Literature. BINNEY ON MONEY.* THESE lectures made no small stir in Weigh-house chapel when they were delivered. The consciences of men were awakened on the subject as they had never been awakened before, and, so close and searching were the appeals, that men trembled as to what might next fall from the lips of the preacher. in question, it will be sufficient to notice the mixed impression which these words make upon us. Mammon signifies wealth, riches, worldly property. When it is said, ver. 12, No servant can serve two masters; ye cannot serve God and mammon;' Mammon is personified. It is represented as an idol, which men may be subject to and serve as a god. The words 'righteousness' and unrighteousness' employed in relation to it, do not mean The original purpose of Mr. Binney that riches are always the product of fraud was, to bring before his congregation and injustice; but that, if they are ‘served, the claims of the "Systematic Benefi- looked up to, made an idol of, they will be found to be false and deceitful; that is, cence Society." He intended to give they will prove to be 'unrighteous' in the two lectures, but they grew into foursense of promising what they never perteen. They are given here as origin- form. They will be like a painted bubble ally delivered in the pulpit, and hence which vanishes when grasped; or like a the descriptive and very appropriate broken reed' that pierces the hand of him phrase on the title-page-"a popular that leans upon it. Like certain teachers exposition in rough notes." Mr. Bin- who promised liberty' to their disciples, ney has gathered together all the but who, when believed, left them like references in the New Testament to themselves in bondage to corruption,' so money, and uses them in his own Riches offer everything, but, being trusted characteristic way. The two main to, are found to make themselves wings points sought to be illustrated are, quality entitling them to supreme and and fly away!' They have not only no (1) Money may be a bad thing; and (2) exclusive confidence, but they are distinMoney may be put to a very good use. guished by other qualities which, (speaking Under the first head are grouped the in a figure), lead them knowingly and defacts of the New Testament, showing liberately to deceive. Mammon over us— the working of the "money-lust," in made the object of affection and faith—will resisting the acceptance of truth, in be found in time to have none of the attriits antagonism to religious impressions, butes corresponding to such sentiments. and to the rise, progress, and perfect- The idolator of wealth, like other idolators, ing of inward and outward obedience, will discover one day, that the thing he in the church, among ministers, in the future of this world, and in its ultimate issues in the world to come. In the second part Mr. Binney touches upon beneficent acts as matters of obligation, as peculiarly acceptable and pleasing to God, as held by God in special remembrance, and followed by reward. The third part treats solely of "stewardship and systematic beneficence." worships will turn out a devil and not a god. On the other hand, if, instead of serving mammon, a man compels it to serve him; if, instead of making it his master, he uses it as his slave; if, instead of looking up to it, he places it beneath him, makes it look up towards himself, to know his will and do his bidding; if he thus regards it as an instrument, and employs it, as it may be employed, for the promotion of great and good objects:-why then, its very nature will change; it will tender and true, for it will partake the chabe faithful and devoted, pure and upright, racter and be filled with the spirit of its Master and Lord. The great brazen idol "Make to yourselves friends of the mam--when deposed from its unrighteous premon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.' Without, at present, attempting to expound the whole story of the parable As random examples of Mr. Binney's quaintness as an expositor, we give the following: Money: a Popular Exposition in Rough Notes, with Remarks on Stewardship and Systematic Beneficence. By T. Binney. London: Jackson, Walford, & Hodder. eminence, broken to fragments and stamped to dust under the foot of the man who stands over it-will be found to have become most precious. Its dust then turns into living seed, which can be scattered abroad by the strong hand, and sown beside all waters; and which will spring up and be abundantly productive,-productive of A Batch of Sermons. that golden grain which is worthy of being gathered into the garner of God." 303 that God has not entrusted them with large wealth for their own selfish ends, This occurs in the eleventh sermon: but for His work, and that they are "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; only stewards of this "gift." Now it for thereby some have entertained angels is required of a steward that he be unawares.' The virtue of hospitality was found faithful. Careful reading of this of great importance in ancient times. But book will help to encourage faithfulit involved expense; it was not always ten-ness in the rich. It will also quicken dered, therefore, without grudging, or with habits of thrift in the poor, so that a cheerful aspect, and was sometimes flatly, and rudely refused. The apostle suggests a has prospered him." every man may really give as God motive to encourage its exercise involving a general principle of universal application. Receive the stranger'-he may be an angel The Relation of the Gospel to Man's in disguise. He may bring with him the Intellectual and Practical Life.