buted! The ground on which the chapel is show that the present occasion had no reference built has been presented to the church by bro- whatever to the Old Testament consecration ther Meilan. He and many other brethren of a place or house; every local solemnity have made great sacrifices of time, labour, or display in the house of God, in the use of and money, towards this building. clerical robes, consecrated utensils, &c., being On rising on Sept. 29, a bright Sabbath evidently opposed to the spirit of the New morning promised a fair day, and we soon Testament, and the appearance and custom set out to Felde. We were joined by many of the apostles. We have not met to dedifriends on the way, and many more greeted cate this house, to-day, (I proceeded to say,) us on our arrival at the chapel, which gra- but ourselves we desire to dedicate anew to dually became quite filled. For the first the Lord, with renewed humility, gratitude, time the praise of God sounded within these and faith; the powers of body and soul are walls, where, from henceforth, the church anew to serve him,-you are this day to bind will meet. All hearts sang and made me- yourselves to the Lord to come up hither as lody to the Lord, and tears of devotion hal- long as your strength permits, and to depart lowed the ground. A breathless attention from hence laden with rich treasures. In and emotion marked the audience during the third part, I endeavoured to show, that the preaching of the Word; and though as for us there is even more cause for joy, than a precaution against disturbances, three gens for those who "kept the dedication of the d'armes were present, their services were house of God with joy." In spirit they kept not required. The order of worship was as before them the beautiful services of the follows:-After a prayer that the Lord temple, which were to be held in the new might be present with us to bless us, we temple at Jerusalem; but what will the sang a hymn, after which followed the prayer Father permit his children to inherit in this of our Lord, contained in Matt. vi. Another place ? Oh, what wonders of grace and love hymn was then sung, after which brother F. Oncken read Psa. cxxii.; then again we raised our voices in praise, after which I preached from Ezra vi. 16-" And the children of Israel, the friends, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy." Keeping these words in view, I endeavoured to show wherein the New Testamental dedication of this house consists; and that in order to perform it we must know, 1. By what means we have attained this day. 2. What it is that we are to dedicate on this day? and,— 3. What prospects this day offers. will take place here! Jesus Christ and him crucified will be preached, and on this day be it made known, for the first time beneath these walls, that there is no other name by which men can be saved, the preaching of the cross of Christ has commenced here this day, and what will be the results? Oh, that they could all pass before the mental eye,— they who will here be wounded by the twoedged sword, who are to be overcome by the Holy Spirit, who will here fall down before the crucified, and who, though self-condemned, will venture to make their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. Yes, within this dwelling of the righteous, songs of joy and victory will resound, for the arm of the Lord will be exalted, and his will be the victory. How glorious the prospect this day opens before us! In the first part, I pointed out that the expression, "children of captivity," which refers not only to the priests and children of After the sermon, another hymn was sung, Israel, whose native land was Canaan, bnt to after which, brother Back, from Leer, closed those who were born in captivity, applies with earnest prayer. At length the aposequally to us, who are born in the captivity tolical blessing closed the pleasing engageof the god of this world, in the captivity of ments of the morning, during which we had a Babylonian church establishment, and in the in a rich measure tasted the graciousness of captivity of barbarous laws, that threaten to the Lord, and felt our confidence in him punish us at every religious step, ours being a renewed and strengthened. threefold bondage. On June 10, 1843, I was arrested in this country, removed and imprisoned, because it was suspected that it was AMERICA. MR. BATES, now of Cascade, in the State my intention to conduct a religious meeting Letter from Mr. Bates, formerly of Ireland. This day I address you under the protection of the laws of the land,-this is the Lord's work! Yes, this is a day which the Lord of Iowa, writing, Nov. 14, says, "When I has made, and we shall best keep it by rejoicing with child-like gratitude bestowed upon us by the Giver of this house. In the second part of my discourse, I endeavoured to went to Ireland, I had to pay 1s. 5d. for a letter from London, and it would be six or seven days on the way. Now I only pay ls. from England, and sometimes have received the Primitive Church Magazine on the 20th | associations are not soon forgotten. How of the month. The post is generally ten delightful the thought of meeting in heaven, days in coming here from New York, some- and meeting in a state of perfection, where times it is only eight days.......If we are we shall see Jesus, and be like him. In prayerful and active we may do as much moving about, and growing older, I feel that in twenty years as our forefathers did in religion is the one thing needful, and that forty....... 