Observer, Sept. 1, '75.

sympathies, with the sympathy and to some extent securing the cooperation of many of the ministers of religion of different sorts, we readily answer affirmatively. But if the meaning is, successful in advocating the gospel, turning sinners to the Lord, or building up the kingdom of God, we answer negatively. We grant one thing, viz.: That whether accidentally, or by premeditation and design, they are playing a sharp game. We think there is a little too much in it for mere accident. Look at the following:

1. They have ignored the points of difference between the popular parties, so completely as to scarcely drop an utterance offensive to the most delicate ear on either side of the head of any orthodox sectarian, no matter whether Calvinistic or Arminian, Congregational or Presbyterial, Immersionist or Rantizer. This could hardly have been the work of accident.

2. They have avoided the clear terms of pardon, as found in the commission, and the examples of conversion found in the records of the apostolic practice, and the directions given to inquiring penitents by the Apostles, shewing them what to do to be saved or pardoned, as carefully and studiedly as the most artful and cunning sectarian priest could have done. Nor could this have been the work of accident.

3. They have ignored all parties, thus putting them all on one common level, and leaving them out of their work, making the impression that they were doing simply the work of God in turning the people to the Lord, and leaving it to other hands to make partisans of them, or, in other words, to make sectarians of them, which is certainly the work of man, and very poor work at that. This was hardly the work of accident. This is rich material for comment, but we leave it for another issue.

WATCH THE LIPS.

CLAMOROUS words, wrathful, testy, peevish, bitter, sneering words, curt speaking and detraction, are answerable for large measures of human misery. Anger, says Chrysostom, rides upon noise as upon a horse; still the clamour, and the rider are in the dust. Solomon's sayings about brawling women, of whom he must have had many a specimen among his thousand wives and concubines, given him of God, perhaps, as whips and scourges for his sensuality and polygamy, have found many to respond to them. A sharp temper and a high-keyed voice in a wife and mother are enough to drive out all comfort from a home, and to make even the bar-room and its company a desired refuge. David, when he asked God to keep the door of his lips, had been driven out by Saul to seek shelter with Achish, King of Gath, and he prays that in his trouble he may not say anything unjust toward Saul, nor anything hurtful to the religion of Israel before the idolatrous Philistines, nor utter any repining words against his God. And, like David, we should be especially careful of our words in the day of trouble, or of illhealth, or of bad condition of body, for then we are like the hot springs of Iceland, that need only the provocation of a bit of turf thrown in, to return steam and scalding water and showers of stones. A parent, or a school teacher, will think that children act some days worse than at

Observer, Sept. 1, '75.

other times, and like creatures possessed, and will punish accordingly, when it is only some trouble of his own that made it seem so. And so, too, Sunday Services will be disparaged, neighbours harshly judged, or God's ways repined at when, in a better frame ourselves, and better satisfied with ourselves, we should have been pleased and satisfied. We are sometimes like matches ready to take fire at a touch, and hardly safe to be dropped about anywhere.

It is not all

Words of detraction and slander require the watch. mention of a neighbour's faults and evil deeds that is wrong, for we cannot but notice gross faults, and to speak of them in a right spirit may be perfectly right, and needful for self defence and the good of society. The fault is in being quick to see and publish faults, magnifying them, imagining them, meddling with them when it is none of our business to do so, and speaking of them from promptings of envy, resentment and rivalry. A slanderous tongue moves as naturally in the element of hatred as a fish in water. One who loves his neighbour as himself, and seeks to do unto others as he would they should do unto him, can hardly be a slanderer. The mischief of detraction springs from a mean unloving spirit, soured by disappointment, fretted by envy, urged on by meddlesomeness and miserable curiosity. When one with such a frame goes from house to house with the preface: They say, or they do say, but I don't know how true it is, that this man drinks; or, that man and his wife don't live very pleasantly together; or, that man did not come by his money very honestly; or, this woman is no better than she should be-it is very probable that then a busybody and slanderer is at work who greatly needs the prayer, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Churchman.

NOTES FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES OF LESSONS.

