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with sorrow to learn, upon what appears conclusive testimony, that the present high wages and lessened toils of the working-classes are not, on the whole, tending to promote their sobriety or self-improvement, but the very opposite. One of the daily newspapers, puts the subject forcibly before its readers. The produce for 1872-3 of the Excise Duties will probably reach, we are told, twenty-five million eight hundred thousand pounds sterling, indicating an increase of twentyfive per cent. in the last four years. This prosperity in this particular branch of the National Revenue "suggests some weighty considerations:

which is but the continuation of one that has been maintained for years past; and what does this increase in the Excise Revenue mean? It means a constantly growing consumption of beer and spirits. Beer and gin, whisky and British brandy-these are the commodities which pour a stream of wealth into the Exchequer. An increase in the Excise Revenue proves an increase in the consumption. The rates of duty are fixed, and a growth of ten per cent. in a year means ten per cent. more malt consumed, ten per cent. more gallons of gin and other spirits drunk. An increase of twenty or twenty-five per cent. in four years "We do not discover in the other tells a similar tale. In each case items of the Revenue for the we see an increase of consumption current year anything like this far exceeding any advance in the amazing growth. There is a rise population. It need not be added in almost every division, but it is that these years have been chamoderate. There is an increase racterized by a large addition to the in the Post-Office Revenue, but it wages of the working-classes; and is less than six per cent. The we, perhaps, ought not to be surTelegraph Service shows a some- prised that a large increase in their what greater proportional increase, wages has been accompanied by but this was to be expected from a large increase in the consumpthe development of the system tion of the drinks which are under the conditions of cheapness especially their own. Whether and unity of management intro- we ought to be surprised or not, duced by the use of the Post we must express our regret that Office agency. Stamps are at a it should be so. It will not be standstill. The Customs' receipts contested by any one that there is show an improvement, but it is a point beyond which an increase very little more than one and a in the consumption of spirits and half per cent. on last year's beer is to be deprecated. Men revenue. It is true that there was may differ about the limits at a reduction in the coffee duties which an allowance that is permislast year, but, after making the sible passes into an allowance that amplest allowance for this, the is excessive-one man will reduce growth of the Customs' Revenue the permissible quantity to zero, cannot be put higher than three another will give it an elastic interper cent. What is this compared pretation-but all agree that some with the ten per cent. increase point exists that should not be shown in the Excise, an increase passed. Will any one pretend

*"The Times," December 18th, 1872.

that this point had not been reached four years ago?..... Ampler wages have been made the means of greater indulgence; and the complaint of coal-owners, that an increase in the wages of their miners had been followed by a reduction in the hours of work and an increase in the hours of drinking, appears to be confirmed by the Revenue Returns issued from the Exchequer.......It is more than a century since Hogarth portrayed the horrors of Beer Street and Gin Lane; it is more than half a century since James Smith called upon Chancellor Van'Lord Bexley-to 'tax gin a guinea a quart, and hew down the Upas tree in Marybone Lane; 'but, though we have made much progress, and have hewed down other Upas trees in the interval, an improve ment in the wages of the working classes is now, as before, followed at once by an increase in the consumption of intoxicating drinks. But we do not look to fiscal adjust ments for a cure of the evil. We do not expect it from Licensing Acts, though a recognition of the fact that better wages have resulted in the consumption of more beer, more gin, and more whisky may induce members of Parliament and candidates for vacant seats to stand by one another in upholding what has been done by increased stringency in regulating and supervising public houses. The amendment must come, whenever it comes, from an improvement in the education, the tastes, and the amusements of the mass of the people, so that they may find some better occupation for their idle hours, and some better means of employing their spare cash, than in soaking themselves in liquor."

With this deplorable account of the tendencies of a large portion of the population couple the prevalence of "strikes;" the growing aversion, in almost all classes, to such steady work as our fathers found their strength in; the stagnation, so far as regards the attainment of the one object without which all else is useless, of which not one but many sections of the Christian Church are complaining; and we need not add another word to show that in the midst of our acknowledgment of national mercies, confessedly neither few nor small, there is pressing occasion for self-abasement before God, for repentance, and for doing the "first works." When people who make no profession of religion gather from what they see around them the probability, or the possibility, of "a national catastrophe or a social cataclysm," it is the Christian Church that should be quickest to catch the warning voice, the first to spring to the rescue.

