ORIGINAL PAPERS. was indeed realised at Jerusalem; when the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one mind, and full of love to each other and of praise to God—had favour with all people. But lend now to our angel in his distant star a telegraphic or spiritual telescope of sufficient billion power, and what must be soon his amazement and consternation! Let him pass by those dark blotches on the surface of our orb which denote Judaism, Heathenism, Mohammedanism, and Romanism, as well as the old Oriental shadows of a dead Christianity. Let him direct his vision solely to a little dim, and twinkling brightness which indicates evangelic light, still strugglingly shining in a corner amidst earth's grosser darkness-and what shall he here discover? Assuredly our angel must stand aghast! What? Episcopalians-Broad, High Church, and Low Church, and Broad Church, and High and Low-Broad, and Evangelical, and High and Dry!-Presbyterians state-swaddled, and Presbyterians so-called free, and Presbyterians reformed, and Presbyterians seceding, and Presbyterians forsooth United! -Wesleyans pure and simple, and Wesleyans Primitive, and Wesleyans associate, and Wesleyans reformed! Congregationalists, Podobaptist and anti-Podobaptist, and Plymouthite, and Separatist, and Sprinklers, and Dippers, and general and particular, and I know not what rubbishy Babel of state and anti-state besides; all of which respectively, it can scarcely be said, by their most profound and devoted admirers, that humility, absence of conceit, and the esteeming others better than themselves, is the essence of their respective systems; or that world-subduing and world-beatifying manifested union in brotherly love, is the characteristic tottle of the whole. Shut up thy invidious telescope, angel of light, or turn it heavenward. There mayest thou, indeed, behold what shall thrill thee with holy gladness. There shalt thou discover neither Calvinist nor Arminian, nor Episcopalian nor Presbyterian, nor Wesleyan nor Congregationalist, nor Baptist nor Plymouthite, nor Dipper nor Sprinkler, general or particular, nor high nor low, nor broad nor narrow, nor bond nor free, nor any other pestiferous splitters of Churches and of hairs. But there, O Angel, to thine ineffable delight, shalt thou survey one multitudinous denomination, or non-denominational multitude, whom thou canst not number; thousands of thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, rejoicing in one only name, shining with one only glory, singing one only song; rejoicing in the name of Jesus, shining with the glory of Jesus, singing the praises of the love of Jesus, who has redeemed them mightily out of the narrow cells of every distinctive denomination, and at last, in their own despite, has made them gloriously one. 4. Of that delightful assembly it cannot be doubted that not alone adoration of the Saviour, but love of the redeemed amongst themselves also, will animate their ineffable and never-fading felicity, and prove the principle of overlasting action. Brotherly love begun to be developed here, will reign there in all its glorious perfection. All being brethren, all beloved as brethren, all purified from the dross of selfishness, all enstamped with the Divine image, all made partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; each beholding in the other nothing bu pure moral loveliness, and conscious of possessing it himself, though star may perhap differ from star in glory; then at length will be delightfully, and through eternit growingly unfolded, the blessedness of obedience to the law of brotherly love. But, i this be so, is it possible to imagine that a true and hearty obedience to the sam commandment here, shall be bereft of its proportionate recompense in presen delight? Has the benevolent Author of our being and its laws, made sorrow th penalty of transgression, and joy the reward of obedience in all other cases; an shall the dying Saviour's last loving commandment alone be void of energy, unaccom panied by sanctions, left to be obeyed or broken indifferently, without loss or witho reward? The lamented condition of the brotherhood now on earth, is at once the sad eloquent answer to this question. The Evangelical Alliance itself has, we are tol ORIGINAL PAPERS. become the standing monument, not of Christian union and brotherly love, but of its acknowledged deplorable and tremendous absence from the Church below. Not to cite other testimony, the Australian Bishop of Adelaide (himself one of our members) has declared that we only indicate the defect, and stimulate, without gratifying, the craving after union. There is a truth, no doubt, in this view, but we cannot concede it altogether. There can be little question but that the general aspect of the Church in the world, as to the tone of controversy and the wish for union, manifests an improvement upon fifteen years ago; and I am persuaded that this Alliance has had, if not the principal, at least a considerable influence in the right direction. Excellent men who have been prevented, by intellectual difficulties or conscientious scruples, from joining our Alliance as actual members, have yet done full justice to our spirit and principles. That spirit and