What is the meaning of this?—In the January issue of the Quarterly Record of the National Bible Society of Scotland there is a report of the London Missionary Society Ter-Jubilee by Dr. John W. Arthur, O.B.E., in which the following words occur:—”As the procession passed down the Nave, I noticed a tall, broad African, Dr. Harold Moody, carrying a wreath. And shortly, I heard the strains of music in the distance, and
then this prayer was said round the grave of David Livingstone, our great Scotsman, where the African had laid his wreath: ‘Remember, O Lord, Thy servants David Livingstone, Robert Moffat, Robert Morrison, Henry Nott, John Williams, James Chalmers, and that goodly company of men and women who have laboured as pioneers in the Name of Jesus Christ throughout the world, and who have already passed within the veil. Grant rest to their souls, gather them together in a green pasture, and lead them forth beside the waters of comfort in a paradise free from all grief and sorrow and mourning, in the glorious light of Thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’ Then followed the singing of the Doxology and a peal of bells rang out—symbol of rejoicing and thanksgiving.” Does the London Missionary Society allow prayers for the blessed dead? And has the National Bible Society no comment to make?
The “Sunday” Newspaper.—Some interesting facts were recorded at a gathering of the members of the Postal History Society in London on March 5, but we were chiefly struck by a statement made by the circulation manager of one of the “Sunday” newspapers, who said, as reported in The Times, that “the people of these islands bought 15,000,000 copies of daily papers and 23,000,000 copies of ‘Sunday’ papers.” We have often noted with regret the great circulation of “Sunday” papers, but we had not realized that it had attained the dimension to which these figures testify. We fear that but few people have any idea of the vast amount of “Sunday” labour involved in the distribution of the “Sunday” papers through newsagents and distributors in all parts of the country. Fewer still, we fear, give a thought to the strain on the conscience of a newsagent who objects to the “Sunday” trading involved, and is faced with the possible alternative of losing his week-day custom if he will not also supply the “Sunday” papers. It is a matter which should receive the consideration of all who desire to guard the hallowed Day of Rest.
—English Churchman.