Christian arguments and appeals on which peace principles are based. These exertions have not been without effect; a perceptible and most valuable influence has been exercised, and has tended greatly to mitigate those war passions which it has been the unhappy aim of too many of our newspapers to excite and inflame.

generous disposition, that we cannot refrain from quoting the words of one whose kind deeds were almost as numerous as his brilliant sayings, and who gives the following receipt for making every day happy :When you rise in the morning, form the resolution to make the day a happy one to a fellow-creature. It is easily done; a left-off garment to the man who needs it, a We fear that, in some cases, the energies kind word to the sorrowful, an encouraging of a few of the Circles have been needlessly expression to the striving; trifles, in them- circumscribed by the discouragement of indiselves light as air, will do it, at least for the vidual members, too easily excited, and too twenty-four hours; and, if you are young, readily depressed. There is no ground for depend upon it, it will tell when you are any such discouragement. The existence old; and, if you are old, rest assured it will of a powerful peace sentiment in the country send you gently and happily down the is unquestioned. It is the most serious emstream of time to eternity. By the most barrassment which the Government has to simple arithmetical sum look at the result; encounter in the prosecution of the waryou send one person, only one, happily the number and influence of the peacethrough the day; that is, 365, in the party may be measured by the amount of course of the year; and, supposing you vituperation directed against them by the live forty years only after you commence war-journals. Even the Times is com◄ that course of medicine, you have made 14,600 human beings happy-at all events for a time. Now, worthy reader, is not this simple? It is too short for a sermon, too homely for ethics, and too easily accomplished for you to say, 'I would if I could.'"

What Sydney Smith recommends was the practice of Cotton Mather, two hundred years ago. Few men have ever condensed into the narrow limits of human existence so much substantial service to their fellowcreatures as that good man, whose name is still a household word in New England homes. And it would appear that it was his custom, every morning when he awoke, to consider these three things-What is there I can this day do for the welfare of my family? What is there I can do in the service of my neighbour? What is there I can do for the glory of God?-British Messenger.

Home Work.

We attach great value and importance to the home operations of the Olive Leaf Circles. True, the specific object for which they were established was to sow the seedthoughts of peace and good-will broadcast over the continent of Europe-and this work has been steadily and perseveringly pursued, unchecked by the storm of war which has been permitted to burst upon us. But there has been a wide field of labour opened at home, and operations zealously conducted which have made large numbers of our own population familiar with those

pelled to admit that nearly the whole speaking talent of the House of Commons is arrayed on the side of peace; pamphlet after pamphlet, from the pens of ministers of the Gospel, attest their adhesion to peace principles. We do not hesitate to say that the sentiment of discouragement or despondency should be unknown in our Olive Leaf Circles. Let but the friends of peace be animated by the same enthusiasm and confidence which inspired the anti-slavery ranks during the height of that great agitation, and we are satisfied that, ere many years had elapsed, war, like slavery, would be numbered with the banished barbarisms of the past, never again to mock the civilisation or outrage the Christianity of an age thoroughly awakened to its essential wickedness and its supreme folly. But if we would enjoy a triumph equally glorious to that which crowned the anti-slavery struggle, we must emulate the qualities and the action which won it. There must be the same high purpose, the same earnest faith, the same active and unwearied effort. The greatness of the enterprise, instead of paralysing our energies, should draw out every latent sympathy and power we possess. Every Circle meeting should present the spectacle of a united, energetic band of workers, each feeling that she is engaged in an object that is to be attained, and each labouring as if success depended on her individual effort. With hearts thus thoroughly consecrated to the work, the meetings of the members would be full of life and power; the spirit would become

contagious, new associates and co-workers Johnson, the late secretary of the St. Ives

Olive Leaf Circle, is no more. She has been taken from her sphere of Christian love and labour to the bright companionship of that joyous Circle who have been gathered to

would speedily unite, and public opinion would soon yield to the influence of agencies thus actively brought to bear in the service of truth. What is wanted is a larger devotion of individual effort-something done their reward in our Father's kingdom. every day to spread information in the home localities. It is not enough to approve the objects and sympathise with the doings of the Parent Society-there are minds to be reached and influenced in every locality, and this can only be done by those on the spot. Plans may be suggested and materials provided at head-quarters, but these will be of no avail without clear heads and busy hands, hard at work in every direction-the practical "PEACEMAKERS "of

the age.

