Harbinger, Oct. 1, '63. LETTER FROM SISTER CAMPBELL. a constant reader in the New Testament, I was so unacquainted with the ancestry and meaning of the word, that I was obliged to have recourse to Webster to enlighten me. Most assuredly I have yet to learn that there is a single sentence in the New Testament indicating that the first Christians used a written form of church service. I am not so well read in the records of the Fathers as to be able to say what testimony they bear to the subject. The church of Christ had "authority to maintain and hand down the truth of God." But I have not found " a continuous living church" that has done that. I have found in history the Church of Rome taking away the Living Oracles of Truth from the people, and substituting abundance of tradition in their place: I also found, at the same time, that the people were ignorant and priest-ridden. The church has not acted according to its power and authority in maintaining the truth, but, alas! in many instances it has "made void the law by its traditions." In pleading for tradition in addition to the Bible you have abandoned Protestant 359 ground, if ever you stood upon it. I intend to shew, in a future letter, that you cannot consistently stay where you are-you must advocate a bachelor priesthood, perpetual virginity, &c. With your weapons I fear you will not stand in the day of battle. In one of his letters Paul enumerates the weapons of our warfare, but amongst them tradition is not found. I know of no church that would permit me to reform within it. In the Church of England the thing is simply impossible, except on one condition, viz. that I am made an authorized teacher by having holy hands laid on my head.* As that is not likely soon to take place, I must still oppose error by advocating the truth; not proudly vaunting against churches in error, a thing I have never done, but in a humble, Christian manner "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." I am, yours in Christian effort, GEO. WOOLler. Rev. J. Ellis, B.A. Curate Parish Church, Bradford. • Nor then. Reform in the State Church must come from the Legislature. ED. LETTER FROM SISTER CAMPBELL. BETHANY, August 3rd, 1863. My dear Sister King,-When I received your affectionate note and most welcome letter, accompanying one from Bro. King to Mr. Campbell, I fully proposed responding to it immediately. I handed Mr. C.'s letter promptly to the clerk, which I hope has been satisfactorily disposed of, so far as relates to the business part. Our college commencement, together with daily interruptions since, has led me to procrastinate responding to your favor at an earlier date. I know your goodness will excuse my tardiness under these circumstances. In read. ing Bro. King's letter I see much of interest in it. As Mr. C. is not writing much during the warm weather he must excuse him by the way of response. Mr. Campbell will be pleased to receive the pamphlets. The topic spoken of will no doubt be interesting. We are happy to know that the interest in these great matters is increasing. Truth has much always to contend with, and must make its way slowly and through much tribulation. It has always been the case that falsehood and error have found an entrance more readily into the human heart than truth. We are truly happy to learn that our beloved Bro. Wallis is recruiting in health. His indefatigable labors in the good cause for years past must afford him pleasure to retrospect upon now that his indisposition has rendered him incapable of service. We should be glad to have the pleasure in welcoming you and Bro. King to our shores. It is as you know an extensive country, and he would find a wide field for usefulness. I hope when our unhappy struggle is over we shall have the long expected visit. Alas for our sad degraded country! We have not the remotest idea when it will terminate. The dreadful bloodshed is truly horrifying to think of. It is still raging, and the last battle was the worst of the war. It sickens my heart to think of it. I must not dwell on the awful calamity. All we can do is to await the decision of the Great Disposer of all events, who put. teth down nations and raiseth them up.-I am gratified, dear sister, that you were pleased with the photographs. I shall be happy to receive yours and Bro. King's when convenient. I think Mr. Campbell's a good one according to his present appear. ance. He is not so fleshy as he was some years ago. I am happy to say that his health continues good, and that he is still able to commend and expatiate upon that precious Word of Life with zeal and ear. nestness to the listening.multitude. Yesterday he spoke to a large congregation in an adjacent town (where I accompanied him) with, I think, as much clearness, strength, and impressiveness as ever. Indeed I feel as though there was a superior mellowness and an awful sublimity connected with his teaching and preaching, that the ripeness 360 LETTER FROM SISTER CAMPBELL. of his age, and his nearer approach and communion with the skies could only impart. The first portion of the Hebrews was his subject, in which he has an ample field to dwell upon his now all absorbing theme, the divinity of the Saviour, "The God-Man"-" The Ruler of this vast universe" the Redeemer of the world, &c. But, dear sister, I am almost forgetting to respond to one of the main topics of your epistle. In regard to the tract you spoke of relative to my husband's memory," I have only to say that I think it is rather an exagge. rated view of the