Page images
PDF
EPUB

The expenditure on general account was £55,600; on the widows' and orphans' account, £2931; and on the special funds account, £2155, making a total of £64,827.

had been received as follows:- From the associations, £144, 465; benefactions, £11,897; legacies, £32,780; sundries, £11,228: total, £200,372. Extension fund, £4015; special funds, £26,783; extraordinary receipts, £1278: gross total, £232,448. The Associa- The annual me ting of the LONDON tions have sent up almost precisely the MISSIONARY SOCIETY was rendered same amount as last year, which was attractive by the presence of the Rev. an advance of £5000 on the preceding Wardlaw Thompson, the Foreign year; but the nett result of the year Secretary of the Society, who had just was that the Society's resources for its returned from a journey of inspection, general work are reduced by £5900. in which he had travelled upwards of The recorded adult baptisms of the 40,000 miles in the interest of the year were about 2700 in number. Society, and visited forty-two of its There have been twelve ordinations of principal stations in India, China, natives, making 330 from the begin- and Africa, as well as twelve other ning. The number now labouring in places which were once stations, but connection with the Society or the in which the people were now mainnative churches is 247, against a staff taining the ordinances of religion for of 234 European ordained missionaries. themselves, and only retain a kind of "Each year in the history of the honorary connection with the Society. Church Missionary Society," the report In relation to the missions of other continued, "brings its own trials, and Christian communities, Mr. Thompson the past year has been no exception. said: "Time has not permitted me to Yet in no case has the difficulty or the visit many of the stations of other disappointment been unmixed with missionary societies, yet I have been tokens of encouragement; and often privileged to drop in here and there, have the committee had to say that and have had the opportunity of seeing God was better to them than their how wonderfully the mission field fears. In moving the adoption of the brings out unity of spirit in Christian report, the Archbishop of York said: men amongst whom diversity of work Now, about this Society. I should and government exist." A further like just to draw your attention for a attraction at this meeting was the moment to its material progress. I do presence of Rev. Edwin Lewis, from not greatly care for those calculations Bellary, South Africa. Both he and of money, but still they do to a certain the Secretary spoke most hopefully extent guide you, for every thousand of the success of their missions. The pounds represents, of course, so much total income of the Society has been active work in the mission field. At £102,563; the total expenditure, the birth of the Queen, in 1819, the £113, 402. The deficiency has been income of the Society was little short partially met by the withdrawal from of £30,000; at the accession of the investment of £6260, still leaving a Queen it was above £80,000. In 1859 large balance against the Society. it was £145,000; and in 1883, the last financial year, it was £232,000. These facts speak to everybody."

[ocr errors][merged small]

The Missionary Meetings of the WESLEYAN CHURCHES have been as usual well attended and enthusiastic. At the meeting of the WESLEYAN SOCIETY, earnest speeches were made by missionaries from China and Africa, and at the meeting of UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCHES equal enthusiasm seems to have prevailed, although their missions hold a subordinate place. Both Churches are labouring with zeal and earnestness in their several spheres of missionary labour, and are doubtless preparing the way of the new and glorious age which is opening upon the world.

London is a kingdom in itself. It exceeds in the number of its population the largest and most populous counties of England. In this population are dense masses huddled together in illconstructed and unhealthy houses, who attend no regular public worship, and spend their lives in poverty, ignorance, and crime. The "bitter cry" of London has pierced the ears of the statesman, the philanthropist, and the Christian. Many schemes are suggested for improving the social and domestic condition of the people, but the aim of the LONDON CITY MISSION is to provide for their religious culture. Whether the wisest means are adopted to secure this object or not, we must admire the zeal of the members of this association, and sympathize in the sublime purpose they have placed before them. Their annual report states that "increased support had enabled the Committee to maintain the full staff, and even to add to their number; so that, whereas the number of missionaries at the end of March last year was 452, it has now risen to 459. The ordinary receipts for the year had amounted to £56,315, and in addition to this, £6655 had been received for investment for special districts, making the total receipts for the year £62,970, the largest sum the Society had ever received in the course of one year, and £15,451 in excess of the receipts for the previous year. This increase was partly due to a special appeal issued by the chairman, which brought in £6100, and partly to an increase in the legacies to the amount of £2480. The expenditure during the year had been £51,505, an excess over that of the previous year of £521. This was chiefly due to the expenses incident to the issue of the special appeal, and partly to the increase in the staff of missionaries. For the Disabled Fund the total receipts had been £2995, and the expenditure £2137. There were now upwards of 250 factories visited in the east of London alone. There were now more than seventy missionaries daily engaged in the visitation of the police, the employees in the post-offices, the cabmen, omnibus-men, tramcarmen, coachmen, grooms, and ostlers, canal - men, railway-men, bakers, butchers, cattle-drovers, fish salesmen, labourers in the docks, gipsies, and others."