'Christ is all and in all.' What is our life? and what is time? Soon, very soon, we shall leave all earthly things, and enter upon the scenes of another world. By and bye it will be said, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.' O to be ready then! Then all will be well. "As a church, we are going on very well at present. There have been nine persons added since I came here, and we now number forty-one. The congregation also is on the increase. The population, however, is continually fluctuating. Americans seem as if they liked to change. Several of our best "At present, my brother, we are all well, members are gone to California, 2000 miles remarkably well, and have been so since our from this, and I think that there is scarcely arrival in this new conntry; I think that an American who would not sell his farm, this is a healthy region. We are located house, &c., if some one were to go with a rather on a ridge of a high land, so that if fair price in ready cash; and then he would there is any breeze in summer, we have it, move on west. Day after day do teams of if any wind in winter, we shall feel it, and horses, oxen, &c., pass by with new settlers, and daily do some stop to swell the number of inhabitants around us. People are scattered [in their dwellings,] and it is difficult to reach them, though as a general rule, most of them come on a Lord'sday, some on foot, some on horses, some in waggons; and these sons of toil are very attentive. if any pure air we shall enjoy it. Some of the earliest settlers settled in the lowlands, thinking that it would be warmer in winter, and cooler in summer, but in both they are mistaken. I often walk out and behold them enveloped in a thick damp fog or mist, while we are breathing a pure atmosphere. All low lands too are rather unhealthy. Fevers, cholera, &c., ever seem to wind their course along streams. New settlers should remember this. I had read of it, and find it confirmed by personal observation. I "I spent one day this week with the agent of the American Bible Society, in visiting the settlers around. This society has determined to place as many Bibles or Tes- "I bought my farm of 150 acres, so I have taments in every family in this state, as plenty of work. The members of the church, there are persons in that family who can however, got in most of my grain for me. read. Every family is to be visited. Where have nearly 1000 bushels, I expect, of wheat, the people say, I am poor, and cannot buy,' oats, and Indian corn,-mostly the latter, the agent is to give. The cost price of the say 800 bushels. I sometimes wish that Testament is 24d., that of the Bible, 9d. you could step in half an hour to see me. This is a noble work, and the placing of so My position is very different from what it used many copies of the Bible among the people to be, yet I am not uncomfortable, but feel must be attended with unspeakable good. happy. I read a little in the morning, de"We had our association meeting lately, when I had the pleasure of seeing several of the brethren. The association is composed of sixteen churches. We have had some prosperity in the association during the year, still there is a lack of conversions to God, We certainly need more power from on high. O, that the time, the set time, were come for favouring Zion......Matters are conducted I expect to be painting again for a time, very much in the same way as in an English then glaze some of my windows, and in the association. There is perhaps a little more evening go six miles to hold a prayer-meetfreedom of discussion,-more of the demo- ing and lecture. So I go on. I have written cratic feeling to be seen, but all was order, nine articles for the periodicals here since I and edifying Some of the brethren preached came, and lectured six times on temperance. Our attendance was good, being If the mind and heart are right, man will nearly 500." be happy in any situation where he is useful. Referring to the death of Mr. Penny and Though my position is new, yet it is a conMrs. Ivimey, he says, "O that we may be dition that suits me rather than a crowded followers of them who through faith and city. Everything is simple and elementary. patience have inherited the promises. My In the summer we sometimes rambled in heart still clings to Eagle street. Early the woods, to get nuts, blackberries, plums, vote