which says, "Thou shalt not kill?" If not, I would recommend him to do so.-J. S.

BAPTISMS.-Whitehaven, Aug. 3, 1860.-Dear Bro. Milner,-The Church of Christ in this place has been comforted by the addition of three to its number who were immersed by our elder, Bro. Brown, last Lord's Day. At his suggestion I make mention of the following for your pages. Two who were "born of water" at the time mentioned, are from Scotland, and have been troubled in their minds for some time, the father having been a member of the Established Church, which he left, as also the Secession, and I believe, the Morrisonian churches, seeking the true way without the traditions of men. Your "Letters to the People," which have been re-published in the advertising columns of the Whitehaven News and Whitehaven Herald drew their attention to the disciples here, they came to see and hear, were convinced, have submitted and professed their determination to go wherever the Word shall lead them. They also tell us that in the place where they live, about four miles from here, the "Letters" are read with avidity by many who are otherwise careless about spiritual things, and our desire and prayer is, that they may be still further the means of arousing others to inquire if these things be so. The recital of this will, I doubt not, cheer you onward in the good work, as it has been a source of rejoicing to us to have such pleasing news to send you.-I remain, dear brother, yours in Christ, JOSEPH LACHLISON.

London, June 22,-Dear Bro. Milner,-Since my last report, I have to inform you that two males and one female have been immersed by Bro. Langridge and myself, into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Having found more convenient and commodious premises for meeting, the church removed thereto last Lord's-day week. The Hall of Progress, situate in Northampton-buildings Lower Rosoman-street, Clerkenwell, is now the Meeting-house instead of 14, Warner-street, Clerkenwell. The Evangelist, Brother Langridge, is labouring in faith and hope, sowing the seed, visiting from house to house, and daily meeting with many curious incidents in connection with the State Church agents, who hope to proselyte by presents of tea and sugar, &c. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God will destroy both it and them." These sons of the clergy loudly protest against the people neglecting to have their children rantized, and manifest fully this awful truth-they know not God. Our work is plainly before us; may the Lord bless and prosper the work of our hands and lift up the heads and strenghen the hearts of all his children to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.-JOHN DAVISON.

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1, Brookley-street, Islington, N., London, Aug. 14, 1860.-Dear Bro. Milner,-I am happy to inform you that since my last commntcation (which I see not in the Advocate,) three more have submitted to Jesus, being immersed into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Two on Lord's-day, July 29th, and on Lord'sDay, 5th of the present month, we have received notice for two more next Lord's-day. Bro. Langridge is now labouring in Tunbridge, West. He writes me stating that "Christianity at a Glance" is well received by some of the Wesleyans; and Aug. 13, he was to meet three of the most influential to converse about forming a church in accordance with New Testament teaching.-Yours in Jesus, JNO. DAVISON.

Carnock, 23rd July, 1860,--Dear Brother,-We love you for the truth sake, for it is we, not so privileged as others, who know the good arising from such a pen. We number fifteen of those who have turned to the primitive order of things. We meet every Lord's-day in one of the brethren's rooms and worship our God, through our kinsman Redeemer. We do not have the emblems of his body and blood circulated among us yet, but we are looking for the day when some modern Timothy will be amongst us, setting all things in order. -Your brother in Jesus,-J. B. (Why wait for Timothy ?-ED.)

Drumclair, Aug. 13, 1860.--We have been labouring at Boness for two weeks past, and hope that the church recently formed will receive six, if not more, of the fruits of this labour. I purpose to visit Bathgate to give the church there a week, after which, I purpose to try another field. I have great pleasure in the work, and would like to be entirely devoted to it; but somehow or other, I cannot break off. The church here gives cheering evidence of continuance in the grace of Christ. We have, of course, now and again, a little trouble, which I presume may be expected, till the Lord come. Could you not come and see us? I had a fine meeting last evening. One cried out at the meeting, and another on returning home; both now profess to understand and believe the gospel. I have great sorrow in my heart and much cause for joy.-Yours in the blessed Jesus,-C. ABERCROMBIE.

