salvation of her soci. In view of what God has procured it would be no difcal thing for the meneffected by this agency, there appears to have been most success with the scholars who did not Live with professors of region. This arose probably from two cases; 1. Their not being gospel-hardened; and. 2. From their not having some luxewarm professor near them, over whom to stumble, It is the usual practice in these charches, on Sab bath evenings, to invite those who are resolved on immediate submission to God, or are willing to be conversed or prayed with respecting their souls' salvalon, to come forward and take seats in front of the paipit, or to meet the minister and eiders in the lecture-room, immediately after the dismission of the congregation. And the church, on such occasions, are invited to stay and pray for the influences of the Holy Spirit, and to offer the prayer of faith for the immediate conversion of sinners. The results have been cheering, and many sinners have, on these solemn occasions, been "led quite to Christ." bers of the Free Churches to organize many Dew churches every year. As it is one new church has been organized every year since the sysen vis commenced in this city. More than enough are added to them from the world annsally to compose a large church. In fact, could the right kat of ministers be procured, each of the Free Charles could easily colonize and bold up a new church every year, and these again adopt the same sysen. We think a church cannot act effently when as composed of more than 200 or 300 members, athough we are too unwilling to urge off our bre thren that they may commence other enterprises ir the Lord Jesus. It is a great mistake to suppose is requires wealth or large numbers to maintain publie worship, for in a city like this a few young Christians, who can raise 1.000 or 1,500 dollars to begin with, hire a hall, and procure a preacher, can support public worship without difficulty, and make it instrumental of great good. God, in his holy pro vidence, will, if they are prayerful, self-denying and efficient, give them converts in the course of the year, whose contributions, added to their cv, and the public collections, will enable them to mastain, respectably, preaching and the accompanyin means of grace. And such churches might be bu up in every city, and in many villages. Why shoud they not be extended throughout Christendom? And it may well engage the prayerful consideration of Christians, if such churches are not more in a cordance with the spirit of the gospel than those that have been organized by the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations usually. We see what wonderful success our Methodist brethren have had by alluring to their houses of worship the middling classes of society; "firing low," as the The ministers of these Free Churches have moderate salaries, the church edifices are plainly built, and all the expenses attending public worship are on an economical scale. No one is admitted to the churches, on profession or by letter, who will not pledge himself or herself to abstain wholly from the manufacture, sale, or use of ardent spirit. The use of tobacco, also, can be said scarcely to exist in these churches. It is inculcated on the members to practise temperance in eating, and plainness in dress and furniture. When it is considered that the cost of the tobacco used in this country is estimated to be more than the expense of supporting the ministers of every denomination, and that a world is perishing for want of the gospel, it surely behooves Christians not to indulge in any habit or luxury, at the expense of the souls of their fellow-great leader, Wesley, enjoined it upon them. That men. The minister of the First Free Church gave public notice to the people of his former charge, that he would not unite in marriage any member of his church with an unbeliever; and the sinfulness of such unhallowed marriages is inculcated by all the ministers of these churches. They believe they were expressly forbidden under the Old Testament dispensation, and also in the New Testament. They cannot, then, but put the question to their people, with solemnity, "Shouldst thou love them that hate the Lord?" Collections are taken at every service; and on communion Sabbaths, (the first in every month) the church members deposite in the boxes the sums they severally agree to pay statedly, for the support of public worship. The deficiency is made up annually by a subscription among those members of the church who possess the means of contributing. Besides these, collections are frequently made for special objects of Christian benevolence. The congregations are chiefly composed of people in moderate circumstances, and of strangers. Although some persons of property belong to these churches, and others of this description, after being hopefully converted in them, have united with other churches, still the principal efforts are made to bring in the neglected, the poor, the emigrant, and those who, in the arrangements in the old churches, have been almost entirely overlooked. Do not understand me as asserting that all the members of these churches are active, prayerful, and consistent. It is not so. There are not a few, it is to be feared, who sit idly by while a world is eminent man well understood the philosophy of the subject, and knew that moral influence ascends in society, and especially in a