sermons and im also been : The vesty dressild of winddress tory of commenev. KING'S ROAD, READING. This place of worship, which has been Closed for several months for enlargement and repairs, was re-opened on Thursday, September 9th. The alterations which have been recently effected have com. pletely changed the appearance of the building, which is now a very handsome edifice in the Italian style of architecture, capable of seating about 1,000 persons. The improvement will be still more maniPest when the decorations and tinting of the walls, at present unfinished, are en. tirely completed. In the centre of the roof is an elegantly constructed dome, twenty feet in diameter, and glazed with ground glass; and from this is suspended a handsome gasalier. The vestry of the chapel has also been considerably enlarged and improved. The morning sermon was preached by the Rev. Charles Stovel, of London, from Eph. ii. 8; and the evening sermon by the Rev. Henry Allon, of Islington, from Eph. iv. 21. Between the services, a dinner, followed by speeches, took place in the new hall, a large company being present. The congregations at both the morning and evening services were large; and the Revs. . Lepine (Abingdon), C. Harcourt (Wokingham), J. Rowland (Henley), J. Drew (Newbury), T. Welsh (Reading), and the Independent ministers of the lown, the Revs. W. Legg, T. G. Horton, and C. H. Bateman, took part in the engagements of the day. On the following Suoday the re-opening services were continued, when the Rev. John Aldis preached morning and evening, and the Kev. T. G. Horton, minister of Castle Street Chapel, in the afternoon. The total expense of the alterations is estimated at about £1,600, and of this sum about #1,200, including the amount col. lected at the various services, has been ready raised. The only drawback to The gratification attendant on the re-opening of the chapel, is occasioned by the serious lameness of its respected minis 5, owing to an accident he met with putne three months since, and which it leared, is likely seriously to disable him for some time to come. MELBOURN, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Dis usually quiet village was on Tuesday, September 7th, the scene of considerable excitement, owing to services held in connection with the settlement of Rey. 4. Bailey. During the short season he na3 laboured at Melbourn great religious excitement has prevailed. Overflowing congregations baye attended the minis. Ty of the word, thirty-six individuals have already been baptized, and about sixty others are anxiously inquiring the way of salvation. At balf-past two o'clock large number assembled. The devoonal exercises were conducted by Rev. 5. Davis, of Greenwich. Addresses highly suitable to the occasion were delivered by | Revs. George Rogers, of Camberwell ; D. Fordham, of Caxton; Benjamin Davis, of NORFOLK. REGENT STREET, LAMBETH. On Tuesday, September 7th, the Rev. R. B. Lancaster, late of South Shields, was publicly recognised as the pastor of the church meeting as above. Previous to the service, which was not of the formal character usually observed, but one of a social and congratulatory nature, a tea-meeting was held, at which 220 friends sat down. "Addresses were delivered by the Revs. R. B. Lancaster, W. Barker, of Church Street, Blackfriars, J.H. Millard,. of Maze Pond, W. Howieson, of Lion Street, Walworth, J. George, of Camberwell Road, A. G. Fuller, of Islington, W. Heaton, Esq., Thomas Bell, Esq., and J. Meredith, Esq. (chairman). Great interest was manifested by a goodly assemblage of friends in the evening, and the affectionate remarks made by all the speakers were cheering and stimulating, tending to cement the hearts of pastor and people more closely together, and it is hoped, by the Divine blessing, to pre- 1 HARLINGTON. pare them for the great work to be done The anniversary of the Baptist chapel in this densely populated neighbourhood. here was held on Tuesday, Sept. 7ih, WHITEHAVEN. when sermons were preached in the On Wednesday, August 25th, the Rev. morning and afternoon by the Rev. Smith Hutcheson, of Renfrew, was pub J. A. Spurgeon, and in the evening by licly ordained pastor over the Baptist the Rev. W. G. Lewis. At the close of church, Whitehaven. The Rey. A. Jack, the morning service, 260 of the congreof North Shields, read the Scriptures gation repaired to a tent, and after dining and prayed. The Rev. J. Harbottle, together spent the remainder of the of Oswaldtwistle, gave an excellent dis interval in Christian fellowship and course on the “Nature and Constitution intercourse. The Rev. W. G. Lewis, as of a Christian Church," and asked the president, offered some suitable remarks, usual questions. The Rev. D. Kirkbride, and was followed by addresses from the of Maryport, offered a devoutly earnest Rev. S. Lillycrop, G. Hawson, G. Robprayer for the minister, after which the bins, T. W. Medhurst, J. W. Shippird, Rey. T. Pottenger, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Dr. Perry, Messrs. Wilmhurst and Webgave an impressive charge to the minister. ster. Succeeding the afternoon service In the evening the Rev. J. Taylor, of was tea, at which 600 were present, and Tottlebank, preached a practical sermon their wants before the hour of evening to the church and congregation, from worship fully met. 1 Cor. xvi. 10. Most of the Dissenting ministers of the town were present, and BURTON-ON-TRENT. took part. On Tuesday, September 7th, a numeBARNSLEY. rously attended tea-meeting was held in The Baptist Chapel, Barnsley, has been Salem Chapel, in this town, to welcome closed for six weeks, undergoing very the Rev. A. Pitt as pastor of the church. extensive improvements, in painting, After tea the Rev. R. Kenney