WORDS?

VOLUME IX.

"A Christian's life is laid in the loom of time to a pattern which
he does not see, but God does; and his heart is a shuttle. On one
side of the loom is sorrow, on the other is joy; and the shuttle struck
alternately by each, flies back and forth, carrying the thread, which
is white or black, as the pattern needs; and in the end, when God
shall lift up the finished garment, and all its changing hues shall
glance out, it will then appear that the deep and dark colours were
as needful to beauty as the bright and high colours."

LONDON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY ROBERT BANKS AND CO.,
DOVER ROAD, S.E.; AND CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C.

EIGHT years have nearly passed away since I commenced this unpretending and modest little monthly, entitled CHEERING WORDS." I was in my room one night early in 1850, a silent voice spoke in my mind, Cheering Words for seeking souls! In one moment, the purpose and the plan appeared to be given me. Some may say, I was too hasty. Perhaps so. I would never attempt to justify myself. I will endeavour to leave that to ONE who understands all hearts; searches all minds; and creates in all whom HE designs to employ, the will and the power to accomplish his purpose. After eight years service in the production of this small serial-after having suffered the loss of nearly all things -after passing through such ordeals of circumstantial oppressions and discouragements as cause me most deeply every day to sigh-after Satan has roared at me until he is nearly tired-sinners have smitten-and saints have sneered-after I have all but resolved to give in, to write no more, to print no more; but to set out on a missionary tour, leaving myself in the hands of a Righteous disposer of all things, and of all persons after a deal of self pity, self-condemnation, self-despair-here I am, preserved, and disposed-if grace and strength be given-to continue in this field of labour-if by

Price One Halfpenny. Packet (containing 10 copies) 4d.
VOL. IX,-No. 92.

any means, and in any measure I can be useful to any of my fellow-men, who like myself, are looking for a better city, that is, an heavenly one and fully believing it to be the privilege and the grateful labour of all such favored ones to speak well of HIM who has laid down his life for us, I am more and more concerned, to teach transgressors His ways; to see sinners converted unto Him; and to encourage all whose hope is in the Lord alone, still to seek His face; to wait on him in all His appointed means, and to assure them that every observation I have made, and every deliverance I have realized, all go to confirm the declaration of Paul, God is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.'

What He will do; and for whom He will do it, shall be my future aim to exhibit in the pages of CHEERING WORDS:'and while I am helped to publish them, I ask my friends to circulate them far and wide. Thousands of the volumes, and back numbers, are yet in hand. I shall be glad to supply them to any who will help to scatter them. With these few words, I close this short note, saying, Brethren, Pray for us.' I am your's still to serve in the gospel,

CHARLES WATERS BANKS. 2, Eldon-place, Upper Grange-road, London. S.E.

"THE DAY BEFORE HER DEATH."
A LITTLE GIRL WHO LOVED JESUS.

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MR. Christopher Woollacott, the excellent pastor of Little Wild Street chapel, and the author of several little books which have much endeared his name and writings to the Christian family, has recently issued,-(through the Baptist Tract Society,') a penny Pamphlet,-entitled 'Little Harriet, the Sunday School Child. It has a picture of dear little Hattie, in her bed-room, on her knees, in earnest