This morning we served breakfast at the Row to the Bishop of Zanzibar's party, after the celebration at S. Paul's. The Bishop himself breakfasted elsewhere, much to the disappointment of our young waitresses, who had looked forward to seeing him. But we were glad to hear afterwards that the breakfast had been satisfactory to the rest of the party, and we hope that it will become a pleasant memory of their last day at home, when they are far away.

'Please send me twelve copies of "Short Prayers for Servants," writes a clergyman. 'I never saw anything I liked better for the purpose.' We are thankful to receive this commendation of our little publication.

A cheque for 100l. came this morning from a very great friend. How thankful we feel for such an important addition to our Building Fund! The Haberdashers' Company sends us a donation of ten guineas. One of the clergy writes: 'You shall have an offertory for the Convalescent Home. Our parish is a large agricultural one, with only one gentleman in it, so the offertory will be small, but it will show our goodwill towards your very important work. Can you send me a hundred leaflets for the seats?' Another says 'I have fixed S. James's Day for an offertory, as a Sunday is not possible.'

One hundred pairs of stockings came from the Orphanage Knitting Society, all beautifully knitted. Fancy the expense and time which these ladies save us by such a gift as this-coming every few months, as it does, most regularly!

The Docks.-We have started a soup-truck, specially designed for the benefit of the unemployed. In accordance with the wishes. of the giver, it has been named 'The Don.' Its place of standing is just outside the middle gate of S. Katharine's Dock, and close to the Irongate Wharf. On its arrival, it was closely scrutinised by a group of men standing near. Poor fellows the steaming soup and appetising-looking pudding certainly were most inviting, but to obtain either was a somewhat difficult matter, for they had had no work that morning, nor perhaps for

days before. At last, after some earnest conversation, they managed to collect between them the sum of one penny halfpenny. This they laid out in a halfpennyworth of soup and a pennyworth of pudding. The catcher broke up the pudding and divided it amongst the party, and then each took a drink of the soup with evident satisfaction. When all was gone, one of them approached the truck to return the basin, saying, 'Thank ye, ma'am, that's first-rate.' An old woman guarding an orange stall opposite seemed to be surveying us somewhat jealously. Presently she covered over her oranges with a cloth, and came across carrying in her hands a quart mug. I'll just have a ha'porth of yer soup.' Having received it she forthwith began to grumble out, 'Call that a ha'porth, do yer?'

With that she took it round to all the men, but finding no one to second her opinion, tried some neighbours within doors, with the same result. Then it evidently struck her she might as well taste the soup, and, finding it not so bad, she drained it at a draught. Once more trotting back to the stall, she said: 'I've come back to tell yer your soup's very good. I liked it, and I wish yer good luck. You'll do well after a bit, if yer'll have patience at starting; and in the winter yer'll get a real good trade.' One of the fortunate possessors of a piece of pudding turned round and said: 'Why, Kitty, ye look better already for it. You can eat a piece of pudding now, can't ye?' Nothing loth, she accepted the offer, then remarked: "That ain't so bad, neither!'

One

More customers at our new stall. observed to-day: 'So this belongs to the same party as takes soup on the Docks. I used to work there afore you come; and it was cruel, I can tell you, to work all day with nothing to eat. It is true they used to bring in some stale saveloys, but, as often as not, one 'ad to throw 'em away. Your's is a true Christian act.'

One man having bought a piece of pudding, went straight into a public-house, and in a few minutes returned with a party of his mates. 'I've been to show 'em how they

can lay out their penny better than spending it on beer,' he said confidentially. Another remarked: 'Well, now, this is just what's wanted. Work's bad, and we don't get it reg'lar. We're often very poor, so we likes to lay out any money, when we has it, to the best advantage. It's nothing to us to go two or three days without dinner. There's only one cookshop here, and their meat puddings are 6d., so we often spend our penny on a drop of beer, for want of something else.'

Abe Church
Church Extension
Library.

ITS OBJECTS AND PROPOSED
ENLARGEMENT.

T is possible that in a large and widespread Society like the C. E. A., some of its branches may be almost unknown in their working to a great number of the members, and we fancy there are many hundreds to whom the idea of 'The Library' conveys not the slightest meaning.

Often it is thought to be a mere parochial institution, perhaps for Kilburn itself; whereas one of the most valuable points in our beloved Society, with its 2,000 actual members, scattered all over England, &c., is its adherence to the comprehensive motto'Pro Ecclesia Dei.

We desire to work for the Church at large, whether in England or the Colonies, and to take up no painfully narrow geographical idea, or any merely local work.

So with our Literary Branch.

It began in a very humble way ten years ago, being first founded to meet an often expressed wish of those living in country. parishes who cannot obtain access to helpful religious books, and of many others who cannot afford to buy such for themselves.

Of course the ordinary Circulating Libraries' contain very little sound Church literature, though they give us plenty of scientific works and fiction-both valuable

in their way, but not supplying the higher needs of the soul. Often do we hear people say how thankfully they would read valuable devotional and ecclesiastical works, both for help in their own spiritual life, and for the sake of teaching others, but that they do not know where to borrow them.