occupied graining, marbling, &c. The estimated the chair. Mr. Mason, sen., on behalf of costs were about £150, but Mr. Fidler, the church, read a detailed account of the a member of the congregation, by whom providential circumstance which led to the alterations were made, generously the invitation of Mr. Pitt to the pastorate. engaged to complete them for £50. On Interesting addresses were also delivered Sunday, August 29th, the chapel was by the Revs. J. Brambridge, A. Macre-opened, when special sermons were kennal, B.A., Messrs. Parker, Smith, and preached, in the morning and evening Taylor. The meeting was felt to be one by the Rev. L. B. Brown, pastor, and in of unusual interest and profit. the afternoon by the Rev. J. Deer, of Wakefield. On the following evening a public tea was gratuitously provided by MINISTERIAL CHANGES. a few ladies connected with the church The Rey. J. Davis. of Neath, has acand congregation. After tea, addresses cepted the invitation of the church at were given by several ministers and Arlington, Gloucestershire, and comfriends. About £25 are already raised menced his labours on the 8th of August, towards defraying the expenses incurred. -The Rev. Isaac Lord has resigned the pastorate of the church at Turret Chapel, BARTON FABIS. Ipswich, and accepted that of the church On Thursday, September 16, services of at Cannon Street, Birmingham. - The a very interesting and delightful character Rev. Henry Lawrence, late of Truro, were held in the Baptist Chapel in this Cornwall, has accepted the unanimous place, in connection with the ordination invitation of the Baptist friends meeting of the Rev. T. Holroyd to the co-pastorate in St. John's Hill, Shrewsbury, and enwith the Rev. E. Bott. At one o'clock, tered on his pastoral labours on the first p.m., the senior pastor of the church Sabbath in September.-The Rev. James commenced by reading suitable portions Martin, of Edinburgh, has accepted the of Scripture and offering prayer. The unanimous invitation of the church at Rev. J. Goadby, of Loughborough, gave Derby Road, Nottingham, and will comthe introductory address. The questions mence his labours on the third Sabbath in to the church and minister were proposed October.-The Rev. R. Hall, B.A., late by the Rev. R. Kenney, of Burton-on pastor of the church in George Street, Trent. The ordination prayer was offered Hull, has accepted a cordial invitation by the Rev. E. Stevenson, of Lough from the church at Olney, Bucks, and borough. The charge was given to the intends to enter on his labours on the minister by the Rev. T. Stevenson, of first Lord's day in October.-The Rev. E. Leicester. In the evening, at six o'clock, Dennett, having resigned the pastorate of the Rev. H. Hunter, of Nottingham. the church at Grey Friar's Chapel, Northpreached to the church. During the day ampton, has accepted the invitation of the Revs. W. Gray, T. Barrass, W. the church at Truro. He proposes to Bisher, and J. Cholerton assisted in con commence his labourg on ihe second ducting the devotional exercises. Lord's day in October. “ Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20. NOVEMBER, 1858. GOD'S PITY. BY THE REV. H. W. BEECHER. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.”—Ps. ciii. 13. How strange it seems, to fall upon such a wonderful lyric as is this psalm of David, singing to us out of the rude ages of the past, where we naturally expect harshness and severity! How wonderful that our age should go back to this old warrior to learn tenderness, that the most exquisite views of divine compassion should spring forth from the world's untrained periods, from Moses, the shepherd and legislator of the Desert, and from David, the sweet singer of Israel, whose hand was mightiest among the mighty, whether laid upon the strings of the bow or of the harp! Noble old warrior! Thou didst send dismay to thine enemies, and breathe joy among thy friends. Thy bow abode in strength, and thine arrows were terrible in the day of battle. But those silver shafts of song, from a lyre surpassing the fabled sweetness of Apollo's, have sped through the dusky years, through thousands of them, and are flying yet; but not for wounding, but for life and healing. If we remember the times of David, we shall be no less surprised at the ripeness of the views which he gives of God,—their symmetry and all-sidedness, gentle without moral weakness, and strong without harshness ; building up the divine glory in justice and truth, and walling it about with majesty and stability. But then, as in a garden enclosed with mighty walls, O Psalmist, thou didst cover the bosom of God with flowers and fruits, and make the thought of him sweeter to the fainting soul than all the breath of flowers, or sound of cooling waters! As but a few years intervened between the era of David and of Homer, not the measure of a man's lifetime, it is interesting to observe the views which they held, synchronously, of the character of God. While David was filling Jerusalem with these matchless lyrics, Homer, the blind wanderer of Greece, whom, since, the world has made universal citizen, was singing of the Grecian gods. If any one would know the glory of the Hebrew bard, let him contrast the Psalms of David with Homerio-representations of God. How could Greece be so dark when such a star shone over Mount Zion? How VOL. I.