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Having arrived at Freetown, we have now conducted our readers through the whole circuit of the colony. In the account given of the different stations, they will not have failed to have noticed that there is much which is gratifying, and which should call forth thankfulness to the Author of all grace, and animate us to make greater efforts to assist our African brethren, by prayer and otherwise, in their disinterested endeavours to advance the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Surely, the continued and zealous labours of our fifty-eight native preachers of the gospel in the colony cannot be without additional effect. The promise of God leads us to believe that they will not, for thus saith the Lord : "My word that goeth forth out of my mouth, shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 66 Many," also it is said, "shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." And: "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Another matter, also, we presume, cannot have been overlooked by our readers -the great want of the means of instruction at most of the stations. This is much to be regretted. But it is our design that this particular subject shall have our immediate and special attention. We wish to adopt measures which shall meet the wants of the people of Sierra Leone in this respect, by endeavouring to provide suitable teachers for schools at all our African chapels. With this view we propose to enlarge the operations of our Training Institution in Freetown, as well as increase the number of day schools as speedily as possible; that is, as soon as the liberality of christian friends in this country shall furnish us with the pecuniary means of carrying out these most desirable objects. "Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord ?"

DISTRICT MEETING.

The meeting having been opened by singing and prayer, the minutes of the last meeting held at Campbell Town, as well as those of the Conference held at Zion Chapel, Freetown, were read and confirmed.

Special reports of the brethren who had been requested to visit the churches of the eastern district of the colony, were laid before the meeting, and received due consideration. Statements were likewise presented from all the Connexion chapels, relating to the number of members that had been received, had died, removed, or had been excluded since the last meeting; together with a general account of the religious character and prospects of the several congregations.

Two of the brethren, who have been well educated, were received on probation as exhorters.

It was also resolved that a competent person be appointed in each congregation to visit the sick or distressed members of the church.

The amount which had been collected towards building a mission chapel at Bompey, Sherbro country, was reported, with a request that the particulars be inserted in the Connexion Magazine. (See the Harbinger for last month, page 32.)

The next District meeting was appointed to be held at Waterloo, in the month of April, 1856.

Thus it will be seen that our African friends are not insensible of the advantages of united deliberation, but act according to the scriptural principle: "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." It is plain also that they are not destitute of christian sympathy towards the poor and distressed members of their societies, as well as that they are advocates for church order and discipline, while they seek, by all the means in their power, to promote the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom amongst their benighted countrymen. And, who is there that will not say to them: "We wish you success in the name of the Lord?"

NEW TRUSTEES

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The members of the Sierra Leone DisOF THE CONNEXION. trict of the Countess of Huntingdon's It is to be regretted that no Connexion, held their half-yearly meeting Trustees are yet appointed to fill up the at Zion Chapel, Freetown, on Thursday, Connexion Trust, which have now been the 15th of November, 1855, when preach- vacant for some time. We understand ers from most of the stations were present. opposition will be raised_against the apBrother F. E. Nicol was chosen chair-pointment of the Rev. James Sherman

man.

to that office.

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PROPOSED SALE OF USEFUL ARTICLES, IN AID OF THE FUNDS OF THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

We have much pleasure in informing our friends that several of our congregations are busily employed in preparing useful articles for this object, and we hope all who profess to be identified with us, will imitate their example. We have been much encouraged by just receiving £25 from a sale of useful articles at Norwich, for which the committee express their warmest thanks to the Rev. J. J. J. Kempster and the friends in that city. And if that sum be realized by one congregation, aided by a few other friends, what may we expect from a general effort throughout the Connexion. Per

haps it may be well to inform our friends that in addition to what the Ladies' Working Associations are preparing, all kinds of manufactured or other saleable articles, will be acceptable, such as books, stationery, gloves, drawings, Ladies' work tables, old china, papier mache, and other ornamental and useful articles, &c. &c.Where it is not practicable to form working parties, contributions of such articles from individual members of the It is earnestly hoped that this plan will congregation will be thankfully received. commend itself to our friends generally, as owing to the great falling off in our funds this year, we must mainly look to this source as the means of making up that deficiency for meeting the claims of our schools and missions.

Further information may be obtained from the Secretaries and the Ladies whose names are appended, who will be happy to receive articles for sale, up to the beginning of June, 1856. Mrs. THORESBY.. Spa Fields Chapel, London. Sion Chapel, London. Islington. Worcester.

Mrs. DORVILLE..
Mrs. HOLLIS
Mrs. DODD..
Mrs. WAKE
Mrs. JONES..
Mrs. TROTTER.
Mrs. LEWIS

Mrs. KEMPSTER..
Mrs. HART..
Mrs. NEW
Mrs. WHITBY

Cheltenham. Tunbridge Wells. Avebury, Wiltshire. Rochdale.

Norwich.

