a spiritual court, nor even revolting to the common sense of an honest infidel; and so, with more toleration than good faith, I read the book through. It suggested the inquiry, Is the religion which is now sustained by the power and pride of Christendom, the same that was propogated by those men called Apostles? or have modern theologians the same instructions—the same text-books that the primitive doctors had; and if so, are they delivering their message in the same way? The boldness of the Harbinger in affirming the first, arguing and denying the second, increased my suspicion of both. For surely, if these apostles, single handed and alone, were more than a match for the power, pride, and prejudice of the Herods and the Cæsars, now, when the same subject is more popular, it does not require the trappings of church and state to give it efficacy, nor the embodiment of temporal and spiritual power in the person of a mitred chief to give it sanction-a passport to the hearts of men. My motto is, “hear both sides, and then decide.” And after hearing both sides, we were forced to admit that the textbooks are the same; that the instructions of the early ambassadors are the only instructions we have worth a penny; but that the same message is delivered in different ways; and acting upon this conclusion, we rejected alike the ill-directed, material, and blind zeal of the present whoredom of church and state; the matrimonial alliances of spiritual and temporal authority, bound up in a mitre, and flung ourselves into these times when men had neither silver nor gold to give impotent people, but gave such as they had, saying, “in the name of God take up thy couch and walk." And so far from feeling, that in renouncing Catholocism and infidelity, we have renounced the great privileges of humanity, we feel that we have renounced a debasing servitude, and burst the fetters which entail intellectual thraldom-a thraldom which makes man a mere machine, twisting, and turning, and bending to shams, memorized prayers, pious fraud, exploded fables, whenever the insolent head of baseless authority nods, or where the inflated head of a self-sufficient infidel puffs. At length we feel like a new fledged lark, when trying its new found powers from the top of some lofty oak, singing her carol and soaring upward, surveying the vast universe with that free and fervent gaze with which the souf, unfettered, dares to gaze, when conscious that the source from which it emanated has left it free.

We would say, then, to all, read the Harbinger. If you are an unbeliever, read it. You must either admit the truth of Christianity or deny your senses. If you are a believer, read it; it will strengthSERIES IV.-VOL. I.

50*

en your faith and open the treasure of the scriptures, which give peace to the soul. It will defend you alike against shams of a georgeous superstition, and the more fatal darts of infidelity, and, unfolding the tender mercies of the Almighty, will warm the heart in his love. PARIS, KY.

B. N. G.

A HINT FOR EVERY READER.

It is now full time that the patrons of the Harbinger should exert themselves to extend its influence, by greatly increasing the number of its readers. The efforts made for this purpose, last year, have not been vain. They show how much might be done to disseminate the truth, as we exhibit it to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes as a Christian community. We could still reduce the price of the Harbinger, provided all arrears were paid, and the number of subscribers increased a few thousands, and payments made in advance. We ought, at least, to have double the number of our present readers.

To furnish substantial edification to our reading community, it is not enough to fill our pages with mere print, or handsomely written and neatly printed compositions. We must be furnished with substantial intellectual and spiritual food-with something to make us think, and feel, and grow in our spiritual strength and stature. We must have more than the wind and the water of the kingdom; we must have the bread of life—"the sincere milk of the word"-the marrow and fatness, and even the wine of the Kingdom of Heaven. We must have the sunshine and the dew of heaven the early and the latter rain-the breath, the water, and the bread of life-the oil of joy and the wine that cheers the heart of God and man.

It requires not merely ordinary learning, or the pen of a ready writer, or the tongue of an eloquent orator: it requires profound thought, deep reflection, as well as much learning and piety, to edify, entertain, refresh, and energize the citizens of the kingdom of God, and bring them up to the fulness of the stature of perfect men in Christ Jesus. Let us, then, look at what has been done for us and by us, and add to our faith courage, zeal, largeness of spirit, liberality and effort, to enlarge and extend the empire of truth in our own country, amongst our own brotherhood, and throughout the world! We can if we will; and if we will not, it is because our minds are blinded, and our hearts hardened, by the deceitfulness of sin. Take a lesson from the politicians and worldlings of this day. Their energy, their enterprize, their efforts, their liberality, are worthy of the kingdom of heaven, while those of many so-called Christians, are not worthy of the Island of Cuba or of Crete.

