by friends of the Sabbath-school enterprise, and we hope that much spiritual good will be the result. An excellent tea was provided, after which a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. John Bennett, superintendent of the school. Several addresses were given, as well as recitations by the children, with good effect, aud which appeared to give satisfaction to the congregation. The chapel was crowded with attentive hearers. At the meeting garments were given to the children, the cost of which was £11 15s. 10d., towards which sum the teachers and singers realised by singing £9 3s. 6d. It is pleasing to state that the school is in a healthy and prosperous condition. We number 86 scholars, and 21 teachers. Great praise is due to all the friends who have laboured to make this festival a success. God has blessed and crowned the labours of his people in this great undertaking, and we are wishful to extend our borders wider and wider. There are four other schools within two miles of our chapel, so that we think, all things considered, we are prospering in the right direction. We express our gratitude to all the friends who have helped us, and trust they will continue their labours of love till called to their reward in heaven. That the Holy Spirit may be poured out abundantly upon us in every place, and many of the little ones gathered into Christ's church, is the prayer of yours in the Lord, JOHN BENNETT.

AMBER ROW, RIPLEY CIRCUIT, SUNDAY-SCHOOL TREAT. -Under this head we have to record one of the most simple, pleasing, and well-conducted treats afforded to a Sundayschool we have ever had the pleasure of noticing. The kind project entirely originated with our worthy friend Mr. J. Wood, whose proposal was to give, at the expense of the members, a free tea to scholars and parents, which met with a most hearty welcome, and was carried out on Monday evening with complete success. At five o'clock, about 45 scholars and 30 parents and friends sat down to a most substantial and excellent tea, in the School-room, which was most

handsomely decorated for the occasion. After tea a public meeting was held, when the chair was taken by Mr. Wood, and addresses were delivered by J. Tesh, of Derby; J. Taylor, of Wessington; and J. Wood, of Wingfield; and prizes were distributed among the scholars to the value of £2. One incident in the programme, which caused a deal of amusement, was what is termed a "bran tub." This tub, having been filled partly with bran and partly with toys, was let out to the children at one halfpenny per dip, which money went into the missionary-box; thus giving amusement to the children, and at the same time helping the missionary cause. Thus at a small cost was provided an evening's amusement for about 80 people, most of whom were of the poorer class. The meeting concluded with the usual votes of thanks, the doxology, and prayer, and the people returned to their homes declaring it was the happiest evening they ever spent in their lives.

J. W., JUN.

IT was one day in February that the sun streamed cheerfully in across the green carpet of a comfortable little room, when the fire still burned brightly in the grate, and when Henry Balisat buttoned up his overcoat and pulled on his gloves, preparatory to his facing the outer air, on his way to his place of business in the Strand, London. Just as he had done this, and was ready to go, the door opened, and his wife came in-one of those bright-eyed little women, whom it is very easy to spoil, and very difficult to control. She wore a crimson merino dress, and the white lace frills at her throat and wrists were more becoming than the costliest French embroidery could have been, while her tiny black silk apron, fringed with lace, and ornamented with little pockets, gave her such an air of neatness, that it was impossible to look upon her and not admire her.

"Are you off already, Henry?

"To be sure I am. These are times when a man can't watch his business too closely."

"Before you go, I want some money," said she, at the same time reaching up to arrange her husband's cravat, with rather a conscience-stricken look.

"Money! what for?"

"To go shopping with Mrs. Grafton."

"But you don't need to buy anything."

"No, I know that," said Mrs. Balisat, "but I want a little money, nevertheless-not to spend but to carry. What would Mrs. Grafton think if I went shopping with an empty pocket ? "

Henry shook his head as he sounded the depths of his pocket.

"I have only a five-pound note," said he, " and I don't know where to get another."

"I will take that," returned his wife, demurely, "you will soon get another."

"Ah! I don't know that; besides, I am keeping it for rent next week."

"Well, you shall have it again-only I want the privilege of carrying it to-day. Come, give it to me; one would think I was a child!"

"And so you are in all essentials!" said Henry, placing the note in her extended palm, and giving her a playful kiss as he took his departure.

Mary Balisat turned the note from side to side, and looked thoughtfully at it. Had she not better place temptation out of her reach, and leave it at home?

"Nonsense! I shall not spend it," was the next reflection, and she put it into her purse, and ran up stairs to dress

"It's a great bargain, ma'am," said the shopman, stroking down the folds of a shawl, as it hung from the shoulders of a lay figure.

"Take it, Mary! I never saw anything so cheap," whispered Mrs. Grafton.

"But I really do not need it at present," hesitated Mary.

"You can lay it aside until you do, ma'am," interposed the salesman. "That is the great advantage of these goods-they never go out of fashion. Think of it-a shawl like this for two pounds! You won't have another such chance in ten years!"

"How I wish I had not bought that cloak," said Mrs. Grafton. "I certainly would have preferred this."

"I will take it," said Mary at last, laying down her solitary note, and silencing her conscience with the reflection-" Henry can't help seeing how cheap it is!"

"Mrs. Balisat, do look at these silks exclaimed another lady, who had just recognised her. "Did you ever sce anything so cheap ?"

The eyes of Mrs. Balisat sparkled with true feminine