The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-05-05 00:00:00


and in favour with God and man," until, instead of its
Fathers, shall be its children, whom it may make princes
In all the earth. May the God of wisdom make us wise
in I 'brixtion work and life. so that as Parent... and Pastors,
and Teachers, we natty be able to ,ay '' Behold I and the
children which God bath given toe," and no render a good
account of our stewardship before Mut who knows no
sect and will rewanl all service.
The Rev. B. ORIV, of Illatulford, the Association
Secretary, mentioned the need of libend support to enable
the Asstslation to maintain its work.
The Rev. T. NEAVE, of Itorchexter, expressed their
obligations to the nii tt isters for the addresses delivered.
They hail received with thankfnl hearts the various
opinions and sentiments expreowd. Many of themhail
done his own heart good. owl were in conson 'lice with his
own peculiar line of thought. lie triodeil all would lay
them to heart, and especially the address of Ur. Melton,
is bleb was full of generous thought and wi.doen. He was
very glad to welcome such a Nonconformist from Lanca-
shire into Dorset —(applause).
After the collection had been made, the Rev. F.
PECKLET pronounced the benediction, and the meeting
ended.

WEDNESDAV.
The proceedings to-day commenced with • prayer meet-
ing at seven °elm+, the Key. F. it presiding, various
ministeis and delegate:. °tiering prayer.
The busine.s Meeting OW, held at half-past nine, and
was opened with des otional services. The report was
real, and also the minutes of the coal:lawe meetings
held during the year. The financial and other affairs of
the association were reported to be in a satisfactory and
improv leg condition. t. ran ts to the various mild 'hun-bce
were read, and sums amounting to about were dis-
bursed. Afterwanls questisms affecting the interests .4
the churches were discussed ; the names .4 ministers who
had left the .hurch.,. %% ere no nilOned a transfemd to
other associations; and a report ou trust deeds relating to
sarions chapels Wari made by Mr. Itenjamin Chandler, of
Sherborne.

