Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE General Annual Meeting of Churches, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, associated for evangelistic purposes, and for the advocacy of a return to the faith and order of the churches planted by the Apostles of Christ, was held in Geach Street Chapel, Birmingham, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 7th, 8th, 9th. After words of welcome on behalf of churches in Birmingham, by Mr. Samuel Jenkins, the chair was taken by Mr. Alex. Brown, of Wigan.

The statistical information, printed, was put in and taken as read, from which the following is presented.

Sheffield Wakefield Wortley

Lancashire and Cheshire

Division

Ashton-under-Lyne

Barrow-in-Furness
Birkenhead
Blackburn
Bolton

Chester

Douglas (Isle of Man)
Earlestown

Golbourne
Hindley

Kirkby-Ireleth
Lindal-in-Furness

Observer, Aug. 15, '77.

[blocks in formation]

24

14

130

A B C D

65

4578

11

[ocr errors]

0111

72

[ocr errors]

18

C.

101

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

།།⌘3| | ||⪜སྲྀ⪜བཧྨས「

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

125

[blocks in formation]

107 17

108

184 30

[blocks in formation]

23

21

21

36

60

[blocks in formation]

23

19

73 20

77

24

26

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed]

Taking the Divisions separately, and including in the Midland Division the membership of the church in Eastwood (formed in February from members dismissed for that purpose from the church in Langley) and that of Parton, in the North-Western Division (formed mainly from members, in like manner, transferred from the Whitehaven church), and taking into account only those churches which have returned the Schedule both last year and this, there appears a net increase (after allowing for reductions by transfer to other churches, death, removal to where there are not churches, emigration, and discipline) in each Division, thus-Southern, 21-Midland, 108-Yorkshire, 13-Lancashire and Cheshire, 45-Welsh, 1-North-Eastern, 4-NorthWestern, 32-Scotch, 24-Irish, 3. The general totals stand thus:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Observer Aug. 15, 77.

connection with your Committee, viz., Bren. Evans, Adam, Coles, Hindle, Pittman, and Bray. The work has been of a desultory character, about which we have nothing striking to record; but opportune help has been given to various churches, the details of which are as follows::

Bro. Bray was sustained by your fund for some weeks, at the commencement of the present evangelistic year, which time was mainly given to Bickerstaffe Street, St. Helen's.

Bro. Pittman spent-with the exception of one Lord'sday given to Huddersfield, and four nights special service at Wortley-the whole of the first half of the present year in Sheffield. The work, says our brother, was of a plodding nature, preaching outside as well as in-doors, visiting and conducting classes for the mutual improvement of the members; shortness of funds hindered a more public stand being taken; still good was accomplished, the church was organized, and set in working order, and a few additions made. We are pleased to add that the cause there continues in a hopeful condition. The Lord comfort their hearts, and establish them in every good word and work.

Bro. Hindle thus speaks for himself:-"I find that I have laboured four weeks in Whitehaven, four weeks in Annan, four weeks in Carlisle during the past year in connection with the General Evangelistic Committee, and I believe that real good has been done. About fourteen persons were immersed and added to the churches in these places. On my way from London in April, I spent one Lord's-day and Monday with the brethren in Banbury, and it was a real joy to me to see the faces of brethren and sisters whom I have known and loved for many years. Saturday next, July 21st, I leave home for Maryport (D. V.), where I expect to labour till the Annual Meeting in Birmingham. This evangelistic year has been a year of hard work, but I am thankful to say that the labour has not been in vain ; fruit has been gathered which I hope to see in eternity.

Bro. Coles visited Exeter, where the church had been reduced by removals and other causes, and from whence an earnest appeal for help had come. He spent the month of May there. The attendance on the preaching and at the weekly prayer-meeting was good. A number of enquirers were called upon, and two confessed the Saviour, and were baptized. From Exeter he went to Banbury, and remained there six weeks. Besides the Lord's-day meetings, there were three meetings held during the week. Bro. Coles also visited Wardington, a neighbouring village where there is a small church of long standing, and preached three times. At Banbury the interest appeared to be increasing at the time of his departure: there was one decision for the Lord Jesus.

