The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-26 00:00:00

711 E NAVY.

Captain Alfred P. Ryder, R.N., late of H.M.S.
Hero, has been appointed private secretary to the
Duke of Somerset, the First Lcrd of the Admiralty,
in the place of Capt. John Moore, C. 8., resigned.
Capt. Ryder will enter on his new duties this week.
In accordance With Admiralty directions received
at Chatham two of Kisbee's new life buoys Lre to be
supplied to .ach ship in commission.

CPlaying the best qualities of the Armstrong F 2.
pounder—the acknowledged best specime', of the
breech-loading Armstrong gun, At the cc nclusion
of the practice from the 12-pounders Major-Gen,
St. George, Col. Bingham, Col. Warde, Capt. Dyer,
and other officers, proceeded to Lump, Fort, where
three shots each were fired from two 110-pounder
Armstrong guns, but the efficiency of the guns was
in no other way tested as breech-loading ordnance.
The practice made throughout was good, but nu-
merous instances occurred where the shells burst
half way to the target, and some close to the muzzle
of the gun, while there were many illustrations of
" stripping" of the zinc coating. There was also
great difficulty experienced in getting the screws
home against the back of the vent pieces towards
the close of the firing.

A court martial assembled on Monday on board
the flagship Royal Adelaide in Hamoaze, Plymouth,
to try Mr. Wm. Braving, second-class assistint-
en.gineer, of the Ajax, on a charge of having forged
ar, order, dated Dublin, Oct. 20, 1862, for £3O, in
favour of John Roberts. which order was counter-
signed by himself. There were several minor
charges. The court was presided over by Capt. L.
G. Heath, late H.M.S. Cambridge, and Mr. Wm.
E stlake was Deputy Judge-Advocate. The pri-
soner was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at
Exeter, and to be dismissed her Majesty's service.
The following promotions were made on Mon-
day :--Commander Henry F.Nl‘Killop, Commander
J. E. Montgomerie, Commander Henry J. Raba,
Commander J. F. Ross, and Commander W. N. W.
Hewett Zto be Captains ; Lieut. E. F. Holme,Lieut.
Douglas Walker, Lieut. IL B. Johnstone, Lieut.
Thrimas N. Underwood, Lieut. J. H. Glover, Lieut
Francis M. Prattent, Lieut. Morgan Singer, Lieut
James B. Grove, Lieut. E.l'. Nott, Lieut. Charles
G. Nelson, Lieut. G. S. Nares, and Lieut. J. 0.
Hopkins, to be Commanders.
The following apwointments have been made at
the Admiralty :--Lieut. the Hon. Frederick W.
Charteris, to her :Majesty's yacht Victoria and
Albert ; Iteut. Edgar H. Blake, to the Ajax, as
additior.ial for service as transport agent at Dublin ;
Jarnr:-,9 Bedingfeld, William H.Lewin, MatthewW.
Abbott, Walter H. Joliffe, Robert T. B. Bruce, and
Edward A. Liardet, midshipmen, to the Meeanee ;
Henry Charles S. Wright, nominated to a naval
cadetship ; James W. Leahy, assist—surg., addi-
tional, to the Wellington; and William J. Mayne,
clerk, to the Cornwaliis ; Commander Charles E.
Sevens, to the Meeanee ; Lieut. W. Bailey, to the
Meeanee ; Dentrla H. Speer, master, additional, to
the Cumberli%nd for the Leander ; W. H. James,
second nip
..sier, to the Spider; Fred. Hunter, second
master, to the Doterel ; and Erasmus C. Roberts,
second master, to the Lizard.

MR. SPURGEON ON MIRACLES.