* Those atmosphere of heaven. With him con- who had the pleasure of hearing this versing, you may come to forget trouble able and splendid sermon at the Circus and care,-receive light and knowledge, chapel, Birmingham, will rejoice to have difficulties removed, and doubts know that it is now published; and to quenched, and devotion quickened,-and feel like the disciples when their hearts those who had not that pleasure, we burned within them' as the Lord talked say-Buy it at once. In our judgwith them by the way!' And when the ment, the preaching of this masterly stranger departs, he may leave behind him discourse will always make the Bira joy in the memory, and a peace in the mingham Association of 1865 famous soul which shall not die. And all this you in the annals of our body.-The Chriswould have lost, not only if you had rudely tian Campaign.† This is what is called shut the door in his face and refused to "the mission sermon" for 1865. Mr. take him in, but if you had neglected to Gould touches with a vigorous hand open it, selfishly enjoying your own comforts, and forgetting that a brother might tion with the Christian campaign :— upon the following points in connecbe in want of a bed. You are not to en- Our position, our adversaries, our tertain strangers because all of them are angels; nor be disappointed and angry if equipment, our hindrances, and our they don't happen to turn out what you encouragement.-Blunt Iron: or phyexpected. But you are to exercise hospi- sical violence the consequence of personal tality' without grudging,' simply because ignorance. There is a good deal of it is right and kind and acceptable to God plain speaking in this sermon, and old so to do, and it may happen that some- and familiar truths are set forth with times you will find that you have received not a little novelty. We have no an angel unawares.' Of course, the more doubt the audience who first listened It frequently you show kindness to the to it appreciated the quaintness and stranger, the greater will be your chance force of the preacher's remarks. of being favoured with the company of an is a very good pennyworth of strong angelic visitant. All this admits of a very obvious application to ourselves. Let us common sense, and is well worth havnot be forgetful to do kind acts, as we have ing." Quit you like Men."§ A disopportunity; we shall often find that we course on the duties of Protestant get in return-and often in direct religious Dissenting Electors at the crisis just benefit from those we assist, far more than passed. The duties are five-fold: a what we give." consistent regard to our position and It is to be hoped that this book will principles, an enlightened and sleepless be carefully read by rich and poor, vigilance, a fearless and manly desince it concerns them both. One class meanour, self-control to ensure comhave opened to them the New Testa- bined strength, courtesy.-The Chament teaching on a matter that at pre-mois; the First False Step. Admirable sent is less understood among Protes- stories.-Cornwell's School Geography.* tants than Papists, and less acted upon That this book should have reached in this country than in America. Un- a thirty-sixth edition is not a bad sign less voluntaryism is to be pronounced of its usefulness. It is by far the best a failure, there must be very much school geography published. larger and heartier response to the claims of Christian beneficence. The rich men of our day have need to learn 'Simpkin Marshall, & Co. † Yates & Alexander, D. T. Ingham, Sheffield. Winks & Son, Leicester. Elliot Stock. Our Churches. BAPTISMS. Intelligence. LOUTH, Northgate-On Sunday evening, May 28th, in the presence of a large congregation, after a sermon from the Rev. W, Orton, the pastor, from Acts xxiv. 14, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers," nine persons received the ordinance of baptism. BIRMINGHAM, Second Church. On Wednesday evening, June 28, two persons were baptized; and, on the Lord'sday following, were received into church fellowship. This is the first baptism in connection with the new cause. J. S. C. ALLERTON.-Our pastor, Mr. W. E. Winks, baptized five believers on Wednesday evening, July 19, and received them into the fellowship of the church on the following Lord's-day. CHAPELS. truth and love. Mr. Acton laboured honourably and usefully until old age rendered him incapable. After his death the cause rapidly declined. In 1772 the chapel was engaged by the Wesleyans, and it was in their possession in 1812. Mr. Acton was a General Baptist, and a sound Trinitarian. The present writer is not aware of any evidence tending to shew that the church degenerated in doctrine after his death. It suffered by death and discord, and by the general difficulty of the age-a paucity of sound and Christian teachers. It unfortunately became extinct,-not Calvinistic, Arian, or Unitarian. In 1813 the chapel was re-opened by the General Baptists of the New Connexion, and a church was formed. In 1819 Mr. J. Cooper was ordained pastor of the church, by Revs. J. Taylor and H. Hollinrake, from Yorkshire. The church was reported to the Association as in a flourishing condition. In a very short time a disastrous change took place, which caused much trouble and some expense to the Association. NANTWICH.