of two beautiful marble timepieces being presented to our superintendents, who have held their posts for a great number of years. Our senior superintendent, Mr. Thos. Taylor, has been in office over twenty years, and our respected brother Mr. Wm. Woodruff has held his for a long period. The Rev. S. Smith in making the presentations alluded to their services since he came to Barnsley about five years ago. He then read over the inscriptions, which were as follows:-"Presented to Mr. Thomas Taylor by the teachers, scholars, and friends of the Ebenezer Sunday school, as a token of the esteem in which he is held as superintendent of that school. January 1st, 1877." The inscription on the timepiece presented to Mr. Woodruff was the same, with the exception of the name. They cost about £10. Both gentlemen thanked the teachers and scholars in very interesting addresses. The choir, led by Mr. Grey, during the evening sang several appropriate pieces. Mr. Vere presided at the harmonium. On the motion of Mr. J. G. Firth, seconded by Mr. Geo. Goodyear, a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the ladies for presiding at the trays, to the singers, speakers, and chairman.-GEO. Wardley.

ANDOVER STREET SCHOOL, SHEFFIELD.-On Friday evening, Dec. 29th, 1876, the members of the Young Men's Bible Class presented to Mr. T. Maskill, their late teacher, as a token of regard, a beautiful silver-plated inkstand, bearing the following inscription:"Presented to Mr. T. Maskill by the members of the Andover Street Methodist New Connexion Young Men's Bible Class on his resigning the superintendency. December, 1876." Mr. Maskill has since been appointed assistant-superintendent of the school, where we wish him health to labour for many years to come, trusting his efforts may be crowned with success, and when he shall have finished his labours here we hope he will be found on God's right hand, there to wear the honours of faithful service for ever.-L. GALLIMORE, Secretary.

A

SHERIFF HILL, GATESHEAD.—Our Zion has been in debt for about forty years. The year before last we determined the debts should be removed. £20 was paid off last year. As soon as the anniversary in September was over, we commenced with a right good will our sewing meetings. The secretary opened a subscription-list, which was successful. The ladies were busy at early morn and at the midnight hour, working with the needle. The day arrived. The sun refused to shine, there was a continuous downpour of rain, but the village turned out, and the schools (kindly lent by the Church) were crowded in every part. Christmas-tree, a toy stall, a stall with articles useful and ornamental; also a tea, presided over by the following ladies -Misses Scott, Mrs. J. Miller, R. Charlton, D. Bradshaw, Mackey, A. Scott, Cooke, Snowden, Miss Wake, and Master W. Scott. The proceedings were opened by Rev. B. S. Chambers giving out a hymn, who called upon Rev. A. Smith to pray. Richard Cail, Esq., J.P., delivered an appropriate address. result of the effort is £60 burden is removed from the chapel, with a £100 left for us to remove next year. The Lord being our helper we will do it. Pray for us.-A. S.

The

ZION BANK, LEEDS.-On Sunday, January 14th, 1877, we held our annual juvenile missionary meeting in connection with our Sunday school, The attendance was very good. The meeting was presided over by our esteemed friend Mr. J. W. Dixon, from Woodhouse Lane School. The report was presented by the secretary, after which a series of suitable

addresses were delivered by our esteemed minister, the Rev. E. Bamford, and Messrs. J. Walker, J. Bradford, W. Sunderland, and R. Wood. A collection was made at the close on behalf of the missions.-H. W. HEMSWORTH.

SALEM SUNDAY SCHOOL, BELFAST.-The annual soirée in connection with the above school was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday, January 31st, 1876. After a bountiful supply of tea, fruit, &c., the meeting adjourned to the church, where the Rev. R. C. Turner occupied the chair. The parents and friends of the scholars were assembled in the church to witness the distribution of prizes for attendance and conduct during the year, and answers to questions on the history of Moses and on the parable of the Prodigal Son. After the distribution the programme was gone through, which consisted of a dialogue by Samuel Spence and Thomas Rodgers, recitation by Edmund Fittis, and several pieces of music by the choir, which were very attractive. The following sums were collected by the juveniles in aid of the missions:-Eleanor McConnell, £1 4s.; John Millar, £1; M. E. Thompson, 16s.; M. E. Dornan, 12s.; M. M. L. Weir, 10s.; James Watt, 8s. 11d.; Ellen Smyth, 8s. 7d.; Frank Turner, 8s. 6d. ; Samuel Neil, 7s. 5d.; Alice Cowan, 6s. 9d.; Walter Surginor, 6s. ; Elizabeth Mercer, 5s. 1d.; Julia Harrison, 5s.; Mary Wharry, 4s. 1d.; Henry Gracey, 4s.; W. J. Larmour, 4s. ; M. A Sherry, 4s.; Lizzie Hill, 3s. 3d.; M. J. M. McDowell, 3s. 2d.; Lizzie McGahey, 2s. 6d. ; Lettie Hingston, 2s. 6d. ; Charles Turner, 2s. 6d. ; Isaac Doran, 2s. 4d.; Elizabeth Neil, 28. 3d.; Lizzie Bailie, 2s. 1d.; Sarah Potts, 2s.; Letitia Wilson, 2s.; Lizzie Gracey, 2s.; Sophia Bailie, 1s. 8d.; Lizzie Lemon, 1s. 6d. ; Jane Brown, 1s.; Mary Robinson, 1s. Total, £9 6s. 1d.-J. McC.

