Youths' Department. BANBURY CROSS. (With Engraving.) BANBURY is an interesting market town, near the northern extremity of Oxfordshire, where the river Cherwell divides that county from Northamptonshire. The name Banbury is supposed to mean that the place had been in early times the scene of a battle. There are many places and things of special interest in the town and neighbourhood; but we shall confine our remarks at present to two of them, viz.-Banbury cakes, and Banbury cross. Banbury cakes began to be famous as far back as 1608. Ben Jonson, in a celebrated comedy, called "Bartholomew Fair," makes reference to a Banbury man, a Puritan, and to Banbury bakers and cakes :Winwife says "Alas, I am quite off that scent now." Quarlous asks-" How so?" Winwife." Put off by a brother of Banbury; one that, they say, is come here, and governs all already.' Quarlous." O, I know him! a baker, is he not? Littlewit." He was a baker, sir, but he does dream now, and see visions; he has given over his trade." Quarlous."I remember that, too; out of a scruple he took, that, in spiced conscience, those cakes he made were served to bridales, maypoles, morrisses, and such profane feasts and meetings. His Christian name is Zeal-of-the-Land." It appears a person of the name of White had great fame as a maker of Banbury cakes in the last century. The name is still kept up at his old establishment in Parson's-street, where the trade is carried on by a Mr. Beesley. It is said old Jarvis White used to spend most of his time hanging over the hatch of his shop-door, while his good wife, Betty, was industriously employed in keeping up the fame of the cakes. She used to say, "My name is Quiet Betty; I never meddles nor makes with nobody; no mealman ever calls upon me twice." She often complained of the badness of the times and the cost of the articles used in her cakes. 'Only think," she said, when customers complained that the cakes were smaller than before, "there's currans, they be double the price th' used to be, and then there's butter and sugar, why, they be double the price th' used to be." She would say, "I'oonder how much butter and sugar y' could buy for a ha'penny." The cakes are of an oval but inclined to a diamond-shaped figure; the outside is formed of rich paste, and the inside of fruit, &c., something like a mince-pie. They are much like Lancashire Eccles cakes and Nelson's cakes; and many pass as Banbury cakes that never saw Banbury. But Banbury makers still have credit for making them superior to other persons who try to imitate them. Mr. Beesley sold, in 1840, no fewer than 139,500 of the twopenny cakes. And in the month of August 1841, he sold on an average 5,400 weekly. He has sent some of his cakes to America, and even to Australia. Another maker has sent a large quantity to India. But we have a few words to say about Banbury Cross, which our engraving represents. There was an old cross on the present site, which seems to have been in existence in the time of the English Reformation, in the days of Henry, Edward, &c. But since that time it had fallen into decay. The present one was built on the occasion of the marriage of our Princess Royal a few years ago. It stands in the Horse-fair, a fine open place, and is seen at a considerable distance in different directions. The new cross is 52 feet in height, is of Bath stone, and is divided into three storeys or compartments. The panels of the centre compartment are ornamented with the foliage of the vine, the rose, ivy, acacia, chesnut, and hollyhock, and graced with the arms of Queens Mary and Victoria, Kings Charles I. and George I., the Princess Frederick William of Prussia (Princess Royal of England), the Earls of Banbury, Guildford, Viscount Saye and Sele, Sir W. Cope, Sir W. Crompton, the Bishop of Lincoln, and the Rev. W. Whateley, who was vicar of Banbury from 1610 to 1639. It is supposed some kind of festival used in ancient times to be celebrated at Banbury Cross in honour of some charter or other privilege, bestowed on the town; similar to the pageantry periodically exhibited at Coventry in connection with Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. This is believed to have given rise to the old and widely-known nursery rhyme Ride a-cockhorse Of course this old ceremony, whatever it was, has long ceased to be performed, but the rhyme just quoted we all remember, and our children will most likely not let it die. We are happy to say Banbury has long had a place among the circuit towns of the Primitive Methodists, and a good large chapel has recently been secured at a cost of nearly £1,000, through the indefatigable exertions of the Rev. G. Warner and a number of excellent laybrethren. May the good work abundantly prosper in the town and circuit, and may our friends have much joy in seeing the triumphs of a better cross than the Banbury cross-namely, the Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! EDITOR. A SHORT SERMON TO YOUNG PEOPLE. BY W. ANDREWS. "Follow me."