: for simple minds to turn from the ingenious theories of subtle intellects to the plain words of the Lord Jesus. These are designed, not for the wise and prudent, but for those who in understanding are as babes. My first proposition is The pardon of sins is received by the repentant believer whenever he believes in the Lord Jesus. That is a plain proposition, and admits of plain proof. Let us look at it. John iii. 15: The Son of man must be lifted up, in order that (hina) whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16: God gave his only begotten Son in order that, whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath (possesses) everlasting life. v. 24: Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life. vi. 47: Verily, verily I say unto you he that believeth on me hath everlasting life 40: This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life. Well, I would think these very words of the Lord Jesus Himself ought to have weight with His Disciples, we have these truths enunciated as eternal verities with the most solemn and pointed asseveration, repeated again and again, whosoever, every one, that believeth in Jesus, shall not perish-hath or possesses eternal life, shall not come into condemnation, is passed from death unto life-the belief and the salvation are simultaneous, the same mood and tense, employed to describe both, linked inseparably together, co-existent, independent of all conditionalism, it is in vain to insinuate doubt by the expression. "Were it certain He rightly interprets these words," Truth is its own interpreter, I appeal to the understandings and consciences of all who love the Lord Jesus-if these words can possibly bear two interpretations-as futile is the insinuation that they are antiquated and obsolete, "uttered under the old dispensation." What! did not Jesus say He should be lifted up that all who believed in Him should be saved? Is it pretended that this referred to those who believed in Him only before He was lifted up? Has it come to this, that we are to pick and choose among the doctrines of the great Teacher-to manipulate, interpollate or suppress to toss aside whatever does not fit into our theories asserting one saying had reference to after years and others to that day only? Why then were these things placed on record? What does the writer of them mean? When he says (John xx. 31) "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and Observer, Feb. 1, '76. that believing ye might have life through his name. Was it then under the old dispensation that this same writer, somewhere about A.D. 90, penned these words, penned these words, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life." Was it under the old dispensation that Paul declared (Acts xiii. 39), "By Him all that believe, are justified," or that Peter asserted (x. 43), Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Not one word in all this of baptism, it has its place, and its purpose-it was instituted in wisdom by Him who made man-and woe to those who despise, reject, are ashamed of, or trifle with any command of the Most High God, it is essential for all the purposes for which it was instituted, but these do not include the remission of sins, the forgiveness of sins is dependent upon simple, heartfelt trust in the Lord Jesus. It is the instantaneous consequence of faith in Him, not simply belief, that the message is true, belief about Him, Felix believed that, when he trembled but faith in Him, as a personal Saviour for the personal sinner. Let us, just to make this plain, contrast the doctrines maintained by those specially calling themselves Disciples, with those enunciated by Him who is Lord and Master. In last issue of the Observer we have them formulated thus 1. THE LOVE OF GOD-Originating cause. 2. THE DEATH OF JESUS-Meritorious and Procuring cause. 3. FAITH AND REPENTANCE-Qualifying cause. 4. BAPTISM-Receiving cause. Contrasted with this the statement of Jesus stands (John iii. 14-17.) 1. THE LOVE OF GOD-Originating cause. "God loved the world." 2. THE DEATH OF JESUS-Meritorious cause. "The Son of Man must be lifted up." "In 3. FAITH IN JESUS-Receiving cause. order that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge, ye." "I am reminded there were those that believed in Jesus but did not confess Him, but there were those that believed in Jesus and confessed Him and called themselves Disciples; yet Jesus did not believe in them, for He knew what was in them: He made, and by the hands of His disciples baptized disciples; but there were amongst them those whose faith was not perfect, for in spite of profession-notwithstanding image and superscription, and a fair appearance of genuine metal, the coin was base at the core, it Observer, Feb. 1, '76. 66 was a spurious, superficial, unreal thing. He who looketh upon the heart would have none of them, and He has testified of them that at the last He will reject them in the presence of angels and men. Depart from Me, I never knew you." I care not whether baptism be the stumbling-block or the fear of man, or the doctrine of Christ, whatever it be that stumbles the semi-earnest soul away from Jesus-His words shall be found true in their sad experience, "Whosoever is ashamed of Me and of My words of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when He cometh in the glory of His Father." Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father, who is in heaven." But equally is the converse true. "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father, who is in heaven." Let us certainly be faithful with our erring brethren, let us struggle to show them their mistake, their error-their sin, it may be -in neglecting the form and mode in which Jesus appointed His disciples should profess His name that solemn ordinance which is blessed of Him to every one who understands it and humbly submits to it,-but, oh! let us beware of falling into the weak superstition of supposing that the remission of sins is in any way dependent upon the administration of Baptism, that Baptism is a receiving cause, or medium of reception of the pardon of sins, or that to the contrite sinner believing in Jesus, humbly trusting in His all-sufficient atonement, the pardon is in any way delayed, deferred, or suspended until Baptism or anything else is accomplished. No, a thousand times, No. He that believeth hath, whosoever believeth is, passed from death unto life. The absolute necessity of curtailment to keep within available space necessitates my deferring reply to pointed questions and other matters advanced in last issue. I trust to dispose of these satisfactorily again. Edinburgh. H. M'INTOSH. THE CHRISTIAN'S BATTLE-SONG. Wave the streaming banner high! Round us throng unnumbered foes, We but follow in His train, Why, with worldly doubts and fears, Lay your cares at Jesus' feet, Chariot-wheels are coming near, Clothed in spotless white. Farewell then to vanished dreams, Sorrows deep and darkest streams; Welcome! Heaven's glory beams, After life's long night. Oh! the friends in counting o'er 'Mong the ransomed blest! There in full to rest. "Tis not "Victory or death"- "By My blood is won." Onward then, with joy and song Though the fight be hard and strong, Heaven's rest will come ere long Ev'ry toil be done. Mothers there, their tears shall dry, And their crowns will bring. "Worthy is the Lamb that's slain !" This the universal strain; "Crown Him, crown Him!" our refrain, "Glory to our King!" W. Mitchell. Intelligence of Churches, etc. A BAPTIZED CHURCH AMONG THE BEDOUINS.About twenty-five years ago a company of young men started out from Damascus, headed for Jerusalem. They had not gone far before a band of armed horsemen surrounded them, and ordered a halt. The leader said the caravan might move on, unhurt and unharmed, if they would deliver up one of their number, a young man named Randall, who should not suffer if he would come along with them peacefully. The terms, though hard, were acceded to, and the last look his companions had of him was to see him mounted on a fine horse, attended by gay horsemen of the Bedouin Sheik of the Le Arish tribe. The young man was taken to the Sheik's tent, and to his surprise found a magnificent entertainment awaiting him. Arzalia, the Sheik's daughter, had seen the young man, and fallen in love with him, and this is the wedding feast. The young man and Arzalia are married. His tent was guarded by night, and his person watched by day lest he should escape, and this guard kept over him for years. He and Arzalia, however, seemed happy; children were born to them, and their domestic life was marked by true affection. Randall rapidly acquired the Arabic language; his wife has readily mastered the English. Their children were taught in both. Who was this Randall? In Oneida Co., America, lives his father, who has never seen the face of his son. This father is now a man of some seventy years, who was brought up among the Indians. At the age of twenty-one, the chief of his tribe said, "You had better return to the white people, for among them you can be more of a man than among the Indians." He returned, married a Welsh lady, and while she was on a visit to her relations in Wales, the son was born. The mother dying soon after his birth, he remained until manhood with his kindred in Wales, and was taking a trip through Syria, previous to his return to America, when he was captured by the Sheik and compelled to marry his daughter. His mother was a Baptist, and he, before he left Wales for the Orient, was baptized. When he was admitted to the Sheik's family, they had to receive his religion as well as his person. Through him his wife became a Christian; his father-in-law became a patron of his son-in-law's faith; his children were brought up in "the fear of the Lord;" his son has become Sheik of the tribe, the father-in-law having died. All the surrounding tribes have become favourable to the new religion, and have pledged their swords in its defence. Many have been baptized; hundreds of children have been taught the new religion. answer But a dervish, a zealot of the Mohammedan faith, had for a long time been endeavouring to stir up opposition and persecution; strove to have Randall's sons thrown out of the employ of the Turkish government, and failing in this, turned his assault upon a daughter of the foreigner, and charged her with witchcraft and apostacy from the true faith. She was brought before the meglis, composed of 144 venerable Sheiks and effendis, to charges which