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No. 6.

Vcl. VI.

MARCH, 1883.

ONE

PENNY.

PROPRIETORS: The " Conditional Immortality Association. " PUBLISHINGEDITOR: Cyrus E. Brooks; Office, Malvern Link, Worcestershire. LONDON AGENT: F. Southwell, 27, Ivy Lane, E.C. MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS: BIBLICAL EXEGESIS: Rev. B. B. Wale, Malvern. SACREDSONG: Rev. G. P. Mackay, Lincoln. NOTESANDQUERIES: Gen. H. Goodwyn, Reading. FAMILYCIRCLE: Mr. J. J. Hobbs, Poole. BIBLE LXTTERS: "Devon." LIFE NOTES: AnVENT NOTES: COSMORilIA: POSTALPICKINGS: REVIEW COLUMN:

~ DUE SUBSCRIPTIONS.-Those Mem- affirming and re-affirming that it is "death," the deprivation of life in bers, Associates, and Subscribers who receioe the" second death;" " Gehenna."-" Fear Him who is able to the present number in a COLORED u'j"apper, Destroy both Soul and Body in Hell" will kindly regard it as an intimation that (Gehenna-Matt. x. 28). their Annual Subscriptions are now due; The above critic sends us a tract-book by Punishment." We are they will gj'eatly oblige by forwarding, as H.M., on "Eternal qnite at one with the writer on much that he early as convenient, to the SECRETARY.

LIFE NOTES.
have received by post a copy of our January issue, the heading of which has been altered to suit tbe taste of some unfriendly critic. We assure such that we should not have the least objection to add tbe lines he has written, viz.: "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God ABIDETH on him" (John iii. 36). But we should quote the verse in full, and not garble it as he has done. Thus," He that believeth on the Son hath evrrlastinq life; and. he that believeth not the Son shall not SEE LIFE; but the wrath of God abideth on him." What wrath? That which deprives such of LIFE-for the wicked shall not possess life, it being finally and irrevocably taken in the" second, death," when they shall be "as though they had' not been." Onr criric, by divorcing the text from its context has read into it a meaning foreign thereto. He also adds, to the right hand scale of the engraving, the words" non-eternity delusion." Will he suffer us to assure him that we are under no sucb delusion. That we believe, as firmly as the most, orthodox, in the eternity of future punishment: and that, if the orthodox school ceased to affirm it we should still continue to do so. Let there be no mistake on tbe part of any of our readers, as to the teaching of the Association on this point, we join issue with any and every opponent who denies the strict and literal nnendingness of the future punisbment of the wicked, and affirm th at it continues as long as the reward of the just, as the being of God. But we affirm. further, that orthodox Christianity is wholly and fearfully wrong, in affirming "eternal punishment" to be : conscious suffering and torment, and we join issue with all such by

Editor.

GENERAL CONTRIBUTORS: Mr. W. Laing. Edinburgh. Col. E. Armstrong, Madras, India. C. Underhill, Esq .. J.P .. Oxford. W. G. Moncrieff, Esq., London, Canada. Rev. E. H. Taylor, Thames, New Zealand. M. M. Wilson, Esq., Liverpool. NOTICE TO ADVERTJSERS : That such may personally judge as to the suitability of our columns for their purpose, we state that-our previous issue numbered 2,325 copies, and these circul~ted in the United King-dom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, East and West Indies, United States, and on the Continent. Our present issue numbers 2,350 copies. Terms, on appl.ication to the Editor (enclosing copy of advertisement), or of any of the Agents named herein. No advertisement of stimulants or drugs can be accepted. PREPAID POSTALCHARGES: This Paper is sent free from the Publishing Office at following rates-

To the United Kmgdom, ) Canede, Unitl:'d States, and Europe...... .. . . 0 Ea.t and We8t Indiea ~ Africa., Australia, & New ) ~ Zealand.. .......

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1

18. 6d. 2S. 6d. 4.. 10 6d. .

2s, 6d. 38. 6d. 68. 16s, 6d. . 4.. 78. 198.6d.

affirms, but not I'll; and he will perhaps permit a much-needed criticism and correction. With singular inconsistency he quotes Ezek. xiii. 22, and charges us with promising the wicked life. One sentence is sufficient in reply, We declare such shall die and not live; perish and not be preserved: whilst the school he advocates pro. mises tbem eternal, conscious life (though in misery), and thus is itself guilty of the charge brought by Ezekiel "strengthened the hands of the wicked by promising him LIFE." He says further, we teach-in opposition to Scripture" that when a sinner dies he is annibilated:" and quotes Gen. ii. 17 to prove the contrary. Now certainly, did we thus teach concerning the first or natural. death of the wicked, we should he placing ourselves in opposition to Scripture. . But we do not teach it. How much longer will Christian teachers bear false witness against us? We teach extinction of being only after resurrection and judgment, and in the" second death." The reference in Gen. ii. 17 has no bearing on this, only a f rst and natural death being there threatened. Whatever difficulties the passage may thus contain, is no concern of ours more than of orthodox Christians, and does not touch the question raised by f"llowiug and fuller revelations of m 's destiny. n We also affirm, with the writer-as he shows-that "death" has sometimes a secondary or symbolic meaning; but that does not affect the fact of its primary or literal meaning. The context will always supply the sense in which the Holy Spirit uses the term Lastly, whilst denying that the Hebrew and Greek words which we translate into "eterual," "everlusting," and "forever," have always that force-and notably not in some of the examples quoted (see the Rev. B. B. Wale's letter in a previous issue), yet we again express our perfect agreement with the teaching that as applied to the reward of saved men, and the punishment of unsaved men, they convey the same unending meaning as when

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applied to God. Instead of wasting words, where we are in agreement, and incurring sin by misrepresenting our most cherished convictions as fellow-Ohristians, let our opponents deal direct with the one point at issue, viz.: The nature of the punishment of the wicked, and we will willingly-c-as an Association-debate the point in the press or on the platform. This ringing of the changes, upon the duration rather than upon the nature of the punishment, looks to us, and also to enquiring men in the camp of our opponents, very much like throwing dust or beating the air. An English member of the Association sends us the copy of the last letter received by him, in correspondence with the leading member of the "Plymoutb Brethren." in bis own town. One finds it bard to credit that such a reply could come from one belonging to tbe (so-called) Open Branch of tbat much-divided Body. If such is the conception of religious enquiry formed by the professed liberal-rninded among them-the open," what may be expected from the less liberal, known as the" Close" Branch ?-If these things are done in the green tree, what of the dry? Still we know that such things are done: and know from personal experience too-but let that pass. We give the letter in the following paragraph, suppressing only the address, &c. :"11th January, 1883. Dear Sir,-In reply to yours of the 1st inst., if you had come to me as a guilty sinner or as an ignorant and blinded Christian seeking help from God's word, with an humbleness of mind and brokenness of spirit becoming a person in such a plight, I would gladly have brought God's word before you, but when you come to stir up division among brethren, and when you are so well known as a propagator of most crafty and delusive errors, to the dishonour of God, the joy of Satan, and tbe ruin of souls, I must tell you I decline further correspondence with you. Ere concluding I must state for your information tbat I would not admit anyone to fellowsbip nor retain any in fellowship who denied the Eternity of future punishment and the Eternal existence of all mankind; and everyone suspected of such errors is obliged to sign a paper denying them. before admission to fellowship. You say you are a Christian-I cannot tell-but if you are, may the Lord lead you to repentance, for yon are sadly astray. And if not, may your eyes be opened to ~ee your lost estate ere )'0\1 are plunged soul and b.idy into the lake of fire, where the weeping arid wailing endure for ever. Please write no more to me till you seB tbe error of your WRyR.as I will not reply. Yours, &c.-" Dr. E. Wood Forster writes to correct an error wbieh occurs in No. I, "Bible Letters by Devon." We cordially endorse the correction.-Those that sleep, God will raise by or throngh Jesus. We give the Diaqlott translation of the passage, ere presenting the Dr.'s letter.-" For since we believe that Jesus died and arose; so also (we believe) that God, through Jesus, will lead forth with Him THOSE who fell ASLEEP." " Devon" followed the usual phraseology, as found in the A.V. " Dear Mr. Brooks,- I wish to draw attention to the phrase 'sleep in Jesus,' made use of by , Devon' in bis excellent letter, 'The Saviour satisfied,' (January issue.) 'In Jesus,' is not a Scriptural expression. Certainly it appears in the A.V. as also in the text of the R.V. in 1 Thess. iv, 14. But a reference to the margin will show the true reading to be ' through Jesus,' for is He not the 'Resurrection and the Life.' As Dr. Bullinger well remarks, the reference is 'That Jesus will be God's Agent to awake the sleeping saints, and bring them from their graves.' See 2 Cor. iv. 14. Before the publication of the R.V. the Greek reader might have observed rhat the phrase i< not V I'IO'ov, but that it was oLa TOV I'IO'ov. The Christian is not said to be in Jesus, but always' in Christ.' Jesus was the earthly

THE. BIBLE

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Name, of humiliation, sorrow, death; Christ is His Name after Resurrection,-of glory and exaltation. Believers being justified and accepted in Him in the heavenlies, are said to be 'in Christ.' Oh, Sir, if these truths could but be thundered into the ears of our dead denominationalism. If the 'shepberds had only grace to teach souls that their new life is not in a dead Jesus, but in a living Christ, then might the Church, as a mighty army, arise to the combat, like a giant refreshed with new wine. I am, Yours faithfully, Edward Wood Forster, Member of the Victoria Philosphical Institute." . The Christian W01'ld of Feb. 8, contained a well reasoned letter in fa.vour of "Conditional Immortality" from F. S., Kid~ rminster. Also a brief extract by "Scotus," irom the Rev. J. A. Best, to whom the British Quarterly Review assigns "a place in the foremost rank "-distinctly in favour of the same. Our esteemed President writes (Feb. 15):-' "You will be surprised and sorry to hear of Mr . W. Maude's death, the day before yesterday. The last letter he wrote was that one that appeared in the Christian World, where he expressed himself as 'muddled.' "-Mr. Maude has done splendid service in the past for Life only in Christ; for which his memory will be held in honour.

are away (absent) from the Lord; we are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Now the Apostle is not here referring to a future state of being, wben he speaks of being absent from the body (as is generally supposed,) he is not referring to a future fact, but to a present mental state or condition of mind. This will, we think, be obvious to the reader after a careful consideration of the passage. Observe the peculiar phraseology of the Apostle; he does not say while I am in the body I am absent from the Lord-but while I am at home in the body, I am away from the Lord; -the entire emphasis of the passage lies on these words-" at home in the body." If, as is commonly supposed, the Apostle was contrasting the believer's state on earth now, with his future state in heaven,-it would have been sufficient for him to have saidwhile I am in the body I am absent from the Lord; and this i- what the generality of commentators make him say; but the Apostle would not have written such a childish truism. For what does it amount to? just this: that while I am in the body I am ahsent from the Lord-or in other words, tbat while a man is on earth, he is not in heaven! Can we imagine the Apostle solemnly writing to the Corinthian Church, such a self-evident and childish truism as this. No! he is speaking of a mental state, a present at tainment. We are all familiar with the use and meaning of the words-being" at home" with a person; by which we mean being at home in their society. By Rev. BURLINGTON B. WALE, F.R.G.S. Now Paul was at home "with the Lord," in spiritual communion with the Lord Jesus Christ; 2 Cor. v. but there were times that he was away (absent) HIS chapter is a continuation of the previous from the Lord, attending to things concerning one, the last sentence of which, is "the the body, and concerning this life-for he was things that are seen are temporal, but the things ambitious, he says, that whether present or which are not seen are eternal." The Apostle absent-holding communion with, or away in then proceeds to show what he means by "things spirit from, the Lord, "being at home," or" being temporal," and "things seen," by saying "For from home" (endeemountes eiti exdeemountes) we know that if the earthly house of this to be accepted of Him. tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of Thus the Apostle laboured whether" present God, a house not made with hands, eternal in 01' absent" to do that which was well pleasing to the heavens." It is the earthly tent of our the Lord, that he might be accepted of Him. dwelling, i.e., our worldly and earthly surroundBut if by being "present with the Lord" he ings, " the earth and all that is therein," the meant being in heaven with the Lord, how " things which are seen " from day to day, and could he labour to be accepted of Him? His which, as they are destined to be burnt up, are very presence there would be a proof that he "temporal" or temporary. was accepted; and therefore all "labour" with It is therefore not the human body to which the object of attaining that result would be at an he refers, as is frequently supposed, but to our end. For what a man seeth why doth he yet common earthly dwelling place. And when this hope for? And what he possesses why doth he is dissolved we have a building of God, a dwell- yet labour for? If a man does not know that ing not made with hands, eternal in the he is accepted of Christ, when he is in heaven iu heavens; that is the place which Christ has gone the very presence of Christ, when is he to know to prepare, (John xiv. 1-3.) it? And if he knows it why should he yet In illustration of this thought, Paul says in " labour" for it. verse 17, "If any man be in Christ Jesus there The Apostle was referring to a present experiis (for him) a new creation." If we quote here ence, and not a future fact; that whether he was Heb. ix. 11., we shall "till more clearly see the at home in spirit enjoying communion with the Apostle's meaning; "But Christ having come, a Lord, or "away trom the Lord," engaged (neceshigh priest of good things to come, through the sarily) upon affairs connected with the body, and greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made the concern S of this life, travelling by land or with hands, 'that is to say, not of this Creation"sea; gathering sticks to make a fire, (Acts but eternal in the heavens. Here it will be ob- xxviii. 3.); making tents, (Acts xviii. 3.); or served that the Apostle uses almost precisely writing a letter to reconcile a runaway slave and the same language, where it is manifest that he his master (Epistle to Philemon. ), he laboured is not referring to the" body" but to our earthly, under all circumstances to do that which was temporal dwelling. place, as contrasted with the well pleasing to the Lord that he might be achouse, the tabernacle, the new Creation eternal cepted of Him.-Malvern. in the heavens. For in this state, this world, we groan (v. 2, 3.) earnestly desiring to be invested with our house which is from heaven, so that being invested we shall not be found destitute, but be put in full possession. Not tbat Tharnes N. Z, Nov., 1883. he desired to be divested, unclothed, (for we cannot desire death,) but clothed upon with our EAR Bro. Brooks,-Unconditional Immorhouse which is from above. . tality is going at a tremendous speed here, In verse 5, He affirms that God hath wrought and reminds one of Jeremy Taylor's saying, or fashioned us for this eternal possession; and "How many people are busy iu this world, then adds, being "always confident, and know- gathering a handful of thorns to sit upon." ing that while we are at home in the body we This seems particularly true in the religious

BIBLICAL EXEGESIS

OUR NEW ZEALAND LETTER.

