The Bible Advocate.

No. 5.

MAY, 1849.

VOL. III.

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE LONDON DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.

The brethren having assembled at Providence Chapel, Elstree Street, London, on the 6th of April 1849, and Br. J. Black of London having been appointed President, opened the meeting by the presentation of praise and prayer to Jehovah, after which the Report of the formation of the District and the resolutions passed at the last meeting were read.

The following Report was submitted to the meeting by the District Committee.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The Committee have pleasure in assembling once more with their brethren mutually to consider what steps would be most practicable in advancing the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom.

This district when formed consisted of ten churches, viz. Banbury, Brighton, Cholderton, Hammersmith, Lewisham, London, Maidstone, Merton, Vauxhall, and Wardington. The church at Vauxhall met in the house of Br. Ballard, who has by reason of his business removed some distance, and several of the brethren now assemble with the London church. These circumstances will account for the fact that there is now no assembly in that neighbourhood. Some brethren formerly with the London congregation having been planted as a church in the vicinity of Commercial Road East, the Committee have added it to the list of Churches forming the District. Our Evangelist

having delivered two addresses at Walthamstow, in Essex, two individuals made the good confession, who having been immersed assemble with our Br. Workman to break bread. This makes the second new church added to the District since the last meeting. These alterations cause the London District to consist of the following churches:-Banbury, Brighton, Cholderton, Commercial Road, Hammersmith, Lewisham, London, Maidstone, Merton, Walthamstow, and Wardington.

One of the Resolutions of the last meeting, provides that, should any church find itself unable to meet the necessities of an indigent member, the circumstance should be made known to the churches of the District, that contributions might be made by them to meet the cases. The Committee have to report, that one application has been made, and that contributions have been received from several churches, and the amount of the required assistance has been handed by the Secretary to the church with which the brother meets.

It having also been resolved, that it was expedient to secure the labours of an Evangelist, or Evangelists for the London District, and also that immediate steps should be taken to ascertain from each church what amount they could contribute weekly towards sustaining the same. The committee have to report that having obtained of the churches the necessary information they found that at present they could only command the labours of an Evangelist to the extent of three days a week and they have secured the services of our Br. King accordingly.

The last general meeting was pleased also to recommend the printing of a large number of handbills briefly explaining the order of the church, and containing the addresses of the various meeting places of the district. The Committee regret that considerable delay has been occasioned by the somewhat extensive correspondence necessary to ascertain correct addresses and obtain orders, &c. They are happy, however, to report that the necessary arrangements are nearly completed, and orders for 11,000 have been received, and it is hoped that they will be printed and ready for the churches in a few weeks.

The Committee have also to state, that they have not failed to communicate with any parties, who to their knowledge are, like ourselves, desiring a better state of things, in order that such might have the opportunity of cooporating.

The following is the committee's financial statement from December, 31, 1848, to March, 25, 1849:

After the presentation of the committee's report, letters were read from Banbury, Cholderton, Maidstone, and Wardington.

From the brethren present and the letters, it appeared that the church at Cholderton now number fifteen persons, having immersed eight since Christmas last, and that other additions are expected soon. The church at Merton, which consisted of only two persons in December last, now numbers nine, with every prospect of an early increase. The Hammersmith church has received several by immersion, and several from the London church-none have left and prospects are good. The London church has since Christmas immersed seventeen, and received three from other churches. One has gone back into the world, and eight have removed to other churches, leaving their present number, ninety-four. This church has formed an Educational Institution, preparatory to a provision for an Orphans' Home; and several important matters are now receiving attention. Walthamstow and Commercial Road are very promising. The remainder of the churches remain about the same as they were at the last meeting.

A letter was read from Br. Miles, of Dover, who with his wife left London some months since, stating that they break the loaf alone at present, and expressing their determination to stand faithful to the faith and order, once for all delivered to the saints-also asking an interest in our prayers. It was then resolved, that Dover be added to the list of churches, with the desire that Br. and Sr. M. may have, (like the two who were at Christmas last alone at Merton,) in a few weeks a company to walk with them.

The following resolutions, were then unanimously agreed to :—

I. That this meeting considers it desirable to send a representative or representatives, to the coming general meeting, to be held at Sunderland-such representatives to receive a report from each church in this district, and to represent those churches of the district which may not have a representative there.

II. That Br. D. King be appointed the representative of the district, in accordance with the last resolution, and that Br. J. Black accompany him in the same capacity if circumstances permit.

III. Resolved, that this meeting instruct their representatives to propose to the general meeting, that propositions contained in letters shall be presented to the meeting, with an invitation for any delegate present to second the same, in order that the voice of the assembly may be gained thereon.

IV. That this meeting consider the general Evangelist system to be, not only inadequate to the wants of the churches, but too expensive, and calculated to effect too little good, to warrant its introduction into this country.

V. That many openings for doing good having made loud calls upon this district, we deem it expedient to request the churches, sufficiently near to London, to appoint any of their brethren whom they know to be qualified, to assist our Evangelist in attending to these calls, and that, to bear these brethren harmless in their gratuitous labours, by meeting any little expenses, for doing which the district committee have now no means, the churches of the district be invited to contribute a trifle per week extra.

VI. Resolved that the committee make application to the churches of the district, to obtain the means for sending the representatives to the general meeting.

VII. Resolved that brethren be requested to use every endeavour to increase the circulation of the Bible Advocate, and that Br. King, be requested to furnish them with cards soliciting persons to allow them to supply it.

IX. Resolved that this meeting adjourn to December, 25, 1849, unless the committee find it requisite to call an earlier meeting.

T. JOHNSTON,

Hon. Secretary.

DO IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Eccle. ix., 10.)

As to the manner of performing this, it is said, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do." Then there should be consideration-a seeking for work to do, i.e., considering what work there is to be done what we are best fitted for what is our talent.

There must be personal exertion, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Do not stand by to see what others are doing, but put your own hand to it; do it, not by proxy, but in person.

There should be promptitude. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it," that is, do it at once-without delay. Life should not be spent in purposes. Many are the purposes in the mind, but few are brought into action, Such are like the big cloud promising a fertile shower, but which passes away without bestowing one drop of rain. Intentions that are never practised, are like birds that remain unfledged, which never come forth, but die in the nest. was said of David, that it was well it was in his heart to build a house for the Lord, because it was so there as to come forth in accumulating materials for the future temple. Mere purpose is as useless as the sap that stays in the root of the tree, but never comes forth to bear either fruit or

It