The BAPTIST UNION assembled in Bloomsbury Chapel, London, amid fog and gloom, which necessitated the lighting of the gas. The chairman, the Rev. R. Glover, of Bristol, selected as the subject of his opening address, the Gift of Prophecy.

"Was this gift," he inquired, "attainable now, or had the golden light which once glowed on mankind faded into common day? The gift of prophecy was one form of that Divine inspiration which, in all its activities, was so full alike of majesty and mystery. The psychology of inspiration was a theme which did not appear to have received much attention in the Church of Christ. It had seemed enough to have the embodied results of the highest workings of inspiration, without inquiring into its modes of working, seeking for its laws, or tracing the elements in common between its lowlier workings in our own generation, and the statelier reaches of its glory in the hearts of Isaiah and of Paul. Such a study was not easy, for the mystery which attached to all life belonged to inspiration. Every spirit could, in some degree, inspire into other kindred spirits its own views and feelings. Man could inspire man."

"But," in the estimation of Mr. Glover, "great in mystery, and interest, and value as this human inspiration was, the highest and sublimest kind of inspiration was that in which the lowly human spirit and the great Spirit of God affected and moved each other. There were avenues by which each could find and penetrate the other. Man could inspire God, and charge the Divine Father with all his feelings, making Him participator in the thoughts, cares, and desires of his heart, and, in a limited but sufficient and blessed degree, could mould the actions and purposes of God. And still more could God inspire man, could live Himself into our life, could dwell within us, warming heart, ennobling thought, sanctioning hope, spiritualizing feeling, fortifying the higher will, lifting the entire human being into fuller life and light. As it was in various degrees that men could inspire God with the desires of their hearts, so it was in various degrees that men could be inspired by God. The force of His inspiration varied

according to circumstances and receptivity, but nowhere, he supposed, were the souls of men absolutely without this sacred endowment." The evidences of this inspiration the speaker finds in the approaches to Christian truth in the philosophers of old. The Church wants prophets, not priests. "It was not,' said Mr. Glover, "every saint that would make a prophet. Some natural force of character, independence, elevation, intensity of affection, judgment, and decision were the natural basis of a prophet's endowment. But communion with God was the first condition of enlightenment with His grace."

The subject of inspiration is one of deepest interest to the Church, and one of deepest mystery. None of the sections of popular Christianity has defined the doctrine of inspiration. In the estimation of most religious teachers, the inspirations of the Bible writers was the same as distinguishes the ready and able writers of the present day. The inspiration was that of the writers, not of their writings. They expressed their own thoughts, highly enlightened, but still the sentiments of their own intelligence. And the same condition may be still attained, and is to be sought and expected. It is true there is an action of mind upon mind. It is equally true that there is a constant action of the Divine upon the human mind. But this universal influence of God upon the soul, is not of the same kind as the inspiration of the prophets. In their case they were the media whereby the written Word was revealed, and the way prepared for the descent of the Personal Word, which 66 was made flesh and dwelt among us." The office of the Christian preacher is not to give another Word, or by any effort of imagination to raise himself to a level with the Word which is revealed for our instruction and admonition, but to seek by prayerful and diligent study, and by the employment of the means which the providence of God has placed within his reach, to attain to right knowledge of the truth contained in the Word, and to proclaim it to the people. The sower soweth the Word.' It is not human intelligence, however brilliant, but "truth in the inward parts," that will save the

66

souls of men. Man can in no way 'mould the actions and purposes of God." What he can do, and what his approach to God, and prayer to God, and study of God's Word, and obedience to God's truth, will enable him to do, is to open his mind to a clearer insight into the meaning of Holy Scripture, to help him to imbibe more fully of the Spirit of God, and to become himself more perfectly restored to the image and likeness of God.

