"The English Version of the New Testament here presented to the reader is a Revision of the Translation published in the year of our Lord, 1611, and com. monly known by the name of the Authorized Version.

"That translation was the work of many hands and of several generations. The foundation was laid by William Tyndale. His translation of the New Testament was the true primary version. The Versions that followed were either substantially reproductions of Tyndale's translation in its final shape, or revisions of Versions that had been themselves almost entirely based on it."

The present Committee for the erection of Tyndale's monument was organised in 1879, at a meeting held in the Committee-room of the British and Foreign Bible Society. New members were soon added, and the General Committee for the Memorial now numbers 126 names, of which a large proportion are representative of the Evangelical Churches and denominations, and the Society of Friends,"

whose forefathers helped Tyndale bravely in more troublous times.

The Metropolitan Board of Works kindly granted an excellent site for the statue in the gardens west of Charing Cross Bridge, so that the Martyr's monument will be in full view of the Abbey, and St. Paul's, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Hall, Somerset House (a focus of Imperial business), and Lambeth Palace, an ancient seat of sacred learning, while the river-tide between reminds us of the Gospel afloat, the Word of Life now carried by our fleets to colonies and foreigners in every sea.

Mr. J. E. Boehm, the eminent sculptor, readily engaged to design and to erect a bronze statue of William Tyndale, ten feet in height, upon a polished granite pedestal eight feet high, with all accessories, for the sum of £2,400.

The studies for the design and a visit to Germany in regard to some of its special features, were made in August, and the work is now progressing steadily with full confidence that the monument will be worthy of the artist's fame.

The intimate connection between our two oldest Universities and the printing and publishing of the Holy Bible and of the Revised New Testament, naturally suggested that Local Committees should be formed at Oxford and Cambridge, where good meetings were held in April, and as Tyndale had himself been a student at both these Universities, it is fully expected that a generous rivalry will incite them to give valid help.*

As a nucleus for contributions towards the cost of the Memorial statue, ten gentlemen each promised to contribute £100, to be paid when the statue is erected, or such quota of that sum as may be required when the accounts are closed. Additional promises of £100 each on like conditions are earnestly invited, but contributions of any amount are equally desirable, as the Bible is for rich and poor, and the memory of Tyndale is not confined to any class. The Committee also resolved that when a university, college, society, county, town, or denomination contributes the sum of at least 100, the name of the contributing body (but not of individuals) should be inscribed on the pedestal of the statue.

In addition to these public institutions which are pledged to help thus, it is very desirable that other Christians in our British cities and boroughs should in like manner record their admiration of Tyndale's work and life and death, by guaranteeing assistance under this head, and earnest believers in Britain and the Colonies are invited to correspond with the Tyndale Committee. The Bible is the one sole Book which all our Christian denominations appeal to as the Word of God;

The well-known "Life of W. Tyndale," by the Rev. R. Demaus, full of information admirably told, has been published by the Religious Tract Society, also a summary of it, price id., with a woodcut portrait. A series of articles on Tyndale's times, and his life and works, has been lately published in "Our Own Fireside," one of the interesting periodicals edited by the Rev. C. Bullock, with numerous illustrations. All these publications can be had at the office of the Tyndale Memorial Committee, 11, Buckingham Street, Strand, of which the Earl of Shaftesbury is Chairman, and the Hon. and Rev. Canon Fremantle and Mr. John MacGregor are the Honorary Secretaries, and Mr. R. C. L. Bevan is Teasurer.

† Already one of the friends who thus promised £100 has been severed from us by death, but his executors, acting in accordance with his evident intention, paid the sum to the Committee in advance.

and the same Bible is used by numerous separate bodies of men who may differ more or less in their interpretations of its directions as to these matters. For this reason the Committee are especially desirous that the names of institutions com prising various denominations by contributing to the statue, may be placed side by side on the granite pedestal, as of those who are united in thanksgiving for the English New Testament.