involved her life. The charges having been presented and substantiated as best they could be by witnesses, she was called upon to answer them through her advocate. She, although but fourteen years of age, dressed in the neatest manner, and with a placid face, and calm heart, and unfaltering trust, responded: "Most venerable fathers, I will reply in person;" and then with fervour and faith and power, holding her Bible in her hand and frequently reading passages from it, she made a defence worthy an apostle; and when she finished, the unanimous verdict was in her favour, and the chiefs of the tribes pledged each other their swords anew, to defend all Christians who thought and felt as Rosa did. But the old dervish breathed revenge, and determined to take that young life. The trial was in October, 1872. In June, 1873, while Rosa was teaching a class of forty-two little girls in a grove, the way to heaven, the dervish stealthily approached, and before any one was aware, he had murdered the maid and fled. The fleetest horses of the tribe, with armed riders went in pursuit. He was soon captured, tried, and executed. But the work is growing, the truth is spreading, and a new chapter in the history of spreading Gospel light has been unveiled to us, alike startling and impressive. When the whole story is told (as it soon will be), a more remarkable chapter in the history of the preaching of the Gospel has not been offered this century. In the last letter from Lady Arzalia Le Avish Randall, giving all the particulars of her child's trial and tragic death, occurs this beautiful sentence and earnest request: Pray for me, that my piety may be as humble as the violet, as enduring as the olive, and as fragrant as the orient." We hope in the course of a year to offer the readers of this sketch, the entire story from the hut of the Indian to the tented church of the Bedouin; but we could not consent to keep "the glad tidings" to ourselves any longer, and so have told our story in brief to-day. Laus Deo-National Baptist. DECLINE OF INFANT BAPTISM.-The Christian Era quotes from the official report of a recent Methodist Conference in North Carolina-pretty good authority, we should think, as to the correctness of the Era's surmises. Says the said report During the progress of the twentieth question the matter of infant baptism came up, owing to the small number of infants reported baptized in some of the districts. Mr. Burton stated that the cause of the scarcity of infant baptism was because of the want of a proper degree of attention on the part of the pastors. The people were not educated to it. Rev. A. W. Mangum spoke in reference to the injury done to the cause of infant baptism by a prominent Methodist publication. Rev. J. P. Moore thought that the cause was because of the objection parents had to having their children baptized when they themselves might object when they came to years of discretion. An extract from the report of the Virginia Conference indicates that a similar apprehension of the truth exists among that body : Madison.-John W. Hildrup. Report good; nothing against him; only one infant baptized. Fluvanna.-The Rev. John W. Howard. Report good; nothing against him. The Bishop did not think that the church was making any headway, if, out of 500 members, not a single infant baptism. The report of the minister showed that the best men on his circuit objected to having their children baptized. Bedford.-Edgar H. Pritchett. Reported no infant baptism, which was accounted for by the brother, who stated that it was because there were fewer children this last year. Apomattox.-James E. McSparian. Reported being in ill health; infant baptism, none, stating that it had gone by the board. It All over the country, the Era asserts, similar evidence of the neglect of infant baptism exists. Presbyterians and Congregationalists share in the decline of the practice as well as Methodists. flourishes only in the Episcopal and Catholic Churches, for these churches have a logical motive to observe the practice, which does not exist among those denominations which reject the idea that baptism regenerates the child or makes him a member of the Church of Christ.-Baptist. BAPTIZED CHURCHES IN CANADA.-Denominational papers show encouraging progress among the so-called Baptist Churches of Canada. During that period the Romanists have increased about 8 per cent., the Episcopalians a trifle over 6 per cent., the Presbyterians about 15 per cent., the Methodists about 27 per cent., and the Baptized a trifle over 19 per cent. Thus exceeding that of all the denominations, excepting only the Methodists, and it will be no unkindness to them to say that their peculiar way of receiving members leaves it doubtful whether their real and permanent increase exceeds to any very great extent. The population of the whole Dominion during the same period has increased about 12 per cent. But there are other figures still more cheering. In the whole of Canada there are 55,000 members of Baptized churches, 33,000 of whom belong to the Lower Provinces, and 22,000 to Ontario and Quebec. Now the rate of increase of membership has been growing larger for a number of years, and last year in the Lower Provinces the increase was nearly 9 per cent., while in Ontario the increase from baptisms alone was over 14 per cent. THE BAPTIST HAND BOOK came out late in January, nearly a month behind time. We can only now notice the leading totals. The statistics for England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland showchurches, 2,620; chapels, 3,354; pastors in charge, 1,867; members, 263,729; Sunday scholars, 372,242. The number of churches recorded for 1875 shows an increase of eight upon those of the previous year. The total membership is 263,729, against 254,998 of the previous year, being an increase of 8,741 or a little over three and a quarter to each church. There are other figures of interest, but we cannot go into them at present. THE CONGREGATIONAL YEAR BOOK.