river, house, or ship), the expression is, "at that time"; the others are, at the end of the world;""at feasts;" "at the feast;" "at the mill." In all these cases, the word in would convey a correct meaning, (except perhaps in the last,) and the Latin Vulgate version has rendered it so throughout. In ten instances it is rendered with: Matt. iii. 11, (three times;) v. 13; vii. 6; xx. 15; xxii. 37, (three times ;) xxv. 4. In three of these, chap. iii. 11, Dr. George Campbell, a Pedobaptist, renders it, "I immerse you in water, but he shall immerse you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. The other cases are nothing parallel to baptizing with a river. "Wherewith shall it be salted;" trample them with their feet;" "do what I will with my own;" "with all thy heart." The reader will easily perceive that these are correct translations, as the word in would not in such instances give an intelligent sense. What has been observed in respect to the preposition en, will also apply to the prepositions eis into, and ek out of, which the infant sprinklers have endeavoured to render dubious. In the great majority of cases they bear the ordinary, primary meaning. In reading the New Testament Greek, and the Septuagint or Greek version of the Old Testament, as well as Homer, Xenophon, Lucian, and others, I do not recollect a single instance of the application of these prepositions to a river, the sea, a house, temple, ship, and the like, in any other than their ordinary senses, in, into, out of. In analysing the first book of Homer's Odyssey, I find the word en occurs forty-two times; in thirty-eight of which it means in; in three cases, among, (applied to a number of persons;) and once, on. By the logic in use among the Pedobaptists, that is by taking the most uncommon meaning of a word, and applying it where we please to suit our purpose, we might unsettle the plainest declarations of scripture; might make it doubtful whether the Son of man ever was, or now is in heaven; whether the wicked shall go into punishment, or the righteous enter into life. It may be fairly retorted, that those who adopt such sophistical arguments, (or rather cavils,) shew "extreme and deplorable ignorance of the original" scriptures. These cavilling critics, like the Romanists, are willing to cast doubt and obscurity on the scriptures, to enable them to introduce their favourite tradition, infant sprinkling. Such was not the case with the really learned among the Pedobaptists; for Luther, Calvin, Beza, Dr. Wall, Dr. Geo. Campbell, Mosheim, and others, candidly

admit, that baptism is immersion, and was the ancient practice. It may not be unprofitable to some of your readers, to state here Moshiem's testimony on the subject, in his well known ecclesiastical history, and with this I will conclude. Speaking of the first century, he says, "The sacrament of baptism was administered in this century without the public assemblies in places appointed and prepared for that purpose, and was performed by immersion of the whole body in the baptismal font. In the second century he says, The persons to be baptized, after they had repeated their creed, confessed and renounced their sins, and particularly the devil and his pompous allurements, were immersed under water and received into Christ's kingdom by a solemn invocation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." J. G. C.

ITEMS OF NEWS.

Halifax, February 23rd, 1843. KNOWING that news concerning the spread of the Messiah's king. dom is at all times acceptable to you, as also to the disciples of Jesus everywhere, I have pleasure in informing you that since I wrote in December, seven individuals have been baptized here, for the remission of sins, upon a public profession of their faith in the Son of God: three of them from our own place, and four from the sister church at Clackheaton, where they have not convenience for immersing. We are endeavouring still to hold forth the word of life: several of our brethren have, by invitation, twice attended a small congregation of the friends of Joseph Barker, at Bradshaw, a village distant about three miles from Halifax, and have preached unto them the ancient gospel, and called their attention to the scripture testimony on the design of baptism; but some contradict and oppose, whilst others see and feel the truth, but are not quite willing to obey: some would readily be baptized were it not for the remission of sins. It seems to them a hard thing that after they have for years considered themselves the servants of Christ, and imagined themselves to be pardoned and justified, that they should be required to be baptized for the remission of sins. Hence they say, are none right but you? cannot you extend the hand of charity, and recognize us as enjoying the love and favour of God? To which we answer, the laws of God are inflexible; he will not alter the word which has gone out of his mouth; he is of one mind, and who can turn him. Implicit obedience to the commands of Jesus are requisite: "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you."