There ea+ a conference at nut-day on Councils of
Reference, in response to a request from the( 'ongregat • I
rebel that the A neociation ihould rumbler the quest's'
and report the des-lain to it, Mr. Chandler real a papsr
on the nutoje.C., which was not favourable in some re...recta
tn the formation of bawl, Leu•imeils. The obje
(sited is to snake provision for arbitrating i>
the
y nvntral
parties, members of other churches of the denomination,
(
in the event of any difficulty arinung in a church whkli
might not be easily +nettle,' IT the church Itself, hut
which might be aided in the matter by the sits use
and couninel of sister churches,. Thme C tttttt eils have
w. legal powers but are simply advisab.ry. In the
discussion Mr. Tolley, of Parkstone, and Mr. Neave, of
Dorchester, strongly recommended the adoption of the
.cherne. Finally • resolution was propownl by Mr. Gray,
of !Sandford, adopting the principle of the scheme and
referring it,. details to the cot ttttt ittee of the inseuriation,
who are to report to the next autumnal meeting. This
was carried nem. die.
At two &clock a dinner was provided in the school-
room. The tables were nicely decorated with vases Of
flowers, the walls hung with garland. of &rivers and ever
greens, and there teas this inotto-" In {hinge essential
unity, in things doubtful liberty, in all things charity. '
An excellent repast was provided by of (on'
bilk After the dinner the seutiment "The Quern" was
cordially received. The Rev. It. Gray expre.ecul the
thanks of the Association to the pa-stor awl church at
Dorchester for the very cordial and hostuitable welcome
sad entertainment afforded them. The Rev. T. heave
and Mr. Hannah responded.
Later in the afternoon there was a meeting in the
chapel to bear an address from the Rev. It. S. Ashton, of
London, formerly of Weymouth, on 'The Religious State
of the Continent." There was • fair attendance. The
rev, gentleman said-
" I have asked permiwion to draw the attention of the
members of the Dernet County Association to the claims
of Europe as a mission Held. It may perhape astonish
many pervons to hear the Continent treated as if it were
some heathen country, like China or India, Are not the
religions of Europe, it may be asked, all more or less
based on the teachings of the Bible I And though corrup-
tions have crept in and very much weakened the force of
the Christian doctrines still retained, yet why should we
wk to interfere with religious nations and practices
which do not seem repugnant to the people aguong whom
they are in vogue! Are there not quite enoagth disturb-
ing elements at work on the Continent without our
adding to the number! Have we not work enough to do
In necking to evangelise the heathen world, and to esta-
blish good will and spiritual liberty amonget the rural
and urban populations of our own land? To all such
objectors? would reply that the spiritual interests of every
race shouhl be dear to the disciples of Christ, and further
that the honour of our Master and the extension of His
Kingdom are matters of preseinç. importance to all who
truly pray, "Thy Kingdom come. We cannot but there.
fore enquire with much of anxiety, what is the spiritual
condition of then millions whuinhaluit the Continent?
and also, "Ii there any way in which we can help to
advance the reign of Christ amongst this vast portion of
the human racer The religious statistics of Europe
may to some minds look hopeful. About one sixth
of the population are Protestants - • proportion
which might 'cern to indicate the possibility that at
no very dhutant day the whole maw might be induced to
abjure the Warm) and Greek heresden, and adopt Use
tan:pier and purer faith of Luther nr Calvin. Hut • very
slight acquaintance with European Protestantinni is
enough to show that, owing to its unequal dintribution
amongd the nations, and ales to the alarming extent to
which rationalism and indiffereure have spread through
its ranks, it does not at present warrant the hepe of muy
rapid extension of its Influeure. There has been a cons
siderable revival of !spiritual life among 110111 e I,f the
Protestant chlrrilies during the last 50 years, and the
effect of this is seem in the active efforts they are ;staking
to evangelise the people around this,,, But this really
living and active section font,s but a small proportion of
the whole mass Again, if we were to listen to what some
travellers tell its. we nhould conic to the conch:wpm that
there is se much lelietiellelle. 1.6011•11 11Y the tnewhers of
the R oh and Greek churches as quite to put us English
people to shame; that it is most beautiful to Is held the
piety and n, cream .4 multituden, and that really indeed
of tri ing to teach them, We a1e,111.1 rittlwr s, and he
bedew-Ad by them. I lE:runt rode,e that when I hear
Euclid, Protestants talking is this fashion I feel utterly
coils led. No v. nuder, if nuch is the tedium hel.l sijt,
retard to the forte. of religious, that ritualism make.
progruss in this country Why if c tiisg Lewin awl
repeating Ave Macias IT the hour together ist a church,
or going on a pilgrimage to the shrine of some poor
deluuksl visionary, or kneeling in the snow at the fend of
• cries -mu I once saw a number of women do-to pray
for the recovery of a eiek neighbour, or sprinkling • coffin
with h..ly water, or ornamentieg a grace with wreaths
of ' rtellen- if all thin is necessarily an indication ef
true piety, pleasing to God and ennobling to lean, then I
would say, '' Let Ile put 111 14011 te 311 our Evan/alb-al
ager cies, • and let us rejoice that throughout the world,
in heathen as well :et in Chrietian lands, so much piery
pre, ails, awl that militias upon millions, of (*enrollee
rgreek awl 1101111111, of Mahonumedans Brahorine,
Ituel.lhists, and others bow their knees beiere the altars
and :shrines if their wen. Itut if, as we are taught be
our Divine master, eternal life conniets in the knouleulg...
of Gwl, awl religien 111e41111 curb an intellis.ent service ef
4.1..] an revealed in deers Chrint as shall lea.' to the
es.swear ..f His image in our hearts, then let um deplon.
that in the Rominli and Greek ehounhes the true know led..
of G.. 1 in kept from the people, ant that religion Inis
larecly degenerated het. the 1111SeetfUlee if rites and Mee.
11 ttttt les. Mit let ringive you the opinion of thoughtful men,
not unf mere panning travellers, reepenting the actual con-
of wave of the principal mean-its of Eurol.e. France,
we are told, is not Catholic. but Deistical, imr tuu,t the
revival of pilgrimages awl the entablislunient of a clerieal
Government Is: taken as hien', of the growth of Catholie
sentiment. Fanatieimisi and indifference are the prevailing
chem. terinties ..f the Spaninh people. In Italy, the un..re
theughtful classes seem &beset hopelewly alienated from
Chrintianity, thanks to the revolting daupotithr and
corruption whirls 611/1 (or centuriee characterises' the le/-
called christian church in that country. In Russia,
thwegh the doctrine, of the Greek church are 1111 l re soun.l
than those of the Rethink yet the people are grossly
superstitious. In Germany, religious indifference prevails
to an alarm ing degree among the members of the Ref erne,'
('bunches. Such a picture though sketched in hareet out-
line, is surely sufficient to awaken a.nxiety, net to ray
dintrees, in the breast of every friend of Christ. Then, too,
it must he borne in mind that amid the struggles between
Church and State, and ekes and class, with which Europe
is resounding, the 11111111: that seems likely to prevail is
that of a fierce awl truculent hifidelity. The old Catholic
nuovement is hailed by some as likely to bring about a
reformation of the church, and so to save ChristianitY
from perishing. hut at present its range of 11111Uellee is
small in the extreme, and we might as well hope that •
few drops of rain would still a tempestuous wean, waist
this new church will allay the storm of furious passion
now rising in Europe. In the midst of all this turmoil
the Christian church is at work. Evangelical Societies are
seeking to make known the Gospel, awl Ike! is 1.1. wing
their effort& The glad tiding,u of salvation are eagerly
: listened to IT many. About lee Christian communities
have sprung up in Italy during the last 15 years, and
nowhere has there been ;muter progress than in Rome
Itself sinee September, PIM when that city became the
capital of the country. noticed& is beginning to welcome
those who trorlaim the truths once no faithfully taught
by Hugs. Thus far the converte axe fer the most part
persons from the poorest classes, but this, far from being
• reason for disumuragement, is rather • sign that a true
and good work is being done. Certain it is that many of
them are displaying • fortitude and patience amidst heavy
trials for conscience' sake, which scent to betoken that
true peace lias been found in Chriat. It is the aim of the
Evangelical Cum:inertia/ Sociegy, which I represent among
yeu to-day, to help forward therm evangelical agencies.
We want to moo the millions of Europe truly believing in
the Saviour, and to this end we hold out a helping hand
to those on the continent who are seeking not to introduce
Engin& ecclesiastical systems, hot to urake know n the
gospel, and who then leave the converts to adopt that
form of church government which they deem fluent
Scriptural and suitable. We are .upporting over al agents
In Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, and Bohemia, but we
deem this a very entail amount of help to render- even
when viewed in connection with what other similar
societies may 14 doing for the name object- on behalf of
the ronversiot to true Christianity of 110 large • portion of
the human race. Cannot the churches of burnt eath send
us& wnall yearli contribution I"
... . . .

