New Chapels and Schools.

I. ARNOLD.

THE village is situated four miles north of Nottingham, and one mile from Daybrook Station on the Great Northern Railway.

The Chapel is 48 feet long, 39 feet wide, and 23 feet high to the ceiling. The walls are faced with copper-mould bricks, neatly pointed with white putty. The front windows have stone dressings, with label mould and blue brick band over same. The front door stands between stone pilasters, with moulded panels and moulded cornice above. The chapel is lighted by means of fourteen semicircular-headed windows. The front doors open into the vestibule, from which other doors conduct into the chapel. The platform stands in a recess at the far end of the chapel, being well lighted from the roof. There is a gallery across the front end, extending about thirteen feet into the chapel, being reached by means of two staircases from the vestibule. The woodwork generally is of best red deal; but the pulpit front and the gallery front are of pitch pine. The whole of the woodwork is stained and varnished. The chapel is lighted by means of three chandeliers from the ceiling, and by wall brackets under the gallery. Special care has been taken to insure efficient ventilation. The baptistry is immediately in front of the pulpit. Both the chapel and schools are heated by means of a hot-water apparatus, fitted with valves, so that both can be heated either separately or together. Behind the chapel two vestries are provided. The style of architecture adopted is free Italian. The chapel provides sitting accommodation for 350 persons. Cost: land, chapel, schools, furniture, etc., £2,400. Contractors: Messrs. Smith and Greaves of Arnold. Architect: John R. Swift of Arnold.

The opening services of the chapel begin November 4th, those of the new. school being held July 8th. Messrs. R. F. Griffiths and J. Burton preached. On Monday, July 16, a free tea was given to the scholars to commemorate the event. A public tea was afterwards provided for teachers and friends. In the evening the Rev. J. J. Fitch preached. Collections, £11 11s.

II. BURTON-ON-TRENT.

A local paper says the building is a decided ornament to that part of the town, and the work has been consummately carried out by the contractors. Both externally and internally it has a very pleasing appearance, and it has been built to accommodate over eight hundred people, or about double the number of the old chapel. Internally it will be found that the acoustic properties are perfect, for the preacher may be distinctly heard in any part of the edifice. What is equally valuable is the fact that the preacher cannot be hidden from any member of the congregation, for in the chapel proper there is not a single pillar or column, the only pillars really being hidden in the screen which divides the vestibule from the actual interior. The seats are open and are comfortable, and each one is covered with a blue rug-a very pleasing change from the pitch-pine which has been used about the building. There are three galleries, with open fronts sloping inwards, and, though not apparently joined together, they are connected by means of porches.

The chapel has been designed upon the basis of the English Gothic of the thirteenth century; necessarily modified, however, in many respects to suit the present nonconformist ritual, which differs so widely from that of the medieval church. Still, the characteristic details of that style have been preserved in windows, doorways, mouldings, and elsewhere, every part of which has received the personal attention of the architect, so that, it is said, a hundred and twenty separate drawings are required for a building of this description. The plan of the chapel is cruciform. The square die at the intersection of the nave and transepts is 32 feet on each side. The total internal length of the nave is 90 feet, and the breadth across the transepts is 75 feet. Externally the building is of red brick, with dressings of Ancaster stone and moulded brick, the roof being covered with Broseley tiles, fixed on with copper nails. The intersection of the roofs of nave and transepts is marked with a flêche of wood and tile, rising to a height of 90 feet above the pavement. On the front in New Street

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NEW CHAPELS AND SCHOOLS.

