38 Baily There are many Baptist churches in Scotland, and some few in England, Ireland, and Wales, who, in addition to our brethren, meet every first day of the week to break the loaf, in commemoration of the Lord's death. These churches, for reasons best known to themselves, will have no fellowship with us, as disciples of Christ. We are happy to know that their objections are not founded upon Bible testimony. To cast away human dogmas, instilled into the mind in early life, is very difficult; but to their own Master they stand or fall. I send this communication by the steamer of the 22d ins' ant. Affectionately and sincerely, J. WALLIS. ITEMS OF NEWS. Dundee, April 3, 1848.-The congregation here is going on prosperously-all is harmony and peace, and additions are now and then taking place. The visit of our esteemed Brother Campbell, has given an impulse to the Reformation, the like which it has not received since its commencement in this country. Notwithstanding all the opposition he endured, good will come out of it the truth is mighty above all things and will prevail. Yours in the hope of the Gospel, J. G. AINSLIE. Cupar, April 8, 1848.-I herewith send an order for £10, being the contribution of the congregation in this place to the fund for supporting an Evangelist; and I hope one will soon be obtained, with spirit and wisdom, to go forth publishing the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Have you heard anything certain as to who is to come from America for this good work? As a church we are going on in peace and love. Some short time ago two made the good confession and were added to our number of candidates for the crown of righteousness which the Lord has promised to them that love him. Oh, that they and all of us may so fight the good fight of faith that we may lay hold of eternal life-so that we may all be crowned together, and enter upon an immortal and glorified existence, in which we shall serve our God and Father without weariness and without end; and, oh happy thought! without once offending. We will then join in that song of praise to God and the Lamb, in which the swelling notes are compared to the sound of many waters and of mighty thunderings. The hope of such a glory is well calculated to animate us in the midst of present trials and disappointments, leading us to purify ourselves even as he is pure. Favour and peace be with you and with all the saints. A. DOWIE. Dundee, 8th April, 1848.—I am glad to think that the good cause of our dear Redeemer is progressing in various parts of the country; but still the statement of the Apostle Peter is verified amongst us, "There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you." Would that every stumbling-block was removed out of the way of truth! What of the Evangelist from America ? Our brethren from various districts are calling for us to visit them, and they are in hopes of good being done were one or two set apart to the " preaching of the Word."-Yours fraternally, WM. ANDERSON. Rhossllanuchrugg, April 12, 1848.-The church of Christ incorporated here previous to the meeting held in Chester, in October last, consisted of fourteen brethren and six sisters, all in love and unison, establishing themselves in Christ according to his truth. You are aware that brothers Price and Griffiths, public speakers from the Wesleyans, Campbell. On the Sunday following, the were immersed at Mollington by brother deacon and his mother were immersed; and soon after, three females from the same body, and two from the Free-thinkers obeyed the Lord. Since then, four others from the Wesleyans, and four from the Baptists, have determined to keep the commandments of Jesus. Our number now is twenty brethren and sixteen sisters, and our establishment in the truth seems more and more to excite the emulation of all. We have also a small church at Cepnmaw, about three miles distance from here--a very populous neighhourhood; they number ten. Our chapel is well attended. We have two pastors, two deacons, and six public speakers, all addressing the church in turn. We are all very poor, still we have purchased a chapel very cheaply. It was on sale, and we gave £200 for it. We shall have to apply to our brethren both in England and Wales to help us. The field for exertion is very great, and the opposition with which we meet proportionate to any other district. Will you help us through the Harbinger ?-Your affectionate brother, E. CLARKE. [Yes, brother Clarke; send your chapel case, and after you have done all you can for yourselves, we will make it known to the readers of the Harbinger, who, we hope, will present some tangible proofs of their love to Zion's King and his cause here on earth.] Louth, April 3, 1848.-Our number still continues so small that we are not able to make much impression on the public mind. I find that there is nothing so conducive to the peace and happiness of a church, as activity in labouring for the conversion of others; and if we will not make war and invade the camp of Satan, he will make war on us, and invade our camp, by sowing strife and dissensions amongst us. We intend, God willing, to speak in the open air in the villages. The Lord can save by few or by many. We all ought to do the best we can, and leave the result with him who can crown our efforts with success. We hope your health is better and that we shall see you soon. Yours, &c. W. K. Nottingham, April 17, 1848.-The congregation in Nottingham is walking in truth and peace. Four have made the good confession during the last month, and been added to the Lord. Others are on the way inquiring into a knowledge of the truth as revealed in the Gospel. Let the churches put forth their best and persevering efforts, feeble though they be, and prosperity will inevitably follow. Two have been added by immersion to the church at Loughborough since our last issue. Praise the name of the Lord. J. W. Shrewsbury, April 14, 1848.