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EXTRACT FROM THE EDINBURGH WITNESS.

427

THE following notice was published in the Edinburgh Witness and copied into the Dundee Northern Warder, August 12, 1847:

THE REV. ALEX. CAMPBELL OF VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES AMERICA. We understand that this gentleman is now in Edinburgh endeavouring to propagate his peculiar views. It is proper that those who frequent his lectures should be fully aware of the obnoxious and bigoted opinions which have been published by this individual. The following extract is from a work by Mr. Campbell, and which will be found quoted in the American Biblical Repository for July 1844, p. 207:—

"Infants, idiots, deaf and dumb persons, innocents, pagans, wherever they can be found, with all the pious podobaptists, we commend to the mercy of God. But one thing we do know, that none can rationally, and with certainty enjoy the peace of God and the hope of heaven, but they who intelligently, and in full faith, are born of water, or immersed for the remission of their sins."

Such statements need no comment. Is the man who puts them forth competent to instruct the people of this country? and are not his followers to be pitied for the grossness of the delusion in which they allow themselves to be involved?—Witness. [We deem it our duty to caution the Dundee public against the above A. Campbell and Co. Some of our readers may have observed that placards have been posted through the town intimating lectures on Sabbath and Monday last, by a Mr. J. Henshall, of Richmond, Virginia, who introduces himself as an associate of the above Rev. A. Campbell, who also is to arrive in Dundee in a short time, The grossness of the dogmas of these persons is lost in the ingenious subtilty with which they are introduced, and we trust that in Dundee they will find few or none willing even to listen to their ministration.]

The following short notice by brother Campbell was refused admittance into their columns :

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "WITNESS."

SIR-Will you, as an impartial Witness, please allow me to say to your readers that the extract given from the Biblical Repository, as your introduction of me to them, is just as fair and full an index to my views and teaching, as it would be to the views and teaching of the Apostle James, should you quote from his words the following passage::-"You see, then, how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

Was not Abraham our Father, justified, by works, when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar? Likewise, also, was not Rahab, the harlot, justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way?" Such statements need on comment. 66 Is the man who puts them forth competent to instruct us" in the Gospel of the free grace of God? and of salvation by faith without works? Tell your readers, that as James and Paul do not teach all their doctrine in one verse, that A. Campbell does not teach that any one can be either regenerated or saved by

baptism or an ordinance, without faith in the blood of Christ and sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and oblige one who loves the truth, and all who speak the truth, and walk in it.

Edinburgh, 12th August, 1847.

A. CAMPBELL.

A. CAMPBELL'S VISIT TO IRELAND. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Professor of Moral Philosophy, and President of Bethany College, Virginia, United States of America, will lecture on the Christian Institution, as delivered by the Apostles and Evangelists of Jesus Christ, in the places and on the days following:

Belfast, September 7th and 21st.

Newry, September 8th.

Markethill, September 9th.

Richhill, September 10th.

Cookstown, September 12th, 14th, and 16th.

Tubbermore, September 13th.

Dungannon, September 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th.
Ballymena, September 20th.

Dated August 16th, 1847.

LETTER FROM J. HENSHALL.

Sanquhar, Scotland, August 21st, 1847.

DEAR BROTHER WALLIS.-Weary and almost worn out I sit down according to my promise to you to look back upon our track and make a minute of our course. Who is competent to such a task? Whirled through the country as fast as horses, steam, and paddles can carry us-preaching, talking, writing, and sleeping, although, as our frequent yawnings proclaim, not too much of the latter, how can a man note accurately the events of such an eventful trip. My last, if I mistake not, left us in Manchester, and of course I must begin where I left off.

In contrasting London with Manchester, our London brethren are of opinion that both brother Campbell and myself were too low in our calculations of what was done in the great city. I am glad to be mistaken on that side, and also to know that a very respectable person has joined them since, and assured them that it was hearing brother Campbell that awakened him to a due sense of his duty. May we hear of many such cases, there and every where. After leaving Manchester we went direct to Huddersfield in Yorkshire, and had a most delightful ride through a most beautiful and highly cultivated country. The work of cutting the railroad through those hills, and carrying it over rivers and dykes and immense ravines, is proof positive that man will not be overthrown with trifles in matters connected with this world! Man is in flesh a giant, but in faith an infant!