TRE- BIBLE
world. While conversing reoently with the father of a family, on the state of the dead and pointing out to him a few passages of Scripture, we alighted on the Book of Job. " Ah ! do you know, sir," said he, "that one of our deacons c~me to see me the other day, relative to the VIews I have lately adopted, and when we came to these Scriptures he said, 'But, my dear brother, remember that when Job said that he was in the greatest sorrow and sorest affliction and, therefore, I have grave doubts as to whethe; ~e was perfectly SA~E, or altogether responsible for what he said, under such eircumstances.' " Is it not astounding that a, so-called Christian de~con should question the sanity of ~n inspired writar ? because that inspiration went full butt against his pet theory of" Heavenly etheriality and blessed moonshine after death?" Job. x, 19! seems to have affected this deacon's equili. brium to such an extent that he needed remind. ing that the Wrath of man worketh not the ~ight~ousness of God; " the suggestion of Job's insanity must prove to be a tborn in the flesh though. it is frequently used by those higber i~ au.t~ol'lty than deacons. A popular Baptist minister says the book of Ecclesiastes contains among other things, "Sceptical, and almost blasphemous utterances, and advocates beast psyc~ology as an absolute truth, while the same peculiarities are exhibited by the writers of some of the Psalms! " Wisdom ~as asked of God and given, and be. cause the WIse m~n's God.gi~en wisdom is opposed to the ordinary teaching of theologians It becomes an obnoxious thorn, which they cannot extract, and therefore teach that Solomon was the man of pleasure, the fatalist the ~ceptic, the stoic, with only a few enlightened Interludes. These are the inferences drawn in public speech, sermons and lectures, which all must see, w.h? carefully read the Word, is in direct OPPOSItIOn to the sbarply.stated dicta of God. Another thorn in the flesh of orthodox teach. ing IS the enquiry going on among the young people, A young man of my acquaintance recently called on his pastor with a few difficult passages selected, so that he might explain them. The good pastor sat him in a quiet corner, then said to him, " Have you any sympathy WIth these Conditional Immortality views? If you have I. c~nno~ converse with you;" and then-a~ter IntImatIng that the enquiry into tLese things was the unpardonable sin against th~ Holy Ghost-said, "Have I not preached thirteen sermons against this heresy, and being the pa.st.or my wor~ ought not to be disputed!" Individual enqUIry, Mr. Brooks, will eventually overthrow muc~ of the Protestant priestcraft, as the Reformation overthrew much of Catholic priestcraft. Recently the ministers of Auckland requested the Rev. J. Cook, of Boston fame, to lecture on the" Bigna of the Times." Of course, among the SIgns wa~ Conditional Immortality, which he characteIlsed as an exegetical lunacy." A working man met me some days after and said, "Cook said the Book taught the immortality?f the soul, but he took good care not to open It and read from its pages." Of course Cook's harangue helps in some measure temporarily, the wilful misrepresentation afloat co~cerning us and, our teachings, but I verily believe WIth all their contemptuous merriment, banter, and raillery this misrepresentation will prove a thorn to them. Bro, Brown says it is a thorn already. It is, if the spread of Our special truths may be taken as a guide, success is attending and will further attend our efforts' Bowing is going on, and Reed must necessarily remain under ground seme time but will eventually appear and bring forth much fruit. I ~u?pose the dist~nc~ from Orthodoxy to Conditional Immortality IS so great that many

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was; but they knew nothing of the man the Greek philosophers had created. We would say then, that such words as Christ on the present occasion used in regard to Lazarus, must be viewed in regard to their physical reference only. Negatively, then, this passage does not teach any consciousness in man after death. But we will now look at this passage in another light. We go back, and take our stand on Gen. ii. 7. What have we here? We have man, that is the physical frame of man, being formed out of the dust of the ground; then, we have God breathing into this body, which He has formed, the breath of life; and what is the result ? Man becomes a living soul. The soul is not a part of man, nor yet is it a thing in man. It is the man-the living, breathing, thinking, acting organization called MAN. What is death then? How would you kill a man? Simply by reversing the order of creation. Withdraw the breath of life, and man is MAN no longer. He is a dead body. But where is his soul? I said just now that the body and spirit (breath of life) joined together form the soul. Death severs that union and the soul is dissolved, brought to an end. But what is the breath of life? That vitalizing energy we call LIFE; this is given us by God; nay! it is of God. He is the fountain of life, our spirits are but so many drops tiowing therefrom . But what of Isaiah xxvi, 9. Canon Liddon and SYMPOSIUM ON THE INTERME others say that this verse shows that man is composed of body, soul, and spirit; and that the spirit and soul are distinct. With the last part DIATE STATE. of the statement I quite agree-that the spirit [IN accordance with the will of the Committee we open and soul are distinct, in that the one is simply our columns to the above. It must, however, be disBut Canon Liddon goes tinctly understood that neither the Association nor the derived from the other. too far. Mark one or two points; first, the body Editor are to be h.eJdresponsible for, or as endorsing m any way the Views expressed herein. These are is not mentioned, because it is included in the simply the personal convictions of the several writers, word soul; and second, the spirit is simply and appear in these colums merely that our readers particularised because it is the part of man may have the opportunity of studying the question as it appears to the different believers in the cardinal which, acting upon his brain, produces thought truth of Conditional Immortality," and then forming and all other human emotions. their own OpInIOn thereon.-Eo. B.S.] Positi vely the Bible does not teach the con sciousness of man in the death-at te, for when SEVENTH ARTICLE. he dies the spirit goes back to God-back to the BY ROBERT F. GARDINER. ocean of life to circulate through the uui verse, "OUR friend Lazarus sleepeth." John xi. 1l. in the great stream of life which is ever flowing These were the words of Christ when He from the great fountain of ALL LIFE. Glasgow. communicated the death of Lazarus to His disciples; and they suggest one or two thoughts in connection with the subject of this symposium. EIGHTH ARTICLE. To emphasise these thoughts let us turn to Job iii., where we find death represented as a sleeping, or resting. Now it is evident that this BY REV. W. R. TOMLINSON, M.A. resting is looked upon as a reward; let us take SIR,-It has been affirmed in your pages, in one example from the same chapter. "There allusion to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and (i.e., in the grave) the wicked cease from indeed to all the notables of old who died in troubling; and there the weary be at rest." In faith, and tbus entered the Intermediate State, this verse the restful condition of the weary is that" To say that God is their God in an Inter. contrasted with the former troublous state of the mediate State is to link His divine perfection to wicked; and why? Simply to show that when an incomplete condition, which may not be." under the dominion of the great leveller all are Without dwelling on the fact that this life is alike. a vel'Y incomplete condition indeed, and yet that We often see such passages quoted in this we must not doubt that God cares for His fashion-" There the hands of the wicked cease people, I am desirous to show, from Holy Writ, from troubling, and there the bodies of the and that in behalf of God's divine perfection, weary are at rest." But why read the Bible in that God neither neglects nor unlinks Himself this fashion? Because (is the reply) man has from any of His creatures under any position an immortal soul that can never die, and it must whatever, in which' He and He alone places be somewhere when the body dies. Thus to them. Further, that He is not only the God of prove that man has an immortal soul, such souls in an Intermediate State, but that He persons paraphrase the Bible. That is not read. entertains the tenderest regard for them in that ing, but distorting it. state of life, though they have not yet come 1;0 We must bear in mind that these figures of the rest of the people of God; have not ye speech employed by the old Hebrew writers, and received the promises; have not yet been made afterwards quoted by Christ and His Apostles perfect; have not yet attained their crowns. were applied to man's organization as a whole. But surely there may, and must be, abundant They knew nothing of a dual being; one 'this scope for intelligent action short of the crown; minute, dissolved in two the next, one part and before the attainment of that perfection flying to heaven or hell, tbe other being buried. which has eternity in prospect, to work in, and They knew what a man as God created him, a Universe for space.

have to remain in the Intermediate State of wonderment and perplexity some considerable time, e'er they reach the goal. Our duty is plain,-let us hope and trust, let us watch and pray, and labour till the break of day. The most astounding part (If Colonial Christianity to me, is the means sanctioned to raise funds. Fancy a Wesleyan Concert concluding with a dance, and embracing female impersonations by gentlemen, in aid of a harmonium fund! Or" Beef-steak and oyster suppers," with all the prettiest. looking girls of the congregation dressed as waitresses, and the gentlemen of the congregation the customers at a very high figure, just to keep up a minister's salary; yet so I read in our papers. Calisthenic classes and dramatic clubs to aid the Sunday School, &c., &c. I used to think swindling bazaars with goods marked twice their value were bad enough, at home, but when these other things are added and every kind of secular amusement introduced to sustain religious organizations we need not ask why is faith declining, and a laxity hitherto unheard of indulged in. Yet with all this there are other features of great encouragement in the Churches, such as would be a credit to the home organizations; these I may probably mention in future correspondence. Hoping you have had a grand and successful Conference, and that its influence will be far reaching, I remain your brother in Christ, Edmd. H. TayloT.

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People look to the fruition of all their glories on the sudden, and at once. But surely this is contrary to analogy. David had not ascended into heaven, as St. Peter tells us, in his time, though the Apostle to the Hebrews tells us that David and others were watching himself, in his time-consequently were not sleeping. To use the term of Ezekiel as regards the righteous: his' soul was saved alive; and to borrow from the narrative of the Apostle to the Hebrews: David was one of those living, wakeful beings, comprising the "cloud of witnesses" (Heb. xii. 1) who encompassed that Apostle and his followers, and whose supervision of God's servants, still then on earth, was to be an incentive to good works on their part, as it was an intelligent and useful action on the part of devout souls in the Intermediate State to keep watch over them. Now that God is the God of souls in the Intermediate State, and this without detriment to His divine perfection, it seems to me I shall be able to show from the very passages which have been introduced in your pages to prove a contrary theory. The first passage put forward for that purpose, we may remember, refers to the voice addressed to Moses from the bush. What do we find there? (Exo. iii. 6.) We surely find that God is the God of the father of Moses, of Abrabam, Isaac, and Jacob, in that Intermediate State to which it is not derogatory to God to link Himself. What are the precise words? "I am the God of thy father, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." All were in the Intermediate State, but God remains still their God. It is not, I was their God when they were in the flesh, and will be their God again when they are raised from a torpor resembling death, if not from death itself; bnt, "I am" their God still. Stocks and stones may be left to take care of tbemselves, but not souls in any phase of their existence. How can we imagine beings consisting of spirit, soul, and body-whether the body be a spiritual or a natural body-led on towards perfection, except by careful walking in the strait path, in full possession of their senses? We are next referred to Gen. xxviii, 12-15, in evidence that God is not the God of souls in the Intermediate State. But what do we really find? The very reverse of that assumption. God is speaking to the living J acob, iu the flesh. Wbat does He say in the very verses quoted for a contrary assumption? ,. I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." And what had God spoken to Jacob of? That "Thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, .. and in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." So, through the ages, the soul of Jacob, in the Intermediate State, was not to be left until the grand accomplishment of the prophecy. Does this look like God not being the God of souls in the Intermediate State? Does it look like unlinking Himself from an incomplete condition? Then, again, we are referred to JeT. xxxi. 20. What do we find there? " Is Epbraim my dear son . . . . for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefore my bowels are troubled for him." Ephraim, a son of Joseph, had been dead hundreds of years, and ,.yet all that present tender love for his living soul "still." Was not that a linking of the divine perfection to an incomplete condition? and must not the complete, the perfect, be an outcome of the incomplete? 'We are further referred to Heb. xi, 16. That chapter is especially pointed out for our consideration. What does it tell us? "Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wberefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city." I could not desire a more salient Scriptural evidence to maintain my views than the above.

