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within the next six months! We purpose to lay these facts before a few tried and liberal friends-to appeal to our more wealthy churches-and to solicit a special contribution from those churches which have not assisted the society for these two or more past years.

We have entered into these particulars to show how the debt originated, and to prove that its increase has been unavoidable. The expenditure has been reduced as rapidly as circumstances would allow; but the income has not increased so as to leave a surplus with which to pay off any portion of the debt.

The committee having confided this matter to us, we earnestly press the foregoing statement on your notice. We shall be glad to hear from you, through the secretary, what you purpose doing to relieve the society from a burden, under which, if left alone, it will soon sink.

Signed,

JOSEPH TRITTON, Treasurer.
FREDERICK TRESTRAIL, Secretary.
SAMUEL GREEN.

JOSEPH SANDers.
WILLIAM SWINSTEAD.

Mr. ECCLES writes, Belfast, January 15, and his report is highly encouraging. The report though brief, will show what

has been

THE PROGRESS MADE IN A YEAR.

In my

The Lord continues to regard us with a very encouraging share of favour. last, I believe I mentioned the baptism of two persons, a labouring man and his wife. I have now the pleasure of reporting an additional increase to our number of three persons, one of them received by letter from brother Pike's church in Derby. Our present number is thirty-eight, implying, as reported to the Baptist Union for the statistics of the current year, after deducting excisions and emigrations, a clear increase, from January, 1848, to January, 1849, of eighteen members. The congregation, too, continues to increase steadily. The ground floor is filling fast. New doors of usefulness are opening in various quarters. Many of the common people hear us gladly; and the language of Providence seems evidently to be, "Go up and possess the land." Ours is yet the day of small things, but it is full of hope for the future. The Lord is practically declaring to us, "My

word shall not return to me void ;" and we rejoice to believe that "the little one shall become a thousand," that the land of our heart's best affections shall yet arise from its degrading attachment to a strange superstition, and however down-trodden, distressed, and reckless hitherto, shall constitute one of the brightest jewels in the Redeemer's crown. While we toil, amid unimagined difficulties, upon a stubborn soil, isolated from brethren, dejected in spirit, our souls having no rest through fightings without and fears within, we feel that the dawn of a happier day is already evident, and that, whatever may be

our

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Several out-stations which the pastor could not visit, except very rarely, are now regularly attended to.

THE RESULT.

Though Mr. Eccles will from time to time furnish you with information regarding the church in this town, yet I may just add, that the truth is evidently progressing. There are still persons being added to the church, and the denomination is becoming more generally known.

I have been able to open seven stations for preaching. At some, however, of these, the attendance is small, but at others it is very good, and at all it is increasing. A few of the people attending these out-stations are now beginning to come to evening service in our chapel. So far this is well and encouraging, and invites us to expect other fruits in God's own time. I may say that in all cases my visits are thankfully received, and also that I am frequently invited to preach amongst the people.

The following facts are from the reports of the readers in the Connaught district. They continue to prove the usefulness of this agency. It is a matter of constant regret to the committee that the offers of service which they so frequently receive from persons eminently qualified for this work, are necessarily declined from want of funds. This is the more to be regretted, because some of the agents labouring among the largest populations, as Cork and Waterford, have no assistance whatever.

THE POWER OF THE WORD.

On entering a house where I had been in the habit of reading for some few months past, the woman living in it gave me a hearty welcome, saying she longed to see me again. Having asked why, she said, "You know my son, since his father's death, turned a bad boy to us. On one occasion I complained of him to the priest, but it was of no use. You commenced to read the scriptures for us, and to tell him of the evil consequences of his conduct; and blessed be God, he seems not only changed himself, but strives in a proper way to advise and counsel others in the family, who were following the evil example set for them. So I am glad you are come, and hope you will come often, and counsel the others who need it as much as he did." About eighteen months ago, this very woman refused to let me read the word of God. It is a great change indeed.

hearing me attentively, said, “Oh, then, I have spent my days in sin and rebellion against God, but in my youthful days we had no bibles, nor good men to teach us their sacred contents. May it please the Lord to pardon my great ignorance and neglect. But you, addressing his family, have now the oportunity offered, and I earnestly beg you al to embrace it." This poor man died a few days after, and I trust we have some reason to hope that his confidence was placed in the Lord Jesus.

