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mind-those truths which shall be his guide and teacher when her voice shall be silent in death, and

Observer, June 1, '75.

her lips no longer move in prayer in his behalf in commending her dear child to her covenant God.

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Must each day end a sinner and unclean,
Possessing (and disfiguring) the scene,
Endeavour how we may?

If we but will'd, this side the grave might sin,
And night give place to usher wholly in
The full and perfect day!

A full and perfect day!

New-orb'd, resplendent, an unspotted sun;
A gracious stepping-stone to mount upon;
To light an added ray.

To life's sin-lump some added wholesome leaven,
An added heav'n unto the central heaven,
A benison alway.

And the bells ring out-one!

The night, the sad, dark night hath pass'd away
Come forth, O day, O full and perfect day!
Uprise, O lifeful Sun!

Arouse thee, Nature! and, O heart of me,

Gird up thy loins, that this new day may be
No child of time, but of eternity-

A joy, a gem, a peaceful victory,

A perfect day-well done!

Liverpool, April 6th, 1875.

J. O. O'C.

Observer, June 1, '75.

“NEITHER INVITED NOR EXCLUDED.”

"UNDER the above heading will be found an editorial from the Ecclesiastical Observer, in another column, to which we invite special attention. The editor of that publication stands on principle. He has religious convictions and is governed by them. We have many things to say on the matters here introduced, but cannot commence them in this issue. We intend to stand side by side with the Ecclesiastical Observer, edited by Bro. David King, Birmingham, England. Many brethren in this country would do well to be regular subscribers for this noble work, and can order it through our office."

The above is from a recent issue of the American Christian Review, edited by Ben. Franklin, and on another page our article is reprinted in full, as given in the E. O. for February last. If the reader does not remember that article he may do well to turn to it, and thus note what an American Weekly Broadsheets avows its determinations to stand side by side with. The Apostolic Times also reprints our article, adding"If any of the parties referred to, or any of their friends, think they can answer Bro. King's arguments, or show that any of his statements are incorrect, it would be well for them either to do so, or to abandon the objectionable practice."

Intelligence of Churches, &c.

CHELSEA, LONDON.-Wm. Hindle has been labouring here during the month of April. Our meetings have been very well attended-better than at any time since the chapel was opened-and the fruits have been proportionate. Twelve have been immersed-six of them children instructed in our school. One, John Wycliffe Black, the son of our presiding brother. God make him a second Wycliffe! Ten only take membership with us. Of the rest, one was a friend travelling with Mr. Hindle for change and company after a great bereavement. Understanding the will of the Lord with reference to believers' baptism, he obeyed, and reaped its rich results. These may have to replace the esteem of former friends, but they will stand him in good stead. Another was led to obey the Saviour through the influence of Bro. Taylor, from Annan. In London, on a visit, he pointed out the way of the Lord to father, mother, sisters and brothers, and some half-dozen of them decided wholly for Christ. One of these he brought to Chelsea to be baptized. Who button-hole their acquaintance, preach Christ every day, having themselves found the Messiah seek their brethren

ED.

and bring them to Jesus-they are the men that Christianity needs, and they are the truest friends. I think I may confidently assert that the influence of the American Revivalists in the conversions at Chelsea has been practically nil. Except, perchance, in this very indirect way, that they infused a little extra earnestness into our Bro. Hindleextra, by the bye, which all those acquainted with his normal state will think hardly necessary or measurable. All the harvest has not yet been gathered. Several more are just ready for the J. C. V.

reapers.

-an

WORTLEY.-The church here resolved to hold special services (simultaneous with the Dissenters of Leeds and outtownships), to commence on April 11th, and be continued every evening during the week, and having been kindly assisted by Bro. Ferguson of Manchester, and through the kindness of the Huddersfield and Liversedge brethren, Bro. Pitman has been able to devote the whole of the week to this special effort; together with aid rendered in speaking by Bren. Roberts, Walker Fawcett, G. Lund and Skaife, and by the younger brethren in issuing invita tions has resulted in crowded meetings.

Twenty-two have been immersed and added to the church. There are more to be immersed, and in consequence of the success and the numbers attending the meetings, the brethren have decided to continue the effort for another entire week, during which time our Bro. Pittman will remain. The above was written for insertion last month, but too late for insertion. During the second week of Our "mission " or special services in April, we had the pleasure of hearing ten other persons confess the Lord Jesus, and were afterwards immersed into His name; the total number added during the two weeks being thirty-two.

