Seven Sixpenny Story Books. All illustrated, and containing interesting stories by well-known writers. Cassell. How can these books be produced at the price? We have no idea. The bindings are most charming, and they enclose a hundred pages of first-rate stories. We never saw the like. Order one at your bookseller's. Little Content would be a good specimen, but all the others are up to the mark. Only sixpence; why, it reminds us of sugar at a penny a pound! The Little Folks Out and About Book.

By CHATTY CHEERFUL. Cassell. THIS is a five-shilling book of special excellence. Many of the engravings are of a high order, and there are no end of them, and they are most beautifully printed. The book is worthy of a little

empress.

Seventeen Cats; a true story of Mammy

Tittleback and her Family. Cassell. LARGE type and simple words: a suitable present for the tinies. One Shilling.

Eight illustrated Books for the little ones. Containing interesting stories, printed in bold type, with full-page illustra

tions. In handsome Picture Boards. One Shilling each. Cassell and Co. CASSELL AND Co. have won the race. Such books for a shilling nobody else has thought of producing. There must be some genii at Belle Sauvage Yard who are able to print by electricity, and cut wood-blocks by steam. Oh, that one could be a boy again, and get such a Christmas box! In our young days, any one of these books would have been cheap at a crown. The covers will make little eyes twinkle, and those same tiny optics will be equally pleased when they enquire within.

Jack o' Lantern, and other Rhymes. By ELEANOR W. TALBOT. Cassell and Co.

THIS is a glorious book of coloured pictures, for 3/6. New York, London, and Paris will all supply little Jacks and Jills to jump for joy when such a present reaches them.

Jingles and Joys for Wee Girls and Boys.

By MARY D. BRINE. Cassell and Co. VERY well named. But then they are such jingles and joys as seldom come in one's way, unless a specially dear uncle

wants to make his little niece as happy as a bird. Some of the rhymes here given are worthy to be made part and parcel of nursery hymnology for ever and a day. A fine book for the very young ones.

The Band of Mercy Guide to Natural History. By VERNON S. MORWOOD. John Hogg.

ONE of the best shilling's-worths in the market. It will teach our youngsters to be kind to all things that live. Much savagery still remains among children, and a dreadful amount of suffering is still endured by animal life in consequence thereof. The more literature of this kind is scattered among our boys and girls the better. Those of older growth would be none the worse for reading this" Guide," for some of them go into fits at the sight of a frog, and turn pale as ghosts if a black-beetle runs across the kitchen floor. This capital book might tend to put them on better terms with these harmless creatures.

Maude's Visit to Sandybeach. Stella's Nosegay, and other Tales. Dora Maitland. Albert Maurice. The Silver Cup. Polly's Victory. Dick and his Donkey; or, How to Pay the Rent. That Boy Bob, and All About Him. Partridge and Co.

JUST the thing for the Sunday School Library, or for presents to the little ones. We could not read all these stories, but we selected one, perused it carefully, and liked it much. Wonderful booklets for sixpence !

The Sunday School Union sends us two books, which are much of the same order as those above; indeed, we can see no difference. The titles are, Johnny's Search, by Mrs. C. M. CLARKE; and Tim, the News-boy, by the author of "Buy an Orange, sir."

Twice Bought. A tale of the Oregon Gold-Fields. By R. M. BALLANTYNE. Nisbet and Co.

A BOY's story. Fully up to the mark in vivid incident; and well it may be, for the scene lies among Red Indians and gold-diggers. Its spirit and its lesson are after our own heart; indeed, as a story-book for boys it is first class. Price 3s. 6d.

The Honey Bee, its Nature, Homes, and Products. By W. H. HARRIS, B.A., B.Sc. Religious Tract Society.