-I have this day sent you £1 8s. for the Evangelist fund, and trust we shall soon hear of brother Campbell finding an Evangelist or two, who will come over and help us in this country. We are doing nothing here, nor can we get any to help us in the work. Much agitation has taken place among the Old Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyans. The former have learned much from brother Campbell and his writings. We take all the pains we can to lend them to those who will read. A young man, named Williams, is about to be ordained as pastor over the Baptist church here. He is much delighted with brother Campbell's writings, and we hope we shall SOOL see things wear a brighter appearance, not only in this town, but every where. The kingdoms of the world are finally to become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ. May he speedily hasten that blissful day.— Yours, &c. T. BUTLER. Leigh, April 10, 1848.-A short time ago I informed you that we had commenced meeting in this place, that we had received one as the first-fruits of our labours; I am now thankful to inform you that the Lord still owns his word for the conviction and salvation of others. On the 2nd instant after our evening meeting, two females expressed their desire to give themselves to the Lord in baptism, which was attended to the same hour of the night. Their souls now magnify the Lord, and their spirits rejoice in hope of the glory of God. On the 16th, we had a visit from a number of our brethren from Wigan, when two others were immersed into Jesus. We had twelve or fourteen hundred persons present on the occasion. We spoke to them on the things concerning Christ, and the resurrection. Some mocked, and others we hope will hear us again on these matters. We have also added to our little number, Brother and Sister Davis, from Ross; they have long been connected with the Christian Reformation. They live near Bolton. Our number now is ten, and our desire is that we may be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all. Our prospects are encouraging, and we have reason to hope that others will yet believe, obey, and be numbered among the saved.— Yours affectionately, W. TURNER. are Wigan, March 19, 1848.--I am glad to inform you that the truth is gradually progressing; we had another confession this evening, and she was baptized in the river. There is generally a large crowd to witness the immersions, and their remarks various. The infidels scoff; some say we want hanging, others that we ought to be transported; while others say the religion we teach and practice is nearest the New Testament of any, for, say they, we can read it there. Some of the medical men affirm that our practices are not safe; they are afraid that the subjects for baptism get cold, &c. How strange it is that men should be so bent to oppose the ordinances and commands of the Son of God, our Saviour. April 6th.--We immersed a Brother's wife; and on the 9th, another Brother's wife obeyed the Lord. OBITUARIES. T. Coop. April 13, 1848. Wigan. We are deprived of the company of one of our members for a short time: he has gone to join the heavenly host above, and sing praises to God and the Lamb, to him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Our brother Holt PASSING EVENTS. THE Commencement of the month which tical horizon of Great Britain at once dark has just closed upon us witnessed the poliand portentous, alike to the rich and the poor. Alarm and excitement prevailed throughout the country, more especially in the large and populous manufacturing districts. To provide against an anticipated and threatening outbreak of the people, hun died in peace. In speaking to one of our brethren during his illness, he said how good it is to have peace with God in affliction; and added with a smile, that he was happy in Jesus. He was a man of few words, but they were always about Jesus who had loved him and given himself for him. He has left a wife and two small children. T. Coop. Lincoln. We have been again admonished of the great uncertainty of human life, by the unexpected death of sister Hannah Jack-dreds of thousands of the middle classes were son, late of Newark, who died on Friday, March 24, 1848, aged 65 years. Just 15 weeks before the day of her funeral, she and her now bereaved partner, out of kindly feeling and respect, followed the remains of my son to their final resting place. Little did any of us then think she would so early be summoned to follow him to her final reward. The last time she met the brethren to break the loaf was on Lord's day, the 12th of March. The scriptures forming the subject of address was 1 Cor. xv. Had her early departure been previously known, we could not have possibly selected a more appropriate subject. As her end was rather sudden, not much on this subject can be recorded. Her end, however, was peculiarly tranquil and peaceable, accompanied with affectionate benediction on the bereaved family left behind, who now greatly lament the irretrievable loss they have sustained. They have, however, this consolation-for her "to die is gain." On the following Lord's day morning, an address, founded on Heb. ix. part of the 25th and following verses, was delivered to the bereaved family and the brethren. May we all be prepared for that coming and final judgment, and the great day of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yours truly, W. SCOTT. Stockport.-It has now become our painful duty to inform you of the sudden removal by death of our much esteemed and beloved pastor, Joseph Harrison. I called to see him on Saturday, the 15th instant, when he told me he was about as well as usual. After preparing for the services of the next day, as his custom was, he retired to rest about 12 o'clock; shortly afterwards he was seized with violent pain, experiencing great difficulty in breathing, which rapidly increased until about 2 o'clock, when to the surprise of all, he fell asleep in Jesus. We expected to meet him again, but were not permitted. He was respected by all who knew him. He was a shining light both as a husband, and father, as well as a consistent member and teacher in the church of Christ. bereavement is great to his family and to us all, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. He has left our company for a short time, for the engagement of society more delightful in the regions of glory above, where we expect to meet him again, and to be for ever with the Lord. Yours, T. W. The