142 THE PROPHETIC WORD. Harbinger. April 1, '64. us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit." And thus it is by keeping his commandments that we know him, and are in him-that we abide in him, and he in us we can assure our hearts before him. So it is: we arrive at that holy and perfect rest, that mingling of the divine life in ours, which gives us the WITNESS in ourselves. God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Paul is the only Apostle who speaks of the witness, the seal, and the earnest, in so many words; but it must not be concluded that he is the only inspired writer who has treated the sub-that his love is perfected in us, and thus stantial subject. The Apostle John, instead of saying, the Spirit itself beareth witness, says, "God dwelleth in love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him " How does any one know that he dwelleth in God and God in him, save by his own indwelling in love? John has brought this matter out so fully that we see a fine gradation: the man of God rises from one degree of confidence to another, till he reaches the climax, the highest and richest confidence of the divine life in man. The same features of obedience, love and assurance which Paul specifies in the 8th of Romans run through this Epistle. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." "But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected, and hereby do we know that we are in him" (1 John 3-5.) In the 3rd verse he asserts that our keeping the commandments of God is the proof that we know God. In the 5th verse he advances by saying, that keeping the commandments of God is the perfection of our love, pointing out both knowledge and indwelling communion. 6. The great purpose of John is devel oped in the following manner:-God is love. The proof and manifestation come in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was the revealer both of the eternal life and the essential love. The man who believes in Jesus becomes a partaker of the life and of the love. He has the earnest of the Spirit. An earnest is a pledge or foretaste of that eternal life of love to be enjoyed hereafter. This life of love within is the Spirit's own testimony to the believer's own spirit, that he is a child of God. This is the real sealing of the Spirit, of which we may be conscious. While an earnest is a pledge, a seal is a visible mark, and he who possesses this love of God in his heart will love the truth of God and the children of God, and rejoice in that spirit of love which is the spirit of adoption and assurance. The love of God is to him the witness, the earnest, and the seal-the earnest, because he consciously enjoys it; the seal, or visible mark to him and others, because he loves all men, but especially the brotherhood. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' To whatever height a man may arise, if he does not reach this life of love, he is but sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. In whatever he may fail, if he arrives at this obedient, child 5. But still deeper is the confidence expressed in chapter iii. 18. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth: and hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." This is the full assurance of faith-the settled consciousness that we are of the truth. This is what Paul calls the spirit of adop-like, loving spirit, he has found the su tion, whereby we cry Abba, Father. But with still more emphasis of assurance does the Apostle proceed. "And he that keepeth his commandments DWELLETH IN HIM and he in him; and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us.' "-"If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in preme elevation and the true riches. His life is love, and his experience fulness of peace. He is a child of God, led by the Spirit of God. To him it is neither fancy of the brain nor movement of the fleshneither dream of the day nor vision of the night; but a great and abiding reality. THE PROPHETIC WORD. A READER of the B. M. H. suggests that "investigation of the prophetic word would not only increase its interest, but be truly beneficial to the reader." He asks, "Why we have closed its pages to investigations which bear uopn the future of the kingdom, the resurrection and hope of the saints?" Such investigations are not excluded. In this department they will be welcome H. E. Harbinger, April 1, '64. ITEMS OF NEWS. prophetic subjects let us hear from them, they will have a fair proportion of space and attention. As it is desirable that every Particle be considered on its own merits, we BIRMINGHAM. 143 shall omit the signatures of writers and place a single letter under each. The name must be given, but not for publication. ITEMS OF NEWS. ED. for some time labored and prayed without Meetings during the month good. Se. increase, but their hearts have been made glad by seven or eight immersions within the last few weeks. veral immersed and added to the church. CARLISLE AND DUMFRIES. J. W. In Southport we delivered three lectures upon baptism. The Plymouth Brethren were moved to activity and have since immersed several. One has declared his con I had tolerable congregations at Old Mills, Elizafield, Bourick, and other farm-viction that the way set forth by us is the steads in the neighborhood of Dumfries At Carlisle the hearing has been moderate on Lord's days in the chapel, but remarkably good at cottage meetings in the vicinity several times nearly fifty people packed into a room. Since I last wrote we have added to our number six persons, five by immersion and one baptized believer from another place. We have still a few enquirers who are likely to embrace the gospel of the kingdom. DUNDEE. G. GREENWELL. Since the notice last month we have spent four Lord's days in Liverpool, and one in St. Helens, where we held meetings five nights in succession. The church is much encouraged by recent additions. Having delivered one discourse in Wigan we visited Preston for the purpose of obtaining a suitable room in which to confer with such of the people as desired to look into the claims of New Testament Christianity, but were not able at present to se cure a