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NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

RECEIVED.-D. F.; Samuel; A. B.; W. H. R.; W. C.; G. H. M. R.; M. G.; A. P.; A. R.; G. N.; A Reader; W. M. C.; F. S.; M. D.; Ebenezer; W. S. M.; J. P.; K. S.; F. B.; M. G. H.

BOOKS RECEIVED.-"The Regular Baptist Magazine " (America). "The Banner of Truth" (New York). "Confidence in God."-A Brief Memoir of E. Dyer (6d. R. Banks, Racquet Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.). "A Godly Prayer for Union, Communion," &c.-A Sermon by Mr. A. Dye (2d. Of the Author, Maldon, Essex). "An Everlasting Proof of the Falsehood of Popery. Being an Account of the Awful Death of Francis Spira" (1d., or 6s. per 100). "An Appeal to Protestants" (5d. per dozen, 2s. 6d. per 100. J. Gadsby, 18, Bouverie Street, London, E.C.)-These are two excellent tracts to put in the hands of such as are likely to be ensnared by Popery.

PRINTING FUND.-The Editor again tenders his sincere and hearty thanks to those warm-hearted helpers who sympathize with his endeavour to scatter broadcast suitable reading for young and old, and he hopes that, while atheists and Romanists are energetically working against the best interests of the rising race, and of men in general, all lovers of truth will strive to help to circulate that teaching which accords with the Word of God. The following are gratefully acknowledged: J. H., 20s.; Mr. A. Broomfield, 20s.; W. C., for back numbers of GLEANER and SOWER, 68.

AGED PILGRIMS' FRIEND SOCIETY.-Mr. F. S. Mann, 21s.; Mr. J. Vine, 21s.; Mr. J. Trimming, 21s.; Mr. J. Newdick, 218.; Mrs. J. Newdick, 218.; Mrs. Reeves, 21s.; U. W., 7s. The Editor hopes that all those friends who can do so will favour him with their votes next June, in behalf of a needy candidate for the Ten Guinea Pension.

We hope that the merciful discovery of the diabolical designs of Irish Fenians in London and elsewhere will stimulate all praying souls to still implore the divine protection of our gracious God, who is able to deliver our rulers and our land from the plottings of Papists and atheists.

TO AN ENQUIRER.-We are sorry not to be able to answer your enquiry about Solomon this month, but we hope to do so in our next. See 2 Samuel vii. 15.

BACK NUMBERS OF GLEANER AND SOWER can be had at three shillings per hundred, or we would forward them to schools and other places for free distribution, where we know they would be gladly received, if friends would kindly remit the cost of a few to us for this purpose.

ADVERTISEMENT CHARGES IN THE SOWER AND LITTLE GLEANER Twenty words, 18.; every additional twelve words, 6d. A series at a reduction. Advertisements must be forwarded by the 20th of each month to appear in next issue.

All Advertisements and orders for Magazines to be addressed to Mr. E. WILMSHURST, Bookseller, Blackheath, London, S.E. P. O. Orders to be made payable at Blackheath Village.

ALL Communications for the GLEANER and SOWER should be addressed to Mr. T. HULL, 117, High Street, Hastings. Post Office Orders may be made payable to him at the BRANCH OFFICE, High Street.

Just published. Price 6d. paper; 9d. cloth.

WHY THE CHAPEL WAS BUILT; or, The Stir made by the Gospel in a Country Town. By a deceased Minister. From E. WILMSHURST, Blackheath; or W. WILEMAN, 34, Bouverie Street, London.

A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE FIRE.-The Conversion and Happy Death of Mrs. Knipp. Third Edition. One Penny.

"This is a brand plucked from the fire indeed."-Gospel Magazine. "Well adapted for distributing."-Gospel Advocate.

London: W. WILEMAN, 34, Bouverie Street; E. WILMSHURST, Blackheath; or of the Author, W. BROWN, Mersea Road, Colchester. per dozen, post free.

Two for 2d., or 9d.

THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON,

PREACHED AT GALEED CHAPEL, BRIGHTON, BY MR. BOORNE, ON SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 24TH, 1881.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."-ROMANS i. 16. WHAT a vast amount of shame and contempt was poured upon the followers of Christ in the first days of the Gospel dispensation! It was no easy thing then to profess Christianity, for it often meant confiscation of goods, loss of liberty, and forfeiture of life; and Paul had taken his part in persecuting the saints, as he says he did "even unto strange cities." This he did "ignorantly and in unbelief." But, after God called him to be a witness for that faith which once he laboured to destroy, he found that it was given to him to suffer for Christ's sake, that he might "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body's sake, which is the Church" (Col. i. 24). And, as Christ showed His disciples His wounds when He said, "Behold My hands and My feet," in proof of His identity, so Paul could show the wounds he had received in his Master's service. Thus, writing to the Galatians, he says, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal. vi. 17)—literally punctures in his flesh. Do you sometimes mourn because there is so little life and power now among the children of God? Think, then, at what a cheap rate we can make a profession of religion to what they could formerly. Some of us can look back at the time when our religion cost us something—and it costs us something still-but, compared with many of our forefathers, our sufferings are a mere trifle. Some might say, "Well, if more liveliness entails more suffering, we had better remain as we are." If so, I neither envy you nor approve your decision. However, though our path in these days may be comparatively easy, we have many inward trials, such as you have been just singing of (hymn 295, Gadsby's), and it is in these things that most of the children of God fill up their measure and weight of suffering—

"Saints who feel the load of sin,

Yet come off victorious,

Suffer martyrdom within,

Though it seems less glorious."

Now, I believe the saints of God who were martyrs for the truth were not troubled with doubts and fears, carnality, deadNo. 53, NEW SERIES, MAY, 1893.

K

ness, barrenness, and unbelief, as we are. They were richly endued with the Spirit of God, and strengthened by the power of God, and had all the help they needed for their day of distress and suffering. And yet no true-born child of God would prefer ease to trouble. Like Moses, he "chooses rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. xi. 25). If there be true union, one member of the body suffers with that which is more afflicted. Some of you here are in a good position in life; but, when you see an afflicted child of God, you feel for and try to help that one, and so share in the affliction, because you believe he belongs to Christ.

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In considering our text, note

I. The Gospel, or Word of God, faithfully preached, is God's power by which He works salvation.

II. That Word which is thus attended with divine power saves lost man.

III. That believing in Christ is included in salvation—“ salvation to every one that believeth."

IV. Paul's glorying in the Gospel, and despising its shame"I am not ashamed of the Gospel." I. "The Gospel of Christ!" What a theme ! What an important subject! The great manifestation of God's power! His power is seen in creation. You cannot walk abroad without viewing it. Last evening, as I was looking round on the hills, the trees, and the sea, I thought of the lines which some of you that are children know

“I sing the almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies ;"

and I could but admiringly weep at the goodness and grandeur of God in these things, wherein are manifest "His eternal power and Godhead," so that man is without excuse for his infidelity (Rom. i. 20).

Then God's power is seen in providentially maintaining His creation, feeding all His creatures, and upholding all things by the word of His power. But these are only parts of His ways. He has magnified His Word above all His (Psa. cxxxviii. 2).

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The same almighty power that spake the world into existence is needed in turning a sinner from death to life, from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. When John had a view of his glorified Redeemer in Patmos, he saw that "out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength" (Rev. i 16); "and

when he saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead." Paul, when writing to the Hebrews, shows the close connection there is between the written and the incarnate Word: "The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. iv. 12, 13). Therefore, this sword comes from the mouth of Christ. This is often the case when the Gospel is preached discriminatingly by His servants, as the Lord said to Jeremiah, "If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth" (Jer. xv. 19). And not only are hearers of truth thus divided, but the sinner's heart is opened and laid bare; and this Word, says God, "shall accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. lv. 11).

God also makes weak means powerful to His end and design -men who, by the Spirit of power, are made "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Cor. x. 4)—and while "the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. i. 21). Thus says Paul (verse 25), "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

The power of the Gospel was prophesied of in Psalm cx. 2— "The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion; rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power." By this the will of the sinner is broken down and bent Godward.

The Lord compares His Word to a hammer: "Is not My Word like a hammer?" (Jer. xxiii. 29.) But for this having been used upon us by God Himself, our hearts had to this day been as hard as the nether mill-stone. So the Lord compares His Word to a fire. This burns up our creature strength and self-righteousness, and tries "every man's work of what sort it "As the

is."

Other figures the Holy Spirit uses-rain and snow: rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth" (Isa. lv. 10, 11). In seasons of drought you may water your garden, but you cannot make it soft as the showers do, nor can you produce the fertilizing effects that the rain does. So, spiritually, when God's doctrine drops as the rain, and His speech distils as the dew, signs follow it. The snow lies upon the ground, and soaks into

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