wants, and that for the love of Him, Who was content to possess neither farms, nor revenues, nor chest, nor houses.

Oh! how sad to think that many waste their time in vain anxiety, apply themselves but little to their inner life, and grow lamentably hardened to what is within. Lift up thine eye on high grovel not like the beasts on earth. Thou must be fed with the food of angels; the Word of GOD is the feast of souls. That is the bread of life which the LORD JESUS will give thee, that so thou faint not in the wilderness. The same good and loving LORD Who has promised the eternal will not refuse the temporal. Seek thou the things of heaven, and He doubtless will add what is needful all the days of thy life.

SAINT AUGUSTINE.

[The following version of an old Latin legend is translated from the German of Aloys Schreiber. Many of our readers will recollect a picture in the National Gallery, in which the story is represented. We hardly need add, that its moral is the vanity of endeavouring to gratify the thirst for knowledge by prying into mysteries which the intellect cannot comprehend.]

SAINT Austin once retiring sought
The lone sea-shore, deep wrapt in

thought;

In its mysterious depths profound,
ESSENCE DIVINE he sought to
sound,

And write it plainly in a book,
Whereon at pleasure all might look.
It seemed to him no labour sore,
So well he knew all Scripture lore,
He deemed that to his searching eye
Heaven, as he mused, must open lie.
When sudden he became aware,
A little Child of beauty rare
Was stooping downwards on the
strand,

And to a hollow in the sand
Brought water from the foaming
brine,

With muscle shell so white and fine.
"What dost thou there, my pretty
boy?"
Augustine asked.

"A merry toy

CONTENT.

THERE is a jewel which no Indian mine can buy,
No chemic art can counterfeit ;

It makes men rich in greatest poverty,
Makes water wine, turns wooden cups to gold,
The homely whistle to sweet music's strain;
Seldom it comes, to few from heaven sent,
That much in little-all in nought-content.

UNCERTAIN AUTHOR.

Church News.

CHEW DECANAL SCHOOLMASTERS' UNION.

THURSDAY, the 5th of last month, presented a gratifying scene to the eyes of those who take interest in the prosperity of the Church, and the godly nurture of her children. It was the anniversary meeting of the "Chew Decanal Schoolmasters' Union." The locality was the large schoolroom at Portishead, Somerset. The beauty of the day and place were not without their attractions, but we will hope, and do indeed believe, that interest in the occasion was the great cause that filled the spacious room, and left many visitors to hear or see, as best they might, from the outside. The room was adorned with flowers, arranged very tastefully-a large wreath enwrapped the opening of the great folding doors, along the lintel and down the jambs. The crown, and V. R., and the arms of the See (Bath and Wells) surmounted by a mitre, were all elegantly wrought in flowers, and the whole appearance of the room and the assembly suggested a cheerful and festal, but a serious and Christian occasion.

But what, our readers may ask, is the "Chew Decanal Schoolmasters' Union ?" We hope it will not be long before such a question will be superfluous, and "schoolmasters' unions" will be the rule in every deanery. This society, then, was instituted seven years ago. Its object is the improvement of Church teachers, schools, and children, in the deanery of Chew, which is part of the archdeaconry of Bath. Prizes are given for the best schools generally, for essays on educational subjects, for writing, reading, arithmetic, choral singing, geography, and needlework of various kinds. These are partly furnished by the Society itself, partly by the liberality of the Bishop, Archdeacon Brymer, A. H. Elton, Esq., and Mrs. A. H. Elton, of Clevedon Court; Mrs. J. A. Gordon, of Naish House, and Mrs. Peddar, of Clevedon Vicarage. Every beneficed or licensed Clergyman, on payment of 5s., and every schoolmaster or schoolmistress on payment of 2s. 6d. annually, becomes a member. The Society has two meetings in the year, in summer and winter respectively. That of which we are speaking was one of these. The routine on this occasion was that which is usual at the summer meetings.

The proceedings were opened with prayers from the Common Prayer Book, said by the Rev. William Gunning, M.A., Prebendary of Wells, Rector of Stowey, and Rural Dean, who occupied the Chair. The school-children then chanted the

Venite exultemus in excellent time and tune. They were afterwards examined by the Rev. Edward Aislabie Ommanney, M.A., Prebendary of Wells, Rector of Chew Magna, and Decanal Inspector of Schools. The subjects were the first chapter of S. Luke's Gospel, reading, matter and spelling, the Catechism, geography, and arithmetic. The children acquitted themselves with the highest credit. After the examination, they sang the melody "Leaving Port," from the notes, very exactly and melodiously. This school was established by the Rev. T. L. Wolley, the Rector, who had studied foreign systems of education, with a view to raise the secular instruction in his school without lowering the religious training. That gentleman is now absent; but his earnest and diligent curate, the Rev. Charles E. Thompson, daily labours in the school, and endeavours, by individual intercourse with the children, to train them in the doctrines and discipline of that Church of which he is a most faithful and able member and minister.

