WORK AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Evangelist W. P. Fife began work in Macon, Miss., January 9th.

Rev. Thos. Ward White has been blessed in conducting a ten days mission at Cedar Point, Houston Co., Texas.

J. W. Dean, of Philadelphia, has had a successful work in the evangelistic field during the past few months and is now conducting meetings in Binghamton, N. Y.

Rev. E. Payson Hammond has been holding successful revival services in Brooklyn. On Jan. 3d he opened in the Ainslie Street Presbyterian church, and on Jan. 9th at the New England Congregational church on South Ninth street.

Wm. H. Sallmon, formerly secretary of Yale University Y. M. C. A., is traveling secretary of the Australian Student Christian Union. Reports from Australia bring the news of steady progress of the work of the Union in every department under Mr. Sallmon's direction.

Rev. S. G. Neil, of Bristol, Conn., has been actively engaged in evangelistic work during the past few months, having conducted missions in Springfield, Mass., Philadelphia, Pa., West Chester, Pa., Freehold, N. J., and Deep River, Conn. Mr. Neil's appointments for the winter include Salem, N. J., Philadelphia, Bridgton, N. J., Norristown, Pa. and Trenton, N. J.

Messrs. M. B. Williams and Chas. M. Alexander held a series of meetings in Sandwich, Ill, for four weeks in November and December. The four evangelical churches united in the work. The meetings commenced on Sunday, November 14th, in the Opera House, when it was found the building was too small to accommodate the crowd. As some of the results of the work, a large number are ready to unite with the various churches; a Y. M. C. A. has been re-organized and Anti-Saloon and Gambling League has been formed; church members have been revived; cottage prayer meetings and Bible classes are held regularly every week, superintended by Miss Grace Saxe of Moody's Bible Institute. The old citizens say, they do not remember a revival that has resulted in as much good as the one recently held.-Joseph C. Dent, Pastor Baptist church, Sandwich, Ill.

Our English Letter.

THE WESLEYAN FORWARD MOVEMENT."

During the last decade a truly remarkable work for the evangelization of our larger cities has been in progress under the title given above. Born in a great national revival, the Methodist churches, by internal splits and compliance with the ever-encroaching spirit of worldliness, were losing much of their early fervor and whole-hearted testimony. This "Forward Movement" has done not a little to infuse new life into this section of our Christian communities and to restore its ancient zeal for the salvation of the neglected masses I am uncertain as to the exact origin of this fresh advance; but that matters little. The fact abides, and one cannot be too thankful for it, that through its agency the gospel has been successfully carried into the midst of the toiling, sunken millions who are massed together in our populous cities throughout England and Scotland, while the whole tone of city evangelism has been raised and its needs brought home to all the evangelistic churches.

The

One of the earliest spots to share in this new endeavor was the West End of London. chief workers in that field-than which there is no more needy in the whole of Christendom -have been Rev. Hugh Price Hughes and Rev. Mark Guy Pearse. The fomer is, of course, an ardent, irrepressible Welshman, and the latter is an equally fervid Cornishman. The names of both are now household words throughout the civilized world. It would take a long time to tell, even in barest outline, the marvelous progress that this West London Mission has made during the ten years or more of its existence. I know not whether eternity itself will ever reveal to these devoted servants of God and their faithful helpers, all the results that have rewarded their efforts, in clear conversions, in re-consecrated lives, in the relief of the poverty-stricken, the comfort of the sorrowing and the dying, the rescue of the socially and spiritually "lost," and the redemption of young lives that were in great peril of being engulfed in the sweltering sea of London's vice and crime. The manifold work sustained among the poor by the Sisters, connected with the Mission, under the leadership of Mrs. Hughes, is one of the most touching and beautiful developments of nine

teenth-century Christianity. Around the head center of operations there surges a nightly tide of flaunting, gilded vice, fostered by the introduction of a large foreign element, that is the shame and the despair of our city rulers. Some of the Mission Sisters do their utmost to cope with this evil and to lure the unhappy fallen ones back to a respectable life; but such work is always attended by much difficulty and discouragement. The weekly gospel and other services at St. James' Hall in Piccadilly form a great point of attraction for all sorts of people, especially those outside the range of ordinary church influence. Mr. Price Hughes and his helpers constantly "draw the net" at the close of the evening meetings, and they are cheered with many and repeated proofs that the gospel of Jesus Christ is as much God's remedy for the sins and sorrows of life today, as it was at the first.

