Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

our number. Two of those, husband and
wife, are from a Baptist church in the
neighbourhood. Dissatisfied with the name
and some of the practices of the Baptists,
with whom they had met, they were glad to
connect themselves with a church based upon
the Scriptures alone. Another one, nearly
two years ago, and prior to coming to Leeds,
was also in connection with Baptists. So
deep was his conviction of the unsatisfactory
and unscriptural nature of the one-man
ministry that he had determined never
again to join a church where one man is
the sole teacher. Being attracted to our
meetings he gradually became interested,
and has now associated himself with us,
with the determination to give his help to
the propagation of New Testament teaching
Another, who was immersed some time
since, but had failed to continue in breaking
the commemorative loaf, likewise intimated
her determination henceforth to walk in all
the appointments of the Lord. One young
man who made a brief and_intelligent
confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, we had the pleasure of seeing
immersed and added to the church. Two
we have received from a distant church,
one has been transferred to another church,
so that our net increase since the annual
meeting is six, making our present number
thirty-five.
A. BROWN.

Observer, Dec. 1, '71

Obituary.

WILLIAM BAYLEY, one of the elders of

the church in Wrexham, fell asleep in Jesus, September 16th, 1871, aged sixty-four nected with the church of which he has years. For forty years he had been conbeen many years an elder. His kindness and large-hearted sympathy has endeared him not only to the church, but to a large circle beyond.

E. E. W.

JOHN DEARDEN, of Earlstown, departed this life, October 26th, aged forty-two. Words cannot express the loss experienced removal of this most active brother. He by the small church at Earlstown, by the seemed always impressed with the idea and the church. It is over fifteen years that he could not do enough for the Lord the time of his conversion he did not know since he gave himself to the Saviour. At all the letters of the alphabet; but deterpressed on till he could not only read, but mining to read God's word for himself, he preach the word, and but few men, in my critical acumen in rightly dividing the experience, have exhibited more clear word of truth. Numbers have been turned to the Lord by his instrumentality. His end was calm and peaceful. A large, and for the most part young family, mourn

his removal. But the Lord will be a
husband to the widow, and a father to the
orphans.
B. H.

EDITORIAL.

ANOTHER eventful year has well-nigh closed. This writing is the last we shall find a place for in the Ecclesiastical Observer for 1871. Our work and that of our contributors, so far as this volume is concerned, is now finished. We trust and believe it bas not been done in vain. Some in the Churches have been instructed, and, as we have reason to know, not only instructed but stimulated to labours of love by our monthly visits. If the Lord will, we shall meet our readers, as heretofore, for yet another year. Such, at least, is our intention, but we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth. But, anyhow, let it be ours to "work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work."

We have no special promises to make. We certainly do not expect that our next volume will be inferior to the best which has appeared since our first issue. We shall leave the future to speak for itself. That as a people we are not doing what we ought to do by means of the press is perfectly clear, while it is not less so, that thousands of people can only be reached through that medium. We hope to submit to the Brotherhood some plan by which much more shall be thus accomplished than we have yet attempted.

The only new feature proposed for the coming volume is that of giving, in each number, a recently delivered sermon. We shall ask our preaching brethren to supply one each; that, thus, those who do not see our evangelists may, at least, have a specimen of the kind of talk those listen to who are favoured by their presence.

We are not aware of any promise, made in regard to the present volume, which remains unfulfilled. If reminded that an intimation was given that a series of articles would be devoted to questions relating to the Eternal Future of the Wicked, we answer that such was, and is, intended. That topic was named with others, as to come under notice; but it was not intimated that the whole could be accomplished during 1871. The other topics then indicated have been put before our readers, so that the way is open for dealing, ere long, with that which remains.

May the good Lord help both writers and readers to use our pages to His glory, to the spiritual profit of the churches and to the conversion of sinners.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »