same common faith, is a sin against the unity of the body of Christ, and at once the shame and scandal of Christendom. "We rejoice that, through the influence of our free system of apostolic order, we can hold fellowship with all who acknowledge Christ, and act efficiently in the work of restoring unity to the divided Church, and of bringing back harmony and peace among all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.' "Thus recognizing the unity of the Church of Christ in all the world, and knowing that we are but one branch of Christ's people, while adhering to our peculiar faith and order, we extend to all believers the hand of Christian fellowship upon the basis of those great fundamental truths in which all Christians should agree. With them we confess our faith in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the only living and true God; in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who is exalted to be our Redeemer and King; and in the Holy Comforter, who is present in the Church to regenerate and sanctify the soul. "With the whole Church, we confess the common sinfulness and ruin of our race, and acknowledge that it is only through the work accomplished by the life and expiatory death of Christ that we are justified before God and receive the remission of sins; and through the presence and grace of the Holy Comforter are delivered from the power of sin and perfected in holiness. "We believe also in an organized and visible Church, in the ministry of the word, in the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, in the resurrection of the body, and in the final judgment, the issues of which are eternal life and everlasting punishment. "We receive these truths on the testimony of God, given through prophets and apostles, and in the life, the miracles, the death, the resurrection of his Son, our Divine Redeemer-a testimony preserved for the Church in the Soriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which were composed by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Affirming now our belief that those who thus hold one faith, one Lord, one baptism,' together constitute the one catholic Church, the several households of which, though called by different names, are the one body of Christ: and that these members of His body are sacredly bound to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace;' we declare that we will co-operate with all who hold these truths; with those we will carry the Gospel into every part of this land, and with them we will go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. "May He to whom all power is given in heaven and earth,' fulfil the promise which is all our hope: 'Lo, I am with you always,even to the end ofthe world.' Amen." prayer were established in several farmhouses within the parish. Especial attention was paid to the young, and monthly prayer-meetings were held on their behalf. This state of things went on for some years. As might be expected, these conversions and all these novel movements soon excited the hostility of the world, and it must be added, of some of the neighbouring ministers. The attention of the ecclesiastical authorities was drawn to the case, and some pretext was sought for driving Dr. Witteween from his post. It was soon found. One of the parishioners having been refused admission to the Lord's Supper on account of his drunken habits, nevertheless came forward to receive the elements. The pastor was firm in his refusal, and in justification of his conduct appealed to the Word of God and to the regulations of the Dutch Church. To no purpose. The council of the Church, composed chiefly of his adversaries, suspended, and eventually deposed him from his living. Finding that no redress could be obtained, Dr. W. betook himself to a peasant's house, and commenced preaching in a stable. Attempts were made to prove that such proceedings were illegal. This led to the erection of a chapel. The spirit of persecution, baffled in one direction, now sought to calumniate Dr. W.'s character. Nothing daunted, he continued his labours. His friends, though sharing in his persecutions, stood by him. Previous to the disruption, they had sent out a young man who had been a shepherd, but whom Dr. W. had carefully trained, as missionary to Sumatra. This was in 1856. In the following year two others went forth to the same part of the mission field. Since then Dr. W. has had the happiness of sending out a young man of the name of Léon Cochet, as evangelist to the Cape of Good Hope. Cochet soon became pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in the parish of Ladysmith. Within the last few months he has had the pleasure of founding in the immediate neighbourhood, a New Ermelo, as a token of gratitude for blessings received in Holland. To return to Dr. W. The consequence of his severance from the National Church has been the formation of a regular Independent Church in the parish, and indirectly the establishment of an Inner Mission. A brother was sent to Brabant, where, amidst much suffering, he succeeded in founding two Churches among the Roman Catholics. He now resides at Middelburg, and directs a Missionary Church which displays much life and activity. Not far from there, at Eerbeek, Nybroek, Zwolle, St. Oedenrode, and Hapert, other brethren are labouring, but do not confine their efforts exclusively to these districts." Young men's and young women's asso. ciations were also formed, and at once became centres of spiritual life and activity. The more the community laboured, the more it was blessed; and the more the brethren gave for the kingdom of God, the richer they became. "At the present time the Young Men's Association at Ermelo is directing its chief efforts among the soldiers. The young men, taking New Testaments and tracts with them, go to the camp at Millingen, where the Dutch army goes through its drill, and talk to the soldiers about the Gospel. The work of young men's associations is carried on extensively in Holland. They are very numerous, and form a training place for many faithful ministers and missionaries. The active and practical charity of the Young Sisters' Union (at Ermelo) is continually being extended. It also attends to the material wants of the young men gathered together in the Mission House, built soon after the chapel, and who are preparing for the ministry among the heathen and in their own country. Dr. W. further derives great assistance from his elders, deacons, and evangelists. Several other interesting establishments have been formed under these influences:-a society for the slaves; a children's society on behalf of Israel; a sewing school conducted by a sister belonging to the Church, and the expenses of which are met by the Young Women's Association; a daily prayer-meeting to ask God to pour out His Spirit on all men; and lastly, an association for prayer among the brethren." "The little community at Ermelo contribute even beyond their means to the works which we have mentioned. Some have been known to give all they had, and have been uncertain on what they should live on the morrow. Thus they learnt to say from the heart, 'Our Father who art in heaven, give us this day our daily bread,' and they had the most happy experience of the Divine help. One day, in Dr. Witteween's absence, an evangelist, who had just started on a journey, was seized with the fever. He was brought back to Ermelo, and in spite of all the remedies used he became weaker and weaker. Some one said to him, 'Feldheusen, why have you the fever?' 'Don't talk so to me,' he replied, 'it is painful enough to be ill.' 'But you are not obliged to have the fever; the Lord who healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law can still heal.' 'Yes, I believe you,' replied the sick man. 'If you believe that, and all here believe it, we will pray and will ask Him all with one heart to restore you.' They prayed, and the sick man was immediately and completely restored. A great number of answers to prayer, and of instances of the direct help of God, strengthened Dr. W.'s faith and that of his friends. Some Christians living at a distance from Ermelo, or even in other countries, being desirous of placing their sick and afflicted relatives under the influence of these brethren, it was determined to found a House of Mercy, that is to say, an establishment for the reception of all kinds of sick people, old and young, whether afflicted in mind or body. This house has much resemblance to that of Pastor Blumhardt, at Bolle in Wurtemberg, and to that of Mr. Samuel Zeller, at Mermedorf." In these Houses of Mercy the power of prayer is tested. No direct medical aid is employed.-We state the fact without comment. Thus Dr. Witteween, by his earnest faith, constant devotedness, and practical benevolence, has gathered together a Church, and raised up various institutions, which have changed the whole character of Ermelo, and have already exercised and are likely still to exercise a considerable influence throughout the country. May the good Lord raise up many more such men, and awaken Holland from its spiritual torpor ! Weymouth. R. S. A. OBITUARY. THE LATE MRS. NORRISS, OF ALSTON. AMONG the hills of Cumberland stands the bleak little town of Alston, or Alston-moor as formerly designated. There some of the rich lead mines form a part of the vast estate of Greenwich Hospital, in connection with which the late John Dickinson, Esq., was an agent. Mr. D. was a man of note, probity, and influence. But what stamped his character with the greatest interest and importance, was his being a truly God-fearing man. He was a deacon of the Congregational Church, and a steady promoter of the Bible, Missionary, and Sunday-school Societies of the locality. While thus zealous in furthering the interests of religion, education, and morality in the town and neighbourhood, he looked well to his own household. He was a high-priest for God in the family, and on the domestic altar, daily and nightly, offered the sacrifice of prayer and praise. Mr. Dickinson had a numerous family. Elizabeth, his eldest daughter, early imbibed the religious principles of her father, and through life was enabled by the grace of God to bring forth the fruits thereof. In addition to parental teaching, other concurrent influences in the order of Providence were graciously employed in deciding her for God, and holiness, and heaven. was her privilege in early life to be occasionally in the chamber where a pious It lady was passing through a heavy affliction, on her way to the better world. Her great patience, resignation, and religious enjoyment were such as deeply to impress the tender mind of our young friend, who was led by the good Spirit of God seriously to ponder the bright example, and to seek by prayer, that grace which alone could enable her to attain to such happiness. By so beautiful an exhibition of genuine Christianity, amid suffering, and in prospect of dissolution, she was led more to appreciate parental piety and instruction, whilst to an experimental knowledge thereof she was gradually being brought. Light from above shone into her mind. She saw her sinful state, felt her need of Jesus, and was enabled to appropriate His finished work as the alone ground of her acceptance with God. On her profession of faith she become associated with His people in Church fellowship. Through a long life she continued to enjoy the great salvation, and was happy in recommending it to those around her. She ever retained the salutary influence of home-piety and teaching, and with some others of the family will have cause to bless God for it for ever. She This The attachment of our young friend to the means of grace was ardent. was fond of singing, though not favoured with a happy musical voice. defect she was conscious