January 1, 1879.] tions throughout South Australia-having been urged to remain in that colony, has consented to make Melbourne the scene of his future labours. A tabernacle is to be erected for him capable of accommodating upwards of 5,000 persons. Literature. An Examination of the Doctrines of Conditional | and piety, not unmixed with gleams of humour, Conference Office. A REPRINT of a series of articles contributed by the author to the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. He tells us that he lets his book " go forth to the furious battle-field of polemic eschatology with much misgiving not as to the doctrine it defends, but as to the merits of the defence." Candid readers of Mr. Gregory's pages will be disposed to estimate the value of his work higher, probably, than he himself does. So far as we have observed, he shuns no antagonist, and he evades no difficulty. The latest phases of the controversy are here treated with a point, a plainness, and a force which cannot fail to commend the author's arguments to many thought ful minds. Glimpses of India and of Mission Life. By Mrs. HUTCHEON. London: Wesleyan Conference Office. THE wife of the Rev. John Hutcheon became a resident in Southern India soon after the termination of the Mutiny, some nineteen years ago. Hard and practical mission work was for many years the joy and inspiration of her life. She here gives the results of her long observation and experience in a series of interesting sketches. These include notices of the natural features of the country; the manners, habits, and customs of the people; much that relates to the sway of heathenism over the domestic and social life of the people; and the efforts made for their elevation by Christian workers. The book is tastefully got up, and is suitable for a present. Daniel Quorm and His Religious Notions. By MARK GUY PEARSE. Second Series. London : Wesleyan Conference Office. THE hero of this book is a Wesleyan class-leader in a Cornish village. Shrewdness and good sense, religious earnestness and ardent devotion, with that kindliness of nature in dealing with others which belongs to a man living in the conscious enjoyment of the divine favour, are all equally conspicuous in the sayings and doings of Daniel Quorm. He is doubtless the type of many more whose bright example and active exertions for the spiritual good of their fellow men have been crowned with the richest blessing from on high. Daniel here discourses, in the rough Cornish dialect, with a mingled wisdom which not only engage our attention, but which always secure our respect, and often command our admiration. The Four Gardens: a Solemn Imagery. London: Elliot Stock. THE Gardens of Eden and Gethsemane, that of Christ's burial and resurrection, and the garden of the Paradise of God,-these have suggested the title of an epic poem of considerable length, in which the author has evidently endeavoured to follow the teaching of Scripture as closely as the plan of his composition allowed. That plan was certainly an ambitious one. He had read Milton's great poem, and was dissatisfied with it. "He came to the conclusion that Milton had left a more than ordinarily wide margin on which to build another poem: a Paradise Lost not Milton's." The writer thus challenges a comparison between his own composition and the greatest poem in the English language. Crediting him with the best possible intentions, thorough knowledge of his subject, and certain imaginative power, he has yet failed of success. the supposed "margin" left by Milton has been has certainly not been filled by kindred genius in any sense covered by "The Four Gardens," it or ability. If By the Rev. E. London: W. Hunt The Minister's Pocket Diary and Visiting Book: 1879. London: Hodder and Stoughton. BESIDES the usual diary and other features in former editions of "The Minister's PocketBook," this year's issue presents several additions to its contents, which must render it more useful than ever. Compact and complete, it will be widely used as it becomes increasingly known. Is Choral Service Prayer? SYNGE T. DAunt, m. A. and Co. IN answering his own inquiry, whether choral service is prayer, Mr. Daunt manifests an earnest concern for the spirituality of public worship with which the tendencies of large numbers of clergy and laity, especially among the juniors of both classes, present a most lamentable contrast. What he has here written is well calculated to suggest reflection as to how many persons may be mistaking the gratification of their own refined tastes for communion with Him who, to be worshipped aright, must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. Evangelical Alliance. ANNUAL WEEK OF UNITED AND UNIVERSAL PRAYER, JANUARY 5-12, 1879. The following arrangements have been made in London : WEST-END. Meetings will be held daily in LANGHAM HALL, 43, GREAT PORTLAND STREET, OXFORD CIRCUS, commencing at Twelve o'clock. MONDAY, January 6.-Praise.