1860.

PROVIDENT FUND.

From December 31st, 1859, to January 29th, 1861.

Mr. JAMES HAYCROFT, Treasurer, in account with the Trustees of the Provident Fund.

50 0 0

Balance in hand

200

1 0

5 12 8

20

613 4 40 6 11

ON Sunday, the 11th of August, the Rev. W. Woodhouse improved the death of the oldest member of the Church at the Adelphi, from the text, "So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord."

Mr. Gold was the son of the Rev. Mr. Gold, formerly of Stratford, well known as a supply at the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Road Chapel. He lost his mother early in life, and received his first religious impressions from the pious counsels and example of his father. For many years he was a worshipper at Surrey Chapel, but during the latter part of his life was a constant attendant and member of the Adelphi Chapel. His views of Divine truth were, to the last, of the old Tabernacle School. He was remarkable for the peculiarly humble views he entertained of himself, and his exalted conceptions of the Lord Jesus Christ. During his illness, though his body was enfeebled by age, his mind seemed to retain all its vigour. His one desire was, "to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better." He was willing to wait, but longing to go. His favourite verse expressed the habit of his mind to the last ::

"Musing on my habitation,—

Musing on my heavenly home;
Fill my soul with holy longing,
Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come."

In this happy frame of mind he died, in his 96th year.

Ir was Sunday evening-Edwin's last evening at home. Early the next morning his father was to leave for a distant part of the country, and he to set off for school. The old house was to be shut up, no one

knew how long.

Edwin had just come in from the garden with a sorrowful heart. He had been taking a last sad look at the shrubs and flowers with which he associated the memories of his mother and Ruth. As he sat at his sister's favourite window, the sun-rays were falling on the grassplot before the door. How lonely he felt without her and his mother.

U

The Bible, however, she so much loved when here, he held in his hand. His eyes were resting where hers had often rested on the written names. Below his mother's name was Ruth's, and underneath it the words" and in the stone a new name written"-oh! how they brought to his mind afresh her sweet expressions. "Fight the good fight, Edwin; Jesus will help you," were Ruth's last words to him.

He was saying them slowly over to himself as he leaned back in his chair. Awhile he was lost in thought. The clock ticked the passing moments, and the room grew dark, and Edwin unconsciously sunk to sleep. No wonder he should dream of that which his mind was so full of. The familiar walls had disappeared, and the ticking of the clock was exchanged for the rippling of a distant stream-music sweeter than he had ever heard before fell on his ear. Nearer and nearer came the warbling notes.

"Overcome, overcome,

So the crown of life is won."

The words ceased, and a soft voice seemed to whisper at his side, "Edwin, brother Edwin!"

Yes, it is Ruth, but how different! Edwin looked at her again and again before he answered-" Dear, dear Ruth."

"They told me, Edwin, I might come and show you this," holding up before him a bright crown.

"You can look at it, only you must not touch it."

"Is it

yours, Ruth ?"

66 No, it is for

you when

Home, Ruth ?"

"Yes, Edwin, to our Father's house."

"And will it be mine then, Ruth ?"

"Yes-they told me to tell you-if you be faithful to the end." Again the distant notes, and Ruth's voice joined them.

"Would you win the crown of life,

Faint not, fail not, in the strife."

"But, Edwin, see these precious stones, Jesus only can put them in, but you may take them out. For every wicked thought is a diamond loosened; for every evil deed a pearl falls out.

Remember

"Overcome, overcome,

Thus the crown of life is won."

The clock struck, and Edwin awoke. Tears had run down his cheeks while he dreamt-whether of joy or grief he knew not

When he opened his eyes he found his father by his side, who looked en him with tenderness and said, "My dear Edwin, one word before we part."

What that one word was, no pious parent needs to be told. Enough, it was a father's counsel to his motheriess, and now only child. And they both knelt down to ask the blessing of Him who alone could watch over them in their separation.

As Edwin wished him good night, his father put a new Bible into his hand and said, “Read it Edwin, read it every day, and read it with prayer. Remember your mother and Ruth in heaven, and try to

meet them there."

his

eye

When Edwin retired to his room and placed his candle on the table, became fixed on his Bible. His father's last words and fervent prayer had deeply affected his heart. As his father prayed that he might be kept from sin, he firmly resolved that he would try to do

what was right,

So earnest was he in making this resolution, that he did not hear his father's added words " for thou only, O Lord, canst keep him from the evil." So he opened his Bible and said, "To-night is the best time to

begin."

“Where shall I read ?" he noticed a book-mark between the leaves. His eye ran down the page, and to his surprise he found one verse marked. A pencil line was drawn round it, and on the margin was

written "Remember."

"How strange! that is

Edwin read the verse slowly and aloud, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." what Ruth said-and that beautiful crown! I am glad I am going to school-it will be so much easier to begin. I wonder what sort of a

school it is."

Here Edwin's thoughts wandered off till the clock struck; "Well, it is too late to read more to-night, I will read in the morning.”

"Will you go, Edwin ?" said three boys one day, about a month afterwards, as they stood together under an old tree, on the side of the

playground.

"Come, Edwin, it will be such a treat, and nobody will be any the

wiser for it."

Only a short struggle-the tempter was too strong, and Edwin vanquished in the strife, said, "Yes, I'll go," just as the bell rang for

school.

Poor Edwin, how that "yes" troubled him all that afternoon, What would he not have given to have called it back! Once or twice he

made up his mind to tell the leader of them-whose name was Shepherd-that he would not go; but his sneering laugh came back on him and he dare not. Afraid of a boy's sneer, but not of God's anger!

Near the school house was an orchard, on one side was a beautiful grove and a pleasure garden on the other, all belonging to Mr. Richards, who lived in the white house beyond.

A few days after Dr. Stevens told his pupils there would be no school that afternoon, as they were all invited to supper in Mr. Richards' grove. What an afternoon was that! The table was spread under the oak trees, and loaded, besides other things, with the best fruit Mr. Richards' garden could produce. After the entertainment, and when they had loaded their pockets besides, by the permission of their kind benefactor, he stepped to the head of the table and called for silence.

"I know," said he, "you have all been wondering why I have asked you here. Partly for my own pleasure. It has, indeed, been very pleasant to me, so pleasant that I hope to try it again. This was only one reason. I wanted to keep you from sin, by taking temptation out of your way. You all know, I believe, that my orchard is a good one, and that the fruit looks tempting. But can any of you tell me which is the eighth commandment ?"

There was silence a few minutes. Some had their eyes on the ground, instead of being raised to Mr. Richards' face as they had been before. At last there sounded through the oak grove, a voice in reverend tones, "Thou shalt not steal."

"Let me hear you all say it together."

Loud and clear was the echo with which the sacred words sounded through the grove again, and many of the youths turned their eyes with new thoughts of "mine or thine," on the branches bending beneath their burdens just in sight.

"I thought to have saved you from sin, by giving you as much fruit as you could desire, but I am sorry to say”—and here his countenance grew sad, while Dr. Stevens looked anxiously round on his pupils—“ I am sorry to say last night four of you who are now present, entered my orchard and broke that commandment, and sinned against God."

Most of them were too intently watching Mr. Richards, to notice how Shepherd involuntarily hung down his head, and Edwin's face deepened from ashy paleness to crimson. But Dr. Stevens had seen it all, and needed no tongue to tell him who were the four.

After thanking Mr. Richards, they returned home, but how different from the happy walk in the afternoon. There seemed a cloud over