“And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones and good in everything.”
The Baptists are numerically strong and wield a powerful influence in Wales. They are close communionists. They are loyal to their principles and to their God; consequently, they are being wonderfully blest—they are flourishing like the green bay-tree.
The Episcopal Church is fast losing ground in this country. The people are crying out against the tithe system, and are calling for dis-establishment. This once proud structure is tottering. Many predict a speedy fall; and, if it falls at all, I believe the crash will be heavy enough to jar and injure the foundation of the established church throughout the empire. I say it kindly and in the right spirit: I hope that the Episcopal Church will be disestablished. If it be of man, it ought to fall. If it be of God, it needs no human government to support it. If a church be of God, its devotees need to look to Him, and not to the State, for strength. The lack of governmental support never yet stopped the work of saving souls. Against Christ’s Church, neither the powers of earth nor the gates of hell can prevail!
“Truth crushed to earth shall rise again:
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes with pain,
And dies among his worshippers.”