-Praise to God for His long-suffering kindness and mercy; for the goodness of His providence; and especially for salvation in Jesus Christ, and for the blessings enjoyed under the present dispensation of the Holy Ghost. Thanksgiving for the cessation of war and the peaceful settlement of European questions; also for the Divine blessing which has attended the international meetings and services held in the Salle Evangélique, the distribution of the Holy Scriptures, and other Christian work during the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Confession of unbelief and unfruitfulness. Ps. cxvii.; Ps. cvii. 33-43; Rom. xi. 33-36; Acts ii. 14-21; Ps. xlvi. 6-11; Dan. ix. 3-10. Chairman: The Hon. Sir ROBERT LUSH. Address by the Rev. H. W. WEBB-PEPLOE, M.A., Vicar of St. Paul's, Onslow Square. TUESDAY, January 7.—Prayer.—For the power of the Holy Spirit to rest upon and operate in the Church of God everywhere, so that the disciples may be led into all the truth; that errors in doctrine, and corruption of scriptural worship, may be stayed; that faith and hope, brotherly kindness and charity, may be increased; and that the general tone of spiritual life may be elevated in communion with the Lord. Intercession for believers who are afflicted. John xviii. 36-38; John xvi. 13; 2 Tim. iii. 1-5; Rom. xii. 9—18; Eph. i. 15-23; Ps. xxxiv. 17-19. Chairman: HENRY WRIGHT, Esq., J.P. the Rev. J. H. RIGG, D.D., President of the Wesleyan Conference. Address by WEDNESDAY, January 8.—Prayer.-For the energetic operation of the Holy Spirit in the world at large, convincing men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and bringing those who are merely nominal Christians under the quickening and transforming power of the Truth. Prayer also for Christian families; for the training of the young in the fear of the Lord; that they may be kept from error and evil, especially that the grace of God may be upon them. John xvi. 7-14; Gen. xviii. 17—19; Col. iii. 16-24; Prov. xxii. 6; 1 Chron. iv. 9, 10. Chairman: R. C. L. BEVAN, Esq. Address by the Rev. DONALD FRASER, D.D., Minister of Marylebone Presbyterian Church. THURSDAY, January 9.-Prayer.-For the effusion of the Holy Ghost "upon all flesh;" for the continuance of peace; for the establishment of righteous government; for the spread of enlightenment, good-will, and the love of justice among all nations, and for their conversion to Christ; for the removal of intemperance and other social evils; special prayer for the nation, its Sovereign, and all in authority. Isa. xi. 1-10; Prov. xiv. 14-27; Isa. lxi.; Gal. v. 19-26; 1 Tim. ii. 1-4. Chairman: DONALD MATHESON, Esq. Address by the Rev. JAMES A. SPURGEON, Co-Pastor Metropolitan Tabernacle. FRIDAY, January 10.—Prayer.-For the blessing of the Spirit of God to accompany evangelistic and missionary labours, and render them fruitful to Christ; for the turning of all Israel to the Lord; for the growth and stability of the young churches gathered from heathen communities; for the revival of Bible Christianity in Eastern lands; for the preaching of the Gospel among all nations; and for "cheerful giving" on the part of those who go not themselves to this work. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Rom. xi. 26; Acts xi. 19—30; Matt. xxiv. 14; Phil. iv. 10—19. Chairman: GEORGE WILLIAMS, Esq. Address by the Rev. HENRY SIMON, Minister of Westminster Chapel. SATURDAY, January 11.—Prayer. For those who preside over the churches of the saints, and for all who are called to preach and to teach; for the due observance of the Lord's-day; for the wise guidance of biblical translators and critics; for successful resistance to secularism and infidelity; and for the Divine blessing to accompany and follow the General Conference of Christians of various nations to be held this year in Switzerland. Eph. vi. 18, 19; Isa. lviii. 13, 14; 2 Tim. ii. 15—19. Chairman Captain the Hon. F. MAUDE, R.N. Address by the Rev. JOHN RICHARDSON, M.A., Vicar of Camden Church, Camberwell. THE CITY MEETINGS will be held daily in the Centenary Hall, Bishopsgate Street, from one to two o'clock. Short addresses will be delivered at each meeting. Ministers of the Gospel and Christians generally are earnestly invited to be present, and to make these meetings known to their congregations and friends. ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE BRITISH ORGANIZATION. Special circumstances having rendered it extremely difficult this year to convene a Conference out of London, and the usual Conversazione having been omitted in May last, the Council arranged for a meeting of members and others on November 28, to afford the opportunity of giving a report of the transactions of the year. The Committee of the National Club kindly granted the use of their rooms for the Conversazione and Conference. Notwithstanding unfavourable weather, there was a large attendance. After tea and coffee had been served, the chair was taken by the President, Sir Harry Verney, Bart.; and among those present were the Right Rev. the Bishop of Huron, Rev. Dr. Sawyer and the Rev. E. G. Porter (from the United States), the Rev. Dr. Bliss (of Constantinople), Pasteur Varnier (of Sicily), the Rev. Newnan Hall, Rev. Dr. Blackwood, Rev. Sir T. M. Lushington Tilson, Bart., Rev. J. Du Pontet de la Harpe, Rev. Henry Smith (of St. Albans), Rev. J. S. Russell, Rev. Dr. Fisher, Rev. John Collins, Rev. Joseph Hargreaves, Rev. D. A. Herschell, Rev. Dr. Kessen, Rev. Dr. Willis, Rev. Dr. Trail, Rev. Thomas Penrose, Rev. John Hartley, Rev. J. V. Mummery, Rev. Thomas