was absent from the body and present with the Lord.

And now, redeemed and washed, they dwell at home and shall go out no more. Having had the work began, continued, and ended under the auspices of that religion, which maketh rich but addeth no sorrow.

H. W. LILLINGTON.

THE LIGHT SHALL REVEAL IT.

The Lord shall come in light. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all;" "whatever maketh manifest is light." Darkness conceals from man, and therefore darkness is an epithet applicable to those deeds which men wish to have concealed, deeds of darkness. The Lord Jesus is coming in light, and will bring to light all the deeds of darkness. "The word whispered in the ear in the closet, shall be proclaimed upon the house top." The secret word of seduction, the secret word of deception, spoken in the ear in secret, shall be exhibited in its true character on the housetops, to the awful confusion of the speaker of it, The light is coming. I speak to all those who have been involving the reputation of others in mystery, and leaving persons to form the worst opinion of them. It would be vain for me to wish that I could speak with that voice that will ultimately arouse the slumbering dead, but I use the little power which the Creator of all spirits has given me, by calling upon pretended Ministers of the gospel, and counterfeit Christians, to awake. I say, awake! On Calvary I take my stand within sight of blood, and within sound of groans! Here I earnestly say, Awake, and reflect on your palpable and deep-toned wickedness, or your guilty souls will be alarmed by the thunders of the coming Judgment, the crash of the rending firmament, and the blaze

of light that will shine about you and exhibit the secrets of your vile hearts to creation.

Murderers of character, what will you do in the day of light? Will you call to the mountains and hills to fall upon you and hide you from the coming light? The light

of the coming Lord will penetrate through the depths of mountains and hills. Millions of worlds would you give, if you had them, to be able to die. Without deep repentance for your verbal assassination, you will find yourselves unholy in the light of the coming Lamb. You are immortal, and your Satanlike deeds demonstrate that you are unholy, and an immortality of unholiness, is an immortality of misery,

The coming light will be joy to the Christian. Art thou slandered? the light is coming. Art thou misunderstood, or misrepresented, and not now able to defend thyself? Commit thyself to him who judgeth righteously, believing that the light of thy returning Lord will go forth; and therefore wait with patience like him who his gone before. Are slanders gone out against thee, and art thou not able to rectify or set thy character in its right point of view? The light is coming. Do some that were kind, draw back through the prejudice of others and leave thee alone? Have patience; wait my friend; do not be in a hurry; the light will soon burst upon the universe. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand;" wait upon thy coming Lord.

The writer is now on the watchtower (with the world groaning beneath his feet) marking the proceedings of professing Christians of all denominations with whom he is acquainted. The decision to which I come in tears, is, that with our present hypocrisy-deception -pride- prejudice-selfishnesslove of power, and mental debasement, we might as well attempt to turn back rivers to their sources, sink mountains to a plain, and rise valleys to the skies, as to knit our souls to God, bring the influence of God's Spirit upon the world, and answer the great end of our being. T. ANDREWS.

OUR CONNEXIONAL POSITION.
To the Editor.
Dear Brother.

The following thoughts were suggested after reading your deeply

We believe that as a connexion of people, we have been raised up in the order of God's providential arrangement to do good, to promote the glory of God, and the benefit of our fellow creatures, to assist in the elevation of our fellow men and the conversion of the world. The object for which the connexion was at first established has to some limited extent been accomplished. Thousands and tens of thousands of souls have in all human probability been soundly converted to God, through his blessing on the labours of the agents of our society. Past success ought to stimulate to future action. It appears that now we are in a connexional difficulty. The Divine being is opening doors for usefulness.

