A tea meeting was recently held in the Assembly Room of the Rosemary Branch Tavern, Southampton Street, Camberwell, in aid of a building fund for the erection of a chapel in connection with the South Street Mission in that locality. Mr. Field, one of the elders of the church at the Tabernacle, has taken this infant cause under his care. Mr. Brown presided at the public meeting, and addresses were given by Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowker, Mr. White, Mr. Charles Brown, Mr. W. Jones, and Mr. Field. The collection amounted to upwards of six pounds, and about fifty-seven pounds had previously been obtained.

South Shields, took place on Friday the 5th of last month. A service was held in the afternoon, at which the Rev. E. Edwards, of Hartlepool, read and prayed. The Rev. W. Walters, of Newcastle, put the usual questions to the church and pastor, and offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. G. Rogers, of the Tabernacle College, gave the charge to the pastor. The Rev. Walter Hanson, of South Shields, addressed the church. The Rev. E. Baker, of South Shields, Independent, concluded with prayer. A tea meeting was held in the schoolroom of Zion Chapel, and a public meeting afterwards in the adjoining chapel, belonging On Monday, October 1, 1866, Mr. to the Methodist New Connection in W. H. J. Page of the Metropolitan the same vicinity, and kindly lent for Tabernacle College, was publicly recog- the occasion. Upwards of 300 were nised as pastor of the Baptist church at present to tea. The chapel, which holds Calne, in Wiltshire. The Rev. J. Lamp- about 800 persons, was nearly filled. lough, Wesleyan, of Calne, commenced Henry Angus, Esq., sheriff of Newcastle, the afternoon service with reading and presided. Addresses were delivered by prayer. An introductory address was the Rev. W. Walters; Rev. C. Morgan, given by the Rev. S. S. Pugh, of De- of Yarrow; Rev. J. Marsden, minister vizes. The usual questions were put of the chapel; John Candlish, Esq., to the church and minister by the Rev. Member of Parliament for Sunderland; J. H. Wood, of Melksham. The Rev. Rev. G. Rogers; Rev. M. Kinnaird, S. S. Pugh offered up special prayer for M.A., of the United Presbyterian church the pastor. The charge was delivered in the town; Mr. Kitto, of Sunderland, by the Rev. G. Rogers from the Taber- and Mr. Hillier. Towards the close of nacle College. The Rev. J. C. Whit- the meeting the chairman retired, and taker, of Chippenham, concluded with his place was occupied by Councillor prayer. Tea was provided in the school- Strachan, an active deacon of the church room, at which about two hundred at- under the pastorate of Mr. Hillier. The tended. At an evening meeting, the singing was of a superior kind, accompastor presided, and addresses were panied with a powerful organ. delivered by the Rev. J. H. Wood, the Baptist interest was commenced about Rev. H. Young, of Melksham, Inde- four years ago, by the Rev. J. Brooks,. pendent; the Rev. J. C. Whittaker; the now of Shelley Bridge. He was sucRev. J. Lamplough; the Revs. G. ceeded by the Rev. J. P. Chipchase, who, Rogers; J. Murphy, of Swindon; H. after the short period of two months, Perkins, of Warminster; E. Blewett, of was removed by death. Application Westbury Leigh; P. F. Pearce, of having been made to Mr. Spurgeon, a Frome, and Mr. Spurrier, from Col-student was sent, who was invited to chester. Seven students met on the occasion, which gave special interest to these meetings. On the previous Sabbath two sermons were preached by Mr. Rogers on occasion of the anniversary of of the chapel, which has recently been greatly improved, and is an ornament to the town. Mr. Page has commenced his ministry here with the most encouraging prospects.

The recognition of Mr. W. Hillier, of the Tabernacle College, as pastor of the Baptist church at Cambridge Street,

This

settle; but on account of an invitation to another place, declined it. Mr. Hillier was then sent, and was unanimously approved by the church and congregation. The present chapel which will accommodate about 400 is crowded, and efforts are about to be made to erect a larger and more suitable building. Two ser-mons were preached on the following Sabbath by Rev. G. Rogers, and the special services were closed by the administration of the Lord's Supper to the church and members of neighbouring churches.