-It seems from the statistical summary that there are, in various parts of the world, 5,026 chapels, including mission, preaching, and evangelistic stations; while there are 3,165 pastors. In England and Wales there are 305 vacant churches, and 537 ministers without pastorates (among these are forty-three professors and tutors and forty-two officers of public institutions). THE WESLEYAN METHODIST YEAR BOOK shows in Great Britain 358,772 members, and 27,642 on trial for membership; 23,707 class-leaders, and 13,787 lay preachers; 5,917 chapels connexionally settled, 1,760 other preaching places, and 1,731,582 sittings; 5,875 Sunday schools, with 100,380 Sunday school teachers, 84,067 of whom are members of society; 701,171 Sunday scholars, of whom 51,176 are members of society; 736 day schools, with 174,839 children, of whom 67,678 are boys, 57,207 girls, and the rest infants. In addition to the Wesleyans, there are in England Primitive Methodists, with 169,720 members, and 1,040 ministers; New Connexion, 22,547 members, and 150 ministers; United Methodist Free Church, 74,845 members, and 354 ministers; Wesleyan Reform Union, 8,147 members, and 15 ministers; Bible Christians, 27,768 members, and 276 ministers. WELLSFORD, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.-The truth, in its purity and simplicity, is spreading in the out-districts of this country, especially in Albertland. We have here two churches, twelve miles apart, constituted in accordance with the ancient order of things, living in harmony and love. Our efforts have not been in vain, as many have renounced errors and been immersed into Christ. Our present number is thirty, but we have been made sad by losing some who once ran well, and who we yet hope to see return to the good way. There is a splendid field of labour here for an evangelist. The circumstances of the people having to a great extent prepared them to receive the truth. Our prayer is that the Lord of the Harvest will send labourers. Bro. Lewis has done much towards the spread of the truth by his visit to Auckland, the effect of which will be felt throughout the Province. Could his stay have been prolonged during the summer months, by visiting out-districts many churches might have been established in the various settlements, and many souls added to the saved. E. BROWN. STOCKPORT.-The church in Mount Street dwells in peace and love. We are often favoured with visits from A. Brown and others, of Manchester. We have a fair attendance of strangers, and have been cheered by the restoration of three to our fellowship, and by the baptism of one into the Name of Jesus. WORTLEY.-Since the Annual Meeting I have laboured in Leeds and Wortley. But a good portion of the time has been devoted to new ground. Lower Wortley was chosen as the field of operation. The Working Men's Institute was hired and a course of addresses delivered. Being a thinly populated district the meetings were not large. Nevertheless some success has attended. Four persons have been immersed into Christ and joined the few resident brethren who have formed themselves into a church there. Others are enquiring. With the careful guardianship of the parent church there is no reason to doubt but that this newly-formed church will grow and prosper. Three others have been baptized at New Wortley and have joined the church in Wellington Road. J. PITTMAN. LINDAL-Two baptized on confession of faith in the Lord Jesus. CHELSEA, LONDON, JAN. 22ND.-Since the Annual Meeting ten have been added to our number by faith repentance, immersion, one has been restored to fellowship, and four others have been received by letter from sister churches. The church here had for a long time felt the need of persons set apart to the office of deacons; and as there were found among us five brethren who possessed all the qualifications enumerated in the Bible as essentially requisite, the assembled church chose them for the work. There was at the first some difference of opinion as to the proper mode of appointing them to their office; but it was finally decided, that there was only one Scriptural mode, hence that no other mode could be adopted, and that the only safe course was to follow that of the first church at Jerusalem. So on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 16th, before the meeting for the breaking of the bread, the members came together fasting, and after a hymn, a prayer, and a few words from our Bro. Black, he laid his hands on the heads of the five brethren, and so appointed