The Congregational Pulpit. No. XIII. London: JUDD and GLASS, Gray's-Inn-Road, and SIMPKIN, MARSHALL and Co., Stationer's Court. The great merit of the Congregational Pulpit consists in this, that the Sermons are studiously prepared by their respective authors, and printed from manuscript. The present number contains, sermons by Dr. Urwick, and the Rev. T. Coleman: by the former on " Christ becoming the Guest of the Sinner;" by the latter on the "Prospect of Universal Peace among the Nations, by the diffusion of the Gospel." The work is well got up, and cannot fail to promote the best interests of the community. The Sabbath; Whose is it? By Rev. G. A. ROGERS, M.A. London: WERTHEIM and MACINTOSH, Paternoster-row. An eminently useful little publication. It is emphatically (but in a new sense) "a tract for the Times." The Sacraments. By Rev. T. STACEY. and WESLEYAN NEW CONNEXION BOOK-ROOM. London: R. BULMAN, A CREDITABLE production upon the whole. We could have wished however that the worthy Author, in a controversial work like this, had paid more attention to the hackneyed maxim; "Words are the counters of the wise, and the money of fools." But let us not be supposed to insinuate that our readers will not find in the "Sacraments" many valuable sentiments, and some examples of rigorous reasoning. We should however have liked sentiments better, and have more highly appreciated the logic, if the Author had exercised a more rigorous control over his vocabulary. It is also unfortunate that this work, with its undeniable merits, should have made its appearance, so soon after Dr. Halley's great work on the same subject. But for this, it would have commanded much more attention. Memoir of Rev. John Finley. By his WIDOW. London: NISBET and Co. Berners Street. THIS is a short Memoir of a Congregational minister late of Tunbridge Wells. He will be known to some of our readers as Ministerial Trustee of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. To the sketch of Mr. Finley's life are added Notes of a few of his Sermons. This publication supplies a creditable testimony from a widow to the private and public virtues of her departed husband. Individuals fond of Biography will read it with interest. The work contains some beautiful illustrations of scenes connected with the history of the good man who is now no more. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Lamps of the Temple. London: Snow. Rest in Christ for the Weary. London: Snow. THE CASKET. PRAYER'S MESSAGE. Prayer hath her message. Away she flies, borne on the sure and swift wings of Faith and Zeal, Wisdom having given her a charge, and Hope a blessing. Finding the gate shut, she knocks and cries, "Open, ye gates of righteousness, and be ye open ye everlasting doors of glory! that I may enter, and deliver to the King of Jerusalem my petition." Jesus Christ hears her knock, opens the gates of mercy, attends her suit, promiseth her infallible comfort and redress. Back returns Prayer, laden with the news of consolation. She hath a promise, and she delivereth it into the hands of Faith-that were our enemies more innumerable than the locusts in Egypt, and stronger than the giants, the sons of Anak, yet Power and Mercy shall fight for us, and we shall be delivered. Pass we then through fire and water-through all dangers and difficulties, yet we have a messenger, holy, happy, accessible, acceptable to God, that never comes back without comfort-Prayer!-Thomas Adams. THE DEATH-CHAMBER. The scene of the death-chamber is most sacred. It is by privilege that we enter it. Its curtain must not be rudely plucked aside for a curious gaze. If the obituary of my friend be less delineated than impatient friendship might crave, the reserve is studied; it is defended upon convictions of a religious delicacy and taste. Hardly is a dying moment of a dying saint, in the record of Scripture, detailed and exposed. Death is the narrative there. Perhaps it should rather be called a date. And when we remember the vibration of the sinking system, the influence of the nerve upon the mind, how "the clouds may return after the rain," surely it is with a very measured and chastised judgment that we may only lay open the conflict of dissolution. The prying eye must be considered profane. "The face is turned to the wall," and we would not reverse it. The flower which has blown for a full, bright day, may welcome the shade which hides its shutting.—Hamilton's Memoir of Ely. THE SETTING SUN. There is a splendour peculiar to the meridian sun. There is a majestic and uncontrollable energy and boldness, with which it spreads light and blessedness on all around. The sun shining in its strength is a grand and exhilarating sight. But there is a still deeper interest attendant on its decline; when the warm and mellow tints of evening soften the dazzling brightness of its ray; and when surrounded, but not obscured, by clouds, and rich in a golden radiance, on which the eye lingers with chastened and inexpressible delight, it sinks below the horizon. It is with similar feelings that we regard the faithful servant of God, when he comes towards the close of a long, consistent, and useful life. We watch with a very tender interest the terminating scene of his pilgrimage; and survey with a more sublime veneration the holier radiance which gilds his declining years.-Ed. Craig. A CROWN OF TWELVE STARS.-REV. xii. 1. Into this little ring let us bring the discourse of that infinite glory. Let the first star be memory without forgetfulness. The second star is reason without obscurity, understanding without error. The third star is a perfect will of good, without perturbation. The fourth star is the charity and impassibility of the body. The fifth star is the renovation of all things. The sixth star is universal charity without envy. The seventh star is the common and universal joy—an effect of the former. The eighth star is a love of ourselves, only for God's honour. The ninth star is the beatifical vision of God. The tenth star is the fulness of pleasures. The eleventh star is the continual praising of God for his glory. The last star of this crown is the last passage of my text, which is the eternity of all— it is an "everlasting kingdom.' This is the crown of twelve stars, wherewith the God of mercy shall crown all our heads in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ. Amen.