the old waste places. I do not think I ever baptised so earnest a man as Maisa." The Rev. H. Davis, stationed at Hirampur, reports :-"The preached Word seems to be more blessed round about Talpahari, a place about eight miles south of Hirampur, than in any other part of my district at the present time. Those converts whom I baptised in May last are living epistles of the work of the Lord. They endeavour in every way to adorn the Christian profession by a holy consistent life. As I have no Santhal catechist whom I can send to this village, week by week, to conduct the Sunday services, I am obliged to send the Bengali evangelist. This man is a Santhal scholar, and quite a patriarch amongst the Santhal Christians, having been nearly twelve years at work amongst them. He says of these people, ‘That of all the Christians he has ever taught, these are the most desirous and diligent in learning the truths of Christianity. When I visited them one Lord's-day morning, and held morning and evening service with them, they sang several hymns, and made the responses in a very hearty manner. At another time, when I visited their village, and the service was over, some of the men panied me on my way. Whilst we were walking along, they spoke of their former persecution of the Christians, and how sorry they were; 'but,' said they, we did not know what was right then.' This testimony was very pleasing, coming, as it did, altogether unasked for. whenever an opportunity offers itself." MADAGASCAR. - The Rev. E. H. Stribling, of the London Missionary Society, writes from Vonizongo, (a district about forty miles from the north-west of the capital of Madagascar,) stating that the past year there witnessed a further advance in Christian usefulness than any previous one. A plan for systematic benevolence has been started with success. The Church-members also undertake to teach not only such of their fellowmembers as are unable to read, but also the adult portion of the congregation in each town. The above and similar schemes are thus described: "Every intelligent member selecting two or three of the non-members who may be willing to learn, the pastor of each Church is to give me a list of the scholars, and I am to see what progress has been made at the end of the year. All the churches in West Vonizongo have also formed a district visiting society for the special object of inviting their neighbours and others who do not attend the Sunday services; also to visit the homes of the widow and orphan, the sick and the dying, or those overtaken by any sudden accomcalamity. The visiters, besides this, see that the children in their several districts attend the village school. Our purpose is to win over, by kind attentions and showing personal interest in their welfare, the many who never enter our chapels; and I fully believe we must ere long realise beneficial results from this new plan of Christian work. Another decided sign of progress in the Churches may be seen in their willingness to establish the system of weekly offerings. I say willingness, because probably only a few have advanced to any special 'desire' for the system. Yet I regard it as a sign of progress when, at a large conference recently held, it was unanimously resolved to adopt the weekly offering plan of "Their little place of worship is very pretty. It is supplied with mats and forms which they have made themselves during the hours they could not carry on their cultivation. They are earnest Christians, and do their best to make others acquainted with the Saviour. What is wonderful to relate, they are beloved by their fellow-villagers. The Santhals of the neighbouring villages persecute them collecting money in our Churches. day. If you have recently experienced BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. EMMA DAVIS was born July 11th, 1850. At an early age she was sent to the Centenary Sunday-school, Walsall, and after passing through several of its classes, she was at length transferred to the select class, in which special means were employed, not only to instruct the young people in the Holy Scriptures, but also to lead them to religious decision. She was next appointed a teacher, and taught in the school every alternate Sunday, attending the select class every other Lord's day. Thus she gathered and distributed sacred knowledge: but this did not suffice. When she was in her seventeenth year, she was brought deeply to feel the need of personal religion, and was convinced that, in order to teach the children the way to heaven, she must herself walk in it. Under the gracious leading of the Holy Spirit, Miss Davis sought salvation in the way of the Divine appointment. She came as a guilty, but humbled and penitent, sinner to Christ, to plead His sacrifice, and to rest on that alone. And God was pleased to accept her in Him, and to bless her with the assurance of forgiveness. On Sunday, March 7th, 1869, she attended school for the last time. On that day she took special pains with her class. One of the children went home and said to her mother, "Mother, teacher has been speaking to us today, and telling us that, as we know not which will be called first, we must have our lamps trimmed, and oil in our vessels with our lamps." This incident shows that, while anxious to instruct the children gathered around her, she sought also to impress saving truth upon their minds. On the day following she was taken ill, and soon brain fever supervened. While consciousness remained, she rejoiced in the Lord. The religion which she had sought in health supported her in affliction. Her brothers were brought into her sick chamber, and she solemnly warned them, and affectionately urged them to give their hearts to God; and then appealed to the whole family to meet her in heaven. Death terminated her sufferings on Wednesday, March 24th, 1869, and her friends rest in the assurance that she sleeps in Jesus." JOSEPH BINNS. DAVID JACKSON was born in London, in the year 1782, and died at Chester, on May 23rd, 1870. He never knew anything of his father, and had very indistinct recollections of his mother; but the im pression made upon his mind was, that she was a pious woman; and he always referred to her with tender affection. She died in a London workhouse, in which he and a sister, who were early cast upon the world as objects of charity, spent their first years. They were separated in early life, and never saw each other again. On leaving the workhouse, he wandered about the streets of London, a poor friendless boy, at times almost destitute of food and clothing. When very young, he was sent, as an apprentice, to a cotton factory, at Tidbury, in Staffordshire, where he remained until he was twentyone years of age. From Tidbury he went to Darley, near Derby, and afterwards removed to Newcastle-underLyme. In 1811 he became a resident in Chester. For some time he had worked as a bricklayer's labourer; and in that year he bound himself to Mr. William Davies, bricklayer, of Chester, to serve for seven years. The close of the year 1816 formed an important crisis in his history. For some years before that period he had lived a godless and wicked life; indulging in almost every kind of excess. He spent his Sabbaths in drinking, and rambling in the fields with his dogs and wicked companions. Such was his love for the intoxicating draught, that, having spent all his money upon it on the Lord's day, he would frequently pawn his best clothes on Monday, that he might further indulge in it. But on the last night of the year 1816, while a watch-night service was being held in the St. John Street Wesleyan chapel, David, who was wandering about the streets of Chester, with a number of sinful associates, with the set purpose of drinking the "old year out and the new year in," was led, by the kind Providence of God, into that sanctuary. The Circuit ministers, the Revs. William Aver and James Blackett, and the late Alderman Henry Bowers, took part in the service. Under an address by Mr. Bowers, David was deeply im pressed, and resolved that with the departing year he would break off from his wicked associates, and lead a godly life. Referring to that resolution, a short time before he died, he said, "I determined then and there, and gave up all,-bad companions, bad passions, drink, dogs, Sabbath desecration." Having thus turned away from sin, he was led to the Saviour, and, believing in Him, obtained the forgiveness of sins, and became a new creature. The change in his character evinced its reality and power in his entire life. The "good tree" brought forth "good fruit." Walking in the light, and having his graces nourished from above, his course was distinguished by "the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." His secular duties, from this time, were performed with new diligence, and were blended with an habitual regard to God. No longer the companion of sinners, he now entered into the fellowship of the saints, and "walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." He became a member of the Methodist Society in June, 1817, and for fiftythree years "adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour." His sincerity was never doubted. He was acknowledged to be a good man, in the true sense of the term. His name was associated with "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest," and "whatsoever things are of good report." With such consistency and propriety did he conduct himself, that he was often pointed at as an example of godly living, and by his example many were impressed with the excellence and power of religion. He loved the Bible. It was almost his only book, except our incomparable Hymn-Book. He was eminently devout. Prayer was the element in which he lived and breathed. He prayed "without ceasing." His custom was to rise early, that, before entering upon the duties of the day, he might spend much time in this holy exercise. His daily labours were sanctified by prayer. It was his constant habit to retire at noon for the purpose of converse with God. He had a remarkable gift in prayer. In the sick chamber, in the social circle, in his class, and in the public prayermeeting, he approached the Most High with a child-like confidence, and an humble fervour, which instrumentally brought down a gracious influence upon those associated with him. This was doubtless the secret of his useful ness. He honoured God by implicit dependence upon His agency and His promises, and God honoured him by giving him the blessings which he sought. He greatly valued the social and public means of grace. He used to say that, as the body requires proper sustenance, so the soul needs spiritual food. As long as his health permitted he attended the Sunday morning prayermeeting at seven o'clock; and for some years he led it, reading portions of Holy Scripture, and giving suitable exhortations. To the private bandmeeting he retained his love to the very close of life. The Love-feast was a means of grace in which he specially delighted. His regular and punctual attendance on the public services of the sanctuary, and his devout and earnest attention to the word preached, gave abundant proof that he loved God's house, and that he found it to be the gate of heaven." In all these exercises his spiritual life was strengthened and matured. His was an exalted piety. He walked in the light of God's countenance. No envy, discontent, or ambitious disquietude, ever darkened the fair sunshine of his soul. Amidst the afflictions and bereavements