cali:l:aht iirve."-trie-rn--e-aTa. well attendol tea meeting
in the gebaa roo ~ the trays being furniAlaxl by nonuhere
of the congregation, awl the proceeds being devoted to
the fund, of the AKeocietion.

In the evening, at seven o'clock, the Association sermon
wan preached in the chapel by the Rev. 10. J. Aindin, of
ilriiiport. After the usual devotional exercinen, the rev.
gentlenimi road his text Mal preached an follows :-
I.uke iv., IS. -"The MOW of the I.orel is upon me, because
Ile lath anointed nee to preach the Gomel to the .
Thc fcciiiiiri with which a man returns to a 'lace from which
be has been ailment for ioone time, said the preacher, ide
usually ver) diff -rent front tho.e. which ismesseal him he
_went away I nee peeled changes may have takes] plmse in the
aspect of the locality. The broad creen gelds In which he wed
to play in Inu-hoodi may have disappeared, and qiiiet rural life
ft.y have 0n„.., iuc. io commercial actit ity. Of chances may
hate taken place in the 311311.4 eiremmtmons and f•dilith•l,.
111 may have left home S pro.llol. and retorrel a ,stier bat
a wiser man. ter he sust- have left hone poor but hoi.eful In
• ,piert of we ilth, and returned rich and li.ippy to .4-,.the
fruit of 11.0,4 toil or ien a eonoeaion.re.ay havt; hem
I .1, if athings in this tv..rbl silt 110 traintornaln: an Influence
lup a man's It :rt an th-• ri..i..1 ir of 3 hys it., plainer.
mat the merry 1an,.;11 and praitie .4 a little chill lit
ev.-r returned ii S f.,millar spot with such altered
an those which aunt have filled the heart of Jenne wir
•to iVria.reth where he hail horn brought nit, %%lien
I llnt. ft that wicknnl city be a a., to all outward appeanmee. an
or.linary person the son of doseph the eariwuter. sow Ile
'hal • ,sterrl upon Ills public tolni•try. tireat event" hoot Peen
aTowled Mtn a conparall.ely abort apsoe of time. Ile had
en halals n 1 by .I.iho in .I..nlan The spirit hail eleseende I
Ilk adore and lighted nisei Ilha A voice (P.m Maven had
uttered time. memorable Wubls, "Thin is my beloved gm.
wimat lam well pleassal." The tempter had to.. •itecesiefully
',Mg, I Inineiple, bail begun to 1....4th,, around Mtn. Tao
nib riles hail benn wn.ught in I ana .1 it.fli*iletei Ltd
L.. t: thdt.L.l the Samaritans had he-., ono Mead .4 Ills
Messiahship And then " Ile fetUntel iti the power Of the
taltirif Itt •• theau,awtito•at a faucet Ile. thee.,h„,
the moon round about." In that brief period-proirldy
not in,re than a )4.4, Ilhd a half. lfe alio wan naranh,l ua an
Ineaperienual illiterate tucchanic. had aantintvd they... Won of
neieli,r and reformer 4 Immo, and 1,1 jtediaml Ills claim to
It by tile powerful uttannims, Ills mightv amalers, and Hie
Idarnelese life. And now Ile came to Nacirreth pm,/ degraded
Nazareth. That hail nut changed but how changed was 11,,'
We are not surprired that alien Ile rt... 1 nut the words of the
teat hi Uve synagoaue. and sat anwu In whin. the &mumbled
worshippers, the eyes of all were lartened on ; mid that
when lie ihesan t, nay to them "Thin day i• thin scripture
fulfill"' he your tar...•mall and wondered at
the gracinns tennis that promnded nut of his tn. nth. ' The et-
lumglo, of the eb life that had come ewer Ilitn is lis CO in the
lent--" The pint of the Lord in upon me." 1 hese aiode
&write the character nf ehri.t, and the object for which Ile
lived .; hut they may also lie applied to all who. aspire to the
loch hnniour of being fellow•aorkent with (twist. Three
topics Ire ingimettal ---I- The chief qualificatkai .4
• true preacher.-11. -The elite( tuission ad a true prtadier.
ill - The chef °Node of the true preacher's sidicitude.
I The chief qualineatinn of a trot pn.acher. • The spirit of
the Lord is upon nie because he lath anoint.' me." After
contrasting Christ's teaching with that of all who had preceded