Last night Mr. Spurgeon gave an entertainment
in the form of a lecture, illustrated by dissolving
views, and enlivened by the vocal efforts of a chorus
of 600 children, on the subject of the miracles of
faith in modern times. The sp€cial object was to
benefit the funds of the Band of Hope Union, and
the influence of that very numerous body, the
presence of the Earl of Shaftesbury, who was the
president of the evening, Mr. Layard, M.P., who
occupied a prominent position on the platform, the
opportunity of hearing Mr. Spurgeon, combined
with the various other attractions provided, proved
sufficient to fill the Tabernacle in every part; and
seeing that the charge for admission ranged from
6d. to 2s. 6d., must have added as materially to the
resources of the total abstinence principle, as did
the celebrated Gorilla lecture, which was given in
the same place and for the same object, in October
of last year.
After a short introductory prayer from the rev.
lecturer,
The CHAIRMAN offered a few remarks in expression
of the pleasure he felt in contributing in any way he
could to the success of the movement in which the
Baud of Hope was engaged.
Mr. SPURGEON then commenced his lecture, ob-
serving that he was not about to treat of the lying
miracles of Rome or the pretended miracles of mo-
dern impostors, but he was about to speak of real
bona fide miracles. Referring to Johnson—which
was held as an infallible authority by some people
just now—he found that the meaning of miracle
was a wonder—something that man could not do of
4,- ---- his own power. The miracles he had to speak
In consequence of the frequent complaints of the of were those which had been wrought by prayer
loss of -medical comforts and Government stores and faith; miracles that were full of philanthropy,
placed on board vessels conveying troops to and brimfull of peace and goodwill amongst men and
from India and China, a general order has been is- glory to God. Amongst those who through prayer
sued from the Horse Guards, signed by Major-Gen, and faith had thus worked miracles he mentioned,
Sir R. Airey, 1e..C.13., Quartermaster-General, in first, Francke, a German pastor of Holl, who lived
which Field Marshal his Royal Highness the Duke at the latter end of the 17th century. Francke's
of Cambridge directs officers commanding on board habit was to distribute bread amongst the poorest
such snips to pay particular attention to the issue of his flock every Thursday, although he was ex-
and safe custody of those articles. Medical com- tremely poor himself. While so engaged he deter-
forts are placed on board all transports, in charge mined to take some of the poor outcast children and
of the master, for use during the voyage, the issues teach them. Although he had no means he had
being
made upon the requisition of the medical offi- faith, and in that faith he prayed to God. The re-
cer and the officer commanding the troops. Any suit was that he soon had a school of 25 children,
that remain in possession of the troops at the con- and engaged a teacher at a salary. Subsequently-
elusion of the 'Voyage, together with hammocks, he thought of establishing a college for poor stu-
blankets, (Sec., are to be returned to the master of dents, where they should be provided with board,
\
the vessel, Peed a receipt taken for them. Deficien- lodging, and instruction. This also, trusting in
cies not accounted for to the satisfaction of a board' God to provide the means, he succeeded in carrying
of offiraers will be charged to the troops, and the out, and thus he went on working until his schools
officer commanding on board will be held respon- multiplied from one to 314, and the scholars from
Bible for the payment of such charges. four, the number he began with, to 12,000, and
The death was lately announced of Lieut.-Gen. then to 18,000. Francke had none of that quality
William Cullen, of her Majesty's Royal Artillery which the world called prudence. He never laid by
on the Madras establishment, at Allepey, in Tra- money, or made provision for carrying out his
vancore, in the 77th year of his age. Gen. Cullen schemes of piety and benevolence. When he began
entered the military service of the late East India to build his university he had no money ; but when
Company in 1804, and remained in it for 58 years people heard what he was doing they brought money
without once returning to England. He distin- to him, which he always spent as fast as it came.
gnished himself at Ganderish and Berar against the On one occasion, when the workmen came for their
Mahrattas, and with the forces against Kurnool in wages, ho told them he had no money, but trusted