-The Baptist chapel in Mr. Cooper became a Unitarian, and this place has passed through a number being a trustee, and still calling himself a of vicissitudes. The ground on which Baptist, the chapel and small endowment it stands, with burying ground, was pre- were lost to the denomination. From sented to the church by Mr. Samuel that time to the present the General Acton, who was a well-to-do tradesman Baptists of Tarporley and Wheelock of the town, and minister of the congre- Heath have kept a vigilant watch over gation. The first deed bears date 1726, the property. They have made repeated though it is believed the chapel was built efforts to regain it. In 1862 there were some time before it was put in trust. only three trustees remaining; two of The celebrated Matthew Henry preached these gave our friends authority to take his last sermon in Nantwich, and died possession of the chapel, it having for suddenly on the following morning. This some years ceased to be used for public was in 1714. Mr. Acton, it is said, worship. On the 27th April, 1862, our "took very particular notice, on the day esteemed brother Pedley, of Wheelock before the funeral, of the great loss the Heath, with the church he had that day church of God had sustained." About formed, entered it under these circumA.D. 1720, Bishop Gastrell says there stances, and conducted the public worwere in Nantwich one hundred and fifty- ship of Almighty God. As there apseven Presbyterians, one hundred and peared some doubt about the safety of nine Anabaptists, and thirteen Quakers. the trust, but little was done to make Hence it is not improbable the chapel the place comfortable. The Cheshire was erected before 1726. There is evi- Conference adopted Nantwich as its dence that Mr. Acton begun his minis- Home Mission station, and at the begintry as early as 1688, for in a work pub-ning of last year the writer became lished by him in 1714, he says, that for forty years he had lamented the needless contentions among Christians, and for thirty years he had been striving to induce a greater union amongst them in minister of the congregation under the auspices of the Committee. It has all along been intended to alter and improve the chapel, or to erect a new one. Several liberal sums were promised towards the Other Congregational Churches. 305 BIRCHCLIFFE.-Our annual sermons in behalf of our Sunday school were preached this year on June 4th, by Rev. W. Underwood. Collections £40. W. G. B. CHILWELL COLLEGE. Purchase Account. Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A. Not- Mr. Thos. Hill, Nottingham Rev. Dawson Burns Mrs. Woollard, Boston .. £ s. d. 10 0 0 500 2 10 0 3 0 2 1 0 .... Rev. O. Hargreaves, Burnley 1 0 1 0 0 5 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 latter project, but it was ultimately occasion, and a number of the children abandoned. The friends at Tarporley gave recitations. The collections were kindly offered the pulpit, pews, &c., of considered good, though not equal to their old chapel for our use. Being in the previous year. They amounted to excellent condition, this offer was thank- £31 Os. 11d. E. H. fully accepted. A thorough renovation has now been effected, and both internally and externally the premises have been very greatly improved. Property has also been purchased at the back of the chapel (having a frontage into one of the principal streets of the town), and a vestry, school-room, and other conve- THE Treasurer begs to acknowledge the niences have been made. Altogether, following sums received on the alterations have secured the cordial and unanimous commendation of friends, and of the townspeople generally. The chapel was reopened by Rev. R. Kenney, on Lord's-day, May 21. Large congregations, good collections, edifying discourses, and many grateful emotions to the Giver of all good, made up the day's enjoyments. On Monday, May 29, a public tea meeting was held in the Town Hall. A very respectable and numerous assembly came to our assistance, including friends from Audlem, Tarporley, and Wheelock Heath. Several ministerial brethren were present, and contributed largely to the edification and pleasure of the meeting. Mr. R. Pedley, junr., as treasurer to the Committee, made a statement respecting finance to the following effect:-That the expense incurred had been £127 13s.; and that the sum raised by subscriptions, collections, and tea (including £15, being part of a bequest by the late Mr. Kirkham), was £126 17s. 6d. During the week the property was conveyed to ten new SCARBOROUGH, Mechanics' Hall.