FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

SERIES III.

VOL. V.	B E T H A N Y, VA., OCTOBER, 1848.	NO. X.

      MY DEAR CLARINDA--ON the evening of the 26th we returned from Liverpool to Mollington, to recruit for the meeting at Chester, commencing the 1st, and continuing to the 3d of October. I never enjoyed a respite more than this one. The weather was pleasant, and I rambled round the fields at Mollington as a horse turned out to pasture. But a few days only made me feel how much I had suffered from my confinement in Glasgow, and my excessive labors before and after. The meeting at Chester was indeed a very pleasant one. Brethren from Scotland, England, and Wales, were in attendance. The great question of co-operation, and of the necessity of more evangelical labors by our itinerant ministry, was kept before the minds of the brethren assembled, during much of the meeting and some important resolutions were adopted, of which I cannot now speak particularly.

      A fund had been raised, much more than sufficient, to defray the expenses of our visit to Great Britain, and on our refusal to receive any thing more than mere travelling expenses, the brethren voted one hundred pounds sterling to Bethany College, which has been appropriated to increase, with some other funds, the philosophical and chemical apparatus of the institution. We had the honor to receive very elegant presents at this meeting, presented by the brethren in Scotland. To brother Henshall was presented an [565] elegant copy of the English Hexapla, containing the six English versions of the New Testament, made from 1380 to 1611--Wickliffe's, Tyndale's, Cranmer's, Geneva, Rheims, and the authorized version, together with Bagster's Chronological Atlas, a complete series of New Maps, an elaborate chart of General History, with a Geographical Index and Concordance of Scripture occurrences. To myself was presented a superbly bound and gilded copy of the most elegant and valuable work ever issued from the English press--an immense folio, titled;--"Biblia Sacra Polyglotta Textuos Archetypos Versionesque praecipuas ab ecclesia antiquitus receptus necnon Versiones recensiores Anglicanam, Germanicam, Italicam, Gallicam, et Hespanicam Complectentia," &c. &c. Londini Sumptibus: Samuelis Baxter--1831. In our language thus:--

      The Polyglott Holy Bible, containing the original texts and the principal versions anciently received by the Church; also the more recent versions, viz: the English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish,--prefixed are prefatory desertations upon the literal sense of the original texts, Hebrew and Greek, and of the ancient versions, by the author, Samuel Lee, Professor of Hebrew in the University of Cambridge.

      Dr. Lee is also Professor of Theology, and an honorary member of various literary and theological institutions in Britain, France and Germany.

      To this admirable work are added various readings of the Septuagint version of the Old Testament and of the received text of the New, with those of the Hebrew-Samaritan Pentateuch.

      Of this folio Polyglott, the Encyclopaedia of Religious Knowledge says--"This is one of the most splendid volumes ever published, containing the Bible in the Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Latin, English, French, and Italian languages." My copy has also a Spanish version. It costs some 70 dollars, bound and embellished as this volume is, in a style, so far as I have seen, never surpassed.

      The reasons and occasion of the presentation of the volume as inscribed in the volume itself, in the most splendid chierography and orally in the presence of the brethren assembled, by brother Robert Macdougald of Edinburgh, has laid me under new obligations to devote more of my time to the study of these Divine Oracles, providentially furnished as I now am, with means so numerous and various for this purpose, and pressed to it by the requests of so many brethren in the Old World and in the New. To this most acceptable token of the Christian affection and esteem of these my Scotch brethren, were added "Bagster's Chronological Scripture Atlas" before mentioned, with other mementoes from Dundee, which altogether greatly oblige me to labor for the promotion of that greatest and [566] best of causes, to which they and we are supremely devoted, and which more than cancel any unpleasant reflections arising from the outrages indicted upon me, in the name of law and liberty, by a few proud and tyrannical spirits resident in Edinburgh and scattered in their associations over the kingdom.

