Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

"The preface runs thus:-'N.B. For the last fifty years, or thereabouts, it has not been the custom in Mullion to go to church much; many of the children have been brought to be baptized; about three couples yearly are married, not always under the most pleasant circumstances, and all who die are brought to be buried; and that is about the extent of church-going in the parish. The vicar, therefore, has but few opportunities of speaking publicly to the people; hence the present printed address."

"Farther on we are informed that the population of the parish is 700; that there are daily Matins (except in winter), which seems a useless ceremony, for the vicar says not one parishioner ever comes! that at the Sunday morning service about half a dozen attend, and although the sacrament is regularly administered, then but one person communicates!! that at the afternoon service the average attendance is eighteen, of whom the vicar says, It is to be regretted that those who do come do not attend better than they do. Very few attempt to join in it, scarce any kneel to pray, many sit during the whole time, and some bring refreshments with them, such as apples and sweatmeats to consume during the service!!!' Now, Mr. Editor, this is a photograph of a Cornish parish taken by parson, who has for many years resided there, and has drawn hundreds of pounds annually from the occupiers of the soil. The same people, he tells us, raise £20 yearly for missions to the heathen. Although the people of Mullion are compelled to pay for a ministry, they do not appreciate it; is it not to their discredit that they remember the heathen? They have built and kept in efficient repair two nice chapels, where the services are well attended. They raise annually a good sum for a Branch Bible Society, and otherwise contribute to the promotion and extension of religious and philanthropic objects.

its

"If I were asked to select the Cornish parish which contains, in relation to its population, the largest number of intelligent people, I should at once point to Mullion. The forefathers of the present inhabitants were so imbued with the principles of civil and religious liberty, and so aggrieved at having to contribute to State parsons, whose lives and professions were unapostolic, that many emigrated to the United States, and founded there some of the most flourishing settlements in the then Far West. This spirit is inherited by the people of Mullion now, and Mr. Harvey attacks the sheep of his flock in print because they heed him not. It is said, proverbially, it is a foul bird that dirts its own nest.' Yet this is what Mr. Harvey persists in doing. His life, his work, his faith, are alike unrecognised and unappreciated by those over whom the law has ordained him. In his dilapidated church and desecrated churchyard, described by himself as 'turned into a receptacle for rubbish and refuse, and polluted by the most filthy uses,' he ministers to a people who know him not. He shows how those who have the immediate benefit of his Sabbath services, who absent themselves from the Dissenting chapels, his own peculiar people, solace themselves under his sermons with lollipops and apples.

"A congregation of eighteen out of a population of seven hundred! One partaker of the sacrament out of seven hundred!! Why, vicar of the rock-bound parish, proclaimest thou this from Dan to Beersheba? Those who know West Cornwall are aware of such facts, and many churches which have cost hundreds of pounds to restore are little better than empty sepulchres on Sabbath days. Money is forthcoming from outside the parishes to revive and furbish up the buildings in the

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

churchyards; but thoughtful people exclaim, 'Behold the temple and the priest, but where is the congregation?' I venture to assert that in scores of Cornish parishes not half a dozen male adults regularly attend the church. The incumbents may remonstrate and print 'unspoken addresses,' yet empty pews and unoccupied seats impeach the pulpits.

"How long is the system which Ireland repudiated to burden our land? I hear of disestablishment' lectures being delivered throughout the country; and come it must. Religion, reason, and common sense demand it, and a few spoken addresses will quicken and illumine its advent."

A parishioner of Mullion, writing in the same paper, vindicates the inhabitants from the charge of irreligion, by stating that there are two Dissenting chapels in the parish, and that there are not above a half dozen of regular absentees from public worship in the place. "Mr. Harvey," he says, can never be playing into the hands of the Liberation Society, yet surely they can scarcely have a better advocate."-Liberator.

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OUR DYING CHURCHES IN AMERICA.-No. IV.

(Continued from p. 25.)

ONCE more, and in conclusion, we turn to this subject. We have noticed remedial measures, suggested by American Editors, without being satisfied therewith. They resolve themselves pretty much into two suggestions: 1, Send young men to college, train them for the pastorate, place a hired pastor over each church-2, Let each church which employs a preacher of commanding ability, dismiss him, and let the men thus released take the field as evangelists and, so far as possible, visit and strengthen small and weak churches; then, it is alleged, those preachers would make a hundred converts to one, as compared with present results. The first of these proposals, as we have shown, has failed wherever it has been tried. The Baptists, in America and here, also the Independents, have realized under its working a state of things equal to or worse than that which we deplore. The second course would do something in the right direction, though it would not meet the requirement-but then it will not be adopted. The Apostolic Times, months ago, urged that preachers of fine ability, now located with large city churches, be released. But where is the response? Who has given up his comfortable home, and taken to the wide field for the purpose of aiding weak and dying churches? The position remains as it was, and is likely to remain. The one-hired-pastor plan has hold enough to secure that.

