousands of the youth of this great city who are as much brought up
+to live lives of crime as heathen children who are taught to pray to
+gods of wood and stone. Now it surely must be true that Christian
+sympathy has power to penetrate the souls of the depraved: for as the
+three pursued their homeward journey there was between them confidence
+and good fellowship; and though the would-be reformer was disappointed,
+he felt that an influence had been gained over the depraved youth.
+
+The offer of a refuge was refused, but the young thief promised to
+attend a class at the Ragged School which the Missionary was forming,
+and in which he himself intended to teach. He did attend, with eight
+other unruly natives of the Court, and received instruction so readily,
+and made such progress, that hope was entertained of his reformation. He
+obtained work at the side of the Canal, to unload boats, and had kept to
+it for several weeks, when a circumstance occurred which crushed his
+high spirit. The members of a gang of "Sneaks and Mudlarks," with which
+he had been associated, were annoyed at his forsaking their company.
+Several of these one day crossed over the bridge and saw him at work.
+They called to the other workmen, and told them "that that fellow was a
+known thief, and had had four months on the mill." That evening the
+foreman made inquiries of the police, and in the morning when the poor
+youth went to work he was spurned from the gate. The mother incited him
+to take vengeance, and he severely beat two of the youths who, as he
+said, had ruined him.
+
+When the friend and teacher heard of his trouble he called to see him,
+and the youth opened the door; but instead of speaking he ran upstairs.
+He was followed: but he vanished at the upper landing. As he absented
+himself from the class, other efforts to reach him were made, but he
+always disappeared at the top of the stairs. One afternoon the teacher
+saw his pupil enter the house, and followed him in. He sprang forward,
+his friend after him, and as he disappeared the teacher thought that he
+heard the trap-door of the roof close down. He at once placed his right
+foot upon the old handrail, and pushing the trap-door open sprang out
+upon the roof of the house; and there, before the chimney-stack, beside
+his pigeon-house, sat the vanished one. He looked unhappy, but joined in
+a hearty laugh as the Missionary took his seat between the next pair of
+chimney pots. The novelty of their position was soon forgotten as the
+poor lad spoke of his persecutions and troubles. The pocket Bible was
+produced, and the narrative was read of Peter praying upon the
+house-top, and his seeing the vision of a great sheet, knit at the four
+corners, let down from heaven, containing all manner of four-footed
+beasts of the earth. From the words, "God has showed me that I should
+not call any man common or unclean," the Gospel was made plain to him,
+and the ease with which grace enables us to resist temptation and to
+bear troubles. Tears started into the eyes of the poor youth, as he
+said, almost in a whisper, "I ortent to have done it, sir; but I thinks
+that I am done for now. I was a fool to bolt from you." And then he
+glanced along the roof so anxiously, that a detective would have
+suspected a thief's trail to another trap-door. An angry voice called a
+"lazy varmint" to come to tea, and then the trap opened and the
+Missionary made his descent. He was received by the strange mother with
+a scream of surprise, and the announcement "that it was dreadful to see
+him a-coming down there."
+
+[Illustration: "He sprang out upon the roof of the house, and there,
+before the chimney stack, beside his pigeon house, sat the vanished
+one."]
+
+That call to tea was the last which the convict's widow gave to her son.
+In the midst of it stealthy steps were heard upon the stairs, but the
+youth made no effort to escape. Two policemen in plain clothes entered
+the room, and one of them, seizing him by the arm, said, "We want you
+upon a charge of burglary, with violence to the person, committed last
+night at Hampstead." The prisoner burst into tears, and his mother,
+throwing her arms around him, gave a deep cry of anguish. There was but
+short delay, for he was hurried down stairs, and on to the station. Next
+morning he appeared in the dock at the police court, and a clear case
+was made out against him. His companions were taken upon the spot, and
+though he escaped, his face had been seen by the police and two other
+persons. At his trial he pleaded guilty, and his companions, who were
+well-known thieves, were sentenced to ten years' transportation, and
+himself to seven. His teacher visited him at the House of Detention, and
+then in the cell at Newgate. He appeared to be truly penitent, and
+promised to send him his first letter; and this accounts for the epistle
+from the convict establishment. When the Missionary read it to the
+wretched mother, she acknowledged that her sins had separated her from
+her God, her husband, and her son; and then, for the first time, she
+knelt down, and sobbed again while Divine mercy was implored on her
+behalf. There is some hope in her case and for her son also, as the
+Chaplain wrote a private note to the Missionary, asking for particulars
+concerning the convict, and telling him that the prisoner showed
+contrition, and spoke with feeling about a conversation upon the
+house-top. We must therefore leave convict 2484 (_a._ 1, 2), to endure
+the penalty of his crime, and show what kindness we can to his mother.
+
+
+The Book in the Court:
+
+ITS AUTHORITY.
+
+  "'I am going there now!'--
+  There was light on his brow:
+  Then up to the skies
+  He lifted his eyes,
+  With a bright sweet smile
+  On his face the while.
+  One struggling breath,
+  And the hand of death
+  Had broken the chain
+  Of his grief and pain;
+  And the soul had fled
+  From the silent dead,
+  And free as the lark,
+  And above the dark,
+  And above the cloud
+  And the toiling crowd,
+  Had entered the rest
+  Of the good and blest."
+
+                                      _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+     A BLACKLEG--MINIATURE ALTAR--THE PEACEMAKER--THE WAFER--AN ANIMATED
+     SANDWICH--SAVED FROM ERROR--THE TRAVELLING TINKER--THE DYING CHILD.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS AUTHORITY.
+
+     "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to
+     this word, it is because there is no light in them." ISA. viii. 20.
+
+If the crew of a man of war may be regarded as a "little world," the
+densely-packed hundreds of our Court could certainly claim the same
+distinction. In addition to the miserable shelter which conferred upon
+them the few joys of home and the associations of their life-struggles,
+there were many links to the large outer world. All, without exception,
+had to do battle with keen, cold poverty; and in the morning as they
+left their dwellings it was amusing to contemplate the nature of their
+various pursuits, as fifty-six different callings were professed by
+them. The costermongers might be seen pushing out their barrows of
+vegetables, fruit, and coarse fish. The hucksters and the itinerant
+herbalist with their boxes. The sweep with his machine, and the Punch
+and Judy man with his show upon his shoulders, and red-coated dog Toby
+at his heels. Professed beggars, confirmed thieves, and the
+fortune-telling women, left at more genteel hours; while the workers
+with the needle, both men and women, might at all times be seen hurrying
+off to shops with the work they had accomplished in "poverty, hunger,
+and dirt." And then, strange as it may seem, there were inhabitants in
+that obscure place which linked it to the upper classes. In a
+first-floor front lived two aged women, one of them a lady of
+eighty-four years. Though very feeble and careless as regarded present
+comforts, she had a vivid recollection of persons and of events
+connected with the beginning of the century. She was the daughter of a
+physician, and had been governess to the children of a Duke, and
+received a pension of L30 a year, which was her living. Her delight was
+to untie bundles of letters with crested seals and arms upon them, to
+show the autographs, and to relate anecdotes of her great friends who
+had long passed away, but several of whose names live in their country's
+records. Her companion was the widow of a mechanic, with an allowance
+from the parish. She always treated the lady with respect, and a close
+friendship had for many years existed between them. In death they were
+scarcely divided, as she only survived the lady for a few weeks.
+
+The blackleg who for some months shared a room with two news-boys, had
+the unmistakable bearing of a gentleman, and though a master of slang he
+could not divest his tongue of its College culture. At a time of
+compunction he told the visitor that he was the brother of a Baronet,
+but that dissipation and gambling had reduced him to want bread. "I bear
+an alias," he continued, "that the family name may not be disgraced, but
+I will never humble myself to relations. I am now out of luck, and have
+to act as billiard-marker in a low flash house, but I have nicely hedged
+my book for the Derby, and if fortune smiles I shall have sufficient
+cash to establish myself in Canada, where I may rise to my proper
+position." At the time of the Derby he was absent from his lodgings for
+a week; one morning he returned well dressed, paid up his lodging, gave
+the news-boys ten shillings each, as "nest eggs" for the savings-bank,
+left a note for the Missionary, expressing his sincere thanks for his
+kind interest in him; and after that was not heard of again.
+
+In our little world there were also those who had defined religious and
+political opinions, and the people were not always free from the
+excitement which on some subjects disturbs the outer world. There were
+barber's shop and taproom politicians, as well as "anti-theologians,"
+and several, who through ignorance of the truth, were the victims of
+superstition. The great body of the men were of Republican and Communist
+opinions, and belonged to what are justly called "the dangerous
+classes," while the principles of pure and undefiled religion were only
+beginning to exert their influence in forming public opinion in our
+Court. Just at this time new occupants entered the back parlour of No.
+11, and a short account of them and their proceedings will help to show
+the mind of the people.
+
+The family consisted of an Irishwoman and her two sons. She was employed
+at a Roman Catholic Chapel, and her two sons served at the altar. At
+home they showed their devotion by placing a miniature altar upon a
+table opposite their door, which was usually open. It was prettily
+arranged, with its sacred place high in the centre, and its covering of
+silk with finely wrought cross and sprigs of flowers. On one side was a
+little font-like vessel containing holy water, and on the other an image
+of "the Virgin," with a bunch of artificial flowers at her feet. At
+times the room was darkened and several small candles were lit upon the
+altar. The effect was striking, and as the lodgers passed they looked
+with a kind of awe at the woman and her sons when prostrate before it.
+As other Romanists went into the room to perform their devotions, and as
+they commenced circulating little books, the family became a trial to
+the Missionary. The enemy was sowing tares, but a circumstance occurred
+which neutralized the bad influence.
+
+If this was an effort at proselytism, they fixed upon a bad position for
+the purpose, as the next room was occupied by a young man who styled
+himself a "positive religionist." He was a shoemaker, but by
+self-culture had educated himself above his fellows. He was well read in
+infidel literature, and being of a reflective, philosophical order of
+mind, had worked out a system of opposition to Divine revelation. The
+infidels of the neighbourhood regarded him as their "coming man," and
+his fame was spreading, as he was clever in argument and powerful in
+debate. The Missionary, upon his first visit, felt so powerless in
+meeting his objections, that he commenced a course of reading, with the
+one object of leading him into the way of truth. This man became
+interested in the religious observances of the lodgers in the next room,
+and often conversed with them. One morning the youth opened the sacred
+place, and taking out a sacramental "wafer," told the infidel that he
+had brought it from the chapel; that it was only a wafer then, but that
+if a priest pronounced the words of consecration over it, it would
+immediately be changed into the Lord Jesus Christ. To confirm this he
+gave him a catechism containing the Creed of Pius IV., and pointed out
+the words, "In this Sacrament are contained not only the true body of
+Christ, and all the constituents of a true body, as _bones_ and
+_sinews_, but also _Christ whole and entire_." The infidel read this,
+and again asked to see the wonderful wafer. As the youth held it in his
+palm, the infidel struck the under part of the hand, and caught the
+wafer as it fell. It was broken into several pieces, but he rushed into
+his room, and pasted it together upon a piece of brown paper.
+
+About ten days after, the visitor noticed several of the Irish residents
+and the youth in an excited conversation. Upon inquiring the cause, they
+told him that the young man had taken the blessed wafer round to infidel
+meetings, where they had made fun of and pretended to pray to it. "Och,
+an' shure," exclaimed a labourer, "an' his riverence never altered it at
+all, at all; but howan'iver he says 'twas took by Mick, and 'twasn't
+given, and it's himself to do penance!" And then he declared with a
+bitter oath, that he would take it back to the priest. As the man had a
+pick in his hand, and raised it in a threatening manner, and a crowd,
+chiefly of his own countrymen, were assembling, the Missionary felt it
+to be his duty to act as peacemaker, and therefore exclaimed with a
+smile, "Try reason before the shillelagh: the youth and one of you had
+better go with me and ask them to give it back to him!" This was agreed
+to, and they made their way to the room of the six "translators," to
+which place the young man had fled with his prize when he saw the storm
+brewing. The men had pinned the wafer to the wall, and a filthy object
+it looked. They were evidently prepared to defend it, but were
+embarrassed by the presence of the Missionary, who addressing the young
+man, said, "I heard you called a thief; now as positive morality is a
+part of positive religion, I have come to ask you to restore the stolen
+wafer." "Not I!" he replied, with a merry laugh, in which his companions
+joined. "I shall rather try and find a priest, and get him to conjure it
+into the Man of Nazareth, to the benefit of my paste as well as the
+dough, and then we shall look upon and pray to--" Here, with profane
+words, he uttered that name which is high above every name that is named
+in heaven and in earth. A shout of derision from the group of infidels
+was silenced by the visitor, who said firmly, "This is really bad of
+you, to defend an immoral act by an outrage upon my feelings. That wafer
+is not, and never can become the Saviour of the world. To believe that,
+is no part of the Christian religion, that belief is a horrid corruption
+added to the Christian system. Listen while I read from this book, the
+standard of Christian faith, Christ's institution of His holy sacrament,
+which the wafer-god profanes: 'The Lord Jesus, the same night in which
+He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it,
+and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do
+in remembrance of Me. After the same manner He took the cup, when He had
+supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye,
+as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me; for as oft as ye eat this
+bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.'"
+And then, raising his voice, the reader said, "Be it known to you that
+the perpetuity of this sacrament is one of the many external evidences
+which support a truth in which each of you has a present and eternal
+interest; that the Lord Jesus, after accomplishing death for your
+salvation, rose from the dead, and is now alive, and is seated at God's
+right hand, a Prince and a Saviour." As he ceased speaking the infidels
+conferred among themselves; and then the young man unpinned the wafer
+from the wall, and handing it to the youth, said, "There, take it back,
+as it ain't moral for us to keep it, though it's not worth so much as
+one of our bristles, of which we get a lot for a penny; but we never
+take one without asking each other for it." The youth seized the dirty
+object, and, with his friend, hurried downstairs, while the reader stood
+with the sword of the Spirit in his hand, ready to do conflict with the
+King's enemies.
+
+Poor wafer! but for the accident of a youth taking thee instead of
+another, thou wouldest have been the object of an imposing ceremonial:
+placed upon a high altar and surrounded by lighted candles, before thee
+incense would have been burned, and priests in gorgeous raiment would
+have prostrated themselves, while a congregation of worshippers would
+have adored thee as the Lord who had redeemed them. Instead of this,
+thou wast the cause of His blessed name being blasphemed, and, as the
+embodiment of a lie, made to hinder the salvation of wicked men.
+
+From the time the miniature altar was set up, it was noticed that two
+Sisters of Mercy, with their dismal clothing and large baskets,
+frequently made their appearance in the Court, and the Widow observed
+three children of a poor English family, who lived in the house,
+returning from the convent school with the Irish children. Upon speaking
+to the mother upon the subject, she said, that "the Sisters came in to
+see her and gave her nice things, and asked her to send the children to
+their school; and, as one religion was as good as another, she should do
+as she liked." The children, when spoken to about their school, repeated
+a prayer which they said they "had been taught to say to a great dolly
+with a baby in its arms." Upon hearing this, the Missionary decided
+upon speaking to the father upon the matter, and in the evening went for
+that purpose.
+
+This man was an "animated sandwich," and as he shuffled into the Court
+with his worn out shoes and crushed hat, clothing to match being partly
+concealed by boards covered with flaming placards, he appeared a
+deplorable object. His haggard, careworn expression of face led one to
+believe his saying, that "he was a chap as had been smashed up." Little
+did he think, as the Missionary followed him upstairs, that he had been
+the subject of much thought, and that the visitor he welcomed was as
+desirous for his favour as though he had been one of the great of the
+earth. The poor man was in a communicative state of mind, and in reply
+to inquiries respecting his health and business prospects, made the
+following statement.
+
+"You see, master, as how sandwiches never can get on, cos we're a
+broke-down lot. Why you should see us afore we starts with our boards,
+all a-rubbin' our rheumatisms or a-coughin', so as it is wonderful how
+we gets on. But lots of us are respectable though we ain't always
+honest, as we get into a public instead of crawling, and there we enjoys
+our pipes and talks. Why one on us is a queer old man what had a good
+business in the muffin line, and it udd make you stare if you heard the
+poetry he makes up, and then you would laugh, and then your eyes would
+water like. Well, to-day he brings in a new song all by hisself, and it
+all ends with what is called--
+
+  "'The man what walks the gutters.'
+
+"And it's a correct account of how we are looked down on, and shows
+that none of our old pals will shake our paws, as it's awkward like when
+your harms pop out of your side like serampores at the railway; and then
+it shows that it's no good to police the men what gets drunk, and fine
+'em five shillings, the correct thing being to make 'em sandwiches for a
+week with 'vertisements about them teetotal meetings. And then nobs
+would mayhaps have to do the boards, which would helewate the
+perfession, as all what they does helewates. Howsomever a chap what's a
+wagabon offered me his fist, and I kicked his shins; and affor that I
+never killed a fly, as my 'art is tender-like. That wagabon ruined us.
+My wife was a 'ousemaid, and I was a cabby; and she had twenty-three
+sovereigns, and I had ten on 'em. So we made a match, and I took a
+stable and borrowed a 'orse, and bought an old cab and did it up, and we
+was a-doing first-rate. So that man comes one morning, and says he to
+me, 'You're good natured, and if you'll oblige me, I will oblige you;
+and I wants to buy a 'orse, and if you'll write across a paper what's a
+bill, I'll have the money and will stand treat.' Well, that made me feel
+as I was a gent to get money with writing, and I does it; and the treat
+I had wasn't no good. Well, three months arter that, a chap comes to my
+stable with a paper nearly all print, which said I was to pay that
+fifteen pounds I signed on the paper; and I couldn't and I wouldn't, and
+I got drunk lots of times, and they hexecuted in the stable, and then I
+hadn't a cab; and then I frets, and was werry ill in the hospital; and
+then I thought a lot, and says I to myself, says I, 'I ortent to have
+writ on that paper, and I ortent to have took to the drink, and I ortent
+to have been 'ard with the wife, as I made the trouble. And now I'm a
+sandwich I brings her the little bit of money I gets."
+
+"You did wrong," said the Missionary, "in signing that paper without
+consulting your wife and your Bible. She might have seen the danger and
+prevented it; if not the good Book would have said to you, 'Be not thou
+one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
+If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under
+thee?' I have called in because I find that you are making another
+mistake, a very serious one, as regards your children, by allowing them
+to go to the convent school. The Sisters have been kind to your wife,
+and have persuaded her that there is no difference between their
+religion and that which is true; they have however caused your children
+to kneel before images, though God in the commandment has said, 'Thou
+shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or bow down thyself to them.'
+Besides this, they will be taught other things which are not true, and
+must therefore injure them. Poor as you are, you are responsible to God
+for your children, and you sin by allowing them to be brought up in a
+false religion. Bear bravely with your troubles, and brighter days may
+come, but do right to your children by allowing me to take them to a
+proper school." After a feeble resistance from the mother this was
+agreed to, and the visit ended in a reading from the Bible; after which
+the family knelt together at the throne of grace. Next morning the
+Missionary called for the children and took them to the National School.
+During the day the Sisters called upon the mother, and after a short
+visit left the Court with a quick tread. The week after, several of the
+Romanists, including the family with the miniature altar, left; eleven
+of the catechisms they had circulated were exchanged for good books, and
+so the effort to Romanize in Paradise Court was stayed.
+
+The opposite house, the door of which was closed upon the Missionary at
+his first visit, was known to leading members of the cadging fraternity
+as an "easy padding ken," which means "a quiet lodging-house for begging
+impostors." As these rogues only stayed a short time, to conceal
+themselves from the police or to prepare new deceits for their country
+friends, a rapid succession of them was met with, from the "shallow
+cove" (_i.e._, a pretended sailor in distress), to the "highflier"
+(_i.e._, a begging-letter impostor). The gipsy man and his wife who kept
+the den professed to be very fond of the tracts, but a man who did the
+"religious dodge" told the giver that they were saved up and sold to
+such as himself at twopence a dozen, for village and roadside begging.
+The landlord got into trouble with the police, and to put them off the
+scent he for several months let the upper rooms in the regular way. This
+accounts for the circumstance that the visitor did not know that the top
+back had been occupied by a family for five or six weeks. Thinking that
+lodgers were there, he, one dark November afternoon, made his way to
+that part of the house. In reply to his knock, the door was opened by a
+woman who was partly intoxicated, and, whose appearance denoted that she
+sifted upon the dust-heaps. She refused the tract which was offered upon
+the ground that "it was no good to eat;" but when told of the "true
+Bread," she opened the door wider, and looking toward a bundle of rags,
+said, "You can talk to my girl as is very bad, as I'm going out," and
+then she staggered downstairs.
+
+The visitor approached the rags, upon which lay a little girl of eleven
+years. She partly raised herself, as if to look at the stranger, and
+then sunk back as though exhausted with the effort. "I have come to talk
+to you about Jesus, and to pray with you," said the Missionary, taking
+hold of her emaciated hand, and then he paused to give the little
+sufferer time to recover from the excitement of his presence, and to
+glance round the room. It was a wretched dwelling; filthy in the
+extreme; with scarcely a vestige of furniture, unless the two boxes
+which served for seats, and the planks placed across pieces of wood,
+which served for a table, could be dignified by that name. In one corner
+was a pile of old kettles without spouts, and saucepans without handles
+and lids. In the fireplace, which was without a fender and filled with
+ashes, was a tinker's hand-fire--a saucepan with round holes at the side
+and wire handle. In different parts of the room were little heaps of
+dirty rags, bottles, and greasepots. All this showed that the occupant
+was a travelling tinker, who had been stopped on his travels by the
+illness of the child, and that his wife had obtained work upon a
+dust-heap, from which she brought worn-out tinware for her husband to
+"doctor up" and re-sell to the poor. Turning toward the child, the
+visitor inquired how long she had lived there, and if she could say the
+Lord's Prayer. In reply, the child, panting at intervals for breath, in
+a low, hollow tone, said, "For four or five Sundays, sir, I was ill, and
+we had to sleep under a hedge, which made me worse; and then we tramped
+on here, and the doctor has been to see me, and says he can't do much
+for me, as I am getting thin and can't eat;" and then raising herself
+upon her arm, she continued, her eyes lighting up with a supernatural
+brightness, "I can't say all that prayer, but I can the pretty hymn
+which is in the book under my head. I can't read, but I know it's
+there." And then the peach colour of her cheek deepened as she opened
+the "penny hymn-book," and repeated the first two verses of the hymn:
+
+  "'Come, let us join our cheerful songs
+    With angels round the throne.'"
+
+Then she threw herself back as though exhausted, but her face assumed an
+expression of intense happiness. After a few minutes the question was
+asked, "And how did you learn that hymn?" "A little girl at the tramps'
+lodging, at Ipswich," she replied, "went to Sunday-school, and took me
+with her for three Sundays: the lady saw I was ill, and kissed me, and
+told me how to say that hymn, and it makes me so happy. And I am going
+to Him soon," she whispered, gazing up with evident delight. "You must
+not talk any more, dear," said the visitor, "but I will now pray to
+Jesus, to whom the angels in heaven are singing, and ask Him to make you
+very good now, and then to take you to be with Him in glory." "Ask
+_Him_," whispered the child, "to make father and mother good: they get
+drunk and frighten me so, and say such wicked words." The request was
+complied with, and He who has told His disciples to "ask that they may
+receive," was petitioned, in simple language but in earnest prayer, to
+bless the child and to save the parents.
+
+A few necessaries were that evening sent for the child; and two days
+after the Missionary again ascended that dark staircase: he did so with
+pleasure, because he felt that in that dismal room there was a little
+one who loved the Saviour, and who would soon be called to His presence
+and personally blessed by Him. The door was opened by the mother, who
+burst into tears and turned away; upon glancing toward the bed of rags,
+the visitor was startled at seeing a small elm coffin in its place, and
+inquired when the child died. "Late in the night when you were here,"
+the mother replied, sobbing. "She was in great pain, and sat up in the
+bed and took out her little book, and said the hymn she was so fond of--
+
+'Come, let us join our cheerful songs
+  With angels round the throne;'
+
+and then her cough came on, and she fell back in the bed and died like a
+lamb." While they were speaking, the father, a low-looking tramp, came
+in; and the Missionary told them of the child's request that he would
+pray for them that they might be made good. Both of them cried with
+intense feeling, and then they knelt beside that little coffin, while
+prayer, deep earnest prayer, was offered for their salvation. That
+evening, and for several months after, they attended the meeting in the
+Widow's room, and before they left the place for a settled life, not a
+tramp's, the man gave proof of his reformation, and the woman that she
+had believed to the saving of her soul.
+
+In that day when the Lord shall give to each of His servants according
+as their work shall be, the lady who taught that beggar child a hymn
+about His love and glory, and won her heart to Him with a kiss of
+Christian charity, will in no wise lose her reward.
+
+
+The Book in the Court.
+
+ITS TRUTH.
+
+  "'Well, lad!' he said, 'I've flung my life away,
+  And now must give the reckoning in, they say.'
+  I said, 'I hope, Sir, that you stand prepared
+  To meet the Judge, and 'bide by His award!'
+  'Prepared!' he said, 'Roger, my open eyes
+  Now look upon the past without disguise;
+  And I remember all the years gone by,
+  And all I've done, as 'twere but yesterday.
+  It is no use to urge me to repent;
+  I've lost my chance, and now must be content
+  To fare as others do,--so let that be:
+  But 'tis a dreadful word--Eternity!'
+  'Dear Sir,' I said, 'it is a dreadful word:
+  Lift up your heart and call upon the Lord.
+  Perhaps'--He started up impatiently,--
+  'I cannot call: so let that matter be!
+  I have no hope that I shall be forgiven;
+  I know a drunkard cannot go to heaven;
+  And as I stand upon destruction's brink,
+  I see I've sacrificed my soul for 'drink.'
+  Oh, what a fool I've been! but say no more;
+  My crazy bark will soon push off the shore.'"
+
+                                          _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+     ROLEY-POLEY'S OPINIONS--THE BUS-WASHER--COMMUNISM--AN INFIDEL CLUB
+     ROOM--PHILOSOPHERS--CONFLICT WITH INFIDELITY--THE 'STROLOGY
+     WOMAN--BIBLE ANSWERS--IMP WOMAN--THE CONVERTED INFIDEL.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS TRUTH.
+
+     "Thy word is true from the beginning." PS. cxix. 160.
+
+All who knew "Roley-poley," as the children delighted to call him, were
+convinced that something was wrong with him or his affairs. He was
+regarded as one of the respectables of the Court; and as he left home,
+with his huge narrow-edged basket, covered with a white cloth, upon
+which were displayed slices of rolled currant-pudding and plum-cake, he
+looked the pink of cleanliness. His rosy, contented face, white calico
+cook's cap, of which he was very proud, and his clean apron, were as
+charms to his supporters,--the roughs and gutter children. The partner
+of his life was also a partner in the provision business, as she sold
+sheep's-trotters outside the doors of the public-houses. Though both
+were turned sixty they were healthy, and their room had an appearance of
+comfort. It was plain that they prospered, as in the afternoon they left
+with well-filled baskets, and at night returned with them empty.
+Business difficulties were not therefore the cause, and yet the
+good-natured little man became ill-tempered, sharp with his customers,
+and "cranky" with every one; and then his meek little wife began to look
+wretched and speak of her "troubles." Liquor was not the cause, as
+"Roley-poley" was a sober man: so the conclusion arrived at was, that
+his "opinions," which of late had become very peculiar, were at the root
+of the evil. This was confirmed by his venturing an attack upon the
+Missionary, with whom he had been generally on good terms: and this is
+how the event occurred. The reader of the good Book was standing in a
+door-way with a group of boys, whose tossing for pence he had stopped by
+an offer to read them the story of a young man who was thrown into a den
+of lions. As "Roley-poley" passed with his basket there was a diversion
+of attention and a fingering of pence, with such a look at the tempting
+spread that the retailer approached to do business. The youths paused in
+their purchase to hear the end of the narrative, which may have
+irritated the poor man, as he looked spitefully toward the Book, and
+exclaimed, "That all contradicts itself, and it's made up of lies by the
+parsons, what doesn't produce nuffin, to keep us down and to get our
+money, and it says, it does, that God come from Teman, and nobody knows
+about that and Him; and it's bad, cos it says we are to be like a man
+what told people to steal a donkey. My opinion is, 'No religion and our
+rights.'" He then toddled away, as one who had let off the long
+condensed steam of "his opinions."
+
+Next morning the Missionary entered his room to seek an explanation, and
+was told that "such as him wasn't wanted."
+
+"Yes you be, master," exclaimed that meek little woman, with positive
+anger. "He's a-turning infidel, cos them shoemakers has lent him Tom
+Paine's book, which he was reading all two Sundays; and now he's
+miserable, and talks wicked, and goes to them infidel meetings, and
+doesn't stop out with the basket, cos he ain't content-like, and wants
+other people's things."
+
+"She's a wixen," retorted the husband; "and a wixen what hasn't got
+reason, which is the worser sort of wixens: and she is always a-reading
+her mother's book, 'The Whole Duty of Man,' which is a parson's book,
+and agin our rights."
+
+The domestic jangle was stopped by the visitor observing, "It is quite
+right in religion to use our reason; as the Bible tells us to 'prove all
+things, and to hold fast that which is good.'" And he then, in a
+soothing tone of voice, and with simple illustrations, proved to the
+poor man that God is, and that He is the Rewarder of them who diligently
+seek Him; and then assured him of his interest in the loving heart of
+the Saviour.
+
+The old man listened, and it was evident by the manner he pursued his
+work of pudding-making that he was the subject of an inward conflict.
+After washing his apron, he poured the flour into the dirty old tub with
+such vengeance as to create a cloud of dust, and then he mixed with such
+energy that his arms were soon covered with whitey-brown flakes. By the
+time the dough was deposited upon the table he was calmer, and toward
+the end of the operation the rolling-pin was gently used. Rising from
+his seat the Missionary said kindly, "I am sorry for you, as you have
+been injured. The men have done you more harm by lending you that book
+than if they had broken your arm. You have struggled on together for a
+great many years, and ought now to be trying to make your last days your
+best days. That bad book will prevent this, and will rob you of the hope
+of meeting together in heaven. Do, my good friend, read your Bible, and
+ask God to take the wicked thoughts out of your mind."
+
+The wife, who was preparing her trotters in another tub, burst out
+crying; and the tears started into the poor man's eyes as he said, "I'll
+give 'em up, sir, and I'll take to your Bible; and the name of the book
+I had is 'The Age of Reason,' and the 'bus-washer has it, and we was
+told not to let you see it."
+
+A bad book, among a people so ignorant as the dwellers in Paradise
+Court, is worse than a beast of prey at large: so thought the visitor,
+as he hastened to the room of the family who had received the book, in
+hope of its capture. The man, an omnibus-washer, had just returned from
+his work, at which he had been employed since three in the morning. He
+was dirty and haggard, but this was his usual condition; but the dark
+frown upon his brow and the surly way in which he received the visitor
+were new to him. He was one of those to whom positive good had been
+done, and who had evinced his gratitude. He had a sickly wife and six
+children, and his hard earnings were only seventeen shillings weekly. As
+in bad weather he worked a greater part of the night, he had, no doubt
+from a feeling of exhaustion, contracted the habit of having a quartern
+of rum as soon as the public-house opened, which habit greatly reduced
+his wages and led to after-drinking. No wonder then that his family were
+at times in a starving condition. His boy of seven was deaf and dumb,
+and a great object of pity. One day a neighbour, to quiet his moaning as
+he sat upon the stairs, gave him a penny. The child hastened to the
+baker's and bought a loaf of bread with it. As he entered the room
+gnawing it, the other children, in savage hunger, sprang upon him and
+tore it out of his hands. This came to the knowledge of the Missionary,
+who called upon the man to reason with him about the spending of his
+wages. The Widow had already been there, and had convinced the wife that
+more could be made of the money if both were agreed. As the results of
+the conference the man was induced to sign the pledge; and to help him
+in forming habits of sobriety, arrangements were made for him to receive
+a breakfast of bread, butter, and coffee, at a house which opened at
+five o'clock in the morning, and that free of cost. By the time a
+fortnight was over the man had improved in health, and was firm in his
+resolve to keep the pledge and to continue his early breakfast. Good
+results followed, for the wife became cheerful, the children happy, and
+the room assumed an appearance of comfort. A cloud had however now
+gathered over the family, the man absented himself from home, and the
+wife's Sunday shawl and wedding ring had again disappeared. Their
+visitor was therefore concerned about them, and this accounts for his
+hurrying to their room. At first the man was sullen; but in reply to the
+remark, "I fear that you have neglected your promise to read a chapter
+daily?" he replied, "I'm the best scholar down here or in the yard
+either, and I've found out how we are kept down by the 'haristocrats;'
+and now I understands what are our rights, I'll have my share of the
+wealth which is the people's which produces it." And then, clenching his
+fist, he exclaimed, "And if fighting for it is to be done I'll do my
+share."
+
+The visitor tried to secure his attention to the reason and religion of
+the matter, but was stopped by the wife, who to his astonishment, chimed
+in with the declaration, that "the people were becoming enlightened, and
+were not to be kept down by religion, though some who believed in it
+were good and some were bad." After listening to them for a sufficient
+time to acquaint himself with the full extent of the damage they had
+received, he said sharply, "You have not had time to think over the
+opinions you have accepted: when you have done so you will discover your
+mistake, and I trust find to your joy that the words of the Lord are
+pure, making wise the simple." And then he left, with a sad heart at the
+discouragement received.
+
+Upon his next visit to the owner of "The Age of Reason," the Missionary
+tried to convince him that he was doing positive harm by circulating his
+book of "advanced opinions," and instanced the parties to whom we have
+referred. "I admit," he replied, "that the immediate result of
+unsettling the mind is productive of apparent evil; but we free
+thinkers, like good surgeons, wound to heal and amputate to save. We do
+not expect to annihilate the theological system of ages without damage
+to individuals and to society. Our principles will revolutionize and
+destroy until we are able to build up a new moral system." He then told
+the visitor that a Branch Secular Society of thirty members had been
+formed at a neighbouring coffee-house, and added, "After business on
+Saturday evenings we intend to hold a discussion for the purpose of
+making new members; and as I have the privilege of inviting a friend, I
+shall be glad to see you there."
+
+As several residents in the Court had joined the Society, the Missionary
+felt that it was his duty for their sakes to accept the invitation, and
+he therefore entered the room at the appointed time. Its arrangements
+were certainly comfortable and attractive, the walls were neatly
+papered, and round the room were twenty ornamental brackets, and upon
+each of these the bust of an infidel writer, such as Byron, Chubb,
+Paine, Shelley, Shaftesbury, Voltaire, and others. Under each bracket
+was a small shelf, upon which were the works of the man represented by
+the bust, and the effect was very pretty. There was also a shelf with
+such books as "A Short and Easy Method with the Saints." Upon the table
+were the various infidel publications, and three Bibles--the Authorized
+Version, the Douay, and Priestley. There was also a Dictionary, and an
+auctioneer's hammer for the use of the Chairman. This personage, an
+ironmonger's foreman, was voted to the chair, and congratulated the
+members upon the success of the new movement. He then announced the
+subject for discussion: "Does man require a revelation?" and called upon
+the Secretary, a secular bookseller, to open upon the negative side. He
+did so in a really clever speech, clearing his way by stating truisms
+about the force of the human intellect, man's capacity for knowledge,
+and his power over the material world. He then made an onslaught upon
+Christianity, charging it with all the evil done in its name, and much
+more, and proceeded to establish the proposition: "Science the
+providence of life; spiritual dependency leading to material
+destruction." He then took pains to show "that morality is independent
+of Scriptural religion," and besought his hearers to reject the Book,
+which reason and modern discovery proved to be false, and to rely upon
+philosophy and science for the attainment of social and political
+equality with their upraising and happy influences.
+
+Upon taking his seat he was applauded, and then the Missionary rose,
+with his pocket Bible in his hand, and said, "I trust that you, Mr.
+Chairman, and the members of this Society, will extend to me the
+courtesy usually shown to strangers, by allowing me to speak to the
+affirmative of this question; and as this is my first attempt to take
+part in a debate, I am sure that you will grant me your forbearance
+should I inadvertently trespass upon your rules of discussion. Now, as
+your Secretary has placed philosophy and science in antagonism to this
+Book, and stated that these are the weapons of your warfare with which
+Christianity and our social state are to be destroyed and supplanted,
+let me reply by taking the position, 'That philosophy is only groping in
+the dark for the Bible, and that science is only hobbling after it.'
+(Laughter.) This is a great subject, and we ought to approach it with
+modesty, because many of the best, the noblest, and the most learned of
+our race have believed in the Bible. Sir Isaac Newton from his
+observatory scanned the starry canopy, and then confirmed the statement
+of the Hebrew poet, that 'the heavens declare the glory of God, and the
+firmament showeth forth His handy work.' And let me here remind you that
+true philosophy--skill in the science of nature--is after all a
+spiritual product from the exercise of man's intellect upon the works of
+creation: as, for instance, the atomic theory is the fruit of reason in
+chemistry. You have therefore to accept the arguments of philosophers
+whose reasoning contradicts your senses, as when they tell us that the
+earth goes round the sun. If then in natural phenomena we have to use
+our reason in accepting or rejecting the theories of men, does it not
+lead to the conviction that reason itself requires to be enlightened and
+directed in matters beyond its power of action? It is in necessary
+truths which man by searching cannot discover, that communications from
+the Creator becomes needful; and this Book contains such revelations:
+true philosophy therefore leads up to it. And now let me, on the
+authority of the historian Neander, remind you that before Christianity
+gave the idea no one thought of forming a system of enlightenment which
+could extend to the people. The Stoic, Epicurean, and Platonic forms of
+philosophy recognize two classes of mankind--the noble-minded who formed
+their disciples, and the gross multitudes whom they avoided as sunk
+hopelessly in degradation. The Founder of the Christian religion,
+however, rose above the human philosophers, by proclaiming His mission
+to the common people, and in this way raising humanity to the standard
+of an universal brotherhood." The speaker was here stopped by shouts of
+contradiction; but he produced silence by holding out the Bible, and
+exclaiming in an impassioned manner, "Philosophy and science can lead
+man to the intellectual enjoyment of nature and to maxims of wisdom:
+they can also trouble him with grave perplexities. They teach him that
+matter is indestructible, and that there is a constant restoring of the
+face of nature; and in this way they raise in his mind the important
+questions, 'Are my intellectual powers to be destroyed while matter only
+undergoes a change?' and 'If a man die shall he live again?' You who
+reject this Book look down into the grave and discover a darkness which
+can be felt but not penetrated. We, however, who accept this revelation,
+look into its darkness and discover flashes of celestial glory which
+make a passage-way to an immortality of blessedness. The song of victory
+over death belongs to the Christian philosopher, who, looking into the
+grave, exclaims with joy, 'The _Lord_ has risen indeed, and because He
+lives I shall live also.'"