This West End Mission was only the beginning of the new movement. London is so vast that it affords plenty of scope for an indefinite number of such earnest experiments. Similar special efforts on a goodly scale were begun in the East End, in the Clerkenwell or Central District and in the Southern division of the metropolis, while lesser agencies were established in more outlying parts. All these have been equally successful in their measure. The choice of the workers in every case has been most happy. A burly, big-hearted Scotchman, Rev. Peter Thompson, is at the head of the East End work; his gifts of plodding persistence and overflowing sympathy have enabled him to achieve marvels in commending the gospel message, with all its saving and uplifting power to the hearts of the poor victims of drink and lust in that crowded section of the city. The public houses and dancing saloons that abound, are, of course, a terrible hindrance, but there has been no shirking of the fight on the part of the devoted workers, so that the devil and the publican have lost many whom they long led captive. The Mission in South London, with Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Meakin as the capable and consecrated chief workers, has also been the scene of many a gospel triumph. These brethren are now planning the erection of a large and well-appointed center of work in a new region; "forward" is still the word, and their faith will doubtless be rewarded. All these special, and what might be

called "irregular" methods of aggressive work, have entailed great expense; but the money has always been forthcoming. The Mission, though under Wesleyan auspices, is really unsectarian, and Christians of all names freely contribute, feeling assured that the money could not possibly be better spent. Enthusiasm of this thoroughly practical kind is always catching, and "Forward Movements" have been planted in large English towns such as Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, etc.; as well as in Glasgow and Edinburgh across the border. No other denomination has made such gigantic and sustained efforts as our Methodist friends, but there has been no small emulation in other quarters of this aggressive attack on the camp of the common foe. The work of the Salvation Army, and latterly, of the Church Army, is largely in the same direction, though on different lines and by different methods. The "Bitter Cry of Outcast London," raised by the Congregationalists some years back has borne fruit in much earnest work for the poor of our city and probably that famous appeal helped largely to bring the Forward Movement of the Methodists to a successful birth.

Mr. Josiah Nix, who was for a time one of Mr. Price Hughes' helpers in West London, is now acting as evangelist-at-large in official connection with the Wesleyan church. A man of the people, of great popular gifts of utterance, of unbounded energy and zeal and a born leader of men, he has made a very decided mark as a successful and fearless evangelist. His gospel campaigns at Epsom races, and his Sunday evening services for the people in the Princess' Theater, Oxford St., London, have shown how the careless masses can be reached and moved by the gospel when faith, courage and shrewd common sense are impressed into the service of Jesus Christ. Mr. Nix is now conducting missions throughout the provinces, with the power of the Holy Ghost manifestly resting upon him, and with many souls for his hire.

London, England.

The late Bishop Walsham Howe, of Wakefield, England, before he was made a bishop, regularly consecrated one-tenth of his income to God. After he became a bishop he increased the proportion to one-fifth, to which he added all the income derived from his pen.

I. The first thing is to review the last lesson (chapters i.-xi. 9) by chapter-names, topic-words, and topical outline. In a class this should be done in concert till there is no faltering by anyone. Make much of this review always. Review the great truths also, of the past lesson. The teacher should have such a masterful hold of the lesson, that he can, by careful questioning, bring the class to the discovery for itself of these great outline truths in each lesson; then, by persistent reviewing, he should harrow them in till the class is utterly unable to forget them.

II. These Abraham chapters, xi. 10-xxv. 10, should be read till you can run right through them without any hesitation. If you read them through every day for a week, and then twice through at a sitting, you will be glad you did it. III. Look up carefully the geography of these chapters, noting the location of every place mentioned; also trace the journeys of Abraham till they are familiar. Find the proper pronunciation of every name used, and fix in memory the meaning of the principal

names.

IV. Let us now rapidly sketch the story: The Shemitic ancestry of Abram traced, with their Mesopotamian home and history; God's purposeful call of Abram, and the great sevenfold promise to him; the long journey of obedience and hope; Canaan at last, but Canaanites; the comforting vision of God; the altar-and-tent life begun; the famine; Egypt and the sad backsliding; then back to Canaan and Bethel, worship and joy, with Lot's worldly choice of Sodom, the place so soon to be judged, and his separation from his godly uncle, who moves up to Hebron, the place of fellowship. Now the first great battle of the east and west is on, with valiant Abraham-a real general-to the rescue of captive Lot and on the way back the mysterious Melchizedek with his effectual ministry to the man of faith about to be flattered and tempted. The great covenant with Abraham follows, giving him Palestine forever, and the promise of multiplied seed to fill it. The foolish Hagar-expedient to obtain the promised seed, with its utter failure, follows,

