Harbinger, May 2, '64. but have presumed that it was used not in view of a church relation, but in recognition of his headship in the family and as distinguishing him from other members of the same family. JESUS AND THE THRONE OF DAVID. "THE Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David and he shall reign over the house of Israel for ever." 1. Has this scripture been fulfilled? not2. When are we to expect its fulfilment ? And If 3. How-literally or spiritually ? Several brethren will be glad of a clear and comprehensive statement in answer to the above. H. THOMAS. Bath. ITEMS OF NEWS. CHESTER, MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL, During the week following the last month's notice I discoursed in Saughall, Mollington, Chester, and Manchester. In the last named place the meeting was for the purpose of presenting an address and testimonial to Lewis Morgan, who is removing to London. An address beautifully in scribed on vellum, a handsome writing desk, and a case of books were given in the name of the church and as a small token of the love and esteem in which Bro. Morgan, who has for some time been recognized as having a place in the eldership of the church in Manchester is held. The deepest regret was expressed at the separation. Bro. M. was one of the first that yielded to our pleadings for a return to the good old ways when the Manchester effort was commenced. The following Lord's day I was prevented by illness from filling an appointment in Liverpool, but an excellent discourse by Bro. Greenwell left the congregation without loss on that account. On the next Wednesday evening I delivered a discourse in the Stanhope Street Baptist chapel, lent for the occasion, and two who had before confessed the faith were immersed into the Lord Jesus. Two days later we arrived in Birmingham, and after preaching on the Lord's day to a good company I immersed two into the ever blessed name, and on the following Lord's day, in like manner, I added another to the saved. In Walsall I have held six meetings for preaching or mutual edification, and the spacious bath, kindly placed at our service, has, since my return to Walsall been twice used and five more have gone down into the appointed grave to be buried into death. There are now sixteen souls to surround the table and During the past month I have embraced in my labors a good portion of Lancashire and two places in Nottinghamshire. The following are the apparent results. At St. Helens two additions by faith and baptism at Goldbourne two-at Oldham one-at Manchester six, four by faith and baptism, one restored and one by commendation; at this place (Nottingham) one by faith and baptism, and at Bulwell four. On Wednesday, April 6th, I preached my farewell sermon in Manchester to a large and attentive audience; an excellent interest prevailed. The next day I preached in the Town-hall at Oldham; the hall was full and the attention profound. At the close of the meeting, several persons deeply interested in their eternal welfare requested conversation. My time, however, was too limited to converse with them all, as I had to return to Manchester that night. I conversed with two or three and one decided for Christ. Oldham, with its thousands of inhabitants, is an inviting field of labor, and one if well cultivated which would yield an abundant increaseindeed, the whole of Lancashire is inviting, and I am fully persuaded that an Evangelist, making Manchester the basis of his operations, would have a fine opportunity to accomplish a great work. HENRY S. EARL. Harbinger, May 2, '64. Obituary. FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS, MISCELLANEOUS. 183 JANE MARRIS, on the 18th of March, Jesus for ever. MISCELLANEOUS. MERE FORMALITY. The Word of God, and the church of God based upon the word, countenance no mere formality. to Violence must be done to the conscience, or the scriptural ordinances of the church must be wrested from their plain meaning, before membership in it can be professed by careless or thoughtless believers, or office assumed in it by any of its members animated by considerations merely worldly. Either God or the world will have our hearts' best thoughts and best services. But oh! to serve God-to come daily to His Word and learn something more of His heavenly and gracious character submit to His teaching, and, by His word to be furnished to all good works;-amidst all our imperfections, short comings, and stumblings, still to be led on by His tender and fatherly hand, forgiving, strengthening, and enabling us to live not to ourselves, but to Him who died for us and now lives for us, and who will, we know not how soon, appear for us, bringing in his kingdom of glory: is not all this worth