+
+[Illustration: "Philosophy is only groping in the dark for the Bible,
+and science is only hobbling after it."]
+
+As the speaker resumed his seat there was a great sensation among the
+infidels. All had listened with breathless attention to his closing
+remarks, but the old free-thinkers regarded him with angry looks, while
+the young men cheered heartily. It was some minutes before a member rose
+to reply, and he did not grapple with the question; he rather railed at
+the man with the Book, and gave an opinion that "he was an enthusiast,
+and ought not to be allowed to enter their houses, as his influence in
+their families and among their neighbours would ruin the secular cause,
+and promote priestcraft." As this was personal, the Christian visitor
+rose, and with a pleasant remark to the Chairman left the room.
+
+For a time the infidel society flourished, as its members put forth much
+inducement and effort, and effected a large circulation of their books,
+publications, and tracts. The Missionary however fought a foot-to-foot
+conflict with them, by visiting each member at his house, by changing
+their books for those containing an antidote, and by a large circulation
+of well-chosen tracts. As they removed their discussion class to a
+neighbouring hall, and secured an attendance of from 140 to 180 men,
+amongst whom were many foreigners, he for fifty-two Saturday evenings
+attended and took part in the debates. These efforts were made to result
+in good; the Missionary however had the sorrow of seeing several of his
+people confirmed in unbelief. One of these was a labourer, who read the
+"Age of Reason," attended a discussion, and was ever after an enemy to
+the truth. There were others who used the infidel objections they heard
+as a means to harden conscience, that they might pursue their evil ways.
+Among these were two women, called by the people the "'strology woman,"
+and the "imp woman."
+
+The former of these belonged to a gang of fortune-telling impostors, who
+lived in the poor neighbourhoods of West London. One of these was a
+scissors-grinder, whose wife was a mulatto. When travelling with his
+machine he used to circulate cards among female servants, with his
+address, and the announcement that his wife "repaired parasols and cut
+cards." Another of the party was a vulgar over-dressed man, who styled
+himself "professor," and kept a magic mirror, to which silly girls were
+attracted by the promise of a peep at their future partners. The
+"'strology woman" assisted those persons when so pressed with business
+as to require aid, and she did a little lying on her own account among a
+lower class of dupes. The room at the corner of the Court was suited for
+her black-art purposes, as persons could slip in unnoticed, and there
+was no passage for other lodgers. She was about forty years of age, and
+unmarried. She only received her inquirers after six in the evening, and
+then she dressed in a gaudy kind of Eastern costume, with fantastic
+head-dress, and large coral necklace, from which was suspended a bunch
+of heavy charms. The front was the waiting room, and the back was the
+audience chamber. This latter was well furnished and strangely
+decorated. Over the mantle-shelf was a badly painted chart of the twelve
+signs of the zodiac, and at the side a picture of Daniel's vision of the
+four beasts. Upon the table was a Prayer-Book, several well-worn packs
+of cards, a celestial globe, and a number of "nativity" papers,
+with space for filling in. At the side was a small deal table
+covered with bottles and powder papers, containing marvellous
+novelties for her foolish "inquirers." "Fate powders (made of brick
+dust), with directions for use, so as to produce dreams of the
+future,"--threepence. "Compression of the damask rose, to give to the face
+a not-to-be-resisted charm" (rouge and lard in small pill box),--sixpence.
+"The spirit of love: a fascination" (common scent in small bottle),
+tenpence; and other articles of equal attraction. The woman boasted that
+among the girls who thronged to consult her were many respectable young
+women, to whom she had spoken and given cards in the parks and streets.
+At first she avoided the Missionary, and when he succeeded in speaking
+to her she listened with marked respect; his faithfulness however very
+soon produced a rupture, and it happened in this way. One evening a
+group of poor girls assembled, before the woman, who was from home,
+returned to open the door. The Missionary, who was passing, gave tracts,
+and explained to them the sin and folly of consulting a wicked woman
+about the future, which was only known to the Almighty. While he was
+speaking the "'strology woman" came up, and the girls in their confusion
+scampered away. To his surprise she asked him into her consulting room,
+and in a bland, deceptive tone remonstrated with him for interfering
+with her affairs. "I will," said the Visitor, "answer you out of this
+Holy Bible, that you may know that it is the great _God_, and not
+myself, speaking to you." And then he opened it and read, "When I say
+unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not
+speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his
+iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
+
+"Them girls," she continued, "them silly girls like to be befooled, and
+none of 'em 'ardly believes the cards when I cuts 'em, and what I says
+about their stars and nativities; but it amuses 'em, and does 'em no
+harm."
+
+The pages of the Book were turned over, and the words read, "Ye shall
+not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another." But she
+added in a softer tone of voice, "Astrology is true, as it says in the
+Bible of the stars, that 'they are given for signs,' and that 'He gives
+wisdom to understand secrets;' and that is why the Professor has a
+Prayer-Book, and I has one here, that they may feel that it comes of
+religion; and it does lots of good, and makes 'em steady and religious
+like, and it's no sort of harm."
+
+The leaves of the Book were again turned over, and the Scripture read:
+"O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou
+enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right way
+of the Lord?" As the Book was closed a frown gathered upon her face, and
+springing from her chair she, with awful imprecations, ordered the
+reader out, telling him "that he was a deceiver, as lots of people in
+the Court knew that the Bible was a lying Book."
+
+The "imp woman" was quite a different style of person. She was of middle
+age, and had three miserable little children dependent upon her, as her
+husband had absconded. These, with several others whom she borrowed as
+business required, provided a good living, as she supplied several of
+the low theatres with imp children, used in pantomimes and plays to
+represent huge frogs, cats, and other animals, also angels and goblins.
+She was a large consumer of gin; and it was well known that she gave
+abundance to her children, to stop their growth, as they decreased in
+value as they increased in size. Employers at the theatres used to come
+to fit the skins and to instruct the children in their duties. These
+were of the most ludicrous kind, and her boy of six did the monkey so
+well that for two Christmas seasons he earned a pound a week. This
+training in the skins was painful until the children got "into shape" as
+it was called. One afternoon the Missionary approached the door, which
+was partly open, and was startled by the stifled sobbing of the
+youngest,--a tiny girl of not quite five years. Upon entering the room
+he saw that the sobs proceeded from a blue fiend, which was wagging its
+forked tail and shaking its bat-wings upon the table, the woman standing
+over the creature with a cane. "This is shameful," he exclaimed, taking
+the fiend into his arms; and then he burst the cord, and set the child
+free. He then turned toward the mother and said severely, "This case was
+made for the child last year, and if your cruelty in forcing her to move
+in it was known, you would have six months' hard labour. As this Book
+says, you must be without natural affection, and it would be better for
+you all to go into the workhouse, or to beg your bread, than to live in
+this way."
+
+"You ain't got no business to come here!" exclaimed the woman in a rage.
+"And she's a hobstinate hussey, she is; and as for natural affection,
+there's men better than you as knows as the Bible keeps us down and
+ain't true. And I does love my children, and I must get a living for
+'em, sitewated as I am."
+
+The child trembled, and threw her arms round the neck of her deliverer.
+To calm them both he said quietly: "You know very well that I am
+everybody's friend, and I can't help caring for your little children.
+When the Saviour was on earth He blessed little dears like this, and we
+who know the Bible to be true must love and care for them."
+
+As he paused she burst out crying, and the child, seeing that the storm
+was over, sprang into her arms, hugging and kissing her in a most
+affectionate manner. It was a touching sight, and cleared the way for an
+important conversation. The mother admitted that the health of the
+children was suffering from their training and exposure to the night air
+when returning from the theatres, and upon the visitor promising to
+place her eldest boy, aged seven years, into a Refuge, she with evident
+gratitude promised "to give up the imp business, and to be a Christian,
+and to work her fingers to the bone for her poor forsaken children." The
+little people evidently understood and believed her, as they clapped
+their hands with delight, and danced round the room after their
+departing friend.
+
+Among the group of broken-down men who made the tramp's lodging-house
+their home, was a decrepit person who had evidently turned sixty years
+of age. His companions always addressed him as "Strong Bill," a name so
+opposite to his appearance as to require an explanation. This was given
+one winter's day as the Reader of the Book sat with several of them
+before the kitchen fire. A stranger entered who, after depositing
+several pockets full of broken victuals upon the table, approached the
+fire and stopped a serious conversation with the exclamation, "Well, if
+it ain't Strong Bill--haven't seen you, old fellow, for years. How are
+you getting on?" The man of powerful name shook his head, struck his
+breast, and in a sorrowful tone replied, "Very queer, very, not the
+same man as I was. Tell this 'ere gent, Bobby, 'cause as how he wouldn't
+take it in if I said it myself, what I did when I was a young chap--how
+I was known all over London as 'the strong man,' how I dressed tight and
+carried two weights, each a real hundred, about with me, and as how I
+used to get rings of people round me by throwing up the weights and
+catching 'em like baby balls. Didn't I get lots of money, that's all;
+but it's all up now, it's all up." The stranger readily confirmed this
+statement, and enlarged upon the feats of strength once performed by his
+old acquaintance. "It's a great thing to have a well-built frame, and a
+man ought to rejoice and thank God when he feels as strong as a lion,"
+observed the Reader; "but the inside strength is best of all; we are
+weak creatures--the strongest of us, without it," and then he with
+feeling read and commented upon the words: "Blessed is the man whose
+strength is in Thee." "I knows nothing about that 'ere," said 'Strong
+Bill;' "but I em a weak sinner, I em a bad lot." "Then come to my
+meeting to-morrow evening, and I will read and talk about 'strength and
+weakness.'" "We will, master," several exclaimed. They came, and in his
+weakness the once strong man was made glad to hear of Him who in mercy
+strengthens weak sinners with the mightiness of God.
+
+In this way ignorance and infidelity, in their varied forms, were met
+and grappled with; and though disappointments and annoyances were of
+daily occurrence, there were at times gracious and unexpected proofs of
+blessing. The most pleasing of these occurred one morning as the
+Missionary was passing down the Court. The young infidel, who had for
+several weeks treated him with reserve, opened his window, and handing
+him a parcel of books and publications, said with a tremulous voice, "I
+believe, sir, upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and have laid down my weapons
+of rebellion; and in proof of it I give you these books, which have
+damaged my own soul, and by which I have injured others." This
+confession of faith so surprised the man who had been set for the
+defence of the truth, that he was unable for the moment to reply; he
+however took the parcel, and passing into the room seized the hand of
+the convert and exclaimed, "The Lord Jehovah hath dealt mercifully by
+you, and blessed be His name."
+
+The door was then closed, and the young man, in reply to inquiries, made
+the following statement: "Upon the first night of our discussion I was
+made miserable by your speech, as I saw that ours was a system of
+negations, and that our pretensions to philosophy and science were but
+groping and hobbling after revealed truth. Since then I have read many
+books against the Bible, and at times have been made comfortable in
+unbelief. Your speech, however, on Saturday week carried conviction to
+my mind, and the next day I offered up my first prayer for light and
+salvation. The past week has been one of bitterness, and I yesterday
+decided to cast myself in simple faith upon the mercy of the Saviour,
+and to acknowledge Him before men."
+
+Need we add that he was strengthened in the faith of the Gospel, and
+that his spiritual father knelt with him in prayer. The Missionary
+hastened over to the Widow's with the parcel, to examine its contents,
+which were very curious. There were twenty numbers of the _Reasoner_,
+many numbers of the _Free Thinker_ and the _Red Republican_, eighteen
+copies of "Why should the Atheist fear to die?" several volumes, and
+among them the long sought for "Age of Reason," the book which had
+wrought so much evil among the people. The writer has now this book
+before him, and he never saw a volume more worn. The covers and edges
+are nearly destroyed with handling, and every page is soiled. The
+frontispiece, which has been carefully preserved, shows contempt for the
+ordained servants of God, as the text does of His holy Word. It
+represents a fat Bishop, running away from a rock upon which the word
+"reason" is inscribed, with a lamb under one arm and a sheaf of corn
+under the other. At the meeting that evening the reclaimed infidel sat
+beside the Widow, and to the astonishment of the people knelt reverently
+in prayer. At the next discussion he spoke on the Christian side, and
+boldly acknowledged his change of opinion and his faith in Christ. For
+several months he gave evidence of a change of heart; and as he
+expressed a desire further to confess Christ by partaking of the
+Sacrament, he was introduced to the Rector; and after he had undergone a
+suitable preparation, the Missionary had the great joy of kneeling with
+him at the table of the Lord, there to commemorate that blood-shedding
+whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and to receive the richer
+blessings of His grace.
+
+
+The Book in the Court:
+
+ITS CERTAIN GOOD.
+
+  "As winter streams that long have lain
+    In icy fetters darkly bound,
+  When spring returns leap forth again
+    And fill the vale with song and sound;
+  So did their spring-time now return,
+    And love dissolved the icy chain,
+  And smothered hopes began to burn,
+    And Jenny was herself again."
+
+                                    _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+     A PRAISE MEETING--DEATH OF THE WIDOW--JOY OF THE BLESSED--OUT OF
+     THE PRIZE RING--A FAREWELL SPEECH--A FAGGER--A STRANGE
+     PREACHER--DUSTY AND THE FIDDLER--PRAYING IN THE CELL--INDIAN
+     GIRL--GENESA--INFIDEL SOCIETY DISSOLVED--WORKS FOLLOWING--THE
+     BANNER OF LOVE.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE COURT:
+
+ITS CERTAIN GOOD.
+
+     "My Word that goeth forth out of My mouth, it shall not return unto
+     Me void." ISA. lv. 11.
+
+Time glided on pleasantly, as time always does when occupied with the
+activities of the Christian life, and brought the Missionary to the
+third anniversary of the day upon which he first entered Paradise Court.
+As that had become a commemorative day of deep interest to many of the
+inhabitants, their visitor had arranged with them to raise an Ebenezer
+of praise. As he entered the Place with his old friend the
+Superintendent, there were pleasant greetings on every hand. The
+children ran in a flock to meet him; and as if to show the good they had
+received, the eldest girl of the "translator," who three years before
+had boasted that "his children knew nothing of superstition," held for
+his inspection a reward-card which she had received at a Sunday-school.
+Salvation had come to that man's room, and he rejoiced in it, and his
+wife and family were made glad. The Court itself gave indications that
+good influences had been at work there, as its general appearance was
+cleaner, and window-sills were ornamented with flower-pots and boxes.
+The gift of a few flowers had given pleasure to those of the poor who
+had come from the country, and had served as texts for lessons upon the
+value of pure air and cleanliness; while to many it was a discovery,
+that though the atmosphere was foul and black, they might have a thing
+of beauty and fragrance at their windows for part of the year. The
+appearance of the people was much the same, as all looked poor, and some
+had tattered clothes; but the police knew that rows had almost ceased,
+and that there was less depravity and law-breaking than formerly; and
+better still, the visitor knew that the restoring influence of grace had
+upraised some of the families, as he could make his way to rooms in
+which the Bible was valued, and in which its teaching had led to saving
+faith and holy living. On Sunday morning, as usual, women went to
+market, and returned with aprons full of provisions; but these were not
+so numerous as formerly, and those who did so showed their sense of
+wrong-doing by making excuse for their conduct. A disposition for
+hearing the truth had been created, as the Widow's room had long become
+too small, and the meeting had to be removed to double rooms in a street
+just by. These proofs of blessing had led to arrangements for a
+praise-meeting in the Widow's room at twelve o'clock, and it was filled
+with men and women who had managed to spend part of the dinner hour in
+holy exercise. The hymn, "Praise ye the Lord, 'tis good to raise," was
+sung; the hundred and forty-fifth Psalm was read, with a short comment
+upon the words, "All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and Thy saints
+shall bless Thee;" and then the language of praise ascended from that
+poor Court as incense to the throne of heavenly grace. In the evening a
+tea was given in the meeting-room to the forty persons who usually
+attended. Two hours were spent in social intercourse, and two in
+hymn-singing, prayer, and the hearing of suitable addresses. The
+Wesleyan and Independent ministers took part in the proceedings; and
+when the Rector, who had joined the party, pronounced the Benediction,
+the people separated, praising and blessing God.
+
+There was only one thing which cast a shade over the happy meeting, and
+that was the state of the Widow's health. All noticed that while her
+happiness was intense, her words were few; and there were grave shakings
+of the head, and anxious remarks about her not having been like herself
+for some time past. This was evident when, as usual, upon the following
+Wednesday she took dinner with the Missionary. This arrangement had been
+made out of consideration to her, and in order that they might consult
+together about the details of the work. That hour of conference with his
+wife and the Widow was of importance, as a knowledge of individual
+character (so valuable to those who would be wise in soul-winning) was
+obtained, and plans of action arranged. Upon her way back to the Court
+she was silent, and leant heavily upon the arm of her friend. On the
+following Wednesday she was unable to leave her room, so part of the
+evening was spent with her in sweet converse about the covenant which is
+ordered in all things and sure. At parting she said softly, "I am so
+happy, and so close to heaven that a _waft_ would take me in;" and then
+after a pause she added, "To see Jesus: the fairest among ten thousand!"
+After this she grew more feeble; but when her friend called in one
+evening she seemed better, though drowsy. He therefore offered up a
+short prayer and left. Early in the morning two women came in haste to
+his house, to say that the Widow was dead. He hurried back with them,
+and found the Place in a state of commotion. The people were standing in
+groups, and round the door was a company of weeping women. He passed
+them, and with soft tread entered the chamber of death, as he felt the
+solemn influence which pervaded the room. In the stillness of the night
+the angels had been there, and had taken a redeemed soul back with them
+into the everlasting habitations of the blessed. The shutters had been
+partly opened, and a gleam of light was thrown upon the bed, where lay,
+as though prepared for burial, the remains of the soldier's widow.
+Taking the icy-cold hand affectionately in his, he gazed into the face,
+which appeared to be set in calm sleep, and felt that no pains of death
+had been permitted to distress the holy dying of the aged saint. Upon
+the table lay the open Bible, with her spectacles upon a page of the
+Psalms, and near them her quarterly ticket, with "Ruth Peters" written
+upon it. The doctor, who had seen her the day before, said that an
+inquest would not be necessary, as he could give a proper certificate;
+the remains were therefore left in the care of several women, who loved
+her as a mother.
+
+The same kind hand which had supplied the needs of the Widow, provided a
+suitable funeral. Ah, and that was an honourable burial, for she was
+carried to the grave by six men of the Court, who left their work for
+the purpose; and as the coffin was borne through the Place, followed by
+several of the neighbours, with the Missionary as chief mourner, the
+people made great lamentation over her. And when the earth was dropped
+into the grave, with the solemn utterance, "Earth to earth, ashes to
+ashes, dust to dust," all felt that at the resurrection of the just
+that body would be raised and made like unto Christ's glorious body.
+
+The Missionary hastened from the funeral to meet the County Member, as
+he had arranged that evening to visit the district. The honourable
+gentleman had been so pressed to place boys into "Homes," that he
+decided to see the people for whom he was asked to do so much. In the
+evening, when they entered the Court, there was, for so crowded a place,
+deep silence; and as they passed from room to room, they had to speak
+words of comfort to the people who were sorrowing for the loss of their
+friend. And they were sweet words of heavenly consolation which the
+stranger uttered. As he left the Place he leant for a moment upon a post
+at the entrance, and said thoughtfully, "I wish you had told me about
+that Widow, as I should like to have known her." Soon after he sent the
+Missionary a book in memory of his sainted wife ("Our Friends in
+Heaven"), and wrote in it, "Not death, she said, but life, life, life,
+eternity!" And when the days of his sojourn were accomplished, he with
+like words crossed to the celestial side of the river. And may he not
+know the Widow now? May it not be one of the joys of the heavenly state
+to hold sweet converse with saints about whom we have only heard upon
+earth? May it not indeed be an employment of enduring delight to be
+continually enlarging our acquaintance,--to know and to be known of the
+innumerable company of the redeemed?
+
+The removal of the Widow was a felt loss, but the bereavement was the
+means of leading several of the poor to yield themselves to God. The
+worker had lost his right hand, and yet the work was made to prosper.
+For several months the attendance at the meeting increased, though
+there was a constant drafting away to the regular ministry. At one of
+these meetings he took for exposition the speech of St. Paul to the
+elders of the Church at Ephesus. At the close he referred for the second
+time to the words, "Therefore watch, and remember that for the space of
+three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears;"
+and after an effort gently to break the news, he said abruptly, "I am
+about to leave you, as the Lord in His providence has made it plain that
+He has important work for me to do elsewhere." This announcement brought
+the meeting to a close, as the people left their seats and surrounded
+him with expressions of real sorrow.
+
+For some days after there was earnest visiting in the Court, as the
+Missionary felt the responsibility of speaking to the people for the
+last time; and as a proof of the power of domiciliary visitation in
+overcoming opposition to the truth, not one person, from the beginning
+to the end of the Place, uttered an offensive word; while many gave him
+a hearty welcome and a tearful good-bye. Take for instance, the
+"prize-fighter," who had not quite recovered from a successful
+pugilistic encounter with a Birmingham man, for ten pounds a side, as
+his face was bruised and discoloured, and his right arm disabled. He
+received the visitor with what to him was a painful smile, and then in a
+confidential manner said, "It tain't sir, as I 'em a-gettin soft, that
+I've resoluted; but I haven't got over that backhander you gave me out
+of that Book, as was, 'Will a man fight his Maker?' and the way you
+closed in was stunnin; and says I to myself, I 'em knocked over the
+ropes, and I'll let the whiskers grow, and take to costering; that's
+summut, ain't it?" "The wearing of whiskers," was the reply, "will put
+you out of the prize-ring; and you will find that there is more
+happiness in getting an honest living with the blessing of Almighty God
+upon you, than there can be in wearing the 'Champion Belt of England'
+with His curse." "Haven't I wished for him to be out of the magic
+circle," exclaimed his wretched, vulgar-looking wife, "as you see the
+feeling is awful when your 'usband is going to be pitched into and
+knocked to a mummy; and you must be a fighter's lawful wife to know the
+feelin when it's a-goin on. If you drinks 'ard, why you can't leach 'im
+and poultice 'im, as is a tender job: and if he's beat, you gets
+nuffink; and when he beats, you treats ring pals and wagabons; and the
+money it tain't no good, and it tain't Christian-like as you says; and
+if you'll stick to him, though you are a-goin, I'll wade through seas of
+blood for you, as the sayin is." Their friend smiled graciously at this
+assurance, and then taking a seat, opened the Book, and read to them
+about Him who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our
+iniquities.
+
+The day before leaving, the Missionary announced his intention of
+bidding the people farewell at six o'clock next evening in the open
+Court, and of then introducing his successor to them. As at the
+appointed time they entered the Place, it was so densely packed that
+they with difficulty pressed to the bend in the middle. A chair was
+handed from a window, and as their friend stepped upon it the murmur of
+voices burst into a loud cheer. Looking round, he saw an expression of
+sorrow upon that mass of upturned faces, and near him stood the
+reclaimed infidel, the fighting man, the chanter, Tom and Bess, and
+others for whom he had a Christian affection. For a few moments he
+remained silent with emotion, and then with faltering and afterwards
+with firmer voice said, "I think, my good friends, that I have shaken
+hands and said Good-bye to each of you in your rooms; but I have thought
+it well that we should have a last meeting, and together ask our
+heavenly Father to bless and to take care of us. The four years I have
+gone in and out among you have been years of happiness; at first we did
+not understand each other, but from the time you discovered that my one
+object in life was to lead you to the Lord Jesus Christ that you might
+be made good and happy, you have regarded me as your friend. Some of you
+have believed to the saving of your souls. (A cry of "Bless the Lord.")
+Let me, as your father in Christ, beseech of you to regard this Holy
+Book as you do your necessary food,--to live lives of daily, constant
+prayer, always looking to Jesus. There are others here who respect me as
+the King's messenger, but who do not care for the message of a Saviour's
+mercy, which I have delivered to them. You are going as fast as time can
+carry you to the grave,--to hell: faster and faster from heaven. Listen
+to my last words, as I shall meet you when the dead, small and great,
+shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Turn from your evil
+ways, from your drunken habits, your Sabbath breaking, your iniquities.
+And in the name of Jesus, because He died upon the cross to save you,
+ask Almighty God to pardon and to give you His Holy Spirit, that you may
+be Christians indeed." And then raising his pocket Bible, and looking up
+to heaven, he continued, "Let us all so live that we may meet in glory:
+the Widow is there, and some out of this place have already followed
+her. Let us hate sin, trust in the Saviour, and press on for the crown
+of life." Here the emotion of the people became so great that several
+exclaimed, "We will," and others "May the Lord have mercy upon us." The
+speaker then said, "I will now introduce your new Missionary, by asking
+him to read something to us out of the good old Book; you will then see
+him and hear his voice: when he has done, I will offer prayer; after
+that he will stand in my place to you. Receive him as one sent from God,
+to show unto you the way of eternal life, and prove your love to me by
+treating him as my friend."
+
+The stranger then took his place upon the chair, and read the hundred
+and third psalm, after which the old friend rose to offer the parting
+prayer. As the words, "Let us pray," rung through the Court, battered
+hats and fur caps were removed, so all the men stood uncovered, and
+several of the women knelt down; while at the windows and in the crowd,
+many covered their faces with their hands. The prayer was short but
+earnest. At its close the word "Amen" was uttered so loud and clear,
+that it seemed to come from a church congregation, rather than from that
+strange gathering of worshippers; and after the Benediction the word was
+uttered with still deeper feeling; and then, amidst the tears, the
+thanks, and blessings of the people, and humbled before God, because of
+the mission blessings received, the man with the Book passed out of
+Paradise Court.
+
+He did not, however, and has not to this day, lost interest in the
+people. At intervals he visited in the place with the Missionary, but on
+each occasion found some of his old friends gone, and at length, his
+acquaintance there became very small. Among those who remained, was
+drunken (now sober) Sammy. He became a member of the Baptist chapel,
+and never broke his pledge. His attendance at the means of grace and at
+temperance meetings was regular, and he won the respect of Church
+members and abstaining companions. When the friend who had stopped him
+in the road to ruin called, he treated him with a respect approaching to
+reverence. He died at the age of seventy, after a short illness, in
+which he gave evidence of meetness for heaven.
+
+Persons who have left the Court, have frequently been met with in the
+streets and elsewhere, and several remarkable proofs of good were in
+this way brought to light; as, for instance, in the case of a little
+deformed man of uncertain age, strange expression of countenance, and
+rather weak intellect, who shared a back attic with a crossing sweeper,
+and paid one shilling a week rent. He called himself a "fagger," and
+lived as quite a number of men do, by searching the streets of London by
+night and at early morning for lost money and property. These "faggers,"
+may be seen walking at a steady pace, or trotting gently, glancing keen
+looks along the road and pavement. They always pause at corners where
+omnibuses stop; at the doors of theatres and other likely places. In the
+season they all make for the "Haymarket," as the place where valuables
+such as rings may be found, and when the "cafes" close, they make for
+home, searching as they go.
+
+Our "fagger," as a child of the night, was rarely seen by day. He was
+indeed quite a recluse, as he shrunk from the derision to which his
+unsightly appearance subjected him from the children and his ignorant
+neighbours. So they only saw him when he shuffled out at night, or
+trotted back early in the morning. He for months refused the Missionary
+admission to the room, and was angry when his landlord, the sweeper,
+insisted upon receiving the visits, and he used on these occasions to
+seat himself upon his stool in the corner with a sulky expression of
+face. After a time his confidence was obtained, and it was then
+discovered that the poor simple man was utterly ignorant of saving
+truth. He had entered upon life as a "City Arab," could not read, had
+never been into a place of worship, and had not even heard the name of
+the Saviour. Little did the sower think, as the seed of the kingdom fell
+so freely from his hand, that it was to find good ground in the heart of
+the poor "fagger." He became deeply interested in the readings from the
+Bible, and at the farewell visit he drew his stool nearer, and his eyes
+brightened as the sweeper and himself listened to St. John's narrative
+of the crucifixion.
+
+Nearly a year had passed after this visit when a group of eight or ten
+persons assembled in Oxford Circus. It was long after midnight, and
+bitterly cold. The Missionary who was passing, approached, and two
+policemen to whom he was known, informed him that the well-dressed man
+who lay upon the kerb, with a frightful gash upon the forehead, was in
+liquor, and had fallen against the lamp-post. As the man was stunned, if
+not seriously injured, the police were advised to take him to the
+hospital, and one of them left to get a stretcher for that purpose. By
+this time a number of depraved men and women had gathered round, some of
+whom uttered ribald jokes, one woman suggesting "that as the gent was
+dead, they had better search his pockets for money, with which to drink
+to his memory." "And if dead," exclaimed the Missionary in a voice so
+loud and solemn that the people were startled: "if dead, his eternal
+state is fixed; the day of mercy over; and there is a fearful meeting
+with the Judge of heaven and earth." For a few moments there was
+silence, when a man near the lamp said, "He knows nothing about it, as
+no one ever came back from the other world to tell us." Before a reply
+could be given, an odd-looking little man who had pressed into the
+circle, exclaimed, "He does know: he's got it in his Book. They nailed
+Jesus to the cross, they did; He got out of the grave, He did; He's
+alive a savin' us, He is; it's in the gent's Book, it is: he knows it;"
+and then the little "fagger," for it was he, trotted away, as if
+astonished at himself. "That poor man is right," said the Missionary,
+"The Lord Jesus is alive to save sinners." No more could be said, as the
+policeman arrived with the stretcher, and as they bore the injured man
+away, some of the crowd followed, but many who were sinners remained to
+hear the Gospel more fully.
+
+The Missionary followed in the direction the "fagger" had taken, and
+found him in Pall Mall. They stood for some time under the colonnade of
+the opera house, and there the man of feeble intellect called Jesus,
+Lord, and repeated the simple prayer he used. A few months after this he
+was removed to the infirmary, in abject poverty and increased mental
+weakness. At times, however, he used to sit in Poverty Square (a yard in
+the workhouse), muttering to himself the one great truth he had
+grasped,--that the crucified Jesus was a living Saviour; and while a ray
+of reason remained this gave him comfort. When last heard of his mind
+had entirely gone, but he was for years a living proof that the grand
+truth of salvation can be grasped by the feeblest as well as by the
+mightiest intellect.
+
+The "niggers" were met with under very different circumstances. Several
+summers after the visit to their dressing-room and the rescue of "Black
+Poll," their friend was walking upon the sands at Broadstairs in company
+with three ladies. They stopped to listen to an entertainment which some
+"niggers," who had formed themselves into a circle, were about to give.
+As he knew them, and did not care that they should then recognise him,
+he kept at the back of the assembled listeners. Towards the close, there
+was a peculiar "ogling" between the "artistes," and a looking in one
+direction, and then they brought their entertainment to a sudden close;
+and to the surprise of the company, and the horror of the three ladies
+(who slipped off), they fairly rushed toward their friend, and in the
+most demonstrative manner owned him as such. "I has bin to see Poll,"
+exclaimed Dusty, "and she's growed a wapper, and took to hedecation, as
+is her nature. And she writ me a letter, and if I sees yer honour arter
+dark I'll bring it; and now the ladies are out we picks up fourpennies
+and sixpennies, and when they goes in the tother sort comes out, an' we
+only gets browns." For the time it was a relief to be rid of them, so an
+appointment was made upon the sands at ten o'clock that night. The men,
+who had left their instruments behind them, were waiting, and a
+strangely pleasant hour was spent with them. As they stood at the edge,
+or rather followed the receding tide, the moon casting her soft light
+upon the rippling waves, the "niggers" listened, and in their way
+conversed about truths which concerned their salvation. The confidential
+utterance of the fiddler, will show the influence of Christian effort
+with such people. "You sees, sir," he said, "that this ain't a religious
+sort of business, but I can't be no other but a 'nigger,' and I has a
+wife an' three youngsters, what are always a-hopening of their mouths
+and must have summut to put into 'em. But I has given up getting drunk
+and cursing as I used, and wheresomever I bees on Sunday, I slips in to
+hear religion preached, if there ain't nuffin of that ere sort
+a-going-on in the open, as I prefers."
+
+The presence of the "niggers" reminds us of their near neighbour in
+London, the convict's widow, and we will therefore finish her little
+history. Every six months, for nearly five years, her son at the convict
+establishment sent a letter to his teacher. At the end of that time the
+chaplain wrote to say that he was to be discharged with a
+ticket-of-leave, as his conduct had been very good. As it was thought
+well to keep him from his mother, a room was taken for him near to his
+teacher, as he never ceased to call him. His case was mentioned to a
+Christian man, a builder, who promised when his hair was grown to give
+him work, and to keep the secret of his antecedents from others. Upon
+his discharge the convict came direct to his friend's house, where his
+mother was ready to receive him; and the meeting was most affecting, as
+she hugged and kissed her son, who had grown a big man, as though he had
+been a child. When in quiet conversation that evening, the convict spoke
+with feeling of the reading upon the housetop, and added, "That night in
+the police cell I laid upon my face for several hours, sobbing and
+praying for mercy. I knew that I had done wrong, and didn't fear the
+punishment; all I wanted was God's pardon, and I believe that He did
+forgive me the next evening, as I lay praying in the cell at the
+detention house, for I then felt that Jesus was my Saviour, and it was
+the happiest evening of my life. At Dartmoor I have borne my punishment
+in the spirit of prayer, and I am glad of my discharge that I may show
+forth the praise of the Saviour." A few Sundays after, when his hair was
+sufficiently grown for him to mix with others, he was introduced to a
+branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he became a
+member. He went to his work, and did well until the time of his full
+discharge. Soon after this the fact of his being a returned convict
+became known to his fellow-workmen and Christian friends: this caused
+him constant and bitter annoyance. One evening he came to his "teacher,"
+and said, "You know, sir, that I have desired to be a soldier, and would
+have enlisted if I had not committed that last crime. As all is known
+about me, I can't stop at the builder's, and don't know where to go; so
+I think that I shall take the Queen's shilling, as I can be as good a
+Christian in the army as out of it." He acted on this resolution, and
+enlisted into a regiment then serving in India. He wrote several letters
+to his mother and teacher, telling them that he was very happy in his
+new calling, and that he had joined a soldiers' prayer-meeting, and
+taken part in its proceedings. One evening the following winter the
+mother came to the house of the teacher in a most pitiable condition. As
+she stood at the door without bonnet or shawl, and partly covered with
+snow, her face bore an expression of abject misery. In her hand she held
+a letter, and the big tears stood in her eyes. It was evident that her
+grief was too deep for utterance, so her friend took the letter from her
+hand, and glancing through it found that it was from the colour-sergeant
+of the regiment, to say "that her son, his comrade and Christian friend,
+had died of fever, after four days' illness, and that his end was
+perfect peace." The poor stricken one was taken into the kitchen and
+seated before the fire, a cup of tea being made for her. When warmed and
+refreshed, her friend spoke comforting words, and then they sought the
+soothing influence of prayer. An hour after she went out into the cold
+and snow much comforted, and muttering to herself about her "Eddy" and
+heaven. From that time her frame bowed, her hearing became heavy, and
+her health gradually gave way. At times she was an annoyance to her
+friend, as he had evidently taken the place of her son in her
+affections. Strange-looking object as she was, she used to call upon him
+at most unseasonable times. As her health failed these visits became
+less frequent, and in her last illness they were returned. Before her
+death, which was very recent, the patient labourer was rewarded for his
+efforts of many years to lead her to the Saviour, as she clung to Him
+with all the fervour of a simple faith. To the last she kept her foolish
+oath, for she did not for thirty years wear either bonnet or shawl.
+
+"Saved in a London Court, and gathered into the Heavenly Mansions from
+India," is the epitome of the young convict's spiritual history: and as
+if to illustrate the fact that London is the great heart of the world,
+an Indian who was met with in that very Court, was drawn, gave the
+life-look to the Uplifted One, and from the empire city joined the
+"great multitude of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues."
+It thus occurred,--
+
+Upon his entering the Court one morning, the Missionary noticed a little
+Indian girl, who was surrounded by a number of other children. She was
+about eight years of age, of dark yellow complexion, with jet black
+hair, which hung over her shoulders, and upon her wrists were thick
+silver bracelets. Upon questioning her, the child with peculiar accent,
+said that she came with her parents from Bombay; that her father was a
+cook, and had come to London to make pickles at a large shop; and that
+they had come to live in the Court until her father and mother got to
+work. He went to the room with the child, and there saw the father, a
+pure Indian, dressed like a Lascar. There was only a hammock-like
+mattress, and some ship's utensils in the room. Upon the mantel-shelf
+were many bottles of curry powder, and a small idol of white ivory,
+which seemed to represent a boy with the head of an elephant. As the
+Visitor started a conversation about the business, he became
+communicative, and stated that he was a native of Hyderabad, but had
+lived for many years in Bombay, where he became cook to a British sahib,
+and afterwards was employed to make pickles for export to England. He
+was reluctant to talk about religion, but said that Vishnu and Ganesa
+were great and powerful gods; that he had married a half-caste woman,
+whose mother was a Mohammedan, and whose father was an English sailor,
+and now kept a lodging-house for sailors at Bombay; that the bracelets
+upon the wrists of his child were made of silver coins which bore the
+image of his mother's god, and she had placed them on the child when she
+was an infant. He added, "that he thought his wife was a Christian, but
+that she had respect to Ganesa, and that he did not like his child to be
+a Christian, as they got drunk and broke up the gods." When the one
+_Great God_ was mentioned he looked anxiously towards his idol, as
+though he feared that it would be injured or taken from him; and then
+he muttered so loudly in a strange tongue, that the visitor thought it
+well to leave.
