EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. said that often, after trying everything he could think of to touch the hearts of these thoughtless, careless young men, if he spoke to them about their mothers, the tears would come gushing forth and roll down those sun-burnt cheeks.-Six requests for special prayer had been laid on the President's desk in the morning, and this evening. sixteen more for unconverted friends or persons in affliction attested the blessed effects of these meetings. After having heard in two succeeding years of Revivals in other lands, may next "And year tell of one among ourselves! now, Lord, what wait we for? our hope is in Thee." (Ps. xxxix. 7.) Amen! CLEMENT DE FAYE, Pastor. ACCEPTABLENESS OF "EVANGELICAL CHRISTENDOM" TO MISSIONARIES. We continue to receive gratifying acknowledgments of the pleasure which is afforded to missionaries in distant lands by the receipt of this monthly visitor, sent by some generous friends. A few of these, in the original words of the writers, will tell their own tale: Oroomiah, Persia, August, 1859. Dear Sir,-It is now more than a year that I have had the pleasure of receiving your valuable journal, and to whom I am indebted for it I know not. As it has made its monthly appearance in this remote and retired corner of the world, freighted with its rich and interesting contents, my heart has gone out in gratitude to that unknown disciple of Jesus who has been so kind as to send it to me. The Lord reward him a hundred fold. And here, my dear Sir, I cannot refrain from expressing my deep sense of the blessedness of the work in which you and your associates are engaged. It is a work, I verily believe, which our Lord looks down upon from heaven with peculiar interest. You are sustained by the labours and prayers of a multitude of Christ-like souls in various parts of the world, and by none with more sincerity and zeal than by missionaries of the Cross. A. H. W. Cradock, South Africa, August, 1859. My dear Sir,-I am reminded, by the arrival of Evangelical Christendom for July, that another month has passed, finding me still neglectful of a duty which, although most pleasant, has been sadly postponed. For several months I have been in receipt of your most valuable periodical. . . . This publication is second to none, in my esteem, of those periodicals which have for their main object the diffusion of the knowledge of our Lord in the earth. Many times, when my mind has been severely exercised, and my spirits sadly depressed, Evangelical Christendom has, by its deeply interesting contents, enabled me to thank God and take courage. R. B. T. Cesarea, Aug. 17, 1859. Messrs. Editors,-Though I have never thanked you for your excellent periodical, which has for many months made its visits to us with more or less regularity, you may be sure that it is always welcome, &c., &c. W. A. FARN WORTH. Tripoli, Syria, Oct. 18, 1859. Reverend Sir,--It is now nearly a year since I first received your valuable journal; and I can assure you that we always hail its arrival with the greatest interest. It contains more reliable information with regard to the progress of Evangelical religion in Europe than any other journal. The recent intelligence from Ireland, and the clear and full account of the wonderful progress of religious liberty in Austria, have been of the highest value to us, comforting our hearts and rebuking our feeble faith in the willingness of God to hear and answer prayer. HENRY HARRIS JESSOP. PERHAPS the most noteworthy event of the past month is the establishment of a new mission to Central Africa by the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It is a new thing to find these ancient, and in some respects, rival bodies, associated in a common enterprise, and that an enterprise neither literary nor scientific, but Christian Such a circumstance is as gratifying as it is novel, and we would almost venture to indulge the hope that it may be ominous of a future for these venerable bodies, distinguished by more enlarged and practical zeal in the propagation of Chris tianity. There are, indeed, some features in the undertaking which necessarily require us to speak of it with a certain degree of reserve. It is, for example, by no means calculated to inspire confidence in the sound Evangelical character of the intended mission, that its principal ecclesiastical leader is the Bishop of Oxford, and its most prominent advocate among the aristocratic laity, the Right Hon. Mr. Gladstone. It is not to be expected that they will take the same view of the great missionary work, or demand the same qualifications in the agents by whom it is to be carried on, as our missionary institutions do. Their avowed principles, and wellknown course of action for many years past, are, in some most important respects, totally dissimilar, for example, from those of the founders and chief present conductors of the Church Missionary Society; and the dissimilarity is of a kind to awaken, and we should not, perhaps, write too strongly were we to say, to justify our fears. But let us hope the best. It would be a melancholy thing if, instead of carrying to the barbarous and benighted tribes of Africa "the bread of life," they should offer them only husks and chaff―if, instead of directing them to the blood of atonement and the grace of the Holy Spirit, they should teach them that they are regenerated in the waters of baptism, and saved by a ceremonial incorporation into the visible Church. This mission may be regarded as one of the first fruits of the geographical discoveries of Dr. Livingstone. Its originators acknowledge that the interest awakened by that extraordinary Christian traveller in the debased condition of the previously unknown portions of the African race, have led them to project it. The venerable Archdeacon Mackenzie, of Natal, who had come home on account of his health, has been invited to the task of inaugurating the mission, and will return, as we believe, accompanied by several clergymen, being himself first consecrated to the episcopal office.