Bro. Adam spent the first Lord's-day after the last Annual Meeting in Huddersfield; the following one in Dundee, dividing his time between the two churches there; on his return south he stayed over one Lord's day in Leeds; after reaching home in London, the churches in Limehouse and Forrest Gate received a Lord's-day each, besides week-evening labour. Thus not much time was given for reaping, but brethren were stirred, Sunday schools aided, and good seed sown.

Bro. Evans having two months available for general work, and your Committee having received a pressing application from the church in Blackburn for his services, their request was granted, as the condition of the cause there gave promise of good results. Our brother has been a great blessing to the brethren there, and is highly esteemed by them for His work's sake. Since the foregoing was written, in a letter received from him, he says: Blackburn church has made steady progress in the bonds of peace and love, in general Scriptural knowledge, and an addition of converts. The Sunday

[ocr errors]

Observer, Aug. 15, '77.

school also has made cheering progress. Altogether, I have never known the church or schools to be more hopeful and promising, but they still need much fostering care as well as evangelistic help.”

The evangelistie work of the present year having been of so fragmentary a nature, it has been thought best, first to allow each Brother's work to appear complete in itself, and second, to separate it according to the divisional arrangement as follows:-Scotch Division, J. Adam, one week. North-Western Division, W. Hindle, fifteen weeks. Yorkshire Division, J. Pittman, twenty-six weeks; J. Adams, two weeks. Lancashire Division, W. Bray, three months; E. Evans, two months. Midland Division, W. Hindle, one Lord's day; S. H. Coles, seven Lord's days. Southern Division, J. Adam, two weeks; S. H. Coles, four weeks.

The resolution of last Annual Meeting recommending a visit to Middlesbro' for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the church and neighbourhood with a view to evangelistic work, was, by correspondence, immediately acted upon, but owing to various uncontrolable causes, the visit has never been made: however, through the kindness of Bro. George Collin and Bro. Bateman, of Middlesbro', we are able to give the following particulars. Bro. Collin says: "If those now in fellowship are united and in earnest, there would be few better towns for testing our principles. It is a new town, full of enterprise and life, and few old residenters." He adds: “I would certainly select it for a work of experimental or Christian enterprise.' From Bro. Bateman we learn that they have a room taken for Lord's day, capable of holding about 200 people; that the church meet in the morning for worship, and in the evening for preaching; that they have a school morning and afternoon; that the meetings are more interesting than formerly, and that they are convinced that, with an able Evangelist, much good would be accomplished.

[ocr errors]

A few weeks ago Bro. King, by request of your Com mittee, and according to resolution of the Leeds meeting, paid a visit of inspection to Northampton, where he spent some four days. He has forwarded a statement, which will be presented to the Meeting in due course.

The Whitehaven suggestion with respect to Italy, although in abeyance, has not been forgotten. Bro. Coop, when in Rome last Spring, called to see Mr. Wall, the pastor of the Apostolic Church there; he found him a very genial man, and willing to furnish every informa tion, which Mr. Coop will no doubt communicate to you. Mr. Landels, the son of Dr. Landels, who for some time was working with Mr. Wall in Rome, has been doing the work of an Evangelist in Naples; he possesses the advantage of being able to speak to the Italians in their own language, but finds much to perplex him. "Of the entire population 82 per cent. cannot read.

In

this field Mr. Landels has been working a year in the face of great difficulties, as the people are utterly untruthful, and difficult to deal with. A few have been gained over, though to become a Christian exposed them to not a little suffering and privation." These few par ticulars have been given that the brethren assembled at Birmingham may know something about what a mission to Italy implies.

Your Committee suggest the desirability of appointing a Chairman and Vice-Chairman twelve months in advance, which they think will be a convenience to all concerned, and an advance on the present plan. We also think that the time has fully come when the interests of the churches might be better served by a change of Committee, and so respectfully return into your hands the trust which has so long been confided to us.