those principles have gone forth and pervaded spheres far beyond the pale of our organisation; and, if we do stimulate the craving after union, is not the stimulus good? But, further, even co-operation in good works pertaining to the Redeemer's kingdom has already, to no small extent, ensued, with manifest utility in many regards; and we are daily seeing more and more clearly how, and how far, Christian men of different systems may go on to co-operate conscientiously, extensively, and effectually. For myself-bear with me, brethren, while I freely confess it-I see little around me but mere human systems; and in no merely human system is there anything, on the one hand, to enslave me to it in conscience, or, on the other, to compel me to reject a true Christian brother on account of it. I mean I see little in any of our Evangelical systems of such a character as would compel me to refuse co-operating with any brother in Christ in almost anything that he would seriously and lovingly propose to me. I have confidence in every child of God; and sure I am that, if any such untoward thing were inadvertently proposed, we would, at all events, very soon understand each other. While, therefore, I would stand firmly by whatever is plainly doctrinal, Divine, essential, primary, according to sound catholic judgment, I would be, in respect of mere human or secondary matters, as latitudinarian as the wide earth and the illimitable heaven; and the phantasies of man's ecclesiastical imaginings I would no more regard than the thistle-down which the wind carries away. No longer (as the late good Bishop Wilson, of Calcutta, declared) do we refuse to co-operate in anything until we are agreed in everything. No! we are now resolved to co-operate in everything, so far as we are agreed. The sentiment is good, but I can go a little further still. I will co-operate with a Christian brother in anything wherein, though I may not be fully of his views, I see nothing so erroneous as to compel me conscientiously to refuse him. But I need not dwell on this phase of my topic. There is a homely proverb, that half a loaf is better than no bread. And I would humbly crave leave to consider this Alliance as a small instalment towards the great debt of obedience so long and still unpaid. Even a finger-post on a wild and unfrequented route is a welcome apparition to the belated traveller; much more a wayside inn, how mean soever its appearance, how homely soever its accommodations. My brethren, I am personally grateful for this friendly finger-post and this little way-side inn! I have found here a faithful monitor to direct me on the right road. I have found here also much sweet rest and manifold enjoyment. Never can I forget our early assemblies some thirteen or fourteen years ago. I allude not merely to our larger conferences, but to our smaller meetings also in various places. Then assuredly did the Holy Ghost come down from heaven, and baptize us for a season into the unity of love. Then did we often experimentally taste the sweetness of practical obedience to the Saviour's new commandment. Then did many a dark prejudice vanish into light, many a groundless apprehension subside and fade away. Then did many a brother learn lessons of value unspeakable in Christian humility, disinterestedness, and active kindness. Then did we rejoice in complacently beholding the image of Christ reycaled and developed in His ORIGINAL PAPERS. family below. Then, in a word, were we pursuing brotherly love for its own sake, and found in so doing our imperishable reward. Yes! I say imperishable. The Evangelical Alliance may be shivered into dust, but those holy and happy influences shall never die! "O long be our souls with these memories filled, Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled; And though many of our broken-off members have gone up on high, some yet remain on earth, memorial fragments, with whom the grace still redolently dwells that so richly then descended on those goodly assemblies, and may it now and ever so descend from the blessed presence of Him who is the fragrant Rose of Sharon as well as the lovely Lily of the Valley. Let us not forsake the Conjugal love, parental their own sakes), cannot Wherefore, then, should we faint or be weary? Wherefore turn aside from the way once found to be the good and the right way? What if the world laugh us to scornthat contemptuous yet pitiable world which knoweth us not, because it knew Him not? Let us be but true to ourselves, and we need care little for the world. Our peace it cannot give; and, unless we foolishly invite and permit the robbery, our peace it cannot take away. To know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren; to ascertain and to manifest that we are Christ's disciples, is in itself blessedness. But, like every other affection, true brotherly love can flourish only by exercise and repetition. Its proper objects being not simply the amiable or even the good, but our brethren in Christ; these must seek out each other. We may regard with complacent love the holy angels; or virtuous sentiments, and deeds of brilliant men; but true brotherly love in Christ is a far more personal affair than this. It has respect to the actually communicated grace; to the image of Christ himself, as it were, spiritually daguerreotyped or photographed on the soul of our dear brother. Let us, then, more and more cultivate this blessed affection; and thus more and more obey the Saviour's new commandment-even for its own sake! assembling of ourselves-yea, of our alliance selves together. tenderness, filial piety, and family affection (all valuable for yet happily flourish without the family dwelling and family altar. Let us erect or keep erected an Alliance altar, and an Alliance tabernacle, for the re-union of the scattered family of heaven upon earth. Hither let us escape, not merely from the world, but from the pale, now and then also, of our narrow denominations. Let it be conceded that these are in themselves inevitable or even serviceable, as the husk or the shell, however unsightly, is to the kernel. But even though we do not wish to crack the shells, let us at least sometimes open them skilfully, and get the kernels together for a feast. And here let us also, dear brethren, individually remember that the real value of these assemblies the real attraction for brother towards brother-is the image of Christ resplendently manifested in our own souls. The more of Christ and the less of self (whether natural self or ecclesiastical self) that shall be visible in us individually, the more shall we contribute to the general enjoyment of the spiritual feast, and to the fulfilment of the Saviour's design. Nothing else can produce that enjoyment or fulfil that design. Blood cannot do it; learning cannot do it; wealth cannot do it; intellect cannot do it; eloquence cannot do it! Christ shining brightly; Christ breathing affectionately; Christ glancing lovingly; Christ dwelling and moving humbly, gently sweetly, graciously, harmoniously in us-He alone can do it. The sunflower follow the sun. The steel clings to the magnet. Eye kindleth eye. And, touched by the grace that flows from Him, heart will leap lovingly to heart. Oh! for more of Christ in us the hope of glory. Talk not of exciting revivals in the world without. for the revival of the true, gentle spirit of brotherly love in all our Churches, and i the very bosom of our own Alliance. Oh! for more humbleness of heart, mor BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. emptiness of self, more quiet breathing of united prayer, more stilly-hushed waiting for the sweet illapsings of the holy Dove on our barren and thirsty assemblies. As the cushat of the wood flees afar from noise, excitement, and commotion, and escapes away to her lonely haunt in the deep bosom of the silent forest, so that gentle Visitant from heaven will only come where peace, and love, and gentle joy abide to welcome Him. Let us lovingly welcome Him here. Surely His delightful visits are above all else desirable. And can we doubt that we should more richly enjoy His everblessed presence were we more loyal, and earnest, and persevering in our determination to obey the Saviour's kind commandment, even for its own sake? Amen. Biographical Sketches. THE REV. JOHN ANGELL JAMES, PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CARR'S-LANE, RIRMINGHAM. In our last number we published a letter addressed by this honoured servant of Christ to Mr. Henderson, of Park, apologising for his absence from the Belfast meeting of the Evangelical Alliance. In that letter, the writer, feelingly adverting to the illness which detained him at home, solicited the prayers of the brethren that "if the cup of personal and relative suffering which is now put into his hand may not pass from him, he may be favoured with bright manifestations of the presence and power of Christ, and be enabled to bear present and future affliction with all long-suffering and joyfulness, and be thus assisted to glorify God in the fires." The apprehension thus expressed of the final issue of the illness under which he laboured proved to be prophetic. Within ten days from the date of that letter, he received his discharge from his earthly labours, and was summoned into his Master's presence to receive his bright reward. The gap made by his departure is a wide one. His loss is felt not by his own denomination alone, of which he has for nearly forty years been regarded as one of the chief ornaments, but by all the Churches of the saints, where he was honoured as a faithful minister of Christ, and by every association having for its object the diffusion of the Gospel of the grace of God; of which it may be said there was not one that did not share in his prayers and sympathy, did not profit by his counsel, or was not supported by his liberality. To his large and catholic heart the Evangelical Alliance specially commended itself. He was one of its founders, and took a prominent part in its early deliberations, while, as we have seen, its interests were among the latest subjects that occupied his powerful and comprehensive mind. Such a man ought not to pass from amongst us without some tribute, however slight, to his character-some record, meagre though it must of necessity be, of his abundant and many-sided labours. Mr. James was born at Blandford, in Dorsetshire, on the 6th of June, 1785. Like most men who have been eminent, either in the Church or the world, he was blessed with a mother who to a more than ordinary degree of intelligence united deep personal piety. It was her practice, as her son was accustomed long afterwards to relate, to take her children, one by one, into her closet with her, and there supplicate God's blessing upon their progress in after life. The impressions this made on the susceptible mind of young James were deep and lasting, though for a time they appeared to have been obliterated. This was more particularly the case when, having left his father's house to become an apprentice to a draper in Poole, the new associations to which he was introduced had the effect of deadening for a time the impressions which it had been his mother's anxiety to produce; and for a season he abandoned the habit in which he had. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. been brought up of morning and evening prayer. The circumstance which recalled him to a sense of his backsliding in this respect was singular. A new apprentice was introduced to the draper's shop, and he was appointed to be a bed-fellow to young James. Nothing passed between the two youths on religious subjects; but before retiring to rest, the new-comer knelt down at the foot of the bed and commended himself to the Divine protection. Nothing was said on either side, and not one comment was made audibly either on the observance of the practice on the one side, or its neglect on the other. But the elder apprentice felt the silent reproof in his inmost soul; the example of his new friend spoke trumpet-tongued to his conscience, and through God's grace was the means of arresting him in the downward course on which he had entered. The anecdote, we doubt not, will recall to the minds of many of our readers a somewhat similar scene, as narrated in one of the most popular semi-religious novels of the present day, and will. satisfy them that truth was in this instance as strange at least, if not stranger, than the fiction. This seemed to have been the turning point in Mr. James's life. From that time to his death his career was one of onward and upward progress. At his first outset, however, he was greatly assisted by a humble Christian in the town, a shoemaker, who wisely employed the one talent entrusted to him by making it his business to watch for young men as they made their appearance in the church he attended, or manifested any interest in Divine things. This employment may not seem a very brilliant one, but its importance, we believe, can hardly be overestimated. Many a young man like Mr. James, whose mind is exercised with an anxious sense of eternal realities, would give much for a friend to whom he could unburden his thoughts. We hardly know an easier, and at the same time a more profitable method of usefulness among private Christians, than to be on the watch for such cases; to take young men by the hand when they come strangers into a place of worship; to let them see that we feel an interest in them; and to encourage them to speak out what is in their heart. So it was at least in the case of Mr. James. The shoemaker obtained his confidence; made him his friend; showed him the way to God more perfectly; and in his cottage were first heard the tones of that voice in prayer, which had since awoke and led the devotion of thousands. Having once entered upon the Christian life, a mind so richly endowed as Mr. James's was not likely to remain long engaged in secular employments, though it is probable he would not have abandoned the draper's shop for the College so early as he did but for the following circumstances: An elder sister had gone to reside in Romsey, in Hampshire, where she became a member of the Independent Church, then under the pastoral care of the present venerable minister of Falcon-square Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Bennett. Between this brother and sister close correspondence had always been maintained, and it now deepened in affection and interest, as Mr. James dilated to his pious relation on the new-born light, and life, and joy, that had sprung up in his heart. The sister was so pleased with her brother's letters, that she showed them to her pastor, who, on his part, was so struck with the freshness, vigour, and originality of thought they displayed, that he sought the acquaintance of the writer, and a short intimacy tended to confirm his first impressions that the capacities of the young man were of a nature to fit him for eminent usefulness in the Church. To give up a secular for a sacred calling however, was not at all to the taste of his father, and sundry obstacles wer interposed; all of which were finally overcome, and with the full consent of both his father and his master, young Mr. James was released from his secular engage ments, and entered the college which Dr. Bogue of Gosport was at that time, through the Christian munificence of the late Mr. Haldane of Edinburgh, enabled to conduct, chiefly we believe, for students whose views were directed to missionary work, though withou excluding those who intended to engage in home work. With all Mr. Haldane liberality, it is well known that his views of college preparations for the ministry wer |