+
+A few days after the Missionary was told that the Indian was ill, and he
+at once went in to see him. He found him so bad, that he went out and
+fetched a medical friend, whose prescription gave immediate relief. That
+evening the heathen listened for the first time to a simple statement
+concerning Jehovah; His works, His mercy, and the atonement accomplished
+at Jerusalem for the sin of the world. As he was worse next morning, his
+friend obtained an indoor letter for the Middlesex Hospital, and removed
+him there in a cab. He remained under treatment for nearly two months,
+during which time he was visited thrice a week, and thoroughly
+instructed in the Christian faith. When discharged he did not return to
+the Court in which he had lived only a fortnight, as his wife had
+arrived, and had taken a room near some of their country people in Drury
+Lane. As he expressed contempt for idols, and a desire for salvation, he
+was introduced to the Missionary of the district, who paid him great
+attention, and brought several clergymen to instruct him. One day he ran
+after his old friend, whom he saw in Holborn, and exclaimed, "Oh, sahib,
+God in heaven is so great, and Jesus is our Saviour here!" This
+confession gave joy to his friend, who returned with him to his lodging,
+and was pleased to find that the Indian and his wife had become regular
+in their attendance at church. After a conversation about baptism, the
+Missionary took hold of the bracelet of their little girl, who from the
+time he entered the room had sat with her hand in his, and said, "These
+heathenish ornaments ought not to remain upon the wrists of your child,
+now that you are Christians." "Take them off, sahib," replied the
+father: "they are much money, and a present from my heart to you." A few
+days after the Missionary and his wife drew them open with a towel, and
+he has them now among other precious memorials of Christian work.
+Arrangements had been made for the baptism of the Indian, when he was
+taken suddenly ill; that sacrament was however administered by a curate
+of St. Giles' Church. He lived some months after this in great
+suffering, but he rejoiced in God his Saviour, and fell asleep in Him.
+As the mother was poor, with two younger children, and as the girl was
+exposed to much evil in that low neighbourhood, the Missionary placed
+her in a "rescue Home." She grew up a pleasant Christian girl, and went
+to service. When she last called upon her friend, all was well with her.
+
+The young convert from infidelity, like others who had received
+spiritual good, left the place for more respectable lodgings. He became
+diligent in his attendance upon the means of grace, and by application
+to his trade and a good use of his leisure, he qualified himself for a
+better position. He formed a class of young men, who styled themselves
+"The Bible Defence Club," of which the Missionary became president. They
+met weekly to read and converse upon the evidences, and by arrangement
+took part in the infidel discussions. As the result, several leading
+sceptics became converted, and the opinions of the working men of the
+neighbourhood were so influenced, that the infidel club broke up, and
+their discussion "forum" became so thinly attended that it also came to
+an end. This was a great victory and cause for gratitude. The young
+convert had an uncle who was manager of a large firm in one of the
+midland towns; he was so pleased with his nephew's letters, that he
+offered him employment, which was gladly accepted. He rose rapidly, and
+a few years after, when he came to London on the business of the firm,
+he had become so much the gentleman that his friend scarcely knew him.
+Soon after his appointment as manager of a "department" he married a
+Christian woman, but he continued to sing in the Church choir, and to
+teach in the Sunday-school.
+
+These abiding cases have given joy to the Christian worker, and helped
+to sustain him in still more onerous duties. They are, however, few when
+compared with the disappointments. At the time of the revival in the
+Court there was much blossom, as the inquiry for salvation was general;
+but when fruit was sought for, it was plain that a spiritual blight had
+passed over the place, destroying much good. The "omnibus-washer," for
+instance, became confirmed in infidelity, resisted every good influence,
+and died in a hopeless state; his wife became a drunkard, and his eldest
+children came to ruin. The "'strology woman" prospered upon the wages of
+iniquity, and became queen of a London den. Besides these, the
+Missionary used frequently to meet with those of whose salvation he once
+had hope, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the
+scornful. He has indeed met with bitter opposition from several over
+whom he once had spiritual influence. Perhaps in so real a conflict as
+this with the powers of darkness, such failures are to be expected;
+they, however, have a humbling tendency, and lead to simple resting upon
+the promises, as they prove that the instrument by itself is of little
+worth,--that souls are won, not by might, nor by power, but by the
+Spirit of the Lord. The one consolation, however, in these
+discouragements, is the fact that we never know when the Word which has
+been faithfully spoken will germinate. It may be years after, and in the
+day of the Lord many a joyous surprise may be experienced at finding
+unknown cases in which grace has triumphed.
+
+Even here the "works following" past labours are causes of joy, and to
+complete this narrative three shall be recorded.
+
+When he first entered the Place, the Missionary was resisted by a
+besotted man and his wife. He was deputy potman, or rather "hanger-on"
+at a gin bar, in which he used to stand for many hours daily. His wife
+did cleaning and odd jobs for the lower class of tradespeople, and was
+in dissipation a fit companion for her husband. He was taken ill, and
+the long-sought-for opportunity to read and reason with them was
+obtained; the poor man professed penitence, sank rapidly, and died. In
+her early widowhood the woman sought and found mercy. She left the
+Court, became a communicant, and has ever since been regular in her
+attendance at the Lord's table. She is now of advanced growth in grace,
+and occasionally calls upon her old friend, and they have sweet converse
+together about matters concerning the kingdom of heaven.
+
+Something was gained for the right when the little Frenchman, who lived
+at No. 10, became subdued and attentive. Since his escape from Paris,
+twelve years before, he had taken up his abode in the "Grove," and
+forgetting his own tongue, he had learned to speak the slang language of
+the Court "like a native." He lived by polishing cheap furniture, and he
+was regarded by many of his neighbours as an amusing acquaintance. His
+opinions and his life were bad, as he expressed hatred toward ministers
+and professors of religion, and his tongue was so corrupt that some of
+the people (sunk as they were in ignorance and sin) avoided him. When
+met with by himself he was quietly and patiently instructed in the
+doctrines of the pure religion; but when met with among others he was
+put upon the defence of his low infidel sayings and his wrong living. He
+at length used to fix his gaze upon the Bible, when taken from the
+side-pocket, and listened as one who felt its power. He was once
+arrested by the beatitudes, and asked several times to have them read to
+him. All we can say more about him is that his bad influence became
+neutralized, and that his soul received some rays from the light of the
+revealed word.
+
+The other is only part of a narrative, as it concerns our amusing
+acquaintance, "Black Poll." At first her conduct in the "Home" was wild
+and unruly, but as the civilizing process went on, she proved the truth
+of that saying of the ancients that "the wildest colts make the best
+horses, if only they are properly broke in." She was properly broke in,
+and developed a fine character. Quick in learning and diligent in work,
+she became a favourite with the ladies and the matron. She was of
+pleasant countenance and of marked neatness in her dress, so there was
+no difficulty in providing for her after she had been nearly four years
+in the "Home." She was received into a good family as under-nurse, and
+did extremely well, being much valued by her mistress and loved by the
+children. Unhappily for her, "Uncle Dusty" regarded her with enduring
+affection; upon obtaining her address, he stopped one evening with his
+company before the mansion where she lived, and told the footman that
+"he knowed 'Poll' lived there, as was a credit to him, becos he jist
+made a woman on her by taking her out of the workus." The family were
+annoyed, and the girl felt degraded before her fellow-servants, and came
+next day to consult with the friend who had rescued her. As she had
+thought of emigrating to Canada with other young people for whom kind
+arrangements had been made, she was advised to do so. Upon arriving in
+the colony she obtained a good situation, and at intervals of time sent
+many pleasant and thankful letters to her "Home" friends in London. The
+last of these was to him who has in the providence of God wrought out so
+great a deliverance for her. In it she informed him that she was about
+to be married to a young man with good prospects, and concluded with
+these touching words: "When, sir, you met me on the stairs God placed
+his banner over me, and ever since it has been love, and I shall always
+be your grateful girl, M. W."
+
+Yes; the banner of a Saviour's love was placed over her, and over the
+old Court, when the Christians of Tunbridge Wells sent a messenger of
+the Cross to its people; and that banner of crimson hue still floats
+over them, and the restoring work goes on, as the improved condition of
+the place and people clearly testify. There are, however, in that
+neighbourhood of Lisson Grove, though situate in the western part of the
+capital of Christian England, a vast multitude who are uninfluenced by
+the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, and many of whom are
+deeply sunk in ignorance and sin. Ten missionary districts are
+unvisited, though each contains upwards of two thousand precious souls.
+Christian tradesman of the Edgeware Road, who are well acquainted with
+the spiritual necessities of the "Grove," have formed themselves into a
+committee to provide for three of those districts. They need help. The
+writer,[1] who is responsible for the support and extension of
+missionary work in this part of London, will gladly receive
+communications concerning giving and receiving. He is persuaded that
+many who read this narrative will gladly share in the joy of conveying
+the Gospel to this multitude of precious souls; that many will help to
+raise the banner of love over these acres of habitations so thickly
+peopled with the home heathen; that a blessing may rest upon our nation
+by an increase of its people who love righteousness, and who can enter
+with personal zest into the sweet language of the poet Weitzel:--
+
+  "Oh, blest the land: the city blest,
+  Where Christ the ruler is confest!
+  Oh, happy hearts and happy homes.
+  To whom this King in triumph comes."
+
+[1] J. M. W., London City Mission, Bridewell Place, E.C.
+
+
+The Book in the Bars:
+
+ITS LIGHT.
+
+  "Amazed and sore perplexed he stood,
+    The sweat streamed off his rugged brow;
+  Like midnight wanderer in a wood,
+    More hopeless still his prospects grow.
+
+  "The day wore on, he marked it not,
+    He felt not that his cheeks were wet;
+  He saw himself a drunken sot,
+    Bound fast within the devil's net.
+
+  "He groaned beneath his heavy load:
+    At last a bitter cry there came,--
+  'Be merciful to me, oh God,
+    For I a wretched sinner am!'"
+
+                                _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+     BETWEEN THE BARRELS--THE TRUE LIGHT SHINING--A DANGER--LIGHT IN THE
+     CLUB-ROOM--THE CHANGE WROUGHT--VICTORY GAINED--EVIL RESISTED--GOOD
+     ADVICE--A WHITE SERGEANT--A WISE REMOVAL--THE GOOD INCREASED.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE BARS:
+
+ITS LIGHT.
+
+     "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." PS.
+     cxix. 105.
+
+"You see, master, as how it can't be no otherwise; my poor husband is
+very ill, and cos it's consumption he can't live long. I has to go out
+a-selling to get us a living, and he is miserable all by hisself. Now,
+though I says it myself, he is very much respected by the landlord and
+all as uses this house, and he always enjoys hisself here. So they have
+put the two large barrels at each side of the little one, and before I
+goes out I takes him and puts him down comfortable, as in an arm-chair,
+and then his pals gives him sups of rum, and that sort of thing, and it
+does him lots of good--and he shan't be without his enjoyments for the
+like of you."
+
+The latter part of this speech was delivered in a defiant tone. The
+speaker was the wife of a costermonger who lived in a neighbouring
+court. The person addressed was the Missionary of the district, who had,
+by a kind touch of the arm and a cheerful "How are you to-day?" arrested
+their hurried entrance into a gin-palace. The man was about thirty years
+of age, and as he leaned against the marbled pillar of the "palace,"
+supporting himself upon his stick, he presented a pitiable sight. The
+loose-fitting jacket, the sunken eyes, the hectic flush upon the cheek,
+and hard breathing, indicated his near approach to the grave. A few
+words of gentle reproof and concern for his spiritual safety only
+provoked a movement by which he was partly supported and partly pushed
+into the bar.
+
+As the massive door with its ground-glass panels closed upon them, an
+expression of sadness passed over the face of the Missionary. He had
+just entered upon the work, and for the first time realized in its
+intensity the "burden of souls." Only a few weeks before, the Committee
+of the London City Mission had said to him, "Visit the inhabitants of
+the district assigned you, for the purpose of bringing them to an
+acquaintance with salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, and of doing
+them good by every means in your power." The court in which these
+persons lived was within the district, and it was his duty to seek the
+salvation of that man. As he passed on, he thus reasoned with himself:
+"If I make no effort for his good, he must be lost; but what can I do?
+When I called in at his room last evening, he was stupefied with liquor,
+and it will be the same to-night. He is sober now; why should I not
+visit him in the bar, and deal faithfully with him?" After prayerfully
+pondering the matter, he turned back and timidly entered the "palace."
+The woman had left, but the man was there in the position described by
+her. The small barrel was so placed between the two large ones as to
+form a comfortable seat. Several men of his own class were standing by
+him, and though early in the day, groups of gin-drinking men and women
+had assembled in the four compartments into which the bar was divided.
+The floor had been swept and covered with sawdust, which gave it a
+comfortable appearance, while its spaciousness and highly-varnished
+hundred-gallon hogsheads, the gilded frame-work of the plate-glass
+panelling, the bright rows of wine and spirit bottles, and the active
+movements of the landlord and two barmen, rendered the place attractive
+and pleasant to the miserably clad customers.
+
+[Illustration: Man speaking to other men in bar]
+
+The sick man was evidently startled by the appearance of the visitor,
+who set him at ease by observing, "You must have plenty of time for
+reading, so I thought I would call and give you some interesting little
+books which I intended to have left in your room."
+
+Several were then handed to him, and accepted with the remark, "I can't
+read much, but I'll ask the chaps what reads the papers to read them to
+me."
+
+The men who were standing round asked for tracts and then listened with
+deep interest while the Missionary repeated the parable of the builders.
+Only a few remarks were made upon it, when the landlord in an angry tone
+assured the visitor that, "They were not natural fools, to believe a set
+of lies made up by the Jews."
+
+"The words I have repeated," was the calm reply, "were uttered by the
+Saviour of the world in mercy to sinners. Believe them, and your soul
+shall live."
+
+By this time the customers had gathered from the other compartments,
+attracted by the novelty of religious teaching in such a place. The
+landlord spoke quietly to several men who were standing near the bar,
+and immediately after one of them made his way towards the Missionary,
+and tore the leaves of a tract, formed them into paper lights. He lit
+his own pipe with one of them, observing in derision,--
+
+"These here are useful things, guv'nor, to light up with: give us some
+more."
+
+A general laugh was suppressed by the prompt answer,--
+
+"Of course I will, as they are useful things. I have given enough
+already to light you all up,--that is, in the right way; and I'll give
+you some more, and tell you what I mean. Now, there are some people who
+are always in the dark, because they are blind; and there are some
+people who are always dark in their souls. They don't see with their
+minds the beautiful things that are in the Bible, so they live badly,
+just as if there was no God. That's a miserable way of living; and when
+they are taken ill they are afraid to die, because the grave is a dark
+place to go to. Now, if a man reads these tracts, and thinks about what
+he reads, he will light up his soul. Why, at the end of this tract there
+is a little bit out of the Bible which would do it for all of you:
+'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' When a man believes
+that, he becomes sorry for his sins, and asks God for pardon, because
+Jesus died upon the cross for him. He is then forgiven, and by the Holy
+Spirit of God made good and happy. He has then no fear of death, because
+he is certain of being in heaven with the Saviour for ever."
+
+Further remarks were prevented by the landlord, who, forcing his way
+through the crowd of eager listeners, seized the speaker by the arm, and
+with an oath thrust him into the street. And thus ended the first
+missionary visit to the public-houses.
+
+A few days after the wife of the costermonger came up to the Missionary,
+who was passing the court, and said, "Please, master, my poor husband
+wants to be religious; he says that he is all dark, and he wants to hear
+some reading, and I've got no learning; and he has not been in the bar,
+as he thought maybe that you would call."
+
+"I will see him at once," was the reply; and the Christian visitor
+stepped with her into the room.
+
+Before a word of greeting could be uttered, the poor man exclaimed, with
+all the eagerness of one in spiritual distress, "Sir, I have been
+dreadful wicked in my time, and it's dreadful to be ill, and I don't
+know what prayers to say."
+
+The visitor looked with pity into the careworn, pallid face of the
+all-but-dying man, and, taking a seat by his side, told him in simple
+words the wondrous and soothing story of a Saviour's love, and before
+leaving taught him a few sentences of prayer. Such visits were repeated
+daily, as the increasing weakness of the sufferer showed that the time
+for instructing him in the way of salvation was short indeed.
+
+Upon the last of these visits he listened with absorbing interest to the
+narrative of the Lord's ascension, and then, with a smile of peace,
+exclaimed, "He died for poor me, and He has made it all right now, and I
+shall go up to Him."
+
+That night he passed away; and it was for some time the talk of the
+Court that he died happy, because he was made a Christian in the
+public-house.
+
+One evening, about thirteen months after this event, a crowd of persons,
+among whom were many of the respectable inhabitants, stood around the
+gin-palace in earnest conversation. It was so unlike the noisy crowds
+which assembled when drunkards were ejected, that the Missionary, who
+was passing, inquired the cause.
+
+"The landlord has broken a blood vessel," was the reply: "three doctors
+are with him, and we are waiting to know the result."
+
+Upon its being stated that the doctors gave hope of his recovery, the
+people separated. For days it was rumoured that his life was in danger,
+and at the little mission service held in the Court, prayer was made on
+his behalf. Several mornings after, the Missionary inquired of the
+servant, who was standing at the private door, as to the state of her
+master's health.
+
+"A little better," she replied; "but he is still in the club-room, as
+the doctors say it will be dangerous to remove him for some days."
+
+Acting upon the impulse of the moment, the Missionary passed the
+servant, and with an ejaculatory prayer for success, ascended the
+stairs, and tapped at the club-room door.
+
+"Come in," said a faint voice; and the visitor entered and saw the
+landlord lying upon a couch, near the fire.
+
+Stepping gently forward, he said in a subdued tone, "I must ask you,
+sir, to forgive this act of apparent rudeness. The truth is, that since
+hearing of your illness I have been praying for you."
+
+There was a momentary embarrassment, until the patient, with a troubled
+expression of face, whispered,--
+
+"Who asked you to pray for me? I don't believe in theology."
+
+"No one asked me," was the reply; "but if you will keep from speaking,
+which may retard your recovery, I will, in a few words, tell you why
+prayer was made to God in your behalf. After years of Bible-study I know
+its statements to be true; and then I have tested its promises, and know
+the blessings to be real. You, perhaps, from want of opportunity, have
+not done the one, and are therefore without the blessings now that you
+most need them. I have felt as anxious about you as though you had been
+an old friend; and we have prayed that your life may be spared, and your
+soul saved."
+
+"It's no use: I can never believe," was the reply; but it was delivered
+so feebly, and with such an expression of mental and physical pain upon
+the countenance, as to draw forth emotions of sympathy.
+
+"Permit me," said the visitor, "to repeat two passages of Scripture, and
+then I will leave you: 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in
+Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
+equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the
+form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found
+in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
+death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly
+exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the
+name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
+the earth, and things under earth; and that every tongue should confess
+that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 'This is a
+faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came
+into the world to save sinners.'" Placing his pocket Bible upon the
+table, with the passage turned down, the visitor took the hand that was
+offered to him, and said, "I will leave my card: send to me as a friend
+whenever you please; and may you find peace in the love of Jesus."
+
+During the conversation, the wife had entered, and following the visitor
+out of the room, thanked him for calling. "I was religious once," she
+observed; "but years before the bar has ruined me altogether; you cannot
+do a first-class gin trade and keep religious."
+
+The old question about the profit of gaining the world and losing the
+soul was put to her, and so they parted.
+
+Three mornings after, the potman called at the Missionary's house with
+the message that his master wished to see him as soon as he could call
+in.
+
+"Thank you for coming," was the greeting with which the landlord
+received the visitor, who had hastened to obey his request: "I want to
+ask you to forgive me for treating you so badly when you came into the
+bar to see the poor fellow who was ill. I was in liquor--that's how I
+came to do it."
+
+"Don't think of that," was the reply; "besides, I made excuse for you,
+as it was a strange thing for me to enter your bar and talk about
+religion."
+
+"It was," he replied; "but after the man was dead, the widow used to
+tell us that he died so happy; and I have often thought that you then
+acted as though you believed the Gospel to be true, because following
+him into my bar was seeking the lost sheep, and no mistake."
+
+This introduced the subject of the internal evidence of the Bible; and
+the visitor, after reading portions of the fifth chapter of 2
+Corinthians, commented on the words, "If any man be in Christ, he is a
+new creature;" showing that among the pillars of evidence which support
+the Bible is the experience of the fact that all who exercise saving
+faith in the Lord Jesus become the possessors of a sealed peace, and
+prove by holy living the change of the inner nature.
+
+This visit was the commencement of a friendship between the Christian
+teacher and the publican, who remained ill for several months. His
+sceptical objections to the truth were examined and gradually removed;
+while the constant reading of that Word, the entrance of which into the
+soul gives light, gradually wrought a change in his views and feelings.
+He made no profession of religion, but the change was apparent to all
+who knew him. He overcame the habit of profane swearing, and showed an
+interest in good things. His presence in the bar effected a change in
+the character of the house. He not only checked blasphemous and bad
+language, but he refused to serve persons who were in liquor, and would
+not allow mothers with infants in their arms to stand in the bar. The
+visits of the Missionary were encouraged. After conversation with the
+family, he used to go into the serving-bar for conversation with the
+men; and after that visited the four compartments used by customers,
+reasoning with them about righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to
+come. This teaching was blessed to souls, as a desire to know the truth
+was manifested by several of the worst characters in the neighbourhood.
+They used to accept the invitation to come and hear the Scriptures read
+in a room down the court, and as the gracious result, several became
+converted. Amongst these were two drunken women, who used to boast of
+the number of times they had been locked up; a youth of eighteen who had
+lived by thieving; and a journeyman shoemaker.
+
+The good influence was increasing in the publican's family, when he was
+suddenly taken ill, and it became evident that his sickness was unto
+death. He lingered for some time in great weakness, but was happy in the
+love of God. Shortly before his death, he said to the Missionary, "I
+have settled my affairs, as I have no hope of recovery; and now I have
+to ask a great kindness of you: it is that you will promise me to take a
+friendly interest in my wife and children when I am gone." Upon the
+promise being given, he added, "I should like, for my comfort, to
+receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, because I have renounced my
+infidelity, and am trusting for salvation to the blood-shedding and
+merit of the risen Jesus."
+
+A few hours after, the Rector and the Missionary entered the gin-palace,
+and passing into the sick-chamber, commemorated with the dying publican
+that offering of Himself by which the Redeemer procured for His
+disciples a present salvation and victory over death and the grave.
+
+After the solemn service, the Minister entered the bar-parlour, and
+remained for some time, observing with deep interest the attention paid
+by various groups of customers to the instruction of the Missionary. As
+they left together, he remarked, thoughtfully, "While you were in the
+bar, the landlady told me that, besides being the means of her husband's
+salvation, you have reformed some of the worst men and women who used to
+support the house. This is grappling with the greatest evil in my
+parish, and God is blessing the effort. I wish that all such houses in
+the parish were thus visited."
+
+"Your desire, sir, shall be carried out as far as the district under my
+visitation is concerned," was the reply.
+
+The aged clergyman, taking the hand of the lay visitor, said with
+emotion, "May the divine blessing make the effort powerful, that the
+Redeemer's work may be extended amongst these multitudes of the
+spiritually dead."
+
+The landlord lived about a fortnight after commemorating the Lord's
+death, and his end was peace. Only a few hours before his entrance into
+rest, he requested that this Scripture might be engraved upon his
+tombstone: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye
+also appear with Him in glory."
+
+A year had scarcely passed when the widow was compelled to leave the
+business, and she went to live in another part of London. She rapidly
+sank from affluence to extreme poverty. Hearing of her condition the
+Missionary sought her out, and was saddened to find her in a back
+kitchen at the East-end of London. He took her two little girls, aged
+eight and ten years, home with him, and through the kindness of leading
+men in the trade, obtained their admission into the Licensed
+Victuallers' School. Employment was obtained for the widow as
+sick-nurse, and she has since lived a useful and Christian life.
+
+While visiting this family the following circumstances occurred, which
+gave the Missionary influence with several licensed victuallers and
+their customers.
+
+The potman at a very low public-house just by was taken seriously ill,
+and the landlord, upon hearing that a Christian man had visited another
+house, sent to inquire for him, and then wrote a note, asking him to
+call and see his man. The visit was paid, and was succeeded by others,
+until the young man recovered. The landlord and his wife were thankful
+for the attention paid, and upon each call asked him into their private
+room. This led to an intimacy so close that he was consulted both as to
+their religious and business difficulties: these can be best explained
+in their own words, as the visitor was seated with them one afternoon.
+"You see, sir," said the landlord, "that I can tell you anything, as you
+are not like the religious and teetotal sort of people who talk and
+write against us, but never call upon us, that they may understand our
+position. Now I don't want, and thousands in the trade don't want, to
+make or to serve drunkards. In our last house we lost nearly all the
+money my wife and I saved in a long service; but if I had pandered to
+vice, we might have been there now. While trying to make the house
+respectable, we lost 'takings' from the depraved and drunken, and, as
+the result, were not able to meet demands, and were obliged to leave and
+take this still lower class of business. The truth is, that publicans,
+as a respectable body of tradesmen, need sympathy and Christian
+influence, instead of abuse, which only worries and makes us, in
+self-defence, resist rather than assist in the necessary reforms; and
+then, as our trade is a temptation, we need religious influences in our
+families: but no clergyman has ever entered my house. I have gone
+wrongly, as I have taken to 'sipping,' but it's hard to bear up against
+the trials I have had to pass through." "When we married," added the
+wife, "we had L200, and felt that we should do well in this business;
+the Sunday trade has however made me wretched. During the fourteen years
+I was lady's maid I went to Church twice every Sunday; and from that
+happy life to serving behind a bar is a dreadful change. This is not
+needful except for two hours at meals, when the necessary article of
+consumption could be supplied; and then the rows in the tap are a
+constant misery to me, and I wish we were out of the business
+altogether."
+
+"You have my deepest sympathy," said the Missionary, "and I will advise
+you as a true friend. Your constant drinking, landlord, must be stopped,
+or you will be brought to an early grave, with the curse pronounced
+against the drunkard resting heavily and for eternity upon you. As
+regards your wife, it is wrong to expose her to the misery which a woman
+of Christian feeling must endure in this class of house. My advice is,
+get out of it. You might save sufficient from the wreck to take a small
+general shop, and you could then get a connection as a waiter among your
+old acquaintances. The great matter in this difficulty, as in all our
+trials, is prayer: this you have both neglected. Inquire of the Lord,
+and He will direct you."
+
+A fortnight after this conversation the landlord and Missionary met the
+agent of the firm to which the business belonged, and an equitable
+arrangement was made for giving up the house. Upon leaving the trade
+they took a small grocer's business, and became Church members, and
+prospered in their new calling.
+
+Another publican, who was met with in this house, spoke strongly against
+the Sunday business.
+
+"Grumbling is of little use in such matters," observed the visitor.
+"Act: get up a petition asking Parliament to close you entirely upon the
+Lord's-day, and request one of your Members to present it. A movement of
+this kind in the trade would be much to your own and to the public
+good."
+
+"If sir," he replied, "you will write out the petition, I will sign it,
+and go round with you to other members of the trade, to obtain
+signatures."
+
+The request was complied with, and forty licensed victuallers signed the
+petition for entire Sunday closing, and it was duly presented.
+
+The arresting power of the Word of God was frequently witnessed in these
+gin bars. For instance: a woman one evening who entered the "Globe," and
+called for her first dram, was arrested by the reasoning of the
+missionary with some labourers. Approaching him, pewter measure in hand,
+she exclaimed, "You have no business here; go out, or I will throw this
+over you." The men pushed her away, but he said kindly, "Before you do
+so, let me say something to you out of this Book," and then, after a
+pause to find a suitable passage, he read distinctly, "Thus saith the
+Lord that made thee ... I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
+floods upon the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my
+blessing upon thine offspring." Only a few words of comment were
+uttered, when the woman placed the measure upon the bar, and raising her
+apron to her eyes, burst into tears, and left, exclaiming, "Oh that I
+was a little girl again!" She did not taste the gin, and was never after
+met in a bar. It was evident that an arrow of conviction had sped forth
+from the Word of God, but with her as with thousands of others, its
+ultimate effect was not known. Encouragement, this, for earnest labour
+and simple trust in the power and promised blessing upon the
+proclamation of God's mercy in Christ; yes, upon the utterance of every
+truth contained in His own inspired Word.
+
+Opportunities frequently occurred for seeking the good of customers as
+well as landlords, and these led the Missionary to the conviction that
+the public-house is a very proper sphere for Missionary operations. The
+following is one instance. Upon passing a public-house in his district
+rather late one evening, the visitor noticed a woman near the door who
+had evidently been crying, and she had an infant in her arms. When he
+spoke to her she told him that her husband had just gone into the
+tap-room with all the money they had, and she was afraid to follow him,
+as he would knock her about if she did.
+
+"Wait here," said the visitor; and then he entered the house, and passed
+into the tap. It was filled with low men, several of whom appeared
+confused at his seeing them there. He however addressed one of them in a
+friendly manner, and said, "You men had better be careful; there is some
+one outside."
+
+"Who can it be!" exclaimed several of the men, looking uncomfortable.
+
+"A White Sergeant," was the reply, and the announcement produced a roar
+of laughter. To explain the reason of the merriment a digression is
+necessary. Well, then, a "White Sergeant" in the tap-room parlance is a
+wife who fetches her husband out of the public-house. This is considered
+a great offence, and men who submit to such an exercise of "women's
+rights" are much joked at by their companions. Many of the quarrels
+between husband and wife result from this cause. One Monday morning, in
+a court he visited, the Missionary saw five women with black eyes, all
+received through efforts to get their husbands home with their full
+week's wages. The announcement that a "White Sergeant" was waiting for
+one of them outside was therefore considered a capital joke.
+
+As soon as their merriment had subsided, the visitor said gravely, "And
+this 'White Sergeant' is a woman of whom any man might be
+proud--pleasant-looking and neat in her dress, with a dear little baby
+in her arms; and in my opinion the man who would bring such a woman to
+cry outside a public ought to hang his head for shame."
+
+The selfishness of men who for their own pleasures would act in this
+way, was enlarged upon, until a man rose and quietly left the room. A
+few tracts were distributed, and then the visitor also went out, and saw
+the man walking away with the "White Sergeant." He approached them and
+spoke kindly to the man, saying that he would like to call and give
+picture-books to his children. In a surly way he was told that he might
+"do as he liked," and he therefore went with them to their door.
+
+Next Sunday the visitor called, and after a pleasant chat, opened the
+Bible to read to them, when one of the children began to cry. The
+father, without saying a word, took off his rough cap and threw it at
+the child with such force as to knock it heavily upon the floor.
+The poor child crawled into a corner, and, from fear, remained quiet.
+The parable of the Prodigal Son was read, and the man was deeply
+interested in it, and with the exposition showing the love of the
+Father. As the reader proceeded, the man looked kindly towards the
+child, and then went and took it into his arms. The visitor was pleased
+with this act, as it showed him that the man could be influenced for
+good. As he was leaving, the man addressed him thus,--
+
+"You didn't know me, guv'nor, when you saw me in the tap; but I knowed
+you as the chap as made my pal religious, as I used to play
+pitch-and-toss with when a boy, and used to go out on the drunk with
+after we got to be men; and when I seed him a-dyin', said he to me said
+he, 'Bob, get religion, as it ain't no good a-goin' on bad, as Jesus
+Christ is our Saviour. And my old woman will tell the tract man to have
+a say with you out of his Book.' Well, when you comed into the tap in
+that 'ere way, and talked sensible, thinks I, that's 'im, and it's my
+Beck outside; so I misselled (slipped out), and shouldn't mind if you
+made Beck and me religious, that I shouldn't."
+
+The meaning of the word "conversion" was explained to him in simple
+language, and an appointment made for further instruction. These visits
+were continued for some months, and a marked change for the better had
+taken place, until he one night yielded to temptation, got drunk, and
+became worse than he had ever been before. He stripped the house of
+every comfort, and all the labour appeared to have been lost upon him.
+He was, however, met with one afternoon when hawking crockery, and
+induced to sign the pledge. This he kept for three months, and again
+relapsed. His friend had come to the conclusion that his case was
+hopeless, when he received an unexpected visit from the man.
+
+"Please, mister," he said with some confusion, "I am a-comin' to live
+right agin you. I seed a room with a loft over a stable and I took it,
+and I shall feel strong like bein' agin you, and shan't be near my pals
+as gets me to drink. It 'tain't 'pertinent like, is it, my comin' here?"
+
+The poor man was commended for his strange but wise resolution, and his
+friend called to see them very frequently. As a result, the children
+were sent to a Sunday school, and the man was seen in the free seats at
+church, clean, but in his hawker's clothes. The reformation went on with
+him, and he became sober and well conducted. One morning he called upon
+his friend, and said, "I never cared, sir, for my children, for I was a
+drunkard, and I didn't know nuffin' of our souls and religion, and Beck
+and I wants the young uns to be christened, that we does, and we are
+goin to stick to church like as if we was made new inside, as is
+religion."
+
+A few days after this conversation the curate called and instructed the
+parents and the elder children in the Christian faith, and then he
+arranged for the baptism. As the Missionary stood at the font with the
+six children before him, he rejoiced and gave thanks because of the
+change which had passed over the family. The "White Sergeant" and the
+drunken hawker had changed in every way since he saw the one crying
+outside the public-house, and the other seated in the tap-room. They
+remained in the neighbourhood for several years, and were among the most
+respectable of the poor.
+
+In this marked way it pleased the great Head of the Church--who is
+always gracious to His servants who strive to win souls--to honour the
+effort made to secure the salvation of the poor costermonger; and the
+leadings of His providence also made it an open door by which the Gospel
+has been made known to hundreds of thousands of the London poor. The
+Missionary, in accordance with his promise to the minister, commenced
+the regular visitation of the fourteen public and beerhouses upon the
+district. This was trying and difficult, but good results were granted;
+and the Committee of the London City Mission, after examining into the
+work, requested him to visit all the public-houses in a large parish, as
+his sphere of duty. Results were so satisfactory that they appointed
+Missionaries to the same class of houses in nine other parishes, and are
+now making efforts to extend the work. It is pleasing to know that in
+the bars, tap-rooms, and parlours of 3,450 out of the 10,340 licensed
+houses in London, earnest effort is made for the spiritual enlightenment
+of the men and women who frequent them. As the gracious and known
+result, hundreds of these have been reclaimed from drunkenness and other
+vices, and many of them are members of Christian Churches. The influence
+upon publicans, and through them upon the trade, has been in many
+instances remarkable for good. Some houses have been entirely closed;
+others upon the whole of the Lord's-day; while the character of many has
+been changed for the better. Bar and other servants, who form a large
+and important class, have received great benefits; not a few have been
+induced to leave the business, and others have been fortified against
+its temptations and snares. In addition to all this, there is a large
+daily distribution of Gospel and Temperance tracts, while publications
+of a high Christian and moral tone are pressed into circulation. It may,
+indeed, be said that a new field for Christian enterprise was opened by
+the discovery that it is _possible_ to grapple with the withering curse
+of drunkenness at its very fountain-head, and so bring many hitherto
+unreached multitudes in our great cities under the influence of
+Christian teaching.
+
+
+The Book in the Bars:
+
+ITS SPIRITUAL POWER.
+
+  "Sir, did you ever walk along a street,
+  A low back street, at night, where drunkards meet!
+  Where the gin palace turns the night to day,
+  And public-house and beer-shop line the way?
+  Say, did you listen? What, sir, did you hear?
+  Our English workmen were enjoying beer.
+  Did the rude clamour come from happy men,
+  Or wild beasts maddened, raging in their den?
+  You heard the fiendish laugh, the oaths, the strife,
+  The curses heaped upon a helpless wife;
+  The wretched harlot's song, the drunkard's roar,
+  The noisy fiddle and the rattling floor;
+  You saw the ragged mother sick and pale,
+  You heard the miserable infant's wail;--
+  That was the Englishman's happy lot:
+  That was the music to the poor man's pot:
+  You heard it? Yes,--our workmen mad with drink!
+  Something to make a sober Christian think!"
+
+                                              _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+     THE CLOCK GOING WRONG--MEN OF THE FANCY--THE RAT-PIT MAN--A CHILD
+     ON THE BARREL--TICKET OF LEAVE MAN--A ROUGH--A DRUNKARD'S HOME--A
+     FALL AND RISE.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE BARS:
+
+ITS SPIRITUAL POWER.
+
+     "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
+     ROM. x. 17.
+
+The following advertisement, which appeared in several of the daily
+newspapers, induced the Missionary to pay a farewell visit to the
+landlord and bar-servants:--
+
+"_Gin Palace_ for sale, in a good working and gin-drinking
+neighbourhood; doing L240 a week over the bar: elegant and substantial
+fittings. Terms moderate. Immediate possession," etc.
+
+With this farewell purpose, the Christian visitor entered the "bottle
+department" early upon the following Sunday evening, but found the place
+so filled with customers that neither the landlord nor bar-men had a
+moment to spare. He therefore simply shook hands with them, and arranged
+to call in during the quiet hours of the following afternoon, and then
+commenced evangelizing work among the people.
+
+Three high partitions divided the bar into four compartments; and, as is
+usual, there were separate doors to each, so that the crowds of
+customers could not see each other, though the noise of their converse
+and disputes produced a war of words, and rendered quiet conversation
+difficult. One would have thought that the private or "bottle
+department" would have been the easiest to visit, as its name seemed to
+invite the respectable order of drinkers. To some extent this was the
+case, but a jury of bar-men would certainly agree in the opinion that
+this sly part of the house, into which so many well-dressed persons slip
+for their drams, is the most lucrative and usually the most crowded.
+Only a few weeks before, the visitor was standing with a young man in a
+similar compartment, when seven women, wives of working men, entered,
+and called for a quart of gin with ale glasses. They were laughing
+heartily at what they considered a happy thought of one of their
+companions,--the clubbing together for the purpose of ordering so large
+a quantity of spirits: they were much disconcerted at the withering
+rebuke they met with.
+
+Upon the evening of our visit, eight or ten men and women were present.
