* * * * * * Dissenters, passionate tality' look honestly say efforts of the rgy are not died in the offers for our Mortality' misstrength, deerance for the ad in closing his consistent per1 a prayer in the tment,' (as Robert of Bishop Horsley), on his schismatic nes of some of the is chiefs of British y, irrelevantly as it and vainly; for I cannot that those saintly spirits tholic sympathy would a deprecating hand above y ebullitions of sectarian , and earnestly conjured us hough accidental divergverbal creed and ecclesiaslity to the substantial affini faith and feeling-to those ental needs and instinctiva tions of a common nature impel us to the same alliful Saviour, and point us to ame eternal home. I remain, dear Sir, Very faithfully yours, OLD MORTALITY'S NEPHEW. LD MORTALITY ON ESTHETIC CANT. To the Editor of the Gen ral Baptist DEAR MR. EDITOR,-I am a General Baptist, a liberal, a working Nonconformist, and a regular reader of your Magazine, and cannot but take exception to some portions of 'Old Mortality's' paper on Esthetic Cant in the current number. Against the system of that worldly corporation that passes by the style and title of the Church of England,' I could feel as strongly as 'Old. repetitions'-combinations for the | certain Baptist deacon whom I know, who in his unreasoning aversion to anything liturgical, declared most earnestly that he objected to the Lord's Prayer in toto. And in this onslaught on the Church, (whose writers, by the way, he has not scrupled to cite with seeming approval,) he has not disdained to call in the suspicious aid of an American Pantheist. There is,' he says, an institution in the bosom of British society more fatal to conscientious principle, and more destructive to true religion than any contemporary enemy of piety. That institution is the worldly corporation which passes by the style and title of the Church of England.' Now of course I am fully sensible of many and grave defects existing in the National Church of these realms, and I no more claim for her an unmixed excellence than for our political constitution theoretic perfection and administrative purity. I am conscious of the prodigious difficulties involved in the alliance of the secular and spiritual powers. I am aware of the unjust distribution of the patronage and emoluments of the Church. I lament the incommensurate pay of the working clergy. I see that there are relics of superstition still lingering in the Book of Common Prayer. I acknowledge that the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration is the first, the obvious, the honest deduction from the service used in the 'ministration of public baptism of infants.' I object to priestly absolution and to the damnatory clauses of the creed incorrectly ascribed to Athanasius. I allow the urgent need of liturgical revision. And yet, with all these admissions, I am bound to observe that the Anglican Church represents the most part of jerky inharmonious notes which loudly emitted in concert with wind instruments and fiddles, our venerable friend finds more conducive to a praiseful mood than the simpler airs bequeathed by formalists like Gregory and Luther, or the purer modern melodies culled from the treasures of sacred German song. Old Mortality' denounces and ridicules the endeavour to express the fluctuations of thought and emotion in a hymn by correspondent changes of time and tone, and complains bitterly that the music is made reflective of the meaning. Does he wish for perfect uniformity of sound and time? Would he insist on all hymns, no matter how various in character, on every verse of the same hymn, no matter how contrasted soever in sentiment one verse may be with another, being sung with equal volume and in identical time? Does he consider that physical ability and the current mood alone conditionate the function of the individual in congregational psalmody? If so, the introduction of music into divine service is a mistake, and the hymn had better be simply recited-said, not sung; for the theory of musical expression implies a presumed correlation of sense and sound, and the highest office of musical art consists in the attempt to interpret dramatically the incommunicable sympathies of man; to translate into what Beethoven has finely called a 'higher revelation than words,' those inarticulate but most real and earnest yearnings of his nature that unite him with an infinite life-that mysterious spiritual interior melody that is never silent within his soul, but murmurs for ever, like the ocean-tone inside the shell, a linger-religious convictions and rivets the ing echo from the half-remembered dialect of a far-off home. earnest allegiance of a very large body of devout, intelligent and culti3. I pass on to the concluding vated people, and that continually a portion of Old Mortality's' remarks vast myriad of worshipping hearts wherein he expresses his opinions pour themselves forth through her and feelings concerning the Estab-incomparable forms of praise and lished Church of the country with a prayer. I cannot myself help revehemence which reminds me of amembering, I cannot help reminding Correspondence-Old Mortality on Esthetic Cant. 59 words? Can Old Mortality' look fairly round him and honestly say that the character and efforts of the majority of the clergy are not maligned and parodied in the picture which he offers for our approbation? Old