網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

ministerial efforts. True charity opened up the highest and holiest of wisdom. This was the wisdom which could alone show us how to be useful to each other and promote the happiness and welfare of all. A minister was the leader and guide to those knowledges of truth which lead to charity. This required great tact, industry, and care. He had no doubt that the gentleman whom he had been asked to welcome had these qualifications, which would doubtless be greatly strengthened and cultivated by his experience at Southport. A minister's path was not one of roses, and he who made up his mind to become a minister must well consider the thorns. For if he must succeed, he must manfully battle with the troubles and hindrances that seem so frequently to beset him. Both minister and people must in wise charity learn to bear and forbear, and then success would be certain. Mr. Mackereth laid great stress upon looking well after the training of the young in connection with the Society.

Mr. Brierley, Mr. Tidswell, and Mr. Pilkington afterwards addressed the meeting. Mr. Bates briefly replied, thanking them for the kind wishes and welcome to Mrs. Bates and himself. He said he was determined to do all he could for the good of the Church at Southport, and to make the friendship and harmony begun that day as lasting as possible. After a few other complimentary remarks from other friends, another stroll in the delightful country completed the pleasures of a day that will long live in the memories of those who took part in it.

SNODLAND BRITISH SCHOOL. The "annual prize-day" in connection with this school was celebrated on Wednesday, April 9th, 1879, when a large company of friends of the school and parents assembled in the schoolroom. The chair was taken by Mr. A. M. Flint of Snodland, who was supported by J. Rivolta, Esq., of Blackheath, and the Rev. P. Storey. A letter was read from the Rev. T. L. Marsden expressing regret that a severe attack of bronchitis prevented his attendance. During the evening a selection of songs and recitations were given by the scholars, and addresses on Education by the chairman and Mr. Rivolta, after which the prizes were distributed. Mr. Rivolta, an earnest worker in education, said they were the best collection of prizes he had ever seen. The meeting closed with ringing cheers for Mrs. Hook and the Misses Hook of Veles, Snodland, who are so nobly carrying on the work of education in Snodland, originated by the late C. Townsend Hook, Esq. The following is the report of J. C. Ley, Esq., H.M. Inspector of this school

in February last, when ninety-eight per cent. of passes were obtained: "The work throughout the standards from the highest to the lowest is thoroughly good; and the answering of the different classes in grammar and geography was equally satisfactory. The tone and order continue excellent, and the high state of efficiency maintained reflects great credit on all concerned."

REV. WALTER BATES.-The fund commenced by the Society at Melbourne, Derbyshire, for the relief of the pressing load which threatened to crush the widow of this esteemed minister is progressing favourably. The committee desire to thank those Societies and friends who have so promptly responded to their call, and would state that other Societies and friends are doing their utmost to make this charitable fund of permanent benefit. The sums collected up to the present time amount to £89, 1s. 6d., particulars of which appear on the wrapper of our present number. Donations should be forwarded to Mr. C. Fairweather, Mount Pleasant, Melbourne, Derbyshire.

Obituary.

At Leeds, on the 29th of April, Mr. George Padgett was removed into the spiritual world in the seventieth year of his age. Mr. Padgett was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed of the members of the Society of the New Church in this town. His early training was among the Wesleyans, and he retained through life the feelings and sentiments of piety which he had acquired in this body. With his advancement in life he was led to seriously inquire into the meaning and truth of the doctrines he had been taught. The teaching of his Wesleyan hymn-book and the preaching to which he listened did not satisfy the craving of his mind for definite and accurate instruction. The Trinity of Persons and the manifestation of this Trinity in the popular doctrine of the Atonement involved him in perplexity and doubt; and he was in danger of losing faith in revelation when his attention was attracted to the doctrines of the New Church. A book lent to him by a friend opened to his mind the truth he was seeking, and led to his cordial reception of the Heavenly Doctrines. He united himself with the church in Albion Walk, and from his excellent character and kindly disposition soon gained the affection and esteem of his fellow-members. He entered heartily into the uses of the Church, discharging all the duties that opened before him with quiet zeal and unostentatious diligence. for some time he taught in the Sunday

school, where he won the hearts of the young by his kind and loving manner; and his earnest words of advice will be doubtless long cherished by the young who were instructed by him. Another means of use into which, as he had opportunity, he entered was the visiting of the sick. He was well adapted to this service by the warmth of his affections and the sympathy of his character, and his services were at all times warmly appreciated. As a member of the conimittee he aided in giving stability to the little flock that met year after year amid great discouragements. And as a constant and devout attendant on public worship, he set an example of the faithful observance of the great duty of worshipping the Lord in the assembly of His people. Mr. Padgett enjoyed good health until his last illness, which found him, however, as one watching for his Lord. He departed in hope, and all who knew him recognised the simplicity and purity, the uprightness and sincerity of his Christian character.

