The following circular is inserted in the belief that it may be of interest to all our readers, as manifesting somewhat at least the unity of the Spirit in which the Lord's beloved people are held, together, and which it should be the endeavor of all to keep " in the bond of peace." ED.

To the Saints gathered to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ:TORONTO, July 2, 1900.

BELOVED BRETHREN –

Having been assembled here from various parts, it is on our hearts to send a word of loving greeting in recognition of the unity that binds us together in the body of Christ, and in the endeavor '' to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Our conference has been a happy and profitable one. Saints gathered in goodly numbers both from points near by and a distance, and we have enjoyed together sweet fellowship in the things of God. Our time has been occupied with the study of the Word

-the first part of the epistle to the Romans,-meetings for mutual exhortation and prayer, and in addresses to the saints, with a good hearing for the gospel, both within doors and upon the streets. We have been reminded of our common privileges, warned of our common dangers, and aroused as to our common responsibilities. If was indeed a joy to sit down together at our Lord's table in such large numbers, and to have a foretaste of that worship which shall soon be given by all the saints when we are gathered to our Lord on high.

Truly, beloved brethren, we are a "happy people"

-blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ; pardoned, justified, made nigh; possessors of eternal life, members of the family of God; sealed, baptized, and indwelt by the Spirit; members of Christ's body, enjoying the precious ministrations of our glorious Head, by the Spirit through the various "joints and bands"-yea each of us privileged to be a channel of blessing from the Head to our fellow members. We have in our hands the precious word of God, which unfolds to us these and other wondrous truths. Surely we can thank and bless our God.

Nor can we ignore the fact that we have been intrusted with grave responsibilities corresponding to these wondrous blessings. What manner of men should we be in walk and testimony! How we should prize the precious word of God, and how careful we should be to maintain the holiness and order of His house! Sadly true it is that we are living in days of ruin -even the people of God do
that which is right in their own eyes-but let us never forget that the truth of God remains unchanged, the word of God is ours, and the Spirit abides with us.

When we remember the watchfulness of our adversary the devil, the allurements of the world, particularly for the young, and the deceitfulness of the flesh, we realize in some measure our dangers. Surely, beloved brethren, we are living in. difficult days, and need to "put on the whole armor of God."
How unfeignedly should we thank our God for the mercy which in these days has left a testimony, even if comparatively feeble, to the truths of His grace and of His Church! With no lofty pretensions, and with much brokenness because of our manifold failures, we would bless God for the mercy which has put us in this place-as gathered to our Lord's Name – of privilege, responsibility, and danger. Knowing, from our own experience, the dangers by which we have been beset, we would mention in a few words some of the responsibilities which concern us as individuals and as gatherings.

I. ESTABLISHMENT IN THE GOSPEL IN THE GOSPEL. We need to remember the exhortation to "keep ourselves in the love of God." Let us never lose our "first love," that tender, lowly apprehension of His grace, which will compel us also to tell out the gospel to others. May we all realize that we have been "put in trust with the gospel," and in public and private may we, out of full hearts, " testify the gospel of the grace of God." Oh, to see souls saved through the gospel amongst us! Let us all awake more earnestly to this work. To this end we trust to see an awakened interest in tract distribution, – a work in which all, sisters and brethren alike, may constantly engage.

2. A WALK WITH GOD. May we be a holy people, truly separate from the spirit and ways of the world, walking in all lowliness, and thus adorning "the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.'' To this end shall we not afresh turn ourselves to the word of God, and devote more time to its prayerful study? May the written ministry be used to this end, and may we not urge one another to read and circulate the periodicals, tracts, and books devoted to unfolding the word of God ?

3. ASSEMBLY CARE AND ORDER. We are deeply impressed with our responsibilities in connection with the assembly, realizing that God's thought is that our entire lives are connected with it. We would point out a few matters of great importance in this connection:Care in reception-that none be received without prayerful and faithful examination. How much sorrow would assemblies be spared were there more care, and above all more prayer, in receiving those who seek fellowship. We would also emphasize the importance of giving letters of commendation to saints visiting gatherings, and thus maintain scriptural order (2 Cor. 3:1-3).

Pastoral loving care. Reception is but the first act, and if the Lord's beloved saints expect to see His work prospering, there must be that self-denial of love which " seeketh not her own." We long for ourselves, and for all the Lord's people, to exercise more pastoral care and oversight. This leads us also to refer to our great need of wisdom, gentleness and love, as well as faithfulness, in all matters of discipline. Let us guard against the extremes to which we are so constantly exposed, of laxness, weakness and indifference on the one hand, and undue haste, harshness and severity on the other. We rejoice to know that we are learning these lessons and our desire is that we may enter more fully into these grave responsibilities.

We also desire, beloved brethren, to point out our mutual responsibilities as assemblies in the various localities where our God has placed us. We are separated upon the wall, and the work is great, but the wall is one. We have been drawn very closely together at our conference, and while not desiring to intrude into purely local matters, feel the need of common principles of divine truth being clearly understood and maintained in all the firmness of divinely given conviction. May we present, beloved, a united front against every form of attack upon these principles.

We would also send a word of cheer to our beloved brethren and sisters who may be standing alone, or who are but few in number. Let such remember that one Eye is upon them, one Heart cares for them, and that they are not forgotten in prayer by their brethren at a distance. Let them not be discouraged nor cast down. "David encouraged himself in the Lord His God" (i Sam. 30:6).

May we not also express our earnest desire for the recovery to the Lord of any who have grown cold and wandered far? Nor can we refrain from praying that those who have sacrificed truth in any measure, may be brought to value it afresh, as that which God has committed to us.

Our present meeting has impressed us anew with the great importance of frequently gathering together thus. Saints from small assemblies, and those who stand alone, received great encouragement; the faith and love of all is revived, and heart is knit to heart. A little earnest faith will overcome most obstacles, while the gain resulting will far outweigh the needed labor.

May our God bless us "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

Affectionately your brethren in Christ our Lord, for the saints gathered.

C. B. Street
F. L. Nicholson
F. J. Enefer