16 CONNEXION INTELLIGENCE. These statements were made in the prayer-meeting, and after Dr. Murray had sat down, a man rose in another part of the room, his tremulous accents showing the feelings that were within him. "I have," said he, "recently visited the prison at Sing-Sing. As I went from cell to cell, I met with an old man who told me a very different story from that just narrated. He said that when young he was one of a company of young men who formed an infidel club, and who 6 met once a week for talking infidelity, Connexion Intelligence. RUTHIN FREE CHURCH. meeting of the kind ever held at this chapel, which it is believed will be followed with the most beneficial results. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HARBINGER. Another very interesting lecture was given on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7th, by the minister of this church, to a numerous and respectable assemblage. The subject was "Oliver Cromwell." The delineations of the celebrated Protector's character were truthfully and forcibly given by the Rev. E. S. Hart, M.A. J. Trotter proposes holding a Bazaar_at I am happy to find that the Rev. The audience were highly gratified, and the opening of our African Training Intendered the rev. gentleman their unanimous thanks for his excellent lecture. stitution, and doubt not but most of our John Jesse, Esq., F.R.S., of Llanbedr young friends will feel pleasure in workHall, again ably presided on the occasion. ing for it during the present winter. This will not only be an easy method of -Denbigh Herald. obtaining funds for the proposed building, but will create an interest in this country in behalf of the poor neglected children of Africa. We are commencing here in good earnest, and I hope all the young people in our congregations will be found employing a portion of their winter evenings for this benevolent object. We must, however, look to our ministers and their wives to direct this movement, and then, doubtless, there will be plenty of articles contributed. I remain, WORCESTER. On Sunday, Nov. 28th, the 87th anniversary of the opening of the Countess' chapel, Birdport-street, was celebrated, when two excellent discourses were preached by the Rev. Dr. Morton Brown, of Cheltenham. The attendance on the occasion was good, and the collections amounted to upwards of thirty pounds. On Thursday evening, Dec. 16th, the Sunday School Teachers connected with the above chapel, invited the Parents of the Children to a social tea meeting, when about 200 were present. Suitable addresses were delivered on the importance of the parents uniting with the teachers in training up their children in the fear of God and of setting a good example before them at their homes. In addition to an address by the Rev. T, Dodd, Mr. Moses Jones and Mr. Henry Jones, the Rev. T. Lloyd of Ebley, kindly attended the meeting and suitably addressed the Parents. This was the first Yours, respectfully, A COUNTRY MINISTER. December 21st, 1858. CONNEXION INTELLIGENCE. 17 which, in making this recommendation, find fault with another; and when a earnest persons have, at the present time, London minister travels into the country to surmount. I refer to the Letter which for recreation it would be better for him recently appeared in its pages from to look around and see if there is anyB. S. H., on "The Lord's Dealings with thing from which he may gather lessons G. Muller." That Letter, I hesitate not of wisdom and usefulness, than to seek to say, has damaged our Connexion in for occasions of finding fault. No doubt general, and the Harbinger in particular. there are as many orphans in the neighAnd I consider it desirable, in order bourhood where B. S. H. exercises his to prevent its damaging influence in- ministry as there are where the Rev. creasing, to protest against it, to char- G. Muller is located; that there are as acterize it as unprovoked and unbecom- many liberal persons ready to come foring a minister of our Connexion, and to ward at Islington to support an Orphan declare that the members of the churches House as there are at Bristol; that the in the Connexion do not approve of it, adjacent parishes would be as thankful and are deeply grieved that it has ap- to be relieved from the obligation of peared. providing for the support and teaching of seven hundred destitute children as the parishes of the Western city; and that the honour redounding to the servant of God who would do the work, or even make an honest attempt to do it, would be as great and as lasting as is the shame of him who endeavours to bring contumely on the man that does it. For it cannot be doubted that many of our body have a deep sympathy with the Rev. G. Muller and his life of prayer and faith, in the great objects and ends at which he so constantly aims, and read with wonder and gratitude his annual accounts of what the Lord hath done for him. And for any one to make an effort to hold him up to ridicule or bring him into contempt, is to them like touching the apple of their eye. We cannot be surprised that the Rev. G. Muller finds many among us to sympathise with and approve of him, while in so many peculiar respects he is acting on the principles and following the example of the greatest preacher of our denomination-the Rev. G. Whitefield. It was about a century ago that, in faith and prayer, that man of God, stepping out of the beaten track, and aiming at the glory of his Master as it stood connected with the temporal and spiritual welfare of the destitute, the bereaved, and the friendless, instituted his Orphan House at Georgia; a work of piety which has commanded the admiration of all members and friends of our Connexion for a hundred years. And as the Orphan Asylum at Bristol is an Institution of a similar kind, we are led to admire the work and approve the workman. The estimation in which his efforts are held by the religious public of all denominations