immediately connected with the work of the Sabbath school in Scotland, his great interest in its prosperity was manifested by means of the practical and earnest appeals to Christian workers which, from time to time, he contributed to our pages. In common with a large circle of personal friends we deplore his loss as a "fellow-labourer" in the Lord's vineyard; and we trust that his sudden removal may be regarded by our readers as a fresh call to work on with redoubled diligence in the Master's service while it is day.

The following remarks, so descriptive of his character, are taken from The Christian Leader :

Mr. Joseph C. Withers was intended by his father for the medical profession, and studied under Dr. Penney at the Andersonian College in Glasgow. His proficiency and marked ability were indicated by the fact, that at the examination of Science Classes he carried off the Queen's prize of the Science and Art Department, when but a boy barely twelve years of age. The death of his father, however, changed the current of his life, and he determined to follow him in the journalistic profession. His first engagement was on the Glasgow Herald, after which he accepted an appointment on the Scotsman, then on the Glasgow News, and finally settled down on the London Standard, to the editor of which he was much attached. Shortly after going to London, Mr. Withers, with his wife and mother, became a member of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. For some time past his health had been very unsatisfactory, necessitating frequent change of air and scene. His favourite resort was Seaford,-a quiet little watering-place on the Sussex coast; and there he arrived on Tuesday, the 16th January. On Wednesday morning, the 17th, he went for a walk on the beach, but had not been long there when he was observed to fall suddenly to the ground; and on being raised, life was found to be extinct. He was tenderly carried to the house of Dr. Pain, whose guest he was, and his wife telegraphed for. The body was placed in a shell, and almost covered with beautiful flowers from the hands of mourning friends. The appearance of the face after death was that of one in calm, peaceful sleep. The remains were interred in the Seaford churchyard, on Saturday, the 20th, in the presence of the deeply sorrowing widow and a number of friends (Mr. Withers having been without near relatives), amongst whom were Dr. Pain, Dr. Smythe, Captain Crosby (nephew of Lady Middleton), Mr. Prickett, &c. After a short but impressive service at the grave, the coffin was lowered, and a shower of white flowers fell upon it. Some beautiful wreaths were laid on the grave afterwards. A number of Mr. Withers's brother journalists were desirous of going from London to attend his funeral, but this was gratefully declined, as it was feared the presence of those with whom her husband had so recently laboured would further unnerve Mrs. Withers, whose burden of sorrow was already sufficiently heavy. In business, Mr. Withers was earnest to a degree, often working when his strength was not equal to the task. Among those of his own profession he was much liked for his kindly, obliging disposition.

His position in the married relation will be seen from the following memoranda, found among the papers of the deceased:

July 16, 1881.-I desire to place on record my undying thanks to my dear wife for all her goodness and kindness to me. As a girl she fixed my affection; in later years she comforted and consoled me. As a wife and mother alike she has been, as but few are, true, steadfast, faithful, and lovable. I feel, with unerring instinct, that the end is fast approaching for me, and I deem it a sacred duty to leave behind me this acknowledgment to the most kindly, patient, and elevating presence that ever came my way.

Sunday, September 25, 1881.-Once again I feel very poorly, and, in case anything should happen, I desire to renew the expression of my gratitude to my dear wife, Mary. A devoted partner, a tender mother, a Christian lady. If, when her time comes, she could rest beside me, I think I should sleep the more quietly in my grave, for I love her with my whole heart.

A number of press gentlemen have forwarded to Mrs. Withers a splendid wreath and cross of flowers for her husband's grave, and it is also proposed to erect a marble tablet to his memory, the gift of his brother journalists. We may add that Mr. Withers had, in recent years, devoted no inconsiderable portion of his leisure to the composition of religious essays, both in prose and verse; and some of these were published in The Sword and the Trowcl. He had reached his thirty-fifth year.

Spiritual Results.

LOOKING Over the Schedules used by the Glasgow Sabbath School Union for collecting statistics of the schools in the city and suburbs, we have been pleased to observe in many of them that the main object of the Sabbath school is being kept steadily in view. Following the queries designed to bring out the state of the schools, and of each class in particular, the teachers and superintendents are invited to add "Any results, suggestions, or circumstances of general interest, suitable for publication, for the encouragement of others." The following extracts are specimens of what many of the Schedules contain :

"In reviewing the past year we have abundant cause for thankfulness, having passed through a season of rich spiritual blessing. A marked interest in spiritual truth was evinced by the scholars generally, about the Spring of last year. We had Messrs. Moody and Sankey labouring with us in May. The outcome of their labour was a series of special meetings for the young, conducted by Mr. Mackeith. Beautiful lantern views of the Pilgrim's Progress formed the subject of a Gospel address. The result was a blessed in-gathering into the fold of the Good Shepherd. We refrain from giving numbers; but, after the lapse of nine months, we rejoice to know of not a few who have borne out their profession by a consistent walk. Statistics elsewhere given shew that seven have joined the Church, and that five have become teachers. A number have joined Bible classes with the view of becoming teachers. Many individual cases could be given from teachers' reports; we select one from each school;

My class was a very rough one. One boy, in particular, outshone all the others in this respect. I was sorely tried, but held on, looking to the Lord for help. The answer came. This very boy became exceedingly attentive; attention deepened into conviction, and ultimate conversion. Eighteen hundred and eighty-two found him in a state of nature, saw him in a state of grace, and, we may confidently add, left him in a state of glory. 'Mother, don't cry,' was his dying testimony, 'I am to be with Jesus.' His cousin, a member of the same class, has since become a Christian."-"A bright-faced girl, long a member of a senior class, came to the superintendent, her former teacher, at the close of the school one evening, her face all radiant with joy, and said, 'I am all right now, but I've passed a dark cloud. I had grown careless after experiencing blessing, and thought I had sinned against the Holy Spirit. I went to the minister, and he shewed me my mistake, and now I mean to live for Jesus.' She is now doing so, and will soon have a class of little girls, who may learn from her something of the love of Jesus."-" My class is all I could desire in attention and behaviour. I am very hopeful of them." We conclude by giving the report of our best female senior class by their gifted teacher:- Mine is a most interesting class, many of them evidencing that they are lambs in His fold."

