From the Banner Extra

THE EDITOR’S FAREWELL TO HIS FRIENDS IN BRITAIN.

            Having now disposed of these matters, I will conclude this defence by saying a few words of valediction to those who have interested themselves in my movements and addresses since my arrival in this country. When this meets their eyes, I shall be either on the ocean, or in the United States; so that as far as we are concerned the curtain will then be suspended between the present and the past—a past as eventful and pregnant with future wonders, nay, more so, than any epoch manifested since the breaking up of the Roman empire. Moved by the interesting and exciting events of February and March, 1848, I was stirred up, as it were, to visit Europe; and to call the attention of the people of this island to the prophetic signification of passing events, as indicative of the approach of the Kingdom of God; that those who desired to attain to it might have the opportunity of preparing themselves for its introduction. Having been so long absent from England, I arrived here almost a stranger; and although known to many who read the American and British Harbingers of an imaginative Millennium, by report, I was known only as a “half-sceptic, half-Christian, fit only for the society of Voltaire, Tom Paine, and that herd.” This is the choice and elegant phraseology applied to me by Mr. Campbell. However, notwithstanding the prejudice thus created, and the efforts made by Mr. C’s partisans to prevent it, I gained the ear of the public. I believe I should be far under the mark, in saying, that I have addressed 20,000 people in this country. Being composed of various sects and shades of opinion, they doubtless heard me with very different feelings. This, however, is known, that the congregations though ever so few in the beginning increased to a multitude before I left the towns, Derby and Lincoln excepted. If one inquire, what is the result? I reply, God only knows. I have sown the word of the Kingdom as seed broadcast into the minds of the promiscuous multitude. It is for me to sow, others to plant, and others again to water, but it is for God alone in his own way “to give the increase,” if the fruit be unto eternal life. How much of the seed sown will come to maturity it is impossible for me to tell. Others may boast in what they have accomplished, in the numbers they have converted, the multitudes they have immersed, the triumphs of the gospel through their agency; but I have nothing to boast of after this fashion. I have perfected nothing. I have ploughed, broken up the clods, harrowed and sowed the land, and “laid it by” for the present. I now wait with patience to see what it will bring forth. If my eyes be shortly closed in death, I shall rest from my “labour of love and work of faith,” ignorant of present results; but when I awake from my sleep of death, and meet my friends and enemies before the tribunal of Christ, I shall then know what the toil of the two past years has produced. I have no anxieties. The truth will accomplish its destiny, for this is God’s decree.

            If it be enquired, but what has your labor consisted in since your arrival in Britain? I reply, that I have travelled through this island thrice; addressed the people 250 times, averaging an hour and a half each time; talked with them at Soirees and in private about the Kingdom, &c., early and late; written an octavo volume on the Kingdom, of upwards of 400 pages, which would only receive about two thirds of what was written; published hundreds, yes, thousands of ephemeral articles for gratuitous circulation; written a multitude of letters; and last, though not least; have published a pamphlet of forty pages octavo, intitled, “The Wisdom of the Clergy proved to be Folly.” Of this I will say a word or two to the reader. It was published by request of certain who had seen the manuscript; and relates to the Gorham controversy, the Bishops, the Church, Repentance and Remission of Sins, Eternal Life, and the Kingdom of God. A correspondent writes thus concerning it: “I have just read your dialogue with much delight. I confess I anticipated a disappointment, which I did not experience. I seldom find dialogues well written, and to that is probably ascribable an aversion I have contracted to all dialogues: I feared much I should read yours with less relish on account of that aversion than if it were written in another form; but it was quite otherwise. Probably it is better for being based on an actual conversation, and indeed it is better of that fact being made known, as in the preface or introduction. I hope it will be read in England and I wish it were read in Scotland.” Another writes, “I have read the pamphlet twice through. I first got one as a kind of favour, but I mean to get a dozen. I think it will put them all right, not only as regards ‘the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ,’ but also with respect to that ruinous practice they call ‘free communion.’ Every day I am seeing the truth as taught in Elpis Israel, and the pamphlet made more and more plain from the Scriptures. I wish that every man and woman who has any love for Jesus Christ were possessed of a copy. I would like to have complimented you on many parts of it, but have no time tonight; but as a whole it is the best exposure of the clergy that I have ever seen, except from the mouth of our blessed Saviour. Altogether it is a masterpiece.” I have sent copies of this pamphlet to the principal bishops including the archbishops of York and Canterbury, Mr. Gorham, certain lords and members of the committee of Privy Council and to all the daily and weekly London Journals, and principal religious magazines.