'The Church Extension Library' is now humbly endeavouring to fulfil this widespread wish among the present generation of earnest members of the Church, many of whom are but just waking up with joy to the real knowledge of what it is to be a member of the Holy Catholic Church and of the Communion of Saints, and who feel the need of being 'built up' in their most holy faith!

The plan adopted is very simple, encumbered with few rules, and has been found to work well.

A considerable number of members have joined together in placing their own theological works at the disposal of the Society. They freely send them by post whenever asked for. All subscribers receive them post free, and change them as frequently as they may desire, on sending a post-card to the Honorary Librarian.

All are provided with lists of the works in circulation, those already catalogued numbering 1,000 volumes. Other titles are now ready for a supplemental catalogue.

The yearly subscription is very low, 2s. 6d. for C. E. A. members, and 5s. for non-members. This has been done intentionally, in order to place the books within the reach of all. Any surplus, after the expenses of postage are paid, goes to the purchase of additional works, though the amount is necessarily small at present.

We now feel that the usefulness of this branch might be very greatly increased, if many more of our members would be generous enough to lend their own books, and allow them to be placed at once on the supplemental catalogue, thereby conferring a very great boon on those who could never otherwise have a chance of seeing them. Surely books should be one of our least selfish possessions; for the beautiful thoughts

And if

of other minds which have helped ourselves may very justly be sent forth to do the same good office for our brethren. some who cannot comply with this suggestion would send small donations towards the purchase of new books, we should gradually be enabled to enlarge our library.

Sunday-school teachers, the holders of classes, and managers of guilds, &c., who need instruction in dogmatic truth, are very glad to borrow catechetical and devotional books to help them in preparing lessons. Such work is often very arduous to those who have little leisure, and who yet feel the true missionary longing to impart to others. the Faith that has blessed their own souls so abundantly.

There is another large section of society, too, which stands in urgent need of help at a very important crisis in their lives, and for whom we fear it is seldom provided-viz. the poorer clergy.

This is especially the case at the time of their ordination, either to the Diaconate or the Priesthood. Expensive and standard theological works are very properly required, by the bishops' examining chaplains, to be closely studied, and the poorer curates are often very hard pressed to obtain them; in fact, their price is a most serious difficulty in many cases, and at a time when other heavy expenses are necessarily incurred. Yet these books are an absolute sine qua non, without the hard study of which many candidates for ordination would be summarily rejected; and it therefore seems a most legitimate branch of help for any 'Church Extension Library' to take up.

A certain set of standard works are probably used in most dioceses, and a supply of these on our shelves, we have reason to know, would be an invaluable boon to many preparing for ordination.

Will some of our ever-liberal members, then, enable us in this way to help those whose after-teaching will be of such deep importance to the future members of the Anglican Church?

A generous response to this appeal would

enable us to do something substantially useful in this direction; and, with the 20,000 copies now circulated of Our Work, such a source of aid would soon become widely known to the clergy themselves. May we remind our readers of the well-known saying of the saintly Bishop of Geneva-S. Francis de Sâles: He who lends or gives a spiritual book does a work acceptable with God. In this day of blasphemy and rebuke, does it not become a very serious duty for those who have enlisted themselves under the great banner of Christ and of His Church, to provide what antidotes they can against the flood of poisonous literature that meets us on all sides.

The children of this world are very 'wise in their generation,' as the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field, so we must meet falsehood and distorted truths with that whole glorious Faith 'Once for all delivered to the saints.' We must give the uninstructed a 'reason for the hope that is in them,' a logical knowledge of the great deposit of truth, and instil a personal devotion to the Incarnate Son of GOD as the foundation and essence of all true and righteous belief.

'Yea, hath God said?' is the old evil suggestion; and thousands now make shipwreck of the faith by seeking after philosophies, falsely so called, while denying the LORD that bought them. In these days, the good old habit of intellectual submission to the teaching of the Catholic Church has so far died out with many, that they only crave for something new, and in their fear to be thought illiberal they are blown about with. every wind of doctrine.

One of our deepest modern poets has said most truly

Yet, behold! behold! the world of books is still the world,

And worldlings in it less merciful though more puissant.

Every knife that strikes is edged with elemental fire to assail a spiritual life.

The beautiful seems right by force of beauty,
And the feeble wrong because of weakness.
Power is justified, though armed against S. Michael.

Be it rather ours steadfastly to uphold the One Faith that can alone truly guide in life and support in death-whether by word or by pen, or by circulating the holy thoughts of those that have yielded themselves to the guidance of the Divine Spirit, who has taken of the things of CHRIST and shown them

unto us.

To conclude, let me just sum up the various ways in which those interested in this special branch of Church Extension may help it:

1. By lending their books according to the plan set forth in this paper.

2. By giving any volumes they can spare from their own store, to be added to those already under the care of the librarian.

3. By giving other books, which, though of some value in the literary world, are not of a theological type, and could be exchanged by the hon. librarian.

4. By donations towards the purchase of new works, and the expenses of printing and postage.

All gifts, communications, &c., should be sent to the Hon. Librarian,

Miss EDITH Walker, Horley,

Surrey.