St. Ive's, Cornwall. Leamington. Swansea.

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THE HARBINGER.

MAY, 1856.

TO THE

MINISTERS OF THE LATE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S CONNEXION,

AND TO THE

MINISTERS OF THE CHAPELS INCLUDED IN THE CONNEXION TRUST.

Tunbridge Wells, March 1st, 1856.

CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

On a perusal of the accompanying Reports, it will be seen that the state of the cause at the several Stations is much the same as it was at the close of the preceding year: intimating that special prayer for the revival of the work of God amongst us is much called for.

During the past year the ministers at CANTERBURY, EAST GRINSTEAD, and KIDDERMINSTER have resigned their respective charges, and have been succeeded by others.

The Chapels at BRISTOL, EBLEY, MALVERN, and LONDON, are still without stated ministers; but an arrangement has been entered into with the Rev. JOHN THOMAS, of Manningtree, for supplying the Chapel at the latter place for twelve months, commencing from the 1st of April next, which it is to be hoped will, by the Divine blessing, have the effect of giving a greater degree of stability to the cause at that Station. The unexpected removal of their pastor has had the effect of checking progress in the cause at Bristol; but it is gratifying to find that at Ebley a larger number has been added to the church during the last year than during the same period for several preceding years, many of whom are the fruit of the ministry of their late lamented pastor; thus affording additional evidence that his abundant labours were not in vain in the Lord.

By reference to the report of the cause

at PRESTON, it will be seen that in consequence of the failure of the effort made by the Trustees to establish a cause in that populous town-principally owing to a want of sympathy and co-operation on the part of the people-after a trial of twenty-nine years, attended with a large expenditure, they came to the decision, on the resignation of the pastorate by the Rev. CHARLES LEE, in February, 1855, to dispose of the Chapel. This they have accordingly done; one of the friends connected with the cause having offered to purchase it, in order to preserve the building for the use of the congregation; an arrangement which has given the Trustees much satisfaction, as it encourages them to hope, that now that the people are thrown upon their own efforts, the object above referred to may yet be attained. A portion of the proceeds arising from the sale has been applied to the liquidation of a debt of long standing, incurred by the purchase of the Chapel at Kidderminster. The remainder will ultimately be applicable to aid either in the purchase or erection of a Chapel in some other locality; but, for the present, is required to meet an unexpected demand for the payment of advances recently made for the general purposes of the Connexion.

Death has again made a breach on us, by the removal of the Rev. JOHN WILLIAMS, of Chester, who finished his course on the 20th of August last, at the age of 73, after having, in conjunction with the Rev. James Bridgman, faithfully and

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usefully exercised his ministry in that | city, and its neighbouring villages, for nearly thirty-eight years.

The number of our ministers has been further diminished, in consequence of the Rev. S. T. GIBBS having, at the solicitation of his friends in New York, where his father has for many years exercised his ministry, gone to reside in that city; and by the withdrawal from the Connexion of the Rev. CHARLES LEE, on occasion of his resigning the pastorate at Preston.

Three ministers have also been under the necessity of retiring from the stated exercise of their ministry, by the declining state of their health; namely, the Rev. GEORGE NEETON, and the Rev. JOHN WOOD, after having been engaged in the work for twenty-five years; and the Rev. JAMES HOWES, after having exercised his ministry at Goring, and the two Stations connected with it, for the extended period of forty-two years. To each, we beg to offer our sympathy and best wishes. The only addition made to our ministers during the present year has been by the recognition of the Rev. ALFRED TURNER, as one of the ministers of the Connexion.

Circumstances of a painful nature having occasioned a vacancy in the Trust, and the infirm state of Mr. Trueman's health having incapacitated him for the discharge of its duties, the attention of the undersigned has been anxiously directed, during the past six months, to providing efficient help in this department. Five gentlemen, who from their position and character were considered eligible for the office, have been invited to join us. Of these, three have declined, and two have not as yet given a final answer. It is hoped, however, that both of them will accede to the request.

We again beg to call attention to the excess of expenditure beyond income during the past year;-occasioned, in part, by extra demands on the funds, and partly by a decrease in the income, to the extent of upwards of £50, in consequence of the reduction of the 31 to 3 per cents.as imposing on us the necessity, not only of abstaining from making any new grants during the present year, but of reducing, wherever practicable, those which have been already made.

We take this opportunity of renewing the expression of our cordial thanks to those who have kindly assisted us in carrying on the work in IRELAND, where

Eight Readers are at present engaged in diffusing scriptural knowledge.

With an earnest desire and prayer that the various agencies and measures which are employed amongst us for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause may, by the Divine blessing, prove eminently successful during the year on which we have just entered.