decision? Is it not worth the sacrifiice of a world which perishes in the using? Is it not worth everything? And is it not worthy a creature formed for communion with his Creator-formed for happiness, for enjoyment, for eternity? Do any inquire how they may secure this happiness? By the study of the Word of God, in which He has made Himself known. And what must they give up for its attainment? All things contrary to that word. Let it never be forgotten that the education of the Word is opposed to the education of the world; but, the one has the promise of the life which now is and that which is to come; -the other has also its fruits-disappointment and death. C. D. H. ORDINANCES DIVINE & HUMAN. IF Christ has given directions to His people, they must be the best; otherwise the creature must be wiser than his Creator. If Christ has given laws to His people, they are guilty of rebellion if they neglect to obey them. If Christ has given instructions to His people, He will punish their disobedience. Christ will also commend and reward those who keep His commands. Every deviation from Scripture insults the Lawgiver by impugning His wisdom, setting aside His authority, and despising His instructions. In observing the appointments of Christ, or the ways which are in Christ Jesus, which Paul " taught everywhere, in every church" (1 Cor. iv. 17) the SPIRITUALITY of Christ's kingdom is maintained in efficiency, the GIFTS of His people exercised profitably, the POWER of His presence manifested evidently, and HIS WISDOM made apparent as the sun shining in his strength. All these blessings are OBSCURED, more or less, by every deviation from the DIVINE MODEL. For these, and other reasons, we cannot bow down to any national idol, whether that of Rome or England, whether that of Scotland or Geneva. Any system deviating in the least from the SCRIPTURAL MODEL We are not concerned to vindicate. We would willingly see it perish before the edifying and all-glorious model of the Word of God. 1 Cor. iv. 16, 17; iv. 17; xi. 1, 2, 16; 2; xiv. 33; Eph. v. 1; Phil. iii. 17 ; iv. Thes. i. 6; ii. 14. Remember. When brethren departed from the example of the Apostle he would not praise them. 1 Cor. xi. 17, 22. 184 MISCELLANEOUS-POETRY. THE EVIDENCE OF FEELING. A MAN has purchased a farm and feels much delighted with his new home. He has his deed duly registered and feels well satisfied with his bargain. A neighbor meets him and conveys the unpleasant in telligence that there is a mortgage upon the property which antedates the deed. "Impossible," is the response, "I never felt better about anything I did in my life; I am sure, Sir, you are mistaken, for I have no misgivings upon the subject." "Feel right, Sir, or feel wrong, I tell you that there is a mortgage upon your property and you had better see to it." "I feel quite satisfied." "Now be persuaded to consult a lawyer on the records of the Registry Office," urges his friend, and at last, urges successfully. He goes to a lawyer and lays the case before him in this fashion:— "If a man buys a farm, pays for it, and gets a good deed, how ought he to feel about it?"" Why," says the lawyer, "he ought to feel well satisfied, contented and happy upon the subject." Just the way I feel, Sir; my title is all right, Sir, I'll give myself no more trouble about it." E. S. PAUL AND THE CLERGY. THE Apostle Paul was not a clergyman. The chiefest of the apostles was wholly unlike the modern priest or bishop. He was simply a good man, touching society on every side, not separating himself either from the " laity" in the church, or the people of the world, by any artificial pretensions or appearances He was educated for a literary man, but, like all the Jews, had also learned a useful trade-the art of tent-making. At Corinth Paul wrought at his occupation with Aquila, because he was anxious to compel the Corinthians to believe in the truth of Christianity, through the disinterestedness of its messengers. If you had entered the workshop you would have seen Paul and Aquila busy at the fa. shioning of poles and pegs, and Priscilla sitting on the ground stitching at the canvass, with as much skill and sense as other work people, and making their calculations for sale so as to "minister" a profit for "their necessities." But Paul, although a manufacturer, was an example in this, that he had an object in life beyond his tentmaking a world beyond the world. Tentmaking occupied his hand, but a mansion in the heavens occupied his mind. He made tents in order that he might build temples. Here is the test of a man- -what ideas has he beyond his daily industry? There are many of whom you never think except in the character of their earthly functions. Harbinger, May 2, '64. You mention