Observer, May 15, '76. a plan to the next conference." "That the claims of Bristol to continued evangelistic aid be recommended to the general brotherhood, with a view to the altimate formation of a separate South-western Division." "That the next Annual Conference be held on the day known as Easter Monday, 1877, at Hope Chapel, Kentish Town, at 11 a.m.” BEDLINGTON.-Since writing for the last E. O., two others have been immersed and added to the Church, making thirteen since our opening of the new meeting house. We regret to say that C. Abercrombie has completed his labours here. We believe that, could his stay have been prolonged, much more good would have been the result. May our Lord send many such labourers into His vineyard! R. M. TUNBRIDGE WELLS (April 24).-Since last report we have been cheered by the addition of ten to our number by baptism into Christ. In response to circular asking aid for chapel building, over £23 has been received. Ground has been bought in an eligible situation for £100; three-fourths of the amount has been paid, and the remainder will be shortly required. Churches and brethren able to help in this work who have not yet done so are invited to aid us in putting the cause on a substantial footing in this town. Contributions to be addressed to H. Collyer, 8, Burling Cottages, Frant Road. H. C. LANGLEY.-Lord's-day, April 16, we immersed three young females from our Sunday school. A. D. BULWELL. Since the opening of our new chapel, April 16, fice persons have been immersed and added to the Church. On the 19th, the Lord's-day school was examined, in the history of Joseph and David, by W. J. Dawson, and J. Langton of Nottingham; results satisfactory. W. J. D. NELSON (New Zealand). In the E. O., Nov., 1875, I read an article "On Principles," wherein something is said upon the "Doctrine of Baptisms." I live 16,000 miles from England, my birth-place, and have been separated from old associations thirtyfour years. I have been led to change my educational views upon baptism for scriptural ones. When the Spirit led me to consider the subject, I took the Scriptures, and, beginning with Matt., I went through the Hebrews. I came to the "doctrine of baptisms" in Heb. vi., which at once arrested my attention. I wrote down-" Immersion in water; immersion in the Spirit; immersion in Christ's sufferings; immersion in fire." I saw, on due reflection, that in part I had not complied with this doctrine; and, consequently, I went down into the Water to be baptized into Christ's death, remembering the saying of Paul, "The things which I wrote anto you are the commandments of God;" and also especially of the words of the Lord Jesus, "It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." J. HILL. DUNEDIN. The church here progresses favourably. An allotment has been purchased three miles distant, where we intend to erect a chapel shortly. We have commenced Sunday-school work there, and have about sixty-five children gathered as the result of one month's labour. The brethren are anxious to make an effort in South Dunedin, and are striving to raise funds to build a chapel there. Bro. Jennings has gone to a country township, "Hampden," sixty miles from Dunedin, to labour, H. AMERICA.-MONTICELLO MO.-I closed a few days' meeting, Thursday before the fourth Lord's-day in March, at Center School-house in Marion Co., Mo., with three additions. Brethren go to the schoolhouses. Yours in the one hope, S. M. DOYLE. MEXICO, Mo.-Our meeting goes gloriously on. Up to Saturday night I had preached every night for two weeks, resulting in twenty-nine additions. Bro. D. P. Henderson began preaching yesterday, and up to our eleven o'clock meeting to-day seven more have come, making in all thirty-six. We expect many J. H. HARDING. more. CENTRALIA, ILL.-I report at the request of Bro. A. Martin, who has concluded a two weeks' protracted meeting at this place, closing on last evening, resulting in the addition of twenty-five to our number. Three restored, nine by letters and commendation, and thirteen by confession. And a general revival of encouragement and good feeling among the followers of the Lord at this place, for which the Lord be praised. S. FRAZIER. HOLTON, KANSAS.-When I came here seven months ago the church had not held a meeting for a long time, and I have had up-hill work to get them to meet regularly, but at length we got into better order. I baptized my son and we had one or two other additions. Then we sought help, and Bro. Rogers of St. Joe is now holding a meeting here, and to-day he has baptized five, and five others from a distance have joined us. We have good audiences. ROBERT HAY. FIRST LOVE AND SECOND MARRIAGE. WILLIAM BRADFORD, whose name stands second on the list of signatures to the celebrated compact made in the little cabin of the Mayflower, and who became the second Governor of Plymouth colony, was born at Ansterfield, Yorkshire, England, March 1588. His parents dying in his youth, he was left to the care of his grandparents, and after them to his uncles. His family was respectable, but was among the yeomanry of England. At an early period he took upon himself the care of his estates. While each day found him busy with the men in the fields, night found him busy with his books. He became a proficient in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French