Nettleton, Wilts.-Last Lord's-day, in a limped stream, at a picturesque spot near the above village, four persons were buried with Christ in baptism, wherein also they were raised with him through the faith of the operation of God, having been previously begotten by the Word, through my feeble instrumentality, the Lord enabling me so to proclaim the truth as to lead these dear ones to say, “Why should we not be baptized?" to which the reply was scripturally given, "If thou believest, thou mayest," and hence the happy result, and they are now (one brother and three sisters) rejoicing in the Lord. On this occasion a large concourse of spectators from the neighbouring villages assembled at the above spot, where I had a favourable opportunity of relating the tale of redemption to a rustic and attentive audience, and I doubt not that many a heart felt the potency of this tale of unparalelled love, and many retired to their own homes pondering these things in their hearts.-Yours affectionately in Jesus,-ROBERT DILLON.

Edinburgh.--The church formerly meeting in Nicolson St. Hall, having removed to Roxburgh-place Chapel and had it comfortably fitted and painted, the baptistry was called into requisition for the first time, on Lord's day evening, July 15, when a mother and youthful daughter, having confessed their faith in the Saviour of mankind, were baptised into his death.

(We have disappointed not a few brethren by abridging information sent us to the mere fact of the baptisms named, both on account of space and because of the intelligence being given in personal or business letters. Brethren must not expect us to publish all that they may be kindly disposed to say about our little publications. Let it be a rule in future to write on a separate page or slip what is wished to appear in print.-ED.)

OBITUARY.-ON 31st July our beloved bro. Jo': Duncan, of Turriff bade adieu to time's things, aged 74. His latter end was peace-he

knew in whom he had believed, and could trust Him for time and eternity. For the last 17 years our brother held the position of Elder among the few disciples who meet for worship in Turriff. For sound discriminating judgment he has not left his equal in this locality, he had the advantage of a more liberal education than fell to the lot of the youth of his day, which he did not fail to improve; he was a learner to the last, and was well informed on most subjects, both civil and religious. This made his company to be sought after more especially during the early part of his life, when it was but too common to have the inebriating cup at every social meeting, where he shone as the sun of the circle, and had nearly fallen an irrecoverable victim to the then existing usages of society, but the principles of total abstinence were only set forth for a short time when the cause had his strenuous advocacy and support during the rest of his life. He was baptized 12 Oct. 1839,-since which time he has contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints;-his faith was strong, resting as it did on a mass of evidence both internal and external, which in his public teaching he was ever ready to bring before the mind of his brethren. On matters of faith he spoke and wrote authoritatively and with confidence; but on matters of opinion with the greatest diffidence. Though in the former he yielded to none, yet in the latter he seemed to have attained the rare quality of esteeming others better than himself. It may be said he was diffident to a fault; such was his retiring disposition that he and his works were not so extensively known among his brethren as could have been wished. He had talents of superior order; and strange to say though his fellow townsmen appreciated his sound judgment and were ready to take advantage of his varied stock of knowledge, in regard to civil affairs, yet in regard to religion they would none of it. but kept a respectful distance, possibly setting down his great regard for divine authority to the account of whim or over preciseness. One trait of character illustrative of his reverence for divine authority ought to be made known as an example to others. Though he had to struggle with poverty during the latter half of his life, yet to relieve himself of this he could not stoop to do what many a one bearing the christian name would have felt no hesitancy in doing; he had a Government situation at his acceptance with a salary that would have relieved him from all pecuniary embarassment; but as an oath was required before entering upon it, he heroically determined to forego office and emolument rather than violate the precept, “Swear not, and thereby do violence to his conscience. Some will call such conduct weakness-let them. There are the better instructed with greater reverence for the Lord's will who will call it strength-and give the praise and honor due to such self-sacrifice for conscience' sake. To say that the subject of this brief notice was without his faults would be simply ridiculous, but we may well adopt the language of the Psalmist King, "a great man has fallen to day in Israel"-the disciples here have sustained a great loss is his removal, our consolation is that our loss in his gain. Such is the high estimate! have formed of our late brother, if I have not formed a correct one, is not from any want of opportunity, being intimately acquainted with him for a long time.-WILLIAM MORRISON.

