THE WAY TO DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF CHRIST'S WORDS." If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John vii. 17). My doctrine, saith the Redeemer, is not mine, but God's. If you will but do what he commands you, the origin of this doctrine shall be quite plain to you. Whatever mystery there may be about my words, none shall remain about your docile obedience. In discussions you may find difficulties; but the faithfulness of God, responding to your faithful practice of what is plain to you, shall remove them all. Let the whole, therefore, be reduced to an experiment of confidence and prayer, in the discharge of known duty, and then experience shall remove all doubt of my Messiahship, the dignity of my character, the work of my atonement, and the Divine source of that authority which you see me exercise. By this argument, the revelation of God is raised to the same dignity with that of the laws of nature. If any man could doubt whether fire burns, he may thrust his hand into it. If another suspect that proper food is not adapted to sustain life, let him eat it. And if any doubt whether the bible be the word of God, he must obey it on its own terms. Experience will then decide. Such was the case recorded in the Life of the Rev. John Newton. When entangled with deistical doubts, finding the promise, "Ask, and ye shall receive," &c., he reduced all his proofs to this syllogism,-If this book be true, this text is true; if this text be true, there is a God waiting to hear my prayer. I will try it, was his resolve; and in directly approaching God, by this experiment, his doubts were exchanged for unwavering confidence, and for peace which continued to the close of his life. Observe, too, the effect of this position. Our Lord finds an objector to his doctrine. When the truth has been intelligibly stated, he leads the doubting disciple at once to God. Whatever the promise, the prophecy, or the precept that requires support, the scorner is invited to draw his proof from a direct experiment of obedient faith in God. Thus the very first step leads him to God. The first act of his faith is an act of godliness. Every advance is an advance in godliness. Thus the germ of that piety is produced, which all ordinances, sacraments, fellowship, and providential disciplines, are intended to nourish and mature; I may add, the character which every saint is destined to retain in heaven,-the character which is so essential to its joys, that without it, heaven itself would be nothing more than another hell.-Stovel.

duty a part of religion. When she is making or mending the children's clothes, or teaching them, and when her maid, if serious, is cleaning the kitchen, or a saucepan, they may be as well employed as when they are upon their knees, or at the Lord's table. It is an unpleasant mistake to think all the time is lost which is not spent in reading or hearing sermons or prayers. These are properly called means of grace; they should be attended to in season; but the fruits of grace are to appear in our common daily course of conduct. If a contemplative life is more quiet, an active life is most honourable and useful. We have no right to live to ourselves. I do not believe our Lord blamed Martha for providing a dinner for himself and his twelve apostles, but I suppose she was too careful to have things set off very nicely, and perhaps lost her temper. Methinks I see her breaking in upon him, with her face red with heat and passion, to huff her sister: this was her fault. Had she sent the dinner in quietly, and with a smiling face, I believe he would not have rebuked her for being busy in the kitchen while he was talking in the parlour. We like to have our own will; but submission to his is the great point. Religion does not consist in doing great things, for which few of us have frequent opportunities, but in doing the little necessary things of daily occurrence in a right spirit, as unto the Lord. Servants, in the apostles' time, were slaves; they could have but little time at their own command; books were scarce, and few of them could read. The servants of heathen masters had doubtless much to suffer, yet the apostle expects that these poor slaves would adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour, and follow his example in all things. He says, "Art thou called being a servant (slave)? care not for it." If Christ has made you free, the trials of your slavery are scarcely worth your notice. The time is short. You that are now slaves shall soon be equal to angels. At present you may hope for strength according to your day, and a peace passing understanding, such as the world can neither give nor take away.-Rev. J. Newton.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCHES.There seem to come times when God's people practically forget that the great cause in which they are engaged is to go forward, "not by might, nor by power," but by the powerful and energetic presence of the Spirit, overcoming obstacles which no human strength can remove, and breaking up an obduracy which no human eloquence can move and soften. It is only when this truth fastens itself with power upon the hearts of christians, and they are made to feel deeply their own weakness and helplessness without Divine aid, that the way seems to be prepared for the special presence of the Comforter in the bosom of

the churches. Then life seems to arise on the ruins of death. The breath of God blows upon the dry bones, and they move and live. What before seemed impossible becomes as a common reality under the agency of the all-powerful, all-convincing Spirit. A deep solemnity spreads itself over the Sabbath congregation, and diffuses itself far and wide through the scattered dwellings of the community. The voice of prayer is heard in many a lonely chamber, and the anxious enquiry is heard from lips altogether unused to such language. Christian, do you desire again to witness scenes like these? Have you a secret longing for this special and life-giving presence of the Spirit? Is it not time, then, to "seek the Lord, till he come and rain a rain of righteousness upon you?"-Congregationalist.

