ANOTHER Saint is gone above, To be with Christ our Lord; Among the saints he loved to meet Why should we wish to keep him here, Ye kindred saints, dry up your tears, 'Tis but a little while Ere you shall reach those blissful spheres, And share your Father's smile. E. COBB. CHARLES FIELD, For several years superintendent of Keppel-street Sunday-school, deceased on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, 1880. His life was long, and somewhat chequered; and toward its close his physical and mental energies had greatly diminished. His end was peace. He was interred at Willesden, on Saturday, Feb. 10th, by Mr. W. J. Styles, a few members of the church and other friends attending as a last tribute of respect to a very faithful and assiduous servant of the Lord. EDWARD RICHARDSON Was born in the year 1824, at Saffron Walden, Essex. No record of his early years has been preserved, but he was probably the subject of a work of grace before leaving his native place. It is not unlikely that he was a hearer of the late esteemed Mr. Player. He came to London when about eighteen years of age, and after attending several places of worship, he was led to Soho Chapel. Our late esteemed brother, Mr. Geo. Wyard, was at that time pastor of the church, and our friend being greatly blessed under his faithful ministrations, was, in the year 1853, baptized and admitted into fellowship. He remained a member over twenty years, when he withdrew and joined the church at Keppel-street, in communion with which he continued until the time of his death. Quiet and unostentatious, our brother earnestly endeavoured to maintain a conscience void of offence toward God and man. He was sincerely but unobtrusively godly, saying little, but discharging with affection and zeal the duties of this present life, while he looked for the mercy of God, which is salvation. Having served his generation by the will of God, he fell asleep on Thursday, Jan. 28th. His dying words were, "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" He was interred at Willesden, his pastor's place being most ably filled by our brother J. Box, of Soho. IN MEMORY OF A BELOVED FATHER. MR. JOHN GARRITT was born of godly parents, in Sept., 1803. He was brought in early life to a serious conviction of his state as a sinner before God, and passed through much soul trouble for some time. At length he was set at liberty by the sweet application of the words, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love.' In June, 1826, he was baptized with our dear mother, by Mr. Peacock, of Spencer place, Goswell road, and joined the church there, continuing in fellowship until removed in the providence of God to the Surrey side of the Thames. Here they attended for a time the ministry of Mr. Upton, in Church-street, Blackfriars, and eventually joined there after Mr. Joseph Davis became the pastor. My father soon became a member of the Christian Instruction Society, in which he was made the means of much good to the sick and dying whom he visited. In 1840, he joined the church at Trinity Chapel, Borough, then under the care of Mr. B. Lewis. Here he was again made a visitor to the sick and dying, and after a time unanimously chosen to fill the office of deacon. It was apparent to the members of the church that he had gifts for the ministry, and not long after being elected deacon, he was set apart by the unanimous voice of pastor and church for that work. Invitations quickly came in from many parts, especially from places in Kent, and he was soon invited to take the pastoral charge at Maidstone; but owing to business and family matters, he could not see his way clear to do so. In 1846 he was called to Stoke Newington, in which place he laboured successfully for ten years, and was the means of calling many whom he baptized, and who will be his crown of rejoicing above. Afterwards he removed to March, in Cambs., for a short time; and then, owing to the removal of the heads of the place, returned to London, not without leaving fruits of his labours behind him. He then in different parts of the country and places in London, preached the word, and numbers have cause to bless God for having heard his voice. The last few years of his life were spent in the quiet retirement of Hornsey Rise Asylum; but even after he went there he preached, until struck by paralysis and apoplexy, which caused him much suffering in his head at times. But cheerfully looking forward to his heavenly home for some time ere he departed, he would frequently repeat a portion of the word or a verse of a hymn that had been the delight of his soul for many years. The evening before his death he said to a friend, "I am going home." Thus he passed away, to join the "spirits of the just made perfect." This portion of Scripture he was very fond of, and often repeated. He slept in Jesus, Jan. 4, 1880. LOUISA GARRITT. JOHN ROBERT HODDY WAS born at Walton, in Suffolk, where his father for nineteen years honorably and usefully occupied the position of Pastor of the Baptist Church in that place. He began when yet very young to seek after the Lord God of his fathers, not sovery early in life as probably the young king to whom those words of the Bible refer. But at an early age he was taught by divine grace that religion is a personal matter and that his father's religion would not suffice to save him, and he began to experience very serious exercises of mind about the salvation of his soul some time before attaining the age of fourteen years. Coming up to London as so many of the. Eastern Counties young people do, to seek the means of a future livelihood, he resided with me until a suitable situation would be obtained for him. It soon became observed that he was in the habit of praying in