We thought that every body, as far as the wide world of the English

language, knew the modern meaning of the word Club, but we were mistaken. A friend writes as follows:

Beloved Editors: Your club system is not yet understood. Out here in the back woods, we know all about hickory-clubs, jockey-clubs, and drinking-clubs; but Harbinger-clubs, we find it difficult to get at. Some of the people who have, either by sight or tradition, learned in their youth of the club of Hercules, fancy that Harbinger-clubs must be a revival of that ancient and terrible weapon. This conjecture is the more readily received, from an idea very prevalent out here, that some of you editors are a good deal like that celebrated devastator, who not only cleansed the Augean Stables of their filth, but swept his enemies from before him as with a besom. But this you know is, for the most part, a misapprehension. It is probable that Webster's new dictionary has had some influence, not only in misleading the people, but in prejudicing them against your club-law. He defines club-law to mean a "government of violence or force," and this you know seems strangely inconsistent with the character of a religious periodical. I confess myself to have been somewhat bewildered by these odd interpretations; and though I know, or think I know exactly what you mean by your club-law, I have not been able, without difficulty, to reconcile your use of the word with Webster's definition of the same.

It has always appeared to me of the first importance, that learned men should agree, because, in that case, the ignorant can have no excuse for differing. I have, therefore, tried to reconcile you and Webster in this way, and though I had some misgivings about my solution at first, I have given it forth so often, and it has proved satisfactory to so many, that I am now fully persuaded that it is both philosophically and historically true. Webster, I assume, is right in saying that club-law is a law of force, and then I explain how it may, with propriety, become a law of a religious periodical in two ways: 1st. It may be a law imposed upon the publication from without, by the people themselves. A number may club together, or even without conference, so act in concert as to make it virtually a club, and say, either audibly or by silence, which is equally expressive to sagacious Editors: "If you will not give us better terms, we will not take your paper." Here is a threat-force; the Editors yield, the threat compels a change, and grows into a law-and that a club-law. Is there any harm in this? All say, No. 23. It may be a law imposed upon the people from within; that is, by the Editors themselves. Thus: The Editors (sagacious men, of course,) see that the people want their paper, but they are higgling about the price. The Editors say to them, We can publish many at a cheaper rate than we can a few; we can furnish them at a less price for cash, than we can on credit; combine together, form clubs, and send us in the cash in advance, and you shall have our paper for so and so-twenty-five or thirty per cent cheaper. The people, urged by the desire to read the paper, and the equally pinching pressure of the love of money, are compelled into the terms; they are forced, by the joint love of literature and of money, into clubs-and this is club-law, subjectively considered. Is there any harm in this? Again all say, No.

Thus I reason, my beloved Editors, and my reasoning has satisfied so many, and, above all, pleases myself so much, that I would like to see it in print, and will pledge myself, should you gratify me by its publication, to do my best to send you in a big club for 1852. Most truly yours, P.

We have been more amused than edified by the very quaint manner in which our correspondent has explained the philosophy of club-law. He compels us, however, to publish his letter, by the promise given in the conclusion. We trust he will prove as good as his word. To aid him and

others, who are purposing in their hearts, we have no doubt, to do the same kind office, we shall take the liberty of suggesting a word or two by way of inducement, that may not have occurred to all whom it concerns. The recent postal arrangements are such as very greatly to reduce that part of the cost of the Harbinger. For years past, the postage to all the readers of the Harbinger has been 42 cents per year, whereas, now, to a majority of the subscribers, it will only be 12 cents. This will, of course, be a very acceptable reduction, and will afford the Harbinger on such terms to those who embrace the club arrangement, as will remove every reasonable excuse to those who really desire our periodical, and are willing to allow a just reward for the fruits of labor, faithfully and benevolently performed. To prevent all mistakes, we shall republish in tabular form,

OUR CLUB-LAW FOR 1852.

Three persons, at any one post office, for

Five 66

$5.00

8 00

10 00

15 00

20 00

50 00

No person, whose entire arrears are not paid up to the 1st of January, 1852, can be admitted to the privileges of this system. Those paying from January to July, not in clubs, shall, as formerly, be charged $2. Those not paying till after July, $2 50.

NEW POSTAGE LAW.