Champness, Rev. Robert Johnston, Rev. W. K. Rowe, Rev. Henry Jones, General Sir Colin Mackenzie, Captain the Hon. F. Maude, Major Malan, Sir Francis Lycett, Colonel Bruce, Sir John Coode, Messrs. R. C. L. Bevan, W. Tollemache, T. R. Andrews, John Finch, Donald Matheson, M. H. Hodder, Lockhart Gordon, Robert Johnston, James Lord, J. F. Fortescue, etc. A portion of Scripture was read by the Rev. W. Allan, and the Rev. J. S. Russell offered prayer for the divine blessing to rest upon the proceedings. The Chairman, referring to the great work undertaken by the Alliance in connection with the Paris Exhibition, said: More than anything that has taken place for several years past, it united in sympathy the friends of Evangelical Protestantism from all parts of Europe, and, indeed, of the world. At the time of the first Pentecost men from all coun tries are described as coming together to hear the preaching of the Word; but the divisions of our modern world have separated rather than united different nationalities. And it was a great point, when the Exhibition had collected such an enormous concourse from the ends of the earth, for the Alliance to seize the occasion to show that there was a deeper, holier union amongst men than that brought about by trade, politics, or social intercourse. The numbers who attended the religious services and meetings in the Salle at the Trocadero were very large-upwards of 100,000 persons; and though many came from mere curiosity, yet, amongst so great and continuous a stream of human beings, we may hope that some carried away thoughts on religious subjects which may help on the great cause of truth for which we all are trying to do our best. The aspect of affairs at this moment is so serious, both on our Indian frontier and in all parts of the Turkish empire, that it may possibly bring a general war. It is peculiarly necessary at such a time to attempt to draw closer any of the bonds which unite us to foreign nationalities. If widely carried out, and on the broadest basis, a true Evangelical Alliance all over the world might assist greatly the maintenance of peace. REPORT. Mr. A. J. Arnold then gave a brief resumé of the proceedings of the Council during the year, from which it appeared that there had been a larger accession of enrolled members than in any previous year-some 300 persons having been admitted by the London Council alone. Reference was also made to the numerous meetings held in various parts of the country, affording opportunities for explaining the principles and operations of the Alliance. The efforts of the Council in the cause of religious liberty had been followed by the divine blessing. In Upper Egypt the cases of religious intolerance had been for the most part redressed; full religious liberty had been granted to the Protestants of Motiah and Osiout, and a plot of ground had been given by the Khedive to the Protestants of Koos, for the erection of a church. The case of the Lutheran pastors in Hesse-Darmstadt had received the attention of the Council for some time past, and it was hoped that the new law of secession from the Established Church would enable the remonstrant pastors to exercise their ministerial functions as Lutherans. It was gratifying to know that since the recent visit to Darmstadt of the esteemed Honorary Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Blackwood, a fine of 200 marks levied about two years ago on Pastor Kraus had been repaid to him by the Grand Ducal Government. The case of the Rev. G. S. Ben-Oliel, in Spain, was next referred to, and it was stated that though he had been released from prison after a month's confinement, yet he had to meet the expenses of his legal defence, which were very heavy. The Council of the Alliance had promised to assist Mr. Ben-Oliel in this matter. The Rev. William Arthur was announced to give a report of the recent Paris work of the Alliance, but illness prevented his doing so, and Mr. Arnold read extracts from the detailed report of the proceedings. John Finch, Esq. (Treasurer), expressed the and by him!" pleasure it gave him to state that notwith-viction that, standing the additional revenue which had to be raised in order to meet the expenses incurred in connection with the work at the Paris Exhibition, the ordinary expenditure had been met, and a small balance remained in hand. THE ANNUAL ADDRESS. The Rev. A. M. W. Christopher then delivered the Annual Address. He said: There are evils at this time exercising a ruinous influence on many around us which all true believers in Christ should meet as one man to oppose. Many things which divide Christians are but small matters when compared with the awful effects of the opposition of unbelief to the Gospel of Christ. He believed that what was most needed in order to check the increase of practical infidelity was an increased number of living evidences of Christianityof Christians full of the fruits of the Spirit; Christians full of love, joy, and peace, full of long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit in great power could only be enjoyed by those who were in union with Christ by faith. In proceeding, the speaker said the Evangelical Alliance kept this great truth before the minds of many Christians, and so did much to promote obedience to our Lord's new commandment. It is needful that Christians should know each other in order that they may greatly love each other. The Evangelical Alliance brings them together for prayer and praise and works of faith in which they can unite. Such inter- union of brethren of different denominations | home, and I said to him, 'Well, Doctor, and with those of the Established Church is the what is up now?' For answer I had for the objection made by some Nonconformist bre- moment only the tears with which his eyes thren to the simple necessary explanations of overflowed. 