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been informed, to between £40 and £50. It has been thought that the loss thus occasioned should be in part at least repaid by the brethren, and it is left with them to say yea or nay. We think he ought to be relieved in part, although the expense would not have been incurred had he consulted us in the matter, which he had been requested to.

CORRESPONDENCE.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM SOUTH
AUSTRALIA.

book, and yet they had not candour to say so. One of these persons, being formerly a deacon, was chosen pastor in place of him who left; but his reign was short. On the 23rd July, 1848, he collected all his forces to overthrow our arguments, but it was all in vain he felt the word of God, the sword of the Spirit, to be too powerful for him and his party; he gave way, and he and those who supported him left us in possession of a neat little stone chapel. The wooden throne we have cast away, gently turning it out of doors, and filled its place with a table, around which we assemble to show forth the Lord's death on every first day. Glory Adelaide, April 4th, 1849. be to our God and Father, through Jesus Christ BELOVED BROTHER WALLIS, Four years our Lord. Our number is 13: we meet twice have now passed into oblivion since I last heard on the Lord's day, and on the Wednesday evenfrom you. If I have written or done anything ing. We have had a letter from Brother G. amiss through my last letters to you, I hope Taylor, who is in good health. I am not sure in the name of Jesus who died for us you will but you will soon see him in England again. forgive me. Oh, how I long to hear from you, My family and self are in good health. We and to learn what progress the preaching of the want some hymn books, which please send imgospel has made in England since Bro. Camp-mediately. I remain, your's sincerely, bell paid you a visit; for though I have never seen you, and millions of others whom I love, yet I hope to meet you and all the saints around the throne of God for ever. I hope you will bear with me in love and patience, while I tell you what little progress the gospel has made in South Australia.

I left Auckland, New Zealand, on the 10th of October, 1847, and came here by the invitation of Brother Magarey, by way of Sidney, arriving on the 3rd of November. Sidney is a fine place; I was much delighted with its appearance during my stay, which was only ten days. I sowed a little seed by distributing tracts, &c. Myself and family sailed from Sidney on the 13th of November, and arrived here on the 14th Dec. 1847. I expected to find the church here founded upon the true principles of Christian union, but my expectations were disappointed. My wife and I applied on the 17th to join the church, but they required a week to examine us; consequently we appeared on the 24th, when the pastor put the following question to us, "Do you believe in baptismal regeneration ?" I answered, "We believe that faith in the Son of God, repentance, and baptism, are regeneration; and all the regenerated are called to walk in a new life, in hope of immortality with the redeemed for ever." We joined the church by a majority of votes; but it did not end here, it was the cause of bringing up old discussions amongst them, which ultimately led to the pastor and about one half of the members leaving the church, the whole blame of which was laid to you and Brother Campbell; yet it would be much better to censure the Holy Spirit than either you or him. We had two or three still left in the church who contended that Paul's sins were all pardoned, and that he knew it to be the case, before Ananias went to him. I asked for their testimony, but this they could not give from the

THOMAS JACKSON.

[On receipt of the above, a reply was sent off to this good brother, with a complete set of the Harbinger (stamped) to Sept. The last time he

wrote was from Auckland, when he stated that he shortly expected to remove, but, unfortunately, he omitted to give his address, the consequence being that all correspondence necessarily ceased until he wrote again. J. W.]

QUERY AND REPLY.

QUERY. "By what sort of evidence do you prove, that the New Testament was written by inspiration ?" J. H.-In the gospels, so called, the sacred writers appear as witnesses, and therefore make no formal claim to inspiration. There is, however, an incidental claim in those passages in which the Lord promised them the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth, and to bring all things that he had said to them to their remembrance, and to show them things to come (John xvi. 26. xvi. 12-13.) They needed inspiration in order to speak the gospel. (Compare Luke xxiv. 49, with Acts ii. 4.) How much more to write. Inspiration is evident from its necessity

The New Testament bears the impression of its divine Author. It is impossible to conceive that uninspired men could write such a book. The glory of God shines in every page.

