CHAPTERS FOR CHURCHMEN ON THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 35

Lord delivered him out of all; many were the troubles of Abraham, and the Lord delivered him out of all: therefore he can deliver me out of all. But if he do not (said Sidrac, Meshac, and Abednego), yet we will not do evill, to escape danger because Christ hath suffered more for us. Therefore, if I perish, I perish (saith Hester). She was content that her life should perish: but if my purse suffer, my money doth but perish: if my body be imprisoned, iny pleasures do but perish: and who can tell, when he hath suffered that which is appointed? Therefore God saith, When I see convenient time will I execute judgement: not when thou doest think it convenient time, but when he doth think it a convenient time. Therefore (saith David to the Lord) In thee do I trust all the day: that is, if he come not in the morning, he will come at noone, if he come not at noone, he will come at night at one houre of the day he will deliver me, And then, as the calme was greater after the tempest, than it was before; so my joy shall be sweeter after teares, than it was before; the remembrance of Babylon will make us sing more joyfull in Zion." HENRY SMITH,

Rector of Clement Danes, London; about 1590.

Chapters for Churchmen, on the Free Church of England.

BY THE REV. PROFESSOR BRADSHAW.

CHAPTER II.-EXPLANATION AND TRUTHFULNESS OF TITLE.

BIOGRAPHERS sometimes introduce to their readers the persons who form the subject of their memoirs, by delineating some important traits in each individual's character, before alluding to his or her genealogy, or the time and place of the person's nativity.

In like manner will the writer of this series of short chapters on the Free Church of England endeavour, before referring to any chronological or other point in her history, to give a clear portraiture of those distinctive features of that youthful Mother in our Protestant and Christian Israel, which are suggested to the mind by the adjective "Free," and the noun which it qualifies.

This plan of procedure requires some preliminary explanation, that is by no means unimportant, since much confusion has already arisen in many people's minds respecting not only the real import of the title under discussion, and the particular ecclesiastical organization to which it properly belongs, but even the validity and truthfulness of the appellation itself. Indeed, Puseyite bishops, priests, and priestlings have everywhere scornfully denied the latter.

And although a considerable number of the Evangelical State-Church clergy, have spoken and written favourably of the Free Church of England movement, the majority of them have either affected to ignore its existence, or have vilified its claims to Churchmen's confidence. But all this they have done, either from unworthy and needless jealousy and fear for their own parochial influence or in order to throw dust in the eyes of the people and prevent them from too close a scrutiny of their own faithless dereliction of duty, and their treacherous fraternization with the Romanizing traitors in the State-Church ministry, whose Popish doctrines they theoretically condemn, but practically promote and encourage.

Such have been the causes of the confused and even suspicious ideas of a large portion of the laity, respecting the appropriateness and truthfulness of the very name of this truly Protestant Church, which has already done so much all over the kingdom to maintain and promote the principles of the Reformation, once so dear to English Churchmen.

Another source, however, of the crude and erroneous notions prevailing in some quarters, on the subject of the Free Church of England, lies in the fact, that it is often most improperly confounded with numerous detached

congregations, all independent of each other, and belonging in some cases to no particular sect, and in others to various Christian denominations that have each, respectively, appropriated the title Free, as a qualifying prefix to indicate their ecclesiastical independence, or to show that, in a pecuniary sense, they are self-supporting; while, even in the State Church itself, there are, we believe, not a few congregations known as Free Churches, whose ministers' stipends are not derived from the ordinary funds of the Establishment, but either from the munificence of wealthy patrons, or the contributions of their own members; although in no cases are such congregations free from the Ecclesiastical and Legislative bonds of the Anglican Establishment.

The freedom, however, of the Free Church of ENGLAND (which in every sense is properly so called, as will be demonstrated in these chapters), rests on an entirely different foundation, in several respects, from that which is expressed in the title of any other Church or congregation, either within or without the Anglican pale; although, in some other particulars, the claim to the special nomenclature that gives expression to that freedom may be similar, if not identical, in all.

The limited space at our disposal, will not permit those contrasts and similarities to be pointed out and explained in this chapter, but it is hoped that Chapter III., in the March number of the Magazine, will fully discuss them. The moral and legal right of the Free Church of England to each and every part of her peculiarly appropriate and noble title, will be so clearly demonstrated therein, as to render it impossible to confound her with any other "Free" Church, large or small, or leave it in the power of any priestly caviller to say that the question of the truthfulness and validity of her title, has not been completely and triumphantly removed from the arena of controversy.

The Free Church of England at New Malden.

THE members and, friends of the Free Church of England in New Malden, held a social gathering or tea party, at the Institute on Tuesday evening, January 8th. A large company assembled; the room was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the well-appointed tea-tables, adorned as they were with fruit and flowers, gave a very pretty and attractive appearance to the Institute. The Rev. Professor Bradshaw, the recentlyappointed incumbent of Trinity Church, most ably presided. After tea, prayer was offered by the Rev. Bishop Sugden, and then commenced the proceedings of the evening, which were made interesting by short addresses, varied with intervals of music and song.