W. BALMFIRTH.

WORTLEY.-An outline of the late special movement in connection with the church at Wortley (near Leeds), will, | no doubt, be acceptable and encouraging to the brethren generally. To us who were called to aid in the work everything appeared favourable to success. We met the brethren on Saturday evening, April 10th, to pray and plan for the services. We were rejoiced to see them ready and eager for an opportunity to serve the Master in any way within their powers. Their prayers indicated an intense desire for the salvation of sinners; the genuine character of which was fully demonstrated in the zeal with which the work was carried on, and in the fact that many put off important business matters in order that they might give as much time as possible to the cause. Another circumstance which gave promise of success was the large number of young men and women in connection with the Lord's day school still outside the church. Much labour had been bestowed in sow

ing the seed of Divine truth in their young minds, and now, it appeared to us, the time had come to reap the harvest, and so it transpired, for by far the greater number of those brought in were of this class. Twenty services were held during the fortnight, with an average attendance of about 200. Two short addresses were generally given at each meeting, clear, heart-searching and to the point. Our dear Bro. Ferguson of Manchester, came to our aid on Saturday, April 10th, and stayed over Monday, and again on the following Saturday, to assist in the work of Lord's day. His earnest, loving appeal to the unconverted will be long remembered by many. Our after service was mostly a baptismal service. It was on witnessing this solemn ordinance that some were brought to decision.

One young woman had stifled conviction for some days, but on witnessing the immersion of five persons conviction gained the mastery, and she was immersed the next day with her brother. One other sight made some of us weep for joy-it was the baptism of an old man, whose wife and children were all in the church. His two sons have long been active and useful members of the church. The visitation of the anxious during the day was the means of the decision of others. The parents of some of the younger candidates, through ignorance of the truth, objected to their being baptized. By visiting them these objections were removed, and an impression of the right kind was sometimes made, which may produce its own results hereafter. During the fortnight thirtyone persons were immersed into Christ. Two others decided and have since been immersed. In two respects this special movement has been a great blessing to the church; not only has it largely added to its number, but it has also revived the brethren in the Divine life and imbued them with renewed energy. Some of the elder brethren expressed this over and over again. Would it not be well for churches generally to occasionally have a week of special services, after the above type, we are fully convinced of the good of such efforts, if not too often repeated in connection with the same church.

J. PITTMAN.

WHITEHAVEN.-Following a visit of some length from Bro. D. Scott, the church in Whitehaven had a series of discourses by Bro. D. King, extending over four Lord's days, and resulting in the immersion of four persons, who are added to the church. Others it is hoped are favourably moved to consider their position. Two of the immersed were young men, twins; so that as they entered this world together so, in company, they entered into the kingdom of God's dear Son. The meetings were well attended, considering that during the whole time there were revival meetings nightly, by the sects in union, with much house to house effort to secure the people. Bro. King gave two addresses at Parton to attentive audiences, and also one in Aspatria, at the close of which an intelligent hearer, who had previously been helped by instruction declared his intention to put on Christ. Since then his wife has concluded to be buried by baptism, at the same time. On the road home Bro. King held three full and

Observer, June 1, '75.

interesting meetings in Kirkby and Lindal; finding the brethren there earnest, loving and in good hope of much increase. The chapel, erecting in Lindal, is roofed in, and promises to be in every way a suitable building.

ASPATRIA. We have had Bro. D. Scott labouring here for one week; and are glad to report that Mr. Cheyne and wife, learning the way of the Lord more perfectly, have been baptized into Christ. J. F.

BIRMINGHAM.-Since our notice last month, several have been baptized and added to the churches in Birmingham; among them others who have been brought to us through the recent special meetings in St. James's Hall. More are to be immersed next week. Bro. Thompson has spent several weeks here, to the edification of brethren and helping forward inquirers. He has returned to Leicester.

SHEFFIELD. The little church here has doubled its numbers within this two months. On April 11th, two were immersed into the blessed name. On the 18th, we opened a room for public service, and Bro. Mumby kindly came and gave us two discourses. Three more, already baptized, met with us; and on May 2nd, Bro. Winterbottom, from Huddersfield, came and immersed two others. We have not a suitable room for making progress, as the locality is not good. We know of one that would suit us; if we could get speaking help. I wish we could persuade the Annual Meeting to make the long talked of effort at Sheffield. If we could have you for six months or some other able help, I think we might then keep our ground and prosper. H. J. BRIGHTON.-Since last report in the E. O., ten have been added to the church by baptism. The church dwells in love, and general interest and co-operation prevail. We had a highly useful tea meeting on the Good Friday (so called), when a very large assembly was instructed and the energies of the church were quickened.

LIMEHOUSE, LONDON.--I am happy to report two additions to our number by baptism into Christ. A man and woman, about middle age, of separate families, and who have been working for Jesus for some time, but who now rejoice in the fulness of New Testament light and liberty, we expect their coming amongst us to prove a blessing to all.

J. ADAM. GREEN HILL LANE.-During the past

month the church here has been refreshed by a visit from Bro. Greenwell. On the Tuesday following his visit two were immersed and have been added to the church. W. H.

SKELMERDALE -Since our last report three have been added to our number, they made a good confession and were buried with Christ in baptism. J. R.

LEICESTER.We rejoice to report eight additions to the church within the last three weeks. Six by immersion, and two formerly immersed.-Yours in the hope, J. LEAVESLEY.