We argue inspiration from its design. It is intended to make us wise unto salvation. It must, therefore, be free from error. This can only be secured by inspiration. "Sanctify them by thy truth; thy word is truth" (Ps. xix.) In the epistles the sacred writers claim inspiration for themselves (1 Cor. xi. 10-12-13, 1 John iv. 6) and affirm it of one another (2 Peter iii. 12-16.) They put themselves in this matter on a level with the Old Testament

writers, (Eph. ii. 20, 2 Peter iii. 2) and commanded the churches to read their epistles (Col. iv. 16) as the prophets were read in the synagogue. In the second century we know that the Old and New Testament scriptures were read together in the churches. This is testified by Justin Martyr.

Again we believe these writings to be inspired because they contain remarkable predictions or prophecies, many of which have been clearly fulfilled. There was not only the prediction concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, but also of a falling away of the Christian church and the revelation of the 'man of sin," and his consumption by the breath of the mouth of the Lord, and other remarkable things, fulfilled and fulfilling.

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Blessed be God that we have a translation of the words spoken by him to man. May we all be enabled rightly to improve the blessed privilege, by taking that word for a "light unto our feet, and a lamp unto our path." May we talk of it when we walk by the way, and

"When quiet in my house I sit,

Thy book be my companion still

My joy thy sayings to repeat;

Talk o'er the records of thy will,

And search the oracles divine,
Till every heart-felt word be mine."

ITEMS OF NEWS.

D. L.

CUPAR, OCT. 16.-The third general meeting of the Fife Association of churches was held in the Kirkgate chapel, Cupar, on Monday October the 1st, 1849. Brethren from most of the congregations in the association assembled to speak face to face of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and to hear a report of the progress which had been made in disseminating the truth since last general meeting. It appeared from the report of the committee that seven or eight different places had been visited, and lectures on the Christian system delivered. Brother A. Dowie had delivered 4 lectures at Leven, 2 at Dunfermline, 4 in Aberdeen, and 4 at Banff. Brother James Mills had given a course of 10 lectures at Ansteruther, and 2 or 3 at Crossgates. Brother William Anderson had lectured 3 times at Forfar, which, with some others, made the whole number of lectures delivered about 30. A short account was given by the brethren present of the state of their respective congregations; and from their statements it appeared that on the whole the truth was slowly but surely gaining ground, and the number of the faithful increasing. Peace, love, and harmony pervaded the congregations almost without exception, and the gratitude and thankfulness of the brethren towards their heavenly Father cannot be too fervent, for his goodness manifested to them in this as in every other respect. After some other places had been spoken of and fixed on as stations, at which lectures

should be delivered, the meeting was closed as it had been opened by the brethren present engaging in praise and prayer. The time next general meeting is to be held is on New Year's Day, 1850, and the place Kirkgate chapel, Cupar. Throughout the day the utmost harmony prevailed, and the reigning idea in the minds of the brethren seemed to be, how they could best act so as to promote God's glory in the spread of the truth. The importance of such associations and meetings as these cannot be overrated: they bind the congregation together, strengthen the weak, and encourage the strong. "Union is strength," and what the unassisted efforts of a single isolated congregation could never effect, the combined action of two or three may accomplish with ease. the brethren, then, think of this, and in every district where a similar organization does not exist, let it be adopted, and vigorous measures taken for spreading the truth entrusted to their care, and they will then be enabled to pray with consistency, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." W. MURRAY.

Let

NEWBURGH, OCTOBER 8. - We have had three additions by immersion lately. D. L.

BANFF, SEPTEMBER 19.-It will be gratifying to you to hear that we are still making some progress. Since I last wrote to you our beloved Brother Dowie, from Cupar, has paid us a visit for a few days only, but in that time he delivered six discourses on the claims the gospel has on the attention of mankind, in Banff and Macduff, in as clear, forcible, and impressive a manner as I have yet heard; and in proof of their being felt by others, one man and two women have obeyed the gospel since he left; and I do confidently hope that the truth of God has made a deep impression on the minds of many, who will soon obey from the heart that form of doctrine which the apostles delivered to us for our salvation.