Our last concluded with the question-" How is it that so many churches in America have gone after that plan, seeing that the testimony of A. Campbell and the pioneers of the movement was most clear and strong in the opposite direction?" The answer to this question might very well fill many pages, but a brief intimation is all we propose to offer. "Dying churches!" What is a church, and why should a church die ? That institution made known to us in the New Testament as the Church of God, is an assembly or society, of baptized believers, gathered in a given locality, into the name of the Lord Jesus, for the worship and service of God. The membership may be two or three or two or three hundred; the place of meeting may be a cathedral or a cart-house, an attic or a cellar, a comfortable chapel or a barn. We have known a church, consisting of but few members, to meet long and unremittingly in a

Observer, Feb, 1, 72.

deserted lime-kiln. But must such a church die? True it could not hire a pastor. The city man would certainly not find the stipend of the lime-kiln church either sufficient for his daily need or to meet his idea of the compensation required to sustain the dignity of his office. It may be also true, that not once in seven years will an evangelist go that way. Then what can they do? No pastor, no evangelist, no preacher. Can they continue to meet? Most certainly they can. But, doing

so, will it amount to more than a mere dry coming together as a matter of duty? There is no more need for it to be anything of the kind than there is for the like result in the finest building, occupied by the best of teachers. We take our stand here. If the Church of Christ, as an institution, is not adapted to the need of the few, the poor and the uneducated, then it is a complete failure; not at all equal to the requirements of man, and a disgrace to its Founder and Head. For what purpose should the church assemble? To commemorate the death of Christ in the ordinance of bread and wine. Can this be done in a common room, by a few poor people, and so done that, though the few are poor and unlearned, they can, by the doing of it, come by a living faith to gaze upon the cross? It can. And in many instances is better done than is the case when the wine flows from the silver chalice and the church rejoices in its fair proportion of the élite of society. But can the humble few thus meeting be edified? Certainly! If they get fairly down before the cross they must be edified-no one gazes there without edification. Can they prevail at the throne of grace? Why not? We would rather expect to find the true spirit of prayer there than in many of our modern temples. But there would be no teaching! Why not? The people are poor and uneducated-not one exception! Well, then they need no high-class teacher. Sitting round their common table, some one can read the words of Jesus, of David, or of Paul; no matter if, now and then, he have to spell a word.

These lessons of truth and love, these teachings of the prophets, apostles, and of the Son of God can, when so read by seeking souls, fill the heart with joy and give foretastes of the coming glory. Our seasons of highest enjoyment have been in connection with meetings somewhat after this fashion. Such men, such churches, can attend to the apostles' doctrine, to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Such men, so doing, are a church; but let them cease to observe the Lord's Day and the Lord's Supper, let them take to monthly meeting in place of weekly, because they have not a preacher, they then forfeit all title to be numbered with the churches of God. Let this be understood and acted upon, and there will be one step taken toward reducing the number of dying churches.

But must not all such churches die, sooner or later? Without preaching they cannot make members, and thus their extinction is only a question of time. Certainly without preaching they must come to an end, but we see no reason why the poorest church should be without preaching. What is preaching? The whole church in Jerusalem, excepting the apostles, was scattered, and they that were scattered went everywhere preaching the Gospel-learned and illiterate, poor and rich, male and female. And this is the preaching we need, and which will prove far more efficient than that of ordained eloquence and pulpit sermonizing. Each member of our small, poor and uneducated church is the centre of a large circle of men and women of his own order; to

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

The

them he is to preach by conduct and by word, doing something, by means of the press, for some who are a little above his own circle. This preaching will make the small church larger, and, as it enlarges, men able to conduct a public service may be expected to find a place therein. Then, and not till then, should public services be attempted. church may be the abode of love, a very temple of God, to its members, and yet possess neither men nor means to conduct a public service. If you want to kill such a church, set those unfit men to deliver public addresses; let them get the idea that preaching consists in talking for an hour from a text, in a stated place, at regular times; let them come to think that that is the way for them to convert sinners, and two results are absolutely certain-1. They will make themselves contemptible in the eyes of men of ordinary judgment-2. The church will be numbered with the dead, unless saved by an entire change of conduct.

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We deem it likely that, perhaps, one half of the churches that have been calling the public to behold "our order" and to learn the "Ancient Gospel" from our addresses," should never have been seen at all, excepting by individuals brought by private influence to their almost private meetings, after being, by conversational preaching, drawn considerably to the truth. All this public, formal platform talking, by men who are not able to engage in it without repelling a large proportion of their hearers, is a mistake; a miserable blunder, tending to destroy churches, stay the progress of truth, and becomes a chief cause of the introduction of the one man system-the rebound to the other extreme is reached, when the church resolves to hire a "pastor" to preach to the people. What then are we to do? We must learn that public preaching services, meetings and stated efforts for the conversion of sinners and the instruction of erring religionists, are not essential to the life and prosperity of a church. When such public efforts can be made by efficient agents and under circumstances to command respect, then, certainly the church would incur guilt by neglecting them, but when not able to work efficiently in that line mischief is the certain result if the attempt be made. Let us, then, hold only such public services as can be undertaken without repelling the generality of hearers. It is quite needless to remind us that the truth, itself, will repel. We know that, and remain content to let it do so. Those whom the truth repels must answer for it. But there are thousands of persons who would hear the truth, at least with some patience, if kindly, clearly, and so presented as not to be rendered unattractive by the unfitness of the, so-called, preacher.