matter. I have never before heard of the circumstance to which you allude. That Mr. Campbell had a good memory, must be granted; but that he memorized the New Testament in the manner spoken of was not so. He was by his father taught to commit chapters and whole epistles, and could refer to almost any chapter in the New Testament, but not in the manner stated. The circumstance to which you allude in the ex-Consul Buchanan's day might have happened when he visited him in New York. I was in company with Mr. C. at the Consul's house when he lived in Canada, not far from Niagara Falls. There was then a military gentleman at his house, but I do not recollect anything pertaining to the Scriptures occurring save that the ex-Consul and my husband conversed on spiritual topics unceasingly. Perhaps it would be a little digressing here, but still it would be in unison with the theme, were I to relate to you an occasional habit Mr. C. has been in for some time past. Often when profoundly asleep he will repeat whole Psalms without the slightest mistake. He is also in the habit of praying as connectedly as if awake, sometimes in the tones of public prayer and again in private. Only a few nights ago I heard him, between midnight and morning, deliver an address of considerable length, as connectedly and emphatically, as if in the presence of a large audience. I have no language to express the feelings with which I am inspired on such occasions. Mr. C. sleeps well and very soundly, never suffering in the least from nervous excitability. He requires more sleep than formerly. We have not been any length of time from home during the present Summer; I am, however, preparing to attend some large meetings. This week we are to visit Ohio, some forty or fifty miles distant on the R. R. I am glad to say, that amongst our brethren the war topics are not carried into their public addresses on the Christian | Harbinger, Oct. 1, '63. religion, and the result is, they are not split or divided, as other churches are. The additions are quite numerous, and a spirit of earnestness appears to prevail. regret that my daughter and husband had not the opportunity of becoming acquainted with you and Bro. King. They spent a happy time in London-had the pleasure of visiting places of interest. My daughter was perfectly well and could endure the fatigue necessary to running around the large city. She did not experience the least sea sickness. Their visit to Paris was very interesting. Mr. Barclay met with an old friend with whom he was acquainted in Cyprus. They had a good visit at Marseilles, Naples, Old Rome, and other places, seeing everything in the time they could of interest. They arrived safely at Beirut on the 31st May, where they were met with loving heartsFather and Mother Barclay, Bro. and Sister Johnstone, also Dr. Robert Barclay and wife. We have received late letters from them, dated July 4th. They were going to make a visit to Damascus, then settle at their home in Cyprus. My daughter is pleased with these ancient places, and is just as happy in her new relationship as she possibly can be. The only drawback is the great distance from us. But the hope of seeing us all again 'ere long, cheers her heart and ours. It was an inexpressible trial to part with her, but our Heavenly Father is as present there as here. It is our privilege to commend them at all times to his care. Mr. Campbell unites in Christian regards to you and Brother King. In the hope of the gospel, yours, MRS. S. H. CAMPBELL. [The above, though not intended for publication, contains so much that is highly interesting to those who know anything of our honored Brother Campbell, that I ven ture to offer it for a place in the B. M. H. The alleged fact, corrected by the writer, was reported in a Baptist paper, edited by Mr. Winks, of Leicester, to the effect that Mr. Campbell, in presenting a Bible, intimated that he had so learned the New Testament as to be able to repeat it from be ginning to end, and to give the words of any verse which might be named. It was requested that this statement of his wonderful capability might be repeated in the B. M. H., but not wishing to run the risk of aiding the circulation of a report too highly colored, it was determined not to admit it until enquiry had been made at Bethany.—L. K.J He that devotes himself to pleasure shall be poor in time and in eternity. Harbinger, Oct. 1, '63. WORDS FROM THE WORK-TABLE. WORDS FROM THE WORK-TABLE. - No. XV. "The thought of foolishness is sin” (Prov. xxiv.) DURING the past few weeks my mind has been much drawn to a widelyspreading evil-namely, the prevalence of light reading, and I received a fresh impetus on Lord's day evening when our preacher alluded to it as a temptation to be carefully avoided. The groundwork of his discourse was, "Blessed is the man that endureth (sustaineth) temptation" (James i. 1-2.) He addressed himself chiefly to the young, and I wish all youthful members could have been present. Plain teaching is indeed required, for light literature is flooding the land. Book-stalls are covered with penny and haltpenny periodicals, a vendor of which enumerated to me 64 trashy weeklies, such as the London Journal, &c. Some of these are a desecration to any Christian's home. Enter the factory, and you will find them slipped under board, loom, or desk. Enter the house, and though many comforts may be lacking, and you are told there is not time to attend good lectures or evening services, yet there you will find these evil things, sapping