A. CAMERON.

LLANFAIR, OCT. 9.—I am glad to state that the cause of Jesus Christ is in a favorable state with us in Llanfair. Although our number is but small at present, yet we expect that the doctrine of the ambassadors of Christ will gain ground not only here, but throughout the wide universe. May it prevail over all human creeds and traditions. I am happy to inform you that our chapel was opened on the 31st of July last, and on August 1st. The brethren who visited us on those occasions were John Price, Wrexham; John Griffiths and Josiah Rogers, Rhosllanerchrugog; John Ashbury, Mount Buckley; John Evans, Aberstwyth ; Oliver Thomas, Welshpool; and Richard Price, Llanfyllyn. We had a happy meeting, and the gospel proclaimed in its first simplicity. Since we wrote last we have immersed three for the remission of all past sins, and added

two to the congregation of the members of the Baptists in this town. Our hearers are still increasing. WM. WATKIN.

MOLLINGTON, SEPTEMBER 25.-I am glad to be able to inform you that the prospects of doing good in this neighbourhood are still promising. Meetings are well attended, and the brethren in general somewhat alive to the necessity of an earnest and vigorous effort on the part of God's people, in order to the conversion of sinners and the extension of the reign of Heaven. I am each day, if possible, becoming more and more satisfied with Christianity, and delighted with the unutterable excellencies of its author: blessed be his name! The principal piece of news I have this month to communicate is, that we have commenced to build a chapel in the village of Saughall. The building will be of the plainest description. We can do perfectly well without superfluities : all we want is comfort. It does not seem to me that in chapel building so commendable a course has been pursued on the part of many as might have been adopted. Often does it happen that a burden of debt is incurred which seriously retards the progress of the congregation. Unless there is some individual in the church who can advance the requisite capital, and who might receive a fair per centage for his outlay, it is better to wait till sufficient funds can be collected. In our case one of the brethren advances the money.

P. STEPHEN.

LEICESTER, OCT. 18.-In the month of September we visited Leicester, which is 26 miles from Nottingham. Lectures were delivered in the Town Hall on the 10th, 17th, and 24th of the month; and on Lord's day, the 30th, three meetings were held in a school room in High Street, for the purpose of discoursing on the gospel of Christ's church order, Christian union, and the breaking of bread, with five disciples of Christ, who have determined to assemble in this place every first day, to worship God in his appointed way. This small nucleus of brethren, faithful, united, and persevering, cannot fail to bring forth fruit, by leading others into the possession of the same faith, hope, and love, with which eternal life is connected. Brother G. Blair, who is of some standing in the churches both at Nottingham and Loughborough, and who is capable of speaking for the conversion of sinners, and edification of saints, we hope will be blessed with health of body, and courage of mind, to carry forward the earnest desires of his own benevolent heart, until many shall be brought into the kingdom of Jesus, and made happy in him for ever. Arrangements will be made for some brother in Nottingham to visit Leicester at least twice every month on the Lord's day, and during the week as often as possible. J. W.

WIGAN, OCTOBER 10. -During the last month we have added four members to the church, two by immersion into Christ, the two others having been wandering sheep, who, we are glad to say, have been brought back to the fold. One of the last two was seized with cholera on Lord's day morning, and died in the evening; her younger child died shortly after, and they were both buried in the same coffin. I am sorry to say that the cholera is on the increase, upwards of 20 dying during last night. There appears to be a general gloom over the countenances of all serious persons. It is sufficient to make one's heart bleed when we look around and see the sin and wickedness with which our town swarms, in the midst of sin and death. Our constant prayer is, that while the judgments of God are abroad, the people may learn righteousness. T. Coop.

HOWDON PANS, OCTOBER 19.-In my last month's communication I omitted the immersion of a class-leader from the New Connection of Methodists. When the preacher heard of the step he had taken he waited upon our brother, and succeeded in persuading him to defer uniting with us until he had perused a volume, with which he supplied him in the hope of effecting a change of mind: it has only served, however, convince him. Last Lord's day he was received by the church here (Howdon.) This month three have turned to the Lord, two at Newcastle, and one at Howdon. You will see by the enclosed placard that I purpose a week's discourses at Bedlington, commencing Tuesday 23rd: the brethren there have been sadly enfeebled by the departures of Brother Ditchburn to Australia, and Smailes to Morpeth. W. MCDOUGALL.