      But to return to the meeting at Chester. I will present you a better account of it than I can give. It is from the pen of that most estimable and excellent brother, whom you personally know--Elder James Wallis, of Nottingham. We quote from his Christian Messenger, of November, 1847. It is by far too flattering to myself, but by making the proper allowance for his enthusiastic affection and esteem, you will understand the details of the meeting much better than I could give them from my memoranda. The report of my remarks by the most amiable and excellent brother Stevens, Secretary of the meeting, were not seen by me till printed. They were read in the meeting, and judged to be substantially correct, though not expressly in my words.

CO-OPERATION MEETING AT CHESTER.

Mollington, October 7th, 1847.

      [DEAR BROTHER:--I have made an effort to forward you the Report by the time you desired it, and believe I have succeeded. It is not so trim as I could have wished; but its errors I beg you to charge to my inexperience, and the little time I have had in which to revise it, rather than want of good will.--Yours, &c., P. STEPHENS.]

      THIS meeting having been duly announced, was convened in Chester on the 1st day of October. The assembly consisted of messengers from congregations in Great Britain and Ireland, advocating original Christianity, and contending for the ancient order of the church of God--the doctrines and institutions delivered to the faithful by the holy Apostles. The occasion was one of great interest as manifested in the transactions; and the order, propriety, and affability that prevailed at this meeting,- -all indicate, that the principles for which we plead are firmly established among us, that they are fully appreciated by the understandings and deeply rooted in the hearts of many devoted servants of God, and that they have exerted an influence, and obtained an ascendency in this realm, which even the combined opposition of the eager partisans of the many systems of human device which unhappily distract this nation, shall never be able to destroy.

      We were favored with the presence and counsel of our approved brethren Campbell and Henshall, beloved and esteemed for their works' sake. This was an advantage of which the brethren were duly sensible--a privilege in which they rejoiced. Brother Campbell was unanimously called to the chair, and brother P. Stephens of Mollington was appointed to act as secretary. The meeting being thus constituted, the presence and blessing of God were sought in fervent prayer, and the divine aid and direction humbly supplicated [567] in all deliberations. The president then rose to make some preliminary remarks, of which the following is a synopsis:--

      "The church of Christ is one grand community. It is a community of communities. The sure Foundation was laid in Zion, and the Lord said, 'On this rock I will build my church.' It is obvious, that in this, as in many other places, the word church denotes the whole body or aggregate of the faithful. This collective body of believers, this large community, called the church, comprises many small communities. Hence the word is applied in the plural form, and we read of 'the churches in Judea,' 'the churches in Galatia,' and 'the churches in Asia.' The church of Christ may thus be contemplated as one, and yet as many. As Israel was one nation, and yet contained many tribes, and these many families--so there are churches in families, in cities, in states, and these collectively form the church of Christ. Every family has its inalienable duties and obligations, rights, immunities, and privileges; to the full discharge and enjoyment of which it is called. So is it with every church of God. Now, families are accountable to cities, cities to nations, and nations to empires. Thus though each family has its own peculiar duties and privileges, yet it is amenable to a higher power. Every Christian church, also, while it has its own appropriate obligations and immunities, owes something to its sister churches. Duties grow out of relations; and the relation of the various churches to each other, under Christ the Head, calls For reciprocal duties. These duties will sometimes call for united exertions. Great achievements which cannot be effected by individuals, or by individual churches, call for co-operation. In the divine word there are various examples of combined effort; of the churches acting in concert for special purposes, and particularly for the spread of the gospel. Different crises at different times demand particular duties. There are at the present time certain duties required from the churches in this kingdom. This is a crisis which calls on all who acknowledge the Lord Jesus, all who desire to be guided by the divine word, all who have at heart the extending of the knowledge of Messiah's name,--which calls on all the church, to take counsel together on matters of expediency. And having mentioned expediency, I will add,--it will be distinctly understood that this is the limit of what we have now to do. We are not here as legislators, to enact laws for the kingdom of heaven, the church of God, but we are here to deliberate on various affairs of expediency. There are certain matters determined by God on which no human tribunal may sit in judgment.

      "1. The faith is decided. On this point there can be no discussion. The faith may not be altered, amended, or modified. This is not within the limits of the affairs to be digested, disposed, or arranged by the present meeting.

