Christian Activity. THE CHESTER CONFERENCE. It will, however, g multitudes to be to other occasions, whe sembled to inquire gress of the kingde humble themselves consciously was the them, and "breathe. earlier disciples. ( communication of th presence and of His which distinguished extraordinary a man WE briefly noticed, in our Review de. partment for July, the excellent pamphlet published during the previous month with this title. When we penned that notice we had only time to take a hasty glance at the work. We afterwards perused it carefully, and were not only delighted, but, we trust, profited greatly by its perusal; and immediately purchased fifty copies to place in the hands of as many ministers. We mention this only to shew our very high estimation of its useful and valuable contents; and in-couragement to mar fluenced by the same motives, we now present, and will in copy a considerable portion of the report when solicitude for not slow to meet of the Conference which precedes the addresses, hoping that so far as our circulation extends we may be able to diffuse somewhat of its spirit. But we must be allowed to state, that in order to a full appreciation of this extraordinary and interesting convention of ministers, the whole pamphlet should be read; and we dare affirm that no man, who has truly at heart an earnest desire for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, can peruse its pages without humbling himself before God and blessing his name for the grace he bestowed on his servants on that occasion.* it. Spirit of the Meeting. It is with some hesitation that reference every is made to that extraordinary influence of the most hallowed feeling that prevailed in every meeting of the Conference. From the first they assumed a character that delighted and astonished minister; but especially was this the case after the reading of the paper on the ministry, and the prayers that succeeded "Our hearts are too full to speak," was the language of Dr. Redford, and the thought of all; and, were it describable, it would not be permitted to lay open that scene of profound humiliation, of union and oneness of heart, and of realizing views of the solemn responsibilities of ministers of Christ, which was felt to be unequalled by the oldest pastors present, and which can never be forgotten. * Having no fear of the Inland Revenue Officers before our eyes now, we may add that the Pamphlet life Nor was the impre of refreshing" to rest we retain it?" inqu Manchester ; and pose more simultan of the second day in adopted, to spend a each other and the c more promptly resp adopted on the part c present, to read aga three months, Baxte: Two other features meetings may be a was the most jealou such thought as that met to regulate othe were their own flo brethren spoke and anything merely der deliberations. "We sectarians," said one the second evening; enemies had been in What have we said c this is one of the most that so many have me and spoken, and pray the glory of Christ an souls to God." Special The impression of of things among the represented by the p Stratten, many brethren furnished ful and undoubted evidences of ork of the Spirit of God in their gations, of the zeal of their flocks, devotedness of many sabbath school rs (one teacher was recorded to ad nineteen conversions in a select f young men in one year), of the ning of sinners by the preaching of spel, and of the constant addition, ny cases of goodly numbers, of that were "being saved," to the nes of which they were severally 8. It was admitted and gratefully wledged, that the religious elements nevolence and christian charity argely distinguished the churches rist at the present period. Among rounds for solicitude, the following e specially noted : The havoc that the commercial spirit ing with the devotional habits of Hans and with their conscientiousOn both these points there was Heep and general expression of -n from the most experienced pastors t. There were painful evidences neglect of personal retirement; en came compromises of conscience iolations of integrity, whereby not a ere making shipwreck of their faith. The mode of admitting members to urches. At a time when the adopf the christian profession demanded crifice, the door of communion was n too widely open. Professed conwere not sufficiently trained in what d to vital godliness, and thus a tide rldliness was putting in great peril at was holy in the churches. Mixed marriages were becoming painfully common. The sad sight ow only too often witnessed of prog christians contracting marriages the unconverted, and leaving the ure testimony against these unions ether out of the question. The chilling influence upon spiritual hat had followed prosperous circumes, and the possession of municipal leges. While delightful exceptions acknowledged, the sorrowful fact yet dwelt on, of some once eminent tian men, who, through these causes, been betrayed into worldly habits, a y mode of life, and then a cold inrence for the conversion of souls nd them, and for the increased de 5. The neglect, on the part of pastors, of domestic and strictly spiritual intercourse with their flocks. The most perfect union prevailed in the Conference on this point: that no claims of the pulpit, or other public engagements, should be permitted to interfere with this domestic pastoral instruction. (One of the brethren stated his own habit of intimating that he should spend an hour before a week-evening service with a family, and requesting them to gather the whole household together immediately after tea. Another, his custom of weekly assembling all the children of the families of his congregation for catechetical instruction. A third, his plan of writing to the individual young people of his flock during his absence from them, and its happy results in some cases.) 6. The irregular attendance of the wealthier families of professors upon the services of religion. Three causes of the neglect of the week-evening services, in large towns, were especially dwelt upon. 1st. "Concerts, everlasting concerts," with their paralyzing and deadening influence upon personal and domestic piety. 