BETHNAL GREEN (LONDON) OCT. 19.-I am happy to inform you that the disciples meeting in our house are in the enjoyment of peace, and I trust that God's love dwelleth in their hearts. We now number nine disciples, one being immersed last month, who, we hope, is making great progress in the knowledge of the word of life. We cannot now go out into the park to speak to the people, and I am afraid that unless we can get a room to meet in, our Summer's labour will not be productive of much fruit: the people do not like to come to a private house, although some two or three come on Lord's day mornings. On Tuesday evening, the house is generally filled; this is a Bible class, or conference meeting, at which all may speak. There is a great field for labour in this, as in most other parts of the metropolis, though I think better opportunities of doing a great amount of good present themselves here than in any other part. We are close by the New Victoria Park, adjoining which is Bishop Bonner's field, where there are numbers of people to be collected every night in the week in the Summer months; of which

we have this season taken advantage, yet not without very great opposition, more especially from those who pretend to preach the gospel: yes, by these Revd. Gentlemen we have been styled infidels, the devil's missionaries, &c. just because we used Peter's words on the day of Pentecost, and exhorted the people to save themselves by laying hold of the gospel of the blessed Jesus. Yet we well know that so soon

as the people look into the good book for themselves, they will not be lorded over, any longer by these men. H. WARREN.

GLASGOW, OCTOBER 19TH.- For the last four weeks I have been laboring in this city and neighbourhood. Many interesting incidents have occurred during that time. On the 14th current a young man from the world was added to the congregation by immersion; three have been added from the Plymouth Brethren, and one or two from a distance. Let the brethren be diligent in the use of means, and the Lord will bless his own cause. I am sorry to have it in my power state that now, as of old, "The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." In the kingdom of favor, as in that of nature, we may expect to reap in proportion to the R. SERVICE.

amount we sow.

FOREIGN.

comfort and strength to the dying, became the recipients, and not the means of imparting these blessings. Many were astonished at the firmness of his faith in the gospel, and his hope of eternal life through a crucified Saviour.

(From the Millennial Harbinger.)

On Lord's day, the 15th instant, as the sun went down our venerable and beloved FATHER

STEWART, in the 70th year of his age, and 50th of his pilgrimage, fell asleep in the Lord. His memory will long be cherished by his Christian friends on both sides of the Atlantic, as a man who walked in the fear of the Lord and kept himself in the love of God; as a Christian Reformer, who revered the Bible and rejoiced in every fresh discovery of its truth; as a Christian brother, whose religious sympathies awoke into manly exercise and Christian devotion; as a husband, father, friend, and neighbour, whose social character was governed and ennobled by the principles of Christian virtue.

Father Stewart was a native of the parish of Moulin and county of Perth, Scotland. The development of the transcendent love and glory of the Son of God he received through the preaching of Mr. Stewart the parish minister, the trophies of whose eminent piety and zeal have lived and flourished in various climes. Having embraced the Saviour, he desired to be conformed to his sacred will, and soon discover

HARFORD (BALTIMORE.)—Extract of a lettering a higher degree of conformity to the laws from J. Henshall, Sept. 20th:-"I have just returned home after an absence of three weeks.

The brethren in Baltimore wrote for me to

come and conduct an annual meeting for them in Harford county, about 20 miles from the city, and where I used to labor before I went to Virginia. I had not been there for 14 years, and therefore as I was well known there, and as I was the first reformer that preached in that county 19 years ago, and as I had baptized many that were still living, there was the largest meeting that had ever been held in the county.

We had 14 confessions."

OBITUARIES.