            The proximate results of my labour have been the convincing of many persons that what I have laid before them was God’s truth; the baptism of several who have believed, both men and women; the regeneration of the views of a church of some sixty persons in Nottingham, who will probably obey the truth they acknowledge; the organist of the Unitarian church in Derby became obedient to the faith by which their music was stopped; a church of twelve or fourteen has been commenced in Dundee; a church in Aberdeen brought over to the faith; the greater part of churches in Edinburg and Glasgow also, where societies have been established for the investigation of the Bible and the things brought to light in Elpis Israel. Of these societies correspondents write. “You will be glad to learn, that our Bible-investigation society in Edinburg, which had been formed during your tour north and west, has been since progressing favourably. The avowed object of the society is to know the Scriptures, and we have proceeded consistently with that avowal. No authority is recognised but the writings of the Book of God, while every available source is made subservient to our object.” Of that in Glasgow another writes, “In the evening I visited it, and got my soul delighted, refreshed, and enlightened. ‘What is truth?’ was the subject matter, and was handled beautifully by a brother. He showed that Christ as a king, was the ruling and grand truth of the Bible, for claiming which honor and dignity he was put to death. This view he supported out and out from the Old and New Testaments. He was followed by another who tried to prove that Jesus was put to death for calling himself the Son of God. But no one supported him; but on the other hand a goodly number followed in the same strain with the first speaker. Their views of the Kingdom and Second Coming of Christ are far, far beyond what I had any idea of, and they are also very intelligent. I am sure had you been there that evening you would have been much pleased, and have considered yourself well rewarded for the reformation you had given the Glasgow people on the future reign of Messiah.” From Birmingham a writer says, “We meet under the New Jerusalem Church to read the Scriptures together with Elpis Israel, and to discuss the various subjects, with a view to be as well informed as possible in the absence of a teacher previous to forming a church.” In Newark “the elder” has apostatized from Mr. Campbell to the State Church, but the flock whom “he has deserted” are found on the side of “the Kingdom and Name of Jesus.”

            Such are some of the visible results of my humble efforts in this land. The points indicated, will I doubt not, become centres from which will radiate and sound forth the glad tidings of the coming Kingdom to cheer the hearts of the few of this generation that may yet remain to complete the number of the guests required to fill the house and table of the Lord. I have done what I could and would have done more through the press had means been more abundant. In what I have done I have the satisfaction arising from the answer of a good conscience. I have coveted no man’s silver or gold, nor any thing that is his. What has been contributed has been spontaneous and of good will, though considerably short of my expenses. I mention this not complainingly; but as an evidence of the unselfish character of my enterprise. Mr. C. and those that traduce me, are worldly wise enough to look to their own interests first, before they will stir hand or foot in carrying what they call the gospel to a foreign land. This has not been my rule of action. I have served what I believe to be the truth first, to the neglect of my temporal interests. Who of them I would like to know would go abroad for two years at his own cost, trusting to the effect their preaching might produce for a mitigation of the expense, for the advantage and behoof of men of whom they know nothing in the flesh, and many of whom were their enemies and would rejoice in their perdition? This I have done, and rejoice to know that many who were filled with bitterness against me, are now among my best and firmest friends. “By their fruits ye shall know them,” and by my fruits I am willing to be judged.

            Farewell, then, for the present, Mr. Banner, and all the friends of truth and justice on this side the Atlantic. Having returned from a tour of 1700 miles, through Holland and Prussia, Germany, Belgium and France, I am now upon the eve of setting sail for the New World. My literary labors in the Old will close with this communication to you. For the liberality you have shown, though agreeing with me in scarcely any of the questions in dispute, I return you sincere and hearty thanks; and hope that so long as you continue to show regard to justice, mercy, and truth, my friends in this island, who are not few, will give you their countenance and support. And that you may at length be brought to see the truth, as I conscientiously esteem it, and in the end receive a crown of righteousness that fadeth not away, is the unfeigned desire of,

            Yours faithfully,                                     JOHN THOMAS.

3, Brudenell Place, New North Road;