of life he was calm and happy in God. Shortly before his death he said to a friend, "Since my conversion I think I have never fallen asleep one night without some feeling of happiness in God, and often have I raised my hand, and waved it for joy." David Jackson was an active and zealous labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. For fifty years he had the charge of a Society-class; and he cherished for the members under his care the most affectionate solicitude. So anxious was he for their spiritual welfare, and so deeply did he feel the importance of being always at his post, when it was possible, that he frequently walked home ten miles after his day's labour, for the purpose of meeting his class, and returned in time for his work at six o'clock the next morning. For the important office of Leader he was eminently fitted. His own experience was characterised by a richness and fulness which made it always refreshing to listen to it. The members of the class felt like those who were climbing a hill, and, themselves weary or lagging, heard the voice of a friend, who had got up far on the sunny heights, calling on them to press forward. Thus did he "Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way." For nearly fifty years, also, he was a laborious, acceptable, and useful Localpreacher. He was most conscientious in fulfilling his appointments. It is said that he never missed but one appointment during the whole of the time he was on the "Plan." He shrank not from wet or cold, or long and wearying journeys; frequently walking thirty-two miles, and preaching three times on the Sabbath, and yet being ready for his daily calling early on the following morning. His preaching, during his best days, gave proof of considerable thought, strong sense, and natural shrewdness, and was often marked by a quaintness and originality which, being accompanied by a rich spiritual unction, gained the attention of his audiences. Numbers were blessed under the Word, as he delivered it, and it is believed that many will be his "crown of rejoicing" in the day of the Lord Jesus. Several interesting incidents are related in connection with his labours as a Local-preacher. One Sabbath, when he was preaching in a country village, the wife of the rector,-a lady of title, -having heard much about him, and feeling anxious to see him, and knowing that he was staying at a neighbouring house, sent to ask him to call. He went, and no sooner was he introduced to that lady, in the presence of her husband, than, addressing himself to her, he asked if she loved the Lord Jesus, and knew her sins forgiven. An interesting conversation followed, in which the rector joined; prayer was offered; and, when he left that house, its inmates felt that a good man had been in their midst. Returning from an appointment on a dark night, he had to cross some fields, in order to meet a conveyance which was coming from a more distant place. The friends with whom he had been staying sent a lad to accompany him with a lantern. As soon as they crossed the first stile, he said to the lad, "Down on your knees." The lad felt afraid, thinking that he might be going to do him some bodily harm; but he knelt down, and David knelt by his side, and prayed for him. As they crossed each stile the same thing was repeated; and when they parted David blessed the lad, gave him good advice, and bade him good night. A powerful impression was made upon the mind of that youth, which resulted in his conversion, and he became a very useful member of the Wesleyan Society. On another occasion, as he was coming home from one of his appointments late on the Sunday evening, he had to face a severe storm: when the temptation was presented to him, "Give up your arduous work as a Local-preacher." He at once knelt down, and sought Divine direction. Rising from his knees, he shouted, "Victory! victory! Give it up? Never, never!" He returned home more fully resolved than ever to die in this blessed service. For many years he was much in request as a speaker at missionary meetings; and in various other ways he sought to promote the cause of Christ. In the homes of the people whom he visited, and when he met persons by the wayside, he would speak kind and earnest words to them about their souls; and his words were often like nails fastened in a sure place. David Jackson was a plain man, with a small income; but he possessed a large and generous heart, with much refinement of feeling. According to his means he was a liberal supporter of the cause of God. In the earlier years of his Christian history, and when in full work, he has been known to give away all that he had. He felt a deep sympathy with those who were in distress. A few weeks before he died, though very feeble, he walked some distance to relieve the wants of a poor and afflicted member of Christ's flock. David Jackson loved all who love the "Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," and he was beloved and respected not only within, but beyond, the pale of his own Communion; but he regarded Methodism as his home, and looked upon the members of the WesleyanMethodist Society in Chester as belonging to his own family. Hence, in June, 1867, when completing the jubilee of his membership, he invited all the Chester Society to take tea with him in the band room, at St. John Street; and, after tea, a very interesting meeting was held in the chapel, which led to a memorial-portrait being painted, and placed in the ministers' vestry, where also hangs the portrait of the late esteemed Alderman Henry Bowers, which was placed there, some years before, by his friends and admirers. Thus, in beautiful association, are to be found the portrait of a man in humble life, and that of the gentle |