Tea over, and justice was done to it, the meeting commenced by their host taking the chair, and he, after hearty words of Christian kindness, requested the man who was known to carry a Book with him to address them. This he did by telling them "that a few days before he had read something upon an old tea-pot in the Brighton Museum, which he would repeat to them,—
"'The loss of gold is much,
"The loss of health is more,
"The loss of Christ is such a loss
"That no man can restore!'
"And then he explained to them the value of money, and the misfortune of losing it by accident, and the sin of losing it by drunkenness and vice. The value of health, and the folly of losing it by intemperance, smoking, and neglectful habits. The value, the preciousness of Christ as the Saviour of sinners, and the folly, the crime, of refusing the mercy of God by Him. The Book was then produced, and the words read solemnly, "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."
Their Missionary was then called upon, and the boat people received him with a demonstration of delight. His speech was simple in words, but full of Christian affection for their souls, and of sympathy in the trials of their calling. It was evident that they received him as their own "parson man," as they drank in every word he uttered, and with a great noise expressed their delight with his speech. One of them indeed rose, and with a stammering tongue said, "that he was a waterway man, and like them all, he and his wife wanted to see him often in their cabin, to read to them from the good Bible, and to try and make them good, as he knew he was doing to some of them."
At the close it was cheering to hear them trying with all their will to sing, "Tell me the Old, Old Story," and to notice their reverence during the closing prayer.
After the tea several letters were sent to the Office. They were alike in style, and we select one to show the progress which has been made with these rough people.
"Dear sir i right those few lines to you to thenk you for you kingens for sending such a man to the Poor Boat Peple i think he Just the man for it to Point them to the lame of god Wich taks the sins away he Not shamed to take yup his crose and tell Poor Peple a Bout Jueses i cant right much But i hope you escuse my Bad righting Whe have knowed in tim a good Wile at Padgtion and glad to see his face Down kingsland Pasen the lord Bless his labore and give him soles fore his hiere so
No More frome
c.—— D——.
Boat man."
We will only add that a gathering from among the boat people, as from the omnibus men, is being made to the Lord Jesus, and as they approach Him, the Saviour, their spiritual fetters are broken, and the outward fetters of their calling fall away. Duty, compassion, patriotism, require that these thousands of the oppressed should have opportunity to worship Jehovah in His temple, and to become acquainted with His laws, and the wonders of His grace. Remember, oh ye people who have been chosen and called to form the Church of the Redeemed on earth; remember that it is your dignity, as well as duty, to help all who are oppressed; everywhere to proclaim the freedom of the kingdom "set up in the earth;" that to you the enraptured words of the prophet are addressed with royal command and sustaining promises: "Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places ... for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them."[2]