an hour to the children, then work. well. strawberries, &c., all very good and very abundant. But if spared I will tell you a little about the farm, about farming, and what a man might do with a small sum of money, in another letter by and bye...... Report of our first annual meeting will be ready next week." While the New Society is thus generally sustained, the friends of the American and Foreign Bible Society are said to be likely to raise nearly, if not quite as much as last year. Brother Bates, formerly of Ireland, and now of Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, United States, America, says of the Bible Union, in a letter dated Nov. 14, "I am surprised at the opposition made to it by Dr. Welsh and others; but it is gaining ground "As I draw nearer to eternity I feel the importance of being drawn nearer to the cross. My companions here are few, and I feel as if I did not covet any, only those who love the Saviour. My books all seem new to me now, and after working five or six hours every day, Fuller, Howe, Gurnall, and others of the same stamp, form agreeable companions when I come in. At present every day. Its fundamental principle must we are all in our logwood cabin, but I have a little study in the new house, eight feet by nine, not large, but large enough at present. I am trying to go on steadily in my Master's work, and pray for grace to serve him faithfully in this destitute part of his field. commend itself to every man's conscience, and especially a Baptist conscience. Some Baptists are coming over to it daily, who opposed it at first,—and others have planted one foot on the solid rock of truth, but the other is standing on the ground of expedi"A Methodist minister, who has got hold ency... The Bible Union men have abandoned of some of my tracts which I have circu- expediency, and planted both their feet on lated, has written me three times, wanting the solid rock of imperishable truth... The a public controversy, but I have no inclina- idea of giving a faithful translation to all tion for that. I told him to put anything lands, is a noble sentiment, and the instituhe had to say on paper, then all parties far tion that attempts it, must live, extend, and and wide would be permanently benefitted finally triumph. This one sentiment fills by his remarks, if the tracts were answered, my mind with joy. If Jehovah looks down and the Baptists cast into the shade......I hope that all is prosperous in the tract department, and in the churches holding the order of the first Christians in apostolic times." THE AMERICAN BIBLE UNION. with approbation on one thing in this lower world more than another, I think that he views that man with special delight, who aims to give his holy Word, faithfully translated, to every nation under heaven. contend for the sufficiency, perfection, and inspiration of the Bible, and why not contend for a faithful translation for ALL LANDS." We "A new paper has been established in New York, the Rev. O. B. Judd, Editor. He is son-in-law to Deacon Colgate. The paper is called the "New York Weekly Chronicle," and takes for its motto, "One Lord, one faith, one immersion."...It is the organ of the Bible Union. Mr. Judd is young, but talented...I hope the paper may prosper, as well as the society." THIS Society is proceeding successfully. It is much to be regretted, that any difference of opinion should have existed, of such kind as to render its formation needful. But it is of much less importance to adhere to any particular Society, than it is to follow Christ, and sustain his cause; it is much less to be regretted that differing consciences should find it needful to act sometimes by different means, than that any conscience should violate its sense of duty towards God. NOVA SCOTIA BAPTIST CONVENTION. The New Society "makes no war," says the corresponding Secretary, upon the old, and OUR attention has been called to the folby and bye, when the slight differences lowing minutes of the fifth session upon the which exist have been thoroughly canvassed subject of the Acadia College, by the in a spirit of kindness and devotedness to esteemed secretary. truth, we hope to hear of all, or nearly all, being again thoroughly united in one mind, and in one judgment. A letter dated Nov. 20, says, "We have obtained subscriptions exceeding 15000 dollars. The purpose of "Resolved-1. That this society gratethe Board to spare no efforts and no expense fully acknowledges the kindness of the Bapto secure the most faithful version that the tists of New Brunswick, in voluntarily scholarship of the age can supply, meets adopting in connexion with the Baptists of with such acceptance, that many, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, making their present contributions, promise Acadia College as the collegiate institution more as soon as it may be wanted. The of the three provinces, according to certain Whereas the Nova Scotia Baptist