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would keep the Oretan Christians from the evils to which they were so prone. What he prescribed was, First, a plentiful supply of" sound doctrine:" Second, a course, a lite-long course, of "good works;" and 'I'uird, the exercise of much hopefulness. In our text this third item is specially recommended, and with it, therefore we have now to deal. Please note then.I.
THERE IS

For who "now desire a better country?" Patriarchs dead more than a thousand years, of whom God is not ashamed to be called their God. The Lnd God Almighty. I am referred to 2 Tim. iv. 8, as a testimony that an Apostle looked for no reward till the day of the appearing of Jesus Ohrist. Surely, the Apostle does not infer that! What he does say there is this: " Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, tbe righteous Judge, shall give me on that day." Surely, the Apostle implies nothing about looking for no other reward, in the Intermediate State, as coming before" that day." The new heir-apparent to a crown may naturally exclaim, " Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown." Rut he would certainly expect other and earlier honours to accrue before the crown. More, he would not be content to put off honours due to him in his expectant state, for the reason that at some future undefined time the crown wonld be his. Princes, in this life, have often to wait long for their crowns, and it is sometimes exceedingly well that they should do so; but they have intermediate advantages, as well as duties, of no mean order; and none know better than they that intelligent acts of usefulness and duty are more in keeping with their state of expectancy than a life of listless slumber. If the Apostles had thought that the delay of the Second Coming would have lasted nearly two thousand years, there can be no doubt that they would have been more explicit and clear respecting the Intermediate State. Thinking the Second Coming to be near at hand, a glorious event in which they themselves were so soon to participate; feeling certain that neither the once anointed king David, nor any other of the chosen men of old. spoken of in Heb. xi., could receive a crown -that emblem of periectionwithout being joined by themselves, (since " They without us should not be made perfect,") tbey naturally dwelt upon the essential rewards to be heaped upon them after the Second Coming, rather than on what might happen dnring what they believed to be the short period between whiles. So, hopefully regarding the glad event as at their doors; believing that they should not all die before the dream of their aspirations should become a reality, they left to us, alas 1 as a heritage, the pain of the discussion, and the regrets that those who agree together in so much should differ as regards the Intermediate State.

A BLESSED

HOPE

BEFORE

THE

OHRISTIAN.

Christianity does not rob a man of joy during the present life. On the contrary it yields him "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Yet the early Christians had to suffer much for conscience' sake. Their faith cost them something. "They had trial of cruel moekings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented." There was much truth, therefore in Paul's statement, H If in this life only we have hope in Ohrist, we are of all men most miserable." But the Christian's Father is" The God of Hope;" and his Saviour is called" Our Hope;" therefore hope, " the candle of the Lord," shall ever burn within his dwelling. Whatever his circumstances, he is continually looking forward to" a good time coming." Hemay have man, things to gladden him now, but these have no attraction, when compared with" the unsearchable riches of Ohrist," and "the hope set before us." Or he may have persecution, puverty, and pain to bear, but these also are as naught to him. "For I reckon," he says, "that the sufierings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which sh ll be revealed in us." That hope is called" a blessed hope" because ( as one reason,) it brings blessedness into every heart that welcomes it. Blessedness is much more than happiness. It is akm to rapture: a foretaste of s , the joy of our Lord." It comes now through communion with Him, and is so ravishing that each one who has enjoyed it can truthfully say" N at for ease or worldly pleasure. Not for la.me my pra.yer shall be, Gladly will I toil and autter, Only let me walk with Thee, Close to Thee, Close to Thee."

H.

"THAT

BLESSED

HOPE"

IS CONNECTED

WITH

THE ApPEARING

OF OUR LORD.

"THAT BLESSED HOPE"

Sermon by G. P.
TEXT:

Is this at all to be wondered at, since the believer's present joy comes from the presence of his Saviour?
H

MACKAY,

Lincoln.

In darkest shades, if He appear My dawning is begun."

(Published by Requeet.)
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glO?'ious appearimq of the qreat God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," 'I'itus ii.13. ITUS was Paul's" own son after the commou faith," he having been led to the Saviour by the great Apostle. He accompanied Paul on various missionary journeys, and so gained his confidence that he was appointed "the first bishop (elder, or minister,)o! the church of the Cretans," The natives of the island of Crete (now called Oandia,) bore no good character. They were avaricious, lustful, and flse-hearted. "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said The Cretans are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies, (i.e. idle gluttons):" and Paul significantly added, " This witness is true." He was therefore very anxious that discipline should be vigorously maintained in the churches through the island, and he urged Titus to" exhort and rebuke with all authority." But, as" prevention is better than cure," we find that in this epistle Paul gave a prescription which if followed

But the" appearing," of our text, is not that secret presence of tue Master, which the faithful now enjoy. It is the Epiphany, or manifestation of Ohrist, which shall occur at His Second Advent: that appearing which the Apostle Peter refers to, when he says, " Gird up the Ioins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Ohrist." The believer's hope is bound up with that, for unless it takes place,(1.) his Redemption shall remain incomplete, (2,) his Redeemer shall never be seen by him, (3.) his Recompense shall never come. There are three steps in the redemption of a slave. One, when the bargain for it is made; another, when the purchase money is paid; and a third when the slave is removed from the place of bondage. Now, the first two steps have been taken as to the saints' redemption. The covenant is signed, and the ransom, even" the precious blood or Christ," is laid down; but the redeemed are not yet removed. And they shall not be removed until their Redeemer dotn

THE
appear. Then it is, and not till then, than they shall see Him" whom having not seen they love" -" If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also." Then also it is that they shall be rewarded according to their deeds-" Thou shalt be recompensed," said Jesus, " at the Resurrection of the just:" and that, we know, shall not take place until" the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven."

BIBLE

STANDARD.

77
withal, waited more patiently for the glorious day. Oh, let us see to it that we fan the flickering embers of our faith in this great matter, until our hearts glow with warm love to Him, and a flame of fond expectancy arises Heavenwards. Then shall the purpose of the promise be accomplished in us, and, in a measure, Jesus" shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied." May" that blessed hope" so lay hold of us that the language of each heart shall be,
U

He shall be to men as God, so is here called The Great God." 2. "And our Saviour:" because He shall appear" unto salvation." You know there are three Salvations spoken of in Scripture. First, a salvation from the condemnation of sin; second, from its dominion; and third from its doom. The first is past; " for there is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus." The second is proceeding; for daily doth He "save His people from their sins." But the Ill. THE LORD'S ApPEARINGSHALLBE third is yet to come: for death, the doom, or " GLORIOUS." wages of sin, is not yet destroyed. For that His first advent was not an appearing of the salvation He must appear, and when he doth, He Christ: it was a coming of Jesus, "the Man of shall be in a triple sense" our Saviour." sorrows," so it is never called" glorious." He 3. "Jesus Christ;" i.e., Jesus the Anointed. came then in humiliation and the ~hade," to The very placing of the names of our Saviour Is bear the sins of many;" but" unto them that instructive. Here," Christ" following" Jesus" look for Him shall He appear the second time, seems to tell of honour following humiliation. without sin unto Salvation." "The Son of man As our Mediator, He is called the Man Christ shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels JESUS," becanse in that capacity, He is the with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of anointed of God humbling Himself. But from His glory." Heaven" we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus That glory shall be clearly seen. The word CHRIST ." because glory then is given unto Him, Epiphaneia (the Appearing) expresses its visi- and" Death is swallowed up in victory." bility, as the word Parousia (the Coming.) V. UPON THESE THINGS THE CHRISTIAN IS TO expresses its reality. For this the Saviour THINK. prayed, on the dark night of His betrayal: " Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast "Looking for that blessed hope," &c. This given Me, be with Me where I am; that they impliesmay behold My glory, which Thou hast given 1. An Expectation of the Second Advent. Me." And does not this seem due unto the Paul and Titus evidently spoke to the Lord? Is it not right that He whose descent was Cretans regarding it, and this was no new thing so deep, and whose humiliation was so msni- for them to do. Wberever they went the fest, should be as conspicuously raised "far Apostles testified that Jesus would return. In above all principality and power?" doing this they were but repeating the promises But however many His honours then, He made by prophets, by angels, by the Lord, and shall not have one too many. Not one diadem by God Himself. Tbere was every reason, too brilliant upon His brow, nor one ray of therefore, for full expectation. emerald light too radiant around His throne. 2. Desire for it is implied. No one will look When the ten thousand times ten thousand, and for that which he desires not. Rather would he thousands of thousands, say," Worthy is the shut his eyes. And this may be the reason why Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, so many are blind to " tbat blessed hope" to-day. and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, But, oh, if " the Bride, the Lamb's wife," really and blessing," every creature which is in heaven, does not desire the return of her Spouse there is and on the earth, and under the earth, and surely something wrong. If she thinks with such as are in the sea, and all that are in them complacency of His coming as yet far distant, shall respond, " Blessing, and honour, and glory, there is a guilty coldness of heart towards her and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the Lord. throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever I" 3. Preparation for it is implied. This is why If you and I are there, my brethren, (and by the Paul introduces the subject into this very pracgrace of God we mean to be,) we shall join that tical Epistle. No one can be "looking for that Hallelujah Chorus, and sing blessed hope," without striving to prepare himself for its fulfilment. It will teach a man to Jesus is worthy to reoeive Honour and power divine; hold the baubles of this world with a loose grasp, And blessings more than we can give, and will have a wonderful effect upon his life. Be, Lord, for ever Thine," " Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth IV. OUR LORD SHALLTHEN BEARVARIOUS NAMES. himself, even as He is pure." 4. H asterum q of it is included. This it is All names of honour. Paul, in our Text, gives possible to do; and the very possibility should three.cause all to be up and doing. The King's busi1. "The Great God." This, most undoubtedly, is here applied to Him. Is Jesus, then, " God ness may be so advanced by the efforts of the the Father, Almighty?" We would be very Ioyal-hearted , that the day of His coronation may be brought nearer. What does Peter say ? careful in our reply, lest a single honour that then that all these things shall be disis His should be withheld from Him. But the "Seeing solved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in Supreme Being He is not.-He cannot be. "To all holy conversation and godliness; looking for us there is but one God, the Father, of whom and (margin) hasting the coming of the day of are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord God." Jesus Christ. by whom are all things, and we 5. And Patient Waiting is also implied. The by Him." These Two are distinct, and must word translated" Looking," in our text, is the ever remain so. Yet "witbout controversy, Waiting" in Luke ii. great is the mystery of godliness." Our Lord is same as that translated" so closely .related to God that He bears the 25, where we find good old Simeon "waiting for the consolation of Israel." To the Christians of Divine names, and also honours, Divine. Thus He is called, "'Vonderful, Counsellor, The Crete the time might appear long, but Paul desired them not to weary in well doing. Mighty God, The Everlasting Father;" and the decree has gone forth, "Let all the angels of With all patience they were to wait for the fulfilment of the promise. God worship Him." When here .in humble Brethren I Tbis ad vice is needed by us, as by garb, He was in all subjection as a Servant; Their Lord is our Lord. Their trials but when He comes again, in robe of glory, it them. aye, and their evil propenshall be in all authority as Son. "For the and temptations, Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all sities, are to a degree, all ours. Well would it be for us if we had more expectation of our judgment unto the Son; that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Lord's' return, more desire for it, and more preparation; if we worked more for it, and, Father." Though a distinct Person, therefore,
U

I'm wa.iting for Thee, Lord, Thy beauty to see, Lord,

I'm waiting for Thee

FOr Thy coming a.gaih. Thou'rt gone over there, Lord, A place to prepare, Lord, Thy home I shall share At Thy coming again. Whilst Thou ad vway, Lord, I stumble and stray, Lord, Oh, hasten the day Of Thy coming ag ain ! ThiR is not my rest, Lord; A pilgrim coufest, Lord, I wait to be blest At Thy coming again."

NOTES & QUERIES.

EDITED
BY

GEN. H. GOODWYN.