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord, be with you all. Amen. We are your servants in Christ Jesus, [Signed.]

The Balance Sheet showed receipts £450 19s. 1d., the present balance in hand being, irrespective of residue of the Graham Legacy Fund, £11 5s. 4 d. The receipts stand, in relation to the Divisions, thusFrom Southern Division, £2 10s.-Midland, £4.Yorkshire, £7 10s.-Lancashire and Cheshire, £10 4s. -Welsh, 14s.-North-Eastern, £12 16s.-Scotch, £15 138.-From the Graham Legacy, £200. This Balance Sheet gives no indication of the evangelistic expenditure of the several Divisions as the Evangelists generally are sustained from the Divisional Funds, which are in no way included in the cash statement of the General Committee.

Several churches which have made no returns for several years, which consisted chiefly of very small gatherings, have, by removals to other churches and other causes, ceased to assemble. Resolutions were passed removing them from the list. The appended resolutions will indicate the churches referred to.

After due consideration in each instance the following resolutions were passed :

"That Bren. Linn, King, Mumby, H. Collin, and A. Brown, in addition to the members of the General Committee, act as a Reference Committee during the meetings of the Conference."

"That the churches in Eastwood and Parton be added to the list of churches co-operating."

"That the church in Ashton-under-Lyne be removed from the list of churches."

66

That the letter from Londonderry be handed to the Evangelist Committee, that it may consider the application contained in it."

"That the church meeting in the Liberal Reading Room, Wrexham, be recommended to make their application to be placed on the list of churches co-operating through the church meeting in King Street, Wrexham."

"That the Financial Report and Statement of the Evangelist Committee be taken as read."

"That Middlesbro' is deemed a desirable place to commend to the General Evangelist Committee as a field for evangelistic effort, and that they give attention to it as soon as they can see their way thereto; but in the event of any obstacle deterring them, the effort be transferred to Northampton."

"That the application from Bowden (or Altrincham) be postponed for another year, with congratulations that they are meeting for the worship of God and keeping the ordinances of Jesus; that the Secretary write to that effect."

"That brethren from Northwich having removed to other places where churches exist, the omission of the name from the list of churches co-operating be approved."

"That the Conference appoint a Chairman and ViceChairman for next Annual Conference."

"That for the future we appoint the Reference Committee a year in advance, and that they be expected, as far as practicable, to prepare their recommendations before the commencement of the Annual Meeting."

"That the General Evangelist Committee consist of three or more members in one locality, with consulting members, one in each division if possible."

"That the church in Grangemouth be erased from the list of churches co-operating.'

"That the names of Dornock, Montrose, Perth, and Whitburn be erased from the list of churches co-operating, the church having ceased to meet in those places."

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]

"That the spase labours of Evangelists, and the applications for help from churches, be left in the hands of the General Evangelist Committee." [That is for the present year.]

"That the best thanks of the meeting be given to the Evangelist Committee for their services during the past year, and that they be asked to serve another year."

"That Bren. Chapman, Black, W. Brown, M. Watson, Linn, Smith, Jones, and Tener be the consulting members of Evangelist Committee, representing the several divisions."

"That all the members of Evangelist Committee with the Chairman of the Annual Meeting be the Committee of Reference for next Conference."

"That a Paper be read at next Annual Meeting. Subject: The Evangelist's Position in relation to the Church.'-that Bro. Alex. Brown be asked to prepare and read the paper."

"That the next Annual Meeting be held in Liverpool." "That in future Divisional Committees, finding it necessary to look to the General Fund for help, should first make application to the General Evangelist Committee before entering into final arrangements with Evangelists.'

"That, whereas the periodicals published in America by the disciples of Christ, together with other sources of information, make apparent serious departures from apostolic practices advocated by the pioneers of that restoration for which the churches in this co-operation plead, this meeting resolves to depute experienced brethren affectionately to expostulate, through American periodicals and otherwise, in reference thereto, with a view to urge the abandonment of these deviations, strengthen the hands of churches or brethren who adhere to apostolic ways, and to protect the churches here associating from any seeming concurrence in the departures referred to.'

