ful. Before leaving for Newcastle, I had conversation with others, and on passing down to baptize I found a female who had attended our meetings, cheerfully ready to enter into the blessings flowing from the cross; and as she preferred the river to the bath, the two were baptized that evening, in the presence of a large audience: they were both from the world. Having occupied some further time in conversing with other hearers, a third confession was made, by the aged mother of Brother Ramshaw, whom I immersed on Saturday. I assure you it was to me a delightful week's work: six souls, by gazing on an uplifted Saviour, drawn devoutly to conform to his death and resurrection. May 7th, our dear Brother J. Moffat spoke in the hall in the afternoon, and in the open air afterwards to a large and attentive audience, who crowded into the hall, where I was announced to speak at the close of his discourse; and the day terminated with another distinct and intelligent acknowledgment of the grace of Christ, and a confessed readiness to obey the Lord, from the sister of one of our newly-admitted brethren. I need not tell you, that it would be folly extreme in us to imagine that these blessed results were effected by human learning, or the eloquence of the schools: we possess neither. There are brethren associated with us in this land, whose qualifications, I think, might very advantageously be compared with our American brethren, their writings being the criterion. That the education of many of us has been defective, is readily admitted; hence we have seen it our highest wisdom, to become simply the echoes of Christ's appointed advocate, the Holy Spirit. He spoke to us of the Lord, and enriched and blessed our hearts with the exhibition of the manifold glories of God's Messiah. His wonderful and copious evidences formed a strong rock on which to repose with security; and in the struggle of the Spirit our souls moved to their inmost depths by love to our king. In this spirit we speak to the people; hence gladly and rationally we say, it is the Lord's doing, and wondrous in our eyes. Honored, highly honored above all kings on the earth shall we deem ourselves, should our Lord keep us in our own place, lowly before him, and continue to use us as agents in drawing our race from the misery and degradation of rebellion against Christ. Yours, W. MACDOUGALE. Cupar, May 6.-There is nothing particularly interesting to communicate to you at present, the congregation here, as regards numbers, remaining almost stationary, but being filled with joy and peace in believing. We continue to walk in peace and love, and I trust we are progressing in intelligence and holiness. In the absence of any evangelist, we have been endeavouring to extend the knowledge of the Redeemer's kingdom by publishing the truth to the world. For the greater part of last winter we held a meeting on the evening of every first day of the week, on which occasions the facts, commands, and promises of the gospel were set forth, to the best abilities of the brethren; but we were compelled to discontinue these meetings for want of better attendance upon them. It was then proposed to commence proclamations of the gospel in some of the surrounding villages, which has not yet been carried out; indeed it is very difficult to get audiences at this season of the year, as men generally appear to have more relish for the verdant hills, the shady groves, and the rich and beautiful drapery of a summer's sunset, than for that marvellous manifestation of Jehovah's love in the gift of his son. Various circumstances have combined to retard the spread of the gospel in this quarter; but as the church is the pillar and ground of the truth," we must endeavour to triumph over all difficulties. The work is before us, and so is the prize. If the disciples were to cease disseminating the Scriptures and contending for the faith formerly delivered to the saints, what would be the consequence? That religion which speaks peace to the troubled soul, comforts the disconsolate, supports the weak, and gives courage and hope at approaching dissolution, would remain unknown. How important is it, then, that we should strive to spread the knowledge of salvation which is entrusted to our care; that we ought to remember that the labour of a few evangelists is not all that is necessary for the spread of the truth, but the combined effort of every disciple in word and action. Jesus prayed for his disciples that they might all be one, that the world may believe the Father sent him; and Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, as a tinkling cymbal." So, although we had evangelists with the reasoning powers of Paul, and the eloquence of Apollos, they would be no better, unless the practice of the disciples agree with their professions. How pleasing and delightful is it to see the minds of those who are in darkness enlightened, the morally debased exalted and purified, and the servants of Satan turned to serve the living and true God. But what a humiliating spectacle is it to behold such again sink into intellectual blindness, moral degradation, and spiritual death. Truly it may be said of such an individual," the last state of that man is worse than the first." Yours in the one faith and hope, J. M. Huddersfield. The church of Jesus Christ statedly meeting in the Philosophical Hall, Ramsden-street, Huddersfield, after their usual meeting on Lord's day afternoon, May 14, 1848, held a special meeting, and took tea in company with a considerable number of brethren from Halifax and Clickheaton, to take their leave of Brother William Thom son. At this meeting, the following resolution was moved by Brother George Greenwell, the evangelist of the church, and seconded by Brother Henry Shaw :-"As Brother William Thomson is leaving this place, and also contemplates a voyage to the United States of America, something more than an ordinary farewell is demanded from us upon the present occasion. For a period of two years he has been with us as a brother, and as a minister of the truth. We are happy to testify that, as a brother, he has walked in holiness among us; and as a Christian teacher has contributed largely to the edification of the body. We desire a continued interest in his sympathies and prayers, and promise that it shall be reciprocal. We cordially commend him to the confidential fellowship of all congregations of baptized believers, wherever his lot may be cast. Signed on behalf of the church, this 15th day of May, 1848. Hymn Book, &c.