A BEAUTIFUL book in all ways. It gives the fullest practical information about bees without confusing the reader with many technical terms. Many are turning their attention to the cultivation of honey, and we do not know of a more

entertaining pursuit. It is by no means beyond the reach of any one who will patiently follow it up, and we believe it will prove a benefit to every thoughtful person to make the acquaintance of bees. Should not Mr. Harris have acknowledged his special obligation to Mr. Cheshire? Or is Mr. H. a bee, and does he suck honey from Mr. C. without qualms ?

THOSE of our readers who have heard our son Thomas, or who have read his articles in the Magazine, will thank us for letting them know that on Tuesday, Dec. 9, a meeting will be held in the Tabernacle for the purpose of saying farewell to him, and Messrs. Cooper and Driver, who are to sail with him in the ss. Liguria, which leaves London on the 10th inst. At the same time, we shall hold the annual meeting of the College, at which we usually have a large gathering of friends; so that, on this occasion, the doubly special character of the proceedings ought to ensure a crowded house. While these "Notes" are in the hands of the printer, the Editor is laid aside, and suffering much pain of body, and depression of spirit, but he trusts that, in answer to many prayers, he will be speedily restored to health and strength, and enabled to preside at this meeting.

Messrs. Hollings and Brock, our esteemed advertising agents, ask us to call attention to the fact that the present issue of the Magazine is, amongst other reasons, exceptionally interesting, because it contains a much larger number of advertisements from the London publishers than has ever before appeared in any copy of The Sword and the Trowel. There are about eighteen pages full of descriptions of new books, magazines, Christmas and New Year's cards, &c., in sufficient variety to suit the tastes and purses of all our readers at this book-buying and present-giving season.

On Friday evening, Oct. 24, the annual meeting of the METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE LOAN TRACT SOCIETY was held in the Lecture-hall, under the presidency of Pastor C. H. Spurgeon. Mr. Capel, the Secretary, stated that the distributors of this Society visit 104 districts, and thus leave the Pastor's sermons with nearly 4,000 families every week. They have met with many cases of conversion through the reading of the printed message. A Mother's Meeting, a Maternal Society, and a Sick Fund, have all been developed as necessary adjuncts to the work, and in each department of labour the blessing of the Lord has been experienced. Mr. Harrald, the Treasurer, re

ported that the expenditure for sermons, covers, printing, &c., had been about £32, and there was a balance of £2 in hand. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, Pastors T. Spurgeon and W. Williams, Miss Thomas, and Messrs. W. J. Smith, Stone, and Moore. This is an exceedingly useful and economical agency for spreading gospel truth, and deserves more help than it at present receives. In order to work the districts efficiently, twelve additional distributors are needed. Mr. Capel will be happy to give full particulars to all who apply to him in the Tract-room after any of the services.

On Monday evening, Oct. 27, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Varley came to the Tabernacle prayer-meeting, to seek the supplications of the church there for a blessing upon them while they were absent from England. Mr. Varley spoke briefly, and the Pastor delivered the address which appears as the first article in the present number of the Magazine.

During the past few weeks we have been called to part with quite a number of our brethren and sisters from the church at the Tabernacle. When, therefore, our beloved friend, MR. JOHN TURNER, who has for so many years led the singing of the great congregation, fell asleep, it was resolved that a funeral service should be held in the Tabernacle on Friday afternoon, October 31st, at which all who had been recently bereaved might be specially commended to the Lord in prayer, and the whole church might be reminded of the lessons to be learned from these divine visitations. As Mr. Turner lived so close to the building, where his voice will no more be heard, the coffin containing his body was brought into the Tabernacle, and a large company of members of the church and congregation assembled to testify their esteem for their departed brother. The service was conducted by Pastor C. H. Spurgeon, who was assisted by his brother; and at the close the funeral company went to Norwood Cemetery, where Mr. J. T. Dunn officiated at the grave. We shall not readily fill our friend's place as leader of the singing. Others may have better voices than he

had, and from a musical standpoint may be his superiors, but he has so well helped us in the service of praise, that we shall be quite content if other singers assist us in our worship as much as he did, who now sings the new song among the multitudes redeemed from among men.