-MARK X. 21. IN the preceding verses we find our adorable Redeemer conferring His blessing on the Salem children, welcoming them, and gathering them in His arms. Thus the Scripture was fulfilled, "He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom." Not on His shoulder, an emblem of strength: No! but in His bosom, emblematical of affection. "He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them." "And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? And Jesus said unto Him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto Him, One thing thou lackest go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." These words you are aware were addressed by Christ to a young nobleman. Words that can scarcely be read without painful emotions. That one whom the Saviour loved-one who had come with eagerness, humility, and importunity-one of blameless life, and serious purpose, should be grieved, go away sad, and return no more. In the circumstances of his history we have, first, a deep homage. He laid aside his grandeur and gravity as a ruler, and came running to Christ. Secondly, he made a humble acknowledgment, “Good Master," &c. Christ seemed to encourage this address, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Christ would have him mean thereby, that he looked upon Him to be God, since there is none good but one, that is, God, who is one, and the same one, Zech. xiv. 9. Our English word God bears an affinity with good. Thirdly, he made a humble inquiry, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And, fourthly, he made a great confession, "All these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest." As if He had said, You boast of your entire obedience-I will give you one test-let us see whether you indeed love your neighbour as yourself-whether you indeed yield me that homage of the heart which you profess with your tongue. Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." Poor youth! yet rich with great possessions-ready to give up society for God-ready to do many things-but, to give up all, he was not yet prepared. As to this, he says, I pray thee have me excused." But, young friends, here is the point, we must be prepared to give up everything at Christ's command. To yield all. All! all to Him; yea, He who addressed the young nobleman addresses you by His Spirit, by His word and providence, by your teachers and ministers, “Come, take up the cross, and follow me.” I purpose offering a few simple remarks on the golden words" Follow me," which, pray God, may induce you to measure your steps to Jesus, and eventually to heaven. In connection with the little text, I ask— 66 First, What is implied in following Christ? 66 1. A need of Christ. To follow Christ we must feel our need of Him. When our first parents came from the hand of God, they shone in God's image; the soul's lamp was lighted with hope; every sound that fell upon their ear was a promise. Yea, prospects of ever-heightening joy, ever-advancing power, rose on the clear morning of their vision. But through yielding to the insinuations of the devil, they lost God's likeness, violated Heaven's command, fell into degradation, and were expelled from the garden, and exposed to unending death. But, Alleluia! mercy interposed and provided a Saviour Jesus the Son of God, voluntarily relinquished the glory and honours of the heavenly world-wrapt the shining Sun of Deity in the rags of mortality, and submitted to the form of a servant, the life of an outcast, and the death of a malefactor. Hence, in prophetic announcement we, as it were, hear Him saying, Lo, I come.' 66 'I come to redeem man-re-kindle hope- unbolt heaven, and crown with life. "I come" to defeat the devil-conquer hell-kill death, and people the shining city. "I come" to die-to purchase salvation. Yea, I come to seek and to save that which was lost." we feel we are the characters thus designated "lost"? If so, Jesus seeks us. Do we feel our need of Christ? if so, we have commenced inquiring after Christ, and strenuously endeavouring to "follow Christ." 66 Do I remember, dear young friends, when first I went out as a travelling minister, I was planned at a village S. It being some considerable distance from the circuit town, I commenced the journey on the Saturday, hoping to arrive before dark. However, I did not. The curtains of night were drawn long before I reached my destination; now and then a star seemed to struggle through the darkness, while all around was very black. On and on I walked, until I was fully convinced that I was lost, and had taken the wrong road. Before me opened a large plantation, through which a pathway led, and thinking it useless to return, I pursued my journey, groping my way through the dark wood, and being young, timidity gained ascendency; my heart quaked. and tears stole down my cheek. Suddenly I heard the rustling of withered leaves, and before I could compose myself, a gruff voice shouted, "What do ye here ?" For the moment I could not speak. What do ye here?" said the man again. The reply at length was given in "palsy tones, I am lost-I am lost.' Lost," said the man, "Where are ye bound for ?" "To village S." "Oh!" replied the man, "ye are a long way out of your way." After some conversation in reference to who I was, and where going, he said, "Well, I'll direct ye, follow me.' My bosom heaved with delight. My heart apparently danced, and the blood seemed to leap in joy within my veins. I followed my guide till quite safe; and then, thanking him heartily, and giving him a word in season, I wished him good night, and we parted. 66 66 66 Spiritually, young friends, is not this your condition ? It is. You are lost in the labyrinth of sin-going through the dark woods to death and hell. God save you! Do |