AFFECTION.

My SAVIOUR! I thank Thee for showing Thyself to me and for making me known to Thy children! I have pined for Thee, and I have longed for comfort; Thy love and the love of Thy Church is dearer to me than all other love; may I always be stedfast, and true, and grateful.

RESOLUTION.

To cultivate joy and gratitude, particularly for such and such mercies.

THOUGHT.

'I have replenished every sorrowful soul.'

Joseph's Filial Reverence.

First Prelude.-Picture: Joseph prostrating himself before Jacob.

Second Prelude.-Pray for reverence to age.

CONSIDERATION.

Israel embraced his young grandsons. Joseph brought them out from between their grandfather's knees, and placed them in a reverent position to receive his blessing. He then prostrated himself, bowing himself with his face to the earth. The great Ruler of Egypt acknowledges what is due to his father; the son of the head of the tribe honours the priesthood of Jacob. That father, that priest of the family, was old and blind; he could not see the marks of honour given to him, but nevertheless Joseph rendered them carefully and willingly. In these days the blessing of the head of a family has no special patriarchal dignity, no special priestly significance; but it is a real blessing coming from GOD, and showing forth His fatherhood, and should be valued as a great gift and one worthy of deep gratitude.

APPLICATION.

How have I behaved to my parents? Have I sought the approbation of the world more than theirs? Have I undervalued their blessing? Have I been impatient with their infirmities? I have much to accuse myself of with regard not only to my parents but

also to others who are aged and venerable ; not only relations, but also those who are set over me-authorities, spiritual and temporal. As Joseph gave reverence to his father, though the latter was blind and could not see him, so let me give all due honour to those who ought to have it, even though they be unaware of it-blind it may be, and even careless. I dishonour myself if I fail in this, much more than I can possibly dishonour them; but most of all I dishonour GOD, whose Fatherhood I ought to honour. in all venerable and aged persons.

AFFECTION.

O blessed Saviour! Who hast said ' 'I honour My Father,' teach us so to honour our parents and elders that we may some day be meet to honour our GOD before His throne for ever.

RESOLUTION.

Always to behave respectfully to my elders.

THOUGHT.

'Honour thy father and thy mother.'

Ephraim and Manasseh.

First Prelude.-Picture: Israel with his hands on the heads of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Second Prelude.-Pray for acceptance in the sight of GOD.

CONSIDERATION.

Isaac unwillingly and perforce blessed his younger son. Jacob willingly and of set purpose blessed his younger grandson. Both were fulfilling the will of GOD. And the blessing was fulfilled. Ephraim became the ancestor of the royal tribe of the kingdom of Israel. Ephraim possessed the field of Shechem; Ephraim became the forefather of Joshua, Ephraim became the home of JESUS CHRIST during his dwelling in Nazareth. And why was Ephraim the younger thus distinguished above Manasseh the elder? Perhaps GOD saw in him the signs of a more devout and religious disposition; perhaps it was to show that GOD is

not bound by the customs of mankind; perhaps it was to foreshadow the calling of the Gentiles instead of the Jews. GOD'S ways are not our ways, and we can but bless His holy will and confide in His infinite wisdom.

APPLICATION.

Am I not often surprised at GOD's choice? I honour Manasseh, but He honours Ephraim. I look at persons through the eyes of the world, I see them as society sees them, I hear their characters discussed by the set among whom I dwell, and I am but too much inclined to judge them with the judgment of the world. But the eldest in birth may be the youngest in faith, the greatest in station may be the smallest in good works, the highest in the world's wisdom may be the lowest in the things of GOD. And all these virtues may be hidden and known only to GOD, for man cannot see into the heart of man. Let me never judge who is most worthy, for this is only known to the Maker of all.

AFFECTION.

O GOD and Father of us all! Thou hast in Thy great mercy called us to love and serve Thee; may I never contend for the highest place, but try to do my best and leave all else to Thee, knowing that whether I, and those I love, have the right or the left hand on our heads, we have infinitely more than we deserve.

RESOLUTION.

To accept GOD's decrees with a thankful heart.

THOUGHT. 'The last shall be first, and the first last.'

Monthly Botes.

71

DONKEY-our next want is a donkey! We have a capital little cart at Broadstairs, but no patient, plodding animal to draw it. Yet, with our long procession of toddling babies, our crippled boys and girls limping slowly along on crutches, our feeble invalid children unable to keep pace with their more robust companions-a modest equipage of some sort is a real necessity. Even the getting our fragile charges and their bundles to and from the station is sometimes a matter of difficulty. It is true that a good-hearted carrier, who goes by the name of Jack, will at times hoist a one-legged boy or girl on to the top of his luggage cart, and deposit the child at the Convalescent Home door, along with various. hampers and boxes. But this is not a course to be altogether recommended.