The Secretary of the Society then delivered a lecture on Education. The reports of the Treasurer and Secretary were then read, and then commenced the delivery of the prizes.

The Society, after the business of the morning, adjourned to the Royal Hotel, where a goodly party of members, nearly a hundred-Clergy, laity, masters, mistresses-sat down to an excellent dinner. Many of the friends, unable to find space in the long room, literally filled the other dining apartments. After dinner, new members were elected, and some business transacted, and the Society broke up, the more distant for their homes, and the more neighbouring to ramble on the shore, and enjoy the prospect of the sea and the Welsh mountains. The report states that a similar movement is in operation in other dioceses, particularly in the County of Cornwall. GOD speed it! for we believe there is nothing more calculated to advance the most important of all objects, the right training of the people for time and eternity.

NEW SCHOOLS AND CHURCH AT STOKE
NEWINGTON.

THE Feast of S. James will long be remembered with delight by the inhabitants of this populous neighbourhood. It must be known to many of our readers, that the valuable work to which we some time back drew attention, called "Reflections, Meditations, and Prayers (with Gospel Harmony) on the most Holy Life and Sacred Passion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, chiefly from Ancient Sources," was devoted by the worthy Author to the good object of building

a Church and schools for that district, far removed from the parish Church. GOD has prospered this work, and put it into the hearts of many to lend their aid to the building commenced this day in the name of the most Holy Trinity.

At five o'clock a goodly assembly (upwards of four hundred) were on the spot, notwithstanding the weather was so unfavourable. The Rector, assisted by his Curate, and the Vicar of S. Leonard's, Shoreditch, officiated, and laid the foundation stone. That simple, but beautiful, Service was most heartily joined in, and the three Psalms sung with heart and voice; as if they felt that "Except the LORD build the house, their labour is but lost that build it,” and as if they devoutly prayed, that, by means of the schools now about to be built, their "sons might grow up as the young plants, and their daughters as the polished corners of the temple."

At the conclusion, the Rev. T. A. Pope addressed the assembly in a few but heartfelt words. He told them that this beginning was a sign and pledge of God's favour and blessing on their work; that He would prosper it were they but true to their part; that they must be most thankful to Him that He allows them to see the beginning of this His work, in preference to others who had gone before, and who, doubtless, had as devoutly and earnestly desired the work as they themselves. He spoke of the value of the souls that would be here rescued; of the prayers, praises, and thanksgivings to be offered up in the Church that would be built; and above all, of their own hearts, which they must take care to keep as living temples of the Most High; that the House of GOD was not built by money alone, but by prayers offered up for His blessing on it; that this, all-even the very poorest (who had no substance to offer)-could and should do unceasingly and concluded by exhorting them to see in this undertaking their own individual and appointed work, set them by GOD, and in which they were to serve Him,-praying Him to "Arise and have mercy on Sion, their Spiritual Sion, His Holy Church, and build the walls of Jeru

salem."

The blessing was then given, to receive which all bowed the head, and many offerings were made on leaving the ground toward the work. The party then adjourned to the parish schoolrooms, which were filled with happy and smiling faces of both young and old, who were entertained with tea, cake, &c.

We see, by a paper circulated, that these schools will be used for Divine Worship until they have the funds sufficient to build the Church to the glory of GoD. Those who feel thankful to GoD for all the mercies they receive at His hands, will doubtless not rest satisfied until His house shall be built, wherein He may be worthily magnified, and immortal souls be saved. Some, and those not in the parish, have followed the pious example of the children of Israel, who, at the setting up of the tabernacle and at

the building of the temple (see Exod. xxxv. and 1 Chron. xxix.) offered gold, silver, earrings, rings, bracelets, and jewels of gold, in such abundance that the rulers were obliged to stay their offerings.* If they themselves show the same zeal for the glory of GOD, the committee will be able forthwith to proceed with the building of the Church designed for this destitute district.

The Cabinet.

* The following offerings (among others) towards the Church of S. Matthias, have been sent to Mr. Brett:-Silver teapot, bracelet with diamond clasp, gold bracelet with diamond clasp, and gold seal.