Another secretary writes:

"During the past year God was pleased very graciously to pour out largely upon our Sabbath school His blessed Spirit, thereby enabling many of our scholars to trust in His Son. Twenty-six out of the school have joined the church during the year, thirteen of whom are at present earnest teachers. For two years we have given out a verse from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament alternately, every Sabbath evening, to be learned by the scholars for an examination at the end of the year. First, second, and third-class prizes are given, according to merit. We have found the plan helpful in keeping up a wholesome spirit and interest in the school. We look upon our weekly preparation and prayer meetings, as also our annual social meeting, as great helps, under God's blessing, to the success of the school."

Another writes :

"One teacher reports as follows:-During the last few months six profess to have given themselves to the Lord.' We find our Sabbath school library a great means of usefulness. The books are largely read by the children. Besides affording them healthy and entertaining reading, they are a counteractive to the pernicious literature which is so popular with the young."

In another Schedule we find the following:

"The most successful weapon I have found for the spiritual advancement of this class has been personal dealing with individuals. When do I get this opportunity? In the street, chiefly,-very seldom elsewhere, for various reasons. Five minutes conversation with a member in the street is simply invaluable. By this means we may learn their spiritual state. The result of such interviews is frequently seen in their own concern about their souls. If it should be on a week-day that we meet

them, then the seeming inappropriate nature of time and place serves to convince them that Christianity is a life, and not a lavender kid glove affair, for the display of which one day in seven is reserved. God smiles on an effort like this, and fulfils the promise, 'Ye shall reap.' We speak it in the praise of Him who alone can change the heart that, in connection with such efforts, we have several who profess to have received a new heart, and, though not yet church members, are helping on His cause by tract distribution and Sabbath school teaching, &c. We hold that God's promise to Sabbath school teachers is, Ye shall reap.' Some work as if it read, 'The generations after you shall reap.' God gives more encouragement to the faithful worker than these people seem to imagine." "I am happy to say that there are at least twelve cases of conversion during the year. Of these, one has joined the church; the remainder, we trust, will follow."

St. John's Wesleyan Church, Glasgow.

THE elegant building now occupied as a place of worship by this con gregation was opened on the first Sabbath of 1882. It is an interesting illustration of what can be done by competent architects and building

committees in the way of providing adequate accommodation for all the requirements of a large active congregation, even when the site for the building is of limited extent. In this instance it is only 581 square yards; and yet, in addition to the church itself, there is a hall seated for 500, with ten separate class-rooms of various sizes, a kitchen, a church officer's house of three roomy apartments, and other conveniences. The large hall and several of the vestries, although placed under the church, are on a level with the street; and this is an arrangement which, unfortunately, has not been carried out with respect to many of the church halls where ground is expensive. Of course objections may be taken to the plan of raising the church so high, but with easy flights of steps, and ample means of access and egress, such an objection is more imaginary than real, when we consider the incessant and important purposes for which the class-rooms are required. Before proceeding, however, to describe the new building, it may not be out of place to give first a brief history of the old chapel in John Street, which one of the office-bearers prepared for the inauguration meeting.

MEMORIALS OF THE OLD CHURCH.

John Wesley's first visit to Glasgow occurred on Tuesday, 17th April, 1753. On the evening of that day he arrived at the house of Mr. Gillies, minister of Blackfriars Parish Church, who subsequently became a warm personal friend of, and co-worker with, the founder of Methodism. On the evening of the following day he attended service, conducted by Mr. Gillies, in the Parish Church, and next day he preached twice in the open air outside the town. The day after, owing to the weather being such as to render open air preaching impracticable, Mr. Gillies invited him to officiate in his church. This offer Mr. Wesley accepted; and he afterwards remarks, "With God nothing is impossible. Who would have believed it five-and-twenty years ago, either that the minister should have desired it, or that I should have consented to preach in a Scotch kirk?"

Mr. Wesley visited Glasgow, in all, fifteen times, his last visit extending from the afternoon of Friday, 28th, to the morning of Monday, 31st May, 1790. He preached in John Street Chapel on the Friday evening; and in reference to this event he remarks: "The congregation was miserably small, verifying what I had often heard before, that the Scots dearly love the Word of the Lord—on the Lord's day. If I come again, I will take care to spend only the Lord's day at Glasgow." He did not, however, come again; but the result of his labours remained.

In the year 1765, twelve years after Mr. Wesley's first visit to Glasgow, a Society was formed. Where they worshipped at the beginning is not now known, but in the year 1779 a hall in Stockwell Street was hired for a Meeting-House; and here they probably remained till the church in John Street was built, in or about the year 1788. By the time, therefore, that the John Street ground is vacated, it will have been occupied by the Society for 93 years.