"That Bren. Linn, Tickle, and King be deputed to carry out the foregoing resolution.

"

"That our best thanks be given to the Chairman, Secretaries, and to the Birmingham Committee, and the Sisters who have contributed so largely to the comfort of the Conference by their earnest service in providing for the comfort of the visitors.'

Incidents relating to some of the foregoing resolutions must stand over for notice till next issue of E. O., as also information on other interesting details. Now it must suffice to say that on no previous occasion has the assembly been larger.

THE TESTIMONY OF THE TOMBS.

I VISITED a few days ago the city of the dead that lies near our city of the living. In my daily walks about the city of the living, I had seen many evidences of vice and crime. The number of drinking saloons in our midst, the amount of profanity that is daily heard, the

Observer, Aug. 15, '77

extent of our criminal docket, the condition of our churches, and the strife and illwill among neighbours, and even brethren, all bore testimony to the existence of a condition of things far from encouraging to those who are trying to lift men up to a higher and purer life.

As I turned my steps toward the city of the dead I felt sad and dispirited, but as I wandered among the tombs, and read the inscriptions upon the monuments erected to commemorate departed worth, what a change came over my feelings. I found to my surprise that either the good only die, or that our fathers were a noble race of men, pure and good, and that we their children had sadly degenerated. A moment's reflection taught me that my first hypothesis could not be true. The second, then, must be true. Our ancestors were a great and noble people that breathed a purer atmosphere than their children breathe, and lived above the vices and frailties that characterize their descendants. Oh, I said, if Herbert Spencer were but here I could show him now the folly of his doctrine of evolution; and if Tyndal would but visit the tombs of his fathers, and read the inscriptions thereon, he could find evidence incontrovertible to convince him that even his remotest progenitor was not a tadpole. While indulging in this train of thought, I strolled on to some newly erected monuments; for up to this time I had been reading the inscriptions on the tombs of those buried in the long ago. The first grave by the side of which I paused was that of one whom I had once known. In life he had been regarded as a hard man, cold and unfeeling. The widow's sighs and orphan's tears moved him as little as the summer's evening breeze moves the Tower of Pisa. Ah! I said, here I will find confirmation strong as Holy writ of the truth of my second hypothesis. This "degenerate son of a noble sire" cannot "rest in peace." No eulogy will be found on his tomb. But alas for human calculations. He had died in triumph, and been borne on angel's wings to the "golden shores of the better land." I was forced to the conclusion that there was a mistake somewhere in my figures. Could it be that I had exaggerated the vices of the living, and that what I had accepted as evidence of the existence of wickedness and sin, was no evidence at all! Perplexed and confused I retraced my steps to the city. As I entered its crowded streets I heard the slow tolling of the bells, "funeral bells." I followed the crowd as it entered one of our large churches. To my enquiry as to who the person was that had paid "the debt to nature," I was told that it was John Brown. I had known old John Brown for many years. If

Observer, Aug. 15, 77.

he ever did a benevolent act, he had kept the fact so profoundly secret that no human being ever knew of it. He had accumulated wealth, and it was said that he had done so by following

"The good old rule, the simple plan

That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can." After the introductory exercises the preacher commenced his discourse. He gave a sketch of the life of the deceased, and as he told of his many virtues, and of the noble life that he had lived, I could hardly restrain my tears as I thought of the wrong I had done my old neighbour, in classing him among the cold-hearted and miserly, who never sympathised with human suffering, or lent a helping hand to the poor and needy. I remembered the time when he turned the widow Howard out of one of his miserable tenements, in the dead of winter, with her sick children, because she could not pay the rent; and how he foreclosed the mortgage on the little cottage of Dick Blake when he was down with the rheumatism, and bought it for a song. But he surely must have had some good object in view in these little transactions, or the preacher never could have spoken of him as he did. I felt guilty. I felt that I had, in thought, wronged my old neighbour, and all my other neighbours, and everybody

else.