+One of these, a respectable tradesman, rejected a tract with the remark,
+"I don't want your religious nonsense, as I do the thing that's right
+between man and man; and if I didn't I would not be interfered with by
+other people in religious matters, as I know what is right, and could do
+it." "The clock there is going wrong," replied the visitor, looking
+towards that very ornamental object, "and because it's out of repair, it
+does not answer the purpose for which it was made, as it is hours too
+slow. Now the landlord will not attempt to repair it himself, neither
+will he give it to a grocer or a bricklayer for that purpose: he will no
+doubt send it to the man who made it,--to a clockmaker who understands
+its mechanism; he will clean and repair it, and then the hands will go
+right. Well, it's just so with us men: when we do wrong it proves that
+we are unclean inside, and out of repair, and it is no good trying to
+set ourselves right, for we can't do it; or to get other people to
+tinker at us, as they are sure to make us worse. Our proper course of
+action is to approach our Almighty Maker, with the prayer, 'Create in me
+a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.' When this is
+done, we go right, and glorify God in our bodies and our spirits, which
+are His." After a few words about the Fountain opened for sin and
+uncleanness, the speaker passed out, leaving the people with their eyes
+fixed upon the clock, and their thoughts upon the Saviour.
+
+In the next compartment about sixteen working men had assembled, all of
+whom were sober. Several were annoyed, as one of them said, at "being
+tackled in such a place as that about religion." "Why, you are all in
+the building trade," exclaimed the intruder, "and if you listen to the
+words I repeat, and do them, you shall be likened to wise men who built
+a house upon a rock: 'And the rain descended, and the winds blew, and
+beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.'"
+As the attention of the men was arrested by the parable, it was repeated
+to the end; and then, taking the Bible from his pocket, the reader
+observed, "These are not my words: they were spoken by the Lord Jesus
+Christ." "I knows a lot of the Bible," said one of the men, "and He
+never talked like that." "I've heard it before," retorted a companion,
+"and it's there." "Yes: I am right," replied the man with the Book; and
+then, leaning his back against the bar, he read the parable through, in
+a clear, expressive tone. He then looked up, and said kindly, "You are
+not building on this rock; if you were you would be in the house of God,
+instead of this place."
+
+"That's right!" exclaimed several, and three of them followed him into
+the street. "I'll go next Sunday," said a carpenter. "And so will I,"
+answered his companion, a smith. "And I will meet you at this corner and
+go with you," said the reader. This arrangement was confirmed with
+hand-shaking; and the men went thoughtfully towards their homes, the
+Missionary entering the next compartment.
+
+In this several groups of persons were standing together, those near the
+door being sweeps, who, in honour of the day, were partly washed. One of
+them, a young man, said that his mother was ill and wanted some one to
+pray with her. The visitor took down the address and promised to call.
+While doing so his attention was directed to several men of the "fancy,"
+who were in loud conversation about the difficulties of their calling.
+They were attired in dirty fustians, with gaudy cotton handkerchiefs
+round their necks, and caps which made their foreheads appear
+"villanously low." One of them held a bull-dog by a chain, and several
+puppies were peeping out of the side pockets of his coat. He was
+evidently the important man of the group, as his companions were
+listening with respect to his grievances, which he expressed in the
+following way: "This 'ere draining of London will be the ruin of us,
+that it will. Why look 'ere: I've been all this blessed day a-trying to
+get six dozen of rats, and I has only got two dozen; and it's ruination
+the price of them is. I never grumbles at buying them at fourpence each
+when they are fat and lively like that, I doesn't, as it's a fair price;
+but it's enough to make a chap go rampstairing when he has to tip a bob
+each, or eleven shillings a dozen for them, as I did this afternoon; and
+it's this draining of London does it, as they be slushed away. And then
+last week I had a misfortune. I went out with my pal, as is ratcatcher
+to the Queen, for two days' catchin' about Windsor, and I left three
+dozen in the low pit. Well, when I comes back, my misses, as as bin
+queer, said, 'Oh dear me, I forgot to feed the rats!' So I went off, as
+I knowed how it 'ed be. When I looked in it a dozen had gone, and they
+was a-eating ever-so-many of one another; so I chucked in the stuff as
+had been mixed up for 'em, and there was an end of their barbarities, as
+rats are good-natured like when they has plenty of grub; but when the
+price is up it is, as I say, ruination."
+
+"And so you have been all day trying to buy rats, have you? a pretty way
+to be sure for a man to spend his Sunday," observed the Missionary, as
+he turned towards the man, and caressed a pretty little spaniel whose
+head was resting upon the flap of his pocket.
+
+"I has," was the sharp reply: "and I makes no profession of religion, so
+it's no harm; like them saints, one of which I knows as cheats you
+through thick and thin; so I does the correct thing, and snaps my
+finger, and says I, None of your religion for me."
+
+"I see how it is," rejoined the visitor. "You have met with an imitation
+Christian, a counterfeit, as we call bad money, and for that reason you
+will not be a real Christian. Is that what you mean? If so, it is like
+saying, 'A man passed a bad shilling upon me, so I never mean to take a
+good one.'"
+
+"That's a puzzler," replied the man, thoughtfully; "as I knows what good
+Christians are, as was my father and mother, as was Welsh, like me.
+They did the right thing by me; but I 'erd of people a-gettin' on in
+London, so I ran away from them, and begged and stumped it up here. And
+I got in with some young prigs in Whitechapel, and got took before the
+beak, as wasn't for much; and he didn't give a fellow a chance, but put
+on three months hard; and when I got out I couldn't get on, so I went
+out with a chap a-catchin' birds and rats, and married his daughter. And
+now I has a bird shop at Shoreditch, and a rat-pit, as was profitable
+afore this 'ere draining was inwented, as gents bring their dogs to be
+teached to kill rats first-rate, and sometimes they has a match on the
+quiet; and they are gents as does it and pays up, and says as I am the
+best rat-pit man they knows."
+
+In reply to questions, the rat-pit man admitted that during the eighteen
+years he had been in London he had only once been into a church, and
+that was at his marriage. When reminded that he was the child of many
+prayers, and of parents passed into the heavens, he was softened, and
+said, "If I know'd somebody as is religious, I should be better; but I
+doesn't know a religious chap, that I doesn't."
+
+"Give me your address," said the visitor, "and I will ask a Missionary
+gentleman who lives near, a friend of mine, to call upon you." This was
+done, and the parties left the bar together.
+
+The fourth compartment was crowded with persons of the degraded and
+disorderly class, and it was evident that several men in one corner were
+excited with liquor. In the centre was a large barrel, and round it
+stood three women. One of them had turned a quart pot upside down upon
+the barrel, and had seated her little child, about a year old, upon it.
+She called for "a quartern and three outs" (three glasses to divide the
+liquor), when the Missionary, who felt the difficulty of securing the
+attention of such a people, approached with the exclamation: "Why, what
+do you think? When the Saviour of the world was here, He took a little
+child, a pretty little dear like that, and sat it in the midst of His
+disciples, and said, 'Except ye be converted, and become as little
+children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.'"
+
+"Did He, sir?" exclaimed several.
+
+"Yes: He did," was the reply; "and if you will listen to me I will tell
+you what He meant."
+
+At this the people gathered round the barrel, and the speaker, taking
+the tiny hand in his, continued: "There is no mistake about the love of
+a little darling like this. When it throws its arms around your neck you
+know it's real love" ("That it is," said the mother, giving the child a
+hug); "and the Saviour meant that we men and women, who are children of
+the great Father in heaven, ought to love Him with all our hearts, and
+do His holy will. Now I don't think that we all do this."
+
+"I should think not," said a man with a coarse laugh. "If we did, we
+shouldn't be a-getting drunk in here on a Sunday night."
+
+"You are right," replied the visitor. "You are not like this pretty
+child; you are bad children, and must, as Jesus said, be converted. The
+great Father loves you, and sent His Son to tell you how to be made
+good, and to die for your sins." Other words of exhortation were being
+uttered, when the address was brought to a close by another group of
+persons pressing into the bar.
+
+This consisted of an old woman, and three young men of the _genus_
+rough. The woman, who had been crying, and who had new weeds upon her
+head, was reluctant to enter, as one of the men said to her, "Never
+mind, mother; it's what we are all a-comin' to. He was a good un, as
+respected was everywhere. Come in and have a drop of rum."
+
+"And have you been," inquired the Missionary, "to bury the husband and
+the father?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the widow, sobbing. "We was married forty-two years,
+and it's his first night in the cold grave, and I'm so miserable, and my
+boys has brought me to give me some rum;" and then she sobbed so deeply
+that the people looked at her with pity.
+
+"Don't touch the rum," said the visitor, "but let me go home with you
+and read from this blessed Book the comforting words which the merciful
+God has said to widows;" and then they stepped out of the bar, the sons
+following. They entered a house a few doors further on, and descended to
+the back kitchen, which was dismal, and almost without furniture. Taking
+a seat on the edge of the bedstead, the visitor read the account of the
+widow of Zarephath, and such Scriptures as "The Lord relieveth the
+fatherless and widow;" "Let thy widows trust in Me;" and then explained
+to her the meaning of being "a widow indeed." The young men were deeply
+interested, but when prayer was offered they stood up awkwardly, though
+the mother knelt; it was evident that they had never bent the knee in
+supplication. After more words of sympathy the widow was left much
+comforted, and with the promise of another visit.
+
+After this the Missionary passed through several other public-houses
+with varied success, and scattered much precious seed. As the evening
+was far advanced, he entered a large beer-shop, intending a final visit.
+About thirty men and women of the lower class were standing, many of
+them with their backs to the walls, as the landlord had removed the
+seats to prevent his customers staying too long. Upon glancing round,
+the visitor noticed a middle-aged man, whom he had not seen for several
+years, and inquired of him where he had been?
+
+"To prison, for assault upon a woman," he replied. "I was committed for
+four years, and that wasn't much, as she will never get over it; and I'm
+out six months afore time with a ticket-of-leave; and it was the drink
+as made me do it, as I wouldn't hurt nobody."
+
+"It's no use laying it to the drink," was the reply; "speak the truth,
+and say that it was your love of the drink,--your vice that led you to
+commit the crime. You may make excuse now, but the day is coming when
+you will be tried again for that and for every offence of your life, as
+we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ; now mind, if you
+are condemned by that Judge there will be no escape from the prison of
+hell, to which you will be sent."
+
+At the commencement of this conversation, the door swung open, and a man
+of a baser sort entered. He listened; but brought the conversation to a
+sudden close by clenching his fist, and with that malicious hiss which
+bad men have, he addressed the Missionary, and said, "What business has
+you in our shop, a-talking like that 'ere? for two pins I'd smash in
+your frontispiece."
+
+The ticket-of-leave man frowned, and holding out his right arm with
+extended finger and thumb gave a peculiar jerk and exclaimed, "If you
+does I'll garotte you." And a woman, whose sister the visitor had placed
+in a reformatory, fearing that he would be injured, rushed before him
+with a half-scream. The rough, who was evidently astonished at the good
+feeling which existed between the Christian teacher and the persons of
+his own class, stepped back; but as the attention of the debased crowd
+in the bar was directed towards him, the visitor raised his hand and
+said loudly, "Never mind: I am not hurt. But it was just so hundreds of
+years ago, when the Saviour of the world was here. He used to feed
+hungry people, and heal the sick, and give eyesight to the blind; but
+there were men who smote Him with the fist of wickedness, and who cried
+out, 'Crucify Him, crucify Him,' and then they nailed Him to a cross."
+The speaker then dropped his voice to a solemn note, and continued,
+"Yes; and--
+
+  'It was for such as you He died,
+  For such that He was crucified,
+  For such He reigns above.'"
+
+The effect was startling, as that congregation of the wicked stood in
+silent awe; while the landlord and his barmen leaned forward to listen.
+A few more earnest words were uttered, and the evangelist stepped out,
+wiping the perspiration from his brow. The rough at almost the same
+moment passed out at the other door, and approaching the Missionary,
+said, "I ax yer pardon, guv'nor; but I wouldn't 'urt a hair of your
+'ed."
+
+"I feel all right toward you, so never mind," was the kind reply,
+enforced with a friendly touch of the arm. "You sees, guv'nor," the
+rough continued, "as I am a bad un, as I had a month for beating my old
+woman, and its becos I ain't hedicated, cos if a chap ain't hedicated
+he's nuffin."
+
+From this speech it was evident that the man had a desire for
+instruction, and the visitor felt that to impart this would give him a
+power which might lead to a moral and spiritual regeneration; he
+therefore inquired if he would like to know how to read and write?
+
+"Oh, shouldn't I: that's all!"
+
+"Well then, if you have the mettle in you to stick to your book, which
+is hard work for a man of forty, I will spend an hour with you once or
+twice a week, and teach you."
+
+The poor rough looked astonished, wriggled in a strange manner, and then
+gave expression to his feelings, by exclaiming, "If you does, master,
+when I gets into work I'll treat you to a day in the country."
+
+His friend could but smile at this singular ebullition of grateful
+feeling, though he knew the force of its meaning. To men like him, pent
+up in the density of the mighty city, a day in the country is the
+greatest conceivable enjoyment, and to promise that showed that the man
+had a soul, and perhaps a latent taste for the beautiful.
+
+As it was necessary that the teacher should know where the man lived, he
+went with him down one of those narrow, dirty streets, where the people
+live in comfort as regards thieves: as they have nothing to be robbed
+of, they allow their doors to remain open all night. The man entered one
+of these open doors, and ascended the stair-case, in thick darkness; his
+step was evidently known, as a woman came out of the back attic, holding
+in her hand a blacking bottle, in which was a piece of candle. All
+doubts as to her being his wife was set at rest, by the rough
+introducing his new acquaintance in the following elegant language,
+"'Ere Sarah, 'ere's a gent I've picked up in a beer shop." To the
+embarrassment of the dirty, ragged woman, the visitor entered the room;
+and a deplorable room it was,--a drunkard's home. The floor was dirty,
+without a piece of carpet, and several of the panes of glass were broken
+and pasted over with pieces of brown paper, greased to admit a little
+light. There was only one broken chair, and a sieve-basket, covered with
+a rusty tea-tray, formed another seat. The table was evidently the
+safest piece of goods, as the wife invited her visitor to take a seat
+upon it. There was no bedstead, but an accumulation of rags in one
+corner covered two dirty little children. The poor woman had that
+crushed and wretched expression of face so common among the wives of
+this class of men. A quarter of an hour's conversation set her at ease
+and secured her good-will. Before leaving, the visitor, who had taken
+his seat upon the table, opened his Bible and read, while the woman
+stood with her light in the blacking bottle on one side of him, and her
+brutal but now subdued husband upon the other.
+
+[Illustration: The Back Attic]
+
+A few evenings after, the Missionary, as arranged, entered the room with
+the spelling-book in his hand, to give the first lesson, and was glad to
+find the rough at home, and to return, with a pleasant smile, his gruff
+salutation of, "Thought as how you wasn't a-coming; but thank'ee,
+guv'nor, for doing on it." He then fairly seized the Primer, and
+repeated the alphabet so vigorously, that his intention of "being
+hedicated in no time" was evident, even if he had not said so. The book
+was left with him, and upon the next lesson-evening his wife told the
+teacher that "Bill had bin a A-ing, and B-ing, and B A-ing, ever since
+he com'd up there afore." Lesson succeeded lesson for many weeks, and
+though the task was distasteful to both parties, the rough got on
+exceedingly well, and at the end of three months he was able to read
+easy lesson books. From that time there was evidence of a change passing
+over the family. The understood rule of the London City Mission, that no
+visit be completed without the reading or repeating of some portion of
+Holy Scripture, had been observed, and as the result, much of that Word,
+the entering of which into the soul gives light, had been read to this
+poor man and his wife. There was a change in their home, for the teacher
+one evening noticed two new chairs and a piece of carpet; after this,
+several gaudy pictures and a fender were introduced, and then the rags
+were removed, and a punch and judy bedstead (a thing that turns up in
+the corner) set up in its place.
+
+"You are getting on in the world," observed their friend one evening, as
+he glanced round the room.
+
+The man looked unutterable things at his wife, and said, "Should think
+we are, sir; and I'll let the cat out of the bag, as they sayes: and
+this is that ere cat. Arter you had been a-readin' and a-'elpin' me one
+night I walks out, and as I passed the Tom and Jerry where I picked you
+up, some old pals says, 'Come in and have a little heavy wet!' and in I
+goes; and then we went into the tother corner, and I stood some gin, as
+with the tother got into my 'ed; and when I was turned out I seed a
+Peeler, and wolunteered to fight 'im. So he takes me by the choker and
+walks me along, and my old woman, as was looking for me, comes up and
+begged the Peeler not to trot me in, as makes a charge. So, bein' soft
+'arted, he gived me to her; and when I got up 'ere I was sober like, and
+said I, I will be a Christian, like as the gent reads of, what eat pigs'
+wittles, and went back to his Father; and I'll be teetotal to-morrow. So
+in the morning I had a pen'orth of coffee at the total shop, and hopened
+my mind to the gal what brought it; and she told the guv'nor, and he
+brings a book, and I put a scratch in it, and I haven't had a drop of
+the public stuff never since; and we said we'd say nothin' to you till
+we had been teetotal a month, and it's more than that now."
+
+The man was commended for his resolution, and when the lesson was over,
+the Book was opened and the parable of the Prodigal Son again read and
+more fully explained, and then the family altar was set up in that poor
+room, as the man with his wife and children knelt together in prayer.
+
+Soon after this the man obtained employment in a timber yard, to empty
+sawdust from the pits, and his improvement, indeed his uprising in the
+social scale, became rapid. One evening his teacher took a very dear
+friend to see him,--the talented author of "Our Father's Care," and
+"Mother's Last Words." Reaching a Bible from the chest of drawers (for
+they had risen to that dignity), he said, "Do, mum, hear me read, as I
+does it well like. When I seed that gent in a beer bar I was a-goin' to
+smash at him, but he has learned me to read first rate." He then read
+the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel; and as the lady afterwards
+remarked, "he read it well, as he seemed to feel the force of every
+word." After this he gave evidence of a renewed nature, and became a
+living proof that grace can change a rough into a quiet and peaceable
+man, and that it is possible to pluck bad men from among the ungodly, as
+brands from the everlasting burning.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+NOTE.--Eleven years have passed since Mrs. Sewell's visit to the rough,
+and we take the opportunity of revising for a new edition, to add that
+the man and his wife have stood firm to temperance principles. It was
+long, several years, before he joined a Congregational Church, and like
+many such he was an unobtrusive member, but his life was right. The
+appearance of his wife became so altered that she obtained work at
+charing, and their home possessed an appearance of real comfort. The
+eldest of the children, first seen on the rags, a girl, has obtained a
+place as nursemaid in a tradesman's family, and the rest bid fair to do
+well. Renewed proof, this, of the power of the religion of the Lord
+Jesus to convert the soul, to enforce holy living, and to bless the
+rising generation. Why then should any be lost for lack of knowledge?
+Why should not all the people be instructed in the law of the Lord? each
+individual receiving the call to repentance, faith, and the blessed
+hope.
+
+
+The Book in the Bars:
+
+ITS RECEPTION.
+
+  "A time will come, sir,--would that it were come,--
+  When righteousness shall reign in every home,
+  And the bless'd knowledge of the Lord shall be
+  As the great floods that overflow the sea,
+  And all things hurtful shall be swept away,
+  And earth rejoice in one long Sabbath Day;--
+  But _this_ is not that time. The serpent stings,
+  The adder biteth, and the drunkard sings
+  In mad carousal, while the British name
+  Grows a by-word for drunkenness and shame.
+  Oh, sir, dear sir, roll this reproach away,
+  And hasten on the glorious Sabbath Day,
+  When Christ shall reign in righteousness and peace,
+  And all the turmoil of the world shall cease:
+  Think of that time, and, for His glory's sake,
+  This tenfold work of mercy undertake."
+
+                                              _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+     A STRANGE REQUEST--TOUCHING THE SCEPTRE--SUNDAY DRINKING--CLOSED ON
+     SUNDAY--PLEASANT OPPOSITION--GUILTY TONGUES--A SHARP REBUKE--UGLIER
+     THAN A GORILLA--A KNOTTY QUESTION--POTMAN'S LETTER--THE PUGILIST'S
+     RING--THE BEAUTY OF AGE--RESTING IN PEACE.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE BARS:
+
+ITS RECEPTION.
+
+     "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
+     received the truth with all readiness of mind." ACTS xvii. 11.
+
+Thirteen years of Christian work in public, coffee, and night-houses,
+during which time 465 Sunday evenings were spent in the bars, taps, and
+parlours of these places, gave the Missionary thousands of opportunities
+to reason with men and women about righteousness, temperance, and a
+judgment to come. Incidents of interest were of constant occurrence, and
+we select a few with the object of showing that the sword of the Spirit,
+which is the Word of God, is mighty to subdue opposition and prejudice,
+and to accomplish the great purposes of grace.
+
+THE CROWN AND SCEPTRE.--Upon entering this house one evening, the
+Missionary found a new landlord behind the bar. As he knew several of
+the customers, he entered into serious conversation with them, but was
+stopped by the landlord making the declaration that "it was an
+abominable thing for a man to talk religion in a public-house;" and then
+he ordered the intruder to leave. As the man was angry, the visitor went
+toward the door, merely remarking, "We shall know each other some day,
+and shall no doubt improve upon acquaintance, as I wish to do you a
+good turn,--the best thing one man can do for another;" and then he left
+the house. He had not, however, proceeded far down the street, when two
+men ran after him, and said that the landlord wished to speak to him.
+The visitor felt that mischief was intended, but as an opportunity might
+be presented to secure the good-will of the man, he boldly re-entered
+the bar. To his surprise, the landlord, with a smile, offered him a
+number of handbills, and said, "You want to do me a good turn, do you?
+Well, this is how you can manage it. I am told that you go into all the
+houses about here, and I want you to put one of these papers into each
+of your tracts, which will advertise me among the right sort of people."
+The Missionary read the bills aloud, and could but join in the laughter
+produced, for they ran thus: "'Crown and Sceptre.' The new landlord begs
+to inform the public that he has taken this old-established house, and
+that he sells the best porter at fourpence a quart, and good old Tom at
+threepence-halfpenny a quartern," etc., etc. The customers considered
+the request to circulate such bills in religious tracts a good joke, but
+paused in their merriment to hear the reply of the visitor, who stood
+with the bills in his hand. That answer was given in the unexpected form
+of a question addressed to a group of costermongers who were standing at
+the other side of the bar.
+
+"Do you men over there know what a sceptre is?"
+
+"Never heard nothin' of that 'ere sort of article," was the reply, after
+some deliberation.
+
+As the question evidently perplexed many of the customers, the visitor
+smiled, and addressing the landlord, said, "If I can't circulate your
+bills for you, I will make good use of them by acquainting your
+customers with the full meaning of your sign. Well, you all know that a
+crown is a kind of golden cap set with jewels and set upon the head of
+kings. Now a sceptre is a golden stick, about so long (showing the
+length with his hands), and is a badge of kingly authority with which to
+govern and to show mercy. I have seen the Queen's sceptre in the Tower,
+and its top is richly ornamented and studded with precious stones. In
+this Book (producing the pocket Bible) there are beautiful things about
+the sceptre, and if you like I will read you two short passages. 'All
+the king's servants do know, that whosoever shall come unto the King
+into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put
+him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden
+sceptre, that he may live.' 'And the King held out to Esther the golden
+sceptre which was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top
+of the sceptre.'" Then closing the Bible, he continued, "And now,
+landlord, I have to tell you that the crown and sceptre brought me here.
+After the Lord Jesus died to save us, He rose from the grave and
+ascended into heaven. He is there crowned King of kings, and He has the
+sceptre of righteousness and mercy in His hand. He holds out that golden
+stick to each of you sinful men. By faith in Him you can touch it and be
+saved;" and then placing several tracts upon the bar, he stepped towards
+the door. He however turned back as an Irish labourer, who was standing
+with several of his countrymen, exclaimed,--
+
+"Och, sure and it's the rail truth; and it's meself that will do it, as
+I niver did that, and I'm intirely wretched."
+
+This was uttered with deep feeling, and a gesture of prayerful uplooking
+which showed that the comprehension of the beautiful, that charm of the
+Irish character, had caused the poor labourer to understand the lovely
+truth of an enthroned and pardoning Redeemer. He was invited to leave
+with the visitor, and they stood for some time in the street conversing
+about the love of God in Christ Jesus. The man stated that he was from
+Tipperary, and a good Catholic, but that he had often got drunk and had
+injured several persons. When ill, by an accident he had met with in his
+work, he was an inmate of Guy's Hospital for some weeks. When there, a
+gentleman used to read out of the Bible to a man in the next bed, and
+the man was very happy, though he did not belong to the true faith, as
+he was always speaking of Jesus, and never prayed to the saints. Since
+then he had felt unhappy about his sins, though he often went to mass
+and confession. The way of salvation was simply explained to him, and
+his address was taken, with the promise of a call. A few days after, his
+room in a rookery called Grey's Buildings, was entered. His wife, who
+expected the visitor, exclaimed, "In troth and it's your honour; and
+wasn't it Mick that towld me of your honour, and it's himself that has
+been praying Jesus to howld out the golden stick to him." While they
+were speaking Mick came in, and greeted his friend with real Irish
+feeling; and then they sat before the fire and conversed about the
+lovingkindness of Him who is mighty to save. As the blessed result, the
+poor Irishman was led to understand the way of salvation, and by faith
+to touch the sceptre of Infinite Mercy. Some months passed before he had
+courage to enter a Protestant church, and then he was in company with
+his friend, whom he met by appointment. He for some minutes lingered
+outside, and then entered with a rush. After that his attendance was
+regular; but he found it necessary to leave his lodgings, as his
+conversion became known to the neighbours, and he received several
+unpleasant visits from the priest. He had two boys whom he sent to a
+Protestant school, though opposed by his wife. His acquaintance was kept
+up for several years, and he used to speak with joy about the golden
+stick, and the knowledge it gave him of the Saviour.
+
+THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE.--Upon entering the bar-parlour of this house
+the landlord commenced the following conversation with the Missionary,
+concerning the evidence he had given before a Committee of the House of
+Commons: "I have, sir, been reading your evidence in the Blue Book, and
+while I agree with much that you said, I think that you were mistaken in
+two particulars. First, when you said that there are more persons in the
+public-houses of Marylebone upon the evening of the Lord's-day, than
+there are in all the churches and chapels of that parish. Secondly, your
+advice for further restrictions upon our Sunday-sale, coupled with your
+opinion, that a great number of our houses could be entirely closed upon
+the Lord's-day with benefit to the public and without loss to the
+publican."
+
+"I am not surprised at your view of my evidence, but the sharp criticism
+of the trade has convinced me that I spoke the truth temperately. As
+regards the appalling statement as to the number of persons who frequent
+your houses upon the Lord's-day evening, you must have observed that I
+was sharply examined upon the point, and confirmed it with much detail;
+when I had finished, the chief Inspector of Police and other important
+persons were examined upon the matter, and confirmed my statement; after
+which the Committee reported it to Parliament as unquestionably true. It
+is then a terrible fact, certainly true, of all the poor neighbourhoods
+of London. As regards the closing on Sundays, and its effect upon the
+trade, I merely gave an opinion; but that opinion was arrived at after
+conversation with several hundred members of your trade. As you know,
+forty-seven publicans in this parish signed a petition, praying
+Parliament to close you upon the whole of Sunday. Few men have a larger
+acquaintance with the trade than myself, and I am convinced that a
+strong feeling against Sabbath labour, and other evils of this business,
+is growing up among you. For instance, several of your neighbours now
+close their houses upon the whole of the Lord's-day, others close their
+tap-rooms, and many refrain from lighting the glaring lamps outside.
+This shows a desire to use the great moral power you possess for the
+good of the people. And then as regards the loss resulting from Sunday
+closing, I am convinced that the saying of the Book is true: 'That in
+keeping His commandments there is great reward.' I am, however, content
+to reason the point with you from a trade point of view. It is a fact
+that all who close bear the loss lightly, if loss there be. One house at
+Shoreditch has been established more than a hundred years, though, for
+all that time, the following 'rules' have been printed over the bar:--
+
+  "'1. No person served a second time.
+  "'2. No person served if in the least intoxicated.
+  "'3. No swearing or improper language allowed.
+  "'4. Smoking not permitted.
+  "'5. When you enter a place of business, transact your business,
+           and go about your business.
+
+                  "'CLOSED ON SUNDAY.'"
+
+"The landlord told me that after the experience of a century they had no
+wish to alter the rules. Twenty-six other Sunday-closing publicans, with
+whom I conversed, told me that the loss is really small. They lend
+bottles of various sizes to their customers upon the payment of a small
+deposit, which increases the Saturday's returns; and as they save
+one-seventh of wear and tear and gas, the cost of obtaining a Sabbath of
+rest is to many small indeed. But be this as it may, the old question
+remains, put by Him who alone knew the value of the world He made and of
+the soul He created,--for all souls are His: 'What will it profit a man,
+if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' You, and many of my
+friends in the trade, give a practical answer to this question by
+suppressing drunkenness, though much to your money loss (for I never saw
+a person the worse for liquor in your house); extend that answer by
+observing the Sabbath-day to keep it holy."
+
+A few weeks after this conversation the Missionary entered the house
+again, in company with a clergyman from the Isle of Wight. The landlord
+asked them into the bar-parlour, and called his wife. He then produced a
+board, and said, "Since our last conversation, sir, I have considered
+the cost, and have had this board printed, and intend to put it outside
+next Monday morning. It will no doubt increase my trade difficulties,
+but with God's help I shall hope still to get on." The writing upon the
+board was: "NOTICE. On and after Sunday next, this house will be closed
+during the whole of the Lord's-day." They were commended for the good
+resolution, and the clergyman, at parting, observed, "You said wisely,
+that you hoped with God's help to succeed: that help can only be
+obtained in answer to prayer. Would it not therefore be well for us to
+seek the required blessing?" Upon this the landlady rose and locked the
+door, and while the barmaid was supplying the customers, her employers
+were kneeling with the Missionary, while the clergyman engaged in
+prayer.
+
+The board was placed outside the house, and caused quite a sensation in
+the neighbourhood, and much jesting in the bar. The resolution was,
+however, kept; and after a year's Sunday closing, the landlord expressed
+his determination to continue in the right way, as he had found it
+possible to conduct the business upon Christian principles.
+
+THE MOGUL.--A dirty little beer-shop, entirely supported by low and
+depraved persons. The taproom was built in the yard beside a skittle
+ground, and was approached through a long passage. Upon entering it one
+evening the Missionary found a crowd of at least forty juvenile thieves,
+vagrants, and bullies. As the noise was great, the only hope of doing
+good was an effort to enter into conversation with one or two
+individuals. This, however, was prevented, as many of them knew the
+visitor, and hit upon a device to get rid of him. A song was started by
+one of the men, and the chorus was taken up by the full company, who
+repeated with deafening effect the words, "He's a jolly good fellow." As
+the song proceeded the repetition became so boisterous that the visitor
+divined their intention to sing him out. He at once saw the difficulty
+of his position, as, if they had succeeded, the same practice would have
+been adopted in other taprooms to the hindrance of his usefulness. He,
+therefore, instead of leaving, took a seat in their midst in a most
+unconcerned manner. The chorus was kept up until many of the vocalists
+had bawled themselves hoarse; and as the yelling became feeble the
+visitor sprang to his feet, and said vehemently, "And they were good
+fellows, but the magistrates commanded to beat them. And when they had
+laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the
+jailer to keep them safely; who, having received such a charge, thrust
+them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks."
+
+The words changed the current of feeling. Nearly all in the room had
+been in prison, and those who had not had a deep sympathy with such.
+"Who was they?" "Where was it?" and "What a shame!" were the general
+exclamations.
+
+After a pause, which produced absolute silence, the speaker continued:
+"And at midnight they sang praises unto God." And then opening his
+Bible, he in a solemn, earnest tone, read the narrative of the
+imprisonment of Paul and Silas. When he came to the words, "He set meat
+before them and rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house," the
+reader closed the Book, and in a few telling sentences explained the
+nature of saving faith in Christ, and the result of that faith,--being
+made "new creatures." After this visit the work was easy in that
+taproom, and in the family of the landlord.
+
+THE KING'S HEAD.--One afternoon, while the visitor was speaking with
+several respectable men in this bar, the barman addressed him with the
+exclamation, "Blessed are your lips." He was so surprised at the words
+that he approached the young man, and inquired what he meant. "Well,
+sir," he replied, "I hear cursing and swearing all day long, up till
+twelve o'clock at night, and you are the only man who speaks really good
+words. Why, we have some tradesmen come in here for lunch who are known
+religious men, and they talk politics and all sorts of things, but they
+haven't a word to say about religion. It's as if they were ashamed to
+acknowledge God when they get in here: now, you condemn sinning and
+swearing, and I, therefore, made the remark 'Blessed are your lips.'"
+
+"I am glad you are at leisure," was the reply, "as you have started a
+subject upon which I want the help of the trade, both master and man.
+This habit of profane swearing among the people is a crying evil, and
+you are the victims of its pollution more than any other class of
+tradesmen, which need not and ought not to be the case. In this part of
+London the habit is too general; but the abomination is still worse at
+the East end. I have with me a copy of the _Church and State Review_, in
+which a gentleman gives an account of his visits the other night with a
+detective. He writes: 'We stopped before one house in which all the
+crusts that are begged in the streets are turned into gin. Everybody
+blasphemed at intervals, except the women, who never stopped at all.
+There were old men and old women--everything that is made after the
+image of God, down to the little child--and the foulness of all was
+equal. It was fearful to hear the words that rolled from the lips of
+the crone, who was full of years and spirits; but it was agony to hear
+the curses stream from the baby-mouths, when midnight had passed and it
+was far away in the morning.' Now, we have a Missionary who visits the
+houses there, and he was deeply grieved at the pollutions that met his
+ears; so he had a card about a foot square printed, and illuminated with
+a double blue border containing four mottoes between: 'Be sober;' 'Swear
+not at all;' 'Be sure your sin will find you out;' 'Thou God seest me.'
+The requisition in the centre is printed in scarlet characters, forming
+a pretty contrast to the border, and is as follows: 'It is respectfully
+requested that persons attending this house will refrain from using
+improper language.' He took them round to the landlords, and to their
+credit, nearly four hundred placed them in their bars and taps; and many
+joined heartily in the effort to suppress the evil. Though scarcely a
+year has passed, the result is most satisfactory; and I should like to
+introduce the cards into this part of London: the trade and myself can
+work together in this matter and I trust that your master will allow one
+to be placed in this bar."
+
+"I am sure that he will," was the reply; "and I will ask him, and all
+the barmen I know, to assist in the good effort."
+
+A card was placed in that bar, and many of the neighbouring bars, taps,
+and parlours, were ornamented with them; and as "the rules of the
+house," an effective check was given to guilty tongues. Another good of
+great importance sprang from the conversation with the barman. The
+peculiar temptations of the class were considered, and a special effort
+was made for their spiritual good. A pocket Testament was given to
+three hundred of them, with suitable remarks as to the value of the good
+Book, and the duty of daily reading it. The attention of many publicans
+was for the time directed to the Book, and many purchased larger copies.
+A distribution was then commenced among those publicans and coffee-house
+keepers who let lodgings, and hundreds of Bibles were placed in their
+sleeping rooms; the movement extended to the hotels (the Books having
+their signs in gilt letters upon the covers), and terminated by an
+arrangement with the managers of the Great Western Hotel, by which
+nearly a hundred copies of the Scriptures were placed in their bedrooms.
+
+[Illustration: BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT.
+
+SWEAR NOT AT ALL.
+
+It is respectfully requested that Persons attending this House will
+refrain from using improper language.
+
+BE SOBER.
+
+THOU GOD SEEST ME.]
+
+The barmaids were really thankful for the Bible and Card movement, as
+their suffering from blasphemous and bad language was great. The
+following incident will illustrate this: The visitor was one afternoon
+standing in a gin palace, quietly conversing with the two barmaids, when
+three well-dressed young men of "turfy" style entered, and called for
+"brandies and soda." They conversed merrily about an incident which had
+occurred to one of them, using corrupt words with every sentence. A deep
+blush rose to the face of the younger barmaid, who had not been long in
+the business. The visitor turned towards the man, and said sharply,
+"Dear me, what can be the matter with you?"
+
+"I am all right," he replied, inquiringly.
+
+"You are not all right," was the reply: "but I can tell what's the
+matter with you. When a man is ill the doctor examines his tongue, and
+if it is furred he knows that it indicates foulness within, and that the
+patient requires treatment; and it's just so when men with their
+tongues defile themselves and others. It shows a diseased moral state
+when the poison of asps is under a man's tongue."
+
+The severe rebuke so astonished the man that he could not give a ready
+reply; but one of his companions said, "We meant no harm, sir."
+
+As the barmaids had fled to the other end of the counter, the visitor
+altered his tone to one of kindly instruction, and said, "You don't know
+your disease, and I shall, therefore, do you a kindness by pointing it
+out to you." He then opened his Bible and read, "The tongue is a fire, a
+world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
+the whole body, and setteth on fire the whole course of nature; and it
+is set on fire of hell." He then referred to the passage, "Children that
+are corrupters," and told them that this evil, with all others,
+proceeded out of the corrupt human heart; and of that blood which
+cleanseth from all sin, and makes a man every whit whole. The men, who
+showed a very proper spirit, promised to suppress the hateful habit, and
+shook hands with their reprover.
+
+Upon his next visit the barmaids thanked him; and the youngest said, "I
+have been religiously brought up; and my grandfather, who was an
+Independent Minister, pressed me to give my heart to God when I was a
+little girl. You have brought all to my remembrance, and I shall leave
+this trade for domestic service, as I have resolved to live in newness
+of life."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MERLIN'S CAVE.--There was a special inducement to visit this house
+out of its regular order, as placards announced that "The gorilla, or
+man-monkey, had not made its escape, but could be seen by customers
+using the bar." Upon entering, one Sunday evening, the Missionary was
+surprised to find the place crowded with the lowest order of drunkards,
+chiefly from Seven Dials. Their object was to see the stuffed skin of
+the monster, and they, for so respectable a house, formed a ragged,
+dirty, and debased company. The landlord, who was unfavourable to
+Christian visitation, stopped a conversation of deep interest by
+inviting the visitor to look at the gorilla. "We don't usually show it
+on Sundays," he observed, "but as you have come in we will oblige you
+and gratify the people." And he then drew the curtain aside. All pressed
+forward to look at the monster; and the Missionary, leaning upon the
+bar, gazed at it for some moments.
