Sou

General Synod. Sustentation Fund.

Our Church.

OUTHEND.-(Trinity Church.)—Our next Confirmation will D.V. take place on the 3rd instant, for which a class of candidates has for some time been held weekly.

Our Sale of Work is announced for August. Contributions may be sent to Mrs. Gregg, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. A. Young, or Miss Baker.

The Christian Medical Mission, which has been recently begun in this town, on lines entirely unsectarian, has grown beyond the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. The Council have just issued their report for the first quarter of its existence, showing a balance in hand of nearly £3 after paying all expenses of rent, furnishing, medicine, &c., and also stating that during the one forenoon weekly on which the Mission has been open no less than 259 cases have received medical treatment. The gratitude of the sick poor, for whose benefit the Mission exists, is a very pleasing feature in this good work. The Council announce that they are prepared to provide a Trained Nurse for the sick poor, and to proceed with the erection of a much-needed Cottage Hospital whenever funds may be placed in their hands. We understand that this is the first small town in the United Kingdom where a Medical Mission of this kind has been undertaken. Several ladies connected with our Church assist actively in the work.

PRITTLEWELL. (Christ Church.)- The work here is, as always, encouraging.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.-(Christ Church.)-The house for our Rector is nearly finished, and stands close to the church on our own freehold land. The money for its erection was lodged in the bank prior to the commencement of the work.

LEADING ARTICLES.-General Synod.

MEDICAL MISSIONS.

Monthly, ONE PENNY.
Post Free, 1s. 6d. per Annum.

The Second Reformation. Practical Sympathy Fund. Prayer Book Revision. "The Apostolic Episcopate."

REPLIES TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c.
ENERGY IN ADVERSITY.
A LETTER FROM HOME.
ADVERTISEMENTS.

Our Sale of Work was held on Tuesday, May 19th, in the Corn Exchange, pleasingly decorated for the occasion. There were four stalls for useful and fancy articles, besides those for dairy produce, fruit, eggs, refreshments, &c., and a bran pie largely patronized by the children. Music was. given at intervals by friends. The sale was opened by prayer by the Rev. G. J. Lacell. We were much gratified to find among the purchasers friends from other congregations in the town and neighbourhood, many of whom, as well as others, had sent contributions. We were also much delighted to receive parcels from members of our churches at Southend and Tuebrook. The following ladies held stalls-Mrs. Cannon, Mrs. Janaway, Mrs. W. Keen, Mrs. Killeen, the Misses Austin, Eden, Lovelock, K. Lovelock, Miller, and Sweby, assisted by Mrs. Lacell, the Misses Denny, Taylor, Messrs. Killeen, C. Lovelock, and A. Dell. We feel most grateful to the success of the whole undertaking.

Additional accounts were presented for £38 13s. 9d., making the amount due £59 19s. 9d. The following balances appeared in the respective accounts :-Sunday School: due, £2 45. Christian Association: In hand, 75. 6d. Band of Hope: In hand, £2 4s. Library: In hand, 5s. 5d.

It was decided that "Children's Hymns for the Service of the King" should be used in the Sunday School.

There is still a debt of £500 upon the Building Fund account of our permanent church, and donations in liquidation of the same will be gratefully received by the Rev. W. Mules, Latchford, Warrington, or Mr. Thomas Woods, Church Street, Warrington.

Mrs. Knowles, an aged member of our congregation, died on April 4, and on Sunday evening, April 12, the Vicar preached (at her request expressed shortly before her death) from Eph. ii, 8, "By grace are ye saved, &c."

Baptized: March 18, Percy Cottam, son of D. and E. Rankin; April 5, Lucy Catherine, daughter of W. and M. Jackson.

Married April 5th, L. J. Dobson and Alice Wilcock.

On Monday, April 20, our Band of Hope held a public meeting, the Vicar presiding. Messrs. Gandy, H. and F. Garnett, J. and W. Jackson, and the Misses Ray, Louie and Lizzie Hobbin, and C. Lloyd and the choir kindly rendered good service.

LISCARD (Christ Church.)-On Sunday 3rd May, the 5th anniversary sermons were preached by the Rev. M. L. Jones to large congregations. The subject in the morning being Joel ii, 26, "Praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you." The preacher called attention to three facts :

Ist, God's wonders towards His people individually. 2nd, God's wonders in dealing with them as a nation. 3rd, God's wonders in dealing with them as a Church.