No one can

September 5. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.-John ix. 1-16. The question, "Who did sin?" v. 2. Men believed, at that time, that bodily ailment was directly caused by sin, and some believed that an infant might sin before it was born, "Neither this man nor his parents." Not that they had never sinned, but that the blindness was not caused by the sin of either of them. "But that the works of God might be manifested." The work of healing by Jesus. Showing, too, the special providence of God. This blind man was prepared for special demonstration of the Divine power of Jesus. "While it is day." During the day of life, or while the opportunity lasts. "The night cometh." The time when no one can do his neglected work. "The Light of the world." Jesus is to the moral world what the sun is to the physical world. He is the true light for all the world. reject His light, His truth, without being in darkness. "Made spittle." There was a notion at that time that spittle applied to the eyes was a good medicine. Jews had added to the Law of God and made it unlawful to anoint the eyes with it on the Sabbath. Jesus thus disregarded their traditions and thereby rebuked their meddling with God's Law. "Go wash in the pool of Siloam." Neither the anointing, nor the washing, nor the water of the pool, nor the spittle, effected the cure. But not until the man washed did he see. The power of God healed the man, but the Lord pleased that it should be done when he washed. Without the washing he would not have been cured; nor would he had he gone to some other water. Illustrate by Naaman, 2 Kings v. 10, and by the baptism of Saul, Acts xxii. 16.

The

"This

Observer, Sept. 1, '75.

man is not of God." The Jews said this because He had broken their unauthorized law, and because they were wicked and did not like the truth. They should have said, "This man is of God because He made the blind to see." QUESTIONS.-1. Who did sin that the man was born blind? 2. Did neither he nor his parents ever sin? 3. Why was he born blind? 4. What did Jesus do and require of him? 5. Did the spittle, clay, and water cure him. 6. What did ? 7. What case in the Old Testament is somewhat like this? 8. What have you heard about Saul "washing away his sins? 9. Did the water take them away? 10. Who can forgive sin?

September 12. THE GOOD SHEPHERD.-John x. 1-18. This is closely connected with the former chapter. The man whom Jesus made to see had been cast out by the rulers, because he believed on the True Shepherd. Those who cast him out claimed to be the shepherds of God's flock, but they were wicked men, whom God did not own, and therefore Jesus compares them to thieves and robbers, who have thrust themselves into the shepherd's office otherwise than by the door of God's appointment. Hirelings." They cared nothing for the sheep (God's true people), but only for the honours and profit of office. "The Good Shepherd." Jesus cares for, heals, saves, gives His life for the sheep; and for all, that they may enter the church, or fold, of God, and be His true flock. "The Porter." Need not inquire who is intended, as it cannot be known for certain, most likely not anyone in particular, but only named as the filling up of the picture. "Leadeth them out." In the east the shepherd goes before the sheep, and calls them by name. They know his voice and follow him. In this way the blind man had recognized Jesus. All true Christians follow Him. No one can be of God's sheep who will not hear and follow God's Shepherd. Then, how good He is ! He gave His life for you all. How sinful it must be not to love and follow Him. If you follow Jesus now He will lead you to glory by-and-bye.

QUESTIONS.-1. What do you remember about the blind man whom Jesus made to see? 2. Who were the bad shepherds that cast him out? 3. What did Jesus term them? 4. Who is the good Shepherd? 5. Why is he so called? 6. Who are the sheep of God ? 7. Where will Jesus lead those who faithfully follow Him? 8. What of those who refuse to follow Him?

"I

September 19. THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.-John xi. 25-44. am the resurrection." That is, the author, or cause, of the resurrection, which so depends upon the merit, will, and power of Jesus that it may be said that He is the resurrection itself. "And the Life." John i. 4. The life depends upon Him. "Shall never die." Shall by no means die for ever. The death of God's people is called sleep, because it will be put an end to-all will rise again. The word Cemetery means a sleeping place. "Jesus Wept." Why, seeing that He could raise the dead, and intended then to bring Lazarus to life? Because He shared the sorrow of the bereaved ones, and comprehended all the sorrow that all have felt on parting with their loved ones; all of which is the result of sin. Jesus had raised others before Lazarus. Name the preceding cases, and mark the difference and progress. Enlarge upon the resurrection of Jesus, over and above that of Lazarus. shows His power, but the other opens the way of life to us all, It would not have much mattered to us if Lazarus had not been raised; but what would have been the consequence if Jesus had not come from the dead!