      "2. Piety is decided. The sacred obligations of Christian worship, of prayer and supplication, of praise and thanksgiving, were all adjusted before we were born, and are explicitly enjoined in the statute-book of Heaven.

      "3. Nor are we here to take judicial notice of morality. This is expressly and fully propounded in the sacred scriptures. [568]

      "Our position therefore must be distinguished from the position of those communities that profess to decide what men are to believe; and I would again repeat it, our decisions are limited to details of expediency,--to those things, or forms of action which it was impossible, or unnecessary, to reduce to special precepts. The churches now come together by their representatives to consider certain circumstantials belonging to the kingdom. The great and important subject, therefore, to be brought before your notice in the first place, is the following:--

      "'By what ways and means may the gospel be effectually published in this land?'

      "This is a point of primary interest. That the gospel is to be preached, all admit. The important question is, How may this be effectually done? It can be done efficiently only by selecting qualified persons, entirely devoted to the work. None can excel in two businesses. Christ's work also is all-important, and ought not to be attended to as a merely secondary consideration. Suppose that there are a thousand churches in Great Britain: these can take care of themselves. They can see to their own edification. But there is the world without. What is to be done for them? There must be a standing corps, an army of faithful and devoted soldiers of the Cross, to approach the world without. Their number depends on the exigencies of society. The nation has its standing army: it is as necessary that there should be a standing army of faith; and the church is now under the strongest obligations to put forth her energies to redeem man from sinking down into ruin. We must then have a valiant, a faithful, an educated corps. I mean not a collegiate, but an ecclesiastical education. Let them be men mighty in the scriptures--men who can use the sword of the Spirit well. Qualified men. Men of piety. Thus shall they go forth terrible as an army with banners.'"

      The president having thus spoken, the various churches represented were ascertained, and are alphabetically described below:--

ENGLAND.

      Chester--Brothers Thomas Walker, James Jones.
      Ellesmere--Brother William Whalley.
      Huddersfield--Brothers H. Shaw, W. Thomson.
      Hull--Brother Godson.
      London--Brother John Black.
      Liverpool--Brothers P. Goodnorth, G.Y. Tickle.
      Manchester--Brother P. Harrison.
      Mollington--Brothers John Davies, George Hyatt, John Whalley
      Nottingham--Brothers James Wallis, Darby.
      Sunderland--Brothers Douglas, Wardropper, Ogle.
      Shrewsbury--Brother Thomas Butler.
      Tarporley--Brother Vernon.
      Wigan--Brothers Timothy Coop, Turner.

WALES.

      Coxlane --Brother Edward Gibson.
      Crickieth--Brothers William Jones, David Williams.
      Rhyadau Park--Brother Rees. [569]
      Ros llanorch rigoiog--Brother Clark.
      Wrexham--Brothers William Bailey, Jonathan Owen.

SCOTLAND.

      Auchtermuchty--Brother John Dron.
      Dundee--Brothers James Ainslie, Arthur Lee.
      Dumfries--Brother Alexander Hutchinson.
      Edinburgh--Brothers P.C. Gray, William Maclauchlan, Robert MacDougald.
      Glasgow--Brother Alexander Paton.
      Linlithgo--Brother Allen.
      Perth--Brother Robert Anderson.

IRELAND.

      Dungannon--Brother J.K. Tenor, James Macrum.

      The churches in Cupar and Newburgh, both in the county of Fife, Scotland, were represented by letter.

      The brethren were then invited freely to express their views, sentiments, and convictions, relative to the important point already laid by the president before the meeting, and constituting at once both the grand subject of its deliberations, and the great object of its achievement--viz., the effectual publishing of the gospel in this country. That spirit of benevolence and philanthropy towards man which the gospel inspires, now became delightfully manifest. All were unanimous in desiring the promulgation of the gospel; considering, that the greatest boon that could possibly be conferred on man, is, to rescue him from the dominion of sin, from the shades and damps of spiritual death, and from the awful anguish of eternal ruin. Several interesting facts and incidents were related, showing what unexpected and felicitous consequences have resulted from faithfully persevering in the advocacy of the divine truths of the gospel. Various suggestions, exhortations, and addresses, were also made by brother Davies, brother Wallis, and others; tending greatly to edification, comfort, and encouragement.

