The Mildmay Park Conference.

1869.

HE thirteenth meeting of the Conference, held in former years at Barnet, but now at Mildmay Park, London, was convened by the Rev. W. PENNEFATHER, in the following circular :—

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."-ACTS iv. 31.

"MY DEAR FRIENDS,

"You will be expecting to receive the usual invitation to our Annual Conference. Circumstances over which I had no control had placed me in some difficulty with regard to the needed accommodation, and I hesitated to send out an earlier notice. I trust, however, that we

may be permitted to meet in St. Jude's Lecture Hall, King Henry Street, Mildmay Park, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (October 27th, 28th, and 29th), for united prayer and holy fellowship.

"Perhaps since first we met in 1856, we have never felt more strongly that If God be for us,' we may triumphantly inquire 'Who can be against us?' Is not the

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Church of Christ somewhat in the position of Elisha, when surrounded by the Syrian army, he said to his terrified servant, 'Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them?' Our foes are innumerable, but if the veil be taken from our eyes, we shall see the mount of God, 'full of horses and chariots of fire round about' His people. What we desire for ourselves, and for you my Christian friends, is that while realising our weakness, we may walk with unflinching steadfastness, as 'seeing Him who is invisible.' The Infinite Resources of God are at our command, but His Church hesitates to own her emptiness, and His readiness to supply all her need.' May I not say that our principal object in gathering together in the Name of Jesus is to receive of His Royal Bounty, and then to go forth and break among the perishing, the bread that He has blessed and put into our hands. He has willed that healing and light and nourishment should be dispensed to a stricken world, lying in darkness and misery, by the recipients of His grace, and His burning words, 'Freely ye have received, freely give,' still sound in our ears.

"Oh! that all who shall be permitted to meet at our Conference next month, may cry out with the Psalmist, 'Oh! God, Thou art my God, early (instantly) will I seek Thee, my soul thirsteth for Thee, . . . to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.' But there is another side to the question,-bear with me if I add a word of exhortation.

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"It is a solemn thing to gather together in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to tell our Father in heaven that we are prepared to take up our cross and follow Him fully. These Conferences are not a three days' religious pastime, they are a renewed consecration of ourselves and all we have to Him who purchased us with His own blood. We hear much of the dangers that threaten the Church of God from external foes,-but if my 'heart

trembles for the Ark of God,' it is because her lamp of testimony burns dim, and luxury, pride, and love of money, have defiled her holy places. And then, alas! I see the Army of the Living God, broken up into rival regiments, contending for leadership, instead of banding together as the heart of one man, to fight the battles of the Prince of Life. 'Oh! that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people !'

"Will you pray that all who shall assemble with us next month, may 'humble themselves under the mighty hand of God,' and come forth in His strength, as a people 'not ashamed to confess that they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, for they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country?' And will you ask that our testimony before the world may be such as to force, even from our enemies, the exclamation, 'See how these Christians love one another?'

"The subjects more especially proposed for our meditation are as follows:

"1st. The Lord Jesus Christ anointed by the Holy Ghost for His Ministry, our Great Example. (See Luke iv. 18. John xx. 21. Acts x. 38.)

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2nd. That same Holy Ghost anointing the Church for Ministry. (See Luke xxiv. 49. John xv. 26, 27. Acts i. 8. Acts vi. 3-8.)

3rd. The realisation of this anointing the great motive for holiness, and the source of power. (1 Cor. iii. 16, 17. 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. 2 Cor. vi. 16-18. Rom. viii. 2, 13. 1 Cor. ii. 12, 13.)

"Believe me to remain,

"Your affectionate Brother in Christ,

"WILLIAM PENNEFATHER."

As usual the Conference was preceded by a preliminary prayer meeting on the Tuesday evening. The Iron Room was fuller than on any previous similar occasion-it being thought that upwards of 900 were present. The reverent quietness which prevailed not only during this meeting, but also during the whole Conference, was an evident response to the following small fly-leaf, which accompanied each ticket :

66 'Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools."-ECCLES. V. 1.

"May I ask you, my dear friend, to enter the Hall as quietly as you can; and when you have taken your seat! remain in silent prayer until the meeting begins.

"Your affectionate Brother in Christ,

"Oct. 27, 28, 29."

"WILLIAM PENNEFATHER.

"The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him."-HAB. ii. 20.

The meeting was begun by Silent Prayer, after which a part of the 27th Hymn, from "Hymns of Prayer and Praise," was sung: