With one great head and pastures of repose,
Where storm-tossed souls may bury all their woes.
Alas! for those who sleep upon that shore,
The fear is great-they shall awake no more.
The Sorceress is painted so divine,
And pours so freely forth her poisoned wine,
And twines the tangles of her golden air,
And with frankincense loads the heavy air.
But after all enchantment, lo! her breath,
Corrupt and foul-the atmosphere of death.
Her house of gorgeous front is dark within
With pools of blood and mysteries of sin;
And never can be sweetened save by fire!"
Another cries, "Renounce the vain desire
Of seeking rest in spiritual pile.

Come rather to cathedral forest aisle,

Come to the living fields and sounding flood;
To copse, and yellow shore, and summer wood.
In such communion seek for holy rest,

And drink the streaming life from mother's breast.
Alas, she cannot keep her sons alive,

For even on her breast with death we strive.
Are all our human glories lost and drowned
In one black river-sullen and profound?
We ask in vain what lies beyond her field.
Her eyes are stony and her lips are sealed."
Another voice-" Give up that faded dream
Of seeking gods in grove or haunted stream.
Man is the god who overrules the strife,
And Science is the Providence of life.'
We harness Ancient Nature as a slave,
And though we all in turn must find the grave,
And sleep for ever in the holy ground,
Unbroken by alarm or trumpet sound,
Yet from our ashes is there not a fire
To nourish power and kindle high desire?
Successive generations higher rise
With richer life beneath diviner skies."
Straightway ensues a hubbub vast and wild,
And Swedenborg looks in with aspect mild,
And proffers to reveal the heavens and hells.
And Owen follows with his ringing bells,
And wooden tables where the spirits light

With tidings worse than dreams of troubled night,
When darkness cannot drown the fiery pain,
And fever-madness rules the blood and brain.
Great Son of God, the Lord of death and time,
Enthroned in immortality sublime,
To Thee for light we come-not to the dead,
Nor to the priests by superstition led
In midnight masses. Thou art all divine!
We ask no stars upon our path to shine,
Nor call upon the mountains and the sea
To open out their wealth of mystery.
Thine is the glory. Thou alone canst give
The central truth by which our spirits live,
And we shall hear the trumpet of thy power,
And rise in sovereign life in that auspicious hour.

(To be concluded in our next.)

G. G.

Intelligence of Churches.

DISCUSSION ON BAPTISM-LINDAL.-The discussion which I mentioned in my last item of news as likely to be held has at length taken place. It originated in a boastful, and by no means respectful, challenge given by the Rev. L. O. Lewis, clergyman of the parish, at the close of an interview which it had become necessary to have with him in consequence of a slanderous statement he was reported to have made against some members of

Observer, Jan. 1, '76.

་

the Church meeting in the new chapel, with the manifest object of turning against us the person to whom the defamatory statement was made. At that interview, after denying the slander, and promising to clear himself from the charge, as well as from the imputation of falsehood, which the persistent testimony of the person to whom the statement was made tended to fix upon him (which promise up to the time of writing this he has not taken one step to fulfil), the rev. gentleman threw out the challenge referred to, saying he was ready to meet any man we could bring to discuss the subject of Baptism. Having expressed himself strongly about some statements in a paper published by Mr. David King, of Birmingham, concerning the State Church, the Church in Lindal concluded to ask Mr. King if he were at liberty to accept the challenge. Mr. King, though surrounded with many other important engagements, kindly consented to stand in defence of New Testament truth; and we have abundant reason to rejoice that he did so, after some delay occasioned by difficulty in gaining the consent of Mr. Lewis to any reasonable extent of time, he insisting upon two questions-viz.: The action and Subject of Baptism-being limited to two evenings. The debate was announced, and admission secured by a card, headed, "This ticket is only to be used on the condition that the holder of it shall in no way interrupt the proccedings." We have no wish to narrate the circumstances which made it necessary to make this stipulation for propriety of behavior. Their character will not be difficult to divine by those who witnessed the conduct of Mr. Lewis and a certain class of his adherents during the discussion. On the third night the chairman's authority was openly put at nought by the rev. gentleman. The scene which followed fully confirmed statements made to me of similar doings here before I came into the district. Mr. King he designated a bully," and on my simply handing to Mr. King a copy of the New Testament translated by a dignitary of his own Church, the late highly-esteemed Dean Alford, he seemed to lose both head and conscience, and perpetrated two unmitigated falsehoods. The first, that I had been all through the discussion handing up papers to Mr. King, which thing I not only did not once do on any night of the debate, but never intended to do, nor felt any necessity for doing. The second falsehood was that five or six of them had been assisting Mr. King all through, whereas he had been alone. I rose on his thus publicly accusing me, to demand his proof. But no; The chair having been set aside I was (shall I use his own term) "bullied down by him and a select portion of his supporters. I mistake the appearance of a number of thoughtful-looking persons, who seemed on the gentleman's side of the question, if they were not ashamed and grieved at the conduct I have described. The debate was held in Mr. Lewis's own schoolroom, estimated as holding 400 sittings, but it was calculated that certainly not less than 700 persons were present, especially on the last night; possibly enlarged accommodation had been provided by opening another part of the building. There were present each night bands of people from Barrow, Dalton, Askam, Kirkby, Ulverstone, and other outlying places that I cannot name. The interest increased to the close, and some thoughtful persons regretted that other four nights could not then be given to the examination of the remaining Scriptures relating to the topics discussed. The arrangement was that Mr. Lewis should affirm on both topics. On the first topicviz., that pouring and sprinkling are as valid baptism as immersion, Mr. Lewis at the outset (and so far in harmony with his own Church service) stated his conviction that we are certainly right in our practice of immersion, and he repeated this statement frequently through the course of the debate, claiming only that we

Observer, Jan. 1, '76.

should admit that they were, or might be, also right, or, if wrong, only a little wrong. I think these were the very words in which he expressed his position. It is not my intention to present a sketch of the course of argument. If needed, probably another will do this. But I do not hesitate to affirm that generally the impression of those who carefully followed the course of the argument was that Mr. Lewis was signally defeated in his attempt to maintain the validity of sprinkling and pouring as Christian baptism. Before leaving the platform, and on the way to our lodgings persons came to Mr. King to express their gratitude to him for the sound exposition of God's Word to which they had listened from his lips, at the same time telling us they were not Baptists. A neighbouring clergyman who was present also admitted to a friend from Kirkby that Mr. Lewis had sustained "a crushing defeat." The second topic, that the baptism of babes is according to Scripture, was discussed, so far as Mr. King was concerned, under most disadvantageous circumstances. It was on the third night of the debate that Mr. Lewis gave the signal for general disorder by openly setting at defiance the authority of the chair. He said he had been made to promise to behave himself like a good boy (there had been reason to extort the promise), but he would no longer be bound; the chairman should keep time, but should not interfere between him and Mr. King. Some of his friends near me expanded the license to the extent that the chairman had no authority to preserve order in the audience. Hence Mr. King had considerable difficulty to obtain a hearing that night. Uproar at almost every speech, and not one audible or perceptible effort on the part of Mr. Lewis to quell the unfair conduct of his people. Mr. Lewis and his supporters, of course, thus made it evident how keenly they felt the defeat on the action of baptism, and how fearful they were of a similar issue on the proper subject of baptism if Mr. King were allowed a hearing. Our brethren, although tested as I have in part described, never once through the whole debate interrupted Mr. Lewis, and so far as I could observe, our Baptist friends observed the same decorum. Our sincere desire was that he should be heard with every advantage, and we did our part to secure it. On the last night, during the earlier part of the time, there was comparative quiet; but as the points of Mr. King's argument penetrated; disorder again and again ruled, until the chairman had to shame Mr. Lewis into an effort to secure a hearing. In his closing speech Mr Lewis seemed anxious that the audience should take his view of the conclusion of the whole matter-viz., that the discussion had been useless; that we were at the close just where we were at the beginning. But the chairman did not share this view of the case. After the discussion was concluded, in a calm, deliberate, and impressive speech, he told the audience that he had come there not merely to discharge the duties of the chair, but with a sincere and earnest desire to ascertain the truth, and that he, at least, had received enlightenment, and thanked God for it. From which side he had received it he would not say there and here, in this paper, I will not say, as it will be better to leave the gentleman to make his own statement, if he so pleases. Bat other testimonies to the efficacy of the discussion in dispelling false impressions of our teaching, and in creating convictions of the unscripturalness of baptism without faith in the subject, have come in upon us from many quarters during the few days which have elapsed since it was concluded. At the conclusion of the discussion persons unknown to us came forward to ask if we had employed a reporter, as they had seen several persons apparently engaged in taking down the speeches of the debatants, and on hearing that we had not, expressed their regret that they could not have in a perma

nent form what they considered valuable expositions of Christian truth. We at Lindal and Kirkby share in that regret, and unite to request Mr. King to favour us by doing the next best thing-viz., reproduce and print abstracts of such parts of the debate as may tend still further to disabuse the public mind of the misconceptions created by the rev. gentleman and those who act with him. May we suggest especially those parts which set forth the truth concerning the remission of sins-viz., "By what it was procured," and "How it is enjoyed?" I am also sure that what was said on the origin and nature of the Church was appreciated, but the time was too short to do full justice to a theme so important. If I understood Mr. Lewis, he seemed to confound the Church with the world-perhaps a necessity of his position. In his estimate we 66 were pharisees," " because not willing that "the children of the devil" and "the children of the kingdom "-the tares and the wheat of the parable he referred to-should grow together in the Church until the harvest. Certainly the Lord saves us from such a wretchedly incongruous state of things by plainly declaring that "the field is the World." Might I add, the answer to the argument which Mr. Lewis sought to gain from our Lord's assurance that "of such is the kingdom of heaven," would, I think, be generally useful, and specially so to candid Churchmen who may not agree with Mr. Lewis in the unchurchly opposition to his own church service, which Mr. King so plainly exposed. In conclusion, we did not seek the debate-did not desire it; we had other and more congenial work to do in a wide district-work which God has signally blessed. But now, on looking back upon it, we thank God that it has occurred, rejoice in the fruit already gained from it in spiritual blessing to many, and, confidently anticipating a still wider spread of New Testament Christianity, address ourselves again to our work in the Gospel with increased vigour and enlarged hope. A word concerning the chairman, Mr. Thos. Troughton, the highly-esteemed Temperance agent of Ulverstone, a member of the Wesleyan Society, and who has the reputation of an eloquent local preacher. It is only bare justice to him to say that under very testing circumstances he did duty like a high-principled and honourable man. WM. MCDOUGALL. Kirkby-On my return here on December 4th, I baptized two young men. W. M.

H. S. EARL. In a report of "The General Convention at Louisville, U. S., we are informed that H. S. Earl, who was present, was commended to the grace of God by prayer and the hand of fellowship as a missionary to England. This Convention is for missionery purposes, but as yet has done little or nothing in foreign mission work. The report adds, that this young and enthusiastic society said to H. S. E., "Go, and we pledge ourselves to stand by you to the extent of our ability. So he goes under the auspices of our Foreign Missionery Society." The General Evangelist Committtee, in this country, hearing of his intended arrival in Liverpool, deemed it well, with two or three others, to ask an interview, which was willingly accorded, and agreeably had, particulars of which will most likely be prepared in a few days by one to whom the same was committed. The intention of H. S. E. is to labour in the South of England and he has turned his attention to Southampton for inspection.

ANNAN. We are having good meetings here. Seven have decided for Jesus, and others are almost persuaded. W. HINDLE.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS. We have been refreshed by a visit from our Evangelist Joseph Adam, extending over four Lord's days, resulting in stirring up the hearts of the brethren to greater diligence, and in the baptism of two, who made the good confession. S. T.

We

BRIGHTON.-The church meeting in Ship Street Chapel, Union Street, dwells in love and peace. are glad to report the immersion of the youngest son of Bro. Still, this being the last of the family who have put on the Lord by conforming to His requirements. We have also received two, formerly immersed, who have learnt the Lord's way more perfectly. Joseph Adam (Evangelist) is expected here during the first month of the new year, when we trust by a united and energetic effort the cause will be augmented unto the glory of God. H. S.

SPITTAL. On the evening of the 25th of November we celebrated the fourth anniversary of the opening of our chapel. We were favoured with a visit from Bren. Watson and Scott (Newcastle) and Aiken (Edinburgh), who delivered excellent and useful addresses. We were enlivened by a selection of music, and notwithstanding unfavourable weather we had a good and deeply interested company. Bro. Scott continued with us about ten days, and preached to large and appreciative audiences. J. R.

BALLARAT (Dawson Street).-Our meetings continue fairly attended. We have pleasure in reporting that a man and his wife have just confessed the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and united themselves with His followers. For several years they had disregarded the claims of religion and lived in a state of indifference, owing to the influence of unscriptural teaching. they rejoice in the assurance that "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." C. MARTIN.