Give us a live church-meeting oft for praise, prayer, Bible study, &c., and if there be no public speaker, and only such persons present, in addition to the members, as are brought by contact with them--let the members of that church live the truth and speak it, as they have opportunity in their respective circles, and depend upon it there will be progress in knowledge, in piety, and in numbers.

Of course such churches would be greatly aided by visits from evangelists, when public services would be held. Several such churches might with advantage, form a district and sustain an evangelist among them. But they could not keep up the regular public sermon, No need to keep Work on, in the way above indicated, till another meeting of days or weeks can be held.

it up.

In the foregoing is our remedy for dying churches. If the reader can meet the requirement by more efficient means, we shall be happy to put his plan before the churches.

D. K.

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

WORDS FROM THE WORK TABLE.-No. XXXVIII.

"I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not CONFORMED to this world."-ROM. XII. 1, 2.

"For the fashion of this world passeth away."-1 COR. VII. 31.

THE following account, of the interment of one who has long stood high in the esteem of all who were privileged to claim acquaintanceship with her, is quoted from the Christian World

THE LATE MRS. JOHN VINE HALL.

On Monday, December 4th, Mrs. John Vine Hall, widow of the author of the wellknown tract, "The Sinner's Friend," died at St. Leonard's, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, after a few days' illness. On the principle that honour should be done to the mothers of distinguished men, no little praise is due to this noble, God-fearing matron. In the highest and best sense she was the mother of all her sons, every one of whom has in his own sphere attained distinction, and in some instances renown. The Rev. Newman Hall, the Rev. Arthur Hall, Captain Vine Hall, Mr. Richard Hall, publisher at Oxford, Mr. Warren Hall and Mr. Stephen Hall-all these called her mother. Well might she have been proud of such an accumulation of honours, and possibly she was; but there was such a beautiful blending of Christian simplicity and matronly dignity in her character, that not the slightest semblance of assumption ever betrayed itself. To her belongs the double honour of having been the making of her sons, and of having done it without rendering herself prominent. Some of them are now becoming elderly men, and none of them are under forty, but they all "arise and call her blessed.' The deceased lady was pre-eminently a lover of good men, and one who honoured the servants of Christ for their Master's sake. For thirty years, during her residence at Maidstone and elsewhere, she was in the habit of receiving into her house most of the ministers who came as deputations, supplies, &c. Robert Hall, J. A. James, Dr. Liefchild, and other eminent men were often there; but those of the humblest name were equally honoured with the most distinguished.

The funeral at Abney Park Cemetery on Friday last was a beautiful specimen of Christian burial. The mortal remains were conveyed from the house of the Rev. Arthur Hall, of Edmonton, where she had of late resided, followed by three mourning coaches, containing the family of the departed. There was no undertaker's pomp, no plumes, no empty carriages, no mourning cloaks or scarves, not even a pall. The edge of the coffin was decorated with ivy, and on arriving at the cemetery one of the sons of the departed placed on the centre of the coffin a white cross composed of azaleas and lillies of the valley, while another of her children placed a wreath of similar flowers on the head, and a third a corresponding wreath on the foot of the coffin. A copy of "The Sinner's Friend" was also placed on the coffin lid, opened at the chapter, "A Word to the Poor,' which was contributed to her husband's tract by the deceased lady. * * The funeral service was conducted by the sons of the deceased, Newman and Arthur Hall, who did not ascend the pulpit, but stood on the floor at the head of the coffin. It was evidently with great difficulty that the sons who officiated at their mother's interment were able to command themselves for so trying a service. After the benediction the Doxology was sung, and many gave a last long look into the grave, which was beautiful and fragrant with the many flowers which covered the coffin. And there they left her, on that cold, bright winter's day, slumbering with the beloved husband who had preceded her thither, until the brighter morning of the resurrection.

*

To the character of the departed we need not call attention. The point to which we desire to direct attention is, the manner of conducting the funeral. "No undertaker's pomp, no plumes, no empty carriages, no mourning-cloaks or scarves, NOT EVEN A PALL." We have long desired reform in this matter, and are right glad to find men like Newman Hall and his brothers taking such a stand. It is among such that reforms have need to start in order to their finding acceptance with the masses. This subject needs ventilating amongst us while health, strength and freedom from grief are ours. We cannot enter a stricken family and tell them that funeral pageantry and mourning clothing are useless trappings.