It will be a matter of sad interest to most of the readers of this periodical to learn of the departure to be with Christ-"which is far better"-of Mr. C.H. Macintosh at Cheltenham, England, on November second, at an advanced age.

At the time of the great revival in Ireland in 1859, Mr. Macintosh was much used in gospel work. At that time he was engaged in a prosperous school, and the calls for service in the gospel were so urgent that it became a question whether he should give up his school or refuse to continue his preaching. Believing the Lord had opened this door to him. he gave up his school, and in simple dependence upon His Master went forth in His service. That his faith was not disappointed, may be seen from a letter written after forty years of ministry in which he looked to the Lord alone for temporal support. He wrote that during those forty years, he had been enabled to meet his obligations as they rose-although even from his own writings he received no income whatever. Surely those who trust in the Lord shall never be put to shame.

Besides being endeared to a large circle of those to whom he was personally known, and who profited by an oral ministry both in the gospel of salvation and in the unfolding of the word of God for believers, which extended over more than forty years, he reached through his written ministry thousands of Christians in every part of the world, to whom his name is a household word.

For twenty-one years he edited, being almost the sole contributor also, a monthly magazine chiefly for believers, entitled "Things New and "Old." In a singularly happy vein he treats, in this paper, a great variety of themes of a scriptural character and always, we may add, for edification. The "Answers to Correspondents" were not merely felicitous, but served as both an incentive and a key to the study of the word of God. Very many of the papers which appeared first in the pages of "Things New and Old " were subsequently reprinted, and in tract form have reached and blessed tens of thousands of readers. "The All-Sufficiency of Christ" " Abraham and Lot," " Gideon," with many more, have indeed helped to edify the Lord's people throughout the world.

But it is as the author of "Notes "on the five books of Moses that Mr. Macintosh is chiefly known. We could scarcely express too strongly the immense good that has been accomplished through those volumes. To multitudes they have been a key to the precious word of God that has opened up its treasures in a way they never dreamed of. How many have found settled peace through the pages of " Exodus"-or been guided in the path of faith through "Genesis"; or have had a glimpse down the endless vista of beauty opened up in the typical teachings of "Leviticus." The Bible has become to them a new book and they have received not merely the truth presented in the pages of the " Notes," but, what is far better, capacity to go on with the intelligent study of the word of God for themselves. It is no slight put upon the beloved author, quite the reverse, to say that in a very marked way these books carry the reader to a point where he can dispense with them-they educate him beyond themselves.

Multitudes who know nothing of him are to-day intelligently studying God's word through him. We believe "in that day" when the record is gone over, and the Master's approval given for faithful service, that the fruit from these books will for the first time fully appear-to the glory of the grace which first laid hold of and then equipped our brother for this service.
We cannot refrain from calling attention to some of the characteristics of these writings which render them so suitable as instruments of blessing. To a clear and most attractive style-singularly pleasant to the reader,-he adds the force which always marks one deeply in earnest and commanded by his subject. It is not however of the form but of the contents that we speak. The place given to the gospel of the grace of God,- its source in the love of God, its foundation in the finished work of Christ, its vital power through the accompanying influence of the Holy Spirit-was most prominent. The author not merely knew the gospel and its saving power personally, but longed to impart it to others, and eagerly seized every opportunity afforded in the book upon which he was commenting to dwell upon this.

He loved too, to unfold the various stages in the life of faith ;-the dangers, failures and difficulties of the child of God, pointing out the only and all sufficient resource for the believer in his God and Father. The lives of Abraham, Jacob and Moses are thus made to furnish most profitable lessons.

We would particularly speak of the place which our brother gave to the word of God. He had not the smallest sympathy with anything that suggested the slightest question as to the inspiration of Scripture. To him " Higher Criticism " was but infidelity under the guise of Christianity and therefore all the more dangerous. Nothing was in his mind worthy of the least respect that did not receive the entire Scripture to its least letter as the word of God. His introduction to the book of Deuteronomy, also printed as a separate tract "The Bible, whence is it? from heaven or of men?" is most clear and straightforward in its claims. We trust that in these days of looseness and weakness many may be awakened to continue the warfare against infidelity.

But we bring our remarks to a close. It is farthest from our thoughts to indulge in fulsome praise-rather to recognize the grace of God vouchsafed to His servant. The faithful are failing from among the children of men. Let those who remain be aroused to all the greater diligence, as they see one and another called home. Let us pray too that other laborers may be sent forth into the white harvest fields.

Christ abides-the Lord of all the work. Let there be the loyalty to Him which, whether there be little or much gift, is worth more than all else. Soon, very soon, the day of glory will be here, the time when the least thing done for Christ shall not fail of His notice. May His love constrain us now to live for Him.