and German. While still a mere youth he identified himself with the Puritans, and at seventeen years of age was one of a company who attempted to escape to Holland, in quest of liberty to worship as conscience counselled, but they were betraved, and cast into prison at Boston. While religious and numerous other grave and earnest objects had their place in his mind, there was one corner where a more beautiful, less grave, but as earnest a passion held sway. Love had entered the heart of the young Puritan; and often, while his head was bowed over his book, the graceful figure of her he loved would charm his eyes, making his heart throb with delight. When as a child he had played with little Alice Carpenter, he knew that she was lovelier and sweeter to him than any other goldenhaired, rosy-lipped little fairy. She was just two years younger than himself. As years passed she grew more beautiful to him. Many were the walks they had together. Ŏne eve in autumn, Alice announced to him that in two days more she was to go to London with an aunt, to stay some months. The news came like a deathblow upon William. The Carpenter family had been highly distinguished in former times, and one of its members had received from the king the honour of knighthood, but they were now indigent, and William determined to risk his fate, and ask Alice of her stern and proud father. He hoped that his own broad lands and fair name might influence the father to accept him as a match for this lovely but portionless girl. But he did not know the pride of the stern old man. He was dismissed with haughty and severe reproofs for his presumption. His religious belief would have raised a barrier had there been no other, and sad was the interview of the young lovers that evening at the trysting-place where they had spent so many hours. It was to be their last meeting. William was too proud and high-minded, and Alice too dutiful, to act in opposition to a parent's wishes. Alice went to London, and in course of time was married to Constant Southworth, a wealthy and honourable man. William devoted himself to his farm and books. By-and-by he felt that a wife was needful to him, and his eye fell on Dorothy May, a sensible, discreet woman of his own rank in life. He did not love her as he had loved Alice, but he felt an honest and true affection for her, and she proved an estimable, faithful wife. The number of those professing the Puritan faith increased, and trial and persecution were their lot. William was one of the earliest advocates for their removal to America, where they might enjoy their religion undisturbed. He was with the little band in their hasty flight, in their sojourn in London, and upon the stormy and perilous ocean in the cabin of the Mayflower. While in Cape Cod harbour, and during his absence with a party sent to explore the coast, his faithful wife Dorothy fell from the ship and was drowned. He sincerely mourned for her, for she had been an affectionate wife, but, with the submission of a Christian, he calmly turned to the duties of life. Life for him was a warfare with hunger and cold, disease and savage enemies. What the colonists suffered is well known. Mr. Bradford was now a mature man of thirty-two, and when Governor Carver died, a few months after their arrival, he was elected his successor, and for a Observer, May 15, '76 period of more than thirty-one years he directed the affairs of the colony. But while with fatherly care he watched over the little colony, he often felt the want of woman's ready sympathy and soothing tenderness. He thought of Alice. The love he had felt for her had never died out in his heart. While the husband of another it had slumbered, but now Alice and himself were both free, for her husband had died a year since. Did she remember the lover of her youth? And if she yet cherished that memory, would she consent to leave a happy home and troops of loving friends to share the fortunes of one in a wilderness? At last he decided to write to her, and propose that she should share his fortunes. Early in the spring of 1623 the letter was sent. He set before her faithfully all the trials and privations to which she would be exposed; he left it to her to decide whether she could regard his love as an equivalent for the sacrifices she would be called upon to make; and he requested her, if she should consent, since the affairs of the colony would not suffer his absence, to take passage in the first ship bound for the colonies. The time passed slowly to the Governor, until, on the 14th of September, a sail was discerned, as yet a faint speck on the horizon. It was in this ship he expected Alice. If she were not there, there would arrive a written rejection of his proposal. The whole population of the town crowded to the landing. Governor Bradford stood firm and erect, conspicuous among the little crowd. When the vessel touched the shore, all hurried on board. The Governor passed from one to another with warm welcoming, but his eye watched for Alice. He sees her not. His hope has gone out. "It is God's will,” says the devout Puritan. Just then a woman ascends the stairs from the cabin. She is taller than the Alice of his remembrance. Strange, for though he knew years must have changed her, yet she had always risen before his mind