is shewn by the extraordinary sums contributed to give them success, and made by persons of all classes and creeds, by their being a subject of conversation and theme of praise far and near, and by their furnishing a motive to many to augmented works of benevolence and generosity. Now, one of the easiest things in the world is for one labourer to The under current of the ebullition of B. S. H., however, and which of course is out of sight of the general reader of the Harbinger, lies far deeper than the eminent man on whom he has animadverted; and doubtless is to be found in his want of sympathy and kindly feeling towards children, even the destitute and the orphan. His views respecting the duty of the church of Christ towards the young, and the treatment they should receive, are well known to be peculiar, and happily, exceptional. It would be disastrous to our Connexion were our ministers generally to entertain and act upon them. And it appears that his ridicule of the Rev. George Muller has been excited by the wonderful things done for their benefit. To my knowledge, one sad result of his Letter has been that many in this county who take the Harbinger, on reading his remarks have had their feelings so deeply wounded, that, under the excitement of first impulses they have exclaimed, “I will never read the Harbinger again!” As I am anxious, Mr. Editor, that the Harbinger should have an increased circulation, and that you should help to undo the mischief, which unintentionally on your part has been done in this matter. I do hope and trust you will allow this to appear in the pages of your next number. And I am, yours truly, [Referring to the remarks of our excellent Correspondent as to the Editor's approval of all the articles inserted. It has been distinctly stated that the Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed-but as our Connexion embraces persons of all shades of opinions, it is only fair that all should be allowed an opportunity of being heard, and therefore we willingly insert the above letter. The good sense of our readers, we trust, will not lead them to discontinue reading our Magazine, because they may sometimes meet with sentiments they do uot approve, and especially when we invite replies.]-The Editor. MONTREAL, CANADA. Many of our readers will remember that some months since an application was made by Thomas Molson, Esq., of Montreal, to our Committee for a suitable minister for St. Thomas' church, Montreal, a capacious and elegant build ing erected at the sole expense of the above gentleman, and which he was desirous should be identified with the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. The Rev. Alfred Stone was recommended for this important sphere of labour, and we are happy to find that since his arrival in the colony, he has been zealously labouring not only as the minister of St. Thomas' church, but also in assisting Mr. Molson in establishing an extensive College, which we believe will accommodate some six hundred young ladies Foreign SIERRA LEONE, Free Town, Nov. 15, 1858. I am sorry to inform you that my dear wife has another attack of fever, she has been in bed since last Tuesday morning, nearly a week, and she is still very unwell; I sometimes feel very sorrowful, but thank God I do not repine. It is true, except a tenderness of skin produced by the climate, I am quite well in this country and quite happy in my work, still to see my dear wife so frequently prostrated with this terrible fever is very trying, and sometimes depresses my and gentlemen, the first session of which commenced on the 24th of August last, the Countess of Huntingdon's birth day. For the purpose of adopting the most efficient plans for conducting this Institution Mr. Stone has visited Boston, New Haven, Cambridge, Hartford, &c., &c., where he has had an opportunity of examining some of the various collegiate and scholastic Institutions in the United States. It would appear that the order of public worship adopted by the Connexion is specially adapted to this Colony, where we regret to hear not only so much popery, but puseyism abounds. "There is, says Mr. Stone, "a conscientious preference in many instances for its form and services, and I believe this feeling is extending in this province, and applications for clergymen and inquiries are frequently made." A request has recently been sent by the Rev. A. Stone and other gentlemen to the Committee in England, for their sanction in ordaining a candidate for the ministry, with the special design of preaching in French at St. Thomas' church, Montreal. The testimonials and views of christian truth sent by the candidate were carefully considered, when it was resolved that the request be cheerfully conceded, and that the gentlemen be empowered to form a district, and to proceed in all respects as the districts in England, the district to be called the Montreal District. We doubt not these statements will be read with interest by our friends in England, and hope from time to time to be favoured with reports of the progress of the Connexion in this extensive British Colony. Department. WESTERN AFRICA. spirits. While I write this my eyes swim with tears and my heart is sore with grief; at the same time I hope I can say to my Father in heaven, "Not my will, but thine be done." My last letter was dated Oct 14th. Oct. 15th. Left town this morning for Waterloo, we had a long and tedious passage, both wind and tide were against us nearly the whole of the way: the boat grounded several times, and it was fearfully hot. We reached our place of destination all well, and after a little rest I before breakfast-at 9 A.M., married a couple whose united ages were 140 years preached to a large congregation. As the Church Mission House is now occupied, my lodging was not so comfortable at 10 visited one day-school and adas on my former visit. At night I was very tired, but when I lay down on my hard bed, my heart and eyes o'erflowed with thankfulness to God for his watchful care over me in a strange land. There is a large nest of bees in my quarters which are anything but comfortable companions. 