their profession or tradeand that is all. No part of their life is dethey are lawyers, doctors, grocers, tailors, voted to the advancement of the heavenly plan-to the destruction of evil-to the relief of misery to the diffusion of truth. They are like salt without savour, and God writes upon their foreheads when they good for nothing" is the epitaph which are dead. But who thinks of Paul as a tent-maker now? Thus let us also strive sient occupations of time. to do everlasting work amidst the tranChristian Spectator. THE SECRET OF BEING LOVED. WILLIAM Wirt's letter to his daughter on the "small sweet courtesies of life," contains a passage from which a deal of happiness might be learned: "I want to tell you a secret. The way to make yourself pleasing to others, is to show that you care for them. The whole world is like the miller at Mansfield, 'who cared for nobody-no, not he-because nobody cared for him.' And the whole world will serve you so, if you give them the same cause. Let all persons, therefore, see that you do care for them, by shewing them what Sterne so happily calls the small sweet courtesies in which there is no parade;' whose voice is too still to tease, and which manifest themselves by tender affectionate looks, and little acts of attention, giving others the preference in every little enjoyment at the table, in the field, walking, sitting, or standing." HYMN FOR THE LORD'S TABLE. JESUS, thou joy of loving hearts! Thou Fount of Life! Thou Light of men! From the best bliss that earth imparts, We turn unfilled to Thee again. Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood; Thou savest those that on Thee call; To them that seek Thee Thou art good, To them that find Thee All in All. We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread, And long to feast upon Thee still! We drink of Thee, the Fountain Head, And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. Our restless spirits yearn for Thee, Where'er our changeful lot is cast; Glad, when Thy gracious smile we see Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast. O Jesus, ever with us stay! Make all our moments calm and bright! Chase the dark night of sin away, Shed o'er the world Thy holy light! Harbinger, June 1, '64. THE BAPTISTS-WHERE ARE THEY GOING? A NEIGHBORING Baptist minister reports an old deacon, close at hand, as saying that "the Baptists are going to the Independents, the Independents to the Church, the Church to the Romanists, and the Romanists to the." But we need not repeat all that the old man said. Still, Where are the Baptists going and what are they doing? is a fair question. They seem to be "doing nothing," or what is worse, "doing the things they ought not to do and leaving undone the things they ought to do," and unless they repent they may have to add, “and there is no health in us." There are individuals and churches honorable exceptions, but present results, as reported by themselves, indicate a state most lamentable. Some act as though a better class of chapels is to be "the power of God unto salvation." Costly buildings with towering spires looking down on the more humble steeple-house of the State Church are possessed by some and longed for by others. Fashion-worshipping congregations sustain the cause and support ministers who are charming preachers, with only one defect their hearers remain unconverted. This is the state of the case in some places, and will be in others so soon as the aspirants can climb the mount. Baptism, too, is sadly in the way. Baptist churches cannot, while they surThe Rev. C. Williams read a paper round the communion table with wa- on Associations, shewing that the Bapter, compete with Independents in tists at present are an unorganized body. the race for popularity, and therefore Of 48 churches in Bedfordshire, 33 are "Don't say anything about baptized unassociated, and so in other counties. believers in your trust deed," says one There are 170 churches within twelve preacher. Do not form a Baptist miles of St. Paul's, 166 of which do not Association, but let us merge into the carry out the connectional principle. general body of Christians," exclaims a In Lancashire there are twelve towns, second. Another says, "I rejoice to with populations ranging from 5000 say that the church which to-day we upwards, in which Baptists are entirely dedicate to God, is to be open to all unrepresented. In Yorkshire there are Christians-that here the Lord's peo-thirteen similar towns in which there ple of whatever denomination may come to his table." Oh, most charming liberality! most excellent charity! Surely these Baptists convert their tens of thousands. Let us see. The Annual Meeting of the Baptist Union, recently held in London, supplies both