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THE 


EARTHEN  VESSEL : 


AXD 


Ciiri0to  %tml; 


186  3. 

v;  V 

VOLUME    XIX. 

A 


LONDON: 
^BERT  BANKS^  9,   CRANE  COURT,   FLEET  STREET,   E.C. 
a.  J.   STEVENSON,  64,  PATERNOSTER  ROW,  E.C. 

1863. 


0^itizf(>by  VjOOQ  IC 


Pnnted  by  Bobzrt  Bahxs,  9,  Craae  Court,  Fleet  Street.  Iiondoa. 


Digitized  by 


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Jaa.  1.  ISM.] 


THS   KABTUBN   TBSSEL. 


THE  EAETHEN  VESSEL 


^i  ^Mifyn  )k$$^i$  of  ©(Wtt  ^m$  \ 


OB, 


THE  BUPEB-BXCELLBNT  GLORY  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


To  MT  Eeadkbs  avo  Fhiendb,  and  to  au. 

WHO     AKB    ABKIKa    THS   VAT   TO    ZiON, 
'WITS  TBXXB  VAQM  TBITBBBWABD. 

Iv  eoauDflneinff  the  fifteenth  Tolnme  of 
Trb  Eabthbic  Vbmsl,  I  iludl  not  attempt 
•ay  fonnal  addzeH ;  bat  nmply  endeaToor  to 
BMt  a  tareefoM  demand  made  npon  me ;  the 
fint  efwhieb  ia,  the  inward  eall  of  a  liiing 
ikilh  to  offer  up  my  thankfginng  nnto-  the 
Lord  for  hia  oontmned  coodneai  toward  me  in 
the  field  of  labour,  wherein  **  with  all  my 
power,"  (aa  Jaeob  nid)  I  hare  aenred  the 
ebnrdiea  of  Chriat  I  cannot  yet  aay  aa  one 
of  old  did— '  (?otf  UOk  Utkm  aw0^  my  r^ 

*  tambim,  like  a  gloomy  eUrad 

Have  gMbved  thiek,  aod  thoadered  load :' 

1mtalill,*dieGod  of  mr  ihtber  hath  been 
with  ma :"  and,  *«in  theumd  of  my  affliction, 
hahathcanaedmetobe  ihutfdl/  Deep  in 
my  tool,  I  fisel  there  ia  a  deaire  to  adopt  the 
laagnage  of  the  ancient  king,  (2  Sam.  xxii 
Wn  'the  Lord  liTeth,  and  blemed  be  my 
tocjk ;  aad  eialted  be  the  God  of  my  ealfation. 
//tf^otfthatbrincethme  forth  from  mine 
eaemiei.  He  haa  ufted  me  vp ;  and  deliTered 
wtB  from  the  Tiolent  man.  iX^rsfore,  I  will 
«iTB  THABza  imTO  THXi,  0  LORD;  I 
wiU  iiag  praiaea  nnto  thy  Name/  Albeit, 
aa  DaTid  intreated  the  king  of  Moab  for  hie 
firtbcr  and  mother,  aaying,  'Let  them  be 
with  yoo,  TILL  I  xvow  what  God  will 
oo  voR  MB  "—BO,  nnta  mjr  deliTcrance  be 
AdiY  oome,  I  would  beeeeen  my  fHenda  atitt 
to  plead  at  Meaoy'a  throne  forme;  and  ttill 
to  aid  in  fhrther  thmiting  oat  thia  littlo  JKw- 
M^tfr  of  mumy  mUuUf  toaching  the  good  news 
the  goapel  bnnga,  and  the  great  work  the 
LoBO  ia  acoompliihing  in  the  hearta  of  all 
whom  moe  difine  hath  called  into  the 
epiritnal  warfare  between  the  fieih  and  the 
imrit;  between  tmth  and  error;  between  the 
delomooa  of  eatan  and  the  dcTclopementa  of 
the  ereilaeting  covenant  which  ia  ofdered 
IB  all  thinga  nd  enre. 
VcL.  XV.— Ko.  IfW. 


Secondly,  gratitade  demanda  my  unfeigned 
thanka  to  ul  my  readen,   correspondents, 
agents,  and  donors ;  for  by  their  united  exer- 
^ns,  and  kind  expressions  of  practical  help, 
thedrculation  of  this  work  has  not  diminish- 
ed ;  neither  has  the  Lord  withholden  bis  bles- 
sing from  it,  as  some  hundreds  of  testimonies 
declare.  By  very  specUl  proridences,  thus  far 
I  have  been  carried  forward,  and  I  cannot 
forbear,  QSke  the  Psalmist,}  exclaiming^'*  0 
bleu  our  Qodj  y€  people  ;  make  the  praiee  of 
hie  voice  to  be  heard,  which  holdeth  our  soul 
in  life;  andsuffereth  not  our  feet  to  be  mov- 
ed r  and  may  the  happy  day  soon  arrive, 
when  like  the  following  verse,  we  may  hum- 
bly acknowledse,  *  Inou  haet  eaueed  men  to 
ride  over  our  heade  !  we  went  through  ftre^ 
and  through  water ;  but  thou  broughteet  ue 
out  into  a  (tpiritualj  wealthy  place  /"    The 
third  demand  is,  to  ^ve  a  few  thooghti  upon 
the  words  of  Paul,  in  his  second  epistle  to 
the  Corinthivu,    *  But  we  have  thie  treaeure 
in  earthen  veeeele,  that  the  excellency  of  the 
power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  uef    There 
are  five  distinct  branches  growing  out  of  thia 
scripture.    It  would  fiU  a  volume,  to  open 
all  the  leaves  which  on  the  branches  grow; 
but  a  few  words  on  each  may  lead  to  some 
good  refiection. 

I.  The  gospel  is  called  a  treaeure, 

II.  There  is  an  excellency  of  power  going 
with  it 

III.  The  mediums  of  communication  are 
comparatively  mean— only  earthen  veeeele, 

lY.  The  deeian  of  this  is,  to  shew  that 
the  excellency  of  the  power  is  not  of  men,  but 
of  God. 

Y.    There  is  a  three-fold  confidence, 

1  Of  possession— '  We  hare  this  trea- 
sure.' 

2  Of  humiliation,  'we  are  only  earthen 
vessels.' 

3  Of  submission — '  that  the  glory  may  be 
giren  to  God,  and  not  to  us ;  tnerefore,  we 
would,  with  all  the  church  unite — "  Not  unto 
us;  but  unto  thy  name  be  all  the  praised," 


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THX  SAftTHBN   TBttSJBL. 


[Ha.  1,  ltt9« 


The  Gofptl  of  Ghriit  it  a  rerj  predooB 
treMure:  tluB  will  appear  fint  by  cofUrtutf 
lecwndly,  by  an  examination  of  iti  contents. 

The  gospel  is  a  precious  treasnre,  as  seen 
in  oontrast  with  all  the  perishing  treasures  of 
time.  It  is  by  oontrasti  and  by  adaptation, 
we  often  see  the  beantr  and  the  benefit  of  the 
works  and  ways  of  Ooa;  as  for  instance,  the 
son  in  the  kingdom  of  nature.  That  bright 
and  splendid  orl^ias  a  four-fold  power :  the 
power  of  fhlneas  and  perfection  in  itiwlf:  it 
IS  a  glorious  body  of  light  indeed ;  but  then, 
our  God  did  not  want  a  sun  merely  to  look 
at ;  much  leas  did  he  reouire  a  son  to  en- 
lighten him ;  for  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is 
no  darkness  at  all :  beneath  him,  however, 
there  was,  ih$  dry  land,  $ar^h  ;  and  to  light 
up  this  otherwise  dark  world,  he  said,  **  Lft 
there  be  light  in  the  firmament  of  the  heaTen 
to  difide  the  day  from  the  night  And  God 
made  two  great  lighti ;  the  greater  light  to 
tule  the  day;  the  lesser  lifht  to  rule  the 
night.  He  made  the  stars  also."  The  sun, 
therefore,  hath  now  a  reflectiTC  power ;  she 
throws  out  her  cheering  rays  upon  the  earth ; 
and  shows  iti  form  and  fullness  too :  then  the 
sun  has  a  commnnicatiTe  power ;  it  giyes  out 
li|[ht,  heat,  and  life  to  tiiie  eanh;  and 
brings  iti  fruits  to  perfection;  and  then  men 
laud  the  sun;  thousands  of  millions  bleas 
their  Creator  for  a  ^t  so  useful,  so  essential, 
and  so  good.  So,  in  a  higher  sense,  it  is 
with  Chjost  :  as,  a  High  Fiiest,  as  a  Media- 
tor: as  a  sacrifice  for  sin;  as  a  Sariour; 
God  did  not  need  the  Messiah ;  but,  on  look- 
ing into  the  predestinated  ages  of  time,  the 
Almiffhty  saw  there,  deep  in  the  fall,  the  en- 
snarea  and  enslared  spouse  of  Christ — ^the 
election  of  grace.  To  redeem^  to  justify,  to 
toardon,  and  to  present  thtm  unto  himself, 
God  called,  anointed,  gave  up,  and  sent  his 
Son.  To  the  awakcMd,  the  alarmed,  the 
guilty  sinner,  how  precious  doth  the  Lord 
appear,  when  in  the  soul  of  such  an  ons^  the 
Holy  Spirit  shews  Him  1 

It  is  oy  contrast,  and  by  adaptation,  then, 
that  the  glory  and  excellency  both  of  Christ 
and  the  gospel  doth  appear. 

There  are  pleasures  and  treasures  too,  be- 
fide  the  gospel :  but  what  are  they,  when 
vomparea  with  thii?  The  Bible  plainly 
says— <  Through  faith,  Moses  chose  rather  to 
suffer  aflliction  with  the  people  of  God,  than 
to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season. 
There  are  the  pleasures  of  sin :  the  world- 
ling sings  his  song,  enjoys  his  dsmoe,  ob> 
tains  his  desixo,  and  rejmoes  in  his  posses- 
sions; but,  as  God  made  man  for  holiness 
and  heaven ;  Satan  came  and  turned  him  to 
unholiness,  and  then  presenti  a  thousand 
treacherous  snares  to  beguile  and  decelTe  his 
heart ;  and  after  all,  where  ^race  preTenti 
not,  drags  him  down  to  the  regions  or  death, 
where  mercy  never  smiles;  where  not  one 
whimer  of  salvation  is  ever  heard.  How 
ptMious  that  gospel,  then,  which  oalU  ua 


from  darkness  to  light ;  and  from  the  power 
of  Satan,  to  seek  and  to  serve  the  living 
GodI 

The  gospel  is  a  precious  treasure,  when 
contrasted  with  the  law.  There  was  the 
Levitical  law.  What  a  gorgeous  ceremony  I 
Look  at  the  tabernacle :  examine  its  con- 
tents ;  see  the  beautiful  table  of  shewbread ; 
the  candlestick;  the  altars;  the  mercy- 
seat  ;  the  high-priest  in  his  splendid  robes ! 
Ah  I  saith  ue  Jew,  look  at  our  religion  I 
Here  is  something  to  look  at ;  sometbiog  to 
admire  ;  but  you,  poor  Gentiles  !  you  have 
nothing  but  a  mean  place  to  meet  in  :  a  few 
poor  om  p^ple  to  speak  to,  and  an  unlettered 
man  as  your  preacher.  We  admit  there  was 
a  glory  in  the  Levitical  ritual;  but  it 
was  but  a  ihadow.  Presently,  the  Great 
High  Pribst  himself  arises ;  and  in  the 
full  blaze  of  his  immortal  glory  all  theae 
shadows  pass  away.  In  the  ceremonial  law, 
there  were  deansiogs,  aild  healings,  too ;  but 
they  were  only  for  the  bbdy ;  and  for  time ; 
but  Chbist,  in  the  gospel,  sanctifies,  purifies 
and  saves:  gives  grace,  and  then  he  givea 
fflory.  Bv  his  blood,  he  purifies  and  par- 
dons :  by  nis  righteousness,  he  justifies  and 
honours ;  and,  by  his  power,  he  preparti  the 
sinner  fbr  heaven;  preterves  him  unto  the 
heavenly  kingdom ;  and,  having  perfitted  the 
work  hegaHf  prnenU  him  (o  himself  in  all  the 
reality,  Uie  dignity,  and  purity,  which  heaven 
demanda— which  God  bestows.  Oh!  there 
is,  indeed,  an  excellent  glory  in  the  precioua 
gospel  treasure !  And,  was  there  no  ^lorr  in 
the  moral  law  ?  Bead  that  twenty-eighth  of 
Deuteronomy.  What  streams  of  blessings! 
'^BUmd  in  the  city  and  in  the  field;  in 
basket  and  in  store ;  in  coming  in,  and  in 
going  out;  yea,  in  every  paii,  and  in  every 
place  beneath  the  sun."  But  there  are  two 
iron  eates,  which  yon  will  see,  enclose  these 
blessiags.  First--the  gate  of  a  perfect  obe- 
dience :—<  if,'— what  an  ifl  If  thou  thaU 
hmrkm  Mi^mtiy,  to  e^Mrv*  tmd  to  do  all 
kii  oommmidmmii  ;'  bnt,  if  yon  fail  in  one 
point,  the  iron  gate  of  cosdemnation  dosea 
upon  yon — ringing  in  your  eaii  all  the  cotsea 
of  a  justly  offended— «n  angry  Jndge.  See, 
then*  the  goapel  asks  for  no  perfeet  obedienoe 
on  the  part  oc  the  sinner.  UoomesftomHim 
who  pot  away  sin,  and  brought  in  everlasting 
lighteonsness;  and,  having  dene  so,  heeaid, 
'Gospel— Go,  and  ery  alond ;  say— Wheao- 
evern^;  let  him  come;  and  take  ol  the 
water  of  life  fireely'— 

*  WiHiont  money : 
Come  te  Jesus  Christ  and  bvy.' 

There  is  a  fnlness  of  mercy,  a  fieeneas  ol 
gracious  bestowment  in  the  cornel,  whieh 
makes  it  a  precious  treasure  indsed* 

We  say,  in  some  sense,  the  gospel  is  better 
to  as  poor  sinners,  than  the  oovenant  of 
grace.  The  oovenant  provided  eveiythingi 
'arranged  everything;  ptonuMd  evarrthing; 

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rJai.l.lSM.1 


THB  SARTHSM  YBaSKL. 


Rciixed  cTerjtbiiig :  huU  •ometimei  we  have 
nt  iQeit  and  tad,  while  the  aaintt  hare 

*  The  oov«nant  made  with  Dand's  Lord, 
lu  all  things  ordered  welL' 

For,  with  Satan  oataide,  unbelief  inside ;  re- 
news of  sins  in  the  past,  and  fearful  fore- 
bodings in  the  future,  all  these  hare  said— 
'  That  covtnani  wom  not  made  for  you  /*     Oh, 
bo;  we  have   mournfully  said,  that  holy 
eoTeoaat  doth  not  ns  embrace;  where  God 
is,  we  can  never  come.    We  haTe  felt  a  little 
gladness  for  a  moment,  that  there  was  a 
coTtnant  which  wonld  sare  some ;  but  then, 
inch  a  dark  sadness  wonld  sink  us  down, 
while  a  fiendish  Toiee  would  whisper^'  Uia 
not  for  such  as  you  t    After  a  while,  one 
gloomy  ni^ht ;  just  when  we  were  about  to 
lay  down  m  despair,   the  Gosnel  came  where 
we  lay :  it  looked  upon  us  witn  compassion ; 
it  poured  into  our  poor  sin-sick  neart,  a 
Ixttu  of  the  wine  of  a  precious  Sariour's 
loviasr  heart ;  it  softened  our  wounds  with 
the  cfl  of  graoe ;  it  bound  up  our  wounds, 
by  the  application  of  the  promise ;  it  raised 
nsi^;  It  took  us  in;  and  MAid-- Whatever 
flHre  ti  wantif^,  I  loiU  supply.    And,  after 
dtti,  vlien  winter  came;    and  some  thick 
imti  srose,  it  called  in  and  said — *  Knowing, 
hntiiren  belored,  your  election  of  God ;  for 
oar  gospel  came  to  you,  not  in  word  only ; 
but  in  power ;  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in 
■adi  asRuance:'   and  because,  to  ns,  the 
Mwi  sppeared  too  good  to  be  true  ;  it  came 
■ad  nt  down  with  us :  and  explained  the 
wofk  of  grace  so  Uessedly,  that  Doubt  and 
Ikeui—tSosit  two  uglv  ghosts,    fled   in    a 


t!  and  then  the  Gospel  said—'Jfi 
tnbv,  ye  aiao  trusted^  after  that  ye  heard  the 
wwif  0/  truth,  the  goipel  of  your  salvation  : 
ia  whom,  also,  after  that  ye  belicTed,  ye 
wen  sesled  with  that  Holy  Spirit  of 
prauM.'  Oh,  Lord  I  we  said— it  is  enough. 
Thsfe  is  ia  the  gospel,  then,  a  snper-excellent 

And  as  to  all  the  counterfeit  gospels  of 
nan;  the  wooden  crucifixes,  the  masses,  the 
eooftssions,  the  penances  and  purgatories; 
the  PoserisBis,  and  ereatureisms  of  ten  thou- 
and  different  shades ;  together  with  all  the 
deep-drawn  pretended  horrors  and  hollow  de- 
Tiees  of  partially  deluded  experimentalists, 
as  some  must  be  termed,  we  say  of  them  all 
'  We*U  eall  them  vanity  and  lies, 
And  bind  the  gospel  to  our  heart' 
Oh !  tat  words,  and  the  heavenly  wind,  to 
speak  aloud  the  tnusoendaat  glories  of  the 
fOBpelplan! 

For,  while  our  happiest  experiences 
whither ;  our  sweetest  seasons  pass  away ;  our 
dsaiest  fdends  dedine;  and  while  our  in- 
bied  sins  and  heart-felt  sorrows  ot^^n 
thiaatsB  to  deluge  oar  hopes ;  and  to  sweep 
sway  oor  all,  the  go^»el  stands  fast:  this 
(rest  Boaroe  of  oomfort  to  the  belieTer  re- 


JJBSTJS  OHEIST  tkb  sjlhx,  yes- 
terdayf  to  day,  and  for  ever,' 

^  I  hare  indulged  myself  sometimes  in  re- 
viewing with  secret  and  holy  pleasure  the  fol- 
lowing three-fold  character  of  the  gospel  min- 
istiy,  I  may  appear  to  occupy  unnecessanr 
space  by  giving  it  here  in  few  words ;  but  af- 
ter some  struggles  I  venture,  resolving  pa- 
tiently to  bear  all  the  contempt  which  my 
taller,  stouter,  and  nobler  bremren  may  hie 
permitted  to  cast  upon  one  who  is  '  a  Utile 
one*  indeed. 

The  first  is,  the  best  around  a  minister  can 
occupy:  Peter  says  of  himself,  he  was  •  a  wit* 
ness  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ;  and  also  a 
partakers  of  the  glory  which  shall  he  reveaU 
ed.'  Peter  takes  his  stand  between  the  cross 
of  Calvery  and  the  crown  of  everlasting  glory. 

He  looks  backward  upon  his  Saviour  as 
bleedine  and  dying  on  the  tree ;  and  then 
forward  to  his  Bisen  Lord  as  waiting  to  re- 
ceive home  to  glory  all  who  in  his  name  be- 
lieve. Oh !  that  1  oould  ever  stand  on  this 
holy  piece  of  ^ound ;  while  in  tlis  world  I 
stay.  Faith  in  the  cross,  and  fellowship  with 
a  suffering  Saviour,  will  deeply  crucify  us  to 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  all  false  systems; 
and  make  us  more  than  a  match  for  Satan ; 
it  will  help  us  to  sing  in  the  midst  of  lUl  <yhr 
sorrows  and  desertions, 

Did  Christ  my  Lord  suffer. 
And  shall  I  repine  ? 

A  sight  by  faith  of  our  future  home  will 
cheer  and  strengthen,  fire,  and  fill  our  souls 
with  energy,  zeal,  and  power  ;  and  at  times, 
we  shall  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God. 

The  second  feature,  is,  the  work  we  should 
aim  to  accomplish.  An  old  author,  Suidas, 
by  name,  writing  of  Melchizedoc,  says,*  he 
built  his  city  in  the  Mount  called  Sion,  and 
called  it  Salemf  the  city  of  peace  ;  the  peace* 
fui  eity  I  there  he  reigned  as  king,  and  wor- 
shipped as  priest,  one  hundred  and  thirteen 
years ;  then  died  a  holy  happy  death.'  I  catch 
from  this,  an  idea  of  yie  work  we  should  aim 
to  accomplish.  Every  cospel  church  is  a 
city.  God  help  us  to  Doild  our  cities  in 
Mount  Zion ;  and,  to  make  them  cities  of 
peace :  and  instead  of  pastors  and  ministors 
being  hired  servants,  may  they,  through 
grace,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  reign 
as  kings,  and  worship  as  anointed  priests  of 
the  Most  High  God!  Would  it  not  be  a 
happy  contrast  to  much  now  going  on  in 
many  communities  called  Gospel  Churehes  ? 

The  third  feature,  ia  the  ropreseniatian  of 
all  that  is  essential  to  sahatumt  which  tlie 
Gospel  ministry  should  give. 

Come  with  me,  for  one  moment  to  the  foot 
of  the  mount,  whereon  our  glorious  Lord  was 
transfigured.  There  you  may  behold  all  that 
is  absolutely  required  to  take  a  fallen  child  of 
Adam  out  of  the  horrible  pit,  and  to  land  him 
safely  in  the  heavenly  Canaan.  There  is  on 
that  mount  a  8eTen.fold  personality ;  and  in 
that  penonality  aseven.fold  representation  of 
that  flowing  out  of  the  grace  of  God  which 
biingeth  salvation.  I  really  could,  (my 
reader  may  smile ;  but  I  feel  I  eooM)  spend 
years  here  in  pleasant  thought :  but  I  only 
give  the  naked  idea.  First,  then;4he  coven- 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


tJan.  1,  1859. 


-Mi  of  grace  ii  vepretented  by  that  krigM  eUmd 
which  OTenhAdbwed  them.  Peter  speaking 
of  that  event  afterwards,  says,  Christ  there 
'  received  from  God  the  Father,  honor  and 
elory.  When  there  came  such  a  voice  to  him 
trom  the  excellent  glurv,  this  is  my  beloved 
Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased.'  Here  there 
was  God  the  Fatubr,  the  covenant  God  of  all 
his  chosen  and  predestinated  family ;  and  with* 
out  personal  interest  in  this  covenant,  certainly 
none  can  be  saved.  Secondly :  there  was  the  dit- 
cipUne  o/ths  law  represented  by  Moses :  by 
the  law  IS  the  knowledge  of  sin;  and  in  all 
Jehovah's  dealings  wiUi  Moses,  His  holy  ab. 
horenoeofsin  was  most  solemnly  declared. 
It  is  true,  the  law  makes  noihiag perfect,  but 
it  has  its  preparatorv  work  to  do.  See,  then, 
Moses  is  there ;  ana  I  know  our  God  will  take 
care  he  shall  so  deeply  wound  the  chosen  seed, 
that  they  shall  feelingly  need  a  salvation 
which  none  but  Jesus  can  give.  Thirdly. 
BevelatUme  from  Heaven  are  represented 
by  Elijah.  You  know  how  God  instructed 
the  good  old  prophet  Fire  came  down  from 
heaven  for  him;  and  in  the  still  small 
voice  the  liord  waa  found.  Fourthly,  there 
sUnds  JESUS  in  the  midst.  I  presume  not 
to  sav  one  word  of  Him  :  His  Father  speaks 
aloud  to  proclaim  His  person  and  His  worth. 
Prostrate  at  his  feet,  there  are  three  others. 
A  living  Faith  represented  by  Peter ;  a  lively 
Hope,  by  James;  a  perfect  Love  by  John. 
When  Jesus  comes  to  take  a  sinner  up  into 
glory.  He  taketh  Peter,  and  James,  and  John. 
He  takes  the  sinner  up  into  the  exercise  of 
a  heaven-born  faith ;  faith  produces  a  hope 
that  shall  not  be  ashamed;  faith  and  hope 
conduct  the  soul  through  the  desert;  and 
love  takes  them  in  to  dwell  with  Hik  for  ever. 
Forgive  this  little  effort  to  stir  up  your 
pure  minds. 

The  gospel,  then,  brethren— to  pretch  thb 
gospel,  IS  oar  work.  We  cannot  make  men 
see  Its  beauty ;  we  have  no  power  to  carry  it 
into  the  hearts  and  ooaeienoes  of  our  fellow- 
man  ;  ice  cannot  even  unite  the  hearts  and 
hands  of  those  whe  profess  to  know  and  love 
it.  No;  there  are  divisions,  party  strifes, 
and  petty  jealoosies ;  but,  if  our  impotence 
be  such,  that  we  cannot  bring  up  men  from 
the  pit,  nor  unite  those  who  are  brought  up ; 
if  we  cannot  do  these  things,  we  may,  (if 
truly  called  and  anointed  of  God,  we  may,) 
aim  more  than  ever  to  preach  tub  gosfbl 
of  the  ever  blessed  God :  it  is  the  power  of 
God ;  it  is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit ;  it  is  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ ;  it  is  the  church's 
lamp  of  direction,  and  her  light  of  oomfort : 
Tea,  it  is,  instramentally,  the  trbb  which 
the  Lord  shewed  unto  Moses.  Let  us,  dear 
brethren,  Uke  this  healing,  healthful,  sweet- 
ening Tree,  and  cast  it  into  all  the  bitter 
waters  of  jealousy,  strife,  divisions,  and 
discord,  which  now  so  moch  siflict  and 
weaken  our  cause.  Let  us  labour  to  live 
more  m,  and  upon,  the  gospel  ourselves  me- 
ditatively ;  let  us  be  ooncemed  to  proclaim 
•nd  publish  it  ministerially;  to  wear  and 


walk  It  practically ;  and  I  think  our  conso- 
lations within,  and  onr  prosperity  without, 
will  be  moch  more  abundant.  Our  Master, 
the  Lord  Jesus,  preached  the  gospel,  in  a 
three-fold  manner  more  particularly :  (1)  by 
a  delightful  declaration  of  doctrines :  read 
the  evangelist  John  through ;  and  there  in  is 
such  a  chain  of  New  Covenant  doctrines  as 
never  before  nor  since  proceeded  from  the 
lips  of  man.  Surely,  this  is  the  garden  of 
hirhe,  the  garden  of  nute^  the  garden  of  Goo, 
of  which  the  Old  Testament  saints  so  fro- 
quentlv  spake !  Brethren,  for  Zion's  sake  I 
beseech  you,  gather  the  herht,  they  will, 
under  the  dirine  blessing,  heal  you,  and  vour 
people  too ;  epn^  the  nuts,  they  will  feed  the 
soab  of  saints,  and  encourage  seeking  ones : 
and,  if  withall,  the  Lord  shall  make  you  and 
me,  more  useful  in  bringing  poor  sinners 
into  this  garden  of  the  glorious.  God-xan, 
it  will  be  an  honour  indeed.      The  ^iritual 

Cisure,  and  deep  soul-profit  I  have,  at  times, 
while  in  this  garden,  I  have,  with  the 
Saviour  walked,  none  can  ever  conceive,  but 
those  who  thus  have  with  bim  walked.  Let 
Jesus  to  us  say,  <  t^me  with  me !'  Let  him 
*  take  iM  aeide  V  Let  him  there  anoint  our 
eyes,  fill  our  hearts,  purifv  our  consciences, 
and  talk  to  our  souli ;  ana  we  shall  be  well 
prepared  to  feed  the  church,  to  find  out  sor- 
rowful q>irits,  and  to  search  into  the  dark 
deep  dens  where  his  yet  uncalled  hidden  ones 
are  laid.  (2)  Jesus  preached  the  gospel  by 
practical  parables.  Bead  Luke's  gospel  for 
these  more  specially.  The  uiwer  gpes  forth 
to  sow  his  seed :  the  good  Samaritan  goes 
down  to  the  place  where  the  poor  man  lay 
of  his  wounds  :  intercession  is  made 


bla 

for  thelutrren  fig-tree :— we  are  too  ready  to 
say  of  a  poor  captive-bound  sool,  ^cut  it 
down,  why  eumbereth  it  the  ground  t  But 
the  kind  Intercessor  savs,  *  Let  it  alone  this 
year  also,  till  I  shall  dig  about  it,  and  dung 
It.'.  Oh!  precious,  ADV0GA.TB  I  Almighty 
Friend  !  If  he  had  not  stepped  in  near  twenty 
years  ago ;  when  friends  and  foes,  saints, 
and  sinners,  pastors  and  people  said,  *  cut  it 
down  /'  If  he  had  not  stepped  in,  Oh  !  where 
should  we  now  be  found  ?  Ah  ?  where  ? 
But  that.  *  Let  it  alone  f  It  was  like  an  iron 
wall  of  aefenoe  to  us  for  full  four  years ;  and 
then  the  digging  and  the  dunging  commen- 
ced ;  and  aU  the  good  we  have  ever  done  \ 
all  the  fhiit  we  have  ever  borne ;  all  the 
hope  we  have  ever  had,  has  been  because 
Hb  has  abode  by  his  promise, '  him  that 
Cometh  unto  me,  I  will  m  no  wise  cast  out.* 
But,  withal,  let  us  notice  (3rd)  Jesus  beffan 
to  preach  the  gospel  experimentally.  He 
went  up  into  a  mountain  and  opened  his 
great  commission,  by  snewing  what  kind  of 
chariicters  they  were  ;  and  what  special  ex- 
periences they  were  the  subjects  of,  who 
were  *  blessed.'  The  poor  in  spirit :  they 
that  mourn  :  the  meek :  they  which  do  hun- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Jaa.  1,  1869.] 


TH£  BAETHEM    VESSEL. 


gir  tad  thirst  afUr  tighUwaiMu :  the  ihmt- 
cifMl :  the  pure  in  heart :  the  peaamakera  : 
the  per ^ sated  for  righteoouieis  sake  :  the 
.  jrnkd,  and  so  on.  On  each  of  thei«  I  would 
wiih  to  dwelL  Bat  I  dare  not  occupy  more 
rDom  this  month.  The  apeoial  elementa  of 
the  gospel  treasure  ;  the  kind  of  TeMels,  in 
whi^  It  is  deposited ;  the  excellent  power 
which  goea  with  it ;  and  the  design  of  the 
whole.  Shall  he  considered,  if  mce  and 
itxengih  he  con  tinned  to  yours  in  Jesus, 
Charles  Wateus  Bakes. 

EPISTLES  TO^raEOPHILUsT 


u. 

Mt  good  Th«ophilu8~I  wish  yon  dis- 
tinctly to  nndersUnd,  that  I  do  not  intend  to 
eacnmber  what  I  have  to  say  upon  the 
'scrcii  seals  with  the  opinions  of  others, 
any  farther  than  just  to  ODserve,  that  learned 
wntara  apon  the  book  of  Bevelation  hare 
geoerally  oeen  in  their  interpretations  too  se- 
calar ;  making  the  book  take  notice  of  wars, 
tad  poiitieal  rerolntions,  which  hare  no  ma- 
taisl  oonaection  with  the  ohoroh  of  the 
hnsg  God  ;  and  haTe  thns  in  a  great  measure, 
kst  Bgbt  of  the  main  and  essential  object  of 
the  hMk ;  the  intention  of  which  is,  to  set 
Artk  the  charaeter,  sufferinffs,  and  final 
triomphs  of  the  people  of  (Sod ;  t<^her 
with  the  destiny  of  their  enemies.  And 
thoBy  as  the  eTangelist  sets  forth  the  snffer- 
iags  of  Christ,  ttiis  book  of  the  BcTela- 
tion  seu  forth  the  giorr  that  shall  follow. 

But,  if  moot  of  the  learned  haf  e  been  too 
seealsr,  there  is  on  the  other  hand,  danger  of 
fucifall^  spintaalising  CTerything,  and  so 
sabstitatin^  mere  ooaneils  for  true  interpre- 
tatioa.  I  will  aim  to  SToid  both ;  that  I 
■ay  neither  sink  into  the  whirlpool  of  Carib- 
^  nor  £dl  upon  the  rocks  of  fiylla.  That 
is,  1  thysll  try  to  avoid  goine  oot  of  my  depth, 
and  deal  only  in  that  which  I  can  make 
plain  both  to  you  and  to  myself. 

Bat  I  cannot  forbear  savinr,  that  although 
most  wrileiB  apon  this  book  have  been  too 
seealsr,  yet  the  iaboars  of  great  and  learned 
■en  have  thrown  mnch  light  upon  this  mys- 
teiioiis  book.  There  is  much  respect  due  to 
ooeh  Banes  as  Bishop  Newton,  Mr.  Elliot, 
Br.  Eeith,  Dr.  Camming,  Octavius  Winalow, 
Ac.  These  names  shine  among  the  great  in 
Bihtieal  Uteratore  *,  and  though  one  takes  the 
'  four  mystic  horses'  ^ken  of  in  the  sixth 
chapter  to  be  foor  conspicuous  Boman  Emper- 
•is,  namely,  Yespasdan,  Trajan,  Seferos,  and 
Msarimillion ;  and  aoother,  that  these  four 
hones  are  the  Gospel,  Mahomedaoiss,  Caiho- 
licisa,  and  Infidelity;  yet, notwithstanding 
these  differences  among  them,  they  are  no 
donbt  ri^t  in  many  things ;  and  cannot,  I 
think,  he  justly  charged  with  having  in  their 
■tense  and  immense  labours,  any  object  in 
view  eootnvy  to  honesty,  and  uprightnev, 
sad  the  good  of  their  fellow  men. 


.  But  m^object  chiefly  will  be  the  Gospel  of 
theee  'seven  seals.'  That  which  is  not 
merely  intellectual,  but  that  which  bears 
upon  our  daily  experience,  Christian  prac- 
tice, and  ultimate  destiny. 

Now  I  think  that  Psalm  45th  and  the 
19th  chapter  of  this  book  will  explain  to  us 
the  *  white  horse  seal.'  That  this  first  seal 
is  declarative  of  the  successful  pro^ressiou  of 
the  Saviour,  not  in  hii  humiliation,  but  in 
his  exaltation ;  even  the  very  colour  of  the 
I  horses  api>ear  to  have  a  meaning.  But, 
before  coming  to  the  progression  of  this  first 
war  horse,  let  us  just  look  for  a  moment  at 
what  is  meant  by  the  seal  being  opened,  and 
also  what  is  meant  by  John  being  comman- 
ded to  *  come  and  see.  Now  the  opening  of 
this  first  seal  is  in  Psalm  45tht  called,  *  indi- 
ting a  ffood  matter.'  Ihe  Psalmist  then 
goes  on  to  speak  of  the  things  which  he  had 
made  out  touching  the  king ;  that  he  was 
fairer  than  the  children  of  men ;  that  grace 
is  poured  into  his  lips;  and  he  is  blessed 
forever.  <  Fairer  than  the  children  of  men,' 
because  sinless.  *  Grace  poured  into  his 
lips,'  denotes  the  pure  truths  of  the  new 
covenant  which  he,  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
recortis.  It  denotes,  also,  that  nothing  im- 
pure could  ever  enter  his  mind ;  and  as  he 
did  no  sin,  he  lost  nothing :  and  not  as  it  is 
in  the  first  Adam,  where  by  sin  everything  is 
lost,  and  we  ourselves  are  lost ;  but  this  man, 
the  second  Adam,  the  Lord  from  heaven, 
hath  done  nothing  amiss,  therefore  has  lost 
nothing ;  and  hasl>y  the  sacrifice  of  himself 
put  that  away  by  which  we  lost  everything. 
So  that  he,  as  King  in  Zion,  *  is  blessed  for-, 
ever ;'  and  *  of  his  kingdom  there  is  no  end.' 
May  not  the  Psalmist  then  well  say,  that 

*  his  heart  was  inditing  a  good  matter  P  And 
this  grace,  by  which  he  reigns  over  his 
people;  this  grace  reigning  in  us ;  we  shall 
hereby  reign  with  him.  Hence  it  is,  that 
we  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God,  through 
faith,  unto  etenial  salvation. 

I  think  you  clearly  see  that  this  4dth 
Psalm  bears  upon  the  subject  of  this  first 
seal.  You  see  that  *a  ennvn'  was  given 
unto  him  that  sat  upon  the  white  horse. 
And,  as  I  have  before  said,  be  did  no  sin, 
therefore  he  does  not  lose  this  crown,  but  is 

*  blessed  for  evermore.'  And,  indeed,  there 
being  a  crown  given  onto  him  means  more 
than  at  first  sight  it  seems  to  mean.  It 
means  in  truth  ul  that  is  meant  in  Dan.  vii. 
14 :  and  there  was  g[iven  unto  him  dominion, 
and  glory,  and  a  ungdom ;'  power  over  all 
flesh — ^there  is  the  dominion  ;  '  to  give  eter- 
nal life  to  as  many  as  are  given  him' — there 
is  the  glory;  thus,  to  save  much  people 
alive, — *  come,  ye  blessed,  inherit  the  king- 
dom.' All  this  then  is  meant  in  the  one 
fact,  that  a  arown  was  given  unto  him. 

But  I  shall  in  another  part  of  this  seal 
have  to  come  back  again  to  this  45th  Psalm, 
I  will  now  go  to  the  l^th/ofKevelatjion; 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  Ic 


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THE  SABTHSN  T£88EL. 


[Jan.  1, 1819. 


and  iee  what  help  we  ean  g;et  then,  to  en- 
able us  to  understand  what  is  meant  bjr  the 
*  opefiMiff  of  this  seal.  And  there,  in  the  19th 
of  Revelation,  what  in  the  45th  Psalm  is 
called  *  a  good  matter ;'  is  here  caUed  *  A#a* 
v^  hem^  opened^*  (Terse  11).  This  19th  of 
Bevelation,  from  rerse  11th  to  the  end  of  the 
chapter,  lai^ly  opens  unto  us  this  first  seal. 

But  let  us  stop  and  look  at  what  is  meant 
bjT  *  heavm  heinr  opened,'  some  take  it  to 
mean,  the  New  Testament  dispensation ;  and 
no  doubt  it  does  mean  this ;  and  also,  some- 
thing infinitely  beyond  the  mere  outward  dis- 
pensation. 8m  and  the  sentence  of  the  law, 
had  scTered  us  fiom  God.  The  opening  of 
the  heayen  therefore  will  mean  the  end  of 
sin,  and  end  of  the  law ;  both  of  which  we 
have  in  Christ  So  that  of  himself  he  might 
well  say,  *  I  am  the  door,  by  me  if  any  man 
enter  in,  he  shall  be  saTed.'  And  well  also 
may  he  testify,  *  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and 
the  life.'  It  wss  by  him,  that  Abel  obtained 
witness  that  he  was  righteous.  It  was  by 
him,  that  Enoch  walked  with  God.  It  was 
by  him,  that  the  hearens  were  opened  to 
Jacob  on  his  way  to  Padan-aram.  It  was  by 
him,  that  the  heavens  were  opened  to  £zek- 
iel,  by  the  River  Cbebar.  It  was  by  him, 
that  "Nathaniel  was  to  see  the  heavens 
opened,  and  theangels  of  God  ascending  and 
descending  upon  the  Son  of  Man.  And  as 
it  ife  by  him,  that  heaven  itself  is  opened,  so 
hf  him,  are  opened  the  mysteries  of  the 
kugdom  of  heaven ;  and  by  him,  are  opened 
the  councils  of  God,  in  relation  to  niend 
and  foe  ;  to  believers  and  unbelievers ;  for 
*  all  judgment  is  committed  unto  the  Son. 

But  the  opening  of  this  first  seal,  called 
here  (in  the  I9th  chapter^  *  the  opening  of 
heaven :'  this  opening  of  neaven  will  mean 
also  the  setting  aside  of  human  tradition : 
*•  woe  unto  you  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypo- 
crites, for  ye  shut  up  the  kingdom  ot  heaven 
against  men ;  for  ye  neither  go  in  yourselves, 
neither  suffer  ;^*e  them  that  are  entering  to 
go  in.'  Such  is  the  tendency  of  all  human 
tradition;  fieshlj  meddleings  with  God's 
truth.  Nevertheless,  the  kingdom  shall  be 
given  to  them  for  whom  it  is  prepared. 

Daniel  saw  in  vision  the  aboundings  of 
human  tradition,  making  void  the  command- 
ments of  God ;  (Dan.  vii.  10.)  but  he  saw 
also,  that  the  Saviour  would  open  the  sorip- 
tures.  *  The  judgment  (saith  Daniel)  was 
set,  and  the  books  were  opened,^  What  books 
were  these  but  the  books  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment ?  *■  And  beginning  at  Moses,  and  all 
the  Prophets,  he  ex{K)unded  unto  them  in  all 
the  scriptures  the  things  conoeminff  himself,' 
(Luke  xxiv.  27.)  Now,  my  good  Tneophilus, 
remember  Daniel  is  not, — ^in  saying  *the 
judgment  was  set,  and  the  books  were 
opened, — '  sfieaking  of  the  last  judgment, 
but  of  the  judgment  which  the  Saviour 
would  pronounce  against  his  enemies,  as 
simultaneous  with  the  opening  up  of  the 


scriptures  to  his  own  disciplei;  and  hence 
the  thronee  pan.  vii.  94,)  will  mean  the 
truths  of  the  gospel,  together  with  the  rights 
and  dignities  of  the  people  of  God.  Now, 
Uiese  thrones  were  cast  down  by  enemies  and 
persecutors,  until  the  Ancient  of  Days  inter- 
pcHied ;  and  the  man  of  sin^the  mystery  of 
iniquity — fbll,  and  must  yet  fall,  before  the 
spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  the  hrightneee  of  his 
coming,  and  so  shall  the  heavens  be  opened. 
Thus  you  will  see,  this  first  seal  pertains  to 
the  Saviour,  the  opening  thereof  will  mean 
all  and  much  more  than  I  have  here  said. 

But  before  I  enter  into  the  details  of  this 
first  seal,  I  will  yet  notice  the  otMMmafuf  to 

*  come  and  see.'  One  of  the  four  living 
creatures  commands  John  to  *  come.'  Now, 
I  have  before  shewn  you,  that  the  likeness  of 
the  four  living  creatures  is  taken  from  the 
square  encampment  of  the  Israelites  in  the 
wilderness ;  and  here  is  a  representative  of 
the  church  making  John  welcome  to  div« 
ine  revelations :  *  come  aiid  see.'  Now  this 
accords  with  the  feeling  of  every  true  church 
towaryi  their  minister  ;  as  though  this  livine 
(not  dead,  mind,  but  living,)  creature  should 
say,  John  here  is  something  very  mysterious ; 
come,  and  see ;  and  trv  and  explain  it  to  us, 
who  are  desiring  to  look  into  these  things. 
And  so  it  is,  that  living  souls  can  never  he 
content  with  a  blind  watchman,  a  blind 
guide,  a  miierable  comforter,  a  forger  of 
lies,  or  inth  a  physician  of  no  value.  Liv- 
ing souls  see  something  of  the  mysteries  of  the 
kingdom  of  heaven ;  and  by  a  true  smt,  they 
hope  to  see  stiU  more ;  and  go  on  seeing  and 
seeing  until  they  '  behold,  as  in  a  glass,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  and,  are  changed  into  the 
same  image,  as  from  one  degree  of  glory  to 
another,  as  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord.' 

The  true  teer  is  one  who  is  bom  of  God ; 
poor  in  himself,  *  having  nothing,  yet  poss- 
essing all  things.*    Now  this  true  seer,  is 

*  made  wise  unto  salvation ;'  he  is  but  a  child 
in  spiritual  thin^ ;  that  is,  he  is  poor,  and 
bit  a  child  in  his  own  eyes,  even  less  than 
the  least  of  all  saints.'  Now  Solomon 
(Eccl.  iv.  13),  saith  « better  is  this  poor  and 
wise  child  than  an  old  and  foolish  kin(^,  who 
will  no  more  be  admonished.'  This  old 
and  foolish  king  will  mean  old  Adam ;  and 
out  of  the  materials  of  this  old  Adam  are 
manufactured  men  for  the  ofiice  of  ministers ; 
but  they  are  not  new-bom,  heaven-bom 
children ;  and  though  such  may  be  person- 
ally, young  in  years,  they  belong  to  the  old 
Adam  stock,  and  are  of  the  world;  and 
therefore  speak  they  of  the  world.  But  they 
are,  in  eternal  things,  self-contradictory, 
confused,  and  very  cloudy ;  or,  as  Solomon 
says,  *  foolish,  and  their  name  is  legion,' 
both  in  the  Church  of  Rome  and  in  the 
Church  of  England,  as  well  as  among  Diss- 
enters. Now,  for  a  poor  and  wise  diild  of 
God  to  attempt  to  admonish  one  of  these 
great   book-made  kings,  ^ippiearB  in  their 


iou  I,  18M.1 


THB  BARTHBN  ySSIBL. 


11 


cfcft  Qm  iMiglit  of  praamptioo ;  fhey  look 
dom  nwm  auch  a  dbild  with  all  the  hauUur* 
of  utich  they  are  capable ;  aayinr,  *  thoa 
mit  altogether  bom  in  rins,  and  doit  thoa 
tmA  ttt  r  and  so  they  cast  hini  out  Thus, 
thk  man-made  minister,  is  after  all  bnt  a 
foolish  hio? ;  for  *  oat  of  priion  he  cometh 
to  i«ig:n.'  Yea,  he  has  completed  his  studies, 
fiaiihed  his  edaoation;  this  department 
has  been  bia  priaon ;  ao  oat  of  this  nnson 
ht  comes,  to  make  some  little  noise  in  the 
world,  and  to  rei^  npon  some  clerical 
throne ;  whereas  also  he  saith,  *  the  wise 
maa  that  is  bom  in  his  kingdom  becometh 
poor/ 

Kow  there  are  two  daises  of  persons  bora 
in  his  kingdom,  who  come  to  pofcrty.  One 
is  Uioeewno  are  called  by  grace  under  his 

'         '       '       '  Qi 


i;  for  the  Lord  does  some  times 
make  nse  of  his  own  word  from  the  lijps  of 
soch  men,  and  now  and  then  one  is  eonTinced 
trely  of  sin,  and  made  to  hanger  and  thirst 
for  more  gospel  than  it  is  in  the  power  of 
this  onwise  king  to  brinr  forward;  saeh 
being  bom  of  Q<m,  they  wiu  become  sensibly 
poor;  and  they  will  leare  this  duty-faith 
Idagdom  in  which  they  were  bora,  and  seek 
that  free-graee  kingdom,  for  whioh  they  are 
Itted,  and  where  they  will  find  what  they 
vaat;  they  will  seek  to  those  seers  who  can 
szpoimd  onto  them  the  way  of  Ood  more 
wneetly ;  and  thus  th^  come  oat  of  Baby- 
Jon,  and  partake  not  of  her  errors,  lest  they 
nceiTe  also  of  her  plag|aes;  and  so  this 
feoGsh  kin^  haa  unwittingly  tanght  these 
poor  and  wise  children  more  ih^n  m  mimded 
tiem  to  hww.  Bat  whea  once  their  eyes 
are  opened:  they  cannot  again  be  closed 
while  each  is  bearing  his  own  testimony  ;  and 
Bayio^f  *  whereas  I  was  blind,  now!  see/ 
God  IS  the  Lord  who  hath  shewed  them  light. 

The  other  dais  bora  in  the  kingdom  of 
ifans  fooliih  kinj^,  who  become  poor,  are  those 
whose  coarexnon  oonsbts  merely  of  tiie  an- 
dean ^nrit  ffoing  out ;  bat  there  is  no  su- 
feroatanil  life  in  the  soul ;  and  these  dyine 
10  that  state,  will  lift  np  their  eyes  in  hell,  ana 
be  so  poor  as  to  beg  eren  for  a  drop  of  water 
to  cool  their  tongue ;  and  the  deril  that  de- 
ceifed  them  will  glory  to  see  them  thus  de- 
graded. 

Thus,  my  good  Theophilus,  yon  see  some- 
thing of  what  is  meant  by  opening  this  first 
•eal ;  and  also  something  of  what  is  meant 
by  John,  a  trae  seer  being  requested  to 
'  come  and  see,'  and  so  tell  to  us  what  he 
sees.  A  Littub  Owb. 

htt/'iaaem,  meantnf  great  haoghtlBeM. 


A  handsome  Tolome  of  '  Letters  to  Theo- 
philoa,'  by  *  A  little  One/  is  now  just  pub- 
lished. I(  may  be  had  of  Mr.>  Cox,  100, 
Borwh-road ;  and  of  Mr.  Holmes,  St.  Paure 
Chordi  TanL  Our  review  of  this  Tolume  is, 
of  aecefsity,  deferred. 


DBiLTH  oi  omi  OF  THi  OLOBflT  Mnnams 

MK  THOMAS  SHIELEY. 
Of  Btvmtoakt. 

*Goed  dd  father  Bhirley,  of  Berenoaks,' 
(says  a  writer,)  is  gone  home  at  last.  Upon  the 
whole^  he  has  bad  a  long,  and  happy,  a  laborw 
ions,  and  a  useAil  day  in  the  gospel  zniniatrT; 
bnt  he  has  now  left  the  work,  under  Ood,  ra 
the  hands  of  oar  mneh  rained  pastor,  Mr.  J. 
Motmtford.  As,  a  church,  we  hare  Tory  great 
eanse  for  gratitude  to  the  Lord  for  sparing 
him  so  Umg;  also,  for  sending  ua  another 
faithful  broUier  in  Christ  before  he  took  our 
spiritual  lather  home.' 

Serenoaks  has  certainly  been  a  favoured 
spot ;  and  we  hope  Mr.  Mountford's  ministry 
may  oontinue  to  be  mneh  honoured  of  the 
Lord  his  Ood. 

From  oommunicaUons  reoeired,  we  make  a 
brief  selection.  Mr.  J.  A.  Jones,  of  Jireh 
Meeting,  London,  writes  as  follows  i 

Mr.  Thomas  Shirley,  Baptist  minister  of 
BoTen  Oaks,  Kent|  died  November  18tb,  in 
the  84th  year  of  his  age.  Thomas  Shirley 
was  an  honourable  man,  a  sterling  ehristisa, 
and  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  One 
that  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
in  all  things.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
chnrch  at  Seven  Oaks  about  40  vears.  In 
the  early  days  of  his  ministiy,  tbere  were 
some  excelkiit  ministers  likeminded  in  Theo- 
logy, suoh  aa  James  Upton»  William  Shen* 
ston,  John  Chin,  John  Keeble,  Samuel  Bowles, 
Thomas  tthxrley,  &c  Their  views  generally 
accorded  with  those  of  Mr.  Abraham  Booth, 
in  his  odebrated  and  excellent  work,  entitled. 
'  The  Beign  of  Grace.'  They  served  the  Lord 
in  their  day  and  generation ;  and  note  the 
last  but  not  the  Uaet  of  them,  has  '  entered 
into  his  rest/ 

The  life  of  a  Dissenting  minister,  residing 
the  whole  period  of  his  labours  among  one 
People,  and  that  in  a  Country  Town,  afforda 
but  few  materials  for  narration,  or  even  obeer- 
vation,  suffice  it  to  say,  that,  perhaps  no 
minister  stood  higher  in  the  affections  of  his 
people  than  Thomas  Shirley.  Indeed  those 
who  knew  him  most,  loved  him  best.  He  did 
not  often  leave  home,  except  occasionally 
visiting  some  of  the  churehes  around  him. 
He  was  present  and  took  part,  in  the  Ordi. 
nation  of  Mr.  Bichard  Glover  at  Tring,  in 
the  year  1814  (44  years  ago;  and  he 
preached  at  the  Tring  Anniversaries  for  40 
years,  with  only  one  exception. 

Mr.  Shirley  had  been  declining  tor  some 
considerable  time,  mostly  laying  m  bed  in  a 

Slarid,  and  rather  an  imbecile  state,  till  a  few 
ays  before  his  departure.  On  the  last  Sab- 
bath that  he  spent  on  earth,  in  the  moraing 
he  spoke  very  blessedly  of  the  Lord's  good- 
ness to  him,  and  the  blessed  prospect  he  had 
of  being  shortly  with  him  in  glory.    He  re- 

2 nested  a  chapter  to  be  read,  and  then  he 
imself  engaged  in  prayer,  and  was  very 
comfortable  through  the  day.  On  the  next 
day  (Monday),  he  seemed  evidently  ffoing 
V  _ —     j^  speech  failed,  and  the  remaining 


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.tBM  EABTHBM  VBtlBBL. 


[Jan.  1,  1858. 


tbree  dayi  he  lay  as  in  a  daep  deep,  and  on 
the  Thnnday  about  seren  o'clock,  the  UatUr 
ealled  him  home,  and  he  departed  without  a 
sigh  or  struggle,  November  18th,  1858. 

The  funeral  took  plaee  on  the  next  day 
week  following,  via.,  Friday,  NoTember  2ath. 
Host  all  the  male  members  of  the  church 
followed  the  oorpic,  to  the  burial  place  at 
SeutiVs  QrMm,  Mr.  Mountford  (the  present 
minister  at  Seven  Oaks)  with  ICr.  Haiffh 
and  Mr.  Bead,  took  part  m  the  serrioes.  On 
the  following  Sabbath  Mr.  Mountford  preached 
the  funeral  sermon  from  Job  t.  26.  *  Thou 
ahalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  fuU  age,  like  a 
■hock  of  com  oometh  hi,  in  his  season.' 

*  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' 

A  copy  of  the  funeral  sermon  by  Mr.  Mount- 
ford has  reached  us ;  we  reserve  our  notice 
for  February. 


NEW   PUBLICATIONS. 

<  Landmarht  of  Faith :  ChapUf  imimded 
for  iks  Comfori  of  tJU  Doubtimf,  ike  Fsar- 
fkU  and  the  Bereaved.'  By  Bev.  W.  B  .Lewis, 
London :  Wertheims.  we  do  not  say  this 
volume  is  perfect  production:  but  to  us  it 
has  a  been  very  precious :  in  reading  it,  we 
found  our  love  to  the  Saviour,  to  the  Saints, 
to  the  Heavenly  Kingdom,  and  to  the  Truth, 
to  be  kindled  into  a  holy  flame :  its  title  and 
contents  go  well  together. 

*  Jfy  Beeolleetume  of  the  Four  Laat  Popee, 
and  of  Borne  in  their  Timee*  By  Alessandro 
Gavaszi.  London:  Partridge  and  Co.  We 
h«>ard  Gavazzi  once  :  his  apparent  angry  bit- 
terness toward  the  pope,  and  the  papal  hier- 
archy, did  not  excite  any  desire  to  hear  him 
again.  He  has  worked  hard  to  gain  a  popu- 
larity in  this  kingdom ;  but  we  seriously  be- 
lieve his  enmity  against  Christ's  Ooepel  is  as 
severe  as  it  ia  against  Cardinal  Wi^man. 
When  a  man  of  immense  powers  of  mind 
leaves  the  Church  of  Home,  and  comes  lec- 
turing and  preaching  as  a  Protestant ;  but  in 
those  preachings  and  lecturings  hurls  ^  the 
heaviest  b^sws  he  can  at  those  very  principles 
which  giye  life  and  strength  to  the  true 
Church  of  Christ,  what  do  we  gain  ?  the  en- 
emies to  truth  hail  him,  and  make  use  of  him ; 
some  of  the  silly  sheep  are  misled  by  him ; 
while  Zion*s  real  firiends  (weeping  in  secret) 
are  treated  with  the  direst  contempt.  We  can- 
not think  well  of  these  mountebank  exhibi- 
tions. 

'  Sijf  Daye  Tranee  :'  being  an  account  of  a 
remarkable  Illness,  Trance,  and  Vision,  as 
seen  and  related  by  Isaac  McCarthy,  now  of 
Bristol  Our  very  aged  and  deeply  afflicted 
friend,  Isaac  McCarthy  is  in  the  Jordan,  and 
passing  homewards.  For  six  days  in  Novem- 
Der  last,  he  lay  as  in  the  stillness  of  death ; 
but  during  that  time,  he  was  enjoying  sweet 
meditation  on  the  kingdom  of  Clirist  He  has 
been  enabled  to  write  this  narrative ;  with  a 
brief  memoir  of  his  life.  It  is  just  published 
by  0.  J.  Stevenson,  54,  Paternoster  Bow ;  at 
one  penny. 

*yeffer  alone  f  or  IHoine  Support.  Affee^ 


UonaMf  addreeeed  to  the  Mourner.  By 
Bev.  W.  K.  Wright  London :  Houlrton  and 
Wright  $  and  Partridge  and  Co.  This  is  a 
spiritual  exhibition  of  the  Lord's  goodness; 
and  a  pressing  exhortation,  to  look  to  him.    1 1 

*Tke  Original  Baptiet  AlmamaeK  inter* 
leaved,  for  41.  is  a  good  Pocket  Companion 
forthe  jear. 

'  The  Little  Gleaner  .*'  a  monthly  magasine 
for  children.  One  penny.  Houlston  and 
Wright.  Orumbefrom  Clifton  Chapel  i  and 
Small  Seede.  We  are  frequently  asked  for 
little  books  suited  for  children,  and  Sunday 
Schools :  we  cannot  do  better  than  recommend 
all  such  enquirers  to  apply  to  Mr.  Septimus 
Sears,  the  Editor  of  the  lAttle  Gleaner,  and 
the  minister  of  Clifton  Chapel,  Sheiford. 
Beds.  He  has  worked  with  nis  pen,  and 
through  the  press,  to  some  purpose.  If  the 
JAtUe  Gleaner  was  as  neatly  printed  as  it  is 
ably  conducted,  its  circulation  would  be  im- 
mense. Besides  this  monthly,  we  have  copies 
of  the  following  pretty  Uttle  books,  all  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  Sears ;  for  which  labour  of  love 
ne  richly  deserves  the  support  and  assistance 
of  all  WAO  can  value  trulA-telling  little  man- 


Graee  in  the  Touiu:  a  Xemoir  of  William 
Deoonekire,  This  is  a  jewel;  everything 
about  it,  is  good :— >the  narrative  is  powerful ; 
the  frontispiece  is  ornamental;  and  the  prin- 
ting; (beinjr  executed  by  that  good  friend  to 
Zion,  J.  Billing,  of  Guildford  Surrey,)  is  all 
tiiat  can  be  desired. 

U  fete  Worde  ofAdoioe  to  Boye  and  Girle, 
Lade  and  Laeeee,  Toung  Men  and  Maidene* 
By  a  Country  Pastor.  London :  G.  J.  Steven- 
son, 64,  Paternoster  Bow.  Price  2d.  We 
have  read  every  letter  of  this  IS  page  little 
book.  Heads  of  houses  may  give  it  their 
young  people  with  hopes  of  goodresults. 

Mmime  of  Truth  for  Home  and  SehooL 
London:  Lsmare,  Oxford  Arms  Passsge. 
For  two-pence,  Mr.  Sears,  here  gives  you  a 
hymn  book,  containing  136  Hymns,  original 
and  select;  all  in  accordance  with  tae  truths 
of  the  gospel.  We  have  long  thought  of  com- 
piling sucn  a  work;  but  Mr.  Sears  has  here 
set  sJi  competition  at  defiance :  his  children's 
hymn  book  is  a  miracle  for  cheapness.  Be- 
sides these,  he  has  many  more.  La  every 
sense,  we  wish  him  good  success. 

<  2^  BrWeh  Workman:  The  Yearly  Pert, 
No.  4,  for  1868.  Partridge  and  Co.  Of  all 
the  literary  efforts  made  to  raise  the  character, 
inform  the  mind,  and  correct  the  errors  of 
the  working  classes,  we  know  of  nothing  so 
appropriate;  nothinr more likelv to  be  effec- 
tive ;  nothing  which  has  obtained  an  influence 
more  powernd,  than  the  Britith  Workman, 
This  new  part  is  an  elegant,  and  delightfully 
interesting  present,  either  for  the  cottage,  the 
reading  room,  the  factory,  or  the  servants 
hall.  The  Editor  evidently  throws  head, 
heart,  hands,  wealth,  and  an  untiring  seal,  in- 
to his  work.  A  glorious  harvest  awaits  him 
as  his  reward. 


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Iu.1,  1839.] 


TH£  EARTHEN    VESSEL. 


13 


No.  L 
THE     LAT'E     SAMUEL    ETLB8     PIEECE. 

"  A  holyman  of  God."    2  Kings  vi  9. 


OOVTSIBUCTD  BT  VS.  JOHV  ANDRBWB  J0NS8. 


Ms.  ESditob — ^At  your  request  I  intend,  the 
Lord  sparing  me,  to  famish  yoa  with  a  brief 
memoir  of  some  three  or  four  fiimouB  gospel 
ministera  in  theb  day  and  generation.  Men 
of  God,  sound  in  the  fiuth,  sterling  dirines. 
liAj  it  be  as  a  Toice  to  the  uprising  j^oung 
miaisken  in  our  dar,  sayins  to  them,  *  irhose 
fiuth  foQov,  eonsidering  tne  end^  (i.e.  the 
whole  drift  and  soope  of)  their  ministry/  Jesus 
Oizist,  the  same  yesteorday,  to  day,  and  for 
erer.'  Heb.  xiii.  7* 

I  begin  with  Mr.  Samuel  Eyles  Pierce.  I 
h&Te  his  life  written  by  himself  in  180  pages 
oetaro;  I  would  give  your  readers  the  eream 
«l  those  pages,  and  dose  with  a  notice  of  his 
iBTiliiablB  writinxsL  J)r.  Hawker  held  Itr. 
Pioes,  as  a  theoloBian,  in  high  estimation. 
He  oare  obaerred,  *  I  do  not  plsice  myself  on  a 
hfA  with  that  great  man  of  God,  but  I  hope 
I  SB  hobbling  after  him,  though  at  a  distance 
bdiiad.'  Bat^  I  attend  to  my  work.  I  am. 
Ton's  fte.  J.  A.  JosBS. 

Jvib,  Deo.  1868. 

Saxvbxi  Stlbs  PnobCB,  was  bom  June  11th, 
1T4B,  at  Tip  Ottery,  near  Honiton,  Devon. 
Hii  mothes^s  fiith«r  was  Vicar  of  the  parish, 
sad  he  was  bom  in  the  parsonage  nouse. 
He  says, '  my  grandfather  well  remembered, 
when  a  boy,  the  Prince  of  Orange  landing  at 
ftrtojr;  and  proceeding  to  Exeter,  he  de- 
■BBded  the  keys  of  the  city,  which  were  cast 
ofsr  the  eity-waUs  to  him.  Mr.  Pierce  was 
an  only  diila.  When  young,  he  was  fond  of 
bosks,  espeeially  d&ooHimal  ones ;  and  would 
at  times  leaTe  nis  play,  go  home,  read  his 
beok%  and  say  his  prayers.  He  says,  *  I  veiy 
eariy  began  to  have  some  discoveries  of  my- 
self aa  a  sinner.  As  my  natural  devotion  in- 
ersassd,  so  it  was  expnaaed  by  my  loving 
llie  Lara's  house  ;  that  is,  the  puce  styled  ths 
Ckmrekf  and  also  the /Vrms  therein  observed. 
To  be  very  good  and  dawmtf  read  good  books, 


wsa  one)  onderatood  ox  being  rengious.  Bo 
that  I  lived  an  animal  fife,  a  rational  HCb,  a 
le&iiiBed  life,  a  devout  fife ;  and  all  without 
say  trua  JtmtmUdge  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Ghrisl.*  I  was  in  my  rin;  I  had  no  spirit- 
ual life  in  my  sow;  I  was  an  entire 
Granger  to  Obnst.  I  knew  not  his  person, 
blood,  and  righteonaness.  I  sinned  and  re- 
pcnAed;  I  sinnsd  again,  and,  repented  again; 
sod  had  no  remedy  ti)  fly  tobut,«N»y  ototi  iotN^s. 
There  was  a  Iv.  Jessie,  who  preached  at 
BaekkBd  Chureli,  he  said  to  the  people,  'if  you 
have  1^  off  aJA  your  sins,  ana  done  all  good 


duties,  and  are  not  eome  to  Christ  for  Hfe  and 
salvation,  you  are  as  far  from  heaven  as  if  you 
had  not  taken  one  step  on  the  way  thither.' 
He  then  spake  much  of  the  precioas  blood  of 
Christ,  and  although  I  knew  nothing  of  this, 
yet  I  conceived  it  was  veiy  sweet.  No  one 
could  be  more  dark  than  I  was.  I  had  no 
human  instructor,  and  there  was  no  preaching, 
but  the  morality  of  the  Parish  Church.  A 
person  came  to  our  house  on  Lord's-day  even- 
mg  and  spoke  to  us  of  a  Xr.  Toplady,  This 
mat  and  most  tmly  excellent  man  was  than 
the  minister  of  Broad  Hembury,  which  was 
five  miles  from  Honiton.  I  was  asked  to  go 
and  hear  him.  I  did  so.  His  text  was, '  theaa 
that  have  turned  the  world  upside  down  ara 
eome  hither  aUo*  Acts  xvii.  6.  He  expressed 
what  gospel  ministers  (as  instruments)  turned 
the  people  from ;  it  was  from  aU  their  false 
foundations,  their  self- righteous  views,  and 
meritorious  schemes.  Ifelt  the  aame.  I 
walked  into  the  Churchyard,  and  looking  on 
the  graves,  I  was  led  to  consider  the  state  of 
fallen  man  to  be  as  the  dead  ;  and  that  the 
Spirit  of  GK>d  <Uone  could  quicken  a  dead  sin- 
ner :  also,  that  the  Zeat<  breathing  of  a  spirit- 
ual life,  was  evidential  of  a  spiritual  oirth. 
In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Toolady  preached  from 
*  ha  shall  eome  to  ha  glorified  in  nia  saintly  &o. 
2  Thess.  L  10.  He  entered  particularly  into 
the  righteousness  of  Christ;  and  wbiat  he 
Bpeke  entered  also  into  my  aoul,  and  I  said 
within  myself  thia  ia  what  I  want.  I  had 
been  aimimf  to  be  righteous,  hut,  by  all  my 
aota  and  deeda  I  oould  not  attain  the  same. 
I  returned  home  full  of  what  I  heard.  I 
went  again  to  Broad  Hembuiy,  to  hear  a 
/WfMrafsermon,  and  a  most  solemn  one  it  was. 
The  righteousness  of  Christ  was  again  set 
forth  as  the  ouiy  garments  of  salvation.  I 
haard  it;  I  received  it;  I  dwelt  upon  it  in  my 
mind  ;  I  was  thus  led,  by  Uttle  and  fittle,  to  a 
real  knowledge  of  gospel  Truth,  and  an  ex- 


perience of  gospel  ( 

Mr.  Pierce  then  relates  his  Jlrat  coming  to 
London,  and  his  hearing  Mr,  Soma4ne.  His 
text  was,  'O  the  hope  of  laraal,  and  the 
Sanfiimr  tharsof*  Jer.  xiv.8.  He  said,  *'Sir8, 
if  you  had  all  the  righteousness  of  all  the 
angels  in  heaven,  it  would  profit  you  nothing ; 
thore  is  no  righteousness  inll  pass  current  in 
the  hiffh  court  of  heaven,  but  the  righteous- 
ness or  Jehovah-J'esus.'  I  was  overoome  with 
holy  admiration.  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  on 
the  truths  deUvend  caused  my  heart  to  danoe 
fior  joy.  I  was  swallowed  up  in  spiritual 
hearmg.  I  did  not  lose  one  sentence.  There 
was  a  nolv  sublimity  in  Mr.  Bomaine's  min- 
istry; and  when  he  ascended  the  pulpit,  it 


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14 


THE   BARTHBN  TE88SL. 


[Jan.  1, 1859. 


wBi  the  prayer  of  my  heart,  'Lord  give  Mm 
to  moMk  a  great  word  for  Ckritt  to  dajf* 
Btimoe  it  to  say,  that  to  Mr.  Pieroe  there  was 
no  man  livlDe  equal  to  Mr.  Bomaine.  He 
became  under  his  ministry,  nourished  up  in 
the  words  of  faith  and  sound  doctrine.  He 
had  most  blessed  apprehensions  of  Christ,  and 
was  led  into  holy  communion  and  fellowship 
with  him. 

Mr.  Fierce  during  his  first  yisit  to  London 
was  walking  one  evening,  in  a  very  distressed 
state  of  mind  down  Lmug  Aero,  near  Covent 
Gharden.  He  says,  ''I  was  exercised  with  a 
Tiew  of  myself  as  a  poor,  lost,  and  undone  sin- 
ner, and  as  diutueajrom  head  to  foot*  I  saw 
a  light  which  led  into  Long  Acre  Chapel,  1 
entered  the  same.  MrMadan  was  the  preacher. 
He  named  his  text  Just  as  I  came  into  the 
place.  It  was  from  John  y.  6  '  Wilt  thou  he 
made  tehole  ?  *  He  seemed  to  fix  his  eyes  full 
upon  me,  and  I  viewed  the  question  even  as 
directed  by  the  Lord  himself  personally  to  my 
soul.  I  meatallg  cried  out,  "  Tes,  dear  Lord 
Jesus,  I  ^eill  be  made  whole,  and  ten  thousand 
thanks  to  Thee  for  the  same.  I  left  the  place 
enjoying  all  peace  in  believing  in  Christ,  Uie 
Great  fhysician,  who  alone  bringeth  health 
and  cure  (Jer.  xxxiii.  6.).  He  said,  "1  shall 
never  forget  the  same." 

I  would  here  relate  one  more  circumstance. 
In  the  evening  of  his  life,  when  very  aged  and 
infirm,  he  had  been  preaching  at  Mr  Henrf 
Bowling's  Chapel,  at  Colchester.       He  felt 

Ctly  exhausted,  and,  on  retiring  to  rest,  Mrs 
ling  assisted  him  to  his  bM  chamber ; 
upon  reaching  the  landing  place  on  the  stairs, 
he  fell  back  into  her  arms.  She  soothed  him 
with  remarking  the  eare  the  Lord  Jesus  had 
fbr  him.  He  exclaimed,  *  Ah!  I  fear  he  Aas 
other  fUh  to  fry**  Mrs  D.  said,  the  thought 
of  Jesus  being  employed  in  frffingfUh  in  heaven 
caused  an  involuntary  laughter.  But.  (said 
she)  I  well  knew  what  the  dear  ageo  saint 
meant',  even  the  Lord's  care  over  his  people^ 
and  fears  of  his  ooerloohimg  one  so  utterly  un- 
worthy as  him ;  the  least  of  all  saints. 
[This  was  told  me  by  Mrs  D.  herself.] 

Ah !  no ;  he  could  exclaim  with  the  apostle, 
'  He  loved  me,  and  gave  hinself  for  me.*  And, 
with  the  Psalmist,  'I  am  noor  and  needy 
(aged  and  feeble)  yet  the  Lora  thinketh  upon 
me.' 

After  some  time,  Mr  Pieroe  was  advised  to 
apply  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  for  admission  into 
her  College  at  Treveeea,  He  was  accepted,  and 
soon  sent  hither  and  thither  to  preach.  But 
his  ministry  was  not  very  acceptable.  Her 
ladvship  did  not  imderstand  lum,  and  his 
fellow-etudents  did  not  aj^prooe  of  his  views ; 
it  was  above  their  conception.  He  had  receiv- 
ed his  education  in  a  higher  echool.  He  [went 
to  several  places  to  preach,  such  asFrome, 
Midhurst,Petworth,  Brighton,  Chichester,  &o. 
But  (says  he)  go  where  I  would,  I  found  a  deal 
of  legahty,  and  very  little  knowledge  of  Christ; 
so  that  my  preacninz  of  Sim  and  his  great 
salvation,  constrained  me  to  take  up  the  pro- 
phet's words,  '^  Ah,  Lord  Ood.  they  say  ofme. 
Doth  he  not  speak  parables  "  P    Esek.  xx.  49. 

In  the  year  1784,  Mr  Pieroe  became  Pastor 
of  the  Independent  Church  at  Truro,  in  Com- 
walL    He  was  fully  employed  in  the  work  of 


the  ministiT  at  home,  and  in  Tarious  parts  o^ 
Cornwall,  ice  He  studied  closely  the  sacred 
word.  Concerning  Anthore,he  says,  *'Dr 
Goodwin,  Dr.  Gill,  Dr.  Crisp,  and  Stephen 
Chamock  were  my  favourites.'^ 

In  the  year  179o,  he  removed  to  London.  Mr 
Bomaine  had  recentiy  entered  into  his  rest,  so 
that  his  people  were  left  as  sheep  without  an 
under-shepherd.  Mr.  Pieroe  might  be  termed 
an  out-ancUout  Bomainei^  so  that  there  was  a 

Sthering  under  his  ministry.  Thomas  Bailey, 
iq.,  of  St  Paul's  Church  tard,  Mr.  Bye,  Mr. 
Amott,  and  several  other  moneyed  men  gave 
him  a  hearty  welcome.  They  first  took  for 
him  a  small  place  of  worship  in  Printer's  Court, 
Fleet  Street  In  the  year  1805,  they  built  him 
a  new  and  larger  ChapeL  Three  months  in  the 
year,  during  the  summer,  he  always  visited 
the  peo^e  in  the  West  of  England  going  to 
Chard,  Truro,  &c.,  and  returning  to  London 
by  way  of  Plymouth  ;  occup}ing  the  pulpit  of 
the  Old  Tabernacle  there.  Dr.  Hawker  at 
those  times  was  always  a  hearer  of  him.  I 
have  prayed  for  Mr.  Pierce  previous  to  his  ser- 
mons there.  One  evening  tne  Doctor  said  to 
me,  '*  My  brother,  Mr.  Pierce  is  a  great  man  of 
God ;  we  have  heard  the  full  notee  of  the 
glorious  gospel  to  night ". 

For  several  years  Mr.  Pierce  preached  alter- 
nately at  Printer's  Court,  and  at  Bethel  Chapel , 
Brixton ;  Mr.  Bailey  having  built  the  latter 
chapel  for  him  on  ground  adjoining  the  house 
he  himself  resided  m.  Principally  in  those  two 
places  he  laboured,  attended  by  a  very  choice 
ffospel-disceming  people.  My  late  dear  brother, 
Mr.  James  Castleden,  of  Hempstead,  was  one 
of  his  deacons  about  nine  years. 

Bu^  the  days  drew  near  fbr  the  Master  to 
call  his  aged  servant  home.  1  have  an  account 
of  the  same,  written  by  his  second  wife,  who 
was  a  real  help-meet  to  him*  It  is  too  long 
for  full  insertion.  Just  a  sketch  :—  She 
says.  "  His  conversation  was  in  heaven.  He 
Uvea  above  the  world  in  every  sense.  By 
reason  of  his  great  bodily  infirmities,  he  was 
in  the  constant  expectation  of  death :  but,  he 
was  blessed  with  great  patience.  His  mind 
was  firmly  staid  on  the  Bock  of  Ages ;  and  he 
was  persuaded  that  he  should  die  in  the  full 
belief  of  personal  interest  in  that  gospel  which 
he  had  preached  so  many  years.  He  said,  ^*  I 
have  a  olessed  prospect  Before  me,  and  am 
fiill  of  the  hope  of  a  alorious  immortsHty.  The 
Lord  be  magnified !  1  live  and  die  in  the  Aill 
belief  of  interest  in  Christ  God-man ;  of  the 
perfection  of  his  work  for  salvation,  wherein 
alone  I  trust  i  and  to  the  Three-in  Qpe  be 
everlasting  praise."  Thus  the  Lord  granted 
him  much  of  his  presence  and  support  when 
passing  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death.  He  remained  apparently  insensible  to 
anything  in  thie  life  for  about  a  day  and  a 
half ;  and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  on  the  10th  of 
May,  1889,  aged  88  years. 

Tnus,  reader,  I  have  given  you,  what  I  term, 
merely  a  scrap  or  two,  concerning  a  great  man 
of  Goa;  the  limits  of  a  periodicsl  allowing  no 
more.  But  I  would  crave  leave  of  the  Editor, 
to  spare  me  one  or  two  pages  in  the  next 
month's  Ybssbl,  to  gknce  at  some  of  Mr, 
Pierce's  unoaluable  Works.  He  was  a  sterling 
preacher,  but  %  far  greater  writer,   J.  X,  J 


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[J«B*  1,  IBM. 


THE  SABTUBN  VXASSL. 


15 


0M(r§^$  ^fmh\$Uv$  of  f§^  p«mi  iDrtg. 


Ko.1. 


ME.     HAZBLEIGG     AT     GOWEE     STREET. 


UmL  that  ijkmouB  mora,  when  no  olood 
dull  darken  the  alure  tkj,  and  the  eon  shall 
■hine  forth  in  all  her  splendour  and  majesty— 
ve  say,  until  the  glonous  mom  whicn  shall 
Qiher  in  the  aeeoiM  coming  of  our  gracious 
Bfldeemer,  partU§  t^nd  party  tpirits  will  exist, 
both  in  the  religious,  as  well  as  the  poUtiou 
world.  But  tke»  we  shall  be  so  swallowed  up 
with  our  loving  and  living  Redeemer,  that 
we  shall  have  no  time  to  inquire,  or  desire  to 
know,  of  **what  party  we  are.'*  Nbl  No! 
for  then 

"The  great  Hallelujah  from  each  shall  reeound, 
And  the  saints  in  all  tbisob  be  agrwd; 
And  Ood  in  the  highest  with  glory  be  crown' d, 
Oh  I  this  will  be  heaven  mdeed/' 

I  hav«  this  month  been  "A Wandering 
Star:"  (probably  the  effect  of  the  Comet). 
On  liord^-day  nnoming,  Oct.  28rd,  1  sat  in 
Gower-atreet  Chapel,  Euston  Square,  a  capa- 
dous^  well-built,  substantial  chapel,  capable  of 
holding  perhaps  a  thousand  persons.  Bumour 
ssid  that  a  Soldier  was  supplying  the  pulpit ; 
and  bamg  aosous  to  see  and  hear  how  this 
man  of  arms  understood  his  Captain's  orders, 
his  Captain'a  service,  and  his  Captain's  laws, 
I  went  thither.  **  A  SokUsr^'  generally  suggests 
to  the  mind  the  idea  of  a  man  of  power;  a 
man  of  stern  countenance ;  a  man  of  strength, 
vigour  and  great  energy.    We  had  pictured 
such  a  .man  m  our  own  mind  as  we  crossed 
Sttston'  Square;   and  expected  to  find    *<a 
mighty  man  of  war"  occupying  the  pulpit 
But  our  imagination  had  played  us  false :  for 
Kr.  Haaelrigg  is  the  reverse  of  all  this.    A 
gentleman  of  slender  build,  about  the  middle 
heighth,  dark  complexion,  mild  and  nervous 
expRsBoa  of  countenance,  with  a  shrill  voice, 
and  gentle  manner ;  probably  about  forty-five 
jaanof  age.  I  should  think  well  educated ;  he 
veads  with  great  precision,  but  rather  too 
Quick.    It  appears  ne  has  been  an  officer  in 
tne  army,  but  has  more  recently  been  called 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.    He  is  denomi- 
nated '<  A  Standard  man,"  and  labours  more 
statedly  at  Leicester;    and  is  looked  upon 
with  a  considerable  degree  of  pleasure  by 
this  (Ktrty,  who  oonoeive  him  to  be  a  great 
aequisition  in  their  ranks ;  and  some  little 
enquiry  b  manifest  throughout  the  Churches 
to  near  and  know  something  of  this  new 
soldier  of  the  croea.    He  is  an  experimental 
preacher ;  and  talks  soberly  and  seriously  of 
the  tfaiogB  touching  salvation,  as  a  man  who 
has  handed  and  tasted  the  same. 

Mr.  Hazelrigg  on  this  occasion,  took  his 
text  from  Solomon's  Song  .(u*  10,)  <*  My  be- 
loved spake,  and  said  unto  me,  rise  up  my 
love^  mv  fair  one,  and  come  away."  H!e 
told  us,  it  was  often  the  case  that  in  reading 
the  Song  of  Solomon,  a  difference  of  opinion 


was  held  as  to  who  the  speaker  was,  but  the 
text  admitted  of  no  hesitation  upon  that 
Doint:  the  speaker  is  the  spouse  of  Christ. 
In  discoursing  upon  this  subject,  the  preacher 
1st  noticed,  the  tponte  §bU  More  ne  the  vitU 
ehe  ha$  had  from  the  Lord;  and  then  he 
spoke  of  the  toorde  the  Lord  epake  to  hor, 
**  Rise  up  my  love,  ^my  fair  one,  and  come 
away." 

It  is  a  great  mercy  to  be  able  to  say  we 
have  had  a  visit  from  the  Spirit.  No  pre- 
sumptuous professor  ever  realized  the  blessed- 
ness of  one  of  these  visits.  The  poor  sensible 
sinner,  who  has  been  humbled— who  has  had 
all  his  transgressions  set  up  before  him, — ^who 
has  been  made  experimentally  to  cry  out, 
'*  Lord  to  whom  can  we  go  ?** — ^who  has  felt 
that  if  he  perished  he  would  perish  at  his 
feet.  These  are  the  characters  to  whom,  in 
due  time,  the  Spirit  will  pay  a  visit,  and 
then  you  will  have  a  great  aeal  to  bless  God 
for.  But  seme,  cannot  arrive  at  this  point  in 
experience.— they  cannot  sav  with  Thomsi^ 
"My  Loro,  and  my  God!''^  Tou  feel  you 
dare  not  sa^  to  the  Lord,  **My  Lord;"  or  to 
Jesus,  **  Jljr  Jesus."  Many  a  day  have  yon 
waited  at  the  post  of  his  doors,  but  yet  no 
visit  have  vou  yet  had.  No  man  can  time 
God,— but  deoend  on  it,  your  time  of  mercy 
will  come,  ana  a  blessed  visit  you  shall  have. 
There  are  some  too,  who  say,  we  long  to 
know  whether  we  really  love  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  they  have  never  received  one  of  these 
visits.  I  would  ask  them  two  questions  :  Do 
you  feel  and  see  yourselves  utterly  lost  and 
undone  sinners  P  and,  do  you  see  and  feel 
that  in  Jesus  Christ  there  is  just  what  you 
want  P  Then,  I  say  to  such  an  one,  the  time 
will  come,  when  the  Spirit  will  prompt  you 
assuredly  to  say,  '*Ky  Lord  and  my  Ood." 
Then  there  are  others  who  have  confidently 
used  this  language,  but  cannot  now  say,  "  Jfy 
Twi^  "  Are  jovL  indulging  in^  sin,  trifling 


I^rd.'-   __        „._„ ,   . 

with  sin,  inclining  to  the  world,  tampering 
with  the  world,  longing  after  the  flesh  pots 
of  Egypt  P  To  you,  I  would  say,  when  the 
love  or  the  world  comes  {»,  the  love  of  Jesus 
will  go  ont.'  remember  the  exhortation. 
"  Little  children,  keep  yourselves  from  idols. 
I  have  to  charge  myself  with  inconceivable 
baseness ;  and  do  feelingly  know,  that  if  we 
are  saved  at  all,  it  must  be  by  the  free,  sover- 
eign grace  of  God.  These  visits  of  Jesus  also 
are  always  seasonable  and  suitable;  if  you 
are  low,  ne  lifte  you  up ;  if  in  weakness,  he 
comes  and  strengthens  you,  and  says,  **  My 
son,  be  strong."  Bemember,  Jesus  *<is  a 
Brother  born  for  adversity."  They  will  be  holy 
visits,  heavenly  visits,  and  refreshing  visits. 
Notice, — ^it  was  %pereo»al  interview  the  spouse 
had:  Ahl  it  wont  satisfy  a  poor  sinner 
to  know  that  (Jesus)  he  has  visited  others 


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THE   EABTHBN  TS88EL. 


[Jao.  1, 1850. 


Oh.  no,  TOtt  wiU  want  Jams  Christ  to  come 
ana  ipeaK  to  you  penonally.  Having  trial« 
of  your  own,  you  want  a  penonal  exMrionce 
of  the  Toioe  of  Jesus  of  your  own.  Tours  is 
a  secret  religion.  How  many  here  can  say,  I 
hold  intercourse  with  Christi  and  he  with  me  P 

II.  The  W9rd9  the  Lvrd  »Pfhe  to  hsr. 
There  are  a  rariety  of  ways  in  wnich  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  speaks.  In  CnaUon;  '*the 
heavens  declare  his  handy  work,"  Ac.  The 
meanest  flower  that  grows,  displays  his  won- 
drous work.  The  sun  that  shines  in  the 
firmament  hespeaks  the  mighty  power  of 
Jesua.  Tea,  **  by  him  were  all  things  made, 
and  without  him  was  not  anything  made  that 
was  made."  Tea,  all  things  declare  that  Jesua 
Christ  has  a  Toice  in  Tisible  creation.  Again, 
Jesus  Christ  speaks  in  pmidtnee;  he  guidea 
all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power;  and  you 
may  rely  upon  it  that  ''all  tmngs  work  toge- 
ther for  good  to  them  that  We  God.  and  are 
the  called  according  to  his  purpose.'  Jesus 
Christ  speaks  in  the  word  of  his  grace.  All 
the  blessings  of  the  Bible,  all  the  doctrines, 
all  the  precepts,  all  came  from  and  through 
the  lips  of  Jesus.  Jesus  Christ  also  speaks  m 
rode  and  qffUetume  ;  and  a  good  thing  it  ia 
when  we  can  hear  the  rod,  and  profit  by  it. 

There  are  a  variety  of  ways  in  which  the 
Spirit  of  Jesus  arte  upon  the  hearts  of  his 
people.  Sometimes  a  good  word  applied  with 
much  sweetness  and  power.  Sometimes  we 
have  words  applied  by  the  Spirit  eimilar  to 
those  in  the  JBible,  and  when  we  find  this, 
the  deril  says,— "Oh,  that  is  not  in  the 
Bible."  But  it  is  applied  with  remarkable 
power  ;^  and  you  are  enabled  sometimes  to 
drive  him  back.  Sometimes  no  word  at  all; 
but  the  Holy  Spirit  will  come  into  your 
heart  with  such  a  soft  and  heavenly  sweet- 
ness, that  you  are  strengthened,  helped,  and 
made  to  rejoice  on  vour  way. 

Then  there  is  the  nat%re  of  the  voiee, — 
when  the  word  thus  speaks  to  you,  it  enlightene 
your  hearty  it  also  enlivens  you,  and  sets  your 
soul  all  alive,  and  causeth  you  to  excUim, 
« Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  waiteth  to 
hear." 

Jesus's  voice  is  a  voice  of  affection ;  "My 
love."  Christ  loves  us.  and  thus  it  is  that 
we  become  in  bis  eves  "fair.^  It  is  a  free 
love ;  if  it  had  not  oeen  quite  free,  how  ooiild 
such  monsters  of  sin  have  ever  expected  to 
realiaeit.  It  is  a  full  love;  can't  be  ex- 
hausted; if  it  could,  we  should  have  ex- 
hausted it  long  a^o.  It  is  perfect  love ;  not 
a  shadow  of  wrath  is  left  in  Jesus;  he  is 
nothing  but  love;  even  where  he  afflicts,  it 
is  in  love.  It  is  everlaeting  love :  *' having 
loved  his  own,  he  loves  them  to  the  end."  u 
is  a  never-chanjfing  love ;  vou  may  be  in  afSio- 
tion,  in  prosperitr,  under  douds  of  temptation, 
but  the  love  of  Jesus  changes  not,  it  is  the 
same  as  himself  unchangeable. 

I  must  not  go  further  with  this  brief  sketch 
of  the  sermon.  Mr.  Haaebigg  at  the  close 
informed  us  that  there  was  a  debt  of  £600 
on  the  chapel,  which  they  were  anxioua  to 
remove.  The  congragation  was  good,  but 
the  pkoe  was  not  ftH.  B. 


I    SIGH    IN    THE    DAEK. 

LlVSB  BT  MxiL  B.  TUXXXB, 
Cf  Netherton^  near  DniUyu 

«  Thou  hidast  tby  fsee,  and  I  sm  troabled." 
How  dark  the  aoul  when  Christ  withdxawt 

The  rays  of  heavenly  light ! 
What  little  love  to  hia  bleat  oanae ; 

All  seems  as  dariL  as  itight. 

No  beauties  in  his  word  I  see : 

No  wonders  then  unfold : 
No  promise  there  appears  for  me. 

On  which  I  can  lay  hold. 

If  to  God's  house  I  do  repair, 

Where  I  have  oft  been  blest, 
I  find  anon  aome  earthly  care 

PoBsess  my  troubled  breast. 

I  oft  in  aorrow  seek  his  face, 

And  on  my  bended  knee 
I  ask,  if  ere'  I  knew  his  grace, 

Would  it  be  thus  with  me  P 

Should  I  so  unbelieving  sigh  P 

And  feel  a  heart  so  hardP 
When  Christ  has  promised  to  be  nigh: 

Should  I  not  tilus  regard  P 

How  oft  like  one  of  old  I  sigh. 

And  well  her  words  repeat, 
Tis  just,  O  Lord,  thou  shoulds't  deny ; 

Tet  dogs  the  crumbs  may  eat. 

I  am  unworthy,  dearest  Lord ; 

And  when  my  heart  I  see, 
How  many  times  it  doth  record. 

That  I  have  pierced  Thee. 

But  low  before  thy  cross  I  bend, 

I  look  on  thee,  and  mourn ; 
I  know  thou  art  the  sinner's  friend, 

Thou  for  this  end  waa  bom. 

Then,  Saviour,  listen  to  my  prayer; 

Ob  1  don't  m^  suit  deny ; 
Or  else  my  soul  in  dark  despair 

Will  pine  away  and  die. 

O  send  thy  influenoe  frtnn  above, 

Let  faith  lift  up  her  sails, 
To  catch  the  breezes  of  thy  love, 

The  8pirit-8  heavenly  gales. 

Then  with  mv  blessed  port  in  view. 

And  with  tne  sacred  oreexe. 
Though  faint,  my  journey  I'll  pursuCb 

0*er  rough  and  stormy  seas. 

And  when  my  soul  by  tempests  ioased. 
Shall  reach  the  heavenly  shore. 

Dear  friends  will  hail  me  on  tilie  coasts 
Who  Ipng  have  gone  before. 

There  I  shall  meet  my  Saviour  too, 

Who  did  the  winepress  tread. 
And  tune  my  glorious  harp  anew, 

Through  mine  exalted  Head. 

*  Walking  with  Ood^  is  minutelv,  experi- 
mentally, and  scripturallv,  declared  in  Mr. 
John  Bloomfield's  new  forth-coming  work, 
entitled  *A  Voice  from  the  Pulpit*  The 
same  work  contains  an  essay  on  *  The  Work 
of  the  Ministry;*  and  some  other  able,  useful, 
and  interesting  papers. 

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17 


THE    JEW— THE    GENTILE— AND  HIS  FIB8T  SERMON : 


PSTBS»   THE 


OB, 

GREAT 

No.  n. 


PIONEER. 


TfiB  fint  thing  .ve  promised  to  seek 
for  was— the  possession  of  grace  itself  in 
the  tremendous  large  sonl  which  Peter 
Caitwngkt  evidentlj  possessed  during  the 
fifty  years*  and  more,  he  hnnted  after 
the  sonls  of  others  in  the  wild  woods  of 
Ameriea.  There  has  been  much  said  of 
late,  of  "  Christianity  going  <»uzy ;"  and, 
certainly,  if  one  could  oetieye  one  quarter 
of  the  statemoits  Cartwright  has  recorded 
in  |h]s  R^^ter  of  his  eventful  life,  we 
Bust  belicTe  that  Christianity,  or  the 
profesaion  of  it,  was  run  wild  indeed. 
We  do  not  suspect  that  Peter  has  pub- 
hsbed  falsehood;  but  we  veir  clearly 
tee  tfaat^  just  in  proportion  as  the  camsd 
■iod  is  exercised  in  matters  touching 
tke  ■jsteries  of  the  Gospel,— (that  carnal 
fflffld  not  being  powerfully  instructed, 
directed,  and  sanctifisd,  b^  the  Eternal 
and  Almighty  Soirit  of  Life  and  Righ- 
teottsnessj  will  be  carried  about  in  all 
dirediofis ;  hurled  into  all  kinds  of  en- 
thusiasm and  excitement;  and  become 
more  like  one  deluded,  than  one  dotKed, 
Md  in  Us  right  mind.  Professors  of 
ereiy  creed,  of  every  kind  of  character 
are  practically  brought  before  you  in  this 
Yolume.  The  gemune  faith  of  Chbist, — 
most  distinctiy  called  ike  faith  of  Qod^t 
tUd^  as  altogether  differing  from  the 
Anmman's  dead  and  creature  faith, — 
may  be  dearly  seen  by  examining  some 
of  the  scenes  throng  which  Peter  passed. 
In  lenewing  such  scenes,  it  will  be 
necessaiy  to  look  at  both  sides,  — the 
hUek  and  the  white:  the  natural  and 
the  tpirituml;  for  by  such  an  investiga- 
tion, the  truths  the  realitg,  and  tne 
bteoedneu  of  oracx  may  here  and  there 
sometimes  be  seen  raising  its  little  head, 
lifting  up  its  heavenly  voice,  and  putting 
forth  its  vital  power,  although  its  dwell- 
ing-place iB  a  neap  of  ruins, — the  law, — 
convictions  of  sin, — ^the  terrors  of  a  guilty 
oonsdenoe,  the  poisons  of  the  priesthood 
of  men,  and  the  subtleties  of  Satan,  like 
so  man^  ghosts  surrounding,  and  aiming 
to  auflfocate  that  Qraee  of  Qod  which 
briMoeth  ioioatum* 

We  will  this  month,  only  catch  a  leaf 
or  so  from  Peter's  entrance  upon  the 


ministry  of  the  word ;  the  derelopement 
of  Grace  shall  come  after.  One  of  those 
singular  events  (thousands  of  which  were 
connected  with  his  travels  and  labours) — 
is  the  following  illustration  of  the  bold* 
ness  of  Peter's  spirit. 

I  WILL  now  raiame  my  personal  narrmtive^ 
I  went  on  enjoying  great  comfort  and  peaoe. 

There  was  a  great  ttir  of  religion  in  the 
orowded  oongregaUone,  Manj  opposed  the 
work.  an4  among  the  reit  a  Mr.  J)  ,  who 

callea  himself  a  Jew.  He  was  tolerably  smart, 
and  seemed  to  take  great  delight  in  o{>posing 
the  GhristiAn  reli^on. .  In  iSb  intezmissions, 
the  jroung  men  and  boys  of  us,  who  professed 
religion,  would  retire  to  the  woods  and  hold 
prayer-meetinffs;  and  if  we  knew  of  any  bora 
that  were  seeing  religion,  we  would  taaa 
them  along«and  pray  for  them* 

One  evening  a  large  company  of  us  retired 
for  prayer.  In  the  midst  ci  our  little  meeting 
this  Jew  appeared,  and  he  desired  to  know 
what  we  were  about.  Well,  I  told  him.  He 
said  it  was  all  wrong,  that  it  was  idolatry  to 
pray  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  Gh>d  did  not, 
nor  would  he,  answer  such  prayers.  I  soon 
saw  his  object  was  to  get  us  into  debate  and 
break  up  oar  prayer.meetin^.     I  asked  him, 

*  Do  you  really helieve  there  is  a  God?* 

*  Yes,  I  do,' said  he. 

'Do  Vou  believe  that  God  will  hear  your 
prayers  r 

*  Tee,' said  he. 

'Do  you  really  believe  that  this  work 
among  us  is  wrong?' 

He  answered,  *  i  es.' 

*  Well  now,  my  dear  sir/  said  I,  '  let  us  test 
this  matter.  If  you  are  in  earnest,  get  down 
here  and  pray  to  Ood  to  stop  this  work ;  and 
if  it  is  wrong,  he  will  answer  yonr  petition  and 
stop  it ;  if  it  is  not  wrong,  alTheU  cannot  stop 
it.' 

The  rest  of  our  company,  seeing  me  so  bold, 
took  eoura^     The  Jew  hesitated,     i    aid 

*  Qet  down  mstantlv  and  pray ;  for,  if  we  are 
wrong,  we  want  to  know  it.'  After  still  lin- 
gerinff  and  showing  unmistakable  signs  of  his 
unwiUiagless,  I  raUied  him  again.  Slowly  he 
kneeled,  cleared  his  throat,  and  coughed.  I 
said,  '  Now,  boys,  pray  with  sll  your  might 
that  God  may  answer  by  fire.' 

Our  Jew  began  and  said,  tremblingly,  <0 
Lord  Ood  Almighty,'  and  couched  again, 
cleared  his  throat,  and  started  agam,  repeating 
the  same  words.  We  saw  his  evident  oonfu* 
sion,  and  we  simultaneoudy  prayed  out  aloud 
at  the  top  of  our  voices.  The  Jew  leaped  up 
and  started  off,  and  we  raised  the  shout  and 
had  a  glorious  time.  Several  of  our  moomen 
were  oonverted,  and  we  sJl  rose  and  started 
into  camp  at  the  top  of  our  speed,  shouting. 


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THE   EARTHXN   TE8SSL. 


[Jan.  1,  1&50. 


having,  u  we  firmly  belieyo^  obtained  a  aig* 
nal  victory  over  the  deril  and  the  Jew. 

After  many  ooQvnlaife  moTements, 
Peter  oomea  to  a  decision  for  the  minis- 
try. Here  is  bis  commencement, — after 
several  smaller  beginnings,— 

At  last  I  literally  gave  up  the  world,  and 
started,  bidding  farewell  to  father  and  mo- 
ther, brothers  and  tiBtera,  and  met  brother 
liotepeich  at  an  appointment  in  Logan  Coun- 
ty. He  told  me  1  must  preach  that  night. 
Thia  I  had  never  done ;  mine  was  an  ezhor- 
ter's  dispeniation.  I  tried  to  beg  off,  but  he 
urged  me  to  make  the  effort.  I  went  out  and 
prayed  fevenUy  for  aid  from  heaven.  All  at 
once  it  eeemed  to  me  aa  if  I  never  could 
preach  at  all,  but  I  struggled  in  prayer.  At 
length  I  asked  God,  if  he  had  caUed  me  to 
preach,  to  give  me  aid  that  night,  and  give 
me  one  soul,  that  is,  convert  one  soul  under 
my  preaching,  as  evidence  that  I  was  called 
to  this  work. 

J  went  into  the  house,  took  my  stand,  gave 
out  a  hymn,  sang,  and  prayed.  I  then  *rose, 
gave  them  for  a  text  Isaian  xzvi.  4 :  '  Trust 
TO  in  the  Lord  for  ever :  for  in  the  Lord  Je- 
novah  is  everlasting  strength."  The  Lord 
gave  light,  liberty,  and  power ;  the  congrega- 
tion was  melted  into  tears.  There  was  pre- 
sent a  professed  infidel.  The  word  reached 
his  heart  by  the  Eternal  Spirit.  Be  was 
powerfully  convicted,  and,  as  I  believe, 
soundly  converted  to  Ood  that  night,  and 
joined  the  Church,  and  afterward  became  a 
useful  member  of  the  same. 

I  travelled  on  this  Circuit  one  Quarter. 
The  health  of  brother  Crutchfield,  wno  was 
on  the  Wayvesville  Circuit,  having  failed, 
he  retired  from  labour,  and  brother  Gkrrett 
placed  me  on  that  Circuit  in  his  place,  and 
put  on  the  Circuit  with  me  Thomas  Laaley, 
a  fine  young  man,  the  son  of  an  old  local 
preacher  who  lived  in  Green  County. 

Our  Circuit  was  veij  large,  reaching  from 
the  north  of  Green  Biver  to  the  Cumberland 
Biver,  and  south  of  said  river  into  the  State  of 
Tennessee.  Here  was  a  vast  field  to  work  in ; 
our  rides  were  long,  our  appointments  few  and 
fiar  between.  There  were  a  great  many  Bap- 
tists in  the  bounds  of  the  Circuit,  and  among 
them  were  over  thirty  preachers,  some  of  whom 
were  said  to  be  very  talented.  In  the  four 
weeks  that  it  took  us  to  go  round  the  Circuit, 
we  had  but  two  davs'  rest,  and  often  we  prea- 
ched every  day  and  ever^  night ;  and  although 
in  my  nineteenth  year,  I  was  nearly  beardless, 
and  cut  two  of  my  back  jaw  teeth  this  vear. 
Hence  they  called  me  the  '  boy  preacher,  and 
a  great  many  flocked  out  to  hear  the  boy,  A 
revival  broke  out  in  many  neighbourhoods,  and 
scores  of  souls  were  converted  to  God  and 
joined  the  Episcopal  Church;  but  there*  was 
also  considerable  persecution. 

American,  and  Arminian  Reviralism — 
as  contrasted  with  a  sacred  faith  in,  and 
fellowship  with,  a  Triune  Jehovah,  will 
more  folly  appear  as  we  dive  more  deeply 
into  this  work. 


A    LETTER 

Fbox  SAinrsL  Fostbb  to  C.  W.  Bavxb, 

On  the  Ka^pg  2)Mth  of  Mr  UnderdownB 

Tharp0, 

Mt  dsab  Bbothbb  tv  Chsist  Jbsvs— 
I  am  sure  you  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  the 
peaceful  end  of  our  dear  brother,  Mr.  John 
Underdowne  Tharpe,  Broad  Oak,  Sturry; 
especially  as  he  was  one  of  your  first  little 
flock;  and  one  of  the  first  seals  to  your 
ministry.  He  has  often  spoken  of  the  blessing 
he  received  from  your  ministry.  He  sweetly 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  Wednesday  morning, 
November  24th,  1868.  After  a  few  days  of 
severe  suffering.  He  is  home  before  me^ 
where  there  is  no  pain  nor  sorrow. 

He's  gone  in  eternal  bliss  to  dwell. 
And  I  am  left  below, 

Tograpple  with  the  powers  of  hell, 
^1  Jesus  bids  me  go. 
I  long  to  leave  this  house  of  clay,  that  with 
him  and  those  gone  before  to  unite  in  singing 
the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb.  Ue  could 
feed  on  nothing  but  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
That  which  was  his  support  in  life,  was  his 
support  in  death.  For  some  years  he  had 
been  brought  into  the  sweet  liberty  of  the 
gospel ;  and  blessed  with  a  stedfisst  faith  in 
Jesus.  Feeling  his  feet  placed  on  the  eternal 
rook  of  ages.  He  stood  fast  in  that  sweet 
liberty,  where  with  Christ  had  made  him  free. 
Last  year  he  was  taken  ill  with  a  heart  dis- 
ease ;  for  some  months  he  could  do  nothin|f : 
the  means  used  were  blessed  to  restore  him 
a  little  while  longer.  All  this  summer  he  has 
been  able  to  attend  to  his  business,  and  work 
a  little.  He  had  felt  poorly  a  few  days.  On 
Friday  the  18th,  he  was  taken  worse,  and 
sunk  very  fast.  He  knew  in  whom  be  had  be- 
lieved ;  and  to  him  death  had  lost  its  stinr ; 
Monday  evening  he  felt  he  was  dying:  he 
longed  to  be  gone :  all  was  joy  and  peace. 
Satan  with  a  fiery  dart,  thrust  at  him,  that 
all  bis  religion  was  a  delusion ;  and  that  he 
would  find  it  so  after  death.  But  with  the 
shield  of  faith  he  was  enabled  to  quench  the 
fiery  dart  of  Satan.  •  It  is  writtm,*  was  the 
precious  words;  it  was  the  sword  of  the  Spirit 
in  the  hand  of  faith.  Satan  left  him  to  come 
no  more.  He  bid  his  dear  wife  and  son  good 
by:  and  blessed  them,  stretched  himself  out ; 
spread  out  his  hands;  closed  his  eyes;  'Fa- 
ther, into  thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit,' 
thinking  he  was  going.  But  be  again  revived. 
Tuesday  morning  a  cnristian  brother  calling 
in  to  see  him,  spending  some  time  with  him, 
said,  it  was  defightfuf  to  be  with  him.  His 
conversation  was  so  heavenly,  he  said,  1 
thought  I  should  have  been  singing  before 
now.  At  his  wish,  he  read  the  21st  and  22nd 
chapters  of  Bevelation ;  at  times  he  would 
speak  a  little  on  some  parts,  such  aa,  thart 
shall  be  no  pat»,  no  sorrow  ;  there  shall  be  no 
night  thore.  The  14  yerseofBev.  xxii,  was 
much  blessed  to  him  ;  he  spoke  sweetl^r  of  en- 
tering through  the  gates  into  the  city,  h^ 
would  say,  *  O  what  a  mercy  that  J  esus 
should  look  on  ns,  woHhless,  ffiU  sinners.' 
Another  brother  visited  him  again  in    the 


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19 


tfrmsmg;  iiewu  itaU  rejoicing  in  ] 
^f^orvot  God,  Wnipne  to  be  g( 
Icannr  ium,  he  wished  him  to  retun 
to  theXord  for  his  great  goodness  to  ] 


erenmg:  he  was  still  rejoicing  in  hope,  of 

i  return  tJn^Vf 
I  great  goodness  to  him,  he 
Wis  tak^n  worse,  and  at  one  o'clock  he  fell 
■sleep  in  Jesns .  there  he  hungers  no  more, 
aeither  thirst  anv  more,  for  the  Lamb  that  is 
ia  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them, 
sad  shall  lead  them  onto  living  fountains  of 
waters,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes,  liaric  the  perfect  man,  and 
behold  the  uprieht,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
pssee.  When  he  has  come  to  see  me^  and 
■*  by  my  bed,  he  would  say,  *  we  are  met 
ones  more;  but  so  much  nearer  our  Father's 
boose.'  His  couTersation  was  hearenly,  we 
talked  together  and  rejoiced  together  in  hope 
ofthegloiTofGod.  I  have  lost  a  dear  and 
kind  finead  ^ut  my  loss  is  his  gain.  Jesus 
still  Utcs.  Weary  and  in  much  pain,  I  am 
knking  and  longmg,  hoping  soon  to  join  him. 
Then  loudest  of  the  crowd,  I'll  sing, 
With  shouts  of  sovereign  grace. 
0  that  the  dear  Lord,  may  hear  and  answer 
the  many  prayers  the  father  put  up  for  his 
oily  son  is  the  prayer  also  ox  your  afflicted 
brother  in  Jesus, 

Saxubl  FostBB, 
Starry,  near  Oaaterbuxy,  Dec.  1868. 


[taa  foregoing  letter  has  been  most  preoioas  to 
■i.  Hr.  Tharpe  was  a  brother  belored  indeed ! 
He  was  the  third  of  the  same  family  oalled  by 
mes,  abont  the  same  time,  Aill  twenty  years 
m;  all  of  them  are  now  in  glory.  We  pnv 
the  Lord  to  support  the  widow's  heart ;  and  daily 
givs  her  to  Drove  that  *  her  Maker  la  her  Hoabaad  : 
tW  Lord  of  Hosto  is  his  name.    Ed.  j 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  MOST  HIGH. 

hBsatahle,  Eternal,  aU  Saprnne  I 

Gire  a  worm  ntteranoe  to  proelalm  thy  piaiss. 

JlthfeeUnff  heart  I  O,  how  shsU  he  express 

TMse  honours  high,  thyglorr,  sad  thy  greatness  ! 

HlMdTbat  feeblenesi,  and  that  estrsme. 

la  lofty  stndps  sssist  to  magnify 

I^ovah  laflaito  I  la  esaeaee  One. 

Three  In  eabsisteness :  that  essenoe  in 


^eP^sr,  Sod.  and  Spirit,  truly  God. 
laeoBpisheasIblB  indeed  the  modus, 
fBt  yet,  'til  truth,  sad  elaarly  toe  reveaPd. 
^aayea  the  bieas'd  eternal  page 
OfasnedWrit.    My  faith  reoelvee  the  witness 
or  thlB  grand  Ihet,  and  satisflM  remains. 


-_j  with  mind  in  man'a  oonstmetlon  see, 
Tet,  who  professes  Ineldly  to  trsee 
The  oBanner  how  it  is  eo  f  And  yet  we 
«•  truth  reeeivB.    How  eaa  it  CTer  be 
That  ws  who  little  understand  onreelvee, 
Aoald  think  to  comprehend  the  Infiaitei 
Torevclatioa  bissaed  to  submit, 
On  wisdom  Is  to  trust  sad  to  adore! 
And  thou  blees'd  Jesos,  Ood,  and  truly  man, 
Thy  eomplcx  eharaeter,  and  each  diillnot, 
not  Godhead  manhood,  nor  yet  manhood  God : 
Jwr»  eammix*d,  but,  that  each  natureU 
Wannet  ud  elear ;  ao,  we  beUeve  thou  art, 
™enuel  truly !  adequate  to  save, 
f^  kiwer  regions  of  eternal  woe  I 
Ijm,  help  in  glowing  atraina  to  magnlfv 
ThscL  sveriaatfiig  God;  that  he  who  apeidcs, 
•*  as  bom  where  mersy  oould  be  aought  and  found. 
bMadnsss  great,  for  gratitude  stills  ealla, 
noin  hia  thus  fovour'd  soul,  bless,  ever  Ueas. 
«e  God  of  tove  and  meroy,  all  divine. 
Thee  he  adores,  that  e'er  the  joyfal  aound. 
Broke  OB  his  esr  of  pardon  thironghths  Lamb. 


Through  blood  beaprinkl'd  on  the  eonsdenoe  so 

Aa  to  recognise  its  amaalng  power, 

To  still  the  tempted  aoul,  U  mercy  great. 

Beyond  ezpreeaion  I  O,  my  thankful  heart. 

Herein  rejoioe  afcaln,  as  heretofore 

The  Lord  ^ve  thee  to  do  by  living  faith : 

Uia  helpless  aoul  had  never  foand  it  sweet, 

In  blood  to  trast,  badst  thou  not  wronght  within 

The  principle  divine  which  Chriat  embraces : 

Bat  ainoe  thoa  hast  bestow'd  the  precious  grace. 

And  glv'n  the  Spirit's  sealing,  he  doee  know 

The  vilest  of  the  vile  his  Lord  can  save. 

And  give  to  triumph  in  redeeming  blood. 

O'er  aggravated  aina,  and  over  hell. 

Thv  servant  asks  that  trvdt  of  this  free  grace. 

In  him  may  rise  to  honour  thy  great  Name, 

For  thine  eternal  truth  he  knows  deolarea 

Wisdom  is  of  her  children  Justifl'd  1 

That  firnlt,  that  much  fruit  destin'd  to  remain. 

In  thee,  give  him  to  bear.    Help  to  o'eroome 

The  oft  repeated  stratagems  of  Satan, 

The  ill  desires  of  flesh,  end  this  vain  world, 

And  all  the  powers  of  darkness  thro*  the  Lamb ! 

Past  sins,  and  heart  baekslldings  do  forgive  : 

Those  proofs  most  certain  of  a  nature  base^ 

Originate  from  Adam,  nndestroy'd. 

Though  kept  hi  eheck  by  principle  divine; 

Regeneration's  seed,  wherein's  no  sin 

But  that  which  eoniliete  with  one  body  vile. 

Sin  in  the  members  making  saints  to  groan, 

Bleas,  bless  thy  name,  msjeetio,  awfnl,  high« 

Sighing  before  thee,— shows  uneasy  state 

For  shi  that  dwells  within,  hot,  shall  not  reign. 

And  have  dominion  over  the  sons  of  grace. 

That  conflict  ehews  the  presence  of  a  power 

Unknown  to  nature,  springs  not  from  Its  root. 

But  from  God's  sraoe  indwelling,  since  the  time 

Of  being  bom  of  God.    Almighty  Lord, 

That  day  be  gladly  hail'd  when  sin  no  more 

The  child  of  God  shall  harrass  and  perplex. 

But  loae  ite  being,  never  to  regain 

Ite  awful  preeence  or  deceitfiil  power 

O'er  thine  own  shildren ;  but.  when  saactifled 

And  wholly  so,  thine  houaehold  shall  appear. 

Most  glorious  day,  august,  triumphant  season 

When  all  thy  Zion's  enemlee  ahaU  be, 

Eternally  subdu'd.    Once  bleeding  Lamb, 

Through  thee,  we  all  our  foea  ahall  overcome. 

In  triumph  place  our  feet  upon  their  necks. 

In  token  of  their  final  subjagation  I 

O  Father,  Son,  andjSpirit,  fsraers  God; 

Thy  servant  help  thine  honoura  to  declare, 

Throughout  life's  date,  not  that  he  worthy  is, 

On  selTs  nosount,  O  no,  he  knows  he  is  not, 

But  for  the  reaaon  why  thy  grace  be  tested, 

Becauae,  eternal  Father,  twas  thy  pleasure  I 

And,  as  it  must  be,  thou  wouldst  have  it  so. 

So  publish  thee,  in  love,  blood,  energy 

In  our  salvation  intermmgl'd  sweeUy ;  [hit 

That  *neath  thy  guidance  truth'a  sure  shaft  may 

And  wound  ao  deeply,  nothing  but  the  blood 

Of  Calvary,  can  heal,  and  aolace  give. 

To  thine  already  brought  to  know  they're  gracious 

Bless  thou  the  word  for  holy  confirmation. 

If  thou  thy  truth,  O  gracious  God  wilt  use 

For  purposes  so  holy  and  so  blessed 

In  thy  dust's  hsnd,  the  glory  shaabe  thhie. 

To  thee,  and,  aolely,  unto  whom  'tis  due 

And,  praise  and  honour  now,  Oh,  God  be  giv'n] 

By  men  on  earth,  by  thy  redeem'd  In  heaven. 

RoBxaT  Abbott. 
Satarday,  September  4th,  1868. 

[We  trust  our  readers  will  carefully,  and  then, 
we  believe,  they  will  profitably  read  the 
above  lines.  They  contain  the  germ  of  love 
divine  in  a  true  Christian's  heart.  Brother 
Abbott—the  author-— is  a  laborious  reader ; 
an  elaborate  writer ;  and  a  useful  prea- 
oher.^ED .] 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


20 


TH£   EABTHXN   VE88XL. 


[Jan.  1,  ISM. 


ELECTION,   SANCTIFICATION,    AND   SALVATION. 


Thb  Ibllowinir  thongrhts  are  the  sabstance 
of  a  termon  preached  in  great  Gransden 
meeting  house,  on  Lord'e-day,  July  11th,  1858. 
From  2  Theu.  ii.  18.  the  leading  feature  of 
whioh  ie  the  great  and  fundamental  doctrine 
oteUetian,  Or,  as  the  apostle  expresses  it, 
*  God  ha§  eho$enpou  from  the  beffinningj  to 
talvatiot^  through  tand^icatUm  of  tlu  Spi- 
rit, emi  belief  of  tks  truth,*  Here  is  the 
whole  gospel  m  a  few  sound  words.  This  is 
a  beautiful  text  containing  much  in  a  little. 
It  has  three  all  important  points  worthy  of 
particular  attention :— electioui  sanotification, 
and  salration.  The  first  secures  the  second, 
and  the  second  is  an  evidence  of  the  first  and 
the  third.  The  text  may  well  refer  us  to  the 
Father's  love,  the  Saviour's  life,  and  the 
Spirit's  power  in  the  gospel  plan.  Love  takes 
the  lead,  and  life  and  power  are  limited  by 
love.  Men  speak  ill  of  election,  and  this 
shows  they  do  not  think  veiy  well  of  it,  but 
they  can  have  no  true  holinea  nor  happineas 
without  it.  It  is  the  fountain  that  supplies 
all  the  blessings  of  salvation.  There  u  no 
other  source  from  whence  they  can  fiow  to 
any  of  the  sons  of  men. 

Election  is  not  the  only  doctrine  of  the  gos- 
pel, nor  would  I  give  it  a  greater  prominence 
than  itfaas  in  the  word  of  God;  but  as  it  is 
brightly  and  abundantly  written  there,  it 
ought  not  to  be  excluded  from  the  public 
ministry.  It  shines  like  the  sun  in  scrip- 
ture, and  has  a  high  place  in  the  purified  con- 
science :  shall  we  conceal  it  in  the  pulpit  P  Or 
shall  we  teaeh  it  as  if  it  would  bum  us,  rather 
than  bless  usf  How  are  the  people  to  know 
and  believe,  and  love,  and  enjoy  this  glorious 
truth,  if  ministers  deal  with  it  m  this  unfaith- 
fiil  manner  P  '  If  the  foundation  be  destroyed 
what  can  the  righteous  do  ?'  They  are  likely 
to  do  veiT  poorly.  Do  we  wish  to  edify  the 
saint  ?  the  doctrine  of  our  text  is  well  adap- 
ted for  such  purpose.  Do  we  wish  to  feed  the 
hungry?  hare  is  wholesome  and  satisfying 
fbod  for  them.  Do  we  wish  for  holineas  in 
our  hearers  P  let  ns  tell  them  that  eleetion  ia 
the  cause  of  sanotification  by  the  Spirit,  and 
encourage  them  to  follow  after  it  to  the  ut- 
termost. Do  we  desire  salvation  for  the  lost  P 
our  text  declares  it  comes  from  electing  grace 
in  and  through  Christ.  Do  we  talk  of  preach- 
ing repentance,  fkith  and  forsiveness  to  sin- 
ners? let  us  be  sure  to  say  they  are  aU  the 
gift  of  free  electing  mce  to  all  who  are  sen- 
sible of  the  need  of  ttiese  things. 

I  would  give  all  the  eneouragement  to  such 
sinners  to  repent,  belieTe,  seek  and  hope, 
that  the  gospel  can  supply,  knowing  that  they 
oome  from  election  andlead  to  salvation ;  and 
what  can  we  better  preach  to  sinners  tiian 
UiisP  Bntif  bypreaehingtosinnaiiismeant 
an  oflbr  of  saving  grace  to  all  the  unregen- 
erate,  on  condition  of  their  dutr-faith,  I  re- 
ject it  as  fallacious,  delusive,  and  utterly  in- 
consistent with  the  doctrines  of  distinguiah- 
ing  grace.    Let  sinners  be  encouraged  to  act 


reammabijf  in  religion  as  much  as  they  can ; 
but  before  they  can  act  tpiritmaU^f  there 
must  be  sphritual  principles  planted  m  their 
souls.  In  preaching  to  nnners,  we  should 
carefully  distinguish  between  the  living  and 
the  dead.  The  former  are  fitted  both  for 
spiritual  blessings,  and  spiritual  obedience, 
but  the  latter  are  fit  for  neither.  By  a  fool- 
ish fuss  about  {^reaching  to  sinners,  many  seem 
to  be  getting  rid  of  reid  grace  as  fast  as  they 
can,  and  for  this  reason,  merit  our  distrust 
more  than  our  admiration.  Dear  friends,  I 
hare  no  wish  to  offend,  but  I  do  wish  to  be 
fiuthfWl.  I  am  very  willing  to  profit  you, 
but  have  no  desire  to  please,  contrary  to  that 
which  pleases  Ood. 

I  understand  then,  that  yon,  who  are  true 
believtn  in  Jesus,  were  chosen  or  elected  of 
Ood,  in  Christ,  from  the  beginning,  or  before 
the  world  began,  not  for  any  forseen  good  in 
you,  but  of  his  own  sovereign  good  will,  that 
you  might  be  pardoned,  sanctified,  and  saved, 
so  as  to  repeni  obey  his  word,  and  believe  his 
truth ;  and  hereafter  to  be  glorified  with  him 
for  ever.  By  the  act  of  election,  our  salva- 
tion is  made  an  absolute  certainty,  and  they 
are  both  secure  in  Christ,  who  is  the  chosen 
head  and  Saviour  of  all  his  chosen  church.  It 
is  by  his  perfect  obedience,  precious  blood, 
prevalent  mtercearion,  and  spiritual  power, 
that  salvation  is  effected;  nor  is  there  any 
other  name  in  which  it  can  be  found.  It 
is  finally  a  fixll  deliverance  from  sin,  and  all 
the  eniuess  punishment  due  unto  it ;  and  it 
is  to  all  the  elect  whom  he  eiFectui^  brings 
'to  believe  in  and  obey  him.  SeeHeb.  t.9. 
It  is  through  sanotification  of  the  Spirit,  who 
is  holy  in  himself,  and  so  wonderfullv  works 
in  aU  who  are  chosen  to  salvation,  that  they 
are  more  or  less  changed  into  the  holy  image 
of  Christ,  who  is  thus  made  unto  them  sanoti- 
fication. 1  Cor:  1.  30.  To  this  is  added  a 
'Miefofthe  truth,'  as  it  is  in  the  text,  in 
oppoation  to  anti-Christ,  who  is  left  to  believe 
a%,  and  be  damned,  as  in  verse  12.  Some 
speak  as  if  a  sound  creed  was  of  Uttie  conse- 
quence; but  Paul  proves  it  is  most  impor- 
tant And  we  are  bound  to  be  thankfU,  and 
thus  glorify  God  for  such  sovereign  grace  and 
sacred  truth. 

PRAISE  FOB  BLECTIKG  GBACE. 

2  ThMS.  iL  IS. 
Now  we  have  known  the  Father's  ohoioe, 

And  felt  the  Saviour's  love, 
We  wiU  in  Jesu's  name  rejoice. 

And  praise  the  heavenly  Dove. 
Salvation  flows  from  sovereign  grao^ 

And  while  it  works  within. 
We  shall  appear  the  choeen  race. 

And  rise  from  every  sin. 
Since  we  are  made  to  know  his  name, 

And  sovereign  grace  receive, 
Thus  we  are  bound  to  bless  the  same, 
And  sacred  truth  believe. 

Tho«.  Bow. 
LitUfl  Graniden,  July  27, 1858. 


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THB  EARTHtfH  TS9IIBL. 


31 


€)ttt  C5ttw5«.  t^t  pi$i^t$^  ttttb  t^nt  Pw^jf^. 


JPinK  AvKiTXBflAXT  ov  THB  Omiiro 
OF  MouvT  Ziov  Chapbl,  Shadwell  St., 
CiriKKSswBLi.,  WM  held  on  Lord's-daj.  Deo. 
ISth,  when  Mr.  G.  Murrellf  of  St.  Neots, 
preftcbed  morning  and  evening;  and  Mr. 
Foreman  in  the  altemoon.  On  Tuesday  fol- 
lowing, a  tea  and  publie  meeting  was  held. 
A  large  number  of  friends  took  tea;  and  in 
the  evening,  the  chapel  was  well  filled.  Mr. 
Haselton,  the  pastor,  in  opening  the  proceed- 
ings said,  he  was  pleased  with  tne  good  atten- 
dance of  friends,  pleased  with  the  church, 
pleased  with  the  deacons,  pleased  with  the 
congregation,  and  very  thankful  to  God  for 
what  he  had  been  pleased  to  do  for  them  in 
that  corner  of  the  vineyard.  It  was  the  fifth 
aaniversaiy  of  the  opening  of  that  plae^  At 
the  opening  services,  he  rememWed  the 
Lord  helped  him  to  speak  from  those  words, 
*  If  thy  presence  go  not  with  us,  carry  us  not 
up  hence.'  He  could  now  say  that  the  pre- 
sence of  God  had  been  very  manifest  in  their 
oidjt,  having  increased  and  blessed  them, 
ll  vas  sJao  alwut  the  7th  anniversary  of  the 
fmation  of  the  church:  seven  years  ago 
tim  csnae  did  not  exist.  The  church  was 
fbmed  of  about  36  members,  at  that  time  in 
IftUe  Mount  Zion  Chapel,  City  Boad ;  they 
w«re  there  two  years,  till  the  place  became 
too  small;  they  obtained  tlus  chapel;  and 
bore  they  had  spent  five  years  of  uEinterrup- 
ted  peaee ;  they  had  had  their  afflictions — but 
BO  breach  of  peace  had  occurred,  and  he  had 
not  bad  a  word  of  disagreement  with  any  of 
Ins  bnthrwn  in  office.  During  the  past  twelve 
aooths,  18  had  been  added  to  them ;  six  had 
gone  to  glory,  and  some  few  had  left  to  join 
other  ehurdiea.  But  thejr  had  increased  a 
littk.  He  had  been  kept  in  the  truth;  and 
believed  that*  the  truth  was  so  powerfully  im- 
bedded tahis  heart  and  soul  that  it  would  be 
imposRblefor  them  ever  to  be  removed  or 
changed.  Four  very  excellent  addresses  were 
then  delivered  by  the  brethren  appointed. 
Mr.  If  m.  Palmer  gave  a  well  digested  essay 
on  *  God's  deai^  in  giving  a  visible  form  and 
ebsracter  to  his  church  on  earth;'  in  three 
words  it  was  for  Ood^$  own  glory.  Mr.  John 
Foreman  spoke  on  the  '  subjection  of  the 
ehurdi  to  Chriet  in  all  things.'  Mr.  James 
Wells  gave  a  sound,  lively  and  practical  ad- 
dress on  *The  Advant^ea  of  Membership 
with  the  Church  of  Ood  ;*  in  which  he  spoke 
warmly  of  the  late  attendance  of  many  of^  our 
Biembetsat  the  house  of  God:  they  were 
fittle  aware  how  it  damped  and  half  froze  the 
aiinister's  spirits,  and  cooled  his  warmest 
desires.  Very  often  such  ones  would  go  awmy 
iSTing, '  Ah !  how  cold  and  dull  he  was,  what 
a  Ufelees  prayer ;  how  dry  the  sermon  !'  Oh, 
ret,  but  remember  it  is  $fOu  that  made  him  so. 
If  yon  all  had  been  in  your  places  when  he 
cntined  the  pulpit,  he  would  have  felt  that 
you  were  there  ready  to  receive  him  and  to 
strengthen  his  hands.  Members  ought  also  by 
thdr  regular  and  prompt  attendance)  to  set  an 


example  to  the  congregation.  Church 
berahip  was  also  spoken  of  as  more  stronfflv 
manifesting  our  separation  firom  the  worn. 
Mr.  Wells's  remarks  were  thought  to  be  very 
seasonable,  and  appropriate.  Mr..Milner  was 
to  have  spoken  on  the  *  evidences  of  spiritual 
prosperity  in  a  church ;'  but  owing  to  the 
time,  he  gave  way  for  Mr.  Georffe  Murrell— 
who  was  called  upon  to  answer  the  Important 
question, — '  Do  tne  si^ns  of  the  times  indicate 
a  healthy  state  of  things  \n  the  churoh  ot 
Gk>d  ?  If  he  answered  in  one  word  he  should 
say, '  No.'  He  believed,  as  far  as  his  know- 
ledge extended,  that  the  spiritual  church  of 
God  was  not  in  a  healthy  state.  Mr.  Murrell 
spoke  of  the  declensions  from  truth  of  several 
young  ministers  who  had  started  fair  with  the 
truth,  but  had  slidden  off  till  you  could  hardly 
tell  what  they  were,  fie  referred  to  several 
instances.  Altogether,  Mr.  Murrell's  address 
took  the  dark  side  of  the  question.  We  hope 
things  are  not  so  bad  as  they  appeared  from 
his  remarks.  Mr.  Haselton,  in  concluding,  ex- 
pressed it  as  his  opinion,  that  it  was  the  best 
meeting  they  had  ever  had.  B.     • 

BB-oFBKiiro  ov  Froyidbvcb  Cbafsl, 
Pkotidbvob  PIiAcb.  Uppbb  Stbbbt,  la- 
UKGTOV  Gbbbn. — The  church  and  congrega- 
tion under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  J.  Glaskin, 
have  returned  ttom  Myddleton  Hall,  to  their 
former  place  of  worship.  After  considerable 
anxiety,  the  friends  have  succeeded  (through 
the  kind  interposition  of  divine  proridenoe,) 
in  re-obtainina  the  above  named  onapel  on  a 
lease  of  forty-five  years  ;  and  have  neatly  and 
oomtortably  fitted  the  place  up,  at  a  cost  of 
upwards  of  £200.  On  the  23rd  of  November, 
it  was  re-opened,  when  Mr.  James  Welle 
preached  in  the  morning  from,  '  And  thou 
shalt  know  that  thv  tabernacle  shall  be  in 
peace;  and  thou  shalt  visit  thy  habitation, 
and  shalt  not  sin.'  Job  v.  24.  After  the 
morning  service,  the  friends  repaired  to  an 
adjoining  building  called,  *  the  tabernacle '  to 
dine;  which  was  festooned  with  evergreens 
and  appropriate  mottos,  evincing  the  interest 
the  friends  felt  in  returning  to  their  former 
habitation;  in  the  afternoon,  Mr.  W.  Palmer 
delivered  a  discourse  from  Psalm  xc.  16, 17. 
*  Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants,  and 
thy  glory  unto  their  children.  And  let  the 
beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us;  yea, 
the  work  of  our  hands  establish  thou  it." 
Proceeded  to  define  in  a  manner,  which  per- 
haps few  besides  Mr.  P,  could  define,  the  *  work 
of  the  Father,'  the  *  work  of  the  Son,'  and 
the  'work  of  the  Holv  Ghost"  Showing 
though  their  offices  are  dbtinct,  they  are  one 
in  essence,  one  in  power,  one  in  glory,  and 
one  in  design:  which  is  the  glorjr  of  God 
in  the  salvation  of  sinners.  The  friends  sat 
down  to  tea,  and  partook  of  the  good  things 
plentifully  provided.  Mr.  Glaskin  seemed 
happily  engi^ged  in  giving  a  hearty  welcome 
to  all  present,  and  was  warmly  supported  by 

Digitized;  l\^ 


n 


THE  BaItHBN   YE8SBL. 


[Jn«  1,  IMgi 


his  ministerial  InrethnQ,  amoog  whonrwe  no- 
ticed Messrs.  Pells,  Stringer,  Hsselton,  Wood- 
ward, and  oUiers.  In  the  eyeniag  Hr.  Wood- 
ward ensaged  in  prayer:  after  which  Mr. 
Bloomfield  preached  with  his  usual  energy 
from  2  Chronicles  ii.  18.  *  But  will  Ood  in 
Terr  deed  dwell  with  men  on  the  earth }  be- 
hold, heaven  and  the  heaven  of  hearens  can- 
not contain  thee;  how  much  less  this  house 
which  I  have  built.'  He  said  he  beliered 
that  chapel  that  day  re-opened  was  not  for 
man,  but  for  Ood.  For  man  to  worship  in  it 
was,  but  it  was  for  God  to  work  in :— man  to 
be  the  subject  of  worship  I  God  to  be  the  object 
of  worship ;  for  man's  eaifieation,  and  for  God's 
glorification.  He  was  sure  his  brother's  heart 
would  faint  in  his  work,  if  he  did  not  feel  the 
house  was  not  for  man  but  for  the  Lord  God. 
It  was  not  merely  for  man  to  display  his  ta- 
lents in,  to  show  his  ingenuit^r,  or  to  evince 
the  resources  of  his  intellect  in;  nor  for  man 
to  tell  out  the  feelines  of  his  own  heart  only 
in :  but  to  preach  ttie  blessed  gospel  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  attendance  through- 
out the  day  was  encouraging,  collections  were 
made  after  each  service  to  assist  in  defraving 
the  expenses  incurred  by  the  repairs.        &• 

Ofbnuvo  ov  ▲  Steiot  Baptibt  Causb 
▲T  Brooxtabd,  iv  Couhtt  07  Hbbevobd. 
— A  few  friends  residing  in,  and  near  the 
above  Town  had  long  felt  a  desire  that  the 
l4)rd  would  be  pleased  to  open  a  way  for  them 
to  enioj  the  **  Means  of  Grace"  agreeably 
with  nis  own  Word;  bu(  as  they  were  few 
in  number,  and  lowly  in  circumstances,  there 
appeared  little  probability  of  this  desire  being 
realised ;  however,  as  every  r^al  desiro  for 
the  glory  of  God  emanates  from  Hin^lf,  so 
Buch  are  never  disregarded  by  Him,  and  thus 
it  has  proved  in  this  case.  In  the  Autumn  of 
last  year,  tbe  few  friends  above  alluded  to, 
arranged  with  some  of  the  Baptist  ministers 
around,  to  hold  a  series  of  open-air  meetings, 
which  were  well  attended,  and  a  favouraole 
impression  was  made  upon  the  public  mind 
as  to  tbe  truths  advocated  by  the  preachers, 
ao  that  a  small  ray  of  hope  would  occasionally 
flit  across  the  minds  of  these  friends  of  trutl^ 
although  nothing  immediately  followed  when 
these  public  ministrations  came  to  a  close ; 
but  as  the  Lord,  directs  all  tbe  affairs  of  bis 
Kinedom,  he  laid  it  upon  their  hearts  to  make 
anoUier  effort,  the  result  of  which  is  as 
follows:— On  the  14th  of  November,  Mr.  Beece 
from  Tenbury  (who  had  been  previously  an- 
nounced) opened  a  room  in  Bromyard  as  a 
place  of  worship  for  the  Particular  Baptists ; 
many  of  the  towns-people  attended  with  some 
from  Boss,  Tenbury.  Leominster,  ^.,  making 
up  a  good  congregation,  so  that  the  room  was 
well  filled  in  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon, 
there  was  to  be  baptizing,  and  as  there  was 
not  a  Baptistry  in  the  room,  nor  in  the  Town, 
our  friends  had  recourse  to  the  Mill-stream 
which  is  admirably  suited  for  the  purpose; 
here  Mr.  Heece  delivered  a  solemn  and  im- 
pressive discourse,  after  which,  he  baptised 
a  young  disciple  in  the  presence  of  about  600 

rtators,  most  of  whom  had  never  witnessed 
*9trang€  tigkf  before ;  the  service  was 


solemn  and  orderly.  In  the  evening,  Hr* 
B«ece  preached  again  to  a  goodly  number, 
the  room  being  filled,  and  the  proeeedings  of 
the  day  was  the  occasion  of  thanksgiving  and 
praise. 

May  the  Lord  add  his  blessing  to  this  new 
cause,  and  grant  that  it  may  faerease  with 
the  *  inereau  of  QodJ 

Whitestone.  J.  MooXB. 

Mb.  Ji.xx8  WxLLS  AT  St.  Jxicbb^b  Halx^ 
Piooi-PiixT.— St.  James's  Hall  is  situated  in 
one  of  the  most  aristocratic  parts  of  this  great 
metropolis :  and  is  perhsps  the  handsomest  hall 
wAave ;  its  lofty  ceiling,  is  one  splendid  array 
of  ornamental  work  in  gold  and  brilliant 
colors ;  its  walls  are  pictures  of  tbe  sculptors' 
handy- work  and  of  the  painter's  skill ;  its  long 
and  numerous  gas  lights^  add  splendour  to 
beauty;  and  its  elegant  and  sofUy-stuffed 
crimson  and  green  velvet  seats,  render  it 
a  'palace  of  elegance,  repose  axid  magnifi^ 
cient*grandeur.'  Well,  in  such  a  place,  on 
Sunday  evening,  Dec.  5th.  some  8000  persons 
congregated  together;  ana  were  told  m  that 
well-known,  warm  and  earnest  manner  of  Me. 
Wells's  what  *  The  Bight  Qotpti '  was.  Mr. 
Wells  conducted  the  whole  of  the  service  him- 
self.   We  sung 

'  Ghude  me,  0  thou  Great  Jehovah/ 
and  the  effect  was  solemn  and  impressive,  the 
whole  of  the  consreeation  standing,  joining  in 
the  same.    Mr.  WeUs  then  prayed,  and  we  all 
rose  again  and  sung  that  beautiful  hvmn 
*  Grace  'tis  a  charminE  souno. 

Then  came  the  discourse.  The  text  was  ta* 
ken  firom  James  ii.  12,  '  He  shall  have  judge- 
ment without  mercy,  that  hath  showed  no 
mercy ;  and  mercy  rejoiceth  against  judgment.' 
It  was  a  f^«e-grace  sermon  from  first  to  last ; 
and  Mr.  Wells  did  not  fear  to  tell  the  '  West- 
end  folk'  that  *he  was  an  high-doetrine 
man ;  and  he  ffloried  in  it.'  But  as  the  ser- 
mon is  piinted.  and  is  worth  ten  times  the 
amount  it  iB  published  at,  we  leave  our  read- 
ers to  buy  it,  and  they  will  then  have  it  com- 
plete. At  the  close  of  the  service  a  collection 
was  made  for  the  '  Blind  Society  *  whieh 
amounted  to  jS34.  B. 

Paetioulae  Baftibt  Obvech  Dorch- 
SBTEE^Dear  Sir— The  countv  of  Dorset  we 
think,  is  comparatively  un Known  to  the; 
readers  of  your  magasine.  It  is  a  locality  in 
which  the  csrtotn  sound  is  but  seldom  heard  t 
yet  there  are  even  here,  some,  who  love  the 
tmre  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God ;  and  who 
nave  been  taught  by  the  Spirit  to  exclaim, 
*  hsal  me,  0  Lord,  and  I  shall  U  healed  ;  save 
me  and  I  shall  bo  saved;  for  thou  art  nyr 
praise.' 

A  few  of  theee^  united  in  oburch  fellowship, 
have  been  worshiping  for  the  past  two  years, 
in  a  private  house,  and  their  meetingb  have 
been  abundantly  blessed.  On  Lord*s-day  the 
21st  of  Nov.  18i58,  a  public  room  was  opened, 
on  which  occasion  our  |)astor  J.  W.  Cole  de- 
livered two  very  appropriate  discourses :  that 
in  the  morning  from  Numbers  x.  35.  36 ;  and 
that  m  the  evening  from  I  Cor.  i.  23,  24. 

The  prayers  of  the  brethren  are  earnestly 
deoredhy  this  infant  churdi,  that  the  Lord 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


Urn.  1»  ItN.) 


THS  EABTHSN  TBSSUi. 


SB 


in  his  loving  kindnMi  blati  xm^  and  i 
keep  My  md  baUd  ut  up  in  thefidthaad  hoD6 
of  the  goaptii  and  from  time  to  time,  aqd ' 
imto  oar  number  mob  Mihall  be  mved.  lam, 
deer  eir,  Tout'b  in  the  truth,  A.  L.  B. 

[We  hope  soon  to  hear  anew  chapel  for 
fwpel  tmtk  if  bnill  in  ]>oroheoter— Ssj. 

SxXMU  Chapu.,  Muibb'b  Court,  Soho. 
Oa  tlia  7th  of  December,  the  third  annirenary 
of  thia  Sunday  School  was  holden:  200 
took  tea.  Afterwards  a  public  meeting 
to(A  place,  the  minister,  Mr.  J.  Bloomfield  in 
the  cnair,  who  after  Mr.  Flory  had  invoked 
the  divine  t^essing,  called  upon  the  seeretflay 
to  read  the  report  detailing  the  proceedings 
dniin£  the  past  year.  The  report  was  spoken 
to  byJlr.  w<y>Uoott  who  is  well  known  to  be 
a  stenoeh  advocate  of  Sunday  Schools ;  and 
by  whom  they  were  fitly  described  as  the 
nnrseries  fh>m  which  our  pews  are  filled,  our 
polpita  often  occupied,  and  from  whence 
Tnitsimiariee  go  forth  to  foreign  climes  to  tm- 
forl  the  blood-stained  banner  of  the  cross. 
Interesting  addresses  were  delivered  by  Messrs 
Field,  A^erson,  Wyard  and  Pells,  after 
which  the  doxology  was  sung  and  the  friends 
lepaiated. 

BiDMOWi),  Hssn.— On  Lord's-day  mom- 
iag,  ]>eoember  6th,  Mr.  H.  Hutchinson  bap- 
tiied  six  persons  at  Two  Waters,  after  preach- 
ing a  suitable  sermon  horn — *  Then  they  that 
^iadly  rcceivwd  the  word  were  baptized ;'  there 
was  an  orerflowing  congregation ;  and  I  am 
happy  to  aay,  the  administration  of  the  ordi- 
'uid  a  blessed  eflTect;  there  are  at 
two  that  were  witnesses  of  the  ordi- 
forward  with  a  widi  to  *do 
likewise  :*  and  we  expect  others  will  follow 
the  example.  1  feel  a  pleasure  in  saying  the 
httle  caoae  at  Bedmondis  steadily  increasing. 
Mr.  Hutchinson  baptised  one  male  and  five 
lemalca,  and  they  were  all  added  to  the  church 
on  last  Lord*s-day  December  12th. 

May  the  Lord  prosper  his  cause  and  interest 
not  onlv  at  Bedmond,  but  in  every  part  of 
the  world  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Jesus.<— A 

WBZX  WlBHKB  OV  ZlOV 


Claphax— Gaxhik  Baptist  CbjlPsi^ 
WmKTKMBVKQm.  St.— DcttT  Mr.  Editor- 
Allow  us,  through  your  wide  spread  Journal, 
to  aoDonnee  that  through  the  mercy  of  our 
God,  we  had  the  honor  ot  baptiaine  eight  per- 
sons on  LonTs-day,  Dec.  6th,  which  is  the  first 
time  the  ordinance  has  been  administered 
stnee  the  re^opening  of  the  chapel,  and  of  for- 
ming them,  with  fifteen  otbe^  into  a  Christ- 
ian community  on  Wednesday  evenlDg,  the 
13th.  Thus — ^much  earlier  than  we  anticipa- 
ted—have we  the  pleasure  of  beholding  a 
church  of  28  members  formed,  or  rather  re- 
formed, within  this  chapel,  never  we  trust 
s^aza  to  be  scattered.  For  this  mercy,  so 
tnaely,  and  so  conspicuous,  may  our  God  be 
abundantly  honozeu —  and  majjr  he  who  has 
promised  to  keep  his  church  ni^ht  and  day, 
last  any  hurt  her,  mercifully,  Ukrow  around 
ua  his  protecting  power,  and  graciously  cause 
the  blessings  of  nil  grace  to  descend  upon  ub, 
is  the  earnest  prayer  of  yours  most  willingly 
by  the  grace  of  Qod.  H.  H. 


AUSTRALIA. 

{We  have  between  twenty  and  Chirtj  excel- 
lent letters  from  different  parts  of  Australia : 
we  will  notice  them  aU  as  far  as  space  will 
permit.  The  first  to  hand  ia  a  most  touching 
epistle  from  our  brother  John  Bunyan  McCure 
of  Geelong.  who  has  this  q^ear  been  deeply 
afflicted  in  nia  family :  but  in  the  ministry  of 
the  word  is  growing  in  usefulness,  the  scenes 
ofhis  labors  are  multiplyiag  and  increasixur. 
In  a  long  letter  dated  August  12th,  1858, 
he  says : 

Dbab  BBOTHSBr-The  fkithfulneaa  of  the 
Lord's  word,  and  the  sufficiency  of  the  Lord's 
grace,  are  lessons  we  are  continually  learning  { 
but  little  proeress  do  we  make :  jBlcssed  bo 
God.  we  do  learn  that  lus  arm  is  not  short- 
enea ;  his  2ove  ts  CAe  §ame,  in  the  darkest 
path  ;  in  the  deepest  waters ;  in  the  hottest 
fire ;  and  will  be  the  same  while  in  this  world 
we  stay  i  therefore  the  righteous  shall  hold 
on  his  way,  and  though  that  way  may  be 
through  the  mighty  waters,  yet  shall  he  sing 
the  Lord  hath  triumphed  gloriously.  TheLora 
has  been  leading  me  by  away  I  knew  not;  and 
in  paths  1  have  not  knovm :  out  he  hath  made 
the  darkness  light,  and  the  crooked  things 
straight,  and  hath  not  forsaken  me  in  the 
day  of  trouble.  One  of  our  dear  children  he 
has  taken  home  to  himself.  Hia  sufferings, 
were  great  indeed :  he  was  in  convulsions  183 
hours;  during  that  time  we  expected  his 
death  erety  hour.  He  was  taken  worse  on 
Lord*B-day  morning  at  half-past  one  o'clock 
in  screammg  convvsions,  yet  such  was  the 
gracious  kindness  of  my  dear  Lord,  that  while 
I  was  looking  upon,  my  dear  and  much  loved 
child,  with  my  heart  ahnoat  ready  to  break, 
he  ^ve  me  those  words  of  our  precious 
Chnst :  *  The  cup  which  my  Father  giveth 
me,  shall  I  not  drink  it  P  1  was  at  once  led 
to  see  that  this  affliction,  and  the  death  of 
my  dear  Henry,  was  of  the  Lord,  and  though 
the  cup  ap^ared  to  be  a  very  larg^  one,  and 
bitter,  yet  it  was  a  measured  trial,  and  my  fa* 
ther  had  nven  it.  1  felt  resigned  to  the 
will  of  the  Lord ;  and  went  up  to  his  house ; 
and  spoke  from  those  words:  had  a* time  of 
great  liberty,  and  comfort  in  the  Lord's  ser- 
vice :  when  1  came  down  from  the  pulpit  I  was 
informed  that  he  was  worse.  1  had  now  the 
Lord's  supper  to  attend  to ;  and  to  receive 
two  persons  as  members  into  the  church :  I 
then  nastened  home,  not  expecting  to  see  him 
alive:  but  he  was  stUl  spared.  Time  fat 
evening  service  came,  hard  work  for  fiesh  and 
blood  to  leare  himt  but  the  work  of  the 
Lord  demanded  it :  forsake  all  for  Zion's  sake. 
1  asked  the  Lord  to  give  me  a  subject  by 
which  I  might  forget  mv  troubles :  *  where- 
fore God  also  hath  highly  eialted  Eim.'  I 
Bpoke  from  those  words,  and  returned  hom^ 
found  the  dear  one  still  in  great  suffering.  I 
felt  1  was  drinking  the  cud  prepared  by  a  lov- 
ing Father's  hand.  Monday  evening  I  was 
again  called  to  leave  him  to  attend  to  our  ex- 
perience meeting,  which  we  hold  every  Mon- 
day evening  to  speak  of  the  great  things  the 
Lord  has  done  for  our  souls.  We  often  have 
our  hearts  warmed  within  us  while   Jesus 

speaks  with  us  by  the  way.      C^  r\r\n\t> 

■    *^  '      Digiti^dby  VjOOQIC 


24 


THE    EAKTHBN  YESSSIf. 


tJan.  1. 18M. 


He  still  oontuiaed  in  the  m^  diitreeiinff 
infferings.  Mjfleeli  desired  to  be  excused 
£rom  ettending  toour  WednesdajeTening  ser- 
vioee,  but  I  bless  the  Lerd  I  was  strengthened 
to  give  him  glorvand  again  repeat  his  praises 
and  say  amen.  We  oontinned  to  \ratcli  him 
day  and  night,  expecting  every  hour  to  be  his 
last.  Another  Lonl's-day  morning  arrived,  we 
could  see  that  he  was  sinking  fast,  O  what  a 
trouble  it  was  now  to  my  feehngs  to  leave  him, 
tired  in  body,  and  my  natural  feelings  wrought 
no  to  the  highest  pitch.  It  is  time  for  chapel, 
what  is  to  be  done  r  you  oanMot  go.  No :  Yes 


no,  I  cannot ;  yes,  I  must.   '  The  cup  my  father 

fare  to  me,  shall  I  not  drink  it  P  I  must  go ; 
lessed  be  Ood  it  was  a  time  of  great  coosda- 


tion  to  my  sooL  I  spoke  from, '  to  whom  com- 
ing as  unto  a  living  stone/  Ac.  The  Lord 
strengthened  me;  and  I  was  strengthened 
still  to  drink  the  oup.  I  hurried  home:  my 
dear  one  was  still  straggling  against  the  cold 
messenger :  death  had  vet  its  work  to  do  :  it 
was  not  until  four  o'clock  he  yielded  up  the 
Qhost.  This  is  the  cup  my  father  hath  given 
tne ;  shall  I  not  drink  it  P  yes !  it  is  a  cup  of 
much  mercy :  It  might  have  been  my  wife,  it 
might  have  been  more  than  one  of  my  chil- 
dren,  it  might  have  been  one  of  the  elder 
ones  of  whom  I  have  no  hope  of  a  change  of 
heart ;  and  then  with  all  tnis  I  might  have 
been  onabedof  sickness,  but  lam  well;  and 
am  helped  to  bear  the  cross:  it  is  not  so 
heavy  as  it  might  be ;  it  is  not  so  bitter  as  it 
might  be ;  therefore  bless  the  Lord,  it  is  no 
worse.  Time  for  evening  service  came  again : 
all  confusion :  you  eann<ft  go  to  night,  no  I 
have  not  been  aUe  to  study,  and  how  can  1 
apeak?  Lord  help  me.  Shall  I  not  drink  it? 
I  went  to  the  Lord's  house :  there  I  was  lifted 
up ;  strengthened  to  speak  to  the  Lord's  chil. 
dren  ;  my  text  was,  *  at  for  me,  I  will  b$hold 
tkjf  foot  in  righUon§ns$tt  I  'hall  be  taUffUd 
whtn  I  attaks  in  thy  likeneM,*  The  power 
and  presence  of  the  Lord  to  me  was  like  good 
old  wine.  *I  forgot  my  poverty ;  and  remem- 
bered my  misery  no  more. 

On  the  following  Tuesday  I  committed  his 
mortal  remains  to  the  silent  grave,  to  rest  till 
the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  the  Lord 

gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away .  and 
lessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord, '  by  these 
things  the  Lord  speaks  to  us,  O  ma^r  we  hear 
his  voice,  hepealto  ready.  My  wife  unites 
with  me  in  love  to  all  the  dear  saints  in  the 
land  y>f  our  fathers  whom  we  love  in  the 
truth.  Oraoe,  mercy,  and  peace  be  with  you 
all,  so  prays  your  brother  in  tribulation  and 
in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ, 

JOHH  BUMTAN  M'oGUBB. 

Our  kind  brother  Henry  Bowling,  has  for- 
warded us  a  packet  of  spiritual  letters.  We 
hope  to  insert  some  from  time  to  time.  We 
hear  from  various  quarters,  that  Mr.  Bowling 
is  still  honourably  and  usefully  preaching  the 
gospel,  in  Tasmania.  He  has  also  sent  us  an 
excellent  epistle  from  the  pen  of  Baniel  Allen, 
the  faithful  Baptist  Minister  in  Melbourne, 
under  whose  mmistry  the  cause  is  growing : 
and  whose  writings  and  ministry  we  shall 
iiotice  more  fully. 


The  anniTenary  of  Brother  M'Cure's  new 
chapel  was  holden  on  the  fint  of  Becember ; 
ai^d  brother  Allen's  anniversary  on  New  Year's 
day^  18dQ.  If  an  express  carnage  could  shoot 
us  uto  their  midst  in  a  few  hours,  we  should 
gladly  take  a  peep  at  and  listen  to,  them ;  but 
we  must  be  thankful  we  can  reoeive  good  tid- 
ings of  them.  That  the  Lord  will  comfort 
and  increase  ihem. '  will  be  the  prayers 
of  thousands  in  their  own  native  land. 
Zealous  Christians  will  hear  with  joy  that 
both  John  B.  McCure,  and  Baniel  Allen  are 
opening  and  preaching  in  different  parts  of 
Australia,  beside  their  own  fixed  places.  Of 
these  movements  more  anon. 

We  regret  to  learn  that  a  time  of  great 
commercial  oppression  has  been  passing  over 
the  cities  and  towns  of  our  colonies.  We  hope 
a  return  of  better  davs  yet  awaits  them.  We 
^tefuUy  acknowledge  the  efforts  now  mak- 
mg  to  spread  Tub  Rikthsh  Vxbsfl.  and 
(jUEBRiao  Words  extensively  in  all  the 
colonies.  And  our  hearts  are  gladdened  by 
hearing  frequently  of  the  acceptance  of  our 
labours  by  thousands  in  those  distant  shores. 
Bless  the  Lord  for  the  Printing  Press,  and 
steam  power,  by  which  means  we  are  sending 
good  tidings  to  millions  of  our  lellow  men. 

Our  brother  Charles  Hooper,  the  Seoretarr 
to  the  Salem  Chapel  Book  Society  in  North 
Adelaide;  and  < Matilda' —  our  Australian 
Poetess,  both  write  cheerfully  of  Mr.  Qunn's 
ministry.  The  pressures  of  Providence  which 
drove  some  of  our  good  brethren  from  our 
midst,  have  wonderfully  worked  for  good. 
*The  Christian  at  the  Biggings*— '  The  Cri- 
tioisms  of  a  Believer  who  Ium  suently  weighed 
the  Gospel  Ministry  in  Australia'— and  other 
papers,  will  prove  this  assertion  ere  long  in  a 
most  interesting  manner. 

THE  XJLTB  SITB&a  AVVLTCTXON  07 

OUE  BEOTHBK  W.  FLACK. 

(The  dangerous  illness  which  had  lately 
fallen  upon  the  esteemed  pastor  of  Salem 
Chapel,  Wilton  Square,  New  North  Bead, 
had  created  alarm  lest  the  Lord  should  remove 
from  us  a  brother  so  useful,  so  much  beloved. 
Just  on  going  to  press^e  received  from  him 
the  following  letter.  We  read  it  with  sincere 
gratitude  to  Qod,  and  give  it  our  readers  en- 
tire. Ed.] 

Mt  Dkab  Bbothbb— In  answer  to  your 
kind  enquiries,  and  good  wishes,  I  am  thank- 
ful to  be  able  to  inform  you  1  am  fast  im- 
proving ;  and  hope,  by  Qod's  blessing,  to  oc- 
cupy my  pulpit  again  next  Lord's-day.  *  I 
have  been  brought  low,  but  the  Lord  has 
helped  me.'  It  has  been  a  severe  affliction  ; 
but  goodness  has  run  through  the  whole. 

I  feel  I  cannot  sufficiently  express  my 
gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  for  having  sur- 
rounded  me  with  such  kind  friends ;  and  es- 
pecially for  such  devoted  men  of  God,  as  I 
have  in  my  dear  brethren,  the  deacons. 
Their  unwearied  attention,  care,  and  affection, 
I  trust  will  never  be  forgotten.  But  if  I 
have  to  thank  my  God  for  friends,  and  a 
thousand  kindnesses  in  them!  much  more 
must  I  thank  him  for  the  si(t  of  himaslf.  Uh  I 
Digitized  by  CjOOQ  IC 


.UUW.] 


THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


25 


how  pracwns  the  dear  Lord  has  been  to  me 
thron^h  the  whole;  more  partioalarly  when 
the  storm  was  at  ita  height  The  4th  of  9e- 
eember  will  erer  be  a  memorable  day  with  me. 
Mj  diaeaae  was  that  day  at  its  higheat ;  and 
on' that  day  my  wife  waa  confined.  When  I 
cnzisnlted  my  feelinirg,  I  had  the  aentence  of 
death  within  me ;  but,  despite  of  all  feeling, 
the  Word  of  Ood  would  assure  me  that  I 
akonld  not  die,  bnt  live  and  declare  the  works 
of  the  I/ord.  Never  was  the  word  of  God 
■M>re  predoua  to  me  than  then.  I  could  in- 
dk^  look  death  in  the  face,  and  ask  where  is 
thy  sting  }  The  grave,  and  ask  where  is  thy 
power  f  The  devil,  and  triumphantly  ask, 
where  ia  thy  malice?  And  though  wave 
upon  wave  aeemed  to  roll  nearer  and  nearer, 
whiklaang, 

*  Jesoa !  lover  of  my  soul. 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly. 
While  the  nearer  billows  roll. 

While  the  tempest  still  is  high.' 

I  eoold  ahnoat  say,  even  then, 

*  Kot  a  wave  of  trouble  rolls 
Aeroas  my  peaeeAiI  breast.' 

They  were  kept,  (though  apparentlv  rolling 
■Mfer  mad  nearer)  at  a  distance,  and  *  not  a 
dof  mar^d  his  tongue,  nor  any  beast.'  I  was 
fcr  oBoe  in  Paul's  strait,  not  knowing  whether 
it  were  best  to  live  or  die.  I  can  also  say, 
thraogh  the  whole  sifliotion,  I  have  been  kept 
sweetfy  ealm.  Truth  has  been  more  than  even 
Mdoaa  to  me.  I  was  sweetly  prepared  for  the 
trial,  by  the  words,' My  counsel  shall  stand, 
■Bdl  will  do  all  my  pleasure,'  from  which  I 
preaghed  on  the  last  Lord's-day  morning  I  was 
•nt;  said  eould  not  help  telling  my  friends  I 
waa  aaauredthatthose  words  were  given  for  some 
apedal  pmpoee,  that  either  myself  or  some  of 
them  were  about  to  paas  through  some  fiery 
trinL  And  in  the  evening  of  the  same  dav,  I 
praadied  from  Bev.  iii.  14.  'I  counsel  thee 
to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that  thou 
Bsayest  be  rich.'  "Twaa  a  solemn  day  to  my 
aonl,  and  licit  asaored something  woiud  come 
oat  of  it. 

Bat  one  eneoaraging  fret  for  praviog  souls 
I  must  net  forget  to  mention.  On  Lord*s- 
dny  the  ISth,  my  dear  friends  instead  of  the 
oanal  preaching,  held  a  special  prayer-meet- 
ing  in  my  behalf.  The  cnapel  was  full,  and 
many  solemn  Drayers  went  up  to  Ood ;  and 
at  taat  very  soleinn  hour, — (toe  hour  of  the 
evening  aaoifice,  —  the  hour  on  which  the 
finvioor  died  on  the  cross,— at  that  hour,) 
while  they  yet  prayed,  the  first  frvoorable 
miptom  took  piaoe.  And  from  that  hour, 
tfaoogh  I  have  passed  through  many  ehanffes, 
I  have  eontinued  more  or  leal  to  mend.  JIf  y 
dear  wife,  though  still  low,  and  weak,  is  also 
mending.  I  would  not  lay  down  my  pen, 
withoot  acknowledj^g  the  kindness  of  my 
brethren  ia  the  ministrjr,  who  have  so  kindly 
aapplied  my  pulpit. 

And  now  hoping  soon  to  be  restored  to 
health,  I  pray  to  be  more  than  ever  devoted 
to  my  MMter  and  his  work,  thnt  in  season 
aad  oat  of  season,  I  nmv  spend,  and  be 
■pending,  tn  hie  honour  ami  glory.    Oh!  the 


blessedness  of  serving  such  a  Hester  while 
we  live,  and  when  we  die,  to  enter  into  his ' 
rest,  yea  his  joy. 

Wishing  you,  my  dear  brother,  every  new 
covenant  blessing,  I  am  your's,  very  trulv 
hi  the  Lord.  W.  Flack.  ' 

40,  Ufhm-road,  Downham^road,  if. 
J>soiia6er  20,  1858. 

(Diit  (CnmkriltgMliirf  (Cjinrrjjw, 

IVTRODVCTOBT    VOTS. 

DBA.B  SiB—Cambridgeshire  has  been  called 
the  granary  of  England  for  its  a^iculturai 

groduoe;  the  countiy  itself  contains  about 
57  square  miles,  with  many  thousand  acres 
of  fertile  land,  rich  in  its  produce  of  wheat 
and  other  grain.  But  what  is  far  better,  it  is 
rich  in  the  sacred  and  distinguishing  doctrines 
of  divine  grace.  Scattered  over  the  surface  of 
this  country,  we  have  many  hundreds  of  godly 
praying  souls ;  *  the  excellent  of  the  earth,' 
the  salt  of  the  land,  and  precious  in  the  sight 
of  Gk>d  who  redeemed  them,  and  made  them 
what  they  are.  In  Cambridgeshire  we  have 
about  26  causes  belonging  to  our  denomin- 
ation, that  is,  places  of  worship  where  the 
distinguishinsf  truths  of  the  gospel  are  frith- 
fnlljr  preached ;  we  have  about  twenty  stated 
ministerB  or  pastors,  who  are  men  of  truth, 
and  as  a  body,  good,  useful  hard-working  men 
with  no  mean  preaching  abilities;  these 
reuses  on  the  whoU  are  increasing  in  their 
numbers,  and  if  not  in  a  positive  flourishing 
condition,  I  believe  Goa  is  blessing  them 
with  a  gradual  inerease,  and  a  prosperity, 
steady  m  its  progress.  They  have  sevenl 
itinerant  pfeacners,  who,  U^ether  with  Uie 
stated  ministers  in  the  county  form  as  large  a 
body  of  usefhl  preachers  as  can  be  found  in 
any  other  county  of  the  same  sise,  and  in 
general  their  ministrr  meets  with  acceptance 
among  the  people.  It  will  be  seen  by  our 
following  Mpers  that  some  of  these  causes  are 
large,  considering  the  sise  of  the  place,  fhe 
number  of  inhabitants,  Ac. 

Cambridgeshire  is  arranged  under  two  great 
divisions  (1)  The  Isle  of  Ely,  and  (2)  Camb- 
ridgeshire proper,  the  latter  contains  the 
largest  population,  the  former  having  the 
most  Fbv  or  Maksbt  Und.  But  thanks  be 
unto  God,  the  waters  of  the  sanctuarr,  the 
gospel  stream,  has  reached  these  '  low  Iands>' 
and  marshy  places  also.  Esek.  xlrii. 
{Bl$f  and  lAtiUport  im  ournwi,) 


SiBLB  Hbstnoxam,  Esbbx.— We  had  * 
happy  day  at  the  Old  Baptist  Chapel,  8ible 
Heoinghmn,  Dec.  6th,  our  brother  Charles 
Shipway,  spoke  from  Acts  viii.  39;  after 
which  he  baptised  seven  persons,  four  males, 
and  three  females.  And  the  males  being 
teachers  of  the  Sunday  School :  in  the  after- 
noon our  pastor  gave  each  the  right  hand  of 
fellowsbip,  and  received  them  into  full  oonu 
munion;  it  was  a  precious  season.  As  a 
ehureh,  we  are  at  peace  among  ourselves ;  and 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  attends  the 
word  spoken. 

Digitized  by  ^ 


:S6 


THX  XABTHSM   VS88BL. 


[Jan.  1, 18A9. 


THE   FAITH  ONCE    DELIVEEED    UNTO   THE   SAINTS. 

rW0  rajoice  not,  in  being  compelled  to  oommenee  a  new  volame  with  a  ControMrsial  Conur; 
bat,  from  the  nature  of  the  letters  oonatarillT  pouring  in  upon  ue,  we  are  driven  to  «  double 
conviction.  Firrt,  it  is  elear,  the  pure  and  My  gomt  of  0*ri#«  <»  iw*  fully  and  fairiy 
preached  in  our  pulpits.     From  the  Bishop  of  London,  down  to  the  most  obooure  Itinerant, 


minds  are  becoming  uneasy.  Some  send  us  denunciations ;  some  send'  us  encouraging  conso- 
lations; not  a  &w  send  us  important  questions,  and  oontroyersial  communications.  We  must 
attend  to  them  aU :  having  for  our  aim,  the  exposuro  of  error,  the  unfolding  ot  Truth,  the 
edification  of  the  people,  the  arousing  of  the  churohee,  the  comforting  of  the  saints,  the  glory 
of  God.  Brethren,  help  us,  in  our  work.  Every  day  it  becomes  mow  weighty,  and  heavier  in 
responsibility.  Ed]. 


CHARGES  AGAINST 
•IBTTEES    TO    THB0PHILU8.' 

BVOOND  BBFLT. 

We  hero  just  give,  in  few  words,  the  sum 
of  Mr.  John  Foster's  charges  against  the 
'  Letters  to  Theophilus ;'  or,  rather,  a  sum  of 
the  doctrines  advocated  by  Mr.  Foster.  And 
as  the  roader  will  sea  in  going  through  his 
piece  in  Uie  J)eoember  numbttr,  they  are 
these ;  that  if  a  man  be  lost,  it  is  his  own 
fault;  and  that  the  bitterest  portion  in  that 
cup  of  tiie  lost^will  be  that  it  is  their  own 
wilful  fault  that  they  ara  in  that  place  of 
torment;  that  the  Saviour  must  be  trusted, 
that  the  benefit  oi  his  passion  may  be  se- 
cured; that  all  men  every whero  aro  com- 
manded  to  npent;  that  men  cannot  help 
themselves ;  that  they  cannot  even  pray,  but 
only  ask  for  the  Holy  Spirit;  that  all  the 
Lord  Mk$  ia,  wilt  thou  be  made  whole?  if 
thy  heart  reepond,  ves,  I/>rd,  thou  art  saved ; 
the  desiro  of  salvation  is  salvation;  that  when 
laith  is  swallowed  up  in  sight  we  shall  Itmow 
why  one  is  taken  and  another  left  ;  that  it  is 
our  being  Baptists  that  aggravates  the  ofibnce 
of  'Letters  to  Theophuus;'  that  he  (Mr. 
Foster,)  holda  no  yea  and  nay  preachments; 
that 
"Twas  the  sane  love  that  spread  the  feast 

That  sweetly  fore^A  ns  in.' 
Thus  fkr  Mr.  Foster.        We  will  now  proceed 
to  point  out  to  him  the  work  which  he  must, 
in  order  to  establish  his  doctrines,  do. 

WeU  then, friend  John,  youmnst  know  that, 
although  your  name  should  iio<  be  in  the 
book-  of  lue;  and  though  none  can  enter  the 
heavenly  ci^  but  thoee  whose  names  wero 
thero  written  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world:  if,  friend  John,  your  name  should 
not  be  then;  and  while  the  Saviour  laid 
down  his  life  for  the  sheep,  and  you  should 
not  be  one  of  his  sheep ;  and  while  no  man 
can  oome  to  Christ,  'oxcept  the  Father  draw 
him ;'  and  while  M  the  duHn&i  citizens  of 
heaven  are  to  be  taught  of  God ;  and  if  you, 
friend  Johii«  should  not  be  one  taught  of  God ; 
yet  you  can  surmount  aU  these  difficulties, 
or,  according  to  your  own  shewing,  it  will 
be  (to  use  your  own  words) '  your  ownyrJee* 
ONS  witfkl  fault.  Tea.  it  will,  aoeovding  to 
your  own  wotds, '  be  the  bitterest  portion  in 


your  cup,  if  you  do  not  surmount  these  diffi- 
culties ;'  and  if  you  do  not  surmount  them, 
the  Lord  may  well  say  to  you,  *out  of  thine 
own  mouth  will'  I  judge  thee,  thou  wicked 
servant.'      Now,  friend  John,  keep  to  the 

Eoint.  You  know  *  all  things  aro  possible  to 
im  that  believeth ;'  only  it  must  be  him  that, 
by  the  faith  of  Qod's  elect,  believeth  the  truth. 
Now  then  hxik  at  it  again.  Your  name  not 
in  the  Book  of  Life,  yet  you  vi W  enter  the 
city;  you  not  a  sheep;  yet  you  wll  kavs 
eternal  life ;  you  not  redeemed,  yet  you  will 


be  on  Mount  t\on ;  you  not  rogenerated,  not 
possessing  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  yet  yoa^ll 
oe  one  among  the  sanctified   by  the  Hoit 


ahost.  NowJ  friend  John,  can  you  do  all 
this  or  not?  If  you  can,  then  whero  is  your 
profeation  of  its  being  all  of  groMi  and 
&  you  cannot  do  all  thU  ;  then  what  becomea 
of  your  doctrine,  that  it  is,  if  you  are  lost, 
wmr  own  fault  t  Do  you  say  God's  people  have 
nothing  to  do  with  thedootnnesof  election,  cer- 
tain redemption,  effectual  calling,  and  cove- 
nant choice,  and  eternal  security  ?  Do  tou 
say  they  have  nothing  to  do  with  these  doo- 
trjnes?  ah,  then,  as  well,  just  as  well,  may 

50U  say,  that  they  have  notMng  to  dowUk  the 
mie.  And  if  you  can  believe  in  Christ,  and 
at  the  same  time  despise  his  truth,  then  you 
have  found  ont  a  secret  we  should  wish  never 
to  come  into. 

Now,  friend  John,  whether  you  wiU  own  it 
or  not,  you  are,  by  your  fall  in  Adam,  in  a  loat 
condition;  you  are  a  sinner,  a  lost  iuiner. 
by  Adam'a  transgression;  and  if  you  should 
be  lost,  then  hero,  in  the  faU  in  Adam, 
lies  the  criminal  eaute  of  your  bemg  loet. 
Tou  were  in  an  utterly  lost  oondiUon  Ufore 
you  ever  committed  one  practical  sin ;  thoee 
sins  have  augmented  your  guilt:  but  you 
wero  alreadyin  a  lost  condition;  allbeinffm 
this  lost  oondidon.  It  laid  with  the  Lord  to 
save  all,  or  none,  or  any— whichever  he 
pleased.  We  do  most  soUmnly  tell  you,  that 
Uiero  aro  times  when  we  fairly  ^^^^  •* 
professors  of  your  stamp-blammg  the  dam- 
nation  of  men  upon  the  Baviour,  and  uijon 
tiie  graoe  of  God  ;  carrying  in  yo«r  vile  doo- 
trinea  a  denial  of  the  real  state  of  men  aa 
rinners;  denying  also  that  Uw  which  is  the 
sole  legal  and  righteous  cause  of  condemnar 
tion.  We  aasuro  yon,  that  J^^^f?*  "• 
moro  shocked  at  the  dootrmes  of  *ALittto 


[  Jtt.  1,  IftM. 


THB   SASTHSN  VB8SBL. 


27 


tiiif  one  part  of  thft  tratli  of  Qod  to  oaabr^ 
diet  mother ;  aad  oo  represflnfeitig  the  blessed 
God  IS  divided  Against  mniieif.  Sir,  we  defy 
TOO,  tad  all  the  men  of  your  school  to  prove 
thai  the  Bible  coatains  truths  opposed  in  yonr 
wise  of  the  vord,  one  to  another.  We  defy 
yoa  to  prove,  that  if  a  man  be  lost,  that  it  la 
bii  own  faolL  It  ii  sir.  arigimU  sm's  fmult : 
rar  loot  oandtkion  was  there  and  then  oomple- 
ted ;  there  we  died  to  God.  Steeped  in  sin, 
sssUby  the  fall  axe,  yet  foralUhia  boast  that 
we  thoold  not  have  been  lost  but  for  the 
gospel  That  the  gospel  offi^ra  life  to  the  dry 
bones,  and  the  unconscious  bone  is  to  be 
buraedyor  not  believing.  Bead,  sir,  the  I8th 
'Letter  to  Theopiulus;'  and  if  you  have  any 
of  that  xeverenee  fbr  the  Bible  of  which  you 
10  mmkip  boatt,  you  will  desiie  lo  nmrk, 
Issni,  and  imtottrtUy  digmL 

Bat,  sir,  go  on  again :  *  ilU  Saviour  «Mwi 
Ii  irmaUdtiatihsbmtsfU  of  kit  passion  ma^ 
ks  mmtrsd,'  Where,  sir,  do  you  get  this  from  ? 
As  we  esnnot  find  it  in  the  Bible  we 
mat  leave  you  to  And  it  for  us ;  only  just  r»- 
miadbg  you,  that  the  Saviour  does  say,  '  It 
•bsil  be  given  to  those  fbr  whom  it  is  prepared 
of  his  Father ;  also,  the  Saviour  said,  *  it  is 
wot  snae  to  give.'.  Now,  sir,  if  it  were  not 
\m  lo  give,  koto  came  it  fomr^s  to  qff^T 
Wbeneeeomeswch a  mission?  Kotoertainly 
ftm  shore. 

Bat,  go  on  again:  'mm  ars  sommandsd 
mrfwhars  to  rmmi*  No  doubt  about  it; 
end  this  command  is  as  effectual  as  was  the 
wnunand  to  Laaarua  to  *  oome  forth !'  John 
M«  a  great  multitude  out  of  all  nations ;  and 
Ood  had  commanded  the  light  to  sMne  into 
the  bevts  of  everrone  of  these}  and  by  this 
CDoiiBsad  oausad  them  to  repent;  and  if 
ever  they  held  the  abominable  falsehoods  that 
yea  do,  those  errors  would  not  be  the  least  of 
the  sias  of  whaidi  they  repented. 

Bat  go  on  again  :  '«M  Oe  £ord  oefa  i«, 
wiUtkimUmadowhioUl  Well,  but  how  do 
you  prove  tins  ?  Bo  you  prove  this  from  his 
havmg  Hod  this  to  one  person  P  Did  he  ask 
Saul  of  TsBMis  if  he  would  be  made  whole  ? 
JDid  he  ask  the  three  thousand,  en  the  day  of 
^ntooost,  if  they  would  be  made  whole  ? 
J^id  ha  ask  ^  dry  bones,  in  Ezekiers  valley, 
if  they  would  be  made  whole?  Alas,  sir,  all 
men  are  whole  already,  until  God  himjelf 
wound  them.  But  you  settle  the  matter  verv 
easily,  for  say  you,  *  tk»  desire  of  saUtation  m 
solmatiom,"  Well,  where  did  you  set  tha 
from  ?  Was  it  from  the  stoney  ground  hearer, 
or  from  the  way-side  hearer,  or  from  the 
thoniey  ground  hearer  ?  For  these  all  dssir^ 
si  smloatitM^  yet  were  not  saved;  but 

Aa  we  must  sajr  but  little  more,  perphaps 
jou  will  m  on  again :  But  the  quewwm,  whv 
«i,  Xord  f  mmtt  he  Uft  until  faith  is  svsal- 
Umsdnpim  si^ht/  Well,  and  what  then? 
Is  that  whioh  la  not  revealed  to  contradiot 
that  wUeh  is  revealed  ?  la  revesded  truth, 
end  merer,  to  endure  fbr  erer?  Is  the  stlva- 
tisn  whkiL  is  revealed  to  endure  fbr  ever  i 
Aad  is  the  riffhteousnaas  which  is  revealed, 
aoc  to  be  abofaehed,  and  yet  something  is  yet 
to  be  revealed  to  oTerturn  what  is  revealed ; 
md  while  he  hath  mercy  upon  whom  he  will 
We  merey,  is  now  a  revealed  truth,  is  thia 


truth  to  be  by  and  by  set  aside  ?  and  are  you 
prepared  to  oarrjr  your  quarrel  with  your 
Maker's  counsels  into  heaven,  and  there  and 
then  call  in  question,  the  right  of  the  potter 
over  the  day  of  the  same  lump  ?  Thb,  too, 
is  Mr.  John  Foster,  who  would  not  have  us 
'scrutiniMS  the  plans  and  purposes  of  the 
Most  High.  We  ask,  sir,  where  do  you  get 
the  authority  to  suggest  that  any  reason  but 
that  of  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Most  Hirh 
will  ever  be  assigned  for  doing  as  he  pleased  ? 
*  we  shall  know  even  as  we  are  known.'  True 
-^he  people  of  Gt>d  will  know,  as  thev  are 
known;  but  they  will  never  know  anything 
contrary  to  revealed  truth :  *  his  truth  en- 
dnreth  for  ever.' 

But  go  on  again:  *Our  hsing  Baptists 
aggravates  the  off^nee  </  Letters  to  Theo* 
philus*  Now  here  we  confess  we  are  a  little 
staggered,  for  we  know  not  how  (Mr.  Foster 
and  Company,)  being  Baptists,  con  aggravate 
the  oflfence.  Beally,  Mr.  Foster  is  almost  too 
much  for  us  here ;  except  it  be  something 
simtlar  to  the  people  we  read  of  in  the  6th 
chapter  of  the  Gospel  by  John;  that  the 
people  having  eaten  of  the  loaves  and  fishes, 
aggravated  the  offence  of  the  Lord's  discourse 
to  them ;  for  they  were  all  very  friendly  with 
him  in  one  respect,  and  liked  the  loaves  and 
fishes  very  well ;  but  the  sermon  aCterwarda 
was  very  offensive.  Now  we  would  not  for 
a  moment  charge  Mr.  Fo^r  with  having 
any  respect  whatever  for  such  trifling  things 
as  loaves  and  fishes;  but  we  refer  to  thia 
circumstance  to  help  us  out  of  our  difficulty ; 
and  the  slight  analogy  stands  thus ;  that  if 
the  people  were  so  kind,  and  friendly,  and 
obliging,  as  to  partake  of  the  loaves  and  fishes, 
it  was  very  ungracious  in  the  Saviour,  so  to 
preach  to  them  as  to  offend  them.  So  Mr. 
Foster  and  Company  being  so  kind  as  to  be 
Baptiate.  therefore  <  Little  One'  being  a  Bap- 
tist also,  ought  not  to  have  written  anything 
contrary  to  Mr.  Foster's  creed.  This  then 
agqra/oates  i\td  oS&aoo. 

JBut  let  ua  leave  this,  and  yon  go  on  again  i 
^It  was  the  same  love  that  spread  the  feast. 

That  sweetly  foreed  us  in.' 

Well,  we  were  staggered  just  now ;  but  here 
we  are  thoroughly  beaten ;  for  whatever  Mr. 
Foster  can  have  to  do  with  the  doctrine  of 
forced  to  eome  in,  we  cannot  make  out.  Thia 
looks  to  us,  more  like  mere  pretension  than 
anything  else.  It  is  true,  Mr.  Foster  telia 
us,  that  we  are  helpless ;  but  then  he  cannot 
iBPMi  thia— because  be  says,  'he  holds  no 
yea  and  nay  preachments ;'  so  that  his  telling 
oa  that  it  is  all  of  grace — that  we  cannot  help 
ourselves ;  that  we  are  ^forted  in ;'  and  that  if 
we  feel  our  need  of  the  Saviour,  this  he  gives 
us.  Mr.  Foster,  of  course,  does  not  seriously 
mean  one  word  of  all  thia;  these  are  ezprea- 
akins  he  has  picked  up  from  the  Bible  and 
Hymn  books,  and  from  his  minister,  not 
that  be  means  a  single  word  of  it ;  for  he 
protests  against  ^yea  and  Mjr,'  ao  that 
we*«Mca<  not  believe  that  he  leally  means 
that  it  is  all  of  graoe.  We  must  not  do 
him  such  injustice,  as  to  believe  that  he 
really  means  what  he  says,  when  he  tells  us, 
that  we  are  compelled  to  come/in;Lfor^»«r« 

Digitized  by  ^ 


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TUB  SARTHBM    TBSSJSL 


f  Jm.  1»  l«5ft. 


we  to  believe  that,  he  reellj  menu  at  is  ell  by 
grace,  we  should  make  his  preaohmente  to  m 
^ea  and  najr ;  for  in  one  part  of  hia  creed,  (and 
m  that  part  too  which  lies  nearest  his  heart, 
he  tells  us  that  *  it  was  their  own  ikult  if  they 
do  not  go  to  heayen  ;'  so  you  see,  if  these 
lost  men  had  dons  thsir  vart^  they  would 
have  been  saved ;  and  as  Mr  Foster  reckons 
liimself  saved,  he  of  course  has  done  and  is 
doin^  his  part.  60  that  his  saying  it  is  all  of 
grace  is  a  mere  delusion,  nor  would  all  hia 
protostations  against  salvation  partly,  at  least 
by  works,  have  with  us  the  weight  of  a  straw : 
hunuin  msritf  however  much  they  may  labor 
to  disguise  and  hide  it,  is  the  qumt-essenoe  of 
the  doctrines  held  by  the  whole  duty-faith 
tribe.  And  although  it  is  he  who  beuereth 
the  truth  in  the  love  ofU,  that  gives  hereby  evi- 
dence that  he  is  a  sound  man,  and  that  he  that 
beliBveth  not  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  does 
thereby  give  proof  that  he  is  in  a  state  of  na- 
jfcure ;  and  that  as  one  is  not  saved/or  believing, 
to  the  other  is  not  damned /or  not  believing 
untoetomal salvation;  butislost,as  a  fallen  sin- 
ner in  Adam,  and  condemned  also  for  whatever 
personal  sins  he  has  committed,  we  would  not, 
therefore,  do  Mr.  Foster  the  injustice  to  sup- 
pose for  one  moment,  that  he  believes  that 
laith.  is  the  gift  of  God ;  he  and  all  his  tribe, 
may  say  so,  but  we  do  not  happen  to  possess 
ability  to  believe  them :  w;e  believe  the  whole 
daty-roith  legion  to  be  nothing  but  Armin- 
jans  in  heart;  and  of  aU  the  delusive  doc- 
trines in  the  world,  we  believe  that  there  are . 
none  more  deceptive,  more  feasible,  more  en- 
tangling, to  the  unwarv,  or  more  loved  by 
the  flew,  than  this  suiddal  dutj-fidth  contri- 
vance; and  the  wise  as  well  as  the  fooUah, 
,'seem  one  half  of  them  sleeping  while  the 
.enemy  is  sowing  tares  among  the  wheat,  and 
thousands  of  professors  love  to  have  it  so. 
[Mr.  John  Foster's  second  oommnnieatioa  is 
to  hand :  it  shall  be  inserted.  We  most  not 
exdude  such  controversies  as  tend  to  lav 
open  more  fully  the  r^oeaisd  word  and  will 
:  ofQod;  although  owljr « 
ean  bs  spared.— So.] 


^anon.  xae  oioer  oay  mx,  jn.oi««,  ok  xivw^ 
^ork,  made  some  stetomente  through  our 
>ages,  charging  <  The  Old  School  Baptiste* 
vith  apostacy.    That  Letter  of  Mr.  Mott's 


THB   OLD   SCHOOL  BAPTISTS   IN 
AMSBIOA,  AND  MB.  MOTT. 
<•  All  things  work  toffether  for  good." 
THia  great  truth  is  every  day  being  more 
inUy  confirmed  in  our  experience,  and  obser- 
vation.   The  other  day  Mr.  Mott,  of  New 
York,  • 

with  apostacy. 

contained  a  question  for  our  brother  James 
1/Vells,  which  was  answered.  Mr.  Mott^s 
assertions  have  spread  like  wild-fire  through 
the  United  Stetes;  and  several  able  scribes, 
and  sound  hearted  Christians  have  taken 
upon  themselves  to  defend  the  Old  School 
Baptiste.  We  have  some  thorough  good  let-' 
ters  from  Jamea  Joyce,  from  JBlder  George 
Beebc,  and  the  friends  of  Elder  Globe,  with 
packete  of  *  TAs  SigH$  of  the  Timn;'  and 
copies  of  other  truth  ddSsnding  Joumab  in 
America.  We  shall  fumlA  our  readers  with 
a  review  of,  and  eztracta  from,  these  American 
Papers ;  and  we  think  a  correspondence  win 
be  opened  up  between  our  brethren  in  Christ, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  ourselves, 
which  will  be  profiteble  and  encouraging. 
Thus  *  Old  Sam  will  be  put  to  his  ahifta  again,* 
as  the  Hampshire  parson  would  say. 


KBCOGNITION  OF  PASTOBB. 

We  hadprepared  a  full  aooountof  iheserriees 
connected   with  the   settlement  of  Francis 

'  Collins,  as  pastor  of  the  Churoh,  meeting  in 
Howe-street,  Baptist  Chapel,  Plymouth,  on 
Tuesday  and  Thursdav,  Dec.  7th,  and  9th  but 
circumstances  compelled  us  to  defbr  ito  inser- 
tion until  February :  we  regret  this ;  but  ito 

'  interest  will  not  be  lost. 

CHATTSRia— The  Baptist  Church  Meeting 
in  the  Chapel,  (late  the  scene  of  Mr.  Horsley's 
labours,)  have  recognised  Mr.  Joseph  Wilkins. 

'  as  their  pastor  themselves.  On  Sunday  even- 
ing, Dec.  19th,  Mr.  Wilkins  steted  publicly 
from  the  pulpit  his  call  by  grace ;  call  to  the 
ministry ;  views  of  Divine  truth,  Ac  On 
the  foltowing  evening  a  venr  interesting  so- 
cial church  meeting  was  holden  for  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  to  receive  him  as  their  pas- 

'tor.  The  meeting  was  unamious,  happy  and 
eheerful :  thus  the  deacons  and  members  have 
adopted  a  new  mode  of  ordaining  a  minister. 


REDEMPTION  FUND. 

Amount  umoQBoed  in  December  No.  106    1    7. 
By  Mr.  MoCarthy,  Bgertoa  ForstaU  : 

MrMeCartby       ...  0   S    0, 

MrDavies  0    10 

MrJMBieBuss       ...  0   1    0 

Mr  O.  Pack  ?    ^    • 

MrPask,Jan.        0   0    6 

Mr  J.  Turk  0    10 

Mr  A  Dawson        0    1    0 

Mr  White  0    0    6 

Mrs  Bartholomew  and  Friends,  Ridgwell,  0    2    0 

Mrs  Thorn,  Clapham...  0    2    0 

Mrs  Ponder,  Maldon 0    2    0 

Contributed  by  the  obnreh  and  eoogre. 
gadon  at  Cramner  Oonrt  ChapeU  Oap- 
ham,  after  sermons  by  Messrs,  Gaunt, 

0.  W.  B.  and  Mr.  Bird,  paster,       ...  2    0    0^ 

Thomas  Farrington,  Buntiagford        ...  0   2    0 
Mendleaham:  toC.  W.  B. 

Brother  Brett,  Leiston  (2ad  donation)  0    2    6 

Toong  Man  In  Vestry  0    10 

Jabes  Hart  and  his  Sister 0   10 

Friend  ...  0    10 

J.  Hankies,  Wandsworth,     0    4    0 

A  Friend  fVom  the  Tabernacle  ...  0    1    0 

A  Friend,  Woolwich  0    6    0 

B.B.Stew  ...  0    2    6 

J.  P.  0    2    6 

J.T.  ...  0    2    6 

P.  Town  ...  , 0    2    6 

8.8.E:,G.  ...  0    10 

Thomas  ...  0    10 

B.6.  L.  S  ...  0    10 

Deacon  at  Woobnm  Qreen 0    0    6 

N.M.  •    !    S 

Mrs.  P.  Kent  Bead...  ..  «    2    6 

A  hated  depised  ontcast  ...  -  S    !    2 

A  PoBdo-baptist,  but  constant  B^ader...  0    6    0 

F.B.  ...  0    10 

D.  H.  ...  2    J    ? 

Mrs  Hays  Brentford  9    1^ 

A  Friend  at  Sqairries-atreet 1    0    0 

I  As  aabsGripdons  have  been  sent  throogh  virions 
channels,  if  any  donation  ahould  hate  been  OBdued 
we  shonld  be  glad  if  the  Mends  would  Inform  a. 
Banks,  of  182.  Dover  Bead,  who  is  making  out 
one  entire  list  for  publication  when  the  Bedemp- 
tlon  i^rioe  is  fhlly  paid,  EiU 

Digitized  by  Google  ' 


Mk  1,  IW9,} 


THB  BAHTHBV  YJE8BSL. 


se 


2r5<  toAi(5tttrttt'$  tortttttttg  rtttb  HHwrtt^tt, 


To  THs  Editor  ov  thb  Ea&thsn  YtassL, 

Sir — ¥cfr  my  motto,  I  here  place  before 
jonr  rettders,  Jeremiah  vi.  16.  *  Thus  saith 
the  Lord,  itand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and 
wtk  for  the  old  ]^ths,  where  is  the  ^ood  way : 
and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  to 
your  ionls:  hut  they  said,  we  will  not 
wUk  therein.'  At  the  time  these  words  were 
detiTcred,  we  find  the  Jews  practising  three, 
of  the  most  heinoofl  sins,  which  now,  and 
have  ever,  more  or  less,  affected  and  afflicted 
the  ehareh  of  Ood.  Covetoutnest,  deceit^  and 
fMMf  of  JUUlity  in  the  mimsiratitm  of  holy 
things.  Erery  obserrer  cannot  but  be  af- 
flicted with  the  extent  of  these  sore  erils  in 
our  da^.  We  may,  therefore,  safelr  press 
upon  the  church,  the  directions  of  the  pro- 
phet, at  the  present  moment. 

Ai  we  are  traTclIera  to  a  coming  etemit;^ ; 
and  the  (to  us,)  anbom  future  is  covered  in 
the  mist  of  darkness ;  surely,  it  behores  us 
to  enquire  earnestly  for  the  true  road,  that 
leada  to  endless  bliss.  The  little  gpace 
allotted  us  here,  is  of  small  moment.  The 
time  wfll  soon  be,  as  though  it  had  not 
been.  The  last  sigh,  which  separates  from 
the  preaent^  will  be  short !  The  vast  eternal 
world  of  spirits  opens,  and  we  enter  in !  We 
leave  this  little  house  to  mix  again  with  its 
common  parent.  But,  where  goes  and  dwells 
thb  immortal,  indsible  tenant  ?  This  earthly 
boose  must  be  left,  before  we  can  be  clothed 
with  that  which  is  from  abore.  The  waiting 
millions  to  receive  us,  who  can  count  ?  The 
songs  of  praise,  who  can  utter  ?  The  eternity 
to  dwell  in,  who  can  conceive  ?  And  yet, 
how  we  stray  from  the  path,  that  leada  to 
this  endless  state;  forgetful  of  the  past— re- 
gardless of  the  future!  From  friends  and 
from  foes,  are  we  warned  of  our  departure, 
and  yet  how  slow  to  watch  and  to  pray  ! 

We  have  hen,  first,  a  duty  enjoined :  to 
ask  and  enquire.  Thus,  being  on  his  jour- 
aey,  the  wayfaring  man,  lest  he  should  loose 
time  and  exhaust  strength,  by  straying,  when 
paanng  through  a  strange  country,  duigentlv 
enquires  for  the  best,  svest  and  nearest  road. 
Hare  we  maT  laam  a  safe  and  sure  lesson. 
The  Old  Patha  can  still  be  fonnd,  providing 
wa  ooBBiilt  the  Old  travellers,  who  have 
heao,  and  still  are  travelling  to  <that  rest 
whkk  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God.'  By 
the  cnqutiy,  we  not  only  obtain  information, 
bat  fraqoently  happen  nf  a  companion  to 
ciftear  na  in  this  dreary  desert.  Thus  are  we 
aalh  from  being  loat,  cheered  and  encouraged 
to  preas  on,  should  we  again  be  left  alone. 
Diaary  forests,  dark  night^  and  heavy  loads, 
with  prowling  beaats  all  around,  not  on* 

Vojfc.  XV.— Ko.  107. 


frequently  alarm  the  young  traveller;  let 
him,  therefore,  never  ceaae  to  make  all  need- 
ful enquiries  for  the  good  old,  beaten  paths. 
Thus  he  will  be  able  to  speed  his  way. 

Some  new  way  will,  perhaps,  be  pointed 
out ;  a  nearer  way.  The  old  way  in  which 
the  Prophets  trod,  cannot,  with  safety,  be 
departed  from. 

Oonneoted  with  this,  is  another  beautiful 
word.  '  The  Good  Way.'  Being  good,  as 
well  as  old,  we  must  see,  that  the  two  are 
united.  The  safety  does  not  consist  in  its 
being  old ;  Adam,  E?e,  Cain,  all  walked  in 
the  way  that  was  not  good.  Sad  proof  that 
old  ways,  are  not  always  ri^ht.  Satan'e 
ways  are  not  of  yesterday  ;  neither  are  the 
ways  of  the  Greek  and  Romish  Churches. 
Age,  in  the  estimation  of  millions,  his 
made  their  churches  sacred,  reveled,  adored. 
This  can  neither  free  them  from  error— from 
vice— from  despotism — from  idolatry — from 
beluff  the  enemy  of  man — nor  of  being  the 
hostUe  foe  of  both  God,  his  word,  and  his 
church. 

We  are,  therefore,  brethren,  to  look  for 
the  good  with  the  M,  The  pleasing  em- 
ployment, becomes  increaaingiy  delightful, 
with  the  charming  and  heavenly  quality, 
good\  as  our  sure  and  safe  guide.  If  we 
turn  to  our  Father,  our  Lord,  our  Teacher, 
the  Grospel,  we  are  at  once  arrested  with 
this  divine  element,  good. 

Perfectly  clear  and  explicit  are  the  three 
directions.  —  Stand,  We  stand  by  faith. 
Here  we  are  brought  to  comply  with  the 
word,  or  words  of  the  Lord.  Wisdom 
has  ways;  Her  ways  are  all  pleasant. 
The  wayfarmg-^an  will  here  find  his 
safety.  When  the  Lord  directs,  there  is 
something  of  goodness  to  be  realised, 
however  painful  may  be  our  trials.  The 
child  of  Qm  will  ever  be  safe,  in  constantly 
attending  a  gospel  ministry :  bible  reading  ; 
private  and  public  prayer ;  communion  with 
the  saints.  These  ways  are  evidently  laid 
down,  pointed  out,. and  commended  to  be 
stood  upon,  that  we  may  see  and  ask.  Here 
we  shall  see  the  Father,  gradually  unfolding 
his  holy,  loving  and  unchanging  nature,  to 
his  astonished  children.  The  purity  of  his 
justice  will  startle  :  His  love  and  tenderness 
will  melt.  The  one  will  create  fear,  the 
other,  love.  This  is  seen  more  and  more 
clearly,  as  we  gaze  upon  the  Son,  as  He  is 
made  known  to  us  in  the  preaching  of  the 
OospeL  The  words  of  Paul  to  the  Corinthian 
church,  are  here  verified.  *But  we  all, 
with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  eame 
image^  from  glory  to  glory,  hT-4he  Spiijil  of 

Digitized  by  VjOQ^IC 


8Q 


TUB  BABTHBM   TBtlftSL. 


[Feb.  1,  1859. 


the  Lord,*  Whatever  diatreflsee,  or  whatever 
becomeB  doubtful ;  wlMtever  wants  we  feel, 
desires,  or  wishes,  we  are  instructed  to 
ask.  This  has  reference  to  the  good,  old 
way.  This  we  must  endeavour  ever  to 
keep  in  view ;  we  must  mind  that  we 
are  at  the  posts  of  the  tf«e  Doors ;  where  the 
Lord's  f^mdes  eater. 

For  all  this  we  have  the  Lord's  autboritv, 
therefore  a  Divine  «Thus  saith  the  Lord.' 
Satan  and  his  minions  will  eonstantly  endea- 
Yoar  to  draw  us  from  this.  How  diversified 
are  the  systems — proposed  to  entangle  the 
unwary,  scarcely  need  be  named,  except  a  few 
of  modern  invention,  or  old  errors  revived  with 
a  little  eloquent  language,  and  made  to  ap- 
pear as  great  and  sablime  truths.  When  we 
nave  to  encoaater  sacramentarian  and  priestly 
errors  —  we  have  to  encovnter  a  literary 
and  polished  press,  as  well  as  historic,  argu- 
mentative, and  highly  polished  eomposition. 
*  Bntiefaiff  words  cJ  man's  wisdom.'  From 
tiieie  lordly  adversaries  we  must  not  shrink, 
especially  when  they  proclaim,  both  from  the 
pulpit  and  the  press,  that  ohildren  are  born 
juttijiedt  1$tapifid,  and  refenerated.  Where 
svoh  teachers  make  room  for  repentance, 
penance,  and  absolution,  it  will  be  difficult 
to  find.  •  But  the  glaring  inconsistency  of 
such  teachers,  warn  us  by  more  startling 
statements.  Although  the  child  is  born 
re^nerated,  he  must  have  a  Kpcond  ret^encrd- 
tion,  and  that  by  the  Holy  office  of  apostoli- 
cal succession.  Here,  sir,  we  mij^ht  wish 
to  stop,  but  no !  Though  bom,  inspired  and 
justified,  muob  work  remains  for  the  priest, 
eonfession,  penance  and  absolution  are  essen- 
tials, from  his  hands,  or  no  eternal  happiness. 
These  fearfnl  errors  are  neither  confined  to 
Papacy,  nor  Episoopal,  but  are  cpenly  pro- 
claimed by  some  of  our  professing  Evangeli- 
Dissenters.  'Fhe  dangers  from  such  and 
uany  other  of  similar  dangerous  errors, 
to  our  weaker  brethren,  and  rising  jouth 
should  stimulate  us  to  vigorous  action  in  the 
oanse  of  Christ  against  such  subtle  and  dead- 
ly foes.  They  generally  come  in  sheep's  cloth- 
ing. These  havemeniT  persons  in  view  because 
of  advantage.  Satan's  ministers  being  trans- 
lated into  angels  of  light,  shews  that  the 
error  is  not  always  confined  to  the  letter  of 
truth.  We  are,  therefore,  exhorted  to  *  try 
the  spirits.'  This  ii,  certainly,  an  all-ab- 
sorbing sabjeot 

As  there  are  seducing  spirits,  as  weH  as 
doctrines  of  dbvih ;  it  the  more  behoves  ni 
to  enquire  'what  manner  of  spirit  we  are 
of ;  as  it  is  dearly  stated,  if  we  have  not  the 
spirit  of  Ohrist,  We  are  none  of  his.'  Thus 
ire  are  brought  to  the  great  internal  main 
spring,  whioh  moves  ^e  two  opposing  worids 
— th«  spirit  of  the  world,  and  the  spirit  of 
Ohrist.  Satad  and  his  host  may  clothe  them- 
strives  witb  the  letter  of  truth,  but  can  never 
obtain  or  impart  the  spirit  of  Ohrist.  The 
Bpbittud  church,  will  therefore  ever  stand, 


an  everlasting  monument  against  all  and 
every  fornt  of  delusion :  th$  feebkat  babe  in 
Ckrisi  can  bHow  what  no  erroneous  profeuor 
ean :  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  By  this  is  he  led. 
Thus  is  he  sweetly  encouraged.  *And  ye 
shall  find  rest  to  your  souls.'  To  the  wicked^ 
there  is  no  rest.  He  that  believeth,  entereth 
into  res^  And  yet,  happy  thought,  thera  is 
a  rest  remains  for  the  Lord's  tried,  and  afflio- 
ted,  tempted,  poverty-stricken  family. 

At  this  point,  I  must  pause,  I  say,  breth- 
ren, farewell.  J.  Bloodwo&tu. 

LsiCBSTEli. 

EPISTLES  TO    THEOPHILUS. 

LBTTBR    LIT. 

My  Good  Throphilus,— I  now  proceed  a 
little  further,  with  the  first  seal.  Now  look  at 
Psalm  45th,  and  there  you  find  this  Prince 
of  Salvation,  this  King  of  kings,  riding  forth 
in  msjesty  and  prosperously  ;  having  on  his 
side  truth,  meekness,  and  rigbteousuess ;  in 
all  of  which,  he  is  invincible.  His  truth 
cannot  fail ;  his  meekness  is  such,  that  his 
heart  will  never  be  lifted  up  above  his 
hrethren  ;  their  hearts  sre  by  nature  lifted 
up  above  him,  but  he  knows  how  to 
hring  them  down,  for  his  arrows  are 
sharp  in  the  hearts  of  his  enetnieSf  whereby 
the  people  fall  under  him,  and  become 
t;lad  to  submit  to  him,  and  are  made 
to  rejoice  that  he  has  conquered  them :  for 
he  goes  forth  »  conquering,  and  to  conquer  ;* 
ana  as  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever, 
so  his  throne  is  for  ever  and  ever.  And  do 
not  forget  that  he  hath  hated  sin/or  us ;  that 
be  hath  loved  righteousness  for  us ;  jour  de^ 
pendence  must  be,  not  upon  pour  hatred  to  sin 
and  love  to  righteousness,  but  your  hope 
will  be  in  his  having  hated  sin  in  perfection 
for  you.  Tour  glory  must  be  in  Cnrist  hav- 
ing loved  righteousness  for  you ;  for  you^ 
through  the  law  that  is  in  your  members, 
will  often  bo  as  though  you  neither  hated 
sin,  nor  loved  righteousness.  Tea,  you  will 
at  times  fee),  as  though  the  very  reverse  was 
the  case.  What  then,  at  such  times,  would 
beeome  of  you,  were  it  not  that  Christ's 
perfect  hatred  of  sin,  and  love  to  righteous- 
ness, stands  always  to  yonr  account ;  ahraya 
to  plead  in  perfection  your  cause  ;  so  that 
whatever  faults  there  may  be  in  you,  (anc} 
there  are  many  yet),  there  is  no  fault  in 
htm ;  so  that  you  ever  appear  before  Ood, 
not  what  you  are  in  yourself,  but  what  yon 
are,  as  represented  by -him  ! 

And,  if  it  be  said  of  some  of  *h«  CTbureh  of 
Sardis,  that,  they  b**}  irot  defiled  their  gar- 
ments; bow  much  more,  and  in  a  higher 
sense,  msy  it  be  said  of  him,  that  the  son  of 
wickedness  could  not  defile  him  *  Therefore 
it  is  that  '  His  earments  smell*  of  mvrrh 


Feb.  1,  IftM.] 


TH«  SABTHEN   TESSBL 


81 


places,  wherebr  they  have  msde  thee  ^lad.' 
x>s!  these  mediatorial  garments  had  heen 
kid  ap  io  the  palaces  of  etef  aity,  and  none 
bat  the  Kino:  of  kings  could  be  entrnsted 
with  them ;  he  alone  could  wear  them  in 
nfety  throujrh  all  the  paths  of  mediatorial 
life  and  death  :  wherein  he  has  not  only 
kept  his  (garments  white,  hut  he  has  added  a 
frtgranee  to  them,  they  neTer  before  had; 
they  saTor  now  of  all  he  did  and  suffered. 
*AU  thy  garments  smell  of  myrrh,  fte. : 
whereby  they  ha?e  ma(!e  him  gUtd.*  Here 
port! J  and  fragrance  are  a  demonstration  of 
the  excellency  of  his  name ;  he  therefore 
rejoices  in  his  righteous  conqaests  ;  for  in 
ri^hi£ouane99  he  doth  judge  and  make  war ; 
and  while  hi*  char&eter  is  good,  ourt  cannot 
be  finally  bad« 

Ton  will  thus  see,  that  this  46th  Psalm 
hel{»  OS  to  oaderstand  the  meaning  of  this 
fimseal. 

I  will  now  go  again  to  the  19th  chapter 
of  the  Rerelation,  and  trace  out  a  httle 
ferther,  the  meaning  and  progress  of  this 
&m  seaL  And  if  we  follow  out  this  19th  ebap- 
ier,  it  would  take  us  along  into  the  20th 
chapter,  where  his  conquests  extend  to  all 
uaUons  ;  but  for  the  present,  I  will  trace 
the  opening  of  this  first  seal,  through  the 
19th  chapter.  We  here  see,  that  as  he  set 
out  at  tlie  first,  conquering  and  to  conquer, 
we  here,  in  the  19  th  chapter,  see  that  he  did 
•onquer;  He  is  ne?er  at  a  loss;  he  sees 
ererything  at  once;  his  eyes  are  like  a 
flame  of  fire.  We  are  pretty  often  at  a 
ij9s,  and  we  are  short-sighted  enough ;  well, 
nerer  mind — he,  himself,  knoweth  what  he 
will  do  ;  and  he  will  guide  us  with  bii  eye. 

Jual  h>ok  at  the  progress  he  has  made,  for 
he  has  on  his  head  many  erownt.  Xow,  my 
good  Theophilus,  try  and  get  the  meaning 
of  these  manjf  crowns, 

I  think  that  these  many  crowns  will 
mean  five  things. 

First,  that  as  Darid  subdued  the  kings 
aroaad  him,  and  in  some  iostaooes  put 
their  crown  upon  his  own  head ;  so  the 
Saviovr  takes  away  sin's  dominion,  and 
where  sin  reigned  over  the  sou),  he  now 
rri^i ;  where  death,  dnrkeness,  the  world, 
error,  and  the  eurso  reigned,  be  now  reign- 
eth.  Thos  does  he  spoil  these  princi- 
palities and  powers,  and  takes  their  dominioii 
to  himself. 

Second,  the  many  croumt  will  mean  the 
naay  souls  he  acquires  ;  for  as  the  church 
ooUeettTely  it  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand 
W^theLord-— so  is  not  eaoh  saved  soul  a 
oown  Qf  glory  to  tho  Prince  of  salvation, 
to  the  Kin^  of  kings  ? 

Third,  itwiH  mena  the  many  hononrs 
whieh  God  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
crown  him  with ;  fnlfiUing  as  he  does  the 
eoQQseU  of  the  Father,  and  carrying  out  thv 
testimonies  of  thd  Holy  Spirit;  for  the 
Holy  Spirit   g:loxifl«th    Ghnity    and     the 


Father  fPsalm  xxi.  3.)  ^setteth  a  crown  of 
pure  gola  upon  his  head.' 

Fourth,  the  many  crowns  of  gold  on  his 
head,  will  mean  also  the  many  honours  be 
has  to  bestow  upon  his  faithful  servants ;  for 
he  will  make  them  all  kings  and  priests  to 
God. 

Fifth,  the  many  crowns  will  mean  those 
honours  and  glories  with  Which  the  saints 
shall  for  ever  do  him  honour. 

And  thus  you  see,  as  he  (as  I  have 
before  said)  set  out  to  conquer,  so  be  doeg 
ooBouer,  and  still  delights  to  do  the  will  of 
the  Father ;  and  none  but  himself  knows 
the  delight  he  hss  io  glorifving^  God  hy 
the  salvation  of  sinners.  Ana  this  appears 
to  me,  to  be  the  meaning  of  the  next 
words,  namely,  'that  he  had  a  name 
written,  that  no  man  knew,  but  he 
himself,  (verse  12).  Some  have  thought 
that  this  unknown  name  is  intended  as  a 
declaration  of  his  God-head ;  I  do  not  think 
so  myself;  you  of  coarse  must  use  pur  own 
judgement ;  but  it  appears  to  me,  that 
the  promise  to  the  conquerors  at  Pergamos 
is  a  key  to  this  name,  which  *  no  one  knew 
but  he  himself,'  You  will  perhaps  say,  that 
if  no  one  but  himself  knows  it^  is  it  not 
presumptuous  to  attempt  to  find  it  out  ?  Tes» 
it  would  be,  if  the  Word  of  God  was  silent 
upon  the  matter,  and  if  the  Lord  did  not 
reveals  his  secret  unto  his  servants,  the  pro- 
phets. Now  mind,  it  does  not  say  *  no  man 
can  know;'  but  'that  no  man  hn9%o*\ 
therefore  it  does  not  follow,  that  while  no 
carttal  man  knew  or  can  know,  it  does  not 
fellow  that  his  brethren  shall  not  know  at 
least  wmethiny  about  it. 

Kow,  look  at  it  thus.  Those  at  Pergamos 
who,  by  ftith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
were  conquerors,  were  to  receive  a  white 
stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written, 
which  no  man  knoweth,  saving  he  that 
reoeiveth^  it.  Now  this  white  stone  may 
mean  chiefly  two  things ;  first,  pardon,  ana 
seoondly,  election  to  some  place  of  honour 
and  dignity.  Wei)  now,  it  is  clear,  that 
HO  one  knows  in  reality,  what  pardoning 
mercy  is,  but  he  who  receiveth  it ;  it  is  a 

*  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding.^  Go 
and  ask  the  woman  in  Sttbon's  hoQse^ 
see  her  washing  the  Saviour's  feet  With' 
her  tears  of  pardoning  love ,-  see  her  wtp- 
img  his  feet  with  tresses  of  her  hatr,* 
which  have  been  her  pride ;  see  her  devote 
those  tresses  to  him;  see  her  anoint  his 
feet  with  costly  ointment;  stnd  she  can 
tell  vou  somethins^  of  the  new  name  i 
something  of  paraoning  love^-redeeming; 
blood,  and  saving  grace. 

And  if  the  white  stone  means  election  to 
dignity  and  honour,  the  same  woman,  tfud* 
all    like  her,  will  tell  you  that  the   Lord 

*  Baiseth  up  the  poor  out  of  the  dust,  and 
lifteth  up  the  beggar  from  the  dunghill,  to  set 


88 


THB  BARTHBN  YE88EI.. 


{Vtth,  1, 18ft9. 


the  throne  of  glory.'  This,  then,  it  the  mw 
name,  which  no  man  knoweth,  saving 
he  tiiat  receireth  it.  So  the  Saviour, 
— God  knoweth — but  no  man  but  he  him- 
self, the  delighU  he  has  in  bringing  poor, 
perishing  sinners  to  his  feet;  bringing 
them  into  their  right  mind.  If  unfathom- 
able were  the  depths  of  his  sorrows  in  his 
humiliation,  unmeasorable  are  the  heights  of 
his  joys  in  his  exaltation.  Thus,  you,  my 
good  Theophilus,  see  that  angels  reioice  at 
the  repentance  of  one  sinner,  and  shall  the 
Sarionr,  who  giv^t  that  repentance,  be  silent 
in  this  matter  ?  Conclude  that  none  know- 
eth what  it  is  to  be  a  new  creature,  but 
those,  who  (like  the  woman  in  Simon's  house) 
are  new  creatures.  So  the  Saviour  has  many 
crowns  on  his  head :  he  is  laden  with  many 
honours  ;  and,  as  no  man  knoweth  but  he 
himself  what  it  was  to  be  what  he  was  in 
his  humiliation,  so  no  man  knoweth  but  he 
himself,  what  it  is  to  be  what  he  is  in  his 
exaltation,  conquests,  and  final  glories. 

Is  there  not  then,  in  this,  as  well  as  in 
other  respects,  a  likeness  between  himself 
and  his  brethren  ?  He,  in  a  most  solemn 
sense,  knows  what  it  is  to  be  what  they,  but  for 
mercy,  must  have  been  :  *  Rt  was  made  sin 
for  them ;'  <  made  a  curse  for  them  ;*  and  they 
know  what  it  is  to  be  like  other  men,  but 
other  men  do  not  know  what  it  is  to  be  Uke 
them. 

Thus,  I  think,  we  get  a  little  light  upon 
the  meaning  of  the  name  written,  which  no 
man  knoweth  but  he  himself.  For  if  I  am 
right  in  this  view  of  this  <  hidden  name,' 
it  is^  nevertheless  still  true,  that  no  man  but 
he  himself  knoweth  the  delii^hts  thereof. 

You  will,  of  course,  notice,  that  in  the 
sixth  chapter,  he  set  out  by  himulf:  bat 
here,  in  this  nineteenth  chapter,  there  are 
armist  following  him — and  following  him 
too  in  a  state  of  conquest ;  hence,  says  the 
Apostle,  <  thanks  be  to  God,  which  always 
causeth  us  to  triumph  in  Christ.'  These 
'  armies  in  heaven,'  1  take  to  be  his  people 
in  the  heavenly  dispensation.  These  armies 
are  carried  alone  by  the  pou:0ri  of  the  gospel, 
— denoted,  I  snould  think,  by  the  wnite 
horses^thelr  raiment  is  the  righteousness  of 
saints—that  is,  Christ's  righteousness  put  up- 
on them,  and  by  which  they  draw  near  to 
God.  These  armies  do  not  go  before  him, 
but  ihej  follow  him ;  knowing,  as  they  well 
do,  that  *  without  him  they  can  do  nothing.' 
He  wears  the  robes  of  victory,  while  we 
greatness  of  Ids  name  shall  still  go  before  us, 
and  still  make  a  way  for  ns ;  and  the  last 
enemy  shall  be  like  the  first :  Satan  was  the 
first ;  sin  the  second  ;  and  death  the  last.  But 
all  must  bow  to  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord 
of  lords. 

Hit  kin^om  cannot  fail ; 

He  reigns  o'er  earth  and  heaven  1 
The  keys  of  death  and  hell 
Are  to  our  Jesus  given. 

So  believes  A  Littlb  Om, 


LBOTUSBS  OV  THI   PSBBOVIXXTT  i.VD  WOSX 
OV 

THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 

A  communication  has  just  come  to  hand,  call- 
ing our  attention  to  the  fact,  that  Mr.  James 
Grant's  comprehensive  and  scriptural  work 
entitled  'Tnx   Comfo&teb,'    has   been    the 
means  of  stirring  up  the  hearts   of  many 
ministers  in  the  metropolis,  inducing  them  to 
commence  a  course  of  lectures  expository  of 
Ths  Ptraon  and  the  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Among  the  list  of  preachers  publicly  announ- 
ced on  this  subject  are  Dr.  James  Hamilton, 
Dr.   Weir,    William    Chalmers,    and   John 
Bloomfield.     At  first   sight,   this   appeared 
something  novel  to  us.    It  was  as   though 
some  one  said,  *  Hexi  Sunday  evening,  Mr. 
John  Foreman  is  announced  to  commence  a 
oourse  of  sermons  on  the  Gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God!'    Our  reply  would  be.     *  Why,  Mr. 
Foreman  has  been  preaching  the  Gospel  all 
the  kingdom  over  for  very  many  years ;'  and 
we  should  have  thouj^ht  that  every  spiritual, 
every  faithful  servant  of  Christ  did  preach, 
more  or  less,  the  person  and  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  every  public  discourse  he  did  deliver. 
We  have  heard  for  some  time  past,  that  the 
Glorious  Comforter's  Divine  Personality,  and 
Bssential  Work,  has  been  omitted  in  multi- 
tudes of  ministrations  of  the  present  day ;  end 
this  announcement  would  seem  to  confirm  it : 
for  when  a  man  says,  *  I  shall  next  Sunday 
commence  a  series  of  Discourses  on  the  Holy 
Spirit's  Personality   and  Work;"  thai   an- 
nouncement  implies  that  ho   has  not  done, 
that  which  he  purposes  to  do.    However  true 
such  an  inference  may  be  as  regards  many 
of  our  metropolitan  doctors  and  evangelical 
divines,  we  know  it  is  not  true  of  Mr.  John 
Bloomfield,  the  minister    of  Meard's-court, 
Soho.    We  do  not  mean,  it  is  not  true  that  he 
has  not  begun  a  course  of  Sunday  Evening 
Sermons,  specially  on  this  subject ;  we  mean 
it  is  not  true,  that  he  has  omitted  it  in  his 
ministrations :  because,  last  summer,    nearly 
all  the  countrf  over,  this  great  subject  waa 
principally  his  theme.     From   Mr.  Grant'a 
able  work,  many  good  discourses  may  be  made 
up ;  but  will  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
accompany  such  labours  ?     We  piuse :   we 
enter  no  protest  against  such  work.    It  will 
rejoice  our  hearts  to  know  that  God  has  thus 
honored  the  author  of '  Ood  ie  Itove ;'  that 
he  has  been  instrumental  in  leading  the  min- 
isters of  the  day  to  see  how  fearfully  thi« 
great  subject  has  been  ommitted :  Jn  thus 
commencmg  a  new  course,  we  b^artily  pray 
that  PentecosUl  blemiBg*   mny   be   poured 
down  upon  our  churches,  upon  our  people, 
upon  our  world :  for  if  the  distinguishing  at- 
tributes of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  fully  preached 
and  maintained  in  our  pulpits,  we  shall  cer- 
tsdnly  have  more  pure  gospel  in  them  than 
b«  b.«n  for  »^Ji,^|5«?^@bOgle 


Fib.  I,  1650L] 


tan  ISAKTHXH  ri88EL. 


33 


THE    EARTHEN    VESSELS    OF    OLDEN    TIMES. 

OE,    THE    SUPEE-EXCELLBNT    GLOEY    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 
No.  n. 


Tir»  words  I  entered  upon  lut  month,  wore 
Paul's  to  the  Corinthiuu,  *  we  Aa«e  this  trsa- 
Mr«  m  mrOM  «MM/e /*  Ac.  &o.  The  aim 
was  to  shew  that  the  word  treagure,  as  des- 
ttiptire  of  the  eoapel,  was  not  an  empty  term. 
Just  eompare  the  gospel  with  the  law,  and 
then  see  how  its  super-ezoellent  glory  appears. 
Not  that  we  would  speak,  think,  or  write,  dis. 


pan^gly  of  the  laio  : 
that  IS  hol.f ,  just, 


no  ;  by  no  means ;  for 

„ . ,  ,^«t  and  good.    Its  author  is 

THE  GREAT  I  AM-^BUOVAH-God  Al- 
mighty.   But,  then,  where  the  super-exoellent 
pkwy  of  the  gospel  appears,  prinapally,  is,  in 
itsKss;  in  the  treasures  it  reveaU  ;  and  in 
the    unspeakable   and    immeasurably,    holy, 
happy,  and  eternal  blessedness  it  leads  the 
elMtwu  of  grace  to  rM/»ss  ;  and  enjoy.    I  am 
not  ^nite  certain  that  our  law^oontUtion  U 
•uffioeotly  understood  by  professors  of  the 
gosDcl  in  this  dav  :  and,  in  reality,  the  gospel 
of  the  graee  of  God,  will  never  be  fully  appre- 
oated,  but  where  the  stem  and  solemn  real- 
tim  of  the  law  are  ezperienosd,  and  fully 
known.      William  Dyer  tells  us,  that  when 
Chiysosiom  was  onee  preaching   before   an 
assembly  of  the   clergy,  in   describing   the 
eflsets  prodaeed  in  the  Tires  of  God's  people 
by  grsee,  he  paused;   and  then  he  said,  *  I 
hardiy  iare  to  hop*  that  ClergwmB»  toill  be 
sMsd.'    He  meant  their  lives  bemg  so  bad,  it 
did  not  appear  that  they  knew  the  erace  of 
God  in  truth;  or  that  they  lived  at  all  under 
its  inflnenoe,  power,  and  holy  teaching.    And, 
feally,  when  1  look  at  the  pride,  and  carnality 
ofttspanoosin  these  days;  when  I  reflect 
upon  the  most  dreadful  desire  which  there 
evidently  is  in  the  great  bulk  of  us,  to  be 
thought  something  very  great,  while  we  be- 
tny  ererjrthinf^  that  is  little,  and  very  unlike 
Jotnt  Christ — when  I  deeply  and  dreadfully 
feel  the  awful  propensity  that  lives  and  lurn 
vitluii  us,  oaosmg  us  to  backbite  one  another : 
to  eavil,  to  criticise,  to  censure,  and  to  con- 
demn ;  I  am  sometimes  led  to  fear,  that  the 
law  has  never  so  entered  into  our  hearts  as  to 
break  and  humble  them  ;  nor  the  gospel  so  as 
to  purify  and  strengthen  them.    It  is  a  fearful 
thing   to  be  merely  trumpeters  to  our  own 
£une;  or  mere  talkers  of  those  things  which 
vs  have  not  in  possession :  and  during  a  fifteen 
ysan  travel  amid  the  ranks  of  English  par- 
■oQs  and  professors,  I  have  seen   and  felt 
much  thnt  has  been  lamentable;  while  on 
the  ether  hand,  I  have  enjoyed  much,  and 
have  had  fellowship  with  a  few  whose  souls 
hsvs  sometimes  snone  in  their  faces,    and 
vhoee  Ilrixig  Ungnage  h^  been,  'The  Lord  is 
mr  light  and  my  Mtlvntion,  whom  shall  I  fear  P' 
mmnd  be  God,  hu  grace  is  to  be  seen  here 
sad  there ;  and  in  thousands  of  precious  souls 
(who  live  almost  unknown  eitheif  to  the  church 
or  to  the  world) —Hia   Spirit  dwells:    and 
lofUy  whiten  peaoe. 


I  have  been  for  many  weeks  ezoeedidgly 
anxious  to  enter  more  fully  into  the  treasures 
of  the  gospel;  and  as  I  have  gone  hither  and 
thither  speaking,  I  have  been  &voured ;  and 
had  resolved  in  this  pap^r  to  notice  a  few 
thmgs  which  have  been  a  source  of  neat  com- 
fort to  me,  and  to  many  :  but  now  when  I  come 
to  write,  our  condition  under  the  law  so  lays 
before  me,  that  until  I  have  briefly  spoken  to 
that  point,  I  cannot  even  get  up  to  the  gos- 
pel door,  much  less  enter  in.  I  do  feel  assured 
that  in  giving  the  following  epitome  of  the 
law  ;  of  the  hopeless  and  helpless  condition  we 
are  in  under  it ;  I  have  no  desire  but  that  our 
ministry  may  be  more  ttmnd;  our  testimonies 
more  savourjf ;  our  hearts  more  and  more 
humbled;  .and  that  our  souls  may  be  led 
more  fully  to  behold,  to  confide  in,  to  possess, 
and  to  live  upon,  the  unsearchable  riches  of 

frace  and  glory  which  are  in  Jesus  Christ  for 
is  Father's  glorv,  and  his  people's  good. 
Bead,  carefully,  then,  I  beseech  you,  the  foU 
lowing  few  sentences  touching  the  law  of 
God. 

'  Many  are  the  mistakes  at  present  about 
religious  matters;  but  none  are  moredeatnm- 
tive  than  those,  which  concern  the  law  and 
the  gospel.     The  generality  of  our  people 
confound  them,  and  put  one  in  the  place  of 
the  other.    Some  suppose  they  are  to  be  ac- 
cepted of  God  for  their  works,  and  that  they 
can  be  justified  b;^  the  law  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Others  make  their  keeping  of  the  law  the  con- 
dition of  their  receiving  uie  blessings  of  the 
gospel,  as  if  those  were  to  be  the  purchase 
and  reward  of  their  partial  obedience.     Some 
are  persuaded  they  must  do  all  they  can,  and 
keep  the  law  with  all  their  might,  and  where- 
in they  come  short  of  the  perfect  demands  of 
the  law,  Christ  will,  out  of  his  merits,  atone 
for  their  failings.     And  others  again,  think 
that  Christ  has  abated  the  rigour  of  the  law, 
and  that  the  gospel  is  nothmg  more  than  a 
new  law-dispensation,  in  which  the  Lord  has 
been  pleased  to  declare  that  he  will  accept  of 
a  sincere  obedience  instead  of  perfect.      We 
have  some  also,  who  begin   in   the  Spirit, 
but  end  in  the  fiesh.     They  will  submit  to 
take  Christ  for  thej[>ardon  of  their  sins,  and 
for  what  they  call  justification,  but  they  re- 
fuse to  take  nim  for  their  righteousness  and 
salvation,  unless  he  will  make  them  inheren- 
tly righteous,  and  let  them  see  they  are  per- 
fect in  themselves.  These  and  many  more  such 
like  mistakes  prevail  in  our  times,  and  they 
are  exceedingly  dangerous,  tending   to  the 
utter  ruin  boui  of  body  and  soul.' 

Such  wa  sthe  judgment  of  William  Bomaine, 
as, drawn  from  the  word  of  God;  and  after 
some  elucidation  of  the  terms  of  the  moral 
law :  and  a  brief  comment  upon  that  sweep- 
ing, but  eertam  and  faithful  sentence  of  Paul 


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T^B  MA^^MMH   Y«8iSI». 


(Fe^  1,  IMP. 


— '  Now  WG  know  that  tohat  things  tower  the 
law  gaUh,  U  aaith  to  them  who  are  uiuter  the 
law  ;  that  every  mouth  may  be  stopped;  ako 
That  all  thb  wobld  may  bbcomb  guil- 
ty BBFOBB  600 ;  therefore,  by  the  deeds 
of  the  law^  there  shall  nd  flesh  be  justified 
in  his  sight ;  after  this,  he  proceeds  and 
says — 

The  law  haa  auide  no  proniion  for  the 
paidon  of  the  leaat  tranagreasiiMi.  It  requires 
{lerfect  nnBinnn^  ohodieoce  in  thought,  word, 
and  deed.  This  is  its  just  demand.  And  in 
ease  of  the  least  failing,  it  immediatelj  passes 
aentenoe  and  eondemns.  It  will  net  accept  of 
aenow  or  tears,  of  repentance  or  amendment, 
M  an  J  satisfiMtion ;  out  its  lan^rge  is,  *  Bo 
this,  or  thou  shalt  die.'  There  is  not  a  word 
said  about  sorrowing  for  what  was  past,  and 
reforming  for  the  future,  as  if  the  stVle  of  the 
law  was,  *  Be  sorrr  for  th^  sin,  and  reform, 
nnd  then  then  shalt  not  die ;'  hut  it  is  pos- 
itive and  express,  *  Keep  the  law,  and  thou 
ahalt  lire.  Tmnsgreia  it,  and  thou  shalt  die , 
for  cursed  is  every  one,  itho  continueth  not  in 
aU  thinffs,  that  are  written  in  the  book  of  the 
kw  to  do  them.' 

I  have  been  anxious  to  give  this,  not  in 
my  own  words,  bat  in  the  words  of  one  whose 
Judgment  most  Christians  acknowledge,— be- 
cause X  have  latelv  received  letters  cavilling 
with,  and  asking  for  a  reconciliation  of  some, 
apparently  contradictory  statements  which 
have  latelv  gone  forth.  Heaven's  one  great 
antidote  for  all  man's  misery  is  JBSUS 
CHBI8T ;  and  the  only  deliverer  from  all  our 
dark  ways— the  only  true  light  whioh  can 
eorreot  our  errors,  convinoe  onr  spirits,  con- 
iltm  our  hopes,  and  eomfort  onr  hearts— is 
that  gospel  whioh  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation.  Let  a  man  fully  and  feelingly  know 
his  utter  and  entire  ruin,  under  the  law,  by 
veasen  both  of  his  original  and  actual  sin  : 
let  sudi  a  man  have  some  solemn  discoveries 
^tfae  Holy,  the  Righteous,  the  Eternal,  the 
Immntable  efaaraoter  of  tluit  God  who  gave 
him  his  being;  and  by  whom  he  must  be 
jndged  ;  let  a  man  be  thoroughly  convinced 
that  while  that  law  which  he  has  violated  is 
holy  and  good,  it  can  never  revoke  its  sen- 
tence but  upon  the  eround  of  a  perfect  obedi- 
•noe  being  rendered }  let  such  a  poor  guilty, 
Irin,  self  and  law-condemned  sinner,  find  his 
soul  sinking  into  the  shades  of  eternal  death  ; 
and  then^  to  him,  in  such  a  perishing  plight, 
to  him,  in  such  a  hopeless  condition,  the  gro*- 
pel  will  be  joyful  news  indeed,  as  the  Holy 
Spirit  shall  preach  it  home,  and  into,  his  bro« 
ken,  woimded,  and  contrite  heart.  The  rolling 
tides  of  gospel  truth,  as  they  flow  into  his 
waiting  and  weeping  spirit,  will  be  like  the 
unfolding  of  treasures  whioh  will  astonish, 
relieve,  raise  up,  enlighten,  cheer,  and  save 
his  soul ;  and  will  so  set  him  upon  the  Bock 
of  ages,  as  that  he  ehall  never  fall. 

Before  coming  %o  Bible  illuslrationi  of  the 
treasure  whioh  the  Lord  puts  into  earthen 
▼OMels,  I  was  oon^jiieUed  to  write  these  few 
]|r<wds  touching  the  law— and  our  entire  ruin 
in  the  fall.  X  am  not  sorry  I  have  thus  di- 
gressed :  becfkuse  there  has  been  a  suspicion 
in  my  mind  for  years,  (sometimes  it  is  more 


than  a  suspicion}  that  we  have  had,  and  that 
we  still  have,  many  men  in  the  ministry  who 
afe  exceedingly  zealous  for  «ome  of  the  doctrines 
of  grace,  as  they  are  called  ;  but  from  whom 
you  can  never  get  any  account  of  how  they 
were  brought  in  guilty  before  God  ; — no  tes- 
timony from  many  of  them  can  yoif  obtain, 
of  how  '  the  commandment  came — how  sin  r«- 
vi««2— andhow  terribly  they  died  to  every 
hope,  every  comfort,  and  every  atom  of  crea- 
ture righteousness  and  strength.  No;  you 
can  almost  feel  their  hearts  weAohole  hearts, 
and  never  have  been  broken:  and  their 
contempt  of  the  poor  guilty  sinner's  feelings, 
their  presumption,  and  their  pride,  as  most 
dreadful  to  witness ;  yet,  many  times  beforo 
such  I  have  felt  dumb,  dark,  and  dismal  to 
the  last  degree,  the  devil  telling  me  all  the 
time,  that  they  were  right,  and  I  wrong.  Ah ! 
some  ofyou  proud  priests,  and  daringly  pre- 
sumptuous parsons — ^some  thousands  of  you 
haughty,  unhumbled,  and  tyrannizing  dea* 
cons ;  and  some  shoals  of  you  speculating  and 
ensnared  professors,  may  curse  and  condemn 
me  :  and  oast  me  out,  as  you  have  done  as 
unclean;  but  the  Lord  knowcth,  I  only  de- 
sire—as  God's  mouth — to  undeceive  you,  and  to 
this  end,  I  do  assure  you  that  that  terrible 
aocount  whieh  Christ  gives  of  your  final  end — 
if  grace  prevent  not— has  indeed  made  my 
heart  to  tremble.  He  says  in  Luke  xiii. 
*  When  once  the  Master  of  the  house  is  risen 
up,  and  hath  shut  to  the  door,  then  ye  will 
begin  to  say— ah !  then  your  profession  will 
end  where  it  should  have  first  commenced — 
then  ye  will  begin  to  say — '  Ijord,  Lord,  open 
to  us :'  further,  you  will  say,  '  have  wo  not 
eaten(been  satisfied,  although  with  empty  dead 
sermons)  and  drani:,  (rejoiced)  in  thy  pre- 
sence? and  hast  thou  not  taught  in  our 
streets  P  To  whom  the  Master  will  say,  *  I  ne- 
ver knew  ffou  V  that  God  may  come  and  save 
you  from  such  an  awful  end  shall  be  my 
fervent  prayer. 

I  had  fully  intended  to  open  the  feast  in 
Isaiah  :  the  measuring  line  in  Zeohariah,  the 
first  of  John ;  and  the  little  model  church  st 
the  foot  of  the  cross;  but  these  mu.^t  stand 
over  till  March.    Forgive  me  if  yrrong. 

Chablbs  Watbks  Babu. 

**  Best  in  Jesus  Christ:*  Such  is  the  title 
of  the  sermon  preached  by  the  He  v.  John 
Knapp,  in  Exeter  Hall,  Jan.  16.  In  that 
discourse,  Mr.  Knapp  has  well  defined  what 
<  Coming  to  Christ '  is ;  nnd  by  whom,  and  how 
Gospel  invitations  are  to  be  used. 

'  A  World  Saved:  Such  is  the  title  of  No. 
4,  of  The  $urreg  Tabernacle  Fulpit,  Mr. 
James  Wells  has  commenced  some  sermons  on 
that  greatly  controverted  text,  •  For  God  sent 
not  His  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn  the 
world  ;  but  that  the  world  through  Him 
might  be  saved.*  We  are  persuaded  tiMse 
sermons  will  excite  considerable  interest,  sad 
throw  much  light  upon  many  portions  of  scrip- 
ture. 

Mr.  Martin,  the  Bantist  patriarch,  of 
Malmesbury,  is  quite  laid  by  from  his  work. 
He  has  had  a  long  and  useful  ministerial 
career ;  but  it  must  soon  clofie* 

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35 


Ho.  11. 
MU.    HENRY    HALL,    OF    GARNER    CHAPEL,    CLAPHAM. 


Pbsacbsbs  and  prMchings  at  tbe  dawn  of 
*iQ,  oeeap7  *  )*i1ger  and  more  prominant  place 
in  tlie  pniblie  mind  than  at  any  preceding 
period.  With  the  openinr  of  the  new  year, 
aonoaneements  of '  special  serricea '  meet  us 
on  erery  hand.  Churchmen  are  no  less  pro- 
minent in  the  movement  now  than  dissenters. 
For  the  fint  time  in  history  that  large  and  use- 
less spaee  under  the  doom  in  ourmi<yhty  "  St. 
Paul*a  "  haa  been  opened  for  preaching.  The 
crmngeliefd  party  in  the  Church  of  England 
have  also  engaged  and  opened  Exeter  Hall  for 
'  special  serricea,'  and  some  good  gospel  scr- 

....  jSj 


I  hare  been  preached  there.    The  nave  of 

Westminster  Abbey  is  used  for  the  same  ob- 
ject: but  the  preachers  and  preachings  there 
smell  strongly  of  Tractarian  lire.  The  splen- 
did Si.  James's  Hall  is  secured  by  the  Noncon- 
fonniata,  and  they  also  are  holding  *  special 
aerricee.*  Truly,  liondon  never  had  so  much 
j^eaching  effort  at  one^  and  the  same  time  as 
It  has  now.  The  question  critically  arises, '  Is 
ike  GoMpel  preached  T  The  question  is  an 
j&portnnt  one ;  and  we  fear  that  but  a  very 
email  meaaure  of  gospel  truth  is  heard  from 
tbe  raatruma  of  these  large  and  denaely 
enwded  places.  Kevertheless,  the  public  mind 
ia  aroused,  and  many  thousands  flock  to  thesf 
places,  in  all  of  which  Ma  Wvrd  of  Qod  is 
read.^  In  these /acts  alone  we  have  occasion 
to  rejoice. 

Kot  only  is  the  pulpit  brought  more 
prominently  before  the  public  mind,  but  the 
presa  aJao  is  made  to  swell  the  sound,  for  penny 
aennons  meet  tout  eye  in  every  direction  : 
'Sermons  for  tne  Million  I*  'Special  Sermons 
for  the  People  1'  *  Sermons  to  the  Working 
Glaaaes!*  and  paper  '  Pulpits  '  in  endless  var- 
iety, are  now  to  be  had :  and  last,  and  not 
laMt  to  onr  mind,  we  have  now  a  '  Surrey 
TMmmmeU  FulpU,*  a  aerial  Ve  ought  to  have 
bad,  wa  think,  years  ago. 

But,  to  '  onr  Prraohert,'  and  '  their  preach- 
infai'  Thja  month,  we  purpose  noticing 
HijrmT  Hau^  the  present  minister  of  that 
den  and  neat  little  Chapel,  <^ed  *'  Gamer,' ' 
at  Qapham.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  youne  man  and  a 
young  minister :  two  features  which  in  our 
day  aeem  to  add  interest  to  a  preacher ;  for 
aevM>  do  we  recollect  the  time  when  'our 
youne  men'  took  so  prominent  a  position  in 
this  field  of  public  labor.  Mr.  Hall  is  yoong 
ia  the  work :  as  to  his  ability,  he  is  not 
se  ready  and  fluent  as  some  we  know  ;  yet  he 
speaks  with  dcscision;  and  his  manner  and 
matter  tell  you  at  once,  he  talks  of  a  subject 
the  mighty  importance  of  which  he  haa  been 
made  to  laaru  out  by  dally  experience.  Born 
ia  a  small  village  (in  Surr«iv,)  of  ungodly  pa- 
rents, be  was  never  paternally  taught  religion ; 
mil  a  thing  as  a  prayer  was  never  heard  by 
him  under  we  parentiu  roof:  his  knowledge 
of  rcHgion  and  of  God,  being  confined  to  toe 


bare  idea  that  *  €bd  was  ^ood  :\  only  a  step 
beyond  the  heathen.  Being  a  sickly  child, 
and  not  expected  to  live,  a  desire  was  created 
to  learn  more  of  this  God,  and  of  his  goodness. 
This  led  to  his  first  prayer,  which  was  sent  to 
heaven  on  Kipley  Causeway,  on  his  return 
home  from  school  one  day.  Shortly  after  this, 
he  was  removed  to  a  newly-opened  school,  in 
connection  with  the  Church,  and  the  custom 
here  was  to  open  and  close  school  with  pra;^er. 
This  was  the  first  place  our  youns  enquirer 
ever  heard  anything  of  religion.  The  warn- 
ings of  the  School-master  to  *  flee  fVom  the 
wrath  to  come '  took  fast  hold  of  him,  and 
deep  convictions  followed.  He  heard  there 
were  several  God-fearing  persons  in  the  vil- 
lage who  were  accustomed  to  go  to  Guildford 
and  Bipley,  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel ;  and  from  what  he  saw  of  their  man- 
ner and  deportment,  ho  felt  a  great  desire  to 
be  like  them.  About  this  period,  (being  tl\en 
about  thirteen  years  of  age)  a  marked  differ- 
ence was  manifest :  young  Hall  became  a  con- 
stant church-goer  ;  separated  himself  from 
his  former  associates;  and  attended  strictly 
to  the  exhortations  of  the  pcor  blind  Clergy- 
man, thinking^  by  these  means  to  '  work  out 
his  own  salvation.'  But  sin  was  too  nowerful : 
resolution  after  resolution  was  broken ;  and 
the  path  of  rectitude  was  left.  Thia  brought 
on  deep  distress  of  mind,  and  great  darkness 
of  soul.  The  Clerg^p man  continued  to  preach 
*  onr  duties,'  and  telling  his  hearers  to  repent 
and  be  saved;  but  our  youn^  churchman 
found  he  had  no  power  to  do  the  duties  im- 
posed, nor  the  heart  to  believe.  ~  Oh!  the  an- 
guish of  mind  then  felt  was  great.  But  in  the 
vil!age  there  was  an  *  Old  Antinofnian  ;*  and 
(as  we  wrongly  say,)  'quite  promiscuously,* 
young  Halt  met  him,  and  without  any  pre- 
vious idea,  and  almost  before  he  was  aware  of 
it,  he  related  to  the  *  old  antinomlan  "  the 
exercised  state  of  his  mind.  The  old  man  was 
astonished  and  delighted,  and  gave  his '  young 
pilgrim  *  words  of  counsel,  caution,  and  en- 
couragement. This  simple  circumstance  was 
the  means  the  Lord  employed,  as  the  turning 
point  in  Mr.  Hall's  experience.  The  poor 
Clergyman  was  left  to  his  duties;  new  associa- 
tions were  formed,  and  from  the<ie  new  friends, 
the  way  of  salvation  was  more  fullv  learned ; 
and  under  their  guidance,  Mr.  Hall  was  led 
under  the  sound  of  a  gospel  ministry  :  the 
irst  gospel  sermon  he  heard  being  from   the 


rst  gosp( 
ps  of  th< 


e  venerable  Mr.  Oxenhatn.    Now  the 


Wnole  system  of  things  becamn  changed :  it 

Jras  manifest  to  Mr.  H.  that  salvation  was  not 
y  worktf  but  by  grace.  Increased  longings 
after  spiritual  food  were  felt,  and  oftefi 
(though  now  only  14  year*  of  age)  be  used  to 
walk  to  liipley  in  the'moming,  and  t#  (luild- 
^Drd  in  the  evening,  lo  bear  the  preaching  ef 
tihewurd.    Then  followed  imieb  eawfiae  of 


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THE  BABTBBN   TBBSBIm 


[Feb. !,  1810. 


mind  reipedingtlie  doctrines  of  grace;  temp- 
tations assailed ;  the  devil  was  alive ;  and  Ions 
seasons  of  bondage  ensued.  But  the  Lora 
eventually  set  his  soul  at  happy  liberty  by  the 
application  of  those  words.  *  1  have  loved  thee 
with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore  with  loving- 
kindness  have  I  drawn  thee."  About  the 
same  time,  the  Lord  aUo  appeared  as  his  *  Je- 
hovah-Jireh.'  and  temporal  circumstances 
were  made  right  Mr.  K.  left  Guildford  for 
Hastings,  where  his  business  associates  were 
men  of  the  world:  often  while  here  he  has  been 
praying  in  the  same  room  as  his  companions 
have  been  card-playing  at  the  same  time. 
Eventually  circumstances,  and  his  own  wish, 
led  him  to  London,  and  on  the  day  he  com- 
pleted his  21st  year,  he  was  baptised  and  re- 
ceived into  Church'fellowriiip  under  Mr.  John 
Foreman.  From  here,  Mr.  Hall  removed  to 
Mr.  Newborn's :  where  he  spent  three  years, 
and  became  a  Sunday  School  teacher.  Here 
and  while  at  Mr.  Foreman's  he  was  much  ex- 
ercised respecting  the  ministrjr.  He  after- 
wards removed  to  Mr.  Glaskin's  Church, 
where  he  fulfilled  the  office  of  deacon ;  and  in 
that  capacity  was  more  prominently  brought 
before  the  people  at  the  prayer  meetings,  Ac. 
One  Lord's-day,  Mr.  Glaskin  was  absent,  and 
no  supply  could  be  obtained  :  Mr.  Hall  waa 
requested  to  occupy  the  pulpit,  which,  with 
much  trembling,  he  did.  Following  this,  Mr. 
Glaskin  was  laid  aside  by  illness,  when  Mr. 
Hall  was  again  desired  by  pastor  and  church 
to  supply  the  vacancy.  From  this  time,  invi- 
tations  came  from  all  quarters  to  supply  desti- 
tute churches.  This  he  did,  till  he  felt  he 
was  following  the  leadings  of  providence,  by 
taking  a  lengthened  invitation  to  supply  the 
then  nearly  faded  cause  at  Dartford,  in  iCent. 
Here  the  word  was  owned  and  blessed  by  the 
Lord.  During  eighteen  months  stay,  twenty- 
nine  were  added  to  the  church ;  a  new  bap- 
tistry was  sunk,  and  the  cost  nearly  paid. 
But  great  labour  and  inconvenience  were  con- 
neoted  with  going  to  this  place  from  town,  and 
this  exertion  told  much  unon  the  health  of  Mr. 
Hall.  A  request  to  supply  at  Gamer,  Clap- 
ham,  waa  made  to  him.  He  accepted  the 
same ;  and  his  ministrations  being  very  ac- 
ceptable, he  was  desired  by  that  church  to  ac- 
cept of  an  invitation  to  supply  for  12  months. 
The  matter  was  brought  before  the  Dartford 
Church ;  and  they,  with  much  love  for  Mr. 
Hall,  and  feeling  persuaded  that  his  strength 
would  not  permit  him  to  continue  his  journey- 
ing and  preaching  to  them  as  he  blad  been 
wont  to  do,— with  their  permission  and  best 
wishes  for  his  soul's  proenerity  and  ministerial 
usefulness,  he  acceptea  the  invitation  at 
Gamer,  where  some  fruits  of  his  labours  al- 
ready appear.  B. 

NEW  BOOKS. 

<  Th$  Smrrwg  Tahernael$  Pulpit*  London : 
Partridge  and  Co. ;  B.  Banks  and  Co. 
We  had  written  a  lon^  notice  of  this  new 
weekly  issue ;  but,  the  pnnters  having  return- 
ed it  to  us  tor  want  of  room ;  we  only,  this 
monthf  announce  that  Mr.  James  Wells's 
Bimday  moming  disoonrse,  is  taken  by  a  first- 


rate  reporter;  and,  after  being  revised  bv  the 
preacher,  is  published  on  the  following  Wed- 
nesday: so  that  the  thousands  who  would 
gladly  hear  Mr.  Wells,  but  cannot,  have  now 
ap  opportunity  of  reading*  preserving,  and 
handing  down  to  their  children,  some  of  his 
choicest  discourses.  The  criticisms  sent,  and 
our  own  review,  will  not  be  forgotten.    The 

Eublioation  of  these  sermons  will  do  good,  we 
ope,  in  many  ways.    The  demand  for  them 
at  the  present,  is  very  encouraging  indeed. 

'  Watw  BaptUm  :—Beaionfor  not  XTaing. 
By  B.  Tatham,  Eastbourne.'  Mr.  Tatham, 
is,  no  doubt,  a  good  minister  of  Christ;  and 
we  rejoice  to  learo  from  his  tract,  that  hia 
call  to  so  sacred  a  work,  is  clear  to  himself, 
and  is  confirmed  in  the  souls  of  others  by  their 
conversion  unto  God,  their  belief  of  the  truth; 
and  their  faith  in  the  dear  Bedeemer :  but 
inasmuch  as  Mr.  Tatham  tells  us  he  has  been 
subject  to  change  of  mind,  alteration  of  prac- 
tice, &c.  perhaps  if  we  read  him  a  few  lessons, 
in  future  numbers,  he  may  be  inclined  to  re- 
turn to  the  good  old  ways.  We  have  some 
hopes  of  him  yet. 

'  Fartieular  Bsdenwtiait :  A  sermon  by  W. 
Bidder,  London :  W.  H.  Collingridge ;  and  of 
the  author,  22,  Sutherland  square,  Walworth. 
When  our  brother  Bidder  preaches,  he  obeys 
Paul's  injunction  to  Timothy  to  the  very  letter 
^*  Prtaeh  the  Word,'  Many  have  declared 
they  never  heard  Mr.  Bidder's  equal  for  cor- 
rect, consecutive,  and  numerous  Biblical  quota- 
tions. This  sermon  is  enough  to  drive  the  theory 
of  a  universal  redemption  clean  out  of  the  world 
if  men  could  believe  the  Bible ;  but  the  unfolding 
and  experimental  reception  of  truthis  the  alone 
work  of  the  blessed  Spirit ;  nevertheless,  Mr. 
Bidder  has  established  the  great /act,  the  Be- 
demption  of  ths  ehureh  of  Ood,  hy  the  letter 
of  the  word ;  by  conclusive  arguments  drawn 
from  the  word — and  by  the  experience  of  the 
elect  of  God.  No  man  can  do  more ;  and  the 
blessing  of  heaven  is  promised  to  aecompanj 
all  such  holy  work. 

Mr.  Bloomfie]d*s  new  book  entitled  *  A  Yoiee 
from  the  Pulpit,"  contains  the  foUowing 
important  papers: — I. — The  Work  of  the 
Ministry.  II. — Enoch  walking  with  God. 
III.->Heaven]y  Citiaenship.  IV.^The  church 
of  God.  T.— The  Smitten  Shepheid.  With 
Preface.  It  is  published  by  G.  J .  Stevenson, 
64,  Paternoster  Bow. 

*  Affectionate  HintB  on  the  Importance  of 
Attending^  and  the  eniU  of  If  fleeting  the 
meane  of  Grace.* By  William  Chappell.  Lon- 
don :  G.  J.  Stevenson,  54,  Paternoster  Bow: 
and  B.  Banks  &  Co.  There  are  few  places  of 
worship  now — except  the  *  special  service' 
places^and  some  where  *  popular  preachers^ 
are  to  be  heard,  but  need  a  little  book  of  this 
kind.  Mr.  Chappell  has  furnished  a  nMtC 
penny  manual,  wbich  if  freely  distributed 
among  the  thousands  who  proku  to  follow 
Christ,  but  whose  devotion  appears  to  need 
firesh  fire,  it  may  be  useful.  Copies  may  be  had 
of  Mr.  Chapell,  Parchment  Street,  Winches- 
ter  ;  also,  of  G.^.  SUvenson,  64,  Paternoster 
Bow ;  or  through  any  of  the  bookselien. 


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ST 


BGSTACIBS  OP  JOY,  &  CONFLICTS  OF  SOUL,  IN  THB  DYING  CHIMBBE  OF 

MRS.    LEANEY, 
Bt  Tkqmaa  Sdwauw,  of  Tunbiiiogb  Wmlis,  Kbit.  . 


Mil  Bj>rroK — Haviiiff  a  few  spwe  minatef 
tliM  New  Tew^s  Ere,  I  embrace  the  oppor- 
•oaltf  of  aaoending  the  hill  Mixar,  and  nom 
^enoe,  vith  no  orainarj  degree  of  folemn  re- 
fleetton,  I  look  back  on  years  that  are  now 
paat  and  gone  for  ever,  etpecuJIr  on  the  one 
thaJL  ia  now  dosing  upon  me.  While  pennini^ 
tifteia  lines.  Oh  !  now  deeply  can  my  soul  en- 
ter into  the  spirit  of  the  man  after  God's  own 
beait.  in  his  42nd  Psalm,  which,  not  only 
KiTea  OS  a  Tiew  of  ICzai^t  desirable  summit, 
hat  opena  up  also  a  descent  into  the  sool- 
fcewKiipg  ana  self-loathing  yalley  of  humilia- 
tSQo  ;  (see  rene  9) ;  and  I  presume  not  a  few 
flf  Stm'B  traTellert,  and  espeoially  her  minis- 
tMBg  aecrantSy  bat  have  found  in  some  places 
0»  mndi  vneTaoeas  in  the  road,  as  to  cause 
fhdr  aoiils,  like  Israel  of  old,  to  be  much  dis- 
•oancad,  because  of  the  way.  However,  the 
year  la,  we  may  now  say,  gone,  with  idl  its 
triak  and  mingled  sweats;  and  on  the  part  of 
tlfta  Lord,  we  may  add,  imlkiUng  goodness ;  and 
I  hapa  wUh  Jeremiah,  I  can  feehngly  and  be- 
fiavinf^  add,  "  it  is  <tf  the  Lord's  mercies  we 
m9  noi  oonavmed,  because  his  compassions 
Cdnot.* 

Bat,  to  be  brief.  I  wUl  now  give  you  my 
reason  Ibr  addressing  you.  No  doubt  you,  or 
at  leaat  aome  of  your  readers,  will  remember 
(and  by  reliBrring  to  the  August  number  of 
tte  YnsBL,  for  1S58,  will  seef  an  'account  of 
the  Lord's  dealing  with  Blrs.  Leaney.'  And 
it  ia  mnah  xmprMsed  on  my  own  mind,  as 
w«ll  aa  the  wiin  of  some  of  my  friends,  that  a 
brief  relatioii  of  the  Lord's  Mlings  with  her 
ia  lamofing  her  from  the  Church  Militant  to 
the  Chardi  Triumphant,  should,  for  the  glory 
«f  Ood,  be  laid  before  you. 

Mra.  Lsansy,  departed  this  life  Not.  28ih, 
U6B.  Oar  dsar  friend  and  sister  had  been  in 
a  deeltBiqg  state  through  the  whole  of  last 
anmmar ;  and,  to  use  her  own  words,  had  felt 
aoeh  axtraocdinary  deadziess  in  her  soul  to  the 
world  and  all  its  attraedons,  that  she  seemed 
wciiiad  uito  it,  acdit  was  crucified  unto  her. 
Aboot  two  months  before  her  death,  she  gave 
birth  to  a  ebild,  (iHneh  is  since  dead) ;  after 
whieh  aha  baffled  tiie  skill  of  her  medical  at* 
tandaaty  and  sank  rapidly  under  a  fiill  per- 
aoaaifln  alao  that  she  ahould  not  survive  but  a 
ahort  pariod  the  birth  of  her  child.  Having 
aent  an  azptaas  wish  to  see  me,  I,  as  soon  as  I 
aonld,  aallad  upon  bar;  and  what  I  was  an 
•fa  and  aa  ear  witneas  to  in  the  course  of  mv 
two  visits  I  can  bat  fidntly  deseribe ;  for  such 
maiMnm  of  jov,  and  such  conflicts  of  soul  with 
tha  anamy  gr  her  peace,  I  never  before  wit- 
nemed.  when  I  first  visited  hei^,  she  informed 
mm  of  a  test  I  preached  from  some  years  azo 
(Issiah  zzvL  4,)  which  had  been  brought 
hooa  to  hor  while  on  her  bed  of  afllictioiL  in 
a  very  confbrtiag  way,  aanring  me  it  nad 


been  as  freshly  remembered,  and  as  sweet  and 
savory  as  when  it  first  fell  with  refreshing 
power  upon  her  spirit.  She  then  told  me  she 
was  sure  she  shomd  never  recover,  as  her  soul 
had  been  so  much  swallowed  up  in  anticipating 
glory,  and  that  she  even  saw  angels  hovermg 
over  her  person  and  bed,  ready  to^  take  her, 
ransomed  spirit  to  its  eternal  resting  place. 
Often  did  she  repeat,  *  Great  is  my  reward  in 
heaven,  and  my  soul  ii  all  glorious  within.' 
She  blessed  the  Lord  for  withholding  woridly 
riches  from  her,  as  she  saw  it  profited  not  in 
the  day  of  death.  She  declared  bow  much  the 
word  had  been  blessed  to  her  soul  the  last  few 
times  she  had  heard  me  preach.  She  then  re- 
ferred to  a  sweet  time  she  had  on  the  previoua 
evening,  in  meditating  on  Abraham's  fiuth  in 
the  offering  up  of  his  son  Isaac ;  and  how  her 
mind  waa  led  from  that  to  the  glorified  Lamb 
of  God.  We  conversed  freely  upon  the  beat 
things,  and  after  reading  and  prayer,  I  left 
her. 

On  my  second  visit,  as  soon  as  I  entered  the 
room,  with  a  look  of  penetration  and  peace 
which  almost  went  through  me,  she  said, '  Oh ! 
Mr.  Edwards,  I  am  going  to  glory  1'  But  here 
I  wish  to  observe,  that  between  the  time  of 
my  first  and  second  visit,  which  might  be  near 
three  weeks,  she  endured  at  times  deep  distress 
of  soul,  that  was  overwhelming  to  witness  by 
her  devoted  and  affectionate  huMand ;  and  yet, 
as  she  afterwards  told  me,  she  could  see  satan 
held  as  by  an  adamant  ohain.  However, 
scarcely  had  she  said, '  I  am  going  to  glory,' 
when  an  horror  of  great  dackness  came  ovec 
her  soul ;  and  turning  to  ma,  she  said, '  aince 
you  came  into  the  room  I  have  laltsuoh  a  thick 
doud  over  me,  and  auoh  dsrknoas  of  soul, 
although  I  was  so  happy  before  you  came  in.' 
Thia  she  repeated  several  timea,  until  X  fdt 
wretdied,  and  it  seemed  to  arise  in  my  mind 
as  a  proof  that  I  must  be  a  false  miniater,  or 
the  hidings  of  the  Lord's  oountananoe  would 
not  have  been  so  strong^  felt  by  her.^  I  ra« 
mained  for  nearly  an  hour,  but  no  signs  of 
the  rising  of  the  Morning  Star  or  Sun  cf 
Bighteoosness  could  be  f dU  She  tlMn  wished 
me  to  read  one  of  mv  swaet  Fsdma.  I  did 
so,  and  then  engaged  in  prayer.  But  still  the 
doud  remained  on  her  weak  tabemade.  After 
staying  some  time,  I  oondudad  I  had  better 
retire,  as  my  presence  seemed  more  aa  a 
stumbling  block  than  a  blessing.  I  tharefbre 
put  on  my  great  coat,  and  bid  her  (aiawelL  I 
then  went  toward  the  end  of  tha  loom,  and 
yet  strange  to  say,  J  fdt  X  conld  not  go.  So  I 
sat  down  in  solemn  nlenoe.  I  could  ndthef 
talk  nor  go ;  when  presently  she  broke  out  with 
these  words,  *  Arise,  shine,  for  the  glory  of  tha 
Lord  has  risen  upon  thee!'  I  thought  tha 
words  remarkable,  as  the  Lord  had  so  blessed 
those  ver}'  wurdt  to  my  loi^^aaDy  ycpn  ago; 


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THE   SARTHIV   TKIISBL. 


[Fab.  1,  1859. 


and  truly  she  did  shine— for  the  icene  waa  m 
changed  at  the  burtting  ferth  of  the  aun  from 
a  total  eclipse :  ahe  praised  Eather,  Son,  and 
Holj  Ghost ;  she  sung  hymns  of  praise ;  she 
was  as  a  hind  let  loose ;  jea,  like  Napthati, 
'  full  with  the  bleasing  of  the  Lord/  Her  soul 
was  so  full  of  glory,  that  I  could  scarcely  look 
eren  upon  her  countenance,  for  her  Terr  fea- 
tures beaming  with  brightness,  looked  almost 
more  than  human.  She  then  broke  out  in 
earnest  prayer  for  me,  and  for  our  little  hill 
of  Zion,  m  language  fiilly  corresponding  with 
that  weight  of  glory  which  rested  upon  her 
soul.  Not  many  days  after  this,  she  entered 
sweetly  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord. 
.  On  my  first  visit,  she  wished  me  to  preach 
her  funeral  sermon  firom '  Pradous  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints.' 
I  endearoured  to  do  so  on  Dec  12th,  1858, 
after  which,  I  gave  out  the  following  linea, 
which  oame  to  my  mind  the  evening  previous. 
How  precious  in  JehoTah's  sight 
Are  thote  who  lova  his  name : 
For  them  his  ancient,  fond  delight. 

Burnt  with  eternal  flame. 
Bedeemed  they  were  with  Jeeu's  blood : 

Who  poor  for  them  heeame ; 
That  in  their  sools  his  dying  love 

Might  bum  with  holy  flame. 
In  Area,  in  floeds,  in  life,  in  death. 

When  heart  and  flesh  doth  ftdL 
He  never  will  his  sainto  forsake. 

Bnt  make  their  faith  prevail. 
Bedeemed  they  are,  and  in  his  sight 

Their  blood  is  predoos  too  ! 
And  soon  in  gioiVs  dondless  light 

The  8Uaghter*d  Lamb  they'll  view  ! 
Oor  sister's  now  before  the  throne, 

Bedeem'd  tnua  hell  and  sin  ; 
<3uto  at  his  feet  her  blood-boaght  crown. 

And  glorious  is  within  I 
Vo  more  aseail'd  with  unbelief. 

The  weary  one's  at  rest ; 
And  what  can  eanae  a  moment's  grief 
When  once  with  Jesus  blest ! 
I  would  add,  while  I  admire  the  goodness 
«f  the  Lord  to  our  departed  sister,  in  the 
abundant  grace  bestowed  on  her,  I  should  be 
truly  sorry  for  any  of  2&on's  little  ones  to  be 
disoouraged  because  they  cannot  rise  so  high 
in  the  scale  of  gospel  comfort ;  for  truly  it 
shall  be  well  with  aU  that  fear  God,  there- 
fore it  ia  written,  <  He  will  bless  them  that  fear 
the  Lord,  both  mnall  and  great.'  Psalm  cxv. 
18.  Here  we  see  the  small  are  noticed  before 
the  great;  and  the  loving  Saviour,  told  Peter 
to  care  for  the  lambs,  and  feed  them  before 
the  dieep;  henc6,  while  the  sheep  in  their 
troublee  are  dealt  kindly  with  and  gently 
led,  he  assures  us  the  lambs  shall  be  gath- 
ered  with  his  arms ;  yea,  even  laid  in  his 
bosom.  Isa  xL  19.  How  near  his  heart  then 
moat  every  truly  seeking  soul  bet  and  how 
deep  ia  Jehovah'a  sympathy  for  those  of 
whom  he  has  smd,  « He  that  toucheth  you 
touoheth  the  apple  of  mine  eye.   Zech.  ii.  8. 

I^,*!^'J^^  '"•«*  shall  Uve  that  seek 
Qed.'  Psalm  Lux.  82. 

^  ^  "iT?!?^^  ^^  adding,  our  departed  dster 
haaleftbdimd  m  this  vaUey  of  Baca,  a  sor- 
■owing  husband  and  six  small  children  to  be 
eared,  $aA  provided  for,  by  manual  labour, 
Md  no  other  dependance,  that  I  am  aware  of 
^^I'fJP^?/'  ^  Thomas  Edwjju)6. 
Xunbndge  Wdla,  Dee.  31, 1868. 


SANCTIFIED    AFFLICTION. 

THE  SAFPT  DIATH  OT  XBZIA  BTSmrB, 
WBITTXir  BT  HBS  MOTHBB  A8  AM  BVCOUB- 
AOEICBMT  TO  PBATDTG  PABBITTS. 


Mt  dear  child  waa  first  put  under  medical 
aid,  on  Qood  Friday,  April  2nd,  1858 :  our  me- 
dical gentleman  said  he  hoped  a  little  medi- 
dne,  and  change  of  air  mignt  have  the  effect 
of  restormg  health ;  but  although  all  was 
done  that  could  be  done  instrumentallv,  the 
decree  was  gone  forth:  the  Lord  haa  pur- 
posed to  take  my  last  child  to  himself. 
The  Lord  has  heard  our  poor  breathinga  for 
our  dear  children  by  giving  them  his  grace, 
but  he  has  been  pleased  to  take  them  soon  to 
himself.  The  l«ord*s  ways  are  not  as  our 
ways ;  nor  his  thoughts  as  our  thoughts.  Our 
last  and  only  child  bad  reached  womanhood  ; 
we  had  hoped  to  spend  many  years  in  happi- 
ness together.  Our  Father  wisely  hides  our 
troubles  from  our  view  ;  if  I  had  seen  the  end 
at  the  beginning  of, the  affliction.  I  should 
have  sunk  under  it ;  but  the  Lord  gave  me 
strength  from  day  to  day  to  use  all  the  meana 
in  our  power  to  keep  our  dear  child  with  us ; 
and  when  all  means  failed,  and  it  was  told 
me  there  was  no  hope  of  her  recovery,  al- 
though my  flesh  trembled,  and  my  heart  waa 
ready  to  burst,  I  did  then,  and  do  now,  desire 
to  say,  '  Father,  ih$  will  U  done.*  Bspe- 
dally  since  it  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  make 
her  manifest  in  this  aflUction  to  be  a  vessel 
of  mercy  afore  prepared  to  fi^lory.  My  dear 
child  was  the  subject  of  serious  oonvictiona 
before  the  afflicting  hand  of  GK>d  was  laid 
upon  her.  When  we  have  been  walking 
toother  from  the  house  of  Gbd,  she  has  aaid 
with  tears  in  her  eyes,  <  I  wish  I  felt  and 
enjoyed  what  you  and  Father  do ;  how  happy 
should  I  be  1'  And  after  my  dear  husband  haa 
been  praying  at  the  family  altar,  she  would 
often  weep,  and  particularly  when  her  Father 
had  been  led  more  espedally  to  intreat  the 
Lord  for  her  soul.  At  other  times  she  would 
say '  Mother,  if  I  am  not  one  of  the  elect,  I 
dudl  not  be  saved ;  if  I  am,  I  shall.'  But 
when  the  Lord  laid  his  afflicting  hAnd  upon 
her,  and  brought  her  to  feel  herself  a  sinner, 
and  the  chief  of  sinners,  she  did  not  talk  then 
about  election ;  but  her  great  concern  waa  to 
know  what  would  become  of  her  soul  when 
she  died.  She  took  to  her  bed  on  Lord  Vday, 
April  I9th.  On  the  morning  of  this  day,  shu 
said  to  her  Father,  *  I  fed  very  ill  this  morn- 
ing ;  and  while  I  have  been  'laving  on  mj 
bed,  I  have  been  thinking  if  I  should  never 
get  well  again,  where  will  my  soul  go  toP' 
She  wept  very  much ;  and  we  began  to  enter- 
tain the  hope  that  the  Lord  had  created  in 
her  soul  a  real  spiritual  concern:  we  oould 
not  say  then  with  confidence  whether  it  was 
only  the  fear  of  death ;  but  afterwards  we 
were  encouraged  firmly  to  beUeve  it  waa  a  con- 
cern about  her  never  dying  soul«  aa  the  re- 
sult of  grace  implanted.  Tnougfats  about  her 
atate  kept  her  awake  for  weeks;  thinkini^ 
what  a  sinner  she  was,  and  wishing  she  waa 
like  the  dear  children  of  God.    Thia  concern 


Ab.  1,  1U9.1 


TSS  X^ETHSir  YB881L. 


39 


difltrcMof  herpoorBonlvMgreAt'to  know  if 
there  ooald  be  meray  for  wo  sreat  a  flfamer  at 
■hefaltheiMirtobe.  I  knew  she  reaUydid 
feel  it ;  it  often  eauaed  me  to  weep  both  tean  of 
joj  and  aorrow.  I  did  all  I  could  to  aUeviate 
&nd  comfort  her  under  her  pains  of  body,  and 
distreaa  0/  mind,  but  I  oould  not  bring  peace 
to  her  poor  dn-wounded  conscience ;  nothing 
but  the  application  of  the  precioni  blood  of 
JeMis  could  do  that;  although  she  did  not  at 
all  timea  feel  that  sweet  comfort  and  peace  in 
believing  she  was  the  Lord's;  yet,  from  this 
tinie  she  had  a  little  hope  that  the  Lord  had 
forgiren  her  sins  and  would  take  her  to  him- 
self she  waa  so  afraid  of  being  deceiTod ;  or  of 
sajiag  anything  that  she  did  not  feel ;  she  was 
apiritaally  honest :  for  many  hours  she  laid 
upon  her  bed  and  wrestled  with  the  Lord  to 
hare  mercy  on  her  poor  soul  and  give  her  to 
feel  an  interest  in  the  precious  blood  of  Christ 
One  day  in  particular,  she  said.  Bear  mother 

0  that  solemn  portion  of  the  word  of  God, 
*What9kallUpn!fUa  man  ifU  gaina  the 
vkoU  world  and  lose  hU  own  aoul  T  Or 
mkat  tftolZ  a  ntan  give  in  §xekamg«  for  kit 
oomi  T  I  said,  *My  dear,  it  is  a  mercy  that 
Tou  are  conoeraed  about  your  precious  soul. 
Is  it  more  concern  to  you  tluui  your  poor 
body  ?  *  Yea,  dear  mother,  she  said,  and  if  the 
Loid  would  be  pleased  to  manifest  himself 
to  me  as  ay  Saoumr,  I  would  rather,  if  it  waa 
the  will  ot  the  L<^d,  to  leave  this  sinful 
vorld-and  be  with  Jesus:  for  if  the  Lord 
ihoula  raise  me  up  again,  and  these  feeling 
ahoold  pass  away,  what  a  solemn  thing  it 
woidd  be.'  Anotoer  time  she  said,  *  Oh !  dear 
mother, 

^'Ih  a  point  I  long  to  know, 
Oft  it  causes  anxious  thought, 

Do  I  lore  the  Lord  or  no^ 
Am  I  his,  or  am  I  not  P 

'  Well,  my  dear  child,'  I  said,  '  tou  did  not 
always  feel  so;  and  Satan  would  not  put 
audi  feelings  into  your  mind.  I  know  it  is  the 
lictrd;  snd  ne  will  manifest  himself  to  you:' 
Another  time  she  said, '  I  was  thinking  of  what 
Band  and,  *  Tea,  though  I  walk  through  the 
Yaiky  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no 
eni,n)r  thou,  0  Lord,  art  with  me.'  If  I  could 
aay,  with  confidence,  the  Lord  was  wf  Baviourt 

1  ahoold  indeed  not  fear  death ;  the  grave  is  a 
cold,  dark  place,  but  it  is  only  the  body  will 

£>  there,  and  the  dear  Saviour  laid  there  he- 
re.' Another  time  she  said  '  in  my  Father's 
hoosssze  many  mansions:'  and  the  Lord  said 
*I  will  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you ',  and 
I  will  come  again ;  and  receive  you  to  mv- 
salt'  Oh,  if  I  could  but  see  wty  name  in  the 
Lamb'a  book  of  life  !  I  desire  no  more.'  I 
aaid, '  My  dear  child,  what  are  you  resting  upon 
for  the  salvation  of  your  never  dying  soul  ? 
laituponyour  prayers,  or  anything  you  can 
do  ?*  *  Ho,  my  dear  mother,  she  aaid,'  I  have 
proved  my  poor  feeble  prayera,  if  they  can  be 
calledpr»yer%  can  never  save  me.  1  shall  not 
go  to  heayen  by  my  prayoro,  and  yet  I  cannot 
go  to  heaven  without  prajfer,  my  only  hope 
fat  the  aalvation  of  my  soul  is  upon  what 
Christ  has  done  and  suffered  for  poor  lost  sin* 
aen.'  She  smd, 'the  Lord  would  be  just  if  he 
vereto  cast  me  for  ever  from  his  presence; 


bnt.  (oLuping  her  poor  thin  hands  together, 
and  luting  her  evea  to  heaven,  she  said,)  *  but 
if  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  such  a  sin- 
ner as  I  am,  I  will  give  the  Saviour  ten  thou- 
sand praises.' 

She  was  very  pleased  when  Mr.  Hazelton 
called  to  see  her,  which  he  often  did:  but  Sa- 
tan used  afterwards  to  harrass  her  and  suggest 
that  ahe  had  said  something  she  ou^ht  not  to 
have  said :  or  something  that  she  did  not  feeL 
Often  she  haa  said,  '  Bear  mother,  I  cannot 
speak  any  more,  for  though  when  Mr.  Hasel- 
ton  comes,  and  I  feel  a  httle  comfort  in  hear- 
ing him  talk  to  me,  and  pray  with  me,  yet 
something  seems  to  whisper  in  my  ear,  '  .few 
areonlpanimeriUJ  I  said, 'My  dear  child, 
you  have  said,  and  often  say,  vou  are  a  sinner, 
and  a  i^reat  one ;  and  after  all,  you  really  do 
not  think  you  are  a  sinner,  nor  stand  in  need 
of  that  precious  blood  of  the  dear  Bedeemer 
to  wash  awav  your  sins.'  I  think  I  see  my 
dear  child's  looks  now ;  she  said,  *  What,  mo- 
ther! not  a  aUmorl  not  a  iimurf  I  am  the 
chief  of  sinners ;  and  nothing  but  the  blood  of 
Jesus  can  wash  my  sins  away.  0  that  the 
Lord  would  reveal  himself  to  me  as  my  So- 
eioftr.'  She  prayed  aome  length  of  time,  till 
she  was  quite  exhausted,  ror  often,  when 
ahe  thought  I  waa  aaleep,  I  have  heard  her 
praying  m  the  night  (0,  ahe  aaid,)  '  time  is 
abort ;  my  aoul  is  more  concern  to  me  than  my 
poor  body.'  Shortly  after  this,  when  I  came 
mto  the  room,  ahe  aaid,  '  Bear  mother,  all  at 
once  theae  words  seem  to  come  to  my  mind^" 

"  Nothing  in  my  hands  I  bring. 
Simply  to  thy  cross  I  ding.^ 

I  said, '  My  dear,  is  that  the  language  of 
your  soul  P  She  said,  *  Yes,  it  is.'  I  said,  *  xour 
soul  will  never  be  lost  if  Chriat  is  your  only 
hope.'  Satan  was  not  permitted  to  harass  her 
much  after  this  until  the  Lord's  day  before 
she  was  taken  home.  She  had  been  talking 
with  me  in  the  evening ;  but  she  was  so  ex- 
hausted ahe  oould  not  aay  npch,  but  ahe  aaid, 

*  I  long  to  see  Jesus !'  she  aaid  aeveral  times  to 
me,  hark !  some  one  is  calling  my  name,  and 
you,  too,  dear  mother.  We  must  go  home, 
this  is  not  our  home ;  we  must  go  to  our  better 
home.'  She  seemed  much  in  prayer;  her  dear 
eves  looked  up  as  though  she  could  see  some- 
thing beautiful,  a  smile  came  over  her  eoim- 
tenance  as  though  ahe  caught  a  glimpse  of 
eternal  glory !  but  after  this  Satan  was  again 
permitted  to  harrass  her  as  to  her  state.  About 
11  o'clock  at  night  all  at  once  she  clasped  her 
dear  hands  together  and  aaid, '  I  thall  be  lott^ 
l9kall  bo  lo9tl  1  shall  not  be  at  the  ri^ht 
hand  of  Qod  at  last ;  I  have  been  deceiving 
myself— I  thought  I  had  a  hope  that  the  Lord 
had  forgiven  alTmy  sins:  but  O  it  ia  all  gone,' 
Her  anguish  of  soul  for  some  time  was  great : 
she  wept,  and  we  all  wept  and  prayed  the 
dear  Lord  would  again  appear  to  her;  and  ao 
he  did,  for  with  her  hands  clasped  ahe  aaid, 

*  May  I  pray  P  Yea,  I  may,'  ahe  aaid,  *  Bear 
Jeaua  help !'  The  snare  waa  broken ;  Satan  was 
driven  away.  She  rapidlv  annk  the  three 
following  daya.  She  spoke  but  little,  but 
seemed  much  in  prayer.  She  looked  often  at 
her  dear  father  and  me  with  mu^  aireetkn. 

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40 


THK  SABTHBK   TEISBL. 


CF^  1,  IMf . 


Jcage, 


8116  norer  iDurmiifML  but  wstf  gpwtflfiil  bo/ond 
meamire  for  erery  ihmg  that  was  done  for  bcr. 
I  prajed  to  feel  rengnedf  eiCber  for  life  or  death. 
A  dear  friend  sat  ap  with  her  the  last  iuirfat»  to 
whom  she  eaid, '  bare  yon  prayed  fer  me  r  The 
reply  waa»  *Yei^  aiid  many  friendi  too.' 
Again  Bhe  repeated  that  peeaage, '  What  shall 
it  profit  a  man,  if  he  shall  nin  the  whole 
world  and  Ioom  his  own  soidP'  My  fHend 
said,  *  And  do  jon  feel  the  importance  of  that  ?' 
Bhe  said,  *  I  dovfor  the  Isat  day  is  oome,  ey 

She  aearoely  elosed  her  eyes  during  the 
night,  bnt  seemed  to  be  looking  upwaids  to 
her  better  home,  as  she  so  ofken  spoke  te  me 
about.  She  said  in  the  morning  part, '  Media* 
tor,'  «CherubimaI>and'Sentp&ma!'  ^OloryP 
wiUi  a  smile  on  her  ooontenanoe,  ahe  attend 
these  words.  She  said,  *  I  lore  Mr.  Haile- 
ton,  but  I  shall  nerer  hear  him  speak  any 
more ;  and  I  cannot  read  now.'  The  fnendaaid 
to  her,,'  But  cannot  you  read  your  title  clear  P* 
She  replied^  with  much  feehng  and  eameet- 
neaa,  *  J  can/  Xmmi /*  That  Yem  waa  repeated, 

'  When  languor  and  duMase  invade 
This  trembUnff  house  of  clay, 
'Tie  sweet  to  look  beyond  the  c^ 
And  long  to  fly  away.' 

Sli«  then  opened  her  dear  eyes,  and  said, 
'-^  Sweet,  stp^  long,  lon0,*  In  the  afternoon 
aho  aaid,  '  Oh  Satan,  how  often  Satan !  how 
often  Satan !  but  with  a  smile  ahe  looked  up 
apd  said,  *  Open  the  gatea  of  glory,  open  the 
gates  of  glory/  She  kissed  me,  dear  girl,  for 
the  last  time  about  6  o'clock.  I  can  feel  cTen 
now  her  dying  lips  ginng  me  the  laat  token 
of  affection.  She  did  not  after  that,  apeak  so 
as  to  be  able  to  be  understood ;  the  last  sound 
I  heard  fh>m  her  lips  was '  happy*  Thus  she 
sweetly  breathed  ner  soul  into  (he  hands  of 
the  dear  Hedeemer  about  9  oMock,  June  16th, 
1858,  aged  17  years,  and  10  months. 

Her  mortal  remains  were  depointed  in 
Abney  Park  Cemetry,  on  the  22nd  of  June, 
when  Mr.  Hazleton  spoke  from  the  words  in 
the  book  of  Job  jxv,  10,  *  But  man  dieth  and 
wasteth  iaway,  yea,  man  rlreth  up  the  ghost, 
and  where  is  hef  and  on  uie  following  lord's- 
day,  Mr.  H.  im^ved  the  event  from  Ber. 
xiv.  6, '  And  in  their  mouth  was  found  no  guile, 
for  they  are  without  fault  before  the  throne 
of  God.' 

DEATH  OF 

MRS.  MABI  M.    HARRIS. 

Tbi  subject  of  this  short  tiotioe.  was  bom 
of  Godly  parenta,  February  4,  ls30 :  both 
being  members  of  Soho  Chapel.  Oxford-street, 
—the  father  (Mr.  Charles)  having  honourably 
Buatained  the  office  of  deacon  for  more  than 
twenty  yean  in  that  place. 

Mrs.  Harris,  from  an  infSiint,  had  been 
brought  to  Bono,^  and  continued  a  constant 
hearer  Uiere  within  two  yean  of  her  deoeaae. 
Bhe  waa  alao  a  scholar,  and,  for  seven  yeara, 
a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school  at  the  sakne 
place. 

In  February,  1852,  she  was  married  to  a 
lellow-seholar,    by   Mr.  0.  Wyard,  at  Soho 


ehapeL  As  a  wtfs,  she  waa  tdirarpa»ed, 
devoted,  loving  and  alfeetionate;  her  laat 
days  aa  the  first;  my  loas  therefore,  is  ex- 
tremely grtet. 

*  No  tongue  can  tell  the  loss  I  feel. 

The  breach  that's  made  none  e'er  can  heaL 

During  six  yeats  of  our  married  tife,  I 
never  saw  her  out  of  temper ;  this  was  no 
small  mercy,  and  calls  forth  much  thankful- 
ness. To  strangers  she  was  reserved ;  but  the 
mor^dhewas  kndwn,  the  more  beloved.  She 
waa  not  a  talking  Christian,  but  a  wattina 
on«.  She  was  taken  ill  in  July,  1867,  with 
every  svtnptom  of  that  fktal  disease,  consump- 
tion. In  September  she  improved,  and  went 
out  of  town  for  a  short  tuiie :  but  soon  re- 
lapsed into  the  same  state,  and  became  gradu- 
ally -worse,  suffering  the  most  acute  agony, 
but  never  known  to  murmur  at  the  providence 
of  God,  that  placed  her  on  a  bed  of  slcknesa. 
Happily  she  was  always  a  great  reader,  par- 
ticularly ;the  Bible;  and  t^en  was  she  seen 
in  prayer,  that  she  might  not  grow  impatient, 
and  her  request  was  granted.  Up  to  a  fbxt- 
night  before  her  deatn,  she  had  strong  hopes 
of  recovery.  A  few  days  before  bet  dectose, 
in  answer  to  questions,  she  said,  'I  know  hi& 
that  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted to  him  against  that  day.'  To  another 
she  replied,  *  From  a  child  I  have  known  the 
Scriptures,  which  haa  made  me  wise  unto 
salvation;  adding,  'The  race  is  nearly  run 
out  of  this  poor  suffering  body^>Z  Umg  to  ho 
^ofie— this  world  liaa  no  charms  for  me.'  I 
aaid,  'Touare  happy P*  '  She  replied,  'Tea, 
he  will  never  leave  me;  bless  his  dear  name, 
he  healeth  all  our  diseases ;' '  'twill  not  be 
long, 

'  And  then,  oh,  how  pleasant, 
The  conqueror's  song.' 

On  bein^  asked  if  her  trust  waa  in  Christ, 
ahe  rmUed  with  areat  earnestness,  '  All  agr 
truH  r  Frequently  she  was  heard  in  prayer, 
to  sav  '  Take  me  homo^take  me  home,*  On 
the  following  verse  being  repeated  in  her 
hearing: 

*  And  whene'er  theaignal's  given 

Us,  from  earth  to  call  away. 
Borne  on  angels  winga  to  heaven ;' 
she  imikiediately  exclaimed^ 

'  Glad  to  leave  this  cumbrous  day.' 

At  this  time  she  expressed  a  great  desire  not 
to  spend  another  Sabbath  en  eartk.  Her 
repeated  request  wis  to  have  a  Imnn  read ; 
then  a  psalm,  and  tUm  pray«r.  On  hearing 
her  trying  to  siiw,  I  said,  *what  are  you 
singing  P    She  repued, 

'  When  I  survey  the  wondrous  cross.' 

Being  asked  why  she  had  never  made  a  pro«- 
fession,  she  said,  '  I  have  often  looked  at  the 
water,  and  longed  to  go  in,  but  did  apt,  for 
fear  of  being  found  a  hypocrite,  unol  that 
man  of  Ood,  Mr.  Irisb,  set  me  firee.'  She  waa 
generally  in  a  happy  f!rame  of  mind.  A 
friend  said,  *I  am  sorry  to  see  you  ao  ill.' 
She  replied,  *  yes,  I  am  getting  worse.'  He  ' 
said,  '  but  your's  is  an  eDvii|b^i>OBitien ;  to 


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THB  B^BffHEH  7S88JBL. 


41 


yoa  dMfii  if  Boi  a  mHty,  but  ft  dMdow:' 
vpoB  wlddi  ahe  repfied,  'Though  I  imm 
tfarooiih  tiMTaUeycrtlw  ihjulMr  of  d6«ta^  I 
iriD  Mr  no  «tU/    On  Bgun  hiong  oiked  if 


On  agun  being  oiked  if 
hsppj,  ihe  Mid,  'yefy  the  world  hee 
BO  thanoM^  exeept  my  deer  husband  and 
cfaOd.'  The  friend  replied,  '  leare  them  to 
the  lardf  and  ipeke  of  the  ewwn  of  thorna 
Oirial  enduied  fat  her.  She  Mid,  'if  that 
WB^m0  lammff:  He  then  aaked  if  the 
enemy  had  troubled  her  much.  She  add,  'a 
little  the  last  Cbv  days;  but  I  amfitd  ^fMd 
Udi€:  1  am  aalb  in  Ids  hands :  a  few  more 
atapa  op  the  ladder,  and  then  I  shall  be  at 
rest.'  Being  asked  the  InstramentaUty  used 
in  her  eonvertiott,  she  said  *  the  hfiflwenee  of 
OodlT  parents— the  house  of  God,  and  the 
BoBday  adiooL'  She  then  bid  us  ^ood  bye, 
adding,  *  take  eare  of  the  chUd;  tram  her  up 
in  the  way  she  should  go,  and  keep  her  to  a 
plaee  of  worship/  Just  before  she  expired, 
she  threw  up  her  arms,  and  with  a  beaming 
eoonteaanee,  exclaimed,  '  I  can  see  my  fisther 
sod  my  mother.  lOkaUtwm  hewUhl^tm* 
She  said  to  a  relative  Jot  before  she  expired, 
'goodbye:  we  shall  meet  again;  Iwillweloome 
you  there.  Oh!  I  will  welcome  yon  there.' 
She  then,  apparently,  without  the  slightest 
pain,  pasaed  througn  the  river  of  Jordan, 
almoat  without  a  sigh.    Surely  we  may  say, 

*  Osegentle  sigh,  her  fetters  broke, 
We  searoe  oould  say  she's  gone.' 

She  was  interred  at  Highgate,  on  September 
18.  Mr.  Pells  spoke  over  the  grave  to  about 
one  hundred  friends  fkom  Soho ;  andontiie 
foUowing  Sabbath,  he  preached  a  most  ex- 
eeUent  sermon  from  Erv.  vii  9,  to  a  crowded 
aaifience.  W.fl. 


THE  ONLT  FEISST  THAT  CAN 
PARDOK. 

On  Priest  alone  eaa  pardon  ms^ 

Or  bid  me  '  Go  in  peace.' 
On  teeath  that  word«  •  Abaolvote,' 

Aad  aeke  these  hesrt-thTObe  cease. 
My  toal  baa  beard  His  PrieeOy  voice; 
It  Mid,  •  1  bore  thy  eiae-^BaJoice  V 

He  shewed  the  apear-raark  in  Hia  aide, 

Tbe  BsO^prlnt  on  His  pahn ; 
SaU,  •  Loek  on  Ma,  the  Cradfled; 

Wby tremble thuif    Beoalml 
AU  aoweria  aaiae— I  set  tbee  ik^ee— 

Be  not  afraid— 'AbaolTO  te.* 

la  ^aiaeof  sin  onee  tied  aad  boand, 

IvalkinUfeandUght; 
Saeh  root  1  tread  la  hallowed  ground, 

mJIst  bia  I  keep  in  sight 
Wbo  died  a  'VtcUm  oa  tbe  tree. 
That  He  migbt  say,  *  Abeolvo  ta.' 

By  Him  my  aoni  Is  pnrUled, 

Ones  leprons  tfid  doAled ; 
dcsaaed  ay  tbe  water  from  Hia  aide, 

God  eees  me 'as  a  child;' 
No  Priest  can  heal  or  cleanse  bat  Be,— 
If  o  other  aay, « Abeolvo  te.' 

He  robed  me  in  a  Prieetly  dreaa. 

That  I  might  incense  bring. 
Of  Prayer,  and  Praise,  and  BIgbteonsnese, 

To  Hsaven't  Eternal  King; 
Aad  wbSD  He  gave  this  robe  to  me. 
Ha  smiled,  aad  mid,  •  AbeolTO  te.* 


la  Heaven  He  stsnds  bsfore  the  Throne^ 

The  Great  High  Prieet  above, 
'  MaumtsBiwc'— that  name  alone 

can  sin's  dszk  stain  remove ; 
To  Him  I  look  on  bended  knee, 
Aad  hear  that  sweet  *  Absolve  te»' 
A  girded  Levite  here  below, 

I  willing  service  bring : 
And  fain  would  teU  to  all  I  know 

Of  Christ  tbe  Prieatiy  King; 
Vonld  woo  all  hearts  from  am  to  flee^ 
And  hear  him  aiy,  *  Abeolvo  te.* 
•A  little  while,'  and  he  shall  come 

Forth  from  *  the  Inner  Shrin^' 
To  call  His  pardoned  Brethren  home;^ 

O  bliss  supreme  1  divine  \ 
When  every  bkrad-boag at  ablld  ahall  ase 
The  Pamar,  who  aald,  *  Aaaoavo  ca.* 


THE  BXEBOISEB  GHBISTIAN. 

Bom.  viiL  38. 

Bow  hard  is  the  leeeon  to  learn, 

That  all  things  are  working  fbr  good, 
'While  Satan  and  sin  tai  each  tarn 

Entangle  my  soul  in  the  wood. 
This  sorely  osnnot  be  the  way 

That  leads  to  the  msnsions  above ; 
My  sonl's  overwbelm'd  with  dismay. 

And  fear  I  shan't  baak  in  his  love. 
I'm  tempted  and  tried  within ; 

No  peaee  can  I  find  to  exist ; 
Bat  prone  to  all  manner  of  eln, 

Tet  frin,  if  I  ooold,  woold  resist. 
My  pathway  with  foes  do  abound. 

And  thistles  snd  thorns  grow  smain; 
I'm  terrified  with  the  sad  sound 

Of  ravenons  beasts  o'er  the  plsin. 
The  way  is  both  ragged  and  dark. 

Bewildering  me  on  the  road. 
Which  makes  me  lose  sight  of  the  mark 

That  leads  to  my  Father's  abode, 
I'm  barrsss'd  by  night  and  by  day ; 

Perplexed  within  snd  without; 
Mo  peaee  <wr  I  find  to  allay— ' 

My  Boul*8  overwhelmed  with  doubt. 
At  timee,  on  the  ocean  I  saiL 

With  Jesus,  my  Pilot,  on  board, 
JEnioylng  a  heavenly  nue, 

I  sing  tbe  high  pnlses  of  God ; 
Bat,  ah,  O  how  short  is  the  day  I 

GU>w  soon  doth  the  darlmess  appsar : 
The  winds,  and  the  wavee  and  the  spxay, 

Encompass  my  soul  with  sad  fear. 
The  doude  gather  thick  all  around ; 

The  waves  do  like  mountains  arise ; 
The  Pilot's  not  now  to  be  found, 

And  ligbtninn  shoot  forth  from  the  ekiss; 
Huge  rocks  ana  quicksands  do  abound ; 

Rough  seas  upon  which  I  am  toss'd 
O  sure  I  shall  soon  be  aground. 

Or  split  on  some  rock,  and  be  losti 
Thus,  whether  by  land  or  by  sea, 

I'm  called  to  travel  below, 
Hiere's  little  but  sorrow  for  me. 

My  heart  is  o'erwhelmed  with  woe. 
Bow  such  things  can  work  for  my  good 

i  feel  at  a  loss  for  to  tsU, 
Tho'  Jesus  bath,  said  in  his  word, 

These  things,  altho*  trying,  are  weU. 
O  let  me,  dear  Jesus,  but  know 

I'm  washed  in  the  oeoean  of  blood ; 
Then  welcome  these  crosses  below, 

Since  they  are  deslgn'd  for  my  good. 
P11  passively  lay  in  thy  hand. 

Nor  murmur  whate'er  the  design, 
rn  willingly  hear  thy  comnnnand, 

If  thou  dost  but  say '  I  sm  thine.' 
Winch^ter.  ^.  GKArnpu,. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  I 


42 


THE  EABTHKK  VESSBL. 


VMb.  1,  UM. 


THE  NIGHT  OF  MOUJONING  AND  THE  MORNING  OF  JOT. 
▲  DBBP  axFBBiianrrAL  lbitbb  asdbbsssd  vo  mm.  baicusl  oomrs. 