We found Huddersfield and Halifax all excitement about the elections, which were to take place while we were in that neighbourhood. Brother Campbell preached on Lord's day, in the morning at Halifax and in the evening at Huddersfield, and I at Huddersfield in the morning and in the evening at Halifax. We had fine congregations in both places, on Lord's day, and respectable ones through the week, considering the agitation of the public mind on the allabsorbing subject of earthly politics. If the candidates for a seat at God's right hand, were only as zealous and devoted as the politicians are to gain a seat in

parliament, there would be no doubt of their success. Time or eternity will reveal the good that was done in those two places. I am glad to know that there is a fine state of health and peace in the churches there, and theirs I trust is not the peace of the grave, but the peace of a loving and harmonious church! Brother Campbell took cold here and could not go to Hull, where he had appointments to speak twice. Much against my will I went to tell the people he could not come, and to taper off the disappointment a little by speaking to them myself. My judgment is, that it rarely happens that good is done on such occasions, the disappointment is so great that the people feel fretted and ill-atease, at least I think so, and that disqualifies me from preaching as I would. I had the pleasure of meeting here with sister Jackson, the widow of the late Elder W. Jackson of Manchester. She remembered having seen me at the Cold-house chapel twenty years ago, when I lived in Manchester. I met also sister Greaves from Newark, who is zealous in the Lord. From Hull I went to York where I met brother Campbell, and with him viewed the ancient city and its stately cathedral. Many are the ancient monuments here of feats of war and daring chivalry. England has been a great theatre for daring mankillers; would God it could be as monumental of men of peace, men of God, going forth with the sword of the Spirit, gaining bloodless victories over sin

and Satan!

From York we booked to Sunderland, and found elections moving the great mass of mankind. A fine hearing, however, was given to brother Campbell, both here and in Newcastle-upon-tyne. I spoke twice in Sunderland on the Lord's day, and then rested for a week, as there was no place in those parts where I could preach, while brother Campbell was in the neighbourhood. In Newcastle a very great anxiety to hear was manifested, and, I trust, that from the great attention the people paid to the preaching, that great good was done. In both places much prejudice was removed from the people who heard. Our next movement was to Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is neither in England nor Scotland, but in a sort of state to itself, like a pampered child, but still under the supervision of parliament and Victoria. Brother Campbell had the loan of the Kirk Chapel here, and preached one discourse, much to the satisfaction of the hearers, as I understand, and of the Scotch Baptists in the place.

The next day we went to Edinburgh, and were kindly received by the brethren there, and on the evening of our arrival there was a mutual tea party given, at which the subject of union and co-operation were to be treated of. Brother Campbell was chosen to preside at the meeting, and was requested to deliver an address on these great subjects, which he did, very much to the purpose, but still not to the purpose of some there, who had favourite schemes to abet, and opposing schemes to combat. Hence, after the address from brother Campbell, propositions were made about adopting such measures of union and church cooperation as should put an end to all difficulties in churches, and restore peace in all our borders. I knew nothing of the real state of things, nor did brother Campbell, and therefore we were completely playing blind man's buff! Such an use of strange brethren is wrong. It is nothing but an effort to make us parties, pro or con, to previous and unhallowed disputes. I saw it was a pandora's box, and therefore recommended that the meeting could not legitimately take cognizance of these matters. That I had always noticed that the efforts to keep peace and promote union had too commonly gendered discord and division.

There is no such thing in the New Testament as the discipline of churches by churches; but each church is under discipline to itself, and accountable to no tribunal on earth; but only to its head in heaven. The union of members in the same church is an union of love under the law of Christ-the union of churches is that of love only! There is no synodical jurisdiction among the churches of the saints; nor any synodical thunder to be hurled upon heretical churches. Some argue from the oneness of the body of Christ in one place to the oneness of the body in all places, and therefore think that there must be a discipline for refractory churches as well as for refractory members in a particular church. The seven churches in Asia Minor were addressed each by the Head, and warned of the departures from the truth they were guilty of. No council was called of churches to reprimand them and bring them back to their

original state. The Saviour said to the churches at Thyatira, "And all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works."

I am sorry to learn that divisions have arisen among some of the churches in Scotland, on these grounds, and much opposition has been caused by them. This is a great pity, because there is not a more glaring error than to think that schism or division is a slight offence. Indeed some would seem to think that it is a cardinal virtue, because they divide so readily and set up another table. Nothing but corruption and immorality will justify any man in leaving a church, and not then until he has tried to purge away the sin and has failed; then, in that case, he may flee as from a house on fire, or from a city stricken with the plague. Though the ship be tossed in a storm, yet it would be madness to jump overboard to meet certain death in the sea! Stand by the ship, and guide her across the waves, and keep her pumps, agoing that she may ride the angry billows till the storm allays. God has good in view in storms in nature; they purify the atmosphere;-and so can he bring the winnowing shovel into the church to blow away the chaff from among the wheat. Let every man take heed to have a good motive and a good spirit. "God is not mocked."

J. HENSHALL.

Etems of News.

Hull, August, 1847.

WE were much pleased with brother Henshall's addresses at Hull. The number of hearers was pretty good considering it were the election days. But it appears to require considerable and repeated efforts to bring over the people. We have had a few more hearers in consequence-but it will be highly necessary to have evangelists to follow up their labours, which I am glad to find is probable. May they be of the right sort, bearing some resemblance to the labourers of old-practical men-as the Apostle said to Timothy, "Be thou an example in all things." We were very much disappointed at not seeing and hearing brother Campbell. My father and myself have some thoughts of meeting him somewhere on his tour, either in Scotland or at Chester. May the Lord bless the labours both of him and brother Henshall to the conversion of sinners and the destruction of sectarianism!

