The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-03-13
A Strange sReIlgIeus Nlovenaene.

Among the many novel improvements new be-
ing introduced into the religious world, none
perhaps is mere interesting in it's principles and
practical operation than society formed q fsv
months since at Shurtlef College, Upper Alton.
This college is under the management of the
Baptist denomination, and il known throughout
the Northwest, having been in existence for the
last thirty years, and now numbering 20 stu.
dents. The society alluded to il called .The
Band of Faith" and the materials for the brief
notice we are about TO give are derived mainly
from y small pamphiet entitled "A record of
Gods dsaiings with The Band of Faith, in
Shurtleff Coliege-organized October Sd, 1868 !:
with an introd by ID. Read" Having had
some difficulty in obtaining our copy Of this
pamphlst, We have reason to believe that it has
never enjoyed the extensive circulation its mer.
its deserve. 1.-THE Band of Faith" is composed
Of theological students whose gpecuniary means
and opportunities fpr remuneratives EN- pl0y ment
are 10 exceedingly limited as frequently to re-
duce them to the sorest straits for the common
eat necessaries of life The society itsslf origi-
mated in the mind Of one individual 1ho, two
years ago, found himself so impoverished tha. he
was on the verge OF abandoning his ministerial
studies. Heresolved to bring the subject directly
before the Almighty through the medium Of
prayer; or, in the words Of Mr.. Read, He asked
Gsd for a definite sum of money for the first
term of the college session" Shortly sitter the
term commenced, this brother received an invita-.
ten to preach at a church some distance away,
and went There he collected few dollars and
from the parents of dissipated youth whom he
reformed he wss also favored with benefactions
In short, the plan succeeded, snd desire to fol-
low his example on larger scale spread among
the students. A number met together and deci-
ded to form the society A house and matron
were needed, and, az one Of them fortunately
had both these articles, he was asked to co-ope-
rate. His reply Wis: II will talk 70 the Lord
and my wife about it," The response being ia
vorable, the work began and has been continued
up to the present time The "Band" consists Of
about twenty-five members, having a common
table and q common purse A box for contribu.
tions is placed in the dining room, which the
treasurer opens every day, and keeps record Of
the receipts and expenditures. This officer also
keeps q journal, one or two extracts from which
we give:
Dot. 15th-Bro j. brought us a load Of coal
worth Sc. Bro D., pumpkins. worth 81.
Oct. 3lst-t1 in the box. We shall need about
rs before seven o'clock this evening, to pay our
servants, sc. We have only Malt that sum, but
we trust the Kind Master wiifprovide the neces-
sary amount before the time is up.
Nov. 3d-We received $40 to be used for the
Band, provided none Of our members used tobac-
ca. On inquiry, we are pleased to learn that all
oic hCc itoAa Suls HIS duluuuI 10 ~ very
timely relief, &C., &c.
Dec. 3d-In the afternoon Bro. B. brought
US a bushel Of beans worth $3.50 about the same
time seme one else sent rs ham worth $1.75.
Now notice how kind the Lord is The beans
would have been LEES agreeable for present use
without meat to cook with them, and 30 He put
it into the heart Of another individual to send
US the ham. eiasss
The steward likewise keeps . journal, which
is even more curious than the .treasurer's. We
append few extracts:
Oct. 27th-This morning the Lord sent us @
girl to help in the houses direct answer to
prayer, as it is very difficult to get help. ~
Nov 10th--For nunbcr Of days we have
been asking the Lord for wood, and Just before