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church of God, the closest degree of fellowship, and of attention to moral improvement and mutual edification. With a view to these objects, many regulations have been adopted which it is unnecessary that we should here enlarge upon. Suffice it that the different branches of the church, in town and country, are in the habit of interchanging regular Reports of all their proceedings, and of corresponding with each other on all matters connected with our principles and our progress;-that we hold meetings, separate from the world, and in addition to the public teaching of our appointed speakers, both on Sundays and on other days, for the improvement and mutual edification of the church-both as a body, and (in the London branch where the number is greater) separately in classes; and that the Presidents of such Classes report quarterly to the Elder for the time being; the latter, on his going out of office, making a general Report to the church, relative to its moral state and progress during his eldership, the time of which is limited to three months. It is an Extract from one of these latter Reports that is now submitted to the reader.

We take this opportunity of saying, should these pages meet the eyes of any body of men, or number of individuals, who are anxious to inquire into and to adopt that system of church government, which, upon inquiry, shall appear most conformable to the pattern of the primitive church, as exhibited in the New Testament, we shall be happy to hear from such, and to hold out to them, if requested, the right hand of fellowship. Proselytes, we, unlike many religious parties, do not anxiously require; for religion is not with us a matter of profit, and of trade; but we are always rejoiced to meet with men of honest minds and inquiring habits, disposed to enter with us into the bonds of Christian fellowship. To such, we say-Pure religion, and membership with the church of God, are advantages the highest which this world can afford; you must obtain them, therefore, from your own heart-felt wishes-not at our solicitation. And if there be any who theoretically approve of these principles, but who, in practice, neglect them, on the plea either of personal convenience, or of supposed general expediency of these we can only remark that, sinning wilfully against the commands of God, their error is only aggravated by their enlightenment, and their condemnation increased by their knowledge.

Note.-Letters on this subject would always reach the Elder of the Church, if addressed to the Editor of this Work, at the Printer's, No. 13, Kingsgate Street, Holborn, London.

Report of the Elder to the Church, on the state of the Classes, as reported to him by their Presidents.

"ON a careful review of the different Reports, I am happy in finding that there is a general tendency to improvement, and that the study of the New Testament, in place of given subjects of discussion, is well spoken of, and its advantage appretiated. This, in my opinion, is a valuable improvement; as, in the first place, our religious principles being in themselves so reasonable and capable of proof, and the truth of them so firmly established in our minds, independent of the authority of scripture, it had insensibly, with some, led to the neglect of the study of the scriptures; a thorough acquaintance with which can alone make us wise unto salvation, and furnish us with motives sufficiently powerful to fit and prepare us for a state of eternal felicity;—and, secondly, while the latter practice is calculated to make us studious and diligent, as well as humble inquirers; the former-that of speaking on given subjects-which, in many instances, depends merely on a volubility of speech, is too apt to puff up and fill the mind with vanity and conceit. I therefore most highly approve of, and strongly recommend the continuance of the present practice. I observe, with pleasure, that the monthly tea meetings of the classes are generally well attended; and the advantage resulting therefrom most highly spoken of. It had always been matter of regret to my mind, that they had formerly been so much neglected. They are capable of producing the most valuable effects, if conducted with delicacy and faithfulness, as they serve to produce a greater intimacy, and draw together more powerfully the cords of brotherly affection: great care should be taken that they do not dwindle into mere gossiping meetings, or mere party associations; but that it be constantly kept in mind that their grand object is to promote the moral improvement of each individual-but, above all, the general improvement of the whole body, of which they would do well ever to keep in mind that they form a part only.

"I am sorry-it gives me pain-to observe that some of our members are not so deeply impressed with the high privileges to which they are called, as they ought to be; that their attendance at the class meetings is very defective; whilst there are some who, though they do attend, make little improvement, and content themselves with idle and unsatisfactory excuses for their neglect."

The Report, after alluding to an instance of individual aberration of character, thus proceeds:

