RAMSEY, HUNTS.-On Tuesday, November 29th, a new chapel was opened for public worship at the hamlet of Mereside, situated on the border of what was once the largest inland lake in England, Whittlesey Mere. At three o'clock, p.m., a discourse was delivered by the Rev. William Robinson, of Cambridge, from Deut. xxxii. 48-52. This was followed by a public tea, of which nearly 200 persons partook. Afterwards a crowded public meeting was held, under the presidency of the Rev. H. Wylie, the new chapel being one of two village stations connected with the church under his pastoral care. Excellent addresses were delivered by the Revs. A. Murray, Peterborough; J. Lyon, Chatteris; G. Towler, Whittlesey; W. Robinson, Cambridge; G. B. Thomas, St. Neots; P. Tebbutt, Esq., Bluntisham. The collections of the day amounted to £23. The building is an exceedingly graceful little structure of the Gothic order; it combines elegance with economy, seating 200 worshippers, at a total cost of less than £300. Of this sum the greater part has been made up from the freewill offerings of the labouring poor of the hamlet and its vicinity, assisted by the wealthier members of the parent church, and friends at a distance. EDINBURGH.-The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon preached on Sunday, November 27th, afternoon and evening, in the Music Hall, Edinburgh. Admission was free by ticket, and the collections were on behalf of the Duncanstreet, Newington, Baptist church (the Rev. Mr. Tulloch's), to aid in the payment of the cost of the place of worship they purchased, some time ago, from the Newington United Presbyterian congregation. The hall was greatly crowded at both services, and numbers of ticket-holders were excluded for want of room. Mr. Spurgeon preached in the afternoon from Hosea xiv. 5-7; and in the evening from Ezekiel xxxvi. 9. The audiences were privileged to hear two admirable discourses; they manifested marked attention, and were apparently much impressed. Mr. Spurgeon, at the conclusion of the evening service, bespoke the sympathy of friends in other denominations, for the congregation whose interests had brought him to Edinburgh. The collections at the two services exceeded £150. ILSLEY, BERKSHIRE.-Market Ilsley is a large village a few miles from the town of Newbury, Berkshire. There was only the parish church in this large and increasing village. The spiritual condition of the locality was brought under discussion at the annual meeting of the Berkshire Association of Baptist Churches held at Reading two years since, when it was determined to evangelize Ilsley, and several earnest-minded Christians agreed to preach out in the open air, and in cottages. These services were kept up with regularity and perseverance, under the super intendence of the Rev. H. Fuller, of Ashampstead. God's blessing rested on the effort, and several persons were savingly converted. A few months ago a most suitable piece of ground offered, when it was determined to build a chapel, and on Tuesday, December 6th, opening services were held. Two excellent sermons were preached, that in the afternoon by the Rev. J. Aldis, of Reading, that in the evening by the Rev. W. T. Rosevear, of Abingdon. The Revs. P. G. Scorey, of Wokingham; T. Roberts, of Newbury; and R. Aikenhead, of Wantage, took part in the services. The chapel is a very pretty building, in a good situation, forming quite an ornament to the village. It will seat about 200, without a gallery. There is a baptistry and vestry all complete. The cost, including the purchase of the ground, is about £500. We believe about £200 has been raised. "To defray the balance, an appeal is made to the religious public. LUTON, BEDS.-On Wednesday evening, November 30th, an interesting service was held in Union Chapel, Luton, for the purpose of recognizing the Rev. T. R. Stevenson, late of Harlow, as pastor of the church and congregation. Upwards of 400 persons sat down to tea, and, in spite of most unseasonable weather, a large number of persons afterwards assembled in the chapel. The Rev. T. Hands, the senior minister in the town, presided. After an appropriate and admirable address from the chairman, Mr. Clarke, a deacon of the church, read a statement of the circumstances which had led to Mr. Stevenson's settlement; and Mr. Stevenson read a paper stating his views and intentions in entering on the pastorate of the church. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Revs. D. Katterns, of Hackney; I. Preston, of Chesham; H. Áshbery, and D. F. Boston, B.A., of Luton; by Mr. Strange; and by Mr. Heaton, of London. Several neighbouring ministers were prevented from attending. MINISTERIAL CHANGES.-The Rev. E. Taylor recently resigned the pastorate of the church at Marlow. He has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church at Acton, which is at present (during the building of the new chapel) worshipping in the Independent chapel.-The Rev. William Cheetham, late of Tring, Herts, has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Baptist church, Briercliffe, Lancashire, and purposes entering upon his labours the first Sunday in the new year.