The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1895-08-10 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

CONFERENCE OF CFIURCHES OF CHRIST.  On Tuesday morning, August oth, at 9-30, the general annual meeting of this religious community opened its proceedings in Craf ton Street Chapel, Leicester. This body of Christians plead for a complete return to Christianity as contained and unfolded in the New Testament, free from all additions and corruptions. Delegates were present from all parts of the United Kingdom, and from the Colonies. Mr W. Richardson, of Leicester, chairman-elect, presided over the conference. In the course of his presidential remarks the Chairman pointed out the position, privileges, and persecutions of the pioneers of the restoration movement, and said it was the same principles that united the brotherhood to-day. Among the dangers that ever confronted a largely growing community was that of doing work by proxy, and the need of guarding against relying principally upon Evangelists for carrying forward the work of Evangelisation was duly emphasised by Mr Richardson —ln connection with this conference, a Temperance Conference, followed by a public meeting, was held on Monday. The Temperance Conference, presided over by Mr J. North, was held in the afternoon, during which a resolution was unanimously carried, urging the necessity for, and desirability of such a principle as that embodied in the Local Control Bill of the late Government.—At 7-30 p.m. a large and enthusiastic meeting, presided over by Mr J. W. Black, was addressed by Messrs G. Collin (Carlisle), J. Grinstead (Bristol), and B. Ellis (Burslem).— The Chairman, in his opening remarks, touched upon the political aspect of this question, and drew lessons from the recent elections.—Mr G. Collin said the flowing tide was apparently against them, but episodes of a like character have occurred in times gone by, and would occur again. While at present under a cloud, they looked back to the seven men of Preston, and, noting the way through which they had come, took heart, and worked on, assured that the people's day will come. Referring to recent legislative efforts. Mr Collin reminded the meeting that it had been called grandmotherly legislation." Then in the words of another he said "it was such legislation which emancipated hundreds of thousands of miserable slaves. It was such legislation which declared that our brave sailors should not be sent to sea in floating coffins, that women bent double when still young should not. be harnessed to trucks like beasts of burden in the galleries of our black collieries and mines, that little children should not be blighted before their time by ignorance and slavery, that the many should not be robbed of rights eternal and indefensible by the greed of the few, that the bread of the poor should not be scanted for the gains of the farmer, that brutal sports should not demoralise the callous hearts of the multitude, that the leprosy of impure literature should not be disseminated broadcast among corrupt thousands, that gambling-houses should not be portals of ruin and suicide, nor haunts of vileness flaunt themselves like the gates of hell. Whether that be grandmotherly legislation or not, I know not, but if it be,' I for one prefer it to the legislation of the prodigal and the publican."—Mr Grinstead said that recent events revealed the fact that much teaching was yet needed on the temperance question. He also pointed out the impossibility of defining moderation, and asking if alcoholic liquor as a beverage was a good thing, lie replied, •' By their fruits ye shall know them."—Mr Ellis confessed disappointment at the result of the recent elections, and said the sad feature of it all was the way in which the people were gulled. It was evident there was abroad on evil power, apparently stronger than the present forces on the side of temperance. It was true even now that the liquor traffic ruled the people. How could the followers of the Nazarene remain quiet? There was need of good solid teaching on this question. Mr Ellis, referring to the election campaign in North-west Staffordshire, spoke of the noble work of the British Women's Temperance Association. Business was resumed on Wednesday morning, after devotional exercises. The conference went at great length into the needs, nature, and methods of future evangelistic work. The principle upon which the brotherhood works, namely, of supplying all their own funds, necessitates full consideration of the problem. The report of the Foreign Mission Committee showed that the mission work in Burmah had been prosecuted with vigour.—The report was unanimously adopted.—The General Sunday School Committee's report and balance sheet was also read and d'scussed, being finally adopted.—At the afternoon sitting Mr Grinstead, of Bristol, read a paper on the subject, "Our strength and our weakness as Churches of Christ," pleading for a complete return to Christianity as taught by Christ and His Apostles. The paper was followed by a discussion. The evening was devoted to services in connection with the various meeting houses in Lieceter and district. Thursday was devoted to the routine work of the conference, the debates displaying great and faithful adherence to New Testament principles. The annual conference will be held at Huddersfield.