sworn in as special constables, to maintain the laws and preserve the peace of the nation. Now, however, the excitement, in a great degree, has happily subsided; but, as with one voice, either from fear or love, both rich and poor alike declare that something must be done to relieve the present fearful condition of the middle and working classes of the community. Tory, Whig, Radical, and Chartist, with every Episcopalian and Dissenter in the land, are equally of opinion that the time is at hand for effecting an alteration in our political and socia! system. What this alteration is to be, and how it is to be accomplished, are the questions most difficult to answer. Our hope is, that Government will calmly consider, and liberally respond to, the claims of an oppressed and suffering people. As one means of effecting the peaceful deliverance of the people, Henry Vincent has addressed a letter to the middle classes, in which he strongly urges them to get up an address to Richard Cobden, M.P. John Bright, M.P. and Joseph Hume, M.P. along with all others of the Free Trade party, requesting them to head a great national movement in favor of equal representation, perfect freedom of trade, separation of Church and State, religious liberty, and cheap Government. 1f," says he," you hesitate now, all is lost! and this country, in spite of the efforts of a few to procure reform by peaceful means, will soon be given up to all the horrors of revolution." IRELAND.--In this unhappy country, matters are rapidly approximating to some decisive, if not fearful, issue; and who is to prevent it? Respecting the whole continent of Europe, what can be said? Its present dislocated and fermenting condition, who can describe, or predict with any degree of probability what shall be on the morrow? We are again powerfully reminded of what the Apostle John saw in the visions of God nearly eighteen hundred years ago, as recorded in the xvi. chapter of Revelations, verses 17-21. The hail spoken of in the passage referred to, was a great plague to men. This might refer to true principles strongly contended for, or to literal hail; or, as some commentators think, to cannon balls. J. W. QUERIES AND REPLIES. 1. How far is a church culpable for not individually visiting any of their brethren or sisters while afflicted with contagious diseases?-Every person in affliction ought, as far as practicable, to be taken care of and visited, and to share in the prayers and sympathies of their brethren; but for every individual member even of a small church to visit where the disease is contagious, would, in our judgment, be highly criminal. The contagion ought not to be allowed to spread even to the next family if possible to avoid it. 2. How far is a brother or a sister justified in leaving a church, for not being visited by every member while so afflicted, at the same time having no other cause of complaint?-We can scarcely suppose such a case to occur. The party thus acting can know but little, if anything, of Christianity. Where is the law, or even an example, that the afflicted in a church must be visited by every member of the body? For what purpose were deacons and deaconesses appointed? Are they not, in all such cases, the representatives of the body? In instances of typhus fever, small-pox, cholera, &c. we recommend all, with the exception of such as are necessary to render assistance, to keep as far as possible from the contagion. If any party recovering choose to leave a church on that account, let them do so. Paul the Apostle said on one occasion, if any man be ignorant after possessing ample means of instruction, let him be ignorant. 3. Is a sister church justified in receiving a borther or sister into communion from the above cause,without consulting the church with which such brother or sister may have previously been in fellowship?-It is our opinion that no church is justified in receiving from another church, any brother or sister, as permanent members, without a letter of recommendation: aud that no church can justly withhold such letter of recommendation, except for disobedience to the laws of Jesus. 4. Is it lawful for a church of Jesus Christ to break the loaf in the evening of the first day of the week? Some of our brethren say that it is not, seeing that the Jewish day ended at six o'clock, or at sun-setting. W.H. -We are not aware that Gentile Christians were obligated to have anything to do with Jewish days. Certainly the Apostle considers any notice of such days as proof of ignorance and foolishness. The first day of the week is the Lord's day and the Christian's feast day. As no particular hour of this day is fixed for the celebration of the Lord's death, the evening, or eight o'clock at night, may be lawful; but to our mind it is altogether an improper or inexpedient time for such an exercise. To defer the most important and joyful part of public worship until the powers both of body and mind are exhausted, certainly is not consecrating our best energies to the early and delightful service of him who appointed the day for that purpose. Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice Especially on the first day of the week ought we to be joyful and happy. 5. When a church consists of only twelve members, and two of the sisters cannot possibly attend except in the evening, ought not the other ten, as a matter of forbearance, to break the loaf at eight o'clock at night, rather than at an earlier part of the day? H.W.-In all matters of expediency there appears to be great inconsistency in a small minority ruling and governing a majority. This is not Christian forbearance in the true import of that term. The two sisters ought to add to their faith courage, and be determined to conform to the wishes of their more numerous and consistent brethren. Let them make the attempt, and the supposed lions will not devour them. after he entered his father's house? lieveth and is baptised, shall be saved. men. He that be 7. The angels sang at the birth of Christ," Glory to God in the highest heaven, peace on earth and good will to men;" yet Jesus said I came not to give peace on earth, but rather division." How do you reconcile these passages? J. B.