162 THE FREE CHURCH MOVEMENT IN SOUTHAMPTON. among them!" They are doing this with great success; the Ritualists are increasing daily, and their Popery becoming more glaring than ever. The Christian World, in an article on "Church Property and Christian Principle," delivers itself in strong language. Referring to the Bennett judgment, it says, "It has recently legalised and virtually established Romanism in England, thus affording—we say it deliberately—a constitutional ground for armed insurrection, stronger than those which the Puritans had when they rose, pike in hand, to declare that the Church of England should be Protestant, not Romish." 66 Free Church Movement in Southampton. THE condition of Ecclesiastical matters in Southampton is thoroughly disgraceful. The Ritualists, emboldened by their strong position, have ventured upon such extravagance in Popish mummery that even the Bishop, reading the county papers," and cognizant of the Free Church Movement, has thought it prudent to make a show of disapproval. The proceedings at St. Michael's are enough to arouse the Protestantism of the laity—that is, i there is any of the true English spirit left. If England is to be saved from Romanism and priestcraft, a bold and uncompromising determination must be shown. We look with deep anxiety to the conduct of the laity in the large and influential town of Southampton. It would be sad indeed for Protestantism if the garish Popish innovations, the scandalous mummeries, the painted effigies, processional shows, and gross idolatry of the "priests" in the parish churches of Southampton were to elicit nothing but a few letters in the local papers, and here and there a strong individual protest. But although the tactics of "wily Winchester," in appointing a "moderate to the living of Trinity, and by the recent inhibition of the Rev. R. Wilkins, caused a little hesitancy, and lulled the activity of some, the movement for a Free Church of England is still progressing." The Committee have now taken a step which we trust will rally around them all the Protestants of Southampton. At a meeting held on July 18th, at the office of Mr. J. J. Burnett, one of the churchwardens of Holy Trinity, it was resolved: "That, as the general condition of the Church in Southampton warrants our immediate action, and the part taken by the curates of St. Mary's in the Romish or Ritualistic services at St. Michael's fills us with alarm and distrust, we proceed without delay to take such steps as are necessary for the establishment of a Free Church of England in Southampton." The Committee are now in communication with the District Secretary as to the immediate organization of a Free Church of England service in the town. We heartily wish success to this Protestant effort. The eyes of many will watch it with eager hope. May those engaged in its development be guided with wisdom from on high-may they be prudent, zealous, faithful, conscious of having commenced a great work in vindication of that Protestant truth, for the upholding of which in days gone by, it was the glory of England's best and noblest to die. The Hampshire Independent, evidently the advocate of the Ritualists, has from time to time endeavoured to discourage this movement. It made good use of the Addiscombe affair, and gave it as "a warning" to those who would be "Free Churchmen." Mr. Merryweather, in his capacity as registrar, replied this, and explained that neither the Rev. Ben-Oliel nor the church at Addismbe were in any way identified with the Free Church of England, and in subsequent letter said, "Mr. Ben-Oliel's love of an ornate and Ritualistic rvice has long been known. He has, to use his own words, always condered himself a priest.' We have no priests in the Free Church of Engnd. The Free Church of England is thoroughly Protestant and Evangelical, id such a scandal as that which has occurred in relation to the church at ddiscombe could not possibly have occurred in respect to a church belongg to the Free Church of England, whose doctrines are defined, and whose clesiastical organization is complete." OUR CHURCH PROGRESS. MANY have been the inquiries during the last month relative to the Free urch of England. Increased and wider interest in the movement is evient. Several clergymen of the Establishment are prepared to join it, and any influential laymen have expressed their eagerness to see the moveent extend to their own immediate neighbourhoods. A general feeling of rprise, however, is expressed that a Church movement so precisely adapted the necessities of the present day should have existed for so many years id yet be so imperfectly known. One gentleman writes that, interested as › has always been in Protestant efforts, and living in a large and populous ›wn, yet he has never, until very recently, heard of the Free Church of Engnd. He blames the Executive Council for this reticence, and says that the rinciples and objects of the Free Church of England ought years ago to have een spread throughout