-The Rev. R. Bayne, late of Langham, has accepted the unanimous and cordial invitation of the church at Rickmansworth, and enters upon his labours there on the first Sunday in the new year. The Rev. J. Jenkinson (late of Oakham) has accepted a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Stanwick, near Higham Ferrers. Mr. Jenkinson's residence is still (for the present) at Kettering. -The Rev. Evan Davis, late of Pembroke-dock, commenced his labours as pastor of the Baptist church, Paulton, Somerset, on Lord's-day, Nov. 6th, with cheering prospects of usefulness.-Mr. R. Sampson, of the Bristol Baptist College, has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Baptist church at St. Austell, Cornwall, to become its pastor, and will commence his labours there on the first Lord's-day in January. The Rev. W. Salter, late of Lineholme, has accepted the invitation of the churches at Coalville and Whitwick to be their pastor, and commenced his stated ministry on Sunday, Dec. 4. His address will be for the future, Coalville, Leicestershire. -The Rev. J. Cholerton, late of Coalville, has retired on account of ill health, and is now residing in Leicester.-In consequence of the failure of his health, the Rev. T. F. Newman has intimated his intention of resigning the pastorate of the Baptist church at Shortwood, Gloucestershire, which he has held for the period of nearly thirty-three years. Mr. D. George, student of Pontypool College, has accepted a cordial invitation to the pastorate of Short-lane Baptist church, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, and intends (D.V.) commencing his labours on the first Lord's-day in January.-Mr. T. Thomas, another student of the above college, has accepted the unanimous call of the Waenbrodan Baptist Church, Glamorganshire, and intends (D.V.) commencing his ministry in May. The Rev. J. Upton Davis, late of Hull, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church at Kingsbridge, Devon. -The Rev. J. H. Gordon, who has been supplying the church at Astley Bridge, Bolton-le-Moors, for the past year, has accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the Archerstreet Church, Darlington, late the Rev. P. W. Grant's, and hopes to enter on his labours there early in the new year. Editorial Postscript. WITH much pleasure we present to our readers the January number of THE CHURCH. Embellished as it is with so admirable a portrait of our honoured friend Dr. Hoby, and improved, as we believe it to be, both in appearance and in general character, we trust it will meet with a favourable reception from those whom it is our ambition to serve. Our aim will be to make THE CHURCH, this year, more than ever worthy of support; we confidently hope that that support will be generously afforded. May we ask our friends to use this month in efforts to increase our circulation? Only a very large circulation can enable us to maintain the magazine in full efficiency; but we feel assured that a very little effort, on the part of Pastors, Sunday school teachers, and others, would give us all the circulation we desire. The month of January is almost the only month during which efforts for periodicals can be suitably made. If our request be heartily complied with, we shall fully calculate on a doubled circulation for 1865. It may not be inappropriate to mention that we commence this month an improved issue of THE APPEAL. This little magazine, which has been issued for now sixteen years, has had, during the whole of that time, a circulation of little less than thirty thousands. Still, there are many congregations in which it is not circulated, and many where it is not even known. This year it is printed on larger paper, and with a larger type: other improvements are also made in it; and it is believed that thus it will be rendered more attractive, and, with God's blessing, more useful. We venture to commend this little periodical, whose special objects are known to most of our readers, to their kind and cordial support. We may add that those who distribute THE APPEAL in large numbers, may have parcels of it (as also of THE CHURCH), direct from the publishers, at a considerable reduction in the price. We shall be thankful to know that our new arrangements are acceptable to our friends, and such as to induce them to give us the help we need. Tales and Sketches. SCATTER BLESSINGS. A TRUE STORY. MR. GILLETTE said in his sermon last evening, we must scatter blessings, and Amy Woodford went home thoughtful. She was the wife of a year-a happy, beloved wife; her home a perfect gem, everything new and nice about it, a strong handy Scotch girl to do the hard work, and Amy only had the parlours and her own room to put in order, and an occasional choice dish to prepare for her husband, to look after things a little, and then she read and sang, and dallied over her sewing as she pleased. A quiet, happy life she led ; but through it crept a shadow of dissatisfaction, for she was doing so little to promote any good, and just seeking her own enjoyment. The sermon had set her to thinking. Perhaps the work she might do went straying through her dreams, for she had not forgotten, when Monday morning dawned, the good resolutions of "the night before; and after Mr. Wood 666 ford had gone to his office, she stood by the parlour window, idly scraping the frost from the pane with her slender fingers, and then she walked up to the fire and held the small, soft palm of her chilled hands to catch the refreshing warmth. 