-Thomas Adams. RUTH AND AMY. Ruth and Amy were sisters. In early spring, as the violets began to bloom, they were playing in a meadow near their father's house. They both happened at the same time to see a violet before them. Both ran to it. Ruth, the elder sister, came to it first, and plucked it. Amy was angry, and cried out, "I saw it first, and it belongs to me!" "No, it is not yours, it is mine," said Ruth; "for I saw it as soon as you did, and I got to it first and plucked it; so I have got it, and you shall not have it." Amy was quite furious, snatched at the flower, and struck her sister. Then Ruth became angry and struck Amy. So they fought about it, and screamed, and beat each other. Their mother heard them, and came to see what was the matter. She found her little daughters tearing and beating each other. "What does this mean ?" asked the mother. "Ruth got my flower," said Amy. No, I did not, mother," said Ruth; "it was mine; I saw it first, and plucked it." "And where is the flower?" asked the mother. Lo! it had been torn to pieces in the fight! Thus each claimed the flower by right of first discovery; and in fighting to decide who saw it first, and who should have it, both lost it. How could this fight have been prevented, and the sweet violet and the sweeter spirit of sisterly love and affection been preserved? Ruth said she saw it first, and claimed it. Now, though Ruth had the violet in her hand, if, when Amy said, "It is mine, I saw it first, I will have it," Ruth had said to her, "Sister, if you think the pretty flower is yours, you may have it; I should rather let you have it than keep it myself; I would rather have your love than all the flowers that grow," would there have been a fight, or any coldness or unkindness between the sisters? None. They would have saved their sisterly affection from so rude a shock, and the sweet violet too; and Amy would not have cared whether the flower had been in her sister's hand or in her own. She would have enjoyed it just as much, nay, more, had it been in her sister's. The sweet and pretty flower belonged to Him who made it. God made it to delight the two sisters; how wicked in them to get angry and fight about it. Our heavenly Father made the earth and all the beautiful things that adorn it. They are all His. He invites all his children to come and enjoy them. We admire them; we see that there is more than enough for all; and it would seem that, as children of a common Father, we might look at them, and use and enjoy them in love and peace. Yet, as soon as we see the beautiful things our Father has laid before us, to please us and make us happy in his love, and in each other's love, we begin to fight for them, as Ruth and Amy did for that pretty violet.-H. C. Wright. STRONGEST WHEN HELPLESS. Stumbling proves undoubtedly our tendency to fall but it proves also our capacity to stand erect. Had we been lying supine we could never have stumbled. The very fact of our fall should increase our dependence upon God. God's assurance in this case is man's strength, as well as his caution. The very knowledge that he upholds us enables us to rise. If it were not so, or if it were a mere matter of human pride, the mere act of our infinite disgrace in sinning against him would keep us prostrate. But when we feel our nothingness, as was once said, we have nothing to fear. When we lose ourselves, we save ourselves. When we hang only on the Lord, we can alone have strength. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE DEPARTED. To rest hereafter, at the side of those, we love, is the most delightful thought which man can have, when once he looks out beyond the boundary of life. What a sweet expression is that-'He was gathered to his fathers.' GOETHE. 196 RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. SWANSEA. UNION OF THE WESLEYAN REFORMERS WITH THE WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION. The Wesleyan Reformers worshipping in the Free Church Meeting House, Bellevue-street, being desirous of uniting with the Wesleyan Methodist Association, and desiring also for a minister to be sent to labour amongst them from the Connexional Committee, invited the Rev. R. Eckett of London, to preach their anniversary sermons, and to hold a conference with a few of the Swansea friends, in order to promote the above object. In fulfilment thereof, the Rev. R. Eckett came down, and preached morning and evening on Sunday, January 6th, when liberal collections were made. In the afternoon an address was delivered to the children of the Sunday-school, by Mr. J. Badcock. On Monday evening the 7th, a tea-meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms, at which about 300 persons sat down. A public meeting was held immediately afterward, at which Evan Davies, Esq., A.M. presided. A piece of music having been performed by the choir in attendance, the chairman briefly opened the business of the meeting, and called upon Mr. Badcock to give a short statistical account of the present state of the funds of the chapel; from which it appeared that 1007. had been collected during the past year, while the liabilities of the Society amounted to about 350.; there being a mortgage on the chapel of 300l., and various floating debts to the amount of between 30%. and 40%, towards the liquidation of which the proceeds of the tea-meeting were to be applied. The Rev. W. H. Davies (Bible Christian), having briefly addressed the meeting, the chairman