A curious circumstance occurred in connection with this discourse. A village near Biggleswade was supplied by lay agents, who were accustomed to read to the poor people who gathered together on the Sabbath evenings. As soon as "Twice Dead" was published, a gentleman read it at this place. The next Sunday another person was going; he had met with the pamphlet during the week, and, being struck with it, considered it would be well to let the little congregation have the benefit of it, so he also read it. Before the next Sunday, a third person had procured it, and being ignorant of its having already been twice used, took it with him, thinking it might do good. Before the service began, one of the congregation informed him that the same sermon had been brought on two successive Sabbaths. He was amused to find that but for this remark it would have been presented to the people a third time.

A gentleman has lately contributed the following in relation to the same tract:

"Some years since, the pastor of a Church was taken ill on Sunday morning. No supply for the pulpit could be obtained in the emergency, when a deacon said to his brother officer, 'I have been reading this week an excellent little book, which has strangely touched my heart. If you will go into the pulpit and conduct the devotional portion of the service, I will read the book in lieu of a sermon. This course was adopted. The congregation appeared interested and affected. About three months afterwards, two persons offered themselves to the

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Church for membership, referring to the reading of the book that morning as the means of their conversion to God."

Mr. Rowland prepared a sermon on the Weekly Offering, for circulation amongst his own people, with the purpose of quickening them to more systematic and proportionate liberality.

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In 1870 he arranged a 66 Hand-Book for the use of his congregation, containing an account of all the societies in operation amongst them. His opening words of counsel were :—"Pray fervently. Attend regularly. Hear devoutly. Walk circumspectly. Love sincerely. Judge charitably. Give liberally. Live usefully.”

Another sermon on the Atonement went through more than one edition. A friend wrote to ask its author to introduce into it a definite reply to a book recently published. He declined, saying, "I think I had better not refer to Mr.'s remarks, and on this principle: If the truth is published, it will tend to destroy error; if the light is diffused, darkness must be dispersed. Besides, many, if not most of those who will read my sermon know nothing of the unscriptural views to which you refer. I do not wish to suggest erroneous thoughts." The Henley pastor knew not how to wield the weapons of philosophy, but delighted to use the "Sword of the Spirit." He shot no darts of controversy, but chose stones from the stream which issued from the throne of God, believing that the Giant Error is most swiftly slain by the force of Truth.

CHAPTER VI.

Work in Various Fields.

"Not on my arm, but on my brow
Thy sacred sign I'll wear,
That every one I meet may know
Whose arms and name I bear.

I go not forth like men of old,
Cities and lands to win;
But oh! I wage a deadlier strife
Against the hosts of sin.

Strong in my God and in His might,

The Spirit's sword I wield;

And in His name abide the fight

On my own battle field."

Work in Various Fields.

THE question of the length of time that a minister should remain in any sphere of labour, is one respecting which there has always been a great diversity of opinion. Some people sigh for the "good old days," when the settlement of a pastor was almost like a marriage between himself and his congregation; but in these times of rapid change, of love of variety, and of large and often unreasonable demand upon a minister's time and talents, much is to be said on behalf of a comparatively short period of residence in one place.

No absolute rule can be laid down. Pastors differ so widely in their character; Churches vary so much in their circumstances, that what may be desirable in some cases may be injurious in others. It is, however, certain that a man cannot in a few years obtain the influence of one who has gained the respect and affection of a generation. A mere stranger cannot be such a father to his people as he can who has baptized them as infants, known them as children, received them into the Church as young people, understood their characters, and watched their growth as Christians. He who is known only as a preacher, may be admired and esteemed, but reverential love gathers around him who