'We must scatter blessings.' Well, and what can I do, in my little humble sphere? There are no prisons into which I can carry the cheering light of human kindness, and with the finger of faith point the poor, doomed criminal to that world, where, through the mercies of a forgiving Saviour, he may one day be free; no hospitals, where I can soothe and cheer the poor suffering ones; no cases of real, abject poverty which I can relieve, for I know every one in this quiet village; so what can I do?" Amy sat down almost discouraged, for the want of something to present itself there by her own fireside; but it seemed in noways likely to come; so she went about her morning work a little less cheerful than usual. It was a cold winter morning; the snow lay thick upon the ground, and the tread of the few passers-by sounded out sharply from the crisp, hard walks. Amy went to the kitchen on some simple errand, and found Macdown, the housemaid, washing the breakfast dishes, with one foot upon the chair, the tears running down her plump red cheeks, and the usually neat apartment in a sad state of confusion. "Why, Macdown, what is the matter?" was Amy's involuntary exclamation, in a kind but surprised voice. "Oh, Miss Amy, but I have had the dreadfullest fall! I was going down the icy steps to hang out my last basket of clothes, and down I went, with my poor ankle turned right in, and it does pain me bad. I shall have to take the work easy to-day, mem; I'll get through it in time." Indeed, you will not do anything more, Macdown. Why did you not come directly to me?" "And what good would it do to worry you, dear child?" You felt at once the kind-hearted housemaid loved the young housekeeper, and that she deserved it. " "Now wipe your hands immediately, Macdown, and let me wheel the sofa before the dining-room fire, and you come at once and lie down. Let me help you, poor thing! how cruel for you to try to work in such pain! Amy put her arm about the girl, and almost lifted her along, Macdown in too much pain to offer any resistance. She bathed the swollen limb, adjusted the cushions under her head, and covered her with a warm blanket, and telling her never once to think of the work, went out to her task in the kitchen. It was quite a formidable one, unused as she was to hard labour, but she knew how it should be done, and an hour brought order out of confusion, and she went back to tell Macdown how everything was complete, the dinner all ready to put on in its proper time, and that she felt better for the exercise. But Macdown was crying bitterly. Amy pulled a footstool to her side, and sat down, laying her hand upon the hot forehead. "Poor Macdown! I'm sorry you suffer so," she said kindly. "It isn't the pain, ma'am ; I believe it is all gone; at least, I am so happy I cannot feel it. I have been thinking how good God is to give me such a homeme, a poor orphan girl, that hasn't anybody in the whole of this big world to care anything about her, and there was such a great, tender feeling came over me I could not help crying. You dear soul! God will bless you." It was pleasant to hear those words, even from the lips of a servant, and Amy thought for the first time of the soul of the poor ignorant girl that had been in a measure given to her keeping, and learned with surprise that the poor servant-girl was far in advance of her in the Christian graces of faith and love, and that it was this that always made her labour so faithfully and cheerfully. Then Amy went to answer the door-bell. It was a boy who had followed a load of coal which Mr. Woodford had ordered, and he stood twisting his chilled fingers awkwardly as he asked: "Please, ma'am, and can I put in the coal?" He looked into her face very wishfully, as if his life almost depended upon her left the door leading to the dining-room open. She glanced up at the window as she concluded, and the brightest, happiest face she ever remembered having seen was pressed close to the pane; but as soon as the child perceived he was discovered he crept back to his work. Amy watched him till the last piece of coal was in, saw how carefully he closed the door and left everything safe, and then she went and called him to her. It was almost a miracle to see a child of his years so thoughtful and industrious. "You are a good boy," she said softly, "and here is a shilling for you." "Oh, it is only sixpence for one load, ma'am." "Never mind: you may keep it all." The child turned the coin over and over in his hand, rubbed