"The fields are white to the harvest;" "But the labourers are few." The claims and wants of South Australia, Canada West, Prince Edward Island, as well as our home stations, are calling on us for increasing exertions in their behalf. Shall we then close our eyes to their wants, our ears to their cries, our sympathies to their entreaties and say, like selfish Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Or shall we arise to a man, feel our individual responsibility, and move "one and all" "to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty ?" Perhaps the Connexion was never better prepared intellectually to meet present claims. Our ministers and official characters, from the commencement, with a few exceptions, have been selected from among ourselves. This channel is still open. It is questionable whether at any former part of our connexional history, we ever had such large and intellectual congregations as we have at present. We have talent enough in our own congregations to meet the present emergency. What we want is to get it sanctified, called forth and exerted in a right direction. And how can we accom

66

plish this object? Unquestionably prayer is the most effectual means. Previous to the revival that was witnessed on the day of Pentecost, the apostles and disciples, held their Protracted Prayer Meeting in an 'upper room" in Jerusalem. And wherever a revival has since been realized, it is probable that some individual or individuals have been previously concerned and drawn out in prayer on the subject. There is an unseparable connexion between cause and effect. If we would realize any extraordinary effects, we must use extraordinary means. Ordinaries will only secure ordinaries. Prayer is our engine.

I wonder whether some of our old and disinterested friends are not too scrupulous in encouraging and employing some promising youths under a fear that they will become lifted up and ruined? Have not more been crippled and ruined for life, spiritually, in consequence of being checked and prevented from exercising their talents, than in being lifted up? We must all be boys, before we can become men. We must all be scholars before we can be teachers. Have a little charity for youth and inexperience. Pray for them, encourage them, help them; "loose them and let them go," and then they will become blessings to the world, when you, old veterans, are gone to your reward. I admire the idea of our respected brother, Paul Robins, in his account of his late esteemed wife, where he says that at the commencement of the connexion the young converts were put to work. Extremes in any thing are dangerous. Let us take the medium course and give every one a fair opportunity. I trust we all, whether ministers, official characters, or private members, shall feel our responsibility and exert ourselves to the utmost of our ability, at this crisis, to secure a year of unparalleled connexional prosperity. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers. into his harvest."

THE RECENT ANTI-STATE

CHURCH CONFERENCE.

The Third Triennial Conference of the Anti-State-Church Association, which in dissenting circles has for some time past been anticipated with unusual interest, took place on the 3rd and 4th of November, at the London Tavern, and was, in all respects, a successful and important meeting.

The assembly was of a strictly representative character, above 400 delegates having been appointed by public meetings, local committees, congregations, &c., in all parts of the kingdom. Among the gentlemen present James Bell, Esq., M.P.; Apsley Pellatt, Esq., M.P.; Edward Miall, Esq., M.P.; Samuel Morley, Esq.; Edward Baines, Esq., of Leeds; Edward Swaine, Esq, ; J. H. Tillett, Esq., of Norwich; Joseph Cripps, of Leicester; C. J. Foster, Esq., L.L.D. Rev. G. W. Conder, of Leeds; Rev. J. Burnett; Rev. J. H. Hinton; and Rev. J. A. Baynes, of Nottingham. Letters were also read from Geo. Hadfield, Esq., M.P.; W. Biggs, Esq., M.P.; Frank Crossley, Esq., M.P.; Jas. Watts, Esq.; and Jas. Sidebottom, Esq., of Manchester; who were unable to attend.

The Conference had two sittings on Thursday, and one on Friday, Joseph Cripps, Esq., of Leicester, the Rev. J. Burnett and Chas. Gilpin, Esq., of London, being the respective Chairmen, and Chas. J. Foster, Esq., L.L.D., Professor of Jurisprudence at the London University, Rev. E. S. Pryce, of Gravesend, and Mr. J. Carvell Williams, acting as Secretaries.

The Report of the Executive Committee elaborately reviewed the operations of the Society during the preceding three years, and the various important ecclesiastical events occurring in that period. The Committee had issued 11 volumes of the "Library for the Times," of which more than 20,000 copies had been sold. They had dispatched their agent, Mr. Kingsley, to the manufacturing districts, for the purpose of organizing the Society's friends, by private, rather than by public efforts. At Manchester a highly influential local committee had been formed, and a plan of operations agreed upon, having the hearty approval of those whose co-operation will be most conducive to its success. Steps had also been taken for a similar movement in other important towns in Lancashire and Yorkshire; and Mr.

