The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-12-03 00:00:00

TF-IF, LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

1831
Dec. 22 Heywood's warehouses, Fenwick-street
—rnerchandize only

35,68-1

1833
Jan. 14 Lancelot's-hey Fire—
Fourteen warehouses £28,000
Five dwellmg-houses
Merchandise

198,000
May 24 Dover and Co.'s, Gibraltar-row 40,000
1834
Oct.. 10 Birkett's, Lancelot's hey
Dec. 2 Bird's Castle Mills, Meadows-street 15,000
1838
Oct. 5 Warehouses and merchandise, Robert-
street .....
1841

..150,000

Sept. 12 Rev. J. Tobin's, Galton-street
23 Great fire, Formby-street ..
Dec. 22 Platt and Crane's, Parliament-street 38,663
1843
March 6 Fawcett & Preston's, York-street, and _

warehouses in Lydia. Anne-street 41,446
19 Wright's warehouseekJackson-lane 43,587
June 14 Croft's soapery. Comes-street
Dec. 28 Brancker's, Mathew.street 34,000

INVITATION TO UNITtI) YRAI PAL
FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ON WED-
NESDAY, IST OF JANUARY, 1845, BEING THE FIRST
DAY OF THE NEW YEAR.

DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,—II is with feelings
of grateful thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, that I
now, for the ninth time, renew my annual invitation for a
general concert for Prayer for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, which, by divine permission, will be held on the
first day of the New Year, 'Wednesday, January lit, 1845.
Upon entering upon so spiritual a service, it wiil be well
to bear in mind that striking passage in the 59th chapter
of the Prophet Isaiah—" Behold, the Lord's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save ; neither is his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear : but your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins base hid his
lac,- from you, that he will not hear."
For, whilst this scripture shews us the Lord's readiness
to hear our pettions, and his ability to grant our utmost
desires, and thus encourages us to draw nigh to a " throne
of grace," it will lead us to do this with a deeper ,ense of
ems manifold infirmities, with a humble confession of our
individual ,hortcoinings, and with a personal application
to that " precious blood, which cleanses from all sin."
Thus it was that holy Daniel offered up his PraTer.
First, with humble confession, and then with earnest sup-
plication.
And, surely, at this time such a course is peculiarly re-
quisite, to give us that confidence in prayer, without
which it cannot be eft', ctual. For, without referring to
those open transgressions of the ungodly, for which '• the
Lord is angry with then. every day," consider the present
state of the church of Christ Who that compares his own
personal religion with the standard laid down in the Word
uf God, but will be ready to smite upon his breast, and
say, with the publican, " God be merciful to me a sinner."
For reflect upon the description given of the ministers of
Christ, and of the trust reposed in them. They are called
" Men of God," " Ambassadors tor Christ," " the glory
of the churches ;" they are " in Christ's stead ;" they are
set as " exasiples of the believers in word, in conversa-
tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity ;" they are
" put in trust with the gospel ;" they " watch for souls, as
they that must give an account ;" and such is their love
for their divine master, that they "count not their lives
dear unto themselves, so that they might finish their
course with joy, and the ministry which they have received
of the Lord Jesus."
Such is their high and holy calling. Who that minis-
ters before the Lord, when he compares himself with this
standard, will not feel as the prophet did when he said,
" ois me for lam undone, for lam a man of unclean
lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips."
(Isaiah vi. 5.)
Then mark the description given of the Lord's faithful
people. They are "the salt of the earth," " the light of
the world," " a city. set upon a bill ;" they " have their
conversation in heaven ;" they are directed •• to h, ld forth
Le word of life in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation ;" to be followers of God as dtar children ; to
walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and given him-
self f r us ; to be " as servants who wait for their Lord,
that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto
him immediately."
It it be asked where shall we meet with Christians of
this scriptural standard? Will not the m-st devoted
among the Lord's pm ple be ready to say, •• My leanness,
my leanness. Wo unto me, the treacherous dealers have
dealt very treacherously." (Isaiah gaiv. 16.) How ne-
cessary, then, is it, when we enter upon this spiritual ser-
vit e, to bear in mind the scripture to which I have refer-
red.