2nd. The change from an earlier to a later hour of dining, which precluded, in many cases, attendance at prayer meetings and the weekly worship. 3rd. The retirement from the towns, the moment wealth was secured, into localities in the country, at inconvenient distances from the services of religion—a practice which was seriously damaging the spirituality of many. wealthier parents, in the education of 7. Great incautiousness, on the part of their children. Their daughters were placed at schools where the accomplishments of music and dancing, &c., had a false and most undue importance attached to them. Not a few, after such a training, turned away from the quiet scenes of piety, and felt that acquirements upon which large sums had been spent could only be indulged in the most fashionable circles. Parents were grieving pastors, and ruining the souls of their children, by the worldly scenes into which they were thus led.. Outstanding Population. This report would, however, convey an erroneous impression, should it be supposed that it was in the tone of complaint that these things were uttered: it was tion was made of the generous devotion of many, and only with tenderness of affection were these causes of solicitude expressed. Besides the expression of opinion on the state of the churches, the most interesting conversation took place, during the sittings of the Conference, on the state of the population that remained unblessed by christian efforts. Two opinions were expressed, that seemed to point to opposite conclusions, but both of which were held essential to a right judgment on this important subject. The question, on the one hand, was, not to compare the present with the past, but to ask, should we, considering the manifold christian agencies now in operation and the rapid increase of the population, be satisfied with the present? But on the other hand, it was not to be forgotten, in the consideration of this question of the alienation of the working classes, that "the masses never were more with us than now." One large town was mentioned that had trebled its population during the pastorate of the speaker, while there were not three times more, but six or seven times more, working people attending places of worship than when he first knew it. It was also felt on this subject, that while every pastor could not but express his sense of the great usefulness of sabbath school labours, it was impossible, when considering that these institutions were seventy years old, to avoid the inquiry, “How is it that the working population are so far separated from us?"-a question which thoughtful teachers would do well carefully to consider. Several speakers bore also a warmhearted testimony to the value and usefulness of the agency of town missions. It was, however, thought, that in many cases there was too wide a field-that a town missionary's labours were spread over far too wide a surface-and that the placing of an agent in a more limited locality, where his labours would be concentrated, where he could frequently visit the families, and where he would become known as the friend of the neighbourhood, might secure still more extensive fruit from these home operations. Very valuable suggestions were made in Mr. Spence's paper as to the mode of reaching this outstanding population. In the free intercourse that followed, there was apparently a perfect union of opinion as to the four following dangers: high position, of h unsaved of the high truths, and trying questionable means baneful to the piety to neutralize its in the respect which spire from those wh and one whose evil any seeming advan 2. Of disparagin by an habitual or public rooms, hal preaching. All se desirableness of su occasionally, for th came not into churd in the undesirable christian sanctuari into this course of be desired was to a nary and stated ser to the masses. It v ster who had had en a large population, taken to render the d public services of reli Dry or long prayers Instead of one, as in might be two or thre mon. More singin geously introduced. not be too long, if w be won. Glow, ea must be seen. Pr also spoken of where addresses were comp service. At these m and a large proportio 3. Of members of cluding that they mig lookers on, while t endeavouring to carr who were without. that had cost anxiety put forth for workin bers of churches sto working people cam numbers, benches or s the minister felt alo couraged, and the ill more harm than good 4. Of substitutin working men, argum on infidelity, or lectu truths of christianity, forcement of the sin full exhibition of th While the importance ns, there was an entire identity of ent and opiniou in the Conference mong those who had been carefully ing, and made experiments in the direction, that it was the free, full, cal, warm-hearted preaching of , as the Saviour of sinners, that reach the working men. delity among the Working Classes. ng all the subjects of deliberation, ly diversity of opinion that marked dresses of speakers was on the estio be formed of the infidelity among classes. While all agreed as to mportance of the gospel, there was erence of judgment as to the intelliand strength of the infidelity that iled. The mass of infidel publicawas spoken of as evidence of its t. One factory was mentioned, , out of three hundred workmen, undred were avowed infidels. Not speakers took a more disparaging both of the intelligence and extent e prevailing infidelity. To them it n unreflecting ignorant godlessness, intelligent scepticism, upon which highest modes of reasoning were wn away. One young minister, who been for two years a town missionary anchester, and had carried on an sive domiciliary visitation, confirmed view, and expressed his conviction infidelity was confined to one or two ries, where a few clever workmen diffusing its influence. A second eyed his impression, after extensive iries, that the strictly infidel publins could scarcely support themselves. flood of publications that spread ng the working people, did so, not use of the semi-infidelity they coned, but that they abounded in tales pandered to a vicious taste. A I spoke of