Lectures in Gloucestershire.

Peace Tracts. New Series. By EDMUND
FRY.

Though summoned, at the early age of twenty-seven years, to quit the endearments of the domestic, and the activities of a short, but well-spent life, it is permitted us to entertain the well-grounded hope that her preparation was complete; that the event of death was one towards which she had been long looking, with feet girded, and lamp trimmed, ready for the Master's coming. In a farewell letter, received from her a few weeks since, she spoke in tones of happy confidence of her approaching end; leaving with us the assurance of her warmest sympathy in the object for which The Secretary of the League of Brother-she had laboured so zealously with us, even hood has visited Gloucestershire during the though no longer permitted to fulfil the past month, for the purpose of delivering active duties she had so efficiently per Lectures on the subject of the War; direct- formed. Truly may it be said of such, ing his attention principally to an exposition "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they of the contrast between the policy of War shall be called the children of God." E. F. and the policy of Christianity. On Monday, the 17th of December, he delivered a lecture at Gloucester, in the Hall of the WorkingMan's Institute; and although there was a charge for admission to cover the expenses of the meeting, there was a numerous audience assembled, who listened with fixed attention, and at the close a vote of thanks to the lecturer was unanimously and cordially adopted. It was understood that certain parties had come to the Hall intending to oppose the speaker, but, whether from lack of sympathy among those present, or that their courage oozed out at their fingers' ends, they failed to put in an appearance, acting on the principle that discretion is the better part of valour. Similar lectures were delivered on the four following evenings at Ebley, Stroud, Cirencester, and Cheltenham, and on each occasion a most cordial reception was given to the lecturer and to the sentiments which he enunciated. Not the slightest attempt at opposition was offered, and it is hoped that a favourable impression was produced upon many minds.

One More.

We have to mourn the loss of another dear and highly-valued friend. Mrs. John

A second edition of this series of Peace Fly Sheets is now ready. There are sixteen sorts, a set of which, stitched, makes a neat pamphlet, and is sold for threepence. The separate tracts are sold in packets of eighty (five of each sort) for eightpence a packet. Orders should be sent direct to the publisher, W. Tweedie, 337, Strand. A sample packet forwarded to any part of the kingdom, by post, on receipt of nine postage stamps.

Leaflets of the Law of Kindness. New
Series.

We are glad to be able to announce that this beautiful series of little books for the children is now ready. The style in which they are got up reflects the highest credit upon the publishers, Messrs. Nelson and Sons, of Edinburgh; and we are satisfied, that all our friends will hail the new Leaflets as a valuable accession to their means of disseminating the principles of peace and goodwill. Orders may be sent direct to the publishers, or the packets can be supplied by any local bookseller.

OFFICE OF THE LEAGUE OF BROTHERHOOD-35, BROAD-ST. BUILDINGS, LONDON,

The following interesting and instructive incident was narrated not long since at a missionary meeting. It gives a bright example of that spirit which every Christian ought to possess. What is it which has When this news reached the ears of the made so many servants of Christ willing to missionary, he felt deeply for the poor beleave their own happy land, and go where reaved parent; how (thought he) will she they have met with difficulties and dangers, bear the intelligence? Such a trial will, and often with death, amongst wild and indeed, test the sincerity and depth of her savage people? Surely it is love-love to Christianity. At last the letter is read to Jesus, and love to the souls of those for her; but, oh! in the intensity of her almost whom Jesus died. Yes, it was this love heart-rending affliction, think not, even which sent them forth; it is this love then, for one moment, she regrets his having which gives energy to their work; it is gone on that errand of love. Oh! think this love which sustains them under all their not her first wish is that she could revenge trials; it is this love which keeps them his cruel death, or her first feeling one of faithful even unto death. Now, the anec- hatred towards his murderers. No; she dote I have to tell you is of a poor woman, had not so learned Christ. These are the a native of one of the South Sea islands, words in which she gives vent to the feelonce an ignorant heathen, but who, with ings of her beart:-"Oh! my sou; oh! her only son, had been brought "out of my Rummé; for you I cannot weep, for darkness into the marvellous light" of the you have died in your Saviour's cause, you Gospel, by the preaching of a devoted mis- have died for the love you bore His name; sionary. Soon the little church, gathered but for you, poor cruel men, for you I weep; through his instrumentality, felt that they oh! my son; oh! my Rummé. Oh! that must do something for the spread of the I had another Rummé, I would send him Gospel, and the son of this poor woman to you, his brother's murderers. But he London: W.& F. G. CASH, 5, Bishopsgate Without, & F. PITMAN, 20, PaternosterRow.