-Sertrustees; and thus, after a period of vices of a decidedly interesting character forty-five years, the General Baptists have recently been held in the above have again a house of their own in place in connection with the settlement Nantwich, in which they can, without of the newly-elected pastor of the church, let or hindrance, worship the God of the Rev. J. Lewitt, late of Stoney-street their fathers. A great deal of prejudice chapel, Nottingham. On Lord's-day has still to be removed, and a little hos- evening, June 4, a sermon was preached tility to our views of the ordinances con- by the Rev. J. Acworth, LL.D., after ciliated, yet we are not without hope, which he suitably addressed the friends with God's rich blessing, of ultimate who wished to be associated together as J. B. L. a Christian church, and affectionately gave them the right hand of fellowship. The Lord's supper was then adminisCLAYTON-On Lord's-day, June 25, tered by the pastor, and several memthree sermons were preached on behalf bers of other Christian denominations of the Sabbath school. Rev. W. Evans, accepted the invitation to join in comof Staley bridge, preached morning and memorating the Saviour's death, and evening, and Rev. W. E. Winks, of thus to show the oneness of the Lord's Allerton, in the afternoon. The chapel body. On Tuesday evening, June 13, was crowded in all parts. A selection the recognition services commenced, of hymns and anthems were sung on the when prayer was offered by the Rev. success. MISCELLANEOUS. Goods sold from Bazaar 100 100 1 0 0 3 10 3 Other Congregational Churches. Α R. Bayly, pastor of the first Baptist of the preacher's spirit. It was a serChurch, and the Rev. H. Dowson, of mon, as one man expressed it, of the Bradford, gave a very affectionate and "Baxter order," many brethren heartily impressive charge to the pastor, and cor- welcoming Mr. Chown among them. dially wished him success in the name of We take great pleasure in introducing the Lord. The charge to the church this able gentleman to our readers. He was given by the Rev. E. Stevenson, of is a Baptist pastor, located at Bradford, Loughborough, and Dr. Acworth con- England, and is a most successful man, cluded by earnest and solemn prayer for both in the pulpit and on the platform. the divine blessing on pastor and people. The United States had no truer friend The next evening, Wednesday, the among the operatives of Yorkshire and friends met together for tea, gratuitously Lancashire than he has been, and we provided by members of the church and hope that his visit to our country will congregation. Dr. Acworth took the chair only enhance his good opinion of our after tea, and introduced the business of people and institutions.-New York Inthe evening by expressing his gratification dependent. at the occasion of the assembly, and his SOUTHAMPTON.-The memorial stone fervent hopes for the success of the en- of the new Baptist (Carlton) chapel, for terprise of establishing another Baptist the use of the church and congregation church in this rapidly increasing favourite now meeting in the Carlton Rooms, watering place. The Revs. E. Stevenson, Southampton, was laid by the pastor, T. W. Handford, of Bolton, S. G. Green, the Rev. J. Collins, on Wednesday, July B.A., of Rawdon College, H. Dowson, 5th, in presence of a numerous company of Bradford, and S. Clough, of Malton, of friends of the cause. A hymn having spoke in kind and affectionate terms to been sung, the Rev. R. Craven offered pastor and people. Mr. Lewitt related prayer, after which the pastor proceeded the circumstances which induced him to to lay the stone in the usual manner. accept the call of the infant church, bottle was placed in a cavity of the stone, prominent among which was the great containing a bill of the day, with some personal kindness of Dr. Acworth, and current numbers of periodicals, besides expressed his anxiety to co-operate with which were a copy of a local paper and all denominations in the prosecution of a brief statement of the church's belief the work of Christ in the town and and present position, which was read beneighbourhood. The pleasure of the fore being enclosed. After the Rev. Mr. meeting was greatly enhanced by the Sissons (Independent) had given a most presence of the Rev. R. Bayly and R. suitable address, the proceedings were Balgarnie (pastor of the Independent brought to a close with the doxology and church), who both gave the right hand benediction. In the evening, a meeting of fellowship to Mr. Lewitt, and in the was held in the Carlton Rooms, when most cordial and fraternal manner wel- the pastor took the chair in the place comed him as a fellow-labourer in the of A. Lamb, Esq., who was to have laid kingdom of Christ, and heartily wished the stone, but did not, from certain local him prosperity. causes. Addresses were given by the Revs. H. Carlisle (Independent), G. Sargent (Wesleyan), R. Craven (Baptist), and the pastor. Collections were made in aid of the chapel, amounting, with donations, to £27 10s., besides which, £56 were paid in of moneys before promised, making the total receipts of the day over £84. The amount now in hand for the chapel is about £1,050 towards £2,500, the estmated outlay. The chapel is to seat 700. It is expected to be finished by the end of the year. P.S.-It may interest our readers to know that £2,000 has been already promised towards a new chapel, and that of this sum £1,000 is promised by Sir Morton Peto. THE REV. J. P. CHOWN.-Last Sabbath, in the absence of Mr. Beecher, his pulpit was filled by this distinguished and eloquent minister of Christ. The sermon in the morning was founded on Rev. xxii. 8.—“I, John, saw these things," &c., and consisted of an earnest and clear exposition, first of the character of the man to whom the vision was granted, and then of some characteristics of the glory he was permitted to gaze upon. The congregation was large, and was deeply moved by the warmth and gospel fervour LYON'S HALL, Essex.-On Thursday, July 6th, a tea-meeting was held in barn at Lyon's Hall, Great Leighs, Essex, beautifully decorated for the occasion by friends connected with the adjacent chapel, recently enlarged at the expense |