Correspondence. It is to be distinctly understood that in no sense do we hold ourselves responsible for the opinions and sentiments of our correspondents. THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA. TO THE EDITOR OF 66 EDITOR.] DEAR SIR,-I send you 66 'a copy" of a letter received the other day from Dr. Patterson, of Chicago, the writer of the article that was lost in the post. I thought so important a letter should appear in the Magazine. It is a weighty epistle. Our movement is taking hold of the American people. He is himself a Presbyterian clergyman, and a considerable writer, but he is evidently struck with our movement and admires it. I send it you verbatim. The italics are his. You can introduce it by referring to the article that was lost-my writing to him for another, which he says he has requested Dr. Montfort to mail me, though not as yet received, although all the other papers referred to have come to hand. Before May, I shall (D.V.) have written to Mr. Jay Cooke and Mr. Cheney, which you can say, if you please, and anything else likely to tell on our work.-Pray believe me, ever yours in Christ, Horne Villa, Ilfracombe, April 14, 1871. B. PRICE. TO THE REV. B. PRICE, BISHOP OF THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. REVEREND DEAR SIR,-I am greatly gratified to learn, from your esteemed favour of the 27th January, that my little article has been in any degree an encouragement to yourself and the faithful brethren who, with you, are employed by the Great Head of the Church in a work the ultimate results of which neither you nor we in America may be able properly to estimate. Had the sentiments you express regarding the Episcopate prevailed among the leading men of England at the time of the Reformation and afterwards, the Church then would not have been rent by Dissent, nor weakened by the expulsion of many of her godly ministers. The necessity of some personal oversight of missionary ground, such as large cities and new settlements, is now acknowledged by all parties. The Methodists have their presiding elders and bishops; and the Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists have their district secretaries; who, however imperfectly, attempt to supply the want of oversight of the young and inexperienced minister. In the last Bibliotheca Sacra, the quarterly of the Congregational Theological Seminary at Andover, au article, by the Patriarch of that denomination, advises, in the lack of any sufficient number of properly-educated ministers, the employment of instructed laymen, two or three in each parish, under the direction of the minister. Thus there is an approximation, both in theory and practice, among all true believers in Christ; and I hail it as a fitting preparation for the last great conflict now so fast closing around us. I have written to Dr. Montfort to mail you the papers you desire, and have also taken the liberty of mailing you a copy of a sermon preached on the occasion of Mr. Cheney's trial, and which, having been printed in a daily paper on the morning after delivery, and then reprinted in Philadelphia by Mr. Jay Cooke, the United States banker, and circulated by him extensively among the Episcopal brethren, has not been wholly useless, and which may interest you, as showing the interest felt by other denominations in America in the great crisis now impending in the Episcopal Church. Mr. Cheney, having been suspended, declines to submit to the sentence, and is sustained by his congregation. A new independent Episcopal Church has recently been opened in New York. What is needed is a movement here such as yours, to give bone and sinew to the protest against Popery. The Episcopal Convention of Illinois ordered the word Protestant to be omitted from the style and title of that body. [Here follows a passage on the support of the Ministry, which we omit.] Many thanks for the Magazine and Poll-deed. They evidence the genuine old English style of calm, considerate courage in a good cause, which has in so many battles conquered the foes of God and liberty. May the Lord guide and bless your earnest efforts to call His people out of Babylon; and to unite with all who love His glorious appearing and His kingdom, in awakening the Church to the perils of the impending crisis. With Rationalism and Materialism prevalent in so many colleges-Continental, English and American --and Ritualism palsying the arms of the Church, how can we stem the ever-rising tide of an ungodly population doubling its numbers, here, every 20 years, and with you every 40. As I read the papers, and note the concern expressed at England's isolation, and the dark possibilities for which preparation is being made at the War-office, I feel more profoundly than ever the folly of mere statesmanship, and the infinite superiority of faith in calming men's souls in the hour of danger and trouble. To be well assured that, when the enemy has done his worst and is in the very midst of his triumph, the Lord Himself will come with the shout of battle and plead His own cause, and take the nations for his inheritance-this faith will uphold the elect when the believers in a Rationalistic Millennium, confounded by the reversal of all their prospects, are swept away by the deluge of unbelief.