Speaking of God's wonders towards England, he (the preacher) referred to the time of the Reformation and considered the condition of things in general at that period, and then contrasted the rapid rise and prosperity of the nation (after its discarding the superstitions of Romanism, and choosing the teaching and guidance of the Holy Scriptures in its stead) with other countries which still remained under the foot of the Papacy—and warned his hearers against the insidious advances of Ritualism during the past twenty years.

Our greatness as a nation upon which the sun never set, could be traced to the goodness of God and the fulfilment of His promise "Them that honour me I will honour." God is a jealous God. If the simplicity of the Gospel were set aside, and a sacerdotal system of religion, the invention of men, substituted, then, inferring from God's dealings in the past, England's sun had begun to go down.

God's dealings with the movement of the "Reformed Church of England," had been and were wonderful.

In the raising up of one of His servants, and inducing him to forsake the richest, most influential and powerful of Establishments, and choosing herculean labours, persecution, sufferings, and afflictions with the people of God, rather than participate in, and countenance, error, was wonderful.

Their present existence as a Church in the face of so much opposition was worthy of notice—and may be likened to that little band of men who were once led as far as to Bethany to witness the ascension of their Lord, and then to contend earnestly against the entire forces of sin, the flesh, and the Devil.

Such a movement hoping for any success appeared ludicrous in the estimation of world.

Nevertheless their efforts were blessed, light dispelled the darkness, men were translated from the kingdom of satan into the kingdom of the Saviour. Idolatry uprooted, sin vanquished, old things passed away, superstition, gloom, and despair; vice and crueltry were superseded by faith, and love, truth, and liberty, virtue and peace. Let them therefore praise the name of the Lord and take courage.

The Treasurer's account for the past year shows a balance in hand of £21 8s. 3d. to be booked to credit of Church Building Fund.

* * *

WOLVERHAMPTON.--(Trinity Church.)-We are much encouraged by the tokens for good which exist, and feel deeply gratified by the hearty spirit of co-operation manifested between minister and people. The Rev. W. F. Bentley, has our truest sympathy in his faithful and self-denying labours, and we rejoice in the fact that he is cheered in his work. The people of Wolverhampton are second to none in devotion to a cause which they prove to be genuine.

**

TUE BROOK (Christ Church).-Our Church seems likely to be much more successful than it has been hitherto. Our congregations are increasing.

** *

NEW OPENINGS-(Dio. Manchester, &c.)-It will gratify our friends to know that the work of the Reformed Church of England has for the first time been begun here, of which, in due time we hope to give particulars. Our services are being taken by a clergyman of the Church of England, a graduate of Cambridge, who has been invited to accept the pastoral charges. We may also mention that Mission Services in connection with our Church have been begun at another place in the North of England in a diocese adjoining that of Manchester, and the accounts which we have received are of the most gratifying character.

ΤΗ

Official Entelligence.

GENERAL SYNOD.

HE Seventh Annual General Synod of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, otherwise called the Reformed Church of England, was held in one of the rooms in Exeter Hall, Strand, London, on Tuesday, May 12th, 1885, the Right Reverend the Senior Bishop presiding.

The Synod having been duly constituted and opened with prayer the President reported upon the official visits and work made and performed by him since last meeting of Synod and gave several very interesting accounts of the progress made by various churches.

TRUST PROPERTY, &c.

After some discussion concerning property held in trust for our Church, it was unanimously resolved :

"That as regards the holding of land or property used in anywise for or in connection with this Church (whether such property consist of churches, Sunday schools, houses, rooms, buildings, or other messuages, hereditaments, or premises, or some one or more of them, and whether the same be bonâ fide conveyed or otherwise assured to trustees, or be simply rented or leased, and whether permanently or temporarily) the laws and customs of the Church of England shall not be deemed to apply, but the said land and property shall be held, used, occupied, and disposed of absolutely as the General Synod shall from time to time in their discretion by resolution of three-fourths in number of those present determine."

It was unanimously further resolved "That the foregoing resolution form Article xviii of the Constitution."

The following resolution was also unanimously passed :HIRING BUILDINGS, &c.

"That every building or piece of land for the erection of a building to be used in anywise for or in connection with this Church shall be rented or hired in the name of the General Standing Committee, and that the local representatives of this Church shall indemnify the said Committee from and against the rent and other liabilities under the agreement for such renting or hiring, and that the incumbent or minister shall enter into a proper agreement with the said Committee for the use and occupation of the said building absolutely under the control and subject to the directions for the time being of the said Committee," COMMITTEE RE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

A Committee consisting of the Rev. J. Lacell, Rev. C. Snosswell, Rev. W. Mules, Mr. J. R. Mayfield, and Mr. S. Page was appointed to draw up some general suggestions for the working of Sunday Schools.

