THE HELPING HAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 32, 7 February 1891, Page 5

THE HELPING HAND.

The February number of the " Helping Hand " has reached us, and in turning over its bright and attractive pages our wonder is aroused thab such a mass of interesting matter, wibh occasional illustrations of a firac-class character, can be issued in such a neat and presentable form for one penny. How ib is done is something of a problem. The paper is proving itself a valuable auxiliary to the work of the Freeman's Bay Helping Hand Mission, and not the leasb interesting pages are those devoted to the operations of the Mission. The present issue is quite equal bo those thab have preceded ib in point of literary excellence. " W.H.S." continues the story of " Transformed, or the History of a River Thief." The story of bhe conversion has been told, and the great change is effected by this admission by the quondam thief ; "I am glad the Lord has permitted, me to live and meet the friends of other years today. I met Mr H. coming out of the bank once wibh §150,000 in his hand. As he came oub. he book my arm and I told him I d have cub his head off once for half thab amount, and I would, bub see bhe change now. Here I am with as good a suit of clothes on as he has. He carries a good watch, and see bhere (pulling oub his bimepiece), so do I. I once couldn'b sporb a wooden watch. I speak this way just to show what the Gospel can do for a man if he will only be honest and let God have His way." Rev. E. Besb recounts the story of the last fighb and briumph of a Balaclava hero, told in an atbractive style, and Rev. W. L. Salter contributes some memoirs of the late Percy R. Salter, who died on December 22nd last at the age of four years months. The versatile pen of " W.H.S. " contributessomefurther notesof a trip to the remarkable .Teuolan Caves, in New South Wales. W. Tomlins furnishes some reminiscences of an old local preacher, and Sister Blakeley supplies a couple of columns of chatty notes on the good work in which she is engaged. Besides these, there are very readable articles from Mrs W. Gittos, Mrs E. Best, Mr N. Wood, "T.H., "and" A.C.8.," in addition to a host of jottings, occasional excerpts from journals, and poetical contributions. One of the mosb attractive features of the " Hand" is a letter from Rev. Charles Abel, describing .his missionary experiences at New Guinea, the interest being increased by an illustration of the natives as they are found in tho wilds of their native country. Another capital illustration is given in the form of a portrait of Rev. H. Bull, which is beautifuly executed. The journal is, on tho whole, wonderfully interesting, and worth a great deal more than the price charged for it. To tho Stab Office is due the credit for the neat and attractive form in which it is issued.