the foundations of virtue, making youth precociously old, giving unreal coloring to life, unfitting the mind to grapple with its realities, and rendering insipid the daily duties that surround us. Such reading is incompatible with the acquirement of knowledge. There are many who thus spend much money and time, who can tell all about the last sensation story, who know absolutely nothing of the history of their own country-who will go into ecstacies or shed an abundance of tears over the thrilling tale, yet who, if you direct their attention to the starry heavens and to the moon in "her sweet pale beauty," will coolly and ignorantly look at you, almost ready to ask "what becomes of the old moons?" Such reading is incompatible with the study of the Bible and the spirit of prayer. No leisure can be found or, if found, the appetite would not be satisfied with reading the divine and glo 361 rious truths contained in God's Word. "Life is real! Life is earnest! This light reading is incompatible with 66 may be"-they look upon themselves are sometimes led into adventures proas heroes and heroines in embryo, and ducing misery for themselves and unhappiness for others. late some master-mind to stem this Trusting that these lines may stimugrowing evil, I conclude with a quotation from a well-known writer:-" Huare its concerns, they are all compressed man life is very short. Stupendous as into a small compass, and he who rightly surveys the distant horizon will aland fast upon it, and will see the neways see its shadows mantling thick cessity of awaking up to a discharge of the important duties required of him while yet there is time, and he will remember the language and imitate the spirit of Him who said, 'I must do the work of him that sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.' Death is fast approaching, the sands of life are fast failing, and when once death has come, not one moment of the past can by any possibility be recalled, destroyed, or remodelled. Every step we take is finalevery act we perform is for eternity— every word once escaped the lip is registered in the book of judgment. Shall we then feed on dreams who are such vast realities? Shall we seek for fiction who are ourselves facts? Shall we live in the regions of fancy, surrounded as we are by such stupendous realities? Manhood forbids it. If we will not be devoted, earnest, and active we must forfeit many of the distinctions among men. Religion forbids it, for its earliest and most enduring impressions tell us to be earnest and active in understanding God's truth. The angels and the spirits of just men made perfect' forbid those sons of God whose honor and it; Harbinger, Oct. 1, '63. whose delight it is to serve God, and to enjoy in his pure temple the delights of his presence, forbid it; our Divine Master forbids it-he filled his life with toil by day and with prayers by night; the Holy Spirit dwelling within us for bids it, for he worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure;' the soul of the universe, our Father, our Creator, and our Friend in heaven forbids it, for my Father worketh hitherto and I work.' May it be ours to cherish this spirit, and the result will be a peaceful life, and at last a blessed and everlasting reward.” Birmingham, Sept. 23. LOUISE. ITEMS OF NEWS. BIRMINGHAM, LEICESTER, &c. After giving the parting hand to most of the brethren who came up to the Annual Meeting I left Huddersfield for Wortley, where I delivered three discourses to good and attentive congregations. The Wednesday evening following I met with the Manchester brethren in their usual weeknight night service. One, who had been previously instructed, made the good confession and the next evening we gathered around the water and buried her into the death of Christ. On this occasion I delivered a discourse upon the use and purpose of baptism, having as one of my hearers J. H. Gordon, my opponent in the Birmingham Discussion upon Secularism. Mr. Gordon has been preaching Christ for some time, and is now at Cavendish College, Manchester. We had much agreeable conver. sation, in which he declared himself satis. fied as to immersion and stated his determination to obey the Lord in that ordinance By the next Lord's day I was in Birmingham where, before the morning meeting, I immersed one belie ver and after preaching in the evening another. In the course of some fourteen days, following, several special meetings of the church were held, and after much deliberation arrangements made for future opperations. Lord's day, September 20, I spent in Leicester, where we had two meetings, larger than we have seen of late in that town. Several indica. tions of improved condition were observaable, which it is to be hoped will prove but the beginning of an acceptable revival. After the preaching one made the good confession. On Monday evening I preached in the house of a brother to a full meeting, Tuesday evening we met to consider church business, and this evening, Wednesday, I have to immerse two who have I 6 this week determined to put in Christ. On Lord's-day, September 12, in Birmingham, received the confession of two intelligent females, and on the following Lord's-day morning they were baptized by Brother T. Johnson, and added to the church, at which time one, formerly baptized, was received, and one who a year ago had departed from the Saviour was restored. After the morning service two deacons, who had been chosen by the unanimous voice of the church, were ordained by prayer and layIn the