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were not drunk, but had all been drinking. They were strangers, all but Luke Folsom, whom she disliked greatly; were they come to persuade father to go back to the saloon?

"We're going to help you home, little one," said the big man heartily, "and we don't mean to let Jeffers sell any more drink to your dad: 'taint fair to such a little gal as you are. Now you can't foot it in this deep sand; you look ready to drop now. Luke and me will cross hands and make a princess chair for you, and the other two will help your father along right smart, and we'll get you home in no time. All we ask is that you'll sing while we take you along. You sing plumb, like a bird."

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How thankful Letty was that they went round by the beach and met no one but Kiah Kibble's boy and his fishing friend, the boy Carson, as she was taken home in this kind of state! Her voice trembled, but she sang away bravely, • Rock of Ages," "Abide with Me," and "Come, ye Disconsolate." As boys whistle to keep their courage up when they walk through the wood at night, so Letty sang partly to keep her courage up, and her hymns were prayers.

At last they were within sight of home.

"Won't you please let us go on alone now?" she said. 66 My sister is sick, and I'm afraid if you go up to the house, it may frighten her and make her worse. Thank you; you have been very kind."

The curious cortége at once came to a halt, and took leave very quietly. Father was soon sent to bed, Faith was found in a comfortable sleep, and Nan had prepared a nice tea-dinner for herself and Letty.

It was only a day or two after, when the sisters were at their work and father had been persuaded to sit down and make a hammock, that Kenneth Julian came in.

"I'm only here for a day," he

said. I came on business this time for my uncle. How are you all?" "Well," said the sisters quietly.

"I am not well," said father calmly, "because I have not been doing well. There is no need for me to try to deceive you, Mr. Julian, and I don't care to do it. You know indulgence in drink is my besetting sin; and have you not observed, my young friend, that it is often the most gifted of men who become slaves of drink? The fine scholar, the handsome, genial boy, the universal favourite, fall. I wonder how you have escaped! And often the nobler the gifts, the deeper the degradation. Let me cal to the minds of you young people a few notable instances. How many tears have been shed over Robert Burns! What a genius was there! what love of nature! what tenderness, what sympathy! In much he was like David, the singer of Israel. The shepherd and the ploughman, sweet lyrists both! But Burns yielded to the allurements of drink and perished miserably. John Logan, author of some of the finest Scottish hymns, minister in the town of Leith, drank himself to death at the age of forty-four. I am told that in the penny or twopenny lodgings and the police lodgings in London, men who have been distinguished lawyers, doctors, and preachers, first-class graduates of Oxford and Cambridge, are nightly found. I have cried, as a lad, over Charles Lamb, little thinking that I should have his fate, but not his fame. Where was there a brighter scholar, a more subtle genius, than Hartley Coleridge, brilliant son of a brilliant father? but he too went down to ruin before the demon of strong drink. You can match him with Edgar Allan Poe, singer and sot. Faith would place beside these De Quincey and S. T. Coleridge, drunkards on opium. Over how many premature graves can be written, Destroyed by drink! As

Marius sat musing on the ruins of Carthage, so I sit in spirit by that great grave where yearly sixty thousand victims of strong drink are laid, and I wonder much why men are born to die in this way, and why men are to be found to beguile brother men to their ruin. My young friends, this is a terrible mystery."

Father was yet in that état exalté which with him succeeded the indulgence in liquor. Alas for this father a man of culture, who had pursued learning as an end, and exalted the higher part of his nature, bearing eloquent testimony to the superiority of the intellectual over the physical! What had now become of his testimony? He sat there a terrible example of the vices that he deprecated.

As the father talked well, but with prolixity, a deep and lasting lesson was borne in on the mind of Kenneth Julian. Surely nothing but the grace of God can stay the

tempted soul or help the erring one to rise superior to the dominance of depraved appetite. Social status, the love of family, the blessings of a refined, cultivated type of life, highest intellectual training- all fall powerless; only that protection is assured and impregnable which comes from the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

The calls of Kenneth on the sisters were often seasons of joyous laughter and merry jest, but to-day deep despondency seemed to brood over them all. The remarks of father on a sin of which he was a lamentable example did not serve to enliven his auditors. Letty with mechanical precision drew gold and silver thread in and out of green satin stretched upon a frame. Faith pulled threads for drawn work, and the wind coming in at the open door bore the vagrant shreds here and there; but no play of happiness flitted across the faces of Ralph Kemp's daughters.

