come to the one book, be all called by the one name of Christians, and be immersed in the one baptism. He concluded by urging them to return to the first principles of Christianity. "Mr. HAIGH, of Huddersfield, said that if they looked at the subject of evangelical reform through the medium of the numerous sects into which Christendom had become divided, teaching contradictory things both in matters of doctrine and faith, as well as in church government, they would be led to the conclusion, that the difficulties in the way were insurmountable; but if they looked at in another point of view, the difficulties would vanish. Was there an infallible standard by which they feeling of confidence in the truth, and a spirit of union, peace, and love among the brethren, never surpassed, if equalled, at any previous meeting of the same character. The letters received from sixty-four congregations of brethren in different parts of the United Kingdom, strangers to each other in the flesh, breathed a spirit of affection that ought always to be manifested in a lively manner by the disciples of the Lord. This is matter for gratitude and encouragement, while progressing in the ways of righteousness. number of delegates, it is true, was not large; nor were all the churches represented, inasmuch as some of them did not indicate sufficient interest in the objects of the meeting, and in the recognition of each other as disciples of Jesus, as to send letters expressive of sympathy in a desire to extend amongst men those divine principles which can alone bless and elevate the human family. A spirit so apparently indifferent The creeds conform to what was taught by Christ and his apostles. The best way to the cause of the Redeemer, cannot of promoting evangelical reform was, be commended. Nay, it makes one not to make direct attacks upon exist- blush, to compare it with the devotion ing churches, but to set forth the pri- and love of Him, who "was rich, but mitive church of Christ in all its beauty, for our sakes became poor." He laborso that men might see and embrace it. Mr. Haigh then referred to the last comed, suffered, bled, and died, and then, as mission of the Lord Jesus to his apos- a triumphant victor, entered into his tles, as recorded by St. Mark, and com- glory. Now, the honor of maintaining mented on it at considerable length, and vindicating his cause in the world, calling upon all present to repent of rests upon the true-hearted disciples their sins, go to God through Christ, and believe the gospel and be baptized. everywhere. The greater the difficulHe also quoted a great number of ties presented, the more powerful the sages of Scripture, in support of what opposition which they have to encounhe believed to be the true faith. He par- ter, the more resolute, determined, and ticularly referred to baptism, which, he heroic should be their conduct in its argued, was necessary, and combatted with the doctrine of infant sprinkling. prosecution. The union of disciples and the conversion of sinners are inseparably connected by the Captain of our salvation. His deeply-interesting prayer is, "that his disciples may be one, that the world may know and believe that he is the Son of God." pas "Mr. J. WALLIS, of Nottingham, Editor of the British Millennial Harbinger, then addressed the meeting, pointing out what he conceived to be the chief doctrines taught by Christ and his Apostles. "The proceedings terminated shortly after ten o'clock." The proceedings of the Annual Meetings, of which only an outline is given, were characterized throughout by a The meeting was favored with the presence of Brother Frazer, of Illinois, and Brother Santo, of Adelaide, whose addresses were of more than ordinary interest. Although perfect strangers to the brethren, they spoke the same things, and were one in heart and soul with the disciples at large. Thus were brought together, for a brief period, brethren from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, America, and Australia; and we envy not the Christian heart that would not have rejoiced, even at the cost of much self-denial, to form one in such a community of brethren, with Christ as their head and representative. J. W. EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. The following are extracts from the letters read to the Meeting: ALVA. We are sorry that it is not in our power to be present with you at the meeting to be held in Wigan. We are one in spirit with you, and we hope you will be able to devise some means to spread abroad more fully the truth as it is in Jesus. The men to do this are indeed wanted. The means would soon be provided, if you could find the men. May the Lord raise them up! True Christianity is in a low state in this land. Those who go to the popular churches merely profess religion, but do not practically follow the Lord. A great proportion of the people deny the truths of revelation altogether, and, as time rolls, circumstances of danger appear to be more numerous here. One great cause is, the inconsistent practices and preaching of the " clergy as well as the laity. It still requires to be shown to the people that the Scriptures are true, and that there is but one way of acceptable obedience pointed out therein. The fatal error is too generally entertained, that persons are safe if they are only connected with some religious body; and until they are convinced to the contrary, we need not expect them to reform. ANSTRUTHER.-The brethren are living in peace, but the cause here has been weakened by some of our most useful brethren emigrating to America and Australia. There are none of us qualified to proclaim the glorious gospel to sinners as it ought to be. Still we meet every Lord's day to edify each other, to hold forth the doctrines and institutions of our Lord, and to observe those things which he has commanded. We have been visited by Brother W. Godson, who gave several addresses on the causes and remedy of the unsatisfactory state of the professing church, and the faith, obedience, and hope of the gospel. We trust the word will not return void, but will prove quick and powerful in the hearts of sinners. We hope the delegates assembled will be guided by the wisdom that is from above in all their deliberations, and that the plans adopted will tend to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, in the conversion of sinners and the upbuilding of the saints. BANBURY.