-It might be known in the heavenly world, that no kingdom had hitherto been set up on earth except by war, carnage, and bloodshed. Still a kingdom of peace was promised to the true Israel of God. It was known in heaven, at all events, that a child was to be born, a son given, whose name was to be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Father of the everlasting age, the Prince of Peace. Such was He born in a manger, announced by angels, and attended by a multitude of the heavenly host, who praised God, saying glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace and good will among But although Jesus was the Prince of Peace, creating peace by bis death on the cross, and opening the channels of divine love that peace might flow to those who were nigh, and to them that were afar off: yet in the course of his ministry, and viewing the effect of his heavenly doct ine among the wicked, he delivered the following prediction:-" I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what would I but that it were already kindled; but before that takes place I have an immersion to undergo, and how am I pained till it be accomplished. Do ye imagine I am come to give peace to the earth (wicked men)? I tell you no, but division. For hereafter five in one family will be divided, three against two, and two against three; father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother, and a man's foes shall be those of his own fasake. Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you. mily. You shall be hated of all men for my name Be not disheartened, be not intimidated. In the world ye will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world." That doctrine which proves life and peace to one-because of unbelief and hatred, proves death and misery to another. MATERNAL AFFECTION.-A witness of the late disaster on the Boston and Worcester Rail Road, by which several lives were lost, says: "I could not but notice the conduct of the mothers, as contradistinguished from that of the men. The latter escaped from the car, and were running about frantic, not knowing what to do. The mothers remained in the wreck with their children about them, determined not to escape until their children should be first saved. Not one of them asked help for themselves! Their words were, save my children! O save my children!""" THE FIRST WEDDING.-We like short courtships, and in his, Adam acted like a sensible man, he fell asleep a bachelor and awoke to find himself a married man. He appears to have popped the question almost immediately after meeting Miss Eve, and she without flirtation or shyness. gave him a kiss and herself. Of that first kiss in the world we have had our thoughts, however; and sometimes in a poetic mood, wished we were the man that did it. But the deed is done-the chance was Adam's and he improved it. We like the notion of getting married in a garden. Adam's was private. No envious aunts, and grunting grandmothers. The birds of heaven are his minstrels, and the glad sky flung its light upon the scene. One thing about the first wedding brings queer things to us in spite of its scriptural truth.-Adam and his wife were rather young to marry; some two or three days old, according to the sagest elder; without a house, a pot, or kettle, nothing but love and Eden.-Prot. Un. 6. Is a believing penitent in a state of justification or pardon in the sight of God, before or after baptism? TO YOUNG MEN.-How, after the duties of the W.F.-We must answer this question by asking a day are over, do you employ yonr evenings? This few others. Were the starving famishing Israelites is a question of importance. If you have no regular in the sight of God, fed to their full satisfaction be-employment, no fixed pursuit to engross your attenfore or after they partook of the manna and water provided for them in the wilderness? Was the Patriarch Noah saved, in the sight of God, before or after he entered into the ark? Was the prodigal son justified or pardoned, in the sight of God, before or tion, operating as a stimulus to the mind when unemployed, you must of necessity have many leisure and unoccupied hours; intervals when time will hang heavily on your hands: and suggest the necessity of some means to relieve it of its weight. CHRISTIAN UNION. "NOR do I pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on me through their teaching; that all may be one that as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me," &c. In a former number, under this head, the interrogation was proposed, "Has this heavenly and sublime prayer, in its full import and design, ever been practically answered among the children of men ?" At present we assume the negative of this question. Still we may be wrong. It was further stated, that the Divine Father, his beloved Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Apostles of the Lord, had severally perfected their respective parts in providing and securing a system for the salvation of man, which should continue in operation to the end of the world. Now it is certain that in this work they were of one heart and soul, in the most comprehensive meaning of this expression, forming a divine, and con VOL. I. sequently a holy evangelical alliance, in erecting the new creation of God. Hence the church is said to be built upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, by which the whole building, being fitly compacted together, rises into a holy temple in the Lord, in which ye also are builded together for a habitation of God by the Spirit. The facts, truths, and institutions of Christianity are an embodiment of divine love, given to the church for the conversion of the world. The annunciation, agreeably to ancient prophecy and the command of the Lord, was first made in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. Christianity was bequeathed as a divine legacy to the world, to renovate, render happy, and finally immortalize all who embrace and submit to its claims. It was designed to gather together into one body the discordant and polluted elements of fallen humanity, reconciling the world to the love of God, and raising up a living, purified, harmonious, and spiritual body under Christ, who is the P |