RE CONFIRMATION.

The President stated that an application had been made to him by the minister of a certain (Church of England) congregation to hold a Confirmation in his church, and it was arranged that the matter should be left to the Senior Bishop's discretion.

GENERAL STANDING COMMITTEE.

The following gentlemen were elected as the General Standing Committee for the ensuing year:-Revs. G. J. Lacell, C. Snosswell, W. Mules, W. F. Bentley, M. L. Jones, and Messrs. Thos. M. Eastwood, J. Hall, J. C. Ingram, J. R. Mayfield, and S. Page.

Mr. S. Page presented the financial report in connection with the Reformed Church Record, the official organ of the Church.

The Rev. W. Mules spoke upon the work of our Church in the North in which the Synod were most interested.

It is most gratifying to report that all the resolutions were passed unanimously and that a most harmonious spirit prevailed throughout the entire meeting.

After votes of thanks to the President and the Secretaries the Benediction was pronounced and the meeting concluded. SUSTENTATION FUND.

The Treasurer begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following:--

Hemel Hempstead per Mr. French, Quarterly
Collection........
Collected by Miss M. Mayfield

£ s. d.

1 6 9 O 17 O 2 39

All contributions for the Sustentation Fund should be sent to Mr. H. Davies, 27, Sandstone Road, Stoneycroft, Liverpool.

IT

The Thirty-nine Articles.

ARTICLE XXXIV.

Of the Traditions of the Church.

T is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one, and utterly alike; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to diversities of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing. be ordained against God's Word. (Rom. xiv, 17-19 ; 1 Cor. xiv, 40). Whosoever through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority ought to be rebuked openly (that others may fear to do the like), (Rom. xiv, 13; 1 Cor. xi, 16; 1 Tim. v, 20), as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church (Rom. xvi, 17, 18; 2 Thess. iii, 6), and hurteth the authority of the magistrate (Rom. xiii, 1-5; Heb. xiii, 17; 1 Pet. ii, 13). and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren (1 Cor. viii, 12).

Every particular or national church hath authority to ordain, change and abolish, ceremonies or rites of the Church, ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying. (Rom. xiv, 9; 1 Cor. xiv, 26). [By "traditions" are here meant, not any article of faith, but the modes and customs of celebrating public worship handed down by one generation or person to another.]

The Ways of Old.

To the Editor of the REFORMED CHURCH RECORD. IR,-It was with the authority of a Divine command that the inspired lips of Jeremy, the prophet, called on Israel of old on the eve of the Babylonish captivity to "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest," (vi. 16), and again a few years later to utter the Divine judgment "because my people hath forgotten me they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths." "I will show them the back and not the face in the day of their calamity," (xviii, 15, 17), and I doubt not that in these days of peri! when men's hearts are failing them for fear, and many openly prognosticate the decadence of our power as a Divine judgment for our national unfaithfulness, it will well become us of the Reformed Church of Englani to lay the lesson to our hearts, and diligently to set ourselves to the task of unearthing these "old paths," both of doctrine and practice, which during the last five and twenty years have been so assiduously, and so persistently covered over by Ritualism.

To this end let us then set ourselves the task of visiting some of the principal scenes in the glorious Reformation, that we may acquaint ourselves with the issues at stake, the relative power of the contending forces, the ways of our God in working out his purposes, the courage, the holy boldness of those who, though but humble personages and possessing therefore no worldly influence, were called upon to witness before princes, so that the priceless blessings of purity of truth, liberty of speech and action, and emancipation from the iron despotism of a tyrannizing priestcraft, were secured to us thereby.

I love to dwell on these battle-fields-the savour of the victory lingers round them, and I pant as a war-horse for

the conflict. Oh! for the tongue of an archangel. Oh! for the pen of Inspiration to tell of these triumphs of our God, when He vanquished error, put down idolatry, put to flight the aliens, and trampled Satan under foot.

A peculiar interest attaches to such an inquiry at the present moment, since old foes long vanquished, are raising again their hideous heads and pressing to the conflictbut how different the positions then and now! 'Tis true that the warriors for truth were then but few in number, as are we, but then it was but the birthday of a mighty generation-and the Reformation plant with all the energy of spring-life came pushing upwards, breaking the clods of superstition, (which for ages had o'erlain it) into crumbling dust. Now protestantism hath all the weakness of an aged pilgrim around whom the burden of many autumns have cast their searing mantle-and they who battle for truth have also to contend with a waning interest in all that is solid, substantial, and real-in other words the age is vain frivolous, empty, volatile; and to awaker an interest, a lasting, permanent, intelligent participation in that which belongs to our peace is of itself a Herculean undertaking

Still 'tiswell for the toiler to confront his task, the warrior to accept his conflict, rather than to idly dream that the way is clear and the sailing plain.