Now

MANNING RIVER.-Our little church now numbers twenty-five, walking in peace and love, with a Sunday school of eighteen scholars. Two of our members have fallen asleep in Jesus. None of us seem able publicly to proclaim the truth, but we do what we can by tracts, &c. We now send you an order for pamphlets, tracts, &c., for that purpose. J. N. AUCKLAND.-Owing to the exertions of Capt. Stewart, of Dunedin, who travels from port to port, in the colony, we have a co-operative arrangement by which the churches in the north of New Zealand have been able to sustain an Evangelist (E. Lewis) for the last twelve months, with cheering results, at Wellington, Wanganui, Auckland, and at the Thames Goldfield, about forty miles distant. The tangible result has been, in Auckland, besides confirming the brethren in the faith, a total of fifty-one additions. This, with fourteen at Albertland (the result of the labours of a few scattered brethren who meet at each other's houses, some of them six or ten miles apart), make a total of sixty-five addition in Auckland. Of these, ten were a small open communion congregation, who all, with only one exception, determined to conform to the "wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ." They have had sir immersions, one restoration, and six transferred from us; now numbering twenty-three. At the Thames Goldfield there was a great movement; but Bro. Lewis could stay no longer. We are striving to keep up the interest. Bro. Caleb Wallis paid them a visit. Bro. Blood is there now, and we have word of seven immersions to take place. Bro. Lewis resides in Nelson province, and has been a disciple twenty-two years. His experience in the school of Christ has taught him humility, and given him great boldness in the truth. His clear, unflinching exposition, coupled with ready courtesy, make him a power his adversaries can neither gainsay nor resist.

E. CAER.

Observer, Jan, 1, '76.

AUSTRALIA (ADELAIDE).--During the last month three have obeyed the Gospel. They have been added to the Church. T. J. G. Hindmarsh.-In the kind providence of our Heavenly Father, H. D. Smith has arrived from Melbourne to succeed me in my duties. I am therefore now engaged in the open field, and have commenced operations in connection with the church at Norwood. The committee desire churches needing help to intimate the same to W. H. Taylor or to myself. During the past month eight have been added to our number; seven by faith and obedience, and one by commendation.

J. COLBOURNE.

Hotham, Sept. 21.-Since our last notice in the A. C. Pioneer for July we have to report eighteen additions, nine being by commendation and nine by submission to the Saviour's commands. M. W. GREEN.

Lygon Street, Carlton.-A tea and public meeting was held in the chapel on September 2nd, having a twofold object in view. The first, to welcome H. L. Geeslin, who arrived from America by last mail; and the second, to bid farewell to H. D. Smith, who was about to leave for South Australia. About 400 sat down to tea, and at the public meeting the chapel was crowded. A goodly number from all the surrounding churches attended. The meeting was addressed by Brn. Adams, W. Robertson, M. W. Green, J. P. Wright, H. L. Geeslin, and H. D. Smith. The speakers, in speaking words of farewell to Bro. Smith, testified to his worth as a brother and his earnestness and faithfulness as a preacher and a teacher, and expressed the desire that he might be useful in the new sphere of labour to which he was going. The deacons of the Church presented an address to him, expressing their appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Church during the period of his stay amongst us. A. T.

Wedderburn, September 20, 1875.-It is with pleasure I record, through the Pioneer, that another young sister has confessed Christ, and was yesterday immersed into His name. J. L. S.

Obituary.

NATHAN HARRISON was born in 1809. His father was a Congregational minister, who suffered for having "the courage of his opinions." When a young man Nathan came to Staleybridge, and was led somebow to the Scotch Baptist Church in Ashton-under-Lyme, and was baptized on Lord's Day, November 19, 1837, in the river, near Dukenfield Bridge. I well remember, though only a boy, how ou the Lord's Day he would stand up to edify the church. Naturally timid and retiring, the perspiration would stand in large drops on his forehead while speaking, but in time he partly overcame that nervousness, and from his well stored mind he brought forth treasures new and old. He made no attempts at eloquence, but his words were with power, for he studied the Scriptures. He was kind, hospitable, and apt to teach. During his residence in Huddersfield more than twenty years ago, he gained the esteem and affection of the Brotherhood there, and was one of the few who commenced the church in Manchester. He was an upright man, rigidly conscientious, and loving truth. He was often called eccentric, but his eccentricity was the result of earnest endeavour to carry out the injunction, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your

Observer, Jan. 1, 76.