"Painful as it must be to the church, to hear this account of some of its members, it cannot but be truly gratified to find that there are others whose improvement in knowledge and virtue, and whose prospects of future usefulness the Reports mention in very high terms. Our Brother is, by the president of his class, most highly commended; not only for the improvement of his character and talents, but the great zeal manifested by him for the interest of the church; and having, when I disapproved of his conduct, expressed, in very strong terms, that disapprobation, I here take great pleasure in saying that the Report which speaks thus favourably of him, gives me the greatest gratification -as it must do the whole church-and that I have myself witnessed all that has been thus favourably expressed concerning him; and it is my sincere wish that he may persevere to the end, as I conceive it will be highly to the benefit and happiness of himself and family; while, from his great talents, sound mind, and discriminating judgment, the church cannot fail to derive great advantages; especially if his teaching be seconded by his example, which I feel a strong hope will be the case. The testimony borne to the improved character of our Brother is highly to his honour; and I trust that every day's experience will prove to him more powerfully, the advantage and honour of being a member of the family of God; and that to be a door-keeper in that house is more honourable that to dwell in the palaces of the ungodly. Of two of our young friends, Brothers and the Reports speak highly, as regards their improvement in talent, and their zealous and active employment of it for the benefit of the classes; as also for their excellent characters, and the strong expectations, thereby excited, that they will become burning and shining lights and patterns in the temple of the Most High God. May these glorious expectations be realized-and may they never become shipwrecked on the dangerous rocks of vanity and conceit! May they always look to the example of Jesuswho was humble, holy, and separate from sinners! May they be duly sensible of the high honour to which they are called; walk worthy of their high vocation-in all purity and wisdom, and look only to the approbation of their own hearts, and of him who has, in their youth, called them most graciously out of darkness, into his most marvellous light! I am happy to add that there are more who are well spoken

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of in the reports, but these being the most prominent, I have felt it my duty to name them in a particular manner, for their own encouragement and as examples to others. It is with pleasure I report that, on a survey of the whole, I am impressed with the belief that the church is more pure, and in its general features, more promising, than it has been for some years past. And now, Brethren, allow me to call to your memory the brief history I verbally gave you of our church, on my going out of office. The weakness, and apparent unfitness, of the instruments in its first establishment-the objects it has accomplished-and the difficulties and dangers it had to encounter-not only from the world, but from its own members;-some of whom, in the infancy of this church, and separating, as they did, with us, from a corrupt anti-christian church, proved disguised infidels; others interested hypocrites; others grossly immoral characters; some artful and designing men-all having their own ends to answer; and, last of all, and more recently, perhaps the most serious and dangerous trial the church has ever experienced from one who"-(Here follows a late instance of dereliction from principle in a discarded member, the particulars of which are wholly unimportant to the public.)

"Yet, in spite of all these difficulties, the church, through the divine blessing, exists, at this day, a monument of the divine wisdom and benevolence; by which it has accomplished such great objects, that were this church to cease to exist to-morrow, its its principles would never be extinguished, but materials would be found, ready prepared, for men, more worthy and in happier times, to start from our goal with the greatest advantage, and enable them, with little comparative difficulty, to re-establish the church of God, and bless a benighted world, with its glorious light and truth. And now, my Brethren, while I call upon you, to join with me in gratitude to the Supreme Being for such exalted blessings, and for having accomplished such great things by such feeble instruments, "because so it "seemed good in his sight," and " that if any gloried it should "not be in man, but in God," let me also exhort you to remember that most of you have entered into the enjoyment of other men's labours;-that these objects have been accomplished by other men's hands, and that to you is given the advantages thereof; and, at the same time, the honour and responsibility of preserving, uncorrupted and uninjured, this most sacred deposit; which I trust you will preserve and maintain with more diligence and tenacity

than did the Jews of old the ark of the Most High God.Thus honoured and blessed with a knowledge of the laws of the Christian church, let me exhort you as did Moses of old the children of Israel. (Deut. vii. 65.) "Thou shalt love “ the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, "and with all thy might; and these words which I command "thee this day shall be in thine hearts, and thou shalt diligently "teach them unto your children, and shall talk of them when "thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, "and when thou risest up;" by so doing you will be the honoured instruments in preserving the church of God, and prove your gratitude to Him for raising you to so great an honour, as to be a worthy member of His family; you will promote your own happiness here, and become fitted for eternal happiness and usefulness in the life which is to come. May I, and all who are thus highly favoured, become more and more deeply impressed with a sense of the great and important privileges with which we are favoured. May we feel, indeed, that we are the called of God, and make it our constant study to make our calling and election sure, by an universal obedience to all the commands of our heavenly Father, and of his servant Jesus; thus letting our light so shine before men, that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven."

Signed by the Elder then retiring from office, 13th October, 1822.

THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD OPPOSED TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.-ESSAY III

IN the last Essay we finished the examination of that department of our subject which assumes that the mere fact of animal life, even in its lowest state of existence, requires the residence of an immaterial spirit; endeavouring to demonstrate that such a position involves its supporters in absurdities of so gross, and contradictions of so glaring a character, that without assumption, we might rest satisfied, that at least that part of our subject had been set at rest. We now proceed-in furtherance of our position "THAT LIFE "AND MIND ARE THE RESULT OF ORGANIZATION"-to notice the more fomidable, though equally fallacious, line of

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