live for ever, and of which it is equally true, except ye eat it, ye have no life in you; but according to your doctrine, you cannot have this life-giving bread except through a priest, a human agent, to convey this grace to you. But, in the Christian economy, there are apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers, but no priests.* In what state, then, are you, and those taught by you, according to you, as there is no priest, there is no living bread? You, and those who are led by you, stand in need of the absolution and forgiveness of your sins, but, as according to you, none can absolve but a priest, what state are you in when there is no priest? I remain, dear sir, with prayer for God's blessing on His Church, on you and me, yours sincerely, ROBERT CASHEL, &c. In a future number we shall (D.V.) furnish some Personal Recollections of the late loved Bishop, which, we doubt not, will interest our readers. THE LATE MRS. DENING, OF BATH. Fontainebleau, France, Aug. 15th, 1872. MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have just learned, with a sorrow which I cannot express, of the death of Mrs. Dening, formerly Miss Hooper, of Bath, who was well-known as a talented preacher of the Gospel of Christ. Many opinions have been expressed by those who heard her, or were told of her labours, as to the propriety, in a Scriptural point of view, of female preaching; but no one ever heard Geraldine Hooper or Dening deliver the divine message, who did not feel that she exercised a power over the minds of her hearers which few male preachers could rival; and I believe that God owned and blessed her labours, as many living examples of the power of the Word which she preached can attest. From a foreign land I write a hurried memorial to my beloved and gifted friend, which I hope you will not refuse to insert in the forthcoming number of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE. I have received from my esteemed brother in Bath, the Rev. J. M. Dixon, an invitation to preach the funeral sermon of the dear departed one; but, being bound to this place for a week or two longer, I have been most reluctantly compelled to decline. I have known and loved the dear sister in Christ for several years. I believe she loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and her arduous labours in His service in many parts of England will be long remembered by many, and by not a few, I feel assured, for eternity. I have known many clerical brethren, who were disposed to condemn her assumption of the There is a very remarkable corroboration of this in the fact that in the earlier days of our Reformation, when many editions of our Articles were printed, some in English, and some with equal authority in Latin, while they used the word "priest" in English, in many copies, now extant, in Latin, they used the word "presbyter," showing they did not acknowledge the sacrificing priest, the sacerdos, among their officers. For example, in the later edition of the Articles of 1553, we have "Episcopis, presbyteris et deaconis non est mandatum est colebatum voveant." In the MS. of Convocation, 1562, "Episcopis, presbyteris et deaconis, nullo mandato divino preceptum est ut aut cælibatum voveant aut a matrimonio abstineant."-See Library T.C.D. I had some early editions of Articles which I sold with other scarce books; among them one in Latin, in which the words were "Episcopi, presbyteres, et deaconi." There is a later edition of these Articles in Latin printed in Oxford, 1636, and there is this title of one of the Articles, "Libellus de consecratione, archepiscoporum et episcoporum, et de ordinatione presbyterorum et deaconorum." They are the Articles of the London Synod of 1562. office of preacher, acknowledge themselves startled and charmed out of their prejudices by hearing her for themselves. How many will now think of those wonderful addresses which she delivered at the Clifton Conference! At the hour when they were announced to take place, other meetings, whatever their character, broke up, and all rushed to hear Mrs. Dening. And then her lovely and powerful voice, as one of the leaders of the singing in the great hall, who ever heard it without delight? That voice is now still. Those magic powers have ceased to charm, but Geraldine Dening has not lived in vain. We may still hear severe reflection on female preaching in general, and hers in particular; but who will say now that it had been better for her that she had confined her attention to the ball-room, the theatre, the promenade, or even to the tatting, knitting, sketching, piano-playing, &c., which form the ordinary routine of female occupation? It was her peculiarity to be a female preacher of the Gospel of Jesus; to be an exceptional labourer in the Lord's vineyard. Well, we may hold our different views on the subject, and, perhaps, it may not be easy to come to the right one; but I have a strong suspicion that, in the great day, my dear friend, with her peculiar gifts, and desire to use them for Jesus, will be found to have chosen the better part, guided by the Holy Spirit, who divides His gifts and graces to every one severally as He will. But a few weeks ago I parted from her in her own house, after having, at her desire, delivered an address to a large number of persons assembled in a hall which Mr. Dening has erected in Bath, and where he and she held services at times which did not encroach upon the stated services of the Church of England, of which they were both attached members. Little did I think then, as she gave me her usual warm and cordial shake of the hand, that I should see her face no more. But her time has come, and she sleeps in Jesus. O that many who loved and valued her may be led by the Spirit to the same