PREFACE. In presenting to our readers another volume of our Magazine, custom allows us the privilege of saying a few words respecting the labours of another year. It has been a year of great importance to us as a nation, and to the christian church. War has filled our land with horror and weeping; and a fierce panic has stricken down our commerce, and let loose avarice and her sister vices. Many hopeful signs have appeared in the church to indicate the onward progress of the gospel. We have endeavoured to reflect the shadow of passing events, as far as they relate to spiritual things, and to point out what seems most demanded by the spirit of the times. Much useful information has been given respecting the state of our Connexion. Its present position is of a most encouraging nature; and we trust the long years of strife have passed, and a new spirit is animating all. Our home efforts have been extended, especially in Wales; and fresh fields are constantly inviting our labours. Africa has heartily received our brother TROTTER, and rejoices in hope. Let us all be earnest and united; alive to the wants of our age; and prepared to occupy the posts which Providence assigns to us. Again we invite attention to the claims of our periodical. The circulation does not yet meet the expenses of its production, and must be increased. Will our readers try to increase its circulation in their own spheres, and to aid us during the coming year by their contributions to its pages? Death has robbed us of some of our valued co-adjutors. The. venerable BRIDGMAN, whose pen often enriched the columns of the Harbinger, has gone to his home; and many old friends have bidden us farewell here. Their departing voices call upon each to "work while it is day, for the night cometh in which no man can work." 9, 26, 41, 55, 109, 143 9, 25, 73, 109, 161, 193 Contributions, 16, 32, 47, 64, 84, 104, 120, 134, 136, 152, 168, 184, 200 Countess of Huntingdon 120.-Relict of, 80 CONNEXION INTELLIGENCEAshford, 91, 103, 161; Avebury, 115; Bath, 93; Bearfield, 93; Basingstoke, 93; Birmingham, 164; Bristol, 44, 94; Bodmin, 94; Brighton, 80, 94; Canterbury, 94, 115; Conference, S1, 102, 123; Canada, 11; Clare, 13; Cheltenham, 58, 94, 147; Cradley, 77; East Grinstead, 115; Ebley, 14, 95, 179; Ely, 96; Frome, 147; Fordham, 90; Goring, 27, 133; Gloucester, 45, 77, 96, 103; Hereford, 97; Kidderminster 27, 97; Leamington, 101, 103; Leigh Sinton 181; London District, 81; Mold, 164, 180; Maidstone' 11, 20, 62, 77, 102, 134, 197; Malvern, 15, 28, 61; 98; Margate, 98; Middleton, 99; Petworth, 26: Rochdale, 28, 45, 165; Ruthin, 103, 134, 148, 197; St. Ives, 62, 99; Sion Chapel, London, 10, 46, 79, 9S; Southstoke, 27, 96; Spa Fields, 14, 78, 181; Swansea, 99; Sandown, 27, 78, 181: Turner's Hill, 95; Trustee' Accounts, 100, 101, 129; ditto Report, 91; Tyldesley, 116; Tunbridge Wells, 99, 147; Wivelscombe, 46, 115; Western District, 81, 116, 163, 181; Weston, 114, 198; Worcester, 27, 103, 198; Walworth, 14, 46, 116; Yarmouth 100, Departure of Rev. J. Trotter to Africa, 148, 165 Editor, to the 10, 58, 112, 113, 162, 181 Education Society Foreign Department Guthrie. Dr., on "I will sprinkle clean water. Old Store POETRY God bless Sion Pray without ceasing Prayer for the Progress of the Gospel Spurgeon, his Preaching and Power Memoir of the Rev. J. Finley Butler's Sermons Christ and his Church Rev. J. Bridgeman's Address Coronet and Cross Common-place Book of Thoughts Memoir of the Rev. W. H. Hewitson 31 80 84 1,09 200 168 41 11 185 57 57 75 76 76 109 111 120, 176 143 143 144 162 195 196 165 121, 145 65 Things New and Old, 22, 40, 54, 73, 108, 141 159, Rev, B. Woodward Rev. J. Dryden Rev. J. Bridgeman 28 43 58 58 76 104 120 148 THE HARBINGER. JANUARY, 1857. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. ANTHONY ELLIOTT, SIERRA LEONE. "The fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?" Familiar to our readers has been the name of Anthony Elliott, for many years; and although, from his advanced age, we could scarcely have expected his long continuance in the body, his death somewhat surprized He is gone to enjoy the rest which remains for the people of God. "There's rest in heaven. The pilgrim's feet us. Here reach their last, their sure retreat; The lowering storm, the wintry blast Although he was not a great man, we have no hesitation in saying he was a good man; if not eloquent, useful; of no great learning, for his knowledge of reading was acquired only in leisure hours; but he had learned the way of salvation. He loved his Bible, and understood its precepts; lived a life of faith upon the Son of God; was desirous of promoting His glory, and the good of his fellow men; and by his integrity, perseverance, and prudence, he acquired considerable influence among his associates; and having used his "talent" well, died full of years and honors; and has, doubtless, ere this received the approval of his Master and the "well done good and faithful servant." Although probably not much heard of beyond his own circle, he might with propriety say of himself and his congregations, "Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not." Yet our departed friend occupied an important position among a useful body of christians, who, for upwards of sixty years, unaided by European counsel and support, have been banded together in the gospel in the colony of Sierra Leone. Little or no mention is made of them in the missionary reports of other Societies, hence an allusion to their early history and progress will not be deemed out of place, especially as the subject of this memoir was so immediately identified with their history, and as it affords proof of the comparatively insignificant means sometimes employed to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. |