it affectionately, and looked up, with his eyes brimful of astonishment and joy. "I do not believe I ever had so much money in all my life before. It will help us along so much." "Is your mother very poor, little boy?" "Oh, not dreadful. We are pretty comfortable when father has work; but lately there isn't much doing, and some weeks he does not get hardly anything, and then we have to live on potatoes and salt, and a little bread, and I thought if I could just get a little butter with my shilling it would be so nice." "And where do you live?" "Father has a bit of land and the small frame house just on the Monmouth road, and mother says we mustn't get in debt, 'cause it is so hard to get out, so we jest 'conomizes." "What were you doing at the window a little while ago?" Amy asked, with a twinkle of fun in her eyes. The child hung down his head. "Oh, I couldn't help listening; it was such a pretty noise," he faltered, in affright. "I am not going to scold you, my boy; but do you want me to play some more for you?" The bright eyes grew still brighter, and fairly sparkled with delight when she struck into the quick variations of a popular air, which the child recognized at Then she sang a few simple songs, once and finally raised the lid of the strange instrument, and explained its mysterious workings to the wondering mind, and was rewarded by a genuine heartfelt "Thank you; I think when I get to be a man I will make one of them, and if yours is worn out by that time, I will make you one too." She set out a simple meal upon the dining-room table, and went to the kitchen to add some coal to the wasted fire, and as the child watched her retreating form, he gare vent to his admiration by turning to Macdown, who was watching the happy child with pleasure, and exclaiming, "Oh, but ain't she a beauty, though? She is the prettiest of anybody I ever did see!" And Macdown thought the child quite right. Now, I no one thought of calling Amy Woodford a beauty, or even pretty, for her figure was very slight, her face thin, and her features irregular, her eyes and hair too light to be beautiful; but there was always a sweet expression about the small mouth that made every one love plain face after all, and her husband firmly declared she was charming; but Amy kept at her work without thinking caring whether she was beautiful or not, so long as she was beloved. or even A big basket found its way down to the small brown house that morning, and there was, besides two tempting rolls of tter, sufficient to keep the small family simple luxuries for a week, and the went dancing home with it upon arm, the happiest child in the whole illage. Mr. Woodford came home late to ner that day. Somehow, everything gone wrong with him, and Amy w at once there was a cloud upon his ow. She did not question him, hower, and though he was unusually oody and taciturn, she did not chide; d when he spoke almost sharply to acdown for her carelessness, she did reprove him, though the words embled on her lips, but went on telling in how much she had accomplished that morning, how light-hearted she felt, for all she was a little weary, and at length the cloud began to uplift itself, and by-and-by vanished altogether; and her husband kissed her, and called her his little sunshine. He produced a pile of papers that must be filled that afternoon, said his clerk had gone off to the city, his partner was sick, and he had an argument in his brain that he believed would help him to gain a case, if he only had time to note it down before he lost the thread, and Amy begged that she might do the writing. Her husband jestingly told her it would not be fair to make a lawyer of her, but seemed in no wise reluctant to accept of her proffered assistance; and after taking down names and boundaries upon slips of paper, left her to her task. Her penmanship was very fine, and she had a great deal of ingenuity, though little knowledge of deeds and mortgages; but when her husband returned in the evening, it was all done, and well done, and he praised her. She had not been free from interruptions, however. Once a pedlar had come into the hall, and she felt like sending him away in anger; but he looked cold and weary, so she had given him a seat by the kitchen fire, and made a trifling purchase. At another time an Irish woman had come to the door, inquiring if she knew where she could get work, and Amy had spoken kindly, and recommended her to an acquaintance who was in want of a girl; and the poor woman had gone away with a blessing, telling her the sight of her pleasant face had done her good. Amy felt that evening that she had not scattered her blessings very widely, but her heart was light and joyous, and a glad, happy tear stole into her eyes, as the last verse of the evening lesson fell from her husband's lips: "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward." GUARDIAN ANGELS. AMONG the very many beautiful things which our Saviour did, that of taking little children up in His arms, placing His hands on them, and blessing them, was |