facts and comments. From the Secretary's report we learn that an increased number of churches have given in their adhesion to the Union, but that membership in the denomination has only increased, on the average, little more than one member to each church. With this agrees the Baptist Handbook, where are found the statistics of 1863, and from which it appears that there were 37 associations, containing 1270 churches, which together counted 136,825 members, and gave an average membership of 122 to each church. The clear increase of members during 1863 is set down at 1825, or about 1ğ to each church. The present report shews no alteration in this rate of increase. The returns are from 1701 churches, with a total membership of 176,232 persons (which reduces the average membership to 104), and 1ğ the increase of each church. There are many churches not belonging to the associations. The number of Baptists in Great Britain may be 300,000. N 66 are not Baptist chapels. In England there are seventy such towns, with an aggregate population of 754,000. London is almost as bad-Shoreditch, with a population of 77,800, has but one Baptist chapel, and Bethnal-green, with over 100,000, has but four, the united membership of which is 450 only. Mr. Williams urged the great need of associations, in order that combined effort might cover the vacant ground. The Rev. W. Robinson did not concur. "There is no association where he lives. There had been a small one, but it had died out, and it was now in contemplation to form a new one. The point is, shall it be a Baptist or a Christian association-should they extend its limits sufficiently wide to embrace all who believe in the Lord Jesus, or should they make it strictly a denominational interest? What might be the result he did not know." By all means we would have the Baptist associations become Christian, but can Mr. Robinson, New Testament in hand, shew that an association of unbaptized persons, or one in this particular mixed, is Christian? Can he shew that unbaptized persons were ever in the Christian church? If he can, let him, take the work in hand, and ever after we will help to break up close communion churches. But what would the proposed amalgamation do for Baptists ? Push them to the wall, and make them fewer than they are. There are Robinsons in America as well as here. In Tract Societies and Sunday School Unions, and the like, they have united with the unbaptized sects, and with what result? Loss! decided loss! The effects have recently roused some sleeping Baptists on the other side of the Atlantic, and a new series of tracts are now issuing. The first of the series (a letter to Baptists) indicates its main object by a suitable motto-" God does not allow us to part with one inch of his ground, though we might thereby gain the peaceful possession of all the rest.” 66 Harbinger, June 1, '64. It points out that the circulation of Baptist tracts by Baptists is the exception, and it opposes the co-operation of Baptists and Pædobaptists in what are called Christian Unions," because such co-operation subverts institutions which Christ has ordained as part and parcel of the Christian system. Facts are added in illustration-"At one of the noon prayer meetings in Philadel phia, Rev. Mr. Catden, an Episcopal clergyman, proposed a union communion service.' Coming from a ‘Churchman,' it was considered a happy move in the right direction. Dr. Brantly, however, a Baptist preacher present, arose to object, and was proceeding to give his reasons, when he was called to order on the ground that no controversy was allowed in the meeting. Thus the Baptists in the meeting were tied up to an arrangement by which they could offer no objection to miscellaneous communion. They had no business there professing a union which was not real.” Another incident of a similar character is stated as follows: "In a small town in New Jersey it was decided to hold union meetings. The Baptist meetinghouse was selected for the purpose. The meetings were held, and converts to the various isms represented in the motley group were added daily. The meetings came to a close, and not one was found who desired to be buried by baptism into the Saviour's death. That Baptist church learned a good lesthat when they yield a part of the truth, the remainder will be stolen from them." son "In 'Sunday School operations' the Baptists have sacrificed truth by uniting with Pædobaptists. The Union books ignore everything that is peculiar to Baptists, and when Baptists act as agents or colporteurs for the S. S. Union, they have to seal their lips on the whole subject of baptism. At a Sunday School Convention of the New York Baptist Association a committee was appointed to prepare an 'Address |