BAND OF HOPE UNION.-A panoroma illustrating "Nelly's Dark Days," and other interesting stories, has been exhibited during six weeks of the winter in connection with twenty-six Bands of Hope and seven Sunday schools. The aggregate attendance was nearly 7000 persons, and about 150 were reported as having signed the pledge. New societies have been commenced at Longton, Hooley Hill, Silverdale, Old Town (Barnsley), Paddock, and other places.-D. HEATH, General Secretary.

BRUNSWICK CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL, LONDON.-On Sunday afternoon, February 4th, prizes were awarded to those scholars who had collected for the juvenile missionary New Year's offering. They consisted of handsomely-bound books on subjects adapted for Sunday-school scholars; and were given, as heretofore, by our worthy treasurer, Mr. Lee. The amounts were read over, and Mr. A. Howard, after encouraging those who had collected to do so again, and advising those who had not to make up their minds to begin next year, assuring them that they would not only be rewarded here but in heaven also, proceeded to present the prizes. This is the fifth annual distribution, and, we are glad to report, the most satisfactory of any previous year. The names and amounts of collectors are as follows:-Miss P. Thomson, 1st prize, £2 13s.; Master Wesley Richards, 2nd prize, £2 2s. 2d.; Master Ben Haward, 3rd prize, 12s. 9d.; Master Tom Nodder, 4th prize, 8s. 10s.; Miss Amy Moreland, 5th prize, 78.; Miss Hannah Clayton, 6th prize, 4s. 6d.; Miss Clara Nodder, 7th prize, 4s. 6d.; Master William Howard, 8th prize, 3s. 9d. ; Master Henry Schofield, 9th prize, 2s. Total, £6 18s. 6d.

N.B.-The understanding was to give six prizes, but the amounts being so satisfactory each collector received a prize.

Memoirs.

-0

JOHN EDWARD MAIDEN

WAS one of the first scholars in our Sabbath school at Madeley. He loved the school, and maintained his connection with it until his death. He manifested, too, considerable respect and reverence for God's house. Born in Park Lane, Madeley, March 20th, 1857, he was nineteen years old when he died, his death taking place on Nov. 4th, 1876. Consumption, "the fell foe of youth," was the means by which he was removed from this world. His disposition was amiable. He resigned himself to God; whilst wishful to live he was willing to die. "The Lord's will be done," he frequently said during his long and trying illness.

Questioned as to his safety by a friend who visited him, he said, “I am as sure of heaven as I am of my own existence." He died at Eaton Constantine in a cab, whilst being removed from Salop Infirmary to his home at Madeley. He said to his mother, who was the only friend with him, "I am dying, but all is right. I have an interest in the blood of Christ." With these words upon his lips he passed away. His death was improved by the writer to a full congregation on Sunday evening, Dec. 17th, 1876, in our Madeley Chapel. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin "-1 John i., 7.

WM. JAMES.

TWO BRAVE BOYS.
I.

Ar a meeting of the Royal Humane Society, the other day, a testimonial, inscribed on vellum, describing the services rendered and the acknowledgments of the society, was unanimously voted to Edmond Waterton Coningsby Erskine, aged fifteen, the son of the Hon. J. A. Erskine, who saved two little girls named Williams, aged respectively ten and twelve, from drowning at Southsea on the 12th July, 1876. The two children rolled down an embankment which slopes down suddenly to the sea, and were at once in deep water with a rapid tide. Young Erskine, without taking off any of his clothes, plunged into the water, and after swimming a short distance came up with the girls after they had twice sunk. Seizing them by the hair, he pulled them both on his back, and in doing so was severely bitten in the hand by one of them; but he swam towards the shore as well as he could, having only recently learned to swim. He was joined by another youth, who took one of the children from him, and they ultimately got both the girls to the side of the rocks, when a gentleman named Cowan came to their assistance, and they were landed in safety.

II.

A gentleman writes to the Spectator to narrate a case of heroism that occurred in Nova Scotia a little while ago. Two little boys were fishing from a wharf, when one of them fell into the sea. The other, named William Francis, who had arrived at the mature age of nine years, jumped in after him, swam fifty yards in the face of the tide and in a heavy rain, which began then to fall, caught hold of his little comrade, and held him till other rescue came. The little fellow said, in amusingly boyish language, "I was almost gone myself, the water was so cold; but I am glad that I did what I did and saved him. I lost my fishing-line, though, and my shoes and hat, and was afraid that mother would scold me, but she didn't." Sir Cooper Key, the vice-admiral of the fleet in those waters, presented him with three sovereigns, and is going to try to get him a medal, which we must all hope the little boy will receive, and live long to

wear.

Poetry.

THINGS I DO NOT LIKE.

I Do not like to see a little girl
Who will not in the morning rise,
And have the water sweet and cool
Refresh her face and eyes.

I do not like to see her cleanly dress

All torn or careless look, or tossed;
Her toys all scattered here and there,
Her thread and needle lost.

I do not like to see her at her play,
When other little girls have met
To frolic, laugh, and run about,
Grow peevish, cry, and fret.

I do not like to hear her tell a fib;