On Monday evening, May 3, the thirteenth annual meeting of the COLPRTAGE AssoCIATION was held at the Tabernacle, under the presidency of the Paster, C. H. Spurgeon. Extracts from the report were read by the secretary, Mr. W. Corden Jones, and addresses were delivered by the chairman; by two of the colporteurs, and by Dr. Samuel Manning, of the Religious Tract Society. We delight in this work, for its practical usefulness is beyond measure great as compared with the expense. But, as yet, we cannot get such a measure of public sympathy as the enterprise deserves. The report is encouraging, but we cannot conceal from ourselves the fear that the free subscriptions are so small that the capital is being month by month consumed. We have never had sufficient capital for this enterprise, and what we have had must all melt away in keeping the work going unless more help is given. The comfort is that it all goes in real work for the Lord. On Thursday evening, May 6, in accordance with a request from the secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, our week- night sermon was addressed specially to sailors, many of whom were present, with the representatives of various missions to seamen at home and abroad. We insert the letter which we received from the secretary, although it is too much in the preacher’s praise. Sailor fellows are so hearty, that when a sermon pleases them, they do not use moderate language. The sermon can be had as a little book for one penny at our publishers. On Sunday evening, May 9, the seat-holders vacated their seats to allow the general public to worship at the Tabernacle. As usual on such occasions, not only was the house crowded in every part, but probably as many persons were shut out as were admitted. All classes were
represented, from the wealthy down to the poorest. O that a blessing may follow upon our earnest endeavor: In order to invite to this service those who are not regular church-goers, we advertised in the Sunday papers, and we were grateful to find that they for the most part inserted our letter about the service, and made a kindly remark upon it. Special services for the most part only draw together those who are church-goers already; we
wish we knew how to reach the outsiders. Our,plans were in a measure successful; but yet when we heard the congregation join so well in the singing, we felt that still the preponderating number were not of the class that we longed to gather. O for an hour’s talk about Jesus and the gospel to utter worldlings! What brave warriors of the cross might we not find among those who are now the devotees of pleasure! COLLEGE. — The following students, having finished their College course, have settled in the ministry : — Mr. F. G. Steward, at Calne, Wilts; Mr. A. Hamer, at
Chatham Road, Wandsworth Common; Mr. B. Binks, at Workington, Cumberland; and Mr. G. A. Webb, at Godstone, Surrey. Mr. T. G.
Churcher has gone to Edinburgh to complete his training as a medical missionary; and Mr. E. Isaac is conducting evangelistic services in Lancashire previous to his departure for Australia. Mr. G. West has removed from Boston to South Shields, Mr. M. H. Whetnell from Ulversten to Blackburn; Mr. J. J. Ellis from Gosberton to Bedminister, Bristol; and Mr. W. Hetherington from Sudbury to Great Whyte, Ramsey, Hunts. We are glad to hear of the safe arrival of our student, Mr. Edgar Booth, at Melbourne. May he be useful! One of the passengers in the steamship American, which foundered off the African coast, was our student, Mr. Mann, who was on his way to reinforce Mr. Hamilton, at Cape Town. We had a cheery letter from him, written at Madeira, but how soon was the scene changed! He was wrecked, and then, after being picked up, he was wrecked a second time- Our prayers ascend for his safety, and ere this reaches our readers we hope he will be safe at the Cape. Still, he has lost all, and will need Christian sympathy and substantial assistance.
