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A VISIT TO NORWAY.

THE CHURCH AND CHURCH-YARD.

The church is in the centre of the town. It stands in a spacious ground surrounded by substantial iron railings, and is an object of unusual interest. Its first appearance is somewhat disappointing, for it has nothing of the elegance and the quaint beauty of Hitterdal, and is of red brick, with but little external ornament, yet it is considered one of the finest churches in Norway. The building was commenced by Christian IV. of Sweden, and was finished by his son and successor to the throne in 1761, and the rich decorations of the interior are a worthy memorial of the two kings. The form is nearly square. There is a gallery on three sides. The seats are of dark oak, and on one side are curious stalls. In the front of the gallery, opposite to the pulpit, is the royal pew, with a front of white and gold, and a canopy adorned with the royal arms, and fitted up within with all the taste and luxury a monarch could desire; yet the whiteness is soiled, the gold is tarnished, and the crimson seats have lost their rich crimson glow. One of the most remarkable features of the church is its pictorial ornamentation. It is rich in paintings, and such paintings as awaken memories of some of the finest Italian basilicas. The dome-like ceiling is covered with the Transfiguration, and around the building are effective illustrations of the miracles, and of other scenes in the life of our Lord. The graveyard is kept with great care. There is scarcely a grave on which flowers are not planted; and there are, in many of the grave-spaces, seats for the comfort of mourners when they visit the graves of those whom they loved. I sat on one of these seats for a little while, and thought how it would gratify the loving heart to be so near the sacred spot, and call up in imagination the form and features that exist now in memory only, and live over again, even for a little while, the joys of other days. And this reminded me of the annual visits of the Queen and royal family of England to the mausoleum in which the good Prince Consort lies; and again my thoughts rose to that precious memorial appointed by our Lord which so often helps to raise us above ourselves, and stir up our most hallowed feelings by awakening memories of Himself in His hours of deepest sorrow. Who of us would willingly disregard His words, "Do this in remembrance of me?"

A DRIVE TO THE LABROFOS.

A "fos" is a waterfall, The Labrofos is said to be one of the finest in this part of Norway. The depth of the fall is 140 feet, and there is, especially after the rains, a large volume of water. The distance from Kongsberg is about six miles, and we were conveyed thither by a pair of ponies in charge of a youth. The road was, for the most part, an ascending one; and we passed through forest and fjeld, with some pleasant scenery now and then unexpectedly opening up to view. The roads are generally in good order; and the traveller can scarcely pass along without seeing, at irregular distances, what appear to be mileposts. They are about four feet in height, and are hooded at the top, having under this cover an inscription. The question arose, What could these objects be? They were not to guide the wayfarer-they were not monuments to the departed-they were not stations for prayer, like the crucifix in popish countries, or like the roadside temples in pagan lands. What could they be? When speculations were fruitless,

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we found, on inquiry, that these posts marked the distances on the road which the neighbouring occupiers of land had to keep in repair. Each man is responsible for the condition of his own allotment of the roadway, and very well the plan seems to answer.

On approaching the "fos" we came to a mill. It was a large establishment. The machinery was worked by the falling water. There were offices, and there were men going about in the quiet way so common in Norway, and packages standing directed ready to be sent away, and the sound of the machinery was mingling with the sound of the fall. What was the work done here? It was a paper-mill; and it was interesting to learn that the paper was manufactured from wood. We picked up specimens and brought away, but the process of paper-making we did not see.

The fall itself was not seen by us to great advantage. The sky became overcast-there was a drizzling rain-the stones were slippery and dangerous-and therefore, though we saw a marvellous manifestation of power, yet there was less of the beautiful than we had seen at a fall of less repute at Hitterdal, which we saw when the sun was shining, and the rainbow lighted up the cloud of spray.

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THE SILVER-MINES.

About five miles from Kongsberg are the famous silver-mines. They are the property of the government, and yield an income of £22,000 a year. It is usual for travellers to pay a visit to this store of wealth; but as our time was limited, and as we were told there was very little more to interest the visitor than in a stone-quarry or a coal-mine, we preferred to pay a visit to the smelting works. Our first business was to obtain permission to see the show-room. We were received courteously by an officer, who unlocked the door and conducted us into the room where the silvery treasure was carefully kept. Our guide spoke English imperfectly; but he did his best to make us understand everything. Here," said he, "is silver in the ore; here it is reduced to powder ready for the process of washing; here are globules of silver formed by dropping in a molten state into water; here are curious formations of silver found in cavities of the rock; and here are bars of pure silver ready for use, each bar being worth at least £50 sterling." We were then conducted to the works, where we saw the silver in various stages of preparation. We saw a furnace at work-the blast produced by water power the bright stream of metal flowing in a state of intense heat, and the vaults in which the unprepared silver was stored. The visit was full of interest, and was suggestive of some things it will be well for all of us to bear in mind.