private, thus illustrating the truth of the saying of the good Puritans, that God has no still-born spiritual children, for as soon as they are born they begin to put up cries to their heavenly Father for the blessings His grace has taught them to feel their need of. He kept his thoughts and feelings, however, very much to himself and it was not until a short time before he was baptized, that those immediately around him became fully aware of what was going on in his soul. It had seemed, nevertheless, evident for some time previous that there was ground for hope that the good work of grace had been begun in his heart. I do not remember the way in which he stated he had been led to feel his need of mercy, nor by what means he was favoured to realize a sense of pardon through the doing and dying of our most precious Christ, nor am I aware that any record of the circumstances exists. He was led, however, to offer himself for membership to the church at Salem Chapel, at Meard's-court, in 1867, and his own testimony and that borne of him, being considered satisfactory, he was baptized in that chapel with two other friends by his father who was then supplying for us, on September 5th of that year. Respecting his being received into fellowship at the Lord's table, I find the following entry in the Salem church book of that period. "At the table service in the afternoon of Lord's-day, September 8th, Mark Hughes and John Hoddy were received into fellowship; after a suitable address by Mr. Thomas Hoddy, of Horham, who afterwards had the pleasure on that occasion of sitting down at the table of the Lord with the whole of his family, comprising his wife, three sons and two daughters, being a household of believers, all baptized on a personal profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus." After a while, in the providence of God he was removed to Ipswich, where he joined the church at Bethesda, and continued in fellowship there until called to the church above. Early in the spring of last year he took a severe cold, which settling on his lungs he soon began to decline in health. All possible means were used to arrest the disease, and he journeyed twice to London in order to obtain the best medical advice and treatment. It was evident, however, to experienced observers from an early period in his illness, that the shadow of death was on his countenance, and that the Lord was about shortly to remove this young plant of His to the paradise above. An esteemed Christian brother and friend who was intimate with him, says: "When he became aware of the dangerous state of his health he remarked to me, 'It is a solemn thing to die.' I asked him on one occasion how his mind was, he replied, 'Pretty comfortable;' but he desired to realize more fully his interest in Christ, and to enjoy more uninterrupted communion. He had of late been quite resigned to the Lord's will, and appeared to be be waiting for the summons.' Dear lad; no doubt it seemed at first a hard thing to nature to be called away from earth at such an early age, and when he had been looking forward shortly to enter on a long and happy life with the object of his affections. But grace teaches that to depart and be with Christ is far better, and enables survivors to say with humble submission, 'It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth good in His sight.' 66 were The evening preceding his death he expressed his thanks for the kind attention shown him by those who had waited on him during his affliction, and on retiring as usual (for he had not been confined to his bed) he suddenly fixed his eyes on each of those present and then said, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," and fell asleep. This was on January 29th, not the 31st, as stated on the cover of the Herald last month. His remains interred, on February 5th, in the Dissenters' portion of the Ipswich Cemetery, the authorities having considerately provided five different compartments in their burying ground, according with the religious persuasions of their town's folk. Mr. Kern, pastor of Bethesda, officiated at the interment, and made some very suitable remarks respecting the solemnities of death and the glorious future of the Christian at the grave. On the follow THE PRIZE ESSAY. PARTICULARS respecting the result of the offer of a prize for the best essay on "The Character and Reign of Josiah " were given on the cover of last month's Herald. Believing that it will interest many readers, the successful essay is given in the "Family Circle" this month. Excepting the omission of one or two superfluous sentences, it appears as the young writer sent it. He is the son of the late esteemed Mr. Richard Bax, of St. Neot's. Our young friend has chosen "Cobbin's Portable Commentary" as his prize book. ESSAY ON THE CHARACTER AND How brightly does the character and reign of King Josiah shine, when compared with the unrighteous conduct and rule of certain of his predecessors! for they had but disgraced the mighty throne on which they sat, and had allowed the people, though warned by the Almighty, to revel in their iniquitous practices. But in all the deeds that mark Josiah's reign, piety and zeal for the truth shine conspicuous; truth that the youthful king strove to establish with all the energy and authority that his young hand could command; truth that shone the brighter from the fact that he was born of idolatrous parents, and in a land that abounded in that abomination. His conduct is a bright contrast with those scenes of iniquity, amongst which he was reared. His character is a redeeming feature in the dark roll of royal idolatry, which connects disgrace with that mighty nation, for the mouth of history proclaims that they continually rebelled against