QUERIST I: Exposition of Psalm i. 5, 6, requested, with reference to the Resurrection and Judgment of the Righteous, as contrasted with the destiny of the ungodly.-W. H. P. (Waterford.) REPLY: As the Book of Psalms contains so intimate an expression of the mind of the Spirit of Truth, breathing a piety, and principles of sustaining grace which are the same in all ages for every renewed soul, whilst recognising a peculiar dispensational position in reference to the diverse subjects of that Book, a more mature spiritual judgment is needed to grasp the nature of the ways of God in them, than is req uired for other Books of the Bible. It i-, evident that it is the Spirit of Christ who prophetically speaks in the Psalms, interesting Himself with the varied circumstances of Israel, founding His expr-ssious on national hopes and fears. The following was written by an Apostle after quoting several Psalms; "We know that whatsoever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law." Rom. iii. Thus the Psalms properly concern Israel in whatever position those who are "of Israel" may be. They begin by distinguishing the man who is faithful and godly, according to the Law, from the rest of the nation; i.e., the righteous Remnant in Israel, whose portion is distinguished in a marked way from that of the wicked. Before referring to the Psalm of the Querist, I reply to a remark of his regard 109 the judgment of the Church. He seems to think tbat there will be a judicial arraignment of saints some time subsequent to the rapture, which he calls " previous;" meaning, I suppose, that of 1 Thess. iv. I refer him to a pamphlet of mine on The judgment seat of Christ" (may be had from Editor of B.S., or I will forward copy if Querist will give address; free), where it will be seen that this tribunal takes place concurrently with the Rapture as disclosed at Rev. xii. 1-12. Psalm i. is evidently an introduction to Ps. ii, which treats of the judicial action of the King of God's appointment in the coming kingdom, the former referring to the relati v" position of the righteous representative -Bemnant of Israel, and that of tbe ungodly in view of its mnnifestation. As regards the righteous, "All" who are "of Israel will be saved;" i.e., both those living (Ezek. xxxvi.], and those who will be raised (Euk. xxxvii.) "at the appearing" of Christ when He comes to inaugurate His reign ; thus forming one new nation" a kingdom of Priests and It holy nation." (Exod. xix, 6. \

78
But the ungodly apostate Jews who will, at the Apocalypse of the Lord be found in alliance with the Antichrist, as well as such Israelites who will have been unfaithful during His absence (Ezek. xx. 33-38) shall have no part or lot in the newly formed congregation of the righteous. They shall not be raised with the first party to " stand" in the enjoyment of national hlessings. 2. To the same querist's supposition that " the wedding garment" in the parable is "the incorruptible body." I reply, no, it is outwardly manifested righteousness, the "White robe" of Scripture, a characteristically fitting "garment" for the Resurrection body. See Isaiah lxi. 10. QUERIST il: What :is the hidden manna promised to overcomers, is it the word of God by which we are fed now?-A. M. P. (Newark.) REPLY. The meaning of the hidden manna may best be understood through that which the once manifested manna typified, that was given to Israel in the wilderness. We obtain this sense from the lips of Him who was the Antitype thereof, when He said that He was the true lifegiving manna. Read John vi. 27-40. In the wilderness the people received only" tbe bread that perisheth," but He whom the Father had sent, said, "I AM the bread of life, he that cometh to ME shall never hunger, and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst." In Rev. iii. the" hidden manna" is promised to those who by their faith were kept from the adulterous union of the professing Church with the attractive power of the world, " where Satan dwelleth." Mark, therefore, the Apostle's words, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith," and he adds that" he is the overcomer who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John v. 4, 5. For to that Name of Jesus as The glorified Man alone are linked all the splendour and dominion of the kiugdom to come, contrasted with all secular and ecclesiastical greatness and idolatrous vanity of the present evil age that passeth away. Such was the faith of the overcomers of Pergamos, who held fast that Name by which they were called, and were thus kept faithful in the midst of Satan's policy, neither courting the smiles, DOl'fearing the frowns of the world's minions. Thus it is that this promise belongs to the faithful of the whole of the Church dispensation; they are in conscious union with the Son of God, and separated with Christ from a gainsaying world. "Their life is hid with Christ (tbe hidden-manna) in God; who, when He who is their life, shall appear, shall be also manifested with Him in glory." Col. iii. 3, 4.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
The great American lecturer, the Rev. Joseph Cook, has lately attacked the doctrine of "Conditional Immortality;" ironically calling it "glorious doctrine." Isn't it amazing how foolishly some great men can sometimes talk? As if Mr. Cook's doctrine could be infinitely superior to ours-to the New Testament doctrtne. I dare to say-Yes, Mr. Cook, at the risk of my reading being called "Exegetical lunacy;" I dare to affirm Conditional Immortality to be the doctrine of Christ and of His Apostles. Deny it you may, disprove it you cannot, with all your learning. And you, Mr. Cook, believe in the immortality of the soul, and its endless misery! Glorious doctrine this, indeed! 0, J oseph I Joseph! "Much learning doth make thpe"well, talk at random sometimes. Not the least of our mercies is having a faith different from Mr. Cook's, and a God more merciful than his. For this we will be devoutly grateful. What do I hear onr worthy Editor-in-chief say? "You are trenching on my province in writing thus." Beg your pardon, sir. Another mistake added to all the rest; but you see our " Circle" embraces many of your most intelligent readers, as well as young people, and they too take an interest in these great questions.

given by inspiration of God ;" literally according to the Greek (Theopneustos,) "God-breathed." How important then that we should he most accurate in noticing every word that God has inspired, however (apparently) unimportant. Have respect to the "jot and tittle," and use the Scriptures as the Lord and His Apostles did. The command is, both to teachers and learners, "SEARCH." The Greek word is (ereunao) to trace out, to track, to follow or scent out as a dog; hence to notice how a word is used elsewhere, and follow it out, track it in all its usages, and thus learn the mind of tbe Spirit of Truth. The word translated " searched" in Acts xvii. 11, where the Bereans are commended for having '< Searched the Scriptures," is a different one; (anakrino) to divide up; hence to estimate carefully, judge or sift, proving that, though an angel from heaven may he speaking, the" Word of God" must he compared with what is said, and judged accordingly. These are the principles which contribute to accuracy in the reading of the Bihle, and afford a firm foundation for faith. Reading.

FAMILY CIRCLE.
EDITED BY

J. J.

HOBBS.

OME may remember that the subject introduced into our Family Circle last month was that of contentment. Since then how must reasons for the exercise of that grace have been multiplied about us. Much has lately been written in the papers of the" packing of the poor" in London. Terrible have the revelations been of the crowding in the courts and alleys, with the attendant filth, sickness, and vice. Do any of our Family Circle know anything of this? I trow not, except by reading the reports. Whilst tens of thousands in our great cities have been experiencing crushing poverty, left face to face with the hideous fiends of squalor, sin, and blank despair; most of us have day hy day gathered round our glowing fires amidst still more glowing faces of loving friends; all the more cosy too for the storms and wind without. A short time since, having an engagement to fill in an out-of-the-way country place, I qui.ted my own fireside to sally forth into the gloom and rain and mire towards my destination. After walking some distance in the teeth of a wild tempest of wind and wet, I grew faint-hearted, at the same time thinking, sometimes discretion to be the better part of valour; and that he who runs away may live to fight another day. So turned again and beat an ignominious retreat. Within the shelter of home once more, couldn't I enter into the spirit of the old familiar song,
U

No. 3. BIBLE LETTEBS,BY" DEVON."

PRECIOUS
1.

BLOOD.
1 Peter

" The precious blood of Christ "

19.

QUEBIST ill.: M. M. W. (Liverpool) suggests Home, home, sweet home, as an explanation of the words" Their worm dieth Be it ever BO humble, there is no plaee like home" not," the fact, that "maggots or worms bred in To be deprived of our mercies for a while is corrupting bodies do not die, as maggots, but the sure way of teaching ns their true value. become transformed into pupcs and then into Perhaps it would not prove very agreeable to try flies: and as long as corrupting bodies remain, the experiment of changing our abodes for a reproduce themselves." time for the "packing" of London slums in REPLY: Worms may, or may not" repro. order that we may learn to appreciate our own duce themselves as long as corrupting bodies re- homes. But doubtless the experiment, if tried, main ;" but what happens when there is an end would succeed, and we should enjoy our mercies to the corrupting bodies? " Their worm" must all the more. then" die" for lack of sustenance. Many and great as our social blessings are, But the question at issue in the passage re- they are but few and small compared witb ferred to (Ma1k ix.), is not the immortality of blessings of a spiritual order. What sharp worms, but the eternal destiny of wicked men. contrasts are there between our own Christian The matter is very simply explained in Isa. lxvi. privileges and heathendom.-The faith of our 24, " carcases" of transgressors are subjected to Bible Standard circle and that of others. It is " their worm" and "their fire" to be consumed. true, the views held by us have before now been When there are no more dead bodies for the fire stigmatized as "miserable doctrine," and so they to burn up, or for the worms to feed upon, but are, some of them at least, and it is God who all are reduced to "dust;" then, the fire not has made them 80. Penalty can hardly be having been quenched, dies out, and the worms otherwise than miserable, however just it may having nothing to sustain existence, die also. be. What then of the views of others? Are We the * eounsel-c-v All Scripture is they anything else than" miserable." Miserable seeing call gold" real, precious metal." Why so? that in substantial value it is inNOTE: A word of is a very mild word to apply to them.

EAR FRIEND,-The passage of time brings about strange changes, but it has brought none stranger than that which has transformed the" Cross "-the once symbol of degradation, weakness and shame-into the symbol of honour, power and glory. For, by a figure of speech, we invest the" Cross" with the attractiveness and power of Him who died thereon, by Whose" precious blood" it was sanctified. By another figure we invest His" blood" with all the power and grace of Him who shed it, and it is thus that Peter speaks to us of +preeious hlood; " meaning, of course, the natural lifederived from birth-of the God-man; the power and virtue of which lay in His taking it, " Who in the beginning was God," yet assumed our nature and died as our Second Federal Head. It seems superfluous to offer proof that the " blood" is a synonym for the "life," yet we briefly quote in support,-" The life thereof, which is the blood thereof" (Gen. ix, 4;) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Lev. xvii. 11.) But "life" itself is a synonym for "soul," and in the case of the Lord Jesus, too. Thus: Isa. liii. 10, 12, s , Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin;" "He hath poured out His soul unto death." That the soul is here the life, is clear from Paul's language in Heb. ix. 22, " Without shedding of blood is no remission" (or, putting away of sin): and from the Saviour's also, in John x. 17, 18, "I lay down My life:" "I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." Thus we might, and with strict accuracy, speak of " the precious life of Christ:" it is but giving due honour, however, to the Holy Spirit, to use His own language, spoken through Peter, " the precious blood of Christ." This preciousness is the subject of our present mutual, and, we trust, profitable study. Let us first judge by comparison. Thus we take RARITY,AS A TEST OF VALUE.

THE
ferior to iron which, strangely enough, we call " the inferior ~etal." Why? B~caus~ gold is rare! Were it as common as Iron It would cease to be regarded as the "precious metal." Thus judged, Christ's blood is" precious,': for there is but One "Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved;" that' of Him who said, " I am the Way, the Truth, I and the Life : no mfln cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John xiv. 6.) , We next take as our test of value SACRIFI'eE,OF SUFFERING. Let us suppose our country in danger, all its best interests at stake. By mutual, patriotic, and giant efforts its liberty is secured. Now it is the will of our rulers to signalise this glorious event by bestowing solid honours upon a chosen few. How determine the most worthy? What shall be the test of merit? That of sacrifice anti suffering. We examine this selected candidate. Why are ou chosen for this honour friend? He ansIers, Because, at the cry of danger, I was the first to leave-with one quick, strained embrace-my household treasures, to adventure life for my country's good. In that day which saw the foe beaten back from our shore, I stood in the thickest of the terrible fight, and-amid the hail of bullets, the storm of heavy shot and shell, the fierce shock of battle: though wellnigh unnerved by the cries of the wounded, the moans of the dying, and the ghastly faces of the dead-I did my duty, until I was cut down by the foeman, but restored by my comrades, to be 'hus rewarded.. . , . Judged by this test, .ChrIst s ~lood IS " precious." Was ever sacrifice like His? Has ,R". H'e m. sU.uenng an equa I' Heaven '.' honour .. adoration, power~ all laid aside for IncarnatIOn., Welcomed, the bitter experience of human life ; its persecutions, sorrows, poverty, and cares. Bravely borne, the passion of Gethsemane ; the humilation of the mock judgment; the last dread scene of Calvary, when He took the cup of death and drained it to ~he dregs. F?r whom this sacrifice? this. suffenng? For this world and race whose SOli had been ,usurped, whose liberty despoiled, and whose cnes mocked by a tyrant and a monster, alien thereto. To.redeem it and us He came, and fought, and died, but out of death plucked victory for Himself and us. Truly His bl?od-WI:IO was :' ma~e perfect through suffenngs" -IS "prectQlIs I For all that He has won for Self of personal glory: all for us of priceless and lasting benefit, has been won at the price of sacrifice, paid for in drops of "precious blood," by" the suffering of death," by which He has purchased life for all them that believe. Or, we may take the GIVER OR ASSOCUTIONS of a gift, as stamping it with its value. Thus: A widowed mother has one only 80n, the child of many prayers and tears. He has long wandered a stranger to his home, and to her who nursed him. But prayers and tears at length bear fruit in his ingathering to the fold. The new heart, renews true affections, and leads him to seek his home that he may devote his strength and skill to minister unto his mother's needs. Alas I he reaches the well-remembered scenes only in time to receive that mother's blessing and to close her eyes in peace; her prayers ~nswered; her son save~ ":with an everlasting salvation." Her last gift IS the Bible, which for years has been her solace, hg.ht and stay. Will not the value of that gift be intensified by the mother's hand whieu gave, and the memories of the prayers and tears and love and blessing which cluster round it? Most assuredly so I Thus also, is Christ's Blood" precious." It is a Sa~iour's Gift. It was given in tears: in

BIBLE

STANDARD.

79
to pure and noble thought and feeling like" the precious blood of Chri-t." To those thus melted into tenderness, it manifests its further power of RENEWING THE HEART.

