The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-12-02 00:00:00

I INVITATION FOR UNITED PRAYER FOR THE
1 OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,

ON THURSDAY, JAN. 1, 1852.
BEING THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR.

DkAttLir naLOVED IN THE LORD,
kor the last fifteen V9411' preparatory to the dawning of the
New Year, it has been my happy privilege to invite you to join
With "thine who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity" IN
A GENERAL CONCERT FOR PRAYER FOR THE OUTPOURING OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT.

this invitailt;Twould now repeat, by requesting you to set
apart, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 1852, BEING THE FIRST DAY
OF THE NEW YEAR, for this hallowed purpose.
Each revolving' year manifests more clearly our necessity for
this gift of our Heavenly Father. For now that the Lord Jesus
Christ " has made, by his one oblation of Himself once offered,
a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction
for the sins of the whole world," the great desideratum for the
human race is the action of the Holy Spirit to make this " un-
speakable gift" effectual.
Keeping in remembrance this prime necessity, it has been
my habit to notice those subjects which at the entrance of the
New Year mare particularly call for this Divine aid.
What, then, are the things which now specially require the
gracious assistance of the Spirit of Truth?

- I would mention, FIRST, THE SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT OF
THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE WORKS OF ART AND IN-
DUSTRY, which has lately closed, -

Few intelligent personi can reflect upon the circumstances
connected with this magnificent spectacle without their hearts
rising in praise and thanksgiving to the Author of all good.
Those who are acquainted with the public mind well know,
that previously to the opening of the Exhibition many fears and
anxious forebodings were entertained. It was viewed ny some
under so dark a cloud, that we were told it was almost impos-
sible to say what evils it might produce. And yet, behold the
the goodness of the Lord l Instead of these dark forebodings
being realised, the Crystal:Palace, as it has been termed, has
given general satisfaction! It has afforded an opportunity to
men of science to increase their knowledge by an interchange
of their various talents. / It has induced the inhabitants of the
various nations of the earth to visit our shores, and thus to
overcome those prepossessions which are so natural to foreign-
ers. It has also tended greatly to enlarge the minds of our
own countrymen, by chewing that there were other nations be-
sides our own to whom the Spirit of God had given " wisdom,
and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of workman-
ship."
It has also been instrumental to excite a spirit of kindness
and courtesy. For it is very remarkable that, although there
were even millions of persons, of all classes of society, who
visited the Great Exhibition, so that at times the various apart-
ments were crowded to excess, no angry words escaped from
any ; but all apparently partaking of the beauty of the scene,
themselves exhibited the gentleness of courtesy, and, on some
occasions, the warmth of brotherly love. Surely these are
causes of praise to the Most High l—but not of praise alone,
but of earnest desire that the God of all grace, who thus re-
strained the unruly affections of men, would pour out His Holy
Spirit, causing them, by reflecting upon what they beheld, to
draw such lessons from the scenes this grand spectacle pre-
sented, as may be instrumental not only to their present, but
to their everlasting benefit. For instance ;—as the Bible, the
Protestant's rule of faith, and the charter of man's salvation,
was exhibited in above ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY DIFFERENT
LANGUAGES, the ardent desire of all may be, that the Holy
Spirit may " open the understandings" of every reader in every
tongue " to understand the Scripture ;" that God's own word,
brought home to the heart by God's own Spirit may enlighten
those who are now sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
That as the visitors to the Crystal Palace saw the handiworks
of the inhabitants of all nations collected together under one
roof, their minds might be enlarged to the contemplation of
that great day when the " Son of Man shall appear in his glory,
and before him shall he gathered all nations, and He shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his
sheep from the goats." Then, reverting to the splendid gar-
ments and rich embroidery which some of the exhibitors had
so ingeniously wrought, it might henceforth lie their great aim
to he clothed in that day with the garments of salvation, or in
those white robes, washed in the blood of the Lamb, in which
the redeemed of all nations, peoples, and tongues shall then
appear. Or when they thought of that very pleasing object
presented to their view at the entrance into the Crystal Palace
—namely. that beautiful fountain from whose refreshing streams
many of them quenched their thirst—it might excite their ar-
dent prayers, that through the merits of our blessed Saviour
they may enter into the gates of that Holy City " whose street
is of pure gold, as it were transparent glass," and drink of the
" pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of
the Throne of God and the Lamb." Oh, that the Spirit of God
would so enlarge the hearts of His people, that they may "give
Him no rest" till lie shall thus bless the nations; making this
Great Exhibition of the Works of Art and Industry a means of
advancing the glory of God and the everlasting happiness of
man.