-Embracing your generous proposal in the last Harbinger, regarding the Hymn Book, I enclose twenty-four postage stamps, that you may forward to my address, by post, a specimen copy. What may be further called for, will be by parcel through the medium of which I will give you due notice. I have now to thank you for the insertion of the articles on Difficulties in Churches, and hope and trust they will do good. I should be glad to hear a favorable response from all the congregations in the land to the said articles. I wonder if any will venture to contradict the truths and policy therein recommended. Should there be any you will no doubt give them a place in your pages. The Reformation in Britain is greatly wanting in concentration of strength and unity of action. Powerless for good will it ever be, till we all come to the unity of the faith and policy exemplified in the intercommunion of the first churches, beautifully exhibited in the May number, page 218. The events now occurring on the theatre of Europe are much calculated to draw attention to the prophetic testimony. Would that the brethren were more intelligent than they seem to be in apprehending and applying the word of inspiration. I see there will be a declaration of hostilities between the literalists and spiritualists, as they are called; if hostilities are not already begun. To a controversy, however, I, for one, have no objection, providing meekness of temper be maintained, and soft words and hard arguments be used. The question surely admits of a satisfactory and scriptural answer. Will the Lord Jesus come in person to destroy anti-christianism at the commencement of the millennium, and in person reign on the earth with risen and glorified saints, or not? I must say, for my own part, that there appears to be a lack of evidence to support the personal reign. I may perhaps write a few observations, explanatory of my view of Rev. xx. 1-11, upon which, suppose, the chief stress is laid by the literality. Yours truly, [Please to send us your thoughts on Rev. xx. 1-11. It is the only passage in the volume of inspiration, Old or New Testament, which speaks of a reign of any kind for a which the prophetic seals, trumpets, and thousand years; and from the manner in vials of that symbolic book have hitherto been fulfilled, we greatly doubt the accuracy of those interpretations which make Jesus a personal king upon this earth, so long as sinful mortals inhabit any part of it.] OBITUARIES. During the past month death has made an inroad into two families connected with the disciples of Christ. Brother and Sister Shaw of Huddersfield, have been visited with a heavy and unexpected stroke by the sudden removal of their youngest daughter, Mary Elizabeth, aged 12 years. For two or three days previously, she was poorly, as was supposed with slight cold, but in no way deprived of her usual buoyancy of spirit, so as to cause the least suspicion of danger. On the mornof her father on business, fever of the most ing of the 17th, however, during the absence virulent character seized the brain, and on the evening of the same day, about eight o'clock, death, ever steady to his appalling commission, completed his work, to the astonishment and grief of the family and friends. and sister in their bereavement, knowing, by We most deeply sympathise with our brother experience, the feeling connected with the loss of children. How mysterious and inscrutable are the ways of God in his government of the children of men! Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. The other family to which we refer is that of the Editor and his friends, by the removal of his senior brother George, aged 57 years, (whose wife, prior to her death some three or four years ago, was a member of the church in Nottingham.) By this event, which occurred on Sunday, the 7th ult. eight orphan children are left as a legacy to the world, four of whom are dependant on the kindness of friends for the necessaries of life, educacation, &c. The vacant place which this event has occasioned, cannot be filled up; but at the same time it furnishes another field for the exercise of pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father, which consists in supplying the wants of the widows and orphans in their affliction, and keeping unspotted from the world. J. W. 1 FOREIGN. Western Star, February 28, 1848.-The hearts of the saints have been made to rejoice in seeing sinners turn to the Lord. Brother J. H. Jones visited Morton in January, and pleaded the cause of the Redeemer a few days; and, by the blessing of the Lord, ten were added to the congregation -seven by baptism. The next week I visited Wooster, and nine were added there --seven by baptism. A few days since I visited Chardon, where eleven made the good confession, and were buried with Christ in baptism. May the Great Shep herd of the sheep guard and keep them and us in the way of life everlasting, is my prayer. A. B. GREEN. Macomb, M'Donough county, Illinois, February 29, 1848.