-Yours, in Christ, 71, N. Curtis-street, Chicago, March 7, 1871. ROBERT PATTERSON. THE POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 66 TO THE EDITOR OF 'THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE." Might I suggest, MR. EDITOR, that a few brief outlines be made in your Magazine as to what is legally inseparable and unalterable in the Free Church of England? It would prevent a deal of useless discussion, and act as a guide in any future correspondence. I say this, because in the letters of Mr. Simms and "Spectator," there is a good example of what I mean. "Spectator" says, "If bishops are necessary," and Mr. Simms immediately annihilates that "if" by the simple statement of an undoubted fact-"Bishops are necessary.' Would it not be better at once to stop any other such ifs that might arise by a concise declaration of a few leading principles ? 66 "Spectator" says, that "if the Free Church of England is to prosper, it must take up a more decidedly antagonistic position with reference to State Churchism." I should be sorry to think, Sir, that the "prosperity " of the Free Church of England depends upon its antagonism against any religious system. If there is something inherent to recommend it, then in its own right it will acquire its own position ; 'and if the movement have no internal value, no amount of opposition will cause it to prosper. Sir, my reason for writing this letter is, that I am anxious to avoid the danger of aiming at too much, and reaching too little. What is to be done must be done slowly, but surely. If we begin to make spasmodic efforts, they will certainly leave behind them nothing but weakness and decay. Let us remember that one evil stroke may prove fatal to the whole. I am also anxious to avoid another danger-viz., that of placing ourselves in a false position. There are many who, for various reasons exclusive of those which arise from Ritualistic tendencies, enrol themselves as members of the Free Church of England; but would they do so if they knew that they were expected to attack the Establishment? It is true that the State Church appears to them, as to others, to be a system strongly objectionable, and, as it is carried out, in many cases a positive evil. But for all that, it is still to the large majority an object of deep veneration; and especially so if it has been the Church which has witnessed their spiritual birth, and watched over their spiritual education; and a feeling of affection towards the State Church would make it almost unnatural for them thus to turn round and demolish their spiritual birthplace, unless circumstances compelled them to do so. G. S. O. In Memoriam. BLUNDELL, HARRY PARKER, died on Jan. 21, after a few hours' illness, aged one year and ten months; infant son, and third child, of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Blundell, of Myddelton-street, Clerkenwell. COOKE, BENJAMIN.-We sincerely regret to record the almost sudden death of Benjamin Cooke, Esq., J.P., for several years one of the trustees of the Connexion and College, and more recently one of the managers of the chapel at Brighton. GRAYLING, MARY ANN, of Wilmingtonsquare, Clerkenwell, died, April 12, after several months' illness. She was formerly a scholar in the Spa-fields Sunday-school, and afterwards a teacher; though, subsequently, from ill-health she was obliged to discontinue the work. She was for many years a member of the Church, and "did what she could" in assisting Christian efforts there put forth. She was greatly distressed by the fear of death in the former part of her religious experience, but for some time before her peaceful end that fear was entirely removed. She died in a state of coma, caused by effusion of blood on the brain. HARTLAND, JOSEPH. Died on Good Friday, at his residence, Redland, Bristol, Mr. Joseph Hartland, aged 75 years. It will be grateful to the feelings of many readers that a passing tribute of respect should be paid to the memory of an earnest, useful, and good man, whose considerate and kind co-operation in acts of Christian usefulness will be long remembered. His association with Spa-fields Chapel commenced at the time the Rev. E. N. Kirk, from Boston, U.S., supplied at that chapel, with extraordinary success, upwards of thirty years since. He subsequently entered into the operations of the congregation with earnest ness and intelligence, acting as Secretary to the Christian Instruction Society; and for some years until his removal from the neighbourhood-being Superintendent of the