Education Society at its recent annual meeting at Nictaux adopted the following resolutions, viz.: resolutions passed at the last session of the convention, and cheerfully concur in the arrangements then made for its future government and support; except as respects that regulation which requires annual change in she governors, it being the opinion of this society, and a condition on which this resolution is passed, that it would be more conducive to the interest of the college that the change should not take place more frequently than every three years, and with the power of re-election. Fitch, M. D.; Rev. Charles Spurden; John 66 Resolved, 4. That at the expiration of every three years six of the governors shall go out of office, subject however to re-election, and that an appointment of six be then made to complete the board. But nothing in this resolution shall be held to control or abridge the power of this convention at its pleasure to remove any one or more of the governors and appoint others in their stead, as occasion may make necessary. "Resolved, 2. That for carrying these arrangements into effect, this society does hereby resign to the convention its control and authority over Acadia College, and direct the executive committee to apply to the legislature at its next session, so to alter the Act of Incorporation that the J. W. JOHNSTON, Chairman. government of the college may be legally "Resolved, That this convention exceedtransferred from the present governors and ingly regret that men were to be found on committee to such governors and their suc- this side of the Atlantic, or periodicals in cessors as have been, and as may be agreed England, to circulate reports with reference upon by the convention, and that the act to the financial agency appointed by this conmay be made permanent, and be otherwise vention at its late session, impugning the amended to suit the altered government of motives of this convention, and of its agents; the college. But that due provision be and we hereby attest that our action was in made that the Baptist Education Society good faith, hoping to be relieved of the debt, continue to retain their title to the real that we might be able, by the voluntary estate and buildings, until the debts and contributions of the friends of Acadia Colsecurities for which the executive commit- lege in the three provinces, to give it an tee, or any former member thereof, are or efficient annual support. may be liable, shall be discharged, or the parties be relieved therefrom-on which event arrangements shall be made for selling the title in a manner suited to promote the interest of both the academy and the College on just principles." Therefore "Resolved, 1, That this Convention does hereby confirm the transfer of Acadia College on the terms expressed in these two resolutions." This honest purpose of the convention having been to a great degree frustrated by those who have injuriously interfered to misrepresent us, we acknowledge with devout gratitude the earnest and sincere regard for the college manifested by its numerous friends in the three provinces in making an unusual effort, under many de. pressing circumstances, to liquidate a large portion of the debt, and to support it by their free contributions in future. Resolved, 2. That the convention do petition the legisature of Nova Scotia to make 'Resolved, That we highly approve of the the necessary alterations in the act incor- prudence and patience of our respected porating Acadia College, and to give that deputation, Rev. I. E. Bill, and Rev. John act permanency, and that Hon. J. W. John- Francis, in the trying position in which they ston, Hon. W. B. Kinnear, and Dr. Simon were placed, and acknowledge our deep inFitch, be a committee to prepare and cause debtedness to them, and also to those friends to be presented in the name of the conven- in England who, notwithstanding the mistion the petition for that purpose. And if representations alluded to, exercised their they shall see occasion, also to petition the kindest hospitalities to the deputation, and legislature of New Brunswick for extending generously responded to their plea for help, to Acadia College and its graduates such particularly to Rev. Mr. Lister, Rev. Dr. privileges as may be reasonable and just. Raffles, John Houghton, and John S. De"Resolved, 3. That the following gentlemen form a board of governors of Acadia College, together with the president of the College as an ex-officio member of the same." Wolfe, Esqrs., of Liverpool. Also to Rev. Dr. Cox, Rev. Dr. Steane, Rev. Algernon Wells, Rev. J. H. Hinton, A. M., Rev. Dr. Leifchild, Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, Rev. J. C. Galloway, A. M., Rev. Dr. Morrison, Rev. Ingraham E. Bill; Hon. J. W. John- J. Mc Gregor, and S. M. Peto, Esqrs., M's. ston; Rev. William Burton; Hon. W. B. P., and C. D. Archibald, Esq., of London; Kinnear; Rev. Samuel Robinson; Simon