agement of small incomes, the weekly wages of labour, which England has been long famous for on a greater scale, in the commercial and trading classes, and which has raised her to that height of wealth and prosperity which renders her the envy of the world. REPORT. Although, in most plans for the good of the poor, it is necessary to use persuasion and argument, to procure their concurrence in any measure for the improvement of their condition, this institution has made its own way with them. They have voluntarily entered into it: they have begged for admission, as for a boon, with as much eagerness as if for a gift or favour to be conferred. The plan was commenced on a small scale, twenty years ago, with ten members belonging to one district only. It has now extended itself to every corner of the parish, and, had larger funds been placed at the disposal of the Managers, they would this year have enrolled nearly 1000 members; but not being able to guarantee the amount of benefit expected by the depositors, they have reluctantly reduced the number to 819, hoping that this will be their last unsuccessful appeal for further support, and that next year they may be allowed to report that not one applicant has been refused admission. The following list of articles purchased by the members will serve to show the advantages of the plan as a means of providing useful clothing, bedding, &c. : 17 Blankets. 2602 yards of Calico 75 pairs of Trowsers 113 pairs of Shoes : 692 yards of Flannel 626 yards of Stuff 53 Coats 37 Jackets 936 yards of Print 33 Shawls 428 pairs of Stockings and Socks ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, 1850-51. THE SIMPLEST SCHEME FOR A COAL CLUB. CLUBS for the benefit of the poor are often not established because the character of the neighbourhood is such that very little, if any, addition can be made in the way of premium, for want of subscribers. The following simple scheme for a coal club, in which no contribution is required besides the carting or carriage of coals from the nearest station or coal yard, may be usefully made known. It has been worked with so much success, and given such satisfaction and benefit to the poor, that it is redeemed from the insignificance which would seem to belong to it. The farmers of almost every parish will be willing to contribute the use of their horses and carts for one day each, or even less may be enough; and the manager has then no other trouble than that of collecting the money, for which he will think himself repaid by the gratitude and enjoyment of those benefited. Let every family contribute 6d. a week during all the six summer months, and there will stand in each name, when the winter comes, 13s. This will suffice, at wholesale prices, to purchase a considerable quantity of coal (in the place where it is now tried, exactly a ton), and the carriage being given gratis by the farmers, a large saving is made, viz. of the difference between wholesale and retail prices, and also of the considerable addition of carriage, which would otherwise be paid. Each family has a nice ton of coals to begin the winter with, and feels happy in the contemplation of its comforts. THE TABERNACLE. EXODUS xxvi. 15. E. By the reflected light thrown on these verses by other parts of Scripture, these boards seem to show forth the Church of Christ. There are many beautiful ideas, as there is also much practical truth connected with this subject. These boards were to be of shittim wood, at first, a production of the earth, yet sanctified and consecrated to the Lord. The trees of which they were made had to be cut down, and removed from the place where they so long had been. While many others were left to grow on in their luxuriance, these were hewn down, and boards were formed into the exact shape and size required. How many points of resemblance are here!! The boards were taken from different parts, one tree being chosen here and there, but they all found one meeting place! They were brought in one by one, till the building was complete. See Eph. ii. 21, 22, "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." There was unity in these boards; they were all to be made after the pattern given by God; they were all taken away from their earthly resting-places, and put on the same foundation. Exod. xxvi. 19. Each board was to have two tenons, fitting into sockets of silver. How was this silver obtained? (See ch. xxx. 11-16.) It was the ransom money; "they shall give every man a ransom for his soul." The rich were not to give more, nor the poor less, proving how equal is the value of souls in the sight of God. Of this silver the foundations of the tabernacle were made. In Matt. XX. 28, we thus read: "The Son of man came to give his life a ransom for many. And must not every believer stand on this foundation--the atonement of Christ? We are told truly, in 1 Cor. iii. 11, "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Here we must begin; standing here only we are safe. The boards could not have stood firmly on the sands of the desert, nor can we on any thing short of the atonement of Christ. There is a remarkable expression in 1 Cor. i. 2, "To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus." Believers are taken from earthly hopes and expectations, moulded and made 66 new creatures," set apart for the service of God; and being placed on the foundation, are, by the power of the Holy Spirit, "sanctified in Christ Jesus." How minute are the directions given, and particularly that the boards might be joined firmly together! (see Exod. xxvi. 24.) And this seems to be the desire of the Lord concerning his people. It has been observed, that He prayed five times that his Church might be one (see John xvii. 11. 21–23), and only three times that the bitter cup might pass from Himself. This perfected visible unity will not take place till the Lord comes. It is at his coming (1 Thess. iv. 16, 17,) that his sleeping saints shall be brought with Him, and his waking saints shall be caught up in the air to be for ever with Him! Then shall the glory which the Father gave the Son be given by Him to his own redeemed ones! There is, however, meanwhile, a real unity in Christ, which it is well for believers to recognize "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, one Spirit." It was said of some of old, “See how these Christians love one another." Would this were more true of them now! One thing is certain, that, as the rays of light approach nearer to their centre, the nearer they are to each other; so the more conformed we each become to the image of Christ, and the more closely we walk with God, the more united shall we be. In verses 26-28, we read that five bars were to be made to bind the boards firmly together, one of which, viz. the middle bar was to reach from end to end. In Col. ii. 19, it is said, "The Head (Christ), from which all the body (the Church) by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." There is one bond which links all together, "Love is the bond of perfectness." (Col. iii. 14.) It is in love that all who are saved will be for ever united with the blessed Redeemer and each other. It is thought by some that these five bars only had the appearance of three, the upper and lower ones being formed of two, and meeting together, the middle bar being but one, and reaching from end to end. There are certainly three special links which bind the whole Church of Christ. In 1 Cor. xiii. 13, it is said, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." The faith of all true believers must be one, for there is but one object of faith. The hope too is one; yet these are less than charity. The Christian life begins with faith; then love is kindled, because those who are brought to know God must love Him. They must feel the warmth of his love, and thus theirs is kindled; while hope seems to arise out of faith and love. Faith believes the promises of God, and hope anticipates them. The following verses by Montgomery are so appropriate and beautiful, that it seems suitable to insert them here. There is truth in them, for love shall live when faith is exchanged for sight, and hope lost in full fruition. In the mean time, may this be our sincere prayer!" O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most ex |