The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

3. NY plan is twofold-a Ministry of Voice
and fress--and, when stated, the pecul;sr;t;es
which require publicity will be ev;dsnt
q. 1t includes, FREELY and principally. the
PREACHING OF THE GosPRL wsder pecuiiar ~.
cs1sstancss. See On the north side of Chsst.
nut street, below Seventh, IL o magnificent ed;.
hoe, known as jams HAIL. Il Is said to
have cost $3.50, 900, and il rented generally for
popular amusemsnts. 1t ID pleasantly heated
by steam, brilliantly illumined with gas, and
will accommodate from three to four thou
sand people. Centrally located on our chief
thoroughfare, our citisens may readily reach it
from all quarters, whenever there Is occasion
to attract them. Right in the midst of our
hotels and boarding-houses, also, (ths St. Law
renee, Girard, Washington, Jones's, Arcade,
American, Merchants, Ashland, and others.
being all close at hand, or within few squarss,
the permanent occupants of these establish
ments and sojourners from all parts of our
country and the world may be invited TO it as
a place OF most convenient assemblage. Here,
therefore, 1t seemed to me, was suitable posi-.
ton Tor the renewal of my work a. q prcssaer.
Hearers might be gathered from all parts of
the city, country, and world. Friends of for
mer times might come in, now and then, from
the North, South, East, and West, receiving
and doing good, and bearing back to their
homes oral reports and documentary intelli-
gence, tending to continuous and increasing
interest, visitation, and aid. The great hinder
sncs was-the expense, amounting at frat to
about thirty dollars day, without any provis-
ION tor the preacher himself. The seats must
De free, at whatever cost the congregations,
tor want of denominatioual connections. would
De uncertain and fuctuating; and the collec.
tons, being made in many instances from the
poor, the unframed, and the careless, subject
moreover to the diminutions of stormy DAYS
and sparse attendance, could scarcely be relied
upon as equal to the demand; and so some
serious embarrassment might ensue. Still trust
Ing IN God, however, l commenced the expert
ment, and have conducted worship there for
about four months-Sabbath morning and
evening. Free seats have been maintained /;
congregations have varied from thirty persons,
In storm, to perhaps two thousand, in good
weather; collections have been good for the
circumstances, and extra means have been Sc
cared, sufficient to meet expenses, aud give
hope of stability in the future. Among our
attendants, as was expected, have been repre-
sentatives of all sections of our city, and of
ssme OF the most distant regions of our country
and the world. We began very hunbly, and
have continued very humbly-trying, by the
most simple, spiritual means, to glorify God in
the salvation of the people. We have no or
ganic form, no popular accessories, no social
patronage. We have the Sabbath use of
hall which ought to be consecrated to Gcd !;
aud with this, we have Gods Spirit, Book,
Providence, and people. So we look for his
special blessing. think the interest is grow
ing deeper and stronger. If We organize at
alias we shall, "if the Lord wiH"-it must
be simply as the CHURCH OF THE NEw TESLA
MRNT. We wish to be, "not withom law to
Cod" God forbid "but under the lap TO
Christ;" not under the law as mere human
authority may interpret and impose it. The
safest and happiest position for a Christian is
that of =" meek and lowly" disciple at the feet
of his " meek and lowly" Master. And so it is
with the church, especially in these days of
confederaiive controversy and trouble. Let
every congregation receive the law of God from
the lips of Christ alone; obey it and rejoice in
it; doing all possible good to others, but suffer
ing no external force to invade the sanctuary
of its liberty, disturb its harmony and peace
What the world wants is this-the daily exam.
pie of Christians and Churches, inspired with
the spirit, and illustrating the principles of the
New Testament. / hope, therefore, that your
readers, wherever situated, will regard this part
of my plan with appreciation; and some of
them may find it practicable, in some way, to
assist the cause.
4. The other part of my plan-the PUBLIcA.
TON DEPARTMENr-must be deferred for an
other letter. Meantime, if any of the readers
of this paper would like to be supplied with
circular" &C., let them write to me.
Yours, as ever, T. 81. STOCKTON.