Page images
PDF
EPUB

45

Foreign.

Nashville. Ten. March 1, 1847.

J. B. NEW.

in this place, who had been an Episcopal We have a gradual increase of the congre- preacher. He has begun to teach the ancient gation in this city. Three were immersed gospel. Our present number in this place is on last Lord's day. I believe also, that the fifty. influence of our religion is extending both over the congregation and the world in our midst. May Jehovah cause our efforts to prosper! J. B. FERGUSON.

Orange County, Indiana, May 10, 1847. The church is in peace and prosperity in this part of the world, with few exceptions. Many of her members are "seeking for glory, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 1, 1847. honor, and immortality:" knowing" that The truth is making its own impression in they have no continuing city here,” therefore this place. We began here in November" they seek one to come, which has foundawith six members-our present number is tions, whose maker and builder is God." fifty, twenty-five by confession and immersion There have been four additions made to the -twenty-two had been immersed-some from church in this vicinity the last month-two the Baptists, some from the Methodists, and made to the congregation at Liberty, and two some from the Christian churches. Our op- made to the congregation at Mount Pisgah, ponents use the same arguments that were of which I am a member. O that every procommon eighteen hundred years ago. They fessor of religion could but fully realize the say that you and we deny the influence of inestimable value of his own soul, and the the Holy Spirit, a change of heart, and the value of the souls of his fellow mortals! I divinity of the Christ; all false, you know, do think that if we all realized fully the value and so proved a thousand times: but the of these imperishable treasures, there would truth is making a good impression in this be more serious and candid self-examination place, although men and devils oppose, be- amongst us than there is at present. Are we cause it opposes them. Mr. Jesse L. Wil- doing as much for the cause of Christ as we liams, old school Presbyterian, said he would might do? Do we walk with God as did not join the Christian church--it was not Enoch, that although we may have to pass popular. A mighty argument with the lovers through "the valley and shadow of death," of this world. I send my love to all the holy we may not taste it." Let us carefully brethren. Brethren pray for us. consider these things, and live in this world but to serve God and benefit man, and we shall certainly meet in heaven, where parting will be no more. ISAAC HEADLY.

J. B. NEW.

Kentucky River, May 22, 1847. There have been six or eight additions to the church at Union, Clark co. Ia. by letter and immersion. Also, five additions, one from the Methodists, and one from the Presbyterians, by immersion, at Olive Branch C. C. Ia. all under the labours of brethren Wright and Chambers.

S. W. LEONARD.

66

County of San Agustine, Texas,

April 3, 1847.

Religion is very cold in this region; whole churches of different denomination are become nothing; yet many are seeking for the truth, but tradition and superstition are hard to shake off. Many persons wish to read your books, and have come to me to know if I could get any brought on. If you will send some here, they will sell readily, and do much good.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 26, 1847. I preached five days at Wabashtown, Indiana, embracing the second Lord's day in this month, and we immersed six believers I have been imposed upon by some who in the Lord. At Huntington we preached profess the faith. I have no love for a hyposix days, including the third Lord's day, and crite if I know him. I wish you to give a had eight additions, four by immersion, and notice in the Harbinger to any preacher comfour that had been immersed; one from the ing to this country, to call and see me. I Baptists, the Baptist preacher's wife, of live 12 miles from Milani, 7 miles from San Huntington, and we expect him soon. Since Augustin, 1 mile north of the road leading my last to you I immersed a school teacher from Milani to San Augustine. Now if any

us,

soon organized a church of nine members, and commenced operations, keeping the Lord's house in order, as first in importance, and

faithful preacher will come and stay among he shall see that he shall not suffer for any thing. There have been about eighty immersed then to convert the world. The Lord has into the Christian church in this section, but blessed us till we now number twenty-six, they are like sheep without a shepherd, gone and have happy prospects. Four of us proastray. Oh, that the good Lord would send claim the word at home and in the adjoining some faithful one to plead his cause! I am settlements with considerable success. Sevehere alone, and not able to do much for the ral churches have been organized in the ReNow is the time that much good may serve, and I never saw better prospects in

cause.

be done. Now may the blessed God grant you many more years in this world to improve the talent you have, in the great cause of the blessed Saviour.

WILLIAM DEFEE.

Parkhurst, Scott County, Iowa,
June 9, 1847.

my life. Sectarianism is on the decline, as far as my knowledge extends, and may the good Lord grant that truth and practical holiness may take pnssession of this " great Miami region," that was so lately a wilderness. Logansport and Cass, and Kohorns and Howard, present a great field of future prospects and usefulness for the young students of Bethany college, and other brethren who either wish to be useful or get homes

for their families.

May the Lord bless all the holy hrethren and preserve us all from evil, and keep us from disorder and contention! Amen.

GEORGE W. SMITH.

