and at least a quarter of a million of persons have abandoned idolatry and savage habits, and been elevated by Christianity into heroism and Christian love. In the Friendly and Fiji Islands there are nearly 1,200 local preachers, and thirty-six native assistant missionaries. So completely is idolatry abolished in the Friendly Islands, a missionary recently returning to England could not obtain an idol as a curiosity. In 1856, Mr. Ellis spent a Sabbath at a village in Madagascar. Then a few Christians came by stealth, and they met for prayer by night. Now in the same village, the chief room in the largest house in the place was opened in broad day, and was thronged with simple and devout worshippers, while numbers crowded around on the outside. PRESENTATION SERVICE. YSTRADYFODWG. On Monday evening, February 22nd, a very interesting meeting was held at Nebo Baptist Chapel, Ystrad, near Pontypridd. Dr. Price, Aberdare, delivered, to a crowded audience, a most instructive lecture on "Bunyan and his Times." E. Roberts, Pontypridd, presided. At the close of the lecture, the chairman, on behalf of Mr. E. Davies, Bylfa, one of Nebo deacons, presented to the young pastor of the church, Mr. J. Rufus Williams, 17 vols. being the whole published of "NICHOL'S SERIES," Mr. Davies means to present his pastor with the whole series, in all, 60 vols. The pastor, with much feeling, and in appropriate terms acknowledged the valuable gift of his most excellent friend. One of the hearers, Mr. R. David, Shopy gary, had ordered a very valuable book, to present Mr. Williams with, but the book had not come. following day, one of the members The gave the pastor one pound, to buy whatever book he thinks proper. Pastor, church and congregation are of one heart and one soul. BAPTIST EVANGELICAL SOCIETY. On Wednesday evening, April 20th, a sermon will be preached on behalf of the society, at Soho Chapel (Mr. Pells), Oxford-street, by the Rev. E. Parker, of Farsley. Service, seven o'clock. On Thursday evening, April 21st, also a sermon, at Salem Chapel (Mr. Bloomfield's), Meard's Court, Soho, by Rev. J. Webb, of Ipswich. Service, seven o'clock. On Friday afternoon, April 22nd, the annual meeting of the subscribers and messengers, at the Baptist library, 2, Took's Court, Chancery Lane. Three o'clock. On Thursday, April 28th, a public meeting, at Little Alie-street Chapel (Mr. Dickerson's), Goodman's Fields. The chair to be taken at half-past six. The Secretaries will be much obliged if those friends who have not yet paid their subscriptions, will do so, as early as possible. HILL CLIFF, CHESHIRE. On Friday, February 19th, Thomas Aked, Esq., Harrogate, and Mr. Harvey, Little Leigh, visited Hill Cliff, for the purpose of promoting a revival of religion. A public meeting was held in the chapel, in the evening, when impressive addresses were delivered by the pastor, and the above, to a numerous congregation. A local tract society has been commenced, and is actively engaged in spreading the truths of the gospel. The rules, which appeared in the Primitive Church Magazine, for September, 1862, have been adopted by us. BAPTISM. HUNSLET.-On Sunday, March 7th, five persons were baptized at Hunslet Baptist Chapel, by Mr. R. Ward, minister of the place. DEATH. FEBRUARY 11TH, 1864.-At the Longholme, Rawtenstall, aged 42 years, Miss Alice Hall, daughter of the late Mr. Wm. Hall, and was interred on the 16th, at the Wesleyan chapel, Rawtenstall, when Mr. Nichols, of Sunnyside, and Mr. R. Woodfin (Wesleyan), officiated on the mournful occasion. Miss Hall was baptized by Mr. Nichols, of Sunnyside, on the 19th of March, 1843, and continued under his ministry for the last 28 years, sustaining a long and honourable profession of attachment to the cause of truth, and the ordinances as they have been delivered unto us; and now a large circle of friends have to say, "Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness." (Psalm lxxxviii. 18) £. s. d. A few Friends. Mr. James Jackson. ..... 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 6 0 10 0 0 Miss Ashlin, London ......S. 0 10 Collected by Mr. Whitehead. Mr. D. Town, Stanningley.... 0 2 6 At Bramley. ........ Mr. Henry Proctor. Mr. James Leaver Mr. Thomas Sutcliffe Mr. J. Hartley, Mr. J. Edmondson, Mr. T. Taylor, and Mr. J. Barker, ls. 6d each Mr. T. Barker, Mr. J. Mr. Samuel Greenwood.. Mr. William Hewitt Mr. J. Tomlinson Mrs. John Hartley 0 6 0 Mrs. Spencer Mrs. James Hartley Mr. Thomas Hartley Mr. R. H. Bateman 0 5 0 0 2 Mr. George Scarlett, Armley.. Mr. J. Stewart, Hunslet...... Mr. W. Parkinson, Hunslet. At Chapel Fold. Mr. J. Mitchel, annual Mr. Thomas Haley..... Mr. John Hutchinson...... Mr. Edwin Walker...... RESIGNATION OF THE EDITOR. Three months ago the present Editor officially announced to the Committee his intention to resign at the close of his seventh year of service. This notice will expire in May next, after which the Primitive Church Magazine will pass into other hands. It is expected that two brethren in the North will become joint Editors, but the particulars cannot be given at present as the arrangements are not yet complete. Printed by GEORGE HARRISON, of 11, Cross Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, and published by ELLIOT STOCK, 62, Paternoster Row, in the Parish of St. Faith, under St. Paul's, in the City of London.--FRIDAY, APRIL 1st, 1864. THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH (OR BAPTIST) MAGAZINE, No. CCXLIV.-MAY 2, 1864. Essays, Expositions, &c. SECTS AND HERESIES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. No. 6. POPERY. POPERY has two aspects—the religious and the political. As a religious system, it is one huge fabric of worldly compromises, in which, to conciliate a sinful world, the naked beauty of divine truth is dressed out in the meretricious ornaments of a secular vanity, and the love of show is gratified at the expense of the priceless grace of a modest simplicity. The senses are enlisted into the splendour of a service where a broken and a contrite heart would prove a useless embarrassment. As a political system, its sole end and aim are to exalt the priest at the expense of the civil magistrate, and to make the official on the throne, do honour and homage to the official at the altar. "I and my King" is its everlasting language, but I first, and "my King" afterwards. It proceeds on the appalling assumption, that the human priesthood is of higher import than kinghood, and that he who wears the surplice has more authority in the state than he who wears the crown. From this union of the worldly with the proud-the senses with ambition-sprang Popery and the Pope-the one, a church carnalized, the other a priest enthroned. In the one the senses are gratified to repletion, and in the other priestly ambition is allowed to occupy the highest pinnacle of worldly pride. Beyond this corruption cannot travel, and higher than this pride cannot rise. In full development, and where public credulity renders caution unnecessary, we are here presented with one "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple VOL. XXI.-NO. CCXLV. |