very day and asked for an increase given you? Why not, for one day of salary, but surely he had not at least, imitate your mother? She mentioned his six children — or certainly was the happier of the could it be he did not pay attention two." to his pleading ?

"Perhaps a walk will make me "Well, Ben, there'll be one less more like myself—I'll look after mouth to feed soon, and the poor Thornton's rent. I'll be bound the child eats little enough now." Then cottage shan't escape me to-day, as Waring saw them go to a crib in a it did in my dreams;" and Waring corner, and saw a child all wasted started out, but the wind seemed and worn tossing wearily from side to echo, “Throw away this chance ! to side.

Throw away this chance !”. “It's enough to drive a man to The cottage was in the suburbs drink, when you think what the and at the furthur end of the town, firm take in each day," muttered and by the time Waring had reached the poor father, almost crazed as it he felt quite restored to himself he looked on his dying child. -“had gotten over all that ner

Waring, impatient to recall his vousness." He rang the bell, and cold refusal, made a mighty effort was ushered into the little parlour to speak, and awoke in the grey by a lady-evidently the wife of the dawn of the November day. His tenant. There was no sickness dreams had been too vivid to be here, at any rate, for three little shaken off at once, but he tried his fellows clustered around the lady's best to call them “mere fancies." skirts, peeping with shy, bright On first waking he half resolved to eyes at their visitor. call on Ben, and see if the reality .“ Did you wish to see my huswere anything like the dream, but band, sir ?" by the time he had bathed and .“ I did wish to see your husband, dressed, his old habits had con- madam, but my business can be quered him, and he remembered, transacted with you, no doubt. with a smile at his own momentary My friend Mr. Thornton has asked superstition, that he did not know me to collect the rent for this cotBen's address. Mrs. Downs brought tage; it seems that the agent has up his breakfast, and her face re- been rather remiss in the matter." called the dream to his mind. By The lady's face paled, her hands way of experiment he said, “How were pressed tightly together in is Mr. Downs to-day?”.

her lap, but her steadfast eyes met .“ Not much stronger, thank you, Mr. Waring's unflinchingly. sir. The doctor recommends a “Sir, you are a total stranger to Southern trip.”.

me; but sometimes it is easier to Mr. Waring felt his cheek flush, confide in such an one than a friend. but hiding behind his newspaper Until last night I thought the rent he gave an absent-minded * Ah had been paid promptly each month, -better go!" which effectually I sent it, sir, by"_the poor wife silenced Mrs. Downs. But it did hesitated, but with an effort said, not silence his conscience. It “ by my husband." seemed as if, after the lapse of " Then the agent is a scamp," years, that voice of God in his heart said Mr. Waring, rising to leave, must be heard—was it in answer and resolving that the said agent to his mother's prayers ?

should smart for this. “You've tried your father's grasp. “No, no, sir! You must hear ing, money-getting ways for years, me out. Last night my husband and what real happiness have they acknowledged to me that he had

not made the payments. My hus. I would only be at home after six at band has been drinking, and the night? Have you not a couple of money has gone. But oh, sir, he rooms that such a one could furnish promises to change-he is very for himself? You could charge a penitent, and I am so anxious to good price, and almost cover your give him one more chance. I am rent.” sure I can earn and save the full “Oh, sir, bachelors are not so amount, if you can wait.”

easy to be found, especially one “ You can earn !” repeated Mr. that would pay largely, and thenWaring, looking at the delicate face it could only be a friend, one who and the hands, so evidently unused would help my husband, not lead to hard work.

him further astray." “Yes, sir. This is a sudden blow, "I know of one. Will you em. but I have been thinking all night, power me to arrange with him ? and I am so anxious to save my | As to your back rent, your plans husband, to show him that I am are admirable, and I am sure ready to help him if he will only Thornton will wait. I'll pay him, reform, that I have thought of one if he won't," Mr. Waring added to or two ways of earning money himself. already, and God will show me Mrs. Archer's brown eyes grew soft others. He helps those who help and bright, a happy smile played themselves, does He not, sir ? " about her firm, determined mouth,

“ Indeed he does," said Mr. and impulsively extending her Waring, his heart stirred as it had hand, she thanked her new friend not been for years. “May I ven- warmly, “I knew there were such ture to ask something about your warm-hearted men as you, sir, but plans ? "

I have not often met them. I “ Certainly. If you wait for the promise you your confidence and money you have the right. Besides, kindness to an utter stranger shall I need a friend, and shall be glad | not prove misplaced. As to your of your judgment. My plan is to friend-I cannot refuse him. Will open a class for the children in the you look at our second floor, to see neighbourhood. I already teach if you think it might suit him?”. my own boys, and several of the Smiling to himself, Mr. Waring neighbours have asked me to take followed her up to the pretty rooms their children in, but until now I her womanly taste had made homethought I could not. Then I have like and inviting, though the furni. a good knowledge of the organ, and ture was of the plainest description. I heard last Friday that the organist | “But this is evidently your room, of a church not far off is to leave. my dear madam !” I shall apply for the position, and “There are two rooms above, and I feel sure I shall get it.”