I I

I I

prayer: in blessing. Given in Death. His J?yi,;g Gift.,. The gracious, glorious P.erson. of Christ, the Giver; and the Holy memones which whisper, 'Gethsemane,' 'Calvary,' make it indeed" precious." .. . We pass now to consider Its preciousness judged by.a~otherstanda~~ of val,~e. "Precious" III What.t .s. It IS the blood of a PURE A.NDPERFECT BEING. Grand names stud the roll-call of the" mighty dead"; but none 00 grand as the name of" Jesus the Christ." Great power have these to stir the heart and mould the thou.ght f?r hign and holy purpose; but none so mighty m thiS. power ~s that of Him Who became dead at;td lives again for ever~ore. Deep are t~e footprmts. ther,.have left behind them on the .sands of time , but deep.est beyond all companso~ those of the .oncecrucified but now exalted Saviour. Ye~, It .1S the he~rt's best " bloo~ " of .the ?,est and kingliest of Bemgs-and thus prectOlIs. It is, moreover, the" blood" of One who was bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. Even OUR ELDER BIIOT8ER. Wonderful is the yearning of flesh to its kindred flesh: blood is to blood as the magnet to the pole. And thus He Who shed His blood for us, is not a stranger of another race, "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of AbrahaJn." Since" the children (of men) are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same." He is our Elder Brother; "thejilstborn of every creature"; the true" mangotten from the Lord;" the" Heir of all things." Our blood answers to His" blood", and avers concerning it that it is " eciolls " pT But we must go further than this. He is more than man. This" blood" is-we write in all reverence-the blood of

Among the devices of he enemy, the most common is the complaint-" I am too sinful and unworthy to be forgiven." To such suggestions our reply has ever been,-" If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness:" "And the BLOOD of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth us f101n all sin" (1 John i. 9, 7.) But how does the "blood" operate? how cleanse? How! By the Holy Spirit, who renews our affections, thoughts, will. But how renew? How I By the implanted germ of a new life, operating Irom withiu , as, also, by His gracious influence acting from without. But why ascribe this to the "blood"? Why I By the law of cause and effect. The cause here being the virtue of the "blood"; tbe effect being the operations of the Holy Spirit. We cannot overestimate the preciousness of that which brings us into vital and undying union with the" Li ving Father"; and enables us in John's glorious words to say,-" Now are we the sons of God, aud it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Hun ; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John iii. 2.) To the heart thus renewed it comes day by day as a welcome guest, soothing and sustaining. Thus it SATISJ'IIISTHE BELIEVER. - Nothing else will. Not Art-Poetry-Pleasure -Riches - Power-Fame. Only Christ; and Him, only in those seasons when we most fully apprehend His presence and power ; when we suffer our hearts to be as harps played on by His sacred hands. At such seasons,-and, we THE INCARNATEGOD, repeat, only at such Tabor-glimpses and experi"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not ences- are we really, fully satisfied.-Alas I that robbery to be equal with God" tPliil: ii. 6). they are so few! But the moment the vision Of Him, Who is Man-Deified-God-Incarnated : fades, and the hard, stern realities of the world "God (Who) was manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. and the flesh force themselves upou us, we painiii. 16.) Oh, Peter I speaking of the life-blood fully realize that nothing but His eternal presence of such an One, well may you term it "precious and power can permanently satisfy. With, howblood."-It is "precious"l ever, the blissful knowledge of such sweet, Let us again change our standard of value. ecstatic throbs of purest, heavenly pleasureIt is " precious" for What it Does. It rare, because too consuming to the flesh, and only permauently possible when this mortal SOFTENSTHE HEART. becomes immortal-purchased for us (here and There is no melting, moving power at all com- hereafter) by the sacrifice of Heaven's Lamb, parable to the" Cross." Alas! alas I that the well may we echo the glowing language of the Church for Fifteen Centuries should have trusted Holy Spirit, and- say,-" The precious blood of in " an arm of flesh," by substituting for the Christ." motive-force of that Gospel which consists in Thus far we have dealt only with its preciousthe tears, blood and dying love of Christ,-the ness in life: but what of death! It also whip of hell, the fear of torment. And even SUPPORTSTHE DYING. now, though those fifteen centuries mutely Anticipating the end of life, David said, " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me " iPs, xxiii.) That he realized this in death we know from" the last words of David " (2 Sum, xxxiii), "He hath made with me an Euerlastinq Covenant, ordered in all things and sure." Paul's experience was of a kindred kind.-" For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a clown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Tim. iv. 6-8.) But we live in modern times; exposed to the full whirl of the rushing tide of a busy world's activity; when faith is dying out, and a spurious and merely formal religion has largely usurped its place-as foretold by Paul, the "form of qodliness;" with the denial of "the power thereof." (2 Tim, iii. 5.) Is it still true, to-day as of old, that the "blood" of Christ is " preci-

witness to its folly, the Church is still too largely fighting sin with this "jawbone of an ass" (though the weapon is obsolete, and the Church no Samson), to the neglect of that "sword of the Spirit," treasured in the" Word of the Lord "-the story of the" Cross ": " the precious blood of Christ." When Brainerd first exercised his ministry among the North American Indians, his theme was" the terrors of the Law." But they heard with stolid indifference-perfectly unmoved. Then, obeying that "wisdom which is from above," he passed from Law to Gospel. From Sinai to Calvary. Ab! how great the change in the manner of his auditors. No longer stolid and impassive, but melted into interest and tenderness; big tears raining from the eyes, and furrowing the cheeks of squaw and warrior alike, whilst convulsive sobs broke from their heaving chests. Calvary was a new revelation, and it touched all that was kindred in our common nature. Yes, yes! nothing moves the heart-still capable of emotion-nothing stirs

80
ous" in its power to support the dying? Yes, consciously so, in the case of every true Christian-provided the mind is not affected hy disease. Such are exempt from that dread the worldling-the fear of death. Why so? because they love death? No. indeed! It is a hateful rather than a lovable thing: whose cold embraces they would most gladly escape, were that possible. Why then not fear it? Because death has lost its terrors. "I'is but a quiet sleep, iu calm security. And that under the watchful care of Him who is the "Re,urrection and the Life," who giveth His beloved sleep, and will not fail to awake them in the morning of the" first resurrection," when death shall have no more dominion over them. Such in death as in life put their trust in " the precious hlood of Christ" -and it sustains them. Yet once again we shift our standard of value, testmg the preciousness of this" blood" by What it is yet to do! Prophecy declares of Christ, "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." (Isa. liii. 1l.)-Satisfied with the results yet to appear from the pouring forth of His" precious blood." Christ's own promise saith, "Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood (by an act of faith) hath eternal life ; and I will raise him up at the last day. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. As the Living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that. esteth Me. even he shall live by lIJe," (John VI. 54, 56, 57.) Resurrection and Life are here depicted as flowing from the" blood." Resurrection t The" blood" is then to

THE

BIBLE
LIFE

STANDARD.
we refer him to Gen. iii. 4: "And the serpent (.,;atan) said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die." The" Satanic Lie," therefore, is on the part of tbe opponents of "Conditional Irnmortality." wbo aver men cannot die. Other journals, however, have shown manifest sympathy with Mr. Dening. The Liverpool Daily Post of Jan. 24th had a very catholic article, whilst the Christian World has freely lent its powerful aid to the ventilation of tbe question. That the Rainbow did so, goes without saying. Public lectures are being delivered in the large centres of population by Mr. Dening. That at Liverpool was held in Hope Hall, being presided over by the Rev. R. Irving, M.A., Incumbent of Christ's Church, Sefton Park. Mr. Irving has recently preached to his own congregation a course of three sermons on "Everlasting Punishment not Torment," which we notice in another column (Held over.)

FOR LIFE

of

is the teaching of the Word. The life giveu in resurrection is the fruit of the Life laid down on Calvary. Life ransomed from Death-not from Torment. Life bestowed on dead men in virtue of the Life laid down by Christ. The Pauline question-concerning the difficulty at which faith staggers and reason scoffs-is not," Why sbould it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should make undying men happy,"
but, " RAISE THE DEAD! "

This is the -chi-f preciousness of the" blood," that all who died in Adam should live in Christ: and that all who are raised in the faith of Christ should live eternally through and with Him, in happy, fadeless, perfect, immortal being. Amidst the prevailing neglect and indifference of both the cultured and the ignorant. the professing and the scoffing, let us prize the "precious blood." Paul-like, glory in the" Cross." Peter-like, declare and trust the virtues and sing the praises of our alone hope and plea" THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST."

Yours faithfully,

"Devon."

POSTAL PICKINGS.
the .non-jurors who were delivings, was Henry Dodwell, the Camden Professor of ancient history, who is also known for his speculations on " Conditional Immortality. " See" An Epistolary Discourse, proving from the Scriptures and First Fathers that the Soul is a principle naturally mortal." By Henry Dodwell, London, 1700. In the "Diocesan History of Oxford," 1882.-B'i,kenhead. I am glad to see that the Bible Standard so well maintains its character as a journal upon the two great subjects of Life only in Christ and the Personal return of our Blessed Lord. Surrounding circumstances all contribute to indicate the great fact that the" Lord is at hand." -Oxford. I have received from Mr. R. J. Hammond, London, two parcels of books on Conditional Immortality and Prophecy, in which there were a few numbers of the Bible Standard. It is after having read these that I wish to receive it regularly. If I had known sooner such a paper was published, I should have taken it.-Amiens, France. Glad to see the marked improvement in the Bible Standard; and, also, its increased circulation. I trust this may be but the beginning of better and more prosperous things, and that owner s and Editor may be cheered by its continued usefulness and success. I like the "Symposium on the Intermediate State" ve1'y much, as we should never be afraid of the in. vestigation of truth. Allow me to compliment you, on the paper altogether, for it is now worthy of our highest commendation to others, . and also a fit representative of the "Association," and the views advocated by it.-Bmdford, Yorks. Hints to Baptist Churches. I have received the following from a friend of mine :-I wish I could contribute a trifle to your good cause, but you know what the pecuniary position of a poor Baptist Minister is. We have no protection; no appeal; hardly get enough money to buy food, especially if we have a family. Are expected to look like gentlemen: to preach like angels: to speak words to every body as sweet as sugar: and to be instrumental in saving hosts of poor souls from eternal torments.Liverpool, The meeting (Mr. Dening's Liverpool meeting- see another column), was not attended by . more than 300 persons. I thought the place would be crowded. It is surprising the apathy shown by Christians generally, but this array of big guns coming over to our side, is evidently shaking the faith of the orthodox. Mr. Dening is a fine, manly fellow, and gave a very good

IN1689, amongst prived of their

THE C. M. S.

&

REV. W. DENING.

nE SPOIL THE

TOMB.

" Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" was Paul's question to Ring Agrippa. Why, indeed! He who created. He who sustains. He who returns all earthly beings to the dust. Who makes and unmakes, can surely re-make; bring back the severed life, and form for it a body as it may please Him. If man was able to createeven the meanest thing that crawls-there might be some show of reason in his denial of resurrection-supposing him unable, when tbat thing made had returned to dust, to bring it forth again in resurrection-life-but not otherwise. It is but reasonable to suppose tbat He who forms can re-Iorm : for the things impossible with the creature, are possible to the Creator. But on what basis is this Divine power to be exercised? On that of the Saviour's personal resurrection ; and that, again, on tbe basis of Calvary and the" Cross "-" the precious blood." Human life was forfeit. Tbe sentence had rung down through the ages-" Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." All had stooped to t.he grave, for all in Adam died; but in Christ, the Second Adam, "shall all be made alive." The order differs, "Christ the first[ruits ; afterwards they that are Christ's at His coming. Then cometh the end,"-or general resurrection, and following events. The purpose also differs-Those that are His, at His coming, rise to " Eternal Life; " those at the end, some to "Everlasting Life," and others to "shame and everlasting contempt,"-but the fact of resurrection. is alike to each. It was by or through death that Christ became" the Resurrection and the Life:" thus, " He by the grace of God (tasted) death for every man: " "Being found in fashion as a man, He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross:" "By man (Christ) came also the Resurrection of the Dead." By the power of His own most" precious blood" did Christ lay on Oalvary the basis on which Divine love and power might operate to restore a dead and dying race to life. "Prec ious blood," in virtue of which" the dead shall hear the voice of tbe Son of God: and they that hear shall live."