1815, but it was in the administrative and political in God, and before night a friend came in unexpec-
departments that he was chiefly employed, and esta- tedly, and unasked gave him enough to meet the
blished his right to a high place among the best demand. On another occasion, when he had only
officers of the Indian Government. In 1814 he was a ducat he gave it to a poor woman, a stranger,
appointed Commissary of Stores at Ballary, whence who begged it of him, having nothing left to
he was promoted in January, 1831, to be principal supply the necessities of his own poor ; but pre-
Commissary of Ordnance at Madras. In April, sently some benevolent person paid 500 ducats into
1831, he was made Military Auditor-General, and his treasury. When at another time he was brought
in July, 1834, Commissary - General. In down to penury he prayed the Lord to look upon
acknowledgment of his valuable services in these his necessities, and goingdownstairs hefound money
important officers, he was selected in September, enough to last half-a-week, and before that was
1840, to represent the British Government as gone sufficient came for another half week. One
Resident at the Courts of the Rajahs of Travancore day his steward came to him for thirty crowns;
and Cochin. This office he held till January, 1860, he had nothing to give him, but he prayed
when he retired from public life. He continued to to God, and almost immediately somebody brought
reside in Travancore, where he was exceedingly po- him their crowns. An account of this remarkable
pular with the native population. Au ardent culti- man was published about a hundred years ago in
vator of Science he spared no expense or personal England, and afterwards the celebrated Mr. Hunt-
labour in promoting and conducting every investi- ingdon published another edition of the work. No
gation that could lead to further scientific progress, doubt the example of Francke had much to do in
and it is hoped that his various papers and collet- forming the character of Huntingdon. Both were
tions, which are believed to be very valuable, may remarkalele for their faith in God's promise, that
not be lost to the public. The Cullen Scholarship, what they asked in his name he would give. Un-
lately founded at the Madras University, and libe- fortunately, however, Huntingdon's faith was of a
rally endowed by the Rajah of Travancore and other more selfish kind than Franke's, for while the one
natives, with the full approval of the British Go- prayed for bread for his poor children, the other
vernment, may be adduced no less as a proof of their prayed for new clothes for himself. Yet both had
sincere regard than of their appreciation of one who their prayers granted unto them. The next ex-
had been so long resident among them, since they ample of miracle working by faith in modern times,
felt that no higher tribute could be offered to Gen. quoted by the lecturer, was John Falk, of Dantzic,
Cullen than to associate his name with the education who was a student at the college at Hell, who hav-
of the natives of India. iog lost four of his own children one after the other,
The I and K batteries of Field Artillery stationed took in and adopted four of the most destitute out-
at Hilsea, near Portsmouth, yesterday paraded on casts he could find, whom he clothed, fed, and
Southsea-common, between Southsea Castle and taught, and ultimately increased the number to 300,
Ilumps Fort, on the line of seabeach, to test their who lived with him in a building erected for the
guns, according to an order issued from head-quar- purpose. Falk also established an institution in
ters, in consequence of certain reports which had which he trained sixty masters, who, when quali-
been made to his Royal Highness the Commander- fled, were sent to other places as teachers. A third
in-Chief, relative to the efficiency of the Armstrong instance was that of Dr. Wichern, of Hamburg,
gun as the field artillery of the British army. The who, in 1830, began a movement in that city for
two batteries arrived on the beach eastward of providing and reclaiming juvenile offenders. He
Southsaa Castle at 10.30 a.m., under the command first succeeded in obtaining subscriptions and estab-
of Lieut.-Col. Shakspeare, commanding the K bat- lished a society, but that fell through, and he (the
tery, and Capt. Martin, commanding the I battery, rev. lecturer) was not surprised, for he believed
each battery consisting of six 12-pounders, Arm- that a society to an earnest man was no better a
strong's. The two batteries were under the com- piece of utility than was Saul's armour to David.
mend of Col. Anderson, C. 8., and each gun was sup- He believed that God worked by individuals, and