announced that it was in contemplation to unite the church assembling in Bellevuestreet with the Wesleyan Methodist Association. This, he thought, would form a very appropriate text for the remarks of the Rev. R. Eckett, whom he then called upon to address the meeting. Mr. Eckett then rose, and after expressing the pleasure he felt in being called upon on that occasion, proceeded to take up the matter referred to by the chairman, and to give to the meeting a sketch of the history of Wesleyan Methodism. The Wesleyan Methodist Association took its rise in 1835, out of the objections felt by many members of the Wesleyan body to the principles of ministerial absolutism then promulgated by the Conference; amongst this number was he (Mr. Eckett) himself. The rev. gentleman then proceeded at some length to explain to the meeting the principal matters of difference between the Wesleyan Methodists and the Wesleyan Methodist Association; as also the different construction of the Conferences of the two bodies. In conclusion, he expressed a hope that the members of the congregation assembling in Bellevuestreet, had properly considered the step which they were about to take; if they had done so, he could assure them that they would be gladly received into the Wesleyan Methodist Association. Mr. Curtis and Mr. V. Clutton having briefly addressed the meeting, it then closed. The Committee appointed by the Church to confer with Mr. Eckett having laid their statement before a subsequent meeting of the members, it was unanimously resolved that the Connexional Committee be requested to send a minister as soon as possible. In accordance with that request, the Rev. E. D. Green was sent down hither from London, who commenced his labours on January 20th, and we are glad to add, that under his ministry, our congregations have considerably improved; and we are looking forward to see yet "greater things than these." GROSVENOR-STREET CIRCUIT, BRADFORD CHAPEL. Responsive to the call of the Annual Assembly for increased support to enable them to send out additional Missionaries to Australia and Jamaica, the conductors and teachers, with the first-class male and female scholars of the Bradford Sunday-school, held a meeting on a Sunday afternoon at the close of the school, and resolved that they would use their utmost endeavours during the ensuing Connexional year to raise the sum of twenty pounds, being ten pounds more than was collected last year, and which should be handed over to the Missionary treasurer, with a view to respond to the call for additional financial help. At The Circuit Missionary Committee met in a few days after, and took up the same subject, when it was resolved to raise at least 50%. extra in the circuit for the same purpose. A deputation of four brethren was appointed to visit the schools, and endeavour to excite a greater interest in the missionary cause amongst the teachers and scholars. several of the quarterly juvenile missionary meetings of the Sunday. schools, these brethren have warmly and energetically advocated the necesssity of greater and more systematic efforts for the raising funds to this institution, and the result has been gratifying. A large number of little scarlet-backed cards properly headed were distributed to the schools, and their respectable appearance has been some inducement to our young friends to go and collect for the missionaries. So far as our school is concerned, they have succeeded beyond our utmost expectations. On Sunday and Monday, the 17th and 18th February, we held our missionary anniversary services. On Sunday morning the Rev. Henry Breeden preached a useful and in structive sermon to an attentive congregation, the collection was 1l. 4s.; in the evening, the Rev. Henry Soulby of Stockport, gave us a very powerful and energetic discourse on "The Mediatorial kingdom of Christ, and its resignment to the Father,' and the collection was 17. 10s. The Monday evening service was well attended. J. B. Vickers, Esq. our circuit steward, kindly took the chair, (in the absence of Richard Johnson, Esq., whose father had been taken suddenly ill,) and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. Henry Soulby, Henry Breeden, Thomas Hacking, Robert Harley, and William Patterson; and by Messrs. Moreland, Oxley, and Mr. N. Wilson, the circuit missionary secretary. The amount raised at the meeting was 61. 3s. 6d., which includes a donation of 17. from Richard Johnson, Esq. the appointed chairman, and 17. from Benjamin Fothergill, Esq., who was unavoidably detained from attending the meeting. The total sum collected at this anniversary was 81. 17s. 6d., and with 107. collected by the teachers and scholars, makes a grand total of 187. 17s. 6d. since July last year. We hope to be able to raise near 25l. in all during the year, which will be completed at the beginning of July. During the previous week we held a series of revival services, which were well attended, and several persons appear to be soundly converted to God. The school and society are in a prosperous condition, and we are hoping soon to see a home missionary, or an itinerant minister located in the neighbourhood. May God send equal prosperity on all our Sunday-schools and societies. Amen. CARLISLE CIRCUIT. On Sunday, February 24th, 1856, two sermons in aid of our Home and Foreign Missions were preached in the Tabernacle, Lowther-street, Carlisle, by the Rev. A. Weston of Manchester. On Monday evening, February 25th, a public meeting was held in the same place. The chair was occupied by W. Browne, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. The report was read by the circuit minister, and the claims of missions were eloquently advocated by the Rev. J. Whitson (Evangelical Union), J. Allen (Wesleyan Superintendent), B.A. Marshall, M.A. (Church of England), A. Weston (Association), and R. S. Drummond, M.A.(United Presbyterian). There was a very large attend |