On Lord's day, February 19th, three addresses were delivered in the Temperance Hall, Bradford, on the ancient gospel, and the order and constitution of the primitive church, by brother W. Haigh, of Huddersfield, and brother Murdock, of Bury: several brethren were also present from Halifax. A considerable number heard the word with attention. Several individuals asked questions at the close, to which answers were given from the scriptures: but the chief opposition

F

arose from a Mormonite, respecting the signs following those who believe: he did not seem satisfied with the testimony of Paul in reference to this subject, so brother Murdock gave him a challenge to discuss this subject, which he accepted, but preliminaries have not been settled yet as to time, &c. On Lord's day next, February 26th, two of our brethren are appointed to go to Todmorton, distant twelve miles; a number of people there being desirous to hear the ancient gospel proclaimed.

Our ardent desire is, that these efforts to disseminate the light of truth, may issue in the rapid extension of Messiah's kingdom, and the downfall of every thing opposed thereto. JOSEPH WILSON.

Glasgow, March 21st, 1843. WE have concluded our mission to this great city for the present. With much satisfaction I state that two most pleasing results have been obtained during this visit: first, the little congregation now assumes an appearance of unity, love, and consolidation in its several parts, which it has never heretofore presented. Second, She has just about doubled the number of her members, who, renouncing the sects, have concluded to build on the only true foundation, the prophets and apostles. I may also here mention my conviction, that were the means continued for six months or more, there is nothing to prevent the erection of a large congregation of disciples to the Lord in Glasgow. Sorry I am, indeed, that circumstances compel me from retiring at present from this interesting field of labour; when numbers, whom we have been able but partially to awake, in all probability will just fall asleep again, when the sound of the Spirit is hushed.

I leave this, God willing, to-morrow, for Kilmarnock, where I shall remain, if well, for a week or two. It is more than likely that in a few days shall have letters from the far north, calling me thither, as I was under promise to visit them early in spring, if able. Should it be so, I cannot see how, in justice, I can proceed any further south at present. The churches in the north were not visited at all last year, in consequence of my illness. They kindly sent me not to come during the bad weather, as they would wait till the return of spring. Moreover, brother Thomson will, I trust, return by the west of England, and Scotland, in a few months; so that my presence further south is not so much wanted. Will you please then say in the Messenger, that as brother Thomson is visiting the congregations in the south, brother Reid will proceed to the north; that with our present scanty means we may distribute equally? G. C. REID.

Louth, March 23rd, 1843.

HAVING been visited during the past week or two by our beloved brother Thomson, I am happy to say the brethren here have been greatly edified and confirmed by his instructions: there are good reasons too, I think, to expect that the "seed" has, in many instances, both here and in the neighbouring places, been "sown in good ground," and will ultimately bring forth fruit to eternal life. During our brother's stay in this part, three were added to the Lord, by immersion into his death, at Louth, and one at Donnington; also three previous to our brother's visit, making in all seven since I last wrote you, who have put on the Lord Jesus, and are going on their way rejoicing. WILLIAM JACKSON.

Airdrie, February 22nd, 1843. I inclose you the post office order for the contribution of the church in Airdrie, to the evangelists' fund. We are still in a prosperous condition here, having had nine of an increase since the month of August last, but two have had to leave this part of the country for the want of employment. The greatest harmony prevails amongst us; nothing having occurred tending in the least to mar that love and peace which ought always to reign amongst those who profess themselves the subjects of the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace. None of us are qualified to proclaim the gospel properly to the world. And we have had no public proclamation except at the time brother Thomson paid us a visit; but we think that if proclamations were more frequent, much good might be done. A knowledge of the truth would be spread amongst the people, and numbers of them might be induced to devote themselves to the service of the Lord. W. RANKIN.

New Mills, March 23rd, 1843.