the length and breadth of the land, for it only reuires to be known to be a bulwark of English Protestantism. We agree ith our correspondent, except in his charge against the Council. The ouncil acted wisely in withstanding the temptation to precipitancy. The ast ten years have been years of anxiety and unseen labour, but the patient bour was essential to the work of revision, and to the consolidation of the aws and organization of a great movement. The work is now complete, and he Free Church of England is fairly before the world. In these perilous lays it cannot be too widely known. But lecturers, secretaries, the press, nd the post, cannot be employed without means. he Protestants of England. Give in faith, and give liberally, and the Free The Council appeal to Church of England will be a power in the land to stem the tide of Ritualism nd Popery! Ecclesiastical Register. BRIGHTON.-On Sunday, July 14, two sermons were preached at the Free Church of England, Countess of Huntingdon's Church, in this town, by the Rev. T. Dodd, of Worcester, in aid of the Society for the Spread of the Gospel at Home and Abroad. Special reference was made to the African Mission and the prospect of the Rev. J. Trotter's visit to Sierra Leone, for the purpose of extending the work of God in that colony. HORNSEY.-A church is about to be erected in the above place, on a freehold site already purchased, to be placed in trust under the Poll-deed of the Free Church of England. Treasurer, Alfred Gleddon, Esq., City Bank (Tottenham-court-road Branch). NEW MALDEN.-A most delightful gathering in connection with the halfyearly meeting of the congregation and friends of Trinity Church, Free Church of England, New Malden, Surrey, was held on Thursday, the 11th July, when upwards of 300 persons assembled. The proceedings were held in a field adjoining the church, kindly lent by Mr. A. Horlick for the occasion. A large marquee was erected, under which the company sat down to a "strawberry tea," which not only included strawberries, but almost every variety of fruit now in season. This tent was most tastefully decorated by ladies of the village, and the tables were furnished with all that was needful, and gracefully presided over by-Mrs. Dicksee, Mrs. Woodroffe, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Turk, Mrs. Critchet, Mrs. Steers, Mrs. Attfield, Mrs. Pilgrim, Mrs. Himus, Mrs. Merryweather, Mrs. Horlick, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Chinnock, Mrs. Wilmot, Mrs. Klaber, and Mrs. Isaacs. After tea the company assembled under the marquee, where short addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Dicksee and Mr. Merryweather. The Editor's Table. The British Juvenile. Willoughby, 29, Paternoster-row. The British Juvenile is always a great favourite. It is full of interest, variety, and instruction, and may be safely put into the hands of children. The Little Gleaners. Houlston and Sons. A charming little serial, full of gleanings from the choicest fields of literature, that cannot fail to please and nourish the young. Addresses for the People. By F. HARPER, Q.C., Oxford. Mackintosh. These pure, simple enunciations of the truth give one the impression of an earnest mind eager for the salvation of souls. They are short addresses steeped in Gospel love, and preach Jesus, and Jesus only. Sermons on Various Subjects. By Rev. RICHARD SQUIBB, of Ely. Elliot Stock. These sermons, by a minister of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, are well selected, and of a truly Christian character, and embrace such glorious subjects as "Christ the Life and Glory of His People," "The Conquering Christian's Award,” "Fallow Ground to be Fertilised," "The Sleeper Aroused," "The Multitude Healed,” “Celestial Scenery." To the congregation attending the ministry of the author, this volume must be very precious, affording, as it does, a sample of his faithful studies for the spiritual welfare of his flock. But these sermons are deserving of wide circulation. The style is clear and uninvolved, the flow of ideas and language very pleasing, while the observations, sparkling metaphors, practical applications, and solemn appeals can hardly fail to gratify and improve. The doctrine set forth is the good old doctrine of the Gospel. The entire book is occupied with things tending to edification. Where every page is good, any quotation may be regarded as a specimen of the whole. We give the following extract from the sermon entitled, “The Source and the Streams of Superabundant Blessing": "The Saviour's love was costly. It involved the temporary abdication of His throne, the sacrifice of honour and happiness-yea, even of life itself. It brought Him from heaven to earth, from His celestial seat to a stable, from His kingdom to a cross. "Though He was rich, for our sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be made rich.' The painful steps He trod were all foreseen, yet there was no hesitation to espouse our cause. He might have said, 'I pity and