AN INDIAN'S GIFT TO CHRIST.-In a portion of the Southern territory from which the red man has now been driven, I once attended a protracted meeting held in the wild forest. The theme on which the preacher dwelt, and which he illustrated with surpassing beauty and grandeur, was "Christ and him crucified." He spoke of the Good Shepherd who came into the world to seek and to save the lost. He told how this Saviour met the rude buffetings of the heartless soldiers. He drew a picture of Gethsemane and the unbefriended stranger who wept there. He pointed to Him as he hung bleeding upon the cross. The congregation wept. Soon there was a slight movement in the assembly, and a tall son of the forest, with tears on his red cheeks, approached the pulpit, and said, "Did Jesus die for me-die for poor Indian? Me have no lands to give Jesus, the white man take them away; me give him my dog and my rifle." The minister told him Jesus could not accept those gifts. "Me give Jesus my dog, my rifle, and my blanket; poor Indian, he got no more to give-he give Jesus all." The minister replied that Christ could not accept them. The poor, ignorant, but generous child of the forest bent his head in sorrow, and meditated. He raised his noble brow once more and fixed his eye on the preacher, while he sobbed out, "Here is poor Indian, will Jesus have him?" A thrill of unutterable joy ran through the souls of ministers and people as this fierce son of the wilderness now sat, in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus. The Spirit had done his work, and he who had been so poor, received the earnest of an inheritance which will not fade when the diadems of earth shall have mouldered for ever.-American Messenger.

BE NOT TOO FASTIDIOUS.-A great deal, of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage. Every day sends to their grave a number of obscure men, who have only remained obscure because their timidity has prevented them from making a first effort, and who, if they could only have been induced to begin, would, in all probability, have gone great lengths in the career of fame. The fact is, that in order

to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand shivering on the bank, and thinking of the cold and the danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. It will not do to be perpetually calculating risks, and adjusting nice chances; it did all very well before the flood, when a man could consult his friends upon an intended publication for a hundred and fifty years, and then live to see its success for six or seven centuries afterwards; but at present a man waits, and doubts, and hesitates, and consults his brother, and his uncle, and his first cousins, and his particular friends, till one fine day he finds that he is sixty five years of age-that he has lost so much time in consulting first cousins and particular friends, that he has no more time left to follow their advice. There is such little time for over-squeamishness at present, the opportunity so easily slips away, the very period of life at which a man chooses to venture, if ever, is so confined, that it is no bad rule to preach up the necessity, in such instances, of a little violence done to the feelings, and of efforts made in defiance of strict and sober calculation.Rev. Sidney Smith.

THE GOSPEL. This is the word preached: it is neither spent in its descent from heaven, nor wasted in its transmission through ages;-fresh and beautiful and holy as at first,-repeated every Sabbath, read in every Bible, the eloquence of many thousand pulpits, and the music of many tongues, it is heaven's jubilee, sounding in the cells of the great prison-house; it is the light of eternal day shining through its gratings. Christ crucified is the commencement, the end, and the coronal of christianity,-a truth that endures for ever; it is enshrined in glory. Languages change, ceremonies vary, sacraments are temporary; Sabbaths, like little pools, will be swallowed up in the great ocean of eternity; prayer will continue only while there are wants, and a ministry while there is ignorance: but around this dissolving world one thing abides-the Word of the Lord, that endureth for ever. Whatever opposes this must perish, whatever contends against it must be crushed. Infidelity-the word of man-however musical its utterances, will be hushed, its airy frost-work, however glittering in the sunbeams, will be dissolved. The gospel is divine in its birth and eternal' in its destiny. Christianity enunciates truths that are above the tidemark of time, and rooted in the attributes of God; it cannot be extinguished, for God is its light; it cannot die, for God is its life.-Cumming.

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION.-Let Philosophy be the hand-maid of Religion. There is not a star in the heavens, not a flower in the field, which does not declare the glory of God. To look upon nature, therefore, without any reference to its Author, to admire the work without admiring the Workman, is folly, is stupidity, is atheism. How cold is the heart, and how dull the understanding of the man who, contemplating the magnificent

spectacle of the heavens, feels no pious emotions arising in his breast, and is completely absorbed in his speculations of science. He is not to be envied, although the voice of fame should pronounce him to be the first of philosophers, who sees nothing in the universe but matter and motion; and having pointed out, perhaps more successfully than others, its constitution and laws, still refuses to acknowledge an intelligent Agent, who made and governs it. Alas! that, in this enlightened age, there should be any to whom the severe but well founded remark of an inspired writer, concerning the sages of antiquity, may be with too much justice applied: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."-Dr. Dick.