THE COMING OF HIS FEET.

In the crimson of the morning, in the whiteness of the moon,
In the amber glory of the day's retreat,

In the midnight, robed in darkness, or the gleaming of the moon,
I listen for the coming of His feet.

I have heard His weary footsteps on the sands of Galilee,
On the temple's marble pavement, on the street,

Worn with weight of sorrow, faltering up the slopes of Calvary,
The sorrow of the coming of His feet.

Down the minister-aisles of splendour, from betwixt the cherubim,
Through the wondering throng, with motion strong and fleet,
Sounds His victor tread, approaching with a music fair and dim-
The music of the coming of His feet.

Sandalled not with shoon of silver, girded not with woven gold,
Weighted not with shimmering gems and odours sweet,
But white-winged and shod with glory in the Tabor-light of old—
The glory of the coming of His feet.

He is coming, O my spirit! with His everlasting peace,
With His blessedness immortal and complete,

He is coming, O my spirit! and His coming brings release—
I listen for the coming of His feet.

-Lyman Whitney Allen, in N. Y. Independent.

Religious and Missionary Intelligence.

BY THE REV. E. BARRASS, D.D.

METHODIST CONFERENCES.

Manitoba and the North-West Conference, Regina.-Rev. John McLean was elected president, and Rev. G. W. Dean secretary. Five brethren were transferred into, and one out of, the Conference. Two brethren, L. Gaetz and T. Argue, were restored to the active work; eight withdrew, receiving letters; two were dropped in silence, and ten were received into full connection with the Conference and ordained. There are still seventy probationers. The first roll-call was answered by eighty-one ministers and twentysix laymen. The Conference adopted a resolution expressing the hope that the educational question would be amicably settled, but at the same time protested against the establishing of separate schools in favour of any denomination in Manitoba. The missionary meeting was one of great power. Among others who spoke was Mr. F. Apetakun, of Island Lake, three hundred miles east of Norway House, where a white man could scarcely venture. He spoke in Cree, and Rev. John McDougall acted as interpreter. The reception service was very impressive. The annual lecture was delivered by Rev. F. B. Stacey, B. A., on "An Outline Study of the New Testament," for which he received a vote of thanks. All the services of the Sabbath were well attended. The statistical report is very gratifying. The increase of members is 544. The number of Sunday-school scholars is 13,235, of whom 2,981 are members of the Church, and 3,328 have taken the total abstinence pledge. The finances are not so good as was desirable, seeing that including all the funds there is a decrease of $8,029. Rev. T. Argue was appointed Immigration Agent, and Rev. John Semmens has entered upon his duties as president of the Industrial Institute at Brandon.

Nova Scotia Conference.-This Conference met at Hillsboro'. At the ministerial session six probationers were received into full connection. On Sabbath, in addition to the ordinary Conference services there was an open-air service and

evangelistic services. Early religious services were held daily. General Superintendent Carman made a continuous journey from Nashville, Tenn., to the Conference, where he met with an enthusiastic reception. He preached the ordination sermon. Two ministers had died during the year, J. C. Ogden and S. C. Leonard, B.A.; and Rev. T. W. Smith, retires from, and Rev. D. B. Scott reenters, the active work. There was a net increase of 404 in the membership. Some of the funds were a little in advance, but others had declined. Rev. James Stroth

ard was elected president and Rev. D. W. Johnston, M.A., secretary. Like other Methodist Conferences, Nova Scotia is sound on temperance, the meeting held at Conference being very enthusiastic. Revs. G. O. Huestis and James Taylor were appointed to preach Jubilee sermons at the Conference of 1896. With a view to improve the Supernumerary Fund, Rev. C. H. Paisley was appointed agent to travel on its behalf, and $1,000 was promised at Conference. Rev. W. Ainsley was allowed to take the position of Conference Evangelist. The Wesleyan, which had been reduced to $1 per year, only reported an increase of four hundred subscribers. There had been a net profit in the Book-Room of $739.65.