+
+"How he is staring at it!" observed one of the men.
+
+"Yes, I am," was the reply, "as I was making up a conundrum for the
+landlord; and I hope he will answer it to our general satisfaction.
+'When is a man uglier than that gorilla?'"
+
+After a little thought, he replied, "A man never can be uglier than
+that, so I will give it up."
+
+"Yes, he can," replied the visitor, with energy: "When he is drunk. Yes:
+a drunkard is the picture of a beast, and the monster of a man. Dressed
+in rags, with livid face and blood-shot eyes, and filthy breath, he
+sinks below a brute like that, which answered the end of its being. A
+drunkard debases his intellect and becomes a mere animal--a wife-beater
+and child-starver--a pest to his neighbours, and a disgrace to his
+family and country. A drunkard has the curse of the Almighty over him
+which no brute has; for being filthy and abominable--a child of the
+devil--He, the great God, has said that such shall not inherit His
+kingdom." The landlord stood aghast at the warmth of this declamatory
+speech; and the drunkards seemed rooted to the spot. Tracts were then
+handed round, a passage of Scripture being repeated with each.
+
+Quite a group of conscience-stricken men and women had stopped outside,
+and were waiting for the visitor. One of them, a woman, seemed to
+express the general state of feeling, when she said, "Can't do without
+it now, master. Can do without food; but though the drink is killing me,
+I should die without it." And then she cried, as drunkards are so ready
+to do. The state of disease which alcohol had produced in her was
+explained, and she was told that a little medical attention, total
+abstinence from intoxicating drinks, and regular diet, would save her
+from the drunkard's grave, and would put her in the right position to
+seek pardon and deliverance from the eternal curse. She readily gave her
+address, and the visitor promised to call next day to receive her
+pledge, and to give her further advice.
+
+That visit was not lost, as the woman, who kept a beer-shop in the
+"Dials," was recovered from her debased condition, and with her husband
+became morally reformed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE WHITE HORSE.--The potman at this house was a young man of unusual
+sobriety and intelligence. In style and work he was to perfection the
+"man of the tap," as his short apron was always clean, his room
+comfortable, and his pots shining. The men were often unruly and
+quarrelsome, but he always kept order, and got over the pressure for
+trust with such tact that his master never lost a customer. A grave
+shaking of the head, and a pointing at a picture on the wall, which
+represented a dog named "Trust" lying dead between two barrels, usually
+settled the matter. If not he read the inscription, "Poor Trust is dead:
+bad pay killed him;" and in a melancholy way expressed his regret that
+"he could not help that dog a-dying, or he would." Like many of his
+class, he felt proud of his position, as in the tap he took rank equal
+to his master in the parlour. Frequenters of the room acknowledged this,
+and, as the representative of the firm, appealed to him on knotty
+questions. Such a question arose one evening when a man, who had the
+habit of fixing attention upon some matter contained in a Book he
+carried, told them about the Saviour of the world ascending to heaven in
+a white cloud, and added, the angels said, "This same Jesus, which is
+taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
+seen Him go into heaven;" and then he made the solemn announcement,
+"Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him." The men
+who knew little of Christianity were utterly ignorant of this great
+truth, and its enunciation produced thoughtfulness, and a conversation
+the very reverse of that which usually took place in the room. One man
+appealed to "Potts," as he was called, as to whether that was in all the
+Bibles; as if it was, it might come true. Potts very wisely looked at
+the visitor, and said, "He's very likely to know, and if he'll tell me
+where it is, I will look in a Bible this very night and see if it's
+there." He was commended for his answer, and told of the men of Berea,
+"who were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
+the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily,
+whether those things were so." The men were then, in a short but
+earnest address, directed to the coming Judge as the present Saviour.
+
+A few months after this visit, the Missionary one afternoon entered the
+tap-room, as he desired to hold private converse with Potts. That worthy
+was by himself, and was, with great effort, writing a letter.
+
+"It's strange that you should have come in, sir," he observed, "as I am
+a writing a letter to my sister, for whom I cares a great deal, as there
+is only us two; and we has bin orphans since we was very little, and she
+is a parlour-maid at Maidstone; and I don't mind you reading the letter,
+sir, as it's all true that's in it."
+
+His friend with some difficulty got through the epistle, as its writing
+and orthography were very bad. It commenced in the famous "hoping to
+find you quite well as it leaves me at present" style; and then, as we
+put it in readable language, he said, "I have, my dear sister, made up
+my mind to be a Christian. A gentleman who comes in here has made the
+duty of being religious very plain, and I have got a view of Jesus like
+this:--if you were woke up in the dark night by a fire-escape man in
+your room, you would not at first understand what it meant; but as soon
+as you got a good look at him, you would see by his clothes and helmet
+what he was, and you would let him save you. Now that is just how I see
+Jesus Christ; everything about Him shows that He is the Saviour, and I
+am letting Him save me. As I cannot now be comfortable here, I have
+obtained work at a fishmonger's, and I want you to come to London. I
+will try and get you a good place, and then you will not be subjected to
+the temptations of the trade." He was strengthened and encouraged in the
+good resolution which he carried out, and some time after he gave his
+friend valuable assistance in the formation of a local society for the
+abolition of Sunday labour.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE COACH AND HORSES.--Two visits of considerable interest took place in
+this house, though at long intervals.
+
+As the Missionary entered the bar one evening, the landlord said, in a
+half whisper, "The fight for the championship comes off in the morning,
+and a lot of the P. R.'s are in the club room."
+
+"Can you pass me up?"
+
+"It's no use your going there," was the reply; "but I will, if you
+like:" and then the visitor passed upstairs and entered the room. About
+thirty men were present, the majority being unmistakable members of the
+prize-ring. As every eye was fixed upon the new arrival, he felt
+embarrassed as to his mode of procedure; indeed, there was no help but
+to produce his tracts and to commence distribution. He had given about a
+dozen, when the men rolled them up as balls and commenced pelting each
+other across the room, uttering vile words. The distributor at once saw
+that his work was likely to be brought into contempt, and that evil
+instead of good might result from the visit. He therefore, as many were
+pressing him for tracts, put them into his pocket. During the few
+minutes he had been there, he had noticed an elderly man of damaged face
+and whiskerless who was seated at a table with two gentlemen. He was
+drinking from a large silver prize-cup, which indicated that he was an
+ex-champion. His hand was resting upon the table, and a diamond of great
+beauty glittered upon his finger--as the lapidists say, it "gave fire."
+The distributor looked at it, and approaching its owner, remarked, in so
+loud a tone that all in the room heard him, "What a lovely ring! I have
+not seen so fine a brilliant as this for some time: it must certainly be
+worth a hundred pounds."
+
+"That's it," replied the ex-champion. "They say that it's worth a
+hundred guineas. A gent that's dead and gone bet two thousand upon me
+when I beat the Slasher; and in the morning he came to 'cossit' me, as
+he said, and brought me this."
+
+"It's the jewel that's worth the money," said the visitor. "Why, the
+gold of the ring would not fetch three pounds." All assented to this.
+And he continued. "Well, it's just so with these tracts you have been
+throwing about: as bits of paper they cost little or nothing, and are
+not worth your acceptance; but they are all studded with a jewel--the
+pearl of great price:" and then raising his voice to a clear ringing
+pitch, he exclaimed, "The name of the Lord Jesus, by whom alone each man
+in this room can be saved, is upon them,--He is the gem. None other name
+is given by which you can obtain mercy." And then placing some tracts
+upon the table, he left the room with a firm tread. The men were so
+interested and surprised that scarcely a word was spoken. A few days
+after, the potman told the distributor that the pugilists did not
+destroy a tract or leave one behind.
+
+More than two years after this event the Missionary was standing one
+morning at the bar, in conversation with the landlady, when he noticed,
+the parlour door being open, a very aged man seated with a glass of
+sherry before him. His beard, which was very long, and his few remaining
+hairs were as white as the driven snow: and as he leaned upon his
+gold-headed cane he looked beautiful,--he had indeed that rich beauty of
+age which in its day is more lovely than the bloom of youth. The visitor
+approached politely, and asked his acceptance of a little book. He
+received it with a smile, and entered freely into conversation, which
+ended in the following way: "And now, sir, may I put the question to you
+which one of the Pharaohs put to an aged man who was led up to the
+throne by his son?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"'How old art thou?'"
+
+"Just turned eighty-four."
+
+"An honourable age. But your answer is not so full as that which good
+old Jacob gave. He told the King that 'the days of the years of his
+pilgrimage were an hundred and thirty years;' and added, 'Few and evil
+have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto
+the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their
+pilgrimage.' He spoke of life as short, for upon looking back time
+appeared to have passed quickly; he spoke of his days as 'evil,' for he
+had had his share of care and sorrows: but, best of all, he confessed to
+the heathen King that he was but a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth,
+and so acknowledged his belief in, and his hope of, enduring rest in the
+better country. I trust that you have like precious faith, and the
+assurance that you are near the prepared mansions,--the city of
+habitation whose Builder and Maker is God?"
+
+"No: I am not;" and as he said it his voice trembled and the tears
+started into his eyes. "I am not a Christian, and am most miserable. I
+was a merchant, and until fifty years of age was absorbed in the one
+object of making money. I then retired upon an ample fortune, and for
+the next twenty years I loved and enjoyed the world, and collected
+art-work and things of beauty, with which my houses are filled. During
+that time I never thought seriously of eternal things, and scarcely ever
+read my Bible. Of late years I have ceased to take pleasure in these
+things, and I am truly wretched. My son, who is a diplomatist, when in
+England, brought several divines to see me, but I cannot get peace. This
+morning I came out for a walk, and feeling fatigued I looked in here,
+and as no one was in the room I called for light refreshment--and am
+taking rest. It seems strange that such a man as you should accost me
+here,--and it may be of God. Let us exchange cards, and come and dine
+with me."
+
+Cards were exchanged, and next day the "parlour friends" dined together.
+Some time was spent in looking over the beautiful and curious
+possessions of the old gentleman, and then they settled down to deep
+spiritual conference. Many a page of the pocket Bible was turned over,
+and the verities of the Word were made manifest. The library door was
+then fastened, and deep earnest prayer was offered to the God of all
+grace.
+
+Many visits followed, and the friendship was cemented. One day, as the
+visitor entered the dining-room, the old gentleman grasped his hand, and
+said, "The cloud is removed: I feel as a little child, and am resting
+with comfort upon God's love in Jesus;" and then he uttered the language
+of rejoicing. For five or six months he was happy, and his family were
+made glad. One morning his friend received a deep black-bordered letter
+from his eldest daughter, who was staying with him at his country house,
+and it read thus: "As my late father's dearest friend, I write to tell
+you of his sudden removal. He had been poorly for several days, and was
+taken really ill yesterday morning. We had three physicians, but they
+could only give him a little ease, as he was evidently dying. He was
+conscious to the last, and very happy. He fell asleep at two o'clock
+this morning, with the name of Jesus upon his lips. Our gratitude to you
+for your deep interest in him, and kind attention, is deep, and will
+remain for life."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Lord sent forth the seventy "two and two before His face into every
+city and place." In effective lay-work the principle holds good through
+all the difficulties of domiciliary effort. The Missionaries of London
+and other large towns have each a responsible helper,--their local
+superintendent. It thus occurred that the man with the Book never stood
+alone in his work, and if he had it would have been feebly done. His
+beloved superintendent bore his full share of responsibility. At first
+he visited with him that he might make himself fully acquainted with the
+nature of the work and then he gave prayerful influence, with Christian
+council and sustaining sympathy. Under God, much of the success which
+attended, and still attends the visitation of public and coffee-houses,
+is due to the direction of that "honourable counsellor," Mr. W. R.
+Ellis.
+
+And here it is well to add that the chief secretaries of the Mission,
+the Rev. John Garwood and the late Rev. John Robinson, have left an
+impress of good upon this and each branch of the work. Their clearness
+of judgment and full comprehension of the will of the committee, always
+gave value to their advice; while their devotion to the cause of Christ
+in London stimulated the zeal, and gave solidity to the labours of
+young missionaries. This testimony can now be given, as one of them has
+received the upward call from the Master; and the other, after forty
+years of faithful service, has retired from official responsibility,
+though still active as a director of the Society's affairs. Blessed,
+indeed, are they who are called in early life to labour in the Gospel,
+and are honoured with long life in the highest and best employ, with
+sure anticipation of the blessed rest!
+
+
+The Book in the Den:
+
+ITS MAJESTY.
+
+  "And often did she bless the night,--
+    That night without a star,
+  When Mercy kept the lonely watch,
+    And left the door ajar."
+
+                                    _Mrs. Sewell._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+     THE SLEEPLESS CITY--TEDDIE'S DEN--A STRANGE INVITATION--THE TEA--A
+     MIDNIGHT VISIT--A VISIT TO RAG-FAIR--MANY RESCUED--SMASHERS--THE
+     BETTER PART CHOSEN--DREADFUL DEATH-BED SCENE--A STRONGHOLD
+     DESTROYED.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE DEN:
+
+ITS MAJESTY.
+
+     "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any
+     two-edged sword." HEB. iv. 12.
+
+London never sleeps. The noise and din of the mighty city is hushed as
+the night advances and the toiling millions of the day sink to repose;
+but their rest is the signal for the activity of others. The protection
+of its vast accumulation of wealth and property requires an army of
+police. The supply of its markets requires the wakefulness of thousands,
+while its traffic requires an extensive night service of cabmen and
+others. In addition to these, and workers upon the morning press, and
+other sons of toil who earn their daily bread by night, there is the
+vast multitude of those who
+
+"Live to sin, and sin to live,"
+
+and who, as the evenings close in, leave their homes and dens to seek
+the wages of unrighteousness. These two orders of the industrious and
+depraved would make up a city as large as Birmingham, and they require
+that many night-houses and coffee-stalls should be established to meet
+their necessities. And so the children of the night are increased, and
+we therefore repeat the statement, that "London never sleeps."
+
+This conviction was forced upon the attention of the Missionary to
+public- and coffee-houses, when he found that many of the latter were
+closed all day, and was informed that they were only opened at night. As
+it was his duty to make the proprietors and supporters of these houses
+acquainted with the glad tidings of peace, he had no choice but to visit
+them in the night season. Upon making the effort, he discovered that
+while the wicked never ceased from their wickedness, but during the
+hours of darkness gave unbounded license to their evil deeds, the people
+whom the Lord has set as His watchmen in the city slumbered and slept. A
+vast multitude existed who, of a truth, loved darkness rather than light
+because their deeds were evil; but no ray from the Sun of Righteousness
+was made to penetrate the darkness of the shadow of death in which they
+dwelt. They lay deeply poisoned by the fangs of the serpent sin, but no
+balm of Gilead or leaf from the tree of life was offered to them.
+Captives of the devil, they were bound and fettered by the cords of
+their iniquities, being in ignorance of that mighty Deliverer who was
+manifested to destroy the works of the devil, and to set at liberty them
+that are bound.
+
+The sinners were astonished when, in the silence of the night-watches, a
+voice was heard in the streets proclaiming, in loving accents, the
+tender mercies of a great _Redeemer_. Many an honest worker or driver
+was arrested or comforted by sayings which reached his ears from the
+Book of Life, or was benefited by the silent messenger of mercy placed
+into his hands. Many a sin-wrecked one who had been brought to feel that
+there was no hand to deliver him, and who in blank despair was ready to
+seek a prison or a watery grave, heard the sweet notes of salvation,
+and was delivered from going down into the pit. There were many,
+however, of reprobate mind who, being filled with all unrighteousness,
+resisted the King's messenger, and bitterly opposed themselves to the
+truth. This was the case at a place called by the outcasts "Teddie's
+Den;" and by way of illustrating the power of the Book we will narrate
+the religious history of that house, strange as it may sound.
+
+It was an old-established concern, and had a connection of its own. This
+was evident, as the customers were so well known to the landlord that
+their step, or tap, or knock, was sufficient to secure their ready
+admission. It was not so with the Missionary. When he knocked and asked
+for an entrance, the only reply he received was in a gruff tone, and to
+the effect, that they were "shutting up." In order to gain an entry he
+then obtained the promise of a pass in from a young thief of his
+acquaintance. This, however, was unnecessary, as, upon passing the door
+a little before two o'clock one Sunday morning he noticed that it was
+partly open, no doubt for purposes of ventilation. This was a rare
+opportunity, which he embraced by immediately stepping in. He called for
+a cup of coffee, and while it was being brought took notice of the place
+and people. The den consisted of an ordinary shop and parlour; the
+former was fitted up with narrow tables, at which were seated about
+twenty men and women; many of these were leaning forward upon their
+hands, apparently asleep. A few were of the vagrant and beggar class,
+who, perhaps, had only sufficient money to purchase a little food, and
+the right to remain there for a few hours; but the majority were
+evidently of the vicious and criminal order. The room was extremely
+dirty, and the dim light from the old oil lamps seemed to increase its
+gloom: the spangled sky, however, could be seen through the upper
+squares of glass, as the row of shutters only reached to the top panes.
+The back room, or "parlour," had a cheerful fire, was better lighted,
+and was no doubt filled with paying customers. There was laughter and
+merriment, but the oaths and blasphemies which reached the ear were
+truly terrible. It was evident that these men and women of the baser
+sort were holding a swearing club,--an amusement so hellish that we
+forbear a description. There was not time for further observation, as
+the landlord, a big, brutal-looking man, approached with the coffee.
+
+An illustrated publication was offered to him, with the remark, "You
+don't, I see, supply papers to your customers; so I will occasionally
+give you some of these."
+
+He took the paper with a deep frown, threw it upon the floor, and with a
+bitter oath, said, "I know you: you spy,--you canting wretch!" and,
+turning round, he locked the door; and then approaching the Missionary
+with the key grasped in his hand and trembling with rage, threatened
+vengeance. At this display of anger the customers rose from their seats
+and pressed forward, while the dreadful people poured in from the back
+room. It was an awful moment for the visitor, as he sat there helpless
+in the midst of that crowd of the violent and the guilty. Realizing the
+danger of his position, he uttered an inward prayer for help, and then,
+springing up, he struck his hand with violence upon the table, and
+pointing over the shutters to the clouds, exclaimed in a loud voice, "A
+GREAT WHITE THRONE WILL BE SET UP AMONG THE STARS THERE. The Saviour
+who died for sinners will sit upon it, for the dead that are in their
+graves shall hear His voice and live. We shall be there."
+
+[Illustration: "A great white throne will be set up among the stars,
+there!"]
+
+At this every tongue became silent, and the people stood back, gazing
+upwards or into his face. Therefore, pointing at one and another, he
+continued, "And you, and you; for we must all stand before the
+judgment-seat of Christ. I am not an enemy or a spy, but a servant of
+the Lord Jesus, who will judge you at the last day. He is now the
+Saviour of the ruined and the lost, and in His name I offer you mercy
+through the blood He shed for you upon the cross. In this His blessed
+Book it is written, 'Whosoever believeth on Him shall be saved.'" The
+speaker then stepped toward the door, which the landlord unlocked with a
+trembling hand, and he passed out into the cold, silent street.
+
+There is a charm in the solitude of a sleeping city. The hum of the
+multitude and the deafening rattle upon the stones are stayed, while the
+distinct tread of the pedestrian and more measured tread of the
+policeman, seem the only link between the slumbering myriads and the
+activities of the day. As the distant footsteps fall upon the ear there
+is an instinctive turning towards the approaching or receding objects.
+The visitor had not proceeded far from the den when he heard footsteps,
+and upon turning round saw the landlord coming toward him; he therefore
+stopped under the next lamp, and awaited his arrival. With faltering
+voice he said, "Come again, guv'nor. Didn't mean anything; and a chap as
+knows you says as it's all right."
+
+The words, "Come again," were as music to the man with the Book; for he
+felt that the door of that dreadful place was opened, and that he had
+obtained power, under the protection of that bad man, there to read
+from its pages of judgment and mercy, and in the Name of names to rescue
+ruined ones from present and eternal destruction. He therefore replied,
+"Never mind the past; it is all right with me. I do all the good I can
+for people, and don't injure anybody. I will now call as a friend of
+yours. When shall it be?"
+
+"You sees, guv'nor," he replied, "as we lives different to other people,
+cos our okupation is at night; and we opens at twelve and shuts up at
+six in the morning, when we has our supper at seven and goes to bed, and
+then we gits up to breakfast at five, as would be your tea-time; and if
+you'll turn in this afternoon, as is Sunday, we'll have winkles and
+muffins, and you'll see as I ain't a bully as some is, though my temper
+ain't zackly right allus."
+
+The promise was given, and punctually at five o'clock that afternoon the
+invited guest entered the den. It had been swept, but the floor, tables,
+and wall were of the same sombre colour, while the air was offensive.
+The back room, into which he was welcomed by his new friend, was in the
+same condition, but better furnished, for there was an old couch and
+several chairs; the walls being decorated with a Dutch clock and pieces
+of old tinware, while upon the grate, which had never been cleaned, was
+a large boiler and two kettles. The house was so closely built in, that
+it was only a dusky light which penetrated its small side windows; that
+light was, however, sufficient to show that the landlord's family and
+four of the depraved persons who had been impressed at the visit of the
+early morning were present.
+
+It was evident that the family consisted of the landlord, his wife, and
+a daughter about twelve years old. The "missus," as she with pleasant
+familiarity was called, was a low coarse woman of forty-five, strangely
+but expensively attired. Her dress was of brown silk, trimmed with lace,
+in front of which she wore a braided white apron with large pockets, not
+unlike a toll-collector's. Her cap was smartly trimmed with red ribbon;
+and upon her bare neck was a thick coral necklace of many rows, and a
+heavy gold-like chain; her dirt begrimed fingers being ornamented with
+at least eight rings. The little girl was dressed in like fashion.
+
+Both tea and coffee were ready in soot-covered vessels upon the hob. At
+one end of the dirty table was a tray, upon which were cracked cups and
+saucers of questionable cleanliness; and on the table itself was a
+little pyramid of periwinkles; while upon a heap of ashes before the
+fire were two plates, heavily piled with muffins and crumpets. These
+observations were quickly taken, and the visitor became thoughtful
+concerning the feast before him. When the tea was poured out he looked
+with anxiety at the cups, wondering which would be inflicted upon him;
+but when the muffins were placed upon the table, and a generous supply
+of periwinkles were pushed towards him--the women plucking pins from
+their dresses--he was seized with a sudden loss of appetite. The
+hospitable host and hostess increased his misery by showing
+determination that he should enjoy their good things. Such horrors as
+that tea must not however be dwelt upon. Let it suffice, that time which
+remedies so much, slow as it seemed to pass upon that memorable
+occasion, did at last bring the repast to an end.
+
+During the tea the little party were set at ease and led into pleasant
+conversation; and when the things were cleared away, the visitor laid
+his pocket-Bible upon the table with the remark, "This is Sunday, the
+happy day, as my little boy calls it; and we all ought to be happy upon
+this day, as we are reminded of God's goodness and the Saviour's mercy;
+after dying for our sins, He, upon the Sunday morning, rose from the
+dead. Now, as none of you attend divine worship, suppose I read to you
+about Him and the words He spoke?"
+
+There was general assent, and the visitor read that marvellous chapter
+commencing with the words, "Then drew near unto Him all the publicans
+and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured,
+saying, 'This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.'" The little
+party listened with rapt attention, and several were moved to tears by
+the running commentary which was made upon the parables. The landlord
+and his wife, in their strange way, assured the reader that he was
+welcome to come when he pleased; and they parted as pleasantly as though
+they had been old friends. Weary, but happy, the Missionary entered the
+first church he came to with the object of giving thanks to the Lord in
+His Temple, for deliverance from danger, and for mission mercies
+received; and he then presented prayer for spiritual success with the
+keepers of that night-house and their supporters.
+
+About a week after the tea he paid a midnight visit to the den, and as
+he entered the landlord commanded silence in the following words: "I
+know this 'ere gent, and if you doesn't shut up while he's here, I'll
+have you out with a shake and a kick. You bad manner'd brutes, to keep
+your hats on when your betters comes in." This was sufficient to secure
+silence, while tracts were delivered with scriptural remarks. It was
+thought well that the visits should be short until influence was
+obtained with the customers. The Missionary therefore left, after fixing
+attention upon the word _Saviour_ and its sweet meaning. He then pinned
+his address card upon the wall, and said, "Let this remain here. I have
+told you how to obtain pardon from Almighty God; but as it may be
+difficult for some of you to leave lives of sin, I shall be glad to be
+the friend of any who are truly penitent. Some of you might be glad of
+some one to plead with your relations, and I might assist others into
+institutions of mercy."
+
+[Illustration: _See p. 206._]
+
+In answer to this invitation several outcasts called during the week
+upon the "reformatory man," as they pleased to style him, and were
+rescued. Early one morning, the keeper of the night-house came himself,
+leading by the hand a little girl without shoes or stockings. She was
+offensively dirty, with dishevelled hair, her frock of rags being pinned
+round her. He fairly dragged her in at the door, and said, "This 'ere
+gal, sir, has been about the streets for months, as she's a Irish
+cockney, as we calls 'em. Her mother is dead, and her father has bolted;
+and she sleeps under stairs where the doors are open, and under the
+arches with them that's got no homes; and she gits into my shop for bits
+of grub; and a woman, who is a bad lot, wants to take her, and we had a
+row, and I have bringed her to you,--and here she is."
+
+Yes; there the poor child stood, an object to be shuddered at and
+avoided; but a fit object for Christian compassion. To provide for her
+was a difficulty, as the Missionary had burdened so many Institutions
+with cases that he scarcely knew where to apply. After conferring with
+his wife, it was arranged that she should be cleaned in the back
+kitchen, and dressed in one of their children's old clothes, while he
+went in search of a home for her. After hours of toil, all the success
+he met with was a promise from the manager of a crowded home to receive
+her at the end of three days, when an inmate was to leave. There was,
+therefore, no help but to keep the child for that time.
+
+A bed was made up for her in the kitchen, and orders given that the
+doors should be all locked, and that she should be carefully watched.
+There appeared little need for this, as the child was shy and reserved;
+but she proved to be deeply cunning. Next morning, while the family were
+at breakfast, she slipped upstairs with a key which had been left upon
+the dresser, and entering a room, she stole two dresses--one of them a
+good silk,--and fifteen shillings in money. The theft was soon
+discovered, but the thief had got clear off. As she had spoken of the
+savouriness of "Jew's fish" (cooked in oil) it was surmised that she
+would go to Rag Fair, and her ill-used friend, therefore, got upon the
+roof of an omnibus, in hope of seeing her upon the way. In this he was
+disappointed, and, therefore, walked about the fair for some time. He
+was about leaving in despair, when he noticed, in the distance, a girl
+of her style, but of strange appearance, and upon approaching he found
+that it was her, but so changed that he could not refrain from laughing
+as he seized her arm. Her clothes had evidently been changed,--in place
+of the neat little frock, she had put on a dirty sky-blue silk, which
+was much too large; upon her feet were a pair of green boots, and upon
+her head a straw hat with large red feather. In one hand she held a
+piece of greasy fish, and in the other a green parasol.
+
+In reply to the question, "What have you done with the dresses?" she
+replied, "'Eld 'em up 'ere, and a woman gave me ninepence for the silk
+un, and two shillings for the t'other; and I've bin in and bought these
+'ere pretty clothes; and I've had lots of fish and taters and beer, and
+was a-goin' to the gaff."
+
+This statement was made in such a disingenuous manner that it seemed
+evident that the poor child, like the heathen, had no moral sense. As it
+was useless to try and trace the dresses, it only remained to march her
+off to the Refuge, where, out of consideration to her friend, she was at
+once received. We may add, that she did well in the Institution for
+several years, and that she became a good general servant.
+
+This girl was one of seventeen outcasts whom the keeper of "Teddie's
+Den" brought to the Missionary, all of whom were rescued; but though a
+"helper" in the good work, he did not obtain spiritual good himself. At
+times he seemed to tremble when passages concerning judgment and mercy
+were read from the Book; and he treated the Reader with respect,--but
+that was all. The dreadful influence of his business and the love of
+liquor quickly removed all good impressions, and he continued to do
+evil: "He saw the better, yet the worse pursued." Bad as he was, he at
+times showed a kindness of disposition quite out of keeping with his
+appearance and character; for instance, when he heard that his friend
+was ill, he went to Covent Garden Market, and, of all things there,
+bought a pomegranate, and left it at his house. A few nights after this
+he was in liquor, wandered from his door, and leaning against an area
+gate which was unfastened, fell back upon the stone steps. He fractured
+his skull, remained unconscious for some hours, and died in that state.
+The grief of the Missionary was great; he had diligently sought the
+salvation of the man, and he, therefore, felt crushed beneath the
+discouragement. The evangelist has his trials and heart-sorrows, his
+disappointments are frequent and painful, though not so often referred
+to as they perhaps ought to be. It is a fearful thing when the words he
+utters become "the savour of death unto death;" but he has no choice in
+this matter, as the order of the great Master is: "Thou shalt go to all
+that I shall send thee; and whatsoever I command thee, that thou shalt
+speak."
+
+The "missus," for no one seemed to know her name, succeeded to the full
+control of the den, and it soon became evident that she was hardened
+rather than softened by the wretched end of her husband. She expressed a
+positive dislike to the man whose faithfulness was no doubt a difficulty
+to her, and she hindered his efforts to do good.
+
+"The master was a fool," she observed, a few weeks after his death, "to
+bring you back here, as it's ruination. After you left the t'other night
+the people was all glum; and now gents as has lots of money to stand
+treats doesn't come, as they are affeard of meeting you; and I have got
+a man a-coming to help as will turn anybody out, and you shan't come."
+
+This was no doubt her determination, but the Missionary had obtained
+such power with the supporters of the place, that they would have
+defended him from insult, certainly from violence. All knew him as one
+able to rescue them, and as the only one who sought their spiritual
+good. Bad therefore as they were, they felt that the friend of the soul
+was their best friend, and they treated him as such. All then that the
+"missus" could do was to keep him at times out of the back room.
+
+A change, however, passed over the place as the class of customers
+gradually altered. The depraved became fewer in number, while the
+skilled criminal class increased. Magsmen and well-dressed pickpockets
+were more frequently to be seen there, while the thieves, among
+themselves, spoke of the woman as a good "fence" (_i.e._, a person who
+stands between the thieves and receivers, and renders detection more
+difficult). The following incident will show the class of customers:--
+
+One night a Clergyman, who is now a dignitary of the Church, visited
+there with the Missionary. The shop was unusually full of youths and men
+of the criminal class, but in the farther corner sat a party of three
+persons who appeared to be separated from the rest of the company,--a
+man, woman, and little girl of twelve years. They were leaning forward
+as if asleep, but were aroused by the laughter produced by the pleasant
+remark the Missionary made concerning "the wisdom of the owls of night."
+
+"What are you doing here with that child?" inquired the Clergyman.
+
+"Please, sir," replied the woman, "we has been very unlucky, cos as how
+my husband has been ill, and all our sticks was took for the bit of
+rent, and we begged sixpence, and has had some tea and is stayin' here
+till it's light; and if my old man doesn't get work to-morrow we shall
+go next day to the Union over Battersea."
+
+"You had better go there at once," he replied; "but don't expose the
+child to the night air. If you will promise me to save enough for a
+lodging, should you be out to-morrow night, I will give you
+half-a-crown."
+
+The promise was made and the money given, though the quick eye of the
+experienced visitor saw by the glances interchanged between the company
+that deceit was being practised. The money was not, however lost, as
+that congregation of the ungodly listened with deep feeling to the
+clear, loving utterances of Divine truth which fell from the lips of
+that good minister of Christ Jesus.
+
+Next evening the Missionary called in and inquired of the "missus" what
+was done with the half-a-crown.
+
+"We had a bottle of gin with it," she replied, "but some of the fools
+wouldn't have any and went out, and said it was a shame to cheat such a
+good Missionary-man as him was that gived it."
+
+"Now tell me," he continued, "who that man, woman, and child were? I am
+certain that they are not vagrants."
+
+"I should think not," the woman replied laughing: "why they are smashers
+(_i.e._, makers of counterfeit money), and they sends the girl in first,
+who has bags of bad money under her frock, and one of 'em comes in, and
+if it's all serene the t'other comes, and then they does business. When
+you com'd to the door I tipped 'em the wink, affore opening it, as they
+was then a-sellin' to them chaps. One was a buying six-pennorth of
+shillings, and another a shilling's worth of half-crowns, according to
+quality, as the saying is."
+
+Some further conversation followed, when the woman had occasion to leave
+the room for a few minutes, the visitor turned to the daughter and said:
+
+"I am glad at what you told me a few weeks ago, that you were always
+praying to _God_ to make you His child and to keep you from the evil to
+which you are exposed. Now tell me if you have decided to serve the
+Lord?"
+
+"That I have, sir," she replied, her eyes filling with tears. "Mother
+won't let me out of her sight; but for two Sundays I have been to the
+chapel down the mews, where I understand everything, and keep on
+praying; and the gent spoke so beautiful last night that I want to serve
+Jesus altogether."
+
+She was encouraged in the wise choice she had made, and the friend left,
+rejoicing that her heart, like Lydia's, had been opened to receive the
+truth.
+
+The coiners were not met with again; but quite a year after, the
+governor of Norwich Castle, at the suggestion of a magistrate who
+assisted him in many works of mercy, wrote, asking the help of the
+Missionary in finding a home for a girl who, with her parents, had been
+apprehended for passing base money. It appeared that they left the girl
+in the distance, and each taking a piece of bad money passed it upon
+shopkeepers. They were stopped several times, but as a second piece
+could not be found upon them they were not detained. They were traced
+from London to Norwich, by the bad money they had passed, and were
+apprehended at a lodging-house, with the bags in their possession. The
+parents were sentenced to nine months' hard labour each, and the girl
+detained until a home could be found for her. This was done, and she was
+passed up to London. She was some time in the home, and then absconded;
+but several years after she called upon the matron, and invited her to
+come and see her husband, as she was comfortably married.
+
+Several years passed, during which time "Teddie's Den" was visited with
+varying success, until the night upon which the International Exhibition
+was closed. The Missionary had arranged a tea in the building for a
+thousand persons, and returned home very weary, to find a thief in the
+house,--for there in the hall sat a man who had been frequently
+convicted. He, with evident feeling, said, "The 'missus,' sir, has bin
+bad all the week, and she's wery bad now, and is a mumbling your name;
+and the doctor has bin agin, and says as you ought to be sent for, so I
+has come." He was told to fetch a cab; but it was midnight before they
+arrived at the night-house.
+
+An anxious group of depraved persons were standing at the door, but the
+visitor passed them in silence and entered the back room. The scene
+which presented itself was solemn indeed, for there, dressed, upon her
+couch, in the pains of dissolution, lay the woman who used to boast that
+she had kept dens for twenty-one years, and had not slept at night
+during that time. She appeared to be dying, but rallied when she heard
+the voice of her friend, and whispered, "Mercy! mercy!--Pray, pray!"
+
+"I tell you again, that as a guilty sinner, you must pray for yourself,"
+he replied, in a slow, quiet, tone. "The blood of Jesus can save you
+now: ask God in His name to pardon you." And then the dying woman, after
+him, repeated short prayers. After a pause he took her cold hand in his,
+and kneeling down, implored pardon for her from the God of all grace.
+His voice was, however, stopped by the sobbing of several women and
+young thieves who had entered from the shop. The death-expression upon
+the face of their old acquaintance in guilt, with the solemn attitude
+and words of prayer, overcame them, and they seemed to kneel as in
+contrition before their offended Maker.
+
+There were intervals of consciousness, during which words of hope were
+read from the Book of Life; and at her request, expressed by movements
+of her hands, prayer was again offered. She soon became unconscious, and
+expired at three o'clock.
+
+A few comforting words were spoken to the weeping daughter and the women
+who remained in the room; and the night-visitor then passed into the
+street. A large crowd of the criminal and depraved had assembled from
+other night-houses, and as he left they made a passage for him to pass
+through, while the two policemen turned on their bull's eyes to light
+him on his way. He, however, stepped back, and standing upon the
+threshold of the den, held out his Bible, and said, "She is dead, and
+her eternal state is fixed: you, however, are upon the side of the grave
+where mercy can be sought and found. Look up, now, to where the Saviour
+is seated, at God's right hand, beyond those dark clouds. Be in earnest
+in seeking salvation, and then live for the hour of death and the day of
+judgment." He then passed down the street in silence, not a word reached
+his ear from that gathering of the wicked.
+
+The wretched inheritance descended to the daughter, now a young woman of
+twenty. Before her mother's illness she had suffered persecution from
+her, because she boldly confessed faith in Christ. Another cause of
+offence was her receiving tracts and placing them upon the tables before
+the customers were admitted. She, however, showed such dutiful affection
+to her mother, that it no doubt softened her hard heart, and caused her
+to show a better feeling towards the unwelcome visitor. A few evenings
+after the funeral she called upon her friend, and upon entering the room
+burst into tears, and said, "I can't, sir, keep the dreadful place open,
+for I am always praying, and the language and sin is awful: I will beg
+my bread first. What shall I do?"
+
+She was soothed, and a quiet conversation took place between them
+concerning her position. After conferring with his wife, he said, "You
+are painfully circumstanced,--no one would receive you into their
+service if they knew that you had been brought up in such a place. We,
+however, will do what others could not, as I am assured that the Lord
+has dealt mercifully by you. We need a servant, and will take you into
+our house." She, with expressions of gratitude, accepted the offer; so
+he wrote notes to the landlord of the house, and to a broker, and sent
+her with them.
+
+Next evening the Missionary paid his last visit to "Teddie's Den." A
+hand-cart was at the door, and the broker inside. The furniture,
+crockery, and fixtures were quickly sold and removed, and then the night
+visitor and its late mistress left. It was with a joyous, thankful
+heart, that he closed the door behind them, for he felt that a
+stronghold of sin and Satan had fallen before the silvery notes of the
+Gospel of peace.