We aided him to buy books and clothes, and all this is gone. However, some one will make it up, and, since the dear friend is, we hope, safe, we will sing of mercy, and praise the Lord. CONFERENCE — The sixteenth Annual Conference of the Pastors’ College Association commenced on Monday afternoon, April 19, by a well-attended prayer-meet-ing at the College. At its close, the ministers and students wended their way to the Shore-ditch Tabernacle, where they were entertained at tea by Mr. Cuff and his friends. In the evening our friend’s great building was nearly filled for a public meeting at which C. H. S. presided, and addresses were delivered by Pastors W. Cuff, C. Welton (Driffield), H. Wilkins (Cheltenham), and George Hill, M.A. (Leeds). The collection for the College realized (pounds)17 9s. It was a soul-stirring meeting, and struck the key-note for us. At the same hour the friends gathered at the
Tabernacle prayer-meeting, under the presidency of the Vice-President,
were pleading for a special blessing upon the week’s meetings. Tuesday, April 20. — The first hour was occupied with thanksgiving and prayer, in the course of which the President read a letter from Mr. Gregson,
containing suggestions for a special evangelistic mission to the English- speaking populations of India. He then delivered the address, which is published in another part of the magazine. After a short interval the
Conference business was transacted. This included reports of the deaths of Brethren H. A. James (Strafford-on-Avon), T. Cannon (Torquay), W.
Miller (formerly of Lewes), and R. L. Ludlow, who had not; completed his college course. The names of 48 students were added to the Conference roll, and all the officers were unanimously re-elected. The accounts of the Assurance Community showed that the payments for the year had been (pounds)85, and the receipts (pounds)75 11s. 6d., and that the balance of (pounds)8 9s. 6d. had been generously given by the late manager of the fund, Mr. Thomas Greenwood, who was heartily thanked for his kind help.
The College owes a deep debt of gratitude to this invaluable brother. The manager for the present year is Mr. C. F. Allison, 161, Buckingham Palace Road, S.W., to whom all communications relating to this matter should be sent. Some brethren having suggested that the object of the community should be enlarged, the President was requested to appoint a committee to consider the subject. This will be done, and meanwhile any suggestions from members of the Conference will be heartily welcomed. At the soiree at the Orphanage in the evening some of the boys recited and sang.
Professor Fergusson delivered an earnest address on “The Source and Results of Spiritual Life,” Pastor W. McKinney (Port Jervis, New York State) gave us an account of “Religion in the United States,” Messrs.
Mayers, J. M. Smith, and Chamberlain sang solos, in which sweet music helped to set forth the preciousness of grace, and we closed the meeting feeling that it had been “a good day” in the highest sense of the word. We hope that this visit to the Orphanage will main-rain the interest of all the ministers in our orphan work: they have helped it often, and will again.
Some of the orphan boys of their deceased brethren are there, and their presence rivets the College to the Orphanage in enduring unity.
Wednesday, April 21. — After a season of prayer, the Vice-President, who was suffering from a pain in his tongue, spoke to us briefly: but
appropriately, from Ezra 6:14. The President announced the receipt of a telegram from the Canadian branch of the Pastors’ College Association, which held its first Conference during the visit of the Vice-President last year. Our venerable friend, Professor Rogers, then read us one of his
charmingly characteristic essays on “Individuality in its relation to ourselves and others,” and Pastor W. williams (Upton Chapel) followed with big paper on “Fuel for Heart Flames,” which we shall hope to present to our readers in a future number of the magazine. It was agreed that Monday, June 21, should be set apart as aDAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER by all the churches connected with the Conference. BRETHREN PLEASE NOTE
THIS. It is the day before the Orphanage Fete. If it can be universally observed among our brethren, we shall rejoice: we will prepare a little letter which can be distributed to excite an interest in the day of prayer. In the evening the annual meeting of the subscribers and friends was held at the College, under the able chairmanship of J. B. Mead, Esq. The president pre-seated the annual report, a copy of which will be sent to all subscribers.
If any have not received it, will they please write? Addresses were delivered by the chairman, the Vice-President, Pastor W. Cuff, our evangelists, Messrs. Smith and Fullerton, Rev. E. wilkinson, Vicar of Snargate, Dr. Green, of the Religious Tract Society, and Mr. H. Varley. At the close of the meeting the company, which was larger than usual,
adjourned to the Tabernacle lecture-hall, to partake of the sumptuous supper given by Mr. Spurgeon and two friends, and prepared by Mr.