nothing better could have happened to them. The Danes were the best sailors in the world, and they gave to the English race that seafaring genius and disposition which distinguish them above all other races of men. Last came the Normans, and taught them all the arts and graces of higher civilization, and gave to them the genius and skill for

there was a larger provision made for educating the people. It seemed a hard thing, and it was a hard thing, at the time, for the old English people to be conquered and treated in this way. But it all worked for their best good in the end. Under the Norman rule they progressed rapidly in civilization, and soon became one of the first nations in Europe. Still it was several manufacturing anything and everything hundred years before the old inhabitants of the country were completely mingled with their Norman conquerors, and became with them one united people.

that wealth could buy, and luxury desire. Here, then, we have a race of men, composed of four kinds of blood and genius all united in one-that is, the Briton, Saxon, Dane, and Norman. We see that Providence occupied a thousand years in combining these four bloods in one race for some grand purpose. Take away one of these elements, and that race could not have doue and been what it has, and what it will do and be in the world. Let us glance at one or two things that it was designed to accomplish.

Now it must be interesting to all the children who read this simple history of the English people, to see the peculiar workings of Divine Providence in forming and fitting them for the mightiest race of men that ever lived on the globe. You will see that all the great events that happened to them, and which they thought at the time were terrible disasters, proved the greatest benefit to them The great and famous Constantine built up that we can conceive. First, we find the Constantinople, as the capital of his empire, island inhabited by the old Britons, who 350 years after the birth of our Saviour. were as wild and savage as the North At that time, as we have seen, Great Britain American Indians. They thought it was was held by the Romans, who had a hard the saddest thing that could happen to them, struggle to keep the native Britons under to be invaded and conquered by the Romans, their rule. A thousand years passed away, and to be ruled by them. But they gained and the heathenish and cruel Turks took a hundred times more than they lost by this Constantinople, and threatened to drive subjugation to a foreign people. The Romans Christianity from the face of the earth. stayed with them just long enough to teach But Providence had raised up for its prothem the A B C of civilization and Christi-tection a great and powerful race, on the anity, to make them good roads, and to show remote, and once despised island of Great them how to build better houses, and to live Britain, as we have seen. Once it seemed more comfortably and decently than they to lie out upon the extremest boundary line had done in their old mud huts, caves, and burrows. Then the blue-eyed Saxons came, and gradually took possession of their country and subjected them to their rule. The poor Britons thought this a terrible wrong and hardship. But it was a great blessing to them in the end. There was, even in that early time, a great deal that was kindly, good, and warm-hearted in the Saxons. They were susceptible of strong and beautiful family affections, and of great love for their country. Besides, they were good farmers, and they soon settled down quietly upon the fertile lands of England, and taught the Britons agriculture, which they had not half learned of the Romans. In the course of a few hundred years they became mingled with the Saxons, and one people with them. Next came the daring Danes, with their flocks of ships, and took possession of the country and got the upperband of the people. This was another great misfortune they thought at the time. But

of the known world. Soon it became the centre; for a New World was discovered far beyond it, about forty years after the Turks took possession of Constantinople. This was a mighty event; and there was another that came about the same time, nearly of equal importance. That was the art of Printing. The struggle between the Bible and the Koran was to be short and decisive; for now the Bible came out of the cloisters and crypts of old cathedrals, abbeys and monasteries, and shone like a sun upon the world. It seemed as if the great continent of America had been hidden from mankind until it could be covered with the light of the Gospel. And even after it had been discovered for a hundred years, the English race had not been prepared by Divine Providence to act their part in peopling it. Their sea-captains sailed along its coasts and landed here and there, but the time for settling it had not come; for their religious faith and worship were full of