Samuel Owen, Printer, Wrexham.

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ESSAY ON PRAYER.

(Concluded from p. 167.)

FAMILY worship is not expressly enjoined in the Word of God, but the union of a family of Christians in the exercises of praise and prayer, is one of those things which is right in itself. It is a practice which commends itself to every one who delights to draw near to God; for we have family as well as personal requirements and favours. But promiscuous "family worship," leads to promiscuous "public worship," (and vice versa) and this unholy alliance at the throne of grace, to the same at the table of the Lord. And all this to Babylon!

As to " · Prayer-meetings," while some make too much of them, others are apt to slight, if not to neglect them altogether. The apostles and first converts to Christianity certainly did meet for prayer, although it cannot be shewn that they ever met for prayer only. It is not to be supposed that they ever thought of advertising a "public prayer-meeting." True, such a course might have exposed them to persecution, instead of eliciting general commendation, as in our day. But this difference of action is not to be accounted for thus. The truth is that they had then no idea of praying the world into the church; or of praying sinners into a right state to enter the church, as in our day. Neither did they think to effect the conversion of sinners, by praying to God to turn or convert them; or that it was necessary to importune the divine Being to do this. But if we are to judge by the language used at many prayer-meetings in our day, those who meet for prayer are very anxious for the conversion and salvation of their fellow men, but they have to wrestle with God in order to prevail upon Him to put forth that power, which He alone can exercise, in order to effect so desirable an object! The truth is that no man is so willing or desirous for his own conversion, or that of his fellow men, as is God Himself! And that God is entreating sinners to turn to Him instead of calling upon them to pray, or entreat Him to turn, or convert them! "Instead" we say,-deliberately so-for if God alone can convert the sinner, it cannot be the sinner's duty to turn, (i.e. convert) himself. No wonder, then, that we should hear so much of prayer-meetings in our day. The wonder is, that a religious community, holding the prevalent notions, should No. 10, Vol. III.-October, 1860.

the unconverted.

allow a single day to pass without convening so to pray for Are the majority of our neighbours, if not of our kinsmen, sinking down into Hell because we are not sufficiently earnest or importunate in prayer to God to save them! If it be so, let us know, that we may have prayermeetings daily and nightly; crying mightily to God, in order, if possible, to prevail with Him to have mercy upon the lost and helpless, and put forth His arm to save them from the horrible pit! But we have not so learned Christ! We are convinced that such sentiments hinder many from fleeing from the wrath to come, and turning to God. Hence we approve not of the special object for which many meetings for prayer are convened. That Christians should have a special object (or objects) in view when they meet for prayer, is very important; and we have already referred to some things which we should, and some which we should not pray for. If the disciples of Jesus ever met for united prayer, during his ministry, or if he ever joined them in prayer, we have no record thereof. But after his resurrection, he told them to wait at Jerusalem, for the fulfilment of the promise of the Spirit. And they waited, and they prayed, and the promise was fulfilled! Acts i. 4, to ii. 4. "The eleven" and others assembled, and continued with one accord, in prayer. The great object of their unanimous prayer being (undoubtedly) that for which they were waiting! Waiting and praying! Praying in faith! In Acts iv. and xii., we have other instances of united prayer; but those present were disciples-exclusively so; and a special object was before their minds. If such is not the case with us-if we meet to pray "for anything, or everything, and nothing in particular," no wonder if the meeting is uninteresting, unedifying, unprofitable; and that many should stay away, saying, “It is only a prayer-meeting." But what a highly interesting and profitable meeting was that referred to in Acts xii. See also xx. 36, to xxi. 5. We need not seasons of persecution to supply us with special objects for prayer, but care should be taken that special objects are not lost sight of. And might not our teachers speak more frequently on the subjects of prayer and of praise. Preparation of mind, and of heart, are required of such, especially who take the lead in our devotional exercises; and not only in order to address the church. Paul says, Let all things be done with a view to edification," 1 Cor. xiv. 26. He spoke thus in treating of the meetings of the church, when

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