as the slender girl with whom he had parted. And here she stands, the beautiful, stately, dignified woman. Probably she too, had her surprise. For a moment the pair looked at each other, and then "William!" "Alice!" burst from their lips, and the hearts so long sundered were united. That very evening the marriage took place. There was joy of heart, but no extravagant display. Long and happy was the union here consuminated. Thirty-four additional years was the good Governor spared to the colony, whose prosperity he did so much to promote. His wife survived him fifteen years. She was well educated and dignified in deportment, and did much for the improvement of the rising generation. Pilgrim Hall stands upon land formerly in her possession. It is recorded of her that she was a good matron, and much loved while she lived, and heartily lamented when she died.— Potter's American Journal. STRONG CHARACTER. STRENGTH of character consists of two thingspower of will and power of self-resistance. It requires two things, therefore, for its existence-feelings and Observer, May 15, 76. strong command over them. Now, it is here we make a great mistake; we mistake strong feeling for strong character. A man who bears all before him, before whose frown domestics tremble, and whose bursts of fury make the children quake-because he has his will obeyed, and his own way in all things, we call him a strong man. The truth is, that he is a weak man; it is his passions that are strong; he is mastered by them, and is weak. You must measure the strengh of a man by the power of feelings he subdues, not by the power of those which subdue him. And hence composure is very often the highest result of strength. Did we never see a man receive a flagrant insult and only grow a little pale, and then reply? That is a man spiritually strong. Or did we never see a man in anguish stand as if carved out of solid rock, mastering himself? Or one bearing a hopeless daily trial remain silent, and never tell what cankered his home peace? That is strength. He who, with strong passion remains chaste; he who keenly sensitive, with manly powers of indignation in him, can be provoked and yet restrain himself and forgivethese are the strong men, the spiritual heroes. HOW TRUFFLES DID IT. I RETURNED to Ashville, after an absence of three years, and found my friend Truffles grown fat and jovial, with a face the very mirror of peace an I selfsatisfaction. Truffles was the village baker, and he was not like this when I went away. "Truffles," said I, "how is it?" proved." "Improved? How?" "Why, in every way. doing?" You have im What have you been Just then a little girl came in, with a tattered shawl, and barefooted, to whom Truffles gave a loaf of bread. "Oh, dear Mr. Truffles," the child said, with brimming eyes, as she took the loaf of bread, "Mamma is getting better, and she says she owes so ach to you. She blesses you; indeed, she does." "That's one of the things I've been doing," he said, after the child had gone. "You are giving the suffering family bread?" I queried. "Yes." "Have you any more cases like that?" "Yes, three or four of them. I give them a loaf a day-enough to feed them." "And you take no pay?" "Not from them." "Ah!-from the town?" At "No; here," said Truffles, laying his hand on his breast. "I'll tell you," he added, smiling. "One day, over a year ago, a poor woman came to me, and asked for a loaf of bread, for which she could not par; she wanted it for her suffering children. rst I hesitated, but finally I gave it to her, and as Ser blessings rung in my ears after she had gone felt my heart grow warm. Times were hard, and there was a good deal of suffering, and I found myself wishing, by-and-by, that I could afford to give away more bread. At length an idea struck I MAKING OTHERS HAPPY. WHEN you rise in the morning, form the resolution to make the day a happy one to a fellowcreature. It is easily done. A left-off garment to the man that needs it; a kind word to the sorrowful; ́ an encouraging word to the striving-trifles in themselves light as air-will do good at least for twentyfour hours. And if you are young, depend upon it, it will tell when you are old; and if you are old, rest assured it will send you gently and happily down the stream of time to eternity. By the most simple arithmetical sum look at the result. If you send one person away happily through the day, that is three hundred and sixty-five in the course of the year; and suppose you live forty years only after you commenced that course of medicine, you have made fourteen thousand six hundred persons happy --at all events for a time. DISPLAY. TRUE merit is never fond of display. Hence comes the phrase "barbaric splendour.' In the palaces of the Turk, in the halls of the Aztec, the greatest displays of history are located. There the mind lay in feebleness, full of coarse passion or childish littleness. In the heart of Africa the great traveller, Schweinfurth, found the same love of the "high style." He found a jet-black princess whose body was weighed down by over a hundred pounds of African jewellery. Her anklės, her arms, her waist, her neck, were laden with rude iron rings. The taste ran to iron at those African receptions. Thus the history of display is all interwoven with the history of barbarian life. The moment the higher faculties of the mind began to be developed, splendour began to move from without inward. Decoration moved away from the tapestry and wardrobe to reappear in the soul. True greatness has always been plain.