-The Bishop of Natal also, as we learn, has resigned, or is about to resign, his office, that he may devote himself to missionary work among the barbarous tribes of the Zulus.-The vacant bishopric of Sierra Leone has been filled up by the appointment of a clergyman who has lived several years in the West Indies; and another bishop is about to be sent to the new colony of Bushire in Australia. Both in London and the provinces we hear of the increase of meetings for united prayer. A list is now lying before us of nineteen daily and forty-seven weekly meetings in London; the latter being special, as well as the former. This list, we have no doubt, might be considerably enlarged, for there is scarcely a neighbourhood where such meetings on a larger or smaller scale are not held. Indeed, none of them at present are to be MONTHLY RETROSPECT. called large, and not a few, several of which we are personally cognisant, are held in private houses. In the different barracks about London a devout spirit is also manifested in a most unusual and encouraging manner among the soldiers, who in considerable numbers hold meetings among themselves for the reading of the Word of God, with mutual exhortation and prayer. In the country, we may mention the daily prayermeeting at Hastings, which was commenced about a month since, and continues not only with unabated but increasing interest. In the North, also, at Newcastle-on-Tyne and other places, the various Christian Churches are more frequently coming together for prayer, and the Wesleyan Church in that large town seems to have been especially signalised, both by its augmented fervour and by large accessions to its members. From the central part of England, also, we receive intelligence of a similar kind. Indeed, we have a letter from Nottingham, which we are sure will be read with deep interest, and in the hope that it may stimulate others, and call forth many thanksgivings to God, we insert it here. NOTTINGHAM (says our excellent correspondent), chary and cautious in religious action, has commenced the holding of Revival prayer meetings in thorough earnest. Churchmen and Nonconformists started simultaneously, but not unitedly, in seeking a revival of religion by solemn prayer and supplication. On Wednesday, November 2, the Nonconformists of all Evangelical denominations held the first of a series of meetings for prayer, to be continued weekly in each other's chapels. They assembled in Castle-gate Meetinghouse, where the pastor of the Church connected with the place, the Rev. Samuel M'All, presided. The building was crowded with solemn worshippers. Five ministers, of as many congregations, engaged in prayer; a General Baptist, a Wesleyan, a Congregationalist, a Reform Methodist, and another General Baptist. On the following Monday, the 7th of November, the second meeting of the series was held in Wesley Chapel, the most capacious in the town, which was also crowded both above and below. One of the ministers of the place presided. A Congregationalist minister, an Amalgamation Methodist, a New Connexion Methodist, and two Wesleyan laymen prayed. The third of the series was held in the New Connexion Methodist Chapel, Parliament-street, on Tuesday evening, the 15th of November; the Rev. Thomas Cartwright, superintendent minister of the place, presided. The chapel was so crowded that every place where one could either sit or stand was occupied. Prayer was offered by a Wesleyan, and two General Baptist ministers, and two laymen of the New Connexion Methodists. After the dismissal of the congregation, a supplementary prayer meeting for penitents was held. The clergy of the Church of England commenced a similar series of meetings, to be continued fortnightly in each other's school-rooms. The first was preceded by a public meeting in the Exchange Hall, at which the Rev. Canon Brooks gave an account of the Irish Revival, glancing also at the great work in America, Wales, and Scotland. The Rev. W. Milton delivered an address on "The Revival wanted in Nottingham, the means of obtaining it, and the results to be expected from it." The 2nd chapter of Acts was read by one clergyman, and the 111th Psalm by another; and three others engaged in prayer. The Exchange Hall was crowded at the commencement, and the anteroom also was filled. The meeting was solemn and earnest. It commenced at half-past seven, and did not break up until the clock had struck ten, and not a dozen persons withdrew before the close. On the following Monday, the 7th, the school-room series of services began, at the same time as the