one leader among the ins in a large manufacturing populawho, in giving lectures against stianity, was compelled to acknowe that the only book he had read on subject of christian evidences was yoake's "Paley Refuted." A fourth the Conference that he had carefully Dared some lectures on infidelity, and the pain of finding at the close that ad been fighting with a man of straw: had throughout over-estimated the elligence of the scepticism among the -king men. A fifth, in one of the gest towns, had gathered a large , number of young men from warehouses and mills-had told them of the general impression of the extent of infidelity among working men, and then put the question to them, seriatim, whether it was so or no. The answer from all was: "It is an entire mistake, sir." "What is the best mode of reaching them?" was inquired. The answer was: "By preaching about Christ and salvation, just as you do to your own congregation on a Sunday evening." Christianity and the Working Classes. While, however, the Conference, composed of ministers from different localities, might differ in its estimate of the infidelity among working men, there was not only a united, but the strongest feeling of intense concern on behalf of these masses of the people. There was no fear felt of the gospel, in its ordinary acceptation, reaching them, if simply and earnestly preached. The fact came out, that a large number of the ministers present, and those who were most distinguished for their evangelical preaching, were receiving constant additions to their congregations and churches from the ranks of the working men. Some proofs of this, as delightful as astonishing, were brought to light. Notwithstanding, the painful fact was clear, that, through some remissness somewhere, the mass of the people were living and dying unblessed by christian truth. It was felt that there should be the most serious concern among all christians on this matterthat the churches should learn to understand that a loud call was made upon them to take up, with the most anxious and prayerful thoughtfulness, the state of the unchristianized masses of the population. To an inquiry recently made in a large manufacturing town, as to the attendance of the adult male population at places of worship, the following painful returns were obtained, and stated to the Conference:-"In one street twenty-six men were found, of whom six only attended public worship. In another, out of seventy-one adult males, only six attended regularly, and five occasionally. neighbourhood, out of sixty-four men, only three attended. In another part of the town, out of eighty-two men, only eight attended regularly; and in one yard, containing sixty-four adults, only two families resorted to public worship. One town missionary calculated that in his In one district no more than about one-ninth of the male population were regular attendants; and another gave statistics still more distressing." The whole result of this painfully interesting inquiry was the profound conviction, as expressed by the speakers, that all the servants of Christ should solemnly lay this state of things to heart; and that the two things which were wanted were, the more universal preaching of the bible message of man's guilt and Christ's salvation, and the iudividual exertions of members of churches. Special Services. On the last topic, of "Special Religious Services," attention is earnestly invited to the paper of the Rev. C. H. Bateman, which was read amid the profound silence of the assembly. The whole subject of such services was felt to be so wisely treated every evil in connection with them, and its origin, was so correctly pointed out the proper mode of conducting them was so admirably set forthand their eminent usefulness, with the judicious and prayerful superintendence of the pastor, so amply proved-that a united expression of the warmest gratitude to the writer was uttered by the Conference. It A deeply interesting discussion succeeded the reading of this paper. formed a matter of grateful surprise, that, with the limitations and explanations which had been made, there was most perfect union among the ministers present on the general subject. While it was shown that the best of services, if improperly conducted, might be disastrous in proportion to their real excellence, and that every effort must prove worse than a failure if intended to come in the place of ordinary ministerial devotedness and constant zeal on the part of the churches, it was proved, in cases that were witnessed to by the pastors who had conducted them, that where there had been “previous preparation," and the refusal to rely on the help of mere 66 revival ministers," there had been results, in the quickening of churches and the conversion of souls, that had been permanent and in the highest degree gratifying. A statement was made by the honoured brother who first introduced such services into this country, of upwards of three hundred souls who had been brought into the gospel in two yea passed away since "but I have reas more than fifteen fessedly converted world; while seve now preachers of spoke of results in not so large, yet, c of effort, as delight agreed, however, had seen success dangers, and reme pointed out in the had been read. these memorable The adoption of t was one of heart honoured minister, in Chester, for the with which they h ference; the secon affectionate sympatl brother, the Rev. 1 position that had ence of his presenc recommendation to t in the ministry thro So delightful were unexpected a manne present powerfully freshed, such an und given by the Grea Conference could n suggesting to their the desirableness of blies in every part Similar local meetin General Conference, it. This recommen will be kindly receiv ordinary spiritual in guished the Chester has given hope to t It holds out the ass gatherings will bring vival of spiritual life a and promote the re denomination at this of the country, and t "Thus saith the Lord yet come to pass, that people, and the inha cities: And the inhal shall go to another, speedily to pray befor seek the Lord of host (Zech. viii., 20, 21.) |