Besides the Committee of members of The British and Foreign Bible Society, which may surely head the list, The Scottish National Bible Society, and the Hibernian Bible Society are invited to assist, and University College, Toronto, is expected to come forward. The American Bible Society has already given prompt support by a committee of its members appointed for this special purpose. During our visit to Sodbury, which has been already described, a procession of Sundayschool scholars passed near Tyndale's former home, and their band and flags, and their happy faces were very cheering to see. The Sunday School Union, which combines many important denominations for the teaching of Bible truth to the young, has earnestly and eloquently advocated the cause of the Tyndale Memorial in its widespread publications. The Church of England Sunday School Institute doubtless approves of the general object, and a committee of the " 'Society of Friends" (which is worthily represented on the Tyndale Committee), has appealed to its constituency, whose sympathies may well be stimulated by the leading part which their earnest forefathers took with regard to Tyndale in the days of old.* With these encouraging tokens of sympathy from various classes and denominations, what may we not expect from "the largest Protestant body in the World,” the Wesleyan Methodists.

This appeal to your numerous readers is sufficiently accredited by its admission into your columns, and, speaking personally from my experience of more than 30 years' earnest and happy work in London and in many other parts of the world, I feel sure that if the Methodists help this cause it will be successfully advanced.* Many are the old and new works which all of us are invited or privileged to advance, and one day we may look back on what our opportunities were, and what were our prayers and our efforts for each great purpose. The particular effort we are now advocating is entirely unique, and it never can recur. Now is the time to express our hearty united public approval of Tyndale's conduct in his life of zeal and bravery, and in his glorious death breathing a prayer for England's King, while leaving to us the precious legacy of "The New Testament in English."

JOHN MACGRegor.

7, Vanbrugh Park Road East, Blackheath. N.B-School donations and personal contributions towards the Tyndale Monument, may be sent either to JOHN MACGREGOR, ESQ. (Rob Roy), or to the Rev. CHARLES H. KELLY, Secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School Union, 2, Ludgate Circus Buildings.

If the Bible did not tell us Jesus was poor, I should have known it from his own words. Who would have talked about putting pieces upon old garments, or about sweeping the house diligently, if He had not seen His mother doing it? So while I was busy over these things, and a hundred household words like them, I knew that He knew exactly all about them, and that made them sweet to me.

An earnest and accomplished Jew (M.A. of our largest University), lately contributed £1 to the Tyndale Memorial Fund, "Not because Tyndale was a Christian, but because he was a noble martyr."

CHRONICLE OF THE UNION.

At a Meeting of the General Education Committee, held September 21st, 1882, the following were appointed as the

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION SUB-COMMITTEE, 1882-3.

Revs. Charles Garrett (President of the Conference), Dr. Osborn (Ex-President), C. H. Kelly (Secretary of the Union), G. O. Bate, John Bond, W. J. Brown, R. Culley, J. Finch, R. Green, F. Greeves, B. Gregory, G. Kenyon, J. Nance, G. W. Olver, B.A., A. Rees, Dr. Rigg. G. S. Rowe, J. Telford, B.A., P. Thompson, D. J. Walier, T. Woolmer; Messrs. W. Vanner (Treasurer of the Union), H. Avis, T. C. Barnett, T. P. Bunting, S. Cole, C. J. Dale, W. A. Duncan, C. Fowle, J. W. Gabriel, T. M. Harvey, W. B. Lofthouse, R. Miller, P. W. Pocock, T. W. Pocock, G. J. Smith, Dr. R. T. Smith, J. E. Vanner, R. Walker.

MEETING OF THE UNION COMMITTEE.

Held on Thursday, September 28th, 1882.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee, held June 28th, 1882, were adopted; also Minutes of Meetings of the Trade and Finance Sub-Committee, held July 14th, August 11th, and September 8th.

The nomination of Mr. J. L. Crabtree, Keighley, as an Agent for the sale of publications, was accepted.