+
+The young woman did well in her place, and gave evidence of a renewed
+nature. After a few months, her master and mistress were so well pleased
+with her, that they recommended her into a reformatory institution as
+under matron. For two years she filled the office with credit to
+herself, and to the spiritual benefit of many of the inmates, including
+one who used to frequent her parents' den. This woman had for years been
+the companion of thieves, and had by vice so injured her health as to
+suffer long illness in the London Hospital. Upon her discharge she was
+sent to the Institution, and great was her astonishment to find the
+young woman who, when a girl, waited upon her at night, an under-matron
+in the home of Mercy. From her she gladly received the good news of
+Jesus receiving sinners, and was led to call upon His name, and then to
+rejoice in His mercy.
+
+One evening the young assistant called upon her friend, and said
+timidly, "You know Mr. So-and-so, don't you, sir?"
+
+"I do," was the reply; "and think well of him."
+
+"You have been more than a father to me, sir; and will you please give
+me away?"
+
+The office was cheerfully undertaken, and readily fulfilled. After the
+marriage, the Missionary friend and father handed her a Bible, with this
+writing in it: "Heirs together of the grace of life." The union is a
+happy one, and she is a living proof that sovereign grace can raise its
+subjects from the lowest depths, and place them among the princes of the
+children of light.
+
+
+The Book in the Streets and Night-Houses:
+
+ITS SILENT FORCE.
+
+  "Sow in the wild waste places,
+  Though none thy love may own;
+  God guides the down of the thistle
+  The wandering wind hath sown.
+  Will Jesus chide thy weakness,
+  Or call thy labour vain?
+  The word that for Him thou bearest
+  Shall return to Him again.
+  Sow with thine heart in heaven,
+  Thy strength thy Master's might,
+  Till the wild waste places blossom
+  In the warmth of a Saviour's light."
+
+                               _Anna Shipton._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+     A GILDED SALOON--A PIGEON PLUCKER--DISCOURAGEMENT--THE COFFEE
+     MAN--DESTITUTE--THE SOLITUDE OF THE CITY--MADNESS OF DISGRACE--THE
+     BEGGAR AND HIS BOY--THE "TRAVELLER'S REST"--THE SLEEPLESS
+     CHURCH--COFFEE STALLS AND BOOTHS--THE COVERT FROM THE STORM--BIBLE
+     POWER.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE STREETS AND NIGHT-HOUSES:
+
+ITS SILENT FORCE.
+
+     "The seed is the Word of God." LUKE viii. 11.
+
+Two hundred and sixty nights occupied in evangelizing efforts in the
+streets, refreshment houses, and dens of the mighty city, gave evidence
+that the Word of God is powerful to arrest the attention of the most
+thoughtless--to stop the guilty in their downward career; and that it is
+the power of God unto the salvation of sinners who are sunk so low as to
+cause them, when restored, to stand out before men as miracles of mercy.
+Disappointments were frequent, and if continuance in the work had
+depended upon known success, would have been crushing. This however was
+not so: the great Master does not send out His servants at their own
+cost. When He, of His sovereign grace, takes a sinner and places him
+among His children, and then by distinguishing favour makes him a wheel
+or a lever in His great machinery of mercy, He only requires
+faithfulness--not success. Men can only fill the office of subordinate
+instruments and visible agents in the mighty process of salvation. "God
+was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself," but "He has
+committed to us the ministry of reconciliation." This truth ought to
+remove indolence and avarice from those who are named by the name of
+Christ. The redeemed people who realize the debt they owe unto their
+Lord, should covet to be the deputies and agents of Divine love; such
+should labour and study, and pray for success, because the Holy Spirit
+works by instruments made fit for His use, and the armed omnipotence of
+God is engaged on behalf of repentant sinners. The great restoring work
+is of God, and of God only; and it is therefore the duty of His servants
+to labour as cheerfully when denied, as when favoured with evidence of
+blessing.
+
+These thoughts were suggested when materials for this chapter were being
+collected. The mind reverted to so many instances of failure,--to a
+succession of men and women who had been the objects of much earnest
+effort, but who had passed from under the influence of the Missionary
+without giving the remotest hope of their salvation. If a proportion of
+them were referred to, this would be a dismal record. We will only
+therefore, by way of illustrating the nature of the work, refer to one
+instance.
+
+A Cabinet Minister had conferred with the Missionary upon the matter of
+legislation for night-houses; and as other interviews were sure to
+follow, he thought it well to visit all such places of which the police
+could give him information.
+
+One night he followed several fashionably dressed gentlemen into a house
+near the Haymarket, and found himself in a gilded saloon, with billiard
+rooms upstairs. The gentlemen remained together, and as the visitor felt
+strange, he went to the upper end and threw himself upon a couch; he
+was meditating as to what he could do there, when a middle-aged
+gentleman entered and gave a familiar nod to the group, and then
+glancing keenly toward the stranger, approached and took his seat at the
+other end of the couch. After a little thought, an envelope containing a
+tract was handed to him. He gave a sudden start, and the Missionary in a
+merry tone, exclaimed "It's not a writ;" and then both laughed heartily.
+The attention of the proprietor and his waiter in full dress, had from
+his entering in, been fixed upon the stranger; he therefore thought it
+well to make friends with the gentleman, and pressing near to him, he
+said, in a confidential half-whisper: "Oblige me by not opening the
+envelope now, as it only contains a religious tract." As he looked at it
+with astonishment, the giver continued: "You no doubt think it absurd,
+quixotic of me to venture in here with tracts, but you will respect my
+motive when I tell you that I have for years visited the lower class of
+night-houses, and conferred benefits upon many; and that I am the voice
+of one crying in the night season, 'Behold the Lamb of God that taketh
+away the sin of the world.'"
+
+"A motive so good, justifies the act," replied the gentleman. "I am
+going over to the Turkish saloon, and will pass out with you."
+
+In the street they fell into a pleasant chat, and an appointment was
+made for another night; this was kept, and followed by several others,
+besides chance meetings. From his friends he ascertained that the
+gentleman was supposed to be of good family, that he had graduated at
+Oxford, and that he bore the assumed name of Clifford. He was a most
+fascinating person, though his countenance had a dissipated and at
+times malicious expression. He had a large acquaintance among young men
+of position, who at that time frequented the Haymarket, and was often
+seen with a gentleman, now deceased, who by bad company lost his
+fortune, and had to sustain a long law-suit to prove his sanity. By the
+lower order of the depraved he was regarded as one of quite a large
+number of gentlemanly men whom they called "pigeon pluckers."
+
+One night the gentleman and his Christian friend, who had met in the
+Haymarket, were conversing together, when he was accosted by a young man
+who appeared to be of age, with "Ah, Clifford! how'do? glad to see you.
+Just a word at your leisure."
+
+"Certainly, my lord," was his reply. "I will be with you in a few
+minutes: should have been waiting for you, had I not met with this very
+pleasant friend."
+
+"As Clifford's friend, may I crave the honour of offering my hand to
+your lordship?" inquired the Missionary.
+
+"Certainly," replied the young nobleman (if such he was), and then the
+Christian visitor grasped his hand, and holding it with mild restraint,
+looked him full in the face, and said, "You are in danger, my lord. This
+dissipation will injure your person, your good name, your fortune, and
+perhaps your country. Be wise. Like a certain young ruler mentioned in
+the Gospel, approach the Lord Jesus, and ask, 'What shall I do to
+inherit eternal life?'"
+
+A deep colour rose to the face of the young man, and he stepped hastily
+away; but turning back, as by sudden impulse, he again offered his hand
+to his reprover, and said, "I thank you, sir;" and was then lost in the
+crowd of the gay and dissipated.
+
+[Illustration: "You are in danger my lord."]
+
+Some weeks after this event, the night visitor met the gentleman, and
+had tea with him in a cafe. As they sat together at the small round
+marble table, the Missionary observed, "To me it is astonishing that you
+can live such a life as you are doing; heaping up wrath against the day
+of wrath. From a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, and I am
+surprised that texts do not at times rise to your memory, and produce a
+fearful looking forward to judgment!"
+
+"Such is not the case," he replied, "strange as you may regard it. There
+is only one matter of memory which ever troubles me, and that is the
+verses of a child's hymn which our mother used to teach us as we knelt
+at her side in the nursery,--
+
+  'Almighty God, Thy piercing eye
+    Strikes through the shades of night;
+  And our most secret actions lie
+    All open to Thy sight.'
+
+"At times these verses flash across my mind at most inconvenient
+seasons, and destroy my enjoyment; they occurred when you first spoke to
+me in the saloon, and the other night I caught myself repeating them
+when playing an important game of billiards." The pocket Bible was
+produced, and the words solemnly read,--"He hath appointed a day in the
+which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath
+ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men in that He hath
+raised Him (Jesus) from the dead."
+
+The visitor then repeated to him the verses of a Judgment Hymn of his
+own writing, which evidently made a deep impression:--
+
+  Roll, roll, ye thunders with terrific dread!
+  Shout, shout, ye angels and awake the dead!
+  Proclaim the mandate of the Almighty King;
+  Man, dead and living, to the Judgment bring.
+
+  Rise, rise, ye millions of reposing clay!
+  See, see, the light of the eternal day!
+  The brightness of His coming gilds the sky,
+  The glorious mantle of the Judge most high.
+
+  Rejoice, rejoice, ye ransomed sons of God!
+  Sing, sing, the virtue of the Saviour's blood!
+  Your loud triumphant Hallelujahs sing,
+  With great rejoicing hail your Saviour-King.
+
+  Mourn, mourn, neglecters of a Saviour's love;
+  Weep, weep, rejecters of the Heavenly Dove;
+  Insulted mercy leaves thee to the law
+  Which dooms to death, and bids thee hope no more.
+
+  Awake, awake, ye slumbering sinners, pray;
+  Cry, cry for mercy, now in mercy's day;
+  Flee to the Covert from the storm, and rest
+  Your blood-bought souls upon the Saviour's breast.
+
+After this visit there were several other meetings, and then a long
+interval occurred. Upon inquiring for his friend at the divans and
+saloons, the visitor was told that "he had not been seen for some time:
+that he had no doubt gone upon the Continent, and would turn up next
+season." He was not there the following year, and was never seen in his
+old haunts again. It was with him as with others,--much effort without
+apparent result; and yet it is possible that, in the day of the Lord,
+good concerning some of them will be made manifest.
+
+In one class of cases there is freedom from discouragement, and that is
+when the Christian worker is enabled to strengthen, to encourage, and to
+assist disciples in their efforts to give a testimony for the Lord, and
+to do good under depressing circumstances.
+
+It was certainly thus with an old man who kept a coffee-stall in a poor
+neighbourhood. His shop consisted of a large barrow with canvas
+covering, supported at the corners by upright pieces of wood. At one end
+he had a small iron stove, with a large kettle upon it, and a coffee-pot
+on one side and tea-pot upon the other; at the farther end was a
+cupboard well filled with bread-and-butter and plum cake. Upon the
+centre of the barrow was a white cloth, covered with cups and saucers,
+and underneath were several pails of water. He used to wheel the whole
+concern to his corner as soon as the clock struck twelve at night, and
+wheel it away when the public and coffee-houses opened at six in the
+morning. The acquaintance of the proprietor was made in the following
+manner: One bitterly cold morning, about three o'clock, the Missionary,
+who was trembling from the chill felt upon leaving a warm night-house,
+approached the stall, and held his hands to the fire. The policeman on
+duty paused for the same purpose, and the following conversation passed
+between them:--
+
+_Stall-keeper_: "I have read the book you lent me, and don't think the
+doctrine sound. Sovereign grace fore-ordained unto salvation, and the
+saints elected according to the Divine purpose must be saved. No man can
+pluck them out of the Saviour's hands."
+
+_Policeman_: "You make too much of your favourite doctrine of election.
+Our Lord died for all who ever lived or shall live in the world; and it
+is written that it is not the will of God that any should perish, but
+that all should come to repentance."
+
+"Both doctrines are plainly taught in the Divine Word," remarked the
+stranger; "and, like the colours in the rainbow, they harmonize and
+blend over the throne where Jesus is seated. We do well to seek for the
+full assurance of faith, and to rejoice in the sure covenant; but while
+doing so let us witness for the Lord who bought us, and try to win
+others by testifying of His abounding grace."
+
+With a happy smile the policemen recommenced his weary walk round the
+beat, while the stall-keeper and the night-visitor had pleasant converse
+about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which hath appeared unto all
+men. This led to a friendship with the stall-keeper, who was a Cornish
+man and a Calvinistic Baptist; and to a slight acquaintance with the
+policeman, who was a Congregationalist. Several visits were paid to the
+"Coffee Man," as he was called, and work was appointed him in the great
+vineyard. He was supplied with tracts, which he kept in his cupboard,
+and for several years he was a valuable distributor. Groups of depraved
+people, who "make night hideous," used to surround his stall; to these
+he gave tracts, and spoke the truth boldly. He indeed became a kind of
+spiritual adviser to the depraved. Many repentant ones spoke with
+confidence to the good old man, and several were sent by him to his
+friend, and were placed in institutions of mercy.
+
+This was not a solitary instance of converted men being found in night
+occupations; and it became an object of the visitor's efforts to
+strengthen such in the faith, and to lead them boldly to witness for
+their Lord in the midst of the ungodly. These helpers were precious and
+their testimony valuable, because the great body of persons met with
+were disreputable or utterly vile. Many were ignorant of the true light,
+but there were others who had received religious advantages, and who, by
+rejecting proffered mercy, counted themselves unworthy of eternal life.
+Among this mass of the unholy were to be found the young, the
+thoughtless, and the distressed, who being easily led captive by the
+devil and his servants, supplied the places of those who were constantly
+sinking to perdition. With some of these the work was effectual for
+good, as the following case will illustrate.
+
+One night, a little after eleven, the Missionary was walking down Oxford
+Street, in company with another evangelist, when they passed a girl of
+seventeen, who was walking slowly, as if ill. The night visitor glanced
+at her, and was struck by the expression of misery and disease,--it
+seemed as though the sorrows of a life had been concentrated in that
+young face. He therefore turned suddenly, and approaching her, said
+kindly, "Don't be afraid: I am a religious man, and a friend to poor
+girls in trouble. Now do tell me where you are going?"
+
+"To sleep under the trees in the park, sir, if I can get in," she
+replied; "if not, to walk about all night;" and then she burst into
+tears.
+
+In answer to inquiries, she made the following statement, in a very
+truthful manner. She said, "I am a village girl, and came from home
+after losing my only parent about eighteen months ago. A neighbour's
+girl who was in London got me a place. It was at a lodging-house: and I
+rarely got out, as they only let me go to church three times. All the
+stairs were of stone, and I had to clean them; this, with constant
+running up and down, brought on a white swelling in my knee. I remained
+as long as I could crawl, and then, as I had saved three pounds, went to
+live with the charwoman. After a time I went into an hospital for two
+months. I returned to the charwoman, and tried to get into place, but I
+looked so ill that no one would engage me. After the money was spent I
+pawned my clothes, and I was told to go to the workhouse. I went to the
+door, but the man spoke so sharp to me that I drew back, and now I have
+been in the streets for two days. Last night I slept with some other
+girls under the trees in Hyde Park, but they talked so dreadful that I
+am afraid to go in again. Oh! what shall I do?" and then she sobbed so
+loudly that several persons crossed from the other side of the street.
+
+"If your tale is true, I will provide for you," said her interrogator:
+"at all events I will see that you are taken care of to-night." He then
+took her to a coffee-house, where he was known, and paid for a supper,
+bed, and breakfast. At leaving, he took an envelope from his pocket, and
+tearing it, gave her one-half, and said, "Stand with this in your hand
+near the fountain in Regent's Circus to-morrow morning at ten o'clock,
+when a lady with the other half will speak to you, and take you to a
+Home."
+
+At the appointed time the poor girl approached the fountain, where a
+matron of the Rescue Society was waiting to receive her. As soon as she
+reached the Home her statements were inquired into, and found to be
+correct. Care and proper treatment soon restored her to health, and a
+lady received her into her service. Three months after the lady called
+at the office to thank the secretary for sending her such a good
+servant. She remained in her place several years, and gave evidence of
+real gratitude for the great deliverance which had been wrought out for
+her.
+
+[Illustration: Lady at window]
+
+The state in which this poor girl was found illustrates the lonely
+condition of those who are friendless in a great city. The most wretched
+and deserving may in the crowd jostle against the best and kindest of
+men and women, and yet be sinking to the lowest depths of wretchedness
+and vice, unnoticed and uncared for. Hence the Christian duty and true
+philanthropy of arresting such wanderers, and putting them in a
+position to live godly, righteously, and soberly in this present evil
+world. The following case will show that such efforts are not lost, and
+that the words of the Book are powerful to reclaim even outcasts:--
+
+One morning a ragged, wretched-looking girl of nineteen, was brought to
+the house of the night visitor by a woman of depraved and drunken
+appearance, who said, "This 'ere young woman was a-going mad, and
+fainted like, when she ran into the night-house, and said as how she
+wanted the parson man, who preaches like out of the Bible in the streets
+at night; and as that's your honour, I found out that you lived here,
+and so I've brought her. I had to treat her, as I has good feeling, and
+the men wanted to take her to the police, as she is mad, and I think she
+ought to be took to Bedlam."
+
+The object of this speech stood with her hands before her face,
+trembling with emotion. Filthy as she was, the Missionary and his wife
+took her into a private room, and by soothing words drew from her the
+following statement. She said, "I am a Scotch girl, and my father is a
+tradesman in a large way of business. In a bad temper I absconded from
+home, and have been awfully wicked. One night I heard you speak to some
+people round a coffee-stall, and then you showed us the Bible, and said
+that every word in it would come true, and that Jesus would come again
+as a thief in the night. At leaving, you said that 'the heavens would
+pass away with a great noise, and that the earth would be burned up, and
+that all who rejected mercy now would then be banished from the
+Saviour's presence.' I felt so miserable that I went to my lodging, and
+next day I wrote to my father, asking him to forgive me. He did not
+write for two days, and I was so anxious that I stood for hours looking
+for the postman. At last a letter came in his handwriting, and the only
+words in it were, 'You are no daughter of mine: never write to me
+again.' I felt mad when I read it, and walked about Regent's Park all
+day: when the gates were shut I hid myself, and went to sleep on the
+grass. I woke up in the night, as it was raining, and I was soaked
+through. As I crossed the bridge I began to laugh and dance, and thought
+how nice it would be to drown myself; so I took off my bonnet and shawl,
+intending to jump in, when I thought I heard you speaking of mercy and
+Jesus, and was so startled that I took up my things and ran as fast as I
+could. I jumped over the palings as though some one was after me, and
+ran until I got to the night-house, and then I fainted." At the end of
+this recital she looked wildly round, and almost screamed, "Oh, save me,
+sir: do save me! don't let me go into the park."
+
+She was assured of her safety, and words of Christian tenderness were
+spoken to her. After partaking of refreshment she was sufficiently calm
+to be sent in charge of the woman with a note to the manager of the
+Refuge for the Destitute. She was received, and next morning, being ill,
+was taken into an hospital. Her father was written to several times, but
+did not reply to the letters: a maiden aunt, however (those blessings in
+a family), sent for her into Scotland. A week after a very grateful
+letter was sent by the aunt, inclosing full payment for expenses
+incurred in the rescue of her niece: also a letter from the girl,
+expressing thankfulness to God and man for her wonderful deliverance
+from a watery grave. After these no other voluntary letters were sent.
+When he wrote, the replies were so cold and short as to give him to
+understand that though thankful, they wished to break off from all who
+knew of her dreadful fall.
+
+Such and much worse instances of ingratitude, where the greatest of
+blessings had been conferred, were not uncommon. At first it was a real
+discouragement to the man, who felt the sorrow and weariness of this
+desperate struggle for souls; but at length he became reconciled to
+labour as unto the Lord only. Even then he at times felt saddened, after
+labouring for the good of some apparently worthless person, to be
+avoided after the good had been accomplished. It seemed like the Gospel
+story of the ten lepers being healed, and only one of them returning to
+give thanks to the great Healer. The proportion of the unthankful is
+very large; for out of the 374 women, girls, and boys, whom the Lord
+enabled the Missionary to rescue, or to deliver from some peril or
+misery, they are few indeed who at the interval of years show gratitude.
+One of these shall be referred to here, as the narrative also shows that
+the blessing which gives success frequently rests upon perseverance in
+effort to do good.
+
+Upon a drizzly night, a beggar man and his boy of thirteen years entered
+a public-house which remained open until one o'clock in the morning. The
+man asked alms of the publican, and then of the Missionary to whom he
+was talking, and said that they only wanted fourpence for their lodging,
+as they had tramped in from Chatham, and were both ill. Out of pity to
+the boy, who staggered from weakness, the visitor walked with them to a
+"Traveller's Rest," and paid the money. Upon the way the man stated
+that he was a discharged soldier, and had left the regiment through bad
+eyes; he was nearly blind, and that he had a small pension for the first
+year. His wife and themselves had lived pretty well by begging in the
+country during the summer, as he always wore a red jacket and carried
+his discharge paper. On their way his wife had been taken ill, and was
+left at an Infirmary; but he hoped she would soon join them. He appeared
+very thankful when an offer was made to place the boy in a Refuge, and a
+call for that purpose was arranged for the next day.
+
+"The Traveller's Rest" was situated in a low back street, with several
+courts in it, and a passage at the end. The road was offensively dirty,
+as the Missionary passed down at two o'clock upon the next afternoon.
+The swarms of children were of the gutter, shoeless, tattered, and
+filthy. At many of the doors women of debased countenances were
+squatted, smoking short pipes. A fiddler was playing in the doorway of a
+low beerhouse--"The Dan O'Connell,"--while men, women, and children were
+dancing inside and out, to an Irish jig. Out of two windows were long
+poles with bills underneath, announcing the pleasing fact that a "clean
+shave and a wash could be had within for one halfpenny." These were no
+doubt rival barbers. "The Rest" was one of several, and was offensively
+dirty. In the back, or common room, were two tables and several forms,
+the company consisting of eight women and five men. Three of these were
+at the fireplace, one holding a number of sprats upon a long skewer,
+another a red herring, and the third was frying steak and onions. They
+regarded the stranger with what he knew to be a professional look, and
+one woman in the same breath told him that "the sojer was upstairs, and
+that she was very ill, and almost a skeleton with starvation;" and then
+she took a bottle of medicine out of her pocket, and to prove how bad
+she was, invited him to taste it. This he courteously declined, and
+ascended to the bedroom, the air of which was horribly offensive. A row
+of old mattresses upon the dirty floor formed the beds, while the walls
+were shockingly dirty. But as the "soldier" said, "What 'commodation can
+a chap expect for twopence, when you has the use of fire and water?" To
+the disappointment of the visitor, the man began to wriggle out of his
+promise to let the boy go to a Refuge; and when pressed he became
+impertinent, and said, "With my eyes bloodshot and the boy a-looking
+ill, we can get lots; and I shan't starve for him." When leaving, the
+reader re-entered the common room, and secured the attention of the
+people to the parable of the good Samaritan; and then, holding up the
+pocket Bible, he said, "It's in here, and many other things which the
+blessed Jesus spoke."
+
+Some weeks after this the visitor saw the boy huddled up in a night
+coffee-house, the father being fast asleep. The lad told him that a lady
+in Upper Brook Street had been very kind to them, but his father drank
+away all the money. The address was taken down, and next day the
+Missionary called upon the lady, who was so good as to express her
+thanks, and they together planned the rescue of the boy. By threats and
+entreaty the father was prevailed upon to let him enter the Refuge in
+Commercial Street, and the night visitor took him there in triumph.
+
+The lad did well in the home, and was initiated into the mysteries of
+the two crafts of the shoemaker and carpenter. He did his work well,
+and showed a thankful heart. He procured a slip of leather about nine
+inches long, and wrought the name of his friend upon it with shoemaker's
+thread, and upon one of his visits gave it him, while the tears of
+gratitude stood in his eyes. The visitor has it now among the precious
+memorials of his work. Poor boy, he was without money with which to buy
+a present, so he devised this in order to show how warm his heart was.
+
+Upon leaving the Refuge, he was apprenticed to a master carpenter, the
+lady kindly paying a small premium with him. He did well, and at the end
+of his time entered a good shop of work. He occasionally called upon his
+friend to report progress. After a long interval he came back for a
+short time, and stated that he had for eighteen months been a member of
+a Presbyterian Church, and by giving tracts and by conversation was
+trying to do good to others. It was a pleasant interview, as the young
+carpenter thanked his friend more warmly than ever for his rescue, and
+then they knelt together in prayer. One instance like this makes up for
+all the toil and sorrow of the work, and leads to humiliation before
+Almighty God, that He of His great mercy should use earthen vessels for
+the purposes of His grace.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+We cause a gap in this chapter, in order to make an important
+announcement,--an announcement which deserves to be printed in large
+type, and blazoned in letters of gold; it is, that as London never
+sleeps, so THE LARGE CHURCH OF GOD IN THE MIGHTY CITY NEVER SLEEPS.
+There are now many workers for Him in the night season, and the call of
+sinners to repentance never ceases in the empire city. The happy result
+was brought about in this way: People heard of and became interested in
+the work of the midnight visitor. First among them was a clergyman of
+importance, then at a college in Oxford. He wrote to the Missionary,
+asking him during the week of the Cambridge and Oxford boat-race, to
+give letters he had written to any young gentlemen he might find in
+casinos, saloons, and night-houses, wearing the dark-blue necktie.
+Several nights were thus occupied with interest and profit.
+
+Soon after this, the founders of the midnight meeting movement consulted
+him about that project, to which he gave his hearty support. Upon the
+first night he gave away the invitations, and for that purpose
+penetrated places into which no one but himself dare have entered with
+that object. The large room was crowded, not less than 250 young women
+were present; and he stood rejoicing with prayerful heart beside the
+Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, while he gave the first address. The
+midnight visitor knew that a movement was then being inaugurated which
+would continue to recover many from destruction, and which would raise
+the moral tone of London. Several private individuals now commenced
+visiting at night, and the Committee of the London City Mission had
+compassion upon their overworked servant, and by the appointment of a
+Missionary to night-houses, relieved him of these self-imposed duties. A
+change of importance had however been brought about. His evidence before
+a Committee of the House of Commons, his writings and private influence,
+had its share in securing a beneficial Act, closing night-houses from
+one until four o'clock in the morning. This was a great moral good, and
+it has resulted in the establishment of hundreds of street
+coffee-stalls. There is still much room for Christian effort at night,
+as the following extracts from printed statements of the two
+Missionaries thus employed will clearly show. We introduce these with an
+extract from "The Sword and Trowel:"--
+
+     "The Missionaries invariably leave their homes at twelve o'clock in
+     the night, and return about eight o'clock in the morning. And the
+     number of cabmen is now so great, and their spiritual instruction
+     so much needed, that the effort has proved to be one of the most
+     necessary, as well as fruitful departments of evangelization. There
+     are nearly 2000 night cabmen. They are very docile, remarkably glad
+     to be taught the message of God's love. And, indeed, the two
+     Missionaries seem generally attached to them. Being earnestly
+     desirous for their best welfare, and remembering how close death
+     must be to most of these old men, these messengers of peace yearn
+     over their souls. In numbers of instances their efforts have been
+     blessed. Poor old men, down whose furrowed cheeks the tears of
+     penitence have flowed, have found in Christ the truest consolation
+     for their wearied hearts. In the hour of life's eclipse--for death
+     to the Christian is nought more--they have witnessed a good
+     confession, and have given bright and glorious testimonies that
+     they have been born again."
+
+One Missionary writes,--
+
+"The coffee-stalls and booths which are to be found all over London at
+the corners of the streets, and in public thoroughfares, near railway
+stations, etc., are excellent opportunities for usefulness. These are
+kept by people who have no other means of obtaining a livelihood, and
+who sell a cup of smoking hot coffee for one halfpenny, and a slice of
+cake or bread and butter for the same price. Many of these people are
+Christian men and women, and render the Missionary great assistance in
+expounding the message of mercy and salvation to their customers. Not
+only cabmen and the outcast get a cup of coffee at these places, but men
+in the building trade, railway carters, and others, towards six
+o'clock, gather round them in large numbers, to obtain that which does
+them good and saves them from going to the early public-house. So that
+these coffee-stall proprietors are a really useful part of the
+community. These coffee stalls have increased rapidly, so that now about
+four hundred and sixty can be counted in the streets of London at night.
+The Church of England Temperance Society have also stationed a number in
+leading thoroughfares by day. We give a picture of one of these because
+it contains the latest improvements and best use of them.
+
+[Illustration: Boy at coffee stall]
+
+"On one occasion a pugilist gave me his address, and told me that, when
+a little boy, his mother used to teach him his prayers, some of which he
+repeated. He added that he had got the best wife in the world, but he
+treated her like a brute. I talked to the poor fellow till he wept like
+a child, and he took hold of my arm and said, 'You shall go home with me
+to-night.' I begged to be excused, as it was now three o'clock in the
+morning. However, there was no alternative, so off I went with him,
+arm-in-arm. He called his poor wife up, although I wished him not to do
+so; but so far from being angry when she saw that my object was to try
+and reform her husband, she thanked me with tears in her eyes. He
+promised by God's help to seek to lead a new life, and give his heart to
+God. As I had a Testament in my pocket I gave it them, and we knelt down
+and prayed for God's blessing on our meeting. I went home musing on the
+event which had occurred, and could not help feeling that the Lord had
+directed my steps back with the man. I have called since, and find that
+by trade he is a sawyer. He is now working at his trade, is a
+teetotaler, and in a hopeful state of mind."
+
+As some instances of usefulness have come under my notice through the
+reading of the Word of God, I purpose to refer to two or three:--
+
+"Mr. ---- has been a night cabman for thirty-six years. In reply to my
+questions, he said he did not remember when he last went to church, and
+if he was to go, he is so deaf he could not hear the parson. I asked,
+'How do you spend your time on Sunday evenings?' 'In reading _Lloyd's
+Newspaper_,' was the reply. 'Oh,' I said, 'then you could read a
+Testament, if I got you one?' 'I dare say I could,' was the answer. I
+took him one, which he read, and he became so fond of it that he soon
+laid aside the newspaper, and the Testament became his constant
+companion. Although he is deaf, yet he now attends church, and is in a
+hopeful and penitent state of mind.
+
+"Mr. ----, poor man, was always full of trouble. He had lost his wife by
+death, buried four children, and broken his leg; and every time I
+attempted to converse with him, he would pour his burden of troubles
+into my ear, and think no one sympathised with him. I got him a Bible,
+and turned down for him Isaiah liii., and several other portions of
+God's Word, which he read. The next time I saw him I heard but little of
+his troubles, and the time after that he said, 'Sir, my Bible has quite
+cured me of complaining, for when I read of what my Saviour suffered, I
+feel ashamed to murmur or complain. It is the Bible that has cured me,
+for I see others have suffered before me, and that nothing has happened
+to me but what is common to all men.'
+
+"Poor old ---- said, 'I have read your Testament all through, and don't
+know what I should have done when I was in the workhouse but for my
+book. I have been thinking very much about our Lord's Sermon on the
+Mount, and I feel that it condemns me, for I used to think that I was
+not so bad as others, and that through my own good works I should go to
+heaven. Now I feel I am a sinner, and have no good works, and that it is
+through the righteousness of another that I must be saved. I asked the
+Chaplain in the workhouse, and he explained the whole thing to me as
+clear as day.' I have often explained to him the glorious doctrine of
+justification by faith in the finished work and righteousness of the
+Lord Jesus Christ, for which he is very grateful.
+
+"A man, named ----, said, 'Well, if your Testament has done nothing
+else, it has kept me out of the public-house, and therefore it has done
+me good; and my wife is pleased, I can tell you.' I advised him to go on
+reading, and to seek the aid of the Holy Spirit to help him."
+
+As it is always pleasant to record increase of good, we are glad to
+state here that a second and well qualified Missionary has for several
+years been working at night in East and South London, and that with
+marked success. All the night cabmen and thousands of people to be
+instructed in saving truth by night only are now under visitation.
+
+The following words from the pen of a clergyman's wife (Mrs. Hebert),
+who has for years sustained this good work, will form a most suitable
+conclusion to this chapter:--
+
+"Night after night the work has been going on, much being done, as we
+have often seen, in a single night, and the result is that many have
+found rest to their souls. Prodigals have sought their Father's house,
+the afflicted have heard the rod, the inquiring have been directed to
+Jesus, and have found Him; the aged have been brought in at the eleventh
+hour, and are spending their little remnant of life to His glory who
+called them into His vineyard. Let us give thanks and pray more. Let us
+identify ourselves more in spirit with our Missionaries. It is our work
+as well as theirs. We can only reach these poor cabmen through them....
+Missionary work is so like Christ's work, and so great a blessing rests
+upon it, that we should all seek to have a share in it in our own
+way,--that is, in the way God may have opened for us. Then we shall feel
+not only that we are fellow-labourers with all who are seeking to spread
+the Gospel, but, as it is so wonderfully said by St. Paul, we shall be
+'workers together with Him' whose word shall not return to Him void....
+We have all had our trials, like those whom we are seeking to lead to
+the God of all comfort. Life and its treasures are passing away, but the
+things which cannot be shaken remain. God's work still claims us. We can
+still be about our Father's business. And what is so elevating and so
+soothing amidst cares and distractions and losses, as the thought that
+there is a calm, holy, steady course marked out for us by Him, and that
+He condescends to be glorified by us, whether by our life, or by our
+death?"
+
+
+The Book in the Highways:
+
+ITS FETTER-BREAKING.
+
+   "There are in this large stirring tide
+     Of human care and crime,
+   With whom the melodies abide
+     Of th' everlasting chime;
+   Who carry music in their heart,
+   Through dusky lanes and wrangling mart,
+  Plying their daily task with busier feet,
+  Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+     TO AND FROM THE CITY--OUR OMNIBUS--BOX AND MONKEY BOARD--THE LOST
+     DAY--CRAPE ON THE WHIP--NIGHT GATHERING OF BARGE MEN--FETTERS
+     BROKEN--THE SILENT WATER-WAYS--BIBLE IN CABIN--THE BARGEMAN'S HOPE.
+
+
+THE BOOK IN THE HIGHWAYS:
+
+ITS FETTER-BREAKING.
+
+     "He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the
+     receipt of custom: and He said unto him, Follow Me. And he left
+     all, rose up, and followed Him." LUKE v. 27, 28.
+
+"My saying is," observed the driver of an omnibus to a gentleman at his
+side, "that it is right to be sociable; for if we are to have friends,
+we must be friendly ourselves." "Capital remark, that," we thought,
+while sitting down at the other side of the rather elevated box, waiting
+an opportunity to join in the conversation. The man was not quite
+unknown to us, as, in our almost daily journeys to the City, we had
+mounted at his side in turn with that of other knights of the whip who
+drove omnibuses from one of the suburbs to the centre of the mighty
+City--the Bank.
+
+Once before, a short terse sentence had, in our hearing, been uttered by
+him which made a favourable impression, and we were now certain that
+James was a character--a man with an individuality. He was certainly
+respected by his fellows, as, while many others had singular names given
+them, expressive of peculiarities or contempt, he was always addressed
+as James; and it was certain, from the hurried words shouted by the
+drivers as they rapidly passed each other, that he dared to be singular
+by paying like respect to them. It was thus that we got to know the
+christian or surnames of men who were addressed by others as Kitty,
+Cranky, Boosey; and even "Ugly Jib"--as a worthy man was called in
+derision of a facial deformity--smiled pleasantly as our driver, in
+cheery tone, gave the rapid word of greeting, "Fine morning, Dan," or
+"Raw evening, Dan; button up tight."
+
+[Illustration: Driver with four men in top hats, outside passengers]
+
+A kindliness of disposition was also evident by the style in which he
+handled the "ribbons;" with a care and decision peculiar to the man, as
+though fearful of jagging the horses with the bit. As for the whip, it
+was simply what he called it, "his ornament." To have used it with
+violence upon his dumb friends never entered his mind. This was evident
+one dreary night when we had stayed late in the City, and happened to be
+the only outside passenger. As the hill was ascended near the end of the
+journey, the horses slackened pace almost to a walk. Now, we thought, is
+time for use of the "ornament;" and use it he did, but in a gentle
+manner. Patting one horse upon the neck with it, he said in an
+encouraging tone, "Now, Polly; come, get on;" and then passing it over
+to the other, he stroked kindly and said, "This won't do, Sally; come,
+pull up." Then followed the "click, click, click," an accomplishment of
+the mouth only attainable by the thorough "bus" driver; and then the
+horses, as with a human sense of the power of kindness, took the collar
+and cheerfully capped the hill.
+
+"And so you treat your cattle as young ladies, do you?" we observed.
+
+"Well, you see, sir," he replied, "as the saying is, 'the man that's any
+good considers his beast;' and it answers, as I can keep time as well as
+any one; and the foreman of the yard never finds fault, as I run them in
+quite comfortable, not all reeking and trembling as some do. And then,
+when I go into the yard of a morning, the pretty creatures look round
+and shake their manes, as much as to say, 'Good morning, master, we
+shall get on all right to-day.' You see, sir," he continued, after a
+thoughtful pause, "I have two daughters at home, Mary and Sarah, and
+good girls they are, though I don't see much of them; and as I am always
+thinking of them I mention them like to the horses when I want to pull
+up to time and the like."
+
+"Your daughters, I suppose, go out to some employment, as you see so
+little of them?"
+
+The answer was not immediately given, as the man hung his head and with
+ill-concealed emotion said, "No, sir, they ain't quite old enough for
+that; and I have heard a saying that no good is got by showing your
+sores, and 'that which can't be cured must be endured.' You see, I have
+to work more hours a week than niggers in the West Indies were ever made
+to do. Compared with other working men, I do nearly two days' work in
+one. This I have done for these sixteen years, and very little I've seen
+of my family and home. I often feel that I am getting used up, and think
+of a saying a foreman of mine had for men who asked for a day off the
+box: 'Rest indeed! rest in the grave, that will do for you.'"
+
+This reply was given in a tone of despair which stopped the conversation
+for the short time required to reach the end of the journey. The parting
+word of "Good night, coachman," evidently helped him to regain his usual
+cheerfulness, as we heard the shake of the reins and the usual
+utterance, "All right, Sally; come, get on, Polly."
+
+With us, cheerfulness was not so easily regained. The happy home and
+family joys seemed to deepen rather than remove the impression made by
+the driver. "It is now after ten," we thought, "and the poor fellow has
+another journey to the City and back. On the box again at eight in the
+morning until midnight, with little prospect of a Sunday; well, we will
+speak to him upon that subject."