The Rev. H. O. MEYERS, of Emmanuel Church, Putney, who first addressed the meeting, said he rejoiced to see such a pleasant gathering, and thought that they had good reason to be encouraged by it, although they had been under a cloud lately, and had had much to try them. Such times were sometimes good for churches, as well as for individuals. Clouds brought showers, and showers fertilised, and he hoped that the cloud would bring down upon them a shower of refreshing. He spoke of the motto text which he had adopted in his own church, for this year, "Jesus only," and he exhorted them in all their works, in all their aims and desires, to think of glorifying "Jesus only."

Bishop SUGDEN delivered a very effective address, full of kind words of encouragement. It gave him, he said, great pleasure to be with them on this, their seventh anniversary meeting. Seven years was a long period of church life, and it must be to them a pleasant retrospect to look back upon their seven years of active evangelical labour, during which time they had often been conscious of the Divine Presence and the Divine blessing. A church was composed of many parts, and was not formed for the minister

or the officials, but for all the members, in their individual and collective capacity. He congratulated them and the Rev. Professor Bradshaw, on the relations now established between them, but he urged them not to leave all the work to be done by the minister. All should help and regard themselves as parts of one body, having functions and responsibilities essential to the good and effective working of the whole. The Bishop illustrated this truth by various similes, and concluded by wishing them, as a church, every blessing and prosperity, and trusting that they would be a centre of light and usefulness in the village and neighbourhood.

The Rev. W. G. CRORY having spoken at some length on "Buy the Truth, and sell it not,"

The Rev. Professor BRADSHAW, in eulogistic words, called upon Mr. Merryweather, saying that, although he had been asked by that gentleman to be excused from speaking, he was sure that they would all be disappointed if he did not address them.

Mr. MERRYWEATHER, after proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies who had so kindly, abundantly, and tastefully provided the repast, which they had all so thoroughly enjoyed, said, that on looking back over the last seven years, and seeing how much they had done, he could not but remember their great indebtedness to the ladies, for their present satisfactory position as a church; for in spite of great opposition and personal misrepresentation, and in spite of many trials and discouragements, they had never been in so good a position as at the present moment. He did not mean that their numbers were greater, or that their finances were more flourishing; but last Michaelmas their lease expired, and they had no site to which to remove their temporary church. Since then they had purchased the freehold upon which the church stood. Nor was that all. Trustees had been appointed, and a trust deed was now prepared, and thus there would be secured to New Malden a free, Evangelical, Protestant, Episcopal Church of England, for all time—a church which no change in the policy of the State, and no timidity on the part of bishops, could corrupt with sacerdotalism, or the pulpit of which could ever be occupied by a Tooth or a Mackonochie. He did not know what they thought, but to him this was a glorious and satisfactory result after seven years of trial, annoyance, and opposition.

Kind and cordial words were also spoken by Mr. BAKER, Mr. HIMUS, and Mr. LESLIE; and the Rev. Professor BRADSHAW, at the close, affectionately addressed the meeting, exhorting them to cement the kind feeling that had been so cheeringly manifested that evening, in mutual forbearance, Christian love, and hearty co-operation in all their church work.

The proceedings were made very attractive by choice songs, rendered with considerable musical talent by Mrs. Mills, Miss Ayres, Miss Robertson, Miss Leslie, and Mr. A. Leslie; while the Misses Clutterbuck, Miss Himus, Miss Cooper, and Miss L. Taylor gave some excellent pianoforte performances. The tea-tables, which were so handsomely spread, were gratuitously provided by Mrs. Ely, Mrs. Himus, Mrs. Merryweather, Mrs. Ayres, Miss Morell, Mrs. Maunsell, Miss Smith, Mrs. Savory, and Mrs. Beardshaw.Surrey Comet.

The Editor's Table.

Christian Life and Practice in the Early Church. By E. PRESSENSÉ, D.D. ; translated by ANNIE HARWOOD-HOLMDEN. 8vo, cloth. London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1877.

In the earlier volumes of the important work of which this volume is the completion, M. Pressensé traced the labours and sufferings of the Church in its conflict with the religious life of the Pagan world. Those of our readers who have read the previous volumes will recall to mind those graphic, and eloquent chapters, which described the persecutions of the Christians under

the refined cruelties of ancient Rome, and the effect of such severe tests and strains upon their faith, as manifested in their religious controversies; and they will remember how clearly, and with what scholarly tact, the development of Christian thought was traced in the ecclesiastical arrangements and organization of the early Church.

The present volume deals more especially with Christian life and practice as manifested in public worship, and in the devotional exercises and habits of home.

Times of persecution, when it became dangerous, and sometimes imprac ticable, to meet for public worship, were probably times of more earnest private and domestic devotion. The very perfectness of the mode and convenience of public worship, in the comprehensiveness of its liturgy, and in the frequent assembling of the worshippers, has at times, perhaps, tended to the disregard of worship in the home. This ought not to have been, and would not have been, if the true relation between home and public worship had been properly considered. Public worship ought to be the out-come of earnest private and family devotion; for the very basis of public worship is to give fuller expression to domestic piety. "Like the stream," says M. Pressensé, "which receives into its broad bosom all the rivulets from the hills, so public worship blends in one common adoration, all the higher aspirations of separate souls. Every Christian solemnity which does not carry out this idea, is a delusion, and its certain result will be, to lend a fictitious character to the religious life itself."