Sunday-school, in which office he was greatly esteemed-the services rendered to the school by the several members of his family and himself will not readily be forgotten. The name by which he was frequently spoken of was "the gentle shepherd." His practical good-will was manifested towards the school and other societies by the continuance of his subscriptions and help-notwithstanding new claims-up to his death, and by inquiries upon all possible occasions, "how things were getting on at Spa." Upon the last occasion he was present-at the thanksgiving meeting in reference to the Cobham-row Chancery suit--in his own hearty, feeling strain, he said, "I am very pleased to be surrounded by so many friends. I am quite an old man now. I see many persons here who were very young when I was with you. I can truly say, when I first heard there was to be contention, I did sympathize with you in my heart. I always felt for the school as well as for the Sunday-school ever since I was connected with you. I rejoice that God has been so merciful and kind to you. I pray that God may speed you in all your efforts, that this place may go on and flourish; so that when we meet in glory I hope we shall be surrounded by thousands taught here and led to God through its instrumentality." After a long and active life, he was permitted to be a great sufferer for many months, but at last the release came. He "had accomplished as a hireling his day;" he rests from his labours, and his works do follow him. His later years were cheered, and his last hours solaced and blessed, by the loving attentions of a devoted wife and an affectionate daughter, who, with his son, the Rev. Edwin J. Hartland, now mourn his loss. "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." JONES, W.-On Sunday, April 2, 1871, Mr. W. Jones, of Worcester, departed this life in the eighty-second year of his age. For upwards of sixty years he had been member at Lady Huntingdon's Church, Birdport-street, Worcester, and was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens as an upright and consistent man. Many of our readers, especially among the ministers who have supplied the pulpit at this church, will remember our departed friend, and the deep interest he took in the prosperity of the congregation. The event was improved to a large and attentive assembly by the Rev. T. Dodd, who selected his text from Acts xxi., 16: "An old disciple." After referring to this appellation, as given to an early convert at Jerusalem, where St. Paul was hospitably entertained, the meaning of the expression was explained by showing that a disciple of Christ is one who regards His instructions, imbibes His spirit, and obeys his commands. Old disciples are somewhat rare characters, but such are truly blessed, for the hoary head is a crown of glory when found in the way of righteous ness. This text (said the preacher) emphatically describes the character of our departed friend. In early life he seems to have been attracted to this church by the singing, and soon became a regular attendant, where not only the psalmody, but the preaching of the Gospel, deeply interested him, and was the means of leading him to a saving knowledge of Christ. He soon became identified with this place of worship, and was admitted a communicant in the year 1808. From that time to the present he was one of the most regular in his attendance, not only on the Sunday, but also at the week-day services. A dull Sabbath morning, or even a wet day, were not sufficient to keep him from the house of God; but he seemed to enter into the very spirit of the Psalmist, who said, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth;" and how often was the friendly voice of admonition addressed to those who were needlessly absent from Divine service. Though actively engaged in former years in a large manufacturing business, yet we find him zealously employed as a Sunday-school teacher, a visitor of the sick and dying; and on the Sabbath would frequently walk to some neighbouring village for the purpose of reading a good Gospel sermon to the poor and the ignorant. Having been led to feel something of the value of religion himself, he was anxious that others might enjoy the same blessing. He delighted in the good old doctrines of the Gospel, which have ever distinguished the pulpits of the Countess of Huntingdon; and these were as marrow and fatness to his soul. When he had completed the jubile of his attendance at this church, he desired to record the event in some befitting manner, and presented the large and elegantlystained windows, which are placed on either side of the organ. In the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of this place he took a lively interest, and for many years was one of the trustees, and liberally contributed to its various institutions. But the time drew nigh that Israel must die, and we need scarcely ask how such