The proposed payment of the Romish priesthood agitates even the peasantry in this remote district.

VARIOUS OPINIONS ABOUT IT.

Within the last few weeks a general cry has been raised among the lower classes that their priests are about to accept a governthey think it will put an end, for the future, ment stipend. Some of them seem glad, as to their severity and harshness. Others suppose, if they accept of it, that it is a sterling proof that they are not infallible guides, as they have hitherto pretended to be, and therefore they will not be regarded as their spiWhat this agitation of ritual instructors. mind may end in, none can tell. But God will bring good out of evil.

SUPERSTITION CONQUERED.

I have visited pretty often lately, a woman who is a Carmelite, and wearing three rings on one finger, in honour of St. Joseph, St. Dominic, and St. Francis, together with a scapular, and other consecrated cords and badges, which she obtained from friars and others who traffic in such consecrated trumpery.

On meeting with her last week, strange to tell, I missed the rings. Not seeing them in their old berth, I said to her, Biddy, what did you do with the consecrated rings?" She replied, "I have cast them off for ever, for I need not trust in them when God's word tells me that the blood of Christ washes away all sin." "Don't believe what she says," observed a young woman, “for in quilting her petticoat last week, she hid the rings in it." "No," said Biddy, "I would cast a thousand of them away, if they were gold, that I might put my trust in Christ alone."

THE WORD PREVAILING.

I have no hesitation in saying that the people are increasingly reverencing the authority of scripture rather than the commandments of men. The tracts you gave me for distribution lasted no length of time. The children in the school took the greater part of them away. Those who could read were eager for getting them, and they are so I lately visited an aged sick man, who after careful of them, that they most commonly

THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORD GIVETH LIGHT.

carry them in their books, to and from school, persons, and distributed a hundred and three lest they should be soiled.

The reader at Athlone, PAT. WALSH, writes under date of Nov. 2, 1848:—

In the course of the last month I have visited eighty-seven families, and spoken on the grand concern to about two hundred

tracts. Two members have been added to the church by baptism-young men of great respectability and worth. Mr. Wilshere preached a suitable sermon on the occasion, which produced a deep impression. I heard much of it during my visits the following week, and had an opportunity of showing them chapter and verse for what was brought forward on the subject.

POSTSCRIPT.

Our friends will perceive from the Appeal in the first page, what is the pecuniary condition of the Society. We beg them distinctly to ponder the fact that this terrible debt has not arisen from increasing the expenditure; for, during the past four or five years, every effort has been made to reduce it. The income has not kept up to the average of the previous years. We believe none will deny that every effort has been made to improve it. No labour has been spared, but hitherto without the expected measure of success.

What then was to be done? Ordinary means having failed, there was only one course open, and that was a frank explanation of the circumstances, and a statement of the whole case. Circulars have been forwarded to churches who have given no help for two or more years, and to such private friends as are known to be anxious about the Society's welfare and success. Some fruit has already been gathered. We wait with considerable anxiety for the result. May all who can help be inclined to offer it promptly and liberally!

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Subscriptions and Donations thankfully received by the Treasurer, JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq. Lombard Street; and by the Secretary, Mr. FREDERICK TRESTRAIL, and Rev. JOSEPH ANGUS, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street; and by the pastors of the churches throughout the Kingdom. COLLECTOR FOR LONDON, REV. C. WOOLLACOTT,

4, COMPTON STREET EAST, BRUNSWICK SQUARE.

J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY.

THE

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1849.

THE PROVINCE OF ASSOCIATIONS.

BY THE REV. GEO. B. IDE, D.D.

land.