would save that fallen world, but the price demanded is so immense, that I must desist from the undertaking.' But the evils to be endured He left out of His consideration. He seemed to say, 'Cost what it will, let the work be to the last degree humiliating, or involve an infinite amount of misery, for their sakes I submit.' The Saviour's love, therefore, involve l an immense sacrifice. This is a proof of its genuineness, and also of its greatness. Nothing but real Almighty love would endure such agony for objects so unworthy. The primitive disciples were deeply imbued with the spirit of their Master. They made great sacrifices-they left all and followed Him. But if we ask Christian professors now what has been surrendered for Christ's sake, they must reply, Nothing. They can accompany Him to Calvary, and see Him pour out His heart's blood for them, and yet make no sacrifice for Him; or, if there has been any, it is so insignificant that they would blush to announce it. As a rule, it is a pound for the world, and a penny for Christ." Popular Literature of Ritualism. By Rev. J. RIPPON. Elliot Stock. The Ritualists are wise in their day and generation, and use the press extensively in the dissemination of their principles. Much proselytizing has been effected by ecclesiastical narratives, tales, popular catechisms, poems, tracts, and " 'Manuals," written expressly for the young and persons of the humbler class. Some of these teach the rankest Popery, and assume without the slightest reservation the grossest pretensions of priestcraft; others are more cautiously worded, are wrapped in ambiguous expressions, Jesuitical reservations, and most "ineffable" meanings, but all, nevertheless, covertly exalting the “priest,” and introducing the most pernicious error. These publications are the most dangerous because the most dishonest. The popular literature of Ritualism looks to the young and inexperienced a pleasant pasture, but the deadly slime is there, and we thank the Rev. Mr. Rippon for pointing out to the unwary the trail of the serpent. The Birmingham Protestant Magazine. Nos. 1 to 5. Wilson, Birmingham. A magazine established in the birthplace of John Rogers, the martyr, to oppose "Popery in this Protestant kingdom." It has our sympathy and best wishes. The Protestants of Birmingham are not a few, and their efforts, in the way of lectures, discussions, and publications, have for years past evinced their zeal. The issue of this Magazine is an encouraging sign of the vitality of the Protestant spirit in Birmingham. BOOKS RECEIVED. Lessons of Truth. Houlston.-Church of England proved to have Expelled the Dogma of Endless Torments. Stock.-Great Crisis at Hand. Snow. British Workwoman.-Annual Report of Birmingham Protestant Association, &c., &c. THE REV. CAPEL MOLYNEUX ON THE BENNETT JUDGMENT.-The Record states that the Rev. Capel Molyneux, of St. Paul's, Onslow-square, preached on Sunday morning on the Bennett judgment. Speaking of the position in which it had placed the Evangelical clergy, Mr. Molyneux said there were two courses open to them-one in relation to the Church, and the other in relation to their connexion with the Church. With regard to the Church, what was wanted was a downright radical revision of the Prayer-book. It was ridiculous to talk of anything short of it; and he would be content with nothing less. He would not listen to any compromise. The Church Association was making an attempt to get a petition signed all over the country, to be sent with a memorial to Her Majesty praying for some such alteration in the laws of the Church as would prevent this heresy of the real presence from having a place in the doctrine of the Church. He, however, had little hope of success in this direction, seeing that the Judicial Committee was the final court of appeal. He said boldly that if the Church remained as she was, there was no alternative but secession. He would accept no other. Let the Church be changed, and he would abide; but let the Church abide, and he would change himself. wished them thoroughly to understand that if he remained in the Church for some time longer it would only be because efforts were being made to eradicate this accursed evil from the Church. He wished it to be known to all men that he for one would not, directly or indirectly, sanction in any way the idolatrous worship of a sacrificial image, which the Judicial Committee, by acquitting Mr. Bennett, had set up in the Church of England. He CONTRIBUTIONS, COLLECTIONS, AND SUBSCRIPTIONS, FOR THE SOCIETY FOR THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AT HOME AND ABROAD. Dover. Rev. THOS. ANDERSON. Miss Marks.... Kidderminster.-Rev. IRA BOSELEY. 0 5 0 Sunday-school 050 050 050 Less Expenses 0 10 £2 £2 5 0 H. Downs, Esq. £700 11 5 9 18 5 9 0.10 0 £17 15 9 £3 2 2 110 110 050 Friend Ditto Mrs. Hempson's Box 0 10 0 010 087 8 8 10 7 1 3 6 Contributions, &c., to be sent to the Treasurer, MR. FREDERICK WM. WILLCOCKS, 1, Myddleton Villas, Lloyd Square, London, W.C. |