I HAVE sent you a post office order for the contribution for the evangelists' fund, from the congregation at Newmills, and I hope to send you more soon. We have had a good number of additions since the co-operative meeting in August last: we now number forty-three, with the prospect of other additions this week. I am happy to state, that as far as known to me, the congregation in Newmills is living in peace and love, and keeping fast by the bond of peace.

I have been for some weeks past at Pollock-shaw, near Glasgow, and have witnessed the blissful results of brother Reid's five weeks' labour there. The little congregation have been much edified, and their number nearly doubled in that time. They are now on a much happier and stable footing than at any previous time. I hope such an interest has been created in the minds of a few, as will afterwards, if the meetings are kept up somewhat effectually, have a favourable issue. I have still the prospect of being near to them for a few weeks longer, and will do what is in my power to give effect to this object. I expect that one of the gifted brethren from Kilmarnock will be with them next first day. Brother Reid is to be with the congregation in Kilmarnock for some time. I hope he will get the debt he has long time owed them, discharged. I think the committee appointed by the co-operative meeting should take into consideration the following measure, as respects the large and populous city of Glasgow. "That one of the evangelists should make it head quarters for at least six months; in which time I think a plentiful harvest might be gathered, and that their labours might be turned to a much greater account than by going a week or more to different parts of the country." Every succeeding week of brother Reid's last stay in Glasgow, the necessity for a prolongation of his visits, seemed to become more urgent and palpable. It appears to me, that in such a field as Glasgow, some such measure would be a wise one; the result of which would probably be the same as Paul's stay at Ephesus, when all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks: and would not be so expensive either for the churches, as a great amount of travelling expenses would be spared. I know that such a measure as I here propose would entirely accord with brother Reid's mind. I am aware the great difficulty that the committee would have to contend against: the selfishness of the brethren connected with the various congrega.

tions throughout the country; but I judge if good reason can be shown for such a change of measures. I think there is surely such an amount of self-denial at command as to cause all to concur in such a proposition: at all events no one can blame me for proposing it. I think that the hearts of all the disciples throughout the country would rejoice at witnessing a large congregation collected in Glasgow. I will however insist no further on this matter; in the mean time I leave it to the consideration of the committee, who are much better qualified to judge of this affair than I am. I have learned this much from experience, and from the scriptures-that long patience and continued exertion is necessary to ensure success in the proclamation of the word. Did not Paul reason with the Jews at Ephesus three months before he gave up, and separated the disciples and after sowing the seed we must wait as the husbandman does, for the early and the latter rains. I hope now that the brethren know of the appointment of another evangelist, that their liberality will abound more and more, so as that the "Labourer may not want his wages.”—1 Cor. ix. 14. 1 Tim. v. 17. JOHN LAWRIE.

P. S. After closing my letter I have the great satisfaction to announce to you that last night five individuals confessed allegiance to our King, by immersion; which makes our number forty-eight. We expect to gather more fruit soon. J. L.

March 27th, 1843.

BULWELL.-This village, during the last month, has been kept in a complete ferment. Three Wesleyans, men of considerable standing, have confessed the Lord, and renounced this ism; while the General Baptists have engaged to prove, for the benefit of all the villagers, that baptism is not for the remission of sins. Alas! what controversy and confusion are still in existence, about things which are as clearly revealed as are the ten commandments.-J. W.

IN our last we stated that our esteemed brother, William Thomson of Edinburgh, had kindly consented to make a tour through England, for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel, and for aiding the many infant churches that have been raised up in many places. We rejoice to hear the Lord has blessed the labours of this devoted brother thus far. The places visited have been Hull, Louth, Benbrook, Donnington, and Horncastle. At Hull, one intelligent female was immersed into Jesus; the spirits of the brethren were refreshed; their minds enlightened; and there appears reason to hope that the truth will be glorified in that place. From Louth brother Thomson writes, March 8th, "The interest in this place is very considerable just now. The meetings are well attended. I understand three were added to the disciples last week. One was immersed yesterday, and another confessed last night. Several more are inquiring, so that we may soon expect an increase here." From the