For several weeks we could not tell which of our brethren would be home first, Mr. TURNER, or MR. ALFRED SEARLE, but "the post" brought the summons to Brother Searle about a fortnight before the message reached Brother Turner. The next missive came soon after, addressed to our venerable friend, MR. W. BOWKER, the senior elder of the church, and the President of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Country Mission. We shall long miss each of these worthy men, as well as many more who have recently gone to join the church triumphant. They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

Monday evening, November 3, was a great MISSIONARY PRAYER-MEETING at the Tabernacle. First, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, who were returning to India, were affectionately commended to the Lord in prayer. Our brother touched all our hearts by his heroic declaration that he would rather die amongst the heathen than live away from them. Then we had an American missionary, who was going out to assist Dr. Clough in the instruction of the 14,000 Telugu Christians, who are in fellowship as baptized believers at Ongole, India. The Pastor next read a list of the missionaries and brethren who had gone out to the foreign field from the College, and prayer for all of them was offered by one of the students. The meeting was closed with a most interesting address by Pastor E. F. Baldwin, a Baptist miuister from North Carolina, who was on his way to Tangier, Morocco, to work in connection with the Kabyle Mission. Taking it as a whole, the meeting would compare well, for numbers, enthusiasm, interest, and information, with many of the annual gatherings of some of our large societies. It was what Mr. Baldwin said they called in America, an inspiration meeting."

On Friday afternoon, November 7, in the presence of Mrs. Higgs and her family, the Pastor laid the MEMORIAL STONE of the large and beautiful chapel which has been erected in memory of the late Mr. W. Higgs by the members of his bereaved family. It is situated in Solon Road, Bedford Road, Clapham, and is quite an ornament to the region, which in the course of a few years has been covered with houses. We trust many of the inhabitants of the district will have cause eternally to praise the Lord for the noble generosity which has taken such a practical and useful form. building is to be called KENYON CHAPEL, in remembrance of Kenyon House, where our beloved deacon and friend so long resided.

The

It is to be the London Baptist Association Chapel for the past year. A most worthy minister has already been selected in the person of Pastor J. Douglas, M.A., late of Ilfracombe. We hope Baptist friends in the neighbourhood will rally round him from the first service, and that the usefulness of the Chapel will be all that the generous donors' hearts could desire. It will be a grievous disappointment to us not to be able to take part in the opening services, as we had hoped to do.

On Monday evening, November 10, the annual united meeting for PRAYER AND COMMUNION, in connection with the LONDON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, was held at the Tabernacle. The Pastors of the neighbouring churches met for tea and fellowship before the public gathering, which was much more largely attended than for several years past. Most of the ministers took part in the proceedings, and short addresses were delivered by Pastors C. H. and J. A. Spurgeon and W. Williams. It was again a night to be remembered.

On Monday evening, November 17, the Tabernacle Prayer-meeting partook of the character of a public WELCOME TO MR. WILLIAM OLNEY, the senior deacon of the church, who has been absent some months on a voyage to New Zealand. In the muchregretted, but unavoidable absence, through illness, of the Pastor, his brother presided: and there was a large gathering of members of the church and congregation. Special thanks for our beloved friend's safe return were presented in prayer by representatives of the Pastors, deacons, elders, church, and college; and Mr. Olney gave an exceedingly interesting report of his various experiences since he sailed from England, in April. Everywhere he met with friends who were eager to hear all he could tell them concerning the Lord's work at the Tabernacle, and this fact he turned to good account on several occasions, by giving a lecture, and making collections towards the removal of chapel-debts, &c. Nowhere did he have a more hearty reception than that which was given to him by the officers and members of our son's church at Auckland. We were all pleased to hear of the success of the work there under the care of Mr. Rice, whom we sent out to supply the Pastor's place while he was away.