Marlborough Crescent Chapel, at New- | Richard Burdon Sanderson, Esq., and it castle-upon-Tyne, has been almost en- calls alike for the acknowledgment of tirely rebuilt for the congregation re- the evangelical denominations in the cently worshipping in the New Town town, and the particular denomination Hall under the pastorate of the Rev. B. to which he is attached." The motion W. Carr, and has lately been completed. was seconded by Mr. Johnson, and after On Tuesday evening, September 22, being supported by the chairman, was 1866, with a view of celebrating its carried amid great applause. Mr. Saninauguration, a tea-meeting was held in derson returned thanks for the manner the chapel. There was a very large at- in which the last resolution had been tendance, and not less than 300 ladies passed, and the spirit in which his gift and gentlemen partook of an excellent had been accepted. He concluded by tea, which reflected great credit on the moving the second resolution, which ladies who presided at the tea-tables. was as follows: "That our hearty After tea, a public meeting was held, the thanks are due to the Rev. C. H. SpurSheriff of Newcastle (H. Angus, Esq.) geon for the liberal assistance he has presiding. All the Presbyterian, Inde- rendered, by which he has substantially pendent, and Baptist ministers of the proved his interest in the religious weltown were present, or sent letters of fare of this town; and we cherish the apology. The chairman, in opening the hope that the auspices of Mr. Carr, as meeting, briefly expressed the pleasure the pastor chosen severally by the church, he felt in being present at the inaugura- by Mr. Spurgeon, and by myself, will tion of the beautiful place of worship realise the ardent aspirations for his sucthey were in. He remembered the old cessful career." This was seconded and chapel well, and was therefore able to carried unanimously. The Rev. B. W. speak to the great improvement that had Carr, Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Joseph Burn, taken place. He expressed a wish for and Mr. H. Mann, briefly addressed the the prosperity of the new church, its meeting. The original structure of the pastor, and his people. The Rev. G. chapel was given by R. B. Sanderson, Stewart gave an eloquent address from Esq., and the cost of the alterations will the sentiment, "May Christian union be about £1,200. Mr. Spurgeon, to-among our churches increase." He was wards this sum, on certain conditions, followed by Mr. Ald. I. C. Johnson, the finds £400, about £300 has been coltreasurer, who read the statement of the lected, and Mr. Sanderson, besides giving amounts expended, promised, and re- the building, takes upon himself the ceived; of which we give an account responsibility of paying the interest on below. The Rev. J. H. Rutherford then the other £500, which has been borgave an address, in which he congratu- rowed for several years. About £100 fated Mr. Carr on his having been the more will be expended on fittings. means of erecting two chapels during There are schools behind the chapel, the last five years, which was unpre- which are attended by about 200 chilcedented in this town. He hoped and dren in connection with the chapel pretrusted that many more such buildings viously, under the superintendence of would be erected, and that in every one R. Burdon Sanderson, Esq. of them Christ would be worshipped A social tea and public meeting was sincerely. Dr. Murray spoke at some held in the Vauxhall Baptist Chapel, length on the gift of Mr. Sanderson, Kennington Lane, to celebrate its third which all would view as a boon to the anniversary, on Wednesday, October town, and especially to the Baptist de- 3rd, 1866. Between 200 and 300 were nomination; and he had no doubt that present at tea. The chair of the public they would join with him in passing the meeting was taken by T. Cook, Esq.,. following resolution :— "That the gift one of the elders at the Metropolitan of the original freehold of Marlborough Tabernacle. Mr. J. S. Morris, of Crescent Chapel to the Baptist denomi- Romney Street, prayed. Addresses nation, to be held in trust for the preach- were given by Messrs. W. Jones, H. ing of the gospel, is a noble act of Chris- Hanks and J. W. Brown, elders at the tian generosity, which reflects the Tabernacle; by Mr. Brown, of Bromley, highest praise on our esteemed friend, | Mr. Lauderdale, Mr. Julyan, and Mr.

Hearson. This chapel, after passing into the hands of several denominations in November, 1864, was opened in connection with the Baptists, by a sermon from Mr. Spurgeon. Mr. G. Hearson, who had been preaching for some time in a room in the vicinity, then removed to this place. The church which at first consisted of nine members, now amounted to more than seventy. The congregation numbers about 400. There is a Sabbath-school, the average attendance of which is nearly 200. An extensive Bible class is conducted by Mr. Cook, on Sunday afternoons. The only remaining debt upon the chapel was twenty-six pounds, which at the above meeting was entirely removed. A donation of five pounds from the chairman, and a similar sum from G. Hanbury, Esq., with the collection, amounted to twenty-eight pounds. Mr. Hearson is still in regular attendance at the Tabernacle College.

The third anniversary of the Baptist Church, worshipping at the Lecture Hall, Deptford, took place on Lord's day, Oct. 14th. Mr. R. J. Beecliff, the pastor, and still a student in the Tabernacle College, preached in the morning; and the Rev. J. Trestrail, of East Greenwich, in the evening. On the following day a tea and public meeting was held, at which about 220 persons attended. Mr. T. Cook presided at the public meeting. The Rev. J. Trestrail, B. Davis, Messrs. Hearson, Julyan, Bunning, and the pastor delivered appropriate and impressive addresses. Mr. Cook formed this church three years ago, which has contended with great difficulties, and its progress has been much retarded. Now, however, through the blessing of God, it is rapidly prospering. It is hoped that a chapel will shortly be erected to assist in meeting the spiritual wants of the teeming population of Deptford.

Pastor's College, Metropolitan Tabernacle.

PRESIDENT-C. H. SPURGEON.-NUMBER OF STUDENTS, 80. Amount required for Students during the year, about £5,000; the rest will be devoted to

building Places of Worship.