HE expulsion of the above, one of the most active, honored, and useful workers of the Church Missiona.y Society, has called forth considerable sympathy, and will, probably, be used of God for the furtherance of Scriptural truth. An influential committeo has been formed, to provide pecuniary means to enable Mr. Dening to return to Japan, and to prosecute his work there as a clergyman of the English Church, though no longer a member of the staff of the C. M. S. The following influential names are advertised as on the committee :-C. A. Swainson, D.D.; G. G. Stokes, ~.A.; J. C. Adams, M.A.; J. J. Stewart Perowne, D.D.; Archd. Geikie, F.R.S.; W. Hay M. H. Aitken, M.A.; P. G. Tait, M.A.; and Alex. H. Simmonds. Professor Stokes receives subscriptions at Lensfield Cottage, Cambridge. Doubts having heen expressed as to the members of tbe committee being personally believers in " Conditional Irnmortalitv ." a letter appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post, from which we briefly quote: "The Committee formed to raise funds for sending Mr. Dening back to Japan, do hold the views known as "Life in Christ," and feel it to be necessary to make M1'. Dening's case known, so that tolerarion shall be extended to other missionaries. .. One well-known and highly-respected canon of Liverpool writes, 'If such views are to be branded heretical, many of the ablest of our clergy must accept the brand.''' The letter is signed A. H. Simmonds. Commenting upon the case of Mr. Dening and the C. M. S., the Rock says, "While giving M1. Dening and bis friends every credit for being honest and conscientious, it must also be admitted that the directors of the Church Missionary Society have simply discharged a painful duty." The Record asks, Are the committee of the Church Missionary Society to leave the question entirely open for their Missionaries to teach anything they like concerning it? " The Protestant Standard says, "We hope, however, that the Society will hold fast by its old lines and not give way one hair's hreadth in this matter. The doctrine of 'Conditional Irnmortality' has no warranty in Scripture, and to assert that the wicked who die in their wickedness will be finally annihilated, is a premium on vice, and a most subtle Satanic Lie." The writer in the P. S. was surely napping when he penned the last sentence? In proof,

THE
./

BIBLE

S'rANDARD .

81
I should not like Him when He comes, A wandering lamb to find; If I were idle, selfish, proud, Untruthful, or unkind,How I should try to hide my face, And from His presence flee! I could not look for Him with joy, Or long His face to see . Lord Jesus, as the days go by, And Thine own Day draws near, o make me know that I am Thine, For then I need not fear, If I am cleansed, and kept from sin, From Satan's power set free, Then I may look for Thee with joy, And long Thy face to see! A LADY OF HULL. EVENING HYMN. (L.M.)

lecture-as far as it went-but he did not tell us what the result of the new teaching was to the intelligent Japanese. He intimated that, if the Society insisted upon the J apanese missionaries preaching eternal torment they would have to expel tbem all.-Liverpool.

SACRED
EDITED BY THE REV.

SONG.
G. P.
MACKAY.

THE

CHILD-HEART.

(6.4.)

ADVENT

NOTES.

HE Daily News says,-" The air of Russia, the air of the whole European Continent, is full of the germs of socialism, and anarchy, and Nihilism, and all the other strange and monstrous undergrowths of modern life, with its political strivings and social sufferings and class diseontents." -Small comfort would there be in this patent fact, but that it whispers, as a foretold state of society," The Lord is at hand." The Rock adds its quota to the testimony. Saying, "We live in perilous times. Dis-' tracting news from sea and land, fire and tempest, and many other solemn visitations. are amongst the daily records." One of the most thouahtful of the leaders of French Socialism-M. Reclus-says, " The nation believes in nothing-neither in the power of the Church to make them happy in another world, nor in the power of governments to make them prosperous in this." If we. may judge, this witness is true in this, that society is in a terrible state of unbelief and anarchy. His cure however is a vain chimera-" Faith in the solidarity of the human race," ours is the only hope for a guilty world-" Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." A remarkably seductive and dangerous book has appeared (which we do not intend to advertise by naming here), professing to be the Earth and Spirit Life Experiences of one who was a contemporary of the Lord Jesus Christ, and on terms of the closest intimacy with Him. Its source is evident, from the fact that it completely ignores the Deity of Christ-treating Him as a creature only; and denies the accuracy of Holy Writ by recording things contradictory thereof. The contents of the book were revealed to a medium whilst in the trance-state, and were reported from his lips during 120 sittings. That it is clever, goes without saying, considering its source-Satanic Agency, which no true student of the Bible can doubt; aud is another proof to us, that the chariot of our Lord is near, seeing that we regard this work as an illustration of 1 Tim. iv, and Rev. xvi. The return of Judah goes steadily on. An eye-witness writing to the Christian, under date Jerusalem, Dec. 20th last, says, "The Jews are rapidly returning here, not only from Russia, but from other quarters, and their mmbers may be estimated safely at some Twenty Thousand whilst the total population of Jerusalem is 40,000. These figures I got from the best sources. The town is extending so rapidly outside the walls that in a little time the outside portion will be the most important, as it is already by far the most agreeable, and house property is lowering in the old town. One principal object I had was to find out the possibility of placing afflicted families in the land of their fathers. I ani glad to say that this object is perfectlv attainable; and already three good proposals have been made that will make the great problem of the beginning of the colonization of Palestine no longer a vision or a chimera but a fact." A passage in the above paragraph-s-" The town is extending so rapidly outside the walls," reminds us forcibly of Ezekiel xxxviii. 11. as outlining impending events. 'I'he attempt to found Jewish Colonies in America has proved a wretched failure, showing that God in His providence intends" the deso-[ late land (of Palestine) shall be tilled" by His outcast people.

I'
I
.
I

");~ NTO the worldly wise, ~ And men of prudent eyes, Shineth no light. Howe'er they may have striv'n, Thou, Lord of earth and heav'n, Never to them hast giv'n The sense of sight. Only the babes can learn ; None but babe-hearts discern Knowledge divine; Their eyes Thou dost not seal, Nor truth from them conceal; But dost to such reveal Line upon line. All they of childlike mind, Simple, sincere, and kind, Born from above; Hearing what Thou dost say, Fearing to disobey, These walk in wisdom's way,They learn through love. Lord, make me as a child, Meek, lowly, loving, mild, Free from earth-care; Leaving all guile and art, Choosing the better part; Seeking my Father's heart, And resting there. G.P.M.

:
I'

.-*NOTHER day its course hath run, And wearied nature seeks her rest Hushed by the quiet eventide, And with its gentle influence blest.

'I

, .
I

Once more the dews of heaven descend, . Giving new life to tree and flower; Sent by a gracious Providence With silent, yet with won'drous power. So may our faith new life receive, And hope revive in every breast; Our feeble love take deeper root, Our weary souls find soothing rest. Then when our life's short day declines, And on us steals the night of death, Oh, may our hearts take confidence, Remembering what the Saviour saith. That though the gloomy night may come, A glorious morn at length must break, U uelouded by the curse of sin, When we to endless life shall wake.

I I *RT

LABOUR

AND

LOVE-

(8.7.)

i
,

thou satisfied with doing? A Working, is it thy chief aim? Would'st thou pay in part thy ransom, Weaving webs to hide thy shame? Art thou satisfied with sowing, Without seeking to be sown? Seeds of love have they been planted In thy soil, where weeds have grown? Is thy well, the heart of Jesus? Dust thou draw and drink of Him Life that He so fully gi veth, Freely as He drew thy sin? Saith thine heart,-' l 'm nothing! nothing! Christ has worked, and I adore; Christ who liveth and was dead, and Is a live for evermore'? Good it is and right this doing; When there's faith, and hope, and love, Ever breathing to the Spirit, For the increase from above. Loving work is worth the doing: It shall stand the test of fire; All the rest is straw and stubble, Never worth the labour's hire. H. BURNETT. WE LOOK FOR THE
(FOR THE

C. DONNER.

COSMORAMA.
UR limited space compels us to study the utmost possible brevity of expression; though it would be quite possible to fill this paper with the record of the startling and suggestive things which happen monthly on the face of this earth. Madrid, the Spanish capital, records a singularly high death rate for the past year; the deaths were 3,447 in excess of the births, being equal to a rate of 45 per 1,000. If that became general in the Peninsula, Spaniards would soon be an extinct race. Public opinion has been much stirred in Vienna by the protracted visit of the Russian diplomatist, M. de Giers. It is thought that Russia and Austria have arrived at a common understanding-with the tacit assent of Germany-upon the Turkish question, and that this bodes no good to Turkey. Austria is also credited with much activity in Macedonia, sowing the seeds of annexation. In this, however, Austria must reckon with Greece as well as with 'I'urkey, Nature has been busy vindicating her power, and contesting the supremacy of her puny masters. By a snowslip on the Rocky Mountains, America, 7 lives were lost and many persons injured. The Western States have suffered terribly from floods. The Ohio river at Cincinnati rose to a height of 66 feet. Ten miles of its frontage were flooded; several hundred cattle were drowned, and several thousand persons thrown out of employment. Later reports state a sad loss of human life also. Great damage has been wrought at Home also, and many valuable lives lost. At Penzance, solid masses of stone, two tons weight, were lifted and thrown across the promenade by the

SAVIOUR.
YOUNG.)

(D.e.M.)

C.\NNOT tell, I may not know, When Jesus will be here; But some day, when we least expect, I know He will appear. Then, Lord, may I be washed from sin, And pure and spotless be, That I may look for Thee with joy, And long Thy face to see.

Jfi:

i I

Each morning when I wake from sleep, o teach me, Lord, to say"I know that Thou art coming soon, And this may be the Day! Then help me, Saviour, by Thy grace, To live this day for Thee, That I may look for Thee with joy, And long Thy face to see."

82
force of the waves. Within the last few weeks no fewer than 15 storm centres have spent their strength upon our coasts; whilst, in the first nalf of February, the rainfall has been 50 per cent. higber than the average for the entire month. In Spain (Murcia) no less than 130 shock of earthquake have been felt since last October. Many of the terrified inhabitants are camping out in the open fields. By the loss of the steam-ships Cimbria. and Kenmure Castle, with, together, nearly 450 lives, we are again reminded of the dangers of those who do business on the great deep (an everincreasing number), and of the frailty and uncertainty of human existence. Holland has learnt a painful lesson as to the destructive power of modern explosives. By the accident at Muiden, near Amsterdam, a powder mill and twelve adjacent buildings have been wrecked, and 12 persons killed. Fire has, too, been adding some painful chapters to the story of the month's doings. Newhall House, Milwaukee, America, has entombed 82 persons. Havana, in the Philippine Islands, has suffered great destruction of property, with injury to 100 of its citizens. But the most fearful example is seen in Birditscheff, Russian Poland, where above 300persoDs perished under unusually painful circumstances. There is every reason to fear that the bulk of these were under the influence of spirituous liquor. Cerea, like its neighbours Japan and China, is coming under Western influence. Treaties have been concluded with America, England, and Germany; whilst the roadside obelisks are to be removed which have hitherto notified to foreigners that they were not allowed to travel in that country. The" Red Prince," now travelling in Syria, has, by the decease of his father, Prince Charles of Prussia, come into possession of one and a half million sterling. To a man of acknowledged ability, such wealth offers great promise. Had we his ear we would suggest that be devote his talents and wealth to the re-nationalization of the Jewish people. None could desire a better opening than now presents itself to found anew an ancient nation. It has to be done by some instrument, and done soon. If done by Germany, there would be less jealousy than if attempted by any Mediterranean power. French democracy has found a saviour for society in the person of a certain M. Raoult. In what does his remedy consist? In this,the constitution of a tribunal which should say to all citizens, "Show your hands," and then condemn to death all whose hands were not hardened with toil/Such are the follies which find favour witb a numerous and dangerous class. France has already experienced some of the results arising from tbe loss of her Tribune. The Napoleonic manifesto was followed by a semi-panic, which produced the downfall of the Duclerc Minisuy. That has been followed by the illness uf the head of the new Falliere's Cabinet, and the rejection of its measure by the Senate, and that, in turn, by the fall of the Ministry. This cons tan t change of the Cabinet is very hurtful to the interests of France. Hungary is threatened with de-population. In ten years she has lost by emigration nearly 23 per cent. of her able-bodied male population. At Home some alarm is being caused in religious circles at the steady increase of Romish influence and power. We neither deny or minimise that fact, but it causes us no concern. Romanism is a foredoomed power, and though it gains here, rapidly loses on the Continent and in America. Our danger lies in growing infidelity and practical atheism. Whatever else the" Salvation Army" may have accomplished, it has certainly revealed tbe existence in our midst of a powerful and organised army of ruffians, whose only law is their own will. The" Skeleton

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.
AGENTS MEMB. Carlisle has further increased its Sale of Bible Standard, having taken B7 of Feb. issue. Ashion-under-Lnrne has increased its Sale of Rainbow and Messenger. Mr. T. J. Hitchcock has kindly authorised us to publish his name as Local Agent for Glasgow. Will other friends, willing to devote a little time and labour to the good cause, communicate? COLLECTING CABDS. We have published a double card, ruled for Members and B. S. Subscriptions and Lecture Fund Donations. Shall be happy to supply these to Members and Agents. The front and back pages furnish ample information to those in whose hands they may be placed, and leave little for the collector to do personally. We have printed 500, and shall be glad to get them all into use. THE BIBLE DEFENDEDAND ATHEISMBEBUKED. This valuable Reply to the Atbeistic Lectures of Robert G. Ingersoll, has now passed into a Second Edition.-A sufficient tribute to the merits of the work. We have a few copies left of the First Edition, wbich we are wishful to clear out to make room for the Second. Published at 50 cents, (2s.) but offered post-free at Is. Bd. This edition has been very favourably reviewed by several American Papers. The Washington Post says, "He seems possessed of a quick insight into the weak points of his opponent, and knows bow to present them to the best advantage. Not the least interesting chapter in the book is the argument that eternal punishment is not eternal pain."-The Laurinburgh (N.C.) Enterprise says, "Ingersoll is a smart man and ergo a dangerous one, but he has met a foeman in Mr. Magruder worthy of his steel." The New York Herald says, "Mr. Magruder knows his Bible well, and makes good use of his knowledge." The Second, Edition is to hand, and may be had from our Malvern Link Office post-free for 2s. 3d . THE CLOSINGDAYS OF CHRISTENDOM. This valuable work from the pen of the Rev. Burlington B. Wale, may be had post-free from our own Office for 5s, as we have purchased a small parcel from the publisher. Neither of these two works is at present supplied through our London Agent. IN TYPE, BUT HELD OVER. "Six Eternals," by E. H. T., unavoidably held over to next issue. REVIEW COLUMN. This is in type, but held over through want of space.