The Revs. C. H. Kelly (Secretary), G. O. Bate, Dr. Rigg, G. S. Rowe, D. J. Waller; Messrs. W. Vanner (Treasurer), H. Avis, T. P. Bunting, W. A Duncan, and J. E. Vanner, were appointed as the Trade and Finance SubCommittee for 1882-3.

A letter from the Secretary of the Victoria and Tasmania Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School Union was read..

A reference to the Committee from the Conference on the subject of registering Sunday School Statistics was considered.

Arrangements for various publications were reported, including revised and extended editions of the "Illustrated Readings," and "Miniature Cartoons; new and improved illustrations for the Scholars' Tablets, 1883;" new Cartoon in colours, "Book of Daniel Series, No. 2. 'Walking in the Midst of the Fire;' a new illustrated reading book and manual of instruction, "First Readings: Christian Doctrine;" and "Philip Phillips: the Story of his Life Illustrated.'

VISITATION.

The Rev. Charles H. Kelly, the Secretary, has preached, held Children's Services, or attended Conferences of School Workers, and other meetings: At Kirkby Stephen; Presbyterian Church, Wandsworth; Colchester; Holly Park, Highgate; Sheerness; Bridgewater, Somerset ; Sevenoaks; Wisbech; Addiscombe; Berkhamstead; Green Row, Portsmouth.

Mr. Binns, Assistant Secretary Gateshead, High West Street (opening of new Class Rooms); Ditto, High Level Road; Ditto, East Street; Bournemouth; Springbourne; Winton; Peckham (S. S. Anniversary Meeting); Children's Home, Bonner Road; Approach Road; Cassland Road.

NEW CONNECTED SCHOOLS.

(Where no amount is named, only the minimum payment allowed by the Conference for connection with the Union has been made.)

Sidmouth

Richmond, Yorks.

Winshill

Askern

Bridport

Bierton

Road

Complements.

Wellington, Salop

(Made chiefly on account of increased average attendances).

Bradford, Otley Road

Boughton I Devizes I Kilburn, Quex Road

IT

BELLS ACROSS THE SNOW.

39 66

By ELIZA KERR, Author of "Slieve Bloom," 'Kilkee," etc.

T had been freezing hard all day, and now snow was beginning to fall. Light as gossamer, fantastic and graceful, the flakes came down. With incredible swiftness they covered the earth, and the dim bushes and trees, which looked little better than shadows against the grey of the night. And through this silent snow-fall, this winter stillness, rang the bells slowly, solemnly.

Old John Moss came out to his door-step and looked across the brown fields to the whitening road beyond, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"Aye, it's nigh on five years since I sent her away from me, and I've never heard tidings of her since, and likely never will. I drove her away in mad anger then, and ordered her never to darken the door of Holme Farm again; and I thought I did well," shaking his grey head mournfully, "I thought I did well."

"Master, come in. The night's a raw one, and you'll be taking your death in that chill wind."

He turned slowly and entered the long, bright kitchen of the farm-house, where a great fire burned, and a wrinkled, hard-faced old woman was making the Christmas pudding.

"What are you doing, Martha?" he asked listlessly, as he sank wearily into a chair and stretched out his cold fingers to the warm blaze.

"Making the pudding, to be sure. How'd all the men and lasses look tomorrow if Farmer Moss didn't give his usual Christmas feast? And where would be the feast without the pudding?'

He made no answer, sitting more listlessly still, watching the red and yellow flames leap up the great wide chimney. Once the woman fancied she heard him mutter, "Five years ago, and on Christmas Eve it was."

She listened more intently then, and glanced anxiously from time to time at the bowed head and shrinking figure; but there followed no further words. At length growing impatient at the silence, she said sharply,

This is Christmas Eve, master; you should be more cheerful. The minister tells us we should rejoice to-night."

"What great reason have I for rejoicing?"

"Reason enough," quickly. "Do you forget your full money-bags, and all you saved this harvest-time to add to them? Didn't I work morning and night, and keep the food from myself, and the lasses and lads, that you might have a little golden heap to put by?"

For a moment the spirit of the miser re-asserted itself, and the dim, old eyes glittered with a greedy joy; but it was only for a moment.