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To what is sombre and discouraging there is of course bright set-off to be made, and it is not just or safe to take one without the other in forming an estimate of what, so far as we can judge, our national prospects, in the moral and religious sense of the word, are. But at present it seems imperative that our evangelical Churches, Methodism included, should again measure the work that lies before them, afresh taking to themselves in humble faith the promises which assure them of the aid of the Divine Head of the Church whenever they earnestly seek it.

London, December 19th, 1872.

OUR ARMY AND NAVY WORK.

1. CHATHAM. From the Rev. R. Hardy.-November 28th, 1872.-I did not find, on coming to this station, the facilities and appliances of Aldershot for daily and direct influences for good upon the soldiery. A small and under. ground vestry is used by the soldiers, chiefly as a night-school; and two nights in the week we meet in an inconvenient day-school. To remedy this, I applied to the commanding officers for the use of their lecture-theatres, and met with a prompt and hearty response. The lecture-rooms were placed at my disposal, and the attendance of the men, both of the Royal Engineers and the Royal Marines, far surpassed my expectations. Chatham has a noble Soldiers' Institute. I met in it Major Buckley, the honorary secretary, who told me that the new lecture-hall would be completed in December, and that any evenings I chose would be placed at my disposal for lectures, meetings, or tea-meetings. I thankfully accepted the offer, and at once appropriated certain nights.

The parade-services are very satisfactory; but my evening work, being spread over the Circuit, separates me from the soldier-work of Sunday night, so much blessed in Aldershot. We have a few faithful and devoted men here, and at least one conversion has gladdened us. In the hospital I rejoice over some who have found Christ; and I trust something like a soldiers' Home may be established for direct spiritual work.

through drunkenness. He had served through the Crimea, many years in India, then in Abyssinia; but came to the camp a private, with no distinction, saving the medals on his breast. I induced him to become a total abstainer. Shortly afterwards he was most blessedly converted to God. He at once recovered the esteem of his officers, and, in less than two years, was made a staff-sergeant. His influence upon his comrades has been signally for good.-R. H.

From Staff-Sergeant H.-November 21st, 1872.-Reverend Sir,-Pardon my remissness in acknowledging your donation of pamphlets, etc.; they were most welcome; and, if possible, endeared you still more strongly to us. You will remember my coming to you, two years ago, troubled in mindconscience aroused, and no peace. I was a teetotaller, but that did not suffice. You will remember giving me the Memoirs of William Carvosso, and, at the same time, inviting me to class, and leading me to Him who died to atone for my sins; showing me that my sins were laid on Jesus, and that I had only to rest upon His death and merit, and live. Sleep was out of the question for three nights, until, at four one morning, I realized by faith in Christ a sense of forgiveness, and a joy I had been an utter stranger to before. Here I am, a living witness of God's willingness to save even the "chief of sinners." Since that time, I have more than ever been impressed with the words of our Saviour, who said, "I am the Good Shepherd.”.

2. Extracts from soldiers' letters :The first is from a staff-sergeant, the son of Wesleyan parents. He entered the army about nineteen years since, and was rapidly promoted; but about three years ago he came to Aldershot, having lost everything quer......

VOL. XIX.-FIFTH SERIES.

I realize that with such a Saviour, who has so far given me the power to overcome sin, I shall, by the same grace, go on conquering and to con

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Then I look how God's goodness and mercy have followed me. Two years and a-half ago I was a likely candidate for the military prison, and a likelier one to become an occupant of a drunkard's grave, and an inheritor of a drunkard's punishment. I believe, had you not appealed to my better nature, and called up old associations and memories, and recollections of Sunday-school, entreating me by words of kind sympathy, I should long ago have sacrificed myself to this debasing appetite......I recovered the esteem of my officers, and was again promoted. I am now finishing my term of service, with a thankful heart for the provision made for 'temporal necessities, and ample time for doing good according to my ability. I am now a prayer

leader and secretary to a temperance society.

From a Gunner, Royal Artillery, to Rev. Richard Hardy.-October 20th, 1872.-O! how much have I to thank God for; I shall never be able to thank and praise Him enough. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!" I have often thought of you, and often I have pictured that dear "Home" where I have passed many happy hours in meeting with those who love their blessed Saviour, and in singing those sweet melodies.......Do not forget me in your prayers. I hope you are having very good meetings among the soldiers ; but above all that souls are being saved.