'Ah !' he said, 'I am near the the teaching of the Bible to the children in grave, old friend, and I have found out that Board schools. Would it not be possible, he there is nothing but love that will do, either asked, for the Council of the Alliance to use for the Church or for the world.' In a short their great influence with Christians of all time he passed away. One thing has been denominations in this country to settle some suggested to me by the paper which Mr. syllabus of scriptural instruction within the Christopher read just now. He laid emphasis limits of which explanations and teaching on the fact that it was only some who said might be given in Board schools? If God and did things that were offensive. And I should make use of the Evangelical Alliance think this should be borne in mind, and in this direction, hundreds of thousands of that we should not judge all, and brand all the future men and women of England will for what one does. If, for example, a man in bless God for the institution in connection an adjoining parish makes a great stir about with which they were assembled that day a grave-stone, we must not blame the whole Church of which he is a minister. It is cruel to brand a whole Church for what one foolish man may do. So, too, if a man employs hard words when speaking of a State Church, do not say that all Nonconformists are like him. And if some clergymen are fond of a THE PRACTICAL RESOLUTIONS. The Rev. Dr. Jobson said that as the time was limited, they would take the resolutions as read. These resolutions are ordered to be read and enforced at each Annual Conference. With regard to the first, giving counsel against wrath and bitterness in the use of the press, etc., he thought they might congratulate themselves that they had not so much of these as they had thirty years ago. He did not know how it might be with others, but, so far as his own personal knowledge went, there was not the wrath and bitterness of former times. It had been his privilege to worship among Christians in all parts of the world, and he had never experienced any difficulty. Clergymen had taken him into their houses, and Nonconformists had done the same. Of course they had their differences, as all who claimed the right to read the Word of God for themselves would have; but these differences were not only allowed, but freely made known. Sometimes there was a plea put in for liberty of thought, but the real liberty they wanted was freedom of expression. They might differ (continued the speaker), for there was only one man in the world who proclaimed himself infallible; still, though they might have their differences, they might certainly express them without wrath and bitterness. He believed there was a great improvement in this respect, and that as the Church advanced in knowledge and purity, and as individuals thus advanced, they would go forward in love. "I remember," continued the speaker, once meeting, on Finsbury Pavement, one who had been a very hard hitter in his day in controversy. And, as I speak it to his honour, I may mention his name; it was Dr. John Campbell. pushing along through the street on his way He was bit of Popery, do not say that all the members of the Church of England are ready for it. I believe, after all, there is a good, sturdy spirit of Protestantism in this land of ours- -the land of Cranmer, of Hooper, and valiant old Latimer. Their spirit remains, and by-and-by it will rise like a giant and cast out the evil. There is one important matter referred to in these resolutions-private, public, and social prayer for the Holy Ghost. We have all need to think of this. We have agents without number, systems, and organizations; we have methods of teaching for the young and for the aged, and we have preaching of all kinds. And yet the Church does not overtake the world. We have the machinery wheels within wheels-and the wheels of man's devising may be said to be full of eyes within and without; but what we want is the living Spirit of God within the wheels, and if we do not get this, all this construction of wheels and agencies will come down by its own weight. The Lord answer the prayer that He will give us more of the power of the Holy Ghost! There is another matter referred to in the latter part of the resolutions-prayer for the Jew. I was impressed the other week, at the Conference which was held, by this subject being put somewhat into the corner. I am sorry for it. began at Jerusalem.' It is true we sometimes hear the prayer, 'for all Jews, Turks, heretics, infidels,' but we do not often hear the Jews specially prayed for. They are God's chosen people. They preserved the Old Christ |