there are, on the ground floor, four deeply-recessed windows, lighting the end vestibule and under the gallery, and above these a large tracery window, which finds its counterparts in similar windows in the gables of the transepts. The two principal entrances are each nine feet wide, besides which there are separate entrances to the staircases and the vestries: in all six separate external doorways, so that the means of egress are ample. Every door, which is closed during service, is made to open outwards, a precaution, the necessity for which was painfully exemplified by the accident at Sunderland. The staircases are of Robin Hood York stone, partly supported on iron carriages and arranged in short flights with no winders. The rise being easy, this form of staircase presents the best type for a public building. The landings are of iron and concrete. Passing to the inside of the chapel, we find several features of interest. Entering by the principal entrance we come into a spacious and very light vestibule paved with tiles, in which is inserted the text, "Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion." This vestibule is separated from the body of the chapel by a screen of pitch-pine, glazed with clear plate-glass. Late comers (for such there are in every congregation), will find themselves comfortably accommodated in this vestibule and be able to see through the clear glass when they can, with the least disturbance, take their seat in the chapel; but, on the other hand, they will be at once detected should they disturb the congregation by talking or walking about. Passing through the screen we notice the pulpit platform and screen behind it, which are designed tout ensemble, with pitch-pine panel work of Gothic tracery and carving. Parts of this wood are remarkable for beauty of grain, resembling satinwood more than pitch-pine. It is intended to place the new organ on the top of this tracery screen, the woodwork of the organ case being already in its place on each side of a large tracery window. The seats nearest the pulpit are arranged in polygons round the preacher, and a very noticeable feature is that the floor slopes at both ends of the chapel and not only at the entrance end. This, the architect informed us, he had done in several other chapels in London and elsewhere with success, the object being to bring the preacher and congregation nearer together. It is, however, obviously an arrangement which cannot be carried out without very great care, otherwise the people in front would interfere with those behind. This fault, however, is not observable in the new chapel, as the architect has worked out this slope of the floor and the pitch of the galleries upon definite principles, based upon what is known as the late Mr. Scott Russell's "isacoustic curve.' The result of this and other arrangements is that every person in the congregation can see and hear the preacher distinctly. The whole of the woodwork is executed in pitch-pine. The lower parts of the walls internally are of Cliff's glazed coloured bricks, and the upper parts of red brick. The windows are glazed with cathedral-tinted rolled plate-glass in leadwork of special designs, The ceiling is of a Gothic barrel shape, of white wood, with pitch-pine rib and mouldings. The gas lighting is affected by five "Taj" lamps pendant from the ceilings. These powerful lights are from the works of the well-known Mr. Sugg, of Westminster. The centre light is equal to 300 sperm candles, and the four others to 150 candles each. The lights under the galleries are also of Sugg's patent. Warming is by low-pressure hot water, carried out under the architect's direction by Messrs. Messenger and Co., of Loughborough, in such a manner that fresh air from the outside will be admitted to the building and warmed on its way. Care has been taken to provide efficient ventilation by means of vertical tubes and by the air shafts of the heating apparatus. There are, in addition, two powerful water-spray "Eolus" ventilators, similar to those used so successfully at the fisheries exhibition. The outlet for the heated air is provided by shafts in the roof, the principal shaft, situated in the flêche, being three feet six inches diameter. The architect is Mr. J. Wallis Chapman, of 11, Sutherland Gardens, Harrow Road, London, who has had a large experience in this class of work in London and in various parts of the country. The contractors for the whole of the works were Messrs. Lowe and Sons, and their own admirable work has been well enforced by that of other contractors who has been associated with them, viz., Messrs. Pickering for the plumbers', painters', and glaziers' work, and Messrs. Mason for the carpenter and joiners' work (whose foreman, Mr. Rice, has helped materially by his care and skilled workmanship). The Committee was fortunate in securing the services of Mr.

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Reading as the clerk of works, an office which he has discharged with great care and unfailing courtesy.

The opening sermons were preached by Rev. H. S. Brown, on Tuesday, September 18th; J. Clifford, September 23rd; C. Clark, of Haven Green, Ealing, September 30th, who also gave a brilliant lecture on Monday, October 1st. On the 7th October the pastor S. S. Allsop preached from Haggai ii. 9 in the morning, and from John iii. 16 in the evening. The Lord's Supper was celebrated in the evening, when an unusually large number of communicants were present. Four friends were welcomed to the church, and received the right hand of fellowship. An interesting feature of this day's services was the presentation of a handsome pulpit Bible by the Sunday scholars for use in the new sanctuary. The total amount raised by the opening services, which were conducted by the Rev. E. Stevenson on October 14th, has been £250. The cost of the whole building is about £5,500, towards which something like £4000 has been raised. The friends are highly pleased with the new sanctuary.

III.-EAST END FINCHLEY, LONDON.

The East Finchley Baptists now assembling in the iron chapel, Long Lane, held a successful bazaar of three days at the close of last month. The opening ceremony at the Lecture Hall, East Finchley, was under the presidency of the Rev. Francis Tucker, B.A., of Camden Road, who urged the necessity of the present effort to build a new sanctuary from the fact that within another decade that locality would present long lines of villa residences, and for whose future residents provision must now be made. John Clifford and the Rev. John Chadwick expressed their hearty sympathy and confidence in the work under the pastor, Rev. Robert Finch. A fine freehold site is already secured. Our friends greatly need help. Who will give it?

