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forms and religious activities. It can build splendid temples, can rear a magnificent pile, and adorn its front with sculptures, and lay stone upon stone, and heap ornament upon ornament, till the costliness of the altar shall keep any poor man from entering the portal. But, my brethren, I will tell you one thing it cannot do-it cannot shine. It may glitter and blaze, like an iceberg in the sun; but without inward holiness it cannot shine. Of all that is formal and material in christianity, it may make a splendid manifestation; but it cannot shine. It may turn almost everything into gold at its touch; but it cannot touch the heart. It may lift up its marble front, and pile tower upon tower, and mountain upon mountain; but it cannot touch the mountains, and they shall smoke, it cannot do Christ's work in man's conversion. It is dark in itself, and cannot diffuse light. It is cold at heart, and has no overflowing and subduing influences to pour out upon the lost. And, with all its strength, that church is weak, and for Christ's peculiar work worthless. And, with all its glitter of gorgeous array, it is a dark church-it cannot shine. On the contrary, shew me a church, poor, illiterate, obscure, unknown, but composed of praying people; they shall be men of neither power, nor wealth, nor influence; they shall be families that do not know one week where they are to get their bread for the next; but with them is the hiding of God's power, and their influence is felt for eternity, and their light shines and is watched, and wherever they go there is a fountain of light, and Christ in them is

glorified, and his kingdom advanced They are his chosen vessels of salvation, and his luminaries to reflect his light."

A CHEERFUL HEART.-I once heard a young lady say to an individual, "Your countenance, to me, is like the rising sun, for it always gladdens me with a cheerful lock." A merry or cheerful countenance was one of the things that Jeremy Taylor said his enemies and persecutors could not take from him. There are some persons who spend their lives in this world as they would spend them if shut up in a dungeon. Everything is made gloomy and forbidding. They go mourning and complaining from day to day, that they have so little; and are constantly anxious, lest what they have should escape out of their hands. They always look upon the dark side, and can never enjoy the good that is present, for the evil that is to come. This is not religion; religion makes the heart cheerful, and when its large and benevolent principles are exercised, man will be happy in spite of himself. The industrious bee does not stop to complain that there are so many poisonous flowers and thorny branches in its road, but buzzes on, selecting his honey where he can find it, and passing quietly by the places where it is not. There is enough in this world to complain about and find fault with, if men have the disposition. We often travel on a hard and uneven road; but with a cheerful spirit, and a heart to praise God for his mercies, we may walk therein with comfort, and come to the end of our journey in peace.-Dewey.

THE MONTH.

Entelligence.

The great public event, since our last monthly notice, in November, in connection with religion, has doubtless been the AntiState-Church Conference, of the proceedings of which we gave a brief outline in our last, but to which we would refer again here. As the Anti-State-Church Association it was convened, but its first act as a Conference was to part with its maiden name. Wishing to wed a section of Dissenters who were afraid of seeming hostile to StateChurchism.-wishing to prevent the mistake (too often a wilful one) of the name being understood as indicative of hostility to the church of Charles the Second's Prayer-book and Articles,- wishing, also, to make it pleasant to all parties to join it who really wish religion to be free from State bondage of any kind, the Conference gave the old Association the new name of "SOCIETY FOR THE LIBERATION OF RELIGION from State patronage and control." "Liberation of Religion" are now to be the large-letter words in every placard, instead of "Anti-State- Church."