The chapter which treats upon this subject is especially interesting, and proves that the early Christians were earnest lovers of prayer. Origen, Tertullian, and Cyprian, wrote special treatises on the value and importance of prayer as the very breath and life of the Christian. "How should God hear thee, if thou hearest not thyself?" says Cyprian. The priest in the house, like the priest in the church, must say to himself sursum corda. Prayer has shared in that great change which characterises all worship under the New Covenant, It is borne upwards into the presence of God Himself, by the heavenly words taught us by the Master's own lips, which comprise in their sublime simplicity the loftiest conceptions. Prayer rises from the hidden sanctuary of the humble cottage, made glorious by the Divine presence. Prayer is not a Mount of Transfiguration, to be climbed only at certain hours, while for the rest of their time men are content to grovel in the dust of worldliness. It has no value, except when it is the condensed expression of the whole life. Obedience alone can make prayer acceptable. Now the first Commandment of God is love. Hence Tertullian says, "Do we suppose that we can approach the God of Peace, without being ourselves men of peace? Can we ask for forgiveness of sin with our own hearts full of hatred? How can the Father, who condemns anger, receive us if He sees us full of spleen against our brother?""

Such, and many more, are the passages selected from the early fathers, to show the love of the early Christians for prayer, and many curious par ticulars are given from the " Apostolical Constitutions," to illustrate this and other features of domestic religious life. The volume is full of valuable historical research, and is worthy of the reputation of M. Pressensé. Gilbert Wright the Gospeller; a Tale of the Lollards. By F. S. MERRYWEATHER, author of "Lights and Shadows of the Olden Time," "Our English Home," &c. Post 8vo, cloth extra, with Frontispiece. London: S. W. Partridge and Co.

THE author states in the preface: "My earnest desire is, that this little tale may lead our young people to value, still more than they may have hitherto done, the inestimable privilege of a free Gospel; and warn them against that system of priestcraft, which would rob them of this precious gift of the Reformation." The volume is well printed and handsomely got up by the publishers, and is adapted for school prizes.

Ecclesiastical Register.

BATH.-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S CHAPEL.

The annual Choral Service at the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel was held on Christmas morning, at 7 o'clock, under the presidency of the Rev. R. Rew. The chapel was crowded. The musical portion of the service, consisting of selections from Handel's Messiah, was very effectively rendered by the united choirs of Argyle Chapel and Vineyards, assisted by Mrs. Poole and members of various choirs in the city, directed by Mr. W. H. Cook, Organist of Argyle Chapel. Mr. Evill officiated at the organ. the conclusion of the service, a substantial breakfast was provided in the girls' school-room by the managers and some friends, for about seventy persons who had given their services. The chapel was prettily and tastefully decorated, under the direction of Mr. Seymour and other members of the congregation.

CARDIFF.-ST. PAUL'S FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

At

A Special Service was held in this Church, when about 400 children and friends were present. A sermon to parents was preached by the Rev. G. Mackey, who urged upon them the necessity of giving to their children a religious training. After the service the distribution of prizes took place. -South Wales Daily News.

NEW MALDEN.-TRINITY FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A WATCH-NIGHT Service was conducted by the Rev. Professor Bradshaw in this church on the last night of the old year. There was a large congregation present at this solemn, but most interesting, midnight service; and an impressive sermon was preached from the very appropriate words in Exodus xii. 42—“It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord." On Sunday evening, January 6th, the Rev. Professor delivered a very profitable New Year's address from the words, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Ps. xc. 12). An account of the Seventh Anniversary Meeting in connection with this church will be found in another page of the Magazine.

OSWALDTWISTLE-TRINITY FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

On New Year's Day, the annual treat was given to the teachers and scholars of the Schools belonging to this Church. On the following day a public tea meeting was held, at which nearly 400 were present. Much interest in the Free Church of England movement was manifested.

PUTNEY.-EMMANUEL FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A watch-night service was held in this church on the last night of the old year. There was a good congregation present. The number of communicants is increasing. The collections for church expenses have, during the past quarter, been very satisfactory, and have amounted to £32 14s.

SPA FIELDS.-COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S FREE CHURCH.

The Bible subjects, as arranged for the half-year to June 30th, for the study and discussion of the Young Men's Society heid at Spa Fields, are especially interesting, and embrace a great variety of subjects.

The meetings of the Young Men's Society are held in the Committee Room every Sunday, at a quarter to three in the afternoon; and on Monday evenings at a quarter past eight; on Sundays, for the study of the Bible; and on Monday evenings, for mutual improvement in general knowledge -for reading, recitation, essays, discussions; also for the further consideration of subjects adjourned from the Lord's day afternoons, and for the transaction of the business of the Society.

TOTTINGTON.-ST. JOHN'S FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

On December 29th a large tea party was held in the school-room belonging to this church.