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Observer, July 1, '71.

the Prophets, and Evangelists, and Apostles, to "write the vision, and make it plain upon tables;" but this is not meant to supersede our diligence and thoughtfulness, nor to excuse haste and levity in those who read. There are many Pilates in the church: they aşk sincerely, What is truth? but do not wait for an answer. There can be no stability, no intelligent attachment to Christ, apart from the habit of a patient study of the Scriptures. The most precious knowledge that man can possess, the knowledge of God, is not to be acquired by a flippant and thoughtless turning over the leaves of the Bible. Slowly and prayerfully must the word of God be read, if we intend to realise its fulness of meaning and of blessing. The only condition on which we can attain to this heavenly wisdom is thus set forth: "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." (Prov. ii. 3-5.) We commend this passage to the consideration of all running readers.-See Neh. viii. 8; Matt. xxii. 29; John v. 39; xxiv. 27; 1 Cor. xiv. 20. Notes and Queries.

QUERIES.

Will some competent reader of the E. O. serve the cause of truth by giving an accurate exposition of 1 Cor. xi. 19?

What does the Apostle mean by saying-"There must needs be also heresies (sects) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest ?

Where is the necessity for "sects" and "divisions," and how should the makers of them be treated?

It seems to me that there is need to pay particular attention to this subject, that we may understand what is involved and act accordingly. UNITY.

Family Room.

THE HOME TEST THE BEST TEST.

You tell me a man is changed by the converting and renewing grace of God. Is he? Let me look at him. It is something that I may see him with a Bible in his hands. It goes as confirmation if I behold him on his knees. It helps the evidence that I hear him speaking publicly his vows in covenant with God and His people. But I would rather visit him at his home, see what sort of a husband and father he has become-whether he is gentle and self-restrained, when he used to be petulant and irritable-whether he is monarch of all he surveys, or the servant and minister of all lives to receive the incense of the family homage, to be saved trouble, and to guard his personal comfort

and convenience from interference and restriction, or to lavish thought and care upon all the dependent circle. Let me know are his angles rounded off in the home? Is he eager to lift off the household burdens from the frailer form at his side, and adjust them to his own broader shoulders? Especially, has he be come in a spiritual and meaning phrase, a "nursing Father" to the little ones there? Are they only the playthings of his idle moments, with whom he frolics as so many kittens when he is good natured, or looks upon as so many stumbling-blocks to be kicked out of the way when he is moody and hasty? Ör are they young plants to be watched and matured for the garden of God,

Observer, July 1, '71

youthful learners to be taught the way of life, early pilgrims whose feet he is to lead with his own in the path to heaven? Show me the evidence that he has discerned and accepted his most privileged and responsible calling of nurseryman for the great Husbandman in this little plantation of immortals. I wish to see him kneel with his right arm around his eldest born, and his left

on the cradle of his babe-to hear
him, with a tax which he shall feel,
because it is pain's-taking study and
effort; and yet for love's sake shall
not feel, because it is freely and
gladly borne, reading and expound-
ing to young learners the way of
truth and salvation. If his heart is
not to his children, it is not turned
to Christ.
A. L. STONE.

AN EGG STORY.

I NEVER come upon a nest of eggs | the middle, with a variety of sheds, secreted by the hen most conscien- lean-tos, stables and carriage houses, tiously and unknown to the most projecting on every side of it, as if searching of housekeepers, without the barn had settled a family of nine a sense of boyish delight, which barns all around it. It was a family would bring down on me reproving barn, beloved of hens and boys; for looks and grave admonition from all in its roomy interior and in the who have an awful sense of the pro- passages, bins, nooks and corners, per dignity of ministers. But I all sorts of frolics might be carried have no doubt soda and acids come on; while an occasional "peak" at together with the very best resolu- the cracks would keep them informtions. They are determined to ed when the old man was coming. restrain themselves, and not foam over. Yet the first drop of water sets them off, and they make bubbles and throw them in each others faces at a furious rate, in spite of all efforts at self-government. Now what is to be done about it! Were they not made so? And are not some people made so as to effervesce easily! Why they were made so, is a question that should be addressed to another quarter.