--Remember that at this place we have a congregation of disciples, numbering about one hundred. We have been organized about two years. We meet on the first day in the week to show forth the Lord's death till he come again. Brother A. J. Cane has been the principal evangelist in this work. May the Lord bless the efforts of all those who contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We need help in this country-some to proclaim the lifegiving word. W. H. FRANKLIN. Marion, Grant county, Indiana, March 11, 1848.-There have been about 120 additions to the churches under my teaching during the last year, and most of that number by immersion; the others having been immersed before. I send my Christian love to you and family, and all the holy brethren with you. J. B. NEW. Chagrin Falls, Ohio, March 14, 1848.I much long to see you and yours, and hope to visit Bethany with my wife in July next. Neither have I given up all hope that you will yet visit the Reserve and York State before your labors in the Saviour shall cease. I know you have not been well used by the Northern brethren, and so a great many think; but those who think so are those who, like myself, have not hitherto been able to help it much. But prospects favor the hope of a better time shortly. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A. CAMPBELL. BETHANY, Va. April 7, 1848. Beloved Brother Wallis-My dear SirYour kind favor of the 10th ult. is to hand. We are all glad to hear of your welfare, and that of your family, so dear to us at Bethany who have been with you. I thank the Lord for his kindness in this time of great national affliction and distress. We have not your troubles, but we have our own. Where sin has ever been, labor, and travail, and sorrow have followed in its path. There is no country, no condition, without its own trials and griefs. Still, of all the human race, we have much reason to be grateful. But favors received and blessings multiplied are not often followed with corresponding gratitude and devotion. We have suffered much this winter in affliction. My wife's mother, Mrs. Bakewell, has been at the verge of life for two or three months. One ill, but is mercifully preserved; and my wife, of my daughters was for a time dangerously with these afflictions and her embarrassments, has been often in ill health. Still we are all most mercifully dealt with, and are in the daily recipiency of many, very many, blessings. The I fear the encouragement for much evangelical labor in England this year will not be sufficient to induce any one to go. sickness, distress, and the public excitement of the whole community, in pursuance of French affairs, will all conspire to render ineffectual all attempts to do much this year. I have not heard from Brother Burnet since I got a copy of a letter from you to him. The only difficulty that I had to encounter with him, in urging him to go, was the shortness of the time he could spend there. No one ought to visit England for less than a year. Brother Ferguson, whom I hoped to send, has married a wife, and now engaged, as his brothers are, as evangelists in their respective localities. One edits a paper at Nashville, and other two itinerate at large; they are all, as you say, clever men and good speakers. Burnet, however, if he could spend a year, is our best man that is available. I intend to correspond monthly with you, if possible, and to secure from you one monthly epistle. I feel much interest in you all, and my remembrance of you before the throne of grace is always pleasant. What a blessing that we can all meet there, and that the Lord is pleased that we should thus meet before him! I have nothing speFrance, we are all astounded in America. cial at this time to communicate. Touching We hail the revolution there, and augur fidence in the French. They are a nation good from it. But I have not much conof Atheists, with a small remnant excepted. Their lands must be drenched with blood. prepared at any time to hear of other atAll Europe will be shaken ere long. I am tempted revolutions, and of tottering thrones and fallen monarchs. Please remember me the brethren and loving members of your most affectionately to your Eldership, and beloved family. In the hope of seeing you some day in the New World, and if disappointed in this, of meeting in heaven; and with much affection for every one of your own family, I remain, as ever, yours in one hope, A. CAMPBELL. QUERY. Sir-Can you, or any of your readers, reconcile a statement made by A. Campbell, in reply to a Baptist minister, on page 116 of vol. 3 of the Christian Messenger, old series, commencing " Iam taught," &c. 18 lines from bottom of said page, with the two articles on Difficulties in Churches, pages 186 and 218 of the British Millennial Harbinger, April and May, 1848? By so doing you will oblige, yours truly, A CONSTANT READER. ANSWER. The paragraph referred to reads as follows:-"I am taught from the record itself to describe a church of Christ in the following words: It is a society of disciples professing to believe one Grand Fact, voluntarily submitting to his authority and guidance, having all of them in their baptism expressed their faith in him and allegiance to him, and statedly meeting together in one place, to walk in all his commandments and ordinances. This society, with its bishop or bishops. and deacon or deacons, as the case may require, is perfectly independent of any tribunal on earth called ecclesiastical. It knows nothing of superior or inferior church judicatures, and acknowledges no