The one

QUESTIONS.-1. What did Jesus declare Himself to be? 2. In what way is He the Resurrection ? 3. What did He mean by saying that those who believed on Him should never die? 4. Why did Jesus weep? 5. What is the meaning of the word Cemetery? 6. How many had Jesus raised from the dead before Lazarus, and who were they? 7. What would be the result to us if Jesus Himself had not risen from the dead?

September 26. CHRIST REJECTED.-John xi. 45-57. Only in the Gospel of John is the raising of Lazarus recorded; but each of the other Gospels indicate that something must have taken place about that time to produce a sudden conspiracy of the Priests and Elders to get rid of Jesus. John shows how this was brought about.

Observer, Sept. 1, '75.

"Many believed" through that crowning miracle, and hence the rulers would put Jesus to death. "Doeth many Miracles." They admitted this, and therefore should have received Him themselves, but they were wicked and so would kill Him. Jesus therefore went away till the time appointed of God had come. Then He went up to the temple.

QUESTIONS.-It may be well here to repeat leading questions from the preceding twelve lessons.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

THE Annual General Meeting of Churches in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, was held in Glasgow, August 10th, and two following days. On the Tuesday evening a considerable number of brethren from various parts of the United Kingdom assembled in the Christian Meeting House, Brown Street, where, soon after six o'clock, the assembly was organized by prayer, praise, reading of Scriptures, and the appointment of Chairman and Secretaries.

Bro. McLintock, of Glasgow, was elected to the Presidency, and Bren. G. Collin, of Carlisle, and Swan, of Newcastle, were chosen as Secretaries.

The Statistical Sheet, prepared from the schedules, was put in and taken as read. The Evangelist Committee presented the following

REPORT.

DEAR Brethren, the reports from the various Divisions and Evangelists which your Committee have now to lay before you will show instances of usefulness, and opening fields of labour, which are calculated to awaken gratitude, and stimulate to increased efforts in the Master's service; knowing that "he who goeth forth, though with desponding fears, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." When the evening is come, and the Sabbathrest begun when the labourers are called together, such witness-bearing for the ancient truth will be remembered by our Lord Jesus; then, "Every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour." We begin with

THE SOUTHERN DIVISION.-But first of all we note that Bro. Joseph Adam, by request of the church in Dundee, spent six weeks there, at the commencement of the present Evangelistic year. We are told that his stay with them was a time of spiritual refreshment and edification, and that the interest which he awakened paved the way for the after labour of Brother Ellis. Proceeding thence to the Southern Division he began work in London. At Limehouse and Kentish Town he laboured twenty-seven weeks; Rotherhithe has received four weeks' labour; Piltdown five; Brighton three; Exeter two; Bristol, Nettleton, Bath, Forest Gate, and Glasgow, one Lord's day each. The result is considerable success. In most of these churches the brethren have willingly and heartily co-operated with him, and as a natural consequence have been greatly encouraged and built up. It is a joy and comfort to your Committee when they know that the Evangelists are making it a part of their business to train and lead out talents which would otherwise be buried; for we feel that whilst we protest against the exclusive ministry of one man who is appointed and paid to teach the church, to do the work of a pastor, and to preach the Gospel to the world, there is danger, lest while we protest we fall into the same error. Coles has given five weeks' labour to the churches in and about London, which seems to have been a season of mutual enjoyment and profit. Chelsea also has been benefited by the earnest spirit of Bro. W. Hindle, where he spent the month of April, and where he found himself in the genial element of large meetings, and considerable success. Bro. King, by request of your Committee, spent sixteen days at Bath and Nettleton; the visit was considered very opportune. The little gathering in Nettleton, on account of its isolated position, is almost cut off from other churches. At Bath he

Bro.

Observer, Sept. 1, '75.

addressed large and attentive audiences, in St. James's Hall. Lord's-day and other discourses were also delivered in the small meeting room occupied by the church. Thus were these churches cheered and encouraged. Bro. Ellis, in addition to the help given to Chelsea, has spent, in this division, one Lord's day in Brighton, and two in Tunbridge Wells; in the latter town we hear that he turned the place "upside down," which caused a cry to go up to the Evangelist Committee for more help, but which we were not able to send. Here we think it best to notice that early in the year he laboured in connection with the two churches in Dundee for six weeks, benefiting both saints and sinners, which has been duly reported in our Magazines. Bro. Pittman has spent one Lord's-day at Chelsea, and one at Limehouse. THE MIDLAND DIVISION.-In addition to the labours of Bren. King and Thompson, the Midland Division has also had the help of Bro. Coles for fourteen weeks, and of Bro. Abercrombie for six weeks, from whence we learn that their earnest devotedness in the cause of the Redeemer will be long remembered. These two brethren took part in the St. James's Hall Services, which were begun by the brethren in Birmingham, after the visit to that town of Messrs. Moody and Sankey, in order to avail themselves of the religious awakening, and which resulted in an addition to their various gatherings of some twenty members. Bro. Greenwell has also spent one month in Banbury, and one in Nottingham. In the latter place, and in Bulwell, he found many old friends to welcome him. The good seed was scattered, and some fruit gathered, but our brother deems it wisdom not to judge any man's work by immediate results.

We have pleasure in recording that a good work has been progressing in many Sunday schools during the past year. It must have been a day of holy joy to the friends at Bulwell, on September 28th, when eleven young persons out of the school were baptized and added to the church. Much fruit has thus been gathered in Chelsea, Birmingham, Wortley, Liverpool, Wigan, and other places, and young vigourous life infused into our membership.

YORKSHIRE DIVISION.-Bro. Greenwell has spent some six months of the past year among the various churches of this division, which has been on the whole as satisfactory as could be expected under present arrangements. The brethren speak of being refreshed by his visits. Bro. Pittman has also laboured in Yorkshire for six months. In conjunction with the brethren at Wortley, and with the aid of Bro. Ferguson, from Manchester, special services were begun in that town, which resulted in the gathering of thirty-three persons into the fold of the Good Shepherd. special movement has been a blessing to the church, not only in its added numbers, but as a quickening impulse, stimulating to earnest work.

This

LANCASHIRE, &c., DIVISION.-Bro. Brown, by private arrangement, has been retained by the Manchester District during the past year, but has given occasional and very acceptable help to other churches in this division. Bro. Evans, during the Evangelistic year, has given thirty-seven Lord's days to Blackburn; five to Wigan; five to St. Helen's; and one each to Birkenhead, Liverpool, and Skelmersdale. "Visible results," says our brother, "fall far short of affording the encourage. ment looked for, the invisible, if any, will I trust make up a fulness well-pleasing to the Lord of the harvest." We feel it only just to him to say, that acting upon his belief, that the church is a school in which the ignorant and inexperienced may be taught and trained, many owe to him a debt of gratitude for patient help afforded them. We also desire to express sympathy with him in the depressing personal and family afflictions, which during the past year he has borne with Christian patience aud resignation.

The brethren in Liverpool in order to take advantage of the religious awakening, consequent on the visit of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to their town, took a public hall, and commenced a series of continuous meetings. Bren. Coles, Hindle, King, Abercrombie, and Ellis gave valuable asisstance. In addition to these helps they were favoured during the whole period with the presence of Bro. J. C. Hay, of Iowa, U.S.A., whose service cannot be too highly spoken of; those who have laboured with him esteem him very highly for his works sake. We have pleasure in bearing testimony to his gentle and noble spirit, and complete devotion to the Saviour's cause, which has endeared him to all who have had the privilege of his acquaintance. As the result of this extra effort (duly noted in the Observer and Advocate), the brethren in Liverpool have had the joy to report forty-five immersions, which is a cause for much thankfulness and encouragement.