Army "-a term now so familiar to the newspaperreading public-is a fact fraught with danger to the peace and prosperity of the realm. Neither is this lawless ruffianism confined to this country, for Geneva and other Swiss towns have seen shameful manifestations of its violence. Egypt is rapidly settling down to something like order and good government, and there seems very little likelihood of English withdrawal. Tanta-tbe Holy Place of Egyptian Islamismhas been holding its stated Fair." Pitiful in the extreme are the pen- pictures given by the London Press of the scenes enacted under the garb of religion. One wonders, in reading such records, at the long forbearance of God; tbat Mohammed's system of Antichrist has been suffered to exist so long, and rejoices that its 1,260 years are numbered, and its end indeed nigh. Turkey still goes blindly on, hoping against hope, but with constantly-increasing trouble. In the North-west she has bad blood with Montenegro; in the North threatened by the two eagles of Russia and Austria; in the East a prey to civil discord; in the South struggling with armed Arabian rebellion; and in the West anticipating the seizure by the Mediterranean Powers of the whole of her North African possessions. Indeed, she would be an object of pity, but for her terrible history and destructive rule.

OFFICE
MONTHLY

NOTES.
STATEMENT.

January

1st to 31st,

1883. -, Annual 3,

New Members received :-Life Branch-, Total 3. Subscriptions, Donations,

and Collections:
s. d. 0 40 0 4: 0 3 6 S6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 1 6 10

. s. d. A.P., Bernsteple .... 5 9 0 W.D.R., London, E. 0 J.M., Croix, u'rance, B.G., Ashton-underper G.P.M., Lincoln 4 0 0 . Lyne ......... 0 Lecture Offerings, G.N., Baeup 0 Nottingham 3 3 9 R.F.G., Glasgow 0 G.P.M., Lincoln 1 1 0 M.G., Edinburgh . 0 M.A.M., London, N .. 1 lOG., London, per W. M.M.W.. Liverpool 1 0 0 D.R ........... 0 E.W.P.T., Stoekbridge 1 0 0 E.K., Shanklin, Iole A.R., Huddersfield 0 17 6 of Wight ... 0 J.C., Hheima, Fra.nce, W.R., Nottingham .. 0 per G.P.M., Lincoln 0 12 6 J.A.M.!I'l., Belfast .. 0 A.S., Trinidad, per the M., Louth, per C.H., above ........... 0 10 0 Lincoln 0 C.U. Oxford 0 10 0 W.R., London, E 0 J.H., London, W 0 10 0 E.P., Hull ....... 0 W.Y., Oroix, France, per G.P.M., Lincoln 0 8 0 G.C.H.,Calcutta, India 0 6 7 E.H.T., Thames, New Total for Jan ... 22 Zealand 0 ~0

9 4

With the Secretary's

most earnest thanks. 1882, to Jan. 31st,

CONDITION AL IMMORTALITY ASSOCIATION and BRANCHES,

HOJUe,Colonial, Founded and F01"elgn. 1.878.

LECTURINGFUND, Aug. 1st, 1883.

PUBLISHINGANDCORRESPONDING FFICE :O Malvern Link, Wor.-Cyrus E. Brooks, Secretary. LONDONBOOK DEP{j'r:80, Edgware Rd.,W.-R. J. Hammond, Treasurer. LONDON BOOK AGENT :F. Southwell, 27, Ivy Lane, E.C. Of all Booksellers. THE Association consists of Members-subscribing direct-and of Branch Members-subscribing through the Branch Associations. Its purpose being to bear public testimony, by means of the press, platform and pulpit, to the neglected " PAULINE THEOLOGY" FUND. truths of Conditional Ii:nmortality and the Advent. Previously acknowledged, 1 17s. 6d. Since Personal, Pre-Millennial Members are required to subscribe to Rule H, received, -E.P., Hull, Is.; E.K., Shanklin, as follow. "That such accept the Scripture. as Isle of Wight, 2s. Bd.; A.P., Barustaple, 4s.; W.R., London, E., Is. Bd. Total, 2 Bs. Bd. Inspired of God, and the Rule of Faith and Life; and Eternal It is intended to post at least ONE THOUSl.ND and the Truth that Immortality Life are only obtainable through Personal Union COPIES of "Pauline Theology" to as many Ministers, Lay-Teachers, and others. The cir- with the Lord Jesus Christ, viz. : that "'l'he Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of God is culation of this pamphlet has been much blessed (Rom. in the past; SEVENTEENPOUNDS will cover the Eternal Life in Jesus Christ our Lord" vi. 23). net cost of this. Previously acknowledged, 31 1B8. Od. Since received :-Lecture Offerings, Nottingham, 3 3s. 9d.; A.P., Barnstaple, 5. Total, 39 19s. 9d. Balance in hand, 2B t ea. FOl' announcements of Two Lectures each at Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, and Halifax, see another column. Donations are earnestly invited. N.B.-Manchester Lectures are postponed to April 2, 3, owing to Mr. D. L. Moody's Services there in March.

THE
The Subscription may not be less than 2s. 6d. per annum: a Single Subscription of Five Pounds qualifies for Life Membership. Subscribers of 3s. 6d. and 5s. upwards are entitled t receive postfree o~e or two copies respectively of this Paper; and LIfe Members two copies. Only one copy will be sent unless otherwise directed. There is no published list of Members. Subscriptions date from the time of first payment. Branch Associations fix their own rates of subscriptions, &c. These will be furnished on application to their respective secretaries.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

83
being difficult to maintain that decorum so essential to the st~dy of such important questions. The following reports appeared in the local papers, both evidently writteu by the same hand and by one the reverse of friendly. The first i~ from the Durham Chronicle of Feb. 9, and the second from the Chester-le-Btreet Times of Feb 10th..

HOME NEWS. NEWCASTLE-ON.TYNE.-Two Lectures

were de-

On Tuesday evening, the Rev. Burlington B. Wale ~.l~.G.S" ~!l.lvern, of the Conditional Immortality A5S0: otatlon, delivered a leetnre III the Co-operative Hall Obester-le-Street, on l'he Revealed Penalty of Sin' \Vhat Ls it?" 'I'he audience was not very numerous, and Illthough ~be lecturer W:~8 frequently applauded by R. few BRANCH ASSOCIATIONS. pres~nt, It..was. soon evident that the majority did not apcommittee of the Conditional Immortality Association, was L IVERPOOL:- Sec.: M r. W. H. Miller, 9, Clayton last night delivered in the hall of West Clayton Street pr~clate hIS VIews 011 the future exist~uce (or rather, nonSqr. Chapel, Newcastle, by Mr. Burlington B. Wale, of Malvern. existence] of the human race. Questions were invited at the close of the lecture, and several were asked. I'he NEW ZEALAND :-Sec.: Rev. G. A. Brown, LinThe subject of the lecture was" The revealed penalty of answers, however, were not deemed satisfactory to the indum House, Vincent St., Auckland, Sepa- sin: what is it?" The ohair was occupied by Mr. Joseph terrogators. Shepherdson. Mr. Wale at the outset of his lecture said the Rev. B. Wale rate Organ, the New Zealand Bible Standard, he recognised that the Bible was the Word of God, and t::. On Tuesday evening OondtttoualBurlington ty Associa~ R.G.S:, Mlllvern, of Immurtali post-free direct 3s. 6d. per annum. the ultimate staudurd of appeal in questions connected non, delivered a lectureth~ the Co-operative Hu.1Ih vre on III L N \V S R J H d E with the lecture. The members of the association were Che B.~vealeIJPenalty of Sin: What is it?" The a~diONDON, .'.:ec,: . . ammonu.u' sq., not a sect. The thoughts he represented were welcomed to being 80, Edgware Rd., W. by many clergy of the Church of England, Congregational- encea.(owlug, perhaps, and other meetings lecturer held) WIlS not numerous one, although the was freBRADFORD, YOnKS. :-Sec.: Mr. A. Mitchell, Iata., and others, It was a ftttinl'( thing that Christians quently app~au.ded ?.Y a few present, it soon became evident Druids Buildings, Clayton, near Bradford. should have Scriptural views of God, He referred to th~t the majority did uot appreciate his views on the future various portions of the Bible to show that God had stated the human race. CANADA:- S ec.: M r. G . H. HIlls, 17, William that the penalty of sin is death ; and urged that they must eXiste!lce-ol' I'a~he~',non-existence-of St" Yorkville, Ontario. deal with the language of the Bible as they found it, QuestlOlls were invited at the close of the lecture and several wel~e asked. The answers, however, 'ver~ not INDIA:-Mad"as (Southern India). Separate Death was tile disintegration of a compound being; and he dee~ed antiafuctory by the interrogators.-On Wednesday Th B 'bl B bli h d i th contended that the word death and phrases me.mlng death rgan, e t e anner, pu IS e 11l e should be taken in their literal meaning, and not be taken eveumg', the rev. gentleman again lectured in the hall when a more numerous uudienoe listened to his discourse' Tamil tongue. to mean something else, such as eternal life in torment. The subject chosen WR.S I, Immortality: or Who ahu.ll Liv~ N.B.-This Periodical, together with the The popular theory, of theologians of the present day was for E ... er?" 'I'tna oration was certainly Vf;ryinterest.ing in Literature of the Association, can be procured I that the wages of am IS eternal torment, everlasting pre- many ways, and many of the arguments adduced were dei servation In fire; and many good and excellent men had cidedly strong. S.Bveral questions were again put to the f any 0 f th e a bove Branc hes. o i taught that doctrine because they thought It had a founda speaker, and the II1terrogfl.to.rwas one who seemed quite corn petAl.1 to tl.lkethe ~nen Viable position of q uertst. The t LOCAL AGENTS FOR" BIBLE STANDARD," , :~~~8ifnt~~e W;i~~eo~t~~b.!':n q~:eg:.~~ ~~p;~~et:~';1f:l f replies given did not WIll this gentleman over to tbe ranks Also for Rainbow, Messenger, and the Literatnre that" horrible teaching;" and contended that they did not of .t~e Society, and the a~dieBce left the room without of the Association. Catalogues and terms on support the theory of everlasting torment, He believed in arrtvmg at any apparent satisfactory conclusion. the resurrection of the just and the unjust, and that when
U It

livered here by the Rev. B. B. Wale, on Feb. 5th and 8th, in the West Clayton Street Lecture Hall, to good audiences. On the first night near 300 persons attended, and on the second about 400. Newcastle redeemed its character as a " canny town" by giving a thoughtful and appreciative hearing to our testimony. Questions were freely asked both nights. The following reports are from the Newcastle Daily C hl'onicLe of Feb. 6th and 9th.The first of two lectures, under the auspices of the local

application

to the undermentioned.
ENGLAND.

the judgment was passed, the wicked would suffer" the

second death,' and sink to utter extinction. The Rev. Burlington B. Wale delivered a. second lecture la.st night, in the lecture hall of the West Clayton Street Chapel. Newcastle, under the auspices of the Conditional Immortality Association. There wa. a. numerous audience. The chair WlLS taken by Mr. James Murray, who in opening the meeting said he was a firm believer in the doctrine of conditional immortalit.y. 'I'he lecturer took for the subject of his discourse--" Immortality ; whose is it? -or, who shall live for ever?" He briefly traced the origin of the doctrine, first elaborated by Plato, that man was naturally and inherently immortal, but, he asked, not teach that immortality or eternal life was to be possessed alone by those who were in union with Christ and who believed in Him? He knew that that doctrine was no.t so flattering to the human mind as that immorta.lity was natural and inherent in man; but if it degraded man it exalted Christ. Immortality now was couditional on faith in Christ, without which eternal death was the result. The lecturer quoted several passages in the New Testament to show that the teaching of the Saviour and the Apostles was that man had no life in himself. In the First Epistle of John they were told-It He that hath the Son hath life' and he that hath not the Son bath not life;" and St. Paui said the wages of sin was death and the gift of God eternal life. "Life" and death" were the antithesis from Genesis to)Revelations, and there was nothing to show that one meant happiness and the other torment. 'I'h e word immortal" occurred only once in ihs Bible, and there it applied to God alone. .1 Immortality" occurred four times end in no case was it spoken of as being in the posaeaaion of man as man. At the conclusion of the lecture several questions on the subjeot were asked by members of the audience and answered by Ml'. Wa.le, and tbe proceedings closed with the singing of a hymn and prayer.
.1 I<

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.-B. illott, 4.9,Henrietta St. G CARLISLE.-A. Johnson, 23, Midland Cott., London-road. CHELTENHAM:.-H.Sparkea, 3, Q.ueen St., Tewkesbury Rd. GRAVESEND.-T. Sbadick, 48, Wakefield Street. HULL.-J. C. Akester, 79, Hessle Road. LINCOLN.-E. E. Boughton, 23,Park Street. " C. Ha.rvey, 19, Chaplin Street. LONDON, E.-E.Hobbs, 23, Monier-rd.j'wick-Iane, Old Ford. LOUTH.-C. Donner, 50, Newmarket.