Having received an invitation from you to write something for the Messenger, besides the general invitation, I forward you a paper, which may possibly be of some little service where an elevated production might not reach. Plain and simple food suits plain and simple minds, therefore if you should deem it suitable either for the Messenger or a Tract, it is at your service; but if not, be so kind as to return it.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

W. GODSON, Junr. Newcastle-on-tyne, August, 1847.

WHEN I arrived in Newcastle from Edinburgh I found the brethren had published our place of meeting, and in consequence we had a pretty numerous congregation in the afternoon and evening. After the evening discourse we had some considerable questioning from a man who desired admission to the church on the confession that Jesus was the Christ, without admitting the Apostolic description of his person. He would confess "the man Christ Jesus," but not he "who descended from David according to the flesh," and, yet, "God over all blessed for ever.,' On the whole I felt glad of the occurrence as it afforded an opportunity of evincing our liberty in the Lord-our freedom from human authority-and at the same time our freedom from a sceptical licentiousness, and our unconditional submission to the authority of our Lord and his Apostles. We have every reason to believe that the most favourable impression has been left on the public mind in this town by our brother Campbell, and our brethren request me to express the hope (should any untoward event hinder his labours in the north,) that he will find his way back to Newcastle, to confirm the good impression he has already made. W. MacDOUGALL.

Huddersfield, August 20th, 1847. THE long expected visit of bros. Campbell and Henshall to Huddersfield has at length been paid, and truly we have not been disappointed in the expectations we had formed.

The lucid exhibitions of the Gospel, which were given, have enabled us to realize most powerfully the heavenly nature of our calling, have made us more in love with the despised Truth, and induced us to become more alive to the importance of directing the attention of our fellow-men to the claims of him, whose character was so gloriously set forth.

Arrangements having been made to divide the meetings in this district between Halifax and Huddersfield, the announcements were as extensively circulated as possible, so that the brethren and friends from the surrounding country might have opportunity to attend.

On Sunday forenoon, at Halifax, bro. Campbell had an audience in the Odd Fellows' Hall, of from twelve to fifteen hundred people, and it was most gratifying to behold the devout and solemn attention which was paid. In the evening at Huddersfield, the large Philosophical Hall was filled to excess, and one of the most powerful and soul-stiring discourses ever heard in the town, was listened to with the most breathless attention. The effect was quite thrilling.Indeed, the faces of many could be seen suffused with tears of joy, and glowing with delight and satisfaction.

Three discourses were delivered by bro. Henshall in Huddersfield and Halifax, and three more by bro. Campbell during the course of the week; but the unfortunate occurrence of the parliamentary election during the course of the same week, greatly affected both the number of the attendance, and the consequences which would otherwise have been produced. Notwithstanding this event however, the interest maintained was so great that there was an average attendance of from five to six hundred at each of the week-night meetings. Altogether the occasion has been one of unmingled satisfaction. Many have expressed themselves as highly delighted with the truths presented to their notice, others have had their prejudices and opposition of mind greatly subdued, and all who have exercised themselves with what they heard, we have no doubt are greatly profited. Were there no other effects than these, they were sufficient to compensate for all the exertions that have been put forth in attaining them.

There was one confession during the time of brother Campbell's stay with us, one since he left, and next Lord's day three or four will put on the Lord by a baptism into his death.

Thus our beloved brethren will perceive that their labour amongst us has not been in vain in the Lord. And trusting their return from Ireland will be in time to enable them to communicate a second benefit to those who had re ceived conditional promise to that effect, we commend them to the care of Him whose servants they are. W. THOMSON.

Halifax, August 17th, 1847.

ON Lord's day morning, July 25, we were favoured with a visit from our beloved brother A. Campbell, on which occasion he addressed an audience, consisting of about fifteen hundred persons, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, who listened with profound attention, while he expatiated upon the sublime theme of "Christ the Oracle of God." In the afternoon the state ordinances of the christian church were celebrated, on which occasion our highly esteemed brother Henshall delivered a short address. At the close the brethren and friends repaired to our own meeting room, where tea was provided, after which we again assembled in the Hall, when brother Henshall addressed a congregation of about one thousand individuals on 66 Evangelical Reformation." On Monday evening brother Henshall again spoke, on "The Apostolic Commission," but the audience was very thin, owing to there being held at the same time two political meetings; and political excitement was running very high. It happened very unfortunately that our brethrens' visit here was at a time when the public mind was so fully pre-occupied with political matters.

As a congregation we are at peace, and I hope are making progress in the knowledge of divine truth, but our numbers do not increase much. We added

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