COLLEGE.-During the past month the following brethren have sailed from England: Mr. G. J. Dann, for Allahabad; Mr. J. Stubbs, for Patna; and Mr. J. Glover, for Queensland.

In accordance with a request from our good friend, Mr. Gibson, who wished us to select a Pastor for the church in Perth, Tasmania, we are sending out Mr. J. R. Cooper, who, with his wife, will sail in the same ship as our son Thomas and Mr. Driver.

Mr. H. T. Peach reports the formation of a church, of twenty-nine members, at Pietermaritzburg; a continued increase in the congregation and school; and many tokens of spiritual prosperity. Mr. W. Hamilton is still "holding the fort" at Cape Town, but he would be very thankful if some brother could be sent to relieve him. He cannot leave the church without a suitable man to carry on the work which he has done so well in the past, but how the matter is to be arranged we cannot tell at present.

Mr. W. Stokes, who has for some time been living at Pinner, Middlesex, has undertaken the pastoral charge of the church in that place. Mr. J. C. Foster is removing, from Braintree, to Sydenham Chapel, Forest Hill.

EVANGELISTS.

Messrs. Fullerton and Smith have finished their Belfast mission, and moved on to Londonderry. The Lord has very graciously owned their message in Belfast, and many souls have been won for Christ, while backsliders have been reclaimed, and Christians stimulated and strengthened.

Our brethren will come to London for the close of the year, and will conduct special services in Kenyon Chapel, Solon Road, Clapham, on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 30th and 31st. They will also take charge of the watch-night service at the Tabernacle on New Year's Eve. January and February are to be spent in Bristol, and March in Folkestone.

Mr. Burnham's three weeks' services in Dorsetshire were among the happiest seasons he has ever spent. The Congregational ministers at Swanage and Wareham write in the highest terms of our brother's visits to their churches. One of them says:

Our

"We have reason to be devoutly thankful for the ten days' mission held by Mr. Burnham among us. The clear statement of the gospel, the happy removal of difficulties that perplex the inquirer, the apt illustrations, together with his tender appeals, produced a deep impression on many. friend manifestly has the gift of winning souls; with but little excitement, and no extravagance, his words have a quiet power; they quicken the conscience, and touch the heart. Some who had sunk into indifference, and neglect of public worship, have been restored to earnestness; and numbers from our Sunday-school, and Christian homes, have been brought to decision for Christ. There had been much previous planting, these services did the watering, and God has given the increase. Our prayers have been answered, and our expectations exceeded. We have a firm conviction that such an agency is most helpful to the ordinary ministry. We earnestly wish Mr. Burnham and his fellow-labourers in this glorious work the divine blessing, and large success. We enclose a small thankoffering for the Evangelistic Fund."

Mr. Burnham has since visited Wood

Green, and this month he goes, for the third time, to Watton, Norfolk and finishes this year and begins 1885 at Humberstone-road Union Chapel, Leicester.

Friends at York Road, Leeds, and New Whittington, report successful services held by Mr. Russell, who has also visited Reading and Sunderland.

Messrs. Mateer and Parker have had large congregations and much blessing at Mirfield, Trowbridge, and Hanwell. This month they are to hold services at Margate and Ramsgate.

ORPHANAGE.-On Wednesday evening, Oct. 29, the collectors' meeting was held at the Orphanage under the presidency of the President. The programme comprised singing, bell-ringing, and recitations by the children; an original speech by an orphan boy; brief addresses by Pastors C. H. and T. Spurgeon, J. Douglas, M.A., and J. Benson, and Messrs. B. W. Carr, V. J. Charlesworth, and J. Maynard; and musical performances by other friends. Altogether, although the attendance was somewhat smaller than usual, the meeting was a thorough success. The amount brought in was £14 less than at the November gathering last year; and on that fact being mentioned, several friends at once subscribed sufficient to make up the deficiency. We thank all our kind collectors and donors very heartily, and trust that they will not get weary in this good work; for the boys and girls will keep on eating and drinking, and wearing out their clothes, and we cannot supply their wants without money.