On the 27th of September last, in the 59th year of his age, Joseph Nokes, member of the church in Nottingham. Our brother, who was in communion with the Independents for some years, was baptized and added to the disciples here on the 22nd September, 1839, ten years and five days prior to his death. His conduct was uniformly exemplary; he was never absent from the table of the Lord on the first day of the week, except in case of illness. For the last few months he had resided in a village some 30 miles distant from the church; but the neighbours and brethren who visited him bore testimony to the intelligence that marked his conversation, and the tranquillity and happiness of his departure from time into eternity. Those who visited the chamber of affliction to impart

of Christ in a dissenting church, he attached himself to it--a congregation of Independents. His attention was soon afterwards directed to

the subject of baptism, and after being baptized, he united with a Baptist congregation. Here also, though no dogmatist, he was a Reformer, and carried some useful reformatory measures. Remaining under the Baptist banner upwards of twenty years, he emigrated with his family to Canada, and planting his stakes where congenial religious privileges existed, continued in their enjoyment till his death. The Millennial Harbinger having fallen into his hands shortly alter his arrival, he carefully read its pages, and soon gladly hailed in them an advance in religious reformation which he aided forward by the weight of his character. Our valuable and deceased Brother Stewart was a disciple "Who hailed with joy the morning that roll'd the Lord's day round, And in the courts of worship was ever to be found."

Nor was it in the courts of the Lord only he enjoyed the sweets of social worship. At his family altar, morning and evening, he worshipped God. He has gone, we fully trust, into

his

presence,

Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul. JAMES BLACK.

ERRATUM.-Page 480, line 4, read Euphemia W. Dron, instead of M. Dron."

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IF, my dear E. I were disposed to philosophize upon the mode in which certain influences act in giving efficiency to the gospel, my view of the matter would be something like the following—and if it be the true philosophy, it will be the best antidote for the false. Let the case, however, be in the first place fairly stated.

All admit, as stated in my last, that it is necessary to conversion that the gospel be brought home to the heart; or, in other words, that the love of God in Christ be so powerfully and deeply impressed upon the heart of the sinner, as to remove his enmity and change his heart towards God.

All agree, too, as there shown, that the word or gospel alone, as presented in the scriptures, is insufficient to arrest the attention of men and accomplish this conversion. They admit that just as the wheat in the garner is unable to sow itself, to introduce itself into the soil and to bring forth fruit of itself, so the gospel is unable to diffuse itself for the conversion of men, and that it becomes necessary to employ agencies for this purpose, and to supply various special influences before it can obtain admission into the minds of men for their salvation.

Now one party are pleased to say that these special agencies and influences are providential—the power

of circumstances.

The other party affirm that they are chiefly the immediate and direct operations of the Spirit, who gives efficiency and power to the word.

Here, then, let me make a distinction. There is a difference between giving increased power to the gospel, and removing the obstacles which impede it. If a moving body be hindered by an obstacle, the difficulty

may be overcome in one of two ways -either by removing the obstacle out of the way, or by giving to the body a sufficient increase of momentum to break through or overthrow the obstacle. I maintain this position, that with respect to the sinner, the very same effect would be produced whether the gospel were to receive increased power, or whether the obstacles which impede its progress were to be taken out of the way. In either case the gospel would reach the heart-the point desired. If a man be distant from an object, and he wishes to obtain it, his desire will equally be accomplished, whether he go to the object or the object be brought to him. He is put in possession of it by either method. So a man may be put in possession of the gospel equally by being brought to it, as by having it brought to him. Now my philosophy is this: that the special agencies and influences which give effect to the gospel, do this, not by imparting to it any additional power, but simply BY REMOVING HINDRANCES OUT OF THE WAY.

To say that the gospel requires a positive addition of power in order to enable it to reach the heart, is to say that it is really deficient in power. This cannot be for a moment supposed in view of those scriptures in which it is called "the gospel of salvation," "the power of God to salvation," "the engrafted word which is able to save the soul," "the gospel, by which you are saved," "the good seed," &c. Besides it is wholly inconceivable how any thing could be added to the gospel to give it an absolute increase of power. In what does its power consist? Is it not in the astonishing revelation it presents of God's love in the gift of his Son, comprising his death for our sins, his burial and resurrection from the dead? Is it not absolutely and essentially in the view of the divine character which it presents by the facts which it embraces ? Most unquestionably it is. And since

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