MISS THORNE IN ADELAIDE. A letter from Adelaide, dated June 20th, states that the Town Hall, which will hold 1500 persons, has been taken for thirteen weeks for special services on Sunday evenings. These services are conducted by Miss Thorne: the fifth of the series has been held, and the interest continues unabated. On every occasion hundreds are unable to obtain admission. The audience is composed of all classes-merchants, bankers, lawyers, shopkeepers, and working people who hang upon her lips with breathless attention. Miss Thorne has also held some midnight meetings with very marked results. Ten or a dozen abandoned women at the close of the first two services went into the Female Refuge which is now for the first time full. "ON Sunday, May 22nd, Miss Thorne, who recently arrived from Victoria, preached two sermons in connection with the Bible Christians, with which body she is identified. In the afternoon the service was conducted at the Town Hall, and the building was crowded to the doors. Miss Thorne selected as the basis of her sermon the third verse of the 6th chapter of Hosea, as follows:-Then shall we know, if we follow on, to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.' She explained, in commencing, the circumstances under which the words were written, and stated that they were applicable to all persons in the room, even though their separate conditions might be as wide as the poles asunder. She referred to the term 'knowledge' as implying the acquisition of something that was not inherent in man, and so the knowledge of God came from without. In the splendours of the noon-day sun, the beauties of earth, and the glories of the sky, the nature and goodness of the Supreme Being were manifested, but these only gave a tithe of His character, for "who by searching could find out God ?" They required to go back to the Cross to obtain the best glimpses of His attributes, and what nature and science had failed to teach them Christ had taught them. The Bible was the only key that could unlock the mysteries around them. A simple and childlike spirit were necessary to an attainment of the wisdom that related to God. Men often began at the wrong end with respect to this; they strove to exercise their own reason and thought. It was when man's knowledge of evil was mixed with his knowledge of good that the world's darkest hour commenced. She combated the idea that there was any degredation in going to the Cross, and spoke of the glory and dignity with which humanity was invested when brought into harmony with the will of God. The knowledge which came of God gave freedom. Some people spoke of their religious life as if it contracted every noble aspiration of their nature; put how false this was! When the soul freed itself from the tortuous windings of sin, and with the simplicity of a child went to the Cross, it immediately gained its liberty-a liberty far surpassing the conceptions of the worldling. Then they might be sure of this knowledge. In the world they were con stantly reminded of the fact that they could not be sure of anything. The systems current a hundred years ago were effete to-day, and a century hence would it be with the things of to-day, but this sublime knowledge of God through Christ would never change or pass away. Notice next the means of security of which the prophet speaks. People came to the Bible with different aims, and some seemed to read it for the purpose of arguing for or against, as opportunity suited. A light might be the means of casting a ship upon the breakers or of saving it from them, just as it was true or false; and so with the Bible; it might be made a lamp unto their feet,' or it might be turned into a false and misleading light. But there must be perseverance as well as sincerity in order to gain this knowledge of God. And it was one of the most delightful experiences of the Christian that the blessings which flowed from this knowledge followed him every step of his life. They must not, however, expect to gain a full knowledge of the Almighty, this was impossible, for their highest achievements would not take them beyond the A B C of the wisdom of the Infinite. It was interesting and profitable to observe the way in which God manifested Himself to those who sincerely and perseveringly got to know Him. He came with freshness-the freshness of the early morn, so indicative of joy and gladness. He came with glory-a glory exceeding the brightness of the morning sun, which as it rose tinged with beauty every passing cloudlet. He came as the morning sun with the promise of another day. Miss Thorne concluded with an earnest appeal to those who had not yielded to the claims of the Sun of Righteousness to open their hearts so that the Divine light might enter them, and beautify and ennoble their lives. Miss Thorne's preaching was appreciated by those who heard her; but unfortunately her voice did not fill the room, and many went away disappointed.