and then thirteen long years of waiting, (between chapters xvi. and xvii.) when circumcision is given as a token of the covenant, and the boy Isaac promised to the faithful patriarch of ninety-nine years. Anon, with two of the heavenly host, the Lord appears to Abraham, to announce that the sin-cup of Sodom at last is full unto judgment, and to give his friend opportunity to pray his poor nephew out of the burning. Then follows the doom; the third age has closed; the tale of Lot's horrible progeny, destined to be the worst enemies of God, is added, and the story of Abraham's second fear-spasm about his wife; then the child of promise is born and the mocking Ishmael cast out. Now comes the supreme heart-test of Abraham-the offering of Isaac, his son. Will he do it? He will, without once faltering. And then he is blessed by his God to the full. The aged Sarah is next laid to rest in the quaintly-purchased cave of Machpelah. The glad wooing and wedding of Isaac follows-a beautiful chapter. A few more years, and the pilgrim is "gathered to his people"-we know them who they are.

Only one mighty man moves in these chapters. Others than Abraham (save Melchizedek, who was greater, Heb. vii. 4-10), seem pygmies. Abraham continually breathed the air in the mountains of faith. If he descends-for he does he is soon ashamed and goes back directly. He was the friend of God, 2 Chron. xx. 7, and the father of them that believe. Rom. iv. 11; Gal. iii. 7. God found something rare in him. See Neh. ix. 8. "Thou foundest his heart faithful and madest a covenant with him." Compare 2 Chron. xvi. 9. Yet in himself he was weak as other men; he knew it, and also the place of strength. "And Abraham fell on his face and God talked with him." Gen. xvii. 3.

V. The chapter names: xii., Call; xiii., Separation (from Egypt and Lot); xiv., Victory (over kings and covetousness); xv., Covenant; xvi., Hagar; xvii., Circumcision; xviii., Intercession; xix., Sodom; xx., Abimelech; xxi., Isaac; xxii., Testing; xxiii., Machpelah; xxiv., Bride; xxv., Death.

Run backward and forward through these names till it is perfectly easy to do so, and always think through the story as you repeat the names.

VI. The topic names: Call; Preparation;

Covenant; Waiting; Fulfillment; Testing; Fruitfulness. The whole story of Abraham groups about these seven words. Think through the chapters three or four times with this in mind, assigning the details of the narrative each to its proper topic-head. Then write out for yourself, under the seven heads, the topical outline you have thus secured. Go as much into detail as you please; only be careful to keep the great features of the story before you. If you will keep looking at Abraham from God's view-point, Who is giving us the story of His dealing with His servant, and is revealing to us those events and epochs of Abraham's career which He deems important, you will quickly recognize and understand the important features of the lesson. Remember James i. 5, and ask God boldly for wisdom to see the deep truth in this story. He will give it you.

VII. The character of Abraham should be taken up and studied most patiently and thoroughly. It does not pay to hurry in any Bible study, but haste will be ruinous to good results here. Will it not pay you to become intimately acquainted with the man whom God called His friend? See Isa. xli. 8. Take time, then, to do it.

In the study of a Bible character, it will be well to proceed in the following general order: 1. The pre-natal influences: genealogy, character of parents, etc., cf. 2 Tim. i. 5.

2. The life-story: including the careful examination of the early life and advantages, the details of the narrative throughout, and the making of the epochs or stages into which the life seems naturally to fall.

3. The primary or original elements of the character, as far as they can be discovered: ie, the man as he is when God takes him up. 4. The spiritual history. This is the most important line of character study. The general rule in it is, to look at the man's life from God's view-point. He mapped and managed it, with an end in view in every detail, and a general end in the whole, for every character in the Bible stands for some great truth or lesson. And somewhere in the Bible always, I believe, God gives His design in each of the great Bible characters, explains His method with them, and gives His estimate of them. First, then, should be sought the end God has in the character before us. What did He plan that the man should be, represent, or do? Next, what are the great steps, or crises, in

the man's life, by means of which God's plan was effected? And what means did God use to bring these about? Men's spiritual lives, as well as their natural lives, consist of great epochs, or periods, each of which has been entered upon at some crisis or turning-point in their affairs. These pivotal points must be discovered, or we shall fail in the real sense to grasp the meaning of the lives we study. The ordinary details of the history will now most profitably be studied in the light of these great epochal events. The minor events lead to the crises, or result from them.

5. The final character: the man as he is at last, as the result of God's method with him, noting his strong points and weak points, tracing each to its source, if possible; and finally summing up the man in one characteristic word. In Abraham's case this is easy. He is the great man of what-?

VIII. The following topics should be carefully studied:

I. The call of Abram: God's reasons for it; objects in it; probable method of it; difficulties of obedience to it; secret of Abram's obedience, cf., Heb. xi. 8; things left; things gained (search concordance).