The second special call for prayer at this time is of a very
different, but of a very interesting nature. IT IS FOR THOSE
UNHAPPY PERSONS WHO HAVE LATELY BEEN PERVERTED
TO THE CHURCH OF ROME. We have to offer up our praises
to Almighty God for that Protestant spirit which has been so
strikingly manifested throughout our land, upon the late ag-
gression of the Pope of Rome; manifestly proving, that if we
are true to the princiVes of our martyred forefathers, we have
no cause for fear. For the same "sure words of nrophecy"
which encouraged them to yield up their lives for the truth—
that inspired word which foredooms Babylon to utter destruc-
tion, and which declares, that although the beast with its ten
horns "shall make war with the lamb—the Lamb shall over-
come them, for he is King of kings and Lord of lords." That
word, blessed be God, still remains in all its power—not an iota
changed: all that is written shall surely come to pass. We
have only to attend to the word "Be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life ;" and remaining faithful
to the Captain of our salvation, we are sure of victory. Still we
see, alas, misguided individuals, on whom that "wicked one,"
who is said to work " with all deceivableness of unrighteous-
ness in them that perish, has drawn into his snare ;" yea, even
so beguiled some, who at one time were ministers of our Pro-
testant Church, that they are now, alas, Popish priests—them-
selves spreading the nets to catch the unwary.
These are the persons, my beloved in the Lord, for whom
prayer for the outpourings of the Holy Spirit should be most
earnestly offered. For, oh, in what a perilous state do they at
this moment stand I Whose heart is not ready almost to bleed
for them? For how awful is that tremendous denunciation
uttered by the angel after the fall of Babylon is foretold : " And
the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any
man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in
his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of
the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the
cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and
brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the pre-
sence of the lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth
up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night, who
worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receireth the
mark of his name." Consider how extensive the judgment,
"IF ANY MAN worship the beast and his image." No exception,
you see, of persons. But after the general prediction of the fall
of Babylon, this specific warning, addressed to each individual,
follows ; as if the Lord, in his tender mercy, would snatch from
the flames those who are on the very brink of destruction ,•
directing them to " escape for their lives,"—instantly to attend
to the voice from Heaven saying, " Come out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of
her plagues."
Oh, then, let your earnest prayers ascend to the God of all
grace for a large measure of the Spirit of Truth ;—and he en-
couraged by this circumstance, that there are individuals who
were perverted, but are now returned from the error of their
ways.

A third special call for prayer for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, is THE PRESENT STATE OF IRELAND. Blessed be God,
there the Lord's hand is seen. For if England has lately pro-
duced some cases of individual perversion, Ireland, within
these last three years, has not only ITS HUNDREDS, BUT ITS
THOUSANDS. who have abjured the errors of the Church of
Rome, and publicly professed the Protestant faith. We trust
this work is only at the commencement—that the recent con-
versions to Protestantism, wrought by the grace of God, are
only like the early drops which precede the full shower. Very
lately a dignitary of our Established Church in Ireland, who is
well acquainted with the state of religion there, informed me
that it was his belief that Ireland would soon become the right
arm of England in the Protestant cause. Who does not hail
the happy prospect? That it may be thus, how greatly is a
very abundant outpouring of his Holy Spirit required I For it
is obvious how much heavenly wisdom, scriptural knowledge,
holy boldness, untiring patience, and diligent perseverance are
needed by ministers of the Gospel, and the other agents who
are employed in this interesting work ! And what deep con-
trition for their past errors, what steadfast faith on the Lord
Jesus, and what consistent conduct and devotedness of heart
and life are called for, in those who are making this open pro-
fession !