-Prof. Swing. Observer, May 15, '76. BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, &c., direct from the Editor, by Post or Rail. Commentary on New Tes., Vol I, MATTHEW AND MARK. By J. W. McGarvey. Price 9s., P. 6d. Commentary on New Tes., Vol. IX. EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. By Pres. Milligan. 93., P. 6d. Commentary on Acts of Apostles. By J. W. McGarvey. 5s. 6d. P. 6d. Life of Walter Scott. By W. Baxter, with Portrait. 8s. 6d., P. 6d. Scheme of Redemption. By Pres. Milligan. 9. 6d., P. 8d. Reason and Revelation. By Pres. Milligan. 95. 6., P. 81. Life of John Smith. By J. A. Williams. 10s. 6d. P. 8d. Living Pulpit, 28 Sermons, with 28 Portraits. 16s., P. 1s. 2d. Translation of New Tes. 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Volume for 1875, Bound in Cloth, post-free, 11d. THE CAMPBELL VOL. OF OLD PATHS. The Volume for 1873, consists solely of articles from the pen of Alex. Campbell. Bound in Cloth, post free, 11d. TH Printed by MOODY BROTHERS, at their offices, No. 12, Cannon Street, Market Hall Ward, Birmingham, and published by DAVID KING, at No. 30, Belgrave Road, Birmingham.-Monday, May 15, 1876. London Publishers, HALL & Co., Paternoster Row. Ecclesiastical Observer (Formerly the British Harbinger), A FORTNIGHTLY JOURNAL AND REVIEW; PUBLISHED ON THE FIRST & FIFTEENTH OF EVERY MONTH JUNE 1st, 1876. PAGE 163 164 165 Origin of the New Testament and Mistakes therein 166 The Church-Planting and Development Discussion on Baptism The Throne of Power... 167 ALL COMMUNICATIONS (Including those for the Committee of the Free Distribution Fund) to be addressed "Editor of the Ecclesiastical Observer, 30, Belgrave Road, Birmingham." HE Sin of Denominationalism. THE Inde pendents and Baptists are just now somewhat in conflict. Leading speakers at the recent Baptist Union meetings and in those of the Congregational Union, do not manage to give satisfaction to each other. The Baptists, somewhat in the way in a number of small places, are not so willing to abandon their churches and let the Baptist cause die out as certain Congregationalists desire. Their idea seems to be that a church is a very miserable affair if not large enough and rich enough to supply adequate pecuniary support for a competent minister, and that where (and the places are numerous) there are two such small churches, one "Baptist" and the other "Congregational," the question of water should be surrendered, and one church take the place of the two. The "Rev." Bryan Dale has a horror of what he calls "the miserable existence of little Baptist churches in many rural villages," and would have them cleared out of the way where the district is too thinly populated to support in comfort the minister of more than one denomination. The Editor of the Baptist seems to think that the back-bone of the denomination is not so wanting in strength as we have feared. He says, "There may be Baptists, no doubt, TERM PRICE 2d. ERMS.-The Ecclesiastical Observer can be ordered from BOOKSELLERS by giving the name of publishers -Hall and Co., Paternoster Row, London; or, post free from the EDITOR, on payment of 4s. for the year, 2s. for the half-year, or 5s. per annum to America, Australia, or Canada. Postal copies to be prepaid. Postage stamps received for sums not exceeding 58. ADVERTISEMENTS.--Under sixty words, 2s. 6d., and at half that rate after the first sixty; subsequent insertion reduced one half. ITEMS OF NEWS to be in hand at least ten days before the date of publication. PAYMENTS acknowledged only on the second page. DUNN, CARTER, AND Co., Booksellers, opposite Post Office, Melbourne, Australia, remit orders, or supply monthly. The several friends who have hitherto received orders and payments on our behalf will, no doubt, continue to do so; or subscribers can send P.0.0. direct. who take a different view, for there are some who care so little for their principles that they even repudiate the name. But these supplejointed invertebrate brethren, we rejoice to think, are becoming fewer every day, some gliding off into connections where their peculiar qualities are better appreciated, while others are braced up to a firmer holding and bolder avowal of their principles by the outspoken addresses which give so much offence to our friends." These outspoken addresses are but weak affairs after all. That by Dr. Landels is equal to most of them in strength, and is very well so far as it repudiates that which certain Congregationalists require that Baptists abstain from entering on fields already sufficiently occupied by churches of other denominations. But the Baptist Editor boasts that Dr. Sandels is no proselytiser, does not stand aloof from other bodies, fraternises with all, has officiated in every free church in England, welcomes the unbaptized to membership in "his church," in which there are officers unbaptized. Surely all this concession should satisfy the Congregationalists. But no! And here Baptists, and others who immerse but are not called Baptists, should learn that these departures from Apostolic usage only produce stronger demands for |