As the Editor of The Homilist is the Founder and Warden of the Ministers' Seaside Home, and as in each enterprise he is seeking to be of practical service to his brethren in the Ministry of all Christian Communions, it may not be inappropriate if some short sketch of the purposes and achievements of the kindred effort finds a place in these pages.

THE AIM.

The aim of the Ministers' Seaside Home at Morthoe, which was the first of its kind to be established, is to afford to Ministers and their wives, of all Communions, specially to those whose incomes are limited, or whose family claims are large, opportunity for renewal of health after illness, or for recreation of tone and strength after a spell of hard work, or anxiety and worry, that is more trying than work. Others, whose incomes would not be a reason for entering at the lower rate of payment, are welcomed, when there is room, on contributing their full cost. In every case the Minister assesses himself according to a scale which is sent by the Warden to the intending visitor. All are equal as guests. The Home is to be, in no sense, regarded either by donors or guests as a charity, but as a grateful recognition of the services which true Ministers render to the community at large.

Besides providing thoroughly comfortable accommodation and ample board, in a beautiful and invigorating locality; one of the happiest results of the Home is, securing bright, sympathetic, and as it is continually found, religiously inspiring companionship for the Ministers and their wives who comprise the domestic circle thus formed, in which circle the home feeling has hitherto been most happily prevalent. Not a slight advantage is that this "home feeling" has been keenly enjoyed by guests belonging to the Brethren, the Baptists, the Church of England, the Congregationalists, the Methodists, and the Moravians. The catholicity of the

fraternal companionship has been, according to many testimonies, a very great joy to men of all Churches. With renewed health and refreshed spirits there has also been an enlargement of heart which will survive even the other gains.

HAS THE AIM BEEN REALISED?

There is present accommodation for twelve guests, an extra wing could easily be added to the house (for which indeed a capital design has been furnished) with provision for at least double as many, while the garden produce of vegetables and fruit would be ample. In the height of the summer season, scores are unable to gain admission, whilst almost all the year round some guests find it a healthful, a restful, and an invigorating home. So nearly six hundred from almost every county in England and Wales have already said. Some of their words (written to the Warden who receives all applications, and superintends the management) are as follows::

A Nottinghamshire Minister recovering from long and serious nervous illness, and asking for extension of his visit, writes :—

"I am afraid you will say that my gratitude for the past is but ‘a lively sense of favours to come;' this, however, is a sin which may be pardoned in those who know what Morthoe is. To me it is simply perfection as a 'quiet resting place,' and I think my brain is stronger by a long way for the coming here."

A Minister from Gloucestershire says :

:

"The change has done me much good, and I feel like a new man in mind and body."

The letter of a Missionary on furlough from India says:—

"I was very much pleased with the arrangements. I had often wished that such a thing might be. It is a real boon. The house was in beautiful order, and everything as nice as it could be."

A Minister from near London speaks of his visit as an

"Exceedingly happy and cheap little outing to Morthoe. It has been an increasing fund of pleasant conversation-one of the brightest, jolliest little trips I have ever had. You don't know how much good you are doing in it. Not merely for pocket and health of good brethren, but for their spirits, for cheerfulness, cultivation of geniality, letting us know one

another, making and cementing friendships, and, in a word, hastening on the great time of universal love. But is not that the case with every good and generous action? it accomplishes more than was intended."

A Leicestershire Minister writes:

"It is almost impossible to exaggerate the suitability of the 'Home' as a place of rest for Ministers, or its claim on the Christian public for support. The whole tone of the place is that of a refined religious home. I certainly say that with climate so invigorating, and amid scenery so grand and inspiring as that of Morthoe and its neighbourhood, with company so genial, sympathetic, and stimulating, and with a table so excellent, varied, and abundant, The Grange is the very place for brethren to recruit their physical, mental, and spiritual power."

The following letter, signed by ten guests staying at one time at The Grange, was thankfully received by the Warden :

"The air is invigorating, the scenery grand; and we are helped to enjoy all this the more because, though away from home, we have the comforts of home. More than once we have said to each other that we owe all this to your kindly thoughts and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of your brethren, and we feel that we should be guilty of a grievous omission if we did not tell you how much we feel indebted to you. Accept, then, our hearty thanks to you and the friends who have helped you in this good work."

From Essex a Minister writes:

"I never enjoyed anything more in my life, and have returned feeling well for my winter's work. I very much appreciate the cleanliness and comfort of the house; and the quietness and regularity with which everything is done is beyond praise."

A Staffordshire Minister says:

"I sincerely thank you, and the friends who co-operate with you, for the happiest and most restorative holiday I have yet had."

WHERE IS THE HOME?

The Grange, as the house is called, is situated two miles distant from the Morthoe Station of the L. and S. W. R. The district is one of the wildest, grandest, and at the same time one of the healthiest of Devon

shire. The waves break in upon its beach of savage rock and far-reaching sands with what Charles Kingsley, writing of this shore, calls

"The everlasting thunder of the long Atlantic swell.”

Above these rocks are hills piled on hills, stretching away in all directions for many miles, and covered with rich grass and golden gorse and purple heather. The house stands in three acres of undulating land, part of which is laid out with hardy shrubs, and with flowers in great profusion, and part with a large variety of vegetables and fruit.

Ilfracombe is four miles distant by rail, or may be reached by several picturesque walks. Dr. Slade King, one of the leading medical men of that town, most generously gives his gratuitous advice to any of the ministerial guests.

How IS IT SUSTAINED?

The House and Grounds (which are Freehold), and whatever Fund there is in hand, is invested in twenty Trustees, who belong to the Baptist, the Church of England, and the Congregationalist Communions, who meet annually to receive the Warden's report, and the audited account of the Treasurer. Donors have given sums of £100 or less; Bazaars were held in Bristol and Ilfracombe, realising nearly £1000. Of these sums, after paying for purchase of the property and furniture, £600 is invested by the Trustees, the interest being applied towards the annual expenditure. Several friends of Ministers are annual subscribers, one such, the friend of the Founder and a member of his Church, being generously responsible for an annual subscription list of £100 a year. The balance on the accounts of the Home this year is on the wrong side.

The Founder is intensely anxious to interest liberal friends whose own holidays cost them much and yield them much. If such would but give to this enterprise (which for many a year may help scores of ministers and their wives to enjoy a holiday) as much as they spend on one autumn trip of their own, enough would soon be received (1) for an adequate investment, (2) for enlargement of the building.

Donations then are asked by one whose plea is "for my brethren and companions' sake," and who is, therefore, not afraid to plead urgently and pressingly. Is it not worth while, kind reader, to make some sacrifice in order to give a gift by which many an overwrought servant of God shall have his health recruited, his nerves restrung, his whole nature refreshed?

Who can tell how many a Minister and Minister's wife will bless God through the next fifty years for any effort of yours that enlarges, or even tends to sustain, this Home? Besides gifts of money, donations of thoroughly good books to add to the present library, which is already indebted to some very thoughtful and wise donors, or really artistic pictures to take their places on the walls beside some masterpieces that have already been given, would be very welcome.

Annual Subscriptions, too, of a guinea and upwards would be much appreciated.

While the remembrance of this institution in bequeathing legacies, would be one means of ensuring the perpetuity of its usefulness.

Will Ministerial readers of this, who can afford it, do, as not a few have done, send some gift that may ensure the same sort of holiday for their brethren that annually they set such store on for fitting them anew for their own work.

And will all Ministers to whom these words come, plead delicately, but earnestly, with generous-hearted friends in their own congregations.

Thus not only will the endeavours of the Founder and others who have co-operated with him, be followed by helpful efforts, but will easily be exceeded and eclipsed by achievements that will be stronger and more full of blessing to those about whom Christ will one day say, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

THE PRESENT TRUSTEES ARE

Rev. Urijah R. Thomas (Secretary), Bristol. J. Bartlett, Esq. (Treasurer), Bristol. Walter Derham, M.A., Westbury. Wilberforce N. Tribe, Bristol. P. F. Sparke Evans, J.P., Clifton. Rev. David Thomas, D.D., London. Rev. F. W. Gotch, LL.D., Bristol. Rev. Richard Glover, Bristol. Edward Robinson, Esq., Bristol. Frank N. Tribe, Esq., Bristol. Rev. W. Clarkson, B.A., Bristol. Rev. S. March, B.A., Worcester. Rev. F. Hastings, London. G. A. Wills, Esq., Bristol. Samuel Day Wills, J.P., Bristol. Rev. H. Arnold Thomas, M.A., Bristol. Rev. E. G. Gange, Chaning Pearce, M.D., London. Rev. C. B. Symes, B.A.,

Bristol.

London.

EDITOR.