THE HEART.-The little I have seen of the world, and known of the history of mankind, teaches me to look upon the errors of others in sorrow, not in anger. When I take the history of one poor heart that has sinned and suffered, and represent to myself the struggles and temptations it

has passed through; the brief pulsations of joy; the feverish inquietude of hope and fear; the pressure of want; the desertion of friends; the scorn of the world that has little charity; the desolation of the soul's sanctuary, and threatening voices within, health gone, happiness gone, I would fain leave the erring soul of my fellow-man with Him from whose hand it came.-Longfellow.

PRAYER. Prayer is not the language of fear and dread, but of love and confidence. It is not a groaning extorted by the pressure of mere misery, like the howling of wild beasts, to which, indeed, the Lord likens the petitions of wicked men in their sorrows (Hos. vii. 14); but it is the breathing forth of our wants with an affectionate › confidence in Him who alone can supply them. The more clearly we realize the character of God as our reconciled Father in Christ, and our relation to him as his children, the more we possess of the element of the spirit of prayer.-J. A. James.

THE REV. T. MOORE AND HIS ORPHAN CHILDREN.

To the Editors of "The Church."

Dear Sirs,

We are not left without many instances of the fulfilment of our heavenly Father's promise, so specially made to the widow and the fatherless; but there are not many in which his interposing hand more fully displays both his faithfulness to his word, and the merciful interposition of his providence, than it has done with respect to the three orphan children of the late Rev. T. Moore, of Shakespeare-Walk. The reasons which led to his leaving England, the mournful event which removed by death his wife and two children on the voyage, the distressing and afflictive state in which he and the three motherless children arrived at Sydney, and the almost immediate death of poor Moore on his arrival, leaving three orphans in a strange land, with those thrilling coincidents of mercy manifested by the friends at Sydney, have all had a place in your magazine, and the sympathetic appeal so promptly responded to at Sydney, has been as sympathetically responded to here, through your magazine and other channels. It is to beg a space in your publication for the purpose of acknowledging these, that I trust you will give me a place, as well as for the following extract from a letter just received from Mr. J. H. Palmer, of Sydney. The committee will more particularly acknowledge them to the individuals hereafter. I am happy to say that the indirect information before obtained is now fully confirmed by Mr.

Palmer, who writes, "I told you in my last that a strong feeling of sympathy had been excited here on behalf of the children, and that it was deemed advisable to take advantage of this feeling, and to appeal to the public on their behalf. Mr. Sea, manager of the Union Bank, kindly consented to act as treasurer; this gentleman is a member of the episcopal church (on whom Mr. Palmer passes a warm and no doubt deserved encomium); the other gentlemen who consented to act on the committee were, J. Fairfax, Esq., deacon of Dr. Rees's church (Independent), R. Ronald, Esq., member of the Free Scotch Church, E. Hunt, Esq. (Independent), J. Ham, pastor, and Mr. Illidge and myself, members, of the Baptist church." (Now, surely, Sirs, never was a more Holy Alliance than this formed, to carry out one of the special promises of our God). Mr. Palmer proceeds: "Our applications were not in vain, about £150 was subscribed, which is in the hands of the treasurer. The property of Mr. Moore, consisting of wearing apparel, books, &c., and a few trinkets, were removed to my house, and an inventory taken in the presence of and signed by Mr. Ham and Mr. Illidge. They were sold by auction, and, after paying funeral expenses, removal from the ship, auctioneer, and other expenses, there remains, with the proceeds of the bill of exchange, about £150; so that we have altogether about £300." Mr. Palmer then goes on to inform me of the disposal of the children, and other particulars, which the committee here will place in the hands of the friends who have contributed, when they have fully completed their arrangements, with the

other information they expect shortly to receive. The sympathy shewn in Sydney, exemplifies the oft-repeated proof, that in no climate does the generous feeling and benevolence of the English heart lose its natural bias, and the response made by the following friends who have contributed here, shews that it is still alive and warm in the English heart at home. Your readers will be glad to hear that there has been contributed by the Rev. J. Craps and friends, at Lincoln, £24. 16s. 6d.; through the Editors of "The Church,' £4. 8s. 4d.; by friends at Prescott-Street, £14. 3s. 3d.; by friends to the Rev. C. Stovel, £5. 15s. Od.; by Mr. Norton and friends, at Staines, £5. 12s. 6d.; the Proprietors of the Baptist Magazine, by Dr. Murch, £5.; by Mr. Haddon and friends, £4. 10s.; W. L. Smith, Esq. £5.; by Mr. Ferne and friends, at Bow, £3. 10s.; E. J. Wheeler, Esq. £1.; Davis, Esq., Wallingford, £1.; and from several friends sent to the Treasurer, £7. 17s., making, together, £82. 12s. 7d. This amount, less £3. 6s. 1d. for printing and postages, will be added to the amount in the Treasurer's hands at Sydney. Mr. Palmer says, also, "I may mention here that I retained several books which had been presented to Mr. Moore, by the church at Shakespeare-Walk, and by various individuals, for the children, as well as his watch, and some few articles of plate and jewellery." This, I trust, you will find a place for in your next number. I am very anxious the amounts should be generally acknowledged, as I have had some enquiries. I am, dear Sirs,

