His philanthropy was very silent, but extensive. Schools," prisons, the poor, and other objects of benevolence, had a great share of his heart and alms. He that gave so liberally out of scanty means, did not, could not, hold his hand when he had plenty. In young men entering business in the metropolis he had a great interest, and rejoiced in all the societies that have been formed during late years to encourage youth in rectitude. He was himself an illustrious example. His biography deserves a place in every young man's library, and especially in our marts of business and commerce. Such a record of a life really lived, spent amidst long trial, spent in faithful and "patient continuance in well-doing"-despite of all the wealth and honour to which it reached-must deeply impress every young man who reads it with a desire to "go and do likewise." It is with great pleasure that we notice a cheap edition of this admirable biography, by the estimable author, the Rev. R. C. Fell. We trust itmay still be more extensively circulated in all our large towns.

Alderman Kelly's religion was not mere morality. Early under its influence, he long loved evangelical truth. The house of God was regularly attended by him when no master or parent was near him in London. And when he was a master, he gave every facility to his servants to enjoy the rest of the Sabbath-day. As soon as he had a house he built an altar, and regularly maintained family worship with his beloved sister, who resided with him, and his servants. He could say of the Bible which he sought to circulate among others,-"His word has been my guide through life, and I look to Him for peace in death." Thus, too, did he express himself as he looked forward to his great change: "I want wisdom wisdom from above; I want to be wise unto salvation. I want peace-the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. I want righteousness-a new heart. I

want sanctification-to be made holy. When I can realize these, then I am happy." As "o'er life's verge" he looked, he said to his biographer and esteemed friend, "I have got something to say to you. My mind has been occupied through life with many things, but I wish now to cast them all aside. I now only wish for one thing-sanctification. I wish to be sanctified-to be made holy-to be made meet for heaven. I believe I believe-I believe that I am redeemed; but inasmuch as nothing impure can enter that holy place -not the slightest spot or stain of sin-I wish now to be thoroughly washed and cleansed from all remains of sin and impurity in my Saviour's blood, and to be made meet for glory."

His property was disposed of among many, that "though, as in the parable of the sower," to use his own words, "some might fall on stony ground, and some be choked (which he could not help), some, he hoped, would fall on good ground and bear much fruit."

Thus prepared, he fell asleep in Jesus at Margate, on the 7th September 1855, in his eighty-fourth year; and his body was laid to rest beside a new church lately erected in the place where he spent his boyhood, "in joyful hope of a blessed resurrection."

Many have risen from obscurity to eminence, from poverty to riches, from humble service to the chief magistracy in London; but when these advancements have been joined with the change from sin to God, from nature to grace, they make the life of a Lord Mayor or an Alderman, as in the case of Thomas Kelly, a model and a motive in one. Young men! make the same early choice. "One thing is needful." An interest in the Saviour and a likeness to him can make a life happy, a death-bed placid, your "merchandise and hire holiness to the Lord," and your memory fragrant

when you are gone. Be" not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."--PROV. xxii. 29.

"The smith a mighty man is he,

With large and sinewy hands;

And the muscles of his brawny arms

Are strong as iron bands."

THIS is an iron age.

Within the last thirty years a new feature has been added to our country by its iron roads and bridges, iron locomotives on land, and iron ships at sea. A new industrial class has been added to our artisans, composed of the stoutest and strongest of the people. This rapid development has also increased another branch of labour and other ranks of workmen. Furnaces demand coal and colliers. The numerous collieries, which emit their black smoke and dusky mineral, to darken a neighbourhood by day, are tokens of many flaming furnaces that illuminate

the night. Some counties of our land have been completely changed, both in scene and population, by these works on so large a scale. But the moral aspect is as deeply interesting as the physical, and demands the earnest attention of every British Christian. What is the spiritual condition of miners and furnace-men? What is done for them? Have they living examples and proper instruction? Are they in a healthy state? The rapidity with which population has increased in such districts; the migratory character of many of the workmen; the greedy worldliness of not a few masters, themselves self-raised; the tardiness of the Church of Christ to evangelize them, have all contributed to make this important class of the community confessedly among the most godless in the land. But Christian life can exist at the furnace, and Christian usefulness succeed in iron-masters. The biography of Mr. Thorneycroft, of Wolverhampton, is a case in point. He wrought at a forge, and he attained the ownership of furnaces; but alike as an artisan and a manufacturer, he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour.

GEORGE BENJAMIN THORNEYCROFT was a native of Tipton, Staffordshire, and was born August 20, 1791. His parents were in humble life, though better educated than their son, the subject of our sketch. Learning had no charm for George. The iron-works enticed him from his lessons. Spelling and grammar were neglected for the sake of seeing the forge, and the correction of the master seemed to be inflicted in vain. But one mode of instruction failed not: a mother's unwearied efforts taught him the Holy Scriptures, and his tenacious memory retained the incorruptible seed until his dying day. A mother's tears, and prayers, and pains, are seldom lost.

Young Thorneycroft was first employed at Kirkstall forge, near Leeds, where his parents for some time resided. He

remained there till his eighteenth year, and advanced into an intelligent and able workman.

"There," says Mr. Owen, " was the daily spectacle of the begrimed and sooty face of the iron-worker, with the hard hand which a manly industry had hardened without hardening his heart; the frugal mid-day meal, tied up in a red cotton handkerchief, and the honest appetite that made any food a luxury; the homely grace said over it, as its grateful eater sat quietly and thoughtfully by the side of his unfinished work, feeding far more mechanically than he wrought; the hastily despatched sacrifice of a few minutes to recruiting the strength, which returned with more alacrity to its toil than it left it; the glistening eye, rivalling the glare of the heated metal, which watched the moment of the process when it would shape into his ends; the weary walk home, at nightfall, to the humble cottage of his parents, and the warm supper, the daily pledge and token of the warm heart that always welcomed him; and the family prayer at bedtime, that closed each parting day with a hearty faith in tomorrow's blessings." This describes a right worker and a happy home-labour and religion in one.

In 1809 he went to Staffordshire, a great county for iron. By "personal character and manufacturing skill," he was advanced to superintendence, and continued eight years in the same works, esteemed and useful. In 1817 he began for himself in a small iron-work at Willenhall, near Wolverhampton, and in 1824 joined his brother at the Shrubbery works, with which his name has been since connected. brothers began their undertaking with prayer, and in their honest and earnest industry sought the blessing of God. Ten tons of iron a-week were their early produce; but it rose in after years to nearly seven hundred tons.

The

Mr. Thorneycroft attained eminence in the iron-trade. It