Well, I was saying that the discovery of hidden eggs was always an excitement, and there have been times when the excitement was prolonged and extreme. It chanced in this wise, and in the goodly state of Indiana.

No more neat, careful, exact and scrupulous housekeeper ever was seen in the Hoosier State than our fair landlady, who had us in special charge during the absence of our proper head and queen, who sought health on the seaboard. An oldfashioned barn there was, huge in

But hens, who have a secretive tendency, a modesty of the nest, find their paradise in such a voluminous barn. Here they may lay in silence, and proclaim it in a vociferous cackle, bringing down the old barnyard in chorus, and making echoes in the neighbouring hen yards, and yet the searcher find nothing.

"That pesky hen! she lays every day, and yet we are none the better for her eggs. I wonder where the creature hides! If Harvey was half as smart as his father, I know that he could find that nest."

Again and again came the exultant cackle, and again and again we were without custards!

And so, one mellow autumn day we wandered through the garden, and strolled into the barn. It was not so full but that it had the sense of great space. It was festooned with cobwebs, and had all the tribes of spiders that hide in half lights. We climbed the beams, we jumped down from far up on the hay, and

Observer, July 1, '71.

finally, after sundry amusements, ed our thoughts from the discovery

lay down by the side where the shrunk boards gave us an inspection crack, from which we swept the neighbourhood-saw and were unseen. Soon we heard the least possible sound of a foot on the hay. Turning our head, we beheld the productive but unprofitable hen stealing toward her secret nest. It was the one time too often. We knew as much as she did.

How rapacious are all conquerors! There was the roundest nest, well sunk in a corner, full, brimful of eggs-thirteen, besides one for a nest egg! As oriental kings despoil a captured city, rob its people, pull down its choice architecture and quite discrown its beauty, so we found the nest, glowing white as marble, and left it-like hay,

Is there not a providence for hens? Is there not a fate that follows the most obscure and unwatched violence?

We put the eggs safely in our coat-tail pocket, and walked cautiously. It recalled a piece of disreputable carelessness on our father's part, who once sat down on a dozen eggs, and went up as if every egg was a bomb, and every bomb in explosion. But then he was a notoriously absent-minded man. His very example was our safety. And yet we dwelt with some inward mirth, as we walked to the house, on the ludicrous figure which our father cut. Dinner was spread as we came in. Some question came up which divert

of the nest-indeed we forgot that we had eggs about us, and drew to the table and sat down with an alacrity which was only equalled by the spring with which we got up. "Gracious!"

66

'Why, what is the matter?" "Matter enough!"

"Are you sick? Do let-"

I drew my hand from my pocket, streaming with liquid chicken, never to be born, and the disgusting secret was out!

That woman was a saint!

My pocket was duly cleaned, without one cutting word. I can imagine the process, but I never like to dwell upon it. Would you believe it, the same thing happened in a few weeks again? It did, and to the very same person! But never since then, no

never!

From that day to this we do not remember ever to have even taken an egg from a nest.

1. When I see a man who allows himself to be puffed up and flattered, I know that his time will come when he will sit down on his eggs.

are

2. When I see men who robbing, right and left, and filling their pockets with unlawful wealth, which other men earned, I say, “You will sit down on those eggs yet."

3. When over-cunning men think that they can outwit all their fellows, and are exulting at the success which their shewdness has achieved, I say to myself, "Fill your pockets! By and bye you will sit down on those eggs. H. W. BEECHER.

NEVER GET ANGRY.

Ir does no good. Some sins have a seeming compensation, or apology, a present gratification of some sort; but anger has none. A man feels no better for it. It is really a torment; and when the storm of passion has cleared away, it leaves one to see that he has been a fool; and he has made himself a fool in the eyes of

others too. Who thinks well of an ill-natured, churlish man, who has to be approached in the most guarded and cautious way? Who wishes him for a neighbour, or a partner in business? He keeps all about him in nearly the same state of mind as if they were living next door to a hornet's nest, or to a rabid animal.