The president's address was followed by a report, which stated that between £65,000 and £70,000 had been expended in building new chapels, in enlarging old ones, and on school property. The amount of debt on chapels and schools paid off was about £82,000, of which £12,000 was raised in London. The promises towards the Annuity Fund up to the end of 1882 amounted to £58,000, and of this sum £53,000 had been paid. The new effort had resulted in promises amounting to £6293, but promises or money to the extent of at least £14,000 more are needed before the close of this year if the annuities are to be maintained at their present rate. Out of the Augmentation Fund £20 had been paid to each of the 136 pastors. Contributions for this fund, as well as for the Education Fund, were urgently needed. The income of the Union during the year had amounted to £1300.

The Synod of the ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was this year held in Liverpool. This, compared with the larger Presbyterian communities of Scotland and other places, is a small body formed eight years ago, by uniting in one community the members of the several Presbyterian Churches resident in England. Each congregation is entitled to send its minister and one elder, which would give a membership of five hundred persons. The Rev. R. H. Lundie, of Fairfield Church, Liverpool, was appointed moderator. In his opening address he dwelt on some of the serious aspects of the times in which we live in their relation to the Church. He remarked: "Nothing is now taken for granted because long held; but the Church has nothing to fear from intense and earnest inquiry. What we have to fear is, on the one hand, the over hasty assumption of untested scientific theories, as though they were

[ocr errors]

ascertained truths; and, on the other, crude and nervous attempts to defend the Word of God against attacks based upon such assumptions." "But," he continued, "there is a varied form of danger which is perhaps more perilous just because less serious in its spirit, viz. the sceptical tone and light raillery against religious dogma to be found largely diffused in contemporary literature. This scepticism is the atmosphere breathed by the educated classes and the youth of the country. Its roots are not deep, but its influence is widespread, and there can be no question that the revival of the childish superstitions embodied in Ritualism is accountable for much of this sceptical reaction. On the other hand, among the working classes it is not so much infidelity and indifference that has to be deplored-not so much scepticism as ungodliness. The lapsed masses, Mr. Lundie went on to say, "form the problem of the day. In other countries of Europe, poverty, vice, and crime have their place, but in no country of Europe can any parallel be found to the debasement, the hopeless helplessness, and sodden misery of multitudes in our great cities. Economy, humanity, Christianity combine in demanding a remedy. And yet, with resources unequalled in any nation upon earth, with established churches and free churches which exist to elevate and bless the people, no adequate effort has ever been put forth to grapple with the evil.”

agencies, sowing, tending, reaping, garnering, is the most fruitful in precious and permanent results. If people have to be drawn to music halls by sacred solos and quartets, we must not be surprised if the regular services of the sanctuary seem tame and uninviting.

One of the difficulties which besets the Synod, is the unsettled state of the minds of both ministers and people in relation to the established Confessions of Faith. Ministers make no secret of their doubts of the accuracy of many of the statements of these Confessions, and elders refuse to sign them. Committee appointed at a former Synod, in their report, which was presented by the Rev. Dr. Dykes, recommended