There is not so much wickedness in the world as I thought there was. The people are not so bad as I thought they were; in fact they are not bad at all, and if any unbelieving infidel thinks that they are, let him attend all the funerals that he hears of in his vicinity and listen to the funeral sermons, and his unbelief will vanish away, and leave him as it has left me, "a wiser and a better man.” J. B. M.

The Sunday School.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONFERENCE.

THE Annual Conference of Sunday Schools in connection with Churches of Christ in Great Britain, was held in Summer Lane Chapel, Birmingham, on Tuesday, 7th of August, 1877. The half-hour preceding was devoted to prayer. James Nimmo, of Edinburgh, was called to the chair. A. Ward, of Birmingham, and D. Hutchinson, of London, were appointed secretaries. After the usual preliminaries of reading minutes, letters, and schedules, the Committee gave a report of the year's proceedings, showing a good advancement in arrangements for prosecuting Sunday school work. The table of statistics, although not so much as could be wished, showed an increase in all particulars. Various

resolutions were passed for carrying on the work for

the coming year. The Committee have made arrangements to get the Sunbeam illustrated, a fact which will doubtless be hailed with pleasure; the cost of this to be covered by a guarantee fund, to be raised in sums of one pound promised by brethren for three successive years. Friends desiring to contribute to this fund will communicate with the Treasurer, G. Y. Tickle, jun., 86, St. Domingo Vale, Liverpool. A scheme for the establishing of a periodical entirely devoted to Sunday school work was left in the Committee's hands to report to next Conference. The result of the deliberation of the Committee in reference to the Conference prizes was presented; the schools will doubtless hear more of this shortly.

Papers were read by J. T. Johnson, of Birmingham, on "The Art of Questioning," and by E. Watson, of Peebles, on "Sunday School Music." This season of fellowship among so many kindred hearts was much enjoyed and appreciated. SECRETARIES.

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.-NOTES.

"In

Sept. 2.-Paul at Corinth.—Acts xviii. 1-17. "Came to Corinth," 1. A populous, wealthy, luxurious, effeminate, proud, ostentatious, and dissolute city. Hence much of the trouble in the church afterward. Corinth was at that time the capital of the Roman province of Achaia. Athens literature and philosophy, in Corinth commerce particularly flourished." "Aquila," 2. Whether they were Christians when Paul abode with them I know not; but it is certain that they were very soon after, and that they were worthy of all praise (Rom. xvi. 3-4). "Claudius," a Roman emperor, who reigned from A.D. 41 to 54. "And wrought," 3. If our apostle deemed it cause of joy to work with his own hands (xx. 34, 1 Cor. ix. 11-12), neither evangelist nor anyone else ought to think it beneath him to work for himself and others, as occasion may demand. "Tent-makers." "The general opinion now is that Paul was a maker of tents from the 'cilicium,' or hair-cloth of Cilician goats." "Were come," 5. xvii. 15. From 1 Thess. iii. 1-2, it is seen that Timothy had come to Athens before Paul left, and had been sent back to Thessalonica. The subsequent verses of that letter also disclose that it was written shortly after Timothy joined Paul, and here we learn that that was in Corinth. "I am clean," 6. Some omit the colon, and read: "I shall henceforth with a pure conscience go to the Gentiles." all his house," 8. A household of believers. See again the simple, natural invariable order-hearing, believing, being baptized. "Be not afraid," 9. He was then in weakness and fear (1 Cor. ii. 3). "Gallio (12) was a brother of Seneca, the famous Roman moralist, who describes him as a man of admirable integrity, amiable and popular. Sosthenes," 17. For once a pro-consul did justice to Paul by dismissing the clamorous Jews; and the populace took law into their own hands against the persecutors.

"With

"Took

QUESTIONS.-1. Tell what you know of Corinth. 2. What countryman did Paul lodge with? 3. Narrate what you know of him. 4. What sort of tents did Paul

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »