Correspondence-God's Fatherhood. 387 claration of God's Fatherhood to, the Lord before all the congregation, them; neither by Moses and Aaron and David said, Blessed be Thou in Egypt nor at Sinai, do we find Lord God of Israel our Father for such a distinct revelation during any ever and ever. After having carepart of their subsequent history fully re-examined the passages cited down to the day of Christ as to in- by your correspondent, together with dividual saints receiving such a retheir contexts and the circumstances velation. I have no record. Moses of the people of whom the contexts did not receive such an one either at treat, I have come to the conclusion the flaming bush in the Valley of that they prove and warrant the Horeb, or when put by the hand of statement that we do not find God God in the cleft of the rock whilst revealing himself in the character He passed in glory before him, and of a father to the saints of the Old His claims upon them like the Testament times. We do not read claims of a father upon his child. that they knew him by such an No, all was a revelation, as at Sinai, endearing name.' It was only of Awful Majesty and Holiness. I do figuratively and comparatively, by not read that Joshua, Samuel, David, way of illustration and accomAsaph, or any of the prophets were modation, that he was called father. more favoured in this respect than Fatherhood properly implies a subMoses indeed it is questioned stantial and living relationship to whether any saint of the Old Testa- children begotten, and this mutual ment was admitted to such intimacy relationship God and sinners born of as he. Where, I would ask humbly, the Spirit sustain towards each other is the passage revealing God's through the grace of our Lord Fatherhood to any of the saints Jesus Christ. Read Romans viii. living within the limits of the 14 to 18, Galatians iv. 1 to 7, John Mosaic dispensation, and where the xvii. 20 to 25, xx. 17, 1 John iii. 1 song and prayer addressed to Him to 2, &c. Now of God's Fatherhood by any saint in the full conscious in this New Testament acceptation recognition of his filial relationship of the term I have yet to learn that to Him by conversion through the the saints of Old Testament times grace of the Spirit? There is no recognized and understood. Cerdeclaration of God's Fatherhood in tainly the passages in question do not Psalm ciii. 13. It is simply a com- declare it, but the idea is foreign to parison and illustration: 'As a father them. But again, there is one other pitieth his children, so the Lord fact that struck me forcibly, and I pitieth them that fear Him.' I think it points to the question very understand the term father in those significantly. It is this, that Mr. verses quoted from Malachi as C. E. should be obliged to pass over having in their context the same Job, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, comparative and illustrational sense. Numbers, and almost out of DeuOnce more, the citation from Jere- teronomy, before he could discover miah xxxi. 9, I take to be a happy a verse where God was called father. proof and confirmation of what I He pursued this great man Moses have said about the metaphorical to the very verge of death and the use of the word father in the Jewish grave before he could get from him scriptures when applied to God, be- the application of the term father to cause of the terror of the whole his God. Then C. E. had to pass prophetic context; and in contrast to over to Isaiah and Jeremiah, and it, I would say that Jesus, and not from them to Malachi. Ephraim, is the firstborn of the ficant is all this! what a contrast to whole family in heaven and earth, the New Testament in respect to and of which family God is not the subject in question. How desertfiguratively but really the father. like the one, and how green and Again, I humbly submit that a mis-luxuriant the other in evidence and take was made in citing 1 Chron. * Israel (Jacob) is the father here referred xxix. 10, Wherefore David blessed to, and not the Lord God of Israel. How signi teaching on the subject. It is not true, at least in regard to this Gospel question, that old times were better than these. But again, there is another fact still more significant in connection with these citations. When the first of them was uttered the patriarchal age had expired, expired long ago, and its noble godly saints with it; but its records afford no testimony that they knew God by the endearing relationship and name of Father. The book of Job, the records of patriarchal literature and theology, yield no evidence of such a revelation having been made to the saints of those ages; and this is a very significant fact. I think Mr. C. E. will see the want of any sort of testimony from the patriarchs on this question. All these facts are interesting and most important, and the consideration of them sweetly helps us to see and feel the glorious light in which we walk. A ramble in the starlit age of the patriarchs, or the moonlit region of Judaism, only increases our gladness and appreciation of the gospel and its benefits, our affection to 'Our Father in Heaven,' and admiration of His love to the saints of the pregospel ages. He was shrouded in the robes of majesty and thunder, but before us He appears apparelled in the robes of love and grace. He is to us the Lord God still, in all the glory of His infinite greatness and holiness; but in His fatherhood to us we see the fulness of his love, which flings around Him a glory that we love, and a greatness in Obituary. RICHARD PARR, ESQ, formerly of Kirton, Lincolnshire, died on the 4th of August, at Rougemont, Exeter, the residence of his son-in-law, R. S. Gard, Esq., M.P. for that city. He was in the ninetieth year of his age, and had been for more than twenty years a member of the church in Borough Road, London, which he J. BURNS. joined when it was under the pastoral care of his valued friend, the Rev. John Stevenson, M.A. Having at a somewhat early period attained a sufficient fortune to be independent of business, he travelled extensively in America and on the Continent, and acquired those habits of observation and those results of it which Obituary Richard Parr, Esq. 389 ance about his faith in Christ which left behind him a fragrance of piety. When his increasing age and infirmities compelled him to discontinue his travels among his friends in England, his religious sympathies were confined to the Baptist cause in Exeter. The writer called upon him there a few years since and found that the Old Pilgrim of Exeter' (as he called himself) had just received a visit from Mr. Spurgeon, which had gratified him. His general health had rather improved recently, and it was only a few days before his death that any serious alteration occurred. Even then his mind was as active and cheerful as ever, and exceedingly happy in the prospect of death. On the last morning of his life (Sunday) he was asked if he would like the Baptist minister to attend him. With characteristic thoughtfulness he declined, saying that his duties on Sunday were too heavy; he might call on the next day. Soon after, his daughter read to him from St. John, when he remarked, 'My time is short.' After dining he became somewhat restless and requested to see his son-in-law, to whom he said, I am going to heaven.' Then, settling into his arm chair as if for sleep, he sank quietly into a sort of stupor, which after a few hours ended in a breath so easy that his surrounding family could scarcely tell when it ceased. Once after they had thought him uncon tend so much to qualify a man for agreeable social intercourse. His anecdotes of American life, as he saw it in his pedestrian tours, were full of interest and illustrated the simple humour of the Slave, the smartness of the Yankee, and the affability of the Presidents, one of whom, Mr. Madison, after hospitably entertaining him for the night, said as Mr. Parr was leaving his mansion next morning, with his knapsack on his back, 'This, Mr. Parr, is the right way to see a country,' -a remark our friend was pleased to quote. Whilst his character was based on a profound sense of his own unworthiness and the only but all sufficiency of the atonement, it was pervaded by a cheerful spirit, and by an unwearied interest in the religious welfare of young men. In all his greetings and adieus he never failed, in his own tender patriarchal manner, to insert some hint or hope on the subject, which was more impressively enjoined in that affectionate correspondence by letter which for a long time he kept up with those young men in different parts of England and the Continent, to whom he had been useful. His periodical visitations among some of our churches will be remembered gratefully by some of my readers. They recollect how his simple faith' aad all but puritanical notions of worship mingled delightfully with that shrewd sense, genial humour, and true kindness that gave such a charm to his so-scious they asked if he suffered pain. ciety. He had a most cordial hatred of priestly assumption: on this he let his vein of satire and shafts of irony play at will. In politics he was a Liberal and Free-trader 'to the backbone,' and was among the first of those who had thriven on the land to avow the fallacy and foresee the doom of the Corn Laws. His manners were those of an English country gentleman whose self-respect and pride, not inconsistent with a true and marked Christian humility, were inspired and sustained by a high sense of honour and a most scrupulous regard for the truth. His modesty was not less remarkable. There was a quiet dignity and calm assur He answered, 'No:' and with this last utterance his spirit ascended to the paradise of those who are 'faithful unto death.' He took a warm interest in the erection of the Borough Road Chapel and contributed liberally to the requisite funds. Here and there in our Connexion (with whose faith and practice he cordially sympathized) are men whose younger religious life has been invigorated by the counsel and example of our lamented and sainted friend. May we also 'die the death of the righteous, and our last end be like his." Leicester. G. S. CONFERENCE. Intelligence. THE WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE was held at Nuneaton, on Monday, September 9th, 1861. In the absence of the Rev. William Lees, of Walsall, the Secretary preached in the morning. At the business meeting in the afternoon, W. Crofts, Esq. of Wolvey, presided. All the churches reported except Austrey. Since the last Conference 44 have been baptized, and 19 remain as candidates. It was resolved : 1. That no change take place in the number or time of the Conferences. 2. That the thanks of the Conference be given to brother Goadby for his efficient services as Secretary for four years, and that we express our deep regret at his removal from us, and pray that the great Head of the Church may bestow abundant blessings upon him in the new sphere of labour to which he may be directed. 3. That the Rev. W. Chapman be requested to act as Secretary for one year. Reference having been made to the expenses of the Secretary, the representatives of four of the churches contributed on behalf of their respective churches a small sum towards their defrayment. The other churches, it was hoped, would forward their quota at the next Conference. The next Conference was appointed to be held at Polesworth, on the second Monday in January; the Rev. J. Parkinson, of Hinckley, to be requested to preach. T. GOADBY, Sec. OLD BASFORD. On Lord's day, July 1st, 1861, we baptized thirteen persons, ten of these were from Arnold, and join the General Baptist church at that place; one was a Wesleyan, and remains with her own friends; the other two with ourselves. And on Lord's-day, September 1st, eleven others were submitted to the sacred rite, six of these join the church at Arnold, and five the church at Old Basford. W. B. MACCLESFIELD. On Lord's-day, June 2nd, two friends were baptized by our pastor, in the morning, and received into the church in the evening. July the 3rd, one young person was baptized. July 31st, four persons made a public profession of their faith in Christ, all were teachers in our Sunday-school. The congregation was very good and attentive. August 28th, one female was baptized; the Rev. J. Maden, of Gambleside, preached on the occasion, and our own pastor baptized, and received her into the church September 1st. W. G. CASTLE DONINGTON AND SAWLEY.On Sunday, the 11th of August, after a sermon preached by our minister, Mr. Taylor, to a large congregation assembled upon the bank of the Trent and the adjoining bridge at Sawley, four persons were baptized in the river. Great solemnity and decorum pervaded the whole. On Sunday, the 1st of September, six persons were baptized in our chapel at Donington. J. B. TODMORDEN. On Lord's day, August 25th, our pastor baptized twelve believers in Jesus. It was truly a happy time. Our prospects for the future are bright and cheering. ROCHDALE.-On Lord's-day, Aug. 25th, three persons were baptized; and during the service several were convinced that our practice was in accordance with the Scripture narrative. On the following Thursday, one more attended to this ordinance; Intelligence-Anniversaries. Opening, Miscellaneous. 391 and on the following Sabbath the | son, M.A., of Derby. On the followfour were received to the Lord's ing Tuesday, July 30th, the Rev. J. table. J. N. Burns, D.D., of London, preached. RIPLEY.-On Sunday, August 25th, On Monday, August 5th, a tea meetour esteemed minister baptized nine ing was held, when the assembly friends, (five of these are in connec- was addressed by the pastor of the tion with our Sabbath-school). Our church, who presided, the Rev. prayer is that they may remain faith- G. Hester, of Loughborough; J. ful unto death. The ordinance was Holroyd, of Barton; T. Wilshire, late very impressive, and the chapel of Waterford; and Messrs. Baldwin, crowded. of Loughborough; Langham and Stenson, of Whitwick; and Dennis, of Hugglescote. All the services were very interesting; the congregations very good; and the proceeds satisfactory. The chapel was universally admired, and but one opinion NOTTINGHAM, Stoney street.-We baptized nine friends on Lord's-day, September 8th, all of whom, and two others at same time, were received into the fellowship of the church at the Lord's table in the afternoon. Three of the baptized were the first-prevailed as to the propriety of the fruits of our branch at Bath-street, and we are thankful to say others from the same place are now candidates. BURNLEY. On Lord's-day, September 15th, 1861, our minister baptized eight candidates in the presence of a large congregation. ANNIVERSARIES. B. Y. step taken in its erection. The old chapel has been converted into a school-room, opening into the new chapel at the side, so that much more and better accommodation (which was much needed) is thus provided for the Sunday - school. With such greatly extended facilities for the purpose, we trust that there is a prospect of a flourishing Baptist cause being established in this thriving town. RIPLEY. · Chapel Anniversary.— After having had our chapel closed for a short time for the purpose of cleaning, painting, the erection of a new and powerful organ, &c., it was re-opened on the 4th of August. The Right Honorable Lord Teynham preached, afternoon and evening, two very interesting and scriptural sermons to very large congregations. On the Monday following, we had our annual tea meeting; about two hundred and sixty sat down. Lord Teynham preached again in the evening. His Lordship's visit to Ripley has given very general satisfaction. The total amount collected was £32. We regard this as the most interesting chapel anniversary we have had. MISCELLANEOUS. WHITWICK.-Opening of the New Chapel. The neat and spacious chapel which has recently been erected for the use of the Baptist STALYBRIDGE.-On Saturday, Sepcongregation at Whitwick, Was tember 7th, a very interesting tea opened for public worship on Lord's-meeting was held for the liquidation day, July 28th, 1861, when sermons of the chapel debt. After tea the were preached by the Rev. J. Steven- chair was occupied by R. E. S. Oram, |