The Local Sec~'etary wri~es:-" One thing I am certam of, that IS, a Christian like Mr. Wale cannot come to a place without blessing itthough we may not personally see the frnit.' I have got great blessing throngh him, myself." We tender here our warmest thanks to Mr, W. Johnson, for his valued services on our behalf and for his very generous gifts, [Mr. J, per: sonally met the local expenses of the lectures.] COLONIAL NEWS. NE,w ZEALAND, Auckland. - The morning meetmgs m the Temperance Hall are increasinc in interest and usefulness. The evening meeting~ at the Opera House still maintain their interest and ,numbers. The, subject of prophecy, in connection WIth the SIguS of the times has been mad~ very prominent. Harnilton.-The Sunday evemng meetings are still attended by quite 100 persons. The local pulpits have made many personal attacks upon the testimony which have only tended to discredit those who mads them Tharnes.-The numbers increase here, notwith: standing that sermons have heen delivered iu two local churches against the Life teachinz one of which has been published in full. 0' SO?,TH A'!sTRALIA.-Owing to the difficulty of workmll. this Colony, with it, thinly. scattered popula~lOn, the Branch established here two years since has. been tem porarily closed. If we are to do anything effecti ve in the way of testi. mony in Australia, it will be necessary to despatch an. Agent for propaganda, which is at present quite beyond our power.

SCOTLAND. GLASGOw.-T,J, Hitchcock, 145, Houston Street, AUSTRALIA.

BUNDABERG, QUEENSLAND.-J. Wright, Builder, &c.

What did the Word of God say upon that subject? Did it

N.B.-We shall be glad to receive offers of service, as Local Agents, from Mernbe,'s of the Association in districts where we have no agents at present,-at Home or Abroad, Terms, with a supply of Catalogues and Show Bills, on application.

OUR

TESTIMONY.
CALENDAR.

MONTHLY

Meetings will be held (D.V.) as follow: March 5,-Rochdale, Lancashire.-Lecture in Lecture Hall of Public Hall, Baillie St. by Burlington 13. Wale, F.R.G.S .. on "The Revealed Penalty of Sin: What is it?" Free. Evening at 7-30. Do. 6,-Lecture as above on "Immortality: or, Who shall Live for Ever?" Do. 7.-Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire,Lecture in the Lectnre Hall of the Mechanics' Institution, by Burlington B. Wale, F.R.G,S" on "The Revealed Penalty of Sin: What is it ?" Free. Evening at 7-30. Do. 8,-Lecture as above on" Immortality: or, Who shall Live for Ever?" Apri12.-Manchester.-Lecture in the Town Hall. Hulme, by Burlington B. Wale, F.R.G.S" on The Revealed Penalty of Sin: What is it ?" Free. Do. S.-Lecture as above on "Immortality: or, Who shall Live for Ever?" Do. 4,-Halifax, Yorks.c--Lecture by above. Do. 5.Do. do. do,

The Local Secretary writes-" We have all enjoyed, and I trust been benefited by, Mr. Wale's visit. Personally I have been delighted. We very much regretted that we had not time for Drawing-room Meetings on Bible-themes.v-cThe report of the above has reached us since, but too late for publication. We desire to express here our warmest thanks to the Local Committee for their valued services on our behalf, and especially to Mr. M. Stewardson, the Local Secretary. CHESTER.LE-STREE'X,DURHAM.-Two Lectures were delivered here by the Rev. B. B. Wale, on Feb, 6 and 7, in the Co-operative Ha 1. Mr. Wm. J ohnson, of Birtley, presided each evening. The district is not one particularly favourable to religious thought, still there was a fair attendance. On Tuesday above 100, and on Wednesday between 200 and 300 persons attended. The questioning was not of a satisfactory kind, it

SUBSCRIBING
GUIDE AND

CHURCHES.
CHRONICLE.

The, following Churches make an Annual Collec.tlOn, Offertory, or Grant in aid of the AsSOCIatIOn. The ,same favour is reqnested from other Churches m sympathy with its teachings, Lo~moN,:'I' :-Maberly Ch~pel (Congregational), Ball s Pond Rd., Kingsland, Min.: Rev. W. Leask, D.D. S. Services 11 & 6-30. LINCOLN:-Mmt Lane Chapel (Baptist). Min.: Rev. G. P. Mackay. S. Services 10-30 & 6.

84
SKIPTON(Yorks) :-Mission Church, Temperance Hall. Supplies. S. Services 10-30 & 6. GLASGOW :-Christian Meeting, 13, Kirk St., Gorbals. Supplies. S. Services 11 & 3. BRADFORD (Yorks] :-Mission Church, Temperance Hall, Chapel St., Leeds Rd. Supplies. S. Services 11 & 6-30. TORQUAY :-Life and Advent Free Church, Banner Cross Room. Supplies. S. Services 11 & 6-30. LONDON,N.W. :-Christian Meeting, St. John's Rooms, Grove St., Lisson Grove. Min.: R. J. Hammond, Esq. S. Services 11 & 7. HULL :-Christian Meeting, Protestant Hall. Supplies. S. Services 11 & 6-30. CHELTENHAM :-Regent St. Chapel (Baptist). Min.: Rev. J. C. Oarlile. S. Services 11 and 6-30. CARLISLE:-Christian Meeting. House to House Services. Enqniries at 30, Edward St. GRAVESEND :-ChristiR,n Meeting, Manor Rd. Room. Pres. Min.: Mr. G. Gosdsn. S. Services 11 &.6-30. Thurs. 8-30. SALISBURy:-Harcourt (Baptist) Church. Supplies. S. Services 10-30 & 6-30. Wed. 8. LINCOLN:-Newland (Baptist) Church, Masonic Hall. Miu.: Rev. W. White. S. Services 10-30 & 6-30. Thurs. 8. BANGALORE, INDIA :-Christian S. Meeting. Arcot Narrainsawmy Mudliar's School-room. Supplies. S. Service 6 p.m. HULL.-Protestant Rall.-A Sunday School has been established. Three of the scholars have been blessed with saving grace, and one baptised. BRADFORD (Yorks.)-Temperance flall.-The Church here has purchased the unsold balance of our Bradford Conference Report for free circulation in the town. The attendance at evening service has greatly improved. The cottage meetings in the Horton district have been very successful, the attendance averaging 21 persons. Tracts and other literature are freely circulated at these meetings. LONDON,N.-Maberly Chapel.-The Hackney and Kingsland Gazette a while since intimated that our revered friend, Dr. W. Leask, was contemplating retirement from his long and honoured pastorate here. We are glad to learn that" this is, at least, premature." CHELTENHAM.-Regent St. Chapel.-Quiet but steady progress is being made here. A small but neat Organ has been erected (to supersede the American organ previously in nse), and certain necessary repairs effected in the chapel premises. BANGALORE (Indift).-Christian Meeting.- We gladly welcome a first annual subscriptiou from this Church, distant in geographical position, but nigh in fellowship in the Truth.

THE
No.1

BIBLE

STANDARD.
No. 3, Mixed.

Parcel, Life;

No. 2,Advent;

N.B.-If so desired, 500 Leaflets and Tracts, alone, can be had instead. of the above, at the same rates,

BOUND
"BIBLE
VOL. V.,

VOLUMES
STANDARD."
cloth,

Salisbury Conference Report.

POST-FREE TWOPENCE. Carriage Unpaid.-NET 10s. per 100.-Direct from Publisher. Ivy Of all Booksellers through LONDON AGENT,

..

..

1882, 1881, 1879,

IV.,

n.,

..

gilt

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6d.

paper

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Is. 3d. Os, 8d.

Post-free

from the Office of this Paper.

F.

SOUTHWELL,

27,

Lane,E.C.

MONTHLY

REPRINTS.

SONGS OF THE SACRED GOSPEL. PRIMITIVE

(Containing 197 Hymns and 38 Anthems) In Four Parts. rst, for Meetings for the Preaching of the Gospel. and, for the Communion of Saints. grd, for Sunday School u e. qth, Anthems in Scripture words. To be had of the Compiler, W. RICHMOND,S George Street, Nottingham. Single Copy, 60. post-free j 45. per doz., postage extra. .

These issues consist of suitable articles and extracts from the columns of the Bible Standard Sixteen columns, One Half-penny.

No.I. The Saviour Satisfied. No. 2. Thinking of Christ. No. 3. Precious Blood.
By post Id., 6d. per dozen, 3s. per hundred. Net, One Guinea per thousand,

EDUCATION.
37 MAYFIELD GARDENS, NEWINGTON, EDINBURGH. MISS LEISHMAN and Mrs. FROST (Member of the Royal College of Preceptors, London,) assisted by Masters of eminence, receive YOUNG LADIES to ~oard and Educate. A Daily Bible Class for Religious Instruction. Reference permitted to the Editor of this Paper.

GUINEA'S
FOR FIVE Book Room, London, 80, W.

WORTH
SHILLINGS. Edgware Road,

Association

Having the whole of General Goodwyn's Works under my charge, and being desirous of giving them extended circulation, I have obtained General Goodwyn's permission to send a collection of his works, of the value of One Guinea. for the sum of Five Shillings, to any part of the Kingdom, Carriage Paid. Send a 5s. Postal Order, or 60 Penny Stamps, to the above address, and secure a valuable accession to your Library. R. J. Hammond. N.B.-This a Christian Library. Price would make a capital present for minister, or a Church or College

HARCOURT BAPTIST CHURCH,

SALISBURY.
Services every Lord's Day at 10-30 and 6-30. [Friends of the truth of The Life and The Advent-possessing preaching gifts - resident within FIFTY MILES of this City, and who are willing to supply the pulpit a stated day (monthly or quarterly), are requested to communicate with the Editor of this Paper.-Only rail-expenses and entertainment can be provided.]

HIGH-ST. CHAPEL,
(Bow Bridge) Stratford, London, E.
(Baptised Believers.) Supplies. S. Services-ll a.m. Breaking Bread. 6-30 p.m. Gospel Proclamation.
E. HOBBS, Secretary.

Twopence, post-free. Net 10s. per 100 direct from Publisher, carriage unpaid,

Of all Booksellers through London Agent-F. SOUTHWELL,27 Ivy Laue, E.C. THE

All Visitors

made welcome_

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FIVE SHILLINGS, CARRIAGE PAID. Containing more than Double the Value in tracts, pamphleta.and books.-Address, R. J. HAUMOND, 80, Edgware Road, London, 'vV. [The fact that above THREE HUNDRED such parcels have been despatched by our energetic 'I'reasurer within twelve months, sufficiently proves the quantity and quality of their contents. WI3 unite in asking the further aid of our readers in circulating our Special Literature. Ed. B.S.]

TWENTIETH CENTURY;
OR

BAPTIST CHURCH, MASONIO HALL

NEWLAND, LINCOLN.
SERVICES every LORD'S-DAY at 10-30 and 6-30. SUNDAYSCHOOL,9-30 a.m. and 2-0 p.m. WEEK EVENING MEETING, THURSDAY,at 8. ALL VISITORS MADE WELCOME.

A Sketch of Coming Events.

Published at the Office of this Paper, Link, Worcestershire.
11 This is an ingenious and clever lecture, and we are strongly of opinion that [it Ihas anticipated the telegrams from many parts ofthe world to the daily papers of the fulfillment of apocalyptic prophecies."-Rainbo1Oo

Malvern

MINT-LANE BAPTIST CHURCH,

LINCOLN.
SERVICE8 EVERY LORD'S DAY, at 10-30 and 6 O'CLOCK_

DOUBLE

(::3s.6d.)

VALUE.

It treats of things well known to most of our readers, but presents them in a way not usual. We have read the pamphlet with much interest and instruction; it contains much wholesome truth.-Messenger.
U

SURPRISE

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250 assorted Tracts and Tract-Books-ranging from 2 to 32 pages-sent post-free in United Kingdom on receipt of Postal Order for 2s. 6d., or 31 penny stamps. For other places (on receipt of Post Office Money Order}-Canada and United States, 28. 6d.: India, 4s.: Australia, New Zealand and Africa, 5s. Address the MALVERN LINK Office of this Paper. This offer is under cost price., 550 copies sent for double above rates.

THE RAINBOW.
SIXPENCE. 48 pages. Edited by the Rev. W. Leask, D.D. A Magazine of Christian Literature, with special reference to the Revealed Future of the Church and the World. Post-free for twelve months: In United Kingdom, Canada, and United States, 6s. per copy. India, 8s. per copy. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa; 9s. per copy. From our MALVERNLINK OFFICE.

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made welcome.

Printed by CHARLES AKRILL, Silver Street, Lincoln; and published for the" Conditional Immortality Association," by CYRUS E. BROOKS, MALVERN LINK, WORCESTERSHIRE, to whom all postal communications, orders, and advertisements should be addressed. LONDON AGENT: F. SOUTHWELL 27 Ivy Lane E.C