Kingsley had been appointed Secretary for the two counties. The Committee considered that it would now be desirable to concentrate effort on the most influential and productive districts, and to frame such schemes of local action as will enlist the energies of those who can most aid the movement in their several neighbourhoods.

The issue of the general election was regarded as in the highest degree satisfactory, nearly forty Protestant Dissenters, of various denominations, having been returned to the new Parliament by constituencies, numbering, in the aggregate, one-fifth of the entire electoral body.

A review of the last session was another topic of congratulation, ample opportunities having been afforded for putting forward the sentiments of Voluntaries with pertinence and effect, without incurring the charge of ob structing public business, or repelling that class of politicians who object to the discussion of abstract propositions, and a hearing having been gained to the extent to which it had been thought prudent to seek it.

The Association had taken action in respect to parliamentary matters on several occasions, and not without success. The Regium Donum had been extinguished, the Clergy Reserves Bill carried, the Anti-Maynooth debate turned to good account, Church Rates vigorously assailed, one Burials' Bill defeated, and another modified, and the Edinburgh Annuity Tax, and Ministers' Money Bills dropped.

The probable extension of the franchise was referred to, and the duty of timely preparation for the next election urged. The state of the Church of England, its divisions and corruptions were graphically described, influences being asserted to be at work within its pale, calculated to impair its prestige, and loosen its hold on the affections and prejudices of the people.

The Report concluded with the expression of a deep conviction of the importance and duty of seizing upon present opportunities for the successful prosecution of the Society's enterprise, and of endeavouring to combine with an unshaken devotion to principles, such a generous forbearance and a spirit of conciliation, as would not render unnecessarily irritating the utterance of what, in many cases, must be unpalatable truths.

The Treasurer's account showed that £2,317 had been received in the

shape of Subscriptions to the general, and Donations to the Society's publishing fund, during the past year.

MR. KINGSLEY read a paper descriptive of his recent proceedings, and of the gratifying prospects which were before the Society's friends in Manchester and the neighbourhood.

The revised constitution of the Association, as submitted by the Committee, led to an animated and ably conducted debate, resulting in a resolution to change the society's name, which had been found to occasion misrepresentation, and provoke unnecessary antagonism, and the adoption of the suggestion of Mr. Baines, of Leeds, that it should in future be called "The Society for the Liberation of Religion from State Patronage and Control." Instead of altering the fundamental principle, it was resolved, to dispense with what could hardly be otherwise than an occasion of diversity of sentiment, while at the same time, the objects contemplated by the society were put in a more specific and practical form.

MR. MIALL, M.P., read a paper which was listened to with intense interest, on the "Prospects and Duties of the Society in relation to the House of Commons, and to its constituent Bodies." It elaborately analysed the ecclesiastical position of parties in the House of Commons, and described the effect produced on them by recent events. The expectations of the writer were very sanguine in relation to the change of opinion now going on in political circles, and earnestly counselled vigorous and systematic efforts to take advantage of present opportu nities. He proposed that two small Committees should be formed,-one

for the supervision of Parliamentary business, and the other for influencing elections. They should be distinct from the Association, but act in harmony with it.

SAMUEL MORLEY, Esq., of London, and J. H. TILLETT, Esq., of Norwich, moved that the proposal should be carried out, and urged that the time had come when those who hold the Society's principles, should determine to return to the House of Commons, a large body of members, sympathising with them. To carry out this, and other projects, it was resolved to raise the Society's income to £5000 a year, by subscription, guaranteed for three years.

Resolutions respecting church rates, persecution on the continent, and other topics were also spoken to, and the Officers, Committee, and a Council of 300 elected.

The delegates dined together on the first day, and a numerous and highly respectable company met at a soiree on Friday evening, at the Whittington Club, in which the Society was formed. Mr. Bell, M. P., presided; and Dr. Foster, Mr. Burnet, Rev. N. Haycroft, of Bristol, Rev. C. Short, of Swansea, and Mr. Miall, were the speakers, and the proceedings were very animated.