First. Of the universal Proprietor. There is One who has said, "The silver is mine;" so that whether it is threading its way through the dark rocks, or worn as ornaments, or turned into the current coin of the realm, He is the owner of all. "The earth is the Lord's, and

the fulness thereof."

Secondly. It was suggestive of His care of us in trial. The silver is preserved with care. It is intended that not a particle shall be lost. And so, when the furnace of our trial is fiercest, we may be cheered to bear in mind that "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

Thirdly. It was suggested that we need not be surprised to find an inferior mixture in the treasures that are sent by the Giver of all good. The silver is seldom found pure. It is usually in combination with quartz, copper pyrites, and other substances, from which the precious metal must be separated by human skill and labour. So it is with our best treasures, even with the Gospel itself. As, said the apostle, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

And, finally, one can scarcely fail to be reminded that out of most unpromising materials there may come products of great value. Nothing could be more unpromising than the granite-like rocks, or the dark coloured dust, in which are buried the particles of silver; and yet from these are produced metal of unsullied purity, and forms of fairylike beauty. So a rough child may become an eminent man; an imperfect disciple may develop into Christlike goodness; a vile body may be so changed as to become like Christ's glorious body. "It doth not appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Our College.

THE alterations in the new building at Nottingham are going on briskly. It is hoped that the premises will be ready for occupation early in September. Meanwhile, circulars are being sent to all the churches asking earnestly for funds. £400 were promised at Bradford. At least £1,100 more will be wanted.

The denomination is larger and more vigorous than it was in 1860-61. Then about £3,000 were given freely. It cannot be difficult to get half that amount now. Will ministers and church secretaries, when they receive the circulars, put the subject down upon the agenda for the next church meeting-appoint some one who is enthusiastic about the College to collect subscriptions-promises (to extend over twelve months, or even longer,) and ready money, and forward to the Treasurer, T. W. Marshall, Esq., Loughborough, or to the secretaries. These details, then, might be announced from the pulpit, so that friends would know how to give their donation. If this be done, and done with the vigour which the case deserves, the denomination will be able to rejoice at the next Association in good College premises free of debt, and the funds of this most important of denominational institutions in a healthy and satisfactory condition.

INTEMPERANCE IMPEACHED.

DR. CHALMERS arraigned intemperance in the following words: "Before God and man, before the church and the world, I impeach intemperance. I charge it with the murder of innumerable souls. I charge it as the cause of almost all the poverty, and almost all the crime, and almost all the ignorance, and almost all the irreligion that disgrace and afflict the land. I do in my conscience believe that these intoxicating stimulants have sunk into perdition more men and women than found a grave in the deluge which swept over the highest hill-tops, engulfing the world, of which but eight were saved. As compared with other vices, it may be said of this, 'Saul hath slain his thousands, but this David his ten thousands.""

The Crewe Bazaar.

WE are very anxious that our forthcoming bazaar, to be held in Crewe, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September next, should prove, in every way, a great success. To secure this object we desire, as far as we possibly can, to awaken a deep and practical interest in every reader of our Magazine. Probably most of them are aware that we are now engaged in building a commodious chapel and good schools in Crewe. This effort is the second in connection with our denominational "Unification Scheme." The church in Crewe is young, and the members are few, and, however willing, are not able to do "great things." The building, with land, will cost £3,500. The Home Mission Committee has generously offered £1,500, leaving us to raise at least £2,000.

Now we are persuaded that a large debt remaining upon the infant church would be simply ruinous at the outset. We therefore appeal most earnestly to our ministers, leaders, and members of all our churches to do their best to help us to avert such a calamity. We are hoping for a good supply of useful and ornamental articles, including a Cheshire cheese stall; but unless we can secure purchasers from a distance, we fear the bazaar will not realize all we desire.

It has been suggested by the President of our Home Mission Committee (and his idea is a good one) that at least fifty friends might come and spend £5 each. We will provide them with comfortable beds for one, two, or three nights, according to the length of their stay. Friends who cannot attend themselves might send their pastors or other representatives to make purchases for them. We have fixed on the above dates in order to afford visitors to the bazaar an opportunity of seeing the COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SHOW, which will be held in Crewe, on Friday and Saturday, the 14th and 15th of September. This, with other attractions in the neighbourhood, would, we hope, make the visit a very enjoyable holiday.