The weight of the Millennial Harbinger is under 2 ounces, and the postage for all distances

The postage, at these rates, must be paid quarterly in advance by the subscribers, at their respective offices. The publishers cannot prepay for their subscribers at the above rates.

To those who may wish to order any other publications from this office, except the Harbinger, it is proper to say, that the rates of postage for all miscellaneous papers, books, &c., are 1 cent per ounce for all distances under 500 miles; 2 cents under 1500, &c. These must be prepaid, or else the rates will be double.

Notice.-There are no less than seven post offices in the United States by the name of Bethany, and on this account, letters intended for our office are often miscarried. Be careful to direct to A. Campbell, Bethany, Brooke county, Virginia, via Wheeling, Va. Subscribers in arrears should not wait for agents, but remit, without delay, by mail, directed to us.

A. C.

NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.

KENTUCKY.-Bro. James Henshall, of Lexington, under date of August 20th, reports as follows: "Politics prevail this year, rather than religion. The new constitution has gone into operation, and a long list of public officers have been before the people for their suffrages, which heretofore were constituted in another way. In January of this year I went to aid Bro. Ricketts in Danville, preached there a week, and had a good hearing -6 additions. Bro. Ricketts then returned with me to Lexington, and commenced an effort which continued better than a month. Bro. R. remained part of the time, and labored faithfully and with great profit to the community. During the meeting, we had occasional help from Bros. Gano and Raines, and the veterans, Bros- Creath and T. Smith, were often with us, aiding in the work, and especially in exhortation. There were 55 additions made to the cause here. On the fifth Lord's day in March, in company with Bro. Wm. Morton, I went to Richmond. The cause was rather low here, but we had a good hearing for twelve discourses in seven days. Several were added to the faithful. On the second Lord's day in June, I was at Old Union, exchanging with Bro. Gano, who joined me on Monday; but it being a very busy season, we had no additions. On Monday after the fourth Lord's day in June, I went to Macedonia, and, in company with father Creath and Bro. Tompkins, we had a fine hearing, and 3 confessions. On the 2d Lord's day in July, I exchanged with Bro. Raines, and went to Millersburg. We had a great turn out on Lord's day, and a good hearing for several days, in company with father Creath, Bros. Raines, J. Rogers, and Irwin. On the fourth Lord's day I exchanged with Bro. John Rogers, and preached at Carlisle for several days, aided by father Creath, Bros. Raines, Samuel and John Rogers. On Monday after the first Lord's day in August, I went to Bethlehem, to aid Bro. Tompkins, and we had 3 additions. Before and after the second Lord's day inst., I went to Old Jessamine, and in connection with Bros. Ricketts and Sacre, we had a good hearing, and 2 confessions. On the fourth Lord's day inst., I exchanged with the veteran John Smith, and went to North Middleton, where Bro. Gano joined me on Monday, and Bro. Smith also. We had a joyful meeting, and 12 additions. Our's is a noble cause, and I feel more and more convinced, that if the preachers will preach Christ, and the brethren will live as becomes the gospel, it will take the world May the Lord abundantly bless his people, and make them a blessing"--Bro. E. A. Smith, writing from Midway, under date of August 12th, says: "I find rich brethren complaining of you and others, about those meeting-housecalls, who, nevertheless, are paying out $5 each, towards rearing a stone pillar on the plains of Washington. I much prefer to put my tythes into a house for the Lord, than to rear a marble pillar to a man, be he ever so great. Let us Christians honor the Lord with our substance. I complain not at those numerous calls. Let us help one another in every good work, whether at home or abroad: the Jerusalem mission-the Lord bless it; the Liberia mission, and all other kindred works. How are we to lay up treasure in heaven, if it be not in aiding the weak? Of the small balance in my favor, will you please direct that $3 be put into the Washington City meeting-house fund, and the same amount into the St. Louis meetinghouse fund? May the good Lord accept of these humble offerings, and bless those good brethren who have this good mind to labor for the glory of our God."

MISSOURI.-Bro. T. M. Allen writes, under date of Ellerslie, Boon county, August 19, as follows: "I have the pleasure to inform you of the continued prosperity of the good cause in this part of the State. Yesterday a ten days' meeting at Friendship, in this county, closed with 31 additions—