course of the day ing on of hands a sister of one of the baptized determined to obey the Lord. D. KING. Leicester, Sept. 23, 1863. DUMFRIES AND SANQUHAR. Since my last intimation another person made the good confession and was immersed in the river Locher, near Old Mills. Since my arrival in Sanquhar I have baptized three persons in the river Nith. We have still more earnest inquirers and a further accession is reasonably expected. There is considerable excitement in the old town, and it is probable that I may have more intelligence of a gratifying kind. G. GREENWELL. Sanquhar, 16th September. DRIFFIELD. During a visit into Yorkshire last month I had the pleasure of immersing into Christ the wife and son of Bro. Wm. Kitcher, of Driffield, and a female friend residing with them; also the wife of a brother residing in Hull. The following First-day myself and wife had the pleasure of meeting with the above, when we commemorated the dying love of the Saviour and exhorted each other to continue steadfast. Although at present they form but a church in a Harbinger, Oct. 1, '63. OBITUARY. private house, I have ground to hope that Liverpool, September. LIVERPOOL. 363 awaited them, or it was deemed prudent not to trifle with the animosity of the crowd farther. In the melee the tent was torn down, and the proceedings were brought abruptly to a close. We do not sympathise with the mischievous youths who could be scarcely said to be animated by the religious zeal of a Jennie Geddes, still such an ostentatious display on a Sabbath evening, and that in so public a thoroughfare where hundreds are ready to scoff and treat the whole thing as a farce, was certain to meet the treatment it re Our meetings at Moree and Ballymagul lyagh continued with interest to the close. Soon after my last communication another person was baptized. During my visit to Moree I also preached at Castlewellan, Tullynasough and Bally Gawley. On Aug. 8th, in company with Bro. J. K. Tener, Iceived. If they will baptize in this way, proceeded to Huddersfield, and enjoyed let it be done decently and in order." very much the harmonious and pleasant Whether the writer of the above was one of annual meeting. I remained at H. over the the stone throwing crowd we dont know, following Lord's day, and at the close of the evening discourse a young man decided but, except in the conduct of the mob, we see for Christ, and was baptized the following no indecency. The baptized were proviWednesday evening. I then proceeded to ded duly with clothing and tent accomthis place (Liverpool) and have preached modation. We have seen open air baptisms, four successive Lord's days to good and both of males and females, in the presence attentive audiences, two persons "hearing, of thousands without the smallest approach believed, and were baptized." During the week days intervening I preached at St. He- to disorder. Still if the people of Ayr are lens, Chester, and Wigan; and as a result of really so barbarian that they have no rethose labors, two were added at Chester, spect for God's ordinances and no toleration and one made the good confession at for religious conviction, it will be desirable Wigan. The prospects here are hopeful, ED. and I think much good would result from to seek more retirement in future. a continuous and energetic effort. Yours in Christ, HENRY S. EARL. BAPTISMS IN AYR. The following is from a Scotch paper. We learn from another source that the converts numbered eighteen. "A SCENE. A very unseemly affair took place on the Newton shore here on Sabbath evening. It appears that the revival lay preachers, who now occupy the wooden church in Wallacetown, have become Baptists, and as a matter of course they have been seeking to make converts of those who attend their meetings. On the evening in question a tent was erected on the beach, when a goodly number of converts came forward to be immersed. As was to be expected, such an unusual occurrence brought together a very large crowd. A batch of five male adults went first into the water, accompanied by Mr. M'Crea, the officiating brother. Hundreds of boys and girls greeted the converts as they came to the beach with a perfect shower of sand and gravel, and the poor converts, who were more like half drowned rats than anything else, were rendered tenfold more ridiculous like by the bespattering they received. There were a number more converts to be baptized, but either their faith failed from the ordeal which they saw RHOS, RUABON. Three were added to the church here by baptism in August, and a visit has been paid us during the present month by Brn. Jones, of Portmadoc; Evans, Llanidloes; and Williams, Tredegar; who during their visit delivered some thirteen discourses in Rhos and neighborhood, which resulted in four others being immersed by Bro. John Davies, on Lord's day morning, Sept. 20th. D. W. OBITUARY. SISTERS HARDY AND BATSON. Brother A. Bremner, from Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, writes Sister Hardy, late of Aberdeen, and Sister Batson, late of London, have departed this life, rejoicing in God their Saviour. AGNES BARR. July 16th Sister Agnes Barr departed in the full assurance of a resurrection to eternal life Her last affliction was short though very painful, but in the midst of her sufferings her mind was graciously supported by the precious promises of God. Our sister was one of a company of twenty or thirty persons which went from Kirkby Ireleth more than 40 years ago every Sunday over the mountains to meet with the |