At the time the narrative commenced there were only one hundred and twelve city missionaries employed in London; but, through the blessing of Almighty God and the confidence of His people, the increase of their number has been steady and support increasingly generous. The mission staff now numbers 448 effective men with 30 veterans upon the retiring fund; these, with the committee and their officers, examiners of candidates and local superintendents, number upwards of one thousand men, who prayerfully and with great activity seek the spiritual good and general uprising of the poor of the great Metropolis. Much remains to be done. In many parishes extending to the distant suburbs there are numerous poor districts, inhabited by myriads of perishing souls, to each of which the appointment of "A MAN WITH THE BOOK," charged to read and bring its life-giving power to bear upon each man, woman, and child within his influence, would indeed be a blessing conferred. Charged with the duty of providing for many of these "waste places" in the east and west of the City, the writer will gladly welcome the friendship and aid of those who, realizing the preciousness of personal salvation, from the abundance of the heart deviseth liberal things. With the committee there is one strong conviction, and it is this, that their work, which commenced in obscurity and feebleness, by three men without name, influence, or money, but who were strong in faith, prayer, and holy zeal--that the effort though now exceeding large--can only be continued and extended in the same spirit of simple trust and devotion, "glory" being rendered "in the Church by Jesus Christ, unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." LONDON CITY MISSION HOUSE, BRIDEWELL, E.C. _May, 1878_. CONTENTS. THE BOOK IN THE COURT. ITS INTRODUCTION. PAGE Description.--The strange visitor.--Translators.--The chanter and dog-nurse.--Thieves.--Beggars.--Prize-fighter.--A widow indeed.--The power of prayer 3 THE BOOK IN THE COURT. ITS INFLUENCE. A fight between women.--Turning the fever out.--Speech from a barrow.--Drunken Sammy.--A Wonderful tea-pot.--Dust-man and scavenger.--Lady power 25 THE BOOK IN THE COURT. ITS POWER. Black Poll.--Niggers.--Rescued.--Tom and Bess.--Costermonger's wedding.--A baptism.--Pledge taken.--The prison gate.--The Bible on the housetop.--The convict's widow and son 43 THE BOOK IN THE COURT. ITS AUTHORITY. A black leg.--Miniature altar.--The peacemaker.--The wafer.--An animated sandwich.--Saved from error.--The travelling tinker.--The dying child 65 THE BOOK IN THE COURT. ITS TRUTH.