A writer in the Nonconformist, sketching the proceedings of the Conference, says;-"It has been our privilege to be present at almost every Conference held of late years for the promotion of philanthropic objects; but we have attended none which has manifested a deeper spirit of earnestness, a readier disposition to sink minor differences for the advancement of a great object, and a higher average of business talent."

Resolutions were discussed and passed. RESOLVED, I. That believing that great importance attaches to our Anniversaries, both with regard to the times when they are held, and the manner in which they are conducted, we resolve, That teachers' meetings shall be appointed on the plan of preachers' appointments, which the Pastor or his colleague will be expected to attend, and advise with the

teachers as to the best time for celebrating the Anniversaries to be holden, and Report thereon to the Lady day Quarterly Meeting. And this Conference affectionately requests that the Superintendents and Teachers of each School, will carefully guard against holding their anniversaries on their revel Sunday, as we believe that it has an evil tendency. We also advise, that when the Anniversaries are fixed by the Lady-day Quarterly Meeting, that no individual interfere with the arrangements, as it must necessarily inconvenience other places.

II. That we are sorry to find that Teachers' Prayer Meetings are held at only five places in the circuit; a circumstance the more to be regretted, as we find from the last returns that there were then prayer meetings at ten places, and that during that year, sixtysix of the children professed to be converted to God. We also find from the returns for the year 1851, that Teachers' Prayer Meetings were established at thirteen places, and during that year twenty-five of the scholars were brought to the Lord. With these facts before us, which show the importance of prayer meetings, we earnestly request the teachers, at each of those places where the prayer meetings have been discontinued, to re-commence them, and regularly attend to them, as one means of promoting the spiritual and eternal welfare of the children.

III. That certain persons be ap pointed by the next Teachers' Meetings to visit such houses in their neighbourhood as may contain children that do not attend any Sabbath School, and talk with the parents on the subject, with the view of endeavouring to bring the children to the school: and that the Resolution passed at the Conference of 1850 be more practically carried out.

IV. That a Treasurer be appointed at each school, who, in conjunction with, and at a teachers' meeting, shall prepare an annual statement of accounts to be read at their Anniversary, and the Pastor is requested to enter an abstract of the accounts of each school, to be read at each Annual Conference.

About five o'clock, the Conference retired to Mrs. Braund's, where a very comfortable tea was provided, and where the teachers from the eastern side of the Circuit, could converse with those

from the western respecting Sabbath School operations.

Soon after tea, the public meeting commenced. After singing and prayer, MR. AVERY, of Bulkworthy, was called on to conduct the business of the meet

ing. After he had made a few appropriate remarks, the writer was called on to read the Report.

REPORT.

In the order of a wise and gracious providence we are permitted to meet in this, the Thirteenth Annual Conference of the Sabbath School Teachers in the Shebbear Circuit. While fleeting time has borne away to "the house appointed for all living" multitudes who breathed on our earth twelve months ago, all the teachers and officebearers connected with our different schools, as far as we know, have been spared, many of whom are found here to-day, to rejoice over any good that may have been effected through their labours during the past year, and to advise and consult in order to adopt measures, if possible, to render their labours more efficient in future. As Sabbath Schools, if rightly conducted and properly managed, are calculated to confer on the rising race great and lasting blessings; let us pray, all pray, fervently pray, that the Great Head of the Church may direct us in all our deliberations, so that we may be led to conclusions that will act powerfully on our future exertions and bring about glorious results.

It would be more, far more gratifying to us if we could report greater success. Still we think, on the whole, there is ground for us to thank God and take courage.

All

From the returns we find that in the 15 schools which we have in the Circuit, there are 770 Scholars, and 173 Teachers, which is 32 Scholars and 21 Teachers less than were last year. 138 of the Teachers are members of Society, leaving 35 who are not. the schools have Libraries, in which there are 1024 volumes. During the year, there have been given to the scholars as Rewards 54 Bibles, 68 Testaments, and 332 Hymn Books and other rewards. We would remark, however, that at some of the schools, the children have not been rewarded as yet. Two of the scholars have died during the year, and we are happy to state that their deaths have been satis