In the providence of God, the present generation are surrounded by events that may be so used as to widen our sphere of usefulness, by opening new channels for doing good. Our whole social fabric is, just now, in a formative state; society is thrown up from its lowest depths; old lines of demarcation are rubbed out; the isolated and obscure are driven out of their hiding places; the masses are wandering in the chaotic fields of uncertainty; thus the multitude are drifting on these troubled waters, driving into a darker sea at every plunge-anxiously looking for some beacon to guide them into a peaceful harbour! The influences that are brought to bear upon this crude mass, while in this plastic state, will be the controlling influences for generations to come. We need therefore, men for the times; men who study the wants of the day; and who, like David, will serve their generation. Men of deep principles to sustain them amid the rage of this terrible storm; of burning zeal to stand along the beach of time, as the light of the world-peering far above the wreck that sweeps around; and throwing their brilliant rays far out on the coral reefs, to guide the storm wrecked mariners to the cross of Christ-men of power to mould character, and direct it in the proper channels; men of prudence and discretion to harmonize conflicting elements; men of faith, who can stand like the storm-swept rock-the same amid the combined shock of winds and waves-unmoved by the taunts or ridicule of the sceptical and profane; men of moral courage to command our resources and direct our energies-to arrest the proud monarchs of crime, the devotees of fashion, and the worshippers of mammon, and secure their allegiance to the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. There never was a time when the wide field of human misery was so fully laid open-when the elements of society exhibited so much restlessness and change-when the soil of the human heart was so extensively broken up and ready for cultivation, as at present. The position of the Church at such a time is indeed a critical one. The cries of human nature sunk in shame, the groans of sorrow borne upon every breeze, call her to action, while a thousand signs of providence utter a voice to urge her on. We fear, that in these days of grand events, when everything is projected and accomplished on such a comprehensive scale, there is a tendency to overlook individual responsibility. Men's ideas are getting too large to dwell upon personal responsibility! They merge themselves into the masses, forgetting that it is through the compliation of the individuals that the mass is constituted. Every one should give plain, clear, and unmistakable marks of his own separate existence; should make his own "foot-prints on the sands of time; "should act as though the whole character of the Church was exemplified and illustrated by his own. Every mind should be deeply The imbued with the idea that the design of his life is to help to save the world, and that all the responsibility arising from the fact that we exist, and may be useful, rests upon us in our personal identical character. world of society is made up of individuals, and, if we expect to make it better, we must bring our forces to bear upon it in its individuality. Every one has some power he can use for doing good; either to contrive plans, or labour in their execution; to encourage them by his influence or support them with his means; to assist by his example, or further them by his prayers. O, who can tell of the latent energies and dormant powers that are now slumbering in the very midst of souls going to ruin? Some are even rocked to sleep by the very convulsions which God has sent to arouse them! Some are running the giddy rounds of worldly fashion; some are immersed in business, making fortunes that may "drown their souls in perdition ;" others are nursing the vain delusion that there are yet four months until harvest; and others have become weary in well-doing and given over the struggle before the time appointed for reaping. But, thank God, there are some at their post, studying the wants of the times and the interest of humanity-guarding, with faithful vigils, the vestal flame glowing upon the altars of the Church, waiting, in patience and with earnest supplication, for the manifestation of that glory that will announce the coming of the King of saints! Who will join this faithful band, and go forth in the great work of spreading Scripture holiness over these lands? Athens, Ala. J. M. BOLAND. How an Infidel became a Christian. MEETING one day in autumn with an aged Christian, we entered into conversation on experience. His had been a most marvellous career. He had visited nearly every country in Europe, and also America. Many were the details which he gave us, most of which were interesting, but none more so than the following, which we wrote down at the time, and give it in his own words. "In my teens I left home, and associated with youths who denied the existence of God, disbelieved the Bible, and detested the name of Christian. I soon imbibed the principles of infidelity, and did all in my power to induce others to do the same. How different life seemed to me then to what it had been before. I looked upon it with strange feelings. Oft when alone I had misgivings concerning my principles, but never disclosed them to any of my co-mates, for fear of being reckoned a coward. When travelling in different countries, I met with Christians, and those also of my own sect, but wherever I went I always endeavoured to make proselytes. Once