'Tis bitter food for reflection that, whereas upon the gift of the bible to the nations of Europe in 1300 to 1500 (after they had famished upon the husks of tradition for ages) as one man whole cities prostrated themselves, basking in the beams of the rising Sun of Righteousness, and the public authorities and governing bodies in most places lent willing hands in uprooting the poisonous hemlock of Rome's planting; now, after 500 years' experience of the advantages of Christian morality and b.ble-moulded living, whole cities are "departing from the faith, and giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth and, while professing to know God, in works denying Him, being aboininable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate." (Titus i, 14-16.)

Rich treat indeed were it to our martyred Ridley and Latimer could they but visit the churches of the Establishment to-day and see prostrate congregations paying scrupulous adoration to the "NEHUSHTAN" on the Lord's table-could they hear them singing their miasmatic profanities from "Hymns Ancient and Modern "-errors to combat which they burned and died!

Yes, sir, it should nerve us for the conflict, I say, to find that our foes are only the vanquished errors of a bygone strife—that we are dignified and honoured of God in being called upon to contend in the same battle with the same foes as the glorified martyr-reformers, and armed with the same sword (that double-eged weapon of the Spirit), bearing the same shield of Faith, and donning the same helmet of Salvation, I charge you, ye who have avowed yourselves as members of this Church, "Be strong and very courageous, fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the Lord, thy God, doth go with thee, He will not fail thee nor forsake thee."

By your courtesy I purpose hereafter to visit some of

history's sacred spots and thence cull lessons for our edification and refreshment.

TH

Yours faithfully,

ALAUNUM.

South Africa.

HE following letter (dated April 21, 1885) has been received by our Senior Bishop from one of the oldest and most respected clergymen of the Church of England in Natal.

"Dear Bishop Gregg,-I regret to say that the six Prelates (Canterbury, York, Exeter, Worcester, Manchester, and Liverpool) to whom we applied for assistance in our Church difficulty, decline to do anything by way of securing the appointment of a new Bishop to fill up the vacant see of Natal. They shuffle out of this responsibility very adroitly, but, as most of us think, very unworthily, by telling us that we ought to be united with the opposition (ritualistic) church, set up here by Dr. Macrorie, and which has for its leading clergy a set of out-and-out ritualists. . . . . Our theological principles are wide as the poles asunder, and it is only mocking us to say that we ought to be united. The fact seems to be that the home Prelates are all of them intimidated by the Sacerdotal party and dare not bravely and boldly uphold the Protestant principles of the Church of England. How Bishop Ryle can be such a coward I cannot understand!

The Churchpeople here, however, do not intend quietly to take any denial of their just rights and claims. The next step they propose to take, I believe, is to go direct to the Secretary of State (Lord Derby) and request him to apply. for a Royal Mandate requiring the Primate to consecrate a new Bishop of Natal., We shall see whether he has pluck enough to do this or not. I imagine that there is nothing else to be done but either consent to absorbtion into the (ritualistic) "Church of South Africa," or the scattering of all our Churchpeople among the Wesleyans, Congregationalists, &c., or opening up official communication with yourself."

In case this step proves a failure,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

All Letters, Books for Review, &c., to be sent to the Editor of The Reformed Church Record, 51, Old Bailey, London, E. C.

All news should reach the Editor not later than the 18th of the month. preceding that in which it is desired to appear.

All communications should be written on only one side of the paper and should be accompanied with the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. The Editor does not undertake to return rejected communications. Those sending newspapers should plainly mark the paragraphs which they desire to be noticed.

THE REFORMED CHURCH RECORD can be had from any bookseller and newsvendor for one penny monthly, post free three-halfpence, by giving the name of the London publishers, Messrs. E. Marlborough, and Co., 51, Old Bailey, London, E.C.; or will be sent post free for one and sixpence per annum, by Mr. S. Page, 10, Aikin Street, Warrington.

Intending Advertisers should communicate with the Secretary, Advertisement Department, Reformed Church Record, 10, Bewsey Street, Warrington.

THE

Reformed Church Record,

THE

JUNE, 1885.

The General Synod.