2. The progressive revelation of God to Abraham (Revised Version best).

I. As the LORD (Jehovah, His name as in covenant with His people). xii. 1, 8; xiii.4, 18. 2. God Most High, (El-Elyon, Creator-God Over and Owning All). xiv. 18-22. 3. Shield and Exceeding Great Reward. xv. 1. 4. The Almighty God, (El Shaddai). xvii. 1. 5. The Righteous Judge. xviii. 25. 6. The Everlasting God. xx. 33. 7. The God of Providence (Jehovah-Jireh). xxii. 14. The context in connection with each passage should be carefully studied, as illustrating the occasion, circumstances and methods of God's ever-sufficient and always-fitting revelation of Himself to His children. Wonderful and delightful discoveries will attend such study.

5. Lot: his history, motives, character; conversion - when? religious experience (2 Pet. ii. 8); family and progeny; the spiritual lessons his life teaches.

Cf.

6. How are we Abraham's children? Gal. iii. 7; Rom. iv.; John viii.; Luke xvi., etc. 7. Melchizedek. Cf. Heb. v.-vii. The man; the kingship; the priesthood-its origin, order, object, and location (at Salem, later Jerusalem). Christ the next priest-king. Zech. vi. 13; Ezek. xxi. 26, 27. Why no more till He come?

8. Angels: Their nature, manifestation and ministry. See chap. xviii., xix.

9. The Angel of the Lord (first mentioned in xvi. 7): Who? See Gen. xxii. 11-12; Judges xiii. 18-22; Zech. iii. 6.

10. Prayer: its privilege, proper objects, power, method, self-limitation, and answer. Ch. xviii., xix. 29.

a

After all this study, several special hours should be set apart in which to meditate, familiarly and lovingly, and with humble prayer, upon the life and character of Abraham, until the great patriarch lives before you and becomes one of the men of God whom you know. Follow Abraham through every experience of his life, putting yourself in his place; thus you will instinctively realize his motives-you will know him. Without these hours of deep, quiet, holy reflection, the precious lessons you may have learned will either soon slip away from you or will never become of deep, living profit in your life or service.

The consideration of the types in Genesis, a most rich and profitable study indeed, will be taken up in Lesson V.

LESSON III. Genesis xXV. 11-xxxvi. Isaac and Jacob, the Heirs of the Promise.

Proceed first with this lesson according to steps I., II., and III., of lesson II. Remember that the foundation work of reading and rereading must be faithfully done each time. The rest of the lesson presupposes this.

The chapter names are:

XXV. Birthright. XXXI. Mizpah.
XXVI. Abimelech II. XXXII. Wrestling.

Two great characters of Bible history now come before us: Isaac, not a mighty man by nature, yet made truly majestic in dignity by the heritage of promise, faith and blessing on which he entered as the covenant son of Abraham (see ch. xvii. 19; xxv. 5, 6-11; and Jacob, intense, watchful, shrewd, possessed of boundless resources, bargain-making, treacherous and mean; and yet, withal, earnest at heart, and anxious to have the favor and blessing of God.

God's covenant promises descended to Isaac. He knew them, prized them, held them, used them and handed them on. There is not much written of him. Gentle, calm, easy-going, he seems to have lived the quiet, ordinary life of an opulent oriental patriarch. Three excellent elements of his character should not be overlooked: his meekness, xxvi. 16-22, (meekness being that excellent quality which will be imposed on rather than fight); his prayerfulness, xxv. 21; xxiv. 63; xxvi. 23-25; and his accepting God's will, though against his desire. xxvii. 33. His fondness for venison reveals a weakness that has touched other than orientals and has dimmed other spiritual vision than Isaac's. That he deemed Esau a fit inheritor of the covenant blessing of Abraham and was ready to make the occasion of bestowing that blessing a dinner of antelope makes us slightly ashamed of him. But he might well be of some of us, perhaps. He was a good man. God owned him. His religion was, pre-eminently, fearing God (xxxi. 53; xlviii. 15).

The great facts in this lesson's story of Jacob are these: Getting the birthright; stealing the blessing; flight from home, and the ladder vision at Bethel; twenty-one years' service with his Uncle Laban, with his marriages and hardearned prosperity there; his sudden flight with all he had; Laban's pursuit and their final compact; the angel's withstanding him on the borders of Canaan; his reconciliation with Esau; settling at Shechem; his daughter Dinah dishonored and avenged; then back to Bethel and real favor with God, and finally, to Hebron, Isaac's home-"the place of fellowship." Jacob was ready at last to take up the full Abrahamic testimony and Isaac was called home.

Make your own topical outline from these facts, as in Lesson II., and drill thoroughly upon it.