ply to them is, "Sour grapes." They laugh from envy. But notwithstanding this, there is ground for consideration in the above, and there does not appear any good reason why a report of a meeting of brethren should not conform more largely to admitted New Testament practice. We should then have brother less frequently and Mr. and Esq. never. In some instances proper reverence would demand a prefix. In this, and in all things, let us come as near to the Book as possible. ED. ATTEND TO THIS-WANTED, £1000. THE writer of the following letter | Something remarkable, it is expected, does what he recommends to others. He believes in thank-offerings, and though not over well-to-do in the world, at the end of the year, having looked over his affairs, he sent, as an acknowledgment to the Giver of all good, a handsome donation for evangelistic purposes. "To the Editor of the B. M. H. Dear Brother,It is manifest that the harvest is great and the laborers few. Can not the churches scek out God loving and soul-stirring men to send forth into the barvest. Of course the money question comes in here, and the poor, the sick, and the afflicted are not to be neglected. But could not five hundred individuals be found willing to promise a donation next New Year's Day (if the Lord spare them and continue their present rate of supply, or nearly so) of the small sum of £1. each, Then could not most of the churches promise £5 each? By this means the present contributions would be increased to £1000. I believe the givers would find the Lord ready to enrich them even in temporal things on account of their liberality. Who will thus sustain and enlarge the empire of Christ ?Yours truly, R. C. S." will then come upon both the church and the world. But if the Lord spare and bless us, shall we aim at supplying in 1866 as much of the proposed £1000 as is possible? We are strongly impressed with the conviction, that if the desire to do this finds its utterance in prayer to the Giver of all good, and earnest effort be made to devote, to the utmost of our ability, of that with which we are blessed, our God will send prosperity in temporal things, that we may not be without means to accomplish the desire of our hearts. Here, then, is a proposal. Let those individuals who will undertake to present in January, 1866, in addition to their ordinary contributions, a thank-offering to the Lord, to be devoted to evangelization (providing only that their resources are then equal to what they have been, or what they expect they may be) send promise to that effect, the B. M. H. to whom the sums may stating the amount, to the Editor of then be forwarded, to be handed over to the Evangelist Committee and expended by them in such special evangelistic efforts as the Annual Meetings of 1865 and 1866 recommend. If these promises are sent in at once and published on the cover of the Harbinger, with or without names or initials, there will be sufficient data before the next August Meeting upon which to found arrangements for much extended effort. Churches would do well to prayerfully consider the matter, and as far as possible thus indicate intentions to extend their contributions. And surely those churches which do not contribute to 110 EVANGELISTS WANTED. the Evangelist Fund might take this question at once in hand and ascertain whether they cannot send in their pro EVANGELISTS WANTED DEAR BRO. KING,-We are desirous to have an efficient evangelist. The committee instruct me to apply to you, in hope that you may be able to select one able and willing to labor in this part of the world. The brethren would give yourself a hearty welcome, but fear to entertain the hope, seeing the important place you fill among the churches at home. Do you think Bro. Evans would meet our requirements? Enclosed is an order to pay the passage money of any evangelist you may select as suitable to send out to this colony. There need be no ap Harbinger, Mar. 1, 65. mise to swell our evangelizing resources for 1866. ED. IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. REMARKS. indicate the man who will enter this May the Lord speedily raise up and field and do the work to the honor of the Redeemer. Any one having anything to suggest in this matter will please address the Editor of the B. M. H. ED. SOCIETIES FOR RELIEVING SICK CHRISTIANS. A MEMBER of the church in which the writer of the letter under the above heading, in our last, is a member, writes: "I must say I felt that we were somewhat scandalized by that letter, and therefore I enquired concerning it, and am informed that the writer is not our deacon of that name, but his son, who wrote in consequence of a conversation with some brethren at a distance, who don't seem satisfied with trusting to the fellowship. They felt they would like to make sure of something and set ab ut the inquiry in the B. M. H. I am informed that there is no case of want and neglect in the church, and therefore the letter and the editorial, based, of course, upon the letter, reflect improperly upon the church." We are glad to receive this explanation. Our remarks in the last issue reflected upon no one. The writer said positively that brethren were sometimes left without sustenance in sickness, and without means to defray funeral expenses. Of which church the writer is a member we did not know, and we had no data at all before us, save his own statement. It was not for us to say, "Sir, your words are false," but we did say that in the range of our experience nothing ED. To make them effectual, all our public religious measures, institutions, benevolent agencies, missions, need to be managed on a high-toned, scrupulous, and unquestionable scale of honor; without evasion, partisanship, or overmuch of the serpent's cunning. The band that gives away the Bible must be unspotted from the world. The money which sends the missionary to the heathen must be honestly earned. In short, both the two arms of the church-justice and mercy-must be stretched out, working for man, strengthening the brethren, or else your faith is vain, and ye are yet in your sins.