-We have been visited by several of the brethren from London during the year; they edified the church, and their services were kindly received. Brother Hill has spent a fortnight with us, and gave us convincing proof that he was well qualified for the work in which he is engaged. He is a devoted Christian, and a faithful servant of his Lord and Master. Primitive Christianity is not popular in this town. We have but few attend our meetings beside the members, so that our prospect of increase is rather discouraging. We are united in peace and harmony among ourselves, enjoying the blessings of the gospel, and striving to build up each other on our most holy faith. This is an important and delightful work, bringing with it its present, and ultimately its final reward. But the decree is gone forth, "Go and preach the gospel to every creature.' This must be done, and we wish, in such a work, to cooperate with you, and do all we can to send forth those who are duly qualified. Our earnest prayer is, that your deliberations may be attended with the divine blessing, so that the fruit thereof may be seen in the conversion of sinners. BANFF-As a church we are living in peace and unity, endeavouring to build each other up in our most holy faith. We have maintained our numerical strength, notwithstanding the drain on our numbers by emigration, deaths, &c. for which we feel grateful to our Heavenly Father. We believe the signs of the times are favorable for the spread of the truth. Many pious individuals seem to be awakening to the fact, that there has been a great de parture from primitive Christianity. of practice which is so very desirable We would direct attention to the move-in a Christian community. ment in the Congregational body, for a return to more Scriptural usages, as embodied in their periodical Quo War runto. We hail the movement as one in the right direction, and one calculated to aid us, breaking down opposition, exposing unscriptural usages, and leading the mind to the New Testament as alone the standard of faith and practice. We again proffer our aid for the support of qualified proclaimers, and pray that your deliberations may, with God's blessing, be productive of increased harmony and unity amongst ourselves, the diffusion of light and truth, and an extension of the Redeem er's cause in the world. BALLYMAGULLAH. Under existing circumstances, it is not in the power of any of our brethren here, to be present at the meeting in Wigan; yet we wish to express our approval of the object contemplated, and are willing to cooperate with our brethren everywhere, as far as we are able, in the cause of our Lord and Master. We hope that your meeting will redound to the peace and prosperity of his subjects, and to the praise and glory of his holy name. CHOLDERTON. We wish you success in the name of the Lord, and sincerely pray that you may be able to devise some means for the extension of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and what he has done for lost perishing sinners. Should it be necessary, we are prepared to place a small sum, say £10, at the disposal of the Committee, towards the payment of any evangelists who may be employed in making those truths known among our fellow-creatures, by which ourselves have been saved. As a congregation, we have made but little progress during the last twelve months; still we are sensible of the important situation we occupy, and feel truly desirous of the extension of Messiah's kingdom on the earth. There exists amongst us generally, a sense of the necessity of a separation between Christians and the people of the world, in their amusements, as well as in their congregated capacities; and the importance of a regular attendance on the institutions of our Lord and Master. Perhaps, however, it must be acknowledged, that there is not that uniformity CRICCIETH.-As a church we are liv ing in peace with each other, and with all men, going on our way rejoicing, hoping that we shall have the courage "to run the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." The promise is to those loved Brother Jones is the only teacher "who endure unto the end." Our bewe have; he is laboring in the word and doctrine of Christ, and his labors this year have been crowned with success, as we hope they will be in the fuOur meeting-house is quite full every Lord's-day. We hope that the result of your deliberations may be the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. ture. CUPAR. The church in this place, although not increasing in number, enjoys peace. The brethren heartily apspread unity and good feeling among prove of the meeting, as tending to the churches of Jesus Christ. DUNDEE. It is with heartfelt sorrow that we inform you, that the congregation here cannot at this time send a messenger to your laudable meeting; but our earnest prayer is, that our Heavenly Father would grant you much of the spirit of his beloved Son. May the wisdom that is above, guide all your deliberations, and lead you to devise means for the furtherance of the gospel of the blessed God. You will see by our report, that the church in this place has been reduced by emigration to America and Australia. Nevertheless, we are thankful to our God that a few have been added to the Lord by immersion. We have had Brother W. Godson, of Hull, laboring among us, and his labors have been highly appreciated by us, having already brought forth fruit. It is the unanimous request of the brethren here, that you should hold your next annual meeting in Cupar or Dundee. FRAZERBURGH.-In the far North attendance is, for several reasons, difficult, although the important propositions noticed in connection with it would make us anxious, if at all possible. The increase of evangelical agencies is in our prayers daily, and we would by no means wish to forget the necessity of doing something in helping on the great work. May God our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, assist his church in doing great things both for it and the world! and sisters, thus reducing our number to forty-eight. Notwithstanding our difficult position as an isolated church, and the many obstacles to the spread of the truth in this country, we do not GLASGOW.