Observer, July 1, '71.

66

And as to prosperity in business, one gets along no better for getting angry. What if business is perplexing, and everything goes by contraries," will a fit of passion make the winds more propitious, the ground more productive, and markets more favourable? Will a bad temper draw customers, pay notes, and make creditors better natured? If men, animals, or senseless matter cause trouble, will getting "mad" help matters, make men more subservient, brutes more docile, wood and stone more tractable? An angry man adds nothing to the welfare of

society. He may do some good, but more hurt. Heated passion makes him a fire brand, and it is a wonder if he does not kindle flames of discord on every hand. Without much sensibility, and often bereft of reason, he speaketh "like the piercing of a sword, and his tongue is an arrow shot out." He is a bad element in any community, and his removal would furnish occasion for a day of thanksgiving. Since, then anger is useless, needless, disgraceful, without the least apology, and found only "in the bosom of fools," why should it be indulged at all?

Intelligence of Churches, &c.

in

church was blessed by his presence and
built up in the faith by his cheering dis-
courses. This brother has been since
January last labouring at Rhosllanercrugog
and district under the direction of the
Welsh Evangelist Committee. We learn
that his arrival there was most opportune,
as the church required putting
order. It has now been built up and con-
solidated, and although many have not as
yet been added from the world, our brother
has been doing a very important work.
We understand that one addition was made
by baptism on the Lord's day previous to
his visit here.
J. T. M.

NEWCASTLE DISTRICT MEETING.-On | who spent one Lord's day with us. The Monday, May 29th, the usual Half-yearly Meeting of Representatives from churches in this district was held at North Shields. The gathering was a truly happy one, and a considerable number of brethren were present from Newcastle, Bedlington and North Shields. We were also favoured with the presence of Bro. Evans, who is now labouring amongst us. The meeting was presided over by Bro. Watson, and his opening remarks were on the need for sustaining an evangelist for the dissemination of gospel truth in the district-a subject that has occupied the attention of several previous meetings. It was agreed that the representatives of the churches ascertain at an early date to what extent the churches will contribute to that end. A committee of management was formed to carry out the wishes of the churches in this matter.

The church recently formed at Spittal also occupied the attention of the meeting, and it was resolved that a letter be sent greeting and requesting them to co-operate with us in district evangelization.

The attention of the meeting was called to the fact that there were a few brethren meeting in Sunderland whose profession and practice are deemed to be after the primitive order, and it was deemed wise to communicate with them. Reports were read from the churches, and it was resolved that the. next half-yearly meeting be held at Newcastle, on December 25th. After the meeting tea was provided, and we parted, more determined than ever that our lives and our all should be dedicated to the Master's service. J. S.

MERTHYR.-We have lately been favoured with a visit from Bro. William Williams,

FALKIRK.-A small number of baptized disciples have for a number of years met here on the first day of the week for social worship and the breaking of bread. Though our influence is small in the way of extending the Redeemer's kingdom, we rejoice in the labours of those who contend for Christianity as taught in the New Testament. We were visited lately by two brethren from Edinburgh-Aitken and Hurt-by whose kind and considerate bearing, and by their words of counsel and instruction, we felt comforted and encouraged to steadfastness in the Christian calling, although meeting with what we are apt to consider adverse influences. W. HAMILTON.