-F. D. Huntingdon, D.D. ITEMS OF NEWS. ITEMS OF NEWS. Since the notice last month Bro. King has been for three weeks laid aside by illness, consequently special lectures advertised both in Birmingham and Walsall had to be delivered by a substitute. The requirement however was well met by Bro. T. Parris from Bristol, who has been spending a month here. His preaching and teaching have been appreciated by the church and others, one convert in particular manifesting gratitude by the presentation of a handsome Bible. Bro. King has immersed eight, and Bro. Parris subsequently immersed seven others. Several, previously immersed, have also been added to the church. He will remain some little time to help on the work in Wolverhampton and Wednesbury. 111 tween now and the Anuual Meeting-the time for which he is engaged here -- that many will be induced to lay down their arms of rebellion. Our Sunday meetings continue good, and the spreading of the table in the evening for the accommodation of those members who cannot attend in the morning-such as mothers and servantsis working well and much appreciated. As many as thirty sometimes attend, who would not otherwise have an opportunity of celebrating the death of their Saviour. Our Sunday school is flourishing. I trust it is, as it should be, the nursery of the church. The Dorcas Society is found to be most useful to all concerned. The Young Men's Society also keep up their meetings for selfimprovement, and we can testify to its advantages. W. L. J. B. R. writes-" Nine persons have been immersed and added to the church in Milton Hall-five should have been reported last month and four are for this." ED. LEICESTER. Since our last we have added two to the church by immersion. J. L. PENRITH. I have commenced a series of Sunday evening readings in the Working-men's Reading Room, at which I read selections from the Scriptures make short comments, interspersing, the reading with pieces of religious poetry, and end with an article from the Harbinger, Christian Advocate, or tract. I am obliged to do all myself, so not to weary the people I occupy only an hour. I have no singing or vocal prayer, no reserved seats, no collections. Sunday night was the first trial. There were thirty present, and as I advertized the reading chiefly for those who did not go to any place of worship, or going were not satisfied with their attendarce, I had perhaps only half a dozen who were habitual attendants at any place. I will write again when I see how the matter proceeds. SOUTHPORT. JON. WILD. Bro. Evans has been here above a week. We find his labors very useful. Last night we immersed three. The last time he was here we also immersed three and received one from the Baptists. If we could secure his services for sometime good woul i result. Our present number is seventeen, and our meeting place is the News Room, Exchange Buildings, London-street. T. C. 112 WIGAN. OBITUARY. Since the date of our last communication we have had to use the bath wherein the new birth is completed. Three men and two women have given themselves to the Lord that bought them. One young man is the son of a brother recently deceased. We hope he will become strong in the Lord. The others, men with their wives. In one case the husband, kneeling down in our m eting while a brother was speaking, strongly moved, confessed his faith in the Saviour, and shortly after his wife gave herself to God. In the other case the wife first gave herself to the Lord, and last night her husband yielded "obedience to the faith." Others are inquiring. We have had the pleasure of receiving back two, who had wandered from the right path, one of whom had been connected with a schism. May we all beep the "unity of the Spirit" in the bond of peace. Feb. 15th, 1865. WHITEHAVEN. R H. Since our notice in January, three have been added to the church here by immersion iato Jesus. E. D. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. Our audiences at "St. Georges Hall" till continue large and attentive, and the interest remains unabated. On Tuesday, Dec. 6th, I commenced a meeting at Prahran, continued it six days, and closed with a result of eight additions by faith and baptism. On Thursday, Dec. 21st, I commenced a protracted meeting at Bulleen, assisted by our esteemed and promising young brother, J. W. Webb. We intend (D.v.) to continue it over Christmas and New Year's Day. The prospects are hopeful and cheering, as the biethren have entered into the work of co-operation with interest and commendable zeal. The audiences are good and attentive, and two perSous have already decided for Christ. During the past month our labors, by the blessing of God, have resulted in the addition of thirty-five to the church of Christthirty-one have been added by faith and baptism, one from the Baptists, and three by commendation. The success of the cause we plead in Melbourne, is without a parallel in the colony, and the brethren are determined to avi themselves of the opportunity God has afforded them, for the establishment of a pure Christianity in this far-famed city. They have already purchased an eligible site for a commodious chapel, and we hope in the course of a few months, to have it completed. HENRY S. EARL Harbinger, Mar. 1, '65. MARYBOROUGH, AUSTRALIA. The Lord has added one more to the church here. Our hearts have been also gladdened by the addition of Bro. and Sister