I shall be so glad to be near the “Had you thought of most children! Indeed, we shall be very women's first resource-keeping comfortable, if only your friend boarders ?”

should prove my friend." "No, sir !” and the sweet, wo- “ Never fear! He will call to. manly face, flushed. “I want to night. I have much to see to tohave my own little lome sacred, if day, or I would bring him this possible. Besides, though my afternoon. Good-day - for the husband has promised, he may not present. I hope to hear you play quite succeed, and I could not on the organ before long." bear to let outsiders see."

Mr. Waring walked away from "But a lodger-a bachelor, who the cottage with a strange, new

feeling at his heart. Were there me to pay it by weekly sums from many such women in the world ? your salary when you obtain a Was it not delightful to be able to position ?" make her look so bright, to lift part “Indeed I would, sir, and bless of the burden she had borne so you every day of my life. And bravely from her weak shoulders ? when I grow rich, as I intend to, "I declare, mother was right, and I'll help other boys." I've lost a great deal of happiness “Don't wait till you get rich, my by not helping others. Just for the boy; keep your heart and eyes open, fun of the thing, I'll stop in at that and give out of your first earnings, poor widow's, and see those children or you may grow hard and mean of hers—wonder if my dream was and miserly.” right, and if she has a boy and girl!” The boy coloured violently, and

In his new enthusiasm Mr. Mr. Waring felt sure that his dream Waring quite forgot how the morn- had indeed been true. “All the ing had gone by, and it was not more reason I should hurry home, until he had knocked at Widow and cheer up that good little Mrs. Burns's door that he quite knew Downs. Bless my soul! here I'm that he was there. There sat the about to leave her, and that will be widow, evidently tired from her a dreadful blow! I must find her morning's work, with her daughter another lodger, or pay at both and a little crippled boy.

places. I declare, I'll be a poor “Mr. Waring, sir! İs anything man if I keep on! But somehow wrong? I have the last week's I can't stop-never felt so happy in list, and I am sure I made no mis- my life.” take."

Mr. and Mrs. Downs were sur“ No, no, my good Mrs. Burns. prised by a call from their rich I am only keeping holiday in my lodger, and still more surprised at own fashion, and thought I would the kind, friendly way in which he call and see what family you had, talked. He was as eager to talk and what your prospects are for over places in the South as Mr. the winter.”

| Downs himself, and knew much Mary and John gave their mother more about them. How enthusiastic bright yet anxious glances, as much the two men grew as they talked of as to say, “ Now is your time ; do the feasibility of Mr. Downs going tell this gentleman our need.” Little first and getting better, and then by little the story was told ; it was taking a house for his wife to keep almost exactly the tale of the night lodgers; or better yet, if his health before. In one year more John were once fairly re-established, he would be able to take a position as might get a chance at farming. assistant book-keeper, and Mary! It's the getting there that is the was steadily advancing towards the trouble," said the invalid, at last, goal of her ambition--a certificate the old cloud settling down on his which should entitle her to a posi- thin face. tion as public school teacher.

"Oh, that's the least part of it! “But mother isn't strong, and You must allow me to see to that. she was not brought up to wash and I had a delicate sister when I was a iron; if she could only work a little mere boy that might be living now, less for a year, we might save her if we could have sent her to the life,” said Mary impetuously. “ South. In memory of her I want

“ Well, suppose I agreed to ad- to send you." vance you a few pounds, John, The wife's happy face, the sick would you sign a paper promising. man's broken thanks, helped on the

good work in James Waring's al. 1 Mrs. Archer's surprise was great, ready softened heart. They would but she did not try to conceal her not hear of his eating alone, and he relief that a total stranger was not and Mrs. Downs between them im- to be thrust upon them. She felt provised a high tea which was a that Mr. Waring would help her grand success, the invalid sitting in all her undertakings, and hoped up and even asking to be helped a that his friendship might prove ensecond time.