THE Philadelphia Association has just closed a very interesting session. The veneration in which this ancient body is held, its prominent position, established character, and the large number of churches represented in it, give to its deliberations and movements an importance that belongs to few similar organizations throughout the The meeting was one of much harmony and spiritual enjoyment. The accounts presented by the delegates from the several churches indicated, in general, a healthful tone of religious feeling and action; while the interest manifested in the various objects of benevolence, and the liberal contributions made for their support, afforded the most cheering evidence that this noble cause has a firm hold upon the hearts of the multitude there assembled.

But the decision which appears to us of chief moment, and fraught with the happiest consequences to the peace of Zion, was one relating to the sphere of

VOL. XII.-FOURTH SERIES.

the association in matters of discipline. By one of the churches certain queries were sent up, having reference to subjects connected with its own internal administration, on which advice was sought. The association, by a very large majority, decided that such questions did not come within its legitimate scope; that it was foreign from the design of its formation to give counsel in affairs of ecclesiastical government ; and that difficulties arising in an individual church, or between different churches, should be adjusted in the customary and authorized way. In this conclusion we rejoice, believing it calculated to promote order, to preserve the independence of the churches, and to determine the real province of those voluntary bodies emanating from them. To show that our approval is not lightly given, we shall take occasion to offer a few thoughts on the true nature and purpose of associations, as a recognized department of baptist polity.

T

There is, perhaps, no other organiza- and co-operation in the cause of God.

tion among us so ill defined, or respecting which such vague opinions are entertained. And yet associations, meeting as they do regularly, having a permanent existence, and an established connexion with the churches, must, from their very character, be capable of great good or evil. It is, therefore, a question of much practical importance, What is their appropriate sphere? Within what limits is their influence beneficial? When does it become dangerous and harmful?

It is plain that no express mention of associations is found in the New Testament. We know not that the primitive churches had any arrangements analogous to them. But though not directly required by any command or example of scripture, their existence is, we conceive, strictly in harmony with the general spirit of its instructions. It is certainly allowable for Christians to institute, with a view to their own religious improvement, such voluntary combinations as do not conflict with any statute of the gospel; which assumes not to make, interpret, or execute laws in the kingdom of Christ; and which trench upon none of the prerogatives of that ecclesiastical constitution which he has ordained. Accordingly, the churches of our denomination have deemed it not inconsistent with the bible, and profitable to themselves, to unite in fraternal communities, under the name of associations, for the purpose of mutual edification and comfort. The institutions so formed are intended simply and exclusively to have regard to the spiritual interests of the churches connected with them; to ascertain and collect the facts of their condition; to produce concert in their pious labours; to extend succour and encouragement to the feeble; and, by the interchange of sympathy and fellowship, to promote unity of feeling,

They have no authority to promulgate creeds, to issue canons, to prescribe systems of discipline, or in any way to supervise the internal regulations of the churches. They are not boards of reference, nor councils of advice, nor courts of appeal. They can neither legislate, nor adjudicate, nor punish. An association may, indeed, separate from it any church that becomes corrupt in doctrine, or whose disorderly and violent proceedings endanger the general pace; that is, it may withdraw the privileges of union and intercourse when the conditions on which they were conferred are violated. Such a power is necessary to secure the ends it has in view, and is involved in the very prin-. ciples of its organization. But further it cannot properly go. Apart from this, its sole office is, by the means above indicated, to advance truth, holiness, and love; leaving all that is executive, disciplinary, or governmental, where Christ hath left it-to the churches themselves, acting in their individual capacity, under their sovereign Head, to whom alone they are responsible.

It may, however, he said, that when cases of difficulty exist in a church which it is unable to settle, it may be both suitable and useful to seek instruction and guidance from the association to which it belengs. To such a course there are, in our opinion, very serious and weighty objections. References of this nature, should they become frequent

and were the principle established, they would soon do so-must necessarily absorb the time of the association, protract its sessions, create strife and party feeling, and waste, in exciting discussions, the hallowed hours that should be spent in devotional exercises, and in solemn consultation on the great interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. Thus the very objects for which an association is formed would be crowded out and

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