r the purpose of celebrating the Lord's Supper, and have, besides,
occasional meetings for the exposition and study of Scripture. The
executive consists of a presiding elder and deacons elected by the
members. A candidate for church membership is required to make a written
confession, and every one joining the Ecclesia, either by immersion or by
admission from other Ecclesias, is to sign the articles of constitution
and order of which I have given a brief outline.

As regards the service, any brother is at liberty to take a part. Of
course this is the defect of this system--as of all such, where the
public are concerned. As a rule, nothing can be more inedifying or
dreary or repelling than amateur preaching, and this is manifestly the
weak point of all the good people who find preachers so unprofitable, and
who so delight in the sound of their own voices. As evangelizing
agencies they are a failure. They produce no impression on the world.
Men of sense want something more thoughtful, more in accordance with the
facts of life, and the young are driven to the other extreme. I believe
this remark will hold good of most of these super-refined Christians.
They have a wonderful command of Scripture language. They can talk by
the hour, and they are intensely ignorant, as all people who shut
themselves to one book and ignore God's Word in His works must be. They
may edify each other, they certainly have no power of edifying any one
else.

The rules of their Sunday service are--Prayer, singing, comprehensive
prayer, offered up by one of the brethren at the instance of the
presiding brother on behalf of the members of the one body, the
administration of the Lord's Supper, exhortation from or exposition of
the Word by any brother who wishes to respond to the invitation of the
presiding brother, and the Lord's Prayer in conclusion. After the
communion, there is a box placed on the Lord's table to receive, at the
close of the service, the free-will offering of the brethren for the
common good of the Ecclesia in every work of faith and labour of love.
Besides, there is a monthly charge made to each of the brethren which is
handed over to the brother responsible for its satisfaction on the last
Sunday of every month. I find I have omitted to state that one article
of faith is the restoration of the Jews, and the reign of Christ and His
saints upon the earth for a thousand years. Already there has been, as
was natural, div