+
+A few nights after, being purposely late, we again mounted beside our
+proverb-speaking acquaintance, and watched for an opportunity to draw
+him out upon the "rest-rights" of his class. This soon occurred, as the
+driver remarked that his horses were fresh, "as they had yesterday in
+the stables."
+
+"And so they have a rest-day now and then," we remarked, "and you have a
+natural and scriptural right to one in seven. How often do you get it?"
+
+"I've lost mine this many a long year," was the reply; "and as they say
+somewhere, 'losers are always in the wrong;' and so five thousand or
+more of us who toil on the stones of London during all the Sundays are
+in the wrong--of course we are--and being in for a bad bargain must make
+the best of it. For us there is no help, as saints and sinners are both
+against us."
+
+"Saints against you?"
+
+"Yes sir, begging your pardon, the saints, or that sort of them that
+ain't advanced, and can't get on without their ears being tingled. We
+who live all our waking hours elevated on a 'bus observes a great deal,
+and that there are two sorts of Christians. It is wonderful if you
+compare duly what religion does. The hundreds of gentlemen's carriages
+it keeps indoors; the lots of working-men and city gents who can be
+happy at home, and the wonderful number that goes to their own places of
+worship, as is right. Well, these religious riders are a strange set,
+they are indeed. Sometimes they are ashamed of their prayer or hymn
+books, and sometimes they show them off boldly. My conductor was a
+Sunday-school boy not long ago, and he hates the sight of them. Between
+the box and monkey board there is an understanding, 'signs and wonders,'
+as I calls them, and when a religious party gets in, he puts his hands
+together and looks solemn; and when the pleasure-takers--our worst
+enemies--and there's no end of them, he rubs his hands and looks jolly.
+Well, these religious Sunday riders are a selfish, shabby lot; it's
+quite common when they pay with a shilling for them to say, 'Give me a
+threepenny piece, please, conductor.' That, you know, is for the
+collection; but if he can help it he don't give it them, as he is of my
+opinion, that these people ought to keep to their own places of worship,
+and not bring religion into contempt by supporting Sunday labour. Well,
+but the Sunday pleasure people are generous fools. They do a hard day's
+work and pay for it, as they don't believe in the religious way of
+being happy. At night the men put their wives and children inside and
+get out here themselves smoking hard after the drink they have had. Last
+Sunday night two of this sort got up beside me, and one of them swore
+badly, and offered me a cigar; but I said to him, 'The saying is, that
+"the tongue defiles the whole body," and I don't care to smoke with a
+man that curses.' Then he bullied me and threatened to inform about me;
+and I thought afterwards that I had done wrongly, as it is not doing my
+duty in that state of life in which God has placed me (as the Catechism
+says) if I offend riders; and as we outcasts--yes, I say outcasts, as
+men who have no Sundays and no ministers to care for them are--can't
+hope to be saved if God Almighty does not have mercy upon them for doing
+their duty."
+
+[Illustration: Man collecting fares]
+
+The last part of this speech, which had been delivered at intervals
+between stoppages, was uttered with an expression of despair which
+reminded one of the day's sigh of the prisoner without hope. After a
+pause, the remark was ventured, "But, James, you can surely get a Sunday
+off whenever you like; it is only forfeiting the day's pay; and as I
+have ridden with you for some time, I had a thought of asking you to let
+me give you a Sunday, you could then attend Divine worship?"
+
+"Thank you kindly, sir," he replied; "but I could not ask for more than
+one in two months or so, though we are supposed to have every third or
+fourth Sunday. I am feeling old, and a man ain't liked who is often off
+his 'bus. The foreman would soon say that a younger man was ready to
+take the reins; and then the workhouse, its disgrace, and separation
+from as good a wife as ever lived. No, sir, personal kindness can't do
+much for us Sunday slaves. No! it's getting the public to feel that
+it's a disgrace to the riders, and an injury to us poor fellows, that
+can alone do it."
+
+Such were his opinions; but we soon after had the satisfaction to know
+that he enjoyed one happy Christian Sabbath, and upon several journeys
+we listened to his quaint remarks upon preacher and sermons. An interest
+in his spiritual state (which is always akin to real friendship)
+resulted; and upon many occasions instruction concerning personal
+salvation was given. The last ten minutes of the journey, when we were
+often alone, were valued, as, at intervals for more than a year, the
+good-natured driver listened as a little child to the message of a
+Redeemer's mercy. The summer and autumn had thus passed away, and during
+the winter we seldom rode with him, as his hours had been changed. Upon
+one of these occasions he from cold spoke with difficulty; but his
+weather-beaten countenance expressed a quiet peace, as he said, "I got a
+day off last Sunday week, and went to church twice. At night it was a
+saying of Jesus that was preached about, 'Come unto me, all ye that
+labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' The sermon made
+me as happy as a prince; and after supper my Polly read the chapter
+through, where it is; and then I read a Psalm which is like a prayer."
+
+We had not after this many opportunities for conversation, but
+frequently received his salute (the raising of the whip to the hat) as
+we passed on other omnibuses. One fine morning towards the end of the
+winter, which had been very severe, upon mounting an early 'bus, we
+noticed a bow of CRAPE ON THE WHIP, and inquired concerning it. "It's
+James as used to drive this 'bus," the man replied with feeling; "but he
+is only one of the several old whips who have been done up this horrid
+winter. He had sixteen hours a day on this box for six weeks hard off,
+and had a bad cold; and when he tried for a rest Sunday, so many wanted
+it that he was snubbed, and was afraid of losing his whip, and so he
+kept on till he couldn't do so any longer, and then he took to his bed,
+and died in a few days."
+
+The startling intelligence produced a sense of sadness during the
+journey, and led to solemn thought with desire to break fetters and let
+this order of Sabbath slaves go free.
+
+That _Crape on the Whip_ spoke of injury done to a man, and an important
+class of men, and that by a too general habit of breaking a Divine law
+through love of pleasure, or want of consideration.
+
+To labour or employ labour on the Lord's day, unless for purposes of
+necessity or mercy, is sinful; as the command is, "Remember the Sabbath
+day to keep it holy," and "Thou shalt reverence my Sabbaths." It is a
+breach of the moral law for mere pleasure to use any kind of vehicle on
+"the day which the Lord has made," and given for rest and worship. Poor
+James, like thousands of his class, was injured also by the criminal
+carelessness of professed Christians. These Sunday riders do spiritual
+and eternal damage to public servants, as well as temporal wrong, for--
+
+  "Evil is wrought by want of thought,
+  As well as want of heart."
+
+That _Crape on the Whip_ told the oft-repeated fact that the body of the
+Sunday worker rests earlier in the grave through loss of the Sabbath
+rest. The Maker of our frame has declared cessation from labour during
+a seventh portion of our time to be necessary to its health and vigour.
+The son of toil by hand or brain, who by loss of, or misuse of, the rest
+day so graciously given, impairs or fails to restore his strength, thus
+does injury to himself and others.
+
+That _Crape on the Whip_ assumed the force of a call to the Church,
+urging to self-denial and to active effort. Shall public servants slave
+on for our convenience, with no man to care for their souls? Let
+Christian men who are brought into friendly contact with them answer
+"No," by telling them of a Saviour's mercy. Let workers in the Lord's
+vineyard seek opportunity to instruct them, while making effort to
+lessen their hours of toil. Numerous as they are, they are only part of
+a class, including cabmen, railway servants, and others who suffer the
+moral degradation of Sabbath slavery. Their helpers, for instance the
+men who take charge of the horses, are the hardest-worked men in
+England. From early morning until late at night, all the year round they
+toil on. One of them remarked, "Cursed already, unceasing labour, and
+life used up early." A City Missionary, in a yard he visits, has
+arranged for eleven of these to join him on the Sabbath in an old
+omnibus which stands in a corner of the yard. It was once licensed to
+carry twelve inside. He there conducts a little service with them. Then
+again there are servants of the Redeemer who make constant effort to
+bring the life-giving power of Christ's religion to bear upon these
+Sabbath outcasts. Let us be partakers in their struggles and joys until
+the victory is gained; until freedom for those who cry because of the
+oppressor is secured; until no conscience is troubled by _Crape on the
+Whip_ indicating that souls which were sabbathless and uncared for had,
+_without_ preparation, entered the presence of God.
+
+This earnest pleading for the oppressed omnibus men, through the pages
+of the _London City Mission Magazine_, reached many hearts with
+Christian sympathy, and not a few resolved that these men also should be
+spiritually cared for, and that an effort should be made to improve
+their condition. An "elect lady" gave full support for a Missionary to
+those who ply omnibuses in the West, while the liberality of a gentleman
+abounded to those of the South, and the help of many extended the
+benefit to East and North London.
+
+[Illustration: Man beside two tired-looking horses]
+
+Welcomes, hearty and full of hope, were given by the omnibus men to
+their new friends. Among their thousands there was not a Church member,
+a "Church goer," or one influenced by reading the Scriptures; except two
+or three who worked for private masters of Christian principles. To
+these Sabbathless men of constant toil, the Gospel which speaks of
+deliverance through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus was indeed a joyful
+sound, and right glad were they while waiting for a few minutes at each
+end of their journeys to listen to the messengers sent to them with glad
+tidings, and the result has been blessing to many souls, and the
+commencement of a struggle for their Sabbath and social rights.
+
+A lady, for instance, offered a supper to three hundred of the omnibus
+men of West London if they could be got together. Lord Shaftesbury's
+advice was taken in the matter, and he decided that it would be well to
+invite them to the repast when they left work, from eleven to half-past
+twelve at night. This was done. A large, unfurnished room near the
+Paddington Station was taken. Their Missionary delivered the invitations
+the day before, and as midnight drew near the rush of men proved that
+all had accepted them. The uninvited guests, indeed, exceeded the
+invited, so the ample supply of provisions were soon cleared off. Then a
+raised platform was extemporized, and great was the demonstration of
+delight when Lord Shaftesbury took his stand upon it. The sight was of
+thrilling interest, as his lordship was surrounded by a group of
+gentlemen and ministers, including the Earl of Aberdeen and Canon
+Fleming, and in front were a mass of omnibus men, closely packed to the
+end of the room. The excitement was great when the noble lord announced
+that "The Man with the Book," who wrote "Crape on the Whip," would
+first address them.
+
+This speaker, who was well received, stated the difficulties of the men,
+and gave matured advice as to the means of their removal. Referring to a
+conversation he had held with a director of the company, he stated that
+this gentleman admitted that the men were cruelly overworked, and that
+they were, with few exceptions, deprived of their natural and scriptural
+right to the Sabbath rest; but that the evil resulted from the increase
+of the Sunday riding public, and from faults with the men themselves
+which riveted their fetters. These faults were faithfully stated, and
+passages from the Book of God were repeated and pressed upon their
+attention, which, if believed from the heart, would lead them to their
+God and Saviour, and so break these and the heavier fetters of the soul,
+making them happy as the freedmen of Christ.
+
+Dr. Manning, of the Tract Society, Lord Aberdeen, and Canon Fleming,
+then made pointed and telling speeches, after which the noble chairman
+wound up the meeting by telling the men that it was right that their
+grievance of constant toil--long hours without Sabbath rest--should thus
+be made known, that a healthy public opinion might be formed on their
+behalf. From his long experience in effort to reduce the hours of labour
+he gave them valuable advice, and concluded with the words:--
+
+     "I cannot find language strong enough to express all I feel at
+     constant labour being forced on men, not excepting the Lord's day.
+     It is abominable, and sufficient to call down the vengeance of God
+     on the country. The rest of the Lord's day is a great necessity,
+     and to deny you men the enjoyment and repose of that day is not
+     only a very great cruelty, but an abominable sin (cheers). I want
+     to remind you of this, that this work which we are commencing
+     cannot be done by us alone; it must be done in cooperation with
+     you. You must support the effort by strong appeals to your
+     employers, and still stronger appeals to the public, and by
+     unceasing prayer to Almighty God. You must press on all the rights
+     you have, and which by God's grace you are determined to enforce.
+     Your sole reliance must be in the blessing of the Almighty. To Him
+     you must direct your thoughts and prayers, and draw down His
+     blessing upon the effort, and take to your consideration these
+     words which fell from the lips of many Protestant martyrs in their
+     great sufferings,--
+
+      'Although the day be never so long,
+      At last it ringeth to evensong.'"
+
+Great cheering followed, and after singing a hymn, the meeting, to which
+additional hundreds of omnibus men had flocked, separated at two o'clock
+in the morning.
+
+But what good has resulted from this effort and meeting?
+
+Well, much. Employers are granting their Sunday slaves concessions,
+slight indeed, but hopeful as to the future. Many persons who used these
+vehicles on the Lord's day have discontinued the practice. Some drivers
+and conductors have left on Sabbath principles; and, best of all, many
+of the men have already received spiritual good.
+
+This was certainly the case with old Ben, who had driven to the Bank
+many thousand times, and who for thirty-two years had never attended
+Divine worship. He, indeed, held religion and religious people in
+derision. The Missionary secured his attention, and one day soon after
+the meeting, old Ben observed to him, "I read the tracts now, sir, and a
+bit of the Bible, and mean soon to get another Sunday off." He
+succeeded, and in the morning, the first time for so many years,
+attended Divine worship. In the evening his wife went, and he remained
+at home reading the Scriptures. He retired to rest unusually happy, but
+to sleep the long sleep, as in the silence of the night watches his
+immortal spirit was summoned to the presence of God.
+
+It is indeed well that at length these men should have spiritual care,
+and that the "feet of those who carry glad tidings" should make their
+way to those who are in like condemnation. Now it so occurred that about
+the same time that Christian attention was directed to the neglect and
+wants of the men who labour upon our _noisy highways_, the roads,--that
+a like attention was called to those who pass life quietly on our
+_silent highways_, the canals. These water ways of the metropolis extend
+for several hundred miles through and about the City and its suburbs,
+and connect and bring into communication other great cities of the
+country. They are traversed continually by barges, which besides much
+merchandise contain a large floating population. Whole families inhabit
+the small cabins, and they have been described in the British Parliament
+as the most ignorant and debased of the people. It was therefore decided
+by the rulers of the mission to select a suitable man from the ranks,
+and bid him to make known the Gospel in the cabins, and on the towing
+paths.
+
+The surprise at the lock of the Grand Junction Canal was great indeed
+when a stranger boarded each of their vessels, and addressed them as
+though they were old acquaintance. It was evident at first that they did
+not take kindly to the new friend. There were suspicious looks, and such
+hints as, "There bees them as says we are awful bad, and as puts us down
+in them papers as is in the publics." The zeal of the good man was also
+a matter of jest with them; as when they saw the agility with which he
+sprang from the tow-path to the barge, and from boat to boat, one man
+said to the other, "he's a jumping Jack, he is." The readings from the
+Bible, appeals to conscience, and the gift of Testaments and illustrated
+publications, soon won a way to their hearts, and in the course of five
+months their "Tract Man" became a popular personage, and this is how the
+fact was discovered. Mr. Atkinson, late Mayor of Hull, who superintends
+the work, gave a tea to as many boatmen and their wives as happened upon
+a certain evening to be at the Brentford Junction, and two hundred and
+fifty, direct from their boats, assembled, and a rough company they
+appeared.
+
+Tea over, and justice was done to it, the meeting commenced by their
+host taking the chair, and he, after hearty words of Christian kindness,
+requested the man who was known to carry a Book with him to address
+them. This he did by telling them "that a few days before he had read
+something upon an old tea-pot in the Brighton Museum, which he would
+repeat to them,--
+
+  'The loss of gold is much,
+    The loss of health is more,
+  The loss of Christ is such a loss
+    That no man can restore!'
+
+"And then he explained to them the value of money, and the misfortune of
+losing it by accident, and the sin of losing it by drunkenness and vice.
+The value of health, and the folly of losing it by intemperance,
+smoking, and neglectful habits. The value, the preciousness of Christ as
+the Saviour of sinners, and the folly, the crime, of refusing the mercy
+of God by Him. The Book was then produced, and the words read solemnly,
+'Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.'"
+
+Their Missionary was then called upon, and the boat people received him
+with a demonstration of delight. His speech was simple in words, but
+full of Christian affection for their souls, and of sympathy in the
+trials of their calling. It was evident that they received him as their
+own "parson man," as they drank in every word he uttered, and with a
+great noise expressed their delight with his speech. One of them indeed
+rose, and with a stammering tongue said, "that he was a waterway man,
+and like them all, he and his wife wanted to see him often in their
+cabin, to read to them from the good Bible, and to try and make them
+good, as he knew he was doing to some of them."
+
+At the close it was cheering to hear them trying with all their will to
+sing, "Tell me the Old, Old Story," and to notice their reverence during
+the closing prayer.
+
+After the tea several letters were sent to the Office. They were alike
+in style, and we select one to show the progress which has been made
+with these rough people.
+
+     "Dear sir i right those few lines to you to thenk you for you
+     kingens for sending such a man to the Poor Boat Peple i think he
+     Just the man for it to Point them to the lame of god Wich taks the
+     sins away he Not shamed to take yup his crose and tell Poor Peple a
+     Bout Jueses i cant right much But i hope you escuse my Bad righting
+     Whe have knowed in tim a good Wile at Padgtion and glad to see his
+     face Down kingsland Pasen the lord Bless his labore and give him
+     soles fore his hiere so
+
+                       No More frome
+
+                                             c.---- D----.
+
+                                                 Boat man."
+
+We will only add that a gathering from among the boat people, as from
+the omnibus men, is being made to the Lord Jesus, and as they approach
+Him, the Saviour, their spiritual fetters are broken, and the outward
+fetters of their calling fall away. Duty, compassion, patriotism,
+require that these thousands of the oppressed should have opportunity to
+worship Jehovah in His temple, and to become acquainted with His laws,
+and the wonders of His grace. Remember, oh ye people who have been
+chosen and called to form the Church of the Redeemed on earth; remember
+that it is your dignity, as well as duty, to help all who are oppressed;
+everywhere to proclaim the freedom of the kingdom "set up in the earth;"
+that to you the enraptured words of the prophet are addressed with royal
+command and sustaining promises: "Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go
+forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in
+the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places ... for He that
+hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall
+He guide them."[2]
+
+[2] Isaiah xlix. 9, 10.
+
+
+The Book for All:
+
+ITS UNIVERSAL GOOD.
+
+  Ye have not sowed in vain!
+    Though the heavens seem as brass,
+  And, piercing the crust of the burning plain,
+    Ye scan not a blade of grass.
+
+  Yet there is life within,
+    And waters of life on high:
+  One morn ye shall wake, and the spring's soft green
+    O'er the moistened fields shall lie.
+
+  Tears in the dull, cold eye,
+    Light on the darkened brow,
+  The smile of peace or the prayerful sigh,
+    Where the mocking smile sits now.
+
+  Went ye not forth with prayer?
+    Then ye went not forth in vain:
+  "The Sower, the Son of Man," was there,
+    And His was that precious grain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+     CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY--FAITH--THE MACHINERY MAN--MAN'S INNER
+     WORLD--SIN REPROVED--CONVERSE UPON AN OMNIBUS--THE INFLUENCE OF
+     TRUTH--THE BIBLE ONLY--COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED--BROUGHT NIGH,
+     VERY NIGH.
+
+
+THE BOOK FOR ALL:
+
+ITS UNIVERSAL GOOD.
+
+     "And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to
+     hear the Word of God." ACTS xiii. 44.
+
+"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament:" they
+who have the wisdom of God in a mystery, or the hidden wisdom,--the
+knowledge not to be found by searching the works of creation, or in the
+discoveries and developments of science and philosophy. This wisdom
+cometh from above, and is therefore communicated by the all-wise and
+eternal Jehovah. This, and this alone, can enlighten man spiritually,
+invest him with power to comprehend the central and infinite in truth,
+and lead him to the attainment of those graces and perfections which can
+alone fit him for the reception of reflected glory, and raise him to a
+place before the throne of ineffable light and purity.
+
+This wisdom (like its counterpart in the natural world, the sun) casts
+rays of light, beauty, and restoration very widely. When He, the essence
+of uncreated light, stood with "the glory He had with the Father"
+veiled, as the Teacher of men, He uttered a truth so mighty that
+wherever it is repeated the darkness fleeth away; wherever it is sounded
+forth with power, be it in the palaces of kings, in the hovels of the
+poor, or in the deepest recesses of moral corruption, the blackness of
+the shadow of death which surrounds the immortal soul is dispersed as by
+the voice of Omnipotence. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world: he
+that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
+of life."
+
+The Church militant, the royal priesthood, the ransomed people, is an
+assemblage of individuals called out of darkness into His marvellous
+light. This community of the blessed occupies the place of the absent
+Lord, and has to show forth His glory. As children of the day, they
+renounce the hidden things of darkness; and as vessels of mercy
+illuminated by Divine grace, they show forth "the light of the Lord."
+They of necessity do this by letting men see their good works, by
+reproving sin, by giving instruction in righteousness, by holy zeal in
+efforts to increase the kingdom of truth and purity. Possessed
+themselves of the Word of God, through which and by the Holy Spirit they
+are being sanctified, they use that same word for purposes of the grace
+of God which bringeth salvation. The Bible in the hand of the Christian
+is as the wisdom of God in the hand of Ezra, leading them "to judge;" to
+give wisdom and prudence "to all such as know the laws of their God, and
+to teach them that know them not." Hence it is the duty and high
+privilege of each Christian, be he minister or layman, ordained or
+unordained, to communicate precious truths, to teach from the Holy
+Scriptures which are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith,
+which is in Christ Jesus.
+
+We have a conviction that the individual members of the Church have not
+yet risen to the dignity of every man saying to his neighbour, "Know the
+Lord." This witnessing for God is not a professional matter, but a
+religious duty. Masses of people in our great cities perish for lack of
+knowledge, while many partakers of precious faith are content to live
+without an effort to add one immortal spirit more to the ransomed from
+the earth. They, alas! are many who are under the "woe" pronounced
+against those "who live at ease in Zion." There are no laity in the
+theocracy of grace. All are priests. And they who have heard the call of
+Divine compassion, and feel themselves sheltered in the covenant of
+love, are commanded to say "Come," or for ever bear the reproach of
+being unfaithful servants. This standing back from the great conflict,
+this looking on instead of joining in the holy strife, is a reproach to
+the royal people, an injury to our neighbour, and a withholding of
+blessing from this sin-stricken world. There is work for all in the
+great vineyard, and opportunities for usefulness are ever occurring. It
+is not those only who dwell in squalor that require the Gospel: the
+respectable mechanics, the trading and professional classes; yes, and
+the educated, and the noble, and the princes of the earth: all who have
+not passed into the kingdom of grace need the same truth, the same
+restoring and elevating force. While, therefore, it is right to send the
+Gospel of the grace of God to the lower orders, this does not
+_exonerate_ from the duty of influencing the other classes to the
+acceptance of truth and the practice of holiness. The necessities of the
+world require that every Christian should carry a pocket Bible, and
+study how to use it well. Then would the kingdom of God come with power.
+
+There can be no doubt that the practical infidelity and viciousness of
+the classes immediately and very much above them has a most injurious
+effect upon the lower orders of society. The wealth of the rich is often
+used to the demoralization of the poor, while skilled workmen are the
+chief propagators of scepticism among them. Those, therefore, who give
+themselves to the labour and care of uplifting the very low, have a deep
+interest in the religious elevation of the more refined and educated, as
+the classes act with marvellous effect upon each other. These
+considerations must be our excuse for devoting this last chapter to
+narratives of like Christian work among the more advanced in the social
+scale. As infidelity is so terrible a foe, we commence with two
+instances of recovery from its destructive influence.
+
+One evening the visitor had occasion to call at a public institution,
+and stopped in the lobby to examine a microscope and set of lenses. The
+optician showed him a telescope by which he said stars at a great
+distance could be seen and particulars accurately defined. In answer to
+the inquiry, "If those distinguished by the appellation 'telescopic
+stars,' and ranging from the seventh magnitude upwards could be seen by
+it," he gave a very clever answer, which led to a long and pleasant
+conversation. At parting, the visitor observed "that there was an
+instrument now much in use by the 'wise,' of higher range, and called by
+the name of 'faith,'--a gift of God, a power by which Christians could
+look through the clouds, beyond the nebulae, even to the place where
+Jesus is seated at the right hand of God."
+
+The optician shook his head, and said that "he believed in all that was
+true in creation, in all that could be demonstrated; but that his
+credulity stopped at the uncertain."
+
+The subject was renewed upon another visit, and continued at intervals
+for some months; so that he became well instructed in the principles of
+that faith which is said to "abide" and to "dwell" in the true
+Christian, and which the unbelief of men cannot "make void." After a
+time the optician left the institution, and was lost sight of for nearly
+three years. He then addressed a letter to his friend of the telescope,
+from Middlesex Hospital, telling him that he had suffered sad reverses,
+and that he was a patient there with a painful eruption; and added,
+"Through the mercy of God I have obtained precious faith, and I hope to
+be ever mindful that I can only conquer the enemy by giving myself up,
+and entirely depending upon the blood of the Lamb. I feel, my dear
+friend, what tongue or pen cannot describe: I feel that I am preserved
+by our blessed Saviour from that doom I so deserved; and I now place all
+my dependence upon this new Friend, and I trust that I may continue in
+the faith, and rest in the Lord and wait."
+
+When the visitor called he found him afflicted with a kind of leprosy,
+being covered with sores from head to foot. He however looked happy, and
+in the course of conversation, observed, "That remark, sir, about the
+telescope when you first spoke to me, was the leading step in my
+conversion: I never lost its impression. When I packed or unpacked the
+instruments I used to think about it, and at last got to desire your
+statement to be true,--that 'the Lord Jesus, by a power of the soul,
+could be seen pleading for and saving sinners;' but now, blessed be God,
+I feel that I have the heavenly gift, and pray for its increase." He
+recovered from his disease, and has for years proved his faith by holy
+living.
+
+The other instance occurred in the International Exhibition. A visitor
+who frequently embraced opportunities to direct attention to some truth
+contained in the good old Book, was one morning worming his way through
+the machinery annex, when his progress was stopped by a barrier. As it
+was the midday hour for refreshment, the whirl and clatter was stayed,
+the machinery being at rest. A man, a fine specimen of the English
+mechanic, sat by the motive engine reading Goldsmith's History of
+England. The visitor noticed this, and, handing him a Gospel of St.
+John, said, "Here is part of the great biography,--some leading passages
+in the life of the King now crowned with many crowns; but whose life
+here was a miracle, from the manger to Golgotha."
+
+"I have read it, sir," the man replied, taking the book; "but I cannot
+believe all the Bible says about Jesus Christ, and other matters."
+
+"If you have time, I should like to know how it is that you reject the
+testimony which _God_ has given of His Son?" said the giver of the Book,
+and the following conversation took place:--
+
+"Well, sir, this is how it is: I was religious in my youth, but when an
+apprentice, my shopmates induced me to attend theological lectures
+followed by debates. These discussions shook my faith in the Christian
+system, and the reading of books has strengthened my convictions."
+
+"This is a serious matter: do please tell me your chief difficulty."
+
+[Illustration: "It is your duty to connect the band of this engine with
+the various machines."]
+
+"Well, sir, this is one: the Bible says that every man in order to be a
+Christian must have a change wrought in him called conversion, which to
+my mind is simply a change of opinion, with results which could be
+effected by other means. Socrates was made good by philosophy; and men
+of all opinions, even Mohammedan and Hindoo, have been made moral by the
+good in their systems. What we are to aim at is a perfect moral code
+free from superstition and spiritual tyranny."
+
+"You must, my good friend, judge of a system by its general influence,
+as well as by its effect upon the individual; and I suppose that you
+would not like society to go back from the Christian to the heathen
+state, because there may have been moral heathens; or to live under the
+government of Turk or Hindoo, because some individuals among them have
+practised virtue. Now it occurs to me that you may not be quite clear in
+your views of the Christian system which you reject. It consists not of
+moral principles, which are its results,--but of a new life,--the
+communication of Divine influences. Let me illustrate this by your
+occupation. It is your duty to connect the band of this engine with the
+various machines; and thus by an act of yours a mass of inert mechanism
+instantaneously becomes subject to complicated motion, and invested with
+great power. It is so with the inner world of man's spiritual being,
+which has its facts as well as the outer and material. The soul of man
+has wonderful powers and capabilities, even when inert, in a state of
+spiritual deadness, resembling the machinery around us, until the steam
+force is communicated to it. Man in a state of nature is dead and
+incapable of loving _God_, or otherwise exercising the powers of his
+higher being; but the ever blessed Creator, by an act of clemency,
+pardons sinners who believe in Jesus, and gives His Holy Spirit to them.
+These divinely influenced persons form the Church of Christ, and of them
+the sayings of this Book are true: 'And you hath He quickened who were
+dead in trespasses and sins.' 'Not by works of righteousness which we
+have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of
+regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.'"
+
+The man, who had listened with rapt attention, rose from his seat, and
+said with emotion, "I see it all, sir, as if scales had fallen from my
+eyes. I have had my machinery, philosophy, science, Bible, and all sorts
+of books, but I have never prayed, 'Give me Thy Holy Spirit.'"
+
+"Utter that prayer," said his instructor, "in the name of the
+well-beloved Son, and you shall be endued with power from on high; for
+He has said, 'I will give my Holy Spirit to them that ask Me.'"
+
+As the time for setting the machinery in motion had arrived, the visitor
+promised him a book on infidelity; and after shaking hands with the new
+acquaintance, made his way through the annex.
+
+Several other visits followed, and as the blessed result, the man
+believed on the Saviour, and gave evidence of having passed from death
+unto life. A clergyman who visited the place a few months after, wrote
+of him, "Among others I spoke to a man in charge of machinery; a frank,
+open-faced, and as I should think, open-hearted Englishman. 'I was,
+sir,' said he, 'an infidel, until a gentleman spoke to me here, and gave
+me a Gospel. He then reasoned with me, and lent me a book. I am now
+persuaded that the Bible is true, and I am trying to be a Christian.' I
+think he has the root of the matter in him."
+
+The readiness with which this man received the Gospel is exceptional.
+With sceptics of his class prejudice is usually so strong that to remove
+it is like working through a granite wall; and, after years of effort,
+the good frequently appears to be lost upon them. Such an incident is
+therefore a great encouragement to trust in the power of revealed truth.
+
+The reproving of sin is also a plain Christian duty, and yet how few
+nerve themselves to do it. Besides, persons who, for instance, are
+guilty of profane language, not only show their need of good counsel,
+but their very words give the judicious Christian a kind of introduction
+to them, which can be used to advantage. We will give two instances in
+illustration of this use of the Book.
+
+When travelling in Yorkshire, the visitor one morning lost his train at
+a junction, and had to remain in the waiting-room for some time. Three
+young men entered, who proved to be a barrister's and two solicitor's
+clerks. One of them in his disappointment at not being in time, as he
+had to attend a barrister at the assize, uttered an oath, and another
+took the Divine Name with worse than lightness upon his lips.
+
+"Be careful, gentlemen," observed the stranger, "or you will never
+discover the legal title."
+
+"What on earth do you mean?" inquired the swearer.
+
+"Just this: there are possessions of present value, and a heavenly
+inheritance covenanted and held direct from the king, but the profane
+and corrupt will never be able to prove their legal claim to them."
+
+"It was a slip of the tongue, sir, as I don't swear," said the young
+man, with some confusion.
+
+"Then be careful," was the reply, "not to contract a habit so vile."
+
+As they had to wait an hour, the reprover produced his pocket Bible, and
+to interest them in the truth, compared the Old Testament to a court of
+law--stern law, in which no sinner living can be justified; and the New
+Testament to a court of equity, in which the highest legal Authority in
+the universe has pronounced sinners, who believe on Jesus, "Justified
+from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of
+Moses." After this, he impressively read the words: "The Spirit itself
+beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God; and if
+children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." As the
+train approached the station, the young men thanked their reprover, and
+there was hearty hand-shaking.
+
+The second instance occurred under exceptional circumstances, for the
+conversation took place at the top of an omnibus. Late one fine summer
+evening a Christian man was seated at that pleasant elevation, when, as
+they passed a club in Pall Mall, a gentleman came out, ascended to the
+top, and lit his cigar. As they passed along, he made a most improper
+remark concerning some low people who were quarrelling at the corner of
+a street.
+
+"Your sympathies," observed the man addressed, "are evidently with those
+persons: as we say in chemistry, there is attraction, an affinity
+between you."--
+
+"Thanks for the high estimate you have formed of me," said the gentleman
+in an angry tone.
+
+"A very right way to estimate a stranger," was the reply, "as to judge a
+man out of his own mouth is a very proper judgment. There are only two
+orders of men--the natural or corrupt, and those who have been made
+pure in heart. Had you belonged to the latter, those bad people would
+have caused a revulsion of feeling within you; instead of that you spoke
+with sympathy, and I therefore as a moralist come to the conclusion that
+impurity attracts you instead of holiness."
+
+This remark was followed by a long silence, when the gentleman turned
+suddenly toward his reprover and inquired,--
+
+"Are you a religious man?"
+
+"Yes: I am."
+
+"Then your reproof of my thoughtless words was very proper; but to
+unchristianize a fellow for such a remark is really too bad."
+
+"I did not unchristianize you, but gave honestly the impression your
+words conveyed to my mind. And now by way of apology for the sharp
+manner in which I spoke, may I return your question: 'Are you a
+religious man?'"
+
+"Well, yes: I am certainly baptized, and am regular in attendance at
+church with my family; but after all I am not quite right, as there are
+mysteries in the faith which trouble me."
+
+"Are you a new creature in Christ Jesus?"
+
+"That doctrine has no doubt a depth of meaning and much beauty in it,
+but I can only see the beauty. With me it is not a reality, as the
+longer I live the more difficult it is for me to conceive of the
+_Almighty God_ and a vile creature, an unit among hundreds of millions,
+holding intercourse and affecting a transaction between them."
+
+"And yet such is the fact, established by the verities of the Truth
+Himself, who has said, 'Your heavenly Father will give His Holy Spirit
+to them that ask Him.'" And then pressing the arm of the gentleman, the
+speaker continued, "It is thus: just as matter can influence matter, so
+can spirit influence spirit. Your body feels the grasp of my hand, and
+it is as possible for your soul to be touched by the Holy Spirit of God
+and to be made conscious of that blessed influence."
+
+The conversation was continued, and deepened in interest until the
+omnibus came to the end of its journey in the suburb. The passengers
+alighted, and then the gentleman in a most graceful way said, "You have,
+sir, reproved me wisely, and made the truth, which for years has
+disturbed me, so plain, that duty to myself requires me to ask your
+friendship, certainly for the favour of another long conversation."
+
+"I am much occupied," was the reply, "but will gladly spare an hour or
+so to-morrow evening, should you be disengaged."
+
+"Then I will give you my card, and will remain at home to receive you. I
+have only to ask you as a point of honour not to mention my foolish
+remark."
+
+The promise was given, and the gentleman handed his card to the
+religious teacher, who was startled at the rank of the man to whom he
+had spoken so faithfully; but addressing him by his title, he
+endeavoured to fix the Scripture in his mind: "If any man be in Christ
+he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things
+have become new."
+
+Upon the next evening the promised visit was paid, and the stranger was
+introduced by his new friend to the family circle. For a time his lady
+was reserved (as well she might be), but after an hour's converse about
+"things spiritual," she became genial and kind. Before he left, the
+servants were called in, and the Missionary read and gave a short
+exposition of the chapter commencing with the words: "And you hath He
+quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins;" after which he engaged
+in extempore prayer.
+
+This was the first of many pleasant visits, and the commencement of a
+friendship with the family which had its proof of blessing,--certainly
+with its head, who received the doctrine of regeneration in its fulness.
+When a believer is impressed with the duty of witnessing for God,
+opportunities for doing so are sure to occur, and if he keeps simply to
+the Bible, good will of necessity result. He may speak with conscious
+feebleness, but his infirmity has nothing to do with the matter. The
+secret of success in Christian work is humility before God and meekness
+of wisdom before men, united with firm faith in the truth and power of
+the Divine Word. That Word can be spoken by, but can gain no improvement
+or strength from man. All experience gives proof of this, and we add two
+narratives, in confirmation of others, which show that the lodgment of
+passages from the Holy Scriptures is sufficient to accomplish the
+purposes of grace.
+
+A Christian man was in the studio of a celebrated sculptor, fixing upon
+designs for the first drinking-fountains erected in London. When the
+order was given for cutting passages of Scripture in the solid granite,
+the sculptor objected, upon the ground of "leading the vulgar to despise
+the Scriptures, by making its words common." The point was reasoned with
+him, and the position taken, "that any word of God may lead the thoughts
+of men up to Him, and that the honouring of His truth must therefore be
+attended with beneficial results." The order was carried out, and for
+years the drinking-fountains of London have at the same time refreshed
+the people with pure water, and instructed them in words of heavenly
+wisdom. Upon one of them, in the Edgeware Road, is the Proverb, "The
+fear of the Lord is a fountain of life." One evening two young men
+passed it. The eldest was a barman, and the other was his youngest
+brother, who had just come up from the country. They had planned the
+robbery of the master in this way: the youth was to enter the bar as a
+stranger, to call for liquor, and to hand his brother sixpence; change
+for a sovereign or half-sovereign, according to the money in the till,
+was then to be handed back to him. This was to be repeated several times
+during the evening, and next day they were to meet and divide the spoil.
+As they passed the fountain the eye of the youth caught the inscription,
+"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life," and he gazed at it with
+riveted attention. The teaching received at Sunday-school and a
+succession of corresponding Scriptures flashed into his mind. Turning to
+his brother, he said, "God will see us, and I dare not do this
+thieving." Next Sunday he attended a meeting of "The Young Men's
+Christian Association," and soon after became a decided Christian. Who
+can tell how many have been thus blessed by Wisdom making her voice
+heard in the public ways!
+
+The other instance was that of an opportunity being embraced of speaking
+faithfully to eighteen highly intelligent young men. They had assembled
+in a classroom at the Royal Polytechnic, to receive instruction from a
+professor in chemistry. A Christian man had occasion to enter the room,
+and upon being informed that several of the young men were telegraph
+clerks, he reminded them that the word "religion" in Latin really meant
+"binding again,--the re-uniting of a broken communication;" and added,
+"This is the condition of us all in our natural estate. Communication is
+cut off between the sinner and the _Almighty Creator_. Faith in the Lord
+Jesus and the reception of the Holy Spirit are the only means by which
+communication can be re-established between the creature on earth and
+the offended Majesty of heaven; as it is written, 'Ye who sometimes were
+far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.'"
+
+More than a year after this circumstance a young man lay upon his
+death-bed. A rapid consumption had reduced him to a shadow, and when he
+felt the end drawing nigh, he sent for the Christian visitor, to thank
+him for speaking so clearly of Jesus in the hall of many sciences. He
+was at that time "far off," but by faith in the risen Lord he had
+obtained mercy, and a blessed hope of everlasting life. He spoke of "the
+comfort of prayer," and "his sweet anticipation of glory," as proofs
+that communication had been established between him and the Father of
+his spirit. Soon after this he fell asleep in Jesus. In him the great
+object of the Church in all her labours was accomplished. Being
+ignorant, he was instructed in saving truth. Being separated from his
+_God_, he was drawn by the cords of Divine love; and then, being assured
+of resurrection life in Jesus, he laid down his mortal body that he
+might follow with the ransomed of the Lord, who enter Zion with songs,
+and everlasting joy upon their heads.
+
+This great good resulted from one Scripture being fixed in the mind of
+that young man, "But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off
+are made nigh by the blood of Christ." To every Christian the Word is
+committed, and it is the duty of all to use it for the spiritual
+enlightenment of others. All whose communication with heaven has not
+been re-established, must be instructed in the saving truths of Holy
+Scripture. Opportunities to instruct the intellectual and the higher
+social classes in the grand but simple truths of salvation must not be
+lost; but to the poor the Gospel must be preached. They were and ever
+will be the objects of the deep solicitude of our Lord. He in a special
+manner was their Teacher: for them as for others He lived and agonized
+and died. They must not be permitted, as in our great cities, to
+continue in ignorance and sin, and with multitudes to die the death that
+is eternal. The Church universal must answer, "No!" She must gird on her
+strength, and convey the Book of God, which sheds the light of His
+salvation, into every dark dwelling,--that redemption's work may spread,
+and the people learn righteousness, to their salvation and to the praise
+of the glory of Divine grace.
+
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+
+CAN YOU INFLUENCE THE WORLD FOR CHRIST?
+
+To a large extent it is believed that you can! God in His providence _has
+brought within your_ reach representatives of the various nations of the
+Globe; and has placed them in the best possible position to influence the
+whole earth; so that _if you act upon them, you act upon the world_!
+
+But where is this great gathering of the representatives of the nations
+to be found? Our minds at once advert to London, the Metropolis of the
+United Kingdom and of the whole earth!--the Modern Babylon!--a city
+which now contains nearly four millions of inhabitants!
+
+Are you a Scotchman? There are about as many Scotch people and their
+descendants in London, as there are in Edinburgh? Are you an Irishman?
+There are more Irish and their descendants in London, than there are in
+Dublin! Are you a Welshman? The Welsh and their descendants living in
+London about equal the united populations of six of the principal Welsh
+towns? Or are you an Englishman? The population of six, eight, or ten
+towns in some of the English counties, represent the number of persons
+_born in those counties_, who now live in the great city! You may thus
+act upon almost every city, town, and village in the United Kingdom by
+means of their own representatives now living in London.
+
+And if you should specially pity the poor Jew, because he rejects the
+great Messiah;--then you should remember that there are more Jews in
+London than there are in Palestine! If, again, you regard Popery as the
+great Antichrist; you are reminded that there are more Roman Catholics
+in London than there are in Rome! Its 2,000 ITALIANS can here be
+prepared to carry home to their countrymen the glad tidings of a
+completed salvation! Are German Neology and French Infidelity the foes
+to the Redeemer which you would oppose? It is affirmed that above 60,000
+GERMANS, or their descendants, and about 40,000 FRENCH and their
+children, are now to be found in London! The mighty Russian Empire, with
+its Sclavonian races, sunk in ignorance, or in the corruptions of the
+Greek Church, is numerously represented in London! Some 6,000
+MOHAMMEDANS AND EAST INDIAN idolaters are also found yearly in London!
+and _there_, with perfect safety, can be taught that there is one God,
+and one atoning sacrifice. _There_ also are found vast numbers of Danes,
+Dutch, Swedes, Swiss, Spaniards, Portuguese, Greeks, Turks, Africans,
+Arabians, Persians, Chinese, Brazilians, Americans, American Indians,
+West-Indian, and South Sea Islanders, and probably from every other
+nation under heaven! These are brought together by Divine Providence, no
+doubt, that they may be instructed in the wonderful works of God. THESE
+REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH ARE BROUGHT WITHIN YOUR
+REACH; AND THROUGH THEM, BY THE AID OF THE LONDON CITY MISSION, YOU CAN
+INFLUENCE THE WORLD FOR CHRIST. Alas, that these representative bodies
+should have entered a city in which a million and three-quarters of its
+people cannot find room to worship God in its Protestant Churches and
+Chapels!--a city in which myriads of its inhabitants are addicted to
+crime.
+
+THE LONDON CITY MISSION enables Christians to act on individuals of
+every class and nation resident in this most important spot of the
+earth, this _diseased_ HEART _of the body politic of the world_. The
+simple object of the Society is to take the Gospel to every house,
+garret, and cellar, and to beseech men to be reconciled to God. It knows
+nothing of sects nor parties, nor does it seek to proselytize in any
+other way than to make the wicked holy, and the worthless valuable
+members of society. Its Missionaries, 450 in number, communicate the
+Gospel in twenty-three languages, each to about 2,000 persons. But if
+each Missionary employed continues to have about 2,000 persons to visit,
+AT LEAST 400 MORE MISSIONARIES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE MONSTER CITY. Who
+then is willing to endeavour--by personal consecration, or by helping an
+agency that is ready at hand, fitted for the work, and blessed in the
+doing of it--to _influence the world for Christ_?
+
+
+
+
+COMMITTEE OF THE LONDON CITY MISSION.
+
+Treasurer.--Joseph Hoare, Esq.
+
+Secretaries.
+
+Rev. Josiah Miller, M.A.
+Rev. J. P. A. Fletcher, M.A.
+
+Auditors.
+
+J. Herbert Tritton, Esq.
+E. Brodie Hoare, Esq.
+
+Arbuthnot, Geo., Esq.
+Ashton, Charles, Esq.
+Barclay, J. Gurney, Esq.
+Bevan, R. C. L., Esq.
+Bevan, Francis A., Esq.
+Boulnois, W. A., Esq.
+Buxton, J. H., Esq.
+Charles, Robert, Esq.
+Clarke, Frederick, Esq.
+Coles, William, Esq.
+Denny, T. A., Esq.
+Ellice, William, Esq.
+Fox, Chas. Douglas, Esq.
+Garwood, Rev. J., M.A., _Hon. Member._
+Hanbury, George, Esq.
+Kinnaird, Lord.
+Lycett, Sir Francis.
+M'Arthur, W., Esq., M.P.
+Marten, C. H., Esq.
+Maynard, H., Esq.
+Morris, H., Esq.
+Noel, Hon. Henry.
+Paton, R., Esq.
+Pocock, T., Esq.
+Robarts, Henry, Esq.
+Sheppard, John Geo., Esq.
+Sheppard, S. G., Esq.
+Smith, Basil Woodd, Esq.
+Spicer, Edward, Esq.
+Tritton, C. Ernest, Esq.
+Trotter, Stuart, Esq.
+Watson, J. G., Esq.
+Williams, George, Esq.
+Wood, F. J., Esq., LL.D.
+
+Examiners of Missionaries.
+
+Rev. H. Allon, D.D.
+Rev. W. B. Carpenter, M.A.
+Rev. Burman Cassin, M.A.
+Rev. J. P. Chown.
+Rev. J. H. Clay, M.A.
+Rev. Flavel Cook, B.A.
+Rev. Frederick Cox, M.A.
+Rev. John Edmond, D.D.
+Rev. A. T. Edwards, M.A.
+Rev. H. E. Fox, M.A.
+Rev. B. Gregory.
+Rev. J. G. Gregory, M.A.
+Rev. D. B. Hankin.
+Rev. J. C. Harrison.
+Rev. S. Hebditch.
+Rev. W. G. Lewis.
+Rev. Peter Lorimer, D.D.
+Rev. A. Macmillan, B.A.
+Rev. John Matheson, M.A.
+Rev. Thomas Nolan, D.D.
+Rev. G. W. Olver.
+Rev. Aubrey C. Price, M.A.
+Rev. Robert Redpath, M.A.
+Rev. Henry Sharpe.
+Rev. Gervase Smith, M.A.
+Rev. G. W. Weldon, M.A.
+
+Country Secretary for the South--Rev. W. Lionel Green.
+
+Country Secretary for the North--Mr. Francis Palin, 15, Chichester
+Street, Chester.
+
+District Secretary--_West (portion of) and North London._--Mr. Charles
+M. Sawell.
+
+District Secretary--_West (portion of) and East London._--Mr. J. M.
+Weylland.
+
+District Secretary--_South London._--Mr. Hugh Pearson.
+
+Accountant--Mr. Thomas R. Marrison.
+
+General Superintendents of Missionaries.
+
+Captain H. J. R. Lowe.
+J. Rennie, Esq.
+Captain Charleton.
+Captain Thom.
+
+
+
+
+CONSTITUTION.
+
+
+I. The name--"The London City Mission."
+
+II. The object of this Institution is to extend the knowledge of the
+Gospel among the inhabitants of London and its vicinity (especially the
+poor) without any reference to denominational distinctions, or the
+peculiarities of Church Government.
+
+III. To effect this object, Missionaries of approved character and
+qualifications, who shall give themselves entirely to the work, shall be
+employed and paid by the Institution. Their duty shall be to visit from
+house to house in the respective Districts that shall be assigned to
+them, read the Scriptures, engage in religious conversation, and urge
+those who are living in the neglect of religion to observe the Sabbath
+and to attend public worship. They shall also see that all persons
+possess the Scriptures, shall distribute approved religious tracts, and
+aid in obtaining Scriptural education for the children of the poor. By
+the approval of the Committee, they shall hold meetings for reading and
+expounding the Scriptures and prayer, and shall adopt such other means
+as the Committee may think necessary for the accomplishment of the
+Mission.
+
+IV. As the object of the Mission is to extend the knowledge of the
+Gospel, it is a fundamental law that the following doctrines be
+prominently taught by the Agents and publications of the Mission. They
+are given, "not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
+Holy Ghost teacheth."[3] "All have sinned and come short of the glory of
+God."[4] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
+the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."[5]
+"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."[6] "The
+blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth from all sin."[7] "Being
+justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
+Christ."[8] "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none
+other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."[9]
+"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."[10] "Ye are sanctified--by
+the Spirit of our God."[11]
+
+[3] I Cor. ii. 13.
+
+[4] Rom. iii. 23.
+
+[5] John i. 1, 14.
+
+[6] John iii. 3.
+
+[7] I John i. 7.
+
+[8] Rom. v. 1.
+
+[9] Acts v. 12.
+
+[10] Heb. xii. 14.
+
+[11] I Cor. vi. 11.
+
+V. The general business of the London City Mission shall be conducted by
+a Committee consisting of an equal number of members of the Established
+Church and of Dissenters; and the Examiners of Missionaries shall
+consist of an equal number of Clergymen and Dissenting Ministers, all of
+whom, with the Treasurers, Secretaries, and Auditors, shall be members
+of the Committee, _ex officio_.
+
+VI. Persons subscribing one guinea annually; every donor of L10; an
+executor on the payment of a legacy of L50 and upwards; and Clergymen of
+the Established Church, and Dissenting Ministers, as representatives of
+their congregations, who subscribe or collect for the Mission the sum of
+L5 annually, shall be members of the Institution.
+
+VII. A General Meeting shall be held annually in May (and oftener if
+necessary) to appoint the office-bearers, and receive a Report of the
+proceedings of the Mission and of the state of the funds. All matters
+proposed shall be determined by the majority of the Members present. The
+Meeting shall be opened and concluded by prayer, and the President for
+the day shall sign the Minutes of the proceedings. In connection with
+the Annual Meeting, one Sermon, or more, shall be preached, of which due
+notice shall be given.
+
+VIII. The funds of the Mission, arising from donations, legacies,
+subscriptions, collections, etc., shall be expended, under the direction
+of the Committee, upon the salaries of Missionaries, the purchase of
+tracts, and in meeting all necessary charges in conducting the business
+of the Mission.
+
+IX. That no alteration be made in this Constitution, except at an Annual
+Meeting, or General Meeting, specially convened by the Committee, upon a
+requisition stating the nature of the alteration, signed by fifty of the
+members, and to be held within twenty-one days of the receipt of such
+requisition.
+
+We give the following extract of speeches delivered at the last, or
+Forty-third Annual Meeting of the London City Mission, which was held in
+Exeter Hall, on Thursday, May 2nd, 1878; Lord KINNAIRD in the Chair.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The large assembly having sung three verses of the hymn,
+
+  "All hail the great Immanuel's name,"
+
+the Rev. JOSIAH MILLER read a portion of Scripture and offered prayer,
+after which--
+
+The Meeting was addressed by the CHAIRMAN as follows:--
+
+I have been asked to preside on this special occasion from the fact that
+I believe I am one of the oldest members on service on this Committee.
+For upwards of forty years I have been permitted to join in this great
+and important work, and I can only say that each year, as it rolled on,
+I felt more and more thankful that this work was flourishing and
+advancing. When it began its work in London, the principles on which it
+was founded were not so generally recognised as they are now. I well
+remember, for instance, when we had to contend for the very principle of
+lay agency in quarters where now it would be frankly recognised. Three
+principles seem to underlie all our work. First, that evangelical truth
+has the only claim for recognition as being in full accordance with the
+Word of God, and as being fitted to persuade men to be reconciled to
+God. Secondly, that the duty of proclaiming it does not exclusively rest
+on ordained ministers, but that all men share the obligation, which
+flows from the Divine command to go into all the world and preach the
+Gospel to every creature, and also to go into the lanes and hedges and
+invite men to the Gospel feast. And thirdly, that the members of the one
+Church of Christ, though connected with various denominations, should
+combine in the work of evangelization, thus manifesting in some degree
+the unity for which the Saviour prayed, and proving to men that the
+points on which they agree are of far more deep and lasting importance
+than those on which they differ. The steady growth of our London
+population, which, when Mr. Hoare and myself began, was about a million
+and a half, but which is now rapidly approaching four millions, makes
+the need of this Society, in some respects, even greater than it was
+when it first started. We may be very thankful that so much has been
+accomplished through its instrumentality, and very thankful, too, that
+other kindred Societies have sprung into existence following in our
+steps. But I would impress upon you that there must be no relaxation of
+effort on our part. Perhaps no claim could be stronger than that
+connected with the evangelization of special classes, which is the
+peculiar feature of this Society. It has been my privilege at different
+times to superintend many missionaries, and especially those to
+foreigners. That work is continuing, and we may thank God for it. What
+should we now do without the City missionary? In any moment of
+perplexity, when new difficulties arise, one generally has to seek the
+aid of an experienced missionary to help in starting a movement for the
+relief of some evident spiritual want. My own experience is, that it has
+pleased God in a marvellous way to use this Society for the advancement
+of His kingdom. We must not, however, try to monopolize. There are
+Scripture readers, and, above all, there is that wonderful
+instrumentality of the Bible-woman and the Bible-nurse. The idea of
+these has been taken from us. We were the pioneers in the work. God has
+blessed it, and it is apparently prospering. There are fields of labour
+amongst our increasing population, which, but for such an agency as
+this, would make us tremble for our great City. I had hoped to have seen
+here our excellent friend Mr. Garwood, whose labours have been perfectly
+indefatigable. But though he is absent in body he is with us in spirit.
+It has been very refreshing during the past year to see him constantly
+attending our Committees, as earnest and warm a friend to the work as
+ever he was in his younger days. Long may he be spared to us, to give us
+the benefit of his sage counsels. I have now to call upon the Secretary
+to read the Report. It is one full of deep interest, and I trust that
+you will give it your earnest attention.
+
+The Rev. J. P. A. FLETCHER then read an abstract of the Report of the
+Society for the past year.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Bishop of SODOR and MAN:--My Lord, I have to move the first
+Resolution:--
+
+"That the Report, an abstract of which has now been read, be adopted,
+printed, and circulated, under the direction of the Committee."
+
+I should have been very much wanting in gratitude if I had failed to
+respond at once to the kind invitation that was sent to me, asking me to
+take part in the proceedings of to-day; for I shall always look back
+with pleasure to my connection with the City Mission when I was a
+working clergyman in London. Only this morning, as I was coming to this
+meeting, I met a gentleman who said to me, "Where are you off to? Which
+of the meetings are you going to attend?" I said, "I am going to the
+anniversary of the City Mission." "Oh," said he, "but that is not a
+Church of England Society." "No," I said, "but it is an old friend of
+mine; it is an unsectarian Society." When I was a clergyman working in
+London, the City Mission gave me support in two parishes; and now I am
+made a Bishop, I am not going to refuse to give my support to the City
+Mission. The truth is, there is room enough in this vast city of London
+for all the Societies that are working for the spread of God's truth. We
+could afford to have twice as many Societies; and if all the City
+missionaries, and Scripture readers, and Bible-women, and district
+visitors, were quadrupled in number, there would be room enough for all,
+and we should want more. But the benefit of such Societies is not only
+to be found in their evangelistic work--that they carry the Gospel of
+the grace of God to the masses--but I take it that it is to be found
+above all in the fact that they unite Christian people together for the
+Lord's work. This is what we especially want in the present day. The
+enemy is carrying on his work with the greatest activity. The Lord's
+people must be united, and I rejoice in the working of such Societies as
+this, because they bring Christian people together, and unite them in
+the grand common object of the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. It
+is now some years ago since I first entered upon the work of my first
+parish in London. I received a district of 10,000 people in the parish
+of Marylebone, cut off from St. Mary's, Bryanston Square. There were no
+rich people in the district, and I had to set about the work with many
+difficulties to contend with. I had the help of a Scripture reader, a
+Pastoral-aid worker, and three Bible-women, but still that was not
+sufficient. As we went on with the work we found a City missionary
+working in one corner of the district, and we found that he got hold of
+the people that we were getting hold of. I felt, "This will never do,
+because we are treading upon each other's heels." So I went to the
+Committee of the Society and represented the case to them. I said, "We
+have got a common object in view; we only want to take the Gospel to the
+masses. I am unfortunately in this position: that I cannot go beyond my
+bounds. I am tied by the parochial system (a very good system, too).
+Now, I will undertake the superintendence of the missionary if you will
+kindly let me do so." The Committee at once said they would, and from
+that time I began to work heartily in connection with the City Mission.
+But this was not the end of my connection. I was asked to undertake what
+I believe to be a most important part in the work of the Society; I was
+asked to become one of the examiners of the City missionaries. I say
+this is perhaps the most important part of the whole work, for our
+success very much depends upon the men whom we select to carry on the
+work. There is a tendency in the present day for men to take up this
+kind of work when everything else fails. Well, that will never do. We
+must not have this work undertaken simply as a profession. We want men
+constrained by the love of Christ; we want men with an accurate
+knowledge of the Word of God to go and deal with the masses of the
+people; and if we have not this class of men as our City missionaries,
+the work will fail sooner or later. We may have five hundred City
+missionaries, but unless they are men of God, unless they know the Word
+of God, they will never carry out the work of God. I look back,
+therefore, with the greatest pleasure upon my connection with this
+Society. I dare say there are some missionaries now before me who have
+passed through my hands. I hope they did not find me very severe; but if
+they did, I can tell them that I was only severe in my examination of
+them because I was anxious about the good of the Society. The question
+before us this morning, as it seems to me, is, How can we stir one
+another up to take greater interest in the work? I believe there are
+three things which are necessary. We need first of all a deep sense of
+our responsibility in the sight of God; we need secondly a keen sense of
+sin in God's sight; and, last of all, we need a lively sense of God's
+presence and power with us. I believe these three things are necessary,
+and I am substantiated in that conviction by a reference to three of the
+greatest City Missions that we find mentioned in the Word of God. We
+have a grand work before us in connection with London, the largest city
+in the world that was ever seen, but I do not think that we must run
+away with the idea that London is worse than other places; the only
+thing is, that we have so much evil brought together, with its seven or
+eight thousand streets, and its nearly four millions of population. It
+is a tremendous place, but after all I do not think upon London as worse
+than other places. It is, so to speak, the heart of the world. The blood
+flows from London throughout the world, and therefore, if we are to deal
+with the world outside, we must deal with the heart. We must bring the
+Gospel to bear upon the masses of London, and then we shall do a mighty
+work for the world. There are three grand essentials that we need in
+carrying out the work, and I would substantiate this by a short
+reference to three of the greatest City Missions that we read of in the
+Word of God. I said, in the first place, that we need a true sense of
+our responsibility in the sight of God. The portion of Scripture which
+has been read to us reminds us of Nineveh and the Mission to that city.
+It was a vast city, somewhat on the scale of London, but its wickedness
+had gone up to heaven. God commanded His prophet Jonah to go and call it
+to repentance, but he went on board ship and tried to flee from the
+presence of God. He went down into the cabin and fell asleep. It was not
+till a storm sent by God aroused him--it was not till the captain put
+his hand upon his shoulder, and said, "What meanest thou, O sleeper?
+Arise, call upon thy God," that he was awakened to a sense of his
+responsibility. I believe there are many just in the condition of Jonah,
+and it is not till the world makes an appeal to them that they are
+aroused. For you will notice that it was not a man of God who awakened
+Jonah to a sense of his responsibility, but it was a man of the world,
+the captain of the ship, a heathen. Dear friends, the world wants us to
+speak to it. There are people around us who want us to take the Gospel
+to them. They know what our privileges and blessings are. But how is it
+with many? They just flee from the presence of God; they go down into
+the sides of the ship and fall asleep. We need, then, first of all, in
+our Mission to this great City, a true sense of our responsibility and
+duty in the sight of God. But let me remind you of another city of quite
+a different character, blessed with every privilege of a religious
+kind--the city of Jerusalem. Though that city had every blessing which
+God could shower on it, the people rejected God in all His love, and
+grace, and kindness. Their wickedness may have been of a different kind,
+but it was as great in the sight of God as that of Nineveh. The Lord
+Jesus Christ Himself came as the great Missionary to that city--the city
+of His love. He beheld the city and wept over it; its sins, its
+wickedness, its rejection of God's love, drew tears from His eyes, and
+He said, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the
+things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine
+eyes." And as I think of that, I learn the second grand essential for us
+of a keen sense of sin. Oh! if you realize more and more the wickedness
+of this great City, you would be more and more constrained to work, so
+as to let others know of that Saviour who has proved so precious to you.
+Lastly, let me refer you to another Mission--the Mission to the city of
+Corinth. It was the centre of the commercial world; through it flowed
+all the wealth from the East and the West; and as it was famous for its
+wealth, so it was notorious for its vice. We are told of the Apostle
+Paul visiting that city for the first time, and being discouraged; but
+we are told that the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision and said, "Fear
+not, Paul; be not afraid; I am with thee. I have much people in this
+city." So he was encouraged in his work. He went forward in the cause of
+the Lord with his hands strengthened with the blessed assurance that the
+Lord was with him. Let me, in conclusion, remind you what a glorious
+work is performed in this Society. If we are only true to God, God will
+be true to us. His promise is sure. His people shall be gathered out. As
+we look at the various discouragements, difficulties, and trials with
+which we have to contend, we can go forward with hope and firm
+assurance, remembering that blessed promise, that He has prepared for us
+a city.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Rev. Dr. MANNING (Secretary of the Religious Tract Society):--Ten
+minutes ago my name stood last upon the list of speakers. That, of
+course, meant that I was not to speak at all; that was the clear and
+obvious inference from the place in which I was put, and it is only fair
+to say that I was put in that position at my own urgent request, not
+having time to prepare anything to say to you to-day. In the absence of
+Mr. Waddy, I venture, very unexpectedly, to stand in the gap to second
+the Resolution so ably moved by the Bishop of Sodor and Man. The other
+day I was reading the memoirs of the late eminent aural surgeon, and
+scarcely less eminent a metaphysician, the late James Hinton, who, on
+one occasion, found himself in one of the very vilest haunts of London,
+surrounded by the most abandoned and depraved of this great city. He
+spoke to them of Jesus of Nazareth, and told them how, through Him, they
+might reascend to virtue and hopefulness; and then, his eyes brimming
+with tears, he turned to a gentleman who was accompanying him, and said,
+"If the Lord Jesus were back again upon earth where would He be? He
+would be here." And then with emotion, he turned away. So, when I think
+of the work of the City Mission, when I remember that I have before me
+some four hundred or four hundred and fifty agents of this Society, who
+are descending into the very depths of misery and vice, carrying with
+them the tidings of the great salvation, I cannot but think, in the
+words of James Hinton, if the Lord were here upon earth, He would be at
+the very work to which you, my friends, have been called, and in which
+this great Society is commissioning and sustaining you. Therefore, with
+very deep sympathy, I bid you God-speed, and rejoice with you in that
+very affecting and even eloquent (not so much in words as in facts)
+Report to which we have just listened. During the meetings of this week,
+and of this month, I wonder how often our Lord's great commission will
+have been quoted, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every
+creature." However often it may be quoted, it cannot be quoted too
+often; and yet in this meeting especially, one cannot but remember that
+there is a certain limitation imposed upon the disciples--"beginning at
+Jerusalem." Why? It seems to me that almost every ground and reason
+which prompted that limitation to begin at Jerusalem, may by fair
+application and analogy, be brought to bear upon the work in which you
+are engaged. Throwing out of account the special position of the Jewish
+people, which, of course, entered into our Lord's consideration, what is
+the meaning of that limitation as applied to us? I think, first of all,
+it may teach us the duty of beginning the work which lies next to hand.
+They were at Jerusalem, and they, therefore, began where they
+were--began at once, and on the spot where the Master placed and found
+them. There is a proverb often misquoted and mis-applied, to which,
+however, I do attach extreme importance, that "Charity begins at home."
+I would not give much for the charity which does not begin at home, as I
+would not give much for the charity which ends there. The charity which
+is good for anything, and which the Gospel inspires, and which the
+Master teaches, is the charity that begins at our own door, and with the
+work which lies next to hand. In this great mission work for the world
+there is very much of romance;
+
+  "Its distance lends enchantment to the view,
+  And gilds the mountain with its azure hue."
+
+And thank God for all that romance which prompts the imagination to
+enlist itself on the side of conscience. In this work of ours, however,
+there is little of romance; there is shown hard, terrible reality, vice
+in all its gaunt, hideous, and repulsive forms, which has to be grappled
+with; but, thank God, there are faithful men who will begin at London,
+this million-peopled city, with all its manifold share of vice, as the
+disciples began at Jerusalem. Then there is another point to which the
+Lord Bishop, who has just sat down, has adverted--that Jerusalem was the
+great centre of world-wide activity. "Parthians and Medes, and Elamites,
+and the dwellers in Mesopotamia"--every nation on earth was there
+represented; for at that time the Jew, as to-day, was the world's
+banker, carrying on the commerce of the world, and found in every city
+of the world. Is not that the position of London to-day? When the great
+Jew banker, Rothschild, some years ago was under examination by a
+Committee of the House of Commons, he was asked what was the influence
+upon the exchanges of the world of an alteration in the rate of discount
+in London, and he rose almost to a strain of poetry in his reply.
+"Gentlemen," he said, "London is the heart of the world, and every pulse
+and throb of the London market is felt in every part of the world." Why,
+my Lord, wherever commerce is spread, the power of England is felt;
+wherever trade is carried on, the sails of our ships whiten every sea,
+and the agents and missionaries of commerce are found dauntless and
+fearless in the pursuit of gain. Oh! what would the world soon be if
+this great London of ours were converted to God, if from this great
+centre of civilization and commerce there should go forth, not only men
+seeking earthly gain, but men who would carry with them, in the
+transactions of their lawful business, the love of Christ in their
+hearts, and the message of salvation upon their lips! From this London
+of ours an influence would spread over the whole world, and tens of
+thousands of volunteer and unpaid missionaries would go forth, without
+fee or reward, to carry the glad tidings of salvation. Then our Lord in
+His ministry always appealed to kinship. Andrew findeth his own brother
+Simon, and then they go and find their friend and fellow-townsman,
+Nathaniel, and to each one the glad tidings are communicated, "We have
+found the Christ." "Go, call thy husband, and come hither." This sense
+of family relationship, friendship, and personal attachment is used to
+spread the Gospel. And we, too, are to remember that our kinsmen and
+brethren are, first of all, to receive from us the glad tidings of great
+joy--the heathen not forgotten, but the heathen at our own doors, bound
+to us by ties of brotherhood, are to have the first message of the
+Gospel. Then there is patriotism. How proud the Hebrew has ever been of
+his ancestor! With what pride the Apostle again and again boasts that he
+is "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin!" You look back
+upon that long line of heroes, of whom the world was not worthy. My Lord
+Kinnaird, we have a history behind us only second in nobleness to that
+of the Jew. We are born of earth's best blood, and have titles manifold.
+Admitting all the crimes of which our nation has been guilty, I yet
+thank God--and in that sentiment I but utter the feelings of every
+British heart--that I am born a Briton. Therefore it behoves us, as
+Britons, to spread far and wide throughout our beloved and honoured land
+that which can carry on its liberties and its prosperity to a yet higher
+height. Not very long ago I was standing before one of those meetings in
+the Faubourg St. Antoine, organized by that wonderful man, Robert McAll,
+who is carrying on that marvellous City Mission in Paris. I stood there
+amidst a crowd of gaunt, hollow-eyed Communists and Red Republicans,
+with their long dishevelled hair, and white, haggard faces, and I said
+to them, "I come simply to tell you what it is that has made England
+free and prosperous and happy. Our hearts have bled for you in the
+calamities which you in these recent years have endured. What can lift
+you up from this abyss of ruin into which you have fallen? What is it
+that can make you partakers with us of those national privileges which
+we enjoy? It is the Gospel, and nothing but the Gospel. Let London and
+Paris be found side by side falling at the feet of Jesus, and these two
+great master cities of the world will yet win the world for Christ!"
+Then there is just one further consideration to which reference has
+already been made why the Gospel was to begin at Jerusalem: it was the
+city of profoundest guilt and deepest need. At the point where the Lord
+Bishop left off in his touching allusion to Jerusalem, they were already
+plotting and conspiring not only to reject but to crucify the Lord of
+Life; and the agonies of His dying cries had scarcely ceased from the
+hills of Jerusalem, and His blood was scarcely dry upon the stones when
+He prayed upon the cross, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they
+do;" and said to His disciples, "Go to these, my murderers, these men by
+whose wicked hands I have been crucified and slain, and as they are
+deepest in guilt and extremest in need, to them let the first offer of
+salvation come." And may not this, in some respects, be applied to
+London, too? Men may speculate as they will as to the future condition
+of the heathen world, and of those who have never heard of Christ, those
+who have been born in the deep, dense, awful darkness of heathenism, a
+darkness which might be felt, which like the pall of death hangs over
+those degraded nations; they may speculate as they will as to the future
+condition of those to whom the Gospel has never come, but what must be
+the terrible, appalling guilt of the millions of London who are living
+within the sound of the Gospel, and side by side with Christian
+influences and agencies, but who yet remain as utterly dead and as
+absolutely heathen as the very idolaters of Central Africa! As to their
+guilt and ruin there can be no doubt. We, therefore, who hold in our
+hands the glad tidings of salvation, are bound first of all to offer
+them to these first in guilt that they may be first in hearing the news
+of the Saviour. I have looked through the list which summarizes the
+action and agency of the Mission, and I see that nearly three millions
+of visits have been paid to homes darkened by misery, ignorance, and
+vice. Your missionaries have gone, for what purpose?--to dispel the
+cloud, and to bring peace instead of discord, joy instead of sorrow. How
+many visitors have gone to those homes on a different errand? Last night
+a gentleman, speaking in this hall, told an anecdote rather droll in its
+aspect, but which may yet illustrate the difference between the visits
+of the missionaries and those of many others who go to them. A dead body
+had been cast upon the sands, and at the coroner's inquest the persons
+who found it were asked, "Did you do anything to resuscitate the
+corpse?" They could not understand the question, and the Coroner
+repeated it: "Did you do anything to resuscitate the corpse?" "Yes,"
+said the men; "We searched his pockets." Now, that does seem to me to
+express, in a quaint and droll way, the purpose for which many go into
+the homes and haunts of poverty and vice. Our friends, however, go to
+teach them, first of all, how to turn a penny into a pound by
+temperance, virtue, and religion; and then to give them the yet deeper
+blessings of salvation. I cannot sit down without one word of personal
+testimony to the work of this Society. I am one of the Secretaries of
+the Religious Tract Society. It has been our happiness and privilege to
+assist, year by year and increasingly, with large grants of tracts and
+publications, the work of this Mission, and its results. I am bound to
+say that amongst the most efficient coadjutors of the Religious Tract
+Society is this City Mission. There is no quarter in which our tracts
+are circulated with more entire confidence and satisfaction to
+ourselves, and with a firmer assurance that they will be well and wisely
+used, and productive of the best results. I feel, therefore, that while
+thanks have been from time to time rendered to the Tract Society for the
+help which we have rendered you, we should render you most hearty thanks
+for the help which you have given to us; and in the name of our Lord and
+Master we bid you God-speed.
+
+The Resolution was unanimously adopted.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
+
+ROUND THE TOWER;
+
+OR,
+
+THE STORY OF THE LONDON CITY MISSION.
+
+With an Introduction by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury, K.G. New
+Edition. Twelfth Thousand. Superior Edition, 3_s._ 6_d._; Cheap Edition,
+1_s._ 6_d._ 16 Illustrations.
+
+[Illustration: Byword Tower]
+
+     "This story is well told, and is of the deepest interest. Not a
+     page will be regarded as dull or dry."--_Record._
+
+     "This book should be read by all who labour among the masses. It is
+     a story of trials and triumphs."--_Word and Work._
+
+     "Lord Shaftesbury has written a good introduction to a graphic
+     story."--_The Christian._
+
+     "Every chapter will be read with satisfaction."--_Rock._
+
+     "In this volume the writer displays a thorough knowledge of London,
+     its poor districts, docks, and river. A vast amount of information
+     is condensed in its pages, and the style is racy and
+     pleasing."--_City Press._
+
+     "The author speaks with authority. If any one is ignorant of the
+     strange material that is operated upon by the agency of the London
+     City Mission, and the wonderful transformation brought about by the
+     same means, he ought certainly to read 'Round the Tower.'"--_Sword
+     and Trowel._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Supplied direct from the Author, post-free._
+
+
+[Illustration: Palace-like building with many people in courtyard]
+
+_Just Ready. Beautifully Illustrated. Price 5s._
+
+A THOUGHT FOR THE WORLD;
+
+OR,
+
+THE NARRATIVE OF CHRISTIAN EFFORT IN GREAT EXHIBITIONS.
+
+_BY JOHN MATTHIAS WEYLLAND._
+
+INTRODUCTION BY THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, K.G.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+     "We are informed that the Queen has graciously accepted a copy of
+     Mr. Weylland's new work, 'A Thought for the World,' and that Lady
+     Gainsborough has received Her Majesty's command to thank him for
+     it. Lord Shaftesbury has written a gratifying Introduction to the
+     book.... We notice in the Author's Preface a clever genealogical
+     sketch of national and international exhibitions, commencing with
+     the first, which was presided over by King Ahasuerus.... Scenes of
+     brilliancy and beauty are described with graphic pen. We consider
+     this a most valuable and well-timed publication."--_Record._
+
+     "This is a most interesting volume. In its pages we are told in a
+     very pleasing way, from personal knowledge and authentic sources,
+     the story of Christian effort in the Great Exhibitions of London,
+     Paris, Vienna, and of Philadelphia. There are good
+     illustrations."--_The Christian._
+
+     "His sketches are exceedingly interesting, and will not only serve
+     for the encouragement of others, but may prove very useful by
+     suggesting how those engaged in Christian work should go about it.
+     A recommendatory Preface is furnished by Lord Shaftesbury; but even
+     apart from this and on its own merits the book should find many
+     readers."--_The Rock._
+
+     "The work will prove suggestive and useful to Christian
+     workers."--_Watchman._
+
+     "The charm attached to the writings of Mr. Weylland has long been
+     acknowledged, and the power of description which have won such a
+     wide circulation for 'The Man with the Book,' and 'Round the
+     Tower,' appears again in his latest work. It is marked throughout
+     by a lively style, practical common sense, and the enunciation of
+     right principles."--_London City Mission Magazine._
+
+_This Book is supplied to Subscribers of the_ LONDON CITY MISSION,
+_direct from Bridewell Place, E. C., for 3s. 6d., postage, 4d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+MISSION TRACTS.
+
+
+[Illustration: Street lamps and people in a fog]
+
+=IN A FOG.=
+
+A Tract for Sceptics. 2_d._
+
+=LIGHT IN THE BARS.=
+
+For Publicans. One Hundred and Fortieth Thousand.
+
+=RINGING THE CHANGES.=
+
+For the Tempted. Fifth Thousand.
+
+=CRAPE ON THE WHIP.=
+
+A Sabbath Tract. Two hundred and Twentieth Thousand.
+
+=THE ROUGH POLISHED.=
+
+For Drunkards. Sixth Thousand.
+
+=THE SCENE PAINTER.=
+
+A Narrative of Grace. Seventh Thousand.
+
+_The above Tracts, in packets, selected. 7d._
+
+=CARDS AGAINST SWEARING.=
+
+For Public and Coffee Houses. 2_d._ each; 1_s._ 9_d._ dozen.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A French Edition of "THE MAN WITH THE BOOK" has been prepared by Pasteur
+Pallissier, of Paris, and revised by the Rev. Horace Noel. It is
+designed for circulation upon the Continent, and among foreigners
+resident in and visiting England. This can also be had at the Mission
+for 2_s._ a copy, post free, with reduction according to the numbers
+taken. A copy has been placed in each Public and Mission Library in
+Paris.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Man with the Book, by John Matthias Weylland
+
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