HE annual meeting of our General Synod was duly held in Exeter Hall, London, on Tuesday, the 12th ult. An outline of the business transacted will be found under our "Official Intelligence." Any words which we could use would fail adequately to describe the delightful spirit of unity which animated the assembly. Every resolution was passed with the most cordial unanimity, and there seemed to be, as we believe there was, but one desire in the minds of the members, viz., how best to promote God's glory in the work of the Reformed Church of England. The accounts of the development, growth, and progress, of the work were encouraging, and we have reason to believe that the steady sowing of seed in the past will soon be followed by a more manifest out-growth of God's work by us than has yet taken place. We direct the special attention of our friends to the two very important resolutions concerning Church-property passed by our Synod, and the fact that by a unanimous vote one of these is incorporated as an Article of our Constitution will we believe tend much to consolidate the work in which we all feel so deep an interest.

For the future, under these resolutions, it will be impossible for individual churches to act as if they were independent bodies of congregationalists, and the governing bodies of our Church will thus be placed in their rightful position of being real as well as nominal rulers.

The authority of our General Synod is canonically absolute, and to its decision all must bow. It is the representative body of the whole church, and while it is loyally obeyed by every Bishop, Presbyter, Deacon, and Layman, it will in turn, by those laws which are the true protection of liberty, defend the interests of the whole church, and of each member thereof, from undue autocracy on the one hand, and latitudinarian imbecility on the other.

As an administrative body, to carry out the directions and wishes of the General Synod, the General Standing Committee has important functions to perform, and both these bodies, being representative, and such as to possess and enjoy the confidence of the entire church, we anticipate, with God's blessing, the most happy results from the experience and decisions of the past, the spirit and determination of the present, and the united and hearty co-operation of the future.

TH

The Second Reformation.

HE Great Protestant Reformation centuries ago, was brought about (1) Through the growth of errors and superstitions contrary to God's Word written; (2) By God's Spirit working in the hearts of His people; (3) By the faithful setting forth of the Gospel of His Grace, and (4) By the Revision of the Service Books used in the Church. That Revision, unfortunately, was only partial, and to the regret of many and to the injury of the cause of truth, certain errors were retained, e.g., Baptismal Regeneration, the Real Presence in the Lord's Supper, and Priestly Confession

and Absolution. In addition to these, other superstitions and religious falsehoods have been and are being developed until we find in the Established Church of England to-day a revival and existence of almost every error which through the counteracting influence of God's Word and Spirit resulted in days of yore in the grand Protestant Reformation.

The time has now come for a second Reformation, and in the work of that second Reformation we of the Reformed Church of England are practically engaged. We have watched with deep interest the good work of the Church . Association and of the Prayer Book Revision Society, and we are giving practical effect to the principles advocated thereby, and as our work is being understood we have increasing sympathy from members of the Church of England who value the old ways, and who desire to walk in the old paths. Our principles are "Protestant, Evangelical, Reformed," and our motto: "Jesus Only: the One Mediator: the Only Priest the Sole Sacrifice."

The Reformed Church of England is quietly but steadily taking root in the land. The advice given to the Senior Bishop by the late Very Rev. Dean Daunt, D.D., of Cork, is being followed: "Adhere to sound Evangelical principles -maintain conservative lines-and you must succeed. Have your organisation ready so that when disestablishment comes you may be prepared to receive large accessions to your ranks.”

Recently, our Senior Bishop has been invited to confirm. candidates in the Church of England, and the conviction is being forced upon lovers of Evangelical and Protestant Churchmanship that as Romanism has become such a power in the Established Church they must sooner or later come out and be separate." With the Grace of the Gospel in the heart; with the Gospel of Grace on the lip; the power of the Gospel in the life; and an unflinching adherence to the principles maintained in the past and in the present by God's faithful witnesses upon the lines of Evangelical and Protestant Churchmanship, we have no fear as to the result; and our one desire is to hand on the truth of God untarnished by superstitious ritualism on the one hand, or by paralysing rationalism on the other.

The last straw is said to break the camel's back, and the recent utterance from the pulpit of St. Paul's Cathedral, London; the recent appointment to the See of Lincoln; and the recent presentation of a cross to Laud's successor in Canterbury, are indications that the time has come for the Second Reformation.

Practical Sympathy Fund.

To the Editor of The Reformed Church Record. Dear Sir,

I have been glad to see that in response to my proposal for the formation of a “Practical Sympathy Fund" some friends have come forward to help, and I take this as an indication that others will do likewise. With your permission, therefore, I will extend the time within which I offered to give my contribution until Christmas next, and will ask the friend who kindly promised to give £25 to do the same. I would further venture to suggest that this is a matter in which it is more desirable that many should help a little than that a few should help much, and accordingly