P.S.-If any of those twenty-nine kind friends who, a year ago, answered an advertisement of the hon. librarian asking for some Ordination books, would be willing now to place the valuable works, then offered, upon the permanent catalogue of the Church Extension Library, they would confer a great benefit.

More Orphans.

HOW CAN WE RECEIVE THEM-
RELIEVE THEM?

FEW weeks ago, a foreign letter reached us, out of which dropped a cheque for 50%, which-a few kind accompanying lines informed us-was designed for 'the extension of the Orphanage of Mercy.'

It was the gift of a benefactor who has, for many months past, cheered us by his sympathy and generous presents, his interest having been first awakened by a chance copy of our magazine sent out by a friend in England.

Since that time, several 50%. cheques have arrived at intervals for one or other department of our charitable work.

The first was to be devoted to the fund for providing 'Workmen's Restaurants,' for, said the writer, 'I know what a comfort it must be to be able to turn into a respectable place, and get a good dinner at a moderate price. I have myself experienced what it is to wander about the streets, wearied and hungry, and unable to find any place of refreshment in which, with the length of purse I then possessed, I had a chance of getting anything fit to eat.'

This last contribution for the Orphanage came at a peculiarly opportune moment. It seemed to tell us how we were intended to answer the question which heads this paper. It seemed to bid us set to work boldly to build another Wing on to our present Home, trusting that GOD would, in His infinite goodness, supply us with the means of doing so.

And when, shortly afterwards, unlooked for legacies placed 2,500l. in our hands, we resolved to make no delay, and at once requested our architect to prepare plans for such an extension of the Orphanage as would house one hundred more children.

We had made a rough calculation that the new building could be erected for about double the sum we had in hand. But, alas ! when 'quantities' had been 'taken out' and estimates handed in, it was found that we had been reckoning without book; and, it is needless to say, our mistake was on the wrong side!

In plain English, then-if this great work is to be carried out-7,000l. must be laid out upon it; and when this is compared with the cost of other institutions intended to hold a hundred inmates, it will not be found excessive.

After considering what is best to be done, we have decided to make a beginning with what we have in hand, and to keep on building so long as we have wherewithal to pay the workmen. Then, if the sad necessity is laid upon us, we must suspend operations till more help is forthcoming.

As we have before said, we cannot urge the claims of the Extension' very pressingly, because so many of our friends are doing their very utmost for the Convalescent Home, and we are far from wishing to divert funds from that greatly needed Institution. Still, there may be some, under whose eyes this paper will fall, who would feel more especially drawn towards the fatherless and motherless lambs whose cry comes so pitifully to us, to provide for them a safe and happy fold.

If such there should be, will they not help us to raise this sum-which seems so large, so weighty to us; but yet is so light and small, in comparison with the enormous good it will enable us to accomplish?

How it would relieve the anxiety—which must now, to some extent, be our portionto receive a few letters of real sympathy, containing, if not present gifts, at least promises of substantial help in three, six, or even twelve months' time!

Some persons may be disposed to accuse us of rashness, for even entertaining the idea of extending a building which still bears the marks of its own recent erection; and, in defence, we can but say that we believe there are few Christians, who, if placed in our position, would not act in precisely the same manner. How can we receive the piteous appeals which reach us day by day, and not go beyond ourselves, and pass the strict limits of prudence, in the desire to respond to them favourably?

'There are in this parish,' writes a clergyman, 'three orphans. Their father, a miner, died two years since of rapid consumption, aged only twenty-six. The mother-who was herself left an orphan at a tender agetried to go into service to earn enough to support her little family. But, alas! poor

woman, she fell ill, died, and was buried this day. All her relatives are exceedingly poor, and her husband's, if possible, poorer still-mere labourers. Will you take these children? No payment can be made for them.'

'Will you take in a poor destitute baby of nine months old?' writes another correspondent. 'There are also two other children of three and five years. The case is a most deplorable one. The father died lately of consumption, and the grief of his young wife was so excessive that she died the following day from its effects. These poor little children are now left quite homeless and friendless. Will you-can you take them in?'

Another friend says:-'I am writing to know whether you could possibly grant admittance into your Home to two little girls. The father died some years ago. The mother has just gone, too, after a long and painful illness, leaving twelve children, some of whom are struggling for an existence, and the rest are thrown upon charity.'

It is hard to say 'No' to such appeals as the above, and yet such is our daily duty now; for what else can we say when our present quarters are full, and the little beds are already almost too closely packed together for health?

Nevertheless, we are full of hope, and trust that a brighter and better state of things is in store for the helpless destitute orphan. Some kind hearts may realise what a privilege it would be to invest a portion of their capital in this righteous cause-could there be a better, a safer investment !-or, perhaps, from some source not yet dreamt of, help may arrive. The need is so great, the cry of these homeless and friendless ones is so pitiful!

Do not they seem to say to us-do not their parents, even from the shores of eternity, say to us-nay, does not the LORD Himself say to us-Receive them, relieve them?

Contributions received by Miss A. M. Thomas, or Miss Helen Wetherell, 27 Kilburn Park Road, N.W.