BANFF.-Bro. Strang has now left us, after having laboured assiduously in this neighbourhood for three months. We have much cause for thankfulness that his labours have been so blest to ourselves. The church has been greatly revived. He obtained good audiences and dispelled much prejudice. We trust and pray that the good seed sown may spring up and bring forth

fruit to the praise and glory of God, and that Bro. Strang may be long spared to work in the vineyard of the Lord, for which he seems 30 well qualified. Two individuals have been immersed here from the fishing villages to the west of this place, where there had been a considerable awakening. J. NICOL. CASTLEMAINE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, March 27th, 1871.-Dear Bro. King,-For some six or seven years a few of us, formerly Baptists, have been meeting in our own houses every first day, for the breaking of bread. Lately we opened the Rechabite Hall for that purpose and for the preaching of the gospel. We have have been materially assisted in this work by Bro. Illingworth a commercial traveller, who comes this way once a month, and who has delivered several lectures, which have been accompanied with the Divine blessing. On Sunday, February 26th, we repaired to a large sheet of water, and there, on a confession of their faith in Christ, Bro. Fisher immersed two into Christ; and we have also received five others. The church now numbers eleven members, and, trusting in the Divine blessing, we look forward for encouragement. Yours in the faith,

E. COOK.

Observer, July 1, '71.

and a good interest is prevailing.-H. S. EARL.

Langhorne's Bridge.-Since m ylast communication four persons have obeyed the Gospel.

S. J. Milang.-Two have been added, one by baptism, and one by letter. S. J. Stirling East.-Seven have been added to the Church this month, through the exertions of Bro. Colbourne. It is most gratifying to see what an effect his preaching has taken on the people around here.H. J. PINK.

Lygon Street, Melbourne.-March 18, 1871.-Since last report six have been added to the Church, one from the Baptists, and five baptized into Christ.-Ġ. L. SURBER.

Dawson Street, Ballarat.-Our last report to The Pioneer was in June, since then we have had the pleasure of witnessing twenty-five persons confess Christ and cast in their lots with us.

Our Brother Hamill came amongst us in November, and fifteen of the above have been baptized during the time of his visit. We trust and pray that they may all continue to "fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life." -March 2, 1871.-M.

Collingwood.-March 22, 1871.-Since the first of March four have been baptised into Christ. Our audiences are good and the prospects cheering. O. A. CARR.

SOUTHPORT, June 18th.-We have been cheered this morning by hearing two confess faith in Christ and seeing them baptized into His name. We pray that they may be steadfast and immoveable, always abound-report two months ago, twenty-four persons ing in the work of the Lord.

E. C.

LONDON, CHELSEA.-Bro. Ellis, from Brighton, arrived here early in January, and laboured for eight weeks. His efforts to spread the cause of the Master were crowned with success; six persons yielded allegiance to the King of Kings. After an interval of five weeks, he returned, to continue his "work of faith and labour of love," and two more were "turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." His visit terminated a fortnight ago; and we can truly say that we have experienced a sweet season of refreshing. J. C. V.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS.-There is a small gathering of disciples here to break bread. It will be found by enquiry at No. 8, Front Road. One has just been immersed into Christ. We shall be glad of a call from any disciple coming this way. H. COLLYER.

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AUSTRALIA. Adelaide.-March 25th.— During the past month a church has been formed at Norwood, in the suburbs of Adelaide. Bro. Gore is now preaching regularly at Norwood. The church numbers about thirty members. During the past month three have been added to the Church of Christ in Adelaide. Several are "almost persuaded to be Christians."

Hotham.-March 21.-Since our last

have been joined to this congregation, thirteen being by commendation and eleven by faith and baptism. Six weeks ago, preaching was commenced on Lord's-day afternoon at Broadmeadows, a small township about ten miles from Melbourne, the Police Court being gratuitously lent for the purpose. The attendance has so far been very gratifying, and four of the baptisms reported above have been the result of the divine blessing on the effort thus far.-M. W. GREEN.

SYDNEY.-New South Wales.—March 7, 1871.-Since last report four additions by faith and baptism, three of these came from Woolloomooloo. S. H. C.

Newtown, Sydney.-February 22, 1871, -I herewith forward you a few items respecting the prosperity of the Church in Newtown. During the last month and the present one, we have had an accession to our ranks of nine persons.-W. FURSMAN.

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