them to the business to which they had been chosen. No one recognized that he conferred any spiritual gift upon them; but that he, having hitherto fulfilled all the duties of the office, in the name of the church now resigned all those duties and their accompanying responsibilities into the hands of the chosen brethren. Several prayers followed, and the ceremony, somewhat impressive, was ended. We trust that, as a consequence of the step taken, the Word of God may be increased and multiplied among us very greatly. J. C. V. Obituary. HARRIET MARSDEN, the beloved wife of Jonathan Marsden, fell asleep in Jesus on Wednesday, Dec. 29, after a few days of great suffering, having been stricken in the very power and bloom of womanhood, at the age of twenty-three years, leaving a charge of three young children. ANN LAWRENCE, after a long and patient struggle with consumption, expired on the 6th of January, so peacefully that the precise moment of departure was unknown. We shall see them again when the Lord comes. J. C. Cam-yr-Alyn, Rossett.-ANN GIBSON passed from our midst, in full assurance of all the promises of God, on December 4th, 1875, aged eighty years. Sister to the late and much-esteemed John Davies, of Mollington, she, like him, yielded allegiance to Jesus in early life, when in the darkest days of opposition and evil report a very few disciples used to have fellowship and communion in the old Cox's Lane Meeting House. During the whole of her long career she commanded admiration as one of the brightest ornaments of peaceful, loving, and confiding submission, and she shares very largely in the honour of upholding the standard of truth and holiness in this immediate neighbourhood. The church very deeply deplores her loss, but in view of joys on the Resurrection morn we sorrow full of hope. EDWIN GILLAM. APOSTOLICAL SUCCESSION. THE Bishop of Exeter having been interrogated by a foreign ecclesiastical dignitary as to whether apostolic succession is a doctrine of the Church of England, has replied as follows:-" The Church of England desires to include within her pale both those who hold the doctrine of the apostolic succession and those who do not. To meet the need of the latter she nowhere requires any of her members or ministers to hold that doctrine. To meet the need of the former she provides that all her ministers shall profess that succession as a fact."—Pull Mall Gazette. Compromise and evasion characterize the Church of England at almost every point. Here the clergy Observer, Feb. 1, 76. are required to confess as a fact what they do not believe as a doctrine. What is this but " comprehension" at the sacrifice of truthfulness? The Church is a vast combination of shams, driving men by its manifest contradictions, evasions, and other dishonesties into infidelity. But for the wonderful power of God's own truth this Church would have utterly put an end in Great Britain to faith in Christianity. But light is diffusing and its days are numbered. Family Room. MRS. RAY'S TEMPER. "DRIP, drip; how pretty it is!" said a little girl inside the window-pane. 66 Drip, drip; how bitter it is!" said a little girl outside. They might have been two chirping sparrows answering each other unconsciously, only that one looked too merry, and the other too sad. Poor little Miriam! she trotted on, picking up her tiny bare feet as daintily as a lady in satin slippers, for chilblains do not like mud, soft though it be. It seemed to Miriam that her chilblains did not like anything, certainly not being out in the pinching cold, but near a fire and getting warm was worse; it seemed to involve every variety of aching and smarting. They didn't like going barefoot, with the chance of a sharp stone making her dance; but last winter they had been very uncomfortable in boots. Miriam had heard that chilblains could be cured by taking a teaspoonful of brimstone and treacle three times a week; but she did not know of any brimstone, except a lump belonging to the landlady's dog; and as to treacle, if any came into their house it was spread out very thin on a piece of bread and called dinner. Everybody in that house was poor, but poorest of all were Miriam and her mother; yet at first there seemed to be no reason for this. Mrs. Ray, Miriam's mother, was healthy, strong, and skilful, industrious and sober. She could generally earn nearly a pound a week by working for shops; but she had an enemy who was always getting her out of employment, and never in any way helped her to any, an enemy who had certainly in part killed her husband, and injured the health of her child; and yet an enemy that by some unaccountable mistake she treated as a friend, fostered, nursed, and petted, and encouraged to stay by her; else she would have been free long ago. This powerful, long-lived foe was what she called "her temper." "Yes, Mrs. Vowles," she was saying just then to her landlady, "I've got my temper, and when its once As the said temper was up it must have its way." known to be "once up" at least six times a week, Mrs. Vowles said nothing, and the other went on"As to being a carnying toad, I never would ; take me or leave me, that's what I always say." "And they leave you, of course," said Mrs. Vowles. 66 Well, that's not my business." |