Statement of Receipts from Sept. 20th, to Oct. 19th, 1866.

A Token of Gratitude

Collection at Baptist Chapel. Water

beach, £2 16s., Mr. Toller, £2 4s...

Weekly Offerings at Tabernacle, Sept. 23 24 8 6

7 31 14 30 9 10

£236 8 5

For Orphan Home, a Thursday Night Hearer, £5; for Colporteur's Society, a Thankful Reader, per Rev. H. S. Brown, £2; for Schools, Mr. J. George, £5 5s; a Widow, 5s.

Subscriptions will be thankfully received by C. H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Should any sums be unacknowledged in this list, friends are requested to write at once to Mr. Spurgeon.

THE

SWORD AND THE TROWEL.

DECEMBER, 1866.

What is a Rebival ?

BY C. H. SPURGEON.

HE word "revival" is as familiar in our mouths as a household word. We are constantly speaking about and praying for a "revival;" would it not be as well to know what we mean by it? Of the Samaritans our Lord said, "Ye worship ye know not what," let him not have to say to us, 66 Ye know not what ye ask." The word "revive" wears its meaning upon its forehead; it is from the Latin, and may be interpreted thus-to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished.

When a person has been dragged out of a pond nearly drowned, the bystanders are afraid that he is dead, and are anxious to ascertain if life still lingers. The proper means are used to restore animation; the body is rubbed, stimulants are administered, and if by God's providence life still tarries in the poor clay, the rescued man opens his eyes, sits up, and speaks, and those around him rejoice that he has revived. A young girl is in a fainting fit, but after a while she returns to consciousness, and we say, "she revives.' "" The flickering lamp of life in dying men suddenly flames up with unusual brightness at intervals, and those who are watching around the sick bed say of the patient, "he revives."

In these days, when the dead are not miraculously restored, we do not expect to see the revival of a person who is totally dead, and we could not speak of the re-vival of a thing which never lived before. It is clear that the term "revival" can only be applied to a living soul, or to that which once lived. To be revived is a blessing which can only be enjoyed by those who have some degree of life. Those who have no spiritual life are not, and cannot be, in the strictest sense of the term, the subjects of a revival. Many blessings may come to the unconverted in consequence of a revival among Christians, but the revival itself has to do only with those who already possess spiritual life. There must be vitality in some degree before there can be a quickening of vitality, or, in other words, a revival.

A true revival is to be looked for in the church of God. Only in the river of gracious life can the pearl of revival be found. It has been said that a revival must begin with God's people; this is very true, but it is not all the truth, for the revival itself must end as well as begin there. The results of the revival will extend to the outside world, but the revival, strictly speaking, must be within the circle of life, and must therefore essentially be enjoyed by the possessors of vital godliness, and by them only. Is not this quite a different view of revival from that which is common in society; but is it not manifestly the correct one?

It is a sorrowful fact that many who are spiritually alive greatly need reviving. It is sorrowful because it is a proof of the existence of much spiritual evil. A man in sound health with every part of his body in a vigorous condition does not need reviving. He requires daily sustenance, but reviving would be quite out of place. If he has not yet attained maturity growth will be most desirable, but a hale hearty young man wants no reviving, it would be thrown away upon him. Who thinks of reviving the noonday sun, the ocean at its flood, or the year at its prime? The tree planted by the rivers of water loaded with fruit needs not excite our anxiety for its revival, for its fruitfulness and beauty charm every one. Such should be the constant condition of the sons of God. Feeding and lying down in green pastures and led by the still waters they ought not always to be crying, "my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me. Sustained by gracious promises and enriched out of the fulness which God has treasured up in his dear Son, their souls should prosper and be in health, and their piety ought to need no reviving. They should aspire to a higher blessing, a richer mercy, than a mere revival. They have the nether springs already; they should earnestly cover the upper springs. They should be asking for growth in grace, for increase of strength, for greater success; they should have out-climbed and out-soared the period in which they need to be constantly crying, "Wilt thou not revive us again?" For a church to be constantly needing revival is the indication of much sin, for if it were sound before the Lord it would remain in the condition into which a revival would uplift its members. A church should be a camp of soldiers, not an hospital of invalids. But there is exceedingly much difference between what ought to be and what is, and consequently many of God's people are in so sad a state that the very fittest prayer for them is for revival. Some Christians are, spiritually, but barely alive. When a man has been let down into a vat or into a well full of bad air, you do not wonder when he is drawn up again that he is half-dead, and urgently requires to be revived. Some Christians-to their shame be it spoken!-descend into such worldly company, act upon such unhallowed principles, and become so carnal, that when they are drawn up by God's grace from their backsliding position they want reviving, and even need that their spiritual breath should as it were be breathed into their nostrils afresh by God's Spirit.

When a man starves himself, continuing for a long time without food, when he is day after day without a morsel of bread between his lips, we do not marvel that the surgeon, finding him in extremities, says, "This man has weakened his system, he is too low, and wants