A Great Work Imperilled!
—No doubt our readers will be as much amazed as we were when they learn that the anticipated loss of a brass band was likely to imperil the work of God in Deptford. The Life of Faith has the following extraordinary appeal signed by the Rev. Charles G. Craggs:—”We are faced with a great difficulty. Most of the instruments now in use were bought second-hand nine years ago. Since then they have been used so well that they are literally worn out. Repairing them any longer is to throw good money away. We must obtain new instruments. The Bandsmen and their friends have been working hard, and have raised a sum of £60. The instruments we desire to purchase will cost £400, with a guarantee of fourteen years. This Band goes out twice every Sunday for marches and open-air services. It is an untold blessing to our work. We reach in this way those we could never touch in any other. It is a matter of great urgency. For this work to be imperilled would be a serious disaster. For the sake of God’s work we dare not risk the possibility of losing the Band.” If Mr. Craggs would take our advice, he would not give another moment’s thought to the indispensable band. God’s work does not stand in need of such helps, and the £400 he purposes to raise is good money thrown away.
Anti-Roman Bills in Kentucky.
The Menace of 7th March reports that a Bill which covers inspection of convents is presently before the Kentucky legislature. It is called House Bill No. 496, and provides that each public or private hospital, reformatory, home, house of detention, private asylum, and correctional institution shall be open at any time and at all times to the inspection of the local Fiscal Court or Board of Commissioners. It appears that “Roman Catholic nuns are actually teaching in the public schools of Kentucky in the garb of their religious orders.” This has led to the presentation of another Bill (House Bill No. 66), which provides that “no teacher shall wear during school hours, while teaching in the common schools in this commonwealth, any distinctive or unusual dress, garb, or costume, or any mark, emblem, or insignia, which is worn exclusively by the members of any religious sect, order, or denomination for the purpose of indicating membership in such religious sect or denomination.” The Menace strongly urges the Kentucky citizens to impress upon their representatives the importance of passing these Bills into law. Such measures would certainly be valuable steps in the right direction. Rome seems to be very strong in some American States, for three or four of them “had Bills before their legislatures last year, only to be killed through the influence of Rome.” May God arise and then His enemies shall be scattered!
The Home Rule Crisis.
During the past month the Prime Minister announced the Government’s proposals with reference to Ulster and the Irish Parliament. They propose to give the counties of Ulster an opportunity by vote of expressing their wish for or against inclusion under the Home Rule Parliament. Those counties who, by a bare majority, vote for exclusion, are to be left under the Imperial Parliament, as at present, for a period of six years, at the end of which time they must immediately come under the Irish Parliament, whether willing or not. It is explained that two General Elections will take place before the end of this period, and that there is a possibility that new conditions may be arranged whereby those who desire to remain excluded may do so. Sir Edward Carson and the Protestant representatives of Ulster all reject these proposals with indignation, and consider that the matter of exclusion cannot be left in an element of uncertainty for six years. They hold that the people should have the same opportunity at the end of that time to express their mind for inclusion or exclusion, and that their personal choice should determine the matter permanently. At the present moment the prospects of peace in Ulster are very dark, and it would become all praying people to be presenting the case with earnestness at a throne of grace. May the Lord, in infinite mercy, interpose for the deliverance of our nation from the terrible dangers that appear to be looming ahead!
A Woman’s Church.
One of the latest fruits of the Suffragette movement is a new Woman’s Church, started on Sabbath the 22nd March, at Wallasey in Cheshire. The preacher is “the Rev. Hatty Baker.” At the morning service, there were none but women, but at the evening service men were admitted. The times are out of joint!
“The Bible and the Monuments” by Rev. John Urquhart.
The party who had a copy of the above book on loan from Mr. John MacLaine, Bookseller, Portree, Skye, will oblige by returning same as soon as possible.