Mr. Charlesworth and his choir have had a very successful tour in Yorkshire. The accounts will not all be made up in time for the present Magazine, but we have already learned that the institution will be considerably benefited by the generous help of our friends in the various towns visited by our happy band of singers and ringers. This month they will journey southwards, and their reception will, we feel sure, be equally hearty. We have no need to "say to the north, give up,' and to the south, 'keep not back""; for north and south vie with one another, and with the east and the west, in contributing to the support of the fatherless children who come to us for shelter from all parts of the kingdom.

Special Note for Christmas.-We generally like to stir up the pure minds of our friends by way of remembrance when the season for the roast beef and plum-pudding is approaching. Christmas comes but once a year, but now, dear friends, 'twill soon be here; and the boys and girls at the Stockwell Orphanage will enjoy the festivities all the better if those who have thought of them in previous years will think of them again in the same practical manner, and if others who have not formerly helped will make a beginning now. Provisions of all sorts will be welcome, and contributions of cash will be readily exchanged for anything

that may be needed. The President hopes this year to have the privilege of meeting the children; but whether he is permitted to do so or not, they must have their full share of enjoyment, and every one who sends a donation, however small, will help them to spend 66 a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." All parcels should be addressed to Mr. Charlesworth, Stockwell Orphanage, Clapham Road, S.W.; cheques, notes, money-orders, &c., will be gratefully received by C. H. Spurgeon, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, S.E.

COLPORTAGE.-The Baptist Union of Tasmania, which was formed on the occasion of the opening of the Launceston Tabernacle, has sent to us the money to pay for the passage of a Colporteur for the outlying districts of that charming island. After much prayerful and careful consideration, we have selected a man whom we believe to be eminently adapted for the work which will be required of him, and he has already sailed for his new sphere of labour, with a well-assorted stock of books from our depôt. We trust that Mr. Gibson and all our Tasmanian brethren will see a great blessing resulting from this new effort to extend the Redeemer's kingdom.

The efforts of the Colportage Association, for further extension of the work in England, are gradually being seconded by friends in districts needing the agency. Six new districts have been started since Midsummer, so that, notwithstanding losses through the discontinuance of others, a band of seventy-three Colporteurs is now engaged in the sale of the Word of God, and Christian and other literature of a good moral tone. The sales for the first nine months of this year show an increase of £669 9s. 4d. over the same period in the previous year,

which, considering the depression in trade, is cause for much thankfulness.

Another important feature has been a large sale of penny New Testaments, 27,450 having been sold since July, besides several hundred gross of Scripture Text Cards of various designs. The Word has also been spoken to individuals from house to house, to the afflicted, and to small congregations. This makes the agency doubly powerful for good, and having been accompanied by many prayers, both by the Committee and the Colporteurs themselves, who can calculate the lasting results of so widespread a sowing of the good seed?

But why should not the seventy-three agents be increased until at least one hundred are employed? Some have assumed that, because the head-quarters are at the Tabernacle, the association is denominational, but this is an error, as the Colporteurs work in connection, not only with Baptist friends, but those belonging to the Congregationalists, Church of England, Wesleyans, and in some cases under independent local committees. No distinctly denominational literature is carried for sale by the Colporteurs, but that of any Evangelical church can be ordered through the men.

The Committee cannot do the work without the district in which it is carried on bearing a share of the cost, amounting to £40 a year, but will appoint an agent to any approved district where this sum can be guaranteed. They are largely dependent upon voluntary subscriptions to the General Fund to make up the deficiency, and while thanking all who have so kindly contributed in the past, they earnestly solicit continued and increased support to this fund.

Baptisms at Metropolitan Tabernacle.October 23, sixteen; October 30, fifteen.