      The present condition of the Christian Messenger was then represented to the brethren. Many were, to some extent, and for the first time, made aware of the opposition endured, the difficulties encountered, and the losses sustained, during a period of ten years, in conducting that periodical. Grateful feelings were educed towards the editor for his onerous labors connected with this valuable vehicle of communication, continued by him so long without yielding, in a pecuniary point of view; any advantageous return. The editor explained that he undertook the publication, not for the object of realizing profits by it, but to disseminate the truth, and in this diffusion, its influence has not been inconsiderable. That brother Wallis should be permitted to lose in this matter of general interest, however, was regarded as highly improper, and provision was made to secure him against future detriment.

      Considerable inconvenience and irregularity having been occasioned in various places by one church's receiving, without confession, members whom another church had expelled, the attention of the meeting was drawn to this matter. The president was solicited to make some remarks on the subject, in the course of which he stated, that-- [570]

      "There should be mutual respect between churches for each other's acts. As sisters in a family ought to respect the acts of each other, so ought sister churches. When one church receives a member whom another church has excluded, there is a manifestation of disrespect. If the case of any one applying for fellowship with one church who has been cut off from another be not one of immorality, then calmly hear the church; if satisfied with her decision in the case, well; before he can be received he must make confession; but if not satisfied, act according to your own judgment. It is obvious, at the same time, that if the applicant be received, the church rejecting him is discredited as a sister church. These are matters which the suggestions of prudence and discretion must regulate. There are things which "nature itself," or common sense teaches. As to intercommunication, also, it would be improper to pass any enactment. If our recognition be demanded, we submit the matter to a committee, and adopt their decision. If they do not demand our recognition, we let them alone."

      The remarks made on this subject gave general satisfaction. It will be scarcely needful to observe, that in all questions submitted for consultation, we had the benefit of the learning, experience, and piety, of that venerable brother who presided on the memorable occasion. The following are the decisions unanimously determined:

      1. Resolved, That all the churches now represented agree to co-operate in contributing to the support of a general evangelist.

      2. Resolved, That the churches now represented state the amount which, in the ensuing year, may probably be contributed for general evangelical labors.

      3. Resolved, That the churches not represented be invited to join in this co-operation.

      4. Resolved, That brethren James Wallis and Jonathan Hine, Nottingham, and John Bell, Newark, be the committee to carry the plan of co-operation into effect, with power to add to their number.

      5. Resolved, That as a testimony of our esteem for, and of our gratitude to those brethren who have so nobly and so generously undertaken to proclaim the gospel in this kingdom, one hundred pounds of the balance now in the treasurer's hands, be devoted to Bethany College.

      6. Resolved, That the remaining seventy-nine pounds nineteen shillings, be devoted to the maintenance of a general evangelist.

      7. Resolved, That brother Jonathan Hine be entreated to continue to act as treasurer.

      8. Resolved, That we defend in the action now pending against brother Campbell on a charge of libel.

      9. Resolved, That the following brethren be a committee for the management of business connected with this action:- Brothers James Ainslie, Dundee; John Davies, Mollington; John Dron, Auchtermuchty; Philip C. Gray, Edinburgh; Robert MacDougald, do.; Alexander Paton, Glasgow; James Wallis, Nottingham.

      10. Resolved, That the thanks of the churches in Great Britain and Ireland be presented to the brethren in America for the self-denial, magnanimity, and generosity, they have manifested in connexion with the mission of brother Campbell and brother Henshall. [571]

      11. Resolved, That brother Wallis be entreated to continue to edit and conduct the Christian Messenger as formerly.

      12. Resolved, That brother Campbell he requested to select from the American churches a brother, who, in his judgment, is the most suitable to labor among the congregations in England.

      13. Resolved, That a meeting of messengers from the churches be held in the city of Glasgow, in the third week of September, in the year 1848.

      It was in a high degree gratifying and encouraging to perceive that the brethren were "of one heart and of one mind" in passing these decisions.