Euclid, Ohio, June 18, 1847. I have just returned from the yearly meeting in Garrettsville, Portage county, and that in Auburn, Geagua county. There was

The disciples of our Lord and Master meeting here (in a neat brick house, built as a house of worship, at the town of Le Claire) numbering about twenty, meet for the purposes of worship and breaking the loaf, as well as spending an hour or two as Bible students, or in Rible class, every first day. We have received great benefit from the Bible class, and hope that many may pursue the same course. During part of last year we had Brother D. Gatchell as proclaimer, but are now destitute, and much desire to have a teaching brother amongst us--not for our own gratification alone, but that, holding forth a pretty good attendance both of the preachthe principles of the ancient gospel, he may ing brethren and others, indicating a very induce others to glorify God by yielding sub-good interest in the progress of the cause and mission to his righteous will. in the success of the meetings. The brethren are endeavouring to obtain a report at the meetings of the state, of the cause in the several churches that compose the district of the meeting. The reports have been but partial; but it is hoped that full and accurate statements will be made by each church at all our next meetings. Five obeyed the gospel at Garrettsville, and seven at Auburn. Please correct-Twenty obeyed the gospel this spring in Euclid—not seventy.

MILO M. POLLOCK.

Boon County, Missouri, July 5, 1847. I have been almost constantly in the field of labor since the 1st of May. At Hannibal we had five additions. At Brush creek, in Franklin county, Brother George E. Taylor and I held an interesting meeting the last of May: ten were obtained--one from the Baptists, and nine heard, believed, and were baptized, one of them being an intelligent Presbyterian lady. At Dover, La Fayette coun ty, there were five additions. In Howard we have recently had some twenty to obey the Lord at Mount Pleasant, on the Monitor, and at Lafayette. Yesterday we had four additions in Columbia. T. M. ALLEN.

Howard County, Indiana, July 18, 1847. In my poverty and affliction I settled here in the woods, in the fall of 1843, and found here some five brethren and sisters. Wel

A. S. HAYDen.

Logan, Indiana, June 16, 1847.

I am itinerating in this wilderness. Five have obeyed the King in the last month. I do not travel far; but am setting in order the things that are wanting."

W. P. SHOCKEY.

San Augustine County, Texas,
July 22, 1847.

I have just returned from Shelby county,

Texas, that notable place for wickedness, things in order. Much good might be done for regulating,' and poisoning. Brother now in these parts.

[ocr errors]

WILLIAM DEFEE.

M. R. Withers and myself preached on last Sunday, and we organized a church at Richard Hooper's house. He has been a Baptist, Cincinnata, Ohio, July 15, 1847. his wife a Presbyterian; they both joined At a recent meeting at St. Louis, thirtythe church! The church is called Zion. It three or four persons were induced to unite is the first Christian church ever organized with the congregation; twenty-two of whom in that country. We organized it with 8 confessed the Lord. I spoke also at Jacksonmembers-four males and four females. Sev-ville and Springfield, Ill. At the latter place eral others have been immersed for the re- two turned to the Lord. mission of sins-two on the same day. The following is the constitution of the church,

viz.

"We the Christians of the Church called Zion, have met together this day, the 18th of July, 1847, and give each other our hearts and hands, and all agree to take the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice." We had a meeting twelve days ago, in a Sabine county, with brothers Peter Eldridge and G. W. Slaughter, Baptist preachers, on union and creeds, and agreed to unite on one Lord, one faith, one baptism for remission of sins."

66

We want you to do all in your power to send a preacher well recommended, to set

Brother L. Jameson informs me that at Crawfordsville, Ind. he and brother O'Kane persuaded seventy-five to enlist in the good cause. The fields are white, but the laborers are few. Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send out from the schools, and academies, and colleges—from the dental rooms, and doctors' shops, and lawyers offices— from the exchange brokers—from the workshop, and the farm, and the counting room, laborers into the field; for alas! many, Demas-like, having loved the present world, have gone, if not to Thessalonia, we know not where. He that warreth should not entangle himself with the affairs of this world. JAS. CHALLEN.

[blocks in formation]

A. CAMERON.

DORNORK, December, 1847.-Favor and peace be with you and all the saints. The DUNFERMLINE, December 17, 1847.-number who meet here every first day of the Agreeably to your request in the November week, in honor of our common Lord, is six-Messenger, we beg to say that the number truly a small number at present, still com- of members in the church here is thirty-two. prehended in the promises of our Lord.(Matt. xviii. 19, 20.) J. FERGUSON.

WM. RAMSAY.

We are more speedily and fatally corrupted

MORTALITY IN LONDON.---We learn from authentic records that fever and influenza by domestic examples of vice, and particuare now prevalent and fatal in the metropolis.larly when impressed on our minds as from From the 1st to the 21st of December, it ap-authority. Such is the pernicious effect of pears by the Registrar's report, that 201 per bad example, held forth in the conduct of a day above the average have died in London. father or mother to their children.

NOTE BY THE EDITOR.