HOME-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE.

1. JUVENILE ASSOCIATIONS.-The admirable plan suggested by the late Mr. Blake, of Harrow, is making progress in public favour. Ten years since, namely, in 1861-62, there were but twenty-seven of these associations, which raised for home-missions, £231. 15s. Last year, 1871-72, there were three hundred and eight, which collectively paid to the home-mission fund, £2,892. 2s. 9d. Thus, as in every instance a similar or a larger sum was paid to the foreign missionary fund, our young people and children collected by this simple organization at least £5,784 in the year. All fear of this movement injuring the foreign missionary fund has been dissipated; for, in most cases, where this plan has been adopted, sums have been raised exceeding, and in some instances greatly exceeding, the amounts previously produced by the circulation of Christmas-cards. This result cannot but be viewed with pleasure by those who are alike interested in the work of missions and in the welfare of our young people. It is noteworthy that, in some Circuits, the

portion of the money raised, and paid to the home-mission fund, exceeds the amount of the yearly collection in the classes and of the congregational collections combined.

This admirable plan will not, however, continue to be effective without exertions at once earnest, systematic, and persevering; and it is hoped that everywhere such exertions will be made. Regular meetings, each month, or more frequently, should be held, to which the ministers-who would be glad to encourage the young people in their work-should be invited, and at which missionary information should be given. As to our home-missions, ample details will be found in this Magazine, and in the "Home-Missionary Record."

It is much to be desired, that Juvenile Associations should be established in all our Circuits, as the Conference has repeatedly recommended. If vigorously and perseveringly sustained, they would prove a great blessing to our families and to our schools.

The home-missionary committee,

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2. NEW CROSS.-From the Rev. Joseph Dixon.-November 28th, 1872.— I am glad to be able still to report progress at this mission. We have now been five months in our new chapel, which affords us every convenience for carrying on the work of God. Since the opening services were held, the congregation has steadily increased; in the evening it generally numbers from six hundred to seven hundred persons. The morning congregation is also proportionably good. The income from pew-rents for the first quarter is £37. 10s.; and we have reason to hope that twice this amount per quarter will ere long be realized.

It is not a listless and indifferent audience with which we have to deal. We often see signs of deep feeling during the service, and conversation with the people, when visiting them, also assures us that good impressions are made. The great want is decision, and to this we are aiming to bring them. The week-evening services afford us encouragement. There has of late been a more regular attendance of the members at their respective classes. At the Thursday evening service, we commonly number one hundred perBons, Acting upon the Scriptural principle, that men must be won for Christ, and caught in the Gospel net, I am endeavouring to make these Thursday evening services as attractive as possible, by preaching a course of sermons having a direct bearing on business and daily life.

I wish I could write of frequent conversions to God. A case now and then is not sufficient fully to answer the end of this mission. We re anxious that it shall be said of our new and

beautiful house, " This and that man were born there."

I am glad to report, that notwithstanding an unusual number of removals, we found ourselves at the close of last quarter numerically on the right side of the total of the previous quarter. Since then we have commenced three new classes. These bid fair to be successful, each having already received several new members. We have now six classes meeting weekly. I also avail myself of the opportunity, once a month, of addressing the Society, after the regular Sabbath evening service; and I am now trying to establish a Tract Society. One part of New Cross affords a fine field for the tract-distributor to labour in. Hundreds are there who will gladly welcome a tract, and listen to anything that a sensible and godly person has to say in delivering it. Several members of our Society have offered themselves for this work, and I doubt not that when we have got this (to us) new machinery in motion, it will be productive of good.

We have just held our Sundayschool anniversary. Sermons were preached, on Sunday last, by the Rev. Frederic Greeves, and on the following evening, John Macgregor, Esq., (Rob Roy,) presided at the public meeting. There are three hundred and seventy children on the school-books, being an increase of seventy on the year. It is also gratifying to find that, with one or two exceptions, the teachers of these children are members of our Society. The proceeds of the anniversary amount to £20. 15s., in addition to which Mr. Macgregor has promised us five pounds' worth of books towards the formation of a school-library. Our large school-room is now let to the London School Board, at a rental of £70. per annum. This arrangement will, in some measure, aid our funds; but it is not likely to continue more than a year or two. A minister's house has recently been taken and furnished. We have commenced a series of lectures, which are proving

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