plied with 120 rounds of shell. A number of mili- he believed societies induced those who belonged to
tary officers had arrived at Dent's George Hotel the them to take credit for all that the society did, while
previous evening to be present at the firing, include doing little or nothing themselves. Well, the
ing, with others, members of the Select Ordnance seciety having failed, Wichern went to work
Committee, Major-Gen. St. George, Capt. Dyer, by himself. He established a Raugh Haus and in-
Inspector of Ordnance ; and Col. Bingh tm, R.A. vited the wild outcast childrena—tethe
dayArasbtosuor came,f
Ham-
Among other officers on the ground were—Major- burg streets--to come.
Gen. Lord W. Paulet, C. 8., commanding the south- then more, until at length he had 400 boys and 120
west district, and stiff; Vice-Admiral`l ehada and girls under his and his wife's care. These grade-
TC-I°S,combe ; Cols. Gambier, R.A., Alexander, and ally he reduced to obedience and to habits of order,
Sh(""nbetg, R.M.A. ; Capt, "Williams, R.M.A. ; honesty, industry, and religion. He never re-
' elPts- Connolly and Hodgkinson, R.N. ; and nume- sorted to coercion, love being the guiding and only
Tolls other officers, military and naval. The two rule of the home. There were houses and work-
batteries were in •
•
10.30 earn position on the line of beach by shops for the boys, a house for the girls, and a chapel
'' and shortly afterwards the officers spe- on the ground, erected principally by the b. ys
dally appointed to superintend the firing arrived on themselves ; and so well were these children trained
the ground,
At about five minutes to 11 a.m. the 1
•.sractico q Dr. Wichern
r commenced from the that they could always command employment in
uns at 1 700 yards I Hamburg in preference to others.
with shell, fitted with " time andg eonouss'ion,, fuzes. expended now £7OOO a-year on this establishment,
Twenty-five rounds were fired from each of the 12 though he began it with nothing. Another in-
guns in 25 minutes,
when a pause of 10 minutes stance was the German pastor Gossner, who, a
took place owing to a schooner being towed across Roman catholic priest, but a preacher of the gospel
the line of fire in the direction of Langston harbour. nevertheless, began at the age of 56 to work in the
In 10 minutes the fire was reconanaenced, which missionary cause, and at 86, when he died, he could
only lasted 11 minutes, owing
sailing across the range. Ei,,,h to
te
en another vessel say, that without the aid of missionary societiest
lay took place in this instance, afterraranilweuhti.eesh'
thede- secretaries, collectors, or any of the machinery 0
onetien io t
firing was continued until thethose institutions, he had done as much as the great-
each gun was expended, except in eat of them. And so he had, for including tee
the 50th round of Mega.
stanCe, where the gun was disabled. The firitt missionaries' wives, he had sent out in connexion
blo ein out,
dat 1 15 p.m. In with Presbyterians, Baptists, and other denotnina-
ceaee
K Battery, the vent-piece was lions, no less than 200 missionaries, all of whom he
gun of . i, . had himself trained. He likewise trained a number
wad buried iteelf in the ground. In the eighth
this same gun became disabled of deaconesses, who attended the hospitals as nurses,
and laboured as scripture readers to the poor in the
round, afterwrds,
—and all this without an other aid than the
from a strain in the screw, or some other displace.
;and eaysithheateco_a7 to him in
hie
to his prayers
merit of parts in the breech. The intervals between
the passing of vessels across
the firing, causing b.-se
e derably diminish the value of t ample
was
thteNtrrnee of his faith. The next ex-
the line of fire, ox-
considerably , the lasting powers and i the same mean:man pastor, Hermes, who had by
the day's firing as testi n, ,
I id fire, inasmuch as • sending out missionaries,
similar results in
efficiency of guns under a r, p
ofcooling!, and therefore Mr. Spurgeon saidarhees• In reference to Harmer,
the guns had two periods
d no correct bearing passioned preacher, who walked about from the number of rounds fired had
side while side to
The firing throughout . . preaching. He (the lecturer) had ver
upon the point at issue. T
'd
—that is to little opinion of those wooden boxes called pulpitys
could not have been considered rapt
what- (There is no pulpit at the Tabernacle, but a gallery
say, beyond ordinary practice, and therefore,
or
railed in, of some '
appointed to platform 25feet or more square
ewer may be the report of the officers
• which the preacher occupies while addressing hib
conduct the trial, every point was in favour of dis-

THE ARMY.