-NEW SERIES, M could Olympus be so mean while Sinai flamed with so much grandeur ? Living in the same day, a thousand years of religion divided them. Our hearts decide in a moment which was the true prophet, and the teacher of the true God ! Let us select from David's chants but the single strain-God's Pity. Pity is a mode or particular development of benevolence. It is sympathy for persons on account of weakness or suffering. It is not mere compassion, but is mingled with a desire to aid and relieve. Pity and compassion are the antitheses of those affections by which we take hold of men who are good, lovely, desirable for their grace of nobleness and purity; or of those who are prosperous, strong, and happy. For such, to be sure, we have a lively sympathy, but it is of a different sort. God has gladness for those who are glad, and pity for those who are sad. The pity of God, as disclosed in this psalm, is the working out of the whole divine nature of goodness toward the human family, in their unformed, immature, sinful, struggling existence. The race was not born perfect. Men were sown as seeds are. They come of germs, turn to leaves, shoot forth a slender stem, grow little by little to branches, and find firmness and solidity only after a long 'probation of weakness, temptation, sin, and all its sorrows. This is true of individual men. It is true historically of mankind. The need of compassion for the race has been just as great as is the need in every household of compassion toward babes and young children. It is still the need of each man and of the whole world. * As much crime as there is, calling for punishment; as much deliberate wrong, to be met by deliberate justice ; as much license as there is, and overflowing passion, and desolating lust-- there is even more ignorance, mistake, sorrowful weakness, and unwitting evil. The world wanders like a half-grown orphan, calling without answer for aid, and weeps for trouble and wanders still, stumbling through ages! And though it needs reproof and correction, it needs kindness more. Though it needs the grasp of the strong hand, it needs too the open palm of love and tenderness. It requires punishment; but it needs pity even more than avenging justice. While, therefore, the divine character drawn in the Bible hath great depth of shadow in justice, all its salient points stand forth in the high lights of love and mercy. God is full of near, real, overflowing, and inexhaustible compassion for man ! But, it is declared that God's pity is not simply pity—it is a father's pity. If a man be found weltering by the road, wounded, and a stranger comes who never before had even seen him, he will pity him. No matter if born under a different heaven, or speaking a different tongue, or worshipping at a different altar, he pities him ; for the heart of man speaks one language the world over, and suffering wakes compassion. But if, instead of being a stranger, it were a near neighbour, how much more and more tender the pity as he ran to his help. But if, instead of one who stood only in the offices of general and neigh. bourhood kindness, it were a strong personal friend-yea, a brother -how much more intense would be the throbbing emotion of tenderness and pity! But all these fade away before the wild outcry of the man's own father, who would give his life for his son, and who gives pity, now, not by measure, but with such a volume that it is as if a soul were gushing out in all its life! But the noblest heart on earth is but a trickling stream from a faint and shallow fountain, compared with the ineffable soul and heart of God, the Everlasting Father! The pity of God is like a father's, in all that is tender, strong, and full, but not in scope and power. For every one of God's feelings moves in the sphere of the infinite. His pity has all the scope and divinity which belong to power, wisdom, justice! Yea, power, wisdom, and justice are God's lesser ways, and come toward that side where there would be restriction, if anywhere, while love and mercy are God's peculiar glory. In these he finds the most glorious liberty of the divine nature. Nothing so soon wears out and exhausts men as deep feelings and strong sympathies, especially those which have in them an element of pain, as pity hath. Our life requires to be broken in two each day and replanted, that it may spring up again from sleep, as new blossoms out of soil. We are buried every night for a resurrection of each morning; and thus, our life is not a continuous line, unbroken, but a series of lives and deaths, of deaths and births. But God, in his almightiness, asks no rest, and requires no slumber, but holds straight on without weariness; wearing out the ages, himself unworn; changing all things, himself without variableness or shadow of turning! God is like the sun at noon, that casts down straight rays, and so throws down the shadows upon the ground underneath each tree ; but he never, like the sun, goes, westward towards his setting, turning all shadows from under the trees, and slanting them upon the ground. God stands in eternal fulness, like a sun that knows neither morning nor evening nor night, but only noon, and noon always! God's pity abides, even as he abides, and partakes of the divine grandeur and omnipotence. There is a whole eternity in it, for substance and duration. As God himself cannot be measured with lines of latitude and longitude, but is boundless, so is his every attribute. His pity is infinite, moving with equal step to all the other attributes of God, and holding its course and path as far forth as omniscience doth; it paces with omnipresence along the circuits of infinity! For as heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us ! God's pity is not as some sweet cordial, poured in dainty drops from some golden phial. It is not like the musical water-drops of some slender rill, murmuring down the dark sides of Mount Sinai. It is wide as the whole scope of heaven. It is abundant as all the air. If one had art to gather up all the golden sunlight that to-day falls wide over all this continent--falling through every silent hour; |