of, nevertheless she took her part, and did her best in the "service of song." Here an instructive incident may be given. Some young female companions who sat near her in chapel, on one occasion, after service, unhappily let slip some derogatory remarks on her voice and exercise. She felt the same, and rashly resolved, and said, that in public worship she would sing no more. On the next Sabbath the following lines occurred in the hymn given out from the pulpit : "When Christ's the subject of the song She was at once constrained to chide her precipitance. She could no longer suppress her devout feelings, principle triumphed over fear, and she again broke out rapturously in the public praises of her God and Saviour. Miss Dickinson soon after became the wife of the devoted Rev. Wm. Norriss, and proved a true helpmate to the good man, thereby affording solace and assistance amid his faithful and laborious efforts. In the course of a few years this servant of the Lord was called to the "heavenly rest," and Mrs. N. was left with her little son and two daughters, whom she assiduously trained in the "good old way,"—and ever sought to inspire with a fixed resolution of becoming "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." The two sisters were early won to Christ," and before quite reaching maturity died happy in His love. The tried but patient mother, was now left with her son William, in whom her affections centred. Some spare 66 apartments of her house were appropriated to invalids from a distance, who sought health in that elevated and salubrious locality, one of whom at least can gratefully remember the order of her household and the worship of God, together with her reverence for the Sabbath and the sanctuary; and ever shall he cherish a thankful recollection of overhearing the good matron from her closet, again and again, pleading with God for the stranger come under her roof, in relation more particularly to his spiritual interests. Let other pious boarding-house keepers ponder this fact as here gratefully recorded by that stranger. William had now removed to London with a view to settling there, and thither Mrs. N.'s maternal solicitude followed him. There was now comparatively little of a domestic nature in the north to occupy her time and claim her sympathy, and she must needs go to the Great City. There a third generation was springing up around her son's hearth, and she must be among them, and help to lead them to the Saviour. Here, too, she would still have ample scope for reading, meditation, and prayer, and especially in relation to the Good Old Book, which hallowed exercises had characterised her through life. In London she spent some few years, where she greatly prized the religious privileges which abound. She usually attended Bloomsbury chapel, and much enjoyed the ministry of the Rev. W. Brock, till within a short time of her peaceful and happy death, which took place Aug. 3rd, 1864, in her eighty-first year. She was interred in Abney-park Cemetery, which place of sepulture she greatly venerated, and occasionally walked in, and that in good part from its association with the memory of good Isaac Watts. 66 "Mrs. Norriss," says one who knew her well, was a great reader, and an independent thinker. She possessed a well cultivated mind, and altogether was a superior woman. She was one of the most conscientious persons I have met with. Her Christianity was of a practical kind. She lived much in the exercise of prayer, and though disciplined in the school of adversity, in her latter years she eminently cherished a feeling of cheerful acquiescence in the will of God, and of confidence in His righteous and unerring Providence. On one occasion she remarked-and so meekly—that her lot was the best that could have been chosen for her.' She awaited her inheritance on high, and regarded her present position as designedly preparatory to her taking her place above at the feet of Jesus. I remember well being at a prayer-meeting at Alston, very many years ago, when the minister was prevented attending, and there was no one to lead the devotions of the people, how devoutly and judiciously she exercised her powers. She was on the occasion-though naturally meek and retiring-bold for God, and poured out her soul in fervent supplication. I shall ever bear in mind, too, when called to leave my native town, and set out in life in a great northern city, how she cautioned and counselled me on holding to my religious principles and privileges. It was my happiness, with my wife, to take tea with Mrs. N. a few weeks before her death. Her conversation, as heretofore, was deeply spiritual. She said, 'all was peace, and that she felt the nearness of her Saviour.' She had been very ill a little while before, in reference to which she stated that she thought her last hour had come. Her sufferings were great but they were in a measure forgotten in the near prospect of seeing her precious Saviour, and being for ever with Him." Thus lived and died good Mrs. Elizabeth Norriss, an earnest, active, happy, and useful Christian-a true "mother in Israel." Burswell House, Hexham. E. R. NEW BOOKS. Congregational Church Music. Organ Edition. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. OUR musical critic writes:-"This book completes worthily the important collection of tunes, chants, and anthems known as the 'Weigh-house Series,' and which has been so influential in promoting a more simple and more devotional style of Psalmody in our churches. This edition is provided specially for the use of orga nists, and differs from the Piano-forte score in having the inner parts (Alto and Tenor) always in their proper position, thus keeping the parts distinct, and giving greater dignity to the harmony. This form of accompaniment should always be adopted when an instrument is used in public worship, and we would strongly recommend our piano-forte players to |