minds." He was a good man, and one that feared God. His name has been a household word with many who knew and loved him. For a few years he had known that he had disease of the heart, and of late that his days were few, but his mind was quite restful in Jesus; content to go or stay as it pleased God. October 11th he wrote: "How soon I have no idea, and I am not mnch concerned about it. My prayer is, if staying here will do good and bring the least glory to God let me stay. I have no will of my own in this matter." He fell asleep in Jesus Nov. 30. The day previous he had been more than usually active in the duties at the mill of which he was superintendent G. HAY. JOSEPH LANG.-This dear old brother fell asleep in Jesus, Nov. 10, 1875, aged sixty-five. He was a deacon in the Blackburn Church, connected with it from its commencement, and was an example of faith, hope, and love. He was much loved for sincerity. His sufferings during the last few months of his life were severe and most trying to his patience, but his spirit continually rose above them all in praise to God, and he died peacefully, fully conscious of the presence of Jesus, though regretting that he had not been more faithful to Him. E. T. E.

Friday, November 19th, in the thirty-seventh year of her age, after a protracted illness, borne with Christian resignation, fell asleep in Jesus, MARGARET HARTLEY, danghter of James Hartley, Tweedmouth. She put on Christ in the morning of youth, and has ever since walked consistently, being the fourth of the same family that has fallen a victim to the same disease. Her end was peace.

ELIZABETH WEATHERSTONE, in the nineteenth year of her age, on November 18, departed to be with Christ, after a long and tedious illness, suffered with patience and resignation. She calmly fell asleep, "safe in the arms of Jesus." J. R.

HENRY TURNER, of Manchester, fell asleep in Jesus, Nov. 20, 1875, aged seventy. Declining years, and living at a distance from the meeting, prevented him from being often at the Lord's table; nevertheless his faith in Christ was in lively exercise, and in spirit he was ever with us.

Family Room.

CONSIDER THE LILIES.

W. P.

WHAT riches of consolation and encouragement lie in this divinely utterred injunction"Consider the lilies!" To the care-worn and over-anxious-those whose faith is feeble-who are wont to meet their troubles half way-to the much-tried and tempted in this worldwilderness to all these, especially, the words come with a fulness and wealth of meaning which earthly language can hardly express. The lightning flash may speak of the brightness of His glory, "whom no man hath seen," the the thunder-clap may speak of the power of His voice "who commanded, and all things were created," and Alpine heights may speak of the majesty and unchangeableness of Him who is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for

ever," but the lilies-the flowers of the fieldthey speak only of His tenderness, His goodness, His faithfulness, and His care! Wherever found, whether scattered in beautiful profusion by nature's hand in fertile field or shady copse; whether arranged by man in gay parterres, to adorn the habitations of the rich, or tended by toil-marked hands as they spread cheerfulness round the cottages of the poor-everywhere they bear the same gracious testimony, and convey the same cheering message to man. "They toil not, neither do they spin, and yet your Heavenly Father careth for them." The same hand that filled the earth with flowers, and the air with music, and that careth for the lilies when winter wraps them in its snow-shroud-is the Hand that leadeth and careth for us, through the winters and the summers of our daily life. And as the flowers exhale their perfumes, and fill the air with sweet odours, so may our faith and our praise, like sweet incense, ascend heavenward-even to the heaven of heavens ! GWYNFAB.

IT GROWS BRIGHTER.

I'VE travelled this road forty years, and it grows brighter all the way."

The experience of this aged Christian is not an exceptional one. Many can testify of the 'shining light, that shineth more and more."

"Brighter all the way." Rough and thorny may be the path, trials and temptations may abound, sorrows and disappointments often may be met, yet the way is not dark.

Perchance for a little season a cloud may enfold the grief that must have way, but the light soon breaks forth with a brilliancy unknown before, and the tried soul can say:

"It is good that I have been afflicted; the Lord takes away one gift to bestow a greater. 'Blessed be the name of the Lord.'

Thus it is the path grows brighter; through toil and reward, trial and victory, temptation and conquest, sorrow and joy, the Lord reveals himself to his children. The discipline of life he uses as a means to subdue the stubborn will -the nature so prone to go astray-yet' he draws the child of his affection nearer to his own infinite heart of love, and then there is increasing light, for "with him is the fountain

of light."

"Brighter all the way!" Oh, how bright as earth grows dim; we seem almost to catch a glimpse of the glory of the home where "the Lamb is the light thereof."-Watchman.

Observer, Jan. 1, '76.

THE

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