Friends who intend favouring us with their presence and help will please give an early intimation of the same either to Rev. W. Lees, Swiss Cottage, Nantwich Road, Crewe; or to R. Pedley, Esq., J.P., Winterly House, near Crewe.

To the above attractive statement by the pastor, the Rev. W. Lees, we only need add that this new work is progressing in a very satisfactory way, and gives promise of large results in the new buildings. This enterprise deserves and will repay the best help of the whole denomination.

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

ACCORDING to the Rev. Joseph Cook, in his recent lecture in Boston, the seven modern wonders of the world are (1) speed of intercommunication throughout the world; (2) the self-reformation of the hermit nations, such as Japan, which in twenty-five years has made greater changes than any other nation; (3) the rapid parallel advancement of education and democracy the world over; (4) the world-wide unity of civilization, as seen in the relationships between nations; (5) the triumph of Christianity; (6) the current fulfilment of Biblical prophecy; and (7) the establishment on a sure basis of a scientific supernaturalism.

Friend or Foe?

A SEQUEL TO "OLIVER RAYMOND."

BY E. JOSEPH AXTON.

CHAPTER VIII.-WHISPERS.

THAT night was a painful one for Elsie. For an hour or two, feeling unable to sleep, she sat up, alone in the moonlight, watching, and thinking, and weeping. Then she went to bed-but still only to watch and weep and think; to toss and turn in agony of spirit; to hear again and again that strange, dreadful laugh; and to condemn herself with ever-increasing vehemence, as the main cause of the horrible thing she had seen. And so the night passed, until at length the dawn broke, with that grey, cold, cheerless aspect which early morning ever has to the unsleeping eyes of grief. Then, almost exhausted from want of rest, with head and heart aching, and eyes swollen with the many tears they had shed, she arose, shed more tears-passionate, burning tears!-as she poured out a long and earnest prayer, and descended to wait for Oliver. He would not be as he was last night, and she would again humble herself—yes, to the very dust!-if she could but atone in some degree for her folly, andand-help to turn him out of the terrible course he was pursuing. My God! give me power over my pride," she moaned, as she busied herself in the breakfast-room, where Mary had just lit the fire.

Mr. Bradford had not of late come down to breakfast, on account of his foot, and Oliver had many times since the quarrel gone straight off to business, or had merely taken a hasty cup of coffee, intending to get the meal at the warehouse or on the way thither. Elsie, on this occasion, thinking he would most likely hurry away, after last night, with greater precipitancy than evercooked him a nice chop with her own hands, and when his light footstep sounded at last on the stairs, there was a beautiful breakfast awaiting him. Oliver, you will stay this morning, won't you? It is late, I know, but breakfast is quite ready." He was out in the hall, putting on his topcoat; she had come up from the breakfast-room, and was speaking to him so gently, in a way so unlike her late one, that Oliver turned and looked hard at her. He had cause to be surprised, not only because of the change in her manner. Her eyes were not wont to be so red and swollen, her cheeks were not usually so pale and wan. And she, too, as she returned his gaze for a moment, had ample reason to share his wonder. Where was the old bright, frank face she had known in the past? Surely this one, with its dark, almost shrinking expression, which seemed to be hiding some secret that must never be discovered-surely this was not Oliver's face! Surely these haggard lines in it, these bloodshot eyes, were not his. It was only by an effort that she suppressed the impulse to shrink away from him.

"I shall not stay this morning, thank you," Oliver answered, coldly, and placed his hat on his head.

"At least come downstairs, Oliver," Elsie returned-pleadingly now-"I want to speak to you."

“Oh, certainly." They descended to the breakfast-room.

"Why not stay? It is quite ready-" Elsie was about to ring for Mary, when Oliver put up his hand.

"Is that what you have to say? I shall get my breakfast at the warehouse." Elsie burst into tears.

Why are you so cruel to me, Oliver! You know I am sorry for what I have done-you know I want you to forgive me!" The words broke from her-she did not stay to consider them. But Oliver only looked coldly on, not softened by the pretty head bowed in grief and penitence. Surely, no man, unless restrained by a sense of guilt or an absence of love, could have remained so cold in presence of such pleading and beautiful sorrow. And what man could plead absence of love in such a presence?

Elsie looked up again, the tears streaming down her face.