now been induced to do so. Hundreds who were careless about
religion have now become concerned. Hundreds who a short while ago would
have refused the gift of a tract, and would have shut their doors in the
face of a Christian visitor, are now ready to receive the one and to
listen to the _viva voce_ instruction of the other. Naturally, the
appeal is made to Mr. Davidson, but his own duties in connexion with his
church and congregation leave him no time to spare. A fund raised partly
by Mr. Davidson's own people, and partly by the liberality of a private
individual, has enabled the London City Mission to send an agent to
labour in connexion with the services at the Agricultural Hall. But,
after all, one man in such a multitude can do but little, and on Sunday
evening Mr. Davidson, instead of preaching a sermon, organized, as it
were, a public meeting,--yet not exactly a public meeting, for there was
no chairman, there was no rhetorical fireworks, no murmurs of
applause--the aim of which was to elicit Christian co-operation in
evangelistic work in that particular locality. Belonging to their
congregation there are some two hundred young men. How much can they do
if they have but the willing heart!

The service commenced in the usual manner by the singing of a hymn. Mr.
Davidson, who was in his pulpit and wore his gown, then offered up
prayer, leading up to what was to be the peculiarity of that evening's
service. He then delivered a short address explanatory of the
circumstances in which that meeting had been originated, and which had
led to the visit of the deputation who were to address them that night.
It had seemed to their evangelistic committee that an opportunity had
arisen in consequence of the services at the Agricultural Hall which
required the utmost efforts of Christian workers. The object of that
meeting was to excite to further effort. They were all too much inclined
to be supine, to be content with mere religious routine. There was a
need to break through spiritual monotony. They must endeavour to breathe
new life and energy and freshness. There was a fine field before them,
for London truly was, as it was often termed, the finest missionary field
in the world; even amidst the lowest of the low there was an encouraging
feeling existing. The masses felt that on the whole the Christians were
their best friends--those most ready to do them good temporally as well
as spiritually. Especially was