Yours very sincerely,
WILLIAM BOWSER.

7, Catharine-Court, Tower-Hill.

THE MAY MEETINGS.

The annual meetings of our denominational Societies have most of them been held in London during the present month, and they have, generally, been as interesting as they usually are. At the meeting of the Baptist Union, which was held April 25th, the very gratifying announcement was made, that the clear increase of members, in the 970 churches which had reported, was 11,815, or twelve per church,-the largest ever known to be announced.-The business meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society was held April 29th, and the public meeting April 30th. At the former, Heary Kelsall, Esq., of Rochdale, presided. The cash statement shewed a balance against the Society of £5,750, six hundred pounds less than last year. We intended inserting an abstract of the report; but are compelled to defer it till next month. At the latter, George Goodman, Esq., of Leeds, presided. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Landels, of Birmingham, T. H. Davis, of Bristol, J. Makepeace, Missionary to India, W. Brock, T. Wheeler, J. H. Hinton, and W. B. Gurney, Esq.-At the meeting of the Baptist Home Missionary Society, S. M. Peto, Esq., M.P., presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Carrick, of

North Shields, T. Swan, of Birmingham, W. Walters, of Preston, Dr. Massie, S. Nicholson, and J. Rothery. The balancesheet shewed an amount due to the treasurer of £440.-The Baptist Irish Society meeting was presided over by J. L. Phillips, Esq., and addressed by W. H. Bond, Esq., the Revs. Dr. Massie, W. Brock, B. W. Noel, and W. Groser. The meetings of the Anti-State-Church Association were unprecedentedly numerous and enthusiastic; and the report of operations very satisfactory. At the public meeting, Charles Gilpin, Esq. presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. H. Richard, John Burnet, J. H. Hinton, W. Brock, and by John Harrison, E. Miall, J. E. Squance, and W. Edwards, Esqs.

WEEKLY TRACT SOCIETY.

The Third Annual Meeting of this Society was held in the lower room of ExeterHall, on Thursday evening, 24th ult., Charles Jones, Esq. in the chair. After the usual devotional services, the chairman opened the proceedings in a judicious speech. The Rev. W. H. Elliott then read the Report. After a brief introduction, it stated, that one of their great objects was, the moral and spiritual improvement of the working classes. It also dwelt at considerable length on the evils to be combatedInfidelity, Socialism, Romanism, Intemperance, Sabbath Breaking, &c. It then set forth the unsectarian character of the Society, and the peculiar advantages of a weekly issue, in order to counteract the influence of impure publications now issuing in such vast numbers from the press. After speaking of the number of tracts published during the past year, and their circulation in various parts of the kingdom, it alluded to the very gratifying reception which they had received, and the favourable opinions received from all parts, of their intrinsic value and adaptation to the end designed. In conclusion, it stated that the funds of the Society exhibited a cheering increase, and the receipt of several handsome donations and subscriptions was acknowledged. From the Treasurer's report it appeared that he had a balance in hand of upwards of £50. The Rev. G. W. Fishbourne, Rev. E. F. Woodman, Rev. John Aldis, and M. Murphy, Esq. addressed the meeting in effective speeches; and, after the adoption of several resolutions, the meeting separated.

HALIFAX-FORMATION OF A SECOND BAFTIST CHURCH.