16th. When I threw open my bedroom window this morning, in flew my friends the bees. I was obliged to put some of them to death in self-defence. Visited Mr. Hamilton at the Church Mission House and found him ill. Transacted business for the village churches -examined six men as candidates for baptism-my little lodging filled with visitors nearly the whole day-the people are expecting the Roman Catholics here, the universal opinion expressed by them is, "they no do for we, Daddy." 17th. Sunday. Conducted the funeral service for one of our Class Teachers this morning at 7 o'clock, at 10 commenced our morning service, the large church was crowded to excess in every part; at the close of the second lesson I baptized 8 men and 23 children,- -was nearly dissolved by the heat. I then preached from Heb. viii. 10. At the close of the public service I administered the Lord's Supper to between 400 and 500 communicants; when I entered the pulpit my heart was glad to excess, to behold such a mass of people gathered together in a heathen village to hear the gospel. "What hath God wrought?" God is raising up children unto Abraham-was nearly exhausted by the long service-too much fatigued to eat, lay down and slept for two hours, after which I ate a little and went off to the evening service: again the place was crowded, and I felt much liberty in declaring "the way of salvation." Acts xvi. 17. One thing cheers me much here, and that is the interest of the people increases. I am not now a stranger to them, I have gone in and out amongst them for more than a year, they know me well, so the novelty of looking at my white face has passed away, the gospel is taking a firm hold of the people, and their piety is becoming more intelligent. Oh! for an English servant of God to labour here; Blessed Redeemer, send a labourer into this important part of the harvest. Amen and Amen. 18th. Settled some church business dressed the children, nearly 200 were present-two young men who seemed to be convinced of sin came to me for spiritual advice, I tried to shew them the way of salvation more perfectly. In the afternoon I walked to Campbell Town, and at 4 o'clock preached a funeral sermon for an aged member of our church, she was the wife of Mr. John King, who is our leading man at Campbell Town. The chapel was full of people, and God gave me freedom and utterance in preaching from the word, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." At the close of the sermon I baptized six children and exhorted the parents to do their duty in training them; walked back to Waterloo. 20th. Examined all the classes in our day school, and found them very satisfactory conducted a special prayer meeting in the evening and delivered an address-met the managers, preachers, leaders, &c, to arrange for the District Meeting, which was to take place on the following day. 21st. Attended the 5 o'clock meeting this morning, about 300 were present. At 9 o'clock about 50 brethren sat down to a substantial breakfast; at half-past 10 we commenced our District Meeting by singing, reading the scriptures, and prayer. I then delivered an address from the passage, "So they read in the_book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading." Neh. viii. 8. We finished our business about half-past 2 o'clock, after which I delivered another address on the Roman Catholic religion, two or three prayers were then offered and the meeting closed. At 4 o'clock we all dined together. In the evening at half-past 6, we held our first Missionary Meeting at Waterloo; I was in the chair. It was an excellent meeting, the speakers were Messrs. Mozeley, Nicol, S. Williams, Duke, Smith, and Caudell, of our own Connexion; the Rev. Mr. Hamilton of the Church of England, and the school.. masters of the Wesleyan and Church Missionary Societies-attendance large and the collections good. 22nd. Walked from Waterloo to Rokelle this morning-at half-past 10 I read prayers, baptized 3 children, and preached from 1 Thess. iv. 1. It was a good service-after preaching I adminis somewhat turned towards these two immense empires. Thanks be to God, the Christian Church is earnestly asking, How shall we best evangelize India and China?" But there is great danger that this zeal may be turned into a wrong channel, like the flooded waters of Asia's mighty streams, flowing magnificently but almost uselessly to the sea, instead of turning into the quiet canals to fertilize the burning plains and thirsty hills. "What we cry for, what we need, what the perishing innumerable multitude of the heathen needs, is a great band of godly self-sacrificing men, living men, to give themselves to prayer and the preaching of the word, to publish the good news of salvation. But sadly we fear there will be very little response to the call, little real response, if, instead of living men, we be put off with shiploads of inanimate books." Chem that Sleep. DIED, at the residence of her Son-in-law, the Rev. J. G. Carpenter, of Canterbury, in the seventy-seventh year of her age, Mrs. Wickham, deeply regretted by a numerous circle of relatives and friends. Poetry. THE NEW YEAR. The opening year. With trembling step I stand Oh, trembling Christian, cast away thy fears, Faith bids you lift your tearful eye above, NOTICE TO OUR READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. THE REV. J. K. Foster requests us to state that he has removed from Cheltenham to No. 10, Albert Terrace, Canonbury, London. DOVER.-The amount acknowledged last month from the Rev. T. Anderson, should have been for Harbingers instead of Missions. ALL communications for the EDITOR to be sent early in the month to the Rev. William Woodhouse, Triangle, Hackney, London. |