Well,

we have no hesitation whatever in saying that we thoroughly and heartily approve

the change, more for the two last-mentioned reasons than for the first. To our personal knowledge, large numbers of Churchmen have, by careless habit, so confounded the State Church with the Episcopal and Prayer-book Church, that they cannot dissever from the old name the idea of hostility to their religion. The present name, besides its peaceful sound, has the advantage, like that of "Free Church," of branding the State- Church as an enslaved Church. Our friends must not imagine, however, that these captives are desirous of freedom, at least of freedom based on self-support. They would like well the freedom of Voluntaries, but covet the wages of pauperism. They would rather remain in slavery amongst the abundance of Egypt, than worship their God in freedom at the cost of journeying in the wilderness. The Society also threw overboard its fundamental principle, it is now without cre! Its name and its objects were deemed enough; and it was rightly held that any who, on any principle, object to Religion being paid and controlled by the State have a right to find in the Society a means of forwarding their object. The Conference

Was both large and unanimous,-the difference of opinion being quite as little as could well be amongst so many independent gentlemen.

A deputation from the Protestant Dissenting Deputies of the three denominations has waited upon Lord Aberdeen on the subject of Church Rates. They were, of course, courteously received by the Premier, who told them that the subject had been under the consideration of the Government, and that some measure would be introduced by them early in the ensuing Spring. It will be introduced, we have no doubt, if, and only if, Nonconformists do their part in every parish-vestry in the kingdom, by public meetings, by newspapers, by placards, by canvassing. Parishioners should be induced to attend and simply negative any rate whatever which may be proposed. It will be as disgraceful to Dissenters as to Groernment, if this question be not settled this session. The Government cannot carry a measure for us, unless our conduct everywhere shews that we will endure the insult no longer.

A chief topic of the day is the New Reform Bill. Although not strictly within our limits, we think it best to indicate, briefly, our views on the main points. Indeed, to us, they are grounded on the great divine principle, " of doing to others as we would that others should do unto 08."

This was the chief religious idea which overthrew the corn laws, and we could go through legislation leaning upon it with the utmost confidence. We would not that another, because richer than we, should have a vote affecting our liberties and our taxation. We could not, therefore, withhold from another the right we claim for ourselves. We who can live in ten pound houses have no divine right to be political lords over our neighbours. Next, we would not that any one who gave us employment, of whom we had borrowed money, whose farm we tenanted, &c., should have power to intimidate us to vote against our own judgment, or even against our own inclination. We would, therefore, protect the timid voter by requiring all to vote secretly, to say nothing of the desirableness of depriving the corrupt of the power of selling their vote, and the corrupter of the power of buying it. It appears to us that every christian at all acquainted with the genius of our blessed Lord's religion ought to be prepared to concede these two points as fundamental, as being that simple and obvious New Testament justice to the poor, without which no Reform Bill ought to satisfy him. We are not particular as to the mode by which any man capable of being registered somewhere should have a vote, nor if anything better than the Ballot can be offered to protect the dependent from the political tyrant, shall we stickle for that terror of the despotic, the venal, and the vote-jobber. We would strongly press on all real christians, however, whether as creatures of the same God, and sinners for whom the same Saviour died, they can justify themselves in denying to their poor neighbours the political liber

ties which differ only in degree from those withheld by the slaveholder. We would also strongly urge upon all christian ministers, that they cannot commend their master's religion to the poor, by teaching that rich men, in addition to the power conferred by riches, should enjoy all political power also. The present is least of all a time when we can afford to throw into the shade the popular and bro herly principles of the gospel. We must be answerable if we do so, not only for unfaithfulness, but also for the infidelity due to our siding with the rich and "the respectable" against the claims of the people. With merely political arguments we have here nothing to do, though, in their province, we think them very strong.

War is commenced between Russia and Turkey, the Turks, after having borne with the most dignified patience the wanton outrages and insults of the Russian Emperor, having been goaded into action. On the heir to the despoilers of Poland, and on the savage destroyer of Hungarian liberties, rests, by the verdict of all Europe, the entire blame of all the blood shed, or about to be shed, in this war. The Turks have fought with the bravery worthy of a righteous cause, and, at first, both on the Danube and in Asia, with unexpected success while we write, however, a part of their navy has been destroyed with great slaughter in the Black Sea; and they have suffered severely in Asia also. The general feeling of the country is, that our Ministers (with the fleet, too, at Constantinople) have connived at Russian atrocities, in deference to the German connections of the crown of this country; and the resignation of Lord Palmerston is believed, probably with truth, to be due to the German and Russian partialities of the Cabinet. None can