On the evening of Monday, May 5th, about two hundred persons took tea together in the Old Assembly Room, Talbot Inn, Halifax, about one half of whom had recently formed part of the church and congregation under the ministry of the Rev. S. Whitewood. After tea there was a very interesting meeting (to which the public were admitted), the object of which was the organization of a Second Baptist Church. The services of the evening were commenced by the Rev. H. Dowson, with

singing and prayer. Dr. Godwin, in a brief but very lucid address, stated the nature and constitution of a christian church, and the necessity, objects, and advantages of church fellowship. Mr. Illingworth briefly adverted to the circumstances which had led to a separation; after which, Dr. Acworth stated the leading doctrines held by the Baptist body, and procured an assent to them by a show of hands from those who were to constitute the new church. The brethren were then incorporated by Dr. Acworth giving the right hand of fellowship to Mr. Illingworth on behalf of the infant church; and Mr. Stalker, in a short but most touching address, referred to the responsibilities and privileges of christian fellowship; after which, the solemn ordinance of the Lord's Supper was celebrated, and the business of the evening closed. The nucleus of this infant church is constituted of fifty-five baptized believers, including several who were dismissed from sister churches. We hope, from the pacific spirit manifested, and the solemn earnestness which appeared to pervade every mind, that the cause of the Divine Redeemer will be strengthened and advanced by this movement.

BAPTIST CHAPEL, GROSVENOR-STREET, CHORLTON-ON-MEDLOCK, MANCHESTER.

On Good Friday, 18th ult., services were held in the above place, in connexion with the settlement of the Rev. D. M. Evans as pastor. In the morning, the introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. W. Walters, of Preston; after which, the minister was addressed by the Rev. D. Griffiths, of Accrington. In the afternoon, the Rev. A. M. Stalker, of Leeds, preached to the church and congregation. In the evening, a tea-party was held in the spacious school-room underneath the chapel, which was well filled on the occasion. Robert Crewdson, Esq. occupied the chair, and the audience was addressed by the Revs. H. Dunckley, M.A., of Salford, C. M. Birrell, of Liverpool, K. S. Scott, United Presbyterian minister, A. M. Stalker, of Leeds, and D. Griffiths, of Accrington. A debt of about £200 had been incurred previous to the settlement of Mr. Evans, £100 of which still remained. Altogether unexpectedly, and without any previous consultation upon the matter, one of the friends proposed that that sum be there and then subscribed, and also sufficient added to it to defray all the expenses of painting and improving the chapel. The proposal was generously responded to, and in a short time sufficient was raised, not only to free the friends from debt, but also to clear the probable expenses of improving the place of worship. The collection, including the proceeds of the tea-party, amounted to £165.

STAINES, MIDDLESEX.

An interesting tea-meeting was held in the Baptist chapel, Staines, on Friday, the 18th of April, in order to discharge the whole of the remaining debt on that build

ing. The Rev. G. Hawson stated that since the erection of the chapel in 1837, £1070 had been paid (including principal and interest), and that £130 remained to be discharged that evening. The Revs. Wm. Norton and Wise, and Messrs. Buckland and Jordan also addressed the meeting. The deepest interest was excited in the assembly, which was more numerous than on any former occasion; and the whole of the remaining debt cancelled. A vote of thanks was then proposed to those members of the Society of Friends in the town, who had generously assisted, and to Apsley Pellatt, Esq. who had promised the last £10, while ardent gratitude to God seemed to pervade every heart. We understand that all the Dissenting chapels in the town of Staines are now freed from debt by the voluntary principle, while the Church, with its compulsory rate of 1s. in the pound, has only discharged £500 of its large debt in twenty years.

BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE.

The public recognition of Mr. W. T. Henderson, as pastor of the Baptist church, Bridge-street, Banbury, took place on Friday, April 18th. The Rev. Thomas Swan, of Birmingham, delivered the introductory discourse on the nature of a christian church; the Rev. Joseph Angus, A. M., the President of Stepney college, addressed the minister; and the Rev. W. Miall, of London (Mr. Henderson's former pastor), preached to the church and congregation; the devotional exercises were conducted by the several neighbouring ministers who were present on the occasion. The atten

dance of friends from a distance was numerous, the congregations were large, great interest was manifested in the proceedings of the day, and fervent prayers were offered for the revival and prosperity of the church. About two hundred persons partook of tea, in the interval of the services.

EVESHAM, WORCESTERSHIRE.

Mr. Henry N. Barrett, of the Bristol College, and son of the Rev. J. Barrett, of Blaby, near Leicester, has accepted a cordial invitation to the pastorate of the Baptist church meeting in Mill-street, Evesham, and entered upon his labours there on Sunday, the 4th ult. with the prospect of extensive usefulness.

BRADFORD, WILTS.

Mr. W. Newell, late pastor of the Baptist church, Ryde (I. W.), has received and accepted a unanimous and cordial invitation from the Baptist church worshiping in Zion Chapel, Bradford, Wilts. He commenced his pastoral labours on the 12th of April, with prospects of happiness and success.

WATERBARN, NEAR BACUP.

Mr. George Taylor, late pastor of the church at Waterbarn, near Bacup, has resigned his charge, and preached his farewell sermon on Sabbath, April 20th. He retires much respected by the people of his late charge.