the commands of the Most High; for from the time that they were freed from Egyptian bondage until they had gained the wished for land, resistance and murmuring seemed to reign predominant amongst them; and when their throne was established and their desire was gratified in having a king to reign over them, still they continued to love iniquity, and to follow sin. Well might Solomon predict "Woe unto the land" when their king was a child, when their rulers obeyed not the commands of Jehovah, but by their weak and irresolute rule suffered the people to follow their chosen course of sin. But manifest cause had they to rejoice when their king was a child like unto Josiah; happy in escaping for a time the wrath of the Almighty against them. Happy were they in preserving one bright record amidst their dark history; but the brightness of such a reign served but to deepen the gloom that preceded and followed it. The general character of King Josiah's reign was reformation, for soon after attaining the throne, in the fourth year of his reign he commenced destroying all the seats of idolatry, in whatsoever form they existed, and levelled them in the dust. This work he executed with commendable energy worthy of imitation; energy which, though he was but young in years, yet he was happily possessed of, and being employed for such a purpose shone conspicuous in that dark and benighted age. How must his righteous soul have been grieved to view the gross abominations which he so earnestly strove to root out! How must he have wondered at the long-suffering of the Almighty, when he saw how deeply the nation had drunk of that polluted stream, and had shut their ears against all remonstrance, and had blinded their eyes to their critical position! Thus, having effected a partial reformation by overthrowing idolatry throughout the land, the temple next claimed his attention. He, therefore, proceeded to repair its "breaches" and to cleanse it from its impurities with his characteristic zeal. The temple had ever been the chosen sanctuary of the Lord. There he had descended, and filled the place with His glory; there the people assembled to sing His praises and to offer up their supplications to Him. It was here that Solomon, with outspread hands, offered up his sublime prayer, and it was to this house that the earth contributed her costliest riches. Here, therefore, was a fit sanctuary where a mighty nation might present their desires unto the Creator of heaven and earth. Having thus completed his first step in the glorious path of reform, he sought to bring the words of the Lord before the people, that they might see their errors and repent. Therefore he summoned a general and solemn assembly of the people, and there read the words of the law which they had so long cast aside. How must the hearts of the people have trembled when they heard the terrible vengeance that should overtake those who regarded not the commandments delivered by God! Then, perchance, would the deepness of their sin and their foul iniquity have dawned upon them while they there listened. Thus, having called their attention to the words of the Almighty, he and all the people bound themselves by a covenant to keep all the ways of the Lord and to observe His statutes. The keeping of the Passover is a prominent feature of his reign, for it formed the last recorded step that he took towards the establishment of the truth, for his untimely death in the midst of his days again left the nation to their own course, the evil consequences of which were soon apparent. His death was, as it were, the removal of the safety of the people, who did not deserve such a king, because they knew not how to value him. The character of King Josiah, as displayed in the varied acts of his reign, is that of piety and zeal for the true worship of God, for whatever he undertook in that direction he devoted all his authority and power for the accomplishment of it. How pure and unstained does his character appear, when contrasted with the iniquitous conduct of certain of those who ruled before him, and who had entailed severe punishments upon the people! But of Josiah it was truly written that he "walked in all the ways of David his father," for both of them had sought the Lord in their youth, and both honoured the sceptre that they swayed, and had thus set an example of righteousness to the nation. In the account of the destruction of idolatry given in Kings and Chronicles, his vigour is there forcibly presented. Not content with the mere knowledge that his servants were engaged in the good work, the earnestness that fired his soul impelled him to superintend in person, that his presence might stimulate them to greater efforts, and that he might have the pleasure of witnessing the progress made to that great end for which he longed-viz., the overthrow of idolatry. Again, his piety is conspicuous in repairing the temple, for within those sacred walls the true worship of God had been disregarded. The people cared not for the ordained ceremonies, indulging in sin as they did. The smoke of sacrifice ascended as an abomination unto the Lord, and vessels of idolatry had accumulated in the sanctuary. Josiah strove to cleanse the temple from its pollutions, and laboured to renew the Truth as commanded by God. His piety is again portrayed in the incident connected with the reading of the law to him after its happy discovery, for on hearing the words contained in it, his heart being troubled thereby, he rent his clothes. Then all his efforts seemed to have lost their effectiveness, for the sin of idolatry, as painted by the word of the law, appeared in double blackness, and the extent that it had been indulged in magnified the heinousness of the iniquity. He had, when pre |