-The congregation here is despair, nor do we think it, on the whole, living in peace, and although we have an unfavorable field for preaching the not been augmented in number by bap- gospel; and any arrangements the tism during the year, still it is increas- brethren may make regarding evangeliing, and we have hope that it will in-zation, will secure our cordial co-operacrease; and when once our present en- tion and support. deavors for the spread of truth have been more fully heard and felt, we trust that the cause will soon grow and prosper amongst us. The greatest enemy to our prosperity hitherto as church seems to have been strife. We are, thank God, free from it now, and if the brethren will only seek to remain so, we have no fears as to the result. a LLANFAIR.-The little flock here are living in peace and unity, just able to exhort and comfort one another in their pilgrimage through this life, in the hope of attaining to the greatest state of perfection, as believers in a risen Lord and Saviour, attending to his ordinances, and desiring, if possible, to meet him on the great day blameless. May the Lord bless your efforts, and guide your deliberations as to the means of proclaiming his gospel in the simplicity of the primitive Christian preachers. May peace and unity prevail throughout all your proceedings. LINKS (KIRKALDY.)—Although unable to be with you at the meeting in Wigan personally, we are with you in spirit, agreeing heartily in the object you have in view. It may be known to some of you, that there are in this place four congregations of baptized believers, numbering in all considerably over 200. We have done all in our power to bring about a union with those who separated from us a number of years ago, and are hopeful that our efforts will be crowned with success. We think the churches ought to give more attention to the procuring of properlyqualified persons for the work of evangelists. NOTTINGHAM. It is with pleasure and gratitude we notice the fact, that since the last general meeting, and more especially during the months of the current year, there has been apparently, and we hope in reality, an increase of peace, union, and cordiality manifested by the majority of the congregation in this place; consequently, a considerable degree of confidence, Christian love, and prosperity, has prevailed among the brethren. This, we are willing to hope, has arisen from an increase of knowledge and submission to the truth as it is in Jesus - a personal realization of which can never fail to sanctify and elevate the minds of all who possess it. There is, however, still great need for progress, and a constant remembranee of the Apostle's exhortation to the Gentiles, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall"—" Giving all diligence, add to your faith courage, and to your courage knowledge, to knowledge temperance," and every other Christian grace, which are necessary for the perfecting of the character and disposition, "that we be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour that if there were more united and Jesus Christ." It is our conviction, humble prayers and thanksgivingsmore songs of praise presented to God and the Lamb, both in public and private, combined with a greater disposithe things of God and his great salvation to converse together respecting tion, a more extensive and lasting suc cess would follow the labors of the brethren, both in the church and in the world. In attending to these duties, should we not be walking in the foot MOREE. Our number has greatly increased during the past year, twenty-steps of the apostles and of the first two having been added by immersion, churches, and be promoting the eternal chiefly through the labors of our esteem- welfare of all by whom we are sured Brother John Campbell, who, we re-rounded? So, also, should we ever segret to say, has emigrated to the United cure the approbation of our Lord and his States, together with five other brothers associates in the heavenly world. Our THE GULF OF ETERNITY.-EXPOSITION OF ROMANS VII. number of members reported last year was, 143; added by immersion, 15; received by letter, 2; restored, 6; total, 166. We have, however, lost by death, emigration, dismissals, and exclusions, 21; making the present number, 145. PILTDOWN. In laying before you our present position, you will perceive that we have not increased in numbers 423 greatly, but we trust our growth in grace and knowledge has been such as to meet the approval of our Heavenly Father, so that when He numbers up his jewels, we may shine as the stars in his kingdom for ever and ever. We have only added 5 to our number this year; 2 have been removed by death, 2 have withdrawn, and 1 restored, our present number consequently being 217. THE GULF OF ETERNITY. How little do the gay and busy multitude of earth's inhabitants realize, as they sail down the stream of time, that they are rapidly nearing the tremendous gulph of eternity, or how soon they will plunge into its measureless realms! more. We see that our youthful joys were but this morning, we see them withered ere 'tis night-withered to be green no The grass can be turned in one hour to withered hay, but the hay can never return to its former freshness. We look back on our early joys and say, They are as a dream when one awaketh.' How short was the vision, and whither has it fled? We were just preparing to live, but now we have awoke and found that we have nothing to do but prepare to die. For what has happened to the joys of life, will shortly happen to life itself. "In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth" in the grave. We have already passed the greater part of life's comforts, every hour is carrying us still further from them; we cannot return, but an irresistible current is bearing us down into the gulf of eter houses will go into other hands. Stran- EXPOSITION OF ROMANS, CHAPTER VII. I HAVE not the vanity to suppose | portion of the epistle, to show to the that the remarks I here submit on what has seemed a very difficult passage of Scripture, will meet the approbation of all under whose notice it may chance to come. Still, as it may be diverse from any exposition yet seen by many, it may assist some future writer to produce, from all the expositions, one that shall give satisfaction. The apostle labors, in the preceding Jewish Christians the equal rights of the Gentiles to the blessings of the gospel. This he shows by several distinct arguments, adapted most admirably to meet the difficulties of the Jewish mind. Does the Jew claim an advantage because of his descent from Abraham ? Then, says the apostle, Abraham was justified by faith, so that he may be the father of all them that believe. Does he |