For the new year approaches under such intell'esting cir-
cumstances, as may well call forth our most ardent pray-
ers. Thus, through the good providence of God, there is
at this moment peace throughout all the world. The So-
vereign Ruler of the Universe, also, has given to our gra-
cious Queen so large an extent of territory, and such a
commanding influence among the nations, that there is
scarcely a portion of the habitable globe, into which either
our Christian missionaries, or the pure Word of God,
mar not find an entrance. Such is he present position of
the British empire, so peculiarly favourable for the spread
of divine truth.
Further, whilst in England there are, alas, many things,
as noticed in former addresses—which, to use the words
of the Prophet Ezekiel "are for a lamention, and shall be
tor a lamentwion," still the new year will come in, under
these encouraging auspices.. That there is a general feel-
ing amongst the influenti,l orders of society, that the
prosperity, it not the absolute safety of our country de-
pends upon diffusing sound Scriptural religion among the
working classes ; raising their moral condition by encou-
raging them in habits of industry, temperance, and fru-
gality; and in promoting their general comfort by short.
ening their hours otlabour, improving their dwellings, and
assisting them in husbanding the resources which their
own good conduct may supply. Various steps have been
taken for carrying these benevolent sentiments into effect.
May we not expect that these plans, if the Lord be en-
treated, may prove the germ of far greater ble,sings. That
tuey may produce kindlier feelings among all classes, a
closer union among tile members of our church, and es-
pecially a greater readiness to receive the glorious truths
of the Gospel of Christ.
In Scotland, also, the dawn of hope appears. For whilst
at the close of the last year, we bad but to lament a dis-
ruption in the established church ; &deg this sear, we
might have seen the general assembly of those who left
tier communion, meeting in a truly Christian spirit, with-
out using any reproachful words against their brethren,
bnt, in deep abasement of heart, humbling themselves be-
fore the God of their Fat hers, for their own personal
short comings, and for the low state of religion through-
out the land.* Surely this is a favourable si,:n—for if hu
mility be the soil in which Christian love flourishes, may
we not hope that this lowly spirit, if earnest prayer be
made, will lead to a fervent desire that every separating
cause may be removed, and that all who believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ, may as His disciples of old, " be knit
Pgether in love," and brotherly union. 011! that it may
he thus, that He " who devises means, that his banished
ones be not expelled front Him," f would yet so unite the
two churches, that they might, like Epliram3 and Judah,
be "as one stick in the hand of the Lord.".l:
In our sister land also more pleasing prospects appear.
Those " monster meetings," as they have been termed,
which last year distracted the country, are now no more:
and by the blessing of God upon the society for educating
;he native Irish in their own language, and other religious
institutions, II a deep impression bas lately been made in
several places, and a great desire produced for the Holy
Scriptures, and for the faithful preaching of the Gospel of
Christ.

Tlie cause of God's ancient people also is assuming a
more interesting state. The influx of the Jews into the
holy land has been very great of late. There is no more
room in Jerusalem for them, and they have already spread
over a part of the Turkish quarter. The number of in-
quirers after the truth are increasing. Some have been
publicly baptized under most trying rireunistances ; per-
mission bas also been given to erect our Protestant Church
in Jerusalem ; the building of which will be again re,u-
med. Added to these tokens of God's returning favour to
his people, the Sultan has issued a decree, wit h4rawing iu
some cases the punishment of death from those who re-
nounced Mahomedaniem, thus abrogating to that extent
the laws of their prophet, and this in the 1260th year of
the Hegira!
Such are the circumstances with which the new year
approaches. _

'Do not these favourable tokens afford powerful reasons
for our again uniting in fervent prayer for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit, and for doing thisunder a sense of our
own manifold shortcomings, with humble confession of
our sins, and with earne4t suprlication, that nothing may
separate between God and us; but that having all our sins
put away through " the blood of the lamb," and our souls
clothed with His perfect righteousness, we may " draw
near to the throne of grace with a true heart, in fall assu-
rance of faith," remembering that the Lord has said
" open thy mouth wide, and 1 will fill it." " Ask what
thou wilt, and it shall be done unto thee."
Allow me then to renew my annual invitation, and to
request all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, to corn-
mence the new year, by uniting in the general concert fur
prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, on Wednes-
nesday, Ist of January, 1845.
The following suggestions are respectfully offered, to
assist those who are desirous of a similar union on Wed-
nesday, Jan. 1, 1845:
"Ist. Let Christians follow the example of our blessed
Lord, (Mark i. 25,) who rose up a great while before the
day for secret prayer. Let them thus secure the blessing
of Him who says. " Pray to thy Father which is in secret,
and thy Father which teeth in secret shall reward thee
openly.

`• 2nd. Let them call upon the Lord in their families.
for his Spirit to be poured upon themselves and their
households, their neighbours, their country, including
Great Britain and Ireland and our Colonies, the ministers
of the Lord, the churches of Christ, the remnant of scat-
tered Judah and outcast Israel, and upon the Gentile
world.

"3d. Where circumstances will admit of a morning
service, let the congregation be assembled, and, in addi-
tion to the appointed prayers and a sutable sermon, let
all who are devoutly disposed partake together of the
Supper of the Lord —or, as may be nu.r.; convenient, let
the whole congregation meet in the evening for public wor-
ship, and let an appropriate discourse be preached.

"4th. Let.the ministers of the Lord meet on the fol-
lowing day, with their brethren of their own communion,
in earnest prayer for themselves, their flocks, the whole
body of Christ, and the world at large ; and then especi-
ally consult together upon the most effectual means for
hastening the coming of the Lord's kingdom, and parti-
cularly for the continuance of such a general concert for
prayer, that the sear may proceed according tothis devout
commencement."

May the Lord accompany these means of grace, or such
others as may be adopted, with his abundant blessing !
Oh! tnay it indeed be a season of special refreshment from
th.- presence of the Lord!

Let this be the prayer of all who read this paper; and
as the new year is now approaching, it would be a great
kindness if those who approve the ohject, and have influ-
ence over the press, would republish and circulate this
invitation, which any one, into whose hands it may fall,
has full permission to do.
Peace be vvi' ti all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity 1
Thus prays their affectionate Brother,
And servant in the Lcrd,
JAMES FIALDANE STEWART.
St. Bride's, Liverpool.

* S,e the published Reports of the General Assembly of the
Free Church of Scott rid, in May and August, 1841.
t Sam. xiv, 14. S Ezek. xxxvii, lg.
II See their Report, particularly that of the Irish Society for 1844.

CHESTER CATTLE FAIR.—The usual November cattle
fair was held on Thursday. There were hut few milch
cows shown. Fat Beef of good qu4lity was worth sd. per
lb. and sink. Fat sheep sold for sid. and 6d. The horse
fair was indifferently attended. The show was poor and
the demand limited.