* Her manner is calm and self-possessed; her enunciation clear and distinct; her language flowing and correct; and her illustrations natural and forcible. She preached in the evening at the Bible Christian Chapel, Young Street, to a large congregation, and on Tuesday next some further services are to take place."South Australian Register, May 23rd, 1870. CHAPELS. PETERS MARLAND, SHEBBEAR CIRCUIT. -The foundation stone of a new chapel was laid at Peters Marland, June 1st, 1870 by Mrs. John Passmore, of Eastwood, who crowned her effort by placing five sovereigns on the stone; others came forward liberally. A bottle was laid on the stone containing the Minutes of Conference, plan of the Circuit, names of the trustees, donors of the land and stone, and the lady who laid it. A very appropriate and encouraging sermon was preached on the occasion by Mr. James Thorne, from Nehemiah ii. 20. The evening's meeting was addressed by Messrs. J. Thorne, B. Rounsefell, of Torrington, P. Rounsefell, R. Hawkey, and W. Pett. The latter speaker thought £100 might be easily raised by donations; two plans were submitted by him showing its practicability. Votes of thanks were given to J. Passmore, Our friends have made such alterations that she can now be heard, Esq., and Mrs. S. Passmore, who gave the land, and for the accommodation they rendered to the friends who came to the ceremony; to T. Fisher, Esq., of Buckland Filleigh, who gave the stone; and the ladies who got up a free tea and superintended it with so much ability. The chapel and school-room are to be separated by a folding partition, by which the latter can be made available on any special occasion for the congregation. The whole building is to be 45 feet by 25 from end to end. The work is let to Mr. W. Halls, of Dolton, for £260, stone and sand not included. The receipts on the day of the laying the stone were £20, and promises were given for about £30 more. It is hoped when the chapel is opened the treasurer will be able to pay off £200. MONTHLY RETROSPECT. IN THE FEARFul War betweEN FRANCE AND PRUSSIA, victory hitherto has been almost exclusively with the latter Power. France has lost on every battle-field, has only succeded in inflicting tremendous losses upon her foe. The slaughter has been terrific. But notwithstanding the valour of her troops, the tide of invasion is sweeping over France with irresistible force. In a few days, we may hear of the Prussians being at the gates of Paris. The Emperor entered upon this war without sufficient provocation, and the overthrow of his dynasty is not only remotely probable, but possibly near. How swift and terrible the retribution! Well if only he and his counsellors had to pay the dreadful price! One of the greatest dangers in our opinion now is, that Prussia, intoxicated by success, may insist upon unreasonable and unrighteous terms as the conditions of peace, terms which a powerful nation like France would not for a moment listen to, and which the public opinion of Europe would not ratify. We hope our own nation will keep out of the fray, though the new engagements into which the Government have entered respecting Belgium are, in our opinion, fraught with danger. As one of the results of the war, we may mention that THE PROTESTANT CONFERENCE that was to have been held in New York this month has been postponed. IF THE EDUCATIONAL BILL is not to remain a dead letter, it is time that our friends bestirred themselves and began to make their preparations in anticipation of the election of the School Boards, with the view of being directly represented where practicable, and fairly represented, where it is not. The cumulative vote makes this, in all cases, comparatively easy, if only ordinary precautions be observed. Whatever steps are necessary to be adopted, should be taken with promptitude. It is a subject well worthy of the serious considerations of the Pastors' Meetings throughout the Denomination. It is a crisis in the Education of the people. So far as our information goes, a strong feeling is prevailing, not only in the Methodist sections of the church, but more generally among the various sections of it, that the present urgent duty of all is, to seek more of that Divine power which will ensure more general and more glorious success. We hope, our friends will make the necessary preparation for fully carrying into effect the Resolution of the Conference to observe the first week in October as a season of special prayer. Earnest, united, believing, and persevering prayer, will surely prevail to secure a gracious revival of religion-an object dear to the heart of our Divine Redeemer. "Pray withcut ceasing." |