crowded meeting in Wesley Chapel, when the large school-room of St. Mary's, in Plumptre-street, was so overflowed, that a subsidiary meeting had to be held in the lower room. On Tuesday, the 15th, the mid-day weekly prayer meeting, originated by the Evangelical Alliance, was commenced in the Exchange Hall, kindly granted by the mayor, Edwin Patchitt, Esq., at the request of the Alliance. It was to have been opened by the Rev. Canon Brooks, who, through clerical engagements in Yorkshire, was unable to be present. At his request the Rev. Samuel M'All presided. Between twenty and thirty ministers, of various denominations, including several of the clergy of the town, were present; and the attendance of the people was so numerous, that some were obliged to refrain from working their way into the room. Several MONTHLY RETROSPECT. short portions of Scripture were read, and four ministers-a Clergyman, a Particular Baptist, a Wesleyan, and a General Baptist -engaged in prayer. The whole assembly entered, with apparent heartiness and zest, into this united service; and all, at the close, seemed full of holy joy, and ready to exclaim to each other, "It is good to be here." A cloud of spiritual glory rests upon all three of these distinct series of services, the Clerical, the Nonconformist, and the United; but pre-eminently upon the latter. The hearts of ministers of all Evangelical Communions are moved more than they have been wont, in yearning piety and glowing love towards perishing souls; and the Churches are themselves awakening to their solemn obligations to co-operate in seeking to save the lost, and to set forth the glory of their common Redeemer with united heart and voice. A work of triumphant grace is beginning, of which the end is not yet. May the river of life flow through all the Churches and the whole population of the town, and wash away the filth of thousands! Amen. After these details we may glance at the different meetings in the order of time. On Tuesday, November 1, in the evening, the annual meeting of the Nottingham Branch of the Evangelical Alliance; and on the following morning a special meeting of the same, at which a resolution was passed for the holding of a weekly mid-day prayer meeting, to seek a more abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a revival of religion. On Wednesday evening the first of the series of Nonconformist prayer meetings was held; on Friday evening, the preliminary meeting of the clergy and people of the Church of England; on Monday, the 7th of November, the second of the Nonconformist and first of the Church of England series of meetings; on Tuesday, 15th of November, the first of the mid-day series originated by the Evangelical Alliance, and the third of the Nonconformist series. these prayer meetings have been crowded, and a general anticipation of a great and glorious revival of true religion is prevalent. All We believe it is the universal experience that, however much of the Divine presence may be enjoyed when Christians meet denominationally, they possess the consciousness of receiving a much larger blessing when they meet apart from their denominations and unitedly. This was particularly felt in a series of extraordinary meetings lately convened for three successive days by the Rev. E. H. Bickersteth, at Hampstead. In those meetings we were ourselves privileged to take some humble part, and we know how eminently they were distinguished by those characteristics which leave no doubt of the presence of the Comforter. In resuming the winter services for the masses of the people in London, the Dissenters have this year taken the lead. St. James's Hall has been re-opened during the present month, and the attendance has been so overflowing, that the Committee who arrange the proceedings meditate an afternoon as well as an evening service. Exeter Hall, we understand, is to be re-opened by the Episcopalians, but not till the beginning of the new year. We must here take the liberty of referring the reader to the "Transactions" of the Evangelical Alliance, in an earlier page, where he will find that some steps have been taken by the Council of that body to bring about a union of these two series of services. It is, of course, quite in the spirit of that institution, and within its proper province, to move in this direction, and we can only express our hope that the two Committees may be able-of their disposition we do not doubt-to accomplish so desirable an object. In the meantime, we refer with great pleasure to a meeting held a few days ago to consider what efforts could be made to commence and carry on similar services in the Eastern part of the metropolis. The meeting, at which we were present, was large and composed of influential persons. The question was discussed, whether it should be a united effort, Episcopalian and Nonconformist ministers preaching in the same place alternately; or whether, as in the other instance, different places should be occupied by each. The discussion was frank, and the difficulties were looked in the face, but we rejoice to add that the unanimity was complete and most cordial. There is to be no divided action, but Churchmen and Dissenters, both laity and clergy, are to move in a combined phalanx, and to stand together heart and hand as good soldiers of Jesus Christ |