Mt  Dbab  Bbothsr  m  ms  Lord— 
Many  thank*  for  yonr  kind  and  quick  reply  to 
my  letter.  I  was  voiable  to  call  at  Karehmont 
Street,  as  you  wished.  I  am  bat  very  poorly, 
and  walking  diatrenes  me  greatly;  besides, 
you  orerrate  me  in  Taluing  my  opinion  on 
the  subject.  I  have  re-perused  your  letter  in 
the  May  number  of  Thb  Sabthxv  ViaasL, 
and  cannot  but  think  with  you  that  the  pre- 
cept is  wofolly  oTerlooked  by  the  children  of 
God.  If  it  be  not  meant  for  them,  for  whom 
can  it  be  meant,  seeing  we  do  not  expect  Ut- 
ing  acta  from  those  who  belong  to  tiie  oongre- 
^tion  of  the  dead  ?  *  If  1  be  a  Father  where 
IS  mine  honour?'  I  can  also  feelingly  enter 
into  your  protest  against  God's  family  makinjg 
a  scape-goat  of  the  old  man,  throwing  their 
sins  upon  him,  and  sending  them  into  the 
land  of  forgetftilnesa.  It  is  one  thinr  for 
€h>d  to  haye  put  our  sins  behind  his  back, 
and  quite  another  when  we  attempt  to  make 
•  excuses  for  them.  The  former  is  a  glorious 
fact,  the  latter  is  a  sorry  proof  of  the  posses- 
sion of  real  Christianity.  So  did  not  DaTid,  so 
did  not  Peter,  as  you  obserre ;  and  so  do  not 
we,  when  the  tbu  of  God  is  ruling  and  reign- 
ing in  our  hearts,  and  God  nres  us  a  tender 
conscience  towards  him,  which  is  a  gift  aboTO 
all  price.  But  we  have  known  the  times  when 
we  would  fain  hsTc  thus  disposed  of  our  bur- 
den of  uneasiness,  and  this  makes  us  so  well 
know  the  eril  of  it,  and  its  consequences. 
But  it  is,  as  you  well  obserre,  a  deep  subject, 
and  I  shall  get  out  of  my  depth,  if  1  enter 
upon  it,  and  yet  it  is  one  in  which  I  feel  a 
deep  interest.  I  think  I  can  enter,  in  a  small 
measure,  into  Paul's  statements, '  For  we  know 
that  the  law  is  spiritual,  but  I  am  camal^Bold 
under  sin ;  for  that  which  I  do  I  allow  not, 
for  what  I  would  that  do  I  not,  but  what  I 
hate  that  do  I.  If  then  I  do  that  which  I 
would  not,  I  consent  unto  the  law  that  it  is 
good.  Now  then  it  is  no  more  I  that  do  it, 
but  sin  that  dwelleth  in  me,'  and  so  on  to  the 
end  of  the  chapter.  Daily  experience  makes 
u^  adopt  this  language  as  our  own.  '  For  the 
good  that  I  would  I  donot,  but  the  eril  whi<di 
I  would  not.  that  I  do.'  But  Paul  did  not 
treat  the  sucject  as  some  modem  professors  do, 
or  he  would  not  haye  concluded  nis  remarks 
with  that  bitter  lamentation  which  re-echoes 
in  the  heart  of  eyery  child  of  God,  *  0  wretch- 
ed man  Uiat  I  am,  who  shall  deliyer  me  from 
the  body  of  this  death.'  A  clear  understand- 
ing of  the  two  natures,  and  their  separate 
workings,  and  yet  both  indwelling  in  our  mor- 
tal bodies,  Oh,  it  is  a  very  deep  subject,  my 
brother,  and  the  more  I  muse  upon  it,  the 
deeper  it  seems. 

I  think  much  of  the  mixed  gospel  of  the 
present  day,  may  be  referred  to  the  want  of 
a  clear  understanding  on  this  point.  Am  I 
correct  in  this  thought }  I  am  a  very  coyet- 
ous  body,  oyer  wanting  to  gain  something 
from  those  who  are  better  taught  in  the  scho^ 


of  Christ  than  m^lf ;  and  truly  thankfiil 
shall  I  be  for  any  instruotion  Irom  you  by 
letter,  now  I  oan  no  lonmr  occasionally  lis- 
ten to  your  yoioe  bom  the  pulpit,  as  I  haye 


lately  done  with  so  much  reu  vleoiure^  sotts- 
faeU&H,  and  profit  It  is,  as  dear  Hart  des- 
cribee it  to  bie. 


'  A  narrow,  narrow  path.' 
In  steering  dear  of  arminianism,  how  many 
run  upon  the  dangerous  shoals  and  quick- 
sands of  antinomianism ;  and  those  again, 
who  are  alarmed  at  the  hue  and  cry  against 
hyper-calyinism,  and  hi^h  doctrines,  cling  to 
the  fklsely  supposed  ability  of  the  sinner  to  be 
beforehand  witn  God.  (Die  dear  Lord  him- 
self must  be  our  keeper,  and  our  teacher,  or 
where  shall  we  run  to  ?  and  what  error  will  be 
too  glaring  for  our  reception,  if  left  to  our- 
selyes  P  How  true  is  that  most  excellent  re- 
mark recorded  in  dear  Harf  s  life, '  Pharisaio 
seal  and  antinomian  security  are  Uie  two  en- 
gines of  Satan,  with  which  he  grinds  the 
church  in  lUl  ages,  as  betwixt  the  upper  and 
nether  millstone.  The  space  between  them 
is  much  narrower  and  harder  to  find  than 
most  men  imagine.  It  is  a  path  which  the 
yulture's  eye  hath  iiot  seen ;  and  none  oan 
shew  it  us  but  the  Holy  Ghost.  Here  let  no 
one  trust  the  directions  of  his  own  heart,  or  of 
any  other  man,  lest  by  being  warned  to  shun 
the  one.  he  be  dashed  against  the  other :  the 
distinction  is  too  fine  for  man  to  diM»m; 
therefore,  let  the  Christian  ask  direction  of 
his  God.' 

But  I  think  I  must  yenture  to  teU  jou  what 
has  made  dear  Hart  such  a  fayourite  with 
me,  especdally  as  the  experimental  strain  of 
your's  ii  in  dose  accordance  with  the  subject 

It  is  about  16  years  ago  that  a  horror  of 
great  darkness  fell  upon  me.  It  was  truly 
darkness  that  might  be  fdt :  neyer  before 
that  time,  or  eyer  since,  haye  1  sunk  quite  as 
low  as  I  did  thetf ;  I  can  scarcely  teU.  yon 
how  it  crept  on  me ;  but  this  I  know,  I  waa 
well  nigh  in  despair,  and  could,  truly  haye 
reiterated  at  that  time  the  remark  in  tout 
last,  *  I  cannot  be  much  lower  out  of  ndl/ 
After  hayinff  enjoyed  the  spirit  of  adoption, 
and  entered  into  the  priyileges  of  sonship, 
glorying  in  my  rdationship  to  a  Triune 
Jehoyah,  Father  Bon  and  Holy  Ghost.  I 
was  cast  down  into  this  low  pit,  this  deep 
and  dark  dungeon ;  and  as  I  then  fully  feared, 
altogether  oast  away ;  not  that  I  could  belieye 
the  Lcsd  eyer  forsook  his  people,  but  mv  per- 
suasion was  that  I  had  deceiyed  myself  and 
others,  and  that  I  did  not  belong  to  the  fSsmily 
of  God.  How  yain  were  all  the  remonstanoes 
of  Christians,  and  the  expostulations  of  a 
beloyed  pastor, '  Miserable  comforters  are  ye 
aU,'  from  my  inmost  heart  I  said ;  I  looked 
with  enyy  on  the  brute  creation,  because  I 
thought  tl^ey  would  not  be  damned.  I  could 
not  read  a  line  of  any  book,  saye  only  the 
Bible,  and  dear  Harts  hymns:  the  former 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ftk.  1,  IBM.] 


THB   BA&TH&M    VESSEL. 


43 


«M  nuMdoed  for  an  the  thzMteningB  and  da- 
nnnriarioM  agaiait  the  hypocrite;  the  latter, 
I nmd  with  aTiditj;  and  beeaase  I  eould  not 
bvt  «ee  and  aefcnovledge  that  Hart  had  tra- 
TeOed  in  a  limalar  path  to  mj  own,  I  tried 
to  beliere  he  must  be  a  hypoente  alao ;  and  I 
know  not  whether  I  ftopped  ahort  of  thinVing 
the  aame  of  wmie  of  the  dear  sainti  spoken  of 
m  the  Bible.  So  ftr  did  the  enemy  preyaU 
or«  ae  at  thti  time,  that  he  penoaded  me  to 
beliOTe  that  God  pitied  me  aa  his  creature,  but 

"  not  safe  me,  because  my  name  was  not 

'ed  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  Ufe.  Here 
pretty  use  I  made  of  the  doctrines  of 
Prayer  I  then  thought  I  knew  noth- 
is«  aboat ;  but  thousands  of  times  since  then 
I  koged  for  the  earnestness  and  agony  of 
V  I  now  beliere  I  was  the  subject  of  at 
time.  I  wore  out,  and  utterly  destroyed, 
«sse  oopy  of  dear  Hart*s  hymns  in  toree 
months.  Tmly,  they  were  watered  with  my 
tm,  for  day  and  night  these  were  my  portion. 
X^from  sheer  fatigue,  I  used  to  sleep,  the 
terror  of  my  waking  destroyed  all  the  benefit 
or  the  short  cesMtion  from  my  sorrow.  It 
vns  heart-grief  and  aoul-trouble  ;  and  nothing 
caa  eompare  with  this.  The  thought  of  curs. 
img  God  in  hell,  thrilled  through  me  with 
bflrror.  I  eren  went  so  far  as  to  beg  of  Qod 
to  mitigate  my  torments  iriien  I  reached  there ; 
mmd  not  allow  me  to  curse  him.  My  friends, 
■ad  amongst  them  many  of  my  christian 
ftieads,  who  had  not  travelled  in  thii  dark 
path,  thought  my  mind  would  go :  I  was  as  one 
newildered  and  sorrow  stricken;  that  hymn 
ef  dear  Harfs  was  erer  on.my  lips  which 


prayer 
that 


*  Deep  in  a  cold  and  joyless  cell  V 

Oh,   it  told  out  all  my  feelings,  and  my 
inward  groanings  to  the  Lord.    That  also, 
•  Gird  thy  hnnTnp,  Christiaa  soldier.* 


*  Oh,  what  a  narrow,  narrow  path,' 


'Te  tempted  souls  reflect' 
'  Zeal  extinguished  to  a  sparir.' 
'  Te  lambs  of  Christ's  fold.' 
Baft  Che  one  that  cut  me  all  to  pieoei  oom- 

'  Faith's  a  conTindng  proof.' 
To  an  those  who  tried  to  comfort  me,  I 
pointed  to  two  lines  in  that  hymn,  as  contain- 


I  ehild  of  hner  UneU  drest. 
But  not  the  liruig  ehOd.' 
And  to  this  day,  whenever  I  get  into  a  low 
pbce  (which  is  frequently  the  case,)  these 
liBes  are  a  terror  to  me.  So  dear  Hart  was 
my  eloee  eompanion  in  deep  heart-felt  sorrow ; 
and  this  has  endeared  him  to  me  beyond  ex- 
prssaion.  When  I  take  up  his  hymn  book 
sow,  I  often  say  in  doggrel  rhyme, 

'When  sunk  almost  in  black  despair, 

I  yet  oould  trace  my  features  here  ; 
Twas  Hart  alone  my  case  eould  tell. 
fie  not  surprised,  I  lavs  him  vsU, 

But  I  must  tell  you  how  the  Lord  gradous- 
ly  appeared  for  me,  and  drew  me  out  of  this 


pit.  The  temptation  to  which  I  have  referred, 
that  God  could  not  save  me,  sunk  into  my 
heart ;  and  Satan  suggested  to  me  that  no  one 
else  had  erer  harboured  such  a  blasphemous 
idea.  ^  I  awoke  one  night  in  my  usual  terror, 
but  with  this  suggestion  on  my  mind,  look  at 
Bunyan's  life.  What  for  ?  I  kept  answering. 
Still  the  thought  pressed  on  me,  till  I  was 
forced  to  rise  from  my  bed,  and  unpack  a  box 
of  books  to  get  at  my  treasure ;  and  there  I 
found  the  devil  had  palmed  a  lie  upon  me,  in 
tellinff  me  no  one  else  had  harboiued  such  a 
thought,  for  Bunvan  had  the  same  temptation. 
This  loosened  the  snare,  and  gave  me  a  wea- 
pon against  the  enemy ;  and  you  know  well, 
my  brother,  what  an  arrant  coward  he  is. 
He  was  eontinuallT  telling  me  it  was  of  no 
use  to  pray,  for  I  was  an  hypocrite.  The 
first  text  that  came  to  me  with  any  power  was 
this  in  Peter,  '  Unto  whom  coming,'  Ac.  I 
was  helped  to  see,  if  I  had  never  come 
before,  now  was  the  time  to  come.  Oh  that 
participle,  present,  was  very  valuable  to 
me,  'Unto  whom  eomina;*  it  helped  me 
to  go  to  the  dear  Lord,  with  my  sorrows. 

1  continued  going  to  the  house  of  God  con- 
stantly, though  here  m^  agony  was  threefold, 
I  went  on  Tuesday  evening,  14th,  March,  1843, 
thinking  it  should  be  the  very  last  time  I 
would  venture  there.  I  should  tell  you,  many 
sermons  had  been  preached,  especially  for  my 
comfort,  which  only  greatly  increased  my 
pain.  The  preacher  did  not  think  of  me  that 
night,  but  the  dear  Lord  did,  and  he  sent  me 
a  full  and  fi«e-deliverance,  whilst  his  dear 
servant,  (Mr.  Irons,)  preached  fix>m  these 
words, '  That  hath  maae  the  depths  of  the 
sea  a  way  for  the  ransomed  to  pass  over.' 
Isa.  li.  10.  I  will  not — I  dare  not— attempt 
to  describe  my  feelings  in  the  sudden  transi- 
tion from  the  low  dungeon  of  despair  to  the 
hanquetting  chambers  of  royal  love  and  favor: 
suffice  it  to  say,  dear  Hart's  hymn, 

'  Beep  in  a  oold  and  joyless  cell,' 
was  exchanged  for  one  of  dear  Kent's  com- 
mencing thus, 

"  To  banquet  once  the  spouse  was  led.*' 
My  never  ceasing  soul  could  now  sing, 
'*  Oh  sweet  repast  of  living  bread. 
In  thine  emoraces,  Lord,  I  laid 
I'm  sick  of  love  and  faint  to  see 
Thy  banner  thus  spread  over  me." 

Instead  of  poring  over  the  threatenings  of 
the  word,  theSOth  Fkalm  was  my  song.  All 
things  were  changed.  I  had  no  need  to  tell 
any  one  of  my  deliverance:  my  happv  conn* 
tenance  told  to  all  around  me,  that  tne  dear 
Lord  had  turned  my  oaptivitj^,  and  given  me 
"  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  moum- 
inff,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit 
of  neaviness.'  I  *  went  oown  in  the  dances 
with  them  that  make  merry.'  Oh !  how  dear 
and  preeioua  he  was  to  me  then  I  I  walked 
with  him,  and  talked  with  him,  all  the  day 
long.  I  oould  no  more  find  my  trouble  again, 
than  I  oould  cast  it  away  from  me  when  the 
Lord  hid  his  frwe. 

So,  my  dear  brother,  I  know  a  little  of  the 
experience  you  speak  of. 

When  men  are  cast  down,  thou  ahalt  say 
there  is  lifting  np.    The  Lord  wounds  but  to 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


44 


THB  XAKTUBN   TBSilBL; 


lT«b.i.iaM. 


iMftl;  and  *fidtfiftd  are  the  woonda  of  a 
friend.'  *  Serriee  involTea  rafRBring/  is  a  re- 
mark of  nj  UgUy  priied  oorrespoodeat  of 
niuMBi  you  hare  heard  me  speak.  Ton  are 
made  Tory  naeftil  to  the  Lord'i  flumly,  and 
yoa  must  tniTel  Arongh  theae  dark  patha, 
thatyoamay  have  a  word  to  apeak  out  of 
^onr  heart  to  the  moumen  in  Zion.  When 
it  ooaei  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart 
then  it  ii  it  reaches  to  the  heart.  It  ia  no 
light  matter  to  be  a  steward  in  the  Lord'a 
household ;  an  nnder-shepherd  orer  the  flock 
<rf  slaughter.  You  mnst  taste  of  many  oupa 
of  bitterness  for  the  eleof  s  sake,  but  I  know 
my  dear  brother,  you  do  not  want  to  change 
your  aerrioe,  for 

*  Although  your  cup  is  mixed  with  gall, 
There's  something  secret  sweetens  alL 
As  for  Satan's  cruel  suggestions,  what  a  busy 
foe  he  is !  busy  with  the  seed  royal,  whilst 
he  lulls  the  hypocrite  to  sleep  in  his  false 
seouritr.  He  must  have  a  great  spite  against 
faithful  ministers  of  the  gospel,  for  a  great 
part  of  their  work  is  to  uada  ms  work,  and  to 
expose  his  artifices.  No  wonder  he  is  angry 
with  them :  he  lets  the  false  shepherds  go  in 
peace,  and  oftentimes  presents  to  them  the 
poisoned  cup  of  popularity.  What  false  es- 
timates are  made  of  the  "BflMp^*fff  of  minis- 
ters, at  least  so  it  seems  to  me— euoh  a  man  is 
doing  a  great  work-— see  the  crowds  that  fol- 
low him.  I  am,  in  some  cases,  uncharitable 
enough  to  think,  that  a  little  more  iaithfiUness 
might  lessen  such  congregations,  and  be  in 
the  end,  a  better  prodT  of  usefolness.  Be- 
poTe  me  freely,  my  dear  brother,  if  I  write 
hastily ;  but  a  gospel  meal  in  the  house  of 
God  is  a  predous  b(x>n— my  soul  longs  for  it. 
Well,  the  dear  Lord  has  promiseato  blesa 
*  Zion*s  proTision,  and  to  satisfy  her  poor  with 
bread.'  '  Then  the  poor  of  the  flock  knew  it 
was  the  Lord.'    It  may  be,  my  dear  brother, 

rare eait  into  this  low  place,  that  you  may 
made  instrumental  in  the  lifting  up  Gi 
some  poor,  weary,  way-worn  traveller  in 
Zion^s  pathway.  '  Comfort  je,  comfort  ye  my 
people,  saith  your  God/  ana  who  so  weU  able 
to  present  this  comfort  to  them,  as  those  who 
hare  experimentally  known  tbe  need  of  it 
thbmaelTes  ?  It  is  cold  work,  I  presume,  to 
speak  onhr  out  of  the  book ;  but,  when  the 
preacher  is  enabled  to  speak  from  the  heart, 
of  the  things  he  is  tastmg  and  ^}>ti^liwg  for 
himseli^  at  the  time,  the  liTing  testimony 
teaches  the  Hiring  experienoe  of  God's  wailing 
people.  I  know  not  whether  I  oonnrey  my 
meaning  to  you.  but  I  would  comfort  you  in 
the  tlumght,  that  your  nresent  sharp  exev. 
eises  are  for  your  own  good,  for  the  aoiil  pro- 
fit of  Zion's  children,  and  for  the  ^lory  of 
God.  Indeed,  I  ought  to  apologue  for 
writing  you  such  a  lengtliened  scribble.  I 
hate  been  beguiled  «n  (I  know  not  why,)  to 
speak  more  fmly,  of  my  own  psinful  exsr- 
0ises,  than  is  my  wont  I  shall  always  be 
pleaaed  to  hear  Dram  jwi;  but,  never  let  me 
mtnide  upon  your  tune  or  conTemenoe.  I 
will  not  always  dius  burden  you  in  reply. 
Ht  pen  has  run  on,  till  I  am  thoroughly 
aabamed  of  the  unusual  length  of  my  letter. 

Umj  the  dear  Lord  comfort  your  heart,  and 
▼isit  you,  restoring  to  you,  the  joys  of  his  sal- 


and  urowuing  your  miniatary  with  hia 
dng.    May  the  moumera  in  Zmh 


be  eomforted,  ud  Jehofsh,  Iktliar,  Sen  and 
Holy  Ghoet  be  abundantly  glorifled  in  you, 
and  through  you,  and  b^  you.  Yoor'a  teiily 
in  the  relationship  that  is  from  aboTe. 


Bly. 

Bit  is  a  city,  a  bishop's  see,  and  the  capital 
of  the  Isle  of  its  name,  sitnaled  in  the  centre 
of  the  shire.  The  gospel  has  been  preached  in 
this  city  by  different  men  for  many  years ; 
but  I  eannot  learn  that  there  erer  was  a  flour- 
ishing cause  of  truth  here.  It  appears  that 
the  little  cause  of  truth  in  this  place,  has  un- 
dergone many  shifts  and  changes,  that  it  has 
never  been  thoroughly  esUblished  'as  a 
cause,'  to  enjoy  permament  prosperity.  But 
let  us  hope  Uiat  bHter  day»  are  m  reserve  for 
our  friends  and  brethren  at  Bly ;  yea,  that 
they  have  already  dawned  upon  them  ;  for  I 
find  that  our  brother  NswBOur  is  prearhing 
the  gospel  in  tUs  dty,  and  not  without  some 
success,  for  the  people  aro  gathering  around 
liim,  iome  have  lately  been  baptijied  and  added 
to  their  number.  Thus,  the  Xord  i$  at  work 
through  our  brother  at  Bly,  and  w^  should 
he  not  be  the  instrument  in  thehano  of  God, 
of  permanently  establishing  a  cause  of  truth 
here  in  his  old  age  P  ah !  who  can  teU.  Let  ua 
both  hope  and  pray  that  this  may  be  tbe  case 
—that  our  brother  NsWBonr,  may  have  the 
honour  of  leaving  an  established  cause  of 
truth  in  Efy.  when  the  Master  of  the  Vine- 
yard shall  call  him  ftrom  the  ohuroh  militant 
to  the  ohuroh  triumphant.  I  understood  that 
our  brother  has  preached  the  gospel  in  Bly 
beforo  numy  yean  ago ;  Binee  then  several 
ministers  have  preached  to  the  people;  and« 
during  Mr.  Sturton's  residence  at  Bly,  some 
few  wen  baptued  in  the  river,  at  Sutton,  by 
Mr.  W  ilkins,  of  Cottenham,  but  many  changea 
have  taken  place  since  then,  and  our  friend 
Newborn  has  found  his  way  ftom  London, 
round  by  Quyhiun,to  Bly  again.  '  Send  now, 
I  besaeeh  thee,  O  Lord  :0  Lord,  I  beseech 
thee,  send  now  prosperity.'  Psalm  cxviiL  25. 
LimvpoBT. 

Littleport  is  an  agricultural  village,  quite 
in  a  fenny  part  of  this  Isle  of  Bly  t  thero  is  a 
neat  littie  chapel  in  the  City-road,  supplied  bj 
various  ministers,  as  moot  of  the  people  who 
attend  the  plaoe  aro  poor  and  unable  to  sup- 
port a  pastor.  Hr.  FUvell,  of  Barith,  CHunts) 
very  often  supplies  the  pulpit,  and  Mr.  Gri- 
ffiths, of  ChaMiBris,  nve  them  a  Sabbath  dur- 
ing the  summer.  Mr.  Kewbom,  of  Bly, 
E reaches  herooocasionany  also.  Thus  with  a 
ttlesssistanoe  ftem  ncighbouriag  miniatera, 
and  by  the  help  of  itinerant  preachers,  this 
little  interest  is  kept  on,  the  gospel  is  preaished, 
souls  aro  blessed,  and  some  few  oelievers  have 
been  baptised  during  this  last  summer,  and 
aro  now  connected  with  the  little  cause  at 
Littleport.  <  May  the  little  one  become  a  thou- 
sand, and  tbe  small  one  a  stronfr  nation.'  Isa. 

Ix.  XSii.  A  TSAVBLISE. 


{To  he  continued.)  ^(^o\^ 


Kk.l,18HL) 


THE  lAETflBH   YlftSBL. 


45 


€)ttr  ^§ttrc§^s,  ifyxt  Jpasior^,  (tub  ifyk  Ij^^^^U^ 


Woid 


ORDINATION  SERVICES. 

[For  want  of  both  time  and  spMe,  our  re- 
*  I  on  these  Mnriees  lure  defered ;  but  the 
of  God  upon  them,  shall  be  giren 
The  pubUe  aetUement  of  Mr.  F. 
OoUtna,  as  pastor  of  How  Street  Baptist 
ehnrch,  Fljmouth,  we  pledged  ourselves  to 
give,  as  full  as  possible.  To  redeem  this 
pledge,  we  must  divide  it  into  three  sections. 
The  ant  and  introduetory  part,  is  contained 
IB  the  foUowini^ 

LiTTBA  TO  Mr.  J.  B.  M'CUBB, 

Of  O^elonff,  and  other  C?triHkin  Frimtdt 

in  Australia, 

Obbat  Wsstbbv  Moybablb  Barbacxs, 

Manday^  Dee,  4, 1868. 
Dbab   FsiBBDi— As  I  cannot  write  you 
all  separatelj ;  1  address  the  following  railway 
to  you.    Our  home  people,  will 


nU;  but  tben,  I  can  afford  all  that,  if  I 
may  be  of  any  use  to  you. 

8om  pec^le  haTo  little  or  no  sjjrmpathy 
with  any  ntorement.  or  any  class  of  men,  or 
any  event,  beyond  those  thmgs  immediately 
eonneeted  with  their  own  interest;  there  are 
others  who  feel  a  lively  interest  in  all  those 
saen,  and  toward  all  those  movements,  which 
are  identified  either  with  the  nation's  weal,  or 
the  chmeh^  onward  work.  For  my  otin 
paitt  I  foel  a  keen  desire  to  hear  of  the  happy 
and  heij  progression  of  the  whole  Christum 
efaoreh,  bnt  most  especially  those  branches  of 
it  which  are  known  by  the  name  of  the  *  New 
Testament  Churehss,^  or  *  Particular  Bap- 
tists.' This  feelings  toward  Zion,  and  a  oon- 
stani  and  perhaiis  over  anxious  desire  to  be 
neefal  in  ner  midst,  comnelled  me  to  arise 
this  maning  by  four  o'clock ;  and  although 
old  aatore  quaked  a  little,  yet,  by  the  help  of 
God,  and  with  Ms  tender  eare  over  me,  I 
hope  to  be  carried  this  day  more  than  two 
hnndred  and  fifty  miles ;  and  after  thirteen 
hoars'  safe  shaking  in  a  Great  Western  move* 
able,  to  enter  the  pulpit,  and  begin  a  few 
day's  work  in  the  Gospel  in  Plymouth  and 
Devonport;  and  my  special  business  is  the 
public  settlement  of  xny  friend  and  brother 
m  Christ's  gospel,  Mr.  Francis  Collins. 

In  contemplating  this  interesting  days' 
work,  my  mind  has  this  morning  been  led  to 


r  a  suitable  field  for  practical  thought, 
and  a  gospel  beauty,  in  the  closing  verse  of 
Isaiah's  fourteenth  chapter,  where  these  words 
are  written,  *  Whai  §kall  one  then  answer 
the  mmsemgers  of  the  nation  T  That  the  Lord 
hath  fomnded  Zion;  and  tho  poor  of  his 
p^ovU  shall  trust  in  it*  If  the  blessed  Spirit 
of  God  open  his  own  truth  unto  the  eye  of 
yo«r  sanctified  minds,  you  will  discover  in 
tbcae  words,  both  the  holy  oonduet  and  the 
Fsal  ^karaotsr  of  the  gospel  church,  as  hinted 
at,  aoggeatedy  and  mUred  by  the  prophet 


Isaiah  in  the  words  referred  to.  This  scrip- 
ture furnishes  a  comprehensive  scene,  illus- 
trative of  some  public  gathering;  of  some 
memorable  event ;  of  some  special  movement, 
in  which  the  whole  of  Christendom,  the  whole 
of  the  living  family,  have  a  most  peculiar 
interest. 

First,  We  have  the  messengers  of  the  nation 
coming  to  make  their  enquiry,  touching  the 
vfelfare  of  Zion, 

Secondly,  we  have  the  two-fold  answer-^ 
*  The  Lord  hath  founded  Zion ;  the  poor  of 
his  people,  shall  trust  in  (or  betake  them- 
selves) unto  it' 

I.  The  messenj^ers  of  the  nation  are  a  dig- 
nified representation  of  tbree  great  leading 
bodies  of^men,  in  whose  righteous  movements 
the  life,  the  liberty,  and  the  lasting  pros- 
perity of  the  nation  is  elosely  bound  up. 
Men,  raised  up  to  stand  at  the  head  of  our 
national  afihirs  are  *  the  messengers  ot  the 
nation.'  They  come  from  the  throne  of  the 
nation  to  the  people.  The  men  (qualified  and 
sent  forth  as  me  neralds  of  salvation,  are  also 
*the  messengers  of  the  nation' — and  on  all 
occasions,  where  the  happiness  of  Zion  is 
at  stake,  they  are  supposed  to  bo  sent  up  by 
the  people  to  enquire  diligently  into  the  state 
of  aiiairs.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  lay 
leaders  of  the  Church's  temporal  interests. 
The  Church  is  the  spiritual  nation  of  the 
world ;  and  she  sends  forth  her  leading  men 
to  search  diligently  into  the  truth  of  all  those 
constant  occurrences  which,  like  Esekiel's 
wheels,  are  carrying  out  the  purposes  of 
heaven,  in  the  providences  of  Qod  upon  the 
earUi. 

I  hope  I  may  say,  I  have  seen  a  little  of 
this  during  the  lost  twenty  years  of  my  life; 
especially  during  the  last  fifteen.  I  have 
been  called  to  anniversaries,  to  ordinations, 
to  the  formation  of  churches,  to  the  openings 
and  re-openings  of  chapels ;  to  Sunday  school 
meetings,  and  assemblies  of  various  kinds.  I 
have  always  noticed  there  has  been  a  few 
who  have  come  up  to  those  gatherings  with 
an  iutenso  desire  to  ascertain  how  it  has 
fared  with  the  church,  or  those  churches,  on 
whose  behalf  those  meetings  have  been  con- 
vened. And  on  hundreds  of  such  occasions, 
we  have  said,  from  the  bottom  roots  of  our 
little  soul,  *How  good  and  how  pleasant  to 
dwell  together  in  unity  !  More  of  this  prac- 
tical svmpathy,  more  of  this  loving  Zealand 
blessed  unity  we  certainly  desire  to  see.  Why 
should  not  Particular  Baptist  churches  have 
one  great  National  United  Association?— 
whose  aim  should  be  to  defend  and  to  diffuse 
the  truth?  To  watch  over  the  best  interests 
of  all  the  churches ;  to  aid  and  encourage  all 
Qodly  and  faithful  pastors;  and  to  endeavour, 
by  all  Bible  means,  and  prudential  measures, 
to  lengthen  the  cords,  and  to  strengthen  the 
stakes,  of  the  visible  church  on  earth  /  For 
surely  the  times  we  live  in  seem  to  demand  a 
movement  of  more  than  an  ordinaiy  kind! 


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46 


THB   EA«TH«N   VK88EL. 


£M>.  1. 1899. 


II.  We  have  the  dire«fc.  the  decided,  and  the 
delightful  answer,  which  shall  he  gi^eo,  <  The 
Lord  hath  founded  Zion ;  and  the  poor  of  bis 
people  shall  trust  in  it.'    Zion  is  *  a  monu- 
ment raised  ;  not  a  pedestal  of  lifeless  bits  of 
stone ;  but  a  worshipping  company  of  people, 
who,  by  the  powers  of  the  Eternal  Qod,  are 
raised  up  out  of  the  pit  of  sin  and  death. 
Every  branoh  of  the^isible  church  is,  so  to 
speak,  a  field  of  labor  wherein  the  Holv  Spirit 
employs  ministers,  and  others,  to  bring  out 
the  elect  stones,    the  precious  sons  of  Zion, 
and  to  prepare  them  for  the  Great  City  of  the 
Bterual  Jehovah.    And  so  the  building  is  be- 
ing carried  up :  and  the  work  will  not  stop 
until  the  last  stone  is  laid  on  with '  shoutlnes 
of  grace  !  grace !  unto  it.'    *  The  Lord  hatn 
founded  Zion  :' — this  is  a  characteristic  an- 
swer.   He  hath  founded  Zion :    that  is,  he 
hath  laid  down  some  wellprepared  plans  for 
her  safety  and  glory.    *  whose  goings  forth 
have  been  of  ul^  from  everlasting.    The  de- 
crees of  the  Almighty,    hie  predestinating, 
electing,  and  oovenantmg  purposes  are  of  old, 
from  everlasting :  by  them,  the  affairs  of  Zion 
are  all  regulated.    He  hath  laid  out  a  large 
revenue  for  Zion's  good  success :  /  have  given 
men  for  thee;  and  people  for  thy  life*    How 
bountifully  hath  the  Great  Creator  of  the  uni- 
verse endowed  and  foimded  Zion  !    And  how 
beautifully  do  idl  the  messengers  from  heaven 
speak  of  this  amazing  endowment !  '  I  have 
given  thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  peopled    This 
covenant   is    Jesus    Christ    himself;     this 
anointed  gift  of  God  comprehends   all   the 
good  that  either  heaven  can  give,  or  earth  can 
need  :'  all  things  are  yours,  lor  ye  are  Christ's, 
and  Christ  in  God  s.    '  Be  that  spared  not  hist 
own  Son,  but  gave  him  up  for  us  all ;   how 
shall  he  not  with  him  freely   give  us    all 
things?'    He  hath  founded  Zion ;  he  has  laid 
down  plans  for  her  before  time;  he  has  laid 
out  an  amasing  revenue  for  her  in  tame ;  he  has 
laid  up  a  glorious  inheritance  for  her  after 
time.    To  the  inheritors  of  Zion's  holy  city, 
there  are  gifts  beyond  all   mention.      The 
covenant  of  grace,  the    person,    worthiness, 
work, and  offices  of  Christ;  the  person  and 
blessed  administration  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and 
the  noble  army  of  martys ;  with  all  the  patri- 
archs, prophets,  apostles,  ministers,  and  angels, 
ordinanees,  praying  men,  sinsing  people,  and 
every  thing  that  can  he  good  ;   or  that  can 
work  for  good  in  this  school  of  training—the 
church  militant  upon  the  earth. 

*  How  vast  the  treasures  they  posseM, 
Who  in  the  liOrd  believe !' 


6.  To  shew  their  faith  and  affection  to 
Christ  by  oboying  his  command  in  the  ordin- 
ance of  Believer's  Baptism. 

G.  To  commune  with  the  Lord  in  com- 
memoration  of  his  doing,  dying,  and  rising;. 

7.  To  be  corrected  or  comforted  as  their 
circumstances  may  require. 

[These  thoughts  were  written  while  joumej- 
ing  from  London  to  Plymouth  fast  De- 
cember. The  reception  1  met  with  :  and 
the  si'rvices  engaged  in  ;  with  Mr.  Comns's 
testimony,  come  next— 4).  W.  Bakks. 


There  is  another  answer  very  deseriptire  of 
the  kind  of  people  which  make  up  the 
ehurch  :^the  gospel  church  becomes  a  very 
welcome  refuge  in  a  seven-fold  point  of  view. 
It  may  be  said,  tkeg  betake  ihemeelvee  unto  it, 

1.  To  hear  what  God  the  Lord  will  speak 
of  the  way  of  salvation. 

2.  They  betake  themseWes  unto  lt>  spe- 
cially enquiring  if  there  is  hope,  and  room  ftyr 
such  as  they  are. 

3.  T«  bear  testimony  *e  the  Lordli  mercy 
to  them. 

-  4r.    To  be  fed  and  nourished  np  in  the  doc- 
trines of  grtee  and  truths 


yOVBTSSHTSC  ijrvUAL  MSETIKO  OV 

''THE    SABTXSV    VfiSSBL.'* 
[The  foUowiag    short  report  of   the   above 
meeting  kas  been  famished  by  an  old  friend,  and 
a  once  frequent  eoniribotor  to  tbis  work.      The 
4th  of  January,  1859,  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
us.      We   gratefully  acknowledge  the  amaaing 
goodness  of  Ood  toward  us  on  that  oceasioa. 
The  prayer-meeting  in  the  moraing,  althongh 
bat  fbw  attended,  was  a  moat  special  season  to 
ufe;   the   brethf^n  pells.   Cave,  Oakley,  Jfran- 
el9,  and  Frith,  all  evldenty  prayed  in  the  spirit 
with  heart-movlDg  power.       Mere  than    fifty 
preachers  of  the  gospel  were  prerent  daring  the 
day  to  espreas  their  attachment  and  their  z«al 
on  our  behalf;  while  friends  from  all  parts  of 
London  and  the  conntry  filled  the  plae« ;  bat  we 
mast  leave  oor  eorrcapondent  to  give  ear  readers 
aome  further  idea  of  the  day's  proeeedtsgs.    We 
wish  we  oonld  give  the  addresaes  delivered  by 
aome  of  the  foUowIg  brethren ;  J  Wella,  Gk  Wyard, 
John  Bloomfleld,  T.  J.  Meeser,  B.  Wale,  J.  Brant, 
A.  L.  Gordon,  J  B.  Craokaell,  R.  Powell,  ThosMS 
Smith,  Joacph  Phlmer,  of  Wcstminatert  Joaea; 
Batterfleld ;  O.  Webb  ;  Braeher  ;  Keys ;  Bird  ; 
Whitteildge  ;  W.  Moorto,  Ivlnghoe  ;  W.  Loag, 
of  Triag  *,  R.  O.  Edwards,   of  Sattoa  ;  J.  Ray. 
meat;  J.  Flory;    Beaooek;    J.    Rowlaads,  ef 
Clapham*  and  others;  bat  they  would  more  than 
fill  op  this  aomber;  therefore  as  asaal,  oar 
pride  mast  he  mortifled,  and  their  noble  senti- 
ments mast,  in  measare,  pass  away  with  the  day, 
bat  to  them,  and  all  oor  f^ienda  who  did  attend ; 
or  who  have  otherwise  shewed  their    kiadaoM, 
we  sineerely  tender  the  deepest  gratitada  of  heart. 
—En.] 

(From  a  Correipondeni,) 

Tha  fonrteenth  annual  meeting  in  oommemor^ 
tion  of  the  establishment  of  the  Eabtbsh  TyssxL 
and  CaaiSTiAM  Rkcosd,  was  held  in  Unicom  Tai4 
Chapel,  on  Tuesday,  the  4th  day  of  January.  It 
waa  indeed  a  glorious  day.  There  has  searee 
passed  a  '  Vbssbl  day*  when  we  have  not  been 
present;  batweaever  witnessed  sueh  a  scene  as 
that  meeting  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  1859.  There 
was  tho  greatest  cause  alike  for  weeping  and  re* 
Joiehig.  Very  many  who  once  took  active  part  la 
theae  meetings,  have  been  called  to  f heir  reward. 
William  Allen,  has  exehaaged  his,  <  who  can  tellT* 
for  *  who'd  have  thought  it!'  James  Raynsford, 
has  thrown  away  bis  pilgrim's  staif,  and  waUu  now 
with  hia  Heavenly  Master :  John  Stenson,  has 
ceased  his  earthly  song  to  Join  in  the  mighty  and 
everlasting  chorus  of  •  Worthy  the  Lamb.'  Wil- 
liam Skelton,  too,  with  nobler  powers,  has  joined 
that  happy  throng.  Man^  others  we  might  ana- 
merate,  bat  we  forbear.  BulBoe  it  to  say  that 
these  were  among  the  first  and  warmest  Qiends 
of  tho  Vsssn.,  and  their  memory  Is  blessed.  Wcl^ 
very  early  in  the  mbmlng  the  friends  of  the 


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F^.  1, 1809.] 


THl  MA^lMHIOi  YfiSSBI.. 


47 


TKSBvt,  were  beitiRiBf  themflalve^  and  shortly 
mti^T  9  o'eioek  a  snaU  aMcmbly  nad  gathered 
th«m«eWes  together  in  the  ancient  Chapel  of  Uni. 
cam  Tard,  the  soeoe  of  the  pastoral  labours  of  the 
£ditor,  vben  aetcral  earnest  appeals  were  offered 
•t  the  throne  of  grace  on  behalf  of  the  hook  and 
ItB  Editor,  after  vhleh,  oar  young  and  esteemed 
Mend  Mr.  John  Pella,  of  Soho  Chape!,  Oxford 
Street,  was  to  deliver  a  short  address  on 
'  Tike  Necessity  of  all  Truth-loving  and  Christ-liv. 
tag  Brethren,  strivitig  together  to  Unily  and  a 
Persevering  Co-operation  for  the  Defence  and  Dif- 
fusion of  nocestant  Principles  and  ^eir  Testa- 
Bent  Order/  bat  it  was  defeired  until  the 
afternoon.  At  eleven  o'clock  a  pnblic  service 
comacnoed.  when  Vr.  James  Welle,  preached 
fy«mi  Proverbs  vflL  The  congregation  seemed 
bi«lily  delighted  with  this  praclTcal  address  of  the 
pasror  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle.  He  was  par- 
tlenlarly  happy ;  James  Wells  was  hid  behind  his 
master.  At  the  close  of  the  morning  service,  a 
large  eompany  sat  down  to  dinner  In  the  school 
rooos ;  and  In  the  afternoon  a  pablic  meeting  was 
be14  in  the  chapel  presided  over  by  the  Editor: 
vbea  several  interesting  addresses  were  delivered 
by  Messrs  Pell^  BkwmAeld,  Smith,  Meeser,  and 

jFneniHG  vxKnNo. 
At  half-past  5  o'clock,  Ua  was  provided  in  the 
dMpet,  of  which  between  three  and  four  hundred 


hour  was  thus  pleasantly  and 
nacftaily  spent  ia  sodal  intercourse;  all  seemed 
happy.  At  the  termination  of  tea,  thanksgiving 
was  song ;  and  the  Ubles  cleared  for  the  great 
event  of  the  day,  for  after  all  it  was  the  evening 
mcettng  which  was  truly  to  be  called  '  the  Vbsskl 
■fceetlng.*  Although  a  very  spacious  platform  had 
been  ereetcd,  it  was  tu  too  small  to  accommodate 
the  large  number  of  ministers  who  were  present. 
9nch  an  assemblage  of  gospel  ministers  we  never 
rcaember  to  have  seen— no  not  even  at  a  Surrey 
nhcrnaeie  annirersary.  If  our  Editor  has  any 
pride  at  all,  and  we  do  not  think  him  quite  desti. 
tate,  it  must  hare  been  warmed  when  he  took  his 
PHitiaB  on  the  putform  that  evening :  surrounded 
tnr  a  perfect  host  of  Levltes ;  ana  the  chapel 
tarottgvd  with  a  company  gathered  not  only  from 
in  quarters  of  the  metropous,  but  many  Ttom  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  country.  According  to  previous 
■naoancement,  Mr.  James  Wells,  occupied  the 
ehalr ;  among  the  mlnisterB  present  were,  Messrs. 
C.  WoUscott,  O.  Wyard,  B.  B.  Wale.  T.  J.  Messer, 
J.  £.  Ciacknell,  J.  Pells,  J.  B.  Bloomfleld,  J.  Brunt, 
fte.  A  hymn  having  been  sung,  Mr.  Cracknell  offer- 
ed piravet,  the  chatrmaathen  addressed  the  meeting. 
IB  dmag  so,  be  expressed  the  great  pleasure  he 
experieaccd  In  meetmg  with  so  many  brethren  in 
the  jninistry;  espedaUy  he  congratulated  his 
~  '  1  npo*  secdBf  so  lu|i  an  assembly 
It  was  a  certain  proof  that  the 


was  highly 
himaeff  he 


that  he 


vadly  sou  ¥»  himaeif  he  ooald  si^  tt 
liked  it  OMra  and  more.  There  were  oftesi 
iBMrtcd  which  he  did  not  like,  bat  they  were 
■ore  than  eooatnbalaBeed  by  the  many  things 
which  bddid  like.  The  Editor,  ia  his  nnbooad- 
ed  charity,  would  aow  and  tbea  puff  up  some- 
hody  they  thoaght  lie  shoold  not  puff  np;  he 
wold  aow  and  thea  Insert  sonethlng  they  thonght 
wmM  have  heea  better  left  oat,  aad  he  (Mr.  Wells) 
had  psished  hisa  (the  Editor)  coaxed  him,  sqaeesed 
hiai,  and  threateaed  him- bat  it  was  all  to  ao 
parp«Me  he  was  immoveable;  so  that  after  all,  he 
was  really  aa  iadependant  nuui  ^  aad  he  was  glad 
sa  maay  miaiaters  had  that  day  oome  forward  to 
svayort  hia ;  aad  they  had  a  right  to  do  Mk  for 
tlHre  were  very  away  miaisters  ia  the  land 
who  woald  aerer  have  heea  lieard  of  if  it  liad  aot 
beea  for  Taa  Caaraxv  Tasasi..  He  should  aow 
eaU  apea  Mr.  Baaka  to  state  the  preseat  position 
af  the « Vessel.'  The  Aditor  thea  arose,  aaiid  the 
piaadita  9t  the  assembly,  appsreatly  overcome  by 
e which preeeatad  Itaolf tohis  view.  With 
"s  pioescdsd  tostala  the 


eircamstaaces  under  which  ho  was  induced  to 
commence  this  publication,  and  the  almost  insu- 
perable difBculties  which  ho  had  to  encounter 
in  carrying  on  the  work  ;  and  when  he  contrasted 
nls  circumstanoes,  when  he  commenced  the  work, 
with  his  present  position,  he  was  astonished.  It 
was  not  commenced  with  any  view  to  supersede 
existing  periodicals.  The  •Gospel  Standard* 
was  commenced  with  gold  and  mflutnce;  the 
Yksskl  had  neither;  and  he  had  no  notion 
whatever  that  it  would  ever  have  occupied  the 
position  it  now  held.  Some  people  had  said  to 
him,  *  If  you  were  doing  It  at  a  loss,  why  did 
you  not  disooniiane  it  V  In  reply  he  would  ask 
another  question,  *  why  did  not  they  give  up  their 
hope  V  Many  and  many  a  time  he  had  determined 
to  giro  it  up,  when  in  stepped  a  friend  with  assist- 
ance  saying,  <  you  shall  not  drop  it.*  Thus  it  was 
kept  on  until  through  a  serioas  mtsunderstanding 
between  hia  stationer  and  another  creditor,  he  was 
throwa  iato  the  Bankruptcy  eourU  It  was  then 
diseoversd  by  the  official  assignees  that  if  the 
whole  of  hia  estate  was  realised  there  was  sulB- 
cient  to  pay  every  creditor  20s.  in  tLe  pound. 
Then  those  who  were  the  instruments  of  placing 
him  in  that  OouH,  begged  him  to  come  out  again, 
aad  the  baakraptey  flat  was  virtually  superseded, 
•ad  the  business  placed  in  the  hands  of  trustees. 
At  that  time  the  copyright  of  the  Vessel  was  sold, 
with  other  publications,  to  the  Bev.  A.  L.  Gordon, 
for  the  sum  of  £250;  and  the  fact  becoming  known 
that  be  (Mr.  Banks)  had  ceased  to  have  any  inter- 
est therein;  the  sales  declined,  and  there  was 
every  reason  to  fear  they  woold  go  lower  and  lower. 
Under  these  circomsunces  it  was  deemed  advis- 
able to  repurchaMc  the  '  Earthen  Vessel'  and  it  was 
accordingly  so  repurchased  by  him  for  the  sum  of 
£250,  jwyable  by  monthly  instalments;  and  in 
Mareh,  1856,  a  public  meeting  was  hold,  when  a  re* 
demptloa  fund  was  commenced,  by  which  a  sum 
of  £113  had  been  raised,  and  £100. 16s.  paid  off 
the  £250.  The  Vessel  was  now  made  over  to  cer- 
tain trustees  and  would  be  secured  to  the  churches. 
He  had  been  libelled  much ;  calumny's  foul  tongue 
was  ever  uttering  vile  aspersions,  but  hechalleng* 
ed  an  inTCstigatioa  of  his  every  act,  and  he 
prayed  that  he  might  yet  live  to  see  the  day  when 
no  man  ahould  be  able  to  say  to  him,  *  Par  me 
that  thou  owest.*  (Loud  applause).  The  Chair- 
man was  sure  every  person  present  must  be  per- 
fectly satisfied  with  the  very  lucid  statement'of  the 
Editor.  He  was  satlseed  it  would  not  be  long  ere 
the  redemption  was  completed :  and  he  hoped  that 
when  that  was  completed,  they  would  show  their 
brother  BanJu  that  they  valued  his  services  which 
he  had  rendered  for  so  long  a  period  without  any 
adequate  reward,  but  the  reverse.  He  should  be 
very  pleased  to  put  his  name  down  for  £5,  (cheers) 
and  he  knew  that  many  would  follow  his  example. 
He  should  now  call  on  Mr.  B.  B.  Wale,  formerly 
lecturer  at  the  Great  Globe,  at  Leicester  Square, 
but  now  a  preacher  in  the  upper  chamber  of  tos* 
pel  liberty  at  Reading,  to  speak  on  the  religfoas 
literature  of  the  day.  Mr.  Wale,  said,  that  the 
earnest  address  of  the  Editor,  as  he  described  the 
fesrfal  storm,  in  which  the  Vessel  was  laonehed, 
must  have  fonnd  its  way  to  every  heart ;  it  had 
oaased  tears  to  flow  unbidden  from  manv  aa  eye, 
aa  it  had  from  his  own.  Whatever  might  be  the 
opinions  of  others  he  felt  that  they  had  no  maga- 
sine  equal  to  the  *  Vessel,  and  he  loved  both  the 
book  and  iU  Editor.  Mr.  Wale  then  delirered  e 
most  eloquent  address  upon  the  subject  before  him, 
which  we  cannot  here  describe,  but  which  we 
hope  to  give.  Mr.  T.  J.  Messer  in  his  usually  boId« 
poetie,  and  racy  style,  next  addressed  the 
meeting,  and  succeeded  in  holding  his  aadience  In 
almost  breathless  saspenee  as  he  told  tale  upon 
tale  to  illastrate  his  subject.  At  this  period  of 
the  evening,  the  Kev.  A.  L.  Gordon,  to  whom  the 
*  Barthea  VcasCl'  had  beea  sold,  wss  introduced  to 
the  meeting.  Ue  spoke  of  the  many  eiEorto  he 
had  made  to  prodoee  cheap  religioas  works  for 
the  people ;  and  the  imagwasc  hMses  he  had  sos^ 


Digitized  by 


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4d 


tH£   £ABTUSN  VE88Xt. 


l^eb.  1,  1859. 


Uined  in  to  doing,  wbereby  he  was  able  fblly  to 
symtMithize  with  Mr.  Banks,  in  the  trials  he  had 
undergone.  He  was  pleased  to  see  so  many  friends 
around  the  Editor,  and  hoped  they  would  speedily 
free  him  from  his  thraldom,  in  which  ho  would  be 
willing  to  meet  them  to  the  utmost  of  his  power. 
In  business  transactions  with  Mr.  Banks  he  oould 
bear  his  testimony  out,  he  was  a  man  of  nnflinoh- 
ing  honesty,  and  perfect  integrity.  The  meeting 
was  further  addressed  by  Messrs  Wyard,  Pells, 
Bloomfleld,  Brunt,  and  others ;  when  a  coUeetion 
was  made ;  and  a  happy  day  closed  by  singing 
*  Grace  I  'tis  a  eharming  sound,'  &o 

[SivcB  the  meeting  on  Jan  4,  kind  letters  hare 
oome  In.  One  of  our  best  friends  request  Inser- 
tion of  the  following.     We  must  not  deny. — 

DxAA  BaoTBXft  Banks— Cheer  up;  we  bsTc 
heard  of  your  great  meeting  in  support  of  the 
£AaTBBir  Vbssxl:  the  Lord  is  moring  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people ;  here  in  the  weet  many  have 
a  strong  desire  that  brother  Ck>llltts,  at  How 
Street  Chapel,  Plymouth,  should  get  up  a  pub- 
lie  meeting,  to  support  you ;  and  we,  God  wil- 
ling, mean  to  call  a  meeting  Tery  soon.  I  find  by 
the  Tolce  of  the  church  of  God  in  the  three  towns 
that  the  Lord  the  Holy  Ghost  abundantly  blessed 
the  preached  word  through  yon,  while  bear  last 
month,  there  has  been  much  good  done  by  you 
visiting  lu,  CTcry  heart  in  the  quickened  family 
of  God  seems  to  rejoice  who  heard  your  toIcc  in 
answer  to  many  prayers.  We  heard  the  sound 
of  the  gospel,  and  drinked  in  the  fulness  of  it  by 
the  operations  of  God  the  Spirit,  and  are  llTing 
witnesses  that  you  was  sent  by  the  Lord  of  hosts 
to  stand  between  the  living  and  the  dead  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord  to  feed,  and  in  the  mi^esty 
of  the  name  of  the  Lord  your  God.  If  your  dear 
people  give  you  a  month  In  the  year,  I  want  yon 
to  oome  down  to  visit  the  flock  again,  and  to  go 
into  Cornwall,  from  whence  I  have  many  letters 
from  dear  souls :  not  a  man  of  sterling  ex- 
perimenUl  truth  in  all  the  country  that  I  hear 
of,  to  preach  God's  truth  purely,  but  all  yea  and 
nay  trumpery.  1  can  get  many  doors  open  for 
you,  and  great  good  Is  likely  to  be  done  by  cir- 
culating the  Tbssbl  where  it  has  never  been 
heard  of.  May  the  Lord  make  a  way  for  you,  and 
go  with  you  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for 
Christ's  sake.    Tours  in  love  of  the  Gospel, 

JOSBTH  GnUMSLAOB. 


HOBWICH.-THE  GOSPEL  PREACHER  EN- 
COURAGED  AT  NORWICH,  [From  many  parts 
of  England  of  late,  our  letters  are  anything  but 
cheerful.  The  following  by  a  friend  from  Norwich 
conunands  the  thanksgiviiags  of  our  heart.  Zu] 

'Mr.  Editor,  believing  yon  rejoice  to  hear  of 
the  good  of  Zioo,  I  give  yon  a  faint  outline  of  a 
social  Tea  Meeting  held  in  Orford  Hill  Chapel,  on 
the  S7th  inst :  about  180  persons  partook  of  a  well 
ordered  tea ;  which  elicited  a  vote  of  thanks  to 
the  managers.  After  tea,  more  fHends  assembled ; 
when  one  of  our  members,  Mr.  Barber,  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  the  public  meeting  opened  by 
Mr.  Oorbttt,  then  after  singing,  Mr.  Joseph  Field 
addressed  us,  at  some  length,  and  was  led  very 
sweetly  to  expatiate  on  the  unity  of  the  Spirit, 
and  the  bond  of  peace :  he  spoke  very  feelingly 
upon  the  state  of  Orford  Hill  about  S4  months 
back,  and  of  the  spirit  of  prayer  that  himself  and 
one  or  two  others  felt  th«t  the  Lord  would  remem- 
ber them  In  their  low  esute,  and  oould  now  re- 
joice and  say  as  Hxanah  did  to  Eli,  "  I  am  the 
man,  and  we  are  the  men  that  stood  here  pray- 
ing.^ 4fter  again  singinx,  Mr.  Barber  repd  a 
statement  of  the  expenditure  for  alterations,  re- 


pairs, and  other  matters,  oonsldered  as  extras, 
showing  that  above  £100  had  thus  been  paid, 
besides  the  support  of  the  minister,  who  expresses 
himself  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  salary  he  has 
received.  The  report  weut  on  to  state  that  all 
this  has  been  done  by  the  free  will  olTerings  of  the 
people ;  we  have  also  established  a  sick  and  burial 
fund,  which  is  in  a  good  state  as  regards  finances, 
but  the  greatest  cause  of  all  for  rejoicing  is  in  the 
fact  that  during  the  last  18  months,  sixty  six  per- 
sons have  been  added  to  the  church,  such  as  we 
have  reason  to  hope  are  saved  in  the  Lord  with 
an  everlasting  salvation.  Mr.  B.  then  made  a  few 
remarks  upon  boasting,  shewing  that  although 
boasting  is  excluded  in  regard  of  any  thing  we 
can  of  ourselves  perform,  yet  that  the  Chrbtian 
has  a  right  to  boast  of  what  the  Lord  has  done  for 
him  ;  therefore  we  do  desire  to  speak  of  what  the 
Lord  has  done  for  us  personally,  and  unitedly  as  a 
chuBCh  of  his  own  peculiar  care.  Another  verse 
or  two  was  then  sung,  when  one  of  our  constant 
hearers  and  supporters,  a  Mr.  llott  was  called 
upon  to  address  the  meeting,  and  gave  us  a  very 
able  and  oonsistent  discourse  upon  charity,  shew- 
ing the  vast  difference  between  the  so-called  char* 
itr  of  the  professing  worldling  and  the  real  charity 
of  the  true  Christian ;  also  explaining  the  various 
kinds  of  charity,  in  regard  to  words  as  well  aa 
deeds,  with  a  few  simple  rules  for  the  guidance  of 
the  charitable:  and  concluded  bv  expressing  his 
thankfulness  for  the  privilege  of  a  sound  gospel 
ministry,  and  his  determination  with  God'e  help  to 
abide  fast,  as  Ruth  did.  Two  verses  more  were 
sung  when  Mr.  Corbltt,  our  esteemed  pastor,  gave 
us  one  of  his  heartiest  addresses,  selecting  his 
subjects  fh>m  those  of  the  preceeding  spe«xers  ; 
it  would  be  in  vain  for  me  to  attempt  to  give  yon 
an  outline  of  what  he  said;  you  are  aware  ho 
sometimes  sars  a  good  deal  in  a  short  space  of 
time,  Bufflce  it  to  say  that  he  feels  overwhelmed 
at  the  honour  the  Lord  has  put  upon  him,  and  de- 
sires most  heartily  to  render  unto  him  all  the 
praise  ;  feeling  perfectly  confident  that  it  was  of 
the  Lord  that  be  ever  came  amongst  us;  and  the 
church  is  now  comparatively  a  new  church,  and 
is  conducted  more  in  harmony  and  Ooepel  order 
than  ever  it  was  before.  The  meeting  concluded 
with  prayer.  A  collection  was  made  for  the  bene* 
fit  of  the  sick  fund:  and  thus  ended  a  pleasant, 
and  a  profiuble  meetinc.  May  we  have  many 
more  if  it  be  the  holy  will  of  our  heavenly  Father ; 
our  earnest  prayer  to  our  God  is,  that  we  may  go 
on  ftrom  strength  to  strength,  till  we  come  to  the 
end  of  our  pilgrimage;  and  then  find  beneath  ma 
the  everlasting  arms.'  A.  B.  C. 

Norwich,  Dec.  28th,  1858. 

WHITTIBSEA.-NEW  YEAR'S  MEETINO. 

The  periodical  return  of  the  entrance  of  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Ooepel,  amongst  a  people  may  well  be 
obeerved  both  by  him,  and  the  people,  by  an  oboer- 
vance  of  the  hind  of  God  in  their  midst.  Nay,  I 
tell  yon  that  such  a  period  was  pleasingly  obser- 
ved, on  Monday,  Jan.  Srd,  bv  the  minister  and 
fkienda  worshipping  at  Zlon  Chapel,  Whittleeea, 
it  being  the  fifth  anniversary  of  the  beloved  pas- 
tor's settlement  amongst  us.  Mr.  Forman,  of 
March,  and  Mr.  Whiting,  of  Needingworth,  aeain 
visited  ne.  In  the  afternoon,  the  members  of  the 
church  met  for  fellowship,  and  prayer,  when  a 
short  sutement  was  given  by  Mr.  Ashby,  of  God'e 
dealings  with  us  as  a  ehurch,  which  was  very 
pleasing,  and  encouraging;  after  which  the  mem- 
oers  partook  of  an  excellent  tea,  kindly  provided 
by  Mr.  Aahby.  In  the  evening,  a  good  con- 
gregation assembled,  after  singing,  and  a  tmly 
•plntoal  and  earnest  prayer  to  the  God  of  our 
merdes ;  Mr.  Forman  was  ealled  upon,  to  address 
the  meeting,  and  to  shew  some  of  the  pleasing  signs 
of  a  gracious  state,  and  the  fearful  marks  of  nn- 
regeneraey.'  But  Mr.  F.  said,  he  had  somethiBf 
else  to  say,  and  to  do  first,  and  that  was  thai  the 
friende  at  WhitflesM,  loved  their  minister,  and 
though  they  might  not  tell  him  so,  they  were  an- 


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THE  SABTHBN  TB88EL. 


49 


ziovs  to  tet  kioa  kaow  It  in  another  finn.  Mid  re- 
qscflfted  him  to  preeent  the  pMtor  with  a  parse, 
aad  iu  oonleote,  and  he  felt  yreat  pleasone  in 
dtnac  ao,  ea  he  kiiew  it  waa  an  expreasion  of  their 
alaoarf  tore,  and  eaneat  affeetion.  After  Mr.  A. 
is  a  fev  words  had  affsationateiy  acknowledged 
kia  felt  debtocship  to  hUOod,  and  the  friend», 
Mr.  Forman  gave  ns  seren  spiritual  aigns  of  » 
atete  of  grMet  followed  b/  several  fearful  marlu 
ml  osregeneraey.  Another  hymn  was  aong,  after 
wUeb,  Mr.  Whiting  gave  a  very  solemn  deecrip> 
tkam  of  the  fntnre  abode  of  the  wieked;  and 
■onnn  aonl-^eering  words  npon  the  future  inheri. 
taaon  o(  the  aalnta ;  when  our  minister  gave  us  a 
fev  worda  ahawing  how  tenderly  God  had  dealt 
wUh,  na  aa  a  Chnreh,  aa  not  one  of  the  members 
ImA  been  removed  bjr  death,  through  the  year; 
amd  only  two  flrom  the  eongregation ;  while  many 
ted  been  added  to  both ;  but  he  aaid  he  oould 
bnrtfly  cnfeourage  himaelf  to  hope  that  it  could  be 
■n  thRM^h  this  year;  aa  many  of  his  friends 
marked  by  old  age,  and  were  drawing 
Bear  lo  their  *  Heavenly  Inheritenee.'  And 
,  after  einging  that  very  sensible  hymn,  *  All 
knil  the  power  of  Jesn'e  name,*  we  lingeringly 
left  the  hooae  of  God,— for  though  young  in  rears, 
nad  fta  the  waya  of  the  Lord,  my  heart  cleaves 
aftiefMinarily  to  hia  hoose,  his  ordinanoea,  and 
kia  people,  who  hath  shewn  so  much  mercy  to 
«■•  who  la— A  LaAanan. 

Whiftlseea,  Jan.  7,  1859. 

I  For  thia  neat  report  we  thank  *  A  Learner,'  and 
aflen  hope  to  hear  from  her  of  our  much-loved, 
and  greatly  favoured  brother  Ashby's  good  suoeeas 
la  the  goapoL  Bo.] 

GUK8F0RD'— 1>XA>  Baornta  ;  The  chnroh 
have  again  iovited  me  for  three  montba,  after  the 
cnpiraUon  of  my  present  term,  which  I  have  ae- 
•cpled.  The  ground  of  my  aeoepting  the  extended 
term  is  the  Inereaaing  attendance  which  has 
reached  its  utmost  bound  on  Sabbath  afternoons, 
far  want  of  room ;  the  week  day  services  at  home, 
aad  at  oar  atationa  are  greatly  increased,  and  the 
anmber  attending  the  prayer  meeting  more  than 
daaMcd  ;  one  and  another  are  coming  to  declare 
what  the  Lord  ia  doing  in  their  souls,  so  that  very 
ahortly  we  mnat  tronble  the  water.  From  the 
happy  change  which  the  Lord  has  wrought  within 
aa,  firom  the  wrestling  apirit  he  has  given  me, 
from  the  great  sweetnees  and  power  the  word  of 
Ood  baa  been  to  me,  and  from  the  solemn  confl- 
danee  he  haa  possessed  my  soul  with,  I  am  persua- 
dod  hia  hand  te  with  me.  I  have  had  a  long  wll- 
decvcaa  aiato ;  but,  bieeaed  be  his  name,  I  And  the 
trath  haa  bean  eweetly  aoeompliabed.  Hosea.  ii. 
14  -"SOl  And  I  am  now  waiting  to  see  the  olose  of 
I  chapter  faUlled  with  reapeet  to  this  little  cause 
re.  I  have  organised  a  elasa  of  my  young 
tor  iaatmctaon  in  Biblical  literature,  in 
hopa  of  obulning  a  band  of  fpiritual  and  intelll- 
gnat  ■abbath  aehool  teachers,  which  will  prove  a 
^rcry  valaable  acquisition  to  the  cause  here.  If 
we  eoald  hat  obtain  a  reading  people  the  demands 
fv  yaaraMathllea  would  be  inereaaed.  The  Lord  is 
■Daweriag  tha  maay  netltlone  so  frequently  sent  up 
by  oar  lamented  and  Justly  eateemed  brother,  the 
lata  paator  of  the  ehnroh  here ;  praying  breath  ia 
aat  met,  aad  eepceiaUy  when  it  la  so  in  unison 
with  Ood^a  graeioaa  promiaea  of  mercy  to  bis 


la  my  aast,  I  hope  to  send  yon 
joyAil  tidlnaa.  Till  then  I  am,  tout's  in 
.JotaTBAJf ,  (focBWlj  OB  the  '  hoQse  top,') 


TAXKLT,  HAHTB.-Knowing  yon  take  a 
Uvely  latcreat  in  the  cause  of  Christ  at  Tately,  I 
Isrward  yon  an  aeaount  of  our  meeting  on  Chrlst- 
.  Oar  fldnister  preached  to  ua  in  the 
r  aad  evening :  in  the  afternoon  we  had  a 


aortal  meeting;  a  hynw  being  aong,  our  senior 
poarcd  out  hia  sonl  in  earaeat  prayer, 
with  praiec  and  thankaglving.  Other 
■poke  of  the  goodnaae  and  merey  of  Ood 


■daclcd 

MhM 


In  bringing  onr  mlniater,  brother  Ferrett,  amongat 
us,  in  bleedng  the  word  to  ua,  and  inereasing  Uie 
chnreh  with  twelve  additional  members,  most  of 
whom  have  been  called  and  set  at  liberty  under 
his  miniatry;  also  in  preserving  our  peace  and 
anion  which  although  it  haa  been  extended  wider 
tnd  longer,  yet  it  has  not  in  the  least  degree  be- 
come weaker.  At  this  point  the  meeting  was  ad- 
journed, and  the  company  took  tea  in  the  chapel, 
afterwarda  onr  brother  Stone,  (on  behalf  of  onr 
female  friends)  presented  oar  paator  with  Dr. 
ours  Body  of  Divinitv,  which  drew  forth  from  him 
a  suitable  reply,  and  a  few  remarke  from  Paura 
words,  *  he  thanked  God  and  took  courage.'— An 
iHHABrrAirr  of  Zoau.— [It  is  delightful  to  hear  of 
such  good  anecesa  at  Tately— aa  peaoefU  and  aa 
pleaaant  a  little  gospel  garden  aa  ever  we  saw. 
Go  on,  brother  Ferrett ;  and  the  Lord  enable  you 
to  baptiae  Dr.  Giirs  Bndy  of  Divinity  in  the  laver 
of  golden  oil  which  stands  in  *  the  holy  place ;'  and 
then  it  will  both  strengthen  and  rejoice  thine 
heart.— Ed]. 

WOOLWICH.-CARMEL  CHAPEL,  ANGLE- 
SEA  ROAD.  The  Lord  is  greatly  blcMing  the 
ministrationa  of  onr  dear  paator,  (Mr.  Ilanka,)  at 
Oarmel.  During  his  four  years'  pastorate,  one 
hundred  and  fourteen  have  been  taken  into 
ohureh  fellowship.  The  chapel  contiauea  to  be 
well  flUed  with  an  attentive  audience ;  power  di- 
vine attends  the  word  ;  and  many  will  have  to 
blese  God  that  he  directed  the  hearto  of  his  chil- 
dren to  ereet  onr  new  and  oommodlous  chapel. 
On  the  last  Sabbath  in  the  past  year,  eight  persona 
were  baptixed  in  the  name  of  our  Triune  Jehovah, 
amongat  them  waa  one  young  girl  from  onr  8a1>- 
bath  School.  The  Lord  grant  that  we  may  not 
only  increase  in  numbers,  but  that  each  member 
may  be  inereaaing  in  the  internal  adomings  of  the 
Spirit,  ahining  as  a  light  in  thia  benighted  world, 
holding  forth  the  word  of  life.  Our  school  haa 
been  in  existence  about  two  vears :  we  commenced 
with  sixty,  and  now  number  one  hundred  and 
sixty.  May  we  who  are  tcaohera,  Im  aaeiated  by 
the  Holy  Spirit  truthfully,  and  snocesefui  to  in- 
struct the  dear  children :  may  many  amongst  them 
rise  up  a  generation  to  serve  onr  God  1  Gratefully 
and  adoringly  we  exclaim,  *What  bath  God 
wrought!'  whilat  we  still  supplicate  at  hia  merey- 
throne,  *  Oh  Lord,  send  now  prosperity."— Amr. 

NEW  HOBTH  BOAB.- SALEM  CHAPEL 
WILTOK  SQUARE.— On  Tuesday,  Jan.  Uth,  tha 
servicee  commemorative  of  the  paatora  settlement 
were  held  here.  Our  highly  respected  brother 
Mr.  Jamea  Wells  preached  in  the  afternoon  from 
*  neither  shall  any  deaire  thy  land.'  Ac.  Hia  dia- 
course  waa  unflinehingly  truthful  and  strikingly 
inatmctive.  In  the  school  room  under  the  chapel 
a  tea  waa  provided  on  the  voluntary  principle^ 
which  appeured  to  be  well  filled  with  vlaitora. 
ManT  ministers  were  present.  In  the  evening  a 
public  meeting  was  held.  The  subject  en- 
trusted to  the  speakers  waa  *thc  goodness  and 
merey  of  God  exemplifled  in  the  hiatory  of  Moeea,* 
brother  Fenlon  opened  the  meeting  with  prayer. 
Addreeeee  were  then  delivered  by  brethren  C.  W. 
Banks,  Meeres,  Attwood,  Cracknell,  Ball,  Joseph 
Palmer,  and  Williamson.  The  chapel  was  crow- 
ded  throQghout  the  erening.  But  it  waa  painful 
to  wltneaa  the  extreme  debility  of  brother  Flaek» 
suffering  still  severely  fhmi  the  weakening  dleeta 
of  hia  late  affliction.  The  few  particulars  which 
he  was  able  to  fnmidi  respecting  the  progress  of 
the  cause  ircre  highly  pleasing,  full  of  encourage- 
ment, and  spoke  lovely  to  the  soceesa  and  accept- 
ance of  onr  brother'a  ministry.  May  a  covenant 
God  gracioualy  hear  prayer  on  his  behalf,  and 
raise  hUn  up  again  to  health  and  strength  for  far- 
ther and  increased  nsefulnesa  in  his  much-loved 
Salem.— J.  P. 

BLAiCKHBATH,  xiFT.— DACEB  PARK,  on 
Tharsday  afternoon,  Janoary  6th,  a  number  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


50 


THS  SA&THBM  YSMBL. 


lUh,  1,  16W. 


firlMdi  ffttband  uonad  our  yoUhM,  teotlm 
Oneknell,  who  is  labouring  in  this  part  of  the 
goepel  vineyard,  and  not  without  laeoeM.  The 
friends  seemed  very  happy,  the  ohapel  was  taste* 
fully  deoorated  with  ereryreens,  &e.,  and  all  pre- 
test evidently  enjoyed  a  enp  of  tea.  At  a  an  mar. 
ous  sQbsc<|aent  meeting,  brodier  CraekneU  (after 
brother  Smith,  of  Wootoa,  prayed,)  gave  an  inter- 
esting opening  address,  and  introdaced  the  subject 
of  *  Indivldod  Bflbrt,'  which  was  heartily  respoo* 
ded  to  by  sereral  brethren,  who  spoke  in  the  fol- 
lowing order  :  C.  W.  Banks,  the  loud  call  for 
effort  in  the  eanse  of  Christ ;  6.  Wyard,  the  law> 
f^l  means  to  be  employed ;  J.  Pells,  the  souroes  of 
encouragement;  C.  Box,  the  impottanee  of  prayer 
aeoompanying  efiort.  The  main  object  of  the 
meeting  was  to  obtain  means  in  order  to  procure 
gospel  tracts  for  general  distribution  by  friends 
ooKinected  with  the  cause.  Brethren  Wyard, 
Banks,  and  others,  promised  to  supply  a  goodly 
number  of  tracts  to  atart  with,  that  this  may 
prove  a  step  with  us  in  the  right  direction  for  much 
good  under  God's  blessing  is  the  prayer  of-^Ova 
wxo  was  PAMurr. 

BZL8T0N.— A  new  Baptist  cause  is  rising 
here,  a  noble  muster  of  Truth-loving  Ariends  re- 
cently spent  a  happy  evening  together  in  Broad 
Street,  it  would  have  pleased  us  well  to  have 
seen  their  beauUfnl  hall ;  and  to  have  heard  onoe 
more  the  happy  and  ready  address  of  our  old 
friend  Thomas  Jones,  under  the  presidency  of  our 
voung  brother  John  Lindsey.  the  present  minister : 
it  was  our  honouraUe  privilege  to  send  John  first 
to  Bilston ;  if  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  make  him 
instrumental  in  eetublishingasound  gospel  obureh 
In  that  town,  it  will  be  a  sweet  reward  for  our 
toil.  At  the  meeting  referred  to,  the  veaeraUe 
bishop  Veal,  the  powerful  pastor  Qwinneli,  and 
the  faithful  Ritson,  took  good  part.  When  the 
<Anroh  is  formed,  we  hope  to  have  further  details. 

CHATTBKI&-At  Zion  Baptist  Chapel,  we 
had  a  tea  meeting  for  the  members  of  the  church ; 
the  first,  slnee  our  pastor  Mt.  Wilklus  has  been 
unanimously  ehoeen  to  labour  amongst  us  ;  we 
Uess  the  Lord,  for  directing  his  stepe  to  us.  It 
was  on  Monday  evening,  Jan.  10,  (all  the  m«mbere 
could  not  attend,)  I  think  about  ninety  et^oyed 
themselves:  our  beloved  pastor  said  and  did  all 
he  could,  by  his  excellent  advice  to  promote  unity, 
and  Affection  amongst  the  brothers  and  sisters 
present.  We  sung  a  hymn  to  that  effect,  and  an 
ezeeilent  prayer  was  offered  by  one.of  the  deaeons ; 
other  meetings  were  proposed,  and  agreed  to, 
mhitHa.  we  hope  will  be  Sot  the  good  of  the  church, 
the  glory  of  God,  and  Ike  eomfort  of  our  paetor.^ 
A.L.J. 

VSBTMIN0TSB.— BAPTIZING  AT  BOM. 
MET  9FRKBT.  On  Lord's-day  evening,  Deo.  10, 
18W,  our  pool  was  agaia  opened,  and  the  pastor, 
Mr.  Jos.  Palmer,  solemnly  baptized  two  belierere. 
One  of  the  eandldates  evinoed  a  resolute  ihith, 
after  many  yrars  belonging  to  a  pedobaptist  church 
in  the  neighbourhood,  by  gladly,  though  greathr 
affiicted,  following  the  Lord  through  his  despised 
ordlnsBse.  The  other  candidate  had  testified,  in 
his  confession  before  the  church,  that  the  pastor's 
ministry  hsd,  through  God's  blessing,  been  instru. 
mental  la  raising  him  from  death  unto  lids.  Other 
inquirers  are  standing  around.  May  the  Lord  eon- 
ttnoe  to  go  ibrth  with  his  preaohed  word  la  this 
oorncr  of  his  vineyard. 

OOZXteS  CHAPBIi,  STBPirST  &KSBK, 
*  Iota  '  sends  an  interesting  report,  arising  out  of 
Mr.  Vaughaa  removing  from  *  Hephesibah,'  Mile 
End.  to  Stepney  Green,  where  services  were  holden 
on  Thursday,  Jan  13,  and  on  the  following  Lord's- 
day  :  the  report  came  too  late ;  but  we  crowd  in 
this  notice.  Mr.  Bloomfleld,  and  Mr.  Charles 
iHovell,  preached  on  the  Thursday,  Mr.  Vaughan, 
Mr.  G.  Wyard,  and  Mr.  BuseeU,  of  Austin  Street,  | 


Keaehed  on  the  Sttndny.  The  oongregatiooB  md 
e  oolleetioiM  were  excellent.  The  prospeets  of 
Mr.  Yaughan  and  his  flriends^  in  this  new  sphere, 
are  said  to  be  most  encouraging;  his  ministry 
having  been  UReful  in  calling  In  many,  a  large  in- 
crease to  the  ehuroh  Is  anticipated. 

CBAH8F0BD,  8UriblK.-On  Lord's-day, 
Jan.  9tb,  four  believers  were  baptised  by  our  pas- 
tor, Mr.  John  Baldwin,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  io  the  presence  of  a  large 
and  attentive  oongregatlon :  three  males;  and 
one  fbmale,  the  flr^t  fruits  of  our  Sabbath  schoob. 
The  text  preached  from,  was  Acta  xvii.  11,  'and 
searched  the  scriptures  dally,  whether  these  things 
were  so.'  In  the  afternoon,  they  were  received 
into  the  church,  with  a  suitable  addrees,  and  came 
to  the  oriinanoe  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  It  was  a 
good  day  to  many  of  our  souls. 

SOTHmHITRE.— An  excelleiit  meeting  was 
holden  in  Mr.  Butterfleld's  Chapel,  on  Monday 
evening,  Jan.  8,  the  first  anniversary  of  hts  pas- 
torate ;  during  this  first  year,  perfect  peace,  and 
great  prosperity  have  been  enjoyed.  Many  sinners 
have  Deen  called  in,  baptised  and  added  to  the 
church ;  and  during  this  year,  Mr.  butterfleld's 
friends  hope  to  build  their  new  chapel.  Addressee 
were  delivered  at  the  meeting  by  the  hrehren  P. 
W.  Williamaon ;  B.  Bowles,  T.  B.  Psrker  ;  C.  W. 
Banks,  and  J.  E.  Cracknel!,  on  the  Old  and  New 
Covenants. 


LITTLE  MOORFIELDS.    WHITE  8TRBBT. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  Jan.  18th,  a  goodly  number 
of  friends  surrounded  brother  Webb,  on  which  occa- 
Hlon  several  addressed  the  meeting  on  God's  Build-, 
ing.'  Brother  Wyard,  on  the  Great  Architect ; 
brother  Hazlcton,  the  foundation ;  brother  Chi  vers, 
the  builder;  brother  Anderson,  the  materials; 
brother  Pells,  the  design  of  the  building.  The 
happy  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  brother 
Ben  tout,  and  concluded  with  prayer  by  brother  W. 
Webb. 

QX70ED  STBEEtT^OHO  CHAPEL;     We 

are  glad  to  hear  of  our  brother  Pell's  welfare; 
al80  of  the  church,  through  his  instrumentality. 
He  has  on  devcral  occasions  been  in  the  baptistry  ; 
nearly  SO  have  been  added  to  the  church  during 
the  past  3  months ;  others  are  enquiring  the  way  ; 
the  church  is  (as  it  has  ever  been)  dwelling 
in  peace;  conregation  steadily  increasing;  the 
signs  for  the  future  very  cheering, 

BUCKS,  COLNBItOOK.-On  Thursday.  Jaxt. 
iSth,  a  goodly  number  of  friends  partook  of  a 
comfortable  tea  in  the  British  School  Room,  /kindly 
lent  for  the  occasion,)  after  which  they  adjourned 
to  brother  Bruot*8  Chapel,  when  brother  Pells  of 
Soho,)  preached  with  great  earnestness,  In  defence 
of  the  cause  of  God  and  truth. 

BLA]n>!FOlt0  8TREET.-0A  Sunday,  Jam, 
16th,  three  sermons  where  preached  in  bebolf  of 
the  Sunday  School  eonneeted  with  the  above  pNtee 
of  worship ;  morning  and  evening  by  Mr,  Bonnir, 
late  of  Oxford ;  afternoon  Mr.  Pells. 

BHSlfTFOSB-^The  OhurOh  here  have  gtvoa 
Mr.  Parsons,  (late  of  Cheshais,)  an  Invltatton 
to  supply  the  pulpit  lor  throe  meattac,  with  a 
view  to  the  pastorate.  It  is  hoped  through  his 
instmmentaUty,  and  the  LOtd^f  bl«Mlag,  the 
csuse  may  be  revived. 

:8SITR.-At  the  Baptist  meeUng  in  this  little 
fishing  town,  we  had  a  happy  time  oa  Tuesdiiy^ 
Jkn.  14th.  C.  W.  Banks  preached  in  afternooii;' 
after  tea,  Mr.  Bowlee,  Mr.  WalRe,  and  other* 
cheered  our  hearts  with  good  news.  Our  cauie  Is 
growing.— A  Bsomrsatna. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Teb.  I,  1859.] 


TMB  EARtHBlt  YIWSEL. 


51 


AS  ENGLISH  AlfNIYEBSAEY  IN 
AUSTBALIA. 


Dbik  BttOTHBS  BASK»--6i«ce,  merej. 
aii'I  peace  be  with  Tou  and  ell  the  true  Israel 
o/  irod  in  dear  old  Enf^land,  and  wfaeresoerer 
se-it tiered  ihou^hoat  this  habitable  globe.  As 
part  of  the  bodj  of  Christ  you  will  be  gtad  to 
t:?«'  of  the  prosperity  of  Zion  in  this,  the  ends 
of  the  earth. 

Suadaj,  October,  31, 1858,  was  tbe  first 
anmTeraary  of  the  Opening  of  the  building 
«  hi'-h  our  God  has  given  us,  when  our  dear 
PiUtdr,  John  Bunjan  McCure,  preached 
m«~'min^  and  erening ;  we  have  not  vet  in  this 
t*'wn  any  of  the  Lord's  ministers,  with  whom 
our  brother  eould  exchange  Dulpits,  or  ask 
to  come  and  assist  us.  But,  blessed  be  the 
nanaeof  oar  prcdoos  Immanuel,  it  is  not  bj 
(oAtaral)  might,  or  by  power,  but  by  my 
spirit  aaith  the  Lord* 

On  the  following  day,  Monday  Ist  Novem- 
ber ;  we  bad  a  tea  meeting  commendiig  at 
6  o'clock,  which  was  provided  by  the  sisters 
on  the  ▼olnntary  principle ;  jm  oharge  being 
made  either  for  the  providing  or  fbr  the  par- 
tieipation  thereof.  Our  collection  amounted 
to  £35;  which,  considering  the  ^reat  de- 
prc^vi^n  of  buiinees,  and  the  tr^fing  time  which 
lus  now  for  some  months  existed  here,  we 
eovider  very  good ;  and  would  desire  to  raise 
aa  Bbencxer  to  the  goodneft  of  oar  €h>d  who 
has  brooghi  as  thua  iar. 

Brethren  Alien,  Ward,  Stevens,  ami  Kat- 
thewt,  from  Melbourne,  addressed  tbe  meet- 
iaj;;  after  oar  brother  Friend  had  given  a 
statement  of  our  temporal  affairs.  It  was 
tml/ a  blessed  opportunity;  the  subjects  of 
the  addreMni  were  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity: 
with  ui  interesting  aeoonnt  from  brother 
Stevens  of  oar  brother  McOure's  commence- 
ment of  ont-door  preaching  at  home  in  Eng- 
land, with  brother  Stevens  as  his  elerk,  some 
18  years  a^o ;  and  a  review  of  the  preserving 
mercies  of  that  Ood  who  hath  said  that  he 
will  never  Isave  or  forsake  his  people. 

And  now,  I  would  say,  *'  0  come,  let  us 
mMBify  the  Lord  together ;  for  he  is  good ; 
and  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever,'  for,  al- 
thooffh  th*t  threat  and  subtle  fee  halh  tried  to 
make  inroads  upon  J&iob,  as  he  ever  hath 


ceeds  from  under  the  throne  of  God  and  the 
Lamb;  and  bringeth  healing  wheresoever 
it  flows.  May  you,  and  1,  and  all  our  dear 
friends  who  love  Zion  for  Jesu^s  sake,  partake 
of  the  sweetness  thereof :  is  the  prayer  and  de- 
sire of,  yours  for  Christ's  sake, 

.TouN  B.  Etjuis. 
Geelong,  Anstralla. 

N.B.— .\fy  christian  love  to  Mr.  J.  Welts, 
Mr.  T.  Chivers,  and  those  friends  of  both  ccn- 
irr«'gations  with  whom,  either  myself  or  my 
wife  were  associated  or  connected,  as  members, 
or  otherwise. 

[Beside  the  foregoing  interesting  letter,  we 
learn  from  another  source,  that  brother  Mo 
Cure's  first  anniversary  of  his  new  Zion,  was 
a  most  happy  and  holy  season—tho  English 
brethren  all  said— since  they  left  home,  they 
had  never  before  enjoyed  such  a  joyful  feast. 
The  times  hsve  been  very  trying  in  Australia  ; 
our  brother  McCuro  labours  m  the  gospel  with- 
out any  reward  of  an  earthly  kind ;  but  as  the 
Lord  owns  his  labours;  and  lengthens  his 
cords,  we  hope  to  hear  he  is  entire^  devoted 
to  that  work  in  which  his  soul  has  to  truly 
delighted  for  manj  yean.-~£D  •] 


MR. 


THB  L1.TB 

BENJAMIN 


done,  jet  be  has  not,  aad  blessed  bo  Qod,  ne 
ver  shall  be  able  to  tan  a  sheep  into  •  goat 
tbouf^h  by  eloibiiigthe  wolf  in  the  garb  of  a 
sheep,  he  ouky  be  pemitted  oftines  to  scatter 
theoL  Bat  he  who  aeaketh  out  hie  sheep  in 
tbm  eknidj  aed  dark  day,  will  take  tfaem  in 
the  onu  of  hia  love,  place  them  qa  the  ahoiil- 
ders  of  his  power,  ana  brini;  them  as^ain  into 
Ins  fold ;  take  off  the  yoke  from  their  iaw, 
aad  set  meat  before  them  t  they  shall  near 
his  voice  and  shall  fellow  him  in  the  days  of 
old,  as  in  the  time  of  their  first  love,  and  he 
shall  lead  (bem  by  the  rivers  of  etiil  waters, 
evea  tbe  watan  of  life,  which  runneth  dee^^ 
y«a,  so  deecK  as  to  go  to  the  bottom  of  all  their 
siD,  and  poUotion,  and  wash  H  all  out:  and 
yet  an  hi^  in  its  source  that  Satan  and  all 
the  adverse  powers  of  hell  Cannot  reach  to  de« 
file  or  stop  tAe  springing  thereof;  for  it  pro* 


LEWIS, 

Formerly  MinisUi'  of  Trinity  ChapeJ, 

Southwarh, 
Mb.  Bonnbr,  now  sapplyin^r  Trinity 
Chapel,  preached  on  Lord's -day  morning,  Jan. 
9th,  1859,  a  funeral  sermon  occasioned  h^  the 
death  of  the  above  recently  departed  mimster,. 
Mr.  Bonner,  in  speaking  of  Mr.  Lewis,  said— > 
*'  I  regret  there  is  no  one  more  competent 
than  myself  to  perform  this  dutv.  la  what 
way  he  was  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  I  cannot  sav.  He  was  in  soul  trouble; 
was  led  to  hear  the  late  Mr.  Chin,  of  Wal- 
worth ;  the  text  was,  *  That  Christ  may  dwell 
in  your  hearts  by  faith  :'  this  was  the  means 
of  setting  his  mind  at  rest.  In  the  year  1820, ' 
or  21,  he  be^n  to  preach:  he  was  nearly  forty 
years  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  First  otxiained 
at  Dockhead,  over  seven  persons,  in  1825. 
The  church  at  Dean  Street,  being  in  a  low 
condition,  inrited  Mr.  Lewis;  in  1829,  tha 
railway  took  the  chapel  down,  and  built  the 
t>resent  one,  where  he  laboured  until  five  or 
six  years  since  :-^ftDm  1824,  till  1853,  being 
twentv-eight  er  twenty-nine  years— a  lonff 
period  for  ooe  plaee,  but  it  oame  to  an  end. 
Ihvtik  this  phwe,  he  went  to  Cottage  Greea 
Chepd.  Buty  for  some  time,  he  appeared 
uawell;  and,  rather  onezpeetedlv,  in  a  fit  of 
coaghing^-hie  soul  psiMd  away,  m  the  sixty- 
eighth  ymt  of  his  age— oa  the  kst  day  of  last 
year.' 

MIBIAMlnrAfiS. 

CffBinuv  IlK8iONi.nov.— Died,  on  Friday 
Morning,  Jan  14,  in  her  eighth  year,  the  be- 
loved child  of  G^rge  and  Hannah  Wyard,  of 
Zion  Chapel,  New  Cross  Koad.  Deptfoid'. 
Our  beloved  little  Miriam  was  the  youngest 
butnhie  living :  the  hst  often  bom  ;  perhape 
too  itaueh  its  parents' pet ;  bntOI  who  eaa* 
hrtplaflnrwh«tiiii^|Ui^w^^"   '      ""^ 


^v^esbg!^' 


63 


THE   BAETHIN  YBSSBL, 


[t'eb.  1, 18W. 


innocently  playfa],  yet  thoughtful,  and  fond  of 
eood  reading!  however,  God  has  taken  her. 
We  will  not  murmur,  he  had  a  greater  right 
to  her  than  we.  She  was  our't  for  the  time 
being,  we  will  try  and  remember  the  loan 
with  thankfulness,  and  believing  it  to  be  taken 
from  all  evil  to  all  good,  we  will  pray  for 
grace  to  say  becomingly,  '  rather,  thy  will  be 
done.' 

Its  mortal  remains  were  deposited  in  its 
own  little  dormitory,  purchased  for  the  occas- 
ion, in  the  new  Cemetry,  Bokely  Road,  Dept- 
ford ;  a  goodly  number  of  old  and  young  of 
Mr.  Wyard's  friends  had  gathered  together 
on  the  occasion ;  and  our  worthy  brother  and 
friend  Moyle,  of  Peckham,  kindly  officiated. 
He  spoke  encouragingly  to  the  parents,  affec- 
tionately to  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  the 
departed,  and  wisely  and  judiciously  to  all. 
In  the  domestic  circle  at  home  (he  following 
beautiful  hymn  of  Steele's  was  sung. 

<  Father  !  whate*er  of  earthly  bliss. 
Thy  sovereign  will  denies, 

Aooepied  at  thjr  throne  of  grace, 
Let  this  petition  rise : 

Give  me  a  calm  and  thankful  heart, 
From  every  murmur  free ; 

The  blessings  of  thy  grace  impart, 
And  make  me  live  to  thee. 

liCt  the  sweet  hope  that  thou  art  mine, 

*     My  life  and  death  attend  ; 

Thy  presenoe  through  my  journey  shine, 
And  crown  my  journey's  end. 

G.  Wtabd. 
Thb  beloved  partner  in  life  of  our  esteemed 
ministerial  brother,  W.  Gaunt,  of  East-street, 
Greenwich,  left  him.  and  all  here  below,  for  a 
better  city,  on  Tuesday,  January  18th.  <*  Her 
departure  was  one  of  the  most  joyous,  and 
triumphant  ever  known  :"  so  writes  our  bro- 
ther,  who  hopes  next  month  to  furnish  some 
deUils. 

TxB  ObituaTT  of  the  late  Mrs.  Pepper,  the 
beloved  wife  of  Mr.  T.  Pepper,  Minister  of 
ZionChapeL  Newington  Green,  will  be  ^iven 
in  our  Maron  number.  She  departed  this  life 
in  a  most  happy,  triumphant  name  of  mind, 
on  the  16th  ot  last  December, 

"BEADING  TBACT8." 

'  Smding  Tracts,  No.  2.'  Robert  Banks 
&  Co.,  182,  Dover  Road.— A  most  awful  at. 
tempt  has  lately  been  made  to  east  a  elond 
over  the  gospel  of  Christ,  by  a  tract  called 
<The  Lamb  of  God!'  by  oneHorton,  of  Read- 
ing. Of  all  the  specimens  of  daring  perver- 
sion of  the  Holy  Word  of  God,  this  Horton'a 
traet  is  the  vilast  we  ever  heard  of.  The 
Ikct  is,  Mr.  Wale's  powerful  and  truthful 
ministrations  in  Reading  have  thrown  such 
heavenlv  fire  into  the  |>eople  there,  that  the 
mongrcumen  in  the  ministry  are  frightened; 
and  m  order  to  allure  and  blind  the  people, 
they  are  straining  every  nerve.  Such  miser- 
able false  glosses  as  this  Horton  has  sent 
into  this  word  is  enough  to  arouse  the  lealous 
indignation  of  the  whole  body  of  God-fearing, 
trutn*loving  men  in  Christendom ;  and  were 
we  to  hold  onr  peace,  we  should  expose  our- 


selves to  the  most  fearful  condemnation.    A 


young  mechanic  in  Beading,  who  styles 
himself  *■  A  Lover  of  Truth,'  has  issued  a  penny 
tract,  entitled,  ^  Horton' s  Lamb    of    Qoi, 


Weighed  in  the  Balances,  and  Found  Want- 
ing,'* This  8  page  penny  pamphlet  is  wor- 
thy the  notice  of  all  to  whom  the  gospel  has 
been  made  dear.  If  a  few  additons  could  be 
made  to  it,  it  ought  to  be  circulated  by  tens 
of  thousands.     We  hope  much  more  will 


carnal 


pear  to  warn  men  against  Horton's 
poison. 


AN    AUSTRALIAN    SCENE. 

OcTOBsa  Srd,  1868. 

*They  went  down  both  into  the  water.*  ACta  vlii.  38. 

Softly  the  river  murmured  by ; 

The  sunshine  glistened  on  the  sand ; 
And  many  an  expectant  eye 

Was  resting  on  the  little  band. 
To  testify  in  Jesu's  name  : 

Beneath  the  oross  they  meekly  bow 
And  willingly  to  all  proclaim, 

That  Jesus  is  their  sovereign  now  ! 

Steep  rose  the  bank  on  either  hand. 

And  belted  in  the  little  throng  ; 
l*he  limped  waters  washed  the  (and, 

And  wandered  tranquilly  along ; 
And  sweetly  falling  on  the  air, 

Swelled  fotth  the  voice  of  sacred  song  ; 
And  softly  breathing  words  of  prayer, 

To  silence  hushed  the  listening  throng. 

Closed  is  the  sacred  page  of  truth ; 

The  word  of  exhortation  past; 
From  manhood's  prime  to  early  vonth. 

The  candidates  stand  forth  at  last. 
Our  southern  sunshine  never  fell 

T7pon  a  holier,  happier  scene. 
Hark !  now  again  the  voices  swell. 

Enough  our  hearts  from  earth  to  wean. 

Jesus  !  the  sacred  wave  has  trod. 

His  people  from  their  sin  to  save ; 
And  in  the  footsteps  of  our  God, 

'Tis  sweet  to  pass  the  liquid  wave : 
And  those  who  now  his  name  confess. 

And  boldly  in  those  footsteps  tread, 
Will  find  that  he  is  near  to  bless. 

His  hand  shall  raise  the  fainting  head. 

And  she,*  who  in  her  early  youth, 

Has  meekly  taken  up  her  cross. 
Responsive  to  the  worn  of  truth. 

Shall  never,  never  suffer  loesl 
No — he  whose  sacred  name  she  bears, 

And  in  whose  footsteps  she  has  past, 
Will  guide  her  through  a  world  of  snares, 

And  lead  her  to  his  home  at  last  1 
Mount  Barker.  Matixj>a. 

At  'Salem'  Particukr  Baptist  Chapel, 
North  Adelaide,  six  were  baptised  in  the  ri- 
ver Tonens,  Oct  7th,  1858.  Our  little  *Sa. 
lem'  is  greatly  on  the  increase. 

«  A  young  ftiend  of  the  writers. 


Mr.  Coien's  pamphlet,'T^  Ssosn  Baptisms' 
is  the  best  new  work,  we  can  recommend  '  A 
Doubter '  to  read.  It  is  to  be  had  of  Partridga 
and  Co.  r^  \ 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


1.UM.] 


TBI  BABTRBK  TB88EL. 


X 


53 


^fy  fi(t|JiUw  of  Stj^obosw  €tM$i  ttt  ^mmcrt  J 


▲V9  TKB 


BAPn&U  OP  EDWABD    SAMUEL,   A   CONVERTED   ISRAELITE, 


XX    nrOLAND. 


•n  unofiud  stir  at  Um  pre- 
ttOT  pUoM.  with  ntSaranoe  to 
I  of  AiptUB.  Mr.  Biztar,  of 
Kottinghaa,  that  ezoellent  and  talented 
janfWBitifho twj neeiidy,  and  ipeeday 
too,  Mm  been  eaUed  into  a  Iubo  and  appar- 
mmOj  haopj  field  of  oeeftilaeai  in  tho  goepel 
imefM,  e? en  thia  Mr.  Butter  haa '  writUn 
m  hml^  Oft  baptism ;  and  ?«j  great  paina  he 
kaa  tafcoa  to  prore  tbatbaptiam  by  immtr9ion 
m  %  BieooDeeptiont  and  a  great  miatake. 
Tbia  TolaaM  baa  been  wnt  to  na  for  reiiew. 
We  Mt  tndined,  at  flrat,  to  eend  it  either  to 
Bfr.  J.  A  Jooeii  or  to  Mr«  Samuel  Gosens, 
to  wmUk  it  iq>,  and  fairlj  to  adjodieate  upon 
itimartte}  bat  ftaiiag  tber  wonld  not  ezer- 
oie  aaiBeMnt  patience  wftn  the  yomtf  man, 
«•  hata  reaolTed,  Ood  belping—to  gi? e  Mr. 
Baxter  a  flur  and  an  impamal  hearing ;  and 
to  fandah  oar  readers  with  a  righteoiis  re- 
Mt;  thia  will  be  no  easy  task;  for  Mr. 
Mzter  haa  gone  so  deep  into  natoral  history, 
a,  and  eostames,  and 
1  thoee  Goliatha  against 
^  .  Thon,  of  Winoheater, 
high  aovnding  antagonism  haa  re- 
mm^  been  a  Uttle  teeted  and  hnmbled  too 
bv  Mr.  Chappell,  the  able  baptiat  peator  of 
the  same  oityO  that  it  will  not  be  an  easy 
itdar  to  wade  throagfa  the  whole  of  Mr. 
Baziei^B  ovidenee.  There  iaako  Mr.  Tatham, 
of  Kaatbiiume,  and  others,  on  the  aide  of  oar 
cypeaiints ;  and  at  the  reeent  annifersaiy  of 
the  CMcenwell  Goqiel  Sanetnary,  there  was 
tba  ▼enerabla  Frederic  ^Q^ar,  the  meek  and 
etaady  /ay,  of  Grove  Ghap^ ;  and  the  noble, 
and  lief  film  neJ  Mr.  LnCTin,  all  nniting  to 
Bttla  oontempt  opon  na  poor  and 


JMSMr  naa  gone  so  oeep 
into  national  emtoms, 
haa  iiadao  largely  all  tl 
hajtJM  (soflkaaMr.Tli 


aaah  doipiasd  bantiats:  and  sooh  sneering 
apiadaa  aoau  of  tkem  send  ns !  enongh  to 
■■ka  sneh  titda  folk  aa  wa  are,  to  tremble 


.  were  it  not  for  the  nnahaken 
pwMWHim  which  we  cannot  get  rid  of  that 
Iba  woida  of  the  late  Dr.  Golliar,  of  Peckham, 
sptAaa  aa  ther  were  to  a  departed  friend  of 
oina,  who^  beug  called  onoer  the  doetor'a 
aumsCry,  and  yet  beixi^  afterwardi  conTinoed 
of  the  troth  of  the  immersion  of  beUerers, 
haeeeehtag^y  said  to  Dr.  Golliar,  *  my  dear 
paolor,  doteUase  foaraundr  'Mymind,' 
aaii  tba  Dr.  'u  iiii^^--0u  Aytfute  htm M 
tf#  Wmo  TmUumeni  m  iMr  fuCr;  bat  we 
JUapeodants  being  called  into  oar  present 
Bositum  we  cannot  aee  our  way  oat  of  it!' 
That  waa  an  honest  confession,  at  any  rate ; 
ami  ao  it  ia  with  many  of  theae  good  brethren 
of  ooia :  they  hope  we  are  wrong :  and  yet  | 
Voi^  XV.— Ko.  168. 


snapect  we  are  rt|[ht;  bnt  anises  thiy  were 
prepared  to  saorifioe  a  greatdeal,  iteif  dare 
not  confass  it  :---ao  they  it  on.  ^  ^ 

It  is  aingolar  enoagF^<^e  Uttlh  po''' 
who  apMarad  so  happy^^tlf  Joha  Jr  ^^ 
Isle  of  ratmoa ;  and  so  Msy  there  in  1 
ing  <The  ScTen  Seals,'  tfitt  we^pspectA  ho 
wonld  have  delighted  hinUSlfalM.ttxaiisanda 
of  hia  readers,  with  the  bM&^  inysteriea 
of  thoee  snblime  metapfan  'the  whble 
of  thia  Tear ;  yet,  to  oar  %iasement,  ^e 
has.  witnont  tel^granhio  mdlsage,  or  an^ 
notice,  ran  dean  off  from  llitmoa''  into 
the  preeints  of  Jordan— and  this  month 
we  find  him  going  with  all  his  hatft  and  soul 
into  the  qaestion  of  Baptism,  las  to  oar«^ 
selrea— in  oar  meditations'-^wa  t^ve  been 
taken  oaptiTC  right  aoroes  the  Atlatttio— and 
there  we  ha?e  witnessed  one  of  the  most 
hearenly  spectacles,  that  erer  oar  eyea  be- 
held, of  things  connected  with  the  sewicea 
of  the  Militant  Gharoh  apon  the  earth,  and 
this  transporting  contemplation  has  been 
afforded  ok  in  ue  pernsal  of  the  Tolnatoa 
entitled  <  Th$odotia  JSmert;  or^  ihi  fferime 
of  faith:  ^  " 

This  Theodosia  Ernest  wss  a  most  pflb . 
young  lady,  as  she  would  be  oondaerel 
among  our  lofty  ^eral  churches  in  Bag-  *> 
land.  She  was  trained  up  by  a  mother  moat 
dcToted ;  and  attended  upon  one  of  the  first- 
class  Presbyterian  ehnrehea  in  America ;  and 
withall,  she  waa  espoused  to  a  young  gentle- 
man aa  rigid  in  hia  profiBssion  of  relig&n,  aa 
conld  be  desired.  One  Sabbath  morning, 
Theododa  waa  walking  out ;  she  paased  by 
the  ai^A  of  a  ri?er,  where  a  poor  Baptist 
preacher  waa  about  to  administer  the  orain- 
anee  of  Bantism  bv  immersion.  Theodosia 
stopped  to  near  and  see :  we  beliefc  the  Lord 
the  Spirit  came  down,  and  sealed  home  the 
truth  upon  bar  heart.  She  went  home  to 
weep,  to  pray,  to  search  the  word ;  tncLord 
(^ened  to  her  heart  His  own  will ;  com- 
manded bar  to  forsake  all  opponents,  and  to 
follow  Him.  She  did  so.  We  here  giro 
the  account  of  her  going  forth  in  the  path* 
way  of  a  lofing  obMienoe.  She  went  to  the 
Bi^tist  Meetii^.  The  minister  took  for  his 
text  that  mormn^  the  words  of  Jnsua,  <  T$ 
Of  mifJHemUf  %f  ydc  whaUo09ir  I  eom* 
mandfou:  He  ddirered  a  moat  powerfol 
sermon.  Theedoaia  heard  it ;  felt  it;  was  ^ 
constrained  by  it  The  following  extract 
describes  the  soene  which  ensued : — 

After  the  sermon,  he  came  down  ftom  the 
KUle  platform,  whio|i^^^(g^^fet4Kl  for 


5i 


TUK   XAETUBM    VB88BL. 


(Mttnhl,  IMS. 


his  oonyenienoe.  uid  •nnoaaoed  the  ohurch 
u  ready  to  reoeire  applicationi  for  member- 
■hip,  re^ueeting  if  there  were  aiiT  present 
who  desired  to  unite  with  it  that  they  would 
oome  forward  while  the  brethren  sang  a 
hymn,  and  take  a  seat  allotted  for  that 
purpose. 

Tne  brethren  immediately  commenced  sing- 
ing the  hymn^ 

"Tis  religion  that  can  five 
Sweetest  pleasures  while  we  lire ; 
'Tis  religion  can  supply 
Solid  comfort  when  we  die/ 

Before  they  had  completed  the  first  couplet. 
Theodosia  arose  and  walked  to  the  appointed 
seat.  And  when  tbey  had  finished,  the  minis- 
ter asked  her  to  pre  to  the  church  some  ao- 
eount  of  her  rehjpous  experience,  that  they 
aaight  be  able  to  judge  of  the  nature  of  her 
faith  and  hope. 

My  reader,  who  ia  familiar  with  her 
strength  of  mind,  firmness  of  purpose,  clear- 
ness of  conception,  and  habitual  command  of 
the  most  appropriate  language,  can  form  lit- 
tle conception  of  the  surprise  which  was  ex- 
cited, as  much  by  her  manner  as  her  words. 
Sbe  did  not  wait  to  be  questioned,  and  simply 
answered  yes  or  no,  as  is  customary  on  suen 
occasions,  but  modestly  arose  and  turned  her 
face  towards  the  audience,  and  began  to  relate 
in  a  low  but  still  in  a  perfectly  audible  Toioe^ 
her  experience  of  grace  before  she  made  any 
profession  of  religion.  The  house  was  still  as 
death.  ETcryeye  was  fixed,  cTerr  ear  was 
attentiye  to  CTcn  the  slightest  modulation  of 
her  Toiee.  After  describing  in  her  modest  and 
simple,  vet  most  ifflpresslTe  style,  her  eonrio- 
tion  ana  oonTcrsion,  she  paused  a  moment  as 
if  to  think  of  the  propriefy  of  saying  what  was 
yet  upon  her  mind. 

<  And  why/  inquired  the  minister,  who  was 
ignorant  of  her  history,  '  did  you  not  Mm' 
unite  with  the  people  of  Qod  F* 

<  At  that  time,*  she  continued,  *  I  had  rarely 
been  in  any  other  but  a  Presbyterian  house  of 
worship.  I  regarded  Presbjterians  as  the 
true  church  of  Christ  Perhj4M  I  would  not 
be  going  too  £sr  if  I  should  say,  that  1  re- 
garded them  as  the  only  bue  church,  or  at 
least  as  the  only  church  that  was  not  involred 
in  some  most  important  error  of  doctrine  or 
practice.  It  was  my  mother's  church,'  and  | 
ner  roice  faltered  and  eyes  filled  with  tears  I 
as  she  said  it.  *  It  was  the  church  in  .which  < 
God's  truth  had  been  made  efibctoal  to  my 
conversion.  I  had  no  shadow  of  a  doubt  that 
it  was  th0  ehwrcky  if  sot  the  onip  church,  and 
with  them  1  did  uniU.  Nor  until  last  Sab- 
bath,  did  I  ever  hare  a  doubt  that  I  was  right 
in  doing  so.  Last  Sabbath,  you  will  recollect, 
one  of  your  number  was  baptised.  I  had 
the  curiosity  to  go  to  the  rirer.  As  I  aaw  her 
plunged  beneath  the  water,  the  thought  im- 
presMd  itself  upon  my  mind,  if  that  i§  bap- 
tism, I  hav€  never  f>een  baptised  ;  for  what- 
ever baptism  mav  be,  it  must  alwavs  be  the 
same — *  One  Lord,  one  iaith,   one  oaptism. 

I  went  home  and  commenced  a  careful  and 
tborouffh  investigation  of  the  subject.  I 
found  Uiat  it  was  immersion,  and  not  sprink- 


ling,  that  Jesus  Christ  commanded.  It 
was  this  which  Ha  himself,  as  our  example, 
submitted  to  in  the  river  of  Jordan.  It  was 
this  which  his  disciples  practised  in  his  life. 
It  was  this  which  he  commanded  atter  his 
death.  It  was  this,  therefore,  which  he  re- 
quit^  of  me.  I  have  not  vet  obeyed  him, 
but  I  deeire  to  do  whatever  he  eommoMde  me . 
Mine  ii.  I  humbly  trust,  the  *  obedience  of 
love/  1  have  come  here  to^dav,  and  that  is 
the  first  time  in  my  life  that  I  have  ever  been 
in  a  Baptist  church.  I  have  come  to  ask  yon 
to  bapUMe  me,  if  you  think  me  worthy,  mo* 
cording  to  the  commandment  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.'^ 

*Why  this  is  wonderful  I'  exclaimed  the 
minister,  as  she  resumed  her  seat 

*  It  is  the  Lord's  doing,'  rejoined  Mr.  Coui- 
ney,  *  and  it  is  wonderful  in  our  eyes/ 

/  Brethren,  what  will  we  do  in  regard  to 
this  application  ?" 

<  I  move/  said  one,  '  that  she  be  baptised, 
and  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church.' 

This  was,  of  course,  unanimously  deter* 
mined  on. 

<  When  will  jou  be  baptised,  my  siiter  V  iih. 
quired  the  minister. 

'As  soon  as  it  may  suit  your  eonvenience, 
sir.    I  am  ready  now/ 

Then  after  prayer  we  will  at  once  pro. 
oeed  to  the  waters  side.    Let  us  pray.' 

They  kneeled  and  offered  up  a  snort  and 
fervent  prayer,  that  Ood  would  own  the  or- 
dinance about  to  be  administered  in  his  name 
— bless  her  who  was  to  be  its  recipient— fill 
her  with  the  comforts  of  the  Gospel — ^make 
her  a  Ihithfhl  and  useful  Christian,  and  at 
death  receive  her  into  his  heavenly  Kingdom. 

When  Satan  finds  that  he  cannot  prevent' 
the  performance  of  a  religious  duty,  he  ofteo 
strives  to  render  its  perftwmance  as  distressing 
as  he  can.  Theodosia  had  not  yet  left  the 
house,  before  she  began  to  be  assailed  by  tho 
most  terrible  temptations.  First  came  the 
magnificent  churcn,  with  its  soft  Ught,  its 
cushioned  pews,  its  richly  carpeted  aiues,  its 
tasteful  and  costly  pulpit,  its  deep-toned  or- 
gan, and  its  well-trained  choir,  which  had  all 
her  life  been  the  accompaniments  of  her  pub- 
lic devotions.  And  she  could  not  but  con- 
trast their  rich  luxurious  elegance  and  com- 
fort, with  the  rough  platform,  the  naked,  dirty 
floor,  the  hard  benches,  and  harsh,  unskilftal 
voioes  which  had  surrounded  her  to-day.  In 
that  splendid  church  she  saw  her  mother 
weeping  over  her  daughter's  apostacy— her 
brotiier  showing  no  interest  in  her  fate — ^her 
uncle,  whom  she  loved  as  a  fiither,  and  upon 
whose  approbation  she  had  confidently  relied, 
vet  he  had  not  come  near  her,  though  she 
had  earnestly  requested  his  presence — ^her 
pastor  who  hsd  taught  her  in  childhood,  and 
prayed  over  her  at  her  converrion ;  and  there 
was  vet  another  whom  she  scarcely  dared  to 
think  of.  They  were  all  there--all  hs^y, 
all  united.  She!  was  only  a  poor  outcast  man. 
all— yes.  yes,  from  all  ehe  Utoed,  With  her 
own  rash  hand  she  had  out  the  ties  which 
bound  her  to  her  kindred  and  her  friends. 
She  bad  left  all  the  elegance  so  congenial  to 
her  delicacy  and  refinement  of  taste.    She  had 


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65 


laftiatheaAetMn  lo  iUBBwy  to  «he  Tarf 
lifrof her  fond,  oliaging,  lanng  hesrt,  and 
here  iha  stood  aloms  mmoog  iheie  9iramg§r» 
viMOi  tks  fislt  inntinntiTely,  with  one  or  two 
aaeptioo%  had  ieoeely  •  iftntinHmt  or  a 
tMte  in  ocwninmi  with  her  own.  Then,  at  ahe 
to  the  river,  thej  paased  the 
» she  and  1^.  Percj  stood  on 
the  preriooa  Bahbath ;  and  in  a  single  mo- 
nent  what  ▼istons  of  afllaenoe  and  ease,  of 
alflgant  toeial  enjoyment^  of  domeatio  joy; 
all  the  happineaa  of  the  loved  and  lovinf  wife 
eitending  down  thronjg^h  manj  lone  and  blisa- 
iall  years  came  vivuly  before  ner  mind. 
She  eoaU  aee  nothing  elae.  She  foigot  for  a 
Moment  where  ahe  waa,  and  why  ahe  came 
Ihse.  She  walked  on  unoonaoioaaly.  Unp 
eoaaaooaly  ahe  took  the  offered  arm  of  the 
■iaiater^aa  he  came  to  eondoot  her  into  the 
liTer.  The  Umeh  of  the  water  reoalled  her  to 
havad£r-«She  paoaed,  and  anddenly  withdrew 
her  ana,  elaaped  her  haada  together,  and 


1  up  to  IteaTaiii  and  so  stood  for  aome 
BBOBants,  loai  in  ailent  prayer.  Thoap  who 
eoold  aee  her  fSaee^  ohaerred  the  expression  of 


I  and  tenor,  (which  they  attrihated  to 
a  aatoial  timiditj  at  entering  the  water,)  sod* 
dealygaToplaee  tooneof  joy  and  eonnidence 
as  Iha  again  phMsed  her  ann  within  the  mm* 
islsi's  ud  walked  on-^eaua  had  heard  her 
pnyer:  <Oh,  Lord,  aave  me!  gire  me 
atragth  to  naake  all  thia  aaerifioe  for  Theel 
IhoB  art  my  fiarionr.  Thou  hast  commanded 
Ada.  I  do  it  in  obedience  to  Thee.  Oh, 
lasre  me  not !  Help,  Lord  I  I  have  no  other 
hslper-^llioii  art  mow  mg  alV  And  as  she 
mf  ed,  the  risiona  of  earthly  bliaa  Taniahed 
Oram  before  her,  and  ahe  aaw  Jesoa  stretched 
apon  the  eroas  in  dying  agony,  and  he  aeemed 
IOMy,*Iboieali  C&it  for  thee.'  And  ahe 
thoaght  of  the  worda  of  the  Apoetle~«  He 
died  for  aa.'  And  aa  she  walked  along,  she 
leaembend  what  Jesoa  said, '  BU$§ed  are  ye 
when  men  shall  hate  yon,  and  when  they  ahall 
•^eratoyoa  ftmn  their  company,  and  ahall  re- 
vrpa^  von, and ahaU east ontTonr name  aa eril 
mtkeBoBofama'aaake.  Ucjoice  ]^e  in  that 
day,  aad  leap  for  joy,  for  your  reward  is  great  in 
bearea.'    *  Aad  every  one  that  hath  forsaken 


y  er  brethren  or  sisters,  or  father  or  mo- 
ther, or  wifo  or  ehildxen,  or  lands  for  mv 
aaoM's  sake,  ahall  reeeiTe  an  hundred-fold, 
aad  shall  inherit  everlasting  life.' 

So  folly  waa  her  mind  oeeupied  with  this 
dsb^tftil  thought,  that  she  felt  no  further 
■anefy.andnotthealighteat  fear.  And  aa 
iha  waa  lilted  from  the  liquid  grave,  ahe 
aoald  not  help  esdaiming  in  an  audible  voioe, 
<  JaiKt,  I  timmb  tks§r  And  then,  aa  th^ 
toned  towaida  the  ahore,  aueh  a  gleam  of 
beavflidy  peace  and  holy  joy  illumiiiated  her 
beantiftil  foee.  that  aeveral  of  the  brethren 
and  sisters  who  stood  upon  the  bank,  aimul- 
taaeoiialy  exdaimed,  *  Blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord!" 

'Tee,'  ahe  exclaimed,  'blessed  be  His  holy 
oame  I' — And  suddenly  she  stopped,  and  with 
s  voiee  wMeh  waa  naturally  sweet  and  power- 
folt  aad  had  been  earefoHy  cultivated,  and 
pew  waa  rendered  deeper  and  more  express- 
ive by  inteoaity  of  fooling,  she  commenced 
nagiag: 


•  **  Jeaua,  I  my  oroaa  have  taken. 

All  to  leave  and  follow  thee ; 
Friendless,  poor,  despised,  forsaken, 
Thou  from  hence  my  all  shalt  be. 
And  whilst  thou  shalt  smile  upon  me, 
Gk>d  of  wisdom,  love,  and  mitfht, 
Foee  may  hate^  and  friends  (usown  me. 
Show  thy  face,  and  all  is  bright. 
Man  may  trouble  and  distress  me, 
Twill  but  drive  me  to  thy  breast ; 
Life  with  trials  hard  may  presa  me, 
Heaven  will  bring  me  sweeter  rest. 
Oh,  'tia  not  in  grief  to  harm  me. 
While  thy  love  ia  left  to  me ! 
Oh,  'twere  not  in  joy  to  (jiarm  ma, 
Were  that  joy  unmixed  with  thee!" 

The  effect  upon  the  audience  was  electrioal. 
Tears  streaming  from  every  face;  many 
sobbed  aad  wept  aloud.  Among  these  waa  a 
voice  which  instantly  fixed  her  attention. 
She  looked  up  among  the  assembly,  and  waa 
aurprised  to  see  that  it  had  increaaed  since 
ahe  started  into  the  water  to  a  great  multi- 
tude. The  congregation  firom  several  other 
charohea  had  hurried  to  the  river  aa  aoon  aa 
they  were  dismiiaed  from  their  aeveral  plaoea 
of  meeting.  Foremost  among  the  crowd  stood 
uncle  Jones  with  her  mother  on  one  ride,  and 
Edwin  on  the  other.  It  was  her  that  she 
heard  ;  for  when  she  saw  her  daughter  stand- 
ing thus  alone,  and  heard  her  sing, '  Friendless, 
poor,  despised,  forsaken,*  she  lifted  up  her 
voioe  and  wept  Nor  did  she  weep  alone. 
Strong  men,  who  were  not  professors  of  reli* 
gion,  and  who  were  thought  to  care  for  none 
of  these  things,  stood  and  gased  at  that  sweet 
face,  all  radiant  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  aa 
though  it  had  been  the  face  of  an  angel;  and 
aa  they  looked,  the  h\f  tears  chaaed  each  other 
down  their  unconscious  cheeks.  The  br^ 
thren  and  sisters  of  the  church  wept;  old  men 
and  mothers  in  Israel  wgpt.  Toung  men 
and  maidens  wept  Bat  xheodosia  heard 
none,  saw  none  but  her  mother.  As  she 
came  to  the  water's  edge,  that  mother  rushed 
down  to  meet  her,  and  daaped  her  cloaely  to 
her  heart  The  brothers  and  sisters  or  the 
church  who  were  approaehing  to  give  her  the 
hand  of  fellowship^  stood  respeetfoHy  aside. 

'  Oh,  mother,  do  you— can  you  forgive  me  P* 

*  Don't  talk  so,  my  child ;  I  have  never 
blamed  you.  You  have  done  your  duty ;  you 
have  done  ri^ht  Tou  have  obeyed  your  Sa. 
viour— He  will  bless  you.  X  with  I  had  the 
courage  to  follow  your  example.' 

<  God  bless  you  for  those  words,  my  mother  I 
Oh  I  how  full  of  joy  my  heart  ia.  He  maketh 
my  cup.  run  over.  Barely  goodneaa  and  mer* 
cv  hatn  fallowed  me  all  tne  daya  of  my  Ufa 
Undoj  dear  uncle,  it  is  blsssed  to  obtjf,  Oan't 
you  give  up  all  for  Christ  P 

'  Mr.  Courtney,  I  thank  yon  for  jour  teach- 
ings. Now  I  hmtw  I  am  baptised.  I  have  now 
done  juat  what  Jesus  commanded.  I  have 
left  all  and  followed  him ;  and  Ueased  be  his 
name,  I  have  already  that  peace  which  paaseth 
understanding.'  And  as  the  brethren  and 
sisters  came  crowding  round  to  welcome  her 
into  the  communion  of  the  church  on  earth. 


ng  asrain  with  that  sweet,  soul-thrilling 
voice,  to  wnich  the  intenrity  of  hm  feeUnga 


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[Manb   1,  Ittff. 


and  utter  mHi  abaadonment,  gare  a  ten-ibld 
power;— 

"  Children  of  the  linng  God, 

Take  the  stranger  to  your  hearts  ^ 
Let  me  dwell  in  jour  abode, 

Kerer  more  from  you  to  part. 
Can  you  love  me  P    Will  you  help  me  ? 

Help  me  on  my  way  to  God — 
Can  you  love  me  ?    Will  jou  help  me  } 
Help  me  keep  his  precious  word." 

While  singing,  she  continued  to  giyo  her 
hand  to  one  after  another  as  they^  came  up ; 
and  as  she  finisbed  the  strain,  a  sister  stand- 
ing by  aans^- 

"  Tee,  come  tbon  blessed  of  the  Lord, 
No  stranger  art  thou  now-^ 
We  welcome  thee  with  warm  aooord, 

Our  friend  and  sister  tbon, — 
The  band  of  fellowship,  the  heart 

Of  lore  we  offer  thee : 
Leaving  the  world,  tbon  dost  but  paii 

With  lies  and  vanity. 
In  weal  or  woe,  in  \aw  or  care, 
'  Thy  portion  shaU  be  oars ; 
Christians  their  mutual  burdens  bear, 
They  lend  their  mutual  powers." 
The  minister  propounced  the  benediction, 
and  they  led  her  up  the  bank,  and  then  each 
went  on  his  way  rejoicing. 

We  must  not  gire  another  line  tbia  month ; 
but  the  whole  of  Theodosia'a  history  ia  to  be 
either  given  in  *  the  Barthen  YeBsel;'  or  iit 
ebeap  penny  anpplementa ;  ao  that  our 
readers  may  aee  for  themselves  the  matchleaa 
grace  of  God  aa  developed  in  tbia  splendid 
record  of  his  power. 

We  have  lately  been  looking  again  into 
that  Tolnme  written  by  £.  Samuel,  the  min- 
tater  of  the  Baptist  Chorob  at  Salford,  enti- 
tled *  The  Triumphs  of  Christ  on  the  Crou  ;' 
and  there  we  read  the  following  account  of 
hia  baptiam.    We  give  it  in  hia  own  worda. 

'  I  will  here  digraaa  a  little,  and  give  a  brief 
account  of  the  manner  I  waa  brought  to  aee 
the  ordinance  of  believers'  baptism  bv  immer- 
aion.  During  my  atay  in  the  late  Mr.«  Good- 
cbild^a  house,  thia  gentleman,  being  a  lover  of 
the  Of  dinancea  of  the  bouse  of  Gted,  as  well  as 
the  experimental  truths  of  the  everlasting 
gosnel,  and  who  in  truth  adorned  it  by  his 
walk  and  conversation ;  he  would  occasionally 
bring  forth  the  ordinance  of  bsptisnk  He 
had  used  to  speak  in  a  very  kind  affectionate 
manner,  at  the  same  time  with  much  fervour 
and  reverence.  One  evening  wheo  we  were 
converabg  on  the  subject,  Mr.  G.  mildly  said 
to  me,  "  Mr.  Samuel,  have  you  ever  prayed  to 
the  Lord  that  He  might  open  your  eyes  on 
this  sttbfeot,  aa  he  haif  done  on  the  other  parts 
of  the  gospel?"  I  replied,  ''No."  He  then 
said,  "It  behoveth you  as  a  minister  of  the 
Lord  Jeaua  Christ  so  to  do."  This  impressed 
ray  mind,  and  I  asked  the  Lord  to  teach  me 
the  whole  truth,  and  lead  me  in  the  right 
way ;  and  if  thia  waa  the  right  way,  to  remove 
my  prejudice,  and  enable  me  to  obey  hia  com- 
mand :  and  thus  prayerfully  I  waa  enabled  to 
Bearch  thoee  nortiona  of  the  word  of  God  that 
refer  to  it.    I  was  acquainted  at  the  same  time 


with  a  gentieoMHi  who  waa  a  Tery  great  friend 
to  me  in  temporal  matters^  but  a  great  oppon* 
ent  to  the  oroinanee  of  believers'  baptiam.  I 
was  quite  sensible  that  sho«ld  I  be  led  to  em> 
brace  this  ordinance,  I  ahoold  loee  hia  friend'o 
shipy  aa  the  event  proved.  Thia  waa  a  mighty 
barrier  in  my  way,  aa  I  very  highly  eeteemed 
him  aa  a  frimd.  Aa  I  waa  one  day  meditating 
on  it,  these  words  came  — **•  Whoeoever  he  be 
of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all  that  he  hath,  he 
cannot  be  my  diaeiple."  1  then  began  to  eon- 
template  on  these  worda,  which  appeared  to 
signify  that  I  must  leave  all  fbr  Christ,  and 
follow  him  in  thia  ordinance,  whirti  I  waa  then 
meditating  on.  Here  a  new  atniggle  oom- 
meaced  between  the  fleah  and  the  spirit.  TIm 
6esh  and  the  devil  said,  follow  me,  and  the 
word  of  God  toUa  ua  to  follow  Chriat;  and 
when  that  word  oomea  with  Divine  power  to 
theaoul,  it  breaka  down  all  oppoeition,  and 
the  living  aoul  ia  enabled  to  trsad  upon  fleeh 
and  blood,  and  follow  the  Lorc^  not  only 
through  water,  but  throujj^h  fire. 

As  the  conflict  kept  co  mcreaaing,  so  earaeat 
anppHeationa  at  a  throne  of  graee  also  tn- 
creaaed ;  I  trembled  leat  I  ahouM  embraee  aa 
error,  eapeciatty  as  a  preacher  of  the  goapsl  I 
might  be  the  meana  oiF  leading  others  aatray ; 
thMc  things  cauaed  me  many  groans,  erica,  an4 
okhs.  One  morning  as  I  waa  going  from 
Hartley  Bow  te  the  railway  atation,  just  aa  I 
waa  ateppinr  into  the  carriage  these  worda 
came  to  me,  I  believe  in  the  power  of  God  tho 
Holy  God~"The  bi4>tiam  of  John,  whence 
was  it,  from  heaven  or  of  men  ?  And  they 
reasoned  with  themeives,  saying,  if  we  shau 
say  from  heaven,  He  will  say  unto  ua,  why 
did  ye  not  then  believe  him  ?"  Thia  waa  a 
bleaaed  season  to  me,it  produced  great  humility 
of  soul  and  contrition  of  souL  The  sufforinga 
of  Christ  in  the  garden  of  Getfasemane,  were 
opened  unto  me  in  such  a  glorious  way,  that  I 
never  hud  before  nor  ainee  in  like  manner. 
Being  quite  alone  in  the  lailwav  carriage,  I 
took  out  my  Bible,  and  as  I  read  I  wept  for 
joy,  all  the  way  to  London.  I  told  the  Lord, 
tfadtt  by  the  po ^er  of  bin  graee  enabling  me,  I 
would  obrp  nis  divine  commands.  I  then  no 
more  conferred  with  flesh  and  blood.  AH 
ftUore  conaequencea,  frienda  and  foea,  I  waa 
enabled  to  leave  m  hia  handa.  I  waa  iM^tiaed 
at  Hartley  Bow.  I  preached  the  aame  even- 
ing previoua  to  being  baptised.  The  chapel 
bemg  very  crowded,  I  waa  extremely  hot; 
while  in  the  vestry,  a  medical  man  who  atten* 
ded  that  place  caaoe  in,  and  told  me  that  aa  I 
was  so  overhMted,  if  I  were  to  go  into  the 
cold  water,  it  might  prove  instant  death.  I 
repUed,  "I  wiU  leave  this  with  the  Lord.'* 
The  joy  of  my  aoul  waa  very  great  at  that  time ; 
I,  likb  the  eunuch,  went  away  rejoicing^  in  the 
waya  of  God,  having  the  approbanon  of 
heaven  in  thia  ordinance.' 

Widi  the  word  of  onr  God  for  onr  lamp 
ta  gnide  iu— with  the  answer  of  a  ^ood  eon- 
acienoe  (baching  bi^ptiam  by  immersion— and 
with  aach  teatimomea  aa  theae,  what  ahaU 
we  tay  to  Mr.  Baiter,  and  all  like  diaputanta } 
There  ia  diredfyf  and  in^trtetlf^  a  powerfnl 
effort  pat  forth  againat  the  lawa  of  Chriat'a 
house.  We  muat  neither  be  neutral  nor 
silent  any  longer.  C^ r\r\n\o 

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THS  BAKTHXN  TMBIL. 


57 


THE    ACTIVE    CHEISTIAN— THE    PASTOR'S    WIFE. 
AN    OBITUAfiY    OF    MBB.    PSPPER. 


•PiMlowlB  tb«8igbtor  tk9  Lord !»  the  dMtJiof  his  MiaU.* 


TBATbleaed  promise  which  JesuB  left  on 
record  for  the  eneouragement  of  h»  foilowen^ 
wmjmgf '  I  TO  to  prepare  a  place  for  you :  and 
if  I  fo  aai  prepare  «  plM  for  you,  &  vill 
sain  and  reeeiTe  yoa  unto  mT^elf,  that 
.  am,  there  ye  may  be  aiao»  has  '^^ — 


awMtly  falfiUed  ia  the  haroy  ei^erienee  of 
the  beloTed  wile  of  Hr.  Pepper.  minUtei 
of  Zion  Chapel,  Ifewington  Green,  Middlesex. 


Her  raneomed  and  liberated  soul  took  its  flight 
from  the  frail  tabeniacle  on  the  morning  of 
the  leth  Bee.,  1868,  into  the  hmg  anticipated 
mums  of  li^t  and  glory. 

The  occasion  of  hn  converaion  to  God,  was 
a  sennon  from  Malt.  xtL  24.  preached  bj  Dr. 
Ooz,  late  of  Hackney,  while  on  a  visit  to 
flhalhiwa  And  being  led  to  a  decision  of 
dmracter^ahe  was  bi^taced  at  the  age  of  28, 
by  Ber.  W.  Giles;  but  subsequently  finding 
hsr  soul  more  profited  under  the  mmistzy  of 
B«r.  W.  G.  Lewis,  of  Zion  Chapel,  Chatham, 
(now  of  Cheltenham) ;  she  contmued  a  useful 
member  of  his  church  till  her  marriage  in 
1832 ;  wboi  with  her  husband,  she  united 
with  the  Baptist  Church,  at  QraTeeend,  her 
httsband  being  early  chosen  a  deacon  of  the 
dwreh.  Bar\tnt  and  dUigence  were  soon 
called  into  aetiTO  operation  for  the  good  of 
tho  charok :  for  she  would  say,  if  the iLord  is 
1  to  eall  to  office,  he  expects  a  faithfitl 
ge  of  the  duties  connected  therewith. 
smMmm  tToly.  tfio  wss  uutixing  in  her  efforts 
fior  the  wellbeing  of  Zion.  and  the  comfort  of 
the  poor  and  afflicted  wno  enjoyed  a  large 
abare  of  her  sympathy,  both  in  spiritual 
eoneolatioii  and  in  pecuniary  relief* 

In  the  year  184£^  March  3rd,  she,  with  her 
d  united  with  the  Baptist  Church. 
that  day  in  Phillip  Street,  Kingsland 
,  London,  subsequently  remoTod  to 
ZuMi,  Mewingtoa  Green,  of  which  ehurdi 
her  hfiihaad  was  on  the  i 


day  ordained 


>  now  felt,  she  said,  a  hesTy  rei^nsi. 
bility  resting  upon  her  in  the  veir  important 
oAee  of  the  pastor's  wife;  and  earnestly 
prayed  that  the  Lord  would  give  her  sustain- 
ing grace,  and  counselling  wisdom,  that  she 
might  prove  a  real  help  meet  to  her  husband 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry;  and  he  a  blessing 
io  the  church.  And  in  tlus  she  laboured 
dihgently  and  prayerfully,  being  found  in 
BsasiM  and  out  of  season  in  her  efforts  to  do 
^ood.  Tha  distribntion  of  the  word  of  God 
IB  the  neighbourhood;  visiting  the  sick  and 
poor;  the  prosperity  of  the  Sunday  Schools; 
the  saalovs  attandanee  at  the  prayer-meetings, 
and  partianlarly  the  female  prayer-meetings 
which  she  formed,  and  which  proved  a  blessing 
to  many ;  toaether  with  the  prosperity  and 
barmonr  of  the  chnrch,  were  subjects  of  deep 
aoiidtuoe  with  bsr. 

Ia  Jf  oT.y  1864,  she  experienced  a  severe 


afflielioa,  which  prostrated  her  powers,  and 
threatened  to  put  an  end  to  all  her  labours 
here ;  and  to  translate  her  to  that  rest  which 
remaineth  for  the  people  of  God.  However, 
the  Lord  araHou$lg  spared  her  till  now,  to 
testify  of  uis  goodness  and  merer,  and  to 
cheer  her  husbimd  in  his  arduous  labours. 

There  are  some  points  in  her  experience 
which  are  very  aaeouraging. 

1.  The  deoeased  was  an  eamtH  and  affrn^ 
patkiHmg  Christian.  She  was  always  anxious 
to  prove  everything  by  the  word  of  God,  as 
she  would  say  the  everiasting  ccmeems  of  our 
souls,  are  matters  of  too  great  importance  to 
be  taken  upon  credit;  we  must  have  the 
reality.  The  Scriptures  were  very  predons  to 
her,  mid  she  spent  much  time  in  their  perusal, 
comparing  Saipture  with  Scripture,  so  as  to 
know  the  ndna  of  Oed  therein.  She  was 
very  earnest  in  prayer;  and  was  much  in 
seoret  prayer:  in  merenoe  to  whieh  she 
would  say,  that  the  state  of  her  heart  waa 
such  as  to  require  her  to  be  often  seeking  the 
Lord  for  preventing  and  sustaining  grace. 
She  would  firequenuy  complain  of  Satan's 
temptations;  and  yet  she  would  say,  *  I  think 
we  often  attribute  to  Satan  more  than  what 
directly  belongs  to  him,  while  it  is  really 
nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  ooiruptions  of 
our  own  hearto  at  work.  Satan  is  bad  enough, 
but  we  often  forget  that  our  ovm  hearts  are 
as  bad ;  and  we  are  too  ready  to  throw  th» 
hUme  upon  him,  rather  than  acknowledge  the 
depravil^  of  our  own  hearts. 

She  laboured  much  to  lead  sinners  to  Jesus, 
especially  her  friends  and  aequaintanoeo* 
And  many,  particularly  amon^  the  young, 
will  have  to  bless  God  for  the  pnvileee  of  her 
Christian  instructions.  Uer  oapabuities  fov 
letter  writing  were  great ;  and  her  letters, 
which  were  generally  long,  were  so  thoroughly 
embued  with  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and  an 
evident  ardour  of  soul,  to  set  fbrth  and  reoom- 
mend  the  salvation  of  Jesus  as  the  one  thing 
needful,  and  himself  as  the  all  in  all  things, 
that  ther  were  often  acknowledged  to  be  rery 
powerftil  appeals  for  the  trath,  and  sources  oif 
much  comfort  and  encouragement  to  those 
who  were  hungering  for  spiritual  food.  She 
well  knew  how  to  give  a  word  in  season  to 
the  weary  traveller.  And  no  doubt  many 
will  now  prise  and  read  over  with  inereaslng 
interest  and  pleasure^  those  letters  of  counsel 
consolation,  and  encouragement,  whieh  they 
were  favoured  to  receive  from  her  pen  while  m 
the  land  of  the  Uving.  Ilie  poor  and  afflicted 
of  Christ's  flock  were  objeots  of  her  anxious 
and  prayerful  concern.  It  was  a  source  of 
great  pleasure  to  her  to  be  able  to  contribute 
to  the  neoeisities  of  the  needy,  and  to  soothe 
the  brow  of  care ;  and  many  a  day  of  heavy 
fiitigue,  has  she  joyfully  spent  in  visiting  the 
siok  and  distressed;  impartbig  oooaolatksi  to 


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THB  KABTHBN  TIBBBL. 


[Msrch  !•  18i9. 


their  mindly  and  rdief  for  thdr  wanta.  She 
oftan  azpreaied  great  thankfolnen  after  her 
aerere  aalietion,  that  the  Lord  had  eo  far  rea- 
tored  her  to  be  able  to  be  driren  ta  the  homes 
cjf  the  afflicted ;  and  when  unable  to  go  her- 
aelf ,  would  take  oare  they  were  not  forgotten. 
2.  The  deoeaaed  waa  a  rery  imUlligeitt 
ChrtBtiam  Added  to  a  well  informed  mind, 
aoquired  from  much  reading,  prayerful  itudy, 
ana  thoughtful  obeerratioL  ahe  poaaeaeed  a 
moat  retentiTe  memory.  Sne  felt  it  to  be  a 
good  thin^;  that  the  heart  be  eatabliahed  with 
graoe,  leat  it  be  carried  about  with  direra  and 
Btrange  doetrinea.  In  early  life,  the  devoted 
mueh  tima  to  the  reading  of  the  aeriptnree,  and 
to  which  she  often  alluM,  aa  a  great  Ueanng 
and  a  aouroe  of  much  conaolation  in  her  afflie- 
tions.  Bar  exhortation  to  the  young  waa» 
*  atudy  the  ■criptureo^  and  pray  the  I^rd  to 
give  you  an  uiidentuidin||p  m  them,  for  they 
are  able  to  make  you  wue  unto  salration.' 
ComparatiTely  few  women  were  better  read  in 
the  word  of  Qod,  and  had  a  more  oomprehen- 
BiTe  and  dear  understanding  of  t^e  mind  of 
Qod,  in  the  Scriptures,  than  the  late  Mrs. 
Pepper.  The  rery  important  prayer  of  the 
apoetle  (Eph.  i.  17^19)  was  to  a  Tory 
psat  degree  blessedly  realised  in  her  exper- 
ience. In  this  respect,  she  was  of  great  asaist- 
ance  to  her  huaband  in  the  work  of  the  min* 
istry«  who  highly  esteemed  her  knowledge  of 
truth,  and  styled  ner  his  Qospel  Conoordanoe. 
She  was  a  great  lorer  of  Uie  whole  truth  aa 
exhibited  in  its  harmonious  economy  in  the 
glorious  plan  of  salvation  by  grace:  and 
would  say,  we  sadly  mar  tlie  beauty  and 
sweetness  of  this  plan  when  we  attempt  to 
add  to  it  anv  thing  of  our  own.  The  evenast* 
in^  lore  of  God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Spirit,  in  the  origin  of  salvation:  the  full^ 
free,  and  perfect  work  of  Jeaoa  Christ  the 
Son,  in  the  Bedemption  of  his  church;  and 
lihe  efficadous  work  and  ministry  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  in  the  hearts  of  sinners,  aa  an  ea- 
aential  meetness  for  heaven  and  glory ;  were 
Stthjects  she  delighted  to  dwell  upon. 

And  while  always  most  anxiooa  to  prove 
the  reality  of  the  Bpirit's  work  in  the  heart, 
yet  at  the  same  time,  she  was  strenuous  for 
the  fruits  and  evidences  of  that  work  to  be 
Men  in  the  life  and  conversation  of  the 
Qhristian.  She  was  a  great  lover  of  the  preach- 
ed gospel,  when  preached  in  its  simplicity: 
apart  oom  her  own  husband,  whom  she  heard 
vary  profitably,  there  was  no  minister  in 
London  whom  uie  could  hear  with  so  much 
8atisfiM)tion  as  the  Bev.  J.  Bloomfield,  of  Salem 
Ohapel,  Soho.  She  would  frequently  allude 
to  the  benefit  ahe  received  from  his  sermons, 
and  the  productions  of  his  pen,  particu]arl;|r  a 
aermon  he  preached  at  Gheshun^  from  lauah 
Uii.  II.— 'He  shaU  see  of  the  travaU  of 
his  soul,  and  shall  be  satiafled ;'  which  she 
often  said  was  one  of  the  greatest  sermons  she 
ever  heard.  She  often  said,  there  were  three 
things  too  much  associated  with  the  preaching 
of  the  present  day,  which  greaU^  offended  her : 
1,  The  hiding  of  the  Truth.  2,  The  introduction 
of  ludicrous  sayinn  into  the  pulpit.  8.  The 
railing  acainst  other  mimBten  and  people, 
instep  ofpreaching  Christ. 

(Iv  6«  amended  next  month,) 


EPISTLES  TO  THEOPHILUS. 

Lvrm  Lin. 

Moat  excellent  TheophilnSi  as  yon  are 
now  Ueom0  a  BapHtL  I  inll,  instead  of  going 
on  this  month  with  ttie  *<  Seven  SealBy'^^give 
one,  if  not  two,  short  Spistles  upon  Baftism. 

Now,  there  is  in  each  department  bat  one 
Baptism,  the  baptism  of  Christ's  death,  the 
Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  ahd  the  ordi- 
nance of  Baptism. 

I  will  notice,  first,  the  Baptism  of  Christ's 
death.  Let  us  take  first,  as  omr  guide  in  thia 
matter,  Ps.  xlii.,  every  word  of  which  ia  an- 
swered to  better,  and  more  perfectly  by  what 
the  Saviour  endured,  than  oy  your  own  per- 
sonal experience  and  path;  not  but  the 
Psalm  is  beautifiilly  descriptive  of  the  path 
of  the  real  Christian.  In  truth,  this  42nd 
Psalm,  like  many  others  of  the  Ftalms,  an- 
swers the  double  purpose  of  describing  the 
path  both  of  (he  Saviour,  and  of  the  aoul 
bom  of  Ood.  But  I  ahall  notice  thia  Pealm 
now  chiefly  as  setting  forth  the  path  of  the 
Saviour,  espeeially  his  Baptism;  or,  which 
is  the  same  thing,  his  immernon  into  death. 

"As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water- 
brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O 
Ood."  Who  ever  panted  after  God  as  he  aid? 
Whoever  tiiirsted  as  he  thirsted  for  the  fiv- 
ing  God  ?  Who  ever  longed  to  appear  before 
Goid  as  he  did  ?  and  he  2om  now  appear  be- 
fore God  for  us ;  and  whose  tears  have  ever 
been  their  meat  day  and  night,  as  were  his 
tears ;  and  who  ao  taunted  bj  the  enemy  aa 
he  was,  saying  unto  him  contmnalfy, '  wnere 
lis  thy  Godr  And  when  he  remembered 
'  these  things,  he  poured  out  his  soul  nnto 
I  God.  Ye^  from  his  youth  he  went  with  the 
multitude  to  the  house  of  God ;  with,  the 
multitude  that  kept  holy  day.  Tet^  they 
laid  no  hands  on  him  as  vet,  because  his  time 
was  not  yet  come ;  ana  yet  whoae  aoul  waa 
ever  cast  down  as  his  soul  was  caat  down  } 
What  soul  was  ever  disouieted  as  hia  aool 
was  disquieted }  Infinitely  short  do  we  oome 
in  all  our  castings  down,  and  disquietudea, 
in  comparison  of  his  castings  down  and  hia 
disquietings ;  yet  he  could  not  (as  we  often 
are^  be  moved  fix>m  an  assurance  that  God 
was  his  God.  *  Hope  thou  in  God,'  waa  hia 
own  effectual  command  to  his  own  soul, 
while  he  waa  sur$  of  the  j^v  set  before  him ; 
<  for  I  shall  yet  praiae  him  for  the  help  of  hia 
countenance.'  Yet  he  had  to  go  on  again  to 
more  work,  more  solemn  casting  down, 
when  bis  soul  should  become  exceeding  soiv 
rowftil ;  *no  sorrow  ever  was  or  ever  can 
equal  it ;  yet  he  would  remember  the  God  of 
heaven  and  eartb, '  from  the  land  of  Jordan, 
and  from  the  Hermonites;  from  the  hill 
Mizar,'  or  little  hill. 

Now,  my  good  Theophilus,  if  you  know 
not  tchirs  to  look  for  these  three ^cet  1  will 
shew  you.    Look  then  at  the^Saviour  as  just 

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THK  SARTHBV    TS88XL, 


59 


into  tile  depAi  dMeriM  In  the 
>  Deep  eelfeth  unto  deep.'  Look 
•t  the  SftTioor  aa  Hke  the  ark,  Jast  begin* 
tag  to  be  fQnonnded  with  the  flood.  See 
haauuity  tremble,  and  *  >weat  great  drops 
•f  blood,  ruling  down  to  the  ground.*  See 
the  fonntaida  of  the  great  deep  aboot  to  be 
broken  np!  See  the  windows  of  hearen 
aboBt  to  be  opened  1  See  him  left  by  him- 
ael/,  like  the  Ark  in  a  ahorelem  aeal  aa 
there  wai  not  another  ark ;  so  there  waa  not 
another  Snrety,  there  waa  not  another  Savioar. 
If  the  one  Ark  fiul,  all  mnat  fhtl ;  so,  if  the 
one  Savionr^  the  only  SaTionr,  '  the  only 
name  given  nnderheafen  whereby  we  must 
be  aaTed,'~ir  he  fafl,  all  must  ftuU  No 
doiaga  omttidt  of  the  Ark  ooold  save  one 
fife;  they  most  be  tfi  the  Ark;  the  Lord 
hiaMelf  most  abut  them  in.  See  then 
tha  flanonr  alone ;  aee  him  by  himself;  and 
than  look  at  the  <Aiw  plaoea  whence  he  en- 
eowveth  himself.  First,  the  land  of  Jor- 
Jn.  But  why  the  Immd  of  JortUmt  Ah! 
here  it  is,  '  when  he  came  np  straightway 
md  •/  tiu  tcaUTf  and  stood  on  dry  land, 
the  hearena  were  opened  unto  him,  and  he 
mw  the  spirit  of  God  descending  like  a  dore, 
and  lighting  npon  him ;  and  lo  fa  roice  from 
heaveot  nj&ng,  this  is  my  beloved  Son  in 
whoaa  I  am  well  pleased.'  This,  then,  is 
one  pinee  that,  aa  Man,  when  he  waa  entering 
the  derpeat  of  all  gnlpha,  that  he  would  re- 
member. *I  will  remember  thee  from  the 
lead  of  Jofdaa.' 

How,  look  alao  at  the  Mount  of  Transflg- 
watioa ;  this  took  place  as  is  evident  in  the 
northern  part  of  Canaan,  here  called  the  land 
ef  the  Hennonites.  Here  then,  there  came  a 
voiee  from  the  excellent  glory, — *  This  is  my 
beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him.'  Then  where 
ahall  we  look  for  the  hill  Mizar,— or  the 
little  hill  aa  the  worda  mean  ?  Where,  I  say, 
dhall  we  look  for  thia  litUe  hill,  but  to  that 
little  kill  en  f^eh  stood  the  Temple  at 
Jerusalem  ?  when  but  a  few  days  before  his 
death,  eCandiny  on  thia  little  hill,  he  said, 
'Father  gloryiff  thy  name;'  then  eame 
there  a  voice  from  heaven,  wpng,  *  I  have 
both  glorified  it,  and  will  gloriff  it  again/ 
(John  xii.  28). 

Thna,  did  Uie  Saviour,  as  man,  remember 
God  the  Father  from  these  three  plaoea,  and 
thase  three  are  all  that  are  recorded,  so 
axaellj  did  he  walk  aa  it  was  written  of  him. 

Ton  will  eee  that  the  opening  of  the 
hssimii  foihtotd  npon  hia  Baptism :  it  was 
when  he  eame  up  out  of  IA#  waUr  that  the 
heavens  were  opened,  aa  a  pledee  of  what 
shonld,  and  what  aetually  did,  ana  does  still, 
fellow  upon  his  immersion  into  those  depths 
which,  to  mere  creature  power,  are  unfath' 
osuble.  Truly,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the 
heavena  were  opened,  and  hare  ncTer  yet 
been  doaed,  and  never  will  be  aa  long  aa 
there  ia  one  sonl  on  earth  thirsting  for  the 
living  and  true  God.    Now,  mind-^esua 


was  not  nmtiMod  in  Jordan,  but  Baptised, 
The  Greek  word  for  sprinkling  ia  raft^ffo ; 
the  Greek  word  for  imnurMion  is  baptixo. 
Now,  I  say,  the  SaTiour  waa  not  rantiaed 
in  Jordan,  but  baptized.  John  need  not 
eome  to  Enon,  where  there  was  much  water 
toroM^tM,  that  is  to  aprmkle;  but  it  waa 
needful  to  come  to  where  there  was  much 
water  to  Baptize,  that  ia  to  mmerae,  U 
John  had  been  sent  not  to  baptise  but  merely 
to  rantize,  it  would  have  been  quite  needless 
to  go  into  a  river  like  Jordan ;  or  indeed  in- 
to any  river,  merelv  to  rantize,  but  as  he 
waa  sent  to  Bapiiu  he  went  into  the  water 
and  Baptized  in  Jordan«  It  u  not  said  that 
John  came  rantizing,  bnt  baptising.  It  ia 
not  aaid,  he  that  beueveth,  and  is  ranlized 
shall  be  saved,  but,  *  He  that  believetb,  and 
is  baptized  ahall  be  saved."  'Ihe  Saviour 
did  not  send  his  apostles  to  teach  all  nations, 
ranticing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Eternal 
Three,  bnt '  hapiuina  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.'  The  Eunneh  did  not  sav  to  Philip, 
aee  here  is  water,  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be 
rmUtMid }  but,  *  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be 
baptised.'  It  is  not  said  of  the  three 
thousand,  that  they  that  gladly  received 
the  word  were  ranttMed,  but  bttpttMed,  In  a 
word,  no  where  in  the  New  Testament  do 
we  find  a  oommand  to  raniiUf  but  to  baptite. 
And  so  much  did  the  Saviour  himself  think 
even  of  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  that,  not 
only  he  himself  submitted  to  it,  but  had  in  so 
doing  the  presence  and  teatimony  of  the 
Father  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Nor  ia  thia 
in  one  sense,  much  to*  be  wondered  at,  for 
*  the  Lord  delighteth  in  meroy,'  and  it  waa 
by  the  Saviour  standing  in  our  place,  in  his 
immersion  into  death,  tnat  merey  *  over  the 
gnilty  reigna.'-  And  tliia  immersion  of  the 
Saviour  into  death  ia  one  of  those  tbinga 
signified  by  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 

Therefore,  yon  can  but  feel  justified  in  the 
atep  you  have  taken ;  yon  have  the  word  of 
God,  the  example  of  GJnrist  himself,  the  testi- 
mony of  the  Father,  and  the  presence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  on  your  side ;  and  for  you  now  to 
turn  from  it,  would  be  to  turn  your  baek 
upon  Christ* a  example,  it  would  be  to  turn 
away  from  that  which  Christ,  God  the 
Father,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  delighted  to 
sanction.  An  ordinance  thus  Divinely  prac- 
tised, thus  Divinely  owned  and  sanctioned, 
and  trebly  consecrated.  **  Not  eveij  one  that 
saith  Lord,  Lord,  ahall  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven ;  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my 
Father,  which  is  in  heaven.*' 

But,  let  us  come  back  again  to  our  42nd 
Psalm :  a  Psalm  that^  every  real  christian 
knows  something  experimentally  o(^  but  not 
so  perfectly  as  did  the  Sariour,  even  with  us 
deep  sometimee  calleth  unto  deep.  A 
deceitful  heart  within,  and  trials,  deep  trials, ' 
and  temptations  without ;  how  often,  have 
these  10  awallowed  na  up,  th|it  everything 

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THX  XAATHBX  YlMBIL. 


mmt^uim. 


Qodl J  and  tpaifml  lecmi  orenrhaliiiad  and 
lott,  and,  aa  it  ware,  (mboarda»  «r  on  brokan 
maoea  of  the  ahip  we  agajb  get  aafe  to  land, 
bat  we  have  nethinr  to  bout,  azaapt  that 
aoddat  it  all  the  Lora  holdeUi  oar  mm  in  Ut^ 
and  ia£RBrath  not  onr  foot  iktallj  to  be 
mof ed.  What  wonld  have  beoome  of  Peter 
on  the  lea,  if  the  Lord  had  not  bean  there 
with  him?  So  here,  in  Ghzirtf a  Baptiam  into 
death,  ia'deep  ealUng  unto  deep;  all  thy 
waTsa  and  thy  biUowa  are  gone  o?er  me.' 
Doea  not  thia  look  Tenr  mneh  more  like 
SopHtmgihvkratrtmnpt  Here  itwaathe 
waten  were  ffathered  together  into  mm  plaet ; 
theerimeaoi  ^aat  and  latore  agea  met  on 
him,  all  penaltiea  doe  thereto,  met  on  him; 
tnxly  these  were  noiiy  billowa,  mighty 
waTea,  and  terriflo  waterqK>iiti;no  lorijp- 
tnreaara  aodiffleolt  to  opennp,  or  amplify 
aa  thoie  which  relate  to  what  the  Sanonr 
endured.  Well  may  the  Bavionr  ny  to 
Peter  upon  this  matter,  *Thon  canst  not 
follow  me  now,'  but  let  die  mystery  be 
deep  as  it  may,  one  thing  we  know,  and 
that  ia  that  he  hath  (U^  10,}  drisd  thia 
sea,  these  waters  of  this  great  deep,  and  hath 
made  those  d^ths  throngh  whiao  he  passed 
a  way  for  the  ranaomed  to  nasa  orcr ;  so  that 
while  there  was  sea  left  to  drown  the 
^yptians,  and  so  there  are  left  sin  and 
wratn  to  cbrown  thoae  in  perdition  who  die  in 
their  sins.  Yet,  while  tnerewas  sea  left  to 
drown  the  Egyptians,  yet  the  Israelites,  in 
pasBiii||;  throngh  the  sea  werenot  even  rantised 
or  sprmUed ;  for  the  waters  wers  a  wall  to 
them  on  either  side.  They  were  immened 
in  the  sea  and  in  the  dond,  but  not  in  a  way 
for  the  sea  to  tonch  them*  The  flood  could 
not  touch  them  who  were  in  the  Ark  *,  it  ii 
the  ark  that  encountered  and  overcame  the 
flood  :  so  here  it  was  the  power  and  presence 
of  the  Lord  that  dried  up  the  sea.  It  waa 
the  Xx>rd  that  carried  tiie  Israelites  safely 
throngh  it :  so  the  Safionr  carries  his  people 
safely  through  ;  they  were  one  with  him,  and 
were,  ahall  I  say  nlatiTely,  Baptised  with 
him,  yet  not  in  a  way  that  touched  them* 

Thu  then  ia  the  way,  and  that  you  may 
walk  flrmly  therein  ia  the  aineare  prayer  of 
A  Ijttlb  Oxa. 

No.  ni. 

'*  Wo  Jkaoe  iki$  troamnre  fo  oarikom  om- 
teU,^  &e^  &c  These  are  the  words  with 
which  I  commenced  this  ▼olome,  and  with 
which  I  commenced  another  year  in  the 
miniatry  of  the  Goepel ;  and  certainly  I  have 
found  the  truth  of  tnoie  precious  words  which 
the  steward  in  Joseph's  house  addressed  unto 
the  SODS  of  Jacob  wnen  they  stood  trembling 
.before  him — ^he  said  unto  them— 'Peace  be 
'to  you :  fear  not :  jMwr  Ood,  and  the  Qod  of 
you  ftither,  bath  ^Hmh  fou  troaoure  m  pour 
$aek§,*  Joseph's  steward  had  learned  better 
things  of  his  Master  than  many  of  the  pro- 
fessed stewards  hare  done  in  our  day  ;    the 


feeling  of  this  man  was  like  one  of  the 
ancients^— who  said—*  HU  fitbU''miitdod  sMist 
nai  he  enuked;  tkeaf  tmui  be  oomfarUd^  fie< 
eaOiA&Md ;'  and  thu  calls  up  in  my  mind  a 
drcamstance  of  very  recent  occurence,  pror- 
ing  that  the  sweet  Steward,  (or  AdTocate,— 
the  Comforter,  or  Dispenser  of  New  Corenant 
Meroise)  in  our  8]^tnal  JoanPR'a  bouse,  does 
not  (aUf  to  give  us  Treaewre  in  onr  sacks. 

I  had  pMsed  through  a  week  wherein 
Watts's  passiTc  <£•<*  waa  turned  into  a 
poeiUvo ;  and  I  did  aay— 

*  Cares  like  a  wild  deluge  haee  ccme. 
And  sorrows  like  storms  have  descended.' 

Saturday  night  airived ;  weary  and  worn- 
down  in  spirit— knowing  I  had  three  times  to 
preach  the  next  day— and  my  sack  as  empty 
as  could  be,  I  sat  down  to  read  the  Bible. 
My  eye  fell  upon  Isaiah  vii.  I  read  and 
retired  to  rest:  but  after  a  short  time,  sleep 
refodng  to  comfort  me— and  heavy  anzietiea 
rolling  over  me;  the  word  whish  the  Lord 
commanded  Isaiah  to  speak  to  Abas,  'in  thar 
highway  of  the  fullers  field,'  came  to  my 
mmd,  ^ Take  heed,  mtd  he  s«M/  fear  naif 
neither  hefaini-hearted*  fe, #c.  Thia  waa 
about  three  o'dook  on  the  Sundav  morning; 
I  arose,  went  down  to  my  study,  looked  into 


morning  and  afternoon  of  that  day  I  found 
some  of  the  ridiest  treasure  in  my  poor  sack 
that  ever  mortal  man  could  e^Jov.  In  the 
morning  I  wept  and  shouted  too,  wnile  preach* 
ing  from  Zephaniah's  text—*  Se  trill  reet  im 
Rie Loves'   or,  *  B«  eUeni  heeameeef  Sia 

Bel 


lovej  And  in  the  afternoon,  *  Ify 
iemine;  and  hie  deeire  ie  toward wte,*  Oh! 
Christian  brethren !  how  true  it  is,  of  all  God'a 
real  sent  servants.  'We  have  thie  treaeura 
in  earthen  veeeeUi  that  the  e^celleneg  of 
the  power  might  be  (seen  and  known  to  be)  of 
Qod ;  and  not  qf  ne  P  And  how  good  to  a 
poor  minister's  soul  it  is,  to  have  that  promiee, 
realized,  '  It  ehall  he  in  pm  ae  a  weU  of 
water,  eprimging  np  into  eeerlaettng  liftf 
Here  are  three  blessings  in  one  promise: 
— First,  the  Word  of  Life  is  •»««;  inournew 
and  heaven-bom  souls.  Secondly,  it  is  there 
aa  a  deep  well ;  not  a  shallow  or  surface  soft 
of  thing  which  the  scorching  heat  of  peraeeu* 
tion  or  temptation  can  dry  up ;  which  the 
cares  of  this  world  might  choke  or  stop  up. 
Thirdly,  the  promise  says,  *  epriuffinff  np 
into  everlaeUng  l\feP  Oh,  glorious  truth  I 
At  the  veiT  outset  of  my  conversion,  the 
Prince  of  Peace,  by  the  direction  of  the 
lawgiver,  diaged  deep  into  my  heart;  so 
that,  near  thirty  years  since,  the  love  of 
Christ  in  my  neart,  would  so  overflow, 
that  I  could  soarcety  speak  of  bim,  or 
pray  to  him,  in  public  or  private,  but  my 
feeungs  would  over-power  me.  This  is  weil 
known  to  some  now  living.  After  my  first 
love  had  passed  oS,  as  reauds  its  eftrvesdng 
outbursts,  and  some  hard  winters  came  upon 
me,  I  thought  the  well  was  dried  up  indeed ; 
but,  not  so;  it  was  sunk. deeper  still;  *We 
haTC  this   treasure  in  earthen  vessels.' 

So  many  good  brethren  have  come  crowding 
into  the  YBaanL  this  month  I  the  Printer  can 
find  no  more  room  for  me  ;  but  not  monUi  I 
am  te  have  more  space.      /  vjOOV^^ 


I.  !«$».] 


TBI   EARTHSM    YBSSBL. 


61 


TRUE    FAITH,    AND    ITS    COUNTERFEIT. 

Bt  Mb.  B.  WALB, 

Pastob  of  thb  Baptist  Chuiich,  Bbaoibo,  Bbbbs. 


are 


Thb  Ibnowing  vei^tr  and  important  pa- 
ir apcn  *  Faith  and  its  Connterfeit/  was  de- 
iTeced  in  a  speecli  at  the  last  annual  meeting 
of  the  E^BTHBV  YsB8Bi«  by  Hr.  6.  Wale,  of 
BaadiBg.  It  was  listened  to  with  hraathleiB 
attaBtioB  hj  apwards  of  a  thowuwd  heareta. 
▲i  tho  eeiwUwoBy  a  numitet  appearaofle  of 
BKiifcatiini,  pbMoio,  and  aBrpriie,  ww 
vaiblo  aaMBgit  both  the  people  and  tiie  min- 
who  heard  it  More  tnan  one  person, 
in  the  meeting  asking  to  have  it  pnb- 
Mr.  James  Wells,  (the  chairman} 
qpfOiBod  himself  jerj  warmlj  towards  Mr. 
wafey  and  hoped  it  would  Se  found  forth- 
•ooing.  Mr.  Wale  has  kindly  oomplied; 
nd  we  htte  furnish  our  xeaden  with  the 

Mr.  Geeige  Wyvd^afeplf  to  thia  addrsas, 
w  hope  lo  notice ;  and  to  uwert  some  por- 
tiav  of  Mr.  WyaRTapaper  on « jwtifleatfoa.' 

I>HAB  Bbotitbb  BijrKa— At  the  earnest 
reooeet  of  brother  WeOs,  yowiel^  and  many 
ethar  mimaterial  brettiren,  prewnt  at  the 
aneetmg  vhere  the  aeooeapanynuc  speech  was 
deiiwed,  I  send  yon  the  snbetance  of  it,  as 
iv  as  I  am  able  to  reeall  it^  for  pablication  in 
Tbb  BABffSBB  VBasBXi.  The  importance 
ef  the  snbjeet  of  which  it  treats  can  hardly  be 
eaagccfmted,  cmiaideTins  the  entmeoos  Tiews 
whra  are  entertaifled  eoneerning  it ;  the  diffi- 
cvl^r  «f  tfeatiBg  it  deariy  and  sat^Gftotorily  in 
ae  tmnted  a  epeee,  mar  be  better  understood 
fkan  deeeribed.  Hew  it  has  been  aooomplirii- 
ed,  I  mast  leave  your  readers  to  deeioe.  I 
remaiB,  meet  cordially  yours, 

Beadiag,  Jan.  86, 1(950.  B.  Walb. 

Mb.  Ckaisxait,  abd  Chbistiab  F&ibnd6. 
ne  subject  allotted  to  the  speakers  at  the 
preeent  meeting,  is '  the  Beligious  I4teratare 
of  the  Age/  In  the  short  space  of  ten 
minutes  or  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  which  is  the 
utmost  len^  of  time  I  am  expected  to  take, 
it  win  be  impossiblB  for  me  to  do  more  than 
to  touch  upon  OH4  ot  its  leading  characteristics 
teoTing  its  oither  features  to  be  taken  up  by 
succoring  speakers. 

In  adopttx^r  this  course,  I  shall  single  out 
one  of  ita  fkidamffUal  charseteristics.  some- 
thing which  amid  all  its  shades  of  differ- 
CBoe,  on  minor  points,  penrades  the  whole, 
and  which  being  fundamental,  is  the  comer 
stone  OB  which  the  whole  buuding  rests.  I 
xefer  to  its  Tiews  aifaUhf  as  constantly  pub- 
lished and  enforced.  Tuth  has  to  do  with 
oar  jastificatian  before  Qad;  practically  and 
ezperimentally  realixed,  it  inroWes  an  ao- 
omttanoe  at  Qod*s  bar  of  judgment;  and 
tne  happineas  of  eternity. 

How,  eiTOiieotts  tIows  of  that  fiith,  whiob 


lies  at  the  bottom  of  all  vital  godliness,  is  a 
fault  in  the  foundation,  and  threatens  the 
ultimate  fall  and  entire  destruction  of  that 
building  which  is  reared  upon  it;  and  this 
fiiult  we  charge  home  upon  the  general  Beli- 
gious literature  of  the  age^  and  that  almost 
without  exception. 

What  is  the  one  prevailing  £Mture  of  that 
Literature?  Bead  any  of  our  religious  pe- 
riodicals, any  of  our  great  rdigious  books, 
or  the  reported  sermons  of  our  most  popular 
preachers,  and  what  is  the  one  thing  that  you 
nnd  repeated  again  and  again,  ad  nau9$am  t 
Is  it  not  exhortations  to  Indiscriminate  read- 
ers, and  to  indiscriminate  congregations,  to 
'beHeve!  believe!  believe!  have  fidth?' 
IWng  up  a  pamphlet  the  otiier  day,  written 
by  an  Independant  minister,  my  eye  just 
caught  the  closing  sentence,  'aml^MUeve  and 
Aeaom  U  ponr^,'  and  yet  in  the  whole  of  that 
pamphlet  there  was  no  attempt  to  explain 
what  that  faith  was. 

Now,  this  want  of  discrimination,  in  deal- 
ing with  the  fundamental  principles  of  real 
religion,  characterises  and  Titiates  the  whole 
popular  religions  system  and  literature  of  tiie 
aj^.  Men  are  absurdly  urged  to  possess  that 
faith  which  is  exclusively  the  ^\ft  of  God  ! 
The  source  of  this  error  is  the  faihng  to  re- 
ooraise  that  two-fold  f(»Uh  so  manifestly  dea- 
enbed  in  the  book  of  God ;  and  the  distinotion 
between  which  is  so  constantly  maintained* 
Th^re  U  a  faith  fphich  it  wiihin  man*  t  power  / 
there  U  another  faith  which  is  e^etueiveUJf 
GhSegifl,  A  man  may  poseeas  the  former, 
and  not  be  saved ;  while  he  who  poaseases  the 
latter,  can  never  be  lost.  The  latter  has  jus- 
tification and  ealration  attached  to  it,  'being 
Juetifiedhj  {^\h'^  *He  that  heUeoeth  shaD 
be  saved,*  To  the  former,  neither  is  attribu- 
ted. 

That  fhith  which  is  man's  duty,  and  oonse- 
ouently  within  man's  power,  I  would  illustrate 
tnus :  a  Book  lies  on  my  table  called  the  Bi- 
ble; itprofeesestobe  tlie  word  ot  God;  to 
oome  direct  from  heaven|  with  a  message  to 
man ;  to  unfold  and  explain  the  mystery  and 
purpose  of  hia  being  in  tbia  world  and  the 
world  to  oome.  It  is  my  duty  to  examine  its 
pretensions ;  carefully  to  peruse  its  contents ; 
to  see  if  it  be  adapted  to  my  requirements ; 
and  if  convinced  of  these,  to  conform  myself 
to  its  precepts,  and  to  make  it  ever  after  the 
undeviating  rule  of  my  life.  Tet,  where  ia 
the  man  tlutt  has  done  this  ?  Tet  he  who  haa 
not  done  it,  has  neglected  his  duty;  while  he 
who  has  done  it,  may  after  all  only  possess 
that  cold,  li&less,  fruitless  faith,  which  is  in- 
finitely remote  from  the  saving  fkith  of  God's 
elect.  The  fiiith  of  Simom  Magus  was  of 
this  kind.  Acts  viii.  12,  13.  He  continued 
with  Philip,  *  beUeoed*  on,  and  wondered  at 
the  miraoleB  which  he  did ;  yet,  after  all  his 
heUeff  he  was    in  .'  the   gall  of  bitterness, 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


at 


THB  SAKTHBH   TE8SSL. 


i]ianhl,lU», 


and  tbe  bond  of  iniamtr/  Snch  also  seems 
to  hftTe  been  the  faitn  or  tboee  spoken  of  in 
2nd  chanter  of  St.  John's  Qospel,  Teree  28, 24 : 
**  nuuBT  Deliered  on  Jesus  when  they  saw  the 
miraeles  which  he  did ;  but  he  did  not  oommit 
himself  unto  them,  beokose  he  knew  what  was 
in  man  :"— had  their's  been  a  faith  of  his  own 
implanting,  he  would  not  have  hesitated  to 
haTO  committed  himself  to  them.  This  spuri- 
ous faith  is  opposed  in  all  its  essential  features 
to  that  faith  which  is  tbe  nft  of  God.  Strik- 
inglj  does  the  Bedeemer  illustrate  this  in  the 
parable  of  the  sower ;  (Luke  riii.  13,)  'Thej 
on  the  rook  are  thej,  which  when  thej  hear, 
receive  He  word  MtUk  jog ;  these  hare  no 
root,  and  ybr  a  while  beuoTe,  and  in  time  of 
temptation  fail  away/  Kow,  here  Christ  des- 
cribes this  dead  and  spurious  faith  by  a  three- 
fold obaraoteristio — 

1st.  It  receives  ike  word  with  fojf  ; 
2nd,  It  is  a  temporary^  faith ;  it  endures  but 
for  a  while;  that  is  in  its  practical  effect. 

3rdy  It  cannot  endure  temptation,  test,  or 
trial.  This  false  faith  too,  is  only  seated  in 
the  head;  it  is  a  mere  intellectual  assent  to 
the  truths  of  the  Bible.  The  devils  them- 
aelves  possess  it ;  they  are  said  to  *  believe.' 
It  is  a  faith  indeed  that  may  be  productive  of 
a  oerfcain  amount  of  seal  and  activity,  and 
carry  its  possessor  up  to  the  «m  gate  of  heo" 
«Mi,  hut  no  farther.  This  is  illustrated  by 
the  case  of  those  *  workers  of  iniquity,'  des- 
eribed  by  the  Saviour,  who  came  np  to  the 
▼ery  gate  of  heaven,  and  knocking  loudly 
thereat,  unload  their  bales  of  spiritual  mer- 
chandise, and  invite  Christ  himself  to  examine 
them ;  '  Lord,  Lord,  open  to  us.  We  have 
preaiched  in  thy  name;  and  in  thy  name  cast 
out  devils,  and  done  many  wonderA&l  works.' 
*  Lord,  let  us  in.' 

Now  it  is  manifest  that  these  men  were 
helievert  in  Christ ;  preaehere  and  worierei:^ 
many  seemingly  benevolent  works  in  the 
name  of  Christ ;  they  must,  therefore,  have 
had  epeaking  iaith,  and  a  working  faitii,  yet 
it  was  but  a  false  faith;  for  after  all,  they 
were  lost  Now  let  us  oontrast  this  spurious 
faith,  which  is  of  man's  act,  with  that  justify- 
ing faith,  which  is  God's  gift.  The  false  ftith 
.  is  based  on  joy ;  *  They  immediately  receive 
the  word  with ^ladHeee/  Markiv.  16.  Bre* 
Chren  !  not  with  joy  did  your  soul  and  mine 
first  receive  the  word  of  God ;  that  first  word 
6f  God  to  every  awakened  sinner  is  a  word  of 
oonbietion.'  guilt  charged  home  upon  the 
conscience,  and  that  brincn  no  'joy '  with  it, 
but  much  of  sorrow  and  of  anguish.  When  the 
Phllippian  Jailer  eried  out, '  wnat  must  I  do  to 
be  saved  P*  he  came  in  *  tremblings'  not  rejoic- 
ing. When  three  thousand  were  converted 
by  Peter's  sermon,  they  were  said  first  of  all 
to  be  *  pricked  in  their  hearts.'  that  is  to  say, 
they  had  sharp  convictions  of  sin.  So  Paul 
says,  that  when  '  the  commandment  came,  sin 
revived ;'  stood  out  in  all  its  hideousness  and 
condemningpower— 'andl  died.'  The  first 
word  that  God  speaks  home  with  power  to  the 
ooqscienoe  of  a  sinner,  has  a  three-fold  effect : 
it  makes  the  man  feel  the  guilt  and  burden  of 
Sin,  the  spirituality  and  inflexibility  of  God's 
law,  and  his  own  inability  to  get  rid  of  ihe 


one,  or  to  faliil  the  other;   and  neither  of 
these  nan  be  produetiTe  of  'joy.' 

The  second  charaeteristie  of  a  spnriona  faith, 
is  that  it  is  *  temporary' — endures  bat  for  a 
while;  while  the  faith  of  God's  eleet  is  aa 
abiding  faith.  *Now  abideth  these  three 
faith.' fte.    1  Cor.  xiii.  18. 

The  third  feature  of  this  fidse  ftith  is— thai 
in  time  of  temptation  it  fidls  away.  When 
the  hour  of  trial  comes,  it  perishes.  Not  so 
with  a  living  fisith  :  Abraham's  fidth  lived  for 
near  thirty  years  on  God's  bare  promise,  with 
all  appearances  against  him  ;  he  was  seventy- 
five  years  old  when  he  received  the  promiae, 
that  in  his  seed  should  all  the  fiunilies  of  the 
earth  be  bleased;  and  ha  waa  a  hundred  yean 
old  when  Isaac  was  bom.  (Compare  Gen.  zii. 
4,  with  Gen.  xxL  6)  The  ^th of  God's  im- 
planting lives  through  all  the  temptationa  thai 
Satan  can  bring  to  bear  upon  it ;  and  all  the 
trials  with  whieh  God  may  test  it ;  and,  like 
Job,  its  language  is,  '  Though  he  slay  me, 
yet  will  I  trust  in  him.*  Tms  fiuth  is  called 
*the  victory  that  overeometh  the  world;' 
while  the  spuriooafidth  is  overcome  by  the 
world;  it  endures  bni  for  a  while ;  the  Ihlae 
fiuth  is  seated  in  the  head;  the  tme  fbith,— 
justifying  fisith,-*ia  seated  in  the  heart: 
*  With  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteooa* 
ness  ;"  that  is,  up  to  righteousness— Christ'a 
righteousness,  reaches  forth  ita  hand  to  thai  and 
takes  hold  of  that :  henoe,  it  is  called  |o  "^ 
ing faith;  not  that  the  met  of  faith  is  jn 

ing,  but  the  oijeet  of  which  faith  lava  ] 

that  is  Christ  and  his  finished  work.  And  here 
again,  this  true  faith  differs  tmm  the  false  ia 
its  oUeet,  Tbe  otrieet  of  whieh  tbe  false  fiuth 
lays  hold  is  the  sAfetift  ike  groee.  Bat  the 
true  faith  lays  hold  of  Gftrisi  ^Pfoi^Sf-  Noi 
that  it  rejectaany  part  of  the  Bible,  but  re- 
oeiveaitallaatheinfaUiUewordof  God;  bai 
in  the  neeial  matters  of  justifieation  and  sal- 
vation, it  has  to  do  with  Christ  alone.  For 
instance :  I  believe  that  Judas  betrayed  Chriai; 
and  that  Peter  denied  him ;  but  tAere  ia  no- 
thing in  that  whidi  can  justify  me  before  God. 
For  parpoesa  of  justifioation  ead  aalvation 
I  must  have  a  faith  that  believes  tip  fodrM'e 
r^A^eoNSiMss,  and  stops  not  short  of  the  fall 
appropriation  of  that  righteonaneaa.  Henee^ 
faith  IS  sometimes  compared  to  an  eye,  a  fbot, 
a  hand;  it  is  compared  to  an  eye,  for  it  ia 
called,  *  looking  unto  Jesus;'  to  afoot,  *we 
walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight;  to  a  hand» 
•let him  take  hold  of  my  strength,  and  he 
shall  make  peace  with  me.' 

This  liring  fidth  too,  (for  that  mutt  be  a 
'living  faith' which  can ' see,' ' walk,'  and 
'take hold,')  differs  firom  the  spurious  fkith, 
not  only  in  its  object  but  in  its  vatubs  and 
B79BCT8.  It  IS  caUcd  <justifyin|:  faith.' 
Why  P  Because  it  brings  a  sense  of  j  ustifica- 
tion  with  it;  otherwise  there  is  no  meaning  in 
the  name.  But  what  is  justification  t  lAier- 
allg,  it  is  a  sentence  of  acquittal,  to  be  pro- 
nounced at  tbe  bar  of  judgment,  by  the  Jud^pe 
himself,  innocent— just— justified  SpirU^ 
ually,  to  be  justified— declared  innocent  of  all 
things,  and  chargea  which  Dirine  Justice  had 
brought  against  us,  and  fVom  which  we  oould 
not  M  justified— declared  innocent  by  the  law 


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63 


Bttt  ■enteuM  of  eoQdemnatioii  had 
id  Maintt  ntiiitwo  pUoos;  tli« 
eont  of  Uv,  aaa  tho  ooart  of  conieienoe.  If, 
tkenfm,  I  an  to  be  deUrond  fjtx>in  this  two- 
fold  ooademnatiim,  it  miut  be  bj  a  sense  and 

fesdj 


lee  of  jaitifioation  and  acquittal  mani- 
aad  sensibly  realised,  where  seotenoe  of 


»w/.r»  is  reoorded :  that  is  in  the  oon- 
Heaee,  the  iaith  that  brings  that 
I  of  pardon  with  it,  is  called  justifying 
Its  langosge  is  that  of  the  apostle, 
I  IS  therefore  now  no  oondemnation.' 
Bst  the  apnrioas  faith  never  did  this.  Ne- 
ver brought  home  a  sense  of  pardoned  sin  to 
•BT  oooseieQeB^  mere  belief  in  the  Bible  never 
M  this ;  it  may  prodooe  muoh  of  seal,  much  of 
actini^,  hot  like  that  of  the  workers  of  ini- 
ftMj,  It  is  A  belief >^  righteousnew  (atiempt- 
Uf  to  spin  a  righteousness  out  of  the  £uUi,) 
MM  not  9p  to  righteoiisneM. 
Jnirtiiearirwi  is  God's  way  of  dellTeriitf  a 
r  from  the  oonseqnences  of  his  sins.  Bui 
I  the  one  be  felt,  the  other  will  never  be 
d.  lUl  a  man's  month  is  stopped  before 
6ody  he  Barer  feels  the  neceosity  of  an  Advo^ 
asto  with  the  Father. 

Faith  is  the  flight  of  a  penitent  sinner  to 
God  throogh  Chnst.  But  not  till  a  man 
kMVS  that  the  avenger  of  blood  is  at  his 
'  ,  will '  he  fly  for  refuge  to  the  hope  set 
.'  AaBnieofguilt,andof  (langer, 
tpreoede  the  flight  of  a  soul  to  Jesus 
St.  *  The  whole  need  not  a  physieian, 
Wtth^Hmtanaiek.' 

80 that  to  sum  up:  a  justifying  faith  is 
preeedsd  by,  and  is  based  upon,  a  eonviotion 
of  BBy  aad  sorrow  finr  nn ;  a  revelation  of  the 
apifitnali^,  inflexibility,  and  terrors  of  God's 
law:  aAtfaeedofaSaviour;  and  A  view  of 
dvisLl^i 


the  objaet  of  Ikith  wbieh  ii  Chriit  alone.  And  that 
is  preoiMly  1117  meaninff,  in  wing  the  terms.  I 
em  aaite  sore  that  brother  Wj srd  and  myself  are 
one  in  meaainr,  Uuragh  we  may  diifor  in  forms  of 
I  append  this  note  oat  of  deferenoe  to 


brother  Wyard's  objeetloos,  considering  his  sape. 
rior  age,  and  ministerial  labours,  knowledge  and 
position.  B.  W. 


SPEAKING    AGAINST    THE    HOLY. 

GHOST. 
SoMBTiMBB  the  enemy  of  souls,  with  other 
aocosations  against  poor  sinners  who  are 
made  to  see  their  sad  stete,  and  to  feel  the 
burden  of  sin,  brings  this  in  to  condemn  »* 
that  they  sinned  against  the  Holy  fihost| 
and  there  is  no  pardon  for  them ;  and  some 
of  the  Lord's  people  in  after  experience.  And 
they  are  not  free  from  his  darto  on  the  Bam» 
point ;  and  if  the  Lord  did  not  come  to  their 
nelp,  they  wonld  feel  his  power  too  sinking 
them  in  a  dismal  gloom;  bat  it  is  qaite 
clear,  that  all  who  have  sinned  that  sin  never 
'  mourn  and  groan  on  aoooaot  of  it ;'  and 
when  the  Lord  comes  and  speaks  to  them 
who  are  thus  harrassed,  he  gires  peace,  and 
seals  their  pardon,  and  Satan  is  soon  gone  to 
his  infernal  den.  But  there  is  a  solemn 
truth  spoken  by  our  Lord  Jesus,  that 
demands  onr  notice,  and  of  which  I  fea» 
many  will  be  found  guilty.  He  says, '  10AO- 
tower  tpeakith  offaintt  the  Hohf  GKost,  U 
ihaU  not  be  foryiven  Atm,  neither  in  thie. 
worlds  neither  in  the  world  to  come" 

The  Holy  Ghost  tolls  us  in  the  word,  tha£ 
men  by  natui^  are  dead,  spiritoally  dead. 
How  many  there  are  who  preach,  and  write 
and  flatly  contradict  the  truth.     Is  not  this 
speakinff  against   the  Holy  Ghost?     The 
Holj  Ghost  quickens  to  life  all  whom  th» 
Savioar  bought  with  Ids   precious  blood} 
and,  as  a  consequence,  the  sinner  is  brought 
to  contrition,   confession  and  prayer ;  then^ 
but  not  till  then,  did  ever  one  yet  have  one 
spiritual   emotion,   one   holy  longing  for 
mercy,  or  any  desire  for  Jesus.    And  yet 
poor  sinners  are  told  they  have  the  power,  to 
do  all  this :  **  Go  now  to  Jesus ;"  «*  delav  not 
^.»v..^wxr     ..w.»..».    *,».  »w  another  moment  f — "  you  can  repent  r    Is 
i  a  man  to  possem^t^'luth"  which  is  j  ^®  "^^  ^^  man— 4nd  carnal  men  like  it  too. 
ezelttalvelythegiftofGod,isa  contradiction  1  Bat  is  not  thie  epeaking  againat  the  Hoty 
is  tsras;  and  only  illastrates'the  spiritual   Ohoetf  The  question  is  a  serious  one:  and 

bliadiiesiofthoaewhooandoit.    For,if  faith  ^  •- " ^— ^^ 

be  Ae^ofGod,  can  it  be  my* duty'  to 


I  work  and  righteousnesS|  as  adapted 
to  all  the  vequiremento  and  neoessities  of  the 
Ihe  spurious  faith  is  based  on '  joy,' 
lot  on  eotrow.  It  believes  for  righte- 
,  and  not  wUo  and  nf  torighteousnessL 
The  only  objeet  it  grasps  »  the  Bible  ^m- 
vwllf  ;  and  not  Christ's  work  and  rigbteous- 
nees  epoeiallf,  Itis  ssatedin  the  Asad;  and 
aetinthe  heart.  It  brings  no  power  to  a 
iMsdeoed  eoaoeienee  ;  no  eemee  of  pardon  and 
JBstifleatien  to  a  guilw  sinner.  It  is  the  act 
of  mtm,  and  not  the  gift  of  Qod,  Man  may, 
therefim,  be  exhorted  to  perform  it :   but  to 


It  before  God  gives  it  to  me? 
« .    .-     jj  ij,  „ 

kvlAg' faith 


Wyard  objeoted  to  my  uselog 
Lf jing '  and  *  saving '  faith ;  oon- 
twiHag  that  no  act  of  the  ereatere  conld  be  *sai 


tf 'Jastifjl 


i^'or 


'^aatUying.'  Admittod.  Bat  I  ( 
RsalvadoB  or  jostlfleation  to  the 
at  to  the  objMtof  fkith— that  is 
work,   la  wrttinc  oat  the  soeeeh.  ] 


did  not 
act  of 
Mtfe.  bat  to  the  <rt>jfbt  of  fUth-thak  is  Christ 
amk  his  work,  la  writing  oat  the  speech,  I  woald 
wflflagly  have  used  other  woids  to  express  the 
OHme  tUag,  bat  1  flod  it  impceeible.  And  I  am 
*  to  this  aeoessitf,  beoaase  I  find  the 
Ml  warranted  by  8erlptare:  *  being 
,  1  by  fldth,*  says  the  Apostle  Paul.  Bom.  v. 
1.  lftheretor«,IamJastllledhyfUth,thatwhiieh 
•Jntlfliie»a,masi  be « jostifyiag.'  Again,  'thy 
ftfth  hath  saved  thee,'  sold  Christ;  yet  neither 
ieoas,  nor  Pool,  OMaat  to  say,  that  it  was  the  act 
of  felth,  that  either  •Jnstifled 


I  hope  some  able  correspondenta  mav  take 
it  up,  and  furnish  you  with  their  remarks  ap- 
on  the  same  according  to  the  word  of  God. 

I  knew  a  man  who  made  no  profeuion. 
but  on  hearing  a  preacher  say,  *<  men  could 
repent  and  turn  to  God,  and  believe,  ^.^ 
just  when  they  like,"  he  said  to  me,  •*  that's 
the  preaching  I  like;  I  know  I  caa  da  all 
that  when  I  like ;  and  I  shall  when  1  am 
tired  of  the  worid,  and  ito  pleasures,"  &e. 
Poor  man !  he  is  still  deluded  with  the  false 
hope  such  a  stile  of  preaching  produces. 
May  the  Spirit  quicken  him,  and  defirer  htm 
from  the  dire  deloiion.  Qh  \  ve  Spirit* 
^^  t^nght  servante  of  the  living  God,  exalt  the 
'saved;'  bat '  Spirit!  Speak  largely  of  him.  Aif  Obssetb^ 

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TUB  lARTHSir  YBSSBL. 


[Mtftbl,  Mft». 


THE    COOTESSION 
Dbutibbd  bt 


OF     QEICE 
F.  CoLuan,  at  ins  Public 

AT  HOWB   St^OT,  TLTUOVTA 


EECEIVED. 
BsoooNmoN  AS  Pabtob 


AmB  the  addreM,  the  nibftenoe  of  which 
wai  given  lait  month-^Mr.  F.  Oollint,  in 
answer  to  the  questions  presented  to  him,  by 
0.  W.  Banksy  deliYered  the  following  oon- 
fesrion. 

It  does  at  times  afford  me  forest  encourage- 
inent|  to  review  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
pleasmff  to  the  Lord  to  eall  me  from  darkness 
into  light  and  translate  me  from  the  kingdom 
of  Satan  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son. 
The  earliest  reeoUeotioB  I  know  of  receiving 
fnj  conviction  of  the  reality  of  divine  things, 
was  when  I  was  about  seven  years  of  age. 
About  that  period,  I  was  one  day  in  my  bM- 
room,  when  Buddenly  I  became  convinced  of 
the  solemn  realities  of  eternity.  I  then  felt 
sure  there  was  a  heaven,  and  a  hell,  that  there 
is  a  Ood,  and  a  deviL  Also,  1  was  convinced, 
that  I  had  sinned  against  Qod,  and  if  I  was 
not  forgiven  my  sins,  I  must  perish.  This 
disooTsiT  led  me.  though  a  child,  to  bow  my 
faiee  before  the  liord,  and  seek  by  prayer  tfaie 
forgivenesB  of  my  sins.  The  impression  then 
mside,  never  left  me,  but  continued  to  follow 
me  through  the  days  of  my  youth,  and  under 
the  blessing  of  the  Xord,  was  the  means  of  re- 
straining me  from  those  outward  forms  of 
crime  to  which  otherwise  I  must  have  fisllen 
a  victim' — thus 

'Determined  to  save,  he  watch'd  o'er  my  path, 
While  Satan's  blind  slave,  I  sportea   with 
death.' 

These  impressions  upon  my  juvenile  mind, 
produced  also  a  constraining  effect,  in  leading 
me  to  attend  all  the  public  religious  services 
held  at  th^  church  and  chapel  where  my 
friends  attended,  so  that  I  obtained,  by  way 
of  reproach  fivm  my  school-fellows,  me  name 
of  a  Methodist  At  this  time^  however  I  was 
ignorant  of  my  condition  as  a  sinner  within ; 
the  depth  of  my  inward  iniquity  was  hid  from 
my  sight;  the  spirituality  of  GNmI's  holy 
laWp  I  understood  not;  neither  the  way  by 
which  a  sinner  is  made  just  with  God.  These 
solemn  matters  I  understood  not:  yet  was 
counted  a  veiy  religious  boy. 

About  th^  sge  ofnineteen,  I  became  united 
to  a  religious  Society,  and  then  it  was  that  1 
set  to  work  in  right  earnest  to  work  out  my 
salvation,  for  my  idea  was,  that  my  salvation 
dependedf  upon  mv  doings ;  therefore,  with 
deep  sincerity,  ardent  zeal,  and  diligent  ap- 
plication, I  applied  myself  to  religious  duties 
in  order  to  make  my  calling  and  election  sure ; 
reading  prayers,  watchings,  fastings.  I  fol- 
lowed with  an  samest  decision  of  muia,  seek- 
ing to  acquire  by  my  doimra  that  hoUoess 
which  would  make  me  meet  for  heaven, — and 
as  much  calculated  upon  reaching  heaven  bv 
those  doings,  as  I  did  upon  the  s\m's  fuT* 
tilling  its  (uumal  course.  My  convictions  of 
sin  at  this  time  were  light,  and  the  leprosy 


of  my  nature  hut  as  a  soab  npon  the  sonra; 
there  was  no  spreading,  but  little  acute  pain  ; 
no  opening  off  the  fountains  within,  so  that 
with  my  religious  doingti,  I  began  to  grow 
into  ndghl^  consequence  with  myself  uid 
was  not  a  httie  petted  by  those  with  whom  I 
was  associated.  The  assiduous  appfieatfoit 
of  my  mind  to  my  duties,  soon  recommended 
me  as  a  young  man  adapted  for  uscAilnesa, 
so  that  shortly  I  was  called  utxm  to  fill  se* 
vetal  ofilces  in  the  SooietT,  and  was  sent  oog 
into  the  neighbouring  viOages  in  order  to  ex* 
hort  sinners  to  i^pentanee,  and  shew  flie  way 
of  salvation;  this  I  did  in  great  sincority  of 
mind,  though  at  that  time  I  was  ignorant  of 
the  depth  of  my  own  ruin,  the  deep  depravity 
of  my  own  nature,  the  entire  hel|4essnes8  of 
my  soul  in  spiritual  things.  Thus  I  grew  up 
a  self-righteous  phaiisee ;  a  pharisee  of  the 
strictest  sect ;  the  doetrmes  off  grace  I  regsrrd- 
edas  dangerous  and  blasphemous^  and  the 
people  who  professed  them  as  a  people  abore 
all  things  to  be  avoided.  But  it  was  the 
Lord's  gradoua  purpose  that  this  self-right*, 
eons  devil  should  not  cheat  me  out  of  my 
spiritual  inheritance,  nor  hold  me  back  froni 
Christ  as  my  salvation. 

During  these  years,  many  times  the  question 
arose  in  my  breast.— what  is  the  ground  of 
my  hope  P— I  have  been  exhorting  others  to 
go  to  heaven,  if  death  should  come,  where 
should  I  ffoP  This  led  me  to  review  nay 
duties,  ana  the  maimer  in  which  they  had 
been  performed ;  and  perceiving  much  tluit 
was  imperfect,  a  heavy  sigh  would  break 
forth  from  my  breast,  for  fear  would  take 
hold  upon  mej  still  1  tried  to  quiet  thoee 
fears,  and  satisfy  these  enquiries,  by  pro* 
mising  to  do  better,  and  resolves  to  be  more 
prayerful,  &o :  but  the  question  would  con* 
tinue  to  trouble  me,  neither  could  I  ever  get 
satisfaction  from  my  repeated  attempts  to  do 
better,  but  rather  grew  worse  and  worse;  the 
famine  increased  in  the  land;  the  mysteiy  of 
iniqui^  within  was  more  and  more  devel- 
oped ;  corruptions  which  I  suppose  had  been 
dead,  sprang,  forth  fh>m  their  hiding-placea, 
and  wiUi  violent  power  worked  in  me  to  over- 
flowing ;  the  devil,  with  great  power  set  in 
upon  me ;  my  religion  failed  me ;  my  free- 
will powers  were  found  wanting ;  all  efforts; 
and  they  were  not  a  few,  to  oahn  down  my 
boiling  nature  were  fruitless.  Beep  "^(p*^*!! 
filled  my  soul— refUge  failed  me — ^my  hiiqui- 
ties  compassed  me  about — and  the  pains 
of  hell  gat  hold  upon  me.  In  a  pit  of  horrors 
was  I  and  my  feet  in  mire  ana  clav ;  fiery 
assaults  from  the  adversary  continued  to  aaaail 
me ;  a  powerftil  temptation  for  sotoe  months 
followed  me,  to  diBoelieve  the  truth  of  the 
Bible :  the  reality  of  religion,  or  the  being 
of  a  God.  A  principle  wiUiin  sided  with  the 
temptation,  so  that  on  one  occaaion  I  went  to 


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«5 


a  BookMlkf^  thop  in  the  (Sty  of  Bristol,  and   dentood,  though  I  had  never  heard  it  hefore; 
*  "*  *  *  it  wai  to  me  quite  a  new  dialect ;  bat  it  eidted 

my  oaM ;  and  though  not  delirered  firom  my 
bonds,  yet  with  deep  feeling  my  soul  would 
say,  if  these  things  be  true,  then  there  is  hope 
for  me.  Nerertheless,  1  was  still  in  bondage ; 
neither  could  I  lift  up  my  head :  m^  oon- 
seienoe  was  wounded,  and  my  sore  ran  in  the 
night  season.  My  language  was  '  I  go  mourn- 
ing all  the  day ;  my  wounds  stink  and  are 
corrupt  through  my  foolishness ;'  the  night  of 
darkness  was  long,  and  very  dark.  But  the 
days  of  my  distress  were  numbered,  and  in 
due  time  the  morning  light  appeared.  One 
sabbath  etening,  in  great  bondage  of  mind,  I 
repaired  to  the  tabernacle,  as  I  had  been  wont 
to  do ;  out  of  the  dust  my  soul  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  *  O  God,  delirer  me.'  On  that  evening 
I  was  put  into  a  seat  in  the  gallery  on  the 
right  hand  of  the  tabernacle.  Mr  Wella 
ehose  for  his  tett,  *  By  terrible  things  in  right- 
eousness wilt  thou  answer  us,  0  God  of  our 
salvation ;  who  art  the  confidence  of  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  and  of  all  them  that  are  upon 
the  sea.'  As  the  minister  opened  up  the  deal- 
ings of  Gk>d  with  his  people,  by  terrible  things 
the  word  entered  into  my  heart  with  divine 
power.  I  felt  a  sweet  melting  of  soul.  My 
stubborn  unbefief  gave  way,  and  the  chains  of 


Infidel  pnbiieations,  in 
order,  if  piiBsible  to  take  refuge  there.  Fesrful 
pvcdpiee !— 4ny  soul  shndden  now  at  the 
theoghi— hut  the  Lord  would  not  soiTer  me 
to  be  swallowed  up  in  that  pit  j  <  Bless  the 
Latd,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me 
bless  his  hmy  name^'  for  when  I  bought  my 
id  began  to  read  them,  the  fire  of 
k  so  burnt  m  me  against  their  Ues, 
'lying  imputatioiiB  against  the  desr  ser- 
'  I  of  the  Lord,  the  writers  of  Beriptuie, 
tiiat  I  fisH  eoBStrained  at  onee  to  eensign 
them  to  the  flstmes ;  nevertheless,  my  inwud 
miisMji  ooIt  inereaaed,  the  holy  Umt  of  God 
was  ferealed  in  its  spirituality,  and  univer- 
ssiity,  emit,  bondage,  fear  and  wrath  filled  my 
BouL  The  temptatkn  thstt  I  was  given  m> 
of  God— that  Iwasa  reprobate— and  that  it 
would  be  best  for  me  to  ceaee  to  live  than 
te  eootinae  in  soeh  misery,  foBowed  me  day 
after  day.  The  anguish  of  heart  I  then  telt, 
b  beyond  deseription.  At  times,  I  have  felt 
the  auaerable  tempter  at  my  very  side,  when 
iisMMif  the  water,  saying,  *  why  net  make  an 
e^or  it?'  Hterally  fonaiagme  to  the  awftU 
deed, — ao  that  1  have  felt  my  flesh  to  creep, 
and  my  hair  to  move  aa  eieet.  But  here 
aka,  acaia,  the  Lord  graeiously  preserved 


I  did  not 


;    my  soul 
I  of  my  sal* 


not  suffer  the  enemy  to  take  advan- 1  bondage  were  rent  asBunder :  tears  copiously 
tage  over  me.  *  O  then  magnify  the  Lord  flowed ;  and  as  the  nature  of  God's  salvation 
with  ma,  and  let  us  exalt  his  name  together,  wss  stated.  1  plainly  saw  the  God  of  Israel 
I  waa brought  low,  and Uie  Lord  helped  me.'  was  my  God  and  mv  Saviour; 
Baring  ttns  long  and  painftil  struggle,  I  did  triumphed  in  the  Lord,  the  God 
obtain  on  eevend  oeeasions,  relief  from  the  |  vation. 
Lard.  Onee  when  in  great  distress  of  mind,  |  Tbe  preacher  looking  me  in  the  face,  ob- 
thie  Seriptare  eame  with  great  foree  te  my  j  served,  '  I  know  I  am  preaching  to  some  one 
relief:  *  There  shall  go  forth  a  deliverer  out  present'  My  heart  responded,  *  It  is  I—I 
of  Son,  who  shall  turn  away  ungodliness  \  know  yon  are  too.'  A  precious  peace  perva- 
firam  Jaeob.'    I  felt  that  I  was  tbe  ungodly  ,  ded  my  whole  soul.     Blood  —  we  precious 

.  •  .^„^_..  ... .  , * blood  of  the  Lamb— was  applied.    The  than. 

deiv  of  Sinai  silenced ;  the  terrors  of  the  law 


This  greatly  relieved  me  on  several  oeeasions, 
and  emjwii  egeil  me  to  hope  the  day  of  deliver- 
aiee  would  eome  for  me,  in  Gh>d's  own  time. 
A  little  book  also  fell  into  my  hands,  which 
was  made  of  ssrviee  to  me  at  this  time,  called 
the  Cealheaver's  Oenain.  I  read  thui  book 
with  many,  ■uny  tean;  it  encouraged  me 
te  hope  my  day  or  dehveranee  woukl  eome. 

It  was  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Lord  in  his 
providsnee  to  direet  my  feet  to  London.  I 
was  in  great  distress,  after  arriving  there, 
I  was  then  180  miles  from  my  family,  and 
destitute  of  all  means  to  carry  me  back :  yet 
thateirevmetance,  which  might  be  regaraed  as 
a  gieat  calamity,  was  made  the  means  by  Qod 
or  my  remaining  in  London  i^  for  I  knew  no 
ooa^  and  no  one  knew  me.  But  in  this  state 
of  aoHtade  in  the  great  metropolis,  a  gentle- 
man met  me  who  a  short  time  be^re,  was  at 
my  heme  in  the  country.  This  was  a  kind 
for  he  kindly  recommended  me 


te  a  Mitleiiian,  a  friend  of  hu,  who  instead  of 
aappmng  me  money  for  my  return,  presented 
me  the  offer  of  a  situation  in  London,  which 
I  aeeepted.  I  had  not  been  long  in  London, 
befere  another  fHend  took  me  with  him  to 
the  Surrey  Tabernacle ;  and  it  was  here  that 
I  flist  hand  my  case  opened  up,  and  where 
the  preeioua  doctrines  of  grace  first  reached 
BIT  eaiB ;  my  soul  was  much  taken  with  what 
I  haard ;  ma  language  ef  the  preaoher  I  un- 


subsided:  satanwas  bruised.  The  bursting 
waters  or  a  precious  Christ  filled  my  heart! 
charmed  my  every  fear;  then  could  I  say 
with  rapture,  *  Us 'mouth  is  most  sweet ;  yea, 
he  is  altogether  lovely.  This  i»  my  beloved, 
and  this  is  my  firieud,  0  daaghters  of  Jeru- 
salem.' 

When  Mr.  Collins  had  ooncladed  hie  an-' 
■weis— 'Which  were,  in  every  sease^  aatisfec- 
tory:  and  ezpresrive  of  a  mind  thoroughly 
imbued  with  a  saered  and  savoury  knowledge 
of  the  graee  of  the  gospel,  and  of  every 
hftmoh  of  divine  tnith,  answers  which  com- 
nended  them89lves  to  the  oensciences  of  the 
ehurch  and  Christian  friends  present ;  after 
this,  the  lervice  was  adjourned  until  the 
evening:  brother  Westlake,  of  Devonport, 
read  and  expounded  the  scriptures  in  an  able 
manner ;  and  pleaded  very  powerfully  at  the 
Throne  of  Graoe.  A  large  oompany  took  tea; 
all  appeared  happy ;  the  evening  ser? ioe  we 
hope  to  give  next  month. 

A  carefhl,  yet  criu'cel  review  of  the 
Churehea  in  Plymouth,  Devonport,  Stone- 
house,  &e.,  has  been  partljr  written.  It  mav 
be  finished;  -and  if  given  will  fonusa 
many  leMOne  of  a  fearftd  character. 


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efl 


THB  KABTUBll   TMSCk 


(Kudi    1,  ISM. 


THB  HAPPY  AND  TRIUMPHANT    DEATH    OF    MfiS. 

(irifK^Mr.  tr.  Cams,  BtftM  MMtlmr,  Ontmokk.) 


CAUNT. 


Mb8.  Clvixt  the  esteemed  wife  of  our 
beloTed  brother  William  Cftuut,  Paetor  of 
the  Baptist  church,  East  Greenwich,  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  Jan. 
18th,  1859.  It  will  not  be  uninteresting  to 
the  child  of  GK)d,  if  I  refer  to  a  few  incidents 
connected  with  the  life  and  departure  of  our 
■ister,  illustratiTe  of  the  power  of  Divine 
grace  in  her  soul,  toother  with  confidence 
lad  hope  which  sustained  her,  when  nature 
itself  was  sinking  and  djing.  In  pourtraying 
the  child  of  God,  we  necessarily  refer  to  the 
first  symptoms  of  divine  life.  Our  departed 
•ister  was  bom  at  Greenwich,  and  grew  up 
without  ti^e  fear  of  Gh)d.  like  as  we  once  were, 
aUenated  and  ftr  off  by  reason  of  wiehsd 
worh$.  On  one  occasion,  when  writing  to 
a  friend,  and  on  the  point  of  posting  it.  a 
messenger  arrived  announdne  his  death;  tnia 
intelligence^  made  such  a  deep  impression 
upon  her  mind  as  to  produce  a  godU$  torraw 
for  Mil  which  worketh  repentance  unto  Ijf; 
Severe  and  painful  conflicta  she  passed 
through,  nntil  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
was  muiifested  in  her  deliverance.  She  was 
led  to  attend  the  ministrr  of  the  late  Dr. 
Andrews,  of  Walworth,  whose  ministrations 
God  was  pleased  in  his  infinite  merej  to  blesa 
to  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  her  heart.  She 
felt  that  a  poor,  nelpless,  and  guilt;^  sinner, 
6annot  be  too  humoled  in  its  desires  for 
spiritual  life.  She  continued  to  attend  the 
late  Dr.  Andrew's  chapel,  and  occasionally, 
other  ohapels  in  Southwark,  were  the  dis- 
tinguishing doctrines  of  grace  are  proclaimed, 
until  her  husband  accepted  the  pastoral  oflloe 
at  Greenwich,  to  which  place  she  resorted 
and  united  with  the  chnroh  of  Christ. 

This  was  the  commencement  of  a  new  and 
important  era  in  her  existence ;  she  felt  the 
responsibility  of  the  position  which  she  sus- 
tained with  her  husband;  she  had  publicly 
avowed  herself  a  follower  of  the  Bedeemer. 
It  became  increasingly  her  desire,  not  merely 
to  acknowledge,  but  to  exemplify,  that  she 
herself  and  all  she  possessed,  should  be  eon- 
•ecrated  to  the  servioe  and  glorv  of  Christ. 
Her  active  co-operation  as  an  helpmeet  with 
her  husband,  was  considerably  impeded,  in 
consequence  of  an  incurable  diMase  which 
eventually  developed  itself,  and  set  medical 
skill  completely  at  defiance.  During  this 
painfidlv  protracting  sickness,  there^  were 
times  wnen  the  physical  appeared  to  triumph 
ever  the  spiritual;  she  felt  her  infirmitie^ 
and  often  mourned  over  ihem,  and  prayea 
for  graoe  to  conquer  through  him  who  loved 
her  with  an  everlasting  love.  It  will  be 
requisite  more  especially  to  refer  to  the  last 
month  of  her  earthly  pilgrimage.  Three 
weeks  previous  to  her  death,  her  medical 
attendant  gave  it  as  his  decided  opinion,  that 
her  recovery  was  hopeless;  her  appearance 
and  symptoms  fully  mdicated  it ;  tnere  was 
noUung  ambiguous;  death  would  soon  do  its 
lawful  workf  ue  body  must  die;  the  pins  of 


the  tabernacle  must  be  taken  down;  the 
outward  must  perish,  the  inward  preaerved 
and  imperishable.  She  was  asked,  *  Are  you 
happy  r  She  replied  with  emphasis,  'quite 
so,  1  am  on  the  Moek^  and  nothing  can  mova 
me,  no  not  death  itself/  and  exclaimed.  '  Oh 
my  Father,  come  and  take  me  home,  do  not 
delay,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  I  plead. 
Oh  come  quickly.'  Her  pain  and  agony  aft 
times,  was  the  most  excruciating,  in  the  midst 
of  which,  on  one  occasion,  she  exclaimed, 
*0h  my  Father,  I  cannot  bear  this.'  Her 
husband  reminded  her  that  she  now  fiiUy 
understood  what  it  was  to  be  a  partaker  of 
the  Lord's  sufferings,  she  replied,  *  Tee,  He 
bore  all,  incarnate  God  could  bear,  with 
strength  enough  and  more  to  spare..'  The 
enemy  at  intervals,  applied  his  fiery  darts, 
which  caused  her  to  exclaim,  '  I  am  afraid  I 
am  not  one  of  the  Lord's  children ;  shall  ba 
lo&t,*  She  was  reminded  of  her  former  tea- 
timony  of  being  upon  the  £ocib,  she  appeared 
cheered,  and  eaula  med,  *  True,  nothing  can 
alter  that  eternal  Bock. 

*  Did  Jesus  onee  upon  me  shine  P 
Then  Jeeus  is  for  ever  mine.' 

She  then  referred  to  the  greatness  of  the 
mercy  of  God  in  exercising  us  prerogative 
in  snatching  her  as  a  brand  from  the  buming« 
and  quoted  the  Poet  with  much  feeling  : 

'Jeeus  sought  me  when  a  stranger. 
Wandering  from  the  fbld  of  God,^  Sbc 

After  giving  expression  to  these  lines,  she 
was  observed  to  strike  repeatedly  her  heart. 
Upon  being  asked  if  her  pains  wereinereaaiiig, 
^e  replied,  '  Ah,  death  is  padually  approach* 
ing,  but  mv  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God,* 
and  then  Wing  her  hand  upon  her  hearty 
with  emphasis  she  exclaimed,  'That  is  Christ 
formed  in  the  heart  the  hope  of  glory.'  Upon 
being  asked  if  that  was  what  she  meant  whea 
striking  her  heart,  she  replied,  '  Tes,'  and 
then  with  joy  uttered  the  following  linea. 

'  How  sweet  the  name  of  Josus  sounds 
In  a  believer's  ears,*  Ac. 

At  the  same  time,  expressing  a  wish  that  it 
might  be  sung  at  her  funeral  sermon. 

The  sabbath  preceding  her  departure,  ahe 
clapped  her  hands,  and  said,  '  I  am  sll  on 
fire  for  heaven,'  which  was  understood  to 
express  her  deep  anxiety  to  be  there. 

The  engagements  of  her  dear  partner  called 
for  his  absence  for  a  short  time,  when  she 
replied,  '  I  may  be  gone,  when  you  return, 
but  rest  assured  I  shall  be  in  heaven.'  The 
whole  tenour  of  her  mind  clearly  indicated 
she  was  not  afraid,  but  rather  as  one  calmly 
awaiting  her  departure  amidst  intense  suffer- 
ing ;  her  experience  fullv  and  dearly  demon- 
strated the  power  of  divine  love.  She  had 
for  many  years  possessed  strong  double  and 
fears^  but  truly  had  a  song  in  the  night,  and 
the  lame  took  the  prey.    Should  any  poof 


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THB   KAKTBEM   TK88IL. 


67 


tiouroiM  aonlRad  theie  fines,  my  they  be 
1  to  hope  in  the  lame  mereuiil  mani- 
for  the  Lord  is  nigh  onto  ell  his 
end  bee  eiadi  *  I  will  never  UeiTe  thee, 
onake  thee.'  And  inUjr  in  this  instaaoe, 
wu  Peelm  xziiL  nndentood  in  dl  itc  beauty. 
Oa  Monday  evening,  her  enfferingi  reached 
their  elimax ;  previoasly,  there  was  a  oalm  ; 
Dortiiieation  supenrenMl.  The  night  waa 
dark,  the  morning  was  bright,  the  sea  was 
na^  the  aurgee  of  the  miffhty  deep  sub- 
cided,  and  with  energy  tnperhnman  she  ex- 
claiflMd: 

'Nothing  in  my  hand  I  bring, 
Simply  to  thy  eroai  I  cling/ 

The  worda  han|f  qniTering  on  her  lips,  as  the 
Borial  pat  on  immortality,  as  the  spirit  took 
its  iwht  to  the  realms  of  perpect  bliss.  Shall 
not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right  ? 

Her  mortal  remaina  were  eafelv  deposited 
in  its  last  restinf^  place,  Nunhead  Cemetry, 
by  Mr.  Gunner,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
orde  of  sorrowing  friends.  On  the  following 
Bibhath,  Kr._ChiTers  preached  her  funerd 
ixxziT.  19;  at  Greenwich, 


Don  from  Psalm : 
to  ao  oTerflowing  congregation. 
Ftbrmaty  6,  1869. 


C.  C. 


3&tmn  Df  ^mtotiit  J&vasim. 

THB  ULTB 

SAMUEL  ETLES  FIEECE. 

(OoBtlBaad  from  Psge  IS.) 
80UVD    DifUli'iX. 

At  the  eloee  of  my  memoir  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Sylea  Pierea,  as  inserted  in  Thi  Eabthxv 
Vbhsi.  ft»r  January,  I  ptomised  the  reader 
just  to  glaaee  at  some  of  bis  unparalleled 
writingSL  I  have  neariy  the  whole  that  he  has 
wTiftfen ;  the  neater  part  of  which  was  giTon 
me  by  himseu.  I  value  them  beyond  nibiea. 
Forty-five  years  ago  (in  1814)  during  my 
pastovsfte  aft  Hartley  Kow,  I  was  invited  to 
preaeh  at  Beading,  in  Berkshire.  When  there 
•Ao  oU  disriple,'  Mr.Thomss  Maclean, made 
ms  a  preeent  of  Mr.  Pierce's  book,  entitled. 
'Growth  in  Grace.'  I  took  it  home,  and 
almost  devoured,  (as  it  were,^  its  contents. 
My  eyes  were  opened  to  truth  in  a  way  I  had 
Bcvsr  experienced  before.  I  am  not  over- 
foUmg  this  volume.  The  late  Mr.  Isaac 
y>cfa3aon,  minister  of  Mulberry  Garden  Cha- 
pal,  in  Pell-street,  wrote  a  preface  to  it,  in 
which  ho  says,  *  After  a  most  attentive  and 
critical  perusal  of  this  work^  I  consider  that 
it  is  not  onl;f  of  hifinite  and  unparallded  im- 
portsnoe  in  itself,  and  of  univeival  concern  to 
the  church  of  the  great  Jehovah ;  but  that  it 
osatsins  a  greater  quantity  of  excellent  mat- 
ter, eom pi  cased  in  narrow  limits,  than  is  com- 
pnssd  in  many  huge  folios.  This  volume 
presents  a  table  well  furnished,  laden  with 
sbunduDco  of  the  richest  viands  that  Wisdom 
bas  provided  for  her  guests.  A  spiritual 
Aest  is  prepared,  reader,  for  thy  entertain- 
ment inluiitely  more  sumptuous  than  that 
of   Ahasoarus  at  Belshaaxar.    The  work  is 


executed  with  that  jnd^ent  and  abilitTy 
which  a  sulneot  of  such  importance,  deptn, 
mystery,  and  sublimity  demanded;  reflecting 
honour  on  the  ifastsr,  and  discovering  the 
9erv€mt  *  To  be  a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of 
truth.' '  I  extrMt  no  more,  as  1  wiU  not 
mortifv  the  reader.  The  work  has  been  long 
out  of  print,  and  I  expect  will  never  be  re- 
printed. It  contains  twelve  glorious  chapters^ 
comprising  a  hod^  of  DMnitjf, 

Now,  in  presenting  an  eMtract,  it  is  im* 
material  what  page  I  turn  to,  as  the  9ampU 
and  hulk  is  all  one.  I  take  from  the  beginnmg 
as  somewhat  Introductory. 

'  Cfraee  is  a  subject  of  vast  extent,  end  of 
infinite  tmportanoe.  Slection  ta  Christ,  re- 
demption bu  Christ,  regeneration  b^  the  Spirit, 
effectusd  calling,  an  actual  translation  into  the 
kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son,  perseverance  in 
holmess,  glorification,  and  ultimate  uninter- 
rupted communion  with  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost  in  heaven,  with  that  immutable 
blessedness,  which  will  accomoany  the  same. 
The»0  are  the  e^ffeete  and  fruit*  of  grace. 
Election  is  wholly  of  grace.  It  is  dlisplayed 
in  God's  loving  his  church  and  people  in 
Christ  with  an  immutable  love ;  in  his  blessing 
them  in  Christ  with  all  spiritual  blessings ;  in 
his  accepting  them  in  his  Beloved,  to 
to  the  praise  of  the  «lokt  op  bis  osacb. 
The  union  which  subsists  between  Christ 
and  his  people;  their  relation  to  lUm. 
and  his  interest  in  them,  is  altogether  of 
grace.  The  love  which  Christ  bears  to  his 
church  is  a  transcendent  love.  He  says,  '  As 
the  Father  hath  loved  lae,  so  have  I  loved  tfOM.' 
The  coflMi«mto»  which  Christ  holds  with  them, 
is  altogether  spiritual  and  Bivine.  He  -is 
united  to  them  as  their  Head ;  and,  they  are 
memben  of  his  body. 

'  My  design  in  the  following  pages  being  to 
set  the  CKOWV  Of  cbowvs  on  the  head  of 
PBSB  om^cs,  it  will  be  my  study  and  prayer 
to  the  Lord  the  Spirit,  that  he  may  be  pleased 
to  teach  and  guide  me  throughout  the  whole 
subject,  and  uess  it  to  the  praise  of  bis  holy 


After  several  more  blessed  Introductory 
pages,  he  says, '  Haring  now  given  a  general 
plan  of  the  goroel,  truths  and  doctrines  thai 
will  be  drawn  forth  in  the  following  Treatise, 
I  commit  the  same  to  the  reader's  own  con- 
sideration, and  the  Lord's  blessing ;  having  no 
other  end  in  view,  but  that  Chkist  may  be 
exalted  in  hie  grace  and  olokt.' 

I  now  just  give  the  reader  the  heading 
of  the  first  chapter.  '  Of  the  eternal  designs 
of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  towards  the 
blbct:  with  some  account  of  their  distinct 
and  respective  outgoings  of  x<ovb  towards 
them  in  Christ  Jesus  from  everlasting.' 

This  chapter  leads  us  to  the  ocean  of  all 
blessedness.  Alas !  I  fear  the  generality  of 
our  present  writers  and  preaohen  have  not 
been  taught  in  thie  school.  It  is  a  ehihhoUth 
which  many  of  them  do  not  understand.  O 
th^t  the  Lord  would  '  Turn  to  our  ministera 
a  pure  language,'  (Zeph.  iii.  9)  that  they 
might  preach  thegoepel  clearly,  unequivocallv, 
and  with  *  great  pUiimc$9  of  epeeehJ  r2 
Cor.  iii.  12.) 


6i 


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THE  KABTHBM   TX8BBL. 


[lianh,  1.  IMt. 


Bot  I  0II1SI  noi  trispMi  further  on  Um 
ptSM  of  tlie  Vs06BL  this  month.  It  m  tho 
commonoemont  of  the  jenr,  and  if  the  Sdibar 
ifl  dMiroiui  thnt  ite  future  numberi  shaU  be 
enriohod  with  real  gofpeltruthi,  I  will  (n.v.) 
eonUnue  my  emploj.  But  thii  I  leuTe  with 
him*  I  have  seren  volumes  in  octavo  of  Hr. 
Pierce's  writings,  beside  many  single  invala- 
abie  Sermons,  and  four  volumes  of  Jjetter*. 
These  have  not  lain  dormant  on  my  book- 
shelves. Oh,  no.  Had  I  the  means,  ue  last 
aet  of  my  long  puhlie  life,  should  be  the  re- 
publishing the  whole  of  Mr.  Pierce's  worka. 
But  alasf  old-fashioned  Bible  Divinity  is  at 
a  ^reat  discount,  in  what  is  called  *  llie  re- 
ligions world.'  Beader.  *  Buy  the  truth,  and 
sell  it  not.'    Prov.  xjdii.  23. 

Jireh.  J.  A.  Jovm. 


IBM 

CHfUOTIAN'S    HAPPY    LOT. 

OV  THB  DniTH  OF  ▲  M17CH  LOVBD  VRISKP. 

Br  TKX  Latb  Jamxs  Moss,  ov  Peokham. 

How  happy  is  the  Christian's  lot, 

In  every  state  secure ! 
While  in  this  world  of  sin  and  woe. 

His  bread  and  water  sure. 
^And  when  he's  call'd  to  leave  this  world. 

And  pass  through  death's  cold  shade, 
The  word  of  Gtod  on  which  he  rests 

He  finds  doth  never  fade. 
His  hopes  are  j&zed  on  words  too  firm 

For  sin  or  hell  to  shake  > 
Though  foea  eombine  to  east  him  down, 

His  peace  they  eannet  break. 
He's  felt  his  needs;  his  many  needs; 

To  Jesus  has  been  led, 
For  full  salvation,  throuch  his  blood, 

And  by  him  has  been  fed. 
He's  seen  by  faith  thp  solemn  spot 

On  which  the  Saviour  died ; 
He's  seen  his  hands ;  he's  seen  his  feet ; 

He's  seen  his  wounded  side. 
He's  seen  the  tomb  in  whioh  he  lay 

The  three  appointed  days  ; 
He's  seen  him  loavo  the  tomb  again 

To  ascend  beyond  the  skies. 
Then  seated  on  the  throne  of  love, 

Close  by  his  Father's  side. 
He  lives  to  plead  the  cause  of  those 

For  whom  he  bled  and  died. 
"TSs  from  those  wounds  the  Christian  says 

X  now  derive  my  hope ; 
OThe  thought  that  Chnstnow  lives  above ; 

'Tis  that  which  bears  me  up. 
The  .sweetness  of  those  precious  things 

Our  friend  that's  gone,  has  felt ; 
And  by  the  blessed  sraoe  of  fiith, 

Enjoys  them  for  Umself. 
He  long  had  felt  his  need  of  Christ ; 

His  pveciousness  ei^od. 
He  walked  by  frith,  ana  not  by  sight, 

And  on  his  grace  relyed. 
He  suffsred  much  while  here  below, 

But  now  it  ail  is  o'er; 
He  never  more  shall  say,  I'm  sick, 

Or  leave  that  peaceful  shore. 


If  we  b<rii«re  the  word  of  God, 

And  rest  upon  the  same, 
Though  wo  are  oalled  to  pari  awhile, 

We  soon  shall  meet  again. 
A  few  more  rolling  sons,  and  we 

Shall  leave  this  stormy  shore, 
And  enter  in  that  happv  place. 

Where  he  is  gone  before. 

These  thoughts  support  our  fsinting  minds 

While  swFering  m  the  flesh ; 
Help  us  to  look  beyond  these  scenes. 

And  view  the  promised  rest. 

A  blessed  word  there  is,  which  says, 
**  The  dead  in  Christ  are  blest ;" 

Have  done  with  sorrow  and  with  sin 
And  sweetly  are  at  rest. 

This  hope  we  have  of  him  that's  gone, 

Whose  loss  we  now  deplore : 
He's  left  this  world  of  sin  and  woe. 

And  reach'd  the  blissful  shore : 

Then,  Christian  friends,  forhear  to  weep, 

To  shed  your  tears  in  grief ; 
But  think  on  what  our  Jesus  says, 

And  you  will  find  relief. 

If  we  believe  that  Jesus  died. 

And  rose  again  on  high ; 
Bemember  he  himself  lus  said, 

That  his  shall  never  die. 

But  when  their  race  is  run  below, 

He  will  their  spirits  meet. 
When  called  to  quit  this  house  of  day. 

And  thua  to  fiul  asleep. 

Then  in  the  sleeping  tomb  awhile, 
There  sleeping  dust  shall  Uy ; 

And  slumber  last  in  swaet  lepose 
Until  the  rising  day. 

Whan  on  that  great  and  solemn  hour 
The  trumpet  loud  shall  sound. 

Then  Jeeus  shall  himself  come  down. 
And  daim  them  as  his  own. 

The  sleeping  duet  he'll  raise  with  Ufe^ 

Unite  it  to  the  soul. 
Bring  them  triumphant  to  his  throne, 

And  so  complete  the  whole. 

Then  placed  on  thrones  of  glory  there^ 

The^  shall  enjoy  their  God ; 
And  smg  his  praise  in  perfect  strains, 

Who  bought  them  with  his  blood. 


BENJAMIN  EEACH, 

Bom  Feb.  29th,  1640.  Called  to  the  mimstf7, 
1058.  His  Trial.  Pfllory,  Imprisonment  and 
Fine,  for  publishing  a  book  called  'Tha 
Child's  Instructor;  or,  Basv  Primer,'  1664. 
Came  to  London,  1668.  The  same  year  bo. 
came  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  now  meet- 
ing in  Unicom  Yard  ;  bat  at  that  lime  tho 
comer  of  Stoney  Lane,  Tocley  Street ;  and 
continued  until  his  death,  July  18th,  1704; 
86years. 

Benjamin  Stinton,  immediately  snceeeded 
and  continued  until  his  death,  Feb.  11th, 
1718,  or  19;  16  years. 

William  Arnold,  ordained  pastor  Nov.  15; 
1790 ;  and  continued  until  Us  death,  1784 
14  years. 


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TBB  EAETHBM   V188IL. 


69 


liB.  JOHN  BLOOMPIELD'S  ANNIVE£SABY  ADDBESS. 


IIIHD.-S4LSI1  CBAFSL,MXARD'800I7BT. 
Ttem^  nnifvmry  orllM  pwtoiateoC  Mr. 
iote  BiDOwnrirt,  at  8id«B  Gtapil*  MMrd*8  Ooiirt, 


■mthlMS  both  to  poopio  aad  to  ndnirten, 
wUeh  tbev  «««ld  IUb  hare  ooMlfBod  to  obllTloB ; 
ttkwko,  MBy  thlBs%  whleh  awAkoa  tai  ns  th« 


fcallMi  <tf  fffMltBa*  to  tbo  Ood  of  all  o«r  mi 
Bat w  vtUaot  tfwpoM,  oMirt  than ainaly 

HlwilfiW.  lAd  let  blm  ipaak  ftr  hlmwlt  An. 
4ay,itee^  of  Nmiaty,  bttof  tha  aafttth  mu 
whinuj  of  Mt  nartatola  at  Btimuhm  addrMMl 
Ui  ifcat^  BBd  aoajiaaatloB  aa  Mlova:  «Tliia 

,  I  «o^B«ae  &•  tifhth  jmr  of  my  paa. 

limy  JOB.   Ttooagh  tha  lavw  yawra  that 


^  to  ffaat  chaiiiai:  bat,  la  aU  the 

^Bwm^twma,  aU  tha  abaBgca  «a  have  as. 

wrieaaad,  «•  haw  foimd  BO  chaoaa  in  oar  aw. 
MiaOoA :  ha  to  ImmvUMa  aB4  t«Dder  hi  hto 
waiaaLlam.  aod  avar  laadf  to  ffWa  attantiaB  to 
oarprajan;  aod baa fiamMBtly aomfortad  (by  hla 
preiflMu)  o«  iplrlta.    I  aemn  Aoad  my  Bdato- 


of  MlfatloB  by  tha  aioM,  waa 
I  aomBiaBaads  it  baa  bsfii  my 
ttamTan  Uia  way  throaah,  and  aefar,  for  ooa 

^wvad  ftaatdedarlag,  mltatloB 

««Mi  of  Chrtot.    1  tniat  I 


S«t  God's  deallBga;  moia  aboat 

,  aad  aboat  hto  marsy.    I  trott  my 

of  Ood'a  tmtha  ara  aBtoifed,  mora 

~  my  miBtotartol  labonra 


aow/lhatto, tha  dwtriBa of mlvatloB throach tha 
LDrdJaMsCtotat.  That  to  tha  thamavhtoh  baa 


i  myhMTt:  vhtoh  haa  oerapAad my mo> 

»  aad  whtoh  totha  thame  of  my lonffoa. 

TbadaSghtaf  myaalpltlabanahaabaw,  to  Mt 
torth  GhrM  mvk^i  to  ipcakof  tha  glortosof 
hto  amami:  th»  nltabUity  of  tha  araM»  aad  t 


•  graaad  af  iha  ainuar*!  hope.   A 

[  CavaJctaedthaahaiah,dBaaIflnt 
r;  itmayhaMid,  wlMta  are  the 


taken  away  by  death,  mmbo  peaeefUly,  mnbo  tri- 
OBiphantly,  to  be  Ibr  erer  with  Jeeaa;  some  haw 
baoB  ramored  ia  prorldenoe,  to  a  eooslderablo 
distanoe;  others,  from  thair  adtaneed  agVL  ara 
not  often  abto  to  be  present.  Borne  hsTe  mllen 
sway  into  a  staU  of  worldlinem  %ad  ladlflbrsnae ; 
*  'r  end,  Ood  only  knows.  Bnt.watrnstwehaTa 
ly  wia  as,  wIm>  hsTe  been  ealled  b  v  araoa,  aad 
DOW  liYtBgaaderthasmlleeofOod,mhopeAal 
sipatloB  of  etarlasting  gtory.    If  thinas  had 


pmitoaawf  Meal  of  them  aia  with  aa.  that  have 
MMtoriaealhaTabaaBhara.  Bat ahen were- 
■wibir,  that  a  yaaBfawa  to aoma  to  bathe  pastor 
«f  aa  aU  aharah,  gtowa  up  with  tha  lata  muah- 


krs 


» died,  thaohweh  waa  left  desUtnte, 
thMUashSBhsrd.   Itwaanoaasyt 
maa*  tonUowaDmaiapwaehcr, 


etarlasting  gtory.  If  things  had 
gone  on  ea  whan  1  first  eaaM  to  Salens,  we  shonldy 
perhaps,  hsTe  been  proad ;  bat,  there  was  nothing 
to  be  proud  oi;  ss  the  eeqael  shewed.  Manr,  who 
profcswd  the  greatest  lore  at  the  first,  showed 
sAerwaid,  thefr'a  was  not  lara,  Ibr  it  dSaappearcd 


ssff  amlL  I  sayTSSk  thaasal^ 

1         «ip  alSh,  I  traa^  haa  tha  a] 

Ml,  to  liteiMa  t0  ov  MOBbai 


,1  do  not  regret  the 
kppr^allon  of  Ood. 
m,  BMBy  hava  beta 


as' tha  first  alorm  eaaM.'    Mr. 

seleeted  for  hto  test.  •  For  we  psesohaot  ourselves 
but  Christ  Jssos  the  Lord :  aad  oorselvee,  yonr 
serraats,  for  Jssas*a  sska.'  2  Cor.  ir.  6.  And 
proeeedsd  as  follows :  1st,  Tha  eomprehensiTe 
theme  of  the  ministry  —  Jesus  Christ  our  Iiord. 
Snd,  Tba  praaBinant  objeet  of  tha  ministry.  *d» 
The  aourosof  real  saoeesa. 

In  the  afternoon,  Ibnr  sdditlonsl  membsra  wata 
reeelved  to  eommuatoate  at  the  Lord's  tabto ;  after 
whteh,  many  members  of  the  ehnreh  sat  down  to 
tes  in  the  eh^el,  with  thair  psstor;  when  he  gave 
a  Ihrther  statement  as  to  his  ministrattoas,  snd 
the  firm  frieadship  from  nwny,  with  whleh  he  had 
been  toroored.  Mr.  Kant  also  vafenad  to  tha 
setiTe  part  he  took  (whea  deseon,)  in  rseammcad* 
ing  Mr.  Bloomfield  to  the  pastoimte,  whleh,  he  was 
happy  to  say,  ha  aarer  ragretted,  though  he  ra* 
graUed  the  triato  through  whloh  hto  pastor  hsd 
bad  topees;  yet,  he  eonesived  the  school  of  triba- 
latlon  was  ona^  in  whleh  the  Lord  often  ehaee  to 
train  hto  ministers,  ao  that  they  may  be  abto  to 
oomfoxt  otheia.  Mr.  Tlbbeit,  llkevtoe^  added  hto 
testimony,  sad  Mr*  Amm  closed  with  i 
priaie  prayer. 


T^ 


wwoM  AMOTBEE  ooaaBfK>KD«inr. 
80H0,  BALEM  CHAPEL,  M£AIU>*BCOUBT. 
Serasone  were  preeehed  on  Sundayi  Februaxy  Gth* 
to  eoBunemorate  the  oomptetion  of  the  sevaath 
ysar  of  Mr.  Bloomfield's  psstorate  over  the  ahursh 
worshipping  in  tha  ehapiel  sitoaU  ss  above.  On 
tha  foUowiag  Tnesday,  a  tea  sad  a  publto  meeting 
was  holdea.  Mr.  i.  Btoomfield  preaided;  and, 
(after  singing  and  prayer,)  in  opening  the  meeting 
lia  said  1— Dear  Christian  Friends,  we  have  no 
report  to  read :  we  have  had  a  year  of  unintar* 
rupted  peaae  with  esoh  other^ao  ehureh  oeuld  ba 
mora  happy.  I  have  bow  eatared  upon  my  eighth 
year  hares  and,  from  the  time  I  oama  till  tha 
present,  1  have  not  undargona  the  least  ehanga; 
if  any,  it  has  %eea  to  tore  those  truths  mora,  and 
tofeallt  to  not  simply  by  preachiaa  that  we  "  " 
;  it  to  good,  out  not  c 


see  a  health  fnl  etate ; 

thing.  If  we  would  ba  a  happy  peopto,  we  mast 
be  a  pmying  psoPle.  It  has  been  ona  of  my 
greatest  meretos,  I  have  been  snrronnded  with  a 
praying  people.  During  the  peat  year,  we  have 
Seen  aUttle  of  the  goSaess  of  God.  It  haa  not 
beea  so  large  ss  last  year ;  betweaa  twenty  and 
thirty  have  Joined  us  during  the  past  year ;  be. 
tween  mysali  and  brethren  la  offloe.  there  has  beea 
but  oneftaUng,  aad  that  of  love.  Last  Lofd's-day 
was  my  saaivcraazy.  aad  I  wss  rather  csst  down ; 
but  I  was  grcaUy  anoooraged  by  ths  good  fseUng 


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70 


THB  KARTUBM    YX8BBL. 


(MafA  1, 1U9. 


w«  Uw  to  the  aawtloM  of  •  gt«|t  iM^  «hur^ 
both  to  London  Mid  the  ooontry ;  I  ^^^^ 
Meodahlp  m«li;  I  wiib  well  to att  our  mtototon, 
SSdiSiBepelflhorohes.  I  should  reJoloMf  there 
WM  a  better  feeUng  among  onr  ehorehea ;  I  thtok 
if  we  were  onited  to  each  others  not  merely  on 
the  platform,  the  olond  would  soon  Altperee.  The 
eabjeot  tor  the  erenlna  wai,  •  The  ffnMB  of  the 
Spirit.'  Among  the  mlnlitera  preeent,  we  noticed 
hvethren  Ball,  Flory.  Isaaos,  tof  BriKhton.)  Moyle, 
W.PaUnor,  (of  Homerton,)  ).  Palmer,  (of  Weet- 
mtoeter.)  PelU.  WUUamMm,  Woodard  and  Wyard. 
Brother  Diekeraon  was  caUed  into  the  ooontry, 
or  would  have  been  there. 

KABTLEBOBB.  —  RBHOBOTH  GHAPBL. 
BIDlNGtHODSB  BT&EKT,  LANOHAM  PLACE. 
Oar  annual  meeting  waa  held  on  the  7th  of  Feb., 
Itor  the  purpose  of  reoeiTtog  the  report  of  the 
proBeedings  of  the  past  year,  and  to  hear  an  ad- 
mass Item  Mr.  John  Foreman,  who  ooeupied  the 
ehair.  Mr.  J.  Wigmore  briefly  sketohed  his  first 
appearanoe  in  London,  to  the  position  in  which  he 
Sicnstood.  Lastyear  (he  said,)  the;  had  proposed 
to  pay  off  SlOO,  Arom  the  debt  of  the  chapel ;  he 
then  stood  forward  to  eongratulate  his  friends, 
that  that  design  had  been  aeoompliahed.  About 
Bine  or  ten  years  ago,  he  was  caUcd  to  Um  pro- 
Tidence  of  God,  to  exereiae  his  gilta  to  a  few  oeo- 
.  ^  ^  ^Tr!^__... — J  — j„  Uj^  mtoiatry  of  the 
he  had  preached  to 
ilcBMd  to  bless  his 
were  in 
mww  HcmHB  iiw  ■  wnyMaM  J,  •««  —•'.«—  ..ooiieetea 
when  they  did  not  know  where  to  go,  Mr.  Foreman 
took  him  up  as  a  forlorn  man.  lie  (Mr.  Wigmore,) 
'   I  Mr.  Foreman  present. 


pie,  who  had  worshipped  under  the  mtoiatry  ofihe 
late 'Mr.  Blaekatoek.    After  he  had  prer 
them  some  time,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
laboura  by  ealUng  other  aoub  in.    They     ---  ~ 
greaft  stcmita  for  a  baptistry,  and  he  weU  reooUected 

when  they  did  not  km *- —  *''  -"  **' 

took  him  up  as  a  forlt.  _ 

felt  great  pleasure  to  seeiog  MJf- •-— -—  »--""-' 
he  had  never  received  anythinf  bnt  btednese  firom 
him.  be  never  rcfosed  (and  his  people  with  him,) 
to  come  and  aosist  them.    When  they  looked  at 


the  providence  of  God,  to  so  supplytog  thdr  needs, 
(if  their  hearts  were  not  of  adamant,)  thev  must 
dissolve  to  gratitude,  before  the  mercies  of  their 
God.  The  Seeretary,  Mr.  Wakeltog.  read  the 
report,  from  which,  it  appeared,  •  twelve  montha 
•go  they  owed  £6S4;  received  in  the  past  year  by 
ooUeetions,  £IM;  balance  still  remaintog  on  the 
chapel,  B19t.  Mr.  Foreman  then  observed,  the 
subjeet  under  consideration,  that  evening,  waa  a 
duirone;  yet  money  was  necessary,  and  if  we 
wanted  it  for  our  immediate  use,  we  might  find  a 
duller  subject.  Mr.  Foreman  then  referred  to  Uie 
time,  when  Mr.  Wigmore  was  brought  under  his 
BOtSs,  as  a  soliUry  todlvidual.  If  Ma  brother 
bad  been  a  sprtokler,  there  would  have  been 
plenty  to  have  taken  him  by  the  h»»d.  He  be. 
Ueved  Mr  Wigmore  to  be  a  man  of  the  right  eort, 
and  he  (Mr.  Foreman,)  was  not  wtnid  of  how 
many  good  men  he  hid  for  his  neighbours;  he 


bad  no  sympathy  with  those  UtUe  pettifogismB  ^ 
many  would  say,  'Lord,  let  thyktogdom  cone,' 
but  by  their  aotiona,  'Don't  tetany  proMber 


withto  ten  mUes  of  me,  as  I  can  do  all  thework 
where  I  am.'  He  believed  God  had  marked  out 
hie  work,  whether  there  be  one  good  man  or  fifty, 
no  difference  to  him.  He  was  a  lover  of  good 
men,  and  if  he  were  bleesed  with  a  larger  sphere 
of  useAitoess  than  another,  he  was  likewise  under 
toereased  obligationa ;  though  he  had  many  things 
to  be  thankChl  for,  he  bad  nothing  whereof  to 
boast.  Mr.  Foreman  eoneluded  by  reeommendtog 
united  eflbrt,  and  the  whote  remaintog  debt  on 
the  chapel  would  vanish. 

WBBIMIirSTBB.  BOMNBT  8TRBBT.~On 
Monday,  the  S4thor  January  was  held,  the  first 
tfuarterly  tea-meettog,  stoce  Mr.  Palmer's  settle- 
ment, to  oomiezion  with  the  weekly  subscription 
fhnd.  There  was  an  encouraging  attendance; 
and  at  the  public  meeting  after  tea,  the  following 
leeolntlons  were  passed,  via.,  (l.)  ^'That  this 
meeting  acknowledge  with  unfeigned  gratitude, 
the  goodness  of  <aod   to  havtog  directed  Mr. 


Palmer  to  OB,  M  an  under  shepherd.'  (S.)  *That 
the  present  meeting  gratetolly  acknowledge  the 
unwearied  efforts,  subUity  and  courteous  conduct 
of  the  deacons  of  thia  church ;  and  eameatly  pray 
that  they  may  Utc  to  see  ultimate  proeperity 
crown  their  perseverance.'  (8.)  'It  ia  the  con- 
viction of  thia  meettog,  that  a  dose  adherence  to 
the  doetrtoea  of  sovereign  grace  to  all  our  efforts 
and  undertaktoga,  will  alone  ensure  the  bleasing 
of  the  Lord.'  (4.)  That  the  lovers  of  thegoepel, 
preeent,  shall  enaeavour,  by  personal  inflnenee. 
to  toduoe  others  (especially  the  ungodlv,)  to  attend 
regularly  on  a  gospel  ministry:  and   that  they 

E ledge  themselves  to  support  the  oanae  of  Christ 
1  thia  place  by  their  attendance^  their  prayere, 
and  ttMi  contributions.'  It  havtog  been  re- 
mariced  by  one  of  the  speakers,  that  durtog  the 
time  the  ohurah  baa  been  destitute  of  a  pastor,  a 
great  variety  of  supplies  had  been  engaged;  one  of 
the  frienda  said,  *I  do  not  feel  called  on  to 
apologiM  for  the  fact  referred  to,  but  I  would  beg 
permteaion  to  remind  yon  of  the  welUinown 
nunery  tale  of  *  UtUe  Bed  Ridtog  Hood,  and  her 
Brothera  and  Sisters.'  There  wa^  as  you  are 
aware,  a  numerona  family  of  them;  and  their 
mother  baving  occasion  to  leave  home  for  a  time, 
gave  them  etriet  tojunotion  to  bolt  the  door,  and 
when  any  one  knocked,  to  look  out  at  the  wtodow 
before  they  opened  it,  because  the  wolf  waa  lurktog 
about.  Mow,  it  happened  that  there  waa,  at  no 
great  distance,  an  old  wolL  who  had  been  expelled 
from  the  aocisty  of  hia  fellows  and  was  roaming 
aboutin  search  of  plunder  and  ibeltar.  Be  bavtng 
the  craft  ofaserpent  engrafted  on  the  ferocity  of 
the  wolf,  knew  very  well  it  would  not  do  to  shew 
himself  in  his  real  character:  he,  iherefoie,  dia- 
guiaed  his  voice  and  appearance,  and  came  tap- 
tap-ptog  at  the  cottage  door,  meekly  begging  ad. 
muaion  to  eome  auch  terms  as  thcee-  O  my  pretty 
deara,  I  am  so  venr  fond  of  you.  I  could  eat  you. 
And,  no  doubt,  had  they  admitted  him,  he  woold 
Uterally  have  cruahed  thdr  bonce  :  ymi  may  re- 
member, tbat  such  waa  the  stuplfying  effect  of  hia 
pestiferous  breath,  that  some  of  the  iniatnated 
children  did  not  see  through  his  disguise^  bnt 
would  have  admitted  him ;  and,  incredible  aa  it 
may  seem,  some  of  them  were  inclined,  had  they 
been  strong  enough,  to  turn  out  two  or  three  of 
the  big  boys,  who  had  laboured  hard  and  long  to 
pay  .the  rent,  and  keep  the  cottage  over  their 
heada.'  But  you  will,  perhaps  aak,  what  baa  all 
thia  to-do  vrith  the  church  at  Boroney  Street,  or 
any  ChrieUan  ehureh  1  Juat  thia,  the  church  at 
Romney  Stieet.  did  not  open  the  door  till  they  had 
looked  out  at  the  window  ;  and  this  brtogs  me  to 
the  moral  of  my  story.  In  all  matters,  to  the 
church,  and  in  the  world ;  and,  particularly  young 
men,  and  more  particularly  youns  women,  seeking 
to  form  a  connexion  for  Ufe-before  tou  open  the 
door,  look  out  at  the  window.  Mr.  Palmer  prayed 
and  dismissed  the  meettog. 

BOTJTHWABX,  UNITORN  YARD  CHAPEL, 
TOOLEY  BTREKT.  Tuesday,  February  8,  1869, 
the  parents  of  the  children  attending  tbe  Sunday 
School  held  in  connection  with  the  above-Aaased 
place  of  worship,  were  tovited  to  take  tea  with  the 
mtoister,  deacons,  and  membera  of  the  ehureh. 
A  large  number  assembled;  and  tea  waa  served 
in  a  kind  and  eomforuble  manner  by  the  teechere 
and  ft-iends.  C.  W.  Banka  presided  at  the  puhlio 
meeting ;  Mr.  John  CUrke  of  Hull,  prayed  for  a 


blessing;  woen  C.  W.  Banks  said,  this  was  a 
mesttog  for  the  purpose  of  shewing  to  tbe  parente, 
the  sympathy  and  concern  the  church  felt  for  their 
welfare  to  every  sense,  and  he  waa  glad  to  see  eo 


many  preeent.  Mr.  Samuel  Gosens  then  delivered 
an  address  to  the  parents  generally,  whieh  waa  of 
a  meet  practical  and  edifying  charaotcr.  Mr.  John 
Kealy  followed,  and,  aa  the  father  of  a  laige 
family,  as  a  Snnday.sohool  teacher  of- olden  times, 
and  as  a  useful  preacher  of  Chriet'e  goepel,  made  a 
very  pathetic  appeal  to  the  hearts  of  the  people ; 
and  gave  them  some  wholesome  advice ;  but,  the 
meet  touchtog  and  richly^nstratcd  speech   of 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THB    KAETHBN   T%88BL. 


n 


OTBfaig^  liM  by  tto  ham  Jolm  Clark  of 
I,  evfbid  blotter  tetaMdttaomJada  of  the 
gtml  ciithiiitesiBt  and  poverftiUjr  do. 


WHUMtn   gIMO  00  _ 

ooooToar  bappint  meetings,  and  we  twlieve  real 
food  «aa  done.    We  haTe  great  hope  tbat  tbe 
Lord  li  raiHBg  the  oanae  here  with  hie 
aadUeariBc. 


IBSLASD,  DUBUN.  —  A  atroDg  eflhrt  la 
wa^ng  to  bdlld  a  good  Butist  chapel  in  the 
Oraavaaor-road,  Bathminea,  Dablin.  We!  have  a 
hope  of  Bcciav  Irelaod  thli  year;  and  of  being 
hwrraamiitil.  in  aoine  small  meaaore,  of  pabliahing 
the  gaspil  s^ieh  eamo  from  boaTsn,  and  whkh 
haavaa  approvaa.  We  wiah  to  watch  tlie  only  hand 
•  t  laaafaMtarigbt.  There  Ja  a  apirito^  king- 
dom riaimb  ermi  in  Ireland.  Of  the  bniUers  we 
tamwbvtBttlo;  bot,  a.hint  has 'been  given  that 
a  fcw  good  wortmen  acquainted  With  inside  work, 

jbowsbumb,  wmn.,  bbtbbsda  bap. 

TUT  CflAPBLk,— PnnsBirrATxoK  or  PuiTB.^At  a 
lu^fathetlBv  of  the  frienda  of  Betheada  chapeL 


IfceLetdia 


rwtfth  t 


the  good  hand  o^ 
them  from  a  debt,  originally 
eaeon  fMr.  Kaiah|)  preaented 
■■        itly  Obaaad  Tea-pot  and 


MricB  of  aflbelaon  and  gratitode, 
In  relieving  them  of  the  heavy 
hioh  they  had  labonred  for  ao 
■ny  yeazB.  The  meeting  was  presided  over  by 
ft.  CSIft,  Wmp^  a  tmstee  and  former  deacon,  and 
addraHBd  wj  Measrs  Salmon  and  Mann,  mimsters 


sf  the  town,  Mr.  Cloak  of  BeeUngtoa,  and  Mr. 
fteisi^  Wtm  of  Boad.   Mr.  Webater,  in  aekm>w- 


^  _   ^       _  ,  nTBTe«afld  hia  thanka  to 

<be  frisnda  of  otery  paitv,  who  had  liberally  aided 
Urn;  and  to  the  ehnrd^  for  the  sacriilcea  they 
bed  made,  to  eorapleta  the  work.  The  three 
B^dst  cbnrefaos (Book  Street,  Betheeda  and  Zion,) 
am  aB  aov  free  from  debt,  and  in  peace.  The 
msedngwaa  enHvaned  with  soluble  hymns^  and 


Lcfd. 


_  bymns^ 

people  aapotated,  praising  tbe 


worablpb  in  whie 

Uidnmn  laboDred, 

B.  a.  Bdwarda,  baa  pamed  into  oi 
Bomar  bavtag  p 

Tbna  iha  large 

Jeoas  Paraan,  far  the  caoae,  with  tke  boilding.  is 
loat  to  tbe  deoomfaiatkm,  and  oauae  of  trath!  by 
tbe  frfine  of  one  of  its  professed  friends_PnoM  a 


J  and  after  him, 
I  pamed  into  other  hands;  the 
■■■■'  Hvng  iwviaaed  tt for  a  ehapel  of  ease. 
Tbna  iha  large  saeciflees  made  by  onr  brother 


tJ^VfS^^""^  Bmidv,  Fsbnptfy  6,  Mr. 
Mhn  COrbAtt  eommeneod  the  third  year  of  his 
psiCeram,  Tbe  ebnrab  baa  greaUy  increased;  the 
eoaiMilioa  is  BUinf  the  ehapel ;  aome  are  wait- 
niff  frr  Butiam;  and  all  appear  in  good  heart  and 
m  gnapcl  mOowsblp.  I  am  only  an  ooeasional  at- 
MadntatOifordHill,beeaaaeIamnot  moeh  in 
Borwtab ;  tat  I  ftmad,  that  aa  a  pastor,  Mr. 
OorMttIs  giantlv  bakived;  as  a  preaoher.'be  la 
ninmaiiigly  oaeml;   as  a  Christian  man,  be  ia 

• -'-  ^A    4g  u  writer  and  aothor. 

*     -'"-'-    —mew 
I  the 
fright. 
r—  t  j—Jw  m  »  gra«  vur,  man  gooo  WlU  OOBW  Of 
».— A  IlUTKUn  IR  ZBMf. 

J3TT  BOAB,  MOUNT  ZIOK  CHAPEL,  NEL- 
SOX  PLACB.  A  happy  and  united  band  of  gospel 
mtes  sorroondsd  brother  Wbitteridge,  on  Mon- 
?l»?T5»»  Z^5™^^M»b,  to  eneoorago  him 
S  "■  '?^^  ?[•*'«  "^^L  Bracher,  FOnkm, 
Moaa,  Seek,  Sbaltoa,  O.  wTfanks,  and  others 
2^wlthauNbdsoldoD,oBthirshIraet«rof  thi 


WAIW0BIH-EA8T  LANE.  Tbe  06tb  Aa. 
nlversary  of  the  East  Lane  Sunday  School  was 
commemorated  in  the  New  School  room,  on 
Tueeday  Evening,  Feburary  Sth.  Avery  ample 
tea  was  supplied  to  a  large  body  of  fHends,  who 
met  in  the  afternoon.  After  tea,  a  public  meet- 
ing was  held  to  acknowledge  the  Lord's  good- 
nees  in  preserving  the  school  for  such  a  lengthen- 
ed period.  Mr.  John  Foreman,  of  Dorset  Square, 
predded,  and  in  a  most  cheerful  manner,  enoour- 
aged  both  teachers  and  friends.  A  report,  well 
written,  (but  decidedly  too  long,)  gave  a  very 
aatisfaatory  account  of  the  position  of  the  ichool, 
and  shewed  a  christian  perseverance  on  the  part 
of  tbe  teachers  worthy  of  so  noble  a  cause.  Mr. 
Milner  spoke  of  the  imporUnoe  of  teaching  our 
Sabbath  Bshool  flbildren  the  fbndamenul  prin- 
ciples and  ordinances  of  our  profee^on.  Mr. 
Cannt,  of  Greenwich,  Ibllowed  with  a  practical 
addrem  to  the  teacbera,  noticing  the  neeemitj  of 
gaining  the  affection  of  the  children — *  love' 
must  be  the  motto  of  the  teacher,  combined  with 
deeUion  of  action.  Mr.  Meeres,  of  Dermondsey, 
•poke  of  the  great  benefit  he  had  received  from 
Sabbath  School  instruction ;  it  waa  the  instru- 
ment employed  as  the  turning  point  In  his  life. 
Mr,  Mateland,  who  90  years  ago,  was  a  teacher 
in  that  school,  gave  one  or  two  interesting  ac- 
eounta  of  the  benefit  of  Sabbath  Behoole  to  men 
who  now  held  high  and  honorable  poaitlons  in 
Sodsty;  one  who  had  entered  that  i«bool«I. 
moat  destitate,  beeame  one  of  the  wealthiest  men 
in  the  city  of  Lombm;  and  it  might  be  traced 
ftom  tbe  rmolU  of  the  iastmetlon  remiered  lb 
this  place.  Mr.  &  K.  Bland,  also  an  old  teacher, 
gave  some  good  counsel.  Other  ministers  were 
preeeat  to  give  their  aid  and  countenance  to  the 
frienda.  After  a  few  words  from  Mr.  William 
Beach,  tbe  meeting  conelnded  with  thedozology. 
The  thanks  of  the  friends  are  due  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Beach,  and  the  whole  of  the  teasbers,  for  the 
kind  ezertkm  made  to  render  every  comfort  to 
tha  large  body  gathered  on  the  oeeaaioB. 

BIL8T0V,  BIAPFcijraHIBE FORMA- 
TION OF  A  NEW  BAPTIST  CUUBCH.  Thia 
intarostiag  endlong  looked  for  servieek  took 
place  on  Lord'a-day,  Feb.  18  ih.  Two  special 
prayer  meetings  had  been  previously  held,  to 
imploM  the  Lord'e  presence^  blessing,  and  appro, 
val  of  the  contemplated  step  ;  and  many  fervent 
prayora  and  snppUoationa  were  olbred  up  that 
God,  in  hia  infinite  mercy,  would  place  the  broad 
seal  of  his  approbation  npon  tbe  eervleea  of  tho 
day.  The  weather  having  been  very  stormy 
daring  the  previous  week,  fean  were  entertained 
lest  it  would  continue  during  the  Sabbath,  aa  it 
would  thus  prevent  many  persons  living  at  a  dis- 
tance, being  present ;  but  the  Sabbath  morning 
dawned  bright  and  Mr,  and  tbe  weather  during 
the  day  was  flue  and  favourable  for  the  oecaaion. 
There  were  persona  present  from  Birmingham, 
Wsstbromwlch,  Wednesbury,  Dudley,  Netherton, 
Wolverhampton,  Willenhall,  and  Goaley.  Oar 
eeteemed  brother,  Mr.  8.  Ooaens,  (of  WarboysJ 
with  whom  we  have  been  favored  to  walk  in  fel- 
lowship  for  many  years,  preached  three  sermons 
on  the  oocasion.[Morning  sabject :  '  the  ehorch ;' 
text,  182nd  Psalm  and  10th  verse.  *  Here  will  I 
dwelL'  Afternoon  text,  2  Chroolelss  ix.  7, 
'  Happy  are  thy  men,  and  happy  are  these  thy 
servante  which  stand  eontlnoally  bsfsre  thee,T 

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72 


THS  BAETHSM   YS88XL. 


[Mwcii  1, 1659. 


■ad  hMT  th J  wMoB.**  Alter  lh«  iwnM  lh« 
ehvnh  WM  ImiiimI  by  the  following  lour  br^ 
tiuwB  ifnding  round  iho  eommnnton  tablo,  «nd 
Joining  oaeh  others  bende,  Kiehard  Baaki,  Peter 
Peeraoo,  Tboe.  Johnaon,  and  Bei^.  AUwood,  Mr. 
Ooient  taking  the  Joined  banda  in  hia  own 
and  oiTeriog  np  a  moat  aolemn  and  impreeaive 
prajer  for  Ood's  bleMing  to  reat  upon  the  obnrch 
tbaaformedt  be  then  took  by  the  hand  eixteen 
other  baptiaed  peraona,  and  pnblisly  reeogniaed 
them  aa  one  body,  the  elementa  were  then  part^ 
ken  of  by  the  ehnroh,  and  aome  deaeona  and 
frienda  fhun  neighboaring  efanrehca.  It  waa  folt 
to  be  a  meet  aolemn  time.  The  anbject  for  the 
ereningy  waa  *  The  ofBeera  of  the  Chnroh,'  Mr. 
C.  eommeneed  by  aUting  that  there  were  but 
two  oflHaee  in  oonneetion  with  the  ehoreh  of 
Cbriat,  the  miniater  and  the  deaeona,  and  would 
aeleot  Moaca  to  repreaent  the  miniater,  and  Ste- 
phen the  deaeon,  wbieh  be  apoke  npon  with  great 
liberty  for  more  than  an  hoar. 

The  whole  of  the  aerrioea  of  the  day  waa 
marked  by  maeh  aolemnity  and  reverenee  and 
the  attention  paid  to  every  aentenee  that  fall 
from  Mr.  Ca  lipa  eridenUy  ahowed  that  the 
people  fed  npoa  the  word,  and  aercral  expreaaed 
their  aatiafaetion  and  aUted  that  they  never 
heard  aooh  tmth  before  the  day'a  aerrioei^  and 
the  eoUeetion,  aarpaaaed  oar  expeoutiona.  B. 

BLAGKHEATH-DBAm  Bnonnn  Bama^I 
think  it  right  to  tell  yoa  one  of  the  eandidatee, 
I  bad  the  privilege  of  beptisiag  at  Deere  Park, 
atated  in  the  aeeonnt  ahe  gave  of  the  Lord'a 
dealings  with  her,  that  bar  ikrat  impreeaiona  of 
divine  tmth  were  reeeived  ihroogh  reading  *  Tn 
EAaTHBM  Yaaan. ;'  after  thia,  ahe  waa  led  to  at- 
tend the  ministry  of  Mr.  John  Oorbitt,  under 
whom  ahe  derived  mueh  profit;  ehe  then  re- 
moved to  Btaekbeath,  and  the  word  at  Daere 
Park  being  bleaaed  to  her,  ahe  waa  led  to  follow 
the  Lord  in  Baptism  and  unite  heraelf  with  the 
Cbureh  there.  Here,  dear  bioCher,  ia  encourage* 
ment  for  you ;  it  ahewa  what  variona  meana  the 
Lord  employe  to  aeeompUab  Hia  own  purpoaee. 
Would  it  not  be  well  if  when  our  brethren 
Baptise  any  to  whom  another  miniatry  liaa  been 
made  aaeful,  they  ahoold  eommunieate  the  aame 
to  him  t— it  might  often  eheer  the  heart  of  aome 
wiko  are  tempted  to  think  they  have  laboured  ta 
vain.  There  ie  a  Spirit  of  prayer  amongat  the 
IHenda  at  Daere  Park,  and  I  traat  the  Lord  ia  re- 
viving Hia  own  work  there.  Ireouin,  dear 
Brother,  Toura  in  the  truth, 

J.  B.  Cbackwklu 

[We  praiae  and  thank  the  Lord ;  and  foal  grate- 
ful to  brother  CraeknelU  Bneh  teatimoniae  do 
help  ua  to  bear  our  heavy  UnkL-^Bd.] 

BXPITOBD— On  Monday,  Feb.  14tb,  aooord- 
ihg  to  a  );>revious  snnounoement,  a  servioe  was 
held,  oommemorative  of  the  teitlement  of  Mr. 
C.  Wyard,  at  Zion  Chapel,  NeW  Cross  Boad, 
on  wbieh  ooeasion  a  numerous  and  eheerful  oom- 
pany  gathered  together.  In  afternoon,  brother 
Williamson,  of  Netting  Hill,  read  and  prayed, 
and  brother  Foreman  delivered  aa  addreaa  on  the 
deaign  of  the  Gospel  ministry  from  Epb.  iv,  18. 
*  For  the  per/edinff  of  tht  Sstftto/  fto.  After 
wbieh,  about  200  persons  sat  down  to  tea ;  bro- 
ther Wyard  introdooed  the  evening  services  by 


a  hyma  )  bralhcr  Moyll  iMd  and  piayad  s  ow 
paator  than  atated  the  eljcetof  the  meeting ;  nad 
guve  some  account  of  the  piograac  daring  hia 
twelve  mootha  poatorate ;  beaaid  he  had  ban 
encouraged  by  the  additiona  which  had  baan 
made  to  the  ehureh ;  (%$  had  been  added;  and 
he  had  about  ten  more  to  propoee  at  the  mzt 
ebureh  meeting;)  by  the  peace  and  harmony 
wbieh  liad  charaeteriaed  the  cbureh  meetinga ;  hj 
the  fervency,  feeling,  and  aflMtkm,  which  ap- 
peared to  nwrk  the  prayera  of  the  brethrea  ; 
and  by  the  general  good  feeling  which  aeemed  to 
pervade  the  whole ;  and  he  liad  lelt  often  induced 
to  exclaim  with  joy  aad  feeUag,  *The  X«ord  of 
hoeu  ia  with  ua,  the  <3od  of  laeob  ia  oar  rataga.' 
There  waa,  he  believed,  a  perfoet  reciprocity  of 
feeling  between  Uembtn,  Deacfnu,  and  PoMtor. 
They  had  thought  and  acted  in  perfect  agree- 
ment with  each  other ;  everything  looked  eaeoar- 
aging  and  promiaing.  The  Sabbath  Bobooi  wee 
proapering  with  a  good  ataif  of  leacheia.  Tha 
good  brethren,  loaea,  Hanka,  Bloomfleld,  and 
Pabner,  then  spoke  very  adminbly,  very  edifying 
and  encouraging,  ezpreesing  their  good  wishee 
and  aihction  for  the  church,  with  iu  Bishop  aad 
Dracons.  We  were  thaakf al  to  eee  eo  away  of 
oar  miniaterial  brethren  present;  they  wara 
eheersd  aad  delighted  with  the  preseat  aapcaC  of 
things.  We  hope  to  see  them  another  year. 
Kay  God  continue  to  bless  ua  1  After  the  aer- 
vioe,  a  oolleotion  was  made  towards  the  liqaida- 
Uon.  of  the  debt  on  the  ahapel,  whiah  ie  now  a 
little  over  £iOO.  Signed,  W.  Manaaws,  1.  O. 
KawxAan,  Gio.  Woone,  Deacem. 
Feb.  19,  1899. 


THE  VIOLENCE  OF  SATAN; 

▲HD 

THE    VICTORIES   OP    0I1£I8T. 


Dbab  Ms.  Editor— At  the  particular  re- 
queat  of  a  friend,  I  send  thia  for  pttbiiaataon ; 
ane  ia  anzioua  I  abould  teatify  to  tiia  Lord*a 
faithfulneas  to  one  of  hia  triedpilgrima. 

My  much  beloved  mother^  Hrg.  Thomaxan 
Vaughan,  whoae  happy  spirit  ia  now  before 
the  throne,  was  for  more  than  thirty  yoara  a 
tniTeUer  in  bondage ;  never  during  tine  pjnod 
able  to  realize  her  intereafc  in  the  greait  work 
of  Bedemption;  her  eonalant  ery  was  *<Mi, 
this  wretched  heart  of  mine !  what  a  aink  of 
ain  and  unbelief;"  and  whenever  her  children 
have  tried  to  point  out  from  Beripiure  there 
waa  mercy  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  at 
other  timea  to  comfort  her  from  the  promiaeei 
ahe  would  reply,  **  iheg  ar€forjf<m  .•  mot  for 
me  :  there  ie  no  Iffe,  no  love  ta  me,  I  fear ; 
Tou  do  not  know  what  a  wicked  mother  vou 
have ;  and  frequently  did  ahe  regrel  ahe  bad 
ever  made  a  proleesion.  Qreailj  did  we 
mourn  to  eee  theae  alaviah  feaie,  to  And  her 
thus  harraased  by  the  enemy,  when  her  life 
waa  proving  to  ul  around,  ^Dorn  of  God.' 

In  a  letter  to  my  aiater  J ^  dated  Dee- 
ember,  1864L  ahe  remarks  tbua,  '  aad  do  yo« 
mjf  deargM  eHUmmfbr  me,  mmowH^  me  7 
I oamMoieay  Iprof  fir  mfeeifs  O,  prmy  that 
the  dear  Lord  may  yet  lift  up  the  light  of  Hia 

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1.1 


M 


THB   BARTHBK   TXSSBL. 


73 


eoantAiittiee  upon  me^  if  it  be  Ikk  aovvmn 
vUl:  goon,  dear,  if  so  be  there  maybe  hope. 
1  do  not  want  you  to  think  me  eTerythinff, 
vhoi  I  am  nothing;  nothing  t  O  boI  The 
d«ar  Lord  knowa  the  heart.  O.  pray,  dear, 
that  the  Lord  may  purge  me  with  hysaop,  and 
maia  me  dean,  and  make  me  ail  that  he 
▼oaUliaTeme  to  be ;  the  mercies  of  our 
Crod  are^eat,  and  his  eom  passion  fuknot/ 

SalTstion  was  at  hand,  though  the  set  time 
to  fiTour  fflon  had  not  fully  eome  j— at  length 
"*f^ed,  and  her  God  was  found  faithful 
aeconfiiw  to  his  promise;  (to  a  beloved  friend 
whilatnteadingforhor  in  the  year  62.)  'at 
ftm  UmeU  shall  hd  liaU: 

In  Jinuaiy,  1856,  she  was  seised  with  a 
paralytie  stroke;  after  a  few  weeks  she 
reeorered  so  fitt  a»  to  sit  up  a  little  while, 
^th  flopoort  In  a  chair,  when  she  said,  take 
me  to  bid,  dear  chUd;  I  did  so.  She  had 
«trcely  laid  down  before  she  burst  forth  with 
uu  raptoioas  ezcUmation,  ^Let  «m  hUg$ 
^hOf  MSM  Ui^Hher  f  Se  ha*  redeemed  me; 
OMnt  magnify  hUhol^  name,  for  he  hath 
r«iimei  •«/  I  read  several  of  Kant's 
Jymn*,  which  she  very  greatly  enjoyed,  and 
fonad  Tery  precious. 

In  KoTcmbw,  my  dear  sister,  Mrs.  S 

vMiXm  eldest  son,  «  dear  boy,  to  whom 
nwtMr  was  much  attached,  not  only  for  his 
sffeetwoate  attentions  to  her,  but  for  his 
gn)wthm  grace,  which  endeared  him  to  all 
wwmd.  We  feared  to  t^llhw;  but  our  dear 
1^  ^ared  us  this  additional  trial ;  immedi- 
atelj  ay  dear  sister  went  to  her  bed-side  in 
th^moranifc  she  said,  ^the  dear  hoy  ie  H 
9^'9rg:  the  Lord  hath  told  me  so  ;  and  I  have 

For  loae  time  she  was  tranquil  and  happy, 

tmt,  ala^  was  again  for  months  more  distressed 

than  ever;  and  said  the  enemy  was  near  her 

«ii«f«Ter  die  went,  and  oft-tunes   made  my 

*»*w  L-  get  up  in  the  night :    he  was 

Cfibe faid)tn the  room;    his  form  so  hideous, 

^»«tmg  to  take  hw  awav.    In  May,  1867,  she 

'^  ««^  wiib  a  third  stroke.     We    did 

■0*  tfcittk  Ao  eonld  surnve  many  days ;   but 

•be.sgatanffied.    Never  shall  I  forget  (while 

■ttmgwaiehing  her  sleeping  one  day)  her 

•wnWaad  distressed  countenance,  feeling 

« tned  I  eonld  not  remain  in  th#  room  alone 

^  her,  80  called  my  dear  sbter  L  , 

>Dd  told  her  ray  fears;   when  she  awoke  it 

f«  M  maeh  as  we  coald  do  to  hold  her  in 

bed :  aKhoogfa  her  weakneaa  was  great.  After 

v>«tlingi  in  pvayer,  the  Lord  bronght  deli v- 

cnaee ;  *tbe  vision  was  for  on  appointed  time. 

•i  tbeeadit  did  speak.'    How  was  her  joy 

er«ater  than  had  been  her  distress.  I  repeated 

ti»M  sweet  Knss~ 

'  fiegoae  aobeUef  my  Savloar  li  near, 

Aa4  inr  yoor  rslicf,  wtU  sonly  appoar ; 

£!  rac  ^ra  wlH  wrestle,  and  he  will  perfonn 

^tui  Ghrirt  hi  the  veisei,  yo«  shaU  snUe  at  the 


At  this  last  Ime  my  dear  mother  lifted  her 
^es  to  me  with  snefa  a  look  of  joy  I  shall 
i^er  forget,  and  said.  Ha  X8  kibs  ;  Hb  is 
uu!  »fileas  the  Lord,  O  mv  soul;  and 
^  that  is  within  me  bless  his  (olv  name ;' 
He  has  loved  me^  and  given  himself  for  mo ; 


and  beeausB  He  lives  I  shall  live  also.  O 
praiee him!  Praiee  hhm/  I  ehall  wear  the 
erown  he  hoe  prepared  for  me  I  »or  mi  I» 
I  said,  yes!  you  will  see  him  as  he  is,  without 
a  fflass  between.  Tee  I  and  I  shaU  bear  the 
palm,  and  help  to  crown  hun  Lord  of  axiL  ! 
So  great  was  W  ioy,  weak  nature  was  over- 
come, and  she  fell  into  a  sweet  sleep,  a  dear 
friend  coming  in  at  the  time,  raised  her  hands 
and  said,  what  a  heavenly  countenance  I  She 
will  die  as  she  has  lived,  a  good  woman,  to 
{  which  I  can  bear  40  years'  testimony.  This 
I  joy  lasted  for  many  days  without  interruption, 
and  my  Lord  favoured  me  with  a  sweet  as- 
surance that  she  would  not  again  come  into 
bondage :  nor  did  she ;  for  the  Uut  13  months 
of  her  life  was  spent  in  praise;  and  so  near 
did  the  Lord  appear  to  her  view,  she  would 
Mil  those  around  to  'JBehoid  HimV  Some- 
times she  would  burst  forth  into  singing : 
'There  is  my  house  and  portion  dear ; 
Hy  treasure  and  mv  heart  are  there. 

And  my  abiding  noma. 
For  me  my  elderbrethren  stay. 
And  angels  beekoning  me  away, 

Bat  Jesus  bids  me  come.' 
And  again: 

'  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesu's  name, 
Let  anffels  prostrate  fall. 
Bring  mrth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  alL' 
A  dear  friend  remarking  how  grieved  he 
felt  to  see  her  80-  heavily  afflicted,   Might 
afflictions;  light  afflictions ;   I  only  long  for 
my  Lord  to  call  me  home.'     Many  Ibund  it 
good  to  spend  a  little  time  with  her ;  a  few 
months  before  her  death,  she  called  my  yoiin« 
gest  sister  to  her,  and  told  her  she    ■  could 
behold  the  Lamb,  and  the  land  that  was  afar 
off.'    A  few  days  before  her  death  she  fixed 
her  eyes  as  though  in  communion  with  Ood. 
and  again  called  her,  saying,    *  I  can  behold 
the  Lamb,  and  the  land  that  was  afar   off, 
brought  nigh:  I  shall  soon  be  at  home.'     My- 
bister  said, 

*  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.' 
She  quickly  answered, 
*  Whilst  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head. 
And  breatho  my  life  out  sweetly  there.' 
which  she  did  in  four  days  after,  June  14th. 
1868,  aged  67  years. 

'  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord, 
from  henceforth ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labours.' 

Elizabbtb  VAUaSAB 
Vanborough  Fields,  Blackheath,  Feb.  1869. 


Old  BsBimroBD.  — Mr.  Parsons,  late  of 
Chesham,  has  accepted  an  invitation  for  one 
year,  of  the  Church  at  Old  Brentford,  with  a 
view  to  the  pastorate;  his  labours  eom- 
meneing  Lord's-day,  February  20tb.  He  ^ 
will  preach  Lord's  days  and  Wednesdar  eve- 
nings. We  return  our  most  sincere  tiianka 
for  the  kindness  of  those  ministers  who  have 
so  cheerfully  assisted  us  for  nearly  four  years 
and  she  months.  J.  LninLBT. 


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14 


TBI  SABTUIM  TB881I.. 

OUR   C50L0NIAL  MAIL. 


[MakIi  1, 18«. 


A  Letter  from  a  chbistian  brotheb  iir  new  Zealand. 


Mb.C.  W.  Bavkb,— Dear  Sir.— I  Bhould 
feel  obliged  by  jour  Bending  me  the  numbers 
of '  Eakthbn  vbsbbl'  for  1868,  and  continue 
to  send  them  monthly.  I  have  enclosed  half 
BoTereign  for  that  purpose.  ScTeral  copies  of 
the  Vessel  hare  found  their  way  to  this  dis- 
tant land.  I  hare  the  ten  first  relumes ; 
sereral  others  hare  them  through  friends  in 
England.  The  general  information  of  the 
Prorincial  and  lA>ndon  Churches  hare  been 
exceedingly  interesting  to  rour  distant  friends. 
Idesire  toolessGodfor  tliat  support  he  has 
afforded  yon  and  your  Correspondents  in  con- 
tending earnestly  for  '  the  faith  once  delirered 
to  the  Saints,'  in  this  day  of  dead  formality, 
error,  and  superstition. 

I  hare  been  Eighteen  years  in  the  Colony : 
in  my  isolated  position,  free  froip  the  influence 
of  parties  and  sects,  the  Scriptures  hare 
been  my  study  day  and  night ;  I  hope  to  some 
profit  From  what  I  hare  seen  amrngst  pro- 
fessors in  this  part  of  the  world,  and  from 
general  information  of  what  is  going  on  in 
Europe  and  America,  I  am  dail^  more  oon- 
rincM  of  the  truth  of  that  assertion,  uttered 
many  years  since,  by  that  able  minister  of 
truth,  John  Sterens,  that  *  the  world  and  the 
church  are  become  one  oommon  field ;  dirinity 
is  now  taught  and  followed  as  any  other  dto- 
fesfion,  for  sordid  gun.'  It  appears  eriaent 
to  me,  that  the  ministry  of  the  professing 
church  is  daily  becoming  more  unprofitable, 
and  is  .  less  acknowledged  by  the  Spirit's 
power.  Jeremiah's  commission  was  to  '  sep- 
arate the  preoiona  from  the  rile ;'  our  pro- 
phets, I  fear,  hare  their  oonunission  from 
another  quarter ;    their  aim  is  to  amalgamate. 


and  not  to  separate ;  in  order  to  strowthi 
their  party,  and  augment  their  funds.  X)ut, 
fisith,  and  offered  grace,  which  rings  from 


nearly  erery  pulpit,  is  the  net  to  catch  their 

lliat  a  fearful  doud  is  gathering  orer  the 
religious  horizon,  I  hare  no  doubt:  and  God 
only  knows  what  the  result  will  be.  Deep 
humiliation  should  be  the  position  of  all  his 
children  at  this  time,  on  aooount  of  many 
neglected  pririleges.  Anti*ehristian  errors 
within  a  few  years  past,  hare  been  scattered 
orer  the  world  like  wild-fire^  under  the 
rarious  names  of  Popery,  Puseyism,  Armini- 
anism,  and  other  isms  but  litUe  better ;  and 
the  further  from  the  truth,  the  more  success- 
ful their  efforts :  and  those  churches  who  (by 
profession  at  least)  hare  maintained  the 
truth,  are  looking  on  with  indifference. 

In  the  order  of  Froridence,  thousands 
yearly  are  learing  your  churches  and  families 
for  the  Colonies,  wnere  they  are  left  to  be  the 
prer  of  erery  seducer.  The  Baptists,  nor  the 
Inoependants,  hare,  I  beliere,  nerer  made  an 
attempt  to  send  the  truth  to  these  Colonies  ; 
nor  eren  to  establish  an  agency  for  their 
numerious  publications,  while  nearly  erery 
other  sect  has  its  paid  agents  at  ereir  post. 
Although  the  brethren  hare  orerlooked  us  ;— 
yet,  I  trust  Qod  is  not  without  a  witness  in 


these  Islands ;  there  are  many  sincere  Christ- 
ians scattered  orer  the  different  settlements 
who  cannot  conscientiously  join  the  ranks  of 
apostacy ;  who  hare  been  kept  by  the  power 
of  Qed  through  faith  from  bringing  disgnuw 

rn  the  cause  of  truth  they  profess  :  but  for 
want  of  ministers,  and  being  much  scat- 
tered, there  is  but  little  union  among  them. 

The  low-sentiment  Baptists  and  Indepen- 
dents, when  they  oome  to  the  Colonies, 
generally  fidl  in  with  the  Arminians  or  some- 
thing worse.  I  hare  known  sereral  of  them 
go  boldly  into  popery  at  once.  It  has  been  m 
mat  consolation  to  me  that  amongst  all  tha 
falling  off  amongst  professors,  1  hare  nerer 
known  one  who  was  brought  to  experience  the 
power  of  those  great  truths  bo  much  despised, 
who  hare  been  permitted  to  fall  away.  I 
desire  to  bless  Goa  it  was  my  pririlege  to  hear 
the  Gospel  proclaimed  for  nearly  fire  years,  by 
that  faroured  serrant  of  God,  Mr.  J.  Foreman, 
and  others.  The  ererlasting  lore  of  God  the 
Father,  the  all-prerailine  atonement  and 
mediation  of  an  adorable  Bedeemer,  the 
effectual  working  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the 
regeneration  and  sanotification  of  all  the 
election  of  grace,  was  the  theme  of  their  song; 
these  truths  are,  and  I  trust  they  erer  will  be, 
the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  my  heart  Dear  Sir, 
I  hope  you  will  insert  this  in  the  Ywsel,  in 
order,  if  it  be  possible  \o  awsken  the  churchee 
to  their  neglect  of  their  distant  brethren. 

We  profess  to  follow  the  primitire  churehae 
in  doctrine  and  praetioe ;  was  it  earned  ont, 
such  men  as  Mr.  Wells,  Mr.  Foreman,  ICr. 
Philpot,  and  others,  would  (ere  this)  as  the 
apostles  of  old,  hare  risited  ererj  Britidi 
Colony,  and  not,  as  is  often  the  ease  now  when 
a  poor  unfortunate,  for  lack  of  talent  or 
energy  fails  at  home,  is  recommended  to  emi- 
grate. 1  oould  say  more  on  this  point,  but 
forbear.  Jobbph  whiti.  ' 

Htttt  near  Wellington,  New  Zealand. 
Nor.  10th,  1858. 

[We  hare  sent  to  this  brother  a  pareel  of 
*  Barthen  Vftsels,'  '  Cheering  Words,'  tc  We 
want  to  send  out  some  thousands  for  distri- 
bution in  the  Colonies.  A  plan  is  suggested  bj 
Mr.  Skinner  to  hare  a  fund  for  gietrntoas 
distribution.  We  wish  to  send  our  brethren 
at  the  ends  of  the  earth,  all  the  good  news  we 
can ;  any  one  may  see  brother  White's  spirit 
is  rery  low.— Bd.] 

MELBOURNE. 

Our  brother  Daniel  Allen's  long  and  exeel- 
lent  epistle,  iwentr-six  pages,  full  of  biblical 
exposition,  reached  us  too  late  for  insertion : 
this  oommimication  leads  us  to  belierethat 
the  word  of  Christ  dwells  ftiUy  and  richly  in 
our  brother's  heart ;  we  are  glad  that  Mel- 
bourne has  a  witness  so  truthful:  the  Lord 
long  presorre  and  prosper  him  and  the  cause 
with  which  he  stands  connected. 


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THB   BARTHIM    YBBSCL. 


76 


JEinitm. 


*  A  Voiet  film  the  JPulpU;  By  John 
Bl>3niBcld,  of  Salem  Chapel,  Meard*8  Court, 
Si^ho.  London ;  publuhed  by  Eobert  BaqIu 
mJ  Co.  O.  J.  SteTeneon,  54,  Patemoeter 
It^w;  76  pages ;  price  6d.  There  are  three 
di^itinct  claaaet  of  revievers :  the  first,  praise 
netrly  cTery  book  or  pamphlet  which  falls 
iQto  their  hands  :  the  second,  ezertslBe  a  eriti- 
«iim  so  seren,  that  nothing  escapes  their 
WMoie  in  some  way  or  other ;  the  third, 
^  sU  sUenUy  by,  with  the  exception  of  a 
lev  fiifoorita  authors;  from  them  they  ex- 
ptct  Twy  largely,  and  extol  them  to  the 
bi^bflrt  We  deaiiy  lore  i«newing  good 
br>oki :  and  pur  desire  is  to  deal  with  Uiem  as 
we  woald  with  good  men  i  admire  the  grace 
^  Qsd  in  them;  and  as  to  the  spots  or 
blemiibes ;  or  little  defects ;  we  prefer  to  say 
iK4hiQg,  rather  than  magnify.  Mr.  Bloom- 
fold's  new  edition  of  «  The  6hritHam*9  Com- 
paniom*  has  receired  a  hearty  welcome  from 
til  who  renew  this  class  cf  works ;  and  the 
Vmeg  from  the  PutpU,  will  add  much  to  Mr. 
B]  cornfield's  fiune  as  an  author.  This  book 
funiishes  eridenee  of  three  things:— fint, 
that  Xr.  Btoomfield  is  an  industrious  student 
and  minirtsr;  secondly,  that  his  spirit  delights 
tn  dimb  the  highest  hilla  of  theology;  and 
thirdly,  that  he  is  anxious  by  all  means  to 
feM,  sod  to  eomfert,  to  edify,  and  to  enervate 
tJK  living  toemben  of  the  true  Church  of 
Obriit    We  sincerely  wish  him  God- speed. 

Ftre  haportant  essays  are  given  in  this 
rohoie  >-The  Work  of  the  Mimstry ;  Enoch 
Walking  with  God;  Heavenly  Citisenship; 
The  Church  of  Ood ;  and  The  Smitten  Shep- 
herd. Andld,  a  loving,  and  an  intelUgeat 
ipirit,  nms  through  the  whole. 

'  Jfodirw  Athene;  or,  the  City  Wkollf  Qiven 
vptelMtOrf:  ByJ.CarbiU,Bi4>tistliinister 
OrCoffd  HUl,  Norwich;  sent  for  six  stamps, 
to  say  address ;  or  one  dozen  copies  for  five 
ibiUiagB.  The  city  of  Norwich  has  become 
notonmas  fiov  the  unholy  work  carried  on  there 
by  loiae  of  the  Leaders  of  an  old  established 
Baptist  caass,  of  which  ftirther  mention  will 
b?  made^  Mr.  Jofa^  Corbitt^  the  pastor  of  the 
Churth  on  Orford  Hill,  is  well  known  in  Eng- 
hnd,  ss  a  perfectly  originaL  strictly  honour- 
able, and  fearlessljr  fiuthful  testifier  of  the 
truth  ss  revealed  in  the  gospel  The  Lord 
has  given  to  him  a  proaperons  and  useful  posi- 
tioo  in  the  OU  Cathedral  City  of  Norwich ; 
&nd  beside  preaching  the  gospel  in  his  own 
piioe,  John  CorbiU  has  looked  closely  into 
the  idolatries^  Ibrmalitias,  ceremonial  fooleries, 
*Qd  hypocritical  professions  of  his  fellow-citi- 
tsti»  His  \axfs^  heart*  (and  John  Corbitt  is 
^'*  %  little  man  in  any  sense,)  has  bled  within 
hiffl ;  and  his  soul  has  groaned  deeply,  while 
he  hss  witnessed  the  SmxV  delusions,  where- 
vith  thoosands  of  his  church  and  chapel -eoing 
Kfifbhoors,  are  being  led  captive  hy  blind 
bats  and  empty  boasters.  John  Corbitt  knows, 
failnreU,  the  preciousnesa  of  that  salvation 
vhkh  is  in,  and  by,  and  through,  the  Son  of 
0.id  :^oba  was  a  sinner  as  blmd,  as  bad,  as 
^t^ue,  as  any  under  the  heavens :  the  sovereign, 
U«  iafxneible. 


the  spontaneous  grace  of  God 


came  to  him  ezpntosly ;  opened  h&s  ejrei  aff- 
ectuaUv ;  changed  his  heart  radicfdly :  trans, 
lated  him  from  the  kingdom,  of  Satan  into 
the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son  manifestively ; 
brought  pardon  and  peace  to  his  conscience 
most  blessedly  ;  and  for  years  John  Corbitt 
has  been  one  of  the  noblest,  and  most  success- 
ful chamnions  for  Christ's  gospel,  that  we 
have  in  all  the  provinces.  Could  such  a  man 
witness  the  deadly  doings  of  these  Norwich 
professors,  and  remain  silont  P  God  forbid ! 
he  could  not.  He  has  written  a  complete 
body  of  divinity  in  this  *  Modem  Athene  ;*  it 
is  making  an  unusual  stir— the  dogs  are  bark- 
ing, the  sheep  are  feeding.  All  we  now  say, 
is,  let  John  Corbitt's  l^k  fly  through  the 
land  by  thousands. 

'  The  Prince  of  thie  World  Judged.'  Such 
is  the  title  of  No.  7,  of  '  The  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle Pulpit:*  a  title  which  is  powerfully 
sustained  and  illustrated  in  the  sermon  itself. 
We  have  read  it  with  profit  and  interest.  The 
few  last  numbers  of  this  series,  have  enhan- 
ced the  value  o^the  work  to  a  considerable 
degree.  •  The  World  Saved  ;*  •  The  World 
Judged;'  *  The  World  Lost;'  are  all  sermons 
which  pour  into  such  poor  minds  as  ours  an 
immense  amount  of  Scriptural  knowledge : 
they  have  opened  up  in  our  souls  more  fuUy, 
the  terrible  nature  and  consoquenoes  of  sin,  of 
error,  and  of  a  mere  outside  profession  of 
religion  :  tbey  have  endeared  to  us  the  faith- 
ful and  honest  ministers  of  truth  ;  the  gospel 
of  truth;  and  the  eternal  Gon  of  truth:  and, 
we  have  believed  that  the  blessed  Spirit  of 
the  living  God  who  indited  these  discourses. 
Will  render  them  of  inca](iulable  serdce  to  the 
churches  of  this,  and  of  future  ages.  '  The 
Prinee  cf  thie  World  Judged?  is  a  sermoa 
somewhat  out  of  the  common  track,  and  is, 
we  think,  wisely  handled.  If  the  great  Ad- 
versury  does  not  make  a  dreadful  attack  upon 
the  minister  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  for 
this-  sermon,  it  will  be  simply  because  he  has 
made  so  many  attempts  to  overturn  him,  and 
hasalwaysbeen  defeated :  and,  therefore,  retiree 
to  his  dtfk  den,  biting  his. lips  with  madness, 
saying,  *  I  can,  as  an  angel  of  light,  as  a 
fowler,  laying  snares ;  or  as  a  roaring  lion, 
master  most  of  these  ministers,  as  they  are 
called ;  but  that  long,  strong,  unbending,  de. 
termined  face-like-a-flint  aort  of  a  'flying 
angel,*  at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  he  haa 
been  battering  me  so  many  years;  anddriv- 
iag  such  a  successful  trade  with  many  hun- 
dreds of  them  who  were  once  my  willing  sub- 
jects, that  I  am  tired  of  trying  any  more  to 
throw  him  off  his  throne.  He  has  drank  so 
deeply  of  the  river  of  life ;  and  has  so  thor- 
ongnly  taken  to  himself  the  whole  armour  of 
GcM ;  and  is  surrounded  by  such  an  army  of 
^pel  warriors,  that  I  can  do  nothing  I'  It 
IS  evident,  from  one  part  of  the  sermon  that 
Mr.  WeUs  knows  well  that  Satan  would  soon 
overturn  him,  but  for  his  'oneness  with  Jesus.' 
Mr.  Wells,  speaking  of  this  our  common  foe, 
says  I — 

'  He  is  (as  I  have  said)  a  dreadful  enemy;  I 
am  no  match  for  him,  not  the  slightest.  1  am 
no  moro  in  his  hands  than  a  straw  or  a  fea- 


Digitized  by 


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76 


THE  EARTHEN  TSSSKL. 


[M«nb  1»  18M. 


iher ;  he  eoiild  tarn  me  «boat  at  «  mere  no* 
tttiiiij'.  Bat  give  mo  *  ododoh  with  /esno,' 
then  I  em  o  match  tbr  him ;  gire  me  the 
pnaeneo  of  the  blemad  Ood,  then  I  am  a 
mateh  for  him ;  give  me  the  Holy  Spirit  reat* 
ing  npon  my  booI,  and  eanaing  me  to  triumph 
in  Christ,  then  I  can  raritt  the  derilj  then 
he  flees  from  me ;  then  I  can  reiotoe  in  the 
Messed  fteedom  that  1  have  m  Chnst  Jesus/ 

'The  Saner  Xabernade  Pulpit,'  is  eri- 
dentlyaooeptable  to  the  people :  its  mreulation 
steadily  increases;  we  are  determined,  God 
helping,  to  send,  it  through  the  nations  of 
Europe  by  tens  of  thoiiiands  if  possible ;  as 
an  antidote  to  the  millions  of  poisonous,  and 
anti-truthful  productions  now  issuing  from 
the  press. 

In  No.  8  of  S.  T.  Pulpit^entitled,  TksEnmiiM 
J>rfeaUdy  we  hare  an  exposition,  a  spiritual 
and  an  experimental  opening,  of  the  twelfth 
ehapter  of  Bevelation,  in  wBich  tJU  woman 
eUiih$d  with  ike  Sun  is  represei^ted,  we  think, 
in  her  STew-CoTcnant  and  true  Gfospel  cha- 
neter.  This  sermon  wil^  justify  the  oon- 
▼iction  that  Mr.  WelU  has  read  moet  exten- 
nvely  the  writings  of  the  learned  on  the 
ApooaIypee;~it  abo  clearly  shews  that  while 
an  eiforta  to  explain  the  Word  of  God  Uto- 
rdHf,  are  connicting  and  unoertain,  erro- 
neous and  extravaffant,  the  $piritual  deve- 
lopement  ot  Qod'a  holy  Word,  as  brought  out 
by  the  Spirit  of  life  and  truth,  in  the  history 
of  the  ehuroh,  and  in  the  hearts  of  the  ran- 
somed—is simple,  certain,  delightfully  har- 
monious ;  so  dear,  and  brilliantly  illumina- 
ting—  that  the  wayfkring  man  —  although 
wrapt  in 'ignorance  as  regards  the   higher 


gui] 
Sroi 


sdenoea,  natural  and  artifioial— in  the  qnrit- 
ual  knowledge  of  the  mysteries  of  grace,  he 
can  noTor  fatally  err.  It  is  considered  a  rare 
and  intaluable  blessing  to  afllieted  souls,  to 
hare  ^An  Xnierpreter  with  thmn:*  in  this 
department  of  toe  Gospel  ministry— (without 
~iile  or  partiality—)  we  certainlj  think  our 
other  at  the  Surrey  Tabemade  is  honoored 
to  a  great  degree. 

*«  GsMs  to  B^gfUmn,"  By  Joseph  Palmer, 
Minirter  of  Bomoey  StreetOhapel,  Westmrns- 
ter.  Lendons  B.  Pahner,  18,  Batemoeter 
Bow.  A  little  two-peimy  manual  for  diatribo- 
tion  in  onr  eoagregatioui ;  it  will  arreat  the 
attention :  with  God's  blessing,  it'  will  canr 
home  oonTietion,  and  lead  to  a  loring  obedi- 
ence, as  in  the  ease  of  Theodosia  BriMst. 

^*Ths  Chtpel  JBjraM  JBooki  fitr  Sunday 
(MkooUand  Tmohmri  M§Himin:*  London; 
Houlston  A  Wright;  and  of  the  Bditor, 
Bradford,  Wilts.  It  can  never  be  eaid  of 
William  Mawkina,  of  Bradford,  let  him  go  to 
heaTon  whenoTer  he  mav, — that  he  has  done 
no  good,  flis  beautiful  little  volume^  with 
above SOOof  the  best  Hymns  for  Sohools  is 
oseAily  cheap,  and  in  eveiT  wi^  ezoellent; 
ten  thousand  copies  have  been  issued :— but 
what  is  that  amgng  ««  our  Ohmrckaif  Vary 
feeUngW  we  ask— when  a  man  has  vaated 
brains,  body,  time,  and  substance,  to  eerre 
the  best  of  all  oauaea,  shocdd  not  he  find  a 
hearty  reepoMC  P— This  Gospel  Hymn  Book 
must  be  used  in  all  oar  sehools  where  semi^ 
nets  in  thsfiUth  is  the  rule  of  teachinff ;  be- 
eanse  we  know  of  nothing  that  oan  oooaistent- 
ly  oecupy  its  place. 


"  THE  DOCTRINES  AND  THE  DISCIPLINE  OUB  CHURCHES 
IN   DANGER." 


A  Taliant  Israelite  onee  said,  *  Andrew 
Fuller  did  all  he  could  to  destrt^  the  dooMnsa 
and  Bobert  Hall  did  all  he  could  to  destroy  the 
diteipUna,  of  our  churehes."  The  present 
aspect  of  tSban  rsall  v  requires  a  calm  and 
wise  consideration.  Some  great-headed  boys 
on  the  one  hand,  and  some  exeeedingly  res- 
pectable aeoommodators,  on  the  other,  are  eo 
oomfMely  taming  good  old  foshioned  thincs 
oat  of  doors,  that  us  'jMHicnlor  Mople*  wul 
not  dare  presently,  to  say  that  uie  jKUs  is 
God's  Holy  Word  and  Will ;  and  that  to  walk 
oontrarr  to  it,  is  dangeroos.'  HoweTer,  if 
Goepel  Principles,  and  Gospel  Praeiieiu  are  to 
be  continued  in  our  eburohes ;  the  faithful 
few  must  be  awake,  and  at  work.  Bvery  body 
has  heard  of  the  learned  Einghom.  He  was 
pastor  of  the  old  Baptist  Chareh  at  St  llarr's, 
ITorwich,  which,  for  a  oenturY  or  more  nas 
been  a  strict  communion   Baptist  Church. 

During  ICr.  B ^"s  pastorate  there,  he  fav«r- 

ed  open  communion ;  his  successor,  has  per- 
petuated this  breach  of  the  trust-deed.  The 
consequence  is,  a  suit  has  been  eommenoed, 
in  order  to  secure  the  property  to  the  Partiea- 
lar  Strict  Communion  Baptists.  Seeing  that 
mauT  honorable  members  have  been  most 
orueuT,  most  unjustly  excluded  f^m  the 
church,  simphr  because  they  contend  earnestly 
for  that  whicn  is  right  and  scriptural ;  and 


seeing  they  hare  been  compelled  to  take  their 
complaint  into  oourt  we  solemnly  beeeecfa 
erery  honest  Baptist  Pester  at  onoe  to  bring 
the  matter  before  his  people ;  let  a  meeting 
be  holden  at  once;  in  erery  city,  town,  and 
TiUage;  let  Mr.  Wilkin,  and  Mr.  Norton,  the 
Tlnistees  of  St.  MaiVs  Chspel,  Norwich, 
have  letters  of  sympathy,  and  tangible  help, 
forwarded  to  them :  that  Justioe  and  IVuth 
may  be  maintained.  Let  our  Baptist  ohordiaa 
rise  simultaneooslT;  righteoosness  shall  tfwii 
look  down  fhmi  nearen;  and  Truth  ahall 
still  spring  ap  oat  of  the  earth. 

Beports  of  meetings,  and  resolutions  pnased 
at  tiiose  meetings,  have  been  sent  as  vy  Mr. 
John  Corbitt,  and  hisdeaoens ;  by  Mr.  Gowen, 
and  his  deacons,  (both  of  Kcrwieh,)  and  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Milner,  and  his  deacons,  of  Knipol 
Street,  London.  These  brethren  haTe  alood 
forth  nobly.  We  cannot  publish  these  letten 
and  reports ;  but  we  this  day  issne  a  PeniiT 
Sunplementarr  Number,  entitled,  **  A  LOUP 
C£LL  TO  THB  BBITI6H  BAFTIgl 
CHUBCHE8."  This  Supplementary  Num- 
ber may  be  had  from  oar  Puolishers.  at  Sa.  per 
100 ;  or,  9d.  per  dosen  eopies,  for  distribntion 
among  all  congregations.  This  will  iMf  open 
the  case;  and  produce  a  powerfitl  sympathy. 

Surely  our  people  wul  not  sleep  while  the 
enemy  is  breaking  down  the  walls  of  Zi<m! 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


ApU  1.  M».] 


THI  BASTHBM   TBSSSL. 


77 


[Wi  /mI  boand  to  give  uoiuual  prominenoe  to  the  Letter  of  A  Little  One  this  time :  ita 
eon  tents  are  of  TaAt  moment ;  leeing  that  the  Dissenting  aristocracy  are  endeavouring 
to  throw  a  largo  amount  of  contempt  upon  that  Ordinance  which  our  Lo&D^rtf^  observed ; 
uid  seeing,  moreover,  that  those  who  professed  to  be  our  friends,  and  the  decided  firiendg 
of  truth  too,  are  now  boldly  going  naif-way  over  to  the  ranks  of  our  secret  foes.  We 
solemnly  believe  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep.— Ed.] 

superior  rirtne  to  the  Baptism  performed  by 
them ;  or,  as  the  Apostle  says,  <  Lest  any 
should  say  they  baptized  in  their  own  name.' 


EPISTLES  TO  THEOPHILUS. 

LBTTJSR  LIV. 

Ht  good  Theopiiilus, — As  you  are  a 
Biptist,  I  wish  you  also  to  be  decided  for 
itritt  eommunion.  Nerer  give  your  vote 
for  toy  cue  to  come  to  the  Lord's  table  nn- 
■mptnrally ;  neither  do  you  yourself  ever  sit 
down  at  the  table,  either  with  Independants, 
or  with  mixed  communion,  or  where  they 
sdait  none  into  the  Church  as  members  but 
by  Baptism,  yet  admit  others  to  the  table : 
bat  itaad  clear  of  all. 

lift,  Because  of  the  importance  of  confor- 
mity to  New  Testament  ordtr.    Faith  eomes 
first;  baptism  stands  next.    Baptism  is  not 
so  important,  nor  anjthing  like  so  important, 
u  regeneration,  as  living  faith,  having  living 
works ;  or,  as  redemption,  justification,  eter- 
nal election,  the  truth  of  an  ererlasting  cove- 
Bsnt,  with  eternal  glory.     If  Baptism  were 
u  httportsnt  as  these  essential  truths,  every 
hetven-tSQght  man  would  be  sure  to  be  a 
Bsptist:  Baptism  is  in  no  way  essential  to 
salTadon ;  it  is  not  in  the  vital  sense,  an  essen  - 
tial  doctrine;  but  it  is  essential  to  right  <fw- 
<^P^>M.  Nor  because  Baptism  is  not  essential 
to  salvatioaf  but  only  to  gospel  discipline, 
^ht  we  to  make  light  of  it ;  nor  does  the 
^^«d  «(  God  anywhere  make  light  of  it. 
Some  have  thought  that  the  Apostle  Paul 
did  treat  it  rather  lightly,  when  he  thanked 
God  tbat  he  had  Baptind  so  few ;  but  then 
|te  sssirns  the  reason  of  this  thankfubess: 
jt  vss,  lest  any  should  say  that  *  he  baptized 
is  iii  own  name.'     It    does   not   appear 
^ti  the  apoBtiet  ever  made  it  a  common 
PfBctioe  themselves  to  baptize ;  hence  Peter 
UBself,  at  Ceaaarea,  did  not  himself  baptize 
tkose  who  were  made  partakers  of  the  Holy 
Gkost;  but  *h0  eommanded  them  to  be  bap- 
tiisd  in  tha  name  of  the  Loid.'     And  there 
*R  fonr  naaona  which  suggest  themselves 
vhy  the  spoatlea  themselves  did  not  baptize, 
bat  eommanded  others  to  do  it.  First,  because 
tbey  were  giwn  up  chiefly  to  the  ministrv  of 
tbe  ward.    Secondly,  because  of  the  numbers 
Called  at  times  by  their  ministry,  that  it 
voald  hinder  a  large  portion  of  their  time. 
Thirdly,  because  it  waa  a  matter  so  simple  as 
sot  to  require  apostolic  gifts  to  enable  one 
^^hfistian  to  baptize  another.    And,  fourthly, 
Icit  owing  to  the  greatness  of  their  gifts, 
flstsaihoaldtake  sldwantagty  and  attach  a 
T0L.XV--N0.  xe9. 


But,  although  they  themselvej  did  not,  as  a 
general  rule,  baptize— still  they  commanded 
it  to  be  done  ;  for  they  were  not  sent  person* 
ally  to  baptize,  but  to  preach  the  gospd. 
And  even  the  Saviour  himself,  though  he 
himself  was  baptized,  yet  he  himself  ^id  not 
Baptize  others  (John  iv.  2,)  yet  did  he  make 
Baptism  one  part  of  the  missison  be  gave  to 
the  apostles.  Do  not  then,  my  good  Theo- 
philus,  make  li^ht  of  that  order  of  Church 
government  which  the  King  of  Zion  hath 
given.  Surely  he  is  worthy  of  being 
obe]red ;  <  For  behold,  to  obey  is  better  than 
sacrifice ;  and  to  hearken  than  the  fat  of  rams : 
for  rebellion  is  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft ;  ana 
stubbornness  is  as  iniquity  and  idolatry/  1 
Sam.  XV.  22,  23.) 

Keep  then  to  strict  communion  ;  not  only 
because  of  the  importance  of  conforming  to 
gospel  order ;  but  also  because  yon  prefer  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  even  before  the  most  es- 
teemed of  your  brethren  in  the  Lord.  There 
are  some  who  are  not  Baptists,  to  whom  I 
feel  very  much  more  union  of  soul,  than  I  do 
to  many  that  are  Baptists:  But  still,  when 
I  am  nlled  upon  to  decide  which  I  will  do, 
set  these  esteemed  aside,  or  set  the  command 
of  their  Lord  and  Master  aside,  I  cannot 
hesitate  which  to  do.  I  dare  not  alter  the 
order  of  the  Lord's  house ;  I  cannot  to  oblige 
them,  sanction  their  disobedience,  nor  go 
into  disorder  with  them.  I  must  wait  until 
they  come  into  their  right  minds,  and  there  I 
must  leave  it,  '  and  go  my  way  till  the  end 
be.' 

So  then,  it  comes  simply  to  this,  that  you 
must  either  set  a  child  of  God  aside  from 
the  Lord's  table,  or  else  you  must  set  ttia 
command  of  God  aside :  the  one  i»  painful^ 
but  the  other  is  einful :  for  '  Whatsoever  is 
not  of  faith  is  sin.'  Abide  then  by  atri^ 
eomtnuntont 

Abide  then  by  strict  communion  also  for 
the  take  of  othert,  A  conscientions  abiding 
hereby  will  do  much  towards  bringing  others 
over  to  order,  but  if  we  ourselves  totter  and 
stngger,  can  we  expect  to  see  others  fall  into 
our  ranks  ?  They  may  call  us  bigots,  and  a 
variety  of  other  ugly  names,— and  this  will 
prove  that  they  are  angry  with  us,— but  it 
will  not  prove  tW  they  «^e  l^^^^^'C^^^t 


78 


THB    BAETHEK   YESSEL. 


[AprU  1,  IBftO. 


are  wrong; ;  and  the  great  thing  for  us  is,  to 
quietly,  but  firlnly,  ataud  priicticaUj  by  what 
we  know  to  be  the  good  and  the  right  way. 

Stand  fast  by  strict  communion  for  con- 
teieneeaake;  and  if  you  are  placed  where 
there  is  no  Baptist  minister  that  you  can 
iear,  and  where  there  is  no  church  of  New 
Testament  orderi  then  stand  out ;  and  rather 
than  oome  to  the  table  unsoripturally,  eome 
not  at  all.  Be  thus,  a  practioal  witness  for 
truth  and  order.  Let  conscience  hare  her 
^fe«t  work,  and  take  not  the  Lord'i  Sapper 
unworthily,  which  allopen  oommunionistsao ; 
btit  <  Be  not  thou  partakers  with  them;'  pay 
no  attention  whatsfer  to  the  aignment  that 
•ome  of  the  best  and  greatest  preaehers  we 
have  had,  were  not  eren  balf-way  Baptists, 
intioh  less  itriet  commnnionists :  this  argu- 
ment amounts  to  this,  that  as  we  ought  to 
follow  such  men  where  the^  followed  Christ ; 
fo,  in  eonsideration  of  their  many  and  great 
exeelleneies,  we  oupht  to  adopt  their  errors 
also.  Such  a  notion  as  this  would  at  once 
•et  ns  on  the  high  way  to  Rome.  Just  adopt 
Luther's  consubstantiation,  and  Cal  tin's  prac- 
tSoe  of  perlMuting  men  tor  matters  of  eon- 
science,  and  we  shall  not  be  far  from  the 
kingdom  of  Rome ;  adopt  the  old  semi*ar- 
mintan  fathers'  duty-ftiith  doctrine,  and  we 
corrupt  the  truth,  and  cover  Zion  with  a 
cloud.  '  Be  not  thou  then  partakers  of  other 
taien's  sins.'  We  sin  enough  by  infirmity,  and 
from  want  of  experience  and  judgment, 
without  sinning  witfuUy.  Until,  therefore, 
another  law  be  given  from  heaven,  to  sanc- 
tion another  way  to  the  Lord's  table,  be  you 
steadfast,  and  unmoveable,  just  where  you  are, 
go  not  thou  over  unto  them,  but  let  them 
eome  over  unto  thee. 

I  will  here  give  you  but  one  more  reason 
for  abiding  by  strict  eommunion ;  and  that  is 
ih»  preterMtion  0/  Ik^  ordmtmses  «i  they 


are  delivered  unto  U9,  One  of  the  laws  most 
emphatically  given  to  the  Israelites  waa,  that 
they  were  in  every  possible  way  to  teaoh  their 
children  the  laws,  and  statutes,  and  ordi- 
nances, which  the  Lord  had  delivered  unto 
them ;  and  a  substituting  of  other  laws,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  in  the  place  of  the  laws  of 
God,  made  their  worship  vain,  and  ultimately 
proved  their  ruin  and  oispersion.  The  truth 
of  God  in  all  its  departments  is  the  salt  of 
the  earth ;  and  the  people  of  God,  are  the 
salt  of  the  earth  only  as  they  abide  vitally 
and  practically  in  the  truth.  Apart  from 
this  they  are  neither  fit  for  the  land,  nor  for 
the  dunghill ;  not  savoury  enough  to  be  any 
uae  in  the  Chureh ;  and  yet,  as  with  aU  their 
want  of  savour,  they  cannot  hate  the  truth, 
and  so  are  not  fit  for  the  dunghill  of  this 
world ;  but  in  tbis  their  sad  cajptivity,  are 
trodden  under  the  foot  (not  of  God,  buQ  of 
men ;  but  they  shall  be  salted  with  the  uery 
heart- warming  love  of  God,  and  that  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

If  then  we  would  save  ourselves  from  an 
untoward  generation,  it  must  he  by  abiding 
by  the  truth ;  and  if  we  are  set  for  the  de- 
fenoe  of  the  gospel  let  us  defend  it,  and  not 
corrupt  it ;  for  it  is  only  abiding  by  the  truth 
that  we  oan  serve  God  acceptably  ;  nor  can 
we  get  real  good,  or  glorify  him  in  any  other 
wayi 

Thus,  then,  let  the  importance  of  abiding 
by  New  Testament  order,  the  preference  of 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  a  good  conaciencc, 
and  the  preservaton  of  the  troth  in  its  purity^ 
have  due  weight  with  you.  *  Trust  in  tl^e 
Lord,  and  thus  do  good,  and  thou  shalt  dwell 
in  the  land,  and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.' 
Stand  by  his  truth,  and  he  will  stand  by  you  ; 
for  so  it  has  been  found  even  by 

A  LlTTLB  OwB, 


WHO    WAS    THEODOSIA    ERNEST? 

AKD,  HOW  BID  SHE  BEOOliE  A  BAPTIST  P 


Wb  gave,  last  month,  a  faithful  account  of 
Theodosia's  Baptism.  That;  account  has 
been  read  bj  Uiousands  with  feelings  the 
iBost  convincing  and  powerful.  Bverywhere, 
whara  we  have  been«  the  baptism  of  Theodo«> 
■ia  has  been  spoken  of  with  ffratitude  and 
^rmpathy.  The  question  has  been  asked — 
*  Shall  we  not  hear  more  about  her  ?"  We 
have  promised  our  readers  they  shall.  And 
we  now  proceed  to  redeem  that  pledge. 
Since  the  work  first  fell  into  our  hands,  we 
have  believed  that  a  careful  perusal  of  it, 
would,  (the  Holy  Spirit  anointing  the  eyee 
of  the  reader's  understandiag,)  do  more  to 
wifold  the  sublime  mysteries  of  this  ordin- 
ance, than  all  the  aiguments,  and  controver- 
sies, that  ever  yet  were  published.  Mr.  E. 
Tucker,  of  ITpavon,  in  Wiltshire,  very  kindly 


sent  ns  the  book  for  perusal :  but  althc«igh 
the  first  glance  of  it  gave  as  a  love  to  it,  Wo 
could  not  get  time  carefully  to  review  it.  Mr. 
Tucker,  at  length  sent  ff>r  his  book.  Wo 
were  not  willing  to  let  it  %0j  until  we  were 
in  possession  of  another  copy.  We  eear^ad 
^  the  book-market.  Found  a  new  editioia  of 
it  in  two  volumes,  price  twelve  shillings. 
We  purchased  the  two  volumes;  and  «iir 
hope  is,  that  the  Lord  wilt  make  us  the  hon- 
ored instrument  of  giving  the  Engltsli 
Churches  a  cheap,  a  correct,  and  a  reviaed 
edition  of  this  work  in  numbers :  but,  *  <mr 
people^  generally  s^kitig,  will  not  much 
aprist  in  the  dtssemminatioB  of  truth  iu  this 
way.  Our  zeal,  our  ambition,  and  e«ur  aar- 
nest  efforts  in  this  direetton,  have  •anriad  us 
into  difficulties  and  danjr^  of  bo  orMmry 

Digitized  t^  v3  ' 


hw$.i 


THX  lAHTHm  TI889L, 


79 


;  «4  wluk  w«  lltfiB  tlie  tiMioki  of 
to  wboQ  our  UlNwr%  hftve  Uoi 
UMty  wt  hft?»  the  heart^imUiiijr  OMtfom,  and 
eoldnrcanM  of  thoee»  who^  doing  notbing 
tbemMlfes,  irill  gladly  tnuoiph  over  the 
trihoUtiotts  of  (hose  who  become  eireumstan- 
tial  mart  JT9  in  the  proqiulgation  of  the  holy 
principlee  of  the  faith  onee  delivered  pnto 
die  taint4.  We  daiiy  and  deeply  sigh  over 
the  thingi  which  haye  occasionea  the  '  Aha  / 
Ak^  SQ  wfM  Kw  htw^  it  r  Nfiferthelesa, 
«  1FM  eamiM^M  that  (M  tnay  yH  d^livtr 
ear  Thia  qneatioii  whieh  hann  in  oar  aoul — 
«ii^>ended  between  hope  ana  deipair,  atill 
wgee  na  on  onr  wav :  and  again,  we  aay  to 
all  to  whom  our  totla  have  been  ntefiil,  preti 
into  our  aid;  eironlate onr  work ;  aet  ns  free ; 
gnd  ,44  lopg  as  life  shall  last,  and  itreogth 
from  heaTen  ia  given,  to  ^  Fight  the  good 
Jght  rffaith^  ihall.be  OQr  unceasing  employ, 
wd  tbtn  to  *  U^  hold  on  eternal  life,*  will  i% 
Uiesindeodl 

Bat,  in  oommencioj^  tbe  history  of  Tbeo« 
4aeu,  take  the  following  fint  chapter  irom 
tke  fioit  of  the  Tolnmea,  of  which  we  bare 
spoken. 

«<  Mothiv,  hare  I  ever  been  baptised  9' 

Hie  queetioner  was  e  bright,  intelligent, 
Mne-eyad  lad,  some  thirteen  summerB  old. 
Hie  deep  eerioosneH  of  his  oonntenance,  and 
Ike  earnest,  wistfiil  gese  with  whieh  he  looked 
into  bis  motbei^e  mce,  showed  thAt,lbr  the 
■HmieDt  at  least,  the  question  seemed  to  him 
n  very  important  one. 

'  Geitainly.  ny  son ;  both  yon  and  your  sis- 
ter were  beptiaed  by  the  £ev.  Doctor  Fisher, 
ai  the  time  when  I  united  with  the  cfaUroh. 
Tour  sister  remembers  it  well,  lor  she  was  six 
years  old ;  bat  you  were  too  young  to  know 
miy  tbing  about  it.  Tour  aunt  Jones  said  it 
wea  the  meet  solemn  soene  she  ever  witnessed ; 
and  stMh  a  prayer  as  the  coed  old  Doctor  made 
tor  jcn  I  nerer  heard  berore.* 

«Bat,  aaother,  rejoined  the  lad,  eiater  and  1 
linro  been  down  to  the  rifsr  to  see  a  lady  bap- 
tised by  the  Baptist  minister  who  oame  here 
laat  month  nd  oommenoed  preaehing  in  the 
•eboel-hoQee.  They  went  down  into  the  rirsr. 
and  then  ko  plunged  her  under  the  water  ana 
qiiiekfy  raised  her  out  again.  And  sister  says 
Utkai  was  baptism,  then  we  were  not  baptised, 
beeaose  we  stood  on  the  drr  floor  of  the  ohurch, 
and  the  preaeher  dipned  nis  hand  inio  a  bowl 
ef  water  and  eorinklea  a  few  drops  on  our  fore- 
heads.  And  she  says,  eousin  John  Jones  was 
ftaC  baptised  either ;  for  the  preaeher  only  took 
aKttle  piteher  of  water,  and  poured  a  little 
stream  upon  hia  head.  Sister  says  she  don't 
see  how  there  ean  be  three  baptisms,  when  tibe 
scriptmro  says  '  One  Lord,  one  faith  one  bap- 
tism/ 

'  To«r  sister  is  always  studying  about  thinffs 
aboTe  her  reach,  my  son.  It  la  better  for 
young  people  like  you  not  to  trouble  yourselves 
too  much  about  these  knotty  questions  in 
theology.' 

*  But.  mother,  this  don't  seem  to  me  to  be 
a  knotty  question  at  all.    One  minister  takes 


%  person  down  into  the  wite.  and  dins  hoc 
unoerit;  another  stands  on  the  dry  floor  of 
the  oburoh  before  the  pulpit,  and  sprinkles  a 
few  drops  into  her  face;  another  poura  a  little 
#trevn  upon  her  head.  Now  any  body  can  see 
that  they  do  three  different  ihingn;  and  if 
each  of  them  is  baptism,  then  there  must  be 
three  baptisms.  There  is  no  theology  about 
that,  is  tnere  ?* 

*  Tes  roy  child,  this  is  a  theological  question ; 
and  I  supposo  it  must  be  a  very  diflicuit  one, 
since  I  am  told  that  some  very  good  ^and  wise 
men  disagree  about  it.' 

*  But,  mother,  they  all  agree  that  there  is 
only  one  baptism  do  they  not  ?  And  If  there 
is  only  one,  why  don't  they  ^'ust  look  into  the 
Testament,  and  see  what  it  id  ?  If  the  Testa- 
ment says  sprinkle,  thcu  it  is  sprinkling ;  if  it 
says  pour,  then  it  is  {touring ;  if  it  says  dip, 
then  it  is  dipping.  I  mean  to  read  the  Testa- 
ment|  and  see  if  1  cannot  decide  which  it  ib  for 
myself,* 

*  Do  you  'think,  my  sop,  that  you  will  be 
able  to  know  as  much  about  it  as  your  uncle 
Jones,  or  Pr.  Fisher,  who  baptized  you,  or  Dr. 
Barnes,  whose  notes  you  use  in  learning  your 
Sunday  School  lesson,  and  all  the  pious  and 
learned  ministers  of  our  church,  and  the  Me- 
thodist church,  and  the  Episcopal  church? 
They  have  studied  the  Testament  through  and 
through,  and  they  all  agree  that  a  child  who  is 
sprinkled  is  properly  baptized.' 

*  Yes  mother,  but  if  the  baptisms  in  the  New 
Testament  were  sprinkling,  (and  ofcourse  they 
were,  or  such  wise  and  good  men  would  not 
aay  so,)  why  can't  I  find  it  there,  as  well  at 
ang  hoijf  V 

Very  well,  mv  son,  you  can  read  and  see ; 
but  if  you  should  happen  to  come  to  a  different 
oonolusion  from  these  great  and  learned  men, 
I  hope  you  won't  set  up  your  boTish  judgment 
against  that  of  the  wisest  theologians  of  the 
age.  But  here  comee  your  sister.  I  wonder 
if  she  is  going  to  become  a  theolonan  too !' 

Mrs.  Bmest  (the  mother  of  whom  we  are 
apeaking)  was  bom  of  Tery  worthy  pa- 
rents, who  were  consistent  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  ;  and  she  had  grown  up 
as  one  of  *  the  baptiaed  children  of  the  church.' 
As  she  *  appeared  to  be  sober  and  steady,  and 
to  have  euBicient  knowledge  to  discern  the 
Lord's  body,'  she  was  doubtless  informed,  ae- 
eording  to  the  directions  of  the  confession  of 
foith,  page  fi04,  that  it  was  *  her  duty  and  her 
pririlege  to  come  to  the  Lord's  supper.'  But 
she  had  felt  no  inclination  to  do  so  until  after 
the  death  of  her  husband.  Then  in  tho  day  of 
her  sorrow,  she  looked  upward  and  began  to 
feel  a  new,  though  not  an  intense,  interest  m 
the  things  of  religion.  She  made  a  public 
profession,  and  requested  baptism  for  her  two 
childreD.  '  ,  , . 

The  little  boy  was  then  an  infant,  and  h)s 
sister  was  about  ox  years  old,  a  sprightly,  in- 
teresting child,  whose  flowing  ringlets,  dimpled 
Ohio,  rosy  oheeks,  and  sparkling  eyes,  were  the 
admiration  of  erery  beholder. 

Twelve  years  had  passed.  The  lorely  girl 
had  become  a  beautiful  and  remarkablr  inteU 
Kgent  young  lady.  The  little  babe  had  iprown 
into  the  noble  looking,  blue-eyed  lad,  with  • 


80 


THB  BAETHSM   TEB6EL. 


(AprU  1, 1S50. 


strong,  manly  frame,  and  a  face  and  brow 
which  gave  promise  of  capacity  and  independ- 
ence of  thought  far  above  the  average  of  his 
companions. 

Theodosia  and  Edwin .  How  they  loved  each 
other !  She,  with  the  doting  affection  of  an 
elder  child  and  only  sister,  who  had  watched 
the  earliest  derelopements  of  his  mind,  and 
been  his  companion  and  his  teacher  from  in- 
fancy ;  he,  with  the  confiding,  reverential  ^et 
familiar  love  of  a  kind-hearted  and  impulsive 
boy,  to  one  who  was  to  him  the  standard  at 
once  of  female  beauty  and  womanly  accom- 
plishments. 

Theodosia  came  io  not  with  that  elastic  step 
and  sprightlv  air,  which  was  habitual  with 
her  j  but  witn  a  slow  and  solemn  ffait,  scarcely 
raising  her  eyes  to  meet  her  mother's  inquir- 
ing gaze,  she  passed  through  to  her  own  room 
and  closed  the  door. 

The  mother  was  struck  with  the  deep  and 
earnest  seriousness  of  her  face  and  manner. 
What  could  it  mean  ?  What  could  have  hap- 
pened to  distress  her  child  P 

'  Edwin,  my  son,  what  is  the  matter  with 
your  sister  }* 

*  Indeed,  mother,  I  do  not  know  of  any 
thing.  We  stood  together  talking,  at  the 
river  bank,  and  just  before  we  left,  Mr.  Percy 
came  up  to  walk  home  with  her.  It  must  be 
something  that  hss  happened  by  the  way.' 

The  mother's  mind  was  relieved.  Mr.  Per- 
cy had  been  for  many  months  a  frequent  and 
welcome  visitor  at  their  pretty  cottage,  and 
had  made  no  secret  of  his  admiration  of  her 
accomplished  and  beautiful  daughter ;  though 
he  had  never,  until  a  few  weeks  since,  formally 
declared  his  love.  Mrs.  Ernest  did  not  doubt 
but  that  some  lovers'  quarrel  had  grown  up 
in  their  walk,  and  this  had  cast  the  shadow 
upon  Theodosia's  sunny  face.  She  waited 
somewhat  impatiently  for  her  daughter  to 
come  out  and  confirm  her  conjectures.  She 
did  not  come,  however,  and  at  length  the  mo- 
ther arose,  and  softly  opening  the  door,  looked 
into  the  room.  Theodosia  was  on  her  knees. 
She  did  not  hear  the  door,  or  become  conscious 
of  the  presence  of  her  mother.  In  broken, 
whispered  sentences,  mingled  with  sobs,  she 
prayed :  *  Oh  Lord,  enlighten  my  mind.  Oh, 
teach  me  thy  way.  Let  me  not  err  in  the  un- 
derstanding of  thy  word,  and  oh  give  me 
strength,  1  do  beseech  Thee,  to  do  wlmtever  I 
find  to  be  my  duty.  I  would  not  go  wrong. 
Help  I  oh  help  me  to  go  right !' 

Awe-struck  and  confounded,  Mrs.  Ernest 
drew  back,  and  tremblingly  awaited  the  ex- 
planation she  so  much  desired  to  hear. 

When  at  length  the  young  lady  came  out, 
there  was  still  upon  her  face  the  same  serious 
earnestness  of  expression,  but  there  seemed 
less  of  sadness,  and  there  was  also  that  perfect 
repose  of  the  countenance,  which  is  the  rteult 
of  a  newly  formed,  but  firmly  settled  deter- 
mination of  purpose. 

Mrs.  Emett,  as  she  looked  at  her,  was  more 
perplexed  than  ever.  She  was,  however,  re- 
solved to  obtain  at  once  a  solution  of  the  mys- 
tery. 

*Mr.  Percy  walked  home  with  you,  did  he 
not,  my  daughter  P* 

*  Yes,  mother.' 


'Did  you  find  him  as  intereating  as  vsiuQ  f 
What  was  the  .subject  of  your  conversation  f 

*  We  were  talkmg  of  the  baptism  at  the 
river.' 

*  Of  nothing  else' 

*  No,  mother,  this  occupied  all  the  time.' 
'  Did  he  say  nothing  about  himself?' 

*  Not  a  word,  moUier,  except  in  regard  to 
whether  he  had  ever  been  baptized.' 

*  Why  what  in  the  world  possesses  you  sli  f 
Tour  brother  came  running  home  to  ask  me 
if  he  had  been  baptized ;  Mr  Percy  is  taking 
about  whether  he  has  been  baptized.  I  won* 
der  if  you  are  not  beginning  to  fancy  that  jro* 
have  never  been  baptised  ?' 

*  I  do  indeed  begin  to  doubt  it,  mother,  ior 
if  that  was  baptism  which  we  witnessed  at 
the  river  this  morning,  I  am  quite  sure  I  never 
was.' 

'  Well,  I  do  believe,  that  Baptist  preacher 
is  driving  you  all  crazy.  Pray  tell  me,  wl»t 
did  he  do  or  say,  that  gave  you  such  a  serious 
face  and  put  these  new  crotchets  in  your  head?' 

'  Nothing  at  aU,  mother.  He  simply  read 
from  the  New  Testament  the  account  of  the 
baptism  of  Jesus  and  of  the  Eunuch.  Then 
he  took  the  candidate  and  they  went  down 
both  of  them  down  into  the  water,  and  he 
baptised  her,  and  then  they  came  up  out  of 
the  water.  I  could  not  help  seeing  that  this 
is  just  what  is  recorded  of  Philip  and  the  Eu- 
nuch. If  so.  then  it  is  the  baptism  of  the 
scriptures ;  and  it  is  certain  a  very  different 
thing  from  that  which  was  done  to  me,  when 
Dr.  Fisher  sprinkled  a  few  drops  of  water  in 
my  face.' 

'  Of  course,  my  dear,  it  was  different ;  but 
I  don't  think  the  quantity  oftcater  employed 
affects  the.  validity  of  the  baptism.  There  is 
no  virtue  in  the  water,  and  a  few  drops  aie 
just  as  good  as  all  the  floods  of  Jordan., 

*  BuC  mother,  it  is  not  in  the  quanti^  of 
water,  the  the  difference  consists:  it  is  in 
the  act  performed.  One  sprinkles  a  little  wa- 
ter  in  the  faoe  ;  another  ponre  a  little  water 
on  the  head ;  another  buriee  the  whole  body 
under  the  water,  and  raises  it  out  again.  Two 
apply  the  water  to  a  person ;  the  other  plunges 
the  person  into  the  water.  They  are  surely 
very  different  acts;  and  if  what  I  saw  this 
evening  was  scriptural  baptism,  then  it  ia  cer- 
tain that  I  have  never  been  baptized.' 

*  Well,  xny  child,  we  won't  dispute  about  it 
now ;  but  I  hope  you  are  not  thinking  about 
leaving  your  own  church  ;  the  ehuroh  in 
which  your  grandfather  and  your  grandmother 
lived  and  died  :  and  in  which  so  many  of  the 
most  talented  and  influential  families  in  the 
country  are  proud  to  rank  themselves^  to  unite 
with  this  little  company  of  ignorant,  ill-man- 
nered mechanicaand  common  people,  who  have 
all  at  once  started  up  here  from  nothing.' 

(To  be  continued.) 

Died,  April  18, 1858,  at  Clifton  Street,  nnsbury, 
Mr.  Ebcneeer  Swain,  aged  70,  forsserly  pastor  of 
a  Baptist  Chnroh  at  Oxford,  and  for  many  years  a 
Qflcfal  and  faitbfbl  Itinerant  Preacher  of  the 
gospel.    Bon  of  the  lata  Mr.  Joeepb  Bwaine,  of 


Bast  Lane,  Walworth. 


itized  by 


Google 


AprU  1,  185».] 


TUB   BAKTHBN   YBSSEL. 


81 


A  WORD  FOR  THE  OLD  FOLK 

▲T  HOHE. 


Oin  observed  to  me  the  other  day,  con- 
cerBtng  the  doctrine    of  the   Trinitj,    "I 
hare  ^  another  endenoe,  beside  the  letter 
ofSenptore,  that  oaeh  of  the  Divine  Personii 
is  God ;  for  in  m j  tronblei,  I  have  somek 
timei  piayed  to  the  Father,  and  he  has  heard 
■«;  and,  sometimes  I  hare  prayed  to  the 
Son,  and  he  has  heard  me ;  and,  sometimes 
I  hare  prayed  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  he  has 
heard  me.    I  have  had  answers  from  them 
all,  ai  God :  therefore,  in  my  experience  I 
hare  proved  them  each  to  be  God."    Divine 
testisioBy  to  the  tmth,  is  the  only  thing 
that  will  satisfy  a  child  of  God,  and  the 
kaowled^  that  yon  are  one  of  the  children 
of  God,  is  a  truth  that  most  be  revealed  to 
yoQ  by  God.    Haman  testimony  will  go  for 
nothiiir.    Evidences  derived  firom  what  we 
lei  and  feel,  will  not  stand  for  long.    Divine 
power  alone  can  make  us  know  our  child- 
ship.    **  Because  ye  are  sons,  God  hath  tent 
forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts, 
oyin^,  Abba,  Father ;"  and  the  beginning 
of  Uus  mercy,  the  dawn  of  this  glorious  day, 
is  to  have  the  heart  laid  bare,  and  the  dark 
eoraen  (mened  up*  and  the  creeping  things 
(long  hidden,)  exposed  to  view ;  light  let  in, 
vhcRhr  the  darkness  ia  discovered,  the  igno- 
naes  saewn  up ;  all  the  secret  evils  of  the 
sool  tvoed  out,  the  chambers  of  imagery 
opened,  and  the  soul  trembling  at  the  sight, 
saji,  «Can  ever  God  dwell  here } — Can  aueh 
twretdibe  saved?— If  God  had  mercy  for 
Be,  should  I  feel  such  evils  striving  in  my 
breast }    If  I  were  a  child  df  God,  ahould  I 
feel  such  worldliness,  such  carnality,  pride, 
malice,  eovetonsneas,  and  a  hundred  other 
evils  r    Why,  God  is  shewing  you  all  these 
thiflfs,  beeanae  yon  are  a  child ;  none  but 
the  ehildren  see  them,  and  all  the  children 
ret  to  God  in  this  way.    They  are  given  to 
Christ,  and  Christ  must  be  given  to  them ; 
sad  to  Talue  Chriat,  thef  must  be  taught 
feelingly  their  need  of  him,  and  thus  get 
fechafly,  into  the  sweet  experience,  that  they 
«e  given  to  Christ,  through  Christ  being 
given  to  them;    and  when    they  catch  a 
mBpae  of  this  blessed  tmth  by  Divine  reve- 
Btion,  which  is  the  discovery  to  the  heart 
of  the  soul's  interest  in  Christ,  then  some- 
thiag  is  apprehended  of  this  glorious  truth, 
that  the  church  of  old  was  taught,  '*  I  am 
black,  but  comely."    Black  in  their  nature, 
sad  fit  only  for  hell,  but  perfect  in  the  come- 
lificsi  of  Christ;  comely  in  eternal  union  with 
htB;  comely  in  his  riffhteousness ;  comely 
ia  vtrtoe  of  lua  doing  and  dying ;  and  because 
of  this  eomelinees,  the  language  and  spirit  of 
the  gospel,  and  of  all  God's  dealings  with 
^  PMple,  ia,  « I  know  the  thoughU  that  I 
think  towud  yoo ;  thoughts  of  peace  and  not 


of  evil,  to  give  you  an  expected  end."  I  am 
not  going  to  send  you  to  hell,  because  tou 
arc  black,  but  *<  I  am  come  to  seek  and  to 
save  that  which  was  lost;"  to  make  you 
prize  me,  and  mj  work  for  you ;  to  get  into 
the  very  core  of  your  heart,  and  occupy  a 

Elace  there,  that  no  creature  shall  fill."  Has 
e  got  into  the  core  of  thy  heart  ?  "  Ah, 
(say  yon,)  I  don't  know  aoout  that,— all  I 
can  say,  is,  —  there  is  a  hankering  after 
Jesus  in  my  soul,  bad  as  I  am— vile  as  I  am, 
I  cannot  do  without  him."  Then  he  cannot 
do  without  you.  These  are  the  feelings  of 
the  children  in  union  with  him,  and  these 
feeling^s  are  the  fruits  of  eternal  union— that 
shall  issue  in  everlasting  union  with  him, 
when  time  shall  be  no  more. — J.A.W. 

LINES 

SUOOBSTBD      BT       BBADlMO 

**  An  Austuali^n  Scbnb," 
In  the  February  number  of  Tub  Babthkk  Vimbl 

Oh  I  who  oau  imavioe  bo  lorely  a  aoene— 

The  tranquilly,  bright  blae  sky  I 
The  distant  mouotains  which  iatervene ; 

UnleBB  seen  by  the  very  eye  ! 
I  hare  seen  it,  and  lore  on  the  scene  to  dwell. 
When  I  felt  in  my  wanderings  God  doeth  well. 
Ah  yes!  I  once  stood  by^that  river's  brink, 

As  calmly  its  waters  roll'd  on ; 
And  memory  will  love  on  that  scene  to  think, 

B'en  tho*  many  long  yeara  be  gone ;  T  strength 
When  the  pride  of  my  heart  in  his  manhood  and 
Thus  gave  np  his  life  to  Qod  at  length. 
And  the  God  who  had  guided  and  watched  our 

Looked  down  from  his  throne  above ;      [path, 
He  had  aaved  from  evil,  from  aln,  and  wrath  ; 

And  now  in  his  soyeieign  love, 
lie  will  own  the  act,  and  amile,  and  bless, 
And  keep  them  safe  in  this  wilderness. 
'Twas  Just  saoh  a  morning ;  I  fancy  I  see 

Dear  8  — —  in  the  prime  of  her  youth, 
Thns  giving  her  heart  and  her  efforts  to  be 

Devoted  to  God  and  to  truth ; 
God  strengthen  thee,  dear,  in  thy  highest  resolve, 
And  make  thee  still  nseful  as  years  shall  revolve. 
And,  oh,  may  the  band  whose  int'resta  are  dear, 

Tno*  mine  were  not  wholly  with  you,  [clear, 
See  heaven's  light  guiding  ttiem  shining  and 

Till  heaven  their  home  is  in  view.  i  earth. 
There,  there,  may  all  Christians  long  parted  on 
Find  sections  have  merged  in  their  heavenly 

biith. 
And  there,  too,  ahall  fHendahips  whieh  Qocl  has 
decreed. 

Should  be  snapt  here  and  riven  in  twain. 
Be  renewed  In  his  likeness,  and  as  we  oft  read, 

Never  more  shall  be  parted  again. 
Ota  then  let  onr  prayers  to  his  throne  still  aaoend 

If  the  work  is  begun,  carry  on  to  the  end. 

SOUTBNKXB. 

'  If  wc  are  bom  again,  wo  shall  feel  sin  to 
be  a  terrible  burden  to  us ;  we  shall  hayo  eon- 
tritiiion  of  soul,  more  or  less,  deep ;  we  ahull, 
frankly,  with  Oodly  aorrow,  oonfeas  our  sina 
before  the  heart- searching  uod.  There  will 
be  a  forsaking  of  sin,  a  loathins  of  sin,  an 
abhorenoe  of  self,  and  an  intense  cleaving  un- 
to the  Lord.  There  will  be  *  Bepentanoe  to- 
wards  God,  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ* '  —  A  Voice  from  the  Pulpit.  B^ 
John  Bloon^ld. 


82 


THB  BABTUBN   YBSSBL. 


[Aptfl  1,  I8f9. 


^kUfy^  0f  illttiU(«^  of  i5<  IPres^irt  I3ftg. 


Ko.  ni. 


ME.  J.   B.  CBACKNELL,  OF  BLACimfiATH,  KENT. 


ICoT  perbaps  trithoat  some  ground  tot  it, 
onr  younff  men  in  the  miniitrj,  at  the  present 
time,  are  looked  upon  with  no  email  degree 
of  tutpieion.  The  liusts  are  too  plain  to  be 
passed  bv  unnoticed.  The  popular  feeling 
dnring  the  past  feiv  yean,  lias  placed  the 
ytfung  minister  b*fw»  his  aged  co  •Worker,  in 
the  public  mind ;  that  is,  the  yowng  man  is 
now  preferred  before  the  more  adtnnoed  in 
Tears«  In  our  denomination,  we  hare  lately 
bad  a  good  number  of  young  reemiti  in  the 
ministerial  ranks.  AU  haTo  started  well : — 
clear  in  dootrine;  decided  in  ordinances; 
and  bold  for  the  whole  truth.  But,  some, 
(oatching  the  popular  feeling  of  the  day,) 
hare  not  eonttnued  steadfast;  they  hare 
'  chaoRed  their  views ;'  and  are  no  more  with 
us.  Hence,  arises  the  sospidon.  Notwith- 
standing these  drawbacks,  we  puipoae  to 
notice  tnis  month  one  of  our  *  ytmng  men  in 
the  ministry.' 

J.  £.  CBA.CKKBLL,  uow  fuUHllnf  u  proba- 
tionary term  with  the  Churoh  at  Blaokneath, 
Kent,  was  bom  in  London,  July  llth,  1835, 
of  parents  who  regnhurly  attended  the  Church 
of  Knriand,  where  he  also  constantly  accom- 
panied them,  passing  through  the  usual  cere- 
monies of  sprinkling,  oonfirmaiiont  Ac,  &c. 
He  continued  to  attend  the  chuith  of  his 
father  till  about  18  rears  of  age ;  but  was 
still  in  ignorance  of  his  state  as  a  sinner. 
Moral  training  had  the  effect  of  keeping  him 
from  going  to  any  length  in  open  sin ;  still, 
there  was  an  eager  ptirsuing  and  seeking 
after  the  vanities  and  follies  of  this  world. 
About  this  period  his  attention  was  attracted 
by  a  notice  of  some  Sunday  eveniog  Lectures 
delivering  at  Poplar,  by  the  Ret.  George 
fimith.  He  decided  to  attend  one  of  these 
services,  and  was  at  once  struck  with  the 
earnestness  and  warmth  with  which  the 
preacher  spoke  of  eternal  realities :  so  differ- 
ent in  manner^  and  in  matter  too,  to  what  he 
had  all  his  life  long  been  accustomed  to  lis- 
ten to.  His  attention  was  arrested ;  the  im- 
portance of  the  subject  began  to  appear ;  the 
miat  ftotn  the  eyes  began  to  be  removed  ; 
the  mind  began  to  enquire;  and  there  was 
a  soul-longing  for  something  notin  possession. 
The  State  Church  was  forsaken;  young 
Cracknell  became  a  constant  hearer  of  Mr. 
Smith's;  the  Lord  laid  his  afflicting  hand 
upon  him ;  aud  he  was  laid  upon  a  bed  of 
snffering.     Daring  this  confinement,  some 

Siritual   iMters  written  bv  a  fHend  ^cre 
est  to  his   soul;  the    Holy   Spirit   was 
working  in  his  heart,  with  soul^umbluig 


power;  conviction  followed;  although  not 
then  lead  so  keenly,  or  brought  to  feel 
the  terrors  of  a  oroken  law,  so  acutelji 
as  some  of  the  Lord's  children.  He  oontinm- 
ed  to  attend  Mr.  Smith's  ministry,  and  was 
desirous  to  do  something  to  merit  salvation ; 
to  obtain  pardon.  While  these  desirea  were 
aggitatiog  his  breast,  he  heard  a  diacourse 
founded  on  that  all-important  querr,  *  What 
think  ye  of  Chriet  f  The  Holy  Spirit  ap- 
plied the  worda  to  his  soul;  the  way  of 
salvation  was  made  more  plain ;  Christ  was 
revealed  as  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life. 
The  word  was  effectual ;  *  Old  things  pawod 
aways  behold  all  things  became  new.'  He 
joined  the  Independent  Church,  Poplar,  July 
31. 1854 :  and  became  an  active  ana  efficieat 
Sabbath  School  Teacher  there,  where  he  con- 
tinued till  the  end  of  *65,  One  of  the  dea- 
cons noticed  an  aptness  and  readiness  in  our 
brother  to  speak ;  and  remarked  to  Mr. 
Cracknell  one  day,  *  It  is  laid  upon  my  heart 
that  the  LiOrd  has  a  great  work  for  you  to 
doj'  and  followed  up  this,  by  asking  him, 
*  IT  he  would  i^eak  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
With  some  hesitation,  he  consented :  and  on 
Sunday  morning,  Dec  29th,  1855,  the  Lord 
first  enabled  him  to  speak  in  his  great  name, 
in  a  small  chapel,  near  ^e  Victoria  Docks, 
Plaistow  Marsh,  Essex.  For  twelve  months 
after  this  Mr.  Cracknell  continued  preaching, 
seldom  less  than  four  times  in  a  week,  m 
various  cottages  in  that  locallity ;  som«.*imes 
cheered  by  the  testimony  of  the  hearers ;  anu 
as  often  discouraged  by  the  diificultiee  of  the 
way. 

In  May,  1857,  a  few  friends  thought  it 
desirable  to  obtain  a  suitable  plaoe  to  worship 
in ;  and  the  place  now  known  as  Zion  Chapely 
Ann  Street,  Plaistow,  was  obtained,  fitted  up, 
and  opeted ;  and  Mr.  CraokacU  continued  to 
preach  here ;  and  formed  a  Sunday  School^ 
of  which  he  became  Superintendent. 

During  the  whole  of  this  time,  his  viewa 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace  were  not  very  clear. 
But  conversations  with  the  friends  of  truth  in 
the  village,  and  the  light  given  by  the  Holy 
I  Spirit,  in  the  oontinuM  readinff  and  study  of 
i  the  word  of  Ood,  led  his  thoughts  and  mind 
I  into  a  new  channel ;  and  in  a  very  striking 
manner,  the  doctrines  of  free  and  sovereign 
grace,  God'a  eternal,  everlasting,  and  un- 
alterable love  to  his  ohoeen  people,  came  witii 
peculiar  power  and  sweetness  to  his  sou). 
The  friends  to  truth  soon  marked  the  differ- 
ence in  the  .ministnr*    while  others  wen 
offended  and  left    Fraih  light  oame  in  aa-l 


April    1,  1959.] 


TUS   BiiETUKX    VEB8JE|«, 


htppin—  «ad  freedom  was  felt  and 
^cBk  IB  the  work.  Contmuad  study 
and  meditatioo  on  th^  word,  had  alio  rose 
aaother  quaiUoa  in  Hr.  CfackaeH's  mind  i 
aa4  jrai  B«t  a  quealioo,  for  be  read,  that 
*Jeaai  commandeH  them  to  be  baptized/ 
Prater  mas  ra»orted  to;  the  answer  was 
mmn^di  and  Hs.  Craakfiall  not  only  felt  it 
kit  diUfy  kot  alio  his  ^ririlege,  to  some  for- 
vaidt  tmd  dodara  his  coa?letion.  Con- 
ssqaantlj,  ka  withdrew  his  connection  from 
the  fkwh  ODder  Kr.  Smith'*s  care ,  and  was 
baptiMd  by  Mr.  Field,  at  Shadwell,  on  April 
14,  Ido^ ;  on  which  oceaaion  Mr.  Bloomneld 
read  mod  pcafod ;  and  after  a  sermon  hj  Mr. 
Field,  Mr.  Gracknell  pabliel?  stated  the 
motif  ea  that  had  led  him  to  take  that  step ; 
and  arowed  it  has  his  solemn  coDTicUon 
(after  mach  prayer  to  God,)  that  strict  Bap- 
tist prindples  were  according  to  New  Testa- 
ment church  order.  Measures  were  taken  to 
form  a  ehureh  oo  these  principles  at  Plaistow ; 
aad  on  Aogiut  17»  1858,  Hr.  Cracknell  was 
paUidy  ordaiaed  aa  pastor  of  the  newly- 
lormed  ehorch ;  (Mr.  6.  W.  Banks,  and  Mr. 
Field  offieiating;)  although  at  the  time 
dobota  were  entertained  aa  to  his  continuauce 
in  so  limited  a  sphere  of  labour. 

Sometime  after  this,  Mr.  Cracknel!  was 
inritad  to  supply  at  Dacre  Park  Chapel, 
Blackhealh,  for  a  month ;  but  failing  to  pro- 
cure a  soitaUe  snppl?  for  the  Plaislow  church, 
(vko  were  then  unable  to  pay  any  expenses,) 
ae  dediaed  the  invitation.  He  wus  then 
dr^rsd  to  supply  at  Dacre  Park,  on  the 
Thonday  eTenings  for  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, vHuch  he  fulfilled;  the  church  then 
repeated  the  invitation  to  supply  for  the 
mumlh  of  December,  on  Lord's  Jays.  In  the 
meaa  tima,  a  ^ood  brother  had  .been  raised 
up  to  speak,  bring  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Fl^atow,  who  was  willing  to  supply  the 
pulpit  tkeca.  Believing  the  Lord's  hand  to 
he  manifeet  ia  the  matter,  and  with  the  ad- 
vice of  aeveral  ministeriid  brethren,  Mr. 
CrackuaU  accepted  the  invitation;  which 
kaiaff  fglPM^,  he  was  again  requested  to 
aupfHy  lor  three  months ;  uid  that  time  hav- 
ifl^  enired*  he  was  again  onanimously  in- 
vited m  aix  months,  '  with  a  view  to  the 
pastenta.'  Hare  the  Lord  ap^ars  to  be 
grmtlj  •wning  his  labours ;  and  it  is  hoped 
that  through  Jus  instrumentalitr,  the  cause 
at  Daave  Park  may  be  revivea  and  estab- 


I  boioi(  coii  fused;    and   there   is   an   entire - 
I  absence  of  that  cslentation  and  pride  so  very 
I  prevcUat  with  many  young  ministers  of  the 
'  present  day. 
*  Thou  man  of  God,  tbou  lover  of  the  troth; 
Celestial  hero  !  lively,  zealous  youth  t 
Tuuffht  by  the  Lord,  aad  fired  with  liia  apptauMb 
Bold  you  appear  in  his  all-f  loriooe  cause ; 
purely  commiAsioaed  from  the  eternal  Ood. 
Warmly  you  preaeh  the  8avtear*§  flowing  blood; 
MorUto  auiy  raff*,  Imt  th^  shall  lage  ia  vmia : ' 
Cleave  to  yoor  Ood,  ami  all  their  pewer  diiM|»* 

€iix\^n  'B!Hsrl3  of  dMfett  tf imtJ. 

HO.  IV. 

How  often  I  have  wished  that  beautifhl 
discourse  had  been  giveir  us  which  the 
Saviour  delivered  unto  the  two  in  going  tp 
Emniaus.— How  shorty  yet  how  rich,  the 
tejitimoay  conctirning  it, — 'And  beginning 
at  kCoies,  and  all  the  prophets,  he  expounder 
onto  them,  in  all  the  Scriptures,  the  thingp 
coacerning  himself.'  We  have  the  best 
authority  for  saying  that  Moses  was  one  of 
the  Earthen  Vessels  of  olden  times,  in  which 
was  deposited  heavenly  treasure.  I  should 
be  glad  to  enter  rather  fully  into  the  history 
of  this  man  of  God ;  but  cannot  now.  A 
simple  reference  to  one  Scripture  which  baa 
lately  boon  useful  to  many,  ia  all  I  can 
attempt,  in  still  further  endeavouring  to 
approach  the  subject  which  since  Jannaiw 
has  occupied  my  mind.  The  Scripture  I 
refer  to  is,  2  Cor,  iii.  12,  13.  *  Seemg  theft 
that  we  have  such  hope,  we  use  great  plaia- 
ness  of  speech  :  and  not  as  Mosee,  which  {rait 
a  van  over  his  face,  that  the  children  of 
Israel  could  not  steadfastly  look  to  the  eod 
of  that  which  is  abolished.'    These  ' 


Tooahiog  Mr.  Cracknell's  wpearance  and 
akflitifw.  wa  most  be  brief.  He  is  now  24 
yeasa  of  age;  short  in  statue,  but  rather 
thadt  boiU ;  a  face  as  amooth  and  as  bright 
m  tiM  poUshed  marble;  a  bright,  penetrat- 
iag,  qmdt  eye  ;  a  forehead  well  developed, 
■armouaUd  with  light  brown  hair,  and  a 
eoaataoaiice  at  once  inviting  and  pleasinq;-. 
Ia  mannar*  he  is  kind  and  warm-hearted. 
In  hatgaa^ie^  he  ia  plain,  without  bein^  low, 
or  vulgar.    In  delivery,  he  is  rapid,  without 


if  any  of  jou  ministers,  or  private  medi- 
tating Chnstians,  are  disposed  to  look  prayer- 
fully into  them — will  furnish  you  with  fottr 
exceedingly  interesting  subjects  which  even 
to  my  poor  mind,  have  appeared  to  hold  a 
large  and  rich  vein  of  prectovs  New  Oeve- 
nant,  experimental  truth.  And  it  ie  no 
small  mercy  for  me  to  see  anything  iMit, 
for  my  eyes  are  bat  poor  ones  now;  and  by 
reason  of  the  tronbles  of  the  way,  I  am,  iti 
mind,  ereatly  afflicted;  still,  1  am  often 
favoured  to  realize  David's  beautifol  aeene 
and  happy  sayings  too — *The  Lord  is  my 
shepheiV,  I  shall  not  want ;  He  makelh  me 
to  lie  down  in  green  pastures ;  He  leadeCh 
me  beside  the  still  waters.'  The  preeiovia 
Bible  opened  up  in  my  weary  soul  by  the 
soft  anointings  of  the  Spirit,  is  the  souree  of 
all  my  comfort,  my  strength,  and  my  joy. 
Bot  to  the  words  themsebres.  First,  they 
contain  a  contrast  between  Christ  vailed,  aad 
Christ  unvailed ;  between  the  Gospel  in  type, 
and  the  Gospel  without  type.  'J  hese  worda 
shew,  also,  the  imperfection  of  an  IsraelitsTe 
siglit  while  he  is  in  any  measure  under  the 
vail  of  the  Uw-they  cannot  *  StaadflMtly 


84 


THfi  EAUTUBK  rSSSSt. 


(AiirU  1, 1850. 


look  to  the  end  of  that  which  is  abolished/ 
Lastlr,  these  words  refer  to  the  plainness  of 
speech,  and  the  boldness  of  persnasion,  which 
is    possessed    by  thoee  who   have  a  real, 

8»intual  inwrought  hope  of  eternal  glory, 
hrist  railed— Christ  nn?ailed -*  the  im- 
perfection of  a  sinner's  Tiew  of  things 
while  under  the  Tail  of  the  law — and  the 
justified  belierer's  confidence  when  Christ  is 
clearly  rerealed  in  his  heart  the  hope  of 
fflory ;  these  are  the  subjects  in  whicn  are 
Dound  up  onr  experiences  both  of  a  dark,  and 
of  a  delightful  kud.  There  are  some  sub- 
stantial and  eternal  principles  embodied  in 
these  words,  which,  when  drawn  forth  by  the 
Eternal  Spirit,  are  found,  by  living  soub,  to 
be  ten  thousand  times  better  than  all  the 
curious  nets  whfch  men  are  nowweafing,  and 
whereby  they  catch  multitudes  with  a  some- 
thing  which  is  neither  law  nor  gospel ;  nei- 
ther natural  nor  spiritual ;  neitner  Mosaical 
nor  evangelical ;  but  a  carnal  fiction  so  glossed 
and  covered  over,  that  many  are  deceived: 
I  am  glad  in  my  soul,  for  this  one  thing,  that 
with  all  that  is  distressing  without,  I  can  sing, 

'  The  f^oKoA  bears  mv  spirit  up, 
A  faithful  and  unehaxi^ng  uod, 
Lays  the  foundation  ofmy  hope, 
In  oaths,  and  promises,  and  blood.' 

Nothing  has  been  permitted  to  stop  me 
from  freely  and  openly  testifying  of  the  free 
grace  of  God  to  hu  chosen  people,  and  this 
testimonv,  scattered  by  pen  and  from  the  pul- 
pit, in  all  parts  of  the  world,  is  declared  by 
the  Lord's  people  to  have  been  a  great  bless- 
ing. Onwsrd — ^in  the  way  of  righteousness 
—to  the  end,  I  hope  to  go.  My  praver  is 
constantly  in  the  end  of  ninety-first  IPsalm, 
that  every  promise  therein  written,  may  in 
my  public  position,  in  my  private  experience, 
and  in  my  final  salvation,  be  completely  ful- 
filled. 

First,  then,  we  have  Chritt  vailed.  When 
Moses  came  down  from  the  Mount,  a/Ur  the 
Lord  had  proclaimed  His  New  Covenant 
name,  the  face  of  Moses  was  filled  with  such 
a  glorious  lustre  that  neither  Aaron,  nor  any 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  could  come  nigh 
him :  they  fied  for  they  were  afraid.  WTtat 
do€9  thii  mean  t  I  shall  try  and  answer  this 
question  next  month.  Only  now  premising 
that,  in  many  things,  Moses  was  a  type,  a 
glorions  Old  Testament  Representative,  of 
our  blessed  Mediator  and  JDays-Man,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

The  old  historians  say,  and  Scripture  con- 
firms nearly  all  they  say,  that  Moses  was  a 
mighty  orator,  "  learned  in  ail  thetoiedom  of 
the  Egypiiana  ;  mighty  in  worde  and  deeded 
There  was  an  heroism  in  and  about  Moses, 
which  greatly  enhances  his  character ;  and 
in  all  this  dignified  nobility  of  mind,  person 
and  deportment,  ho  beautifully  shadowed 
forth,  that  much  better  Mediator,  who  was 
to  oome.     Oh !  it  is  refreshing  to  see  any- 


thing of  Chxut  in  t  man,  whether  that  man 
lived  before,  or  since,  the  Friend  of  sinners 
died  on  the  tree !  Tes ;  if  in  my  aoul  there  is 
any  desire  worth  naming,  it  is  that  I  might 
so  have  Christ  in  mb,  that  even  in  the 
outer  man  some  faint  glimmerings  of  him 
might  be  seen.  I  fear,  it  is  very  few  men  in 
these  days,  whose  spirit  and  general  oaniip, 
declare  that  Christ  is  quite  at  home  with 
them ;  and  they  with  Hix ;  that  He  dwelli 
in  their  heart  as  Knro ;  in  their  oonsoiebee 
as  Priest;  in  their  mind,  as  Prophst. 
Where  this  three-fold  victory  of  Christ  is 
achieved  in  the  three  essential  departments 
of  the  inner  man,  it  is  most  precious  indeed. 
Oh !  that  I  could  always  say, 

*  All  this  is  Jesus  Christ  to  me  !* 
We  gather  from  the  Old  Testament,  that 
on  three  distinct  occasions,  did  Moses  go  up 
into  the  Mount  with  God.  In  this  three- 
fold ascension,  I  do  think,  the  glory  of  the 
Gospel  was,  in  measure  set  forth ;  I  mean, 
in  all  this,  Christ  woe  Vailed.  The  first 
time  I  pass  over  now:  and  come  to  the 
time  when  Moses  came  down  from  the 
Mount  with  the  tables  of  Stone.  First ;  it  is 
distinctly  said,  '  When  the  Lord  had  made 
an  end  of  communing  with  Moeee :'  there  was 
a  long  and  solemn  council  holden :  even  so, 
before  Christ,  the  Mediator  came.  He  was 
brought  (as  Mediator  and  Days-man)  into  the 
secrets  of  ffie  Fathfr's  heart ;  Into  the  deep 
thoughts  andpurposes  of  the  eternal  mind. 
Secondly :  <  Eie  gave  unto  Moses,  two  tables 
of  testimony,  tables  of  stone,  written  with 
the  finger  of  God.  So  were  the  tables  of  tes- 
timony put  into  the  heart  and  hands  of  onr 
Great  Law-fulfiller.  But,  now,  look  at  the 
subsequent  events.  Thece  stands  Moses 
upon  Mount  Sinia,  with  the  tables  in  his 
hand.  Joshua  is  between  the  top  of  the 
mount,  and  the  camp ;  he  is  neither  on  the 
top  of  Sinai  with  the  Lord ;  nor  is  he  in  the 
camp  with  Aaron  and  the  Israelites.  Pre* 
sentfy,  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  *  Go,  get 
thee  down ;  for  thy  people  have  corrupted 
themselves.'  The  icrath  of  heaven  waxed  hot 
against  them.  The  Lord  said,  let  me  alone 
that  I  may  consume  them.  But  Moses  be- 
sought the  Lord  his  God :  and  Moses  pre- 
vailed. He  came  down :  Joshua  met  him ; 
and  seems  first  to  have  called  his  attention  to 
the  reality  of  the  dreadful  effects  of  Israel's 
Idolatory.  When  Moses  saw  the  calf,  and 
the  dancing ;  his  ancer  waxed  hot;  he  east 
the  tables  out  of  his  hands ;  and  brake  them 
beneath  the  Mount  I  look  at  Moses  even 
here  as  a  type  of  our  Great  Substitute.  I 
have  deliberately  said,  it  was  not  a  sinful 
act  of  Moses :  he  was  induced  to  this  act  by 
the  fall  of  his  people.  Here  Christ  standi 
railed  as  we  shall  presently  see.  The 
breaking  of  the  tables  by  Moses  must  not  be 
considered  simply  an  angry  accident.  No. 
No,    Indeed  it  must  not,  C.  W.  B. 


4pra   1^  KM.] 


TBB   KAmTHKV   YSSSBli.! 


8fr 


8CENE8  IN  THE  CHAMBER  WHERE  THE  GOOD  MAN  DIED. 


BiVYAjmr  Flobt  wm  bam  in  the  year 
119%  at  dspten,  in  the  ooonty  of  Suffolk, 
vhere  hie  aaeeelon  lived  more  than  a  oentury. 

la  Ui  joulh,  hie  mndfather  apprenticed 
Ua  to  a  Biker  in  Ipewieh.  One  Sunday 
■oninff,  when  engayea  in  eoUaeting  dinners 
to  be  bak4d,  ■naing  toe  people  going  tochuroh 
and  diapeL  he  was  stmok  with  an  impression 
that  he  had  a  soul,  and  had  some  fearml  feel^ 


n?1 


about  etamity.    These  thonghts  wore  off, 

he  grew  np  in  sinful  practices^  partly  from 

'   and  piartly  to  drown  aU  thongnts  of 


Lsavm^  bis  serriee  at  Ipswieh|  he  beoame 
SB  open  smner,  and  renler  of  religion,  par- 
tieoiatly  of  the  Baptists.  HJinng  a  heUday, 
hs  wpeai  it  with  his  nnde,  wlu>  was  muoh 
eaiaged  with  the  Baptists.  He  left  his  uncle 
ia  the  evening,  yowing  he  neyer  would  haye 
sajtUag  to  do  with  the  Baptists.  The  night 
wss  dark,  and  he  lost  himself  in  a  field,  and, 


the  effect  of  making  him  consider  and  think 
sboot  his  never  dying  soul ;  he  determined 
aeicr  to  rerHa  the  Baptists  a^n.  Often  has 
be  spoken  of  that  day,  pndsmi^  the  Lord  for 
[swwi  liin,  Idm,  and  not  suffenn^^  him  to  be 
eot  off  ia  his  fbolish  and  wicked  opposition  to 
6adsadhis  cause. 

About  tfaja  time,  the  Wesleyans  came  to 
Otley,  and  preached  in  the  neighbouring 
Tinsfs;  and  one  eyening  my  father  was  led 
to  besr  one  of  the  preachers  from  these  words. 
*  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand 
befofe  Qod;  and  the  books  were  opened^  and 
anotter  bocA  was  opened,  which  was  the  book 
of  HU,  and  the  deed  were  judged  out  of  those 
things  which  were  written  in  the  books,  ac- 
eoidmg  to  their  works."  Bey.  xx.  12, 13. 

This  prodnoed  much  effect;  sin  was  felt: 
the  law  reyealed  in  all  its  claims;  his  soul 
■nk,  thinhing  that  something  must  be  done ; 
not  only  sin  fbrsaken  and  hated,  but  pnarfection 
attainea  beftnre  he  could  expect  Christ  would 
mn.  But  soon  he  found  his  works  iifdl ;  for 
one  day,  when  he  thought  hehadattunad 
poftetiaB,  be  was  aflhmtad  with  the  seryant^ 
sad  ipoiU  aU  his  fine  performances.  The  law 
ems,  and  aaid,  **  Pay  me  what  thou  owest." 
**  Cursed  ia  eyeiy  one  that  oontinueth  not  in 
aa  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law,  to 
do  them.''  "The  Soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall 
die."  For  some  time  he  was  in  a  sad,  ssd 
ftate  of  socd-dirtresBw  all  hope  of  being  sayed 
was  gone.  He  oougnt  the  good  of  his  soul  by 
prner,  reading  the  Scriptures  in  priyate,  and 
a  the  public  mimstij  <n  the  word.  He  no 
longer  eontinned  with  the  Wesleyans;  he 
foimd  tfieir  system  opnld  yield  him  no  com- 
fort ;  tharefbre  he  trayelled  many  miles  to  hear 


among  the  Baptists.  His  ylews  of  grace  be- 
came strengthened  ;  he  knew  that  salvation 
was  aU  of  grace.  Tet  aU  his  efforts  failed  tin 
the  blessed  Spirit  spake  these  words  with  power 
upon  bis  heart,  *'  Ho !  eyezy  one  that  thirsteth, 
come  ye  to  tJie  waters,  and  he  that  hath  no 
moneyi  come  yei,  buy  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy 
wine  and  ndlk,  without  money  and  without 
price."  Isa.  ly.  1.  And  this.  '^The  Spirit  and 
the  Bride  say  come,  and  let  him  that  is  athirst' 
come,  and  whosoeyer  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely."  Bey.  xxU.17.  With  these 
portions  of  Scripture,  a  wonderful  yiew  of 
Christ  came  into  his  hearty  followed  by  tiiesd 
words,  *  All  we  like  sheep,  haye  ^ne  astray^ 
we  haye  turned  ereey^  one  unto  his  own  way, 
and  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon  him  the  iniquity 
of  us  all ;  and  with  hii  stripes  we  are  healed. 
Now  his  peace  was  g^eat  in  belieying,  not 
only  that  Jesus  died,  but,  that  he  died  foi' 
him,  and  in  this  state  of  soul  he  appeared 
before  the  church,  and  was  receiyed  and  bap- 
tised in  1802.  He  felt  he  had  much  forgiren; 
and  he  byed  much.  At  tins  time  he  waa 
enabled  to  open  his  mouth  in  prayer  and  in 
expounding  ine  Word. 

Boon  after  this,  he  went  on  yisits  to  see  my 
mother,  at  Sutton,  Suffolk  j  and  here  he  could 
not  be  nappy  iu  spending  his  SabbaiJis  without 
the  worship  of  Ghod  ;  so  he  opened  a  prayer 
meeting,  and  expounding  the  Scriptures.  This 
was  much  connected  with  th^  liBC  of  the  cause 
there. 

In  the  proTidenoe  of  God,  my  father  was 
remoyed  to  Chathun,  in  Kent,  in  1805.  Here 
he  was  formally  sent  out  by  that  part  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  meeting  at  Zion,  Cloyer 
Street,  then  under  the  pastorate  of  Kr.  John 
Knott  Whereyer  a  door  should  open  for 
him.  he  preached  **  Christ,  the  wisdom  of 
Gbd.  and  the  power  of  Ood,"  all  round  the 
neighbourhood. 

And  here  also  the  Lord  blest  my  parents  in 
proridence ;  but  after  a  time,  they  had  topsss 
through  yery  trying  losses  iu'busmes^  and  in 
theremoyalof  a  dear  child.  But  the  Lord 
was  a  present  help  in  time  of  trouble. 

From  this  time,  my  Esther  preached  in 
many  places  in  the  country,  and  also  In 
London, 

In  the  year  1882,  he  fell  into  great  trouble ; 
but  the  Lord  preserred  him.  He  was  brought 
yery  low  in  soul;  he  was  also  in  sharp  con- 
flicts through  temptatloii,  being  tempted  to 
destroy  himself  lyr  drowning;  and  so  mr  was 
the  enemy  permitted  to  go,  that  one  day  he 
left  Lonaon  for  that  purixMe,  and  walked  to 
Two  Waters,  in  flertforashire ;  but  when  ha 
got  to  the  side  of  the*riyer,  the  Lord  spoke  as 
with  a  yoice  firom  heayen,  'Do  thyself  no 
harm.*  He  was  stayed.  He  would  often  sav 
when  referring  to  Uiis  deliyeranee^  *'  Kepi, 
Kept  hy  the  power  of  God.    Salration  I    Sul- 


86 


THB  BABTHBir  TB881L. 


[April  1,  IIM. 


ration!  SaTiiig,keeDmg, allof God,fh>mfint 
to  last/'    80  for,  and  no  fvrthar. 

Soon  altar  this,  my  father  went  to  Vonrieh, 
where  he  preached  nine  years.  Two  years 
with  considerable  tokens  of  the  DiTine  faTonr 
in  the  open  air  to  hundreds^  and  more  than  a 
thousand  persons  on  several  occasions,  which 
At  that  time,  was  a  large  out-door  gatherinr. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  in  that  part  to  preach 
A  free  grace  GK>speL  He*  used  to  say, "  If  the 
Free-wiUers  are  not  ashamed  nor  afraid  to 
preach  an  uncertain  salvation,  I  need  not,  by 
GU>d's  help,  be  ashamed  or  afraid  to  preach  a 
certain  fiui  Gospel."  Go,  ye  minuters  of 
Jesus  now,  and  do  likewise. 

He  never  received  any  regular  support  for 
preaching  the  gospel,  as  he  had  a  business, 
and  felt  quite  satisfied,  until  all  other  doors 
were  cloeed.  and  then  he  gave  himself  wholly 
to  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  preaching  at 
Hewcastle,  Hoxne,  fieading,  Spalding,  and 
Donnington,  statedly.  Having  only  left  Spal< 
din^  four  years :  and  till  within  two  years 
havmg  ministerea  the  word  of  life.  He  was 
often  himself,  tossed  with  doubts  and  fears, 
and  was  very  enoouraginj^  to  the  Lord's  exer- 
cised people.  But  in  his  mioistrv,  he  was 
often  led  into  the  everlastinr  love  or  God,  and 
the  libertjr  of  the  children  of  God,  by  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ;  and  so  it  was  with  him  to  the 
end,  as  he  often  expressed  himself. 

For  the  last  three  years,  my  dear  parent 
lived  in  London.  Two  vears  ago,  a  blood 
vessel  broke  in  one  of  his  legs,  from  which  he 
lost  a  quantity  of  blood.  This  weakened  him 
much.  In  that  affliction,  as  he  expressed  in  a 
letter,  Ms  soul  was  blessed  witn  the  sweet 
assurance  **  That  all  was  well,  whether  for  life 
or  death ;  that  he  felt  he  was  on  the  solid 
Bock,  and  all  beside,  was  sinking  sand." 

Last  October,  he  said  to  me,  one  morning, 
when  walking  with  him,  he  had  been  dreaa- 
fiilly  attaokra  with  infidelity  and  nnbelief, 
not  of  God,  but  of  what  he  had  done  for  him 
in  his  soul ;  but  he  added,  -"  When  the  enemy 
eame  in  like  a  flood,  the  Lord  lifted  up  a  stan- 
dard against  him,"  and  he  was  brought  to 
hope  and  beUeve  all  was  right. 

On  Wednesday,  December  16th,  I  walked 
ont  with  him,  not  thinking  it  would  be  the 
last  time.    We  had  some  sweet  conversation 


On  the  Lord's^T,  ha  wished  my  a 
go  to  his  esteemed  fiiend,  Hr.  Lamo,  who,  on 


eni 
and 


terinff,  took  my  dear  fhther  by  the  hand 
id  looKcd  at  him  with  affectionate  stedfiwi- 
ness,  he  said  in  his  emphatic  way,  *  Pm  going  I 
I  am  gomg !  not  a  single  aoeaaatioOf  no  not 
>,  ulispeaiMi!' 


Monday  ni^ht  was  a  glorioos  one  of  praise. 
He  told  me  his  donbts  were  all  removed ;  ha 
waa  on  the  rook,  had  followed  no  eanningly 
devised  fables ;  Jesus  was  all  and  in  aU.  Tna 
way,  the  only  way.  the  truth,  and  the  life. 
Soon  after  he  said  this,  he  burst  out 
*  Jeans  1  lover  of  my  soul. 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly .' 

This  he  repeated,  with  Inoreased  energy 
again  and  again.  *  Christ  Jesus' he  said, 
*  triumphed  over  sin  and  hell,  we  are  saved 
through  him,  and  by  him  for  ever  saved. 
Praise  him !    Praise  him !' 

"  Pnuse,  everlasting  praise  be  paid 
To  him  who  earth's  foundations  laid." 

Again:— 

**  Oh,  for  such  love,  let  rocks  and  hills. 
Their  lasting  silence  break ; 
And  all  harmonious  human  tongues^ 
The  Saviour's  praises  speak." 

Also:— 
•*  Blessings  fbr  ever  on  the  Lamb, 
Who  bore  the  curse  fbr  guilty  man.'' 

In  the  course  of  the  day,  Monday,  Mr. 
L.  called.  Among  many  sweet  expressions, 
this  was  much  like  himself,  "  Our  Father  will 
not  turn  us  out  of  doors.  Blessings  on  hia 
Holy  name."  Here  was  the  full  assurance  of 
£uth  triumphing  over  death  and  hell ! 

Tuesday,  21st,  he  said  but  little,  but  to  a 
friend  who  called,  *  Jesus  is  all  in  alL'  'He 
will  not  break  the  bruised  reed,  or  quench  tba 
smoking  flax.'  A  letter  was  received  froaa 
Spaldingp  expressing  their  regard  and  trust- 
ing the  Lord  would  be  with  him ;  he  felt  it 
muchj  and  expressed  Ms  thanks  to  them,  and 
all  friends  for  kindnesses ;  also  to  Mr.  L.  ha 
expressed  his  thanks  and  praise  to  the  Lord^ 
for  all  kindness.  When  Mr.  L.  said, '  the  Lord 
bless  you,  and  be  with  vou,  my  brother,  he 
'When  tnou  passest  through 


has  promised, 

by  the  way,  and  on  passing  a  Catholic  chapel,  I  the  waters.  I  will  be  with  you ;  I  will  never 
he  said,  I  have  had  several  conversations  with  I  leave  thee,'  &c.  I  enouired  of  him,  acme  timo 
them,  and  tried  to  set  before  them  the  truth  afterwards,  how  he  felt  in  his  soul.  He  an- 
as it  is  in  Jesus.    What  a  mercy,  we  have  j  swered, '  Stfe !     Lord,  send,  dear  Lord^  send 


not  been  left  to  such  errors,  but  that  the  Holv 
Spirit  has  made  us  light  in  the  Lord.  "  AU 
e&cting,  sovereign  favour." 

He  seemed  eradually  sinking,  and  on  Sa- 
iurday  the  18tb,  before  the  doctor  came,  he 
Md  each  of  us  farewell.  I  asked  him  how  he 
felt,  if  he  should  be  taken  away ;  whether 
his  mind  was  now  dark,  as  he  expressed  him- 
self, on  Friday  ?  He  said,  he  trusted  all  was 
right,  but  he  wanted  more  power  in  his  Soul. 

1  had  to  leave  him  a  short  time,  and  when 
I  returned,  on  the  Monday,  my  fears  were 
^confirmed,  that  his  race  was  almost  run ;  and 
*lhat  bliss,  eternal  bliss,  was  near.  I  found 
that  during  the  night  he  had  often  been  in 
prayer,  and  that  many  blessed  things  had 
lieen  spoken  by  him. 


more  pibwer,  if  thy  blessed  wilL'    I  said, 

**  Did  Jesus  once  upon  yon  shine  } 
Then  Jesus  is  for  ever  yours." 

I  know,  dear  Father,  you  want  the  power  to 
feel  it  now,  and  you  shall  have  it  again :  even 
with  Thomas,  to  sav  and  feel  with  all  that 
holy  newer  your  soul  desires, 'My  Lord,  and 
myOod.' 

Wednesday,  82nd,  when  Mrs.  B.  called,  he 
expressed  his  thanks  for  all  kindness,  and 
then  said, '  I  want  to  tell  you  Ood  is  faithful. 
'The  foundation  of  God  standeth  sure.'  *  He 
is  all  in  all  to  me !  Christ  is  precious  I  Cnrist  ia 
precious !  praise  Christ !  He  will  never  leave 
me,  never  forsake  me.  Tes,  Emmanuel,  Ood 
with  us.'    Re  desired  ma  to  read  the  91st 


AptflUiaM.! 


THB   SARTHSN    TBSSBL. 


87 


▼ored  to  do. 


CBM^  ui  pVAJWi  wbioh  I WM  la- 


•omo  larour  in  mj  ovd 


la  the  ewmungf  he  eeid,  *  I  want  to  be  with 
Ood.  I  want  to  feel  thet  love  which  was  be- 
fiore  timeb  when  there  was  no  nn,  nor  pein, 
thai  I  niaj  be  finr  ever  a  wallowed  up  in  Father, 
Son.  and  Spirit  Amen.'  Thenhe  a[>peared 
ae  if  he  thoofht,  he  did  not  feel  hia  ain  and 
nworihiaeaB  aa  he  oii(ht»  and  broke  out  aajr- 
tnfe  '  O  Laid,  ahow  bm  mote  of  what  ain  ia 
and  the  riohee  of  thygraee  in  aannr  ainnerL 
thai  1  Bwy  gWrify  Thee,  Oh  holy  Ctrd,  God 
Akuffhir,  i^ither.  Word,  and  Spirit. 

Thanday,  SSn^  Mr.  Bloomfield  oaUed, 
fwhoae  miaiatiy  m j  father  attended)  with  Mr. 
PeUa:  to  Mr.  Bloomfield,  he  aaid,  *  I  am  ffUd 
toaee  joa :  the  Lord  bleaa  jou ;  I  hare  been 
apeor  wanderer ;  but,  the  Lord  in  hia  tender 
wm%,9  baa  dealt  tenderly  with  me ;  he  haa. 
greaUj  blcwed  jour  miniatrr  to  me  in  my 
<dd  afe ;  ihe  Laid  haa  bloiaea  yon  to  othera, 
and  will  blev  you.  Stand  feat  ia  the  truth. 
The  Lord  bleaa  yoa  and  preaerYe  you  and  the 
'    ai  8ah»m.>    Brother  Bloomfield  aaid. 


'The  ererlaatinf  goapel  ia  all  your  aupport 
now.'  He  anawered, '  1  hare  none  elaewhere, 
aalj  aa  in  a  jneeioaa  Cbriatt  let  forth  in  hi* 
fiaMhed  work  and  free-graoe  goapel.'  fie  ap- 
peared overeome,  bat  to  brother  Pella.  in 
parting,  he  aaid,  *  The  Lord  bleaa  jou,  I  am 
going  where  flittering  robea  for  eon^aerora 
wait.  All  oigraoe,  Iree  graoej  Praise  the 
Lard.' 

IVidaT,  2ith,  he  lay  quiet  oMat  of  the  day 
and  night,  now  and  then  erjing  to  the  Ijora, 
*  Baiee  me^  lift  me  up,  let  me  go.'  On  this 
night,  he  eaid,  *•  Vm  eddying  man,  I  die.  Lord, 
p«t  the  ererlaating  arma  around  me ;  dear  Fa- 
ther, dear  Jeeua,  eome,  come,  and  fetch  me.' 
'lin  them,  and  thou  in  me^  that  they  all  may 


be  made  perfect.'  I  want  to  be  perfect,  per- 
fect.' 

About  6  o'dock,  my  mother  and  Mr.  L. 
went  to  him.  with  mvielf  and  abter ;  he  took 
hold  of  her  nand  ana  said,  *  I  haTe  aeen  Je- 
hovah,— ^Emmanuel  ia  hia  name.' 

In  the  early  part  of  the  night,  I  laid, '  Je- 
aua  oyer  Uvea.  Looking  unto  Jesua.'  He  took 
up  the  worda,  *  Looking  unto  Jeaua;  looking 
wnolly ;  Lor^  enable  me  to  look;  enable  me 
to  look  entirely  for  ever  and  ever.    Amen. 

Soon  after  thia,  he  gradually  sank  into  the 
arma  of  his  Lord  and  Bedeemer  for  ever  to 
possees  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light, 
*Tbanka  be  unto  Qod  that  giveth  victory^ 
through  our  Lord  Jeaua  Christ.'  He  died 
on  Tuesday  morning,  about  8  o'elock,  tha 
SSthofDeeember,  1858,  aged  77  yeara,  bar- 
been  a  preacher  66  yeara.     'Hu  end  waa 


His  mortal  remains  were  depoaited  th^  foU 
lowing  Monday,  at  the  Gemetry,  Woking^ 
Surrey.  Mr.  Bloomfield  attended  the  fanenX 
Other  miniatera  would  have  been  ther^  but 
were  prevented,  eepedally  hia  old  friend  and 
brother,  C.    W.   Banks.       Mr.    Bloomfield 

5 reached  the  funeral  sennon  at  Salem,  on 
'huradav,  the  13th  of  January  ;  firom  Prov. 
xiv.  32,  laat  clause.  It  waa  a  good  disoourset 
setting  forth  the  righteous  and  their  righte- 
ousness, hope,  ana  blissful  end.  Brother 
Bloomfield  testified  to  my  father's  feitbfulnesa 
in  the  gospel  and  kingdom  of  Christ  by  divine 
power  and  grace.    Our  loss  is  his  gain. 

*  While  everlaating  agea  roll. 
Eternal  k>ve  shaU  feast  hia  soul, 
And  scenes  of  bliM  for  ever  new, 
Biae  in  sucoession  to  hia  view.' 


JOSEFH. 


Hackney. 


THE    ACTIVE    CHRISTIAN— THE    PASTOE'8    WIFE. 
AN    OBITUABY    OP    MBS.    PBPPEE. 


(Goarioded  from  page  67.) 
Maa.  Pmax  waa  ^d&uUimp  CkritHan; 
thofligh  in  eireomstanoea  of  real  tronble  and 
daanr,   woold   diapby  remarkably   atrong 

la  the  earlier  period  of  her  life,  ahe  waa  the 
sabieet of  moeh fear  and  doubting;  yet  her 
doiiMa  did  not  eaU  in  queation  the  great 
tnithe  of  the  Gospel,  but  her  own  intereat 
thereia.  She  woiud  aometimea  say,  *I  do 
insly  and  eenfideiitly  believe  in  the  Uened 
phn  of  Salvation  by  Gtaee ;  that  Jeaoa 
Chriift  haa  made  a  Ihll  and  f^  alone* 
lor  the  ana  of  hia  people;  thai  he 
'^  '  I  aa  everlaating  ana  a  glorious 
that  he  ia  a  mighty  and  a 
wilKag  Savioor,  *  Able  to  aave  to  the  ntter- 
meotatt  that  come  vnto  God  by  hun;  but 
saleOer  ks  will  m90  m  ia  a  matter  of  pain- 
fcldedbt  and  anxiety  to  my  mind.' 

I  of  her  nervooa  affections  had  a 


tendener  to  piodaee  a  doubting  atate  of  mind. 
She  haa  each  a  aenae  of  the  amaaing  love  of 


Qed  ia  aalTalioBi  ewmecied  witlya  deep  leBia 


of  her  own  nothingness  and  depravity,  that 
she  would  often  fear  she  oould  not  be  a  subject 
of  this  love,  else  her  whole  heart  would  bum 
with  love  to  the  Saviour;  and  her  anxious 
aoul  would  often  exclaim,  *0  Lord,  thou 
knoweat  all  things,  thou  knowest  that  I  do 
desiie  to  love  thee,  with  all  my  heart.' 

Thia  doubting  atate  of  mind  continued  more 
or  less  till  her  aevere  affliction  in  1854,  when 
the  Lord  ao  gradoualy  broke  in  umm  her 
eottl  with  the  discoveries  of  his  love,  that  she 
waa  filled  with  ecstaciea  of  joy,  and  while  all 
were  anticipating  her  death,  and  weeping  al 
the  thought  of  so  soon  having  to  loose  her,  ahe 
would  beg  of  them  not  to  weep,  but  to 
help  her  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  to  bleaa 
ana  pnuae  hia  preoioua  name  for  his  wooderful 
lovingkindness  and  mercy  to  her.  Observing 
her  husband  weeping  at  the  bedside,  she  said, 
< My  dear,  pray  don't  weep  for  me,  but  rather 
r^oice.  because  I  am  going  to  be  with  Jesus, 
my  Beloved,  for  ever.  I  have  been  a  poor 
doubting  one  all  my  life  time,  but  now  my 
doabts  are  all  removed,  and  Z       '"*'■  "'     * 

Digitized  t 


tmie,  Du(  now  my 


M 


TdE  CAETHBM  TJS88BL. 


[April  1»  t8f«L 


Away  an  tean  from  my  «yea :  thoefiyre^  re- 
joice with  me.  mj  dearest,  for  I  am  happy, 
and  shall  dwell  with  my  Jesus  for  ever  in  the 
mansions  of  bHss.'  ind  some  time  after  this, 
she  took  a  final  farewell  of  all  in  the  house, 
saying,  *  I  am  jpoine  to  leare  you  all  behind, 
and  to  enter  into  that  blessed  rest  wlnoh  my 
Jesus  hath  prepared  for  me  in  heaven.  And 
my  dying  praver  for  you  all  is,  that  Gh)d  wUl 
hless  yon  with  all  grace  and  merey  here,  to 
liye  to  his  pnise,  and  then  bring  you  all  to 
ftieet  me  again  in  the  regions  of  glory  for 
eyer.* 

Her  mind  was  Utterly  mueh  ezerdsed  with 
doabts  about  the  article  of  death,  fearing  that 
she  should  dishonour  the  Lord  in  her  death, 
bv  a  Mjpint  of  unwillingness  to  die ;  and  that 
Cne  pains  and  struggles  of  death  would  be 
too  mueh  for  her  to  hear,  and  she  should  be 
tempted  to  say  something  in  her  distress  that 
Would  reflect  discredit  upon  her  profession, 
and  upon  the  name  of  the  Lora;  in  this 
6atan  harassed  her  rery  mudi  at  times. 

A  few  months  ago,  when  her  hushand  re- 
turned  from  Bristol,  she  told  him  that  she 
was  in  great  distress  of  mind,  heeause  she 
felt  such  a  strong  denre  to  live ;  and  feared 
she  could  not  be  right  with  such  a  feeling,  as 
the  Lord's  people  had  a  desire  to  depart  and  be 
With  Jesus  Christ ;  whereas  she  had  no  desire 
to  die,  but  rather  a  strong  desire  to  live.  Her 
husband  then  explained  to  her  that  such  a 
fseling  was  quite  comdstent  with  the  work 
of  grace  in  the  soul.  That  the  Lord  having 
more  work  for  her  to  do,  did  not  wish  her 
to  die  yet ;  and  Uievefore.  it  would  be  wrong 
for  her  to  wish  to  die,  while  the  lord  wished 
her  to  live.  *  But  dear,'  she  replied,  '  How 
sad.  it  would  be  when  the  Lord  sends  for  me. 
if  I  should  then  have  such  a  wish  to  live  and 
be  unwilling  to  go.  O  you  don't  know 
how  the  very  thought  of  it  distresses  my 
mind.' 

Seeing  the  state  of  her  mind,  and  knowing 
it  to  be  one  of  those  temptations  with  which 
Satan  so  frequently  harMsed  her  soul,  her 
husband  took  much  pains  to  show  her  that 
such  a  state  of  feeling  oould  not  be  as  she 
feared;  for  though  now  she  had  such  a  strong 
desire  to  live,  yet  the  Lord  could  with  one 
word  in  a  moment  chmige  that  desire  to  live, 
into  a  desire  to  depart  and  leave  all  things 
here.  And  that  she  might  rest  assured  that 
when  the  Lord  was  ready  for  her  and  wished 
her  home  to  glory,  he  would  certainly  inform 
her  of  it,  the  very  thought  of  which  would  fill 
her  soul  with  a  aesire  to  go.  'For  the  Lord 
will  open  the  windows  of  heaven  to  you',  dear, 
and  let  a  little  of  the  brightness  ot  tiiat 
heavenly  glory  shine  upon  you,  which  will 

tnite  melt  your  soul  to  joy,  while  yon  will 
ear  the  words  of  such  winning  affection 
spoken  by  the  Lord  to  you,  *  Arise,  my  love, 
my  fair  one,  and  come  away/  that  you  will 
be  as  ready  to  go  as  the  liOrd  will  be  to  receive 
you.  And  as  to  the  pains  of  dying,  the  Lord 
Jesus  will  take  care  to  be  with  vou  that  you 
will  forget  all  about  them,  and  all  things  else 
below  in  the  sweetness  of  his  presence.'  '  O 
my  dear.'  she  said,  'if  it  should  be  to,  how 
Messed  it  will  be  to  die,  and  who  can  tell  P 
He  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound,  and  give 


me  strenglli  equal  to  my  day;  then  I  will 
leare  myself  in  his  hands.' 

The  truth  of  her  husband's  enoouraging 
words  was  signally  proved  in  her  happy  ex- 
perience; for  her  mind  became  gtadnaUy 
absorbed  in  heavenly  reaUties  as  the  time  or 
her  end  drew  near.  And  several  days  before 
her  death,  when  no  one  had  the  sligbtesk 
thought  of  her  decease,  her  ecnvenatioii 
turned  upon  the  subject  of  death,  with  the 
sweetest  composure  imaginable;  not  a  donbt. 
nor  fear,  seemed  to  rest  upon  her  tranqoil 
mind.  And  .as  the  time  of  her  departure 
drew  nearer,  she  talked  of  dying  and  of  ^oing^ 
home  to  Jesus,  with  such  pleasure  as  if  aha 
was  anticipating  a  most  deligbtfnl  journey. 

On  the  night  previous,-— when  death,  thou^ 
no  one  at  that  time  had  the  most  distant  idea 
of  her  dying,  then,— she  oooHy,  ealmly  and 
most  affectionately  spoke  to  her  husband  of 
several  matters  which  she  wished  him  to  attend 
to  after,  as  she  said  she  was  gone  home  to  Jeaoa, 
which  woidd  be  veiy  soon.  And  referring  to 
the  love  of  Christ,  she  said,  with  peeunar 
animation  of  soul,  '  Yes,  my  dearest,  now  I 
do  knew  that  I  love  the  Lerd  Jesus,  and  I  do 
know  that  He  loves  me,  and  has  redeemed 
my  soul  firom  death,  and  that  he  will  never 
cease  to  love  me.  Blessed  be  his  name,  bo 
has  never  left  me,  and  I  know  he  never  wilL 
His  love  is  an  everlasting  love,  and  his  araeo 
is  all  sufilcient.  O  yes,  dear,  I  can  trust  him, 
my  ever-faithftd,  ever-loving  Friend.  1 
know  he  will  keep  me  safe  in  nil  everlastinf 
arms.  O  to  be  found  in  him !  This  is  blessed, 
is  it  not,  dearest  P  And  though  soon  after  this, 
she  suffered  mueh  from  internal  pain  and  con- 
stant vomiting,  yet  the  greatest  placidity  of 
mind,  and  the  most  calm  resignation  prevailed. 
*  0  my  dearest,'  she  said,  '  the  Lord  will  not 
lay  upon  me  more  than  I  can  bear,  and  when 
it  is  too  much,  he  will  either  remove  the  afllie- 
tion,  or  take  me  home  to  himself,  where  there 
will  be  no  aflliction  but  everlasting  jov ;  this 
is  much  better.  The  Lord  will  do  all  things 
right,  dear ;  he  always  haa^  and  why  should  we 
doubt  him  now  }  Surely  we  have  ,had  prooib 
enough  of  his  love  to  enable  ns  to  say, '  Fathar, 
thy  wiU  be  done.'  <  O  yes,  dearest,  let  ns 
pnise  him  for  alL' 

After  this,  when  her  disease  had  evidently 
taken  a  sudden  and  unexpeeted  turn  for  too 
worse,  and  she  was  troubled  to  apeak,  ber 
husband  said  to  her,  '  My  .dearest,  is  Jeeoa 
precious  to  you  now  ?  Do  you  feel  happy  m 
his  everlasting  arms  P  If  so,  put  upyour  nuid.' 
She  then  hfted  up  her  hand  with  all  the 
strength  she  had.  He  again  said,  'My  love, 
if  you  are  happy  in  the  love  of  Chris^  and 
feel  that  you  are  going  to  dwaU  in  his  boeeai 
fbrever  m  heaven:  do  lift  np  both  your 
and  she  at  once  put  forth  all  her 
i,  and  lifted  them  up,  with  evident 
deUg&t  and  joy. 

Yery  soon  after  this,  all  eonseionsneas  Ml 
her,  and  about  four  o'clock  in  the  aftemooD. 
she  began  gently  to  fall  asleep  in  the  arms  of 
death.  And  she  continued  to  breath  ent  her 
soul  into  tiie  boeom  of  her  beloved  Jesus  witii* 
out  the  subtest  sympton  of  pain,  or  the  least 
change  upon  her  plaaid  oonnlMaace,  till  dO 
minutes  past  18  o'dook  at  night,  when  ahe 


Afri;i,taNL] 


THE  EAKTHSK  TXSBAL. 


69 


niptneptibly  ccMed  to  bralhe:  ^er 
Md  isiil  lumng  hevd  tiw  orer-lioTar- 
in^  niTitatio&s  of  loTe,  *A7iM,Biy  k>Te,  my 
Cur  one,  tsd  eome  anray/  had  taken  ita  joj- 
ou  ffiigkt  ia  the  arma  of  Jeaua  to  the  long  an- 
tidpatad  laawaona  of  bliai  in  glory.  The  de- 
eeaied  ittd  often  earopwod  a  wiah,  that  when 
■ha  might  be  naooneeioua  of  all 


nooad  her,  that  loe  might  not  be  diatnrbed 
hj  nman^g  objeota.  bnt  be  allowed  to 
hmtk  Mt  her  aool  oalmlT  and  nndutorbed  in- 
to the  boaooi  of  Jeaua.  And  in  this  the  Lord 
Iblly  panted  her  deaire,  for  nothing  leemed 
Id  interrupt  her  henteoly  vepoee  dnnng  the  8 
hoan  andiO  mnintea  ahe  waapaaamg  tnrongh 
theTiDeyof  the  ahadow  of  death;  wbeiwn 
riie  evidently  feared  no  evil,  nor  felt  any  re* 
faKtanee  to  go  forwaid,  for  the  Lord  waa 
with  her;  hii  rod  and  boa etaff,  they  eomforted 
her.  Anditwaaenly  by  thecloeeetwatehing 
of  her  hnaband  and  family,  who  were  with  her 
thatitooold  b^diaoeniedwben  her  happy  api- 
lit  readied  the  end  of  the  ndley,  and  took  ita 
jeyom  flight  from  the  elombenng  body  into 
tbe  reehoe  of  ererlaetinr  fifo  and  glory. 

The  dceeaaed  waa  boned  on  Toeeday,  Deo. 
flit,  ia  Aboey  Paric  Oemetry;  the  Rer.  J. 
Bloooifield,  of  8oho,  eondueting  the  aerrioea. 
The  body  waa  fixat  taken  to  Zion  Chapel, 
Heviagton  Green,  which  waa  hong  in  blaok 
^  the  Bemboa,  and  where  they .  with  many 
« the  eoBgiegation,  had  aeeemwed  in  mourn* 
iofaltiie.  intokenef  theChriatianloTe,  and 
ateea^wmehtiley  bore  to  the  deceased.  Mr. 
Bhooilield,  deliTOM  a  most  truthful,  pathetic 
aadeooioIatoryaddreaBto  the  moumera  and 
I  and  t 


Ithe  eernce  was  felt  by  all  to  be 
Bostieiemn,  aa  waa  manifeet  by  tlie  iotenae 
vefptng  wfaieh  prerailed.  The  prooesshm  then 
mortd  on  to  the  Cemetry,  where  the  body 
waa  deposited  in  the  quiet  resting  place  ti& 
the  momiiig  of  the  resurreetion ;  Mr.  Bloom- 
field  hanog  ddiTcred  another  short  addreas. 
conceded  the  aolemn  aerriee  in  aweet  ana 
tjnipetkiiiiig  prayer. 

Ofthedeeessed  it  may  be  truly  aaid;  she 
vn  a  cxBTim  woaiAH;  an  ivTSLuasKT 
Chusraw;  a  vaithvitl  pmixiid;  and  an 
ArricTxovAxa  wivn. 

Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and 
let  my  end  be  like  her's. 


OENAMENTS 
15   THS    H0IT8E    OF    GOD. 

Of  what  net  am  I  here  P— ia  the  enquiry  of 
Buy  an  infirm  and  worn-out  aaint,  while 
nflimng  in  a  body  of  ain  and  death.  And  of 
vbst  aae  ia  aueh  a  one  P^fMka  the  minister 
<»  siek  Tiastor,  aa  time  alter  time  he  teaves 
tha  aidL  room  of  some  poor  bed-riden  child  of 
God.  Of  what  use  in  the  world?  Of  what 
tt»  in  the  ohnreh  P  Surely,  none,  is  the  eon- 
dwiflti.  Then,  why  does  not  the  Father  take 
neb  home  P  Why,  keep  them  solfering  here, 
rear  after  year  to  no  purpose? 

Such  waa  the  eamal  reasoning  of  the  writer 
t&w  yens  ago,  when  an  aged  Godly  woman, 
«bo  bad  weattiOTed  between  ninety  and  a  hun- 
<had  yean  ha  tbto  wHderaaHj  speiitnn  even^ 


ing  with  him.  On  entering  the  house,  afanoat 
brealhloas,  shepaoaed  toask,  *Howis  it?  I 
ean't  thiiik  how  it  ia  my  breath  is  so  bad« 
surelT  it  ia  not  my  great  age  V  While  we 
could  only  wonder,  and  aak  the  queatinui 
*  How  ia  it  the  Lord  keeps  such  a  poor  useleaa 
sulTerer  so  long  in  this  Tale  of  teara.'  The 
erening  waa  apent  idieerfuiky,  and  in  some 
rea^MKSta  profitably,  but  as  fresh  marks  of  im* 
becility.  or  seoond  ehildhoed,  weremanifested^ 
we  oouid  only  ecain  and  again  repeat  the 
queation.  ^Gtfwhat  use  is  she  here?  And 
now  ia  it  her  Father  does  not  take  her  home  ?' 
But,  like  all  erenings,  howerer  proAtnUe, 
however  pleasant,  tlMre  was  an  end  to  it* 
We  had  to  aee  her  home,  and  with  much  diffi* 
oultyahe  dragged  from  stage  to  atage,  erer 
and  anon  halting  to  regain  her  breath.  At 
one  lonely  halting  place,  we  stood  in  front  of 
our  neat  ehap^  burial  ground,  (Sutton,  in  the 
Isle  of  Ely,)  within  a  yard  or  two  of  her  own 
family  grave.  *  Where  am  1  now  P  was  her 
enquiry.  *fiear  to  your  hmt  roating-pboe,* 
waa  our  reply.  And  |h^  will  soon  occupy  iL 
waa  our  conTiction.  She  hardly  understooa 
the  term;  but,  on  a  further  explanation,  ahe 
cast  her  bat  look  at  her  own  grare.  breathed 
an  earnest  prayer  foe  her  Leva  to  come 
ouickly ;  and  again  leaning  on  our  arm,  by  a 
deeperato  efibrt,  ahe  reachM  her  home.  Beat- 
ing herself  on  the  sofr,  a  riolent  fit  of  cough* 
ing  waa  endured,  and  while  in  deep  sympathy 
we  pitied  her  from  our  rery  heart ;  such  fear* 
ful  expectoration  followed,  as  to  make  nature 
reooil ;  and  again  we  aaked,  *  Of  what  possible 
use  can  she  be  here?  How  ia  it  her  Father 
does  not  toke  her  home?*  With  perplexed 
mind  and  deep  feelings,  we  breathed  a  silent 
prayer,  for  God  either  to  take  her  home,  or 
give  her  patience  to  endure  for  his  sake,  who 
endured  so  much  for  her. 

She  recovered  a  little;  and  with  uplifted 
eves  and  hands,  she  broke  out  in  praising 
God  for'hia  mercies  once  more.  We  were 
silenced;  we  were  admonished.  And  these 
words  spoke  solemnly  but  powerfully  within, 
'  She  is  an  ornament  to  her  profession.'  And 
we  said,  *  Thy  will  be  done.  Lord ;"  thou  shalt 
hare  ornaments  in  thine  house,  as  well  aa 
that,  that  is  usefuL  She  went  to  bed  that 
night  for  the  last  time.  Li  less  than  a  fort- 
night, we  buried  her  mortal  remains,  and 
preached  her  funeral  sermon  from  words  of 
ner  own  choice, '  Oh,  that  1  had  wings  like  a 
doToI  for  then  would  1  fly  away,  and  be  at 
rest.' 

We  had  to  bless  the  Lord  for  that  evening ; 
for  while  ahe  talked  of  her  text  for  funeral 
sermon,  her  grave,  her  grave  stone,  hsr 
funeral,  Ac.,  it  was  all  done  aa  by  one  who 
oould  look  death  in  the  free,  calmly  as  a  con- 
quered foe  I  contemplate  the  grave  as  a  rea^ 
ing  phwe  till  the  morning  of  the  resomotion ; 
and  anticipato  the  hour  that  should  bring  the 
summons  to  quit  this  clay  tabemade,  and 
'  enter  into  the  ioy  of  her  Lord.'  Still  we  do 
not  forget  the  big  tean  that  rolled  4pwn  her 
cheek,  while  for  the  moment  her  nth  gave 
way,  and  she  exclaimed,  *  But,  if  after  all,  my 
profession,  I  should  be  deceived,  and  prove  a 
cast  aaray.'  But,  we  can  hope  better  thuigt 
of  her,  even  thus^  she  ia  now  6efo»  *«•  ***»••» 


90 


TUB  EARTHBM   VEB&ML. 


[AprUl,18M. 


not  only  ao  ornaoMnty  bat  Mrfiiig  God  dav 
and  night.  And,  are  there  not  many  suoh 
ornamenti  in  Ood  s  hooaet  We  think  there 
are.  Buffering  aaintsl  be  eontent  to  be  an 
ornament ;  Tea,  to  be  anything,  to  be  nothing, 
aa  God  ihauaee  fit,  if  therein  he  may  bat  be 
glorified.  Bat,  we  pauae  farther,  to  ask, '  are 
suehofnouie  in  tne  honae  of  QodP*  God 
forbid  j  they  are  of  great  uae.  It  has  been 
our  privilege,  for  many  years,  aa  •  siok  visitor, 
•  otty  missionary  and  gospel  minister,  not 
onW  to  visit  such ;  but  to  get  great  good  from 
such  visits. 


They  are  Uvinff  epistles ;  ia£BBring,  groan- 
ing preachers.  ^Hiey  teaoh  us  (1,)  Gratitude, 
for  the  unspeakable  meroy  of  good  health. 


(2.)  Humility,  shewing  what  we  are  reduoed 
toby  reason  of  sin.  (8,)  The  vitality  of  the 
religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  whieh  Jieither  floods 
nor  flames  ean  annihilate.  (4,)  The  all-sufil- 
oiency  of  divine  graoe  for  evei^  aflliotion.  (6, ) 
The  unohangiag  fitiithfulness  of  the  Sternal 
Tbree^  who  never  leave  nor  forsake  them.  (6.) 
The  preciousness  of  eternal  truth,  r?,)  The 
triumphs  of  the  cross  over  sin,  death,  nell  and 
ever  J  thing  else  opposed  to  a  work  of  graoe  in 
the  soul.  (8.)  The  difference  between  the 
religion  of  the  flesh,  and  the  religion  of  the 
spirit  But  cases  of  real  usefulness  are  not 
wanting,  where  the  sick,  the  suffering  saint, 
has  |>reached  not  only  comfort,  consolation, 
and  instruction  to  the  living  child  of  Qod; 
but  life  to  the  dead  sinner. 

We  may,  perhaps,  if  affreeable  to  the  Sditor 
and  profitable  to  his  readers,  in  a  few  papers, 
further  illustrate  by  those,  '*  Who  being  dead, 
yet  speak."  W.  Flaok. 

Salem  Chapel,  Kew  North  Boad. 

3^nnairs  of  (^minist  Hiniatta 

No.  II. 

CONTBXBUTKD    BT   J,  A.  JOHBS. 

JOHN  IIABTIN,  OF  KEFPEL  STHEET, 

STI88BLL    BQXTASB. 

JoHT  Mabtik  was  a  great  man  in  his  day 
and  ^neration.  One  of  an  Herculean  grasp 
of  mind.  He  was  considered  somewhat  eccen- 
tric, but,  with  all,  a  holy  man  of  Gud.  I  have 
memoirs  of  his  life,  as  written,  by  himself  in 
twenty^ona  letters  to  a  friend.  I  shall  pro- 
oeed  to  give  the  reader  the  eream  at  thoae 
letters,  and  then  continue  the  account  ef  him 
to  the  dose  of  bis  pilgrimage.  He  says  in  the 
first  letter :— *  The  writer  of  his  o«m  lift  has. 
at  least  the^rs^  qualification  of  an  historian, 
Tu ,  tks  hmnoMffe  ofiks  truth,* 

John  ICartin  was  bom  at  Spaldinf  ,  in  lin- 
oolnshire.  March  16, 1741.  His  faUier  was  a 
respectable  farmer.  When  a  child  (he  saysj 
'  I  was  active,  sprightly,  and  vain,  rery  •»- 
qmBiHee^  and  strongly  inclined  to  find  out  the 
ffoson  of  things,'  when  about  fourteen,  he 
was  apnrentioed  to  Mr.  Nowmaric,  of  Stam- 
ford, ffs  styles  him  an  enterprising  gentle- 
man of  many  trades.  <  He  was  a  oonrootioner, 
china  and  glass  man,  mustard  maker,  brick 
.  maker,  malster,  a  considerable  dealer  in  tiles. 


His  mother  died  daring  his  apprentioeshiBb 
She  was  buried  in  Spalding  Chureh-yaid. 
^tiM  of  her  daughters  had  been  buried  in  the 
same  place,  and  her  twmtk  and  only  surviving 
daughter  was  soon  added  to  the  goodly  num- 
ber. *  Of  her  three  sons,  then  living,  William^ 
died  in  the  year  1768:  Thomas,  her  youngest 
son,  I  have  not  heard  of  for  more  than  SO 
years,  so  that,  in  all  probability,  I  am  the  9mia 
surviving  child  of  the  tMrUtm,*    I  ^foeeed 


(omitting  much)  to  an  eventful  penod.    I 

E've  it  in  Martin's  own  words. — ^'In  the 
unmer  of  1767, 1  went  with  my  then  master 
to  Skiptam,  The  day  proved  extremely  wet. 
We  were  compelled  to  stay  for  ahelter  at  a 
UttleviUagecsiled  Olamoorth,  This  was  an 
evening  that  must  not  be  forgotten.  I  found 
myself  restless  and  indisposed .  The  landlady 
came  into  the  little  parlour  where  I  sat  alone^ 
and  said,  <  Ton  seem  to  want  company,  jon 
and  my  son  shall  go  totiie  Methodist  meeting. 
It  foill  b0  rart  §portfor  ^ou.  The  Metho- 
dists (said  she)  are  a  queer  sort  of  folk,  but 
they  won't  hurt  you.'  Mr  euriosity  was  ax* 
cited,  and  I  consented  to  nar  propoaaL  The 
meeting  was  held  in  a  dwelling  hqjDse,  in 
which  were  about  twenty  or  thirty  persons 
assembled.  A  grave-looking  man  stood  oppo- 
site to  me,  h*hnmd  the  book  of  am  old  CMir, 
and  in  this  strange  situation,  he  took  the 
following  words  for  his  text,  *  They  shall  ask 
the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  fooea  thither- 
ward.' Jer.  1.  6 :  Although  very  attentive 
to  the  preacher,  vet  I  was  not  surprised  with 
any  of  his  remarxs,  till  near  the  dose  of  his 
sermon,  when  he  addressed  his  hearers  thos,— 
*  Some  (said  he)  instead  of  asking  their  way 
to  Zion  with  their  fooes  thitherward,  are 
asking|i  I  fear,  their  way  to  ksU  with  their 
faces  set  thithenoardr  iW  unexpected  turn 
I  thought  eeoere,  but,  he  added  so  much,  to 
justify liu  opinion  on  the  subject,  that  I  con- 
cluded that  what  he  had  reported  might  be 
true,  so  that  I  began  to  be  emrioueljf  amrwud 
at  my  own  eitnatum.  The  effects  .that  fol- 
lowed were,—!  was  afraid  of  Uving  as  1  had 
done,  and  resolved  to  retorm  my  life  i  still 
hoping  there  was  no  need  for  enj  oerjf  greai 
ehanae  in  my  behaviour!  In  this  state  of 
mino,  my  former  passions  were  still  eomowhai 
indulged,  but,  witn  this  difference,  that  when 
my  moral  feelings  were  wounded,  I  feared 
tfaiat  I  was  still  asking  my  way  to  hell*  with 
my  face  thitherward.'  After  tms,  John  Mar- 
tin went  to  bear  a  Baptist  minister,  whose 
name  was  Watts,  at  Donnington,  near  Boston. 
He  says,— *  His  diacoorse,  Uke  that  at  OUy- 
worth,  was  uninteresting  to  lae  till  it  was 
nearly  finished,  when  Mr.  Watts  spake  to  this  ' 
effect  x—^SUmer,  thou  thinkest  that  Ood  wiU 
perhaps  oomnound  with  thee  for  thine  iniqui- 
Ues.  I  telf  thee*he  wiU  not  JSfo,  he  wiU 
kaoe  the  mttermoet  farthing  f  This  alarming 
sentence  appeared  to  sm,  aa  the  handwriUng 

ri  the  wall  to  Belshaakar,  they  were  terri- 
to  me ;  and  on  retnming  home^  I  mused 
thus  with  myself— What!  have  I  been  aakins 
my  way  to  hell  with  my  face  thitherward,  tiu 
I  am  pUinly  told,  that  Ood  wiil  not  com- 
ponnd  laith  einmere,  but  will  have  thentter' 
meet  farthing  ?  0,  such  tidings  are  tremen- 
dous r  Thai  I  hftTo  done  nj  thing  fully  lo 


ltU»l 


THB  EAETHIN   TISSSL. 


91 


r  Dmne  JoitiM,  J  dtn  not  pretnme  to 
littiod  that  I ATCT  9haU  make  A./kZ2  oom- 
iliOB  ibr  the  qrimet  I  hare  oommitted,  I 
I  BOi  imagina;  bat,  to  hear  what  I  hare 
nw  haard,  that,  no  pammmt  im  part  will  hs 
mcetpUd;  that  God  wul  not  eamponmd  with 
■aoen;  wimt  tkaU  I  Bag  7    Is  this  oqaita- 
hie  ?     Is   it  not  being  unrta^onahljf  severe  f 
Tbeae  U^al  reaaonings  produced  in  mj  mind  i 
'  ikoM^kU  of  Qod  :  and  I  found  that  he  ' 
b    dunleaaed  with  the  Almighty,  can  j 
porform,  witty  nor  tkinh  of  that  whieh 


M  aeeeptable  in  hia  sight.  Mj  oasehoA  for 
aoma  tune  appeared  to  me  to  m  a  loei  ease  g 
and  I  eoneluaed  that  unUee  I  could  hear  of  a 
remedjf  whieh  would  allow  me  to  Buppose  the 
morU  of  my  oondition,  and  jet  permit  me  to 
hop*  te  eoaupUU  delioeraneo, — I  oould  not 
be  aavad.  ooon  afterwardf,  I  fotmd  that 
fCBedy  in  Him,  who  waa  made  fin  for  ua, 
thai  va  night  be  made  the  righteouaneM  of 
eediaHim.'  1 

Hiavio^  been  brought  to  beliere  in  Christ, 
and  to  reat  his  all  upon  him  for  salvation,  he.  in 
the  jaar  1763  was  baptised,  and  joined  the 
Charcb  of  Chriat  at  Qamlingay  near  Fotton, 
in  Bcdlbidahire ;  and  was  verj  soon  after 
eaUed  ooX  by  that  church  into  the  work  of 
the  fluoistrf.  After  preaching  at  Wittlesea, 
aad  at  Peterborough  for  .a  few  months,  he 
was  ioritad  to  Sheepehead,  in  Linoolnshire,  to 
iMeaad  Mr.  YTilliam  Christian*  who  had  long 
bean  their  pastor.  In  August  1766,  he  was 
flfdaiaad  to  thepastoral  office. 

Mr.  Brown,  (iLettering,)  garehim  his  charge 
bom  Acts  zx.  28» "  Feed  the  Church  of  God. 
whoA  he  hath  pofchased  with  his  own  blood ;'' 
and  the  celebrated  Sobert  Hall,  of  Amsby, 
areaehad  to  the  church  from  1  Thess.  ill.  8, 
^*2low  «•  live  if  ye  stand  fsst  in  the  Lord.'* 
Alaa !  there  sve  but  few  ministers,  in  our  days, 
that  isad  the  diurdi  with  gospel  food ;  and  but 
few  charehaa,  that,  as  fer  as  Truth  is  ooncemed, 
stand  feat  in  the  Lord..  Mr.  Martin  states, 
— ^  While  I  continued  at  Sheepehead  I  met 
with  many  affieting  changes,  notwithstanding 
moMj  members  were  added  to  the  church,  and 
the  number  of  the  congregation  was  neatly 
iiMtfsaad.  There  I  bnned  mv  dear  wife,  aged 
only  2B  jaan ;  alao  my  brother  William,  my 
•WB  hyntfied  fether,  and  serehd  of  my  beet 
fiisada  to  whooa  eounaal  and  kindness  X  had 
beaa  Boali  indebted.  Xhese  afliieting  changes 
aaada  Bhaapahaid  unpleasant  to  me. — ^Mr. 
Martin  sbaerraa,  *  I  never  was  thoroughly  re- 
wmIwI    to  my    situation   at   Sheepehead; 

*  Mr.  William  Christian  waa  a  minister  of 
stwiina'  tmth.  I  am  in  poasossion  of  a  most 
falaaUa  little  book  whieh  belonged  to  him 
(havinf  hia  aatogra]di)  on  Jm^fioaUooy  by 
W.Sm,of8aliBbary.  It  waa  to  Mr.  Chris- 
(fan  ttat  Mvhnid'a  pooUoal  LoUor  waa  written, 
9i  w^SA  I  have  disposed  of  aeveral  thousands. 
Mr.  GhrlaliaB  did  not  long  survive  the  receipt 


of  that  haUm.  He  diedsaddenly,  at  the  very 
MKt  anaiml  meeting  of  ministers,  and  while 
he  was  oonveniBg  with  them  on  religious 
satjeeta.  Mr.  Woodman,  of  Amaby^  preaohed 
hia  ftiiwralaennon  firom  2  Kings  ii.  11, 12.  A 
striking  passage^  and  suitable  to  the  solemn 


though  whUe  I  oontiniied  there,  I  pursued  mr 
studiea  elooely,  with,  I  suppose,  a  student's 
common  lot,  sometimes  wita  great  pleasure, 
at  others  with  moeh  vexation.'  But  the  Lord 
waa  preparing  him  for  a  more  enlarged  and 
important  field  of  ministerial  usefulness.  He 
was  invited  by  the  Baptist  Church  then  meet* 
ing  in  Grafton  Street,  Soho,  London,  to  visit 
them,  in  August,  1773.  It  resulted  in  his  re- 
movsl  to  the  metropolis.— 

But  Mr.  Editor,  I  most  trespass  no  further 
on  your  pages  this  month.  Most  interesting 
matter  still  remain  for  your  May  Ynaii..  I 
am,  your'a  truly,  J.  A.  Jovbs. 

Bblotbd  BROTiraB  B^VKS,—!  send  you  ■ 
copy  of  a  couple  of  letters  I  received  from 
friends  in  America ;  assured,  as  I  am, '  As  cold 
waters  to  a  thirsty  soul,  so  is  good  news  from 
a  far  country,'  (ProT.  xxv.  25.)  you  will  feel 
encouraged  to  proceed  in  your  editorial  work, 
and  be  Uiankful,  since  your  good  Lord  blessee 
the  same.  T.  Poock. 

Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey,  Feb.  5,  1869. 
DBA.RLT  Bblovbd— With  heartfelt  grati- 
tude we  received  your  kind  letter,  also  the 
'  Memoir  of  the  Doubter  Delivered,'  your  dear 
wife,  and  our  beloved  sister,  now  with  her 
Lord  and  Sariour  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom  she 
so  often  talked  to  me  while  she  sojourned 
here  below.  I  have  to  be  thankful  I  ever 
became  a  subscriber  to  the  Eabthbv  Vbsbbl, 
it  has  often  cheered  my  spirit  this  side  of  the 
water,  bringing  me  news  from  afar,  remind- 
ing me  of  dear  friends  with  whom  I  have 
rejoiced,  with  whom  I  have  wept  It  was  in 
the  Yebsbl  I  read  of  your  Memoir,  which  I 
have  now  before  me,  and  aa  I  read,  I  do 
rejoice  in  what  God  has  wrought ;  the  doubter 
is  delivered  from  all  her  sufferings,  sins  and 
sorrows ;  her  gracious  Lord  has  taken  her  in, 
to  go  no  more  out  for  ever  ;  and  as  you  say, 
she  is  gone  but  a  little  while  before,  and  I 
shall  be  highly  favoured,  if  my  last  end  is 
like  her's.  1  am  very  pleaded  with  what  the 
young  friends  have  done  in  putting  up  a 
Tablet  to  the  memory  of  their  dfeparted  sister 
in  the  Lord.  I  hope  they  will  always  unite 
prayerfully  with  each  other,  and  live  in  eaeh 
other's  hearts  and  best  affections,  for  their 
soul's  comfort  and  the  glory  of  God.  My 
heart's  desire  is  also,  that  the  mutual  blessed- 
ness of  you,  as  pastor  and  people,  mrf  be  con- 
tinued, uving  in  each  others  love  ana  prajers, 
you  may  yet  be  a  blessing  made  to  them,  and 
many  more ;  by  dirine  help,  preaehing  a  fbll 
Christy  a  rich  salvation,  a  me  redemption, 
declanng  to  all  around  what  a  dear  Saviour 
you  have  found. 

As  to  temporal  things,  we  aboutfd  in  mercies, 
all  we  can  wish  for  we  have;  but  0,  my 
brother,  what  are  these  compared  to  spiritual 
blessings?     I  have  been  nere  four   years. 


,  hearing  yea  and  nay  preaehing,  not  a  single 
I  quotation  from  Solomon's  Sour,  and  rare 
;  indeed  ii  the  intercessory  work  oT  the  Son  of 
I  God  referred  to.  I  do  think  they  are  better 
off  for  the  gospel  in  Australia,— there  a  tne 


99 


m  lARTHlM   TlSaKL* 


CAvrilUMlii 


Me  WO! 


>  pMMiier  etn  tUnH  wiUMUt  iiiinlt»  hare 
ie  wovlil  be  etUed  Antmomiaa^  md  otiier 
TiieiuuiiaB. 

I  often  heftrd  von  speak  of  the  eandleetiok 
betnff  xvmoTed ;  oat  aiaa,  I  remored  firom  the 
eudleetiok,  and  well  I  know  it.  May  the  rod 
bo  dipped  in  love  and  blood.  Do  pray  for  me, 
that  I  may  be  rooted  and  g;rounaed  in  truth 
and  loTo,  and  kept  faithftiL  O,  that  the  Lord 
would  aend  me  to  the  gospel^  or  eend  his 
gospel  to  me ;  sanetify  this  deep  trial,  bring 
me  out  more  deroted  to  the  will,  work,  and 
serrioe  of  my  nacioos  Bedoemer ! 

I  do  hope  the  dear  brethren  and  sisters  in 
England  will  prise  their  privileges,  live  close 
to  weir  Lord,  sit  constantly  nnaer  the  drop- 
pings of  the  sanctuary,  dip  their  morsels  in 
vinegar,  and  their  feet  in  oil,  bathe  in  sano- 
tuary  waters,  and  swim  in  Bsekiol's  river. 

Mav  every  blessing  be  granted  you,  to  .fit 
you  for  vour  work,  support  yon  in  every 
trial,  and  crown  you  in  death  with  viotory, 
and  after  that  a  victor's  erown.  Believe  me  to 
be  yonrs  in  Christ,    Framgmb  Shbldbicx. 

Mt  Bxloybd  Bsothsb— I  hope  you  will 
pardon  us  for  being  so  long  before  we  answered 
your^s,  but  I  ean  assure  you,  it  required  time 
to  ooUeet  our  nerves,  for  our  jov  and  sorrow 
was  so  great,  we  could  not  Tne  pleasure  in 
hearing  of  the  blessed  deliverance  our  do- 
parted  sister  obtained  over  her  fears,  in  her 
departure  out  of  this  troublesome  state  into 
|iory,  was  enongh  to  excite  wonder  and  praise. 
SU>w  true  is  our  God  to  his  promise,  "  At  even- 
ing time  it  shall  be  light. '  Zeeh.  ziv.  7.  Our 
sympathy  for  you,  dear  brother,  is  not  lacking 
although  there  is  much  mercy  in  your  cup  of 
trial ;  the  dear  companion  or  your  youth  was 
forty-one  years  spared  to  von.  and  though 
the  greater  part  of  her  life  sne  was  much 
ai&ieted,  yet  in  many  respcts,  you  must  and 
do  miss  her. 

"  ▲  few  more  rolUog  suns  at  most 
Will  land  you  on  fair  Canaan's  coast  ;'* 
then,  oh  then,  scenes  and  seasons  of  sorrow 
will  have  no  existence.  I  have  no  doubt  but 
your  faith  looks  forward,  anticipating  the 
Malisation  of  what  your  Lord  has  promised. 

Great  is  our  distance;  we,  on  the  Atlantic, 
you  in  England;  when  it  is  twelve  with  you. 
It  is  seven  with  us ;  but  Jesus  is  the  centce  of 
attraction  to  all  his  people,  in  all  pkoes,  and 
while  yon  speak  to  us  with  pen,  ink,  and 
Mper,  I  almost  fancied  heanng  of  you  in 
Ipewieh,  where  I  hope  I  shall  aeain,  for  1  do 
b^of  the  Lord  to  make  our  wayclear,  although 
we  are  every  way  weU  supplied  in  eartmy 
things ;  but  what  is  the  shell  to  the  kernel  r 
The  crossing  the  sea  is  no  trial,  compared  to 
the  being  debarred  from  the  gospel  ministry. 
The  blessed  truths  in  the  Eulthbv  Vbssbl 
and  in  your  little  Memoir,  are  more  despised 
than  sought  for,  or  loved  in  these  dark  places 
of  the  earth. 

Give  my  ehris^an  love  to  your  dear  people, 
thanking  Mr.  Clarke  for  his  kind  present  of 
Dr.  Hawker's  Portions,  they  are  our  Bible 
oompanions. 

Believe  me  to  remain  your  affectionate 
brother  in  the  Lord,  Willia-m  Sh«u>biok. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Poook,  Ipswich  Suffolk. 


(Dur  Ctmitnltgujrtn  C|tsic|ia. 


A£DBiTH  is  a  small  Hamlet  in  the  Isle  of 
Ely,  belonging  to  Haddenham.  The  popula- 
tion is  small,  but  there  are  a  few  of  the  Lord's 
people  here.  They  have  a  small  chapel,  I 
believe  free  firom  debt.  Mr.  King  has  been 
the  pastor  of  this  church  for  several  yeara ; 
but  he  has  just  given  up  hii  charge  at  Aldreth, 
and  enterod  upon  hu  stated  labours  at 
Gransden.  May  the  Lord  prosper  him  where 
hell  gone,  and  appear  for  the  little  one  at 
Aldreth,  in  sending  them  another  minister  as 
good  as  the  one  that  has  just  left. 


8irTT0!r  was  onee  a  fionrishtng  town  in  the 
Isle  of  Ely;  but  it  is  now  a  village  only,  of 
less  than  2.000  inhabitants.  Here  is  a  large 
Chapel  with  a  small  endowment,  and  a  good 
congregation,  considering  the  siae  of  the 
place.  The  Chapel  stands  in  a  good  poaitioa 
to  get  a  large  attendance  from  snmmnding 
country  plSMS.  Sutton  was  for  many  year* 
the  scene  of  Mr.  Cattell's  Inboura.  Mr. 
Meekins,  and  other  good  men  have  aleo 
laboured  at  Sutton.  Mr.  Hack,  now  of 
London;  was  the  last  pastor  of  this  Ohnreh. 
which  still  continues  destitute  of  a  staled 
minister,  though  it  is  thought  that  Mr. 
Edwards,  ot  Oottenham,  Is  likely  to  become 
the  minister  of  tUs  place.  Should  the  provi- 
dence of  God  direct  his  steps  to  SnMon,  wo 
may  expect  to  hear  of  several  being  baptiaed 
and  added  to  the  Church,  as  it  is  thought 
many  in  the  oongregation  are  gracioua  charao^ 
ten,  and  are  only  waiting  for  God  to  aettio  n 
paator  over  them.  How  glad  we  ahall  be  to 
hear  of  Mr.  Edwards'  auoceaa  at  Button,  and 
of  the  oomfbrtable  aettlement  of  thia  people, 
who  have  been  ao  long  deatituta  1 


■TBITHAIC 

At  Strstham,  in  the  Ue  of  Slv,  we  hmw 
a  email  cauae  of  tmth.  I  believe  Mr.  Howled 
was  the  first  minister  of  this  UtHe  intersat 
who  maintained  his  atanding  at  Slretham  for 
80  years.  He  was  aneceeded  by  Mr.  Walla, 
who  died  about  the  aefMith  year  of  his  paalor. 
ate  over  thia  Chntoh.  Mr.  Watta  waa  ane- 
ceeded by  Mr.  Orampin,  the  preaent  aai 
of  the  puee,  who  baa  labomd  hers^ 
tainaiig  an  honounUe  standing,  for  nbout 
fourteen  years ;  but  I  understand  that  he  haa 
resigned  bia  naatorale,  and  intends  to  leavo  «t 
Lady.day,  after  which  time  he  will  be  at 
liberty  to  aeeept  the  paaloimte  of  any  deatitoba 
ehnroh  to  wfasMi  the  Lord  may  direct  Ua.  I 
am  not  aore  thai  thb  haa  ulwt^$  been  a  eanao 
of  tmth.  but  it  haa  been  loeogniaed  as  aoeh 
for  thia  laat  twenty  yeoia  at  least;  the  hialorv 
of  thia  little  oauae  haa  been  twico  nobliakod. 
We  hone  the  Lord  will  apeedily  aend  anothofr 
man  of  truth  to  fill  the  vnenum  at  Stiwlham. 
ATba' 


ATBAVBlUnu 

(To  6s  cor«iM»d.pOgTe 


April  1,  ISM.j 


THIS  SAKTHBK  VESSEL. 


93 


€>ttr  €^ViKcfy$i  ify^v  JPrt$i0r$>  ftttt)  ifyxt  p^^jf^. 


TBI  FB  SSHTikllOH  OF  k  HiLVBSOlCB  TfiSTXXOHIAL  TO  HE.  SDWAU)  BUTT, 

A.   DB1.C0V  1.T  TIU  SI7BBBT  TABBaVlOLB. 


Iir  xctirinjc  ''OB^  <^  ^r^  meeting  holden  in 
the  Soirey  Tabernacle,  on  Thundaj  evening, 
Mardi  ITth,  1839,  we  eoald  not  refrain  fm 
tbe  eUfliit  meditations  of  oar  heart,)   from 
adoptia;  and  applying  the  wordi  of  Solomon, 
when  ipnaVing  ttf  thn  true  charoh  of  Christ, 
onder  the  eharaeter  of  a  woman — he  said, 
'  Kany  daaghten  have  done  yirtuously,  but 
thoaezeellcst  Ihem  all.'.    In  looking  round 
upon  ttw  charehei  of  our  faith  and  order, 
thM«  are  many  of  them  whieh  have  done  no- 
bly;  and  hare  prospered,  (through  the  gifen 
gnee  of  Ood,)  and  snceeeded,  in  establishing 
nd  maintaining  the  great  principles  of  the 
New  CoTeaant  dispensation ;  and,  in  this  day 
when  a  gradnal  declension  into  a  fashionable 
amalgam^tjon,  ia  the  leading  feature,  it  is  a 
BMRy,  that  we  haye  ehurches  not  a   few, 
whose  paators  are  both  faithful  and  fruitful, 
■ad  whose  order  is  beautifully  oonsistent  with 
■11  the  rerelationa  of  hearen,  respecting  the 
tWngiiobe  obaerred  and  done  by  the  pro- 
lesssd  spooM  of  Christ  while  in  her  militant 
state  upon  the  earth ;  but,  if  we  may  be  allowed 
freslyt?  ezprem  onnelTes,  we  must  confess, 
that  for  a  generons,  a  prosperons,  and  a  bene- 
Tolent  exhibition  of  gospel  conduct,  the  church 
at  the  Bwrey  Tabemaeie  doth  excel. 

ThiM  pfopodtion  was  fully  justified  in  the 
cbeoautaiiees  of  the  erening  referred  to ;  and 
which  we  shall  now  briefly  describe. 

A  large  eompany  sat  down  to  tea,  between 
ife  and  six  o'clock :  bat  by  the  time  the  more 
poblie  meeting  eomroeneed,  there  were  pre- 
seat  aearlr  or  qaite  1200  persons. 

Mr.  James  Wells  prended ;  and  delivered 
a  warsii,  H^^ly*  And  truly  eonmtnlatory  ad- 
drsss.  Afler  a  hymn  read  by  Mr.  Carr,  John 
Thwaites,  Siq.,  took  a  review  of  his  own  oon- 
■eetioo  wilh  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  during 
tte  last  twelre  or  foorteea  years :  and  in  a 
iteewd,  and  interesting  speeuh,  described  both 
fte  eoofliets  and  the  comforts,  which  he  had 
expsrieneed,  as  a  member,  and  as  a  deaoon  of 
that  Christian  body.  There  were  three 
poiais  m  that  speeoh,  we  consider  worthy  of 
■peeial  remark;  we  dtstinotly  record  them, 
seeanse  we  are  ezeeedingly  anxious  that  our 
ifport  of  this  meeting  may  be  the  means .  of 
sturriag  np  the  desoons,  pastors,  and  mem- 
ben  of  oar  ehnrchee  to  seek  for  a  much 
bappiai  and  more  harmonions  coarse  of  action 
thaa  is  now  enjoyed  ia  many  plaoes.     The 


points  were  these:    (I)    that   through   the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  toward  them,  they  had 
been  helped  so  to  fulfil  their  office  that  the 
pastor  had  never  been  compelled  to  call  them 
i'>  account  for  any  direliotion  of  duty.    This, 
we  hold,  to  be  a  most  happy  statement  to  be 
able  to  make.    Here  arc  seven  deacons  :    all 
of  them  working  on  for  a  number  of  years  in 
much  perseverance;    beholding  the  growth 
of  the  cause  to  an  amasing  extent.    (2.)    Mr 
Thwaites  confidently  assured  us,  that  among 
the  church  and  the  deacons,  there  was  a  grow- 
ing conviction  that  the  prosperity  ana  the 
harmony  of  the  church  was  the  result  of  that 
clear,  unflinching,  that  full,  comprehensive, 
that  truthftil,  and  that  oxperimenUl  ministry 
under  which  they  had  been  favoured  to  sit ; 
and  Instead  of  wishing  Mr.  Wells  to  modify 
in  anydegrec  his  ministry  of  a  full  Qospel,  he, 
(Mr.  Thwaites)  would  say,  and  he  knew  his 
brethren  in  office,  would  say,— and  he  believed 
the  whole  of  the  church  would  say—*  GO  ON !' 
Mr.  Thwaites  was  here  most  emphatic.     He 
spoke  as  a  gentleman,  as  a  chnstian,  as  a 
tried  believer;  as  one  who  daily  felt  that 
such  is  the  wickedness  of  the  world  in  whieh 
we  dwell ;  such  the  weakness  of  our  poor  sin- 
ful nature,  that  nothing  short  of  a  (}ospel 
which  takes  us  up,  and  carries  us  through  all, 
right  into  heaven  itself,  could  ever  bo  a  solid 
support  to  the  battling  church  of  Christ,  in 
her  present  warfare  and  woe.    The  third,  and 
last  point  was  to  the  effect  that,  in  presenting 
a  handsome  testimonial  to  Mr.  Butt,  there 
was  among  the  deacons,  members,  and  con- 
gregation but  one  feeling.    No  jealousy  ex- 
isted ;  no  party  feeling  had  suKgested  ,it.    No 
complaint  from  Mr.  Butt,  for  his  arduous 
labours  hod  called  it  forth  ;  it  was  the  fruit  of 
a  deep  sense  of  the  church's  gratitude  toward 
a  brother,  whose  devotion,  untiring  perse^ 
verance,  and  most  acceptable  services,  had 
constrained    them    to  express  their  love  to 
him,  and  their  desire  to  do  him  good.   Never, 
on  earth  before,  did  we  behold,  with  our  own 
eyes,  an  illustration  so  powerful  of  the  Psalm- 
ist's words  as  this  meeting  presented;   *How 
good  and  how  pleasant,  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity !' 

Mr.  Lawrence  then  gave  out  a  hymn ;  and 
Mr.  Edwards,  (a  senior  deacon,  having  been 
with  Mr.  Wells  nearly  thirty  vears)  delivered 
an  enthusiastic  address,  as  full  of  Welch  fire 
and  Gospel  zcal^  it  well  could  be.'  A  hymn 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Howard  ;  and  then  Mr.  James 
Wells  presented  the  Testimonial  to  Mr. 
Edward  Butt.  It  was  a  beautiful  purse, 
made  by  a  blind   person,    containing   Oke 

HUITDBBD    AND    FiFTT    NBW    SoVBBBIONS, 

laid  on  a  handsome  Silver  Salver,  worth  ten 
gnineaa,  in  the  middle  of  which-was  engmved 
the  following  lines :—  itized  by  VjOOQIC 


94 


THE  £ARTHKN   TE88EL. 


[April  1, 18M. 


'^nmltX 


WITtt  A  »VU»  OV  OHl  BVVDXID  AXD  ttttY 
BOTXRBIOSS  TO 

ME.  EDWAKD  BUTT, 

BT  Tin  CBITfiCtt  ATD   COKa&BOATIOV  AT 

THB  BUBBBT  TABBBBiLOLB, 

BOBOUOH  BOAD, 

A8  A  TOILBH  07  CHBBTXAK  BBOAKD, 

MiBCH  17th,  i869. 

DEACONS, 

JosiPii  Lawbbmoi,  I  Jouir  Caab, 

£VA]I  KdWARDI,  I  HkNBT  ArriKLD, 

Joiur  Tbwaxtu,      I  Tbomas  Howaad. 
MINISTER, 
Jakes   Wblls. 

In  preuBti&g  the  tMtimoBial,  Mr.  Wells 
•zpnued,  in  a  most  affeetionito  manner  the 
oMigatkns  he  waa  under  to  Mr.  Butt,  and  the 
other  daaoona.  It  appeared  that  Mr«  Butt,  lir- 
inf  near,  and  hanng  nit  ereniaga  at  oommand, 
had  heen  the  principal  working  man;  the 
other  brethren  being  eloaelj  engaged  in  theSr 
■eveml  departments  in  commeroe,  Ac,  oonld 
not  give  that  ^me  and  energr  to  the  Chnroh's 
affain,  and  to  the  wanta  of  the  poor,  which 
Mr.  BttU  had  deroted  —consequently  it  mi|^t 
be  aaid  he  had  weii  earned  tliia  good  degroe 
in  ofl&ee ;  and  thie  noble  espreeahmof  thank- 
A&lnen  now  Awarded. 

Mr.  Butt,  in  receiving  and  aoknowiedgiag, 
the  teetimonial,  found  great  diffieuky  in  giving 
utteranee  to  his  feelioga.  One  aentenee  is  all 
«•  ean  give.  He  said  "  the  heneTolenoe  of 
this  ohuroh  toward  the  poor,  ought  not  to  bo 
passed  by  in  silence.  Dnriog  the  last  twelve 
yvars,  no  less  than  £4,fiOO,  had  been  distribu- 
ted by  the  church  uid  eongregation  in  the 
Kurrey  TShernaele,  among  the  poor,  in  vmrions 
wnjs. 

C.  W.  Banks  epoke  a  fern  words  after  Mr. 
Butt;  and  Mr.  Wells  thencloeed  the  meeting ; 
srhtoh,  in  every  sense,  was  one  of  thohappieat 
develo^emonts  of  Christian  phikntluropy  we 


WHAT  ITE  AB£  2K)IKG  AT  BSi^Har0. 

Dbib  Bbothbb  Bah&s,— Tou  have  re- 
peatedly urged  me  to  give  you  some  infor- 
mation as  to  our  proceedings  here.  I  now 
propose  doing  eo  with  all  brevity. 

The  crowded  state  of  our  present  chapel, 
towards  the  close  of  last  Summer,  oompelled 
us  to  think  aboiit  building  a  larger  one.  All 
our  sittings  were  let,  and  still  we  bad  many 
applications  for  more.  We  had  iorms  placed 
along  the  aisles,  and  they  were  filled,  and 
oftentimes  the  pulpit  stairs,  and  vestry  too. 
Bspeoially  was  tnis  the  caae  after  my  open-air 
lecturesln  September  last.  Some  said  it  was 
an  unhealthy  and  temporary  excitemcut,  and 
would  die  away,  and  advised  us  to  stand  still 
for  a  while,  before  we  thought  of  buUdii^. 
These  wero  the  *slow  coaches  ;'--drags  upon 
the  wheels  of  progresa,  but  most  benefioiBl 
and  useful  thmgs  in  their  place.  Others 
advised  us  to  *  go  a*head,'  and  get  the  obapel 
'  up  bj  Christmas  last,    These  wees  thssteam* 


engines,  the  express  trains,  they  needed  the 
'  break,'  and  our  *  slow*  friends  put  it  on ;  so 
that  what  with  the  warm* hearted  eamsstness 
and  activity  of  the  one,  and  the  stow  and 
cautious  prudence  of  the  other,  we  havo  been 
kept  movmg  on  at  a  medium  rate.  And  under 
the  gmdanoe  and  approbation  of  him  whois 
counsel  has  been  earnestly  sought  at  every 
step,  I  believe  that  we  haveneither  gone  on 
too  fast,  nor  too  slow.  In  October  iast»  we 
began  looking  out  for  an  eligible  site  for  our 
new  chapel.  After  examining  the  elsims  of 
nine  difllerent  plots,  one  on  the  south  sido  of 
the  Oxford  road  was  unanimously  seiect^dt 
A  site  which  has  since  been  pronounced  alike 
by  friend  and  foe  to  be  the  hett  poHtUm  tn 
Beading.  It  fronts  the  main  road,  and  ii 
fift^  feet  by  one  hundred  aild  £i»iT.  Prior  t# 
deciding  upon  the  sito,  we  had  a  special 
praver-meeting  on  the  Sabbath  morning  at 
half-post  ten  o'clock  instead  of  the  ittuu 
servico.  And  though  nothing  ^>ecial  ehft* 
racteriasd  the  serrioe,  the  friends  soemed  to 
have  their  minds  led  aOl  in  the  same  directioiL 
and  to  be  satisfied  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
was  in  the  matter. 
The  ground  was  to  oost  ns  £160.    ThonnS 

Question  was,  how  were  we  to  raise  the  funds  P 
Ine  evening,  brethren  Martin  and  Yinden 
commenced  canvassing  a  few  of  the  friends, 
and  in  the  coarse  of  an  hour  got  neariy  ninety 
pounds  promised.  Wilh  aueh  a  beginning* 
we  were  not  long  in  raising  the  vim.  requir^ 
In  December  the  money  was  raised  and  paid, 
and  the  conveyance  of  tiie  land  made  over  in 
trust  to  the  seven  deoaons. 

A  design  for  the  new  ohapel  was  pepsMd 
by  a  friend^  and  a  contract  entered  into  for 
building  it,  for  £1,036.  The  chapel  to  seat 
oVQr  500  persons,  without  jralleries. 

To  raise  Ibnds  for  buildmg,  we  issued  wwh* 
Bcription  cards,  k>r  donations,  and  shares  for 
loans,  and  on  Wcdni>:?dBy  the  16th  of  February 
wc  convened  a  public  t^a  meeting  at  the  New 
Hall,  London  Street,  to  eall  in  the  int  imse 
of  cards,  and  the  subsoriptions  rniaed.  About 
three  hundred  sat  down  to  tea,  tickets  tor 
which  were  one  shilling  each.  Eighteen 
ladies  connected  with  the  chnrBh  and  oongro* 
gation  Toluntoered  to  pay  tho  ezpensea  of  tho 
tea,  so  that  the  prooeods  were  clear  pvofit,  nod 
two  other  friends  sombined  together  to  p»j 
for  the  hall.    After  tea,  I  entered  into  a  short 


id  within  a  lew  days  after)  waa 
onies  prossised  at  the  mootiBg, 
way  of  gift,  or  loan,  to  be  ibrth- 


of  our  past  proceedings,  after  which 
the  ooUeotora  handed  in  the  amounU  thay 
had  reoeiyed.  The  gross  amount  of  moBseo 
pmid  Ml  -at  thameoting,  (indading  i 
pounds  paid  within 
£194k  Mamos  pros 
either  by  way  of  gift^ 

coming  by  April  next^  £176,  making  a  iaHtl 
of  £370^  to  wbioh  if  we  add  the  £150  paid  im 
the  land,  we  have  a  gross  total  of  £690  in 
about  five  months.  Do  you  not  think  thaS  we 
have  abundant  cause  to  thank  Go4*  mm!  tskke 
oouivge?  When  the  hunnteg  of  tho  tea  naart- 
ing  WM  over,  I  delivored  a  lecture  in  the  JKew 
BaU  on  the  *  Koligious  History  of  Man.' 

We  commenced  building  operatSBna  kni 
week,  and  propose  Uying  the  fbiuMUtionatMO 
on  Thusids^,  tho  31st  of  Msroh*  on  wliMi 


AprU  1,  IBA9.1 


TH«  BAETUHH  VSSBEt. 


95 


oecMioa,  btotbef  Weib  hiM  ooxuented  to  bo 
witli  us. 

Such  ii  «  biisf  ouUiae  of  our  procoedinfj^ 
■fi  to  tk0  praenl  time,  and  I  think  you  will 
ftdait  with  iu  that  wo  hAi«  tattoh  to  be  thAok^ 
fol  for,  iBd  miieh  to  eoeouMge  lu.  For  your 
nt'xt  Buniber,  I  bo^  to  forward  tn  account  of 
tbe  neetiDg  for  la/iiig  the  foundation  atone. 

to.  W. 

P.  S.  The  three  laat  Sabbath  aaembons  in 
i^bnUT,  I  preftehsd  in  tho  ITew  flftll«  Lm- 
dM  Stmt  fwhi«hwnhif«4  and  |)«i4ftir,  «b» 
the  paf)KMe,  br  A  warm-hearted,  and  liberAl*^ 
ttiaded  fHend;  to  congregatlonB  conibting  of 
about  fourteen  to  filteen  hundred  pefion«i 
Um  fiaU  beinf^  lilled  eadi  time  by  a  most 
attcBftive  asdieace.  My  first  mtbjeGt  was, 
*The  FUnl  n^Btake  at  the  Gate  of  Heaven/ 
bawd  (A  Matt.  ni.  22.  Mjy  second, '  Spiritual 
Ahthmettc,'  baaed  on  Mark  Tiii.  36;*  *  What 
•haU  ii  profit  a  man/  4o.  My  laat—'  The 
Fool  aad  hb  Fun ;'  baaed  oa  Pioyerbe  adv*  •» 
'  Foola  make  a  moek  at  sitt/ 

tPSWiOft-— "Ko  man  hath  seen  Oo4  at  any 
tisa.  If  w  love  oae  another,  Ood  4w«lleth  in  m, 
aad  hii  love  ia  pcrfoeted  In  ot.  And  this  eom- 
■aadaent  haT»  we  from  Um,  that  be  who  ioveth 
Ood,  laveth  his  brother  also/'  I  Mm  X\L  31. 
joba  dnak  largely  at  ihte  •ahDerating  foontala, 
he  Mt  the  toftMiBf,  sweetening,  pnrif^tBg  power, 
^  it  hi  his  own  soul,  wrote  mnsh  on  its  wooder- 
M  sffeets,  coasmcnds  it  every  way  to  the  Chareh 
or  God,  exhorting  thsm  to  behold  it.  John  iU.  1. 
Aad  If  every  means  in  their  power  to  exhibit  the 
fraits  thereof  in  their  love  to  Ood,  who  loveth 
tbcM,  snd  le  one  aaother  as  bciae  alike  beloved  br 
hia,  with  a  dateless,  endless  love.  And  don't 
joa  thiak,  brother,  if  we,  as  ministers,  were  to 
dwsn  Biore  npen  Itti  htess^^  subject  In  our  minis- 
try, we  should  caloy  more  of  Its  savor  and  flavor 
ia  oar  own  soois,  oe  lem  eama)  in  our  objeets  and 
labiseist  Satan  toerafty  among  the  saints  of  Ood, 
sad  if  be  can  work  a  spMt  of  jealousy  in  the 
miads  of  Skm's  walshmen.  they  soon  shew  it ;  out 
It  eomes  in  private  or  pnblio,  and  we  know  hnman 
natwe  k  prane  to  drink  in  this  deadly  opiate, 
tefsttteg  that  •*aatrsd  adneth  up  strifss; 
bat  Io?e  eoreceth     •*    ■     ••     ^  --.     _ 


an  i 


?rov.  X.   12.    To 


sympathy  iru  felt.  Us  advtoeeKeelleat,  hlii  i  _ 
tuUtion  warm,  eb^Hng  and  Mttuhii.  His  owa 
soul  anp«ared  nnder  divine  Inlusaeei  and  lolona 
feelings  prevuUed  the  meeting  thtoughoat  tha 
entire  service.  Dtr  good  hrethm^odd^BaMt 
and  I  ■        -         -  - 


walk  in  love  h  very  bleseed.  it  is  an  evidenoe 
of  soBSbiPb  sad  a  proof  of  anion  to  Jesns,  Kph. 
V.  1«  i.  And  soeh  welking  is  but  too  scarce  by  ns 
Bow.«-day ;  y«t  Ulste  are  some  trtto  fM  disposed 
to  regard  these  things  ta  word  and  deed,  who  es- 
tscm  the  I<acd«a  servsBta  Mghly  in  love  for  their 
wotfc^sake,  and  Wish  to  be  at  peabe  smoog  them. 
aelTss.  1  Thee.  v.  18.  And  I  am  happy  to  say,  I 
am  one  so  Ihvoared,  far  on  M eaday,  m.  21st,  my 
frimds  held  a  tea  meeting  in  order  to  eoagratnlate 
mesa  my  Mad  Mrth  day ;  three  hundred  sat  down, 
both  ioymt  and  happy.  After  tea,  a  more  pablio 
lasffHif  took  pldoe,  and  after  singiag,  snd  brother 
Boddy  prayliig,  our  Treasarer,  Ur.  w.  Clarke. 
vss  ssUed  to  the  ehslr,  when  with  his  usual 
vsrmth  of  manner  and  love  to  the  cause,  people, 
*'        :  ua  with  evident  fteUngs  of 


sad  pastor,  1 
gratttadeto 


the  Lord,  aad  aya^iafhy  to  Mabereaved 

jd  adaister;  detailing  the  Lord's  deal- 

lap  to  this  caoae  dattag  the  11  yean  of  his  trea- 
sorenhip.  Sinoerely  aad  prayermlty  be  congratu- 
lated the  poator  in  the  name  of  the  friends,  pre* 
•eatiag  him  with  a  poraeof  six  gninoss,  aa  a  token 
of  loTs  aad  esteem.  The  parse  was  thankfully 
rseelTed  and  duly  aeknowledfed,  by  an  expressed 
dssire  for  further  union,  uat^uiiBess,  and  greater 
■ool  prosperity,  which  is  far  more  valuable  than 
cold  or  silver.  Brother  OolUns,  of  Qnindisboro', 
next  addnosod,  and  truly  It  wss  an  address,  every 
vmj  to  the  point^eeasonabla,  saitableaodaavoary. 
Jest  wimt  was  wanted,  and  ought  to  be  spoken :  his 


of  peaee.  and  beggln(  the  like  bleninga  upon  att 
the  chutehes,  to  iThieh  we  add  eat  hearty  aaiia« 
Our  kind  IHends,  the  singen^  Ihtwired  ua  wltiiiai 
antheai  suitable,  between  emy  addrcai,  tad 
their  performances  were  good.  Kay  the  qpMt  m 
the  livitag  Ood  ereate,  and  eonHaae  his  love  In  usi 
to  m,  and  by  us,  and  to  his  people  la  an  plawi 
through  Jesas  ChHst,    Aiaeh. 

TaoKAft  FoeoK* 

DBVOHPO&T.-On  Monday,  Feb.  »th.  was 
hshi  in  the  Partloalar  Bsptist  Chapel,  iPembroke 
Street,  a  teachers'  tea  mesiiag;  about  oae  hundrsd 
and  seventy  persons  sat  down  to  partaks  of  a  re> 
paat  nicely  provided,  for  which  gieat  credit  Is  due 
to  the  young  people  who  assisted.  We  guue  en- 
Joyed  it.  After  tea,  we  repaired  tO  the  chapel, 
when  our  pastor  (whom  ws  lovsi)  rose  aad  said  he 
was  glad  to  meet  ao  many  friends,  and  begsu  by 
addreseiag  the  teachers,  spelling  thdr  name  M 
teachers :  T,  (said  he)  stands  for  truth ;  which  1ft 
the  standard.  J£,  equity  of  Ood  in  the  kw  as  weQ 
aa  the  gospel.  A,  answer ;  the  Word  of  Oo^ 
C,  eharity,  or  love,  manifest  towards  the  thliws  (a 
God.  IX  humility;  ths  effect  nroduoed.  S,  ekp 
perisBse ;  shewiag  that  without  that,  profes^ 
amonats  to  nothing.  XL  rightcousnsss,  which  la 
fonnd  alone  in  ths  Lord  Jesos  Christ :  snd  hu^tly, 
S,  salraUon,  the  sure  results  of  it;  dwelling 
largely  as  he  went  along.  Mr.  Udstone,  the  sup- 
erbiteadaat  of  the  school,  wai  called  to  read  the 
r^ort.  I  was  pleased  to  hsar  him  sUte  that  the 
only  book  they  uught  the  children  out  of  was, 
tH£  BIBLE,  Ood's  own  word ;  they  use  no  Cate- 
chisms of  any  sort  or  kind;  when  he  had  finished 
his  report,  brother  Bmminaton,  spoke  very  plabily 
as  to  the  tsaehing  of  the  children,  shewing  that  It 
was  a  good  morally,  but  it  must  he  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  alone  to  api^  It  to  the  soul  sav. 
iogly.  Brother  ColUos  gave  us  a  spirited  addrsss ; 
a  few  words  from  brother  Westlake.  minister  of 
the  chapel,  after  whloh,  brother  Essterbrook,  closed 
with  prayer,  thus  endsd  one  of  the  most  plessant 
meetiags  I  ever  attended.  May  Ood  r^'vs  the  labors 
both  of  the  ministry,  and  Sabbath  School  in  this 
place.  We  have  resson  to  bless  the  Lord,  that  wo 
have  the  gospel  preached  to  us  in purity|and  no 
mixtnie.  W.  T. 

.(Brother  WestUksk  of  Devonport,  (likehrother 
Meeree,  of  Bsxmondsey,)  has  laboured  In  faith 
and  in  eharity,  for  years ;  and  now  the  harvest 
begins  lo  sppsar.  Men  who  thui  labour  with 
their  hands  all  the  week,  yst  freely  feed  the 
ohnroh  of  God  on  the  SahbathrMre  surely  worthy 
of  doable  honour— Bn.] 

It  has  been  feasant  to  aa  to  behold  young  bma 
rklag  up  in  Spheres  Of  assfahmss,  and  earnestly 
devctod  to  the  Lord ;  but,  there  has  rsemtly,  been 
saah  dtaeoveriss— doli«  anything,  and  being  any- 
thing, to  gain  peopls:  aad  to  gain  popularity; 
that  we  ahacet  tramhie  for  the  Ark*  We  have 
received  eeveral  palnlhl  letters  from  Chuiohes;^ 
here  is  an  eatraet  ft<om  one;  it  Is  a  type  of  mueh 
that  la  oomtng  on  before  us.  *To  the  Editor  of  the 
Eaxtbkk  VxssiL.  Were  I  a  stranger  to  the 
Cbaieh  at  ■■  ■  -w  of  which  the  late  Mr.  , 

was  pastor,  I  should  suppose  by  the  account 
inaerted  by  you,  that  it  was  in  a  prosperous  state, 
aud  that  the  ministry  of  the  present  pastor,  was 
in  all  respects,  of  the  sams  character  as  that  of  our 
late  esteemed  pastor.  Ths  present  minister  pro- 
fesses to  believe  in  all  ths  glorious  truths :  but 
how  dow  hs  beUeve  in  them,  when  he  can  sfford 
to  spssk  of  their  advosatsa  m  hypers,  *«.•.•»?«£ 
associate  wiu  that  class  of  preachers  who  avow 


96 


THB  EARTHBN   TK88SL. 


[April  1,  IBM. 


tteir  0Biiiil7  to  them.  I  am  lorrT  to  nj,  tbe  pre- 
■mt  miaistry  dow  not  «gre«  with  that  whioh  we 
here  heen  toenstomed  to  lit  under.  Some  few 
months  ago,  the  present  pastor  appealed  to  the 
ehnroh  in  referenee  to  hie  staying  amongst  them ; 
his  new  sjstem  of  address  to  the  nnoonverted, 
was  one  eonditlon  upon  whioh  he  was  to  remain  «s 
their  pastor;  this  being  agreed  to,  and  knowing 
that  he  had  been  mixing  up  with  men  whose  views 
ax*  in  opposition  with  those  held  bj  us,  as  a 
•hnreh ;  I  felt  bound  to  ask  him  how  it  was  that  he 
had  altered  his  eourse  in  going  to  the  Wesleiran 
Missionary  Meeting,  which  formerly  he  refhsed  to 
dot  This  was  the  laoonlc  answer  I  reoeived :  "  I 
will  give  yon  an  old  woman's  answer;  I  did  not 
gow  beeause  I  did  not  go ;  and  I  did  go,  because  I 
did  go;  and  I  do  not  choose  to  be  eateohised." 
This  is  ezpressiTs  of  that  pride,  wicked  presump- 
tion, and  spirit  of  apostaoy  and  deolension,  whioh 
is  oreeping  into  our  ehurohes :  old  faithful  minis- 
ters are  either  removed,  or  oast  into  the  shade ; 
and  spoken  of  with  much  oontempt;  while  un. 
humbled,  and  haughty  aspiranU  are  carrying  the 
people  over  to  a  system  of  uneertainties.  This  is 
the  beginning  of  a  ohange.    We  add  no  more  now. 

SiniBUBT*— Opening  of  Ebenezer  Strict  Bap. 
tist  Chapel,  Sudbury,  Suffolk.  On  Tuesday,  Jan- 
uary 25,  1859,  the  ohuroh  and  friends  met  in  the 
new  Chapel:  three  sermons  were  preached;  two 
by  Mr.  John  Foreman ;  and  one  by  Mr.  Diekerson, 
in  the  evening,  from  Exodus  xx. ;  who,  like  his 
brother,  was  sweetly  assisted  by  the  presenee  of 
his  Heavenly  Master,  and  enjoyed  sweet  liberty. 
(The  writer  who  has  been  greatly  favoured  in  set- 
ting  under  his  ministry  for  twenty  years,  knew  he 
was  in  a  very  happy  frame  of  mind ;  and  brought 
to  his  reeoUeotion  the  many  sweet  seasons  enjoved 
when  the  words  from  his  lips  oame  as  the  oil  of 
graee,  flowing  through  the  pipe  of  eommunioa- 
tion  from  heaven's  gracious  stores;  and  my  dear 
brother  or  sister  now  reading  this  narration  where- 
ever  you  may  be  ioeated,  and  although  unknown 
to  me,  allow  me  to  advise  you  to  use  all  becoming 
means  to  enoourage  your  pastor,  and  thereby  ame- 
liorate their  sorrows  in  their  labour  of  love;  and  let 
yonr  actions  manifest  your  love ;  and  you  will  be 
sure  to  gain  his ;  for  love  is  reciproeal ;  I  oan  bear 
testimony  to  this,  and  feel  eeruin,  as  a  means,  it 
will  add  much  to  the  peace  and  happineas  of  the 
several  gardens  of  the  Lord.  Have  we  not  a  de- 
monstration of  this  in  our  salvation  :— *  We  love 
Him  beeause  he  first  lOved  us  T*)  Friends  oame 
from  the  towns  and  villages  all  around,  to  shew 
their  sympathy  and  good  will  to  the  cause,  whioh 
very  much  eneonraged  Mr.  Plaioe,  and  the  little 
ehuroh  In  embryo.  It  is  true,  the  ohildren  of 
Israel  saw  the  pUlar  of  fire  by  night  to  guide  their 
otherwise  erring  footsteps ;  if  ever  this  part  of  the 
hlRtory  of  the  children  of  Israel  were  analagous  to 
any  part  of  the  true  spiritual  Israel,  it  is  to  this 
people,  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  has  guided  and  pros- 
pered them,  and  far  remote  from  their  expeetation 
has  eaused  this  place  of  worship  to  be  ereoted,  and 
now  filling  with  attentive  hearers,  and  blessing  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Plaiee ;  indeed,  the  plaee  is  illled. 
The  ohapel  measures  44  feet  by  25 ;  seating  com- 
foHably  220  persons,  with  a  Vestry  whieh  will  ae- 
commodate  70,  and  is  a  very  neat  and  eoavenient 
place  of  worship ;  and  both  the  ministers,  with 
many  of  the  friends,  expressed  their  pleasure,  and 
said  it  far  exceeded  their  expectation.  The  collee- 
tions  during  the  day  amounted  to  £22  8s.  4d. 

G.  O.  WflOBi^ow. 

DACBS  PABX— BLACKHEATH.  The  Lord 
appears  to  be  blessing  the  word  here,  under  the 
ministry  of  our  brother  Craeknell.  The  attendance 
has  been  good ;  God's  ohildren  are  feeding  under 
the  truth,  five  have  been  baptised  by  brother 
Craeknell,  and  added  to  the  ohureh  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  year.  He  seems  veir  happy 
in  his  work,  and  to  have  had  much  of  his  Master^ 
prwenoe,  while  unfolding  the  wonders  of  etexnal 


love  and  sovereign  grace.  He  purposes  as  soon  as 
the  weather  permits  going  out  {into  the  open  air  on 
Blackheath,  and  preaching  the  word,  for  which 
arraneements  will  be  made,  and  partieulars  aa- 
A  tract  society  has  been  formed,  and 
Amened  iu  operations.  The  chnreh  at 
k,  have  given  brother  Graoknell,  a  una* 


recently  eommened  iu  operations.  The  chnreh  at 
Dscre  Park,  have  given  brother  Graoknell,  a  una* 
nimous  invitation  for  six  months  with  a  view  to 


the  pastorate.  I  have  not  been  acmiainted  with 
Daere  Park  long;  but  I  hope  its  good  am  are  com- 
ing.  I  am  Ak  Anxiotni  Ls^ainnu 

XAII>0TONB.~MOTB  ROAD  CHAPEL.  The 

Annivermry  of  the  paetor*s  settlement  was  held  by 
a  Public  Tea  meetug,  on  Feb.  14th.  A  warm* 
afTectionate  feeling  pervaded  the  assembly;  and 
we  trust  that  both  thanksgivings  and  supplieations 
ascended  from  many  hearts  to  our  gracious  and 
glorious  Jehovah.  The  Pastor,  in  a  lengthened 
address,  referred  to  the  past  vear ;  what  the  Lord 
had  done  for  us  as  a  Chiureh,  our  present  state, 
and  our  expectations,  grounded  on  the  word  and 
promise  of  the  Meet  High.  A  hymn,  oompoeed  by 
the  pastor  for  the  occasion,  was  sung  very  cheer- 
taWj;  and  he  was  presented  with  a  beautifril 
Hand-Bible,  as  **  token  of  esteem  and  love,"  for 
his  use  in  the  palpiL  Several  of  the  brethren 
prayed,  and  our  Deacons  gave  a  short  address, 
both  evincing  a  deep  solicitude  for  our  welfare  and 
proeperity.  It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that 
although  it  was  stated  in  the  notice  of  our  last 
anniversary  that  we  expected  to  baptise  three  on 
the  last  Lord's^ay  of  that  month,  yet  a  fourth 
oame  forward  and  was  baptised  with  them.  He 
had  been  a  partaker  of  graee,  and  a  hearer  here 
for  some  years,  but  he  had  stood  aloof  fhrai  '*  the 
ordinances/*  till  finding  his  wife  determined  on 
Baptimr,  he  felt  his  boart  drawn  towards  us ; 
sU  obstacles  overcome;  and,  after  fivlnr  the 
Church  some  account  of  the  dealings  of  God  with 
his  soul,  was  immereed,  and  reoelved  into  tall 
communion  with  the  others.  O  may  the  Lord  add 
unto  us  fk«quently,  roch  as  shall  be  saved  I 

When  our  Jesus  rose  triumphant 

Over  sin,  and  death,  and  hell. 
Seraphs  hail  him  to  his  glory ; 

SainU  on  earth  his  wonders  tell ; 
And  all  honour 
We  will  give  him  evermore. 

Has  he  not  rich  gifts  imparted 

In  his  ehurehee  here  below  ; 
To  frilfil  our  Father's  purpose. 

Here  to  have  a  kingdom  growt 
Tis  his  power, 
Through  his  servsnts,  gives  success. 

Though  the  world  and  Satan  Joined, 

Oft  conspire  to  pull  it  down ; 
Tot  the  cause  our  king  has  planted 

Never  shall  be  overthrown. 
All  our  safetv. 
And  our  peace,  are,  lord,  in  thee. 

O  that  Pastor,  Deacons,  Members. 

May  united  be  as  one ; 
And  let  faith,  and  seal,  and  patience, 

Thronah  our  words  and  actions  run ; 
Love  and  pity 
Alway  to  th'  afflicted  shew. 

Open  blind  eyes,  hard  hearts  soften ; 

With  thy  loving-kindness  draw 
Saints  to  walk  in  tv*rj  ord'nance. 
And  obey  thy  holy  law : 
Freelv  giving. 
To  maintain  thy  righteous  cause. 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit, 
Give  abundantly  thy  graee; 
Strengthen,  sanctify,  refresh  us ; 
Let  tby  glory  fill  the  pUce  I 
And  thy  praises 
In  our  hearts  and  lives  abound  I 

Jonx  Dixon. 
MaidBtooe,  March  16th,  1850. 


Affill,lU9Lj 


THE    EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


97 


PKAIROW-— ZIOK  CHAPEL.  On  Monday, 
matth  7th,  ta  iBtereating  meetinff  waa  held.  This 
eaaaa  kai  aiiaeo  oot  of  tha  cottage  meeting  com- 


Id  the  fillage,  by  oor  brother  Crackntll, 
three  jaara  ago.  If  r.  C.  W.  Banha  oceupfad  the 
chair.  Brother  Craekacll  opened  the  meeting 
trith  prayar;  the  chairman  gave  an  intereating 
tiiiwm ;  alter  which  Mr.  Hardwlck,  who  ia  anp. 
pljing  the  pulpit  apake  upon  Love,  with  much 
vsmth  and  aweeCnCM.  J.  £.  Craeknell,  late  of 
Plaiatow,  who  ia  now  labouring  under  the  DiTine 
bicaaiBg  atDaera  Park,  Btaekheath,  then  addreaaed 
the  mwtlug  giving  an  account  of  the  riae  and  origin 
efthie  emuae,  auting  the  intereat  he  felt  in  it  and  re- 
joieiag  that  the  truth  waa  preaehed,  and  New  Teata- 
BCBt  Chureh  order  maiatalned.  Brother  Watta, 
who  oeeaaloBaUy  auppUea,  apoka  very  truthftiUy ;  it 
i«  hoped  he  may  Uve  to  be  uaeftil  in  the  Lord'*  vine- 
Tard.  Brother  Stainca.  auperintenda  the  Sunday 
bcboel,  whieh  Sa  progreaaing  favourably.  A  large 
party  took  tea ;  the  chapel  waa  crowded ;  and  1 
Mpe  good  waa  done;  Ohs  ik  ma  Coumsk. 

lAFTUT  CHVfiCHSS  IH  TEE  COITNTBT. 

—On  Tucoday  evening,  March  16th,  1859,  a  pnb- 
bc  meeting  waa  holdenin  Unicom  Yard  ChapeL 
Tooley  Street,  with  a  view  to  form  a  aodety  to  aid 
«ach  Baptiat  Churchea  in  the  country  aa  really 
help.  Mr.  Samuel  Jooea.  preaided;  and 
'  .  C.  W.  Banka,  apoke  of  Wan- 
and  Woobum  Green.  Mr. 
the  Wantage  poaition  very 
BiiBBtciy ;  and  apoke  very  highly  of  the  Wantage 
ckcTth,  ea  aflectionate  and  faithful,  but  aeverely 
tried.  Mr.  New  entered  largely  into  the  Woobum 
Cntm  caac:  Mr.  Sindall,  Mr.  Kealey,  and  othera, 
rkaded  hard  ftir  churchea  of  thia  kind,  a  commiu 
tee  vaachoaen.  One  friend  (through  C.  W.  Banka,) 
cave  two  aovcreigna  to  oommenee  a  fund  with; 
ether  thJing  aubacripUona  were  made.  Mr. 
Kea^cy,  of  Oakly  Cottage,  Chelsea,  waa  chosen 
Trcaiurcr;  Samuel  Jonea,  of  WatUng  Street, 
LoodsB,  Secretary.    Further  particulars  soon. 

CLAPHAX  BI8S.— On  Tuesday,  January 
Sad,  waa  eelebrated  the  flxat  anniversary  of  the 
pwtorate  of  brother  Eowlanda,  at  Behoboth 
Chapel,  on  whieh  oeaaalon  aermona  were  preached 
by  brethren  C.  W.  Banka.  and  J.  Pella ;  the  people 
leeaKd  deeply  Intercated  in  the  truths  proclaimed. 
May  the  Lord  long  bleaa  brother  Eowlanda,  and 
other  brcthrca  hi  that  neighbourhood,  jea,  all  his 
■ainlstaring  aervaau  for  much  good,  is  the  prayer 
of  Ons  WBo  waa  raaaanr. 

8T.  LnX8>-^OB  Tueoday,  March  lat,  tea  and 
pohUo  meeting  waa  held  in  the  above  plaee  in 
cammcmoratfcn  of  the  annlveraary  of  S.  School. 
Mr.  AadeiaoB  (peator)  preaided,  when  aubjccta  well 
mited  to  the  oeeaaion  were  treated  on  by  brethren 
J.  PeOa,  J.  L.  Mecrea,  S.  Milner,  J.  Bloomfleld. 
Abe  report  read  waa  a  very  cheering  one,  testifying 
to  the  power  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  the  young, 
throogh  the  instrumentality  of  Sabbath  iSchool 
iascractioB.  Thia  happy  meeting  waa  brought 
to  a  dose  by  aiaging  the  uaual  dozology. 

WHTB.— Benjamin  Wilkina.  father  of  our  ea. 
teemed  brother,  Joeeph  Wilkina,  of  Brighton, 
catered  into  rcat  February  1 7th.  aged  69  years, 
•ad  lor  forty  years  a  (kithADd  mintater  of  Jesus 
Cbilst.  He  dtod  at  Tatton.  near  Briatol,  where 
fcr  many  yaera  he  had  resided,  and  preached  the 
«md  vtih  mjeapianna ;  he  waa  interred  at  {forth 
Ers^,  ever  whieh  ehnreh  he  had  presided  for 
Sljcara.  Bla  fhneral  was  attended  by  several 
aiaistera  of  the  neighbourhood,  brother  Hawkins, 
of  Bradford,  delivered  the  addreee;  brother 
Pteee,  of  Weatbury,  preached  a  aolema  and  «-ff. 
•rtive  fhneral  aermon  in  the  afternoon,  lo  a  large 
•ad  atlanlive  eongregatloo ;  and  on  the  following 
LarAVday  morning,  hia  eldest  son  preached  in 
Betbcada  Chapel,  Trowbridge,  and  in  North  Brad- 
••y(^pel,Uk  the  evening.  4  Couiic8ro](0B.HT. 


KEVIEWS. 


*  A  Loud  Call  to  our  BaptUt  Churcket: 
London:  G.  J.  SteTenson,  64,  Pateraoster 
Bow.  Thia  penny  pamphlet  furniahea  aome 
information  connected  with  the  atrtiggle 
which  the  Strict  Oommanion  Baptista  of  Nor- 
wich are  now  passing  through,  in  conaequenoe 
of  ibo  free-will,  the  dat^-faith,  the  open- 
eommonion,  and  the  anti-goapel  profeaaora 
haying  determined  to  take  St.  Marv^  Chapel, 
Norwich,  (an  old  CBtablished  Strict  Baptist 
Chapel,)  out  of  their  hands.  A  bill  has  oeea 
filed  in  Ohaneerr ;  and  the  Open-Communion- 
ists,  *  openly  '  aeolare,  they  will  never  sub- 
mit; never  surrender;  never  restore  the  cha- 
pel and  property  to  its  legitimate  owners  *  «»- 
tU  the  Sou9e  of  Lords  hat  decided  against 
them*  This  is  a  bold  and  determined  stand 
against  the  principle  of  New  Testament  Com- 
munion ;  and  if  the  question  be  driven  into 
the  House  of  Lords  by  the  Open-Communion 
partT  ;  and  if  that  house  decide  in  fhTor  of 
the  Open-Communion  practice,  then,  good  bye, 
for  a  season,  to  all  the  Strict  Baptist  Trust- 
deeds  in  the  kingdom  :  they  will  no  longer  be 
considered  of  any  value,  where  a  minister  and 
his  party  choose  to  turn  over  to  the  open.side. 
It  18  not,  perhaps,  generally  known,  that 
nearly  all  the  leading  duty-faith  men  in  the 
denomination,  are  farourablo  to  tho  annihila- 
tion of  close,  Scriptural,  New  Testament  Com- 
mnnioD.  We  have  an  immense  bod;|r  of  men 
Against  us.  The  moderate  Calrinists;  the 
iluntingtonians ;  the  General  Baptists;  the 
Independents;  and  multitudes  beside;  all 
are  determined  foes  in  this  one  branch  of  gos- 
pel practice,  and  church  order.  But,  we 
naye  truth  on  our  aide.  We  have  God  on  our 
side.  We  have  the  prayers  of  many  thou- 
sands of  the  Lord's  dear  people  on  our  side. 
And  if,  with  all  this,  the  enemy  triumphs;  it 
will  only  be  for  his  ultimate  overthrow.  Ne- 
yerthek'BS,  every  man  of  Ood  who  is  firm  in 
the  faith,  ought  at  once  to  arise ;  to  anoint 
his  shield ;  to  gather  together  his  friends ;  and 
to  seo  what  can  be  done  for  the  Norwich  Bap- 
tista. We  have  ventured  to  issue  a  supple- 
ment  on  this  subject.  It  is  entitled — *A 
Loud  Call  to  ibk  Baftibt  Chubchbs.' 
It  may  be  had  of  our  Publishers ;  or  of  any 
Bookseller  in  the  world.  Mr.  George  Barber, 
of  Thorpe  Hamlet,  Norwich,  is  the  Secretary 
of  the  Committee,  for  the  Strict  Baptist 
Friends.  We  hope  thousands  of  helpful  let- 
ters will  be  sent  to  him 

Death:  A  Visian.-^The  Solemn  Departure 
of  Saints  and  Sinners"  By  John  Maegowan. 
With  Prefaee  by  William  Cowper.  London : 
John  Gadsby,  Bouverie  Street — Better  than 
any  remark  we  cm  make  on  a  subject  so  aw- 
fully great,  as  is  Dsath,  are  the  following 
woras  of  the  good  man  who  has  been  the 
means  of  giring  to  the  world,  a  new  edition 
of  this  scarce  and  deeply-interesting  book. 
Mr.  Cowper,  in  his  preface,  says : — 

'In  this  uncertain  and  ever-changing  time- 
state,  there  is  but  one  thing  sure^  that  we 
must  die  ;  and  as  the  tree  falls,  so  it  lies ; 
therefore,  my  dear  reader,  whether  young  m 
old,  what  an  important  subject  Dbath  ispc 


08 


THB  BABTHIN  VBSSIL. 


[April  1,  IIM. 


Should  not  tli«  awlbl  clwa^  firam  lime  to 
eternity  be  our  daily  ooxuideration  ?  Bemem- 
hw,  ii  it  is  BQt  to  we  pleMuree  for  erermore 
•t  God's  Hght  hand,  it  nmt  be  an  eternity  of 
misery,  the  gnawing  worm  of  a  gvilty  con- 
saieBQe,  arising  ^ni  unpardoned  sin.  The 
solenin  seotenee  of  a  Holy  Qp4  hangs  over 
the  head  of  erory  son  and  danghter  of  Adam ; 
•nd  it  is  awfully  sad  to  see  how  regardless  of 
both,  the  generality  of  mankind  live  all  their 
da^s,  full  of  eager  care,  anxious  eonoern  for 
this  life  only,  and  put  *nway  from  them,  as 
intfusire  and  disagreeable,  ever/  thought  of 
another  world,  and  that  oertam  messenger, 
iDeath,  who  is  waiting  to  usher  them  into  it, 
as  if  they  knew  not  tbey  were  mortal. 

'  I  am  glad  to  read  in  this  little  book  these 
ihinn  so  strickingly  set  forth  i  I  muoh  ad- 
mired the  powerful  and  aoeurate  manner  in 
which  the  contrast  was  drawn  between  tho 
death-bed  of  the  thoughtless  and  ignorant,  and 
those  taught  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  Author 
has  most  feelingly  set  forth  the  soul-support- 
ing power  of  free  and  so?ereign  grace  nchly 
bestowed  on  the  godly,  when  flesh  and  heart 
shall  fail  s  also  the  chequered  scene  of  conflict 
in  the  reg^enerate  family  of  eternal  choice. 

*  Here  is  shown,  likewise,  the  false  peace  of 
earthly  eandidates  for  an  ideal  hcaven^tbo 
useless  resistanoe  made  by  the  young  and 
yobttst^the  baffled  skill  of  the  physician,  the 
Tain  intreaties  of  the  worldling  xor  longer  life, 
and  the  disappointed  hope  of  the  apparently 
oonvaleeoenL  | 

'  As  you  read  of  these  true  things,  oh  I  that  i 
there   might  be  enkindled  in  tbe  souls   of  I 
many,  as  there  was  in  mine,  a  fervent,  prayer- 1 
ful  hope  that  when  the  damps  of  death  aie 
dislogmg  the  spirit,  we  shall  realise  a  hidden 
Ufis  with  Christ  in  Ood.' 

'  TraetarianUm :  its  Obfsctt.  Nature,  and 
Tendency.'  By  B.  Wale,  Reading.  London  : 
Q.  J.  Bteyenson,  5i,  Paternoster  Bow.  Thi» 
six-penny  namphlet  contains  two  lectures  de- 
livered bj  Mr.  Wale  in  Beading,  and  in  some 
other  neighbouring  towns.  It  is  said,  "  these 
powerful  Lectures  have  set  the  Oxford  Dio- 
pete  all  on  fire.  The  Lecturer  may  well  foe 
carefVil;  for  such  exposures  of  the  masked 
marches  of  Bomapism  will  certainly  bring 
upon  bis  head,  the  curses  and  anathemas  of 
the  harlot  and  her  sons.'  Mr.  Wale  has 
proved  himself  a  man  of  metal.    Both  as  a 

Sreaoher  of  the  gospel,  and  as  a  Lecturer,  he 
I  amasingly  ana  increasingly  successful. 
Some  thousands  flock  to  hear  the  hard  argu- 
I,  the  telling  speeches,  the  beautiful  dis- 
and  the  fervent  i4>pea]s  ot  this  re- 
son  of  David.  This  pamphlet  on 
HSmotariamitm  demonstrates  one  faot :  when 
Mr.  Wale  takes  a  subjeet  in  hand,  he  enters  in- 
to ks  roots,  examines  every  branch,  exposes 
every  error,  sets  Satan  at  defiance,  and  lifts 
up  toe  standard  of  truth  with  all  nis  might. 
Wewantalbw  move  such  bearty  fellows  as 
this  Wale.  He  is  no  tame  turn-coat,  no  smil- 
ing double  heait :  ha  goes  to  his  work  like  a 
man— -like  a  man  prepared  of  his  Ood  to  da 
good  to  Ziim  ;  ana  to  unmask  the  awful  de< 
oeivevsofoarday.  ♦  2*e " 
b  the  prayer  of  thousands. 


ooarsas. 
■owned 


*  QUamiMg$fr&m  Df*.  jH<NeWi<^#  CbaMMii- 

tary  on  ike  2few  fesiamfnt.^  Compiled  by 
ElisaChinery,  London :  Colllngridge ;  Lea- 
mington I  C.  U*  Cox.  This  volume  of  105 
pages  of  ehoioe  extraeta  from  tha  writings  of 
a  great  and  good  man,  will  be  a  nleascut  oom- 
panion  fbr  the  voune  Bible  student ;  and  for 
such  thoughtfMi  Christiatis  whose  libraries  are 
small,  and  seasons  for  reading  sparce.  Hiss 
Chinery  has  done  a  good  work. 

</7«rMoii«  and  Onilmet*  By  the  Bev. 
Alfred  Hewlett,  M.A.  Inoiimbent  of  Astley, 
near  Manchester.  Kottingham  :  J.  Wilkinson, 
London  :  Hamilton  and  Co.  Mr.  Wilkinson, 
the  l^ottingbam  Theological  Printer  and  Pub- 
lisher, has  produced  this  handsome  volume  in 
most  exoellent  st;rle.  Alfred  Hewlett  is  well 
known  as  alabonous  and  energetic  clergyman. 
At  Astley,  and  in  the  surrounding  districts, 
he  has,  under  Qod,  been  made  a  great  blessing 
In  every  sense.  He  is  a  Churchman  ;  but  in 
the  foundation  principles  of  the  Qospel,  hp  is' 
thoroughly  ficnptural ;  and  in  the  experience 
of  the  truth,  he  is  savory,  and  sincere.  The 
volume  before  us  contiuns  some  instructing 
outlines;  and  a  few  good  plain  sermons. 
Christians  in  the  country,  who  cannot  get  to 
hear  sound  sermons  preached,  would  enjoy  a 
book  of  this  kind.  There  are  some  passages 
in  this  volume  we  hope  to  give  to  onr  readers 
another  day. 

The  first  Knmher  of  the  Bartken  Vessel 
Pulpit :  (printed  uniform  with  that  periodica), 
in  order  tnat  it  may  be  bound  with  it,)  con- 
tains a  Sermon  preached  by  Master  John 
Turner,  a  Preacher  of  the  Gospel,  sixteen 
years  of  age;  at  the  Coppice  Chapel,  near 
Dudley,  in  Staffordshire.  The  title  of  this 
Sermon  is—*  Deliverance  from  the  Pt #  ; 
Establishment  in  the  Truth;  and  a  Ifeip 
Song  ptU  itito  the  Mouth,*  It  is  issued  by 
Stevenson,  64,  Paternoster  Bow ;  and  may  be 
had  for  one  penny  of  any  bookseller.  It  u  a 
Sermon  from  a  heart  sanctified  by  the  grace 
of  Qod.  We  purpose  to  notice  tnis  Sermon, 
and  some  letters  irom  our  young  brother,  very 
soon.    Our  hopes  of  hiin  arc  gtcat. 

<  The  BapUem^l  Ct^mmamd  ;  4»  Address 
delimered  ftjr  Mr.  James  Wells,  at  the  Surrey 
Tahemaele,  en  Wednesday ^  March  IM,  and 
forming  No.  \\  of  *  The  Surrey  TahemaeU 
Pulpit.*  London :  Partridge  and  Co.;  Bobert 
Banks  and  Co.  After  Mr.  Wells  had  delivered 
this  Address,  he  baptized  forty-five  persons ; 
and  on  the  following  Lord's-day,  a  multitude 
of  believers  were  added  unto  tliat  already 
large  and  influential  Church.  Mr.  Wells  is  a 
thoroughly  determined,  intelligent,  and  most 
popular  Baptist  preacher  ot  Christ  s  Gospe). 
This  address  of  bis  needs  no  commfsndation 
ofour's.  It  embodies  tbe  whole  of  the  Kow 
Testament  on  the  three  questions  ai  issue  ;•*- 
the  Persons— the  Manner— the  Authority. 
Our  Baptist  friends  should  send  it  to  those  of 
their  friends  who  need  a  little  sound  Gospel 
instruction. 

'A  Letter  to  the  JSditors  of  the  Gospel 
Btandard  and  the  Sartken  Vessel,  4^e.,  ^c. 
By  Job  BawUngs,    Tiowbridge.     iUMidon : 


AprU,  1,  1859.] 


THB  EAftTBSK  V£88SL. 


90 


SimplHii,  Manhall  A  Co;  We  fear  there  Has 
been  aomethin^  wrone  in  the  manner  the  au- 
thor of  this  b<^k  hasMen  dealt  with ;  hat  we 
wait  for  clearer  light;  and  if  we  get  it,  we 
■hall  fearleasly  sp«dc  our  mind. 

'Tk4  Wkuper:  Koe.  7  and  8.  London: 
HoBiaton  and  Wrigbt^This  double  number 
contains  *  The  woman  dothed  with  the  Sun'^ 
aad  other  oommentfl  on  Her.  xii.  and  xiii. 

The  Editor  of  Tke  Wkitper^  in  sending  us 
tide  part  for  Beview,  sajs—'  Ton  are  desired 
to  ooodeon  or  justify  the  doctrine  and  spirit 


then,  IftheAMkf  tadA«rft^^of  the  man  illni. 
trate  the  preeeptire  part  of  (Jod's  word,  wo 
consider  him  a  safe,  a  useful,  and  will  be  a 
sueeessful  Minister.  In  this  tract  there  are 
some  Tory  weighty  and  valuable  words.  We 
by  no  means  speak  lightly,  either  of  the 
author,  or  his  work.  TVe  wish  he  had  stewed 
his  brains  less ;  and  let  his  heart  and  tongue 
have  worked  more  freely  in  thoia  tilings, 
which  are  the  chursh's  daily  bread. 

*  The  I^Hkfui  Bhopherd:    A  Sketch  at  the 
Lifb  and  Times  of  Godfrey  Massey,  fi.A..  Viear 


of  thia  work.'    We  are  not  quite  prepared  to  I  of  Buff.    By  l>owson  Massey,  M.A,    London 

"     t:*^ii_  . 1_._  ..      .  Hamilton,  Adams  k  Co.    Seeleys  &  Co.     Jf 

you  would  see  a  little  of  real  Irish  life,  and  of 
the  sufferings  and  triumphs  of  a  serTant  of 
Christ,  in  breaking  up  fallow -ground,  then 
read  this  thick,  this  powerftil  biography.  If 
you  cannot  obtain  it,  we  will  endeavour  to 
furnish  a  few  sketches  another  day. 

*  Letter 8  to  Theophilu$,^  By  James  Wells, 
Minister  of  the  Surrey  Tabernaple,  Borough 
Road.  London;  T.  Holmes,  76,  St.  Paul's 
Churchyard ;  J.  Cox,  100,  Borough  Bead.  The 
secret  i«  now  out :  the  question  has  often  bpen 
asked  Who  it  the  ^  lAttU  One  7'  The  first 
twenty-four  Letters  to  Theopbilus  are  now 
printed  very  nicelj,  making  an  ornamental 
and  useful  volume.  Mr.  Wells  has  written  an 
explanatory  Preface— has  affixed  descriptive 
headings  to  the  Letters,  and  carefully  revised 
them.  The  earnest  wish  of  njanv  is  hereby 
met;  and  we  hope  its  sale  will  justify  the 
speedy  issue  of  other  volumes. 

'Infant  Salvation*  The  substance  of  a 
sermon,  preached  in  Jiioh  Baptist  Chapel, 
HoUinwood,  on  Sunday,  January  03rd,  by 
John  Gardiner,  minister  of  the  chapel.  Lon- 
don :  G.  J.  Stevenson,  Paternoster  Bow. 
The  author,  in  the  preface  says—'  It  may  ask- 
ed why  this  sermon  is  issued  from  the  press. 
It  is  because  a  member  of  my  little  church 
having  lost  a  babe  by  death,  and  intending  to 
inter  tho  body  in  the  family  vault,  in  the 
parish  church,  in  this  neigbourhood.  the  In- 
cumbent refused  to  read  over  what  he  called 
an  unbaptised  child.  On  the  day  of  burial,  I 
tcok  my  stand  at  the  church  gate,  gave  out  ft 
hvmn,  spoke  a  little,  and  engaged  m  prayer: 
This  called  down  vengeance  upon  my  head.  I 
was  misrepresented  ;  therefore,  my  friends 
engaged  a  ref^orter  to  take  down  the  sermon.* 
The  subject  is  treated  with  plainess  and  de- 
cision, yet  in  a  becoming  Christiaa  spirft. 

*  Fellowship  with  Chritt  in  Affliction,* 
This  is  a  Memorial  Sermon  preadied  at  Lock- 
wood,  last  year,  by  William  Crowther;  having 
reference  to  the  dsath  of  his  hehived  viie. 
lianj  will  be  glad  to  knov  this  Sermon 
(preached  in  the  furnaee  of  aiBictionO     is 

Srinled ;  and  may  be  hod  of  Mr.  John  Poyn- 
iT,  No.  20,  Murray  Street,  City  fiotad*. 
London.  Another  Seimon  entitled,  *It  i$ 
Finithed,*  by  Mr.  Crowther,  may  also  be  had 
tbrough  the  same  channel.  These  4Sermon8 
are  anusually  weighty;  full  of  the  word  of 
God,  as  realised  in  the  faith  and  feeling  of  the 
heirs  of  heaven. 

*  Catherins  Bray  ;  or,  the  lfand^4r  JL$' 
claimed:      By  E.   Dingle,  Tavistock.    Pub- 


LUeiftUy  to  explain  the  Apoca- 
lypso  is  a  work  multitudes  have  attempted; 
bat  few,  if  any,  have  been  very  suocesaful. 
"He  kave  had  the  presumption  to  think  we 
sbooid  like  to  write  a  plain  exposition  of  the 
Bevelation  onrselToa ;  but  the  time  is  not  jet 
oome ;  perhaps  it  never  will ;  if  we  did,  we 
should  not  write  some  things  *  Gideon'  has 
written  here.  We  have  never  said  much  for, 
or  against,  ^The  WTkicper;*  but  wo  must 
eoofes%  we  are  afraid  of  its  tone,  tendcnenr, 
and  doctrine.  We  fearfully  fear  that  its  chief 
de«ign  is  to  overthrow  what  never  can  be 
overthrown  on  this  side  of  the  grave  ;— there- 
fore we  havo  sincerely  hoped  the  Whieper 
woaH  cease  his  Whisperings ;  beeause  in  all 
rital  and  essential  points  we  hope  he  is  right ; 
bat  in  attempting  to  publish  his  idol'theme, 
we  fear  —  indeed,  we  fear,  he  is  ighting 
against  Oov. 

'ThgFamilg  Treasury  of  8ahh€tth  "Bead- 
i»g.*  London;  Thomas  Kelson  and  Sons, 
Paternoster  Bow.  Andrew  Cameron,  who 
was  the  verj  aocceasful  editor  of  the  Christian 
TVaosM,  \B  now  the  editor  of  this  new  and 
beautiful  Miscellany.  The  Messrs  Nelson  are 
certainly  firet-claas  printer^  and  ntost  enter- 
prising poblxshera.  We  do  not  think  a  prettier 
Magaiiw  ia  in  oTistenfts  than  is  this  Family 
Trmamry,  It  is  deaerriOff  of  the  highest  pat- 
ronage, embodying  as  it  does,  the  pithy  nar- 
rmtifes  of  almost  all  the  books  which  Europe 
produces.  For  a  family,  it  is  full  of  intelii- 
genoi^  and  iHostrations  of  the  highest  order. 

'  What  is  tie  Seripiurs  Frinciple  of  Pro- 
phetic Intcrfrwtatiant  London:  Ward  & 
Co.  We  aoawer,  there  ara  but  two  modes  of 
Interpretaiion :  first,  the  anointing  and  reveal- 
tD^  power  of  the  Haly  Ghost.  Secondly,  the 
real  folfitmeat  of  prophetic  predictiooji.  We 
firmly  befiere  thai  Ohristianity  ruts  npon  this 
tmo^sid  ioate,  tho  spiritual  unhiding  of  the 
Word  of  Qod  m  the  oeliever's  heart,  and  the 
literal  folfilfaent  of  the  Word  of  God,  in  the 
oatiooa  of  the  earth.  We  esteem  the  author 
of  the  traci.  We  halievfi  it  to  be  John  Cox. 
Ute  cC  Woolwich.  One  question  we  wi>ula 
urfe:->how  is  U,  that  ahnoit  every  man 
who  makes  tho  literal  fulfilment  of  prophecy 
his  cUef.  his  sole,  almost  his  only  toome, 
hew  is  it  an  such  men  dediae  in  usefulness, 
ikhongb  tliey  are  studious,  and  men  of  good 
^arts?  it  it  not  because,  essentiaUy,  nod 
Mdineay,  ibfi  Holy  Spirit  is  sl4^htsd  ?  Lot 
a  van'a  aesd  leviagly  emJtffm,  let  a  saan's 
■JMihf  ennesUf  nfid  ctjuaily  eontend  for 
bolk  iim  MpftiintU  and  the  Msrali  and. 


100 


TllEEABTHEN    VBS8KL. 


[April  1, 1868 


lished  bj  W.  Brandon^  26,  George  Street,  Ply- 
mouth. Poor  Catberme  \ru  ftn  orphan ;  a 
fallen  sinner;  a  penitent  aeeker;  and  a 
triumphant  belieTor.  Her  history  is  given  in 
a  simple  and  beautiful  narrative  ;  clearly 
showing  the  blackness  of  the  fall ;  tho  glory 
of  the  gospel. 

Me.  Blooxfield's  Nbw  Wosk — Among 
the  multitude  of  sermons  that  in  the  present 
day  are  teeming  from  the  press ;  none,  I  think, 
will  be  found  more  worthy  the  attention  of 
the  Christian  reader,  than  those  just  pub- 
lished, entitled,  A  Voice  from  the  Pulpit. 
They  are  from  the  heart,  lips,  and  pen  of  Mr. 
Bloomfield,  successor  of  the  late  Mr.  John 
Stevens,  of  Meard*s  Court,  Soho. 

The  subjects  are  interesting,  they  are  so 
plain,  methodical  and  biblical.  The  first 
part  is  a  very  able  piece  on  the  gospel  minis- 
trv,  and  it  would  be  well  if  many  ministers 
who  profess  to  be  evangelical  preachers,  would 
take  a  lesson  therefrom.  May  the  work  be 
found  useful  to  Zion's  converts,  and  redound 
to  the  glory  of  our  Triune  God.  Then  will 
the  under  shepherd  not  have  laboured  in  vain, 
nor  will  he  go  without  his  reward. 

F.  Fbavkliv. 

19,  Harrington  St.  North. 

Mr.  SaHubl'8  Nbw  Work,—*  The  Tri- 
umph of  the  Holy  Spirit  over  Sin  in  the  Sin-  • 
ner,*  By  Edward  Samuel,  Minister  of  Ford- 
Street  Chapel,  Salford,  Manchester.  With  a 
Preface  by  the  Incumbent  of  Openshaw — the 
Bev.  W.  Farks,  B.A.  The  manuscript  of  this 
work,  comprising  nearly  one- thousand  large 
folio  pa^s,  has  been  entrusted  to  our  care ;  it 
is  now  m  the  course  of  printing;  and  sueh 
arrangements  hare  been  made  as  will,  we 
trust,  secure  the  work  being  speedily,  and 
correctly  issued.  It  will  be  a  volume  or  great 
value  at  this  time.  Mr.  Parks,  an  excellent 
scholar,  and  sound  divine,  has  gone  most  cri- 
tically through  the  manuscript ;  and  has  ren- 
dered good  service  thereby.  As  the  work  ad- 
yances,  we  purpose  to  notice  its  contents  more 
fully. 

A  new  work  by  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens,  of  War- 
boys,  is  now  in  the  press.  A  Companion  to 
his  *  Thought  Book/  entitled  •Typology,' 
Ac,  Ac. 

CLOSING  NOTICES  OF  THE  MONTH. 
CLAFHA.x.-<-The  church  and  congregation, 
meeting  for  worship  in  Cranmer  Court,  under 
the  nastoral  care  of  brother  B.  S.  Bird,  have 
purchased  a  plot  of  ground,  and  hope,  this 
next  summer  to  build  a  new  chapel.  The  first 
anniversary  of  Mr.  Bird's  settlement  was 
holden  March  14.  When  sermons  were 
preached,  addresses  were  giyen,  and  hymns  of 
praise  were  sung,  by  Levites  and  laymen  in 
good  heart  The  brethren  T.  B.  Parker, 
Oradmell,  Caunt,  Cook,  C.  W.  Banks,  and 
others  spoke  with  much  warmth,  decision,  and 
liberty. 

A  BOON  FOB  DESTITUTE  CHURCHES. 
A  Correspondent  writes  us  of  a  minister  who 
has  during  the  last  few  years  been  useful  in  a 
few  retired  comers  of  the  vineyard.  Our  por- 
respondeut  says :—  ^ 


"  I  shoald  maeh  like  you  to  hear  him,  I  ahoold 
mueh  like  you  to  give  him  an  introdoetlon  to 
some  wider  sphere,  than  the  one  now  offered, 
for  I  am  sore  he  is  well  adapted.  His  matter  Is 
ezeellent.  His  manner  very  pleasiog.  His 
phraseology  most  respectable,  and  his  flow  of  lang- 
uage  abandant.  And,  farther,  I  may  venture  to 
say,  there  is  a  large  degree  of  originality  aboat 
him.  I  ssy  this  of  him  beeau^  yon  have  not 
heard  him  ;  I  have ;  and  I  sometimes  go  where 
he  does,  and  I  find  general  opinion  eoinoides  with 
mine.  He  has  not  laboured  in  vain.  The  Great 
Head  of  the  Charota  has  given  him  already  sovia 
for  his  hire  ;  and  this  me  thinks  alter  all  is  the 
sure  test  and  proof  of  his  eall  to  the  worh.  He 
does  not  know  of  my  writing  to  yon  ;  I  do  not 
wish  him  to.** 

We  shall  be  happy  to  famish  partiouUrs 
(in  confidence)  if  i^utred. 

QuBBY  ?-^A  Sunday- School  Teacher  wishes 
Mr.  Coxens,  or  some  able  Student  of  the  Bible, 
to  answer  this  question— Was  Melchisedec  a 
man ;  or  was  it  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself? 
—[An  edifying  reply  might  be  given ;  but,  in 
the  meantime,  let  the  Querist  search  the  New 
Testament.  There,  we  belieye,  the  question 
is  fully  answered. — Ed.] 

Thb  CaanTiAiv  Bund  Abukf  Bociitt. — 
Another  year  of  the  exlstenoe  of  this  Society  has 
oloeed: — ^lls  annual  meeting  has  been  holden; 
its  report  has  been  read ;  iU  inereasing  gloiy 
and  greatness  has  barst  forth  with  brighter  rays 
than  ever.  The  Lord  If ayor^the  ehlef  of  the 
City  of  London— presided ;  supported  by  aome  of 
the  best  ChristUn  laymen  London  holds— among 
them  were  saeh  men  as  Thomas  Poeoek,  Thomas 
Pillow,  and  John  Vlekers,  Esqt.  A  good  army 
of  Oofpel  ministers  were  alio  aetively  engaged ; 
the  lead  being  taken  by  Mr.  James  Wells,  and 
Mr.  John  Pells,  others  following  their  aealoas 
coarse.  When  the  Report  is  printed,  we  shall 
review  it,  if  spared. 


REDEMPTION   JFUND. 

£.    8.    d. 

Before  Advertised  -  -  .  113  0  7i 
Collected  at  the  Anniul  Meeting, 

in  Unicom   Yard  Chapel,   on 

Tuesday,  January  4th,    1859, 

(including  Donationsfrom  Thos. 

Poeoek,  Esq;  Mr.  James  Wells; 

Mr.  Thomas  Bowland,  of  Cog- 

geshall;    Mr.    Blackshaw,    of 

Hackney-Boad ;  and  Mr.  Ed- 
wards, of  Tunbriidge  Wells,  of 

one  guinea  each.)  -  -  -  -  18  14  9 
Collected  after  a  Sermon  preached 

by  Mr.  J.  £.  Cracknell,  of  Dacre 

Park,  Blaekheath,  and  kindly 

E resented  by  the  Peaoons  and 
lends  there       -  -       -       3    0    0 

Mr.  Robert  Blagden,8onthgate  0    10 

Mr.   Carter,  Baptist  Minister, 

Down,  Kent, 0    3    0 

[Some  few  letters  with  stamps  haye  been 
received;  these  shall  be  duly  ackowledged. 
Many  encouragiag  Epistles,  exoressing  the 
usefulness  of  the  *  Earthen  Vessel ;'  and  i 


promises  of  help  to  be  afforded ;  haye  come  to 
hand;  we  cannot  express  oar  gratitude. 
Pur  cinilaCion  has  iBoreised  this  year.— Bo.] 


Maj  h  IW.] 


THB  BARTRBN  TX88BC. 


101 


HIB  SimDAY  80H0OL— HIS  A.PPBENTICESHIP— HIS  FLIGHT  TO   LONDON— 

HIS  INTIDBL  COMPANIONS^HIS  SOUL  TBAYAIL-PSLiyEBANCS— 

PANTING  FOB  THE  HINI8TBY,  BTO.,  ETC. 


'  T«  %ac99  sot  ehoMB  mt,  Ini  I  haTe  ehoan  m, 
fnity  sad  that  your  fruit  Mhoold  remain.'— John  s 

Smr  lefleetiiig  ■Mmbcr  of  th«  redeemed 
bmltf  who  hM  leirehed,  and  dag  into  thoie 
■aoi  of  ziohee  tnoenred  np  in  Christ,  in 
loaf  .eaffering  and  tender-mercy,  diiplajed 
bj  tko  loTo  of  God  in  hia  own  eaie,  mnat 
acknowledge  that  the  above  is  a  title  well 
aaplied,  while  relating  the  leading!,  and 
nealinge,  of  God  with  bii  aool :  bnt  the  in- 
initade  of  God's  power  and  wisdom  is 
displayed  in  the  endless  Tsriety  of  ways,  and 
meaaa,  whieh  he  caases  to  work  togetner  for 
the  ^ood  of  thoae  who  are  the  ealled  according 
to  h»  ponwee ;  hj  relating  these  displays  of 
his  proTiacoee,  something  may  be  found  so 
'  to  the  passing  e? ents  of  a  tried  child 
ef  God,  thai  will  inspire  hope,  where  hope 
ssems  leat ;  nay  giTO  eoozage,  where  courage 
ssams  vanity  and  weakneas;  and  may  give 
ledoahled  anai|y  to  the  prayers  of  some  who 
an  hoping  against  hope. 

It  is  for  thia  reason,  I  have  been  led  to  pen 
a  few  oirimnistsnnns  in  my  life,  as  a  oontinua- 
tioB  ef  my  belored  mothers  eiperienoe,  which 
sppsssed  in  November  number  of  the  Eakth- 
ai  VnaxL.  Praying  that  the  seed  may  not 
he  entirely  without  its  results,  being  watered 
by  the  Holy  Spirit 

On  relsmng  back  by  memory  to  childhood's 
days,  I  cannot  think  of  a  time  when  I  had 
not  a  sense  of  the  importance  attached  to  the 
CBBseins  of  the  soul ;  naturally  of  a  thought* 
fol  tcmBcrament,  impressions  were  early 
esnveyed  to  my  niittd,  through  the  teachings 
of  my  paieats.  Well  do  I  remember  the  times 
when  alone,  I  thought  on  the  future  of 
eternity,  yet  seldom  spoke  to  any  one  on  the 
salncet  One  occasion,  I  remember  particu- 
larly when  about  seven  yeaxs  old,  an  irresisti- 
ble something  within  seemed  to  give  me  such 
a  desira  to  praise  God  for  having  made  me  to 
thbkoftheee  things,  while  soman^  of  my 
eomnaaiona  were  cereless  about  thetr  souls' 
«eUare»  that  I  could  scarce  restrain  myself 
from  outward  exclamation.  And  this,  in  my 
sftsr  yeaiUy  when  seeking  after  the  pleasures 
of  sin,  haa  been  a  thorn  in  my  flesh,  which 
sesmed  to  say,  that  I  had  received  opporta- 
atties  which  no  one  ever  had  before ;  and 
kavia^  deapised  them  no  pardon  would  be 
tstralsdioma. 

At  the  age  of  ten  years  I  was  sent  to  a 
man  eilMnt  school  than  I  had  hitherto 
•tteaded;  here  my  love  of  literature  had 

Vol.  Xy.— No.  170. 


and  ordained  yooy  that  ye  ehoald  fo  and  hrinf  forth 


zv.  le. 


w ;  or  wnicn  i  naa  lormeriy  oeen  a 
r.  My  mind  when  engaaed  in  this 
was  at  home ;  vet,  I  felt  I  needed 
bing  mifr§  than  I  had,  which  was  mere 


more  scope :  I  soon  gained  a  monitorshin, 
which  I  deemed  a  great  honour.  I  afterwards 
was  induced  totue  a  dais  at  the  Sabbath 
School,  connected  with  Salem  Chapel,  Great 
Marlow ;  of  which  I  had  formerly  been  a 
scholar, 
work 

something  i 

head-knowledge.  I  knew  the  new-birth  waa 
not  mine ;  for  this  I  prayed,  and  beeouaht 
God  that  I  might  be  brought  into  the  fold 
of  Christ ;  but  no  answer  was  then  vouchsafed 
to  me.  I  had  yet  to  learn  how  vile  and  fbll 
of  sin  I  was ;  now  my  proud  nature  must 
stoop  before  it  could  accept  the  terms  of 
unmerited  pardon  from  the  hands  of  a  recon- 
ciled God.  Ah!  how  often  does  Satan 
attempt  even  now,  to  revive  those  feelings 
in  my  breast,  that  I  can  say,  it  ii  restraining 
love  alone,  that  sustains  me  in  my  path : 
"  Hold  up  my  goings  in  thv  paths,  that  my 
fooUteps  slip  not."  I  weU  remember  the 
circumstances  of  my  parent's  temporary  de- 
rangement, and  wondered  why  God  sent  such 
afflictions  on  our  family,  above  all  others ;  my 
rebellious  heart  was  set  on  fire  by  Satan 
against  the  hand  of  God,  which  waa  even 
then  providing  me  a  course ;  marking  out,  so 
to  apmik,  a  track  in  the  wilderness.  But  to 
pass  on :  at  a  proper  age,  I  was  apprentioed 
to  a  Cabinet-maker ;  this  seemed  the  only 
opening  for  me,  after  waiting  months  to  find 
a  suitable  trade.  After  staying  two  years,  I 
took  a  dislike  to  mv  employment;  a  few 
words  between  myself  and  my  master,  led  to 
an  examination  of  my  case  before  a  bench  of 
magistrates,  which  ended  by  ordering  me  to 
serve  my  time  out.  This  led  to  a  deeper 
dislike  to  the  trade  I  waa  bound  to ;  and  aa  I 
returned,  it  was  with  a  firm  determination 
to  take  the  law  into  my  own  hands.  From 
this  time  I  sought  little  jobs  of  work  from 
my  friends;  thus  employing  my  overtime, 
and  producing  a  little  pocket  money,  whieh  I 
had  intended  for  a  special  purpose :  I  gave 
up  my  place  as  teacher,  that  no  scandal 
might  be  brought  on  the  cause.  I  had  yet 
to  learn  that  washing  the  outside  of  the 
platter  was  not  sufficient  to  justify  me  before 
God.  Having  laid  my  plans,  one  dark  night 
saw  me  leaving  my  parents^  roof  unknown  to 
them,  to  try  my  fortune  in  the  metropolis, 


lOd 


THl  XA&THSV  TSUSL. 


{M^liUM. 


handle  of  clothes  on  my  ihonlder,  and  after 
walkioff  ele? en  honn,  reached  London  about 
the  MiMe  of  the  ^y.  I  wm  aoon  e&g«g«d 
in  the  houie  af  a  lineiriraper  in  Hozton ;  and 
for  the  firet  time  in  my  life,  brought  under 
€he  lire  of  an  In1idel*8  tongue,  i  had  to 
engage  Sft  th*  ahop,  on  Sabbath  norainga, 
from  eight  till  elefw,  which  at  firet  I  lelt 
Terr  much :  but  in  consequence  of  insinuations 
and  sneers,  my  conscience  was  stifled ;  here 
WM  the  ftrst  falling  «way  of  that  morality, 
which  I  had  been  building  ud  for  so  many 
TCava,  by  reeolutioBS,  and  aaenameata,  patch- 
11^  «p  a  aoock  raality,  which  under  the  first 
blast  of  temptation  was  to  fall  to  the  ground. 
I  had  not  been  here  long,  before  mj  ear  was 
shocked  by  the  bUaphemies  of  iDfidels'  coa- 
Torsation.  At  first  I  refoltedtn  my  mind 
at  anch  ideas  :  and  spumed  them ;  bat  by 
degrees  I  was  wrought  upon,  and  gave  way. 
I  bc(ga>  to  think  there  was  acme  weight  in 
the  aiguments  brought  before  me;  giving 
myself  up  to  be  tempted.  I  soon  found  my 
ineliAatioB  led  to  doubt  the  esktenoe  of  a 
Ood.  And  as  a  consequence  to  think  lightly 
<of  the  SaTiour  and  his  mission.  How  truly 
is  it  proved  in  all  such  oases  that»  **  the  natu- 
ral BMUi  Kceiveth  not  the  things  of  the  S|»irit 
of  God  :  for  they  aro  foolishness  unto  him : 
•either  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are 
spiritually  discerned." 

All  this  time  my  outward  deportment  was 
not  different  to  any  time  before;  having 
eolations  in  London,  and  fearing  to  grieve 
my  parents^  I  durst  not  avow  my  ideas,  and 
generally  attended  a  place  of  worship  on  the 
Sabbath  erening.  A«  a  judge  of  aennoBs, 
I  could  BtiU  give  my  opinion,  yet  inwardly 
qnesttoning,  and  criticising  their  truthfulness. 
All  this  I  have  never  beforo  diaeloeed  to  one 
of  my  relations ;  but  in  referring  to  my  past 
lifo,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  cover  none  of 
my  misdeeds  ;  I  have  related  this,  to  show 
how  deeeitfttl  and  desperately  wicked  the 
heart  of  man  is. 

What  infinite  long-suffering  and  mercy  waa 
displayed  by  the  God  of  love,  m  bearing  with 
me  through  such  a  defiance  of  his  almighty 
power  I  Alas  1  how  many  have  split  on  this 
foek!  what  numbers  of  fkir  sailing  vessek 
have  started,  with  pleasant  prospects  of  at- 
taining a  aafe  haven,  and  bera  stranded  and 
lost  on  this  afaoal  of  temptation.  I  am  led 
to  cry,  why  me  ?  The  answer  ia,  grace  hath 
put  me  in  the  number ;  "  By  grace  aro  ye 
aaved,  through  laith,  and  that  not  of  your- 
idves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God."  I  doubt  not 
many  on  roading  this  portion,  will  naturally 
be  led  to  think  of  some  loved  one,  absent 
from  the  infiuence  of  a  parent's  teaching  ; 
nesting  on  sobm  hope ;  to  such  I  would  say, 
hope  and  be  undismayed,  "  the  Lord's  arm  is 
act  ahoitaned,  that  it  eannot  save ;  neither  as 
km  oar  heavjr,  that  it  cannot  hear."  Yoor 
wttsa  is  plsia  btfoit  fo« :  "  pny  witho«t 


ceasing  ;"  for  **  the  effectual  fervent  prayer 
of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much ;"  m  aot 
weary,  for,  thmagh  be  Urry  3rft  will  he  «aaiai" 
and  in  his  own  good  time,  an  answer  will  be 
given  to  your  petitions :  **  Cast  thf  brsad 
upon  tho  watersi  and  it  shall  be  found  alter 
many  days.*' 

On  this  part  of  my  history,  I  dwell  no  long- 
er. By  the  providence  of  God,  I  was  romoved 
into  the  country,  as  my  health  was  failing ; 
here  again  would  I  render  thanks  to  my 
heavenly  Fattier,  who  watched  over  me  wntA 
human  advice  was  of  no  avail.  My  kssdth 
declining,  would,  in  ail  human  prebahiiity, 
have  ooBsigned  me  to  an  uariy  daatk,  to 
awake  to  the  death  that  nevur  dies.  Birt  it 
was  not  to  be  so;  a  kind  providenoa  wsn 
watching  over  Bw,  and  allowed  ne  to  reniain 
only,  ao  lonf  as  to  shew  what  kngthslm^gkt 
go  to. 

My  aeoend  aitnation  in  the  country,  wan  Ht 
Maidenhead.  My  thoughts  on  a  futmn  aliia 
wero  now  more  serious  than  formeriy,  and  my 
views  of  the  BiMe  more  real  than  beforo;  yut 
still,  grace  was  not  giron  me,  Che  timo  wsn 
not  fti  oome.  While  here,  a  vury  signal 
detiverance  was  manifested  towards  me.  I 
had  started  one  Sabbath  meniing  for  London, 
to  carry  out  a  whim  of  tho  moment ;  aSsrted 
with  a  bad  head-ache,  and  when  I  isaskai 
London,  went  to  bed ;  my  friends,  thtnUng 
I  had  a  bilious  attack^  docterod  me  am 
ly,  by  bathing  in  eeid  water,  Ac  (itv 
Christmas).  Finding  I  got  no  hettm',  n 
physician  was  called  in  on  the  second  day, 
who  ssid,  I  was  sickening  for  the  typhus  fovtr, 
and  was  to  be  removed  that  night,  Aeaoi4- 
ingly  I  commenced  mv  journey  about  fivo  in 
the  evening,  and  finished  it  at  eleven  o'fMk. 
This  was  only  a  dutance  of  35  milaa^  but 
through  delays,  was  detained ;  at  one  limn 
neariy  an  hour  in  the  open  air,  waiting  Ihi 
arrival  of  a  branoh  tnin  on  a  eoM  fro^ 
night.  This,  and  many  other  oontiury  air- 
eumataneea,  any  person  would  have  piegnu^' 
oated,  would  combine  to  accelerete  the  disease 
under  which  I  was  about  to  suffer ;  the  ooM 
generally  striking  inwardly,  whicb,  in  moit 
cases,  is  certain  death.  When  I  awoke  in  tki 
morning,    I  was   covered   with  small  psK 


marks,  Under  which  disease  I  was  prcatralad 
for  three  weeks;  which  passed  oif,  sennelT 
leaving  a  trace  of  its  finger  behind.  1  hie,  X 
say,  ia  an  indispuUble  evidence  of  the  poww 
of  God,  manifested  in  acting  even  oontinty  to 
the  laws  of  nature,  and  preventing  thoae  affl 
consequences  which  must  have  ensued. 
From  Maidenhead,  I  removed  to  8si 
Walden,  where  I  was  still  in  mi  nndaeided 
state,  yet  hopinj^  and  believing  in  a  Ikcnn 
brighter  period  in  my  history ;  now  waverinf 
between  the  world  and  God,  then  determining 
to  give  all  up,  and  abandon  all  hope  of  Salva- 
ti<Mi,  devote  myself  to  pteaauro ;  anen,  marui 
I7  the  feelnigs  of  foaf  of  jHotoa  raM^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


►  ] 


sABsnnr  tbsssi.. 


IM 


md  iwided  ^vilh  a 
jonigcr  nratocf 9  wiio  nad  roMstly  bo6tt  wd 
to  j&m  \m  hopes  on  tliB8nffBrm|B  of  Clmrt, 
ai  nu  Redeesier,  A  ooiiTenation  he  held 
viih  me  one  eTening— which  I  helieTe  was 
aeved  h/  the  Spirit  of  God— led  me  to  aak 
aa  ialereat  ia  hu  wnjwn. 

Sean  aftar  thie,  I  vaa  induced  to  hear  Mr. 
SparMon;  tha  Maiia  Hall  hdiac  fall,  I  oh- 
tauHd  adwaaian  into  New  F^k  fliraet 
OmfA  in  the  avaotaj^,  whea  Mr«  8.  took  for 
kn  text,  ICark  m,  34.  •*  My  eoal  ii  exceed- 
lag  aeiTowftil,  area  unto  death."  I  had 
heird  Mr.  8.  hefora;  and  many  excellent 
auaiaten  of  the  Oocpel,  hat  uoder  none  of 
them  did  I  experience  inch  feelings  of  love 
towaide  tha  Sarioar,  who  gvre  so  much, 
laffered  ao  mooh,  ia  body  and  spirit,  as  the 
speaker  was  led  to  tell  of  Christ,  that  night ; 
theasraanrifattodme;  I  ii^t  speU-hoand, 
as  he  paand  ikoBi  oaa  aaffecxag  and  trial  to 
aaeUier;  tralj  tha  SpiritTe  wwk  was  mani- 
fcet  ia  «ka  words  whi&  issiied  from  the  young 
maa't  acath. 

I  Tetomed  to  my  ocenpation,  and  the  ser- 
moa  I  had  heard  oecnpied  my  thoughts  for ' 
we^  I  bemoaned  the  sins  I  had  commit-  { 
tsd ;  Biy  tbonghts  led  to  the  conclusion  I  had 
eeamiuad  tha  Qspsrdonable  sin ;  often  have 
I  iiid  aa  my  ^^  fearinfc»  lest  I  should  awake 
k  hsU,  if  i  want  to  sleep:  I  thought  I  was 
ia  (ha  aaaM  positiaa  as  the  barren  ilg  tree ;  I 
thought  my  ary  waa  unheard  now,  and  that  I 
wmgncn  over  to  destructioa:  so  ready  is 
the  adrersarj  of  aouls,  in  placing  a  stumlAing 
Uoek  in  tha  way  of  those  who  are  seeking 
and  oying  for  mercy. 

About  uiia  tame,  I  heard  a  sermon  from 
the  mouth  of  one  of  God's  serrants,  (Mr. 
Gregory,  of  Marlow,)  which  was  so  sent  of 
God  to  my  case,  that  I  felt  sure  that  God 
was  about  to  do  something  with  me  in  the 
caasii]^  jaar,  mthar  to  fit  me  for  his  service, 
~  €9Bsi^  flse  to  arerlasting  punishment. 

la  fluh|aet  waa  from  the  panble  of  the 

Btlesa  fig  tree.  Bomethiag  seemed  to 
tell  Bsa  that  thia  waa  tha  last  trial  of  my 
fruidaes  hnmobea.  "  Lord,  let  it  alone  tiiie 
Tem^alao,  till  I  ehdl  dig  about  it,  and  dung 
It :  and  if  it  bear  fruit,  well ;  and  if  not, 
then  after  that,  Ihoa  shalt  cut  it  down." 

A  few  weeks  alter  this,  I  went  over  to 
Maidenhead  to  impend  the  sabbath,  and  heard 
a  Buaaiimary  aeoaon  £rom  Mr.  If.  Mather, 
(thea  raaently  arrired  from  India.)  In  the 
eeoma  of  his  sermon  ha  mentianed  the  defici- 
eaey  of  miasiaoaiiea,  notfrom  want  af  funds, 
but  ToluBtaan.  Yhia  Beamed  aeat  to  ma ; 
after  it  waa  ovar,  I  mant&aaed  to  my  motiber, 
vim  waa  with  me,  how  happy  I  should  be 
to  bear  tba  Goipd  to  those  who  knew  not 
God,  if  ha  woidd  only  give  me  a  sense  of 
interest  in  Christ,  and  of  pardoned  sin; 
uhkh  in  aone  maaaora  I  troat  has  bean 
aaswtrad. 


One  fiabfaftth  m( 


nUto  U] 


on 


Ifaa 


my  bed,  bemoaning  my  distance  from 
and  crying  for  mercy,  i  was  led  to  open  the 
Bible,  which  I  did  at  1  John  Ist  chapter,  on 
reading  the  first  throe  Tcraes,  eueh  a  flood  of 
light  and  peace  beamed  upon  my  soul  that 
I  cannot  describe ;  I  read  on,  and  tha  Scrip- 
tures were  so  beautiful  to  me,  as  I  had  never 
felt  before;  all  the  world  seemed  at  peace 
with  me,  and  I  at  peace  with  all ;  I  was  in 
such  a  frame  of  mind  that  I  could  hava 
jumped  for  vary  joy;  then  I  began  to  think 
mj  burden  was  gone,  and  that  I  had  fellaw- 
ship  with  GK>d  tmx>ugh  his  Son  Jesus  Chriat* 
Faith  %Mi  givm  m$ ;  and  my  hape  waa  as 
ttrong  that  I  frit  the  Judgment  oajr  woaM 
be  postponed,  so  to  apeak,  rather  than  mf 
soul  should  be  lost  Oh!  how  wonderful 
are  the  dealiqn  of  God  with  his  people  1 
Out  of  whata  aase  mould  does  he  chooaa 
vessels  fitted  to  his  honour  1  and  aU  throuffh 
his  own  sovereign  grace  and  will !  Truly  *he 
leadeth  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  knew 
not.'  *And  maketn  his^ople  willing  in 
the  day  of  his  power.'  What  marked  dis- 
plays of  his  AlaughtT  power  are  shewn  is 
all  his  leadings !  *  He  brought  me  up  aka 
out  of  an  horrible  pit,  out  of  the  mirr  clay, 
and  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  establiahad 
my  goings,  and  he  hath  put  a  new  eong  la 
my  mouth,  even  praise  unto  our  God.'  And 
now,  I  trust  in  nim  to  enable  me  to  say, 
*  many  shall  see  it,  and  fear,  and  shall  trait 
in  the  Lord.' 

*  On  Christ  the  solid  rock  I  stand : 
All  other  hopes  are  sinking  sand.' 

All  glory  be  to  his  holy  naam,  I  can  Mfsr 
praise  him  enough.  How  frr  short  daea  ay 
unworthy  body  of  sin,  come  in  this  matter. 

'  But  when  I  see  him  as  he  is, 
ril  praise  him  as  X  ought.' 

I  must  not  dwell  longer  here  as  I  m 
afraid  I  have  already  taken  up  too  much 
space,  but  will  just  shew  that  my  predictions 
were  not  entirely  without  the  toachinga  of 
the  spirit,  for  God  had  a  work  for  me  to  do* 
{jCUmtinued  $uxt  anonth.) 

NEW   BOOKS. 

Cannot  this  moath  iosart  reviews.  The  first 
portioa  of  a  careful  Critique  on  *  Baxter's  Bap- 
tism,' inteaded  for  this  month,  is  delayed  until 
Jane. 

Mr.  Bbomaeld*B  Sseond  Part  of  *A  Tolas 
from  the  Polpit,'  is  to  be  iMued  early  In  May. 

Another  Part  of  Mr.  Saraael  Coseas's  work, 
'Typographj.'fto.,  aprodaetion  of  amasiog  la- 
bour, and  of  great  use  to  students  in  divinity.  Is 
also  in  the  press. 

A  new  edition  of  *  Memoir,  Convereioo,  and 
Cali  to  the  Miniitry,  of  Edward  Samoel/  Is  Joat 
iasnad.  His  Gompanion  Volnme,  entitled  *  Trl« 
ampb  of  the  Holy  Spirit  over  Bio  in  the  8inasr/ 
ii  rapidly  paaaing  tbrongh  the  preas. 

•  Deaeon  Craft, .  the  Bane  of  the  Cborehes  :*  a 
new  foar.penny  pamphlet:  hsfOi-is  trae  Jadg- 
ment;  and  but  Uttle  sserey,      yV^OOQlc 


104 


THB  SAETHIN  YSflBVL. 


{Umj  1«  UM. 


IS    CHEI8T    KING? 
0B»  IS  HEKOT? 

Delb,  Editob— It  may  appear  straoge  to 
TOtt,  and  to  your  readers,  aa  it  did  to  me,  to 
bear  that  a  minister,  a  leader  of  the  people, 
preaching  a  good  measure  oi  truth  doctrinally 
and  experimentally,  should  boldly  affirm  Christ 
is  not  yet  Kinff,  lie  not  haring  received  his 
kingdom  yet  If  so,  then  it  remainth  that  the 
Bonptures  are  broken,  and  a  greater  part  of 
them  are  not  yet  fuUllled ;  and,  in  fact,  we 
look  for  another  Mesoah.  But  if  you  will 
permit  *  A  Suckling '  to  intrude  into  your 
paffM  a  little  space,  he  will  try  to  take  off  the 
Teu  of  such  of  your  readers'  eyes,  as  hare  im- 
bibed such  erroneous  ideas.  And  may  the 
Holy  Spirit  bless  you  in  your  editorial  and 
preaching  labours,  as  also  the  household  of 
laith,  who  lore  to  speak  and  hear  of  the 
things  touching  the  King,  (Psalm  xIt.  4.^  is 
the  prayer  of  your's  in  the  faith  of  Ood's  elect, 
John  Wbslby. 


King 


There  are  four  things  mentioned  in  the  gos- 
els,  which  form  the  history  of  our  Lord  and 
[ing,  which  may  be  taken  as  a  basis  to  these 
remarks.  First,  he  was  born  King.  Matt.  ii. 
2.  Secondly,  he  was  acknowledged  King  by 
a  learned  Scribe.  John  i.  40.  Thirdly,  He 
vode  triumphant  into  Jerusalem  according  to 
Mopheoy,  as  King.  Luke  ziz.  38.  Fourth, 
He  was  crucified  as  King.  Matt.  xxri.  37. 
Mark  XT.  26  and  32. 

First  then, '  Where  is  he  that  is  born  King 
of  the  Jews  P'  Now,  I  ask,  who  for  a  mo- 
ment, would  think  that  a  minister  should  be 
■o  settled  in  his  own  opinion,  as  to  deny 
Chrift  at  a  King  f  Who  would  not  dare  to 
eall  these  wise  men  (who  came  from  the  east 
to  worship  him  as  Xing)  fools  for  so  doing  ? 
Who  can  doubt,  but  these  wise  men  &aw  as 
much  in  the  appearanceof  that  star  of  Christ's 
eomintt,  as  was  shewn  in  any  of  the  sacrifices 
offsred  up  under  the  Le?itical  priesthood? 
And  it  was  Yery  plainly  foretold  that  Christ 
should  be  King,  and  also,  *  that  his  kingdom 
■hall  have  no  end .'  But,  here  is  another  errone- 
ous error,  and  a  turning  of  things  upside  down. 
This  same  minister  says,  that  Chnst  reigned 
King  over  all  the  Jews  nationally.  Whereas 
we  know  that  he  made  himself  of  no  reputa> 
tion,  and  was  subject  to  Ciesar.  the  king,  in 
that  he  payed  tribute.  *  And  also,  when  some 
of  tbepeople  would  hare  taken  him,  and  made 
him  King,  he  departed  from  them  into  a 
mountain.  John  vi.  15.  Therefore,  as  I 
think  it  is  evident  that  Christ  did  not  reign 
over  the  Jews  as  their  national  King ;  even 
to  I  think,  and  believetoo,  that  when  If athan- 
iel  said,  *Thou  art  the  King  of  Israel,'  he 
meant  ttie  spiritual  Israel,  the  Israel  of  God, 
which  will  take  the  second  bans  of  these  re. 
marks. 

Isaiah,  speaking  of  Christ,  says,  *  Behold  a 
Banc  shall  reign  in  righteousness.'  And  Jere- 
miah prophesying  of  the  same  thing,  says, 
*  Behold  tne  days  come,  saith  the  Lord,  that 
1  will  rute  unto  Darid  a  righteous  branch, 
and  ft  king  ihtU  reign  and  prosper,  and  shall 


exeeute  jodgment  and  jnttioe  in  the  earth.  In 
his  days,  Judah  shall  be  saved,  and  Israel 
shall  dwell  safely,  and  thit  is  his  name,  where* 
by  he  shall  be  called,  'THE  LOBD  OUH 
RIGHTEOUSNESS.'  Now,  again,  it  is 
evident  that  the  Jews  nationally  never 
did  call  Christ  our  King  by  this  name,  nor 
will  any,  but  what  are  Jews  in  heart.  For 
hypocritical  professors  love  their  own  righte* 
ousness  too  well,  to  accept  of  another  man's 
righteousnets;  and  the  pvofiuie  world,  who  are 
so  hardened,  that  they  are  not  athtmed  of 
shewing  their  colours  oiMnly  m,  *Away 
with  falm!  Away  with  himr  We  do  not 
desire  the  knowledge  of  him.  'We  will  not 
have  this  man  to  reign  over  us.'  But  the 
church  in  the  twentieth  Fsalm^  addresseth  her 
prayer  unto  the  King.  And  m  Psalm  cxlix, 
she  is  rendering  her  praise  unto  him. 

Thirdly,  the  prophet  Zechariah  when  he 
foretold  the  event  ot  Christ  riding  into  Jeru- 
salem, speaks  of  him  as  King,  and  see  bow 
exacUyit  was  fnlftUed.  He  says,  *  Behold  thy 
King  cometh  unto  thee,  he  it  jutt,  and  having 
salvation,  lowly,  and  riding  upon  an  aat? 
Now  it  appears,  as  the  Jews  as  a  nation  did 
not  own  him  as  their  King,  neither  did  he 
reign  over  them  as  King;  thus  he  must  be  King 
in  somo  other  sense,  yea,  and  is  in  a  farhigher 
sense  than  an  earthly  king.  He  is  king  over 
the  heirs  of  salvation,  and  none  but  the  heirs 
of  sal  ration  will  own  him  as  such.  But  the 
day  will  soon  come,  when  before  him  CTery 
knee  shall  bow,  and  those  that  will  not  own 
him  as  King,  shall  be  made  to  own  him  as 
their  righteous  Judge  ;  and  woe  be  to  those 
that  never  know  him  as  their  Kinf[  upon  earth, 
for  they  will  have  no  part  in  his  kingdom, 
which  IS  everlasting,  but  shall  be  banished 
from  his  presence,  *  where  shall  be  weeping, 
and  wailing,  and  gnashing  of  teeth.' 

Fourthly,  He  was  crucified  as  King.  Now 
see  the  madness  of  the  Jews,  when  he  is 
brought  before  Pilate.  Hear  him  ask  them, 
whether  he  shall  crucify  their  Sans?  Hear 
what  they  say,  *  We  have  no  other  Icing  but 
Ciesar.'  But  was  he  not  a  King  ?  Tea,  he 
was,  and  Pilate  was  afraid,  and  asks  him. 
Jesus  answered,  *  My  khigdom  is  not  of  thit 
world,  if  my  kingdom  were  of  thit  world,  than 
would  my  servants  fight,  that  I  should  not  be 
delivered  to  the  Jews,  but  now  it  m^  kincdom 
not  from  hence.  Art  thou  a  king  than  f 
Thou  sayest  that  I  am  a  king.'  '  To  thit  end 
wat  I  bom,  and  for  this  cause  came  I  into  thit 
world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  unto  the 
truth.  '  Every  one  that  is  of  the  truth  heareth 
my  voice.'  But  although  Pilate's  oonvietiona 
were  so  deep,  nerertheless  to  be  the  friend  of 
an  earthly  king,  he  delivers  him  up  to  be  cmd- 
fied,  and  wrote  the  title,  *  Jesus  of  NaaareUi, 
the  King  of  the  Jews.'  Now,  thit  minitter 
admits  tnat  Christ  wat  a  King  when  on  earth, 
but  is  not  now,  and  is  looking  forward  for  a 
time,  when  he  shall  oome  personally,  and 
reign  on  this  earth  uniTcrsally .  But  the  apoa- 
tlesays,  *Be  not  carried  about  with  diTera 
and  strange  doctrines.'  Therefore  we  come 
'  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony,'  to  provn 
all  things,  and  hold  fktt  that  whum  it  good. 


Ite7  1.  1«59.] 


THB  XABTHBN  YB88BL. 


10$ 


of  the  eoraiiw  of  oor  Lord,  ia  hii  Snd  BpU.  uL 
10.  **  Bat  tbe  daj  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a 
thief  in  the  nwht ;  in  which  the  hearent  shall 
peas  rnmvr  with  a  preat  noise,  and  the  elements 
shall  melt  with  ferrent  heat,  the  earth  also 
and  the  works  that  are  therein  shall  be  burned 
ap.'  Our  Lord's  eonfeesion.  that  his  kingdom 
isBoAofthis  world,  and  this  deecription  of 
the  hrarens,  meaning  the  heavens  that  are 
seea,  aad  the  earth  passing  away  perfectly,  do 
avay  with  erery  idea  (as  to  its  truth)  of  an 
anivenal  and  personal  rei^p  upon  this  earth.* 
Ye  therefore  belored,  seeing  ye  know  these 
thioge  before,  beware  lest  ye  also  being  led 
away  with  the  error  of  the  wicked,  fall  from  I 
Toar  own  eteadfastness.  Neverthelesa,  we 
aecordiiig  io  his  promise,  look  for  new  hearene 
ao  1  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righte- 
oasaees.  Aad  wain,  Paul  speaks  on  this 
wise.  '  For  the  Lord  himself  shall  descend 
froa  heaTen  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of 
tbe  areh-aagel,  and  with  the  trump  of  Qod ; 
aad  the  demd  in  Christ  shall  rise  first  Then 
we  which  are  alire  and  remain,  shall  be 
eaaght  np  together  with  them  in  the  clouds  to 
meet  with  the  Lord  in  the  air ;  '  And  so  shall 
we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.'    So  that  it  does  not 

rar  that  the  Lord  will  set  his  foot  upon 
earth,  but  the  saints  will  meet  him  in 
the  air.  Now  dear  friends  and  readers,  you 
that  have  received  Christ  as  King  in  your 
hearts,  beware  of  seducing  spirits.  Believe 
not  every  spirit,  but  try  the  spirits,  whether 


they  be  of  God,  for  if  they  speak  not  aooord- 
ing  to  his  word,  it  is  because  there  is  no  light 
in  them.  '  0,  ye  sons  and  daughters  of  Zion, 
consider  and  incline  thine  ear,  forget  also 
thine  own  people,  and  thy  father's  house ;  so 
shall  the  king  greatly  desire  thy  beauty  for  he 
is  thy  Lord  and  worship  thou  him.^  I  beg 
leave  to  ask  the  readers  of  these  few  reniarks, 
to  bear  with  my  blundering  way  of  writing, 
for  I  am  not  learned  nor  am  I  one  that  his 
much  time  for  studying  the  word  of  Ood, 
nevertheless  when  I  heard  the  report,  viz, 
that  Christ  was  not  a  king  from  a  minister*! 
mouth,  I  oould  not  hold,  but  told  him  of  it, 
and  now  I  write  wishing  some  more  able- 
minded  man  may  have  his  heart  wrought 
upon  by  the  Hol^  Spirit  to  speak  some  thinga 
touching  the  king.  'Lift  up  your  heads,  O 
ye  gates  of  Zion,  and  let  the  kmg  of  glory  in. 
For  tbe  Lord  hath  chose  Zion,  he  hath  de» 
sired  it  for  his  habitation.  This  is  mv  rest 
for  ever :  here  will  I  dwell  for  I  have  desired 
it  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision.  I 
will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.  I  will  also 
clothe  her  priests  with  salvation,  and  her 
saints  shall  shout  aloud  for  joy. 

"  Bejoioe,  the  Lord  is  King ; 
Your  GK>d  and  King  aoore ; 
Mortals,  give  thanks  and  sing, 
And  triumph  evermore. 
Lift  up  the  heart,  lift  up  the  voice ; 
Bejoioe  aloud,  ye  saints  rejoice. 


EABTHEN    VESSELS    OF    OLDEN    TIMES. 

No.  Y. 


Wb  tan  loddii^  for  treasure  in  eaithen 
■ell:  aadthiiia  no  more,  nor  any  less, 


thaa  the  Lord's  peoplo  have  all  done,  in  all 
a^eo  or  the  world,  what  were  the  Patriarchs, 
the  propheli,  the  apoetles,  the  fathers  ?  They 
we/e  all  earthea  vessels ;  and  although  some 
of  tham  flood  a  much  longer  period  than 
any  of  Its  can  now  stand,  yet,  thej  passed 
awaj ;  they  enunhled  and  tumbled  into  dost 
sgau— aad  there  the  vessels  mingle  with  the 
sttth,  uta  God  shall  call  them  to  the  tkies; 
bat  tha  tnasnre-tha  Heaven-bom  intelli- 
geioa,  the  zanaomed,  the  quickened,  the 
porifled  ipirita  whtoh  dwelt  in  these  vessels, 
sre  belbra  the  throne  of  Qod  and  the  Lamb 
for  aw.  Christ  was  railed  in  all  those 
sirthaa  taswls  who  were,  by  Qod,  '  afore 
prepared,  and  appointed  unto  glory.' 

Ohriit  was  vailed  in  Moses,  of  whom  I 
b«^  to  write,— and  of  whom  I  have  many 
tkm^  to  mjf — bat,  becanae  teatifjring  of 
Chnat  ia  thia  way  is  my  very  soul's  de- 
light, therefore  I  im  hindered  by  a  thousand 
liuoga,  firom  eominr  to  an  employ  so  sweet 
te  myaelf,  and  which  might  possibly  interest 
othan.  I  mnit  nbmit,  and  reluotantly  leav- 
isg  Mom  thii  month,  I  eatoh  one  ghmoe  at 
GbigtrmladiB  thfl  prnoA  of  Boai.    Dut 


old  Naomi  speaking  to  her  darling  Buth  of 
him,  says ;  *  The  Man  it  near  of  kin  unto  ue  ; 
one  of  our  next  Kintmen*  In  a  new  volume 
called  *  Dr.  Oumminfe  Buth  '  we  find  the 
following  paragraphs,  which  in  some  measure 
unvail  a  little  of  the  Saviour's  beauty.  The 
writer  says : — 

The  most  interestiag  featore  in  thia  passage,  Is 
the  statement  that  Boss  wss  her  kinaman.  This 
relation  is  often  alloded  to  in  the  PenUteaeh.  In 
Levltloos  zzv.  S5,  we  read,  *  If  thy  brother  be 
waaen  poor,  aad  hath  sold  away  aoiae  of  hJa 
posseMlon,  and  if  any  of  his  kin  come  to  rsdeem 
it;  then  let  bin  oooat  the  years  of  the  eale 
thereof,  and  restore  the  overplos  unto  the  man 
to  whom  be  sold  It ;  that  he  may  retam  aato  hJa 
la  the  eoane  of  reeding  the  Ave 
we  And  freqoent  allatloa  to  that  Inter* 
relatioBship,  whieh  was  created  In 
the  Levitieal  economy,  of  a  KInsman-Bedeemer, 
called  la  the  Hebrew  language,  god,  the  redeemer. 
His  fnnetloas  and  datleo  were  of  the  ibUowteg 
kiad ;  first  of  all,  to  redeem  the  property  that  had 
been  sold  throogh  poverty  by  his  relatlvee;  so* 
eoadly,  to  redeem  the  persoos  who  hsd  been  sold 
into  slavery ;  and  thirdly,  to  exact  satlsfketlon  of 
the  party  who  had  ssaltreateA  hlsaeanetead 
dearest  rslativa. 

Sosaggeslivelsthto  flgare»  whlshweenota 
>ntan  hMtftrtton  issigi^ 
Digitized  r  TC 


106 


THB  BARTHBV 


fUty  \,  law. 


•dfofcnliiAnrsfrMf  tnitb,  tbiit  H  Is  eoBiUaflSf 
rttend  to  in  tbe  Word  of  Ood,  We  all  rcoellMt 
tt«  tooehiiif  emo  of  lob.  In  tb«  depth  of  aflliew 
ttOB,  wbea  all  nemt  desperate,  be  mM,  *  I  knew 
tbat  my  redeemer  If  veth ;'  In  tbe  Hebrew,  It  ie 
tte  nme  word  that  is  applied  to  Bee* ;  07  Cfoel 
Hvetb. 
And  when  tbe  pMloilst  saje,  in  pMlm  six.  14, 

*  Let  tbe  words  of  mj  mootb,  and  tbe  neditatloii 
of  my  beart,  be  aoeeptable  in  Tby  sigbt,  O  Ood, 
mf  strengtb,  and  my  Bedeemer,'  in  tbe  Hebrew, 

*  mj  Boes  and  my  Goel ;'  Boas  meanisf  ttrenfih, 
nd  Ooet  meaniDf  redeemer,  I  mfffbt  qaote 
pissagcs  in  tbe  New  TesUment,  wbere  this  idea 
is  translated  into  tbe  Oreek  language ;  all  Indteat. 
ter  that  Christ  tbe  8&Tioar  ia  tbe  antitype  fore. 
Aadowed,  aet  fortb,  and  tpeeiflcally  Ungbt  in  tbe 
fBatltation  of  tbe  redeemer,  or  kinsman-rcdeemer. 

Tiewing  it  in  this  light,  lei  os  see  bow  our 
Bedeemer,  stronger  than  Boaa,  for  bis  is  omni- 
potent stiength— richer  than  Boas,  for  his  are 
tbe  riobes  of  tbe  universe,  on  whieb  He  sits 
•nthroaed — aaawers  to  tbe  aneient  flgnre  in  all 
Its  details  and  partienlars.  We  loot  oar  estate  in 
ovr  great  and  common  father,  Adam.  We  were 
all  in  Adam  jnst  as  tbe  fkull,  and  blossom,  and 
leaTCs,  and  branches,  so  beantiful  in  summer, 
were  all  in  the  dry,  lifeless  stem,  in  the  very 
depth  of  winter.  When  Adam  lost  the  estate,  it 
*was  not  be,  tbe  indlTidnal,  that  lost  it,  but  all 
bamaaity  in  him.  We  lost  onr  moral  glory, 
our  great  and  beantifel  possession  ;  and  we  are 
BOW  weary,  dsaotate  emigrants  and  wanderers 
ia  the  land  of  Moab,  naturally  and  deserredly 
without  a  home  and  without  a  hope. 

But  lei  us  ascertain  what  our  great  Kinsman- 
Bedeemer  has  done.  First  of  all,  then,  he  has 
re-purohased  and  restored  the  forfeited  estate. 
We  were  placed  in  Eden,  amid  all  its  Joys  and 
all  iU  blessedness  ;  the  fairest  spot  in  a  fair  and 
aafallea  world.  We  had  every  inducement  thai 
a  reasonable  brine  could  bare  to  loyalty  and 
love ;  wc  had  every  disuaslre  that  a  responsible 
being  could  have  from  disloyalty  and  rebellion. 
But  we  sinned,  criminally  and  unJusUflably 
sinned ;  and  that  moment  the  tight  of  Paradise 
was  queaehed,  earth  was  dismantled  of  its 
beauty  ;  and  we  went  fortb  with  our  baebs  to 
the  Mtof  apleadour,  aad  oar  faeea  to  the  dark- 
mriaf  nicbt;  earryiag  ia  oar  memorice  light 
aaoufh  from  Eden  to  remiad  as  what  it  waa 
which  we  had  leet ;  aad  seelag  about  us  miaery 
eaoatb  la  the  desert  we  had  wea,  to  amike  the 
eatraat  more  terrible. 

Bat  Jcaos  baa  redeemed  the  estate ;  it  is  now 
Ub  by  right.  Be,  our  represeatative,  oar 
retrieved  tlie  leet  ptow 
Tba  prepbaey  ef  bis  doing  to  ia  la  theae 
wea^  <  Tbe  woaaaa'a  seed  shall  braice  tbe  aer- 
peat's  ha^.'  TbatriamphaatproefiithatHehaa 
dflMso^afala  these  :  *  I  saw  a  aew  heavea.  aad 
a  saw  earth  \  aad  Gad  abali  wipe  away  all  taara 
twtm  all  eyee ;  aad  there  shall  be  ao  ssore  death. 
Bar  Bonow^  aar  eryiag;  aeltber  ahall  there  be 
asp  asasa  pala  \.  fot  the  former  Ihiapi  are  pamed 
awi^.' 

Va  kftfd  kielj  lotiaad— pariMpa  mora 
tban  we  erer  did  before— bow  IkUa  there  ia 
ol  Ckawp-^Wthe  ■wewiVw/  ef  CWelk  tfce 


nt  gtadnafih^  ifidfR|^  off  from  flie  ^oriont 
eentre  of  Life  end  GTory  into  tbe  oelvsif  e 
Tallies  of  a  refined  and  so-caHed  evangelixed 
philosopbT.  ITe  stand  onnelYea  condemned 
in  this  nmlt:  bat  we  are  not  eaielcaa  rnr 
hardened.  We  therefore  aeakwaly  ealch  at 
any  litUe  breaking  forth  of  the  gloriea  of 
Cwiit  in  any  of  ear  brethren's  cAnIs  te 
preach  the  ge^ :  and  we  emnot  refrem 
nom  calling  Tery  special  attention  to  Ifo. 
17,  of  the  'SmTHf  Taicmaels  IWpiC— 
where  Mr.  Jaoaes  Wells  unfolds  in  a  most 
excellent  manner,  tbe  character  and  work  of 
onr  gracions  FoannuNNKB.  In  the  early 
part  of  this  discourse,  oar  honoured  brother 
says :—  (We  only  take  a  sentence  or  two  ; 
bat  that  was  to  as  so  good,  we  hope  o«r 
readers  will  enjoy  It^  and  be  proiltted,  aa 
we  were.) 

'  Now,  how  (s  the  Lord  Jesaa  Christ  our  Fo*a> 
manor  T  We  cannot  get  before  him ;  we  aauat 
follow  him ;  wa  muai  cobm  after  him.  Lei  aa 
see  the  way  in  which  he  ia  our  Poreraaoer ;  eo 
that  we  can  walk  only  in  thai  way  wbioh  he»  aa 
our  Forerunner,  hath  made.  Well,  he  ia  oar 
Forernoner  in  having  gone  to  the  end  of  the  law. 
He  has  obeyed  and  magnifled  God's  holy  law ; 
be  has  established  the  preeept  of  Qod'a  eieraal 
law  for  ever  ;  he  baa  gone  before  na;  and  tbare- 
fore,  his  obedience,  his  righteeusnesa,  hssnmra 
tbe  way  in  which  we  are  to  look  for  tbe  Lord's 
mercy,  the  way  in  which  we  are  to  look  for 
peice,  tbe  way  in  which  we  are  to  look  for  ae> 
ceptaaee  with  God.  Be  ie  alaa  oar  Foerruaacr 
in  having  gone  before  us  in  enduring  tbe  penalty 
of  tbe  law.  He  bath  taken  that  hell  which  be- 
longed  to  us ;  be  hath  taken  tbe  enrae  which 
belonged  to  us;  he  hath  endured  tbe  wrath 
whieb  beloaged  ta  aa;  he  haih  endaved  and 
swallowed  up  in  vieiery  that  sacoad  deaths  aa 
well  aa  tbe  ftrst»  whieb  beloafed  to  oa.  Be  boa 
therefose»  goae  before  na;  ao  that  Ihalaw,  fba 
having  goae  before  na,)  ia  dead  to  ue»  and  w« 
are  dead  to  that ;  the  law  caanot  find  us  bow» 
for  we  are  no  longer  under  tbe  law  ;  tba  law 
has  Its  dominion,  but  tbe  law  has  no  dominion 
wbere  the  righieoosaess  of  Jesus  Christ  Is ;  aad 
therefore,  if  1  am  where  that  is ;  if  I  am  a 
believer  in  Ghriat,  ia  bis  righteousness,  broagbt 
to  reoouaee  all  ereetuve  deiage^  and  looking  for 
Jaatlflcatlos  by  thai  rigbteouaneee  which  jnaliilea 
from  all  th&aga^  there  ia  aoi  a  slagte  thing  aver 
eooaeelad  wUh  yen  before  eaHcd  by  frsea,  esr 
stnasi  or  ever  eaa  be,  thai  la  dlspleeaing  ha  tba 
fight  ef  the  Urd,  from  whieb  thU  rigbteoMaeM 
doth  not  free  you  and  joatify  yoa  i  and  tbereCoie^ 
being  wbere  thia  righteonsncas  ls»  you  are  whara 
tbe  law  has  ao  dominion.' 

Tbe  law  any  leek  for  yen  la  an  fts  own 
demialoBSy  bat  it  aaaaot  Had  yoa,  yoa  era  aat 
there;  aad  if  the  goopel  look  fsr  yaa  lalta 
dominioaa,  it  will  find  yea,  aad  pretty  oAesa 
does  find  you  too,  bat  always  Hade  yoa  to  aay 
soaMtbiog  kind  to  you,  to  minister  aoBM  nscray 
to  you,  soBM  comfort  to  yoa,  soma  promiaaa  to- 
you;  aad  even  when  U  flada  you  to mialataa 
Bome  gentle  reproach  ot  rebake  to  yoa»  it  iaenly 
Jnst  to  toaeh  joa  fa  some  tender  ptoee  to  make  it 
eofv  enough  t9  nmke  yov  er^  oat  ftr  tbe  Z«ord^ 


Mqr  1,  195$.} 


THS  BABTHSK  YE88EZ.. 


107 


hMBavWlm  •#  seny  and  gooAiMM  to  U  »«&{- 
tated  a«l»  7«m.  Tbertfere,  Msf  broaght  t<» 
lAae  Chrtafc^  rtfhtoeosMM  ia»  w«  art  bo  longer 
mkr  \Mm  Uv**  doariiiioB ;  th*  Imw  m*^  hok  for 
•tl0»fftB«MlHtetw«aMnQtfooa4lbere;  w« 
m  Mt  then*  bMaaa#  v«  ar«  irbtft  Gbrbi's 
rigbiraincM  ta ;  and  therefors  wb«a  Ua  law 
iMki  for  ttt.  Uia  acai  thing  it  would  flod  would 
b»  Christ's  xlgbteoasBem ;  aad  tbe  law  mait  imk 
aicgatiTo  npan  that  rigbCaoasneAa^  whlob  stand- 
e:b,  M  it  were,  between  us  and  the  lew,  and 
batvera  ae  aad  atl  the  threateaings  of  the  BlUe, 
tbe  law  iBBet  pat  a  megttive  upon  that  rtgbteoas. 
am  btlbra  It  oaa  pat  any  aegallve  apon  as ; 
tkalsaitbaMmoiTeAoftt  of  tba  way  before  It 
eaawMbae.  Ob,  kawtrae  the  words  al  tbe 
Aivtle  are,  that  *  There  ia  no  ooadenuution  ta 
tkM  that  are  im  Ci&riafc  Jeeas,  and  who  walb  not 
■fltr  tbefesh.' 

JHMft  Wells  is  att  Earthen  Yessel^  like 
o^fit  o#  the  Lord'i  serTftDte ;  but  there  ia 
Me  preeiew  iTeeenre  in  his  sou),  because 
hmm  CnvsT  is  there.  And  when  by 
bnlbfr  J$m»*w  minishrf ,  the  Master  is  ex- 
aM^ieis  noal  hleesed  htdeed.  God  help 
« ifi  teKIt  Hm  high.    8o  prays,  C.  W.  B. 

EPISTLES  TO  THEOFHILUS. 
urrTBB  i»v. 


Lit  as  i^ain,  friend  Thbophilus,  turn  to 
the  Seven  Seals.  We  hare  already,  slightly 
fneid  the  first  seal  up  to  tbe  15ih  Terse  of  the 
l^h  ebapler  of  Rer,  We  must  go  on  to  the 
end  ef  that  chapter,  and  then  come  back  to 
e^^terthe  6th»  In  the  progress  then,  of 
tka  first  seal,  we  still  see  the  preeminence  of 
the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 

Here,  then,  in  this  latter  part  of  the  19  th 
of  Berelatiau,  ve  see  people  of  all  ranks, 
cbsso,  state,  and  character,  giren  up  to  de- 
luion,  aad  made  the  prey  of  the  agents  of 
Safao ;  al!  this  the  Angel  saw  in  Uie  light  of 
eternal  truth,  ♦Isaw,'  saith  John,  *au 
Aagtl  standin?  in  the  sun  ;*  that  is,  standing 
it  the  light  or  eternal  truth ;  in  the  light  ot 
Oed.  who  is  to  his  peop!e,  '  A  sun  and  a 
ehtsld.*  This  is  the  plaee  for  every  aogel, 
erer;  sesMn^er,  erery  minister  of  the  Gospel 
to  stand.  Here,  in  this  light  it  is  that  they 
see  light,  and  sa  nnderstand  the  counsels  of 
the  Host  High,  as  boldly  to  declare  the 


Oae  ihiag  then,  which  the  aa^l  saw,  w«b 
gnat  Brnmhers  ol  ^Mt  o/^pr9^  ;  thej  wete  to 
eil  thft  fleeh  ef  kings,  aad  of  aU  their  sub- 
jeels.  Can  there  he  mueh  diflleulty  ia  under- . 
slndin^  the  mfttieal  meaning  of  this }  Are 
thoe  not  Kahommedan,  and  Roman  Cath- 
obcv  aad  State  Church  kings  ?  Do  not  tbe 
priestly  agents  of  those  systems,  prey  upon, 
la  the  most  awfol  aensc  of  the  word,  the 
▼tfjf  vitaU  of  those  kings,  and  upon  their 
mbteets,  free  aad  hoBd,  smaU  and  gieat ; 
:  thmr  be  «kbtj^  SleB^  aUiteay  mbb, 
LiiiiSftkeT«i«ieilio#T 


because  hones  are  employed  to  maintaui  the 
interestsot  the  wild  beast.  What  an  awful 
scene  does  this  present !  Whole  kingdoms 
and  empires  deluded  and  made  the  prey  of 
ecclesiastical  tyranny.  This  is  the  strong  de- 
losion  to  which  they  are  given  up  ;  thev  are 
the  feast  of  satan  and  his  ministers,  and  yet 
they  know  it  not ;  for  they  are  spiritually 
dead,  and  the  Gospel  is  the  only  remedy  that 
can  give  life  and  light,  and  so  deliver  from 
these  powers  of  danLuess. 

And  the  angel  fhrther  saw  that  the  kings 
of  the  earth  and  their  armies  were  gathered 
together  to  make  war  with  him  that  sat  upon 
the  horse,  and  against  bis  army.  Kow,  even 
if  here  be  not  a  locil  gathering  together,  still 
there  ia  a  menial  gathering  together  against 
him  that  sat  on  the  horse,  and  against  bis 
army.  They,  however  much  they  differ 
among  themselves,  are  all  opposed  to  the 
truth,  all  opposed  to  the  simplicity  that  is  in 
Christ,  all  opposed  to  individual  liberty  of 
conscience,  all  usurping  the  place  of  the  Most 
High,  settling  the  destinies  ef  men  by  their 
authority.  But  if  these  knew  him  that  rideth 
on  the  white  horse  half^  well  as  ho  knows 
them,  they  would  tremble  at  their  own  pre- 
sumption,  drop  their  weapons,  and  gladly 
submit  themselves  unto  him;  but  they  aro 
blinded,  and  their  end  will  be  according  to 
their  works.  The  wild  beast,  the  whole 
body  of  enemies,  the  false  prophet  that 
wrought  (pretended)  miracles  with  which  he 
deceived  them  that  had  subscribed  to  the 
beast,  and  had  conformed  to  his  image  or 
order  of  things,  these  must  all  go  together 
into  a  lake  of  fire  burning  with  brimstone, 
while  thousanils  thus  sink  to  bell,  others  aro 
blinded,  or  slain  with  the  sword  of  him  that 
sat  upon  the  horse,  and  the  fowls  (the  birdaof 
prey)  still  go  on  preying  upon  them.  Thus, 
my  good  Tbeophilus,  you  see  here  illustrated 
the  truth,  that  the  election  hath  obtained,  it, 
and  the  rest  were  blinded. 

But  I  will  now  come  back  to  the  6th  ^ap- 
ter ;  the  second,  the  red  horse  seal,  some 
think,  means  Mahommetanism,  and  it  cer- 
tainly agrees  well  therewith  ;  and  it  is  very 
probable  that  It  has  special  reference  thereto ; 
but  it  is  not  our  business  to  dwell  so  much 
in  the  learned  department,  as  in  the  spiritual. 
The  rider  of  this  red  horse,  takes  peace  from 
the  earth ;  that  is  he  takes  the  gospel  of  peaco 
from  the  earin,  and  whatever  power  takes 
the  gospel  f^om  the  earbb,  takes  peace  from 
the  earth,  and  there  have  been,  and  still  are 
powers  that  do  this;  there  can  be  no  real 
peace  where  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  is  not. 
*  There  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked  saith  my 
God.» 

The  gospel  of  God,  even  its  mere  moral 
infiuenre,  apart  from  saving  g-race  considered, 
wonderfully  tends  to  peace  ;  love  to  God  and 
man,  is  its  first  principle  ,  as  well  as  its  ul- 
timate glory.  This  gospel  wh(BW  it  U sav- 
ingly known,  gives  peace  with  God,  good 


108 


THB  BABTHBN  VUSBIn 


[Bl«7  1,  ISM. 


will  towirds  mm ;  sneli  are  peace  makeia, 
theT  live  in  peace,  thej  die  in  peace,  and 
shall  dwell  in  peace  for  ever.  Kow,  where 
thii  goipel  18  taken  away,  lelfishneii  becomea 
the  raling  panion.  Lotc,  benevolence,  and 
all  its  loTely  train  of  excellencies  are  absent, 
and  Ticions  powers  of  darkness  take  their 
place,  and  no  one  is  snce  e? en  of  his  life ; 
and  so  ander  this  red  horse  seal,  they  kill 
one  another*  How  different  this  from  that 
heavenlT  Toioe,  which  saith  *  by  this  shall  ye 
know  that  ye  are  mv  di^iples;  if  ye  Tnot 
kill  one  another,  bnt}  lore  one  another.'  And 
this  red  hoFM  rider  had  a  great  eword  to 
denote  the  great  havock  he  should  make; 
and  if  this  seal  refer  to  Hahometanism,  it 
has  certainly  to  the  very  letter  (iilAlled  its 
mission,  its  go? emment  is  still  red  with  the 
blood  of  men ;  what  a  malicious  fiend  must 
Satan  be,  to  glory  in  the  sin  and  misery  of  so 
many  millions  of  sonls !  and  how  unsearch- 
able the  judgments  of  the  most  high  God  ! 
0  what  a  favoured  land  is  ours !  May  true 
converts  increase,  and  glory  yet  dwell  in  our 
land  I  And  the  time  come,  when  the  millions 
now  in  darkness,  may  see  the  light  of  eternal 
life. 

The  third  seal  is  supposed  to  mean  Cath- 
olicism and  it  certainly,  like  the  second  seal 
to  Hahometanism,  answers  well  thereto; 
a  black  hone  ;  black  enough  mercy  knows ; 
darkness  is  the  very  delight  of  popery,  the 
▼err  structure  of  its  convents,  and  Cathe- 
drals shew  this;  they  delight  also  in  very 
dark  halnUments,  and  in  dark  confessional 
comers.  Truly,  popery  is  a  dark  horse,  and 
will  certainly  car^  its  riders  to  his  oum  place. 
Its  chief  rider,  the  Pope,  I  suppose,  has  a 
pair  of  balances  in  his  hand  to  weigh  every 
one;  I  suppose  with  his  scales,  and  so  put 
them  to  the  test  as  to  whether  they  be  true 
Catholics  or  not,  and  if  not,  to  turn  them 
out  of  the  way ;  bnt  the  word  tugosy  here 
translated  a  pair  of  balances,  is  in  every  other 
place  in  the  New  Testament,  translatea  yoifce ; 
and  Popery  has  sought,  and  certainly  has 
succeeded,  m  putting  a  yoke  of  bondage  upon 
men ;  and  this  yoke  of  bondage  is  at  this 
moment  on  the  neck  of  millions,  but  never- 
theless this  black  horse,  like  the  others  can- 
not go  beyond  its  mission. 

There  u  a  voice  from  the  midst  of  the  four 
living  creatures;  that  is,  from  the  mercy- 
seat  ;  and  this  voice  is  a  voice  of  assurance 
to  thepoor  and  needy— that  is,  poor  in  spirit, 
and  who  follow  not  this  black  horse ;  nor 
heed  the  scales  of  the  rider,  or  wear  his  yoke ; 
the  needs  of  these  shall  be  supplied ;  they 
shall  have  their  daily  bread ;  it  i^  true,  they 
may  hare  just  at  present  more  barley  than 
wheat— the  barley  is  the  bread  of  captivity— 
and  they  get  three  measures  of  this,  bnt  onljr 
one  measure  of  wheat;  they  have  moie  rough 
than  smooth ;  more  hard  things  than  easy 
things;  more  mourning  than  mirth;  but 
though  they  live  much  upon  barley  bread,— 


trying  experienees,— yet  even  of  Hmm  one 
said,  *  By  these  thin|;8  men  live,  and  in  all 
these  things  is  the  life  of  my  spirit,'  And 
as  a  penny  a  day  was  the  usual  pay  of  a 
working  man— for  good  people  are  working 
people,  working  by  faith— so  it  is  a  measore 
of  wheat  for  a  penny ;  and  three  measures 
of  barley  for  a  penny.  Nor  will  they  call 
the  Lord  a  hard  Master,  but  will  find,  *His 
yoke  easy,  and  his  burden  light.' 

Thus,  amidst  all  the  tyrannies  of  sin,  satan 
and  the  world,  the  Lord  will  take  care  of  hia 
own :  they  shiil  have  their  daily  snstenane^— 
*As  their  days,  so  shall  be  their  atrength.' 
Ah!  popery Ijthon arch* deceiver,  thonheU^ 
bom,  and  hell-bonnd  power!  we  pity  the 
millions  thou  dost  deceive ;  but  thou  eanat 
not  rob  us  of  one  arain  of  that  heavenly 
wheat  which  our  God  hath  for  ns ;  and  here 
is  golden  oil  which  thou  canst  not  hurt,  whieh 
thou  canst  not  touch— even  the  golden  oil  of 
God's  grace  which  cometh  to  us  through  the 

fslden  pipes  of  heavenly  troth;  neither 
opery,  nor  any  other  power,  can  ever  find 
a  way  to  cut  off  theae  goldenpipes,  or  stop  the 
fiowing  of  this  golden  oil.  Tnou  mountain  of 
falsehood !  Thou  monster  of  the  deep !  Thou 
art  commanded  not  to  hurt  the  oil  or  the  wine ; 
and  shall  we  thank  thee  for  thy  obedienee  ? 
les ;  the  same  as  we  thank  the  sea  for  its  obe- 
dience—of which  it  is  said ;  *  hitherto  thoa 
mayest  come,  but  no  further ;  here  shall  thy 
proud  waves  be  stayed.'  So  then,  in  spite 
of  thee,  we  shall  live ;  we  shall  be  anointed 
with  fresh  oil ;  and  see,  mj  ^ood  Theophiloa, 
how  the  account  of  his  provision  closes ;  *  hart 
not  the  oil  and  the  ipine,*  Here  then,  we 
have  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant 
What  can  invalidate  that  i  What  can  take 
away  its  power  to  cleanse  us,  to  give  us  the 
victory,  to  make  us  cheerful }  Hereby  it  ia 
that  God  doth  not  behold  inquity  in  Jacoby 
nor  see  peryerseness  in  Israel.  Hereby  it  la 
the  Lora  his  God  is  with  him,  and  the  shout 
of  a  king  is  amonjp  them.  So  then,  the  per- 
son, the  work  of  Christ,  and  his  people,  snail 
ultimately  be  unhurt ;  nothing  shall  finally 
hurt  them.  'Happy,'  then  *is  the  people 
that  is  In  such  a  case ;  yea,  happy  is  that  peo- 
ple, whose  God  is  the  Lord.'  And  so  yon 
may  hope  to  hear  again  next  month  from 
A  LiTTLB  Cm. 

[This  Epistle  to  TheophUos,  at  the  present 
moment  ia  most  opportone,  and  aatfhl.  In 
aaoiker  page,  nnder  tha  heading,  '  Oxford  and 
Boms/  wa  have  refonad  to  tha  aetiva  maaaares 
adopted  h7  Mr  Hawkins,  of  Bradford,  In  laatoiw 
ing  to  yonng  people  on  ProtcaUatlam  and 
Popary.  Wo  nndaraUnd  it  is  eoQtenplated  to 
invite  Mr.  Hawkins  to  give  bis  leotnree  in  9oath- 
wark,  one  of  the  strongholda  of  Bomaniam,  and 
that  we  know  right  wall.  Qaery.  If  wa  can 
arrange  for  Mr.  Hawkins  to  deliver  Us  llrat 
laetora  in  Unieom  Yard  Chapel,  will  the  pastor, 
the  deacons,  the  ehnreh  and  the  iHands  at  the 
Sarrey  TabeaaaeK  throw  open  their  epaoloee 
ehapellDrthesssoad!  We  hope  they  wilL—JU.} 


U  is».] 


THE   BARTHBN   TB8SCL. 


109 


HAVE  I  EVER  BEEN  BAPTISED? 

THEODOSIA   EBNE8T,   HER  MOTHER,   AND    THE  TOTING  LAWYER  PERCY. 


Ov  page  80,  of  laat  month's  Earthen 
Ybssbl,  we  left  this  Christian  young 
ladj,  and  her  mother,  in  deep  and  earaest 
eonTenation,  touching  the  scene  Theodo- 
sia  had  witnessed— namely,  Mr  Courtenay 
baptixing  in  the  river.  We  return  to  the 
leeoe.  There  are  delineations  of  charac- 
ter in  this  narratiTe — and  discussions  on 
tke  word  of  God,  which  we  hope  will 
ptrore  oseful  to  the  younger  branches  of 
oar  families.  Young  Percy's  "form  of 
godliness"  without  the  power,  is  a  strong 
representation  of  the  real  character  of 
thooaands  who  stand  as  members  of  some 
of  our  fiishionable  Churches.  We  hope 
ihe  canae  of  oi/o/ godliness,  as  well  as  tne 
ordinances  of  onr  Lord's  gospel  Church, 
will  be  pleaded  to  some  advantage  in  the 
artieies  we  have  yet  to  giro  from  these 
Tolnmes.  In  answer  to  her  mother,  Theo- 
doaia  sajs : — 

'Toa  know,  my  mother,  that  it  is  about  a 
year  sinee  I  made  a  profenion  of  religion. 
I  traat  %hat  before  I  did  so,  I  had  eiyen  my- 
■elf  up  to  do  the  will  ot  my  Heavenly  Father. 
fluMa  then  I  have  fblt  that  I  am  not  my  own. 
I  am  bought  with  a  price.  It  is  my  pleasure, 
at  weO  at  my  doty,  to  obey  my  Sayiour.  I 
aak,  aa  Paul  md,  *  I^nL  what  wilt  Thou  have 
me  to  do^  You  taught  me  this  lesson  of 
obedience  yonnelf ;  and  I  am  sure  you  would 
not  have  me  on  any  account  neglect  or  refuse 
to  obey  my  Saviour.  If  Ha  commands  me  to 
be  baptaed,  and  the  command  has  never  been 
obeyed,  I  thall  he  obliged  to  do  U.  And  I 
tmst  my  motber  will  enoourafe  me  in  my 
obadienee  to  that  precious  Redeemer  she 
tenght  me  to  bve.' 

One  who  looked  into  the  mother's  face,  at 
that  moment,  might  have  read  there  *  a  tablet 
•f  tmntterabie  thoughts.'  She  did  not  trj  to 
■peak  them  ;  we  vnll  not  try  to  write  them. 
she  aat  silent  for  a  moment,  drew  her  breath 
deeply  and  heavilVf  then  rising  hastily,  went 
to  took  for  aometomg  in  her  oauchter  s  room. 

Tbeodosia  was  not  only  grieved  but  surprised 
at  the  evident  distress  which  she  had  given 
ber  BEiother.  While  on  her  knees  in  prayer  to 
God,  alter  ber  return  from  the  rirer,  she  had 
determined  io  do  hor  dutjf^  and  obey  the  com* 
mamdmimt  of  Jesus  Christ,  her  blessed  Sariour, 
whatever  she  might  find  it  to  be.  But  she 
bad  »oi  determined  to  be  immersed.  That 
river  Baptism,  connected  with  the  reading  of 
those  passages  of  Scripture,  had  only  filled  her 
Btnd  with  doubts;  these  doubts  had  yet  to 
beeome  convictions.  The  investigation  was 
yet  to  be  made.  The  question,  Havo  I  ever 
been  baptised?  had  been  prajerfolly  asked. 
It  was  yet  to  be  conscientiously  answered. 
But  if  the  veiy  doubt  was  so  distressing  to 


her  mother,  and  so  ridiculous  to  Mr.  Percy, 
(as  it  had  seemed  to  be  from  some  remarks  he 
made  on  the  way  home  from  the  river)  how 
would  the  final  decision  affect  them  ;  if  it 
should  be  made  in  favor  of  immersion  I  Yet, 
aided  by  power  from  on  high,  she  felt  her 
resolution  grow  still  stronger,  to  please  God 
rather  than  those  whom  she  loved  better  than 
all  else  on  earth.  And  the  had  peace  verging 
almost  on  joj. 

When  her  mother  came  back,  Theodosia 
saw  that  she  had  been  weeping;  but  no  fur- 
ther allusion  was  made  to  the  subject  of 
Baptism,  until  Mr.  Percy  came  in  after  supper. 

This  young  man  was  a  lawyer.  He  bad 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  Society,  to  which 
Mrs.  Ernest  and  her  daughter  belonged,  dur- 
an  extensive  revivsi  of  religion,  while  he  was 
yet  a  mere  boy.  Since  he  had  come  to  years 
of  maturity,  he  had  constantly  doubted  whether 
he  was  really  a  converted  man,  and  often 
seriously  regretted  the  obligation  that  bound 
him  to  a  public  recognition  of  the  claims  of 
personal  religion.  He  often  made  it  conven- 
ient to  he  absent  when  the  Sacrament  of 
the  Supper  was  to  be  celebrated  firom  an  inward 
consciousness  that  he  was  an  unfit  communi- 
cant ;  yet  his  external  deportment  was  unex- 
ceptionable, and  his  brethren  regarded  him  as 
a  most  excellent  member,  and  one  whose  in. 
tellectual  capacity  and  acquirements  would, 
one  day,  place  him  in  a  condition  to  reflect 
great  honour  on  the  denomination  to  which 
he  belonged. 

He  had  already  taken  a  high  position  in  the 
ranks  of  his  profession ;  and  had  come  to  the 
sage  conclusion  that  the  possession  of  the  heart 
and  hand  of  the  charming  Theodosia  was  all 
that  was  required  to  complete  his  arrangements 
for  worldly  nappiness ;  and  having  overheard 
her  remark  to  ner  brother,  that  if  what  they 
had  just  witnessed  was  baptism,  thejr  had  never 
been  baptized,  he  hastened  to  her  side,  and  on 
their  way  home  exerted  all  his  powers  of  rail- 
ery  to  orive  this  new  conception  from  her 
mind. 

As  for  himself,  he  had  never  had  a  serious 
thought  upon  the  question.  He  had  been 
told  that  he  was  baptized  in  his  infancy,  and 
took  it  for  granted  that  all  was  right.  He 
had  very  serious  doubts  about  his  ever  having 
been  converted,  but  never  the  shadow  of  a 
doubt  whether  he  had  been  baptised.  When 
he  listened  to  the  religious  conversation  of 
some  of  his  friends,  and  especially  of  the 
young  lady  of  whom  we  are  speaking,  he 
heard  many  expressions  which,  to  him,  were 
meaningless,  and  seemed  almost  fanatical. 
They  talkea  of  sorrows  which  he  had  never 
felt ;  of  joys,  the  source  of  which  he  could 
not  undentand ;  and  strangest  of  all  to  him, 
appeared  that  habitual  subjection  to  the 
Master's  will  which  led  them  to  ask  so  con- 
stantly and  so  earnestly  not  what  was  desirable 
to  themselves  or  agreeable  to  those  about  them, 
but  what  was  required  by  thc-command  of 
Digitized  by  VjQfO^l^ 


110 


THS  £ABTHSM  YBBBBL. 


{Uaji,  ism. 


Christ.  That  one  ihoald  do  thU,  or  tbftt,  under 
the  oonTiotioii  that  to  refuee  or  neglect  to  do  bo 
vottid  endanger  their  eouVe  eeUwUion^  he 
oould  omIIt  nnderttand,  bat  how  enj  one 
oould  altaon  much  importanee  to  anj  act  not 
tibeolutel^  eeeential  to  obtain  eternal  life^  was 
to  his  mind  an  unfathomable  mystery.  He 
had  himself  determined  to  secure  hu  own 
eoule  ealffotion  at  any  cost,  and  if  he  had 
believed  that  immersion  would  ineure  ealva- 
tion,  he  would  ha? e  been  immersed  a  hundred 
timeSf  had  so  much  been  required.  But 
thinkmg  it  as  easy  to  get  to  heaven  without, 
as  with  it,  the  whole  business  of  Baptism 
seemed  to  him  as  of  the  slightest  imagmable 
oonsequanoe. 

'  Wnat  difference  does  it  make  to  yen,  Miss 
Smest/  said  he,  'whether  you  have  been 
baptized  or  not  P  Baptism  is  not  essential  to 
•alTation.' 

*True,'  she  replied,  'but  if  my  Saviour 
commanded  me  to  be  baptized,  and  I  have 
never  done  it,  I  have  not  obeyed  him.  I 
must,  so  fkr  as  I  can,  keep  all  his  command- 
ments.' 

<  But  who  of  us  ever  does  this }  I  am  sure 
I  have  not  kept  them  all.  1  am  not  certain 
that  I  know  what  they  all  are.  If  our  salva- 
tion depended  on  perfect  obedience  to  all  his 
commandments,  I  doubt  if  any  body  would  be 
saved  but  you.  Tou  are  the  only  person  I 
ever  knew  who  had  no  fkults.' 

'  Oh  I  Mr.  Percy,  do  not  trifle  with  suoh  a 
subject  It  is  not  a  matter  of  jestinff.  I  do 
not  perfectly  obey.    I  wish  I  could.    I  am 

rieved  at  heart  day  after  day  to  see  how  far 
fidl  short  of  his  roauiremonts.  Oh,  na  I 
do  not  hope  or  seek  lor  salvation  by  my  obe* 
dience.  If  I  am  ever  saved,  it  will  he  by 
boundless  mercy  freely  forgiving  me.  But 
then  if  I  love  m$  Saviour^  how  can  I  wilfully 
refuse  obedienee  to  hie  reqnirem&nte  f  I  do 
not  obev  to  eeeure  heaven  by  my  obedience, 
but  to  please  Him  who  died  to  make  atonement 
that  a  poor  lost  sinner  like  me  might  enter 
heaven.  I  think  I  would  endeavour  to  do 
his  will,  even  if  there  were  no  heaven  and  no 
hell.' 

Mr.  Percy  did  not  understand  this.  If  he 
had  been  convinced  that  there  was  no  heaven 
and  no  hell,  he  felt  quite  sure  that  all  the  rites, 
and  rules,  and  ceremonies  of  religion  would 
give  him  very  little  trouble.  It  was  only  in 
order  to  eave  hie  eoul  that  he  meddled  with 
religion  at  all,  and  all  that  could  be  dispensed 
with,  without  endangering  hie  Ofon  final  sal- 
vation, he  regarded  as  of  very  little  conse- 
quence. He  read  some  portion  of  the  Scrip- 
tures almost  every  day  (when  business  was 
not  too  pressing).  He  said  over  a  fbrm  of 
prayer ;  and  sometimes  went  to  the  commun- 
ion table,  because  be  regarded  these  aa  reli- 
gious duties,  in  the  performance  of  which, 
and  by  leading  a  moral  life,  he  had  some  in- 
distinct conception  that  he  toae  working  out 
for  himeelf  eternal  ealvation.  Take  away 
this  one  object,  and  he  had  no  farther  use  for 
religion  or  religious  ordinances. 

«l  know,'  said  he,  *  that  you  are  a  more 
deroted  Christian  than  I  ever  hope  to  be,  but 
you  surely  cannot  regard  baptism  aa  any  part 


of  religion.  It  is  a  mere  form.  A  simple 
ceremony.  Only  an  outward  act  of  the  hodg 
not  affecting  the  heart  or  the  mind.  Why, 
even  the  Baptists  thentselves,  though  they 
talk  so  much  about  it,  and  attach  so  much 
importance  to  it,  admit  that  true  believera  can 
be  saved  without  it.' 

*  That  is  not  the  qoestion  in  my  mind,  Mr. 
Percy.  I  do  not  ask  whether  t^  ie  emeniial 
to  ealvation^  but  whether  it  ie  eommmnded  b^ 
the  Word  of  Qod.  I  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to 
sin  as  much  as  I  can,  without  abandoninjg  the 
hope  that  God  will  finally  forgive  me.  L  can- 
not think  of  following  my  Saviour  aa  €sr  off 
as  I  can,  without  resigning  my  hopes  of  besk 
ven.  Why  should  I  venture  as  near  the  Terce 
of  hell  as  I  can  go  without  falling  inP  My 
Saviour  died  upon  the  cross  for  my  salvation. 
I  trust  in  Hik  to  save  me.  But  He  says, 
*  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandmenta^ 
not  this  one  or  that  one,  but  all  his  command- 
ments. How  can  I  pretend  to  love,  if  I  do 
not  obey  him  ?  If  he  commands  me  to  be 
baptized,  and  I  have  not  done  it,  I  wmet  do  it 
yet.  And  if  that  which  we  saw  at  the  river 
was  baptism,  then  I  have  never  been  haptiaad.' 
"And  so  you  think  that  all  the  learned 
world  are  wrong,  and  this  shoe-maker,  turned 
preacher,  is  right;  that  our  parents  are  no 
Setter  than  heathens,  and  a  young  ladv  of 
eighteen  is  bound  to  teach  them  their  autt 
and  set  them  a  good  example.  Beally  it  wiU 
be  a  feast  to  the  poor  Baptists  to  know  what 
a  triumph  they  have  eained.  It  will  be  con- 
sidered quite  respectable  to  be  immersed  after 
Miss  Theodosia  Ernest  has  gone  into  the 
water.' 

'  Oh,  Mr.  Perov,'  said  the  young  lady,  (and 
her  eyes  were  filled  with  tears)  '  how  can  you 
talk  thus  lightlv  of  an  ordinance  of  Jeaua 
Christ?  Was  it  not  respectable  to  be  im- 
mersed after  the  glorious  Son  of  Gk>d  had 
gone  into  the  water  P  If  my  dear  Bedeemer 
was  immersed,  and  requires  it  of  me,  I  am 
sure  I  need  not  hesitate  to  associate  with  those 
who  follow  hie  example  and  obey  hie  com. 
mandments,  even  though  they  should  be  poor, 
and  ignorant,  and  ungenteeL' 

*  Forgive  me.  Miss  Ernest,  I  did  not  intend 
to  offend  you ;  but  really  the  idea  did  appear 
exceedinglv  ridiculous  to  me,  that  a  young 
lady  who  nad  never  spent  a  single  month  in 
the  exclusive  study  or  Theolosy,  should  set 
herself  up  so  suddenly  as  a  teaener  of  Doctors 
of  Divimtv.  If  sprinkling  were  not  baptism, 
we  surely  have  talent,  and  piety,  and  learning 
enough  m  our  churon  to  hifive  discovered  the 
error  and  abandon  the  practice  long  ago.  But 
pardon  me.  I  will  not  say  one  word  to  dis- 
suade you  from  an  investigation  of  the  sub- 
ject. And  I  am  very  sure,  when  you  have 
studied  it  carefUUy,  you  will  then  be  more 
thoroughly  convinced  than  ever  before,  of 
the  truth  of  our  doctrines  and  the  correctaeas 
of  our  practice.  If  you  will  permit,  I  will 
assist  you  in  the  examination ;  for  I  wiah  to 
look  into  the  subject  a  little,  to  fortify  my  own 
mind  with  some  arguments  against  these 
new-comers,  as  I  understand  there  are  several 
others  of  our  members  who  are  almost  as 
nearly  oonrinoed  that  they  have  nerer  been 


Digitized  by 


Google 


IbF  1,  IBM.] 


TBI    XAXTRBV  YKSSIL. 


Ill 


biptii»d  aiyoa  att,  and  I  ezpaet  to  be  obliged 
to  bsTB  an  oceiioiial  diseuMion,  in  a  qoiet 

'Ob,  7«L  I  ihalL  be  to  hxppj  to  hare  Yoar 
DO.  You  are  so  moob  more  capable  of 
I  Um  trutb  tbaa  I  am.    Wben  ahall  we 


To-night  if  Ton  please.     I  will  call  in 


t  II  Ton 

■,  andwc 


we  will  read  over  the  testi- 


mony. 

They  parted  at  her  mother's  door.  He 
vtei  to  nis  office,  revolTiog  in  hit  mind  the 
srgniBBotB  that  would  be  most  likely  to  satisfy 
bar  donbit.  She  retired  to  ber  closet  and 
povnd  oat  her  heart  to  God  in  earnest  prayer 
ler  wisdom  to  fenow,  and  strengtb  to  do  all 
bar  Heevenlj  Master's  will,  whatever  it 
mirbtbe;  and  before  she  rose  from  her  knees, 
h3  been  envied  to  resoWe,  with  full  deter- 
i»iiify^;<»  of  purpose,  to  obey  the  eommand- 
mcDt,  eron  though  it  caused  the  loss  of  all 
things  isr  Christ.  The  only  question  in  her 
heart  was  now,  'Iiord,  what  wilt  Thorn  have 
me  to  do  P* 


monnmeotf  of  the  eweetneas  of  his  pre- 
senoe. 

The  plentiftdness  of  the  mazma  that  fisll  in 
the  wilderness,  which  fed  above  a  million  of 
souls,  was  a  prefiguratien  of  that  fulness  of 
grace  there  is  in  Christ,  for  the  myriads  of 
elect  souls,  whom  God  hath  chosen*  in  him, 
*  Before  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  for  it 
hath  pleased  the  Father  that  in  Christ  should 
all  fumess  dwell,'  for  there  is  in  Christ  such 
an  exuberance  and  super-abundanoe  of  grace^ 
from  whom  all  the  angels  in  glory,  and  the 


THE     MANNA. 

TnmB  ia  a  p«at  sweetness  in  the  tjrpes 
thai  set  forth  Christ  in  hia  person,  offices, 
and  wnk ;  hia  name  ia  like  ointment  spread 
ahroad,  therefore  his  children  lore  him. 

The  manna  doiotes  that  bread  from  heayen, 
-'4hewa  the  merer  of  God-HK>  that  no  child 
of  God  shall  periah  for  want,  either  in  proTi< 


or  grace.  The  quality  of  the  manna 
waa  while,  which  typified  the  purity  of 
Christ's  human  nature,  the  spotless  perfeo- 
tioa  ef  hie  eoneeption,  birth,  and  obedience ; 
the  infinite  purity  of  his  heart  and  life,  being 
the  perfect  tranacriptof  the  law  of  God,  as 
parity,  hdinesa  and  heaTenly-mindedness 
flowed  from  hie  heart,  as  water  from  a  foun- 
tain. Another  property  of  the  manna,  it 
was  reead  like  a  coriander  seed ;  it  may  be  said 
to  point  ooi  to  us  the  eternity  of  Christ's  Ioto. 
whieh  is  too  early  for  a  dat^  too  lasting  and 
dnraUe  for  a  period.  Another  property  of 
this  manna  waa,  the  colour  of  it,  as  its  lustre 
sad  briUiBaey,  it  being  the  coIot  of  bdelium, 
whidi  the  learned  call  'a  pearl,.or  a  precious 
stone,  of  a  transparent  nature,'  and  was 
typical  of  the  bright  and  brilliant  perfections 
A  the  Dei^,  shining  with  c[lory  ttoough  the 
^ —    as  it  did  at  his  transfiguration 


anon  the  mount;  his  vision  to  Paul  and  John, 
(the  belored,)  as  the  gracious  God,  and  yet 
the  Glory-man. 

The  manna  was  sweet,  and  the  taste  of  it 
UkA  wafers  made  with  honey,  which  doth 
ia  a  lirely  aaaaner,  shadow  forth  to  us,  the 
tafinite  sweetness  that  there  is  in  Christ — 
ia  his  presence — in  his  promises— in  his  word 
sad  in  his  ordinancee.  His  presence  is  the 
sm  of  Bweetoeas,  the  life  of  life,  the  soul  of 
joy,  the  oeean  of  blisa,  the  heaven  of  felicity. 
mM  presenee  spreads  savour  and  fragrancy 
thvoo^  all  ibe  heavenly  host:  mynads  of 
thousands  of  thousands,  and  ten 
s  ten  thousands  of  saints— a 
r  that  no  man  can  number,  are  living 


saints  around  the  throne,  have  their  oopiooa 
joys,  their  refulgent  bliss,  and  their  super- 
aboimding happiness;  and  it  is  from  him  that 
the  ehuz«h  inilitant,  in  every  stage,  and 
through  every  period  of  time,  in  ul  their 
wants  and  exigencies,  have  their  aids  and 
helps,  their  supports  and  supplies;  *And 
of  his  fulness  have  we  all  received,  and  graee 
forgraoe.'    Johnl.  14. 

The  preparation  of  the  manna.  This  waa 
prepared  by  God  alone,  it  was  the  work  of 
the  Deity  which  was  typical  of  the  prepara- 
tion of  Christ's  human  nature ;  who,  speaking 
unto  his  Father,  said,  '  A  body  hast  thou  pre- 
pued  me.'  Heb.  x.  6.  And  the  formation 
of  his  human  nature  in  the  womb  of  the 
virgin,  was  the  extraordinary  work  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Likewise,  it  was  typical. of  sal^ 
vation  being  prepared  in  Christ;  therefore, 
says  the  Patnarob,  when  he  was  taking  his 
farewell  of  the  days  of  his  nilgrimage— *  I 
have  waited  for  thy  salvation,  O  Lord.'  Gen. 
xviiL  49.  And  the  sweet  singer  of  IsxaeL  in 
the  delightful  exercise  and  expectation  of  his 
heart,  says.  'Truly  my  soul  waiteth  upon 
God ;  from  nim  cometh  my  salvation.'  Psalm 
eii.  1. 

As  the  manna  was  prepared  in  heaven,  so 
salvation  was  prepared  in  Chris^  before  the 
world  began,  but  is  made  known  in  time,  and 
accomplubed  by  Divine  power. 

The  manna  was  a  gift  from  heaven.  *  Then 
said  the  Lord  unto  Moses,  behold  I  will  rain 
bread  from  heaven  for  you,'  which  was  typi^ 
cal  of  Christ;  as  God's  unspeakable  gift— of 
his  sreat  condescension  in  leaving  the  glory 
he  had  with  the  Father^  before  the  world 
began,  'Because  his  deliffht  was  with  the 
sons  of  men.'  *  He  says,  (John  vi.  61.) '  I  am 
the  living  bread  which  came  down  from  hea- 
ven, if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall 
live  for  ever.'  So  then,  we  are  to  look  upon 
Christ  as  the  Father's  gift,  and  the  donation 
of  rich  love. 

The  manna,  it  was  given  every  morning, 
which  ptoints  out  Christ  to  us  as  the  morning 
of  mercies;  as  the  morning  is  the  beginning, 
and  pledge  of  the  ensuing  day,  so  Christ  was 
the  pledge  and  earnest  of  all  tjie  mercies  that 
were  to  Follow ;  as  the  manna  was  a  free  gift, 
all  the  Israelites  had  a  right  to  partake  of  it, 
as  it  was  prepared  for  them :  so  every  soul  who 
sees  its  need  of  Christ,  has  an  undoubted 
right  to  partake  of  all  the  blessings  contained 
therein  as  they  are  prepared  on  purpose  for 
them,  and  conufiunicatea  unto  them. 

The  manna  possessed  a  satiating  nature. 
It  fed  the  children  of  Israel  for  fortv./ears  in 
the  wilderness,  (Duet.  viii.  2.  8.)  which  typi- 


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TUX  XAETHXN  YBSSSL. 


[Ha7l»i8M. 


oftUy  unfoldi  the  glory  and  flatufying  of  the 
blessicgs  of  the  everlaBting  coTenant,  as  it  ia 
said  of  the  manna— <  fie  that  gathereth  little 
had  DO  lack  ;' (ExodiLB  i.  18J  ao  he  that  hath 
Chriat,  though  he  haa  but  little  joj  and  conao- 
lation  from  him,  yet  the  ainner  seea  auoh  a 
glory  in  hia  person,  auoh  a  fulnesa  of  grace 
treasured  up  in  him,  that  he  hath  no  lack  in 
the  object,  nor  in  the  enjoyment,  for  he  hath 
aa  much  aa  hia  weak  faith  will  take—*  Whom 
have  1  in  heaven  but  thee  (tt  aaya,  when  faith 
can  speak  for  itself)  and  there  is  none  upon 
earth  that  I  deure  beaides  thee.'  I  hare  enough, 
my  soul  ia  aatiafied,  for  when  fleah  and  heart 
Ikil,  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my 
portion  for  ever,  for  every  man  gathered  ac- 
cording to  hia  eating ;  therefore,  aaya  Christ, 

*  according  to  thv  faith,  so  be  it  unto  thee.' 

The  aeaaonablenesa  of  the  manna  that  waa 
plentifully  given  in  the  wildernesa,  when  la- 
rael  waa  lust  loat  for  want ;  which  ooena  to  ua 
the  auitablenesa  that  there  is  in  Chnst  to  the 
wants  of  a  needy  sinner,  aa  there  ia  a  fulnesa 
of  pardon  in  hia  blood,  to  forgive  ains  witiiout 
number  and  Crimea  of  the  most  aggravating 
nature,  'tranagressionathat  have  reached  unto 
the  heavena.'  laa.  i.  18.  There  ia  in  Chriat 
auoh  a  treasury  of  merciea.  Waa  there  manna 
for  larael,  when  larael  waa  juat  loat  ih  the 
wildemeaa  ?  So  likewise  there  is  a  Christ  for 
thj  soul,  oh  sinner:  with  love  in  his  heart, 
with  pardon  in  his  hand,  and  forgiving  mercy 
in  his  looka,  with  a  kind  invitation  upon  his 
tongucj  with  a  gracious  promise  dropping 
from  hia  lipa,  *ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth, 
let  him  oome  I'  and  *  he  that  cometh,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out."  Here  ia  an  answer  to 
every  objection,  a  supply  for  every  want,  and 
a  door  of  hope  to  every  case.  Wnat  ahall  now 
hinder  thee  from  aaying — *  To  whom,  Lord, 
aball  I  eo,  but  unto  thee,  for  thou  hast  the 
worda  or  eternal  life.'  Note  how  the  manna  fell : 
firat,  there  was  a  dew  fell,  then  the  manna, 
then  another  dew  fell  upon  the  manna,  ao  that 
the  manna'lay  between  two  dews,  until  the 
sun  arose,  when  the  dew  went  up,  and  they 
gathered  the  manna.  By  the  dew  firat  falling 
before  the  manna,  denotea  God'a  everlasting 
love,  which  is  the  ground  work  of  our  salva- 
tion as  Christ  is  not  the  cause,  but  the  fruit 
of  Jehovah's  love :  'Herein  (says  the  apostle,) 
is  love ;  not  that  we  loved  God.  but  that  he 
loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  a  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins.'  Secondly,  the  dew  falling 
upon  the  manna,  and  the  manna  being  as 
it  were  thereby  hid  and  enclosed,  may  be 
typical  of  Chnst  being  closed  in  the  love 
of  God,  as  he  was  daily  his  delight  one 
in  whom  his  soul  delighted.'    Isa.   xlii.  2. 

*  Therefore,'  says  Christ  unto  his  Father, '  For 
thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world.'    John  xviii. — 24. 

And  when  the  aun  arose,  the  dew  went  up ; 
which  did  figure  out  the  Sun  of  Bi^hteouaneaa 
arising  in  the  New  Testament  dispensation, 
which  caused  the  dew  of  blessing  that  lay  upon 
the  types  and  shadows  to  cease,  because  Christ 
the  suDstance  is  come  who  upholds  all  things, 
and  by  whom  all  things  subsist,  he  being  the 
Head  of  his  body,  the  Church. 

Colchester.  C.  £.  Mbssitt. 


INFANT     SALVATION, 
By  Mb.  John  Fobsxait, 

DiAB  FBiBiiD,^Tour  dear  Mary  tells  ma, 
that  you  have  lost  your  youngest  and  very 
dearly  beloved  child.  I  know  what  it  is  to 
lose  both  wife  and  children ;  and  1  know  the 
grief  thereof.  But,  ray  dear  friend,  death  la 
no  accident  or  chance,  but  an  appointed  ordi- 
nance of  God,  for  'It  is  appomted  for  all 
once  to  die.'  The  days  of  every  ono  of 
Adam's  race  are  numbered,  few  or  many: 
'  There  ia  a  time  to  be  born,  and  a  time  to 
die;'  and  God  himself  is  Timo^keeper,  *  for 
our  times  are  in  his  hand ;'  and 

"  Not  a  single  shaft  can  hit, 
Till  God,  the  wise  and  just^  sees  fit." 

Although  death  has  so  long  been  familiar* 
ised  to  man,  by  its  unwelcome  travel  up  and 
down  amongst  the  human  race,  yet  it  haa  not 
lost  its  solemnity,  nor  ceased  to  give  pain 
within  the  circle  where  it  strikes ;  nor  can  it 
until  nature  can  lose  its  sympathies,  and  the 
near  ties  of  nature  can  cease  to  be  dear. 
Death  came  in  at  first  as  a  judsment,  and  still 
retains  that  Gountenanoe ;  and  its  terriblencsa 
is  lost  onlv  in  the  desth  and  sting-destroyiDg 
death  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
We  shall  all  die,  and  with  ns  death  has  no 
consecutive  order,  as  to  name,  age,  or  relation^ 
or  any  other  circumstances  j  ami  while  there 
lies  one  dead,  surviving  kmdred  weep  their 
dear  and  tender  loss,  ao  that  we  muat  weep 
our  loss  of  those  who  are  dear  to  ua,  or  they 
to  whom  we  are  dear,  must  weep  their  loss  of 
us ;  and  the  God  of  our  being  alone  can  and 
will  determine  the  order  of  this  solemn  point, 
according  to  the  settled  counsel  of  his  will ; 
not  without  some  deep  and  mighty  design; 
but  perfectly  without  error  or  mistake.  And 
the  will  of  God  determined  that  your  dear 
little  four,  year  old  boy  ahonld  die,  and  you 
aurvive  to  weep  your  lose  of  him ;  and  not 
you  firat  to  die,  and  leave  a  whole  familv  to 

I  weap  their  loaa  of  you.  Think  of  thia,  dear 
friend ;   wipe  off  the  heart-fetched  tear ;  sns- 

'  pend  the  excessive  grief,  and  behold  how 
mercy  reigns  and  triumphs  over  judgment 

I  towards  your  dear  family  in  this  case.    We 

i  expect  death,  because  we  needs  must  die. 
First,  because  God  haa  appointed  it ;  second, 

I  because  we  are  so  constituted  as  to  require 
it ;  for  without  disease,  age  alone  must  wear 

I  out  our  constitutional  power   to  live ;    and 

I  thirdly,  that  we  must  all  come  to  that  final 
judgment,    wherein  a  righteous   adjustment 

I  will  be  made  of  all  things,  and  the  seemingly 
unequal  dispensations  of  God  on  earth  will 

I  be  equitably  cleared  up ;  the  prosperity  of 
the  wicked,  and  the  trials,  poverty,  and 
adversity  of  the  righteoua,  will  be  accounted 
for,  on  the  erounda  of  divine  integrity; 
and  right  and  wrong,  receive  that  aentenoe 
that  shall  declare  for  ever,  that  all  thro'  time, 
with  all  his  creatures,  the  ways  of  God  are 
right,  and  all  his  works  done  in  truth  and 
uprightness.     Bttt,  you  jkUI  say,  jdj  detr 

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113 


diild  ii  gone,  no  more  to  return  to  me.  But 
by  the  laws  of  nature,  according  to  the  above 
remarks,  he  is  but  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh; 
and  the  hand  of  him  that  made  him,  and 
brought  into  Toor  embrace,  hath  taken  him 
from  jour  embrace,  and  brought  him  into  hia 
own.  Ah,  perhapa  tou  will  now  say.  Tou 
touch  one  of  the  tender  points  of  my  gnef,  for 
the  case  has  two  points  of  grief,  to  my  heart : 
the  one  ia  the  losa  of  my  dear  child,  and  the 
other  ia,  where  ia  he  gone  ?  Where  is  his 
dear  and  precious  soul  now  P  Hy  sentiment 
ift^  that  hie  is  now  happy  with  the  Lord.  The 
Lord  made  him  for  himself,  and  for  his  own 
glory,  and  haa  taken  him  as  one  of  his  lored. 
cboten,  and  redeemed,  from  the  ten  thousand 
evils  of  time ;  from  the  evil  to  come :  grace 
has  daimed  him,  and  glory  f  eceived  him,  as 
one  of  Christ's  own. 

Bat  perhaps  yon  will  say,  some  dispute  tiiis 
point.  80  let  them ;  there  is  not  one  text  in 
tli  the  Bible,  that  can  be  fairly  interpreted 
against  tkia  sentiment.  I  know  that  some 
have  said,  *  How  can  a  little  child  repent  and 
beUeve,  tmst  and  hope  in  the  Lord  V  My  an- 
swer to  all  such  questions  is,  how  can  the 
bones  of  a  ohild  grow  in  the  womb,  without 
bang  fisd  with  the  breast,  or  with  the  pap- 
spoon,  or  otherwise,  as  children  bom  areP 
How  did  John  repent  previous  to  his  leaping 
far  joy  in  the  womb  P  The  Gospel  economy  is 
in  administrative  institution  of  appeal  to  the 
rational  eapaeity  of  human  beings,  and  never 
bad,  nor  never  was  intended  to  have  anything 
to  do  with  little  ehildren  dying  before  their 
reason  reached  a  capacity,  intelligibly  to  re- 
ceive er  reject  the  testimony  of  the  Gospel 
economy;  and  no  one  has  authority  to  bmd 
them  op  in  the  Qon>el  economy.  But  does 
this  tie  the  hands  of  God's  power  and  grace 
fpom  saving  those  whom  he  makes,  and  takes 
awajT  before  he  capacitates  their  reason  to 
receive  the  tsetimonial  economy  of  the  Gospel 
*  as  it  applies  to  us?  No  :  for  while  aU  salva- 
tion is  by  ^;raee  in  Christ  Jesus,  Qod  in  his 
infinite  wisdom,  may  have  modes  of  taking 
little  children  to  heaven,  as  happily  adapted 
to  their  case  as  the  Groepel  economy  is  to 
oor^s.  For  while,  aa  to  any  communication 
we  can  make  to  them,  or  they  make  to  us, 
'  they  are  as  things  that  are  not,  yet  such  hath 
God  chosen.'  1  Cor.  i  28.  And  David  believed 
it  when  his  child  died,  (2  Sam.  xii.  23,)  and  in 
my  opinion  this  is  a  glorious  demonstra- 
tion that  salvation  is  by  grace  only,  with- 
out human  works,  as  conditions  thereof; 
for  if  such  conditions  were  reouired,  dy- 
ing little  ehildren  must  be  excluded  from 
the  salvation  of  God;  and  iLrminianiBm, 
to  be  consistent  with  itself  must  at  once 
and  for  ever  ahut  helpless  dying  little 
ehildren  out  of  heaven,  and  consign  them 
either  to  perdition,  or  anihilation,  unless 
beyond  different  modes  of  application,  there 
are  in  principle  two  ways  of  salvation ;  one 
by  graee,  on  certain  conditions  for  men  and 
women ;  and  one  by  grace  only  for  dying 
little  children  of  Adsim's  fallen  race.  But  in 
the  word  of  God,  no  hint  is  given  but  of  the 
one  great  salvation  by  Christ  and  him  cruoi- 
ied;  and  that  is  declared  to  be  by^roce  only; 


and  thousands  of  God's  quickened  Israel  have 
gladly  found  it  to  be  so ;  and  no  dving  saint 
nas  ever  found  it  otherwise  than  all  of  grace ; 
this  then  is  the  one  salvation  of  God,  that 
freely  embraces  all  the  chosen  and  redeemed 
into  life  everlasting,  and  amongst  them  dying 
little  children,  in  Qod's  own  mode,  adapted  to 
their  case  to  Uie  joy  of  everj  humbled  mind^ 
and  to  the  shame  of  Armlmamsm,  which  in 
spirit  denies  them,  on  their  lack  of  required 
conditions. 

Think  then,  my  dear  friend,  that  your  dear 
child  is,  by  the  royal  favour  of  the  King  of 
kings,  now  in  heaven,  not  as  nature's  little 
child,  as  when  here,  but  in  full  capacity, 
joyfully  to  take  in  the  immortal  sweets  of  the 
;lory  of  the  grace  of  Christ,  the  everlasting 
of  life  and  glory ;  as  nature's  chUdhooo, 


glory  < 
Lordc 


midage,  and  old  age,  belong  to  time  only. 

The  God  of  all  grace  bless  you,  ana  your 
dear  partner,  with  all  the  oommrt  of  a  good 
hope,  in  humble  submission  to  the  will  of  our 
heavenly  Pather  in  all  things.  So  prays, 
dear  friend,  by  the  grace  of  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord,  affectionately,  your's, 

JOHH      FOBBlLUr. 

April  1st.  8,    Faddington  Green,  London. 
Mr.  Catling. 

THE    SAFE    REFUGE. 

Ob  I  be  not  dismayed  snd  east  down. 

Though  trials  and  cares  be  your  lot; 
Our  Jesus  a  refuge  has  found, 

'Tis  the  elefl  in  the  side  of  the  rook.' 
There,  eecnre  from  the  blast  and  the  storm. 

His  ohoaen  in  safety  abide ; 
Neither  sorrow  nor  want,  can  they  know. 

Who  are  hid  in  the  oleft  of  his  side. 
Oh  I  hear  his  sweet  voice,  how  he  calls 

To  the  weak  ones,— the  poor  in  the  flook— 
My  chosen,  fear  not— but  0  come  I 

To  your  ref nge,  the  oleft  in  the  rook. 
My  darling  I  my  fair  one !  my  love  I 

Thus  sweetly  He  calls  to  his  bride, 
When  toBs'd  by  temptations  so  strong, 

Oh  I  fly  to  the  oleft  in  my  side. 
And  shall  we  that  call,  then  refuse  T 

Poor  nothings  with  no  earthly  prop  T 
Tou  may,  but  I  dare  not,  IMl  fly 

To  my  Refuge,  the  oleft  in  the  rock. 
And  wHen  in  the  deep  swelling  Jordan 

I'm  nearly  o*erwhelm'd  by  the  tide ; 
Tho>  closely  pursued  still  by  Satan, 

I'm  secure  in  the  oleft  of  liis  side. 

£.  B.  B. 

LINES   FOB    THE    EDITOB. 

Cabxs  have  like  a  wild  deluge  come. 

And  sorrow's  storms  descended ; 
Yet  under  all ;  abroad— at  home,— 

He  has  my  soul  befriended. 
At  even  tide  mr  hands  were  slack. 

And  weakenVd  beyond  measure ; 
But  morning  came,  and  lo  I  my  sack 

O'erflowed  with  heavenly  treasure. 
The  sacred  fire  within  me  burned 

Consuming  all  my  sadness ; 
My  mourning  into  joy  was  turned. 

My  sighs  to  songs  of  gladness. 
Then  let  me  praise  Him  for  his  care 

Of  my  poor  earthen  vessel ; 
And  when  distrest,  by  filth  and  prayer 

With  him,  like  Jacob,  wresUe. 

W.  T« 


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THS  BARTHIV  YISBIL. 


[Maj  1,  1858L 


OUR   AUSTRALIAN   MAILS. 

A    L£TTER    FEOM     ME;    SIMEON    EMERT, 

(baptist  mxvistxb,) 

HIS  YOYAOE  TO  SIDNEf;  AND  HIS  LAB0X7BS  THERE. 


[We  ooBflider  it  a  ^ireat  pririleee  to  be  fa- 
▼oured  with  the  following  oommuiiication ;  in 
many  respects,  it  is  a  most  Taluable  letter. 
We  nope  Mr.  Emery's  labours  in  the  colony 
will  have  the  blessing  of  heaTen.— Sd.] 

liT  DXAS  VBinrD.^Meroy  and  truth  be 
with  you.     I  take  my  pen  to  write  and  thank 

nior  sending  me  the  Vessbl  :  it  is  tiie 
periodical  uat  has  been  sent  me  since  I 
have  arriyed  in  this  country  and  I  take  it  rery 
kind  of  you.  It  is  very  refreshing  to  hare  a 
little  intelligence  about  matters  concerning 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  I  should  be  very  glad 
if  I  could  send  you  cheering  accounts  of  the 
prosperity  of  the  church  in  these  parts,  but  1 
am  gricTcd  to  say,  that  I  cannot  1  hare  met 
with  Tcry  few  loYexB  of  truth  since  I  hare 
been  here.  For  the  most  put,  what  is  held 
forth  to  the  people,  and  received  bv  them,  is 
this,  that  man  by  Christ  is  brought  into  a 
state  of  salyability  and  left  to  his  own  will ; 
he  may,  or  may  not  be  sared.  God's  soTcr- 
eignty,  is  utterly  rejected,  and  hated ;  as  to 
unconditional  election  before  time,  it  is  for 
the.  most  part  cried  down  as  an  enorof  the 
greatest  magnitude.  I  was  enabled  to  speak 
to  the  neop^  in  the  ship,  all  the  way  oyer  ; 
with  wiut  effect  is  known  only  to  the  Lord. 
One  man  that  had  been  in  soul-trouble  for 
years,  professed  to  haye  found  peace  in  beliey- 
mg ;  and  I  saw  no  reason  to  disbelleye  him 
all  the^  time  I  was  with  him.  But  on  board 
an  emigrant  ship,  the  longer  they  remain 
together,  the  more  yile  is  their  spirit  and 
conduct ;  indeed,  eyery  bad  passion  is  brought 
out.  I  often  considered,  if  I  wanted  to  wish 
eyil  to  a  good  wum,  I  think  I  could  not  wish 
him  a  worse  eyil  than  for  him  to  be  confined 
in  an  emigrant  ship,  for  a  long  yoyage  of  four 
months.  I  shall  neyer  forget  at  times,  while 
I  liye,  the  feeling  I  had  the  first  Babbath 
morning  after  I  landed,  finding  myself  in  a 
little  chapel  among  ^as  I  thought)  good  peo- 
ple, heanng  them  sing  the  praises  of  the 
Lord ;  I  cannot  describe  my  feelings;  I  was 
asked  to  speak  to  the  people,  which  I  compiled 
readily  to  do;  but  alas  I  alas!  I  found  they 
did  not  like  my  speech;  I  preach  salyation  by 
grace,  according  to  the  eternal  purpose  of  a 
Goyenant  God.  I  was  then  inyited  to  speak 
in  the  city,  to  some  Baptiits  of  the  Scotch 
order :  they  break  bread  eyery  Lord's-day  in 
the  afternoon,  and  had  preacning  on^  in  the 
morning:  thev  are  like  the  Plymouth  bre- 
"    f  m 


thren;  they  nold  that  eyery  brother  has  a 
right  to  speak  if  he  wishes— they  said  they 
did  not  belieye  in  the  one-man  system  (as 
they  call  a  settled  minister  oyer  a  people) ; 
howeyer,  they  inyited  me  to  speak  to  them 
until  I  desired  them  not  to  ask  me  again. 
Borne  friends  immediately  took  a  school  nMu 


for  me,  at  ten  shillings  per  week ;  where  wo 
continued  until  about  a  month  sinee^  when  we 
obtained  a  nice  place  used  by  the  Toung  Man's 
Christian  Association,  at  twelye  shillings  aad 
sixpence  per  week— but  the  Monday  after  our 
first  Sabbath  we  receiyed  a  month's  notice  to 
quit,  the  reason  assigned  was  that  the  dergy 
did  not  approye  of  our  using  it,  Ac.,  and  they 
must  not  offend  them,  as  they  were  b^ 
holden  to  them  for  their  Lectures ;  but  1  can- 
not tell  if  it  was  so— 1  have  heard  ot  their 
pubiidy  denonnoing  the  doctrinea  I  preach  a* 
dangerous,  &o. 

We  had  been  together  about  three  montha 
when  it  was  thought  good  to  form  ourselyes 
into  church  order,  which  we  did  according  to 
the  order  of  the  gospel;  and  if  uy  memovY 
is  correct,  about  twelve  members  Inroke  bread 
together,  and  a  yery  comfortable  time  we  had. 
Since  then,  I  haye Vaptised  seyen others;  and 
we  haye  one  or  two  more  I  hope  soon  to  see 
come  in ;  so  that  we  moye  ona  little,  and  at 
times  we  feel  that  'the  Lord's  ways  are  pleaa- 
antnesS|  and  his  paths  are  peace.'  But  it  ia 
f  cry  painful  to  me  to  see  so  few  that  receiy« 
the  word  ;  indeed,  so  few  that  hear  the  report. 

I  left  off  writinc,  and  haye  but  little  heart 
to  begin  again.  This  now  is  the  third  morning 
of  the  new  year.  I  feel  that  perhaps  this  year 
I  shall  end  my  pilgrimage.  I  haye  not  been 
well  this  fortnight.  It  is  now  yery  warm.  I 
think,  if  life  is  spared,  to  moye  inland,  where 
it  is  colder ;  but  X  am  in  a  straight,  there  is  a 
few  sheep  that  profess  that  I  am  a  shepherd^ 
under  Christ,  to  them;  so  that  I  cannot  say 
as  vet  what  I  ^all  do  as  to  my  removaL  Mj 
wife  is  much  tried  with  the  heat— indeed,! 
have  seen  her  several  times  quite  deranged. 
I  had  a  few  lines  from  brother  Warren,  of 
Beading,  Berks.  A  brother,  well  known  ; 
hope  to  write  him  soon.  I  am  very  glad  to 
hear  of  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  at  Beading,  or 
anywhere  else.  I  sliould  be  glad  for  you  to 
send  the  VxasBL  every  month;  a  doaen  a 
month  to  begin  with.  How  are  you  moving 
on  ?  is  the  fire  of  tribulation,  quite  as  hot  as  it 
was  sometime  past?  Is  temptation  coming 
down  on  you,  as  usual,  in  torrents  ?  How  is 
it  you  are  not  overflown  by  it  ?  Is  it  so  that, 
poor  Banks  is  both  fire-proof  and  water-proof  I 
You  are  a  blessed  man,  if  the  fire  proves  you  a 
fireproof!  and  the  flowing  torrents,  water- 
proof. Very  many  have  seemed  nice  cheerful 
christians,  until  tried  by  fire  and  water,  (h«a 
it  turned  out  they  were  not  proof  against  ei* 
ther.  Christians  of  God  Almighty's  own  mak- 
ing are  sure  to  stand,  but  who  are  they  ?  How 
can  I  tell  P  I  can  say  those  that  abide  the 
trial.  Is  it  brother  Banks  ?  I  can't  tell.  Is  i% 
brother  Wells,  or  brother  ^urgeon.  Is  it  bro- 
ther PhilpotL  Tiptaft,  or  any  whose  names 
aze&miliarP    I  caantt  telL  Is  it  myself  ?  X 


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fUM   BAftTEBM   T£88IL. 


116 


■B  itill  OB  tbm  Mone  gimnid,  I  don't  know. 
If  I  enduTO  to  the  end  I  ehall  be  nred.  I  hare 
seen  end  felt  lo  mneh  einoe  I  left  Enslend  of 
mTMlf  that  I  ha?e  thought  end  f eered  all  wee 
loeL  It  ie  eeej  to  eit  in  en  eesj  eheir  on  lend 
eadnnTigete  a  Teetel  eoroes  a  tempeetuoue 
eeeen  ;  on  the  other  hand  it  it  eas^to  talk 
abottt  triala,  efiUetione,  end  temptations,  the 
» of  God ; 


aad  faithfalnei 


II 


^ ;  talking 

easy,  eo  ie  writing,  bnt  trial  is  trial ;  the  do. 
ver  of  water  ie  great;  so  is  the  oppoeite  ele- 
Meat»  tmmely,  fire,  it  ie  very   destructiTe. 
Trials  are  not  joyous,  but  ^rio^oos  to  be  borne ; 
thflfprodnoe  heaTiness  in  heert;  and  that 
makea  even  the  strongest  men  to  stoop.    Oh, 
My  brother,  how  little  do  I  know  :  how  much 
I  ha^o  learnt  theoretieelly,  as  the  torrents 
aad  firo  doee  fkdly  prove  to  me.  Aye,  my  good 
IbUow,  it  eeense  to  cerrr  erery  Testue  away. 
aad  aeaiee   leeve  '  Qoi  he  merei/M  to  me 
behind ;  or  as  mneh  reel  religion  as  the  dy- 
ing thief.  Indeed  I  feel  en  every  day  wretoh.  I 
faaej  I  never  half  saw  the  lovely  and  suited 
Snvioor  ae  I  have  seen  at  times  since  I  have 
been  in  this  ecrfony.  and  vet  I  feel  like  an  old 
lotten,  braken,  hull,  with  neither  mast,  lig- 
lag  or  eaal,  hetan  or  canvass.  I  cannot  move 
into  the  worid,  neither  can  I  be  in  the  ehureh 
a  fiouriehing  braneh,  a  fruit  bearing  one,  I 
don't  eeemntted  for  the  oompeny  of  the  hot- 
toialses  pit,  or  thoae  that  are  on  their  way 
thithar;  and  Iseemas  though  I  wasutterlv 
anfit  for  heaven,  but  I  em  sure  he  that  will 
eheage  living  eaints,  when  he  comes  a  second 
time,  eaa  quickly  create  all  things  new,  and 
make  me  take  a  willing  flight  to   himself. 
Wdl  I  mast  eondnde  this  time,  may  the  Lord 
Usssand  keep  you,  espeeielly  in  the  hour  and 
power  of  trial,  and  prosper,  and  preserve  you 
to  kia  heavenly  kinadom,  is  the  desire  and 
player  of  a  poor  needy  sinner. 

BimsohBiibbt. 

Vewtown,  near  Sidney,  N.  8.  W. 
Aug.  81,  1856. 

mipoirr  ov  thb  pboobbss  ob 
SALEM  PAETICULAB  BAPTIST  CHUBCH, 

XjmifODB  Stbbbt, 
HOKTH  ADSLAIDB,  6.  ATT8TBALIA. 

Mb.  Sditob.— In  attemptinff  a  record  of 
the  events  in  eonneetian  with  the  people  of 
Ood  worshipping  in  the  above  place,  I  only 
purfMae,  by  the  help  of  Divine  grace,  to  ^ve  a 
snnrinft  and  faith/ol  account  of  its  history 
from  tha  celebration  of  its  seventh  Anniver- 
aary,  recorded  in  your  number  for  November, 
18o8.  A  referenee  is  made  in  that  report  to 
a  hope  then  existing,  of  an  union  with  the 
other  little  Strict  Bi^itist  cause.  Such  a  step 
was  then  contemplated^  and  various  proposals 
made  to  bring  alnmt  this  apparenUj  generally 
deeired  eonsnmmatioo.  Our  prayers  were 
offered  at  a  throne  of  grace,  in  private  as  well 
as  public^  for  the  countenance  of  our  heavenly 
Fether,  to  shine  on  our  efforts  towards  an 
union  of  the  two  churches.  United  monthly 
praver  meetlags  were,  and  still  are,  held  in 
eeeh  place  of  worship  alternately,  and  at  those 
— ^     1  the  union  of  the  two  places  was 


made  always  a  subject  of  earaest  appeal  t6 
him  who  nues  all  events  after  the  oouaaels  of 
his  own  will,  until  at  length,  overtures  were 
made  by  the  people  of  Bbeneaer  to  us  of 
Salem,  and  oordiaUy  entertained  by  us. 

Thus  far  the  Lord  appeared  to  be  highly 
favouring  us,  but  who  can  foreeee  events } 
And  we  must  admit,  that  it  is  a  most  wiie 
providence,  which  permits  our  seeing  only 
just  so  much  of  the  event  of  human  life,  aa 
his  all-seeing  wisdom  deems  necessarylfor  our 
good.  A  meeting  took  place,  of  deputies  ap- 
pointed from  each  ohuroK  to  arrange  the  terma 
of  the  union.  Alas,  how  short-sighted  is  man. 
That  meetittff  was  the  means  of  dashing  our 
fondly  cherished  vision  of  union  to  piecee,  and 
leaving  nothing  hut  the  baseless  fabric,  in  the 
shape  of  a  record  in  our  Church  Book,  of  the 
unsucessfal  mission.  Doubtless,  it  was  over- 
ruled by  our  heavenly  Master  for  our  good ; 
and  not  our's  only,  but  for  the  good  of  the 
people  of  Eheneser ;  neither  is  it  for  us  fioite 
mortals  to  judge  the  will  and  decree  of  the  in* 
finite,  eternal,  and  all-wise  Jehovah.  Our 
proposition  that  the  minister  and  deacons  of 
both  churohes  should  resign,  in  order  that  an 
election  might  be  made  by  the  united  churchea 
was  not  reciprocated  by  the  Eheneser  depu- 
ties, who  then  expressed  themselves,  for  the 
first  time,  in  fisvour  of  a  co-pastorate,  which 
our  deputies,  not  beholding  with  the  same 
favour,  declined,  and  thus  a  union  at  that  time 
was  impraetioable. 

It  was  not  without  its  modicum  of  good,  aa 
it  was  the  means  of  setting  the  people  of  Salem 
to  help  themselves,  without  reference  to  any 
other  churches,  though,  from  the  peculiar 
situation  of  the  two  churches,  to  our  human 
wisdom,  it  might  be  a  matter  of  regret,  as  they 
possessed  a  large  piece  of  waste  mnnd,  while 
we  are  restricted  to  about  27  feet  frontage, 
more  or  less,  by  about  100^  or  so,  deep,  ina 
the  sale  of  our  small  piece  with  the  old  build- 
ing would  have  enabled  us  to  join  them  with 
the  means  in  our  hands  of  commencing  a 
building.  It  was  however  over-ruled,  and 
since  then  we  have  had  the  offer  of  some 
ground  adjoining  and  at  the  rear^  for  £100, 
which  is  quite  a  gift ;  but  here  again,  division 
amongst  the  members,  and  difference  of 
opinion,  appear  likely  to  frustrate  the  wishes 
of  the  sealous  among  the  Salemites,  and  upset 
the  whole  affkir  for  a  season ;  some  being  for 
building  on  the  insignificant  frontage  we  nave, 
in  preference  to  completing  the  purohaae  of 
the  land,  and  then  trying  what  can  be  done 
towards  Duilding,  which  the  opposite  section 
desire,  among  whom  I  must  declare  myself, 
as  I  look  mucn  more  to  the  future  than  to  the 
present,  in  an  important  measure,  such  as  the 
erection  of  a  temple  to  the  wonhip  of  the 
Lord  our  Gk>d.  Thus  the  matter  remains  for 
the  present,  unsettled,  many  declining  to 
support  in  any  way,  while  the  thought  of 
buifdinff  on  the  present  piece  of  ground  oontin- 
ues  to  be  entertained. 

As  I  maintain,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  thehia- 
torian  to  give  the  two  sides  of  his  tale,  I  can- 
not hold  out  such  a  broad  banner  as  some  of 


my  brethren  who  have  alreadv  addressed  you, 
for  it  would  not,  when  unfolaed,  dedare  that 


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116 


THE  BA&TUBN  YESSKIi. 


[Mfty  1,  ISM. 


the  Lord  WM  pfoiperinjg^  Zion  to  the  fall 
smongtt  MB ;  for  though  it  is  correct  to  state 
that  16  or  80  hare  been  added  to  us,  yet  the 
obyerse  would  state  that  as  many  have  either 
withdrawn  themselres,  or  been  struck  off  the 
Church  Book,  in  the  same  time ;  so  that  on  the 
whole,  instead  of  numbering  over  60  members, 
it  will  be  more  correct  to  state  it  at  about  dO, 
leaving  rather  a  decrease  than  otherwise  of 
members ;  but  the  congregation  is  still  quite 
as  large  as  the  building  will  accommodate,  and 
I  can  oonscientiouslj  say  with  our  brother, 
tkat  the  place  %m  too  ttrait  for  u»;  and  prav 
that  the  Lord  will  give  room  for  us  to  dtoell. 
I  must  join  issue  with  him,  when  he  talks  of 
the  poor  duptsed  Baptists  being  in  povertv 
and  qffUetion  here^  as  having  no  state  church 
here,  all  sects  are  on  the  same  level ;  and  if 
they  are  despised,  they  have  none  but  them- 
selves to  thank  for  it ;  and  as  a  body,  the  ap- 
plication of  such  a  term,  is  decidemy  as  inju- 
dicious, as  it  is  incorrect,  showing,  I  am  afraid 
more  of  a  spirit  of  defiant  pride,  in  thus  taking 
up  a  term  of  reproach,  than  of  that  charity 
towards  brethren,  which  denotes  the  true 
christian ;  and  lastly  their  poverty  and  afBic- 
tion  in  this  Colony  is  no  more  than  obtains 
among  all  the  other  sections  of  Qod's  heritage, 
and  the  Baptists  must  therefore  take  all  the 
credit  to  themselves  wherein  they  are  left 
standing  alone  dangerous,  on  a  pinnacle  of  their 
own  creating.  I  am  very  happy  that  this  class 
is  Quite  an  exception  among  us  here. 

Another  move  is  now  making  towards  an 
union  with  the  Ebeneser  people,  but  as  it  is 
quite  in  its  infancy,  any  account  of  it  must  of 
course  stand  to  a  future  opportunity,  though 
from  my  experience  of  past  attempts,  my  faith 
in  the  success  of  the  present  one  is  necessarily 
YBirj  limited. 

Uaving  thus  brought  down  the  history  of 
the  Salem  Particular  Baptist  Church  to  the 
present  date,  1  trust  the  length  of  the  history 
may  not  be  an  obstacle  to  its  acoeptance  witn 
you,  and  am,  Mr  Editor,  your's,     E.  S.  W. 

Korwood,  North  Ad<>laide, 
86th  January,  1869. 


ANNIVEE8ARY  AT  MELBOUHNE. 

Bbas  Bbothsx  Baku,— Peace  be  multi- 
plied unto  you,  now  and  evermore.  I  received 
Tour  friend  Mitchell,  and  entertained  him  and 
nisAriend,  who  have  now  got  situations  at 
Oeelong,  at  their  own  trade. 

Our  Anniversary  Tea  meeting  was  held  on 
Monday,  Jan.  3rd.  About  160  took  tea  with 
us,  uid  afler  tea,  others  came  in  to  join  in  the 
evening's  worship  and  entertainment,  upon  a 
•ubject  most  sacred,  sublime,  and  sweet :  viz. 
'The  Communion  of  God's  Saints.'  1.  Br. 
Ward,  of  CoUingwood,  spoke  of  the  truth  in, 
and  by  which  they  have  communion.— The 
elect  lady  and  her  children,  whom  I  love  in 
the  truth.'  2.  Br.  McCure,  of  Geelong,  spoke 
of  the  power  by  which  they  are  brought  to 
have  communion  in  the  truth;  *For  our 
gospel  came  not  unto  you  in  word  only,  but  in 
power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  m  much 
•ssanmoe.*    3.  Br.  Friend,  of  Geelong,  spoke 


of  the  effeots  of  internal  oommnnion  in  tho 
truth,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost^  mani- 
fested in  their  walk  and  oonvertation  ;  '  See- 
ing TO  have  purifiedyourselves  in  obeying  the 
truth,  through  the  H!oly  Ghost,  unto  unfeigned 
love  of  the  brethren,  see  that  ye  love  one 
another  fervently,  walk  in  love.'  4.  Br.  Peach, 
of  Preston,  spoke  of  the  best  means  of  nro- 
moting  the  communion  of  saints ;  *  Then  uiey 
that  fwred  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to 
another.'  6.  Br.  Mourity,  of  Collingwood,  also 
spoke  upon  the  same  point,  kindness  to  the 
apostle  carried  him  to  pray  for  him  that  did 
it ;  *  The  Lord  grant  tnat  he  may  find  mercy 
in  that  day.' 

There  was  a  great  number  of  anxious  hear- 
ers that  evening,  who  upon  the  whole  were 
edified,  blessed,  and  much  delighted.  We  had 
none  of  your  English  barefaced  begging, 
which  is  one  of  the  sins  of  the  church  at  this 
day  of  gross  darkness,  but  just  the  boxes  at  the 
doors,  and  people  put  in  just  as  they  were  led 
by  God,  which  was  £27  7s.  6d.  Our  debt  is 
now  only  £200.   The  Lord's  name  be  praised. 

I  believe  if  the  churches  left  off  merchandis- 
ing the  house  of  Gkxi  with  pew  rents,  and 
shaming  the  people  out  of  tneir  money  by 
sticking  the  plate  in  their  fisces,  they  would 
be  more  abundantly  blessed  of  Ood  in  these 
things.  It  grieves  my  soul  to  read  of  some  of 
TOur  collecting  proceedings.  Gh>d  has  east  mj 
lot  amonfi^t  a  few  poor  people,  and  it  has  been 
my  happiness  to  see  one  chapel  go  up  and 
opened  without  any  debt ;  and  now  this  one  at 
a  cost  of  £1660,  and  only  £260,  now  left,  after 
the  first  anniversary,  and  all  done  without  snch 
things  as  pew  rents  and  plate  pushing. 

During  the  year,  we  have  baptized  nine  into 
our  number,  and  have  reoeived  about  that 
number  bv  experience,  firom  the  nortii,  eaat, 
south,  and  west,  having  been  baptbed  before. 
While  we  rejoice  that  the  Lord  nas  done  great 
thin^  for  us,  yet  we  lament  that  so  little  vital 
religion,  standing  in  power,  ii  to  be  found  in 
this  city.  Were  1  disposed  to  write  as  inoon- 
siderate  as  some,  I  might  give  ;^ou  veij  glow- 
ing accounts  of  our  state,  which  is  in  many 
respects  cheering  ;  but  pure  religion  is  scaroe, 
and  the  solemn  truth  of  Ood  will  hardly  get  a 
hearing.  However,  the  Lord,  he  is  God  and 
King,  and  will  reign,  and  do  his  pleasure.  I 
hope  I  shall  be  enabled  to  keep  casting  in  the 
net,  and  I  pray  that  the  Goremor  of  *  What, 
soever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  great 
deep,'  will  cause  more  fish  to  be  entangled 
therein;  for  to  'toil  all  night,  and  catch 
nothing'  is  very  trying  to  my  soul,  especially 
as  the  barking  professors  on  the  one  hand 
cry, '  Ko  children,  no  eonversions ;'  and  the 
croaking  professors  on  the  other  hand,  crying 
'No  savor,  no  power.  They  have  not  got 
Himtington's  grace,  but  they  have  become 
Huntington's  parrots.  Bless  the  Lord  for  a 
few  children  to  answer  these  enemies  in  the 
gate.  I  am  your's  in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel^ 
D,  AUiBS. 

Melbourne^  January  13,  1869. 

Our  brother  John  M'Cure's  letten  hare 
arrived.  We  shall  write  him;  and  report 
from  him  soon.  r^i^i^n]o 

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117 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OLD  BAPTIST  CHAPEL,  DUNSTABLE. 


A  short  time  since  we  ^ve  an  aooount 
of  •  Centennry  meeting  m  the  Old  Bap- 
tist Clia|>el,  Dunstable.  For  that  meet- 
iag  a  reriefr  of  the  Church's  History  was 
oonpiled  by  our  excellent  friend  and 
Chnstian  brother,  Mr.  Dell,  of  Dunstable, 
sad  was  read  by  Mr.  John  Bloomfteld,  to 
tke  nnmerous  company  then  assembled. 
Mr.  Deli,  hma  faroored  as  with  the  copy. 
It  reads  as  follows  :— 

Im  $iTing  an  aocomit  of  thij  aneient  eauie, 
•t  ar*  pointed  bmck.  to  a  very  remofce  period. 
SdvarUy  in  a  book  paUiahed  in  16i6  aays : 
Tkut  were  four  famouf  preachers  in  the 
eomtj  of  Hertford,  namely,  Heath,  of  Woot- 
ton ;  fiiee,  of  Aston  ;  Field,  of  Hertford,  and 
Cbnw,  of  Sterenage.  There  ii  but  little  doubt 
that  kheae  four  men  were  oonnected  with  an 
•JMieat  eaaae  at  Kenaworth,  of  which  thli  is 
SB  offihoot.  Tbia  cause  at  Kensworth  must 
lavs  esiated  for  a  raat  number  of  years  before 
Idvtrda  pnbLiahod  his  book;  and  that  is  222 
jfsn  sgo.  Tbe  only  authentic  account  I  am 
sUs  to  pTO,  ia  taken  from  an  old  Kensworth 
Cbn^  Book,  I  belioTe  now  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Upton,  tbe  Baptist  minister,  at  St.  Al- 
baa's;  on  the  firat  page  of  which  is  written  as 
IbUovs.  *  Tbe  namea  of  the  respected  mem- 
biiB  of  tbe  baptised  congregation  of  the  church 
at  Kaawortb,  in  Hertfo^hire,  taken  this 
ninth  day  of  Joly,  one  thousand  dx  hundred 
sad  seventy  fire,  by  me,  Hugh  Smyth,  of 
Wcathamatead,  in  tne  said  county  of  Hert- 
ford.'  Tfaen  follows  a  list  of  the  members 
aaovatia^  to  380.  redding  in  various  places 
in  the  neighbooroood,  nameljr,  at  AJabury, 
AaCon,  Berkbampstead,  Briokmll.  Ghalgrave, 
Codioott,  Caddington,  DunsUble,  Drayton, 
EaloB  Brar,  Eddlesborough,  Hampstead, 
Horton,    Hawridge,    Harpenden, 


Hemel  Hempstead,  Houghton,  Kenisworth, 
KcB^ilon,  Imton,  Leighton,  Mimms,  Red- 
boame,  Bidjpe,  Shenly,  St.  Alban's,  SUdham, 
Sundon,  Truig,  TUsworth,  Toddington,  Wil- 
liaai  and  Welwyn.  From  this  list,  it  ap- 
pears that  Thomas  Hayward  was  then  min- 
ister, or  elder,  as  he  was  then  called,  but 
be  became  so,  it  does  not  say;  he 
in  1688,  just  20  years  before  the 
i  of  this  ehapel,  and  m  the  same  year 
ae  John  Bonyaa  died.  The  history  of  the 
namae  at  Kensworth  is  as  follows.  The  cause 
ea  Keasworth  ezisted  for  so  long  a  time,  (and 
tfais  written  nearly  two  hundred  years  ago,) 
and  its  traasaetioos  had  been  recorded  with 
aadk  care,  that  tbe  minutes  filled  four  folio  vol- 
waaes  ;  tbeae  four  volumes  were  entrusted  to 
tlae  eave  of  a  wealthy  and  influential  deacon, 
wrho  afterwards  beeoming  so  immoral,  that 
the  Anreh  aaclnded  hin.  Snraged  at  their 
,  he  deekred  they  shoold  qevrr  have 


the  books  again ;  he  afterwards  removed  to 
London,  and  took  the  books  with  him,  and  it 
is  supposed,  he  destroyed  them.  After  the 
death  of  Hayward,  1688,  three  of  the  elders 
were  called  upon  to  speak  before  the  church, 
for  them  to  choose  one  of  the  three  to  be  the 
pastor;  the  names  of  the  three  elders  were 
Finch,  Marsden,  and  Harding.  The  lot  fell 
upon  Harding :  this  led  to  some  unpleasant- 
ness, and  in  the  year  1694,  there  was  a  di- 
vision in  tbe  ehurch.  Mr.  Marsden,  his  wifb, 
and  eirhteen  of  the  members,  residing  at,  and 
near  Luton,  then  formed  the  Old  Baptist 
Cause  in  that  place.  There  is  an  entry  made 
in  the  Kensworth  Church  Book,  dated  Nov- 
ember, 1688,  and  reads  thus  :— 

*  Immediately  after  the  death  of  that  laborious 
■erraot  of  Christ,  brother  I J  ay  ward,  the  old 
oharoh  was  stsambled  at  Kensworth  to  consider 
their  state,  and  the  church  did  elect  brother  Fiaoh, 
brother  Marsden,  and  brother  Harding,  loiatly, 
and  equally,  to  offloiate  in  the  place  of  orother 
Hayward,  la  the  breaking  of  bread,  and  the  sd> 
ministration  of  ordinaneea,  and  the  church  at  that 
time  did  agree  to  provide  and  maintain  at  their 
own  charge  a  sulnolent  maintainaoee ;  and  they 
were  to  go  from  meeting  to  meeting ;  and  to  erery 
place  the  church  ahoold  appoint  them  within  thU 
eongregation.' 

There  ii  another  entry  made  in  the  Kens- 
worth  Church  Book,  dated  December  6th, 
1694,  this  was  six  years  after  the  death  of 
Hayward,  and  reads  thus. 

'  Tbe  names  of  all  the  members  who  rent  oif  and 
departed  from  their  plaees,  and  broke  the  peace  of 
the  ehurch,  aboat  the  matter  and  difference  of  Mr. 
Tidmonth.' 

At  that  time  the  church  at  Kensworth  con- 
sisted of  893  members.  Then  follows  a  list  of 
the  names  of  65  members  that  left  the  old 
cause  at  Kensworth.  and  1  think  there  is  no 
doubt  the  cause  at  Dunstable  commenced  at 
this  time  (this  was  26  years  before  the  cause 
of  Kensworth,  broke  up.)  We  have  no  an- 
thentie  account  when  they  first  met  at  Dun- 
stable, but  probably  about  the  year  1694 ;  at 
the  time  of  the  division  at  Kensworth;  for  the 
cause  at  Kensworth  was  still  kept  up,  and  re- 
mained a  separate  cause  till  1720.  when  its 
last  remains  were  removed  to  St.  Alban's. 
The  first  account  we  have  of  the  church  at 
Dunstable  ii  an  entry  made  in  the  church 
book,  and  reads  thus : 

*  Sister  Briggs  reoorded  an  InhaUtaatof  Blag* 
shall,  did  come  from  the  general  people,  and  was 
reoeiTed  in  f^ll  eommunion  with  us  at  a  ohnrch 
meeting  held  at  Dunstable,  the  80th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, IS96.' 

The  next  entry  is  as  follows. 

*8bter  Dofi;  recorded  an  inhabitant  of  Potters 
Bar,  did  come  from  the  general  people,  and  did 
sit  down  with  us  in  1696/ 

In  the  year  1708,  thejr  bought  this  piece  of 
ground  for  £10,  and  built  a  chapel  for  the 
poblio  worship  of  Qod :  the^OMt  of  the  ehs- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


U8 


THB  BimTBBII 


[V^UlSMk 


pel  Mid  the  gfound,  inoludiuff  all  expenses 
wu  £92.  0  1^  and  the  trust  deeds  were  put 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Britlam.  This  My. 
Brittian  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  place, 
which  o£5ce  he  held  for  about  45  years ;  he 
died  in  thejear  1754^  ayed  80.  He  was  siw- 
oeeded  by  Mr.  Woster,  fh>m  Wi^^nton  Com- 
aen,  who  was  pastor  for  33  years ;  uui  was 
iwooeeded  by  Mr.  Cook,  who  was  pastor  for  3 
years :  then  came  the  c^ebraked  Mr.  Hews : 
dvtng  the  time  he  waa  pastor^  there  was  a 
dinuott,  the  Baptist  eause  in  YTeat^treet 
anae  about  the  year  1800.  Mr.  Hews  left 
the  people  about  1803. 

llext  to  him  came  a  Mr.  Tidd,  whe>  re- 
moBed  with  them  two  yeara.  For  some 
years  after  this,  they  had  aupplies  till  abe«t 
the  year  1812  or  1813,  when  a  Mr.  Chessher 
waa  ordained  over  the  peo^  In  hia  time^ 
there  was  aaothcv  dirisiott  in  the  eause  res- 
peeling  the  law  as  a  rule  for  belierer's  eo«. 
dwt,  and  those  that  did  net  hoM  the  law,  left, 
and  built  a  chapel  in  another  part  of  West 
Street,  but  this  was  soon  broke  up;  and  many 
of  the  mea&bera  returned  to  the  old  place 
acam.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Chessher  in 
1917*  Mr.  nkarttng^  eame,  and  was  with  the 
people  three  Tears. 

After  he  leh,  Mr»  Cream  was  settled  over 
them  for  about  i  years,  and  waa  suooeeded  by 
MnPalmer^of  HomM-feo«Bow,  Londoa,  who 
heM  the  pastoral  office  for  about  fiv^e  years,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Fowler  (late  of  Qolden 
Lane,  Barbican,  London)  he  stayed  with  the 
people  two  years  ^  when  he  left  in  1834,  there 
waa  another  division^  and  he  with  a  few  of  the 
people  built  another  chapel  in  Church-street, 
calling  it  Bedford  Chape),  Duke's  Place,  but 
this  cause  was  broke  up  in  a  few  years;  and 
sease  of  the  peo(>le  returned  to  the  old  ^ee : 
Aia  was  the  third  and  last  dirision  in  this 
ancient  cause. 

From  Auguit  1834,  to  December  in  the 
isme  Tear,  thcr  had  supplies,  till  Mr.  8hep« 
pard,lato  of  €ruildfbrd,  in  Surrey^  was  invit- 
ed to  take  the  pastoral  office,  and  was  ordained 
the  following  Ma^  :  the  serTices  of  Uke  mom- 
ittg  on  that  occasion  were  conducted  by  Mr. 
J.  A.  Jones,  of  Mitchell  Street,  London ;  those 
of  the  afternoon,  by  Mr.  6.  Combe,  late  of 
fik>ho  Chapel,  Oxford  Street,  London.  Those 
of  the  ereQine;  bT  Mr.  J.  Foreman,  of  Mount 
Zion  Chapel,  Hill  Street,  Dorset  Sijuare,  Lon- 
don. During  the  time  he  was  pastor,  many 
of  the  old  members  died,  and  others  were  re- 
moTed  in  proTidence,  so  that  the  cause  was 
brought  Tery  low ;  and  in  the  year  1847,  he 
resigned  the  pastoral  office,  and  was  succeeded 
bT  Mr.  Carpenter,  the  present  pastor ;  late  of 
Milehe))  Street,  St.  Luke's,  London ;  who 
found  the  cause  Tery  low;  but  the  Tery  first 
Sabbath  that  Mr.  Carpenter  preached  here^ 
the  word  was  so  blessea,  that  the  soi^  ol  tlw 
people  were  greatly  reriTcd :  and  as  sooiv  as 
ne  came  among  them,  the  scene  became  so 
ehaaged  and  altered,  that  truly  il  might  be 
said,  that  Uhe  wilderness  and  the  solitary 
IpUuMriiioiced  and  blossomed  like  the  rose.'  Sin- 
««■  ware  called ;  saints  were  oaaefocted^  and 
built  ii|»  in.  thalc  most  hely  foUhi  and  m 
great  was  the  increase  of  numbers  that  came 


to  hear,  that  admittance  oould  not  be  gained ; 
so  that  many  were  glad  to  sit  neon  the  i^tos 
and  tomb*stones  to  hear  the  word  at  Qod. 
The  congregation  still  increasing,  there  was 
great  difficultr  in  obtaining  seats;  still  the 
friends  hesitated  about  building,  and  enlarg- 
ing, knowing  that  the  people  were  a  poor 
and  tried  people,  but  for  a  cireomatanoa  that 
occurred.  One  Sabbath  afternoon,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1848,  a  tremendous  storm  swept  tluough 
the  town  of  Dunstable,  and  came  oown  with 
tempestuous  Tiolence  upon  the  old  Baptist 
Chapel,  diirinr  dirine  service :  the  bvilding, 
though  it  had  atoed  mere  thaa  140  winten^ 
and  weathered  many  a  storm  before,  waa 
shook  to  the  foundations,  and  part  of  the 
ceiling  blown  down  unon  the  congregation  to 
their  great  alarm  ana  dismay,  but  altlroug^h 
through  a  merciful  proridenee^  not  to  their 
personal  injury;  it  was  considered  expedient 
to  have  the  chapel  surveved,  when  it  was  pro- 
nounced unsafo  to  worship  in,  mauT  of  the 
chief  timbers  not  only  being  displaced,  but  in 
a  state  of  decay  firom  old  s^e.  A  meeting  of 
the  fticnds  worshipping  in  the  place»  was 
called  to  take  into  consideration  the  best 
means  of  restoring  their  place  of  worship, 
when  it  was  agreed  to  establish  a  fund  by 
means  of  collecting  cards,  and  the  people, 
though  poor,  were  wilUng  to  work,  and  cards 
to  the  amount  of  £105  were  issued*  The 
woik  of  repairing  was  immediately  begun, 
but  upon  a  more  minute  inspection,  thebuild- 
inx  was  found  to  be  in  such  a  dilapidated 
state,  as  for  the  old  building  to  be  taken  dowa 
and  a  new  one  erected  on  the  spot :  this  has 
since  been  done,  and  a  neat  structure  reared 
upon  the  old  ground,  capable  of  holding  400 
persons.  The  ohapel  was  opened  for  oivine 
service,  on  Wednesday,  August  11th,  1849,  bj 
Mr.  Wells,  of  London,  and  Mr.  Sears,  of  She' 
ford.  The  chapel  cost  in  erection,  £480  17  0 
and  there  is  now  a  debt  remaining  of  £165. 
The  minister's  house  which  was  built  in  the 
time  of  Mr.  Chessher  has  been  enlarged  and 
Tery  much  improved,  besides  many  other  re- 
psirs  and  improvements  in  erecting  new  foncea 
and  repairing  walls,  Ac  &o. 

There  has  oeen  73  members  added  during 
the  ten  years  Mr.  Carpenter  has  been  here, 
the  greater  part  of  which  have  prof^ised  to 
have  been  called  under  his  minisirr.  Hav- 
ing now  brought  down  the  history  of  this  old 
cause  to  the  present  time,  1  will  eonclqd)9 
with  the  language  of  the  poet 

Here  may  our  unborn  sons 
And  daughters  sound  thy  praise. 
To  shine  like  pobshed  stones 
Through  long  successive  days. 
Here^  Lord,  display  this  sovereign  power 
While  temples  stand,  and  men  %dore« 

P.D. 

Since  this  was  trritten,  there  has  been 
a  departure  f^om  itu9  old  caus«  of 
nearly  ioii^  nembens  who  have  heeia 
forced  iato  a  nev  Baptist  Chimsh  hi 
DuBstaUe  i  but  we  have  letters  inferm- 
iD^  Qs  thai  Mr.  Carp«iter  is  atiit  maik  n 
spiritual  blesslbg  to  many.    He  is  fr  • 


rl»lMal 


TXB  BABinUf  TBMUk. 


119 


gootf ;  Mb  trieiHls  arc  mmj  aad  sineere : 
and  we  hope  the  two  causes  maj  both 
:  if  audi  he  hea?eii'agood  pleasure* 


HV  CHUBCH  AT  BUII8XUIE. 

Mb.  S»n«ni,~I  im  on*  of  thst  happy  ami 
kigiilr-hoBoure^  •!•»  of  peiMns  freqlwiuitlj 
•iTM'OM  H-MMM.*  I  h«pe,  therefore,  j^n 
wul,  lbreiM«,  alloir  aa  eki  woman  to  give 
y^mr  i  mimn  a  little  rery  iaterectiDg  infor- 
BMliMi.    1  am  mii  *  the  eK-Garpenter*!  Male* 

■eraml  Mhe  pet  sen  Timothy/— bat  I 
ttm  eae  whe  takea  a  deep  iatereet  in  tke  proa- 
imitj  of  EioB;  mai  I  wish  ta  reeord  the 
UeaNd  mcreiee  of  a  eoTenaat  Go4  tewarde 
aoiaa  of  us  who  live  apen  theee  Bedforct  hills. 
Om  Wcdacedaj,  Affnl  13th,  a  aew  Baptist 
I'liwpib  was  formed  in  this  town  upon  New 
I^ataflMal  prinetples.  I  wish  a  Mi  report 
of  al  that  was  said  aad  done  oottld  be  puh- 
IfolKd ;  it  was  a  glericfM  goepel  day  inmed ; 
f  hacdiy  think  there  was  one  thia|f  to  mar 
oar  pcaea.  Ttroly,  the  Lord  was  in  our  midst : 
hiaminislervwere  clothed  with  salvation,  and 
fais  latnta  did  shout  ahmd  for  joy.  If  early 
forty  pes  sows  have  withdraws  uom  the  Old 
Bhptirt  Keetfnf ;  and  after  meeting  together 
for  prayer,  awisuhatipn,  and  listening  to  6od*s 
vani,  lesolfcd  to  be  formed  into  a  Gospel 
cAnrA.  The  foDowmg  is  a  little  aceonnt  of 
tie  aerrieea  of  the  day.  In  the  afternoon,  at 
•wo  o*cloelfc,  we  met  in  the  Town  Hall.  It 
was  lull  to  oeerflowinr;  many  conld  net  get 
ta.  Mr.  Coa;ghtrey,  of  Baton  Bray,  opened 
tiho  arrvico  with  that  beautiful  hymn, 
'  Kindred  in  Chriflt  for  His  dear  sake,' 

Mr.  Ourtledge.  tiio  pastor  oi  Bedboum 
enwfek,  then  read  the  wftptares,  and  sought 
ttm  Ucsaing-of  heaven,  fie  was  fovoured  in 
pimyer.  C.  W.  Banks  then  preached  ns  a 
wooB,  livdhr,  loving  sermon  from  these  words 
*•*  And  the'  Lord  added  to  the  ehureh  daily 
wmA  as  should  be  saved.*  One  of  our  brethren 
BOCod  out  ft  few  of  his  words  \  we  wish  you 
to  Id  others  read  them.    [Another  time.] 

After  the  sermon,  Mr.  Banks  ealled  u|>on 
Ifr.  Rush  to  read  our  Articles  of  Faith,  which 
he  £d  most  ^tinctly.  Mr.  Banks  then  asked 
Mr.  Bush  if  he  believed  that  all  the  persons 
I  to  be  united  together  in  church  fellow- 
were  true  believers  in  Christ,  and  con- 
t  followers  of  the  Lord  ?  Mr.  Bush  said 

p  baKered   they  were.     Mr.  Banks    then 

Bed  upon  the  proposed  members  to  signify 

-^  farth  in  the  Articles  read,  by  fifting  their 

b  to  heaven.    This  they  did.    He  then 

rave  to  each  and  every  one  the  right  hand  of 
nSowahip;  and  addrf»ed  them  m  suitable 
ward*.  This  was  a  precious  season.  The 
■itansoon  serriee  occupied  nearly  three  hours. 

Wo  then  removed  in  a  large  bodjy,  to  our 
aaUi  Temperaace  Hall,  where  tea  was  provid- 
ed^ mmd  a  numerous  company  assembled.  After 
tea,  the  JfiUon-Bray  singers,  and  other  friends, 
aaacBost  delightfhily;  the  largo  haH  was 
filed :  Br.  CooghtTOT  prayed;  Br.  Searle,  of 
Two  Waters,  read  tba  fiymna,  and  C.  W. 
Banka  preached  from  '  "When  be  eame,  and 


aavlhomeaolGod,  havaeglad^  and  aa- 
hcrted  Uiom  aU  with  pm-posa  of  heart-  to 
cleave  unto  tha  Loid.'  Christ  waa  everything^ 
indeed,  in  that  discourso.  We  tiien  returned 
to  the  Town  Hall,  and  thara  eommemorated 
the  dyinc  love  of  Christ,  in  the  breaidng  of 
bread.  The  brethren  C.  W.  Banks,  Cartled^ 
Long,  and  Coughtrey  all  united  in  adminia- 
teriag  the  Lord's  Sapper.  Some  said,  wo 
never  had  sueb  tm  evening  before  in  Dub* 
stable.  My  poor  heart,  and  my  hauriband'a 
heart  were  broken  in  leaving  ike  oki  plaee ; 
but  trulv,  Christ'*  Gospel  that  day,  wasa 
ooedial  for  all  our  oares,  a  soothing  balas 
for  all  our  woea.  If  yon.  do  not  eaat  thia 
away,  you  shall  hear  again,  from 

As  Olo  Womah  is  DuHevABU. 


xn  GOOD  0L»  rxA.Tnr€»  wombn,  ak9  vbs 
CHUBCH    AT    SUTTON, 

XV  CAXBRIDOBSiriRB. 

Mt  J>mAM  Ms.  Snirox-^In  looking 
through  your  YsaaBi.  this  mentb,  I  folt  & 
little  disappointed  at  the  very  short  accoont 
of  the  Cambridgcshiro  churches,  and  being  in 
possession  of  some  interesting  facts  oonneoted 
with  the  Sutton  church ;  I  have  thought  it 
might  be  interesting  to  your  readers  to  leani 
somewhat  of  its  birth  and  growth  to  the  pre* 
sent  time. 

The  cause  at  Sutton,  like  many  other  of 
Ood*s  work*,,  owes  his  existence  to  the  weak* 
est  of  instrumentality.  A  little  more  than  & 
hundred  years  ago.  there  waa  no  dissenting 
cause  whatever  in  Sutton.  In  those  days»  a 
poor,  but  good,  man  feeling  his  heart  bum 
withlove  to  Christ  and  precious  souls,  ob» 
tained  a  few  tracts,  and  went  from  bouse  to 
house  with  themj  preaching  Jesus  as  he 
went.  In  hi&  visits»he  found  a  few  godly  wo> 
mea,  and  they  soon  arranged  to  meet  at  one 
of  their  houses  for  prayer,  and  reading  the 
Word.  This  humble  means  was  blessed  of 
God.  This  house  soon  became  too  strait  foe 
them ;  God  appeared,  and  found  them  a  bari^ 
where  they  worshipped  tiU  that  became  too 
strait  tor  them  :— (that  barn  I  saw  burnt 
down  nine  years  ago  this  spriitt,)  they  were 
again  encouraged  to  lengthen  their  corda  and 
strengthen  their  stakes.  They  built  their 
present  meeting  house  in  1791,  on  a  beautiful 
site,  commanding  a  view  of  the  oountnr 
around  for  many  miles.  I  have  many  times 
stood  in  its  neat  burial  ground,  and  seeing 
the  villagers  coming  in  all  directions,  some 
walking,  and  some  dnving.  have  contemplated 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  *  Whither  the 
tribes  go  up.  the  tribes  of  the  Lord,  unto  the 
testimony  of  Israd,  to  give  thanks  unto  the 
name  of  the  Lord.*  Few,  if  any,  of  the  fli- 
thers  live  that  saw  that  structure  rise,  but  I 
had  the  honor  of  burying  a  few  within  the 
sacred  endoeure,  who  were  witnesses  of  its 
erection,  and  among  its  earliest  supporters. 
One  young  man,  Robert  6eodj  by  name,  be- 
ing employed  to  cart  bricks,  siud»  *  They  may 
hire  me  to  draw  bricks  to  ImiM  the  meeliBg, 
but  they'll  norar  draw  me  hito  tho  meeting 


120 


TUB  SAaTHBK  VB88BL. 


CMay  1.  isas* 


when  iti  built ;  Til  never  go  to  tbe  meetinj[.' 
Bttt'Bobert's  ways  wu  not  God's  ways,  for  m 
a  very  short  time  Bobert  was  found  within  its 
walls,  and  God  fastened  the  word  home  as  a 
'nail  in  a  sure  plaoe,'  and  bored  bis  ear  to 
the  post,  and  Bobert  never  left  the  house.  He 
soon  became  a  member,  and  though  he  lived 
nearly  four  miles  off,  Robert's  seat  was  «eldom 
vacant  for  upwards  of  forty  years.  When  I 
went  to  Sutton,  in  1840,  Bobert  was  very  aged 
ond  infirm,  but  for  some  few  years  after  that, 
every  Lord'S'day  morning,  would  find  the  good 
old  saint,  leaning  on  Ms  big  umbrella,  making 
his  way  towards  the  house  of  God ;  mostly 
early  enough  for  thejrayer  meeting,  before  the 
morning  service.  Thus,  instead  of  never  en- 
tering the  house  he  helped  to  build,  he 
walked  many  thousands  of  miles  to  worship 
within  its  walls.  We  preached  his  funeral 
sermon  from  these  words»  *  And  now,  Lord^ 
what  wait  I  for  ?  my  hope  is  in  thee.' 

However,  the  meeting  house  was  finished* 
and  in  a  short  time,  it  become  too  strait  for 
its  worshippers,  and  i^in  they  ]}ad  to  enlarge. 
After  this,  side  galleries  were  erected,  and  a 
few  years  ago  a  front  gallery  was  put  in. 

Thus  much  for  the  building.  Ihe  Church,. 
I  beliere,  was  formed  while  they  worshippea 
in  the  barn.  Its  first  Pastor  was  a  Mr. 
Norman ;  a  man  not  quite  sound  in  the  faith, 
and  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  he  was  a  Strict 
CommunioniBt ;  but  a  man  God  honoured. 
Some  few  of  his  seals  still  live.  We  had  the 
honour  of  burying  some  called  under  his 
ministry ;  among  whom  was  Thomas  TTffendell, 
a  venerable  saint  of  ninty-five  vears  of  age.  I 
hare  often  heard  him  speak  m  the  highest 
terms  of  his  father  in  God,  Mr.  Norman. 
This  good  man  was  baptised  on  a  Christmas 
day,  and  they  had  to  break  the  ice,  to  lead 
him  and  others  into  the  water.  He  maintained 
through  grace,  an  honourable  standing  in  the 
Churdi,  for  more  than  sixty  years.  He  con- 
tinued to  hear  three  sermons  on  a  Lord's  day 
till  within  a  very  short  time  of  his  departure, 
when  like  a  shock  of  corn,  he  was  gathered  to 
his  fathers.  We  buried  him  in  his  own 
grave  in  the  Meeting-yard,  and  there  were 
present  a  chapel  full,  and  among  them  several 
persons  over  eishty,  and  many  over  seventy 
years  of  age.  His  wife  and  only  son  died  in 
the  faith.  His  two  daughters  are  now  mem- 
bers of  the  church.  His  son's  only  child, 
Thomas  Uffendell,  was  called  under  my  minis- 
try, and  is  also  a  member. 

I  eould  give  many  pleasing  cases  here,  but 
space  forbids ;  but  one  I  feel  I  must  say  a 
word  about  The  grandmother  of  that  honour- 
ed servant  of  Christ,  Mr.  Septimus  Sears,  was 
in  those  days,  called  by  grace,  at  Sutton.  She 
soon  expreafed  a  wish  to  obey  her  Master's 
oommands,  but  her  husband  strongly  opposed 
her.  However  she  determined  to  go  forward, 
and  her  husband  determined  to  leave  her.  He 
said  to  her,  'Well,  have  vou  made  up  your  mind 
to  be  baptised?'  *  Yes,^  was  her  reply.  'Then 
I  shall  leave  you  :  go  and  pack  up  my  things 
and  I'll  go.'  <  Oh !  1  would  not  go  to-day  (she 
■aid,)  wait  a  little  longer.'  <No:rUgonow: 
pack  up  my  things.*    Accordingly  she  did  so. 


She  Moked  up  his  olothea,  and  he  went  off. 
But  ne  had  not  been  gone  long  before  he  re- 
turned. '  JSh  !  (she  said,)  wbat  brings  yon 
back  BO  soon  P'  '  Why.  these  words  nkrB 
come  to  my  mind,  I  don't  know  what  they  are^ 
nor  where  they  are^they  can't  be  for  me— 
they  must  be  for  you,  '  Be  ye  steadfast ;'  and 
he  could  think  of  no  more ;  but  the  good- 
woman  caught  them  up,  *  Yes,  (she  said,  call- 
ing him  by  name,)  I  know,  'immovable, 
always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord/ 
&c.  '  Yes,  (he  sud,)  that's  it.  Th^  can't  be 
for  me ;  they  must  be  for  you,  and  I  wont 
oppose  you !'  And  he  acoompanied  her  to  the 
water'a  edge^and  witnessed  her  baptism. 
She  also,  with  some  of  her  children,  and 
children's  children,  to  the  third  and  fourth 
generation,  are  buried  in  the  Meeting  Yaid ; 
some  of  whom  I  also  buried. 

Mr.  Norman  was  succeeded  bv  Mr.  Orrias, 
a  man  of  God  and  truth,  who  laboured  there 
very  successfully  for  I  think  about  eleven, 
years.  However,  many  of  his  seals  live  to 
this  day,  some  of  whom  have  worn  well  for 
fortijr  or  fifty  years,  and  some  died  during  my 
ministry  in  good  old  age.  I  eould  give 
several  pleasing  accounts  of  such,  but  I  dare 
not  enlarge.  Mr.  Orriss,  according  to  uni- 
versal  report,  was  a  sealous,  devoted,  affeotbn- 
ate  servant  of  Christ,  and  perhaps  during  hia 
ministry  the  church  at  Sutton  enjoyed  some 
of  its  brightest  and  best  days.  However,  hia 
work  at  button  came  to  an  end.  He  rensoved 
to  Ely,  and  from  Ely  to  Somersham,  wherv 
he  lalioured  for  thirty- three  qrears,  and  died  an 
honoured  servant  of  Christ  in  good  old  age. 
Mr.  Orriss  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Biofaard 
Lay,  a  thorough  Boanerges.  But  if  report 
say  true,  there  was  a  need  be  for  a  Boanerges 
in  those  davs,  and  Bichard  Lay  was  sent  aa  a 
refiner.  Tne  celebrated  Bitaon  was  popular 
in  those  parts  then,  and  hii  heresies  were  rife 
among  the  people.  And  this  Boanerges  stood 
forth  boldly,  waging  war  with  the  deadlj 
heresv  for  about  three  years,  during  which 
time  his  labours  were  blessed,  and  some  of  hia 
seals  still  live,  monuments  of  his  nsefulneaa. 
After  Bichard  Lay  came,  the  venerable  Wil- 
liam Cattell.  Mr.Cattell  was  ono  of  Mr. 
John  Stevens's  disciples,  and  carried  with  hia 
the  views  of  Mr.  S.  on  the  Pre-eziiteDoe  of 
Jesus  Christ.  These  sentiments  have  sown 
discord  in  the  church  at  Sutton,  that  we  fear 
will  take  many  years  to  uproot  Still,  I  do 
hope  things  are  on  the  mend.  Mr.Cattell' 
laboured  for  some  sixteen  years  at  Sutton, 
toward  the  end  of  which  time,  he  had  a  hand- 
some property  left  him  by  one  of  his  hearers. 
This  caused  jealousy  and  suspicion,  whieh 
threw  a  damp  upon  his  ministry.  But  he 
did  not  labour  in  vain  :  the  early  part  of  Mr. 
Cattel's  ministry  must  have  been  very  labour- 
ious,  and  greatly  owned  and  blessed.  He 
never  accepted  another  pastorate  after  leayinf^ 
Sutton ;  but  continued  residing  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, to  labour  as  an  itinerant  as  long  aa 
health  permitted.  And  many  times  during 
his  later  days  occupied  his  oldpulpit  at  Sutton. 

W.  F. 

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181 


iUTXOV  OSUBOH  AS  IT  VOW  IB. 

l>mAM  But  —  Mb.  Edwards  reeeired  a 
Mto  from  Jon,  wuhing  him  to  write 
a  few  linM  raipocthi;  the  ohoreh  at 
BottoB,  of  which  he  is  now  the  pastor. 
Bia  time  hanng  been  so  short  with  us, 
he  would  rather  I  should  write,  stating  the 
dealings  of  the  Lord  towards  us  as  a  church 
and  people.  Binee  our  beloved  Mr.  Flack, 
has  left  v»,  we  have  experienced  a  wintry 
season;  for  four  years,  we  have  been  in  a 
widowed  state,  oast  down,  but  not  des- 
troyed; though  we  have  been  faint,  vet 
we  kept  pulstting.  We  have  not  had '  Icna- 
botf  written  upon  our  doors ;  but  have  mostly 
had  oar  polpit  supplied  with  men  after  God's 
own  heart,  to  breek  the  heart  of  life  amongst 
nsb  We  have  alwavs  had  the  ordinance  of  toe 
Lord's  Sapper  administered  every  month. 
Die  Chunm  consists  of  about  60  members. 
We  have  a  few  praying  souls  to  carr?  on  the 
worship  of  the  Grad  of  our  fathers.  Since  we 
have  been  destitute  we  have  had  about  20  good 
mioistefs  on  probation,  but  not  any  of  them 
was  to  be  the  man;  we  were  like  Samuel 
with  his  horn  of  oil,  he  was  not  allowed  to 
anoint  any  of  the  sons  of  Jesse,  until  the 
Btripliag  David  was  sent  for.  So  also  with 
mj  till  Mr.  Bdwardi  was  sent  for,  we  could 
not  anoint  any  one  for  our  pastor.  We  met 
together  well ;  for  after  preaching  to  us  the 
fint  time,  his  mind  was  drawn  towards  us, 
sad  oars  toward  him.  It  was  quite  unanimous ; 
by  the  ehareh  that  Mr.  Edwards  should 
teeome  our  pastor ;  so  that  I  rest  assured  the 
La«d  has  sent  him  amongst  us ;  and  that  he 
iatendi  to  blesa  his  labours.  I  rejoice  that 
oar  eofenant  keeping  God,  is  unoliangeable, 
thai  he  lovee  his  people  as  much  in  adversity 
as  in  the  day  of  prosperity,  as  much  in  the 
vaBev  of  Aehor  mm  on  Mount  Tabor.  There  is 
a  delightfol  harmony  in  the  purposes  and 
aetioiis  of  a  Triune  God  towaros  hu  beloved 
peopkb  He  reats  in  his  love ;  is  of  one  mind 
and  none  ean  tarn  him,  therefore  the  sons  of 
Jacob  are  not  eonsomed.  He  has  his  set  times 
to  ikvoor  Zion ;  he  waiteth  to  be  gracious ; 
he  has  answered  our  many  petitions  in  sending 
OS  a  pastor  after  his  own  heart ;  my  fervent 
prajrer  is,  thai  the  dear  Lord  will  bless  his 
Bimatryaokingst  ns,  that  there  mi^  be  a  great 
gathering  of  nredous  souls  to  our  heavenly 
fihile,  that  at  Button  the  little  one  may  become 
a  thousand,  and  the  small  one  a  strong  nation ; 
tbat  stout-hearted  rebels  may  fdl  as  victims 
to  the  groand,  cnring,  *  What  must  I  do  to 
besared  ?*  If  God  is  pleased  to  work,  none 
can  let  or  hinder, '  For  ne  doeth  his  pleasure 
ia  the  araiies  of  heaven  and  amongst  the 
iahabitanta  of  the  earth,  none  can  stay  his 
ksod,  or  mj  unto  him,  what  doest  thou.' 

Toar'%  in  gospel  bcmds, 

FlOWBR   BATSBft. 

BBAraio. 

lATxxa  ram  voitvdation  btomb  ot  the 

VBW  BAPTIST  CHAPEL. 

Ov  ninnday,  ICardi  81st,  Mr.  James  Wells, 


eight  hundred  persons  on  the  ground  to  wit- 
ness the  ceremony,  which  took  place,  aoeord* 
ing  to  announcement,  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon. 

The  serrice  commenced  by  Mr.  Wale  giving 
out  the  two  fint  verses  of  the  hymn  begmning 

'  Behold  the  sure  foundation  stone ;' 

after  which,  Mr.  Wells  engaged  in  prayer, 
and  two  more  verses  of  the  same  h^rmn  were 
sung.  Mr.  Wells  then  delivered  a  stirring  and 
most  appropriate  address,  which  was  listened 
to  with  great  attention ;  after  which  he  pro- 
ceeded to  lay  the  first  stone,  and  Mr.  Wale 
then  laid  the  other.  The  Boxology  was  then 
sung,  and  the  friends  adjourned  to  the  New 
Hall,  London-street,  where  about  two  hun* 
dred  and  fifty  sat  down  to  tea ;  after  which, 
Mr.  Wells  preached  an  excellent  sermon  from 
2  Cor.  ill.  12,  to  a  congregation  of  about  one 
thousand  persons,  who  all  manifested  the 
greatest  attention.  The  proceeds  from  the 
tea  and  the  collection,  after  deducting  all  ex* 
penses,  amounted  to  about  fifteen  pounds. 

The  day  was  beautifully  fine,  and  nothing 
occurred  to  mar  the  happiness  of  any  part  of 
the  proceedings.  We  hope  to  have  the  Chapel, 
opened  about  the  first  or  second  week  in 
August;  but  till  then  we  have  engaged  the 
New  Hall,  for  our  Sabbath  evening  services, 
commencing  with  the  month  of  May,  the 
crowded  state  of  our  present  Chanel,  and  the 
growing  heat  of  the  weather,  rendering  such  a 
step  absolutely  necessary. 

(From  CosaBSFOvsBKTS.) 

SOUTHWASK-UNIGORN  YARD  CHAPEL, 
TOOLBY  STREET.  On  Tuesday,  March  26(11, 
our  pastor,  Mr.  C.  W.  Banks,  administered  the 
ordinance  of  Believers*  Baptism  to  four  brethren, 
and  one  sister,  who  had  prsTioosly  witaeascd  a 
good  confession  before  the  ohurob,  one  of  the  bre- 
thren is  the  superinteadaat  of  the  Sabbath  School. 
Oar  pastor  preached  an  able  aoal-eomforting  dis- 
course from  Matt,  xxvlil.  *LoI  lam  with  yoa 
always  even  onto  the  end  of  the  world.'  It  was 
very  refreshing;  very  many  were  truly  blest. 
Others  are  hotering  around ;  we  trust  many  may 
be  gathered  into  this  charch  of  Christ.  On  Ban- 
day,  September  3rd,  oar  pastor  received  four  bre- 
thren and  two  sisters  into  Charch  fellowship,  and 
fall  communion ;  his  address  to  each  was  faithful, 
affectionate,  and  suitable ;  there  was  a  large  con- 
legation  of  attentive  hearers  who  had  previously 
listened  with  profound  attention  to  his  discourse 
from  Hebrews  v.  8,9.  'Though  he  were  a  son, 
yet  learned  he  obedience  by  the  things  which  he 
suffered,  and  being  made  perfect,  he  became  the 
author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  that  obey 
him.'  I  wish  I  could  write  an  epitomy  of  this  dis. 
course ;  it  was  so  appropriate  and  full  of  the  glor- 
ious Person  of  the  .Son  of  God,  and  his  finished 
work,  that  we  think  the  savour  will  long  be  felt  by 
many  that  heard.  There  is  in  most  of  bis  sermons 
a  raoiness  and  fulneeo,  only  understood  by  those 
who  wait  upon  the  ordinanoes  of  God's  house,  to 
be  fed  with  the  Bread  of  Life,  and  are  hungering 
for  the  same.  On  Tuesday,  April  8th,  thefourm 
anniversary  of  the  Sick  Visiting  Society,  belonging 
to  Unicorn  Yard,  was  held.  Mr.  James  Wells 
preached  in  the  afternoon  a  sound  gospel  sermon 
from  Matt.  v.  48.  150  took  tea.  Public  meeting 
in  the  evening,  T.  Pocock,  Esq,  in  the  chair;  Mr. 
Edgecombe  opened  with  prayer,  our  pastor  Mr. 
C.  W.  Banks,  read  the  report,  which  was  adopted, 
and  the  claims  of  the  Society  most  warmly  advo. 
by  brethren  Thomas  Jones,  Cracknel.  Tho. 


1MB 


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wlM^  WMoUoitad.  faid 


d«irn  m  bonntlM  double  doiuuioa  wbioh  «m  fol- 
lowed bj  aootherfrom  ourblgbly  eateemed  brother 
Blaoksbaw,  of  Qacknof .  The  eolleotion  wes  en- 
wiMtm.  SebMrlpCiflne  or  donatfoBB  will  be 
tlMAkfirily  reoeWcd  by  Mr.  JMm  Oivic,  OBCwmy, 
61,  Franoii  Street,  Newiogton,  S. 

[We  return  eineere  tbenke  to  Thomes  PiUow, 
Em.,  Jaraee  Mote,  Esq. ;  Mr,  WhktAker,  end  eev- 
ermi  friends  from  Deore  Perk,  end  other  neieh- 
booring  ebnrebeB,  who  to  kindly  and  liberally  nr- 
vQRd  OS  with  their  eompeny  end  eeuatenanee.] 

HAKPSTBADBOIlD-IIm  work  «r  the  Lord 
•frpears  t0  be  soing  tm  at  8ta«befe  Street,  Heap. 
Mead  Boad,  We  had  a  very  f«U  and  praftiaUe 
meeting  on  Tocsday,  March  15th;  aboat  130  to 
tea;  after  which  the  large  room  soon  became 
crowded.  After  prayer  by  brother  Bland,  Mr. 
Aldlae,  pastor,  stated  the  o«Jeet  was  to  svbmit  to 
tke  meetlog  the  plan  of  a  new  plaee  of  wvnhip, 
which  was  intcadcd  to  be  baUt  in  Camden  New 
Town,  where  a  oaase  it  much  needed,  being  ea  in- 
ereating  neighboarhood,«Rd  no  diatentiog  mtcreat 
near,  it  was  intended  to  begin  with  the  restry 
and  school  nwois,  which  wouM  be  51  fbet  by  SS ; 
in  two  teors  at  Che  CKtieme  end  of  the  groniML 


taken  for  the  chapel,  and  wbteh  will  form  one  end 
of  the  chapel,  when  bnUt,  and  remain  the  veetxtos 
and  school  rooms,  opening  into  the  chapel;  that 
aflbrding  accommodation  for  aboat  WO  people,  and 
the  tame  number  of  children  at  onoe ;  and  when 
the  fhnds,  and  the  state  of  the  eaoee  warrant  it,  the 
ehapel  will  he  hallt.  By  thia  plan,  no  oMtiey  will 
be  spent  in  waste.  The  groand  landlord  toM  Mr. 
Aldia,  it  was  his  Intentioo  to  builda  chapel  on  that 
spots  as  a  tpeealation ;  but  he  has  now  promised  a 
donation  towards  the  building;  alto  two  years' 
groand  rent.  The  united  with  of  the  church  and 
congregation,  and  the  erident  signs  of  the  work  of 
the  Lr»rd  being  revired  in  our  midst  of  late,  seemed 
to  shew  that  the  movement  bad  the  diTine  appro- 
bation. Brother  Poremaa,  gavv  a  ^etf  Inetrvc 
tl««  adCrsea  oa  the  fbandalion  and  oomer  stone  of 
tte  tsmpls ;  brother  Hesleten,  on  the  materials  of 
tha  tem^e ;  hrsUicr  Wyard,  on  the  fltnets  and  unity 
of  the  bnilifng ;  brother  Bland,  alto  addressed  Uie 
meeting,  end  moeed  the  following  reeolatten,  Tti : 
*That  fk«m  the  psaMen  of  this  ohorch  and  eett- 
gvegntion,  and  the  very  inconvenient  eondition 
■nd  prcearlons  tenure  of  the  preeent  room.  It 
appears  fhlly  desirable  to  proaaote  the  ereethm  of 


a  new  place  of  vrorship,  upon  the  plan  and  on  the 
ground  now  submitted  to  the  meeting.'  Tnls  re- 
eolntioB  was  very  heattily  eeeonded  by  brother 


Foreman,  and  earried  nnanimonsly.  Brother 
BloomHeld,  oflbred  prayer.  It  was  one  of  the  beet 
and  mo«t  profitable  meetings  vrtth  which  the  fdends 
at  Stanhope  Street  have  been  favoutod. 

HOIXOWAT— t  forward  you  a  brief  cratline 
of  our  annual  tea  meeting  at  Zoar:  brethren 
Flack,  C.  W.  Banks,  Ball,  and  DoTcy  were  pre- 
sent. Tour  exposition  of  the  dignity  of  tbe  Sov. 
ereign  of  the  Kingdom  of  grace  was  svreetly  and 
powerfoUy  received ;  the  vubjeets  of  the  kingdom 
defined  by  brother  Flack:  the  laws,  by  brother 
Ball;  perpetual  story  of  the  kingdom,  by  brother 
Dovey,  were  all  littoned  to,  and  joyfhlly  received. 
Ton  enquire^  am  I  happy  at  Holloway  t  Let  me 
say,  I  have  nothing  to  make  me  otherwise.  I 
never  sought  Bolioway  cause,  but  it  sought  me : 
and  the  way  teemed  «o  lAear  that  I  durst  not  turn 
from  tlm  requisition  mode  me  to  become  itt  paator. 
Since  my  laboort  there,  we  have  steadily  increased ; 
new  members  have  been  added ;  and  peace  is 
in  onr  borders.  The  causes  that  led  me  to  Hollo. 
way,  are  1st,  I  sought  it  not.  2nd,  when  invited 
the  people  gathered.  Srd,  I  did  not  ehooee  for  pe- 
onalatj  gain.  4th,  because  I  was  not  entering 
«pon  taotlier  man's  Uaeof  tUngs ;  then  being  no 
Btrtat  B^jttetOhTOch  near.  5th.  Its  nelghbonrhood 
ifu  ttt  l^Mt  ifhnt  my  dnyi  HI  tnlty  ifsvt  spvBty 


and  Mat  Ma  ipnt  T  WM  vdWl  by  V^tm.  Sth, 
there  is  a  vattly  growing  population  rWng 
anrandnt.  niese  am  the  reasons  for  my  tMspt- 
tegthepastointe,  aadltwni  Mft  he  a  ttnii  m«Mr 
that  will  drtvoMn  away.    YnVa  in  Jesns, 

F. 


€0GOS$HAZX  -  DsAn  Ma.  Eniroa  •-  The 
Friends  at  Salem  Chapel,  Chureh  Street,  Ooggee- 
half,  had  one  of  the  best.  If  not  the  voiy  host, 
meeting  en  Aprfi  4th,  18M,  tkojt  ever  w<e  hove  tad 
since  our  Ohapel  tai  becK  bultt,  a  W.  Basks, 
preached  ta  the  aAemeea  from  theae  Meesed 
words,  *  Neither  is  there  aalTaUoh  in  any  othor.' 
Setting  forth  Christ  as  the  Amen  of  all  onr  salva- 
tion; divine  power  rested  upon  the  woffA;  eo 
gladly  was  the  word  rceelved,  that  eoraeoay  they 
shall  never  forget  it.  One  Mend  toM  me,  he  nanwr 
felt  so  happy  before  in  all  hie  iMh .  he  eayv,  I 
ioaged  to  be  none :  asoet  gladly  eeold  1  have  Isft 
all  below,  and  have  gone  home,  to  haTeheenot 
rest,  O !  he  says,  when  Mr.  Banks  spoke  of  the 
diristian's  heart ;  it  quite  Hfted  menp,  othata  sold 
what  a  Messed  meeting ;  It  Is  good  to  he  here;  aaaae 
eald,  weeonldhaveaMallni^t.    The  ten  i 


at  5  o'clock*  vms  a  very  ideeafng  eight 
The  friends  and  ndghhoars  around  gathered  lag^ 
ther,  exnressing  sympathy,  for  which  we  are  vcqr 
thankful;  many  of  our  brethren  in  the  mtaistry 
came  to  help  ut;  we  were  glad  ta  have  them. 
Mr.  Wlnfleld,  (from  London)  was  called  te  prseMa. 
svpportcd  on  the  right  hasid  by  Mr.  Yhnisiaa,  «< 
Balstead,  and  Mr.  Merritt,  of  Oolcheeter;  luaiaat 
the  left  by  Mr.  Banks,  of  London,  and  around  him 
was  Mr.  Battron,  and  Mr.  French,  aad  other 
firiendt.  Above  thiee  hundred  mt  down  to  ten,  nad 
the  order  was  good ;  by  theexertlotte«f  oarfHemiL 
every  mm  was  made  oomfortaUe,  and  ^thsf  •■ 
tttmtd  to  be  happy.  Very  eavonry  and  apidlaBi 
addresses  were  given  hy  the  brethren  present,  m 
that  the  hearu  of  the  people  were  made  to  r^oiai^ 
Bro.  Collis.  (our  dear  alnicted  pastor,)  was  at  tha 
chapel  to  near  Mr.  Banks ;  and  was  very  glad  ta 
hear  him.  hut  he  eonld  ndtslqp  ta  the  tea  aml««eB 
ing  meettatg.  He  Ismnch  better;  nod  hopee  to  ha 
in  his  Maater^s  wotfc  i«ahft  shortly.  Tonr'a  lAlfea 
beet  of  boodsy  Tnoiua  Bowijuw, 

ZOAS  CHAPEL,  fiwiCE-Chtlstiaa  Bro- 
ther :  Tbe  cause  ot  our  adored  Redeemer  (altar 
nearly  four  years  of  hard  stmggnng  in  the  i  ^^ 
of  opposition  from  pretonded  friends; 
foes,  is  at  length  riaing  from  ita  apvar 
We  had  the  pleaaare  of  baptising  in  iheoovnaaAl 
names  of  our  Jehovah,  ninc^  persosM  on  Lard'a- 
day  morning,  April  S,  1859,  in  the  presence  ol 
about  500  persons ;  after  a  very  solemn  and  eenreli- 
ing  disoourre  on  the  origin,  design  and  hleaaat 
n«es  of  the  Bapdem  of  heTlevers,  neeardlng  to  tki 
authority  of  our  Lord  and  Maaler  Jeeos  Chdati 
see  Luke  viL  ^  .50;  John  i.  91-SS.  Theaarslaa 
was  listened  to  with  much  solemnty,  and  from  4htt 
results  we  rejoice  to  believe  *  The  Lord  was  thin.* 
W.  F.,  Betnngh  Bosd,  Ipswloh. 

HIiflmraS—DtAE  Mn.  Smtck:  Thnra  at*  « 
few  toversef  a  frne  grsne  gaepel  atHattiaufcfei 
flnatag,  who  have  been  made  honeat  hi  siwitoidtol 
for  the  order  of  God's  house  as  at  first  deUv<arod« 
(via).  Strict  Communion,  that  have  taken  a  va^ 
commodious  school  room  In  Castle  view-fdaca^ 
near  Welltngton  Square ;  hy  way  nf  vaklng  th« 
same  known,  two  seimana  wna  preaehad  hy  If  r. 
R.  8.  Bird,  of  Olapham,  on  the  10th,  and  twobv 
Mr.  James  Wells,  of  London  on  the  14th  of  April, 
which  we  believe  was  attended  by  the  unction  of 
the  Holy  One.  They  have  Invited  Mr.  Waterer,  of 
Brighton,  to  preach  to  them  for  a  eertain  tSttann 
Lord'a-days,  and  Mr.  Wall,  of  Rye,  kindly  ptma^ 
ises  to  preach  to  them  on  Thunday  evawMfc 
May  the  hands  of  their  anns  be  ma4»  atrong  tiy  tha 
mighty  God  of  Jacob:  fhr  he  hath  said,  *thaM 
that  hononr  ma  I  wiUhmwur.'    AndaoMlmft 

^^»'  DigitizelP-^ 


mmU  UMil 


TMB  SlBtUM  TBSaib 


Its 


LB  4UB  STREET. , 

We'  v«r«  g&a  to  see  a  good  gathering  at  brother 
Diek««oa'a  oa  Thondaf  •Teaikf,  Mareh  Utt,  on 
vhieh  ooeasion  the  anxiiial  meeting  in  connection 
mitk  Ito  9Uk  OuutKy  «m  toM.  Aftar  tea,  Mr. 
Dickaraoo*  took  tha  ohair,  and  called  upon  bro- 
tber  Cracknall,  to  lapiiiUeata  the  Lord's  bieestng.  A 
«eU  vrittan  report  ma  road  by  Mr.  White  the 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  by  which  we  learnt  it 
waa  ia  a  proapevMi  acata,  tkata  being  a  balaace  in 
Treasaxvr'ahaada,  through  a  legacy  of  £10  left  to 
the  Society  doring  the  year.  Besolationa  were 
Mt  to  Om  aMetSag  and  oarried,  being  spokes  to  by 
lae  brvthrm  Wyatd.  Craehaell,  Pelte,  Jidgeeoaaba, 
•ad  ottera;  bat  we  ooald  not  help  thiakiag  on  re- 
Uma«  hone,  tliat  the  moat  telUag  speech  wa*  thai 
of  a  wovUng  man,  who  at  hia  own  request  waa 
invited  cm  the  platform,  and  with  a  heart  filled 
with  cvatitade  gave  an  aeeonnt  of  his  call  by 
graet  tknragb  tbe  InatniMeBtaUty  of  the  Sick 
boeiety,  daeiariag  himaulf  to  be  a  mooomeat  to 
aoreretiTB  grace.  That  many  anoh  resalta  okay  be 
fooAd  from  the  labours  of  this  and  Jdndred  aocic- 
ties  is  tiM  earnest  dealre  of 

OXB  WHO  w. 


Ctiilnonsnil  CniBfi- 


UTTLB  HOOBFIBUM "  BAPTIST  CIIA- 
PKL,  WHITe  8TR££T.  On  Lefd'suiay,  April 
i7th,  1AM,  ibe  hnadrad  aad  firtecnth  anaiTersary 
wa«  held,  when  three  sermoaa  were  preached  by 
Me&sni  Williamaoo,  Banks,  and  Webb.  On  Tues- 
day, 19th,  the  llrtt  year  of  the  present  paator,  Mr. 
O.  Webb,  waa  noticed  by  Mr.  Bloomfield  preaching 
a  geod  geapel  eenaea  in  the  afteiaoon.  After  tea, 
a  pabHc  ■wttag  waa  held;  after  aiaging  and 
prefer  hr  brother  Fk>ry,  the  meetieg  waa  ad. 
drnaed  egr  brother  Banks,  who  made  a  few 
reaiarkB  on  Paatan  zxiii.  Christ  the  Shepherd  of  his 
people.  Brother  Wyard,  gare  some  interesting 
words  that  the  people  are  in  peace  aad  prosperity, 
whioh  tae  tr«atad  weald  leag  eeatinae^  It  was  an 
old  MMa,  aad  aMbeegh  It  had  aaak  low,  ItatiU 
cakled:  wUeh  be  traatad  it  wooM ;  and  aheep  be 
gathered  in.  The  paator  now  said,  he  felt  much 
o»ei  uwae  at  the  goodness  of  God,  or  he  should 
hare  said  mote  at  the  opening  of  the  meeting,  he 
wjoieid  they  weie  ia  peace,  he  had  his  troubles, 
bat  hai  bean  liavaared  to  add  91  last  year,  and 
had  aew  9  lor  Baptism.    Brother  Hasleton,  fol- 

f  waa  also  addresaed  by  brethren 
ebb,  and  Chivers.     It  waa  a 
r;  foil  of  lifcb  larour,  and  freedom. 
F.  W. 

CtAPSAH-OABIfEIt  CHAPEL.    DaAa  Ma. 
aiToa.    la  thaaUsg  yon  for  the  insertion  of  our 


aaalTeraary  notice,  we  feel  asrared  that  yon  will 
be  pleased  to  hear  that  our  friends  made  a  good 
reapoaae  to  oar  aanooaoemeat ;  aad  throagh  the 
tender  nacrey  of  oar  God,  we  had  a  good  day.  The 
'  teatfaiflay  delirered  by  those  noble  ohamp. 
ir  tratli,  Mr.  Wells  and  Mr.  Foreman,  was 


by  the  anetiooe  blessing  of  oar  God  to 
afort  of  Zion*a  trareUcrs.  The  atten. 
I  exeeDent  and  the  collections  far  ex- 
eceded  oar  expcctatioo.  To  oar  God  be  abandant 
hoaoar»  aad  to  oar  frieada.  both  ministers  aad  peo^ 
pla,  tboee  of  the  adjoining  oanses  and  those  of  the 
more  dletaat  oaea,  we  present  onr  warmest  thanks. 
It  is  gtatUViav  to  ns  that  oar  aflhirs  are  placed  in 
od  bottaeae  poeitSea.  Mr.  Hall  has  accepted 
aad  oar  prayer  is  •  O  Lord,  we 

'- erity-' 

A  LcTBE  ov  Zioa. 


agaodi 


mmM^MMJAL  OBBSV-HOPE  CHAPEL,  in 
5eeiaa  Street,  Twig  Polly,  (Mr.  T.  B.  Parber's,)  is 
ahoal  to  be  enlarged.  It  is  a  pleaaing  sight  to  see 
the  ebapel  crowded  and  etammed  to  listen  to  the 
waria  of  life  here;  aad  better  than  all  iL  the 
Load laa^m^bH  «id«oaCBCtteg  hnadrediof  hfi 


Dbab  8iB,--In  reading  *  Little  One's  *  letter 
on  Baptism,  insetted  in  this  month's  YvBOtti,  1 
was  astounded  to  find  the  following  wnteneey 
•  War  thejfj  {ths  Apostlet)  were  net  feaf  perioa- 
aZfy  to  ftopeiee,  5at  to  preach  the  Ootpel*  and 
I  could  not  help  saying  to  myself,  Surely  tlift 
ecod  man  mnst  hare  made  a  groat  mtstalce, 
becavae  our  Lord's  command  i»  eqyuUlypoH' 
tive,  plain^  and  personal  on  both  points ;  *  €Fo 
ye  therefore^  and  teach  all  nation»j  haptiainff 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  fka 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Qhoet  ;*  which  commife- 
sion  'Little  One'  »  bound  to  acknowlei^ 
was  giren  bv  our  Lord  to  the  apostles  perttm* 
ally.  And  if  words  have  any  meaning  at  alL  it 
contains  a  positire  command  for  the  apowim 
peraonallff  to  teach  or  preach,  and  j^erwonaUjf 
to  baptize.  I  shall  therefore  esteem  it  a  faronr 
if  *l<ittle  One'  will  give  his  aathority  for 
saying  that  the  apostlee  toere  not  sent  pereon* 
ally  to  haptixe  ;  and  also  to  state  that  if  Miy 
were  not,  who  were,  and  when,  and  by  whom  f 
For  if  the  apostles  were  not  sent  pereoaallv 
to  baptise,  others  most  hare  been,  or  else  b 
follows  that  those  wlio  did  baptixe,  did  so  oa 
their  own  head,  er  without  any  Dirine  anl^ 
rity. 

Yoar  insertion  of  this  in  the  Vsassz.  «i& 
giaatly  oblige  A  Covstaw  ]aiA]>BX» 

T1BW8  OF  PEOPHECY 
(lb  ae  SdUor) 

DBi.s  Sir—  The  Whimr,  Not  7  and  8  ia 
trae  to  the  title^an  fizpositionof  Bar.  12  aMl 
13.  My  object  in  that,  was  not  as  yon  state,  te 
dwell  on  one  question.  Since  I  published  a 
work  entitled  The  Seven  Beale,  my  mimi  b«i 
been  led  to  publish  a  continuation  of  views  of 
pro^ecy;  from  a  conviction,  derived  ilrom 
reading  the  word,  that  the  principle  of  inters 
wetation  oommonly  applied  is  false :  I  had 

.  long  pondered  upon  what  must  strike  many  at 
a  difficulty,  namely— the  kind  of  wisdom  need- 

I  ed  to  understand  the   apocalyptic  symheia. 

1 1f  general  commentators  oe  true,  the  key  In 

<  general  use  is  great  knowledge  of  the  hittorr 
of  the  world,  and  of  the  church  If  then  tlJa 
be  absolutely  needed,  how  can  it  be  that  tiio 
Bible  is  its  own  interpreter  ?  Is  it  then  Air 
attempting  to  ghew  that  the  wisdom  required 
is  dirine,  and  not  natural,  that  yon  speak  as 

I  you  do  P  Is  it  for  an  endeavour  to  lead  to  tba 
word,  I  am  to  be  misrepresented  f    Then  I 

I  shall  feel  it  nodishononr;  only  I  should  prefer 

I  you  to  have  left  that  to  other  reviewers.  SPIe 
Wltitper  is  needed  as  a  medium  of  truth, 
with  all  due  deference  to  the  YmtsaL,  The 
author  conscientiously  believes  it  has  a  mission 
to  fulfil,  however  feebly  it  mav  de  that  work. 
One  thing  the  author  would  not  consider 
creditable  io  himself— to  be  frownod  into 
silence,  after  the  clear  tokens  of  the  blessii^ 
of  the  Lord,  in  his  search  of  the  Word.  Tear*! 
sincerely,    C.  S, 

fjDm  ipii  tt  <K  <liis  Soto  is  ezoeUeat ;  and 
w«  again  repeal  tbaft  as  a  (AriMiaa  mtta;o» 
•n  eaniMt  stii(ioat»  miM^mifl»  tmiamty 


134 


nn  BA&THBH  YWUfSh, 


[Miy,  1,  ISM. 


and  at  a  mat  aaorifloe,  aaaki  to  throw  li^t 
into  theaark  mmdi  of  hlc  fellow  men — we 
Tery  highly  esteem  Mr.  Charles  Skinner;— 
we  do  not  think  any  one  who  thoroughly 
knows  him,  can  do  oUienrise.  It  was  there- 
fore, painful  to  us.  to  notice  his  work  as  we 
did— and  seeing  that,  in  every  way,  he  has 
heen  to  us  a  real  friend,  it  would  faiare  been 
cruelly  ungrateftil,  but  for  the  fkot.  that  he 
entertains  and  adrocates  one  particular  notion 
opposed,  as  we  beliere,  to  divine  revelation : 
and  in  our  contention  for  all  which  we  believe 
essentially  and  divinely   true,  we  shew   no 

Jiuarters ;  we  ask  no  favours ;  we  seek  no 
orgiveness  from  men.  Convince  us  we  are 
in  error ;  or,  have  pleaded  for  truth  in  an 
anti-christian  spirit,  and  we  fall  down  in  sor- 
row :  but  when  error,  in  a  gospel  garb,  comes 
in  our  way,  we  must  speak  out,  u  we  die  for 

it-ED.] 

NEW  BAPTIST  CHAPEL,  CLAPHAM. 

On  Monday.  April  11th,  was  laid  the  Found- 
ation  Stone  of  Bethesda  Baptist  Chapel,  Cran- 
mer  Court,  Clspham  Bise ;— for  the  use  of  the 
Church  and  Congregation,  K.  8.  Bird  the 
minister.  A  goodly  number  of  friends  from 
London,  Chertsey,  and  Uie  neighbouring 
Churches,  were  present ;  witii  severalminister- 
ing  brethren,  who  love  our  Brother  Bird,  and 
the  flock  under  his  care :   after  the  hymn, 

'  God  moves  in  a  mvsterious  way,'  ftc, 
our  long  tried  and  laborious  Brother  C.  W. 
Banks  sought  the  Lord's  Blessing  on  the 
Pastor,  the  flock,  and  worshipping  xamilv ;  on 
the  buUdinif,  and  the  builders,  that  the  house 
might  be  raised,  that  sinners  might  be  brought 
down,  saints  built  up,  and  Ood  be  glorified. 
Mr.  Jsmes  Wells  then,  in  his  usual  decided 
manner,  addressed  the  assembly,  declaring  the 
only  sure  basis  of  real  prospenW  rested  in  a 
close  abiding  by  new  Covenant  Iruth.  B.  8. 
Bird  then  deposited  in  a  metal  case  under 
the  Foundation  Stone,— the  following  epitome 
of  the  Church's  Faith  and  practice. 

<This  building,  to  be  called  Bethesda 
Baptist  Chapel,  ^is  erected  for  the  worship  of 
the  Triune  Jehovah,  Father,  Word,  and  Uolv 
Ghost ;  by  a  Church,  the  members  of  which 
are  composed  of  Men  and  Women,  who  upon 
declaration  made  of  Repentance  towards  God, 
and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  (and  such 
only,)  have  been  baptised  by  immersion  in 
the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity ;  and  then, 
partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  maintaining 
all  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  grace,  and 
contending  earnestly  for  the  truth  once  deUver- 
ed  to  the  saints.  As  witness  our  hands, 
BicHABD  Stixltbass  Bibj>,  Pagtor 

SUfVBL    RULTOF,  ") 

JoHv  FiLBWoon,        >  Dbacovb. 

Samubl   Maiskt,        ) 
The  Foundation  Stone  was  laid  this  11th 
April  1869,  by  Mr  James  Wells,  Pastor  of  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle ;  the  further  particulars 
next  month. 

[This  little  garden  has  revived  considerably 
since  Mr.  Bird  has  been  singing  therein*  The 
Xiord  has  honoured  him  indeed  1] 


B0KB  4VB  QXFOBD* 

It  Is  no  use  attsmptiBg  to  shut  our  eyas  to 
the  terrible  fMt,  that  an  amalgamation  betwasA 
the  EnglUh  and  the  Romish  Ghurehes  Is  fiut 
approsehing.  Letters,  books,  sad  evidences  from 
all  qoarters  are  eominf  to  hand;  and  elsarly 
snoogh  we  see,  that  while  good  men  are  slceptag, 
the  enemy  is  busy  at  work.  Thrse  years  siaee 
— or  more-  -we  sommeneed  a  cheap  serial.  ■  The 
Antt-popf  ih  Bevicwer.'  Thoossads  of  that  work 
were  eircalsted,  bat  the  great  Iom  we  sustained, 
and  the  little  sympathy  we  met  with,  threw  as 
upon  onr  baok ; — i  nr  foes  looked  oa,  and  laughed, 
while  wo  were  sighing  in  the  valley.  It  became 
Qs  to  bow  with  snbmlsston ;  and  to  cease  ow 
efforts  to  resist  the  sdrsaecs  of  those  most 
dssdly  opponents  to  the  gfspel — that  legion  of 
aati-Chrisilsn  powers.  While  we  inly  moam 
over  the  apathy  of  onr  trnth-loviag  Churches, 
we  rejoice  in  diseoTerlag  a  spirit  kindred  to  onr 
own,  rising  up  in  some  of  onr  more  able 
brsthren.  Mr.  Wale's  Leetores  on  *  Trac- 
tarianlsm'  (now  pabllahed  by  Stevenson,  for 
sixpenee,)  have  made  the  Pasejltes  very  an- 
gry  :  but  every  gospel  Minister— every  Mend 
to  that  Protestantism  which  was  bom  in 
the  council  ehsmbers  of  the  Mew  Covenant — that 
Protestantism  which  was  brought  forth  by,  and 
embodied  in  the  person  sad  work  of  our  glorloos 
High  Priest — that  Protestantism,  which  is  pnb- 
lithed  wherever  *  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
Ood '  is  proolaimed,  every  lover  of  that  heaven« 
originating  Protestantism  Is  bonad  to  use  his  ut- 
most endeavoors  to  d^md^  ss  well  as  to  deelar^- 
the  troth.  Why  should  act  public  meetings 
every  where  be  holden  all  throogh  our  ehnrches  T 
Mr  William  Hawkins,  Baptist  Mlniater,  of  Brad, 
ford,  has  been  deliTcrlog  Lectures  In  some  of  our 
large  towns,  with  great  suoesss.  We  hail  bis 
efforU  with  delight,  and  with  earnest  prayer. 
We  thank  the  Lord  for  the  measure  of  health 
given  again  to  him  ;  and  for  the  evident  fresh 
anointing  with  which  he  has  been  favoured  ;  to 
aid  him  in  a  work  so  seasonable  and  so  essential, 
will  be  to  us  an  ovaagelieal  luxury.  We  ean 
only  this  month  quote  a  line  or  two  from  his 
letter  to  us.     He  says  :— 

*  Wherever  I  have  been,  we  have  as  vet,  had 
most  crowded  andieneea  however  large  the  ^ace. 
Bnt  the  Papleta  are  alive  everywhere.  Their 
priests  now  equal  in  nnmber  onr  Baptist  mlnlatera 
of  all  ahadee ;  their  increase  of  places  of  wor- 
ship beat  ours,  and  the  monastriee,  and  convents 
are  more  than  doubled  ^ineo  1850 1  and  besides 
noblemen,  clergymen,  fte.,  going  over  to  them,  I 
have  partieulars  of  Independents,  Baptists,  and 
Wesleysns  truly  sppalling. 


TntTFoan,  Mosfolx— On  Friday,  April  Itt, 
James  Newborn,  of  Ely,  opened  a  large  room  la 
Tbetford,  Korfolk,  for  preaching;  and  in  the 
foUoiring  week,  J.  Oowing  of  Noiwich,  spoke  In 
the  ssme  room  fh>m  Aeiit<>8th,  later  part  of 
27th  verse.  The  little  k  ni  would  feel  very 
thankfiil,  should  sny  miKlBte^  of  the  gospel  be 
passing  from  London,  Ac,  to  Korwieh,  Yarmouth, 
fto.,  if  they  would  stsy  on  iheir  wsy  at  Tbetford, 
for  only  one  night,  u  they  are  without  a  regular 


supply.    Direct  to  J.  Oiverlyi  No.  4  Bury-road, 

"  )ogre 


Thetford,  a  day  or  two  before. 


Jot  1.  ISML] 


TUB  BARTflXN   TB88BI.* 


125: 


®5<   ®W0    6rrtttc5<ft   ttt   €^t\$i 


OB,  WHICH   AM  I? 


Iv  «■■  BMrly  twelf •  o'doek  one  Satoiday 
mght  whoa  I  returned  from  a  hard  week's 
von  in  the  mhiistrjf ;  and  in  preparing  for 
the  ^ri!aal  neeetiitiei  of  the  thonflands 
whom  it  is  mj  hononr  and  my  hanpiness  to 
proTide  for,  (aian  initrnment,)  in  tne  wilder- 
nett.  Aa  I  lat  down  in  mj  little  hook-cahin, 
I  lecretlj  aaid, '  I  haTO  no  text  for  to-mor- 
row! Lobd!  do  hsip  me,  I  am  wearj; 
barrea;  and  •enaihlj  dependent'  I  did  in- 
deed feel  aanred  of  the  great  truth  of  the 
Martei^a  worda— '  Without  mew  am  do  no- 
(km§:  With  Mr.  Toplady,  I  eonld  hare 
sang— (although  it  might  hare  been  to  ra- 
ther a  Bonmfu  tune : — ) 

*  JfMt,  ImmoUblf  th«  SUM  t 
Tliov  true  and  Uriag  Tint  I 
Aroand  thy  all-Mpportlog  »tem, 

Uf  fMbls  arat  I  twint. 
'  I  6*11  do  Aotbiaf  withoat  tb«e, 
Uj  etrcsfth  to  wholly  thioo ; 
Withered  sad  barren  thonld  I  be. 
If  MTtrtd  from  the  Tine.' 

In  aneh  a  ij^rit,  the  words  of  the  Lord 
eame  to  my  mind—'  .fiJMry  Waneh  in  me  that 
htmreth  mot  fruity  he  taketh  aweaif :  and  every 
brmmeh  thai  heareth  fruit,  he  pwyeth  it,  that 
it  may  brmy  forth  mmrefruU*  I  laid,  there 
are  two  maehei  in  Christ,  one  merely  the 
eicatare  of  his  all-creating  power,  and,  at 
belt,  hot  tLpro/eeeor  of  his  goepel ;  the  other 
hnadi  is  ta  Him  bj  eternal  union;  by 
eovenaat  vnioB ;  by  ntal  union ;  in  Christ 
by  tke  FATHxn'a  donation ;  the  Son's  re- 
demption, the  Holy  Saint's  regeneration ; 
ur  Ohjubt,  by  the  dinnely  inwrought  life 
of  frith,  meioQs  fellowship ;  and  a  holy  one- 
■cas  IB  aO  the  ehsracten  he  sustains ;  in  all 
tka  gloiiow  attributes  of  hii  mediatorial  oon- 
sSitntioo ;  and  in  all  those  great  aoiaM  *  (or 
Mssnfial  truths)  of  the  everlasting  go^el 

*  Im  'Borrey  TnhemMle  Palpit,'  No  SI,  Ur, 
Wolle  Miye  :— 

Than  to  ao  kingdom  like  it  for  etrengtb.  *  la 
that  daj  ihall  thto  to^g  be  long  in  the  land  of 
Jvdah ;  «e  hare  a  strony  eiiy ;  Mlvation  will 
God  appoint  for  walto  and  balvarka.*  NineTeh*a 
w«l3a»  and  Babylonia  walla,  and  Jcrnaatenk'iwaUa, 
vitn  teokea  down;  bat  the  walto  of  aalvation, 
who  akall  break  down  f  What  then  to  to  be 
dMoT  *  Open  ye  the  fatea,  (the  gatea  of  truth,) 
ttet  tka  rifhtoona  nation  whtoh  keepcth  the 
tniU,  may  eater  in  ;'  Ulerally  tranatoted,  it 
wonld  be.  'Open  ye  the  gatae,  that  the  righteooi 
natioa  whieh  kcepeth  the  amem  may  enter  in  ; 
■md  I  ahoold  prefer  that  rendering,  and  I  will 
have  it  too.  Why,  aay  yon,  yon  ean't.  Bat  I 
wat  hnve  it.  It's  not  im  Engltoh.  Then  I  will 
have  tt  la  Hebrew.    I  Uke  it,  bceanae  aU  thr 

Vou  XT.-No.  171. 


wliioh  roTeal  and  make  known  to  us,  the 
way  of  life:  the  ancient  ladder,  whereby 
Christ  comes  down  to  redeem,  and  redeemed 
ones  ascend  to  dwell  with  the  Bedeemer  in 
glory.  And  as  I  thought  of  these  two 
branches— the  words  fell  from  my  lips— 
*  AND  WHICH  AM  I  ?* 

This  led  me  to  think  of  a  imall  mece  of 
paper  which  brother  Meekins,  the  Waddes- 
don  Hill  pastor,  gsTe  me  the  other  day  at 
Cnddington,  in  Buckinghamshire,  and  which 
reads  as  follows : 

W.MsKKiHS,  Pastob  ot  Wasdisdov  Hill. 
BsHDBTH  GanBTivo  TO  C.  W.  Banks. 

BsAB  8n— There  to  a  piece  in  your  Ybssei., 
for  the  year  1848,  commencing  at  page  24ti, 
closing  at  page  247,  which  I  Uiink  from  what 
I  have  seen  and  heard,  has  wounded  some  of 
the  Lord's  people.  I  speak  for  one,  it  has 
wounded  me ;  for  if  what  he  states  on  page 
246  be  true,  I  know  not  where  to  find  the 
people  of  Qod.  For  that  writerj  on  page  246, 
says  that  the  mere  bond  children  are  wroueht 
upon,  and  make  a  profession ;  he  says,  they 
have  marks  and  eridences.  He  says,  on  page 
246,  that  the  bastard  has  had  his  strong  con- 
Tictions,  hto  legal  terrors,  his  fierce  tempta- 
tions, his  deliverances,  his  hopes,  hto  pros- 
pects, and  his  assurance.  Tet  after  all,  the 
foregoing  being  felt  and  experienced,  he  is  no- 
thing but  a  natural  man. 

Dear  Sir,  I  want  either  you,  or  that  man  of 
God,  *  A  Little  One,'  to  insert  a  piece  in  the 
Ybbsbl,  clearly  pointing  out  tne  difference 
between  mere  natural  conrictions,  and  those 
true,  spiritual  convictions  which  none  but  the 
eleot  of  Qod  ever  have.  God  help  one  of  vou 
to  comply  with  miy  request,  and  aign  myself — 
A  Poor,  Tbibd,Tbmptbd,  Cast  Dowv  Soul 
AT  Waddbsdom. 

I  believe  there  are  many  thousands  of  the 
Lord's  dear  children  who  are  sorely  tried  on 
thu  point :  they  do  not  dearly  see  their  calling 
to  be  of  God ;  and  the  minis^  they  sit  under, 
it  may  be,  is  a  confused,  weak,  powerless,' 
unsavoury,  and  uncertain  one ;  consequently 
many  of  them  are  exercised  deeply.  In  mix- 
ing with  the  churches  in  the  Provinces  this 
spring,  I  have  been  spoken  to  by  many  who 
are  in  low  places,  ana  cannot  see  their  signs. 
I  shall  be  thankful,  therefore,  to  give  the 
people  a  dear  discovery  of  the  manner,  and 

tmtha  of  the  goepel  are  atnen*,  *  I  have  loved 
thee ;  I  have  choeea  thee ;'  aettled  the  matter ; 
*I  will  nerer  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee.* 
These  are  the  people  that  shall  enter  into  glory ; 
them  that  keep  the  amm$.  And  there  is  no 
prospeel  like  the  proepeet  of  thit  kingdom. 
Trnat  ye  in  the  Lord  for  ever;  for  in  the  Lord 
Jehovah,  to  everlaating  strength^jOOQlC 


186 


JHB  XABTHIN  TIBSBI*. 


tJvMltlSlt. 


the  method,  of '  A  Ortmoui  Gail  from  Satan* » 
kingdom  into  ihs  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son,* 
If  *A  Little  Ooe' — (sad  every  body  knows 
now  that  he  ie  Job's  next-door  nei^hbonr)  or, 
even  a  less  than  he,  can  fnmish  it  out  of  God*8 
Holjr  Word,  as  that  word  has  been  to  them 
Uhe  engrafted  %cord  convening  ealvatum  to 
their  own  eouit^*  I  shall  ifladlj  insert  it. 

There  certainly  are  two  deep  things  to  be 
aroided  here : — the  first  is,  not  to  baild  np 
dead  professors  nor  mere  mental  and  momen- 
tary moomers  *foith  unUmpered  mortar* 
Master  Boulton  deals  sharply  with  saoh  per- 
sons.   He  says : — 

GoHOiRHXvo  a  right  and  oomfortable  man* 
a$ing  of  our  spiritual  estate,  a  point  of  deep- 
est oonaideration,  and  highest  eonsequence. 
take  notice  of  two  extremes— two  dangerous 
rocks.  ui>on  which  the  soul  may  run,  and  split 
itself,  spiritually. 

I.  Tht  one  ii  a  proud,  or^-pnaing  ef  our 
own  graces,  with  a  oonoeited,  over-weaning 
self-admiration. 

II.  The  other,  a  dcjeeCed,  dietrosifnl,  un- 
dervaluing of  God's  mercies,  the  promises  of 
life,  and  those  graoes  which  we  poassis  in  trutit 
and  holy  desire;  though  not  in  that  degree 
we  desire. 

I.  Before  I  can  seasonably  and  preparedly 
fall  upon  the  first,  to  instmot  punotnaUy,  and 
arm  the  Christian  against  it,  with  whom  I 
principally  deal  in  thu  whole  disoourei^  give 
me  leave  to  discover  a  mystery  of  spiritual 
self-deceit,  by  which  Satan  siu  presnmptu- 
oualy  in  the  darkened  minds,  and  deluded 
imaginations  of  those,  whom,  with  hit  eonning 
and  malice,  he  hoodwinks,  and  hardens  to 
their  endless  confusion. 

Many  thousands,  even  nnder  the  means, 
and  n  this  glorious  mid-day  of  the  Gospel, 
are  groundJessly  coofceited,  that  they  are 
right ;  when,  as  in  truth  ud  trial,  they  are 
rotten  at  the  heart  root;  that  they  are  sure 
of  heaven,  when  they  are,  as  yet,  most  cer- 
tainly of  the  family  of  hell.  Neither  is  this 
any  strange  thing ;  so  deluded  weie  the  fool- 
ish Virgins,  (Matt  xxv.  11  1^  and  so  are 
all  such  outside  Christians.  Those  (Luke 
xiii.  26,  27)  and  to  are  all,  who  stand  only  on 
the  works  wrought,  and  bare  tasks  of  reli- 
gious duties,  without  the  power  of  inward 
Holiness.  The  young  man  in  the  gospel, 
(MaU.  xix.  20,)  with  that  generation,  Prov. 
XXX.  12.  And  so  are  all  such  civil  Joatida- 
ries.  The  proud  Pharisee^  (Luke  xviii.  11, 
12J  who  was  so  confident  that  he  gave 
thanks  for  hii  blessed  condition,  when  be 
was,  as  yet.  a  cursed,  unjustified  wretch ;  and 
so  are  all  of  his  formal  strain.  Those  (John 
viii.  9.)  who  held  themselves  to  be  Abraham's 
children ;  whereas,  Christ  tells  them,  the  devil 
was  their  father,  verse  44.  And  so  are  all 
thoee,  who  build  only  upon  the  outward  privi- 
leges  of  Christianity,  without  spiritual  purity. 
Paul,  in  the  state  of  Pharisaism,  and  so  are 
all  thoee,  who,  wandering  ont  of  the  patib 
which  18  called  holy,  swell  with  a  prond 
opinionaliveness  and  Airious  seal,  above  the 
banks  of  God's  blessed  book,  and  bounds  of 
sll  holy  disotvtioB,  and  will  needs  soar  aloft 


on  waxen  wings  of  self-eoneeitedness,  and 
Buperfidalness,  to  strange  and  uneooth  heights 
of  excellent  fancies,  wioiout  having  ever  laid 
sound  foundation  in  true  humiliation  for  sin, 
and  in  self-denial:  the  church  of  Ttaodicea, 
(Aev.  iii.  17,)  and  all  such  luke-warm  profes- 
sors. Hence  we  hare  a  taste,  whst  a  world 
of  people  are  wofully  bUnded  by  the  prinoMf 
thu  world ;  and  through  the  iasiauatiiig  tm*^ 
posture,  and  unexamined  delusion  of  smritnal 
self-deceit,  are  put  into  a  fbors  jMirsflise,  of 
being  already  safe  and  secure  s>r  heaven; 
whereas  as  vet,  they  are  strangers  to  the 
mystery  of  Christ,  and  the  New  Clreatioo,  and 
sliall  certainly  be  damned,  if  they  so  continue ; 
*  For  that  wnich  is  highly  esteemed  amongst 
men,  is  an  abomination  in  the  sight  of  Qtoa* 
saith  Christ  to  the  self-justifying  Phariseee.* 
Luke  zvi.  16. 

Who  bat  a  long-established  baUever  U 
(yhrist,  (or,  a  hardened  speculator)  would  not 
trembUngly  cry  ont~*  0  Lwd^  keep  back  iky 
e^rvantfrom  preettmptuout  einsV  Beader, 
look  earefully  over  the  above  searching  worda 
of  sn  old  saint;  turn  to  the  Scriptures  hequotes, 
and,  if  then  art  enabled,  do  try  and  examine 
thy  spiilrnal  condition  as  before  a  holy  and 
righteous  (ted, 

I  do  not  here  attempt  to  answer  Mr.  Meek- 
ins's  query ;  that  I  hope  will  come  more  in 
order.  One  word  by  which  I  was  relieved, 
edified,  and  helped.  I  was  led  to  the  following 
refleotMma,  lovehing  the  coming  np  ef  the  an- 
oieBt  7ewi  fram  captivity ;  as  typical  of  aa 
eleet  venal  of  many  oonnig^—throngh  gnee, 
up  from  the  grave  of  the  ftdl;  from  death, 
and  from  the  eorse.    I  was  led  to  Zeehariah. 

Tan  prophetfs  name  is  significant ;  *  The 
Lord  remsmben*  It  implies  promisee  made, 
a  time  of  suspenae^  and  the  eertainity  of 
ftilfllment;  let  us  take  Zeehariah  with  as, 
and  sing,  *  The  Lerd remembeire*  na :  remem- 
bers hia  ooyaaant ;  the  Person  and  work  of 
hia  dear  Son ;  remembers  our  sonl-travail,  oar 
prayers,  cries,  sorrows,  and  seekinga ;  and 
remembers  all  the  promises  he  hss  spoken  to, 
and  for  OS.  He  came  up  from  the  Babyloaialt 
captivity  with  Zer%maM,  There  were 
three  famons  leaders  who  came  no-  from 
Babylon  in  the  restoration  of  the  Jewa  to 
their  own  land.  Now,  look  at  that  realoim- 
i  tion  as  typical  of  the  elect  of  God  coming  up 
from  a  fallen  world,  the  Btkbylon  of  thu 
sinful  state :  then  take  the  three  leaders  as 
typifying  the  grace  of  God  in  the  soul,  and 
yon  nave  three  beantifal  evidencea  of  aon- 
ship, 

1.  There  UZerMabel^  that  is  a  oom* 
ponna  of  two  words,  a  stranger ^  aad  eonfit^ 
sion,  one  repugnant  to  eo^fnei&n*  Sin  ;sataga*a 
service;  bondaga  vnder  the  law;  and  all 
worldlv  embaraasinent%  briageaafosioa :  the 
wioked  nma  sa  regmda  sphritoal  things,  is  all 
ooaAisioB:  look  at  him  when  death -eomea^ 
when  judgment  oomes.  'Gh!  let  me  flee 
away,  says  he.'  Now  grace  if  opposed  to 
oonnisioni  opposed  to  ui,  to  sataoi  to  all 


»•! 


n 


THS  lA^Brttm  TlBBlIu 


U7 


cdk  the  Ml  awajr «  Z«nbbdbal  dUL 

t&rd^  ^En  oouMs  to  help  poor  Zeniblmbel 
wlio  Is  ■Crosgliiig  to  gel  awaj  from  oonfa- 
mrm      «  TIm  Lofd  roiiiemben'  to  Mp  hit 


poor  rtreggling  Zerabbabels. 

Thou  com«B  ITehmmaA  :  *  The  r^  of  ik$ 
Lord*  GnoeeoniM  from  oM/vmoii— grvee 
hidpt  OS  on  omr  way— graoe  leads  lu  to  reet 
in  tke  Lord,  and  to  prore  Hix  to  be  our 
only  rest.  2Senibbahel  is  a  hmU^  ;  Em  is 
a  9er%he ;  Kehemiah  a  rtfvrmtr,  Gnee 
ViiiklB  «  19  in  Ghriat ;  instmots  ns  in  the 
truth,  and  makes  ns  new  ereatnres  in  Jesos, 
as  the  word  declares.  This  prophot  Zee- 
hariah — *  Tht  Z&rd  rememben^'  had  Tery 
special  riowi  of  the  God-man  Mediator. 

1.  Bj  this  prophet,  JehoTah  speaks, 
'Awake,  O  sword;  against  my  Shepherd, 
against  the  numy*  ftc. 

2.  This  prophet  saw  the  regenerated 
onea  looking  on  him  and  weeping;  <They 
shall  look  on  him  and  monm.' 

8.  He  sees  Christ  in  the  bottom  among 
the  myrtle  trees.  * 

4.  He  beholds  him  as  the  builder  with 
tile  meavnring  line  in  his  hand. 

6.  He  beholds  him  riding  on  an  ass  Into 
Jcnsmlsm. 

6.  Ue  Tiews  him  as  the  heautifal  BaAKCfH 
of  the  Lord. 

7.  He  beholds  him  in  the  completeness  of 
hii  work,  *  Grace,  grace  nnto  it" 

This  seren-fold  Tiew  of  Christ  is  reyealed 
nato  a  living  faith^  I  do  belicTe.  Faith  sees 
the  Father  soiite  his  darling  Son.  Faith  looks 
on  the  Smitten  Man,  Jehorah's  fellow. 
Faith  beholds  him  in  a  Talley  with  his  people. 
Faith  reeogniaes  Christ  as  the  Great  Baler, 
the  Aztfaiteet,  and  Bailder  of  the  chnrch. 
Faith  sees  him  on  the  strong  gospel  ass  riding 
into  Jerasalem.  Faith  acknowledges  him 
as  the  anlhor  of  all  frnitfalness  and  strength. 
Faith  is  eonfident  he  will  complete  the  work, 

'  shall  be  broagnt  home  with 


Readera  of  this  EAUTHBir  VissiL,  one 
ig  I  solemnly  declare  mto  you.  My  aim 
(aa  the  Lord's  eenrant;}  to  nnfbld  the 
trwth ;  to  arouse  the  lukewarm  and  the  care- 
less ;  to  eomlbrt  and  eneonrage  those  who 
OMon  after  paidon  and  peace  in  Jesus ;  and 
ineieasinglyto  know  the  Lord  for  myself ;  to 
lore  bia  piecions  name  more  and  more ;  and 
that  he  may  be  still  the  lifter  np  of  my  head, 
ia  aometiaaes  tiie  Tiolent  prayer  of 

C.  W.  Banks. 
la  tlM  «RiiQli«  nnarks,  somt  feeble  light  it 
Ikrovm  apon  Um  iUff«r«aM  betwoen   ■th«  two 
bff»uea««.*  Tbe  first  is  «  sure  presanptooiis  speo- 
Q'ation,  wltlu>nt  utj  tpiritaal  daliveranee  of  lool 
witboMt  any  beMt-mdiag  oonflioU  betWM*  th » 
flaaa  Mid  caesptiit.   Tte  •Cher  Juows  w«U  wtaa® 
1&  Uu>  cone  oat  Iroaitetaa'Sfloaftuaioa;  kaoir 
vb»l  it  ia  to  be  helped  br  the  L^ao;  and  ume 
dmfli  to  oweeCly  reet  In  Um;  but  I  hope  this  vU 
be  mote  faDf  eliewB  y«t« 


EPISTLES    TO    THB0PHILU8. 

LVITSB  LTI. 
THX  SBVBN  BBALS  :  THX  TAIS  HQB8B. 

Mt  good  THBOPHiLUB^Let  ns  now  go 
on  a  little  farther  with  the  seven  mystic 
seals.  We  have  next  the  jHi&AorM,  and  his 
name  that  sat  on  him  is  death;  what  death 
is  this?  Not  that  death  that  iscommon  to  all 
men ;  I  think  it  cannot  mean  this,  but  some 
4M0m; kind  of  death;  and  bendes,  this  pale 
horse,  you  observe,  has  power  over  only  a 
fouth  part  of  the  earth,  or  as  it  may  bexen- 
deredy  a  fourth  part  of  the  land.  This  pris 
hone  has  a  rider  whose  name  is  death,  fio 
this  pale  hone  is  an  ecdesiastically  living 


power,  and  carries  a  rider,  which  I  sappov 
the  fbllowen  of  this  pale  hone  wonld  not 
call  death,  but  Uft;  ibrsnrely  they  would  not 
volnntarily  follow  what  they  believe  and  know 
to  be  dmUh,  This  pale  hone  then  must  be 
sooM  rdiffimu  power  ;  the  rider  most  be  the 
image  of  the  tyttem  called  death,  bat  which 
men  no  donbt  aUl  life  ;  for  ia  etornal  matten 
it  is  not  at  all  nncommon  for  men  to  pat 
death  for  life,  darkness  for  lirht,  bitter  for 
sweet,  falsehood  for  truth,  ana  delusion  for 
real  divinity.  And  the  foUowen  of  this  pide 
hone  are  called  hades,  or  hell;  that  is,  they 
are  children  of  hell,  (Matt.  xziiL  16)  sous  of 
perdition,  ordained  by  the  law  of  God  to  con- 
demnation. What  then  is  this  jpa&  horse  i  Not 
the  gospel,  for  that  is  symboliaed  by  a  white 
horse ;  not  Mahometanism,  for  that  is  de» 
noted  \fj  a  red  hone;  not  Catholicism,  far 
that  is  distinguished  by  a  hkuik  horse.  Wheie 
then  shall  we  look  for  this  ^dU  horse  ?  This 
pede  horse  may,  to  the  eyes  of  moles  and  bate, 
and  owls,  evppear  to  be  a  white  horee ;  none 
oomesso  near  in  appearance  to  the  white 
horse  as  does  this  pale  horse.  Now  then,  put 
free-willism  and  duty-frithism  together,  and 
you  will  have  at  once  presented  to  you  this 
pale  horse ;  and  the  rider  will  mean  the  mia» 
istry  that  goes  forth  by  this  system  of  dead 
doctrine ;  and  this  system,  and  this  ministry, 
the  children  of  wrath  follow.  Hell  followed 
with  him,  but  all  among  such,  whose  names 
are  in  the  book  of  lifift,  who  are  so  deceived 
for  a  time,  shall  in  due  time  be  undeceived, 
and  shall  see  that  they  have  been  follewiag 
not  the  white  hone  of  the  gospel  of  the  true 
grace  of  God,  but  have  been  following  a  pale 
hone,  and  a  ministry  of  death,  and  not  of 
life.  However  expert  a  rider  this  false  ministry 
may  be,  still  it  is  but  death  at  the  best; 
mere  and  more  killing  souls  to  New  Testa- 
ment, new  covenant  truth,  this  rider,  this 
ministry  by  the  pale  horse  wrests  the  Scrip- 
tnses  to  the  destruction  of  many ;  and  woald, 
if  it  were  possible,  deceive  the  very  elect 
The  unlearned  in  the  echool  of  true  gospel 
ezperienee  are  unstable  in  the  truth,  dealiog 
jnst  CMnrii  in  the  tnith  to  carry  on  the  de* 
oeption,  themselves  being  deceived;  and  so 


128 


TUB  EARTHXN   VEBSBL. 


[JiiM  1, 1859. 


it  is  written,  *  I  will  send  them  ttromt  dela- 
rion,  and  they  thaUbdieve  a  lU.  So  you 
see,  they  do  believe  what  they  preach ;  and 
are  as  sme^rtf  in  error,  as  good  men  are  in 
the  truth ;  and  many  of  them  no  doubt  wouldi 
such  is  their  sincerity,  that  many  of  them 
would,  from  the  force  of  a  misguided  ooU' 
science,  give  their  body  to  be  burned  rather 
than  apostatize  from  their  pale  horse  system. 

There  are,  by  the  followers  of  this  pale 
horse,  there  are  especially  in  the  Epistles  of 
Paul,  some  things  hard  to  be  understood,  and 
what  my  good  Theophilus,  are  these  hard 
things  ?  Ton  cannot  be  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  they  are ;  you  cannot  fail  to  see  from  the 
9th  chapter  to  the  Romans,  and  from  the 
Epistle  to  Hebrews,  what  these  hard  things 
are— they  are  the  sOTcreignty  of  Gtod.  The 
eternal  perfection  of  the  priesthood  of  Christ, 
and  the  new  covenant  with  all  its  settled  and 
eternal  certainties.  I  pray  that  many  a  free- 
wilier  and  duty-faith  follower  may  read  this 
letter,  and  turn  away  from  the  pale  horse  and 
his  rider,  (a  dead  ministry,)  and  follow  the 
white  horse  of  certain  and  eternal  triumph. 

When  I  say  a  dwd  ministry,  I  mean  it  is 
dead  to  Ood,  and  to  those  who  know  their 
need  of  a  better  gospeL  Alas !  so  far  from 
this  rider  (death)  being  dead,  in  other  respects 
he  possesses  immense  power — he  is  a  kind  of 
living-death ;  this  rider  is  a  miniitry  which 
takes  a  mighty  hold  of  the  fleshly  senses;  its 
passion  and  pathos  are  tremendous;  its 
workings  upon  the  natural  conscience  is  irre- 
sistable  to  those  who  know  not  the  secret  of 
the  whole  affair ;  this  rider,  this  dead-living 
ministry,  is  a  wonderful  moralisti  at  least  in 
theory ;  its  own  works,  in  its  own  eyes,  are 
wonderful;  and  hell  follows  with  him,  not 
heaven  follows  with  him,  but  hell  follows 
with  him.  The  Lord  goes  before  his  people, 
but  Satan  follows  after  his  ;  he  drives  them 
before  him,  just  as  he  drove  the  herd  of  swine, 
so  he  drives  men  until  they  are  drowned  in 
perdition. 

Thus,  here  is  in  the  eyes  of  the  carnal  mind, 
a  white  horse,  but  in  reality  apaU  horse  to 
attract.  Then  here  is  the  rider,  riding  off  to 
his  own  place,  and  his  followers  dancmg  de- 
lightfully along  after  him. 

But,  let  us  now  look  at  his  weapons;  be 
kills  with  the  sword,  with  hunger,  and  with 
death,  and  with  the  beasts  of  the  earth. 

What,  then,  is  this  sword  ?  Is  it  not  the 
twrd  of  God  itself  f  and,  which  word  is  called 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit  ?  Did  they  not  turn 
this  very  sword  against  Christ  himself,  and 
so  handed  him  over  to  the  secular  power 
under  the  statute  of  blasphemy  f  And  ao  not 
free-willerSf  duty -faith  men,  and  mere  moral- 
ists, so  pervert  the  word  of  God,  as  to  turn 
it  against  God  himself,  against  his  sovereign- 
ty, against  the  sovereignty  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  against  the  real  liberty  that  if  in 
Christ }    while   a   fourth  part  of  those  of 


whom  we  hoped  better  things,  suffer  then- 
selves  thus  to  be  killed  to  that  gospel  which 
they  professed  to  love,  and  to  be  saved  by. 
How  cleverly  does  this  rider  of  the  pale 
horse,  this  false  ministry,  brandish  its  sword : 
can  take  the  Holy  Scriptures  by  wholesale  to 
defend  their  position ;  false  as  that  position 
is,  and  thus  making  use  (though  at  the  same 
time  turning  it  the  wrong  way)  of  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit ;  their  followers  dare  not  resist 
them ;  and  so  this  rider  goes  on  killing  his 
followers  to  God's  truth,  making  use  of  God's 
own  word  to  achieve  their  ends ;  and  by  such  a 
sword  as  this,  the  people  are  very  naturally 
awed,  not  perceiving  that  the  nder  is  not 
fi^htin^  Jehovah's  battles,  but  siding  with 
him  (ignorantlv,  of  course,)  who  deceiveth 
the  whole  world.  Bat  we  have  the  happiness 
of  now  and  then  seeing  the  eyes  of  one  and 
another  opened,  so  that  they  see  that  the 
pale  horse,  though  much  like  the  white  horse, 
yet  it  is  not  the  white  horse  and  the  rider, 
though  he  have  ^ reat  power ;  still  it  is  not 
the  power  of  electing,  reideeming,  and  saving 
grace,  but  rather  a  power  to  kill  to  these. 
Try,  then,  my  good  Theophilus,' to  distinguish 
between  Solomon's  valiantmen,  and  theswords- 
men  of  the  deoeiyer :  Solomon's  valiant  men 
defend  the  bed,  the  rest  which  is  Solomon's ; 
that  is  the  rest  which  is  established  by  the 
Saviour,  by  the  peace  he  hath  made;  but 
Satan's  swordsmen  would  spoil  this  our  reat^ 
ing  place;  one  telling  ns  that  there  are  some 
in  hell,  for  whom  Christ  died ;  another  tell- 
ing us,  that  Jesus  Christ  wishes  to  save  the 
non-elect,  but  does  not  put  forth  any  power  to 
save  them,  but  will  put  forth  power  to  damn 
them, /or  not  putting  forth  for  their  own  sal- 
vation, powers  which  they  did  not  possess,  Sueh 
swordsmen,  are  not  the  defenders,  but  the 
troublers,  the  disturbers^  of  the  rest,  the 
reprose,  the  safety,  which  is  Solomon's— that 
is  the  King  of  Peace.  Solomon,  as  you  know, 
means  peace  or  peaceable,  and  so  is  Jesot 
King  01  Peace. 

But  this  pale  horse  rider  kills,  also,  with 
hunger :  he  starves  his  followers  to  death. 
What  a  solemn  riew  does  this  give  of  this 
pale  horse  and  his  rider  I — ^here  is  a  sinner 
with  some  partial  convictions  of  sin ;  desir- 
iuff  to  be  fed  right;  he  falls  in  with  the 
pale  horse ;  and  if  the  truth  be  given  at  all, 
It  is  for  the  most  jiart  given  unscriptnrally. 
False  evidences  are  laid  down ;  a  mere  eonsdmee 
change  of  reformation,  passes  off  for  re- 
generation; true  tokens,  true  eridenoes  are 
not  given ;  the  hearer,  with  his  mere  natural 
convictions,  settles  down  upon  these  false 
evidences ;  the  real  food  of  liring  souls  is  not 
given ;  the  soul  becomes  satisfied  without  it ; 
and  is  thus  starved  down  into  a  dead  profenion 
but  does  not  know  it ;  and  even  if  it  had  any 
enquiries  after  real  goapel  truth,  is  kindly  told 
that  it  has  nothing  to  ao  with  election,  or  any 
of  those  mysterious    thmm   it   mU^  do 

Digitized  byVjOOQlC 


UiBse.] 


THE   EARTH SK    TESSEL. 


129 


iii  dutf  9  and  all  will  b«  well ;  and  so  they 
wrap  It  apy  and  to  he  falli  to  deep,  at  least ; 
he  uUfl  aaUep  to  the  troth,  and  so  dreams 
that  ha  eata  and  drinks. 

But  thia  rider  of  the  pale  horse,  kills  also 
with  iCmUA,  Yon  will  he  ready  to  say,  why 
death  is  death,  how  ean  he  kill  with  death  t 
New,  my  good  Theophitns,  yon  most  here  he 
earefhl  to  notice  the  tind  of  death,  hy  which 
this  rider  on  the  pale  horse  kills ;  the  kind  of 
death  that  thisnder  makes  use  of;  and  the 
kind  of  death,  with  which  he  kills,  you  will 
•ndentaad  in  a  moment,  when  I  just  put  a 
fery  simple  question  to  tou  :  it  is  tbis.  Sup- 
pose joa  eoEdd  reoicTe  the  doctrine  of  duty- 
faith,  or  firaewU],  would  not  that  at  once  ktil 
you  to  the  troth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  ?  So  theu, 
this  rider  on  the  palehorse,  kills,  souls,  to  the 
truth,  hy  dead  doctrine.  'I  has  hy  dead  doctrine 
he  hardena  men  against  the  truth,  and  so  he 
kills  with  death.  *  And  straight  is  the  gate,  and 
nanrow  is  the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life,  and 
few  there  be  thatjlnd  it: 

Bat  thk  rider  on  the  pale  horse,  has,  in  his 
eaqptoymaot  beaets  of  the  earth.  An  order  of 
beings  not  very  likely  to  spare  the  sheep ;  an 
order  of  ereatorss  not  recr  domeetieated,  they 
an  beaata  of  the  earth  (Theerion)  wild  beasts, 
essentiaUy  different  from  the  Zoon,  the  liring 


creatures.  Do  we  not  then  read  of  wohes  in 
sheep's  clothing  ?  Do  we  not  read  of  grievous 
wolves  gettiog  among  sheep  ?  and  the  wolf 
Cometh  not  but  for  to  steal,  to  kill,  and  to 
destroy. 

Thus  does  if,  my  good  Theopbilus,  appear 
to  me,  that  this  pale  horse  is  a  gospel,  ap- 
proaching in  appearance  to  the  truth,   and 
i  even  has  troth  enough  about  it,  to  give  it 
I  almost  a  white  appearance.  Its  rider  is  a  dead 
I  hiinistry,  that  is  dead  to  the  real  vital  power 
'  of  the  truth  ;  this  rider  kills  to  the  truth,  by 
the  word  of  truth  itself,   by  starvation,  by 
I  dead  doctrine,  and  by  beasts  of  the  earth 
who6e  range  is  the  world,  and  whose  real 
home  is  first  an  earthly  religion,  and  then  a 
I  lower  destiny. 

Many  solemn  and  not  unprofitable  reflee- 
,  tions   arise  from  contemplating  this    pale 
.  horse,  his  weapons,  his  work,  and  his  agents ; 
hut  space  forbids  my  writing  them. 

Thu  pale  horse  stalks  about  among  the 
Uring.  but  as  his  power  is  over,  only  over 
'  a  fourth  part  of  the  land,  so  that  some 
'  will  apostatize  and  leave  the  white  horse  for 
the  pale  horse ;  bnt  for  myself,  I  can  be  con- 
tent only  with  him  who  rideth  on  the  white 
horse,  seeing  I  am  but 

A  LiTTLB  One. 


^fy  Pwi^sirttti  tortif§wrttt, 


No.  I. 


THB  SPIRIT  EXPRKSSLY  SPEA.KING  ON  ANTI-CHRIST,  AND  THE  GOOD 

MINISTER  OF  JESUS  CHRIST. 

Rome,  and  by  any  others  as  far  as  thoy  imbibe 
Romanism. 

The  second  thing  in  this  express  speaking 
of  the  Spirit  is,  that,  such  only  of  Ood*s  ser- 
vants spiritually  qualified  as  notice  these 
things,  so  as  to  put  the  brethren  in  remem- 
brance of  them  shall  bo  esteemed.  *  Goon 
MIHI8TEKS  OT  Jbsus  Christ,  nourished  up  in 
the  faith  and  eound  doctrine, 

II.  Because  it  ie  Apostolical  practice  to  do 
so,  2  Tfaess.  ii.  5,  &c. 

Who,  honoring  Ood  the  Spirit,  dare  blame 
the  minister  of  God  who  does  this  ?  Who  can 
but  praise  that  people  who  require  their  teach- 
ers to  do  the  same  ?  Not  to  bore  them  with 
invective,  not  to  over  ride  by  it  the  fulness, 
frecness,  and  blessedness  of  other  gospel  re- 
velations, nor  by  any  means  to  withhold  these 
matters  of '  the  beastj*  but  wisely,  faithfully, 
and  lovingly,  speak  the  whole  truth,  so  that 
the  hearers  may  be  forewarned,  being  really 
and  truly  put  into  remembrance  of  these  things. 
In  fact,  that  everj  minister  of  Christ  may, 
with  apostles,  be  able  to  say  of  this  terrible  foe 
of  Gk>a  and  man, '  Remember  ye  nott  that,  when 
I  was  with  ffou  I  told  you  of  these  thinqs  7* 

IIL  Because  of  the  necessity  of  boldly  and 
fully  doing  so  by  the  emergeneiee  of  our  own 
Umes.  Yet  I  would  here  remark,  as  the 
Spirit  commands  it  so  expressly,  it  is  enough 


Good  ministees  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  must 
he  fisithful  Protestants.  Though  some  say 
— ^Why  should  God's  servants  contrast  the 
glorioiia  tmths  of  the  gospel  with  Popery  ? 
The  glorionc  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. 
with  Boaian  CathoUeism  ?  And  why  should 
they  aim  to  r uuse  the  peoples  of  our  beloved 
eoantry  against  the  evils  and  dangers  of  the 
great  master-work  of  satan  ?  The  reasons 
are  many,  and  facts  enforcing  them  are  apalU 
ing.  Soine  of  them  in  this  paper  shall  be  laid 
Mam  the  thousands  who  read  the  Eaxthbv 
And  may  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  I 
ion  it  Is,  solemnly  impresss  them  on 
alL    And, 

I.    JBeeamss  He  express  speaking  of  the 
Spirit  requires  it. 

Read  earefolly  I  pray  you,  1  Tim.  iv.  1  to  6 
venea.  Note  two  tniius  now  only— Brst,  that 
amidst  the' special  speaking  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
to  reveal  the  areat  matters  of  salvation  and 
glory,  he  waa  pleased  Expbs88ly  to  speak  of 
and  to  have  it  recorded  for  the  glory  of  Gtod  in 
the  Gfaorch  in  all  generations,  that  a  horrid 
system  of  religion  snonld  spring  up  as  widely 
aa  Chriatianityy  characterised  by  presump- 
,  deluaioo,  seduction,  devihsm,  hypocrisy, 
a,  anti-marriage,  &o.,  ml 
1  fbUy  hy  the  imposture  of 


130 


TUB  EABTHSN  VSSSBL. 


[June  1,  18M. 


for  UB,  eTen  if  there  were  no  crying  emergency 
"by  the  gueoera  and  power  of  papists  to  urge  to 
i%.  And  as  apoetles  rendered  soeh  particolar 
obedienoe  to  this  dn^  tbemaelTes,  and  as 
aas^ned  teadiers  of  all  cominft  mimetan  aad 
teachers,  commanded,  as  in  the  charges  toTimo- 
thy,  to  Titus,  the  angels  of  the  Se¥«B  Churolies 
in  the  fioTelations,  &o.,  who  are  we,  that  we 
should  consult  the  likings  of  fellow  worms  on 
this,  or  on  any  other  express  words  of  God  ? 

While  this  is  so,  yet,  how  much  should  we 
gire  the  more  ferrent  heed  as  we  see  the  day 
Mproaching  which  oar  own  champions  Dr. 
Oill,  Dr.  Owen,  with  Huntington,  and  others, 
their  noble  compeers,  all  saw  approximating, 
Aamely  the  predicted  darkness,  oppressbn, 
and  awful  cruelties  and  distress  when  England 
Mag  inTolred— '  Th§  wkoU  world  womdtrtd 
after  the  beatt*  having  Ins  mark  eilher  in 
tMr  forehead,  or  in  their  i.-mda.  Serring  the 
monster,  either  by  judgments  led  astray,  u> 
apathetic  in  his  taTour,  or  by  open  actual 
service.  It  was  the  bold  defiimt  manner  by 
which  the  popish  hierarchy  was  set  up,  in  our 
hnd,  in  spite  of  the  nation  and  its  parliament 
and  court,  that  first  impressed  our  minds  with 
the  delusions  respecting  our  being  so  far  from 
all  danger  arising  flram  sveh  a  degraded, 
blod,  erael  superstitioa.  How  we  see  in  the 
datermined  progress  of  pqpery  in  the  oonvcKts 
set  up,  in  the  monasteries  siase  then  ertablisii* 
ed  Sot  dirty  deluded  iaxy  old  monks,  the  num- 
ber of  priests  &c.  &c,  that  they  cannot  be  j^ut 
down,  butare  increasing  every  year  and  reeeiT* 
ing  the  thousands  of  our  money  by  which  each 
partv  of  our  rulers  are  glad  to  5ny  permiBsion 
of  them  to  hold  their  places.  But  more  of 
this  in  the  particular  facts. 

lY.  BeeautB  it  it  the  <hUy  of  OotTg  ter- 

nanto  to  detect  every  false  doctrine  in  the 

balance  of  the  Setnetnary  ;  and  to  wettd  the 

eword  of  the  Spirit  aaainst  eoerjf  fbe  cf  Okrisi 

and  Hie  Chnreh,    However  the  *  man  of  sin' 

may  posper  for  a  time,  he  will  be  destroyed 

bv  *  the  sharp  two-edged  sword  coming  oat  of 

tbe  month  of  the  Son  of  6od,'  which  is  the 

sword  of  the  Spirit,  the  word  of  God,  and  is 

the  weapon  which  God's  servants  are  to  use 

against  the  anti-christian  doctrines   of  the 

devil,  as  set  forth  by  Boman  Catholicism. 

flow  wisely  then  is  the  charge— to  put  the 

brethren  in  remembrance  of  theee  things  by 

their  tmthfttlly,  faithfuHv,  and  holily,  preach- 

ing  the  whole  counsel  of  Ood.    How  sorrowfUt 

was  it,  when,  at  the  Paps!  Aggression,  in 

1850-1,  the  Editor  of  The  Gospel  Standard  was 

induced  to  lay  aside  this  sword  because  those 

truly  excellent  articles  he  wrote  month  bv 

month  were  not  so  received  as  they  deserved. 

I  with  he  would  renew  them,  and  that  the 

many    thousands  pubtished  monthly  would 

insiBt  upon  the  many  readers  receiving  them 

with  prayer,  and  laying  them  in  their  minds, 

or  else  openlv  disoani  that  word  so  expressly 

spoken  by  the  Spirit,  seeing  there  is  now 

evidently  a  needs  be  for  it     And  alfowing 

fot  each  magazine  the  average  number  of 

itve  readersj  and  as  the  dreuution  of  Tbi 

Eaxthbv  vmsKL  reaches  towards  8,000,  then 

let  its  40,000  friends  receive  etery  month  abo 

0dM  useful,  certain,  and  imperative  sound  f 

If0t  me  git 0  a  fhot  or  two  shewing  the  impor- 


tance of  all  of  ni  being  earnest  and  zealoua  in 
thsi  good  work. 

Eaete  the  first  would  eh«w  kow  Bumevow 
mt%  oonverta  from  ov  Unifwsities  of  men. 
sent  there  to  become  miaiBten  ef  the  Pro* 
teotant  Chureh  of  Enoland.  Admit  that  the 
meat  of  such  are  worUly ;  yet  even  then  how 
powerful  must  be  the  seducing  sptfits  that 
shall  lead  the  worWjf  minieter  away  to  tho 
superstitions  of  popery,  when  livings,  comforts* 
honours,  parents,  and  wives,  all,  all  depend 
upon  their  Protestant  standing,  and,  in  face  of 
all,  hundreds  leave  aU  and  become  perverts  to 
the  •  whore  of  Babvlon,*  and  a  living  curse  to 
to  every  parish  tney  sre  fbrced  on,  and  a 
national  woe  to  the  oommunil^  at  large. 

A  nd  add  to  these,  the  fiseta  of  tbeuMads  of 
beneftoed  ^rgymm^  all  becoming  papsU  ia 
diaguise,  eating  Protestant  bread,  and  receiv- 
ing Protestant  pay,  while  they  preach  and 
practice  such  things  as  seduce  many  of  all 
dsases,  h^h  and  low,  into  the  Church  of  Borne. 
And  are  not  these  solemn  judgments 
throughout  our  whole  land,  calling  upon  the 
people  of  God  faithfully  to  stir  up  one  another 
to  equal  diligence,  seal  and  fkith^lness  to  God 
and  Truth,  that  these  deluded  servaots  of  satan 
and  darkness  shew  in  their  works  of  error  and 
slavery? 

EaoCs  tko  seosB^  wovdd  show  how  injwiens 
tho  want  of  faithfalaan  ia  lo  our  youngs  both 
poor  «Mi  rich.    K.  B.  is  the  only  son  of  nay 

friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs. .     His  father  is  a 

master  of  a  boarding  school,  and  a  deacon  of  the 

Baptist  Church  at .    He  never  liked  oon- 

I  troventy^and  I  never  hoard  of  their  pastor  ever 
making  God'stestimony  against  an ti-Chrbt  his 
special  study.  Well,  this  dear  youth  with  a  high 
premium,  is  apprenticed  to  a  chemist,  and 
'when  out  of  jus  time'  don't  like  it;  andn 
sitnatMtt  turns  up  as  derk  to  a  builder  in  tho 
town  of  T—*— ;  this  builder  attends  at  tho 

Tabernacle,  and  my  friend  liev.  Mr. who 

tells  me  there  is  no  danger  and  so  forth,  he 
of  course  neglects  to  pot  his  people  in  mind 
of  what  the  Bpirit  so  expressly  speaks  of,  and 
his  hearer,  the  builder,  openly  boasts  of  hia 
preference  for  Boman  Cathohcs,  to  the  high 
pleasure  of  his  young  derk,  and  even  in  the 
presence  of  his  parents.  E.  B.  leaves  him, 
and  gets  a  situation  at  a  wholesale  house  in 

Street,  of  a  Foreigner.    It  is  a  good 

situation,  but  he  is  led  to  SonUiwark  Bomiah 
Cathedral,  where  he  faBs  into  the  snare,  and^ 
about  six  weeks  ago  to  morrow,  he '  was  con- 
firmed* by  Cardinal  Wiseman. 

A.  D.  leaves  the  Sunday-School  in  the 

village  of ,  and  gets  a  situation  near  nry 

sister's,  at  the  *  West  End'  of  liondon.  It 
beeama  evident,  symptoms  of  consumption 
are  sufibred  by  her.  8he  enters  the  Hospital 
for  that  dreatful  malady  at  Brompton.  The 
bed  next  to  her  is  need  by  a  Boman  Catholic 
to  whom  '  Sisters  of  Mercy/  so  called,  came. 
Her  fellow-patient  and  h«r  visitors  see  her 
with  the  Bible  given  her  by  her  Sunday- 
School  Superintendent,  with  many  pravera 
and  good  wishes,  but  they  see  she  is  troubled 
and  away  from  home,  and  they  asked  to  be 
permitted  to  rive  her  consolation.  The  j^est 
too  came,  ana  did  the  girl  serrioe  in  making- 
ther  atCendaatd  store  ki^d*  ftnd  the  girl  became 

Digitizea 


II,  UM.] 


THS  XABTHSN   VESSXIi. 


181 


aa  mg7  pnr.  She  got  bettor,  and  ealled  to 
thank  for  all  fiivoun,  and  to  inform  them  she 
•hoolii  not  want  anj  mora,  for  aha  waa  happy 
to  aayahe  waa  going  into  the  Nunnery  at 
Norwood,  Ac  She  waa  aakad  what  ahehad 
done  with  her  Bible,  she  replied,  0, 1  do  not 
want  one  now,  for  Father  D—  is  my  director, 
and  he  has  demanded  it,  and  placed  it  up 
al— f  withao  many  others,  whose  owners  he 
has  led  into  the  *  troe  ehureh.' 

Ys^  yva  buy  Bibles  for  yoor  ehildren,  but 
da  jtnf  tonmra  and  minittars,  usa  God's 
appointed  leaehings  to  keep  them  from  the 
Bopiah  Prinat^  upper  sheWea  M  trophys  of 
Aeirjeal} 

A.  E.  is  the  eldest  davghter  of  Squire  •^— «-, 

al  B .  Uj  Inends,  Mrs.  and  Hiss  C,  know 

sash  of  the  jfiunily  intimately,  and  they  tell  me 
A.  B.  was  reekoned  the  most  beautiftil  female 
iathiaaocnllsd  'Fairdtyof  the  West.'  At 
a  aaerad  ooncert,  a  fascinating  lady  paid  her 
marked  attention,  and  before  the  evening  was 
ever,  had  strongly  ingratiated  herself  in  A.  E's 

fiiTor !  She  left  her  card  :  it  was  Lady ,  of 

Clifton,  bat  it  was  not  known  she  was  one  of ' 
t  deluded  females  who  ean  pour  Into  nasty 
'  *  ean  all  the  frailties  of  a  woman's 
This  lady  found  her  in  her  favourite 
walk!  ia  the  beantiftil  park  at  -*-— }  and  from  ' 
one  step  to  another  A.  B.  was  foond  at  a 
■Mir  party  in  CHfton.  Sooiaijr  suitable  to 
plaaaa  iier  were  there.  A  speeious  Tolume ' 
waa  lent ;  aad  at  last,  Papa  was  as  thunder- ; 
striekao,  when  his  beautiful,  and  till  lately ! 
obedient  child  aaked  permiaaion  to  attend  the 
Boinlsh chapel.  Her  parents  attended  the  evan- ' 

gdieal  Mr. at church,  and  the  whole  j 

family  were  highly  esteemed  for  their  Chris- 
tian pnfieaBifai&.  He  refused.  A.  E.  boldly  tells  , 
hin  aha  ia  a  eonTort  to  the  Boman  ehureh,  < 
and  while  under  age  will  obey  him.    I  need  I 
Ml  Mjbaw  they  tried  to  win  her  baek.    She 
eana  of  afe,  and  at  onoa,  her  grandma  having 
left  her  a  maintenance  before  her  fall,  she  - 
goaa  over  to  her  naw  friends.    It  was  but  a 
very  few  months  after,  when  she  called  to  say  | 
abe  ahould  not  see  them  again  for  some  time, ! 
mi  aha  was  going  to  be  an  inmate,  not  a  nun.  of , 
a  GcNivent,  near  Manchester  Square,  London, ' 
Now  don't  you  fear  for  me,  said  she,  I  am 
aaly  giaiaf  to  rende  with  the  sisterhood  for 
tw  jmn,  to  know  all  about  them,  l^m  my 
own  eyes  and  ears,  and  then  eenelnde  either 
to  alagr  ar  not  aa  I  ahaU  ehooae  fbr  myself. 

Ab,  poor  dear,  as  with  the  lamb  and  wolf, 
it  ia  ha  lot,  af  course.  She  had  only  been 
away  lliree  montha,  when  a  letter  came  down 
Co  aak  the  '  la$t  favimr*  as  she  called  it.  It 
was  to  send  up  her  bridal  dress  which  she  had 
prepared,  and  to  buy  her  a  wreath  of  flowers  as 
Aa  eoold  not  refrain  longer  tnm  the  idner  life 
of  tka  dear  nnns,  &c.  No  doubt  the  deadly 
deaeiyad  hei.  Her  relations,  over- 
aa  they  wain,  aetvally  did  buy 
aanl  of  mv  fHead  Mf «^—- ,  a  Jewellar, 
aft  _«.,  8he  innled  bar  aietara  to  witness 
'  her  nMrriasa  ta  her  Lord  Jcaua  Obrilty'  aa 
sha  wna  dalttded  enough  tu  call  it. 

Her  broken -hearth  aunt  waa  the  enlf  one 
wha  conld  witness  this  practical  elucidation 
of  the  devil's  doctrine,  forbidding  to  marry, 


Ao.,  that  lovely  maidens  might  be  chained  in 
prisons,  called  nunneries,  away  from  their 
dearest  relatives,  except,  like  as  In  other  jails, 
they  see  each  other  torough  iron  bars,  while 
thev  h|ive  unlimited  intercourse  with  priestg 
ana  entirely  at  their  mercy,  or  rather  com  • 
pletely  controlled  bv  them.  And  what  is  dia- 
tressing,  jinother  dear  young  lady  of  A.  £'s 
acQuaintanee  has  been  seduced  by  her. 

dince  the  above,  the  whole  of  A.  E's  circle 
sea  the  importance  of  1  Tim.  iv.  1  to  6,  &c. 
But  I  forbear  other  fheta  of  this  same  nature 
I  have,  and  notice,--* 

Facts  the  third :  which  shall  speak  of  mem- 
bers and  oi&eers  of  Dissenting  churches  being 

perverted  Arom  the  faith.  At  F the  deacon 

and  his  wife,  a  fellow-member  with  him,  of 
the  first  Baptist  ohuroh  there,  have  both  be- 
come aetive  members  of  the  Popish  Mr. , 

and  say  they  never  enjoyed  true  religion  until 
they  become  what  they  now  are,  LDie  Judas, 
they  enjoy  the  sop  amazingly. 

Mr.  ■,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  churcli 

at  D.,  with  his  two  sons,  have  all  entered  the 
Popish  establishment.  One  of  the  sons  is  now 
at  Borne,  training  for  a  priest.  His  Uncle, 
who  is  now  a  member  of  the  church  they  left 
at  B.,  related  to  me  that  his  Nephew  came 
over  firom  the  City  of  Bome  and  endeavoured 
with  amaxing  plausibility  and  poirer  to  con- 
vert him  to  ^pery.  But  he  was  preserved, 
and  pitied  his  poot  relatives.  These  might, 
and  others  may  bo  given  over  to  that  strong 
delusion,  to  behove  a  lie,  a82  These,  ii.  4—11, 
but  God's  commands  should  be  obeyed  both  by 
ministers,  teachers,  and  people.  And  all  of 
us  lay  it  deeply  to  heart. 

One  more  case,  and  I  have  done  for  now. 

Mra. ,  waa  the  wife  of  one  of  John  Vinall's 

members,  at  Brighton.  They  were  for  years 
staunch  supporters  of,  and  as  impregnable  for 
truth,  as  feheir  old  pastor  himself.  But  one 
day  aha  met  with  the  Brighton  *  Sisters  of 
Mercy/  and,  judging  by  the  si^ht  of  her  old 
eyeo,  as  the  foregoing  had  of  theur  young  ones, 
she  admired  the  '  dear  creatures'  zeal,  piety, 
and  devotion-  They,  being  cleverly  educated 
'as  sfidueing  tpirita,*  and  the  old  lady,  *  giving 
hMd*  to  tnem,  step  by  step,  too  long  to 
relate  in  this  paper,  so  deluded  her  that  she 
attended  the  Puseyite  church  in  West  St. 

But  old  Mrs. was  brought  thoroughly  up 

to  their  point,  she  saw  if  all  her  new  notions 
ware  really  true,  then  the  Pope  was  the  one 
father  of  the  earthly  church,  and  being  too 
honest  to  rest  in  a  aham  pojMry,  sha  went 
boldly  on  until  she  waa  reoeivM  into  the 

Bomish  Church  at Square.    She  much 

pressed  my  esteemed  friend.  Miss  •— t  her. 
niece  to  spend  af<»tnightwitn  her  in  London, 
but  seeing  her  staunch  old  aunt  perverted, 
she  refbsed  to  trust  herself. 

But  adieu  forjbe  present  If  allowed  other 
piaees,  facta  ahall  be  given  on  the  spreading 
zeal  of  the  aristocracy,  Br.  Pusey's  establish- 
ment of  my  own  town  of  Sisters  of  Meroy, 
the  altered  tone  of  whole  populations  in  favor 
of  '  The  Beast,'  their  blasphemous  teachiogs, 
treason,  ftc,  sc. 

Bradfofd-on-Avon.  Wy-^awki.v* 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


132 


TH£  KARTHBN   VE88BL. 


[lone  1, 1899. 


JUSTIFICATION    AND    SANCTIFICATION. 

Bt  Mr.  Samukl  Cozsm,  op  Warbots. 


<  Without  holiness/  it  is  said  *  no  man 
sball  see  the  Lord.'  There  is  a  two-fold 
holiness  without  whioh  no  nun  shall  see  the 
Lord :  tIz,  the  holiness  of  jutiificatum^  and 
the  holiness  of  tanctifleation.  And  this  two- 
fold holiness  will  comprehend  the  work  of 
Christ/or  us,  and  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in 
us.  The  holiness  of  justiflcation  being 
founded  in  the  meritorious  work  of  Christ 
without  us,  and  the  holiness  of  sanctifieation 
in  the  mighty  work  of  the  Spirit  within  us. 
Hence,  we  learn  the  necessity  of  preaching 
the  work  of  the  Spirit,  as  well  as  the  work  of 
the  SaTiour.  The  work  of  Christ  without,  is 
only  aTailable  for  those  who  haTc,  or  shall 
haTo,  the  work  of  the  Spirit  within  them. 
How  few  there  are  who  preach  the  work  of 
the  Spirit ;  how  few  there  are  whose  ministry 
seems  to  be  attended  with  sanctiQring  results ; 
thcT  may  preach  Christ  till  doom's-day,  but 
if  there  be  no  tettijlir  of  Christ,  there  wUl  be 
no  Christ  known.  We  must  begin  minister- 
ally  where  God  begins  with  the  sinner,  riz, 
with  the  work  of  the  Spirit.  We  must  never 
forget  that  the  work  of  Christ  is  only  known, 
savingly  known,  by  the  work  of  the  Spirit. 
Let  us  then  honour  the  Spirit,  as  we  honour 
the  Sun,  that  our  consreffations  may  not  have 
at  any  time  to  say,  *  We  haye  not  so  much  as 
heard  whether  there  be  any  Holy  Ghost.' 
Acts  xix.  2.  If  we  alwaya  kept  this  fact 
before  us,  that  justification  is  only  realized 
sanctiflcatioD,  and  that  sanctifieation  is 

le  only  eridence  of  a  justified  atate  we  should 
have  much  more  of  the  Spirit  in  our  miniatry. 
Obserye : 

1.  Justification  is  of  Christ  Sanctifieation 
is  of  the  Spirit 

2.  Juatmcation  acquits  the  sinner  at  the 
bar.  Sanctifieation  separates  him  ftrom  his 
sine. 

3.  Justification  answers  the  law  as  a  coye- 
nant    Sanctifieation  responds  to  it  ss  a  rule. 

4.  Justification  makes  a  man  accepted. 
Sanctifieation  makes  him  acceptable. 

5.  Jnstiflcation  is  <  the  beauty  of  the  Lord 
upon  us.'  Sanctifieation  is  *  the  beauty  of 
iMliness'  within  us. 

6.  Justification  la  the  'clean  linen  of 
saints.'  Sanctifieation  is  the  <  clean  heart '  of 
saints. 

7.  Justification  disarms  the  law  of  its  mal- 
ediction. Sanctifieation  dethrones  sin  and 
destroys  its  dominion. 

8.  Justification  declares  a  man  righteous. 
Sanctifieation  makes  him  righteous. 

&.  Justification  is  <  eyerlasting  righteous- 
ness.'   Sanctifieation  is  <  eyerlasting  life.' 


!?< 


10.  Justification  frees  Hi  from  heU.    Sane 
tifieation  fits  us  for  heayen. 

1 1.  Justification  gaye  Joshua  a  change  of 
raiment  Sanctifieation  plucked  him  out  of 
the  fire,  and  brought  him  to  the  Lord. 

12.  Justification  is  the  golden  dross  of  the 
princess  royal.  Sanctifieation  makes  her  all 
glorious  within.    FSalm  xly, 

13.  Justification  gaye  the  prodigal  the  best 
robe.  Sanctifieation  brought  him  into  his 
father's  house. 

14.  Justification  giyes  us  a  titie  to  heayen. 
Sanctifieation  giyes  us  a  meetness  for  beayen. 

15.  Justification  is  by  righteousness  im- 
puted. Sanctifieation  is  Dy  the  principle  of 
righteousneu  imparted. 

16.  Justification  is  the  habilimenta  of  ths 
betrothed.  Sanctifieation  is  the  habit  of  the 
bride. 

1 7.  Justification  is  the  Christiaa  psnoply. 
Santifieation  is  his  power. 

18.  Justification  is  through  the  *Bed 
Sea '  of  redemption.  Sanctifieation  is  throogh 
the  regenerating  sea  of  life.  Bom.  y.  9. 
Titiii.5. 

19.  Justification  is  in  the  resatreotioa  of 
Christ  Sanctifieation  is  in  the  resurrection 
of  our  dead  souls. 

20.  Justification  is  but  one  act  Baneti- 
cation  is  a  continual  aotion^a  progressiye 
work. 

21.  Justification  is  perfeet  Sanctifiea^ 
tion  will  not  be  perfect  till  Christ  oomes. 
PhU.  i.  6. 

22.  Justification  is  alike  in  all  belieyen-- 
all  are  equally  justified.  Sanctifieation  ii 
not  alike  in  sll  Christians;  some  have 
greater  gifts,  and  a  laige  measure  of  the 
Spirit  than  others. 

23.  Justification  is  by  'The  Lord  our 
righteousness.'  Sanctifieation  is  bj  'the 
Spirit  of  holiness.' 

24.  Justification  works  all  our  woiks  for 
us.    Sanctifieation  works  all  our  works  in  us. 

One  jusUy  obsenres  *  In  justification  we  are 
pattivef  and  do  nothins :  but  in  sanctifieation 
we  are  active;  for  bwig  moved  we  move: 
in  justification  I  have  Christ  for  the  Lord  my 
rignteoasness ;  in  sanctifieation  I  luve  Him 
for  the  Lord  my  strength ;— in  justification, 
faith  is  a  receiving  *      *      - 


it  is  a  working  hand:— in  justification,  wa 
have  a  legal  holiness,  a  righteousness  by  the 
(Redeemet's)  deeds  of  the  law.  Bom.  v.  In 
sanctifieation  we  have  a  rairitnal  hoUness  by 
the  Spirit  of  hoUnees,'  and  therefore  we  *  shall 
see  the  Loid.' 


Digitized  by 


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I.IW.] 


THK   BAETHRN    YEStBl*. 


la? 


•'BAXTEK'S    BAPTISM"    EXAMINED, 


^  ▲.  J.  Baj 
liottiiigiittii. 
txDciMm:  Wii 


AVD  TMriI>  BT  THS  RAVDABD  OF  TBVTH. 


JfiMb,   Dm^  and  SnhjeeU. 

Baxtsb,  Minister  of  the  GkMpel, 

London  :  CoUingridge ;  Not- 


Bmvo&v  fleeing  this  book,  we  hsd  heerd  it 
spoken  of  bj  serenl  of  oar  Baptist  firiends  as 
being  ao  dererly  and  acately  written ;  and  its 
atguBMOta  eharaeteiised  as  Deing  lo  new  and 
eogent,  tlusifc  we  sat  down  to  its  perusal  with  a 
Mrtain  amount  of  ^^mrehension,  that  when 
we  had  read  it^  we  snould  be  compelled  to 
eschew  water  Baptism  heneeforth  ana  for  erer- 
nore.  Hie  result  was  ezaetly  contrary  to  our 
expeetatiooS|  for  in  finishing  its  perusal,  we 
f^i,  if  po«ble,  more  than  erer  eonrinced  of  the 
Seiiptaral  aathoritr  forBelicTers'  Baptism  bj 
ianandiOB,  and  uie  Baptism  of  BelieTers' 
only. 

JkM  it  will  be  im|XMsible  for  us  in  the  present 
to  give  a  fair  and  impartial  analysis  of 


the  entire  book,  and  to  answer  its  rarions 
sophiflBifl»  we  shall  extend  our  notice  of  it, 
'i  two  or  three  numbers  of  the  VaasBL ; 
sa  leaTO  onr  readers  to  form  their  own 
eooelosiopi  of  this  redoubtable  antagonist  of 
ifapt^f ;  who,  notwithstanding  the  flourish  of 
Oreek  and  Hebrew,  with  which  he  introduces 
the  attack,  has  not  produoed  one  Mew  argu- 
asent  thiOTighoat  his  whole  book,  but  merely 
aUMra  vp  azgnmeats  which  are  now  worn 
threadbare,  somI  which  hare  been  answered  a 
thoQsand  times ;  and  witii  an  audacity  worthy 
of  a  better  eause,  lerels  them  at  the  ordinance 
of  Bdierer^  Baptism ;  once  more 
'  Be  aleeas  the  bhmted  shafts  whish  have  recoiled, 
Aad  ala«  ttam  at  tlie  sUeld  of  truth  again.' 

In  proceeding  to  the  examination  of  the 
book,  we  would  prefix  this  one  general  remark, 
the  tnhrit  in  which  it  i 


J  is  written,  is  in 

mwmry  way  kind  and  oonrteous  to  those  whose 
doetnae  aad  pcmetiee  in  relation  to  Baptism, 
the  author  oppoees ;  save,  aad  exeept  where  he 
aceaflsanapm  Baptisti of  eomiaitting a  * wm- 
fiU  trrpi^  ereiy  tuie  we  Baptize,  and  being 
TJmti^  by  mjmMk  and  ta^olenia^  spirit,  in 
earryiM  out '  otriet  Oommnnion  ;'ana  arain, 
where  Ee  aareaetically  asks  ns  if  Kebuohad- 
aeasar  .wae  '  dipped  in  dew  ?'  of  which  pass- 
age, mora  hereafter.  Putting  aside  these 
ehanas  and  sareaam,  the  book  does  credit  to 
the  fiad-beartednces  of  its  author. 

la  our  remw  of  the  book,  we  shall /bZIow 
the  aoBrsa  adopted  by  its  author;  ana  treat 


firal,  of  tfaa  ftograpkieai  argument ;  secondly, 
sf  tlw  eerifflf  argnment,— tluil  is  the  argument 


the  Chreek  prepoflitton  «»,  or  the 
QtmSk  visrb  UfHto.  We  shall  then  notice 
the  8ertf€mrdl  argnment,  or  the  teaching  and 
praetiee  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  on  the 
safcgaet  of  Bapsisra ;  and  in  tEe  hwt  place  we 
shad  eoaaider  the  fowmdatiom  and  prifitie§  of 
iafrnd  mpHMUmg^  mUk  Mr.  BtufUr^B  ayth 
■mfs  f&r  Oe  torn*;  and  in  dceinr,  we  shall 
giva   a  eondensed  summary  of  m  whole, 


contradictions 


pointing  out  ^e  errors  and 
with  which  the  book  abounds. 

To  begin  then,  with  the  OBOGa^pHicAL 
A&GUMBVT,  which  IB  the  only  one  to  which 
we  shall  be  able  to  reply  in  the  present  article. 

Mr.  Baxter,  in  the  first  section  of  his  book, 
states  the  argument  thus : 

*The  Tery  fket  of  Bapttran  being  sdministerad  ia 
the  open  sir,  in  saoh  pobUe  places  of  resort,  (Enon, 
Betbabara,  fte.,)  goes  fur  more  to  oo&denm  than 
sanotioa  the  prsctloe  of  immersion,  and  that  for 
sereral  reasons.' 

We  do  not  wiih  to  waste  words  over  this 
sentence,  as  our  object  is  rather  to  examine^ 
and  refute  the '  reasons'  themselves;  but  we 
cannot  help  remarking,  that  we  hare  read  the 
sentence  several  times,  but  are  utterly  unable 
to  comprehend  it ;  how  thefaei  of  haptitmf 
can  condenm  the  pnuMee  ofhapii$m,  we  cer- 
tainlv  cannot  understand.  For  what  is  the 
fad  out  the  piraeUe^  /  or  the  praeiiee  but  the 
fadl  How  then,  can  the/ae<  condemn  iko 
fad  7  But  passing  by  this,  and  leaving  our 
examination  of  the  jlrvt  reason  to  the  close 
of  the  present  artide,  we  proceed  to  his  first 
^graphical  argument  against  baptism  by 
immersion.  Speaking  of  John  the  Baptist 
('John  the  diaper*  as  Martin  Luthsr  calls 
him,)  and  his  immersing  his  disciples  in  th^ 
river  Jordan,  he  says, 

*  The  great  dbptb  or  watsb  at  JObdas^  near 
the  edge  of  the  shore^  varjiDg  fh>m  six  to  twelve 
feet,  and  flowing  as  It  msabs  tbb  Dx4d  Ska,  almos^ 
like  the  predpitoos  fhry  of   a  rapid,  vynxLx 

OOHDBMHSTHB  XDIIA  OV  JOHV  BBXHO  ABLB  TO  BTAim 

in  such  a  river  to  plonge  weak  or  strong  persons 
in,  in  such  numbers.* 

And  again,  he  says, 

<  Bethabara  where  John  at  first  baptised  iSMXAa 
TO  THS  Dbao  Ssa,  where  the  cuaamrxs  most  row* 


Now  there  are  Mres  statements  in  the  nbove 
extracts  to  which  we  wish  to  call  the  reader't 
attention:  the  dtptk  of  the  Jordan;  the  m- 
pidiiy  of  its  ourronts  and  the  pooUiUm  of 
BHkahofra  in  reUtion  to  the  Dead  iSsa. 

1st.  The  *pyW  dopik*  of  the  Jordan^ 
would  not  permit  John  to  immerse  in  ii,  says 
"iii,  B*  Now  we  admit,  that  in  the  lower  part 
of  its  course,  as  the  river  '  nears  the  Bead  Sea,' 
it  increases  in  depth,  and  sweepe  along  in  a 
rapid  turbid  current ;  its  depth  has  never  been 
clearly  ascertained ;  though  one  thing  is 
known,  that  any  persona  enterlnr  it,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Dead  Sea,  are  speedily  carried 
out  of  their  depth  by  the  rapidity  of  the  current* 
But  this  dtnik  and  rapidUg;  ve  confined  to 
one  part  of^its  course,  and  UMt,  the  lowor  oi; 
aoaMjra  part.  And  here  certainly  it  would 
have  been  impoadble  for  John  to  immerse  his 
disciples.  That  part  of  the  Jordan  which  ja 
the  most  interesnag,  firom  its  scriptunj  asso* 
Ciations,  and  the  best  known  because  most  fre- 
quently visited  by  modem  travellers,  is  that 
which  extends  from  its  exit  f^om  the  sea,  or 


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(Jtme  1.  lU«k 


lake  of  Tiberiaa,  to  its  iunotion  with  the 
Bead  Sea.  Lientenant  Mdjrmeux,  of  H.M.8. 
Svarttm^  attempted,  in  the  year  1847,  to  make 
his  way  down  the  Jordan  in  a  vmall  boat,  from 
the  one  aea  to  the  other,  but  the  water  *P€U 
too  low  to  permit  him,  being;  in  so  many 
plaoee  not  above  tJirM  fiet  d^,  (a  niea  tUnth 
ihi9,frUitdBcufter^forimm»nUm,)  In  1848, 
the  year  after  Lieutenant  Molymeaux's  vain 
attempt  to  row  down  the  stream,  Lientenant 
Xynoh,  of  the  American  Navy,  suoceeded  in 
doing  what  Kolymeux  failed  in,  bnt  oonfeeses 
that  if  he  had  attempted  it  a  few  weeks  ear- 
Uar  or  laierf  he  shonld  have  failed  for  the 
aame  reason,  namely,  the  ehallowneee  of  the 
water.  What  now  becomes  of  Mr.  B's  argu- 
ment against  John's  baptising  in  Jordan 
because  of  its  ffreat  depth?  That  *peat 
depth'  being  about  three  or  foar  feet,  which  is 
▼ery  little  beyond  what  we  have  in  our  bap- 
tistries for  purooses  of  immersion  now. 

But  here  Mr.  B.  would  doubtless  urge  his 
liezt  argument  in  support  of  his  first, — that 
John  is  said  to  have  Baptized  at  Bethabara ; 
and  Bethabara,  says  Mr.  6.  *  is  near  to  the 
Dead  Sea  where  the  curreHt  is  the  strongest^ 
and  the  river  deepeet.*  Is  it }  Then  it  must 
have  made  a  long  Journey  eouthward,  einee 
the  time  of  Christ,  Let  our  readers  refer  to 
any  Scripture  atlas,  and  they  will  see  in  a 
moment  t^t  while  the  Dead  Sea  lies  thirtjf 
milee  east  by  somM  from  Jerusalem,  Beth^ibara 
lies  twenty  f^r  nUlee  east  by  n&rth  eaat;  so 
that  they  vt^fftp-fonr  milee  distant  from 
isaoh  other.  If  this  is  being  near  together, 
London  Bridge  and  Brighton,  must  be  next 
door  neighbours :  and  to  judge  of  the  depth 
and  current  of  the  Jordan  at  Bethabara,  by 
examining  it  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Bead  Sea, 
would  b  e  like  a  man  deciding  upon  th  e  depth  of 
the  Thames  at  Richmondt  by  fathoming  it  at 
Ora^eeend,  It  is  true  that  John  baptised  at 
Bethabara,  in  the  river  Jordan,  and  it  is  equally 
true,  that  there  the  river  is  not  more  than 
three  or  four  feet  deep  at  the  utmost,  and  the 
current  almost  imperceptable.  '  It  was  here,' 
says  Br.  Kitto,  *  that  John  baptised  our  Lord, 
and  it  is  soppoiod  by  many  to  be  the  identi- 
cal spot  where  the  Ark  reaied^  while  the 
l9raeUt4epa$$ed  aoer  Jordan ;'  thdt  airk  which 
tras  BO  striking  a  tvpe  of  that  Saviour  who 
was  ages  afterwards  fo  be  baptized  at  the 
tame  ppot  id  the  same  river.  *  in  memory  of 
the  BAptism  of  our  Lord  at  thk  place,  sAys  Dr. 
XHto, '  a  number  of  pilgrims  annually  set  out 
from  Jeruaaiem  at  Baster  to  bathe  in  the 
Jordan^  at  the  spot  where  they  believe  he  was 
baptiaed.*  Very  few  of  these  pilgrims  would 
ev«r  return,  if  the  *  depth'  ana  the  *  current,' 
were  what  Mr.  Baxter  represents  them  to  be. 

flow  then,  will  it  be  asked,  has  Mr.  Baxter 
made  this  huge  mistake  f  Bees  he  purposely 
mislead  his  unltemed  readers,  in  order  to 
iupport  his  theory,  and  to  show  his  dislike  tb 
immersbn  }  We  do  not  suppose  this  for  one 
moment*  We  believe  that  Mr.  B.  has  been 
misled  himself;  hiegeocraphv  ie  utterly  at 
fault ;  and  this,  though  a  sm  of  ignorance^ 


•  These  Pilgrims  of  Born  ssxas  bathe  indiserimi. 
Hately  together. 


is  almost  an  unpardonable  one,  considering 
that  the  object  and  tendency  of  the  arvument 
is  to  otferthrcno  a  scriptural  'ortUnanee, 
Should  any  one,  take  Mr.  Baxter's  statement 
for  truthf  he  must  of  necessity  arrive  at  Mr. 
Baxter's  conelusion,  that  it  was  utterly  impos- 
sible for  John  to  baptixe  in  Jordim.  and  eon^ 
sequently  the  Scriptural  statement  must  be 
incorrect.  The  tact  is,  Mr.  B.  has  oonfonnded 
Bethabara^  with  Betharabahi  which  Ges 
seventeen  miles  south  of  Jerusalem,  and  only 
thirteen  miles  distant  from  the  Bead  Sea,  and 
may  therefore,  be  said  comparatively  to  be 
'  near  to  it'  How  he  could  have  made  this 
blunder  is  a  marvel,  considering  the  great 
differences  between  the  two  places. 

Bethabara  was  a  town  oelonging  to  the 
tribe  of  Beuben,  24  miles  north  of  Jerusalem ; 
while  Betharabah,  was  a  boundarv  town 
between  the  tribes  of  Benjamin  ana  Judah, 
but  belonging  to  Benjamin,  and  lying  17  miles 
south  of  Jerusalem.  Kow,  considering  that 
Mr.  B.  gives  to  this  geographical  argument, 
the  most  prominent  place  in  his  book,  we 
naturally  ask  if  such  be  the  rottenness  of  the 
foundation,  what  must  the  superstructure  be 
worth  P  At,  least  it  will  make  our  reader  re- 
ceive  with  extreme  caution,  or  even  suspicion, 
whatever  other  argument  Mr.  B.  may  Imve  to 
advance  against  Baptism. 

Mr.  B's  next  rererence  is  to  John  iii.  23. 
'  John  was  baptising  in  ^non,  near  to  Salim, 
because  there  was  much,'  or  as  Mr.  B.  rightly 
renders  the  Gh-eek  polla  'many  waters  there.' 
He  says,  *why  did  John  leave  the  mighty 
Jordan,  for  the  much,  or  many  waters  at 
^non  r  The  *  mighty  Jordan,*  as  it  flowed 
past  Bethabara  we  have  already  described: 
the  probability  is,  that  the  many  waters  of 
£non  were  quite  as  mighty;  fbrthe  purposes  of 
immersion  as  Jordan  itself  was  near  l^thabara. 
Mr.  B.  by  his  own  translation  of  the  word 
polla  confesses  that  there  were  ^many*  waters 
at  ^non.  and  then  with  a  logic  peculiar  to 
hiikiself,  labours  to  prove  thai  there  was  but 
&ne  small  solitary  well  there.  Kow  how  '  one 
small  well'  can  be  called  'many  wmters*  we 
mudt  leave  BCr.  B.  to  explain;  jMtttieularly 
as  he  admits  that  the  site  of  .£non  is  Vmknown, 
and  that  Its  *  supposed  looaUt^  can  only  be 
guessed  at.  If  it  be  all  guess  work  in  rela- 
tion to  the  village  or  town  itself,  what  most 
be  tbeoase  with  hu '  one  small  well.*  We  prefer 
believing  with  the  Bvangelist  that  there  were 
many  waters  *  at  iEnon,'  whether  lf>.  B.  can 
find  them  or  not,  i6  believe  with  him  in  his- 
<  one  small  well.'  AH  we  kno#  of  JSnon,  is 
that  it  was  near  to  Balim,  and  Salim,  was 
about  40  miles  north  of  Jerusalem.  But 
what  reason  do  our  readers  think  Mr.  B. 
assigns  for  the  Baptist  leaving  Jordan  to  go 
to  iKitton*s '  one  small  wellP*  'That  he  might 
find  a  sufficient  supply  to  assuage  the  ^nrst 
of  his  foudwers^  and  the  multitudes  who 
assembled  te  hear  him!!*  What  was  Mr. 
Baxter  thinking  about  when  he  penned  this 
preposterous  sentence  f  What,  the  Baptist 
lead  hit  muttifudie  of  thirsty  followers  from 
the  *  abundance  of  the  Joraan,'  with  its 
*  sweet  clear  transparent'  waters,  where  tens  of 
thousands  might  nave  assuaged  their  thirst 


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THB    EAHTUBN    VESSEL. 


185 


with  erne,  to  Maon'M'WBntaHw^}*  Why, 
it  wcmid  bm  ma  act  qf  po9Ui94  imamUjf,  and 
dbwluie  flrueUy.  But  so  atterlj  unMrupiilouB 
mn  mmn  ia  the  stetementa  they  nake,  when 
ilileiminful  et  ell  heaenU  to  ivpport  e  ion* 
9oa«  eaudasioB. 

Mr.  B.  then  etrnpotee  that  the  people  ftood 
e»  Oe  enMi»  m  tks  hamiB  vf  tte  Jer«tei», 
while  John  beptised,  or '  eprinUed  them.*.  Jd 
John  end  hit  foUoveci  efoeiTeii  Me  «mmI,  at 
the  beink  of  the  Jordea,  they  stood  were  no 
eae  «ver  eteed  ft^^bn^  ner  ttnee  /  for  we  bef 
toewe  lo  iaform  Mr.  B.  that  the  ecMda  on  the 
\ — tVi  of  thfl  Joedan,  auat  no-  where,  save  in 
hie  own  iariagination ;  thoerh  he  layi  ha  feela 
■awufctiKwl,  John  and  liii  foUowere  atood  upon 
Ihea :  for  the  *  banki  of  the  Jordan  ttom  the 
Bea  of  Xiboriaa  to  the  Dead  Sea^aieeiiMi,  ei«r{, 
eley  ^"^  T""^-  lieutenant  Lynoh, 
eribiiiff  ftfaon,  layiy 
*  Ita  beaka  wwre  friaffed  with  perpatoal  Tardnre, 
Iff  in  a  thoonnd  graeaCiil  mtaeB.'*  CUy  pre- 
Btee  towaids  the  fiver,   on   approMBlnff 


wUehv  one  to  eoon  involtred  ia  a  Jiuitle  of  laxBr< 


Bot  wby  does  Mr.  fi.  want  *ecMid  *  on  the 
baakeof  the  Jordan  at  all?  Beeanae  John  ia 
■dd  to  '  baptiM  in  the  wildemeea ;'  (Mark  i. 
14,)  and  M,  io  quote  Mr.  Va  own  worda,  the 
wiUeraeae  ia  a  ^land  of  drought;'  and  he 
eonid  aot  <a»e  tte  Jbwiaa<w<e  Oeiatfifmaf a, 
Mr.  B.  moat  aeeda  biiag  the«i<d#raeff  down 
<oMe  Jordsm^  aadjdaeeita.^aand'  upon  the 
baaka.  Tot,  dii«etty  after  thii  amuaing  blun- 
dcr,  Mr.  B.  aagaeeta  the  raoi  ^apUmdtum  of 
the  difieoliyy  by  aayingv  *tfae  Jordan  waa 
tfw««tfB«fi#  leiWanieia,  which  ia  the  fast. 
Thereat  gilt  of  thiaaeetion  of  Mr.  B*a.  book 
k  te  pcovo  that  baptiani  by  immersion  waa 
impoeribi^.  beoaaae  of  the '  acarflftjr  of^oaUr* 
iatiie  Holy  i^aad.  'SaaaoilTof  water  !  in 
the  Holy  Land  11  A  land  of  hula  and  moua. 
tataa,  with  a  aeere%  <^  waiw,  iaeortainly  a 
•Mr/aa<ia  physical  geogxaphjr.  Let  ua  hear 
faov  the  iaaplred  wntsr  deeenbea  thia  land. 
*  A  lead  of  brooks  of  water,  ef  foontaina  and 
deptha  Mat  apraff  oat  of  the  Tall^TB  and  hiUa.* 
TUa,  than,  waa  ue  moat  proaainent  oharac- 
tertotie  in  Moaea'  deaaription  of  it  \\  indepen* 
daatof  thoaboadaaeaof  ita  aoterwi  water- 
ooaraee ;  there  waa  an  ahaeat  iaihute  number 
of  artiioal  watera,  balha,  aqueduota,  oiatema ; 
theie  waa  aeareriy  a  town  in  it,  that  had  not 
a  nomber  of  hatha  attashed  to  it;  daily  bath* 
iag,  beaag  almoat  a  aeoassary  thina  in  auefa  a 
eiiiaate;  and  aarof  theae  would  haTO  serred 
-      -  ••  '        WhatshaUwe 

many 
'  that 


for  the  poxpoee  of  immersioo.  What  shs 
«y  of  Solomoa'a  Vpoola  of  water :'  or  the '  i 
dateraa*  that  Duiah.  'digged,'  or  of 
pooltiiathad  *'  ^  -^   -   >  ^^ 

pook  of  Hebron 
ahe  Sihor-libn 
•KishoB,'tbe  « 
the'Bobin/  tib 

*K«   <flimt.*    til 


pool  tiiathad  '  fire  porehaaY  or  of  4he  fiah* 
poola  of  Hebron  P  Tho<  Leontea,' the  *  Beloa,' 
~"  nah,  of  Joshua  ziz.  26.)  the 
«Arm^'  the  'Beliaa,'  St.  Peter, 
the  *Ibn  Amir,'  the  'Bewar,' 
the  'Boat,'  the  'Simain,'  the  'Seba,'  the 
'  Axi^'  and  a  number  of  smaller  ooaat  rivera 
iowing  Borthward  from  the  floly  Xand,  empty 
tbesaedree  into  the  great,  or  Meditemuiean 
goaf  Soalhward,  a  number  of  small  rireia 
empty  tbemaelvee  into  the  Jordan,  between 
\Jab  Hakk  and  lake  Tiberias  ;  after  leaving  I  both  good  and  bad, 
lake  Ttbenas^  the  JotdaBreea&Tea  the  watera   Craft.^ 


of  the  *  Kidron,'  the  <  Bireh/  and  the  <  Bisaa,' 
independent  of  the  waters  of  Samaria,  or  the 
small  rivers,  'Meleh,'  *JameV  and  'Faria,' 
and  the  still  more  miportant '  Kelt,'  which 
is  the  Afreet  eaatem  outlet  of  all  the  waters, 
ten  miles  north  of  Jerusalem.  But  time 
would  fail  us  to  enumerate  all  the  'rivera 
and  brooks '  of  the  holy  land ;  some  of  which 
indeed  are  merely  winter  streams,  being  like 
the  Brook  Chenth,  *  dried  up  in  summer,' 
while  others  are  perennial,  ana  have  water  all 
the  year  round.  And  this  is  the  land  which 
3fr.  B.  says,  haa  such  a  scarcity  of  water,  that 
it  waa  imvoluibU  for  baptism  by  immersion, 
tobenerformed  in  it!  If  Mr.  B.  had  sidq 
that  there  was  a  scarcity  of  large  rivers  in  it, 
we  must  ha?e  admitted  it;  but  who  requires 
*  a  lam  river  '  to  immerse  in  f  One  other 
remark  on  this  section  of  Mr.  B'a'  bode,  and 
for  the  preaent  we  have  done. 
^  He  argues  against  the  nractioe  of  immer* 
aion  by  tke  apoatlea,  and  toe  Baptist^  becanse 
of  the  supposed  indel^oaoy  of .  the  thing,  and 
the  sealous  seclusion '  with  whioh  onentala 
guarded  their  women,  especially  the  Ghreeka. 
We  confess  that  we  do  not  think  thia  arga« 
ment  worth  much,  beoauae,  suppoong  this  to 
hare  been  an  obstacle  in  the  way  of  immersion, 
it  lies  more  strongly  still  agamat  sprinkling 
the  head  and  £sce ;  unless  Mr.  B.  supposes 
they  were  sprinkled  with  their  osiZa  aown; 
for  the  exposure  of  ike  fae0  to  the  public  gaaa 
ia  reckoned  by  the  Eaatems,  aa  iinmodeat  or 
wrong,  as  the  exposure  of  any  other  part  of 
the  body.  But  let  him  read  the  hiatonr  of 
Athenian,  and  Ck>rinthian  Society,  at,  and  af- 
ter the  age  of  Fericlea.  down  to  the  time  of 
Christ,  and  he  will  find  that  thia  obstacle, 
like  tbuB '  Band'  on  the  banka  of  the  Jordan, 
ia  onl^  to  be  foimd  in  Us  own  imagination, 
and  his  hatred  to  Believer'a  Baptism.  Besides 
supposing  this  obiection  held  good,  will  Mr. 
Baxter  contend  toat  the  divine  power  which 
aooompanied  the  first  promulgation  of  the  goa* 
pel,  could  not  have  surmountod  this  obstacle 
aa  it  surmounted  others  of  far  greater 
magnitude  f  If  he  think  ao,  we  at  least 
have  not  so  learned  Christ 

•  Namaiva,  p.  933.       f  Deut.  viiL7. 
IT  flee  previons  note  on  baptUagia  the  lordaa* 

Mr.  B.  SamuePs  new  edition  <^  Memmr— » 
teicely  printed  and  revised)  is  now  poblhdied 
for  one  shilling  ^e  copy.  His  new  work 
*  The  Triumph  of  the  Hofy  Spirit  over  Sin  ia 
the  Sinner,'  is  also  now  ready,— it  ia  a  work 
of  great  labour,  and  of  immense  value.  His 
next  we  hope  will  be  <  2%e  Trimiiph  of  Me 
Word: 

'  Deaeom  Oraft:  Tke  Bans  efihe  Chwrehss! 
London:  Q.  f*  Stevenson,  64,  Patemoater 
How. 

This  pamphlet  ia  calling  the  serious  atten* 
tion  of  many  thinking  people,  to  one^of  those 
pervertionSf  which  has  aone,  and  is  doing 
much  injury.  We  are  satisfied  there  are  a 
great  many  most  excellent  Christian  men, 
now  filling  the  offiee  of  Beacon  in  our 
churches;  Dut^  there  are  many  others.  AU, 
"     *  ...    ahould  read   *  Deacon 


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THB  BA&TUBN  TB881L. 


[Juw  1,  ISM; 


THE  W0NBBB7DL  DSALINGB  OF  QOD 


A    YOUNG    MAN. 

(Oontiniied  from  pag*  101.) 
A  vBiim  nUing  upon  me  and  my  brother 
from  a  distant  town,  whom  I  had  known 
When  we  were  both  fltrangera  to  peaoe—asked 
me  to  go  with  htm  in  the  erentnj^,  and  hold 
nn  ont-door  prayer-meeting;  which  we  were 
rather  reloetant  to  do.  as  we  had  not  yet  made 
am  open  profearion.  We  wavered,  but  Satan 
was  conquered ;  and  we  went  down  to  a  mea* 
dpw  by  the  rirer's  nde.  Here  I  was  fint  led  to 
offer  prayer  to  Qod  in  the  presenoe  of  others: 
the  meetmg  was  a  holy  one,  the  power  of  the 
spirit  was  fel^  and  the  praters  for  increased 
ttoringa  of  the  Spirit  were  answered,  in  other 

Joung  men  coming  with  us  at  the  next  meet- 
ig,  which  we  continued  to  hold  every  night; 
bur  numbers  sometimea  reaching  'rixteen  or 
ieventeen.  Thia  led  to  the  formation  of  ft 
Young  Men's  Chriatian  Aasooiation;  which  I 
lun  happy  tosayisfleurishiog ;  its  first  annual 
ineetiog,  I  was  privileged  to  attend,  a  few 
Greeks  since,  when  a  most  pleasing  account 
was  given  of  the  past  year's  success,  under  the 
divine  blessing.  Who,  after  this,  shall  des- 
pair of  prayers  unheard,  or  *  despise  the  day 
of  small  things  P  One  of  our  first  rules  was, 
that  the  society  use  its  efforts  for  the  diffusion 
of  Ghristaanity,  among  the  masses  of  the  peo- 
ple :  rather  a  large  word  for  a  few  young  men 
id  adopt ;  but  however,  Ood  aocepted  it  in 
tiie  spirit  it  was  offered.  Feeling  a  great  de- 
sire to  commence  a  more  useful  career,  I  prayed 
that  some  thin^  might  be  opened  for  me.  I 
sought  out  a  village  which  was  in  the  dark 
in  spiritual  matters,  and  pressing  another  in- 
to the  work,  with  much  xear  andtrembling  we 
started  on  our  mission,  not  knowing  what  we 
should  meet  with ;  but  cheering  eacE  other  up 
by  the  way,  one  resolving  to  take  up  the 
inatter  if  the  other  broke  down.  After  com- 
ipaittiDg  ourselves  into  the  guiding  power  of 
lehovim,  we  commenced  by  offering  tracts  at 
the  houses,  and  inviting  to  a  certain  place, 
where*  we  should  speak  a  few  words ;  after 
waiting  some  time,  a  few  stragglers  came 
near,and  wegaveoutahymiifWhioh  we  had 
to  sine  ourselves;  the  villagers  seeming 
amused  at  the  idea  of  two  young  men  singing. 
^nyer  was  offered,  and  a  portion  of  the  Scrip- 
tures read,  when  we  each  spoke  as  long  as  we 
eould.  Kever  shall  I  forget  the  feeling  of  a 
fint  trial  of  speaking :  my  head  swam,  and  I 
trembled ;  had  there  been  a  trap  door  under 
me,  I  would  gladly  have  disappeared;  but  I 
waa  impelled  on  by .  the  importance  of  my 
work,  and  gained  courage  as  I  advanoeo. 
When  the  service  was  concluded,  w6  were 
pressed  t04»me  again,  for  said  they,  nobody 
fakes  any  interest  in  us.  We  went  again  for 
ieveral  weeks,  and  gained  a  goodandience ;  uU 
timately  taking  a  room,  and  opening  it,  aa 
a  station  of  the  village-preaching  association. 
This,  I  trust,  when  the  day  shall  declare  it, 
will  not  be  without  its  firuits.  Soon  after  this, 
I  was  led  through  the  instrumentality  of  Mr. 
i.  Rowland— whose  counsels  I  shall  ever  have 
oauaa  to  ramamber  with  thankftilness^to  join 


myself  to  the  Indepsadant'  conhenon  al  Hen* 
1^.  On  the  occaMi  of  my  admittance  into 
the  diuroh  wiih  others.  Mr.  ft.  took  £x  his 
text,  2  Cor.  viiL  6.  This  I  felt  peeoUarly 
adapted  to  my  case,  and  felt  the  blessedness  of 
being  able,  thus  to  devote  myself  to  the  cause 
ofOhrist 

From  this  time,  I  ccntinaed  to  spsak  openly  ; 
and, 

"  Tell  to  sinners  round, 
What  a  dear  Saviour  Ihadfiouad ; 
And  my  greatest  pleasure  is.  when  speak- 
ing  to  others  of  the  grace  of  God,  tfaroogfa 
Ofarisi  Jesus;  although  I  am  but  a  poor 
tool,  I  hope  my  master  will  not  allow  me 
to  be  an  uupmAtable  servant;  Iknowbyex'' 
perienee  that  all  must  come  ftom  him.  what 
God  hasftirtliar  in  store  for  mo  I  Isave  in  his 


<  Only  thou  my  leader  be, 
And  I  stin  win  foQow  thee.' 
'  Guide  me  with  thy  counsel,  and  afterward 
receive  me  to  glory.' 

Thus  I  have  traced,  in  apoor  way,  the  deal- 
ings of  Qod;  and  trust  it  mayi  under  the 
divine  blessing,  be  the  means  of  raising  the 
hopes  of  some  who  are  sorely  tried,  for 

*  Jesus  sought  me.  when  a  stranger, 
Wandenng  from  the  fold  of  dod ; 
He^  to  save  mv  soul  from  daimr,  > 

Interposed  ms  preoions  Uood. 
-       -^^       ^^b 


Hare^  I  raise  my  . 

Hither  by  thy  help,  Fm  oome ; 
And  I  hope  by  thy  good  pleasure 
Safely  to  arrive  at  home.* 

I  may  just  mention,  that  the  morning 
before  1  was  bom,  n^  Father  heard  a 
sermon  from  Mr.  Sherman,  then  of  Beading, 
from  the  words,  <  Take  this  child  and  nurse 
it  for  me.  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages.' 
This  has  Men  the  star  of  their  hope,  ehesring 
their  daric  way,  when  all  outward  appearaaoe 
was  gone.  Demdr  not  then.  Christian  parent, 
but  still  pray  for  the  out-pouring  of  i£e  Spi- 
rit,  that  your  chaige  may  be  brought  uu 
One  thing  I  never  could  overoome,  when  un-. 
der  the  influence  of  infidel  training,  nnd  that 
was,  if  there  was  nothmg  in  reOgion,  how, 
was  it  that  my  mother  was  so  happy  under  ita. 
influence  P  Hear  Bfo  was  my  greatset  nindarance 
to  unbelief. 

'  Him  that  Cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no 
wise  east  out.'    Is  not  this 

A  BbAND  PLrOKlD  VBOIC  THS  BUBVIMO  f 

(Zb  be  comUmmed.) 


A  FBW  QUESTIONS  TOUOBUrG 
THE    KINGDOM    OF    CHRIST. 

DiAB  8im,^I  have  never  troubled  you 
with  any  thing  of  mine.  In  reading  the 
article,  *  is  Christ  Sing,'  Ac.,  in  theBAsranr 
Ybssbl  for  this  month  by  one  who  caUs  him- 
self <A  Sufikling;*  I  think  you  will  allow 
that  the  wiMst  amongst  us  are  only  babes  in 
Scriptural  knowledge,  and  if  we  were  to  live 
another  life  making  our  time  on  earth  double, 
sti]],  wo  shall  not  get  ankle  deep  in  the  mys- 
tteiotts  ocean  of  divine  truth.  The  minister 
who  stated  Christ  waa  not  a  kiqg,  rafomd,  I 

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137 


thiak,  to  tii«  oomplez  bhanoterof  Chriai, 
which  Mem»  to  be  batlitik  undentood  bv 
Chiutiaiia*  (aad  IaiM  aoi^Sbm  that  until 
latflly,  I  did  not  Me  tha  God-Mao  lo  olearly 
aa  I  do  now. 

Doea  not  J«aqa»  aa  God,  apply  to  oart  of  hii 
wocfaL  and  Jeaaa,  aa  man,  to  the  oUier  part  ^ 
See  hiaa  aaflar  aa  nan,  heal  aa  God  the  suffer- 
lag,  laiae  the  dead,  te.  Aa  man  he  died,  aa 
Gedhe  vaaiaiaed  fipom  the  dead,  aa  mam  he 
«aa  boCB  kJagof  tha  Jewi  of  the  aeed  of 
navid'a  hauae;  aadeamaed  man  he  waa  re- 
jaeleH  by  tha  Jen  oe;  and  ia  there  any 
naaon  why  he  ahoaU  not  aa  man  be  alorifted 
aahia^ofarthe  Jewaf  Am  GudhBU  Kim^ 
immcriml,  iamiMls,  the  eafif  wist  Ood ;  aa 
man  ha  »  aa  yat  known  onW  to  the' nation  of 
tha  Jewa  aa  the  deipiaad  luaarene.  I  hope 
ha  will  aa  man  feign  ofer  them  on  or  over 
this  earth,  hot  when?  I  beliere,  when  his 
bsida  is  ^athecad  out  of  this  world,  and  then 
ha  and  his  bride  will  reign  toaether  over  thoee 
paopla  who  now  reject  Mth  him  and  them. 

JlUow  ma  to  call  Your  attention  to  the 
ritin  Scripture:  there 


are  aerenl  ways  it  is  spoken  of  m  them,  and 
attof  IhemiiaTea  different  sigmiieation 


my  Bsittd.  In  Matt.  iu.  S,  it  ia  called  the 
kingdom  of  heaven ;  STim.  iv.  18,  the  heafenly 
kaagdom.  Baal,  I  eonaider.  waa  in  the  first, 
when  he  aaid,  the  Lord  ahail  deliTer  me  from 
evwy  evil  work,  fte.  In  Lake  viii.  4,  it  is 
eaOed  the  kingdom  of  God;  fa&  Matt.  ziiL  43, 
the  kingdom  of  the  Father,  from  which  the 
Boa  of  Man  ahall  gather  out  all  thmgs  that 
offioid,  fto ;  verse  44^apeaka  of  the  kingdom  of 


likea  field,  Ac  Is  the  pearl 
tks  Brids,  tit  el«0«/aaM^,  andthemanJean 
Chnst?     In  this  chapter,  (Matt,  ziu.)  the 
kingdom  commenced  by  John  the  Baptiat, 
ana  canried  on  ky  Jesus  at  John's  deau,  is 

to  maav  thingsi  until  we  see  the 
aJlasss  of  the  kinadom  we  shall  not 

L  the  parable  of  the  nobleman  going 
into  a  far  conntey,  Ac.,  to  receive  a  kingdom, 
l4dbs  six.  2 :  or  (the  man  leaving  his  house), 
MarkziiLM;  or  what  Jesus  meant  b^  drink- 
ing the  wiae  new  in  Ait  Fathm^t  KiMfdom. 
In  iiphas.  v.it  is  called  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
and  Off  God;  in  GoL  i.  13,  the  kingdom  of  his 
dear  von,  and  the  aaints  of  Oolosse  are  said  to 
be  dciivcfcd  from  the  powers  of  darkness. 
It  ia  ealled  the  kingdom  of  the  Son  <tf  Man  in 
Jfatt.  jdiL  41 ;  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
.Bavioar  Jesua  Christ  in  2  Pet.  i.  11.  And  to 
eondnda,  wa  leam  there  is  a  time  coming 
when  tha  Son  shall  deliver  up  the  kingdom 
unto  faia  Father.    lCor.zv.2^Ac 

Oan  we  imagine  that  Bomanism,  Puseyism, 
ke^  ScCf  are  part  of  all  these  kingdoms,  no ; 
no:  doeanot  the  parable  of  the  mustard  seed 
and  laaveo  shew  these  priests  and  hirelings  to 
be  the  fowla  of  the  air  that  lodge  in  the 
brsnchea  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  r 

If  joa  wfll  pardon  me  calling  vour  readen* 
Bttenricm  to  these  things,  and  if  any  one  will 
tioow  a  Hght  upon  the  matter,  I  ahall  be 
uaah  obliged,  who  am  only  a  learner. 
Tours,  in  Jesus, 

FmnxAV  Bob. 

.  B;  Chursh  Tenaee.  Migh  Street, . 
WaaAwtnth,  l&yT&i. 


A  NOTE  TO  MB.  CLABKE. 

Mt  Dbab  BnoTmnt.-*In  your  last,  you  said 
you  never  saw  my  name  in  the  YxasBi.,  and 
you  felt  desirous  of  knowing  my  state  aa  a 
poor  helpless  sinner.  I  reply  I  would  just  say 
that  I  have  still  the  same  love  ibr  you,  as 
wh^  I  first  saw  the  marks  of  inquiry  after 
God's  gospel,  and  feel  thankful  to  God  the 
spirit  of  all  grace  that  he  made  use  of  me  in 
his  providence  and  grace  in  bringing  you 
from  selfwillisim  to  understand  in  part  the 
110th  Psalm,  where  you  have  Jehovah's  nn- 
eonditionality,  *  They  be  wilUng  in  the  day  of 
my  salvation  power,  and  as  the  I<ord  has  biBcn 
kind  to  you  in  providence  and  in  ^race;  I 
hope  you  will  conti^iue  under  the  mmistry  of 
the  Dpirit,  the  true  ministrv  will  be  discov* 
ered  in  a  two-fold  manner,  first,  in  dimribing 
the  helplessness  of  the  new  creature;  and 
secondly,  in  proclaiming  the  gracious  ability 
of  its  maker  m  sustaining  the  same.  Now 
one  word  relative  to  mysell^  7ou  know  I  have 
my  trials^  and  one  reason  iiL  that  I  may  enjoy 
the  gospel  when  the  God  of  heaven  is  pleased 
to  send  it  home  with  melting  power ;  some  of 
our  Suffolk  Churehea  are  so  full  of  dutv,  that 
Tou  cannot  tie  up  the  neck ;  but  1  feel  eo 
helpless  that  I  oan  neither  empty  nor  fill  my* 
self,  nor  does  my  happiness  depend  on  my  good 
doings,  but  on  the  goodness  of  the  Lord.  My 
heart  was  greatly  blest  when  reading  Exodqa 
xxdv,  where  it  says, '  keepiaa  merevfor  <Aa«- 
tandt :  if  he  keeps  it  for  tnem.  they  are  as 
safe  as  his  mercy.  One  word  relative  to  the 
ministry.  The  Lord  is  so  good  in  calling  bis 
elect  by  the  word,  I  cannot  express  my  feelr 
ings.  I  convey  theee  few  thoughts  through 
the  Ybsbbl  because  I  have  lost  your  address, 
Tour's  in  new  covenant  grace.  B.  Bajlsb. 
Chehnondiston,  May  11, 1859. 


ON  THE  DEATH  OF  MBS.  WAERBN, 
Aa  (Hd  Mmihtr  ai  Hadhw,  KmU, 

Dbab  sister;  she's  gone;  we  bless  tlise,0  Lord; 
The  battle  is  dooe,  ss  shewn  by  thy  word. 
'With  Christ,  sfl  the  objcet  of  hope,  it  is  sweet 
To  die  with  the  prospect  in  glory  to  meeC 

O  welcome  the  thooght.  of  hsaven  oor  home  1 
Tbers  toon  to  be  brooght  and  never  to  roam; 
Bat  rest  there  for  ctct  in  sight  of  Us  faoe ; 
And  nothing  to  acTer  from  Ohrist,  or  from  grace. 

The  righteous  hath  hope— yea,  hope  that  is  good; 
And  this  raised  her  up,  being  well  understood : 
With  Christ  as  ber  treasure^  bow  eonld  she  be  poor  I 
And  now  shaU  ber  pleasure  for  ever  endare. 

BIcH  the  Lord,  O,  my  Boal  P  ho w  sweetly  she  cried ; 


O,  my  son 
whole  thi 


:h  Jesns  who  died  ;* 
toher  bUsB. 
finish  like  this. 


*  A  sinner  msde  whole  through  J 
No  sin  to  disturb  her,  no  end  to 
We  hope  soca  to  IbUow  and  finh 

0  Spirit,  prapare  a  sinner  like  me^ 

To  enter  and  share  wfthLoTsPs  fSunlly ; 

Made  meet  for  the  kingdom,  and  my  mtevsst  clear, 

1  ahali  long  then  to  come  and  for  ever  dwell  there. 

Then  glory  and  pndse  for  covenant  lovcb 
To  comfort  oor  days  and  raise  ns  above. 


oor  days  ai 
Then  sing  HallelMah!  tat  ever  on  high. 
To  Triune  Jehovaii,  and  never  to  die. 

W.  BOUSB. 


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(JuM  1;  Utf. 


Airo  THEOUGHOITT  THIS  FAVOURBD  LAND. 


Thbbb  are  many  expnaaed  lamentatioiia 
of  the  aappoaed  deaikittttioii,  deolennon,  and 
divided  condidon  of  thejnofeaaed  gospel 
ehnrobes  in  thia  our  day.  We  hare  thongnt, 
a  few  papers  shewing  what  London  was, 
and  what  progress  the  gospel  has  made,  even 
during  the  laist  century ;  together  with  ui 
imparaal  review  of  the  character  and  condi- 
tion of  the  churches  holding  thb  Gobpbl  in 
these  days,  might  tend,  a'Uttle,  to  enoourage 
brethren.    It  is  very  true, 


ODLDTMa— sterling  fffftpel  stead- 
and  a  practieal  deouion  for  the 
great  principles  of  truth,  are  not  so  abundant, 
nor  so  popular,  as  are  the  forms  and  free- 
niUa  of  men;  still,  there  is  an  amazing 
amount  of  good  gospel  now  preached,  in  our 
beautifol  little  Island. 

We  commence  with  the  following,  from 
the  Countess  of  Huntingdon's  Memoirs  :— 

Towards  the  close  of  1770,  the  attention  of 
Lady  Huntingdon  was  directed  to  the  spirit- 
uid  destitution  of  Clerkenwell.  The  present 
crowded  neighbourhood  of  Spafields  was  at 
this  period  quite  rural,  and  formed  a  dangerous 
locahiy  for  travellers  to  pass  through  after 
dark.  The  naths  were  very  bad,  especially  in 
winter,  and  were  infested  with  thieves  ;  the 
haunts  of  vice,  and  the  abodes  of  robbers  were 
elose  by  ;  and  many  a  dark  and  deadly  deed 
was  peroetrated  in  the  silence  of  night.  Those 
who  walked  in  the  evening,  from  the  city  to 
the  hamlet  of  Islington,  were  acoostomod  to 
wait  at  the  end  of  Perdval  Street,  untU  a 
considerable  party  had  ooUected,  when  they 
were  escorted  through  Spa-fields  by  an  armed 
patrols,  i^olnted  fbr  the  parpose ;  and  it  was 
customary  for  travellers  approaching  London, 
to  remidn  all  night  at  the  Angel  Inn,  near 
Islington,  rather  than  venture  across  this 
dangerous  spot  after  dark.  This  locality  was 
noted  for  the  fashionable  sport  of  duck-nunt- 
ing,  and  contained  asotitaiy  tavern,  ealled  the 
Doff  and  Duck,  which  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Hr.  Bosbmond,  who  converted  the  grounds 
into  extensive  pleasure  gardens.  The  whole 
of  tiie  property  came  into  the  possession  of 
the  Marquis  ofliorthampton,  who  let  a  portion 
of  these  nrdens  to  Mr.  Craven,  lor  the 
purpose  of  ereetlng  a  large  circular  building, 
in  imitation  of  the  celebrated  Pantheon  at 
Borne.  This  spacious  edifice  was  opened  in 
May,  1770,  as  a  place  of  amusement,  and 
speedily  acquired  notoriety  as  a  public  resort 
for  all  ranks  and  both  sexes  on  the  Lord's  day. 
Though  patronised  by  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  many  of  the  nobility,  aftor  the  first  year 
it  was  unsnceessfol  as  a  place  of  amusement ; 
and,  in  three  years,  Mr.  Craven  became  a 
bankrupt.  The  lease  was  then  disposed  of  to 
the  proprietor  of  Sadlers- Wells'  Tbiatre,  who 
dreaded  a   rival  establishment;  and   after 


being  used  for  a  short  time  as  a  mart  for  the 
saleofoarriges,  the  building  beoame  vacaBt. 
A  ouiious  inoident  eonneetea  with  its  ereotioB 
deserves  notiee.  Mm.  Graven  could  not  be 
to  visit  the  building  until  near  its 
oompletion. 


the  building  until  1 
She  then  inmcted  it  with  a 
friend,  who  aslcsd  her  what  sne  thought  of  it  P 


When,  fuU  ofappiehensioB  for  her  fanaband 
and  her  family,  she  buxst  into  tears,  and  ex- 
claimed, '  It  IS  very  pretty ;  but  I  foresee  it 
will  be  the  ruin  of  us,  ana,  one  day  or  otheot. 
will  be  turned  into  a  Methodist  meettng-hoase/ 

Lady  Huntingdon  grtetly  desired  to  obtain 
possession  of -this  noble  ediflc^  whieh  had  two 
tiers  of  galleries  surrounding  it,  suppozted  \fjf 
numerous  elegant  columns,  that  she  might 
oonvert  it  into  a  chapel,  and  bring  the  goq>el 
into  the  benighted  neighboorhood.  She  kn« 
structed  Messrs.  Bhirly,  Parker,  and  Crole,  te 
consult  each  other  on  the  pioject,  and  to  aaeer* 
tain  the  terms  .on  which  the  proprietor  would 
be  willing  to  dispose  of  the  building.  It 
appears  that  there  were  two  parties  already 
treating  for  it ;  and  her  friends  so  discouraged 
her  by  their  adviee,  that  she  reluotamtly 
declined  to  purchase  the  Pantheon.  She 
says:— 

*<  My  heart  seems  strongly  set  upon  having 
this  temple  of  folly  dedicated  to  Jehovah  Jeans', 
the  great  head  of  his  church  and  people. 
i>ear  Mr.  Berridge  does  not  disoonrage  the 
undertaking,  but  says  I  may  count  upon  a  fit 
ofsidmess,  if  I  engage  in  this  a&ir.  I  feel 
so  deeply  for  the  perishing  thousands  in  that 
part  of  London,  that  I  am  almost  tempted  to 
run  every  risk ;  and  though,  at  this  moment, 
I  have  not  a  penny  to  command,  yet  I  am  so 
firmly  persuaded  of  the  goodness  of  the 
Master,  whoee  I  am,  and  whom  T  desire  to 
serve,  that  I  shall  not  want  gold  or  silrer  Ihr 
the  work.  It  is  his  cause;  he  baa  the  hearts 
of  all  at  his  disposal ;  and  1  shall  have  help, 
when  he  sees  fit  to  employ  me  in  his  service. 
Nevertheless,  with  some  regret,  I  give  up  the 
matter  at  this  time.  Tou  are  on  the  spot,  and 
your  opinion,  in  circumstances  of  this  nature, 
may  be  better  than  mine  ;  but  faith  tells  me 
to  ffofortaordf  ftsthinff  fearing,  notMmff  dotAU 
ing. 

As  soon  as  the  determination  of  Lady 
Huntingdon  was  made  known  to  the  proprie- 
tors, the  Pantheon  was  let  to  a  committee  of 
gentlemen,  who  converted  it  into  a  place  of 
worship.  A  considerable  expense  was  mcurred 
in  fittmg  it  up ;  the  figure  of  Fame,  which 
surmounted  the  dome,  was  exchanged  for  a 
lantern  cupola;  and  a  pulpit  and  reading 
desks  were  erected.  It  was  opened  on  SatuZ' 
day,  July  5th,  1777,  by  the  Bev.  John  Bylan^ 
and  was  called  Nortnampton  chapel^  in  hon* 
our  of  the  nobleman  on  whose  ground  it  stands. 
The  Bevs.  Hubert  Jones,  and  w  illiam  Taylor, 
two  episcopal  clergjrmen,  were  engaaed  aa 
preaohersy  wheee  ministrations  speeduy  at* 


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THE    EARTHEN    VESSEL. 


189 


tnwied  m  hr^  (Mngreg^tion.  They  stood 
ftlone  in  the  church,  in  thia  part  of  London, 
far  prodaimjng  the  erftngelioal  dootrinee  of 
retilpoo.  Theirpreachin^  (are  great  offence 
to  the  Ber.  W.  dellon,  Incumbent  of  Olerken- 
WfJl,  who  waa  annoyed  andjealeui  at  their 
•urcuM^  and  reeolrM  to  remore  them  from 
ih«tr  mhere  of  uaeftihieM.  He  claimed  the 
rii;ht  of  preaching  in  the  chapel  wheneyer  he 
pleased,  and  of  nominating  the  ministers  who 
•hoald  offieiate;  and  made  other  demands, 
vhieh  the  ministers  and  committee  resisted. 
Aa  eedeaiafltical  hiw-Bttit  was  instituted  ;  the 
facaaabent  triumphed;  the  two  clergymen 
were  fortridden  to  preach  there ;  the  chapel 
waa  eloaed,  the  large  congregation  scattered. 

While  these  eyenta  were  transpiring,  Mr. 
Taplady  drew  the  attention  of  the  Countess  to 
Riehmmid,  then  aplaee  of  fashionable  resort, 
and  4kr  cuety.  The  theatre  had  been  hired 
by  Bowkmd  EiU,  Mr.  Joss,  and  Mr.  West,  a 
popnlav  clergyman,  wlio  freqaentlj  made  ez- 
ouraknia  to  fiiohmond,  and  preached  there 
■aid  mneh  opposition.  The  proprietor  was 
iazioiiB  to  dispoae  of  the  theatre  to  her  Lady- 
ship, mad  oommiasioned  Mr.  Hough  to  wait  on 
Mr.  Toplady  with  a  yiew  of  negotiating  the 
Matter.  The  Countess,  howeyer,  did  not  ap- 
prm  of  the  step;  for,  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Wrley,  she  aays^  •!  haye  prayed  for  light, 
bet  the  doud  doQS  not  moTe  towards  Bichmond. 
The  oppoeitioa  wMeh  Mr.  Hill  and  others 
lerieneed  is  yerj  discouraging.  Con- 
I  dear  Mr.  Toplady,  and  look  earnestly 
Btiena  from  aboTC.  May  your  great 
r  cuide  you  in  this  matter !  My  mind 
it,  but  I  im  content  to  submit  to 
yeer  baiter  jodgment ;  persuaded  that,  if  it  is 
hia  win  <«^o  goyems  all  things,  we  shall  be 
tent  to  Richmond,  with  full  authority  to  pro- 
alaim  hia  grace,  and  make  hia  name  more 
aengst  that  people." 
(To  b*  ocmtimmed.) 


LEnnSRS  FROM  BRITISH  ZION, 

To    HVa  CSILDBBK  HT    THB    AxBAlOiLN, 

AuvrmixjAir    Ain>    Coloioal    Settlb- 


GOOD  PaiDAY  MORKIVO, 

Apbil  22, 1859. 

ArrBB  some  hard  attempts  yesterday  to 
complete  the  Vbssbl  for  May,  and  to  get  to 
Whittleeea  laat  eTening,  and  failing  in  all  of 
them,  I  am,  this  mornings  permitted  to  set 
off,  although  I  fear,  not  in  time  for  the  morn- 
ing  ierrice.  My  Master  knoweth,  however, 
that  an  immoreable  necessity  laid  upon  me 
to  finiah  my  monthly  mission,  through  the 
preea;  therefore,  I  hope  brother  Aahby,  and 
the  friends  at  Whittlesca,  will  forgive  me, 
if  1  cannot  |i:et  in  time  to  preach  to  them  thu 
morning. 

This  1^  so  to  speak,  the  commencement  of 
the  Anmvenarf  Season.  Buring  the  whole 
of  the  winter  and  spring,  I  haye  been  oon- 
Btantly  employed  among  the  churches  in  and 
•round  London.  I  have  been  very  happy  in 
my  work;  and  desire  to  feel  thankful  that  the 
Lord  is  still  opening  many  doors  of  labour  to 


me — in  fact,  I  am  engaged  fully,  almost 
every  day;  and  have  had  many  requests  to 
labour,  which  I  could  not  accept.  All  I  need 
is  strength  of  body— the  sacred  teaching  of 
the  Holy  Spirit— the  precious  unfolding  of 
Divine  truth,  experimentally  in  my  own  soul, 
a  heart  burning  with  love  to  the  iJord  and  his 
dear  people,  whether  called  or  uncalled— a 
door  of  utterance  in  speakinfr,  and  safety 
by  the  way.  If  the  Lord  will  indulge  me 
with  these  mercies,  I  shall  give  you  Australian 
friends,  all  the  good  tidinrs  touching  the  con- 
dition of  our  churches,  which  I  may  consider 
interesting  to  you.  We  have  both  a  com- 
mission and  a  permission,  to  *  Walk  about 
Zion,  to  count  her  towers,  to  mark  her  bul- 
warks, to  consider  her  palaces ;'  and  all  this 
is  to  be  done  with  a  view  to  communication, 
'  That  ye  may  tell  it  unto  the  generation  fol- 
lowing ;*  for  you  and  your  children,  I  lorn 
to  write  of  Zion.  The  little  sneers  of  the 
brainless  boys,  and  the  hyper-critical  cramped 
sehoolmen,  I  am  not  moved  by  now :  if  by  any 
means  I  can  be  useful,  I  must  expect  dis* 
appointed,  and  disaffected  people  will  be  dis- 
pleased. 

I  would  be  thankful  this  morning,  that  I 
am  not  setting  out  without  the  soft  whisper 
of  the  word  in  my  Boul ;  this  has  been  my  help 
for  years.  The  particular  word  which  I  am 
setting  out  with,  came  most  gently  into  my 
soul  yesterday,  as  I  was  hard  at  work  in 
answering  letters,  correcting  proofs,  Ac,  It 
waa  this — *  Who  gave  himseu  for  us,'  &o. 

Ely,  Saturday.  Apbil  23, 1850. 
Preserving  mercy  carried  me  safely,  yester^ 
day  morning,  from  London  to  Peterborough 
by  rail,  and  thence  to  Whittlesca  by  fly :  ao 
that  I  crept  into  Zion  just  as  Mr.  Ed.  Forman 
of  March,  waa  in  his  sermon  on  the  text^*  So 
shall  the  King  greatly  desire  thy  beauty.' 
The  long  chapel  was  full  of  anxious  and  at- 
tentive listeners;  and  the  preacher  was  evi- 
dently at  home  in  his  work.  I  was  enabled 
to  preach  in  afternoon  and  evening ;  the  place 
was  literally  crammed,  and  I  hope  gooa  waa 
done.  Trulv  did  I  feel  the  word  and  work  of 
the  Lord  to  he  most  solemn ;  yet  affording  such 
holy  pleasure,  as  made  me  know  again,  *  Hia 
ways  are  pleasantness;  his  paths  are  peace.' 
Mr.  Ashby,  the  WhitUesea  pastor,  stands 
there  in  a  field  of  growing  usefulness.  He 
has  a  mind  to  work;  he  has  a  delight  in  the 
work;  by  him,  as  an  instrument,  brands  are 
plucked  from  the  burning ;  and  the  church  ia 
preserved  in  peace,  and  increased  in  pros- 

Kritv.  Mr.  Samuel  Coaens  of  Warboys,  Mr» 
Male  of  Quvhim,  Mr.  John  Ewen  of 
Peterborough,  Mr.  Irish  of  Kamaey,  were 
among  the  ministers  present. 

BuxY  St.  BDMUirna. 
Having  to  wait  here  some  time  for  the 
Ipawich  train,  I  walked  into  Bury,  and  called 
upon  our  friend  Mr.  Saiiith,  the  deacon  of 
the  Partioular  Baptist  Chapel  in  this  town, 
and  was  sorry  to  find  they  have  no  paator; 
nor  any  minister  to  preach  on  Lofd'a-days  to 
them.  How  is  this,  that  so  many  of  our 
churches  are  quite  destitute  of  pastors  P    Thia 


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140 


THB    BARTMBM    TXSftEL. 


[J 


I  1,  IM0; 


m  a  pAioftil  fMt.  Mr.  Bpurgeon  otoM  liere, 
and  Dj  preaohing  in  Mr.  SWen's  chapel,  he 
eottld  nfcher  between  fortj  and  fifty  poondi 
for  hifl  rTew  Tabemade,  hut  the  ehurohes  who 
with  to  abide  by  the  Kew  Teitame&t  order 
of  church  Mnrice,  cannot  pouibly  find  a  man 
to  break  up  to  them  the  Word  of  life.  A 
f^reat  change  is  paaiing  orer  ui ;  we  are 
eliding  off  into  a  more  aeoommodating  lyitem, 
of  whiflh  now  I  am  tilent, 

Afier  reading  and  looking  for  some  mee* 
sage  or  other,  my  mind  ia  fixed  on  thie  text, 
(Romans  i.  4,  6,)  *  And  declared  to  be  the 
Son  of  Qod  with  power,  accordinij;  to  the 
spirit  of  holinesss,  by  the  resurrection  from 
tne  dead  ;  hv  whom  we  have  reoeired  grace 
and  apostlesnip,  for  obedience  to  the  fiuth 
among  all  nations.'  These  words  would  seem 
to  fumiah  a  complete  and  blessed  representa- 
tion of  the  gospel  kin^om,  or  diq>ensation 
of  grace.  Sirs^  there  is  the  base  or  founda- 
tion of  it:  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  is  the  foundation  of  this  king- 
dom. Secondly,  the  nature  of  this  dispensation: 
it  IB  a  declaration  of  the  Bon  of  Qod  with  power 
— the  jpreaching  of  the  Person  and  power  of 
Jesus  Christ,  is  the  great  feature  of  this  dispen- 
sation. I  see  this  everywhere,  if  I  look  back  upon 
past  ages,  if  I  look  around  now,  I  see  wherever 
theLordnasfliTena  faithful,  and  a  fruitful 
minister  of  Cnrist's  Person,  work  and  ^;raoe, 
there  the  kingdom  has  flourished.  Thirdly, 
the  efficacy,  vitality,  and  heavenly  breath 
whereby  lire  is  given,  and  maintained  in,  the 
hearts  oi  the  people,  who  make  up  the  popu- 
lation of  the  km^dom.  is  also  stated — it  is, 
aecording  to  the  spirit  ofholiness.  Lastly,  the 
great  ends  to  be  answered  by  the  existence  of 
&e  kingdom;  they  are  three— that  the  elect 
of  God  might  receivegraoe  and  apostleship . — 
be  brought  to  the  obedience  or  the  £uth; 
and  lastly,  that  his  name  might  be  de- 
dared,  worshipped,  and  extolled. 

Ipswich.— Eastor  Monday  morning,  April 
26.  My  back  aches  in  setting  off  early,  after 
so  many  successive  days  of  incessant  toil.  It 
took  me  all  dav  on  Saturday  to  round-about 
on  straight  rails  from  WhitUesea  to  Ipswich. 
Brotiier  Poock  received  me,  as  he  always  has 
done,  with  good  old  Bullish  kindness,  Chris- 
tian sympathv,  and  mimsterial  fellowship. 
Our  wortny  rriend  Alston  gave  me  bed  and 
board ;  and  I  was  permittea  three  times  yes- 
terday to  speak  of  tnose  things  which  I  increas- 
inly  know  are  bound  up  as  so  many  title-deeds 
ofouretemsl  home.  The  morning  (yester- 
day) was  wet,  there  were  a  great  many  peo- 
ple in  the  oha^el,  but  it  was  not  erowded — ^in 
the  afternoon  it  was  full  every  nook— and  I 
was  favoured  to  feel  the  weight  and  the  wealth 
of  the  theme, '  By  whom  we  have  received 
grace  and  apostleship  for  obedience  to  the 
nith.'  It  took  me  some  time  to  get  through 
*'f'6eeMHff  araoe,'  The  grace  or  provision: 
providing  Christ  for  the  Church;  Boas  for 
Buth ;  and  so  on.  The  mce  of  tusfrwMMii- 
talUjf.  In  the  purposes  of  the  New  Covenant, 
it  was  determined  that  Buth  should  be  the 

ouse  of  Boas ;  but  she  was  a  Moabitiah 
el;  she  was  in  an  idolatrous  country. 


How  was  she  to  be  brought  Into  BsthWheair 
Naomi  is  the  instrument  Bo  the  gospel  is 
the  blessed  agency  •where^  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  return,  and  oome  to  Zion.  To  re- 
ceive the  truth  of  the  gospel  in  the  love  and 
powor  of  i^  is  to  receive  graoe  indeed.  Then 
there  is  the  graee  of prtparatiom,  Paul  Mys, 
*  It  is  God  whieh  workath  in  yon«  to  will  smd 
to  do  of  his  good  pleasure ;  and  surely,  it 
must  have  been  graoe  working  in  Both  that 
'positive  prinoiple,'  which  caused  her  to 
cleave  unto  Naomi ;  whereby  ihe  left  Moab, 
came  to  Bethlehem,  went  to  glean  in  the  fields 
of  Boas;  and  to  find  favour  in  his  sight. 
There  was  the  grace  of  mtcowragmatrnt.  Bone 
handfuls  of  purpose  "  were  dropped  for  her; 
and  so,  as  last  the  union  was  completed.  [I  am 
writing  these  fow  lines  in  an  jSastem  Car; 
full  of  young  gentlemen,  smoking  and  talking 
of  other  things,  but  th^  do  not  disturb  me.] 

I  think  Bethesda  Chapel,  Ipswich  one  of 
the  most  substantial,  commodious,  and  best 
arranged  places  in  our  denomination.  With. 
iU  new,  long,  deep,  side,  and  front  galleriee^ 
it  wiU  hold  a  thousand  persons;  and  I  think 
there  was  all  that  number  yesterdajr.  Mr. 
PoodL  is  now  in  the  fifteenth  year  of  his  pas- 
torate there.  The  Lord  has  merdfnlly,  and 
extensively  honoured  him  :— nearly  two  thou- 
sand pounds  have  been  paid  upon  this  plaee ; 
and  with  ite  new  Testry,  it  ,is  replete  and 
beoutifuL  I  was  glad  to  see  the  same  sub- 
stantial staff  of  ofltews,  Messrs.  William  Clark, 
James  Andrews,  William  Manning,  and  the 
other  aood  brethren ;  in  the  midst  of  whom 
vou  wul  see  Jabu  Wuoht,  a  lon|[  afflietedt 
out  a  trulv  kind-hearted  brother  in  Chrirt^ 
and  withall,  an  active  agent  for  the  Bartsbs 
VsBsicL.  It  was  a  noble  sight  to  stand  yeater- 
day  in  that  chapel,  and  behold  such  a  erowded 
armv  of  veteran  and  juvenilepilgrims,  gathered 
up  from  the  town  and  connti^  all  roiuid  :— 
and  to  hear  them  sing  the  praises  of  our  Hea- 
venly Sling,  was  delightful  indeed.  At  the 
close  of  tto  Service,  uie  Treasurer,  William 
Clark  announced  the  total  of  the  oolleetion  to 
be  £18.  The  Pastor,  brother  Poock,  emressed 
their  increasing  obligations  to  the  Jjordtor  his 
goodness;  |>ronounMd  the  doxologj,  whieh 
was  sung  with  so  much  evident  feeling  and 
devotion,  that  my  heart  melted  until  1  wept 
tears  of  inward  love,  to  find  myself  among 
such  a  highly  favoured  band.  Ipswioh  has 
now  two  champions  for  gospel  truth.  Our 
brother  William  Felton,  at  Zoar,  is  higli'  ' 
esteemed  as  a  faithful  minister,  and  his  naefi 
ness  is  increasinly  manifested. 

[For  the  information  of  the  thousands  of 
you  are  now  scattered  abroad  in  the  colonies, 
1  shall  continue  these  notes  as  tame  and  qiace 
permit.  Nearly  every  day  I  am  yi  some  jtart 
or  other  of  the  gospel  vineyard;  and  the  inci^ 
dento  oonnected  with,  and  arising  out  of  tbMe 
annual  gatherings  are  sometimea  encouragiiig, 
edifying,  and  fiUl  of  interest  to  thbse  dear 
friends  who  are  now  dwelling  in  the  utmost 
comers  of  the  earth.'  I  will  not  forget  you. 
It  is  a  grief  to  us  all  in  this  kingdom  that 
wars,  and  rumours  of  terrible  eonvulaioDS  are 
now  rifo.  Clouds  are  gathering.  But  Qod 
is  our  refuge  still.    C.  W«  B.] 


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THE  ISA&TUEN   V£S8£L. 


ui 


ODtir  €^ixxc^i$^  i^m  P(i$Uti^  mh  ifyU  p^^U. 


^i 


OBDIVAXIOV   OF  XB.  eBOTITHS, 
AT  HATB8,  MIDDLESEX. 

On  MondAj.  May  16^  1859,  a  goodly  com- 
of  the  loren  of  gospel  trath  Arom  the 
refaos  of  Colnlvook,  HarlingCon,  Drayton, 
Uzfaridgo,  HarefieUf  Brentford^  fte.,  waa  ga- 
thered mi  S^eg^  to  witnen  the  oidination  of 
brolher  Qtifittha  to  the  paatoiml  office  over  tbe 
Baptisi  Chmeh  wonhipping  in  that  Tillage. 
Hie  day  waa  iine>  and  ue  programme  of  Uie 
day*!  pvooeedingi,  promieed  a  treat  to  thoee 
who  had  eome  from  Tanooi  distaneeg^  to  tea- 
Hij  their  lore  for  brother  Oiiffitha  and  his 
beloved  flock.  Brother  Bnint,  of  Colnbrook, 
opened  the  meeting  at  half-past  2,  by  reining 
a  short  Fsnlm,  and  offered  prayer ;  after  which, 
brather  Wyard  proeeeded  to  state  tho  nature 
of  a  goepel  Chureh.  After  a  retr  appropriate 
iatrodoetiotty  referring  to  the  Cnnich  of  God 
ia  her  varieus  aspects,  conditions,  and  mani- 
fcstation,  he  aeleeted  tbe  figure  of  a  building, 
by  wUeh  to  fflnstrate  a  Qospel  Chorah.  The 
iala  ef  this  Chureh,  are  first,  qoiekened 
;  and  ao  apiritual  life  beeomes  the  grand 
lor  Chnrsh  membership ;  secondly. 
ueee  maffrisis,  (or  persons}  forming  a  jrospei 
Ovrefa,  nsust  be  snlfaAf  saed,  they  are  belieTers 
—Ihcj  ftirm  a  brotnerhood— they  are  called 
with  a  hi^  and  holy  callings— are  spiritual,— 
and  are  nuide  obedient  to  the  hearenly  calling. 
After  entering  into  each  of  these  particulars, 
he  doeed  by  remarking  that  the  Chureh  has  no 

to  uaatitate,  or  to  alter  ordinances; 

she  make  or  repeal  laws— her 


90  beinff  not  to  form,  but  to  obey. 
Oor  Teneraole  brother  Box,  of  Woolwich, 
rtain  auestions  customary  on  such 
by  wnidi  were  elicited  the  follow* 
Ing  items  of  information.  That  tbe  Church 
at  Hayea,  was  firat  formed  in  1843.  by  the  late 
John  SlsTsna  :  its  number  being  16,  and  its 
place  of  wonfaip  a  cottage.  In  August  of  Uie 
same  year,  the  j^resent  building  was  erected 
through  the  munifieence  of  one  of  its  deacons ; 
and  on  the  opening  thereof,— when  brethren 
Stevens,  Wyaid,  and  Kilner  issisted,— a  Mr. 
FSsh  waa  ordained  pastor.  In  process  of  time. 
brother  Fish  left,  and  the  Church  was  adrised 
br  their  old  friend  Mr.  Box,  to  hear  a  Mx, 
Cmfilths  whom  he  strongly  recommended. 
Having  heard  Mr.  G.  with  great  profit  during 
three  years,  they  entreated  him  to  settle 
amflQgsi  them,  the  result  was  tho  present 
service,  for  whioh  the  Chureh  desired  to  be 
thankfol,  to  that  God  who  had  heard  and 
aaawered  their  many  prayers.  You  are  aware 
that  on  such  oocasivns  the  minister  elect, 
whites  his  eall  by  grace;  his  call  to  the 
ministrj ;  he  also  relates  how  (in  the  pro- 
vidence of  God)  he  has  been  brought  to  his 
present  poaitSon.  All  thii  occurred  on  the  pre. 
sent  occaaion;  and  if  I  mia-ht  have  trespossed 
nnoB  yovr  pa«s,  I  could  AaTe  relate^  as  it 
fen  froB  brother  G.'e  lips,  a  very  savory  ao- 
const  of  the  Lonfi  dealings  with  nim ;  suffice 


It  to  say— that  the  testimony  made  many 
hearts  warm,  and  many  eyes  moist.  Brother 
Milner  having  given  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship to  the  pastor,  in  recognition  of  the 
Churoh's  accei)tance  of  him,  and  the  pastor 
having  recognised  his  people  by  holding  up 
the  right  hand,  the  ordination  prayer  was 
offered. 

Mr.  Bloomfield  being  announced  to  give 
the  charge,  ascended  the  pulpit,  and  delivered 
a  solid,  truthful,  and  affectionate  address. 
He  should  direct  his  brother's  attention  to  the 
matter  of  his  preaching.  Preach,  said  he, 
the  word ;  let  the  Bible  be  your  book  for  study, 
and  for  texts;  preach  God's  word  in  all  its 
variety,  and  in  all  its  harmony.  Be  a  Trini- 
tarian ;  fear  not  to  preach  the  Father's  love 
in  all  the  extent  of  it ;  the  Saviour's  blood  in 
in  all  the  preciousness  of  it ;  and  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  all  that  need  of  him,  which  is  evi- 
denced by  God's  truth  and  man's  condition. 
If  (said  heWou  omit  the  Father's  love,  your 
ministry  will  be  lacking  in  strength ;  if  you 
omit  the  atonement,  you  leave  out  the  life- 
blood  of  the  gospel ;  and  should  you  leave  tiie 
Holy  Ghost  at  home,  instead  of  taking  Him  at 
all  times  with  you,  the  people  will  say  '  we 
have  not  so  much  as  heard  if  there  be  any 
Holy  Ghost'  Again,  be  very  clear  on  the 
Person  of  Christ— this  being  the  great  central 
truth  of  the  gospel.  In  manner  be  simple ; 
in  Unguage  and  in  illustration,  choose  for 
models,  the  preachers  of  the  17th  century. 
*  Be  affectionate,  don't  be  abuiive ;  be  not  a 
despot  in  the  nulpit,  for  such  aro  the  greatest 
of  cowards  when  out  of  their  own  castie ; 
don't  be  too  loud — thunder  never  kills,  'tis  the 
lightening,  and  not  the  noise  that  produces 
great  effecU;Ustly,  be  faithful.'  After  the 
very  able  discourse  of  brother  Bloomfield,  (of 
which  I  do  not  presume  to  give  even  an  out- 
line) brother  Milner  gave  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  to  the  new  pastor,  and  then  offered 
the  ordination  prayer.  The  friends  wero  now 
inrited  to  a  plain  tea,  to  be  served  in  the 
Chanel;  after  which,  the  pastor  of  Soho,  Mr. 
Pells,  preached  to  the  church.  Just  an  outline 
of  his  discourse,  perhaps  it  will  benefit  some, 
and  I  close.  Philippians  ii.  29.  He  came  there, 
(your  oastor)  as  an  spiritual  guide— as  a  able 
counsellor— as  an  efficient  nurser-as  a  skilful 
phyndan.  In  the  text  (said  the  preacher)  are 
two  ideas .  1,  of  reception  :  receive  him  on  the 
ground  of  what  he  u  in  the  Lord;  of  qualifi- 
cation, that  is,  of  what  the  Lord  has  made 
him  to  be ;  receive  him  gUdly,  saying  how 
great  a  boon  a  God-sent  minister  is.  2,  Ben- 
tention— hold  him  by  your  prayers,  by  your 
sympathies,  by  your  support,  and  by  your 
constant  love ;  hold  him  to  be  above  suspicion, 
and  let  his  character,  personal  and  ministerial, 
be  very  dear  to  you. 

IPSWICH. 

*Let  the  Lord  t>o  miupiified.  which  h^^ 
;>leasare  in  the  prosperity  of  his  servants.' 


['salm  xzzv.  27 


prosperity 

Sucn  waa  tha-desire  of  Zion 

Digitized  by  VjOC^QIC 


149 


THS    XABTHBN  VB8BBL. 


[JUM  1,  1W9. 


bl 


in  ages  pist,  and  suoh  is  the  feelinj^  produced 
in  the  soul  oi  every  one  taught  of  the  Bpirit  of 
the  llTing  Qod;  for  sore  they  are,  tnat  all 
prosperity  in  the  ehurch  at  large,  or  in  the 
soul  of  the  tempest- tossed  believer  in  particular, 
is  wholly  of,  and  from  the  Lord  alone  ;  and 
while  no  small  joy  is  felt,  in  seeing  the  good 
Ijord  increasing  his  cause  with  men  and  wo- 
men lUe  a  flock,  in  answer  to  the  united 
rayers  of  his  riants,  founded  on  his  love, 
lood,  and  promise ;  (Esek.  xxxvi.  37,)  yet 
there  is  beyond  this,  an  important  admoni- 
tion, we  feel  a  wish  prayerfully  to  attend  un« 
to,  yiz,  *  But  rather  rejoice,  because  your 
names  are  written  in  heaven/    Luke  x.  20. 

May  the  Lord  keep  us  alive  to  the  interest 
of  truth  among  the  children  of  men.  But,  oh  I 
above  this,  may  he  be  pleased  to  keep  our 
souls  prosperously  alive,  in  holy  communion 
with  nimself,  that  our  growth  in  spiritual 
knowledge,  joy,  and  peace,  may  abound  to  his 
glory,  our  benefit,  increased  love,  and  useful- 
ness in  our  appointed  callings,  and  approving 
things  thus  excellent, — '  Hav  we  be  filled  with 
the  fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are  bv  Jesus 
Christ,  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God.  (Phil. 
i.  11.)  Amen,  so  be  it.  On  Lord's-day,  1st 
May,  1859,  ten  persons  were  baptised  in  Be- 
thesda  Chapel,  Ipswich.  A  sermon  was 
preached  from  Luke  iii.  21,  22 ;  nearly,  or 
quite  a  thousand  persons  attended ;  the  order 
was  truly  solemn,  the  candidates  mercifully 
helped,  and  in  spirit  greatly  blessed.  Others 
were  wrought  upon,  and  more  are  coming. 

Thirteen  were  proposed ;  one  was  taken  ill : 
*  Shibboleth '  could  not  be  clearly  pronounoea 
as  yet  by  the  others, 

'  A  debtor  to  mercv  alone.' 

Thomas  Poock. 
Ipswich,  May  12th. 

DauiSia^Iaeikd  yoo  these  lines,  prayiaff  tbe 
Lord  to  bless  yoar  labourt  to  boadreds  more,  if  it 
iahUheavsnIy  will,  and  that  yoar  own  loul  may 
feel  the  prosperity  of  the  Spiriu  J.  Sbbimuxi, 

Tbe  king  of  glory  relfns  abovsb 

In  bis  most  holy  place ; 
And  condescends  to  show  hia  love. 

In  visits  of  his  grace. 
Borprlslng  is  tbe  Spirit's  power. 

On  hearts  as  bard  as  stesl  j 
We  wbo  wera  dead  in  sin  belors^ 

By  gzsoe  are  made  Ut  feeL 
These  witnesses  for  God  to  day. 

Who  now  psss  through  the  flood ; 
Have  testified  b7  faith,  and  hope. 

They're  washed  In  Jess's  UoiDd. 
Thia  is  the  path  that  be  hath  trod, 

Who  died  oor  soala  to  save ; 
This  is  an  emblem  of  his  deaUt, 

And  rising  from  the  g rsve. 
The  resurrection  of  our  Lord, 

Qilds  tbe  whole  seeae  with  love, 
Aad  ail  wbo  follow  him  by  faith. 

Shall  sorely  rest  above. 
Should  Sataa  now  beset  our  way. 

With  trials  fierce  and  hot ; 
When  we  arrive  where  Jesus  la. 

Tbey  all  will  be  forgot. 
This  Is  the  path  his  saints  have  trod, 

With  Jo7,  aad  soBsetisses  pate ; 
But  they  all  left  their  sorrows  hers. 

And  now  with  Christ  they  reipiL 
And  we  now  follow  ia  their  steps, 

As  fast  as  time  can  ron : 
We  ho^  to  nieet  Mount  lion's  King, 

With  glory  tai  oor  soul. 


"  AGBD   PIL0BIX8*  fBOH])  800IXTY." 

The  52nd  annual  meeting  was  held  on  Mon- 
day evening,  May  2,  at  tbe  London  Tavern, 
and  was  very  numerotuly  attended.  The  Lord 
Mayor  occupied  the  chair,  who  was  compelled 
to  leave  during  the  proceedings.  J^in 
Thwaites,  Esq.,  afterwards  preaidin|[  in  the 
absence  of  his  lordship.  After  singmg,  and 
prayer  by  Kev.  B.  Mannering,theL«rd  Mayor 
called  upon  Mr.  W.  Jackson  to  read  the  an- 
nual report,  which  stated  there  were  464 
pensioners  on  the  books,  amongst  whom  have 
been  distributed  during  the  past  year  £8,288. 
Forty-two  Pilgrims  were  in  tbe  Asylum  at 
Camberwell,  which  proved  a  great  blesnng  to 
the  inmates.  The  *  Kew  Asylum  Fund '  was 
steadily  progressing;  about  £800  realiaed. 
And  it  is  hoped  this  J  ubileo  Memorial  will  'ere 
long  be  raised  in  another  part  of  London,  for 
a  larger  number  of  the  Lords*s  aged  people. 
Is  there  a  generous  heart  for  Zion's  Pilgrtaia, 
whom  the  Lord  has  blessed  with  a  plot  of 
ground,  who  is  ready  to  offer  it  thereon  to  boild 
a  home  for  the  weary,  on  their  way  to  the 
*  many  mansions  ?*  Speoial  notice  waa  taken 
in  the  report  of  the  Bev.  James  Bisect,  the 
Founder  of  the  Society,  in  1807,  who  died 
at  Hitchin,  April  2,  in  his  88th  year ;  whose 
long  ooatinued  valnable,  and  gratuitona  ear- 
vices  as  one  of  the  seoretariee,  will  ever  be 
remembered  with  affectionate  Toneratioa. 
The  Lord  Mayor  gave  a  few  very  appropriate 
and  stirring  remarks ;  and  the  several  reso- 
lutions were  spoken  to  by  Revs.  B.  Magnire, 
J.  Wells,  WsB.  Lincoln,  P.  J.  Turqnand,  Br. 
Hewlett,  J.  Jay,  8.  K.  BUud.  B.  Kenneth,  Eeq., 
Treasurer,  Qeorge  Marshall,  Esq.,  and  Joaeph 
Payne,  Beq.,  IIj.  Box  read  the  cash  aeeonns, 
which  showed  a  balance  in  hand  of  £843.  17a, 
Hd.  The  Chairman  returned  thanks  for  the 
Lord  Mayor,  and  the  honour  of  soeeeding  him 
aspreaident  The  meeting  whkh  was  Tory 
oheering  and  enoouragiag,  closed  with  the 
Dozology. 

BVAmBLB. 

It  will,  doubtless,  be  gratifying  to  the 
lovers  of  truth,  to  hear  that  the  Lord  is  still 
blessing  the  labours  of  our  brother  Carpenter 
at  the  old  Baptist  chapel,  Dunstable. 

On  Lord's-day,  Februarv  27, 1869,  he  ad- 
ministered oroinanoe  of  Befiever*s  Baptism  to 
three  persons  who  profess  to  have  been  blest 
under  his  ministry.  God  grant  they  may 
prove  bis  crown  of  rejoicing  in  that  day  when 
the  Lord  shall  make  up  the  people.  It  was  a 
happy,  profitable  season  to  many  precious 
souls.  The  writer  can  testify,  that  to  him  it 
was  none  other  than  the  house  of  God  and 
the  very  gate  ot  heaven,  so  that  they  could 
not  forfeiear  mentally  exclaiming : 

<  My  soul  shall  pray  lor  Zion  still. 
While  Hfe  or  oroath  remains ; 
•   There  my  best  friends,  my  kindred  dwell, 
There  God  my  Saviour  reigns.' 

Tbe  text  chosen  for  the  occasion,  was  fro« 
Luke  xviL  26, 29 ;  aad  waa  divided  as'foUowa; 
1,  Described  the  character  of  ^oah.  2,  Notice 
the  ark  in  a  three-fold  view,— (1)  As  a  type  of 
the  Bedeemer;  (2)  The.  ehuioh}  \»)  Aa  a 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


I  1,  18&9.] 


TdS  XASTHSN  YXaSBL. 


143 


fifonor  type  of  Baptism.  8,  G^eralhead 
our  ^hitar  nm  psnoel,  and  sftewed  ta  m  the 
days  tf  oIdl»  to  aball  it  be  in  the  end  of  the 
vwUr  Ae.  It  wae  m,  sokma  m  wtU  m  •  ze- 
freafeiiiy  opportunity ;  and  was  bo  blest,  that 
the  Minnas  freeh  tsar  moim  peneas  ware 
constrained  to  oome  forward,  and  declare 
what  dod  had  done  for  Iheir  souls;  one  in 
partiealBr,  testiffins  though  she  had  long 
hsfted  between  two  opinions,  she  oould  now 
a»  liBgiis  lafrais  inm  feUowiag  im  the  loet- 
i^Sifs  sf  the  Aeek;  the  other  three  were 
hM^  seals  t»  ear  paatoi^s  ministrT,  who  toM 
m  MTpet  and  simple  tale  of  the  Lord's  deafings 
with  their  souls-.  The  Lord  crant  they  may 
eadaia  hat dnesa  like  food  soldiers  of  Jesus 
GkrisI,  OnLofd'a^ay,Apr^24ti^theordi. 
saasa  ef  BtHmenf  Baptism  was  admiBistered 
to  fhsai;  mod  on  the  IbQowing  Lord's-day, 
oar  pastor  care  them  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
I  hare  several  more  hovering  round, 
likaLydia'a  of  old,  the  Lord 
Sorely  t^asa  things  are  the 
Lscd'B  doings,  and  marv^ons  in  enr  e^es. 
God  grant  that  the  eaose  here  mav  erer  have 
a  frmtfol  wemb^  and  a  plentiful  supply  of 
milk  taMwrish new  bora  seals;  that  of  her 
it  ma^  be  said,  *Ihia  nan  and  that  man  was 
born  m  her.' 

aTPT.w   BSSOMQEAMf  £fi8SZ» 


Thanks  mviag  meeting  arms  hold  In 
Baptist  ChBMl»  8iUe  Hedjngham^ 


AThanks 

Old 


the 
on 
Tuesday,  May  3nl«  ta  oosMMBSonrte  the  res. 
toratian  of  that  V^^ee  to  its  right  and  lawful 
owners.  Mr.  B.  vVHson,  of  Cnre,  deHrered  a 
liTely  snd  Christ-exaltiag  disoourse  in  the 
afternooa,  in  which  he  eahorted  the  ehureb  to 
unity  snd  lore;  he  aaid,  dorinc  their  lata  se- 
Taretndhehadtho««ht  saaehef  them,  had 
pmtd  the  Lord  earnestlr  on  their  braalf, 
andhenowreloiced  that  he  was  again  p«r- 
mitted.  (nndistttrbed)  to  oecupy  that  pulpit,' 
and  teU  of  Jea«'a  wmidMoa  love.  Altar  the 
eenoaa,  sheat  16^  irisads  took  tea  teeether, 
which  was  wtO  and  kindly  SBperintended  by 
Mrs.  Boxer,  the  good  partner  of  the  preaent 
flunister  there.  After  tea,  a  publio  Heeting 
was  hoWsa,  whieh  was  preaided  over  by  Mr. 
Boxer;  who  ieiiewed  his  eoaamg  aaMBs  thM:i, 
the  heavy  and  leogtheiMd  trial  they  had  pasaed 
throagh,  and  how  the^  had  been  supported  in 
it,  and  their  xightflJ  deliverance  from  the 
suae :  law  and  eaoity  had  restored  to  them 
their  righta.  Ma  asherted  thsm  te  love, 
pcaee^  and  fotVeanmee  towarcb  those  i»ho 
were  without,  believing  there  were  many  of 
the  Lord's  redeemed  ones  amon^  them. 
He  moat  mention  one  thin^,  which  was  a 
good  sign,  their  pffayar-meetmga  were  now 
well  attended,  and  a  spirit  of  earnest  deVo- 
tioo  waa  aaaifsBt  amenr  tiia  people.  Mr. 
Wilaon  noke  well  on  Cliriatian  onion;  and 
tineted  there  would  not  be  any  tale- bearing 
^ther  to  Minister  or  deaeoos;  or  idle  gossip. 
ug  aamaw  ssambeSB.  A  good  brother,  one  of 
brother  Wilson's  daieene»  spoke  from  a  por- 
tion of  the  Word,  and  gave  aome  good  whole- 
Mae  advise.  Mr,  flamoM  Jones  trusted  they 
▼oold  look  wsQ  to  thaif  peasant  minister,  bro- 


ther Boxer;  and  he  would  then  be  able  to 
feed  them  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat.  Bro. 
ther  Boxer,  made  some  further  remarks,  and  a 
good  and  Qod-glorifying  meeting  was  closed 
by  prayer.  S.  JombSi  London. 

1.    OB>U    CHAVOB    JLT 

SHALOM  GKAFBL,  HAGKHST  BOAD. 

DaAa  Baonuta  Baiiks.-<-I  have  not  written  to 
any  ef  aiy  koooorad  brethren  in  the  ndalatry  who 
have  alwaya  taken  aaoeh  intereat  in  ear  weifare^* 
bat  BOW,  aa  it  is  *  Shslom,  Hackaey  Rosd,'  (no 
longer  Sqnlrriea-atreet)  allow  me  a  little  space  to 
apprise  theaa  of  oar  doioga  ;  te  leooont  the 
woaderooa  sets  of  the  Lord :  for  verily  the  *  lama 
take  the  prey.'  We  hope,  shortly,  to  have  » 
meetfaig  to  welooaie  oar  dear  frlenda  in  onr  new 
ohapel.  Three  years  afo  I  went  to  Sqairriee. 
street :  there  were  then  14  namea  oaTy  upon  their 
ohureh  book,  aa  membera ;  aboat  50  were  added  to 
their  aombar;  about  IS  were  removed  froa  ua. 
Yet  aU  aloag,  the  eongregatioaa  were  good ; 
fraqaaatty  thronged. 

Gheomalaaeaa  unlooked  for,  nnaooght,  seemed 
to  asy  the  coast  may  be  enlarged  ;  this  plaoe  is 
too  atraight ;  aome  aaid  *  Shalom  1 — that's  a  cold 
plaeob  nobody  haa  done  there.  What  we  yoa 
going  for  V  gaffloa  it  to  say,  the  ebapel  is  done 
up  beaatlMly;  we  opeaeil  it  the  let  of  May ; 
the  plaee  lIHed  with  hearers,  and  worshippers, 
and  fined  every  LordVday  sinee.  What  hath. 
Qod  wrought  t  We  rejoice  with  trembling,  ao 
niemhara  faom  fliaiariea  ataeet  haw  given  then. 
seHee  afraah  to  the  Lord,  and  to  eaeh  other ;  since 
then  I  havebsea  honanred  toreeeive  1 1  brethren 
and  alaters  to  their  number,  snd  besides  we  have 
a  Sot  bapliam.  Others  are  saying,  we  will  go 
with  yoa  ;  baekattdere  are  being  restored ;  those 
who  aat  la  darkaaas  are  being  made  light  tn  the 
Lord ;  aoaM  who  have  carried  their  bordene  a 
long  time  are  brought  into  liberty,  and  God's 
atandiag  miraele  in  Hit  Church  ia  with  na  :  sinner* 
aonwinced  </  sit^fiUiuu  and  souU  concerted  to 
ChrkL,  Sovereignty  la  manileated  I  la  the  way 
he  woaada,  aad  ia  the  way  he  heala  1 
'  Upon  eueb  poUnted  worma. 
He  makea  His  graces  shine,' 

Without  aeeing  my  qnalifloatioaa  for  the  oa- 
speahaUe  heoonr  of  pointing  te  hla  atoning  blood, 
aod  aaying  hahoU  the  way  to  Ood  ;  aad  feeitag 
ny  dtpeodaaceapoa  the  Meaeed  Spirit  tone  every 
tt  good  f^sme,  aa  well  aa  for  needed  energy.  I  am. 
years,  W.  Q.  Haslot, 

AX  AjryBCTivo  sienr  at 

BLVVMAM,  UDFOEDSBIBS. 
I  have  been  hdd  aside  froas  my  daily  calling  for 
eighteen  montha  by  affliction;  a  friend  kindly 
lent  ma  aome  volnaaea  of  Ej^avnaa  Vaaasi.  to  read. 
I  hope  they  have  been  a  Ueaaiag  la  the  hands  cl 
the  Bptelt  ta  my  soal ;  so  mash  ao  that  I  have 
bean  eoaatralBed  to  rceommead  them  to  my 
frlenda  In  our  little  cause  at  Blunham  ;  and  some 
wlah  to  take  them.  We  have  a  nioe  Uttle  oaose 
here ;  aad  auay  dear  lovera  of  truth  amongst  aa ; 
there  aaaaia  qalte  a  revival ;  of  whkh  yoa  will 
reJoCoa  to  hear.  Mr.  Bobert  Frataer  Is  the  paa. 
tor.  On  the  first  LordVday  la  April,  he  bap. 
tised  by  Immarafon  four;  two  mates  and  two 
fomalaa ;  aad  two  where  aa  aged  mother  aad  aoa  ; 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


144 


THE  EABTHBN  VESSEL. 


[JUM  1,  18W. 


an  •flSMtlug  light  to  tee.  I  tratt  it  waa  a  good 
d«7  to  nuuiy.  On  the  third  of  May  our  aanU' 
Tonary  wm  held,  Mr,  Foramaa  of  Loadoa, . 
preaohed«  morning  and  aTening.  Mr.  MarrelU  of , 
8t;  Noet's,  ia  afternoon.  We  were  bleesed  wllh  ; 
three  good  eonnd  gospel  aermoBs ;  and  the  rich  | 
bedewing!  of  the  Holy  Ghoit  in  many  of  oar  j 
hearts.  The  famale  frienda  anppHed  oa  with  a ' 
good  tea,  gratia ;  to  whioh  aboat  150  aat  down,  ■ 
with  eheerfnl  faeea,  and  I  believe  loving  hearta.  | 
Oh  1  how  good  it  ia  to  aee  brotbera  and  sistora  • 
dwell  together  in  unity  1  Johx  Normam.     i 


and  that  here  hia  honour  may  be  maintflmwl,  his 
gospel  preaehed,  and  hia  name  abundantly  gioirl- 
fled.  And  to  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  larael'B 
triune  Qod,  will  we  aaeribe  all  the  praiae  for  ever 
and  ever.  B.  K. 

Spring  Yale,  near  Wolverhampton,  May  9,  IW^ 

WOBTHT.  HILVT8— VILLAGE  PREACH. 
ING.  It  may  be  gratifying  for  the  the  Mmim  of 
truth,  to  hear  that  our  brother  Taylor,  whohaa 
for  aomo  yeara  been  mlniatering  the  Word  of  Life 
at  Bopler,  Mt  impreaaed  with  the  imnortaitoe  of 
opening  his  own  house,  in  the  above  plaee  for  the 


A  BEVIYAL  AT   WOLVERHAUPOIT.- j 

Mr.  Editor,  knowing  you  feel  an  intorest  in  the 
eauae  of  Christ  at  John  Street,  Wolverhampton,  it  I 
ia  with  pleasure  I  inform  you  that  on  Sunday,  May 
1st,  aeven  peraons,  one  male,  and  aix  females,  were 
constrained  to  oome  out  from  the  world,  and  pub- 
Uely  acknowledge  themselves  to  be  on  Uie  Lord's 
side,  by  attendio^  to  the  ordinanoe  of  Baptism.  It 
ia  ao  many  yeara  ainoe  auoh  a  eireumstance  trans- 
pired, that  we  had  almost  despaired  of  being  fav- 
oured to  witaeaa  what  we  were  priviledged  to 
witneaa  on  that  ooeaaion.  The  minister  who  offlei- 
oiated  waa  our  highly  cateemed  friend  and  brother, 
Mr.  Thomas  Jones,  who  has  recently  aupplied  the 
place  on  two  or  three  oooaaions,  and  whose  labours 
among  na  we  h&ve  reaaon  to  believe  have  been 
greatly  bleeaed  to  the  aoula  of  the  people.  On 
Sunday  morning,  he  preached  an  impreaaive  and 
appropriate  aermon  from  John  ▼.  ll.~*  He  that 
made  me  whole,  the  aame  aaid  unto  me,  take  up 
thy  bed  and  wallL.'  He  gave  on  the  text,  1st,  the 
history,  2nd  the  instruction.'  After  serviee,  the  or* 
dinanee  of  Baptism  waa  admtnlatored,  and  I  can- 
not omit  to  mention,  that  three  out  of  aeven,  were 
the  three  eldeat  daughtera  of  our  eateemed  flriend, 
Mr.  Fleeming,  a  cireumatunoea  which  contributed 
materially  to  the  interest  of  the  oceuion ;  and  muat, 
I  am  aureu  be  highly  gratifying  to  him  and  hia 
betoved  wife.  lu  the  evening,  the  ordinance  of 
the  Lord'a  Supper  waa  attended  to,  and  inatead  of 
preaching,  the  minister  gave  a  suitoble  address  to 
the  candidates,  and  fumiahed  each  with  a  portion 
of  Scripture  on  a  slip  of  paper,  giving  a  brief  ex- 
position of  the  same.  The  following  were  the  por- 
tionst  Bom.  viil.  1.  •  There  is  therefore  now  no 
condemnation  to  them  who  are  in  Christ  Jeans.  I 
who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit,^  i 
Isaiah  Uv.  9.  '  For  this  ia  aa  the  watera  of  Noah, 
unto  me,  for  aa  I  have  awom  that  the  watera  of 
Noah  ahonld  no  more  cover  the  earth  ;  so  have  I ! 
sworn  that  I  would  not  be  wrath  with  thee,  nor 
rebuke  thee.*  Sol.  Song  i.  7.  *  Tell  me,  O  thou  | 
whom  my  soul  leveth,  where  thou  feedest,  where  ' 
thou  makest  thy  flock  rest  at  noon,  for  why  should  I 
I  be  aa  one  that  turneth  aaide  by  the  floclc  of  thy 
oompanioDB.*  This  we  oonsidered  remarkably 
adapted ;  the  person  being  a  desolate  young  widow, 
left  aa  we  nnderatand,  with  four  fhtherleaa  children. 
John  zvi.  4.  *  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you ;  aa  the 
branch  cannot  bear  f^uit  except  it  abide  in  the 
vine,  no  more  can  ye  except  ye  abide  In  me.'  2 
Peter  i.  10.  '  Give  diligence  to  make  your  calling 
and  election  aure ;  for  if  ye  do  these  things  ye 
shall  never  fall.'  And  the  laat  given  «o  the  young- 
eat  (16  yeara  of  age)  Prov.  viiL  17.  *  I  love  them 
that  love  me,  and  thoae  that  aeek  me  early  ahall 
find  me-'  The  whole  of  the  aervlcea  were  attended 
with  unction  and  aavour ;  aothat  we  found  it  good, 
pleasant,  and  profitable,  to  be  there.  May  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church  amile  upon  thia  eauae. 
which  baa  been  very  low  for  a  long  period,  and 
doubte  enterteined  whether  it  would  be  cloeed  or 
kepi  open.  But  lately,  the  plaee  has  been  bettor 
aupplied,  and  eooaeqnently  better  attended.  May 
he,  I  aay,  make  bare  hia  arm,  manifeat  his  power 
in  the  oonveraion  of  ainnera,  and  in  the  comforting 
and  eatebliahment  of  hia  own  people,  that  they 
may  have  flrequent  oooaaiona  of  aimiliar  rejoidng, 


worahtp  of  God ;  and  Invited  the  writer  to  pravn  i 
and  on  Wedneadav  evening,  April  28, 1853,  a  large 
room  was  opened,  and  a  goodlv  number  waa  pr»> 
aent.  on  which  occasion  I  preached  fhmi  Aete  nil. 
26,  <  To  yon  is  the  word  of  this  salvation  aent.*    I 


oontinaed  to  labour  there  everr  fortnight  for  the 
flrat  six  months,  when  I  prevailed  npon  o«r  good 
brother,  to  toke  the  alternate  Wednesday  even, 
bigs,  thus  keeping  it  open  every  week.  We  have 
a  goodly  attendance,  and  aome  pleasing  reenlte 
have  attended  the  aame ;  and  on  the  27th  of  April, 
1859.  we  had  an  anniversary  of  the  opening,  w  hen 
our  brother  kindly  gave  a  public  tea,  (f^)  nbont 
60   partook  of  bis  hospitality,  after   whieh.   1 

rcbed  to  a  crowded  audience^  firom  Paalm  exilx. 
Let  the  children  of  Zton  be  Jovfnl  in  their 
King.'  Many  found  it  a  truly  refreehing  opportu- 
nity. The  following  lines  oompoeed  for  thtoecnaion, 
I  read  at  the  close  of  the  service,  and  part  were 
aung.  Your*a  in  Goapel  bonda. 
Wineheator.  W.  dumu. 

THE  SOYBREIONTY  OF  0HRI8T. 
Come,  Chriatian  Mends,  unite  and  aing 
The  praiaea  of  your  Lord  and  King; 
Who  left  his  saered  throne  on  high 
And  came  to  earth  to  Meed  and  die. 
He  laid  aaide  hia  gtory  then, 
And  meeklv  bowed  to  ainfhl  men  ; 
Who  raiaed  their  clamoroua  voices  high« 
This  glorious  King  to  erucify. 
He  cheerHiUy  reaign'd  his  breath, 
And  yielded  to  the  shaft  of  death ; 
But  rose  again,  and  Uvea  to  plead 
For  thoae  who  through  hia  grace  believe. 
And  now  upon  a  throne  of  grace. 
He  sweetly  shews  a  smiling  face. 
To  such  that  do  eapouae  hia  eauae, 
And  yield  obedience  to  his  laws. 
Great  honoura  he  conlbra  on  thoae. 
Who  have  through  graoe  anbdoed  their  foea; 
Since  he  haa  made  them  Kinga  and  Prieeto, 
And  calls  to  banquet  at  his  feast. 
He  finds  for  them  a  glorioua  dreaa. 
The  robe  of  hia  own  righteooaneea ; 
That  when  before  the  Lord'a  right  hand. 
Completely  Jnatifled  they  ataad. 
Then  ahall  they  walk  with  him  in  white. 
And  be  tranaported  with  the  eight 
Of  Christ,  their  glortoua  Lord  and  King, 
Whilst  heaven's  eternal  anthems  aing  f 
With  ahonte  of  glory  and  of  praiae. 
In  which  the  sainte  ahall  Join  the  laya» 
To  him  who  aite  upon  the  thraae^ 
The  glorioua  undivided  One. 
Then  about,  ye  firienda  of  Zion'a  King, 
Tana  now  your  voioe,  and  loudly  aing 
Of  saving,  f^  and  matehlees  grace, 
nil  yon  behold  him  Ikee  to  Ikee  I 
Yes.  shout  again  thy  Jeana  reigna. 
And  binda  the  moaater  down  u  ehaiaa. 
Shout!  about  again  I  the  work  ia  done  I 
The  battles  fought  the  victory*a  won  I 
Bin  ia  aubdned,  and  sainte  seeure ; 
Death  is  destroyed  with  Satan's  power ; 
Hell's  doora  ara  barr'd,  whilat  eherube  wait 
To  welcome  in  the  pearly  gate. 
Then,  in  moch  more  exalted  atraina. 
Well  ahont  aloud  that  Jeaua  reigne. 
While  all  the  ranaom'd  throng  ahall  aing 
Sternal  praiae  to  Chrlat  their  king. 


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THE  SABTHBK  YE88BL. 


145 


BRUUnOV*  —  I>Mr  SIr-I  havt  noticed  th« 
(  yoQ  have  gtven  to  oar  young  min- 
m,  and  the  unooat  of  eervke  70a 
to  the  ehureh  of  Christ.  I  thank  yon 
as  a  hnmhie  member  of  the  Mme  elaai.  Our 
egad  hrethien  are  Ihst  going  home ;  that  others 
are  takiav  their  plaece  la  a  eonsolation.  1  have 
heaid  tarelhna  Felk,  CraeknoU,  end  Oooghtrey, 
vilh  wr  grant  pleasarea.  I  wentto  Brighton,  on 
Good  Fk'iday :  waa  pfeeent  at  the  meeting  at  Bond 
Stroci  Campol;  brother  laaaee  iepaetor:  it  was 
for  tfto  CBooaragement  of  the  yonng  brethren  be- 
tonglag  to  the  Chvreh,  that  go  to  speak  in  the  name 
oCaeLord.  ThiaGhnrehhaafoororflTeatations, 
r  plaeeain  Tarione  parti  of  Soeeez,  and 
1  go  and  preMh  the  goepel  to  the 


eoottrr  people.    I  heard  eome  aeeonnt  giTen  that 
night,  hov  the  Lord  had  hleesed  their  htbonrs.  I 


tluak  Item  one  eution  there  was  seven  or  eight 
Lforvnrd,  and  waa  baptlaed  in  the  name  of 
1.  Oneof  theyonngbrothera(thenameor 
OOto^)  spake  of  another  etatkm  as  very 
'  »  OBO  eireomatance  he  mentioned  of  a 
I  Lord  who  was  peneouted  by  his  part- 
ner very  aore.  Lately  she  was  constrained  to  go  and 
hmz  tkia  prcMhing  herself:  the  Lord  bleesed  the 
ward,  and  now  she  is  a  hnmble  seeker.  Other 
thivga  of  a  aheering  nature  wera  spoken  dnring 
the  oreBlng.  Mneh  good  (by  the  power  and  bless- 
lag  of  tlM  UolT  Sp&it)  might  be  done  if  all  oar 
cfannhea  woald  bring  many  out  who  know  and 
love  tbo  truth,  to  be  eerrants  to  Christ,  to  carry 
that  tfwth  to  ochOTs.  J.  Battboit. 


eOOB  VBIDAT  AT  WHIlTLEflEA.- 
AiBBgl  tha  many  happy  meetings  whieh  uo 
doobt  task  plnee  on  that  day,  it  waa  oor  happinees 
to  partis^ata  in  one  of  those  refreshing  seasons, 
whieh  ara  ao  weleooke  to  the  saints  of  God  Many 
sen  preeented  to  the  merey-throne 
"/  and  we  were  cheered  in  the  mom- 


prayara  had  hei 
Bra*  good  day;' 

big,  as  we  ntmd  the  place  where  the  gcMspel  had 
fof  Qod 


i  unto  oor  sonls  to  find 
tt  waO  filled.  And  tmly  the  gospel  that  morning 
we  haliava  waa  felt  to  be  very  welcome ;  while  Mr. 
Fsrmaa,  of  March,  was  helped  to  set  forth  the  dig- 
nity of  'ZSan's  King/ the  relaUve  beanty  of  the 
ehavA  of  the  Lord  Jcene ;  and  the  worship  JnsUy 
repaired,  and  joyfhlly  rendered  to  Him,  to  whom 
H  alaae  bdoDga.   In  the  afternoon,  we  were  fav- 


oared  to  hear  Mr.  C.  W.  Banks,  of  London,  who  so 
earnestly  and  affectionately  proclaimed  the  word  of 
life,  the  love  of  Christ  in  the  gift  of  himself,  and 
the  cleansing  power  of  his  precious  blood.  A  pab. 
lie  tea  was  provided,  to  which  upwards  of  200  sat 
down.  The  erening  service  was  felt  to  be  one  of 
special  interest  and  delight.  Mr.  Banks  again 
preached  upon '  Christian  Meditotion;'  while  he 
seemed  really  to  possess  the  life  and  power  of  the 
things  he  uttered.    A  few  verses  of 

'  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesu's  name,* 
were  sung,  and  the  servioes  of  the  day  were  con- 
dnded,  and  we  left  the  'house  of  the  Lord'  with 
souls  warmed  and  encouraged  by  the  present,  and 
gratitude  in  our  hearU  for  the  past,  seeing  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  is  In  our  midst;  as  on  the  first 
Lord's-day  in  the  month,  four  persons  who  had 
previously  borne  testimony  to  what  God  had  done' 
for  their  souls,  were  received  into  communion, 
after  following  in  the  footstepe  of  their  Redeemer. 
I  believe  it  waaone  of  the  largest,  and  best  meeU 
Ings,  spiritual  as  well  as  in  a  pecuniary  sense,  the 
fnends  of  Zion  hare  known.  May  the  Lord  still 
prosper  Zlon,  is  the  sincere  deeire  of  one  who  is 
stiU  A  LnAmrna. 


YABMOUTH.— We  are  expecting  much  com- 
pany from  various  parts  of  the  kinsdom,  visiting 
our  town  ;  and  amongst  them  will  be  some  true 
believers  in  Christ.  Therefore,  beg  you  to  publish 
that  on  the  first  of  May,  we  re-opened  8alem  Par- 
Ucular  Baptist  Chapel,  Easthill  Boad ;  Mr.  James 
Tann  (our  late  minister)  is  opr  present  minister : 
the  Lord,  In  his  boundless  mercy,  is  restoring  his 
health ;  the  Lord  is  blessing  his  labours ;  we  hare  a 
good  revival,  with  a  llrely  hope.  Being  the  only 
Strict  Communion  people  in  this  town,  we  beg  the 

Erayers  of  our  Churches  for  the  prosperity  of  the 
iws  of  Christ  amongst  us.  May  the  God  of  Israel 
be  on  our  side.  We  are  poor,  but  stedfast  in  Strict 
Communion.  Wx.  Oproan. 

Veal's  Buildings,  South  End,  Yarmouth. 

[Brother  Tann,  is  a  worthy,  and  truly  devoted 
minister  of  Christ.  He  Is  a  safe,  sound,  deep, 
thinkine,  and  extenslrely  read  man  of  God.  We 
hope allwho  love  tbs  Taoni  will  hear  him,  sup- 
port him;  and  earnestly  plead  for  him;  for,  in 
Christ,  and  through  the  Spirit,  he  is  worthy— Eo.] 


THEODOSU   ERNEST'S    EXAMINATION  OF   THE 
NEW    TESTAMENT- 


SoMB  d0f«r  people    hare   preramed  to 
apnm  aa  opUm,  that  the  narratiTe  we 
hafie  eoBUMiieed,  of  the  'Gonvenion  and 
I  o#  Miea  Theodoeia  Ernest,'  is  not  a 
We  beg  to  stete,  that  the  Yolnmes 
died  in  Nashfille,  Tenn,  at  the 

1  Weatem  Pablishinf  House,  of  Graves, 

Maria,  and  Go. :  also,  by  Sheldon,  Blake- 
■aa  and  Go.,  in  New  York.  Beside  this, 
wo  shall,  before  we  ha?e  done,  we  hope, 
— — ^  our  readen  with  self-evident  testi- 
of  the  perfiMt  gennineness,  distinct 
',  and  fisithftil  charaeter  of  this 


.  Tmtj,  and  Theodoeia  resolTed  to  ex- 

__j  the  Now  Testament,  to  ascertain  iU 
raal  dinglioB,  toaching  the  ordinance  T»f  bap« 
Umu  We  shall  continue  to  record  tne 
nnlta  of  these  searching  and  intelligent 
nrwwa  of  New  Testament  texts;  and  we 


hope,  thereby,  to  be  useful  to  many,  whose 
minds  are  far  from  decision. 

Mr.  Percy  opens  the  first  eyening's  sitting 
as  follows : 

'Now,  Miss  Theodoaia,'  said  he, 'let  us 
begin  bj  examining  the  witnesses.  When  we 
have  collected  all  the  testimony,  we  shall  be 
able  to  sum  up  on  the  case,  and  you  shall 
bring  in  the  verdict.' 

'  That  is  rights'  said  she,  with  a  smile,  the 
first  that  had  illumined  her  face  since  she 
stood  by  the  water,  *  to  the  law  and  to  the 
testimony :  if  they  speak  not  according  to  this 
loord,  it  18  because  there  is  no  light  in  them.' 
Here,  (may  it  please  the  court)  is  the  record,' 
handing  him  a  well-worn  copy  of  the  New 
Testament. 

*  Well,  how  are  we  to  set  at  the  point  about 
which  we  are  at  issue  ?  It  is  agreed.  I  believe, 
that  Jesus  Ghrist  commanded  ms  disciples,  in 

•u .««,  tob.b^ti«d/^^^^^^^^^  by  Google 


U6 


tHE  BAHTEBK  YI88XL.' 


[Jnne  1, 18». 


'  Yet,  or,  I  n  m^irrtanil  H.' 

*  Then  it  would  ■eem  that  our  qneitloii  it  a 
▼err  nmple  one.  It  is,  whether  you.  and  I. 
and  others  who,  like  u«,  hare  been  iprinkleo 
in  their  infanoy,  hare  eT»r  been  baptiaed  ? 
Li  othar  words,  Xv  thetprmklit^  ^igfrnmU, 
im  ike  mtume  ojf  tks  Fathw,  Som,  mmd  Hoigf 
Ghott,  ths  bapHtm  wki^  i§  rmind  in  Act 
bookf 

*Tfaat  U  the  qaartioa/  ^e  wpUad.  'I 
merely  went  to  now  if  I  was  erer  baptised. 
I  waa  tprinkM  in  the  ehnrdi.  That  InAj, 
to-daj,  waa  itnmgrad  into  the  riyer.  If  ana 
was  baptiaed,  J  «Ma  not.  That  it  the  point. 
There  ia  but  one  baptiaat.  WJuok  it  ii>  the 
aprinklinr  or  the  dtoping  P*  , 

'  Oh,  if  that  is  all,  we  can  aoon  aettle  the 
question.  Sprinklixie  and  poiirinff,and  dipping, 
are  all  baptism.  Baptism  is  tne  applioation 
of  water  aa  a  reUgious  eidinance.  It  don't 
matter  aa  to  the'  mode  of  application.  It  mi^ 
be  done  one  way  or  another,  so  that  it  is  done 
with  the  right  detign.  I  see  from  what  jour 
diffic  ult J  has  arisen.  Tou  bare  miaapprahend- 
ed  the  nature  of  the  word  baptise,  x  ou  have 
eonaidered  it  a  speeifie,  rather  than  a  gOBane 
term.' 

'  I  don't  know,  Bf r.  Percf,  whether  I  qwte 
uom[)rehend  you.  Ky  difficulty  arose  from  a 
conviction  that  the  baptism  whioh  we  witmss 
ed  to*day,  was  jnat  ameh  a  one  aa  is  deseiibed 
in  the  Soriptures,  where  they  wsat  down  into 
the  water  and  eame  up  out  of  the  water — 
whereas  m^  baptism  had  nothing  about  it  that 
at  all  reaembled  the  scriptural  pattern.  Please 
don't  try  to  myatifv  the  aobjeet,  but  let  na  tee 
whioh  was  the  real  baptism.' 

*  I  did  not  design  to  mystify  the  lubject,  hut 
to  bring  it  into  a  dearer  lighU  The  "?w«'"g 
expressed  by  some  words,  -is  rather  a  reault 
than  an  aet  If  I  say  to  my  servant,  go  down 
to  the  office,  he  may  run  there,  or  walk  there, 
or  ride  there,  and  he  obeys  me,  equally,  which 
ever  he  does—  so  that  he  gets  there,  it  is  all 
I  require  of  him.  Ga,-then,  is  a  jsasrteor 
general  word,  including  a  possible  varieW  of 
acts.  If  I  say  to  him,  run  down  to  the  offloe, 
he  does  not  obey  unless  he  goes  in  this  specified 
manner.  So  we  call  run  a  epeeifie  term. 
That  is  veiT  plain,  is  it  not  ?' 

'  Certainly,  Mr.  Peroy,  I  eomprahend  that.' 

*  Wall,  then,  I  say  that  baptise  it  a  genorie 
term,  Jesus  Christ  said,  baptise  all  nationa. 
He  does  not  say  whether  you  shall  do  it  by 
sprinkling,  or  pouring,  or  dipping ;  so  that 
jou  attain  the  end  proposed,  you  may  do  it  as 
you  please.  If  He  had  said,  sprinkle  all 
nations;  that  is  specific,  and  his  ministers 
must  have  sprinkled.  If  he  had  aaid  |M>tf  r 
upon  them  with  water,  that  is  a  specific  act, 
and  they  must  all  have  poured.  If  he  had 
said,  dip  them  in  water,  then  tliey  must  idl 
have  dipped.  The  word  would  have  required 
it.  But  ^e  used  the  general  term  baptise, 
which  signifies  any  applioation  qf  water  as  a 
reHqioua  ordinance  ;  and  of  course  it  does  not 
matter  as  to  the  mode.  You  may  take  your 
choice.' 

*  But  I  should,  even  in  that  case,'  sud  abe, 
'  feel  inclined  to  choose  the  earns  mode  that 
Hb  didyhud  which  the  eart^  diteiplee  did. 
There  must  hare  been  tome  reason  for  hit 


the  wwd  baptiae  it  a  gautfiwteBm,  aa  yam  aal 
it  -  -having  thxae  or  ftnir  diAsraut  noaniiipf^ 

'  Simply  by  reference  to  tihe  diotiaiiaiT. 
IrfMk  at  Webatar.  Ha  ia  ytod  airthotiiy  ;  it 
he  not  P  Ha4afiaaabi^ti8iaieba.«haa|M^nP 
tion  <€tpatar  aa  a  fdUgioaa««iiii«M».  What 
more  do  tou  wast  r' 

<  Bttt»  lb  Pan^/ Baldwin,  wholiad  liaen 
a  ailsnti  hot  vary  attentiva  liaterar,  *the 
Baptist  ptaaehartaUllfr.  Annaua,  tfaa  aihtf 
day,  that  haptiaa  and  bapliw  mmm  aat 
SngliA  warda  at  4  but  the^reek  aroHt 
haptito  and  taptimnoi,  tnnaferrad  into  the 
Eogtiah  Bible,  and  jiot  tnoalatad.  Sa  aiSd 
that  King  Jamet  smuUi  aat  permit  tha  tiiit 
lattaa  totraulata  4M^k»  worda, lor  iav  af 
diatttibinf  the  fistth  aaid  praotiee  of  I4ia  OhiMh 


fisMi  SBid  praotiee  < 
of  England,  and  so  they  just  knt  the  Oreek 
word— hot  ifthe^  had tuanalated  ita««IZ,it 
mnat  have  read  dtp  or  saMisrasiiiataad  «f  ha»- 
tiae.' 

<  Very  wan,  Sdwin,  hot  It  ia  net  likely  tfagt 
the  Baptist  preacher  it  much  wiaer  than 
Preabyterian  preachera,  or  Xethodiat  pxcadi- 
ers,  or  Bpiseopal  preaaheia.  If  dip  lud  been 
the  Bseestary,  or  even  the  4wnniin  ■waninr 
of  the  word,  it  is  vary  improbable  that  it 
woald  hafaianainad  for  thia  wikMaaiil  aad 
obsooreaeottohavediaaoivaMdit  Auchaiafta^ 
maota  may  do  vary  wall  to  dahida  thair  ain^ 
follower!,  but  tbey  eannot  be  eo^ectad  lo 
impose  upon  the  educated  worid.* 

'  But^  Mr.  Paimr,  I  have  looked  up  fta 
words  m  my  Graek  Lexiaon,  and  I  fin2  Uds 
Jm^mekomid  ^Baptiao  dees  mean  to  isasaasaa. 
Baptismos  doee  mean  immeiaion.' 

*Oh,  as  to  that,  I  toppose  you  got  hold  of  a 
Baptist  Lexicon.* 

•  Wall,  hareitis;  BonaMm's 
You-aaa  look  for  yonnelr.' 

Mr.  Perey,  (who,  if  he  was  not  a  thoiuugh 
Greek  scholar,  yet  knew  enough  of  the  lan< 


-lanced  at  the  word 
'tt,aiid«mUaeye 


guage  to  read  it  readily,)  git 
whare  Sdsiwihad  markaitt 
along  the  cognate  words. 

'Saptkso^-To  immerse  repeatedly  into  a 
liquid,  to  submerge,  to  soak  thoroughly^  to 
saturate. 

BaptUie  or  SapHemM,  knmaraxon  ;  JKap- 
MfSNi,  an  objaat  iraaaartsd;  Bapfhtm,  «Ba 
who  immaraes;  Be^ptae,  imaaanad,  ^dwad; 
BaptQ,  to  dip,  to  pliiiji  uAo  water,  ahsT 

fle  waa  aslooishad.  Tha  thoq^ 
never  ocourred  to  him  before,  that 
waa  not  an  EngKah.  bat  a  Greek  wanl^  aaA 
that  he  should  look  in  the  Oroek  Jjotaoimt 
rather  than  Webster's  Dictionary,  to  ascertain 
its  real  meaning,  as  it  oeeurria  in  tko  Jtmo 
Tettamtnt.  He  tamed  to  the  title  paga  and 
prefbce  fbr  some  avidenee  that  this  was  a  JIm. 
ii$t  Lexieo&,'bttt  he  learned  that  it  was  pob- 
liabed  under  tha  auaervision  af  sobm  «f  iha 
Faculty  of  the  Presbyterian  ThaelagiaBl 
-  ~  li.J.;thaii;^rlaad 


quartan  of  orthodaa  Paartiytnwiirisw, 

Sb99  was  a  now  phaaa  of  tha  natjaat. 
ooold  only  promise  to  look  into  tfeaa 
more  particularly  the  nea^t  dur:  wbeo,  ha 
said,  he  would  pfoeure  sevaral  raerent  IiIbilI- 
oons,  by  diflbrent  aixthori,  and  eompare  them 
with  each  other. 


Jbm  1,  1859. 


THB  XASTHBK  VESSEL. 


147 


A  BEVIBW    0¥ 

SERMONS    ON   THE  COMING   OF  CHRIST, 
BY  THE  BBV.  W.  LINCOLN. 


'i  GMin»  of  Vour  StrmoHB  <m  Subjects  eon- 
n*eUi  with  the  Second  Adnewt  oftmr  Lord 
/mm  OhrUt.  By  the  B«r.  W.  LiirooLir.' 
LoodoB :  Partridge  and  Go.  Bobert  Banks 
ind  Co.,  182,  Dorer  Boad  8.B. 

Wi  haro  gone  carefnllj  throngh  the  abore 
sermons,  and  fbr  earnestneas  and  industry, 
they  do  Mr.   Lincoln  much  credit ;  and  the 
profit  of  tiie  present  edition  beixig  devoted  to 
the  Aged  Christian  Pilgrims*  Friend  Society, 
does  kmoar  (o  Kr.  Lincoln's  benerolenoe.  And 
asfiirai  h0  adTaoeet^the  £ree-moe  truths  of 
the  goipel,  w«  go  with  him.    But  in  the  main 
o^fct  of  these  sermonB  we  do  not  go  with  him. 
We  do  not  beliere  that  Christ  wul  personally 
rdi^a  on  earth ;   and  we  do  not  beliere  that 
tbrn  will  be  a  rehearsal  of  the  sins  of  the  | 
people  of  Ood  in  glory ;  we  do  not  believe  in 
ii>^^rees  in  glory  ;  nor  that  the  day  of  judgment 
"nil  last  a  thousand  years ;  nor,  that  the  leaven-  \ 
ins  of  the  three  measures  of  meal,  means  the  { 
«ndiisl  eormption  of  the  Church ;  nor,  that  i 
this  earth  ia  to  be  purified  by  fire ;  nor  thai  \ 
the  aaiats  will  be  looated  up  in  a  cloud,  while  \ 
the  earth  is  being  purified ;  nor,  that  there , 
vill  be  an  eoormona  ladder  from  the  earth  to ' 
this  doud,  for  the  saints  to  tug  up  and  down ' 
upon*  nor,  that  Christ   will   reign   at   the 
earthly  JemaaLem,  issuing  his  oommands  from 
his '  heav«nly-«azthly  throne*  (as  3ir.  Linooln 
calif  it) ;  all  of  which  it  appears  Mr.  Linooln 
does  believe ;  and  which,  as  we  have  said,  we 
do  not  beliere.    We  believe  this  doctrine  of  an 
^irthly  millennium  to  be  a  witre  huhhU;  and 
iriii  not  bear  the  teat  of  plainly  revealed  goo- 
peUnith. 

Mr.  laneoln  has  entirely  failed  to  prove  the 
pcrscmal  rrign  of  Christ  on  earth ;  indeed,  the 
plainly  revealed  order  of  things  destroys  en- 
tirely mdi.  a  doctrine.  The  order  of  things 
pUialy  revealed,  is  that  there  are  but  two  per- 
sonal eomings  of  Christ :  the  one  has  been 
f olfiBed ;  the  other  is  yet  to  come ;  and  when 
ht;  shall  come,  it  wUl  be  *  without  sin  unto 
salTstum;'  to  raise  the  just  and  the  unjust: 
his  own  being  raised  in  a  nM>nient,  and  shall 
b«  raised  first,  and  meet  him  in  the  air,  and 
-^re  at  once  to  enter  an  everlasting  kingdom ; 
he  will  stazid  between  the  lost  and  the  saved — 
the  one  en  his  right  hand,  the  other  on  his 
isft^aad  when  the  soul  of  the  believer  leaves 
the  body,  it  ia  at  onoe  preeent  with  the  Lord ; 
ad  there  it  remains,  as  the  Spirit  of  a  just 
Qsa  made  perfijct ;  and  there  it  awaits,  until 
the  body  b  raised  from  the  dead,  and  made  as 
mfit  for  earth  as  is  the  mortal  body  unfit  for 
heaven.  Tea,  even  Mr.  Linooln  Imms  the 
«erth  to  a  cinder  for  us;  e^en  then,  when 
thas  purified,  it  would  be  as  unfit  for  the 
tiody  as  it  is  now ;  for  if  the  earth  being  burnt 
to  a  cinder,  be  purified,  and  made  fit  for  res- 
uzrectioa  bodies^  why  not  the  mortal  body  also 
he  put  into  the  fire  and  bomt  ant*  the  ngfat 


state  and  shape  ?  But  we  dispense  with  Mr. 
Lincoln's  purined  earth,  and  content  ourselves 
with  the  fact,  that  as  the  saints  have  already 

?retty  clearly  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly, 
hey  will  now  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly, 
and  will  certainly  sit  down,  not  in  Mr,  Lin- 
oi)ln*s  earthly  kingdom,  but  in  God's  own 
heavenly  kingdom ;  and  this  heavenly  kingdom 
is  what  the^  are  made  to  desire  and  to  seek. 
Now  let  this  plain,  straightforward,  order  of 
things  remain,  and  let  ambiguous  Scriptures 
be  subserrient  to  the  plain ;  not  let  the  plain 
be  mistified  by  the  ambiguous,  just  test  the 
difficult  parts  bv  that  which  is  spiritual,  and 
all  comes  straignt,  plain,  and  easy. 

There  was  the  $pirUual  coming  of  Obrist  on 
the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  there  is  his  spiritual 
coming  now  always,  even  unto  the  end  of 
the  world.  The  new  heavens  and  new  earth 
were  created  long  ago }  in  counsel,  from  tha 
foundation  of  the  world  ;  in  mediation,  when 
Christ  died;  he  opened  *a  new  and  Uviag 
way,'  and  brings  us  into  the  antitypical  rest. 
This  is  the  new  earth,  and  it  remains  for  ever ; 
and  herein,  in  this  new  earth,  Christ  is  the 
Bright  and  Morning  Star,  the  Sun,  and  the 
Lord  Gh>d  here  is  everlasting  light;  a  sun 
that  will  never  go  down ;  a  moon  that  wUl 
never  withdraw  itself.  The  first  resurrection 
is  regeneration.  So  much  in  the  milleanary 
age,  shall  the  saints  of  God  have  of  the  spirit 
ot  the  andent  martyrs,  that  it  will  look  as 
though  they  were  risen  from  the  dead.  Yea, 
it  will  be  the  resurrection  of  the  mighty  sfnrit 
of  the  martyrs,  and  therefore  their  souls,  not 
bodies  or  persons,  but  their  souls,  their  heroic 
spirits,  are  spoken  of  as  the  souls  of  them  that 
were  beheaded  for  the  Word  of  God.  And  for 
one  thousand  years  shall  this  state  of  thinga 
continue ;  so  that  the  enemy  cannot  live  again 
a  life  of  tyranny  over  the  saints,  until  the 
thousand  years  are  finished.  We,  in  our  day^ 
so  far  from  having  the  souls  of  them  that 
were  beheaded  for  the  word  of  God  and  for 
the  testimony  of  Jesus,  hardly  know  half  wa 
time  whether  we  have  any  souls  at  all  or  not : 
such  dwarfs,  such  babes,  and  weaklings  are 
we. 

We  must  not  forget  that  there  is  a  Jerusa* 
lem  whioh,  as  the  city  of  the  Great  King,  il 
gone  and  gone  for  ever.  The  true  Jerusalem  is 
the  Jerusalem  above,  and  which  is  free,  and  by 
the  gospel  it  cometh  down  unto  men,  and  taketll 
them  up  into  citiaenship  ;  so  that  *  they  aM 
no  more  strangers  and  foreigners,  but  fellow 
oitisens  of  the  saints,  and  of  the  household 
of  God.'  Let  na  then  keep  to  this  new  Jerusa- 
lem, and  we  shall  do  well :  this  will  be  dwell- 
ing by  Auth  in  the  new  heavens,  and  in  the 
new  earth;  and  here  we  may  build  boascs, 
asquize  dwellings,  and  inhabit  them;  here  we 
may  plant  yineyards,  and  drink  the  wine  of 
tten^  (aod  thia  toa  if  the  bcit  wiw)  ;  mi 


148 


THB  EAELTHEy  TS8SBL. 


LJone  1, 1859. 


here  we  can  nuike  gardens,  and  eat  the  frut 
of  them ;  and  here  our  labours  will  not  be  in 
Tain,  for  in  this  spiritual  labour  we  shall  prore 
o^nel▼e8  to  be  of  the  seed  of  the  blessed  of  the 
Lord,  and  our  (spiritual)  oflTsprin^  with  us. 
But  then  Mr.  Lincoln  does  not  like  parting 
with  his  old  mother  earth,  yet  be  consents  for 
her  to  be  burnt,  to  make  her  look  young  again. 
But  not  only  does  Bir.  Lincoln  give  us  an 
earthly,  millennium ;  but  he  will  hare  the  sins 
of  the  people  of  God  told  out  in  glory.  Yes, 
he  (Hr.  Lincoln)  would  rewrite  the  hand  wri- 
ting which  Christ  blotted  out;  he  would  raise 
our  sins  again  from  the  bottom  of  the  sea ;  he 
would  hare  the  Lord  remember  that  which  the 
Lorii  himself  says  he  has  forgotten  \  and  he 
(Mr.  Lincoln)  would  find  that  which  the  Lord 
says  shall  not  bo  found.  Mr.  Lineoln  is  not  a 
Puseyite,  yet  he  sets  up  oven  in  glory  a  iremen- 
dout  eonfMtumal,  The  banner  over  the  church 
is  love,  and  all  her  sin  covered,  yet  she  (as 
soon  as  she  is  taken  home  to  the  house  of  the 
bridegroom)  and  to  be,  (as  Mr.  Lincoln  does 
himself  confess)  to  be  *  presented  without  spot,* 

Srt,  alas !  there  to  be  twitted  of  all  gone  by 
ults!  And  Mr.  Lincoln  says,  that  when- 
ever he  meeU  David,  he  shall  always  know 
thai  David  was  an  •gregio—  sinner.  Well 
^en,  if  we  wore  David,  we  should  try,  even  in 
heayen,  to  avoid  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  seek  the 
oompany  of  those  who  had  been  such  sinners 
themselyes,  that  they  would  be  glad  to  haye 
something  better  to  think  about. 

But  for  this  terrible  confessional  in  glory 
Mr.  Lincoln,  gives  us  his  Scriptures,  and  the^ 
are  these  and  we  mast  face  them :  £co.  xii. 


truth  in  the  love  of  it»  and  abiding  by  it,  and 
walking  in  love  to  God,  and  to  his  people,  and 
to  his  ways,  are  good—and  such  win  be  judged 
friends,  and  treated  as  such.  But  what  has 
this  to  do  with  Mr.  Lincoln's  dream  of  the 
endless  catalogue  of  sins  being  paraded  in 
_i  —  p    2^^^  Lmooln  may  mean  w^— and  we 


glory? 
would 


14,2  0or.  y.  10;  Eev.xx.  13.  , 

*  For  God  will  bring  eveiy  work  mto  judg- 
ment, with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be 
good,  or  whether  it  be  evil.'  Well  does 
Mr.  Lincoln,  in  reading  such  a  Scripture  as 
this,  forget  that  there  is  a  righteousness 
which  Ju$^^e»  from  aU  ikiiut?  Were 
not  the  sins  of  the  belieyer  brought  into 
indgement  at  Galvery?  and  did  not  the 
Bayionr  then  '/nttA  transgression,  make  ui 
tndot  sin,  and  make  reeoMeiliation  for  ini- 
quity P'  But  perhaps  Mr  Lincoln,  when  he 
brought  this  last  yerse  of  £cclesiastes,/or;^« 
Jesus  Christ :  a  thing  not   at  all  uncommon 


would  be  the  last  to  say  one  unkind  or  disre- 
spectful wOTd'of  him,  for  we  believe  he  has 
wrote  conscientiously,  but  not  aoripturally — 
but  we  leave  the  remainder  of  thereyiew 
until  next  month — and  hope  Mr.  Lineoln  wUl 
take  as  kindly  as  he  can  what  we  haye  written, 
although  we  are  A  DieaBHTBE. 

To  ths  Fnendt  fjf  Hu  Barthen  Vtt$a  Redemption 
Fmtd. 
Tbrouf h  tbe  kiadneM  and  liberalltv  of  Snbserl- 
bexs  to  tbe  above  fund,  the  som  of  £151  Si.  Md.  has 
been  forwarded  to  the  committee,  of  vhkh  mm, 
£1SI  16s.  have  been  paid  towards  the  object,  leay- 
ins  ahout  £30  to  meet  ihe  future  demands  T  WUl  the 
friendB  who  intend  to  aid  In  the  entire  psTment  of 
the  amount  required,  have  the  goodness  to  help 
the  committee  at  their  earlieat  posaible  eonycii- 
ience  t  The  friends  are  thanked  for  the  past  proofs 
of  their  interest,  and  at  the  same  time,  will  be 
trutited  in  for  supplying  tbe  remainder  for  the 
Aieans  to  liberate  the  vkbskl  from  debt 

Help  us  well,  and  help  ns  quiekty.    Your*B  in  the 
gospel.  r,  W.  WiLUAMSoii, 

14,  CUrcndon-rd.,  Notting.hill.  Finance  Treasurer. 
[It  should  be  stated  that  in  some  few  eaaea 
travelling  ezpensea  and  printing  expenses  have 
been  ineurred;   but  the    Editor  has    made  no 
charge.    The  Treasurer  now  pnrehases  the  paper 
and  pays  all  expenses  connected  with  the  pro- 
duction of  the  Eabtush   TnstL  every  month  : 
so  that  no  other  liability  lays  afalnst  the  Bam. 
rnsv  Ybsssl  bat  the  remaining  £100  of  ito  final 
'  redemption.     It  may  bo  observed  that  as  nearly 
'  2000  copies  are  sent  out   every  month  by    the 
EditOT*B  assistants  to  different  ports  of  England, 
I  Ireland,  America,  Australia,  India,  fta,  (besides 
upward  of  SOW  whleh  go  through  the  publishtng 
t  houses  in  the  trade.)  there  is  always  a  considerable 
'  sum  owing  for  these  packages  sent  in  all  directions ; 
I  beside  the  expense  of  sending  them.    It  would  be 
a  great  relief  if  all  parties  could  obtain  Turn 
Babthbit  Yxsshl  through   their  booksellers  or 
News-agcnU— where  such   a  course   cannot    be 


But  again-^2  Cor.  y.  10--'  That  eyery  one 
may  receive  the  things  done  in  his  hody, 
whether  it  be  good  or  bad.'  Well,  if  it  be  by 
that  faith  that  worketh  by  loye  of  the  truth, 
the  doing  of  such  faith  is  good,  and  the  bad  is 
taken  away  by  tbe  one  sacrifice ;  and  if  it  be 
not  the  doing  of  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  but 
the  doing  of  some  other  faith,  or  of  infidelity, 
then  the  doing  is  bad,  and  the  judgment  ac- 
oording  thereto.  But  as  it  is  not  good  and 
bad  in  the  same  person,  but  good  or  bad;  so 
that  it  is  reckoned  all  good  or  all  bad,  and 
with  the  true  believer  his  faith  is  counted  for 
good— all  good—  counted  for  righteousness. 
Well  then,  there  is  nothing  here  to  authorise 
Mr.  Linooin's  tremendous  confessionaL 

But  again— Bey.  xx.  18—'  And  Uiey  were 
judged  every  man  according  to  their  works.' 
Well,  of  oourae  they  were:  according  to  the 
Mtore  of  their  works— whether  thej  were 
good  OT  bad;  and  the  worict  of  reoeiying  the 


adopted  we  are  glad  to  appoint,  and  to  snmply 
agents.        C.  W^Bavxs,  S,  Bldon  Plaoe,  6.B. 


A  Young  Man  at  Woobum  Qreen 

Mrs.  Frost,  Hooks  Furm,  Marlow 

Mrs.  Oockram,  Marlow,  

collected  after  two  Sermons  at  Enon  Cha- 
pel, Chatham,  by  C.  W.  Banks 

Mr.  Usury  Howell  

HoUoway.  by  a  Friend  by  C.  W.  Banks  ... 

Dlttoby  Mr.Batson         

Yately,  Zoar  Chapel,  collected 
byMissF.Oray         14    7 

Mrs.  Ives  0    6    0 

Mr.Perrett        10    4 

Mr.  Brett,  Saxmundham.  by  Mr.  Nichols 

AFriendatWaddesdenHill       

Mrs.ElicaCoppinEgerton  

Mr.  C.  Paek.Egerton  ...       ... 

A  Lady  by  Mrs.  Horton  through  Mr.  J. 
Wells,  ... 

Walter  Baffety  per  Mr.  OoUlns  Wycombe 

H.  O.  given  at  Mayford     

Friend  Hiokmott,  of  Frittenden,  (since  at 
Smarden,  to  C.  W.  Banks)        

Collection  at  Baptist  Chapel,  Crudwell, 
after  two  sermons  by  C  Banks 

Collected  bv  Mr.  A  Ashby,  an^  hisfdei^ 
atZion  Chapel,  WhitUese^QQg  [q 


0  1 
0  10 
0    S 


2  IS  6 

0    S  O 

0    1  O 

0    2  6 


3  10  11 

0  S  6 
0  1  O 
0  0  0 
0    0    6 


oogi 


1  0    O 

2  0    0 


2    0    6 


Jiljl,  18».J 


THB  XABTHSN    TB8S£L. 


149 


^(  Cif?>  Ulinbirg,  Mn($^,  lEkai^,  Immt,  k., 

or  THB  LATB 

MR.  THOMAS  WILLIAM  GITTENS, 

OF  IBXSXZBB  OBAPBL,  C1.XSIN  TOWIT. 


As  BXGAEDA  the  faithful  Ministers  of 
Cbrntk  ve  ha?e  sometimes  realized  a 
feeret  And  a  saered  pleasure  in  taking  a 
three^fold  riew.  We  have  looked  back- 
Mrt/upon  the  noble  armj — upon  the  long 
Qobroken  line — the  living  stream  of  gos- 
pel witnesses,  who  have  been  called  to 
Iibour  for  Christ  in  their  dajr  and  gene- 
laibn,  mnd  then  have  been  gathered  unto 
their  fathers.  In  this  kingdom  especially, 
vbit  hoatd  of  holj  and  earnest  men  have 
been  given  to  the  church  for  her  comfort, 
and  to  the  world  for  its  warning,  and  for 
the  imrpose  of  gathering  therefrom  the 
chosen  heira  of  eternal  bliss !  We  have 
often  wished  we  could  gather  out  the 
lilt  of  them,  their  conversion  to  God, 
tbeir  eonversaitofi  about  Christ,  and  their 
devoted  eonduet  to  their  Master's  service. 
But  this  18  impossible.  We  have,  there- 
fore, seeondlj,  looked  upwards,  and 
thought  of  the  glorious  assembly  of  them 
in  the  kingdoms  above.  The  scriptures 
are  not  silent  on  this  point — "  They  that 
be  wise  (or,  are  teachers,)  shine  as  the 
brightness  of  the  firmament;  and  they 
&at  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the 
Stan  (or  ever  and  ever."  Is  there  not 
a  dUiimetia»  here  ?  Is  it  not  a  marked 
distinction  which  we  do  well  to  observe  F 
Those  that  afe  'wiseP  Men  who  are 
favoured  to  unfold  the  holy  mysteries  of 
the  new  and  everlasting  covenant:  and 
those  who  '  turn  many  to  righteousness.' 
Of  the  former,  we  see  such  men  as  Char- 
nock,  (Joodwin,  Owen,  and  thousands 
■on.  Of  the  latter,  we  see  fiunyan, 
Whiteftdd,  and  an  innumerable  company 
beside.  And  there,  in  Glory,  now  they 
dwell  Oh!  it  is  delightful;  there,  bv 
faith,  to  view  them  clothed  and  crowned, 
and  blest  for  ever !  But  oontemplations 
of  this  kind  cannot  be  put  into  words. 
Stilly  it  is  cheering  to  anticipate  the  asso- 
eiation  one  day  to  be  enjoyed  by  all  the 
Csitfafnl  Lutly,  we  \Mk  forward  to  the 
period  when  all  who  now  on  Zion's  walls 
do  stand,  shall  be  passing  home ;  and  the 
sight  of  here  and  there  one  and  another 
spEiDging  np  to  fill  their  places,  proves 

▼ot.  XV.— No.  172. 


that  the  promise  has  not  been  broken— 
the  God  of  the  promise  lives. 

The  uprising,  the  ouward  progress,  the 
happy  end,  the  ultimate  reward,  of  all  the 
faithful  stewards  in  the  Gospel  House- 
hold, are  subjects  of  immense  interest  to 
us.  We  are  prone  to  be  curious  about 
ministers.  Good  men  we  hold  in  reveren- 
tial affection.  Bad  men,  and  mere  pr^ 
tenders,  we  greatly  pity. 

If,  therefore,  in  recording  the  depar- 
ture of  ministers,  we  occupy  too  much 
space,  we  hope  to  be  forgiven. 

The  followmg  has  been  prepared  by  our 
own  reporter. 

Thb  late  Mr.  Qittens  was  a  faithful  and  affec- 
tionate preacher  of  the  Gospel  of  Chriflt,— a 
man  of  Uud,  a  devoted  eervant.  a  lovinfl^  pas. 
tor,  a  benevolent  and  eympathuing  friend, 
and  a  fiuthful  expounder  of  the  true  and  dis- 
tinguishing doctrines  of  the  eferlasting  gos- 
pel. As  such,  we  feel  it  our  privilege  and 
duty  to  record  a  few  incidents  touching  his 
life  and  some  particulars  of  the  happy  depar- 
ture of  his  soul  to  that  blissful  shore,  where 
now  his  immortal  spirit  bows  before  the  throne 
of  God,  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of 
glory. 

In  furnishing  a  few  particulars  of  this  ser- 
vant of  Jesus,  we  will  just  divide  the  samS 
into  four  departments.  1st.  His  early  life  and 
entranee  into  the  ministry,  noticing  the  bless- 
ing the  Lord  vouchsafed  to  him  in  hii  work. 
2oQ,  furnish  some  particulars  of  his  last  illness 
and  death ;  8rdnotice  the  funeral  sermon  deliv* 
ered  by  Hr.  Luekin.  And  4thly,  add  some 
acoouBt  of  the^funeral,  and  the  address  deliv* 
ered  on  ^e  oeeasion.  We  would  here  remark, 
that  Hr.  Gittens  was  one  of  the  most  intimate 
friends  and  fellow- labourers  of  the  late  Joseph 
Irons,  (of  Camberwell )  Our  readers  ffenerally 
are  aware  of  the  high  Christian  love  and 
esteem  in  which  we  held  that  noble  champiun 
of  the  gospel :  whose  voiee  often  fell  like  the 
voice  of  a '  mighty  man  of  Qod,'  when  with 
a  fulness  of  oonfldenoe,  he  was  wont  to 
sound  forth  the  blessed  truths  of  the  everlast- 
ittff  pfospel.  With  no  less  Christian  love  and' 
ministerial  regard  would  wa  speak  of  Mr. 
Qitteus. 

HIS  EABLT  LIFE,  AHD  ENTSAKC8 
IHTO  THE  MIHIBT&T. 

He  was  born  in  Portsea,  in  the  year  1791/ 
of  parents  who  were  connected  with  the 
Church  of  England,  but  in  early  life  he  became ' 

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150 


TBV    lABTUlBM   ysaSBL. 


[Jolj  1,  lt$f. 


A  diaaenter  lima  Che  Stoto  Chnroh ;  and  under 
the  minUtntioiie  of  Mr.  John  Grifin,  (then 
of  Portaea,)  he  beenme  muoh  atteehed  to  the 
tiiatba  of  tbe  goapel.io  faithfiallj. delivered  by 
that  eminent  serrant;  here  alto  ne  became  an 
aotive  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  School,  and  thia 
waa  (as  ia  often  the  oaae)  the  ateppin^  atone  to 
hia  future  career,  for  here  he  often  waa  found 
engaged  in  addreaaing  the  children  at  the  close 
of  the  aohool;  and  cTentually  he  became  a 
member  of  that  ehuroh.  Early  in  the  year 
1618,  he  left  his  native  aoil,  and  bent  hia  ateps 
to  thia  ' City  of  the  world'  He  was  then 
married,  and  the  parent  of  three  children. 
His  journey  to  London  was  a  prondential  one  : 
he  had  no  situation  in  view,  or  any  very  bright 
nroapecta  before  him.  But  he  found  the 
Lord  waa  hia  Jehovah-Jireh  atill,  and  he  waa 
provided  for.  Time  rolla  on,  and  in  after 
years  we  find  him  commencing  busineaa  for 
nimaelf  in  the  vicinity  of  Camden  Town;  and 
here  he  firat  felt  a  desire  to  tell  to  others 
the  boundleaa  love  of  a  preciona  Ghriat  to  hia 
immortal  aouL 

About  this  time,  an  Itinerant  Society  of 
Preachers  was  formed  in  London,  and  Mr. 
Gittens  became  one  of  that  body,  and  laboured 
with  some  oonsiderable  sucoeaain  the  Tillages, 
Ac.,  surrounding  his  own  locality.  Near  thia 
period,  Mr.  Gittena  waa  introduced  to  a  few 
young  people,  (Sunday  School  Teachera,) 
who  were  active  for  the  apread  of  the  gospel, 
and  who  occupied  a  carpenter's  thopin  Rayham 
Terraee,  Camden  Townt  a  pressing  invite  was 
given  by  these  aealous  ehristiana  to  Mr.  Git- 
tena, begging  him  to  come  and  preach  to  them 
the  word  of  life ;  their  wiah  waa  granted ;  and 
they  again  repeated  the  requeat ;  and  ao 
largely  waa  the  word  bleaaed,  and  the  congre- 
gation ao  much  increaaed,  that  eventually  a 
ehuroh  waa  formed,  (conaiating  of  twelve  mem- 
bera)  of  which  Mr.  Gittena,  hi  the  year  1832, 
became  the  pastor. 

Tlu  hhnimg  iks  Lord  poured  i$pon 
kit  mimUtraiiotu  were  very  apparent  He 
had  not  long  ministered  atatedlv  to  hia  ehuroh 
before  '  the  Oarpenter'a  ahop'  became  *  too 
■trait,'  and  one  warm-hearted  Chriatian  lady, 
(Mra.  Butcher,  to  whoae  memory  a  Ublet  ia 
erected  in  Sbeneser  Chapel)  came  nobly  for- 
ward and  offered  £100  towaraa  the  ereetion  of 
a  chapel ;  her  example  waa  fioUewed  by  three 
othen;  and  the  peraevering  energy  of  hia 
other  firlenda  were  ao  praotieally  maoifeat  that 
they  felt  the  hand  of  the  Lord  authorised  them 
in  providing  a  more  suitable  plaoe  of  meeting, 
▲oeordingly,  the  ground  waa  obtained,  and  the 
preaent  chapel  waa  built  in  the  year  1836,  and 
waa  calculated  to  hold  about  860.  It  is 
named  *  Ebeneaer,'  and  ia  aituated  near  High 
Street,  Camden  Town.  The  firat  coat  of  er^ 
eetion  waa  £1,900;  but  n  aonaiderable  amomit 
beyond  that  aum  haa  been  apent  upon  it.  Since 
iti  ereetion,  it  haa  been  twice  enlarged ;  aehool 


veatrtea|  and  other  aooommodationa 
haTing  been  added,  and  it  will  now  aeat  800 
peraons.  It  ia  a  plan,  but  substantial  looking 
building  out  dde  ;  tne  interior  ia  well  fitted, 
with  galleriee  round ;  and  it  haa  a  amall,  but 
not  too  lend,  organ  in  the  gallery  at  the  rear 
of  the  pulpit.     Apparently,  the  congregation 


eonaiata  of  a  reapeotable  elaaa  of  peraona ;  and 
up  to  the  laat  Mr.  Gittena  waa  fkvoured  to 
have  large  audienoea  liatening  to  hia  faithfol 
ezpoaitvma  of  the  ITord  of  God.  The  chureh 
waa  in  peace,  and  the  Lord  continued  to  amile 
upon  hia  laboura  down  to  hit  dying  day.  A 
happy  position  for  an  aged  pastor  to  be  found 
in  at  the  dose  of  hia  lire ! 

JOB  LAST  nUTESS,  AJTB  DSATH. 

Four  yearaainee,  Mr.6ittena  had  a  very  aharp 
attack  of  erysipelas,  which  left  his  frame  in  a 
very  shattered  condition,  firom  which  he  never 
thoroughly  reeovered.  The  apparent  moving 
cause  of  hia  laat  illneaa  aroee  from  a  eold, 
caught  while  returning  home  from  aaerviee 
at  which  he  had  been  engaged.  He  waa  de- 
aired  to  reat  from  preaching  for  a  time,  but 
hia  teal  to  proclaim  the  gloriea  of  redeeming 
love  out-balanoed  the  eare  for  hia  body,  and 
he  waa  agun  found  on  Sunday  mormng,  Jan. 
30th,  in  hia  aocuatomed  p»aition.  It  waa 
noticed  then  by  aeveral  of  hia  attaehed  frienda 
that  hia  avstem  had  been  aubject  to  a  aharp 
attack ;  atill  he  apoke  with  considermble  energy, 
and  very  aolemniv  from  the  worda, '  My  hope 
ia  in  thee.'  In  tne  evening  of  the  aame  day 
he  could  only  administer  the  ordinance  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  his  weakness  waa  much 
more  apparent  than  it  had  been  before.  We 
believe  thia  waa  the  laat  aervioe  he  attended. 
After  he  had  been  laid  by  fbr  aome  time^  hopes 
were  again  entertained  of  hia  reoovery,  and  it 
waa  propoaed  for  him  to  have  apent  a  few 
weeka  at  Portaea,  in  the  hope  oi  recruiting  his 
ahattered  health.  The  day  ne  waa  to  have  left 
town,  a  rdapae  eame  on,  which  prored  to  be 
the  meaaenger  aent  to  wing  hia  ranaomed  aool 
to  the  regiona  of  the  justified :  which  ocenried 
on  Sunday  evening,  May  16th,  at  10  minutes 
paate. 

THE  VmrBBAI  8BEK0H 
waa  preached  at  hia  own  chapel,  in  Camden 
Town,  on  Sunday  evening,  May  22nd  by  hia 
beloved  brother  w  the  miniatry,  Mr.  Biduurd 
Luckin,  of  Clerkenwell. 

We  arrived  at  the  chapel  before  half-past  6, 
and  at  that  early  hour  found  a  laige  eoneoorae 
of  people  gathered  round  the  entranoe.  At 
the  time  for  conunencement  of  the  aervice,  not 
only  waa  every  pew  more  than  occupied,  but 
every  inch  of  the  ground  where  a  atanding 
could  at  all  he  got,  waa  closely  packed  with 
anxious  listenera.  The  pulpit^  organ-gallery, 
and  clerk'a  deak  were  hung  with  black,  and  a 
large  number  of  the  congregation  were  ftttired 
in  mourning.  [We  would  here  aay,  thanka 
were  doe  to  thoae  in  office  for  the  exertions 
and  kindneaa  diaplayed  in  Mide«Toiuing  to  ac- 
commodate the  mass  of  friends  then  eoueeted.] 

The  aervice  commenced  with  aiaging  the 
faTourite  hymn  of  Watts', 

*  There  ia  a  land  of  pure  delight ;' 

Mr.  Luckin  then  tmd  the  6th  chapter  of  the 
2nd  of  Corinthians;  and  engaged  in  anloDn 
prayer — thanking  the  Lord  for  the  verrjeft, 
peaeefnl  and  happy  departure  he  had  mated 
ma  aervant.  After  again  singing,  Mr.  Xockin 
announced  for  hia  toxtHlhe  worda  of  Paul 


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Jnff  I,  \M9.} 


TfflC    lAKTHEN    YBS3RL. 


151 


% 


M,)  '*  But  none  of  tbese  things  move 

Mr  eoani  I  mv  life  dear  uato  mj- 

\  99  ihsft  I  mi|^ht  fitibli  YAj  eoone  with 
}oj,  «Bd  the  adniftty,  whbh  I  have  reoeivevi 
01  the  Lord  Jems,  to  toetifj  the  gospel  of  the 
gnmoiQodJ  In  oommenoing,  lir.  Luckin 
snd,— >De«r  Friondi,  it  is  at  the  particular  re- 
qaeatof  my  doar  departed  brother,  Mr.  Git- 
teoii  thtti  I  aa  eaUisd  upon  to  apeak  to  you 
this  eweomg.  He  who  hath  so  often  spoken 
to  joa  from  this  palpit  the  truth  of  God  fully, 
fsithfidlj  and  afleetioiiateljr,  will  speak  to  you 


does  all  things  well.'  As  his  weakneist  becaoke 
gradually  greater,  he  often  exclaimed,  *My 
flesh  and  my  heart  faileth.  but  God  is  the 
strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  for 
erer,  repeating  the  last  words  several  times, 
*  for  erer,  for  ever,  my  portion  for  ever.*  On 
one  occasion,  after  many  hours  of  sn£fering, 
he  said  to  his  medical  attendant^  '  Do  I  mur- 
mur, doctor — if  I  do,  it  is  quite  foreign  to 
my  inward  state  of  peace  and  joy,  so  much 
am  I  supported  by  the  Lord's  constant  |^. 
cious  presence.'    His  medical  man  asked  him, 


flight,  and  is  _  

of  God  and  the  Lamb.  In  speaking  trom  the 
t«xt,  the  Preaeher  noticed,  1st,  The  Sub;set  of 
PtfiiTs  Mimigtrvi  2nd,  Tlu  Mammsr  in  which 
dttfd  /  Srd, '       


Is  immortal  spirit  hath  taken  its  J '  Have  you  never  experienced  the  Lord's 
now  in  the  immediate  presence  presence  so  fully  before  P'  '  Oh,  yes,'  he  re- 
plied, *  but  not  so  continuously.  Me  has  ever 
been  tx>  me  a  faithful  God.'  '  Oh !  my  precious 
Saviour,  my  precious  Saviour.'  On  being 
asked  if  he  feared  death,  he  ezultingly  replied, 
*Ohno,  oh  no,'  adding,  *in  this  1  rest— in 
hope  of  eternal  life,  which  he  promised  in 
Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began.  I  have 
seen,'  he  said,  '  my  Saviour  in  ul  his  glor?, 
in  all  his  immutability,  in  all  his  faithfulneea, 
in  all  his  covenant  love,  I  have  seen  Him  aa 
my  crucified  Bedeemer,  I  have  seen  Him  as 
my  risen  Saviour,  I  have  seen  Him  as  my 
Intercessor,  and  I  see  Him  now  standing  at 
the  throne  of  God  above,  and  stretching  out 
his  hands  to  receive  mo.'  On  a  friend  quoting 
to  him  the  lines, — 

'  I'll  speak  the  honours  of  thy  name 
With  my  last  lab'ring  breath,' 

he  rejoined,  with  great  emphasis,  lifting  his 
eyes  and  hands  upwards, — 

'  And  dying  clasp  thee  in  my  arms— 
The  antidote  of  death.' 

'  For  the  last  week  or  two  preceding  his 


is  Frmeikwd  :  Sid,  Htt  Undauntsd  Couraae 
aisd,  iasOj,  Hit  BgpeeUd  Bmd.  In  various 
partaof  thm  dieeoursa.  Mr  Luekin  drew  a  par- 
alki  batsTMsi  the  labours  of  the  Apostle  Faul 
and  thodepvtBd— abewing  that  Paul  preached 
the  laniff  goap el,  prodained  the  same  glorious 
Sarionr— tlM  aama  redeeoiing  blood  utd  love 
— tho  aam0  preooua,  God-glorifyinc  doctrines, 
as  did  tiboir  late  partor.  '  Ah,  my  friends,  the 
lata  Ifr.  Qittena,  with  whom  I  stood  oonneot- 
ed  thnr^-fbar  years,  was  raised  up  by  the 

r  to  proidi  the  same  glorious  uospel 

krist  preached,  that  the  Prophets 
,  and  that  the  Apostles  preached,  and 
)  it  ia  the  same  gospel— the  gospel  of 
the  «€•  of  Qod,'  •  •  The  Apostle  preaeh- 
ad  tLe  foapal  exparimentaliy*— in  itaezperi- 
nuntal  praeioosDOss.  He  loved  the  gospel, 
and  valnad  the  gospel,  and  felt  the  force  and 
power  of  the  trutns  of  the  gospel  in  his  own 
aooL    8o  did  our  dented  brotner.    Ah !  he 


tho  gospel  In  all  its  practical  faith.  ■  ^    f^^  *"•     wv^*  ^'  iwo  preceamg  nis 

•     •™    No  one  can  read  the  rela. '  ^^^^  although  then  comparativel;  free  fn>m 

tkmB  of  Paul's  travels,  WiSoutdiscoverin^   ?*•  "°"  painful  rrmptoms  of  hi  disorder, 

thai IM WM  a <»nrist«t cS«D «dal^r.  '  ^  f" """^^^  «**»?  ^  -l®®?  ^'  H  ^9V' 
!a^  riJ?T>r!7!rr?l!yT^"Sr .  i!3i  L ;  He  had  no  real  rest  for  many  days  and  nights 

^ ^S^tZ^Ldt^  :  t«i?!?"-    Sti^  ^-ir^  *«  m\st  calmlnd 

I«eS  h?«sSiM  t^  1  ^^i**  «»?I»«>"-  .The  interests  of  his  church 

sSTa  S^nS^h^yoS^  pMt^   ?>^  KP^  ^^  evidently  near  his  heart     The 

r^J^tnylto^^ 

m  the  Lord ;  you  loved  him  for  his  work's 


^_^  '  the  Kimgin  hi»  beauty,'    'Do  tell  all  vou 

Ua  Bfadatrr  to  your  aonls.    And,  dear  Mends, '  ^^  ^  ^^^^A  ^^x}  o'^l^J^*^  ^  "^^  ?°* 
I  ^S%  to^,  look  to  thi  AlmightylS  '  ^^ZS^ni^l  atd  ^' A^2btt£"S^* 
*  Mm  a  MthAd  oMtor,  one  after  his  own  I  7«»T '•^l««  n>gn*.  and  on  the  Sabbath  morn - 
^^JiMMt^liS^^^i^.T!^  «^        I  w«  iiia  P»l«e  ^^a»  evidently  feebler.    Seeing 
^is«l  ymi  with  knowledge  and  under- 1  ^^^  hi,^cal  attendant  observed,  *  I  fear, 

"••     ,         ^  .^  , .  ,  I  Mr.  Qittens,  your  bodily  strength  is  very 

I  low.'    *  Oh,  yea,'  he  replied, '  but  mv  spiritnal 


tha  aloaa  of  the  sermon,  which  was 


daSvvadwith  avidoit  feehngs  of  affection,  |  gtwngth  wUl  hold  out  to  the  enj.'  Once, 
^- i«f*»  ^  V*t*?Tu  ^  *5*  '^u^'Jf !  on  bang  aaked  how  he  ftelt,  he  said,  pohiting 
«f  th«  daeaaasd,  which  had  been  funushad  by   upwards,  *  «owo  hom/  During  the  mora- 

••~.55^jfu^  ^*l^-  /fi^  f  ™*^  ^»  "»^»««»  *>•  ^"^  attaaked  idth  spasms, 
n  pobbahad,  with  the  whole  of  the  statement ',  ^hich  became  ahinning.  He  rallied,  however, 
th«D  read,   wis  shall  only  give  a  few  short ;  ^id  asked  for  a  hran-book  to  be  given  to  hit 

•  that  she  mint  select  a  hymn.    The  one 


.  which  became  i 
^  ^  ive  a  few  short  1  j^d  i 

whieh  will  snffloe  to  show  the  calm  j  ^iff  | 

of  mind  the  departed  was  the  subject  j  .elected  waathelbUowing :— "^ 


frt 

of  ao  UM  laaa.  I 

Hia  fait  aazioaa  to  know  the  will  of  the ; 
Lord  eaneamiitf  him;  and  his  desire  was 
yaailDy  granted,  for  hla  fjniptoms  soon  ren- 
dmd  n  aridciU  that  his  ease  waaa  highlv 
rriti— I  9m99  *  I  faal/  ha  said,  *  that  niy  work 
IS  ia«ia,aadthatmy  heavvaly  rMhar  mlaada 
tAkii^f  ma  to  him^piC    Wall,  be  it  so.    Ha 


'  On  Jordan's  stormv  banks  I  stand, 

And  cast  a  wishrnl  eye 
To  Canaan's  fair  and  happy  land, 
Where  my  possessions  lie.' 

Onee  or  twice  during  this  he  sobbed  with 
emotioay  and  at  the  eonclosion  raised  hb 
haads  and  said,  'Amen/    BetwcMi  four  and 


152 


THE   EARTHEN   VSSBEt. 


[Jnlyl,  IBM. 


five  the  tpasmodio    ftttiiski  returiMd.     He. 
nuide  serend  exelamationB  of  *  Jeans,  Jetos,' 
whicb  led  one  of  his  soni  to  mention  to  him 
the  beautiful  hymn, 

*  JesuB,  it  my  God  and  Saviour,^ 
Guide,  and  Couniellor.  and  Friend,' 
and  on  the  last  line  of  the  vene  being  re- 
peated, 

<  Kind  and  loving  to  thb  xnd.' 

'J  k$kfw  it,  I  know  it,*  he  said,  and  <0h! 
that  He  would  cut  short  these  bands.'  After 
this  he  said  two  or  three  times  to  hii  medical 
attendant,  *  Cut  the  bands,  doctor/  obviously 
alluding  to  his  desire  to  be  liberated  from  his 
suiFeringi.  About  six  o'clock  his  pulse  be- 
came further  enfeebled,  and  he  appeared  to 
be  sinking;  nevertheless  he  had  power  to 
raise  his  Mnds  once  or  twice  and  sav,  *  My 
Wather,'  Other  words  were  uttered  indis- 
tinotlv,  but  all  that  was  afterwards  audible 
was  tne  faint  but  fervent  crj  *  Jesus,  Jesus, 
Jesus.'  At  that  time  he  was  in  a  sitting 
posture,  propped  up  by  oillows,  his  head  in- 
clined forward,  his  bands  clasped,  and  bis 
eyes  closed,  as  if  he  were  sleeping.  His 
breath  was  suddenly  observed  to  get  shorter — 
his  head  was  gently  raised  and  supported  on 
the  shoulder  of  one  of  his  sons.  The  medical 
attendant  and  members  of  the  family  in  the 
adjoining  room  were  instantlv  called,  but 
almost  Mfore  they  had  reached  him,  he  had 
breathed  his  last.  He  sank  like  a  setting 
suu,  gbriously  and  peacefullv,  without  an 
ap{Mirent  struggle.  Me  literally  *  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus,'— the  name  of  the  Saviour  in  whom 
he  trusted  still  lingering  on  his  lipa«' 

THE  FUNSBAL, 

The  remains  of  this  honoured  man  of  God 
wore  interred  at  Highgate  Cemetery,  on  Sa- 
turday afternoon.  May  21  st,  near  tbe  spot 
where  the  remains  of  the  late  Bev.  J.  Bvans, 
are  deposited.  The  hearse  was  followed  by  ten 
mourning  coaches  and  about  twenty  cabs, 
containing  the  bereaved  family  and  a  number 
of  the  members  and  friends  of  the  church. 
The  corpse  was  first  taken  into  the  chapel, 
where  a  large  number  of  friends  had  gathered* 
The  Bev.  Andrew  Read  gave  out  a  hymn ; 
and  the  Bev.  James  Flemmg  offered  praver. 
An  address  was  then  given  by  the  Bev.  /.  C. 
Harrison,  of  Camden  Town,  in  which  he 
spoke  rery  highly  of  the  Christian  zeal,  tender- 
heartedness andloving-affection  of  the  depart- 
ed. Another  hymn  was  sung,  and  Mr.  Nunn 
concluded  the  service  In  the  Chapel  by  prayer. 


now  walking  upon  the  crystal  paveaMot  in  the 
mansions  of  bliss !  Crowned  with  an  immor- 
tal crown !  Swaying  the  palm-braneh  of  vic- 
tory, exclaiming,  victorvl  victory!  through 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb  !*  ' 

Mr  Tiddv,  of  Camberwell,  concluded  the 
service  at  the  grave  with  prayer.  B. 


The  corpse  was  then  re-placed  in  the  nearse, 
and  the  mournful  procession  moved  on  to 
Highgate  Cemetery,  where  Mr.  Luckin  gave 
a  uort  address,  from  which  we  make  one 
extract  as  a  suitable  eonclosion  to  our  artiole 
in  memory  of  this  honoured  servant  of  the 
Lord.    Mr  Luckin  said : 

'  Our  departed  brother  was  a  man  of  God ; 
a  kind  and  affectionate  husband.  I  would  say 
to  the  mourning  fomlly,  you  have  lost  an 
affectionate  father.  To  the  mourning  church 
and  oongrcigation  I  would  say,  ^ou  have  lost 
a  faithful  pi^tor^but  your  kiss  is  his  gain— 
hi%  work  was  done*'-he  }§  gone  home.    Ho  is 


EPISTLES    TO    THEOPHILUS. 

LBTTBR   LYII. 

THB  SBYBIY  BEAU  :    THB  FUTH    AXD  tlXTH 
•BAU. 

Mt  good  Thbophilub, — I  now,  in  all  sim- 
plicity and  earnestness,  will  ^to  you  a  few 
words  upon  the  fifth  and  sixth   bmIi,  as 

S'ven  in  Bevelation,  (chapttr  6th.)  The 
at  of  these  two  seals,  you  will  see,  is  a 
martyr's  seal,  or  the  seal  of  martyrdom ; 
shewing  that  all  the  sufferings  of  the  people 
of  God  are  under  the  seal  of  heaven,  that  all 
is  goTemed  and  over-ruled  in  aeeordanee 
with  what  is  written  in  heaven  ooneeming 
them.  Their  sotili  are  said  to  be  under  the 
altar,  this  is  to  shew,  first,  their  nearness  to 
God,  it  is  by  the  true  altar,  Christ  Jesv,  that 
God  is  their  exceeding  joy ;  this  joy  reced- 
ing in  intensity,  in  extent,  and  in  duratioB 
all  they  have  ever  suffered.  Their  being 
under  the  altar,  shews  also  that  the  Great 
High  Priest  of  our  profession  was  their  way 
of  aooess  to  God ;  that  by  him,  they  had 
boldness  to  enter  into  the  holy  of  holies. 
Their  being  under  the  altar,  shews  also  that 
they  were  sacrifices  acceptable  unto  God; 
not  acceptable  aa  atonements :  no !  there  is 
but  one,  and  there  needed  nothing  but  that 
one  atonement,  Christ  Jesus ;  bat  they  are 
acceptable  as  witnesses  for  God,  and  in  the 
service  they  rendered  to  the  cause  of  God, 
in  giving  up  their  lives,  rather  than  give  op 
the  truth.  While  the  Lord's  own  account  of 
the  cause  of  their  death,  and  the  account  the 
enemy  would  give  of  the  cause  of  their  death, 
very  widely  differ.  Their  enemies  would 
8ay,4hey  were  not  put  to  death  for  the  word 
of  God,  nor  for  standing  tut  against  error 
and  idolatry;  no,  (say  the  enemies)  for  a 
good  work  we  stone  thee  not,  but  for  blas- 
phemy, reckoning  them  of  coarse,  eneoiica  to 
tood  works.  Hence,  the  Poseyites,  and 
Papiits  tell  us  that  the  less  we  say  about  the 
Protestant  Martyrs,  the  better;  meauin||[,  of 
course,  that  as  the  martyrs,  when  linng, 
were  blackened  unto  the  last  degree  by  the 
slanders,  and  revilings,  the  enemies  east 
upon  them ;  that  the  Poseyites,  and  Papists, 
would  not  be  wauling  again  in  rolling  a  dark 
river  from  the  serpents  mouth,  over  the 
memory  of  ^tHe  martyrs.  The  martyrs^  no 
doubt  had,  as  .'alLmezi  have^  their  infirmitiea 
and  faults;  but.  not  for  these  were  t^iey  put 
to  death,  ^ny  farther  than  the  enemy  could 
m»ke  use  of  their  faulta  to  excuse  thaaaelvea 
for  putting. them  to  death ;  the  rMifromtd 


lane  1.  18S9.] 


TUE   EARTH EK    VESSEL. 


158 


9f  ndi  trntnenl  from  tbeir  enemies,  wm, 
thej  rejected  the  oommaBdmento  of  men, 
ind  ftbode  bj  the  word  of  Ood,  and  refuaed 
to  takd  anythine  else  aa  their  guide  in  eter- 
nal thioga;  and  they  held  also  a  certain  tee- 
tiBoaj  ooneeming  that  word,  that  Ghriit 
waa  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteoosneM  to 
ererj  one  that  beUereth,  and  that  faith  is 
the  gift  not  of  man,  bnt  of  God,  and  that  the 
election  hnth  obtained  it,  and  the  rest  blinded, 
and  that  a  SaTionr^s  blood  without  any  hn- 
maa  worka,  or  merit  whaterer,  triumphantly 
and  eterndlj  availed  for  them,  and  that 
Christ  remained  a  Priest  for  ever ;  and  that 
they  could  no  more  come  short  of  eternal  life 
and  glory,  than  Christ  himself  could  come 
shorL  And  thns,  notwithstanding  all  the 
PhaiiaBie  pretenaiona  of  their  enemies,  they 
were  in  reality,  dain  for  the  Word  of  Ood,  and 
fsr  the  CestimonT  which  ther  held.  Kay  we, 
mj  good  Theophilns,  partake  more  than  ever 
of  the  ntartyr'a  spirit,  and  suffer  all  things  for 
the  truth  sake. 

StOlt  they  did  not  wish  others  to  suffer  as 
they  had  sufftsred  ;  but  cried  to  Ood  to  stop 
the  enemy  ;  at  least,  thia  is  I  think,  one  part 
of  the  meaning  of  their  cry.     Their  crying 
with  a  knid  roice,  shews  toe  inUM$  and  im- 
mmm  power  there  ia  in  their  suffering,  to 
dnw  down  the  teogeance  of  Ood  upon  their 
coesMes ;  their  enemies  cannot  escape,  and 
these  who  hare  apparently  escaped,  have  yet 
(where  graoe  preTcnts  not)  a  most  fearful 
and  ft*ry  judgment  awaiting  them.    And, 
notice  next  that  though  they  are  uuder  the 
altar  in  aa  apparently  prostrate  state  as  sacri- 
fices, yet  they  do  not  continue  in  that  state, 
lor  white  robea  were  given  unto  §9try  one  of 
them.  There  ia,  jon  see  no  difference  made : 
•chile  robea  are  given  to  erery  one  of  them  ; 
they  were  not  offered  to  them,  but  given,  unto 
every  one  of  them ;  you  can  hardly  think  of 
a  gospel  bleaiing,  that  is  not  implied  in  this 
white  robe,  as  it  will  mean,  purity,  sanctifi- 
catioii,  justification,  victory,  festivity,  wel- 
come, armour  put  off,  the  conflict  overi  the 
prixe  obtained.    It  is  also  a  robe  of  honour, 
of  gtory,  of  immorality,  and  they  were  to 
resf.  Kow  among  common  words,  a  word  of 
larger  import  thiui  the  word  rett  can  scarcely 
be  thoQ^nt  of;  think  it  over  which  way  you 
wiS,  it  is  all  but  infinite  in  variety  of  mean^ 
ing :  sweet  repoee,  entire  satisfaction,  internal 
aw  eternal,  reflective  and  prospective,  be- 
neath and  above,  and  in  all  the  possible  rela- 
tioBs  in  which  their  existence  stands. '  They 
are  to  rest,  yet  for  a  little  eeasoUf  a  thousand 
ytmre  in  eternity  is  but  a  little  season,  and 
daring  thia  little  aeaaon,  more  of  i\ieisfeUow 
etrwami»f  mark  that,^#^^  aervante^  and  their 
hfethien  ahoald  be  killed  as  they  were.  Yea, 
ay  good  Theophilns,  if  we  serve  Ood  in  th9 
aime  spirit,  and  in  the  same  tmth  that  they 
dU^  we  shaU  (if  not  killed)  he  hated  ot  all 
■M;   daa,    for    thia  uifgodli'i?,    mgodlj 
vorld  I  nor  can  aught  but  grace  make  us  to 


differ,  but  through  it  all  the  Lord  God  Om- 
nipotent reignetb. 

Having  made  these  few  remarks  upon  the 
fifth  seal,  I  will  occupy  the  remainder  of  thb 
letter  with  the  sixth  seal.    This  sixth  seal 
you  observe  is  a  revelation  seal,  creating  tre- 
mendous alarm ;  but  there  does  not  appear  to 
be  any  bodv  kiUed,  but  onlv  alarmed^  and  the 
the  next  chapter  shews  the  good  effects  of 
this  alarm:  in  the  hundred  and  forty  and 
four  thousand  sealed,  and  in  the  number 
which  no  man  can  number.  We  must  therefore 
just  run  through  the  several  parts  of  this 
sixth  seal,  and  see  if  we  can,  what  this  alarm 
is.    Here  is,  first,  a  great  earthquake.    Just 
so  it  is  when  Ood  begins  to  work  mightily 
with  a  sinner,  his  standing  slips  from  under 
him,  his  soul  sinks  as  into  a  pit,  and  the 
prayer  of  such  will  be,  'Let  not  the  pit  shut 
her  mouth  upon  me.'  He  is  hapless,  and  may 
well  be  alarmed,  for  he  sees  tnat  if  hia  sins 
roll  down  upon  him,  he  must  be  as  it  were, 
ground  to  powder,  and  be  driven  to  eternal 
perdition ;  and  now  all  his  former  sunney 
prospects,  are  become  black  aa  sackcloth  of 
hair ;  he  is  no  longer  clothed  with  creature 
brightness,  but  b  cbthed  in  the  sackcloth  of 
sou  trouble.     Ijamentation,  moumiog  and 
woe,  and  the  moon  (his  nightlv  pleasures) 
are  turned  into  blood,  they  are  aead,  and  he 
the  sinner  fears  he  shall  die  with  them,  and 
the  stars  of  heaven  fell   unto   the   earth, 
even   as   a  fig  tree  casteth  her  untimely 
figs,    when   she   is    shaken   of    a   migh- 
tier wind.  The  stars  are  a  figure  of  rulers  and 
teachers ;  and  when  the  sinner  is  thus  awak- 
ened, down  falls   fieahly  rulers,  and   false 
teachers :  here  is  a  mighty  wind :  down  goes 
the  Pope,  down  goes  Popery,  down  goes 
free-will,  down  goes  duty-faith,  down  goes 
Lucifer,  even  as  lightening  from  heaven. 
Here  ia  the  sinner,  the  convinced  sinner,  in 
the  pit,  without  sun  or  moon  or  stars ;  this 
will  make  him  in  eameet  for  mercy,  thourh 
as  yet  he  sees  not  that  mtrej.  The  heaven  de- 
parted as  a  Bcrowl  when  it  is  rolled  together. 
I  es,  the  eonvinced  sinnner^s  heaven  is  gone» 
and  he  can  see  nothing  but  hell  before  him. 
Once  he  thought  he  had,  or  should  have  a 
heaven,  bnt  it  is  departed,  and  the  sinner 
left   apparently    to  make  his  bed  in  hell. 
You,  my  good  Theophilns,  are  not  altogether 
a  stranger  to  theee  soul  solemnities ;  these  are 
the  so&mnities  which  make  us  tremble  at 
God's   Holy  Word,  that  teach  us  to  pray, 
sever  us  from  the  world,  and  constrain  us  to . 
listen  to  the  gloriousgospel  of  the  blessed  Ood. 
But    every   mountain    and   vAwad    were 
moved  out  of  their  places.  Yes,  there  is  to  be 
no  place  of  refuge  left ;  all  must  be  moved  out 
of  the  way ;  refuge  must  fail  you ;  there  is 
no  place  where  the  workers  of  iniquity  may 
hide  themselves.    Jesus  only  can  be  a  refuge 
or  sinneot  and  workers  of  iniquity,  as  every 
man  after  the  flesh  is.  It  matters  not,  yonseei 
whether  kings,  er  great  men,  or  rich  men, 


1B.4 


Tlifi   £4M'HKK    V£^aAL. 


iAu\j  I,  lilt. 


or  chief  eaptaini,  or  mi^btj  men,  or  bonda- 
moD,  or  frM  men,  the  royalty  of  the  king 
cannot  save  his  lonl ;  the  greatneas  of  the 
great  man  cannot  dellTer  his  sonl ;  the  richea 
of  the  rich  man  cannot  redeem  his  sonl,  or 
gif  e  to  God  a  ransom  for  it.  The  miffht  of 
the  mighty  man  cannot  conquer  death  and 
bell ;  the  labonrs  of  the  bondman  cannot 
work  oat  salvation ;  the  freedom  of  the  free 
man  cannot  free  his  seal  from  going  down 
into  the  pit ;  and  yet  all  of  them,  from  the 
peasant  to  the  prince,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest,  fly  to  the  many  places 
for  refage,  to  the  dens  and  rocks  of 
th«  monatains.  Are  not  these  monn- 
tains  and  rocks,  dens^  fahe  eht$rehe8  i  and 
do  not  sinners,  when  first  awakened,  often 
Hy  to  these  dena,  and  rocks,  and  under  moun- 
tains, instead  of  going  direct  to  Mount  Zion  ? 
Hence,  the  true  church,  is  almost  perpetually 
receiving  awakened  sinners  out  of  false 
oburobea.  So,  that  like  doves,  they  do  find 
.their  way  to  Uieir  own  windows  at  last,  and 
are  well  received,  well  housed,  well  treated, 
and  it  is  well  with  them  for  ever  ;  but  before 
they  get  to  Mount  Zion,  they  seek  (that  is 
many  of  them  do)  the  protection  of  thepe 
Islse  churches,  *  saying  to  the  mountains  and 
rocks,  fall  on  as,  not  to  hurt  us,  bat  to  hide 
us  from  the  face  of  him  that  sitteth  upon 
the  throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb ; 
for  the  great  day  of  his  wrath  is  come,  and 
who  shall  be  able  to  stand  ?  Such  is  the  legal 
bias  of  the  newly  awakened  mind,  and  each 
are  the  false  notions  they  have  of  Ood 
and  the  Lamb,  they  see  him  not  in  his 
auerifidai  character;  but  only  in  what 
they  suppose  to  be  his  wrathful  character 
as  a  sin-avenging  Judge;  presently,  they 
begin  to  ^see  him  in  his  sm^bearin^  char- 
acter; then  wrath  begins  to  subside,  and 
mercy  begins  to  appear,  and  these  he- 
brews  come  out  of  their  holes,  and  rocks, 
and  dens,  and  mountains ;  and  begin  to  shew 
themselves  decided  for  Ood;  having  first 
/ought  against  him,  then  when  convinced  of 
sin,  tried  to  fly  from  him,  bnt  are  now  com- 
ing to  him,  and  shall  be  decided  for  him,  and 
be  forever  with  him ;  and  that  which  they 
thought  was  a  day  of  wrath,  was  after  all  a 
dap  of  mercff.  And  so  you  see  yoa  take 
the  next  chanter  as  a  continuation  of  this 
sixth  seal.  Lo,  these  things  worketh  Ood 
often  times,  with  man  to  bring  back  his  soul 
from  the  pit,  to  be  enlightened  with  the  light 
of  the  living ;  they  win  not  now  want  to  be 
hid  from  the  face  of  Uim,  that  sitteth  on  the 
throne,  they  will  not  now  look  at  the  wrath 
of  the  Lamb  ;  but  be  happy  in  the  love  of 
Christy  so  believeth,  and  so  knoweth 

A  LzTTLB  Omb. 

•Ssnv  Dbgrbss  of  CnsiniAv  Faith/ 
—By  Mr.  John  Foreman,  of  London.  This 
excellent  twopenny  pamphlet  is  reprinted; 
and  may  be  had  of  Mr.  Holmes,  3,  New  Street, 
Dersei  Square. 


JgBtittf  Bf  Sm  Wah' 

*  Strict  CommutUon,  Being  Ho.  25  of  Ths 
Surrog  TdBemaeU  J^utpiL  containing  an 
Address  delivered  at  the  administration  of  the 
Ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Sapper,  on  Sunday 
afternoon.  June  4th,  1850.  J3y  Mr.  James 
Wells.  London :  Partridge  ft  Co. ;  and  Bob- 
ert  Banks  &  Co. 

Beventv-two  persons  hare  this  soanBer  beam 
b^tized  by  the  pastor  of  thecbarch  meetiagva 
the  Surrey  Tabemaele,  and  added  to  tLst 
Christian  bodv  of  adherents  to  the  Primitive 
faith  and  order  of  New  Testament  worship. 
On  Lords* -day,  Jane  6th,  previous  to  tnie 
Lord's  Supper.  Mr.  Wells  delivered  an 
address  on  ^  Steict  CoxMirvjoir/  which 
address  has  been  printed;  is  published;  and 
may  be  had  either  at  our  ofBee ;  of  Mr.  James 
Cox,  in  the  Vestry  of  the  Surrey  Tabemade ; 
or  of  any  bookaeller,  from  Uie  wholesBla 
house  of  Partridire  and  Co.  We  havo  read 
this  address  through  carefully;  beeaoM  w* 
have  lonff  been  convinced  that  some  elsar, 
Scriptaral,  plain,  and  undeniable  testimony, 
elucidating  the  righteousness  of  our  praetiee, 
was  wanted.  It  is  a  most  remarkable  fact 
that  almost  every  section  of  the  visible  ohurdti 
carries  out  the  practice  of  what  is  termed 

*  Strict  Comwnmum* — (except  the  Open  and 
Mixed  Communion  Baptists)  and  jei  we^the 

*  JParticular  Baptitio;  as  we  are  oalled,  are 
reproached,  condemned,  and  scoffed  at,  by 
nearly  all  who  profess  the  gospel ;  but  who  mo 
not,  cannot,  or  will  not,  SSB  that  the  great  kw 
bjr  which  we  are  governed  is  that  commission 
with  which  our  Lord  and  Master  sent  forth 
his  disciples,  after  he  bad  suffered,  and  just 
before  he  ascended  to  His  Father,  to  cany  on 
the  great  vrork  of  intercession  until  all  the 
ransomed  are  gathered  in ;  the  terms  of  that 
commission  can  never  be  honestly  disputed. 
Look  at  them.  In  the  first  plaoe  remembar 
the  Divine  appointment.  (We  quote  the 
words  from  Matthew  xxviii.  16.)  '  Hie 
eleven  disciples  went  away  into  Galilee,  into 
a  mountain  whero  Jsaus  had  iLFPozvTBP 
them.'  Mark  you,  here  was  a  very  speeial 
purpose.  What  was  that  purpose  f  first. 
It  was  that  Jesus  might  reveal  himself  anto 
his  disciples  as  their  living  Head  ;  as  their 
risen  Lord  ;  as  their  reigning  and  ruling  Kino. 
(Oh  !  what  a  delightful  day  was  that  to  our 
precious  Jesus!  He  looked  haeh  aj>on  the 
cross;  then  into  the  garden  and  mto  the 
grave ;  backward  to  the  wilderness  and  to  the 
world,  and  he  said,  *Mg  oorrowo  hmoo  hoom 
hoavg,  hut  thojf  arc  paaood  awam  for  ooor  f 
and  now,  in  the  eleven  discipHM  gathered 
around  him,  he  saw  a  sample  of  his  redeemed 
church— some  of  whom  even  now  doubted — 
and  doubting  ones  there  will  be  to  the  end  of 
the  church's  earthly  pilgrimsge:  then,  the 
Saviour  looked  upwvd  to  his  Father's  throne ; 
and  saw  the  millions  of  anj^^ls  and  spirits  of 
ihe  just,  waiting  to  receive  him ;  and,  then  he 
looked  forward,  and  saw  the  onpOBitioB,jpevia- 
cution,  and  aflBiction,  by  wnieh  bia  uaapel 
Ghureh  would  be  aasailed;  whtfoCsre,)  jM- 
ondly,  he  deckres  unto  t|b«m  His  faH  and  ws- 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


Mj  I,  IMS.] 


tRB  JSARTHIN    VSSflXL. 


1.')'5 


lioiited  aathority— ^  Imvt  came,  and  tiwke 
unto  them  rnkjing.  All  pow§riMgiV0nunto  tits, 
4»  A«a«M  and  in  earth?*  Then,  thirdly,  comee 
the  eommiasioa,  •  Go  jr«,  a^r^/br^.  and  Uaeh 
M  nation;  hapttMiny  them  rwhoheliere)  in 
tlie  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
ef  the  Holy  Qhost :  teachini;  them  to  observe 

AIX  THIVGI  "WBATSOBVBR  I  HAVE  COM MAN- 

PgP  TOIT  : — and,  lot  I  am  with  tou  alwray 
•reii  mto  the  end  of  the  world.'  Amen.* 
Jiow  iaithfuliy  thia  comroiaaion  waa  worked 
oat;  yon  may  aee  by  reading  'the  Aete  of 
tha  ApaetUe.'  The  auhaequent  hiatory  of  the 
Chnreh'a  progreea,  the  floods  and  flamea  of  per- 
aeevtian  which  have  aurtounded  and  aeyerely 
ailicted  her,  clearly  prorea  thb  Btbrval 
BavmmmiomTr  of  JsHovAH'a  csotCB  on  the 
«M  hand  ;  aad  tha  btb&val  vviiitt  of  the 
wpnhnlB  aeed  an  tha  other :  hebee  we  may 
BoifluMli  tmrrel  at  the  graat  fact  wbieh 
awaiywhere  meata  and  grievea  «t~that  al- 
tfacagh  aonia  kind  of  Bible  nrofeaaion  incMaaea, 
yat  enmity  to  Ood'a  Tkulh,  aad  eppoaition  to 
Chriat'a  laws,  prevail  to  an  amasug  extent 
IW  everr  onfliDchiag  and  faithful  aerrant  of 
(^riat,  therefore,  we  are  thankful.  But  we 
nuat  return  to  notice  Mr.  Welk'a  addreaa. 

In  thia  diacoarae  we  have  Strict  Commun- 
iao  proved  in  the  Old  Teatament— and  Striot 
Cemmunioa  in  the  New : — Strict  Communion 
in  tha  aouU  of  all  the  regenerated :  Striet 
Communion  in  the  Church  below;  and  Strict 
Commnni4m  in  heaven.  We  do  not  feel  oom- 
&rtable  inalwaya  apeaking  well  of  our  frienda, 
becauae  it  makea  our  foea  ao  naughty,  and  we 
rcaolved  to  pull  thia  Strict  Communion  dia- 
eanrse  all  to  pieoea,  if  we  could  have  done  ao 
aooatatently  ;  hut  we  cannot ;  no  ;  indeed. 
We  may  be  termed  partial  :  or  act  down  for 
being  influenced  by  aome  impure  motive ;  but 
it  afaall  not,  it  muat  not  hinder  ua  from  apeak- 
ing our  mind:  Thia  Addreaa  on  Strict-Corn- 
munioQ  ia  plain,  truthful,  and  oonduaive. 
It  produced  m  ua  moat  aolemn  feara  for  thoae 
great  men  who  are  ever  aiming  to  caat  public 
contempt  upon  na,  and  upon  the  Ordinances 
of  Christ  We  could  moat  sincerely  wish  that 
all  opponenta  to  the  Bight  Order  of  things, 
mrghl  read  thia  diaeourae  as  we  have  done. 
For  yean  we  have  holden  faat  by  the  asaocia- 
tiona  tfr.  Wella  here  illustrates;  and  his 
tcatxmoniea  have  both  confirmed  our  faith, 
aad  gladdened  our  heart.  We  ask  our  bre- 
thren in  the  mioiatry  to  read  this  address 
theraaelvea  ;  and  then  we  hope  they  will  dr. 
culate  it  where  deameaa  of  viaion  reapeoting 
gcapal  ordinaneea  ia  not  enjoyed.  We  hope 
tha  benefit  reaulting  from  the  addreaa  will  oe 
encouraging.  When  it  waa  delivered,  about 
seven  hundred  membera  of  the  church  aat 
down;  and  hetween  five  and  six  hundred 
spectators  were  in  the  galleriea.  It  must 
nave  been  a  aolemn  aeene.  We  reserve 
cxtimcta  and  further  oommenta  for  a  future 
anrnber.  We  do  not  wiah  thia  aulject  hastily 
to  paaa  away. 

"  Cems  and  Wel^me  to  Jeeue  Ohriet,  By 
Jahn  Buajan.  liondon :  Robert  Banks  k  Co., 
ttid  G.  J,  Blafvaaiom  £4,  Patemoatef  Bow. 
VkiB  ia  a  graaioiaa  and  praoioua  diserlalioB  on 
the  hearty  nuloove  a  poor  iipner  raeeivaa  at 


the'handa  of  Jeaua  C'arist,  when  by  the  draw- 
ings of  the  Spirit— in  failh«-and  with  a  lov- 
ing, prajring  neart,  that  sinner  cornea  uuto 
him :  it  is  one  of  John  Bunyan'a  best  books* 
It  haa  been  of  immense  use  to  tens  of  thou- 
snnds.  We  are  sorrj  to  find  it  has  been  out 
of  print  for  some  yeara.  Ita  weighty  argu- 
ments; its  spiritual  tone;  its  plain,  famihar, 
and  faithful,  illustrations  of  the  exercises  of 
both  the  repenting  sinner  and  the  believing 
saint,  have  rendered  it  unpalatable  in  these 
times  of  fashionable,  flimsy,  and  false  pre- 
tensions to  Gospel  life.  Some  few  years  amo^ 
the  stereo-plates  of  this  volume  were  sold  to 
ua  by  Mr.  Billing.    We  have,  at  length,  com- 

Eleted  Bunyan'a  '  Come  and  Weloome:  Wo 
ope  our  friends  will  aid  us  iti  givina  this 
Standard  Work  on  Experimental  Beligion, 
a  ataading  once  more  in  the  churches— fAit 
«o{«me  onght  to  he  laid  on  every  man*9  par- 
lour  table  in  all  Chrietendom.  It  ahall  ba 
found  (if  we  are  permitted  to  carry  out  our 
plan^on  everr  book-atall  in  the  kingdom,  lb 
our  Ood— and  hia  people  we  look  for  auoeefli. 

'  Ooepel  Ordinanoee  ;  Striet  Baptiet  PHn* 
oiplee  Explained  and  I>efended,  A  sermon 
preached  on  Sunday  evening,  April  10th,  1869, 
At  the  Baptist  Chapel,  Dacre  Park,  Black- 
heath.  By  the  Bev.  J.  B.  Cracknell,  formerly 
a  member  of  a  Metropolitan  Independent 
Church.  Ijondon :  Bobert  fianka  and  Co.,  G. 
J.  Stevenson,  64,  Paternoster  Bow. 

In  that  aristocratic  and  faat  growing  district 
Blackheath,  it  was,  doubtless,  quite  needful 
that  Mr.  Cracknell,  should  clearly  enunciate 
his  faith  and  practice  in  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
and  in  the  administration  of  ordinances,  &o., 
aa  the  proposed  pastor  of  the  recently  estab- 
lished church  in  Dacre  Park.  This  has  been 
done  with  decision,  good  temper,  kind  feeling, 
and  some  ability.  We  certainly  admire  the 
spirit  displayed :  we  are  thankful  for  the  talent 
given,  and  truat  thia  printed  diaeourae,  and  tha 
thousanda  which  our  young  brother,  may 
vet  be  favoured  to  deliver,  (in  the  oourae  of  a 
long  ministry  which  we  hope  the  Lord  haa 
designed  for  him)  will  be  rendered  exot^ed- 
ingiy  useful  in  the  coversion  and  edification  of 
very  many  precious  aoula.  All  our  '  beada  of 
houaea'  ahould  persuade  their  young  people  to 
read  this  sermon  by  a  young  and  earneat  dia« 
oiple,  and  devoted  aervant  of  Jeaua  Cbriai. 

*  Bible  Kietorjfy  in  eonneeiion  with  fke 
General  Hietoryofthe  World,  with  NoUeee  of 
Beriptnre  Loealitiee  and  STceichee  of  Soeiai 
and  religious  Life,  By  the  Bev.  William  0, 
Blaike,  A.M.  Author  cf  *  Pavid,  King  of  la- 
racL'  London  :  J.  Nelson  and  aona.  Pater- 
noater  Bow.  In  about  500  pagea  of  Crown 
Octavo,  Mr.  Blaike  has  furnished  a  most  in- 
telligent and  admirable  work  on  the  History, 
the  Localities,  the  Bio^aphiea,  and  the  timea 
referred  to,  and  compriaed,  in  the  Word  of 
Ood.  Toung  Students,  I'eachers,  and  Minia- 
tera  will  highly  priae  thia  volume.  It  will 
aerve  aa  an  every  day  book  of  referenee — W# 
hope  to  analyae  it  ftuly  ere  long. 

<  Cammmionwtth  OodtheFuther,  the  Bern, 
and  the  Bolg  QhoH:    By  John^iran,  D.,D. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


166 


THB   BARTHVN   YESSKL. 


[Jttlj  I,  IMf. 


With  a  preface  by  the  late  Bev.  Daal.  Bargees. 
Beprinted  for  John  Saunders,  Wanstead, 
Eeaez :  and  published  hi  W.  H.  CoUingridge. 
We  only  wish  we  oould  give  all  our  readers 
this  most  blessed  treasure  in  pieces  from  time 
to  time,  and  that  the  Lord  might  bless  it  to 
their  souls,  as  it  has  been  to  us  at  different 
times,  but  we  fear  we  cannot  do  that;  and 
therefore,  we  thank  Mr.  Collingridge  for  this 
neat  duodecimo  edition ;  and  without  the  least 
hesitation,  we  saj,  side  by  side  with  the  Bible, 
this  book  of  John  Owen's  on  *  Communion  with 
&od,*  should  be  found  in  ever^f  Christian's 
closet  and  study;  and  be  read  again  and  again. 
In  thus  commendin|^  this  work  we  ha?e  no 
motive  but  the  spiritual  advantage  of  those 
who  fear  God. 

'  Tk§  Famiijf  Treamry  of  Sahhath  Road- 
ing.^*  London  :  Thomas  Nelson  and  Sons. 
Part  V.  of  this  exoellent  Monthly,  for  June, 
furnishes  first  rate  papers,  and  reading -for 
families,  of  an  interesting  and  instmotive 
eharaeter.  Mr.  Cameron,  the  Editor,  is 
evidently  more  favourable  to  the  real  Gospel 
of  Christ— the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit— and 
the  Christian's  happy  experience  of  Divine 
truth,  than  most  of  the  present  Scotch  editors 
and  preachers  are.  \^  e  are  thankful  to  see  a 
mseazine  so  rich  in  beautiful  variety,  so 
weighty  in  Gh»pcl  verities,  and  *  got  up*  in  a 
manner  so  substantial  and  thoroughly  good, 
prospering  BO  abundantly.  We  ha^ly  think 
Its  equal  in  many  respects  can  be  found. 

'  Smooth  Ston&t  takonfrom  Jneiont  Brooks, 
Bv  the  Bev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon.  London:  W. 
£1.  Collingridge,  Alders^^te-street.  lliii  little 
volume  has,  for  a  frontispiece,  the  most  j^rave 
and  expressive  likeness  oi  Mr.  Spurseon  in  the 
nulpit  we  have  yet  seen.  It  furaisbes  a  brief 
Memoir  of  the  good  Puritan,  Thomas  Brooks, 
and  a  collection  of  paragraphs  gathered  out 
from  the  works  of  that  exoellent  preacher. 
To  persons  who  have  neither  time  nor  mind  to 
read  large  volumes,  little  morsels  carefully 
prepared  as  these  have  been,  may  be  accep- 
table and  good. 

<  Tho  EnglUh  BibU,  History  of  the  Trano- 
latum  of  the  Holg  Seripturoi  into  the  Bng- 
Ueh  Tongue,  &o.  By  Mrs.  Conant.  Edited 
and  introduced  bv  Bev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon.  Lon- 
don :  Arthur  Hall  A  Co.  Beat  lovers  of  our 
Bible,  especially  Scriptural  Autiquarians.  will 
eat  up  this  book  with  much  avidity  and  delight 
Mrs.   Conant,  an   American  Authoress— has 

S'ven  us  a  valuable  key  to  the  life,  the  labors, 
e  pains,  the  perils,  the  persecutions,  and 
the  all  but  fatal  storms  through  which  the 
English  Bible  hris  had  to  pass.  We  wish  to 
furnish  a  consecutive  series  of  papers  drawn 
from  this,  and  Mr.  Blaike's  Bible  History. 

'J  Voice  from  the  Pulpit,'  Part  II.  By 
John  Bloomfield.  London  :  G.  J.  Stevenson, 
64,  Paternoster  Bow.  8d.  In  this  part  we 
have '  The  Call  of  Abrahawi.*  *  The  Prager 
MeetieigJ  *  The  Mgetie  Laddor.*  ^  FauVe 
Convereion*  And  an  essay  on  '  J^ai^A.'  Any 
review,  or  recommendatory  notice,  we  con- 
sider unnecessary :  but  some  choice  selections 
we  hope  to  make  for  the  benefit  of 'those  who 
cannot  obtain  the  work.  From  these  two 
parts   of    <A  Voice  from   the    Pulpit,'      a 


faithful  portrait  of  Mr.  Bloonflald's  miaiatiy 
may  be  drawn. 

''The  Three  Unolea»  Spiriie  if  the  Bi^th 
Vial;  or,  the  Signe  of  the  Timee,  and  Oe 
Warning  Voice  of  our  Lord  Jeeue  Chriat  to 
the  Churehee.'  By  Charles  Lawder,  minister 
of  the  Gospel  London  :  G.  J.  Stevenson,  54, 
Paternoster  Bow.  Works  of  this  kind  lead 
careful  readers  to  much  close  examination. 
Mr.  Lawder  has  bestowed  Immense  labour  on 
this  six-penny  pamphlet. 

THB  TRIUMPH  OF  THB  HOLY  SPIRIT 
OYER  SIN  IS  THB  SINNER. 

Such  is  the  leading  title  of  a  new  Tolnne 
written  by  Mr.  Edward  Samuel,  the  minister 
of  Fore-street  chapel,  Salford,  and  now  ex- 
tensively known  as  the  author  of  thai  ezoelo 
lent  book,  *The  Triumph  of  Chriai  osi  the 
Cross.'  This  second,  thu  oompanion  volume^ 
'The  Triumph  of  the  Spirit,'  hns  been  revised 
in  the  manusori^by  the  Incumbent  of  Open- 
shaw,  the  Bev.  WiUiam  Parks,  (a  mimaier  of 
Christ's  gospel,  a  sound  theologian,  and  an 
excellent  scnolar.)  In  bis  '  Becommendatory 
PrefiMe,'  Mr  Parks  says  t— 

I  am  happy  to  bear  tssttoMDy  that  I  have  dis* 
eovsred  no  tbeoloflesi  errors  in  the  work  ;  bat, 
on  the  eontrary,  saeb  a  elear,  sound  and  deep 
knowledge  of  the  work  of  God's  Spirit  la  the  soal 
thtt  ft  is  refrsshing  to  bsvs  read  it. 

In  these  days  of  blasphemy  and  reproseb, 
when  the  Holy  Spirit  is  spceislly  dlsbonoorcd, 
when  ttBtnre  i«  eoafoanded  with  grace,  and  aMre 
animtl  eseftement  ft  pelned  off  ss  the  faterasl 
wfrnessfnr  of  God  to  the  redeemed  stnaer,  It  Is 
a  esnse  for  gratftode  that  a  asa  like  the  aathor 
who  hm  hImMlf  heard,  seen,  looked  upon,  end 
handled,  the  Word  of  Life,  ahould  boldly  tertiff 
to  Ood  the  Spirit's  operations  in  the  soul  sad  • 
bli  mode  of  asttng.  I  pray  the  Ood  of  all  grass 
10  esQae  the  work  a  wide  eirealation,  and  to 
bteiis  the  perassl  of  It  to  his  dear  fkmlly.  It 
aims  at  His  g lorifleatlon  from  begfaning  to  end. 

The  volume  contains  45  chapters ;  each  one 
upon  distinct  branches  either  of  the  character 
,  or  the  work  of  the  Holy  Sj>irit  We  are  our- 
;  selves  preparing  an  analysis  of  each  chapter; 
and  hope  soon  to  announce  it  as  n7«dy.  Then 
we  shall  refer  to  this  work  again.  In  the  mean 
time  we  may  observe  that  a  good  demand  has 
been  made  for  it;  and  as  far  as  it  has  been 
read  by  experimental  Christians,  it  has  been 
well  received.  This  work  may  be  had  of  any 
bookseller,  by  informinfr  them  that  the  whole- 
sale London  publisher  is  G.  J.  StcTcnson,  M, 
Paternoster  Bow. 


*The  Aged  TUgrima'  Frimd  Sociotf 
Travelling  as  we  do  in  several  parts  of  the 
country,  we  are  constantly  receiving  applica- 
tions to  obtain  admittance  into  tlus  floeietr, 
for  persons  moat  needy  and  deserving.  We 
have  now  sereral  Tcnr  urgent  casea.  Two 
godly  mothers  in  Israel,  80  years  of  age,  and 
some  not  quite  so  advanced,  but  in  every  way 
qualified  for  the  benefits  of  this  noble  institu- 
Uon.  We  much  wish  to  establish  an  **  Bak- 
tubv  Vs^vl  Auxiliary  to  tiie  Aged  Pilgrims' 
Sodety."  If  we  can' obtain  an  lionoarable 
Treasurer^  and  Committee^  we  shaU  proeeed. 
Who  will  encourage  usfVjiOOQic 


Jaly  1,  IV9'] 


TUB  £AaTH£M   Y£9SEL. 


157 


®5e  (EFitUttrttt'$  Ilebm^3il0tt,  OJttibitttrt,  Avd^  ^A^Mnim, 

BY     JOHN      BLOOMFIELD, 
HiviBXSs    ov    Mzasd'8    Couxt,    J)»±jt    Stkebt,    Soho. 

*<Thoa  in  thj  merey  hast  lad  forth  the  people  which  thoa  haet  redeemed :  thou  hast  gaided  them  in 
Ihj  BtreaKth  unto  thy  holy  hahiUiion.>'    Exodus  xx.  IS. 

In  this  chspter  we  have  the  magnificent  ness.  And  I  ask,  was  it  not  in  mercj  the 
mmg  which  was  enng  by  tiie  Iiraelites,  in  ^  srace  of  God  reached  ns  ?    Destroying  the 

oarkneBS  and  enmity  of  our  hearts,  and 
brinnngus  to  follow  the  Lord,  and  to  aerre 
him  r  Was  it  not  in  mercy  God  brought  ui 
out  of  the  darkness  of  sin,  and  shone  into 
our  hearts  rays  of  the  magnificient  glory  of 
the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Is  it  not  a 
mercy  that  he  made  our  eyes  orer-flow  with 
Godly  Borrow  ?  Is  it  not  a  mercy  our  hard 
hearts  were  broken  before  God  ?  Is  it  not 
a  mercy  that  our  hearts  are  disposed  to  seek 
and  Ber? e  Jesus  ?  Tes,  it  is  in  mercy  God 
hath  supplied  our  necessities :  it  is  in  mercy 
if  in  the  dealings  of  God,  he  hath  giren  ub 
the  wine  of  astonishment  to  drink ;  it  is  in 
mercy  he  teaches  us  terrible  things  in  righ- 
teousness, therefore,  though  we  may  think 
these  things  severe,  it  is  the  severity  of  love. 

Let  us  first  notice  in  our  text  the  redemp" 
iion  apoken  of ;  secondly,  the  guidance  j  and 
thirdly,  the  habitation, 

I.  We  propose  to  notice  the  sxdbmption 
OF  THB  pisoPLx.  Redemption  means  deliver- 
anoe  ;  there  is  a  redemption  by  power,  and 
there  is  a  redemption  by  price.  There  was  a 
redemption  wrought  for  the  ancient  Is- 
raelites, and  there  is  also  a  redemption 
wrought  by  Christ;  redemption  through 
blood,  **But  by  his  own  blood  he  enter- 
ed into  the  holy  place,  having  obtained 
eternal  redemption  for  us."  Redemption 
originated  not  with  man,  not  with  an- 
gels, but  with  God^God  saw  all  the  reasons 
of  lus  own  actions  in  himself.  He  never 
created  the  world  at  the  bidding  of  any 
spirit,  he  never  afflicted  people  with  plagues, 
or  wrought  deliverances  tor  nations,  but  for 
his  own  reasons.  The  deliverances  he 
wrought  for  the  Israelites  were  types  of  a 
noblw  and  better  deliverance  that  was  to  ba 
effected  by  Jesus  Christ. 

I  want  to  show  that  the  redemption  of  the 
people  originated  with  God ;  andfthis  shows 
it  was  effected  by  God's  own  method,  and  aL 
so  that  thia  redeniption  is  unto  God  himw^. 

Who  saw  the  iBraelitea  in  captivity  ^and 
had  oompaanon  on  them?  Whose  eacVas 
open  to  their  err  ?  Who  came  dowa  to  de- 
liver them  ?  Wnose  heart  yearned  ov<ir  their 
sorrows  ?  In  whose  arm  was  the  po^sr  to  ret- 
deem? 

We  say  this  redemption  originiited  with 
God,  ana  was  planned  before  the  people 
went  into  captivity.  Joseph  prophesied  of 
this  redemption,  saying*  ''  le  shall  carry  u^ 


eooaeqiienoe  of  the  wonderful  deliverance 
that  was  aoocwiplished  by  God  for  them,  in 
the  land  of  their  eaptiviW.  It  was  sung  in 
idation  to  that  splendid  redemption  which 
waa  by  God  effected,  and  that  was  a  deliver- 
aaee  wocthr  of  sneh  a  song.  It  is  a  sublime 
eoiup,  and  the  people  song  it  with  gratitude, 
fio^Bg  God  was  on  their  side — that  he  tri- 
umphM  glocioosly,  working  wonders,  that 
they  mighi  serve  hinL  It  is  the  oldest  song 
we  have  on  xoeord,  its  style  is  magnificent ! 
its  imagery  is  impressive,  and  it  is  worthy  of 
the  eeeasioii  on  which  it  was  sung  !  This 
ssag  Is  also  the  type  of  a  song  vet  to  be  sung 
in  lelatioa  to  the  triumphs  of  the  gospel ;  for 
the  gospel  k  yet  to  work  triumphs  whieh 
it  has  sot  yet  attained.  The  victories  and 
historr  or  the  Israelites  furnish  n»  with 
many  Icssona,  whieh  are  both  interesting  and 
tastmetlve,  selating  to  the  ways  of  man  and 
the  mind  of  God.  We  see  a  great  deal  here 
devdoped  of  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  long- 
safoiiw  and  ftdthfulness  of  onr  oovenant 
Ged^^The  bondage  of  the  people  of  the 
Isradites,  was  a  type  of  the  darker  bondage ; 
and  BisBrT  of  sin,  ont  of  which  all  the  ran- 
semed  of  ttie  Lord  will  eventoallv  be  brooght, 
and  the  pathway  in  which  the  IsraeUtes 
walked — the  seorpions  and  serpents  which 
they  met  with  in  uie  wilderness— were  also 
10  sot  forth  the  dangers  to  which  the  chil- 
drsaef  God  are  ezpoeed  from  the  enemy; 
and  the  deli  veranee  of  the  Israelites  teaches 
«s  oar  own  inability  to  battle  with  the 
enemy  of  oar  sonls. 

Baft  there  is  a  great  deal  more  to  learn 
from  the  dealinffs  of  God  with  his  people, 
though  these  deuin^  may  be  characterised 
by  aerecity ;  bat,  stdl  it  was  the  severity  of 
love.  The  £itker  may  be  severe,  but  it  often 
ia  beeaose  he  lorca  his  child.  So  with  the 
dealinss  of  God  with  his  andent  people, 
aosae  ttdnk  God  was  severe,  but  it  was  the 
eeveritj  of  fhtthfolneas,  the  severit]|r  of  ever- 
lasttng  lovo.  He  led  them  forth  in  mercy : 
it  wss  in  meiey  he  raised  up  Moses  to  leiad 
Aen  forth ;  it  waa  in  merey,  while  there  were 
in  the  hooses  of  the  Egytians  terror  and 
desth,  there  vere  in  the  hooses  of  the  Is- 


M  joy  and  peoee ;  It  was  in  mercy  God 
braoght  them  through  the  Bed  Sea ;  it  was 
ia  SMTsy  tlM  water  flowed  from  the  rock ;  and 
it  vas  in  maicT  the  Lord  supplied,  with  a 
fihenl  handy  their  Dccesnties  in  the  wilder- 


h2. 


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THE  XARTEXN  YESSBL. 


CJoly  1,  ie59. 


mj  bonef  from  henee."  And  not  one  wai 
left,  for  hii  boDes  were  taken  from  the  strange 
land,  indioating  aUo  his  brethren  shoold  not 
be  left  there,  oorrespondinff  with  the  follow- 
ing passage,  "  There  shall  not  an  hoof  be 
left  behind."  With  whom  then  did  redemp- 
tion originate?  It  was  too  good  to  come 
from  man,  it  was  too  majestic  for  the  mind 
of  an  angel.  It  originated  with  Ood,  with 
the  end  and  aim  to  deliTer  men  from  the 
condition  of  shiTery  and  death,  into  which 
they  had  fkllen,  under  the  cnrse  of  a  broken 
law,  that  men  may  be  deliTered  from  i>nn- 
ishment  hereafter,  and  at  last,  admitted  into 
the  presence  of  the  Most  Hirh.  All  the 
schemes  of  philosophy  have  failed  to  deliver 
men  from  toe  witnerin^  corse  of  God's  law. 
It  is  tme,  edacation  will  do  much  to  raise 
man,  the  study  of  arts  and  sciences  and  giT- 
Ing  a  religions  training ;  bat  these  will  nerer 
touch  the  heart,  that  is  like  a  nether  mill- 
stone for  hardness  and  as  unimpressible ; 
these  nefer  scattered  the  dark  clouds  of  en- 
mity sgainst  Ood,  or  gave  one  spark  of 
Smtuaf  light  to  the  sin-darkened  soul, 
ut  salvation  did  not  originate  with  angels ; 
they  admired  the  scheme  as  it  is  displayed 
in  wisdom's  glorious  plan.  The  scheme  of 
salvation  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  by  the  death 
incarnation,  and  humiliation  of  the  Saviour, 
is  Ood-likein  its  power ;  it  was  contrived  by 
infinite  wisdom,  and  is  the  derelopement  of 
the  heart  of  infinite  lore.  If  that  could  fail, 
it  would  be  the  fsOure  of  God,  it  would 
bring  darkness  in  heaven,  and  weepini^ 
among  the  ransomed  there ;  and  there  would 
be  joj  in  hell  for  ever  and  ever. 

It  IS  a  redemption  effected  bv  God's  own 
method.  How  did  he  deliver  tne  Israelites } 
by  brining  a  plague,  by  dividing  the  Red  Sea, 
by  making  a  road  for  toem  to  pass  through  in 
perfect  safety.  When  God  created  the  world, 
it  was  created  majesticallj ;  when  God  creat- 
ed man  out  of  the  dust  of  the  earth,  he  did 
it  like  a  God ;  and  when  the  body  of  man 
was  formed,  God  breathed  into  it  by  his 
power,  and  it  became  a  living  soul.  This 
was  like  a  God,  there  was  a  terrible  majesty 
in  this  sublimity ;  but  it  all  ftiils  to  con- 
trast for  a  moment  with  the  work  of  redemp- 
tion, effected  by  the  Mediator  at  the  price  of 
his  moat  precious  blood.  It  was  a  redemp- 
tion effected  by  God's  own  method,  and  the 
people  were  rsdeemed  unto  God's  service. 
Moses  said,  *  Let  my  people  go,  that  they 
may  hold  a  feast  unto  me  in  the  wilderness.' 
They  were  redeemed  unto  God's  service,  to 
God^s  provirion,  to  (Tod's  presence,  and  to 
God's  glory.  And  is  it  not  so  with  all  that 
are  redeemed  by  the  precious  blood  of  Christ  ? 
are  they  not  reaeemM  from  the  servioe  of 
sin  ?  Aram  the  lust  of  the  flesh  ?  from  the 
powers  and  service  of  the  devil  ?  We  are 
received,  through  mighty  moe,  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  to  a  newness  of  life,  to  live  a 
livoofftuth;  in  hope,  that  by  and  bye,  we 


shall  serve  the  Lord  perfectly  for  ever  and 
ever.  Satan  may  suggest  that  we  may  never 
serre  God ;  sin  may  and  will  disturb  our 
peace;  and  our  doubts  and  fears  may  say,  we 
shall  never  serve  the  Lord ;  but  Jesus  sa]r<t 
ye  shall  serve  me  here,  ye  shall  serve  me  in 
love,  ye  shall  serve,  though  imperfectly  now, 
but  yonder  ye  shall  serve  the  Lord  in  the 
Mediator's  presence  with  fulness  of  heart. 
We  shall  be  redeemed  unto  the  prt>visions 
of  God :  God  gave  his  people  provision  in  the 
wilderness,  no  people  were  ever  supplied  like 
the  Israelites,  they  were  fed  with  bnad  from 
heaven,  by  the  special  interposition  of  divine 
power ;  they  were  refreshed  with  water  from 
the  rook;  they  were  clad  in  clothes  that 
should  not  wax  old,  nor  their  shoes  wearoqt. 
Ah,  believer,  thou  hast  a  better  Kock  the  *  Boek 
Christ  Jesus !'  Better  bread,  '  the  bread  of 
eternal  life !'  A  better  garment,  dothed  in  the 
garment  of  salvation ;  Better  shoes,  '  shod 
with  thepreparation  of  the  gospel  of  peaoe.' 

n.  we  will  now  dwell  for  a  moment  er 
two,  upon  the  guidakcs  ;  *  Thou  hast  ^ded 
them  in  thy  strength.'  We  might  think  we 
could  have  guidM  them  a  nearer  way,  but 
perhaps  we  should  have  lost  them  all  in  the 
sands  of  the  barren  desert  Even  in  our  own 
cases,  we  often  think  this  is  wrong,  and  the 
other  wrong:  if  in  the  land  of  prosperity* 
that  is,  we  think,  the  right  way ;  but  God 
suffers  his  people  to  be  tried,  that  he  may 
test  to  their  minds  (not  to  hia)  fiie  reality  of 
their  religion,  and  the  purity  of  their  love. 
<«  He  suided  them  by  his  strength :"  by  the 
strength  of  his  love,  by  the  strength  of  hia 
fsithnilness  and  wisdom.  Love  will  bear 
much  for  its  object :  had  not  God  loved  them 
I  am  sure  he  woula  have  been  tired  of  them 
before  he  brought  them  out  of  the  wilderness. 

And,  my  hearers,  had  not  God  loved  us,  bad 
not  hii  love  been  like  himseir,  without  varia- 
tion, he  would  most  assuredly  have  forsaken 
us  long  ago.  And  where  God  loves,  he 
throws  worth  into  the  object  of  his  love ;  in 
the  face  of  all  our  follies,  he  loves  us  with  a 
love  that  many  waters  cannot  quench.  Ah, 
says  some  trembling  child  of  God,  if  God 
would  but  wisper  into  my  soul,  *  I  have  loved 
thee  vrith  an  everlasting  love;'  my  donbls 
would  at  once  give  up  Sie  ghost,  1  should 
then  believe  my  soul  would  share  in  the 
blessedness  beyond  the  grave.  God,  my 
friends,  loved  us  before  we  were  sinaeisy 
loved  us  in  the  Ml,  and  brought  us  out : 
though  we  are  poor,  this  love  inisketh  rich ; 
though  ragged,  love  vMaves  a  robe ;  though 
homeless,  love  provides  an  everlasting  dwc&- 
ing  vrith  the  eternal  God. 

III.  Lastly,  THB  BJLBrrATioxr.  God  dwells 
in  three  ways  vrith  his  people :  first,  through 
the  priesthood  of  his  Sin ;  hence,  it  is  said, 
<  It  pleased  the  father  that  in  him  should  dwell 
all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily.'  Christ 
was  the  visible  display  of  the  inrisible  God  ; 
the  manifestation  of  the  snblime  ralendour  of 

Digitized  by  LjOOQIC 


Jol7  1»  I8i9.] 


TUB  fiAUTUEN    VKsafiL. 


159 


Uie  DiTiiM  Msjcrtjr.  Thto  Qod  dwells  in  hU 
chureh  on  earth,  m  he  dwelt  with  his  people 
at  Jenualeoiy— '  Here  will  I  dwell  with  that 
maa  that  hambleth  himself  and  trembleth  at 
my  word."  Then  God  gnideth  them  '  unto 
his  holy  hibitation.'  Qod  fint  brings  them 
to  Chriat,  to  seek  for  merer  at  the  cross ;  he 
thea  briogs  them  to  his  ohoroh,  (not  to  his 
eharch  first,  as  many  would  now  do)  bat 
first,  they  are  brought  to  Christ,  and  tiien 
thev  gi?€  themaelTes  to  Christ's  ehoroh  below. 
And  Christ  will  bring  aU  his  ]^ple  to  him- 
felf ;  do  Ton  think  he  will  gi?e  toq  to  sip 
^^haaTenly  pleasures,  and  not  taae  yon  to 
enjoT  the  Aul  fruition  of  glory }  Do  von 
think  he  would  giro  light  and  love,  and  then 
damp  these  riaiiig  hopes?  that  is  tu  from  him. 
if  onoa  fiwea  to  know  the  name  of  Jesus, 
to  tnut  in  hia  blood  and  ri^hteoueness,  you 
Bhall  ahare  with  the  angels  in  glory  for  ever 
sad  ibr  «Ter.  And  wut  then,  my  hearen  ? 
Why  yon  shall  be  in  the  glorious'prstfenoe  of 
the  Lamb !  What  (hen }  You  shall  sing 
unto  him,  '  Who  hath  washed  us,  and  made 
li  kings  and  priests  unto  God  ?*  What  then  ? 
*  Xot  a  ware  of  trouble  roll, 
Acroea  thy  peaceful  breast.' 
What  then,  beliefer?  Not  a  oloud  shall 
then  intertene  between  thee  and  Ay  Lord ! 
What  then?  Not  one  doubt,,not  one  fear, 
not  one  trouble  then  I  Oh  I  that  this  hea? en 
■uy  be  our  home,  that  we  may  be  meetened 
for  this  hi^py  state  I  that  the  Lord  may  keep 
as  near  hun,  and  at  last  take  us  to  be  with 
him,  for  ever  and  erer.    Amen.  K. 

THE  DtFPEBBNCB   BBTWBEir 

NATURAL   CONVICriONS   FOB  SIN, 

▲VD   ▲ 

SPIRITUAL  CHANGS  OF  HEART. 

Bt  Joseph  Pauceb, 
Mfwi^^  of  Boaney-slreet-Chapel,  Westminster. 

Tkutkiko,  Kr.  Editor,  that  the  present  is 
a  sabjeet  in  which  all  the  liTing  family  of 
God  are  much  interested,  I  presume  to  add 
a  mite  to  whatever  <  A  Little  Oae,'  or  yourself, 
may  offer  upon  it  The  dear  people  of  God 
know,  that  there  are  seasons  in  the  experience 
of  belief  ers.  even  after  they  have  been  Drought 
into  gom^  liberty,  when«  through  the  fiery 
darts  and  temptationa  of  the  great  adversary. 
they  are  ready  to  call  all  into  qaestion ;  and 
are  thankful  to  recognise,  by  the  light  of  God's 
Spmt,  the  smallest,  if  conclurife,  marks  of  a 
dirine  change  in  their  tempest-tossed  souls. 
With  Etthu  they  cry  out,  *If  there  be  a 
mesienger  with  him,  an  interpreter,  one 
aoioitg  a  thousand,  to  shew  unto  man  his 
uprightness :  then  he  is  gracious  unto  him, 
and  asitb,  dellTer  him  from  going  down  into 
the  j^t:  I  have  found  a  ransom.'  Job 
xnin.  23,  24.  To  be  one  with  Jesus  is  such 
aioUmn,  eternal,  infinite  mercy,  that  it  is 


no  wonder  it  often  piodaces  deep  heart-affect- 
ing cogitations  in  the  mind  whether  we 
ourselves  are  really  united  to  him  or  not 

When  the  eye  of  faith  rests  upon  the 
unutterable  blessings  which  belong  to  the 
soul  that  is  i»  Cu&ist,  the  very  extent  of  the 
free-graoe  portion  will  sometimes  raise  in  our 
unbelieving  hearts  a  host  of  doubters,  with 
their  hateful  whispers,  and  sutmisings,  and 
reasonings,  that  shake  at  times  the  stoutest 
confidence.  If  the  assurance  of  faith  wera 
an  abiding  grace,  it  might  be  otherwise ;  but 
from  the  word  of  God  and  my  own  experienoe 
I  find  it  to  be  a  frame  of  mind,  which  lives 
only  so  lon^  as  the  j^werfnl  witness  of  the 
blessed  Spirit  nrevails  in  the  soul.  Our 
judgments  mav  be  confirmed,  and  the  faith 
within  the  sou  is  indestructible,  but  its  voice 
is  sometimes  weak  and  faint,  when  that  of 
unbeUef  is  clamorous. 

I  proceed  to  notice  some  distinguishing 
marlu  of  natural  canvietions, 

1.  Natural  convictions  for  lin  cause  distress 
from  the  dread  of  punishment  We  have 
instances  of  this  in  the  cases  of  King  Saul, 
Judas,  and  Simon  Magos.  Their  convictiona 
arose  from  the  light  which  diMovered  the 
dreadful  consequences  of  transgression. 

2.  Natural  conviction  is  the  effect  of  slav- 
ish fear.  Balaam  is  an  awftil  instance.  All 
amendment  arising  from  such  oonriction  is 
scant  and  sparing,  and  of  a  legal  nature. 
Such  men  would  not  obey  God,  but  that  they 
fear  his  wrath. 

3.  Natural  convictions  are  produced  by  the 
ministration  of  the  law  and  not  of  the  gospel. 
Like  the  man  with  the  one  talent,  he  would 
be  even  with  God,  because  he  fears  his  hard 
dealing. 

4.  Natural  conrictions  consist  with  a  blind 
and  spiritually  dead  conscience.  And  thus 
the  man  is  prompted  to  rounds  of  dead  works, 
carnal  observances,  fleshlv  works,  and  religi- 
ous duties,  which  the  blind  and^  deceived 
conscience  receives  ss  so  many  bribea  with 
which  to  repair  its  disturbed  peace  and  self- 
complacency. 

5.  Natural  convictions  are  temporary  and 
passing.  Springing  up,  as  they  frequently  do. 
m  times  of  affliction  or  worldly  trial,  and 
producing  many  fleshly  resolutions;  the 
whole  gradually  decline  as  the  disturbing 
crisis  is  removed. 

6.  Natural  convictionf  spring  from  moral 
and  intellectual  light  alone.  Thus  moral 
influences  regulate  their  continuanoe.  And 
as  merely  moral  light  is  total  darkness  spirit- 
ually, so  the  mind  is  fairly  led  to  wrong 
riews  of  God,  and  to  the  adoption  of  natunu 
courses  in  order  to  propitiate  nim. 

7.  Natural  convictions  are  attended  with 
enmity,  self-pity,  bitterness,  hard  thoughta  ot 
God,  and  a  sullen  admission  of  the  majesty 
and  power  of  God,  but  no  love  to  his  person, 
or  his  law,  or  lua  holiness. 

8.  Natural  convictions  produce  no  ^arty 


160 


THB   EARTHEN    YESSKL. 


[Joly  1.  1M9. 


renaniefttton  of  nn ;  bat  simply  ft  duuie  of  it, 
through  fear  mnd  dread. 

9.  With  natural  eonnotions  the  heart  and 
disposition  remain  rinfiil  and  unchanged. 
Its  entire  sympathy  is  with  sin.  Bat  like  an 
insabordinate  menial^  it  assames  the  lirery  of 
reformation,  oat  of  fear  of  the  great  God,  his 
Master.  See  this  in  Gain,  Esaa,  and  all  such 
awfal  eharaeters. 

I  now  turn  to  the  more  pleasant  task  of 
describing  ipiritudl  eonvietions.  And  I  mast 
obserre  here,  that  perhaps  the  dear  child  of 
God  mar  be  harassed  becanse  he  finds  some 
of  the  feeling[s  which  belong  to  natural  con- 
tiotions  working  in  his  mind.  This  is  Terr 
likely.  The  Mliever  has  a  carnal  mind. 
And  the  feelings  of  his  carnal  mind  will 
resemble  those  we  have  described.  Bat  then, 
he  will  also  possess  those  other  marks  which 
characterize  a  divine  change  of  heart,  which 
BO  merely  natural  man  cTer  experiences. 
And  BO  may  God  help  us  to  thank  and  bless 
him  for  the  operations  of  his  Spirit.  While 
there  is  much  within  us  to  mourn  over,  much 
sin,  much  lo?e  of  sin,  much  hardness  of  heart, 
much  enmity,  much  self-pity,  hard  thoughts, 
and  so  on ;  yet  still,  through  rich  mercy, 
these  are  also  attended  at  times  with  such 
totally  opposite  feelings,  that  we  cannot  but 
belieye,  with  God's  word  before  us,  that  we 
are  the  <  Shulamite,  with  her  company  of  two 
armies.' 

1.  spiritual  connctions  for  sin  erer  attend 
a  gracious  change  of  heart  In  God's  word, 
we  read  of  the  jLord  girin|^  King  Saul,  and 
others,  another  heart,  or  gifts  and  qualifica- 
tions for  certain  offices ;  but  that  is  very 
different  to  a  new  or  gracious  heart,  whicn 
is  a  new  corenant  blessing,  and  which  is 

Surified  br  faith.  Now  this  new  heart  of 
esh  or  reeling,  is  susceptible  of  spiritual 
impressions.  Thus  the  claims  of  God's  righ- 
teous law  are  felt :  its  fires  and  its  thunders 
sink  it  in  dreadful  fears  before  God ;  and 
sin,  thus  seen  in  its  tremendous  nature,  sits 
like  a  heavy  burden  upon  this  new,  this 
feeling  heart.  God  has  prepared  the  heart, 
and  now  cuts  deep  furrows  in  the  fallow 
ground  of  human  nature  with  the  unerring 
plough  of  his  law  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit. 
Oh,  how  deep  are  these  spiritual  convictions! 

2.  Spiritual  conrictions  are  attended  with 
a  discovery  of  the  spirituality  and  extent  of 
God's  law.  And  this  knowledge  deepens  and 
deepens  under  the  teachings  of  God's  Spirit, 
BO  as  to  destroy  the  soul's  refuges  of  lies,  cast 
down  his  false  hopes,  bum  up  his  fleshly 
religion,  and  redace  him  to  a  state  of  hope- 
lessness and  helplessness  in  himself  before 
God.    Isa.  xxviii.  17. 

3.  Spiritual  convictions  are  implanted  in 
ft  conscience  made  honest  through  God's  fear. 
And  this  fear  is  the  beginning  of  evangelical 
wiidom.  The  Spirit  of  God  thus  entering 
the  soal  enlightens  the  mind  to  see  the  nature 


of  salvation,  that  it  is  not  by  the  law,  bat  by 
grace.  Thus,  while  the  legality  of  hia  heart 
pulls  him  one  way,  the  blessed  Spirit  draws 
him  the  opposite.  His  fleshly  mind  resolves 
and  resolves,  works  and  works,  fails  and  fails 
again.  And  amidst  the  destraction  of  this 
creature  exertion,  the  blessed  Spirit  brings  the 
soul  after  each  failure  to  a  throne  of  grace, 
crying  out  in  his  oonfosion  and  his  misery, 
'  God  be  mereifol  to  me  a  sinner.'  He  baa 
no  settled  hope  in  God,  and  yet  he  has  too 
much  liffht  in  his  conscience  to  trust  in  his 
own  works,  which  he  now  sees  to  be  fhll  of 
imperfectiona.  He  does  not  wonder  that  God 
rejects  his  works,  for  he  feels  that  they  an 
indeed  polluted. 

4.  Spiritual  oonviotions  are  attended  with 
the  *  eyes  within,'  which  are  unmistakeable 
marks  of  a  divine  work.  Thus  he  judges  of 
sin  not  only  by  outward  observation,  but  l^ 
inward  feeling.  The  Lord,  with  theee  <  eyes 
within,'  shows  him  the  plague  of  the  heart, 
and  he  oonfenea  that  he  is  vile.  This  is  a 
mark  of  the  blessed  Spirit's  operations ;  for 
no  man  sighs  and  cries  because  of  the  plague 
of  the    heart,    but    heaven-taught    souls. 

1  Kings  viiL  38. 

6,  Spiritual  convictions  are  attended  with 
contrition,  brokenness  of  heart,  and  godly 
sorrow  for  sin.  This  is  produced  by  a  sight 
of  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.   « 

'  Law  and  terrors  do  but  harden 
All  the  while  they  work  alone ; 

But  a  sense  of  blood-bought  pardon 
Soon  dissolves  a  heart  of  stone.' 

This  is  a  scripturally  declared  land-mark 
in  the  king's  highway  of  holineea.  The 
apostle  Paul  forcibly  sets  it  forth  in  his  epiatle 
to  the  Corinthians—^  For  behold  thia  self-* 
same  thing,  that  ye  sorrowed  after  a  godly 
sort,  what  carefulness  it  wrought  in  yon,  yea, 
what  clearing  of  yourselves,  yea," what  indig- 
nation, yea,  what  fear,  yea  what  vehement 
desire,  yea,  what  seal,  yea,  what  revenge  T 

2  Cor.  vii.  11.  And  this  godly  sorrow  for 
sin  the  devil  cannot  counterfeit.  Thus  *  m 
look  upon  him  whom  we  have  pierced,  and 
mourn  for  him.'  And  how  the  soal  longa 
and  prays  for  an  assurance  of  its  intereatm 
the  wounds  and  sacrifloe  of  Christ.  Thus  the 
soul  has  been  drawn  away  from  Sinai,  and 
he  pants  after  and  prays  for  a  *  name  and 
memorial  amongst  the  living  in  Jerusalem.' 
He  that  thus  '  goes  forth  weeping  bearing 
precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again 
rejoicing  bringing  his  sheaves  with  Um.' 
*  They  shall  return  and  oome  again  to  Zion 
with  songs  and  everlaating  joy  upon  their 
heads." 

6.  Spiritual  convictions  are  evangelical^ 
and  are  accompanied  with  the  love  of  God 
shed  abroad  in  the  heart.  This  brings  th« 
soul  to  hate  sin  as  sin,  independent  of  ita 
punishment,  as  an  offence  against  a  righteooa 
and  merciftil  God  in  Chr^t.    And  ST  then 

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161 


were  no  hell,  the  toiil  feels  it  would  than  sin 
beesQse  of  its  sinfalnes*.  Itiinow  repag- 
Bsnt  to  its  new  and  heavenly  affections. 

7.  Spirittial  oonrictioos,  in  the  hand  of  God 
the  Spirit,  lead  to  Christ.  If  yon,  my  reader, 
can  get  peaee  of  mind  anrwhere  hat  at  the 
foontain  opened  for  sin  and  nncleanness,  yonr 
eonnctioQs  are  only  natnral ;  hit  if  yon  feel 
deeply  that  nothing  hat  an  interest  in  Christ 
will  aeeore  thy  pardon  and  justification;  and 
if  yon  feel  that  yon  cannot  he  satisfied  withont 

With  permission  of  the  Sditor,  I  will  next  month  conclude  this  paper,  with  a  short  Sorip- 
toial  Azkatomy  of  a  gracious  heart. 


the  personal  and  powerfal  application  of  his 
preoioas  blood  to  thy  conscience,  and  his 
glorious  righteonsnefs  revealed  to  thy  faith, 
as  the  ground  of  thy  justification  before  a 
holy  Ood;  these  are  infallible  marks  of  a 
dinne  chaoge  of  heart :  such  conrictions  are 
wrooght  by  the  Spirit  in  the  heart,  and  the 
whole  body  of  God's  truth  is  on  thy  side,  to 
seenre  thy  growth  in  ^aoe,  and  e? entaally 
thine  eTerlasting  sal?ation. 


"BAXTER'S    BAPTISM"    EXAMINED, 

AVD  TB8TBD  BT  THB  STANDARD  OF  TBUTH. 
[▲  BBYISW.— SnOOVD  VOTICB.] 


StnHsm:  its  Mods^  Dstign,  and  SuhjBcU* 
Br  A.  J.  Baxtbr,  Minister  of  the  Gospel, 
Nottingham.  London :  Collihgridge :  Not- 
tingham :  Wilkinson. 

As  in  oar  former  notice,  we  disposed  of  Mr. 
B.'f  geogra;^k%cal  argument  agamst  Baptism 
by  Immersion,  as  practiced  by  John  the 
*  dipper/  bjr  shewing  that  his  statements,  or 
premisas  being  false,  his  conclusions  were 
worthless,  we  now  proceed  to  analyse  his 
▼srbal  or  gramatical  argument,  based  upon 
the  words  #«,  sir,  st«,  hapUzo^  ^e. 

And  in  the  first  place,  it  is  manifest  that 
Mr.  B.  can  find  no  support  in  the  scriptures 
Cor  his  theory  of  infant  sprinkling,  unless  we 
grant  him  a  new  translation  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. As  we  hare  it  now,  it  is  a  sad  stum- 
bling bloek  in  his  wnj ;  it  won't  square  with 
his  theory  at  alL  (Though  we  beg  leare  to 
remind  Mr.  B.  that  it  was  not  tromslatsd  l^ 
Boftitttj  hot  by  Infant  Sprinklers,  who  had 
quite  as  much  learning  as  himself).  There  is 
sessesly  a  passage  Mr.  B.  quotes,  some  portion 
of  wUeh  be  does  not  find  it  necessary  to  re- 
trssdate.  Now  we  confess  at  starting,  that 
we  always  reffard  with  the  utmost  suspicion, 
any  theory  which  requires  for  its  support  a 
new  traaalation  of  the  Iteripture.  The  IComan- 
iiSs  themselTce  hare  no  objection  to  our  use 
of  the  Bible,  if  we  will  bnt  take  their  trans- 
lation. A  nd  we  haTe  not  forgotten  that  with- 
in the  last  three  or  four  Years,  the  Socinians 
hare  saiaed  a  loud  hue  ana  cry  for  a  new  trans- 
Ution«  in  order  to  get  rid  of  the  doctrines  of 
the  Trinity,  the  Atonement,  the  Godhead  of 
Chrisft ;  and  now  the  Infant  Sprinklers  want 
anocher! 

Oar  present  translation  is  universally  oon- 
fcesed  to  be  the  best  that  could  be  made ;  and 
some  of  the  strongest  ailments  in  favour  of 
BapCusm  by  immersion  is  to  be  found  in  the 
M,  that  the  BaptUU  take  the  book  as  they 
fnd  U  tram»lat§d  ly  tksir  opp<mentt.  '  Our 
roek  is  not  as  their  roek,  our  enemies  them- 
selren  being  judges.' 

Bni  we  proceed  at  once  to  the  examination 
of  Mr.  B.'s  ▼erbal  argument.  He  commences 
with  the  Greek  preposition  '  en^*  which  our 
tnauUtors  hare  rendered  mi.  *They  were 
haptiasd  of  him  i»  (en)  Jordan.*  (Matt.  iii.  6) 


*  Jesus  was  baptised  of  John  in  (m)  Jordan.' 
(Mwk  i.  9.)  Now,  sajs  Mr.  B.,  this  word 
ought  to  have  been  translated  *  at/  and  then 
it  would  have  been  correct.  Indeed !  why  so  ? 
Because  Mr.  B.'s  theorj^  require  it  But  how 
does  he  prove  that  it  ought  to  be  translated 

*  at/  do  our  readers  thinkP  By  shewing  that 
it  means  upwards  of  thirty  other  different 
things  !  So  that  *  m'  ought  to  be  translated  '  af 
because  it  meane  something  else!  A  more 
suicidal  argument  it  would  be  difficult  to  con- 
ceive. Mr.  B.  then  gives  a  number  of  texts 
to  shew  how  absurd  it  would  be  always  to 
render  the  Greek  preposition  '  en*  by  the  Kn- 
glish  preposition  *  in :'  t.e.  swear  not  at  all, 
neither  {bg)  {en)  heaven,  nor  {by)  (en)  thy 
head.'  '  He  came  not  (*»,)  by  water  only,  but 
(m)  by  water  and  blood.'  Such  arendexing  of 
the  word  {en)  Mr.  B.  contends,  and  contends 
justly,  would  make  the  passage  absurd.  Grant- 
ed :  and  therein  is  illustrated  the  wisdom  of 
our  transUtors,  in  rendering  it  differently  in 
order  to  agree  with  the  scope  and  meaning  of 
the  passage,  Mr.  B.  then  refers  to  the  Greek 
preposition  (eis,)   which  we  have  translated 

*  into  :(<  PhiUp  and  the  Jbiunuch,  went  down 
[eie]  into  the  water;)  and  contends  that 
it  ought  to  be  translated  tuUo,  because  it  has 
thirty  Jive  other  meanings.  He  quotes  the  fol- 
lowing passages :  *  I  am  not  sent,  but  ieie)unto 
the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  IsraeL'  '  His 
servant  fell  down  {eie)  at  his  feet,'  Ac.,  to  show 
how  absurd  and  meanmgless  it  would  be  always 
to  translate '  eie*  or  *en*  in,OT  into.  And  by  this 
argument,  Mr.  B.  thinks  to  overthrow  baptism 
bv  immersion.  Would  it  not  be  equally  absurd 
always  to  translate  *  en'  and  *  eis  by  Mr.  B.'8 
favourite  rendering  of '  at*  and  *  unto,*  *  And 
they  entered  unto  {eis)  a  ship  immediately, 
and  with  (sn)  that  night  they  cauglit 
nothing.'  (John  xxi.  3.)  *  Simon  Peter  did  cast 
himsell'  {eie)  at  the  Sea.  Verse  7.  <  This  same 
Jesus  which  is  taken  from  you  {eie)  at  heaven, 
shall  so  come  in  like  manner  as  ye  have  seen 
him  go  at  {eis)  heaven.'  '  And  they  went  at 
{eis)  an  upper  room.'  And  with  {en)  those  days 
Peter  stood  up  at  {en)  the  midst.  (Acts  i.  II 13, 
15.)  *Then  came  Simen  Peter,  following, 
and  went  at  {eis)  the  sepulchre.'  (John  zx.  6.) 
And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  wnich  were  at 
{en)  it;  and  death  and  hell  8Y^?^r^1^ 


I6d 


TUB    BAKTHBN    TKSSBli. 


[Inly  1,  IBM. 


which  vere  a<  («i»)  them;  and  the  dead  were 
judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written 
(en)  at  the  books ;  and  death  and  hell  were  cast 
at  (eis)  the  lake  of  fire,  and  whosoever  was  not 
found  written  with  (m)  the  book  was  cast  at 
{Hs)  the  lake  of  fire*.  (Rev.  zz.  12—15)  .*  And 
a  mighty  angel  took  up  a  stone  like  a  great 
mill  stone,  and  east  it  at  (ei$)  the  sea.'  (fiey. 
18.  21.) 

These  illustrations  are  sufBdent  to  shew  oar 
readers  what  a  correet  and  elegant  translation 
we  should  have,  if  the  Baxterian  principle 
were  adopted.  The  facts  are  these.  We 
admit  with  Mr.  B.  that  always  to  translate 
0i8  and  m.  by  m  and  into,  would  make  many 
passages  oiMOure,  absurd,  and  meaningless.  But 
what  does  lir.  B.  Jgain  by  this  admission  P 
Nothing !  What  Mr.  B.  ou^ht  to  haye  done, 
to  have  made  his  argument  of  any  value,  was 
to  prove  that  the  worde  eis  and  en  whenth^ 
qconrred  in  connection  with  the  word  haptizo, 
made  thejpaseage  aheurd  and  meaninglese,  (as 
they  do  m  the  texts  quoted  above,)  thenne 
would  have  shown  the  neeeseity  for  another 
rendering  of  the  words.  But  thit  he  hoe  not 
done.  Why }  Simnly  because  he  cannot. 
We  challenge  Mr.  B.  to  produce  a  text  re- 
Ibrring  to  water  baptism,  in  which  the  words 
^  or  an  is  translated  in  or  into,  which  is 
rendered  ridiculous  or  meaningless  by  such  a 
translation.  Till  he  shews  this,  he  has  proved 
nothing  but  his  own  bad  logic.  What  does 
Mr.  B.  wish  us  to  believe  ?  That  the  Greek 
language  has  no  word  to  express  golnf  itUo, 
or  coming  out  of,  a  place  or  river  r  If  it  have 
and  it,  is  not  eit  or  en,  what  is  it  ?  Or  is  it 
only  forbidden  to  be  used  in  connection  with 
Baptism? 

Mr.  B.  next  refers  to  Philip  and  the  Eunuch. 

*  Thev  went  down  both  into  the  water,  and 
thev  both  came  up  out  of  the  water,*  (Acts  viii. 
88.)  One  would  think  this  language  were 
elear  and  explicit  enough ;  but  Mr.  B.  will 
have  it  translated  thus ;  *  They  both  went  down 
to  the  water  and  eame  up  from  the  water.' 
Now  here  we  join  issue  with  Mr.  B.  and  we 
contend  that  if  the  words  used  in  this 
passage  do  not  mean  to  oo  down  into  the  water, 
and  to  come  up  out  of  it,  there  are  no  words 
in  the  Greek  language  to  express  going  into 
and  coming  out  of;  and  we  presume  that  Mr. 
B.  would  not  have  hardihood  enough  to  affirm 
this.  The  words  in  the  Greek  are  *  Kai  hate- 
heean  amphoteroi  eie  to  hudor,  *  Andtbev  both 
went  down  (descended^  into  the  water ;'  *otede 
aneheean  ek  tou  Huaatoe ;  'And  when  they 
ascended  out  of  the  water.'  Now  we  proceed  to 
prove  from  other  passages  where  the  verbs 
'hatebeean,*  (to  go  down  into)  and  aneheean 
(to  ascend  out  of)  occur  in  connection  with  the 
vrepositions  eie  and  «ft  that  those  words 
literatlv  mean,  (not  to  go  near  to  as  Mr.  B. 
would  have  us  believe)  hut  to  go  into,  and  to 
come  out  of. 

Our  first  iUustration  is  from  John  iii.  18. 

*  And  no  man  hath  ascended  to  heaven, 
but  he  that  came  down  from  heaven,  even  the 
•on  of  man  who  is  {en)  in  heaven.'  The  original 
is  KM  oudeie  anabeheken  eie  (ascended  into) 
ton  ouranon  ei  me  o  ekton  ouranou  katabae 
who  out  of  heayen  descended. 


Now,  if  In  the  case  of  PloUpandtfaeSiuuich 
the  words  mean  only  that  they  went  near  to 
the  water,  and  cameaiM(y/rom  the  neiehbour- 
hood  of  the  water,  it  follows  that  the  Redeem- 
er only  came  down  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
heaven,  and  has  eone  up  somewhere  near  to 
heaven,  but  that  he  neither  eame  out  of,  nor 
has  ascended  into  heaven.  Again,  Bev.  zi.  12. 
'  And  they  ascended  (an^eean  eie)  into  heaven 
in  (jm)  a  cloud } 

Bev.  xiii.  1.  *  I  saw  a  beast  riae  np  out  of 
(anabainon)  the  sea.'  (WiU  Mr.  B.  say  that 
John  only  saw  the  beast  oome  from  somewhere 
near  the  sea  ?)  [verse  11]  *  I  saw  another 
beast  ascending  out  o£  (anahainon  eh)  the 
earth.' 

£ph.iv.9.  <  He  descended  intdrte<eWeto) 
the  lower  parts  of  the  earth.'  AHuding  to  the 
burial  of  Christ. 

Acts  i.  13.  **ThBj  went  up  into  (anebeeem 
eiej  an  upper  room.'  Mjr.  B.  would  render 
this  we  suppose,  they  went  up  soinewhere 
near  the  door.. 

Key.  ix.  2.  <  There  arose  (one^O  ^  moke 
out  of  {ek)  the  pit. 

These  illustrations  are  sufficient  to  prove 
that  the  verbes  katabainh  and  anabainb,  used 
in  connection  with  the  prepositions,  en,  eie, 
ek,  mean  literally  to  ^o  down  into,  and  to 
come  up  out  of.  And  if  the  insmred  writer, 
in  recording  tha  baptism  of  the  jBunuch,  had 
wished  to  have  said,  that  he  and  Philip  went 
down  into  the  water,  and  came  up  out  of  it, 
he  could  have  founa  no  more  appropriate, 
forcible,  and  explicit  terms  in  the  wnole  range 
of  the  Greek  language.  If  there  be  more 
appropriate  words  in  the  Greek  language  to 
express  these  actions,  it  behoves  "ib.  S.  to 
produce  them.    Will  he  undertake  to  do  this  ? 

We  dose  this  part  of  the  subject,  with 
simply  remarking  tiiat  if  Philip  only  sprinkl* 
ed,  and  poured  a  few  drops  of  water  on  the 
Eunuch's  head,  it  was  qmte  unnecessary  tor 
them  to  get  out  of  the  onariot,  and  go  down  to 
the  water  for  that  purpose,  as  he  might  have 
taken  that  out  of  the  skins  or  water-bottles, 
which  an  ttavellers  passing  through  eastern 
deserts  invariably  carry  with  them. 

We  turn  now  to  the  word  baptize,  though 
here  we  shall  not  detain  our  readezv  long,  aa 
Mr.  B.  confesses,  (p.  19)  that  it  'means  aipp« 
ing,  plunging  or  immersing  ;**  though  he  con- 
tends that  it  sometimes  means  to  sprinkle,  or 
to  pour,  but  holds  that  while  it  means  to  dip, 
I  it  never  means  to  raise  again ;  so  that  a  per- 
son being  baptised  ought  to  be  left  in  the  wa- 
ter. One  Scriptural  illustration  will  prove  to 
our  readers  that  there  is  as  much  truth  as  eenee 
in  this  remark.  In  Mark  xiv.  20,  we  read,  *  It 
is  one  of  the  twelve  that  dim>eth  {emhatrto^ 
menoe  eit)  with  me  in  the  disn.  So  in  Matt, 
xxvi.  23,  we  have  the  same  sentence  slightlr 
varied,  *  He  that  dippeth  his  hand,  (emhapeae) 
with  me  in  the  dish.'^  So  John  xiii.  26.  *Me  it 
is  to  whom  I  shall  give  the  sop  when  I  have 
dipped  {bapeae)  it;  and  when  he  had  dipped 
(embapeae)  it.'  Now  our  readers  know,  (if 
Mr.  B.  does  not)  that  it  was,  and  still  is,  the 
custom  in  the  east,  to  use  the  fingers  instead 
of  knives  and  forks,  and  to  '  dip  the  morsel '  in 
a  common  dish,  placed  upon  a  table  or  rather 


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&  iloolf  not  ttbens fifteftii inchet high;  the  mM- 
%tr  dip*  firrt,  and  the  ^eitc  follow  his  exam- 
ple, each  penon  beiag  farsiibed  with  a  piece 
of  bread,  whieh  beinf  dipped  becomee  a  sop, 
and  they  then  eat  it,  wmch  we  presume  they 
eould  Dot  Terj  well  dc^  unleaa  they  raU^d  it 
after  dipping  or  haptiiing  it,  *  After  he  had 
dipped  (jtmhipmut)  the  sop,  he  gave  it  to  Ju- 
dae  laeariot.'  Hera  the  word  baptiee  meane 
dearly  to  dip  and  toraJee.  So  in  Luke.  Send 
hkmrvA  that  he  may  dip  (&apie)  the  tip  of  hifl 
finger.'  Did  the  rieh  man  mean  that  Lasaros 
having  dipped  orbaptiied  hie  finger  in  water 
waa  to  keep  it  there  ?  But  it  ie  a  waate  of 
time  to  reply  ai  length  toeueh  noneense  aa  this. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  page  on  which  these 
remarka  ooear,  (p.  19.)  Mr  B.  triumphantlv 
quotee  a  paenge  from  the  Uebrewe  xti;24, 
'  The  blood  of  aprmkUwg  (he  eaye)  not  the 
blood  of  dippmaf  Leaving  his  unlearned 
readers  to  infer  that  the  Greek  word  rendered 
in  thie  plaee '  sprinkling/  is  bapti9wum  ;  where- 
sifr  it  ie  rmmiifmom^  whieh  is  the  ueual  Greek 
word  for  sprinkling. 

So  again  in  9th  cnapter,  13th  Terse,  sprink- 
ling iramiigaum)  the  uaelean.  So  verse  19, 
*  sprinkied  (errmmtiBs)  the  book  and  all  the 
people.'  So  Terse  21,  *  sprinkle  (emm^Me) 
the  tabemaele.' 

▲nd  here  we  rearet  to  haTO  to  eomplain  of 
a  method  adopted  oy  Mr.  B.,  in  the  beginning 
of  man^  paiagraphs  of  his  book,  calculated, 
(intratwnally,  or  unintentionally,  we  cannot 
say)  to  r«H^«^  hia  unlearned  readers.  Page 
S3  affisrda  seTeral  iUustrationa  of  this,  they  are 
printed  thoas 

'JNllimg,'  (baptiaing).  <  They  were  aUjS^M 
with  the  fioly  Ghost.'  (Acts  it  4.) 

•  rmrfmmAmg '  (baptisiag)  <  ^mokiHmf '  pour- 
ing oil  on  the  head  like  aweet  perfume. 

We  placed  Mr.  a'a  book  in  the  handa  of  a 
penon  who  knew  nothing  9t  Greek  and  point- 
ing to  these  paragrapba,  aaked  him  what  idea 
they  eonveyed  to  hia  mind.  He  replied, '  that 
the  worda  tranaUted  JUlin^^  foerfmrning  and 
amomtimg:  were  in  the  original  baptiao.' 
That  ia  predaely  the  opinion  weahould  hare 
formed  omaalrea,  had  we  not  known  the  eon- 
tran- ;  by  plaeing  (baptiaing)  in  orocheta,  im- 
BMuately  after  toe  worda  JS^Um^p  and  per/aai- 
4mf  in  italica,  Kr.  B.  learea  hia  readera  to  in- 
isr  that  the  latter  ia  a  tranahition  of  the  for- 
mer. Aadagainat  this  unfiiimeaa  we  enter 
oar  atfoageat  pioteet.  To  remore  thia  im- 
prfmion  from  the  mind  of  any  of  our  readera, 
who  may  hare  been  mialed  by  it,  we  give  the 
teats  qnoted  by  MJr.  B.  and  add  the  origimal 

« They  vera  all]^M  (iplaaf  Aeaaa)  not  bap- 
tiaed)  with  the  Holy  Ghost*  AiTta  u.  4 ;  it. 
8.  (pfMMetf).  So  Terae  81 ;  ehapter  ix.  Terae 
17 :  ebwtcr  aiii.  Terae  9,  52. 

•  Be  not  iSUed^  (plertMWtte,  not  Uptizo)  with 
wise.*  Bph.  T.  18. 

•  She  brake  the  box,  and  9owred  {kmtahMm) 
itenhbhead.'  ynfal-awi  being  the  paat  par- 
tadpaloftheTerblMO,  topour.  (HarkziT.3.) 
To  mmoiaU  («grr*aat)  my  body,  fte. 

Bvtia  the  Septoagmt  (Greek)  version  of 
tha  Old  Teatament,  there  ia  one  pasaage  whidi 
aettlea  the  aueation  to  every  unprejudiced 
mimL    LeviUeoa  xiT.  16, 16,  ^  And  the  priest 


ahall  take  some  of  the  log  of  oil.  and  pour 
(KeOi)  it  into  the  palm  of  his  hand ;  and 
shall  di^  ijbapto)  hia  right  finger  in  the  oil 
that  is  in  his  left  han<(  and  ahall  tprinkU 
(raino)  of  the  oil.' 

farther  iUustrationa  would  be  useless ;  the 
Greeks  muat  Jcnow  their  own  language  better 
than  Mr.  B.  We  challenge  Mr.  B.  to  pro- 
duoe  any  other  word  from  the  Greek  Testa-^ 
ment,  to  expreaa  dipping  but  Baptieo. 

Mr.  B.  tnen  refera  to  the  Hebrew  tabal, 
which  is  rendered  into  the  Greek  by  baptiao, 
and  English  'dip.'  We  have  proved  that 
bapiigo  means  to  dip,  from  the  numeroua 
instances  we  have  given,  where  it  could  not 
possibly  mean  angfthin^  else;  and  therefore, 
we  content  ouraelvea  with  saving,  that  in  the 
case  of  Naamaa  who  went  down  and  dipped 
in  Jordan,  the  Hebrew  word  ia  UAal^  and 
this  is  rendered  in  the  Septuagint,  (Greek,) 
Ebaptieaio,  which  our  tranuators  have  rightly 
translated,  dipped. 

Mr.  B.  (as  we  have  said,)  contends,  that 
baptuio  means  to  *  sprinkle'  or  to  '  pour,'  and 
in  hia  preface  he  aaya,  '  Let  us  keep  close  to 
Bible  laudato  the  law  and  to  the  testimony ; 
all  the  while  we  keep  together,  we  will  keep 
if  possible,  in  the  sacred  Scripture  hind/ 
(p.  4.)  Well,  after  thia,  we  certainly  expected 
Mr.  B.  to  mean  what  he  aaid,  and  to  ad  mm 
it.  But  what  ia  the  fact  ?  That  Mr.  B.  doea 
not  give  one  text  from  the  Greek  Testament, 
to  ahow  that  5apMao,  uaed  in  connection  with 
the  administration  of  water  baptism,  ever 
means  to  pour  or  sprinkle,  or  anything  else 
but  to  immerse;  ail  his  attempts  to  prove 
that  haptiMo  has  any  other  meaning,  are 
drawn  from  profisne  writers,  from  whom, 
profeeeedl^f  he  seeka  no  support. 

The  fact  of  the  matter  is  thia :  whenever  the 
New  Teatament  writera  wiah  to  express  the 
action  of  eprinklinff,  they  use  the  word  rAa»- 
tieo,  Heb.  ix.  18,  19,  21.  When  they  wish  to 
express  pouriHg,  they  use  the  word  keo.  Acta 
ii.  17, 19 ;  John  x.  46 ;  Bev.  xvi.  1,  2,  8,  4,  8, 
10,  12,  17.  When  they  wish  to  express  dipping 
they  use  hapUzo,  And  we  challenge  Mr.  B.  to 
diaprove  theae  poations.  As  to  the  tpiritwal 
distortions  of  scripture  with  which  Mr.  B. 
fiUa  half  his  book,  tMued  as  they  are  upon  the 
grammatical  distortions  which  we  have  already 
exposed  and  answered,  we  need  waste  no  time 
on  them  ;  the  foundation  being  worthless,  the 
super-structure  falls  of  itself. 

In  ooooluding  our  second  notice  of  the  book 
we  give  the  following  authorities,  aoae  of 
ihem  haptitte,  in  support  of  baptism  by  immer- 
sion. 

Frofeuor  8iuaH»  *Bapto  and  Baptise, 
both  mean  to  dip,  plunge,  or  immerse.  Ail  lex- 
icographers and  cntics  of  any  note,  are  agreed 
in  thu.'  (Biblical  Bepoeitory,  April  1838, 
p.  298).  The  Profeaaor  than  quotea  pasaages 
from  Homer,  Pindar,  JUrietctle,  Xenopkon, 
Plwtareh,  lAusiam,  Strahc,  Herttelidee,  Plato, 
Herodote,  JBpieUtue  and  Joeephau;  all  of 
whom  use  the  words  to enreaa  immersion;  he 
confesses  that  As  eawnat  find  one  eaee  in  any 
elaeeie  Greek  writer,  in  the  Septuagint,  Apo- 
crypha, or  New  Testament,  where  they 
mean  any  thing  inconsistent  with  immersion. 


l«4 


TUB   BABTHXM   YBSSBL. 


[Jvly  1,  18M. 


College,  Aberdeen.  The  word  Bo^teo.  both 
in  ucred  authors  and  in  oUiiieal,  signifies  to 
*  dip,' '  nlunge/  '  immerse.'  And  he  adds  a  re- 
mark which  we  would  specially  recommend  to 
Mr.  B*s  notice.  He  says,  *  It  is  to  be  re- 
*»  gretted  that  good  and  learned  men  allow  their 
Judgments  to  be  warped  bythe  euMtomt  of  ike 
Met  which  they  prefer.  The  trus  partisan, 
of  whatever  denomination,  always  inelines  to 
correct  the  dieUunqfths  Smritt  by  that  of  the 
party  or  sect  (Ed«of  the  Four  Gospels.  Note 
on  liatt.  3  oh.  2  Y.  voL  4.  p.  24) 

Dn.  Campbell^  MaehtUght  and  Doddridge, 
in  their  translation  of  the  New  Testament, 
they  uniTcrsally  tianslate  hapiizo,  by  the 
Engli^  immtree, 

CaMn,  *  The  very  word  baptise,  signifies 
toiaMMTse,  and  it  is  csrtoM  that  immenion 
was  the  practice  of  the  ancient  church  (L.  4. 
0.15.) 

:Profe9$or  CampheU,  (an  American  Infant 
Sprinkler)  '  I  have  heard  a  disputant,  (listen 
Mr.  Baxter)  in  defiance  of  etymology,  and  use, 
maintain  that  the  word  renaered  m  the  New 
Testament  baptise,  means  more  properly  to 
sprinkle  than  to  plunge ;  and  in  defianee  of  all 
auikorits^  maintain  that  the  former  was  the 
earliest  and  most  general  piaotice  in  baptism. 
One  who  argues  in  this  manner  nerer  fails, 
wiUi  persons  of  knowledge  to  betray  the  cause 
he  would  defend  :  and  uiough,  with  respect 
to  the  vulgar,  hold  assertion  genemly 
succeeds  as  well  as  argument,  yet  a  candid 
mind  will  always  disdain  to  take  the  help  of 
falsehood,  even  in  the  cause  of  truth,  (Leo- 
tures  on  Pulpit  Eloquence.    Lect.  10.  p.  304. 

Dr.  WaU,  a  learned  Inftmt  Sprinkler,  in 
his  defence  of  that  rite,  sa^rs,  '  Immersion  is 
so  clear  and  plain  by  an  infinite  number  of 
passages,  that  one  cannot  but  pity  the  weak 
mtdeaoonrs  of  sneh  fpado-baptists  as  wmld 
maintain  the  nsgatioe  of  it ;  for  certain^  it 
was  the  ordinary  way  by  which  the  andent 
Christians  did  receive  their  baptism.' 

Luthsr,  after  speaking  of  baptism  as  a  sym- 
bol of  death  and  resurrection,  says  '*  on  this 
account  I  could  wish  that  such  as  were  to  be 
baptised  could  be  completely  tmaMrsei,  accord- 
ing to  the  meaning  of  the  noord,  and  the  signi- 
cation  of  the  ordinance,  so  as  it  was  instituted 
by  Christ."    (Works,  vol  2.  p.  70.  Sd.  1661.) 

Cardinal  Wissman, — '  We  retain  the  name 
of  baptism,  which  means  immsrsion,  though 
the  rite  is  no  longer  performed  by  it.'  (Lec- 
tures on  the  Doctrines  and  Praotioes  of  the 
Bomish  Church.) 

Serman  Witsins,  U  Dutch  Professor.)  — 
*  It  is  certain  that  John,  and  the  disciples  of 
Christ  ordinarily  used  dipping,  as  Yossius 
and  Hoombeek  have  shewn,  f^m  numer- 
ous testimonies.'  (Witsiua  on  the  Cove- 
nants.   Lee.  4,  ch.  16.) 

Bresmsr,  (a  Romanist,)  as  (quoted  by  Pro- 
fessor Btuwt,  says,  *  For  thurteen-hundred 
years.  Baptism  was  ordinarily  performed  by 
immersion,  and  only  on  extraordinary  ocea- 
sions,  was  pouring,  or  sprinkling  permitted, 
and  these  tatter  modes  were  always  ealled  in 
question,  and evenprohibited.'  (Stuart p.  361.) 
Zanehius,  —  *  The   proper  Signification  of 

-p^tiso,  is  to  immerse.' 

(Bomamst)^' Baptiao,   signifies 


to  plunge,  as  is  granted  by  the  whole  world/ 
Sosays  B«ra,  VUringa,  and  numerous  others. 

The  Greek  Chnreh,  in  Bussia,  and  the 
East,  has  performed  baptism  by  immersion, 
from  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  up  to  the  pro* 
sent  time. 

The  Chnrch  of  Bngland  baptised  by  im* 
mersbn,  up  till  within  the  last  three-hundred 
years,  and  ought  to  do  so  now,  according  to 
her  Prayer  Book,  for  in  her  Service  for  the 
Baptism  of  Infants,  we  read,  '  and  the  Priest 
when  he  dipe  the  child,'  &o. 

To  these  testimonies  might  be  added  those 
of  John  Wesleg,  Dr,  Adam  Clarke,  and 
the  late  Dr.  Chalmers,  and  countless  otben. 

The  Jlrst  case  of  sprinkling^  is  recorded  by 
JSusebius,  (Eodes.  Hist  L.  6  ch.  48  )  he  saya— 
*Novatian,  a  Presbyter  of  the  Church  of 
Bome.  being  likely  to  die,  was  sprinkled  over 
in  bed,  if  that  might  be  termed  baptism:  Bat 
Novatian  recovered,  and  became  a  candidate 
for  the  Bishopric  of  Borne.  Cornelius,  a  rival 
candidate,  wrote  to  Fabius.  Bishop  of  Antiocb, 
describing  the  case  of  Novatian,  and  says, 
'that  all  the  clergy  and  many  of  the  laity 
were  against  his  oeing  chosen  Bishop,  be- 
cause it  was  not  lawful  for  him  having  been 
ponred  over  in  his  bed,  to  be  admitted  to 
any  clerical  office.'  It  appears  from  this  faet, 
that  at  the  year  of  our  l^rd,  260,  sprinkling 
was  an  innovation.  Cyprian,  who  lived  in 
the  same  age,  in  reply  to  one  Magnus,  who 
asked  if  thev  oould  be  esteemed  Christians, 
who  had  only  oeen  sprinkled,  repliea, '  that  sodi 
baptism  was  to  be  esteemed  good,  if  necessity 
compelled  it.'  From  this  time,  sprinkling 
was  occasionally  permitted,  espedally  if  per- 
sons were  near  death.  It  now  came  to  ba 
generally  believed,  that  baptism  was  essential 
to  salvation :  thus  the  first  general  departure 
from  the  scriptural  mode  of  administering  thia 
ordinance  was  accompanied  by  a  falling  awajr 
from  the  truth  and  spirit  of  the  fl^oapeL  About 
this  period,  new  and  fantastic  oeremoniea 
were  joined  with  the  celebration  of  baptiam. 
The  evil  spirit  was  solemnly  exorcised  out  of 
the  candidate,  by  the  vehement  shouts  and 
declamations  of  the  priest— the  oonverta  were 
adorned  with  crowns  and  white  robes,  and 
returned  home  with  the  sound  of  music,  See, 

With  one  other  remark,  we  olcse  thia 
article.  Mr.  B.  after  labouring  to  prove  that 
baptise  means  to  sprinkle,  teUs  us  in  p.  34^ 
that  the  sols  meaning  of  baptiso,  is  to  dsdi^ 
cats,  cotffirm,  or  establish,  while  at  p.  126, 
he  says,  it  describes  no  act  at  aU,  but  merely 
the  effset  of  an  action,  which  is  not  dete^ 
mined  by  the  word  I  It  is  vecy  clear  that  the 
word  baptiso,  in  Mr.  B*8.  hands,  means  any- 
thing that  Mr.  B.  wishes.  The  following 
texts  will  shew  how  the  word  baptiso,  trana- 
kted  to  dsdieaU,  confirm,  sstablishj  would 
read :  '  He  to  whom  I  shall  give  a  sop,  when 
I  have  dsdieatsd  it :  and  when  he  had  com- 
firwwd  it,  he  gave  it  to  Judas  Iscariot'  John 
xiiL  S6.  The  word  in  both  cases  is  baptise. 
Again,  '  Send  Lasarus  that  be  may  sataHisk 
the  tip  (baptise)  of  his  finger,'  Luke  zvi.  24. 
'  And  he  wore  a  vesture  oonjifmsd  (baptised) 
in  blood.'  Bev.  xix.  18.  *  Here  is  wat«T 
what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  establishsd  1  Acta 
viiLSfi.  ^  I 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


i«l7  I.  MW.] 


THI   BAETHXN   ▼■IIBII.. 


185 


LETTERS    EROM    THE    LINE. 

▲PDKltSID  TO  OUft  VRIUSB  IV  TSB  COLOVIBt,  AlTD  ACROn  THI  8SA8. 


Baitkbv  Couvttbs  Statxov, 
BatonUy,  May  88. 1859. 
DsAm  Bbothbs  McCubi,  of  Geelong; 
kntlim  Allen,  Ward,  Hooper,  and  all  kind 
liriaBda  in  Ohrisi— 1  hare  this  efening  loeated 
Bjaelf  in  a  eomer  of  an  Eastern  Counties— 
tba  vhtatle  has  annpunoed  onr  departure  — 


is  np'-''the  Express*'  is  off— and 
nov  my  pnym  u  that  the  Lord  mmj  hold  me 
in  safeiT  nntil  Isee  the  aneient  city  of  Nonrioh 
where,  if  all  be  well,  I  hope  to-morroir  to  stand 
in  brother  John  Corbitt's  palpit  three  times, 
aetirerinf  any  nessafs  the  Lord  may,  in 
y,  cive  unto  nie»  Last  Monday  the 
arersary  olold  Prondenoe,  in  Ohelsea,  was 
_  len.  Mr.  Odling,  of  Chqpham,  presided, 
and  eshibitod  an  ezeellent  spirit;  Mr.  Hall, 
istor  of  Gamer,  gare  ns  a  noble  speeeh 
1  Oospri  minister :  it  was  original,  mter- 
g,  and  worthy  of  extensire  publication, 
has  now  four  settled  pastors,  lonnd 


the  pastor  < 
MtheOosi 


tn  the  faith,  and  nseftil  assong^their  people. 
Mr.  PWisferd,  Mr.  Bolaad,  Mr.  Bird,  and  Mr. 
HalL  The  good  people  at  Cranmer  Court,  with 
brother  Bird,  are  building  a  new  ohapel ;  I 


trast  it  may  be  the  birth«|^aoe  of  man^f  souU. 
Tnesda; 


■esday  I  was  at  Upper  Basildon,  in 

We  bad  a  lai^e  oompany ;  they  also 

want  to  bold  a  new  chapel ;  their  old  one  is 
too  saall;  brother  Smith,  of  Oxfnrd,  shared 
the  work  with  me.  He  is  an  excellent  brother : 
and  is  becoming  quite  an  '  annirersary  man.^ 
How  fftf^gwlai'  u  his  position!  His  earthly 
eaUiiig  requires  htm  to  sweep  the  black  dust 
away  from  the  Oxford  Uniyersity ;  of  which,  1 
expect  be  findi  an  immense  quantity,  especially 
in  these  Trsetarian  times.  1  heartily  wish  he 
the  UniToreity  clean  of  all  its 


Pnseritish  and  semi-popish  oust  and  rubbish ; 
bat  I  fear  it  is  too  deep-rooted  for  him.  Some 
of  yoo  hare  heard  of  our  aged  brother  Shepherd, 
of  Aabampatead,  near  Basildon ;  he  has  been 
in  deep  oonl  trouble  few  years ;  but  the  Lord 
has  smiled  npon  him.  Ue  now  rejoices  in 
Chriai.  I  reached  home  from  Basildon,  late 
00  Tamday  night ;  and  on  Wednesday  mominr 
went  to  Orpington,   where   brother  Wyard 


I  in  the  morning  a  comfortable  sermon 
en  Csith;  in  the  aftemooo,  Paul's  words-- 
'  even  so  bath  the  Lord  ordained,  that  they  who 
preach  the  gospel  should  lire  of  the  gospel,'— 
wae  my  text ;  and  in  the  erening,  I  was  helped 
to  speak  from  Psalm  xxr.  *  Ml  the  paths  of 
the  Iford  are  mercy  and  truth  to  such  as  keep 
hk  eoveoant,  and  his  testimonies.'  1  felt  my 
own  soul  comforted  while  speaking~(l,)  of 
the  Pisth  of  Parental  Discipline ;  the  heavenly 
taitioii  of  Ood's  regenerated  children,  as  it  is 
written, '  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  be  chasteaeth. 
awl  eeonrgeih  erery  son  whom  he  receireth  / 
(9.)  the  pathway  of  Gospel  training,  of  unfold* 
Mg  to  the  sanctified  eye  of  faith  the  great  and 
gmnons  mysteries  of  the  Kew  Corinant. '  I 


well  remember  how  silently,  how  sweetly,  how 
certainly,  the  beautiful  plan  of  salvation  was 
opened  up  in  my  soul,  and  how  fast  by  the 
truths  then  revealed,  I  hare  been  helped  to 
abide;  I  hare  deeply  and  daily  proved  that 
many  waters  cannot  quench  my  love  to  them, 
nettber  can  the  floods  drown  it^although  my 
love  to  the  truth  is  not  half  so  hot  as  1  could 
desire '  it  should  be.  Then  (3,  J  there  is  the 
Pathway  of  Bereavements— of  Providential 
Direction— of  Usefulness  in  Zion^and  of 
Meetness  for  Glory ;  all  these  are  in  mercy  :-* 
and  through  them  prophecies  are  accomplished, 
promises  are  realised.  I  left  Orpington  with 
a  large  number  of  friends,  and  the  next  day, 
attended  a  public  meeting  on  behalf  of  Poor 
Baptist  Churches  in  the  Country.  Brother 
John  Pells  preached  the  sermon;  tea  was  pro- 
vided ;  at  the  evening  meeting  I  was  called  to 
£  reside ;  the  brethren  Bird,  Bayment,  Kevan, 
[eys;  Seacock,  Webb,  New,  and  others  plead- 
ed. The  Society's  hopes  of  usefulness  are  not 
without  encouragement  Yesterday  and  to- 
day, 1  hare  been  driving  the  pen,  and  proof- 
reading—completing June  YBSBBL—up  to  thb 

last  moment  nearly and  now  our  engine  is 

broken  down;  ana  when  I  shall  reach  Nor. 
wich  I  know  not— but  I  hope  the  strength  of 
the  Lord  will  be  on  my  side.  [This  accident 
of  engine-breaking  occurred  at  a  place  oUIed 
*  Burnt  Mill,'  we  were  all  a  little  frightened  : 
but  the  Lord  was  our  helper,  and  carried  us 
safely  through.] 

That  ffood,  old-fashioned  scripture  came  to 
my  mind  to-day  before  1  kft— *  We  know  that 
all  thinffs  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  G<^,  and  who  are  the  called  according  to 
his  purpose.'  My  mind  went  to  the  bottom 
of  the  text  first— I  thourht  within  myself:  1, 
the  eternal  purposes  or  a  Holy  God  in  the 
covenant  of  grace,  is  the  secret  womb  from 
whence  every  •  saving  mercy  flows,  and  by 
whieh  the  salvation  of  the  whole  election  of 
grace  is  secured.  2,  Here  is  an  answer  to 
that  question  whieh  thousands  do  so  anxiously 
Ask  at  the  mercy-seat,  and  under  a  gospel 
ministry,  *Lord,  how  may  I  be  assured  1  am 
chosen  to  life  eternal?* — An  effectual  call— a 
mcious  bringing  of  the  sinner  from  Egypt's 
dark  iron  furnace  into  gospel  knowledge,  mto 
spiritual  light,  and  into  fellowship  with  the 
saints ;  this  eall  proves  our  election—*  Know- 
ing, brethren  beloved,  your  election  of  God.' 
3,  But  seeing  that  there  is  an  outward  call  to 
a  nominal  profession  merely,  and  an  effectual 
call  into  the  blessed  kingdom  of  Christ— see- 
ing so  many  are  ealled,  and  comparatively  so 
few  chosen,— how  may  I  oeme  to  the  happy 
conclusion,  that  my  call  is  indeed  of  God  unto 
eternal  glory  P  This  text  declares  that  reel, 
heart-felt  love  to  God  proves  three  things :. ), 
onr  election  in  the  covenant ;  2,  our  voM^on 
in  the  gospel ;  3,  our'glorification  in  the  better 


l«6 


THB   KAKTHUi   TSMBI.. 


U«lrU  Ult. 


kingdom.    And>  ImUj,  theM  parta  of  truth 
welloonndcrtd,  wiU  most  eimmj  domonttrBte 


th^  fMt  ^Mkred.  *sll  thionwork  UigHk4r 
TOR  GOOD  to  them  that  tove  God.'  The 
elimax  of  all  good  ia  to  be  om  teitk  CJkrittj  in 
the  goepel  and  in  glory,  aeeing  that  the  people 
of  God  are  predestinated  unto  life  eternal— 
aeeing  Christ  hath  redeemed  them  from  all 
evil,  and  promised  them  that  the/  shall  never 
perish—it  is  quite  certain  that  for  them  *  all 
tkimffti*  must  struggle,  agonize,  cooperate,  and 
lead  on  to  the  conveyanoe  of  their  ransomed 
spirits  into  the  blessed  paradise  of  God.  It 
must  be  so,  because  the  covenant  of  grace  is 
ordered  in  all  things  and  sure.  It  must  be 
■0,  because  Christ  and  his  people  are  om;  and 
he  said,  '  I  will  come  again  and  receive  you 
unto  myself.*  It  must  be  so,  because  the  Spirit 
who  qmckens  their  souls  into  life,  and  reveals 
Christ  unto  them,  is  promised  to  abide  wiUi 
ihem  for  ever. 

[It  is  getting  towards  night,  we  are 
now  runnin*  from  Cambridge  to  Jxorwieh.  I 
hope  to  add;  a  few  lines  to  this  on  Tuesday, 
if  the  Lord  permit  me  to  return.] 

ViOTOBXA   BtATIOV,    WoBWIOH, 

Tuesday  morning.  May  81,  1869. 
It  is  six  o'clock— Brother  Corbitt  has  just  j 
bid  me  farewell ;  and  now  I  am  once  more : 
seeking  to  be  safely  conve^'ed  to  London,  with  j 
m  desire  to  speak  for  my  Lord  and  Master  this 
evening  in  Unicom  Yard  Chapel ;  and  to  sail  | 
to-morrow  morning  towards  Newiok,in  Sussex,  i 
It  was  late  on  Saturday  night  before  our  train  ' 
reaehed  If  orwich ;  there  brother  Corhitt's  ex- 1 
flellent  desAon,  Mr.  Barber,  met  me:    took' 
me  to  his  beautiful  Villa  in  the  Thorpe  Hamlet, 
and  both  him  and  his  lady  treated  me  with 
the  utmost  kindness;  for  which  may  God' 
Almighty  bless  them  both  in  this  life,  and  in 
that  which  is  to  oome.    The  cause  on  Orford 
Hill,  in  the  ancient  City  of  Norwich,  haa  most 
amaringly  increased  under  Mr.  Corbitt's  min- 
istry— the   chapel  has  been  enlarged    and 
paid  Ibr— the  church  has  been  eonsiderably 
ucraaeed,  and  the  congregation  is  multiplied 
4o  the  crowding  of  that  (now)  commodious 
jdaoe  from  one  end  to  the  other.    If  there  is 
«ny  position  on  this  earth  in  which  a  man 
can  possiUy  be  happ)^,  John  Coibitt  enjoys  it : 
in  a  spiritual,  in  a  ministerial,  in  a  domestic, 
and  in  ft  preapective  sense,  he  is  filled  and 
snrrounded  with  every  comfort,  and  the  Lord 
«ften  grants  him  his  henrt's  desire,  a  thankful 
Jieart,  a  tongue  to  hless  Jehovah's  name,  and 
n  Ufe  of  earnest  useftilness  in  the  Gospel  field. 
He  has  latel^made  a  tour  through  several  oonn- 
ties,  preaching  and  enjoying  peace  through 
Jesus  Christ.    Next  spnng,  n  raared,  he  con- 
templates crossing  the  Atlantic  for  a    few 
mondis.    I  have  no  doubt  but  the  Lord  will 
booour  him  in  America ;  the  British  settlers 
there  will  bo  glad  to  see  him— the  truth-loving 
Yankees  will  rejoioe  to  hear  his  original  and 
powerful  miniatration  of  the  Gospel ;  and  I 
nave  no  doubt  but  that  they  will  arrange  for 
4iim,  so  that  a  multitude  of  doors  will  be  open 
4o  him,  when  it  shall  please  the  Lord  to  carry 
•him  thither.    The  venerable  and  greatly  be- 
lieved John  Gowen  still  preaches  in  Norwich. 


The  Lord  iqiholds  him;  and  before  many 
years  his  happy  spirit  will  spffsad  her  winga, 
and  fly  to  that  bright  wnrid  where  deeaytog 
nature,  a  dying  world,  changing  scenes  will  no 
more  distress  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord.  I  do 
not  believe  there  ib  mush  Goepel  in  Norwich 
beside  the  ministration  of  the  two  John*a — 
Gowen,  and  Corbitt.  Mr.  Kempster  has  been 
many  years  at  the  Tabernacle ;  he  has  preach- 
ed the  Gospel  as  soundly  aa  the  best  of  the 
Countess  of  Huntin^on's  ministers  do ;  bat 
even  Mr.  Kempster  is  diseoutaged ;  and  pnr- 
poses  to  resign  bis  pastorate  mere.  For  an 
old  Cathedral  city,  nowever.  Norwich  has  a 
large  number  who  love  and  live  tki  GoaPBb 
or  Chbmt;  and  I  hope  thernambsrwill  bo 
multiplied,  and  incrassed  aa  time  rolls 
on.  1  will  say  one  word  about  Yamonth, 
and  then  dose  thbnote.  Yesterday  noming, 
my  dear  brother  in  Christ,  James  Linooln-^ 
(an  extensive  Boot  Maaufoeturar  in  Norwich) 
took  me  to  Yarmouth  ;^it  is  a  pratty  ran 
beside  the  river  from  Norwich  to  YansootlL) 
We  first  found  Balmm  CAafMl— and  then  wa 
found  Providence  Flaoe,— where  the  fialnm 
pastor,  brother  Tann,  rssides.  We  spent  an 
nour  or  two  happily  together.  I  was  glad  to 
find  that  my  brother  Tann^s  prospeeU  in  tba 
ministrv  ne  much  more  cheering.  Yanaontk 
is  an  uiterestiDg  watering  alaee.  Manvof 
the  Lord's  peopto  will,  no  doubt,  drink  a 
little  sea  air  Aere  this  Summer.  I  hope  tbev 
will  find  Salem  chapel— (it  ia  a  little  ana,) 
and  there  may  the  Lord  make  hiahep  Utann  n 
living  mouth  to  many.  C.  W.  B. 

I  Moeived  the  foUowUig  fimn  Norwich  ainen 
Heft: 

OBFOBB  WTTiL,  NORWICH.— Ma.  BaiToa, 
—Tea  will  rejoioe  to  hear  (when  you  eensUer  diat 
we  were  disappotated  of  your  prssan  seat  our  aaat- 
veriary  teameetfaig,  which  took  plaee  on  the  even- 
ing of  If  ay  Slst,)  that  the  Lord  so  over-^nled  it  that 
all  oar  fneods  were  of  o»e  heart  and  one  mir  ^  ~~  ^ 
ezpreeeed  their  graUtode  to  Ood  for  the 
manner  of  displayiiifr  hia  kindness  and  merey 
them.  Yoorex«ei)ent,aoaUtlrrlag,diseoan 
the  8eaday,  aad  Monday  eveuiaa,  made  a  ..  . 
imprsislon  oa  many  who  heard  them.  May  tba 
Lord  follow  yon  with  his  bksslng  wherever  yon 
may  be  oallcd  upon  to  speak.  Our  respected  mtai. 
later,  Ur  John  Corbett,  returned  to  as  after  a  vteH 
of  three  weeks  in  Osmbridgesbife,  HuntAagdonBhtin 
Bodfordshixtt,  and  London,  maeh  refreshod  and 
impsoved  in  health;  aad  met  his  ehnrah  aad  eon- 
grenaUon,  who  weleomsd  his  return  wUh  glsdncaa 
of  heart.  After  tea.  of  which  more  than  150  par- 
took bountlfolly,  Mr  George  Barber,  one  of  enr 

deseons,  was  called  to  the  chair.    Mr.  /    ' 

BalUS,  a  lay  friend,    


and  aifootkmate  prayer ;  and  a  few  verasa  bctaig 
snag,  Mr.  Barber  aaade  a  fsw  rcmarlLa  on  tha 
inereased  prosperity  of  the  ehoroh,  which  he  said 
was  too  manifest  to  require  any  detailed  sutcBiaiift 
fVom  him.  Since  we  met  last  year  the  Lotd  has 
been  at  work,  calling  flrat  one  aad  then  another  to 
eoase  ameagst  us  and  to  dcdaie  what  he  has  dona 
for  Iheir  ooids.  Alter  a  lew  /ndUbla  remariu,  Mr. 
Corbitt  gave  us  a  good  panoiamio  view  of  what  ha 
had  seen  in  his  Journey,  the  abundant  erops  ttt 
eom,  fto.,  fto.,  and  then  most  sweetly  showed  bow 
the  Lord  had  blessed  him  in  meeting  wKhMa 


f  I  lends,  some  of  whoai  gave  him  i 
testineBiaiof  Gotf s  fhithfolaessaad  honour,  i  _ 
talaedla  seme  of  the  first  aeals  of  hia  ministry,  aX 
Cotte«W»  Oamliaf bay,  Foiton.  and  Bigglii«a«a. 
^r:er  this^  Mr.  Oowing,  of  rroridence  fXSpiA,  gaiPw 


Digitized  by 


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THE   BAmTHIH  T£8SVL« 


Itl 


•B««  Modwd  hiofw  pliMttt  ilMHir  bietkmi 
todveutogatherinaiutjr  For  order,  orthodojcy. 


1  place,  BothlDg  eould  lutTO  been  better  tloK 
» fonadatloii  stnmf  m  the  Ahnlghty,  the  expefi- 
»  deep  end  MerehlDffud  the  preetiee  Jaet  wMe 
■fb  to  ewboMe  all  the  deet.  After  this  Mr, 
Abb,  «r  TennoDth,  eddreeeed  the  meeting  eoB- 
gntaUUnj  on  the  odnieler'e  mernlaeee,  the 
ehareh'i  heppliicas»  the  eonstent  iDcreue  and  the 
preratling  onion.  Mr  Dlott,  a  lay  friend,  then 
gave  na  an  eloqiient  pieee  of  oratory,  muoh  abovo 
tha  nmmtm  Mylaof  Bpeaking,  Ibonded  on  the 
aBallaeae  of  hamaa  knowledge,  shewing  that  Ihe 
higheel  aar  man  eaa  attain  In  this  world  waa  hnt  a 
gl1r*|-^  of  a  Tanishiag  eometbing.  If  the  wieeet 
of  men  attempt  to  get  a  right  riew  of  themMlree 

S>  tlie  light  of  revelation,  they  get  only  a  giimpce 
thdr  Ineompreheaelble  oelf,  the  phUo«>pher  with 
an  hie  vceearehea  into  natnre  is  Jaat  the  same,  he 
goto  only  a  gUmpsa  of  the  ineompreheasihle  worlu 
of  an  iBoomprehenaible  Ood  that  is  to  Jndge  ns  at 
'  the  laat.  Benee  he  Inferred  how  bumble,  thankfal, 
and  watehfttl,  we  ought  to  be,  seeing  our  oompre- 
henaloA  is  so  small  that  nothing  more  than  a 
^impae  ean  be  aUained  in  this  UCs.  Mr.  SeoCt,  an 
aged  misister,  from  Priory  Taid,  said  be  rsmem- 
harad  the  first  opening  of  Qrford  Hill  Chapel,  and 
nosarked  how  altered  was  the  scene  and  bow  few 
Ihara  he  eoold  reoognise  that  were  here  then,  and 
coBclwdcd  his  address  with  a  few  eongiatulatory 
nsaarlca.  Mr.  Philip  Broee,  deacon  of  Providenee 
Chapel,  eonelnded  in  prayer,  and  the  eoagregation 
hroka  «p  a  Uttto  balhce  tan  e*elock,  baying  enjoyed 
ene  of  the  happiest  meetinn  or  the  kind  ever 
wiCneased.  Many  thanks  are  due  to  the  two  deaooos 
who  provided  for  the  ooeaslon  and  to  the  friends 
who  prMsred  and  serred  tacm  up,  for  surely  nerer 
were  things  done  more  decently  and  in  oraer  for 
whlsh  we  thank  Ood  and  Uke  courage. 

Oaa  WHO  i^vjuTBD  thb  marXMO, 

THE  SUFFOLK  ASSOCIATION. 

AMMVAJL  OATHSKIVe. 

PxAK  Brotbvr  Banks.— I  embrace  the 
preeeat  opportanity  of  eezidiiig  you  an  acooont 
of  ib4B  aDDoal  moetinn  of  toe  SuiFoUc  and 
Korfdlk  Aaaoriatiwi,  bald  at  Fresiingfield, 
SaffsDt,  ca  TumUj  and  Wedneoday Jhe  7th 
nod  8th  dnys  of  Jne,  18fi9.  On  Tusiday 
■Bonung  at  half  past  10,  the  serncaa  com- 
BMBced  by  singtng  an  appzopriate  hymn,  than 
JCr.  Lenger,  mamMr  at  trmndiabargh,  preeon- 
tad  sadMUi  prayer  to  God,  which  I  thought 
MiMit  jifoee  tnuy  refreshing  to  the  aoul  of 
•very  wnasel  of  mercy  present.  Mr.  Bird,  of 
BaftUMden,  being  moderator,  gave  a  very  a^- 
propcinte  opening  address,  and  read  thd  arti- 
eiei  vhich  eompriaea  all  the  fundamantal 
■vinciplaa  of  our  moot  holy  religiion.  The 
Htlem  from  the  &▼•  and  twenty  obTtrches 
were  read  in  due  order,  acme  of  which  were 
and  encouraging;  others  la- 

nting  tha  low  state  of  some  of  the  hills  of 
flo^eral  pastors  haro  been  remored  by 
Frowidenee,  and  eevemi  T«iy  exoeUent  denoone 
by  th«  hand  of  death.  Manifbld  were  the 
feninrea  of  the  letters  read,  two  of  the  most 
pfWBiastnt  I  will  fpve  you,  Tia. 

The  eheedrfui  letters  recognised  the  agency 
at  ihB  Holy  Spirit  as  the  efficient  cause  of 
naoeaa ;  and  tfte  defp|onding  letters  rceogni- 
»d  the  neeeanty  of  it,  without  which  tlie 
ehni«hca  would  vealiio  no  real  And  sulMtantial 
levivaL    One  oi  tha  diorohes  h|iTC  eommen< 


Isis.tnmble,  and  no  dff«ae#;  (whit  n  aapltml 
tiio.)  On  Sttndi^  Morning  3wa»  6th,  Mr. 
Collms  of  Oroadisburgh,  preadied  the  won! 
of  eternal  life  to  9,600  people,  after  which, 
he  beptiaed  efosen  bdiersn  in  the  name  of 
the  erer  adorable  trinity. 

To  the  Trinity  in  Unity  be  all  the  pmiat. 
The  Tenerable  pastor  (Mr.  Totman)  at  Lax- 
field,  has  resigned  his  offlee,  in  oonsemienoe  ef 
infirmity  and  old  age.  In  enawer  to-  tbe  many 
prayers  of  the  ehoreh,  the  Loni  has  sent  them 
e  minister,  Mr.  Bobert  Bears,  Jun.,  r21  years 
of  age)  member  at  Mar.  Foronan's,  London, 
(his -father  ia  en  honourable  deacon  sit  Mount 


^on).  Tfaaa  Tonng  servant  of  Jesus' Christ  is 
nreaehing  I  belicTe  to  congregations  ▼anring 
from  80O,  to  1100  people;  and  with  evident 


M»  system  of  weekly  oAsringe  de- 
rlsriaig  the  reenlt  to  be  three-fold  more  money, 


tokens  of  the  divine  presenee  and  blcssiug. 
I  pray  God  may  raise  up  many  more- such, 
and  that  he  may  oless  every  cdunty  with  pure 
gospel  truth,  even  as  Simolk.  My  nAiive 
oounty  (Suilblk)  is  blest  indeed,  and  f  rejoice, 
and  defy  contradiction.  Most  of  the  churches 
are  blest  with  a  Sabbath  School,  some  of  them 
in  a  very  flourishing  condition. 

During  the  past  year,  several  teachers  and 
diildren  have  been  added  to  the  church ;  there 
are  214  children  in  the  Sunday  School,  at 
I^azfield,  (this  is  a  highly  favoured  spot,  on 
Thursday  eveninff,  June  9th,  1  heard  nrothor 
BloomfiAd  preaoi  a  soul-stirring  sermon  in 
the  chapel  to  (I  should  think,)  not  less  than 
600  people.) 

A  new  chapel  is  to  be  opened  at  Earl  So- 
ham,  on  Wedneaday  July  6lh,  Mr.  Boe,  is 
preaching  hese  with  evident  tokens  of  Pivine 
success.  The  cause  at  Freosiogfiekl  is  prot- 
periog  under  the  pastosato  ef  Mr.  A.  BftmOf 
Uto  of  Norwich.  Great  credit  is  due  to  ew 
brother  Brown,  and  his  ezeellent  mte,  hg 
their  strenuous  exertions  to  edd  to  theeomfofft 
and  happiness  of  the  friends  genenmy  on  this 


AiUmoon,  Mr.  Vdaecomhe,  of  Lendoq, 
read  the  hymns ;  Mr.  Themley,  of  Steermav- 
ket,  read  a  portion  of  Scripture  and  snjaged 
in  prayer ;  after  which,  Mr.  Jsaae,  of  Brighten 
gave  us  an  eloquent  discoorae  ftom  John  xc« 
11th  and  12th  veises.  Evening,  Mr.  Seas^ 
of  LaxAeld,  read  the  hymns  s  Mr.  Pelisy  of 
London,  nmd  and  engaged  in  pimyer.  Mr. 
Bloomfield  preached  a  soul-atirripg  «ad  heart 
eomlbrting  semson,  from  Hebrews  vi.  20^ 
<  The  multitude  heard  the  word  g^ly/  H»Tp 
ing  some  milee  to  tievel,  I  eould  not  bejpra^ 
sent  at  the  morning  prayerrmeetinga  on  Wed* 
nesdav,  but  was  mformed  thejF  were  weU 
attended,  a  great  number  of  ministeas,  end 
laymen  engaged  in  solemn  heartCslt  pm>er, 
I  oelieve  eur  prayer-meetinspsirBiHaally  v«ak| 
be  more  wmtstble.  and  better  ettended«  ii 
instead  of  two  or  three,  some  five  or  sU  bre« 
thren  ensaged,  and  that  within  the  yaae 
space  of  time. 

When  at  a  throne  of  grace,  we  shoal^^pn^ 
and  not  preach.  *A  word  to  the  wise  is 
enough.'  At  half-pea^  10  o'elofk  the  spadoua 
tent  waa  crowded  to  excess,  and  hupdr^ 
were  etanding  outside^-it  was  thought  there 
oould  not  be  less  than  9^600  persons  present. 
On  whadi  oceariop,  a  very  solepin  and  appro* 
priate  sermon  was  preached  by  that  honoured 


168 


THB  KARTUBK   TESSVL. 


(July  1,  IBM. 


Ittnd  Tai«rabl6  Mrraai  of  Jems  OhrifL  Mr. 
Qeorge  Wright,  of  BoccIm,  from  InUh  liv. 
port  of  lit  TorM»  *  Sing  0  borran !' 

In  the  afternoon  o  Torr  ■olemn,  thongfatfnl, 
and  faithfal  disoourte,  from  Romanii  Tiii.  32, 
WEB  delirered  bj  that  faithful  minister  of  the 
gospel,  Mr.  John  Oooper,  of  Wattiaham,  at  the 
close  of  which  Mr.  Bird,  offered  a  few  remarks 
'  and  Mr.  Oollint,  of  Onindisbargfa,  delivered 
a yerr animatingaddreas, inwhioh  he  stated 
the  churohes  at  ttoxne,  GHemsford,  and  Clare, 
had  become  united  with  the  Association,  and 
,  the  annual  meeting  in  1860,  will  be  held  at 
Ckre.  (Qod  willing,)  I  hojM  to  be  present,  as 
there  are  many  in  that  neighbourhood  whom 
I  love  in  the  I'Ord.  and  not  a  few  to  whom  the 
Lord  blessed  my  feeble  labours.  The  parting 
hymn  being  sung. 

'  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love/  fte. 

Mr.  Wright  oonduded  the  happy  meeting 
'  b^  prayer.  I  wish  we  had  just  such  an  Asso- 
ciation in  London,  founded  on  the  precise 
same  principles,  vis.,  all  the  cardinal  doctrines 
and  ordinances  of  the  Scripture.  I  pray  God 
the  time  may  soon  come,  when  the  ebunhes 
fenerallv  shall  realise  the  blessedness  descri- 
bed in  the  133rd  Psalm,  even  as  the  churches 
constituting  the  Norfolk  and  Suffolk  Associa- 
tion. JoHH  Pblls. 

17,  College  Place,  Camden  Town,  V.  W. 

FAJRNHAM. 

TvBSDAT  MoRiriMO,  June  14th,  1869.— 
Testerdaythe  Bethel  anniversary,  on  Hungary 
Hill,  was  one  of  the  beat  days  to  many. 
Cricket  Hill  being  on  the  same  day  [where 
Mr.  Bloomfield,  of  London,  and  Mr.  Spencer, 
of  Hartley  Kow,  were  preaching,]  it  was 
thought  our  company  would  be  divided  ;  but 
we  were  happy  to  see  the  chapel  more  than 
crowded  full :  and  truly  thankful  to  find  the 
Lord  God  of  our  salvation  present  to  bless. 
We  had  soldiers  from  the  Camp,  —  Boyal 
servants  from  the  Queen's  Pavilion, — and 
seekers  for  truth  from  all  quarters.  Brother 
Brake,  the  pastor,  and  his  dear  people  are 
anxious  to  build  a  baptistry,  and  to  repair  and 
enlarge  the  chapel ;  lor  this  purpose  collections 
were  made;  collecting  cards  are  issued ;  and 
donations  would  thankfully  be  received  by 
the  deacons,  brethren  George  Wells,  William 
Prickett,  and  others.  Beyond  all  exception, 
Hungary  Hill  is  one  of  the  finest  elevations 
in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  air  is  soft 
and  bracing  ;  the  water  is  excellent ;  the 
views  are  cheering  and  delightful.  Take  your 
ticket  at  Waterloo  Station  lor  Famham,  walk 
through  the  Bishop  of  Winchester's  park,  it 
will  bring  yon  on  to  Hungary  Hill ;  vou  may 
there  walk  and  behold  the  beauties  of  nature; 
and  if  yon  turn  into  Bethel  you  may  hear  one 
of  the  most  original,  earnest,  and  deeply  ex- 
ercised ministers  of  the  present  day. 

BLACKHSATH. 
,  Cv  Lord's-day,  June  12th,  the  Anniversary 
sermons  of  Daere  Park  Baptiat  Chapel  were 

fre.iohed.    In  the  Morning.  Mr.  Palmer,  of 
lomerton,  delivered  a  sound  gospel  diecoune 


from  the  68rd Psalm,  1st  verse,  *OGod,thon 
art  my  God.'  In  the  Evening  Mr.  J.  B. 
Crackaell  preached  a  stirring  sermon  from  1 
Thes.  5th  chapter,  6th  verse.  *  Therefore  let 
us  not  sleep  as  do  others ;  but  let  ua  watch 
and  be  sober.*  On  Tuesdaj,  June  14th,  a 
goodly  number  assembled  in  the  Afternoon  to 
bear  Mr.  James  Wells,  who  preached  with 
liberty  and  savour  from  Zechariah  ii.  IS; 
Christ  was  exalted  in  his  person  and  work. 
The  amngemcnts  for  the  tea  were  excellent ; 
the  friends  appreciated  and  enjoyed  it. 

The  Public  Meeting  commenced  at  half-past 
6.  Mr.  Cracknell  presided.  Brother  William- 
son, opened  with  orayer.  Our  highly  esteemed 
brother  Wale,  of  Beading,  gave  a  maaterlv 
address  upon  the  first  clause  of  6th  verse,  9th 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  *  For  unto  ns  a  child  is 
bom,  unto  us  a  son  is  given.'  Brother  Banks 
spoke  upon  *  His  name  shall  be  called  Won- 
derful.' Many  say  they  never  heard  him 
better :  he  was  very  happv.  Brother  Caont,  of 
Gheenwich,  with  much  decision  upon  '  Coun- 
sellor.' And  brotiier  Whittle  upon  <  The 
Everlasting  Father.'  The  doxology  was  sung, 
and  prayer  closed  one  of  the  best  anniversary 
meetmgs  that  can  be  remembered  at  Daere 
Puk.    So  msny  told 

On  WHO  WAS  Thvxv. 

KSPPEL  VOLZET^VBBZLL  SQITABK- 
An  imporUnt  meeting  was  holden.  May  SUt,  in 
referenoe  to  the  Norwich  St.  Mary's  Chapel  csas. 
Mr.  Mllner,  in  the  ohslr,  who  made  a  good  opening 
speeeh.  He  said  U  was  not  the  valoe  of  the  Rt. 
Mary's  Chapel,  bat  the  rlghtaoaaacss  or  rather 
unrighteouaneas  of  diverting  the  Chapel  from  the 
use  of  those  for  whom  It  was  intended.  We 
ahoold  consider  it  eqaally  nnjaat  to  endeavour  to 
obuln  a  veated  open  eommanlon  Chapel  tram. 
those  of  Bueh  sentlmenu :  bnt  the  fact  was,  It  was 
'on*j  a  trial  cast,*  and  if  they  soooeded  to  wrest 
the  chapel  at  St.  If ary*a  from  the  Strict  brethren, 
then  withOQt  donbt  many  other  chapels  throaghoat 
the  land  woald  be  wrong  from  them  also.  Mr« 
Norton,  one  of  the  tmatccs,  gave  a  good  definition 
of  the  ease,  and  ftrom  the  known  piinciplea  of  MV. 
Kinghorn  (early  paator  of  6t.  Mary's,)  and  the  well 
known  advocate  and  defender  of  Strict  CommunUm 
principles  agalnat  Mr.  Robert  Hall,  it  was  evident 
that  when  the  trust  de<>d  read  ae  follows :  *  That 
thin  boilding  was  for  the  use  of  the  *Partiea)ar 
Baptiat  Chareh  and  eongregatioD,*  there  eonU  be 
no  doubt  that  it  was  intended  for  their  use  only, 
and  he  waa  glad  to  Inform  them  that  eminent 
conncil,  Romiiey,  Berthel,  and  Evans,  had  ao  given 
their  opinion.  They  were  forced  into  the  defence; 
arbitration  had  been  refOsed,  only  upon  such 
groands  as  he  could  not  accept,  and  he  traated  the 
Cburohea  of  Chrlat  of  Strict  Gommunioa  prinoiplea 
eontendina  for  the  doctrines  of  graocL  would  help 
him  and  hia  fellow.truateea  to  repel  thia  unjuat 
attack  on  property ;  and  they  all  knew  how  lament- 
ably the  ehurchcs  had  generally  gone  down  tn 
sentiment,  in  eonoeetlon  with  lax  diaelpline.  It 
was  no  CacUoaa  opposition,  a»  132  signed  the  dec- 
laration not  to  have  the  order  of  the  Church 
disturbed  out  of  a  total  of  about  800  membera.  Mr. 
I*almer,  of  Homerton,  Williamaon,  Pells,  and 
Haaelton,  anpported  resolutions,  pledging  thenk- 
"  •    their  1 


selves,  and  the  body  generally,  to  do  t 
in  every  way  to  oppeee  this  and  every  attempt  to 
alieniata  the  property,  and  croah  the  prineipka  of 
Strict  Baptists  i  believing  them  to  be  ideatieal  with 
the  honour  and  glory  of  him  whom  they  profess  to 
serve.  Brethren  present :  Box,  Meeres,  Bonner, 
C.  Woollaoott,  Flory,  Alldls,  Green,  Ac.,  with  a 
large  number  of  deacons  ftrom  several  ehurehes. 

'  PLomT, 


Digitized  by 


Joly  1,  IIW.] 


TUB    SAHTHKN   T£SSBL. 


169 


CBITDWXLL  ASB  WHSIT.-Bome  of  the 
food  ptopto  UBongti  ashav«  been  A  little  excited 
bj  evvportUiat  Mr.  B.  B.  Wele,  of  Reading,  wm 
r  into  thew  puts  to  preach  Certain  parties 
PB»j  in  tpeaking  nnkindlj  of  the  expected 
^rvaeber.  H«  la  not  ideatiflcd  with  the  *  BzoloaiTe 
Partj,*  and  waa  ooodemncd  unheard.  However,  to 
Crodwell  be  eame.  The  people  eoon  saw  he  was  a 
little  own ;  and  to  look  at  him  nme  ooold  dare  to 
think  he  waa  maeh  to  be  fcarei.  Our  chapel  was 
crowded ;  and  the  Iford  helped  him  to  preach  thb 
6<urci.  Tory  aweetl j  and  eolemnly  loo.  we  thanked 
God,  ae  we  retired  to  oar  labours,  that  eueh  an  able 
minieter  of  truth  waa  raised  up.  Us  Crndwell  people 
sra  gobag  on  In  peaee.  Our  brethren  Lamb  and 
Taylor  apeak  to  oa  in  the  Lord's  name ;  and  we  lore 
then  In  the  coapel  very  mneh.  Since  our  annirer- 
sary,  Mr.  Wale  hma  been  to  Minety.  Would  you 
belierc  it  that  Old  Prejadiee  would  not  let  him  into 
the  pulpit!  Well,  what  waa  to  be  donel  The 
Pope  sud  he  abould  not  preaoh.  But  there  were 
bundreda  of  people  oome  to  hear  Mr.  Wale;  so 
tb«y  ofcaod  a  larfe  barn,  into  it  they  went,  and 
a  slorioae  dnj  we  had.  Charles  Brown,  our  father 
•ad  friend  in  Cliriat,  heard  Mr.  Wale  moat  Joyfully 
-  ind  so  did  hundreds  more ;  and  there  are  many 
chapela  open  for  him  now  in  these  parts.  I  am. 
A  raxAcnaa. 
[If  tt  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  as  a  few  more 
XBteUlgent  and  deroced  men  like  Mr.  Wale,  and 
otkefv  now  im  the  goepel  field,  these  hard  hearts 
aa4  empty  benda  will  lose  much  of  their  power.-- 

BknKOHD.  HERTS,— The  anniversary  of  the 
Baptist  Cbapel  on  Tuesday,  May  24th.  Mr .  Mllner 
praobcd  two  ezeeilcnt  sermons ;  afternoon,  from 
Iniah  0rd  Slat  Ciiapter;  evening  Acts  2Srd  and 
Utt  venee  -  eome  that  eame  to  hear  brother  Milner 
had  been  told  his  preaehing  waa  not  sdapted  to  the 
weak  heUerar,  and  litUe faith;  they  laid  thcr  were 
agreeahly  dleappoLnted ;  they  heard  the  blessed 
gospel  fully,  ahly,  and  suitably  sdapted:  they 
trjeieed  greatly :  altogether  we  eojmed  the  pre- 
senes  of  the  Lord  in  our  midst  The  Babhath 
aehool  anaiveraarj  waa  held  on  whit-sunday,  Mr. 
H.  Hatekinsoa  the  paator,  preaehed  three  edifying 
iliseonrsw ;  and  on  Monday  the  ehiklren  had  their 
aeaaal  tree!  and  rewarda.  It  was  plessant  to  see  the 
little  enes  enjoy  their  bolidaT.  Mr.  U.  preaehed 
in  the  evening  from  Jeremtsh  SSrdcl^pter  Ilth 
vcree.  '  Preiae  the  Lord  of  hosts,  for  the  Lord  is 
good»  and  hla  mecej  endueth  for  ever.' 

▲  VaiXKD. 

BIACXHBATH  -  DaCRB  PARK  CHAPEL. 
We  aanooaee  with  much  pleaanre,  that  our  brother 
J.  £.  CracfcneU  haa  received  a  nnanitnous  invitation 
to  the  paatorate  here.  This  is  an  interesting  fee. 
tore  in  tlM  hialory  of  tlie  cause  at  Blackheath  : 
these  la  a  moet  desirable  adaptation  between  the 
paster  and  the  people  in  this  case.  Our  strong 
sympathiee  in  tne  welfare  ef  some  young  men 
have  gained  us  man/  heavy  blows ;  but  we  enjoy 
a  ^ilBl  eenfldeoce  that  our  hrother  Cracknell,  in 
thehaadeof  the  Lofd,  wUl  prove  a  faitlifiil,  and  a 
■sefnl  man.  in  the  gB««l  kingdom. 

wywyiyfWtyA^ir,  8in?F0LX>- Oor  anniver 
lary  aetmons  were  preaehed  onWhit  Monday,  b; 
the  hrcthien  Thomas  Poock,  of  Ipswich,  and 
wAgmttm,t,f^  of  London.  The  ministers  preaehed 
ma  na  the  gloriooe  goepel  of  Christ:  and  the 
paiVle  rejoiead.  We  hope  the  Lord  Is  still  with  us 
sithoegh  heavy  triala  have  befallen  OS.  Iliketheee 
'  '      i  people ;  they  are  as  determined  for 


the  rreth,  vita!  experience,  and  righteousness,  as 
waiFlnlhlaaelf.    God  bless  them.    Bo  prays, 

AFsak 


ly.— •  A  fHend  to  the  yact»L  firem 
_  J'  ie  ii^lMwed  ihat  arrangenenti  are 
kiif  to  given  series  of  articles  hiatortaal,  ecitical 
antf  cz^^rmicntal — ^fllnetratlve  of  the  present  con- 
Aitioa  of  the  efaunbce  in  Brighton  whose  PasiorK 


hold  the  grand  leading  doctrines  of  New  Covenant. 
ReTelatlon.  We  are  quite  aware  of  the  declensions 
and  Jealoosies^the  departorea  and  divipions. exist- 
ing.   These  wQl  oome  fairly  before  our  Tribunal. 

BTO8TABLE— On  Whit  Wednesday  June  15tU, 
1859.  the  anniversary  of  the  Oid  Baptint  Chapel, 
Dunsuble,  was  holden.«-Mr  Milner  of  Kepp^l  St. 
preaehed  m  the  morning  from  Job  zsviU.  11.  *  He 
bindeth  the  floods  from  overflowing;  and  the  thing  ■ 
that  U  bid,  briziffeth  he  forth  to  the  light.'  It  waa  . 
an  excellent,  weighty,  experimental  discourse ;  and 
was  greatly  blest,  it  was  a  rich  cordial  to  the  souls 
of  the  people.  Had  he  known  the  path  of  sorrow 
and  iloods  thro*  which  they  had  been  called  to  pase 
he  could  not  more  accurately  have  described  them ; 
but  though  he  knew  it  not,  the  Binder  of  the  flood  • 
did,  and  graciously  directed  his  servant  to  speak 
a  word  in  season  to  the  ttied  ones,  and  a  word  in 
season  how  good  it  is!  I  am  no  enthoiastle,  but» 
oh  how  beaoiifhl  were  the  feet  of  him  that  brought 
sueh  good  tidings  I  Our  Father  bindeth  the  flooda  : 
precious  truth,  tar  heart  almost  preeumes,  I  shall 
not  lose  the  relish  all  my  daya.  Our  esteemed 
brother  Milner  does  not  make  much  noise  in  preach- 
ing, his  calm,  pithy,  weighty  manner,  cannot  fail  . 
to  arrest  and  interest  hit  hearers ;  but,  best  of  all, 
the  rich,  unctions,  experimental  acouaintsnoe  of 
the  truths  he  preaches,  enjoyed  In  bis  own  soul, 
comes  warm  from  his  heart,  to  the  hearts  of  hie 
heftrers.  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Smith,  of  Oxfbid. 
preached.  The  good  man  preached  in  his  usual  , 
earnest,  argumentative^  lively  manner.  A  good 
company  then  took  tea.  Brother  Bioomfleld  (with 
his  sunny  countenance  and  smile,)  lo<dclng  the 
Tory  picture  of  good  temper,  was  present,  and 
preached  in  the  evening  to  a  crowded  and  attentive 
congregation.  The  attendance  was  very  good  all 
day.  Mr  B.  took  for  his  text,  Romans,  v.  2.  *  by 
whom  also  we  have  aoeess  by  faith  into  this 
grace,  wherein  we  stand  and  rejoice  in  hope  of 
the  Glory  of  God.'  Ue  preached  an  eloquent 
discourse.  Grace !  free  grace,  was  the  Alpha  and  • 
Omega  of  his  theme.  It  did  the  hearts  of  Mr. 
Carpenter's  friends  real  good  to  hear  Mr.  Bloom* 
fleld  testify  his  affectionate  regard  for  onr  pastor.  , 
and  his  pleasure  in  witnessing  the  peaee  and 
prosperity  in  our  midst,  and  to  hear  him  say, 
that  that  day  was  one  of  the  haopiest  he  CTcr 
remembered  spending  at  Dunatable.  The  ooUee- 
tions  were  good.  We,  as  a  people,  may  well  say, 
what  hath  God  wrought !  To  his  name  be  all  the 
glory.  A  LiTTLB  Omk. 

ABHFOSDi  Kin  T.— This  town  Las  grown 
amasiugiy  nnce  it  became  a  Junction  on  the  South  "* 
Eastern  line  :  it  is  now  a  very  populous  ndghbour* 
hood ;  one  good  feature  in  the  preemt  phase  of  its 
history  is  an  effort  to  plant  a  goepel  church  on  New 
Testament  principles.  We  have  heard  good  old 
Mr.  Tappenden ;  but  he,  with  many  others  have 
pasNd  away.  On  Thursday,  June  16,  Mr.  Jsmes 
VffllM  preached  three  sermons  in  the  Corn  £x- 
ehange  Rooms.  Some  hundreds  came  round  to 
beer  this  bold  expounder  of  the  goepel  of  Ohriat. 
Mr.  Bradshaw,  of  Canterbury,  preaches  every 
Sabbath ;  and  we  can  say,  the  Lord  is  with  him. 

FOTTOV,  BEDS.-^  Thursday,   May  86th, 
we   held  our  anniversary.       Mr.  John  Oorbitt 
preached  morning,  afternoon;    and   Mr.  John  ■ 
Bioomfleld  in  the  evening.    Both  these  brethren 
preached  well ;  we  were  thankful  for  the  merdea 
of  the  gospel ;  but,  some  said— 'teeing  your  ven- 
erable paator,  Mr.  Tite,  is  a  thorough  Braji &Aai> 
UAV I  and  is  even  now  supplying  at  head-quarters, 
how  is  it  your  annlTcraary  f  etmona  are  preached 
by  brethren  not  exactly  of  that  honourable  dis- 
tinction t'     Our  answer  Is,  *  we  love  all  who  love,   . 
live,  and  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ.'    Amen. 
.— ...  Jottjr. 

BIO0LiEESWA2)B-Mr.  Tanner,  and  the  church  , 
here,  eve  faronred  with  peace,  ^^^{^^^fV^^^^JP^ ' 
being  done.  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ue 


tHC    tAKTMftll    TtSSEly. 


C/*»y  Ir  1 


or  MR  LINOOLN^ 

aiRHom  RBvismro. 


ior  joor  ii«zt  No.  of  the  *  Sabtssv  VMsaA* 
foB  ma  MtauoHmm  Ber.  W.  linoola't  Semon 
Berieved  in  jov  iMtP  The  Baviewer  aeyi, 
*lCr.  liaedla  ie  not  a  Ptuerite,  yet  he  aeia  up 
even  in  glory  a  ir»immti&u»  eoitfetfiomal.* 
I  and  many  othere  who  heavd  the  Sennone 
pfeaehed,  and  hare  eiaee  read  them,  were 
mueh  ttastled  at  the  statement^  not  teeing  how 
noh  an  opinion  ooukl  hare  been  formed.  In 
thepumgo  reviewed  in  Sermon  3,  Pp.  64»  66, 
Mr.  Linooln  had  been  arffuein|^  that  there 
would  be  a  reooenition  of  toe  Munte  in  glory. 
Be  then  sayt,  *  But  the  leinte  are  not  only  to 
be  aU  gathend  together  into  the  preaenee  of 
Jesoe,  made  eternally  happy  in  the  taW  en- 
joyment of  hia  lore,  and  in  their  oonacious 
jrtoratien  to  one  another,  but  we  are  further 
taoirht  that  then  theyihall  all  be  judged. 
Afm  have  they  any  eaaie  to  tremble  beeauae 
eniy  doed  they  have  done,  whether  good  or 
bad,  muet  aU  be  brovht  to  the  light  of  day  P 
Am  they  not  with  nim  ?  Can  any  thing 
oeour  wmeh.iball  not  be  for  the  glory  of  him 
w|iom  they  love,  and  for  their  own  ^ood? 
U  it  not  a  wondfoualy  graeioue  proriston  of 
our  God,  that  he  who  lofed  us  is  to  'be  our 
Judge  }  If  even  their  ill  deeds  are  recounted 
before  an  assembled  universe,  will  they  not 
then  rejoice,  if  their  mention  extols  hie  graoe  i 
Will  not  eaeh  ransomed  soul,  with  holy  rivalry, 
deolare  himself  to  be  the  thief  of  sinners,  and 
eaoh  adduce  what  proofs  he  ean  of  the  freeness 
of  God*s  grace,  as  extended  to  him?  But 
here  it  is  well  for  us  to  remember,  that  when 
the  Iiord*s  people  are  judged,  not  a  single  spot 
of  sin,  not  a  single  stain  of  guilt,  wiU  ever, 
can  ever,  be  found  upon  any  one  of  them. 
When  6t.  Jude  states  that  Christ  is  •  Able 
topreaeiil  us  faaltress  before  his  presence,' 
he  says  nothing  of  his  willingness  to  do  so,  as 
if  that  were  so  very  obrious  a  truth  (Jude 
x^it).  But  if  any  one  needs,  for  the  strength* 
ening  of  his  Csith.  the  essuranee  of  this,  then 
we  hare  8t  Paure  testimony  that  it  was  for 
this  very  end  that  Christ  gave  himself  for  the 
ehoroh ;  namely,  in  order  *  That  he  might 
present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  ehnreh,  not 
having  spot  or  wrinkte^  or  any  such  thing.' 
(Bpbe.  V.  97)  Our  sins,  if  indeed  we  are 
Christ's,  are  drowned  in  the  depths  of  the  sea. 
So  that  when  we  are  judged,  otir  guilt,  how- 
ever great  it  was.  has  disappeared  for  ever, 
vea  inore,  the  guilt,  if  it  could  be  found,  would 
be  an  impeachment  of  the  work  of  Jesus. 
Haoee  St  John,  in  Bev.  i.  6—7  savs,  '  He 
that  loved  us,  and  that  washed  us  iSmn  oar 
slot  in  his  own  blood,'  is  oominc  to  be  our 
ittdge.  If,  then,  our  Judge  could  find  any 
bl^m^  in  US|  do  vou  not  now  perceive  he 
would  befindmg  uudt  with  his  own  work, 
an^  with  the  completeness  of  that  washing  r 
Bat  still  all  this  does  not  oontradtct  the  truth 
that  every  deed  we  have  done  must  be  de- 
elarsd.  any  more  than  the  full  forgiveness  of 
I>avid*s  sin  involves  its  hushing  up*  No  taeh 
thhig.  To  all  eternity,  wherever  1  m«et  David,. 


guiltv 
saved  a 


I  shaU  kmnr  ftai  weU,  hav&if  beea 
Qod  Umedi;  thai  David  was  an  _  ^ 
■inner,  as  well  aa  an  exemnlaiy  emnk  "  Hia 
sina,  Uie  sins  of  every  worttiy  meatioaed  in 
the  Bible,  arc  known  wherever  that  Bible  la 
read.  It  eannot  be  otherwias.  For  then 
would  the  great  set-off  to  Qod's  ^raes^  the 
baek-grouna  of  the  pieture  be  withdrawn. 
WiU  not  angels  know  we  are  sinnera  P  And  ia 
not  thia  more  than  half  the  truth  we  areoon* 
tending  forP  For  ia  not  the  fact  of  being  a 
aa  solemn  a  one  as  that  we  have  been 
of  acts  of  transeression  P  Will  not 
saved  souls  know  this  of  one  another,  sinoOp 
in  the  days  of  their  unregeneracy*  they  often 
sinned  in  company  P  But  after  all,  the  plain 
dedarationa  of  Scripture,  such  asBccL  xu.  H ; 
or  8  Cor.  v.  10;  or  Bev.  xx.  13,  ooght  to 
settle  the  matter.**  Thus  far,  dear  Mr.  Editor, 
Mr.  Lincoln*s  sermon  speaks,  but  I  eannot 
see  it  implisa  a  '  Terrible  Oonfeasionsl,'  cer- 
tainly it  implies  a  Tribunal,  and  so  also  doee 
Acts  X.  42.  *  It  is  he  which  waa  ordained  to 
be  the  Judge  of  quick  and  deed.'  2  Timothy 
iv.  1.  *  I  onarge  thee  therefore  before  Qod, 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge 
the  qaiek  and  the  dead  at  his  appearing  and 
his  kmgdom.'  Bomana-  stv.  10 ;  '  We  ahaU 
all  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.* 
V.  18.  *  So  then  every  one  of  us  shaU  give 
aeoount  of  himself  to  God.*  AUhou^  there 
will  be  no  *  Terrible  ConfessioDal,'  yet  there 
will  be  a  God  and  Christ  glorifying  eonfoa- 
aion  oome  from  all  the  redeemed  sdnts  that 
they  were  once  sinners.  Bev.  L  5.  *Unto 
him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  ftom  oar 
sins  in  his  own  blood.'  And  best  of  ail  there 
will  be  a  glorious  confeasMm  by  the  Lord 
Jesns ;  himself  the  Judge.  Bev.  iiL  6.  ■  I 
will  cottfoss  his  name  l^fore  my  Father  and 
before  his  angels.'  Matt  x.  38.^  ^^  Ulm  wiU 
I  confess  also  before  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven.'  also  Luke  xU.  8.  '  Him  shall  the 
Son  of  man  also  confess  before  the  annela  of 
God.'  ^^ 

Should  any  of  your  readers  wbh  to  judge 
Bir.  Lincoln  s  doctrine  farther  than  this  ex- 
tract; by  sending  18  Postage  stamps  with  their 
address  to  Mr.  Hubbard,  Chemist,  Post  Ofllee, 
London  Boed,  Southwark,  the  4  ssrmoaa  wiB 
be  sent  by  return  of  Poat.  I  am,  dear  Mr. 
Editor,  year's  in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel, 

A  HSASn  OT  IfR.  LlHCOLS'6. 

THE  CHRISTUN  BUND  BELIEF  SOCIETT. 
Oar  readers  are,  by  this  tiaM^  well  seqaaJnt- 
edwith  the  nature  and  meriu  of  this  aioat 
valaable  Institation ;  or,  we  tklak,  they  ought 
to  be,  seeing  we  have  so  ofleo  referred  lo  It ; 
and  its  olainu  have  been  so  freqaeaUy  laid  btk 
fore  then.  We  wish  bow  to  inform  them  that 
"The Fifteenth AnaualBeport"  is  ready,  and 
maj  he  had  of  the  flsereCary,  Mr.  James  Cos,  100, 
Borough  Boad,  London.  8.  B.  We  entreat  aU 
the  real  frien^a  te  a  movement  so  abeolataly 
neeeesary;  so  praiseworthy;  and  so  erideatly 
owned  of  God,  to  obtaia  eopiea  of  thia  Beport ; 
and  to  ea^aavour  to  esUbUsh  bcaaeh  aoaktiaa  la 
cf^alry  diattieca.  TheBeportIs  eheeetag  to  a 
degree^  aad  will  be  notlaed  by  us  la  a  fhtare 
number. 


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in. 


MitttBg. 


LATB  mS.  JBFFS,  OF  HOUNSLOW. 

]>SAm  Bsoms  Bauks,— I  baTe  collected 
a  Ibw  pariietilart  that  manifeft  tin  moe  of 
Q94  ia  tkt  asporienoe  of  mj  dear  wife.  Sarah 
Jed.  She  was  born  at  iTingboe  In  the 
99antf  of  Bucks,  ia  the  jear  1799^  The 
prioeijrfes  of  the  Chareh  of  Sogland  were 
•ar^  laeoloated,  (her  parents  being  strict  ad- 
heraate  to  the  same)  until  the  light  of  the 
Qoapcl  ahone  into  her  seal,  thron^h  the  minis- 
try of  Mr.  Clark,  who  at  that  time  came  into 
Ifiagfaoe  and  preached  the  glad  tidings  of 
salvadoo;  and  a  few  who  were  farorea  to 
reeeiYa  them,  were  baptized  and  formed  into 
aehnreh.  She  was  baptised  at  New  Mill,  near 
Ifiiijthoa,  at  the  age  of  foorteen,  and  joined 
the  little  deapised  choroh  at  Ivinghoe.  which 
■Mde  h«r  parents  verj  unhappy,  the^  con- 
Mknd  sIm  had  disgraced  them  by  going  to 
chapel,  and  told  her  if  she  pernsted  in  so 
dotaf,  ahe  must  leave  home,  for  they  would 
hare  ao  chapel  goers  live  with  them.  She 
left  hooM^  aad  gained  a  knowledge  of  Dress- 
aakiag*  and  commenced  business  with  a 
yeangniend,  and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
them  abundantly,  so  that  she  soon 
iadmadent  of  her  parents.  She 
ly  nsited  home,  and  at  leitfth  pre- 
poB  her  parents  to  go  with  her  to 
haar  Kr.  Clark,  and  through  his  instru- 
MMtelity,  thcT  were  led  to  worship  with 
har,  ^id  both  died  honourable  members  of  a 
Baptist  ehoreh.  She  wished  to  raise  a  Sunday 
School,  and  mentioned  her  deeire  to  some  of 
tba  firieada,  but  waa  stroagly  opposed.  She 
fsli  thara  waa  a  great  neceanty  for  one,  and 
joined  by  bar  companion,  they  opened  one  at 
their  own  hooae,  which  was  sooi^  too  strait 
tot  them,  and  their  other  firiends  joined,  and 
tha  achcel  was  taken  to  the  chapeL  and  has 
anea  ptored  a  blessing  to  many.  About  ten 
'aara  ago,  mv  poor  wife  waa  attacked  with  a 
Jt  of  paralysu  which  Tcry  miieh  afbcted  her 
right  nde,  and  entirelT  preTcnted  her  using 
her  right  arm,  but  so  for  recoTered  to  enable 
bar  to  attend  the  means  of  grace  frequently, 
aa^  about  aix  months  before  her  departure. 
8ba  waa  then  taken  with  scTore  spasms  at  the 
hearty  her  anffoingt  were  truly  distressii^ ; 
wa  woogbt  she  could  nerer  snrriTe,  but  at 
IsBgth  reeorered  a  little,  and  then  said,  '  It 
kau  ia  &or«.'  On  the  Monday  night,  nre- 
▼10^  to  bar  death,  she  said,  '  don't  cqr  when 
I  am  gone,  rejoiee  that  another  ohild  la  gone 
te  haaron.  1  eaid,  *  which  way  do  you  expect 
to  go  to  haaren?'  berrepWwaa,  'l^irough 
J«sv  Christ,  he  is  the  only  way,  he  is  the 
only  firiag  way ;  there  ia  no  other,  all  other 
wt^andmiihi  than  aha  bipke  oat  aingjag^ 
«  Jaaaa  ia  tha  only  living  way," 

*«  Bode  of  Agaa  ahelier  ma, 
I^  me  Ude  myietf  in  thee." 

Tha  apaama  returned,  and  were  Tenr  seyere 

tor  a  ttBe^  but  when  a  little  abated,  she  sang, 

•  Bind  my  wandaiiag  heart  to  thee,' 


2; 


She  said, 'CVawqdnggimBa;'  aadlfftadher 

voice  stin  higher,  cried, '  O,  amasing  gmeo !' 
I  thea  meotioaed  part  of  a  sermoa  Mr.  Par« 
sons  had  been  preaching;  he  dwelt  opoa. 
the  stonea  that  compose  the  dear  Bedeepier's 
crown;  she  looked  earaestly  and  said,  '  I  am  • 
one.'  I  said,  'Mr.  Farsona  compared  thoee 
stones  to  precious  Jewells;  I  said,  'Do  you 
think  you  are  oner  She  said,  with  grwi^ 
mptpAotif,  '  I  am  one,  I  am  sure  I  am  one.' 
For  a  long  time  past,  she  spent  a  great  portioa 
of  her  time  in  reading  the  Bibl^  sometimes 
four  or  fire  hours  in  the  day  \  I  said,  '  y9u< 
have  read  the  Bible  a  great  deal,'  she  said, 
'  I  have  been  blest  whilst  Heading,  it  is  the 
best  of  books,  there  is  no  book  like  the  Bible.' 
On  the  Tueeday  before  her  departure,  I  went 
to  her  bed  side  and  said,  *  Do  yot|  know  vour 
old  friend  f  she  said  emphatieaUy, '  Yes,^but 
'X  have  an  everlasting  friend.'  An  honr 
before  her  dei^th,  I  said,  <8haU  I  pray  Y  aha 
said,  'Yea;'  it  was  tha  hut  word.  Just 
before  her  death,  a  friend  asked  her  if  she 
was  happy?  She  gave  a  nod,  as  though  she 
said  yes ;  soon  after  that  she  fell  asleep  with- 
out a  struggle  or  a  groan,,  only  a  few  minutea 
after  her  birthday,  aged  07  years.  She  waa 
buried  bv  Mr.  Robinson  in  the  ground  ad- 
joining the  Independent  chapel,  Mounslow, 
January  21st,  1869. 

Hounslow,  March  3Q,  1869. 

DEATH  OF  MB.  JOHN  VINA^L^  JUinOR, 
OF  LEWE8,  SVaSBX. 

We  have  the  painful  task  to  announce  tha 
sudden  and  distressing  death  of  Mr.  John 
Vinall,  Junior.  He  hid  been  for  some  time 
ill,  and  compelled  to  desist  from  preaching. 
But  it  was  hoped  that  he  was  gradually  recov- 
ering. However  it  pleased  his  heavenly  Father 
to  rMcase  him  fh>m  all  his  earthlv  pains  and 
anxieties  on  the  morning  of  Tuesoay  the  14th 
of  June. 

Mr.  John  Ylnall  was  the  eldest  son  of 
the  well  known  and  greatly  esteemed  John 
Yinall,  many  years  the  pastor  of  Jireh  chapel  ' 
Lewes.  He  was  personally  very  much  like 
his  father,  and  in  his  ministry  maintained  the 
same  soul  supporting  truths.  He  had  long 
rendered  himself  greatly  beloved  in  his  father's 
church  and  congregation  by  his  kind  christian 
solicitude,  and  especially  in  visiting  the  sick. 
He  had  a  remarkable  gift  in  prayer,  and  was 
ipade  a  great  blessing  Ui  his  private  christian 
labours.  To  the  young  people  of  the  con- 
nection he  was  rendered  a  beloved  guide — 
Oraoe  seasoned  his  conversation  at  all  tipiee. 
Experimentally  acquainted  with  the  chrutian 
life  and  vital  godliness,  he  was  oualified  to 
point  out  the  way  of  salvation  to  others.  The 
long  affliction  of  his  father  opened  a  wide 
door  of  usefulness  to  the  son  in  connection 
with  Jireh.  * 

It  is  only  of  late  years  that  Mr.  V.  has 
entered  into  the  work  of  the  public  ministry ; 
first  at  Bfidffe  Chapel,  LeweSi^  and  quite 
recently  at  Jireh  Cnapel,  the  pulpit  teincp 
vacatea  by  his  aged  fkther  through  inoreasea  . 
inflndties.  We  hope  to  furnish  fhUer jwrtl- 
ciilars  next  month.  ^>P* 

Westminster.  ^  t 

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m 


THE  EARTUBN  T£88EL. 


[Jalj  1«18M. 


CONCLUDING  NOTICES. 
JORDAN  AND  TEE  BEAD  BEA. 

VO  THB  EdITOB  OV  THI  EARtHBIT  VkSSEL. 

D&ift  BI1I.--I  have  referred  to  a  Scripture 
atiao,  as  jou  request  in  your  renew  of  Mr. 
Baxter's  book  on  Baptism,  and  find  tiiat 
instead  of  the  Dead  Sea  being  30  miles  east 
by  south  from  Jerusalem ;  tl^t  part  of  the 
Dead  Sea,  where  Jordan  empties  itself,  lies  east 
by  north. 

For  the  truth's  sake  allow  me  to  beg  of  you 
to  tell  the  truth,  for  I  am  still  a 

LoTVB  ov  Tbittu. 

6,  Commerce  Place,  Brixton  Boad. 

▲BBWBB  TO  ABOYB. 

'  The  Lover  of  Truth/  (who  evidently  writes 
in  a  net, j  has  oonfoonded  things  that  differ, 
and  nas  mistaken  the  lingua^  tongue,  or 
mouth  of  the  Jordan,  for  part  of  the  Dead 
Sea ;  which  is  as  though  a  man  should  eon* 
found  the  Thames  at  Southend  with  the  Ger- 
man Ocean.  Dr.  Sitto,  the  latest  and  best 
authority  on  the  subject,  on  the  26th  page  of 
his  *  Bibucal  Index  to  Scripture  Lands,'  gives 
the  relative  position  of  the  Dead  Sea  and 
Jerusalem,  as  follows : 

Latitude 

Jerusalem  .    .    31"  -  4,T 

Dead  Sea  .  .  31  -  30"  distant  from  Je 
rusalem  30  miles  B.  by  S.,  as  stated  by  us  in 
our  article  :  the  difference  in  the  iMtitude  be- 
ing seventeen  mUes. 

OBAVESEND-lir  James  Jobm,  the  long  aad 
maeh  hoaoored  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Chureh,  of 
Wadhartt,  Soaaex,  has  favoared  as  with  a  reply 
to  a  something  ealled  a  *6peeial  NoUoe'  which 
was  pobUsbed  in  Jane,  reflecting  severely  upon 
the  four  deacons,  and  fifty  seven  members  who 
having  accepted  the  realgnatiou  (sent  in  by  car 
brother  Thomas  Stringer,)  removed  from  Zoar 
Chapel  to  worship  in  another  place  in  the  town 
of  GraTeeend.  We  thank  brother  Jones  for  the 
excellent  sUUment  he  has  given ;  but  we  think 
a. few  words  will  be  suflieient  to  prevent  any 
iajory  being  sustained  by  either  party.  We 
have  been  made  thoroughly  aoqoaiated  with  both 
sides ;  and  we  declare  withont  partiality— there 
is.ao  Jost  cause  why  either  party  should  have 
from  the  eharohes  anything  but  sympathy,  kind- 
ness, and  prayer.  I«ok  at  the  fkcu  of  the  case 
JQBt  as  they  are — Here  is  an  honourable,  faithful 
and  useful  minieter  of  Christ  with, his  deacons 
and  friends  who  have  laboured  on  in  the  gospel 
together — happily  and  saocessfnUy  for  many 
years  I  How  often  have  they  sent  us  reports  of 
their  peace  and  prosperity  I  At  length,  the 
minister's  joy  abated;  under  the  influence  of  a 
dark  cloud  he  resolved  to  tender  his  resignstion 
as  pastor,  but  to  continue  preaching  in  the 
GbapeL  This  was  an  affliction  to  the  deacons 
aad  the  ehnroh.  Perhaps  they  moved  hastily. 
Be  that  as  it  may— thsy  did  remove ;  there  are 
now  two  causes  for  truth  in  Gravesead.  And  is 
there  act  plentf  of  room  !  Are  there  not  thou- 
saads  of  souls  there !  Certainly  there  arr.  And 
Thomas  8tringcr  does  not  wish  people  to  be  com. 
peiled  to  hesr  him.  Neither  do  the  deacons  or 
the  menibers  at  the  lastttution  wish  to  afflict 
their  late  aad  mach  honoured  pastor.    Who  can 


tell,  but  that  two  good  canaes.may  yet  be  found 
in  Graveeend  where  the  whole  gospel  of  Christ 
shall  be  preached  t  Let  us  watch  and  pray  thai 
our  Lord  nuiy  smile  upon  them  both.  If  Charity^ 
Faith,  Patience,  Close  8clf-examlnatioa«  and  seal 
for  the  divine  glory,  be  by  these  things  drawn 
forth,  great  good  will  yet  arise. 

VOTTIKG  HILL— Johnson  Street  Chapel,  nesr 
Kotting.hill  gate,  Bayswater,  having  been  consi. 
derably  improved,  and  the  interior  newly  ar- 
ranged, was  reopened  on  Whit-Sunday  and  Mon- 
day. Sermonp  were  preached  by  Mr.  John  Fore- 
man, Mr  James  Wells,  Mr.  Williamson,  (the 
pastor),  a  W.  Banks,  and  Mr.  Parsons,  of 
Brentford.  The  new  arrangement  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liamson's Chapel  is  a  great  impiovemenr.  It 
has  been  our  privilege  to  labor  with  Mr.  W.  in 
the  gospel  now  for  more  than  ten  years.  We 
have  silently  and  thankfully  watched  the  steady 
progress  and  growing  prosperity  with  vhleh  the 
Lord  has  been  pleased  to  favour  our  brother  in 
the  gospel :  a  very  special  insUnce  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  working  with  him  in  conversion  has  Just 
occurred.  We  should  furnish  the  encoorsglcg 
particulars,  bat  for  Mr.  Williamson's  aversion 
to  any  publieity  being  given.  It  is  however, 
a  great  pleasure  to  know  that  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  is  glowing.  Living  stones  are  carrying  up 
the  temple. 

BSPTPOBB-A  MoDSL  MxsTXKo— On  Mon- 
day, June  20. 1859,  the  anniversary  servictscon. 
neoted  with  Zioa  Chapel,  Florence  Place,  New 
Cross.  Deptford,  were  continued.  On  the  pre- 
vionsSaaday,  two  sermons  were  preschcd  hf 
Mr.  G.  Wyard,  the  pastor,  and  Mr.  John  Fore- 
man. On  Monday  afternoon,  Mr.  Samuel  Milner 
delivered  a  valaable  diacoure,  After  tea,  Mr, 
Wyard  opened  the  public  meeting.  He  had  ia.  ' 
vited  sU  of  his  mialsterial  brethren  to  speak  ' 
upon  Paul's  words* Of  Him  are  ye  in  <aitiat 
Jesus,  who  of  God,  is  made  unto  us  wisdom, 
righteousness,  sanctiflcatioa,  and  redemption." 
PrinUd  programmes  were  issued ;  so  that  th« 
audience  knew  who  were  to  speak :  how  long 
ti^ey  were  speak,  (15  miautes  being  allotted  to 
each)  and  the  particular  theme  upon  which  they 
were  to  dwell.  Mr.  Dickerson  spoke  first  on 
The  Saimfg  Oriffin^Ut.  W.  Palmer  on  TA« 
Saint'9  Portiim—MT,  Moyle  on  •Ckritiaur 
Wi9dom?  Mr.  Attwood,  *0n  Christ  our 
B  ghteousaesfl.'  These  four  grave  divines  de- 
livered  their  addresses  remarkably  well :  kept 
to  their  time  :  and  having  done  so  departed, 
leaving  the  fag-end  of  the  meeting  to  two  little 
«»••— Mr.  Mceres  and  C.  W.  Banks  ;  whose  sub. 
Jects  were  Redemption  and  Sanetiflcatioa :  Mr. 
Wyard,  and  his  friends  appeared  cxeeediagly 
happy.  Their  peace  and  proeperity,  unity  and 
usefulness,  we  sincerely  hope  wiU  increase  and 
continue. 

HA0XIHO8/ 8V8SEZ.- Our  ministeriag  bro. 

Uicr,  Thoi&as  WaU,  of  Bye,  Ssasex,  writesus  aa 
excellent  report  of  the  formation  of  a  Strict  Ba^  , 
tiat  Church  ia  Hastings,  on  the  eveniag  of  Jane  S. 
Messrs.  Wttrterc),  of  Brighton,  Wall»  of  Bye, 
and  other  friends  assisted  in  the  solemn  servicca, 
on  which  the  bleesiiig  of  heaven  did  rest.  Wa 
shall  next  month  give  the  report,  meanwhile,  w«  • 
trust  the  visiiors  to  Hastings  wiU  find  in  BanU*a 
rooms  the  gospel  of  Christ, 


CONTENTS. 


lugnittiie,  Conflicts  of  St 

Arnold,  Edwsrd,  to  T.  Edwards    .. 

Adoption  of  Children 

AfedPQgrimB'     

Ansirerstties,  Onr,      By  J.  Brunt... 

Anhnr  Wilecckson      

ADtuomiAnism ;  What  is  It? 

Adian  in  ti&e  Cimp     

AOnatHerey 


57 
97 
106 
149 
171 
198 
202 
211 
212 
218 
Andrev  Fuller ;  What  was  He?       ...  227 

AWellofWftter 243 

Addreases  at  Mr.  Groirhurst*s  Annirer* 

taiy 255 

Abraham  Howard       268 

Bowles,  Mr.  R.,  a  Letter  to^      283 

Bow  in  the  Clond.    By  J.  £.  Cracknell    36 

Befl's,  Dr.  T.  O.,  sermon     65 

Bodu  of  the  Bible 63 

Babelof  Chnrehof  Engrland      68 

Bj  whose  Anthority  l>o  Yon  l^each 

the  Gospel 103 

BlooBlleki,  J.,  attho  ditrrey  Theatre...  125 

Br^hton  and  Summer  Season     126 

Beeman's,  Thomas,  Letter         184 

Beale,  G.  W.,  of  Farersham      189 

Bell,  Dr.,  and  Plymouth  Brethren    ...  202 

BesettniffSin 212 

Birmingham,  Battle  to  be  Fought  in...  242 

BradboiT,  Thomas      243 

Bishop  of  Bodidale     244 

Baptist  Snndny  School  Union     248 

ComMBkna  of  the  Cross,    17,  37,  57,    86 
118,  168,  182,  206,  238,  288 

Catei^s  "PfeMfa  in  the  Pulpit" 09 

ConftdeiieeinQod 132 

Ghrise  More  than  Creeds    178 

CoaeBs,BeT.8.,on"Hope"     48 

Craduell,  Rot.  J.  £.,  on  "  The  Ilhs- 
tzioas  Bride  and  Bridsffroom"       ...    79 

Colcaw  on  the  Pentateuch 93 

Ciison,  the  late  Dr.,  Defended  by  his 
cKm  •••     ••«     •«•     ...     ••«     ...     ...  ^4v 

Christ's  Lamentation  on  the  Cross  ...  253 
CHUBCHJSB  .---Opemng  at  Stowmarfcet, 
2):  Mr.  Gwinnell's  new  chapel  at  Oreen- 
widb :  Mr.  WaU*s  Beeognition  at  Gravesend: 
BqwifTies  street  chapeL  26:  BM>ti2ing 
in  the  MOlHrtream  at  Glemsford:  Tootms 
0ove,  49 :  Swineahead.  by  R  Arnold :  C.  W. 
BaakirB  meeting  at  Little  George  street^  60 : 
Ber.  W.  Kil|^  at  Birchington,  60:  W. 
Cfaaaberlain's  late  chapeJ,  61 :  Bezley  Heath, 
Birmingham,  Banbridge,  and  Walworth,  61 : 
Mr.  James  Nnnn's  meeting,  62:  James 
CkaA  at  Stowmaitet,  62:  Homy  HaU*8 
Chmge  to  John  Fkyer,  61 :  Mr.  Bloomfield's 
eleiranth  anniTeraaiT ,  74:  Mr.  Fhtck*s  sixth 
aaaiTenafy,  74:  Notting-hiU,  76:  Mr.  Bar- 
tibobnew  at  Mendlesham,76 :  The  Old  Church 
at  Hiaosid  Knollys,  76:  J.  Khigsfoxd, 
BrJriwie,  77:  Austmlia,  78:  Mr.  PooVs 
Bisthday  meethig,  100:  Opening  of  Mr. 
GwittMirs  Hew  Chapel,  101:  C.  Z.  Tumei^s 
fa^liiag  at  Bipley,  101 :  Zion  chapel,  High 
WyoBoSet  102 :  Good  Friday  at  Dane  HiU, 


and  Bermondsey  New  road,  126:  H.  Hall's 
Meetiog,  127;  New  chapel  at  Stowmarlrot, 
127 :  Care  Adullam  Anniversary,  128 ; 
Keppel  street,  128 :  i€r.  Haxleton's  eleventh 
year,  129 :  Stone-laying  of  Mr.  Moyle*s  new 
chapel,  148:  Beeognition  of  Mr.  Dunn  at 
Yarmouth,  Lew  Down,  162:  Mr.  Inwaxd'a 
Ordination,  178:  Keddington,  Old  Ford,  and 
Plymouth,  174 :  LodsweU,  Lee,  and  Glems- 
ford,  176:  Southampton,  176:  Bridgenorth, 
194 :  Be-opening  of  Mr.  Bloomfield's  chapeL 
196 :  Laying  Memorial  Stone  of  Mr.  Moyie*8 
chapel,  196 :  Ware,  Herts,  196 :  Jireh  chapeL 
197 :  East  Wickham,  197 :  AnniveiBsry  of 
Oiford  hill,  199 :  Leicester,  Bath,  and  Erith, 
260 :  Walworth,  201 :  North  Bow,  228 :  Wel- 
lingborough New  Chapel,  224 :  Balem  Sunday 
schools,  225:  Long  Marston,  Graveaend,  and 
Chatteris,  225 :  Botherhithe,  246 :  Birchington, 
246:  Mr.  Butterfield's  fourth  anniversary, 
269:  Bye  kne,  Peckham,  270:  Mr.  ColUns, 
fifth  anniversary  at  Howe  street,  Plymouth : 
271 :  Ooleraine,  272 :  New  Cause  at  leldham, 
378:  Little  Garden  at  Enfield,  272:  New 
Church  at  Plaistow,  278 :  Dr.  Yaughan,  274. 

Distress  in  the  North 53 

David  Denham,  Letter  to 89 

Desideratum,  Churches'  Great   110 

Denham  Smith     120 

Do  You  Preach  the  Word  ?  ...  131,  180 
Death  and  Bnrial  of  Mr.  J.  Nunn    ...  139 

Divine  Foreknowledge. 179 

Dr.  CKirs  Baptizing  Hymn 197 

Death  of  Jesus    203 

Every  Man.    By  J.  Brown,  M. A.     ...     16 

Eternity,  Marriage  Union  of     106 

Epitaph  on  S.  Luie*s  Stone        110 

Evans,  Christmas,  Beview  of  157, 186,  214 

'       230,  258,  285 

Final  Settlement,  the,  by  Sam.  Cozens.  282 

Fighting  Against  God 6 

Futore  Happiness  of  Saints  ...  15,  72 
Glasgow  One  Hundred  Years  Ago   ..,    24 

Great  Distress  in  the  North    27 

God's  Love :  its  fiesidence.  Properties, 
Subjects,  and  Power.     By  George 

Murrell     275 

Gems  from  Puritans    64 

Glorious  Intelligence 191 

Garrard's,  W.,  New  Chapel 200 

Goodridge's,  A.  S.,  Beview,  Heb.  ii«  9.    96 

Giants  in  our  Churches      218 

God's  Anti-Slavery  War     226 

Grav.Bev.  Mr.    236 

Gathering  in  the  Harvest   246 

Ghreat  Masting  at  Surrey  Tabernacle...  264 
Hope  our  Hehuet.  By  S.  Cozens  ...  48 
Hiffhways,  the,  of  our  Metropolis  ...  138 
H<My  anid  Happy  Baptist  Meeting     ...  155 

Hidden  Ones 178 

Hint  to  Mr.  Wells      226 

Hath  God  Forgotten  to  be  Gracious  ?  233 
Heavenly  State  of  the  Highteous    ...  237 

Helped  with  a  Little  Help 244 

Infants'  Friend  Society,  Dorset  square  51 
I  See  the  Crown 50 


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ImDMnion  B^tim  an  Cfaoich  t>f  Engp- 

Iaoq  •••     ..•    •••     ..•     •••     •••     •••     To 

I*  JBeUeron' Bratum  JaMential?    ...    95 

Izvu«,  the  late  Bdwnd      114 

ItMc  t!M  Viear,  And  lamuihe  HvntiDg- 

tdnlftn       168 

Mmi  jBapoits       •    199 

Isra^tef  Whoisan 251 

John  Stxi^tt's  Notes 49 

JohnCalTki;  WhowwHe?    70 

Jehonh.    By  F.  Shmw      82»  135 

John  CorbiU  on  the  Sftbbath    95 

Jbsish  Puntis       »•    176 

Jnbilae  in  Haayen       209 

James  WtXla  on  Ministen^  Changes ...  217 

K«alsy,  Hifl. 202 

Iisadi,  S.,  on  Bath     •••    •••    84 

Letters  from  the  Heart      88 

Lmcoln*8,  BeT.  W.,  First  Baptising  ...    98 

Letter  ^W.IWk     196 

LifeaWaifue     213 

Lancashire,  Chriatian  Poor  in    244 

,  Coming  Winter  in 262 

Memoir  of  the  late  Samuel  Lane  ...  29 
Sleeting  of  Masters  and  Men  at  Bow    76 

Marriage,  The  B^^al 79 

Monck's,  F.,  Thoughto 90 

Meeting,  Strict  Baptist       122 

Miai8t^,the  Brighton      178 

Manifestation  of  Jesus  Christ 268 

Mercy,    By  Mr.  W.  Frith 2S4 

Nehemiah — a  Model  Man  for  Christian 

Practice  and  Peraevwanca.    By  Mr. 

Heniy  Hall      279 

Kotes  and  Queries       ...    26 

None  hat  Jesus    „    •••  117 

New  Tabernacle  for  Mr.  Wells 221 

Name  oC  the  Loid  (the)      ...    ...    ^,  234 

Nature  of  Faith    ... 234 

NEW  BOOKS  :^Bev.  W.  Lincoln^ 
Javelin,  46:  Punch  in  Pulpit,  46,  6%  91: 
Banyan  Library.  46:  Gardener's  Weekly 
Magazine.  47 ;  zWs  Witness,  48 :  Colenso, 
48 :  Weep  Not  for  Me,  48 :  Colenso's  Pen- 
tateuch, 68:  Oalvin,  78:  Burroughs  on  the 
Hosea,  78:  Goodwin^  Mediator,  78:  Bev. 
W.  Lincoln's  Jarelin,  94 :  Br.  Carson^  Book, 
95:  Church  in  Wilderness  by  John  Poynder, 
U :  Christaias  Evans,  167 :  Coaens's  Alphabet, 
170 :  OiBoe  of  Deaoon,  17D :  The  Dying  Oom- 
vend  of  Christ,  192:  Mr.  Flack's  8enao% 
192:  Mr.  Cozens'  Adjuster  Adjusted,  198: 
Bunyan  Library,  193:  Surrey  Tabemade 
Pulpit  217:  Mr.  SUverton's  Bays;  and 
Casseli's  Bunyan.  219 :  Mr.  Vaughan^  Pulpit^ 
220 :  Shirley  Hibberd's  Gardener^  Magazme, 
240:  Mr.  Pegg's  Sermons,  240:  Mr.  Butter* 
field's  Basket,  240:  Andrew  Fuller,  MS: 
Barty  English  a  Baptists,  264:  Ohuroh  J>i- 
netory,  264. 

Ollbnoe  of  the  Cross    296 

Order  of  Church  at  Coleraine    245 

OBITUABT  :~Mrs.  Bonow,  20 :  Mr.  John 
Wilkinson,  21:  WUliam  Bverahed,  26: 
Samuel  Lane,  of  Hull,  29:  Jonatfaan  Okric, 
5t:  Charlotte  Everitt,  69:  John  Coatesi  78: 


James  Nunn,  139:  W.  Beale,  189:  the 
late  James  Barratt,  260. 

Preacher,  A  Sleeping 43 

Player,  Charge  to  John      ..»     61 

PuLpit,  the    first  Institution    in    the 

World        01 

Present  Character  of  Chnstendom    ...    94 
Parents,  Sermon  for    ...    ...     .*.     .,.  163 

Plot  of  Land  Wanted ^     ...198 

Pastor's  Life,  Country 2l9 

Plymouth  Brethren      10,  40,    ^ 

Phrmouth  Brethren  Works    111,  136,  165 

TOETBT:— Heavenly  Home,  18:  Com^ 
Best  at  Home,  34:  Christ  aU  in  all,  44: 
Smoking  FUx,\67:  Come,  Jesus,  Come,  88: 
I  wania  Friend,  156 :  The  Bod  and  the  Stall 
by  J.  R  M'Cuie,  188 :  The  Sainta'  Inheritance, 
29:  Deliveianee,  229:  the  Covenant,  291: 
Help  from  on  High,  28L 
Queensland — Ordination  Serfiees  ..•  77 
Questions  on  Baptism  by  John  Corbitt    Id4 

Bobert  Rofl;  the  Late 14 

Aestoration  of  the  Church 35 

Rustic  Review  of  AsMciation     171 


Religion,  Vital 


206 


Reflections  in  Railway  Cairi^^ea  241,  26T 

Seven  Sainted  Sires  1  knew 17,   97 

Salvation       i ^     fi6 

8tokes,  W.  Sermon  on  Royal  Wedding  100 

Self-despairing  Soul    109 

Sydney,  Baptist  Church      ^ 100 

Sairey  Tabernacle  Baptising    ITS 

Seimon  for  British  Christians 180 

Sarah  Hatton  and  the  City  Mitaioiia riea  100 

Slavery  and  American  war       220 

Surrey  Tabemaele  Sunday  Schod  ...  223 
**  Standard"  (the)  Chuiches  and  their 

People       213 

Searle  (J.  P.),  Baptizing  at  BeChesda  246 

Sounding  Alarm  for  Harrow      260 

Strict  Baptist  Assembly  Hall     ...     ,«  267 

The  Truth— Wher* is  it? 9 

Three  Isaaca. 37 

The  Church   Looking    out    for   the 

Mominff    97 

Thomas  ^Iwazds,  Tunbiidge  Wells  ...    27 

IWyior's  (B)  Letter     145 

l%eAll-Lovdv     147 

ToneltBtones  of  a  Oodly  Ministty  ...  206 
The  Pknss  Correcting  the  Pulpit       ...  219 

The  Wrong  Road...    290 

Union    43 

Valiant    Woman  —  St     Augustine's 

Mother      116 

Vow— the  Broken 138 

Vifiitationa,  by  S.  Coaom    168 

Venenabls  J.  A.  Jones 271 

W.  Flac^a  Sermon     16,  72 

Wyard,  O.,  Blandfoid  street      «    96 

Wells's  (James)  Visit  to  the  North  ...  99 
Welcome  to  W.  Jeffeiy  and  Bride  ...  101 
WOliam  Huntington  and  his  Sons    ...  184 

What  is  tlieOtoiy  of  Christ?    206 

Who  was  Andrew  FuUer  ? 227 

W.  Huntington's  JobUee    .•  298 

Young  Hunlingtoniaiis^     .»    f..     ...  254 

tized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ivmUVtm. 


TtoB  BAETHH   YSSSIL. 


131 


$0  sou  |rmi  "%  aSorbr 


TmB  question  cumot  be  considered  imper- 
tin«qit,  ill-timed,  or  out  of  place,  because  by 
the  highest  authorities,  on  all  hands,  it  is 
admitted ;  yea,  it  is  lamented,  there  is  a 
gradoal  depaitnre  fieom  the  simj^ieity  of  tiie 
Gospel  or  Christ    A  deHcate  philosophy 
on  the  one  hand,  and  a  coarse  recital  of 
tales  and  old  wires'  fiibles  on  the  other, 
leaTes  bat  little  room  for  full  and  powerful 
opening  up  of  the  word  of  God,  which  is  the 
rerelation  of  the  Fathkb's  mind,  the  exhi- 
bition of  the  Satioub's  Person  and  work, 
the  chUdren's  bread,  and  the  great  rule  by 
which   rebellious,    impenitent,  and  unbe- 
lieving men  are  to  be  judged  at  the  last  great 
day.    It  was,  indeed,  a  grand  epoch  for 
EnJ^and,  when  John  Widdiffe  furst  oon- 
eeired  the  idea  of  giring  to  his  countiymen 
THE  WBOLB   BiBiB  in  their  own  tongue. 
The  Apostate  Church  has  always  closed, 
held  bftiek,  and  refused  the  Wobd  of  God. 
The  world,  sunken  in  iniquity,  has  ever 
been  careless,  and  has  recklessly  slighted 
the  Bible;  but  as  the  time  for  gathering 
in  the  ransomed  shee^  has  come   on,  the 
Loan  has  in  mercy  devised  means  whereby 
His  blessed  word' should  be  given  to  man 
that  they  may  read,  uid  through  grace 
drrine,  beHeve  and  know  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jsscs  His  Sov.    And  since  the  Bible  has 
been  given  to  us,  what  a  wicked  war  has 
Satan   carried  on — openly  and  secretiy — 
against  the  blessed  Book  of  Heaven.    To 
burn  it,  to  blind  men's  eyes  against  its 

florioos  light,  to  cover  it  over  with  the 
ost  of  natural  reason,  and  carnal  condu- 
sioBs;  or  to  raise  im  a  set  of  pretenders  and 
impostofi,  who,  while  th^  would  contend 
for  its  letter  with  their  ups,  would  prac- 
tically cast  down  its  spirit  in  their  lives,  or 
leavv  them  to  misrepresent  and  deny  some  of 
its  most  essential  teachings :  yea,  in  ten 
thousand  ways  has  opposition  been  hurled 
aounst  the  revelation  God  has  ^ven ;  and 
which  is  the  only  safe  and  saving  word — 
the  only  heaven-ordained  beacon  on  the 
&ce  of  this  dark  and  dreadfully  dangerous 
worid. 

The  language  of  Evan  Lewis,  in  his  re- 
cently-published **  Criti<}ue,"  should  be  the 
hcarCccho  and  the  pulpit-echo  of  every  true 
servmt  of  Jesus  Chnst  He  says :  **  We 
beliwe  in  neither  Mr.  James  nor  Mr. 
Wesley ;  we  believe  in  neither  minutes  nor 
men:  we  btHeve  onfy  in  our  Bible/**  Oh! 
that  the  happy  day  were  come,  when  mi- 
nisters and  seeking  men  could  appeal  sim- 
'  '  to  the  Bible,  look  to,  learn  o£  lean  on, 

7ot.  XIX.— Wo.  217. 


""Vo 


and  be  guided  only  by  the  Bible.  Then 
shall  Truth,  in  all  her  beautiful  simplicity, 
in  all  her  royal  niagnificence,  in  all  her 
essential  harmony ,'in  all  her  rich  and  inex- 
haustible fulness,  be  discovered,  delighted 
in,  embraced,  and  magnified,  as  yet,  exten- 
sively, it  never  has  been. 

But  when  I  ask,  ''Do  tou  prbach  thr 
Wobd?**  I  do  not  mean  a  mere  quotation 
of  Scripture.  I  do  not  mean  that  a  man 
should  take  a  leaf  out  of  his  concordance, 
and  merely  tell  the  people  that  in  such  and 
such  chapters,  and  in  such  and  such  verses 
they  may  find  such  and  such  words.  Many 
years  since  I  went  very  anxiously  to  hear 
that  good  man,  Mr.  Newbome ;  he  took  for  his . 
text,  "  Is  this  thy  kindness  to  thy  friend  ?" 
and  having  read  his  text,  he  seemed  to  me 
just  to  travel  through  the  Bible,  stopping 
at  almost  every  verse  where  the  word 
"  Fbxekd**  was  to  be  found,  and  then  he 
would  recite  that  text,  and  pass  on  to 
another.  That  kind  of  preaching  (or  rs- 
hearsing  rather)  may  be  very  safe ;  but  to 
me  it  is  not  the  hot  living  bread  of  heaven's 
sending.  That  # excellent  man  of  God, 
William  Bidder,  was  a  great  Scriptarian ; 
and  poor  dear  Fenlon  would  give  you  text 
enough  in  one  discourse  to  last  yon  a  Ions 
while ;  but  that  is  not  the  preaching  whicn 
has  ever  been  very  successful,  either  in 
winning  souls  to  Christ,  or  in  feeding  the 
souls  of  God's  people.  I  do  not  reflect  upon 
the  ^ood  men  I  have  referred  to.  Nay, 
William  Bidder  was  an  honoarable,  most 
worthy,  and  much-beloved  brother.  God's 
Christ  was  really  the  gloiy  of  his  ministry, 
the  ioy  of  his  heart,  and  the  foundation  of 
all  his  hopes  of  future  bliss.  And  he  is 
gone  home  to  his  reward ;  as  is  also  that 
eccentric,  but  sincere  disciple,  FeDlon  ;  and 
as  regards  Mr.  Newbome,  he  still  lives  and 
labours  soundly  in  the  word  and  doctrine ; 
and  beneath  the  shadow  of  old  £tv*s 
cathedral  gathers  a  few  good  sheep  to  fold. 
Still  I  say  the  people  want  more  tnan  quo- 
tations of  Scripture: — expounding,  or  hav- 
ing the  word  melted  in  the  heart,  and 
poured  out  through  the  doors  of  the  lips, 
richly  anointed  by  the  Holt  Spirit: — ^tne 
Word  being  in  you,  as  a  well  of  water 
springing  up  into  life  eternal :  this  is  some- 
thing of  the  mystery  I  would  desire  to  im- 
press upon  the  mind. 

If  you  will  consider  God's  own  teaching 
upon  this  point,  you  have  it  plain  enough 
in  Esekiel  (chapters  ii.  and  ii  i . )  Fi  rst ,  the 
heavens  were  opened  unto  Ezekiel ;  and  he 

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JnMUl 


saw  visions  of  God.  Then  the  word  of  the 
Lord  came  expressly  unto  him ;  and  after 
the  masteries  of  g^ce  had  been  opened  unto 
him  m  secret,  the  Lord  said  unto  him, 
"Stand  upon  thy  feet,  and  I  will  speak 
unto  thee."  And  the  prophet  says,  "  The 
Spirit  entered  into  me  when  he  spake 
unto  me,  and  set  me  upon  my  feet ; 
and  he  said  unto  me,  Son  of  Man,  I 
send  thee  to  the  children  of  Israel.  Be  not 
afraid  of  them ;  thou  shalt  speak  my  words 
imto  them :  open  thy  mouth ;  and  eat  that 
I  give  thee."  Then  Ezekiel  looked:  his 
soul  was  drawn  out  in  expectation,  as  every 
man's  soul  is  when  the  Lord  is  about  to  fill 
him  with  heavenly  treasure ;  and  he  says, 
'*  Behold,  an  hand  was  sent  unto  me ;  and 
lo,  a  roll  of  a  book  was  therein :  and  he 
Bjffead  it  before  me;  and  it  was  written 
within  and  without :  and  he  said.  Son  of 
Han,  eat  that  thou  findest ;  eat  this  roQ,  and 

f>  and  speak  unto  the  house  of  Israel.  So 
opened  mv  mouth;  and  he  caused  me  to 
«at  that  roIL"  If  a  man,  then,  does  rightly 
preach  the  word,  that  sweet  exhortation  of 
Paul's  must  be  realized:  "Let  the  TVobd 
or  Christ  dwell  in  tou  bichlt  in  all 
wisdom :"  so  shall  the  teaching  and  admon- 
ishing be  unto  the  gdory  of  G(^  and  to  the 
benefit  of  saved  soms. 

I  could  single  out  a  minister  in  our  own 
di^,  whose  sermons,  I  feel  persuaded,  tes- 
tify to  the  rich  indwelling  ^of  the  Word  of 
life  and  truth  in  his  souT;  and  I  think  it  a 
great  pity  these  brim-fhil  Scripture  ex- 
poundings are  not  more  widely  spread 
abroad.  This  is  an  honour  great  indeed; 
and  "  no  man  taketh  this  honour  noon  him- 
self but  he  that  is  called  of  Goa»  as  was 
Aaron.**  There  are  many  good  men  who 
can  read  the  word,  and  prav  to  God  for  the 
people ;  and  who  can  maxe  sermons,  and 
give  out  their  experiences,  and  their  exer- 
cises, their  joys  and  their  sorrows;  and 
thus  are  sometimes  "  helps"  by  the  way ; 
but  no  sanctified  intelligent  Christian  wUl 
be  angry  when  I  say,  comparatively  speak- 
ing, were  are  bat  few  of  whom,  habitually, 
it   can   be   said,    that  they  psbacu  the 

WOKD. 

This  subject  might  "be  illustrated;  and 
this  question  might  be  enforced  by  many 
things ;  but  I  am  now  only  anxious  to  call 
serious  attention  to  the  qaestiom.  Our 
CSiurches,  as  a  whole,  are  not  advancing, 
or  ^thsring  strong^  as  we  could  desire. 
Sooeties  may  be  formed ;  committees  may 
be  appointed ;  moneys  may  be  given ;  strin- 
gent laws  and  rules  may  be  carried  and 
adopted ;  but  all  this  will  not  meet  the  'ne- 
cessity. ]Ut.  Lewis  says:  "I  fully  believe 
the  true  minister  needs  no  OfncuLL  aa- 
thority.  If  he  is  qualified  for  his  work,  he 
will  have  inftuenee;  and  that  will  generally 
be  in  proportion  to  his  worth*"    Human  or 


mere  official  authority  is  nothing.  Men 
may  call  themselves  ministers ;  and  they 
may  get  other  men  to  ordain  them ;  but, 
firequently,  this  only  turns  «ut  a  burden  to 
the  people  over  whom  they  are  settled.  But 
if  a  man  have  the  Spirit  of  God  in  him — 
the  living  Word  in  him : — if  the  word  cr 
HIS  JUB^RT  be  like  the  pome^anaU,  richly 
opening,  filling  that  heart  with  its  deejjy- 
hidden  seeds,  and  satiating  his  soul  with 
the  refreshing  juices  thereof;  and  if  the 
living  Word  be  in  his  mouth  and  on  his 
tongue,  as  the  beautiful  golden  heU;  if^  as 
Aaron  had,  he  have  the  beU  and  the  pome- 
gpranate,  he  will  never  fitil  to  be  useful  and 
helpful  to  that  people  among  whom  his  lot 
may  be  cast  The  operations  of  the  Splut 
are  different  or  various,  I  know ;  but  there 
is  one  method  the  Spirit  sometimes  adopts 
which  is  illustrative  of  the  harmony  of  uie 
word,  'and  of  the  completeness  of  Christ's 
salvation.  I  iUustrate  the  method  referred 
to  this  way. 

I  was  one  evening  searching  the  Scrm- 
turea.  The  word  •♦  SALVATION",  afl  m 
one  moment,  appeared  to  me  to  contain  the 
whole  of  the  jBible.  I  saw  it  to  be  the 
greatest  thing  ever  planned  in  heaven; 
ever  executed  upon  the  earUi;  ever  revealed 
in  a  sinner's  heart ;  ever  realised  in  heaven. 

Something  said,  "It  is  the  work  of  a 
seven-fold  personaiity."  L  It  is  the  work 
of  God  the  Father.  II.  It  is  the  wodc  of 
God  the  Son.  IIL  It  is  the  work  ofthe  eter- 
nal and  ever  blessed  Jehovah  the  Spirit  XV. 
It  is  the  work  of  angels.  V.  It  is  the  wozlc 
of  prophets.  VL  It  is  the  work  of  Apostles. 
Vll.  It  is  the  work  of  all  faiUifuI  ministees ; 
and  to  every  Divine  Person  in  the  Godhead ; 
and  to  every  agency  employed  by  the 
Eternal  Three,  there  came  suchblessed  worda 
of  truth  unfolding  as  to  fill  me  to  over- 
flowing;  and  to  make  salvation  and  the 
Saviour  most  exceedingly  dear  to  my  soul, 
of  which,  if  I  can,  I  wiU  give  some  ac- 
count, as  I  further  kindly  urge  the  question, 
"  Do  TOU  PaxAcn  the  Word  ?" 


CONFIDENCE    IN   GOD, 

'  Surely  goodness  and  meroy  shall  follow  me  all 
the  days  of  my  life."— jPialm  xxiil.  8. 

Hese  is  strong  confidence  in  God.  It  is 
^uite  possible  to  have  too  much  ooofidenoe 
in  ourselves,  or  in  mankind  in  geneni; 
but  we  cannot  have  too  much  con&noe  in 
Jehovah.  We  have  God*8  promise  and  oar 
own  experience  of  God's  faithftilneaa  to 
strengthen  this  confidence.  See  what  God 
has  done  for  us  in  times  jpast ;  how  maoy 
times  He  has  appeared  for  us  whea  we 
were  in  distress  in  mind  or  ia  bodv ;  how 
often  He  has  helped  us  in  diffieuLf^  and 
danger,  and  learn  from  the  past  just  sea- 
sons to  trust  Him  for  the  fotoie* 


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TAK  S4ETBSK  TESaSL. 


183 


•*  la  (Urkoi  watohoB  of  the  niglit, 
111  ooant  Thy  mercies  o'er ; 
rtl  prai»  Thv  nftme  for  merciM  patt, 
Mynof 


The  Psalmist,  is  the  exercise  of  this 
^th,  says,  "Surely  goodness  and  mercy 
•kail  foliow  me."  It  does  not  admit  of  a 
doubt  Blessed  be  God,  He  is  fiiithfol  and 
vnefaanging.  So  the  apostle  likewise  says, 
"  Xj  God  sAail  snppljr  aUyonr  need  accord- 
^f  to  His  riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus." 
These  blessings  are  aasnred  to  ns  by  God 
br  rirtne  of  oar  relationship  irith  Him,  and 
^erefore  He  trill  not  &il  to  confer  them. 
"  Gxaee  and  glory"  shall  be  giyen  ;  things 
tamoofal  and  spintnal  shall  be  granted; 
pflBrooning  mercy,  sustaining  mercy,  pro- 
tecting mercy,  sapplying  meiey,  shall  all 
be  mzrs  if  we  are  Cmrist's ;  for,  "  Sorely 
goodsesa  and  merey  shall  follow  me."  lAke 
the  water  from  the  smitten  rock,  which  fol- 
lowed the  Israelites  through  all  their 
joameyings  in  the  wilderness,  so  tlds 
"gooviess  and  meroy  shall  follow*'  ns 
wfiererer  we  go.  We  cannot  get  beyond 
ita  reach ;  we  may  be  east  down  and  almost 
destroyed ;  we  may  be  in  doabt  and  dark- 
nen ;  we  may  be  in  poTeirty  or  affliction ; 


we  may  be  in  a  workhouse  or  a  palace ;  we 
maybe  "alike  unknowing  and  uukiiow'n" 
by  every  one  except  Grod ;  n&j,  we  may  be 
rotting  in  a  dungeon,  thrown  into  a  seren- 
fold  heated  furnace,  or  fastened  to  a  mar- 
tyr's stake,  stiH  "goodness  and  mercy  shall 
follow  me'*  wherever  I  am ;  and  that  not 
for  a  year  or  two,  or  for  a  few  years  at 
most,  but  for  "all  the  days  of  my  life." 
All  the  day  and  everyday.  This  "good- 
ness and  mercy"  is  "new  every  morning," 
and  continued  all  the  journey  tnrough.  He 
says,  "  Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  mm  thee." 
And  although  we  do  not  always  realize 
this  blessed  truth,  vet  we  jnay  take  it  as  an 
assured  fact.  He  has  said  it,  and  He  can- 
not lie.  What  a  source  of  comfort  is  here 
for  the  tried  believer.  Though  your  way 
may  now  be  hedged  up ;  though  Providence 
may  frown ;  though  all  may  be  dark  around 
ana  within;  though  sin  and  Satan  may 
assail;  though  the  law  may  threaten,  yet 
take  comfort,  for  "Surely  goodness  and 
mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my 
life." 

"  Did  Jesus  onoe  upon  me  shine, 
Then  Jesus  is  tor  ever  mine." 
Scarborough.  S.  C. 


WOBK  IK  THE  HIGH-WAYS  AND  HEDGES  OF  OUR  METROPOLIS; 

0*. 

"THE     POWER     OF      GOD.'* 


Som  is  tha  leading  title  of  a  book  for  re- 
Tiaw,— ''The  P«wer  of  God;  or,  the  Re- 
tmiU  of  Tluatre  Preaching."  By  WUliam 
Cutis.  Ptica  one  ahiUiog.  Pabliahed  by 
Ifayin  and  Chase,  Amm  Coiner. 

Wa  had  been  reading  a  part  of  one  of 
Jolui  Back's  aermoBB.  xhe  following 
maUmm  pantanen,  descriptiye  of  a  falae  and 
a  Crae  mndiifmikm,  we  felt  weighty  in- 
da«L  HaaWva^-.*'  1.  What  this  sancti- 
icatinn  ia  not.  It  ia  not  what  some  affirm, 
that  whan  araan  ia  eonverted  to  God,  he 
««w  affcsr  kfMfs  the  oenunandiiDents  and 
liraa  a  holy  life.  The  Jewish  scribes  and 
Fhameea  wera  «f  this  aort^  and  yezy  hard 
thsj  laboured  to  make  conyert&  They 
enqnaasdaea  and  land.  Snch  are  Ml  of 
mU,  aa  ptond  as  Satan.  They  trust  in 
thanMntwa  Ihat  they  are  righteous,  and  de- 
^iMothaa.  One  criaa  ant,  *  Stand  by  thy- 
iilf  2  eoma  not  near  onto  me ;  yoa  are  a 
aanar,  but  I  aa  rightaons;  I  am  holier 
tkan  than.'  Anoth«  aaya,  «I  thank  God 
dmi  1  am  not  aa  other  nun,  no  extortioner, 
nar  eiynat,  nor  even  aa  this  pnblioan.  I 
fMi  twice  ia  the  weak,  and  giye  alma  of  all 
thai  X  possicfc'  Now  I  leaUy  belieye  that 
hadidwIiBtheaaid;  bntaelf-righteoaaneas 
nowr  ma  be  tmtfiMn  to  Gad,  beeanae  it 


ia  diredJj  opposite  to  Jesos  Christ;  and 
such  either  ignorantly  or  knowingly  con- 
front him.  Gk>d  may  and  does  incline 
natural  men  to  do  many  good  outward 
things  to  their  fellow-creatures ;  and  it  is  a 
blessing  among  men  when  it  is  so.  But, 
reader,  this  is  not  oonyersion  to  God.  Sudi 
wholly  trust  in  what  they  do  and  hsAe 
Chnst  in  heart. 

"  Again.  There  is  another  sort.  They 
take  jMirt  of  Christ  in  pretension  and  part 
themaelyes,  and  such  are  the  Arminiaqs, 
or  John  Wesley^s  tribe.  These  talk  about 
the  blood  of  Christ  and  reject  His  righteous- 
ness ;  and  thus  Christ  is  dirided.  They 
will  tell  you  that  they  haye  power  to  come 
to  Chriat  if  they  will;  and  so  they  say 
eyazy  one  has;  and  some  of  them  haye 
boasted  of  their  sinless  perfection,  that  they 
haye  Uyed  without  sin  twenty  and  thirty 
years  together ;  but  it  is  a  damnable  de- 
lusion and  derogatozy  to  God's  word. 
Hence  John  saj^s,  '  If  we  say  that  we  haye 
no  sin,  we  deceiye  ouxselyes,  and  the  truth 
is  not  in  us.' 

"  Now,  none  of  these  chaxactess  eyer 
ware  oonyerted  to  Go^  nor  is  any  of  this 
aanctiilcation ;  for  it  ia  at  best  on\y  a  £iir 
show  in  the  ileth. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  iC 


134 


THE  EAKTHKir  VX88BL. 


JimeMtaa 


"  But  there  is  *  third  lort  Such  have  a 
dear  understandiiiff  of  the  troth.  Thej 
were  converted  unaer  Hr.  Whitetield,  or 
Hr.  Bomaine.  '  It  was/  say  they, '  a  still, 
small  voice,  nothing  alarming.  I  was  drawn 
by  love  ;*  and  snch  slide  on  for  forty  years 
together,  holding  &8t  their  oonfldenoe  that 
all  is  ri^t  They  belong  to  churches,  and 
have  perhaps  been  baptism :  bnt  they  never 
had  tnat  teaching  which  God  teaches  those 
poor  ones  whom  ne  taketh  out  of  the  dnst 
Kothing  of  all  this  is  real  sanctification. 
No,  it  is  not  Say  yon,  •  Prove  it  ?*  Then 
as  to  the  first,  God  says  they  are  a  smoke 
in  His  nose,  and  Christ  said  to  them,  *  How 
can  ye  escape  the  damnation  of  hell  V  The 
second  John  tells  ns  deceive  themselves  and 
are  destitute  of  the  troth.  But  it  is  those 
that  have  the  troth  that  are  called  the 
righteous  nation,  which  are  to  enter  glory 
above.  The  third  class  hold  the  troth  in 
unrighteousness,  and  the  wrath  of  God  is  in 
an  especial  manner  revealed  asainst  such." 

John  Rusk  miffht  have  added  another 
sort  Men  who  have  had,  or  think  they 
have  had,  a  most  extraordinary  dreadful 
work  in  coming  to  Jesus;  but,  this  deep 
work  in  them  has  left  a  narrowness,  a  bit- 
terness, and  a  prejudice  against  all  others, 
who  see  not,  stand  not,  ron  not,  sp^Jc  not 
exactly  as  they  do ;  or,  rather,  who  are  not 
sanctioned  by  their  bishop,  or  included  in 
his  list.  Among  these  John  Rusk  might 
find  some  as  iar  off  from  the  troe  orace  of 
Christ  as  those  whom  he  so  decidedly  con- 
demns above. 

Self-righteous,  or  half  self-righteous  peo- 
ple, self-deceived,  and  creature-deluded 
souls  must  certainly  be  in  a  dangerous 
"ght  But,  as  John  Rusk's  sermon  and 
iliam  Carter's  theatre  preaching  book 
lay  on  our  study  table  together,  while  we 
were  looking  seriously  at  them  both,  these 
Scriptures  came  to  us  with  some  feeling :  — 
'Go  ye  into  all  the  toorldt  and  ^^each  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature."  Those  two 
words,  "  every  creature,"  opened  themselves 
widely  to  us — to  men  of  every  kind,  of 
every  class,  in  every  place.  Then  came 
that  other  Scripture,  —  "Gho  ye  therefore 
into  the  high-ways,  and  as  many  as  ye  shall 

find   BID   TO  THE    MASBIAGB."       Lukc    BSyS, 

"  The  Lord  said  unto  the  servant  Go  out 
into  the  high-ways  and  hedges,  and  compel 
them  to  come  in,  that  my  house  may  be 
f^."  That  new  song  also  came  to  my 
mind.  In  heaven  they  sing, — "Thou  art 
worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the 
•sals  thereof;  for  Thou  wast  slain,  and 
hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  Thy  blood,  out 
of  everjr  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people, 
and  nation.'* 

These  Scriptures  led  to  the  conclusion 
that  God  would  em^oy  men  and  means 
suited  to  the  ends  He  designed  to  accom- 
plish, and  that  to  throw  contempt  on  any 


part  of  the  Lord's  work,  to  attempt  to  limit 
the  Almighty  by  our  own  judgment  or  to 
make  ouraelves  a  standard  by  ^dueh  to  test 
any  part  of  heaven's  great  plan,  is  mere 
dangerous  than  we  can  describe. 

In  the  high-ways  and  hedges  of  this 
fftllen  world,  there  are  millions  of  immortal 
souls.  In  such  places  as  the  New  Cut, 
Shadwell,  Ratdiffe,  St  GUes's,  Somer^a 
Town,  and  other  like  ^arts,  what  masses  of 
the  monsters  of  iniqmfy  are  to  be  found. 
Does  the  Bishop  of  London  come  down 
among  them  ?  He  would  say  he  has  othee 
work  to  do.  Does  Dr.  Cumming,  or  any  of 
the  great  divines,  enter  into  these  fields  of 
labour?  Nay;  they  will  tell  you  that  they 
send  the  city  missionaries  to  such  work: 
but  how  muw  of  it  do  they  do?  Some  of 
our  leading  men  are  always  talking  about  a 
more  refined,  a  more  extensively  educated 
ministrr.  Well ;  let  them  set  them  :  but, 
^fter  all,  the  deep  dregs  of  humanity  seem 
to  demand  a  class  of  men  taken  out  of  their 
own  ranks,  and,  if  we  are  not  beside  our- 
selves, tlus  kind  of  work  has  now  the 
peculiar  reg»rd  of  the  Eternal  Spirit  Let 
any  one  who  can  go  through  our  dtr 
churches  on  a  Suncby  moroing;  he  will 
find  them  almost  empty.  Prayers  are  read 
to  the  Dews  ;  and  the  pulpit  aisoourses  are 
listened  to  by  precious  few  indeed. 

Is  this  because  there  are  no  people? 
No,  indeed ;  but  because  there  is  cold  keep- 
ing to  ceremonies,  which  are  become  al- 
most if  not  quite,  lifeless. 

William  Carter  says, — "For  years  my 
heart  has  yearaed  over  the  masses  of  this 
great  metropolis;  and  in  secret  I  often 
prayed  that  God  would  open  a  door  for  me 
to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  thousands  of 
the  working  classes  who  never  go  to  churdi 
or  chapel."  This  book  reveals  an  answer 
to  Carter's  prayers  f  and  as  we  have  read 
its  details,  we  have  hoped  that  like  the 
navvies  and  pioneers  in  othw  fields,  he  has 
a  work  to  do  in  instromentally  plucking 
men  as  brands  from  the  burning,  over 
whom  Zion  will  rejoice  in  days  to  come. 
In  "  C&EXBIKG  WoBDs"  foT  Jutts,  we  give 
"  The  Man-of-war's  Man  Saved  in  tJk 
Theatre."  Read  it:  indeed,  we  will  sa^, 
read  the  book,  and  remember  tiiat  if 
William  Carter  holds  ten  meetinsa  Ibr 
"rogues,  thieves,  and  vagabonds,'*  that 
these  men  have  souls  as  well  as  the  prim 
and  pious  people ;  and  if  he  is  instrumental 
in  gathering  multitudes  of  these  wretched 
men  together,  and  if  he  preaches  Jesoa 
Christ  unto  them,  and  if  the  Lord  (through 
Carter's  preaching)  really  saves  some,  a 
glorious  end  is  answered.  We  never  hear 
a  man  preaching  in  the  streete,  we  never 
see  announcements  of  theatre  preaching, 
but  we  rejoice  in  the  hope  that  God,  of  Bm 
infinite  mercy,  will  thereby  call  in  not  a 
few  of  His  own  redeemed  ones.    Amen. 


Jmtl^im, 


THX  lABTHIN  YI8SSL. 


135 


JEHOVAH,   THE  SALVATION  OF  HIS  PEOPLE. 

Bt  F.  Shaw,  Baiti0t  HiKismt,  Oocold,  Suffolk. 
(Condoded  from  page  82.) 

••  Behold  1  Ood  ii  my  alTation.*'— Isaiam  xii.  9. 


IL  Now  to  the  soeond  part  of  our  subject, 
riz.,  if  God  be  our  salystioii  (as  He  most 
certainly  isX  now  cajob  it  about? 

1,  I  abaU  reply  in  the  negatiye,  and, 
ftnt,  it  is  not  because  we  deserved  Him. 
Who  dare  saj  we  had  deserved  Grod  to  be 
oar  salvation  ?  We  deserved  not  sal^tion 
from  any  quarter,  inasmuch  as  we  wilfully 
sinned,  and  ran  ourselves  into  great  dis- 
tress and  danger.  It  is  Ood  that  we  have 
sinned  against,  and  justly  merited  destruc- 
tion from  Him,  and  never  salvation. 
Secondly,  God  is  not  our  salvaUon  because 
we  desired  Him;  for  it  may  be  said  of  us' 
as  it  was  of  some  of  old, — "  brael  would 
MOM  of  sie,"  and  if  left  to  ourselves  at 
present,  might  we  not  soon  be  justly  re- 
proached thus: — **  Mypeppiekave/orffotUn 
mef  Tes,  if  left  to  ourselves  even  now, 
we  should  not  only  cease  to  desire  God, 
but  should  aetaally  forget  Him,  even  after 
having  received  so  many  benefits  from 
Him:  so,  dien,  "it  is  not  of  kim  that 
wilktk,  nor  of  him  that  runneth  ;'*  neither 
oar  wiUs  nor  our  striving  are  the  cause  of 
God*s  being  our  salvation,  but,— 

2.  In  tliS  aifirmative  I  answer,  God  is 
oar  salvation  of  His  own  sovxsbxgn  will 
and  good  PLKAsuas,  which  makes  it  far 
more  sweet  and  precious.  As  He  made  us, 
so  also  He  saved  us.  Very  expressive  is 
the  language  of  the  poet, — 

**  Ht«  ■ov'reign  power,  without  our  aid, 
Xate  OS  of  day,  and  formed  us  men, 
Aad  whfM  like  waad'ring  sheep  westiay'd, 
fle  tooogfat  US  to  Hkfold  agdn.** 
O  lMtl^l^f■s  I  O  adorable !  O  inexpressi- 
ble £ivoar  on  the  part  of  our  God !   and 
what  aasorance  of  future  preservation  have 
we  in  this  glorious  truth  I 
III.  Ws  now  have  to  notice  the  way  in 

WBICB  THE  CHVBCH    IS  JUrBSSUITID   AS   Ilf- 

TBODvcno  God  as  bib  balvatioh. 

She  introdaees  the  subject  with  a  "  ie- 
hMr  which,  as  Dr.  GUI  has  iusUy  ob- 
served, is  a  note  of  aesewroHon,  admiraiUm, 
€9ciimon.  Mid  direetion. 

1.  Of  assevetratton :  affinning  Him  to  be 
her  salvation.  So  the  expression  appears 
siatilar  to  that  of  Job's,  when  he  says,  "  I 
Iebow  that  my  Bedeemer  liveth ;"  to  that  of 
I^nid,  when  he  says,  "The  Lord  is  my 
Sbephttd;  to  that  of  Thomas,  when  he 
■Bji.  **  Ji^  Loid  and«iy  God  ;**  also  to  that 
«f  I^  when  he  says,  **  Who  loved  me, 
•ad  gavs  Himself  far  vu."  The  church 
here  afirms  God  to  be  her  salvation  in 
P«tiealar :  so  wo  all  want  to  be  enabled  to 


do:  for  God's   being  another's  salvation 
will  not  suffice  for  us. 

2.  Of  admiration.  She  wondered,  and 
was  astonished  to  know  God  was  her  salva- 
tion. And  well  she  might,  considering, 
first.  His  infinite  perfection  and  bliss  with- 
out her.  He  had  done  nothing  to  be  sony 
for.  He  wanted  nothing  to  make  Him 
happy,  nor  anything  to  enrich  Him:  yet 
He,  of  His  own  accord,  becomes  our  salva- 
tion. Secondly.  Her  rebellion  quite  firom 
the  fall  of  man  has  been  rebellious  aeainst 
God,  and  hath  been  declining  from  Him  ; 
and  I  compare  the  regaining  of  a  singer  by 
Christ  to  a  course,  wherein  the  fiister  the 
hare  (or  what  it  may  be)  runs,  the  more 
the  hounds  strive  to  overtake  it ;  likewise 
where  it  runs  they  will  follow,  until  they 
light  upon  their  prey.  So,  when  Christ 
sets  about  regaining  a  sinner,  the  sinner  is 
sure  to  oppose  and  resist  as  long  as  he  can. 
But  it  IS  no  good  resisting;  no  matter 
where  he  goes,  or  what  he  does,  sin,  death, 
judgment,  hell,  and  such  like,  are  sure  to 
chase  and  follow  him,  until  he  is  fully  cap- 
tivated, and  brought  penitent  to  the  foot  of 
the  cross.  Christ  will  have  His  notwith- 
standing all  rebellion.  Thirdly.  Her  un- 
worthiness.  As  one  of  old  said,  "  What  is 
man  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?'*  This 
I  compare  to  a  man  with  an  immense  pro- 
perty living  almost  unknown  both  in  his 
person  and  property  in  some  lar^e  town ; 
but  he  desires  to  be  known  both  m  person 
and  property ;  also  to  become  great  among 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town.  Well,  my 
brethren,  and  what  does  this  man  do  to 
procure  his  desires?  Why,  he  sets  about 
and  buys  all  the  worst  and  most  inferior 
parts  of  the  town,  pulls  down  the  old 
buildings,  and  erects  new  ones  far  more 
magnificent  and  costly  than  any  other 
buildings  in  the  town ;  so  he  manifests  his 
riches  and  becomes  great  at  once.  Like- 
wise God  created  all  things,  and  all  men, 
and  dwelt  among  them;  but,  by  fancied 
wisdom  arising  from  sin,  the  world  knew 
not  God ;  but  He,  desirous  to  make  Him- 
self known  and  the  riches  of  His  grace, 
chose  the  base,  the  foolish,  the  weak,  and 
the  most  sinful  among  men,  and  by  im- 
puted and  imparted  holiness,  makes  them 
the  most  illustrious  of  all  men,  and  Uiereby 
accomplishing  His  desire.  Fourthly.  Con- 
sidering the  shame,  the  sorrow,  the  suffer- 
ing, and  migh^  conflicts  Christ  had  to  un- 
dergo and  endure  in  oider  to  become  the 

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136 


THE  EABTHEN  TBS8EL. 


JUn«  1»  188S. 


salvatioii  of  the  church,  which  mav  be 
illdstrated  by  a  suit  in  law,  whwein  I  haye 
heard  people  say  they  did  not  care  what  it 
cost  them  if  they  cbnld  but  gain  the  da^. 
Thus  it  was  with  Christ,  who,  in  this  spirit, 
laid  down  His  life  for  His  people.  like- 
wise we  might  notice  Christ's  snitabilily 
and  superiority  a«  a  SaTiour;  also  ovr 
beiiijg  taken  and  others  left^  with  more 
merit  than  onrselyes,  as  sufficient  to  excite 
wonder  and  admiration  at  the  thou^t  and 
fact  of  Qod'i  being  our  salyatioo. 

3.  This  «  beAM'*  is  a  note  of  exclusion : 
excluding  all  others  finom.  a  part  in  her  sal- 
vation. *'  Behold  Qod  is  my  salTStion,  and 
not  another.  I  trust  not  in  horses,  not  in 
chariots,  not  in  a  number  of  Taliaiit  men, 
but  in  Ood  Himself."  So  should  the 
Christian  trust  not  in  hifliself— his  righte- 
ousness, his  prayers,  his  £uih,  or  any  sudi 
thing,  but  in  the  Lord  his  God.  O,  bre- 
tliren,  trust  nothing,  nor  any  one  dse  but 
Ood;  make  Him  your  salration  at  all 
times. 

4.  It  is  a  note  of  direction  and  attention. 


calling  for  the  attention  of  others,  and  di- 
reotioff  them  to  the  same  soui^  as  I  would 
now  do,  and  say,  "  Ho  1 .  eveiy  one  that 
thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters ;  every  one 
that  moumeth,  come  ye  for  comfort ;  every 
one  sensibly  guilty,  come  ye  for  pardon; 
everyone  polluted,  come  ye  to  be  washed 
and  cleansed;  eveiy  one  hungering,  oome 
ye  for  food ;  every  one  naked,  come  ye  for 
clothing;  every  one  disconsolate,  0ome  y» 
for  consoktiAn,  bring  all  your  wants  and 
diseases  with  you."  Using  the  language  of 
the  poet, — 

*^  Jost  as  I  am— poor,  wretched,  blind, 

Bicfat,  riohea,  nealing  of  tbe  miad, 

TS^  all  I  need  in  thee  to  find. 

Oh.  Iamb  of  God,  I  eomer* 

Poor  sinner!  needest  thou  salvatioii? 
If  so,  here  is  one  well  adapted  to  your  need. 
May  the  Lord  help  you  to  say,  *' Behold, 
Goa  is  my  salvation  ;  I  will  trust  and  not 
be  afraid."  Those  who  have  Christ  need 
fear  nothing.  Seek  Him«  sinner,  and  yon 
shall  find  Him  and  be  saved ;  but,  without 
Him,  you  are  fbr  ever  lost.  Ah !  lost  in- 
deed ;  God  prevent  it    Amen. 


9H  f  tgnttttth  iretliren: 


THEIR  niSTORT—THBIft  DOCTBIRXS — TKEIB  8PBSAD — THBIB  PBBSUT  OOHSZnOK,  BTC.»  XXC. 
WITH  BIOORjLPBICAL  SKITCHBS  Ot   SOMS  OW  THDE  T.lAnnW,  AXD  MOST  DVTOTBD 


Bt  Tkox48  Gsoboi  Bill,  IiI«.D.,  up  Lthxodth,  Nobtk  Dsroir. 


TXI. 

of  His  crace  in  His  kindness  to  us  thituDg^ 
Christ  Jesus ;'  but,  then,  it  is  in  *  the  age8 
to  come.* ....  If  we  trace  the  dealings  of 
God  with  Israel  and  with  tbe  Church,  ac- 
cording to  tiiese  tw0  declared  purppses, — 
Israel  to  maniftst  God  df  Baam,  the 
Church  in  hbavbilt  «ilort, — we  shall  flad 
much  light  flow  in  upon  the  SoripCiira,  for 
God  hath  made  knoim  mto  us  the  mjf^ 
ttry  of  His  wiU,  accordng  to  Bis  good 
pleasure,  whidi  He  hadi  purposed  in  Him* 
self,  that  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fhlnesB 
of  times,  He  might  gaiher  UftthtnF  m  mie 
aU  things  in  Christ,  both  whi^  are  in  km» 
ttfn,  and  whidi  are  on  mrih,' 

There  is  also  a  contrast  drawn  between 
the  course  of  the  earthly-^alled  people  and 
that  of  the  heawnly.  IstmI  was  eallad  to 
fight  with  eamal  weapons  againsi  Hm^ 
strength  and  courage  of  the  nations  of 
Canaan,  and  had  to  besi^re  tbefr  eitiea 
'walled  and  veiy  great*  Joshua's  wafteh* 
word  was,  **  Be  than  strong  and  very  coa-^ 
rageous."  Moses  and  Joahna  wara  tic- 
torioos  leaders.  Jesus  was  (ks  Lamh  i/gtw> 
He  had  to  overoome  as  the  Lmnh^  aad  by 
suffiaiBg  and  death.      ^  , 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


DBA.R  Brotheh, — ^The  subject  of  the  ©re- 
sent letter  is  Th€  Beavenfy  CaJUng  ofths 
Church, 

A  tract,  with  the  simple  title,  "  The  Hea- 
venly Calling,''  without  author's  name,  but 
extensively  circtilated  among  the  Brethren, 
may  be  taken  as  the  most  clearly  expressing 
their  views  on  this  important  point.  The 
calling  of  Israel  and  the  Church  is  placed 
in  contrast.    It  is  stated  that,— 

"Israel  was  called  to  exercise  futh  to- 
wards God,  displaying  His  gloir  iu  con- 
nexion with  THINGS  OW  sabth.  Christians 
are  called  to  exercise  fiiith  in  regard  to 
"things  that  ame  abovs,  where  Christ 
sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God." 

The  earthly  calling  is  shewn  to  be  God's 
choice  of  an  earthly  people,  to  shew  forth 
His  own  character  on  earth.  (2  Sam.  vii. 
2S— 26 ;  Isaiah  xxxvii  18—20.}  "^Many 
other  Scriptures  are  q[UOted.  The  writer 
then  says, — 

"  Quite  different  from  all  this  is  the  de- 
sign of  Gbd  in  the  calling  of  His  ^eet 
Church,  and  His  dealings  with  them.  It 
is,  indeed,  as  we  read  (Sph.  i.  11),  'That 
He  might  show  forth  the  exceeding  riches 


JneUlMt. 


TBS  BABTHSN  Y] 


137 


"  Thmigii  dM&  oar  Captain  of  salTa- 
tion  HATH  destroyed  him  who  had  the 
power  of  death,  that  is  the  devil,  and  led 
tie  mioU  body  of  ike  elect,  in  Himself  the 
liTiog  head,  throng  the  deep  water-floods 
into  His  own  position  of  resurrection' life. 
It  Gad*8  right  hand,  as  it  is  written, '  God, 
who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  His  great  lore 
wherewith  he  loved  ns,  even  when  we  were 
dead  in  sins,  hath  quickened  us  together 
wUk  Christ  (by  grace  ye  are  saved),  and 
hath  raised  us  up  together,  and  made  us 
dt  together  in   heavenly  places  in  Christ 

''And,  according  to  the  pattern  of  the 
Gaptain  is  the  caUin|g  of  each  soldier  of  the 
amy  of  faith.  *  It  is  a  &ithful  saying,  for 
if  we  be  dead  with  Hira,  we  shall  also  live 
with  Him :  if  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign 
with  Him.'  Here,  then,  as  it  seems  to  me, 
WK  have  the  prine^le  of  the  hkavbnlt 
CALUifQ.  Chosen  to  be  soldiers,  we  a|;e  to 
traad  in  the  ibotsteps  of  oar  Lord,  who, 
through  suffering,  entered  into  glory.  . .  . 
To  be  a  caoss-anABna  is  the  condition  of 
discipl«*ship.  , .  .  There  is  no  real  com- 
mnmon,  then,  between  a  crosn-bearer  and 
the  world  whidi  thought  his  Master  too 

vile  f&r  vaj  death  but  this Christ 

leads  Hu  pilgrim  and  stranger  ffoek  of  dis- 
ciples through  this  world,  which  has  be- 
come to  tfaem  a  wilderness  indeed;  and 
His  word  to  Aem  is  sure, '  In  the  world  ve 
shall  have  tribulation,  but  in  me  peace.'  *' 

Lord  Congieton,  who  has  been  with  the 
Mretkren  from  the  beginning  of  the  move- 
ment, is  the  writer  of  a  tract  entitled, 
^  Reeurrection.  Idfe"  in  which  it  is  very 
deariy  pointed  out  that  the  new  life  in 
each  bebever  is  really  a  resurrection  life  — 
that  we  are  one  with  Christ  risen  from  the 
dead — therefiore  that  ova  life  is  a  risen  life. 
The  Ibilowiiig  {nsaafpes  in  this  tract  con- 
nect ^^  risen  Ufe  with  the  subject  before 

BJC. 

'^  It  is  not  only  union  with  Jesus, — ^it  is 
onepeoB  with  Him^  that  we  are  identified 
with  Him  who  is  risen  and  gone  to  hea- 

vsB On  this  aceoimt  we  find  written 

not  only,  *  Hath  quickened  us  together  with 
CSnist,'  \nX,  also,  '  Hath  raised  us  up  to- 
gether, and  made  us  sit  together  in  hea- 
venly pbees  in  Christ  Jesus.  (K^h.  ii.  6.) 
And,  'as  He  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world.' 
(1  Jote)  IT.  17.r 

*  If  I  have  died  and  risen,  and  have 
lieeB  seated  in  heavenly  places,  what  con- 
nexion have  I  with  this  present  evil  world? 
I  have  done  with  it, — its  fiishions  and  its 
pelituss. ....  'Sf  dea^  and  resurrection, 
I  am  omtmde  the  system  called  the  world, 
wbether  pi^itieal  or  eoelesiasttcal,  although 
at  all  feimea  bound  to  submit  my«elf  ^  and 
to  obey  ^the  powers  that  be>'  and  to  seek 
tbe  goodof  au  witfiout  ceasmg.    By  ascen- 


sion with  Christ,  I  belong  to  a  city  out  of 
sight  *  Our  citizenship  is  in  heaven,  from 
whence  also  we  lock  for  the  Saviour.* " 

I  must  be  allowed  to  go  further  into  this 
subject  in  another  letter,  and  remain,  dear 
Brother,  yours  in  the  Lord. 

Thomas  Gbobob  Bell. 

rDr.  Bellas  address,  until  the  end  of  June, 
will  be  at  Mr.  John  Lynn's,  No.  70,  Fleet- 
street,  London,  E.C.] 

LXVI.— "The  yetr  IB99  was  one  of  much 
ble^ing  among  the  Brethren.  There  were  in 
that  year  sev^il  events  characterized  by  much 
of  the  Lord's  presence  and  power.  In  t^t  year, 
Mr.  Howard,  of  Tottenham,  and  several  others  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  came  out  to  the  unseo- 
tarian  basis,  and  begeai  to  meet  and  br^ak  bread. 
They  had  been  baptized  by  Immersion  in  1836. 
and  then  left  their  places  among  the  *^/riend»;^ 
but  continued  untu  this  year  to  meet  with  the 
Baptists.  In  June,  1838,  a  series  of  meetings 
took  place  in  the  Gloucester  Hotel,  Clifton, 
which  exercised  much  influence.  There  were 
several  of  those  at  dilibrent  periods,  which  were 
held  in  continuation  of  the  *'  Foweraoourt  con- 
ferences,'* wherein  the  Brethren's  movement  first 
originated.  At  each  of  them,  brethren  and  sis- 
ters, were  assembled  flrom  all  parts  of  the  United 
Kinsdom,  and  some  from  other  lands.  Bo  it  was 
at  me  meetings  which  began  in  Clifton,  June 
ard,  18SS.  Many  purticulars  of  these  meetings 
(they  lasted  nearly  three  wedcs),  I  might  give; 
but,  at  the  present,  I  would  dwell  on  one  im- 
portant matter  arising  out  (^  them.  It  was  at 
one  of  the  evening  meetings  (Friday,  June  8th), 
that  the  deepest  interest  was  excited  throughout 
the  assembly  by  a  brother  named  Dorman  rising 
up  and  aayinc  something  like  this:  —  *Msny 
chorda  in  mr  hieait  have  been  touched,  dear  bie- 
thren,  sinoe  I  came  into  this  room.  I  have  been 
eleven  years  a  preacher  of  whs*  is  called  tfie  Gos- 
pel ;  but  I  never  knew  what  a  ftiU  <}ospri  is  imtU 
now.  I  have  been  in  great  bondage  of  soul  Ufte 
many  besides ;  but  now  that  the  Spirit  has  nn- 
fbided  to  me  the  love  of  tbe  Father,  a  flood  of 
light  has  burst  into  my  mind,  and  I  can  rejoiee 
in  my  standing  as  anew  creature  in  Christ  Jesus. 
I  can  only  say  that,  under  God.  to  dear  brother 
Wigram  I  owe  the  privilege  of  being  with  you 
this  day,  which  h»  been  the  happiest  of  my 
life.'  The  day's  meetings  had  bewi  most  pro- 
fitable. Mr.  B.  W.  Newton  commenced  them  at 
nine  o'clock  a.m.  by  leeturing  on  part  of  He- 
brews iii.  The  thmgs  he  partiouiarly  dwdt 
upon  were  the  flesh  crucified,  the  w<u*Id  left  be- 
hind. Judgment  and  death  passed,  and  the  be* 
liever  standing,  in  Christ  in  God's  presence. 
Tlie  key-note  ot^  greater  pari  of  his  address  was, — 
'  We  are  brought  iato  tha  /falAcr**  house,  that  we 
may  know  hrai.  and  be  filled  with  Hi9  fulness.' 
Other  speakers  followed,  Mr.  Bobert  Bfannsdl, 
Mr.  Brereton,  Mr.  Fitzoerald,  Mr.  Bdward  S^ge, 
Mr.  Hall.  There  was  tn«-'n  an  interval  fbr  refreMi- 
ment  After  this,  Ur.  Darby  spoke  at  great 
length  with  much  power.  Great  pait  of  his  ad- 
dress was  based  upon,  *  Be  fe  perfeet  at  pour  Fa- 
ther  vt  hmven  is  per/eet^  and  *  Be  fe  imitat9r»  tf 
Ood  as  deir  children*  Mr.  Newton  again  spoke  a 
few  wordk;  then  Mr.  Belleft  spoka  The  words 
which  the  latter  spoke  were  veiy  foil  of  love  He 
concluded  with  an  expression  which  seemed  at 
once  to  call  np  the  dear  brother  Doraum,  as  just 
mentioned,— *^rnia  «*  preeioms,  bfUkwsU  sHU  man 
M.*  The  fi>l!ow{ng  day  (Satoiday),  the  whole 
company  of  believers  thos  assembled  for  con- 
ference and  Christian  fiillowaliip  broke  bread  to- 
gether. Mr.  J.  L.  Harris  gave  an  address  fWim 
Acts  ix.  SI.    Mr.  Dari»y  and  Mr.  Newf m  eaSh 


engaged  in  prayer;  then  Mr.  Moaelle  spoke  from 
Sxodns  %jdK.i  andabratlMr  ftem  Pwriasr'-^- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQI 


sTT 


188 


THB  MAXnSXM  WSaEL. 


JtiM  1, 1M». 


After  whiob  Mr.  Doraiaa  tonobed  vmaj  haute  by 
the  feeling  memier  in  which  he  •poke  of  toe 
he  bed  reoeiyed.  He  ezpreewd  hit 
I  to  go  forth  At  the  Lord*t  cell  to  preach 


mdinesc  to  go 

the  Qoepel  in  the  moet  diituit  perto  of  the  eerth. 
0eer  biothe»l  the  Lord  had  ail  His  woric 
airanAed  for  hiin.  and  tboii|h  be  knew  it  not 
theo/he  bad  a  fleroe  struggle  for  truth  before 
him.  The  next  day  (Lord's-day),  the  Brethren 
turned  their  attention  to  erangeOzing.  Amongst 
other  efltnis,  there  was  preaobmg  in  varioos 
parts  of  Bristol  and  tract  distribuuoo.  In  the 
evening.  Mr.  J.  V.  Darby  preached  in  Betbesda 
Cbapel  from  John  sir.  SO ;  and  Mr.  Dorman  in 
the  forenoon  in  Brunswick  Independent  Chapel, 
from  1st  Cor.  ii.  14,  and  toUowIng  verMs.  Hr. 
Dorman  had  been  inrited  to  preach  tbere,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  illness  of  the  minister.  The  ex- 
traordinaiy  circumstances  which  followed,  it  will 
be  well  to  state  in  Mr.  Dorman*s  own  words. 
(See  "  PrineipUs  o/  IViilA,"  by  W.  H.  Dorman.) 

•*I  stated  briefly,  as  soon  as  I  reached  the 
vestry,  to  the  deacons,  who  were  my  personal 
friends,  that  I  was  not  at  Ubertv  to  wear  the 


or  lo preach  from  tkepulpU;  but,  if  they  ^ 
I  would  speak  as  God  should  enable  me,  fh>m 
the  clerk's  desk  or  platform.  There  were  oUeo- 
tioas  to  this,  as  oontrary  to  their  order,as  I,  of 
course,  anticipated;  but,  befbre  the  hymn|  with 
which  the  service  oommenoed,  was  flnlshea,  tb^ 
gave  their  consent  that /sAmiM  IsMw  (As  ^owM,  aMf 
eeeapy  iht  dirVt  tU$k.  I  commenced  by  an  ex- 
position of  the  1st  Cor.  ii.  14^  and  the  following 
vwses,  and  also  the  next  chapter  intending  to 
have  preached  afterwards  fh>m  Hebrews  iii.  1 ; 
but  my  mind  was  so  led  on  with  the  glorious 
truth  presented  in  the  portion  for  expoaltioiL 
that,  unconsciously  to  myselfl  the  dock  had 
reached  the  hour  of  twelve,  when  I  received  a 
pencil  note  fh>m  one  of  the  deacons,  reouesting 
me  to  dose  tbe  service  with  prayer,  which  in  a 
fbw  minutes  after  I  did.*  He  then  states  that  the 
deacons  *  feared  the  edJBcatAon  of  the  people 
been  prevented  ftjr  the  dtrongtmtHni  ^  HU  u 

mmg»m»  •*  AnH  *}!*<■.  *Imi  minlal»r  nf  'Vkr\ 


'  and  that  the  minister  of  Brunswick  cha- 
pel, wrote  to  tlie  minister  of  Union  onapel,  Is- 
lington, who  sent  for  one  of  Mr.  Dorman*s  dea- 
cons, and  made  him  acquainted  vrith  the  ftct  of 
Dorman  having  preached  the  Lord's-day  before, 
mUkomtagmmt,aMd/ftmtk$ehrlif$4uk/  He  then 
continues  :~*  This  naturally  alarmed  my  den- 
cons.  ....  I  received  a  letter  firom  tnem  at 
Bristol,  and  a  duplicate  of  it  at  BtaflTord.  inform- 
ing me  of  the  reporto  that  had  reached  them,  and 
requesting  me  to  remain  another  Lord's-day  from 
home,  and  allow  them  to  provide  a  supiriy  ror  my 
pulpit.'  He  did  not  aceede  to  this  request,  but 
arrived  hi  Islington  on  Friday  night  with  the  in- 
tention of  preraing  as  usual.  However,  *  at  the 
extreme  solidtation  of  the.  deaeons,'  he  *gave 
them  liberty  to  provide  a  supply.'  and  on  the 
Lord's-day  'became  a  hearer  instead  of  a 
preacher.'^  *iattle  imagining,  however*  (surs  he), 
^until  the  Monday,  when  I  was  khxdly  visited  by 
the  surgeon  who  attends  n^  fiunily,  that  immni^ 
wa§  HutaUged  cmm  oj  mf  tiomM  from  0»»p^apU^ 
and  that  a  friend  who  was  a  hearer  with  me  was, 
to  the  great  grfef  of  my  flock,  9Moi  to  U  mtf 
honor.* 

•tin  any  histoiy  of  At  Brothron,  it  will  be  well 
to  record  the  above  droumstances,  1^  wear  of 
illustrating  the  opMi  with  which  th^  had  to 


contend,  amoniprt  the  various 
iMr  Hsq40  SMiftiV  In  Ms  Msu  4/ 
eo  strong  a  protest  There  is  very  little  to  be 
added  to  the  history  of  Mr.  Dorman's  case. 
Tarious  conciliatory  ofltes  made  by  hlm  were  all 
rejected;  the  * alsrsiil*  deacons  wen  not  to  he 
padttod.  Mr.  Dofman  came  *  oKtoUo.'  He 
preached  the  Ooepd  in  another  pIao»--OhMlwell- 
.etieet-and  tbe  Lord  giseily  blessed  his  mlniM^ 
in  the  converdoo  of  smnera.** 

LXyu.-^*Bv«i  the  Baptist  Churob  at  0^ 
nine  hoida  mMh  hi  common  with  tbe  *fkf' 


mouth  Brethren.*  Like  them  they  piwtise 
tsssMy  sseMNMlon  and  smm  sosisimimii*  Thdr 
docmne  is  that  they  ars  under  solemn  obligaticn 
to  reodve  into  fUlowship  all  whom  Ohrut  re- 
cdves.  Bo  that  even  Dr.  uurson,  notwithstanding 
ail  the  hard  thinga  he  baa  said  about  the  Bre- 
thren, oould  not,  on  his  own  prindples  as  an 
open  communionist,  ref^ise  to  reodre  into  his 
iaiowship  Mr.  M*Intosh  himsdf;  unices  he  wera 
prepared  to  prove  thai  OhrSoi  had  not  ismwtrf  Ma. 
The  Baptisto  hi  Ooleraine,  like  the  Fly 
Brethren,  are  strenuondy  opposed  to  ail 
and  confesdons  of  fUth  except  tbe  Bible  alone^ 
and,  consequently,  as  I  understand  much  lati- 
tude of  sentiment  used  to  prevail  among  them,— 
some  bdieving  in  imputed  rUhUtmomeoe  and  others 
the  oontrary,— eome  practismg/asMlir  wora^pand 
others  disapproving.     Till  latdy,  tb^  practised 


the  unrestrictod  exerdae  of  tbe  gifts  of  the  mem- 
bers in  public  worship.  Bee  their  order  deecribed 
by  tbe  hite  secretary  of  tbe  Baptist  Irish  Bodety, 
in  the  *  Irish  Chronide*  for  October.  I6M.  Even 
Dr.  Carson  himadf  oooadondly  exerdaed  the 
-'ft  of  pnnrer  in  public  I  may  also  mention 
lat  tbe  Church  in  Coleraine,  like  the  Brethren, 
do  not  condder  the  preeence  of  a  pastor  es- 
sential to  the  Lord's  Bupper." 


THE    BROKEN    VOW. 

TO  TBS  SDITOl'Or  TBS  "SABniXSr  TSSSIL." 

Mt  Dmar  BftonBB, — Some  ymn  ago,  I 
aeked  a  young  man,  who  was  then  a 
oorenanter  "after  the  most  straitest  eeet," 
to  take  part  with  me  in  a  religions  senrice. 
I  receiTed  the  following  letter,  bearing  date 
4th  of  January,  1860,  in  reply  :— 

"Bey.  Sir,  —  Kot  wishing  to  stand  in 
an^r  way  identified  with  the  prindpltti 
which  you  teach,  I  beg  most  respectfoUy  to 
decline  your  kind  iuTitation.  I  am,  I  con- 
fess, afraid  of  doing  anything  which  might 
be  construed  into  a*  favouring  of  your  views 
either  sa  regards  doctrine  or  church  go- 
▼emment. 

"  Could  I  think  tw  a  moment  that  in 
these  respects  yovr  views  were  sound,  I 
should  embrace  them^rithout  a  shade  of 
hesitation ;  but  while  I  believe  them  to  be 
erroneous,  I  shall  stand  opposed  to  them  in 
•very  position  in  which  I  may  be  placed ; 
and,  in  order  to  do  so  the  more  consis- 
tently, I  am  determined  to  stand  aloof  from 
connexion  with  you  as  a  Ba^bbt  teadier. 
In  your  private  capacity,  I  respect  and 
love  you  as  a  Christian,  and,  I  trust,  I  ahall 
never  do  anything  to  prove  the  contnu^  ; 
but,  in  your  pubbc  character  as  a  Baptist 
minister,  I  can  never  allow  myadf  to  eoon- 
tenance  you  in  the  amallest  d^gne  br  aflw>- 
ciating  with/ou  and  your  peopls  in  reli- 
gious worship,  or  by  any  otner  maana  cnl- 
oolated  to  create  misapprehension. 

*'  I  am  a  covenanter,  as  yon  wall  know, 
and  have  taken  a  tow  againat  yonr  wimm, 
and  consequently  ftel  in  dn^  bound  to 
maintain  a  stanmng  of  separation.  I  caa- 
I  nava  rowe 


not  oonntanaaoe  wEat  '. 


Towadtobfi 


fsta  I  utfovr  OMsti]^  I  ahottld  sac- 
Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


►  »,1 


TBM  ItAWrBMK   YHMBL. 


189 


my  TMwv  in  a  nuumer  wliich  woidd 
Bot  be  ukttj  to  plesM  jonr  people,  *nd  by 
ao  doing  I  un  mfraid  I  ihoiild  render  my 
Mnricee  reiy  nnaceepUble.  My  inflnence 
woold  not  be  so  great  at  it  might  be  where 
I  am  at  present  empl<>yed.  My  time  is 
pretty  mndi  ocenpied  in  town  (Aewtown- 
ards),  and  I  hare  a  large  enough  sphere  of 
tttefblness  in  it  without  soing   ont  to  a 

eoe  where  part  of  my  euortations  would 
in  Tain. 

"  I  trust  you  will  see  that  I  object  to 
joor  views  and  not  to  yourself,  and  that 
wlule  I  decline  your  invitation,  I  am  ac- 
teated  br  prudence  snd  oonsdenoe.  I  hope 
God  will  bless  and  prosper  you  in  your 
way  to  Zion—the  city  of  our  God ;  but  I 
trust  your  influence  as  a  Baptist  teacher 
may  be  orerthrown  and  destroyed.  You 
aee  I  am  candid,  and  do  not  wish  to  oon- 
caal  my  opinions  and  desires  under  a  mask. 
Had  I  been  less  open-minded,  I  might  have 
temad  a  more  pleasing  apology  for  de- 


clining your  inTitation;  bi^j^^.I  think  can- 
dour and  honesty  will  alwavs  be  appre- 
ciated by  the  Christian  and  the  gentleman. 
I  am.  Bey.  Sir,  most  truly  and  respeclfhlly 
yours,  BobbbtBambbt." 

You  will  be  glad  to  learn  that  our  young 
covenanter  has  broken  his  vow.  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  baptising  him  some  weeks  ago 
in  the  raesence  of  a  very  large  congrega- 
tion. Previous  to  the  administration  of 
the  ordinance,  he  gave  his  reasons  for  be- 
coming a  Baptist  in  a  dear  and  tellinuK 
address,  whicn  was  listened  to  with  much 
attention.  He  bears  testimonials  fircnn 
several  ministers  of  the  oovenantinff  church 
as  a  person  of  **  unblemished  mfvaf  charac- 
ter, earnest  "pi^ty,  evangelical  sentiments, 
and  vigorous  intellect"  He  is  the  author 
of  some  amall  publications  both  in  prose 
and  verse.    Yours  in  Christian  love. 

JoHK  Bbowv. 

Conlig  Manse,  Newtownards,  Ireland, 
May  2nd,  1808. 


THB    COMPANIONS    OF    THE    CB08S. 

A  KABBA.TIVE  OF  SOMB  OF  QOD'S  NOBLES 
FOUND  IN  THE    AROHIVES    OF    THK    CHURCHES. 

THB     LATE     MR.     JAMES  HUNN: 

HIS    LIFE,    DEATH,    BUBIAL,   ke.,  he 


Tnunvo  ont  of  the  prescribed  course  this 
■lonfh  in  order  to  save  space— I  shall, 
vader  the  heading,  "CoMPAHioas  or  tbi 
CBoaa,'*give  some  notice  of  ona  who  has 
been  cal&d  home  to  ghny  fh>m  our  midst, 
leavins  many  of  his  old  oo-workars  stiU  in 
4m  ftM.  I  refer  to  Mr.  Jamib  Nuvv,  the 
jBinister  of  Zion,  Qoldington-crescent,  near 
Camdnn-towp. 

Daring  the  last  fifteen  years  I  have  had, 
oeeoaiooaUy,  close  acquaintance  with  the 
doofascd  brother;  .and  ever  found  him  a 
wise,  fiuthfol,  and  tender-hearted  friend; 
bat  his  aflUctions-^mental  and  physical — 
wolre  aevere.  I  always  thousnt  him  a 
bcoken»hearted  man — a  man  of  many  sor- 
rows— shutting  himself  almost  out  from  all 
aoeiety :  he  levied  and  lived  upon  his  Lord 
alone.  The  last  time  I  saw  him  previous 
to  his  death,  he  was  the  same,  calmlv  wait- 
iw  the  Lcffd's  app<nnted  will  and  pleasure. 
T&re  was  a  stem  manliness,  a  firm  ad- 
herence to  principle,  a  deep  love  of  the 
brotheriiood,  a  perfect  freedom  from  everjr- 
thing  little  and  contemptible,  and  a  mani- 
fitst  abhorrence  of  hypocri^  and  deseit, 
always  prominent  in  all  the  interviews  I 
ever  had  with  James  Kunn.  He  was  a  f&ir 
trpe  of  the  real  Englishman;  and  but  for 
tke  blighting  stosms  whieh  broke  npon  his 


head  and  heart,  his  position  in  the  chuzehes 
would  have  been  an  extensively  useftd  one 
b^ond  many.  The  following  private, 
simple  note,  written  a  short  time  before  his 
departure,  very  correctly  expresses  the  inner 
man.  Brother  Bowles,  now  of  Hertford,  had 
fbr  years  been  mneh  attached  to  the  de- 
ceased. To  him  he  addfessed  the  few  fol- 
lowing lines  5— 

DiAR  BaoTana  Bowlxs, — ^I  hardly  know 
how  to  hold  the  pen  to  drop  a  line  to  you. 
Lord's-day,  a-bed  all  day ;  have  not  been 
able  to  leave  my  bed  only  an  hour  or  two 
ever  since.  As  soon  as  I  get  up  I  feel  I 
must  lay  down  again  and  die.  I  have  felt 
that  death  had  lud  his  hand  upon  me ;  but 
through  mercy,  I  have  ftdt  it  was  my  last 
foe ;  my  mind,  blessed  be  the  dear  Lord,  has 
been  very  calm.  I  have  been  delivered  frt>m 
all  doubts  and  fears.  Death  feelings  aro 
very  painful  to  nature,  and  nature  ties  will 
come  in,  children  and  friends  have  their 
claim,  but  heaven  will  make  amends  for  all. 
Kind  love  to  dear  wife,  yourself,  and  dear 
friends.  Yours  at  ever, 

Jamis  Kvinr. 

**  Xy  hope  is  built  on  nothing  len 

Than  Jesus'  predoua  blood  and  righteouncss." 

Ai  I  Stood  beside  th&-Qpen  grave,  sur- 

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TSB  EABTUBH  VESSEL. 


June  I,  tsn. 


Manned  as  it  was  hy  hnadrMU  of  beUeriaff 
loalfl,  I  could  bat  Mk,  YHiat  has  catherea 
togctlier  this  lam  bodjrof  Chrislianmenda  ? 
Is  it  curiosity  r  Is  it  mere  natozal  i^- 
pathT?  Nay;  tlie  countenance  of  the 
people  threw  a  responsive  liffht  upon  that 
expressiTe  ▼erso--(Acts  liii.  2V— **  I>eToiit 
men  earned  Stephen  to  his  burial;  and 
made  great  lamentation  over  him.'*  Deep 
derotion,  mingled  with  a  sorrow  not  to  he 
deseribed  by  words,  marked  the  fiuses,  and 
clothed  the  spirits  of  manT  hundreds  who 
came  to  witness  the  last  sad  oiBce,  oonsiga- 
lag  the  body  to  the  tomb.  For  my  de- 
puted brother  I  silently  said-— for  mysrif — 
for  multitudes  beside— I  silently  and  sigh- 
ing ijaeuUted-^ 

^ I  own  Pm  guilty— own  Vm  TUe; 
But  Thy  MtvBtion's  flee:  ' 
B  ow,  in  ue  bowels  of  Thy  love— 
Dear  Lord,  remember  me.** 

Abney  Park  CemetMy  oontaiiis  the  slvm- 
berins  dust  of  msay  a  foithfol  follower  of 
the  ikmb ;  and  among  them  now  that  of 
James  Nunn.  As  the  bng  proeession  of 
carriages  entered  the  delightful,  yet  sacred 
enclosui^,  the  stQ  ihoiie  t&o«gh  the  doudi 
ready  to  weep : — on  either  hand  of  us  were 
files  and  companies  of  people  waiting  the  ar^ 
riTal  of  the  corpse ;  andwhett  the  oolB&WBs  laid 
on  the  stand — ^when  the  chapel  was  literaBy 
crammed  with  monmers  and  frieods^wfaen 
Thomas  Attwood  st0od  in  the  pulpit  ^nd 
read  Ood*s  word,  a&d  payed  t6  flsarea  for 
help  and  blessing — ^the  sight  was  awftdly 
aoiMm;  but  the  refleetions  of  aenaitive 
minds  werv  graTer  siilL  ¥nio  eoald  zeaist 
tils  inwaid  ntismnee  of  ezpesssionB  like 
these—"  How  sum  iM  TaoTBl  How  trae 
is  sreiy  word  in  the  book  of  Qod  I  Does 
not  the  Holy  Ofaost,  by  Panl,  say,  *  If  ye 
live  after  the  ilei^  ye  dull  die;  but  if  ye, 
through  the  Spirit,  do  mortify  the  deeds  of 
the  body,  ye  shall  live?'"  Fdlrnovethaa  a 
quarter  a£  a  century  was  our  departed 
brother  a  martyr  in  the  sense  Paul  describes. 
I  thought  if  I  had  a  thousand  tongues  I 
would  use  them  all  in  exhorting  young  minis- 
ters to  seek  for  three  thii^  absolutely 
essential  to  their  own  peace  and  the 
Church's  well-being.  A  sound  creed  ex- 
perimentally laid  in  the  heart— a  aooil  con- 
9cUnc$  cleuised  and  made  holily  tender 
tlurough  faith  in  the  great  Bedeemex's 
blood;  and  a  character  beeoming  the  Chris- 
tian and  the  Gosnel :— these  are  indispens- 
able elements  ana  requisites,  without  which 
no  Tessel  of  mercy  can  sail  on  in  a  pros- 
perous ^e.  Then,  affun,  what  a  correct 
inspiration  is  th^  in  FroY,  xviii.  19 :  "A 
brdksr  ofmded  t$  harder  to  be  won  than  a 
etrong  cUy :  their  cantenHons  are  like  the 
ham  rf  a  caetleJ*  What  a  cmal  course  of 
nnnlenting  persecution  (I  thought)  has 
bten  pnnmed;  but  all  is  over  now.    The 


shattered  banjue,  orer  whose  heavy  timbers 
the  angry  waves  haTe  rolled  so  many  years, 
has  sunk  at  last  beneath  their  force ;  and 
when  asain  it  doth  appear,  it  will  be 
foshionea  like  unto  our  Lord's  glorious 
body — never,  nerer,  never  more  to  know 
either  sin  or  sorrow— the  cmeltf  of  foes^  or 
the  fidseness  of  professed  frien<u. 

Test  there  are  Scriptures  like  those  I 
have  quoted,  which  are  as  true  as  their 
Author ;  and  are  most  severely  realised  in 
us  as  creatures ;  but,  blessed  be  the  Lokd, 
^here  are  New  Covenant  Beriptnres,  abo^ 
which  are  equally  as  foithfld  and  as  true. 
How  brillianuy  doth  that  star  of  revelation 
sometimes  discover  itself  on  a  dark  and 
dreadfhl  nifht.  I  mean  Romans  v.  20 :  '*  The 
law  mUeredthat  the  offemee  might  abound,'* 
**Birr  (meiciAd  *Buif)  wtaam  sn 
ABomnmD,  GRACE  DID  MUCH  MORE 
ABOUND."  Our  Almightv  Covenant  God 
maintains  with  most  Inflexible  intense- 
ness  and  preeision,  both  His  moral  govern* 
ment  over  us  all  as  creatures,  and  His  "  New 
Covenant  RelafSonship"  toward  His  chosen 
as  accepted  and  saved  in  Christ !  All  hia 
Hf^  long  Jacob  hadhitf  outward  troubles ; 
but  who  ever  had  more  glorious  reve- 
lations and  expressions  of  Jehovah's 
lovjttgkindaess  towaid  fain?  Ifoses  sfaaD 
not  go  into  Canaan,  but  the  Lord 
kind^  shewed  him  the  land,  was  with 
him  u  his  departure^  and  it  may  be,  tock 
him  home  to  glory  then  and  there.  F^mn 
David's  home  the  sword  never  departed; 
but  Israel's  Qod  was  David's  loving  and  nn- 
eeasing  friend:— in  lifb  David  eould  si^, 
"The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not 
want"  In  Christ,  David  could  grateAiIlT 
exdaim,  *'  Bfessed  is  the  man  imse  sib  is 
covered — whose  transgression  is  foi]g;iveB<— 
to  whom  the  Lord  wiU  not  impute  iniquity,** 
and  in  death  he  eould  quietly  rest  npsn 
the  fact,  "He  haUi  made  with  me  an 
everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things 
and  sure.'  So  with  all  the  heavenly  fkmily; 
chastisements  as  fallen  creatures  they  wul 
have,  but  cast  out  of  God's  heart,  or  out  of 
Christ's  Kingdom  they  never  shall  be* 


BRIEF  MEMOIR  OF  MR.  JAMES 

NUNN. 

[The  following  narrative  has  been  writtes 
for  us  by  a  brother  intimately  aoguainted 
with  the  deceased,  whose  pathway  he  ham 
delineated.  We  give  it  as  given  to  us ; 
and  sineereW  hope  all  who  read  it  wiU 
not  on^  realise  spiritual  eneouraffemant^ 
but  that  the  most  intimate  of  Mr.  Nnnn** 
mends  (former  and  more  recent)  vill 
here  find  a  fiuthfol  record. — ^Ed.] 

Jambs  Nunr,  (of  wiiose  lifo  the  foUoir^ 
ing  is  a  ahort  akatoh)  wm  one  of  thoas 

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.VliB  8ABTBBII  TEStBL. 


141 


BMB,  who,  Iik«  Hwntington  «Dd  a  host  of 
<jHher%  WM  selected  bj  Ckxl  Himseif  to 
TOinisttfr  to  His  people  ^f  t^e  word  of  life. 
Ha  WBs  a  man  ot  great  natual  and  intel- 
loetaal  povers,  but  b^ng  uneducated,  he 
had  to  oontend  with,  many  difficulties; 
in  his  call  to  the  miiustry  the  hand  of  God 
was  flo  apparent,  and  when  engaged  in 
ministering,  the  blessings  tohimsdf  and  to 
others  wen  so  aboadant^  that  we  can  say, 
he  was  designed  fEom  his  birth  to  eomfort 
and  encomge  the  afflicted  of  Zion.*  He 
was  a  man  iwse  constitution  of  body  and 
mind  fitted  him  £ca  great  things:  strouff 
in  body  and  high  spinted,  when  a  youth 
he  was  looked  upon  as  a  leader  by  those 
with  whom  he  associated  in  the  amass- 
ments  of  this  world.  After  be  was  brought 
to  the  fiset  fii  itm^,  all  those  energies 
wen  employed  in  las  new  Master's  ser^ 
Tioe;  he  wm  a  man  who  npheld  trath  at 
wfaatew  eost  to  hims^:  mithful  to  his 
Gad  to  the  ]ast»  though  confessing  himself 
lo  be  but  no  ening  sin^peK.  Impatient  of 
oontnl,  and  bearing  downfall  opposttioa, 
yet  when  his  greatest  enemies  were  bsooght 
to  ftmiam  Ih^  had  ijquArd  him,  hs  freely 
teBiva  thsmand  tnaled  tiism  as  if  they 
M  Mrsor  attenptad  to  hsma  hiai.  To 
those  wIh)  did  not  Itamw  him«  he  i^peared 
silimeshaahandnDiasaanaUo;  but  when 
his  fhararrsT  was  nndarstoad,  thsre  was 
fimnd  to  be  a  fond  of  ffentlensss  and  lora 
lor  eve^  obo  by  urbom  he  was  surionndsd. 
mthaamdeapablB  of  grsspiag  and  m- 
^smtandin^daep  myateries,  he  yet  had  the 
MkOitf  toaonplify  and  explain  them,  so  aa 
to  bs  aadfflitood  by  the  wsaksst  of  God's 


Hs  waa  ban  in  the  year  1800,  at  Tnnstall 
in  Saflblk;  his  pannts  wen  poor  bat 
6od4hBring  people,  and  did  their  best  to 
lend  him  in  the  ways  of  Zion  *  but  the  soil, 
thoQ^  froitfiil,  was  eoTered  with  weeds» 
aad  It  wia  many  years  befors  the  seed  sown 
in  diildhood  brought  forth  fruit  to  God's 
^sty.  In  his  youth  he  was  heedless  and 
nofatiEnt  of  parental  control,  and  several 
limes  left  his  nome :  once  he  went  to  sea 
and  was  esgaged  in  one  of  the  naval  bat>> 
ties  of  the  pcood.  Ailasthe  left  his  home 
in  1817,  sad  did  not  retam  to  it  tai  God 
had  ooBunenead  humbling  his  proud  ^^irit 
The  work  was  gradual,  he  wss  conrioted  of 
aia  by  God's  Hc^y  Spirit  and  he  tried  in  his 
sua  stnngth  to  reform,  but  found  he  wss 
bita  wsttk  moftaL  After  a  time  he  was 
SBsbled  lo  bnak  off  his  oid  habito  and  leave 
hiscompnBions,andasan  instanee  of  God*s 
Ism  and  pswer,  he  has  often  ststed  that  he 
at  enes  iasgo^  all  the  soqgs  he  had  ^en 
Arjwninlhehabitof  singiag.  In  1619 
1  la  hia  parentii^  who  were  then 
j^atBlandfoffri  street  under  Mr. 
BwaaalKifrtly  afteradmittedamem- 


berthwreafler  passing  through  the  ordinance 
of  believer's  baptism,  and  continued  a  mem* 
ber  until  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Keeble 
in  1824:  during  this  time  he  was  first  led 
out  to  speak  to  the  church  on  Sabbath  after- 
noons, which  he  did  for  ten  months,  although 
(HOgsged  in  business  from  8  a.m.  to  10  or 
12  p.m.,  using  frequently  to  sit  up  till  2 
a.m,  for  stady.  This  time  of  his  life,  was 
when  he  expsrisnced  the  sweetness  of  the 
first  love  feelings  of  the  Christian ;  but  it 
was  succeeded  by  much  sore  tribulation,  both 
in  temporal  and  epiiitual  things.  As  an  in* 
stance,  one  situation  he  was  engsged  m  as 
csshier  at  a  draper's,  and  being  unedueated 
he  oould  not  do  the  woi^  properly  ;  in  this 
extremity  he  called  night  and  day  for  help 
from  above  which  was  withheld  for  three 
months,  and  during  this  time  he  was  much 
troubled,  thinking  that  God  was  sffainst 
him,  bi^  he  who  hss  said,  "  Acknouiedge 
me  in  all  thy  ways,  and  I  will  direct  thy 
paths,"  at  length  opened  up  in  ius  miad  a 
simple  plan  by  which  all  business  difiSonl- 
ties  were  conquered.  About  this  time  there 
was  a  difference  of  opinion  between  him- 
self sad  the  deacons,  as  to  a  member  who 
had  committed  suieide ;  he  thought  this 
nmn  was  never  a  partaker  of  divine  grass, 
t^pugh  he  was  soon  led  to  see  that  he  waa 
ottl  V  under  the  power  of  the  adversaiy  of 
souls ;  but  in  consequence  of  his  holdiiig 
the  first  riew,  hs  w^  forbidden  by  the 
church  to  go  «ut  ss  a  preacher.  In  thia 
exftvemily  as  consnltad  good  old  John 
Bailey,  of  Grsat  Alie-street,  who  advwed 
him  to  wait  the  Lord's  time.  Some  month* 
afterwards  ha  went  for  a  short  tims  to 
Chatham,  to  an  uncle  of  his  intended  wife^s 
and  was  there  invited  to  speak  at  a  prayer 
meetina,  which  he  did ;  and  on  his  return 
to  London  he  was  asked  to  preach  at  Two- 
waters  in  Herts,  which  he  aereed  to  do. 
On  this  being  told  to  the  deacons  they 
threatened  to  cut  him  off  from  membership 
unless  he  discontinued  preaching,  but  hs 
felt  that  it  wss  the  Lord  who  had  opened 
his  mouth,  and  he  could  not  hold  baek,  and 
come  what  might  he  must  publish  the  mes- 
sage given  to  him,  and  the  opposition  being 
soon  withdrawn,  he  continued  to  go  about 
to  various  places ;  it  was  no  unusual  thing 
for  him  to  ride  80  miles  or  walk  16  to 
preach  three  sermons,  and  his  mznistiy  at 
this  time  was  much  blessed* 

In  1826  he  married  his  first  wife,  Eleanor, 
who  was  a  member  at  Blandford-street,  and 
engaged  in  business ;  but  in  1827  his  house 
in  Gbiibrd-street  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
his  wife  and  children  narrowly  escaped  being 
burned.  He  was  also  seised  with  rheamatio 
fever,  and  was  for  many  weeks  prostrated. 

After  Mr.  Keeble*s  death  in  1824,  Mr. 
Nunn  andhis  wife  and  Uiiniy-sevenothers  left 
Blandlbrd-street,  mul  formed  the  church  at 

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THE  SAETBBM  TBMBL. 


Jonel,  iMt. 


Mount  Zion,  Hill-fltreet^  Bonelriqiiare : 
he  was  chosen  a  deaeon  and  held  his  mem- 
bership tiU  183L  In  1827  his  own  and 
his  wife's  healths  being  delicate,  they  weie 
invited  to  spend  a  short  time  at  a  friend's 
honse  in  Ipswich.  Providence  so  ordered 
it  that  he  was  led  to  speak  to  a  few  friends 
there,  and  afterwards  in  1829  a  ehnrch  was 
formed  of  twenty  members  at  Dairy  Land, 
Ipswich,  and  he  was  engaged  to  supply  the 
pulpit  on  Lord's  days,  going  down  from 
London  on  Saturdavs,  and  returning  on 
lIonda;r8 :  this  he  did  for  two  years,  at  the 
same  tmie  canying  on  a  harassing  business 
in  London;  he  thus  traTcUed  fourteen 
Uiousand  miles  and  pneached  about  thi«e 
hundred  sermons. 

In  1830  he  removed  with  hts  &mily  to 
Ipswich,  and  in  1831  a  highly  honourable 
dismission  was  given  of  himself  and  his  wife 
from  Mount  Zion  to  the  Infant  Ghnrch  at 
Ipswich,  with  which  he  remained  seven 
years.  During  this  time  he  was  again 
sor^y  tried ;  enemies  raised  up  evil  reports 
against  him j  and,  at  another  time,  the  river 
Orwell  overflowed  its  banks,  and  destroyed 
his  property ;  but  in  1837  he  had  his  grmtest 
afflioUon,  in  the  loss  of  his  beloved  wife,  and 
ooeofhisohildrstt.  In  1838  he  was  led  to 
tender  his  vaaignaUon  at  Ipswich,  con- 
ditional  on  an  arrangement  being  made  to 
pay  the  shareholders  the  moneys  owing 
to  them.  There  was  a  difficulty,  and  the 
ohapel  was  for  a  short  time  closed.  In  1839 
ha  married  his  second  wife,  and  the  chapel 
bung  re-opened,  he  again  filled  the  pnbit 
^  tibe  vear  1843,  when  he  nmoved  to 
London,  but  went  as  he  had  previously  done, 
down  to  Ipswich,  until  the  churoh  there 
fixed  upoa  their  present  pastor,  Mr.  Poook. 
At  this  time  his  family  worshipped  at  Soho 
under  Mr.  Wyard. 

lo  1844  he  was  invited  to  the  pastorate  at 
Beukh,  Somen  Town,  which  he  accepted, 
but  to  do  so  he  refused  a  situation  as  a 
manager  at  a  house  of  business  where  he  was 
ofieved  jS250  per  annum.  In  this  year 
another  of  his  children  died,  but  his  heart 
waa  much  comforted  by  her  glorious  exit 
from  this  world.  Although  she  was  only  ten 
years  old,  yet  she  gave  convincing  proof  that 
she  would  be  at  the  marriaffe-snpper  of  the 
Lamb.  The  church  at  Beulah  being  a  poor 
one,  Mr.  Nonn  was  naid  less  than  jSIOO  a- 
year  (although  in  his  time  the  chapel  debt 
was  reduced  one-half),  and  from  a  long  con- 
tinuance of  family  afflictions  he  wes  in 
strmtened  circumstances  as  to  money  mat- 
ters. His  enemies  again  raised  up  evil  re- 
ports against  him,  and  a  committee  was 
formed  to  investigate  them.  They  went  to 
Ipswich,  and  had  a  long  correspondence,  and 
many  interviews  with  various  parties,  and 
the  result  was,  they  fully  exonerated  him 
from  the  charges  brought  against  him  in 


every  particular.  But  the  monetary  and 
other  troubles  still  continuing,  in  1849  Mr. 
Nunn  proposed  a  plan  for  paying  the  ex- 
penses, and  for  reorganizmg  the  secular 
affibirs  of  the  church,  and  also  that  candi- 
dates for  membership  should  be  seen  by  a  few 
members,  and  not  be  obliged  to  Appear'  be- 
fore the  churoh.  These  propositions  met 
with  strong  opposition,  which  led  Mr.  Nuna 
to  propose  thatseat-rents  should  be  abolished, 
and  boxes  at  the  doors  substituted,  thua 
leaving  to  the  consciences  of  the  peo^ 
to  give  voluntarily  as  Qod  gave  them 
abilitv;  this  raised  further  opposition,  and 
Mr.  Nunn  resigned  the  pastorate.  The 
friends  who  had  supported  him,  immediately 
met,  and  resolved  to  build  a  ch^l  in  which 
they  could  worship  God,  and  support  the 
worship  in  the  manner  proposed.  The  stone 
of  the  present  Zion  (Goldington  Crescent, 
St.  Pancras),  was  hud  in  1850,  and  while  it 
was  being  built  they  met  at  LawsonVrooma^ 
in  Grower-street,  experiencing  there  an  out- 
pouring of  the  Spuit,  and  a  blessedness  in 
hearing  which  has  never  been  forgotten  by* 
those  who  worshipped  tliei«. 

But  it  was  not  all  smooth  sailing  with  Mr. 
Nunn,  for  during  this  time  he  lost  his  wife,, 
and  he  was  attacked  with  a  nervous  disease, 
which  for  a  long  time  alfiicted  him,  wna 
broke  up  a  bodily  mune  and  natural  energieir 
which  at  one  time  appeaied  as  if  they  would 
never  abate. 

In  the  same  year  1850  the  chapel  wa» 
raened,  and  the  Ust  thirteen  years  of  Mr. 
Ifunn's  life  were  spent  in  opening  up  tl* 
things  which  God  had  shewn  him,  and  in 
comloriing  the  poor  of  the  flock.  Qod  had 
led  him  by  such  a  chequered  path  that  hia 
preaching  was  deeply  experimental,  and  ho 
could  sympathise  with  the  troubles  of  aU. 
Here  he  continQed  till  the  tongue  of  slander 
died  out,  and  lef^  him  in  his  last  days  gnradn- 
ally  to  glide  into  eternity,  honourM,  re- 
spected, and  beloved  by  all  who  came  inoon- 
tact  with  him. 

In  1858  he  lost  bv  death  another  of  hi* 
daughters,  and  in  1861  another  was  ate 
taken  awav,  both  of  them  dying  in  feith  is 
Jesus,  and  a  hope  of  immortal  life  throogb 
his  blood.  But  m  1861  he  baptised  his  two 
remaining  dauriiters,  and  on  this  occasiea 
he  felt  that  his  happiness  was  complete,  and 


he  could  be  content  to  go 

Towards  the  end  of  186S  his  health  was 
getting  very  bad,  and  aa  the  year  1868  set  in 
warm,  he  went  for  rix  weeks  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Bowles,  at  Hertford,  still  filling  bin 
pulpit  himself  up  to  the  first  Sabbath  ia. 
March,  when  he  preached  fhmi  thewords^ 
"  Although  my  honse  be  not  so  with  Godv 
yethath  he  made  with  me  an  everlastiBtf 
covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure,  tfaia 
is  all  my  salvation  and  all  my  desire,  thoorii 
he  make  it  not  to  grow,"  a^  he  afterwavift 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Jasl,lli& 


US 


admhiMtaradtbe  Lord's  Sapper.  liwMibe 
kflt  tune  he  i^ppeand  before  the  people.  He 
retired  to  his  room,  which  he  afterwtxde  only 
left  far  a  few  hours  at  a  time.  Natore'e 
power*  gxadnaU/  failuw,  he  look  to  hie  bed 
three  weeks  before  he  cued,  and  was  in  each 
a  weak  state  thathe  was  nnable  to  lee  any  of 
kif  nnmeroos  friends.  During  this  time  he 
was  often  in  a  stapor,  and  knew  not  what  he 
said  or  did,  but  when  awalce  his  mind  was 
dear  npon  the  settled  porpoees  of  Qod.  He 
ksew  be  was  dying,  and  lonpd  to  be  gone. 
While  in  this  state  he  desired  one  of  his 
deaooDs  to  tell  the  people  that  his 
**Hope  wai  built  on  nothing  to« 
Tban  JesoS*  blood  and  rigEteoomeM.*' 

A  few  days  before  he  died  he  rallied 
a  little,  and  sent  for  his  aenior  deacon, 
who  asked  him  whether  he  found  the 
truths  he  had  hesrd  him  preuDh  for  seven- 
teea  years,  to  be  his  support  in  death.  He 
answered,  "Blass  you,  marks,  there  is  no 
doubt  about  it,  Phave  nothing  else  to  trust 
in  bat  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  ChrisL" 
In  the  evening  before  be  died,  it  was  appar- 
ent to  all  who  saw  him,  that  ne  had  not  much 
loogsr  to  lire.  The  children  and  friends 
who  were  waiting  on  him  were  with  him  all 
the  night,  and  will  not  soon  forget  the  scene. 
He  wmid  be  in  a  dose  snd  wake  up,  wishing 
to  be  ipooe,  saying  he  would  not  gire  half-a- 
BuDion  to  live  now.  He  called  all  up,  and 
desired  them  to  pray  with  him  for  the  last 
tioBM.  He  bid  tnem  Kood-bye,  saybg,  "I 
shall  aea  yon  agsin ;  also  recommending 
the  poor  to  their  care»  and  in  this 


tiiemhtosssedaway.  In  the  morning  of  the 
M  Jaay,  Im  oommenoed  singing  the  hymut 
Tb«r«  tea  land  of  pare  iMifbt, 
WiMrt  ninU  Immortal  reirn; 
Xalnlt*  dajr  ezclades  the  night, 
Aad  pleararw  banish  pain. 

Be  had  dona  with  this  world,  and  after 
that,  when  he  occasionally  spoke,  it  was  with 
scsne  wish  heayenward,  until  at  last,  one 
hour  before  he  died,  he  sang  in  a  fnllng  Toioe, 
"Halfeh^ah,  Hallelujah,^*  and  he  nerer 
spoke  after.  His  breath  gxadually  thickened, 
snd  his  respiration  grew  feeUer,  his  sight 
foiled  him,  snd  those  around  him  thought 
every  breath  tiie  last,  but  nature'a  powen 
hdd  out  wonderlnlly  till  he  quietly,  peace- 
felly,  and  without  pain  passed  away,  and 
the  perishable  body  only  was  left,  but  the 
qint  haa  retamed  to  its  Maker,  and  is  now 
before  tile  throne  singing  *' Alleluia,  for 
tbe  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth." 


THE  FUKEBAL. 

Os  Thnisday  morning,  Kay  H  1863,  the 
esAn  waa  removed  firom  Zion  cottage  into 
the  di^tel ;  and  in  the  ooufse  of  the  fore- 
noon groi^  of  friends,  and  many  coachea 
and  other  esnriagea  gathered  together  in 


the  neighbourhood  of  the  Crescent:  the 
scene  of  Mr.  Nunn's  ministerisl  labours  for 
serend  yean.  About  noon  the  service  in 
the  chapel  commenced.  The  pulpit  entirely 
covered  with  black  cloth ;  also  the  front  of 
the  gallery,  the  friends  in  mourning,  the 
immense  pall  over  the  coffin,  the  ministers 
round  the  platform,  and  even  many  of  the 
Sunday-school  scholars  weeping,  threw  a 
solemn  awe  oyer  the  mind.  The  strong- 
looking  man  who  had  so  often  stood  in  the 
pulpit  now  a  lifeless  corpse:  the  tongue 
that  had  so  many  times  sounded  out  the 
truths  of  the  Gospel  now  paralyzed,  and 
the  eyes  which  sometimes  would  seem  to 
penetrate  every  heart  and  spirit,  closed  in 
death.  Sorrow  and  grief  appeared  to  fill 
the  place.  The  brethren,  Attwood,  Bowles, 
John  Harris,  George  Webb,  and  the  senior 
deacon,  Mr.  Marks,  conducted  the  service 
in  the  chapel.  The  procession  .comprised 
the  hearse,  nine  mourning  coaches,  several 
other  carriages,  and  many,  many  real 
Mends.  On  leaving  the  cemetery  chapel, 
the  brethren  Attwood  and  C.  W.  Banks 
preceded  the  corpse,  and  an  immense  num- 
ber followed  I  among  whom  were  the  bre- 
thren and  daughten  of  Mr.  Nunn;  his 
deacons  and  friends,  and  several  ministecs. 
Mr.  Hanks,  of  Woolwich ;  Mr.  Sack,  Mr. 
Wise,  and  a  concourse  of  Christian  friends 
from  many  of  our  churches,  gathered  round 
the  grave.  It  was  said  more  than  five  hun- 
dred were  there.  Mr.  John  Harris  resd, 
and  the  people  ssng  a  suitable  hymn,  after 
which  C.  W.  Banks  addressed  the  specta- 
ton  for  more  than  half-an-hour.  At  the 
commencement  of  his  address  he  spoke 
somewhat  as  follows ; — 

"  There  are  many  mysteries  in  this  world. 
There  is  not  one  word  said  about  mysteries 
in  the  heavenljr  kingdom;  but  here  are 
many— in  creation,  in  nature,  in  Provi- 
dence, in  the  dispensation  of  sovereign 
grace,  and  in  the  changes  of  light  and  da&- 
ness  passing  over  .the  Gos^  kingdom; 
there  are  mysteries  many  and  mighty  in- 
deed. 

'*  There  are  two  special,  comprehending 
the  whole:  the  n^sUry  of  Croita  power 
within,  and  tke  mjfttery  of  Satan^s  power 
without.  The  power  of  God  in  the  new 
creation :  in  the  spiritual  revelation  of  the 
Divine  holiness,  the  Saviour*s  righteous- 
ness, the  GospePs  completeness,  and  the 
distinction  between  going  down  to  heU, 
and  rising  by  faith,  and  hope,  and  love  to 
heaven.  The  manifold  power  of  God  in 
the  soul  is  a  mystery  grave  indeed.  So 
also  is  Satan's  power  without.  What  a 
dreadful  feet  it  is  that  our  prisons  are  al- 
ways full;  men  and  women  are  still  led 
captive  by  Satan  .at  his  wilL  Our  judges 
sentei^ce  the  murderen,  transport  the 
felons,    punish  the  thieves,  imprison  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


144 


leekleflB  and  tlie  wretched  wanderers;  bat 
as  fast  ae  they  dear  off  one  erowd,  another 
comes  to  hand.  The  law  punishes:  the 
Gospel  speaks  of  sahation.  Benefolenoe 
and  philanthropy  form  societies  and  throw 
out  effiifrts  to  counteract  the  evil;  but  still 
Satan  triumphs  over  thousands  and  millions 
of  the  destitute  and  tiie  dreadful. 

**  And  not  only  in  the  world,  but  in  the 
church,  there  are  delusions  and  divisions 
too  painfdl  to  think  upon.  There,  oa  ereiy 
man— on  the  best  of  men — spots  and 
blemishes,  imperfections  and  sins,  appear. 
This  state  of  things  seemed  to  endear  to 
my  mind  that  blcMed  Scripture  recorded 
in  the  14th  and  15  rerses  of  Bev.  yii. — 
'  lliese  are  they  which  came  out  of  great 
tribulation,  and  haye  washed  their  robes, 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb ;  therefore  are  they  bef<n«  the  throne 
of  Qod,  and  serve  Him  day  and  night  in 
His  temple.' 

'*  As  1  walked  and  thon^^t  of  the  lili», 
the  changing  scenes,  the  sorrows,  the  mi- 
nistry, the  Sftictions,  and  death  of  our  de- 
parted brother  Nunn,  the  wct^s  came 
neely  into  my  soul, — ^*  These  are  they 
which  came  o«it  of  great  tribulation,  and 
hare  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them 
white  in  the  Uood  of  the  Iiamb,*  &c 

"The  followers  of  Christ  are  hsM  fepire- 
sented  under  ft  fourfold  a^ect.  I.  ia^vwof 
fff^itfMm.  II.  As  oktmniiff  ptaee  and 
pardon,  fmfity  and  pofoer,  Arougk  a  JBs- 
dwmef's  aUmmg  sacrifice.  III.  J»  hmma 
delivered  enHrek^  and  for  eeer/ratn  all  ikaet 
iroubfee,  *are  oome  ma  of*  away  from,  ev^iy 
kind  of  sorrow.  And,  lastly,  as  elandiing 
around  the  throne  of  God,  and  in  His  tem- 
ple, serving  Him  day  and  ni^t  with6ut 
intermission. 

*'  Is  that  remarkable  ezpressioB,  '  obeat 
tribuhUwn,*  i^licable  to  the  whole  of  the 
redeemed  ?  It  is  spoken  of  them  all — all 
who  have  waded  through  that  travail  of 
soul  and  sorrow  of  life  to  which  the  quick- 
ened elect  of  God  are  subjected  in  this  low 
valley  of  time  and  sin.  The  word  tribula- 
tion has  in  it  the  idea  of  being  brought  to 
a  tribunal — placed  on  trial. 

"  When  toe  aoul  is  new-bem-^heaven- 
bom---when  the  holy  breath  of  God  enters 
into  it)  it  becomes  pure,  tender,  and  op- 
posed to  sin  of  every  sort,  of  every  degree ; 
but,  then,  the  law  enters — sin  is  dis- 
covered— ^and  guilt  and  condemnation  are 
folt)  and  the  fears  of  eternal  wrath  roll 
over  the  mind.  Here  is  anguish  beyond 
all  description.  When  Satan  tempts,  sin 
abounds;  the  flesh  is  found  weak  and 
wicked,  and  eternity  opens  up  to  view ; 
then  there  is  a  trial,  a  conflict,  an  ovei^ 
whehning  sorrow;  the  climax  of  which  was 
reached  ij  Christ  Himself  in  Gethsemane's 
garden  and  oo  Calvary's  tree ;   but  the 


measured  sense  of  wludt  ereiy  EansoBned 
sinner  fods. 

"  The  whole  oouzse  of  a  graaous  sonl, 
trmn.  the  moment  of  its  quidieiiiag  uatil  it 
leaves  deaUi  behind,  is  inoluded  in  the 
term,—*  QmMkr  tribukdionj 

**  Painful  sa  the  fiiat  eomrictionaniay  be, 
perhaps  they  are  nothing  to  the  oueiiTiag 
sonows  of  soma  godfy  men  in  their  more 
advanced  stage  of  lifo.  The  oonatitntiona 
and  the  dfcumstanees  of  good  men,  in  this 
world,  widely  di&r ;  so  mncfa  so»  that  but 
very  few  can  aympathise  with  their  faUowB 
in  the  pathway  ci  aoRow.  TkfU  pathway 
must  be  trodden  alone,  exerat  in  cases  where 
that  promise  is  realiaeo,  -''When  thou 
paasest  through  the  waters  I  will  be  with 
thee,  and  tluongh  the  rivers,  they  shall 
not  ovsrflow  thee."  There  is  an  unmense 
difference,  and  a  vary  laige  exerdae  of 
Divine  sovereignty  in  the  permisnons  and 
hindrances  attendant  on  aatsnic  and  car- 
nal attsmpts  to  cast  down  the  sainta  of 
God.  In  Job's  case,  the  Lord  saidtoSatan 
'  He  is  in  thy  hand,  only  touch  not  hit 
life:'  but  in  Abraham's  ease,  inKordecai'a 
day  of  trial,  and  in  Joseph's  serers  Um^ 
tation,  grace  triumphed  in  preservation  aad 
daliveranoe. 

"  In  this  follea  worid,  deatli  aooMtinMa 
eomesfrom  the^adnalwozkingof  aonefiital 
distemper  witmn.  Some  organie  diaaasa 
undermines  the  constitntaon,  sad  ioto  Ike 
|rave  the  violim  Alls.  In  other  caaas 
death  eomes  from  some  vident  onsianAt 
from  without,  like  diat  gentlemaa  udio  last 
Sunday  evening  was  ridutt  hosse  in  his 
aaaoMatand 


'ZSS 


and  a  band  of  mffi 
hiir,  that  ha  died. 

"  The  tribulation  of  some  of  God's  people 
arises  frotn  sore  temptation  within.  An 
intelligent  and  devoted  friend  told  me  of 
djeadfol  inward  sorrow  he  had  from  in- 
fidel thoughts  —  blaa>hemoua  iigections;, 
and  the  working  of  a  dark  and  ternble  un- 
bdieving  heart.  WUh  this  inward  dag;aQ 
manv  living  souls' are  sordy  tried.  Others 
are  oashed  to  pieces  by  some  violent  attack 
from  without  This  world  is  full  of  sin. 
Our  fdlen  nature  is  full  of  sin.  We  cannot 
come  in  contact  with  any  of  the  creatures 
and  dements  of  this  vodd,  but  we  are  in 
danger  of  sin.  Now  and  then  an  external 
victory  is  obtained  by  Satan.  He  openly 
hurls  to  the  ground  a  poor  victim  of  sin 
and  Borrow,  and  in  great  tribulation  ihat 
soul  is  left ;  it  may  be  for  many  years. 
Noah,  David,  Solomon,  and  Peter,  and 
not  a  few  besides,  have  carried  broken 
bones  and  bleeding  hearts  down  to  their 
gravea. 

"  But,  ohlhow  exceedingly  predoua  to  snch 
pocMt  braised  souls  are  the  tender  compas- 
sasbs  of  our  Great  Hiffh  Priest,  our  good 
Samaritan.    Only  of  Mim,  can  it  be  i 

Google 


Digitized  by  ^ 


TRB  "EkXtBMK  VESOL. 


14d 


*  We  htLTe  not  a  High  Priest,  wldeh  esimoi 
b«  toadied  vith  tlie  feelins  of  our  mfirmi> 
tiM;  but  vlio  WBM  in  alfpoints  tempted 
Hk*  ••  ve  «re,  yet  without  sin.'  Onlj*  in 
iu  hand  ia  to  be  found  the  oil  and  wine  for 
hraiaed  qpirita  and  breaking  hearti.  He 
ankj  eaa  oome  down  toherB  we  ar§ ;  and  it 
if  hf  Him  alone  we  can  be  raised  ap.  I 
baf«  thoog^t  of  His  look  He  gare  to  Peter ; 
of  hia  Toice  to  the  penitent,  'thj  sins 
whieh  are  many,  an  all  loKgiTen  thee :'  of 
hia  hearty  inritation,  '  Come  nnto  me,  all 
Teviko  are  ygtary  and  heav^  laden,  and 
i  will  gnre  yon  rait.'  Sorely  indeed 
**  HI*  heut  f  ■  made  of  tendenMM, 
ttii  bowels  melt  with  kna.'*  ^ 

if  it  had  not  been  eo,  he  never  eonld  hame 
tfaaa  wirieomed  the  weary ;  nor  woold  so 
MIy  aad  freely  hare  pronxifled  them  reii. 
Bai^  whila  my  heart  was  engaged  in>  deep 
;  vpoB  the  amasing  oompassiona  <n 
>  Jasoa,  I  was  stirred  with 
of  most  sittgnlar  astonishment, 
p  prayer  on  the  cram  came  to  niy 
'  Fa-nna,  forgive  iktm^ 
died  ttaa  dying  Bedsemer,  *for  they  know 
■Qt^tetthiyda' 
*Oh!  I  am  gU  there  is  such  athinffsa 
heuaase  then,  if  tialy  foined  to 
■  hare,  waahall  then  goto  be  nka  Him, 
with  Him  fiir  efw;  where  we  shall 


bat  few  will  acknowledge  or  notice  here; 
in  the  higher  heavens,  of  all  the  ran- 
somed and  beliering  family  it  is  said,  and 
now  among  the  rest,  of  the  disembodied 
spirit  of  James  Nonn,  it  is  said  — "  These  ar^ 
they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation, 
have  washed  their  robes,'  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  There- 
fore are  they  before  the  Throne/'  A 
Sofblk  minister  of  many  years  standing ; 
«ad  of  high  repute,  even  in  association 
cirdes,  writing  to  me,  says : — "  I  knew  Mr. 
Nunn  well.  He  was  unmercifully  used. 
He  was  a  thorough  good  man,  of  excellent 


*  ncf  Aaw  waaied  tkmr  robm, 
iktm  mkite  im  tke  Uoed  ^  the  Lamb: 
#kftli%  esperimentally  and  eridsntiaUy, 
s  J9ttihm^  loba,  Xm  is  a  heart  warm- 
ing, aad  Hawep-comfoiting  loba.'  *  JHvme 
Hsmteiiae  of  the  Holy  Parsons  and  Powccs 
iA  tte  Itodhead  ia  a  robe  most  beantiftd 
too.  OMiemee  to  Gwuvr 
mmands  is  a  lobe  so  aaoeed- 
id  demonstratiTe  thair  the 
a  hsr  ooat  A  good  over- 
east  aov«  ssailr  all  tho  body;  and  when 
tfuaioba  m  well  wnp|Md  roand  the  ba- 
Havcr:  th«B«  if  his  dioea  araelsan,  if  hia  head 
iawaii  oorarad,  and  his  footstepa  directed 
ifllo  troth,  he  wiU  eqjoy  great  peace;  bat 
tha  werr  UA  that  the  ftrantain  of  atoi 


Md  all  hia 
img  plain 


atoning 
Uood  ia  aliU  opeiMsd  to  tha  House  of  BaviC 
and  to  the  inhabitania  of  Jarosalem :  this 
CmI  *— fM**  Ihe  danger  we  all  are  in.  These 
fobaa  onee  pat  on,  ara  never  east  away. 
Bat  Satan,  or  the  world,  or  the  flesh,  or 
Boma  adfiaae  power,  may  dedle  them ; — 
tken,  iff  an  extraordlna^  power  of  £nth, 
tim  Ihring  sool  phuM  mto  the  fountain ; 
asd  paaoa  and  paidon,  ia  fboad  therein. 
Bobea  onee  defiled  ia  an  external  sense, 
Tha  worid,  the 

.  preearfad  duldran, 
tha   nota   on  the 

:  and  tha  e 


forbear.  Our  brother  rests  in  peace 
and  joy.  Brother  Goo.  Webb,  closed  the 
services  at  the  grave,  with  prayer:  and  on 
Loid's^y,  Ma/  24th,  Mr.  Attwood 
preached  the  Ameral  sermon,  of  which  an 
ootline  may  be  given. 

The  calm  and  peaceful  end  of  Mr.  Nunn'a 
lift  is  encouraging  to  those  heavy  laden 
pilgrims  who  are  yet  in  the  desert  Yet  a 
tt^e  while,  and  we  all  shall  leave  these 
stormy  shoTBs.         


%tiitriB  f{m  th^  i^art« 


Mt  rmjot  BaoTBiB,— After  a  long  rest  I 
write  yon  another  line,  hoping  you  are  weD> 
aUve  and  vfigotooa  in  your  Master's  work» 
bapjpy  in  yoar  sool,  and  k>okingfor  Him  who 
shall  oome  with  Tenaeaace^  and  bring  for 
Hia  belovad  ones  a  fiUl  and  final  salvatMm 
I  have  Bo  doubt  but  yon  have  had  your  share 


of  water  triholation,  and  fire  mortafioatioiiy 
bat  by  theos  tfia  Lord  keeps  His  outcasts 
in  their  proper  plaee.  It  seems  to  be  all  hard 
work  to  keep  us  where  we  should  be ;  for  tha 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil  are  never 
more  oppoaed  to  ns  than  when  the  Lord  hsa 
rot  us  lost  where  we  shall  learn  sey-denia!, 
humfiUtf,  our  weakness,  unprofitableness, 
and  hall-deservednesB.  If  we  get  wrong,  the 
devil  tells  us  it  is  beoauae  we  have  no  grace : 
and  he  shows  us  this  sin  and  the  other,  and 
he  says,  what  marks  are  these  of  your  son- 
ship?  Ah,  then  we  have  to  hang  down 
our  heada  like  bulrushes  with  shame  and 
ooafosion.  We  cannot  look  Ctod  in  the  fiuoe ; 
we  oannot  look  the  brethren  in  the  face ;  we 
sknlk  about ;  we  gro^  by  the  wall  as  though 
we  had  no  eyes ;  we  inwardly  groan  and  say 
sordy  we  are  after  sll  deceived ;  we  have  not 
trqa  giaoe;  we  have  not  the  spot  of  the 
Lord's  people;  we  have  not  the  root  of  the 
matter  within  us.  If  we  are  proceeding  in  a 
right  eoorm  as  near  as  we  can  tell,  then  the 
devil  oomes  in  and  dinrntes  our  motives. 
He  oaa  show  us  our  prioe  and  vanity,  and 
tha  abominatioas  of  the  flesh  when  we  are 
engaged  in  the  most  holy  ssrvioes  of  oar 
Ood.  Ah,  says  Satan,  yon  thought  yoa 
pn^  wall,  yoD  thought  yon^reaohed  weU, 

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146 


THS  BAxnnos  TSaSKL. 


JOM  1,  IMt. 


and  70a  thoariit  otiien  woald  think  the 
Mme  of  70U.  Did  yon  praj  hy  the  Spirit? 
Did  7011  preach  by  the  Spirit?  Yon  con- 
demn the  Phariseee.  do  70a  not?  Oh, 
Fhjrsician,  heal  th7wlf.  In  this  wa7  Satan 
knocks  ns  down ;  andj  from  hii  awanltB  and 
•nggestions,  we  hare  hard  work  eometimea 
to  see  a  lingle  eign  or  evidence  in  onr 
favour.  I  went  last  Moiida7  night  to  preach 
at  a  village  called  Thoipe,  where  1  hare 
desired  to  preach  the  Goepel  for  7ear8  past, 
but  the  Lord  did  not  think  proper  to  open  a 
door  tin  now.  I  never  law  the  hand  of  God 
in  anTthing  more  than  I  did  in  making  room 
for  me  to  step  into  this  dark  bebighteid  vil- 
lage. The  text  that  struck  my  mind  to 
preach  from  was  this :  "  God  is  love."  Ah, 
said  I  to  m78elf,  8nrel7  I  cannot  cany  a 
better  subieet  to  a  oomp«Ay  of  sinners  than 
this.  God  is  love,  thought  I,  well,  surely 
this  will  melt  mj  heart  in  speaking  to  the 
people,  and  their  hearts  ^ili  be  melted  in 
ustening  to  what  I  may  say  upon  so  de- 
Uffhtfnl  a  subject.  When  1  entered  the 
vulage  1  was  told  to  go  and  see  a  poor 
afflicted  woman  who  had  been  confined  to  her 
bed  for  thirty  years.  She  had  been  told 
about  my  coming  into  the  pariah  to  preach, 
and  she  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see  me. 
Being  told  that  I  should  be  intreated  to  call 
and  see  her,  she  oounted  away  the  hours, 
minute*,  and  moments,  aooordiag  to  her  own 
statement*  that  she  might  boir  what  I 
ahoald  say  to  her  about  Jesus.  I  found  this 
poor  creature  with  a  cheerful  coontenaaoe, 
whom  disease  had  drawn  neck  and  knees 
together.  I  soon  found  she  had  known  the 
Lord  as  her  Saviour  for  some  time.  After 
oonveniAg  together  dWeetly  about  the  pre- 
oiousness  and  worth  of  Christ,  I  read  two 
or  three  sweet  hymns,  and  Uien  prayed.  My 
heart  was  melted  within  me.  I  looked  upou 
tixat  poor  suffering  object,  and  felt  that 
I  k>ved  her  deariy  as  a  sister  in  Christ.  I 
shall  never  foiget  how  she  blessed  and 
srused  God  for  my  visit.  She  deohned  it 
nad  been  blessed  to  her  soul.  Andoh,  what 
a  mercy !  the  Lord  did  not  at  this  time 
allow  me  to  administer  comfort  to  another, 
and  leave  me  destitute  of  the  same.  We 
r^'oiced  together ;  and  I  thought  there  was 
a  secret  privilege  to  be  eonged  in  visitittg 
God's  afflicted  ones  which  would  bind  our 
affections  to  the  sick-room  as  much  as  to  the 
public  assemblies  of  the  saints.  It  did  in- 
deed grieve  me  to  hear  this  poor  oreatqre, 
while  thanking  me  again  and  again,  say, 
"  Oh  sir,  our  deigyman  does  not  think  me 
worth  his  notice,  for  he  never  oomes  nigh 
«ie.  I  am  a  poor  woman,  and  greatly 
«tfioted;  and  I  snppose  he  thinks  me  not 
worth  coming  after;  but  my  blessed  Lord 
has  made  it  all  up  to  me.  He  has  not  left 
me,  but  has  comforted  me  with  his  pre- 
sence."   After  taking  my  leave  of  the  poor 


,  with  a  premise  thail  would  ahordy 
see  her  again,  I  proceeded  to  the  spot  where 
I  was  for  the  first  time  to  Mow  the  trumpet 
in  that  parish.  A  great  many  people  were 
got  together,  insomuch  as  numbers  could 
not  get  into  the  room.  The  service  had 
only  just  begun  when  I  felt  a  heaviness 
oome  upon  me ;  my  mind  grew  daik ;  my 
heart  hard,  and  I  had  a  barren  opportnni^. 
Oh,  how  I  inwardly  sighed !  I  mt  this  ao 
much  that  I  thonght  sometimes  I  mnstleava 
off  and  say  no  more.  However,  I  got 
through  aa  well  as  I  could,  and  felt  that  I 
had  made  such  miserable  work  of  it  that  I 
was  afraid  to  speak  to  any  of  the  people, 
ashamed  to  kiok  them  in  the  foooL  and 
longed  to  get  out  of  their  way.  Oh,  how  I 
was  tried  about  this !  Ah,  said  Satan,  yoa 
were  very  confident  that  Gcd  opened  this 
door  for  yon.  You  were  alao  confident  Ton 
should  be  all  alive  in  preaching  from  that 
text,  and  you  also  felt  confident  some  good 
must  be  done,  but  how  now }  If  God  had 
opened  the  door  you  would  hava  preachad 
the  word  with  sweetness  and  power.  Your 
own  soul  would  have  been  blessed  in  epeak* 
fug,  and  the  souls  of  the  people  in  hearing. 
Instead  of  this  your  heart  was  as  hard  as  » 
stone,  and  yon  may  depend  on  it'God  did 
not  bless  what  you  said  to  the  people  in  anok 
a  state  as  that  I  could  find  no^ng  to  nj 
to  the  devil ;  only  this— Well,  well,  howovwr 
barren  and  dark  I  might  be  in  my  preaching, 
this  one  thing  I  am  ngt  to  be  beaten  out  of: 
the  Loid  blessed  my  visit  to  timt  poor 
woman,  my  heart  was  melted  at  her  hooae^ 
and  I  felt  sometiiing  of  the  sweetneas  of 
divine  Urines  while  beneath  that  roof;  oon- 
seouentiy  I  did  not  go  into  that  parish  in 
vam.  This  gave  me  a  little  comfort,  with  a 
who  can  tell  what  God  may  yet  do  throo^ 
labouring  to  preach  the  word  to  poor  am- 
ners  in  that  place.  Excuse  mv  long  epiatia, 
dear  brother,  and  if  you  can  piok  up  anything 
to  help  you  on  your  wav  from  what  a  poor, 
blind  and  ignorant  fool  has  said,  |ive  God 
all  the  praise.  I  did  not  think  of  wnting  yon 
only  a  fine  or  two  when  I  took  up  my  pen, 
but,  as  soon  as  my  pen  began,  it  ran  00  ao 
fast  that  I  could  not  stop  it.  But  I  must 
conclude  now,  having  to  preach  at  T— p 
this  evening.  That  God  may  be  with  yon, 
is  the  prayer  of  yours, 

B.  TAiSiOn. 
Dicklebuigh,  May  6th,  1868. 

MT  FIRST  SABBATH  IN  A 

PULPIT. 

nr  OHi  uHDn  savsai  nisciruiCB. 

If  a  faithful  history  of  pulpita  could  be 
written,  what  a  discovery  of  mentid  sorrow 
and  of  triumphant  grace  would  be  mtfde. 
There  are,  at  this  time,  m^ny  young  hearts 

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JSM  1.  1861. 


TUS  EAETBISK   VEMSL. 


147 


faMting  wsralr  for  spheres  of  nsefobiass. 
Wliethcr  the  Lord  has  thus  wrought  in 
tfaflm,  it  is  hard  to  say ;  but  ire  do  fear  our 
aunisters  and  chnrehes  are  over  stringent 
in  their  dealings  with  some  of  the  young 
men  who  have  been  bom  again  and  brouffht 
up  in  their  midst.  We  oonld  suggest  a  few 
things ;  but*  not  desirous  of  fhrther  con- 
tend, we  forbear.  Still,  as  we  have  al- 
ways boen  the  sincere  young  man's  friend, 
and  as  we  are  compelled  to  witness  many 
aerere  cases,  we  cannot  be  altogether 
silent.  We  mj  Qcd  to  incline  some  in- 
telligent and  deroted  layman's  heart  to 
establish  something  of  a  school  of  research 
and  of  trial  for  honest,  humble,  decided 
godly  young  men,  who  cannot  sell  any 
part  of  truth,  but  must  abide  by  the  whole, 
let  the  consequences  be  what  they  may. 
Here  'i3  a  youn^  man's  private  testimony 
daacriptiye  of  his  first  Sabbath-day's  work 
IB  the  pulpits  This  young  man  has  sacri- 
ficed proepects  for  conscience  sake:  his 
writings  to  us  haye  been  most  yoluminous ; 
his  exevdses  yeiy  deep ;  his  poverty  most 
aausQal  for  a  ^oung  man.  A  country 
canse  invited  him  to  spend  one  Lord's-day 
with  them.  He  did  sa  On  the  following 
Monday  he  wrote  us  a  note.  Some  parts 
are  so  powerfully  suggestiye,  we  give  tnem, 
hoping  yoong  men  and  poor  churches  may 
reeeiye  some  benefit  therefrom. 

**  Dbab  FiinKD,^!  started  for yes- 
terday morning.  When  I  got  to  the  station, 
I  was  only  three  seconds  before  time.  I 
pvt  down  two  shillings— all  I  had — and 
which  I  thought  was  the  fiure,  as  I  had 
been  told  by  a  person  I  had  asked.  The 
■an  demanded  two  shiUinfls  and  sixpence 
fsr  Xhf.  ticket.  I  pulled  off  my  waistcoat, 
and  sold  it  to  some  man,  there  and  then, 
for  sixpence,  took  my  ticket,  and  o£f  I 
started.  I  had  been  called  at  seven  in- 
atead  of  tax  o'clock,  so  I  had  no  break&st, 
«ad  the  night  before  I  had  no  sleep,  and 
then  I  had  to  Hnger  an  hour  at  the  junc- 
tion. "  Well,"  I  thought,  "  here's  a  pretty 
ittticie  to  get  into  a  pulpit,  half  asleep,  no 
btwakfawt,  no  waistcoat,  thick-headed,  veiy 
eeid,  and  feel  as  though  I  had  nothing  to 
aay,  and  never  been  in  a  pulpit  before." 
So  I  aaid  within  mj;8elf,--Well,  I'll  get 
into  the  {mlpit,  and  if  I  have  nothing  to 
any,  I  shall  tell  the  people  so,  and  bid  them 
good  morning,  and  quietly  step  away. 
When  I  reached  there,  I  felt  pnysically 
-OMire  fit  to  go  to  bed  and  to  sleep  than  to 
preach.  lliad  to  walk  right  away  from 
tbe  station  into  the  pulpit,  sa  the  service 
bad  begun.  Thcj  were  singing  the  first 
Ityan.  I  spoke  a  little  on  IsaiA  xxxiii., 
nd  read  my  text  ftom  Hosea:  *'  And  I 
^vill  olace  then  in  their  houses,  saith  the 
Sjop£.'*  I  noticed  the  desolations  sin  had 
mopg^,  the  localatioB  of  Qod  in  the  Lord 


Jesus  Christ,  and  the  ingathering  of  His 
people  into  that  holy  habitation.  After  one 
hour's  preaching,  I  had  not  said  what  I 
wanted  to  say ;  I  could  have  staged  two 
hours  longer.  At  a  quarter  past  six,  I  was 
in  the  puli>it  again.  I  spoke  a  little  on 
the  six^-third  psalm,  and  preached  from 
the  last  chapter  of  Zephaniah,  ^ "  Thou 
shalt  not  see  evil  any  more."  I  thought  I 
should  be  done  in  five  or  ten  minutes  ;  but 
as  I  commenced  my  sermon,  miraculously 
the  Scriptures  and  the  things  of  vital  god- 
liness rerived  in  my  soul  and  crowded  in 
upon  my  mind,  andl  spoke  from  the  text 
more  than  one  hour.  I  should  have  liked 
three  hours  more.  I  stood  amazed  at  the 
unexpected  interposition  of  the  Lord.  I 
was  glad  to  see  the  people  with  cheerful 
countenances.  I  have  kept  you  already  too 
long,  so  I  add  no  more. 
"May  11th,  1863." 


a^hon^hts  for  j^ainls. 

Bt  FsAHas  W.  MovcK,  Baptist  Mm  istbs. 

No.  V. — ^Tnn  All-lovxlt. 
**  He  is  altogether  lovely.*'— 8oL  Song,  r.  le. 
WuBBS  the  riffhteous  behold  beautjr  in 
Jesus,  the  ungomy  see  nothing  but  a  blank. 
They  are  unable  to  discern  anything  ad- 
mirable, delightful,  or  desirable  in  Him. 
But  our  eves  fondly  dwell  upon  His  fea- 
tures, while  our  hearts  quickly  and  wil- 
lingly acknowledge  the  alluring  and  over- 
coming infiuence  of  His  cfaanns.  The  great 
reason  why  the  ungodly  man  is  ignorant  of 
the  loveliness  of  Jesus  is  because  he  is  spi- 
ritually "  blind  from  his  birth."  And  just 
the  same  was  it  once  with  us.  We  were 
bom  "  the  children  of  darkness.'*  Our 
deeds  likewise  were  evil,  and  hence  we 
loved  "  darkness  better  than  light"  But 
He  who  is  "  the  Light  of  the  world,"  en- 
lightened our  eyes,  enabled  us  to  "see 
light  in  His  light,"  and — Oh !  privilege  in- 
estimable— behold  "  His  face  m  righteous- 
ness," Verily  '*He  is  altogether  lovely,*' 
because  of  what  He  has  d^e  for  us.  In 
eternity  He  planned  our  salvation,  and 
covenanted  to  become  our  Saviour.  In  the 
fulness  of  the  appointed  time.  He  became 
incarnate,  and  spent  His  precious  life  in 
works  of  benevolence  to  man,  and  obe- 
dience to  God.  Thus  He  accomplished  a 
twofold  object ;  for  He  left  us  a  faultless 
example  to  foUow,  and  procured  a  perfect 
righteousness  for  us  in  which  we  are  ac- 
ceptaUe  before  GknL  He  is  superlatively 
''lovely"  because  of  what  He  has  suffered 
for  our  souls.  His  life  was  one  of  constant 
self-denial,  perseeution,  and  pain.  He  was 
a  Man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with 
griel    The  people  "  despised  and  rejected" 

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148 


THS 


Junel,  IMIL 


Wm.  Bia  life  was  oontinoftllj  in  danger ; 
Hifl  name  and  character  vilely  traduced ; 
His  holiest  and  most  disinterested  actions 
stiffmatized  with  unjust  insinuations.  He 
suffered  from  want  and  wearinesa.  At  last 
He  was  falsely  accused,  blasphemouslr  sen- 
tenced, and  ignominiously  murdered  by  his 
enemies.  Al^of  this  He  might  have  avoided 
had  He  chosen  so  to  do ;  but  He  nobly 
and  lovingly  endured  aU,  and  despised  tile 
ahame  for  the  sake  of  the  deUyerance  of 
our  souls  from  sin,  guilt,  condemnation, 
and  perdition.  Jesus  is  also  supremely 
"  lovely/'  because  of  what  He  is  u  Him- 
sel£  He  is  infinitely  holy,  aauable,  sentle, 
loving,  sympathising,  meieifnl,  ana  eom- 
passionate.  Everything  lovely  in  appear- 
ance, disposition,  character,  and  spirit  nave 
their  infinite  and  ezhaustless  source  in 
"  the  altogether  lovely.*'  And  nothing  but 
what  is  Uius  lovely  is  to  be  discovered  in 
Him.  As  Durham  reqiarks,  "All  the 
beauties  and  perfections  that  are  scattered 
among  creatures  are'  in  an  eminent  and 
transcendent  way  gathered  together,  and  to 
be  found  in  Him." 

**  All  our  ospsdooB  powers  esn  wish, 
In  Him  doth  richly  meet.*' 

He  is  also  "altogether  lovelv"  in  the 
precious  communion  which  He  holds  with 
our  souls.     His  words  are   sweeter  than 


honey  and  more  predous  than  rabies.  He 
comforts  us  aa  a  mother  eomfints  hear  son. 
He  dries  up  our  tears,  and  encourages  oor 
hearts  in  trouble.  He  supplies  us  with 
*<more  grace,"  reveals  to  us  the  hiddan 
beauties  of  His  love,  and  the  aU-sufileieney 
of  His  merits ;  so  that  we  are  able  to 
sing,— 

**  All  over  glorioos  is.  my  I<ord, 
Must  be  beloved,  and  yet  adored." 

"  In  Him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of  Xh*^ 
Godbead  bodily."  (Col.  i,  19.)  If  we  in- 
dustriously gatber  all  the  expressive  figures 
of  earth,  and  sublimely  significant  meta- 
phors of  heaven,  and  add  to  them  all  the 
glorious  names  of  universal  history, — 
**  ^U  are  too  mean  to  speak  His  worth,^ 
3te  mmn  to  set  my  Savioar  forth." 

In  Himself,  His  word.  His  deeda,  Hia 
promises,  His  offioes,  and  His  titles.  He  is 
"altogether  lovely ;**  or,  as  the  origmai 
mar  he  rendered,  '*  He  is  a£f  d^airtB**  xes, 
and  we  can  say,  "Whom  have  we  m  hea- 
ven but  Thee?  And  there  is  none  upon 
earth  we  desire  beside  Thee."  "  Thaaka 
be  unto  God  for  His  unspeakable  giik,** 
for  "He  is  o^  duira**  and  the  desire  of 
all  His  saints  I  To  sum  up  all  in  a  few 
words,  "  Christ  is  all  and  m  all."  "  His 
mouth  is  most  sweet ;  yea,  He  is  altogether 
lovedy.  This  is  my  beloved,  and  thia  is  n^ 
friend,  O  daughters  of  Jerusalem." 


prospect  of  the  ohnieh  as  to  tbeir  new 
place  of  meeting;  their  ohapel  having  been  taken 
by  the  South  London  Ballway.  A  large  gather- 
ing of  ftiends  took  tea,  after  which  ttte  public 
meeting  was  holden.  Mr.  Qeorge  Moyle,  the  pas- 
tor, oocapied  the  chair,  and  we  were  ^ad  to  find 
that  he  was  in  a  measure  restored  to  nis  wonted 
health  After  prayer  by  Mr.  Bayment,  the  chaii^ 
man,  in  hiB  opening  remarks,  spoke  of  the  pe- 
enUar  feelmgs  of  tfisuli  ftiinow  and  pleasure  it 
gave  him  in  meeting  with  the  flrieodB  on  that  oc- 
casion. Fifteen  years  had  rolled  away  since  the 
Lord  directed  his  steps  to  Fecicham,  and  they 
ware  united  together  as  pastor  and  people.  It 
was  now  no  new  union,  nor  were  they  IHends  of 
yeiterdav;  and  having  obtained  hdp  of  God, 
they  had  continned  onTn  ttie  same  truths,  loving 
the  same  Mevsd  eospel,aflon  the  day  tlisy  Ant 
If  any  alteratioo  had 


taken  plac^  so  far  aa  he  could  judge,  they  had 
grown  in  alnction  to  Qod,  to  Gkral  truth,  and  in 
love  to  one  another.   Two  months  ago.  he  did 

m  then;  lie 


thought  the  hand  of  God  bad  touched  him;  that 
his  work  was  done,  and  his  labours  on  earth 
ended,  and  he  shonld  have  passed  sway  from 


HBW     OHAPBL     AT     FECRHAM    FOB  MB.  lCOTXiB'8  OEtJBOB. 

Oir Monday evening,]iay  18th, anubUcserrice was  them:  be  never  felt  so  nesr  death  before^  and. 
holden  at  the  large  Assembly  Boom,  Boeemary  thank  God.  never  feared  it  less:  be  thought  cer- 
Branch,  Peckharo,  to  commemorate  the  fifteenth  tainly  death  was  near  at  hand,  end  he  tiembioA 
anniversary  of  Mr.  Moyle's  pastorste  over  the  not  nor  iimred  the  least  its  iqiproadL  During  his 
church,  which,  till  recently  met  in  the  Baptist  eha  afflietion,  he  reviewed  the  Gospel  he  had  pies2bed 
pel,  Bje  lane,  Peckham.  There  was  a  further  in-  to  them,  and  he  felt  great  consolation  and  com- 
terest  oonnected  with  the  meeting,  it  being  un-  fort  from  that  review ;  for  not  one  doctrim^  nor 
derstood  that  a  statement  would  be  given  of  the   one  prindple,  wMeh  he  had  endeawuied  to  pta- 

^     ' daim,  did  he  desbe  to  reosnt;  the  sane  Christ, 

the  same  truths,  the  same  doctrines,  the  asme 
faith,  and  the  same  hope,  appeared  dearer  to  him 
than  ever.  He  was  enabled  to  repeat  the  Isb* 
gnege  thai  was  spoken  to  the  last  time  tbegr  aiBt 
Cr%  old  Chanel,— "^  Thy  viriU  be  done:"  itcnose 
to  his  mind  like  oil,  with  such  softening. and 
comforting  influence  that  he  rested  aaJUy  and 
sweetly  on  it  Ailer  mptmiag  a  bload-veasSi» 
he  felt  certain  his  end  was  near,  bat  stiU  ''Thy 
will  be  done,*'  keptby  him  with  continued  swoef- 
neas,  followed  by  other  passages,  such  as  **Look- 
inglbrthemeroyorGNod,"Ac.;  and  in  that  sMIe 
of  mind  he  expiested  to  nave  glided  out  of  tMs 


world  to  that  above.     But  the  Lord  had 
leased  to  bless  the  means  to  his  reatonttlon,  and 

"'      them,  to  thank  the  Lord  fer 

l«r  can  of  him;  and  to  Hie 


t 


that  untiring  I  _  , 
which  they  had  all  msaifested  towards  him  in 
his  day  of  affliction  and  trial.  •  As  a  church  and 
congrsgatfssL  tiMfv  wees  thsakftd  to  the  LovAAr 
aU  SMNiesieoBived;  th^  had  not  a  great  in- 
crease to  renov^  stiU  there  wss  a  growing :  and 
they  were  there,  on  the  flfteenth  anniversary  of 
his  ministoy,  te  aeknowtedge  the  Loid**  eoa- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Jnel,] 


THS  EASTHEK  TESSEL. 


149 


townd  fhem.   SmpeoUng  tbe 
moat  taive:  good  historiuifl  we 
_  ,     It  oood  praphete  wenerer  ahoald. 

H«  ihimld  aik  tfief  r  leaoUiy  now  to  lay  before 
ttarttflirporitioa  uid  proposals  mpeotmg  the 
new  dMneL 

Mr.  Ctaoffge  TlioiiiaB  C6ngT«««|  deaooo  and 
mentmry^  thea  wported  the  positioD  respecting 
tte  new  elkqpd.  He  said:  "Hy  dear  Sir,— I 
■B  «B«  efwy  haut  in  this  asaembly  wUl  echo 
tbe  santimait  I  am  about  to  advance,  in  which 
my  ^rather  deaooos  heartily  join  me,  that  the 
Lord  mmy  apare  yoa  to  see  many  happy  returns 
of  tliia  Yovir  wedding  day  with  as.  The  sweet 
qiixitoThannony  that  faaa  fcrso  long  time  ex- 
isted aaaoniFrt  as  still  lemains ;  and  the  recent  txy- 
iag  eireonulBneea  in  which  we  hare  been  placed 
hoPB,  I  believe,  ineretted  that  union ;  and  the 
deep  aflfietion  whidi  tlie  Lord  has  seen  fit  to  lay 
opoB  ytm  haa  been,  I  trust,  sanctilted  both  to  you 
and  M.**  Bespecting  the  chapel  (he  remarked), 
tliey  BO  kmcer  met  nnder  tl»  Mune  droumstances 
m  they  haa  done  before ;  for  where  the  silver 
riainiiiiof  the  Gospel  had  so  loag  sconded  forth 
its  BBlodioas  notes,  there  the  man  of  iron  had  en- 
■nd,  and  ahortlT  the  tlmr.derinff  of  tbe  lailway- 
I  woaM  be  beaitl  instead.  Ae  arranging  for 
UBSiiliiJBjritb  railway  eompaaiea,  he  could 
I  tfiiwn,  from  reomt  experience,  was  not  an 

uj  thing:  three  months  of  great 

Hen  given  them,   during  vrhich 

bofldlag  operations  had  been  sus- 

i  it  vraa  not  tiU  the  eleventh  boar 

it  tiw  eompauj  woald  oome  to  their  terms 

1^  tlKif  ftmnd  that  they  were  determined  to 

before  a  Jury  with  the  matter.    Ultimately 


ass^ 


eonapany  airead  to  pay  tbem  £S,370  for  the 
^,  hooae,  treebold,  and  all  their  expenses, 
woepted.  The  caahvras  not  yet  paid, 
pan  V  were  boond  to  pay  five  per  cent. 
»tiirit  was  paid.  Alur  muoh  anxiety 
tlMiy  bad  porehased,  as  he  tbought,  a 
le  fsr  Mm  new  diapel,  directly  neing 
reet.  It  had  a  ft-ontage  to  Bye  Lane  of 
eighty  feet  vrith  adeptb  of  190  feet,  being  oon- 
iM— My  hugef  than  tbeir  Ibrmer  plot,  and  large 
lOBgb  fcr  a  ehapei,  etaapel-hoase,  and  scYrooIs. 
ttm  eost  of  the  grooad  was  £650,  and  had  been 
popshaaed  of  Mr  Claude  De  Crespigny,  a  stsuncli 
chnrciunan,  who  had  over  and  over  again  refused 
"  flay  part  of  Ma  brad;  but  ^ter  he  (Hr. 
_  B«e>  bad  seen  bfan  on  the  sabject,  he  not 
r  wOlMty  aold  tham  the  groand,  but  dealt 
rBbenify  with  tbem,  for  which  he  vrotild  de- 
nm  Ills  thanks,  no<  foigetting  the  hand 
Ito  aaefa  a  floecessfol  isBoe, 


covered  fn.  The  house  for  the  pastor  was  larger, 
as  it  vras  necessary  it  should  in  some  degree  cor- 
respond with  the  chapel.  The  entire  cost  of  the 
chapel  and  house  would  be  £2,314.  After  all  ex- 
pend, they  hoped  to  have  about  £40  or  £60  left 
towards  building  the  schools.  There  could  not  be 
tvro  opinions  reroectingthe  building  of  a  school- 
no  good  chapel  snould  i>e  without  a  school  Fcr 
forty-one  years  they  had  held  titeir  school  in  the 
chapel  at  Bye  Uuicl  raucb  to  tik  detriment  of 
the  place :  tnis  could  not  be  tolerated  in  the  new 
chapel.  Mr.  Bland  had  prepared  the  plans  for 
building  the  school  at  the  beck  of  the  chapel,— a 
good  commodious  place,  where  they  could  hold 
their  tea  meetings  and  lectnre^  and  useful  for 
ottier  purposes.  The  contract  for  this  was  £340; 
so  there  would  be  about  £800  to  raise.  He  should 
propose  a  subscription  among  themselves  in  the 
first  place,  and  closed  by  handing  to  the  chair- 
man his  mite  towards  the  same. 

The  following  donations  towards  the  new 
school  were  then  given  :-Mr.  O.  T  Congreve,  £6  ; 
Mr.  Moyle,  £5;  Miss  Millidge.  £5;  Mrs.  Hams, 
£5 ;  Mr.  Boffer^  £5 ;  Mr.  Moss,  £1  Is. ;  tSarah 
Prost,  £1  Is. ;  Mrs.  Chatfleld,  £1  Is. ;  Mr.  Bpeiicer, 
£1  Is  ;  Mr.  Duprey,  £1;  Mrs.  Tomlin,  £1  la.. 
Miss  Chltty,  £1  Is;  Ur  Jackson,  £1;  together 
with  a  collection,  which  made  a  total  received  to- 
wards this  obiiect  of  £M  Its  8d. 

Several  addresses  were  then  given  by  Messrs. 
Wyard,  Anderson,  Palmer,  Cracknell,  Attvrood, 
and  Hawkins ;  but  space  forbids  us  giving  even 
an  ontline  of  the  same.  The  meeting  was  plea- 
sant and  profitable ;  and  was  dosed  by  singing  to 
MUesLsne,— 

•All  hail  the  power  of  Jeeu'a  nama, 
Let  angeU  proetrate  fell/'  6eo. 


▲  OED 


pxiiaBzs's 

SOOIBTT. 


FBIEKI> 


Tm  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was  holden 
at  the  London  Tavern,  on  Monday  evening,  April 
27th  when  the  dhair  was  ably  Ulled  by  Mr.  Aldei^ 
man  Abbiss.  The  sight  presented  by  the  Kather> 
ing  on  the  platform  was  snfficient  to  cheer  tbe 
heart  of  every  friend  to  the  cause.  We  there  raw, 
side  by  side,  labourers  in  the  Christian  field  of 


various  sects  and  parties,  all  joining  heartily  to- 
gether to  further  the  cause  of  the  aged  pilgnm : 
tnere  were  clergymen  of  our  National  Chureh, 


had  heaa  advaaeed,  and  tiie  porebase  oompletedf, 
aad  uew  IiiisHilb  appointed.  The  deed  had 
haqi  iweyaiad  b^Mr.  Mot^  tbefar  solicitor;  and 
thdr  aretaMeet,  Jfr.  8.  K«  Bland,  bad  fVirnished 
■a  beaBlflUadimvringashehadeverseenforthe 
chapel  and  boose^  and  also  the  spedflea- 
ai  Mr.  Tbompaon,  of  Oamberwell,  was 
r;  and  altogether  be  tboaght  they 
exoeUent  bands.  The  chapel  would 
wider  than  theold.  It  would  bare 
ttion;  there  vronld  be  a 
and  tbe  seats  would  be 
■aaae  vvwiiwodiosw  and  Hoping  for  comfort. 
^he  baptiatgy  wpoW  be  boflt  on  a  riae  of  tvro  feet 
fenaa  the  groand ;  wfam  doeed.  ttiis  would  form 
A  plitiiNin ;  and  the  pulpit  vroald  be  built  on  this 
pHtfoaai ;  when  oaed  fbr  the  ordinance,  every 
«aa  hi  the  plaee  vroald  be  able  to  see  tbe  same 
■frnteiatved  without  learfaig  tbeir  seats  or  get- 
tfaiig  <m  the  tope  of  the  pews.  The  celling  would 
!  nv  tbe  eoodensing  of  soond,  tbe 


vnmld  be  arebad;  aad  tbe  plaee  would  be 
^  firom  the  eeatre  of  the  cealng  by  a  large 
r.  Altogetbcr,  be  hoped  be  nnigbt  wkj^ 
rwoold  bare  a  modd  Baptist  chapel.  Ac- 
Ifam  to  thBeoBtragt,  it  vraa  to  bellnished  t^ 
ifealat  of  ypfewibai ;  biit  nmeh  must  depend  opon. 
ffee  WBtber,  bctvesi  bow  and  tbe  time  tbcy  got  it 


and  Wonoonfonnist  ministers  of  various  denomi- 
nations, all  joyfully  striving  toaethcr  to  alleviate 
in  some  measure  the  sorrows  of  "the  poor  of  this 
worid,  rich  in  finth."  Take  a  glance  at  these 
good  men.  Just  to  the  right  of  tbe  chairman,  we 
catch  the  well-knoirn  featnres  of  the  pastor  of 
the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  looking  happv  and  well ; 
on  the  other  side  of  the  chair  is  the  dedded 
countenance  of  I>r.  Spenoe,  of  the  Poultrj*;  close 
by  Mr.  James  Wells  is  John  Thwaites,  Esq., 
(Chairman  of  the  Metropolitan  Board  of  Works)  ; 
and  in  the  next  seat  sits  Mr.  Oeorse  Moore,  a 
deacon  of  Mr.  ^purgeon's;  and  behind  Mr. 
Uoore,  we  notice  Mr.  Wells's  energetic  helper, 
Mr.  Bdward  Butt.  Here  we  hare  a  group  of  lay- 
men: our  old  friend,  Thomas  Pocockj  always 
ready  to  assist  in  a  good  cause ;  Mr.  Jackson  and 
Mr.  Kennedy,  who,  for  }'ear^  have  shown  thdr 
zeal  to  the  cause  by  right  down  hard  woric  for 
the  sodety;  Mr.  Oongrev&  a  deacon  of  Mr. 
Uoyle's,  of  Peckham;  Mr.  Dodson,  of  the 
Boreugn;  Mr.  Mote,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Pillow. 
Here  Is  Mr.  Jaj',  ttie  successor  of  Mr.  Joseph 
Irons;  and  there  is  also  another  taller  Jay,  of 
Battle  Bridge,  who  gave  ns  a  beantifbl  addresa 
in  the  courw  of  the  evening.  We  also  recognise 
Mr.  TIddy.  Mr.  John  Fefia,  Dr.  Hewlett,  Bev. 
Mr.  Tineent,  Mr.  Woodard,  Mr.  Plory.  Mr. 
Poynder,  Samuel  K.  Bland,  Bev.  W.  Offord,  Mr. 
Oowdry,  and  many  more  beddes,  oomMnlng 
talent  snffideot  to  tetereat  aad  inatniot  a  mast- 
ing for  many  boon. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


150 


TUB   SABTUKM   TB88EU 


Jimel.iasS.. 


After  prmyer  by  Dr.  HewMt,  the  nporU  were 
read  by  Mr.  8.  K.  Bland,  Mr.  Dodeon  and  the 
new  aeoretanr,  Mr.  Miehaal  ]farph3\  One  report 
dealt  with  the  eooiety,  and  the  other  with  the 
aiylam.  In  it  eiipecial  referenee  was  made  to  tlie 
heavy  loes  the  aode^  had  sustained  by  the  death 
of  its  benefiu:tor  ana  seeretaiy,  the  well-known 
Mr.  John  Box,  in  speaking  of  whom  it  said,— 

**  Sorrowful,  of  neoeasity,  must  be  the  report  of 
your  oommitttf  for  this  year;  for,  from  their 
midst  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  call  away  that 
lonff-tried,  laborious,  and  most  devoted  friend 
of  the  society,'  their  senior  seoretaiy,  Mr.  John 
Box.  It  was  on  the  21st  of  ITovember  last,  at  his 
residence  in  Sorthampton-square,  that  he  de- 
parted, in  oonsoious  and  happy  peace,  resting  as 
ne  knew  he  did,  upon  the  rocK  —  Christ  Jesus. 
The  close  of  his  career  had  indeed  been  expected 
for  several  wintera  past,  during  each  of  which  he 
had  been  chiefly  confined  to  nis  room ;  but  his 
last  illness  was  of  brief  duration.  To  the  ver>' 
end,  all  his  fsculties,  his  oiTections,  and  remnant 
of  strength,  were  given  to  the  interests  of  this, 
his  much  cherished  societv,  while  he  has 
crowned  that  long  devotion  by  a  most  generous 
and  munificent  provision  for  its  pensioners.  The 
oonunittee  feel  they  cannot  better  enter  upon  the 
record  of  the  past  year  than  bj-  taking  up  the 
sntjeot  of  this  noble  grant,  and  urge  the  provid- 
ing of  the  means  for  the  speedy  flUfllment  of  its 

MtTbox's  great  desire  for  some  years  has  been 
the  erection  of  a  much  larger  asylum  than  the 
one  at  present  belonging  to  the  society,  which 
has  accommodation  for  forty  inmates  only.  The 
proposed  New  Jubilee  Asylum  is  to  supply  room 
for  three  times  that  number  of  pilgrims.  To- 
wards this  noble  effort,  Mr.  Box,  by  a  deed  of 
|dft  executed  in  1861,  left  proper^  which,  with 
file  interest  accumulating  smce,  amounts  to 
nearly  £10,000.  Very  wisely,  this  sum  is  to  be 
dovoted  to  the  compUtiem  of  the  building^that  is 
to  say,  if  the  amount  required  to  build  the  new 

5y\um  is  £16^000,  the  je6,000  b^ond  that  left  by 
r.  Box  must  be  had  first— to  comwunee  the  worx 
with.  We  think  in  this  matter  Mr.  Box  acted 
wiselv:  otherwise  the  building  might  at  once 
have  Men  commenced ;  and  possibly  the  balance 
required  for  the  completion  of  the  undertaking 
would  have  been  raised  by  a  mortgage  on  the 
building,  for  which  interest  must  have  been  paid. 
Bevond  this  sum  of  £10,000,  Mr.  Box  has  also 
left  property  to  the  society  that  will  pioduoe 
£110  per  annum ;  which  amount  is  to  be  devoted  to 
the  purchase  of  coals  during  the  winter  months 
for  the  inmates  of  the  new  aiylum.  Altogether, 
Mr.  Box's  gift  amounto  to  £18,00a  The  follow- 
ing sums  from  the  various  auxiliaries  were  then 
announced  :~Mr.  J.  Wells  (Surrey  Tabernacle), 
£IM  4b.  :  Mr.  Jay  (Grove,  Camberwell),  £57  7s. ; 
Mr.  Tiddy,  £16  16s.  3d.:  Mr.  Lincoln  (of  Beres- 
ftyrd-street),  £15 ;  Mr.  W.  Alderson  (Bast  Lane), 
£80  14s.  7d. 

Tlie  report  also  referred  to  the  death  of  Mr. 
Henry  Weatherhand,  the  gentleman  who  dis- 
tributed the  money  to  the  Countrv  pensioners. 
The  list  of  pensions  on  the  Society  v  funds  now 
are  as  follows: — 

fiO  Pensioners  receiving  £10  10  0  per  annum 
840  -  "650 

140  »•  ••  3    8    0 

4  "  ••  14    0 

634  total  Pensioners. 

During  the  year  84  Fensioners  have  died ;  80 
new  cases  have  been  recommended,  38  of  whom 
have  been  visited,  and  placed  on  the  liit  for  elec- 
tion. 

The  adoption  of  the  report  was  moved  by  Dr. 
Bpence,  and  seoonded  by  the  Bev.  W.  Jay,  of 
Bfettle-bridge.  The  fbst  reaolation  was  moved 
by  Mr.  Jamea  Wells,  who  in  *  pleasant  manner 
luged  the  claims  of  the  Booicfey  upon  the 
ing.   Himself;  deaooosi  and  oour 


Ing,  pratieiaiy  to  show  their  good  Intentlona 
towards  the  cause,  as  the  amount  from  their 
auxiliary  would  show;  and  although  they  were 
**  high  doctrine  people,"  they  did  not  forget  their 
poorer  brethren.  He  hopea  the  other  brethren 
on  the  platform  would  oo  and  do  likewise.  Mr. 
Offord  seconded,  and  Jur.  Cowdxy  supported  the 
resolution.  The  Bev.  W.  Vincent,  (oftke  Chureh 
of  Bngland,)  Bev.  Mr.  Tiddy,  (Independent.)  Dr. 
Hewlett,  and  Mr.  Pells  also  advocated  the  daima 
of  thesodetr. 

We  hope  the  readers  of  the  Basthxh  Vjcsssl 
will  not  forget  this  invaluable  institution.  Its 
claims  are  worthy  their  warmest  support  It  is 
highly  important  that  the  balance  required  for 
the  building  of  the  laiger  Asylum  should  at  onoe 
be  made  up ;  and  we  would  suggest  to  all  the 
Churches  to  amnge  for  at  least  one  collection 
towards  this  object;  let  it  be  done  at  ouosl  and 
the  amount  will  soon  be  in  hand.  Might  we 
also  suggest  the  formation  of  country  auxiliaries 
in  all  parts  of  the  land :  every  church  should 
have  one ;  the  Bible  society  has  some  ninethousand 
good  agencies  for  that  valuable  woric,  why  should 
not  the  Aged  Pilgrims*  have  an  equal  share  of 
support?  Let  auxiliaries  be  formed;  sermons 
preached ;  lectures  given ;  have  a  collecting  box 
in  every  parlour,  kitchen,  counting  house,  and 
shops;  set  the  children  going  too;  and  let  us 
see  if  by  next  annual  meetmg  the  income  of  the 
Aged  Rlgrims*  Society  is  not  double.  Bvery 
friend  to  the  cause,  ana  all  who  will  help,  oan  be 
supplied  with  ever>'  information  (and  a  oolleoting 
(MX  too)  by  sending  or  calling  on  the  Seoretaiy, 
Mr.  Murphy,  at  the  ofBce  111,  Poultry,  London. 

ATTSTBAZ^IA. 
AK  APPEAL  TO  THB  BNOLIBH  CHCTBCiHXS 

OK  BKBALT  OT  THB 

BAPTIST  0HUBCHE8,  BTDNBT. 
To  the  Particular  Baptist  Church  in  England, 

and  others,  and  all  who  love  our  Loid  Jesna  • 

Christ 

Dkab  Bbothbb,  ^  Your  Australian  Sister 
Chureh  of  the  same  faith  and  order,  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  our  brother,  John  Bunj^an 
M^Cure,  in  the  city  of  Bydn^,  Kew  South  Walea. 
sendeth  Christian  salutation. 

We  are  about  to  build  a  place  of  wonhip :  the 
nound  we  have  bought  at  a  cost  of  £700:  and 
through  the  kindness  and  liberality  of  our  fneoda, 
we  are  able  to  pay  the  demanded  cash  for  tha 
same.  We  shallrequire  £8U0  for  the  chapel,  and 
about  £500  for  the  minister's  house  (hoose  rent 
is  very  high :  our  minister  is  paying £73  ayear 
foranx-roomed  house):  tlius  we  shall  require 
about  £1300.  This  is  a  large  amount  for  us  to 
obtain,  seeing  that  we  have  Just  raised  the  Urge 
sum  requirM  for  the  land;  nevertheless  the 
money  muH  be  ralud;  and  we  are  very  desiroua 
that  when  the  chapel  shall  be  opened,  which 
will  be  in  about  six  months  from  date,  it  will  b9 
cjMoudJree  o/dtbt.  Now  if  our  sister  diurchas  in 
Bngland  will  help  us  collectively,  and  those  of 
the  Lord's  people  who  have  the  means  individu- 
ally, then  we  shall  be  able  to  accomplish  the 
desire  of  our  hearts.  Let  eack  Ckmxk  make  one 
collection  on  our  behalf|  and  forward  theamonal 
through  the  Bank,  or  by  post  office  order.  Too. 
will  then  be  the  means  of  encouraging  our  heaxts^ 
and  strenBthening  our  hands,  ana  we  shall  the& 
be  enablea  unfettered,  and  unburdened,  to  abound 
in  our  loved  work,  and  to  help  those  who  will 
require  our  help,  for  the  Lord'e  people  are  now 
becoming  scattered  throughout  the  colonies^  and 
small  churches  will  be  formed,  and  places  of 
worship  must  be  built.  And  moreover  bv  help- 
ing us  m  this  good  work,  you  will  only  be  pro- 
vioing  for  your  ewm;  for  we  have  among  ua 
persons  fVom  nearly  all  the  churches  in  the  land 
of  our  fathers;  and  yon  will  likewise  declare  your 
Olileetiooa  may  be 


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THE  BAETHEM  TEflSeL. 


161 


ittedtoMod  moi^y  to  Aiuftnll%  ** <]k«  Irnndnf 
«fcL"  ircmrttMtoL  ft  is  not  the  wiU  of -" 
nthflr  that  muy  of  Bis  diildivn  ahonld  dm 


much  of  this  worid ;  for  a  retry  Urgp  ma^xity  of 
tbow  who  warship  with  us  tote  on^r  just  able  to 
p^y  their  way ;  and  to  do  that  is  a  bleafliog  that 
may  be  eDJoyed  bv  the  indnstrions  in  this  umd. 

It  most  be  flratiiying  to  you  to  know  that  there 
if  a  spiritual  home  for  those  who  have,  and  may 
y«t  emirate  to  onr  shares  a  Church  of  Christ 
of  the  same  fidth  and  order  with  youraelves;  and 
ne  rQoice  in  being  able  to  state  that  the  Lord  is 
with  OS ;  the  glorioas  Ooqiel  preadied  by  our 
pastor  is  blest,  the  Lard's  people  oomforteo,  and 
«e  hav«  enoooiaipnff  Instances  of  the  regeneratiye, 
and  grace  of  Ood  the  Holy  Ghost  attend- 

E  tlae  labours  of  his  servant,  "  nM^■^ora  Aofea,** 

led  to  the  Churdi.  Through  the  Babtheh 
VnsKL,  yon  will  be  ftilly  informed,  from  time 
to  time,  of  oar  progress  in  our  holy  Zion. 

**  "Sow  we  besBecn  you,  brethren,  for  the  Lord 
Jeaos  Christ's  sake,  and  fbr  the  love  of  the 
Spnitt**  tlut  you  will  tMve 


102  th€ 

^«d 


that 

(for 


rand  help  ua. 

r  cqpen  the  Lord's  house  free  of  debt 
lebts  in  this  counlary  are  great  burdens. 
beouiae  of  the  high  rate  of  interest  required,  eight 
to  tea  per  oent) :  and  then,  dear  brethren,  you 
will  have  the  honour  of  having  helped  for  the 
first  time  to  build  and  pay  for  a  place  of  worship 
hr  the  Ihrtieular  BaptuU  in  Syoney,  New  South 
Wales,  holding  the  prindples  of  atriot  oommn- 
oion,  and  the  all  important  doctrines  of  the 
eceriasdng  Qo^iel,  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jeaus. 
Trasdng  that  you  will  respond  to  this  appeal; 
we  remain,  dear  Bretiiren,  signed  on  behuf  of 
the  Chnrcii,  JoHir  Bwyav  IC'Crax,  Ar«ior, 
WmuAX  PoKT,  JoeKPH  Clabk,  Joseph 
BiCKBov.  Obobgx  WAcra,  D^aecnt, 

PA    All   communications  addroaaed  to  our 
pastor,  Liverpool  Street,  Sydn^. 
Xarcfa  Slst,  }963. 

C^TTSBTIOKS    FOB   THOKAS 
BBWABD8, 

BY  JOHN   COBBITT, 
ICnlster  sf  Ortord  HiU  Chapel,  Norwich. 

Deab  Mb.  Editob,— I  have  received  the  Vesssz. 
for  May,  and  hare  read  the  piece  from  Mr. 
Thomaa  Bdwarda,  of  Tunbridge  Wella,  and  feel 
lorpriaed  at  his  intimation  of  writing  more  fiilly 
his  reaaon  lor  giving  up  vrater  bimtism,  and  then 
asking  whether  the  Lord's  ministera,  who  are 
taught  by  the  Spirit,  are  agreed  upon  the  an- 
cient, tike  original,  orthodox  way.  If  so,  he 
promises  As  wUl  return  to  iht  tcana.  Surely,  he 
hath  taken  a  lUse  step  here:  and  it  mnatbea 
charity  for  any  one  to  put  htm  right  The  ia- 
f«iry  cBipf »ea  he  U  9e«3ang  for  hnmon  evidence,  Aor- 
amiy,  amd  ^mtkoritif.  But  the  ordinances  of  Ood'a 
hooae  wtere  never  established  by  man,  nor  allowed 
to  be  altered  by  man;  therefore,  whether  men 
a^ree  or  disagree  about  them,  is  nothing  to  us ; 
the  Master  sSth,  •^What  is  that  to  thee?  follow 
thonMe.**  Surely,  I  ahall  not  be  thought  un- 
kind, if;  through  the  medium  of  your  Vebsbl,  I 
aak  Mr.  Thomas  Edwards  a  few  Scriptural  ques- 
lioos  as  thsy  fisU  tttan  the  Master'a  Ifps. 

L  The  baptism  of  John.~Was  it  m>m  heaven 
or  of  men  9— Were  all  profeesed  good  men  agreed 
aboat  it?  And  then  the  baptiftn  that  is  oon- 
Mctad  with  repenting,  oonftasing  aina,  and  b6> 
licvjug;  was  it  of  C&ist  or  of  men  ?  Were  all 
piuftMseJ  good  men  agreed  about  that?  No. 
Oertiialy  not;  ret  the  last  two  verses  in  the 
last  chapter  ot  EMthew  and  Hark  xvi.  1«. 
■ttte  that  point,  for  they  are  the  words  of 
CMai.  alter  His  rMnrrection  fh>m  the  dead, 
alter  He  l»d  finished  the  work  His  FSther  had 
given  Him  to  do;  and  they  have  immediately  to 
do  with  the  ftetnie  practice  of  His  church,  and 
are  a  aalBcieot  warrant  for  any  believer  to  prao- 
tiaelt:  and  we  need  not,  neither  are  we  allowed, 


to  aadc  fbr  any  eitfAsrt^  /rsia  man.  The  oom- 
mand  of  Christ  is  sufBdent:  He  alone  procured 
our  salvation,  and  He  only  has  a  right  to  ap- 
point ordinanoes.  To  submit  to  them  in  fidth 
is  termed  otediaiee;  and  to  deny  them,  or  insti- 
tate  any  other,  is  rebellion.  Tnis  only  would  I 
learn  or  Thomas  Edwards  :~Beceived  he  his  first 
impresaions  when  he  advocated  believera*  bap- 
tiam  by  the  Spirit  of  Qod  ?~or  haa  he  received 
this  second  impresaion  whereby  he  advocatea  a 
freah  theory  firom  Ood  ?  as  it  is  ^te  certain  he 
did  not  receive  both  fh>m  Him ;  for  Ood  never  al- 
tersHismind— Christ  never  repealsHis  laws-tbe 
Holy  Ohost  new  oontradiots  Himself.  But  be 
complains  of  confusion  of  tongues,  and  asks, 
when  will  they  cease  ?  And  we  might  with  pro- 
priety answer.  When  unprincipled  men  cease 
rrom  turning  about*,  and  become  ateadfiwtin  the 
doctrinea  once  delivered  to  the  aainta.  Let  me 
aak  Thomaa  Edwards  what  his  change  has  pro- 
duced 1  Haa  it  brought  forth  peau  or  eoafcalioa  9 
Haa  it  aailMl  <a  the  bond  of  knte,  or  divided  into 
teetimia  hatred  ?  Has  it  taught  the  people  to  OB- 
SE BYE  all  thinga  that  Chnat  aaid  and  did  ?  Or 
doth  it  teach  them  that  there  ia  no  need  to  ob- 
serve those  things  et^ained  bv  Chriet  9 

I  suppose  Mr.  Thomas  Edwards  would  have  us 
believe  that  he  is  now  baptised  by  the  Holy 
Ghhost,  and  that  that  baptism  teaches  him  (as  he 
says)  to  gkH  vp  water  baptieia.  And  when  he  is 
able  to  speak  with  tongues,  heal  the  sick,  and 
raiae  the  dead,  as  the  apostle  did ;  or,  even  when 
he  will  show  us  that  the  baptism  by  the  Holy 
Qhost  was  not  followed  by  pricking  in  the  hesrt, 
repenting,  believing,  and  bemg  baptized  in  watei% 
then  we  will  believe  him.  and,  until  then,  x 
would  advise  him  to  hold  his  tongue  and  lay  bv 
his  pen,  lest  he  be  found  to  fight  aoainst  Qoa. 
(Acts  V.  88.)  For  he  has  displayed  foOv 
enough  already,  and  the  sooner  the  strife  produced 
by  his  tongue  and  pen  ceases,  the  better ;  for  vre 
cannot  befleve  but  that  we  ought  to  obey  Ood 
rather  than  msn.  (Acts  v.  99.)  When  Tnomsa 
Edwards  ceases  to  seek  for  authority  from  man, 
and  teaches  and  advocates  only  what  Christ  has 
commanded,  then  he  will  return  to  bdieuer^  tep- 
tiem,  and  atriet  communion,  and.  until  then,  he 
must  be  reckoned  amongst  the  double-minded, 
who  are  unstable  in  ail  their  ways  (James  i.  8) ; 
forsaking  the  right  way.  and  beguiling  unstable 
souls  (2  Feter  u.  14,  16.) ;  as  errinp;  fhnn  and 
wresting  the  Scripture ;  being  led  away  with  the 
error  of  the  wicked,  and  falling  f^om  hia  own 
stead&stoess.  (3  Peter  iii.  16, 17.)  Tours  in  the 
love  of  Ood  ana  Oospel  of  Christ, 

John  Cobbitt. 


SO'OTHWABX.~Trinity  Chapel  has  been 
put  under  repair,  renovated,  and  rendered  very 
pleaJSnt  and  comfbrtable.  and  Mr.  Hawkins  is 
now  steadily  pursuing  his  .ministerial  labours 
there.  The  re-opening  servicea  on  Sunday,  May 
10th,  were  conducted,  in  the  morning  by  that 
ancient  preacher,  John  Andrews  Jones,  who  gave 
a  sermon  firom  Horn.  viii.  81,  82,  which  proved 
that  he  was  as  firm  on  the  Bock  of  etomal  truth 
as  ever.  He  really  does  not  aeem  to  grow  old. 
Like  Mr.  Bowling,  of  Tasmania,  who  is  over  80 
considerably,  but  still  travels  SOO  miles  or  more, 
preachea,  and  retuma  home  again,  ao  J.  A. 
Jones  looks,  labours,  and  preaches  as  atemly  and 
as  determinedly  aa  ever.  Messrs.  Oeo.  Wright, 
of  Beccles;  Mr.  O.  Murrell,  of  St  Neot'a;  Mr. 
John  Growing,  of  Norwich ;  and  more  we  might 
name,  are  stiTl  preserved  as  beantifbl  verifications 
of  the  promiae— **  they  shall  atill  bring  forth  fhiit 
in  old  age :  they  shall  be  flit  and  flourishing,  to 
shew  the  Lord  is  upright"  Tbese  good  old  men 
seenf  to  stand  lingeni^  on  the  brink  as  though 
they  feared  Tbuth  was  being  stolen  away  frcm 
Zion  by  the  multitude  of  ftshionable  boys  now 
rushing  in  :  ao  like  Paul,  they  are  in  a  atr^ht 
two,  ready  to  depart  and  to  be  with 


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Jews ;  btti  really  feelinjc  tbe  Church  caiwot  noare 
them  vet.  Nor  can  she.  We  hope  they  will  all 
live  till  death  iteelf  is  dead ;  and  every  poisonoua 
error  sent  to  ita  own  placBi  Our  rejMrter  luia 
ftimished  a  long  report  of  Hr.  John  Foreman's 
agricultunl  sermon  in  the  afternoon ;  and  ot  Mr. 
Milner's  experimental  practioal  diaoourse  in  the 
evening:  but  excellent  aa  they  were,  we  cannot 
crowd  them  in.  Under  Mr.  Hawkins  we  hope 
Trinity  will  prosper. 

DSPTFOBD.  —  A    eorrespondent   aa^ 
'*  There  is  a  new  Baptist  cause  forming  in  L .. 
ford,  at  the  Lecture  HalL  by  some  persooa  wJ 
have  left  Bridge  Street,  Greenwich.    The  pulpit 
ia  supplied  by  a  student  who  is  said  to  be  nearer 
the  truth  a  great  deal  than  his  tutor."    We  will 


look  after  the  young  nnUeman ;  and  if  he  really 
has  TBE  TBUTH  of  a  Triune  Jehovah  vitally,  har- 
moniously, and  powerfully  in  his  souLana  in  hia 
ministry,  we  shall  rejoice  indeed.  We  have  no 
fiuth  in,  nor  fellowship  with,  the  Aktiraa-nvih- 
2Wlsert,  which  now  so  heavily  boiden  our 
churches.  We  must  haverzBS.  Let  every  man 
note  this;  there  ia  no  person  in  the  Trinity,  no 
doctrine  in  the  covenant,  no  attribute  in  the  Ood- 
head,  no  principle  of  grace  in  tiie  believer's  heart, 
but  ia  set  forth  m  some  way  (in  the  Bcripturea)  by 


but  la  set  tortn  m  some  way  (in  the  Scriptures)  by 
the  metaphor  of  Fibk.  What  aie  we  to  aay,  then, 
of  the  paraonaand  pulpits  where  there  is  no  flret 
Why  we  say,  if  it  waa  not  for  the  wealthy  and 
woiiilng  deacons,  such  pulpits  would  fidl,  and  all 
such  parwns  must  go  a  Ashing  in  some  other 
canaL  or  pool,  or  pond.  Without  eontvoverqr, 
our  ehurches->maay  of  them— must  indeed  wake 
up :  they  must  read  and  praetiae  Matthew  ix.  88 : 
**  Pray  ye  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  HE  will 
sand  forth  UiBOUBXBt  into  HiB  harvest*'  If  not, 
we  shaU  ftnd  that"tiW  vHndrhath  blown  "the 
flxe'*  into  other  paxta  of  the  field.  The  glorious 
Bridegroom  onoe  said,  **I  am  the  fioee  ot 
aharon"-^rood  authority  says  '*the  Bose  of 
Sharon  wlU  only  grow  well  where  there  is  much 
rubbish  of  earth."  The  Church's  history  eonfinna 
thia.    Let  our  politely  amalgamating,  fashionable 

l«dera  take  the  hint  

TABKOUTK.  —  Recognition  aerviees  at 
Salem  chai«l.  Great  Tarmouth.  On  Tueaday. 
ISth  Mi^,  recognition  of  Mr.  Dunn  as  the  paator 
of  the  Baptist  church,  meeting  at  Salem  ebapel. 
took  place.  The  late  Mr.  James  Tann  laboured 
in  this  place  until  about  two  years  sinc^  when 
he  waa  removed  by  death  from  the  chnron  mili- 
tant to  Join  the  church  triumphant  Since  that 
period,  the  church  haa  paaaed  through  scenes  of 
deep  trial,  in  the  midst  of  which  a  division  oo- 
ourred  among  the  peojole.  But  the  Lord  gra- 
ciously appeared  for  the  church,  and,  after  a 
aevere  trial  of  their  fiiith,  made  it  mantfeal  that 
He,  as  their  God  and  Father,  hears  and  answers 
mayer;  for  He  directed  the  atepa  of  our  brother 
Dunn  to  Yarmouth,  who,  after  preaching  with 
acoeptation  for  several  montba,  received  a  unani- 
mous invitation  to  the  paaterate,  the  ooogieaa- 
tion  having  become  increaaed  during  his  proEii- 
tion.  On  the  above-mentioned  day,  the  congr^ 
nation  aaaembled  at  half-paat  ten,  when  Mr. 
Hill  delivered  the  introductory  discourse,  and 
received  Mr.  Dunn'a  atatemenb  of  his  mU  by 
Divine  graee,  his  exerdses  in  the  ministry,  ana 
the  leading  articles  of  his  fiuth.  In  the  after- 
noon, Mr.  CoUixu^  of  Grundisbnrgh,  gave  the 
Ol  minister  a  solemn  instructive  charge, 
ed  on  I  Timothy,  iii.  1,—"  If  a  man  deaixeth 
the  office  of  a  biahon.  he  deaireth  a  good  work." 
In  the  evening.  Ur.  Brand,  of  Bungay,  addressed 
the  church  with  great  fidthfulneas  and  albction 
ftom  1  These,  v.  11,  ia,^*And  we  beseech  you, 
brethren,  to  know  them  that  Ubonr  among  yon, 
and  are  over  you  in  the  Lerd,  and  aHmflnUii 
you,  and  to  esteem  them  very  highly  in  love  for 
their  works  sake,  and  to  be  at  peace  among  yonr- 
aalvea.»'  The  oongrentione  were  as  laxnaa  were 
expected,  as  the  weather  waa  unfavounbU   The 


church,  thongh  email,  i«  united  and  paaoeful.  i& 
tluft  the  young  miniater  entera  upon  oia  labours 
with  proapeota  of  uaefulneas. 

lUCPZiBY'* — Dkax  BaoTBXa  M^ubs*— I 
write  you  a  line  on  my  journey  to  Blnleir.  I  am 
thankful  to  you  for  all  the  eommnafcaaona  you 
forward  me.  I  rgoioe  in  your  prosperi^,  and 
hope  Tour  appeal  for  help  to  build  your  new 
chapel  will  find  a  noble  reaponae  in  the  midat  ot 
our  ohurohea  in  BnglandL  I  am  humbled  in  nmr 
soul  at  the  thought  thia  morning— thia  aoth  day 
of  May— that  alUiough  oaRt  down,  I  am  fiivouica 
to  ei\joy  the  aweetertmertitationa  on  the  Pereaa 
and  work  of  the  Son  of  God;  and  to  preach  Hia 
QmpeL  ia  atill  the  great  delia^t  of  my  aoul.  Ia 
less  than  eight  daya  from  thia  morning,  I  am  en- 
gaged to  preach  ten  aexmons;  and  oftentiaiea  I 
am  happy  in  that  work ;  and  even  anticipate  tbe 
day  when  every  crooked  thing  ahall  be  i  " 
atraight:— (May  a2ndj  We hadaome ei^oy 
atBipleyonWedtaesdaylast  Our  brother  Cnanea 
Turner,  is  ateadily  growing  in  the  work:  tha 
cause  still  Increases;  and  soon  we  hope  to  an- 
nounce the  enlargement  of  hia  Zioa.  Mr.  Henrjr 
AUnutt}  the  old  Bipley  Pastor,  is  now  at  Brock- 
ham,  where  he  ia  ripening  for  the  harvest  of  etainal 
rest  Woking  chapel  haa  been  improved ;  but  th« 
letters  I  have  to  publish  will  ahew  the  aeeaaaitf 
of  a  purer  ChristuA  spirit  among  good  men.  wa 
never  denair :  the  Lord  reigneth ;  all  things  with 
HispeopfeshaUheweU.^^ 

IiEW  DOWV.  VOBTK  DBVOK.— The 

small  Particular  Baptiat  Church  in  this  place  ia 
being  flivoured  with  a  little  reviving.  For  aona 
years  past  we  have  held  our  meetings  in  a  oo^ 
tage,  the  residence  of  our  brother  BiokaU.  An. 
opportuni^  for  having  a  room  haa  pi  f eantnit 
itaelf.  The  room  wae  taken,  and  our  aarrioea  ai« 
now  held  there.  On  Tuesday,  the  29th  of  AyrO, 
according  to  previous  arrangement,  the  opening 
services  were  neld,  when  we  were  mvoured  with 
the  aervieee  of  the  Bev.  J.  Vanghan,  of  Mo«nt 
Zion,  Devonpor^  who  preached  an  excellent  aer- 
mon  in  the  aftarnoon*  and  in  the  evening  a  public 
meeting  waa  hdd,  when  addreasea  were  deli- 
vered by  the  Ber.  Mr,  Wheder,  of  Ufton,  Mr. 
Cudlipp.  Mr.  Taoghaa,  Ac.  We  had  agood  e^ 
tendance  and  excellent  addraaaas ;  the  fieaita  of 


the  frienda  were  dieered ;  we  ftlt  < 
thank  God  and  take  coonge^  On  Wedneoday, 
May  6th,  we  were  fiurouied  wiHi  a  visit  6^Mr. 
F.  CoUina,  of  Howe-atreet,  ohapeL  PlymoHth. 
who  preached  to  a  ftiU  congrMatfon  a  aoondt 
aavoiuy,  and  bleaaed  diacourae.  The  eermon  ia 
ita  delivery  occupied  about  one  hour  and  m 
quarter,  and  waa  liatflned  to  throughout  withUB 
eameat  and  braathleaa  attention.  The  Lord  was 
with  hia  aervant,  and  bleaaed  hia  miniatiy  to  the 
aoula  of  Hia  people.  On  the  fi»Uowing  eveniagL 
Mr.  CoUina  preached  at  laftoB  in  the  BaptiiriteSr 
pel  (the  Bev.  Mr.  Wheder'a).  There  waa  a  good 
congregation,  and  a  bleaaed  foeling  pervadetfttM 
me^g.  It  ia  right  to  atata  that  for  the  aarvftoaa 
of  Mr.  Gollina  we  were  indebted  to  the  k 
of  the  tami^  of  Mr.  Bowe,  of  Spry  Town. 

BATH.~BBBirsiiB  CBArBL.*DB4B  Bar*' 
1  am  happy  to  Infbrm  you  that  wa  inland  having 
baptizing  again  the  iiat  Sunday  In  luna,  whaa 
we  expeet  a  good  number  of  Ottididatea.  G«d  ia 
wonderfully  hlaaaing  the  preMhii^  of  our  h»> 
loved  and  mnob-eateemed  paator,  Mr.  Joha 
Huntley.  Our  ehapd  ia  flUed;  we  baveafood 
achool;  and  surely  w»  can  am  we  have  mim  to 
be  thankfVil  Ibr.  1  do  blesa  ear  Heavwiy  9atk» 
thatwearefiivonredtodt  under  eoe  w&o  iaMot 
aahamed  to  preaoh  the  whole  Goqpel  of  Chriat^ 
one  whole  not  afraid  to  dedan  the  wtelv  ooob- 
aela  of  God;  and  one  whose  walk  and  ftfiadaBr 
pravea  him  to  be  a  true  diaeiple  of  Ohrirt  a 
iuthfU  and  loving  pavtor.  X  xenaain,  dear  Oz, 
Xeuixe^peotfiiliirr  W.  W.Wb — 


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THE  XA&THBV   YBBBKL. 


153 


flTa4  XTOy.— Oar  aniiifcmfy  aarmoiu  flias 
%'rar  w«ve  preached  by  tfw  TenenUde  Ctaovige 
Wrtf  ht,  of  Beocles.  JCx.  Pegg  still  ministers  to 
lis  tbm  word  of  liA:  the  teviour  i» exalted :  the 
chordi  is  ooarislied:  but  we  wait  to  see  mare 
fully  the  glory  of  Christ  in  the  aalvatioa  of  men. 
I  hm  httely  read  of  some  solemn  cases  of  eon 
lemon  by  preaching  in  the  theatres.  I  cannot 
'i'lobt  but  Ood  is  woricintf  amcmg  the  masses. 
We  Norwich  people  were  gUd  to  see  Mr.  Bloom- 
field  had  been  into  one.  we  hope  oar  churches 
will  shake  themselves  flRnx  the  dust  by  the  Spirit 
nf  tiM  liviM»g  Ood.  Oar  acpd  brother  Oowinffis 
Tet  ipared  as  a  witness  Tor  Christ.  Mr.  John 
C  jdrbttt  is  boldly  onfiirliag  tbe  banner  in  this  old 
rity,  aad  stands  with  many  people.  Mr.  Domy- 
&•«  has  taken  the  ancient  chorch  at  Aidringham. 
Timstnll  chareh  has  been  shaken  again ;  but  Mr. 
Baker  euntinnes  laithfttl  to  Ms  Master.  TheSnd- 
Niome  people  think  their  Dostor.  John  Brett,  had 
better  return  to  them.  Mr.  Baldwin's  ministry 
St  Saxmandham  is  holding  up  the  Truth,  and  he 
i«  firm  and  firnitfiil.  That  excellent  young  man, 
C.  W.  Ihmn.  has  settled  with  the  hite  Mr.  Tsmi*s 
(irardi  in  Tarmovtfa.  Many  hope  the  change 
will  prove  a  blessing.  Mr.  Brand  has  a  good  and 
gnat  field  before  mm  in  Banyy;  in  ul  direc- 
tioas  In   these  eastom  eountiea  the  Adds  are 


siteiing  the  variety  of  ehaneten  present,  order 
was  well  kept;  great  ^attention  was  paid;  few 


fricHls  in  this  district 

the  eztonsiTe  and  ndoable  intelligence 


BBTOVPOBT.—Dkib  Mb.  BDiTOB,~Will 
loa  Iwpe  the  Idndneai  to  inform  the  friends  of 
theBABTBcr  TsmKL  at  Beronport  If  it  is  sold 
in  Pewupoit  or  Stoke,  and  if  so,  where  it  may 
be  obtained.  The  Tsbssl  has  some  attached 
we  TBiae  it  not  only  fbr 

We  intelligence  it  brings ; 

boL  dear  Sir,  cur  minds  have  been  strengthened 
sad  sDols  left  ashed  whBe  reading  it.  We  have 
"  '  '  Ood  and  taken  eouiace.  We  do  duly 
I  tlie**Ooapel  Stindard,^  and  some  other 
nwmthHus;  but  we  cannot  dispense  with  being 
~  ra  of  the  weaHhy  eargo  wHh  which  the 
,  is  beJBg  mooCiuy  fra^;hted.  We  know 
it  is  sold  St  Plymoutii,  and  maj  be  it  is  sold  at 
Desuttport,  bnft  where  we  cannot  find  ovt.  Mr. 
Bdltar,  we  hope  yon  will  do  as  the  fi^voor  of  en- 
I  imaa  this  little  matter,  and  will 

^^  J,  wroo|^  yoo*  to   adc  oar  kind 

ffiaads  theebapBl  keepers  of  Maont  SUon,  South 
Sbert,  Salem  dapel,aiid  Stoke  ehapel,  to  supply 
OS  wbo  atliiiil  those  ehapels  monthly  with  oar 
vitaBd  Mend  the  Sabthkit  YnBXL. 


SDHAX.  — Fint  annismvyof 
'   was  holdea  Tnas- 


yooal! 

ffiends 


S^MkAotiL  Oar UiUhmo,  Mr. Pooek, of Ips- 
wSk,  Md  S^  of  iMfirid.  pnaetedwith  seal 
■BAaaPBo;  Bstwam  tiM  olleniDon  and  efooing 
sdlj  BOBiber  paHocric  of  tea ;  sit  the 


by  Mr.  Beoek,  the  etareh  pMBanted  Mr.  Baldwfai, 
tJBjinTwkh  BfBL  Watte  aad  BIppoa's  hymn- 
basfa,  hulls naiily  bonad,  as  a  t^ksn  of  their 
•rtateaforhhB.  Mr.  Bridwia  nuide  a  aoitaUe 
aad  aairtlwiate  aiJranaliiilgniMH.althoagh  qaite 
aa  SMh  atUot  waold  taka  ptaoe.  The 
saU  wan  gHMlaa,  aad  Jotoad  hMtftOy  is 

I  labs  fliy  Bbanam^"  *a 
tto  TCad«  praise  to  our  haafa^ 
a  paaoe  and  nmcn  we  eqjoy.   We 
_  Iwoared  to  witnesi  tokens  of  con- 

aHthiy  giaaft  The  flnt  Svadi^  in  April  we  had 
aaoMB  baptistry:  oCfaen  are  expressing  desires 
lodalikawiBe:  stffl  oor  ay  is,  *•  OiVgrve." 

WfIOWmAXKw€^hBtd*»6Aj,  May  fed. 
Tha  M«v  Ohapd  bdag  at  presanl  oapeovidad 
wllh  a  haptiat^.  theoidlaaaaa  of  beUarerli  bap- 


J  ia  a  soitable  ploaa,  Mar 

thBrfivarCHppfag.   The  morning  was  flae;  aaa- 


aboxt  of  a  thuusand  were  within  a  hearing  dis> 
taaee ;  some,  perhapa,  for  the  tint  time  in  tiieir 
lives  liatenigg  to  the  way  of  salvation.  Mi*. 
Claxk  preached  with  eamestneas  firom  Maifc  zvi. 
1%  i  alter  wliich  he  baptised  one  female,  who 
throogfa  the  instrumentality  of  the  word  preached 
by  Jir.  Clark,  had  been  led  to  pray  with  the 
pablican,  **  &od  be  merciful  to  me  a  smner  F 
It  is  enoonrBgiag  to  witness  the  effects  of  tha 
word  preached ;  ood  is  honouring  brother  Oiark 
in  this  locality;  what  greater  honour  can  any 
man  have  conferred  upon  him  than  to  be  the 
means  in  God's  hand  of  Mving  precioiis  souls  ? 
This  is  one  seal  to  brother  Clark'B  BDinistry; 


others  also  are  anxiously  saying 
that  we  may  dwell,"  "  we  will  go  wit! 


give  place 
[th  yon  for 


)  peroeire  that  Ood  is  with  you."  The  friends 
of  the  **  Pilgrim's  Lodge'*  Stowmaiket,  ought  not 
to  oomplaiu  of  the  fow  bitten  they  had  to  ex- 
perience; thelhvoureandmeroiestneynoweqjoy 
with  Ood's  manifested  presence  fully  compensate 
for  all. 

'*  The  Lord  can  clear  the  darkest  skies 
Can  give  us  day  for  night; 
Make  dropx  of  sacred  sorrow  rise 
To  rivers  of  delight." 
Bo  eohos  one  who/otatdU  good  to  b*  tktrs. 

8XBLB  HBDIVaHAIC  Baptist  Csa- 
PBi..  —  The  anniversary  services  were  holden 
Lord's-day,  May  10th.  Mr.  Mmkin,  of  Ked. 
dington,  preached  three  sermons  to  goodly  con- 
gregattona.  The  coUections  anaonnted  to  about 
2Sd8.  Mr.MurkinialaboaringamoQgalovinJiy 
kind-hearted,  and  aflboUaaato  people^  and  to 
erowded  eongrefttions  with  good  suceessL  Ha 
is  qaaliAed  for  any  polpit;  he  is  sound  in  tha 
troth,  lias  a  good  roiee,  and  lull  of  orisrinal 
matter.  Wewiah  him  God's  speed.  Mr.  Bea- 
cook  has  kboarad  lieta  twelw  montha ;  tha  eoo- 
ion  has  iaevBased  to  three  times  thenam- 
was  when  he  first  came;  his  aiiaistry  is 
by  many.    Bat  there  are  some  thai 


have  manifMted  a  spirit  of  opposition,  to  tha 
great  distress  of  Mr.  Beaoock's  mind.  He  has 
resigned  the  pulpit,  and  will  be  at  liberty  to 
serve  any  trutn-loving  church  where  peace  and 
love  are  found.  His  address  is  Mr.  Beacodkp 
Baptise  minister,  Bible  Hedingham,  Bsaex. 

▲  MXICBBB  OW  TSE  ChVBCB. 

PZtTXOnTH.— This  ahapel,  althoogh  for- 
aially  sold  by  Mr.  WUooekson  to  the  Mends  of 
Temperance,  is  not  yet  closed  to  the  preaching  of 
the  GcspsL  At  the  present  there  appean  to  be 
a  difBciuty  in  the  "**''"*g  the  transfer.  It  is 
feared  that  Trinity,  and  those  ftnanoially  in- 
terested therein,  luive  not  ret  escaped  their  last 
embarrassment.  Mr.  Whittle,  of  London,  has 
been  supplying  ns  for  seven  Iiord'»>dm.  His 
ministry hss been fovoaxably received:  nestaads 
well  in  the  truth,  is  of  a  kmdly  spirit,  avene  to 
bigotry,  and  appean  quite  at  home  in  setting 
forth  Christ  as  the  Life,  the  Truth,  and  the  Way. 
He  leaves  with  oar  best  wishes  tor  liis  welfiua. 
For  the  nsonth  of  May,  wa  hava  Mr.  Wale,  Bap- 
tist minister  of  Beading  We  are,  howatar,  in  a 
atste  of  eompleto  anoertainty  as  to  how  long  wa 
shall  oontinaa  to  BMet  in  Trudty  BhapaL 


HIGH  WT0O1CBB.-4EI0H  Ooatel.    On 

Lord's-day.  May  Srd,  Mr.  Btembridge  had  tha 
pleasore  of  baptising  two  bdleven:  one  was  a 
seal  to  his  ministry  w^en  he  supplied  for  ns  in 
the  British  Bohool-Toomia  May,  IMS;  the  other 
...  'for  eightean  yean,  and  at  lait 

ly  iova  Divine  to  pot  on  Qriat 


JaBaSvthroogh  tha 
bridnB>s  lahoan  in  Bion 
LoHL    Toon^  AsL, 


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154 


THB  BABTHXN  VEStBL. 


June  1,  IMt. 


IiINQ-FIBXiD.— DOBXAir'B  Lin>.— The  an- 

nivenuy  of  thii  anoient  Baptist  obdm  was  hdd 
on  Weabeaday.  Hay  aoth.  Mr.  Andenoo,  of 
London,  pxeaoiied  morning  and  evening,  and 
Mr.  Ciadmell,  of  Blaokheath,  in  ttie  aftDmoon. 
Notwithstanding  the  vain  ftll  heavily,  a  large 
number  of  people  gathered,  the  afternoon  and 
evening  servioea  being  well  attended.  It  was  felt 
to  be  a  good  day,  the  truth  was  preached,  and  a 
blessing  followed  it.  Mr.Origgfaassttstsinedtbe 
pastonuoffloe  here  for  fourteen  veara.  and  is  d»> 
servedly  respected  and  esteemed  oy  all  who  know 
him.  — 

aOTHBBHITKB.  —  The  ohordh,  under 
Mr.  Butterlleld's  ministry,  is  labouring  hard  to 
be  usefifl.  The  bleasing  of  the  Lord  is  upon 
them,  as  th^  do  testify.  We  sfaioerely  pray  that 
our  young  brother  will  increase  in  knowleob^  in 
seal,  in  devotion,  in  fteedom,  and,  above  alL  in  a 
vital  experience  of  the  glorious  Gospel ;  and  that 
Toy  many  souls  may,  by  him,  be  called,  con* 
Armed,  and  fitted  to  magnify  the  ezceedinc 
riches  of  Jehovah'k  grace.  Bermondsey  ana 
Botherhithe  have  been  schools  of  severe  discip- 
line for  the  pastor  of  Bethlehem ;  but  we  believe 
the  church  is  already  reaping  the  benefit. 


He  baa  done 


we  had  many  soeh  as  Hugh  Allen, 
immense  good  in  Soothwailu 


ASHFOBDy  JUBBIT.  —  The  new  "Bbe- 
neser*'  in  Korwood-street  has  been  opened.  Mr. 
Bradsbaw  is  the  minister.  This  u  the  third 
Baptist  cause  in  Ashford.  Are  these  divisions 
heuthfnl  and  helpful  ?  The  Lord  alone  can  con- 
auer  the  party  pR^f  udioes  now  so  painfully  mani- 
fested in  all  parts  of  this  country. 


BUBFORD,  in  Oxfordshire,  has  recently 
had  a  new  chapel  erected.  John  Kerdiaw,  of 
Boohdale,  and  the  brethren  Gamer  and  Gorton, 
kindly  assisted  at  the  inaogiuation.  We  hope  to 
increaae  and  be  useftiL 


£ott0  antb  Queries. 


strict  Ooznmimioa  Baptist  Sooiety.— 
To  THs  EniTOB  OF  THs  **BIbthxk  Vessel." 
Dear  Sir,— As  several  of  your  readers  both  in 
town  and  ooundy  are  no  doubt  ajudous  to  hear 
what  has  been  done  with  reference  to  the  model 
trust  deed  agreed  to  be  prepared  at  the  meeting 
of  the  above  society  (a  report  of  which  appeared 
in  your  last  number),  will  you  be  good  enough 
cause  orood,  and  deaiie  the  prosperi^of  Zion.  j  Jj J'\?^JV^v?«.f5i*^^ifS£il^^ 
I  am  encouraged  to  write  to  yoa.    We  had  a   "*<*  "  °2^  "*,*?«  «*»*^  ®C  ■?'*>?°»^'  by  the 
*  «m  wiwuf«B«u  Ml  wriw  w  yuu.    ttc  i«u  •   London  Committee  preriously  to  its  behig  for- 
warded to  the  oountry  delegatea    Yours  tmly, 
James  Mote,  83,  Buoklersbniy,  London.    May 
18th,  1868. 


HOGSTOir,  BX70XS.  — Mb.  Bditob,— 
Knowings  that  you  take  a  lively  interest  in  the 


>you. 
good  day  on  Mondav,  May  4th.  Mr.  Flaw,  of 
Aylesbury,  preachea  two  sermons  in  the  large 
club  room  in  the  village,  on  behalf  of  the  Par- 
ticular Bwtist  Church  here.  In  the  afternoon 
from  Isaiah  xxx.  31;  after  which  about  150 
friends  of  Zion  sat  down  to  a  good  tea.  In  the 
evening,  the  preacher  took  for  his  text  Jeremiah 
xxxi.  8.  The  Lord  enabled  him  to  deal  out  some 
predous  things,  which  were  a  comfort  to  many. 
we  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  delight, 
f«a8tin£[  on  the  clusters  of  grapes.  I  hope  the 
Lord  will  prosper  us.  We  had  good  attendance 
in  the  afternoon.  In  the  evening  more  than  900 
persons  were  present.    Sincerely  yours. 

Gxobge  Iukb: 


BLB. 


BIEBTOIT,  BXTOXS.  ~  BxAB  Bahks,— 
We  had  our  anniversary  May  Uth.  Mr.  Car- 
penter preached  two  soul-comforting,  God- 
glorifying  sermons :  in  the  afternoon  from  John 
vii.  8,  ana  in  the  evening  ftom  Luke  ix.  11.  The 
house  was  full,  and  the  fHends  rejoiced  indeed. 
IfiO  took  tea:  all  seemed  happy.  The  Lord 
increase  them  abundantly  prays, 

A  Tbayxllbb. 

WOKIKGHAM,  BEBKS.-We  had  an- 

other  lift,  on  Tuesday.  May  the  5th.  Mr.  Wale 
spoke  to  us  from  John  xi.  86.  The  Lord  still 
incline  his  heart  to  come  and  break  the  Bread  of 
Life  to  us,  and  may  he  feel  abundantly  blessed  in 
his  own  soul,  so  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  say 
with  the  poet— 

"  Then  will  I  tell  to  amners  round. 
What  a  dear  Saviour  I  have  founa." 
On  the  18th,  we  had  Mr  Whittle,  who  gave  us 
a  beautiful  discourse  from  Jonah,  "Salvatmn  is  of 
the  Lord."  We  found  it  refreshing.  May  they 
both  be  enabled  to  exalt  a  precious  Christ  The 
friends  eigoy  these  meetings.  May  it  prove  in 
some  future  time  the  means  ot  establuhing  a 
cause  of  troth  here. 


80TJTHWABK.-The  Sev.  Hugh  Allen, 
I).D.  (the  flood  rector  of  St.  George  the  Mar^, 
Bouthwark),  has,  during  the  month  of  May, 
delivered  sermons  toyonng  men,  on  the  *' Daring 
Infidel"  of.  Xatal.  Jh.  Alfen  is  just  the  man  to 
attack  such  a  person  as  Colensa    Would  to  God 


Kr.  BloomflAld  and  tha  <<  Baptist 
BTanMlioal  SooiBty.—To  the  Bditob  ojt 
THE  "EABTHS5  Ybssbl^*  Mr.  Bditor,— Will 
you  permit  me  to  correct  an  impression  made  by 
some  renuirks  of  mine  which  have  been  misun- 
derstood, given  in  your  report  of  the  Strict  Bxp^ 


Halt  Meetm^  published  m  your  last  month's 
magazine.  -  It  seems  that  an  impreasion  has  beesi 
maoe  that  I  am  opposed  to  the  Baptist  Evan- 
gelioal  Society,  simply,  I  suppose,  because  I  felt 
it  my  duty  to  make  some  strone  remarks  against 
tiie  ntianagement  of  ita  educational  departments 
I  am  far  from  being  opposed  to  the  principal 
operations  of  the  Baptist  Bvangelioal  Society.  I 
deeply  sjrmpathise  with  its  great  olj^iecta,  and 
most  heartily  reioioe  in  the  measure  of  sucoesa 
which  has  attended  its  missionary  operstions  in 
Saxony  and  in  other  parts.  Whenever  I  believe 
the  truths  and  prindplea  I  held  dear  to  my  heax^ 
are  not  feiriy  treated,  and  whte  I  haw  leaaon  to 
believe  that  the  operations  of  a  society  to  whidi  I 
belong  are  not  conducted  with  impartiality  and 
fidmess,  I  shall  certainly  make  such  obsenrationa 
and  reflections  as  may  seem  neceessry.  I  shall 
rejoice  to  learn  that  I  nave  been  mistaken  in  the 
views  I  have  published  respecting  the  educational 
department  of  the  Baptist  Bvangelioal  Soctety. 
This  is  the  first  time  in  my  ministerial  life  in 
which  I  have  sought  to  correct  in  print  an  im- 
pression made  on  the  minds  of  Christian  people 
by  any  misunderstanding  of  words  which  have 
fallen  from  my  lips.  By  inserting  this  in  your 
next  magaaine,  yon  will  ublioe  yours  truly, 
JoHX  Blooxfield,  Minister  of  Meard's  Court 
Chapel,  Soho,  London,  16,  College  Place,  Camden 
Town,N.W.    May  18th,  1888. 


IMed,  May  4th,  Mr.  EuEZiLB  DsvBAXjraeoand 
son  of  the  Tate  Mr.  David  Denham,  of  Unicom 
Yard  Chapel.  Toolcy-street),  leavfngja  widow 
and  three  children  unprovided  for.  we  are  re- 
quested to  call  attention  to  this  case.  The 
bereaved  fkmily  now  reside  at  19,  Bennond8e\'- 
sqnars,  London. 


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155 


THE  ANTICIPATED    AND    MUCH    NEEDED 


*  0 !  the  nreet  wonders  of  that  cross 

When  God  the  Saviour  lov'd  and  died ! 
Her  noblest  Ufe  my  spirit  draws 
From  His  dear  wounds  and  bleeding  side. 


"  I  would  FOB  EVER  speak  His  name. 
In  sounds  to  mortal  ears  unknown  ; 
With  angels  Join  to  praise  the  Lamb, 
And  worship  at  His  Father's  throne.'* 


^  Thai  they  all  maj  be  one,  as  Thon  Father  art  In  He,  and  I  in  Thee ;  that  they  also  may  be 

ooe  in  cu:  that  the  world  way  believe  that  THOU  HAST  SENT  HE.** So  did  the  blessed 

Jesus  pcay  for  all  His  blood-bought  disciples  which  the  Father  had.  before  time,  given  unto  Him. 
BeoeiTUtt  Mr.  William  8tokes*8  Circular  on  "  Strict  Communion/*  ana  reflecting  on  the  present  con- 
ditioD  or  Zion,  the  following  8p<mtaneous  flow  of  thought  fell  on  paper— and  with  only  one  aim, 
the  ha|>py  oniCy  of  the  Brethren,  we  give  it. 

The  Ciieiilar  Letter  of  the  •♦  Strict  Com- 
nnmiba  Baptist  Society'*  is  now  issued,  and 
folly  eznre6se«  its  aim  and  constitution. 
Mr.  Williani  Stokes's  new  work,  *'The 
HistOEy  of  Baptists,*'  is  also  published ;  and 
famishes  ample  material  for  ministers  to 
grre  lectures  to  the  people ;  an^  to  shew 
tiiem  the  antiquity  and  real  Scriptural 
foondation  of  our  position.  Three  things 
to  us  are  recy  clear. 

L  The  World,  and  the  Professing  Church, 
are  aU  against  us,  especially  in  the  matter 
of  Baptism  by  Immersion  previous  to  com- 


n.  We  are  all  dreadfully  against  ourselves. 
We  want  the  wine  of  G^*s  everlasting 
love  poured  into  our  hearts,  to  cause  us  to 
love  and  pity,  and  pray  for  one  another : — 
we  need  that  love  to  drown  our  prejudices 
and  oar  pride ;  and  to  give  us  to  admire 
GoD*s  ffrmit  variety,  while  we  strive  hard 
after  a  true,  honest  Gospel  unity  and  bro- 
tbfldy  vMOMtmity  in  the  work  we  are  called 
onto ;  that  is,  to  "  Preaek  hot  ourselyss,  but 
Cbribt  intra  tre  Lord,  and  ourselves 
your  s<*rvant8  for  Jesu's  sake."  Yes! 
maeh  as  we  have  ever  practically  contended 
for  the  undivided  unihr  of  the  two  ordi- 
Tiaiifya — ^the  one  outside,  the  other  inside 
tbe  church — we  do  ai&rm  that  our  Baptist 
cfamrhes  in  this  day  stand  more  in  need  of 
the  wine  of  heaven  than  they  do  of  the 
waters  of  earth.  We  have  been  informed 
tbrnt  two  monthly  Baptist  publications  have 
been  engaged  in  a  hot  paper  war,  fighting 
to  aee  mich  shall  be  the  greatest.  Poor 
tfaiiigB!  They  brin^  down  upon  us  the 
otBoet  contempt  of  sll  right-minded  people. 

^  When  will  the  Baptists  leave  off  fighting 
one  another  ?*'  is  the  question  often  asked. 

We  have  quite  enjoyed  an  anticipated 
Ttflion :  we  fear  it  will  not  be  a  re- 
ality in  onr  time;  but  we  said.  What 
a  MREtiAil  ai^t  it  would  be  if  we 
eoold  sea  Mr.  Philpot,  Mr.  James  Wells, 
JCr.  John  Foreman,  Mr.  John  Kershaw, 
Mx.  J.  A.  Jones,  Mr.  Christopher  Wollacott 

You  XIX.— No.  218. 


and  all  the  younger  ministers  on  all  sides, 
gathered  together  in  one  room,  down  on 
their  knees  before  the  throne  of  the  eternal 
God,  and  good  old  George  Murrell  pouring 
out  his  heart  in  wresthn^  praver,  that  the 
Almighty  would  so  baptize  all  these  Bap- 
tists into  the  precious  love,  blood,  and 
power  of  a  clonous  covenant,  that  the  one 
might  entirelv  lose  all  his  Popish  assump- 
tions, his  ecclesiastical  prejudices,  and  his 
vain  delusions  of  superiority  over  his 
brethren.  That  another  might  lose  as  much 
as  possible  of  his  proneness  to  trv  to  make 
plain  what  neither  men  nor  angels  ever  yet 
could  understand.  That  a  third  might 
forget  to  boast  and  bluster  and  afflict  the 
idready  afflicted.  Yea,  that  all  of  them 
should  enter  into  a  covenant,  by  God's 
grace,  to  practisb  the  precepts,  as  well  as 
p&EACU  the  doctrines,  and  talk  of  the  ex- 
periences of  God's  Gospel ;  and  then,  after 
&ither  Murrell  had  concluded  his  prayer, 
Mr.  Philpot  should  give  out  the  following 
verse: — 

**  Had  I  the  tongues  of  Greeks  and  Jews, 
And  nobler  speech  than  angels  nse. 
If  LOVE  BE  ABSSKT  I  aui  found. 
Like  tinkling  brass,  an  empty  sound.*' 

We  do  not  imply  that  the  classical  editor 
of  7%e  Gospel  Standard  is  "  like  tinkling 
brass :"  nay — ^nay — the  church  at  large  has 
been  greatly  edified  by  the  long  and  elabo- 
rate papers  he  has  written  on  the  grandest 
theme  connected  with  man's  salvation. 
The  large  amount  of  Christian  experience 
he  has  poured  into  the  world  through  the 
medium  of  the  serial  he  conducts,  has  been 
extensively  tisefhl :  but  the  exclusive  spirit 
too  often  manifested  leads  us  to  be  assured 
that  Mavj^b  posture  at  Jbbus'  feet — Mary's 
POBTioN— a  sacred  sense  of  sins  forgiven — 
Mary's  deep  genuine  penitence — washing 
those  feet  with  her  tears  of  heart-melting 
gratitude— that  neither  the  one  nor  the  other 
of  these  happy  privileges  were  enjoyed  by 
the  men  who  could  exercise  their  gifts  to 
the  injury  of  all  but  those/    ' 

Digitized  by  ' 


15G 


THB   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


:July  1,  1863. 


peculiar  line  of  things  should  subscribe. 
Brother  James  may  say  what  he  will  about 
this  being  the  Millennium,  wo  do  not 
believe  it.  We  have  by  fciith  and  in  fellow- 
ship, too,  had  the  earnest  in  our  own  souls 
of  that  delightful  state  of  the  church,  when 
neither  that  ugly  thing  called  Popery  ; 
nor  that  little,  mean,  contemptible  thing 
called  Prrjuclice;  nor  tliat  base  and  dan- 
gerous thing  called  Pride  shall  ever  dare  to 
shew .  themselves  ;  but  where,  in  a  happy 
oneness  with  JEsrs,  all  His  ransomed  ones  j 
shall  then  be  found. 


We  must  be  watchful  ev'ry  hour, 
And  pray  but  never  faint. 

Lord,  can  a  teeble  helpless  worm, 
Fulfil  a  task  so  hard  ! 

Thv  grace  must  all  m}'  work  perform, 
Ana  give  the  sweet  reward. 

Paul  and  Barnabas  differed,  we  know.  In 
Corinth  there  were  divisions ;  and  in  Eng- 
land they  still  abound.  But,  on  coming  to 
write  one  word  respecting  the  *'  Strict  Com- 
nlunion  Society,"  we  could  not  shut  our 
eyes  to  the  lamentable  fact,  that  Strict  and 
Decided — ^Determined  and  Fxed,  as  we  are 
I  in  some  things — ^in  others,  equally  as  essen- 
Let  us  return  to  the  antitM])ated  meeting.  '  tial,  we  are  fearfully  divided.  Differences 
They  have  all  sung  Mr.  Philpot's  verse ;  j  of  administration  there  are ;  consequently, 
and  it  has  ha<l  such  an  effect  upon  one  of  j  differences  of  thought  and  faith,  in  some 
the  hard-reading  pastors  of  one  of  our  ■  things,  there  will  be.  The  Eternal  Son- 
littlo  suburban  churches,  that  with  a  ship — the  Second  Coming — ^the  Non-Chas- 
smiling  face  (an  appearance  he  never  puts  tisement — and  the  Pre-existerian  question — 
in),  he  rises;     and   exclaims,   "brethren,   will  be  differently  held ;  but,  if  we  are  not 

I  willing  to  be  rent  more  sorely  still,  let  ns 
try — in  Christ— to  love  one  another. 
I  Now,  leaving  the  visionary,  which  ought 
'  not  to  be  visions^,  a  third  thing  clear  to 
'  us  is  thi8>  Mr.  W.  Stokes  has  commended 
The  manner  in  which  the  venerated  scribe  his  efforts  to  the  notice  and  sympathies  of 
and  pastor  read  the  lines  so  touched  the  our  churches  by  an  amount  of  talent, 
feelings,  that  all  were  weeping— till,  at  Christian  feeling,  pure  zeal,  and  decision, 
length,  a  request  was  made  that  the  Jew  q^it^*  worthy  of  the  high  and  important 
—(whose  hostility  to  Baptism  has  long  object  he  aims  to  accomplish.  His  position, 
been  patent—)  should  speak  to  them.  He  his  powers  of  mind,  his  untiring  perseve- 
rises.*  '*Brederpn."8ay8  he,  *' lei  ns  lisien,  ranee,  all  point  him  out  as  the  right  man 
yea,  let  us  fearn— and  if  grace  be  given,  in  the  right  place,  devoting  himself  to 
may  we  unitedly  labour  to  '  PUT  ON  I '—  achieve  an  end  most  excellent  and  safe.  If 
I  repeat— to  '  PUT  ON,'  as  the  elect  of  he  be  spared,  preserved,  and  encouraged, 
God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mereiee,  the  next  quarter  of  a  century  may  find 
kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meeknoss,  him  crowned  with  the  laurels  of  a  master 
lonff-suffering ;  forbearing  one  another  ;  in  Israel,  surrounded  by  a  host  of  earnest 
anil  forgiving  one  another;  if  any  man  spirits,  enjoying  the  harvest  of  his  toQ.  and 
have  a  quarrel  —  (margin  :  complaint)  calmly  anticipating  that  heavenly  welcome, 
against  any— even  aji  CHRIST  foroavb  «  Well  done,  good  and  ftiithful  servant,  enter 
Yor,  so  ALSO  DO  YE."  Then,  dividing  his  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 
text,  he  would  find— I.  An  Exhibition  of 


let  us  sing  that  expressive  stauza- 

"  0ear  Saviour,  steep  this  rock  of  miue 
In  Thine  own  crimson  sea  ; 
None  but  a  bath  of  blood  divino 
Can  melt  the  flint  away." 


the  true  Character  of  God's  Real  Ministers 
and  People — they  are  not  dogs,  bears,  bulls, 
nor  tyrants,  but — "  the  elect  of  God  ;  holy 
and  beloved."  II.  A  Description  of  their 
Gospeland  Experimental  Clothing — **  bowels 
of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind, 
meekness,  long-suftering,"  Sec.  HI.  An 
Exhortation—"  Pur  on  "-  "  as  the  elect 
of  God,  put  on ! " 

Tho  preacher,  of  course,  commences  by 
confessing  what  very  shamefal  clothes  he 
and  others  of  his  brethren  had  been  wear- 
ing ;  but  now  he  says  — 

The  love  of  gold  be  banished  heooe, 

(That  vile  idolatey), 
And  every  member —every  Mose, 

In  sweet  subjection  lie. 
The  tongue— that  most  unruly  power— 

Bequires  a  strong  restraint : 

•  A  photograph  taken  of  the  preacher  and  his 
CDDgiepitioa  at  this  moment  would  be  a  treasure 

—it  would  make  ungcU  rejoice  with  a  kind  of  joy 
sven  they  hdvc  never  known. 


I    WANT    A    FRIEND. 

I  want  a  friend  to  guide  me ; 

A  friend  to  Mothe  and  cheo*; 
A  lovinf;  hand  to  lead  me 

Thiou|;h  this  world  so  dark  and  drear. 
When  the  cold  world  frowns  upon  me, 

I  want  to  see  Him  smile, 
When  enemies  surround  me, 

To  lead  me  through  the  tc^ ; 
When  dark  clouds  lower  on  me, 

I  want  His  light  to  shine. 
When  all  things  else  shall  leave  me. 

To  feel  tliatTriend  still  mine. 
Where,  where  is  one  so  precious — 

80  mighty,  yet  so  kind- 
Thai  wiw  power  and  love  united. 

Can  care  for  one  ao  hliad  f 
WluU  still  "  small  voice  **  is  whispering— 

"  Fresh  courage  take  and  cheer— 
I  never  will  forsake  nor  leave 

One  of  my  tender  cave  f* 
'Ti9  Jksvs  speaks— nny  Saviour— 

None  other  would  l  hear ; 
And  sinoe  'tis  HB— away  all  doud6. 

All  doubts,  mistrust^nd  foaiv 


Digitized  by 


Godf^fe'^'- 


July  i,i«a. 


THE   EAKTHEy  VESSEL. 


157 


CHRISTMAS     EVANS. 

Bt  T.  J.  Messes. 


WmLsr  wandering  amongst  the  magnificent 
mountains,    loTelj  raUejs.  and  beautiful 
glens  of  the  principality  of  Wales,  during 
the  last  six  jears  of  my  life,  I  haye  fr^ 
quently  heard  the   minister,  whose  name 
^tands  at  the  head  of  this  paper,  spoken  of 
with  the  profoondest  veneration  by  very 
■lany  of  iu  religious  inhabitants.     Often 
whilst  listening  to  various  interesting  anec- 
dotes rsspectin^  the  style  of  his  preaching, 
and  to  roirit-stirring  accounts  of  its  won- 
tirons  eflfects  upon  the  people,  I  have  felt  an 
mt«nse  de«re  that  a  memoir  worthy  of  the 
grtMt  and  good  Welsh  apostle  should  be 
prwent^i  to  the  public  eye.    I  had  read  a 
small  biographical  account   of  him  hy  a 
contemporary  minister,  but  a  memoir  of  far 
°^J*  ?^^°^'^^  range  appeared  to  me  to  be 
a  dfnderatum.     I  am  ereatly  rejoiced  to 
And  that  such  a  memoir  has  been  at  length 
published,*   written  by  one,  who  though 
Imng  in   a  Und  where  consonants  more 
than  tvweb  characterizes  the  language  of 
the  ppoDle,  has  done  his  work  in  a  most 
admirable  and  praiseworthy  manner.    This 
masterly  piece   of  biognwhy  will  I   hope 
be  read  by  thousands  of  God's  Israel,  for  I 
am  persuaded  that  no  one  can  read  it  with 
that  attention  which   its  importance  and 
raloe  demands,  without  first  glorifying  God 
in   the  subject  of  the   memoir;   and  se- 
condly, without  feeling  their  desires  greatly 
increased   after  more  of  that  "holiness, 
withcnt  which  no  man  can  sec  the  Lord." 

>ow.  as  there  toe  many  readers  of  this 
inisoelJany  who  are  not  able  to  spend  five 
sh^ji^  wn  the  volume  just  referred  to, 
I  feel  inclined,  in  order  to  promote  their 
weU-being,  and  intensify  their  love  to  the 
^Tumr,  to  occupy  a  few  of  its  pages,  to 
piaee  before  them  a  succinct  account  of  the 
great  Welsh  Baptist  Orator,  and  also  some 
ejtniUs  from  several  of  those  inimitoble 
SOTODs  which  he  delivered  in  the  hearing 
of  hondreds  of  thousands  of  his  country- 
It  appears  that  Christmas  Evans  entered 
opon  .this  "teeming  stage  of  strife,"  on 
»Jist  M  called  Christmas-Day,  and  on  that 
■ceonDt  received  the  name  bv  which  he 
r**  ^  J"?f^7  known.  When  Jesus  was 
comin  Bethlehem,  the  bright  and  beautiful 
«ag^  of  God,  descended  from  the  city  of 
immytsls.  and  hovering  over  the  Judean 
•iw-^berds  who  were  watching  their  flocks 
t>y  ni^t,  poured  forth  tbe  richest,  sweetest 
%^Bg  that  ever  floated  on  the  air,  "  Glory  to 


P^^Ser^STliSlSr'  ''  "^"^''^  ^^ 


I  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace,  and 
|good.will  to  man."  Perhaps,  when  that 
illustrious  man  was  born,  to  whom  we  are 
directing  the  attention  of  our  readers,  some 
of  these  angel-brothers  were  rejoicingly 
present:  at  any  rate,  we  do  know  that 
u  *^?^j  durmg  his  long  and  useful  career, 
they  had  to  rejoice  over  many  sin-smitten 
men  and  women  who  were  raised  by  his 
instrumentality  from  the  dunghiU  of  de- 
gradation and  impurity,  to  be  placed  among 
the  princes  of  God's  people  for  ever. 

It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  some  of  our 
greatest  and  best  men  have  been  born  in 
vey  insignificant  and  obscure  localities 
and  beneath  very  humble  roof-trees,  and 
such  was  the  case  with  the  subject  of  the 
present  pap6r. 

Amongst  the  heaven-kissing  hiUs  of  the 
county  of    Cardigan,  the    "old  man  elo- 
quent" first  saw  the  light     The  name  of 
the  vUlage  in  which  Providence  called  him 
into  existence  is  Llandyssul,  in  which  vil- 
lage  Ignorance  and  impiety  prevailed  to  a 
^eat    extent  for  years    after    Christmas 
Evans  was  bom.    Like  many  other  cele- 
brities, young  Evans  met  with  many  narrow 
escapes  from  danger  and  death  during  his 
boyhood  s  years.     He  once  feU  from  a  lofty 
tree  with  an  open  pruning  knife  in  his 
hand    and    was  found    lying  at  its  foot 
utterlv  unconscious.    On  another  occasion 
he  feU  into  the  bosom  of  a  swoUen  torrent, 
and  venr  narrowly  escaped  a  watery  grave. 
After  that,  whilst  quarrelling  with  a  com- 
panion, he  received  a  stab,  which  caused 
his  precious  life  to  hang  for  a  considerable 
time  in  the  baknce.     These  events  pro- 
duced a  strong  impression   on  his  young 
mind,  and  gave  rise  to  a  peculiar  kind  of 
confidence    in    spiritual  interference    and 
agency;  and  thev  were    not  unfreouently 
referred  to  by  him  in  his  sennons  as  he 
passed  along  the  highways  of  life,  every- 
where scattering  broad-cast  the  imperish- 
able seeds  of  truth. 

He  appears  to  have  lived  some  seventeen 
yeara  on  the  worid^s  surface,  ere  the  Holy 
fc>pint  quickened  him  by  His  mysterious  but 
A*^*k  *?P*'****<^°s  into  newness  of  life.  " 
At  tdiat  time,  as  well  as  subsequenfly, 
rehnom  revivals  were  common  in  the  prin- 
cipality, in  returning  from  a  mef  ting  con- 
nected with  which,  he  met  with  such  rough 
treatment,  as  caused  him  to  lose  the  vision 
of  one  of  his  ejeM,     The  meeting  referred 

A  '  T**    ^^  *^  *  P^^®  ^^^^  CaP«l  Cynon.| 
As  ho  was  returning  from  that  locale.  withlC 
a  copy  of  the  priceless  work  of  the  glorious 


158 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


July  1. 1868^ 


old  dretamer  and  allegorizer,  John  Bunjan, 
the  "Pilgrim's  Fftigress/'  in  his  possession, 
he  was  beset  by  **  certain  lewd  fellows  of  the 
baser  sort,"  ftom  whom  he  received  blows 
which  made  one  of  his  eyes  sightless  to  the 
end  of  his  days :  but  we  may  add,  that  the 
loss  of  his  eye  did  not  give  to  his  face 
that  "uHiufhify**  appearance,  which  one 
writer  has  thought  proper  to  state,  and  the 
eye  that  was  left  to  him,  had  such  a  super-, 
natural  brightness  about  it,  that  Rooert 
Hall  said  of  it,  that  "  it  was  bright  enough 
to  light  an  army  thro'  a  wilderness  at  mid- 
night." 

We  are  informed  by  his  talented  bio- 
grapher, that  for  at  least  ten  years  of  young 
Evans's  life,  books  to  him  were  useless 
articles;  but  that  afterwards  he  set  to 
work  and  learnt  to  read  ri^ht  well  the 
beautiful  poetic  language  of  his  fatherland. 

When  his  attention  was  directed  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  he  attracted  the 
notice,  and  received  considerable  help  from 
an  eccentric,  but  very  excellent  man — the 
Eev.  D.  Davies,  of  Castle  Hywell.  This 
sin^[ular  man  had  a  large  body,  a  large 
brain,  and  what  is  better  than  either,  a 
large  loving  heart  And  without  the  last- 
named  treasure,  a  minister  is  worth  but 
little;  no  matter  how  profound  his  learning, 
how  eloquent  his  language,  or  how  oraton- 
cally  correct  his  style  of  preaching  may  be, 
without  a  laige-loving  heart,  to  use  the 
language  of  another,  he  is  but  "halfsL  man." 
There  are  many  men  who  are  teachers 
of  the  people,  who  have  pretty  dear  heads, 
and  who  can  talk  confidently,  if  not  dog- 
matically, in  the  pulpit,  about  the  grand 
doctrines  of  the  Bible,  who  are  deficient  in 
love,  and  hence  their  labors  are  compara- 
tively unavailing  and  abortive.  The  dis- 
tinctive feature  in  the  character  of  the 
self-sacrificing  Christ  was  love  ;  under  the 
influence  of  iNmich  potent  principle,  He  went 
about  doing  eood.  The  old  minister  of 
Castle  Hywelf  was  blest  with  much  of  that 
precious  treasure,  which 

** iB  light  ftom  heaven, 

A  spark  of  that  immortal  fire 
With  angela  shared,  by  Abba  given, 
To  lift  from  Earth  our  low  desire. 
Devotion  waits  the  mind  above. 
But  Heaven  itself  descends  in  love ; 


A  feeling  from  the  Ckidbead  oanght. 
To  wean  from  self  each  sordid  thouftht  r 
Arayof  Himwho  formed  the  whole ; 
A  gloiy  diding  round  the  soul." 

This  interesting  man  had  been  well  edu- 
cated  at  a  Presbyterian  college  in  Carmar- 
thenshire, but  held  certain  opinions  manT 
of  the  readers  of  this  work  do  not  hold, 
opinions  they  would  pronounce  thoroughly^ 
heterodox.  It  appears  that  he  had  a  por- 
tion of  the  bardic  spirit,  and  often  wrote 
little  pieces  of  poefa^^  remarkably  charac- 
teristic in  their  natnre. 

Mr.  D.M.  Evans  givesus  inthememoir'one 
strange  stanza  wrote  by  Mr.  Davis,  in  which 
he  condemns  in  a  very  humorous  style, 
the  materialism  of  the  celebrated  I)r. 
Friestiey : — 

"  Here  lie  at  rest  in  oaken  chest, 
Together  packed  most  nicely, 
The  bones  and  brains,  flesh,  blood,  and  vetnff 
And  BOlTL  of  Dr.  Priestley." 

Despite  of  his  erudition,  and  his  taste  for 
poesy,  it  appears  he  was  very  careless 
about  the  garments  with  which  he  covered  . 
his  huge  l^dy.  One  day,  Mr.  Evans  tells 
us,  a  Welsh  poet  met  him  wandering  along 
the  road  through  a*  heavy  down-pour  of 
rain,  all  swaUied  about  from  "  top  to  toe  "^ 
in  twisted  straw  bands.  The  poet,  oa 
approaching  him,  spoke  to  him  thus — 

**  O  Baid  and  Teacher  fiuned  afiur, 
Such  sight  I  never  saw ; 
It  ill  becomes  a  house  like  thine. 
To  wear  a  roof  of  straw ;" 

to  which  impromptu  stanza,  Mr.  Davis  at 
once  happily  responded, 

**  The  rain  is  fiUling  fast,  my  friend. 
You  know  not  what  you  say ; 
A  roof  of  straw,  methinks  does  well 
Beseem  a  house  of  clay.** 

To  this  eztraordinazy,  kind-hearted  man» 
Christinas  Evans  was  indebted  for  the  little 
classical  knowledge  he  possessed,  and^  it 
was  under  the  auspices  of  the  denominatioii 
^Presbyterian)  that  Davis  belonged  to. 
Christmas  Evans  began  to  preach.  How- 
he  progressed  in  knowledge,  and  how  he 
became  a  Baptist,  we  will  reserve  for  our 
next  article,  which  (D.Y.)  we  will  fUmifih 
for  the  August  number  of  this  periodical. 


THE    VISITATIONS    OF  THE    LORD. 

By   Samuil   CozEirs. 
«'  Thy  visitation  hath  pteserved  my  Spirit*  Won. 


Thbre  are  seasons  of  special  visitation 
when  the  Lord's  presence  is  powerfully  felt 
in  the  soul.  VtsUalions  are  implied  in 
some  of  the  names  and  characters  of  our 
heavenly  Father.    He  is  a  Sun ;  the  sun  s 


not  always  with  us ;  he  comes  and  goes. 
The  sun  ariseth,  and  the  sun  goeth  down  ; 
and  it  is  dark.  He  is  a  Skmherd^-^ 
shepherd  is  not  always  in  the  midst  of  hia 
flock.    He  is  a  Fatkerf^h^^h.et  ia  not 

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159 


alwBTS  ntting  at  the  dinner  table  with  his 
chxli&en.  He  is  a  Bridegrooom — ^the  bride- 
groom is  not  always  in  the  bridechamber 
with  the  bride,  xea^  there  are  seasons  of 
snimj  and  sensible  visitations.  I  will  arise, 
smith  the  Lord  ;  I  will  ariM— son-like— and 
hare  mercy  npon  Zion  for  the  time :  the 
set  time  to  fietronr  her  is  come..  Visitations 
are  the  glory  of  the  promises.  "  At  the 
time  appointed  I  will  retnm/'  &c  The 
promises  are  full  of  His  coming,  and  He 
that  shall  come,  will  come  accordmg  to  His 
frtnmUe  ^I  will  see  you  again)  ;  and  accord- 
ing to  Hjs  purpaee^  for  *'  the  vision  is  for  an 
appointed  time,**  &c  The  Bible  is  the 
record  of  Divine  visitations.  He  appeared 
to  Aiam^  and  "  placed  him  in  the  garden  to 
dress  it,  and  to  keep  it**  Gen.  ii.  15.  Some 
think  that  labour  is  the  consequence  of  sin. 
If ot  so ;  but  the  fatigue,  the  toil,  the  wear 
and  t«ar  of  labour  is  the  result  of  sin.  If 
man  had  not  fallen,  he  would  have  known 
nothing  of  the  sweat  of  the  brow— of  the 
bread  of  ai&iction ;  he  would  have  laboured 
like  an  angel  without  &tigue.  He  appeared 
acain  to  Adam,  and  gave  him  an  h^pmeet. 
<£fbi  are  oood ;  but  when  we  think  more  of 
the^ifts  than  of  the  Giver,  no  marvel  if  we 
&U  into  the  snares  of  the  devil  Adam 
was  not  deceived.  1  Tim.  ii.  4.  If  he  had 
loved  his  Ood  more  than  his  wife,  he  would 
have  said,  "  Not  so,  Eve !  How  shall  I  do 
this  greet  wickedness,  and  sin  against  Gk)d  ?" 
Ood  gave  to  Adam  many  privileges,  but 
only  one  prohibition.  He  broke  through 
the  prohibition,  and  blasted  aU  his  privi- 
Ic^gea.  What  will  not  man  risk  for  a  ms- 
ment's  satisfiBu::tion.  He  appeared  to  Adam 
-alter  toe  sad  catastrophe,  and  drew  from 
Ilia  own  lips  the  comfession  of  his  state — 
the  sad  tale  of  all  his  woe— and  drove  him 
out  from  the  garden  of  pleasure.  We 
leazn  from  Adam's  case,  that  no  man,  how- 
ervrfisvoond  by  heaven ;  however  exalted  his 
positicni ;  is  siufe  from  the  assaults  of  hell, 
and  from  the  probability  of  fiiUing.  Hence 
the  wholesome  admonition,  "  Let  him  who 
thinketh  he  standeth   take  heed  lest  he 

He  appeared  to  Noaht  and  revealed  the 
jian  of  salvation,  and  taoght  the  necessity 
«f  this  salvation  by  dedarinff  to  him  the 
<«tate  and  doom  of  the  world.  God  first 
discovers  to  those  to  whom  He  has  made 
known  the  evils  of  the  heart,  the  state  of 
the  worid,  and  the  doom  of  the  wicked — 
the  pian  of  salvation.  He  left  Noah  with 
the  mere  plan,  and  he  wasexercised  for  a  long 
lime  in  nothingbnt  the  plan.  So  it  is  with 
9od'8  people ;  they  can  see  the  wmt  to  be 
MTed  befm  they  are  «aved.  Again  He 
appeared  to  Noah  with  the  ooKvr  of  salva- 
tMm,  and  shnt  him  in  the  ark  of  safetjr.  To 
-^  ~  God  reveals  the  plan,  He  apphes  the 
of  salvation.    Again  He   revealed 


Himself  to  Noah,  and  established  with  him 
His  covenant.  After  He  reveals  the  plan, 
and  applies  the  power  of  salvation,  He 
makes  xnown  His  covenant  settlements  and 
provisions.  After  all  this  mercy,  Noah  fell ; 
and  we  hear  no  more  of  the  Lord*s  appear- 
ing unto  Him.  And  it  is  not  the  case  with 
some  of  the  Lord's  people,  that  after  they 
have  been  so  highly  favoured,  that  they 
fall ;  and  their  last  days  are  days  of  dark- 
ness. 

He  appeared  to  Abraham,  called  him  out 
of  his  native  land,  and    away  from  his 
kindred,  and  blessed  him  beyond  all  curse, 
and  brought  him  into  the  land  of  promise  ; 
and  when  God  calls  out  of  the  world.  He 
blesses  by  the  way,  and  preserves  us  to  His 
heavenly  kingdom  and  glory.    Again  He 
appeared  to  Abraham,  and  said,  *'  Unto  thy 
seed  will  I  give  this  land.**     Gen.  xii.  7. 
This  was  a  short  visit,  but  a  very  sweet 
;  one.    What  can  be  more  delightful  next  to 
!  our  own  salvation  than  to  know  that  our 
I  children  are  in  favour  with  God.    Asain 
He  a]>peared  to  Abraham,  and  revealed  His 
vast  inheritance,  and  commanded  him  to 
walk  through  and  take  possession  of  it.    By 
.  faith  we  have  seen  ana  taken  possession  of 
I  our  inheritance.    Gen.  xiii.  14.    Again  He 
I  appeared  to  Abraham,  and  renewed  His 
former    promises.     Gen.    xv.      Yes,    and 
I  when  the  Lord  appears  again  to  us,  the  pro- 
mises we  have  received  are  revived  in  our 
;  memories. 

j  Thy  visitation  reviveth  my  spirit.  The 
{ Lord's  visitations  are  convincing,  I  re* 
'  member  the  chamber  where  I  first  felt  an 
influence  that  brought  into  my  conscience 
an  overwhelming  sense  of  guilt,  and  fear, 
and  darkness.  (2)  MeUing.  I  recollect 
once  when  walking  m>m  Winboume  to  Cran- 
boume,  feeling  a  peculiar  melting  of  soul 
under  the  power  of  the  Divine  presence. 
(3)  Merciful,  I  have  before  the  eve  of 
memory  the  never-to-be-foigotten  be(Uoom 
where  the  Lord  visited  my  f^ty  soul  with 
a  transporting  sense  of  my  forgiveness. 
^4)  Beneufing.  1  see  the  garden— the  place 
in  the  sarden  where  the  Lord  visifea  me 
when  filled  with  gloomy  doubts,  and  re- 
newed the  sense  of  His  former  mercies. 
(5)  Assuring.  I  look  back  just  twenty 
years  ago,  when  in  deep  trouble  about  the 
things  of  this  life,  the  Lord  visited  me  with 
such  a  delightftd  sense  of  His  mindfulness 
of  me — ^thf^  I  exclaimed,  "  The  Lord  is  my 
Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want"  (6)  Can" 
finning.  Years  have  not  eflkced  frtmi  my 
heart  my  confirmation,  when  the  Lord  came 
into  my  soul,  and  put  His  stamp  upon  my 
experience  in  the  ministry  of  the  fllrst  man 
of  God  I  heard— such  was  the  joy  I  felt  at 
my  spiritual  confirmation,  that  I  thought  I 
must  shout  aloud  forjoy  in  the  midst  of  the 
congregation.    (7)  (Smmissiening,    I  step 

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THE  EARTHEN  ^^ESSEL. 


July  1,  1868. 


back  into  the  field  close  to  Orpington  where 
I  have  thought  I  was  divinely  commissioned 
to  go  and  speak  all  the  words  of  this  life. 
(S)  Delivering.  I  call  to  mind  the  parlour 
in  which  Tearfulness  and  trembling  came 
upon  me,  and  from  which  I  feared  I  should 
bo  carried  away,  body  and  soul,  to  hell ; 
where  I  had  a  delivering  view  of  the  cruci- 
fied Lord  of  life  and  glory  destroying 
death  —as  the  death  of  death  and  hell's  de- 
struction. (9)  Instructing.  I  cannot  lose 
sight  of  my  sleeping  apartment,  where, 
when  I  felt  dying,  and  a  horror  of  great 
darkness  came  upon  me,  and  when  I  was  just 
about  to  call  for  some  one  to  come  to  me, 
the  Lord  came  and  calmed  my  troubled 
breast  by  these  words :  "  He  was  exceeding 
sorrowful,  oven  unto  death."  That  taught 
me  what  I  had  prayed  to  know — "  the  fel- 
lowship of  His  sufferings. "  (10)  Forewam- 
ing.  I  realize  at  this  moment  the  nisht 
when  in  a  dream  He  forewarned  me  of  that 
about  which  I  was  ignorant ;  and  how  in  a 
subsequent  sleep  He  forearmed  me  against 
mine    enemy    by  thrice   speaking  to  my 


sleeping  heart :  "  Qod  is  able  to  make  all 
grace  abound  towards  yon."  I  repeat  I  am 
sure  there  are  seasons  of  special  visitation ; 
and  I  think  I  had  one  on  June  30th  last. 
On  that  day  I  went  to  Brighton,  and  spent 
two  or  three  hours  with  my  highly  esteemed 

friend  M .     On  my  return,  I  stood  on 

CornhiU  waiting  for  an  omnibus,  over- 
whelmed in  the  deep  waters  of  tribulation, 
and  flooded  by  the  heavy  billows  of  a 
thousand  anxious  cares  ;  when  all  in  a  mo- 
ment I  irtis  brought  out  of  the  great  waters, 
and  there  was  a  calm  that  paisseth  know- 
ledge, and  I  went  home  singing  the  lines 
that  hushed  the  tempest — 

<' O  God,  I  would  delifflitin  Tbee, 

And  oil  Thy  care  (fopend ; 

To  Thee  In  every  trouble  flee, 

My  beat,  my  only  Friend." 

None  but  those  who  know  the  vital  mean- 
ing of"  Thy  visitations  reviveth  my  spirits,*^ 
can  conceive  the  heaven  of  delight  that  is 
felt  in  the  soul — 

**  When  JeBoa,  with  His  mighlgr  Iovo» 
Visits  our  troubled  breast." 


DO    YOU     PREACH     THE    WORD? 

(Continued  from  page  131.) 


THBKElire  three  evils — ^amongmany — ^I  will 
briefly  notice  in  this  short  paper;  evils 
which  are  working  much  mischief  in  our 
small  churches— if  not  in  some  of  those  of 
more  noble  standing. 

I.  Men  who  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop 
go  and  look  out  some  poor,  little,  destitute 
church  in  the  country,  present  themselves 
£or  membership,  make  tnemselves  exceed- 
ingly friendly  until  they  get  installed  in 
the  priest's  office,  and  then,  having  neither 
natural,  spiritual,  nor  Biblical  abilities, 
they  waste  and  wear  down  the  people,  and 
instead  of  being  a  blessing,  the^  really  are 
quite  the  reverse.  There  certainly  are  four 
Uiings  a  minister  must  have  with  him  in 
some  measure  ;  and  if  these  things  are  not 
discernible  in  a  man,  no  church,  no  deacon, 
no  pastor  should  encourage  him.  A  hea- 
venly commission  (giving  a  man  authority 
in  his  own  soul)  is  an  essential  piece  of 
ministerial  armour.  This  commission  is  "  a 
thue  saith  the  Lord"*  constantly  anointing, 
and  being  written  in,  his  own  soul,  in  some 
new  development  of  the  great  work  of  sal- 
vation. Are  the  Lord's  spiritual  people  so 
blind  that  they  cannot  see  whether  the 
man  in  the  pulpit  is  Ahimaaz  or  Cushi  ? 
Ah*"'**^**  was  a  good  man ;  but  Joab  had 
forbidden  his  carrying  tidings :  yet  would 
he  run ;  and  run  he  di<^  and  out-run  Cushi ; 
bat  when  he  came  to  the  king,  he  was  con- 
fused and  confounded,  and  could  not  aasure 


the  king  as  to  how  the  matter  stood.  So  it 
must  ever  be.  There  are  thousands  of  men 
—I  hope  good  men — who  will  run— who 
will  get  into  a  pulpit :  I  must  not  say  they 
will  TREACU  ;  for  that  they  cannot  do  ;  but 
th^  confuse,  distress,  and  divide  the  peofJe, 
and  seriously  injure  the  cause.  Br.  Tobias 
Crisp  has  left  a  sermon  behind  him  bearing 
this  title :  "  A  zeal  of  Ood  proves  not  a 
man  a  child  of  Ood  ;"  and  if  Uiat  discourse 
of  Dr.  Crisp's  could  be  thickly  circulatad 
among  our  churches,  it  might  be  of  great 
use.  To  my  mind,  there  is  an  essential 
beauty  and  undivided  harmony  in  that  one 
verse,  Romans  x.  15.  li'irst^  you  have  that 
which  is  impossible.  "How  shall  the^ 
preach  except  they  be  sent  ?"  meaning,  if 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  has  not  sent 
them,  they  cannot  preach.  But  how  ate 
these  sent-ones,  these  anointed  ones  to  be 
known?  This  question — ^this  difficulty  is 
met  immediately  by  the  second  thing  in 
that  verse,  which  is  the  undisputed  evidence 
— **as  it  is  written,"  says  Paul,  "How 
beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  them  that  preach  thf  Qospel  of  peaoe, 
and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things.*' 
The  feet  express  the  swift  coming — ^the  de- 
lightiol  Qospel  or^^r— of  these  men :  to  run 
well,  a  man  must  have  strength ;  he  must 
be  well  girt  up ;  he  must  have  a  race  set 
before  him,  he  must  have  a  price  in  view* 
And  how  certain  it  is,  when  a  man  has  been 


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161 


in  dose  conniiuioii  with  Jefius,  when  he  has 
Wen  receiTing  and  drinking  in  the  glorious 
mff^s-^age  of  grace  and  mercy  from  His  lips  ; 
thtrfi   he  comes  running    with  swift    and 


Sec  how  swiftly  he  flics  thi'ough  the  little  he 
has.  He  comes  in  contact  with  no  iron- 
barred  gatt3s;  he  dashes  liis  head  against 
no  brazen  walls  ;  his  feet  are  on  the  moun- 


-iweet  delight  through  the  valleys,  up  the  i  tains ;  he  could  not  stand  still  for  the  world. 


hills,  over  the  mountains ;  and  as  he  unfolds 
the   glories  of  the   eternal    God    in    His 
covenant,  in  His  Christ,  and  in  His  Gospel, 
rhe  fyeople  strait  cry  out, — 
'•  How  beautfeouB  aie  their  feet 
Who  stand  on  Zion's  hill ; 
Who  bring  salvation  on  their  tongues, 

And  words  ol  peace  reveal. 
How  cbarminff  is  their  voice ! 
Huw  sweet  the  tidings  are  ! 
*ZU>n  '.'  behold  thy  Saviour  King; 
He  reigns  and  triumphs  here.'' 
Instead  of  this  happy  issue,  thousands  of 
G 0*1*5  dear  children  come  away  with  aching 
hi-arts,   and   some  with  inward  rebellious 
pa^ions,  because  they  went  up  desiring  to 
-eo  Jerms  ;  but  they  return,  saying,  "  They 
h:.Te  taken  away  my  Lord ;  and  I  know  not 
whpre    they    have^  laid   Him."     Oh!   sad 


He  flings  hiswhole  soul  into  the  work,  and  tlio 
people  get  warmed  with  the  rapid  fanning 
of  the  little  flame  ;  and  they  are  glad  lo  go 
again,  and  invite  othei*s  to  go  as  well. 

It  is  raarvelloufi  to  me  how  much  our 
great  Creator  and  Redeemer  loves  oriyin- 
\  ality;  and,  as  if  to  bespeak  tlie  boundless,  tlie 
inexhaustible  resomces  of  His  wis<lom, 
power,  and  love  toward  us  poor  fallen 
worms ;  as  if  to  delight  our  poor  souls  by 
Hiu  perpetual  developments  of  variety  and 
originality,  you  never  find  that  He  has 
made  two  dispensations  alike  ;  nor  any  two 
patriarchs  or  prophets  alike ;  nor  any  two 
apostles  or  ministers  alike ;  nor  any  two 
Christian  experiences  exactly  alike.     Kay, 

^        ^^^        ^^    our  God  is  always  9iew;  yet  "  the  same  yes-  • 

of  thi'npj^.     How  much  shoukrwo  pray  I  \^^7'  ^-^^y-  ^^^  ^^^  ""^^"^  j"  ^"^^  ^^  8'^'^^ 
Lord   of  the  harvest    to    send    forth  !  ^^  P^,«P}^  ^  »«^  ^^P"^^  ^  »«^  ^'^^'  ^  "♦'^^' 


U^:>:irer»  into  His  harvest,  or  we  «liall  ^fink    f^^i  <ieclares  unto  them  new  things,  creates 
l««w»*r  «tiU  I  I  ^^^  them  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth  too, 

I  have  verily  thought  I  could  solve  two  I  '^"^  promises  them  a  kingdom  in  which 
'.'Actions.  First,  sometimes  it  is  asked,  !  everything  shall  be  new  for  ever  and  ever. 
•  WhT  is  it  Mr.  So  and  so  is  not  more  sue-  !  ^  suppose  John  foreman  and  James  Wells 

r.-9sfid?  See  how  many  years  he  has  ^t"*"'^^"^  ^'^  ^*^^?\"^,°^''?  l"'''^,'"^^^: 
.tood  in  the  ministry;  consider  what  a  |  P^^'^" '"^"/^^V*  *P^  ^^th  of  them  decided 
faithful  and  honoiirable  man  he  has  always  I  "^f^.^f  truth ;  but  how  different  in  manner. 
been  ;  and  yet  if  vou  go  into  his  chapel,  you  »P"<J'  ^""^  ^'f^^i '  ^^^  *r«  P^^^J  o"" 
wiil  find  it  nearlV  empty.  How  is  this  ?"  ^l^^^  \  ^^*  *  ^^^  l^P*^  ^"^^  to  borrow  some 
If  ever  h^  had  any  feet,' he  has  lost  them.  :  ^^  ^*^«"^  peculiarities;  but  Heaven  never 
H*»  learned  a  certain  creed  one  day;  and  I  ****"<^^^<^°s  ^^'^^  minister  borrowing  another's 
when  he  fir^  commenced  his  contention  for  ,  prop^^^ly ;  therefore,  although  the  borrowed 
it,  feome  ran  and  heard,  and  received  him  :  I  ^'^'Jg**  ^.^^P  ^^^f  1^^  copyists  from  alto- 
:ie  waxed  fat,  he  kicked,  he  grew  proud,  he  g^'ther  sinking,  they  can  never  rifcc  into  auy- 
becam©  idle,  and  now  to  hear  him  dole  out  "^^^6  ^^^  prommence.  Borrowing  is  bad 
hib  drearv  and  dir  old  storv^  is  dreadful.  I  ^i^y  way ;  but  for  a  man  to  borrow  his 
But  he  ha'»  got  a  name,  he  is  pastor  of  a  '  neighbour's  nod,  twist,  curl  of  the;  tongue, 
church.  and'THitil  he  is  laid  aside  ho  will  {  ^^^*?"?'  ^^^  ^  <>"•*«  pitiable  indeed, 
live  npoo  the  few  who  fear  to  leave  him.  i  ^^^'J  ,^'^«  .**  ^V^^'l'^hman  once  :  you  may 
Bat  does  he  preach  the  word?  Does  his  ^"^T^-  ^^  .  i?  ^^^  enchanting  book  just 
h«t  grow  warm  with  holy  fire  ?  Boes  he  i  P^l^l^J^ed  by  Hcaton  and  Son,  in  Warwick- 
-^v  swiftly  through  the  hearts  of  the  people,  i  f.»^'  ^^}!^S  the  Dth  vol  of  their  "  Jiunyan 
.-irrying  and  leaving  in  his  train  the  bless-  .  Li^^rary,  containing  D.  M  Evansi,  me- 
ings  of  paace-the  glad  tiding.^  of  heaven  ?  i  ^oirsof  Christmas  Evans  This  A\  elshnian 
Xot  he.  indeed.     There  is  no  beautv  in  his  !  Y*«  "^^^f^  **  ^""^^.^  °*  T^^^^'  who  served  his 


£e€t. 

Bat  oome  on  the  other  side :  turn  in  that 
paaaage;  look  in  that  window;  see  that 
'■faMTfol,  active,  fiying  little  red-hot  cheru- 
}fiiD.  Hark !  he  has  no  mind  of  any  ac- 
«^oimt ;  he  has  no  eloquence — ^not  any ;  no 


day  and  generation,  in  the  ministry,  in  a 
way  so  entirely  his  own.  that  he  could  not, 
by  any  accident,  be  confounded  witli  the 
rest  of  his  species."  His  mud-built  cottage 
stUl  stands  near  Uanfynydd,  in  Carmar- 
thenshire.    If  ••  Punch  in  the  Pulpit"  re- 


.le«T>  rwearehea-no  mental  manifestations  !  'i^^^'f  .'^  »«^w  leaf,  he  might  Imd  u  m  this 


ely  one  noVidea  in  a  dozen  of  his 
•snaoiw ;  and  yet,  how  eagerly  and  how 
^adly  the  people  hear  hijj^.  How  is  this  ? 
H(^  has  a  warm  heart,  full  of  love  to  the 
Lord  and  to  His  cause ;  and  there  you  see 
^hf  verification  of  those  words — 

**  lis  k>re  tliat  mmkm  om*  cheerful  feet 

In  ffwiit  obedieace  more." 


man's  history  easy  enough.  He  went  about 
preaching  the  Gospel  with  a  spii-it  that 
would  be  shackled  with  none  of  man's  pro- 
prieties. His  grey  coat,  his  corduroys,  hi.s 
wooden  shoes,  his  hat  so  worn  as  to  con- 
ceal a  great  part  of  his  face,  would  fuim  a 
wonderful  contrast  with  some  of  the  beauti- 
fully attired  ministers  of  our  d^iy,  who  as 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


162 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


July  1,  i«n. 


eagerly  follow  the  fashions  of  the  day  as 
any  of  their  fellows.  But  of  this  good  old 
Welsh  Eran,  it  is  said,  he  had  no  order 
of  service;  he  would  begin  abruptly 
sometimes  without  prayer,  and  often 
without  reading  any  verse  as  a  text.  He 
paid  no  attention  to  attitude ;  he  always 
carried  with  him  a  great  stick  which  he 
sometimes  brandishea  60  fearftdly  in  the 
&ces  of  his  hearers  that  it  almost  required 
a  special  Providence  to  protect  them  from 
bodily  injury.  Having  no  notion  of  stand- 
ing still  like  a  fixture  in  the  same  place 
throughout  his  discourse,  he  generallv  began 
in  one  part  of  the  building,  threaded  his  way 
through  the  people  whom  he  personally  ad- 
dress^,  and  ended  as  it  might  happen  in 
some  nook  of  the  sanctuary.  Although  a 
most  eccentric,  yet  a  veiy  popular  and 
useful  preacher  in  his  day. 

This  leads  me  to  speak  of  the  second 
essential  in  the  minister's  aimour — ^that  is 
his  motive.  Christ  would  have  a  treble 
confession  from  Peter  that  he  loved  Him, 
«re  He  commissioned  him  to  feed  His  sheep ; 
and  was  there  not  a  world  of  holy  matter 
in  that  thrice-expressed  question ,  **  LOVEST 
THOU  ME?"  1.  Lovest  thou  Me  be- 
cause I  am  the  Son  of  God  ?  Yea,  Lord. 
2.  Lovest  thou  Mo  because  I  am  the  Be- 
deemer  and  Husband  of  My  Church  ?  Yea, 
Lord.  3.  Lovest  thou  Me  because  I  have 
called,  saved,  and  restored  thee,  Peter? 
"Lord,  Thou  knowest  all  things:  Thou 
knowest  that  I  love  Thjpe."  fliis  three- 
fold intelligent  and  experienced  love  to 
Christ  is  essential  to  a  happy  and  useful 
standing  in  the  ministry.  The  third  thing 
is  a  good  aim.  Do  I  aim  to  glorify  Christ 
in  the  ingathering  of  souls  to  Him  f  This 
direct  aim  is  needful  likewise.  And  then 
to  have  a  definite  subject — ^The  Gospel 
OF  Christ — laying  down  distinctly  the 
deep  foundation  principles  of  the  Gospel 
as  tney  all  centre  in  Christ..  Drawing  out 
the  true  experience  of  the  Gospel  as  il  flows 
from  the  soul's  faith  in  ana  union  with 
Christ  Manifesting  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel , 
as  the  very  atmosphere  in  which  the  sanc- 
tified heart  doth  dwell— so  beautifully  ex- 
pressed by  Jude  in  that  little  verse, 
"  Mercy  unto  you,  and  peace,  and  lore,  be 
multiplied ;"— finally  carrying  the  people 
on  to  the  climax  of  the  Ghwpel — ^'^  When 
the  Lord  the  righteous  Judge  shall  give 
unto  all  His  faithftd  servants  a  crown  of 
righteousness ;  and  not  to  them  only,  but 
unto  all  them  also  who  love  His  appearing." 

In  the  midst  of  more  blessed  thinss,  I 
had  almost  forgotten  the  evils  which  I  set 
out  to  notice.  The  second  is,  ignorant 
men  taking  extraordinaiy  texts,  and  then 
neither  fetching  anything  out  of  them,  nor 
taking  anything  to  them,  to  edify  the  people. 
On  Sunday  evening,  June  7th,  a  man  went 


from  London  to  preach  to  a  people  in  Kent, 
and  being  assembled  to  hear  the  (Jospel, 
he  announced  for  his  text,  "  Skibboletkt" 
and  proceeded  with  an  empty  talk  most 
tiresome  and  irrelevant  indeed.  The 
deacons  declared  themselves  disgraced  and 
afflicted  beyond  measure.  It  is  an  evil 
thing  thus  to  tamper  with  Gt>d's  holy  word. 
One  word  more,  and  I  close  this  pi^r. 
The  other  day,  a  recognition  service  was 
being  holden.  A  venerated  father  in  Christ 
had  described  the  nature  of  a  (Gospel 
church — the  time  was  come  to  ask  the 
questions.  The  minister  who  was  to  be 
recognised  started  to  his  feet,  and  ex- 
claimed, <'I  am  a  man  of  no  creed :  I  will 
answer  no  question:  this  book  is  full  of 
mysteries:  what  I  believe  to-day,  I  may 
not  believe  next  week.' '  This  petty  aspirant 
is  actually  the  minister  of  a  church  which 
for  years  has  been  reckoned  as  one  of  tho 
most  orthodox  and  consistent.  But  alas! 
to  whai  are  we  coming  ?  Only  to  write  of 
the  evils; — and  not  to  remember  the 
remedy  would  be  sinful.  I  have  lately 
been  looking  into   the  "Life  of  Gosner," 

Eublished  by  Morgan  and  Chase.  He  calU 
imself  "a  shepherd  boy  of  Bethlehem." 
He  was  a  Boman  Catholic  in  Germany 
until  the  Lord  rescued  him.  The  shinings 
and  workings  of  grace  in  and  through  hind 
I  will  tnr  to  refer  to  anoflier  day.  Now  I 
only  take  an  extract  firom  his  writinss 
illustrative  of  the  means  leading  to  the 
remedy.  It  is  a  fact,  wherever  a  spirit  of 
wrestling  prayer  has  been  given  to  any 
people  there  in  the  Lord's  own  time,  the 
blessinff  has  been  found.  Gosner  and  his 
people  nad  fixed  hours  for  praver.  Just 
read  his  own  words  (and  of  this  expect 
some  more  as  soon  as  may  be) : — 

**  October  29.  A  visit  from  my  brethren 
two  days  since  was  not  without  blessiDg 
and  use ;  I  write  this  from  the  fhli  con- 
viction of  my  experience,  and  fiom  tihe 
testimony  of  the  ffood  people  around  me. 
At  the  hours  we  had  fixed,  I  was  enabled 
to  pray  heartily  for  them,  and  felt  most 
vividly  the  power  of  united  prayer;  the 
Holy  Spirit  perceptibly  prayed  with  us. 
God  be  praised.  Yesterday,  the  first  Sun- 
day since  my  friends'  visit,  I  had  to  preach 
twice,  and  each  time  succeeded  better  than 
I  had  ever  done  before ;  the  Spirit  of  God 
worked  powerfully  within  me,  and  I  was 
enabled  to  bear  testimony  to  the  L<n^ 
Some  were  overcome,  and  others  flllsd  with 
the  Spirit  of  peace ;  both  parties  told  me 
that  they  lost  sight  of  me  personally,  and 
felt  as  if  Christ  was  spewng  to  theni« 
There  was  deep  attention  in  ^e  church ; 
but  I  do  not  vet  know  what  was  the 
impression  on  the  common  people.  One 
man  said,  *I  never  heard  such  pieadung 
as  this;  I  love  him  bcMMosehs  proclaims 

Digitized  by  VjOO^ 


Sfdy  1,  18«8. 


THE  EABTHEM  VB8BBL* 


163 


the  word  of  God  so  f&ithfiilly;  hut  to  God 
alone  be  praise,  for  from  Him  alone  comes 
the  blessing  through  the  prayers  of  the 
brethren." 

*'NoTemb«r  2.  Truly  the  Lord  doej 
bless  the  appointed  hours  of  prayer ;  truly 
He  has  poured  out  His  love  upon  us  througn 
His  Spirit.  He  is  setting  up  His  kingdom 
in  us.  He  is  uniting  us  all  m  the  bond  of 
peace  iHiich  passeth  all  understanding. 
How  true  is  what  St.  James  writes,  that 
eflTectual  ferrent  prayer  araileth  much! 
What  I  gain  in  these  fixed  hours  of  prayer 
sorpasijes  my  understanding  and  my  ex- 
pi^ctations.  The  Lord  gires  us  His  Spirit 
i-ithout  measure,  and  strengthens  our  faith 
in  Himself  as  our  SaWour,  and  our  lure  to 
the  brethren.  Blessed  be  His  Holy  name, 
for  He  has  done  all  things  well. 

*"  Satan  has  great  power  in  our  church. 
Yesterday  I  preached  in  the  morning,  and 
the  truth  of  tae  words, '  The  Lord  gave  the 
word,  great  was  the  company  «f  the 
preaehen,'  was  fiilly  experienced.  I  felt 
a  fire  within  me ;  awakened  souls  felt  th« 
sanue ;  they  oflfered  up  prayers  for  me  as  I 
asoeiided  the  pulpit,  so  that  I  was  enabled 
to  pceaeh  with  power  and  unction.  I  spoke 
(m  the  pealm  for  the  day,  the  129th.    Man 


must  first  of  all  come  into  deep  waters  of 
distress  and  miseir ;  he  must  feel  contrition 
for  sin ;  he  must  be  humbled  and  abased 
as  David  was'.  But  out  of  these  depths  he 
must  caU  upon  the  Lord  and  wait  upon 
Him.  This  calling  and  waiting  must  be 
bold,  confiding,  and  continuous  ;  it  must  be 
wrestling  with  God  as  Jacob  did.  God  will 
help.  A.S  Christians  generally  have  not 
this  feeUnff  of  abasement  on  account  of  sin, 
and  therefore  do  not  wrestle  with  God  in 
prayer,  their  confession  to  man  does  no 
good,  and  they  will  not  experience  the 
abounding  love  of  God  nor  the  blessing  of 
our  Saviour,  until,  like  Jacob,  they  wrestle 
with  the  Lord.  The  people  listened  to  me 
with  increasing  attention  while  I  told  them 
that  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with 
Him  is  plenteous  redemption  I  At  last  the 
emotion  amongst  them  became  visible.  In 
the  confessional  I  found  many  who  were 
zealous,  and  in  some  were  sparks  of  life." 

These  words  were  from  Gossner  before  he 
was  thrust  out  of  the  Komish  church.  Do 
not  our  prayer-meetings  testify  that  we 
need  the  Spirit  to  arouse  and  awaken  our 
souls?  Oh!  that  this  heaven-wrought 
power  might  be  found  in  all  our  churches. 
Amen. 


A  SERMON  FOR  PARENTS,  TEACHERS,  AND  CHILDREN. 

Bt  BsvJAMiir  Tatlob,  of  Fuliiam,  Nokfolk. 
Preadiad  at  Shelfanger  Sunday  School  Anniversaxy,  in  May,  1863. 

*'  Bat  Jasos  said.  Suffer  little  childreDi  and  forbid  them  not|  to  oome  unto  me :  for  of  snoh  is  th« 
kijijplom  of  heavea.*'— aCatt  xix.  li. 


tThafiallowing  plain  disooone  really  is  worthy 
of  bciac  reaa  alond  in  everv  fiunily,  and  in 
erery  wSbooL    The  Lord  will  bless  its  cirou- 
lii^on  'we  are  certain.— Ed.] 
It  is  marrellous  to  me  that  this  passage 
should  sometimes  bo  quoted  in  favour  of 
in&nt    sprinkling,  or   inftuit    immersion. 
There  is  not  anything  in  thtf  word  of  God 
mam  un&Tourable  to  such  a  practice  than 
the  passage  before  us.    These  children,  say 
some,  wore  brought  to  Christ  to  be  ba^ 
tised.    But  how  can  that  be,  when  it  is 
eiidsnt  that  Cbrist  baptized  none  ?    John 
ir.  2.    Hadinfiuit  baptism  been  practised 
I7  oar  Lord  and  His  disciples,  surely  some- 
tmag  would  hare  been  said  about  it  here. 
^Hiat  were  these  children  brought  to  Christ 
fcr?    Why  that  He  should  lav  His  hands 
n  thsni,  and  bless  them.    Whether  these 
diikliwi  belonged  to  believers  or  not,  I 
CBBBot  saj ;  nor  can  we  say  what  the  ends 
m  motives  of  those  were  who  brought 
thoa  to  Jesus.    This  was  a  custom  among 
^  Jevs  who  sought  the  blessing  of  cer- 
tain penons  upon  their  children.    See  Gen. 
^Iviii.  14.    Another  thing  to  be  noticed  is, 
M  confers  His  blessings  upon  His  crea- 


tures, either  temporally  or  spiritually. 
Temporal  blessincs  go  no  iurther  than  this 
life.  Spiritual  blessing  include  this  life, 
and  also  that  which  is  to  come.  What 
blessing  was  that  which  God  conferred  upon 
Ishmael?  He  was,  you  know,  the  son  of 
the  bond-woman,  and  they  were  both  to  be 
cast  out  while  the  promised  son  was  to  be 
heir  of  alL  Now  Gkxl  says  of  Ishmael, 
I  will  make  of  him  a  great  nation. 
Here  is  a  temporal  blessing  for  him.  When 
this  bond-child  was  likely  to  perish  for  want 
of  water,  GK)d's  eye  was  upon  him,  and  he 
was  provided  for.  The  Lord  promised 
again  to  bless  him  ;  and  we  are  told  that 
God  was  with  him;  that  is  to  say,  God 
was  with  him  temporally,  with  him  as  to 
outward  things,  although  he  was  a  hunter, 
and  had  no  share  in  the  covenant  of  grace. 
These  things  being  considered,  what  sort 
of  blessing  was  it  Christ  conferred  upon 
these  chil(&en?  We  are  not  told.  Another 
thing  to  be  noticed  is,  the  children  brought 
to  Christ,  were  objected  to  b^  the  disciples. 
If  they  throw  in  their  objection,  Christ 
also  throws  in  His,  saying,  "Forbid 


1«4 


TBB  BAKTHJBM  YEgflEL. 


July  1,  1868. 


not"  There  could  be  nothing  wrong  in 
bringing  little  children  to  Chnst  that  He 
ahoud  bless  them.  It  is  a  promment  part 
of  Christ's  office  to  bless  the  creatures 
of  GK)d,  both  small  and  great,  He  being  the 
Saviour  of  all  men,  but  especially  of  them 
that  belieye.  Children,  I  find,  were  ob- 
jected to  on  another  occasion.  When  the 
Sayiour  was  in  the  temple,  little  children 
sung  to  Him  their  beautiful  sonnets,  and 
in  &e  elevated  strains,  saying,  "  Hoeanna 
to  the  son  of  David."  The  Pharisees  being 
displeased  with  what  they  did,  said  to 
Christ,  " nearest  thou  what  these  say?" 
These  little  insignificant  things.  These 
boys  and  girls  that  yre  Pharisees  would 
look  upon  with  contempt  as  being  far  be- 
neath our  notice.  "Hearest  thou  what 
these  sa^  ?"  Wilt  thou  pay  regard  to  a  lot 
of  poor  Ignorant  children,  and  be  diverted 
wipi  them  instead  of  giving  thy  attention 
to  us  who  are  so  good,  and  who  deserve  a 
great  reward  for  our  piety  and  good  woi^s  ? 
Now  listen  to  Christ^s  reply :  "  Out  of  the 
mouth  of  babes  and  suduings  thou  hast 
perfected  praise."  If  promt  and  self- 
righteous  Pharisees  object,  we  are  not  sur- 
prised. But  what  shall  we  say  about  the 
loving  disciples  of  Christ  in  objecting  to  the 
ckild^n  here  spoken  of?  Disciples  are 
not  always  right,  you  see.  The  best  of  us 
are  poor  erring  creatures.  What  we  see  to 
be  wrong,  0^  seev  to  be  ri^t.  That 
which  we  might  object  to,  GM  Himself 
would  endorse.  But  let  us  put  the  most 
favourable  construction  upon  this  that  we 
possibly  can.  Perhaps  the  disciples  were 
sfhud  tiieir  Master  should  be  troubled  too 
much,  knowing  that  He  had  a  great  deal  of 
business  to  do.  Admitting  this,  they  were 
wrong.  We  may  bring  our  children  to 
Christ,  our  temporal  and  spiritual  concerns, 
and  consult  Him  as  to  all  our  steps  and 
movements  without  weaiying  Him. 

Let  us  now  draw  two  inferences  from  the 
text,  which  I  wish  briefly  to  consider.  In- 
ference the  first  is,  if  litUe  children  have  a 
disposition  to  pray,  let  us  not  object  to 
them,  but  rather  encourage  them.  Infer- 
ence the  second  is,  if  little  children  have  a 
disposition  to  sing,  let  them  sing,  and  let 
U8  be  pleased  rather  than  displeased.  Now 
to  BP^Uc  to  inference  the  first 

Vr  e  have  had  praying  children  in  all 
ages  of  the  Christian  church.  How  many 
praying  children  are  there  in  this  place? 
Some  of  you  are  taught  by  the  precept  of 
man  to  say  grace  berore  meat ;  and  you  are 
taught  to  say,  "Our  Father  who  art  in 
heaven,"  before  you  retire  to  rest  at  night 
Now,  dear  children,  have  you  any  meaning 
in  all  this  ?  If  Qod  is  real)^  vour  Father, 
you  love  Him.  When  you  ask  a  blesainff, 
do  you  feel  thankful  for  your  food?  If 
you  have  no  meaning  in  all  this,  how  £u  is  it 


right  to  implore  the  blessing  of  an  unknown 
God  ?  How  &r  is  it  right  to  pray  to  a  God 
whom  you  neither  love  nor  fear?  How 
&r  is  it  right  for  you  to  sing  praises 
to  that  God  in  whom  you  have  not  the 
least  delight  ?  Tiiese  are  sdemn  questions 
which  I  wish  you  to  consider.  But  let  me 
now  speak  as  to  inference  the  second. 

If  dtuldren  love  to  sing,  let  them  sing. 
It  givea  us  pleasure  to  hear  them,  if  we  can 
see  that  they  are  sincere,  and  desire  U> 
praise  God  in  the  best  way  they  can.  How 
animating  to  our  spirits  to  hear  the 
children  sing  the  following  stanzas : — 

**  There  is  a  liappy  land, 
Ear,  tu  awmy ; 
Where  saints  in  glon'  stand. 

Bright,  bright  as  oay. 
O  how  they  sweetty  sing. 

Glory  to  our  heavenly  King? 
Loud  let  hispnises  ring, 
»nuse  Ibr  •'^  "^ 


Praise  praise  fbr  aye.' 

Now,  my  dear  children,  which  do  you  think 
most  about?  This  world  or  the  hiHPPJ 
land ?  How  many  among  you  love  topay 
and  sin^  to  the  God  of  neaven  ?  Ghiiat 
called  httle  children  unto  Him,  and  said, 
*'  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
These  are  such  as  belong  to  the  kingdom ; 
thait  is  to  say,  good  chihuen ;  fior  mind  yon, 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  consists  of  nothing 
but  what  is  eood.  Are  you  good,  dear 
children?  I  Inow  you  are  not  good  in 
youraelves ;  but  if  you  lovethe  L«rd  Jesoa 
Christ,  you  are  good  in  Him,  and  form  & 
part  of  His  spiritual  kincdom. 

But  again.  Does  our  Lord  here  speak  in 
a  figurative  sense  ?  Does  He  merely  take 
these  children  as  emblems  of  the  trae-bom 
children  of  God.  .  These  little  ones  were 
hannless  and  inoffensive.  Ther  ^ 
strangers  to  blasphemy,  theft,  drunkome 
Sabbath-breaking,  and  such  things.  The 
true  disciples  of  Qirist  are  strangers  to  tbe 
practice  of  such  things  as  these.  Little 
children  may  be  taken  as  the  emblems  of 
innoeency  and  humility.  Consider  how 
beautifully  our  Divine  Lord  has  illustzatad 
this  great  truth  in  Mark  iz.  36,  37:  "  And 
He  took  a  child  and  set  kim  in  the  midst  of 
them ;  and  when  He  had  taken  him  in  Ks 
arms,  He  said  unto  them,  Whosoever  shall 
receive  one  of  such  children  in  My  n«me 
reoeiveth  Me,  and  whosoever  shall  reoeiv« 
Me,  receivel^  not  Me,  but  Him  that  aent 
Me." 

Permit  me  now  to  address  mvself  to  two 
classes;  namely,  parents  and  teacheoL 
Parents,  you  do  not  want  to  make  Phudaees^ 
hypocrites,  and  formalists  of  your  children, 
by  teaching  them  to  say  such  things  aa  do 
not  belong  to  them,  but  believers  only. 
There  are  children  who  are  taught  to  prm.j» 
sing,  and  call  Christ  their  &viottr,  and 
yet  they  tell  falsehoods,  swear,  thieve,  «re 
cruel  to  dumb  things,  ^saucyto  etra 

Digitized  by  VjOOS  l^ 


Jm»sr  h  iMS. 


TBK  XABTHKR 


165 


and  disobedient  to  their  parents.  Alas  for 
■nefa  children !  Thej  are  as  liable  of  being 
ftoni  to  pieces  hj  Ood's  judgments  as  the 
wicked  cnildren  were  torn  to  piee^  by  the 
hmiB  for  mocking  the  servant  of  God. 
!pK«ntB,  let  your  conduct  be  good ;  for  ex- 
ample is  more  forcible  than  precept.  Let 
josr  children  see  that  as  professors  of  reli- 
gioB,  joa  are  sincere.  Head  the  Si^iptures, 
and  praj  in  their  hearing ;  gire  them  good 
eovoBel  and  advice,  and  cause  them  to  see 
that  jOQ  earnestly  seek  their  good.  Let 
yoor  conduct  confirm  all  this,  and  the 
Huldren  will  think  well  of  you  and  your 
religion.  Example  is  far  beyond  all  forms 
and  ceremonies.  It  is,  indeed,  tndv 
lamentable,  when  children  have  to  teach 
their  parents  the  fear  of  God,  instead  of  the 
parents  teaching  the  children  this.  A  man 
who  was  in  the  nabit  of  going  to  the  com 
fields  of  his  neighbour  to  steal  the  grain, 
<nie  day  took  his  little  boy  with  him,  a  child 
«f  not  more  than  eight  years  old.  The 
father  said,  **  Hold  the  bag  till  I  sec  if  any 
«Bie  is  near.**  He  then  looked  over  the 
Sbbccs,  and  peeped  through  the  hedge,  and 
then  went  to  take  the  bag  of  his  son  to  fill 
it  wkh  hia  neighbour's  goods.  The  child 
aaid,  *' Father,  yon  forgot  to  look  some- 
where elae."  He  dropoed  the  bag  in  a 
bi^xU  mmomg  the  child  had  seen  some 
one,  and  said,  "Which  way,  child?" 
"  Father,  yon  forget  to  look  up  to  the  sky 
to  see  tf  Ood  was  noticing  you."  The 
fiiffaer  feit  this  truly  shaip  reproof:  he  left 
the  corn,  went  home,  and  never  attempted 
evch  a  thing  again.  His  own  dear  child  of 
ek^  years  old  taught  him  morality  and 
re^ojioD. 

TeadierB,  permit  me  to  say  a  word  to 
7«a.  Your  business  with  the  children  on 
the  liord's-day  is  entirely  confined  to  the 
HiUe.  Toms  is  an  important  office.  You 
rank,  I  think,  next  to  us  who  preach  the 
Word.  You  have  the  chaise  of  a  certain 
daas,  even  the  little  ones.*  Do  you,  my 
friends,  lore  the  Bible,  and  pray  over  it? 
Do  you  labonr  to  model  your  life  and 
eoadnct  by  it  ?  Hive  you  an  experimental 
aeqoaintanee  with  that  sacred  book? 
Without  this,  yon  will  feel  strange  in  speak- 
ing to  the  children.  No  doubt  there  are 
many  tmeonverted  preachers  and  Sabbath 


( school  teachers.  An  unconverte<l  preacher 
I  was  onoe  treating  on  the  subject  of  the 
I  new  creature  in  Christ.  One  of  his  hearers 
'was  greatly  impressed  under  that  sermon 
I  with  this  idea  :  "  How  is  it  with  myself?" 
In  great  distress  he  went  to  the  minister, 
and  told  him  how  the  sermon  had  disturbed 
his  mind.  The  man  said,  **I  ask  you^ 
solemnly,  sir,  is  it  all  true  what  you 
preach,  or  is  the  alarm  unfounded  ?**  In 
a  surprise,  the  preacher  endeavoured  to 
confirm  what  he  had  said.  *'  What,  then, 
is  to  become  of  us  ?"  said  the  poor  man. 
The  word  us  struck  the  minister's  mind 
like  a  thunderbolt.  He  tried  to  stifle  his 
thoughts,  and  began  to  enter  upon  a  dry 
and  lifeless  discussion  of  the  plan  of  sal- 
vation. The  poor  man  said,  "If  all  this  is 
trus  what  are  we  to  dof  The  wordtP« 
now  struck  him  as  much  as  the  word  us. 
The  preacher  turned  pale,  and  nith 
bobbings  and  trembling,  he  said  to  the 
I  poor  man,  "  Down  on  your  knees,  and  let 
;  us  pray  and  cry  for  mercy." 

The  preacher  did  not  again  appear  before 

his  people  tiU  two  or  three  Sabbaths  had 

passed  away.    When  he  re-appeared,  only 

imagine  the  astonishment  of  tne  hearers  in 

finding  their  pastor  quite  another  man.    O 

my  friends,  are  you  really  converted  ?    Are 

'you  dead  or  alive?     Professing  parents, 

t  are  you  converted  ?    Professing  teachers, 

!  are  you  converted  ?    Do  you  reaUy  feel  and 

act  like  those  who  are  truly  converted  by 

the  Spirit  of  God?    Children,  let  me  asx 

you  this  sol^nn  question ;  are  you  converted 

to  God? 

Now  to  close  with  a  word  to  both  parents 
and  teachers.  I  say,  parents,  I  have  au- 
thority from  my  text  to  encourage  you  to 
bring  your  children  to  Christ  in  the  arms 
of  love  and  prayer.  Bring  them  to  Jesus 
in  your  hearts,  affections,  thoughts,  and 
prayers,  and  say,  Lord,  these  are  truly 
mine,  but  I  desire  they  should  be  Thine, 
for  Thou  gavest  them  me.  Teachers,  bring 
those  children  to  Christ  whom  you  have  in 
charge.  Bring  them  to  Him  in  your  daUy 
prayers.  Carnal  nature  may  forbid,  Satan 
may  forbid,  the  world  may  forbid,  pro- 
fessors may  forbid,  but  the  word  of  God  in 
my  text  does  not  forbid.  May  God  bless 
you  all  for  His  name's  sake.    Amen. 


HISTOBT — TUBltt  DOCTBIKES — THEIB  SFBEAD — TTtEIS  PBE8BXT  CONDITION,  KTC,  ETCt 
WITU  BIOQRAPHICAI«  8KXTCHES  OF    SOME  OF   TIIdB  LSADBBS,  AKD  HOST  DEVOTKO 

MEMBERS. 

Bt  THoxas  George  Bell,  LL.D.,  uf  LtkmoutUi  North  Devon. 


PxAH  BaoTBEB,— The  subject  of  the  hfa- 
t9nJ^  codling  of  the  Church  is  of  such  great 
practical  importance,  and,  as  I  fear,  is  so 


LBTTEB  Vin. 


little  understood,  that  I  desire  to  |^ve 
further  extracts  bringing  out  the  opinions 
of  the  Brethren  on  the  STioje<st(^QQQ[^ 


166 


THB  SABTHEN  VE88BL. 


Jnly  1,  ISO. 


In  the  tract,  '<  The  keavenfy  calUng;'  al- 
ready quoted,  yarioiuScriptiiresare  poidnced, 
and  are  ranged  under  their  respectiTe  heads 
as  belonging  to  the  earthly  calling,  or 
the  heavenly.  Here  is  one :— >"  It  is  good 
and  comely  for  one  to  eat  and  drink,  and 
to  enioy  the  good  of  all  his  labour  that  he 
taketh  under  the  sun  all  the  days  of  his 
life  which  God  giveth  him:  for  it  is  his 
portion."  That  belongs  to  the  earthly 
calling^ — belongs  to  Israel  in  a  past  dis- 
|)ensation,  or  to  those  who  shall  be  livine 
m  another  dispensation,  cTen  in  millennial 
times.  Here  is  another: — "What  things 
were  gain  to  me,  those  I  counted  loss  for 
Christ.  Yea,  doubtless,  and  I  count  all 
things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord;  for 
whom  I  have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things, 
and  do  count  them  but  dung,  that  I  may 
win  Christ."  This  belong  to  the  heavenly 
callinff— to  Christ's  pilgnm  family,  or  mili- 
tant Church — ^which  mis,  during  thie  dis- 
pensation, to  suffer  with  Him,  haying 
hereafter  to  reign  with  Him  in  His  glory. 
Various  other  Scriptures  are  adduc^,  as 
Bom.  yiii.  28 ;  John  xyi.  2 ;  1  Peter  iy. ; 
2  Tim.  u.  10 ;  GaL  v.  1, 24, 26 ;  Phil  ii.,  &c. 
From  the  whole  it  is  shewn  that  the  general 
calling  of  the  church  is  through  sufforing 
in  the  time-state  up  unto  glozy  hereafter. 
It  is  also  stated  as  the  views  of  the  writer, 
"that  the  pathway  of  those  who  would 
attain  to  higher  rank  and  standing  in  the 
army  of  &ith,  is  marked  by  proportionate 
depees  of  self-renunciation,  and  of  associ- 
ation with  the  sufferings  of  Christ."  Under 
this  head,  the  following  Scriptures  are 
brought  forward  as  connected  with  the  hea- 
Tenly  calling: — ^Matt,  zyiii.  1—4;  Matt 
uiii.  1-^,  6-12;  Mark  ix  33—35 ;  Luke 
ix.  46—48;  Luke  xil  24—30;  2  Cor.  yi. 
4—10;  1  Cor.  iy.  9—13 ;  2  Cor.  xL  23—29. 
The  following  is  taken  firom  a  tract,  en- 
titled, "  This  world  and  the  next'*'  written 
in  reply  to  Mr.  Binney's  lecture,  "  la  itpoe- 
nble  to  make  the  best  of  both  worlder  The 
writer  refers,  as  will  be  seen,  to  diepenea^ 
ticmal  truth  in  connection  with  the  heatenfy 
calling  :— 

«  iJl  former  dispensations  have  ended  in 
apostasy — will  the  end  of  this  be  totally 
the  reverse  ?  If  God's  prophetic  truth  is  a 
*more  sure  word'  than  human  thoughts, 
this  *  last  time'  will  end  in  an  apostasy  as 
much  more  heinous  than  any  other,  as  the 
unfoldings  of  Divine  beneficence  have  been 
more  free  and  rich.  The  Son  of  man  de- 
clares that  when  He  comes  again  the  con- 
dition of  the  world  will  be  as  it  was  in  the 
days  of  Noah  and  of  Lot  And  that,  in  the 
j^feeeing  church,  'because  iniquity  sludl 
abound,  me  love  of  many  shall  wax  cold.' 
Yea,  judffed  by  the  standard  of  God's  word, 
the  worfi,  proud  of  its  discoveries,  its  in* 


yentions,  and  its  knowledge,  was  never 
farther  ftom  God  than  now :  never  rejected 
the  cross  of  Christ  with  more  disdain  ;  was 
never  more  unwilling  to  bend  its  neck  to 
the  light  and  easy  yoke  of  Him  who  can 
alone  give  rest  Jind  to  the  professing 
church,  no  form  of  words  is  more  applicable 
than  this,  "  Ye  adulterers  and  aduUereeeee, 
know  ye  not  that  the  friendship  of  the  world 
is  enmity  with  GodV* 

"Ignorance  or  negligence  of  dinansa- 
tumaftrtith  is  a  fertile  se^  of  doctrinal  error. 
Many  Christians  are  more  known  as  poli- 
ticians than  as  pilgrims — as  citiiens  of  the 
world  than  as  wayfarers  through  it :  not  re- 
membering that  Jesus  said,  *Now  is  my 
kingdom  not  from  hence.'  ** 

"Therefore  wisely  and  graciously,  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  exhorts  us  to 
mortify  onr  members  which  are  upon  the 
earth;  and  thus  to  be  workers  together 
with  God,  who  worketh  in  us  that  which  is 
well-pleasing  in  His  sight  through  Jesus 
Christ  ....  The  Christian's  is  a  hea- 
venly calling,',  .  .  Christ  crucified  and 
risen  is  our  federal  Head.  ....  Enochis 
our  pattern :  he  walked  with  God,  and  he 
was  not  for  God  had  translated  him.  •  •  ." 
In  the  tract  already  quoted,  "  The  nature 
and  Unity  of  ths  Cherch  of  Christ,"  the 
writer  #tates  that  the  aim  and  puipOMS  of 
believers  are  veiy  mixed  in  their  nature, 
and  fall  far  below  the  standard  for  which 
God  has  gathered  them.    He  saya : — 

"  The  reformation  was  manifestly  united 
with  much  of  what  was  merely  human 
agency ;  and  thouffh  the  exhibition  of  the 
word,  as  that  on  which  the  soul  could  rest 
itself,  was  jgraciously  afforded,  still  thare 
was  much  of  the  old  system  which  remained 
in  the  constitution  of  the  churches,  and 
which  was  in  no  wa^  the  result  of  the  de- 
velopment of  the  mind  of  Christ  podnced 
by  setting  up  the  light  and  authority  of  the 
word." 

The  Brethren  generally  are  found  dwelL- 
ing  on  this  impenection  of  therrformationp 
and  what  this  writer  styles—"  the  old  ws- 
tem  which  remained:*  -They  believe  that 
system  to  be  the  settling  down  of  the 
church  in  the  world,  accepting  the  world's 
patronage  and  help,  and,  as  it  is  allied,, 
making  many  compromises  in  order  to  re- 
tain it  The  same  writer  remarks  in  another 
place —  . 

"  Christ  draws  to  Himself  by  being  lifted 
up  from  the  earth.  The  centre,  then,  of 
the  church's  unity  is  Christ  lifted  up  to  the 
ri^ht  hand  of  God.  .  .  .  This  thought 
gives  us  both  the  proper  bond  of  union  and 
test  of  communion,  with  the  pn>P^>^  ^^' 

racter  of  the  church The  Ixmd  of 

vn'on  is  life  in  dnji— the  test  of  conamv- 
nion  is,  'Are  you  bom  again?'— -the  cha- 
racter of  the  church  is-rtsen  A/s— heaxenly 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


July  1, 1801. 


TUK   SAKTUKN    VSS^KL. 


167 


life;  the  possesior  seated,  CTen  now,  by 
faith  with  Christ  abore  the  world." 

Mr.  Cnthbert,  curate  of  Oswestrj,  states 
in  his  tract,  "  llU*  present  <yf,"  in  a  veir 
interesting  manner,  the  views  of  truth 
about  the  heavenfy  ealUi^t  which  are  held 
among  tke  Brethren,  He  is  a  cleigyman  in 
the  ^tablishment,  and  perhaps  has  veiy 
httle  in  common  with  the  Brethren;  on  this 
one  point,  however,  he  expresses  just  what 
th^yhave  taofiht, 

"All  hold  that  Christ  was  raised  for  us ; 
the  additional  truth  is,  that  we  are  risen 
with  Christ :  yea, '  made  to  sit  together  in 
heavenly   places.'    See,  too,  those  passages 
throughoat  the  Hebrews  that  speak  of  the 
heavenly  position  of  our  High  Priest.     Thus 
it  is,  through  the  one  position  of  us  and 
Christ,   our  High  Priest  in  the  heavens. 
We  are  in  this  grace,  this  light,  this  hea- 
venly position,  partakers  of  a   heavenly 
calling,   called  into  the  heavens,    in    the 
Spirit,  with  a  risen  Chryst.    0,  what  may 
we  not  expect  in  the  way  of  the  full  as- 
surance of  understanding,  from  one  dwell- 
ing in  sach  L^t,  walking  in  such  fellowship 
aiM  oonuDunion— one  thus  dead,  risen,  as- 
eended,  end  re-appearing  with  his  Lard  ? 
Why,  what  we  see;    a  higher  order   of 
Omstians,  both  personally  and  relatively, 
from  one  not  so  schooled  of  the  Spirit  in 
dvpensatioaiai  and  prophetic  truth.    I  will 
show  yon  two  real  Christians,  taught  of  the 
same  loving    Spirit,    and  therefore  upon 
things  ftmdamental,    thoroughly    agreed; 
and  so  frr  similarly  inflnencm  upon  truth, 
aadyet  ao  dissimilar  as  hardly  to  understand 
each  other;  and  consequently    occupying 
Rtheres  of  practical  development  so  different, 
that  one  may  be  said  to  be  doing  worldly 
thtngi  in  a  worldly  way  (so  far  as  the  term 
can  be  applied  to  a  real  Christian),  and  the 
other  in  an  unworldly  way — a  heavenly  as 
well  as  a  spiritually-minded  man,  who  is 
not  here,  but   risen:    one,    consequently, 
whose  unearthlineas  is  ever  flashing,  not 
only  on  the  earthly  things  as  such,  around 
him,  but  on  the  large  nmss  of  real,  yet 
eardUy-mindad  4C?hristians  through  whom 
he  moves,  afi  one  mysterious,  and  not  under- 
stood !    Td  him  earthly  things  are  merely 
a  matter  of  necessity :  he  onl^  lives  to  oc- 
cupy—done with  life,  yet  living.    He  has 
gone,  as  it  were,  to  the  end  of  allperfection, 
and  returns  in  the  power  and  possession  of 
lesuimlion  life,  to  live  the  life  lived  in 
the  flesh,  only  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of 
God ;  making  no  provision  for  a  flesh  after 
which  he  has  for  ever  ceased  to  be  known, 
eoDfimniog  no  more  to  a  world  out  of  which 
he  has  been  in  spirit  for  ever  raised." 
Xy  next  letter  will  be  on  Wkxklt  Ann 

Orasi  OoJfMUHIOM. 

I  am,  dear  Brother,  yours  in  the  Lord, 
Thomas  Qko.  Bill. 


LXVIII.— "  I  tni»t  you  will  give  a  ftiH  portion 
of  your  attention  to  the  bleesed  truth  of  the 
heavenly  calUnff.  It  is  trodden  under  foot  among 
profeaaing  Christians.  Wherever  it  is  faithfVilly 
declared  (as  it  is  b}*  a  few  here  and  there),  it  is  a 
most  direct  testimony  against  tlie  wa3'8  and 
thoughts  of  professing  Christendom.  Popery 
prevails  in  evexy  section  of  Christians,  and  Popery 
IS  a  thorough  adaptation  of  worldly  power  and 
appliances  to  the  professed  work  of  advancing 
Christ's  Kingdom.  That  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world,  yet  men  are  striving  to  set  it  up  in  the 
world,  and  rejoicing  when  they  get  for  their 
religious   sj'stems,    patronage,    a    name,  rank. 


power,  and  influence  in  the  toorld.    Look  at  the 
^Congregational  Year  Book*  for  the  present  year, 


see  there  the  dozen  or  eighteen  views  of  cathedral 
which  have  been  built,  they  — 
previous  year.    Are  they  like 


like  chapels  which  have  been  built,  they  8a>', 

the  previous  year.    Are  they  like  the 

pilgrims'   tents  in  which  their  nonconformist 


during 


fiithers  used  to  worship  ?  No  I  they  are  the  sure 
indication  of  a  system  which  has  found  a  place, 
and  is  increasing  its  bounds,  amon^;  earthly 
places,  not  in  the  heavenliee  with  Christ.  The 
real  mission  of  those  who  serve  Christ  is  (as  His 
instruments— the  power  being  His  only)  to  dO" 
liver  people  out  of  this  present  evil  world,  that 
'  It,  as  wrought  upon  by  God's  grace,  be 
eeparaud  unto  Himself.  The  cliaracter  of  all 
this  worldlineas  in  the  church,  and  these  carnal 
modes  of  dealing  with  spiritual  things,  may  be 
likened  unto  Lot  testifying  against  Sodom's  wick* 
edness  from  his  seat  ot  authority  in  Sodom's  gate. 
What  his  testimony  was  we  may  gather  from  the 
treated  w*       '  ' 


way  lie  was  t 


iwhen  he  ran  to  tell  them  tlie 


j  udgments  of  God  were  coming.  It  was  Abraham 
who  stood  in  the  place  of  testfinony ;  and  now  in 
these  evil  days,  God's  saints  can  only  gi\'e  ej^iua 
testimony  when  tliey  stand  Abraham-like,  on  the 
mountain,  and  look  down ;  or,  as  the  Scriptares 
have  it^  when  they  stand  with  Christ  mUHde  the 
camp.  I  would  that  these  words— outsidb  thx 
CAMP— were  made  the  text,  the  Spirit  of  God 
being  Himself  the  Teacher,  in  every  eburoh, 
chapel,  or  meeting  house  throughout  Christen- 
dom.  I  am  sure  that  God's  truth  thus  brought 
out  would  thoroughly  put  men  to  shame  in  every 
place." 

LXIX.— **I  thank  you  much  for  the  Hay 
number  of  the  Babthsit  Vessel,  and  also 
*  Notes,*  Ac.  I  have  read  both  with  much  interest, 
and  trust  that  your  aeries  on  the  Brethren  may  be 
productive  of  real  good.  I,  however,  do  not  ap- 
prove of  extract  *  XV.,'  on  p.  116,  where  the 
writer  puts  Mr.  Darby's  views  as  to  the  experience 
of  Chnst  in  the  same  category  with  those  of  Mr. 
Newton.  This  is  a  great  wrong;  whereaa  the 
diffbrenoe  is  this— Mr.  Newton  attributes  to  our 
Lord  the  experience  of  the  wteonverted  Jewish 
nation  ;  but  Mr.  Darby  that  of  the  converted  rem- 
nant, aa  seen  in  the  book  of  Psalms.  AgaiiK  the 
writer  condemns  Mr.  Macintosh's  view  of  law 
and  righteousness :  I  believe  Mr.  Darby's  view 
on  this  point,  *  divine  righUouameuf  is  Uie  true 
and  only  Scriptural  one.'^ 

LXZ.— "  The  extracts  you  have  published  in 
this  month's  Eaktusn  Vesskl  from  so  many 
godly  and  upright  men  show  what  a  powerful 
working  there  must  be  in  their  minds,  whether 
God  will  clear  the  way  for  them,  or  whether  they 
must  continue  to  reap  aa  they  have  sown,  wo 
must  leave  with  Himself.  Still  for  those  who 
truly  seek  and  depend  upon  Him,  He  is  a  present 
God.  Would  it  not  be  wise  to  leave  *  Plymouth, ' 
*  Bethesda,'  and  such  like  to  the  Lord  who  will 
not  &il  in  the  end  to  vindicate  His  own  name,  and 
rule  over  all  that  exaltsitself  against  Him  who 
la  oonfiBssedly  Head  of  the  body,  the  ehunOi,  a 
word  on  every  ontf  a  lips,  and  yet  little  under- 
stood, 

"  Perhapa  the  result  of  your  labours  may  be, 

not  your  setting  the  Plymouth  Brethren  ngiw, 

but  the  lecovering  of  them  to  the  only  true  uult^v 

oneoesa,  and  fellowship;  namely^Jn  the  iiXe  of 

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168 


THE   EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


July  1,  1863. 


Christ  in  His  members,  manifested  in  the  holy 
oommuoion  of  His  body  and  blood.  This  would 
lead  all  true  believers  back  out  of  schism,  and 
deliver  them  from  those  works  of  the  flesh  of 
which  aeets  form  a  chief  part 

**The  doctrinal  teaching  eagerly  insisted  on 
andembraced,  without  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul, 
will  be  found  a  sad  matter  of  self  deception  w  hen 
the  fire  sets  in  which  is  to  tr}'  every  man^s  work : 
and  the  r^stem  of  prophetic  interpretation  will 
share  the  fate  of  many  others  which  shone  for  a 
time,  and  then  went  out.  I7o  doubt  Ood  has 
awakened  a  spirit  of  searching  into  these  things, 
'and  a  preparation  has  been  made  for  clearer 
light,  but  no  experienced  soul  would  venture  to 


assert  more,  md  I  may  conclude  this  aote  with  the 
sayinff  of  tlioae  of  old  who  eat  in  Moses*  sedi,  to 
their  disoiplce.  *  O  thoa  wise  man,  oonsider  bow 
thou  interpietest  and  handiest  the  law;  far  if 
thou  misplaeest  a  letter,  thou  overtuniest  the 
univerdo.'^ 

LXXL— "*  I  am  gM  to  hear  thai  whilat  allow. 
ing  much  latitude  to  the  expression  of  opiaioo  in 
the  extracts  from  correspondence  you  publish, 
yon  are  not  ffoing  yourself  to  be  drawn  into  the 
old  and  endTess  oontroveny  amoag  Bfetkmi. 
So  far  as  you  have  gone,  I  must  join  my  teatimoiiy 
with  others  in  saying  that  the  Lord  haa  mam* 
festly  kept  vou  dealing  impartially  and  writing 
in  moderation." 


THE    COMPANIONS    OF    THE    CB0S8. 

A  NAKRATIVE   OF   SOME   OF   GOD'S   NOBLES 
FOUND   IN   THE    ARCHIVES    OF    THE    CHURCHES. 

THE    VICAE    AND    THE   PURITAN;    OR,    THE   TWO   ISAACS. 


Ip  ever  there  was  a  living  palm-tree  in  onr 
modem  Zion  —if  there  ever  was  a  man  who 
loved  experimental  truth,  and  lired  a  prac- 
tical Gospel  life  in  this  world — ^it  was 
Isaac  Bssmak — the  minister  of  Providence 
Chapel,  at  Cranbook,  in  Kent.  In  stature, 
in  character,  in  his  dailv  conversation,  in 
his  ministry,  in  life,  ana  in  death,  he  was 
an  upaiOHT  mav. 

We  often  speak  of  our  times  as  being 
awful,  fearful,  and  exceedingly  bad;  but 
sorely,  if  Hicah  was  a  true  witness,  the 
state  of  the  Church  was  very  dreadful  in  his 
"dnys.  First,  he  says,  "  there  is  none  up- 
Tiffit  among  men;'*  and  then  he  aayp, 
"  the  most  upright  is  sharper  than  a  thorn 
hed|;e.*'  That  was  a  painf^  conclusion  to 
reach.  The  best  of  men  will  pierce  you 
through,  if  you  lean  upon  them  too  much, 
but  I  must  not  say  of  the  men  of  our  age. 
"there  are  none  upright.**  I  hope  there 
are  many ;  althougl^  in  many  things  we  all 
offend.  There  is  only  one  thing  properly 
belonging  to  the  upright,  which  I  did  not 
see  in  Isaac  Beeman.  In  Psalm  xciv.  it  is  i 
said,  "  Judgment  shall  <  return  unto  rieht- 
eonsness ;  and  all  the  upright  in  heart  wall 
foUow  it."  That  Scripture  was  true  in 
Isaac  Beeman.  There  is  what  is  termed 
"the  righteousness  of  faith" — and  there 
is,  also,  "tfa«  righteousness  of  works  " — i.e., 
a  puctical  Gospel  righteousness;  and  of 
both  it  may  be  said,  Isaac  Beeman  fol- 
lowed hard  after  them.  He  believed,  he 
preached,  he  knew  hk  salvation  by  the 
one,  "the  righteousness  of  ibith/'  what 
Paul  calls,  '*  beiievinff  with  the  heart  unto 
righteousness ;  "  and  by  the  other,  "  the 
righteousness  of  works,"  he  manifested  his 
devotion  to  God,  his  fellowship  with  Christ, 
and  his  entire  consecration  to  the  work 
un^o  whidi  he  was  so  suecessfnlly  called. 

He  was  "  one  of  the  seven  sainted  sires  I 


knew  when  a  boy.**  The  vicar  of  the 
parish  was  a  rather  taller  poplar  than  this 
palm-tree  of  which  I  now  write ;  and,  in  ^ 
his  general  bearing,  he  was  gentlemanly,  * 
courteous,  grave,  and  abiding  close  by  his 
work ;  but,  as  a  minister,  or  as  a  preacher, 
he  was  nothing  by  the  side  of  the  Puritan 
at "  Providence,"  • 

Both  these  Isaacs  are  eone  into'  etemitr : 
but  WHERE  are  they  ?  Isaac  Mossop,  the 
Vicar,  and  Isaac  Beeman,  the  Minister  of 
Providence  Chapel,  lived  and  laboured  in 
one  town  for  many  vears ;  but  where  are 
they  now  ?  That  noble-looking  fellow,  the 
vicar,  now  lies  mouldering  in  the  grave. 
Where  is  his  soul?  Ah!  where?  Well; 
he  was  no  discredit  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land: he  read  her  prayers  gravely;  he 
preached  &ithftdly  as  far  as  he  knew :  he 
endured  the  deprivations  of  a  precious  poor 
pittance  patiently;  he  persevered  in  his 
office  untu  a  long|  age  ciuled  him  to  lay  it 
down  ;  and  theii  in  a  narrow  slip  of  earth 
his  lifeless  corpse  is  cast,  and  over  it,  as  he 
had  over  many,  somebody  said,  "  earth  to 
earth,  dust  to  dust,  ashes  to  ashes,"  tiie 
place  that  once  did  know  him  so  well,  shall 
know  him  no  more  for  ever.  He  left  no 
widow,  for  he  never  had  a  wife.  He  left 
no  children.  To  me  he  always  seemed  like 
one  hj  himself;  but  who  can  tell  where 
now  his  precious  soul  is  found?  I  hope 
in  heaven,  around  Immanuel's  bright  and 
blessed  throne,  redeemed  from  all  churchism 
and  from  all  reliance  on  a  mere  moral 
righteousness — sanctified  m,  and  justified 
by,  the  Lord  Jesus — ^the  spirit  of  Isaac 
Mossop  now  sings  the  holy  song  of  all  the 
saved,  and  crowns  our  Jesus  Lord  of  alL 
And  as  from  this  aU-hallowing  thought  I 
turn ;  as  I  reflect  ujppn  the  few  shattei^Hl 
pieces  of  time  remaininfl^it  may  be,  for 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


July  1,  1M». 


THE  EABTHBN  TEBBBL« 


I6d 


me,  I  would  catck  the  spirit  of  one  who 
poured  out  hu  soul  in  strains  Cke  these — 
Oh !  fcr  •  pendl  dipp'd  in  Uring  light, 

To  pataft  the  tgonics  that  Jeans  Mre ! 
Oh!  fiar  the  lomg-loet  harp  of  Jeene^e  migfat, 

To  hjma  the  8«rioar*a  pmiae  from  shore  to 
While  senqih  hosts  the  lofty  paean  poor,   [shore. 

And  heeim,  enraptnretL  UBto  the  loud  ecelaim  I 
Mmw  »  findl  moKal  dare  the  theme  explore? 

lu^  he  to  human  ears  his  weak  aooa;  fifame? 

Qh  1  mar  be  date  to  sing  Meesiah's  glorious 

It  would  he  nngratefhl  in  me  to  send  the 
soul  of  the  chnrchman  down  to  death ;  or, 
<»Ten  to  leave  mj  readers  to  suppose  that  I 
think  he  was  a  lost  man.  I  know  the 
Pzmyer  Book  cannot  save  the  sonl;  the 
priest's  offlco  will  not  sanetif|r  the  inner 
■ym ;  giving  tli«  hread  and  wine  to  others, 
win  solt  of  itMlf^  make  the  giver  a  par- 
taker ei  the  body  and  blood  of  the  good 
fii|^  Priest,  Ton  m»f  train  a  boy  intelli- 
gmth^  and  mocally ;  yoa  may  send  him  to 
the  UnifSfiity,  he  may  pass  his  examina- 
tioBSt  obtain  his  d^ees,  be  presented  with 
a  "  living.'*  write  sennons,  read  praters, 
visit  the  aide,  buy  the  dead,  administer 
tbe  crdiBABees,  be  kind,  sealoos,  and  in 
his  waj  sincere ;  and  yet  never  pass  iiom 
death  unto  life,  never  know  the  plagne  of 
Ibaa  own  heart,  never  cry  ont  of  the  deep 
of  his  sonl  nnto  Qod  fbr  mercy, 
his  sin  fbrgiven,  never  g^  a 
God's  well-beloved  Sof,  never 
enter  heaven. 

I  said  it  woold  be  nngratefhl  in  me  to 
fljBght  tbm  memoiy  of  the  vicar.  ISTanghtj 
boj,  as  I  was,  me  vicar  christened  me, 
wnea  I  was  frightened  into  a  frenzy  be- 
easse  somebocbyr  siid  I  had  never  been 
cimsteiied,  and  if  I  was  not,  before  I  died, 
to  God's  heaven  I  never  coidd  go.  To  the 
fooBi  I  went,  and  sprinkled  I  was  ;  hoping 
then  that  sH  was  right.    And  when  my 

amif^  WIS  going  mm  me,  and  a  crazy 
I  auigaoa  fclared  he  most  ent  a  seaton 


m  wj  Back,  eten  then  this  kind  viear  held 
B^  head  while  the  saigeon  xaa  his  silken 
Aam  tfaBongh  me ;  an{  aIthon§^  between 
■qradf  and  the  vxear,  there  was  as  mneh 
daSerenea.  eusnparstiveiy,  as  there  is  be- 
taeen  a  tall  poplar  and  a  dwarfish  little 
nactexy  bnah,  stiD,  he  never  passed,  bnt 
he  kindly  acknowledged  the  Ixnr  I  always 
gave  him,  when  before  his  lofty  shade  I 
stood. 

Of  Iwamt  Beema%  the  Puritan  preacher, 
1  haive  iflsplied,  there  was  one  thing  said 
of  the  ■pwgfat,  whidi  I  did  not  see  in  him. 
I  do  not  toiBk  he  was  enabled  very  often 
to  break  ont  in  loftv^sonss  of  praise  to  his 
Badgfer  Ood ;  tiwovm  for  so  many  years 
ho  pteadbed  the  Geepei  of  his  grace.  He 
waa  a  remarkably  smemn,  sedate,  reserve, 
earnest  kwking  man.  Between  his  spirit  and 
maaaer,  and  Uiat  of  onr  friend,  Mr.  James 
Wells,  there  would  be  a  contrast  incon- 


ceivable. I  think  I  can  see  the  two  toge- 
ther. Isaac  Beeman  would  read  his  text, 
close  his  Bible,  fix  his  two  hands  on  his 
pulpit  cushion,  and  then  for  an  hour  and 
a  half  he  would  talk  through  the  Bible  from 
beginning  to  end,  without  hardly  apparent 
emotion  or  movement,  while  our  Surrey 
Tabernacle  friend,  with  all  the  mental  and 
physical  elasticity  of  an  angel  almost  would 
fly  through  the  clouds,  open  up  the  word, 
enter  into  the  souls  of  the  people,  hurl  the 
Arminians  to  the  dust,  set  up  a  standard 
for  the  people,  and  make  you  smile  whether 
you  will  or  no.  So  great  is  the  variety  of 
mannerism  with  good  men  that  it  is  a  folly 
for  "  Punch  in  the  Pulpit"  to  criticise  or 
condemn. 

Although  Isaac  Beeman  began  his  public 
labours  by  reading  the  Scriptures  and 
Huntington's  sermons  to  a  very  few  in  an 
outer  warehouse  of  his  own,  and  increased 
and  enlarged  that  warehouse  from  time  to 
time  until  it  would  hold,  and  had  within  it, 
very  regidarly,  nearly  a  thousand  people, 
forming  a  closely  compact  chapel:  still, 
there  were  three  thin^  proper  to  his  office 
which,  I  am  informed,  he  never  did.  He 
never  formed  a  church;  never  baptized; 
never  publicly  administered  the  Lord's 
Supper.  How — why — was  this?  A  fear 
of  presimiption  at  the  first : — a  fear  of  man 
at  the  last.  So,  at  least,  a  oodly  dersyman 
told  me,  Mr.  Beeman,  in  Ids  last  ulneis, 
admitted. 

With  idl  his  uprightness,  then,  it  may 
be  said,  in  tins,  surely  he  was  not  i^right 
"  If  ye  love  me,  ksbp  mt  ooicifANi>ifBBTS,'* 
was  the  descriptive  and  impecative  direction 
of  the  great  Friend  of  siimers.  But«  as  I 
read  Isaac  Beeman's  Life,  letters,  and 
sermons,  I  think  he  had  a  godly  fear  and 
reverence  so  deep  and  heavy,  that  it  seemed 
to  chain  him  down,  and  to  fly  out  in  ftilL 
liberty — was  not  often  his  ham)y  privilege, 
Yet  how  extensively  did  the  Lord  honour 
and  bless  him.  The  people  who  heard  him 
came  from  all  parts  of  Uie  country  round ; 
and  no  people  did  ever  more  love  and 
esteem  a  minister  than  did  the  children 
Qod  had  pven  him. 

When  I  was  a  choral  boy,  and  helped  to 
chaunt  the  Psalms  at  church,  there  was  an 
old  tenor  singer  sat  by  the  side  of  me  by 
the  name  of  Birch ;  his  dame  made  pies, 
and  sold  them  on  the  market  days.  This 
Master  Birch  had  two  sons,  who,  in  their 
unconverted  state,  were  not  much  better 
than  the  rest  of  us.  It  pleased  God  to  call 
William  under  Mr.Beeman's  ministry;  and  I 
have  heard  William  Birch  say,  he  had  many 
times  gcme  nearly  the  lengta  of  the  town 
(in  the  week  time)  just  to  get  one  glimpse 
of  his  much-beloved  minister ;  the  sight  of 
whose  person  would  tend  to  lift  up  bis 
poor  som  while  fighting  hard  with  all  those 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


THB  EABTUEN  YB88BL. 


Jvly  h  1M8. 


hellish  powers  which  so  assail  the  sinner 
when  coming  home  to  Jesus.  "We  know 
we  hare  passed  from  death  unto  life  because 
we  love  the  brethren." 

Isaac  Beeman  was  one  of  the  "  Com- 
panions of  the  Cross :"  he  was  the  first 
man  I  ever  heard  preach  out  a  full  Christ 
in  an  entire  CK>spel ;  and  in  coming  on  to 
the  drawing  out  a  little  of  his  ministiy — 
AS  an  original  and  sterling  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ — I  have  that  great  text  sounding  in 
my  ears  (if  no  further),  "  THE  KINGDOM 
OF  GOD  IS  WITHIN  YOU!"  And  of 
no  man  am  I  more  fully  persuaded  that  the 
kingdom  of  God  was  within  him  than  I 
am  of  the  revered  and  ever-to-be-remem- 
bered minister  of  the  word  of  (Jod  in 
Providence  Chapel,  Cranbrook.  In  what 
that  inner  kingdom  stands — its  internal 
powers  and  external  productions  —  may 
clearly  be  traced,  I  think,  in  the  ministry, 
private  and  public,  of  Uus  good  man :  and 
if  (now  he  is  gone)  I  can  gather  up  an 
xxpsBncEirrAL   mbmorial    of   the   power 

AND  PRBCIOrSirBSS  OF  THIS  IITNSR  SPIBrrUAL 

KiKODov,  I  may  confer  some  benefit,  instru- 
mentally,  on  a  few  ^oor  pilgrims  who  are 
passing  through  this  dark  and  stormy 
night;  and  to  whom  the  ancient  sonnet 

Qod  help  thee.  Traveller,  on  thy  Joarney  fiur : 
The  wind  is  bitter  keen,  the  snow  o'erlays 
The  hidden  pits,  and  danireroiu  hollow  ways, 
And  darkness  will  involve  thee.    No  kind  star 
To-niffht  will  cuide  thee.  Traveller ;  and  the  war 
Of  winds  and  elements  on  thy  head  will  break, 
And  in  thy  aaonisinff  ear  the  shriek 
Of  spirits  howling  on  Meir  stormy  oar 
Will  often  ring  appalling.    I  portend 
A  dismal  night ;  and  on  my  wakfol  bed, 
Thoughts,  mveller,  of  thee  will  fill  my  head. 
ICay  Ood  defend  thee,  and  help  thee  to  guide 
Thj*  lonely  bark  through  this  tempestuous  tide. 

Of  IsaacBeeman,  of  the  Vicar,  and  of  some 
of  the  Curates,  I  have  a  host  of  things  to  say. 

NEW    BOOKS. 

An  Alphabet  of  Vtrtues.^^Solomon^s  De- 
scription  of  a  Virtuous  Woman  Spiritual- 
urea.**  By  Samuel  Cozens.  London :  G.  J. 
Stevenson.  This  little  book  was  written 
in  a  time  of  affliction ;  that  affliction  was 
evidently  sanctified  to  the  softening  the 
heart  and  illuminating  the  mind  of  the 
writer ;  consequently,  tnere  is  much  sound 
wisdom,  and  no  small  measure  of  good 
Christian  experience  brought  out  in  this 
exposition  of  the  character  and  conduct  of 
the  true  Church  of  Christ  It  may  be 
termed  an  A  B  C  ffuide  to  the  Heavenly 
Constitution  and  New  Covenant  Clothing 
of  Zion ;  and  if  the  faint  and  feeble  intel- 
lect of  the  ^ple  be  nroperly  considered, 
this  work  will  be  haileol  as  a  desideratum. 
In  fiict,  on  looking  over  Mr.  Cozens*s  list  of 


works,  where  we  find  a  Lexicon,  a  Thought 
Book,  a  Tabemade,  Typography,  &e.,  &c, 
we  are  involuntarily  lea  to  the  conclusion, 
that  he  may  justly  be  termed  onr  "  *^odem 
Biblical  Schoolmaster,  and  Classical  Tntor.'* 
No  other  minister  of  the  present  age  has  so 
industriously  sought  to  instruct  the  people 
m  the  meaning  of  words,  and  in  the  sense 
of  the  Scriptures,  as  Mr.  Cozens  has  done  ; 
and  being  a  rapid  reader,  an  expert  penmBU, 
a  skilful  linguist,  and  a  most  determined 
pleader  for  every  branch  of  Divine  truth,  we 
have  no  fear  but  that  his  reward  will  be  as 
extensive  as  his  labours  are  useful 

"T%e  Communion  of  Saints*' -^ By 
William  Frith,  minister  of  the  Baptist 
church,  Borough-green.  London :  Publish- 
ed by  J.  Paul  (31—16  pp.)  To  say  Mr. 
Frith  has  written  an  able  treatise  on  Ex- 
perimental and  Practical  Fellowship,  is  to 
say  but  little  compared  with  the  clear  and 
Scriptural  arguments  and  evidences  ad- 
duced of  a  well-oondncted  fellowship. 
Ministers  and  elders  would  do  well  to  in- 
vite young  believers  careftiUy  to  peruse  this 
pamphlet. 

'*Tke  Office  of  JDeocon.— Two  Prize 
Essays;  by  Bevs.  G.  B.  Thomas  and  £. 
Dennett"  London:  J.  Heaton  and  Son, 
21,  Warwick-lane,  Paternoster-row  (six- 
pence). These  gentlemen  have  searched 
into  the  history  of  the  ofRce  referred  to 
with  great  success:  they  have  produced 
elaborate  papers.  If  a  minister  is  favoured 
to  have  good  deacons,  he  may  well  be  qoiet 
and  thankful.  But  if  he  has  aroand 
him  a  set  of  men  without  mind  or  manners, 
destitute  of  almost  every  qualification,  let 
him  not  be  afraid  to  read  this  book  to 
them :  if  it  neither  kills  nor  cures  them ;  he 
must  do  something  else. 

Old  Jonathan  for  March  contained  the 
beautiful  Blacksmith,  and  Elihu  Bnrritt*8 
history.  We  really  enjoy  *«  Old  Jonathan :" 
he  is  always  so  fi^sh  and  full  of  good  stoff. 
The  June  number  just  come  to  hand  is 
exceedingly  weighty  and  solemn.  We 
think  every  one  who  has  any  mind  fat 
reading  us«fol  things  must  very  much  like 
this  cheap  and  superior  paper. 

"  SusHa,  Poland,  and  the  Jesuits  ;  or  the 
Roman  Catholic  Conspiracy  against  the 
Liberty  of  Europe  Examined."  By  J.  H. 
Elliott  London:  G.  J.  Stevenson.  The 
desolating  and  deceptive  strngfl^es  of  the 
old  Popish  "  Pest  of  all  Countries"  is  here 
opened  by  a  talented  and  experienced  mind. 
We  really  tremble  for  the  gtoriona  f^tnre  of 
Europe. 

**l%e  Bunyan  Library**  pubHshed  by 
Messrs.  Heaton  and  Bon  (freeman  oiBce,\ 
Warwick-lane.  London,  ^he  two  last  vols 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


ivty  U  19a. 


THE  BARTHBM   VESSEL. 


171 


Jni^UtjgeRite  front  onti  (^huriclt^s,  their  |a8t«i[s  and  fet^k 


OT7H  AHHAVKKIiATirRa 

*Tis  anniTersaiy  time ;  in  fust,  this  is  our 
ninety-ninth  anniYeisaiy.  We  Baptists 
think  a  good  deal  of  anniTersariee.  And 
vhjT  not?  The  writer  once  heard  one  of 
oar  great  and  good  men  saj,  *'  We  should 
Kdc  more,  the  spiritnal  wel&re  of  the 
people  assembled.  With  all  my  heart; 
dnd  may  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
Kmile  and  bless  while  we  seek  to  help  this 
matter  forward.  Let  ns,  then,  seek  by 
prayer  for  the  right  man ;  try  and  remem- 
ber bow  much  he  sacrifices  that  he  ma^ 
serre  na ;  par  him  well  for  his  labour,  if 
wp  eaa  aflbra  it,  and  when  the  service  shall 
hare  dosed,  seek,  at  the  first-  opportunity, 
f'TT  that  blessing  which  God  alone  can  gi?e. 
Annirersanes  should  always  have  some 
object  well  defined.  We  mean,  that  they 
f^onkl  always  be  for  the  help  of  the  cause 
of  God,  not  simply  to  celebrate  the  for- 
mation of  a  cause,  or  to  commemorate  the 
settlement  of  a  pastor,  but  to  form  a  fund, 
or  to  increaM  a  fund,  having  for  its  object 
the  exieBaion  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
It  may  be  asked.  How  can  this  effect  what 
we  profeas  to  seek,  namely,  the  good  of  the 
people  ?  Simply  in  this  way.  We  meet  to 
gsfc  good,  and  that  is  the  way  to  do  good. 
We  bear  what  great  things  the  Lord  has 
done  for  His  people ;  we  are  told  that,  in 
00  doing.  He  uses  His  people,  —  their 
orayers,  their  powers,  and  tneir  gifts ;  we 
Leoee  beeome  encouraeed,  and  instructed, 
and  stzengthened  in  the  good  ways  of  the 
Locd.  Anniversaries  are  pre-eminently 
mlgnlatfid  to  do  good  to  the  resident  pas- 
tor. He  meets  his  brother  ministers,  hears 
Bjgood  G<mpA  sermon  (a  great  matter  with 
hm),  enters  into  conversation  with  bre- 
thzeo  from  a  distance,  receives  a  kind  word 
from  one,  and  endeavours  to  say  a  kind 
word  to  others,  and  hence  is  often  con- 
strained to  say,  **  It  is  good  to  meet  with 
bredivMi  as  we  pass  on  to  the  great  city,  the 
new  Jcnwalem.'*  His  heart  is  cheered, 
his  hands  are  strengthened,  and  thoughts 
are  gathered  to  become  germs  of  sermons 
and  addresses  in  time  to  come.  Anniver- 
laries  do  good  to  the  Church  when  they  are 
hdd.  To  be  thus  acknowledged,  to  be  thus 
bslped,  to  mingle  our  prayers  and  praises 
vita  brethren  from  a  distance,  is,  in  fact, 
aa  aatieipation  of  diat  grand  event,  when 
the  wliole  aasembled  Chiueh  shall  meet  on 
KooBt  ZioB,  surrounding  her  living,  and 
loftagLord, 

How  good  to  luflot- 
Bntesa  in  Christ,  the  blood-booght  fiunily, 
Hnnslly  belpy^d,  ctwaen  in  Christ, 
Aad  eriled  by  anee  Dirlne  from  sin't  foul  way, 
by  the  ^rfrit,  in  the  way  of  Truth. 


To  meet  with  such,  and  talk  of  heavenly  things. 
To  bear  each  other's  burdeas,  and  to  speak 
A  word  in  season,  each  to  each.    How  blessed 
The  company,  how  sweet  the  time  to  spend. 
With  Jesus  m  the  midst>    Yes,  'tis  this,  a 


Little  heaven  below. 


J0HN« 


A   BtTSTIO   BBVIEW   OF  THE 

SUFFOLK  AND  NOBFOI.K 

ASSOOIATION   MBBTIKaS. 

Br  AH  IXPABTIAL  OBSKRVEB. 

Oh  June  tod  and  SnL  the  annual  meetings  of  this 
association  were  holden  at  Rattlesden,  a  rather 
pretty  village  situated  amidst  much  beautifhl 
rural  scenery,  near  the  splendid  park  and  mansion 
of  Major  Parker,  M.P.,  about  five  miles  west  of 
Stowmarket.  The  approach  to  the  village  from 
Stowmarket  is  surrounded  by  much  natural 
beauty  and  grandeur.  The  villagers  all  looked 
good  tempered,  and  seemed  to  give  a  hearty  wel- 
come to  their  visitors ;  indeed,  it  was  said  that 
both  Churchmen  and  Dissenters  vied  with  each 
other  in  endeavouring  to  provide  for  the  comfort 
and  acconunodation  of  strangers.  It  is  thirty' 
years  since  the  association  was  last  held  here. 
The  tent  was  fixed  in  a  meadow  not  far  fh>m  the 
chapel ;  the  approach  to  the  meadow  was  gaily 
decorated  with  flacrs  and  flowers.  The  Baptist 
chapel  is  rather  old  looking,  capable  of  containing 
some  five  or  six  hundred  persons.  The  houses  in 
and  about  the  street  have  the  appearance  of  much 
comfort;  are  kept  very  neat,  presenting  a  quiet, 
healthy  appearance. 

At  half-iMstten  00  Tuesday,  the  tent  was  nearly 
filled ;  service  began  by  singing  that  appropriate 
hymn,  "  Kindred  in  Christ  for  His  dear  sake.** 
Prayer  was  offered  by  one  of  the  messengers  from 
the  church  at  Clare ;  an  associated  miustor,  Mr. 
Cooper,  acted  as  moderator,  or  chairman,  of  the 
meetings  which  were  held,  and  gave  a  brief  out- 
line of  the  principles  and  oDjeota  of  the  associated 
body.  This  association  has  existed  about  thirty- 
five  years :  is  now  composed  of  thir^-three 
churches,  four  in  Norfolk  and  the  rest  in  SufTolk, 
with  one  exeeption  (Cariton  Bode).  Letters  were 
se:  t  from  all  the  churches;  they  were  generallv 
of  a  eheerful  and  encouraging  character,althougn 
some  few  wore  a  gloomy  aspect  The  one  from 
Ocoold  was  very  intereenng.  Ood  is  eridently 
blessing  the  word  preached  by  Mr.  Bhaw.  Dur- 
ing the  past  year,  the  chapel  has  been  enlarged 
ana  neariy  paid  for;  and  although  it  is  not  a 
large  cause,  yet  twentv-nine  were  added  in  the 
year,  twen^-five  of  whom  were  baptised  bv  the 
present  pastor.  Amidst  even  their  hallowed  sea- 
sons of  prosperity  and  happiness,  they  have 
tasted  a  lew  utters,  eight  having  been  separated, 
two  baring  died.  The  letter  from  Laxfield  was  a 
sweet  relief  to  the  monotonous  character  of  many. 
Here  is  a  large  and  prosperous  cause.  Mr.  Sears, 
the  beloved  and  laborious  pastor,  seems  ftdl  of 
holy  love  and  heavenly  fire ;  he  preaches  in  ten 
dimrent  villages  to  crowded  oongregations;  bos 
had  the  pleasure  of  baptishig  twenty-four  during 
the  year.  Ood  is  greatly  honouring  him.  This 
Laxfield  letter,  in  a  sympathising,  loving  maimer, 
mentions  dear  old  James  Trotmon,  the  former 
pastor,  who  is  evidently  near  the  heavenly  rest. 
Mr.  Oeorge  Wright,  the  venerable  pastor  of  the 
Beodes  ohuroh,  the  Judicious  and  beloved  secre- 
tary of  this  soeieQr,  was  also  present.  His 
physioal  strength  and  enerrir  seems  almost  worn 
out ;  but  his  lovisg,  truthful,  telling  language 
ftilly  proves  his  mental  powers  are^good.  As  tus 
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172 


THE  EABSBBN  YE86EL. 


July  1,  lfifi& 


health  would  not  permit  him  to  preach,  he  was 
reqaested  to  give  a  short  address,  which  he  did 
in  a  manner  which  drew  lorth  the  tear  of  love 
from  mAuy  an  eye,  and  many  fervent  nrayers 
from  that  spot  weat  up  to  the  throne  of  Jesus, 
that  He  would  still  bless  and  prescne  in  nseful- 
nes8  this  honoured  servant  of  Christ.  He  said 
this  was  the  jubilee  of  his  ministry;  but  not  all 
the  time  amongst  the  Baptists.  For  a  short 
period  at  the  commencement,  he  was  united  with 
the  WeslejTins,  and  his  deliverance  from  those 
legal  bonds  he  reckons  as  one  of  the  greatest 
meroiea  of  his  life,  Tlie  church  at  Becoles  arc 
looking  to  the  gi'eat  Master  to  send  tliem  a  man 
of  God  to  assist  their  venerable  and  beloved  pas- 
tor in  his  aaci-ed  work.  While  some  of  the  a^^ 
ones  are  laid  aside,  and  others  are  following 
apace,  yet  G-od  is  raising  up  and  sending  forth  in 
this  county  man^  excellent  young  men  in  the 
ministr}',  both  m  and  out  of  the  association. 
Messrs.  Sears,  of  Laxfleld;  Shaw,  of  Occold ; 
Baker,  of  Tuustall ;  Leggctt,  of  Cransford ;  Fung, 
of  Glemsford,  and  others  who  belonff  to  this  so- 
ciety. Outside  there  are  Messrs?,  bearing,  of 
Crowfleld ;  Broom,  of  Stonham ;  Clark,  of  Stow- 
market;  Backhouse,  of  Bury;  Pegg,  of  Pressing- 
field,  and  others  who  are  putting  on  the  harness, 
men  of  sterling  trutli  and  honesty.  May  God 
preseive  them  from  seeking  human  applause. 
One  dear  old  minister,  in  his  eightieth  }'^ear,  from 
Charsfleld,  looked  hale,  active,  and  strong :  the 
outer  man,  to  appearanue,  is  as  well  a£  ten  years 
back,  and  God  is  still  blessing  him  in  the  work : 
he  has  baptised  four  during  the  past  year.  While 
some  of  the  letters  were  very  gloomy,  some  ex- 
ceedingly encouraging,  there  were  a  few  that 
had  hudly  enough  o?  real  old-fashioned  Eug- 
lishiam  about  them,  and  were  in  appearance  too 
glossy  and  spiced  full  high;  but  tnese  were  ex- 
ception*^ not  the  gmeral  rule,  * 

The  statistics  of  the  several  churches  as  pub- 
lidy  read  appeared  in  t^e  aggregate  thus :  —Bap- 
tised and  added  to  the  churches,  177:  two  at 
Halesworth  were  baptised  and  united  with  the 
Independents.  (Why  do  not  Independents  hap- 
tise  their  own !)  Beceived  by  letter,  46 ;  restored, 
7 ;  separated,  43 ;  dismissed  to  other  churches, 
23;  withdrawn  by  own  request,  3;  dead,  73. 
Number  of  members,  3,039;  villages  preached  in, 
89;  school  children.  2.0S1.  Last  \^ear  the  total 
number  baptised  was  203,  and  3,02^ members;  so 
that,  compared  with  the  previous  year,  there  is  a 
clear  increase  of  thirteen  members  and  sixty-five 
children;  but  there  appears  to  be  fourteen  less 
village  stations.     Why  this  falling  off  was  not 

About  four  oVIock,  the  mlnist^s  and  messen- 
gers of  the  association  met  at  the  chapel  for 
business  purposes,  while  the  congregation  again 
met  in  the  tent  Mr.  J.  Beeve,  of  Btowmarket 
(Independent),  read  and  prayed,  and  Mr.  Bloom- 
fleld,  of  London,  preached  a  sound  ffospel  ser- 
mon. In  the  evening  of  the  first  da3%  Mr.  Bland, 
of  Chesham,  preached  an  excellent  discourse 
from  Psalm  xcvii.  IL.  On  the  following  morning 
at  six  o'clock,  a  prayer  meeting  was  held  by  the 
messengers,  and  at  naif-past  nme  another  meet- 
ing for  prayer  by  the  ministers.  At  half-past 
ten,  a  very  large  concourse  of  persons  were  pre- 
sent, many  more  than  on  the  previous  day.  Mr. 
Wright,  of  Beccles.  read  the  Scriptures  and 
prayed,  and  the  minister  from  tlie  Grundisburgh 
church,  Mr.  Collins,  preached  fW)m  2  Cor.  v.  last 
verm.  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Sears  led  the  de- 
votional exercises,  and  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
Mr.  Hill,  one  of  the  ministers  connected  witu 
the  association ;  but  so  lax|re  was  the  assembly', 
that  a  part  of  them  drew  off  to  the  chapel,  where 
Mr.  Bioomfield  preached  an  impressi\'e  sermon 
firom  1  Cor.  iii.  last  verse. 

At  the  close  of  the  services,  the  moderator  ex- 
pressed the  pleasure  they  liad  felt  in  meeting 
onoe  more,  and  of  beholding  so  many  present. 
He  tendered  the  thanks  of  the  representatives  of, 


the  churches  for  all  the  kindness  shown  thcni, 
and  informed  the  company  that  next  year  tlie 
annual  meeting  will  be  held  at  Friston,  near 
Saxmundham.  ifinisters  to  preach —Mr.  CisUins 
and  Mr.  Hosken.  The  parting  hymn*  was  then 
8uug,  and  the  association  services  closed  for  the 
year  1863.  It  was  annotmced  that  Mr.  Hosken 
would  preaoh  in  the  evening,  but  a  large  portion 
of  the  company  turned  their  faces  homeward. 
One  of  the  greatest  benefits  arisini^  from  this  as- 
sociation is,  that  it  enables  old  fnends  to  meet 
who  have  no  other  opportunity  of  doing  sa 
The  circular  letter,  subject,  "  The  Glory  of  God : 
His  cliief  end  iu  the  salvatiou  of  His  people,'* 
also  containing  business  matteni,  and  a  digest  of 
the  contents  of  the  letters,  will  shortly  be  ob- 
tainable tlurough  %'arious  sources. 

It  certainly  would  be  an  improvement,  and 
would  materially  add  to  the  con\'enieuoe  of  the 
congregation,  if  more  brevity  were  studied  in 
writing  the  letters  which  are  to  be  publicly  read. 
The  public  do  not  expect  sermon*  from  docu- 
ments which  are  only  supposed  to  contain  infor- 
mation, statistics,  &c.  An  Obsebtxx. 


nrrsBESTiNa  sebvice  at  the 

aTTBBBT   TABEBKACIiE, 
BOROUGH   BOAD,    liONBOK. 

Oir  Wednesday  evening,  June  3rd,  1863,  we  were 
privileged  to   be   present  at  a  scnrioe  of  oon- 
sidemble  interest  held  at  the  Surrey  Tabemacle, 
Borough  Boad.    The  mudi  honoured  pastor  ol* 
the  flourishing  church,  meeting  in  that  spacious 
place  of  worship,  was  then  favoured  to  admi- 
nister the  ordinance  of  Believer^  Baptism  to 
forty-six  candidates.     We  fuund  a  largie  body  of 
;  friends  gathered  on  the  occasion,  and  it  was  with 
considerable  difRculty  that  we  gained  an  entrance 
I  to  the  chapel.    Precisely  at  seven  o'clock,  Mr. 
I  Wells  took  a  seat  at  the  head  of  the  pool,  sur- 
I  rounded  by  the  brethren  in  office,  the  dtsaoon^ 
It  is  not  often  we  see  the  Surrey  Tabemacle  pas- 
I  tor  thus  robed ;  but,  really  we  thought,  when  he 
!  stood  up,  finnlyand  unflinohingh'  defending  this 
'  :New  Tcstameiit  ordinance,  wiUi  the  pool  of  water 
at  bis  feet,  and  the  immense  body  of  eager  spec- 
tators closely  packed  all  around,  we  thought  his 
talt,  manly  figure  certainly  lost  nothing  by  being 
dremed  in   **a  gown."    Wo  ask  foiviveness  for 
the  thought— it  came  into  our  mind,  we  could 
not  hinder  it— and  although  it  is  so  verj^  hetero- 
dox, we  have  dared  to  name  it.     The  seiviee 
commenced  by  Mr.  Carr  reading,— 
**  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  waj-. 
His  wonders  to  perform : 
He  plants  His  footsteps  in  the  sea, 
^d  rides  upon  the  storm.'* 
Which  beautiful  hymn  of  our  &vourite  poet, 
Oowper,  was  sung  with  power  and  leeiing.    Mr. 
Wells  sought  for  a  blessing  on  tlie  servioe  la  a 
prayer  of  much  humbleness  and  fear.    Again  the 
body  rose,  and,  led  by  Mr.  Carr,  sung,— 
"Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 
A  mortal  man  ashamed  of  Thee  ?*> 
"  Ashamed  of  Jesus !    Sooner  far 
Let  midnight  blush  to  own  a  star !  *> 
Mr.  Wells  then  gave  an  address  in  defioooe  of  the 
ordinance  he  was  about  to  administer ;  notioiaij;, 
first,  the  PROPKR  mode  of  baptism ;  and,  ee> 
oondly,  the  pbopxr  subjects.    When  tbeLoord 
opened  the  eyes  of  the  Ethiopian,  he  aaid,  **  Have 
is  water ;  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptised  ?  ** 
This  ordinance  represented  the  death  and  resur* 
rection  of  Christ :  the  one  essential  act  was  that 
Christ  must  die;  and  the  one  essential  act  In  this 
ordinance  was  immersion  ;  and  to  speak  of  ban* 
tism,  apart  from  immersion,  woula  certainly  be 
like  speakiaff  of  the  death  of  the  Saviour  apart 
from  that  death.    It   Is  said  Philip  and  Che 
Sunuchwent  both  down  into  the  water.   Tbe 
apostle  never  says,  Buried  ya^  Him  in  eiKcmn- 


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July  1, 1 


THE  BIBTHEK  VE88SL. 


173 


but  when  he  «poke  of  baptism,  he  did 
ay.  **Baxied  witb  Him  in  baptism."    The  si^- 
fictfioD  of  the  Qtdiiuaioe  is  Tenr  importaot:  it 
Klaus  also  to  the  work  of  the  Holy  Bpirit ;  the 
apo>Ue  a«!»    All  the  people  of  God  axe  bap- 
tised into  one  body,  by  one  Spirit,  and  are  thereby 
nu»Je  p«rtakeni  of  that  Spirit.     Bespeotinf?  in- 
taDtaNrhiklmg,  the  most  powerful  argument  that 
tbe  advooates  of  that  fidlacy  use  is,  Uie  covenant 
tbe  Lord  made  with  Abraham,  that  he  and  all 
hia  fised  ware  to  oome  into  that  covenant  by  cir- 
(timcisioQ ;  and  this  idea  is  to  be  carried  out  in 
liie  new  eovtenaot,— that  ia,  as  the  children  of 
Abralttua.  or  the  Jews,  were  to  inherit  the  bles- 
»iiii(  of  ciroamoision.  so  the  children  of  Gentiles, 
w  Ohhstiauis,  were  to  inherit  the  blessing  by 
nqinkling.      See  the  12th  chapter  of  Genesis, 
tod  there  the  Lord  says,  »•  And  I  will  bless  tliem 
Jh»t  bless  thee,  and  eurse  them  that  curse  thee  ; 
ia«i  in  thee  nhall  all  the  families  of  the  earth  be 
I'l^ssed."    This  relates  to  that  li  fe  that  is  eternal : 
"i«hfethatis  perfected  i^' the  sacrificial  work 
£>!  JesQs  Christ ;  bat  this  covenant  had  no  more 
t^  do  with  the  literal  posterity  of  Abraham  than 
the  literal  covenant  had  to  do  with  the  cluldren 
of  the  OeatiJee^^it  was  a  spiritual  covenant 
Bus.  there  is  in  that  same  cltapter  another  cove- 
i^ttt  which  the    Lord   makes    with   Abraham, 
•lanjehr,  the  rift  of  the  land  of  Canaan  to  Abra-  I 
htm  sad  all  hia  posterity-;  so  that  as  the  children  ' 
ot  the  Jews  giew  np,  and  obesred  the  laws  of  that . 
r/vamt,  they  were  to  be  included  in  the  bene-  | 
At!  oootatnad  in  that  covenant,  in  having  access  I 
^>  God,  distiairaxshing  them  from  otlier  nations.  I 
Sut  vben  oarXord  came,  so  far  from  extending 
itut    eovenant    to    the    Gentiles,    He   entirely 
A&^'lisbedit:  for  the  apostle  says,  ''AU  things 
sJv  waaed  old,  and  passed  awav."    Thns,  in  the 
literal  eovenant,    the  literal  children  were  in- 
ciuled  on  oertaia    oonditionB;   but  where  the 
L«d  bteases  as  with  spiritual  blessings,  we  have 
a<3thiag  to  do  with  that  old   covenant  at  all. 
iloe  is  where  the  error  arises*.    The  Jews  apos- 
tstoal  iTom  the  principles  of  the  old  covenant, 
and  to  this  day  remain  a  acattered  people.    The 
conditiaDs  of  the  old   covenant  were   to    take 
Abraham's    Hteral    pooterity    from    the    Und 
^f  ^yvtf  sastain  them  in  the  wilderness,  and 
brinf  them  to  the  land  of  Canaan.     Bat  the  new 
cot^amt  ndanon  ia  to  ^  into  all  the  world,  and 
iuttmmeatally  make,  amners  know  where  they 
■re,  and   what  a  great  salvation  Christ  hath  ! 
woo^.     The  oovienant  made  with  Abraham 
woB  mat  the  flesh,  and  a  tamuoral  covenant,  and  ' 
waaabolialied  when  the  daviour  oppeorad,  who 
brooght  in  the  new  and  better  covenant.    In  the 
ninth  efaapter  of  Bomaas,  the  apostle  says,  in  the  ' 
eiKteh  versa,  ^'Th^  which  are  the  children  of 
the  fleriL  thCK  are  not  the  children  of  God,  but 
the  eiuklrea  of  the  pronoise  are  counted  for  the 
x-edf*— ffaat  is,  they  are  brooffht  to  feel  their  i 
rjeed  of  Christ,  and  these  ore  the  only  fit  and 
p^'ovcr  oabjeota   for  this  ordinance.     Another  | 
argumeot  aaed  a«ainst  baptism  is  the  supposed  , 
impossibili^  of  e,000  being  immersed  in  one  day.  ' 
3tow^  we  Dm  here  this   evening  forty-six  to 
ba{«iae;  we  will  add  four  more,  and  make  it 
&%.    I  will  take  the  ftfity,  and  let  fifty-nine 
other  oriaialsrs  do  the  same  ;~that  is,  let  Mr.  A. 
lake  fifty,  and  Hr.  B.  fifhr,  and  so  on,  till  the 
If-W  art  ttudt  up ;  and  I  would  undertake  to 
^"qitias  my  fifty  in  fifty  miDntea,and  othars  could 
<fe  the  tme;   so  that  the  8,000  would  be  all 
^iv^tisad  within  leas  than  one   hour.     I   say, 
•baSe  by  the  Word  of  God,  that  wiU  clear  away 
aUyoor  diflbalties,  and  brhig  you  safely  through 

J^  persom  that  are  called  to  go  through 
Jws  ordtnanoe  are  those  that  are  Drought  to 
^^theh'  need  of  a  Bavioor's  precious  blood ; 
JJo  have  a  lume  in  Ood's  mercy,  -these  are  the 
"MMters  to  follow  on  here.  As  to  being  as- 
^>BBd  of  it,  where  there  is  no  sin  there  ought  to 
«ao  rittoM.     I  duyaid  IHdb  to  see  every  one 


here  baptised— baptised  vkith  tlie  spirit  of  grace 
and  supplication;  for  without  death  unto  sm  by 
the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ,— without  death 
to  the  world,— without  being  brought  into  a 
saving  acquaintance  with  Jcsuu  Christ,— we  must 
be  eternally  lost.  Let  us  nevex*  torget  then  that 
immersion  is  an  essential  mode  to  represent 
Christ's  death :  and  may  we  be  brouglit  to  see 
that  Jesus  Christ,  in  laying  down  His  precious 
life  for  us,  took  away  for  ever  our  curse  and 
sliame.  Notice,  then,  first,  the  fact  that  Jolm 
baptised  our  blessetl  Lowl ;  ar.d  tlien  the  Sariour 
commanded  His  disciples  to  baptise;  and  that 
Christians  have,  up  to  the  present  time,  followed 
that,  command,  are  prods  sufficient  that  the 
mode  we  follow  is  the  only  one,  having  the  ap- 
proval and  sanction  ol  heaven. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  addrcas,  Mr.  Wells 
"went  down  into  the  water."  and  with  much  ap- 
parent ease  and  freedom  baptised  the  forty- six 
candidates,— Bpesking  a  few  words  to  each  one,— 
noticing  any  circumstance  connected  wilh  their 
life  or  experience  which  was  remarkable.  One 
of  the  candidates  was  Mr.  Wells's  "  own  metlical 
attendant  and  sincere  friend  for  many  years ;" 
two  were  Germans;  some  were  relations  of 
members ;  some  strong  in  faith,  some  wcalc.  To 
each  Mr.  Wells  addressed  some  suitable  remarks, 
making  the  administration  of  the  ordinance  both 
interesting  and  very  profitable.  At  the  close,  Mr. 
Wells  said  he  felt  quite  able  to  baptise  as  many 
more ;  and  he  thought  that  was  certainly  a  con- 
tradiction to  the  minister  who  assorted  that  no 
man  could  baptise  more  than  twenty  at  one  time. 
Port3'-flvo  minutes  was  the  exact  tmie  occupied 
in  baptizing  the  forty-six  persons. 

The  doxology  being  sung,  the  service  dosed. 

OBDINATIOK  OF  MB.  J.  INWABD, 
AT  POFLAB. 

The  ordination  of  Mr.  J.  Inward,  as  pastor  at 
Zoar  chapel,  Manor-street^  East  India-road» 
Poplar,  took  phice  on  Tuesday,  May  19th,  when 
most  interestmg,  profitable,  and  satisfactory  ser- 
vices were  holden.  each  one  present  being  con- 
strained to  say,  *'Whttt  hath  God  wrought  P'» 
Brother  Flack  gave  us  a  clear  and  pointed  defi- 
nition of  a  Gospel  church,  taking  no  text  for  the 
occasion,  but  gave  it  in  the  form  of  an  addresis. 
Brother  Inward  was  then  called  upon  to  give  a 
relation  of  his  call  by  grace,  which  he  did  in  a 
very  brief  way,  it  being  nearly  one  o'clock  when 
he  commenced;  nevertheless,  his  account  vras 
interesting  and  satisfactory,  and  was  listen^  to 
with  breathless  attention.  In  the  afternoon,  he 
gave  equal  satisfaction  in  describing  his  coll  to 
the  ministry,  and  his  connexion  with  the 
churches  of  Christ;  also  the  things  he  was 
brought  to  believe  in  the  providence  of  God  in 
bringing  him  to  PopUur  was  remarkable  and 
plain,  Drother  Wells  being  the  instrumenf. 
Brother  Webster,  of  Cave  Adnllam,  Stepney,  de- 
livered the  charge  to  the  pastor,  taking  for  hi» 
text,  1  Timothy,  v.  21,  "I  charge  thee  before 
God,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  elect 
angels,  that  thou  observe  these  things."  In 
speaking  from  those  words,  he  gave  some  whole* 
some,  important,  and  profitable  counsel.  Bro- 
ther Anderson  preached  to  the  churuh  in  the 
evening  from  Luke  x.  85,  "  Take  care  of  him.»* 
He  spoke  earnestly  and  solemnly  on  behalf  of 
his  brother  Inward,  starting  with,  and  working 
outj  the  idea  of  mutual  dependanoe;  in  doing 
which  he  showed  himself  to  be  a  man  of  doae 
thoughL  and  a  workman  that  needeth  not  be 
ashamed.  We  had  a  good  number  of  people; 
theii*  fiioes  beamed  with  satisfaction  and  delight 
in  every  sense.  We  have  already  heard  the  rda- 
tion  of  the  Lord's  dealings  with  the  pastor  being 
blessed  to  many,  bat  especially  to  one.  Mr.  In- 
ward has  mach  to  encourage  him;  the  Lord 
hath,  indeed,l>y  him,  broken  some  of  the  gates  of 
brass,  and  cut  m  sunder  some  of  the^bars  of  irop 
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174 


THE  BABTHEN  VESSEL. 


Jalj  1,  10(1 


In  Zow;  tnd  gooe  before,  and  need  him  in  a 
wonderlnl  manner  to  raise  up  that  which,  to  all 
appearance,  wac  irrecoverably  iUlen  and  fiut 
dvmg  oat.  **  The  Lord  hath  been  mindAil  of  ua 
He  will  blees  ua.  The  Lord  of  hosta  is  with  us 
the  CKxi  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge."  Souls  are 
blest :  our  attendance  is  good :  peace  is  in  our 
midst.  Our  prayer  meetings  are  well  attended. 
Prejring  souls  are  filled  to  overflowing  with  de- 
sires for  prosperity,  some  members,  some  not ; 
nevertheless,  an  earnest  and  unanimous  feeling 
pervades  and  prevails  amongst  them  all,  namely, 
^  Send,  O  aen<L  prosperity."  Often  it  is  heaven 
•n  earth  to  be  there. 

**  I  have  been  there  and  still  would  go, 
'Tis  like  a  litUe  heaven  below.** 
O  that  Christ  in  Zoar,  Poplar,  may  hold  a  last- 
ing throne,  and  as  His  kingdom  grows,  fresh 
honours  shall  adorn  His  crown,  anashame  con- 
ibund  his  foes.  This  is  the  earnest  and  unani- 
mous prayer  of  all  who  feel  deeply  for  her  wel- 
fiue,  and  they  are  many. 

FbOM  one  who  was  AHO  IB  THXRK. 


KBDDINarON.— A  few  minutes  walk  fh>m 
Haverhill  station,  on  the  Coin  valley  line,  which 
runs  on  one  of  tlie  borders  of  Essex,  in  a  retired 

a  stands  the  Kedington  Baptist  chapel,  ori- 
y  built  for  ICr.  B.  Powell  (now  of^Coffge- 
.  and  in  which  many  happy  days  have  been 
1  away  in  celebrating  the  praises  of  Him 


way 
Woo 


who  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  Zion*s  fiuth 
and  aalvation.  Very  near  to  this  sacred  house  of 
myer  is  the  delightful  village  of  Stunner, 
foodland  Oreen,  and  other  scenes  of  I9ature*s 
quietude  and  grandeur.  The  richly  laid-out 
nuneiy  grounds  and  florioultural  beds  of  the 
Meaars.  Dillostone  (whose  seeds,  shrubs,  fruits, 
and  flowers  are  now  extensively  known),  lay 
dose  bv,  caUed  ''The  Stunner  Nurseries,*'  all 
combining  to  render  this  comer  of  the  county 
exceedingly  pleasant  to  the  contemplative  Chris- 
tian, the  ootanist,  and  ftimishing  varied  scenes 
of  historic  and  native  beauty  for  the  pencil  of 
the  amateur  in  landscape  drawing.  For  more 
than  a  doxen  years,  we  nave  been  ikvoured  an- 
nually to  visit  this  ioeaU:  we  ha\ie  always  been 
fond  of  the  people  and  the  place :  but  we  never 
left  it  with  deeper  regret  than  this  3<ear.  One  of 
the  brethren  furnishes  the  following  note  of  the 
anniverwry:— "The  thirteenth  anniversary  of 
Kedington  Baptist  chapel  was  held  June  11  th, 
IMS;  but,  as  good  old  Bridge  used  to  say,  *Oft- 
timn  a  death  was  on  the  blessing  before  it  was 
manifested  as  such/  so  it  was  heie,  t|)rough  an 
incident  or  two.  But  when  we  arrived  A  the 
ehapel,  and  our  esteemed  brother  and  friend, 
O.  W.  Banks,  was  helped  to  preach  in  the  morn- 
ing an  excellent  discourse  upon  love,  the  spi- 
Htnal  and  literal  horizon  was  cleared,  the  sun 
shone  forth  in  beauty  and  glory,  and  to  many  it 
waa  a  good  day  indeed.  In  the  afternoon,  our 
esteemed  pastor,  Mr.  Murkin,  gave  us  a  sound 
and  profitable  disoourse  upon  the  being,  utility, 
and  power  of  faith.  -  In  the  evening,  C.  w.  Banics 
eame  up  again  strong  to  labour,  and  preached  a 
large  and  comprehensive  disoourse  upon  interces* 
aion  and  adoration.  We  bad  good  congrc^pttions 
throogh  the  day;  crowded  in  the  evening.  The 
collecuoos  were  good,  considering  the  class  of 
people.  The  poor  had  the  Ooepel  preached  unto 
them.  One  gentleman  of  the  adjacent  town,  who 
has  always  been  a  friend,  kindly  sent,  aa  usual, 
hia  pieoe  of  gold,  for  which,  and  to  all  Menda 
that  help  na,  we  feel  thankful.  We  had  some 
ministering  brethren  to  pay  a  friendly  visit,  viz., 
Messrs.  Kevan,  of  Halstead;  Beaoock,  of  Hed- 
ingham ;  Simpson,  of  Haverhill,  ke ,  and  altoge- 


ther it  waa  another  happy  seaaon.  We  hope  a 
laating  btesaing  will  rest  upon  it,  and  some  Gos- 
pel fhdt  result  to  the  glory  of  Ood  in  after  days 
will  be  found.  Abda. 


OLD  FOBIK  VKAB  KOBTH  Bow.— <A  Kon 
TO  Mb.  JaiacB  Lnrcour,  of  Bobwich.)— Dear 
Christian  Brother,— As  one  of  my  oldest  and 
most  ftithfbl  friends,  I  give  you  this  line^  aa  it 
may  answer  the  queries  of  many  who  aak  me. 
Where  I  live?--Where  I  preach?— What  I  am 
doing?  itcko.  1  live  in  a  deal  of  sorrow,  under 
much  expression  of  spirit;  and  with  David,  in 
some  sense,  may  say,  "My  tears  have  been  my 
meat  day  and  mght,  while  they  daily  say  of  me. 
Where  is  now  thy  God?**  But,  in  the  ministiy,  / 
I  am  often  osrried  dear  away  from  the  whole. 
On  Whit  Monday,  we  held  special  services  in 
Bethel  chapel,  which  stinds  near  Victoria  Paik, 
in  Old  Ford  (about  ten  minutes  walk  from  the 
City  of  London  Union,  in  Bow  Boad).  Mr 
James  Wells  gave  us  a  disoourse  in  the  morning, 
in  which  he  laid  the  foundatious  of  aoul  ex- 
perience alone  on  the  finished  work  of  the  adora- 
Dle  Mediator— our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Many  re- 
joiced in  his  testimony ;  end  I  fislt  it  to  be  a  pri- 
vilege to  enioy  mv  morsel  with  the  rest  In  the 
afternoon,  i>r.  Bell  opened  up  some  of  the  mys- 
teries of  Christ  as  the  Bread  of  Life.  In  some 
things,  he  was  quite  original,  and  labound  hard 
to  carry  us  up  into  a  mgher  standing  by  fkith 
than  we  often  eiOoy.  After  a  pleasant  lefreohing 
from  tea,  the  place  waserowded ;  brother  Oeoige 
Webb  opened  the  evening  service.  I  was  favoured 
to  preach.  Mr.  Inward,  of  Poplar,  pleaded  for  n 
blessing,  and  my  old  friend  and  brother,  Blijah 
Packer,  conducted  the  praises  of  Ood  in  his  uanal 
happy  s^le.  Since  then,  brother  Inward  and 
the  cnuren  at  Poplar  kindly  lent  us  their  chapel 
and  baptistry,  and  on  the  4th  of  June  (after  bro- 
ther Inward  had  immersed  some  the  Lord  has 
given  him  to  take  care  of),  I  took  two  fhmalfw 
and  two  males  into  the  water  and  baptised  theou 
Brother  John  Webster  gave  a  doaing  addreaa, 
and  so  ended  another  s^emn  meeting.  On  the 
first  Sunday  in  June,  knowing  I  had  nine  to  re- 
ceive into  the  church,  I  purposed  in  the  evening 
to  give  an  address  on  the  New  Testament  ChnrcE 
and'her  Privileges ;  but,  before  the  service  began, 
this  Scripture  stood  up  in  my  soul  with  much 
dedsion,— "Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in 
no  wise  cast  out.'*  What  that  coming  to  Christ 
is— who  it  is  that  speaks.  *•  I  wiU'*-the  annazing 
extent  of  that  sentence^  *^nr  vo  wisx  "—and  Che 
implied  indwdling  of  these  comers  fonned  the 
su^act.  Before  time,  thay  were  taken  into  the 
oovenint  of  grace,  into  union  with  Jesus,  into  the 
Lamb's  Book  of  LifiB,  into  the  fblness  of  Ood'a 
everlasting  love;  seats,  robes,  crowns,  harpa,  and 
eternal  Ujss  were  all  prepared  for  them :  they 


come  to  Christ  because  the  Father  gave  tha 
because  the  Son  redeemed  them--lieoBn8e  the 
Holy  Ohost  quidcens  and  draws  them :  thereibre 
saith  Jesus,  <*  I  will  in  no  wise  oast  them  ouL** 
This  is  the  old  fiMhioned  Qoapd  I  alill  am 
preaching.  Souls  are  Ibd,  and  that  Ood  Almigh^ 
will  yet  honourably  lift  up  my  head,  is  the  con- 
stant pras'er  o^  C.  W.  Hammb. 

PLTKOTJTH.  —  Howx-BTBBXT  Ciapxi. 
The  good  old  cause  of  truth  and  godlinesa  atill 
survives  at  Howe-street;  the  blessed  banner  of 
eternal  love  still  floata  and  diaplm  ita  porn 
white  and  spotless  red  folds  in  tne  gradona 
breeses  fh>m  the  celeatial  dty.  Difficultaea  aur- 
round  us,  and  discouragement  fhmt  us ;  but  the 
Almighty  arm  sustains  us.  and  the  eonaolatioiis 
of  the  Lord  cheer  us.  Ood  cnablea  Hia  aetirant 
to  bring  forth  new  and  old  from  the  G<iapel. 
store-rooms :  our  souls  are  led.  our  spirlta  re- 
freshed, and,  by  Ood's  grace,  though  fidat,  wa 
continue  pursuing.  On  Lord*s-day,  May  Slat, 
the  anniversary  or  our  Babbath-achool  waa  held, 
and  the  Lord  gave  us  a  good  day.  In  Um  morn- 
ing and  evening  of  the  day,  aermona  were 

reached  by  our  esteemed  pastor,  Mr.  F.  OoUins. 

:e  appeared  to  be  quite  at  home  in  hia  work, 
and  was  enabled  to  bring  before  the  people 
choice  and  excellent  providon.     The  bymna 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Joly  1,  186S. 


THB  EARTHEN   VEB8BL. 


176 


■elected  tar  tbe  ocottioa  were  f  ong  by  the  cbil- 
dm  in  m  pimmng  and  satis&ofeory  manner.  In 
tbeAftemooo,  some  of  the  children  were  called 
npco  to  redte  poitioos  of  Ood'a  word  before  the 
coogregaiitm.  Mr.  Collins  pot  a  variety  of  ques- 
tionatothem  aa  to  the  meanirfg  of  the  iame. 
This  elicited  from  them  anaweis  of  a  highly 
Mtiaftctory  nature;  both  the  manner  of  their  re- 
cital, and  the  answers  given  to  the  qoestions,  re- 
flected creditably  upon  the  school,  and  was  a 
matter  of  encouragement  to  their  superintend- 
eato  and  te«obeia.  ICr.  Robert  Burdons,  senior 
saperinfeoxdent.  conducted  the  singing,  and  ap- 
peared, aa  usual,  happy  in  his  work.  Theoon- 
pegatioas  were  largiL  and  the  collections,  we  ore 
iafonned«  were  gcrad,  exceeding  those  of  any 
nrerioos  school  anniTersary.  The  Lord  of  hosts 
u  with  na,  nod  the  Ood  ofJaoob  is  our  refuge. 

LODB  W  J&LX.— At  this  place^  the  founda- 
tion stone  of  our  new  chapel  was  hud  on  Monday, 
ICsy  SSCh.  Mr.  Feek,  who  resides  in  the  neiAti- 
bourbood,  and  is  a  gentleman  of  great  wealth, 
sod  who  iisM  liberally  subscribed  to  the  building 
fond,  besides  giving  the  ground,  laid  the  founda- 
tion stones  Addresses  were  delivered  bv  the  Rev. 
Mr.  ChnlUm,  of  the  Western  College,  Pljrmoutb, 
and  other  ministers.  The  people  present  were 
privilegrd  to  sabscribe  by  depositing  their  gifts 
m  a  small  basket  placed  for  the  purpose,  u  p- 
wuds  of  £6  were  so  subscribed.  At  the  tea, 
vhicb  wma  provided  in  the  British  School-room, 
and  all  provided  gratis^  about  ISO  sat  down.  The 
whole  pvoceeda  were  applied  to  the  building 
fond.  In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was  held 
in  tte  anne  room.  The  chair  was  occupied  by  a 
CteatlenMua  from  Kingsbridge,  and  addresses  were 
deliwed  by  the  Revds.  Messrs.  Chulton,  Peters, 
Tarran,  Ao..  Ac  The  church  professes  to  be 
bssed  npon  tboae  great  doctrines  advocated  in  the 
EAMTmxx  YSBSKJL  and  **6oepel  Standard;*'  but 
we  grortly  tear  that  our  generous  and  wealthy 
pifcww*«^  vlio  have  no  love  for  our  glorious  prin- 
cinkML  are  taking  advantage  of  our  true  and  fast 
friends  while  VSieiy  are  asleep,  and  shall  not  be 
snniRsed  to  ind  that  in  the  new  chapel,  young 
^otisu^mmm  vj]]  sui^Iy  thc  plaoc  of  men  of  truth. 
Alasmr  the  steepen  of  the  churches ! 

ZiBB,  KENT.— Dacrx  Park  Cuapkl.— On 
Whit-Svnday  and  Monday,  the  usual  anniversary 
were  held.  On  Sunday,  the  Venerable 
Mnrrell  ddivered  two  excellent  dis- 
whieh  vrere  heard  with  profit  and 
ge  coagreffiltioaB  May  this  aged 
1  yet  be  spared  for  years  to  come. 
On  Monday,  the  SSth,  brother  Bloomfield 
pwaaehed  in  tne  afternoon :  he  appeared  happy  in 
the  work,  and  we  do  not  rememMr  hearing  him 
with  move  pleasure.  Tea  was  provided  at  & ;  to 
wfaieii  a  numerous  company  sat  down:  indeed, 
the  attendance  was  larger  than  on  previous  occa- 
■ooB.  The  evening  meeting  commenced  with 
sinipng  and  prayer.  The  pastor,  Mr.  Cracknell, 
pRsikled,  and  expressed  his  pleasure  at  meeting 
so  many  friends.  He  stated  it  was  the  11th  an- 
olvenuy  of  tbe  laying  of  the  foundation  stone ; 
since  its  erection,  a  free-grace  Qospel  had  been 
preached  within  its  walls,  and  New  Testament 
Chnrch  order  maintained.  Between  four  and 
five  yean  he  had  laboured  amongst  them  seeking 
to  unaUi  the  truth,  as  ihr  as  it  had  been  revealed 
to  his  own  soul;— the  views  he  professed  when 
•nt  brona^  amongst  them  he  held  now,  and 
hoped  to  be  ptesetred  in  those  truths  till  his 
work  waa  aeeompliahed  on  earth,  end  he  was 
— '  'to  the  regions  of  tiie  blest.  The  Lord 
d  the  wora  to  many,  and  i 


lasa  church 
they  had  great  emae  for  thankfulness.  Suitable 
ma  savoury  addieasea  were  then  delivered  by 
brethren  T.  Wall,  W.  Alderson,  J.  Pells,  and  J. 
HoooAeid.  An  excellent  spirit  nervaded  the 
■uetfaig.  The  speakers  manifested  their  good 
feeiiog  and  allbetion  for  the  pastor,  the  church, 


and  congregation;  and  very  earnest  were  the 
prayer  of  brother  Bloomfleld  that  the  Divine 
Dlessing  might  rest  upon  their  labours ;  especially 
upon  their  minister,  not  only  at  Bacre  Park,  but 
amongst  the  churcnes  in  different  ports  of  tbe 
country  where  he  was  found  preaching  the 
Oospel.  Dacre  Park  is  situated  amongst  a  large 
number  of  respectable  "  folk"  (as  friend  Thomas 
Jones  would  say)— ^*a  folk"  rather  predisposed 
in  ikvour  of  churchism ;  but  we  hope  Mr.  Crack- 
nell may  draw  a  few  into  the  neat  little  Baptist 
chapel  there  Don*t  be  afraid  to  work,  brother: 
work  hard,  and  continuously,  and  Ood  will  bless 
your  labours.  Do  not  fear  being  staled  a  free- 
wilier— see  to  it  that  you  have  a  freewill  to  do  all 
the  good  you  can,  both  for  bod3'  and  soul  in  the 
locality  where  you  are  brought  to  labour.  Preach 
the  truth,  and  live  it  too. 

G-IiEMSFOBD.  —  PRoviDEifCE  Chapel.— 
Anniversary  sermons  for  Sabbath- school  were 
preached  Lord's-day,  May  24th,  by  brother 
Kevan,  of  Halstead.  The  discourses  were  good ; 
conjg^re^gations  large;  many  rejoiced  in  the  truths 
delivered.  Collections  amounted  to  £7.  On  the 
next  day,  the  children  (115  in  number,)  met  in 
the  chapel,  which  was  decorated  with  flowers 
and  appropriate  mottos,  to  partake  of  an  excellent 
tea  provided  for  them.  The  teachers  and  singers, 
after  fUll  justice  was  done  by  the  cbildren  to 
their  treat,  met  in  company  with  several  minis- 
ters, and  to«k  tea  together,  enjoying  mutually 
each  others'  company  in  the  spirit  of  the  Oospel. 
In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was  held.  Our 
highly-esteemed  brother  Whorlow  presided. 
Smtable  addresses  were  given  by  brethren  Ke- 
van, Oallant.  Kemp,  and  ilarber.  The  children 
sung  appropriate  hymns.  All  appeared  aarcea- 
ble  and  delighted  with  the  prospect  of  this  inter- 
esting cause.  On  Thurday  evening,  June  18th,  a 
public  meeting  was  held  in  the  same  chapel  to 
present  a  memento  of  Christian  love  to  brother 
Whorlow,  of  Sudbury,  for  his  kind  services  to 
this  cause  in  a  general  point  of  view^  more  espe- 
cially for  his  having  occupied  the  pulpit  gra- 
tuitously for  the  space  of  Ave  months.  A  hvmn 
was  sung,  prayer  was  offered,  and  Mr.  Poock,  of 
Ipswich,  was  called  to  the  chair;  who  rose,  and 
stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  declaring  that 
no  hostile  feeling  existed  in  his  mind,  nor  hid 
he  any  reason  to  think  in  the  mind  of  that  meet- 
ing, to  any  other  cause  in  that  locality  or  any 
other,  but  they  met  to  thank  Ood  for  His  marked 
mercy,  and  to  show  a  brotherly  feeling  to  their 
good  brother,  through  whose  instrumentality, 
attended  by  the  blesttng  of  the  great  Head  of  the  > 
Churohrthey  were  kept  and  blest  Tbe  meeting 
was  then  addressed  by  the  deacons.  Ford  and 
Merrington,  and  both  expressed  the  feeling  of  the 
church  and  themselves  in  reference  to  the  good- 
ness of  Gk)d,  and 'the  willingness  of  brother 
Whorlow  to  serve  them  through  rou^h  and 
smooth,  and  the  eager  readiness  of  the  friends  to 
express  their  obligation  by  presenting  him  with 
a  small  token  of  the  love  they  had  to  him.  Bro- 
ther Mr.  W.  Clark,  of  Ipswich,  was  deputed  by 
the  church  to  present  the  memorial.  He  ex- 
pressed great  pleasure  in  so  doing.  Olemsford 
was  dear  to  him  in  a  relative  point  of  view,  more 
so  in  a  spiritual  pomt  Olad  he  was  to  see  them 
united  in  the  love  and  power  ot  truth,  and  his 
prayerful  advice  to  them  was  to  study,  inculcate 
and  practice  the  same  every  way.  very  pleased 
he  was  to  present  to  his  brother  Whorlow  their 
token  of  love,  a  ffM  chain.  He  spoke  of  the 
nature,  durability,  and  value  of  gold,  and  doubted 
not  but  it  would  De  a  continued  remembrance  of 
their  affection,  and  more  particularly  of  Ood's 
great  love.  Mr.  Whorlow  accepted  their  love 
token  with  much  feelluff,  and  prayed  that  gre^ 
ffrace  might  be  poured  down  among  them,  and 
Uiat  his  poor  but  willing  services  amcng  them 
might  receive  a  lasting  blessing  which  would  be 
to  nim  a  source  of  greater  joy  than  the  gift  of 


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176 


THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


July  1,  1863. 


mAny  gold  chains.  He  thanked  them»  and  hoped 
the  Lord  ^res  about  to  send  them  a  pastor  after 
his  own  heart.  Mr.  Kemp,  of  Brockley,  has  re- 
ceived a  call  from  the  church  for  twelve  months, 
commencing  the  first  Sabbath  in  July.  3aaza.h. 
19th  June,  1863. 

SOXTPHAMPTON.  —  Bai»tist  Chapbl* 
Oavai.  WAiJt.— Mr.  William  Chappell^  late  of, 
Winchester,  after  supplying  the  pulpit  in  the 
above  place  for  near  six  months,  on  the  10th  of 
May,  1863.  was  tmanimously  chosen  to  the 
pastoral  office  over  the  Strict  Baptist  Church 
assembling  there ;  and  having,  nffer  mature  de- 
liberation and  earnest  prayer,  accepted  the  same, 
on  Tuesday,  the  9th  or  June  following,  a  public 
tea  meeting  was  convened  to  celebrate  the  union, 
when  ISO  persons  sat  down  to  tea,  after  which  a 
public  meeting  was  held,  when  Mr.  W.  8.  Everitt, 
aome  years  deacon  with  Mr.  Chappell  at  Winches- 
ter, was  called  to  the  chair;  who  in  bis  opening 
address,  referred  much  to  him  as  to  his  firm  ad- 
herence to  the  truths  of  the  everlasting  Gospel, 
also  his  strict  integrity  and  the  suilerings  he  nad 
experienced  throiigh  the  mtroduction  of  open 
commnnion  principles  in  that  tuwn.  Mr.  G.  was 
then  called  upon  to  state  the  cause  of  his  leaving 
Winchester,  with  the  leadings  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence in  bringing  him  to  this  place,  which  in  a 
very  feeling  and  satisfifictoxy  manner  he  responded 
to  alluding  much  to  the  struggles  be  liad  expe- 
rienced through  the  imhappy  circumstance  re- 
ferred to  by  the  chairman,  tne  result  of  which 
was  the  more  influential  part  leaving  him  and 
opening  another  place  in  the  town  on  open  com- 
mnnion principles,  involving  him  in  such  pecu- 
niary difficulties  as  almost  reduced  him  to 
penury  and  want.  Many  of  the  friends  from 
Winchester  were  present  at  the  meeting,  and 
expressed  their  gnef  at  parting  with  him,  added 
to  which  in  their  dismissal  letter  to  us  they  say, 
"Bespecting  Mr.  Chappell,  we  love  him,  we  love 
his  ministry^  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  want  of 
means,  you  would  not  have  had  him."  Speeches 
were  then  delivered  chiefly  on  the  conunnniou 
question  by  the  following  Strict  Baptist  minis- 
ters:—Mr.  J.  Lindsay,  of  Bingwood;  Mr  J. 
Cray,  of  Oosport;  Mr.  W.  Martin,  of  Yarmouth, 
lale  of  Wight;  and  Mr.  G.  Holland,  now 
supplying  at  Winchester.  Perfect  harmony  pre- 
vaued  at  the  meeting,  being  all  of  one  mind,  and 
many  found  it  good  to  be  there.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  to  state  that  although  there  are  several 
Baptist  interests  in  this  populous  town,  we 
believe  this  to  be  the  only  one  based  on  the 
Boriptnral  principles  of  Stnct  Communian ;  and 
this  was  at  a  very  low  ebb  when  Mr.  Chappell 
eama ;  but  throu^^h  much  mercy  It  has  oonstoer- 
ably  increased  since  be  has  been  among  us. 
May  the  good  Lord  abundantly  bless  his  laMun, 
to  tnis  end ;  in  die  language  of  the  Psalmist,  we 
aay,  **  Save  now,  we  beaeech  Thee,  O  Lord ;  O 
Lord,  we  beseech  Thee,  send  now  prosperity  I" 
8.  HuBST,  B.  Wbxtkbousb,  deacons. 

SOXTTHAKPTON.— Mb.  Jobiah  Pustib, 
or  SouTHAMPTOM.  —It  Is  very  generally  known 
that  this  good  brother  was  the  pastor  of  the 
Particular  Baptist  Church  in  Southampton;  but 
not  seeing  sufficient  signs  of  prosperity  attending 
his  ministry,  he  resigned  that  sacred  office ;  and 
fearing  his  successor  might  not  em*oy  perfect 
freedom,  if  he  and  his  family  contmued  to 
worship  in  the  Baptist  Chapel,  Mr.  Puntis  took 
sittings  for  himself  and  fkmily  in  St  Andrew's 
Presbyterian  Church,  where  he  believed  he 
should  hear  "  more  of  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God  than  from  any  other  minister  of 
the  town."  Sonte  false  and  wicked  spirit  has  taken 
occasion  from  this  to  report  that  Joaiah  Punlis 
had  left  the  Baptist  connection,  and  had  gone 
over  to  the  Scotch  church.  Mr.  Edwin  JefTs,  th« 
excellent  deacon  of  Salem  Chapel,  Bichmond, 


has  laid  before  us  the  correspondence  which  has 
Mssed  between  Mr.  Puntis  and  the  Bev.  J.  O. 
Wright,  of  the  Scotch  church,  on  this  qnestaon. 
Mr.  Puntis  asks  Mr.  Wright  if  he  has  ever  applied 
in  any  way  for  anything  more  than  leave  to  sit 
down  and  hear  the  Gosp^  as  it  may  fiill  from 
the  lips  of  the  Scotch  pastor?  Hr.  Wright  (a 
copy  of  whose  letter  we  have  seen),  in  answexing 
Mr.  Puntis,  says  plainly,  he  is  delighted  to  see 
the  Baptist  minister  and  his  family  attending  at 
the  Scotch  church ;  but  that  Mr.  Puntis  had  most 
distinctly  stated  to  him  that  no  change  had  passed 
over  his  mind.  He  was  still  as  decidra  a  Baptist  as 
ever ;  and  when  the  Lord  shall  be  pleased  to  open 
for  him  a  ministerial  door,  all  this  he  will  aa 
fiilly  carry  out  in  preaching  and  practice  as  ever. 
He  is,  in  the  meantime,  simply  waitin^^  bis 
Master's  will.  From  the  letters  which  we  hare 
read,  we  think  If  r.  Puntis  a  brother  of  excellent 
spirit  and  of  good  sound  mind.  Before  long,  we 
hope  he  will  he  settled  over  a  happy  and  united 
people. 

TOOVING'.— In  the  Grove,  in  Lower  Toot- 
ing, stands  that  neat  and  compact  sanctiuuy  oaUed 
Providence  chapel :  our  brother  Welch  isfiavounad 
these  to  labour  m  sweet  liberty,  and  with  steady 
prospects  of  usefulness,  surrounded  by  a  kind 
and  devoted  people.  On  Monday,  June  8th,  n 
public  tea  meeting  was  holden  to  give  the  friends 
of  truth  an  opportunity  of  aiding  the  oause.  In 
the  afternoon,  Mr.  Thurston  (of  Croydon)  preach- 
ed a  sermon  in  harmony  with  all  the  essential 
principles  of  Christ's  gospel ;  and  after  tea,  C.  W. 
Banks  gave  an  address  on  ICatamoroiL  the  Spaniali 
Persecution,  and  the  Persecutions  inOhriatendom 
generally,  iUustxatina  "  The  Triaisand  Triunsphs 
of  the  Gospel."  We  oelieve  occasioiial  Addresses 
of  this  kind,  embodying  the  current  history  of 
the  Churches  perils  and  pro^ss,  would  bsioand 
ocn&rmatory  of  Christian  fiuth  and  hope. 

QBEAT  WTLBSAHAM  Baptist  Cka- 
PEL. — On  Lord*s-day,  June  14th,  we  were  again 
fiarou««d  to  hear  the  Truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus, 
preached  by  our  beloved  brother,  Mr.  A.  Pee( : 
m  the  morning,  fVom  the  words,  *^Tlie  bnsfa 
burned  with  ilre,  and  the  bush  was  not  oon- 
sumed.**  Afternoon,  at  the  Lord's  Supper,  seve- 
ral friends  ttom  other  churches  sat  down  with 
us.  Oh,  how  blessed  did  our  dying  Lord's  com- 
mand appear,— '*  This  do  in  remembrance  of 
me.*'  It  was  a  time  of  joy :  Clirist  was  in  our 
midst,  speaking  peace  and  pardon  by  His  death 
on  Calvary.  The  evening  sermon,  f^om  the 
words,  *'  There  is  a  .friend  that  sticketh  closer 
than  a  brother."  Well  attended  all  dav.  At 
night,  many  could  not  get  into  the  bnildinif. 
The  Lord  tms  done  great  things  fbr  ua.  whereof 
we  are  gtad.  For  sonae  years  past,  xno  whole 
congregation  seldom  exceeded  twenty-five— often 
not  more  than  se\'en  or  eight.  Now  they  eome 
by  hundreds.  Oh,  may  the  Spirit  of  God  bnnjg 
tnem  to  Himself  by  tl.e  preaching  of  the  wovd  ft 
our  constant  and  earnest  prayer.  On  July  12th, 
Mr.  Peet  commences  three  month*8  call  to  sup- 
ply us. 

HIGH  WTOOICBS.  —  Ziox  Chapsx..<— 
On  Lord's-day,  June  7th,  Mr.  Stembridge  bap- 
tised two  beUevera  These,  with  one  more,  weie 
received  into  the  church  the  same  day.  Brother 
Palmer's  prayer  at  the  laying  of  the  foundation 
stone  of  Zion  <AiapeI,  wliich  expressed  the  heart- 
felt desife  of  many  present  on  the  occasion,  the 
Lord  is  granting,  viz..  "That  the  Lord  would 
build  His  house,  within  the  house  about  to  be 
built,'*  Ac  Ac  And  if  the  oongvciBation  in- 
creases as  it  has  done  the  last  montn,  brother 
Foreinan*a  desire  at  the  opening  will  also  bs 
granted,  viz.,  **  That  he  should  like  to  sea  the 
place  too  small;  so  thut  the  walls  must  bs 
pushed  out  fUrther,'*    **  Praise  ye  the  Lord." 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


JuJv  1.  1863. 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


177 


AYIiBSBXFBY.  —  Tour  love  of  Gospel 
troth,  and  the  welfare  of  Christ's  cause,  en- 
ccnirair^  me  to  send  you  an  account  of  the  re- 
«l.>cnm^  of  t  tie  old  Baptist  chapel,  in  Cambrid^- 
Atrrttj  Ayicsburj',  which  took  place  on  Thursday, 
Jane  itti,  ISti^i.  *  Three  sermons  were  preachea: 
mumiatc  and  afternoon  by  brother  Pells;  even- 
ing  by  brother  Williamson.  The  sermons  were 
eocoTinMODK,  and  much  blest  to  the  soula  of  the 
Ik-^rera.  At  half-pist  four,  one  hundred  sat 
down  to  tea,  with  happy  Caces  and  ffood  choer. 
On  th«  Friday  evening,  Mr.  P.  W.  Williamson 
fcinne*!  us  (thirteen  in  number)  into  a  Church  of 
Chri*t  o«  sttynd  old  primitive  principles.  The  newly- 
faroievi  ciiorch  unanimousiv  chose  brother  Plaw, 
iheic  Ut*»  pastor  at  Walton-street  chapel,  to 
Lh*  pastorate;  after  which  the  deacons  were 
eh  fsea^  upon  the  understanding  that  they  would, 
at  the  rw|uest  of  a  majority  of  the  church, 
i:*uceibly  resign  office.  Our  brother  Williamson 
tkr^  iSHxe  ns  and  our  pastor  the  right  hand  of 
urdowship,  and  pronounced  us  a  :5trict  Particular 
Baptist  Church.  Our  brother,  at  the  table,  after 
the  ordiniztoe.  gave  to  pastor,  deacons,  and  rat^m- 
bers  some  good  souud  wince,  I  am  thankful  to 
sa>  we  are  well  attended  :  afternoon  and  evening 
rr 'irde'i  to  excess.  We  have  commenced  a  8ab- 
hdtti  scti'KJl,  with  ho|)cfiU  prospects. 

A  MKMBirIK  OF  THE  CnUBCH. 


WAXTHAM  ABBEY.— Bethkl  Chapel. 
The  anniversarj'  was  hoUlen  on  Wethiesdoy,  May 
?7Th  Muming  service  commenced  at  1 1,  by  sing- 
iDg  that  Christ-exalting  hymn,  "All  hail  the 
V- 'W»-r  of  Je^ti's  name,**  after  which  brother 
J  W-!U  preached  a  God-glorifying  sermon  to  an 
a.tt»*ntiTe  congregation  from  Amos  ix.  15.  One 
hr„'«<hned  friends  sat  down  to  dinner  in  a  building 
kindly  lent,  and  beautifully  decorated  with  foli- 
ajpe  4fmi  (lowe«,  for  the  special  occasion  by  our 
L-iud  friends  Meesrs  Websters,  for  the  which  we 
rrrum  them  our  many  hearty  thanks.  In  the 
art«Tn<»on,  brother  Ponsford  preached  from  Psa. 
ST-;.  .1.  Abnut  140  took  tea.  In  the  evening, 
a-idn^aaes  were  given  to  a  crowded  meeting  by 
^•rrthreu  Ponsfoni,  Lod^  Dowdall,  and  I^-er; 
Mr.  Havsman  in  the  chair;  several  other  mmis- 
terial  bfethreo  were  there.  Collections  amounted  I  ma^*^(  T«a^'h«V 
t .  £>«  Is.  9d.  There  waa  manifest  throughout  '  "'^*^^  leacner, 
The  whole  of  the  day  a  great  degree  of  satisfiwy 
t:<>n  and  /Irliirht.  May  t^'s  blesK^  season  be  the 
nteanstff  bsnishiog  for  ever  that  prejudicial  spirit 


siderable  proof  of  his  ability ;  ind  we  bope  he 
will  find  his  labours,  both  literary  and  nuniao 
erial,  recognised  and  rewarded. 

MABGATE.— Strict  Baptists.  Since  our 
Strict  Baptist  friends  lost  Cavendish,  at  Rama- 
gate,  they  seem  to  occupy  but  a  very  nominal 
position  in  the  Isle  of  Thanet.  Of  St  Peter's  Bap- 
tist church,  we  are  grieved  to  say,  as  Paul  oaul 
of  the  Church  of  Galatia,  "  O  foolish  people,  what 
hath  bewitohed  you,  that  ve  should  not  obey  the 
truth,"  &c.  The  loose  principles  of  Cavendish 
seem  to  have  inoculated  the  Isle,  for  at  Margate 
'*  the  glorj'  is  departed  ;*'  and  Salem,  at  Birchmg^ 
ton,  is  but  a  shadow  without  a  substance ;  hence, 
there  remains  but  a  flew  gathered  by  Mr.  Comfort, 
of  Ramsgute;  a  tew  at  Broadatairs ;  and  the  little 
feeble  interest  of  Uephzibah  at  Bii-chington,  re- 
cently seceded  from  Salem.  The  season  for 
visitors  is  again  returned  ;  and  the  Strict  Baptist* 
are  still  without  a  standar<i  for  the  G(xl  of  isiual 
at  Margate.  Holy  brethren,  jwrtakers  of  the 
heavenly  calling,  who  annually  visit  us  lor  recrea- 
tion ;  ministers  and  people,  who  know  the  ex- 
cellency of  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  we  ask  you 
to  help  us  (luring  the  season  to  provide  a  room  or 
other  place,  where  the  Gospe.'s  certain  sound  mav 
be  heard  by  visiting  brethren  and  ourselves.  AU 
Strict  Baptist  ministers  who  propose  visiting 
Margate,  aro  aflectionately  iiivite«l  to  give  us  a 
suppi}'.  All  oommunications  relative  to  the 
sinie  may  be  addressed  to  the  Rev.  W.  Kilpin, 
Birchington. 


.  t»me  ^y  the  majority  of  professors  against  the 
rruth  as  It  is  in  Jesus';  and  to  the  mutual  eomfort 
and  go^lj  iacrawe  of  Zion's  spiritnal  body  here. 
S^,  praya,'  W,  Wdttsbs,  Churchyard. 

SSADWBLL.— Rbhobotb  Cbapil,  Yio- 
ToaiA  Stehbt.— On  Monday,  July  8th,  two  ser- 
romn  were  preached  in  this  place,  and  a  tea 
mt-^ng  holifco,  to  mark  the  completion  of  the 
(iirl  rears*  pastorate  of  Mr.  Sainuel  Cozens 
•rrr  tnt  ehoreh  meeting  in  this  pUioe.  Mr. 
Cn>wther,  of  Gotnersball,  spoke  in  the  afternoon 
fp.m  the  worda,  "  That  ye  be  not  slothful ;  but 
f  :t>wen  of  them  who,  through  fiuth  and  pa- 
's-iMse,  inherit  the  promise.**  A  large  party  of 
fnende  gattftered  to  tea,  and  a  goodly  number  of 
•nimstera  wete  olao  present;  amongst  whom  we 
zr^ccd  Meaers  Flact^Whitteridge,  Slim,  Cow- 
•Irsr,  Pattner,  Q-.  and  W.  Webb,  and  Inward.  In 
r^  avmiBC,  Mr.  James  Wells  deUvered  a  soul- 
rrfr^eshingdiaooarse  to  a  chapel  full  of  attentive 
I  <traex9.  It  was  the  best  anniversary-day  that 
hx*  been  witoeemd  at  Rehoboth  for  some  time, 
3^1  the  eoUeetioos  (which  were  for  the  pastor,) 
-arere  ttx  beyond  what  was  expected.  A  large 
'  ^iy  of  fHends  cime  firom  Richmond,  and  other 
:'^r^i,  oo  the  ooeaaion,  to  show  their  respect  for 
tf  r  O-HEeos,  and  his  labonra,  both  as  an  author 
^'y\  preacher.  On  this  day,  Mr.  Cozens  issued  a 
n«-ir  editioa  of  his  ^Adjuster  Adjusted.'*  being 
*  h<>  thir^l  thottsand  of  that  work.  Mr.  Cozens  is 
ci  1.1  la^trioos  scnb*,  and  his  already  giren  eon- 


CITY  ROAD.  —  JiRKH  Chapel,  East 
Road.— The  anniversary  of  the  Suii<lay-school 
was  held  on  the  16th  of  ^June.  Mr.  Pells,  of  Soho 
clmpel,  Ox  ford -street,  preached  an  excellent  ser- 
mon on  *'  Ye  must  be  bom  again."  After  tea, 
the  public  meeting  was  a  pleasant  one,  a  goodly 
congregation  being  assembled.  Mr.  Haysman 
commenced  the  meeting  by  prayer.  Mr.  J.  A. 
Jones,  the  aged  past  )r^  delivered  an  address  on 
"  The  Necessity  of  Divine  Teaching."  from  Isaiiih 
xlviii.  17,  Mr.  Cracknell,  of  Blackheath,  on  the 
"Father's  Divine  Lessons,"  from  John  vi.  ■45. 
Mr.  Mverson,  of  the  OntiI  Chapel,  "The  Son  a 
Blessed  Teacher.**  from  Matt  vii.  28,  29.  Mr. 
Hawkins,  of  Trinity  chapel,  *'Thc  Holy  Ghost  a 
Glorious  Teacher,"  from  John  xiv.  28.  The  se- 
cretary read  a  very  interesting  report  of  the 
school,  whic;h  we  were  pleaded  to  hear  it  was  in- 
tended to  print  for  circulation.  We  ought  to  say 
the  children  sang  very  prettily  at  the  commence- 
ment and  close.  We  were  Yiighly  gratifl«l  at 
witnessing  such  a  gathering,  and  hearing  such 
addresses  TJn  such  an  occasion,  under  the  pre- 
sidency of  the  venerable  pastor.  May  the  Lord 
greatly  bless  and  increase  them  is  the  praj^er  of 

OXE  WHO  WAS  there. 

8TDNBT,  AUSTRALIA. -To  thi 

Editor  of  the  Earth  ex  Yksssl.  —  Dear 
Sir, — I  rejoice  to  find  a  constant  supply  of  infor- 
mation b^  your  **  Vessel"  of  the  state  of  our 
brethren  in  the  colonies,  and  the  notice  in  your 
last  impression  of  that  faithful  servant  of  Christ, 
Mr.  J.  B.  M'Cure,  of  Sydney,  is  not  the  least 
gratifying.  The  fact,  however,  of  his  having  as 
yet  no  house  erected  to  the  honour  of  God 
wherein  to  minister,  and  your  appeal  for  a^ 
sistanoe  to  raise  one,  ought  not  to  pass  unnoticed. 
J^et  us  recollect  how  spontaneously  the  whole 
colony  helped  to  meet  the  necesdties  of  our 
starving  operatives  in  the  north;  and  if  ia 
earthly  thin^  they  were  so  mindfol  of  us,  how 
mueh  more  it  behoves  us  to  minister  to  them  in 
heavenly,  may  the  cry  run  through  the  Baptist 
eongre^itions  of  our  favoured  umd,  let  God 
have  a  house  at  Sydney,  and  prosperity  attend 
Hisbelo\*ed  Zion.  To  this  end  I  propose  a  sub- 
scription in  the  "Vessel,**  and  eommenoe  with 
my  mite  of  10s.  Dear  Sir,  jroura,  ^->,  B. 
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178 


THB  XABTHBH  YS8S£L« 


Jaly  1.  19U. 


DBVONPOBT.  —  Balbk  Chapel,  Vbw 
pAiaAQX.  Sinoe  our  removal  from  the  chapel 
ealled  Little  Bethlehem  (eome  of  iu  have  not  tor- 
gotten  the  blesaed  eeaaons  we  have  enjoyed  there 
while  liatening  to  your  teetlmony  of  the  grace  of 
the  Ooroel  of  Jesus  Christ)  to  our  preseot  place, 
Salem  obapel,  our  congregation  has  received  a 
oonsiderable  increase  under  the  ministry  of  our 
pastor,  ICr.  J  ohn  King.  On  Thursday,  81  st  l£ay. 
Mr.  Wale,  of  Beading,  preached  to  us  the  word 
of  life.  Kf.  W.  proved  that  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  Word  of  Ood ;  he  has  a  good 
aelivery,  and  nve  us  great  satisfiution.  On  the 
following  WMnesday,  Kr.  Oolibis,  of  Howe- 
street,  FlVmouth.  preached  to  us  a  spiritual  and 
truly  ediiMng  aisoourse  from  these  words,— 
"  Have  MUt  in  yoursdves,  and  have  peace  one 
with  another.'*  The  congregation  was  large  and 
deeplv  attentive.  We  have  great  reason  to  be 
grateful  for  the  mercy  and  goconess  of  Ood  shewn 
us  at  Salem.  

STEPNBT.— Cats  Adullam,  Old  Boad, 
Stxpnet.  Apbii.  89th.  —  Three  persons  were 
baptised  by  the  pastor.  ICr.  Davis,  of  Bath,  gave 
a  suitable  address  to  the  spectators.  The  num- 
ber baptised  by  Mr.  Webster  since  the  commence^ 
ment  of  his  ministry  among  us  is  twenty-one, 
with  eleven  more  received  upon  their  experience 
and  by  dismissals.  Others  are  waiting  for  ad- 
missi(»  into  the  church.  At  the  first  anniverssiy 
of  the  pastorate,  oollections  were  madc^amount- 
ing  to  upwards  of  £10,  which,  by  the  senior  dea- 
con, Mr.  Abbott,  was  presented  to  the  pastor  as  a 
proof  of  esteem  from  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion. 


Still  we  have  always  ^adly  carried  out  the  in- 
junction connected  with  the  ^ood  Samaritan's 
benevolence— (**  Oo  ye,  and  do  likewise'*)— when- 


fi,aUsi  bM  Queries. 

"Hidden  Ones."-'* A  Shoxeditch  Friend," 
**  A  Wandering  Jew,"  and  other  private  commu- 
nicants, have,  from  time  to  time,  uttered  hard 
thoughts  respecting  what  is  termed  our  **  partial 
idolising  of  popular  mmi'*  to  the  "  utter  neglect 
of  a  number  or  brethren  who  preach  the  truth — 
are  useful  to  believers— and,  in  their  measure, 
are  evidently  honoured  of  the  Lord,  in,  instru- 
mentally,  converting  sinners  and  comfortinff 
■aints.*'  We  must  confess  we  have  silently  passed 
by  many  corresptmdentB,  because  we  have  no  de- 
sire to  occupy  our  space  with  useless  letters. 
Still  w    ■         •  K-r.  

iunctio 
benevol 

ever  the  opportunmr  and  the  power  have  been 
given.  **  A  Silent  liiinker''  says  there  are  some 
most  solonn  fiscts  connected  with  the  position 
and  movements  of  some  of  our  cburehes  which 
demand  the  serious  attention  of  intelligent,  im- 
partial, and  truly  Christian  minds— where  seal 
is  neither  blindfolded  nor  lost  One  fact  is.  that 
**  many  believers  are  actually  denied  admission 
into  our  churches  because  they  are  poor;  or,  if 
not  absolutely  denied,  they  are  shifted,  sliffbted, 
wounded,  and  thus  driven  away."  We  have  4 
long  letter  fVom  one  of  this  class;  but  we  have 
not  snfHdent  evidence  that  poverty  alone  was  the 
around  of  rgectaon.  If  we  nad  indisputable  evi- 
dence that  any  minister,  deacons,  or  people,  had 
really  cast  away  a  believer  simply  because  his 
clothes,  his  cot,  and  his  worldly  condition  were 
dreadfiillv  poor,  we  would  not  hesitate  to  expose 
such  oonauctletits  consequences  be  ever  so  heavy. 
Two  more  fiicts  are— 1.  A  number  of  ministers 
have,  for  years,  been  oast  out  of  the  pale  of  public 
movements  because  of  some  aocual  or  supposed 
defect :  yet,— Sndly,  these  men  have  continued  in 
the  fiUth,  in  the  ministry,  in  their  churches,  and 
as  the  Lord  has  honoured  them  in  his  servicf^, 
why  should  they  not  enjoy  unity  and  fellowship 
in  the  churches  i  Nine  or  ten  names  are  given ; 
among  them  is  Mr.  Chislett's,  who  has,  with  his 
people,  recently  removed  to  a  new  place  in  York- 
street,  Walworth,  and  is  usefhl  to  many.  We 
will  resume,  if  possible. 


**The  Brighton  Hinisinr."— We  an  not 

quite  prepared  to  begin.  The  series  of  sermons 
on  the  Atonement  1^  an  ex-clenryman,  appear 
to  have  been  most  excellent.  Brooks -James 
Brooks— was  indeed  a  qiiritnal  martyr— an  able 
and  eloquent  preacher— a  deeply-sanotifled  divine 
—a  self-denying  witness  for  Jesus:— never  did 
Brighton  see  his  superior  within  its  walls.  His 
letters  we  have ;  and  may  introduce  them  in  eon- 
trasting  the  former  with  the  present  raee  of 
Brighton  ministers,  whose  various  features  and 
iUlacies  form  a  chsp^r  of  unpandleled  interest 
Brooks's  noble  widow  lays  in  Cranbrook  chnrefa- 
yard.  His  successor  in  Brighton  we  shall  not 
easily  find ;  but  in  the  dose  research  a  resemblance 
appears.  We  highly  esteem  Mr.  Wallinger;  and 
will  not  forget  his  works.  *^The  ungratefhl 
Oreat  Man"  is  *«  a  borderer:"  but  his  success,  hi 
one  form,  has  been  most  singular.  We  will  not 
say  one  word  upon  the  salary.  When  men  hire 
themselves  out  for  wpedHed  sums,  to  be  paid  by 
certain  contracting  parties,  they  must  be  hire- 
lings, they  must  be  servants,  thdr  masters  they 
must  obey.  We  are  opposed  to  the  system; 
therefore,  it  is  useless  writing  to  us.  We  will  not 
touch  that  point  Spiritual  Life,  Bed-hot  Love, 
New  Covenant  knowledge,  stead&stness  in 
eveiy  branch  of  thb  TBUTH,  these  are  the  cri- 
terions. 

ChrUt  more  than  Greeds. —  **  Silent 
Thinker^'  asks-**  how  is  it  such  a  high  and.  hard 
doctrine  man  as  James  Wells  is  so  successful?" 
We  answer,  he  is  not  a  high  and  hard  doctrine 
man,  in  the  abstract  sense  of  the  term.  If  he  did. 
as  **a  yonng  oountry  missionary"  writer—**  send 
us  all  to  »  who  believe  not  in  election  :**  this  is 
but  the  extreme  edge  of  his  decision  for  truth : 
for  the  most  part  he  preaches  Jbsus  Chubt  as 
the  Holy  Ghost  reveals  Him,  in  His  Person,  work» 
and  perfect  salvation.  James  Wells  is  not  an  un- 
bending wire,  nor  a  stiff,  tall,  hop-pole— as  some 
of  your  high  and  hard  creed  men  are— he  is  one 
of  the  most  flexible  ministers  in  all  the  regions  of 
Gospel  truths.  He  is  a  perfect  ferret  in  searching 
out  the  saints  and  the  souls  God  has  quickened— 
let  them  be  ever  so  much  hidden :  let  him  de- 
scend low  as  he  may  in  fishing  or  ferreting :  let 
him  range  wide  as  he  may  in  hunting  and  chasing 
after  the  people  of  GKmI,  he  always  carries  a  li ving« 
loving,  and  eternal  Jasus  CsaffiT  with  him  m 
his  heart  This  is  the  nand  secret  of  any  manis 
success  in  preaching.  Fighting  for  doctrines  or 
ordinances  merely,  only  pleases  hypocrites,  and  . 
frightens  the  fearful ;  talented  and  artificial  phi- 
sopnophy  only  acts  as  a  pleasing  picture  to  the 
natural  ^e ;  but  if  there  be  in  a  man's  soul  a  con- 
tinued unfolding  of  the  glory  of  Him  who  came 
to  seek  and  to  save  that  whidi  was  lost  it  will  so 
enlarge  and  elastidse  the  spirit  that  it  will  fly 
into  every  heart  where  Jesus  is,  and  for  whose 
salvation  Jesus  did  His  predous  life  lay  down. 
"  Silent  Thinker"  is  among  **  obscure  churches :" 
says  much  upon  the  variety  of  manner  and 
matter  in  the  ministry.  On  the  paper  we  see, 
Osbonie,  ofClaremont;  Whitteridse,  of  Kings- 
land  ;  Branch,  of  Bethnal-green ;  uhristmaa,  of 
Globe-road ;  Bewick,  Munns,  J.  Wi«e,  B.  All< 


What   is  it 
in  so  nmch 


J.  Chislett.  now  of  Tork-stieet,  Walworth ;  and 

tAhmrm.      "RilMit    ThinlrAr**  Mka,     "Wt^*'    *-   1 

sring  in 
We  answer  another  day. 


others.     *'Silent  Thmker"  aslca, 
keeps  these  poor  men  perseverinj 
discouragement  Y*'    ' 


9eat^. 

Dud.  on  Sundsy  morning,  June  SlsL  Mr.  Bo- 
bert  Sears,  fioher  of  Mr.  S.  B.  Sears,  of  Laxfield, 
Sufiblk,  and  deacon  of  the  Baptist  Church  under 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  John  Foreman,  London. 
Aged  dxty  years.  His  ransomed  spirit  now 
stands  before  the  throne,  shouting,  '*  victoht!** 
Dud,  on  Wednesday.  June  17th,  the  beloved 
fiither  of  Mr.  Thomas  Chivers,  of  Bbencxer,  Ber^ 
mondsey. 


Digitized  by 


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Aug.  1.  18«9. 


THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


179 


gibint  Jfortkttoiiiltbgt — (Blttim  U  fiolintss* 

By  Jomc  Browx,  A.M.,  Cosug,  Nbwtouhabds,  Irblaxd. 


CoicTEasiON  does  not  take  place  by  chance, 
but  according  to  an  immutable  purpose  ex- 
i*tin|y  in  the  eternal  mind.  "  Who  hath 
s-jved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling, 
not  according  to  oar  works,  but  according  to 
Uis  own  pimiose  and  grace,  which  was 
pven  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world 
U-gan."  Thoso  who  "love  God,"  are 
d^-scribed.  by  the  apostle  as  being  "the 
called  according  to  His  purpose,"  and  this 
purpose  he  represents  as  being  implied  in 
the  prescience  of  God.  "  For  whom  he  did 
foreknow.  He  also  did  predestinate  to  be 
conformed  to  the  image  of  His  Son."  2  Tim. 
i.  %  Rom.  Tiii.  29. 

The  doctrine  of  the  DiWne  prescience  is 
unirersally  acknowledged  hy  Christians. 
-'  Known  unto  God  are  all  His  works  from 
th**  iK^nning  of  the  world ;"  or  rather 
(aVaiwyoc)  "from  eternity,"  is  the  testi- 
mony of  the  Spirit  of  inspiration,  (Acti> 
XT.  18)  ;  &  testimony  which  at  once  com- 
mends itself  to  the  judgment  and  the  con- 
v-ienee  of  erery  rational  being.  This 
dt'Ctnne,  however,  implies  another  which 
is  denied  by  many  —  namely,  the  pre- 
ordination of  all  things.  Foreknowledge 
simply  sonifies  a  knowledge  of  things  be- 
fore they  come  into  existence;  but  when 
applied  to  God,  it  always  signifies  such  a 
foreknowledge  as  is  accompanied  with  a 
purpose  to  accomplish  the  thing  foreknown. 
For  God  certainly  does  not  foresee  that 
thines  will  happen  of  themselves  inde- 
pendeBt  of  Him ;  because  all  things  take 
place  under  the  direction  of  His  particular 
providence.  Even  a  sparrow  cannot  fall 
to  the  groond  without  nim.  Matt.  x.  29. 
I  may  foresee  that  certain  events  will  tran- 
spire, over  which  I  have  no  control,  and 
c^in&equently  cannot  be  said  to  ordain  them, 
V-ecause  I  have  no  power  over  them ;  but 
as  all  events  are  dependent  on  God  for 
thtir  accomplishment,  consequently  He  or- 
dains that  what  he  foresees  shall  come  to 
paais.  He  does  not  fore-ordain  future 
«^ent8,  because  He  foresees  that  they  wiU 
bxppen ;  but  He  foresees  them  because  He 
fcre-ordaina  their  accomplishment.  Fore- 
knowledge and  fore-ordination  necessarily 
co^exist  in  the  infinite  mind, — the  one  im- 
plies the  other  ;  hence  we  find  them  in- 
variably mentioned  together  in  the  Book  of 
God,  « I  am  God,"  says  He,  "  and  there 
is  none  like  me,  declaring  the  end  ftom  the 
^tegimting,  and  from  ancient  times  the  things 
that  wi^  not  yet  done,  saying,  My  counsel 

you  XIX>-No.  219. 


shall  stand,  and  I  will  doaUmy  pleasure*^ 
Is.  xlv.  9.  10. 

Some  allow  that  God  knew  from  all 
eternity  that  His  people  would  believe  the 
gospel,  but  deny  that  He  ordained  it.  Now 
we  would  ask  such  persons  whether  God 
knew  that  His  people  would  believe  the 
gospel  of  themselves^  or  that  He  would  cause 
them  to  believe  it  ?  Few  serious  persons,  it 
is  presumed,  will  profess  to  believe  that  God 
merely  foresaw  that  his  people  would  be- 
lieve the  gospel  without  the  help  of  His 
Holy  Spirit;  for  on  that  supposition  the 
believer  might  thank  himself,  rather  than 
Grod,  for  the  difference  between  him  and 
other  men.  But  if  it  be  admitted  that  God 
knew  from  all  eternity  that  He  would  cause 
His  people  to  believe  the  gospel— that  He 
would  give  them  a  new  heart  and  a  right 
spirit — that  He  would  create  them  unto  good 
works,  then  this  is  just  another  expres- 
sion for  pre-determimng  the  event.  If  I 
know  that  I  am  to  do  a  thing,  or  cause  a 
thing  to  be  done,  surely  I  intend,  purpose, 
or  ordain  that  thing  to  take  place.  Now  if 
God  knew  from  eternity  all  those  indi- 
viduals who  should  believe  the  gospel,  and 
if  He  knew  that  He  would  cause  them  to  be- 
lieve it,  certainly  he  must  have  intended  or 
purposed  it  from  eternity ;  for  when  a 
person  knows  that  he  will  cause  a  thing  to 
be  done,  he  intends  or  purposes  the  ac- 
complishment of  that  thing.  The  two 
expressions  are  synonymous.  God's  fore- 
knowledge is  always  accompanied  with  pre- 
destination. "Whom  He  did  foreknow, 
He  also  did  predestinate. 

The  word  foreknowledge  in  Scripture 
sometimes  includes  love  for  the  objects 
foreknown,  in  which  sense  it  is  used  in  Itom. 
xi.  2 ;  and  this  seems  to  be  its  meaning 
likewise  in  chap.  viii.  29.  It  is' equivalent 
to  election,  God  knew  His  people  from 
eternity,  by  setting  His  heart  upon  them. 
He  loved  them  with  an  everlasting  love, 
and  this  special  love  was  accompanied  with 
a  purpose  of  salvation,  "  For  whom  He 
foreknew,  He  also  did  predestinate  to  bo 
conformed  to  the  image  of  His  Son." 

As  God  has  predestinated  His  people  to 
glory,  so  He  has  chosen  them  to  nobness. 
Calvinista  are  sometimes  represented  as 
holding  that  God  has  determined  the  sal- 
vation of  the  elect,  do  what  they  will,  and 
that  He  has  determined  the  damnation  of 
the  reprobate,  irrespective  of  character. 
But  this  is  a  misrepresentotionjv  Calvinifita 


180 


THE  SABTHBN  VESSEL. 


Aug.  h  ifles. 


believe  that  the  means  and  the  end  are 
equally  appointed  of  God,  and  that  the  end 
cannot  be  gained,  without  attention  to  the 
means,  that  the  elect  are  chosen  to  hoUneatt 
without  which  even  their  salvation  would  be 
impossible,  because,  "  without  holiness  no 
man  shall  seethe  Lord."  The  elect  are 
predestinated  **  to  be  conformed  to  the  imag^ 
of  Hie  Son:*  The  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  "  chosen  us  in  Him 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  "  but 
it  is  "  that  toe  should  be  Jtofy^  and  without 
blame  before  Him  in  love," 

He  did  not  choose  us  because  he  foresaw 
that  we  would  become  holy  of  our  own  ac- 
cord, but  He  chose  us  (iivtu)  TO  BE 
holy.  Our  holiness  was  not  the  cause  of 
His  choice ;  but  His  choice  was  the  cause 
of  our  holiness.  "  For  we  are  His  work- 
manship, created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good 
works,  which  (good  works^  Ood  hath  fore- 
ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them" 
"  But  we  are  bound  to  give  thanks  alwav 
to  God  for  you,  belov^  of  the  Lord, 
says  Paul  to  the  Thessalohians,  "because 
God  hath  from  the  beginning  chosen  vou  to 
salvation,'*  but  it  is  "  through  sanctification 


of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth,"  And 
Peter  describes  believers  as  being  "elect 
according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God  the 
Father ;  "  but  it  is  through  sanct^ficaHon  of 
the  Spirit  unto  obedience,  and  eprinkUng  of 
the  blood  of  Jesua  Christ."  Bom.  viiL  29 : 
a)h.  i.  4;  iL  10;  2  Thes.  ii.  13;   1  Pet.  L 

Thus  the  connection  between  election  and 
holiness  is  so  inseparable,  that  the  charac- 
ter always  follows  the  privilege,  and  is 
the  only  satisfiwtory  evidence  of  it  Let 
us  therefore  "  give  diligence  to  make  our 
calling  and  election  sure**  by  adding  to  our 
"  faith,  virtue ;  and  to  virtue,  knowledge ; 
and  to  knowledge,  temperance;  and  to 
temperance  patience ;  and  to  patience,  god- 
liness ;  ana  to  godliness,  brotherly  kind- 
ness ;  and  to  br^erly  kindness,  charity." 
Let  us  "  put  on  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy 
and  beloved,  bowela  of  mercies,  kindness, 
humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long-suffer- 
ing, forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiv- 
ing one  another,"  and  thus  make  it  mani- 
fest by  our  spirit  and  deportment,  that  we 
are  the  people  whom  God  nath  chosen  for 
Himselfl 


AN  AUSTRALIAN  SERMON  FOR  BRITISH  CHRISTIANS. 

Br  JOHH  BrXTAN  HcCtUB,   of  StUNEY,  AuSTlULIiL 


Mt  DBAS  BaoTmSB, — ^I  was  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  on  Lord's-day,  March 
1st,  1840.  Twenty-three  years  this  Lord's- 
day  (1st  of  Maroh,  1863),  I  have  been 
kept  and  sustained  in  the  public  ministry 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ ; — 

**  0  to  ^Me  how  gnat  a  debtor  !** 
Grace,  indeed,  it  is,  and  has  been ;  for  1 
am  truly  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints ; 
yet  my  gracious  Lord  is  pleased  in  con- 
descension to  give  me  this  grace,  which  I 
have  found  to  be  sufficient  for  me,  notwith- 
standing the  thorns  in  the  flesh  and  the 
messenger  of  Satan ;  my  infirmities  and 
weaknesses  are  many,  and  my  power  being 
gone,  and  none  shut  up  or  left,  I  am  con- 
strained to  dedare  myself  a  poor  insolvent, 
and  I,  with  Paul,  "  most  gladly  glory  in  my 
infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Chnst  may 
rest  upon  me  ;*'  and  to  Him.  my  most 
precious  Lord  Jesus,  shall  my  praver  be, 
*'  I  beseech  Thee  still  remember  thy  poor 
servant  for  good,  even  with  the  rich  anoint- 
ings of  Thy  grace  :**  for  I  feel  more  than 
ever  that  I  am  poor  and  needy ;  yea,  that 
I  am  nothing;  therefore,  not  sufficient  of 
myself  to  think  anything  as  of  myself;  but 
O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul ;  my  sufficienqy 
is  of  the  Lord*  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost. 
I  preached  my  23rd  anniversary  sezmoDs 


from  Rom.  zr.  30,  morning  and  evening, 
and  was  very  much  favDUI^ed.  The  Lord 
blessed  the  sermons  to  many  of  His  dear 
people.  I  have  been  requested  to  pablisfa 
them,  but  that  I  cannot  do.  I  wul  give 
you  the  dirisions  of  the  subject;  more  I 
cannot  do  now. 

**Now  I  besMch  you,  brethren,  for  tlie  Locd 
JesuBCbriat'a  sake,  and  for  the  love  of  ttie  Spirit, 
that  3*e  strive  together  with  me  in  your  pm^'ezB 
to  God  for  me.^—Bomans  xr.  80. 

I.  Tub  Ap08tls*s  Solicituds — "  Now  I 
beseech  you,  brethren,  that  ye  strire 
together  with  me  in  your  prayers  to  God 
for  me." 

1.  He  calls  them  brethren  from  the 
regeneration  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
outward  and  visible  fruits  of  which  de- 
clared them  to  be  brethren — "By  their 
fruito  ye  shall  know  them." 

2.  He  beseeches  them  to  be  united — ^to 
strive  together  to  have  peace  among 
themselves.  In  order  to  have  this  peace, 
(1)  You  must  speak  well  of  all  your 
brethren:  ''Speak  evil  of  no  man."  (2) 
Avoid  all  secret  whi^penngs  and  back- 
bitings.  "A  froward  man  soweth  strife, 
and  a  whisperer  separateth  chief  friends," 
(3)  All  backbiters  mu«t  be  disoountenanoed. 
"The  north  wind  driveth  away  rain,  so 
doth  an  angiy  countenance  a  backbiting 


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181 


tongue."  (4)  If  your  brother  has  offended 
jou,  "  Tell  him  of  his  feiults  between  him 
and  thee  alone."  (5)  Never  receiTe  or 
beUere  a  [report  against  a  brother  until 
roB  know  it  to  be  true.  I  beseech  yon, 
brethren,  for  these  things  strive  together, 

3.  To  be  united  with  himseff;  strive  to- 
g^ether  vith  me,  that  I  may  build  up  the 
Church  of  Christ.  I  showed  what  it  was 
Rot  to  strive  together  wiUi  one  another,  and 
with  the  Lord's  servant,  by  the  following 
which    is   re-published   in  the    Ckrietian 


II.  How  TO  Breajc  a  CHU&cn  down. 
To  do  this  effectually,  you  must  discourage 
iiie  pastor,  discouraee  your  fellow-mem- 
bers, and  destroy  the  confidence  of  the 
co2iimniiity. 

L  To  discourage  the  Fastor,  (1)  Absent 
jouzself  from  one  service  every  Sabbath, 
or  miss  at  least  one  in  three ;  if  he  is  not 
xerj  etrcnig,  once  in  four  times  may  answer. 
/2)  JS'eglect  the  prayer-meetings.  (3) 
Criticize  your  minister  freely — ^pray  for 
him  little  or  none.  ^4)  Give  yourself  no 
onoem  whether  his  sti^Mend  is  paid  or  not. 
(5)  Kerer  allow  him  to  think  that  his  com- 
fort, or  that  of  his  family,  is  a  matter  of 
any  importance  in  your  eyes. 

2.   To    diaeouroM  your  feUow-memberSy 

E  Observe  the  dir^jtions  given  above. 
Complain  about  everything  they  do  and 
't  do.  (3J  Contrive  to  make  yourself 
the  Iksad  of  a  clique,  and  by  their  assist- 
ance and  your  own  industry  keep  the 
cfaoreh  in  hot  water  general]^.  (4)  While 
doiag  this,  lose  no  opportunity  to  complain 
of  the  Uid  treatment  you  are  receiving. 
(5)  Be  as  much  like  Diotrephes,  and  as 
Uttle  like  Panl  aa  you  can.  (6)  Dis- 
card charity  and  candour,  take  distrust  to 
jonr  bos<ni,  and  make  scheming  your 
specialty. 

^  To  detiroy  the  coi^fidence  of  the  eom- 
imtnity.  (i)  Observe  the  foregoing  di- 
rectionsL  (2)  Tell  the  people  that  you  are 
in  the  chureh  by  force  of  circumstances,  but 
have  no  respect  for  the  way  in  which 
bosineas  is  conducted.  (3)  Publish  it  on 
an  occasions  that  you  have  no  confidence 
in  the  eoncem ;  predict  that  it  must  fail,  go 
down,  never  can  succeed,  and  then  move  off 

By  observing  these  directions  faithfully, 
^oa  may  have  the  aatisfaclion,  if  the  church 
IS  not  nnnsnally  vigorous,  of  witnessing  the 
fallQment  of  your  predietions. 

4.  Strive  togeUier  with  me  in  your 
jrmftre  to  Qod  fat  me ;  then  consider,  in 
the  second  place,  ths  BLKssiaas  that  bx 
CTfliasD  in  antic^Mltion  of  trouble,  for 
tumbles  he  en)ected,  bonds  and  affiictions 
avatted  bim,  &c  (H  That  I  may  be  de- 
liTesed  fiom  them  that  do  not  believe. 
(2)  That  my  service  that  I  have  may  be 
aeoBfted  of  theaainla.tliat  I  may  come  onto 


you  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ  ^3)  That  I  may  come  unto 
you  with  joy  by  me  will  of  Grod,  and  may 
with  you  be  refreshed ; 

IlL  And  in  the  last  place,  thx  abgu- 
MXNT  that  he  employed  why  the  brethren 
should  strive  together  with  one  another, 
and  with  himaeu,  and  with  God  for  him, 
(1)  For  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  (2) 
For  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  which  love  is 
seen  in  His  ofi&ce,  character,  and  work ;  and 
making  the  Gospel  preadied  power  and 
life — the  power  and  efficacy  of  the  Gospel 
preached  is  alone  from  the  Holy  Ghost. 
For  neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything, 
neither  he  that  watereth,  but  God  that 
giveth  the  increase.  Ministers  are  nothing 
to  the  accomplishment  of  the  conversion  of 
the  soul  to  God  without  the  Hol^  Ghost; 
therefore,  for  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  strive 
together  with  me :  then  you  will  not  dis- 
courage the  Lord's  servants  who  ought  to 
be  "  esteemed  very  highly  in  love  for  their 
work's  sake."  JS^either  will  von  discourage 
your  brethren,  who  are  aaopted  by  the 
same  Father,  related  to  the  same  elder 
Brother,  and  bom  again  by  the  same 
Spirit,  and  the  confidence  of  those  that  are 
without  you  will  not  destroy ;  but  you  will 
then  prove  tOythem  that  there  is  a  truth  and 
reality  in  your  profession,  and  in  the 
religion  of /esnsl  That  it  may  be  so  with 
us — ^"  Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  for  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sulc,  and  for  tiie  love 
of  the  Spirit,  that  ye  strive  together  with 
me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  mo." 

I  am  thankful  in  being  able  to  say  that 
the  people  of  m^  charge  have,  and  do 
strive  together  with  me  in  seeking  the 
peace  of  me  cit^r,  the  Church  of  God ;  and 
many  encouraging  instances  I  have  had  of 
the  word  preadied  bein^  made  the  vehicle, 
through  which  the  vital  power  of  the 
Spirit  has  been  conveyed  to  the  souL 

I  am  going  to  baptize  this  month  some 
whom  G^  has  ^ven  to  me  as  seals  and 
souls  for  my  ministry.  One  was  met  with 
under  the  word  I  preached  in  the  "  Royal 
Lyceum  Theatre." 

**  Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong." 

We  have  bought  the  land  for  the  chapel 
at  a  cost  of  i.700 ;  and  through  the  kindness 
of  friends,  we  have  got  the  money  to  pay  for 
it  The  conveyance  will  be  ready  this  week, 
when  the  money  will  be  j^d ;  then  we 
shall  commence  to  build,  xhe  foundation- 
stone  of  our  new  chapel  will  be  laid  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weelos.  I  will  forward  you 
full  particulars  of  the  service  and  meeting 
we  hope  to  hold.  Wishing  you  and  all 
the  churches  of  the  saints,  boins  the 
Churches  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Loro,  the 
abundance  of  peace  and  truth. 

So  prays  your  brother  in  the  Gospel, 
JOHK  BusTA»-McCuBar 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


182 


THB  EARTHEN  VESSBL. 


Aug.  1,  1463. 


COMPANIONS  OF  THE  CROSS; 

^   l^arrHttb  of  game  of   6ob's   ^ohU$   J^onnb  in  t^e  ^tt^ihts  of  ibt  €^c^. 


Hark !  how  the  blood-boo^ht  host*  above 
Ck>nBpire  to  praiw  radeeminff  love, 

Iq  sweet  hArmonioas  straTiiB ; 
And  while  they  strike  their  golden  lyres, 
This  glorious  uieme  each  bosom  flres, 

Thit  gFBoe  triumphant  reigns. 


BbTWIEIT   "  ThB  ViCAB  and  THB  FURITAM, 

OP  the  Two  Isaacs,"  of  which  I  have  spoken, 
it  is  possible  that  there  might  be  a  three- 
fold essential  difference.  Of  all  the  saints 
of  God,  Jade  speaks  when  addressing  them. 
He  says, — "  Sanctified  hy  God  the  Father, 
preserved  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  called." 
The  root  of  all  real  religion  is  deeply  em- 
bedded in  the  sanctification  of  the  Father. 
Of  this  secret,  solemn,  and  eternal  act  of 
Almighty  God,  the  Fsalmist  speaks  (Psalm 
iv.),  and,  in  times  of  persecution,  he  falls 
back  upon  it  for  relief,  for  rest^  and  for  a 
sure  defence,  when  he  makes  a  wonderM 
contrast  between  those  who  are  not,  and 
those  who  are,  thus  "  sanctified  by  Gk)D  thb 
Father."  Those  who  are  not  he  desig- 
nates "  the  sons  of  meut*  and  he  describes 
them  by  a  three-fold  course  of  action : — 
(1.)  "  How  long  will  ye  turn  my  glory  into 
shame?"  ^2,)  "How  long  wilf  ye  love 
vanity  V*  (3.)  "  How  long  will  ye  seek 
after  leasing?"  Persecuting  Gods  cause 
and  people,  delighting  in  perishing  and 
vain  delights,  and  trusting  only  to  lies, 
make  up  uie  character  of  those  who  are  not 
sanctified.  To  them  David  says,  "But 
know  that  the  Lord  hath  set  apart  him 
that  is  (JoDLY  for  Himself  I"  This  word, 
rendered  ^o<?/y,  means  good  and  merciful. 
Gill  says,  it  designs  one  to  whom  God  is 
good,  gracious,  and  mercif^:  who  is  an 
object  of  His  free  grace  and  favour,  and 
who  is,  experimentally  and  manifestively, 
set  apart  for  the  service,  honour,  and  glory 
of  the  Lord  Gkxi.  Consequently,  Jude  says, 
thqr  are  "preserved  in  Jesus  Christ  and 
called."  The  root  of  the  church's  salva- 
tion is  in  God  the  Father.  The  rock  in 
which  she  is  hidden  is  in  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  realising  fruit  of  the  whole  is  found  in 
a  being  "  caUedJ*  If  you  take  that  one 
word  "  eaffed"  and  trace  it  through  the 
New  Testament,  you  will  (if  the  Spirit  of 
God  has  given  you  eyes  to  see,  ears  to  hear, 
and  a  heart  to  receive  heavenly  things,  you 
will}  discover  some  special  and  indisputable 
evidences  of  a  real  Christian's  chuacter 
and  condition. 


Join,  then,  my  soul,  for  thou  canst  tell, 
How  graoe  Divine  broke  up  thy  cell, 

And  loos'd  thy  native  chains : 
And  still,  fhmi  that  auspicious  day, 
How  oft  art  thou  constrained  to  say. 

That  grace  triumphant  reigns. 

Oraoe,  till  the  tribes  redeem*d  by  blood, 
Are  brought  to  know  themselves  and  God, 

Her  empire  shall  maintain : 
To  call,  wnm  He  appoints  the  day. 
And  from  the  mighty  take  the  prey, 

Shall  grace  triumphant  reign. 

To  my  mind,  there  is  much  worthy  of 
holy  contemplation  in  Matthew's  account 
of  the  Saviour's  commencement  of  His  com- 
mission. After  He  had  been  baptized  by 
John ;  after  He  had  been  tempted  by  Satan ; 
after  Jesus  had  heard  that  John  was  cast 
into  prison ;  He  left  Kazareth,  He  came  and 
dwelt  in  Capernaum,  and  there  He  began 
to  preach  and  to  say,  "Repent,  for  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand."  I  ask  a 
question  here.  Is  there  not  a  grand  dis- 
tinction between  what  may  be  termed  the 
Saviour's  general  preaching  and  His  special 
eaUingl  After  preaching,  He  walked  by 
the  sea  of  Galilee;  there  He  saw  Simon 
Peter  and  Andrew  his  brother,  "casting  a 
net  into  the  sea."  Busy,  enough  in  their 
worldly  occupation  were  they :  and  if  any 
one  had  said  to  them,  "  Have  ye  not  heard 
of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  is  preaching  in 
our  coasts?"  doubtless,  they  would  have 
said,  "We  have  enough  to  do  to  mind  onr 
fishing."  But  when  Jesus  said  u>'to  thsv, 
"FOLLOW  ME,  and  I   will  make  you 


fishers  of  men"— ^my  instruments  to  con- 
vert men  to  God)— they  straightway  left 
their  nets  and  followed  Him.  Going  further 
on.  He  saw  James  and  John,  with  Zebedee 
their  father,  in  a  ship,  mending  their  nets, 
and  He  called  them— not  Zebedee ;  for  it  is 
said,  "they  immediately  left  the  shij 
and  their  father,  and  followed  Him. 
CHRIST'S  CALLiKQ  goes  right  into  the 
heartf  and  fh>m  that  moment  the  heart 
goes  after  Him ;  and  the  heart  will  influ- 
ence the  life,  although,  as  in  Peter's  case, 
there  may  be  a  temporary  denial— there 
may  sometimes  be  a  following  Him  afar 
off— and  there  may  be  apparent  contradic- 
tions ;  yet,  after  all,  the  voice  of  Christ  in 
the- soul  is  invincible:  by  it  Divine  life  is 
spoken  into  that  soul,  and  a  vital  union 
formed  which  cannot  be  destroyed.  To  the 
Romans,  Paul,  speaking  of  the  Gentiles 
who  had  received  grace,  leading  to  the 
obedience  of  faith,  he  says,  "Among  whom 
are  ye  also  thb  called  or  Jbscs  Cioust. 
Ministers  may  expound — they  may  pro- 
claim  and  preach-^tlu^iiiaj^iram  and  per- 

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Aag.  K  1M». 


THX  SARTHSN   VXSSBL. 


183 


of  them  will  inirite  and 
"ojfer" — bat  Jesus  Chiiftt  onl^  can  caU— 
efbctnaUy  ajid  certamly  call — into  the  fel- 
lowship and  unity  of  the  Gospel  of  God. 

Of  Isaac  Beeman,  the  Puritan,  I  hare  no 
hesitation  in  saying  he  was  called,  set  apart, 
and  honoured — in  every  sense  preserved  in 
Jesofl  Christ;  and  was  instrumental  in 
hringing  many  poor  sinners  into  the  king- 
dom of  girace ;  as  from  his  letters  and  ser- 
mons I  will  hope  to  shew ;  but  of  my  vicar's 
caU  I  cannot  say  much.  There  were  some 
things  about  him  I  cannot  forget;  but  to 
say  they  proved  his  heavenly  calling,  is 
more  than  I  now  can  do. 

I  cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  writing 
a  line  or  two  of  my  own  call  here,  and  how 
much  my  hope  of  salvation  is  sometimes 
strengthened  by  the  fact,  that  more  than 
thirty  years  ago,  when  dosely  bound  in 
sleep  I  lay,  the  voice  came,  "  Awake  thou 
that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  and 
Cdust  snail  mve  thee  Ught."  Thrown  to 
the  winds,  as  I  have  been,  in  my  efforts  to 
fin  the  earth  with  the  testimonies  of  God's 
gracions  plan  and  power  of  salvation  — 
sunken  in  sorrow  as  most  times  now  I  am — 
the  remembrance  that  Jksus  came  Himself 
and  called  me — that  my  poor  heart  has  ever 
mnee  gone  after  Him  and  His  good  ser- 
vice—although by  saint  and  sinner,  by  self 
and  all  self-righteous  ones  I  am  condemned, 
still  the  glorious  voice  of  Jesus  in  my  soul 
doth  sometimes  lead  me  to  hope,  that  at 
the  last.  He  will  with  pit^ook  on  me,  and 
take  a  wanderer  home.  While  I  write  this, 
amonf  a  handful  of  letters  to  hand,  there  is 
one  ^ich  comes  out  of  the  heart  of  a  child 
of  God,  to  whom  I  hope  the  Spirit  has 
made  my  ministry  a  blessing.  1  quote  a 
i»eiit«nce  or  two  to  shew  the  kind  of  pure 
devotion  the  Gospel  engenders  when  it  leads 
a  soul  to  shelter  in  the  bonds  and  blessed- 
ness of  the  great  Redeemer.  The  way  in 
which  the  writer  has  had  to  travel  has  oeen 
rhiongfa  soul-trouble.  Kot  long  ago,  the  Sun- 
day evening's  discourse  was  powerful  in 
administering  comfort;  on  monday,  the 
eputle  was  written.  It  so  confirmed  my 
fanpe  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with 
me  for  good,  that  I  could  not  refrain  from 
weeping  tean  of  eratitude  in  the  valley 
when  I  read  the  foDowing  lines  :«- 

"Since  yesterday,  I  have  enjoyed  a  quiet 
and  thoughtiiil  sweetness  almost  unknown 
t9  this  wayward  heart  of  mine.  Every- 
thing calls  for  thankfulness  and  devotion 
of  ^Niit.  I  do  feel  the  Lord  is  leading  me 
IB  a  righc  way.  Love  and  tenderness  only 
are  traced  in  His  hand-writing  for  my  soul 
gverjfwhere.  0 !  I  tremble  to  stir  lest  this 
sweet  spirit  leave  me  again  to  battle  'neath 
taiipitation*s  fieiy  heat,  and  let  me  feel  for- 
tmken,  Yet»  I  Imow  this  is  but  a  transient 
xest ;  perhaps  to  prepare  me  for  something 


harder  yet  to  come.  At  this  Uioiu;ht  my 
soul  would  faint,  but  that  Jesus  stm  lives. 
His  faithfulness  cannot  fail.  Therefore, 
with  David  I  say,  '  Though  a  host  should 
encamp  aeainst  me,  I  will  not  fear.'  Kew 
trials  shall  brln^  new  triumphs ;  and  from 
them  shall  sprmg  fresh  Ebenezers  to  the 
glory  of  my  great  Deliverer. 

"  All  His  works  shall  praise  Him,  since 
He  will  bow  to  accept  such  feeble  homage ; 
and  I  will  praise  Him  too. 

"I  seldom  revert  to  by-gone  joys;  for 
when  they're  gone,  I  cannot  call  tnem  mine. 
Yet  I  must,  if  I  can,  describe  the  blessed- 
ness  I  felt  at  Bethel  last  msht,  Lideed, 
the  Lord  was  there.  The  golden  oil  flowed 
most  sweetly  o'er  my  soul,  and  in  its  way 
I  feel  assured  it  did  impart  life  and  feeling 
to  many  a  stony  heart ;  yea,  joy  and  heal- 
ing to  many  a  smarting  souL 

"  I  do  feel  assured  this  precious  seed- 
time will  bring  an  abundant  harvest ;  and 
they  that  gather  it  shall  eat  it,  and  praise 
the  Loan. 

**  0,  sir,  when  I  see  how  blessedly  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  is  with  you  in  His  holy 
word,  I  coidd  wish  my  own  life  cut  off  in 
its  youth  and  vigour,  and  added  to  your 
days,  that  you  might  yet,  for  a  long  time 
to  come,  glorify  His  dear  name.  It  may 
appear  a  strange  thought;  but  call  it  not 
a  wild  one: — it  comes  from  mv  soul,  its 
object  is  the  glory  of  God,  and,  although 
impracticable,  He  knows  it  proceeds  from 
an  ardent  love  to  His  cause  and  His 
GospeL 

**  Last  week  I  wtis  very  sad  about  you ; 
because  in  your  writings,  and  everything  hut 
PESACHiKG,  you  show  so  much  deej^-rooted 
sorrow.  Now  while  I  was  praying  for 
you,  those  words  came  with  power  and 
sweetness  to  my  soul,— (and  I  have  just 
been  beseeching  the  Lord  to  re-assure  me 
that  they  did  indeed  come  from  Him ;  and 
I  have  a  sweet  and  established  belief  it  is 
really  so— the  words  were  these : — )  *  Even 
as  I  have  watched  over  to  pluck  up,  and 
destroy;  so  will  I  watch  over  to  plant 
and  to  build,  saith  the  Lord.' 

"  On  last  Sabbath,  I  felt  still  more  en- 
couraged to  believe  the  Lord  will  bless 
you  at  Bethel." 

With  all  the  inward  might  I  have,  would 
I  the  Saviour's  name  extol ;  and  sincerely 
wait  on  Him  for  all  the  strength,  patience, 
wisdom,  and  uplifting  mercy  which  I  so 
greatly  need. 

**  Aspiring  high,  my  spirit  longs  to  rise : 
I  would  for  ever  a  well  above  the  skies ; 
Botir'd  am  I  of  self  and  all  I  see, 
I  sigh,  I  pant,  great  God.  to  be  with  Thee : 
There^I  sinoerdy  would  Thy  name  adote. 
And  all  the  glories  of  Thy  grace  explore ; 
Bound  Thy  nch  love,  and  join  the  blessed  song, 
As  vast  KTSBiriTV  shall  roll  along." 

Beturning    to    my  narrative,   before    I 

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THE  EABTHSir  VXSfflKU 


Aug.  1, 180l» 


ftiidier  dissect  the  spiritual  chanurten  of 
the  two  Isaacs,  I  would  carefully  review  the 
uprising  of  that  class  of  ministers  and  be* 
lieving  people  with  whom  Isaac  Beeman 
stood  connected ;  and  in  the  midst  of  whom 
he  was  as  bright  an  ornament,  as  pure  a 
Christian,  and  as  deront  a  minister  as  any 
in  the  good  old  Hnntingtonian  school. 

William  Huntington  was  most  decidedly 
the  man  whom  God  raised  up,  after  George 
Whitfield  had  let  the  net  down  on  the  right 
side  of  the  ship,  and  caught  such  an  amajnng 
draught  of  fishes,  that  he  couM  not  pos- 
sibly get  them  all  to  Und ;  and  what  he  did 
bring  to  land  needed  swarating  and  sort- 
ing, so  that  the  bad  might  be  cast  away, 
and  the  good  ones  taken  caore  of.  To 
gather  out  the  living  in  Jerusalem,  tso  feed, 
nourish,  strengthen,  and  build  them  up, 
was  truly  the  work  the  "  nnner  saffuP*  had 
to  do.  The  Lord  called  him,  made  him, 
qualified  him,  sent  him,  and  preserved  him 
on  purpose;  and  from  his  ministry  and 


would  beautifully  iOustnite  the  soreniffD 
love  and  care  of  God,  in  gathering  in  His 
people,  and  leading  them  on  in  righteous- 
ness and  truth  by  means  and  men  nost 
varied  in  many  pomts  of  view. 

I  have  before  me  the  cottage  where 
Huntington  was  bom  ;  and  a  view  of  the 
mansion  at  Criekelwood,  where  he  last  re- 
sided. The  school  where  William  leaned 
his  A  B  C,  and  many  of  the  scenes  of  his 
earlier  days,  are  very  fiuniliar  to  me ;  and 
although  I  never  designed  such  a  course, 
yet  I  fcel  compelled  to  set  up  a  little  me- 
morial of  the  man  who  may  well  be  called 
"  the  spiritual  father  oi  the  present  gene- 
ration of  experimental  divines,"  and  who 
was  one  of  "  The  Companions  of  the  Cross" 
to  a  certain^ ;  but  for  this  month,  I  must 
say,  farewell 

SOME  OF  MR.  BKEMAN*8  LAST  W0KD8. 

Mb.  Thomas  Bbemak,  minister  of  the  Gos- 


writings',  sprang  up  Mr.  Turner,  of  Sinder-  I  ?^*  *°i«>°  ^^  ^^J^  ^'  ^f^  ^^^' 
'      '     "     -       ■     ■  -n,  of  Leicester;  Mr.  I  ^"^**«'*.^^f^o^'?^^®**«F»^"* 


I  an  angry  spirit ;  but  we  have  omitted  some 
haiw  words,  but  none  of  the  mean- 


land;  Mr.  Chamberlain, 

Jenkins,   of  Lewes;    and  after  him,   Mr.      -,.-,- 

Vinal ;  Mr.  Brooks,  of  Brighton  ;  Mr.  Isaac  I  ?^  ^.?'        _,,      ,  »  •    ^mi  iv 

Beeman,    of  Cranbrook ;    ah  I    and    even  i  «8-    "The  godly  dergyman"  is  stiUhv 

WiUiam    Gadsby,    of   Manchester;    John  '  >^: *^  f»*  »  ^«y  "^*™^^VT^^ 

Warburton,  of  Trowbridge;  and  all  that !  ^^  ^^J^^  ]^  Beeman.    Perhaps  *  Ae 

numerous  host  of  men  now  called  **  8ia»' 


dard    men;"    all    of    them    suocessiyely 
derived  their  position— directly  orindirectly 


fear  of  man"  should  be  replaced  by  this 
sentence,  "the  fear  of  separating  those 
whom  the  Lord  had  received ;   or  of  rs* 


from  the  m'an  who  wrote  ^'iTke  Bank  if  *^«^^«„*^  whom  the  Lord  bwi  not  le- 
ToiW'   and  many   other  valuable  worksl  ««\^«i.^  ^T« f*^- Jl^on^^  Beeman,- 
which  are  stiU  a  blessing  to  thousands  in  !   ,1-  ^\  ^^  ^««  ^^^^  ^"^  ««  ^  ^^ 
the  gates  of  the  daughter  of  Zion.  <^^  i^lona.  a  diurch  ? 

I  might  have  said  that  Joseph   Irons,       2.  Wa»  aot  his  most  devoted  parent  a 
George  Abrahams,  and  some  more  of  that  i  »«»>«  of  a  Baptist  church  V^^  t<> 


class  also  sprang  out  of  Huntington's  loins ; 
only  there  were  divergencies  in  all  after 
Mr.  Huntington's  death.  Mr.  Gadsby  and 
Mr.  Warburton  in  doctrinal  and  ex- 
perimental things  followed  "the  coal- 
neayer**  closely;  but  in  ordinances,  they 
clave  unto  New  Testament  order.  Mr. 
Irons  fi>llowed  1&.  Huntington  in  the  go- 
vernment of  the  church,  out  he  aimed 
more  at  preaching  what  he  considered  thm 
GosPKL ;  while  Mr.  Abrahams,  renouncing 
baptism  altogether,  travelled  in  an  experi- 
mental line  as  nearly  like  Mr.  Huntington 
as  possible.  And  it  may  be  said  that 
nearly  the  whole  body  of  the  "  Standard 
men'^aim  at  preaching  the  same  experience 
aslfr.  Huntington ;  but  how  fearfbUymany 
of  them  come  behind  him  in  depths  of  ex- 
perience and  in  ministerial  power,  let  the 
weakness  of  their  communities  and  churches 
declare. 

To  review  the  whole  oonrse  of  that  pact 
of  the  church's  history  since  William 
Huntington  first  commenced  his  ministry  at 
Ewell,  Woking,  &c.,  down  to  tho-present 
time,  would  mcAe  an  interesting  page ;  and 


hearing  Mr.  Huntington  ?  but,  uter  he  waft 
called  to  the  ministry,  did  he  ever  ttdmi- 
nister  the  ordinance  of  believer^s  baptism  ? 
Much  as  we  loved  that  dear  man  of  God, 
we  firmly  believe,  if  Mr.  Huntington  had 
beeni  a  decided  Baptist,  hia  son  in  the  fiuth 
would  have  observed  the  same. 

3.  We  ask,  Was  the  ordinance  of  th» 
Lord's  Supper  ever  administored  in  Pftm- 
dence  chapel,  Granhrook,  by  the  late  Mr. 
Isaac  Beeman?  Where,  then,  lies  the- 
falsehood  with  which  Tbomaa  charges  us  ?— 
En. 

TO  THE  XDrrOB  or  THB  MAMTRBSr  VSSSEL. 

Sm, — My  attention  haa  been  called  to  an 
article  in  the  EAirnBir  VsasBL  for  Jvfyr 
entitled,  *'  The  Vicar  and  the  Puritan,"  in 
which  comments  are  made  iroon  my  f^ 
ther's  character  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel- 
Although  I  differ  in  several  reeneott  from 
the  opinions  expressed  of  him  in  that  aitlcle^ 
I  should  have  taken  no  notice  of  it  (as,  of 
couiae,  every  man  has  the  priyUege  of  «• 
tertaiiiing  and  expresanig  nis  own  vkfwa 
and  impressions  of  persons)  had  there  a«t 
been  in  it  so  gross  an  aspersioA  caat  upon 


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THE  EABTHXH  TE8BBL. 


185 


mv  father's  conduct  in  his  ministerial  office, 
that  the  respect  and  Talue  I  entertain  for 
him  as  a  true  senrant  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  well  as  the  affection  I  bear  to- 
v;ards  him  as  a  parent,  compel  me  to  give 
it  an  immediate  and  direct  contradiction. 

The  statement  to  which  I  refer  is  made 
npon  the  anthoritj  of  a  "godly  clergyman," 
and  19  as  follows : — "  That  Mr.  JBeeman 
admitted  in  his  last  illness,  that  through 
fear  of  man^  he  nerer  formed  a  church ; 
never  baptiaed ;  nerer  publicly  administered 
the  Lord's  Supper." 

This  statement.  Sir,  is  false.  There  is 
not  the  shadow  of  a  foundation  for  it.  I 
aseert  this  upon  my  own  personal  know- 
ledge. 

(>od  itiade  my  father  fiiithfol  in  the  mi- 
xristiy,  and  kept  him  faithful.  He  would 
hare  scOTned  such  baseness  as  "a  godly 
def;gyman'*  slanderously  charges  him  with. 
It  may  be  said  that  I  speak  strongly ;  my 
only  reply  is  that  I  wish  to  do  so,  for  I  feel 
strongly. 

Writing  to  a  friend,  my  father  says, 
"Sometimes  I  go  into  the  pulpit"  and 
"know  not  how  I  shal}  do;  but  by  the 
time  I  hare  spoken  five  words,  my  heart 
has  been  opened  and  enlarged,  and  then, 
if  aD  the  kings  and  nobles  upon  earth  were 
there,  they  would  not  daunt  my  soul :  for 
at  saeh  times  I  regard  no  one,  and  feel 
neamess  to  Him  that  is  infinit^y  greater 
than  they." 

To  another  friend  he  writes :  "  I  have 
this  witness,  that  the  lore  of  Christ  con- 
strsiBed  me  at  first  to  speak  in  His  name. 
Neither  fiUky  lucre  nor  self-applause  had 
any  infioeiiee  in  it."  To  another:— "The 
mesaen^vzs  that  are  sent  to  Zion  with 
tidinp  in  their  month,  know  no  man  after 
the  flesh :  .  .  .  .  Tkey  esteem  reproach  for 
Ckrist  of  more  vakie  than  the  beet  of  the 
woridJ*  To  another,  with  special  reference 
to  ministers,: — "Gh>d  makes  all  His  chil- 
dren honest  by  Bis  heart-searching  and 
heart'tXTUig  work." 

The  late  Rer.  Hemy  Birch  compiled  a 
brief  sommaiy  of  my  fiither's  state  of  mind 
dmring  hie  last  iUneea,  and  read  it  to  the 
eongr^ation  at  Cranbrook  on  the  first  Sab- 
bath morning  after  the  funeiaL  From  it 
I  make  the  fiSlowing  extracts : — 

"  God  shone  upon  His  own  work  in  his 
(Xr.  Beeman's)  soul,  monad  U  and  hen- 
tnared  it,  and  gare  fresh  testimony  to  the 
work  of  Hts  own  Spirit,  attended  with  loTe 
and  approbation,  pcurticularly  by  these 
words:  'Thou  hast  been  faS^fid  over  a 
frw  thuDgs,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over 
^things:  eBt«r  thom  into  the  joy  of  thy 


This  was  m  the  fret  pnt  of  his  iH- 
OMr.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  it,  one 
mondng  iriien  unable  to  speak  distinctly, 


he  wrote  on  a  paper  (now  in  my  possession), 
"  Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  de- 
part in  peace,  according  to  Thy  word,  for 
mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation."  The 
day  after  he  had  written  the  above,  he 
said,  *•  Peace  is  come  in  like  a  river:  right- 
consness  covers  me  all  over  like  a  breast- 
plate: a  glorious  light  shines  all  round 
my  head." 

During  his  illness,  he  said,  '<  If  a  man 
was  blessed  with  the  Spirit  of  the  Almighty 
as  He  has  taught  me,  he  would  preach  the 
same  doctrine  I  have  done." 

Not  a  word  fell  from  his  lips  of  the  kind 
referred  to  by  the  clergymen.  I  beg  to 
commend  these  extracts  to  the  attention  of 
your  readers. 

To  the  clergymen  I  would  say,  It  is  not 
a  light  matter  to  brin^  such  4  chaige 
against  an  honoured  minister  of  the  Lord 
Jesos  Christ.  It  is  stumbling  to  the 
blind;  it  is  an  hindrance  to  the  weak: 
it  is  a  temptation  to  the  strong.  The 
blind  may  say,  See  the  emptiness  of  these 
pvofessoTB.  They  teach  one  thing  and  do 
another.  Here  is  a  man  insisting  that 
Gk)d  makes  His  people  honest,  and  yet 
himself  all  the  time  keeping  back  part 
of  God's  truth  from  fear  of  man.  The 
weak  may  say,  How  can  we  tell  who  is 
right:  what  is  truth,  or  who  shall  stand,  if 
a  minister  could  so  preach  as  Mr.  B.  did, 
and  yet  be  sinnine  against  light,  as  it  is 
now  said,  Mr.  fi.  admitted  he  <ud,  through 
fear  of  man  ?  The  strong  may  be  tempted 
to  think  that  it  is  of  no  eonse^nce  if  they 
are  not  so  particular  in  thmr  conduct  as 
onpe  they  thought  it  needfiil  to  be,  if  Mr. 
B.  might  do,  as  it  is  asserted  he  admitted 
he  di<^  and  yet  hare  peace,  and  get  safe  to 
rest. 

I  hope,  sir,  the  dergfman  will  be  more 
cautious  in  ftitnre,  and  regrstting  the  ne- 
cessity I  am  under  of  intruding  my  self  upon 
your  readers, 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  serrant, 

TooxAs  S.  Bbbman. 

Cranbrook,  Kent,  July  15th,  1863. 


"  He  that  SKuzwra,  avd  is  bafrzed, 
SHALL  BB  sAVBD." — ^HeTO  you  havc  three 
most  precious  and  powerftil  elements  of  the 
Gospel  Ministiy:  ist,  its  eimpUcitVy  "He 
that  believeth,  and  is  baptized."  2nd,  its 
eovereignty :  it  only  produces  a  livinff  faith 
in  those  to  whom  the  Holj^  Spirit  applies  the 
word  with  power.  3rd,  its  certainty,  such 
beUefers  **  shall  be  sared."  What  is  it  to 
believe?  What  is  it  to  be  sayxd?  The 
Lord  enable  you  to  work  out  these  princi- 
ples and  essential  parts  of  the  Gospel,  in 
spirit  and  tmtii,  and  you  cannot  aeceire 
souls,  you  may  instmmentally  deliver  them 
from  darkness  and  dehiston. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


An«    1,  1863. 


CHRISTMAS     EVANS. 

Bt  T.  J.  MlSSKB. 


(Oondnaed  from  page  168.) 


Bt  the  mysterioas,  but  powerful  influences 
of  the  eternal  Spirit,  I  hare  no  doubt 
Christmas  Evans  vas  led  to  break  away 
from  his  first  religions  associates,  the  Pres- 
byterians ;  though  the  annoying  pressure  of 
a  rigid  ecdesiasticid  rule  was  the  instru- 
mental cause  of  the  severance. 

By  mixing  with  Independents  and 
Baptists,  immediately  subsequent  to  leav- 
ing ^  his  (quondam  fncnds,  he.  soon  began 
to  rise  a  bttle  higher  in  the  scale  of  spirit- 
ual enjoyment ;  the  "higher  spiritual  tem- 
perature in  which  many  of  them  walked, 
making,"  says  Mr.  D.  M.  Eisans,  "a 
powerful  impression  upon  his  open  and  im- 
pulsive nature."  Soon  after  he  began  to 
mix  with  these  good  people,  his  religious 
feelings  appear  to  have  become  more  in- 
tense, by  which  he  was  prepared  to  receive 
theological  opinions  widely  different  from 
those  he  had  inbibed  whust  walking  with 
the  Presbyterian  brotherhood.  But  on  this 
point  we  will  let  him  speak  for  himself. 

"  I  feel  that  my  heart  is  like  a  little  hell 
within  me.  I  am  haunted  by  tremendous 
fears.  I  look  upon  others  as  being  far  better 
than  myself.  I  feel  my  preaching  to  be  pow- 
erless. This  I  suspect  is  owing  to  my  habit 
of  committing  my  sermons  to  memory,  and 
has  caused  me  partially  to  dispense  with 
the  influences  of  the  Spirit  of  God." 

We  can  well  imagine  the  nature  of  tCat 
deep  mental  anxiety  which  he  was  at  this 
penod  of  his  life  the  subject  of;  and  we  are 
not  surprised  that  the  darkness  which 
brooded  o*er  his  ransomed  spirit  became  in- 
creasingly dense,  until  the  day  of  a  felt 
salvation  in  its  ineffable  beauty,  brightness, 
and  glory  broke  upon  his  astonishea  mind, 
and  filled  his  soul  with  that  "  joy"  which  is 
"  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."  Whilst 
he  was  the  subject  of  agonizing  mental  tor- 
ture, he  appears  to  have  held  frequent  con- 
versation with  some  of  his  new  companions 
on  the  subject  of  Believers'  Baptism.  On 
one  occasion  we  find  him  in  the  very  centre 
of  the  polemical  arena,  labouring  hard  to 
prove  that  infant  sprinkling  was  right,  with 
one  Amos  who  had  left  the  church  at 
Llwynrhydowen,  and  had  been  immersed  at 
a  place  called  Abeidaur.  In  this  conflict, 
Amos  was  the  victor.  Christmas  Evans, 
however,  supposing  that  his  own  comparative 
ignorance  of  the  statements  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament on  the  subject  of  Pcedobapti^m  was 
the  cause  of  his  being  worsted  bv  brother 
Amos,  nothing  daxmted,  set  to  work  to  pre- 
pare for  another  conflict.    With  the  closest 


possible  attention  he  read  through  the  New 
Testament,  but  was  incapable  of  flnding 
there  weapons  for  the  coming  struggle.  He 
did,  however,  discover,  whilst  engaged  in 
his  laudable  search  after  truth,  a  glorious 
galaxy  of  texts  in  flivour  of  the  immersion 
of  believers;  and  throwing  to  the  winds 
his  early  prejudices  in  favour  of  Bhant- 
ism,  he  resolved,  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances would  permit,  "to  ^o  down 
into  the  water,"  in  imitation  of  his  Master 
and  Lord.  In  the  year  1788,  he  was  im- 
mersed by  a  very  celebrated  man,  called 
Timothy  Thomas,  whose  theological  opinions 
were  far  more  definite  and  Scriptural  than 
those  taught  by  the  loveable  baroic  minister 
of  Castle  Hywel ;  and  it  is  pleasing  to  find 
that  after  his  immersion,  his  perceptions  of 
the  plan  of  salvation,  through  the  finished 
work  of  the  great  burden-bearer  of  the 
church,  became  increasingly  clear,  and  his 
love  to  the  sinner's  friend  greatly  enhanced. 

There  is  much  said  bv  Christmas  £vans*s 
biographer  respecting  the  residt  of  his  in- 
troduction to  the  1x)som  of  the  Baptist 
church,  which,  from  a  fear  of  being  thought 
tedious,  we  reluctantly  leave  uncommented 
upon  ;  suffice  it  to  say,  the  change  of  asso- 
ciates, notwithstanding  the  many  annoy- 
ances he  received  from  some,  was  never 
regretted  by  him. 

As  we  are  desirous  to  present  our 
readers  with  brief  sketches  of  some  of  tho&c- 
"  self  sacrificing  men"  who  were  in  the  field 
prior  to  Christmas  Evans,  we  will  lose 
sight  of  him  for  a  while,  in  order  that  we 
may  introduce  them  to  the  singularly  excel- 
lent man  by  whom  Christmas  Evans  was 
immersed. 

From  the  lengthy  account  given  of  that 
celebrity  in  the  valuable  biography  which 
has  prompted  us  to  write  these  papers,  we 
learn  that  Timothy  Thomas  was  "half 
farmer,  and  half  preacher,  and  that  in  both 
capacities  he  was  honoured  by  the  great 
Lord  of  the  harvest  to  "  tread  the  furrows, 
and  bind  the  sheaves.*'  Being  possessed  of 
a  very  chivalrous  courage,  he  was  not  afraid 
of  facing  any  of  the  enemies  of  the  truth ; 
and  by  lus  gallant  and  loving  spirit 
and  bearing,  as  well  as  by  his  powerful 
utterances,  he  frequently  struck  terror  into 
the  hearts  of  the  king's  enemies.  His 
career,  from  the  days  of  his  youth  to  the 
dose  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage,  was  marked 
by  extraordinary  interpositions  of  the  hand 
of  Omnipotence,  and  from  his  lips  a  large 
number  of  persons 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


Aug  1,19». 


THE   EARTHS»   VESSEL. 


187 


•*  Hevd  tbe  glad  sound. 
And  Uber^  found, 
Throufb  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
And  pMoteoos  redemption  in  Jesua*  nune.*' 

Whilst  reading  the  account,  famished  by 
Mr.  D.  M.  Erans,  of  this  remarkable  man, 
we  felt  our  soul  "stirred  to  its  deepest 
depths,"  and  again  and  again  we  were  dis- 
posed to  present  to  the  Father  in  hearen 
the  homage  of  a  greatfnl  heart  for  merci- 
fullj  raising  up  at  that  important  epoch  in 
the  hletoiy  of  the  Welsh  churches  a  man  so 
admirably  qualified  for  the  rough  work  so 
necessary  to  be  performed ;  and  we  were  re- 
joicsed  to  find  that  all  along  life's  highway,  he 
proTed  the  truth  of  the  statement  made  by 
the  grand  old  monarch-poet  of  Israel :  "  ne 
that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing 
precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  back 
s^ain  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with 
him."  Ajb  we  read  the  interesting  account 
of  his  self-sacrifieiog  labours,  we  were  re- 
minded  of  the  description  g^ren  of  a  similar 
man  by  one  of  onr  poets  :~- 

*^  For  as  a  bird  esoh  fond  endearment  tries 
To  tempt  its  new  fledged  oflkprinff  to  the  skies ; 
He  tried  each  art,  reproved  each  auU  delay, 
Allnred  to  brighter  worlds,  and  ted  the  way." 

The  aoooont  giren  by  the  biographer  of  this 
man,  and  of  man^  others  like  minded  with 
him  is  so  interesting,  and  contains  so  much 
that  is  ealcolated  to  make  us  ashamed  that 
we  hare  so  little  of  that  self-denying  spirit 
wliidi  is  a  distinctive  feature  of  oar  common 
Qiristianity,  that  I  cannot  forbear  giving  it 
in  exUnto,     # 

**  With  neither  a  committee  nor  a  trea- 
surer appointed  as  elsewhere  to  authorise  or 
reimburse  ;  these  men,  impelled  only  by  a 
desire  to  be  useful,  and  after  it  may  be  a 
little  talk  at  an  association  or  a  quarterly 
mcetinR,  upon  the  desirablenessof*  holding 
forth  the  word  of  life,'  in  th»  more  be- 
nighted districts,  they  addressed  themselves 
pezsonally  to  the  work,  mostly  at  their' own 
expense,  and  filled  the  countiy  around  them 
with  the  soondsof  the  GfospeL  The  onlypecu- 
niazy  consideration  which  many  of  these 
exceUent  men  received  for  their  labours, 
assumed  generaUv  the  shape  of  an  annual 
suit  of  bla(^  clothes  £nom  the  association, 
and  perhaps  a  little  money  to  pay  the  ex- 
pense of  their  journey." 

How  much  the  present  inhabitants  of 
Wales  owe  to  these  self-denying  heroes  of 
the  cross,  will  never  be  know  until  that  day 
dawns.  "  for  which  all  other  da^s  are  made." 
This  race  of  self-abnegatins  toilers  has  not 
yet  altogether  died  out  We  know  there 
are  many  yet  in  the  "land  of  the  mountain 
and  the  flood ;"  and  there  are  a  few  such  in 
England  also.  With  several  of  these,  it  is 
our  happmess  to  be  on  terms  of  dose  inti- 
macy. Day  after  day,  from  January  to 
December,  they  jgo  forth  scattering  broad- 
cast the  aesds  of  imperishable  truth  amongst 


the  peonle,  without  realizing  enough  by 
their  toil  to  meet  the  requirements  of  their 
households.  We  also  know  some  who  are 
intellectually  and  religiously  their  inferiors, 
who  are  receiving  for  about  a  fourth  part  of 
the  labour  these  men  perform  several 
hundred  pounds  per  annum.  We  grudge 
none  of  them  what  they  are  in  the  receipt 
of,  but  we  cannot  help  remarking  en  passant 
that  if  some  of  the  men  we  have  in  our 
mind's  eye,  who  are  "  passing  rich  with  fifty 
or  sixty  pounds  per  year,"  had  hundreds 
instead  of  scores  of  pounds  awarded  them 
for  their  body-wasting  toil,  they  would 
not  be  able  to  sleep  quietly  in  their  beds  if 
they  did  not  employ  some  of  their  surplus 
wealth,  in  wiping  away  the  trembling  tear 
drops  from  the  eyes  of  some  of  the  heroes  of 
the  ninetenth  century,  who  are  oft  compelled 
to  put  to  themselves  the  interrugatorv,  "If 
my  child  ask  for  bread,  shall  I  give  him  a 
stone ;  or  if  for  a  fish,  can  I  give  him  a 
scorpion?"  And  these  demands  of  Uie 
children  of  such  men  are  as  regular  and  as 
pressing  as  the  revolutions  of  our  dear  old 
world,  around  the  glorious  gorgeous  centre 
of  our  solar  system. 

Well  there  is  a  day  coming  when  "  every 
man's  work  shall  be  tried  as  by  fire ;"  and 
when  that  long  looked  for  day  shall  open 
its  eyelids,  the  great  Husbandman  will,  we 
doubt  not,  look  smilingly  upon  the  men  we 
refer  to,  and  say  to  them,  "  Well  done,  good 
and  faithflilservant»  enter  now  into  the  joy 
of  your  Lord." 

In  the  volume  we  are  noticing,  we  are 
permitted  to  eijoy  for  a  few  pages  the 
presence  of  another  remarkable  personage 
called  Evan,  of  T]^claL  As  a  sort  of 
apology  for  introducing  these  men  to  our 
notice  without  a  certain  prefix,  our  biogra- 
pher in  a  foot  note  observes,  *'  The  reader 
must  be  pleased  to  bear  in  mind  that  the 
prefix  of  Mr.  (to  say  nothing  about  Bev.) 
was,  at  this  time,  applied  only  to  the  der- 
gyxnan,  if  a  very  respectable  man,  the 
squire,  and  perhaps  a  few  others  ;  therefore 
avoiding  all  needless  anachronisms,  we 
shall  rarely  in  our  narrative  adopt  a  practice 
that  has  been  so  recently  imported.  Some 
of  the  most  eminent  preachers  in  Wales, 
like  "Billv  Dawson"  in  Enffknd,  were 
generally  Known  by  similar  oesignations. 
£ven  the  surname  of  the  above  worthy  is 
unknown  to  us." 

We  introduce  this  note  of  Mr.  D.  M. 
Evans'  here  for  the  purpose  of  maJdng 
known  the  simple  habits  of  the  old  Welsh 
preachers,*  and  also  to  remark  that  by  not 
using[  the  prefix  Parch  (or  Eev.),  they 
certainly  imitated  the  example  set  us  by 


*  If  my  li£B  is  spared,  I  may  yet  furnish 
sketches  of  "  B%ay  DawMm,*^  and  other  En^ish 
celebrated  ministers,  who  have  toiled  hard  and 
sttocessfUlly  in  the  vineyard  of  the  ^^r^rylp 


188 


THB  SASTOEV  VESSEL. 


Ajif-Lises- 


ofnly  i^K»tl«6.  How  beantiftdlj  siank,  aad 
how  expressiTe  of  de^  fanimUty,  is  the  la&- 
gnage  of  the  bdored  disciple.  "  I  Josv, 
who  uIbo  am  joinr  bDother  and  oonipaoion 
in  tribulation,  and  in  tbe  kingdom  and 
pstience  of  Jenia  Giirist."— Rer.  i.  9.  I 
may  aJao  add  tJiat  I  think  tbere  is  nodung 
veiy  eensnrable  in  tiie  oondnct  of  those  in 
oar  day  who  lue  1^  prefix  just  named; 
though  iome  ministers  reiy  oenseriondj 
condemn  them  for  iti  ose.  And  those  mi- 
niaten  who  are  loudest  in  their  oon- 
demaatoiy  utteranees,  object  not  to  be 
Bfyled  Mmstro  f  thoagh  Jesus  i^aid,  "  Call 
no  man  Huster."  We  pi'tfar  the  Ohriidan 
and  sir-name  without  either  Mr.  or  Ber. 
being  attached  to  them. 

Well,  tihas  Bvan  of  Tydai  (J^iai  means 
a  ''day  housed')  lired  in  eudi  a  iMfoae 
thatched  with  straw,  which  still  remains 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Llanfynydd  io 
QumsrAensfaiire. 

This  singidar  man  had  three  wonders. 
TIm  W«hdi  people  say  that  before  Eran  had 
been  oat  of  the  tmm  oi  his  oottagse  veek, 
he  used  to  so  im  to  the  top  of  an  adjaoeat 
hillock,  and  as  he  gazed  firam  the  elonEtMn, 
grander  that  Hie  eaith  was  so  iargel 

Seeon^y,  he  wandered  that  eoaaidering 
the  immensity  of  the  globe,  he  ahMdd  not 
be  the  possessor  «f  a  *'single  ridge  or 
farroir^fit" 

Tfaisdly,  he  wmdertd  that  notwithstand- 
ing his  povapty,  be  was,  after  all,  vn^y  m 
ricn  as  any  landowner  in  the  jrineipslity« 
He  liad  food  and  raiment  snflennt  for  eadi 
passing  ds^,  and  he  was  eomient. 

Vow  this  eonteifted  son  of  porerfy  was  s 
labourer  in  the  viMyard  of  the  Lovd,  and 
his  labour  was  net  in  Tain.  One  anecdote 
of  him  given  by  Kr.  Etans  we  cannot  for- 
bear ineerting. 

**One  day  the  noiehbours  had  assembled 
in  a  eottage,  anxiosOT  awaiting  Ins  arriraiL 
At  last  he  came ;  and  after  a  few  minutes' 
prolband  sUenoe,  dnfteg  which  he  had  been 
scanning  some  choice  specimens  of  the 
fine  arts,  in  the  shape  of  birds,  deoorating 
the  walls  of  the  cottage,  he  abruptly  got 
up,  and  lookiBg  at  the  birds,  began  to 
"w^lwh'*  with  great  energy.  The  people 
thought  him  fhintic ;  l^e  fowls  about  tiie 
eottage  door  flapped  their  wings,  and  made 
terri^  noises.  The  door  was  ekeed,  but 
the  preacher  persisted  in  his  endeaTOor  to 
frighten  the  birds  on  the  wall.  It  was  of 
no  use ;  they  made  no  sign.  Then,  turning 
Tound  to  the  people  who  were  gaping  witti 
astonuftiment,  he  told  them  ft  was  all  beeanse 
there  was  no  fty«  in  Uie  birda  Takingthia 
for  his  text,  he  beaan  to  talk  aboirt  **U§t 
in  tiie  sold,"  Hftea  up  his  Toiee  Idee  a 
trumpet,  and  made  ajipeals  to  the  people 
which  rang  long  in  their  eaa." 

VHiilst  we  have  no  inclination  to  jus- 


tify such  eccentricities  on  the  part  of  the 
dear  old  preacher,  we  would  obserre  that 
such  men  were  just  fitted  for  the  day  in 
which  they  lived,  and  that  many  of  them, 
though  unshackled  and  free  fieom  the  "  pro- 
prietiem,"  were  the  means  of  turning  many 
to  righteousnees,  and  will  shine  uke  the 
stars  in  the  firmament  for  ever  and  ever. 

In  page  18  of  Mr.  D.  M.  Evans's  excel- 
lent book,  we  find  him  busy  wi&  another 
extraordinary  individual,  called  Shenkyp, 
of  Penhydd,  who  was  indeed  a  diamond  ia 
the  rough.  "We  will  resist  the  temptation 
to  write  a  column  or  two  respecting  him, 
and  oontent  ourselves  with  merely  saying, 
(Jod  has  in  every  age  "  chosen"  "what  are 
called  "foolish  things  to  confound  the 
wise.^  "  He  doeth  amonff  the  anniei  of 
heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth,  whatsoever  pleaseth  Him  ;*•  and  all 
that  He  does  is  right 

Beftre,  however,  we  return  to  CSiristmM 
Evans,  we  will  just  insert  a  very  graphic 
description  of  a  Welsh  baptiziM  senrice,  at 
wliich  tRmothy  Thomas  was  l£e  adminih 
trator,  and  on  winch  oeeaaion  he  was  in 
his  glory. 

(TolweoBttened^ 


TffT!  BOD  ABTD  THE  STAFF. 
Bt  Jokx  BirarTAK  K'Cubk,  of  fixsKSX^ 

1.UBTBAI.IA. 

thou  art  with  me:  thy  rod  and  thy«taff  Ouf 
oomfort  me.—FMdm  xxlu.  4. 

Who  is  this Ysd,  «M9 1  ea<iaiMr 
It's  Ghriat-my  H^  aar  «wl'«  de«i^ 
Behold,  He  grows  from  Jeaae's  ctem ; 
Before  Him  neaven  and  earth  shall  iMod. 
The  plant  of  great  renown  is  He— 
The  bmneh  of  rig^tteooanees  for  me: 
The  sod  of  iroa'aui  His  hand, 
Wlio  oan  Jmmaaoera  power  withstand  ? 
This  rod  denotes  the  power  of  Chcirt 
To  rule  in  heaven  and  earth  alike ; 
And  all  the  sons  of  darkneas  fly 
Wi&k  awftil  tener  in  their  eje. 
Whae  X  pass  throogh  AIs  deseciteMit 
Thy  rod  aMeads  on  every  head; 
It  Mats  my  foes  down  to  the  ground. 
Protects  and  guards  me  all  around. 
In  Ood  the  Father^s  hand  I  see 
Another  rod  deSfgned  fbrne; 
My  flesh  rebels  £  every  abdpe, 
Dear  Father,  bring  me  to  the  Ugbt. 
Fjom  this  dear  rod  I  oomfort  daaw : 
It  brought  me  humble  to  Thy  door. 
It  made  me  fear  Thou  wonld  destroy : 
But  BOW  it  ftna  aay  hsartwith  ley. 
flw  ehaaleutav  Nd^s  fn  FMherlB  liand. 
O  help  I  O  help  am,  Lord,  to  stand  1 
Aad  kiaa  my  oool  with  love  divine ; 
That  I  may  in  Thy  image  idiine. 
Thy  rod  and  stitir  I  do  admhe 
They  fin  my  eoBl  wftti  hety  flte ; 
From  iiiem  n^y  oomliart  I  wiU  daaw* 
Bow  and  aing  and  piaiae  Thee  mom. 
Vbaa  X  pass  thiongh  the  nla  ofdeath. 
In  Thy  dear  arms  nmga  my  biiafn. 
On  t»i  dear  atari  wffl  depend 
To  bring  aaa  tkMO^^anito  the  and. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Aug.  1,  IMS. 


mS  EABVSEK  V18SEL. 


189 


9u(UiSEf2" 


THE  LATE  0.  W.  BEALE,  BAPTIST 

Mnai3TER  OF  FAVERSHAM. 
{Well  do  vo  remember  this  sturdy,  yet 
cUroted,  maa  of  Ood.    A  man  of  no  ele- 

SAt  abilities — of  no  eloquent  flowings  of 
ought  mad  utterance — ^a  man  of  no  par- 
ticular ministerial. or  conversational  attrac- 
tions ;  but  a  man  of  a  sound,  wholesoHie, 
uaflinehing^  and  purelj  Grosp«l  mind.  Our 
loog-alBicted  friend,  Samuel  Foster,^  of 
Stony,  has  &T0ured  us  with  the  following, 
which,  with  few  abbreviationSj  we  give 
eitiie.— Ei>.l 

BiAB  BMmu^  — It  ia  wnttes,  "Tiw 
■RBoiy  of  tke  judt  is  bksead,"  aad  allbM^ 
I  am  prostnte  ia  body,  I  feel  a  desim  to 
ndse  a  omall  tribofca  is  meoMcy  of  my  dear 
departed!  friflad  and  bnther  ia  the  Laid, 
Me.  &  yf.  Beak,  who  was  fovty-cne  yaars 
Bi^tist  Bdaifltep  at  Farerahaai)  ia  ICeat 
Ona  dax»  ■•  I  Ind.  mooaig,  it  waa  brought 
te  ay  aund  that  aoaia  yeacaago,  while  he 
was  sittiag  by  my  bed-side,  ha  proaiised 
me,  if  I  wrent  home  first,  he  would  wwte 
sone  aeeoaat  of  the  Leid'a  gMdaesa  aad 
»an7  ta  ate,  little  IhinkiDg  that  he  would 
go  hoaia  fixst.  I  thea  feU  a  deiora  sirring 
ap  in  my  soul,  and  many  things  were 
brougbt  to  my  remembrance  that  he  had 
toU  Me.  I  said  to  myself,  the  Lord  help- 
tag  me,  I  win  tiy  and  gather  up  a  few 
fiagments. 

^Onr  dear  brother  was  called  by  grace,  I 
fhiak,  in  the  year  1819;  and  to  the  work  of 
the  mioistzy,  1823.  For  some  yean  he 
went  oA  rery  computable;  the  Lord  blessed 
Ae  Word ;  the  church,  was  in  peace  :  but 
afterwaM  his  church  troubles  and  provi- 
4ntial  trials  broua^  one  continual  scene 
«f  diange  and  lActtoa.    For  soma  yean 

Ct,  hia  little  ehneli  and  he  aa  pastor 
dt  together  in  Iixva  aad  uaity,  aad  al- 
though thete  bae  sot  beea  madi  ingatheir- 
lag,  the  ebudi  has  been  fed  and  built  up. 
Ov  bniker  was  not  one  of  tiie  deep  exr 
psiiiaaiitai  pmchers^  nar  yet  a  dsy  doc- 
tnaal  one.  He  was  gn&ciaiisly  led  between 
the  two.  Be  always  tsied,  as  the  Lofd 
•Babied  him,  to  gtre  the  mind  of  the  Spirit 
in  the  Wotd,  and  insisted  upon  a  holy  walk 
lathetmth  aa  it  ia  inJesaa.  Hiamoitto 
WIS,  "  If  we  lira  io  *•  fiknit,  let  aa  walk 
in  the  Spint.'*  •  Be  ye  fcX^w&n  ef  Ged 
aa  dear  AiUbwn."  Throagh  aU  the  <^nges 
aad  trials  he  was  called  to  pasi^  the  Lord 
fcspt  him  Ihithfhil  ia  the  troth.  For  more 
than  elewn  yeatni,  w«  had  been  in  eloee 
eoanranion  on^  witb  tlie  other;  and  often 
he  hM  arciaehed  dtari*  toHi«  nu)St  sweetly, 
vkh  the  Holy  Ghoat  and  with  pewer.  We 
hnrswspt  toMthwr,  and  xvjoieed  together. 
We  hare  taUced  of  onr  aonows  aad  onr 


jvya,  and  of  God*s  lore  and  faithfulness  to 
na,  till  oar  hearts  have  burnt  within  ua ; 
ukd  we  have  been  sorry  when  the  time  has 
come  to  part.  He  generally  went  to  prayer 
with  me,  and  sweet  have  been  the  moments 
I  have  enjoyed.  Our  brother  was  a  Tezy 
tried  man  in  Frorideuee,  and  had  much 
affiietioa  in  himeelf  and  dear  partner,  so 
that  he  coald  deeply  sympathise  with  others 
in  tba  aame  triaL  I  ever  found  him.  a  con- 
stant, tender,  sympathising  friend;  but 
what  he  waa  he  waa  made  by  the  grace  of 
God. 

1  remember  once  he  was  made  a  special 
blessing  to  my  aouL  He  had  been  to 
Bamsgate  to  preachy  and,  oa  his  return,  he 
called  to  see  me,  and  told  me  what  he  had 
been  preaching  from.  The  text  was,  "  For 
their  sakes  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they 
also  might  be  sanctified  throo^  the  truth." 
it  was  greatly  blessed  to  m&  There  ia  a 
san>ur  and  sweetness  now,  and  many  more 
seasons  ef  refreshing  we  hare  had  together 
in  my  little  diambei^  One  dvcumstanee 
ha  told  me  that  took  place  manv  yean  ago. 
He  was  passing  tkros^  a  very  neary  trial : 
whatitwMlknawttot;  hat  hn  waaf^atly 
cppnasfld.  One  asflming,  while  waitiag 
upon  hia  cfaildrin,  the  childnn  nw  sobm- 
thiag  waa  the  matter,  when  hia  yaan|^ 
son  toaked  np  at  him.  He  eooM  not  speak 
pham  Ha  eatd,  '*  Father,  hava  yaw  fonot  ? 
'Cast  thy  boarden  upew  tba  Lmi  and  He 
wiEsMtnintiiee?'"  The  woKdesmnwith 
soch  p«we»,  ha  was  qaite  aifensme,  aad  sat 
4»wn.  He  fiinnd  the  portion,  and  tsok  it 
ta  the  cUd^and  said,.  *' Samnel,. can  yon 
land  thiar  Ha  said^  "No,  iMhsE."  Bo 
the  efaiid  was  the  asessenger  of  mercy :  the 
snare  was  hidun,  and  he  told  me  the  same 
thing  had  never  been  a  trial  ta  hhn  sines. 

I  wiU  now  ocnne  to  oar  brother^s  last 
days.  In  Uie  autumn  of  1861,  he  waa  laid 
by  for  some  weeks,  and  never  xeoovwed  his 
usual  strength ;  Imt  in  that  afliiction  he 
enjoyed  much  of  the  presence  of  his  dear 
Saviour.  The  first  tune  he  visited  me 
afterward,  it  was  a  blessed  meeting.  I 
never  heard  any  one  speak  of  the  sympa- 
thies of  Jesus  as  he  did.  The  last  time  I 
sow  him  was  in  February-  I  never  saw 
any  one  fail  so  &st  in  a  few  weeks.  He 
was  very  low,  and  dark  in  his  soul:  a 
heavy  cuoud  hung  over  him.  He  was 
tempted  that  he  should  come  to  want ;  but 
thd  cloud  he  so  much  feared  bunt  in 
mercy,  and  was  the  chariot  to  take  him  to 
the  bosom  of  Jesus.  I  never  saw  him  so 
low  be£oce.  I  tried  to  comfort  him,  re- 
minding him  of  God^s  faithfulness  to  His 
(ttomise :  **  1  wiU  new  leave  thee ;  nor 
Ibrsake  thee.'*  I  again  remind^  hhn  of 
thiapreeioas  portion:  *'Eren  to  yonr  old 
an*,  I  am  he;  aad  even  ta  hoaiT'  haira, 
wiS  1  carry  yen :  I  have  uMde,  and  I  will 

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THX  EABTHBN  VEBBBL. 


Aug.  1,  laas. 


bear ;  even  I  will  carry,  and  will  delirer 
you."  On  March  the  19th,  he  wrote  to  me, 
and  he  was  then  monminff  the  absence  of 
his  Beloved.  He  was  greatly  plagued  with 
wandering  thoughta,  and  longing  for  the 
presence  of  his  Saviour.  Sless  Sis  dear 
name,  He  granted  him  His  presence  in 
such  a  blessed  way  that  it  was  pleasant  to 
be  with  him.  He  preached  two  sermons 
on  Lord's-day,  Marcn  29th.  The  morning 
text  was,  **M.y  times  are  in  Thy  hand.*^ 
Some  said  it  was  as  if  he  was  preaching 
his  funeral  sermon.  In  the  evening,  he 
spoke  from  these  words :  "  My  son,  despise 
not  thou  the  chastenins  of  the  Lord,  nor 
&int  when  thou  artrebued  of  Him."  This 
was  the  lailt  time  he  preached.  On  Good 
Friday,  some  of  his  mends  called  to  see 
him :  he  was  rejoicing  in  Christ  Jesus.  He 
said  to  Mr.  Barnes,  his  deacon,  *'  I  am  now 
readv :  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at 
hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight  I  have 
kept  the  faith ;  henceforth  there  is  laid  up 
fbr  me  a  crown  of  riffhteousness,"  &e.  He 
spoke  the  same  to  others  that  visited  him. 
My  dear  wife  saw  him  on  the  8th  of  April. 
He  was  flast  sinking ;  but  on  the  Bock, — 
Christ.  He  had  no  fear  of  deatii :  all  was 
peace  and  ioy.  In  the  ni^t  of  April  the 
7th,  he  haa  a  blessed  view  of  the  gloir  of 
Christ  as  Mediator  on  the  right  hand  of 
God.  On  the  morning  he  diM,  they  saw 
he  was  worse,  and  sent  for  the  doctor  early. 
When  the  doctor  was  gone,  he  asked  what 
he  said.  His  daughter  said,  "  Father,  yon 
will  not  lire  the  day  out."  He  said,  *'  Bless 
the  Lord,  He  has  heard  my  prayer.**  In  a 
few  moments,  he  said,  "  Come,  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quicklv/'  and  sweetly  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus,  April  15th,  1863,  ased  sixty-eisht 
years.  O  may  my  last  end  be  like  his ! 
I  have  lost  a  dear  friend;  but  my  loss  is 
his  eternal  gain. 

**Kethinks  I  see  him  now  at  rest, 

In  the  bright  maniion  love  ordained; 
His  head  reclines  on  Jeeas*s  breasL 
No  more  by  sin  or  sorrow  pained." 

He  was  interred  at  the  Canterbury  ceme- 
tery, Wincheap,  on  April  20th.  His  old 
fnend,  Mr.  Rook,  of  Faversham,  officiated  at 
the  grave.  I  am  longing  and  waiting,  my 
brother:  and  I  hope  soon  to  be  witn  my 
dear  departed  friend  and  brother. 

"  Then  loudest  of  the  crowd  111  sing, 
With  shouts  of  sovereign  grace.'' 

Samuel  Fostkr. 
Sturry,  near  Canterbury,  Kent. 
June  5th,  1863. 

MRS.  HARRIET  DILLON. 

Ox  Wednesday,  June  24th,  Mrs.  Harriet 
IMUon,  wife  of  Lieutenant  Edward  Dillon, 
departed  this  life  in  peace.  For  many 
years  she  had  been  afflicted;  for  three 
years  past  was  but  seldom  able  to  attend  in 


her  place  at  the  house  of  God.  In  fiormer 
years,  she  sat  under  the  ministry  of  Dr. 
Hawker;  after  his  decease,  under  "Mr, 
Triggs,  at  Trinity,  where  she  continued 
her  attendance  until  she  removed  with 
many  others  to  worship  in  Howe-street 
chai>eL  Here  she  was  baptized  by  Mr. 
David  Irish,  nearly  eight  years  ago.  For 
some  months  preyious  to  ner  decease,  she 
appeared  to  have  a  sight  of  her  approach- 
ing dissolution ;  and  frequently  expressed  a 
desire  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Jesus.  A 
few  davs  before  her  death,  when  visited  by 
one  of  the  friends,  she  spoke  of  her  de- 
parture with  great  composure,  and  with 
special  clearness  and  satisfaction  of  the 
hope  that  was  in  her  of  salvation  in  and 
through  Jesus  Christ.  Alter  this,  from  the 
nature  of  her  affliction,  she  conYersed  but 
little :  at  lenffth  the  solemn  hour  of  de* 
parture  arrived,  when,  with  moving  lips,  as 
though  engaged  in  prayer,  and  gazixig  ufNon 
the  &oe  of  her  oeloved  husband  with 
serenity  and  cheerftilness,  she  breathed  her 
last  caunly,  and  her  spirit  took  its  flight. 
"Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord." 

OLD   SARAH  HATTON ;  ANB 
"CITY  MISSIONARIES." 

In  Chbxrikg  Wobds  for  July,  we  gare  & 
brief  account  of  the  great  grace  of  God,  ae 
seen  in  the  last  days  of  the  above  old  ladj 
in  Manchester.  The  excellent  missionary 
brother,  who  was  GK)d's  instrument  fae  ^ood 
to  the  venerable  Mrs.  Hatton,  has  written 
us  a  letter  quite  confirmatory  of  the  eyent ; 
and  sends  us  an  item  of  the  following  coar 
versation  with  the  deceased.    He  says  ;*- 

"One  da;r  I  stepped  in  to  see  her,  £■ 
company  with  a  aur  brother  in  Christ. 
We  found  her  sitting  by  the  fire.  Hy 
friend  began  the  conversation  by  asking 
her  how  long  she  had  known  Christ  as  her 
Saviour.  She  replied,  *Not  long.  Before 
I  came  here,  I  used  to  go  into  some  quiet 
place,  and  &11  down  on  my  knees,  and  pray 
for  God  to  take  me  to  some  place  where  1 
could  see  no  sin,  and  where  I  could 
be  quiet^  and  prepare  for  a  better 
world.  God  heard  my  prayer,  and  brouf^t 
me  here.  Soon  after  he  sent  Mr.  B. ;  and 
eh !  how  he  freetened  (frightened)  me.  He 
told  me  that  aU  I  did  wowd  never  get  me  to 
heaven.  My  prayers,  he  said,  were  good  for 
nothing  for  tkaL* 

"My  friend  smiled,  and  said,  *  He  was 
knocking  aU  your  props  from  under  you.' 

"  *  Ay,  and  he  did,'  rs|»lied  old  Sarah. 
'  But  after  coming  several  times,  I  began  to 
understand  him.  I  saw  the  blessed  truth 
that  Jesus  had  taken  away  my  sins  by  tbe 
sacrifice  of  Himself. 


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191 


"'Well,nid my  friend/  'if  I  w«re  toask 
joa  the  question,  'What  think  yon  of 
Oizist  r  what  vooM  yon  ■»▼  T* 

"  She  immediately  replied,  '  I  think  well 
of  Him.  There  is  nothing  that  I  could  wish 
for  in  thia  worid  beside  Him.  I  feel  I  oonld 
daap  Him  to  my  breast  like  a  mother  does 
her  baby/" 

llicre  is  a  feeling  veiy  preralent  in  some 
qnaiter  that  the  "  &ty  Misnanariu"  are  not 
sound  in  the  faith,  nor  of  any  real  benefit 
to  the  sonis  of  the  people  with  whom  they 
hare  to  do.  This  is  tnie  of  some  of  them, 
no  donbt ;  bat  we  haTe  known  men  in  the 
mission  who  are  decided  for  erety  essential 
bTanch  of  the  Qospel — deroted  to  the  work 
th^y  hare  pnt  their  hands  nnto — and  sue- 
eessfiil  in  winning  sonls,  and  in  comforting 
beHereis.  The  following  remarks  from  a 
missionaiy  in  the  North  cannot  be  misan- 
dentood.    He  says: — 

"My  district,  and  the  snrroimdinff  neigh- 
bonrhood,  was  once  the  platform  of  Kichard 
Wearer^s  antics  and  performances.  Many 
were  frightened  into  a  profession  of  religion. 
Those  who  were  thus  operated  upon  by 
WeaTer  are  at  this  moment  the  most  Tim- 
lent  enemies  of  those  blessed  doctrines 
wlkidi  yon  and  I  have  been  taught  b^  God 
the  ever  blessed  Spirit,  and  which  it  is  onr 
ptiril^  to  proclaim  to  the  poor  and  afflicted, 
the  tned  and  the  tempted.  'What  com- 
mnnion  hath  light  witn  darkness?'  Can 
two  walk  together  except  they  are  agreed  ? 
lliej  cannot  Oh,  no!^  Those  who  walk 
with  a  Sorereign,  allwise,  ever  merdfol 
Jeborah,  delight  in  each  other's  company. 
'  They  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one 
to  another.'  What  about?  'I  am  the 
Losd.  I  change  not;  therefore  ye  sons  of 
Jacob  are  not  consumed.'  Immutable 
merey — unchanging  lore — ^uuTariable  affec- 
tion—endurin|  pity.  But  do  Weaver's 
tribe  lore  to  t&  about  these  things  ?  They 
lore  to  call  these  comforting  facts — (diyine 
hcta — &cCs  sealed  home,  ay,  burnt  into  the 
soul  by  the  fire  of  the  Holy  Ghost}— 
^Damnable  doctrines.  Awfrd  stufiC*  O, 
my  soul,  come  not  thou  into  their  secret/' 

The  eonvenion  of  Sarah  Hatton — ^as  re- 
lated in  the  Joly  number  of  Chsvrihg 
WoKoe — ^isa  Taluable  record  of  the  efficacy 
of  the  truth  when  applied  by  tbb  Spirit  of 
the  liring  God. 

THE 

GLOBIOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 

Ma.  Thomas  Bradbitbt  sends  us  a  printed 
sermon,  preached  in  June,  by  William 
Parin,  the  Ineombent  of  Openshaw,  near 
Xaacbeater,  bearing  this  title— "  6'<mP« 
iVemic  htfort  tk§  Wirld  btff^,"    The  text, 


Titus  i.  2,  "  In  hope  of  eternal  life  which 
God,  that  cannot  lie,  promised  before  the 
world  beean."  In  his  usually  bold,  plain, 
and  truthful  style,  Mr.  Parks  shews  that 
this  promise  was  made  to  Jesus  Christ  for 
all  the  Father  gave  unto  Him ;  and  in  the 
midst  of  a  most  beautiful  current  of  holy 
thought,  he  says : — 

"  I  ask  you  to  think  for  a  moment  upon 
the  Receiver  of  this  ^ft  for  others.  Do 
you  think  that  if  Christ  received  this  gift 
for  you  and  me,  there  is  any  fear  of  our  not 
getting  it?  You,  doubtless,  answer,  ''Kol 
we  can  trust  Him  for  that  But  suppose 
we  set  this  gift,  may  we  not  lose  it,  or  part 
with  it,  or  squander  it,  or  make  it  away  ? 
And  then,  suppose  we  are  not  amongst  those 
for  whom  Christ  received  gifts,  what  then  ?" 

The  second  question  I  will  answer  by- 
and  bye :  the  first  I  will  solve  at  once. 

If  you  could  lose  or  squander  away  this 
gift,  it  would  not  be  eternal  life,  but  tem- 
porary life.  But  you  cannot  do  so,  for  it  is 
"incorruptible;"  you  cannot  sin  it  away, 
for  '*  he  that  is  bom  of  God  cannot  [thus] 
sin."  Besides  all  which,  it  is  Christ's 
business  to  keep  this  gift  for  His  people. 
He  gives  them  sweet  tastes  of  it»  just  as 
much  as  needful  for  their  well-being,  but 
He  preserves  the  great  bulk  of  it  in  His 
own  bosom.  'Your  life  [eternal]  is  hid 
with  Christ  in  God.'  Yes,  glory  be  to 
God,  yon  are  not  in  your  own  kerning. 
You  are  'kept  by  the  power  of  God.' 
Kept  by  Him  who  is  emphatically  *the 
power  of  God.'  'Preserved  in  Jesua 
CSirist,  who  is  alone  able  to  keep  you  from 


This  is  the  gbrious  intelligence  that  we 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  have  commissioned 
to  proclaim, — Christ  Jesus,  not  only  the 
Redeemer^  but  the  Conservator  or  Preserver 
of  His  people  1  0,  as  long  as  the  words 
are  on  record — *  I  give  unto  them  eternal 
life,  and  they  shall  never  perish;'  and, 
*  This  is  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  that 
of  all  which  He  hath  given  me  I  should 
lose  nothing,'  the  children  of  God  need 
not  fear  the  issue  of  the  struggle  that  daily 
eoes  on  between  their  fiesh  and  spirit !  it 
IS  here  we  take  our  stand — on  the  word,  the 
will,  the  promise  of  our  God ! 

"  Once  prove  to  me  that  any  man  living  is 
one  of  those  for  whom  Christ  was  entrusted 
with  this  {>romise  of  God,  and  I  might 
swear  by  high  heaven,  he  must  be  saved 
with  an  everlasting  salvation !  and,  if  I  had 
as  many  souls  as  miirs  on  my  head,  I  miffht 
pledge  them  all  that  God,  who  cannot  Tie, 
will  most  assuredly  bless  him  for  ever  1" 


Believers  are  grafted  on  Christ ;  and  as 
they  depend  on  the  stock  on  which  they  are 
grsited,  they  become  fruitful  branches. 

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DO  TOU  BELIEYE    &   OBEY? 

"Ths  Dyinff  Command  of  Christ;  or, 
T%e  Duty  of  BeUivers  to  ceiebrate  wmUy 
the  Sacrament  of  the  Lor^s  Supper"  I^ 
the  Author  of  "  God  is  Lov«  ;"  "  0«r  Hea- 
renlj  Home;"  &e.  See.  London:  Yirtne 
!fo) there  and  Co.,  Am«ii  Comer;  ld6pp< 


'%. 


ITithost  entering  into  any  diaenfnon 
npon  the  (question  of  weekly  oonmiznioB, 
we  may  say  this  is  a  book  of  modi  import- 
ance and  value  to  the  Chinch  of  Chnst  at 
tJiis  time.  The  author  has  bestowed  im- 
mense labour,  manifesting  a  delightftd 
Christian  spirit,  and  throwing  his  whole 
heart  and  soul  into  the  azgnment — fci«ti*g 
at  one  thing-—"  to  bring  all  denomina* 
tions  of  Christians  to  a  sense  of  their  eul* 
pability  in  aystematically  disrsgazding 
the  will  of  Christ" 

^  Per  yean  we  have  griered  onrer  the  nml- 
titndes  of  befierers  who  never  **  do  this  in 
xismembraiice"  of  their  dyiag  Lord.  Thar 
have  (we  hope)  in  heart  itpented, 
ia  liii  r«fonned»  in  Jesoa  Chnst  be- 
Kared,  and  in  the  easantiali  of  the  eoapel 
Ihty  have  become  united.  Thay  hear  &• 
truth,  and  help  to  support  the  eause  and 
Idn^km  of  onr  Lg^  and  &Knmr;  bat 
nqner-meetinga,  baptiaing,  the  LaKd*B 
«B|^>er,  and  aaKwiated  chnvch  comnraniinH- > 
thqr  almost  psqntuaUy  ne^ect  and  tnm 
aapay  horn.  Weliave  senowlully  witasaMd 
this  for  a  rery  long  time.  If,  therefon;  the 
gieat  stnr  now  making  ti>  persnada  the 
chmnches  to  a  SMae  &MueBt  eommnaion, 
ahoukl  resnU  in  r—ntisiaiiigtotd  negleeteia 
ta  bethink  themselTCs^  and  aarionsly  to  listen 
to  onr  Loid'ameatsaered  injunetien — ^*  Tina 
DO  IS  BsMuncmcB  or  MB"— we  shaU 
be  glad  indeed.  There  is  no  reason  on 
earth—yea,  we  baliere  there  m  none  in 
heaven — wiry  our  chnrelies  should  not  be 
twice,  thrioa^  or  four  times  as  lam  aa  they 
are— only  that  multitudeB  of  bclunvn  too 
much  neglect  those  ordinances  wherein  the 
real  devotion  of  the  heart  aad  soul  to  the 
Loid  is  practically  seen.  Why  tf  tkiet 
The  fault  mainly  lies  with  the  dMUches 
thefluelves.  Ministers^  deaeons,  and  mam- 
Imtb  altogether,  we  believe^  are  in  this 
respect,  much  to  blame.  Let  them  nei  be 
angiy  with  us:  let  them  not  beeaieleas  of 
the  wallbeing  of  those  who  sit  with  them 
beneath  the  sound  of  the  GospeL  Let 
stumbiing-Moeks  and  hindraaoea  ba  ru- 
mored ;  let  loving-kindness  and  tender 
mercies  fill  the  souls  of  our  Christian  people ; 
let  holy  aral  aad  pura  decision  Ibr  God,  for 
truth,  and  for  the  happiness  of  the  peopla^ 
animate  onr  wfaofe  hvea;  and  we  nrast  be- 


Ii«vB  a  beigfater  dajiMulddavn  apon  those 
narta  of  our  Zioa  where  even  thi  ma^ 
despised  PartieniarBaptiata  dwett. 

It  is  to  us  a  most  sfagaiar  iict  that, 
while  the  oidiiMaw^  of  baptism  by  immaBBoa 
is  inereaaingly  disputed  and  uM^eeted,  the 
Lord*»  Su^BT  ia  inada  man  and  more  piD- 
minent.  What  does  this  mean  f  Wahone 
too  much  stress  is  not  laid  upon  the  oidi- 
nance  itselt  Perhapa  no  SoiptuisI  eri- 
deuce  can  be  adduced  why  the  Lord's 
Supper  should  not  be  observed  every  Sab- 
bath ;  but  there  are  some  difficulties  in  the 
way — in  some  places  at  any  rate.  TTe 
cannot  now  look  this  question  fally  in  the 
face ;  but  we  can  recommend  fir.  Grantfs 
volume  to  the  carefol  perusal  of  our  readeia 
The  spirit  evinced  in  this  vohune  is  ex- 
cellent; the  author  is  evidently 
nearer  the  cross;  the  Saviour  an 
Institutions  are  increasingly  esteemed :  the 
result  is  an  ardent  desire  to  fflori^  the 
HxAD,  and  do  good  to  the  membersL  We 
carefiilly  comm^id  this  book  to  all  who  am 
Hving,  either  in  the  neglect  of  the  ordi- 
nance altogether^  or  who  merely  to  qnist 
conscience  now  and  than  attend  to  iL 
It  will  be  usefbl  to  alt;  and  then,  if  thej 
will  read  Dr.  Spencer^s  elegant  vdame 
(published  by  Thomas  kelson  and  SoosX 
entiUed,  "  2%e  BatifuHng  House.** -ihfij 
wlQ,  uiider  the  Divine  blessing,  realize  a 
wholesome  sniritual  feasts  arismg'fiom  a 
sacred  unfolding  of  all  the  dilfoent 
branches  of  that  p^reat  aad  God-like  ia- 
junction,  '*  This  do  in  remembrance  of  H»r 
And  nke  Toplady,  they  wiB  sing — 

'•Fran  wheMS  tkis  fiaar  and  uabalierr 
Hast  Thoo,  O  Fatbec,  patto  gxief 

Thy  apotlesB  Son  forme  ? 
And  will  tae  KghteMBs  Jw^feeeftmea 
Oa»<emn  me  f«r  tbat  debt  of  sin, 

Wiiieb,  Latdy  was  ohsKged  en  Ibeef 

I/ttiotthast  way  diaehaige  praeand, 
Andfice^in  mjrroomcn<Mrad 

The  wnole  ofwimCh  dtvine : 
AtynMBt  God  aaimat  tiriee  denwirt, 
Kna  at  my  Me«lfai«  8BBaliy*s  ksad, 

And  then  again  at  minc^ 

Tan,  then,  my  aoal,  nato  thy  mat. 


The  mcrila  of  thy  fieat  Higb  Fxieat 

Bpeak  peace  aadliberty ; 
TniiitUiHlaei 


Nor  fear  thy  boniahmeat  ftt>m  Ood, 
Binoe  Jasus  ncsD  son  tbxx.*' 

lae  Freesfn  jPisaari jyiiCTwwt,  aaii  tw 
Future  Hmppiness  of  the  iSsnilR.*  ^jr 
William  Flack,  pastor  at  the  Baptist 
church  meeting  at  Salem  Chapel,  TViltoo- 
square.  New  Koxth-road.  London:  J. 
Paul.  When  Edward  Bladcstodk  came  to 
supply  at  Zoar  Chapel,  Great  Alie-street,  in 
1890,  xtwaaKovoisberontaidaaBdattftg  and 
cold,  and  cramp  and  dioiilaHon  inaida;  sad 
after  hia  fisat  aemwn,  ba  heaad  tha  dsasoas 
efiticising  faim  se««relK»  j^sor.  JeUaw;  ha 
fehiU;  and  ww&eal  hmiaslf«n9r.    aitaa 


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THE  EARTHEN   YESSBL. 


193 


said,  "Ah,  London  is  the  place  to  test  a 
man's  ability  for  preaching.  Down  went 
pnor  Bladntock's  heart  into  his  t^oes: 
and  all  who  saw  him  that  Sunday  evening 
pitied  him  from  thoir  Tcry  soul.  But  this 
did  him  good.  It  flaag  him  dean  oat  of 
himself;  and  then  he  fell  entirely  into  the 
dnst  befoTC  the  lord ;  and  in  came  many 
bltisced  scnptm!«fl,  reyealing  ia  his  heart 
the  lowe  and  faithfiilneas  of  the  Lord  his 
God ;  and  from  thenoe  he  went  on  preach- 
iog  with  great  power ;  so  thai  his  host  said, 
**  lAtterly,  we  hare  had  many  preachers 
whom  the  people  like  best  at  first;  but 
roar  praachuiff  is  better  and  better  as  we 
hemr  oo."  Ana  poor  Edward  waa  en- 
cKMBflfed.  Similar  to  this  has  been  the 
eooxae  with  WilHam  Hack.  When  he  first 
casM  to  Jjondaa  from  the  Cambridge  flats, 
almost  €/verybodj  thongjbt.  he  was  a  flat  to 
^iokaf  baug  a Loodoo  pastor;  and  some 
of  thsm  tfied  hsid  to  hiud  him  back  into 
the  fens  sigaia;  bat  William  has  more  good 
staff  abo^  him  than  appears  at  first  H 
ha  is  Wket  a  powsi^  or«to^  he  has  had 
thfae  thiaipi  on  his  side.  Ymt,  amadous 
.yVsBi'dsTr  has  wroaglbt  fir  him;  seeoodt 
a^«r«  ^/mrii  has  wioa^  ia  him;  thisdiy; 
a  lane  amomt  of  p^Ut^  snduroHce  has 
ftphm\  him ;  and  hence  he  ffow*  in  asefid- 
ness,  ia  the  aflectJons  s€  his  people;  and 
his  astiidflnfi  in  God  msVes  him  bolder 
and  hsuiiw  ia  ths  work  wherein  his  very 
sool  eaa  lerel  with  grast  delight.  The 
§(*fBOo  jnst  pnMJshed  gires  evidence  of 
earefid  sindy,  of  ^mwing  ability,  and  of  an 
frinaiisl  desue  to  be  naefid  in  Zioa.  We 
wish  tha  ptaaeher  and  his  printed  sermon 
all  the  innmc  a  gssoioas  QM  may  see  well 
to  " 


"Tkt  Abutter  AdjHHed.**  A  second 
repfy  to  Mr,  Philip  Pn^h.  By  Sahuxl 
CoxBm.  London:  published  by  Robert 
Bal^^  9,  Crane  Court,  Fleet  Street ;  G.  J. 
Srerenaoa.  296  pp.  2s.  Mr.  Cozens  snys, 
in  his  pire&oe  to  this  edHion,  "My  first 
edxdoD  of  two  thousand  had  a  very  quick 
sale,  and  met  with  a  reiy  gracious  reception 
br  maoj  men  of  learning,  of  letters,  and  of 
hi^  stukffisff  in  society,  and  in  the  churdh.'* 
Tms  is  a  hi|^  reoommendation  of  the  work. 
We  eoald  not  write  such  a  book  fiTr  a 
tVmsaad  worlds.  Katore  gave  Samuel 
Coeens  a  war-Gke  bias ;  and  mivin^  caug^ 
Aiifip  Pi^  he  has  pommelled  him  most 
dsspaaMy.  The  P^imitiTes  send  out  a 
Qaaite^  called  l%e  ^kruHsn  Ambanador. 
fis  efitor  took  pity  upon  poor  Philip  Pugh, 
and  tamed  nxmd  to  thrash  Samuel  Cozens 
widi  sllhis  m^^t;  calls  him  "small  game;'* 
sod  a^a  he  is  *  oneofthose  smsll  men  who 

■odaty,  mid  aaeraepnhlie  attention  by  their 


powers  of  mischief ;  and  who,  for  the  sake 
of  notoriety,  rather  than  with  malicious  in- 
tention, are  erer  and  anon  producing  com- 
motion and  trouble  by  the  exercise  of  their 
mischievous  powers.'*  We  wonder  how 
Samuel  looked  when  he  first  read  tliis  I  Be- 
yond all  doubt,  he  searched  into  his  motive, 
and  having  assured  himself  that  was  right, 
he  then  re-read  his  book,  and  believing  it  to 
be  no  fruit  of  a  mischievous  mind,  but 
rather  the  result  of  a  solemn  conviction  of 
the  necessity  of  defending  the  truth,  up  he 
jumps.  "  m  not  be  beat,"  "  Another  edi- 
tion !"  To  work  he  goes  revising,  printing, 
and  tmblishing;  and  here  yon  have  a  thick, 
solia  volume,  as  full  of  powder,  pepper, 
and  protestant  principle,  as  it  can  hold. 
Gt)od  George  Abrahams  thinks  he  is  the 
snocessor  of  Huntington  ;  Spnrgeon  is  said 
to  be  a  greater  man  than  ever  George 
Whitfield  was ;  but  Samuel  Coaens  oomes 
in  like  another  Martin  Luther  to  blow  tha 
Anninian  heresies  to  the  winds.  Among  so 
many  little  men  who  can  do  nothing  in  these 
days  it  is  cheering  here  and  there  to  find 
a  "  Stonewall  Jaduoa." 


*"  The  BuM^an  Z^6rary'*.—p«blished  by 
Messrs.  Heaton  and  Son  {FrtemtM  office)^ 
Wanriok-laae,  liondoB.  The  two  last  vokL» 
ix.  and  x.  aie  very  superior  books. 
CkrUtmoB  Ewms  is  reiened  to  in  an  article 
by  Mr.  Meseer,  who  having  travelled  so 
much  in  Wales,  is  well  adapted  to  review 
that  most  worthy  and  singularly  eccentric 
man's  life.  The  memoir  of  Christmas 
Evans  is  as  full  of  pithy  genis  bb  a  good 
Christmas  pudding  is  full  Zi  plums.  It  ia 
declared  to  be  the  best  piece  of  spiritual 
bioezaphy  extant;  reflects  the  highest 
credit  on  the  publishers,  Messrs.  Heaton ; 
and  great  praise  is  due  to  the  author. 

Tha  tenth  voL,  ccmtaining  "  The  Literary 
Remains  of  John  Foster,"  is  a  book  of  more 
mental  weight.  An  Bseay  on  "  The  Im- 
provement of  Time,*'  followed  by  some 
sermons  and  letters,  furnish  an  amoont 
ot  reading  which  no  man — ^who  knows  the 
value  of  thought,  and  the  use  of  uttcaance— 
will  not  pr(^t  by.  Wonderful  fountain,  is  tha 
truly  sanctified  mind !  Streams  of  wisdom^ 
in  an  endless  variety,  flow  therefieom,  when 
tha  great  livina  Teacher  dwells  therein. 
How  thaakfid  Siould  we  be  that  God  has 
not  only  sent  His  Son  to  vedesm  «s ;  but  He 
has  also  sent  His  Holy  Spirit  to  quicken, 
to  open,  to  sanctify,  and  to  poor  in  large 
measares  of  heavenly  wisdon,  whereby  the 
more  extensiva  ^ories  of  His  ehmraeter  and 
warkaianahip  are  discovered  and  declared. 
Read,  farethrsa,  read;  and  pray  and  think ; 
and  so  shall  ed^fiaaUon  adom,  while  coH" 
vemon  sfasU  increase,  oar  chardies  and  oar 
sehoob. 


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THE   EABTHEN  VESSEL, 


Aug.  1,  1668. 


JfntitUtigdtiii  from  onti  d^huiifhes,  iMt  pastoits  and  $taj^U. 


BBIDQENOBTH. 

"THE    OFFENCE    OF  THE   CROSS." 

Our  friend,  Mr.  T.  Jones,  of  Blackheath, 
has  been  supDlying  at  his  old  pastorate, 
Broseley,  the  la^t  two  months,  and  we  in- 
vited him  to  preach  in  the  Baptist  chapel 
here,  his  native  town.  His  text  was  Psalm 
xxT.  14, — "  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with 
them  that  fear  Him;  and  He  will  diew 
them  His  covenant"  He  shewed  that  this 
fear  of  the  Lord  is  a  new  covenant  bless- 
ing—a Divine  principle  implanted  in  the 
chosen  seed  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  dis- 
criminated between  this  fear  and  that 
of  fixed,  unmitigated  guilt,  as  of  Cain,  Judas, 
and  devils ;  and  also  those  shocks  of  reli- 

fious  fright  such  as  shook  Herod  and  Felix, 
ut  which  hare  no  saving  results.  This 
fear  is  born  of  faith  (Heb.  xL  7.},  is  pure, 
the  beginning  of  wisdom,  and  by  it  men 
depart  from  evil.  To  the  possessors  of  this 
fear  is  confided  the  secret  of  tiie  Lord. 
They  have  a  knowledge  of  Him ;  of  His 
character,  His  attributes,  His  purposes.  His 
word,  and  His  ways,  such  as  the  natural 
man  knoweth  not,  "neither  can  he  know 
them,  because  they  are  spiritually  dis- 
cerned." Without  attempting  to  give  even 
an  outline  of  the  sermon,  I  may  say  it  was 
a  faithful  exposition  of  the  text,  and  drew 
a  line  between  the  living  and  the  dead ;  at 
the  same  time  it  contained  no  harsh  or  un- 
kind declamation  against  those,  not  in  the 
secret.    To  many  it  was  a  word  in  season. 

On  the  following  Sabbath,  we  were  fia- 
voured  (?)  with  the  attentions  of  an  all  but 
finished  student  of  a  clerical  seminary  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Birmingham.  We 
suppose  he  had  been  told  of  our  danger 
from  high  doctrine,  though  we  had  reason 
to  believe  that,  substantially,  his  deli- 
verances were  stock  essays  which  had  been 
read  or  said  many  times  before.  His  morn- 
ing text  was,  "  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be 
about  my  Father's  business?"  And  both 
morning  and  evening  he  was  engaged  in 
dressing  up  a  sortof  GuyFawkes,  and  pelt- 
ing him  with  anathemasand  vituperativeepi- 
thets.  This  desperate  incendiary  of  the  ora- 
Ws  imagining  represented  hyper- Calvin- 
ism, as  regarded  through  college  spectacles. 
A  hideous  monster  truly.  This  feimed  "ism" 
is    opposed — ^the   preacher   earn — ^to    the 

Sroclamation  of  the  Gospel's  gUd  tidings, 
eals  itself  in  a  niggard  Gospel,  picks  out 
the  elect  with  presumptuous  arrogance,  and 
mercilessly  consigns  to  eternal  perdition 
those  who  do  not  pronounce,  with  ftaU 
mouth,  its  "canting  shibboleth."  The 
preacher  was  quite  e&te  with  his  triumph 


over  his  ideal  victim,  and  it  became  a  ques- 
tion with  us  whether  we  should  content  our- 
selves with  pityinfi;  his  ignorance  and 
vanity,  and  allow  him  to  return  to  his 
tutors  with  his  stolen  laurels,  or  whether 
we  should  tell  him,  faithfully  and  kindly, 
that  such  vapid  efl^ons  were  as  discredit- 
able to  him  as  they  were  useless  tons.  We 
decided  to  do  the  latter,  and  two  of  our 
number  went  to  him  in  the  vestry,  told 
him  we  were  sorry  a  young  man  who  came 
here  professedly  to  preaoi  the  Gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God,  should  go  so  entirely  out 
of  his  way  to  caricature  a  belief  he  knew 
nothing  about,  and  to  cover  with  contempt 
Christ-lovinff,  soul-seeking  men  of  our  own 
time,  and  the  memories  of  others  whose 
self-denying  labours  were  blessed  of  Qod^ 
and  are  now  enjoying  the  promised  rest. 
We  asked  him  candicQy  to  say  if  he  had 
ever  met  with  such  persons  as  he  had  been 
describing,  or  anv  one  minister  who  daringly 
intruded  into  the  throne  of  the  Eternal, 
picking  out  the  elect  on  his  own  knowledge, 
and  ruthlessly  reprobetinff  all  who  did  not 
articulate  his  shibboleth?  We  told  him 
that  the  word  faithfully  preached  is  a 
I  separating  word,  divides  Uie  precious  from 
the  vile,  and  broadly  distinguishes  betvenn 
i  the  living  and  the  dead.  The  mere  pro* 
I  feasor  cannot  endure  this  discrimination ; 
he  has  not  the  Spirit's  witness  within,  so 
he  hopes  to  push  through  with  a  erowd. 
Not  BO  the  quickened,  earnest  soul :  ke  prays 
to  be  searched  and  tried,  to  see  his  siens,  to 
"  read  his  title  clear  to  mansions  m  the 
skies ;"  and  gives  diligence  to  make  his  call- 
ing and  election  sure.  Our  visitor  evaded 
our  questions  as  far  as  he  could,  and 
deprecated  our  criticisms,  and  thought  it 
would  have  been  better  if  we  had  prayed 
for  him.  Very  pious  this,  and  in  admirable 
keepiiu;  with  the  nonchalant  defiant  tone 
he  nad  used  in  the  pulpit.  Our  conversa- 
tion was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  a 
neighbouring  minister,  so  we  wished  him 
good  evening.  A  youns  brother  wrote  the 
preacher  a  letter  a  few  days  after,  to  which 
no  answer  has  been  received.  A  copy  of 
that  letter  is  enclosed.*  We  have  good 
reason  to  know  that  Christ's  truth  was 
preached,  and  thankfully  appreciated  among 
the  Baotists  in  Brid^orth,  many  years 
affo,  and  through  mercy  here  are  some  stUl 
who  know  the  joyful  sound.  We  have  a 
sermon  preached  more  than  a  hundred 
years  since  by  a  faithful  man  to  whose 
family  the  cause  of  nonconformity  in  this 


*  Will  be  given  next  montlL 

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A9g.U  ia«8. 


THJE  EABTHRN  YB88EL. 


195 


town  and  neigbboarliood  has  been  much 
indebted.  We  are  not  adrocates  of  "  a 
niggard  Ooepel;"  that  we  lore  is  the 
'*  glorioDs  Gospel  of  Christ"  (2  Cor.  iv.  4), 
and  embraces  tke  whole  counsel  of  Goa. 
ActA  zx.  27.  Less  than  this  inll  not 
6atu»fy  na.  Ohb. 

BS^PBNnrO  OF  8AI.EK  OHAPSL, 

ICBABD'S  OOTJBT.  SOHO. 

This  plaee  of  wonhip  having  been  dowd  for  the 
porpose  of  imdeigoio|g;  101110  important  repairs 
ia  toe  shape  of  deanamg,  better  ventilatiag,  re- 
ligfatfng,  sc^  WW  opened  on  Sunday  the  38th  of 
Jtme.  The  cbapd  noir  presents  a  comfortable, 
.aviting  appeazaaoe,and  it  is  confidently  hoped, 
the  long-oomplained-of  defective  ventilation  has 
been  remediea.  The  expense  inonrred  bv  tho  re- 
f<^rs  amounts  to  about  £100 ;  and,  we  believe  we 
xrt  ojrreet  in  stating,  the  money  is  all  paid  or 
promised.  The  opeoiuff  was  observed  by  three 
^^nziona  being  preachM ;  in  the  morning  and 
eiToiner  br  tto  pastor  of  the  place,  Hr.  John 
Bloomfiela ;  and  in  tiie  afternoon  by  Mr.  John 


Mr.  Bloomfleld,  we  axe  sorrsr  to  say. 


pel  was  preached ;  here  spiritual  worship- 
!t — hem  above  all,  Ood  deigned  to  dwell, 
emaniiested  His  power;  shed  abroad  His 


xoreznan.  ^ ^ 

is  still  soffering  from  the  elTects  of  his  late 
ness-  His  season'^  work  has  been  too  much  for 
him ;  bat  he  now  states  he  is  determmed  to  con- 
f.a«  himaelf  to  his  home  labours.  In  the  mom- 
mas diaoouzBe,  though  he  craved  the  indulgence 
of  his  hearers,  he  seemed  particularly  happy  in 
his  work,  while  he  spoke  from  the  following 
expccssiw  words :  **  In  this  place  will  I  give 
peace,  soxth  the  Lord  of  hosts."  After  some  in- 
Crodnrfory  remaiks  in  reference  to  the  glory  of 
the  two  temples,  drawing  a  contrast  between 
their  glories,  reminding  his  hearers  the  mud- 
wall  cottage  or  the  dark  deep  cellar,  if  God  be 
ttiere,  was  filled  with  gloiy.  80  with  Salem; 
that  was  a  love-spot,  not  the  more  so  because  it 
was  renovated,  not  because  in  its  appearance  it 
l«x>ked  perhaps  better  than  he  (Bfr.  B.)  had  ever 
se<ii  it  before,  bnt  its  glory  consisted  because  in  it 
t  he  Goq>el  was  preached;  here  spiritual  worshi; 
pws  met'  *  ~  "^ 
Here  He 

l-jve  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  It  was  Ood's 
house :  in  it  the  truth  was  faithfully  proclaimed, 
and  It  was  the  place  where  prayer  was  earnestly 
and  unitedly  offered.  Th^  were  two  points 
more  particularly  spokmi  to  b^  the  esteemed  mi- 
nister: Fin^  the  puce  in  which  peace  was  pro- 
nused  I  seoondly,  the  oeiiainty  of  the  promise 
being  rallllJed.  Firsts  it  was  a  place  consecrated 
to  Ood*s  worship.  It  was  built  for  Ood,  not  for 
man ;  eonsecntod,  not  by  a  bishop,  an  aroh- 
btsboc^  at  cardinal,  but  by  the  presence  of  God. 
In  it  &od  worked ;  the  dead  in  sin  were  raised 
nnio  spiritual  life;  those  in  darkness  were  en- 
f  fghtenni ;  thoae  in  bonds  were  loosened ;  the 
«>jrrowfiil  were  made  glad.  This  made  it  a  oon- 
•eoaied  spot.  And  could  the  man  who  is  bom 
into  spiritual  life,  who  knows  the  time  and  the 
place  when  the  ohansn  took  place -could  he  for- 
^  the  place  ?  Could  he  forget  the  instrumen- 
tality P  Could  that  soul  who  was  in  darkness— 
who  was  sorrowful,  but  now  rejoices -could  he 
forget  the  spot?  Ko;  it  is  a  consecrated  spot  to 
him.  Then  the  temple  was  consecrated  to  God^s 
Tnith.  80  was  Salem,  not  to  a  little  clique,  or 
party,  bat  to  the  truth,  the  unmixed,  the  im- 
mutable truth  of  God.  I  should  be  sorr^^,  said 
the  minister.  If  anything  in  m3''  time,  contrary 
to  the  tmib  m  its  doctrine,  contrary  to  it  in  its 
promiaes,  oontraiy  to  it  in  precept,  should  be 
proclaimed  here.  We  want  this  place  consecrated 
to  the  mimi«ad  vital  troth  of  the  Bible ;  truth  as 
%o  he  power  of  sin;  truth  as  to  the  cross  of 
Christ,  as  to  the  atonement  of  Christ;  truth  as 
to  the  dignity  d  Christ's  person,  as  to  His  oom* 


plex  person,  both  in  relation  to  the  splendour  of 
His  work  and  gifts  of  righteousness ;  truth,  too, 
as  to  the  person  and  operations  of  the  H0I3' 
Spirit  of  God.  Therefore  we  are  anxious  that 
the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth, 
should  be  proclaimed  here.  The  Bible  truth, 
the  truth  in  relation  to  God,  in  relation  to  man, 
in  relation  to  the  saving  blood  of  Christ,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  descriptive  character  of  man,  and  as 
it  relates  to  His  eternal  destiny.  Then  it  is  con- 
secrated to  the  highest  possible  union,  to  the 
holiest  service,  and  to  the  communication  of  the 
richest  blessings.  These  and  the  latter  part  were 
spoken  to  with  great  clearness,  in  forcible  ex- 
pressions, and  with  an  earnestness  trulj'  charac- 
teristic of  the  favoured  preacher. 

ItATINa  THE  MEUOBIAI<  STONE 
OF  MB.  MOYIiB'S  NEW  CHAPEL. 

"Tbb  Sun^jr  side  of  the  water,"  as  we  Lon- 
doners term  it,  appears  likely  to  stand  out  ra- 
ther prominent  for  new  chapels  in  the  Baptist 
interest  just  now— no  less  than  three  having  been 
commenced  within  a  few  da3rs  of  each  other. 
Very  recently,  the  foundation  stone  of  a  sub-  I 
stantial  chapel  for  the  church  at  present  wor- 
shipping in  Lion  Street,  New  Kent  Boad,  was 
laid :  the  position  is  very  excellent,  having  a 
frontage  in  the  best  part  of  the  Walworth  Boad. 
The  pastor  of  this  church  is  Mr.  William  Howie- 
son.  On  the  14th,  Sir  ICorton  Peto  Uid  the 
foundation  stone  of  another  new  Baptist  chapel, 
to  be  built  at  Barkliam  Terrace,  St.  George's 
Road.  This  is  for  the  church  who  formerly  wor- 
shipped at  Church  Street  chapel,  Bladctriars 
Roaa,  where  for  many  years  James  Upton  mi- 
nistered the  truth.  The  present  pastor  is  ICr. 
Barker.  We  are  pleased  to  find  that  in  building 
this  new  place  of  worship  the  valuable  labours  <^ 
the  former  pastor  have  been  in  some  measure 
recognized,  for  the  new  chapel  is  to  be  known  as 
"  Upton  Chapel."  Both  of  these  new  chapels  are 
within  five  minutes  walk  of  either  Mr.  nells*  or 
Mr.  Spurgeon*s  Tid>emacles. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon,  July  7th,  the  memorial 
stone  of  the  new  chapel  for  Mr.  Movie's  church 
at  Peckham  was  laid  b^'  Mr.  John  vickers.  In 
our  June  number,  we  gave  oiur  readers  the  fhll 
particulars  concerning  this  removal,  to  which 
we  now  refer  them. 

At  four  o'clock,  a  number  of  friends  gathered 
round  the  front  of  the  new  chapel,  the  walls  of 
which  are  now  ready  for  roofing  in.  The  sun 
shone  forth  brilliant^,  and  the  venerable-look- 
ing pastor  openeil  the  service  by  giving  out  a 
hymn ;  Mr.  Hawkins  read  the  eighty-fourth 
Psalm ;  prayer  was  offered  by  Mr.  Attwood ;  and 
Mr.  John  Yickers.  previous  to  laying  the  stone. 
Mid,— ^*  My  frienas,  it  is  now  more  than  eleven 
years  ago  since  I  had  the  honour  of  laying  the 
foundation  stone  of  Bacre  Park  Chapel,  where 
much  good  has  been  done.  I  mi^ht  have  found 
a  reasonable  excuse  for  not  aooeptmg  the  invita- 
tion you  have  so  kindly  given  me  to-day ;  but  I 
happen  to  know  a  good  deal  of  the  history"  of 
your  old  chapel.  My  aged  father,  who  enters 
upon  his  eigh^-fifth  year  this  day,  informs  me 
that  Mr.  Powell,  your  first  minister,  began  his 
ministrations  in  a  bam,  and  my  fiither  had  the 
honour  to  contribute  towards  the  erection  of  your 
first  chapel;  and  well  I  can  remember  acoom- 

enying  nim  on  some  occasions  to  hear  the  late 
r  Powell,  where  my  only  sister  was  a  constant 
attendant;  therefore  yon  see  I  have  a  kind  of 
family  connexion  with  Bye-lane  chapel.  Some 
people  question  the  importance  of  the  work  we 
are  doing  here ;  but  I  hold  that  we  are  doing  a 
more  important  work  than  those  who  built  hat/- 
then  temples,  or  than  those  who  oonstruoted  the 
mighty  pyramids  of  Bgypt.  The  Egyptians  be- 
lieved that  when  the  s^rit  le 


i  left  the  body  it  wan- 


dered CD,  never  restingj  giving  life  to  1 

of  the  field,  some  bird  of  the  air,  orspme  fish  of 


Digitized  by 


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196 


THE  SABTHBN  YB80BL. 


Aiig.l,l«8. 


th«  sea;  and  they  took  paini  to  praMrve  tlMfr 
poor  perishing  bodies  in  what  they  oalled  tomb- 
proof  mansions,  expecting  the  r»*iniion  of  the 
body  and  the  spirit  at  a  ftitnre  date.  The  Egyp- 
tian Idngs  built  the  pyramids  for  their  tombs, 
and  it  is  believed  that  Job  refemd  to  these 
carious  edifices  (Job  ill.  14.)  when  he  speaks  of 
kings  and  councillors  who  had  built  desolate 
places  for  themtelviea.  But  hen  we  raise  a  tem- 
ple unto  the  liTing  €k)d,  in  which,  after  the  toils 
of  the  week,  we  may  assemble  to  listen  to  the 
Word  of  God,  from  the  lips  of  your  worthy  pas- 
tor, and  be  led  to  exdaim  with  the  Psalmut— 
*  How  amiable  are  Thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  God  of 
Hosts."  Mr.  Vickers  having  lowered  and  ad- 
justed the  stone,  deolared  it  laid. 

The  service  was  then  dosed  with  singing  and 
prayer,  and  the  friends  a4|oumed  to  Uie  large 
assembly  room,  where  tea  was  served  to  a 
numerous  parly.  In  the  evvning,  a publio  meet- 
ing was  held  on  behalf  of  the  s<aiooi  ftud.  Mr. 
Viekcrs  presided;  and  Mr.  Wyard  opened  the 
proeeedings  with  prayer.  The  chairman,  in  the 
course  of  his  opening  remarka,  gave  an  aooount 
of  his  own  baptiaiBg.  It  appears  Mr.  Yiokers's 
nts  were  attend^to  of  the  late  William 


ntinglon's^  and  by  that  champion  for  tniUi 
Qor  chalnnan  was  first  **  baptised.**  But  when 
Mr.  Huntington's  chapel  was  burnt  down,  the 
whole  of  the  books  and  registers  were  at  the 
same  time  destroyed,  leaving  no  proof  (as  then 
required  by  law)  of  the  Mrth  and  rwistering  of 
the  youthftil  Viokers.  Mr.  Yickers's  lither  being 
a  thoughtful  and  oarefUl  parent,  and  anticipating 
that  mn^  diiBculty  might  some  day  arise  it  the 
l^gal  register  of  his  son  eouid  not  be  found, 
sought  to  remedy  the  evil ;  and  to  do  this,  he 
had  all  hia  ohildioi  again  "baiHised"  by  the 
Ohureh  of  Bngland.    But  our  chairman,  when 


he  arrived  at  the  age  when 
for  themselves,  and  to 


>Ie  begin  to  think 
.  for  themselves,  was 
not  quite  so  satisfied,  although  he  had  already 
been  "boptiaed**  twice:  stilThe  felt  some  nn- 
eaainesB,  and  especially  so  when  he  read  in  the 
New  Testament  that  they  "went  down"  and 
**  came  up  out  of  the  water ;"  and  the  Spirit  of 
G-od  so  impressed  him  with  the  fket,  tfiat  the 
primitive  mode  of  baptism  was  by  inuneraion, 
that  he  could  not  real  till  he  was  for  the  third 
time  baptised,  which  was  about  nhneteen  years 
ago,  when  Mr.  John  Foreman  led  him  into  the 
water,  and  there  immersed  him  in  the  name  of 
the  lather.  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  upon  a  profes- 
sion of  his  faith. 

The  meeting  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Daniel 
Pratt,  Mr.  Andetsoo,  Mr.  Betto,  Ur.  Wyaxd,  Mr. 
Bswkina,  and  Mr.  White.  Mr.  Oongreve,  aa  the 
seoetary,  oave  a  atatement  of  the  position  of 
aifiura ;  and  a  number  of  subscriptions,  amount- 
ing  to  about  £100  towards  the  new  school  fimd. 


give 
mto 


TKB  CAUSE  AT  WABB,  SR&T8. 

KB.    TLACX,     MB.     AXOBBSOH,     KB.    B0WLX8, 
ABO  TBB  '*0U>  SOLDDEB.** 

Mt  dsab  Bbovhcb.— I  win  endeavour  to 
ypa  some  aoeount  of  a  veiy  recent  visit 
Hertfbrdahire  as  briefly  as  I  can.  I  left  hOB 
Tneodoy,  the  7th,  for  Wai«,  At  the  Oieat 
BMtem  Station,  I  fbund  myself  suxronnded  by 
about  forty  of  my  friends ;  all  of  whom  hul  put 
on  fheir  holiday  looko,  and  were  aa  cheerful  as  the 
brifl^  momittg  shining  out  of  the  heavens^  The 
loiuneywaa  greatly  shortened  by  the  sfagfag  of 
anwol  gpod  ddhynaa,  such  aa 

"'God  movea  in  a  myrterious  way,*' 
** There  is  a  fountaitkflUed  with  blood,"  k^ 

we  haotaned  to  the  aeatk  clean,and  beautify  Uttle 
'^Zoor:"  and  I  think  a  piettier  or  more  beanti- 
ftilW  situated  UtUe  chapel  never  was  sscn.  Its 
neat  and  nitaasnming,  yat  mwiestly  beoutiiul  «p» 
Btoasyit 


"  Steads  like  a  pahwa  boat  for  God, 
To  ahew  His  milder  Ace." 
As  we  entered,  our  good  brother  Ssmpfbrd,  the 
pastor,  was  reading, 

**  When  Zion'a  sons,  great  God,  appear,'*  Ac, 
after  which  our  gooa  brother  .Anderson  (of 
Bethesda),  **  stood  up  in  the  pulpit  of  wood  made 
for  the  purpose,**  as  Bna  did  of  oM,  and  having 
**  opened  the  book  in  the  sight  of  all  the  people/^ 
**  he  read  in  the  book  intheUiw  of  God  disdneUy, 
and  gave  the  sense,  and  caused  them  to  under- 
stand the  reading,'*  and  he  blessed  the  Lord,  the 
great  God.  and  *'all  the  people  said,  Amcnt 
Amen !"  Upon  reading  his  text,  which  he  chose 
from  Bev.  xiz.,  12,  he  said,  he  stood  in  an  un- 
enviable place,  seeing  he  was  but  a  substitute  for 
another.  Brother  Bloomfleld  had  been  annonneed 
by  bills  and  periodicals;  but  through  illness,  he 
could  not  come;  and  he  had  been  chosen  in  Us 
plaoe.  However,  he  promised  to  do  his  best 
He  divided  his  text  very  simply,  dwelling  ixst 
upon  Ike  mmkmowmnamei  seoono,  upon  Ikssnmio- 


nseii  a  workman  noi  lo  ne 

iaed  for  appearing  before  the 

and  bagged  tobeexcosed 

Rncn,**  seeing  he  had  been 


,  and  thirdly,  upon  lAs  ^fory  c/  Out . 
t  fated.  0pou  the  wifaoimiuMMi.  he  said  he  should 
notattempt  to  describe  it ;  and  that  beeause  his  text 
said  it  waa  a  name  **  that  no  man  knew  but  Him- 
self :*'  by:  whidi,  he  said,  it  appeared  dear, 
these  waa  something  relating  to  the  person  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  that  was  not  revealed ;  and  as  sueh, 
not  intended  to  be  known  here.  And  here  he  ex- 
pressed a  wish  that  all  men  would  be  confeoDt 
with  proclaiming  what  tb^  knew,  and  with 
stopping  where  God  stopped.  But  he  said,  while 
theie  was  one  name  thM  no  man  knew,  it  was 
but  one:  while  on  the  other  hand,  the  names  by 
which  He  was  known  were  many.  And  here  he 
dwelt  upon  the  names  TmmamwJ,  Jesus,  ftc. 
But  I  must  not  attempt-to  give  even  an  outline 
of  this  veiy  excellent  dSscourae;  because  I  could 
neither  do  itjustice,  and  It  wonld  take  up  too  much 
room.  SuiBiDe  it  to  say,  it  waa  aonnd  and  good; 
full  of  illustration  by  tnddeots  of  his  ovrn  expe- 
rienea.  And  I  think  I  may  say,  nobody  com* 
plained  of  disappointment,  or  feu  out  with  the 
substitute.  In  tne  afternoon.  Brother  Bowlei  (ot 
Hertford)  proved  himadf  a  workman  not  to  be 
ashamed,  ueapolc 
audience  unpreparc 

preaching  **a  great  senncn,**  seeing  he  hod 
called  upon  ao  unexpectedly.  However,  like  a 
scribe  which  is  instnioted  unto  the  kingdom  of 
heaven;  or  unto  a  man  that  is  an  householder; 
he  brought  forth  out  of  the  txeasary  of  his  hent^ 
things  new  and  old,  ftom  a  text  tnat  came  into 
his  mind  on  the  morning  of  that  day.  He  was 
not  like  some  of  the  gooa  men  we  have  heard  of; 
who  always  carry  a  sermon  in  their  pockets  in 
case  of  emergency:  na  he  did  not  saeatifioally 
dmw  his  sermon  out  oi  the  pocket,  nor  did  he 
merel3'bringitoutof his  head;  ft  clearly oame 
warm  firom  his  heart.  Ahl  that*a  the  preadibig 
we  love,  warm  and  savoury ;  fWmi  the  hesit  to 
the  heart;  fhrni  heaven  to  noaven;  «.«.,  coming 
from  heaven  and  taking  ua  out  of  ourselves,  snd 
carrying  us  up  to  heaven.  After  this  came  a  good 
cup  of  tea,  and  during  this  time  I  related  some 
things  that  stirred  my  heart,  and  moved  my 
tongue,  relative  to  the  days  of  my  boyhood,  when 
my  little  feet  had  run  about  the  flwls  on  which 
that  chapel  stood ;  or  when  more  suhaeqnantly  my- 
self and  many  of  the  friends  by  whom  I  was  then 
surrounded,  used  to  meet  in  Rttle  groups  in  the 
oottagea  around  ua,  and  warm  each  other's  hcsita 
by  speaking  of  what  the  Lord  hod  done;  when 
out  of  the  simplicity  of  our  childlike  hearts  we 
poured  forth  forvent  oties  and  teora  for  blaieings 
to  come  down  upon  thetovm  of  our  mUiviQr :  <um1 
when  in  rustic  song,  the  heart-making  melody* 
we  poured  forth  heart-fUt  proiaea  to  our  triune 
God.    Yea  lyes  I  they  vrero  happy  daya. 

**  How  swea  their  mem'ry  stUt.** 
But  they  are  gone,  and  many  naoro  have  followed 
them.   J>ay«»  and  wceks^  and  months  and  ysstt 
hapapeawilBineethseithaitwlllaeawe^ybeTWitee- 

Google 


Digitized  by  ^ 


JLoff.  1, 1808. 


THS  EABTSBH  VESSEL. 


197 


tioQ.  O  wlisCtitter  groms ?  wliat  hot  scaMinpt^ftn 
hare  been  poured  forth  sinca  then  ?  Bnt  is  that  all  ? 
>'o!iioI  Oh,  no!  Whet  joy— what  peftoe— what 
triumph— has  been  interwoven  with  all  ?  Ah,  be- 
loip*ed!  real  retijnon  is  not  all  joy :  ifs  not  all  sorrow. 
^*  Ky  aool  throneh  many  changes  goes, 
JSRa  lore  no  mtnaticn  knows." 
The  evening  senioe  drawing  near,  I  took  a  walk 
np  ICusley  Common  (a  hallowed  spot— one  that 
baa  attamd  me  manv  a  sermon),  bat  now  it  was 
too  fall  of  London  visitors  to  become  a  stud}',  so 
I  retomed  and  took  my  stand  in  the  pulpit,  and 
raui  for  my  teact  Heh.  ziii.  B.  I  said,  this  is  an 
annEversazy  text— this  is  a  birth«day  text— nav, 
tin's  is  an  evenrday  text  Jesus  Chnst  should  be 
the  alpha  and  omega  of  every  man's  ministry ; 
the  asm  aad  aobstance  of  every  Christian  man's 
exporianoe.  I  shall  not  attempt  even  an  outline 
ofthediaoonne;  I  was  happy— I  think  the  peo- 
ple ware  the  same.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  ser- 
Tioe,  I  aeoomi»ttied  my  Mends  to  the  train,  and 


1  otr.  my  heart  went  up  in  prarer  to 

give   them  joameying  mercies  home. 

And  this  fie  did.  Thus  ended  one  of  the  happiest 

dayas 


God  lo  give   them  joameying  mercies  home. 

He  did.  Thuae    "   '       " 

r  apest  at  Ware. 
•WW,  «Kflcr  a  most  buSbiui^  uaj,  m  ««« 
Kif  sod  my  desr  old  Ware  friends  had 


had  ttme  to  say.  How  do  yon  dot  we  sot  down 
aad  ^nnt  a  imtt  evening.  Ah !  there  is  some- 
thing geanine  in  real  Chrbtim  fWendship.  Some 
of  my  Ware  fnends  and  myself  lave  Iii-ed  to- 
gether in  mihroken  nnion,  walked  together  in 
nsmoleaied,  nndisturbed,  yea,  sweetest  harmony 
for  foil  a  quarter  of  a  oentory. 

Kext  monring;  myself  and  brother  Strictkett,  of 
lafi^,  walked  inlo  the  fields.  I  led  him  on 
tlupo^lb  sweet  shady  green  lanes  and  oom-flelds 
tiU  w%  came  to  the  neat  little  oot  ol  the  aU 
teUur.  The  old  soldier,  like  all  old  soldiers,  is  a 
most  wonderful  man.  His  history  as  a  man.  as  a 
Bciidier,  and  as  &  Christian  is  ftill  of  wonders. 
Perfaane  some  day  I  may  furnish  a  brief  outline 
ofbisUfe  to  the  readers  of  the  Txsacu  His  long 
servioa  in  tlia  army,  spent  iu  Africa  and  Asia,  is 
fall  of  the  deepest  iaterest^  but  to  the  Christian 
wsnior,  his  eonilicta  with  sin  and  Sutan  are  still 
more  istflresting.  One  deliverance  from  satanie 
templatiaB  is  so  msrkfd  I  feel  I  can't  pass  by  it. 
XjBOBr  deep  aoul  diatrass,  he  was  tempted  to  de- 
ttnv  himselC  The  more  eflbctuall^  to  accom- 
pliBii  this  dark  purpose,  he  threw  himself  from 
the  tap  of  «  high  rode  into  the  sea,  feeling  as- 
sBsed  that  it  would  he  utterly  impMsible  to  re- 
tarn  to  that  rook  again,  and  there  being  no  other 
Bnt  Be,  without  whose  permis- 


noD  aot  a  sparrow  falls  to  the  ground,  caused 
the  winds  to  arise,  and  by  a  mighty  rolling 
bCOow,  seat  him  back  agam  to  the  top  of  the 
rock  oahnrt.  Well,  after  perils  by  land  and 
pctila  by  aes,  and  perils  innumerable  ui  the  battle- 
field, he  now  in  sweet  retirement,  far  fh>m  the 
noise  of  town  or  Tillage,  Uvea  in  a  very  humble 
cot— afanosta  hermitage.  Hospitality  is  always 
fiaaad  thee.  And  whue  we  partook  of  the  bread 
that  jftridielh,  we  tdked  of  Him  who  is  *'  the 
braad  of  lifiau*'  After  which  he  aooompanied  us 
OB  onr  way  back,  dieering  and  refi^shing  our 
sools  by  rHatin^  some  of  the  wonders  wrought 
by  his  Qod  in  far-off  lands.  But  more  I  hope  yet 
to  tcQ  yau  of  this  monument.    Tours  in  Him, 

WlLUAM  FlAQK. 

»Jn^l8tb,184t8. 


0ZT7  BOA3>.— JxBXH  Chafez^  Ba§t 
Isjifc.— On  ttie  last  Lordl^^ay  in  June,  onr  dear 
pastor,  J.  A.  ^eoea,  ere  he  completed  the  84th 
yeir  of  his  Mfe  on  earth,  and  m  Kth  of  his 
nrioirteriat  labonn^  baptised  three  sisters  and 
<iee  brottier  in  the  ftlth.  It  was  a  very  haopy 
sswlng,  and  one  lon^rto  be  renusnbeied.  Mr. 
W.  Ilawkf0%  ef  TfiMty  €7hapel,  preached  tiie 
VRDOB    to    a    nmnerona    comgngatlon.     Our 


congKgatlon. 
«aienMe  pastor  stood  ftUl  of  spmtnal  holy  truth 
and  vigour,  and  addxeased  the  candidates  aad 


erowded  eongreiprtlon  a  long  time :  but  we  all 
felt  it  must  be  the  last  of  those  hallowed  scenes 
with  him  :*  we  almoet  thought  we  could  sec  him 
amidst  the  sacred  throng  above,  glorifying  his 
Lord  and  Master  there,  whose  honour  and  truth 
he  has  so  loug  delighted  to  set  forth  here.  It  was 
a  blessed  season ;  perhaps  never  on  record  before, 
for  the  ordinance  of  beUerers'  baptism  to  be  ad- 
ministered by  one  so  aged. 

Another  correspondent  says  :-^ 

Many  years  may  transpire,  ere  a  minister  who 
has  arrived  within  three  months  of  completing 
84  years  of  age,  will  be  seen  administering  the 
ordinance,  ana  addressing  the  audience  and  can- 
didates for  three  quarters  of  an  hours;  after 
which,  ho  gave  out  the  following 

HYMN,  WRITTEN  BY  DR.  GILL,  147  YEABB 

AOO,  POB  HIS  OWN  BAPTISM, 
a  copy  of  which  being  very  scarce,  if  at  all  known, 
vre  present  to  the  reader  :— 

A  hymn,  written  by  Dr.  Oill,  and  sun^  on  the 
day  he  himself  was  baptized  by  immenion  in  a 
river,  November  1st,  1716,  being  147  years  ago. 
Gill  was  then  only  19  3'eBrs  of  age. 
Was  Christ  baptized  to  sanctify 

This  ordinance  He  gave  ? 
And  did  his  sacred  body  lie 
Within  the  liquid  grave? 
Did  Christ  the  Lord  descend  so  low. 

Did  Jesus  go  before  ? 
Then  we  will  afber  Jesus  go, 

We'll  follow,  and  adore  1 
What  rich,  O  what  amazing  grace ! 

What  love  beyond  d^pnee ! 
That  we  the  hcav'nl^'  road  should  trace. 

And  should  baptized  be. 
That  KM  should  follow  Christ  the  Lamb 

In  oviming  His  command*; 
For  what  toe  do,  He  did  the  same, 
Though  done  with  purer  hands. 
And  does  this  offer  to  my  fiutli. 

How  Christ  for  sm  did  die ; 
And  how  Ht  in  the  grave  was  laid. 
And  rose  to  justify? 

Then  how  should  this  engage  my  heart. 

To  lw€  to  Christ  that  died ; 
And  with  my  numerous  sins  to  part. 

Which  pierc>d  His  precious  side ! 

SAST  WIOXRAK.— I  wish  to  say  a  word 
relative  to  tlie  health  of  "our  little  sister**— the 
church  and  congregation  meeting  at  Bethel,  Bast 
Wickham.  Myself,  the  pastor  (Mr.  William 
Bowers),  and  a  few  friends,  arrived  at  the  neat 
little  ehapel  on  Lord*s-day  morning.  Hay  24th, 
where  a  goodly  number  of  friends  had  assembled. 
I  spoke  to  them  from  Micah  vii.  7.  In  the  after- 
noon, we  had  a  public  meeting :  several  friends 
from  brother  Hanks*s  met  with  us.  After  read- 
ing and  prayer,  the  church  and  oongregation 
presented  a  practical  expression  of  their  love  and 
attachment  to  their  pastor  in  the  gift  of  a  neat 
silver  watch,  with  a  suit^le  inscription  engraved 
upon  it.  The  pastor,  in  an  appropriate  speech, 
acknowledged  this  tribute  of  their  esteem,  look- 
ing not  so  much  at  its  monetary  value  as  the 
spirit  that  prompted  the  act.  I  was  then  called 
upon  to  make  a  f^  remarks,  together  with  the 
good  brother  who  made  the  presentation ;  and 
after  prayer  by  brother  Hiscock,  of  Woolwich, 
this  intexestinff  meeting  was  brought  to  a  close 
At  half-past  four,  ftfty  friends  sat  down  to  tea 
and  a  hapoy  excnange  of  spiritual  intercourse 
followed.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  again,  and 
we  closed  the  day  with  saying  in  our  hearts  and 
expressing  by  onr  oonntniaiices  ••that  it  was 
good  to  be  there."  Our  brother  William  Bowers 
has  been  with  Ms  people  two  years ;  Gh)d  has 
blessed  him.  That  this  little  one  may  grow  in 
every  gmoe  prays  Johw  Habbxb,  M,  Baker  Street^ 
Lloyd  Square.  ^  t 

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THE  EABTHfiM  YB88EI*. 


Aug.  1»  IMS. 


KB.   ABTHUB  WIIi0O0X8OK» 

AND  HIS  NSW  HTMK  BOOK. 

If  a  man's  heart  is  right  with  Ood,  and  his.head 
well  set  in  the  Truth  as  it  Is  in  Jesus,  we  love 
to  see  him  busv ;  always  aiming  to  publish  the 
Gospel,  to  exalt  the  Saviour,  to  feed  the  church, 
and,  instrumentall3',  to  rend  in  sunder  the  many 
awful  veils  of  superstition,  ignorance,  and  delu-. 
sion  so  fearfully  covering  the  minds  of  millions 
of  mortals  in  this  world.  We  are  not  much 
plagued  with  jealous  feelings  towards  any  of  our 
co-workers,  whether  they  work  flrom  pulpit  only, 
or  from  ppe!«s  and  pulpit  too.  When  any  one 
man  (professing  to  live  with  Christ  and  to  be 
His  ser^imt)  dips  his  pen  in  gall,  and  tries  to 
write  down  his  fellow-labourer  with  bitterness 
and  conceit,  we  look  with  the  utmost  contempt 
upon  such  a  would-be  tyrant;  we  can  no  more 
love  him  than  we  can  old  Balaam  or  Goliath  of 
Gath.  But  if  a  man  writes,  preaches,  and  pub- 
lishes in  the  spirit  of  *love  and  in  the  light  of 
livmg  Truth,  as  doth  Septimus  Sears,  as  do  many 
of  the  contributors  of  the  Standard^  the  Herald, 
the  Trumpet,  and,  though  last,  not  least,  the 
Editor  of  Zion'a  IVUiums,  Mr.  Arthur  Wilcockson, 
then  we  hail  them  with  delight.  We  look  on 
them  and  their  productions  with  pleasure,  and 
with  all  the  soul  and  solid  aeal  we  have,  we 
wish  them  good  speed  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
This  strong  sympathetic  affection  lias  been  stirred 
in  us  afresh  by  perusing  the  handsome  little 
hymn  book  just  issued,  with  the  following  ex- 
press! ve  title,—"  Zion's  Songs,  compiled  exclu- 
sively for  Zion's  Children,  By  Arthur  Wilcock- 
aon,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Grace  of 
Zion's  God,  and  Editor  of  ZioH*s  Witneee.  Pub- 
lished by  G.  J.  Stevenson,  64,  Paternoster  Bow." 
Our  warm-hearted  brother  has  been  taking 
chango  of  air;  he  has  been  preaching  at  Pl^'- 
mouth,  Hull,  and  round  about;  and  having  girt 
up  the  loins  of  his  mind  afhuih,  he  has  returned 
to  London,  has  commenced  preaching  regularly 
in  Lawson's  Booms,  Gower  Street,  has  compiled 
this  choice  little  book  of  poems,  and  seems  well 
equipped  for  a  new  campaign  in  the  fields  of 
our  spiritual  and  anti-typical  David.  His  old 
friends  are  rallying  round  him,  and  soon,  it  is 
hoped,  a  chapel  will  be  erected  where  ho  and  his 
flock  may  seUle  down  permanently  and  progres- 
sively in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  When  they 
build  the  chapel,  we  strongly  advise  tliem  to 
sink  a  largo  baptistry  in  it,  and  on  the  opening 
day  we  should  rejoice  to  see  Arthur  and  his  spi- 
ritual children  ''ouriod  with  Christ  by  baptism 
into  death,  that,  like  as  Christ  was  raised  from 
the  dead  b  v  the  glory  of  the  Father,  e\*en  so  (in 
this  practical  Gk»spel  sense,  Arthur  and  all  true 
believers  should)  walk  in  newness  of  lifie."  We 
see  no  salvation  in  ordinances,  in  commands,  in 
precepts,  or  in  any  external  movement ;  but  or- 
dinanee*  are  for  outward  tests  of  our  attachment : 
instrumentally.  they  are  the  walls  of  sepamtion 
between  the  criurch  and  the  world,  and  we  say 
they  ought  not  to  be  neglected.  Vir.  Wiloock- 
■on^s  hymn  book  contains  many  precious  well- 
known  pieces,  and  the  originals  are  numerous. 


BIPLB7.  —  Three  sermons  were  preadied 
here,  Mondaj'  July  18th,  1S6S,  it  being  Uie  Ju- 
bilee of  Mr.  K.  Daws,  who  kindly  carved  for  a 
number  of  friends  an  excellent  and  bountifiil 
provision.  In  the  morning.  C.  W.  Banks  preached 
horn  the  words,  ''A  Jubilee  shall  that  fiftieth 
year  be  unto  you.'*  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  W. 
Webb,  of  Pimlioo,  preached  from,  "They  tliat 
dwell  under  His  shadow  shall  retom,**  Ac.  The 
friends  took  tea  on  the  green ;  after  which  C.  W. 
Banks  preached  from  Haggai  ii.,  "  I  am  with 
you.  saith  the  Lord ;  fisar  not.**  VTe  may  hope 
was  done,  and  that  soon  our  brother 
r*s  chapel  will  be  enlarged. 


WANTBD  A  PLOT  OT  LAJTD. 

A  strange  heMling  for  a  rriigious  paper;  but 
nevertheless  it  is  the  real  gist  of  the  aitiole,  aiul 
for  aught  we  know,  it  is  as  well  to  say  what  is 
wanted  at  the  head  as  at  the  foot  Our  readers 
know  that  two  months  since  we  gave  a  report  of 
the  Aged  Pilgrims'  Friend  Society,  and  there  we 
stated  that  tfr.  Box  had  left  about  £10,000  to 
build  a  rew  asylum  for  Pilgrims.  What  Is  now 
wanted  is  a  plot  of  ground  in  some  eligible  spot 
near  London  for  the  new  asylum.  Will  any  one 
of  the  twenty  thousand  of  our  readers  give  such 
a  plot  for  so  deserving  and  highly  commendable 
an  object  ?  The  annual  meeting  on  behalf  oftu" 
object  was  recently  held,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  report:—  ^  .   .*^ 

The  annual  tea  and  public  meeting  on  behalf  of 
the  fund  for  the  erection  of  a  new  and  laner 
asylum,  was  held  on  Wedne8da3',  July  8th,  imder 
a  spacious  marquee  erected  on  the  grounds.  Afwa 
large  company  had  partaken  oitea, the  public 
meeting  commenced  at  half-past  six,  when  Henry 
Vincent,  Esq.,  took  the  chair.  A  lew  verses,  com- 
posed by  the  late  Dr.  Collyer,  were  sung,  after 
which  Mr.  J.  Balch  engaged  in  prayer.  The 
Chairman  then  expressed  the  warm  sj-mpathy 
he  felt  in  the  Society  and  its  operations,  MW^the 

Eleasure  in  being  present;  stating  he  would  be 
appy  to  give  a  lecture  on  behalf  of  the  funds  in 
some  central  position,  which  announcement  was 
warmly  received.     Mr.  W.  Jackson,    Hon.  Bee. 
to  the  asylum,  read  letters  of  inability  to  attend 
from  John  Deacon, E8q.,Bobert Lusli, Esq., <iC., 
Eobert  Charies,  Jun.,  Esq  ,  John  Sands,  Esq. 
(who  sent  £20  for  new  asylum).  &c.  Ac.    A  short 
report  of  the  state  of  the  present  asylum  was  read. 
Beference  was  made  to  the  death  of  ICr.  Box, 
who  had  rendered  important  services  in  con- 
nection with  the  building  from  ita  foundation. 
A  marble  tablet  to  his  memory  had  been  placed 
in  the  chapel.    Six  of  the  inmates  liad  cntcied 
their  eternal  rest;  the  vacancies  thus  made  had 
been  filled  up,  and  an  election  for  inmates  would 
take  place  in  September  next    The  ••  Benevolent 
Funcr' proved  a  great  benefit  in  eases  of  sickness 
and  infirmity;  a  deed  of  gift  by  the  late  Mr.  Box 
bad  become  available  in  mvour  of  the  Coal  Fund, 
producing  about  £24  annually.    John  Gadsby, 
Esq..  had  recently  entertained  the  pilgrims  most 
hospitably  at  his  house,  near  Uxondge,  when 
twenty-five  spent  a  very  happy  day.    Sevieral  of 
the  Committee  were  als«  present.    The  "New 
Asylum"  fimd  increases:  as  yet,  no  land  had  been 
obtained,  or  kind  friend  risen  up,  led  to  present  a 
piece  for  this  Christlike  object.    The  necessity  of 
another  asylum  is  much  felt  by  reason  of  the 
Society's  growth,  having  now  on  the  books  6M 
pensioners,  and  only  43  can  be  aooommodaled  at 
Camberwell.    Mr.  Jackson  reported,  in  closing 
his  statement,  that  collecting  books,  cards,  and 
boxes,  in  aid  of »» New  Asj'lum,"  may  be  procured 
of  Mr.  Murphy,   Secretary  to    the   Society,  10, 
Poultry,  B.C.    Mr.   Kennetr.  Treasurer  to  the 
Building  Fund,  reported  cash  account: — Stodc, 
£1400  consols ;  £100  donations  paid  and  promised. 

Excellent  practical  addresses  were  deliveird  by 
Messrs.  Skeeies,  of  Watford ;  Tyler,  of  Mile  End ; 
Hawkins,  Alderson,  Jay,  and  Wynrd. 

Thanks  having  been  presentedTto  the  Chairman, 
the  doxology  sung,  Mr  Tyler  closed  ^it  h    pra3*er. 

The  Crescent^  Feckham  Bye,  B.B.,  July  IS,  1868. 

CI«APHA1C.*-Bbbhezbr  CThapei,.— Dkab 
Mb.  Editob,— Kindly  allow  us  to  infonn  our 
friends  through  yova  pages  that  our  anniveraaiv 
on  Tuesday,  the  7th  mst.,  was  a  good  one.  We 
met  for  pra>*er  at  seven  and  at  ten  o'clock.  Three 
excellent  sermons  were  preached  by  ICr.  Wells, 
Mr.  Alderson,  and  Mr.  Hazelton^  vhlch  were 
thoroughly  ei^oyed,  and  the  ooUectaona  amounted 
to  £18  TSs.  6d.  To  our  friends  we  tender  once 
more  our  hearty  thanks.  The  abaence  of  our 
brother,  Mr  Bloomfleld,  through  illnesat  waa  a 
BOttioe  of  regret  to  us  all. 


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199 


XBELAHD.—KtD&ui  Brothbb,— Having 
reoently  had  ooeadon  to  aeoompany  a  friend  to 
Londonderry,  who  haa  now  left  this  oountrv  for 
Amerioa,  I  icsoli^  to  visit  one  or  two  of  our 
churehea,  and  '*  see  how  they  do.'*    I  accord  inglv 
ipent  the  first  Sabbath  in  June  with  the  church 
at  Letterkennv,  where  I  was  affectionately  re- 
oeired  by  the  brethren.    The  church  here  is  con- 
stituted on  open  oommnnion  principles ;  but  as 
there  ia  odIt  one  unbaptized  member,  and  as  I 
was  mamma  that  he  would  not  be  present,  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  unite  with  them  in  the 
Li}nl^8  9npper.    Several  of  the  bretliroi  engaged 
io  fervent  prayer,  and  after  the  communion  ser- 
Tice.  I  delivered  an  address,  and  preached  again 
IB  the  evening.    I  suppose  there  might  be  100 
hearers  in  the  forenoon ;  in  the  e\'ening  not  quite 
n  many.     The  views  of  our  brethren  in  this 
place,  both  aa  it  regards  doctrine  and  church- 
order,  are  in  close  harmony  with  those  of  the 
Icte  exoeile&t  Dr.  Carson.    As  they  have  no  re- 
;!uIar1v>appointed  paaUkr,  their  worship  is  con- 
ducted by  two  intelligent  and  worthy  members 
of  the  church.    Mr.  Buiot,  one  of  the  officiating 
bietfaren,  who  haa  for  many  yetSra  been  a  true 
friend  to  tlie  oauae,  holds  strong  views  of  the 
pastoral  oAoe  aa  a  Divine  institution,  and  would 
gladly  see  that  office  filled  up,  if  a  scriptural 
bishop  ooald  bo  obtained,  which,  in  their  oir- 
cumstanoea,  would  no  doubt  be  difficult.    Hay 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  in  His  own  time 
and  way,  aead  them  a  pastor  accordins  to  His 
ouro  heart,  and,  in  the  meantime,  enable  them 
to  eaerciae  the  wisdom,  patience^  and  forbear- 
aoce  which  their  eircumatances  require.     You 
are  aware,  I  suppose^  that  the  Baptist  Church  at 
LoQikodeny  originated  in  the  "Irish  Bevival." 
lately  aa  unfortunate  division  took  place  in  oon- 
m^oflaoe  of  some  diversity  of  sentiment  about 
ehiireh  government.    The  two  parties.  howe\'er, 
are  DOW  re-united.    They  do  not  call  themselves 
Srriet  Coonxnunionists,  nor  even  Baptists,  having 
a  itroag  objection  to  all  sectarian  names;   but 
tiwy  bold  that  a  jKnonal  profession  of  fidth  is 
CMietitial  to  Christian  baptiam,  and  that  faith  and 
baptism  are  indisiyenaably  necessary  to  church 
cjmmimion.    I  think  we  may,  therefore,  safely 
call  tbem  Strict  JBaptitU,  though  they  do  not 
choose  to  call  themselves  by  that  name.    Their 
Tiews  of  doctrine  and  church  order  are  very 
nvailaxtoHhoBe  of  tboSBolehSapUsta,  The  works 
of  the  venerable  A.  K^iean  are  highlv  appre- 
cuSed  by  tbem ;  but  they  would  diflfer  from  him 
in  one  particular  at  least— th^  believe  that  the 
Lc*rd*s  Supper  may  be  lawfully  dispensed  by  an 
unofficial  adminiatrator  in  the  absence  of^  or- 
dained eldera.    I  preached  for  them  on  Tuesday 
evening,  the  8th  of  June,  when  I  suppose  about 
ffly  jperaona  were  present.     They  generously 
contrflmted  SOs.  for  a  charitable  purpose.    I  was 
glad  to  hear  many  kind  references  to  Hr.  Keen, 
who  laboured  aome  time  here  in  connexion  with 
the  B^Aiat  Irish  Sodety.    He  is  much  esteemed 
b^  all  partaea,  both  as  a  Christian  and  a  Christian 
minister.    On  Wednesday,  I  left  for  Portstuart,  a 
beaatiftil  watering-plaoe  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  C<4eraine.    Here  I  had  some  pleasant  inter- 
course with  Christiana  of  different  denomina- 
tiona.    I  was  anxious  to  ascertain  aomething  of 
the  permanent  results  of  the  "  Bevival."    Some 
of  the  "  oonvevta,"  I  understand,  wear  well ;  bnt 
the  great  mass  are  aa  careless  as  ever,  and  in  this 
place,  as  in  other  plaoea,  I  am  told  the  more 
violent  the  case  the  less  satisfiKtory.    I  had  a 
bale  oumeisation  with  aome  of  the  **  Plsncnouth 
Brethren*'  in  Ooleraine.    Just  now  there  is  some 
of  oplnl<m  among  them  about  the 
r  of  Christ  ;**  but  I  cannot  say  that  I 
the  controversy.     It  is  rather  re- 
martcahle  that  the  **  Brethren'*  here  can  scarcely  be 
Mid  to  be  opem  commmnionitU.    For  though  they 
do  not  malce  kiiMtifai  a  term  of  oommunion,  yet 
they  would  not  receive  any  one  who  does  not  be- 
here  ia  the  afsmol  iS^mMji  V  OIHpf.    Thus  they 


make  that  a  term  of  eommunion  which  the 
Scriptures  nowhere  make  a  term,  and  they  dis- 
pense with  that  which  the  Scriptures  require  as 
a  pre-requisite  to  church  fellowship.  (Matt, 
xxviii.  19, 20 ;  Acts  ii.  41, 42.)  On  the  subject  of 
the  **  eternal  Sonship  of  Christ,"  the  "  Brethren" 
are  as  orthodox  as  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith  and  the  Thirty-nine  Articles  of  the  Church 
of  Bngland,  though  I  hope  they  do  not  carry  the 
matter  so  high  as  the  Athanasian  Creed,  which 
declares  this  to  be  a  part  of  the  **  Catholic  fiaith." 
'*  which  &ith,  except  every  one  do  keep  whole 
and  imdefiled,  without  doubt  he  shall  perish 
everlastingly.*^  I  would  have  preached  with 
much  pleasure  on  the  Lord's-day  for  one  of  the 
Presbyterian  ministers  of  Coleraine;  but  pre- 
ferred the  inritation  of  the  Presbyterian  minister 
of  Portstuart.  After  offidating  twice  in  the 
church,  I  preached  in  the  e\'ening  in  a  lecture- 
room,  fitted  up  by  one  of  the  elders,  and  in  which 
he  himself  holds  forth  the  word  of  lifb  every 
Sabbath  evening.  On  Thursday  evening^,  I 
preached  again  in  the  same  place,  and  on  Friday 
returned  to  feed  my  own  flock.  May  the  Divine 
Spirit  water  the  seed  sown  with  the  showers  of 
Divine  grace.  Yours  in  Christian  lov&  JoHir 
Bsowir.  Conlig  Manse,  Newtounards,  Ireland. 
July  Ist,  1863. 

NOBWIOH ~ Obford  Hill  Chapel.— 
Anniversar}'  was  held  LordVday,  June  14th. 
Three  good  Gospel  sermons  by  our  young  bro- 
ther, Mr.  James  Clark,  of  Stowmarket.  On  Mon- 
day, about  290  sat  down  to  tea ;  after  which  a 
public  meeting  was  held.  Mr.  Corbitt,  in  his  in- 
troductory remark?,  said  he  was  pleased  to  see  a 
large  number  present,  and  felt  glad  that  he  was 
surrounded  by  such  a  number  of  ministerial 
brethren ;  he  was  very  happy  he  had  the  pri- 
vilege to  meet  his  aged  brother,  the  senior  dea- 
con there,  now  in  his  eightieth  year,  who  had 
been  called  to  pass  throngn  severe  affliction,  when 
tliey  thought  he  would  have  been  removed  from 
them  by  death ;  but  the  Lord  had  again  raised 
him,  and  he  was  able  to  superintend  the  arrange- 
ments for  the  tea.  Bxoellent  addresses  were  de- 
livered by  Mr.  Gowing,  of  Pitt  Street ;  Mr.  Field, 
of  Saxlingham;  Mr.  Debnam,  of  Maldon;  Mr. 
Dearing,  of  Crowfield;  Mr.  8.  Taylor,  of  Hud- 
derafiera,  and  Mr.  J.  Clark,  of  Stowmarket  Mr. 
8.  Taylor  is  a  Yorkshire  brother,  well  known  to 
brother  Corbitt  for  many  vears.  He  gave  a  very 
sweet  address.  Brother  Clark  followed  him  in 
his  address,  and  said,  **AI1  the  difference  he  could 
perceive  in  them  and  his  Yorkshire  brother  was, 
that  they  were  white  and  black,  and  he  was  black 
and  white;  for  evidently  he  spoke  the  same 
language,  had  been  brought  up  in  the  same 
truths,  taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  and  belonged 
to  the  same  fiimily."  The  choir  mve  aome  very 
delightful  pieces  with  considerable  power.  The 
meting  was  of  a  profitable  and  edifying  cha- 
racter. Brother  Corbitt  is  surrounded  with  a 
good  number  of  people.  He  is  happy  and  com- 
fortable ;  he  looks  well,  works  well,  stands  well, 
wears  well,  and  walks  well.  God  is  honouring 
him;  blessing  the  word  to  the  conversion  of 
sinners.  May  the  Lord  for  years  to  come  make 
him  the  means  of  leading  many  to  Jesus  is  the 
sincere  prayer  of  one  who  r^oioes  in  the  welftre 
and  prosperity  of  Zion. 

ATIiSSBXTBT.— DsAtt  Bsotbeb  Bavxb,— 
I  am  happy  to  say,  since  we  re-opened  the  old 
Baptist  chapel,  Cambridfle-street,  the  attendance 
has  been  encouraging.  The  pastor,  deacons,  and 
friends  took  our  SiabDath-school  to  Velvet  Lawn 
on  Monday,  July  18th :  we  numbered  fifty-eight 
in  all.  The  children  were  well  supplied  with 
beef  and  pork,  plumb  puddings,  tea,  cake,  fto.,  Ac. 
It  did  our  hearts  good  to  see  the  nappy  fhess  of 
all  present  We  shall  baptise  July  seth.  We 
have  had  one  added  since  we  opened.  The  lord 
be  praised.         A  Mxmbxb  of  thb^Chvboh., 


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TUB  EABTUBK   VEMBL. 


1.1 


UnXfESTER.  —  This  tovn  has  hetn  re- 
markably  fkvouxed  for  Goapel  piivilMt  above 
almost  any  town  In  this  part  of  the  kingdom. 
Joseph  Chamberlain,  the  minister  ot  Balem  cha- 
pel, was  a  very  spirttnal,  fUthlul.  and  useful  ser- 
vant of  Jesus  Christ.  He  had  hia  eeoentrioities ; 
but  his  heart  waa  right ;  he  was  a  real  son  in  the 
fiuth  of  his  dear  ^cnd,  WUliam  Huntington 


and  we  hope,  ICr.  Editor,  you  will  give  us  a  good 

'  nis  life  and  ministcy  in  your  aeries, 

"  The  Companions  of  the  Gross.'*    Our  chapel^ 


of: 


life  and  ministcy  in  your  aeries, 
lions  of  the  Gross.'*  Our  chapel, 
called  "jafred-street,'*  is  a  "free  grace  and 
gratis"  place  of  worship.  We  have  the  best  of 
the  Standard  men  there  at  times :  and  there  it  is, 
**  come  and  welcome"  and  "  nothing  to  pay.'*.  It 
suits  many.  Itching  ears  and  close  pockets  make 
good  use  of  it;  but  as  to  the  real  good  done,  it  is 
a  question  I  shall  not  touoh  now.  My  notes  of 
^  the  good  me»  who  have  vi$iud  Lam$Ur''  are  vo- 
luminous. They  include  many;  not  only  the 
Standard  giants,  but  Vorley,  Samuels,  Heeinan,  C. 
Smith,  Bloodsworth,  the  clergj'man  Davii^  Gar- 
nud,  and  many  more ;  bnt,  above  all,  that  nnritual 
martyr,  that  pncious  golden  pipe,  toe  late 
Thomas  Hardy.  His  life  you  must  not  omit  I 
only  write  now  to  say  we  are  making  a  neiw 
house  for  "  The  Watchman  on  the  Walk,''  and 
some  metropolitan  and  provincial  men  are  com- 
ing to  Leicester  at  the  opening.  2io  doubt  vre 
ahall  all  be  takn  captive  by  tlie  deep-toned  ezposi- 
tioa  of  the  one,  and  the  cbeerfuf  playfulneas  of 
the  other:  alter  all,  let  me  tell  these  talking 
boys,  that  the  real  believing  fiunily  of  €K)d  in 
Leicester  have  iieea  too  deeper  ehaalened,  and,  at 
too  richly  anointed,  to  be  carriad  away 
aonnaa.    We  love  oar  mysterious  dd 


building  fund  lor  new  chapd^  when 

that  furnace-tried  servant  of  God,  C.W.Bmks, 
(reached  a  sermon  in  allcraoon  at  thiee  from 
ude's  episUe.  (Verae  3.)  It  did  us  good  to  heu 
him  speak  of  the  merqr  and  love  of  Ood  tosnch 
I  sinners  as  we  feel  ounelves  to  be, 


with 

Watchman.  We  have  had  hia  poetry  and  his 
praae— his  preoching  and  Ills  pn^ing*»his  eo- 
oentridty  and  electricity  now  for  many  yean; 
and  we  rejoice  to  know  that  having  taken  root 
downward,  he  is  bearing  fruit  upward,  and  we 
hope  as  he  ripens  for  glory,  he  wilL  like  the 
heavy-laden  and  full-eared  con,  bow  liis  head, 
and  drop  many  precious  handfols  on  purpose  for 
us  ere  homeward  he  flies:  but  more  of  this  when 
I  write  again.  I  am  a  friend  to  the  Eabtiuek 
V1C88EI.,  to  W.  Qannrd,  and  all  the  good  folk  in 
Leicester. 

BATH.~£BJC]rszjBB  CHAPEL.~On  Sunday, 
June  1st,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  aeeing  that  the 
Lord's  hand  is  not  shortened  that  Be  cannot 
aave,  nor  His  ear  heavy  that  He  cannot  hear  the 
earnest  cry  of  His  fiuthftd  servanta  in  ourjittio 
hill  of  Zion  on  the  behalf  of  poor  sinnera.  Our 
beloved  pastor,  ICr.  J.  Huntlqr,  baptised  seven 
believers  in  Christ.  The  Rev.  D.  Wassel  earnestly 
addressed  the  company  assembled  to  witness  the 
ordinance,  when,  we  trust,  much  good  waa  done. 
In  the  afternoon,  our  dear  pastor  received  the 
candidates  into  the  cburob,  with  seven  more  from 
other  churches.  It  was  a  refreshing  time  to  our 
■ouls.  Our  Sunday-schools  are  also  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  On  Monday,  July  13th,  we 
took  our  children  to  the  beautitul  picturesque 
grounds  of  Prior  Park,  kindly  granted  by  our 
much-esteemed  friend,  Thomaa  Tnompson,  £sq., 
who  addressed  the  children  in  front  of  the  mnn* 
aion,  feeling  very  pleased  to  see  them,  and  hoping 
they  would  enioy  themselves.  They  then  sang  a 
hymn,  and  dupersed  at  half-past  four.  They 
were  served  with  &  good  tea;  after  which  nearly 
150  teachers  and  frienda  sat  down  to  tea.  Before 
leaving  the  grounds  in  the  eveninc.  the  children, 
teachera,  and  friends  again  asnrmnlnd  in  front  of 
the  mansion,  and  were  addnaaed  by  our  worthy 
pastor,  Mr.  J.  Huntley,  and  T.  Thompson.  Bsq. ; 
after  which  they  all  zeoeived  a  UtUe  book  from 
the  Hon.  Mrs.  Thompaon,  and  relumed  home 
highly  delighted. 


hell-deaerving  s -  ^  . 

and  of  that  peace  which  flows  through  ChriiL 
and  calms  our  troubled  breaata.  May  the  Lord 
grant  him  the  eqj  oyment  of  thU  blessed  pesoe  m 
his  own  soul,  and  that  wiU  enable  him  touag,;- 
<'  My  Jesus  hath  done  all  ishixugt  welL'*  In  the 
evening,  we  had  a  public  meeting;  Mr.  Wall,  of 
Gmvesend,  presided.  AiiertAa^afnApn^n. 
Mr.  Dixon,  late  of  Maidstone,  said  some  good 
ttiina  about  the  union  of  Christ  and  Bis  Churoh. 
Brother  Wall  called  iumm  me  to  state  the  object 
we  had  in  view  in  calling  the  meeting  together. 
I  related  our  humble  cucumstsnces  when  we 
first  opened  the  doors  for  the  preaching  of  the 
Chospel.  The  Lord  had  met  with  UB  from  time  to 
time:  this  encouraged  us  to  persevere.  By  the 
help  of  CkMl,  we  oontinneto  this  day.  The  Uessed 
Gospel  haa  been  preached  avioag  us  now  ox 
years,  and  though  we  are  poor  in  this  ^orla  s 
goods,  atiU  we  have  fkith  to  bnlieve  the  Lord  vnU 
go  before  us  in  this  our  great  undertaking:  fv 
the  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness  thereot 
We  have  wrestled  with  Him,  and  have  had  sweet 
liberty  at  timea  in  so  doing,  thai  we  might  xaiie 
a  house  for  His  great  name.  Brother  Wall  oon- 
doded  with  some  awrouy  remarka  auitible  to 
the  oocMion.  After  the  meeting  dosed,  a  sub- 
scripUon  was  hMded  by  Mr.  Wall,  and  rose  to 
the  amount  of  between  aix  and  seven  poandi. 
Should  this  meet  the  eiye  of  any  rich  brother, 
who  is  waiting  for  an  Ofvortunity  to  do  good, 
we  hope  the  Lord  wiU  open  bia  heart  to  cone 
and  help  us.  Collecting  cards  can  be  had  on  ap- 
plication to  Mr.  Hitaftoocic,  Junior  deaeon,  or 
myaelf;  W.  Coi*K8,  poatman,  Aitli,  Kent 


BBITH,  JLBMT,— At  Boar  Baptist  chapel, 
terviees  wera  holden  Jime  Mb,  1868,  to 


Mr. 
tote 


WA&X,  HBBT8.-MS.  EDiTOB,-Msayof 
your  readera,  donbtleaa,  while  walking  throaffa 
the  vast  mebimolia,  viewing  the  noble  statuai, 
the  elegsnt  buildfaiga,  andarShitaotuinl  gnadeor 
with  which  it  abounda,  hav«  exctaimed,  "^Ui 
true!"  when  reading  that  text  on  the  BoyalXs- 
diange,  "^  71^6  Mra  IS  THS  LOBDii ;  and  ifteyUsev 
Aereo/}*  But  it  was  dnring  some  few  davs  sp«t 
in  tbe  lovdy  ooantyoTHertfiavdaliin  that  tUi 
passage  of  Holy  Writ  waa,  with  Bomedmeof 
power  and  sweefenesa,  laid  on  my  mind.  On 
Monday,  July  8th,  I  received  an  inritstion  to 
the  Ware  anmveraaiy.  I  eould  not  lefnae.  Zosr 
4diq)el,  Wan,  ia  a  sweet  little  place.  TfaMev< 
ago  it  waa  opened  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Banksaad] 
W.  Plaek,  of  London.  It  waa  a  daylong  to 
ramembered.  Thia  year,  the  good  felksfiad 
gaged  Mr.  Bloomfleld  to  pteacb;  bat,  throoib 
severe  indiapoaition,  he  waa  unable  to  come.  m. 
Anderson  waa  the  aubatftnte.  He  said  he  bed 
often  been  taken  for  Mr.  B.,  and  bmed  the  peo- 
ple would  not  be  disappofealBd.  He  seemed  to 
enjoy  gre^t  Uber^:  ddiveiwi  a  good  semop 
fh>m  Bev.  xix.  19.  In  ftie  aHemoon,  Mr.  B. 
Bowles preaohed  from  Psalm  xxviii.  9:  iti» 
valuable,  poetioal,  and  uaefuL  The  cfveniu  sei^ 
mon  by  Mr.  Flack,  on  hia  favmvlle  tho^ 
-Jeeus  Christ  the  same  yesterday,  to-dsy,  and 
for  ever."  We  had  three  mfaialera  instead  of 
two.  Theyhave  a  biiiMii«debtetilltorab«C 
If  any  of  your  readers  are  looking  out  Ibr  a  -^'^ 
to  spend  a  week  welL  and  hdp  a  lltkia  c 
Ware  is  the  place.    Next  day  Mr.  Plaek 

asori 
bet 


me  tfirough  beautifiil   cannttr  lu 

flelda,  hllla.ftc.,  toadweUii^iidiabitBd^ai 


of  Crusoe— an  old  soldtar.  out  of  aetive  ^.  — ,  -— 
in  the  passive  serviee  of  the  Bnro  «l(  ^J^Tl? 
Captain  of  our  aalvallon.  WewerehigUyeattf'' 
tdned  wHh  proviaicna,  frnlt»  and  V^*oeaf^ 
his  111b,  ftc.     On  Iwving,  Hw  words  of,tf« 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Aug.  1.  1^08. 


TBB  SABTHSV   T£88£L. 


201 


fur  Bis  ffoodnett,  aad  for  His  wanderfol  works 
to  the  ctuldreo  of  men/'  wss  the  heartfelt  Un- 
gua«e  of  yottis  to  s«rre  in  the  bonds  of  the  Oos- 
|jel,  A  YMMT  Lltoe  Osjs. 

'WAI«WOSTH,— Xa8tIjj»  GsAPSL.~On 
Tuesday,  Julj  Uth,  aenrioes  wen  holden  in  this 
pUoe  to  recognise  the  Lord's  goodness  to  tlie 
church  for  the  psst  two  yesrs.  dnring  which 
time  Mr.  William  Alderson  has  honounkbly  held 
the  pastonle.  In  theaiteraooo,  Mr.  John  Hazel- 
toQ  praaohed  an  exeeUent  dlscoone,  the  subject 
beins  ^The  Everlasting  Gospel."  Some  very 
excellent  uhdervatioos  on  IMpnl  snd  popish  Borne 
were  made  by  the  preacher,  and  the  Mrmon 
throiiffhoQt  displayed  CQnsideiable  power  of 
thought  and  originality.  Between  the  afternoon 
and  evening  senrioes,  a  large  number  of  the 
friends  took  tea.  In  the  ereninA  a  public  meet- 
iusf  was  holden.  when  the  ehapel  was  well  filled. 
Ths  pastor  preaided,  and  /mur  bretiirea  were  an- 

DouiKoed  to         '  

(o  find  that 

com|_  _  ^     „ 

and  even  more  ministers  to  speak  at  these'm^t- 
in;f«,  has  been  acted  noon  in  most  cases  since. 
Here  the  brethren  Anderson.  Wyard,  Wall,  and 
Hawkins  wen  announeed  ior  given  subjects, 
which  were  well  spoken  to,  and  the  meeting  con- 
cluded by  a  seasonable  time.  From  the  report 
Siren  by  our  aged  hot  fidthfiil  friend,  Mr. 
tndtoy,  we  were  pleased  to  And  the  work  of  tha 
Lord  at  Bast  I^ne  appears  to  be  reviving.  During 
the  two  years  of  Mr.  Aldflrson's  pasroraie,  he 
has  received  ninety-five  members  into  the  church, 
tbirteen  of  this  uunber  being  taken  in  on  the 
nnt  Losd's-day  in  July.  The  report  also  spoke 
of  the  good  woric  that  is  being  carried  on  in  the 
^bbstb-sefaool  by  an  affidenTband  of  teachers, 
iciinia,  and  ncosperity  has  not  been  with- 
B.    Beaidea  the  speaker^  we  noticed  Mr. 


holden. 
Grifiths 


Mr. 


■   (now  supplying  at  Woolwich), 
(of  Halstoa^  MxvBootliflrn,  Mr.Plumbe, 
Mr.  Baofment,  Mr.  Bdgeoombc,  and  others. 


WXUBBAHAM, 

uy  on  the  IfiCh  July  was  a  day  h 
Ood  was  blessmg  His 
_  mtn.  Mr.  MarkSfOfCambs., 
in  motnlng ;  the  ehiqiel  quite  IhlL  Mr. 
gBse  ont  the  flxrt  hymn;  Mr.  Ward,  of 
Botteshsm  Lode,  wmaining  two.  In  the  aller- 
noon,  Mr.  Pells,  of  Boho  ohanei,  preached  in  a 
large  tmt  to  above  400;  Mr.  Wyard,  from  Gotten- 
hMsx,  gave  oat  the  test  hymn :  Mr.  Feet  read 
and  pnyed;  Mr.  Morris,  of  SafEran  Walden,  the 
rgmainmg  tmo,^  >60  friends  at  tea  in  thelarge 
teat  enjoyed  ttiemaBlfCs  veij  much.  In  the 
erenjM,  brother  Feet  preached  to  near  700  peo- 
ple ;  Mr.  Marks,  of  Oambs.,  gave  out  first  hymn; 
Mr,  Harries,  of  Btaplefcnd,  read;  Mr.  Fdls 
praved ;  Mr.  Haynes,  front  St.  Ives,  gave  oat  the 
remsinfng  hymns.    Dinner  and  tea  provided  by 


The  collection  was  made  and  presented  to  Mr. 
Butterfield  as  an  exprcsaion  of  sincere  love  to 
him  and  our  high  esteem.  That  collection  far 
exceeded  his  expectation.  The  meeting  was  ad- 
dresaed  by  Messrs.  Chivers,  Myettion,  Flack,  Hall, 
and  Dickerson.  Between  eacli  speaker  tlie  choir 
sang  sacred  pieces.  Thus  terminated  a  happy, 
cheerful,  and  profitable  meeting. 

BoB££T  GIBBS,  Secretary. 

BIirOOKHOLT,  KENT.  — Happy  Cot- 
tags.  The  Gospel  ia  still  preached  at  Happy 
Cottage  in  spite  of  all  opposition,  which  nothing 
will  xnise  like  the  truth  of  God.  when  preached 
in  its  doctrinal,  experimental,  and  practical 
purity.  Our  anniversary  serx'ioes  were  held 
Whit  Thursday,  Mav  28th.  We  were  indulged 
with  a  fresh  token  from  onr  God  in  the  word 
preached  by  our  beloved  brother,  Mr.  Jotm  Fore- 
man, whose  ministry  caused  some  of  us  to  say 
with  one  of  old,  "Surely  God  is  in  this  place; 
this  is  none  otlier  than  the  house  of  God.  and  the 
^'ery  gate  of  heaven."  These  manilestations 
strengthen  and  encourage  us  to  hope  the  Lord 
will  yet  plant  here  the  sUndord  of  eternal  truth, 
and  canse  many  souls  to  come  in  hither  to  hear 
the  word  preached.  J.  Chiltov. 

BBBHTT,  DEVON.  —  In  this  small,  but 
growing  town,  there  are  a  few  living  souls  who 
love  our  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity  and  in  truth. 
For  years  past  they  have  been  afiUcted  because 
modemte  Calvinism  and  Arminanism  have  been 
in  church  and  ehapel  substituted  for  the  precioua 
doctrines  of  grace  and  the  experience  of  the 
saint.  In  the  opening  of  this  ye»r,  the  Lord,  in 
His  providence,  opened  a  door  where  His  ser- 
vants can  preacn  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  Son 
of  God ;  and  He  has  sent  us  gooa  supplies^  for 
which  we  are  thaukfhl.  Mr.  Bowland,  of  Lou- 
don, Mr.  Hemington,  of  Btonehouse,  Mr.  Wale, 
of  Reading,  Mr.  Collina,  of  Plymouth  ;  also, 
Messrs.  Basterbrook  and  Westlake,  of  Flj^mouth, 
have  come.  The  Lord  has  answered  our  prayers : 
onr  eyes  are  up  to  the  hills  from  whence  cometli 
onr  help.  Brethren,  pray  that  the  Word  of  God 
may  run  among  us  and  be  glorified. 


kiiid  friends.  The  proceeds  given  to  the  cause, 
with  eoUeeticna,  amonnted  to  £88  fia.  7d.  We 
lope,  if  God  wills  our  brother  Feet  to  come  to 
ua,  to  bnfld  a  new  ehapel  large  enongh  to  hold 
oar  eoDttamally  increasmg  oongrwation,  one  kind 
friend  harlBg  promised  to  lay  J6U)0  on  the  fonn- 
datifsi  stone.    Toors  in  Jems,         J.  Touubb. 

BiOTKEBKITRB.^In  Bethlehem  chapel, 
Bstbflrintbe,  the  sixth  anniseraary  of  the  pas- 
tuateerMrTj.  Bvtterfleld,  washotdan  Bundayaad 
M4iod9,JttiielMiaiklMth.  Dr.  BeU  preached 
a  spixiteal  eenmiB  firom  the  werds»  «*Tlie7  that 
wvship  Ood  most  wcnhip  Him  la  spirit  and 
tnith."  A  good  oompeny  sst  down  to  tea.  The 
l»Mig  ineetiiig'  briag  opened  by  jnayar,  onr  pas- 
tor ^ne  a  fsitttittoimuie  of  the  otmrws  posiuan 
dmiog  the  peat  year.  Bdnr  wntda  would  de- 
^'  'ate:  — A«vsr,  JVsacUa^, 

Oof  pastor  h^^tiaed  Ave 
nine  during  this  year. 


:ed    by   the    pastor,    the   Bev.    W. 

le  migntjr  power  or  God  has  been 

istintSly  in  bringing  these  eighteen 

of  that  darkness  m  whicli,  a  few 


TOBBXNGTON,  BBHTON.— Bapttsm.— 

On  Sunday  morning,  July  19tli,  eighteen  persons 
were  baptized  by  the  pastor,  the  Bev.  W. 
Jetfery.    The  mi^'  i  «    «  .       • 

seen  very  distino 
persons  ont  of  tl 

months  ago.  they  were  all  involved,  into  the 
marvellous  light  of  thiU;  kingdom  which  is  righte- 
ousness, and  peace,  and  fov*  in  the  Holy  Gnost. 
At  the  church-meeting,  held  for  the  purpose  of 
hearing  the  testimony  of  these  newly-converted 
people,  whose  ages  vary  firom  16  to  73,  the  church 
listened  till  nearly  midnight  with  adoring  sur- 
prise at  the  diatincAy  revealed  supernatural 
features  of  each  case.  Our  hearts  expect  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  yet  more  and  more. 
**  Lord,  increase  our  frith.''  Brethren,  pray  for 
us  I 

[Beport  of  Sunday-school  meedngs  on  a 
large  scale  have  reacned  us;  but  too  Tate.  *Mr. 
Jeffery  is  now  ooe^pying  an  important  position.] 

BXXLRY  HBATS*  KENT.— Baptist 
Bwtor,  Mr.  jTWallis.    The  annivet- 


I  held  hero  on  Jnly  1st,  whoi 
ebed  in  the  aitemoon   from 


Ckapxl 


brother  Wall  pn 

la^ah  Uv.  It,  «^  All  thy  childron  ahall  he  taught,*' 
ke.  In  the  evening,  bnitlMr  Frith  (Borough 
Qieen,)  took  for  his  text  Fhill.  ii.  17,  **I  joy  and 
rtAakoB  wi<^  yen  alL*'  These  two  aonl-oheerfaig 
diaoonrses  were  delivwed  in  a  soleoan,  laithftir, 
and  affaotiaiiate  manner,  and  Ml  npon  onr  hearts 
as  with  an  unction  fromafaove.  We  ftel  sure  the 
blfifafng  of  onr  ooroBant  God  in  Ohriat  Jeans  was 
withtv.   Xheattmdanoo  waa  very  fr|^  mid  w«L 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


202 


THE  EABTHJEK  VESSOEL. 


Aug.  1, 1801. 


were  enooonged  by  the  pretence  of  brethren  from 
town,  and  friends  from  some  of  the  neighbouring 
chuwhes.  We  desire  that  our  little  cauae  may 
flourish,  and  therefore  we  pray  the  Master  to 
strengthen  the  hands  of  our  venerable  pastor,  who 
is  much  delighted  with,  and  thankful  for  this, 
another  Bbenezer-stone.— H.  A.  D. 

ASHFOBD,  KENT.— The  Church  of  Par- 
ticular Baptists,  meeting  for  worship  in  Joint 
Stock  Hall,  held  sixth  anniversary  Lord»»-day, 
June  2l8t.  Mr.  Marchant,  of  Cranbrook,  preached 
three  thorough  Gospel  sermons  to  attentive  con- 
ations, in  the  morning,  he  spoke  of  the 
c  of  the  Spirit  as  the  revealer  and  testifier  of 


to  know  where  he  might  hear  the  Oospel 
preached.  The  question  being  pat  to  a  criticsl^ 
but  carelixl  itinerant  (one  wellread  in  the  histoiy 
of  all  the  good  men  who  had  been,  or  wm 


gregati 

worko , 

the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  what  He  f  s  unto  the 
soul  of  a  poor  sensible  sinner ;  in  the  afternoon, 
of  the  aboundings  of  grace  over  the  power  of  sin 
in  the  regenerate  soul ;  and  in  the  evening^  of  the 
inseparsble  union  existing  between  Christ  and 
His  people,  showing  that  nothing  was  able  to 
separate  one  of  His  chosen  ones  from  His  Al- 
mighty self:  a  day  long  to  be  remembered.  The 
situatTon  of  our  room  is  a  great  hindrance;  but 
we  desire  the  Lord  to  appear  for  us  in  answer  to 
the  many  cries  that  have  oeen  put  up  by  His  peo- 
ple here,  that  He  will  direct  how  and  where  to 
obtain  a  more  commodious  place.  May  He  give 
us  strength  to  stand  and  patience  to  wait  His 
own  time.  B.  Hoobkk, 

SHEFFOBD,  VSDB.  -  On  Lord's-day, 
June  21st,  1868,  Clifton  chapel,  near  Shefford, 
Beds,  presented  a  lively  and  nappy  scene,  as  on 
that  day  the  new  galleries  were  opened,  crowded 
with  anxious  hearers  listening  to  the  sounds  of 
love  and  mertsy  through  the  Gospel  preached  by 
the  much-honoured  minister,  Septimus  Sears,  the 
editor  of  The  Litllt  Oleaner.  Through  an  appeal 
made  by  that  nice  little  penny  magazine  for 
ohildren,  more  than  £100  has  been  collected  to 
defray  the  nllery  building  expense.    It  must  be 

SiUmng  to  Mr.  Septimus  Sears,  and  to  all  his 
ends,  to  see  prosperity  attend  every  effort-.    The 
fiUUe  QUcmer  for  July  contains  variety  and  value. 

WEIJ:iINaBOBOTJaH.-A  new  Baptist 
chapel  has  been  erected  here ;  and  Mr.  Bull,  of 
Over,  is  expected  to  be  the  pastor  of  the  chureh. 
Mr.  Shaip's  ministry  was  very  useftil ;  but  he  has 
left  us,  which  some  regret,  we  understand  Mr. 
Bhaxp  is  now  at  liberty  to  supply— his  address  is, 
care  of  Mr.  Wallis,  Baptist  minister,  Bexloy, 
Heath,  Sent  

SABT  BEBOHOI^.— The  stone  of  new 
chapel  was  laid  July  I6th  by  Mr.  T.  Poock.  Mr. 
A.  Baker  preached  a  sermon.  Public  meeting  in 
the  evening.  The  cost  is  to  be  £160.  We  hope 
to  raise  &a  by  the  time  it  is  opened ;  and  we 
pray  our  friends  ail  round  to  help  us.  Mrs.  B. 
Baldwin  will  send  a  collecting  card  to  any  friend 
who  will  help.  B.  Baldwik. 

BBXLEx .— Onr  cords  have  been  lengthened 
under  Mr.  Evans's  ministry.  His  recognition  is 
expected  early  in  August^  of  which  we  hope  to 
give  some  notes. 


ments  of  Natare*s  weakness,  Ac,  Ac,  came  out ; 
and  the  variety  was  full  of  evidence  that  there  is 
an  adaptation  of  priest  to  people ;  or  that  every 
pope,  pious  primitive,  and  presumptuoos  puritsn 
is  almost  certain,  in  Brighton,  to  have  a  flock 
like  unto  himself.  How  we  shall  deal  with 
these  portraits  of  Brighton  preaohera  vre  know 
not  yet.  __ 

Br.  Bell.  2>r.  Cazson,  ICr.  SCedlrant, 
and  the  Plymotith  Brethren.— It  is  high 
time  we  took  some  notice  of  lettera  received  re- 
flecting upon  Dr.  Bell*B  articles  on  the  history, 
Ac,  of  the  Plymouth  Brethren.  The  propositioB 
to  give  in  The  Eabthen  Vxb8BZ.  a  consecutive 
senes  of  papers  illustrating  the  uprising,  Ac,  of 
"  Brethren/  originated  with  the  worthy  doctor 
himself.  We  accepted  the  ofito,  fUlly  pwsuaded 
that  Dr.  Bell  was  quite  capable  of  writing  such 
papen  in  a  useful  and  ediiying  manner.  The 
immense  amount  of  correspondence  which  has 
been  given,  and  the  letten  from  Dr.  Carson.  Mr. 
Medhurst,  and  othera,  charging  us  with  publish- 
ing (in  these  papen)  many  thinffs  neither  truth- 
ful nor  fair,  brings  us  to  a  stand,  until  time  shall 
(  be  taken  to  review  and  examine  the  validity'  of 
the  attacks  made  upon  us.  Dr.  Carson's  justifi- 
cation of  his  late  father  demands  special  atten- 
tion. 

What  is  Antinomianism  P  By  tlie  late 
Bev.  Joseph  Irons.  Bevlsed  and  Bep'^blished  by 
J.  Dyer.  To  be  had  of  Mr.  Paul,  Patemostcr-row ; 
and  of  W.  Dyer,  near  Camberwell  Gate.  When 
we  read  brother*  l^r*s  prefiuie  to  this  powerful 
treatise,  we  thought  of  David  coming  up  against 
Goliah.  Mr.  Dyer  says  he  has  re-issued  this 
pamphlet  in  oraer  **  to  enter  a  solemn  protot 
against  the  preaddng  of  our  day."  Ah !  **the 
preaching  of  our  day  ''indeed.  Mr.  Dyer  has  been 


uiken  up,  we  hope,  to  the  very  summit  of  Mount 
Zion,  and  in  the  light  of  Holt  Truth  he  has 
looked  down  into  the  vallfes.  and  pita,  the  various 
schools  of  delusion,  as  well  as  into  the  fields  of 
ministerial  enterprise,  and  therein  he  baa  dis- 
covered much  of  the  darkness  and  weakness,  the 
pride  and  the  poverty  of  thousands  who  tibink 
themselveeSto  be  something  more  than  they  reaUy 
are.  Let  us  pray  more  than  ever  that  our  pastors 
and  people  might  be  filled  with  all  the  essential 
powers  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Then  neither  Anti- 
nomians  nor  Arminians  will  do  much  haim. 


Beatjft. 


fiotes  anil  (i&nerfes. 

Vr.  John  Bnnyan  SCoOore's  Ohapel 
at  Sydney.— To  nnc  Bditob  or  Tex  Bab- 
THXK  Yesabl.— Dear  Sir,  In  aooordance  with 
the  reqneat  expreased  in  your  letter  of  the  1st 
inst,  I  will  glaaly  undertake  to  receive  any  dona- 
tions on  behalf  of  Mr.  John  Bunyaa  MoCorb's 
Chapel  at  Sydney ;  and  will  see  that  they  are 
acknowledged  in  the  Vessel,  and  duly  fi>rwarded 


to   Mr.    MoCure. 


lAsithlkilly  yours, 
Sonthgate'' 


BOBEBT 

iBoad,  Xings- 


Whjok,  6,BenyoaI 
lan<LK.    July  14th,  1868. 

'*The  Brichton  Xiniatnr.'*— It  was  on 
the  pier,  one  morniog,  an  eldcny  dtiscn  sought 


Dbab  Bbotbbb,— The  Lord  has  seen  fit  to  take 
from  me  the  desire  of  my  ey^  with  a  stroke  in 
the  death  of  one  of  the  best  of  wives  and  ten- 
derest  of  mothers.  She  slept  in  Jesus  on  the 
84th  of  June,  aged  fifty-eighL  She  was  in  health, 
in  sickness,  in  death,  and  alt  that  vras  mortal 
was  interred  by  my  pastor,  Mr.  Bloomfield, 
within  eight  days.  O  now  mysterious  are  the 
leadings  of  God!  The  helper  gone;  and  the 
helpless  one  left  still  in  the  body:  my  dear 
daughter  has  now  been  confined  to  her  bed  four 
years.  It  seems  to  me  a  dream.  Thir^-threc 
yean  of  uninterrupted  pleaaure  we  have  had : 
but  she  is  gone.  Oh,  whatamennM  **  the  Lord 
is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart, 
and  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  cruslied  spirit**  J. 
Kbaxjct,  86,  Danvenhstreet,  Paulton^sqoare, 
Chelsea. 

DiBi>,  reoentIy,at  Bath,  deeply  i  „ 
daman  Haneock,  a  fiuthfbl  minister  of  the  ( 
pel,  and  a  great  IHend  and  advocate  of  Babbath- 
school  instmotioii.  Hla  last  wotds  were^  *flazn 
sinking,  sinking  safely.    Ifcarnoeril.** 

w.  w.  w. 


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203 


Jijath      0|      ^HM. 


A    CRITICAL    REVIEW    OF    HEBREWS    II. 
Bt  Alfsbd  S.  Goodridob,  Bath. 


**  But  we  we  Jesas,  who  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  angels  for  the  suffering  of  death, 
oowned  with  gloiy  and  honour ;  that  He  by  the  graee  of  Q-od  should  taste  death  for  every  man." 
—Hebrews  ii.  9. 


A  i»B4m  bratlier  in  yam  January  number 
grires  some  rvmaxks  on  this  passage,  which, 
though  in  the  main  I  agree  with,  do  not 
quite  satisfy  mj  mind  as  to  the  sense  of 
the  expression,  "  vmp  jravroc  yivatirai 
9atfarov,**m€Tt  espedaHy  as  to  virtp  vavroc 
in  the  connexion  in  which  we  find  it.  I 
wtMild  jnst  give  the  result  of  my  own  re- 
flections on  it,  some  years  since,  when  I 
stnmblad  at  the  wozos  as  given  in  our 
trmnsJation.  The  Lord  giye  us  under- 
standing in  all  things : — Ist.  As  to  the  pro- 
ber meaning  of  the  words  themselves ;  2nd. 
liook  at  them  in  eimnexion  with  the  sub- 
ject immediately  spoken  of. 

I  maj  conclude,  I  suppose,  that  most  of 
those  Christians  who  read  this  are  of  one 
mind  as  to  the  m<Mid  aspect  of  Christ's 
saeriiSeial  work  on  the  cross ;  that  it  was 
substttntionary,  and  therefore  particular  for 
a  special  people,  "who  do  beheve  in  God,'* 
even  those  who  were  from  the  beginning 
chosen  of  the  Father  unto  salvation,  given 
to  the  Son,  and  through  sanctification  of 
the  Spirit  and  the  belief  of  the  truth,  called 
by  thw  Gospel  to  the  obtaining  of  the  glory 
of  our  Lora  Jesus  Christ.  There  maybe 
same,  however,  who  do  not  see  the  besnng 
of  the  whole  passage  on  the  millennial  king^ 
dom  of  Christ,  of  which  the  apostle  most 
distinctly  says  he  is  speaking.  (Verse  5.) 
Kot  a  few,  for  want  of  li^t  on  "this 
blessed  hope"  of  His  coming  and  kingdom, 
lack  the  key  to  open  many  a  di£BcnIt  pas- 
sage. 1  ask  such  to  consider  what  I  say, 
and  onlj  judge  according  to  truth. 

1st.  As  to  the  words  themselves.  There 
is  no  other  instance  in  Scripture  of  the  ex- 
pression "taste  death"  being  used  when 
speaking  of  the  death  of  Clmst  "  Died 
f<ir,**  •'soifered  for,"  but  not  "taste  death 
fov."  Neither  do  I  know  any  passage 
which  would  in  any  way  support  what 
some  would  build  upon  these  words,  that 
Christ  tasted  death  for  eveiy  man  indi- 
TidnaUy, — that  im,  every  one  of  the  human 
race ;  nor  do  I  think  the  reference  to  the 
foUowing  verses  can  be  taken  as  a  legiti- 
mate and  satisiactoiy  quafiiication  of  the 
expression  as  we  hero  And  it,  thouffh  I  for 
some  time  adopted  this  way  of  ex^aining 
the  seeming  diiBcnlty.    We  have  in  Matt. 

Vol.  Xft.— No.  220. 


xvi.  28,  and  in  John  vili.  52,  the  same 
words,  yiviftiTai  Bavarov,  where,  as  ap- 
plied to  believers — which  it  is  in  both  pas- 
sages—evidently means  to  experience  na- 
tund  death ;  and  as  its  power  is  only  for  a 
time  over  the  body,  it  may  be  called  only 
tasting  it.  There  is  clearly  nothing  sub- 
stitutionary in  its  application.  "There  be 
some  standing  here  wnich  shall  not  taste  of 
death  till  they  see  the  Son  of  man  coming 
in  His  kingdom;"  or,  as  in  Mark,  '*the 
kingdom  of  God  come  with  power,"  which 
Peter  and  John  did  in  figure  in  the  Mount 
of  Transfiguration  six  days  after,  and,  per- 
haps, referring  also  to  tne  destruction  of 
Jerusalem,  which  was  also  a  type  of  His 
coming  and  kingdom  with  power.  So, 
again,  "  If  any  man  keep  my  saying,  he 
shall  not  taste  death  for  ever."  (t^c  rov 
aiMva,)  Believers  at  any  time  only  have  to 
taste  the  cup ;  but  He  Himself  was  to  drink 
it  to  the  dregs, — to  swallow  it  up.  (I  Cor. 
XV.  55.)  Is  there  not  a  difference  between 
the  expession  "  taste  death,"  and  what  we 
read  of  when  the  death  of  Christ,  as  the 
sinner's  substitute,  is  spoken  of?  ^  The  ex- 
pression, vicariously  considered,  is  insuffi- 
cient. He  is  said  to  have  conquered  it 
(Bom.  viii.  37,  38) ;  destroyed  it  (Hosea 
xiii.  14);  abolished  it  (2  Tim.  i.  10^; 
swallowed  it  up  altogether  for  His  people. 
In  Scripture,  we  read  of  His  death  accom- 
plishing less  ends  than  reconciling  them  to 
(Jod ;  and  when  so  viewed,  the  experience  of 
its  bitterness  would  be  necessarily  less 
deep ;  and  might,  with  more  correctness,  be 
called  tasting  it,  than  when,  as  the  substi- 
tute, we  see  Him  brought  into  the  dust  of 
death.  His  heart  melting  like  wax  in  the 
midst  of  His  bowels ;  being  dealt  with  by 
His  Father  for  all  the  sins  of  His  people ; 
enduring  on  the  cross,  at  the  hands  of  jus- 
tice, the  whole  sentence  in  all  its  unutter- 
ableness  in  their  stead — "  made  sin  for  us ;" 
suffering  without  the  gate  as  the  rejected 
and  unaean  thing.  It  is,  I  think,  in  the 
moral  aspect  of  His  death  that  we  see  the 
bitter  agonies  of  His  soul,  and  the  dregs  of 
that  cup  He  had  to  drink  "  in  leading 
(ayayovra)  many  sons  into  (tic)  K^ojy* 
which  was  the  chief  end  of  His  sunering, 
because  herein  will  redound  the  greatest 

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204 


THE  B^STUJBN   VE6SEX. 


Sep.  1,  IML 


glory  to  the  Father  in  this  work  of  recon- 
ciliation. There  is,  however,  a  secondary 
and  material  aspect  of  His  death.  He  was 
to  reconcile  all  things  to  the  Father  (Col. ; 
20,  where  it  is  distinguished  from  recon- 
ciling His  people  in  verse  21),  in  order 
that,  in  the  dispeiwation  of  the  fulness  of 
time,  He  might  head  up,  or  sum  up  (1 
£ph.x., avaKefaXautXauiKraaOai), aU  things 
i.e.,  all  creation  in  Christ,  both  things  in 
the  heavens  and  things  which  are  on  the 
earth  even  in  Him.  AH  creation,  then,  has, 
if  I  may  call  it,  an  objective  or  material 
interest  in  the  death  of  Christ,  beine  now 
reconciled  by  His  blood,  and  herea&r  to 
be  restored  to  Paradisaical  glory  under  the 
rule  of  man  in  the  person  of  the  last 
Adam,  "  the  Lord  from  hearen."  The 
apostle,  writine  to  the  Corinthians,  says 
also  that  **  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling 
the  world  unto  Himself," — th&Koauog — the 
Gentiles  or  nations  throughout  tne  earth, 
not  imputing  their  trespasses  to  them,  and 
He  had  committed  this  word  of  reconcilia- 
tion to  them  as  apostles  of  the  nations. 
He  therefore  would  intreat  tlnem,  as  Gen- 
tiles were  now  included  in  this  reconcilia- 
tion, to  rest  under  the  full  coxuciousness 
that  they  were  reconciled  in  Christ,  and  God 
would  have  them  by  faith  come  near  to 
Him,  and  enter  into  the  joy  of  that  As- 
surance, for  as  He  was  so  were  they. 

The  general  aspect  of  reconciliation  as 
regards  the  world  wUl  not  be  fully  mani- 
fest till  the  day  of  Oirist,  when  "  the  nar 
lions  of  them  that  are  saved'*  (becaoae  re- 
conciled) shall  walk  in  the  light  of  that 
great  city,  the  holy  Jerusalem— the  Bride, 
the  LamVs  Wife,  and  shall  worship  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel,  God  again  keeping  a 
Sabbath  of  rest  with  His  creatures,— a  aew 
creation  Sabbath,— on  earth's  seventh  or 
millennial  day.  The  prophecies  as  to  the 
nations  being  blessed  and  the  earth  yield- 
ing her  increase  will  then  be  fulfilled.  But 
judemejits  must  precede  before  that  day 
shall  dawn. 

It  is  importa/lt  to  distinguish  these  ddi* 
ferent  aspects  of  Christ's  death,  especially 
in  passages  like  the  one  before  us.  L  AuS 
to  the  Church— the  Bride,  those  jxow  taUen 
out  from  the  nations,  Jow  and  Gentile. 
2.  National  Israel  by  and  bye.  3.  The 
Gentiles  or  nations.  4.  All  creation.  From 
which  we  learn  that  the  reconciliation 
made  by  Christ's  death  has  a  subjective 
and  objective  bearing,  is  paitibular,  aa- 
tional,  and  generaL  These  distinotioM 
were  set  forth  in  type  under  the  law.  Aaion 
and  his  sons  in  the  holy  place  had  to  be 
reconciled,  ^ical  of  Christ  (the  true  Hig^ 
Priest,  who  is  without  infiimity  and  neeiled 
no  sacrifice)  and  Hia  Church  in  the  hea- 
venly gloiy.  Then  the  pe^le  of  larael 
outside,  a  type  of  that  nation  by  and  bye 


in  their  earthly  place  of  service.    Th«»  holy 
place  had  likewise  to  be  reconciled,  typical 
of  things  in  the  heavenly  service.     Also 
the  tabernacle,  and  everything  pertaining 
to  it,  setting  forth  the  thuigs  in  the  earthly 
ser\'ico.  (Leviticus  xvi.)  The  stranger,  also, 
who  came  to  join  himself  to  Israel,  and  to 
worship  the  Lord,  he  also  was  included, 
shewing  the  Gentiles  or  nations  brought 
into  the  blessing  in  that  day.    We  learn 
also  in  the  parable,  that  not  only  was  the 
treasure  bought,  but  the  field  in  which  it 
was  found,  which  Christ  says  is  the  world. 
(Matt  xiii.  Se^also  Is.  zlix.  13 ;  Hooea  ii  • 
21, 22  ;  Isa.  ii.  2—6 ;  Ps.  calviii.  IxviL,  xcvi., 
xcvii.,  xcviii. ;  as  pointing  to  this  time,  aad 
many  other  scriptures.)  If  Christ,  therefore, 
died  for  evenr  individual  man,  then  would 
evexy  indiviaual  man  be  reeoociled;   £or 
reconciliation  was  made  by  His  death,  aad 
it  would  then  follow  that  orexy  aaan  would 
be  saTod,  all  those  who  are  reconciled  shall 
be  saved.  (Bom.  v.  9, 10.)     1.  The  Chnrcli 
will  be  saved.  (Roam,  v,  10.)    2.  Israel  wifl 
be  saved.  (Kom.  zi.  26.)    3.  The  nations 
will  be  saved.  (£ev.  xxi.  21)    4.  Ail  crea- 
tion will  be  saved.  (Bom.  viii.  21.)     All 
being  the  fruit. of  Christ's  death.    But  it 
no  where  says  aresy  man  shall  he  saved. 
Both  general^  aad  paitiffnlarly,  oljectirely 
and  rahjectively  considered  then,  such  an 
applicatiOQ  of   Christ's  death  is  nnscrip- 
tural  aad  impossible.    Kational  and  iacU- 
Tidual  elsotioo,  shewing  the  paittcnlar  end 
of  Chriat'«  death,  aJso  ^wludes  the  thought 
of  all  men  being  reconmed  thereby.  TlMse 
different  aspects  of  reoancsliatioa  we  bare 
seen  to  be  strictly  actq>taral,  aad  aeoording 
to  the  «texBal  purpose  of  Him  who  vpsrketh 
all  thin^  after  this  counsel  of  His  own  ▼ill ; 
aad  which,  as  already  stated,  is  to  head  up 
all  things  by  and  by«  in  Christ,  when  au 
the  diap^nsational  nnfoldings  of  His  gssoe 
shall  be  completed.    As  God  is  not  bow 
saving  nations,  but  individuals,  and  uniting 
them  in  one  body  thsoagh  the  Spirit,  it  can 
only  be  saljeetiveljr  that  any  sou  can  now 
have  any  interest  in  Christ's  death.     His 
having  substitntioDslly  endured  deskh,  the 
penalty  of  sin  in  the  flesh,  kaviog  the  flesh 
coadeonned  and  rejected  as  a  dead  and 
worthless  thing  «f  the  old  crealion  (O  that 
many  dear  soak  understood  this  seercft !), 
in  order  that  throagh  death  Ha  might  bring 
forth  all  who  are  united  to  Him  by  faith  as 
new  creatores,  into  a  new  and  endless  life, 
forming  one  body,  of  which  fie  is  the  new 
aad  constituted  Head  now  in  resorrectioii. 

Though  virip  wavrec  i>  Imto  readn^ 
**  every  msa,''maa,  as  our  brother  observes, 
is  not  in  the  original,  and  it  may  with  equal 
propriety,  be  traasUited  «  eveiythinff,"  fbr 
it  is  msscoline  or  aevber.  This,  Alfird«  in 
his  Omsk  Xestament,  aUows,  thongh  he 
prefers  the  former,  aad  doce  aot  ase  my 

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1,  ld». 


Tii£  EAJITHEN   V£Sa£L. 


205 


'  in  the  latter  Again,  vVep  does  not 
Alva^s  mean,  in  the  place  of,  instead  of, 
but  oammonly  on  liehalf  of  (Acts  ix.  16; 
Phil.  i.  29) ;  and  Aifoid  thinks  this  is  the 
proper  sense  here,  ahewine  a  cannnunity  or 
interest  in  anything,  and  he  observes  it  is 
not  to  be  used  as  signifying  an^thin^ 
Tieaciotts,  unless  tJbe  sense  requires  it,  and 
that  it  does  not  here  is  plain,  for  it  is 
goremed  by  ycwvafrac,  which  does  not, 
as  we  hare  shown — applied  to  the  death  of 
Christ — teach  anything  snbstitational. 
^-  Taste  death  on  behalf  of;"  and  not "  instead 
ot"  It  would  read  then,  aecarately  ren- 
dRvd,  "taste  death  on  behalf  of  eveiy- 
thing/'  or  as  some  early  authorities  haye  it, 
"on  bahalf  of  all  oeatioa"  (I  CoL  20)— the 
restoEBtion  of  which,  that  it  might  be  put 
nnder  aaaa.  the  apostle  is  isunediately 
flpeakhig  of,  and  was  prophesied  of  from  the 
b^inniiig.  Acts  iii.  21.  Bat.  secondly, 
this  will  be  still  more  apparent  if  considered 
in  eomneedon  with  this  Tetses  preceding. 
It  appears  to  me,  the  more  closely  the  whole 
paaaage  is  examined,  tfaiO  more  erideait  it  is 
that  no  other  consistent  s^nse  can  be  affixed 
to  virip  iratrroc.  He  is  addressing  Hebrews 
ae  to  the  importance — God  haring  now 
spoken  in  the  Son  (iv  viiS)  of  taking 
h*^  lest  they  shoold  let  the  things  which 
they  had  heard  slip  by  thr^m.  For  when 
God  spake  by  aneels,  under  the  first  c<^re- 
nant,  e^rery  wora  stood  fta^  and  every 
transgression  receired  a  jnst  punishment. 
Then  how  much  more  certain  and  terrible 
the  judgment  that  will  be  executed  on  those 
who  despise  the  Son,  in  whom  He  now  has 

rken,  for  He  is  &r  above  angels.  How 
11  we  escape — that  is,  we  Hebrews,  for 
to  them  the  argument  would  bo  doubly  for- 
eilAe — if  we  neglect  this  great  salvation, 
spoken  by  the  Lord  Himsen,  confirmed  by 
His  apostles,  attested  b^  signs  and  miracles 
fwiiicn  the  Jews  required  as  a  proof  of  a 
Divine  mission),  and  those  gifts  of  the 
Hoty*  Ghost  which  they  had  b^n  witnesses 
of?  And  observe  he  rests  his  appeal  on 
this :  **  For  ikt  kabiiable  earth  that  is  going 
to  he  {rtiv  otmavptvjfv  fAtXKowToVf  the 
Bomass  called  their  empire  rffv  otxev- 
^rifv,  being  masters  of  the  then  known 
woM),  is  net  put  in  subjection  to  anaels,  but 
to  tie  /Bhn;  and  then  would  be  raie  time 
whra  personallv  He  wQl  punish  the  diso- 
bedient. Alljttdgmentiscommitted  unto  the 
Son,  heemtse  Be  is  the  Ssm  of 'man ;  and  that 
it  will  be  executed  penonally  is  clear,  for 
the  imng  and  dead  ((fishnet  ludgmente  of 
the  widted)  will  be  judged  by  the  Lord 
JesQs  Christ  -sit  His  appearing  and  kingdom 
— the  same  time  here  refetred  to^-when 
tbe  hafafitable  eardi  wffl  be  put  under  man 
again,  and  jodgment  will  be,  witii  supreme 
dominioti  over  all  things,  in  his  hands. 
It  is  of  what  is  to  take  plMe  on  the  eaa*th. 


when  put  under  the  pereonal  rule  of  the 
Son  in  the  latter  day,  that  he  speaks,  or  his 
aigument  altogether  fails,  for  it  is  the  com- 
parison of  the  dispensation  past,  with  the 
dispensation  to  come.  And  lest  any  should 
misunderstand  to  what  he  refers,  he  says 
distinctly  it  is  of  the  habitable  earth  by-and- 
bye  that  he  is  there  alluding  to. 

He  then  quotes  from  the  8th  Psalm,  re- 
ferring them  to  the  word  of  prophecy,  and 
in  such  a  way  as  to  put  them  on  the  search 
in  their  own  prophets  as  to  this  time,  when 
man  will  again  appear  as  King  over  the 
earth.  It  is  to  the  last  Adam — ^the  second 
man,  we  are  here  directed  for  the  fulfilment, 
under  whom  all  the  works  of  God  are  to  be 
put,  and  man  again  shall  be  crowned  with 
gloxy  and  honour  as  at  the  beginning. 
The  first  Adam  lost  his  kingship  by  sin,  the 
crown  fell  from  his  head,  but  this  only 
made  the  way  for  bringing  in  the  last 
Adam,  who  through  death  has  become  the 
Head  of  the  new  creation,  and  so  the  He- 
storer  of  all  things.  But  he  says  we  do  not 
yet  see  all  thingH ;  that  is,  aU  God*s  creation 
put  under  him  (man).  But  by  faith  we 
see  Jesus,  the  second  man,  in  resurrection, 
as  the  High  Priest,  the  true  Melchizedec, 
King  Priest,  crowned  with  glory  and 
honour(Exodus  xxviii.  2),  in  the  vestments 
of  the  High  Priest,  "  for  glory  and  beauty," 
who  was  made  for  a  little  while  lower  than 
the  aneels  (not  in  degree,  for  he  had 
shown  Him  to  be  superior  to  angels)  because 
of  the  sufiering  of  death — being  the  pur- 

S»se  of  His  humiliation—in  order  that 
e,  by  the  grace  of  God,  should  taste  of 
death  on  hdiolf  of  everything,  and  thereby 
recover  aU  creation  from  "  the  bondage  of 
corruption,"  and  put  man  again  in  his 
position  of  kingly  rule  over  all  God's  works. 
All  creation  miving  been  estranged  from 
God,  and  forfeited  to  man  as  his  inheritance 
through  the  first  Adam's  sin,  the  good  plea- 
sure of  God  was  to  reconcile  and  restore  all 
things  by  the  last  Adam — ^that  is,  the  second 
man  in  resunwetion,  for  it  is  through  His 
death  and  resurrection  He  becomes  the  Head 
and  Progenitor  of  a  new  seed,  and  the 
King  of  the  new  creation.  Except  He  had 
died,  He  would  have  remained  alone.  His 
present  session,  as  man,  at  the  right  hand  of 
power,  as  the  Leader  or  Captain  (apx'/yoc) 
of  our  salvation  is  the  pledge  to  us  of  the 
fulfilment  of  this  prophecy  in  the  latter  day 
—though  as  yet  we  do  not  see  all  things 
manifestly  put  under  Him— for  Satan  is  yet 
at  large,  and  creation  still  groans  till  the 
resurrection  morn,  when  He  with  His 
Ghumh,  the  antitypical  Adam  and  Eve,  in 
heavenly  glory  shall  mle  over  all  the  earth, 
and  there  shall  be  one  Lord,  aud  His  name 
One.  To  translate  k,  therefore,  "every 
man,"  or  every  one,"  seems  to  me  to  miss 
the  sense  of  uie  passage,  and^iAti^ 

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THE   EABTHBM  YESSEL. 


Sep.  1,XMI. 


another  idea  qoitd  foreiffn  to  the  one  in 
hand.  The  next  xene  &o  shows  it  is  of 
the  reconciliation  of  things,  and  not  men^ 
he  has  been  speaking.  "  For  it  became  Him 
for  vhom  are  aU  things,  and  by  vhom  are 
aU  things"  (and  therefore  to  be  recovered  for 
His  gloiy,  compare  Col.  i.  16,  where  the 
same  is  said  of  the  Son),  in  leading  many 
sons  into  glory — ^which  was  the  chief  end  of 
His  death,  as  we  have  seen — to  reconcile  the 
priest's  sons,  and  bring  them  into  the 
presence  of  the  glory  of  the  Holy  place, 
f.e.,  the  heayenlies,  crowned  like  Him,  as 
King  Priests  (Rev.  t.  10),  and  ruling  over 
all  God*B  works, — it  became  Him  to  perfect 
their  Leader  and  Forerunner,  the  Chief  and 
Head  man  (Lev.  zzi.  4),  for  this  office, 
through  suffering.  Hewas  officiallyperfected 
through  the  blo<xl  of  the  sin  offering.  The 
High  Priest  was  never  fully  consecrated  for 
service  in  the  holy  place  till  the  blood  had 
been  poured  out»  thereby  accomplishing 
reconciliation,  not  of  his  sons  only,  but  of 
the  people,  the  holy  place,  and  the  taber- 
nacle, and  his  hand  filled  with  incense  to 
offer  within  the  vail.    (Lev.  xvi.  32,  33.) 


Here  then  we  have  presented  to  us  the 
Priest,  the  great  Melehizedee,  £Bs  sods, 
things  in  the  aeavens,  and  thinss  on  earth, 
all  brouflht  into  the  blessing,  wrouffh  His 
death.  Yes,  Christ  and  His  Church  ihall 
be  brought,  in  their  headship,  over  the  new 
creation,  into  the  heavenly  glory,  the  first- 
bom  and  His  brethren  manifestly  ora  in 
resurrection.  Everything  now  waits  for 
that  manifestation,  when  creation  itself 
also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bond- 
age of  corruption,  into  the  liberty  of 
the  glory  (riyv  tXivBtpiav  ri|C  ^o^nt) 
of  the  sons  of  God."  There  can  bo  no  de- 
liverance for  groaning  creation  till  all  things 
are  again  put  under  the  last  Adam  as  a 
King  Priest  (Zech.  vi.  18),  and  the  sons  are 
with  Him  in  the  glonr.  Then,  and  not  till 
then,  Israel,  restored  and  blessed  on  the 
earth,  shall  take  up  the  language  of  the  8th 
Psalm:  "0  LORD,  our  Lord,  how. excel- 
lent is  Thy  name  in  all  the  earth,  who  haft 

M:M,A        ^^t***       <*J1.J^^«»     4k^^«««^        ^M^k        WjkAV^AVttt   '         IVnAffA 


where 
Church  will  be. 

Alfesd  8.  QoODRnKOL 


set  Thy  clory  above  the  heavens,' 
Christ  and  His 
Bath. 


WHAT    IS    THE    GLORY    OP    CHRIST? 


Olory  to  Ood's  oo-eqoal  Son, 

He  fought  the  fight,  the  victory  woo, 

O'er  Satan,  death,  and  bell : 
He  hath  for  sin  atonement  made. 
And  bruis'd  the  subtle  serpent's  head  ; 

He  hath  done  all  things  well 


Above  all  blessing  and  all  praise, 
We,  3'et,  to  Him  our  songs  will  nite. 
He  worthy  is  alone. 


Glory  to  HIM— let  saints  now  sinff, 
He  is  our  glorious  OODaod  KING ; 

Heresto&iinHIS  LOVEI 
Glory  unto  His  Name  we^ll  sing ; 
He  is  our  Svkrlastiiio  KIKG, 

Bxaltod  on  His  Thronb. 


I  SAW  the  names  of  a  number  of  ships 
advertised  to  sail  over  the  seas.  One  was 
destined  to  sail  into  Port  Philip :  its  name 
was  MEDIATOR.  Fearful  of  storms  and 
rough  seas  as  I  am,  I  said  tomys«lf,  if  ever 
I  went  to  sea,  I  would  be  glad  to  sail  in 
that  vessel — "  The  Mkdutor  !"  Anything 
that  leads  me  to  Jesus  always  raises  me 
above  all  fear,  above  all  men,  above  all 
sorrows,  and  sets  my  soul  on  wing  for 
higher  and  holier  joys  than  ever  yet  in  this 
low  vale  of  tears  I've  found.  As  I  walked 
on,  Ithouffht  of  JESUS,  the  eOD-MAN: 
and,  like  lightning,  the  question  rushed 
through  my  mind,  "  What  is  thk  GLORY 
OF  CHRIST  r  I  said,  there  is  his  essen- 
tial,  original,  gloiy — th»  Glort  of  His 
Person.  Nothing  of  this  can  be  either 
seen  or  known  but  by  direct  revelation — 
the  Holt  Ghost  revealing  Him  to  the 
soul.  Who,  and  what  Christ  is,  is  but 
guess-work  and  empty  speculation,  until 
the  veil  is  removed,  and  the  glory  of  the 
God-Man  revealed.  Then  He  is  known; 
then  He  is  supremely  loved ;  then  He  is 


adored  and  worshipped;  then  His  Spirit 
enters  in ;  His  image  is  seen ;  His  Goefpei 
is  embraced;  His  ungdom  is  longed  for; 
and  in  His  presence  there  is  the  bliss  of 
heaven  indeed. 

As  from  the  sun,  millions  of  brilliant 
rays  break  out,  so  from  the  Person  of  Ibe 
glorious  Redeemer,  a  manifold  glory  dota 
emanate,  filling  the  heavens,  the  earth,  the 
seas,  the  Chinch,  the  hearts  of  His  re- 
deemed, and  the  written  word  itself;  witB 
beauty,  vigour,  life,  and  power. 

Paul,  in  his  Epistles,  was  exceedingly 
flrand  in  his  expositionfi  of  his  Masters 
Person ,  name,  and  works.  In  the  Colosoan 
letter,  he  sums  up  three  of  the  glories  of 
Christ  in  few  words. 

I.  His  Personal  Glory:— "He  is  the 
image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-bom 
of  every  creature."  I  dare  not  now  attempt 
one  word  on  that  most  blessed  testimony. 

II.  His  omnipotent  Creating  Gloiy. 
*'  By  Him  were  all  things  ereated  that  are 
in  heaven,  and  that  are  ia  earth,  visible 
and  invisible ;  whether  they  bo  thrones,  or 

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THE  £ABTHB1I   YSBSEL. 


207 


dominiom,  or  principalities,  or  powers; 
all  things  vere  created  by  Him,  and  for 
Him." 

UL  There  is  His  Substitntionarj  Gloij. 
"In  iriiom  we  hare  redemption  through 
His  Uood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

The  middle  of  these  is  amaangl^  ex- 
presaiTe  of  the  Mightiness,  the  Amighti- 
neaa,  the  Omnipotence,  and  immeasurable 
greatness  of  our  glorioos  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Three  sentences  swallow  up  a  finite  mind 
like  mine;  and  I  feel  overwhelmed — 1. 
-Aix  TniKGs:"— 2.  »*Were  Cbsatkd  by 
HIM:"— a  "And  roa  HIM." 

1.  What  are  these  all  things?  First, 
Toa  are  told  where  ihev  are — '*  that  are  in 
heaven ;  and  that  are  in  earth."  2.  What 
thev  are— ••  whether  they  be  thrones,  or 
<iomiiiioos,  or  principalities,  or  powers." 
o.  It  is  imnliea  that  we,  as  yet>  see  but 
little  of  all  He  has  created ;  so  Paul  throws 
in  Ihoae  two  comprehensive  words — 
^-Hnbie  and  ikvisibub.'*  "All  were  cre- 
ated by  Him,  and  for  Him.' 

Creation's  work  is  as  much  the  work  of 
Ood  as  redemption's  work ;  therefore,  OUB 
CHRIST  IS  GOD.  Let  me  only  say  a 
word  or  two  on  the  subject  of  Cubist  as 
CE£AT01L  The  Scriptures  speak  of  His 
work,  generally,  particularly,  spiritually 
and  nmversally. 

I.  Gentralfy,  Oh !  how  my  soul  admires 
that  delicate,  that  tender,  that  affectionately 
toucfaiaff,  yea,  that  most  dignifying  appeal 
of  the  Father  to  the  Sox  (in  Hebrews 
L  10) :  "And  Thou,  Lord,  in  the  beffinniuc 
hast  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and 
the  heavens  are  the  works  of  thine  hands." 
Here  ia  the  beginning— He  left  that  to 
2ione. 

■*  Himflelf  the  deep  foundation  laid,      ^ 
And  GO  it  builds  the  whole." 

And  the  beauty  of  the  heavens  are  the 
worka  of  Jus  own  most  blessed  hands.  He 
hath  adorned  and  finished  them ;  and  they 
His  gloiy  ahew.  Br.  James  Alexander 
says,  "  Oar  own  day  has  witnessed  the  first 
exact  measurement  of  the  distance  of  the 
seareat  fixed  star,  which  is  twenty-one 
nuliiona  of  millioDs  of  miles ;  and  around 
oar  solar  system,  before  vou  come  to  the 
Stan,  there  im  space  enough  for  millions  of 
solar  ^rstems  tne  sixe  of  our  own.  Oh  I  j 
what  immensity  of  work — ^wbat  grandeur 
and  what  greatness  —  who  its  mighty 
boonda  can  tell  ? 

Whether  we  get  a  view  of  the  greatness 
of  Christ's  Penon — of  the  amazing  extent 
and  vaiiety  of  His  works ;  of  the  indescrib- 
Me  agoniea  of  His  death ;  or  of  the  un- 
known Majesty  of  His  coming  kingdom: 
all,  or  any  one  of  them  sink  us  down  to 
noduBg,  deep  indeed,  until  the  blessed  Com- 
Sorter  esanea,  and  with  His  sweetly-loving 
woiee  proclaims—"  All  things   are  yours. 


for  ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's." 
Foundation  work  and  finishing  work ;  all 
was  done  by  Jesus  Christ 

II.  Christ's  creation  work  is  spoken  of 
particularly.  Paul  says:  "Whether  they 
be  thrones,  or  diminions,  or  principalities, 
or  powers ;  all  things  were  created  by  Him, 
and  for  Him." 

I  love  to  think,  that  as  among  men,  even 
so  among  the  anaeb,  there  are  different 
orders  of  them — degrees  at  least  in  office 
and  service — in  nearness  to,  or  distance 
from,  the  throne,  as  the  case  may  be.  But 
these  are  among  the  invisible,  and  I  will 
not  presume.  The  third  heavens,  with  all 
their  beantv,  variety,  fulness,  and  gloiy, 
are  the  works  of  my  Saviour's  hands. 

Then  there  are  the  stany  heavens,  and 
the  Holy  Spirit  delights  to  dwell  upon 
the  God-man's  work  even  here.  With 
what  reverence  doth  David  approach  this 
sacred  contemplation :  *'  When  I  consider 
Thy  heavens,  the  work  of  Thy  fingers,  the 
moon  and  the  stars  which  Thou  hast  or- 
dained, what  is  man  that  Thou  art  mindful 
of  him  ?  or  the  son  of  man  that  Thou 
visitest  him?"  The  contrast ^  and  the 
condescension t  is  immense  indeed.  So  in 
that  nineteenth  Psalm :  "  The  heavens  de- 
clare the  gloiy  of  God ;  and  the  firmament 
sheweth  His  handy-work."  But  Job— I 
had  almost  said  Job  has'  the  master-mind 
in  expounding  the  creat  Eedeemer's  works 
in  the  astronomical  heavens — read  carefully 
his  ninth  chapter ;  and  after  talking  of  God 
spreading  out  the  heavens,  he  travels  up  to 
a  climax,  and  brings  in  that  mysterious 
constellation,  "Which  maketh  Arctiirus, 
Orion,  Pleiades,  and  the  chambers  of  the 
South."  I  must  not  here  give  explanation, 
only  that  these  compass  the  whole  of  the 
starry  heavens,  and  regulate  the  seasons, 
and  the  changes  of  nature  above  and  below. 
There  is  particularity  in  every  part  of 
Christ's  creation. 

III.  Think  of  this  creation  spiritually. 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  Sun  of  Eighteousness. 
He  is  the  bright  and  Mominc  Star.  He  is 
the  Author,  the  Finisher,  tne  Substance, 
and  the  Strength  of  all  our  spiritual  life 
and  joy.  In  that  43rd  of  Isaiah,  gnice  is 
said  to  have  done  four  things — Created — 
Formed— Redeemed^CaUed.  But  of  this 
Spiritual  Creation,  and  also  of 

IV.  The  Universal  Creation— "  Behold, 
I  make  all  things  new" — I  cannot  now 
speak ;  but  would  desire  to  dwell  fully  upon 
every  part  of  this  creation  work  of  Jesus 
Christ;  and  thus,  instmmentally,  tl^igh 
feebly,  advance  the  gloiy  of  Christ.  In  a 
work  so  delightful  and  useful,  will  thinking 
brethren  help  Tin  Enrron. 


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THB   EABTUBN  VEB8BL* 


Sep.  1,  im. 


COMPAOTONS  OF  TKE  CKOSS; 

^  Itarnitibt  of  gonu  o£   4ob'ft  ^hln  J^omtb   in  i\t  ^rc^UtM  of  t^e  C^nrc^ci. 
TOUCHSTONES  OF  VITAL  RELIGION,-  AND  OF  A  GODLY  MINISTRY: 

BEING   A  CONTINUATION  OF  THE  SKVSN  SAINTED  STHES  I  KNEW  WHEN  A  BOY. 

All  Mr.  Huntiiigton's  sons  in  the  fiuth,  I 
beliere,  are  gone  home  to  their  rciward ;  but 
his  grandchildren  and  great  grandchildren 
are  niunerona:  they  are  to  be  fbnnd  in 
nearly  all  parts  of  the  habitable  globe: 
thousands  of  them  may  be  edified  in  calling 
to  mind  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  raising 
np  a  man  so  powerfully  anointed  by  the 
Spirit  and  to  extensively  honoured  of  his 
God. 

I  haye  purposed  briefly  to  review  the 
commencement  of  that  era  in  the  church's 
histoiT  when  the  ^reat  Head  of  the  church 
was  pleased  to  give  her  a  discriminating, 
an  experimental,  and  a  faithful  minister  of 
the  everlasting  Gospel  in  the  person  of 
"the  Coal-heaver"  the  "Sinner  Saved" 
and  "a  Prophet"  as  he  was  led  to  style 
himself.  I  will  attempt  to  redeem  the  im- 
plied promise. 

To  say  there  were  no  experimental 
preachers  before  Huntington's  times  would 
betray  dreadfW  igiiorance.  Bridge,  Owen, 
Thomas  Goodwin,  Sibbes,  Brooks,  and  many 
more,  have  left  behind  them  ample  testi- 
monies of  their  holy  and  enlarged  acquaint- 
ance with  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
hearts  of  the  vessels  of  mercy :  each  man 
had  his"  peculiar  gift,  style,  and  subject, 
and  rendered  great  service  to  the  cause  of 
God.  But  in  Mr.  Huntington's  ministry 
there  was  a  spiritual  clearness,  a  biblical 
consistency,  an  evangelical  harmony,  a  div- 
ing deeply  into  the  hidden  mysteries,  and  a 
not  unfrequent  rising  high  into  the  re- 
vealed glories  of  that  great  covenant  of 
which  the  poet  says, — 

**»Twas  signerl,  and  sealed,  and  mtifiedy 
In  ALL  things  crdend  whll." 

I  was  preaching  the  other  night  upon  the 
men  who  are  sealed  by  God  in  their  fore- 
heads. A  thought  ran  through  my  mind  in 
a  moment  which  made  a  solemn  impression. 
I  was  speaking  of  three  things  in  few 
words.  I.  The  church,  as  a  spring  shut 
up.  IT.  As  a  fountain  sealed.  III.  Of  the 
sealing  as  expressive  of  the  Holy  Ghost's 
secret  application  of  the  deep  things  of  God 
in  th^Bouls  of  the  redeemed.  She  is  called 
a  spring  shut  up,  beeanse  Gon  Himself  is 
the  eternal  and  only  ^nuine  source  of  her 
life,  salvation,  and  bliss.  He  dwells  in  her  ; 
she  dwells  in  Him.  He  is  so  bound  to  her, 
and  she  is  so  shut  up  in  Him,  that  no  al- 
teration or  addition,  no  departure  or  de- 
clension,  ever  can  take  place.      She  is  a 


fountain  sealed,  iottsmueh  as  all  the 
fountsin^ahiess  of  the  Lord  Jesna  Christ 
is  made  over  and  secured  unto  her  for 
ever.  But  the  separating  thought  thit 
crossed  my  mind  was  this : — 

There  are  many  difimnt  kinds  of  mi^ 
nisters ;  all  are  divided  under  two  heads : — 
1.  Those  who  bring  their  own  ndnd,  their 
own  reason,  their  own  thoughts,  their  own 
concocted,  borrowed,  aod  gathered  matter 
to  the  Bible,  but  fetch  nothing  God-like 
and  good  really /rom  it.  **  A  bad  mas  may 
bless  by  command  from  God,  and  God  may 
say  amen  to  it.  That  most  preciovs  of  aU 
stones  called  Lyneurie  may  issue  out  of  the 
body  of  the  Lynx,  which  is  an  unclean  and 
a  spotted  beast  still."    Thousands,  I  fear, 

§  reach  nothing  but  from  brains  and  book& 
Ir.  Marston,  at  the  Bumet  ConfeRDCP, 
said,  "it  is  a  day  of  superficial  reading." 
Ah  I  and  preaching,  and  neftring,  end  pro* 
fessing ;  all,  to  a  Jarful  extent,  are  supers 
flcial  too. 

Nevertheless,  there  is  a  class  of  men  wIkv 
hear  the  voice  of  Christ  in  their  own  sooto* 
God  opens  His  hearty  mind,  thouffhts,  and 
words  to  them.  They  understand  the  Seri^ 
tures.  They  give  foil  proof  of  their  xni- 
nistiy  being  of  GU>d  \yf  the  manifestation 
that  they  are  the  ehilomi  of  the  rceuiTce 
tion.  When  Christ  came  up  from  the- 
grave,  he  iq^peared  unto  His  diseipies :  and 
Thomas  would  believe  nothing  until  he 
"  Mtp  the  Lord,"  Then  Christ  walked  wiA 
His  disciples,  and  He  spake  sweet  and 
blessed  w^»dB  unto  them ;  but  the  grand 
thing  was  this,—"  He  EXPOUNDED  unUh 
them  in  all  the  Seripttuws  the  thinos  cox- 
CBRNiNG  HIMSELF."  This  made  them  of 
one  heart,  and  that  a  loving,  burning  heart 
"Did  not  our  heart  bum  within  us  while 
He  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  and  while 
He  opened  to  us  the  Scriptures  ?"  That 
was  a  resurrection  blessing ;  that  was  a  re- 
surrection pledge ;  that  was  a  foretaste  of 
thrfte  things  to  come.  (1.)  Of  the  Spirit's 
teaching  in  them;  (2.),  of  the  Gospel's 
glorious  words  to  them;  and  (3.)  of  the 
future  bliss  of  heaven  bejbre  them,  when  the 
glorious  Bridegroom  will  lead  them  to 
fountains  of  living  waters — the  fountains  of 
wisdom  and  knowledge— fbr  ever  flowing 
from  the  blessed  Go&ead ;  and  siM^  shall 
then  be  the  perfection  of  their  joy,  that  the- 
cause  of  all  their  tears  shall  be  re«K>Ted  fy 
ever.  ^->.  j 

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209 


Mr.  BwrnAAcr,  at  liis  great  gathering 
in  Jidyr,  said,  **  Wn  amm  ut  flounar  tuob. 
There  is  not  a  penes  ooQTenant  with  the 
a&iiB  of  aatioBs  bat  viU  tell  ^nm  he  knem 
not  utet  is  about  to  happen.  I^iokatthe 
map  of  Smope.  Its  oonatries  are  like  an 
npbeaving  ycIuloo,  Qod  is  ftdfiUing  His 
inxd.  •!  wiU  oreitnm,  OTertnn,  oye^ 
tan,  tm  fie  riiall  eome  wboee  right  it  is, 
and  I  will  gire  it  Him.'  There  eerCainly 
sxe  teiltal  eommot&ons  on  tho  &ce  of  the 
•arch ;  and  '1  feel,'  aajs  the  Bov.  C.  Har- 
grOT«,  'we  Me  in  the  last  days,  and  one  of 
iheir  w«rat  faatucs  is  the  incrsBsiiig  hos- 
tility of  tha  devA  apinat  the  Bible/  " 

And  all  this  qmngs  tnm  the  cUrkness 
whidi  tofmn  both  professor  and  profene, — 
-*  the  tight  of  the  Lord"  hairing  nerer  shone 
ia  apen  then. 

BtttoBjworiL 

WILLIAM  HTJNTINaTON  3  JUBILEE 
IK  HEAVEN. 

It  i^jfu^  fifty  jears  the  first  of  last  July 
siaea  Willtaaa  Hootington's  ransomed  B<ml 
took  its  flight  to  #orT.  In  the  evening  of 
that  dsy,  **  ha  bNatbed  hia  spirit  forth  into 
the  haada  of  hia  Redeemer,  and  was  in- 
ttffied,  on  the  eighth  day  of  the  same 
nmrtfa,  in  a  plot  of  ground  belonging  to 
aadad^einixi^  Jireh  Chapel,  Lewes,  Sussex. 
FaQ  half  a  csatvy,  then,  has  that  Christ- 
loving  seal  been  ia  the  eompaay  of  thou- 
aaada  and  tens  of  thousands  of  holy  and 
happy  ^iriti,  who  bow  befere  the  throne 
of  oar  erowned  Conqueror,  wheae  all  unite 
in  jojfal  aedamations  of  gratefal  praise, 
**  and  etwwn  ffim  Lord  of  aU." 

My  reader  may  be  ready  to  ask,  •*  What 
hsEve  yoa  to  say  of  William*  Huntington  *s 
Jnbilee  in  heasen  V  The  first  thing  in  my 
reply  ia  ttus:  he  xealiaed  itscomuenoeaMnt 
on  earth. 

Being  inrited  the  other  ereaiiiff  to  preach 

Hephsibeh  chapel,  Mile  End,  I  had  these 


i  to  me.  '*  Therefore,  I  will  re- 
meuibei'  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  and 
of  the  Hemumites,  feom  the  hill  Misar." 
I  was  helped  to  speak  most  happily  of  four 
tfaia^: — I.  Of  feith  looking  upwards, 
Dand  was  now  cast  oat  of  God's  inherit* 
saee.  He  was  anwng  the  heathen;  re- 
proaebed,  penecnted,  and  distressed.  But 
hie  eoal  takes  wing ;  he  cries, "  0,  mt  God  !" 
An  through  the  Bible,  yon  may  see  the 
cryinff  most  rdiemently  to^  and 
Ged  as  their  own  God  when 
moontanis  of  sorrow  oppressed  their  souls. 
Yea,  the  Lord  says  this  shall  be  the  end  of 
aU  their  trials:  "I  will  bring  the  third 
fsrt  tfmMigh  the  fire,  and  will  refine  them 
as  sSrcr  is  refined,  and  will  try  them  as 
gtM  is  tried :  they  shall  call  on  my  name, 
^ttd  I  will  hear  liiem ;  I  will  say,  It  is  my 


people :  and  they  shall  say,  The  Lord  IS 
MTGOD." 

Tile  fire  and  tbe  flood. 

With  teiih  in  the  blood, 
Oive  xne  light  in  thb  Woiuh 

And  I  cry  out,  •*  MY  GOD." 

II.  There  is  faith  looking  iiti0an2«.  "O, 
my  Ged,  my  soul  ia  cast  down  within  me* 
Ahl  what  is  that?  Oh  I  I  hare  felt  the 
waves  and  billows  of  wrath  rolling  oyer  my 
soul,  and  so  cast  down  that  nothing  but 
deeper  destruction  appeared  before  me; 
vety  with  agonising  cries,  my  soid  would 
break  outy  "  O,  my  God,  be  merciful  for 
Jesus'  sake  I " 

III.  Faith  looks  back.  Bemerabers  God 
in  the  land  of  Jordan,  where  death  was 
rolled  away.  Bemembers  God  from  the 
Hermonites,  where  the  anointing  came; 
and  from  the  hill  Mizar,  wlm-e  the  heavena 
were  opened,  and  he  saw  visions  of  God,  as 
Esekiel  did.  Then,  (IV.),  faith  looked 
forward,  and  persuaded  the  soul  of  four 
things.  L  God  will  command  his  lovinff- 
kindness  in  the  day  time.  Eyery  day  Uis 
loving-kindness  shall  supply  thy  need* 
II.  In  the  night.  His  song  shall  be  with 
me.  III.  My  prayer  shall  still  be  unto  the 
God  of  my  life ;  and  when  prayer  is  an- 
swered, then  shall  I  praise  Him  who  is  the 
health  of  mjr  countenance  and  my  God. 

These  tmngs  are  the  first-fruits  of  our 
heav^ily  inheritance.  See  how  in  Hun- 
tington, and  in  others,  they  were  realized. 

Before  I  give  Mr.  Huntington's  words, 
I  wish  to  give  some  reason  for  fetching  up 
testimonies  from  God-taught  men  as  to  tha 

BBAIJTT  of  A   VtTAI.  SSLIGIOir  IN  THS  SOUL, 

even  that  reli^on  which  Jesus  promised  to 
His  disciples  in  John's  gospel.  (Chap.  xvL 
5-15.)  **The  Comforter— the  Sp&it  of 
Truth, — He  shall  come;  He  shall  glorify 
me;  He  shall  receive  of  mine,  and  shall 
shew  it  unto  you.  He  shall  guide  you  into 
all  truth.  All  thiugs  that  tbe  Father  hath 
are  mine :  therefore  said  I,  that  He  shall 
take  of  mine,  and  shew  it  unto  you." 

My  reason  is  this:  there  are  many  proud 
young  men  now  rushing,  or  being  thrust 
into  the  ministry,  who,  while  tbey  are  fur- 
nished with  a  Gospel  creed  in  their  me- 
mories, are  bitterly  denounciug  what  they 
call  "  AntinonUoRism'*  in  their  ministries. 
Almost  always  when  my  name  or  ministry 
haa  been  mentioned,  these  half-fledged 
students  ciy  out.  Ah  I  he  is  an  Autinomian. 
Now,  to  myself,  to  my  brethren,  to  all  who 
deeply  and  truly  fear  God,  I  would  say,  let 
us  practically,  and  unitedly,  and  prayer- 
fully stand  against  this  false  conclusion. 
Let  U8  aim  at  the  full  development  of  those 
two  most  weighty  scriptures : — I.  "  Study 
to  shew  thyself  approved  unto  God,  a  work- 
man that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
righUy  diTiding  the  word  of  trut^."    That 

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THB  XABTHSN  YJSaSEU 


Bep.  1,  IftSS. 


should  be  our  internal  rtudj.  Then,  se- 
condly, *'  Let  your  light  so  shine  before 
men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works, 
and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  hea- 
Ten."  These  scriptures  have  an  absolute 
demand  upon  us;  and,  for  myself,  I  say 
most  sincerely,  i^  through  Satan  in  the 
flesh,  or  a  false  zeal,  or  if  tnrough  any  weak- 
ness, I  hare  given  reason  for  any  to  say, 
**  He  is  an  Andnomian,"  knowing  in  my- 
self that  it  is  my  heart's  desire  to  glorify 
the  Lord  in  all  things,  I  would  with  aU  the 
power  I  have  plead  with  Qod  for  a  fiill  re- 
eoveiy  from  every  evil,  and  from  ereiy 
hurtful  way,  and  in  the  deepest  devotion 
woidd  aim  to  prove  to  all,  that  it  is  not 
hypocrisy,  but  a  living,  loving,  labouring 
&ith  in  Jesus  which  urges  on  my  soul  in 
her  seeking  to  extend  the  knowlbdgx  of  His 

most  PRBCIOUS  NAME. 

Christ's  promise  concerning  the  work  of 
the  Spirit  is  this.  "  Hk  will  guidx  tou 
INTO  ALL  TEUTU :"  uot  into  the  imitation  of 
another  man's  manner  and  Tnode  of  speak- 
ing; but  "  He  will  auide  you  INTO  ALL 
TEUTH." 

Head  or  hear  who  you  may,  if  they  have 
realized  this  promise,  three  things  are  true 
of  them.  L  When  convicted,  and  some 
faint  views  of  truth  began  to  appear,  there 
has  been  found  much  enmity  rising  against 
it  IL  After  some  opposition,  the  Holy 
Ghost  hath  revealed  it  m  them.  Then,  (III), 
in  love  they  receive  it ;  in  faithfolness  they 
abide  by  it ;  in  zeal  the^  declare  it ;  in 
their  souls  they  enjoy  it ;  m  their  ministry 
they  do,  at  times,  sweetly  open  it;  and 
hence,  to  many,  they  become  nursing  fa- 
thers and  happy  teachers  in  the  Gospel 
kingdom. 

William  Huniineton's  testimony  to  this 
end  is  of  much  value.  To  his  testimony  I 
may  add  many  of  equal  force  and  fulness. 
But  I  can  only  give  "the  coal-heaver's" 
this  month. 

Mr.  Huntington  had  lon^  been  seeking 
after  a  true  knowledge  of  his  salvation  by 
Jesus.    See  here  how  it  came. 

I  now  tried  to  put  election  out  of  my 
thoughts,  but  passages  of  Scripture  crowded 
in  by  troops.  I  reasoned  against  them, 
but  they  bore  down  all  my  feeble  logic, 
stared  me  full  in  the  face,  and  flashed  the 
strongest  conviction  on  mv  mind. 