Mortality' mistakes violence for strength, declamatory intemperance for the genuine afflatus, and in closing his diatribe has with consistent perversity preferred a prayer in the spirit of an indictment,' (as Robert Hall once wrote of Bishop Horsley), and inscribed on his schismatic banner the names of some of the most illustrious chiefs of British Nonconformity, irrelevantly as it seems to me, and vainly; for I cannot but believe that those saintly spirits in their catholic sympathy would have waved a deprecating hand above these testy ebullitions of sectarian bitterness, and earnestly conjured us to look though accidental divergencies of verbal creed and ecclesiastical polity to the substantial affinities of faith and feeling-to those fundamental needs and instinctiva aspirations of a common nature which impel us to the same allmerciful Saviour, and point us to the same eternal home. 'Old Mortality' that for this Church | minded, large-hearted Dissenters, martyrs have perished, saints endorse these severe and passionate have laboured, whose names are sacred and dear to every section of God's large family. This is the Church of Latimer and Leighton; of Hooker and Butler; of William Wilberforce and Henry Martyn. It was as a faithful minister of this Church that the brave old Ken charged upon the dying Stuart the vices of his life; and it was within its hallowed precincts that Herbert chanted his devout and thoughtful verse. Can such a Church be fitly described as a mountainous power of evil? Can that Church be 'a monster of iniquity' out of whose bosom Keble has poured forth the music of the Christian Year;' in whose communion Arnold lived and toiled, teaching alike by life and lip the nobleness of duty and reverence, the priceless worth of truth in word and work-Arnold, to whom the Rugby boys said it was too bad to tell a lie, he always believed them Arnold, the footprints of whose intellectual pathway are luminous over all England now? Are we well-advised when we are invited to 'fling ourselves with deadly antagonism' on a Church in which a Whately is yet enforcing Christian logic-a Milman still writing Christian history-a Stanley, an Alford, an Ellicott, devoting to the use and comfort of the universal Church the fruits of Christian scholarship? I shall be told that the adhesion of men pious and gifted does not of itself constitute a cause or an institution righteous and true; but it presents at least presumptive proof that it contains elements of good; that it is not an engine of sheer mischief and unmitigated evil; and if on this ground only, I will take emphatic exception to the sweeping assertions of a writer who has sufficient temerity to announce that the Established Church of England is using every conventional motive, every worldly motive, every fleshly bait ** to seduce to its embrace the man of mere taste ?' Will thoughtful, broad * OLD I remain, dear Sir, Very faithfully yours, OLD MORTALITY'S NEPHEW. MORTALITY ON ESTHETIC CANT. To the Editor of the Gen ral Baptist DEAR MR. EDITOR,-I am a General Against the system of that worldly corporation that passes by the style and title of the Church of England,' I could feel as strongly as 'Old. heroines, who in Puritan times bore | counsel, effort, and purpose, they faithful testimony to the kingship of Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the rights of conscience. Little Hallam, a small hamlet about a mile south of Ilkeston, was the birthplace of this good Christian woman. She was born on the 12th of August, 1784. Adam Taylor records in history (vol. 2, p. 156) that in this same year 'the meeting house at Little Hallam was taken down, and a more substantial and commodious one erected in its stead at Ilkeston.' The little girl, Hannah Twells, it may be was the child of parents, who in that age of ecclesiastical domination and corruption, met for pure spiritual worship in the small unpretending sanctuary, where in the fervour and piety of his youth, John Goddard held forth the word of life, with power and success. It would seem that the family followed the ark of God to its resting place, for before fifteen summers had passed, the village maiden had yielded to the drawings of a Saviour's love; submitted to the initiatory rite of the New Testament church; joined the communion of saints at Ilkeston; and commenced the pilgrim's journey to the skies. A pupil in the school of Christ thus early, her mind grew in the highest wisdom, her character was shaped after the holiest models, and her long life became an epistle of commendation in honour of her Lord. Called by the progress of time and its events to take her position in the social economy of life, the subject of this notice resolved that the counsels of holy writ should guide her steps. William Barnes West and Hannah Twells were one in faith, in baptism, and in fellowship, anterior to the formation of the connubial bond. Unlike many young men and maidens in these days who appear to be wise above what is written, they preceeded on that sound philosophic maxim: How can two walk together except they be agreed? The benedictions of heaven fell in rich abundance on the pious and loving pair. United in soon rose to a position of comfort and respectability. Secular pros perity advanced with the growing responsibilities of home. Their children grew up as olive plants round about their table. They were a