The friends were successful, and the house of God, without any debt whatsoever, stands as a testimony for God in that town. In some respects the neighbourhood may be regarded as one needing special religious culture. Thomas Paine spent some time in Masborough. Most likely his pestilent writings were largely composed in Masborough. Certainly that bad man employed much energy in disseminating his mischievous notions throughout this part of Yorkshire. In this vicinity, for many years after Paine's removal there were assemblages of wicked men, in which blasphemy, infidelity, and vileness were fostered, which would make sinners of ordinary kind to shudder. It would be difficult to shew that the disastrous influence of Paine and his associates has entirely passed away. Then the rapid extension of the iron trade, with its furnaces and forges, has brought together vast numbers of men under circumstances in which, without much Christian care on the part of God's people, they sink into gross vice and ignorance. The evidence given before the commission which sat in Sheffield during the summer of 1867 startled the entire nation, if not the entire civilized world. It was well, therefore, that in 1847 a Wesleyan Methodist chapel was opened in Masborough, wherein the pure word of God is continually proclaimed. "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” It was also well, that sixteen years after that chapel was thus opened, it should have been enlarged, an organ introduced, and other improvements made; and that the friends should be willing to strain every nerve in order that all pecuniary obstacles to further progress should be removed. "To their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." Miss D. having but recently settled in Masborough, and but attempting to establish a school there, might have found plausible excuses why she should not do much in such a formidable undertaking. But she loved the gracious Master, and therefore did what she could. When Miss D. had been in Masborough somewhat more than a year another form of usefulness was suggested to her mind. She had gained great influence over the children attending her school, and was exceedingly desirous to employ that influence for the noblest purposes. A scheme presented itself by which it might be possible to promote the cause of the Redeemer in heathen lands; and, at the same time, be training the dear girls for future usefulness. The mission cause was very dear to the heart of Miss D., and was already becoming so to some of the children. Might it not be brought still nearer to their affections? The children were regarded as too young to be admitted to the Missionary Sewing Meeting at Rotherham, and were engaged in school when that was held. they not have one of their own? But might not the girls, being so young, be made, by some means to take a livelier interest in the work, than they were likely to do if the garments they made were either sold for the benefit of the Mission fund, or sent to the Mission house without any special destination? Would it not bring the matter more closely to their imaginations and sympathy, if the girls knew some Could thing concerning the very place to which their handiwork was sent ? In the Missionary Report for 1864, the friends of the Wesleyan Missionary cause were informed: "In the Barbadoes First Circuit, the year has been unprecedented in commercial depression. Want of food and raiment, and of the means to make the usual contributions, combined, in many instances, with sickness, has prevented numbers from attending the means of grace. The result has been declension in spiritual things, loss in numbers, and falling off in finances. The schools have suffered in common with other parts of our charge. The attendance at some of them has greatly diminished. Want of food, want of clothes, and inability to pay the fees are the causes assigned by the parents for keeping their children at home. In the Barbadoes Second Circuit the year has been one of trial and embarrassment. Drought, blighted crops, and famine, have very seriously affected public services, schools, and finances, at all the Stations. At Ebenezer, during the latter half of the year, the Sabbath morning congregations have been much diminished, and the classes very thinly attended; the reason generally assigned being that the people could neither pay their class money nor provide themselves with suitable clothing. The new sanctuary at Providence, Reece Chapel, has been reared in troublous times, and stands a graceful memorial of the Christian liberality of one whose benefactions and love of Methodism will be likely to confer inestimable benefit upon generations yet unborn." The details of the terrible sufferings endured at that time by the coloured population of Barbadoes were harrowing in the extreme. Could half a score little girls in South Yorkshire, directed and assisted by their teacher, do anything to relieve a few of those sufferers? If they succeeded, some little children might get to school, and hear of Jesus and heaven, who otherwise must grow up in ignorance. Perhaps, in the print dress which they made, some godly woman might go to chapel, when otherwise a regard to decency would prevent her doing so. In the sanctuary that suffering disciple would be reminded of the rest which remaineth for the people of God. Having listened to the divine declaration, "And there shall be no more pain," she would be better prepared to struggle on through the wilderness which had proved to her so rough and thorny. A little relief, to a few troubled ones, might be sent by them across the broad waters, if they were very diligent, and self-denying, and persevering. This was worth trying for. The girls felt as though the distress in Barbadoes was real, and brought very near to them. Nobly did they work during the hours allotted, once a week, to this labour of love. Cheerfully did they give of their pence to assist in the accomplishment of the purpose in which they became more and more interested. At length a box of clothing was despatched to the Mission house at London, consigned to the care of the Rev. Henry Hurd at Barbadoes, for distribution among his needy flock. Nothing disastrous occurred to the train which conveyed the important box to London, and the packet by which it was taken to the West Indies arrived at its destination. Very speedily a letter, a very long letter, a letter full of interesting information and grateful love, arrived at Masborough from the Missionary's wife. The sight of that letter, and the character of its contents, were enough to make any little fingers work hard. Did they not renew their efforts? "Stitch, stitch, stitch." Thimble, needle, and thread, were again employed most assiduously. That letter from Mrs. Hurd could be seen and read at any time. A missionary's wife had thought their gift of sufficient importance to require such an acknowledgment. Clothing must indeed be needed by the poor black folk, if such as they had made and sent was so prized. The children felt that they were working for real sufferers, little children and their parents, and they gave themselves to the task with corresponding eagerness. There can be no doubt that several of these dear girls will in consequence, throughout life, have a somewhat more lively impression of the reality and importance of the mission work, and of the sweetness of the joy arising from engaging in that work with loving hearts. There are those who will never forget how so long as their teacher and friend could possibly meet them for this purpose she did so; nor can the recollection of the holy delight which they experienced whilst thus working for Christ, and the souls purchased by his blood, be ever obliterated from their memories. Miss Denham was, however, as deeply interested in the case of the heathen at home. Indeed those nearest to her seemed to claim the largest amount of her sympathy and effort. The attempt which has lately been made, by means of public meetings, to |