New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Conference.-Marysville was the place of meeting. At the ministerial session five probationers who had travelled the term of probation were recommended for ordination, and, with three others previously ordained, were received into full connection. Three ministers had died during the year, viz., A. C. Dennis, C. H. Dutcher and Wm. Maggs. Testimonies were given respecting them by several of their fellow-labourers. News of the death, in California, of Rev. L. S. Johnson, was received on the third day of Conference. Rev. T. Howie was elevated to the chair of the Conference, and Rev. Geo. Steel to the post of secretary. The religious services, both on the Sabbath and week evenings, were seasons of spiritual power. The love-feast

was conducted by venerable Father Daniel, aged eighty-nine. Professor Andrews presented the report of Mount Allison College, which stated that there is a debt of $50,000, which he thought the people should discharge at the earliest possible moment. Like other Conferences, the receipts for the funds were a little deficient. The Contingent Fund needs an advance of 40 per cent. The net decrease in all the funds is $6,232.75. Both the Eastern Conferences condemn the restoration of separate schools in Manitoba. Dr. Carman reached the Conference when the business was nearly completed, but he was immediately called to the platform and delivered one of his soul-stirring addresses. The statistical report contained the gratifying item that there was a net increase in the membership of 339. There had been 1,178 baptisms administered, of which 261 were adults.

Irish Wesleyan Conference. This Conference-one hundred and twenty-sixthwas held in Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast. Rev. Walford Green, of the English Conference, presided. He was accompanied by Rev. H. J. Pope, D. D., Dr. Waller and J. E. Clapham. Dr. Dewart was received in connection with

the brethren from England. He was perfectly at home and received a real Irish welcome. Dr. McCutcheon had died during the year. His place in the legal hundred was filled by Rev. Irvine Johnston. Three probationers were ordained, one of whom goes to India as a missionary. Twelve young men are on the list of reserve, all of whom are eligible for the ministry, and four candidates were accepted. The statistical report stated that there had been 345 emigrations, 417 deaths, and 849 lost from other causes; still there is a net increase of 224 members. After this report had been presented there was a lengthy conversation on the State of the Work of God. Rev. R. C. Johnston was appointed to attend the General Conference of the M. E. Church of 1896.

Methodist New Connexion Conference.This, the ninety-ninth Conference of the denomination, was held at Halifax, which is one of the strongholds of the Church and the seventh time the Conference has met there. There are four beautiful churches in the town, which are comprised in three circuits, besides several smaller churches, making the total number of places of worship seventeen. There are eight ministers, forty-five local

preachers, 1,947 members, and 5,317 scholars in the Sunday-schools. A few days before the opening of Conference a temperance meeting was held, at which Mr. E. Watson, from Newcastle, fell dead on the platform. A medical gentleman pronounced heart-failure to be the cause of his death. On the opening of the Conference Rev. G. Parker was elected president, and Mr. W. P. Burnley secretary. A stationing committee is elected by ballot on the first day of Conference, and consists of two ministers and two laymen. As next Conference will be the centenary of the Connexion, preparations are being made to raise a centenary fund. The amount will probably reach $500,000, of which $240,000 was reported as already promised. The president has been identified with the Connexion about thirty-five years, and was one of the first students in the college. He has been exactly thirty years in the ministry, and has long been known as "a connexional man.' Dr. Dewart preached on Sabbath, spoke at the missionary meeting, and also at the tea-meeting. He was most heartily received, and greatly interested both ministers and people respecting Methodism in Canada. Dr. Cocker, a former General Superintendent of the New Connexion in Canada, suitably responded. From the reports presented it does not seem that the Connexion is prospering very rapidly, though in respect to finances there are several items of interest. net sum raised last year for alterations and reduction of church debts is $93,985. At the ordination service seven young men were set apart to the full work of the ministry. The number of married ministers increases more rapidly than places can be found for them. ministers, Rev. J. C. Milburn and W. Eddon, who travelled forty-five and thirtytwo years respectively, retired from the active work, and two others rest for one year; three students were received on probation and four candidates were appointed to college. A Forward Movement, the first of the kind that the Connexion has made, has been inaugurated in London with every prospect of success.