"Yes, yes, Martha, you are a good saving woman, but I don't seem to care for the money to-night."

"Belike, he's thinking of that wench; he does sometimes, I'm afraid,” muttered the housekeeper, as she put away in the pantry beyond the kitchen the bowls and dishes full of sweetmeats and preserves for the morrow's festivities.

Five years ago a young girl had been mistress at the farm, and a sweet, young voice had made music in the now lonely, empty rooms. Madge Hilton had been her grandfather's pet and darling, and there was naught else in heaven or earth that old John Moss loved better than this girl, except-money. Ever since the fair-haired baby had been left as a legacy, by her dying father and mother, to the care of the old farmer, she had reigned supreme at Holme Farm, and there was none to dispute her sway save Martha the housekeeper, who had hated the child from the beginning, and whose thoughts were always busy with plans for driving her out from the shelter of the old homestead.

When Madge had reached the age of seventeen the housekeeper resolved that she would wait few more days for the longed-for realization of her dreams; the young mistress must be turned out. As it happened, circumstances favoured the schemes of the old servant.

Walking through his fields one evening, John Moss came unexpectedly upon his grand-daughter talking with young Ellis, of the Hill Farm.

"I have money enough," the girl was saying laughingly; "I am quite a rich person, you know."

He waited to hear no more, but returned quietly home, and entered his own room, and sat down before his money chest in a perplexed, angry state of mind. "Why should she be telling young Ellis that she's a rich girl? Can there be any truth in those hints Martha has been dropping so freely lately?"

"If it's your grand-daughter you're talking of, I may say there's a great deal too much truth in my hints," said the housekeeper, speaking suddenly from the half-open door. "Believe me or not, as you like, but she and that lad Ellis are going to marry, and live on your hard earned savings. They've been making a mock at you these months back, thinking to gain their ends through your love for her."

He rose up in a great rage then, and met Madge as she entered the kitchen, and ordered her to leave the village within a couple of hours, and never to return to it again. In vain the wondering, tearful girl tried to explain the meaning of those gay, careless words, her passion-blinded grandfather would pay no heed to her. So she was driven forth pitilessly in the snow and the cold, and the inmates of the farm and the villagers had never seen her since.

All this had happened five long years ago; and the master of Holme Farm had added almost daily from that night to the little pile of gold in his chest, and the old housekeeper was mistress in the stead of bonny, bright-haired Madge

Hilton.

Yes, it had happened five long years ago, and the worst passions of men might surely die out in that time, and the hottest anger might surely grow cool. Ah, were these the thoughts of John Moss as he sat and dreamed beside the leaping, glowing flames?

"Bother them bells!" muttered old Martha wrathfully. "If they wouldn't be ringing so much, master wouldn't think of her. They were ringing just like that when we hunted her away. I said I'd make her go," triumphantly; "and I did. Who's mistress now, I'd like to know? And who'll have all the yellow coins when he's dead? I wish I wasn't so old. But never mind,-I'll live to enjoy them yet. Yes, I will!" in a defiant tone, as if some one was whispering to her of her seventy years, and the age lines on her hard face.

"O Christmas, merry Christmas!

Is it really come again?
With its memories and greetings,
With its joy and with its pain.
There s a mirror in the carol,
And a shadow in the light.
And a spray of cypress twining
With the holly wreath to-night.
And the hush is never broken
By laughter light and low,
As we listen in the starlight

To the bells across the snow.'

In a soft, faint voice the words were chaunted, and as they cleft the snowfilled, snow-cold air, the bells rang out a sweet monotonous accompaniment. The woman standing in the gloom in the little room beyond the kitchen, threw up her hands with a cry of mingled horror and angry amazement at the unwonted sound, but the old farmer rose to his feet and staggered to the door.

"Who is there? Who is it that's singing ?” he called in a quavering voice, as he peered out into the starlighted road.

"It is Madge, grandfather;-starving, dying Madge. Will you take me in?" "I-I don't understand."