      The remembrance of that happy meeting, and of the affecting parting that followed, will never be forgotten. Many brethren were just beginning to know one another when the time came for saying, "Farewell!" It was like the parting of Paul and the brethren at Miletus, when "They all wept sore, and fell on his neck and kissed him." Our fellowship together had been sweet, and some of us thought we should see one another's faces no more! Around were thrown the sacred bonds of peace, love, and brotherhood. Yet at the parting of brethren in the Lord, these bonds but extend-- they do not break!

      And now may the blessing of Almighty God attend the endeavors of his people to extend the knowledge of the Saviour's name, exalt his praise, and promote his glory in the land. Let a closely embodied and unbroken phalanx be presented to error and iniquity. Let not only those errors be assailed which exist in all systems that exalt themselves against the facts, institutions and precepts of the Christian religion, but let piety, morality, justice, truth, and fidelity, be honored, applauded, and exemplified, by all who are called by the gospel of the grace of God, to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world. So shall the sunshine of the benign countenance of the Lord our God be upon us, and by Heaven's own eternal and omnipotent truth shall our minds be enlightened, transformed, invigorated. Let Him who has loved us with a love unspeakable--a love divine and stronger than death, be ever the object of our supreme affection--our profound adoration--our perpetual praise. So shall our hearts be filled with fervent gratitude, animated through heavenly hope, and expanded by celestial joy. And why, all this? That we may be enabled effectually to carry out the injunction of the holy Apostle, "Shine ye as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life!"

CONTRIBUTIONS.

      The following sums were mentioned by the fourteen churches named below, as their probable contribution for general evangelization for the year 1848:--

	£	s.	d.			£	s.	d.
Dundee,	10	0	0		Chester,	30	0	0
Cupar,	20	0	0		Hull,	10	0	0
Edinburgh,	20	0	0		Liverpool,	10	0	0
Dungannon,	10	0	0		Nottingham,	30	0	0
Crickieth,	5	0	0		Sunderland,	10	0	0
Coxlane,	6	0	0		Shrewsbury	5	0	0
Wrexham,	4	0	0		Wigan,	10	0	0
						£180	0	0
P. STEPHENS.

---

REPORT CONCLUDED.

      We feel obliged to brother Stephens for the interesting report now presented. A few additional concluding remarks seem to be necessary. There are other churches which stand ready, voluntarily to devote of their [572] substance to the support of proclaiming the gospel. All that is wanting is a number of men full of truth, urbanity, and self-denial--free from religious boast and affectation-- right-hearted men, who feel for the condition of the lost more than themselves. This is the desideratum. As for money, there would be no lack for this purpose. Not, indeed, to make evangelists rich, but amply sufficient to provide them with food and raiment. Nor would it require a brother to be sent round on the irksome task of preaching begging sermons, at an expense of ten or fifteen per cent. on the amount collected. No: that which is devoted to the Lord, to be acceptable, must, in in the first place, be the party's own property, and not the creditor's. Secondly, It must be unsolicited--"from a willing mind," according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. It must be with cheerfulness and promptitude. "As he purposeth in his heart so let him give." He that withholdeth when he has it in his power to give, just robs himself of so much reward both here and in a future state. He that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully."

      On Lord's day morning, October 3rd, brother Campbell, agreeable to previous announcement, delivered his last discourse in Chester. The audience consisted of from seven to eight hundred persons. The discourse continued for one hour and a half. The subject was founded on 2 Cor. iii.--"If the ministration of condemnation was glorious, the ministration of the Spirit is much more so:" or, in other words, "The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."

      The speaker remarked, that on the giving of the law, written by the finger of God on two tables of stone, three thousand of the Israelites were slain in one day: so on the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost--three thousand of the same nation were made alive to God, created anew in Christ Jesus, as the first fruits of an entire new dispensation. To say the least, this was an elaborate, intelligent, and instructive discourse, which will be long remembered by those present.