foresee the result of permitting the first act of territorial robbery on the part of Russia, her entrance into the Turkish Danubian provinces. It may issue in the embroilment of all Europe. To her occupying these provinces whence we import much of our corn, wasting their resources, and even obstructing the navigation, together with the fear of extensive war, may be attributed in part the prices to which provisions have risen, and which are now causing much suffering to the poor, especially in the agricultural districts, where wages are always low.

The Cholera is checked probably by the season of the year not departed; it shews a tendency, however, rather to increase. Nothing is now more certain than that filth of every kind is the necessary condition of its entering a neighbourhood. It has begun nowhere unless where filth, generally filth offensive to our senses as we pass by, was present. It is, therefore, the duty of every one who cares for his own life, and the life of his neighbours, to remove everything of the kind from his own premises, at any cost, and to inform the proper authorities of those who will not, or cannot, remove the causes of this fatal pestilence from their dwellings. Every one who attends to the reports in the daily papers

must have seen that unventilated, undrained houses, heaps of offensive rubbish near dwellings, unemptied cesspools, dirt thrown out at the doors, nightsoil allowed to accumulate, putrid matter of any kind animal or vegetable, these are always found to be the immediate causes of the most fatal cholera. We have thought it mere charity to record these facts, for the notice of thousands who otherwise might remain ignorant of them. Indeed, cholera appears to us a warning from providence to expel filth from our dwellings, and to use it to fertilize our fields. In the one case it is the minister of death, in the other it increases the staff of life. Filth, moreover, In comand immorality, are twin evils. pelling us to get rid of the one, we are also compelled to take one step towards lessening the other.

EAGLE STREET CHAPEL, LONDON.

On Wednesday, November 30th, two services were held here, when the Rev. Francis Wills, late of Cavendish chapel, Ramsgate, was publicly recognised as pastor of the church. The afternoon service was chiefly of a devotional character: the Revs. Owen Clarke, William Groser, and E. Probert, leading the devotions of the congregation. The Rev. G. Wyard delivered an address on "Christian Union." At five o'clock, above two hundred friends partook of tea, in the school rooms, Fisher Street, after which a second service was held in the chapel. The Rev. Edward Steane, D.D., read the scriptures and offered prayer; the Hon and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A., delivered a faithful and affectionate address to the newly elected pastor, on the importance and deeply solemn responsibility of the ministerial office, founded on 1 Tim. iii.; the Rev. C. A. M. Shepherd, M.A., implored the divine blessing on the pastor and the church; and the Rev. Wm. Brock addressed the church, from Rom. xii. 3, 4. The whole of the services were of a very interesting character.

ROMNEY STREET CHAPEL, WESTMINSTER. On Wednesday, the 30th of November, services were held for the public recognition of the Rev. T. S. Baker as pastor of the church worshipping here. The services commenced with reading and prayer by Mr. Sparke, of Waterloo Road; Mr. Keen, of Lambeth, delivered an introductory address; Mr. Aldis, of Maze Pond, stated the nature of a gospel church, and asked the usual questions; Mr. Baker gave an account of his christian experience, and a statement of his views on christian subjects; Mr. Talbot, of Mile End, offered prayer; Mr. Stovel, of Prescott Street, gave a most impressive charge from 2 Tim. ii. 1; and (the time allotted for the meeting having expired, and Dr. Angus, who was to have addressed the church and congregation, having therefore postponed his address to the evening of Lord's day the 8th of January) Mr. Wyard, of Soho chapel, concluded the meeting with pray

er.

A tone of solemnity and deep interest appeared to pervade the numerous assembly.

ENFIELD HIGHWAY.