Saviour, whom she loved and proclaimed! May I ask the prayers of your readers for the dear one's bereaved husband and child? Your dear brother affectionately in Christ, S. A. WALKER. [Four months ago, the deceased Mrs. DENING left London by the same train by which we were travelling, in all the vigour and animation of one in the enjoyment of uninterrupted health-she, as her nowmourning husband informed us, to fulfil engagements on the coming Sunday, at Bath-he tarrying in London to preach in its suburbs on that day. How mysterious and inexplicable are the ways of God! How little did either of us for one moment imagine how nearly that animated one had run her earthly race! How soon was she to be numbered with the dead! We sympathize most deeply with her bereaved husband. It is painful-exceedingly so-to be called to part companionship, when both the one and the other are declining in years, and when it is but natural to anticipate at least a temporary separation. It is, however, additionally painful for human friendship to be severed, when scarcely having attained the meridian of life, a lonely and a sorrowing pilgrimage seems to await the survivor. Some of us have known the acuteness of separation under these circumstances, the re-union, from the very nature of the case, appearing in the far-off future. But, at longest, time is short and we would say to our bereaved and sorrowing brother, although we personally, at about his age, were called to the self-same agonizing severance, the one-and-thirty years which have since run their rounds, seem, in the retracing, but as a day! "We spend our years as a tale that is told." Perhaps our dear brother now feels as we then felt: "Would that we could die, too! Would that that open grave were about likewise to receive our poor mouldering ashes!" But, oh! how different our thoughts now! Had it been so-had our then wishes verily been gratified-oh, what an immensity should we have mi-sed of the Lord's wonderful goodness, His marvellous wisdom, His boundless love, His tender compassion, His astounding forbearance, His divine faithfulness! Had we then been called, all the wilderness mercies which have been spread over that one-and-thirty years would have been lost to our own personal knowledge and apprehension. May this thought cheer our weeping brother; and, with the additional hope of being at least of some little service in his day and generation, may it prompt him, in connexion with the importunate cry, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" to exclaim, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change come." The longer we are detained on earth, the more shall we see of the Lord's gracious dealings, and the greater cause shall we have to bless, praise, and adore Him when we reach home!-ED.] THE FORTHCOMING CLIFTON CONFERENCE. 23, Berkeley Square, Bristol. "We will not have this man to reign over us "-LUKE xix. 14. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings."-MAL. iv. 2. BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD,-As the season for holding our Tenth Clifton Conference draws nigh, I feel you are looking for the invitation which now for so many years I have been permitted to address to you, and to which so many of you have responded so cordially, and with such manifest assurance, that while man was employed as the instrument of our meeting, the summons to it came from a far higher source, even from Him who promised to be in the midst of those who are met together in His name. It yields me heartfelt pleasure to learn, after each Conference, how much spiritual blessing was mingled with the spiritual enjoyment experienced at our gatherings. There might be a sense of gratification without fruit in attendance upon such meetings as ours; there might be a transient excitement, calming down into a spiritual deadness and indifference; but that would be far from answering the purpose which our Conference is intended to serve. We desire to meet together in the name of the Lord, and under His influence. We come together as members of the family of God, to be fed, and strengthened, and guided. We have practical objects in view, and we look for practical results. The children of God in this rebellious world occupy the most important and responsible positions; they are the salt of the earth, resisting corruption; and they are the preservation of the earth itself, until God's time for the ingathering of the spiritual harvest, and the consummation of all things; they are the light of the world, testifying for the Triune Jehovah in Satan's kingdom of darkness, and having their Father's name written in their foreheads. They "arise and shine," while the world around them slumbers. They receive and reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, while it may be said of all around them, as regards Jesus and His truth, "Darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people." More than ever, my beloved fellow-inheritors of life and glory, must we, by God's grace, make full proof of our relationship to the crucified and risen Saviour. Satan is busy, sin is busy, intellectual pride is busy, priestcraft is busy, scoffers are busy, earthly policy is busy-all "taking counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed." We must be busy too. We "must be about our Father's business." There is no time for trifling now, for eager pursuit after money, position, pleasure, or earthly fame "after all these things do the Gentiles seek.” Our heavenly Father knows what we need, and will give it. We must seek the glory of our God and the good of His people. We must put on the Christian panoply, and contend "against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We must be prepared to "endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, not entangling ourselves with the affairs of this life, that we may please Him who hath chosen us to be soldiers." We come together, then, dearly beloved brethren, to rekindle our spiritual fire at the altar of divine love; to be stimulated by the Word and Spirit present in our midst, into increased zeal for our exalted Master and Friend; to stimulate and encourage each other to run with renewed patience and faithfulness the race set before us, so that when we return to our respective spheres, our hearts may so burn, and our faces glow with the radiance of the Divine presence to which we have been admitted, that those around us may see and feel, from our zeal for Jesus and His cause, that we have been with Him, and that our hearts and lips have been touched with a live coal from off the altar of His grace and selfdevotion. Many believers are now trembling for the ark of God, and they say, "Is there not a cause?" In one sense there is a cause for deep anxiety, but in another there is none. The battle that is being waged between light and darkness is the Lord's, and they who fight against Him shall not prosper. Since man's fall the war of principles has been fought with apparently varying success, but the issue has never been doubtful. Jesus has ever gone forth " conquering and to conquer." His triumphant progress has never for a moment been checked. His word is still to His trembling followers, "Go forward," and He directs their eyes to His blood-stained banner which waves on high, on which are emblazoned the assuring words, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Under that banner, beloved friends, we shall by God's grace meet. Pray continually and earnestly that we may recognize it, and that, as it floats over us, it may be to us, love-love to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-love to the inspired Word-love to all them who love Jesus in sincerity, and love to everything that breathes of Him in this world where He was hated, rejected, and slain; and where now He is only loved by those who by grace have been made to feel that He loves them. The Conference will be held, if the Lord will, on TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, the 1st and 2nd of October, 1872. The subjects suggested for consideration are: John xix. 5, 6. HE HATH NO FORM NOR COMELINESS.-Is. liii. 2. WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?-IS. xxi. 11. Hospitality will, as heretofore, be provided for those brethren who will kindly signify to me, on or before Saturday, September 20th, their inten tion to be present at the Conference, and their need of accommodation during their stay. I am, my dear friends, yours affectionately in the hope of the Gospel, SAMUEL ABRAHAM WALKER, Rector of St. Mary-le-Port, Bristol. The Conference will, as usual, assemble (D.v.) in the Victoria Rooms, Clifton, each day at Eleven o'clock, A.M., and at Seven P.M. Dinner (for which Tickets, at 2s, each, will be issued during the Conference) will be provided within the building at Half-past One o'clock, and Tea at Five. The intervals between the Meetings will, as heretofore, be devoted to Prayer Meetings, Bible Readings, Addresses, Free Conversations, &c. Our local friends are reminded that Meetings for Prayer will be held at the Victoria Rooms, on the three Friday Evenings, September 13th, 20th, and 27th, preceding the Conference, and also on Monday Evening, September 30th, to ask the Lord's blessing on our proceedings. Protestant Beacon. BEGGING SISTERS. On a recent morning, as I was busily engaged in my office, two visitors entered in the garb which is now so familiar to English eyes, as that of nuns, or "sisters of mercy." I suspected their errand was to obtain money for a Roman Catholic institution, but I thought it right to hear what they would say, in order that my refusal to comply with such a request might be shown to proceed upon a definite principle, and might be in some degree explained to the applicants. A conversation was quickly commenced upon the subject so readily suggested by their appearance, as, in answer to the usual inquiry for the purpose of their visit, one of them informed me they had come to solicit a contribution towards a home for "poor old people." I should state that there appeared to be a difference in age, as well as in education and refinement, between the two, and the "sister" who seemed the elder, and also the less refined, was the first speaker. In answer to her request for money, I intimated that I could not give it, whereupon the younger sister, in a really pleasing and attractive manner, assured me that "gentlemen never refused" them, and the same assurance was more than once repeated by both. It may be that, if the demure look and downcast eyes are necessary for the interests of Romanism in the public streets, the pleasing manner and words of, I may almost say, finesse are equally useful in their proper place, even though they come from a nun in dreary cloak and with bandaged head. This appeal was, however, ineffectual; and, notwithstanding repeated assurances that gentlemen never did refuse, I ventured to resist the arts that were employed. The tactics then were changed, and great care was taken to impress me with the fact that a very small contribution would be received, and, indeed, only such was asked. Here was a plea which I know from former experience is constantly urged, and to which amiable Protestants too frequently yield. They give something to appease the applicants, they give but little to satisfy their consciences, forgetting that the gift breaks down the distinction between Protestantism and Popery, and induces the rising generation to ignore the real distinction which was once known by |