an old disciple died. He who had served God in his day and generation was not left without Divine consolation in the prospect of his departure. The last time I saw him (says Mr. Dodd), I inquired if he felt all was well for eternity. He replied, "that point was settled upwards of sixty years ago," and then repeated the well-known verse : Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood So to the Jews old Canaan stood, To his family and friends he expressed his Reli was best known he had maintained for upwards of fourscore years an unblemished character and a stainless reputation. gion made him good, Providence made him useful, and God has taken him to Himself. "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Servant of God, well done; Praise be thy new employ, Rest in thy Master's joy. NASH, MARGARET JANE, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Whyte Nash, of Denmark-grove, Barnsbury, died on January 22, aged 45 years. For many years she was a consistent member of the Church at Spa-fields. Her deep and prayerful anxiety for the salvation of her children testified to her having herself taken refuge in the ark-Christ Jesus. May not one of them be found wanting when she shall "arise in His likeness." "Her end was peace." WALDEN, HENRY EDWARD.-Mr. Henry Edward Walden died March 11th, 1871, in the 56th year of his age, after a few days' painful illness. His end was eminently peace. Though cut down suddenly in the vigour of active life, he had "set his house in order ;" and though he had expressed a desire to live a few years longer, that he might see his younger children to a more advanced age, yet it did not trouble him when he found that the summons was come. He said, "I am quite ready to die;" and gave necessary directions with unruffled calmness. He was fully conscious to the last, and one of his last acts was to desire his daughter to sing the Doxology, who, not being able sufficiently to control her emotions to do so, played the tune that he desired, while he accompanied with a clear and happy voice. From his earliest boyhood he had expressed a strong desire to devote his life to the ministry but his father dying when he was nine years of age, it devolved on him to carry on his mother's business, which he did for many years; and even after his second marriage he was in the habit of going to her house one day in the week to make out her bills, &c. Of course his mother in early life could not spare him, and his cherished wish was kept in abeyance. ; His devoted affection to his mother made his own wishes secondary and subordinate. In him was exemplified the In truth that "the boy is the father of the man." The devoted son made the exemplary and affectionate husband and father. He was born in the parish of St. Sepulchre, and lived there until his death. early life he attended the ministry of Dr Dillon, minister of the Church at Spitalfields, of which Church he was a member, ever evincing a strong attachment to the Establishment. For twelve years he gratuitously filled the office of organist at St. Jude's Church, Gray's-innroad, attending three services on the Sunday, and that on Wednesday evening. Speaking of this engagement, he afterwards said, he "did not go to play the organ only, but to praise God." Praise seemed to be the special language of his heart. His delight was in sacred psalmody. Music was his element, and he sometimes indulged in poetry. He had an exquisite organ built after his own design, which still stands in his dining-room. He was never fond of business, though he had two excellent ones; and somewhat late in life, so much was his heart still set upon the ministry, he proposed to Mrs. W. that he should give up business and enter the Church. This proposition was not encouraged. He yet entered King's College with some view to its ultimate accomplishment, where he continued his studies for about two years, but he never entered regularly on the ministry, and his preaching never went further than that of his more juvenile days in workhouses, &c. He appears only to have required to be known to secure respect and esteem, as the numerous letters of condolence to his bereaved wife and family abundantly testify, and express the warmest appreciation of his personal, relative, and social worth. His widow, now left the guardian and beloved mother of his numerous] family, is the niece of Mr. Noyes, formerly of Bath, and daughter of Mr. Leonard Noyes, formerly one of the managers of Spa-fields Chapel, where, with her mother and sisters, she attended in early childhood, and now, with a part of her family, worships at that place. WHITEHEAD, R. R.-It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of R. R. Whitehead, Esq., of Amberley Court, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, and Saddleworth, Yorkshire. He had been more or less subject to asthmatic affection for many years, but never, we be |