as a stock and share broker proved in the
end too great a strain for his constitution,
and disease of the heart slowly but surely
developed itself. The manner of his re-
moval was strikingly pathetic. He had
been recruiting his health at Conishead
Priory for a few weeks, and was apparently
so much benefited by the change that he
resolved to sojourn in that neighbourhood
for some months. His wife and family
left Liverpool with him on the day before
his death. He was then apparently in
fair health, and on the completion of his
journey had retired to rest, when he re-
membered that his devotions had been
forgotten. He rose from his bed to offer
his petitions to the Most High, and after
an hour spent on his pillow quietly passed
away to a realization of the joys of the
eternal world, no doubt to continue with
increased energy to serve his Divine
Master. He was a faithful husband, an
affectionate father, a true friend, and the
members in Liverpool are about to per-
petuate his memory by the erection of a
tablet in the church to mark their appre-
ciation of his virtues. Verily a good nian
has fallen in Israel.
E. M. S.

On June 18th, at Bardsea, Westmoreland, aged fifty years, Mr. Andrew Pixton of Liverpool was removed to his heavenly home. Born of New Church parents, he On Wednesday, July 2nd, 1879, James was identified during the whole of his life Clegg, for many years an energetic memwith the church in Liverpool, with the ber of the Keighley Society, was removed exception of a few years spent in Carlisle, to his eternal home in his fifty-fourth year. where he was also actively engaged in the Our esteemed friend met with a very serious promotion of the good cause. He was accident in the engine-room, where he was ever ready with his purse and time to aid engaged, on Saturday, May 24th, whereby in every way possible the spread of the he received injuries of such a nature that Heavenly Doctrines, and most of the his recovery was deemed very doubtful. ministers and leading friends of the Church From that time until his departure he have at one time or other partaken of his remained in a condition which but seldom hospitality. Mr. Pixton was the second changed sufficiently to justify hopes of his son of Mr. George Pixton, a member of the return to the activities of this world, or Liverpool Society for nearly half a century, to the exercise of the immortal faculties he and whose name is a household word had so vigorously and so earnestly directed throughout Lancashire. He was one of towards heavenly truth. For many years the trustees of the church in Bedford he was connected with the Sunday-school, Street North, and was extremely active in in which he took for some time the duties its erection. His heart was thoroughly in of superintendent. On the Church Comthe good cause, and never was he so happy mittee he was an earnest worker, had as when engaged in some work of use for frequently been elected as its chairman, the New Church. The whole Society look and was acting in that capacity during the upon his removal as, humanly considered, present year. He worked hard in dissemia very great calamity, but we are assured nating the doctrines by a judicious distributhat our Heavenly Father "doeth all tion of tracts, and by entering into converthings well." And though it is difficult sation with those to whom he gave them, to conceive why one engaged in so many and lost no opportunity of making known uses, possessed of a loving and affectionate the truths which he so highly prized. partner, blessed with a numerous family He once assured the writer-with a request and a truly happy home, should be taken that he might not be thought egotistical away at a time when his presence here for making the assertion that he thought would seem most desirable, still "we see he had introduced the doctrines to a larger as through a glass darkly," and must con- number than any other private individual tent ourselves with the reflection that our living. It was his life's delight, and he loss is his eternal gain. Our departed continually sought and found occasions for friend was originally a man of strong following it. He possessed a ready faculty bodily frame, but his extensive business for discussion, and often met those whose

grounded, were so inwrought in her character as to become manifest in her life, which was eminently one of self-forgetfulness. As a consistent member of the New Church, looking to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Giver of all good, and earnestly seeking out what was good in every one, she won in a marked manner the affection and esteem of a wide circle. Thus indissolubly conjoined with those whom here she loved, she draws nearer to lead them to that real world which is now her home. Many kind evidences of sympathy and respect were shown at the funeral, which was attended by the Dean of Waterford and the leading citizens. The service was read by the Rev. R. J. S. Devenish, who with great consideration offered to omit any portion of the same which might not agree with the family's religious views.