A

(1) That office-bearers be required to assent to the "system of doctrine" contained in the Confession; (2) the preparation of a declaratory statement explaining the sense in which the Church understands the document; and (3) the re-appointment of the Committee to move in the direction of framing "a briefer and more available compendium of fundamental doctrine." Dr. Dykes, while acknowledging that it was a very serious thing for a Church to raise the question of the basis of its Confession, explained that what they had endeavoured to do was to define with greater precision than had hitherto been done their comprehension of the infinite truth of God. They were urged to the course they proposed owing to the practical necessity for them, as a After remarking on some of the re- Church in England, to better define cent efforts to reclaim the masses, par- their faith. It was felt that the Westticularly those of Messrs. Moody and minster Confession of Faith had never Sankey and the Salvation Army, the been a text-book for teaching, its only moderator remarks:-" But it is ob- use being an ultimate standard of apvious that organized, work is more likely peal in cases of heresy. Rev. Hugh to be useful than independent desultory M'Intosh wished to know whether there effort. Services in halls, circuses, and was anything in the phrase "system of theatres have too often the effect of doctrine" that would exclude Baptists drawing off the loosely-attached mem- from their communion. bers of churches, many thus escaping M'Leod said there was urgent necessity from the responsibilities as well as the that they had some way of representprivileges of church membership, who ing the faith they held that would not quiet their consciences by an occasional stand in the way of a brave young attendance at some hall. The tendency fellow who wanted to preach the Word of the working classes to keep aloof of God, but could not find a place to from church is thus intensified. For do it within the walls of the Confession my own part," added Mr. Lundie, "the of Faith as it now stood. They also longer and more closely I observe the needed it owing to the difficulty of diversities of operations of home mis- getting good Christian men to become sionary effort, the more I am persuaded elders, while the acceptance of such a that the steady work of the Christian post required them to put their hands pastorate, with its staff of well-organized to the Confession of Faith.

Rev. Dr.

[ocr errors]

"It is the HEART and not the brain

The annual Assembly of the CON- theology. It was the ascendency of GREGATIONAL UNION was this year Christian charity, for which the chairheld in London, under the presidency man coined a new title, the orthoof the Rev. Dr. Parker, of the City doxy of the heart.' "Whilst some Temple. The report of the Union speak with high authority of the alluded in the first place to the scheme culture of mind, and others with high for examining young persons in Scrip- example of the culture of manners, be ture, Christian Evidences, and Con- it mine," says the chairman," to speak, gregational Principles, which is at with the strength of conscious weakpresent engaging the attention of the ness, of the nobler culture of the Committee. Certain text-books have HEART, and to show how true is the been provided, and the country divided doctrine of Longfellowinto districts for the accomplishment of this purpose. Lay agency, lectures in university towns, and other kindred subjects have engaged the attention of the Committee during the year. The Memorial Fund has reached the large sum of £305,674. The jubilee of Congregationalism in Australia was also about to be celebrated, and a fund of £100,000 applied to the erection of new churches, and the payment of debts on those already existing. A leading feature in this Assembly is the address of the chairman, which is usually an elaborate and lengthened discussion of some prominent topic of present interest. The address this year occupied two hours and ten minutes in the delivery. The topic was new, not to Christianity, but to Christian

That to the highest doth attain.' "Again: 'As the end of physical training is the physical strength, and the end of intellectual education is intellectual power, so the end of all religious inquiry, instruction, and attainment, is pureness of heart, meekness of spirit, loving obedience to our Father's will, oneness with God in every thought and wish.'" We cannot in our limited space enter into any particulars as to the treatment of this important theme, but it is surely a sign of progress that its discussion should have been so generally acceptable to the crowded audience which listened to its delivery, and commended by the most influential organs of the Congregational body.

The Month.

UNDER the title of "CENTRES OF SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY," the Pall Mall Gazette has devoted a portion of its space to descriptive accounts of the several Christian communities in the kingdom. No. xvii. of this series is on the New Jerusalem Church, and is written by Rev. Dr. Bayley. After noting the marked change in the social and religious condition of society during the present century, and claiming that this is largely the result of the circulation of Swedenborg's Writings, the following summary is presented :The principles that pervade the Writings of the great Swede are-1. That the highest respect for the freedom and rationality of every man is his due, as his heritage from God. 2. The sacred right of every child to instruction in the truth, that it may know how to live. 3. That charity, meaning true love to God and man, is the supreme

virtue in religion, and faith its subordinate guide and helper. 4. The combination of spirituality and rationality in all our religious views. 5. The practical nature of real religion, not only in absolutely keeping the Divine commandments, but letting our whole life and employment, both at home and abroad, be governed by goodness and truth. 6. That each man forms his character by his daily life, according to mental laws as definite as those of nature, not by spasmodic excitement -selfishness degrading and debasing the character, fitting it only for the company of the selfish, which is hell; and humility, faith, obedience, and love making the character angelic, thus preparing it for heaven. 7. That the sacred Scriptures are the supreme guide of the soul in general and particular, directing and training those who are taught by them to that spiritual

« PreviousContinue »