"On Sunday, July 23, the town of Waltham Abbey was startled by the announcement that Mr. William Winters, the well-known archeologist and pastor of the Ebenezer Chapel, had passed away." So writes the special correspondent of the Weekly Telegraph, the local authority, and it is placed at the head of this paper to show that the people of Waltham, who knew so well and esteemed so high the departed minister and man of letters, had a sorrow that was more than mere passing wonderment. The shock fell upon the neighbourhood like the sudden booming of cannon, and neighbour called on neighbour, and with voices hushed into solemn tones whispered, "Have you heard that Mr. Winters is dead?" Yes! he who has dwelt amongst us for…

The courteous request of the Trustees of the Earthen Vessel and the Gospel Herald, as published last month, will, I hope, sufficiently account for the appearance of the portrait in the present issue, as also the annexed autobiographical sketch, without any apology from me. I was born at Walkern, a small but pleasant village in the county of Hertford, on August 31st, 1834. My beloved father died when I was an infant; and, from what I long afterwards gathered from the lips of my dear mother, I believe his end to have been a most triumphant one. A few minutes before his death, taking me from the arms of my mother, he solemnly charged her, if both of us should be spared, to keep me…