views he thought mistaken, and gave them reasons for thinking so, and for advancing his own in their stead. His manner was genial and open, and secured for him a favourable impression with almost all he came in contact with, whilst those who cultivated his acquaintance found him a good friend. In his returns of partial consciousness he manifested his thoughtful regard for others by kind inquiries after them; and in one of the latest, with a recollection of his old pleasures, gave the assurance that he was "going home to preach." On the morning of Sunday, July 13th, Mr. W. A. Presland delivered a discourse on Rev. xiv. 13, wherein he alluded to the removal of one whom all would have missed from the place he occupied with such regularity. He pointed out the true nature of what we call death, as being the means whereby man is introduced to the immeasurably higher joys of At Brighton, on the 15th June 1879, the immortal life, and urged the necessity Miss Hannah Castle, sister of the late for a calm resignation to those dispensations Mrs. Gibson whose obituary appeared in which, if painful to us as beings of time,. the Repository of May 1876. Like are in reality the greatest of blessings to us as eternal beings. Death was not the result of man's sinfulness, but the preeminent proof of the Divine Goodness, which by it releases us from a world of labours into one where all the works we have well done and have loved do follow us, and perfect rest from sorrow and temptation is the eternal reward.

On June 13th, Emily, the beloved wife of Mr Andrew Horn of Waterford, passed into the spiritual world, aged thirty-three years. The principles of the New Church, in which Mrs. Andrew Horn was carefully

her departed sister, she was for many years connected with the Nottingham Society, in whose prosperity she always rejoiced. Her life was gentle, quiet, and retiring, and death found her submissive and prepared-anxious, indeed, to depart and join her relations on "the other side." She has left one behind to mourn her loss and to remember her many amiable qualities of heart-a sister, who rejoices in the strongest assurance that she has gone where "there shall be no more pain," and where "God will wipe away every tear.” J. D. B.

[blocks in formation]

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.

THE Conference which we last month spoke of as approaching is now past. Our anticipations of its character and results have been realized. The largest Conference which has ever been held, it has been, perhaps, the pleasantest and most useful. If it has not been the most harmonious, it has been the most harmonizing. Others may have equalled it in the pervading tone of brotherly love, but none have surpassed it in the characteristics of true charity. True charity does not require that all shall think alike on every subject, but that all shall be ready to change or modify their individual opinions when the light which discussion evolves shows a truer and better way than any or many had been able to see for themselves. This is a characteristic which we think we may claim for the members of the New Church. It is a result of their principles. These combine the utmost liberty with the largest charity. They teach that harmony is not produced by uniformity but by variety. In any measure which a deliberative assembly adopts there must of course be a majority of concordant voices; but on all important questions the members of the New Church aim at something more than this; and in our Conference they seldom fail to arrive at a near approach to unanimity if they do not always reach this desirable result. In this respect the session of our ecclesiastical parliament which has just closed has honourably distinguished itself.

The Conference was again favoured with the presence of several of our American brethren. The Rev. Chauncey Giles, the president of

the Convention, appeared as the messenger of the Western Church, and delivered, in graceful and affectionate terms, the greeting of the brethren on the other side, to the brethren on this side, of the Atlantic. Besides the president, we had two members of the Convention, the Rev. J. Goddard and the Rev. F. H. Hemperley, as well as the Rev. W. H. Benade, who has been for some time in Europe.

The business which the ministers and representatives of our Societies come together to transact is for the greater part concerned with what may be called the secularities of the Church, providing and applying the pecuniary means of carrying out the higher uses of teaching and preaching. These uses include more than supplying the wants of ministers and teachers. Ministers require churches, teachers require schools. Many of our Societies are too small or too poor to provide either of these without help. Hence our Ministers' Aid and our Augmentation Funds, and hence our School Union and Building Funds. And that our Societies may be supplied with competent ministers we provide for the education of young men for the ministry. That those who labour in a vocation that gives little opportunity of providing for the future may have no cause of anxiety for the morrow, we have also a fund for aged ministers and their widows. In all these respects ours is relatively the day of small things. We have, in our small way, considerable funded property, arising from gifts and bequests, while very liberal contributions are made to the Augmentation Fund, and an appeal for help where it is needed never fails to meet with a hearty response. We have therefore not only no seeming cause to murmur against, but great reason to be thankful to, the good providence of the Lord, who has been with His Church hitherto in her wilderness state, in which she has endured some trials but has enjoyed many blessings, and who will never forsake her, but will provide what is most suitable to her state and most conducive to her true welfare.

There are other requirements besides the means and agencies we have mentioned for the stability, growth, and prosperity of the Church. The true growth of a Church is growth in piety and holiness. A Church may be deficient or even destitute of these and may yet appear stable and prosperous. She may be rich and well regulated, and may be so inspired with a missionary zeal as to compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and yet be spiritually dead. There may be the signs of piety and holiness without these essential elements of religion themselves. The form of godliness may exist without the power. But may the power exist without the form? We are told that the Church is in a state of consummation when its worship

« 上一頁繼續 »