nobling to her husband. It was not quite easy to tell Mrs.' The three talked together for an Downs of his proposed change of hour, and then, mutually pleased rooms, but Mr. Waring found her with the prospect of spending many sympathies all on the side of the evenings together, they parted, Mr. brave young wife, and though she Waring to walk home thinking over was sorry to lose him as a lodger, the change in his feelings since the she was so delighted to have gained night before. him as a friend that she did not 1 This has been the happiest holi. complain.

day of my life, and I mean to have Just as the oldest of her boys was many such. To-morrow I'll speak kissing her good-night, Mr. Waring to Ben, and raise his salary, and was announced to Mrs. Archer. then I must begin to plan for

“You could not persuade your Christmas. There'll be lots of prefriend, I see," said that lady, after sents for all these young folks I've introducing her husband. “Pray do picked up. I declare, instead of not think us much disappointed ” dreading my holidays I shall be

“But indeed, madam, my friend getting ready for the next one all ---a man's best friend, they say, is the time, and after this I shall have, himself-has come to beg that he as my blessed mother advised, my may take possession of his rooms own poor to help and encourage.” as soon as possible.”

RITUALISM.*

BY THE REV. 8. MEAD, M.A., LL.B.

(Continued.) Let me now return to the work of tracking out the salvationprocuring idea in its penetrative course among the ordinances of ritualistic systems. This idea constitates the bone, flesh, muscle, and spirit of the ritualistic conception of Baptism. The New Testament idea, that it is an ordinance wherein we follow our Lord's personal example, counts for nothing; the requirement of faith in the subject to be baptized is ignored; the witness of baptism to our having come out from the world, henceforth to walk in newness of life, is set aside. What is given us in its place ? I shall at some length allow Rev. F. A. Gace to give his explanations. In his "Church Catechism Explained,” Q. 7., he asks, "Why do you call the name given in baptism your Christian name ?-A. Because it was

* An Address delivered at the Annual Meeting of the South Australian Baptist Association, on Tuesday, September 23rd, 1879.

given to me when I was made a Christian; my surname I received from my earthly parents, being my name in my natural state ; my Christian name from the Church, on becoming spiritually the child of God.-Q. 8. When were you made a Christian ?-A. When I was baptized. Q. 9. Can any one become a Christian without baptism? -A. No. Q. 10. In what light must we view those who have never been baptized 2-A. As the heathen, whether they be old or young, notwithstanding they may be in the habit of attending Divine worship. Q. 11. What is baptism ?-A. Being born again of water and the Spirit. Q. 14. What spirit are you born of ?-A. The Holy Spirit of God. Q. 16. What are those persons said to be who have rightly received baptism?--A. They are said to be born again' or to be regenerate. Q. 17. In this our second birth who is our father and our mother?-A, God is our Father, and the Church our mother. Q. 18. How does God become our Father ?--A. Because in baptism we are made members of Christ, and therefore children of God. Q. 19. What other privilege attaches to baptism? — A. We become inheritors of the kingdom of Heaven. Q. 20. What do you mean by the word member ?-A, I mean the being a part of any body, as tho arm or leg is part of our natural body. Q. 21. How do you become a member of Christ in baptism ?-A. By becoming a member of his Church, which is that mystical body of which Christ is the head. Q. 23. Why is the Church our mother ?-A. Because we are born in her. Q. 24. How do you become a child of God ?-A. By becoming a member of Christ.” Thus you see how the changes are rung upon these wordschurch, baptism, regeneration, member of Christ, child of God.

Now this salvation-procuring idea of baptism is preached and taught to one-third, perhaps to nearly one-half, of the people of South Australia. It is taught in the Sunday-school class, enforced in preparatory teaching preceding confirmation, insisted on in the administration of the baptism, inculcated in the pulpit; who can adequately estimate the spiritual mischief wrought by this doctrino on the best and highest interest of the people of this country ? You know that to accept this doctrine, as standing at the very threshold of all other doctrines of the ritualistic systems, must necessarily and fatally imperil those other doctrines affecting the Christian life. The history of the Christian Churches during these eighteen centuries abun. dantly proves, that wherever and whenever the true doctrine of baptism has been perverted, it has given rise to most serious evils which have sadly weakened the life and lessened the spiritual power of the Church of God. So long as this grave error prevails, extensively in this land, so long does the duty rest imperatively on us to labour earnestly for the extirpation of the error, and zealously to uphold the simple beauty of the ordinance as Christ bas left it to us. This ritualistic conception of baptism is not, however, confined to the Episcopalian and Roman Churches; but it may, and we fear it doos, in its essential