likewise to H. Kelsall, Esqr., of Rochdale, to all of whom the deputation are deeply indebted for highly influential testimonials, or for handsome donations." MR. ONCKEN IN SCOTLAND. be about £200, and I believe he had about £500 from Glasgow, Aberdeen, and other towns in Scotland. Three Baptist churches in Glasgow, have, I believe, agreed to support one missionary. The liberty now afforded for the circulation of the Scriptures, and the preaching of the gospel on the continent, is most encouraging. MR. ONCKEN has met with most gratifying success in Scotland. He has collected there about £726; and what he esteems of still "On Tuesday, Dec. 3, a large meeting more importance is, that, through the bless- was held, of the Edinburgh Bible Society, ing of God on his visit, a general interest has of which Mr. Oncken has been for many been awakened for the mission in Germany, years an agent, to hear his statements. and that three or four brethren will hence- The Duke of Argyle was in the chair, and forth be supported there, it is hoped, by the made an excellent speech. The Papal agScottish churches. Brother Oncken's exer-gression gave him matter, which he handled tions have however been, we regret to learn, in his own way, not sparing the Tractarians. too much for his health, and before he left He concluded by shewing that the Word of Edinburgh, he was completely exhausted, God, and its free, unfettered use, was the so that he had to rest for a few days to best antidote for these errors. Mr. Oncken recruit his strength. This was the last acquitted himself well. He had a delicate place he visited in Scotland. course to take in a large audience of all A friend residing there, writes on Dec. denominations. While he most fully shewed 10, "Brother Oncken leaves Edinburgh to- by the number of converts and churches, morrow, after having been about five weeks the success which had attended his labours here. It has been a delightful season. He and the circulation of the Scriptures, he is a most extraordinary man. I trust the had to steer clear of purely denominational feelings he has excited regarding Germany, matter, in a meeting of a Bible Society. will not be dissipated without producing The duke expressed at the close of the some permanent good. This is the third meeting, his great gratification at hearing visit Mr. Oncken has paid to Scotland. the interesting statements from Mr. Oncken. The first was in 1837, the second in 1841. It is pleasing to see a young man in his On both those occasions I felt much inter- station, evincing such an interest in religion. ested in him, but from the wonderful He has recently written an octavo volume, success which has recently crowned the on the Church of Scotland and its peculiar labours of himself and his coadjutors, and controversies. He evidently can think for the increasing piety and fervour with which himself." all his addresses are savoured, he has on this occasion excited universal esteem for himself, and interest in the work." Besides the above mercies, brother Oncken has to rejoice in the dedication of his son Gerhard unto God, and in this joy all who "He repeatedly preached in the Baptist know him will greatly rejoice with him. churches here. On Friday, Nov. 22, we had "The Lord," he says, "has in much mercy a social tea-party in our chapel, of the five heard my prayers at last, for the conversion Baptist churches: Mr. Christopher Ander- of my dear Gerhard, my eldest son, nineteen son's, Mr. Haldane's, Mr. Innes's, Minto years old, an event which has filled my House, and Bristo-street. About 400 were heart with unspeakable joy and gladness. present. It was a delightful meeting. Mr. O! what shall I render unto the Lord, for Oncken was quite enchanted; it reminded this marvellous display of his sovereign him so of similar meetings in Germany. He grace and power. May it influence me to said he would not designate it by such com- give myself renewedly and more unreservedly mon terms as a soirée or tea-party,-it was to my gracious Saviour." a love-feast, a feast of love. We in Edinburgh are much indebted to Mr. Oncken in forming such a centre of attraction as to draw so many together so harmoniously. A proposal was made at that meeting, and which was well received, for the Baptist churches to unite in supporting one, if not two missionaries in Germany. It has since then been under the consideration of the respective churches. They have in the On the first Lord's-day in June, 1848, meanwhile, responded to the call made upon Mr. Bentley, from Cork, Ireland, took the them. I have not heard the amount col-oversight of the Baptist church, meeting in lected in Edinburgh, but I presume it will Branch-road, Blackburn. After a short BLACKBURN. FOR the information and encouragement of the readers of the Primitive Church Magazine, we beg to furnish you with a brief account of the origin and progress of the recently formed Strict Baptist church at Blackburn. |