      At half-past 2 of the same day, the brethren met to break the loaf in commemoration of their common Lord. Brother Henshall presided, and delivered an address suitable to the occasion. Brother Dron, Ainslie, and Wallis, conducted the devotional exercises of the service. The number of brethren present was estimated at about one hundred and fifty. To be allowed, nay, even invited, thus to memorialize the wonderful condescension and marvelous achievements of the Son of God, is a great honor, one that must astonish, if not excite the wonder and emulation of the angelic hosts.

      All the arrangements and different services at Chester were orderly, social, edifying, and very encouraging. Envy, jealousy, and rivalry--these demon guests--seem, for once, to be entirely absent; or, at least, if not absent, kept in a secret corner unnoticed by all.

      In the evening of the same day brother Campbell delivered, in Dr. Thom's meeting-house, Liverpool, his last discourse in England. This being only sixteen miles from Chester, and a public breakfast announced for the following morning in Liverpool, most of the brethren left Chester for Liverpool. Being detained to speak in Chester that evening, we were not able to proceed with the rest, but we understood that the audience was large, and the subject sublime--"The justification of Messiah by the Spirit of God."

      We had the privilege of hearing brother Campbell on the same topic when in Banbury and Newcastle. It stands, in our mind, as the superlative of all we heard. Not, indeed, that it could be the same discourse. No: this would be impossible; for no two, even on the same topic, are alike. The different points investigated--the illustrations so varied--so pure--so elevated and vast--like the works of creation--the moral and spiritual [573] hemispheres are presented to view with heights and depths, lengths and breadths, immeasurable and sublime.

      All the discourses being delivered extemporaneously, the subjects investigated, with the attributes of their great author--their vast dimensions each being spread out before the mind of the speaker, and the mind of the speaker unshackled by human theories, expanded before the subject; in the progress of discourse you appear imperceptibly, and by the purest and simplest style of language to be introduced, without ostentation, into the presence of the Deity himself.

      To the renewed mind this is always consoling and edifying. Such have been our own feelings while hearing some of the discourses from the lips of Alexander Campbell of Bethany, Brooke county, Virginia.

      At the breakfast on Monday morning nothing particular took place, except a little of that physical and social enjoyment which is usual on such occasions. The room was by far too small for the company, but as no remedy was then at hand, the inconvenience had to be endured. This we know was very mortifying to the brethren at Liverpool; but as it was the first meeting of the kind held by our brethren, and the number present far exceeding all expectation, it was the more excusable.

      After breakfast an adjournment to the meeting-room of the brethren took place. Here again brother Campbell presided. All was orderly, affectionate, and interesting. A consultation took place respecting various matters and things pertaining to our present and future prospects in the kingdom of Jesus. It was matter of regret that so few of the sisters were present on this occasion. An assembly made up chiefly of males bespeaks something wanting, especially when rising up to sing the high praises of God and the Lamb. Brother Henshall and Davies concluded this meeting with solemn prayer to the God and Father of us all, when the assembly broke up, probably never again to meet in this world.

      Monday being the 4th of the month, the regular time for the steamer to sail, except when it so happens, Tuesday at 2 o'clock was the time appointed for all the passengers to be on board--when on the arrival of the mail bags from all parts of the kingdom, the paddles began to move this modern ark in splendid style towards the Western World.

      It was reckoned that about thirty brethren and sisters accompanied brothers Campbell and Henshall to the vessel, who, after taking a peep, with many others, at this floating and magnificent mansion of the deep, at the ringing of the bell were compelled to take the last--the final farewell!

      We understood there were about one hundred and thirty passengers, whose united passage money alone would amount to little short of five thousand two hundred pounds!

J. W.

      I will only add, that during the meeting I had the pleasure of immersing two Wesleyan ministers, from Wales, into the ancient faith, and immediately after it, Mr. Samuel Davies, the brother of our brother John Davies of Mollington. The Welsh ministers had heard our lectures in Wales, June 6th, and on reflection had decided to be immersed and preach the faith formerly delivered to the saints. We regard those brethren as a great accession, having been ministers of standing amongst the Methodists of Wales.

[The Millennial Harbinger, Third Series, 5 (October 1848): 565-574.]