I was taken very ill, and could not, for some days, proceed on my journey. The family with whom I lodged acknowledged the Lord. I was deeply sympathized with, and well waited upon. A frequent visitor to my chamber was a fascinating little girl about six years old. She would enter my room so gently and in a whisper say: 'Kind Sir, are you any better to-day?' As I gained strength she ventured to remain with me a little longer than usual. One day she enquired if she might sing to me. I had almost said nay ; however, I nodded assent. Then in the sweetest tones she began singing 'Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly, Till the storm of life be past, O receive my soul at last.' I had never heard it before, and it made such an impression upon me, that my stout heart broke, and I wept. Never shall I forget the sweetness and pathos with which that dear child sang. She enquired if I prayed to God, but I could not answer her. Night came on; the conviction that my cause was wrong and dangerous became stronger. When my host came to say Good night' to me, I revealed to him my case, and asked him what to do. At once he pointed me to Christ. I believed in Him as my Saviour, and obtained pardon. It was through the singing of that lovely child that my conduct was changed. From that day to this I have continued in the faith, and I find that The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.' Never do I hear children sing without being reminded of the circumstances under which I was converted from an infidel to a Christian." "God moves in a mysterious way, FERDINAND ARMINE. Newstead Abbey, near Nottingham. EWSTEAD, or the New Place at Sherwood, was founded by Henry With the site, the king gave "long and large wastes lying about the said monastery within the forest; which wastes in ancient charters are called Kygell and Ravensbede." "He granted the monks also, views of frank-pledge, and many other privileges and freedoms, and a park of ten acres, according to the measure of the forest by the site of the said monastery, to be enclosed as they should please; and of the views of the vendors, regarders, foresters and other officers of the forest, and a field of arable land, called Abbey-field, lying between the town of Papilwyke and the said monastery, to hold enclosed with hedge and ditch according to the assize of the forest; upon the head of which the canons made a grange nigh the town of Papplewick, and ever kept that field several and in their own tillage, and out of the covert of the forest as their proper demesne." Thus says old Robert Thornton, M.D., in his history of Nottinghamshire, published in 1677. King John and other kings confirmed and enlarged the privileges of the house; and it had other good benefactors, among whom is mentioned as most considerable, Robert, Lord Lexington. Little is known of the history of Newstead from its foundation to its dissolution. It is once mentioned along with Warksop as a friary on the king's highroad, that was so much burdened with travellers that it could afford no aid to the sovereign. When Sherwood was hunted by the king, Newstead was a place of royal resort, and at such times it was inundated with servants and retainers. The visit over and the noisy crowd departed, the secluded shrine was left to the appointed guardians, who told their beads and drank their wine, who caught their fish and venison and cooked as only monks could do. Buildings were early erected on the site, for wherever a monk was found there you found a builder. Their splendid chapel, of which the west end alone remains, is unmistakably the work of the early part of the fifteenth century—a choice monument of that Augustan age of architecture; its three windows are divided by projecting buttresses, containing niches that have once held statues of the saints. The side windows are filled with masonry; the centre one has lost its tracery, and is now richly mantled with ivy. Over the centre window is a small flat-headed four-light window, with two smaller windows at each side, while over all rises a gable. In the gable is a niche still containing an image of the Virgin and child. Above the walls rise four richly carved pinnacles. Under the centre window is a fine recessed door; under the window to the north a smaller door, and under the window to the south a smaller window, apparently modern. Such is all that is left of the once lovely chapel of the monks! The time came when England or England's king desired with one stroke to end the abuses of the religious houses and fill his own coffers. In the first-fruits office the priory was valued at £167 16s. 11d. The prior surrendered his temporalities to the king's commissioners on the first of July, 1539, and the following year Henry, by letters patent, dated May 28th, granted the house, with the Manor of Papilwyck and other lands to Sir John Byron, knight, and his heirs. From that time Newstead became the chief seat of the Byron family. Charles I. created the owner of the estates, John Byron, a baron, in consideration of his services during the civil war. Thus we pass from the monkish to the Byronian era. And here let us pause, and ask the greatest, and perhaps the worst, of the Byrons, to describe the mansion as it appeared in his day. "The mansion's self was vast and venerable, With more of the monastic than has been Elsewhere preserved; the cloisters still were stable, An exquisite small chapel had been able, Still unimpaired, to decorate the scene: The rest had been reformed, replaced or sunk, "Hugh halls, long galleries, spacious chambers, joined |