Now, the possession of the above-named humble beast of burden would quite obviate the difficulty. Neddy need be no expense either, for he could pick up a decent living on the acres which surround the new Home, and a rough shed near the workmen's hut would serve him for a shelter.

"

Think, too, of the endless amount of pleasure that would be derived from such a useful pet! The delight of rides upon our own donkey,' the fun of feeding him, and of collecting tit-bits, in the shape of carrots or thistles, for his benefit.

We might say more, but we are persuaded that sufficient has been advanced to show that any one, having a nice, quiet, well-conducted donkey to dispose of, could not do better than make a present of him to the crippled and ailing little patients of the Convalescent Home.

Address, Miss ELEANOR PAGET,

5 Wrotham Crescent, Broadstairs.

If we are often anxious, and occasionally care laden, in the midst of our many works and responsibilities, we also live at times in the atmosphere of pleasant surprises. Such a one awaited us at post time one morning, just as our October number must have reached the hands of our readers.

Only an ordinary looking letter amongst the batch which falls to our share daily, but out of it we drew a cheque for 2007. ! How acceptable such a sum is to us can only be estimated by those who know what builder's accounts are; and we were actually contemplating a rather heavy bill for the bricks and mortar of our rising Home, at the moment when the welcome gift arrived. The same kind benefactress gave us, only last year, a cheque for 500l. We really ought not to feel anxious, with such constant proofs of the kindly interest which so many people take in our projects—an interest not dependent on the caprices of human affection, but kindled, we doubt not, by GOD Himself in the hearts of His loving servants. With our gratitude for such gifts ought surely to be mingled a sense of increased faith and trust in Him.

It is seldom that any suggestion has met with such instant and warm acceptance, as that of the Holy Innocents' Ward in our Seaside Home.

From far and near the offerings come in, not large, but oh, so willing, we are sure ! The Reaper has carried away so many blossoms from this earth of ours, and the Innocents' names are printed so clearly on many loving hearts, that we cannot wonder to see them repeated on our memorial list.

A sovereign comes in memory of a firstborn son who never lived to speak his mother's name, and who has slept (never forgotten for a single day) in a country churchyard for over a quarter of a century. A smaller offering, from another hand, commemorates a baby sister; a Mother sends 57. -her lost darling uppermost in her thoughts; while another writes, 'My husband and I are

much pleased with the idea of the ward of the Holy Innocents; we shall hope to send something to it every quarter for one year, in memory of our darling little Mabel, taken from us two months ago. Many sorrowing parents like ourselves will, we feel sure, gladly contribute to such a memorial.'

Several correspondents have requested us to prepare a suitable appeal on this subject, promising to circulate it among their friends and to collect for the ward. This is already being prepared in the form of a leaflet, which will, we trust, be ready for our friends by the time this notice reaches them.

The leaflet is headed by a pretty engraving from real life. A Sister is preparing several of our youngest children for their night's rest, a little one is on her lap, another in its white night-dress stands before her, while a third sits patiently on the bed waiting its turn for Sister's attention. These living little ones will recall, not unhappily, to many hearts the white-robed darlings they have loved and lost, and now desire to be remembered in this our list of holy innocents.

It has been proposed that if these offerings reach a sufficient sum, they should be devoted to the erection of the Chapel in the Convalescent Home.

Contributions to be sent to Miss HELEN WETHERELL, or to

Miss A. M. THOMAS,

27 Kilburn Park Road, London, N.W.

We are happy to say that seven of the 10%. notes required for the Bath at Broadstairs have come in. One of the donors says most generously, If the whole amount required for the purpose has not been promised by next February, I shall be glad to send a similar donation about that time.' For another of the ten pounds, we are indebted to a few English families at S. Petersburg, as it was collected by them during the summer months in a small village called Morinno. They had no clergyman there, but met on Sundays for a service, and the weekly offertory was

Perhaps this object has not met with quite the same cordial interest as some of our other needs. Many do not understand why a bath should cost 500l., and truly it is a large sum; but we have no misgiving in urging the importance of this feature of our Hospital as being indispensable for the welfare of our small patients.

Those who have had 200 children under their care in a state of convalescence will quite see the force of our appeal, for without this accommodation it would be impossible for them to enjoy the inestimable benefit of sea-bathing.

We hope that as so many, to whom GOD has given of this world's abundance, have lately returned from their sea-side trips with renewed health and vigour, they will sympathise with our efforts to obtain the privilege of salt-water baths for the poor little sufferers of our large towns, and lend a willing ear to our petition, so that we may have the pleasure of receiving some more of the 10%. cheques for which we so earnestly plead.