Assist them, then, my beloved in the Lord, with your earnest
prayers for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Entreat Him,
who is exalted as a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance
and remission of sins ; and who, on the day of Pentecost, sent
down the light of the Holy Spirit. Entreat him to grant another
pentecostal season to the glory of His name, to the conversion
of multitudes from the errors of their ways, and establishing
His sincere followers in their holy faith.
These are some only of the urgent calls for a united concert
for prayer for THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON
THURSDAY, IST JANUARY, 1852. I miFht mention others of
high importance, some of which are noticed in former Invita-
tions. I cannot, however, refrain from making this request of
every person into whose bands this Invitation may fall. The

Parish Church of Limps.field has lately been enlarged, so as to

give additional seat-room to several more of the inhabitants.
It is my earnest desire that this outward mark of Divine favour
may be accompanied by the inward grace of the Holy Spirit—
that thus the dead in sin may be qnickened, the careless warned,
the ignorant instructed, the wavering strengthened, the timid
comforted, and the spiritually-minded believers established in
their holy faith. Allow me, then, to request this personal
favour, my beloved in the Lord, that whilst your fervent prayers
are ascending to a Throne of Grace for the abundant outpouring
of the Holy Spirit far and wide, this retired spot in our Lord's
vineyard may come to your remembrance, and be so blessed in
answer to your petitions, that it may justly obtain the name it
is my heart's desire that it may merit, "THE HAPPY VIL•
LAGE.”

Peace be with all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Thus prays their affectionate brother and servant in
the Lord, JAMES HALDANE STEWART.
Limpsfield Rectory, Godstone, Surrey, Nov., 1851.

DISASTROUS RAILWAY COLLISION, AND
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE of theENGINE-DRIVER.

A collision of a very serious character took place on the
London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, late on
Thursday night, at a place named Ford, two miles from
Arundel, and about midway between Portsmouth and
Brighton. It appears that about five minutes past ten on
Thursday night, the down train from London, leaving
London-bridge at 7 p.m., left the Arundel station, and in
a few minutes arrived at the wooden bridge over the Arun,
where there is only a single line of rail, and just as the
goods train from Portsmouth to London was quitting it,
the driver of the passenger train, it is believed, saw the
light indicating that a train was on the bridge, but, sup-
posing it had gone off, he went on. The result was, that
his train came into violent collision with a portion of the
goods train ; the engine, tender, and two trucks, having
only just got off the bridge. The shock produced by the
collision was most frightful—goods trucks and their con-
tenth being entirely destroyed, and the carriages of the
passenger trai❑ either totally destroyed, or nearly reduced
to destruction.

There were not many passengers in the down train, but
nearly the whole of them were more or less injured. The
stoker of the down train was most injured, having been
badly wounded in the head. There is every ground to
believe that the accident arose from the carelessness of
Pemberton, the driver of the passenger train, as im-
mediately after the collision he attempted to cut his throat,
and though he was prevented carrying his intention into
full effect, he inflicted a considerable gash. He then
jumped into the river, but was rescued by the gallantry of
Burgess, the guard, who jumped in after him. Pemberton
Families in a most precarious state, though he was unin-
prod by the collision.
etlot engine having arrived at the scene of the accident
a few hours-
`f ter its occurrence, the passengers were con-
veyed on to tht7.4! destination, none of them being so
injured as to necessitate their being left behind, but they
did not reach Portsmouth tillnearly PIA o'clock on Friday
morning, seven hours beyond their time.