This being the case, it was not for us to dictate or control in this matter. It appeared quite incompatible with reason and common

DURING the past month, a circular has been issued, informing the brethren that the Editor, for some purpose or other, has been on a tour to some of the principal churches sense-indeed, utterly impracticable-for two of the Reformation. A sufficient refutation parties to print at the same office, and issue of this statement will be found in the fact, at one and the same time the writings of the that no churches in England, Scotland, or same author. We, therefore, now publish at Wales, have seen him during that period. another office; and so long as the brethren He has, indeed, been from home for nine days and the public support us, we shall proceed on private business, but during that time he on our even course, endeavouring to disvisited no church in the United Kingdom. seminate light and truth on every hand. It is true, he sat down at the table of the We are now in possession of sixteen letters Lord on the 5th ult. with about twenty disci-addressed by Brother Campbell, from Europe, ples in the vicinity of Dungannon; beyond to his daughter Clarinda: five of them are this his visits to brethren did not extend.

already published. It is our intention to give It will perhaps be thought somewhat mys- the remainder as soon as possible. We have terious that this periodical is no longer print- also Articles on Discipline, from the pen of ed at the Borough office, Nottingham. The our highly-esteemed Brother Pendleton, simple fact is, the proprietor of that office which will shortly appear, and be read with states, that Mr. Campbell, when here, gave interest by all. If the Brethren will support him full liberty to print any or all of his and recommend THE BRITISH MILLENNIAL Essays, Addresses, &c. in an independent HARBINGER, AND FAMILY MAGAZINE, form, for his own private and personal bene- no exertions shall be wanting on our part to fit-for which purpose, and to enable him to render its pages at once interesting, instruccarry out this object, he ordered all Mr. Campbell's works, and the Millennial Har-live, and edifying to all our readers. binger monthly.

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY.

The most striking instance of self-devo- the top of a neighbouring mountain, saw them tedness in the cause of Christ of which I ever at work. He noticed two particularly sowing heard, in these days of deadness, I was told peas in the field. The one had no hands, the of lately by an English minister. It has other had no feet--these members being desbeen printed, and therefore I will relate it troyed by the disease. The one who wanted to you just as I heard it, to stir up our cold the hands was carrying the other who wanted hearts, that we may give ourselves to the the feet upon his back, and he again carried Lord. The awful disease of leprosy still ex- in his hands the bag of seeds, and dropped a ists in Africa. Whether it be the same lep- pea now and then, which the other pressed rosy as that mentioned in the Bible, I do not into the ground with his foot, and so they know but it is regarded as perfectly incura- managed the work of one man between the ble, and so infectious that no one dares to two. Ah! how little we know of the misery come near the leper. In the south of Africa that is in the world! Such is this prisonthere is a lazar-house for lepers. It is an house of disease. But you will ask-Who immense space, enclosed by a very high wall, cares for the souls of the hapless inmates? and containing fields which lepers cultivate. Who will venture in at this gate, never to There is only one entrance, which is strictly return? Who will forsake father and moguarded. Whenever any one is found with ther, houses and lands, to carry the message the marks of leprosy upon him, he is brought of a Saviour to these poor lepers? Two Moto this gate, and obliged to enter in, never to ravian missionaries, impelled by a divine love return. No one who enters in by that awful for souls, have chosen the lazar-house as their gate is allowed to come out again! Within field of labor. They entered in, never to come this abode of misery there are multitudes of out again, and as soon as these die other Molepers in all stages of disease. Dr. Halbeck, ravians are ready to enter.--M'Cheyne. a missionary of the Church of England, from E. RENALS, PRINTER, NOTTINGHAM.

[blocks in formation]

CHRISTIAN UNION.

UNION, iove, and social bliss, are only three ways of expressing the same idea. The glory that Christ gave his disciples, is union with him, as sons of God, and joint-heirs with himself. "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one as we are, (I in them and thou in me) that they may be perfect in one." Who that thinks of heaven, of eternal peace and love, can refrain from pleading the union, concert, and co-operation of all the sincere followers of the Lamb of God? Oh, that all the sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven were as children of one family, cordially, firmly, and visibly united in one professim -all striving to honour and magnify the common Saviour, and seeking to convert the world to Christ!

Union in truth amongst all the baptised followers of the Prince of Peace, has been advocated by us from the day of our Christian nativity till

now.

We not only pray for it, but we speak, write, and labour for it, as a consummation devoutly to be sought.

VOL. I.

There is but one body of Christ-one spirit, and one hope-as there is but one God and Father of all: and one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, are the bases of this sacred incorporation. We are all baptised into one body by one spirit-whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be slaves or free-men, we are all made to drink into one spirit. Christians, then, are radically, essentially, spiritually one; and ought not their union to be visible and manifest to all?

For this are to be given up three things-pride of party, or pride of understanding-the traditions of the fathers-and our own opinions, so far as they are bonds of union or communion. In all these there is neither faith, piety, nor morality; for all faith, piety, and morality are anterior to, distant from, and independent of, opinionism, whether in the form of our own inferences and speculations, or in that of human traditions or ecclesiastical canons. No truth of the bible is necessarily to be sacrificed for union errors, opinions, and traditions are, indeed, to be abandoned, and a becoming humility and defe

D

« PreviousContinue »