The

Two

Primitive Methodist Conference.—This Conference was held at Edinburgh, which is the first gathering of the kind ever held in Scotland, hence it is no wonder that it should make a profound sensation. The Free Church Assembly Hall was granted free of expense as the place of meeting. There were sixty-eight ministers and 128 laymen in attendance at

the first session.

After devotional exercises five ministers were nominated for the presidential chair, and after three rounds of voting Rev. John Watson was declared elected. He comes from a good Primitive stock in the north of England, and has had a varied ministerial career, having laboured in Australia and South Africa, and is now principal of the college in Manchester. He is reputed to be one of the most cultured ministers in the Connexion. Mr. W. E. Parker, of Manchester, was elected vice-president, and Rev. R. S. Blair secretary. Rev. T. Mitchell enters upon his duties as book steward. Various committees for the furtherance of business were appointed; sixteen ministers were reported to have died. Letters of condolence were sent to the bereaved families; seven ministers, one of whom was expelled, were separated from the Conference; twelve were granted a superannuated relation, and two asked to be allowed to re-enter the active work. Forty-one probationers were received into full connection and thirty-eight received on probation; a great number were placed on the reserve list and eleven were sent to college. A gloom fell upon the Conference when a telegram was received communicating the sad news of the death of the Rev. Thomas Guttery. A deputation was sent from the Conference to attend the funeral. There had been such a plethora of candidates for the ministry that several had been kept for years on the reserve list. At this Conference a considerable number were dropped, as they are all twenty-five years of age or even more, and there is no probability that their services will be required for years to come. The circuits were requested not to recommend any candidates but such as are first-class men. Two ministers from other Churches applied to be admitted, but were refused. The statistical report stated that there was an increase of twenty-two Sundayschools and 6,526 scholars, of whom 3,720 are above fourteen years of age.

There

are 10,381 juvenile and 8,510 adult abstainers. Two Sundays in the year were set apart, one for the Sunday-school and the other for temperance. The religious services were powerful, and at the Sabbath afternoon camp-meeting four preaching stands were occupied. The singing and the procession to the field were such as Scotland has not often witnessed. Several delegates occupied the city pulpits, including that of the cathedral. There were also a missionary, a temperance, and a tea-meeting. Gifts amounting to more

than $20,000 had been received from various persons for different connexional objects, chiefly churches. There is a connexional insurance society which has been of great service to the Connexion, as it has donated most of its profits to the erection of churches. A new departure had been taken in respect to the BookRoom, the wisdom of which some questioned, as it was thought to be too great an undertaking. The premises, however, have been opened, and the hope is indulged that the future will even be more prosperous than the past. The great question of the Conference was that of union with the Bible Christian Church. Rev. F. W. Bourne attended the Conference in the interests of union. While the subject was under discussion Dr. Dewart arrived and had a most cordial reception. An editor says: "His account of the Methodist Church of Canada was a very rosy one. Union has there been a great success, and no one would think of going back to the old state of things. No doubt many will be disposed to say there are difficulties here in the Old Country that did not exist in Canada. But Dr. Dewart assured us that this was not the case, that the difficulties were quite as great, but that when once it was felt that the proposal was of God and would be for the advantage of the Church, all these difficulties melted away." We almost think that the Doctor will be at a loss to know which Conference gave him the most royal welcome. His experience on Methodist union would be of great value, but it seems that the day of union in England has not arrived. A committee has been appointed to consider and report at a future Conference. Rev. W. Herridge, of Brampton, was also at Conference, and at the close of Dr. Dewart's address he was introduced and addressed the Conference. Mr. Herridge was the president of the Primitive Methodist Conference in Canada when the union was accomplished, and signed the document of union on behalf of the Primitive Methodist Conference. He spoke well, and quite touched the heart of the Conference by the story of his conversion exactly fifty years ago that night in a Primitive Methodist class-meeting. Mr. Hartley, who has been a most munificent contributor to the Church funds, now proposes to head a scheme for the enlargement of the college and to afford increased facilities for the education of the rising ministry. He gave $25,000 to the Jubilee Fund, and will give $20,000, or may be $25,000, to the

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