DOUGLAS. Since the last report two more have put on the Lord Jesus in baptism. The church now numbers fourteen. Others are convinced, but for the present refrain from identifying them. selves with the church. J. PITTMAN.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA.-Since last report nine have been added to our number. Five by the obedience of faith. T. J. G. Hindmarsh-During the past month six have been added to our numbers. A good interest prevails. Others have decided. J. COLBOURNE. SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, February 16th, 1875.-Since 1st of January, three additions, two immersed and one by commendation. J. J. HALEY. NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH, CANTERBURY.-At the invitation of the Church of Christ, meeting in this place, to labour in connection with it as its Evangelist, I left Dunedin, and arrived here last July. We are thankful to write that our efforts have not been in vain. Twenty-two by faith and baptism, and four by commendation have been added to our number, making our present membership nearly eighty.

SAML. ELBORN.

Dunedin, January 20th, 1875.—On 1st of January, 1874, there were 203 members on the church roll; during the year there had been fifty-one added; four had been excluded; five had died; and eight had left Dunedin for other localities. Our present membership numbers 237, being a clear gain of thirtyfour for the year. God has granted the increase, and to Him be all the praise. Five have been added since last report, four by immersion, and one by letter from the Baptists. T. H. BATES.

Wellington, January 19th, 1875.--` We have not troubled you much with news from this quarter of the world, perhaps a little would be acceptable. About five months ago, several churches in New Zealand combined to support a brother as Evangelist, to visit the neigh

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bourhood of the churches so united. The result was an agreement to support myself for a time as the labourer, for one year at any rate. I have now been engaged for a little over four months in the city of Wellington. The result at present is seven additions; two by faith and baptism, and five who had been previously baptized. The truth is working in an undercurrent, which I am sure very few recognize, only as they see the result in the course of years. We sometimes say, very little is doing; let us (those who can) be reminded of twenty years ago in the colonies, and see what God hath wrought.-Yours in the one hope, EDWARD LEWIS.

BALLARAT.-I have pleasure in reporting that eight young persons from our Bible class yesterday evening made public profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. May they, in their after life, walk worthy of God, who hath called them into His kingdom and glory, so that thus they may be witnesses for Him in the world, and prove, by their behaviour, that they have indeed been buried with their Lord in baptism, and risen to newC. MARTIN. ness of life. TASMANIA.-Some three years ago a church was planted by Bro. O. A. Carr. Bro. Moysey having gone there for preaching, reports at the time of his arrival about 100 brethren. He has good meetings, and the present membership is about 150; several of whom are able to edify the church. In all points the prospects are favourable and the permanence of the cause is established.

AMERICA.-Bro. Overholt writes from Selkirk., "We have had a glorious meeting here which commenced on the 15th of February and continued over two Lord's days. It was conducted by Bro. The immediate Hertzog, from Buffalo. result of his labours were fifty-one additions, forty-eight of these baptized, three from the Baptists. Bro. Hertzog is a good, warm hearted, logical preacher, and has infused into the hearts and souls of the disciples more Christian love, union, and fellowship, than we have experienced for several years. His labours have been blessed to the joy of many precious souls who have been under sectarian bondage, and are now rejoicing in the liberty of the Gospel. Bro. H. preaches the Gospel in its purity and simplicity so that those who had for many years been under sectarian influences were induced to put on Christ by baptism. Among those baptized were four grandfathers-two of them over three score years and ten

Observer, June 1, '75.

three grandmothers, twenty-nine heads of families, and I think but three under eighteen years of age. It was truly a pleasing sight to see grey-headed fathers and mothers go down into the water. Bro. H. ought to be kept in the field as an Evangelist, and the church that has him employed should send him out." There have been about two thousand eight hundred additions reported in the Standard during the past month. Of this number Indiana claims 672; Illinois, 617; Ohio, 447; Pennsylvania, 208; Missouri, 203. Brethren in the States seem to be thoroughly alive to their work. Bro. Joseph W. Wolfe, Sullivan, Ind., writes: "Benjamin Franklin closed a meeting of nineteen days at this place on the 10th inst., with forty additions to the good cause-thirty-three by immersion. This was a glorious success, for the Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians were all holding protracted meetings all the time, and they had no accessions of any note. Old Bro. Franklin is a host within himself. Every person who hears him once will hear him as long as he stays. So it was here all the time, and an increase of hearers till the close. Oh, if we had plenty of such preachers, what a work we could do for Christ."-Bible Index.

CHICAGO.-A number of Adventists in Chicago, confident that the Lord would come on the night of April 19, sold all their goods and gave the proceeds to the poor, and spent the night in waiting for the expected advent. They were under the lead of one Elder Thurman-formerly of Albemarle County, Virginia-who persuaded them that there could be no mistake about his chronological calculations. It is sad to witness these fanatical developments, especially as the reaction must be injurious, if not fatal, to faith in the Word of God. It is, however, only an exhibition on a small scale of what has been repeated many times over by the ignorant and fanatical, in different centuries. It should have one good effect, however to silence the dogmatism so generally associated with prophetic interpretation.

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