A new Baptist church has been recently formed here. About four months ago, circumstances occured, which made such a step desirable. A social meeting of those intending to meet in church fellowship, was therefore held on Tuesday evening, Nov. 1, 1853; Mr. Spencer Murch, Baptist minister, Waltham Abbey, and one of his deacons, Mr. William Richardson, kindly came to conduct the service. A hymn was sung, Mr. Murch engaged in prayer, and then gave an excellent address, and enquired if the church were prepared to invite any one to become their pastor. A letter of unanimous invitation to Mr. John Beavan was then read, which he cordially accepted. The right hand of fellowship was given to each other, and some further very sound, judicious, and practical advice given by Mr. Murch. Deacons were then elected, and an address delivered by Mr. Richardson. On the following Lord's-day, the little band, for the first time in their new relationship, observed the ordinance of the Lord's supper.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.

On Monday, December 12th, a very interesting Tea Meeting was held in the Assembly Room, Hemel Hempstead, to recognize the settlement of the Rev. N. Hawkes (formerly of Guilsborough) as pastor of the church here. About two hundred and thirty persons sat down to tea; after which, the Rev. C. Wildie prayed, and very appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Payne, of Chesham, B. P Pratten, of Boxmoor, S. Stanion, of Berkhampsted, C. Wildie, of Box Lane, and N. Hawkes. The pastorate is one which presents a wide sphere of usefulness.

MANORBEAR, PEMBROKESHIRE.

Mr. B. J. Evans, late student of Horton College, Bradford, was recognised on Tuesday the 15th of November, as pastor of the church at Manorbear, Pembrokeshire. Messrs. Jones, of Pembroke, Morgan and Thomas, of Pembroke Dock, Thomas, of Narbeth, and Burditt, Classical Tutor of Haverfordwest Academy, engaged in the services. The attendance was good, and the services impressive.

HAWORTH.

The Rev. J. H. Wood, of Padiham, has accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Baptist church at West Lane, Haworth, Yorkshire, and entered upon his labours there, as pastor, the first Sabbath in December.

BOTESDALE, SUFFOLK.

The Rev. R. Morris, Dunmow, Essex, having accepted the cordial and unanimous invitation of the Baptist church in this town to become its pastor, entered on his stated labours here the first Sunday in December.

CREWKERNE, SOMERSET.

The Rev. W. Evans, late of Beckington, having accepted the invitation of the Baptist church, Crewkerne, commenced his labours there, as pastor, the second Sabbath in December.

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20.

FEBRUARY, 1854.

THE CHRISTIAN'S DEATH.

BY DR. F. A. G. THOLUCK.*

There lies the garment which the earthly pilgrim wore during the whole season of his pilgrimage, in sunshine and in shower! Oh, what thoughts pass through the mind as we stand beside a corpse,-thoughts that are never felt elsewhere. We have still so much to say, we have still so much to hear, we have so much to ask forgiveness for; but his ear hears not, his mouth speaks not. How different would be our intercourse with all our fellow-men, if we could realise to ourselves what our feelings would be were they lying before us on the bier, arrayed in the garments of the tomb.

Soul, refined in the furnace of affliction, thou art now with God! Now that the bands have fallen from thine eyes, now that faith is changed into sight, how is it with thee? Now that from the mouth of that Lord on whose hand thou hast leaned when as yet thou couldst not see his face, thou art hearing from his mouth the" Come, ye blessed of my father, enter ye into the joy of your Lord"? Now that the joy of thy Lord is reflected in thine own breast, how is it with thee? The fruit is fallen because it was ripe. Blessed one, it has been appointed that thou shouldst mature upon earth; the charm and the delights of human life thou hast tasted, and its labours and its troubles too, but tasted not in vain. Whatsoever the outward labours thou hast engaged in, these have been an internal exercise as well. All thy labours in the world have been at the same time the inward building up of thine own soul as a temple for God. When in the evening, after the hot day, the waggons return home laden with fruits, all the dwellers therein rejoice. Thus I behold thee, thou bright and happy spirit, entering into thy heavenly Father's home, while the inhabitants of heaven rejoice!

