Gospel Book Mission to Army and Navy.
We publish elsewhere the Report of this Mission, by Mr. R. E. Brider, Bristol, and have much pleasure in commending it to the practical consideration of our readers. A great and good work is being done, and we trust that those who are able and feel disposed will do what they can in every way to help Mr. Brider in his work. He has no private income, and takes nothing from what is strictly contributed for the work, but is supported by the gifts of those who value his earnest and useful labours. He can raise his “Ebenezer” for the past, and we hope that, through the Lord’s kindness, he will be carried through comfortably to the end.
The Pilgrim Preachers.
This is a company of Englishmen who have been going through the country, from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, preaching often in public places what they consider to be the Gospel. A friend has shown us some of their literature. From it we gather that they are men sincere enough in their way, but possessed of no robust theology, rather, we should say, of distinctly Arminian sentiments. They believe that God loves all, and Christ died for all, and, laying very little stress on the work of the Holy Spirit, they give the impression that sinners can believe of their own power, whenever they please. Then, they also hold the opinion of the Pre-Millenarians that Christ is to come personally and reign on the earth. We have already discussed this theory in these pages, and hold there is no proper ground for it in the Scriptures. We think we can substantiate the following statement that in every place in God’s Word, where the Second Personal Advent of the Redeemer is distinctly spoken of, there is no mention of a reign upon earth, and that in any place where His future reign there is referred to, there is no specific mention of His personal advent. He shall reign over the earth by the power of His Word and Spirit, but in no other way. The other way is, in our humble judgment, the mistaken fancy of many good men, and of not a few who give no satisfactory evidence that they are good. We consider that the “Pilgrim Preachers” would have done better by staying at home, and praying for better and clearer light on divine truth.
The Coal Strike.
It is only a little more than a year since a strike took place among miners throughout the kingdom, and now there is another. The general and impartial opinion is that the proceeding is not only unreasonable as to its ground, but positively revolutionary in its tendency, a form of political rebellion fitted to destroy the national fabric. Such strikes should be regarded as criminal, and be prevented or put down by legal authority.