republic. How greatly is this principle overlooked by many who essay to enlighten the world? Let us not be ashamed to copy from the Methodists, or from any denomina tion, measures and modes of preaching that are blessed by the Holy Spirit; especially ministers and others would do well not to refuse to copy the example of Jesus Christ, who certainly well understood in what way to influence, most effectually, human society. An extraordinary impulse is given to young Christians, when responsibilities like those described are assumed in the fear of the Lord; and they then feel that it is both a duty and a pleasure to bestow the money intrusted to them in building up the Redeemer's kingdom. Clerks in stores have subscribed 100 dollars per annum, and young mer chants double or treble that amount; while others, without large means, have cheerfully given from 500 to 1,000 dollars a year for the support of public worship; and this, too, while they did not neglect more public calls to give money for the conversion of the world. The members of these churches have been pressed to relinquish their ownership of the property committed to them by the great Head of the church, and to hold it as stewards, to be land out (the whole of it) in building up his kingdom, and converting the world. And some of them, it principle of the gospel. this obvious organized in many other places since thenerally Free churches, on similar principles, have been perishing; who, after having solemnly pledged mencement of the system in this city, and generally themselves to live for Christ, do little or nothing to attended, as there is reason to believe, with the build up his kingdom, and regenerate the world. smiles of Divine Providence. Why should it be Great must be the condemnation of such professors! otherwise? Free seats attract the poor, and those It is easy to see that, could suitable ministers bel who are unable or unwilling to purchase or hire news; sitting promiscuously in the house of God | pertinent to the subject. Should you or others see abates the pride of the rich; and it is well that men should feel humble before each other, at least in the sanctuary of the Almighty. And the system of labor adopted is calculated to bring into personal activity every member of the church. fit to introduce the system into London, it cannot, I think, but be attended with such happy success, as to evince that it is a system in favor with God and man. In conclusion, allow me to remark, that there are two peculiarities in the history of our churches I have said that a new church might be organized that specially need reformation: 1. Expending so in this city every year, out of each of the Free much of the Lord's money in enriching and embelchurches, provided suitable ministers could be obtain-lishing houses of public worship; and, 2. Neglected. Great difficulty and delay arise on this account; ing the great body of the community, adults and for it requires preachers of peculiar talents to be children. These things can be and should be resuccessful in Free churches. They must be "scribes medied. When I have seen in some of our churches well instructed"-Christians of much religious ex- a communion service of massive plate, splendid perience of a revival spirit-sound theologians- chandeliers, and costly architecture and furniture, ready extemporaneous speakers-not afraid of "new I have been reminded of the anecdote of Oliver measures," nor disposed to substitute expediency Cromwell on visiting York Minster. In one of the for duty; and in all respects thorough-going Chris- apartments the Protector noticed twelve niches, in tian reformers. Such ministers will not have sleepy which were the statues of the twelve apostles in congregations, nor will the members of their solid silver. "What have you there?" inquired churches be at ease in Zion, or so conform to the Cromwell. On being told, he exclaimed, "Take world that it is difficult to distinguish them from them down, coin them, and let them go about doing those who have no hope in Christ. We bless God good." Is it not true, that the mere interest of the that measures are in rapid progress to educate young capital at present invested in superfluous architecministers, who will have the courage to preach the ture and furniture in churches, is greater than the whole gospel, and take a strong hold of the blessed whole annual contribution of the Protestant churches work of converting the world to God. May the in Christendom for the spread of the gospel? It may Lord Jesus Christ hasten the day when our young not be practicable to take down and coin all these men, on being converted, will, in the spirit of the useless investments, and send the proceeds about youthful Paul, desire above all things to be heralds doing good, but the present generation will be guilty of salvation; and when Christian merchants, me- before God, if they do not take heed not to run into chanics, farmers, and others, will "buy, and sell, such excess of folly, in lavishing upon embellishand get gain," not to consume it upon their lusts, but ment funds that should be expended in multiplying to fill the treasury of the Lord! churches, and winning souls to Christ. I have thus, dear sir, given you the history of the Free Churches in this city to the present time, and have ventured to offer such suggestions as seemed With high respect, I remain, dear sir, Yours, in the bonds of the Gospel, |