suitable place. In a crowded upper room in Golborne we proclaimed the gos. pel two evenings, in which work Brother McDougall followed on the next Lord'sday. Two young men gave themselves to the Lord and were buried with him in baptism. In this place some six brethren have His only way and desired to be buried into the March 21. MANCHESTER, CHESTER, &c. Time speeds away and will soon bring to an end my pleasant sojourn in this "sea girt isle." A few more farewell visits, and the time of my departure will arrive. On Lord's day, February 28th, I preached my farewell discourse in Chester to a crowded audience, and on the following Tuesday at Mollington to the largest audience I have seen there. The attention was profound, and at the close of the meeting a lady (who had been a staunch Episcopalian for many years) made known her determination to honor Christ in the way of his own appointment. She was "baptized into his death" on the following morning. I had baptized four persons a few days previously, thus making five additions during this last visit. On Lord's day, March 6, I commenced my labors here (Manchester.) One young man has decided for Christ, and the prospects for success are hopeful. During the week-days I have preached at Wigan and Stockport; at the latter place one person decided to "put on Christ" last night, and will shortly enjoy that honor and privilege. HENRY S. EARL. NEWTON, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. When the church was formed at this place some fifteen months ago our number was only eight. By the blessing of our Heavenly Father we have increased to thirty-two. We have delivered a course of lectures in a large hall on Christian Baptism and Infant Sprinkling. Questions were allowed at the close of each lecture, of which the public availed themselves, and on each evening there were animated discussions. Brother Rattray was in the chair. There was a good attendance. By advertisements and placards ministers were invited to attend, and though a few came late in the evening, they held their peace On the design of baptism a person came forward, with whom a discussion was held which occupied two evenings. On the first evening the hall was filled; but even the gentleman's own friends were dissatisfied with him. After the lectures a tract was published, which was "intended as a check to certain views propounded in lectures recently delivered in the Odd Fellows' Hall," meaning the lectures delivered by the brother above referred to. We have printed a pamphlet in reply, (a copy of which I send you,) which seems to have had the effect of silencing the writer of the tract, for we have heard nothing of him since. The brethren believe the lectures have done good. During the last month we have immersed four into the ever-blessed names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We look for more additions shortly. There is a large field here, and I am confident that were there more laborers a glorious harvest might be gathered in. Yours, &c. MATTHEW GREEN. Jan. 1, 1864. INVERCARGILL, NEW ZEALAND. Harbinger, April 1, '64. thirty to fifty. We have a Sunday school twice on the Lord's day, a Bible class in the evening, and prayer meeting on the The public geneWednesday evening. rally are ill-informed as to what we are and the position we take. Some think we are Mormons, others that we are Baptists, others again that we are Plymouth Brethren. With a view to bring our views more prominently before the public, I have undertaken to deliver a course of lectures on Sunday evenings upon "The Current Reformation," or a Restoration of Primitive Christianity. The thoughtful and enquiring of all denominations will be invited to attend, and as there are many such here, I have no doubt that some may conform to the New Testament order of things. There is, I believe, a fine field here for evangelistic labor, and I should very much like to secure the services of one for this province. There would be no difficulty in finding the means for his support. Have you in Great Britain any young men well qualified for evangelists, who are only hindered for want of means? Or is it the men that are wanted, and not money? With Christian regards, believe me to remain, yours very sincerely, SAMUEL BEAVEN. BRO. NIVEN, of St. Andrews, on the 13th February, after protracted illness consequent upon a fall from a gig. He was immersed into Christ sixteen years ago, since We have been holding meetings regu- which time he has been always desirous of larly for some time in the Mechanics' In- serving the Lord, ready for every good stitute every Lord's day morning. The work, and abounding in benevolence. He church now numbers eighteen members, of has left a widow and family to be sustainwhom seven have been received by immer-ed by the promises of the Lord. sion. The average attendance is from MISCELLANEOUS. J. A. THE "CHURCH OF ENGLAND" AND | bounden duty to the Church and to the THE BIBLE. It is announced that 9000 of the clergy of the Established Church have signed the paper known as the Oxford Declaration, and expressed in the following Declaration. "We the undersigned Presbyters and Deacons, in holy orders of the Church of England and Ireland, hold it to be our souls of men, to declare our firm belief that common with the whole Catholic Church, the Church of England and Ireland, in maintains without reserve or qualification the inspiration and divine authority of the whole Canonical Scriptures, as not only containing but being the Word of God; and further teaches, in the words of our blessed Lord, that the 'punishment' of the Harbinger, April 1, '64. MISCELLANEOUS. 