*

'Many men, many minds,' is a saying we find verified every day. Even in the remarks made by friends, known and unknown, on that venture of ours, The Banner of Faith-although expressions of kind approval have been nearly unanimous, yet here and there dissentient voices have made themselves heard, or opinions have been freely advanced as to different methods of increasing the usefulness and popularity of the magazine.

'A circulation of 70,000 is not bad for the first year, but 200,coo would be better-and your publication is worthy of it'—is kindly added.

Now and again some of the 'many minds' seem to meet on some point, and to agree in desiring what they deem would be an improvement. And when this is the case, it commends itself to our closer consideration, for gladly would we satisfy all parties if we could.

Latterly there has been a cry taken up in several quarters for a Banner of Faith of smaller dimensions. The large size does not adapt itself to a parish wrapper, says one; not portable enough, says another; rather clumsy, echoes a third.

On the other side, most people are amply satisfied with the present Banner and would resent any change. That being so, to content all parties, we propose next year to issue the magazine in two sizes-the smaller magazine to be precisely like the other, except in outward form.

But will our readers kindly take note that in this new shape The Banner can be supplied for localising alone-and 'insides' only. That is-single numbers, reduced size, will not be offered for sale.

We shall be curious to hear with what favour The Banner in its diminished form I will be received.

A specimen page, small shape, will be sent (on receiving two stamps) by The Editor, 6 Paternoster Row, London, E.C.

*

It is now two or three months back, that we received a convincing proof of the interest which the working-classes, generally, take in our homeless and suffering children. A letter from a bonâ-fide working-man informed us, that he was deputed by several working-men's clubs or societies to say that they intended to collect among themselves for the Building Fund of our Convalescent Home.

Our correspondent was a reader of The Banner, and his interest had been aroused by the interesting details given therein relating to our building anxieties at Broadstairs. He called his companions' attention to the needs of the Convalescent Home, and, having enlisted their co-operation, sent to us for collecting-boxes to distribute among them.

On Sunday, October 8, after a 'Church Parade' of the club on Wandsworth Common, a sermon was preached at All Saints' Church by the Rev. John Kyle, and the men then went about the town collecting in aid of our cause.

The result of this vigorous effort was that the handsome sum of 167. 10s. was contributed, and the Secretary then wrote to the office to beg that two representatives of the Society would attend at the Club-room of 'The Red Lion' to receive the money.

Very simple and pleasant was the welcome acorded to the two associates of the C.E.A. who undertook the errand. Our old friend Mr. Rickhuss introduced them to some twenty' Hearts of Oak' and 'Odd Fellows,' &c. The chairman in a hearty speech wished them GOD speed, and declared what pleasure they had all felt in working for those who worked so hard, in their turn, for them and for their children.

The money was then handed over-very neatly and beautifully done up in paper-and one of our delegates, although quite unaccustomed to public speaking,' in very truth! returned thanks in a few words which, she fondly hoped, sounded as sincerely grateful as they were meant to be.

Few things have given us more pleasure than this spontaneous help, this free offering of sympathy, kind interest, and money, on the part of these our brothers. We shall ever cherish a very happy recollection of this our first (perhaps not our last) meeting with the representatives of the 'Wandsworth. Amalgamated Friendly Societies.'

The proposal of a Christmas number of Our Work has met with most cordial approval from the public. Many have ordered a dozen or more copies, and welcome, with hearty commendation, the announcement that there should be some illustrations. So we hope to realise their expectations, and to send out a little book that will take its place, far and wide, amongst the pleasant literature of which the glad Yule-tide is so prolific.

And if, as we trust, the attractions of our Christmas volume should introduce us to the notice of many new friends, we know that this will open out many new sources of help. Our winter's tale will speak of divers wants that cry loudly for aid. First and foremost there

is our Building Account for the Orphanage Wing and the Convalescent Home. The former rises rapidly under our very eyes, and, day after day, greets us with some fresh addition to its walls. But steady progress implies a large staff of workmen, and that large staff brings in a heavy builder's bill week by week. We would fain hope that some of these heavy scores may be wiped off by kind and liberal Christmas benefactors!

It is true that the present readers of our magazine do very materially help to ease our burden of expenses; we acknowledge it must gratefully. What, then, might not be done if this forthcoming number were to double and treble in circulation, as it will exceed in interest, its monthly companions!

It has been suggested that, as a bearer of the season's greeting, it might well be used instead of a Christmas card, and surely many would prefer to receive such an offering, winged in the spirit and bearing the message of 'good-will towards men,' rather than such postal missives as those into which Christmas cards have so largely deteriorated, till they are no better than grotesque and vulgar, if not heathenish, caricatures.

We call upon all present subscribers to aid us in circulating freely and widely this Christmas Visitor. We desire to obtain for it, as the advertisements say, a 'world-wide circulation.'