IV.-NEW FLETTON, PETERBOROUGH.

The chapel at New Fletton having been closed for some time for extensive alterations and for the erection of school and class-rooms, was reopened on September 18th, when the Rev. W. Orton, of Grimsby, preached in the afternoon and evening. Tea was provided, and about three hundred persons were present. On the following Lord's-day the Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., of Spalding, preached. The congregations at all the services were good. The entire cost of alterations is over £500; and the sum obtained from all sources is nearly £350.

V.-SUTTERTON.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of the church was held on Sunday, Oct. 7, the Rev. J. Young being the preacher. On the following day a sale of goods on behalf of the funds for building the NEW SCHOOLS took place. £300 have been raised, and about £100 remains of debt, Mr. Faulkner generously offering £50 if the remaining sum is contributed. Afterwards Councillor Weightman presided at a platform meeting. Mr. Faulkner said late in the last century Rev. John Bissill, with his father and family, founded the Sutterton General Baptist Community. In their graveyard lay the remains of Dan Taylor's daughter, the wife of Rev. John Bissill, and of the widow of the Rev. W. Bampton, one of the first missionaries sent out to India. In the year 1795 or 6 the Bissill family removed from Kingston, Leicestershire, to Sutterton. They first held services in a cottage, but the congregations so increased that they built a chapel at a cost of £281 3s. 6d., and paid for it all by 1807, four years after it was opened. The congregations continued to increase, and in 1826 the old chapel was pulled down, and a larger one (the present building) was erected. The Rev. John Bissill was the pastor of this church until the year 1837. For thirty-five years he preached without fee, stipend or reward. The ministers from that time to the present were-Mr. Goldworthy, sixteen years; Mr. Wood, six; Mr. Cholerton, six; Mr. Taylor, four; Mr. Bott, eight; Mr. Pitts, five; and great good resulted from their ministrations. They were now without a pastor, but he hoped that their heavenly Father would send them a faithful minister; and that the members of the church would be consistent, and daily pray for God's help and blessing on their little community. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Jolly, B.A., W. Sexton, J. Bayne, and J. Young.

Mr. Gladstone's Library.

IF Mr. Gladstone were given to the adorning of his house with inscriptions, he would have had written over the door of the library, "Abandon conversation, ye who enter here." Without the inscription, the injunction is understood. If people hanker after conversation, there are plenty of rooms adjoining where they may enjoy themselves. In the library, it is understood, you read or write, but do not talk.

The library has three windows and two fire-places, and is built about with book-cases. Here and in other rooms there are stored over 10,000 volumes, of which theological works form an appreciable proportion. These are collected in one particular corner of the room. Separate departments are assigned to the works of Homer, Shakspeare, and Dante. Unlike most lovers of books, Mr. Gladstone is not selfish in his affection. Since there is no public library near at hand, the library at Hawarden Castle is open to borrowers, no further security being taken than the entry in a book of the name of the borrower, with the date of the transaction. There are three writing-tables in the library, each having its distinct work assigned to it. At one Mr. Gladstone seats himself when engaged in political work; the second is reserved for literary labour and Homeric studies; the third is Mrs. Gladstone's. "It is," Mr, Gladstone remarks, with a mournful smile, and a wistful glance at the desk where Juventus Mundi was written, "a long time since I sat there." In a corner of the room stands an ax, a present from Nottingham, its long and narrow blade contrasting strikingly with the American pattern, which Mr. Gladstone prefers, and is accustomed to use. In the library the Premier spends nearly the whole of such portion of the day as is occupied within-doors. Here, with the busts of Sidney Herbert, the Duke of Newcastle, Canning, Cobden, and Homer looking down upon him from the book-cases, and with his old friend Tennyson glancing out from the large bronze medallion which lies on a table near, Mr. Gladstone has thought out an Irish Church Bill, two Irish Land Bills, and many Budgets.