Murrell and his assistants. Too much praise cannot be given to our esteemed friend and fellow-helper for the admirable manner in which the whole of the arrangements were carried out, not only on this evening, but throughout the whole week. The subscriptions at the supper-table
amounted to (pounds)1,800, and various sums sent to us afterwards made the total about (pounds)1,900. As we miss two donations which usually amounted to (pounds) 300, we consider that there is no falling off, but rather an increase in the supper gifts. Thursday, April 22. — This
morning’s meeting was commenced with thanksgiving for the mercies of the past day, and prayer for continued and increased blessings in the future.
Pastor J. C. Thompson (Paisley) read an admirable paper on “Our ministerial attitude towards those who differ from us in fundamentals”;
Pastor E. E. Walter (Liverpool) read one on “The unused energy of the church, and how to utilize it”; and Pastor F. A. Jones (Cross Street,
Islington), on “Col-portage.” We were all profited by the morning’s mental food, and by hearty communion with each other. A large number of friends met for tea, and afterwards the Tabernacle was almost full for the public meeting. The President presided, Mr. Frisby’s evangelistic choir led the singing, addresses were given by the Vice-President, Professor Gracey, Messrs. Fullerton and Smith, and Pastors G. W. Tooley (Dumfries), J. J.
Knight (Birmingham), and C. A. Davis (Bradford). Messrs. Burnham, Parker, Chamberlain, and Mayers, our Asaphs and Hemans, illustrated the way in which they go about singing the gospel. The ministers and students were then right royally entertained to the supper, which had been prepared by Mr. Murrell, to whom, and to the president and Mrs. Spurgeon, for all their kindness and help to the brethren, thanks were heartily given. Friday, April 23. — During the devotional exercises of this the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, we were reminded of the uncertainty of life by the announcement of the death of our friend Mr. Leach, the editor of :The Freeman. He served his Lord well and faithfully. He was one of our own children, and for years helped us with this magazine. His wife and family are but scantily provided for, and a subscription is on foot to help them.
We will gladly hand over any help that may be sent to us. After a few words of encouragement from the President’s father, Professor Gracey gave us an exposition of Ephesians 4:8, and our new tutor, Professor Marchant, read his paper on “The power of the Holy Spirit, the preacher’s need and honor.” This was followed by our closing communion service, and the singing of Psalm 122, as usual, by the whole assembly standing with linked hands in token of the bond of brotherhood which unites them to one another. We never had a better conference. The life infused and awakened is felt by many to be a great help throughout the rest of the year.
God be praised. At the dinner-table Pastor F. H. White reported that 113 of the ministers had contributed or collected for the College during the year, the amount received from them having been (pounds)334 19s. 4d., to which the students had added (pounds)181 17s. 7d. It will be a good time when every man sends in something, however small. Hearty cheers were given for the Vice-President, who responded, and for all helpers, for whom Messrs. Murrell, Allison, and W. Olney replied, and the sixteenth annual conference was brought to a fitting close by the singing of the doxology, and the pronouncing of the benediction. At the end of all this we felt weary and worn, but full of inward thankfulness. Amid burdens and cares we are upheld by the all-sustaining arm, and comforted by the Eternal Spirit. To have trained more than 500 heralds of the cross is a great privilege:
whatever of labor and anxiety it has involved has been a thousandfold repaid. Yet do we need the prayers of all, and the help of many, which also we shall have, EVANGELISTS. — Messrs. Fullerton and Smith have been in Birmingham and the neighborhood during the past month, and they expect to be there during the first fortnight in June. They are trying an experiment which, if it succeeds, will guide them in working other large towns. They
started at Smethwick, moved on to Smallheath, then to Heneage-street, and Circus-street, and intend to finish at the. Town Hall and the Curzon Hall. The special correspondent of a local paper thus describes one of the services at Smethwick: — “Arriving some time prior to that announced for commencing the service, in the hope of obtaining a good seat, I found that, large and spacious as the building was, it was well filled. The moment they appeared a something seemed to tell you that the evangelists sent were the right ones. Their first impressions were good. There was nothing pompous, stiff, or patronising in their manner. If their conduct could have been put into-words it would have said something of this sort: ‘Well, friends, we come with credentials from our beloved Master and Teacher.
