the strengthening of Popery, Infidelity, Spiritualism, and Temptations to strong Drink, upon which our own people of Great Britain, who spent 118 millions of pounds on it in 1873, have in 1877 spent 143 millions.

The VOICE of desperate wars and famines have, as we know, been added to the VOICES OF THE BOOK. "Nation is risen against nation, and kingdom against kingdom," "men's hearts are failing them for fear," and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; and meanwhile it is at the beginning of these TIMES of the End that Christ bade His disciples "lift up their heads, for their Redemption is drawing nigh," the kingdom of God would be then "nigh at hand." Not to them need that day come "as a snare." They were to watch and pray always that they might be accounted worthy to escape the things which should come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke xxi. 25-36).

"TIME, TIMES AND A HALF."

AS RELATING TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL.

The prophetic year in the Scriptures was of 360 days, and was called a "time." The three times and a half of Daniel (chap] vii. 1-12) are doubtless correlative numbers to the 42 months and 1,260 days of Rev. xi. and xii., for 360 by 3 equal 1,260, and 30 by 42 equal 1,260.* (See Smith's Dictionary of the Bible.)

* If three times and a half mean 1,260 years, seven times will be twice 1,260 years, equal to 2,520 years. With regard to the symbolical siege of Jerusalem, in Ezekiel iv. 6, it is said, "I have appointed thee each day or a year."

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If from God's call of ABRAHAM-1921 B.C., at 75 years of age to the Rejection of the Tribe of JUDAH under MANASSEH, 661 B.C. (see Jeremiah xv. 1—4) there are 1,260 years, or "time, times and a half," during which Israel were the CHOICE of God, their punishment or CASTING AWAY for their sins being seven times," would endure for 2,520 years; and commencing 661 B.C., would end in 1859 A.D.; but to this date there may be added, according to Daniel, 75 years (see Daniel xii.). "Blessed is he that liveth and cometh to the 1,335 days," which are 75 more than 1260. And this number 75, added to three times 1,260 years, dating from 1921 B.C., runs on to 1934 A.D., being 3,855 years of 365 days, or our ordinary years— but counting by Prophetical or Biblical years of only 360 days each, it would bring the end of the TIMES OF THE GENTILES and the commencing Restoration of the Jews rather more than 56 years earlier, and to about the year 1878-9, which, from the present state of the Eastern Question, may be not at all an unlikely issue.

FOR LONDON BIBLE AND DOMESTIC FEMALE MISSIONS. Money received between Dec. 10th and Jan. 10th, 1878.

Examined and certified by me, as duly entered in the books of the Mission, JAMES WADDELL (of J. WADDELL & CO.),

Fellow of the Institute of Accountants,

Mansion House Chambers, 11, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.

Received for the Missions and Bible-women Nurses, with thanks :-Parcels of clothing, pillows, old linen, &c., from Mrs. Roakes; Mrs. Jacobs; Anonymous; Mrs. Edwards; Mrs. Gay; Miss Roby; Misses Samler; Miss Hankey; Mrs. Molyneux Williams; Mrs. James Alexander; Mrs. Bramwell; A. S. O. D; Miss Wardroper; Mrs. Nunn; Mrs. Cox; Miss Thompson; N. B.; Miss Lobb; Mrs. S. J. Thompson; Beckenham Working Party, by Miss Phillips; Mrs. George Lush; Miss Walford; Mrs. Gray; Mrs. Church; Mrs. McLachlan; "An Invalid, Brighton;" Misses Cottam; J. D.: Mrs. Baker; W. Winstone, Esq., per British and Foreign Bible Society; Mrs. Greenwood; Mrs. Cheesman; Mrs. Bryan; Mrs. Palmer; E. R. E.; Mrs. Sewell; a few friends at Sherborne; clothing and sack of oatmeal from Mrs. Locke; text rolls, books, &c., from Society for the Distribution of Scripture Truth; blankets from Lady Peto, Mrs. Bower, and Miss Wilson; comforters from Mrs. Bower; arrowroot and linen from Mrs. Woakes; text quilt from Miss Lucas; woollen shawls from Anonymous and Mrs. Bryan'; large text for Mission rooms and fumigators from Mrs. Bryan; books from Mrs. Meigh; hospital letters from G. A. Calder, Esq.; Mrs. Girdlestone; Hugh H. Seymour, Esq.; Mrs. Portal; and Mrs. Wright; Miss Mainwaring; James Alexander, Esq.; old boots for St. Giles's from Anonymous; clothing from Miss Bevington for St. Giles's No. 2; Lady V. Evans Freke and Miss Dumas, for London Hospital; Miss Allcard's Working Party for Bethnal Green; and Mrs. Barttelot for Old Ford.

Contributions to the LONDON BIBLE AND DOMESTIC FEMALE MISSIONS can be received by the Honorary Secretary, Mrs. Ranyard, 13, Hunter-street, Brunswick-square, London, W.C.; by the Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P., addressed to the Bank of Messrs Ransom and Co., No. 1, Pall-mall East; also by Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and Co.. 54 Lombard-street; and by Messrs, Nisbet and Co., Berners street. Money Orders should be made payable at the Post-office, Burton-crescent, W.C., in the name of Ellen Ranyard, and cheques crossed Ransom and Co.

SIXPENCE A DAY FOR DISABLED WORKERS.

THE following note (which we venture to print without permission) may perchance elicit a few more of the same kind:

"I hope," says a friend, "the pathetic appeal on behalf of superannuated workers, will be responded to by many who are themselves growing old. I, at all events, cannot resist it, for though I have great reason to thank God for the large measure of strength and health He permits me to enjoy at my age, yet painful eyes and dulled ears enable me in some degree to realize what old age must bring to those who have none of life's comforts, and scarcely life's necessaries around them. I therefore wish to express a little of the gratitude I feel for my many mercies by sending you a cheque for 97., which will provide the small and well-earned pension for one year to one of your disabled women. I send it with Christian love."

Meanwhile, we regret to say that our General Receipts for February are less by nearly 2007. than they were in February, 1877.

A MOTHER'S PRAYER.

ONE of our Superintendents sends us the following facts:Mrs. B has eight little children; her husband is an Italian; he earns 17. per week, and yet the family are constantly in want. Mrs. B. has been "almost a Christian" for a long time. A few weeks ago the Bible-woman, knowing she was unwell, took her some food on a Sunday morning, and found her at her work, making lace veils.

"I know this is wrong," she said. "I know no good comes from working on Sunday, but what can I do ?" and she went on to tell how last week she had taken her youngest boy to the Hospital in Great Ormond Street to be operated upon for turned feet. There she had been told she must pay 50s. to get special boots for the child to wear; so she must try to earn the money somehow, or the child would be a cripple for life.

"Seek first the kingdom of God.' 'Trust in the Lord, and He will provide," " answered the Bible-woman.

After some earnest, loving counsel she put away the work,

F