And while there is so much joy in heaven, lamentation must be stilled on earth. If thy voice could reach us from that place where thou art now, what message would it bear but this: WEEP NOT! Then, surely, we must dry up our tears. Even when thou wast here on earth, thou didst not belong to us,-thou wast thy Lord's. Therefore, what can we say, but give thanks that thou wast so long lent to us, and hold fast that which we have received from thee? Sainted spirit, thou shalt continue with us; of the best of thine own possessions thou hast given us so much, that we have thee with us still, after thou hast gone away. * From "Stunden Christlicher Andacht."

VOL. VIII.

C

Clearly, even to personal appearance, thou yet standest in our midst, so that we may still take sweet counsel of thee, and receive the teaching of thy lips, even now that death has sealed them. On earth thou didst pray for us and watch over us, with a fidelity so great, and with a love so ardent, that the blessing from thy intercessions is not even yet exhausted, but will descend upon us while we live, like the dew from heaven. Thou wilt not forget us,-no, not even in the contemplation of the eternal Light; for that eternal Light is the light of Love, and thy thoughts of us will all be prayers.

Ended is thy fight of faith! From thee we have learned that man may lay hold of the Invisible, as if it were the seen; and having so learned from thee, we dare not sorrow as those who have no hope. Oh, that which they shall lay in the grave is not thyself,-it is but thy garment; and with that garment they shall bury all thy toils which thou hast borne therein, and all thy tears; and when again thou shalt receive it, renovated from the hands of the Almighty, it will bear no longer traces of thy tears. But He who has said, "Where I am, there shall my servants also be," He has taken thee to be where he is, and there it is good to be.

Wherefore should we sorrow? True, thou art far away, and we shall sadly miss thee. But He who could give such a father, such a husband, such a friend, must be a still wiser Father, kinder Husband, dearer Friend! Oh, when one is removed from our midst, who in his whole presence ever pointed to the Invisible, how much more closely do our hearts cling to one another, and to the Invisible. Such a soul is like a ray that emanates from the eternal sun; and after it has returned to him again, the eye can look with a more fixed gaze upon his glory. We can no longer lie upon thy bosom, we will cleave more closely to the heart of Jesus.

How blissful is the truth, that when those die who belong unto the Lord, their love attracts us after they themselves have passed away. Farewell, to meet again! exclaims the longing of the heart; but we know this, that where thou art we cannot come, except by the way wherein thou didst walk. We often think of meeting again, just as if it were the necessary sequel to dying; but, alas, beyond the grave there open out so many different paths!

Holy, glorified spirit, we shall see thee again, find thee again, if we follow in the path which thou hast trod. Oh, from the last ascents which we have to struggle up in life, how insignificant must appear the warfare that is left below; happy he who can say he has not shunned it! When I thus stand before the corpse of one of God's victorious band, whose warfare is over, I say to myself, "Ah, all is over now;" and yet to one standing here it seems so difficult, so insurmountable. Beside the corpse all is stilled. Oh, for the gentle peacefulness of that dying hour, it is worth encountering with constancy the warfare of a long, long life.

"The memory of the righteous is blessed." Yes, the remembrance of the warfare of thy life, as well as the tranquillity of thy death, thou blessed combatant for God, shall remain amongst us as thy blessing, and shall ever declare unto us that the sufferings of this present life are not to be compared with the glory that shall follow. The tolling of thy funeral bell shall all through life continue sounding in our inner ear, and shall summon us to live as thou hast lived, and to die as thou hast died, so that at last we may also enter into thine everlasting rest.

Jesus, my Lord, thou who has taken away the sting of death, and hast brought life and immortality to light, what in thy love thou hast joined together here on earth, do thou again unite in thine eternal kingdom. Amen.

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