We are, yours faithfully,

H. F. STROUD. JAMES SHERMAN. N.B.-Reports of Stations will appear next month.

GOD'S WITNESSES. "Therefore, ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord that I am God."-43 Isaiah, 12. The design of God in separating the Jewish nation from all the other nations of the earth was, to preserve amongst them the true knowledge of God, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Adam possessed the right knowledge of God, in a state of innocence, but when he fell from his high and holy state, the darkness of error spread over his mind, and the minds of all his descendants, so that the knowledge of the true Goa was lost, and the nations of the earth fell into idolatry, "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people." That God might deliver a portion of the human family from this awful darkness, he called Abraham out of Ur, of the Chaldees, and instructed him in a knowledge of himself. Hence, God often appeared to him and to his posterity. He revealed his glory to Moses in the wilderness. He appeared to the Jews by inspired prophets. He gave them His lively oracles. He wrought miracles amongst them. He made himself known in a variety of ways, yet they fell into idolatry. This provoked God to anger, and he sent them into captivity. But He also appeared to them there by Ezekiel, made great promises to them, and restored them to their own land. The history of the Jewish nation proves that the God of the Jews was the true God. His wonderful dealings with His peculiar people proved His perfections, moral government, and deep interest in the welfare of men. The true God is seen in the prediction of future events and in their fulfilment. Hence the captivity of the Israelites in Egypt and their deliverance were foretold. Also their captivity in Babylon and their deliverance. And also the wondrous life,

death, and resurrection of our Lord. The Jews, therefore, were witnesses for God-that He was the true God in opposition to all idols.-43rd Isaiah, 10-13.

The text teaches us the importance of the true God being known. This is important because of the great end God had in view in giving existence to intelligent beings. He gave them existence that they might glorify Him, but of course this is impossible, if we do not know Him. Idolaters worship imaginary beings-beings which have no real existence, such worship, therefore, can be of no benefit to them; and must be very dishonouring to God, for they give the glory due to Him alone, to senseless idols. The command is, "thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.' Acceptable worship requires knowledge, confidence, and love. God is glorified when we worship Him as He has been pleased in infinite mercy to reveal himself. And the right knowledge of God is also important because of its beneficial influence on the welfare of individuals, families, and nations. The tendency of this is to raise the intellect, purify the heart, and to promote self-respect, benevolence, and love. The tendency of idolatry is to cramp, brutalize, and degrade the human mind. The tendency of revealed truth is to expand, exalt, and in every way to bless the human mind. And this knowledge is important because of its tendency to prepare man for an eternity of bliss in heaven; because of the relations in which God stands to him; and because of the consolation it yields in affliction. There can be no meetness for heaven without friendship with God; and friendship supposes knowledge, confidence, love, union, mutual delight. The bliss of Paradise will consist in eternal communion with a triune-God. Hence to be fitted for this, we must know God in this life. Now to give men this knowledge, God employs the agency of His own people. They are His witnesses by the influence of His religion upon their hearts and lives. Religion in the soul is a witness for God. Here we see His power, holiness, and love. "And I will put my spirit within you." This precious gift originates faith, fear, love, hope, and joy. These principles living in the soul, prompt to obedience. Faith is seen in obedience. Love is seen in obedience. |

Fear is seen in obedience. All vital religion is a witness for God, hence should be diligently cultivated. Here God may be seen. "And I will dwell in them, and walk in them." And His people are also witnesses for God by the means they employ to propagate His religion in the world. They are required not merely to look on their own things, but also on the things of others. They must be a light to those in darkness. They must hold forth the word of life. They must be as a city set on a hill. They are required to circulate His word; to support the preaching of His gospel; and to enlighten all men in the great truths of the christian system. And they are His witnesses by the experience they have of His care towards them. This is seen in their conversion, preservation and meetness for heaven. The Lord has set apart the godly for Himself. They are witnesses of His delight in mercy; readiness to forgive; faithful love. Hence they should try and realize their important position in the world, and seek to be faithful witnesses for their father in heaven. The subject teaches us the importance of the conversion of men. Then they become witnesses for God, and it is important that these should be multiplied. The world wants the benefit of their light, holiness, and compassion. There are vast numbers that know not the true God and care not to know Him. These must be aroused, instructed, led to the Saviour. Believers are continued in the world that they may serve their generation according to the will of God

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-that they may testify of Him—that they may help to enlighten and save the world. "This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.' The blessings God has bestowed upon them have laid them under a constant obligation to promote His glory. Love constrains them to do this. And their Lord has set them a perfect example. He was a faithful witness to the truth. delighted to do the will of His father. He lives to exalt Him in the earth. The true God is seen in Christ-in His person, life, and work. "Who is the image of the invisible God." Christ has taught us by his example as well as by His instructions how to glorify God, and the gospel requires us to imitate Him. His Apostles were witnesses for God, by the holiness of their lives and the truths they published. And since their days many`have suffered martyrdom for the

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