The work each succeeding morning brings to the Premier is enormous in quantity and universal in interest. Human energies, however colossal, would fail to grapple with it unless assisted by method. Mr. Gladstone is as methodical as he is energetic, and no day departs without having its work fully accomplished. His correspondence, both private and official, is enormous, and is dealt with on a very simple plan. The secretary opens his letters, reads them, and indorses on the back of each the name of the writer and the purport of his epistle, this last undertaking being accomplished within a space that would surprise the writer, who has probably covered three or four folios. Mr. Gladstone sees everything, and indicates the nature of the reply, where reply appears to be necessary. If the letter be specially important, or peculiarly interesting, he reads it himself. But in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred he is satisfied with glancing at the precis. Before he resumed office his irrepressible energy found some outlet in conducting his correspondence with his own hand. Any bore or ninny-hammer who cared to invest a penny postage stamp, could draw from the great man a post-card written in the well-known handwriting, and with even more familiar signature. Now, Mr. Gladstone avails himself much more fully of the services of his secretaries, and though he writes many letters in the day, they stand in infinitesimal proportion to those that are sent out in his name. One device he has hit upon is calculated to soothe the feeling of his innumerable correspondents. He had a note in his own handwriting lithographed, in which he begs to thank his correspondent for his favour, and remains his faithfully, W. E. Gladstone. This is so well done that the unsuspecting correspondent, not familiar with the appearance of lithography, may cherish the note under the impression that it has been written especially to him by the great minister. W. H. LUCY, in Harper's Magazine.

A PLASTIC WORLD.-Emerson says, "As the world was plastic and fluid in the hands of God, so it is ever to so much of his attributes as we bring to it."

Scraps from the Editor's Waste-Basket.

I. WHAT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE FOR 1884? is the question that has been asked again and again since I tendered my resignation to our Association in June last. I am glad to be able to report that our PUBLICATION BOARD met last month, and decided to commit the editorship of our denominational organ to the care of the REV. W. R. STEVENSON, M.A., of NOTTINGHAM, and the REV. J. FLETCHER, of LONDON. These brethren have accepted office, and will begin work with the January issue. It would be presumption on my part to write a line in commendation of my beloved tutor, the Rev. W. R. Stevenson. I sat at his "elbow" with unspeakable profit twentysix years ago, and shall be glad to hear the rustle of his editorial pen across the page, as indeed shall we all. He is as respected and loved as he is extensively known amongst us. and neighbour, Mr. Fletcher, it is generally understood I had arranged to leave him any threads of my scanty editorial mantle that still hung together. He has won his "spurs" amongst us as editor of our Almanack, Secretary of the Association, and Secretary of the Home Mission, and will take a good degree, I doubt not, in this new position. In leaving the editorial chair after fourteen years' occupancy-which is, I may add, quite large enough for two peaceably disposed persons to sit in with comfort -I beg to express my unfeigned and ardent desire for the increased usefulness of our 66 Magazine," and for the happiness and joy of the new editors in their work.

As to my friend

Let us all do our utmost for an institution more than ever necessary for, and more than ever rich in promise of good to, our organic life.

II. OUR COLLEGE.-The Rev. C. W. Vick writes to say the COLLEGE COMMITTEE will meet at the College, Forest Road, Nottingham, Tuesday, Nov. 27th, at twelve o'clock, and that subscribing ministers and ministers of subscribing churches are eligible to attend.

A student says-"We are all taking classes at University College. . . . The University classes are a great treat. The professors undoubtedly know how to work their students well."

"We are

determined to make the most of them and the best of themselves for their great work. And I am sure I may add, the one prayer of the churches, deep and full, is that they may be really "men of God" and able ministers of the New Testament. May the richest blessings attend our College work.

III. A SILVER WEDDING.-I have received so many congratulations and good wishes on the completion of the twentyfifth year of my pastorate that I must avail myself of this corner to return my thanks. It is a joy unspeakable and full of promise to look back on a ministry of such duration and delight; and I accept the wishes of my many friends as signs of the immense debt I owe to their sympathy and generous help. I shall never forget the cordiality with which my appeals for advancing work have been received. Not a few have desired that the "silver" may turn into "gold." Perhaps that is too much to expect. The insurance authorities only allow a man at forty-seven to hope for an addition of twenty-three years; but when I recollect that my grandmother lived to within a few months of a hundred, and looked quite as robust as I do, and that I have an uncle who is nearing eighty, and preaches two sermons a Sunday, and "feels as fresh as ever," I think I may, perhaps, behold "the glimpses of the moon" in 1908!! But the old Collegeday refrain, now hackneyed, comes to my ear, and reminds me

"He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best," etc.,

and I say "Yes, let us fill this day with good work, and leave all our morrows with God." It is in that spirit we are celebrating "our silver wedding." The ladies of the church have resolved to obtain a £1,000 at a BAZAAR for the reduction of the debt on our Westbourne Park Home. "That Bazaar" is to be held the first week in DECEMBER.