family whom the Lord greatly blessed. The swelling tide of domestic bliss now reached its utmost limit, and the retreating wave bore on its heaving breast the husband and the father into the ocean of the great unseen. And now the stricken one begins to think, who can tell; it may be the Lord has been preparing me for a time like this, and brushing away her tears she entered on the cares and toils of widowhood with a brave and trusting heart, feeling the inspiration of that animating promise: God is a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless in his holy habitation. How nobly she did her duty in this crisis of her social life the children who still survive can testify; for they praise her in the walks of life, and in the gates of Zion. For their welfare as occupants of earth and as heirs of immortality she laboured and prayed night and day with tears, and as one by one they rose to virgin or manly prime, entered the fold of the Good Shepherd, or took their place in the great thoroughfares of life, she rejoiced over them with a widowed mother's joy. Once and again have I been in that family group,andwhen in those quiet evening hours, we have sung one of the songs of Zion, and the voice of prayer has gone up to the holy hills, I have felt, is not this the church in the house? is it not the gate of heaven? When first I knew our venerated friend she was descending the vale of life. Planted early in the garden of the Lord she grew like a cedar in Lebanon, and brought forth fruit in old age. For the long space of more than three score years this wise virgin' trimmed her lamp, walked with God, honoured the Saviour, and prepared for heaven. To such an one death could have Obituary-George Small West. no terror. The conviction with her was deep and strong, the growth of years, I know whom I have beliered, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Her dying chamber was the vestibule of heaven. Calm and serene, her everlasting hopes being founded on the rock of ages, she breathed her spirit away on May 2nd, 1861, in the 76th year of her age. It will be evident from the above sketch that the late Mrs. West was characterized by many virtues. She was a person of high integrity, sound religious principle, and blameless life. Not forgetful to entertain strangers, and thereby ministering to angels unawares,' she received a 'prophet in the name of a prophet and obtained a prophet's reward.' A ministerial brother in his letter to a daughter of the deceased thus writes:Your mother was one of the best women I ever met, so far as I knew. My intercourse with her was confined to what could be maintained in her dwelling. I have a lively recollection of her kindness to me when a student, and of her devotion to the interests of the church at that time. O for more of such mothers in Israel.' Thus was our venerated friend highly esteemed by all who knew her, and it will be long ere her name, virtues, and memory are forgotten. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. 55 ful mind, and illustrated in the daily life of his revered father and mother. From a child he knew the Holy Scriptures, and grew up attached to the house of God. Not, however, until his nineteenth year did the blessed ministries of home culture, Sabbath service, and heavenly grace, mature the spiritual germ in the soul, win the homage of the heart, and command the obedience of life. Constrained by the love of Christ, the son of many prayers now gave himself to the Lord, and his service to the church. He was baptized by the late Rev. W. Hogg, in the year 1833. Henceforth the Sunday-school was his chosen field of labour. His energy, constancy, and perseverance were regarded with admiration, and by the request of the teachers he filled the office of superintendent for many years. Eminently gifted with a musical taste, the service of song in the house of the Lord became his favourite study and ever fresh delight. In the free and generous use of this seraphic talent, he rendered efficient aid, not only to the church and congregation of which he was a member, but also to other sections of the Christian world. In process of time the worthy character and exemplary deportment of our late brother pointed him out as a fit and proper person to take office in the church. Elected to the honoured position of deacon he discharged its duties with fidelity and zeal. The assiduity with which he wrought in the varied departments of his master's employ, secured for him the unique designation GEORGE SMALL WEST, son of the of the man that lives at the chapel.' above, also departed this life Janu- From six years observation and inary 8th, 1862, in the 48th year of tercourse I can honestly testify that his age. Blessed with wise and my lamented friend was one of that pious parents, traces of their ju- select order in the church who dicious training marked his char- devote themselves heart and soul acter and course through life. to the work of the Lord. To say His morals were nurtured, his habits that his wisdom and prudence were formed, and his tastes corrected sometimes at fault, is simply to say amid the genial influences of a that he was mortal. Taking a full well ordered home. The principles and charitable survey of his life of integrity, industry, virtue, and and character, my verdict is: He piety were instilled into his youth-was a good and faithful servant of C. S. H. |