Whitney, who knew Bro. King and the members of the church at Camden Town in its first struggles. The church has decided to build a meeting place, and have puchased a good site for £50. We now want funds to commence building. We will not go into debt. Who will help us? We could soon raise money did we but lower ourselves to the ways of those around us; but no! we would rather worship and preach in the open air than degrade our holy religion. We are now about 30 members. We are glad to hear of the sympathy manifested to the churches in Australia at the Annual Meeting, and the brethren here will(D.v.)furnish statistics to the next meetting, hoping that the other churches will do the same. D. WILLDER. Dec. 23, 1864. Obituary. DEPARTED IN THE GLORIOUS HOPE OF WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS, of Birmingham, on the 24th December, 1864, aged 29 years. In 1858 he put on the Lord by baptism His end was peace. Conscious to the last moment, he bade his sister-wife farewell in joyful resignation, and without a struggle closed his eyes to wait the appearing of the Lord. BARBARA LAING, of Blagannoch, on the 9th January, 1865, after a few days' illness. For some twenty-six years she had been a consistent member of the church, in which she leaves a husband and daughter to mourn her departure. She was known for hospitality and pie'y. ALEX WATT, of Dundee, in January, 1865. He was immers d into Jesus four years ago. He has left a widow and family to mourn his removal. WILLIAM BLACK, of St. Helens, on the 20th January, 1865, aged 34 years. About four years back he put on the Lord in baptism. For three years he met regularly with the church in White aven, where, though he had to walk five miles, he never allowed the weather, however rough, to keep him from the assembly. After his removal to Ditton, about ten miles from St. Helen's, be manifested the same zeal for the Lord's ordinances. His duties required h m to be up all night every alternate week, yet the train always brought him in time for the service. His Christian con uct won for him the respect of all who knew him. He departed full of confidence. Harbinger, April 1, '65. THE NEW MACHINERY. 113 APRIL, 1865. THE NEW MACHINERY. Now that the inability of the denominations to reach the masses, together with the fact that they cannot maintain, in view of increased population, their own ground is demonstrated, new schemes and devices are adopted. But the new machinery is not at all likely to improve the state of things. Nothing short of the old way will meet the requirement, and that at present they are not willing to have. "Revivalism" is, therefore the anchor of hope. Hysteria gave them a lift in Ireland, when three or four years since the deluded mistook one of its symptoms for the "load of sin just here," which only Jesus could remove. But only now and then can this disease find the conditions requisite to its wide and rapid diffusion, and when they are found a few months wear them out. "Stricken ones" are no longer seen, and revival is at an end. We do not say that at these seasons there are not hearts truly turned to the Saviour. Solemnity is superinduced, and many look into themselves, as they should do and as they have not before done, and the result is that a few lead a changed life, while the multitude of the convicted and converted go back to their old pursuits, and are as much the children of the devil as ever. But though many strive to keep up these conditions, and would almost give their ears so to do, yet they cease, and, manœuvre notwithstanding, the former rock-like state remains to mock the efforts of the sects. But we live in an age of invention and extra evangelistic work is now doing in earnest. The rulers have discovered that one pastor in one church wont do, and that in primitive times there were evangelists. Consequently we now hear of men thus called going to and fro preaching the gospel, whereas ten years ago we never heard of a living evangelist unless when we happened to meet an Irvingite. But evangelists, either self-supported or sustained by others, have become sufficiently numerous to lead the Dublin Tract Repository people to publish "A Few Hints to Evangelists." We like the designation. As Philip the Evangelist went down to Samaria, so now we would have evangelists go to the multitudes who call not on the name of the Lord. But the evangelists addressed from the Dublin Repository are to bear the name without being permitted to do the work. With them, it is the application of an old name to a new office. Hear their instruction "During the last few years, the Lord has been evidently leading many of his people to a fuller acknowledgment and more practical exhibition of their oneness in Christ; and where disciples have met on this broad ground, he has graciously granted peculiar blessings. The great facts of the Revival in America, Scotland, the North of Ireland, and elsewhere, are appealed to in confirmation of these positions. If you acknowledge these facts, and profess to go forth to labour on this broad ground, be not only true to your principles, but let your principles be known. Let it be known that you have nothing to do with questions respecting ecclesiastical polity of government-that you consider meddling with them would be a breach of good faith towards those with whom you are acting in concert, and towards those who receive you as an unsectarian servant of the Lord." The evangelists of apostolic time were to set in order the things that were wanting and ordain elders in every church-this is seen in Paul's instruction to. Timothy and Titus-but the modern evangelist is a sort of go-between among the sects, who is to be quite indifferent whether his converts turn to the Church, |