We are not come to glorify ourselves, or to show off our abilities. We have come in a plain fashion to have a plain talk on serious things. If you are ready and willing to hear, we are ready to. begin?’ Such were the ideas which went through my mind while they paused for a moment. The
appearance of Mr. Smith must have impressed the people that a gentleman of very homely ways was before them, that all parsondom manners would be eschewed by him, that he was merely one of themselves, selected to talk with them. His good, honest-looking face must have inspired confidence instantly. I do not think first impressions will be deceptive. In Mr. Fullerton the congregation could see the features of a student, and one who seemed anxious for the great work he was undertaking .... “The sermon was founded on St. Mark, 10:47: ‘ The healing of the blind man.’ My anticipations of the preacher were more than realized. His genial countenance and pleasantness drew at once the affection of the people towards him, and rarely has a speaker had such a sympathetic audience. He is a fluent speaker, and never at a loss for language. He possesses powers of description of a high order, f was pleased to notice that the
extravagances of some so-called evangelists were conspicuous by their absence. Being an educated man he indulged in no vulgarity or unseemly familiarity with sacred things. His discourse was a happy combination; for while the educated man and scholar could listen with pleasure, the wayfarer and unlettered man could derive equal benefit. There are some engaged in missions who pander to the ignorant, forgetting that thereby they are doing much to render nugatory the good they otherwise might do. I have known even the ignorant themselves to be disgusted when the preacher has come, as he thinks, down to their level. These evangelists, I am pleased to say, steered clear of all these difficulties. They treated their fellow creatures as being possessed of common sense and reason. While Mr. Smith did not
pander, neither did he soar into lofty flights of oratory. There could have been none among his hearers who did not comprehend all he said. His sermon was a beautiful string of poesy. This was just what we might have expected from first impressions. Mr. Spurgeon’s discretion in the selection of these gentlemen is fully justified.” Pastor E. Edginton sends us an encouraging account of Mr. Burnham’s visit to Wedmore, Somerset, from April 12 to 18, when many were led to seek the Sa-viour, and some rejoiced to find him. After the Conference Mr. Burnham rested for a few days, and on May 3 commenced a week’s services at Watton, Norfolk.
Here also souls were saved, and, as usual, the household where the evangelist stayed received a special blessing. Many who attend no place of worship were attracted to the services, and all regretted that our brother had so soon to leave the town. This regret seems very common in
connection with Mr. Burnham’s work, and it should suggest to those who are arranging for a visit the desirability of making the series as long as possible, as frequently the evangelist has to depart just as the fullness of blessing is being realized. From May 10 to 16 Mr. Burnham was at Winslow, Bucks. ORPHANGE. — The following letter, recently received, speaks for itself : — “Dear Sir, — Will you use this (pounds)5 for the ‘ Boys’ Orphanage’? I have just read in The Daily Telegraph that 204 boys are entered on your books as belonging to the Church of England, so it seems but fair to send you something. — Yours most truly, A
CHURCHWOMAN.” The Annual Fete. — Will all friends, far and near, kindly note that THE ANNUAL FETE AT THE ORPHANAGE will be held this year, not on the President’s birthday, June 19, but the following Tuesday, June 22? May God send as a right royal day. We hope that Mrs. Spurgeon will be able to lay the stone of one of the houses. BOOK FUND. — Mrs.
Spurgeon wishes it to be known that she cannot attend to requests for books during the month of July. This work proceeds in fall vigor, and makes many a hungry mind rich in spiritual food, but the invalid worker must now have a little breathing time. PERSONAL NOTES. — We have received recently quite a number of illustrations of the text, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Here are a few of them : — “Dear Brother in the Lord, — I was led to believe in Jesus through hearing a sermon delivered by you at the Surrey Music-hall, May 31st, 1857, (‘Elijah’s Appeal for the Undecided,’ No. 134). Hitherto the Lord. hath helped me, and his promise is, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ I have your ‘Morning by Morning,’ for daily reading, with the chapter of Scripture from which the page is headed as text, and I find