'cursed,' equally with the life' of the righteous' is everlasting.' It will be seen at a glance that this document is a manifesto against the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The opposition between the two is flagrant. THE JUDGMENT. THE DECLARATION. "The proposition or as"We declare our sertion that every part of firm belief that the Church the Scriptures was written of England and Ireland, under the Inspiration of in common with the whole the Holy Spirit is not to Catholic Church, mainbe found either in the Ar- tains without reserve or ticles or in any Formula-qualification the Inspira eies of the Church." tion and Divine Authority of the whole Canonical Scriptures, as not only containing but being the Word of God." "We do not find in thel "We declare our Formularies to which this firm belief that the Church Article refers any such....teaches, in the words distinct declaration of our of our blessed Lord, that Church upon the subject the punishment' of the as to require us to con- cursed,' equally with the demn as penal the ex- life' of the righteous' pression of hope by a cler is everlasting.'" gyman that even the ulti mate pardon of the wicked who are condemned in the day of judgment, may be consistent with the will of Almighty God." When half the clergy join to publish case. upon 145 Church by teaching opinions contrary to its doctrines. Their arguments, it was said, were futile and easy to rebut, but they were mischievous, because put forward by men in the position of authorised teachers. The prosecution against them was instituted, not so much to silence and confute them, as to dissociate their teaching from that of the Church. But to do this it was necessary to resort to the Church Courts. If the Bishop of Salisbnry's authority, or that of all the bishops, had been sufficient for that purpose, Dr. Williams need not have been prosecuted. But no declaration of bishops or clergy could avail to that end. The doctrine of the Church is settled by law, and of that law the Church Courts are the only interpreters. The functions of the Judicial Committee in respect of doctrine were laid down very clearly in the Gorham Its duty was declared to be "the consideration of that which is by law established to be the doctrine of the Church of England upon the true and legal construction of her Articles and Formularies." This duty was discharged by the Judicial Committee in the judgment of February 8. The Court" considered doctrine." It did not determine the doctrine of the Church that had already been done-but it contheir "firm belief" that the Church main-sidered it, and then, and not till then, and tains, and that without reserve or justifi. cation, propositions which the highest judicial authority in the Church declares that she does not maintain, we may well ask what expectation they can have that the religious Establishment in this country can be preserved in unity of belief by legal standards? The opinions of the clergy on points of doctrine must always be of importance, but they will not affect the doctrine of the Church until those who hold them can prevail on the Legislature, which established the articles and Book of Common Prayer to alter them. These propo: sitions being clear and undeniably true, it is not as a manifestation of belief in particular doctrines that this declaration can weigh an atom against the recent judgment. It is probably not on their adherence to certain doctrines, but on the expression of their "firm belief that the Church of England and Ireland, in common with the whole Catholic Church, maintains without reserve or qualification," the Doctrines in question, that the authors of the Declaration rely. But that is the very question on which the highest court having ecclesiastical jurisdiction in England has pronounced. The truth of particular doctrines might have been, and was examined and discussed by the clergy, apart from prosecution and appeals, as a question of divinity. But, over and above the charge of error, it was alleged that Dr. Williams and Mr. Wilson had violated the law of the L must that the opinions of Dr. Williams and Mr. The case then is concluded, and however others may criticise the judgment of the Privy Council, for the clergy it is of final and supreme authority. In the words of Dr. Goode, Dean of Ripon :-" No clergyman, consistently with the oath of supremacy which he has taken, can in his public ministrations affirm any doctrine to be contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England, which such a judgment has pro nounced not to be contrary. If one such judgment can be rejected by the clergy, all the other judgments of the Crown, past or future, can be dealt with by them in a similar way, and the supremacy of the Crown practically ignored and set aside. Criticism upon it is useless, because, whe. | Harbinger, April 1, '64. Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Iowa are RELIGIOUS "PERSUASIONS" IN IRELAND. There is but one course for honest men. The State Church, by the State, is declared THE last census of Ireland divides the under no obligation to hold that every part religious professions of the people into Esof the Scriptures was written under the in- tablished Church, Roman Catholics, Presspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that, for byterians, Methodists, Independents, Bapanything the Church holds to the contrary tists, Quakers, "all other persuasions, its ministers may preach Universalism. and Jews." In looking over a table showThese good ministers believe this to being the religious professions of persons as fearful error. Why do they stay in a Church that holds it a Church which nurtures Romanism on the one hand and Rationalism on the other? Yes-why? The love of money is the bond of union. This happy family would divide into several sections at once, but then the outgoing parties must give up the estate. THE AMERICAN CHRISTIAN REVIEW. THE following from the A. C. R. indicates some progress in Divine things, notwithstanding the war troubles : "Truly are we thankful that our humble efforts have been so signally supported. At least fifteen hundred names have been added to our list since January 1st, giving us now largely over six thousand real subscribers, all paid in advance. This is the most rapid increase by far we have ever had. Our receipts are much larger than during the corresponding period in our best year before the war. Illinois and Indiana are coming up to the work gloriously. described by themselves, included under the head of all other persuasions, we find some curious particulars. 112 people have written themselves down simply as "Christians," and 68 as "High Church." Then there are 51" Christian Israelites," and 40 |