laws, no canons, nor government, other than the Monarch of the Universe and his laws. This church, having now committed to it the oracles of God, is adequate to all the purposes of illumination and reformation which entered into the design of its founder. But to be more explicit in expressing my views of the meaning which the church is to use for the salvation of the world, I would remark that, having the record or testimony of God in it, and every member protessing it, it becomes the duty and high privilege of every member of it, to be a preacher of the gospel in the only sense in which any person can now be called a preacher." We scarcely comprehend what" A Constant Reader" wishes us to reconcile, as contradictory, in the foregoing paragraph, with what is said in the two articles on Difficulties in Churches, already referred to. The only standing tribunal that can, by the law of Jesus, exercise authority in any church, is the body herself, with her constituted officers. Still she may surely have power to invite the Eldership of another church to hear and decide upon a case of difficulty, without constituting thereby that, or any other foreign Eldership, into a standing ecclesiastical tribunal to try all other cases within a given distance. We want no diocesan bishopric establishing-there are too many of them already-yet we know brethren who have frequently been invited to hear cases of difficulty in newly-formed churches, the result of which has been attended with the most beneficial effect; not, indeed, to the self-willed and stubbornminded, but to all the humble and peaceful disciples of the Lord Jesus. Good has been an inevitable consequence. An isolated church, not co-operating with neighbouring sister churches, will accomplish but little towards the conversion of sinners, or the edification of itself in love.-J. W. PASSING EVENTS. WHO can speak of the multifarious forms in which passing events present themselves to the public mind -the rapidity with which they cross the politica horizon-or the magnitude of their extent? One event, however, is most exhilarating to the feelings -Rome, Papal Rome, once the ecclesiastical despot of the world, has lost her influence over the minds of her former votaries, even within the precincts of the city. The temporal power and dominion of the Pope is gone; and it is affirmed that Pius the XIth will be the last Pope appointed to rule over men. Our prayer is, that all the would-be Popes, whether cated, throughout the world, may fall at the same ignorant and uneducated, or intelligent and edu time, to rise no more for ever. O GRAVE! WHERE IS THY O, yes! to go to the silent tomb, And the light of a glorious day, For a world of bliss is lost. But shall the Christian shrink from death? His loins are girt about with truth; He thinks of Heaven, and-sage or youth- He bears the mystic shield of faith; What, though within the noisome tomb The slimy worm may streak That lingers on his cheek; To riot and to rest: The spirit once escaped control- Soars deathless to the sky. TIME.-Spend your time in nothing which you know must be repented of. Spend it on nothing which you might not pray for the blessing of God. Spend it in nothing which you could not review with a quiet conscience on your dying bed. Spend it in nothing which you might not safely and properly be found doing if death should surprise you in the act. The active only have the true relish of life. Printed by Edmund Renals, at his Office, No. 2 South-parade, in the parish of Saint Peter, Nottingham, and published by the Proprietor, JAMES WALLIS, of Park-terrace, at No. 12, Peck-lane, in the said Parish.-Thursday, June 1, 1848. COMMUNINGS IN THE SANCTUARY.-No. III. "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of thy wings."-Ps. lxi. 4. How truly incomprehensible and beyond comparison is the love of God for man! Inscrutable as his ways, unsearchable as his judgments, deep as the exhaustless mines of his wisdom and knowledge, his love but partakes of the infinitude of his nature, and the ineffable glory of his perfections. How, then, can we hope to fathom its depths, to estimate its value, or to realize its power! Were we to add together all the emotions of love in all human hearts-every feeling of affection, every sentiment of kindness, every form of attachment-parental, filial, fraternal, social the love of the espoused the love of lovers-all would fail to express, or even typify, the love of God. Of all these kind and affectionate emotions, these fountains of earth's joys, without which this world would be a dreary waste, God is himself the author. For God is love in its abstract and unoriginated essence; and since love can proceed VOL. I. from God alone, these are but the faint emanations, but the scattering rays of that divine love which first created and now redeems. And oh! how weak are our noblest efforts; how cold our warmest thoughts; how faint our most vivid conceptions, when contrasted with this love! Το Yet we are here assembled in presence of these sacred emblems to consider it in the most wonderful of all its manifestations. "In this was love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Earth's highest evidence of love is, that a man should die for his friends. heaven belongs the love that brought Christ to die for his enemies. Earth can supply no comparison by which it may be illustrated, and the human soul possesses no powers by which it may be fully appreciated. forsook those realms of joy where the love of God for ever reigns; he abandoned the honors and wealth of heaven, to assume our nature, to take the position of a servant, to become a pauper, an outcast, a houseless wanderer! He came to endure 8 He |