I  am  sure  that,  if  aU  the  Arminians 
under  heaven  were  to  unite  their  forces 
together,  and  were  to  be  assisted  by  all  the 
power  and  wisdom  of  devils,  in  maintain- 
ing an  impious  war  against  the  doctrine  of 
eternal  election,  that  blazing  truth  would 
flash  in  their  faces,  bear  down  their  con- 
fused reasonings,  break  through  all  their 
oppositions,  put  all  their  carnal  thoughts  to 
flight,  and  with  the  greatest  rapidity  drive 
away  all  the  sandy  foundations  and  fleshly 


bulwarks  that  the  most  impious  rebels  oan 
raise  against  it.  And  at  times  it  will  eive 
them  such  lashes  of  conscience  for  ineir 
pride,  as  shall  even  extort  a  des{|enite  con- 
fession from  their  lips  expressive  of  the 
malice  in  their  hearts ;  insomuch  that  any 
discerning  Christian  may  see  they  ato 
united,  in  the  war  of  devils,  against  the 
sovereignty  of  the  immutable  and  uncon- 
trollable Jehovah. 

I  know  what  cavilling  at  election  is — ^I 
have  been  concerned  in  £at  work.  I  know 
too  what  that  impious  war  is  which  is 
carried  on  against  the  sovereignty  of  God 
— I  have  been  engaged  in  it  I  speak  tliis 
to  mv  shame.  And  of  this  I  am  well  as- 
sured, that  God's  truth  is  the  shield  of 
eveiy  sound  Christian,  but  a  dagger  in'the 
conscience  of  every  one  who  fighUi  against 
it  However,  election  is  a  letuiing  truth ; 
and  truth  will  never  strike  her  banner, 
turn  her  back,  nor  quit  the  field ;  she  will 
display  her  flas,  maugre  all  her  enemies, 
and  win  the  fi^d ;  and  that  too  with  eter- 
nal triumph. 

It  is  the  desire  of  my  soul  that  that 
person,  whosoever  he  may  be,  who  takes 
upon  himself;  after  m^  decease,  to  re- 
publish any  of  my  writings,  should  not 
alter  the  matter,  nor  the  spirit  of  this  my 
testimony  for  God;  but  that  he -should 
leave  it  as  I  wrote  it,  and  even  under  tlie 
bad  spirit  in  which  some  affirm  it  is  written. 
I  am  the  best  judge  where  I  got  it,  and  how 
I  came  by  it ;  and  at  the  day  of  judgment 
it  will  be  known  whether  it  was  from 
heaven,  from  earth,  or  from  helL 

While  I  was  standing  on  my  ladder, 
pondering  on  the  doctrine  of  election ;  sink* 
m  despondency,  or  rather  despair ;  wishing 
for  more  bookt  of  prayers,  and  fretting 
because  I  could  get  none  that  would  suit 
my  case ;  behold,  suddenly  a  "  great  lieht 
smned  round  about  me,"  quick  as  ligbt- 
nine,  and  far  superior  to  '*  the  brightness 
of  £e  sun ;"  but^  whether  my  b^j^i^  eyes 
saw  it  or  not, I  know  not;  but  this  I  know, 
that  it  "shined  into  my  heart,"  and  it 
brought,  as  I  thought,  all  the  Scriptures 
that  I  had  read  to  my  remembrance,  and 
impressed  them,  in  their  spiritual  meaning, 
with  uncommon  energy  on  my  mind.  And 
there  appeared  in  the  vision  two  straight 
lines,  drawn  throughout  the  whole  warld  ; 
and  I  know  they  were  God's  lines,  "  fiUlen 
to  me  in  pleasant  places,  for  I  have  a 
goodly  heritage."  One  of  these  lines  oon- 
sisted  of  commandments,  conditional  pro- 
mises, threatenings,  and  curses ;  and  these 
belonged  to  the  wicked;  they  are  their 
portion  from  God,  and  the  curses  from 
Mount  EbaL  The  other  line  was  uncon- 
ditional promises,  and  sweet  invitations 
from  Christ;  and  these  belong  to  God's 
elect.    And  the  human  race  was  divided 


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211 


ioio  two  daases,  in  the  open  vision,  all 
ajTsnged  before  the  ejes  of  my  mind ;  and 
there  waa  no  mofe.  The  one  is,  "  the  line 
of  eonfiision  ;**  the  other,  "  the  line  of  in- 
heritance." AU  this  was  done  in  a  minnte. 
The  plan  is  still  on  my  mind,  and  will  eyer 
remain  there ;  and  is  Scriptural ;  as  it  is 
written,  "Even  with  two  lines  measured 
he  ta  pot  to  death,  and  with  one  fall  line 
to  keep  alire."  These  are  6od*s  lines,  and 
afrree  with  his  corse  firam  Ebal,  and  his 
blessing  from  Gerizim ;  and  these  were  the 
two  lines  which  the  apostles  were  sent  to 
stretch  out. 

All  my  thoughts  were  taken  np  in  pon- 
dering over  the  plan  of  these  two  covenants, 
aod  the  two  classes  of  people  that  were 
under  them ;  and  one  of  these  cords  mnst 
be  stretched  out  to  reach  every  stake  of  the 
tabernacle.  I  was  as  thougn  I  had  been 
enwrapped  in  the  fidl  blaze  of  the  sun- 
beam*. My  hair  stood  upright,  and  my 
blood  xmnkled  in  my  veins,  for  fear  this 
was  to  bring  me  to  my  dreadful  and  long- 
expected  end ;  for  I  knew  not  as  yet  whicn 
d&ss  I  was  to  die  a  member  of,  not  beinff 
pazdooed.  Thus  Bral  was  enlightened 
with  the  light  that  shined  round  about 
hxm  (to  which  vision  I  have  often  compared 
mine);  but  it  was  three  days  after  the 
light  ahined  that  he  received  the  Holy 
(SkoA  in  that  powerful  manner,  as  you 
read  In  the  ninth  chapter  of  the  Acts. 

I  now  came  down  from  my  ladder, 
and  stood  looking  this  way  ana  that,  but 
ooidd  see  nothing  except  the  vision*  I 
cried  out,  *'What  is  it?  What  is  itr 
fearing  it  was  somethinff  to  bring  me  to  my 
end,  and  that  I  should  have  no  part  in  that 
sweet  line  of  promises  and  invitations 
which  I  saw  bel<Miged  to  the  elect,  who  are 
emphatieally  styled  heirs  of  promise.  Ln- 
mediately  1  heard  a  voice  from  heaven, 
saying  unto  me  in  plain  words,  "Lay  by 

YOCB  FOBVS  OP  PBAY1B8,  AVB  00  PRAY  TO 

Jisrs  Cq^st;  do  hot  yov  seh  how  piti- 
rnxT  Hk  spmaks  to  sixasBS?'*  These 
are  the  words  verbatim,  for  I  think  that  I 
shall  never  foi^et  them. 

*'I  was  not  msobedient  to  the  heavenly 
rision,**  hut  went  to  my  little  tool-house  to 
pray ;  yet  I  cannot  remember  that  I  had  at 
that  time  any  faith  in  the  Saviour,  or  ex- 
pectation of  being  heard  or  answered — ^to 
ail  appearance  I  was  sunk  too  low  for  that. 
I  rai^  thought  this  vision  was  to  brine 
me  to  mv  final  end.  Therefore  I  trembled 
in  mys^  and  was  almost  desperate,  fear- 
ing that  I  should  shortly  sink  under  that 
awfol  line  of  dreadful  threatenings   and 


When  I  came  into  mv  little  tool- house, 
to  the  best  of  my  remembrance,  I  did  as  I 
usually  had  done ;  that  is,  I  pulled  off  my 
blue  apton,  and  covered  my  head  and  foce 


with  it ;  for  I  was  like  the  poor  publican, 
I  could  not  even  look  up  to  GK>a ;  I  was 
afraid  he  would  damn  me  if  I  offered  to 
do  it 

I  kneeled  down,  and  began  to  pray  eX" 
tempore,  in  the  language  of  one  desperate, 
precisely  thus—"  Oh  Lord,  I  am  a  sinner, 
and  Thou  knowest  it.  I  have  tried  to 
make  myself  better,  but  cannot.  If  there 
is  any  way  left  in  which  Thou  canst  save 
me,  do  Thou  save  me ;  if  not,  I  must  be 
damned,  for  I  cannot  try  any  more,  nor 
won't"    More  of  this  next  month. 

ACHAN   IN    THE   CAMP. 

BY  B.   TATLOB,   6T.  UARY  PULIIAM,  KOBPOLK. 

Need  we  be  surprised  in  finding  an  Achan 
in  so  large  a  camp  as  that  of  Israel  ?  In 
the  little  camp  of  Jesus  there  was  an  Achan 
— a  Judas.  In  every  church,  whether  great 
or  small,  there  is,  no  doubt,  a  lover  of  the 
accursed  thing,  a  lover  of  the  wedge  of 
gold,  a  lover  of  the  Babylonish  garment  a 
lover  of  the  things  of  the  world  more  than 
of  the  things  of  God.  And  now,  my  soul, 
take  a  survey  of  thy  state  as  thy  name  is 
among  the  redeemed  in  the  visible  church. 
Are  thy  temporal  concerns  more  to  thee  than 
th^  spiritual  interests  ?  Art  thou  a  public 
saint  and  at  the  same  time  a  secret  hypo- 
crite ?  Art  thou  blessing  with  thy  mouth 
the  brethren  with  whom  thou  art  united, 
and  by  secret  sins  art  thou  troubling  the 
camp?  Be  sure  Gk>d  will  find  thee  out 
Art  thou  lulling  thyself  to  sleep  in  the  arms 
of  carnal  security,  and  excusing  thyself  for 
thy  secret  sins  on  the  ground  of  thy  weak- 
ness, or  from  some  other  self-deceiviuff 
cause  ?  Dost  thou  love  certain  sins  and 
pursue  them  ?  And  dost  thou  promise  thy- 
self a  pardon  at  Qod's  hands  on  the  ground 
of  asking  for  forgiveness  when  thou  wouldst 
do  the  same  abominations  again,  and  deceit- 
fully adopt  the  same  course  to  lull  a  pakied 
conscience  to  sleep  ?  Dost  thou  tell  God 
to  His  face  that  He  may  expect  thee  some- 
times to  £dl  through  the  weakness  of  the 
fiesh,  and  because  He  knows  thou  hist  a 
constitutional  sin,  deeply  rooted  in  thy  na- 
ture like  the  incurable  leprosy  ?  Dost  thou 
tell  Him  that  thou  woulost  not  sin  as  thou 
dost  if  thou  couldst  help  it?  Dost  thou 
paUiate  thy  sin,  pity  thyself,  and  take  it 
for  granted  that  God  pities  thee  too  ?  Dost 
thou  say  of  this  thy  dose  cleaving  sin  as 
good  Lot  said  of  Zoar,  "Is  it  not  a  little 
one?  and  my  soul  shall  live."  Dost  ti^ou 
commit  sin^  and  then  say  to  God  what 
Naaman  said  in  the  house  of  Rimmon, 
"The  Lord  pardon  Thy  servant  in  this 
thing?"  Recollect  right  eyes  and  right 
arms  must  be  sacrificed  to  the  glory  of 
Q«d,   «Kl  the   hon<M«  of  ^tlj^^Q^-^^ 


212 


TBB  EA&THEX  TE88EL. 


Sep.  1,  1668. 


name.  When  lermel  sinned  they  conid  not 
stand  before  their  enemies  :  bnt  when  they 
walked  worthy  of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing, 
they  prevailed.  0,  my  soul,  if  thou  shouldst, 
Samson-like,  pursue  tiune  enemies,  even 
sin,  Satan,  and  the  woiid,  when  thou  hast 
lost  thy  sight  and  thy  strength,  and  through 
thy  own  misconduct,  thoa  snalt  not  prevaiL 
Sin  against  thyself,  thou  shalt  trouble  the 
camp  of  Israel,  and  shalt  surely  die 
for  tny  folly.  Mark  the  Apostle's  words, 
**  If  ye  lire  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die." 
Whatever  thy  self-deception  may  be,  thy 
hidden  lost  shall  come  out  of  thy  tent ;  yea, 
aU  thy  secret  lusts  shall  be  spread  open 
before  the  Lord,  and  the  cam^  of  Israel 
Consider,  my  soul,  thy  down-sitting  and  thy 
uprising  is  known  to  God ;  and  therefore 
with  humility  and  godly  fear,  and  a  daily 
suspicion  and  jealousy  over  thyself,  say, 
"  Search  me,  0  God,  and  prore  my  heart ; 
try  me  and  know  mv  thoughts,  and  see  if 
there  be  any  wicked  wa^  in  me,  and  lead 
me  in  the  way  everlastans."  It  is  sad  to 
think  that  one  individuu  only  should, 
through  some  secret  indulgence  in  sin,  be 
the  means  of  keeping  Qod%  presence  from 
the  church,  trouble  and  rex  the  brethren, 
and  causebarrenness,  deadness,  and  disovder 
to  nreTaiL  O,  how  careM  ought  churchee- 
to  be  that  they  take  not  Aehans  into  the 
camp  thronj^  a  false  Icre  and  ambition  on 
the  part  of  their  pastors  to  increase  their 
numoers  for  the  sake  of  ikme  and  human 
applanae.  The  peace  ot  many  efauiohes 
has  been  ruined  through  making  hasty  ad- 
ditiona  of  such  aa  hare  nerer  been  carefhllr 
and  Scriptarally  proTed.  Lei  ▼mmg  and 
zealous  ministers  be  well  on  their  guard, 
and  look  to  the  honour  of  their  Hatter  in 
preference  to  their  own  fiime.  This  is  a 
day  of  empty  profession  and  fuhionable 
religion,  and  therefore  we  must  take  suffi- 
cient time  to  prove  both  men  and  things. 


30,  but  of  the  jewels  who  shall  attempt  to 
speak  ?  and  yet  who  may  be  silent  when  we 
have  subjects  like  these  to  speak  of;  lore 
eternal;  grace  abounding;  blood  unspeak- 
able in  worth,  and  incalculable  in  efficacy ; 
merry  from  everlasting  to  everlasting ;  and 
power,  knowing  no  limits,  yielding  to  no 
force.  Salvation  is  as  the  sun  of  this  world, 
*tis  the  centre  of  a  system ;  but  itself,  and 
all  beside  itself  move  around  **  a  central 
sun,"  even  Jesus, 

**  The  gloriouB  flun  of  Sfgliteonniess.'* 
Oh !  who  shall  tell  one  half  of  the  beauties 
and  glories  of  salvation  by  grace  ?  Some- 
times God  is  pleased  to  raise  up  for  his 
service  a  mighty  man,  a  giant,  a  warrior,  » 
golden  mouth  like  Chrysostom,  or  one 
of  silvery  eloquence  like  ApoUos,  and  more 
marv^ous  still,  takes  into  His  Service  such 
poor  stammerers  as 

'*  Oh  I  for  this  lore.  let  rocks  and  hills, 
Their  iMting  siienoe  break ; 
And  all  bannonioiu  Imniaa  Umaiies, 
Their  Saviour's  piaissft  apeak." 

Header,  are  you  saved  ? 
Salvation!   who  may  trace  thy  heights,  thy 

depths 
Tfaink  of  tiij  woitti,  or  «dt  fhy  priee,  or  eost  t 
Aa  angel  flughk   But  eeaiiBc  from  the  lip 
Of  aogela  t*would  be  but  an  EearMv  tale. 
No !  let  poor  Maiy  of  the  dty  apeak : 
The  MaiEcUcDe :  the  mnch-fbrgiven  one. 
Harkl  .aha  speaks  aot,  bnt  3m  weepe.     It  iv 

not 
That  she  may  not  apeak ;  for  ahmera  cries  aie 
Music  io  a  Savioor^  ear :  bnt  'tf a  lofe 
Haa  aUed  her  heart.  'Us  love  has  asaled  her  Iip«^ 
Sfiaiy '« the  Sileat^  ia  not  eiatae-Uke, 
Inactive :  but  wonhipa  at  the  ieet  and 
Crowns  the  head  of  Jeans.    Her  deeds  of  love 
Shall  be  her  ererfastinff  menameafc. 
Heir  alienee  speaks  with  teUSag  eloouSBce, 
And  this  its  voice—"  A  stnaar  mved  by  gn 
Thia  is  salvation. 

Colnbrook.  J.  Bkcnt. 


A     GREAT     MERCY. 

<*  Behold,  th«  L9rd*a  hand  la  not  shertoncd,  that 
It  cannot  aava."— laaiah  llx.  I. 

Whobvsb  said  it  waa  ?  If  it  were,  woe  to 
you  and  me.  The  life  of  the  child  of  God 
18  a  cotttinuoua  salvation,  one  marveUoaa 
display  of  Divine  love,  one  gLorioaa  demon- 
btiation  of  this  truth,  '*  Kept  by  the  power 
of  God." 

Salvation  is  Jehovah's  delight^  the  OBa 
theme  of  the  Bible,  the  joy  of  aainia,  and 
the  only  hope  of  sinners.  Salvation  is  a 
"  key"  which  Divine  love  has  forged,  by 
which  heaven's  pearly  g^tea  are  open  to  all 
believers.  Salvation  is  a  predons  casket ; 
itself  rich,  and  bright,  and  g^rioua,  yet 
containing  within  itaelf  gema  of  priceleea 
value.    Salvation  is  foona  in  Bonuuu  viii. 


Br  Faakcis  W.  Moxce,  Bapti0t  HiKunxB. 

No.  VL— THE  BESErTING    SIN. 

"The  sin  which  doth  so  earity  beset  us."— 
Hebwxii.  L 

Wb  all  have  our  beeetting  ain.  Perhaps 
it  ia  spiritual  sloth,  a  di8<M>edient  smrit,  a 
mmmiiring  disposition,  a  disoontentea  mind, 
or  some  other  aqnally  hateM  boeom  peat ; 
but  whatever  it  may  be,  it  is  often  pleasant 
to  the  flerii,  and  powerftd,  influential, 
alluring,  deatmctive,  and  but  for  the  grace 
of  God  would  be  Anally  fatal.  And  then  it 
"  doth  80  easify  beaei  us."  It  assails  ua  in 
our  weak  point,  makes  ita  attars  in  our 
most  unguardtd  momenta,  and  aocomplishea 
itB  object  in  so  qui$t  a  manner  that  it  ia 
much  more  to  be  dreaded  than  an  undis- 
guised temptation,  however  violent  It  is 
most  active  when  we  ftel  moat  aeeore. 
Let  him  that  thinketh  he  atandeth  take 
heed,  therefore,  leat  he^&ll.    The  bmreet 

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8tp.  1.  1863. 


THB  £ABTfl£N  TEfiBEL. 


213 


wmmor  has  Deed  in  the  dav  of  baUle  to 
beware  of  the  Joints  in  his  harness.  The 
experienced  mariner  knows  that  the  distant 
cloud  no  laiger  than  a  man*B  hand  portends 
a  coming  storm,  and  ao  forls  his  sails,  and 
prepares  the  ship  to  encounter  it  In  the 
same  way,  let  ns  always  have  a  Tigilant 
eje  on  our  ever  restless  and  deceitful 
hearts.  Constant  and  ferrant  prayer, 
iaith,  mortification  of  the  flesh,  and  fellow- 
ship with  God,  are  neoeasary  if  we  would 
escape  the  deadly  influence  of  the  sin  that 
doth,  alas!  too  "  easily  beset  us." 

la  the  reader  troubled  with  this  breach 
in  the  wall,  this  snake  in  the  grass,  this 
traitor  in  the  camp?  Go  then  and  tell 
your  best  Friend,  and  seek  His  CTacious 
assistance.  He  will  bring  it  into  subjection 
for  you.  It  is  not  in  your  own  strength, 
but  through  the  "  precious  blood,"  that  you 
are  to  conquer.  Then  give  yourself  to 
ptmjer,  and  ay, 
**  Breiik,  sovereign  graoe.  O  break  the  charm, 

And  set  the  capfciFe  nee : 
Beireal,  Almighty  God,  thine  arm, 

And  haste  to  rescue  me.*' 


LIFE    A    WABFARE. 


**My  hrethreo,  be  strong  in  the  Lord, and  in  tbe 
power  of  His  might."— £ph.  vi.  10. 

It  is  one  thing  to  enUst  into  the  national 
army  with  the  idea  of  wearing  a  sparkling 
nniform,  bat  quite  another  matter  to  be 
anmmoned  to  the  field  of  battle,  and,  amidst 
peril  and  sword,  prore  ourselves  faithful  to 
die  cause.  And  so  is  it  with  one  who  be- 
comes professedly  a  soldier  of  the  cross. 
Brethren,  it  is  not  in  the  sunshine  of  peace 
that  we  can  faUy  prove  our  loyalty  and 
derotion  to  the  ilng  of  heaven,  but  amid 
the  waxfitfe  which  every  Christian  soldier, 
more  or  less,  is  called  upon  to  wage.  Then 
come  tribulation  and  deprivations;  then 
oome  sorrow  and  sadness;  as  amid  the 
£re  that  belches  forth  from  the  artillery  of 
bell,  we  steadily  march  on  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  our  foes.  This  is  the  time,  my  bre- 
thren,— ^this  is  the  honr,  Christian  soldier, — 
that  we  address  you  in  the  language  of  the 
immortal  Hart, — 

*'JLst  the  danger  aalM  thee  bolder : 
War  in  weakness;  dare  in  doubt.** 

Such  is  the  language  also  of  one  who  has 
been  called  by  his  Captain  to  "  endure 
hardness,**  and  who  has,  by  preserving 
^;iBce,  been  upheld  till  now.  ^^rious  are 
the  £oes  we  have  to  encounter ;  and'amidst 
them  all,  we  sorrowfully  say  with  David, 
*^  It  was  not  an  enemy  that  reproached  me." 
Uo,  brethren,  we  often  receive  the  poisoned 
arrow  of  reproach  and  calumny  from  those 
vho  ought  to  be  our  guides.  Still,  still  we 
wcxild  say, — ^Let  thine  enemy  be  who  he 
may— let  \hj  £oe  appear  in  the  family,  in 


the  church,  or  in  the  world,  *'  Be  stronc  in 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  His  might." 
Strive  not  for  masteries,  except  thou  strive 
lawfully ;  but,  in  all  things,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, "Endure  haidness  as  a  good 
soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,"  and  forget  not, 
feUow-sufferer,  that  "  if  we  suffer  we  shall 
also  reign  with  Him."  Be  thou  therefore 
'*  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Chrifit 
Jesus." 

**  Ever  on  thy  Captain  oalling, 

Hake  thy  wont  condition  known. 
He  shall  hold  thee  up  when  falling ; 

Or  stiall  lift  thee  up  when  down." 

But,  again,  we  have  the  words  of  our 
great  Captain  to  jirove  that  we  who  follow 
Him  shall  be  subject  to  spiteful  usage ;  we 
shall  bo  evil  spoken  of,  and  continually 
subject  to  the  wrath  and  frowns  of  the  pro- 
fane and  professing  world.  But,  hark! 
Are  there  no  promises  for  the  future  ?  Is 
there  not  something  secret  that  sweetens 
all?  Verily,  my  brethren,  our  Lord  hath 
said,  "  Blessed  are  ye  that  mourn,  for  ye 
shall  be  comforted."  Comforted  with  the 
blissful  paradise  of  heaven,  while  thy  now 
laughing  foes  tiowl  in  the  confines  of  the 
damned.  Comforted  with  the  presence  of 
thy  Redeemer,  thv  Conqueror,  thy  Saviour, 
thy  Brother,  whilst  those  who  now  pierce 
thy  wounded  soul  will  be  shut  up  in  the 
buminff  lake  for  ever.  Here  is  encourage- 
ment, brother;  here  is  support,  sister,  to 
bear  thcc  over  the  rolling  billows  of  the 
devil's  wrath;  here  ia  a  precious  life-re- 
viver to  enable  thee  to  say,  "  The  sufferinfis 
of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  tobe 
compared  with  the  glory  that  shall  be  re- 
vealed." Trust  not  to  thyself;  look  not 
within  for  salvation, — 

**  But  let  riffhteousuess  imputed 
Be  the  breast-plate  of  thy  heart/* 
With  the  whole  armour  of  God  upon  us, 
of  what  shall  we  be  afraid  ?     Come,  Chris- 
tian  warrior,  with  thy  loins  mrt  about  with 
truth,  now  show  of  what  solidity  thy  holy 
religion  is ;  now  prove  to  them'  that  hate 
thee,  that  thy  profession  is  really  a  posses- 
I  sion,  and  that  God's  grace  doth  enable  thee 
to  withstand  in  the  evil  day  ;  now  dis2>lay 
the  admirable  qualities  of  the  lifeboat  of 
religion,   and    with    the    "sword  of   the 
Spirit," 

"Cut  thy  way  through  hosts  of  devils. 
While  they  fall  before  the  Word.** 

But  may  be  some  timid  brother  is  the 
peruser  of  these  lines  ;  one  who  is  ready  to 
believe  that  because  the  dispensation  of 
Providence  is  dark  and  cloudy,  that  God  is 
punishing  him  as  a  hypocrite.  Well,  the 
writer  knows  a  little  of  what  this  is,  and 
can,  therefore,  comfort  such  an  one  with 
the  comfort  he  hath  received.  The  deal- 
ings of  God  with  His  people  are  ofLtimes 
mysterious ;  but  it  is  not  for  us  to  question 


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214 


THB  EARTHEN  VE88BL. 


Beik  UIMS. 


Him  as  to  His  right  of  so  doing;  but 
rather  let  us  kiss  the  rod,  and  bow  to  the 
▼ill  of  the  Lord ;  knowing  that  He,  con- 
trary to  onr  earthly  fathers,  who  chastise 
ns  ailer  their  pleasure,  chastises  us  for  our 
profit  However  hot  the  furnace,  Christ 
sits  as  the  refiner,  and  will  see  to  it  that 
not  one  hair  of  our  head  is  singed ;  no,  the 
dross  He  will  remove,  but  us  He  will  not 
hurt.  Be  ye,  therefore,  reconciled,  my  bro- 
ther, to  God  in  His  providences ;  and  in- 
stead of  murmuring  at  the  bitter  waters  of 
Marah,  listen  to  the  rippling  stream  of  the 
voice  of  God  in  His  promises.  The  darker 
the  night,  the  brighter  will  be  the  day. 
God  may  withhold  now ;  but  afterward  ye 
shall  receive  abundance.  I,  my  brother, 
can  truly  say  with  you  that  "  no  affliction 
for  the  present  seemeth  joj^ous,"  and  I  do 
trust  that  you  have  experienced  with  me 
that  "  afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteousness.*'    Come,  come,  fel- 


low-traveller, doth  a  near  relative  despise 
you  ?  Are  you  a  victim  to  envy?  Do foe« 
beset  you?  Doth  Providence  appear  to 
frown  upon  yon,  and  professors  laugh  at 
your  calamity  ?    Then,-» 

"  Buckle  on  thy  hear'nly  armour : 
Patch  up  no  inglorious  peace. 
Let  thy  oourage  wax  the  warmer. 
Aj  thy  foes  and  fban  inereaM.'* 

These  are  no  fancied  dangers  to  which 
the  Christian  soldier  is  exposed,  for  he  who 
writeth  hath  encountered  them  aU,  and 
renders  a  tribute  of  praise  to  God  for  His 
saving  mercy.  Finally,  my  brethren,  be 
strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of 
His  might;   then  shalt  thou  pursue  thy 

Cney  to  the  heavenly  kingdom,  and  at 
enter  that  holy,  happy,  joyfhl  place, 
where  *^the  wicked  cease  from  troubling^ 
and  the  weary  are  at  rest." 

CuuwicK  Nichols. 


CHRISTMAS     EVANS. 

Bt  T.  J.  Missn. 


(Continued 
At  such  times  he  would  stand  (and  his 
personnel  was  very  imposing)  in  full  view 
of  the  multitude  assembled,  holding  in  the 
one  hand  his  Ueen9€,  and  in  the  o&er  his 
BiBLB,  exclaiming  aloud  that  he  stood  there 
in  virtue  of  two  warrants — one  feom  the  king 
of  England,  and  the  other  from  the  King  of 
Heaven.  The  small  wit  which  certain 
vulgar  natures  delight  to  expend  upon 
religious  practices  wnich  differ  from  their 
own,  however  sacred  and  helpful  they  may 
be  to  conscientious  observers,  found  in  him 
an  administrator  so  self-possessed,  and  an 
advocate  so  skilful,  that  he  at  least  generally 
escaped  unscathed  the  fire  of  retort.  Once 
when  he  was  baptizing  in  a  river  (a  common 
•  practice  still  in  WalesJ,  a  dexgyman  passing 
by  rudely  addressed  mm,  and  in  words  the 
exact  resiliant  force  of  which  he  could  not^ 
we  suspect,  have  anticipated.  "  You  may 
waihf  and  I  will  shear  them.'*  The  instant 
repl^  was,  ''  If  you  must  have  the  fleece^ 
Chnst  mu9t  have  the/ocA:." 

There  is  no  ordinance  we  so  dislike  to 
see  awkwardly  and  irreverently  administered 
as  the  one  we  have  just  referred  to ;  and  we 
have  on  some  occasions  felt  no  small  amount 
of  pain  through  a  palpable  incapability  on 
the  part  of  the  administrator.  We  could 
give  instances,  but  forbear.  We  may  also 
add  that  whilst  engaged  in  this  important 
and  interesting  part  of  a  Baptist  minister's 
work,  we  have  often  had  our  mind  raised 
hi^h  above  the  dim  shadows  resting  on 
this  sin-smitten  world,  and  have  completely 


piwel86.) 
forgot  for  a  season  "  life's  griefii  and  fears, 
sins  and  sorrows,"  and  have  sat  rejoicing^ 
and  gratefully  in  the  very  suburbs  of  tne 
"  city  of  many  mansions.  We  remember 
this  to  have  been  the  ease  most  especially 
when  we  were  enj^aged  in  immejrsing  » 
veteran  Christian  in  the  sea  at  Hayle  in 
Cornwall,  several  years  by-gone.  The  morn- 
ing of  that  day  was  a  glorious  one.  It  wma. 
the  day  of  all  "  the  week  the  best."  Many 
hundreds  of  persons  were  present.  Above 
us  was  an  Italian  sky,  all  around  and 
before  us  a  sea  calm  as  that  like  glass  seen 
by  John  in  his  apocalyptic  vision.  There 
were  several  canoidates  besides  him  I  am 
about  to  refer  to,  who  was  known  by  the 
designation  of  Captain  Tom  Martin.  He 
had  been  for  at  least  fifty  years  a  member 
of  the  Wesley  an  body,  and  was  induced  by 
a  friend  to  listen  to  our  poor  utterances  by 
which  he  was  convinced  that  "salvation 
was  altogether  of  the  Lord,"  and  that  it  was 
his  duty,  octogenarian  though  he  was,  to  be 
buried  with  his  Lord  in  baptism.  I  re- 
member my  intelligent  and  most  esteemed 
friend ,  William  ShuLerly ,  of  Camborne,  went 
out  with  us  into  the  bosom  of  the  stilly  waters,, 
and  with  myself  realized  much  of  the  iwe- 
sence  of  Israel's  Jehovah,  whilst  leading 
Ihe  loveable  old  disciple,  after  he  had  been 
immersed,  to  the  shore.  When  we  raised 
the  dear  old  saint  tsom  the  yielding  wave,. 
he  burst  forth  in  such  a  song  of  praise  as 
made  every  chord  in  onr  natnre  vibrate* 
With  the  tears  of  gratefukaflfeetioa  glisten- 
Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


THE  EABTHBir  VESSEL. 


215 


iag  like  duunond  dewdrops  in  his  kmng 
cyes^  he  adranced  towaidB  the  shore  sing- 
isg  Hallelitjahs  of  praise  to  the  eternally  lov- 
ing and  unchangeable  Jehovah.  The  people 
on  the  shore  ean^t  the  strain,  and  echoed  it 
badk ;  and  if  ever  the  incense  of  praise 
ascended  sot  in  wreaths,  bnt  in  clouds  to 
the  throne  of  God,  it  was  on  that  trul^ 
mflmorable  occasion  during  which  we  anti- 
cipsted  the  immeasurable  bUss,  the  eternal 
freedom,  the  spotless  parity,  the  holy  ioy, 
and  the  mellifluous  songs  of  that  "  fadeless 
inheritance  *  *  where 
**  Tbe  itorms  of  wintry  time  have  passed  away, 

And  one  imboimdeafpriiig  CDdrdea  tdV^ 
After  his  immersion,  Thomas  Martin  lived 
on  a  year  or  two,  upheld  by  the  arm  of  his 
covenant  Ood,  maintaining  his  attachment 
in  the  midst  of  abounding  hatred  to  the  doc- 
trines he  had  been  made  to  love,  and  which 
wvre  marrow  and  f&tness  to  his  soul,  and 
then  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  '*  crown  his 
life  of  merer  with  a  triumphant  end."  We 
rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  writing  a  suc- 
cinct account  of  one  of  the  loveliest  and 
mostloveableoldmen  we  ever  knew.  One 
of  tho«e  who  was  immersed  with  him  went 
to  Austadia  and  died.  Others  are  still 
living,  livinff,  we  hope,  the 

*■  Life  of  Heaven  sbove, 
All  the  life  of  glorious  love." 

In  a  small  chapel  adjoining  the  house  of 
my  noble-minded,  kind-heaxled  friend,  Mr. 
Edward  M.  Hanoome,  of  Ha^lo,  a  few  disci- 
ples meet  regularly  for  worship,  the  result  of 
our  visit  to,  and  labours  at,  that  town,  some 
eight  or  ten  years  ago.  In  a  locale  where 
Arminianism  is  the  order  of  the  day, 
amidst  evil  report  and  good  report,  they 
still  dinjg  to  Die  tmth.  May  the  "  little 
one,  if  it  is  the  will  of  God,  become  a 
thousand.^' 

Perhaps  the  most  graphic  description  of 
an  open-air  baptism  ever  written  is  yet  to 
come :  we  give  it  in  the  words  of  the  highly 
educated  biographer  of  Christmas  Evans  :-- 

"  The  people  came  from  many  miles  dis- 
tant, ana  at  nine  o*clock  in  the  morning,  a 
vast  concourse  of  eager  spectators  had  as- 
sembled on  the  banks  of  the  river,  all  un- 
conscious, probably,  however  secretly  and 
partially  inspired  by  it,  of  the  poetry  of  the 
surrouniling  scene  unusually  rich  in  natural 
beauty,*  and  in  historic  association.  He 
(Timothy  Thomas)  preached  so  as  to  move 
the  motley  peasant  multitude.  On  the 
one  hand  stood,  not  far  off,  the  Gronear 
Hill  where  I>yer  sang;  and  on  the  other 
might  be  seen  the  Golden  Grove,  where 
Jeremy  Taylor,  in  troublous  times  set  thought 
in  gorgeous  fiincy.  Right  before  him  in  full 
view,  stood  perdied  on  a  precipitous  giddy 
eminence,  the  ruined  castle  of  the  Dynevors, 


•  It  was  in  the 


aefglibou] 
n^slted. 


ibourhood  of  LUmdeilo,  a 


a  shattered  memorial  of  a  stormy  past,  and 
a  pathetic  symbol  of  a  dying  nationality. 
Not  far  below,  in  the  same  beautiful  valley, 
there  was,  if  we  mistake  not,  the  house 
beneath  whose  roof  poor  Steele  found 
a  temporary  shelter.  And  all  around 
and  between  these  spots  of  varied 
human  interest,  there  was  presented  a 
scene  so  £Bur,  of  peaceful,  various*,  and  undu- 
lating beauty,  that  the  imagination  might 
yield  itself  satisfied  to  its  enchantments. 
It  was  here  the  preacher,  not  given  to 
cesthetical  contemplations,  but  zealously 
intent  upon  the  law  of  duty,  awakened  the 
distant  echoes  on  that  quiet  Sunday  morn- 
ing. Coming  up  from  the  water,  after 
having  baptized  without  any  interruption 
— such  was  his  command  of  that  miscel- 
laneous host,  many  of  whom  had  gathered 
there  from  other  than  religious  motives, 
some  one  breathlessly  informed  him  that 
the  parish  clergyman  had  been  detained 
for  an  hour,  unable  to  push  his  way 
through  the  crowd  to  the  church  where  he 
had  to  (^ciate.  This,  of  course,  threat- 
ened to  be  a  serious  matter ;  unpleasant 
consequences  were  likely  to  ensue  from 
blocking  up  the  road  with  the  congre- 
gation. But  the  minister  was  not  only 
ready  in  reply,  but  rich  in  other  resources. 
With  admirable  taetique  and  startling 
catholicity,  he  cried  out  to  the  people,  ** 
understand  that  the  respected  clergyman 
this  parish  has  been  listening  patiently  to 
me  this  last  hour :  let  us  return  the  com- 
pliment, and  go  to  church  and  hear  him. 
The  church  and  burying  groimd  was  in- 
stantly crowded,  the  Clergyman  was  de- 
lighted with  the  catholic  spirit  of  the 
Baptist  preacher,  and  of  course  not  a  word 
was  heard  about  the  trespass." 

Who  can  help  admiring  the  spirit  exhi- 
bited, as  well  as  the  tact  of  the  good  brother, 
and  who  that  is  rightly  influenced  but  will 
feel  disposed  to  pray,  that  a  similar  spirit 
may  more  abundantly  prevail  amongst 
those  who  profess  to  be  disciples  of  Jesus  ? 
All  who  love  the  "  whole  truth  as  it  is  in 
Him*'  might  daily  embody  in  their  con- 
duct the  same  spirit  without  compromising 
any  truth  they  profess  to  believe  and  love. 

What  a  lofty  bearing  the  intellectual, 
learned,  and  God-honoured  Paul  exhibited 
when  he  penn^  that  gem  of  a  sentence, 
••  Grace  be  with  all  those  who  love  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity." 

How  indescribably  hateful  is  that  narrow 
spirit  which  condemns  every  one  who  does 
not  see  eye  to  eye  with  its  possessor.  How 
directly  opposed  is  such  a  spirit  to  the 
genius  of  that  Christianity,  the  distinctive 
feature  of  which  is  love. 

Now  it  was  this  God-like  principle  that 
prompted  the  labours,  and  kept  buoyant 
the  spirit,  of  the  Micellent  hMal>l«-"*^^^*^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


216 


7HE  KAiarWKK  VJESBEL. 


man  we  hare  had  pleasure  in  placing  be- 
fore our  readers.  And  having  indulged  a 
hope  that  what  we  have  written  may 
minister  to  their  happiness,  wo  close  this 
passage  with  the  prayerfiil  song  of  a 
xaTOurite  poet — 

'•Happy  day  of  union  sweet, 

O,  when  shall  it  appear  1 
When  shall  all  Thy  people  meet 

In  amity  sincere? 
Tear  each  other's  flesh  no  mora, 

But  kindly  think  and  speak  the  same. 
All  express  the  meekening  power 

And  spirit  of  the  Lamb/'^ 

Some  time  after  his  location  in  Lleyn,  a 
Tciy  marked  change  took  place  in  Christ- 
mas Evans'  style  of  preaching.  Through- 
out that  part  of  Wales,  a  mat  revival  of 
religion  was  going  on,  and  he  was  often 
thrown  into  the  company  of  the  men  be- 
longing to  the  Galvinistic  Methodists,  viiom 
the  groai  Head  of  the  Church  employed  in 
the  promotion  of  that  movement  One  of 
the  most  influential  and  popular  men  of  the 
Kevivalistic  party  was  a  very  defion&ed 
man,  called  jRobert  Boberts,  of  Giynag. 
This  man,  "Mr.  D.  M.  Evans  infomis  ns, 
was  originally  a  labourer  on  a  fisrm.  He 
appeaes  to  have  been  altogether  nnednoatad ; 
but  having  a  "powerful  voice,  a  retentive 
memory,  great  (uscenment  of  spirits,  nmch 
2iatanu  dnunatie  oratoiy ,  and  extraordinary 
fervour  and  boldness,"  he  exerdsed  a  ve^ 
singular  influence  over  the  people.  Had  he 
livMl  in  our  day,  he  would  no  doubt  have 
been  deemed  a  dreamy  fiinatic.  The  de- 
iKriptioa  given  in  the  memoirs  of  C.  Evans 
<d  Kobert's  mode  of  preaching  is  worth 
^xanseribing. 

"  His  mnhod  of  preaching  was  the  moat 
esctting  imaginable,  mingling  with  his  ad- 
dresses apos^phies,  outbursts,  and  fervid 
ejaculations,  ana  weeping  freely.  He  would 
read  for  his  text,  *  Great  is  the  mystery  of 
ffodliness ;  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,* 
&c. ;  and  at  onoe  begin  in  the  most  start- 
ling tones,  *  Oh !  ye  people,  this  is  a  bot- 
tomless sea ;  with  G<>i's  help  I  will  just 
Tenture  on  its  margin ;  don't  lose  sight  of 
me  I '  In  the  midst  of  his  greatest  excite- 
ments, he  would  slightly  bow  his  head,  and 
so  remain  for  a  moment  without  uttering  a 
word,  and  then  whisper,  '  Htuk — ^hvsh  ; 
what  do  I  heart*  Then  he  wodbd  thunder 
ont  till  the  whole  congregation  trembled,  — 

*  UpOX  THS  WICKBD  Hb  shall  bain  BKABSS, 
FIBE,  AKD  BBDISTOinB,  AXD  A  HOBBIBLB  TBM- 
PB8T :   THIS  SHALL  BK  THB  POBTIOX  OT  THBIB 

cup/  When  he  thought  he  was  labouring 
in  vain,  failing  to  preach  with  any  effect, 
he  would  pause  in  the  midst  of  a  sermon, 
and  with  his  big  tears  rolling  down  his 
face,  he  woidd  li^  up  a  wailing  cry,  that 
pierced  every  heart, — '0,  Lord,  rend  the 
vei],  rend  the  veil!'  Whereupon  the  peo- 
ple's loud  and  tomultnous  '  amens'  would 


ratify  the  agonizinff  prayer."   Such  was  the 
Calvinistic  Methodist  preeehen'  style    of 
preaching,  through  whom  Chiisbnas  Evsna 
was  led  to  adc^  that  peculiar  mode  of  ad- 
dress whidi  made  him  so  remarkable.    Not 
content  with  labouring  in  the  north,  we 
find  Christmas  paying  a  visit  to  South 
Wales  at  this  early  period  of  his  minialary. 
When  he  first  visited  that  vety  intereskiqg 
part  of  the  principality,  he  found  there,  la- 
bouring amongst  the  Baptists,  some  very 
useful  men,  who  received  nim  joyfully,  and 
allowed  him  to  occupy  their  pulpits;  and 
they  not  only  did  that,  bnt  they  also  re- 
ioiced  on  acooont  of  the  success  niiidi  fol- 
lowed in  the  wake  of  his  earnest  toil.    All 
through  the  counties  of  Brecon,  Monmouth, 
Carmarthen,  Glamorgan,  Pembroke,  &c;, 
he  boldly  proclaimed  the  glorious  Chwpel, 
and    much    people    were    added    to    the 
churches,  especially  in  Cardigan  and  Pem- 
brokeshire.   On  retnmii^  from  his  uselid 
tour  into  South  Wales  to  Lleyn,  he  fdt  his 
mind  drawn  to  another  part  of  the  ooutxy, 
and  after  some  thought  and  much  prayer, 
he  resolved  to  remove  to  Anglesea.     His 
principal  reason  fat  retiring  fnum  the  scene 
of  his  earliest  toils   and  suoeesses    waa 
his  inability  to  form  prosperous 
churches  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
And  it  seems  that  in  the  bosom  of  the  few 
churches  formed,  there  vras  some  disorder, 
bad  management,  and  much  relijgioas  nar- 
rowness.   We  think  he  acted  wisely  in  re- 
tiring from  such  a  locality.    "  Where  envy- 
ing and  strife  is,  there  is  oonfosion  and 
every  evil  work."    How  soon  this  leaven  of 
unrighteousness  began  to  work  I    And,  nn- 
hapmljr  for  us  as  a  denomination,  it  still 
worM  in  many  parts  of  our  vineyard,  and 
immeasurable  mischief  is  the  result  of  its 
working.    There  is  a  cause  for  the  sad  rtste 
of  things  we  deplore.  We  have  our  opinions 
touching  the  cause  of  that  lamentable  state 
of  things  we  now  refer  to.     If  ministers 
who  are  fond  of  acrimonious  conlwveisy 
respecting  subjects  far  beyond  the  grasp  of 
an  angel's  intellectuality  were  to  "take  a 
softer  mould,"  perhaps  a  delightful  change 
would  soon  be  witnessed.     We  thoroQ^iIy 
hate  acrimonious  controversy ;  it  surrounds 
us  with  an  atmosphere  we  cannot  com- 
fortably breathe.     Those   who   have  de- 
lighted most  in  shivering  hmces  within  the 
arena  of  polemic  strife,  are  genemlly  Bir- 
thing but  (oveable  men.    Sudi  gladiatonal 
exercises  aour  the  tenmer,  and  indurate  the 
heart.     Controversial  writers  are  not  Ae 
I  heroes  the^  imagine  themselTes  to  be.     I 
like  the  spuit  of  a  great  and  learned  man, 
I  of  whom  it  was  onoe  said,  "  I  have  alwra 
!  thought  and  spoken  of  the  writings  of  Br. 
I B.  W.  Hamilton  with  pleasure,  as  a  con- 
i  vincing  proof  that  even  a  Calvinist  mi^t 
write  of  U  nitarianiam  and  to  an  Unitarmn 


Digitized  by 


Google 


sap.  I,  ie«t. 


THB   EABTHEH   VESSEL. 


217 


withoot  anperity.**  When  a  man  cannot 
▼rite  oontrOTenHilly  witbont  acerhiiy^ 
the  sooner  he  lays  down  his  pen  the 
better  it  will  be  for  himself  and  the  choKh 
generallT.  We  are  firm  belierers  in  the 
pTO-egdstenee  of  the  human  sool  of  Christ, 
and  the  eoatemplation  of  His  being  the 
•  fl»t-bom  of  ereiy  creatare*— *  the  begin- 
ning of  the  ereation  of  God* — often  fills  our 
heart  with  joy ;  but  we  cannot — we  dare 
not — baa  the  belieTer  in  the  eternal  gene- 
ration of  His  Diyine  nature  as  some  writers 
hare  done.  On  anch  deep  matters,  it  be- 
ecRDes  na  to  speak  cauUousltf,  and  to  aroid 
with  acmpnlona  rare  the  conduct  of  those 
'wiio  xashly  break  tfaroogh  and  gaze  where 
aagels  dare  not  tvead.'  The  briefest  and 
beat  amongst  ns  know  bnt  yery  little.  *  We 
now  see  throngh  a  glass  obscurely.'  May 
tins  tlioa^t  eanse  ns  to  desire  to  be  clothed 
with  humility  aa  witii  a  garment.  Who 
ait  thou  thatjodgeat  ?  '  Jndge  not,  that  ye 
banotjadgedr 

9tam  Lleyn  Chriatnas  Evans  passed  on 
to  tlie  Irie  of  Anglesea»  performing  tiie 
joosegr  on  hotwback,  with  his  better  half 


rifingon  a  pillion  behind  him.  The  journey 
was  a  cold  and  cheerless  one  ;  for  the  snow 
fell  fast  as  they  made  their  way  to  their 
new  scene  of  labour  and  self-^ienial.  In 
Anglesea  there  were  ten  preaching  stations, 
which  C.  E.  would  have  to  look  after  and 
periodically  visit ;  and  all  for  the  miserable 

sum  of  SEVBKTBBN  POUNDS    FIR  YEAR  I      But 

Evans  knew  how  to  bear  poverty.  A  man 
who  could  make  a  dinner  off  a  plate  of 
porridge  knew  how  to  breast  a  storm  or 
two. 

Well,  on  reaching  the  Isle  of  Anglesea, 
he  found  the  same  disease  afflicting  the  peo- 
ple which  had  given  him  so  much  pain 
whilst  sojourning  in  Ueyn.  But  he  girt  up 
the  loins  of  his  mind,  and  battled  courage- 
ously with  the  insidious  demon  of  discord, 
and  the  foul  disturber  was  cast  out.  In 
Angleaea,  this  great  and  good  man  toiled 
for  a  long  series  of  years,  occasionally  visit- 
ing the  southern  portion  of  the  principality, 
where,  as  well  as  in  the  cold  north,  God 
made  him  an  instrument  of  good  to  thou- 
sands of  sin-stained  men  and  women. 


NEW     BOOKS. 


Sfllsto  in  Baawea:— the  lduife6v% 


24S;  "a  Statute  of  Limitation.^*  A  Ser- 
mon bj  Hr.  James  Wells.  London :  G.  J. 
SCerenaon.  This  weeklv  serial  still  snp- 
dBes  the  Sunday  momrag  discourse  de- 
liTered  in  the  Surrey  Tabernacle;  which 
we  often  read  with  pleasure  and  profit. 
Some  people  beliere  Mr.  Wells  to  be  a  hyper- 
critkad  l^rper  of  lUl  hypers— "a  man  of 
aalfBvagaot  theories:"  —  and  some  will 
speak  mmv  harshly  than  that  We  make 
one  extract  from  the  sermon  above  referred 
to.  that  GOT  readen  may  see  three  things. 
(1)  In  heavenly  contemplation  he  can  soar 
very  high ;  and  happily  so.  (2)  In  soul- 
eacpcrienee  he  sinks,  at  times,  as  low  as 
moat  of  ns.  (3)  In  evei^  time  of  tempta- 
tion, God  makes  a  way  ^  his  escape ;  and 
iw>  he  continues  in  a  most  successfhl  course. 
We  consider  the  following  extract  calculated 
to  be  Terr  naefbl  both  to  private  Christians 
and  public  men  in  Son;  therefore,  we 
trust,  in  ^ving  it,  we  shall  not  be  con- 
sidered as  mfringing  on  the  copyri^t.  All 
th^  tfaoosands  who  read  the  Eabthbii 
VsasBii  iliottid  also  read  the  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle Polpit.    Mr.  Wells  says: 

•*  I  eannot  find  any  limitation  to  the  in- 
herttaaee  of  the  saints ;  I  cannot  find  it 
said  of  the  sdnts;  no,  not  in  heaven: 
**ffitherto  ahalt  thon  come,  and  no  further." 
Wm  yoa  undertake  to  fhthora  the  depths ; 


mVL  you  undertake  to  measure  the  heights ; 
will  you  undertake  to  range  over  the 
breadth ;  or  will  you  rmdertake  to  compre- 
hend the  length  of  that  inheritance  which 
they  have?  If  so,  my  answer  is,  that  God 
Himself  is  their  inheritance.  All  their 
springs  are  in  Him.  He  is  their  exceeding 
joy.  They  limited  ?  Why,  I  was  going  to 
say,  they  go  anjrwhere  there.  God  is  love  ; 
and  they  dwell  in  God,  and  God  in  them, 
and  love  for  ever  reigns.  Do  you  suppose 
that  wc  are  going  to  heaven  to  be  shut  up 
in  a  little  bit  of  a  room,  or  a  field,  or 
house,  or  place,  and  all  thronged  together, 
and  hardly  room  to  move  ?  I  hare  no  such 
ideas  as  that  myself.  I  believe  that 
world  to  have  immensity  for  its  range,  and 
where  the  soul  and  body  too  will  be  both 
elastic,  immortal,  incorruptible,  and,  for 
au^t  I  know,  like  as  angels,  and  fly  with 
all  the  velocity  and  rapidity  of  lightning. 
It  is  a  world  of  life  and  liveliness,  a  world 
of  action,  a  world  of  communication,  a 
world  of  communion,  a  world  of  blessed- 
ness. And  I  believe  that  the  minister  and 
the  Christian  too  are  more  like  the  saints 
in  heaven  on  those  occasions  when  their 
souls;  »re  they  are  aware,  make  them  like 
the  chariots  of  Amminadib;  when  their 
souls  are  on  the  win^,  and  can  range  over 
the  wonders  of  their  incarnate  God,  can 
boast  of  Ss  name,  His  mercy,  and  His 
salvation,  and  see  every  impediment  vir- 
tually removed,  and  Uiat  all^in*^  that 
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THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


Sep.  1,  ld6S. 


are  opposing  miut  be  subserrient  to  their 
welfare  and  to  the  glory  of  Grod.  Then  it 
IB  we  hare  a  litde  taste  of  that  bliss  that 
enable  us  to  leaye  our  cares  behind. 

"  When  I  rose  this  morning  I  felt  veiy 
miserable,  and  very  cast  down,  and  very 
unhappy,  and  wished  it  was  not  the  Lord's- 
day,  and  I  ixished  I  was  not  a  minister, 
and  I  wished  I  had  nerer  existed ;  I  felt 
Tery  miserable;  I  felt  very  unhappy;  I 
coidd  not  get  a  thought,  I  could  not  get  a 
word,  and  I  felt,  WeU,  what  would  I  give 
if  I  did  not  exist !  I  don't  feel  that  I  can 
preach  to-day.  Don't  know  how  it  is,  my 
mind  seems  cast  down ;  little  cares  seem  to 
be  great  ones ;  little  hills  seem  to  rise  into 
great  mountains  ;  passing  clouds  look  like 
a  fixed  tempest ;  I  am  veiy  unhappy ;  I  felt 
really  as  though  I  could  not  come  to 
chapel.  Presently  the  words  came  sweeter 
to  my  mind  than  they  ever  came  before; 
I  have  always  liked  that  hymn,  but  it  is 
astonishing  what  a  word  will  do : 

"Burrounded  with  sorrows,  temptations  and  cores, 
This  truth  with  delight  we  sunrey. 
And  sing,  aa  we  paaa  throu^rh  this  valley  of  tears, 
The  righteoua  ahall  hold  on  his  way.*' 

I  began  to  be  comfortable  directly;  I 
began  to  get  a  little  light  directly.  I  said, 
Lord,  then  I  will  go ;  Thy  mercy  is  not 
gone,  Thy  promise  doth  not  fail,  Thy 
power  is  still  the  same;  I  will  go,  and 
make  one  more  attempt  So  it  is ;  these 
are  tiying  seasons,  but  they  are  all  to  make 
us  feel  that  our  springs  are  in  the  Lord, 
and  that  he  leaves  us  sometimes  to  feel  the 
weight  of  our  cares,  and  griefs,  and  sorrows, 
to  Uie  end  that  we  may  xnow  our  need  of 
a  burden-bearer,  and,  being  in  agony, 
pray  the  more  earnestly.  So  it  is  when 
we  are  made  thus  earnestly  to  ^diisper  out 
of  the  dtist,  how  sweet  then  a  word  in 
season  is !  Bless  the  Lord,  then,  that  such 
experiences  are  proofs  that  the  enemy  is 
measured  with  the  measurement  of  limit- 
ation ;  but  the  saint  measured ;  the  Chris- 
tian, the  believer  in  Christ,  measured  with 
the  measure  of  perfection  ;  and  that  Jesus 
can  be  measured  only  by  infinity  and 
eternity.  Ha|»py  portion  I  But  we  can 
^t  at  these  things  only  as  the  Holy  Spirit 
IS  pleased  to  bring  them  into  the  soul.  I 
can  think  of  plenty  of  scriptures  by  the 
force  of  memory ;  but  it  is  one  thinff  to  do 
this,  and  another  thing  for  the  Lord  to 
bring  them  to  mind.  It  is  when  he  steps 
in  that  Satan  is  forced  to  go  out." 

Tho  OUtatfl  in  ovr  ChurohM. 
The  American  Baptiatt, — ^We  have  re- 
ceived the  New  York  Examiner  (and  a 
document  from  Mr.  W.  Stokes),  from  which 
we  learn  the  strong  sympathies  of  American 
Baptists  with  the  new  Strict  Communion 
Enteiprise  in  Great  Britain.  The  Americana 


are  surprised  at  the  divisbiis  and  deden* 
sions  of  English  churches  throu^  Open 
Communion.  They  say,  "  We  weU  onaer- 
stand  in  this  country,  that  without  strict 
communion,  we  have  no  denomination.  The 
^wth,  influence,  and  integrity  of  Bantasts 
in  America  is  lareely  owing  to  the  fidelity 
with  which  they  nave  guarded  the  Lord's 
table."  And  then  these  Americans  give  us 
the  rod :  they  add :  "  Our  English  brethren 
have  pursued  a  different  course;  and  are, 
as  we  oelieve,  reapins  only  disaster  as  the 
result."  They  are  ^&d,  however,  that  the 
Strict  Brethren  in  England  are  bestirring 
themselves ;  and  most  heartily  bid  them 
God-speed.  But  w^  have  "  English 
brethran  pursued  a  difiterent  course  T*  If 
no  one  will  dare  to  answer  for  them,  w« 
wiU.  After  the  fall,  and  just  before  tho 
flood,  the  Bible  says,  **  there  were  giants  in 
the  earth  in  those  days :"  and  we  may 
write  it  down  here— there  have  been  giants, 
and  there  are  giants  in  our  days :  and  it  is 
these  giants  which  have  broken  down  the 
order  and  the  integrity  of  the  Baptists  in 
their  allegiance  to  the  commandments  of 
their  Sovereign  King.  In  a  long  succes- 
sion of  them,  we  observe  most  fstinctly. 
(1)  Giant  Great  Talent  of  Bristol  and 
Leicester.  (2)  Giant  Worldly-Wealtib, 
of  Contracting  Notoriety.  (3)  Gfiants  Pri- 
mitive, Puritanical  Piety,  and  Oo.  (4) 
Giant  '*  Unprecedented  Popularity,"  ana 
others.  Now,  to  say  these  plants  are  not 
very  good  men,  would  be  wicked.  To  say 
they  are  not  doing  a  great  work,  would  }}e 
worse  still ;  but  to  say  that  they  have  done 
their  utmost  to  break  down  the  bond  of 
Practical  Communion,  is  to  affirm  that 
which  none  can  deny.  Trapp's  comm<»nt 
upon  these  giants  is  curious  enoush.  The 
word  means  "  eartK^prung.^*  "  They  were 
of  the  earth ;  they  spake  of  the  earth ;  and 
the  earth  heard  them."  Is  all  this  true  of 
the  giants  who  are  breaking  down,  and 
breaking  up  our  Strict  Baptist  churches  in 
England  ?  We  eannot  but  fear  so.  There 
are  three  divisions  in  Trapp's  text  I. 
"  They  were  of  the  earth :"  so  with  our 
giants ;  we  are  certain  that  in  aU  their  op- 
position to  New  Testament  Practice,  they 
are  of  the  earth.  Their  souls'  salvation 
may  be  in  Christ;  but  when  men  have 
great  gifts  bestowed  upon  them,  and  they 
use  those  gifts  aoaihst  any  essential  oortion 
of  God's  order  of  things,  we  tremble  for 
them.  II.  Trapp  says,  "  they  spake  of  the 
earth."  From  whence  comes  aU  the  argu- 
ments of  men  against  strict  communion? 
Not  from  hbavxk:  that  is  certain.  Whon 
Richard  Watson  wrote  against  Dr.  Adam 
Clark's  views  respecting  the  Eternal  Son- 
ship,  there  was  one  remark  which  fell  with 
^;reat  weight,  at  the  time,  upon  all  unpre- 
judiced minds.    Watson  wsote  thi&flrolden 

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wBotenee^—'*  Whaterer  doctrine  is  stated  in 
the  Scriptures,  or  is  neoeaaarilj  implied  bj 
its  different  part8»  is  to  be  admiUed,  be 
Uived,  and  hild  fast,  whether  it  corrobo- 
rates or  contradicts  the  notions  which  our 
prerioos  or  collateral  reasonings  had  led  ns 
to  adof^t."  Mn.  Season,  old  Mrs.  Tender- 
heart,  with  Sistara  QnnpramUe,  Compaesiont 
93id,  Strtct^f-VeHeate,  cannot  in  these  days 
of  crinoline  and  lock-stitch  sewing  machines, 
erer  think  it  needful  either  to  go  down  into 
the  water,  or  to  come  up  out  of  it^  as  our 
Saviour  did ;  as  the  Ethiopian  eunuch  did ; 
as  Saul  of  Tarsus  did ;  as  tens  of  thousands 
hare  done.  Naj,  a  much  more  easy  way  of 
admission  into  the  diurch  is  to  lead  them 
pa&t  the  water,  instead  of  taking  them  down 
into  it.  "  They  spake  of  the  earth:"  says 
good  old  Trapp.  To  be  sure  they  do. 
And  then  {Ul\  "The  earth  heard  them! 
Ah !  it  is  earthly  altogether,  although  it  is 
so  finely  arrayed  that  but  few  can  see  the 
earth  at  alL  But  we  ask  one  serious  Ques- 
tion :  "Who  is  it  in  these  days  that  dares 
to  abide  by  the  doctrines,  commandments, 
and  experiences  of  the  New  Testament? 
Principally,  and  almost  only,  the  men  who 
hare  Ijeen  chastened  by  the  law,  enlightened 
by  the  Gospel,  quickened  by  the  Spirit, 
pmoned  by  the  blood,  and  who  have 
made  **  their  calling  and  election  sure."  If 
oar  excellent  brother  Stokes  can  get  these 
men  united  in  his  society,  it  will  adyance ; 
and  like  little  Darid,  he  will  be  more 
than  a  matdi  for  the  giants. 

Hie  Country  Paator'a  Xdfo. 
"  Ray$  ftom  the  Sun  of  Biahteousnees.** 
^K  J.  Silrerton,  Minister  of  Zion  chapel, 
Ghatteris.  This  pamphlet  expresses  Truth 
in  a  sound  and  simple  manner :  unlettered 
seekers  might  learn  something  here.  The 
wisdmn  of  God  is  beautif  ally  seen  in  raising 
up  ministers  fitted  for  certain  conditions  of 
mind.  Between  such  writers  as  E.  J. 
Silrerton  and  Dr.  Guthrie,  there  is  a  wide 
difference  in  the  material  employed,  al* 
though  the  matter  is  the  same.  Mr.  Sil- 
Terion  was  very  useful  in  his  Carlton 
pastorate:  we  hope  in  Chatteris,  he  will 
mnltipfy  and  prosper.  He  succeeds  a  man 
thoronghly  dcTOted  and  laborious.  Joseph 
Wilkins,  mte  of  Chatteris,  has  read,  and  has 
earnestly  soueht  to  follow  the  adrice  ^Ten 
by  Paul  to  Tunothy  touching  the  ministry. 
God  has  helped  and  honomftBd  him;  and 
will,  we  trust,  to  the  end,  let  him  be  settled 
Ikenee&irth  where  he  may.  While  many 
men  donot,  cannot,  will  not,  studysufBciently, 
othos  go  to  the  other  extreme,  and  closet 
tlMBselree  too  doeely ;  and  thereby  often 
deprtre  their  people  and  themselres  of  much 
of  that  Christian  intercourse  so  beneficiaL 
Tks  eooatiy  pastor's  life  is  one  of  the  hap- 


piest pathways  through  this  world ;  if  he 
liyes  with  Christ,  and  for  Christ,  and 
throogh  Christ,  holds  dose  communion 
with  his  Grod,  and  instrumentally  feeds  the 
people's  souls,  while  the  people  carefully 
and  sufficiently  feed  him  and  his.  But, 
if  on  the  minister's  part,  there  be  idle- 
ness and  indifference;  and  if  on  the 
people's  part  there  is  coldness  and  care- 
lessness: so  that  they  muzzle  the  ox, 
and  dishonour  their  profession,  then  is 
the  poor  countir  pastor's  life  embittered 
indeed.  Our  churches  need  a  thorough. 
Scriptural  investigation  and  correction  in 
many  respects  ;  but  while  it  is  possible  for 
a  self-conceited  wire-worm  to  stick  himself 
in  the  pulpit,  and  declare  he  will  preach  if 
onl^  ten  persons  will  hear  him ;  or  while 
it  16  possible  for  a  few  ignorant  and  un- 
charitable men  to  hire  ministers  to  handle 
the  people's  money,  and  break  the  poor 
parson's  heart  as  often  as  they  please  : — 
while  these  things  can  be,  we  have  no  hope 
for  our  churches  generally.  Thank  tne 
Lord,  there  are  happy  exceptions^  but 
generally  speaking  our  ministers'  and 
churches  are  in  bondage. 

The  Press  Oonreotinff  the  Pulpit. 

CkuselFe  lUuetrated  Bunyan.  The  Pil- 
grim^e  Progress.  London :  Cassell,  Petter, 
and  Galpin,  Ludgato  Hill,  E.G.  The  two 
first  ^arts  of  this  noble  memorial  of  the 
genuine  and  rare  talent  of  the  tinker  is  now 
in  our  hands.  Its  printing,  paper,  pic- 
tures, notes,  and  illustrations,  are  all  first- 
rate.  In  fact,  Messrs.  Petter  and  Galpin 
are  doing  more  to  raise  the  letter-press 
printing  to  a  high  state  of  perfection  than 
any  house  in  this,  the  greatest  book-market 
in  all  the  world.  The  countenances  of  the 
different  characters  introduced,  are  full  of 
meaning,  and  express  the  different  phases 
of  the  human  mind  with  a  telling  exact- 
ness which  only  the  most  gifted  artists 
could  produce.  We  earnestly  commend 
this  edition  of  Bunyan's  Pilgrim  as  a  pre- 
sent every  Christian  father  may  make  to 
his  child  with  confidence.  The  plates  of 
themselves  are  worth  ten  times  the  money 
you  give  for  each  part.  Surely  there  is  a 
heavenly  origin  in  the  fact  that  enter- 
prising men  are  now  so  industriously  gar- 
nishing and  ornamenting  this  antique 
Guide-Book  to  the  Happy  City,  as  to  ren- 
der it  exceedingly  attracting  to  all  classes 
and  conditions  of  society.  On  the  book- 
shelves of  the  humble  cottager,  as  well  as 
on  the  table  of  the  Christian  nobleman, 
this  magnificent  edition  of  Pilsrim's  Pro- 
gress wm  be  sure  to  find  its  place.  Thus 
the  press  comes  forward  to  supply  one  great 
deficiency  in  the  pulpit.  Our  preachers 
generally  do  not  enter  carefully^apd  closely 

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B«.I,tttt. 


into  the  deep-wrooght  and  distingnishuig 
features  of  gemiin»  ChiiBtianity.  They 
are  too  specnlatiTe,  aap«rficial,  and  eominon- 
plaee.  Let  110,  then,  get  the  people  to 
read  Old  John  Bunjan^a  PBgrim ;  and  he 
inll  fiaithfiillj  tell  them  the  trath. 

Ur.  Vauffhan'a  Hew  Work. 

Mount  Zion  Pulmi :  or,  The  Three-Fold 
Cord  of  Christian  Doctrine,  Experienee,  and 
Practice.  ^  A  volume  of  twelve  sermonB, 
preached  in  Devon^ort,  by  Rev.  J.  Vaughan. 
Ihiblished  by  Pitman.  Patemo»ter-row ; 
and  printed  in  Devenport,  by  John  B.  H. 
Spiy.  Whatever  mistakes  Mr.  Vaughan 
may  have  made  respecting  ordinances,  we 
do  not  think  he  has  made  any  in  his  devel- 
opment of  the  doctrine  system  of  the  Gospel 
of  the  srace  of  God.  We  believe  the  Loid 
made  the  late  Mr.  Irons*  ministry  useful 
to  Mr.  Vaughan  ;  and  in  that  schooli  if  wo 
may  so  spes^,  he  is  most  at  home.  As  re- 
gards quality  and  quantity,  this  is  an  ex- 
ceedingiy  cheap  book.  Here  are  twelve 
sermons  "  on  most  important  subjects :" 
each  sermon  occupies  nearly  sixteen  crown 
octavo  pages,  and  is  evidently  printed  from  a 
careftilly  prepared  manuscript.  And  then 
the  whole  are  bound  together  in  clodi,  snd 
lettered,  for  twenty  pence ;  but  the  pa]>er 
and  the  print  are  so  inferior  that,  it  quite 
grieves  us.  Little  country  printers  under- 
take to  print  books  at  a  very  low  figure. 
Ministers  are  caught  in  the  trap ;  and  their 
woriu  are  literal^  spoiled.  Mr.  Vaughan 
has  evidently  bestowed  great  pains  in  the 
preparation  of  these  discourses ;  and  if  the 
printing  had  been  as  good  as  the  matter, 
it  would  have  made  a  handsome  and  a 
wholesome  volume.  The  Lord  can,  and 
we  hope  He  may  ^notwithstanding  this  de- 
fect), abundantly  bless  the  production. 

The  Wron«r  Soad. 
"  Right,  or  Wrong,  Which  V*  A  Sermon 
by  W.  Parks,  B.A.,  Rector  of  Openshaw. 
I^lbli6hed  by  David  Kelly  (one  penny). 
It  is  a  very  hard  thing  to  be  obhged  to 
believe  that  in  the  professedly  Christian 
churches  of  our  land  there  is  so  much 
chaff,  and  vain  conceit,  that  it  is  almost  im- 
possible to  make  out  what  is  really  right 
from  all  that  is  deceivingly  wroajg.  A 
strong  discriminating  te^imony  of  this 
character,  therefore,  is  like  a  bright  star 
well  known  to  the  mariner  in  'a  du4c  tem- 
pestuous night.  We  have  been  sailing  over 
rough  seas,  with  threatening  clouds  a-head, 
and  have  often  feared  we  should  sink  never 
to  rise  or  reign  where  Jesus  is.  All  our 
way  has  appeared  to  be  torong^  while 
storms  and  tempests  have  rolled  over  our 
heads.  How  gladly,  then,  have  we  received 
this  truth-speaking  sermon  of  Mr.  Parka' : 


and  ftcm  pure  low  to  iamiortal  sonls,  we 
would  invite  all  oppoeera  to  sovereign  gnes 
to  read  it  earefnliy  thrwngh.  If  we  cannot 
get  eo^ee  for  ciiemLatioii  ia  London,  we 
ahell  give  extracta  in  GHnania  Words  and 
EAmnoii  Vbbwl.  Mr.  Paxks  does  take 
ibrth  the  preeiooa  firona  the  vile,  with  a 
powerfal  hand,  and  with  few  words. 

Wlieaa  will  onv  Conuatry  AwakeP 
"Slaverjf  tmd  the  Ameriemt  War.**  By 
Rer.  Marmaduke  Miller.  To  be  had  of 
Bremner  and  Pitman.  This  fonr^nny 
pamphlet  gives  you  the  American  history 
and  the  Slave  question  in  clear,  concise,  ana 
faitb&l  tenne.  Mr.  Miller  says:  **I  hold 
that  slavery  ia  at  the  root  of  the  civil  war 
now  raging  in  America;  and  that  this 
cursed  evil  is  both  the  cause  and  the 
occasion  of  the  <juarrel."  We  ask,  how  ia 
it  Christian  ministers,  chnrehee  and  people 
in  England  have  been  so  lukewarm  in  this 
great  calamity?  Chari^  to  the  sel^riiig 
poor  in  Lancashire  has  oeen  bountiful  in- 
deed ;  but  earnest^  united  prayers  in  God 
to  arreet  the  progreee  of  the  foe,  and  to 
overturn  the  thrend  of  cruelty  and  ini^ty, 
have  been  lacking.  What  doee  this  mean  ? 
If  we,  in  any  measure,  secretly  connive  pt 
the  continuance  of  a  barbarism  so  at  va- 
riance with  the  glorious  march  of  civilisa- 
tion and  of  a  professed  erangeb'cation  to^ 
we  shall  certainly  have  tke  rod  much 
heavier  yet.  Many  of  its  strokes  hav^ 
been  severe,  of  hite.  When  will  oor 
country  awake? 

Words  for  Fftthars,  (Miothmva,  and 

**A  BwuOe  of  Myrrh.  A  gift  Book  for 
SMtath  JSehooU,"  By  SeBrjamin  Taylor, 
Ikfinister  of  Pulham  chapel,  Korfollu 
London :  J.  Paul  (40  pp.  fonxpenee).  Bofe 
few  men  can  either  tpnk  to,  or  write  lor, 
children,  so  as  to  engage  and  edify  them. 
Tendemese  of  feeling,  sweetoees  of  anectioor 
with  much  patience,  and  a  smted  propriety, 
are  indispensable  in  the  man  who  is  to 
&8ten  upon  the  minds  of  children,  and  lead 
them  on  to  sacred  and  holy  themes.  Beo* 
jamin  Taylor  ia  a  loving  fiither,  a  devoted 
minister,  a  truthful  and  GtxL-fearing  Christ 
tian  man,  and  in  this  little  mannal,  he  haa 
addressed  to  Others,  mothers,  teadiezs, 
and  children,  such  words,  waniin|;8,  exhort* 
ations,  encouragements,  and  interesting 
tales,  as  will  be  gkdly  reeeived  by 
thouaaada.  We  heartily  desire  our  excel- 
lent brother  may  enjoy  a  rich  reeompensa 
in  this  new  literary  department,  on 
whieh  with  so  mneh  pleasantness  and  evi- 
dent purity  of  motive  and  mannar  he  haa 
now  entered. 

Sermons  bg  Dr.  J3fff.— Br.  T.  G.BoUhaa 

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221 


ben  OTppl^ing'  the  pulpit  st  Beresford 
Chapel,  aaiing  the  absence  of  Mr.  lin- 
eoin.  Two  or  three  of  iua  sennonB  haye 
heea  pvfaliriied  by  J.  Pinl,  in  "  7%«  Pmi^ 
Psipit.'*  The  first  is  entitled,  *'  The  Qi.ort 
GnrKi" — the  second,  •*  TjmroB  to  Comb" — 
the  third,  *'  Timbs  ov  BEsnTVnox.'*  Many 
Christian  people  may  not  be  prepared  to 
endorse  all  the  Doctor's  vievs ;  but  in  thege 
lectures  there  is  so  mneh  freshneas,  origin* 
ality,  plan,  oot-epoken,  and  cheering  anti- 
cipations of  the  ftitnre,  inth  solemn  and 
£&ithfnl  notes  of  wholesome  warning,  that 
we  most  heafrtily  wish  them  an  extensive 
reading;  assored  that  they  will  gladden 
many  a  pilgrim's  heart,  while  loma  carelos» 
onca  mar  &  axoosed. 

'*RH8sia,  Poland^  and  the  Jesteits;  or, 
the  Roman  CathoUe  Ckmspiracy  agmnst  the 
L^MTty  ^  Europe  Escamitud.'*  By  J.  H. 
Elliott.  London:  &.  J.  SteTenson.  The 
de9c4atine  and  deceptive  straggles  of  the 
old  Popish  "  Peat  of  aU  Countries"  are  here 
openao  by  a  ta.lent«d  and  experienced  mind. 
We  realryr  tremble  for  the  gloomy  fatnre 
of  Borope. 

'*  Tie  Sower^-^-tmd  "  T%e  LUOe  Gleaner. " 
— ^Koth  edited  by  Septimus  Sears, — con- 
tinue worthy  of  the  notice  of  real  Christians. 
Thtf  press,  the  pnlpit,  and  the  platfarm, 
are  all  increasing  and  multiplying  in  effort 


to  warn  the  wicked,  and  to  confirm  the 
righteous.  It  is  a  day  of  great  doing  on 
man's  part;  a  glorious  harvest  will,  ere 
long,  be  gathered  in. 

"  The  Divine  Renewal^ — An  Address  by 
T.  W.  Cole,  Home  Missionary,  at  Kugby. 
This  neat  little  twopenny  book  is  another 
witness  to  the  fact  that  many  of  our  mis- 
sionaries know,  and  are  not  afraid  to  pub- 
lish, TUB  Tbdth.  Mr.  Cole  is  evidently 
well  read  in  nature,  and  sweetly  exercised 
in  grace.  This  lecture — "  The  Divine  Re- 
newaV — is  chaste,  clear,  and  experimental, 
worthy  to  be  presented  as  well  to  the  most 
exalted  and  refined  as  to  the  humblest 
cottager  in  the  land. 

**  The  Gardener'e  Weekly  Magazine,  and 
Floricultiiral  Cabinet'^  Conducted  by 
Shirley  Hibberd,  Esq.  Published  by  Allen. 
20,  Warwick-lane.  Illustrations  useful  and 
pretty — original  papers  eo  familiar  and 
beautifully  written,  as  to  be  quite  refresh- 
ing—and reports  and  directions  enough  to 
give  a  complete  review  of  the  Fruit,  Flower, 
and  Vegetable  Kingdom  every  week  for  one 
penny.  In  every  village  in  the  United 
Kingdom  some  clever  fellow  should  con- 
vene his  neighbours  together  one  evening 
in  the  week,  and  read  to  them  tliis  Gar- 
dener's Magazine.  It  would  do  them 
good. 


3nt^Ui0ettii$  ][rom  aui[  (l^htti[th^s»  \Mx  ^asiotts  and  ^ea]|t«. 

8T7BBB7  TABBKITACZiE    FOS   KB.   JAKB8   WBZiLS. 


Or  Monday  evening,  August  10th,  a  laroe  and 
infloentiml  poblio  meeting  was  holden  m  Mr. 
WellA*  chapel,  the  SunevTPabernacle,  Borough- 
road,  ne  object  in  calliog  the  meeting  was  to 
ensisider  the  best  ooiirse  tliat  could  be  adopted 
for  the  acoaoimodation,  conrenienoe,  and  comfort 
of  the  large  body  of  ^rsona  who  still  euntiuue 
to  meet  to  listen  to  tnie  Gospel  as  pnxslairacd  by 
Xr.  Well*.  The  matter  was  an  important  one ; 
and  on  the  previous  Lord'a-day,  Mr.  Wells  asked 
the  friends  to  pre  the  subject  their  deliberate 
and  pn^erfbl  consideration.  The  oircumstances 
SfriBg  nse  to  this  movement  are  as  follow :  -The 
present  chapel  has  Iwen  erected  now  about  25 
>'ean;  it  has  sereral  timea  been  enlarged, and  addi- 
tional ijalleryaooommodation  has  also  been  made. 
The  p&oe  is  held  under  lease  from  tlie  city  of 
Loadoa;  and  the  leaae  baa  about  nine  years  only 
onezpifvL  At  difP^rent  times,  laroe  sums  of 
money  have  been  expended  on  theplaoe  ;  and  it 


t  a  very  snrloas  matter  with  the  offlfeni 
of  tkc  ehvxtdi,  whether  they  wonM  be  justified 
in  a^in  asking  the  IHends  to  contribute  a  ftirther 
sad  maaii  Ui^ger  aatount  than  befbie.  for  incrras- 
iaf  the  pio^rty  of  which  they  held  but  so  few 
yaanaertaiD  poweasioo*  Further  than  thia,  tlie 
INMiuui  cncaemeata  had  been  more  easily  at- 
lamiOitu  and  had  beeo  aceDmpUshod  at  an  ex- 
panse that  waa  coavneneumle  with  the  iar^e 
•dditianal  scat  acoommodaUon  provided.  Now 
the  position  of  affairs  was  altered.  All  the 
eisily  amflUbla  apaee  had  teen  made  use.  of,  and 
«iU  mote  was  wanted  ;  and  the  question  airose, 
vhat  plan  ooolfi  now  be  adopted— what  was  the 
SKist  adriaable  oonrae  to  pursue  ?    If  the  i)repcnt 


chapel  was  to  be  enlarged,  the  only  plan  upon 
which  that  oould  be  done  would  involve  an  out- 
lay of  some  jCTOOO.  But  supposing  this  UriB^e  sum  . 
was  expended,  the  place  tlien  would  be  so  ill* 
shaped  and  irregular,  that  it  was  questionable 
whether  the  extra  room  so  provided  would  be 
acceptable  to  the  friends.  But  there  is  another 
objection,  as  we  see,  to  the  enlargement  of  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle,— and  to  us  an  objection  that 
ought  at  onco  to  settle  the  question  in  the  mind 
of  every  friend  to  the  cau8e,~it  is  the  wry  thort 
Urm  <As  Ua§e  has  now  to  run.  It  may  be  suggested 
that  the  lease  might  be  renewed.  FerriHos  xt 
could,  but  of  this  there  is  no  certainty ;  till  the 
present  lease  is  expired,  no  question  can  be 
raised  as  to  a  new  one.  And  should  the  city  be 
pleased  to  grant  a  new  lease,  it  would  be  upon 
very  different  terms  to  the  present:  the  plaoe 
would  be  surveyed  by  t4ieir  Surveyor,  and  in  pro- 
portion as  ifou  had  increase<l  the  value  of  their 
property,  so  would  thejf  increase  the  terms  on 
which  a  new  lease  would  be  granted  to  you.  In 
fact,  to  expend  seven  or  eight  thousand  pounds 
on  the  prestmt  plaee  would,  it  appears  to  us,  be 
gathering  money  for  an  object  certainly  not 
justiflablct  and  we  could  not  oonscientiuusly  ask 
the  friends  to  subscribe  one  &rthing  to  such 
folly.  For  such  a  large  congregation,  nioi«  ao> 
commodation,  and  much  better  ventilation  must 
be  had,  or  wo  feel  persuaded  the  cause  will  suffer. 
We  could  mention  at  this  time,  a  number  of 
friends,  who  are  only  too  anxious  to  sit  under 
Mr.  Wells'  odministmUona,  but  they  cannot  en- 
dure tlw  "standing  process,'*  and  then  the  beat 
of  flu   ill- ventilated  building.    f^z-JKofp^ 


222 


TAB  BABTBSN  TSSdBL. 


Sep.  1,UM. 


other  obatruokions  to  the  piomtB  of  the  oftiue  be 
removed  as  speedily  as  poniDle;  and  if  room  it 
provided,  a  congreitiAon  doubling  the  number  of 
the  present  one  wiU  be  gathered.  And  we  think 
it  win  be  no  small  honour  to  any  body  of  gentle- 
men, to  be  the  instruments  of  givmg  to  the 
Strict  Baptist  body  such  a  building  as  we  antici- 
pate shortly  will  be  raised.  We  therefore  hope— 
and  believe— that  the  way  is  now  perfectly  piain. 
and  the  pathway  clear,  for  Mr.  Wells  and  his  host 
of  friends  to  proceed  eneigetically  with  such  a 
great  and  important  work.  Some  have  thought 
tms  should  have  been  seen  to  before.  To  this  we 
make  no  reply  but,  "better  late  than  never;"  and 
take  it  as  one  of  the  most  forcible  arguments  why 
the  work  should  new  be  prosecuted  with  imcnaaea 
viaour. 

iBut  we  return  to  the  report  of  the  meeting. 

Mr.  Wells  presided,  ana  was  surrounded  by  his 
deacons.  The  proceedings  were  commenced  with 
singing;  and  the  pastor,  with  much  apparent 
liberty,  earnestly  asked  the  Lord  to  direot  them 
in  their  deliberations  upon  so  important  a  mat- 
ter. The  Chairman  then  introduced  the  subject, 
noticing  that  for  upwards  of  thirty  years  the 
Lord  had  wonderfully  blessed  the  preaching  of 
His  word  on  that  ground,  and  there  was  much 
cause  for  gratitude.  Two  things  were  before 
them,  one  very  pleasant,  and  one  very  unpleasant : 
the  pleasant  one  was  thia,  that  they  wanted  more 
room ;  the  unpleasant  one  was,  they  did  not  know 
how  to  get  It.  Mr.  Wells  then  laid  before  the 
friends  in  a  plain  manner  the  exact  position  they 
were  io,  and  expressed  a  wish  that  the  fHends 
there  sathered  snould  by  their  own  voice  and  act, 


the  propoiad  new  ehapel.  He  had  conridanble 
experience  in  theee  matters,  and  stiongly  advo- 
cated the  weekly  subscription  (pUn :  it  was  by 
this  means  that  the  greater  part  of  the  moocr 
was  ndaed  for  Zion  ehapel  in  the  Waterk)o-road. 
He  hoped  the  same  oourse  would  be  adopted 
here;  he  should  be  happy  to  subscribe  One 
Guinea  per  week  for  twelve  months ;  and  he  sug- 
gested that  a  Building  Fund  Committee  be  at 
once  formed. 

Mr.  Edwabd  Butt  (deacon)  in  a  speech  of 
some  length,  reviewed  the  course  of  the  chnrofa 
for  many  years  past— noticing  the  great  blessing 
the  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  make  their  psstor; 
the  good  that  had  been  accompUshed;  the  large 
numbers  that  had  been  gathered:  and  the  many 
souls  to  whom  the  word  had  been  made  a  con- 
vindng  word.  These  were  pleasing  reminiseences 
to  look  upon  as  tokens  of  the  Loin's  goodness  in 
times  past,  and  encouragement  topress forward 
in  the  good  cause,  beUe^g  that  His  who  has  so 
wonderfully  blessed  will  sttll  oontinne  to  water 
us  with  showers  of  His  Holy  Spirit.  It  was  no 
small  mercy  that  Mr.  WelliTs  health  appeared  so 
good ;  and  the  cause  he  believed  was  never  in  a 
better  state  than  at  the  present;  all  the  seats  me 
let,  and  a  kind,  loving  feeling  pervaded  theminds 
of  the  people.  Mr.  Butt  then  read  some  letters 
that  had  been  received  flrom  dilRaent  persons 
urging  the  necessity  of  action  being  at  once  t&koi 
in  the  matter.  One  correspondent  most  emphst- 
ically  declaring  not  one  farthing  would  he  give 
towards  enlar^g  thepresent  place ;  but  if  «ne^ 
chapd  was  erected,  he  woufd  do  his  utmost 
towards  it.  Mr.  Butt  reminded  the  friends  that 
it  was  a  very  heavy  and  important  undertakmg : 
and  one  that  would  require  much  Ubour  ana 
perseverance.     Ten  thousand  pounds,  at  leasl^ 


say  what  course  seemed  best  to  adopt ;  to  accom- 
plish this,  he  should  put  throe  propositions  be- 
fore them,  and  take  the  sense  of^the  meeting  on    ^ ^ . 

each.  First—**  Considering  the  short  term  of  |  would  be  required  for  such  a  chapel  as  they  pro- 
their  lease,  the  great  expense  that  would  be  in-    poeed  to  erect 

curred,(atleast£7000),and  the  then  inconvenient,  I  The  subject  was  then  spoken  to  by  Messrs. 
irregular,  and  imsightly  form  of  the  building,  is  Lawrence,  Bdwards,  J.  Beach,  Heam,  rike,  and 
it  expedient  and  Judicious  to  enlarge  the  present  several  others,  and  as  the  spirit  of  the  meeting, 
chapel  ?"  To  this,  the  whole  of  the  large  meet-  '  and  the  speeches  of  all,  were  opposed  to  more 
ing  said,  "  No."  The  next  proposition  was  re-  being  spent  on  the  present  plaoa.  the  sul^ject  wss 
specting  the  house  In  the  front,  whether  it  brought  to  issue  by  Mr.  Edwara  Butt  proposing 
was  advisable  to  obtain  p3ssession  of  one.  the  Allowing  resolution:  **That  it  is  expedient 
house  and  shop,  and  thus  open  and  widen  and  desirous,  as  the  Lord  has  so  abundantly  pros- 
the  entrance  to  the  chapel ;  but  the  meeting  pered  the  work  in  our  midst,  that  a  lane  and 
quickly  disposed  of  that,  by  voting  against  such  ,  more  convenient  chapel  ahould  be  erected;  and 
a  oourse.  The  last  proposition  was  then  put—  that  a  Building  Committee  be  now  formed  for 
**  Is  it  advisable  to  entertain  the  subject  of  a  new  that  purpose.**  The  resolution  was  seconded  by 
chapel  f^  and  to  this  the  meeting  unanimously  ]£r.  Carr.  and  carried  unanimously  by  the  meet- 
said,  "Yes.**    The  Chairman  then  invited  the    lag. 

friends  to  discuss  the  matter  freely,  and  give  A  Building  Committee  was  then  appointed,  and 
their  views  respecting  the  proposition  now  befure  a  subscription  commenced  which  reached  up- 
them.  I  wards  of  a  thousand  pounds  before  the  do^e  of 

Mr.  Cabb  (deacon)  very  warmly  supported  and  the  meeting, 
advocated  the  proposal  to  erect  a  new  and  sub-  Mr.  Wells  expressed  the  pleasure  he  felt  in 
stantial  chapel.  The  amount  required  could  finding  the  friends  so  united  and  of  one  mind  in 
quickly  be  raised;  and  he  suggested  a  plan  where-  the  matter;  it  had  certainly  been  one  of  the 
by  in  two  years  upwards  of  £5,000  might  be  warmest  and  best  roeetingsiie  ever  remembered 
raised  by  weeklv  contributions ;  and  to  shew  he  attending  in  the  Tabernacle;  and  he  believed  the 
ha  I  faith  in  such  a  plan,  he  should  put  himself   Lord's  blessing  would  attend  the  undertaking. 


down  as  a  contributor  of  £1  per  week  for  two 
vears.  He  hoped  and  felt  penuaded  many  would 
oe  foimd  following  in  the  same  course. 

Mr.  BoBEBT  WiLKlw  said— My  dear  Pastor,  it 
is  now  upwards  of  thirty  yean  ago  that  the  Lord 
was  pleased  to  direct  my  steps  to  listen  to  your 
▼oioe.  From  that  day  till  now  I  have  been 
favoured  to  walk  in  much  love  and  union  with 
thispeo] 
the  buiU 
ever  possessed 

Tested  in  a  share  to  build  the  Survey  Taberaade. 
Since  then,  sir,  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to 
prosper  me;  and  if  it  is  dedded  to  build  a  new 
chapel— which  I  hope  will  be  the  case— I  shall 
only  fed  too  happy  to  give  towards  that  object 
ten  times  as  much  as  I  first  invested  in  this 


.V.U  •  jlessmg  V  wuu<»  ,....«^«. ...«. .~. o- 

The  meeting  was  then  closed  with  singing  and 
prayer. 

SUBBST  TABEBITACLB  8UMDAY  SCHOOL. 

TO  THE  XDITOB. 

Deab  Editob,— Now  that  Mr.  Wells^s  Church 
have  dedded  to  erect  a  New  Tabemade,  will  it 


Mr.  Wilkin  then  gave  his  name  for  £100. 
Tbomas  Pocoox,  Esq.,  in  his  fkmiliar  way, 


new  place.  As  I  did  not  hear  the  subject  i 
tiooed  at  the  meeting,  will  you  give  those  m 
authority,  the  hint  tn  the  kind  way  which  the 
Ybbbkl  Bditor  can  do;  and  so  serve  many,  and 
yotti'8  truly. 

Ah  ilioHTUV  YsABf  Yxffsi.  Bxadxs. 
London,  August  17th,  IBM. 


•poke  of  the  great  pleasure  he  fdt  in  hearing  d  [To  the  already  numerous  warkiog  bodies  ooa<- 

/  Google 


Digitized  by  ^ 


Sqkl,  1863. 


THS  EABTH&N  yBSSBL. 


223 


McCad  with  tlie  Boncy  Tabemudie,  m  boUeve 
Ur.  WeUs  and  his  friends  wiU  add  ft  iloiiriahing 
day  and  Sunday  Mihool  too.  We  have  read  Mr. 
Wtila'a  aennon  entitled,  '*Tbe  Hope  of  a  New 
Chapel  and  of  a  Better  Worid;**  from  whence  it 
leared  to  oa  that  the  house  iasnre  tobeboilt 
i  pastor  has  taken  a  new  suit  of  armour- 
feels  nimaelf  girt  up  with  new  strength— has 
taken  the  sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Gideon- 
has  mounted  the  white  hone  of  riotoiy— and 
is,  by  fidtb,  ffoing  forth  eonqoering  and  to 
oonqoer :  it  wul  be  a  glorious  olimaz  to  a  long 
liJe  of  devoted  service  in  the  oaose  of  truth,  to 
stand  presently  in  a  large,  substantial,  freehold 
tabetnaele,  and  preaching  Chbi8T*8  Gospel  to 
many  thousands  until  some  twenty  or  twenty- 
five  more  years  shall  have  rolled  aver  his  head, 
and  after  having  seen  all  his  companions  in  the 
field  of  truth  pass  home  before  nim.  lie  down 
at  length  in  the  sweet  realization  of  that  rich 
duster  of  promises  in  the  91st  Psalm—"  Be- 
eanae  He  hiath  set  Hit  love  upon  me,  therefore 
will  X  deliver  him.  I  will  set  him  <m  high, 
because  he  hath  known  Hy  name.  He  shall 
call  upon  He,  and  I  wOl  answer  him.  I  will 
be  with  him  in  trouble.  I  will  deliver  him, 
•ad  boooor  him.  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy 
him,  and  shew  him  my  salvation.**  Although 
we  oannot  follow  Mr.  Wells  in  every  thing, 
still,  we  know  there  are  comparatively  few  can 
aympeUiise  more  entirely  in  thegenerality  of 
his  ministry  than  ourselves.  We  shall  anzi- 
onaly — ire  nope  prayerfully— watch  his  on- 
wara  promss:  albeit,  as  regards  the  happy 
iasoc^  we  DAve  neither  fear  nor  doubt  We 
have  for  years  seen  James  Wells  among  the 
very,  very,  very  fbw  men  who  manifestiy  stand 
in  Psafan  L  *•  And  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall 
**  We  have  enjoyed  ourselves  in  writ- 
littie  note  to  our  correspondent's  re- 
;  and  only  aak  our  brother  James  If  he 
not  begin  to  think,  with  all  this  chapel 
building,  that  the  Millennium  is  really  near  at 
andf-fo.] 


VOBTH  BOW.— Veiy  intereating,  pleasing, 
snd  profitable  services  were  holden  in  Bethel 
dmpel.  Old  IVml  (dose  to  Victoria-park),  on 
BaiMlaT  and  Monday,  August  l((th  and  ITtb,  to 
mark  the  eovnpletion  of  the  ted  year  since  the 
IbnnaiMm  of  the  church.  The  sermons  on  Sun- 
dqr  vers  preaehed  by  Charles  Waters  Banks. 
They  were  listened  to  with  the  deepest  Interest 
and  diankiy«d  a  depth  of  mind  in  Biblical  and 
Mirilnal  aoti^feets  of  an  unusual  character.  The 
attend sncc  was  excdlent;  at  niffht,  numbers 
wen  onable  to  gain  admittance.  On  the  follow- 
ing Monday  afternoon,  Mr.  John  Brunt,  of  Coln- 
biook.  deuvered  a  solemn,  powerful,  soul- 
elevatuicdiseonrse  IVom  the  words  in  Bevelation 
jcxiv:  '*Thflrv  sung,  as  it  were,  a  new  song  before 
the  throne.*'  The  preacher  enlarged  upon  the 
efaaiaoteristics  of  the  singers.  1st.  They  are 
wfthont  fault  befine  the  wrone.  Snd.  In  their 
mooth  was  found  no  guile.  8rd.  They  are  re- 
deemed from  among  men.  4th.  They  are  they 
which  follow  the  Lamb.  5th.  They  are  not  de- 
filed with  women.  These  several  characteristics 
were  eweetly  dwdt  upon  b3'  the  preacher ;  and  fn 
the  3nd  division  of  the  sutijee^  we  had  some 
happy  tJiougfats  on  the  potMon  of  these  singers 
— **  befiwe  ue  throne."  The  senncn  was  one  ot 
thoaght,  and  the  congregation  were  thankful  for 
so  ezodlent  an  ofmortunity.  A  large  number 
then  took  tea  tooether ;  and  in  the  evening,  the 
pteoe  was  crowaed,  when  a  public  meeting  was 
hotdoD.  Mr.  C.  W.  Banks  took  the  chair,  and 
the  service  was  opened  with  singing  andpnyer. 
Mr.  EdinborougfeL  the  Secretary  of^he  Church, 
read  a  report  of  the  progress  the  cause  had 
made  shiee  their  present  minister  had  been  with 
;  the  statement  was  cheering,  and  was  wel- 
1  by  tiie  firiends  very  warmly.  Mr.  Banks 
a  few  dbiervatioos  respecting  his  own 


^BguSs 

ooesi 


fiedings  in  the  place— he  had  there  enjoyed  seme 
of  the  nappiestand  holiest  sessons  in  ministering 
the  Word  of  Life  that  he  ever  remembered  during 
the  thirty  years  he  had  been  emplojred  in  the 
work.  He  nad  experienced  such  seasons  of  re- 
freshing from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  that  be 
had  not  known  for  years.  The  word,  so  spoken, 
as  the  report  stated,  had  been  much  bfesMd; 
numbers  bad  been  gathered,  snd  the  approval  of 
heaven  appeared  to  be  resting  on  them.  The 
friends  were  then  addressed  by  Mr.  Webster, 
who  rose  with  much  pleasure,  and  was  glad  to 
witness  such  a  large  gathering ;  it  was  the  largest 
he  had  seen  there,  and  this  was  certainly  a  good 
si^  of  progress.  Mr.  Thomas  Jones  followed 
with  some  very  excellent  remarks  on  "  Christ  as 
the  Branch  and  Builder  of  the  Temple.*'  Mr. 
Jones  was  followed  by  young  Mr.  StricketL  of 
Dartford.  who  ga^-e  some  thoughts  upon  Cap- 
tivity, Deliverance,  Habitation,  and  Employ- 
ment;" his  subject  being  the  men  who  had 
come  from  the  captivity.  Mr.  W.  Webb,  before 
speaking  to  his  suDject,  said  his  union  with  their 
pastor  was  a  spiritiuU  union.  It  was  many  years 
ago  that  he  first  heard  Mr.  Banks  speak  from  the 
words.  "The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of 
a  broken  and  contrite  heart.**  It  was  at  the 
late  William  Allen's  chapel ;  and  the  Lord,  by 
those  words  caused  such  an  union  of  soul  to 
spring  up  that  he  knew  no  drcumstances  would 
ever  separate.  Mr.  W.  Webb  then  spoke  of 
Christ's  crowns.  His  brother  George  followed 
with  an  address,  both  short,  sweet,  and  savoury, 
but  right  hot  from  his  heart.  After  this,  1^. 
Mesier,  for  about  twenty  minutes,  thrilled  us 
with  an  address  of  much  wdght.  Mr.  Dyer,  of 
Walworth,  expressed  his  pleasure  at  seeing  nis 
brother  in  the  chair  so  well  supported ;  and  nope 
yet  to  see  him  brought  out  into  a  wealthy  place. 
A  few  words  from  Mr.  Banks,  the  doxology 
was  sung,  and  prayer  brought  to  a  dose  one  of 
the  happiest  and  the  largest  meetings  vfc  have 
ever  atui  the  pleasure  of  attending  at  this 
place.  B. 


FSESSINOFIBLD.— The  anniversary  6f 
the  Baptist  Chapel  at  Fressingfield  was  held  on 
Tuesday.  July  28th.  Mr.  Pegg,  of  Claxton, 
preached  a  sound,  experimental  sermon  from  the 
third  verse  of  the  28rd  chapter  of  Job,  "  O  that 
I  knew  where  I  might  fina  HiuK**  ftc,  in  the 
afternoon  to  a  goodly  number  of  hearers.  An 
excdlent  tea  was  provided  at  5.30,  when  160  sat 
down,  who  all  seemed  to  ez^oy  themselves,  every 
one*s  aim  seeming  to  be  to  ao  all  they  could  to 

f>reserve  the  harmony  of  the  meeting.  Mr.  Tay- 
or,  of  Pulham,  had  promised  to  preach  in  the 
evening,  but  was  too  poorly  to  meet  with  us.  Mr. 
Pcgg  therefore  preactied  to  us  again ;  his  text 
was  the  17th  verse  of  the  2nd  chapter  of  Revela- 
tion, from  which  he  delivered  a  sermon,  illustrat- 


ing  the  awful  degeneracy  of  Asiatic  churches<^  as 
being  a  warning  to  all ;  the  hidden  manna  as 
bdng  the  bread  of  life  laid  up  in  the  ark,  Christ 
Jesus ;  and  shewing  that  the  white  stone  repre- 
sented the  discharge  of  the  sinner  from  all  the 
charges  of  the  law  of  God.  The  call  for  contri- 
butions towards  the  reduction  of  chapel  debt  was 
heartily  and  liberally  responded  to.  On  Simday, 
August  Ist,  two  males  were  baptised  on  a  pro- 
fMon  of  their  fiilth,  bv  Mr.  J.  regg.  the  ordin- 
ance being  administered  in  a  crpwded  congrega- 
tion, and  amid  the  most  profound  silence 


ST.  NEOT*S,  HTTNTS. -Friday,  July 
17th,  the  annual  harvest  prayer-meetmg  vras 
held;  several  members  presented  solemn  peti- 
tions. The  venerable  pastor  (Mr.  Murrell)  gave 
an  admirable  address :  in  the  evening  our  brother 
Fells,  of  8oho  chapel,  London,  preached  the 
Gospel  wdl.  Mr.  Fdls  also  preached  three 
sermons  to  large  congregations  on  the  following 
Lord's  day. 


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flep.  1,  IMS. 


THE  OBDBB  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CH17B0H 


OOLERAINS,   IBELAND.  ~  The  re- 

Bouroes  of  the  remdent  Bai>tists  at  Coleraine  ap- 
pear to  be  more  adoQuate  to  the  mainteoanoe  of 
worehip  without  foreign  aid,  than  in  any  other 
town  of  Ulster.  Tliey  possess  a  place  of  worship 
which  would  contain  aw  hearers.  I  worshipped 
with  them  on  Lord*s-day,  Aug.  29th.  Our  exer- 
cises commenced  with  a  Psilm  out  of  the  Scotch 
metrical  versioa,  which,  unoonth  as  its  contents 
sound  to  an  English  ear,  appears  to  be  almost  the 
only  hymn  book  in  use  in  this  province.  I 
praj'ed,  read  a  chapter,  end  preached  ;  and  then, 
in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  officers, 
after  pni3'er  hod  been  offered  by  a  brother,  I  pre- 
sided at  the  Lord's  table.  At  the  close  of  this 
senrioe,  one  of  the  deacons  announced  that  now 
theie  was  opportunity  for  mutual  exhorfeation. 
A  young  man  who  was  sitting  at  a  distance  from 
the  table,  then  arose,  read  a  text,  and  delivered  a 
discourse  of  considerable  length.  It  difibved 
nothinff  from  what  we  call  a  sermon,  except  in 
tliis,  that  the  speaker  stood  on  the  floor  in  the 
midst  of  his  hearers,  but  it  was  technically  dis- 
tinffuished  by  our  friends  as  an  **  exhortation,*' 
and  was  regarded  as  the  fulfllraent  of  an  express 
apostolic  injunction,  contained  iii  two  or  three. 


OrrS  BQAS>.~JiRZH  Chapel,  'Bast  Boad. 
FVitlier  JoBes*8  Sunday  school  annual  treat  was 
held  Tuesday,  Aueust  4th.  Tiie  children  were 
sened  with  frnit  at  three  oMoek,  and  after  they 
had  partaken  of  eake  and  tea,  they  withdrew  to 
the  gallery  and  sang  their  pieces  while  ttie  pa- 
rents and  iriends  took  tea;  idter  which  the 
children  were  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  ^lapel, 
with  their  relati^-es  and  friends  present,  while  a 


lesson  was  giren  them  by  Vr.  W.  Hawkins  on 
the  '* Childhood  of  Hoses?'  which  seemed  verj' 
much  to  delight  them ;  wnlle  the  **chiHi«eB  of  a 


pa.4SBges  which  they  quoted,  particularly  that  in 
the  Epistle  to  the  hebrews,  *Mjet  us  consider  one 
another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  to  good  works, 
not  fonakingthe  awembllng  of  ourselves  together 
as  the  manner  of  some  is,  but  exhorting  one 
another,  and  so  mnch  the  more  as  ye  see  the  day 
approaching."  It  seemed  to  me  to  be  unseaaon- 
able,  as  we  nad  been  in  the  place  more  than  two 
hours  when  it  commenced,  and  as.  having  no  de- 
pendence on  what  preceded,  it  introdnced  a  new 
train  of  thonghti  and  tended  to  obliterate  what- 
ever impression  had  previously  been  made;  but 
there  was  not  anything  objectionable  in  the  senti- 
ments advanced.  I  suggested  afterwards,  in 
private  conversation,  that  it  would  have  l^een 
very  suitable  on  a  week-day  evening ;  but  I  was 
tola  tliat  they  liad  no  week-evening  service,  no 
pra3'er  meetmg  even,  either  in  Om  week  or  on 
the  Sabbath.  The  speaker,  I  found,  did  not  be- 
long to  Coleraine,  but  to  a  church  at  a  distance ; 
but  had  he  not  been  casually  present^  an  **  Ex- 
hortation '*  would  have  been  delivered  by  some 
one  else.  There  are  sevenl  speakers  wno  take 
part  in  such  exercises. 

WELIinraBOBOTJaH.-.The  New  Bap- 
tist cnapel  is  called  *'Ihe  Tabcsmaole.*'  It  is 
S2^^..'?.  ^»'^  ^^JreeL  by  Mr.  Dulle^^  brewer. 
The  building  stands  a  few  fiMt  from  the  rand,  and 
is  approached  by  a  flight  of  steps ;  it  is  of  white 
bnck,  which  looks  exoeedingly  plain,  but  is  wy 
^ood  and  substantial.  The  interior  of  the  build- 
mg  is  in  accordance  with  the  outside,  and  is  well 
fitted  up  with  deal  seats  with  louuag  backs,  aad 
vfsry  comfortable  to  sit  in.  The  platform  is  of 
oak,  and  is  approacbed  by  a  flight  of  stain  on 
either  side  of  the  vestry  doors.  Agalleiy  nms 
along  the  trout,  which  Is  deddedly  an  omaaeat 
to  the  place.  The  chapel  is  lighted  by  ten  large 
windows,  and  is  capable  of  holdiiig  400  peMons. 
There  is  a  school  roem  undemeatb,  the  full  siae 
of  the  building:  there  is  also  a  baptistiy.  The 
opening  senriced  took  place  last  month,  when  JUr. 
Bull,  late  of  Over,  preached.  This  building  may 
be  called  a  monument  expressive  of  spontaaaouB 

Eatitnde  and  devotion  to  God,  Mr.  Duiley  ha«iog 
mself  at  a  coet  of  about  £1,600  erected  tne  place. 
A  ooriespondent  sa3'»— **Our  earnest  pra3'er  is, 
that  it  may  be  for  the  glory  of  Ood,  the  conversion 
of  nnners,  the'ediflcotion  of  saints,  the  confusion 
of  Satan,  the  rejoicing  of  angels,  and  the  wider 
extension  of  the  glonous  news  of  the  Ooepel  of 
ttie  ever-blessed  God."    July  Hth  was  opening 


larger  growth"  expressed  their  gratification  with 
the  rMdy  and  happy  manner  in  wliieh  the 
children  gave  answers  on  matters  of  very  deep 
import,  especially'  when  in  reply  to  their  inquiries 
thar  learnt  that  neither  teachers  or  ohiidren  had 
had  the  least  hint  of  what  suMeet  they  would  be 
examined  on.  At  the  close  or  tlhe  lesson,  some 
little  girls,  introduced  by  Mrs.  Avety,  the  in- 
defatigable labourer  in  this  school,  presented  Mr. 
Hawkins  with  a  silk  haodkerchieras  a  token  of 
their  pleasure,  and  of  the  friends,  on  this  and 
previous  similar  occasions.  The  teaehevs  and 
friends  lelt  enoonraged  in  this  delichtftilly  useful 
work,  and  commend  their  printsd  refNsrt  to  the 
aotioe  of  the  lovers  of  these  institiitions  else- 
where. That  they  continue  in  the  same,  and 
prosper  a  hundreo  fold,  is  the  prayer  of  one  who 

was  A  SBABKB  of  the  PLBAflOBS. 

JiosH  Ckapsl  Sitkbat  Bokml,  Bast  Boad 
—The  first  annual  report  of  the  school  eonneeted 
with  tlie  church  nnder  the  pastoral  care  of  our 
metropolitan  patriarch,  Mr.  J.  A.  Jones,  is  a 
beautifril  model,  both  of  Christian  llteratoreand 
of  typognftphiod  art  •  It  must  he  pleasant  to  the 
aged  vetemn  to  see  around  him  abiuid  of  woiking 
believers,  making  his  new  chapel  like  a  hiv«  of 
bees,  among  whom,  as  Kvely  as  any  migr  be  oeen, 
our  well-known  itinerant  friend  and  eealoas  ad- 
vocate of  principle  and  piaoBce,  Mr.  Sanmel 
Jones,  of  Watling-street  of  whem,  wt  believe, 
copies  of  the  report  mi^  be  had. 

POPI«AB  —Special  JSerrioes  were  holden  in 
Zoar  ehapri,  Manor  Street,  Bast  India  Boad^n 
Sunday  and  TnesdaT.AuAist  Wh  and  nill.    The 

Kator,  Mr.  Inward,  Mr.  James  Wdls.  and  Hr. 
hn  Bells  were  Hie  pieaohers.  At  the  public 
meeting,  Orbut  was  the  theme:  Mr.  Inwond 
opened  the  subject ;  Mr.  J.  Whitberidge  implored 
theblesshigof  neaven;  Mr.  J.  Webs&r  spoke  of 
Bedemption  by  Christ;  C.  Vf.  Banks  of  Croatioo 
by  Christ ;  and  Mr.  O.  Webb  of  the  Beadship  of 
Christ ;  and  Mr.  .  (minister  of  Zion  elu^icl, 

Stepn^,)  gave  a  substantial  address  on  Christ  as 
the  Image  of  Ood.  When  breChien  ttms  open  im 
tlie  different  parts  of  the  Savionr'B  Tersou  ssn 
woric,  good  must  result.  Steadily  and  suceeos 
fullr,  we  trust,  brother  Inward  is  prooressing  in 
that  wonderfiil  mission,  **biiildingiipTheeharA 
in  her  most  holy  faith.*' 

SOUTKWABX— TsnrxTT  Cbatki.,  Bo>o.* 
July  30th  was  our  anniversary;  important  sv- 
mons  were  preached  by  brethren  Foreman,  Wf^ls^ 
and  J.  A.  Jones.  After  tea,  on  tAie  Toesdirf,  bro- 
ther Hawkins  presided,  and  addresses  were  de- 
livered na  follovt-s :  I  Am  that  1  Am,  bj*  brotlier 
Palmer ;  I  am  the  Way,  brother  drivers ;  I  am  Oie 
Truth,  brother  Alderson ;  I  am  the  liHe,  hrotiwr 
Bbizelton ;  I  am  the  Door,  brother  WebstaBr ;  I  cm 
beibre  Abraham  wna,  brother  Attwood ;  I  am  Be 
that  liveth,  brother  Flack;  I  am  the  Booe  of 
"Sharon,  brother  Wyard.  Brethren  Moyle,  Mj^r- 
son,  Hudson  and  Garrett  also  took  port  in  the 
services.  It  was,  in  sereial  senses  of  the  wor^  a 
good  annivcraary  indeed.    Fnise  we  the  Lord! 

DASTFOBD,XBlTT.~AimocB  Cbapjcl. 
DsAB  Bbqthxh,— We  infonn  you,  with  de^p 
regsst,  our  dear  brotlier,  Mr.  wrioketL  has  re- 
signed his  office  as  pastor  of  this  chunih,  which* 
no  doubt  gives  great  joy  to-many  fieepwill  and 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Sep.  1, 1863, 


THE  £ABTfi£lf  VESSEL. 


225 


flot7-£uth  nro&sflors  in  I>artliQid.  Since  our 
broUter  has  been  with  us,  we  Imre  sat  under  his 
ministrv'  with  ideasure  and  profit;  lie  always 
luiepA  iu  the  bock  ground  himaelf^  and  holds  up  a 
full  Christ  to  poor  sionem.  Our  brother  fiaels 
himtielf  jiistiilod  in  taking  this  step ;  he  is  not  a 
man-made  miuisten  buia  bold  defender  of  G^ospel 
truth,  as  it  is  in  Jevus.  There  is  no  doubt  the 
gt<&it  Head  of  the  church  has  a  larger  sphere  of 
u:»efulnesa  for  him  elsewhme.  We  trust  he  has; 
and  may  be  enabled,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  tell 
out  what  he  has  twsteo,  felt,  and  baodl^a  of  the 
gi>:>d  Word  of  Life.  Our  prayer  is  that  the 
Lord  may  bless  him,  and  grant  him  soul  pros* 
perit^-,  and  strength  of  body,  for  his  arduous 
Ubutirs.  In  behalf  of  the  Choroh,  Lukjb 
WuiTLET,  Qeouqh  Wjcu.£b,  deaoons. 

WKW  KOBTH  BOAD-A  Happy  Dat 

WTIH    SaLBIC    8ir9n>AT   SOHOOLS,  WltTOW    8q. 

On  Tuesday,  August  11th,  as  we  «Bfcered  Wilton 
Square,— the  whole  centre  of  which,  surrounded 
by  iron  raaiogs,  is  occupied  by  the  ohapel  and 
grounds  ot  Mr.  FIaok,the  pastor,  and  his  friends, 
w&'»eothasiastioally  aliw.  Thcwmdowa  of  all  the 
bottjws  in  the  square  had  their  ooonpanto,  while 
tw«ity  omnibusoes  and  rans,  with  their  forty 
horwa,  reached  oil  round.  A  blue  silk  and  gilt 
bsoner  displayed  the  tact  that  "Balem  «hapel 
Sunday  schools  "  were  iA>oat  taking  their  annual 
tnpi  Another  omnibus  behw  found  needful. 
wh€«  the  twenty-one  were  ready,  off  we  started 
for  a  twelve  miles*  ride  into  the  heart  of  Hainalt 
Forest,  aaiid  the  Immhs  of  the  jurenfles,  and 
cheerful  Aees  of  older  folk,  on  as  gknioos  amom- 
hig  as  ever  Meat  old  England,  we  think.  Loc^dng 
St  the  omnibusses  as  they  led  the  way,  we  saw  on 
ttie  tops  of  them  the  bishop  of  Salem,  brother 
Flsek,  with  Mr.  W.  Hawkins  and  Mr.  T.  Chrrers, 
fe^ng  as  pleased  ns  «oy  of  «he  party  present. 
Pimyer  had  halloiwed  this  treat,  and  as  we  passed 
akro^  we  heard  «>|Msaated  from  many  «  gmtifled  i 
eoe  ittst  emerged  fiora  «  ettireo  home,  **Is  It  not ; 
•  glonoBs  dayp'  •  Bee  tee  beautiful  crops  of 
wlwat!"  "Cur's  is  a  wonder-working  God!"  i 
••Here's a magnifiesBtview,'*  Ac.  BTer  and  anon 
theyoannters  ofaecrfaiff  added  pleasantly  to  the  ; 
soeee.  When  arrived  there,  on  the  green  swaxd, 
amidst  the  old  oaks  of  Epplng.  our  party  of  about 
«*i,  were  broken  up  into  &mily  or  party  pic  nics,  ! 
theo  eaeh  walked  abroad  the  in  wide  openings,  or 
follow^  some  ef  the  hundreds  of  bye  paths  re- 
veling in  the  shades.  At  tea  time,  first  the 
tinldzen,  then  the  adttHB,  were  well  supplied.  A 
geamuus  friend  of  Salem,  beside  his  mumficeut 
•id,  gave  to  each  chfld  a  present.  Mr.  Hawkins 
•wressed  the  yomur  folks,  and  then  all  prepared 
for  home,  which,  after  a  pleasant  evening's  ride, 
we  reached  in  aafietv,  entering  Wilton  Square, 
pnising  God  aloud  mr  ench  a  beautiiul  trip  on 
*>  beavtiful  a  day,  so  happy  to  ns  all,  and  such 
eredit  to  the  fhends  m  this  highty-fiivoured 
people^  That  their  present  merdes  may  be  un- 
aUoyed  and  long-eontinued  is  the  prayer  of  their 
^frwnd,  UircLK  Lovxc^ilb. 

HOKaAX-^The  Ssbbaeh  seiieol  anniversary 
at  Horhaun,  was  oelehnted  on  Wednesday,  Jnly 
Ml.  The  seholanuithe  afternoon  recited  pieces 
of  poetry  and  praee,  in  a  manner  which  rafleoted 
Btnch  credit  both  on  the  teachen  and  seholars. 
Alter  which,  J€r.  OstL  of  Premsden,  examined 
*• —  in  their  knowIed||e  of  the  word  of  Ood, 
-^very  appropriate  resnarksen  the  several 
stsDces  of  BfbKcal  history  adverted  to. 
AttBT  the  diiidnBi  had  partaken  of  theprcyvlsions, 
tfaedder  port  of  the  eown^gstien  sat  down  to  an 
aeeHeBttea.  Tfaeefaapelwea  crowded  to  exeess, 
nd  aeveial  hundreds,  with  the  sdiool  children, 
J^ed  ths  merits  of  broCher  Hoddy*s  bread  and 
*^w  Md  cake.  In  the  evening,  Mr.  Bean,  of 
^B^eW,  snote  aomewhot  lengthily  upon  the 
Kble,  and  the  utility  of  Sabbath  schools,  mug 


ing  hiH  speech  by  set-eral  pleasinff  anecdotes, 
air.  Pegg.  of  Fressingaeld,  spoke  oa  the  Church's 
three- foid  state,  her  threo-told  cautions,  aud  her 
threc'fold  seals.  Mr.  Hotidy  couoluded  the 
meeting  by  prayer.  The  friends  dispersed,  taking 
it  as  a  whole,  well  pleased  with  so  large  and  com- 
fortable a  meeting. 

CRHATTEBIS,  OAMBS.— On  Thursdaj-, 
July  23rd,  the  friends  in  connection  with  Zion 
Baptist  chapel,  held  their  Sunday  school  treat. 
They  all  met  in  the  chapel  to  hear  an  address  by 
Mr.  Silverton,  Zion's  new  minister.  He  told 
them  there  were  two  things  they  were  not  to  do, 
and  two  they  were  to  do;  that  there  were  two 
things  they  were  to  remember,  and  tlurt  there 
were  two  things  to  forget.  After  this  service, 
they  all  marched  down  the  town  to  Mr.  James 
Smith's  field  where  they  had  plen^*  of  tea  and 
cake;  after  which  the  company  sat  down  to  tea 
under  Polto  Srown's  krge  tent— about  700  in 
all— and  then  delighted  themselves  in  the  beau- 
tiful field  so  kindly  lent  by  Mr.  Smith.  The  day 
was  fine ;  all  aeemed  well.  We  pray  the  Ghoepel 
preached  by  Jf r.  Silverton  at  Chatteris  may  be 
sinner-saving,  saint-cheering,  and  God-glori- 
fying. OXB  THAT  WAS  THJS&K. 

CQtATB8HSn>.— The  ohureh  of  Christ 
meeting  for  divine  worship  at  Zoar  ohapel,  Qrax-es- 
end,  liave  had  cause  to  set  up  another  Ebeneeer, 
and  say,  •»  Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us." 
On  Tuesday,  Angust  4th,  we  celebrated  tne  anni- 
vorsaiy,  it  vras  a  good  day;  brethren  Bloomfield, 
Haselton,  and  Foreman  came  amongst  us  in  the 
fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 
We  were  highly  favoured  with  ministerial  breth- 
ren from  London,  and  the  Churchej  around, 
wiuoh  gladdened  our  hearts,  and  we  could  sing, 
•*  How  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren 
to  dweirtogether  in  unity."  Attendance  excel- 
lent; 100  took  dinner;  250  joined  at  the  tea  table; 
the  q>irit  of  hannony  was  truly  delightful.  This 
was  one  of  the  best  days  we  ever  remember  spend- 
ing with  the  people  of  €k)d.  Surely  such  daj's 
mnst  tend  to  promote  the  peace  andprosperity  of 
theCfausBh.  The  Lord  gnntitin  His  ovm  time. 
Thomas  Wau.. 

XiOlfO-  UABSnrON— Anniversary  of  Sab- 
bath school  on  Tuesday,  Jidyilst  Mr.  Pells 
preached  in  the  morning.  At  the  afternoon  ser- 
vioe  Mr.  Woodman  addressed  the  throne  of  grace ; 
Mr.  Pells  took  the  chair ;  spoke  to  the  teachers 
on  the  importanoe  of  Sabbath  school  teaching. 
Brother  Flaw  addressed  the  meeting  on  the  im- 
portance of  character,  and  the  new  birth,  for 
pubhc  nsefalness.  Brother  Cheshire  gave  out  the 
78th  Psahn;  brother  Peet  made  a  solemn  eppeal 
to  the  people  upon,  **flave  you  done  what  you 
can  9"  1,  to  the  teachers;  2,  to  the  children ;  8, to 
the  friends ;  4,  to  the  public  We  had  some  ex- 
cellent singing.  Brother  Cartwright  related  some 
pleasing  aneodotea  for  the  encouragement  of  the 
teachers.  In  the  evening,  broths  Moore  gare  out 
the  hymns ;  brother  Peet  read  and  prayed ;  and 
brother  Pellsprooohed  from  Solomon  s song,  "My 
beloved  is  gone  down  into  his  garden.**  It  wasa 
very  happy  day,  and  the  collections  were  good. 
From  one  who  was  there,  and  happy  with  &em, 
—  T.  0. 

I^VaPOSD,  near  OOI«NfiBOOK^ 
Brother  Pells  paid  us  a  visit  Tuesday,  July  7th : 
preached  two  sermons  which  the  Lora  blessed  to 
the  comforting  of  many  souls.  Daring  tea-time, 
Mr.  BruntdeHvered  a  cheerful  address  to  the  de- 
light of  many. 


,8T.   AZ<BA2rS. 


-Our   annivenaiy  took 


plaoe  Tuesday,  July  28th.  A  goodly  number 
gathered,  and  were  edified  whilst  listening  to  the 
sermons  preached  by  our  brother  Pells. 


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226 


THB  BARTQBN  YBBBEL. 


•  Sep.  1,  IBtt. 


KOBTHAKPTOK-Mr.  Leaoh  ha,Ting  t»- 
signed  his  pastonite  of  the  Baptiit  Ohiuneh  in  thia 
town,  a  tea  meeting  was  holoen  in  the  Gorn  Ex- 
change, on  Tueeday  evening,  Angiut  18th,  after 
which  Mr.  Btroulger,  the  Ute  deacon,  on  behalf  of 
the  members  of  the  church  and  conffregatton* 
with  friends,  presented  Mr.  Leach  wim  a  purse 
containing  the  sum  of  £54,  as  a  token  of  their 
love  to  him,  and  valuation  of  his  servioes,  daring 
a  period  of  eighteen  years. 

BOTTISHAX  I«ODE.  OAlCBS.-Tiiei- 

day,  July  14th,  was  one  of  ttie  best  anniversary 
days  heid  here:  congregations  large;  ooUectioas 
good ;  but  the  sermons  were  the  best  of  all.  Mr. 
Harks,  of  Cambridge,  preached  morning;  Mr. 
Foreman,  afternoon  and  evening.  The  Lmd  was 
in  the  midst  indeed  to  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of 
many  hearts.  The  devotional  parts  of  the  serrioes 
were  conducted  by  brethren  Pells,  of  London: 
Wvard,  ofCottenham;  Peet,  of  Wilbraham;  and 
otoer  brethren. 

IiITTLV   STOKHAK,   8UPFOUL- 

At  our  anniversary  this  year,  Mr.  Isaacs,  of 
Brighton ;  Mr.  Woodgate,  of  Otley ;  and  Mr.  Jas. 
Olark.  of  Btowmarket;  conducted  the  services. 
Mr.  woodgate  preached  aood  sermons:  manvof 
our  friends  were  glad  to  near  our  young  brofiher 
Clark.  Early  in  August,  Hr.  Broom,  our  pastor, 
baptized.  He  continues  well  in  his  work,  we  are 
about  to  build  a  gallery ;  and  to  establish  a  Bun- 
da^  school.  Thus  you  see,  we  are  helped  to  move 
on  in  those  things,  I  hope,  pleasing  to  God,  and 
for  the  good  of  the  people.  Our  harvest  prospects 
are  mon  delightfuL    Trndae  ye  the  Lord. 

IiBIOBSTBB-— Brother  Pells  preached  to 
us  in  Mr.  Oarrardli  chapel,  Newark-street, 
Thursday  evening,  August  ^th,  and  seemed  quite 
happy.  Some  fmnds  from  Nottingham  present 
expressed  a  desire  that  our  brother  should,  ere 
long,  favour  them  with  a  visit,  and  there  also 
preach  the  Gospel. 

PBBSTWOOD,  BXT0K8.  —  Thursday, 
July  aoth  (our  anniversary),  chapel  filled  to  over- 
flowing: many  standing  outside  during  the 
evening  service.  Mr.  Pells  preached.  It  was 
our  brother's  first  visit;  we  trust  it  will  not  be 
the  last  


^.  —  Anniversary,   Tuesday,   August 

4th :  heavy  showers  of  rain  did  not  hinder  good 
attendance;  excellent  discourses  by  brethren 
Foreman,  Alderson.  and  Pells.  Brethren  Grifilths 
(former  pastor)  and  Pteet  took  part  in  the  services. 

aBBAT  WIIiBBAHAM,  CAlCBa- 

Mr.  Pells,  of  London,  prached  a  heart- cheering 
sermon  to  mourners  in  Zion,  to  a  large  oimgre- 
gation  in  the  open  air,  on  Thursday  evenuig, 
July  16th. 

BIPLET.  —  Baptist  CnuBCB,  BiPtEY, 
SuBRBT.  The  Lord  has  favoured  us  with  another 
increase.  Our  beloved  pastor  baptized  four  be- 
lievers. The  friends  kindly  lent  us  the  chapel, 
where  our  pastor  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Allnutt, 
now  of  Brockham.  Our  brother,  Mr.  Merrett, 
conducted  the  service  in  a  very  brotherly  way. 
The  candidates  gave  a  sweet  testimony  o^  their 
call  by  grace,  and  we  hope  soon  to  have  more  to 
tell  us  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  their  souls. 

"God's  AnU-eOavary  War:'*  and 
a  Hint  to  Mr.  James  Wells.  — The 
Bev.  J.  H.  Millard,  Becretary  of  the  Baptist 
Union,  sends  us  a  letter  he  has  received  from  the 
American  Baptist  Free  Mission  Society.    The 


American  chordies  who  are  with  the  North  had 
feared  Bnglish  Baptists  had  gone  over  to  the 
Booth.  And  some  of  them  have  done  sa  But 
the  Baptist  Union  of  Great  Britain  sent  to  the 
Mission  Booms  in  New  Tork  to  assure  them  that 
the  churehes  in  BnffUnd  s^'mnathlsed  with  and 
prayed  for  them,  we  can  only  ask^How  is  it 
the  Baptist  churches  in  Bngland  have  been  so 
quiet  and  lukewarm,  while  this  deadly  oonftict 
has  been  going  on?  From  a  glance  at  the 
American  letter,  we  most  think  there  is  a  mighty 
mental  power  in  the  American  churches,  we 
wiah  most  heartily  that  they  were  as  decided  for 
Gospsy.  Tbuth  as  they  are  for  New  Testament 
practice.  But,  if  possible,  wo  will  give  our 
readers  their  letter  next  month.  One  thought 
Horang  up  in  our  mind  while  reading  it  we 
diaoover  in  the  letter  of  these  Americans  a  pre- 
pared state  of  mind  to  receive  the  glonoos 
Gospel  if  fidriy,  faithfully,  fully,  and  ablv  pro- 
daimed  among  them,  well,  then,  here  b  oQr 
mind.  If  the  churches  in  Bngland  do  act 
quickly  give  brother  James  Wells  the  ten 
thousand  pounds  with  which  to  erect  his  new 
Tabernacle,  we  would  advise  him  to  devote  six 
months  to  America.  We  believe  most  firmly 
that  the  Americana  would  receive  James  Wells 
gladly:  he  would  be  just  the  man  to  open  up 
the  mysteries  of  grace  to  them;  and  they  would 
send  him  baok  with  almost  a  new  lease  of  his 
life,  funds  enough  to  open  his  new  Tabemade 
free  of  all  debt,  and  an  amount  of  new  nal  tbat 
would  gather  round  him  thousands  who  now 
never  think  of  approaching  the  obeooiely  hidden, 
over-crowded,  ana  nnduly  heated  Surrey  Taber- 
nade.  If  we  could  have  our  will,  we  would 
send  James  Wells  and  T.  J.  Mceser  together. 
Those  two  men— though  veiy  different  in  the 
make  of  theit  heads,and  diverse  asregardsthe 
bumps  which  adorn  them^yet  their  oneness  of 
decision  for  God's  truth,  and  their  united, 
though  varied,  mental,  ministerial,  and  oratorioal 
powers,  would,  we  believe,  set  the  Nortbecn 
States  on  firck  and  **  I^ecwUT*  woald  have  to  fiy 
over  to  the  South,  where,  if  she  could  widely 
diflTuse  her  spirit  by  giving  real  «'free*'-<lom  to  the 
alaves,  a  glorious  treble  victoxy  would  be  gained. 


IBeat^. 


Died,  19th  of  July,  1853,  Benjamin  Eenwoilby, 
' "  29  years.    Hehad  been  a  member  with  na, 


aged 
at  Ji 


Jfreh  chapel,  HoUinwood,  several  years;  he 
was  also  a  very  active  and  useful  teacoer  in  the 
Sundav  school.  His  loss  vras  much  deplored. 
The  disease  he  was  seized  with  was  erysipeiss, 
which  was  very  acute.  I  visited,  read  the  14tta 
Psalm,  and  supplicated  the  throne  of  grace  ob 
his  behalf.  I  spoke  of  the  value  of  a  gMd  hope 
through  grace;  and  what  a  mercy  it  was  when 
the  Lord  laid  His  afflicting  hand  upon  us  when 
Christ  was  felt  to  be  our  Befhge,  our  Bock,  sad 
our  Friend.  He  aaid,  **  Yea,  I  have  had  many  a 
conflict  with  the  devil;  he  has  tried  hard  to  take 
my  hope  f!rom  me ;  but  through  the  strength  of 
the  Lord,  I  have  mastered  him.  he  said,  **  This 
afHiction  has  been  so  sanctified  that  I  would  not 
have  been  without  it"  AiUr  this,  delirium  com- 
menced, and  he  was  only  sensible  at  intervals 
The  disease  was  making  rapid  progreaa,  and  his 
bodily  suflferings  were  extreine.  Once,  when 
calm,  he  said,  the  Lord  was  about  to  take  him  to 
Himself.  He  then  fervently  prayed  that  the 
Lord  would  raise  another  in  his  puusei  and  Uiat 
the  Lord  would  own  and  bless  the  labours  of  his 
pastor  and  minister  (Mr,  Gardner);  that  he  would 
oless  the  church  ana  sdiool  with  increase  to  his 
honour  and  glo^.  Being  without  sleep  for  nearly 
a  week,  he  fell  asleep,  and  alept  a  fewhoan: 
wbenhe  awoke,  the  words  "£yBBLASTn(G 
8ALTATIOB'*  were  Just  audible,  and  he  breathed 
his  soul  into  the  hands  of  his  Maker  and  Be- 
deemer.  Tbob.  Wood.  Hollinwood,  near  Man- 
chester. 


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Oct.  1,  18<53. 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


227 


W^o,  and  lEhat,  m%  %Uri}a  ^^lUqr 


TsKT  soon  after  we  had  fallen  in  love  with 
the  Person  and  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and 
Sjiriour  Jesus  Christ,  which  holy  and 
happy  afiecdon  was  created  by  the  revela- 
tion of  Himself,  and  the  application  of  His 
word,  we  were  led  to  attend  the  neat  little 
**  Round  House"  in  the  city  of  Canterbury, 
where  a  respectable  congregation  of  Chris- 
tians professing  to  hold  the  doctrine  of 
grace,  and  the  principles  of  strict  commu- 
nion,  and  baptism  by  immersion,  were 
united  together.  A  Tciy  pious  and  pure 
looking  gentleman,  by  the  name  of  Mr. 
Willinn  Howland,  generally  read  the 
hymns;  and  he  read  them  with  such  a 
treble-like,  delicate,  and  emphatic  voice 
and  manner,  that  they  made  a  deep  im- 
prtr«f3ion  on  our  then  J«oft,  broken,  and  con- 
trite ffpirit.  Oh !  never  shall  we  forget  the 
first  time  we  heard  him  read  that  blessed 
hymn  (which  he  did  then  seem  to  **  give 
out*'  with  such  emphasis  and  feeling  as 
wilted  ns  into  streams  of  tears) — 
**  Onuse  *tis  a  charming  soood, 

HarmoDious  to  the  ear : 
Heavea  with  the  echo  Aball  resotmd. 

And  ail  the  earth  shall  hear." 

How  correct  is  Waits,  when  ho  says — 
**  1^  TBry  word  of  6BACE  it  strong 
Am  that  which  built  the  skies ; 
The  troioethat  rolls  the  stars  along, 
Speaks  all  the  promises.'* 

There  was  in  that  one  word  "yrfl^e"  an 
electric  and  divinely  illuminating  power, 
which  seemed  to  fill  the  soul  all  at  once 
with  such  attracting  sweetness  and  over- 
whelming joy  as  never  can  be  described  by 
ton^e  or  pen.  And  this  has  been  proved 
not  in  oar  cas^  only,  but  in  the  experiences 
of  miUions,  wc  hope,  who  are  either  now  in 
glory  or  fiuit  marching  on  towards  it.  Yea, 
ye*,  let  ns  tell  a  liUle  tale  of  tnith  here, 
which  has  very  recently  come  under  our 
own  obeervation. 

A  yonng  minister  was  requested  to  visit 
a  poor  fulow  in  one  of  our  provincial 
prisons ;  and  he  did  do  so.  The  poor  pri- 
soner was  the  child  of  godly  parents.  His 
motbeir  eepeciaDy  had  pleaded  most  ear- 
nestly for  many  yean,  with  God,  for  his 
villi's  salvation;  and  he  had  been  en- 
lightened: he  had  made  confessions  and 
profcmons  of  faith  and  penitence;  but 
fitill  Satan  had  laid  snares  for  him :  sins 


*  A  ll«moirof  the  life  and  Writinffs  of  Andrew 
Fidler.  By  his  gnadjoD,  Thomas  Ekins  Fuller. 
Uaodtmi  J^HestoD  and  Son,  Warwick  Lane. 
Bein«  Vol.  XL  of  «  Banyan  Librerj-." 


had  conquered  and  condemned  him;  and 
he  was  cast  into  a  lonely  dungeon.  The 
minister,  on  visiting  the  poor  fellow,  was 
amazed  to  find  him  unusually  intelligent, 
and  in  such  heavy  distress  of  soul,  and 
under  such  convictions  of  his  sinful,  weak, 
and  wretched  condition,  that  made  the 
minister  eay  within  himself — "that  poor 
fellow  is  certainly  a  vessel  of  mercy  ;  and 
I  can  freely  give  to  him  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship. 

The  prisoner  told  the  minister  of  some 
special  times  when  in  the  depths  of  soul- 
sorrow  ;  and  when  feeling  himself  so  filled 
with  the  dark  powers  of  Satan,  as  to  be 
awftilly  convinced  that  even  if  he  Wiis  out 
of  prison  immediately,  he  should  be  in  the 
utmost  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of 
justice  again — on  this  occasion,  not  know- 
ing where  to  look,  nor  what  to  do,  he  took 
up  a  Bible,  and  opened  directly  on  the- 
liilst  Psalm — •*!  will  lift  up  mine  eyes 
unto  the  hills  from  whence  cometh  my 
help,"  &c.  He  rcjid  on.  Every  word  was 
full  of  majesty,  mercy,  and  salvation  to 
him.  But  when  he  came  to  that  verse, 
"  the  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all 
evil:  HB  SHALL  preserve  thy  soul,"  then 
life,  light,  and  hope  forced  themselves  into 
bis  heart,  and  he  wept  tears  of  earnest 
desire. 

But  the  special  word  which  (we  liope) 
Qod  the  Holy  Ghost  did  so  marvellously 
speak  home  into  his  soul,  was  the  word 
"  GRACE !"  He  told  the  minister,  at  one 
time,  he  thought  the  authorities  were  un- 
duly and  cruelly  severe  with  him ;  and  th©. 
thought  produced  rebellion  against  the 
gaolers,  and  even  against  the  Holy  God 
of  Israel  Himsel£  But  again  he  took  the 
Bible,  and  his  eyes  fell  on  Titus  iii.  He 
read  on — "Put  them  in  mind  to  be  sub- 
ject to  principalities  and  powers,  to  obey 
magistrates,  to  be  ready  to  every  good 
work ;  to  speak  evil  of  no  man,  to  be  no 
brawlers,  but  gentle,  showing  all  meekness 
unto  all  men.  For  we  ourselves  also  were 
sometimes  foolish,  disobedient,  deceived, 
serving  divers  lusts  and  pleasures,  living  in 
malice  and  envy,  hatefhl  and  hating  one 
another." 

All  this  was  like  a  holy  law  to  him, 
wherein  he  saw  his  ^ilt  and  sin  most  fla- 
grant, and  his  punishment  most  just  and 
righteous.  He  was  dumb.  His  rebellion 
received  a  blow.  A  passive  spirit — ^a  re- 
signed   dropping   nnoer  —  possessed    him. 


TB£  £AETli£N  TB8SEL. 


Oct.  1. 186>. 


Like  the  leper,  he  would  cry  out  "  Unclean, 
unclean  /"     Like  the  poet,  he  would  say, 

**  I  own  I'm  guilty— own  I'm  rile." 
But  the  Bible  is  still  open  before  him  : — 
Paurs  epistle  to  Titus  is  still  under  his  eye ; 
he  has  only  read  a  ^oiticm  of  the  chi^ktor ; 
something  prompts  him  to  read  again.  He 
goes  on  — 

'<  But" — ah,  this  draws  out  his  soul  wilh 
anxiety.    What  more  has  Paul  to  sav  ? 

"  But— after — that  the  kindness  and  lore 
of  God  our  Saviour  toward  man  appeared, 
not  by  works  of  riffhteouBnem  which  we 
have  done,  but  according  to  His  mercy  He 
sared  us,  by  the  washing  of  regeneration, 
and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  He 
shed  on  us  abundantly,  through  Jeans 
Christ  our  Saviour ;  that  bein(|^  justified  by 
His  grace,  we  should  be  made  heiraaeoording 
to  the  hope  of  eternal  life." 

When  he  came  to  that  word,  "  GRACE," 
he  told  the  minister  (with  much  feeling) 
and  with  most  perfect  freedom ;  he  said, 
"  No  tongue  could  tell  what  oceans  of  mercy, 
of  glory,  and  of  saving  power  shone  through 
his  soul  from  that  word  "Gaaob!"  And 
•we  heard  the  minister  declare  that  he  was  j 
completely  astonished  at  the  hot-hearted,  | 
and  nonest  way  in  which  the  poor  prisoner 
aclcnowledged  the  suitability  of  the  word  of 
God  to  his  case ;  and  the  hallowing,  heart- 
melting  effect  it  had  upon  his  own  spirit ; 
so  much  so,  that  he  even  desired  rather  to 
die  in  the  prison  than  to  go  forth  again  to 
di^nace  himself  and  his  oiUiAppy  familjr. 

Coming  from  the  prisoner  and  his  prison, 
wo  return  to  the  **  Bound  House  again. 
There  stands  William  Howland,  as  we 
said  before.  He  looks  to  the  heayen8>al>0Te 
him.  He  holds  the  hymn  hook  up  jboldly 
before  him.     He  comes  to  thc^'TOTse — 

"  Graee  led  my  roving  feet 

To  tread  the  heavenly  road ;     . 
And  fresh  supplies  of  grace  I  meet, 
Wldle  pressing  on  to  jQod."  , 

That  precious,  that  simple,  that  really  ex- 
perimental verse  broke  up  the  fountain  of 
the  great  deep  within  ua;  and  perhaps 
never  before  nor  since  have  we  shedanchi 
tears  of  sorrow  and  joy  as  than  ooiomingled 
and  flowed  down  from  a  heart  bursting  with 
the  unspeakable  sense  of  sins  forgiveja^.and 
lore  divine  enjoyed.  From  that  momanli 
until  now  we  have  firmly  believed  that  ftom, 
first  to  last,  it  Is  "  by  gxace  weare  saved, 
through  faith,  and  that  not  of  ourselves — 
IT  u  THE  QXPT  OF  Gop.  Not  f)/  uwkt^-^i^ 
any  man  ahotUd  boast.** 

How  severely  both  the  doctrine  of  ^.geace, 
and  the  grace  of  the  doctrine,  have  beed 
tried,  in  our  experience,  is  not  easy  to  sayJ 
To  work  we  have  ever  been  willing :  worsliin 
has  been  our  dearest  pleasure ,  on  earth :  tq 
print,  to  preach,  to  publish  the  SaviottT'cj 
name ;  to  open  up  some  of  the  glories  of  His 


kingdom;  to  see  sinners  fetched  out  of 
Satan*s  dark  den,  and  brought  fiillv  into 
the  sweet  and  pure  liberty  of  the  Gospel, 
have  been  to  us  rich  mercies  indeed.  Bat 
the  enemy  having  once  come  in  like  a  flood, 
and  having  swept  jiway  all  things  in  which 
one  might  be  prone  to  gloi^' — boasting  has 
really  been  excluded.  Keyertheless,  the 
jold  text  has  stood  fast — "  Being  confident 
of  this  very  one  tUn^,  that  He  which  hath 
begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  perform  it 
until  the  &,y  of  Jesus  Christ.''    Xes— 


**  Grace  will  oomplele  whatantoe     _ 
To  save  from  sorrow  and  from  sins; 
The  work  that  wisdom  undertakes. 
Sternal  mev^y  ne'er  forsakee.'* 
And  so  William  Howland  read  on  that 
hymn  before  referred  to  (and  we  had  no 
book;  therefore  we  hung  upon  his  lips, 
listened  to  the  words  he  uttered,  and  felt 
every  line  to  fall  with  increasing  weight 
and  savour)  until  he  said — 

"Grace  all  the  work  shall  orown 
Through  everlasting  daya— 
It  lays  in  heaven  the  topmost  stoine^ 
And  well  deserves  the  praise." 

That  was  the  means  of  sealing  home  on  the 
heart  the  distinguishing  doctrine  of  .frt- 
serving  grace.  Christ's  voico  had  been 
heard.  Jesus  had  passed  by  and  revealed 
Himself  in  the  Gospel  through  the  life 
and  light-giving  power  of  the  Spirit  His 
person,  name,  cause,  and  people  had  become 
attract^;  but  that  hymn  tcaced  up  the 
origin^  iusoovered  the  nature,  and  ratified 
the  consummation  of  the  salvation  of  all  who 
by  the  Father  to  the  Son  are  given. 

<'  Salvation  bv  Grace,"  therefoie,  has  been 
our  theme  for  thirty  years  or  more. 

We  remember  wai,  at  the  time  referred 
to,  and  in  the  midst  of  that  pious  peo^ 
who  in  the  "  Bound  House"  met  for  worship, 
there  were  a  few  who  were  not  always  per- 
fectly pleased  with  the  ministers  who  came 
to  prrach  Uie  Ghospel  there.  .There  was  a 
carpenter,  a  miller,  a  publicani  and  »  ^^ 
others,  whose  conversation  we  .sometimM 
overheard ;  when  sentences  like  these  would 
be  warmly  uttered  re8pe<^ting  the  minister 
they  had  been  listening  to.  "  Qh !  he  is  a 
FuUerita!"  "He  is  only  half-a»d-hal£" 
*'  It  was  Jesus  Christ  in  the  beginning  of 
his  sermon,  and  Andrew  Fuller  at  the  end." 

We  never  entered  much  into  conversation 
with  them.  Who  Andrew  Fuller  waa  ve 
did  not  know— what  "HtlUrism**  in  & 
sermon  could  be  we  never  inquired.  Of 
three  things  we  were  thoroughly  satisfied. 
1.  That  such  was  our  naturiQ,  sinful,  and 
leffal  condiJtion,  that  we  needed  a  free  ai^ 
foU  salvation  in  the  Person  of  another.  2. 
That  JssuB  Ghbist  waa  God's  .  oo-eqoal 
Son ;  and  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  the 
Covenant  of  Grace,  of  the  Go^l  dis- 
pensation, and  of  the  glosy  of  lieaven  alto- 
gethw.     3.  That  GiOc&fM  the'80Ter«igl^i 

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Octl,  UM. 


THE  £ABTKJ&N  VESSEL. 


229 


unmerited,  and  nerop-to-be-forfeited  favour, 
Ktn>HB88,  LOTiHG-KiNBXBas,  and  Compassion 
of  a  TRiuins  Jshovab  toward  the  foreknown, 
the  predeatinated,  the  redeemed,  the  jus- 
tified, and  the  adopted;  and  as  to  a  sinful 
hfe,  OP  an  inconsistent  profession  of  the 
Oospel,  at  that  time,  we  never  expected  to 
Me  or  to  realize. 

Since  those  early  days,  we  have  learned, 
with  much  pain  on  our  part,  and  with 
much  pleasure  on  the  Saviour's  part,  that 
tixe  Bible  not  only  speaks  of  •*  (tbacb"  in 
thesingulap,  but  also  of  "Gbace'»  in  the 
ploiaL 

We  must  not  enlapge  here.  We  are  read- 
ing "  Tht  Memoir  of  Andrew  FuUtr''-^ 
haadsome  volume— an  interesting  book, 
b«ng  Xo.  11  of  that  choice  series,  entitled, 
''Pu^'YAx  LiBRAJiy,"  issued  at  the  office  of 
TU  Freeman,  by  Messrs.  Heaton  and  Son  ; 
and  from  it,  we  purpose  to  show  how 
"GaACE"  is  sometimes  wrapped  in  swad- 
dling bands ;  and  worse  than  aU,  how  some- 
timea  good  men  will  endeavour  to  gxiard 
the  grace  of  God;  and  because  Satan 
drives  ^o  hard  upon  some  of  the  weaker 
i»B§eb  of  mercy,  as  apparently  to  dash 
them  all  to  pieces,  therefore,  very  holy 
men  of  God  labour  very  hard  to  establish 
three  things — 1.  That  man  is  very  awfully 
responsible  for  every  rav  of  light  given  to 
him,  and  for  every  ppivu|^e  bestowed  upon 
him ;  which,  by  the  bye,  is  a  very  myste  • 
lions  and  difficult  problem  fully  to  work 
out.  2.  That  Gbace  always  makes  its 
JMfisesson  exceedingly  hol^,  happy,  de- 
Tcted,  uaelnl,  zealous,  loviug,  heavenly- 
Joinded,  straight-walking,  right-living  sort 
of  people.  We  could  add—"  With  aU  our 
iuftrt  and  soul,  we  wish  it  did.**  But  with- 
out offering  the  least  excuse  for  sin,  we  ask 
—Does  it? 

A  minister  said,  ''  One  Sunday  morning 
I  was  on  my  knees  pleading  for  God's  help, 
and  blessing,  and  presence  to  be  eiyoy^ 
that  day;  when,  all  of  a  sudden,  such  a 
tense  of  my  nnworthiness  crossed  my  mind 
that  I  inwardly  groaned  out,  "  Oh,  Lord, 
I  wish  I  had  never  sinned,**  Immediately 
a  voice  within  softly  said,  "  Then  God  had 
BO  need  to  provide  a  Saviour  t"  Bather  be 
thankful  that  while  it  is  a  black  and  dread- 
fid  fiust  that  yon  have  sinned,  it  is  also  a 
bright  and'-glorious  fact  that  Jesus  Christ 
eame  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  even 
the  chief.  He  ^veth  grace  for  srace ;  and 
seeinji  that  sin  is  a  foe  so  deadly  and  de- 
tarmined,  seeing  that  the  conflicts  between 
sin  and  salvation  have  been  and  will  be 
ui  powcrfol  and  so  perpetual;  therefore 
oir  heavenly  Pather  has  given  to  us  a  pro- 
phecy pointing  te  the  glorious  and  dnal 
vietoiy  whieh^mll  crown  the  great  Prince's 
head,  when  Christ  personal  and  Christ 
nxstififtl  flh^  bo  one  perfect  body.    Look- 


ing forward  to  that  point,  the  prophet  cries 
out,  "  Who  art  thou,  O  great  mountain  ? 
before  2^mbbabel  thou  shalt  become  a 
.plain;  and  he  shall  bring  forth  the  head 
stone  thereof  with  shoutings,  crying  "  Grace 
— Grace  unto  it" 

Of  this  repetition  of  Grace,  and  of.  Andrew 
Fuller's  Life  and  Ministry,  we  hope  to 
write  next  month. 


THE  SAINTS'  INHERITANCE. 


"  All  things  are  yonrV— 1  Oor.  ili.  JI. 

Ye  saints,  complain  no  mora, 

Nor  mourn  o'er  earthly  woes ; 
Surrey  the  mighty  store 
Your  Father^s  love  bestows. 
His  word  that  evermore  endures, 
ProcUima  aloud,  •'  All  things  aro  your'a" 

All  things  are  your's  below, 

Of  nature,  earth,  and  time ; 
Whate'er  the  valleys  grow. 
Through  ev'ry  distant  olime. 
These  He  will  give—those  you  mass  claim, 
As  best  shall  glorify  His  name. 

All  things  are  your*s  in  grace, 

The  promises  divine ; 
The  Boek  and  Hidinic-Plaoe: 
And  teaching  ^  line  on  hoe.** 
His  love  the  Spirit"s  power  procures, 
To  seal,  the  gjff,  "  All  things  are  yoiir!s.»' 

All  things  are  your's  in  death. 

When  heart  and  flesh  shall  lail ; 
And  saints  with  tWing  breath. 
May  sing  withloy,  "*  AU  JmU  I" 
His  tender  love  each  saint  assures. 
In  life  and  death  **  All  things  are  your's.** 

All  things  are  your's  above, 
The  mansions  of  the  blest, 
Where,  in  the  Father^s  lofv« 
The  Chuxoh  shall  ever  rest. 
The  angel  host  raise  high  the  song, 
*' All  things  in  heav'n  to  saints  belong." 

Then  mourn  no  more,  ye  saints. 
But  lift  your  hearts  in  praise, 

ButUalleltuahs  nuse. 
While  life,  or  time,  or  gxaoe  endures, 
On  earth,  in  heaven,   *^All  THuras  abs 
TouB's."  William  Stokbs. 

MsDohesler,  fiep.  10,  IMS. 

"DBLIVBRANOE." 

"  He  shall  deliver  thee  from  the'snere  of  the 
fowler.**-— Psalm  xeL  8. 

6  ATAH*s  net  had  oaoght  me, 
Bat  my  SaTioor  soujpht  me ; 
With  His  blood  He  bou|(ht  me, 

And  my  ransom  paid. 
Tnough  in  sin  I  fought  Thee, 
Love  nrom  death  hath  brought  me, 
And  Thy  Spirit  taught  me, 

So  to  Thee  I  prayed. 

Then  Thou  stood'st  beside  me, 
And  with  strength  supDlied  me 
When  the  tempter  tnea  me, 

And  my  soul  distrest ; 
Still,  O  Saviour,,  guide  me, 
Let  no  ill  betide  me, 
In  thy  bosom  hide  me; 

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230 


THE  EARTHEN  VES8EU 


Oct  1,  1863. 


CHRISTMAS     EVANS. 

Bt  T.  J.   MSMKB. 
(CJontinued  from  page  214.) 


In  the  year  1794,  an  "important  one," 
says  his  biographer,  "in  his  histor}'," 
Christinas  Evans  paid  a  visit  to  South 
Wales,  and  wo  will  give  our  readers  Mr. 
p.  M.  Evans'  graphic  account  of  that  visit, 
lust  observing  before  we  do  so,  that  in 
Wales,  the  Independents,  Baptists,  and 
Galvinisdc  Methodists  hold  what  are  called 
association  meetings,  in  connection  with 
which  open  air  services  are  generally  held, 
and  they  are  attended  sometimes  by 
thousands  of  persons.  The  one  we  are 
about  to  introduce  our  readers'  to  was  held 
at  Velinvole,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Llanelly. 

The  people  gather  together  "on  a 
sloping  piece  of  ground  commanding  an 
extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  country ; 
on  the  right  a  glimpse  of  the  inflowing 
waters  of  the  Bristol  channel,  on  the  left 
the  open  uplands  m  the  bosom  of  which 
lies  ;tlie  nnsuspected  beauty  of  the  '  Swiss 
Valley,'  while  in  the  distance  appears  the 
dark  outline  of  the  Mynydd  Du. 

"Known  only,  it  is  said,  to  a  few  of  the 
ministers  present,  Christmas  Evans  makes 
his  appearance  on  this  occasion ;  a  tall, 
bony,  as  yet  haggard  young  man,  uncouth 
and  ill  dressed."  How  could  he  be  other- 
wise than  ill  dressed  with  the  miserable 
pittance  he  received  ?  The  programme  for 
the  service,  as  is  often  the  case,  was  not 
completed  till  the  hour  of  preaching  came. 
Two  well  known  popular  men  had  been  al- 
ready engaged,  but  some  one,  to  give  a 
short  sermon,  "just  to  break  the  ice," 
before  the  great  men  set  out  "  in  full  sail" 
was  wanted.  Those  who  have  witnessed 
other  good  men,  pastors  of  churches  where 
associations  are  held,  wandering  about  in 
similar  perplexity,  will  easilv  fancy  Daniel 
Davies,  the  minister  of  Velinvole,  in  per- 
petual motion  just  before  the  service  began 
in  search  of  a  preacher.  At  so  short  a 
notice,  and  with  no  superabundant  aseo- 
ciation  preaching  power  at  that  time,  the 
problem  was  almost  as  difficult  as  the  dis- 
coveiy  of  the  philosopher's  stone.  The 
pwtor,  in  his  agony,  turned  to  Timothy 
Thonuu,  who  abruptly  repb'ed,  "  Why,  ask 
that  one-eyed  lad  from  the  North :  I  hear 
that  he  preaches  quite  wonderfully." 

We  break  oflT  here  a  moment  to  express 
our  admiration  of  the  spirit  of  our  old  friend 
Timothy.  How  unlike  that  possessed  by 
some  old  preachers  we  have  known  ;  and  as 
W6  are  growing  fast  old  ourselves,  we  may 


through  the  green  glasses  of  iealousy  at 
any  and  every  young  man  of  whom  report 
spoke  favourably:  and  rather  than  give 
them  an  opportunitv  of  preaching  before 
a  larffe  audience,  tuey  have  got  up  and 
prosed  away  themselves,  scattering  a  sopo- 
rific influence  all  around.  We  thoroughly 
abhor  that  parvitude  of  soul  which  prompts 
such  mean  actions ;  and  we  think  that  every 
nearly  "  worn  out  warrior,"  if  he  is  rightly 
influenced,  will  rejoice  greatly  to  see  youne 
men  rising  up  to  fill  those  vacancies  which 
death  is  constantly  causing.  We  remember 
a  promising,  talented  young  minister,  who 
was  nearly  crushed  by  that  sort  of  conduct 
on  the  part  of  an  old  preacher— conduct 
which  we  feel  we  cannot  too  decidedly  con- 
demn. Wo  only  add  that  up  to  his  fifty- 
ninth  year,  that  man  has  had  to  mourn  oi> 
account  of  the  treatment  he  received  in  his 
early  days  when  he  was  not  more  tHIui 
twenty  years  of  age,  from  one  who  ought 
to  have  always  met  him  with  a  loving  look^ 
and  an  encouraging  word. 

But  to  return  to  our  hero. 

"  The  one-eye*  lad"  consented  to  preach. 
He  mounts  the  platform,  and  stands  up  "  a 
scarecrowish"  spectacle,  even  Jto  a  very 
rustic  audience,  many  of  whom  thought  that 
the  Velinvole  pastor  had  committed  an 
egregious  mistake,  and  they  leisurely  dis- 
persed, some  to  get  a  little  refreshment, 
others  to  rest  themselves  about  the  hedges 
after  a  weaiy  journey,  and  to  shelter  from 
the  burning  sun  ;  others  group  themselves 
together,  talking  pretty  freely,  and  mofit 
probably  comforting  one  another,  that  when 
the  other  preachers  come  on,  then  they  will 
have  magnificent  sermons :  this  one  Forely 
would  have  sense  enough  at  least  to  be 
short.  "  Meanwhile,  in  the  midst  of  a  too 
general  hum  and  restlessness,  the  preacher 
(C.  E.)  had  read  his  text,  •  And  you  that 
were  sometimes  alienated  and  enemies  in 
your  mind  by  wicked  works,  yet  now  hath 
he  reconciled  in  the  body  of  his  flesh 
through  death,  to  present  you  holy,  un- 
blameable,  and  unreproachable  in  His 
sight.'  His  flrst  movements  were  stiflf,  awk- 
ward, and  wrestling,  while  bis  observations 
were  perhaps  crude  and  common-place, 
rather  than  striking  or  novel ;  but  he  had 
not  proceeded  far  before,  having  thus 
pinioned  himself,  he  took  one  of  his  wildest 
nights,  bursting  forth  at  the  same  time  into 
those  unmclodious,  but  all  piercing  passion 
shrieks  under  which  his  hearers  often  con- 


be   permitted    thus    to  speak.    We  havelfessed  his    resistless    power.    Closer    and 
known  old   preachers   who    have   looked '  closer  drew  in  the  scattered  groups  the 


Oct,  1,  18«, 


THE  EiLKTHEN   VESSEL. 


231 


"wearj  loungers,  and  the  hitherto  lUtless 
among  tho  motley  multitude.  The  crowd 
becomes  dense  with  eager  listeners  as  they 
press  on  earnestly  towards  the  j)reacher. 
He  gradually  eeta  into  the  thickening  plot 
of  his  homely  but  dramatic  representation, 
-whil^",  all  forgetful  of  the  spot  on  which  they 
«tood,  old  men  and  women,  accustomed  to 
prosy  thoughts  and  ways,  look  up  with 
open  mouth  through  smiles  and  tears.  Big, 
wirly  country  folk,  in  whom  it  might  have 
been  thought  the  faculty  of  imagination 
had  long  since  been  extinguished,  became 
engrossed  with  ideal  scenes.  Men  whose 
**  talk  is  of  bullocks,"  are  allured  into  con- 
verse with  the  most  spiritual  realities.  The 
preachers  present  become  unexpectedly 
dazz2e«i  with  the  brilliance  of  this  new  star 
on  the  horizon ;  they  start  on  their  feet 
round  the  Btniugo  young  man,  look  hard  at 
him  in  perfect  amazement ;  loud  and  rap- 
turous confirmations  break  forth  from  their 
lips,  *'Amen."  Bendigedig  (Angb'ce 
"praise")  Violth  hyihl  (Anglice  *' thanks 
eTer!'*)£ftll  tumnltuously  on  the  ear;  the 
chorus  swelLs  onwards  from  the  platform  to 
thf*  extreme  margin  of  the  wondering 
crowd,  and  to  the  occasional  loud  laugn 
(dont  start,  gentle  reader),  ;there  has  now 
«ncceeded  a  baptism  of  tears.  The  ex- 
citement is  at  Its  highest ;  the  preacher 
•concludes,  but  the  weeping  and  rejoicing 
continue  until  worn  out  nature  brings  the 
scene  to  an  end." 

Ko  wonder  after  this  that  the  fame  of 
Christmas  Evans  spread  through  the  entire 
jxriocipality,  and  that  wherever  he  went, 
<TQm^  collected  together  to  hang  on  his 
lips. 

Scenes  somewhat  analogous  to  that  so 
well  described  by  Mr.  D.  Evans,  it  has  been 
our  kippiness  to  witness ;  and  we  have  had 
no  doubts  in  our  mind  respecting  tlie  influ- 
ence by  which  they  were  superinduced. 
The  Welfeh  do  not  generally  sit  and  listen 
to  preaching  in  the  apparently  cold  style 
too  many  of  our  Englisn  readers  do,  many 
of  whom  after  they  take  their  seats,  look  as 
sanetimonionsly  stiff  and  precise  us  the 
Mibs  Ophelia  of  Mrs..Stowe's  beautiful  tfile, 
caHol  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  appeared 
when  s»he  was  censuring  the  mad  freaks  of 
poor  little  neglected  Topsy ;  and  it  is  to  be 
feared  many  of  these  atrociously  solemn- 
looking  bits  of  humanity  feel  none  of  the 
''influence  divine  ;*'  that  influence  which 
*  Imj%  tbe  rough  paths  of  peevuh  nature  even. 

And  opent  in  the  breast  a  little  Ileaven." 
Amoiigst  the  people  forming  that  part  of 
the  Baptist  denomination  we  refer  to,  we 
fear  that  there  is  a  great  deal  more  love  for 
a  *tereotj/ped  phraseology  than  for 
"  thoughts  that  breathe  in  words  that  bum." 
We  need  a  rich  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
ud  fi  fire.    Faronred  with  that,  our  little 


petty  quarrels  would  soon  cease,  and  hearts 
now  slowly  beating  would  soon  pulsate  with 
new  life,  and  the  prayer  of  the  poet  would 
soon  be  answered : — 

**  ^Tftkc  us  into  one  spirit  drink, 
Baptize  into  thy  name ; 
And  let  us  always  kindly  think. 
And  sweetly  speak  the  same. 

Touched  by  the  loadstone  of  Thy  lore, 

Let  all  our  hearts  agree ; 
And  e\^r  towards  each  other  move, 

And  ever  move  towards  Thee. 

Grant  this  and  then  from  all  below, 

Insensibly  remove; 
Our  souls  the  change  sliall  scarcely  know, 

Being  full  of  holy  lo%'e. 

With  ease  our  souls  thro*  death  shall  glide, 

Into  their  paradise ; 
And  thenoe  on  wings  of  angels  rise 

Triumpliont  through  the  skies.*' 

After  beingmadeveryusefulforseveralyears, 
Christmas  Evans  was  for  awhile  carried 
away  by  Sandemanianism,  by  the  chilling 
inftiienco  of  which  he  8u£rered  greatly. 
God,  however,  interposed  in  his  behalf,  and 
broke  the  meshes  of  the  net  in  which  his 
servant  had  got  entangled,  and  bade  him 
go  free.  In  reference  to  this  painful  period 
of  our  great  and  good  brother's  life,  we  are 
not  inclined  to  write  more  than  a  few  lines. 

"  Tho  best  of  men  are  but  men  at  the 
best,"  and  "let  him  that  thinketh  he 
standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall."  The 
individual  who  was  the  prime  agent  in  in- 
troducing and  maintaining  for  awhile 
Sandemanian  views  among  the  Welsh 
Baptist  churches,  was  a  man  of  considera- 
ble mental  ^ower,  called  John  Richard 
Jonos.  Of  him,  after  he  had  escaped  from 
those  errors  which  quenched  in  his  heart 
the  spirit  of  prayer,  Mr.  D.  M.  Evans  thus 
writes : — 

"He  was  in  his  outward  person  tall, 
standing  more  than  six  feet  high,  slightly 
stooping,  but  of  well-shaped  limb,  slender 
and  aciivp.  He  had  a  lofty  brow,  keen 
eyes,  and  a  strong  sonorous  voice,  with 
something  of  harshness.  His  temper  was 
imperious  ;  he  coidd  not  brook  opposition, 
and  would  scarcely  allow  an  equal,  much 
less  a  superior,  to  live  anywhere  near  him. 
Like  C»sar,  he  would  have  preferred  being 
first  in  a  village  to  being  second  in  Rome. 
As  a  preacher,  before  he  became  straitened 
he  had  popular  talents,  and  even  after- 
wards, there  was  a  certain  greatness  and 
authority  about  hi^  style  of  speaking  that 
proved  nim  to  be  a  man  of  considerable 
IM)wer."  After  a  few  more  observations 
respecting  him,  Mr.  Evans  concludes  by 
saying,  "  He  would  not  even  take  off  his  hat 
when  some  of  the  most  successful  men  hap- 
pened to  engage  in  any  religious  service  m 
nis  presence."  Poor  soul!  who  can  think 
of  such  a  man  without  feeling  the  deepest 
sorrow  for  him.  ^  , 

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232 


THB  EABTHEM  VESSEL. 


Oct  1,  18«S. 


The  nam  who  stood  almost  alonv  in  di- 
rect opposition  to  the  Sandemanian  heresy 
was  a  glorious  old  disciple  of  the  name  of 
Thomas  Jones.  This  man,  whilst  many 
succumbed  to  John  Richard  Jones*  power, 
stood  against  his  teaching, 

"As  an  iron  pillar  strong, 
Btead&st  as  a  wall  of  brass.*' 

Looking  at  Thomas  from  rarioas  stand- 
points, we  consider  him  to  hare  been  a 
most  remarkablo  man.  His  knowledge  of 
the  Bible  was  extensive,  and  his  lore  to  its 
glorious  truths  was  deeply  rooted,  and 
hourly  became  intensified  to  the  end  of  his 
pilgrim  journey.  In  the  year  ISfiO,  he 
mounted  homewards,  from  Bhydwilym  in 
Carmarthenshire,  and  has  left  behind  him 
a  sweet  savonr,  a  delightfully  refreshing 
frap;ranee.  Men  used  to  designate  him  whilst 
living,  "  the  light  of  tJie  north  r  We  thank 
the  able  biographer  of  Christmas  Evans  for 
his  deeply  interesting  account  of  this  saintiy 
man.  It  did  us  gSod.  to  read  of  his  hu- 
mility— ^his  firmness  and  love.  We  pray 
that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  would,  if  con- 
sistent with  His  divine  arrangements,  raise 
up  many  more  such  men  to  cheer  by  their 
example  the  ministers  and  members  of  the 
Welsh  churchss. 

What  a  heart-enlarging  and  soul-com- 
forting thought  it  is  after  reading  the  lives 
of  ••  heroes  departed,"  that  the  Father  in 
heaven  can  buiy  His  ablest  workmen  with- 
out interrupting  the  progress  of  His  work. 
Whatever  human  instruments  may  be  needed 
in  order  to  gather  redeemed  sinners  around 
the  blood-stained  cross,  or  to  counteract  the 
hell-firp  agents  of  the  chieftain  of  the  pit, 
he  will  most  assuredly  raise  up,  and  qualify 
for  their  work. 

Were  every  man  among  us  who  are  now 

Sing,  howaver  feebly,  to  "  commend  our- 
ves  to  every  man's   conscience   in    the 
sight  of  God,"  to  be  wrapt  in  the  cere- 
ments of  the  grave  to-morrow.   He  who 
has  all  power  in  heaven  and  on  earth, 
"  Would  llffht  a  thousand  more 
Star*  of  greater  beauty ; 
Send  them  blasinff  nrnnd  our  shore 
To  eaoh  post  of  duty." 

God  is  d#pendeiit  upon  none  of  us.  When 
our  own  Wells,  Foreman,  Jones,  Banks, 
Spurgeon,  and  a  host  of  othen  are  all  silent 
in  death,  perhaps  better  men  than  any  of 
th^m  will  spring  into  their  vacated  pulpits 
at  the  bidding  of  Omnii^tence  to  proclaim 
Jesus  and  the  resurrection,  until  the  last 
vessel  of  mercy  shall  rise,  God—vivified, 
from  the  dunghill  of  debasement  and  pdl- 
lution  to  be  arrayed  in  righteonsness  di- 
vine— then,  and  not  till  then,  the  spirit- 
stirring  cry  shall  be  heard,  "Behold  the 
Bridegroom  cometh,  g<r  ye  forth  to  meet 
yiiTw !       X  eS'~~ 

**  According  to  His  word 
His  oath  to  sinners  given ; 


We  look  to  see  restored 
This  ruined  earth  and  Heaven. 

In  a  new  world  His  troth  to  prove, 
A  world  of  righteousncM  andlove.^' 

"  And  BO  shall  we  be  ever  with  the  Lord.** 
1  These,  iv.  17. 

«*Atnen,  soletit  be; 
Life  from  the  dead  is  in  that  word 
»Ti8  immortality.*' 

We   part  with    our  readers   tiiis  months 
breathing  a  prayer  for  all  Israel, 

"Nearer,  dearer,  bonds  of  love, 

Draw  our  souls  in  union  ; 
To  our  Father's  house  above. 

To  the  saint's  communion ; 
Thither  may  our  hope  ascend, 

There  may  all  our  labours  end.** 


^{ii^vfi  )[rom  the  gfart. 

A   LETTEB 

ADDRESSED  TO  MR.  J.  INWARD, 

tfinister  of  Zoar  Chapel,  East  India  Boad. 

Dear  Bbotheb,— Find  space  for  the  following  r 
it  is  from  one  to  whom  the  Lord  has  made  m& 
useful  many  times,  and  the  reading  of  whioh  ha» 
humbled  me  in  the  dust,  but  encouraged  me  also 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  9ome  hold  tlie  notion 
that  hearers  should  never  tell  their  minister  the 
use  the  Lord  haa  ministerially  made  him,  lest  it- 
puff  him  up  with  pride.  I  must  say  I  never  Mt 
thus  b}'  such  a  relation  y«r,  but  quite  the  reverse. 
I  have  always  been  hufhbled  more  or  less 
thereby ;  and  to  all  sndi  I  would  say,  enooorage 
your  minister  by  imitating  the  example  of  tba 
dear  sister  who  sent,  out  of  the  fulness  of  her 
heart's  love  towards  the  ^cient  aaent  fGod)  aaif 
the  instrument  (myselOi  the  following  lines. 

J.  IirwABD,  Poplar. 

Dear  and  mccii-lotbd  Pastor. — I  hope 
yon  will  pardon  the  liberty  I  have  taken 
in  addressing  a  few  lines  unto  you.  I  haTfr 
long  thought  and  desired  to  teU  yon  a  litUo 
of  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  me  by  your 
instrumentality  since  yon  have  been  at 
Poplar  (to  say  nothing  of  what  He  did  by 
you  for  me,  ere  you  came  here).  I  fe« 
constrained  to  say  that  mercy  and  goodness- 
has  indeed  followed  me.  The"  Lord  has,  by 
your  ministry,  raised  my  soul  up  into  sncA 
a  confidence  in  Himself,  that  1  feel,  come- 
what  will,  my  faith  has  a  firm  hold  of  the 
fact,  that  He  will  abide  fkithful ;  He  can- 
not deny  Himself;  and  that  He  is  more 
concerned  about  me,  and  my  ererlasting' 
welfare,  than  I  am  rery  often  (in  feeling) 
concerned  about  myself  Well  might  we 
say,  "To  whom  shall  we  go?"  *c.  Oh 
how  blessed  did  I  hear  yon  thereflrom 
[meaning  the  two  sermons  I  preached  fbou 
the  woras  quoted];  and  how  sweet  they 
were  to  me  and  these,  I  think,  are  more  so, 
"To  whom  coming,'*  not  at  certain  time^ 
coming  to  Him,  but  it  is  the  peipetnal 
motion  of  the  soul  wending  ever  it*  way 
to  Him ;  and  yet  He  is  never  wesiy  of  ua ; 
unless  it  was  with  our  sins,  and  th^  ore 
enough  to  weary  the  devil  h&dself.    jfsaiab 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Oct.  1,  IKS. 


THE   EABTHKX  VESSEL. 


23a 


xliii.  24.  O  what  should  ve  do  without 
that  precious,  prcnnoos  Baeriflce,  the  Low> 
JEsra  CiiRiRT?  O  draw  mo— draw  me^ 
to  this,  saith  my  soul.  "  I  will  ran  after 
Thee." 

Dear  pastor,  whflo  sitting  and  hearing 
His  precious  word  through  you,  it  seems  to 
pome  so  direct  from  the  liord'e  own  dear 
lip^,  that  for  the  time,  all  physical  strength 
w^ms  gone  :  His  goodness  seems  to  so  over- 
shadow my  soul  that  at  such  times  I  feel 
altngether  overcome.  He  does  enable  you 
M  minutely  to  enter  into  my  case,  and  to 
bring  the  Gospel,  and  the  things  thereof, 
dnvra  to  where  I  am  from  time  to  time, 
that  I  am  compelled  to  say,  '*Lord,  is  it 
fKTSflible?  Lord,  is  it  possible?**  Oh,  it 
must  be  entirely  of  Thee,  for  Tliy  ser- 
vant does  not  know  where  I  am  or 
what  I  am  ;  but  Thou  dost ;  yes,  Thoo 
df>^.  I  do  not  think  that  there  has  been 
one  single  time  that  I  have  heard  you 
but  what  I  have  gleaned  something  for  my 
sonVs  benefit.  Never  did  His  word  prove 
such  a  blessed  reality  as  it  does  n«w.  O  for 
a  clearer  understanding  therein!  O,  how 
b!**s«edly  and  beautifufiy  have  yt>u  been 
enabled  to  open  tip  what  has  hitherto  been 
comparatively  hid  from  me,  previous  to 
your  coming  here ;  namely,  the  great  love 
of  His  heart.  You  have  sometimes  laid 
His  heart  right  open  to  my  soul's  view  and 
fe<*linps;  I  have  been  enabled  to  go  to 
Him  in  'to  me)  a  new  character ;  namely,  as 
my  Father,  and  I  have  felt  that  great  as 
He  is,  I  dare  be  firee. 

O,  what  a  blessing  to  be  brought  to  know 
S'tmewhat  of  the  love  that  reigns  in  His 
heart,  which  sin,  devils,  nor  all  the  vicissi- 
tudee  of  life,  can  never  change. 

*Hi»  lore  do  end, no measura knows, 
No  %ge  can  change  its  course ; 
Iimiaubly  tlie  same  it  flows, 
Fnm  one  ctcnMl  eouroe.'' 

Sot  can  anything  make  Him  alter  one 
sentence  that  love  hath,  in  love,  spoken. 
How  precious  these  words  have  been  unto 
me :  "  Come  unto  Me,"  &c.  0  what  con- 
d^'^cension  ;  is  it  not  wonderful,  He  does  not 
say  come  to  my  angels,  even  of  the  highest 
order ;  nor  yet  His  own  sent  servants,  al- 
though we  cannot  do  without  them,  and 
love  them.  No ;  but  "  Come  to  Me."  O 
for  grace  to  come  ,  yea,  to  be  coming  con-  • 
tinually.  { 

Bear   pastor,   I  am  passing  through  a 
HMHi  peculiar,  yet  severe  trial,  just  now ;  j 
and  one  which   I  dare  not  name  to  any! 
one :  one  which  is  of  such  a  crushing  and  | 
weighty  character,  that  I  seem  all  but  over- 
whelmed ;  nevertheless,  my  faith  has  hold  I 
of  thia  wtwd,  *'  He  performeth  the  thing  that ' 
is  appointed  for  me,  and  many  sueh  things 
are  with  him  :*•  although  the  way  is  rough,  i 
it  is  nevertheless  right.  I 


These  WMda  are  so  consoling  to  me:  "Fear 
not,  be  strong,  and  of  good  courage,  and  He 
shall  strengthen  thine  heart ;"  and  again, 
"  I  am  Thy  shield,  and  Thy  exceeding  great 
reward  ;"  and  again,  "I  will  be  with  thee," 
&c. ;  and  again,  "  Casting  all  your  care 
upon  Him,  for  He  carcth  for  you ;"  but  to 
conclude. 

Dear  Pastor,  I  am  constrained  to  say, 
"Behold,  what  manner  of  love,"  &c. — 
Yqiits  affectionately  as  ever  in  the  Lord 
Jesus. 

[HoTs>-Most  of  the  scriptarcs  qnotM  and  re- 
lerred  to  in  tlio  above  the  writer  lias  heard  me 
preach  from,  and  wliich  have  been  made  to  her 
a  great  blessing.— J.  I.] 


HATH  GOD 
FORGOTTEN  to  bb  GRACIOUS  ? 

Evil  consequences,  not  designed,  have  fre- 
quently ori^nated  in  forgttfuluosM.  This 
can  be  said  m  reference  to  man,  not  so,  how- 
ever in  regard  to  God ;  lie  never  has  for- 
gotten anything :  we,  tlierefi>re,  could  not 
be  persuaaed  to  believe  that  His  first  act  of 
forgetfulness  would  be  in  reference  to  His 
own  dear  people.  No  !  let  us  rather  hear 
what  God  the  Lord  will  speak,  for  it  will  be 
peace  to  His  people ;  but  let  them  not  return 
again  to  the  folly  of  imagining  that  Ho  will 
ever  be  unmindful  of  the  objects  of  His 
special  love.  The  mother  may  forget  the 
offspring  of  her  womb,  but  I  will  never  for- 
get thee.  This,  then,  is  concluaive.  He 
has  not  forgotten  to  bo  graciouH.  The 
question  is  momentoup,  but  not  decidedly 
gloomy,  the  silver  lining  ap[>ears  bordering 
on  it.  Mark,  it  is  a  question,  not  an  a^iser- 
tion ;  an  inquiry,  not  antici]>uting  a  doubtful 
isbue,  but  rather  the  confirmation  of  the 
mind  in  the  glorious  reality  that  its  con- 
templations are  in  reference  to  an  allwise 
and  unchangeable  God.  And  from  this  the 
believer  draws  his  consolation  and  his  good 
hope  through  grace,  imparted  by  the  Iloly 
Spirit  by  means  of  such  suggestions  as 
these, — 

1.  He  cannof  forget  His  own  gracious 
covenant  which  He  made  with  Jesus  Christ 
His  Son  before  the  foundation  of  the  world 
began.  A  covenant  well  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure,  and  which  was  so  delight^ 
somely  contemplated  by  David  shortly  be- 
fore he  yielded  up  his  spirit ;  Job  likewise 
when  in  the  very  deeps  of  trouble,  derived 
confovtfrom  this  source,  "  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth ; "  and  the  apostle  St. 
Paul,  in  the  serious  anticipation  of  a  mar- 
tyr^s  death,  exclaims,  "  I  know  in  whom  I 
live  believed."  The  covenant  of  grace  is 
a  fiztnre  with  God,  and  by  His  Spirit  He 
makes  it  so  in  the  hearts  of  His  people. 


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TUB   EARTHEN  YE8BEL. 


Oct  1,  Ides. 


Here  are  no  contingencies ;  hence  He  cannot, 
He  will  not  leave  oflf  to  be  gracious. 
^  The  oath  and  promise  of  the  Lord, 
Joiu  to  confirm  the  wondrous  ffracc; 
Eternal  power  performs  the  Woro, 
And  fills  all  heaven  with  love  and  praise.** 

2.  Can  God  forget  His  own  dear  Son  ? 
Can  He  cea«e  fo  remember  His  engage- 
ments with  Him  ?  .  **  He  that  spared  not 
His  own  Son,  but  dcliTered  Him  up  for  us 
all,  how  f'linll  He  not  with  Him  also  freely 
give  us  all  things.*'  Ever  mindful  of  the 
necessitous  condition  of  His  dear  people, 
and  having  bestowed  on  them  the  best,  the 
richest  boon  that  heaven  possessed,  shall 
He  ever  forgot  the  gracious  errand  on  which 
Ho  sent  Him  forth  from  His  own  bosom  ? 
While  hero  on  earth  He  was  ever  an  object 
of  His  Father's  remembrance.  He  was 
heard  in  that  Ho  feared,  learning  obedience 
by  tho  things  which  He  suffered ;  and  of 
this  the  highest  possible  testimony  was 
given  when  the  voice  from  the  excellent 
glory  was  Iieard  by  tlie  beloved  disciples, 
saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son  in  whom 
I  am  well  pleased : "  and  in  connection  with 
all  that  Christ  did  and  suffered  on  earth, 
was  the  Father's  gracious  remembrance  of 
His  children.       And  now  exalted  to  His 

florious  throne,  and  as  the  High  Priest  of 
[is  church  which  He  has  purchased  with 
His  own  blood.  Ho  lives  in  the  Father's 
constant  remembrance ;  and  because  of  this 
His  dear  people  shall  for  ever  live  there 
also. 
Eehoboth,  J.  Ho^vills. 

Bury  St.  Edmunds. 

THE   NAME    OF   THE   LORD. 
By  J.  Britt.mn, 

HINI6TER  OP  STBPNEY  BAPTLST  CHAPEL, 
WELLE8LEY   ST.,  ARBOm  f'T. 

The  name  of  the  Lord  I  Who  can  tell  the 
sweetness  of  that  name  when  it  falls  with 
power  on  the  soul  of  a  poor  guilty  sinner, 
wth  »•!  am  the  Lord  that  healeth  thee?" 
And,  yet,  how  many  thousand  times  has 
that  precious  sentence  been  spoken  to  the 
hearts  of  sin-burdened,  Satan-haunted,  con- 
science-smitten, but  blood-redeemed  ones  I 
And,  forthwith  in  the  joyfiU  experience  of 
their  souls,  sin  has  been  put  away,  Satan 
cast  down,  conscience  silenced,  salvation  en- 
joyed, and  the  name  of  the  Lord  exalted. 

The  name  of  the  Lord !  Who  can  com- 
prehend it — ^written  as  it  is  in  ten  thousand 
characters?  In  all  creation's  works,  on 
every  page  of  Divine  revelation,  and  in 
every  phase  of  His  people's  experience. 

Well  may  the  Jews  say  that,  '•  Neither 
men  nor  angels  can  pronounce  it*"  For  in 
it  is  embodied  all  that  He  is,  "  Yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever." 


"  Jbhovah  I"  I  am  He  that  was ;  I  am 
He  that  is ;  I  am  that  He  that  is  to  come. 
Or  thus,  "I  am  Hd  that  was  in  eternity, 
choosing  a  people  for  Myself;  planning, 
covenanting,  ana  decreeing  their  everlasting 
salvation.  I  am  He  that  is  in  time,  prepar- 
ing salvation  for  them,  bringing  it  to,  con- 
ceiving it  on,  and  perpetuating  it  in  them 
till  time  with  them  shall  hayc  uas^sed  awzy. 
I  am  Ho  that  is  to  come,  when  the  last 
sands  of  nature's  hour-glass  have  run  out, 
and  the  last  elect  vessel  of  mercy  is  brought 
to  Zion,  to  raise  the  dead,  both  just  and 
unjust,  and  in  the  presence  of  assembled 
angels,  men  and  devils,  take  My  people  to 
Myself,  that  where  I  am  they  may  for  ever 
be.  Yes !  believer,  when  He  has  accom- 
plished His  will  concerning  thee,  and  Sa- 
tan's last  fiery  dart  quenched ;  all  thy  fears 
vanished  like  the  morning  cloud ;  every  foe 
put  under  thy  feet,  and  thou  hast  learned  to 
sine  of  mercy  and  of  judgment  ^enabled  to 
spell  out  in  an  humble  wav  one  or  two  syl- 
lables of  His  name,  He  shall  lay  thy  poor 
frail,  aching  body  gently  down  until  the  fall 
number  of  His  elect  shall  be  gathered  in. 
And  when  He  comes  to  take  His  loved  ones 
home,  that  body  which  is  such  a  burden  to 
thee  now,  shall  rise  in  all  the  beauty  of 
youth,  renewed,  and  re-united  to  the  happy 
Spirit,  shall  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord — 

"  To  learn  His  name,  to  see  His  &oe, 
And  sing  tlie  triumphs  of  His  grace.** 


NATURE    AND    EFFECTS 

OF  FAITH. 

By  John  Brow.v,  A.M.,  Cokog, 

NB%\T0fKA«DS,  IrELAKD. 

In  the  conduct  of  those  Egyptians  who 
feared  the  word  of  Jehovah  (Exodus  ix. 
18—21)  we  have  a  good  illustration  of  the 
nature  and  effect  of  faith.  Faith  in  the 
testimony  of  God  is  always  followed  by 
effects,  corresponding  in  their  nature  to 
the  nature  of  that  particular  truth  which  is 
believed.  The  Egj'ptians,  in  the  present 
instance,  believed  the  threatening  of  God 
with  respect  to  the  plague  of  the  hail ;  and 
the  effect  of  this  belief  was,  that  they 
housed  the  cattle  from  the  impending  cal- 
amity. Their  faith  wrought  by  fear,  and 
led  them  to  avoid  the  threatened  danger. 
So,  if  the  same  degree  of  faith  was  exercised 
by  the  sinner  in  the  threatenings  of  Ghxl, 
with  respect  to  the  eternal  damnation  of  the 
wicked,  the  effect  of  his  faith  would  be 
(error.  His  faith,  too,  would  w«rk  hjfear, 
and  lead  him  anxiously  to  enquire  where  he 
might  flee  from  **  the  wrath  to  come."  And 
if  the  same  degree  of  faith  were  exercised 
again  by  the  convinced  sinner  in  the  "  ex- 
ceeding great  and  precious  promises"  of  the 

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THB  EABTHEN  VSS8EL. 


235 


Gospel,  the  effects  of  his  faith  irould  be 
peace,  Faith  in  this  case  would  work  by 
I/ore,  and  produce  in  the  believer  "  the 
peaceable  fraits  of  righteousness  which  are 
by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory  and  praise  of 
€rod.'*  Faith  in  all  these  cases  is  thejsame, 
considered  in  itself;  the  difference  is  in  the 
object.  Faith  in  the  threatenings  of  God, 
whether  these  relate  to  time  or  eternity,  will 
not  save  the  soul,  not  because  of  any  defect 
in  itself,  but  because  it  does  not  terminate 
in  the  saving  object.  The  mistake  is  not  in 
the  manner  of  believing,  but  in  the  thing 
believed.  The  true  reason  why  ungodly 
ainnf-rs  set  their  mouth  against  the  heavens 
and  blaspheme  the  Grod  that  made  them,  is 
because  they  do  not  believe  the  threatenings 
of  God*s  worrl  in  any  sense,  however  much 
they  maj-  impose  upon  themselves,  or  what- 
ever they  may  say  to  the  contrary ;  and  the 
true  reason  why  the  great  mass  of  professed 
Christians  exhibit  none  of  the  fruits  of  the 
Gospel  in  their  spirit  and  deportment  is, 
not  becaose  they  believe  the  Gospel  at 
hLL — they  aro  "children  in  whtra  there 
is  no  faith."  ^  And  the  true  reason  why 
the  real  disciples  of  Jesus  exhibit  so  litUe 
of  the  spirit  of  their  Master  is,  not  because 
of  any  error  in  their  manner  of  believing, 
but  because  of  their  weakness  of  the  faith  ; 
for  as  the  effects  of  our  faith  will  always 
eorr«>spond  to  its  object,  so  the  abundance 
of  thi^se  effects  will  be  in  proportion  to  its 
strength.  We  ought,  therefore,  particularly 
to  examine  whether  our  fiiith  be  right,  as  to 
its  object — ^whether  we  have  obtained  "  pre- 
dona  faith  in  the  righteousness  of  our  God 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ" — "the  righteous- 
ness of  God,"  which  like  a  spotless  robe  is 
placed  "upon  all  them  that  believe,"  and 
thus  covers  all  their  sin.  And  as  God 
•*  deals  to  every  man  the  measure  of  faith** 
which  he  possesses,  let  us  pray  to  the  Lord 
to  increase  our  faith ;  for  in  proportion  to 
the  deaniess  of  our  knowleoge  of  Christ, 
and  the  strength  of  our  faith  in  Him,  will 
be  our  comfort,  our  purity,  and  joy. 


THE 

OFFENCE   OF   THE   CROSS. 

Thk  following  is  the  letter  referred  to  un- 
der the  above  title  in '  our  August  number. 
It  was  written  by  a  young  man,  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  Bridgnorth,  to  a 
student  of  Springhill  College,  near  Bir- 
mii^faam,  who,  supplying  for  a  Sabbath  at 
Bri<^orth,  and  preaching  firom  the  text, 
**  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  Fa- 
ther's business  ?"  made  it  his  business  to 
earicatnre  the  ministry  of  faithful  men  who 
pKach  the  doctrines  of  the  cross,  asserting 
that,  if  they  may  be  said  to  preach  a  Gos- 
pel, it  is  a  **  niggard  Gospel,"  and  that 


they  savagely  reprobate  all  who  cannot 
pronounce  their  "canting  Shibboleth."  A 
beautifiil  vocabulary  of  rhetorical  gems 
might  have  been  picked  out  of  the  neo- 
phyte's orations,  shewing  how  far  the  Ga- 
maliels of  the  present  day  get  a-head  of  the 
Blairs  and  Jamiesons  of  the  past,  and  how 
the  lowest  slang  can  be  sanctified  for  pulpit 
use  when  the  preacher  would  bemud  the 
men  whose  doctrines  he  hates  but  cannot 
disprove.  What  this  poor  divine  vended 
as  Gospel  is  a  something  placed  at  the 
option  of  all,  but  securing  the  salvation  of 
none ;  a  liberal  scattering  of  offers  of  grace 
with  puling  appeals  to  the  deaf  and  dead 
to  accept  those  offers  ;  a  heterogeneous  mix- 
ture, like  the  witch's  cauldron,  but  not  a 
cup  of  cold  water  or  a  crumb  of  living 
bread  to  allay  the  hunger  and  thirst  of 
Zion's  poor.  God  have  mercy  on  the 
churches  if  this  be  a  sample  of  the  cookery 
at  our  boasted  seminaries  of  parson  pre- 
paration! We  are  very  uncharitable,  no 
doubt,  in  denouncing  such  rubbish ;  bu** 
our  charity  for  Bible  truth  must  never  give 
place  to  charity  for  the  errors  of  mistaking 
men.  A  great  demand  is  made  on  us  by 
some  well-meaning  folk  to  aggregate  in  a 
religious  union.  A  religious  union  for- 
sooth !  A  union  with  men  who  malign  ns 
as  Antinomians,  and,  which  is  worse,  ab- 
negate the  sovereignty  of  God,  rob  the  Sa- 
viour of  His  covenant  rights,  and  try  to 
level  the  walls  which  enclose  the  garden  of 
the  Lord.  One  of  the  alumni  of  the  Inde- 
pendent College  in  Lancashire  has  lately  per- 
petrated a  book,  entitled,  Miscellaneous  Es- 
sai/8,  Critical  and  Theological,  Our  readers 
will  be  amused  at  the  bombastic  splutterings 
of  the  "  ReY.  W.  Kirkus,  LL.B."  He  will 
be  much  flattered  by  bein^  named  here,  for 
he  does  his  best  to  get  his  name  up  every- 
where. Besides,  we  shall  advertise  his 
essays,  which  are  "  miscellaneous"  enough 
in  all  conscience.  Then  it  is  only  a  quid 
pro  quo;  for  has  he  not  advertised  the 
Vbssbl  in  his  learned  tome?  The  Rev.  W. 
Kirkus,  LL.B,  deposeth  thus : — 

'*  Time  was  when  disputes  on  subtle 
and  mysterious  doctrines  were  confined  to 
scholars  and  divines;  they  are  now  by  religi- 
ous newspapers  brought  into  every  family 
and  cottage.  Perplexed  parents  discover  that 
their  little  children  have  suddenly  ripened 
to  such  theological  maturity,  that  they  can 
pronounce  an  unhesitating  sentence  on  the 
orthodoxy  of  some  learned  professor,  or  of 
the  minister  to  whose  congregation  theY 
belong.  Even  their  very  servant?,  though 
perhaps  barely  able  to  read  and  write, 
have  learned  from  The  Record  or  Tra 
Eaetuek  Vessel,  to  solve  those  mysteries 
which  St  Clement)  of  Alexandria,  or  St» 
Athanasius,  or  St.  Augustin  would  have 
approached    only  with  profoundest   medi- 

Digitized  by  VjOOv  IL 


236 


THB  ZABXBXV  VE8SSL. 


Oeui.iafli. 


tation  aad   mott  childlike  pnyer  to  the 
Father  of  lif^to." 

If  the  Ber.  W.  Kirkns,  LL.B.  is  receired 
as  an  authority  in  hia  own  drde,  and  if 
that  cirale  bear  any  proportion  to  hia  self- 
eeteem,  we  ahall  hare  an  enormous  demand 
for  the  Vaanui,  for  he  states  that  "the  area 
of  religious  oantrorersy  has  been  contin- 
ually widening/'  whieh  ne  in  part  attributes 
to  us,  and  even  children  and  aerrants  who 
read  our  pagas  become  able  to  criticize 
learned  pro&sson,  and  solve  mysteries 
whieh  even  an  LL.B.  is  eridently  ignorant 
of.  We  hope  he  will  so  on  to  read  the 
Vbssel,  and  that  Gk)d  will  so  bless  its  con- 
tents to  his  poor  bewildered  soul,  as  to  de- 
liver him  from  scholastic  conceits,  and 
bring  him  to  the  place  where  Maty  sat — at 
the  oariour^s  feet,  where,  we  fear,  he  has 
never  had  humility  to  sit;  tlien  we  may 
hope  he  will  in  time  attain  to  the  degree  of 
many  of  our  servant  readers,  who  know 
they  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  and 
by  precious  &ith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
can  read  their  title  dear  to  mansions  in  the 
skies.  Having  paid  our  respects  to  our 
learned  patron,  we  move  aside  for  our  young 
friend's  letter. 

To  THS  Bxv.  Mb.  Gbay. 

Su,— It  would  not  beoome  me  to  addrew  you  on 
the  Aubiect  of  your  sennons  of  last  Sunday  were 
it  not  that  **  my  Father's  business*'  is  somewhat 
oonoemed .  I  allude  to  the  nnwarnmlable  attadc 
you  made  on  the  Galvinistio  mrieatvrt  you  de« 
»ict«d  in  such  lively  colours.  Pain  would  I 
iope  that  fEiir,  calm,  and  charitable  reflection 
will  convinoe  you  that  the  monalera  of  3'our  in- 
dignation  do  not  exist  in  reality ;  but.  assuming 
some  doaen  of  such  to  have  oeen  listening  to 
your  zealous  abuse,  do  you  expect  such  means  to 
wean  them  from  their  «  canting  Shibboleth,"  or 
to  clear  the  (for  you)  too  nant>w  way  of  life  from 
their  disagreeable  intrusion  ?  But  let  us  dismiss 
the  hobgoblin  alike  unworthy  of  attack  and  de- 
fence. I  am  much  mistaken  if  I  do  not  detect  in 
you  a  dee^aeated  dislike— perhaps  hatred— to 
those  doctrines  which  recognise  the  sovereignty 
of  Ood,  the  depravity  of  man,  **  lacking  the  power 
to  loffl,  the  win  to  do;**  which  ascribe  the  com- 
mencement of  spiritoal  Hie  to  God ;  which  ex- 
hibit the  work  of  salvatian  as  a  complete  work, 
planned  by  inscrutable  wisdom,  and  carried  out 
by  Omnipotent  love ;  which  speak  of  the  "  elec- 
tion of  Ghod  "  as  a  flock,  of  which  not  a  lamb  is 
to  be  missed  or  torn  from  the  Shepherd's  hand ; 
as  a  winnowing  of  wheat,  of  which  not  a  grain  is 
to  fall  upon  the  earth  so  as  to  be  lost.  I  would 
ask  yon,  Where  is  the  etnpidly  presumptuous 
fool  you  tuld  us  of  who  assumes  to  pick  out  **  the 
Lora's  hidden  ones,"  and  to  say  which  are  elect 
vessels  and  which  are  not?  Are  not  the  wheat 
and  the  tares  to  grow  together  until  the  harvest? 
It  has  been  the  Tot  of  those  who  hold  and  love 
these  positive  doctrines  to  be  decried  as  Antano- 
niiany,  from  Paul  lunu«li  downwards.  (Rom. 
iii.  31 ;  iii.  8.)  They  lia\'e  tmd'  to  encounter  the 
misconoeption  of  the  prejudiced,  the  suspicion 
of  the  timid,  the  calumnies  of  those  who  hate 
but  cannot  disprove  the  arguments  the  Bible 
supplies,  and  the  downright  enmity  of  the  na- 
tural religionist;  so  that  we  are  accustomed  to 
4>e  "everywhen  spoken  against'*  without  tlie 
camp.  But  we  have  had  to  witness  the  things 
life  revere  and  esteem  held  up  to  contempt,  ma- 


■Ei 


lidoady  or  igaonntly,  into  what  is  npulsiveor 
grotesque  in  our  own  pulpit,  and  by  an  entire 
stranger,  whose  bitterness  sufficed  to  banirii  the 
ordinary  instincts  of  courtesy  and  good  Cssts,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  ebwity  tnat  llihiketb  no  evil 
and  vaunteth  not  itself.  Will  you  then  wonder 
that  In  the  first  flush  of  indication  I  shonld 

have  followed  yon  to  the  ves^  to  re ^'^ 

in  a  mendly  way  f   Tou  say 
,  ,  Jiposed  to  tl 

Gospd's  glad  tidings, 
superfldal  and  unthinkinir.  it  may  so 


with  you  in  a  friendly  way  f  Tou  say  Oahioirts 
are  almost,  if  not  qute.  opposed  to  the  procla- 
mations of  the  Gospel's  glad  tidings.   To  the 


but  a  well-edneated  man,  like  youneU;  oacht  at 
least  to  have  made  himself  better  acquainted  with 
the  subject,  and  have  avoided  the  always  poor 
and  ungenerous  mode  of  setting  up  a  man  of 
straw.  And  why  should  you  stigmatise  that  ss  a 
niggard  Gospel  whieh  seru^ee  to  pronouDce  ab- 
solution of  sin  where  there  is  no  eonsoiousDess  of 
it  in  the  soul  ?— which  shrinks  from  the  reraon- 
sibility  of  sending  immortal  souls  on  in  the  nlse 
and  delusive  hope  that  they  are  made  whole, 
dean,  free,  accepted  by  an  mnntelligeat  assent 
misnamed  Faith  ?  Is  that,  Sir,  a  niggard  Gospel 
which  exhibits  the  whole  race  of  mankind  as 


being  far  from  God.  in  blindnesa,  enmi^,  sod 
spiritual  death ;  in  the  awful  eapdvitar  of  Bctaa  9 
That  Gospel  which  teaches  that  new  fife  must  be 
imparted  before  any  aspiration  will  arise  Clirist- 
ward  for  deliverance  from  the  weariness  of  sin 
and  the  heavy  labour  of  Satan^  yoke.  How,  en 
these  premises,  shall  we  exhort  to  men  resolve 
that  ot  itself  may  re-resolve  and  die  the  same? 
Bveiy  ffodly  Oalvinist  hails  with  stocerest  joy 
any  mcucataon  that  Divine  gmoe  has  opemtod  in 
any  degree— in  any  diieoUon.  Yea,  we  do  re- 
joice men  any  oai-k  and  benighted  soul  is 
pointed  by  Bvangelist  to  the  Lamb  of  God  that 
tjdceth  away  the  sin  of  the  worid.  Touaeeoseusof 
spiritual  pride.  Is  it  spiritual  pside  to  rrawiwe 
ourselves  by  scripture  evidence  to  aee  wbethtr 
we  bear  the  mark  of  sonship,  and  to  r^oiee  in 
the  proof  when  we  find  ft?  is  it  spiritual  pride 
which  maintains  that  such  and  anch  tbiagsai* 
essential  not  merely  tm  items  of  a  creed,  but  ss 
matters  of  experience ;  and  that,  without  thei^ 
we  may  reasonably  flear  the  good  work  of  con- 
version has  had  no  genuine  oonameneemectt 
God  the  Esther's  purpose  of  election,  God  the 
8on*s  substitution  and  suffering  to  redeem,  and 
God  the  Spirit's  renewing  and  sanctlfj'ing  work 
in  e^rery  chosen  soul  are  the  great  points  of  Cal- 
vinism—the  Oalvinism  we  fn/e»$  and  plead  to, 
but  on  which,  I  think,  you  must  have  been  mie- 
informed.  I  nave  therefore  ventured  thus  much 
in  hope  that  you  will  receive  it  as  the  protest  of 
one  no  way  unfriendly  to  ymt ;  aetoated  by  no 
other  moti\'e  than  a  desire  that  looking  further 
into  "the  perfect  law  of  liberty,"  you  will 
modify  your  opinions  of  us,  and  of  the  tescb- 
infls  we  approve.  All  I' ask  of  you  is  fidracss: 
neither,  you  nor  we  can  do  anyUuna  against  the 
truth,  and  there  is  scope  for  us  botn — ^you  with 
your  Shibboleth  and  me  with  my  Shibboleth; 
without  our  killing  each  oilier  at  the  pesesfff  of 
Jordan.  I  am.  Sir,  yours  very  truly,  B.  B. 
June  16th,  1863. 


"Strange  Tales  by  John  AsiwortV* 
Published  Try  Bremner  and  Pitman.  This 
volume  is  full  of  facts  illustrating  the  life 
and  labours  of  oue  of  the  most  useful  of 
men,  doing  more  good  than  thousands  of 
those  pretended  pious  people  who  aunonnd 
our  modem  churches  and  chapels.  John 
Ashworth  is  a  noble  specimen  of  evan- 
gelical and  practical  charity :"  Go  and  do 
thou  likewise,"  is  written  in  his  sovl  by  the 
finger  of  God. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


Oetl,  18«3. 


THB  EARTHEN   TESSSU 


237 


a?HK    HEAVENLY    STATE,    AND     THE     ETERNAL 
HAPPINESS    OF    THE   BIGHTEOUS- 

Br  C.    GoBDELUB,    Minister   of  Hepuziba.u    Chapel,    Darunq    Place, 
Milk  JSkd  Boad,   Lozioox. 

"But  as  it  U  writtflOy  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  oar  heard,  neither  have  entered  iato  the  heart  of  man, 
the  things  which  Qod  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  Him."— 1  Cor.  2—0. 


To  exact  W€n6»  of  the  text  are  not  to  be 
found  in  our  translation,  but  this  is  the 
^juml  seBso  of  the  passage  from  whence 
It  is  quoted.  See  Isaiah  bdv.  4;  and  Psalm 
xnd.  19. 

The  hearenlj  state  is  depicted  to  ns  as  a 
rest ;  this  world  as  the  wildsmess,  ourselves 
as  trareUers.  It  was  said  by  Moses,  "  We 
are  not  as  yet  come  to  the  rest,  and  to  the 
inheritance  which  the  Lord  God  giTeth 
joel"  He  had  not  seen  the  good  land,  he 
could  not  describe  it,  but  considered  it  as 
the  home,  the  rest,  they  had  in  view.  So 
vith  oorselres,  we  are  not  able  to  describe 
literally  the  happy  abode  of  the  righteousi 
but  there  are  some  things  which  are  most 
sorely  believed  among  us :  there  are  some 
things  revealed  ;  secret  things  belong  unto 
God ;  the  things  revealed  belong  to  us  and 
our  children. 

There  seems  many  things  spoken  of  in 
the  word  of  God  about  the  heavenly  state, 
chiefly  to  inspire  the  spiritual  traveller 
while  passing  through  this  world  to  the 
Zioa  above.  JBven  C&rist  Himself  exhorted 
His  disciples  to  '*  rejoice  and  be  exceeding 
gisd,  for  great  is  yoor  reward  in  heaven ;" 
the  ajpostles  wrote  of  it ;  Chriatian  aiothors 
of  all  ages  have  written  upon  it;  and 
spiritoanv-nuiided  disciples  delight  to  con- 
vene with  each  other  wnile  travelling  home 
t»  God  in  the  way  of  their  fbrefathers. 

The  heavenlj  state — the  state  eaUed 
iieaven,  a  pLaee  that  is  in  itseif  heavenly ; 
thai  is  to  say,  a  state  and  a  place  far  above 
all  that  is  earthly,  material,  and  sensual — it 
is  the  plaoe  where  Christ  sitteth ;  it  is  a 
state  of  being  which  we  are  caUed  to  aspre 
to  by  all  poseible  means, "  Set  your  affections 
00  thmgs  abore,  not  on  tilings  of  the 
esrth" 

Ihaveasid  we  cannot  litemlly  describe 
the  place  called  heav«n,  for  none  of  ns  have 
erer  been  theros,  nor  have  any  who  have 
gone  thither  returned  to  tell  ns  what  they 
havp!  seen  oa  heard.  Oar  text  is  like  a 
nek ;  there  it  is-^a  great  fact—"  £>re  hath 
not  seen,  nor  hath  tl^  ear  heard,"  cce. 

Bat  we  hare  this  great  consolation,  a 
matter  for  r^Mcing  fkr  oreater  than  if  any 
inhabitant  of  the  heavenly  country  had  left 
it  on  purpose  to  describe  it  to  us.  Onr 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  not  only  the  original 
inhabitaat  of  the  place ;  bat  He  did  also 
natty  leave  H  tat  &  time,  dwelt  on  this 


earth,  and  has  told  ns  many  things  abotrt 
it.  We  have,  therefore,  some  information, 
the  very  best  information  we  can  possibly 
have,  from  One  who  has  actually  been 
there,  and  knows  everything  about  the 
place — ^nay,  more ;  we  know  the  place,  and 
the  state  is  most  accurately  described,  be- 
cause heaven  is  of  His  own  creation  :  He  is 
the  Proprietor  of  the  place.  He  has  the 
control  of  all  its  concerns,  and  He  Himself 
is  the  glory  of  the  place ;  and  hence  is 
created  the  happiness  of  all  His  creatures, 
saints,  and  angels. 

Heaven  as  a  place  is  set  forth  to  us  under 
various  names.  It  is  called  heaven,  for 
there  happiness  exists  ;  called  "  the  reward 
in  heaven ;"  "  the  hope  laid  up  in  heaven ;" 
''  the  iaheritance  reserved  in  heaven  ;*' 
"  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  It  is  called 
Pifadise,  a  place  of  plsasare  aad  delight,  a 
j^lace  of  lignt,  the  light  of  life,  the  inherit- 
ance of  the  saints  in  light.  It  is  signified 
by  a  house  to  dw^  in,  a  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,  in  which 
there  are  many  mansions ;  it  is  called  a  city,' 
whose  Bailder  and  Maker  is  God;  it  is 
called  the  belter  coantry,  better  than 
Canaan,  the  type  of  it,  the  umd  that  is  very 
far  off,  even  in  the  highest  heavens,  the 
land  of  uprightness  where  only  upright 
persons  dwelL 

Heaven  as  a  state  is  sometimes  called  an 
inheritancBt  in  allusion  to  inheritances 
among  men  which  are  not  obtained  and 
purdmsed  by  them,  but  are  bequeathed,  or 
come  to  them  as  from  father  to  son ;  and 
so  the  heavfoily  state  is  not  a  purdiase  by 
the  children  of  God,  but  is  bequeathed  to 
them  by  theur  heavenly  Father,  and  eomes 
to  them  by  the  will  and  testament  of  Jesus 
Christ  bv  virtue  of  His  death.  John  tjtL 
24^  It  IS  called  a  kingdom  of  glory ;  a 
crown  of  riahteousness  and  life ;  a  erown 
of  glory,  it  is  expressed  by  glory  itself^ 
— Psalm  Ixxxiv.  11— aweight  (ng>orv.  It 
has  the  name  of  peace  ;  it  is  called  tna  joy 
of  the  Lord.  Matt.  xxi.  26. 

It  is  also  expressed  as  being  ''in 
Abraham's  bosom'' — ^the  child-l^e  pUce  of 
repose  and  safety— as  being  with  Christ  on 
His  throne,  as  being  fed  by  Him  and  led  by 
Him  to  fbuntains  of  living  waters.  It  is 
as  yet  an  unseen  h^ipiness :  ftith  and  hope 
have  some  glimpses,  and  wait  for  its  fall 
manifestation.    It  is  fhture— i 

Digitized  by  ^ 


r,-;t^5^^ 


238 


TUB   EABTUKN   VESSEL. 


oot.  x.isaa 


shall  be  revealed;  it  is  beyond  all  com- 
parison; it  is  an  enduring  substance;  it 
will  consist  in  a  freedom  from  all  evils,  the 
enjoyment  of  all  that  is  good,  and  finally  it 
is  everlasting,  an  eternal  perpetuity  of 
bliss. 

Let  us  now  for  a  moment  contemplate 
the  heavenly  state ;  it  is  called  a  rest  The 
idea  of  rest  to  travellers  and  pilgrims  is  one 
of  delight  and  joy ;  it  is  a  consummation  of 
their  purpose — the  object  of  their  wishes — 
to  the  people  of  God  who  are  travelling 
through  this  world  as  pilgrims  and 
strangers;  there  remaineth,  therefore,  a 
rest.  If  you  look  at  this  passage  (Heb. 
iv.  9),  you  will  perceive  it  is  a  conclusion 
which  the  apostle  has  drawn  after  divers 
arguments ;  one  that  contains  the  ground 
of  all  the  believer*s  comfort,  the  end  of  all 
his  duty  and  sufferings,  the  life  and  sum  of 
all  Gospel  promises  and  Christian  privi- 
leges. "What  more  welcome  to  one," 
lays  Baxter,   "under  persona]  afflictions. 


I  tiring  duties,  succession  of  sufferings,  than 
rest  ?    It  is  not  our  comfort  only,  but  our 

I  stability.  Our  liveliness  in  all  duties,  our 
enduring  tribulation,  ous  honouring  of  God, 
the  vigour  of  our  love,  thankfulness,  and  all 
our  graces  ;  yea,  the  very  being  of  our  reli- 
gion and  Christianity  depend  on  the  believ- 
ing serious  thoughts  of  our  rest.** 

Heaven  is  a  place  and  state  of  rest  for 
the  weary  and  worn  traveller  and  labourer 
in  the  Gospel ;  if  such  an  one  has  lived  unto 
the  Lord,  he  shall  die  in  the  Lord ;  and 
blessed  are  they  who  die  in  the  Lord,  for 
they  rest  from  their  labours.  Thev  that 
have  entered  into  rest  have  ceased  from 
their  own  works.  Let,  then,  the  Christian 
sing— 

**  My  rest  is  in  heaveo,  my  rest  is  Dot  here ; 
Then  why  should  I  murmur  when  trials  are 

near? 
Be  hustled,  my  waA  spirit,  the  wont  that  csa 

oome, 
But  shortens  the  journey,  and  hastens  me  home.'' 


COMPANIONS  OF  THE  CROSS; 

^  9nnt(i6t  0f  fome  ti  6ob'i   SaUcs  <fouR)»  in  i\t  ^rt^tftts  of  i\t  C^arc^ts, 


WILUAM  HUNTINGTON'S  JUBILEE  IN  HEAVEN, 


*Thxu  is  much  fulness  of  meaning,  I  think, 
in  Dr.  Gill's  expression, .  that  between  the 
believing  souFs  existence  here,  and  its  ex- 
istence hereafter,  there  is  but  "  a  very  thin 
partition :"  it  is  "  absent  from  the  body,  and 
present  with  the  Lord:"  that  expression 
implies  the  very  near,  the  inexpressibly 
dear,  and  the  indescribable  bless«lness  of 
the  fellowship  and  communion  existing  be- 
tween God  and  the  soul  even  while  here 
upon  the  earth.  Enoch  walked  with  God  ; 
God  communing  with  Abraham  ;  and  Jacob 
wrestling  with  thb  Mak  ;  and  "  thb  IAan 
wrestling  with  Jacob ;"  Moses  going  up  in- 
to the  mount  with  Aaron  and  the  Elders, 
where  it  is  said,  '♦  they  saw  tub  GOD  of 
IsiUEL,"  &c ;  and  many  such  delightful 
scriptures,  all  declare  that  Faith  leads  to 
Fellowship,  and  Fellowship  to  a  Full  Frui- 
tion in  Eternal  Glory.  How  David  panted 
after  the  presence  of  God  is  well  known  to 
all  spiritual  and  Christ-loving  souls;  and 
that  agony  of  the  inner  man  after  fuller  dis- 
coveries of  His  glory,  and  greater  nearness 
(o  His  feet,  is  frequently  vented  forth  in  the 
Psalms,  but  especially  in  that  sixty-third. 
How  strong  is  that  language  !  *'  O  GOD ! 
thou  art  MT  GOD  :  earhr  will  I  seek  Thee ; 
my  soul  thirsteth  for  Thee ;  my  flesh  long- 
etn  for  Thee  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land, 
where  no  water  ip.    To  see  Thy  power,  and 


Thy  gloiy,  ao  as  I  have  seen  Thee  in  the 
sanctuary." 

There  is  one  strong  feature  in  Jacob's 
wrestling  which  I  have  never  seen  fully 
written  out,  nor  have  I  heard  it  preached 
out  in  an^  preaching  that  I  recollect ;  and 
yet  I  believe  it  is  in  the  deep  experience  of 
many  thousands  of  God*8  dear  cnildreo  on 
earth.  In  Jeremiah  r.  24,  the  Lord  com- 
plains of  the  rebellious  people ;  He  speaks 
of  their  ovtwabd  deportment,  then  of  their 
rawABD  deficiency.  The  outward  wrong- 
doing is  the  result  of  the  inward  emptiness. 
He  says,  "  They  are  revoUcd  and  oon ;" 
and  then  adds,  *'  Neither  say  thoy  in  their 
heart.  Let  us  now  fear  the  Lord  our  God, 
that  giveth  rain ;  both  the  former  and  the 
latter  rain,  in  his  season  :  He  reserveth  unto 
us  the  appointed  weeks  of  the  harvest." 
When  the  seed  was  sown  in  the  land  of 
Canaan,  then  came  the  torrents  of  heavy 
rain.  So,  in  the  soul's  experience,  when 
the  word  of  the  Lord  hath  taken  deep  root 
in  the  soul,  then  comes  showers  of  convic- 
tions of  sins,  showers  of  heart>-rending 
mercies  in  disguise ;  then  oome  the  brighl- 
lighted  clouds;  then  tho  rainbow  of  the 
covenant  is  discovered :  "God  was  in  Christy 
reconciling  the  world,** — (the  whole  poe- 
terity  of  the  second  Adam,  as  David  Cress- 
well  would  say)  unto  Himself— not  impvtr 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Octl,  IMS. 


THE  EASTHEM   VESSEL. 


239 


ing  their  iniquities  oi-  trespasses  unto  them.** 
Jesus  Christ — in  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God  is  seen—  beins  revealed  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  unto  the  sou  which  has  been  quick- 
(^ned  into  spiritual  life,  and  then  Faith  in 
TUB  Daysman  is  produced,  and  goes  forth 
in  sweet  em  bracings  of  Him  whom  to  know 
is  life  eternal.  Between  the  former  and  the 
latter,  or  ripening,  rain,  we  now  stand. 

You  must  make  special  note  of  that 
double  assertion  in  Deuteronomy  iv. :  They 
saw  no  similitude ;  only  they  heard  a  Toice." 
The  law  has  no  middle  person  ;  no  Days- 
man ;  no  "  Immanuel ;"  no  SaWour.  It  has 
only  a  roice  to  command  and  to  condemn, 
and  a  fire  to  consume  and  to  curse  ;  but  God 
Almighty,  in  His  new  and  everlasting 
covenant,  has  a  SON,  whom  He  hath  chosen 
to  be  His  servant,  and  His  people's  salva- 
tion. The  exaltation  and  revelation  of  this 
the  SoH  of  the  Fathbr  in  Truth  and  Love, 
is  at  once  His  glory  and  our  eternal  good. 
So  that  to  "  every  one  who  seeth  the  Son, 
and  believeth  in  Him,"  is  promised  ever- 
lasting life :  into  condemnation  they  shall 
not  come. 

The  feature  in  Jacob's  wrestling  is  this, 
then— in  Genesis  xxxii.  26,  it  is  written — 
"  HEsaid,  Ijet  me  go,  for  the  day  breaketh ;" 
and  ultimately  He  did  go,  although  Jacob 
obtained  the  blessing  first  Yes !  He  did 
go.  And  so  in  Li^e  xxiv.  28 — after  His 
resurrection,  when  Ho  had  walked  with 
them  to  fhnmaus — ^when  He  had  "ex- 
pounded onto  them  in  all  the  Scriptures, 
the  things  coifceming  Himself:"— when 
He  had  set  their  hearts  on  fire,  and  filled  their 
fonls  with  heavenly  light  and  joy;  then 
"  He  made  as  though  He  would  have  gone 
farther ;"— aad  altnough  they  con8traine<l 
Him,  saying,  "Abide  with  us;"  aud  al- 
thongh  He  went  in  to  tarry  with  them  ;" 
still  it  was  but  for  a  little  while,  for  after 
He  had  taken  bread,  and  blessed,  and  brake 
it,  and  had  given  it  to  them ;"  then  their 
eyes  were  opened ;  and  tiiby  knew  Him  ; 
but  Hb  vanished  out  of  their  sight  —(margin 
— "  ceased  to  be  seen  of  them") 

Thus  it  is.  He  first  draws  out  the  heart, 
and  soul,  and  strength  of  the  sanctified 
mind,  reveals  a  little  of  Himself ;  a  little  of 
His  gloiy ;  causing  us  to  cry  out : 

**  Wbea  shall  the  day,  dvar  Lord,  opp«ar— 

TbAt  we  shall  mount  to  dwell  above— 

AikI  ttand,  and  bow  amooi;  thecu  there — 

And  tee  Tby  face,  and  sing,  and  loTeV" 

But  the  strongeet  expression,  I  think,  on 
this  close  communion  between  the  saved 
soul  and  Christ,  i»  that  in  Canticles  i.  13 : 
•*A  bundle  of  myrrh,  is  my  well-beloved 
onto  me :  He  shall  lie  all  night  betwixt  my 
breasts."  That  is,  during  this  night  of 
temptation,  conflict,  and  sorrow,  Jbsus  is 
precious  to  me  indeed.    He  is  in  my  heart's 


affections  deeply  laid ;  and  there  I  desire  to 
hold  him  fast. 

And  do  you  see  how  many  indulgences 
she  is  favoured  with !  He  reveals  Himself 
unto  her,  as  the  Kose  of  Sharon ;  as  the 
Lily  of  the  Valley;  as  the  Apple  Tree 
among  the  trees  of  the  wood:  she 
says  (margin),  '•  I  delighted,  and  sat  down 
under  his  shadow;  and  His  fruit  was 
sweet  unto  my  taste." 

Then,  after  she  had  seen  His  beauties 
and  glories,  as  shadowed  forth  in  nature's 
garden,  the  rose,  the  lily,  and  the  apple- 
tree,  she  is  favoured  further  stilL  He  gives 
more  grace:  she  goes  from  strengtn  to 
strength :  "  He  brought  me  to  the  banquet- 
ing house ;  and  His  banner  over  me  was 
Love."  His  feft  hand  (of  mediatorial,  mer- 
ciful, and  Almighty  power)  is  under  her 
head  ;  eo  that  altnough  when  she  fell  in  the 
great  and  common  fall  of  all  Adam's  race, 
she  never  fell  out  of  His  hands.  His  left 
hand  was  under  her  head ;  aud  His  Right 
hand  of  loving  and  everlasting  relationship 
doth  embrace  her.  See  now  how  sho 
exults  and  rejoices!  Have  ye  not  seen 
young  Christians  like  this,  many  a  time ! 
They  smile,  they  sing,  they  dance  for  ^oy, 
and  they  wonder  why  the  older  Christians 
do  not  dance  for  joy  like  them.  See  how 
the  Church  breaks  out  in  strains  of  holy 
pleasure. 

"The  voice  of  my  Beloved!  behold  He 
cometh  leaping  upon  the  mountains,  and 
skipping  upon  the  hills."  Oh,  with  what 
tapeed  and  fiery  love  doth  He  seem  to  come  I 
Again,  "  My  beloved  is  like  a  roe,  or  a 
young  hart:  behold  He  standeth  behind 
our  wall :  He  looketh  forth  at  the  windows; 
He  sheweth  Himself  through  the  lattice." 

Here  is  an  almost  imperceptible  drawing 
off.    But, 

Again:  she  says — "My  beloved  spake, 
and  said  unto  me,  Rise  up,  my  love,  my 
fair  one;  and  come  away."  He  uses  many 
arguments. 

What  is  the  matter?  .Has  she  become 


I  sailed  her  ?  Has  Satan  by  an  unseen 
1  arrow  partially  poisoned  her  ? 
!  I  think  so.  Hence,  Christ  uses  argu- 
ments. He  says.  Winter  is  past,  rain  is 
I  over,  flowers  aj>pear,  singing  birds  are 
I  come,  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  the 
j  land,  tlie  fig-tree  putteth  forth  her  green  figs, 
;  the  vines  give  a  goodly  smell ;  (and 
!  then,  after  afl  these  persuasive  words,  He 
'  says,) — 

"'Arise,   My    love — ^My  fair  one,  and 

COME  AWAY." 

But  she  does  not  come.  She  has  strug- 
gled to  run  after  him ;  but  something  has 
happened,  something  has  hindered. 

Ah  1  how  many  tens  of  thousands  know 
that  which  is  spoken  by  ^?^?^^J^p' 


2iO 


THE  RABTHBW  YBS8BL. 


Oct  l,\Mt. 


'*  Whilo  he  waa  yet  coming,  the  devil  threw 
him  down  and  tare  him." 

Ohl  my  eoull  didst  not  thou  once  run 
after  Jesna  }  Did  He  not  come  to  thee  ? 
Did  He  not  reireal  Himself  in  the  light  and 

flory  above  the  brightness  of  the  sun? 
)idst  not  thou  then  run  to  hear  of  Him  ? 
and  rise  up  early  to  think,  and  read,  and 
write  of  Him  ?  Was  not  Jesus  eveiything 
to  Thee? 

The  world,  the  mere  clamour  of  men  and 
professing  Churches  were  nothing  ;  popu- 
larity was  never  dreamed  of  then ;  man's  es- 
teem never  sought;  the  Saviour's  person, 
power,  and  presence— His  whispers  and  His 
work  was  all! 

Tis  tar  beyond  what  words  express 
What  sKiuts  can  ftel,  or  angels  guess : 
Annls  that  hymn  the  Great  I  AM 
Fall  down,  and  veil  befofe  the  Lamb. 
The  highest  heavens  are  short  of  this— 
Tis  deeper  than  the  vast  abyss— 
Tia  more  than  thought  can  e'er  oouoeive. 
Or  hope  expect— or  mith  belie\'e ! 

Oh!  yes! 
*T!s  topematara],  'tis  Divine^ 
Bo  toDgue  can  tell,  no  heart  incline^ 
To  understand  thia  deep. 

But  Satan  crept  in.  He  can  do,  when  per- 
mitted-«aa  he  did  with  Peter — turn  ther 
most  loving  and  devoted  disciple,  into  such 
a  it  of  weakness  and  temotation,  as  to  send 
forth  d^iaU  of  Christ  where  deeitions  for 
Him  would  be  found,  and  curses  from  those 
lips  which  only  would   paise  and  adore 

Ah!  how  many  wounded  and  weary  souls 
whom  sin  and  »itan  have  east  down,  have 
I  found  in  my  Uttle  time ! 

Where,  retoming  to  the  Church  in  the 
Canticles — where  has  she  sotten  to  ? 

Where  ?  Why  in  the  c&fts  of  the  rock, 
and  in  the  secret  places  of  the  stairs.  I 
think,  as  I  said  before,  some  sore  tempta- 
tion has  befallen  her,  she  is  ashamed  of 
herself ;  she  has  hidden  herself  in  the  clefts 
of  the  rock,  in  Uie  secret  places  of  the 
stairs.  (TMnk,  poor  fallen  one,  is  not  the 
smitten  side  of  a  dying  Christ  thy  only 
hope?  Are  not  the  secret  places,  where 
ctttv  poor  benighted  ones  do  nide,  now  thy 
shelter  ? )    Yes !  'tis  even  so. 

But  hark  I  how  Christ  still  caJls  to  her, 

"  O  my  dove,"  weak,  sillv,  though  loving 
oeature — "0  my  dove,  let  me  see  thy 
ooontenance,  let  me  hear  thy  voice." 

She  is  in  the  night  now;  so  low  she 
apeaks,  "  Until  the  day  break,  and  the 
shadows  fiee  away,  turn  my  beLoved,"  &c. 

She  thinks  He  is  turned  away. 

Then,  sorrowful  she  speaks,  '*By  night 
on  my  bed  I  sought  Him  whom  my  mqI 
loveth,  but  I  found  Him  not." 

He  has  vanished  out  of  sight.  She  most 
go  forth  by  £aith. 

This  is  the  travail  of  soul  William  Hunt- 
/ngton  went  through*    I  left  him  last  month 


saying  to  tha  Lord—"  0  Lord,  if  there  is 
any  way  left  in  which  thou  canst  save  me, 
DO  THOU  SAva  m ;  if  not,  I  must  be  damn- 
ed;  for  I  caoQOt  try  any  more,  fun-  won't" 

This  seems  harsh— bat  it  »  the  soul  be- 
tween the  dreadfbl  conflicts  of  £uth  aadun* 
belief.  And  what  a  poor  thing  will  say 
then,  none  can  tell.  I  tany  over  this  night 
season  till  next  month ;  then  we  shall  see 
how  the  Lord  delivered  this  Coal-heaver, 
this  "  Companion  of  the  Cross." 


SHOKT  NOTICES. 

"  Victoria  £ari  Bedding  Bi^flayr^ 
Thousands,  this  summer,  have  enjoyed  a 
walk  through  the  splendid  beds  of  flowers, 
so  elegantly  laid  out  by  Mr.  Prestos,  the 
head-gardener  of  Victoria  Park,  which  has 
been  pronounced  the  richest  display  of  na- 
ture and  art  to  be  found  in  aoy  of  our 
English  public  walks.  Many  a  Christian 
has  here  contemplated  the  increasing  devel- 
opements  of  the  glory  of  God  in  creation, 
and  in  the  world  of  nature.  Shirlej 
Hibberd,  Est^.  has  given  a  lone  descriptm 
and  illustrative  article  on  tht  Bedding  dig- 
play  at  Victoria  Park,*'  in  his  choice  and 
wefl-conducted  weekly,  called  "  The  Oardi- 
ners'  Weekly  Masasine  and  Ploricultnral 
Cabinet"  To  behad  of  Allen  in  Warwick 
lane. 

'•  The  Babylonish  Capiiviiy."'^The  Bibli- 
lical  and  Historical  Lecture  prepared  and 
delivered  (with  Dissolving  Views)  \>y  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Wilkins,  now  minister  of  Zoar 
Chapel,  Ipswich,  has  received  the  highest 
enooniums.  Joseph  Wilkins'  mind  and 
method  are  of  the  highest  order.  We  be- 
lieve he  could  do  nothing  of  an  inferior 
character :  whether  he  studies,  preaches,  or 
lectures,  extreme  neatness,  usefhl  talent, 
and  untiring  interest  will  be  associated 
therewith.  To  young  men's  institutes*  for 
schools,  and  all  chanties,  we  recommend 
Mr.  Wilkins's  lectures  with  much  confi- 
dence. 

The  Enquiry  Answered. — 'So,  1.  Mr.  I. 
Pe^*s  Sermons  preached  at  Fressingfield, 
Suffolk.  Zeal  for  truth,  and  an  anxious 
heart  to  be  useful  to  his  fellow  men,  are 
the  most  prominent  features  in  this  dis- 
course. We  love  to  see  the  enthusiasm  of 
young  men, — and  always  rejoice  with 
trembling— praying  in  all  things  good  they 
may  be  preserved. 

The  Basket  of  Good  Fruit,  by  Rev. 
James  Butterfield,  is  a  cheap  and  varied 
little  shilling  vohime,  to  be  had  of  himssif, 
2,  Yeoman-terrace,  or  at  his  dmpeL 

The  Five  PohUs,  Mr.  CoUingridge  has 
sent  out  another  edition  of  the  Bav.  W. 
Patks's  volams,  entttied,  1%$  FUm  PmmU, 
This  edition  has  the  benefit  of  carelbl  re- 
vision, and  an  extension  of  sona  of  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


Om.  1, 18M. 


THS  EAKTHSr  YBSflBL. 


241 


|nf<IU|eir4e  ftom  mil  ^hnvsliiiS.  their  jpastep  and  |^«jl^ 


BAIIiWAT   BBVZiBOnOHB. 

i  JKHTB  FOB  MY  BSUmOBt  UMOOLK,  HOBWICH. 

[To  sit  for  h<inn  in  a  mUvay  ouruigeand  do 
nottun^  ii  more  than  I  QUI  endure :  w)  I  amuso 
wrUmg  A  few  DofeM,  and  whea 
io  not  choQM  to  fling  tliieiii  awaVf  ao 
I  Mk  Boy  ton  Bobert  to  And  a  corner  for  tiu 

^'liatii  chosen  the  foolish  thinos  to 
I  reooer  a 


iflkmy  aoi 
God  "1; 


Lem. 


s,**  I  beU0ve  Be  wilt  i 


viitteD  ido not cEbeee  to  fling  tlieiii  awai 
r»nBobcr  ^    '"    "  '      '^ 

*'liatii  cb 
amfouiKl  the  wiae,' 

fcw  mmple  words  useful  to  seme  few  of  His 
Uttle  ones^-So.] 

Hooday,  September  7th,  IMS. 
Ov  tetring  London  this  morning  I  desired,  like 
HsMtkuk,  tostand  upon  my  wat^,  and  to  set  me 
npm  my  tower^  to  see  what  the  Lord  shall  answer  : 
■w,  sad  what  I  shall  say  and  ieelanddo  when  He 
■hsn  ftirther  reprove  me.   Low  down  in  my  mind 
there  are  Jealousies  and  anxieties  lespeetmg  my  I 
8tit&  which  leads  me  to  look  out  for  any  tokens  of 
theLoid'a  epeeial  case  towards  me.    I  can  fasten  i 
uponenlj  one  thing— that  is,  the  ooming  of  the 
Wotd  of  6od  to  my  soul.    All  outward  things  I 
hne  appeared  agamst  me;  ministers,  deacons. ! 
«Dd  ediloni  all  ieigiie  toaethcr  to  buzy  me  ana 
my  work  in  obUnoQ :  cbrk  sorrows   roll  over ! 
aqr  soal—a.  mors  distressed  soul  at  times  can , 
hsrdlv  be--bat  atUL  I  retire  from  all  these  snd  ' 
aikntly  wait  for  Ged  to  speak  to  my  soul ;  in  this 
I  am  Bot  diaappeinled.    With  less  than  a  whisper 
the  Word  oomei  in->it  opens,  softens,  gladdens 
ny  heart;  aod_I  aometimea,  with  Darid,  in  his 


tsrcntyHhird  Ptaabu,  can  say,  ^  Thou  preparest  a 
taUeferme,  Tbon  anointestmy  head  with  oil; 


vy  cop 

^  xcsterdsy  week  I  preached  three  times  at 
Bjda,  in  tLe  lale  of  Wight.  I  went  through 
aoathampton,  over  the  sea  to  Oowes,  passed 
t9*honier-HNir  Queen's  ferms-on  to  Wootton 
nidff^  Syrie,  fte.  Before  I  left  Loadon,  as  I 
rtood  nen-theSzefaange,  St.  Panl's  words  entered 
gBDtly  into  my  mind,  **Lb8T  vwm  obom  or 
CnniBT  Ba  julUB  of  von  sffbct.'*  I  clearly 
Mr  the  awes  of  Obriat  might  be  preaehed-^feitb 
mthat  eross  might  be  professed— great  anl  for 
thsftoosi  might  be  exhibited,  and  yet  if  in  the 
Pf^Bchera  or  people  there  be  found  such  things  as 
^eaaaetbe  Hoiy  Spirit  to  withhold  His  smile, 
His  veeU  inlinene^  and  His  saving  power,  all  the 
Pfotuiimg  and  |m  owsaing  of  the  cross  (m  such 
MH  as  IielBr  to)  will  be  of  none  eflbet 
^Whether  these  words  were  for  the  people  at 
Bydcer  for  myself  leouldnotdeeide.  I  preached 
Bonieg  and  afternoen;  some  freedom  in  the 
awning,  hatd  ietten  in  the  afternoon.  In  the 
•"ttieg  it  ponred  tomnti  of  rain,  but  I  went  and 
N«lniyteat,»I«et  the  eroea  of  Christ  be  made 
of  none  cAet"— (what  the  people  thought  I 
■VMr  net;  they  neither  flattered  nor  frowned 
Qpen  me)  bat  I  lUt  in  a  bleesed  fiame  of  toul.  I 
Mw  theflrat  promtee  looked  riglit  on  to  the  cross 
of  Christ:  aU  tbe  patriarohal  and  prcnthetio 
■iataofOod  Iwd  their  minds  directed  stndghtto 
the  otMs;  it  was  tbe  theme  of  thdr  souls,  the  ob- 
ject of  their  fUth.  the  suMeet  in  expounding 
which  they  btonght  in  all  tKe  figures  and  meta- 
phon  to  be  founo  either  in  the  lieaven  or  in  the 
Frcm    the   ftaat  moment   that  Christ 


besBi  His  pnblie  ministry  to  the  end,  the  cross 
««■  the  all  prmainff  thought  of  His  soul !  In 
how  many  oiflerent  forma  of  speech  did  He  con- 


r  many  oillerent  fbtma  of  speech  did  He  con- 

itlyrelertoit.     **  I  have  a  bapttsm  to  be  bap- 

tned  with,and  bow  am  I  strsitened  until  it  be 


toeooiplhdHdt"  •»  Tbe  Oood  Shepherd  gireth  His 
life  ior  the  ebeep.^  ''I  have  power  to  lay  it 
4o«B,  and  I  Imvc  povrer  to  take  it  again :  this 
nwiiiiaiiilmaH  tam  I  neeived  of  My  Father.' 
*  AaMoice  lifted  up  tho  eerpenUn  the  wildemesa, 


so  must  tbe  Son  of  Kan  be  lifled  up."  «*  And  I, 
if  I  be  lifted  up  will  draw  all  men  unto  Me*' 

At  length  the  dreadful  day  did  come. 
When  Christ  unto  the  a-oas  was  nalrd^ 

To  fetch  His  given  people  home : 
Tlie  angels  wept,  the  hell  hounds  raiPd. 
The  man  who  said,  "  Now,  then,  we  are  ambissa^ 
dors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you 
by  us,  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  recon- 
ciled unto  God."  The  man  who  said,  "When  it 
pleased  God  to  reveal  His  Son  in  me.  that  I  should 

8 reach  Him  among  the  heathen ; "  the  man  which 
[le  blessed  Jesus  came  from  heaven  (as  it  were 
the  second  time)  to  make  into  a  minister  of  tlie 
Go6i)el :  ho  said, "  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory 
save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto 
the  world.**  Whatever  difTerenoes  there  may  be 
in  happy  but  ungrateful  England  on  many  points, 
it  is  a  ^rest  fact  that  thousands  of  men  are  now 
preaching  the  cross.  For  more  thau  eighteen  hun ' 
dred  years  men  have  been  raised  Up  to  preach  the 
cross,  and  salvation  by  the  cross :  Satan  has  poured 
out  his  flood  to  drown  the  cross ;  be  has  lighted 
up  his  fires  to  bum  the  cross ;  he  has  built  his 
theatres,  his  colleges  and  schools  to  pervert  the 
croas ;  he  has  left  no  stone  unturned  to  banish  the 
men  who  have  dared  to  speak  of  it;  but  its  feme 
increases,  its  glory  rises  higher  axid  higher,  and 
XfBu  ttiQusand  times  ten  thousand  weeping  eyea 
are  every  moment  looking  to  Jesus  crucified; 
thouflands  and  thousands  <»'  hearts  are  breaking 
for  the  lonjpng  which  they  havo  toward  thu 
great  salvation.  Tea,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
ttiat  millions  of  heaven-bom  souls  have  sun^ 
and  millions  will  continue  to  sing, — 

^  Alas  1  and  did  my  fiavtour  bleed. 

And  did  my  BM-ereign  die  ? 
Did  He  devote  that  sacred  Head, 

for  such  a  wretch  as  I  P 
Was  it  for  crimes  that  I  had  done, 

He  bled  upon  the  tree  P 
Amazing  pity !  grace  unknown ! 

And  love  Myond  degree." 

I  have  written  these  few  lines  aB  1  have  been 
carried  passed  many  places  where  I  have  tried 
to  preacn  the  cross.  I  liave,  this  morning  fled 
along  by  the  side  of  Woobum,  Beading,  Oxford. 
Banbury,  and  other  towns  where  I  have  declarea 
all  the  truth  I  have  been  fevoured  to  know  and 
love.  I  liave  seen  tbe  hills  and  dales  of  this  pretty 
inland  part  of  Great  Britain;  and  still  m  the 
secret  comers  of  my  houI  I  sing, 

"  Were  the  whole  realm  of  nature  mine, 
That  were  a  present  far  too  small ; 
Iiove  80  amazing,  so  divineu 
Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all." 

As  I  stood  in  Byde  that  Sunday  evening,  I  did 
indeed  get  near  to  the  cross.  Ilookedatusfaase, 
its  t<^mioit  spire,  its  right  and  left  hand  esdrem- 
ities— at  the  bleeding,  crying,  and  expiring 
Suliiner— and  at  many  other  oonneoted  brauchea 
of  the  great  Tree  of  life ;  and  when  I  had  done  I 
was  much  refreshed  and  strengthened,  and  was 
assured  in  my  own  oonscienee  that  tlie  sermon 
came  hot  out  of  my  heart  firom  the  blessed  Spirit^a 
teaching.  I  could  but  secretly  wish  tlmt  it  could 
have  been  preached  before  thouaandp,  and  that 
thousands  oould  have  beheld  the  cross  and  all  ita 
saving  oonsequenoes  aa  I  that  night  aurves'ed  it. 
I  aaw  ita  bottom  pointing  to  the  earth,  to  sin,  to 
sorrow,  to  death,  and  to  hell,  n>Mi  there  it  ex- 
claimed, ^  O  grave,  I  will  be  thy  plagues ;  O  death, 
I  will  be  thy  destruction.*'  Its  upper  spire  point-,  d 
to  the  covenant  of  graoe  —to  the  knigdoro  of  glory 
"^to  the  manatona  of  tiie  Fttfaer's  own  providing, 
and  streaming  down  ftimi  the  mopainff  skies  a 
Digitized  by  VjCJOQ  IC 


U2 


THE  EARTHEN  TS88IL. 


Oct.  1, 1868. 


floroll  appewed,  **  Ood  so  loved  the  world  thmt  He 

Save  Uis  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoe\'er  be- 
eveth  in  Him  might  not  perish,  but  have  everlast- 
ing lifis."  The  right  hand  of  the  cross  was  a 
^'mbol  of  relationship:  "All  mine  are  thine, 
and  thine  are  mine,  and  I  am  glorified 
in  them."  With  His  right  hand  the  f[Iori- 
ouB  Days-Man  received  them  as  the  gift  '(»f 
His  Fatner's  heart,  and  having  received  them  He 
holds  them  fast,  "  My  sheep  shall  never  perish, 
neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  m3'nand.'' 
See  Mr.  Wells's  sermon  on  the  "  Shepherd  and 
His  Sheep."    In  that  he  says  :— 

**Let  me  again  remind  you  of  the  Saviour's 
words,  '  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they 
shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  man  pluck 
them  out  of  My  liand.'  Now  you  would  liave 
thought  that  was  enough,  you  would  have  thought, 
by  such  assurances  as  these,  what  more  can  be  wan- 
ted; here  is  His  death  achieving  all  that  we  need ; 
here  is  the  eternal  life  that  follows  upon  death 
being  swallowed  up  in  victory;  we  shall  never 
perish;  as  that  life  shall  never  perish,  neither 
shall  we;  and  here  is  His  possession  of  us;  He 
will  never  part  from  us.  One  would  think  that 
would  be  enough ;  He  would  not  wish,  one  would 
think,  to  use  stronger  language  than  that.  But 
the  Saviour  knew  what  poor,  timid  things  His 
sheep  would  be.  and  He  knew  how  glad  tliey 
would  be  amid  the  ten  thousand  evils  of  which 
they  feel  themselves  to  be  the  subjects,  and  the  ten 
thousand  uncertainties  that  attend  their  path 
through  this  wilderness  world,  having  to  say  every 
step  thev  go— 

*  In  life's  uncertain  path  I  stand. 
Beset  with  snares  on  every  hand ;  *  * 

the  Saviour,  knowing  this,  knew  that  the^  would 
prize  the  certainty  of  His  truth ;  and  tnerefore 
ft  did  not  seem  enough  in  His  eyes,  and  I  am  sure 
it  is  uone  too  much  in  my  i^e«  what  He  doth  say, 
*  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they  shall 
never  perish,  neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them 
out ormy hand.*  This  did  not  seem  enough, 
and  therefore  He  says,  *  My  Father  which  gave 
them  Me  is  greater  than  all,  and  no  man  is  able 
to  pluck  them  out  of  My  Father's  hand.*  As 
though  He  should  say,  Were  the  thing  possible— 
which,  bless  Ood,  it  is  not  possible ;  but  as  though 
He  should  say,  were  the  thing  possible  for  any 
advene  powers  to  pluck  them  out  of  My  hands, 
then  they  would  be  as  tar  off  as  ever,  for  My 
Father  which  gave  them  Me  is  greater  than  all, 
and  no  man  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Fa- 
ther's hand.  Well  might  the  Old  Testament  saints 
rejoice,  then,  that  ^  Thy  saints  are  in  Thine  liands, 
they  shall  sit  down  at  Thy  feet;  every  one,' 
without  exception,  *  shall  receive  of  Thy  words.' 
Here,  then,  is  the  staff  of  beauty,  never  to  be 
broken ;  here  is  a  covenant  no*er  to  be  broken." 

The  left  hand  of  the  cross  is  an  emblem  of 
efTectual  calling,  **  Other  sheep  I  hat-e  who  are 
not  of  this  toid-lA«m  aUol  MUST  BRINO, 
that  tliere  may  te  one  fold  under  one  Shepherd." 
Ah !  but  I  can  never  put  on  paper  the  precious 
thoughts  and  holy  feelings  I  had  as  I  newed  the 
oross  of  Christ  that  night  in  Ryde.  I  hope  some 
day  it  will  appear  that  Ck>d  Almighty  in  the 
boondlessness  of  His  mercy  did  there  and  then 
spefUc  life  and  liberty  into  some  precious  ran- 
somed soul. 

The  Isle  of  Wight  is  one  of  England's  delicate 
little  gardens.  Nature  and  art  have  there  com- 
bined to  nnake  the  scene  quite  grand.  Btit  tliey 
want  a  powerfiil,  blessed  preacher  of  Jesus  Christ. 
I  think  Mr.  George  Turner,  of  R3rde,  would  be 
glad  to  bear  of  such  an  one.  I  am  notr  tn  Bir- 
mingham, where  may  th^Lord  help  mo  this  even- 
ing to  speak,  and  more  then  I  will  write  you. 

THB  BATTX.S  TO  BE  POUaHr  UT 
BZBKINaHAK. 

Tuesday,  September  8^h.  1343. 
Oir  my  right  band  are  blMk  rivers,  tall  chim- 


neys, some  with  smoke,  some  with  fire  flaming 
out,  and  some  with  nothing  at  all.  They  make 
me  think  of  different  ministers— many  men  high 
in  the  people's  estimation  bring  forth  nothing 
but  smoke,  others,  a  sightless  and  senseless  cnrrent 
of  foul  air;  while  from  here  and  there  pours  forth 
a  flaming  fire,  burning  love,  and  brilliant  light : 
tliese  latter  men  are  precious  to  poor  pilgrims^' 
whose  way  i&often  dark  and  hearts  trequentl  v  cold, 
and  who  need  the  live  coal  from  off  the  altar  to 
purge  away  sin,  to  purify  their  spirit,  and  to  fim 
their  feeble  faith  into  action  and  prevailing  power. 
There  are  but  few  men  that  can  rightly  be  named 
as  is  the  station  we  have  just  passea— on  the  board 
is  written  "Dbbp  Fields.  Deep  from  the 
bowels  of  the  earth  here  they  fieteh  up  iron,  and 
ooal,  and  minerals  of  many  kinds;  and  this 
they  have  done  for  many  years,  and  yet  it  oomes; 
the  bowels  of  the  earth  are  not  exhausted.    It  is 


a  happy  thing  for  any  people  when  on  the  pulpit 
you  C4n  truly  write  **  D«*p  FUlit^  but  that  is  now 
but  seldom  the  ease ;  shining  talento  are  often 


found  on  a  shallow  surface,  and  it  rec^uires  but  a 
little  wind  or  rough  weather  to  sweep  it  all  away. 
But  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's  work  of  what 
sort  it  is. 

The  Great  Western  train  leaving  Faddlngton  at 
noon  takes  you  clean  into  Birmli^ham  in  nearly 
three  hours.  In  Birmingham  are  two  honourable 
citizens.  Thomas  and  Henry  Drew;  they  are 
unitedly  striving  to  raise  a  Strict  Baptist  eansein 
Birmingham :  they  reoeived  me  heartily;  theeha* 
pel  in  Charlotte  street,  near  the  Psrade,  was  filled 
with  people,  and  I  went  fbrth  so  warmly  in  the 
work  that  I  cannot  but  hope  in  some  soals  the  fire 
will  bum  unto  the  gloiy  or  the  God  of  Israel. 

No  one  must  sav  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  is  not 
preached  in  Birmingham.  There  are  two  churches 
with  godly  clergymen :  then  there  is  '*  Tk» 
Tabernade}*  where  Mr.  Jay  (the  successor  of  the 
late  Joseph  Irons)  laboured  for  a  fowyears ;  now 
presided  over  by  Mr.  Wakefield.     Beside  these 

g laces,  there  is  the  cause  originslly  called  **  Henry 
bwler's."  How  the  *^  deep  taught"  people  ob* 
tained  possession  of  it  shall  not  be  told  here ;  but 
a  division  has  lately  scattered  many  of  them.  It 
the  church  in  that  place  oould  establish  a  thorough 
Gospel  ministry,  a  man  with  a  heart  large  enon^ 
to  love  the  voheU  Gospel,  with  a  mind  deep 
enough  to  bring  up  the  preoious  treasures  hiddea 
in  the  fields  of  Revelation,  and  with  a  oonsoienoe 
sanctified  and  preserved  in  peace  by  a  fiuth's  view 
of  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ;  not  a  lazy  drone,  not  a 
conceited  enthusiast,  not  a  tyrant,  sitting  on  the 
throne  of  ^  a  single  idea,"  not  a  puerile  spiiit  that 
would  rather  prate  to  empty  pews  than  not  pnto 
at  all;  such  men  cannot  do  much  to  advanoe  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  the  essential  elements  for  which 
are,  true  Christian  life,  a  constant  unoonqneiable 
flow  of  Evangelical  lov^  pun  Gospel  liber^,  and  a 
mental  and  moral  ability  for  Carist-like  labor. 
Paul-like  devotion,  Luther-like  decision,  ana 
Whitfield-like  zeal,  which  elementa  when  com* 
bined  carry  up  (instniraentally)  the  Church  of 
Christ  to  an  exceeding  high  mountain,  where 
with  propriety  and  power  she  eon  pleasantly 
sing, '^Thanks  be  unto  God  who  givethni  tlie 
victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  ChrisL" 

The  fact  is,  the  battle  has  mow  to  be  fought  in 
Birmingham;  it  was  attempted  years  ago  and 
fiuled.  Then  John  Bunyan  Mo'Onre  led  a  little 
army  on,  but  they  were  foiled:  after  thia, 
Jonathan  Mose  took  the  field,  and  when  the  peo* 
pie  were  nll^nng,  Jonathan  fled.  Why  dia  he 
fly  ?  Had  he  not  an  open  door  f  Who  shut  it  f 
It  was  shut:  and  now  Thomas  Drew,  a  veteran 
of  no  small  mind,  a  traveller  annually  over 
thousands  of  miles,  a  man  of  high  prinoiple  and 
honour,  a  member  (with  his  beloved  wife)  of  the 
Notting  Hill  Church,  under  theoare  of  Mr.  P.  W. 
Williamson ;  this  man,  this  Thomas  Drew-~ve« 
solves  in  the  strength  of  Heaven,  to  form  abraadi 
of  the  Notting  HiU  church  in  Birmingham.  Be 
finds  a  place,  flto  it  up;  it-hM  seats. pulpit. 


Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


Oct.  1,  1868. 


TUE   EABTHIN   VESSEL. 


243 


restiy,  and  eommimion  table:  the  Church^  is 
formeii,  the  Gospel  is  preached ;  Mr.  WilliamsoD, 
Mr.  James  Wells,  Mr.  T.  J.  Measer,  Mr.  Hodffett, 
Mr.  Pamrson,  of  Wolverhampton,  and  others  have 
ffooe  and  preached  among  them  the  Word  of  the 
lu>rd.  So  far  so  good ;  but  all  this  is  not  enough. 
They  must  have  a  working  pastor,  they  must  ha\*e 
a  liTga  place ;  there  is  no  decree  in  heaven  against 
these.  Let  every  man  du  his  utmost;  let  the 
nv  ither-church  and  sister  churches  help  this  little 
Church  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  greatest  work- 
shupt  in  the  world— and  the  Lord's  people  there> 
in  •thall  be  neither  few  nor  small.  The  old  John 
street  Clui|)el  in  Wolverhampton,  has  been  most 
cruelly  betrayed.  Let  us  hope  Birmingham  may 
yet  n^ve  an  impulse  whidi  sliall  shake  the 
drowsy  powers  of  the  north. 


BETWEBK  NEWTON  A  BOLTON 
IN   ULNCASHIBE, 

Thomas  Bradbury  is  an  earnest  labourer  in 
Christ's  vineyard  in  Haddock,  and  in  some  of  the 
villains  adjacent  to  the  immense  collieries  worked 
hen  bv  K.  Evans,  Esq.,  and  his  desceudanU«.  I 
wa.<  pfeased  to  ftnd  that  this  wealthy  fHmil3' favor 
the  righteous  cause,  and  do  much  to  benetit  the 
iDa«sc^  of  the  people  both  morally  and  spirituallv. 
Bf-^Ule  this,  these  missionary  labours  evidently 
preinre  men  fur  more  permanent  and  for  pastoral 
<ri>rk.  I  heard  of  some  men  in  these  parts  who 
are  led  into  all  the  grand  essential  principles  of 
the  &ospel,  and  on  platfomis,  in  cottages,  schools, 
and  ipptn-nir  exercises  never  shim  to  declare  the 
"Whole  oouosel  of  God.  From  these  men  our 
Churches  will  some  day  obtain  bold  and  useful 
l^rtachers— men  who  have  waded  through  the 
■ieep  dens  of  human  deprdvity— who  have,  in  the 
JKrhi^il  of  soul  trouble,  learned  tliat  nothing  short 
of  the  '*  mighty  power  of  God"  can  e\'er  raise  a 
mau  a^Kive  Satan's  dark  and  delusive  schemes.  I 
'lave  U-eo  in  communication  with  some  ot  these 
woTtlu'  and  devoted  men  for  years;  now  I  have 
visited  them  have  <»n versed  with  and  known  them 
aod  I  deare  to  thank  God  with  all  my  soul  that 
ia  the  collieries,  Quarries,*  cotton  factories,  and 
immense  fields  of  Lancashire,  there  are  fellows  of 
bone,  body,  and  blood,  who,  eacriflcing  all  delica- 
des  and  domestic  comforts,  and  fearless  of  all 
opposition,  carry  the  Gospel  to  these  modern 
It^atben  dasaea.  Thomas  Bradbury  is  a  lion- 
looking  and  most  determined  man  in  the  things  of 
God;  having  turned  away  from  all  secular  ad- 
vantage%  he  is  increasingly  do'oUng  himsielf  to 
resiling,  study,  miasionary  work,  preaching,  and 
visiting;  andjf  he  keeps  his  promise  to  me,  I 
«liall  be  able  to  give  some  bleased  results. 

As  I  travelled  on  on  Tuesday  from  Birmingham 
to  aear  Boltoo  (a  long  and  wearisome  Journey)  I 
«a«  carried  back  to  the  croaa  of  Christ;  again  St. 
Purs  words  produced  many  thoughts.  ''The 
preaching  of  the  cross  ia  to  them  that  perish 
tc»>liiihne9s:  but  unto  us  who  are  saved,  it  is  the 
power  of  God.*'  J  oat  before  service-time  I  reached 
nn*  destinatioa  for  that  day ;  and  saw  something 
<^-f  the  amaller  towns  of  Lancashire  between 
Warrington  and  Bolton. 

Many  yean  ago  I  broke  out  in  an  ecstasy  of 
ftreliug^**  I  believe  God  will  send  me  through  the 
leugih  and  bradth  of  the  land  to  declare  what  He 
lu«  done  for  my  soul.'*  I  was  inly  condemned 
U-T  thus  expressing  myself;  and  when  I  have 
ciiat  into  deep  waters  where  Satan  and  the  saints 
hare  done  tlieir  utmost  to  stop  me,  I  have  been 
•only  distresaed ;  but  as  new  doors  open  and  new 
riiercies  flow  in,  1  can  sing, 

•*  Oh,  to  grace,  how  great  a  debtor, 
Daily  I'm  conatrained  to  be : 
Let  that  grace.  Lord,  like  a  fetter. 
Bind  my  wandering  heart  to  Thee." 


THB    <<STANDABD'*    0HUBCHB8 

AND 

THEIB   PEOPLE. 

Some  of  my  friends  liad,  without  my  advice, 
tried  to  get  pulpits  for  me  to  preach  in  belonging 
to  the  good  people  (above  referred  to)  at  Bolton, 
Accrington,  and  other  places,  all  of  which  were 
politely  refused.  I  am  glad  they  were ;  it  was 
the  means  of  more  extensive  places  being  opened 
to  me,  and  the  C(.)ugregations  wereuerhaps  treble. 
Besides,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  preaching  in 
places  and  to  ixiople  who  would  never  have  entered 
the  little  "Standard"  meetings;  and  may  I  not 
hope  God*8  blcHsing  will  attend  the  words  spoken  P 
The  Independent  Chapel,  near  Leigh,  was  opened 
on  Tuesday  evening ;  t  he  minister  read  the  hymns ; 
the  Chapel  wan  well  filled;  and  I  knew  that 
evening,  travelling  all  day,  hard  thinking,  nnd 
standing  aniou^  strangers,  are  no  helps  to  com- 
fortable preaching,  except  a  rich  anointing  be 
granted,  and  that  I  did  not  enjoy.  "  How  Paul 
came  to  be  a  preacher  ot  the  cross,"  was  my  first 
head.  Christ  said,  he  "  is  a  chosen  vessel  unto  me :" 
Paul  saj-s, "  When  it  pleased  God"— (there  is  Di- 
vine sovereignty)  "  who  separated  me  from  my 
mother's  womb, and  called  me  bj'  His  grace  to  re- 
veal His  Son  in  me.  immediately  I  conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blaod,  but  went  and  preached  Him 
among  the  heathen."  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
Himself  made  Paul  a  minister,  and  therefore  he 
was  a  genuine  man.  The  ministration  of  Christ's 
Gospelwas  very  precious  to  him  :  •'  Unto  me,  who 
am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints  is  this  grace 
given,  that  I  should  prench  among  the  Gentiles  the 
unsearchable  riches  cff  Christ.  Paul  evidently  be- 
li0ve<l.  preached,  and  enjoyed  all  the  grand  cardi- 
nal pillars  of  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  all  the  es- 
sential branches  of  Christian  experience,  and 
contended  earnestly  for  the  happy  exemplification 
of  ever^'  sweet  precept 

Which  reigning  grace  pro'luces 
When  on  the  throne  it  sits. 
Oh,  what  a  beautiful  specimen  of  the  purity  and 
perfection  of  all  the  Redeemer's  works,  is  the 
ministerial  character  of  the  Great  Apostle  of  the 
Gentiles  I  With  a  mind  as  lofly  and  as  large  ns 
an  angel's,  and  a  heart  as  tender  and  as  loving  as 
sacrea  sense  of  sah-ation,  and  a  constant  as- 
a  similation  to  the  mind  and  spirit  of  Jesus — 
could  make  it,  and  clad  in  an  armour  of  zeal  for 
the  glory  .of  a  Triune  Jeho\Tih  and  for  the  salva- 
tion of  his  fellow  men,  he  endured  all  things 
pressed  on  until  he  had  finished  his  course  and 
entered  his  rest.  The  deep-running  wish  of  my 
soul  is.  that  something  like  the  apostle  1  had 
been.  I  love  his  decision  for  truth,  his  flaming 
love  for  his  Master,  his  independence  of  men,  his 
sjTnpathy  with  the  Churches,  his  praj'crs  for  all 
the  people;  and  when  I  read  his  lettcra  (and 
therein  is  the  mind  and  make  of  the  man)  I  ask. 
•*  Where  are  the  real  successora  of  the  apostles  ?  '* 
If  our  clergy  and  ministers  were  like  Paul,  what 
an  evangelical  country  this  would  be  I  In  con- 
version, creed,  and  conversation,  Paul  was  a  model 
man;  in  usefulness  a  giant;  in  devotion  a  saint 
of  the  highest  order;  and  while  his  Epistles  are 
preserved  unto  us,  and  while  the  Holy  Spirit  opens 
the  eyes  of  mep  to  read  those  Epistles  in  the  light 
of  heaven,  we  shall  not  be  quite  destitute  of  men 
who  will  instrumentally  fee<l  the  Church  of  God 
which  He  hath  purchased  with  His  own  blood." 

'A  WELL  OF  WATEB  SPEXNGING 
UP  INTO  EVEBIiASTING  I^IPB." 
I  felt  quite  aahamed  of  my  preaching  on  thr 
CBoas  or  Ohbist,  in  the  Independent  Chapel— 
a  doad  appeared  to  rest  upon  the  place.  I  re- 
tired to  mv  lodging,  took  up  the  Bible,  opened 
upon  the  fltly-eightb  of  Isaiah,  and  read  the  end 
of  that  verse  which  contains  the  following  words* 


but  he  thatputteth  his  trust  in  Me  shalTp 
the  hmd,  and  shall  inherit  My  holy  mountain,  and 


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THB  BABTHBN  VESSEL. 


Oot.  1,1MS» 


Bhall  My,  Out  up,  east  uji,  prepare  th«  waj^^-ttke 
up  the  stumblins-block  out  of  the  way  of  my 
people.*'  The  vanifey  of  all  earth's  things,  the  wind 
sweeping  them  aliawayf  and  the  possession  of 
the  land,  with  the  inhentanee  of  the  holy  moun- 
tain promised  to  him  who  **  pntteth  his  tmst 
in  the  Lord,'*  formed  a  oontrast  to  my  mind 
between  the  worthlessneas  of  a  mere  profiwaion 
and  the  dignity  and  glory  of  a  union  to  the 
Lord  JeftQs.  I  saw  the  Words  pointed  chiefly  to 
Hiir:  He  came  in  the  fulness  or  perfection  of 
times-;  there  were  six  distinct  ages  before  He 
came;~the  ante^dllnvian,  the  patriarehial,  the 
Leritical,  the  Judges,  the  Kings,  and  the  Pro- 
phets ;  then  came  **  the  last  days,*^  then  *'  God  sent 
forth  His  Son,  maHc  of  a  woman"  (there  was  the 
perfection  of  His  humanity).  **  made  under  the 
laW  (there  was  the  terrible  onaraoter  ot  His  ree- 
ponsibility),  ••  to  redeem  them  that  wereunder  the 
law"  (there  was  the  comer-stone  of  all  His  work,) 
**  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons.** 
There  was  the  rich  mercy  flowing  out  of  all 
He  is,  and  of  all  He  has  done;  adoption  into  the 
family,  oneness  with  the  living  Head  and  with  all 
the  family— is  the  perfection  of  New  Covenant 
blesitedness.  In  Jestis  thus  coming^  with  all  the 
weight  of  a  broken  law  upon  Him,  with  all  the 
opposition  of  earth  and  hell  againKt  Him— in 
those  days  of  His  humiliation,  He  '*  poured  out 
prayers  and  supplications,  with  strong  crying  and 
tears  tmto  Him  who  was  able  to  save  Him  from 
death,  and  was  heard  in  that  He  feared'*.  He  **  put 
His  trust  in  the  Mighty  God  of  Israel ;  and  al- 
though He  was  baptized  in  bloody  sweat— was 
covered  in  darkness -sank  in  death^was  laid  in 
Uie  grave ;  j-et  He  arose,  tooK  possession  of  the 
Gospel  land— commissioned  Bis  disciples  to  go 
through  the  whole  of  it,  and  then  He  ascended 
to  inherit  the  holj-  mountain. 

"HELPED    WITH    A   UXTLB 

HELP." 
In  meditation  on  tlie  Scripture  before  named  I 
found  much  refreshing.  The  next  day  I  had  to 
walk  to  Tyldeslcy  over  little  bridges,  across 
greea  fields,  up  stony  walks,  down  pretty  lanes, 
and  througn  fields  of  Lancashire  grain.  The 
minister  of  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon'^  Chapel 
at  Tyldesley  received  me  very  kindly.  The  Lord 
has.  during  the  last  two  years,  graciously  opened 
up  m  his  soul's  experience  tlie  living  truth  of  the 
everlasting  Gospel,  and  we  were  very  liappy  in 
conversation.  Then  we  walked  to  the  houee  of 
God— a  noble  building;  the  organ  plaj'ed  (which 
certainly  renders  the  praise  part  of  worship  more 
eifictent),  Mr.  Eastmeade,  the  minister,  i«ad  and 
prayed  ;  the  people  had  well  gathered  together; 
a  good  company  of  bubstantial  Lancashire  sires, 
and  their  dames  and  daughters  song  most  touch- 
ingly.    I  read  my  text  "  Bit*  Hr  that  PUTtEXH 

His    TBU8T  IX  ME,   $haU  POSSESS    THE    IJ^ND," 

fto.,  and  I  was  helped  and  gladdened ;  I  enjoyed 
the  persuasion  that  God  would  bless  the  word. 
I  was  not  far  from  the  Be%%  Alfred  Hewlett's 
Church  at  Astley ;  some  of  his  hearers  came,  and 
we  rc^joiced  together.  How  true  is  that  prophetio 
exclamation ;  and  when  we  can  see  Christ  on  the 
tops  of  the  high  hills,  we  exclaim,  too,  '*  How 
beautiful  upon  tlie  mountains  are  the  feet  of  Him 
that  publisheth  peace,  that!  bringeth  good  tidings 
of  good,  that  BOith  unto  Zion,  thy  God  reigneth." 
I  tmnk  I  saw  my  Saviour  that  night,  ana  much 
my  heart  rejoiced  once  more  to  view  His  Royal 
Fenon  passing -by —pointing  us  baekward  to  His 
days  or  sorrow— ana  forward  to  soanea  of  in- 


oonceiv&ble  blessedness  and  glor>'.  I  bade  the  min- 
Isters  and  fVlends  fiiieweil,  and  horns  again  (in 
the  dark)  we  tmnHleA.  I  wish  Mr.  BasHnaade 
IncffeaaJng  light  and  prosperity^  He  is*  a  young 
man.  WhatlMMIedtDfeaniatooiiegt.theLora 
is  ssoretly  tsaohdng  him.  1  tmst  h«  will  be  a 
burning  sad  shining  light  in  tlw  midst  of  tliose 
lowsonkSD  vftllsys  of  pooe  hard-woiklag  Laa* 
cashire; 


BOOKDAXiB  ADD  HB7WOOD. 

Tlie  next  day  (Thumftiy,  September  llth)  I 
crwelled  to  Manchester,  from  thence  to  Boohdalei 
and  walked  through  Rochdale  to  the  **  War  Offioe/^ 
the  village  where  Abraham  Howard  resides' "aaq, 
not  finding  him  at  home  I  marched  on  down  int»  > 
a  dark  looking  valley— then  up  a  pleassnt  hill  to 
Hex'wood— wherea  tea  meeting  was  being  hoMen ' 
ana  where  that  evening  I  was  announced  t6  ■ 
preaeh.  Bat,  let  me  ssy  one  word  about  Rochdale. 
As  I  walked  Into  this  rich  and  important  boroHgli, 
I  fiftlt  m3*sel f  a  stranger  indeed.  Ko  oneknew  me» 
I  knew  no  one;  and  yet  1  said  to  myself,  ther» 
are  two  very  influential  personages  in  this  town  I 
have  known  for  many  years— the  vfoar  of  Roeb- 
dale.  the  Rev.  J.  B.  N.  Molesworth,  and  the  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  Churoh,  good  old  John  Kendiaw. 
Ah  I  to  be  sure  I  thought  of  those  days  when  (for 
the  present  vicar  of  Rochdale— but  then  the  rector 
of  that  ancient  little  Church,  Bt.  Martin,  in  Osnttr- 
bury)  I  printed  some  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
"  Sunday  Readers/*  which  little  penny  issue  the 
worthy  vicar  then  edited,  and  which  might  have 
had  somethlnff  to  do  with  his  promotion  in  the 
Church,  tor  wnioh  he  has  certainly  laboured  with 
ability,  earnestness,  and  zeal— and  few  men  have 
defended  the  Church  of  Bngland  more  firmly 
than  has  tlie  now  rich  and  influential  vicar  ot 
Rochdale.  Long  life  to  him  I  pray ;  but  more 
than  all  that  he  and  his  may  be/mmdiv  CUBIST, 
for  what  will  the  Church's  honours  or  treasures 
benefit  us  if  in  that  great  day  Jesus  should 
fipown,  saying,  **  Who  hath  required  this  at  your 
hands?"       «  -^  -^ 

THB   BISHOP   OF   BOOWT>AT.B, 

Rich  and  influential  as  the  vicar  may  be,  I  have 
a  desire  to  express  my  strong  attachment  to  the 
good  old  bishop  of  the  Baptist  Church,  whom  we 
expected  to  have  seen  on  the  evening Ipreaohed 
at  Hey  wood ;  but  my  furthei-  notes  on  Rochdale, 
Heywood,  and  mv  visit  to  Aoorington,  Ac  I  defisr 
tor  another  month,  lest  I  occupy  too  much  room 
with  these  trifling  reviews  of  scenes  through  which 
I  have  passed,  f  have  for  many  years  looked  for  * 
that  time  spoken  of  in  Psalm  cii.  IS,  14,  **Tho«i 
Shalt  arise,  and  have  mercy  upon  Zion;  for  the 
time  to  favor  her,  yea,  the  set  time  is  oomel"  I 
have  heard  of  this  time  coming  in  many  plaeesi, 
but  should  rejoice  to  see  it  myself.  In  connection 
with  this  time  it  is  said,  **  For  Tliy  servants  tah» 
pleasure  in  her  stones,  and  fkvour  the  dust  there-* 
of.**  I  suppose  the  idea  is,  that  in  gathering, 
fitting,  and  uniting  the  stones  together,  th«nere~ 
much  dust,  many  chips,  and  no  little  of  what  ie 
called  ruboish.  Even  tills  is  not  looked  iipoD 
with  contempt  in  Zion  by  tame.  If  I  have  nv 
great  work  to  do  in  building,  I  love  to  fiivonr  and. 
carefbll}' to  notice  those  little  things  connected 
with  the  Church*8  growth,  and  prosperity,  wMdi 
may  be  beneath  the  notice  of  many  of  the 
"Valiant  Men  of  Israel.'* 

THB    OBBI8TIAN     POOB 
IN  I.ABOA8H3BB. 

Manchester,  Saturday,  Sep.  I2,188IL 
I  have  had  nearly  a  week  among  the  poor* 
cotton  workers  in  these  partB.  I  have  been*  to 
Manchester  twice— to  Rochdale,  Heywood,  Bui^r 
Warrington,  Aocrington,  Leiffh,  ana  many  other 
places.  I  liave  convened  with  impartial  and  un- 
prejudiced persons,  and  I  fbel  very  grieved  to 
lesm  that  the  prospects  of  the  coming  winter  are 
exceedingly  gloomy.  The  real  Christian  pc  ~ 
economical  and  careful  as  many  of  tlicm  i 
ha\*e  struggled  on  thus  fiir ;  they  have  not  impoasd 
on  the  R^ef  Fond,  beoauss  they  had  savinga: 
but  those  savings  are  exhausted,  the  work  is  s8jl 
wanting,  or  where  it  is  to  be  had  it  is  fserfulfy 
hard  and  profiUess.  *They  ate  killing  theni- 
sel\-es,*'  said  Mrs.  Ashworth  to  me,  ''to  earn 
about  sixpence  per  day.*     I-  have  seen  Mr.  W. 


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THB   EABTHBV  YESSXL. 


2i5 


Wn'f^ht,  of  19,  Bridge  sticet,  ManehMt«r.  He  ia  < 
sitill  eodcmroarinff  to  assist  the  most  deserving ' 
^o<i  destitute  of  tne  real  Christian  fiunily.  Mr. 
Wn>bt  is  Agentiemanof  rtarlingand  h<Mioarable 
principle — and  I  most  earnestly  sapplicate  dona* 
tion«  8till  to  be  forwarded  to  him.  I  am  oonfldent 
he  will  see  that  the  really  faitliAiI  and  necessitous 
ooly  reoeiTB  the  ooatributions  of  the  benevolent. 

A  BAPTIZING  SERVICE  AT  BETHK8DA 
CHAPEL. 

ST.  IiXnCB'S.— My  ^rt  de.vr  Brothrr 
BA^iffl,— Will  yon  kindly  take  these  evidences  of 
G«ris  grxKlncsa,  and  put  in  the  Earthkk  Vks-  : 
6 EL,  '*that  they  may  be  preserved  manydayn,'*  j 
aii'l  thus  add  one  mart  to  the  many  proofs  I  have 
h  i  1  in  times  past  of  your  sjTnpathy  and  Christian  ' 
Icrve.    Tour's  in  the  indulgent  mercies  of  God. 
P.  Bearlb. 

Last  Sabbath  evening,  August  30th,  a  night 
Icng  to  be  remembered  oy  many  who  were  pre- 
sent, I  was  fkvonred  to  baptize  my  second  son  in 
the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinitv,  in  the  presence  of 
cv^rv  member  of  my  family,  a  large  circle  of 
y.mng  friends,  and  a  goodly  company  of  atten- 
tive witnes<«es  at  Bethesda  Chapel,  St  Luke's, 
which  was  kindly  lent  for  the  occasion  b}-  Mr. 
Anderson  and  his  respected  deacons.  Mr.  An- 
'I'Tson  preached  a  most  appropriate  sermon  from 
Kcm.  VI.  8.  gave  a  short  address  at  the  P(x>N  And 
then  baptized  one  fenude  candidate.  The  bap- 
ti-^ti^-  was  then  most  kindly^  given  up  to  me, 
when  I  comoBCnccil  the  second  service,  of  which 
I  Di»w  send  yon  a  brief  ontline.  Fintt^  glanoing 
at  the  overruling  providence  of  God  whicli 
brou^rht  us  there,  allusion  was  made  to  the  cou- 
ti<rxi«»a  sustained  by  my  beloved  wife  more  than 
twenty  years  ago  with  the  church  there,  when 
uml«r  toe  pastorate  of  Mr.  Newborn.  The  birth 
of  tny  dear  son,  nfaieteen  years  before,  amidst  tlie 
mort  distressing  circumstances  of  affliction,  fever, 
ait<l  sabseqoeat  death  of  our  darling  first-bom 
were  referred  to,  and  were  still  sorrowfully  re- 
membered by  some  of  the  older  nnembers  of  the 
church  who  were  present.  Appeals  of  loving 
^Y-mpatliy  were  ummm  to  parents,  and  appeals  or 
earnest  and  solemn  entreaty  to  the  young  not  to 
ior^  their  pareato*  prayers  for  their  salvation. 
That  toochmg  erent  spoken  of  by  Dr.  Winslow 
told  powerfklly  on  the  andienoe,  who,  when  his 
»)Q  mfonned  him  of  his  coaveRiion  to  God, 
cUiiped  him  in  his  arms,  and  there  held  him  in 
ODc  long  and  fervent  embrace  while  he  thanked 
hj»  hesvenly  Father  that  now  his  dear  son  would 
never,  never  be  separated  from  him  thro'^gh  a 
never-eodfaig  eternity.  The  text  chosen  for  the 
o«cuian  was  briefly  dwelt  upon.  Luke  xii  50 : 
"  I  haipe  a  bapyflm,"  &c.  Ist  Enquired  what 
th4t  baptinn  was?  The  answer  was  g[iven  in  the 
•Wt^iilsof  thai  baptism  of  overwhelming  sorrow 
which  saved  His  cbnrch  from  eternal  rom.  2nd. 
Ttw>  love  implied,  **  How  am  I  straitened,"  kc. 
when  the  Savioaf's  saflbrings  were  rehearsea 
from  Octhseniane*B  garden  to  the  last  expiring 
cry,  the  endurance  of  which  He  so  ardently 
]'  ii^ed  for.  Tbns  was  feebly  told  once  more  on 
tliat  hallowvd  night  the  story  of  the  Saviour's 
bfnadlesB  love,  and  we  flrmly  believe  some  fliture 
%  will  show  it  was  not  in  vain.  The  two 
young  men  were  then  addresMd  in  the  following 
words:— '*  Time  was  when  baptism  was  a  very 
different  thing  to  what  it  is  now ;  when  the  can- 
<iidsteforbamiftm  knew  not  but  that  the  next 
hf>ur  he  should  be  led  to  the  stake  to  seal  his 
coDfrarion  in  a  baptiam  of  fire  or  blood.  But 
tbe  lines  are  fldlen  onto  us  in  more  pleasant 
placcsL  And  now,  floally.  my  dear  son,  having 
made  a  good  couftaaion  of  your  fkith,  and  given 
rursproof  that  troa  have  Men  madenartakerof 
that  change  whioh  alone  qualifies  tor  the 


dissBce  of  bimtismt  you  have  desired  at  my 
IttDds  the  administntion  of  this  *hoIy  rite;* 
you  banne  eone  here  of  yonr  own  free  win ;  your 


ycmng  heart  la  given  in  all  the  freshness  of  its 


first  joy  and  trust  to  the  Saviour.     I  am  not 
about  to  mar  that  joy,  as  some  would,  hy  telling 

Sou  you  must  not  do  *  this'  or  *  that,*  or  it  would 
e  a  virtual  denial  of  what  you  do  to-ni^ht,  and 
thus  bring  a  cloud  on  your  young  spirit  ITo, 
mv  son,  but  rather  would  I  say  as  Paul  doth,—* 
'Or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  pre- 
sent, or  things  to  come,  all  are  yoursj  and  ye  are 
Christ's  and  Christ  is  God's.'  Brought  now  into 
tlie  glorious  liberty  of  the  Gospel,  free  to. you 
are  the  groan-purchased  mercies  of  G^ethsemane 
and  the  blessnifln  of  Calvary;  free  to  vou  the 
promises  of  the  Gospel ;  free  to  j'ou  the  hopes  of 
this  life  and  the  anticipation  of  a  blissful  here- 
after. It  is  full  thirty-three  veara  ago  my  now 
invalid  and  aged  father,  when  baptising  me,  said, 
*  My  son,  may  you  ever  remember  Elim  chapel 
baptistry.'  So,  my  dear  son,  may  j'ou  ever  re» 
member  Bethesda  chapel  baptistr>',  and  sure  I 
am  no  faltering  discipleship  will  be  yours,  but  it 
called  to  endure  hardness,  it  will  be  as  a  good 
soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  like  the  heroic 
Luther  you  v^ill  say,  *  I  cant  draw  back ;.  God 
help  me,  though  I  stand  alone.  Amen.'  And 
now,  my  son,  I  adjure  you  by  the  sincerity  of 
the  example  you  now  set  -by  the  remembranoe 
of  the  concourse  which  now  surrounds  you— by 
all  the  memories  of  this  hallowed  houi' — by  the 
sainted  ones  who  now  from  Iteaven  behold  you— 
by  the  groans  of  your  Bedeemer — bv  His  agony 
and  blcKHly  sweat-^by  His  cross  and  })assion«-T 
adjure  you  be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  He 
will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.  And  to  you,  my- 
dear  young  friend,  what  shall  I  say  to  encourage 
you  more  than  I  have*  said  already  to  encourage 
my  son.  or  with  wliat  motives  shall  I  seek  to 
aiiimate  you  to  pcrseveranoo  more  than  I  have 
sought  wherewith  to  animate  him?  Take  all  I 
have  said  to  him  as  your  oa-n.  Brought  together 
in  the  mysterious  providence  of  God;  confessing 
His  name  together  in  this  holy  ordinance,  to- 
gether in  the  same  hallowed  friendship  may  3'ou 
go  on  in  3'our  Christian  course,  pleasant  in  your 
lives  and  in  death  be  not  divided.  *■  Hold  fast 
that  which  thou  ha.«>t,  and  let  no  man  take  thy 
crown."'  After  prayer  and  singing  the  hymn 
"  I'm  not  ashamed  to  own  mv  Lord,"  they  were 
baptized,  and  Mr.  Anderson  closed  with  prayer. 

[Our  brother,  J.  Pf  Searle,  is  not  wholly  engaged 
in  the  ministry ;  but  his  heart  is  as  warmly 
attached  to  the  truth  of  the  Gospel,  and  as 
anxious  for  tlie  welfare  of  Zion  as  ever,  and 
he  will  serve  any  churoh  needing  ministerial 
help,  the  Lord  directing  ~Bd.] 

THE  OBDBB  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUKCH 

AT  

COIiE&AIKB,  IBSX^Ain).  —  To  ths 

Editob  of  the  Earthkk  Vbbsel.  Dear  Sib,— 
The  writer  of  the  letter  in  your  last  YesscL, 
under  the  above  heading,  is  deceiving  3'Our 
hearers,  I  would  hope  tmknowingly,  but  cannot 
tldnk  such  is  the  fact.  He  says,  ^  I  worshipped 
with  the  resident  Baptists  at  Coleraine  on  Lord's- 
day,  Aug.  29th.''  He  then  proceeds  to  give  a  de- 
scription of  what  he  saw  and  heard  as  proof  that 
the  order  of  the  church  was  *•  unseasonable." 
Now,  anj'  person  reading  this  note,  would  vciy 
naturally  conclude  that  the  writer  was  describ- 
ing what  w  at  the  present  time  the  order  of  th€ 
church.  But  such  a  conclusion  would  be  ver^ 
far  fVom  the  truth.  The  writer  is  describing^ 
not  what  is  now  the  order  of  the  chureh,  but 
what  he  saw  on  a  particular  day  Jive  years  affo, 
vit.,  "on  Lord's^ay,  Aug.  29th,^'  1858.  Such  i» 
not  the  order  of  the  chureh  now^  nor  has  been 
since  I  began  mv  ministry  at  Coleraine  up  to  the 
present  time.  There  is  no  "exhortation''  of  the 
brethren  in  the  Baptist  chureh  at  Coleraine  at 
the  present  moment  With  respect  to  the  Scotch 
metrical  venion  of  the  Psalms,  it  is  a  well-nigh 
general  favourite  among  all  religious  denomina* 
Sons  throughout  the  whole  of  the  north  of  Ire-r 

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246 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


OoL  1, 1663. 


land,  aad  through  all  Bootland ;  but  the  Baptist 
ohuroh  at  Coleraino  uses  in  addition  as  their  ac- 
knowledffed  hymn-book  the  comprehensive  se- 
lection  of  hymns  and  psalms  by  Dr.  Watts  and 
Dr.  Sippon.  Your  correspondent  seems  not  to 
be  aware  of  the  tact,  that  the  ordinance  of  public 
exhortation  by  the  brethren  assembled  on  the 
Lord's-day  is  firmly  believed  in,  and  conscien- 
tiously acted  up  to,  by  the  whole  of  the  Scotch 
Baptist  churches.  Again,  your  correspondent  is 
most  grievously  in  error  when  he  says  of  tlie 
Baptist  church  at  Coleraine  ttmt  it  has  *'  no  week- 
evening  service,  no  prayer  meeting  oven,  either 
in  the  week  or  on  the  Sabbath."  The  Baptist 
church  at  Coleraine  has  had,  since  the  month  of 
September,  IStK),  three  toeek-'evening  urvieea^  on 
Monday,  Thursday,  and  Saturday  evenings,  and. 
for  a  number  of  years  before  then,  there  haa 
been  a  week-eveniug  prayer  meeting  held  in  the 
chapel.  In  addition  to  these  week-evening  ser- 
vices, there  is  also  a  Bible  class  conducted  on  a 
-week-e\-ening  in  the  chapel.  Dear  Mr.  Editor. 
I  request  most  respectfull}',  but  in  the  sacred 
name  of  truth  and  juatieej  that  you  will  insert 
this  brief  note  in  the  next  number  of  the  Earth rn 
Yesskl.  I. might  refer  to  the  untruCA/uJ  state- 
ments made  in  Dr.  Bell's  communications  on 
pages  116  and  138  of  Vessel  ;  but  as  j^ou  have 
promised  to  give  *^  special  atuntion'*  to*Dr.  Car- 
eon's  iustification  of  the  teachings  of  bis  de- 
parted father,  for  the  present  I  forbear.  Yours 
truly,  T.  W.  Mbduurst,  Winton  Terrace,  Vic- 
toria Bood,  Crossmyloof,  Olasgow.  Sep.  2ttd, 
1868.  P.S.— If  any  person  replies  to  the  abo\'e, 
I  trust  he  will  in  /aim— 9  give  his  real  name  and 
uddreu,  as  the  quMtion  Is  a  most  solemn  oue 
concerning  truth.— T.  W.  M. 

SUPFOIjK. 

GATHERING  IN  THE  HARVEST. 

[Our  brother  Baker,  of  Tunstall,  sends  us  tidings 
referring  to  a  three- fold  harvest    First,— God 
has  taken  home  to  heaven  several  from  the  Tun- 
stall cliurch  who  were  ripe  for  glory.     Se- 
condly,—the  Lord  has  gathered  out  of  the 
world   and   brought   into  that  church   over 
twenty  in  nearly  twelve  months.    Thirdly,— 
the  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  land  have  been 
favoured  to  gather  in  an  abundance  of  the  fruits 
of  the  earth ;  and  a  thanksgiving  meeting  has 
"been  holden  in  the  TunstaU  chapel.    We  give 
the  particulars  as  under.     We  have  lately  tra- 
velled hundreds  of  miles  northw*ard :  there  we 
saw  immense  quantities  of  wheat  standing  out 
in  the  wet.    Every  Christian  church  in  this 
kingdom  should  liave  a  day  of  thanksgiving 
and  of  earnest  pra>*er.     Thanking   God   for 
crops  secured,  ana  pleading  for  weather  for  the 
northern    farmers;    also    for    poor    suicidal 
America,  and  for  supplies  to  the  half-stamng 
Lancashire  ootton-spmncra.— Ed.] 
Dear  Brother  Baitxs,— Some  time  has  passed 
since  I  sent  you  any  account  of  the  dealings  of 
our  loving  and  faithml  God.    I  am  happv  to  sav 
the  Lord  is  still   displaying  great  and  blossea, 
manifestations  of  His  afl-suffldent  grace  in  our 
midst    Althouffh  He  has  caused  the  power  of 
Peath  to  end  trie  days  of  eight  within  twelve 
months  or  so,  yet  Ue  did  not  leave  tliem  com- 
fortless;  His  grace  helped  them  to  cross  the 
Jordan  crowned  with  imputed  victory  through 
the  all-suflScient  atonement  of  our  onoo  crucified, 
bat  now  risen.  Christ    As  a  church,  we  ca<i  say 
the  Lord  lias  aone  His  Di\ine  pleasure,  and  th^r 
are  around   the   throne  of  God,  having  been 
washed  from  all  sin,  purified  from  all  iniquity. 
Justified  from  all  claims  of  a  once  broken  law 
Blessed  be  our  Lord,  he  has  not  only  taken  from 
us.  but  He  has  abundantly  given  to  us  tokens  of 
His  quickening  grace,   by  searcliing   out  and 
bringing  into  our  ranks  twenty-one  believing 
aouls  within  twelve  months  or  so.    On  the  1st 
Sabbath  in  August,  the  Lord  gave  me  strength  to 


baptize  three  believerB.  Again,  on  the  flnt  Sab- 
bath of  this  month,  I  immersed  a  young  man 
whom  the  God  of  grace  took  out  of  the  arms  of 
Satan,  while  under  the  word,  witnessinff  his  bro- 
ther putting  on  Christ  by  baptinn,  ana  to  heu* 
them  all  tell  out  the  dealings  of  God  has  been 
cheering  indeed.  It  gives  me  much  pleasure, 
also,  to  say  that  September  16th  was  a  sweet  and 


savoun*  doy  to  my  soul,  and  to  the  souls  of  man^r 
more.  AVe,  by  God's  blessing,  held  a  puMie 
meeting  to  ackuowled|^  the  gMMness  of  oar  God 


to  us  as  a  people  tJiat  live  in  thishighly-fiivoiired 
land.  Brother  Bartholomew,  of  Mendlesham, 
preached  iu  tlie  ailemoon  from  Matt  ix.  S7.  A 
good  tea  was  served  to  about  sixty;  thai  our 
venerable  brother  Corbitt  gave  an  address  of 
warning  and  caution  against  the  fl^'stem  of  amal- 
gamating and  laying  aside  of  God's  truth  to 
accommodate  the  carnal  minds  of  mere  profes- 
sors. I  could  join  with  brother  C,  having  had 
to  stand  up  iu  the  camp  of  such  men  some 
aexen  years  in  many  ports  of  India.  In  the  even- 
ing. Brother  Corbitt  preached  the  Gospel  from 
1  Tim.  15.  Many  came  miles  after  working  hud 
all  day.  I  believe  they  went  home  rqoicing. 
All  were  well  attended.  Several  of  the  bretkreo 
in  the  Baptist  niinistn'  were  with  us,  and  took 
part  in  the  ser^nce.  My  earnest  praj-er  to  God  is 
that  some  good  will  result,  and  to  Him  be  all 
glory.  A.  bAKKD,  Minister  of  the  Baptist  Cha- 
pel, Tunstall,  Suflblk.    September  16th,  1863. 

BOTHSBHITHE.— We  are  hard  at  work 
to  get  up  £100  to  liqm'date  the  debt :  eogaijed 
every  evening.  Sundays,  morning  and  eveniog, 
in-doors.  Aner  the  evening  servioe,  we  hold  so 
out-door  meeting ;  have  large  congregations  b(^h 
in  and  out.  Tuesday,  Thursday,  and  Saturday 
evenings,  we  preach  to  good  oongregations  in  ttie 
open  air,  and  God  has  blessed  these  open-sir 
meetings.  One  of  several  cases  is  that  of  a  girl, 
seventeen  years  old,  a  child  of  a  member  of  one 
of  our  Baptist  churches,  who  had  "fldlen"  for 
the  last  tweh-e  months.  She  has  been  restored, 
and  we  have  reason  to  believe  a  cood  work  bss 
begun  in  her.  Many  ore  exolaimmg,  *'Whati» 
it?'  We  have  a  Friday  evening  prayer  meetinj, 
and  ha\-e  begun  to  institute  prater  meetings m 
different  houses  in  the  neighbourhood.  I  am 
watching  the  cases  of  good  done.  I  assure  yoa^ 
since  I  have  been  thus  labouring,  I  have  found 
indeed  *'  life  more  abundantly.**  1  have  four  bre- 
thren who  take  part  in  the  open-air  sei  vices 
one  of  verj'  old  standing— formerly  a  missionary. 
&c.  The  others  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of 
Jesus  Christ  under  my  ministry,  of  whom  no 
doubt  you  will  hear  in  future  days. 

J.  BUTTEKFialD. 

BYDE.    ISI-E    OF  WiaHT.  -  Zoab 

Baptist  Chapel.  The  anniversary  was  held 
Lord's-day,  August  9th.  Mr.  John  Linds^-,  of 
Bingwooa,  preached  the  sermons :  the  Lord  was 
present  to  bless  us.  On  the  following  Monday,  a 
tea-meeting  was  held ;  the  friends  emoyed  thton- 
selves  in  social  conversation,  the  people  carrying 
out  that  exhortation  of  the  apostle,  **Only  let 
your  conversation  be  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of 
Christ*'  In  the  e\'ening,  a  public  meeting  waB 
held,  when  Mr.  Lindsey  delivered  a  lecture,  his 
subject  being  "A  Peculiar  People,"  and  was 
blessedly  led  to  feel  and  enjoy  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  whilst  delineating  the  varied  p^ 
culiar  features  there  are  in  the  choaen  of  God. 
We  are  fond  of  Byde,  and  especially  of  the  few 
Strict  Baptist  friends  who  worship  at  Zoar,  and 
can  heartily  pray  for  the  prosperitj*  of  Zion 
there.  The  people  strive  hard  to  maintain  the 
Gospel,  and  establish  a  cause  of  Truth  in  that 
growing  neighbourhood,  and  our  desire  is  that 
heaven  may  amile  upon  them,  and  give  answer  to 
their  cry.  Arise,  O  Lord,  we  beseeoh  Thee;  0 
Lord,  send  now  prosperity'. 


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THE   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


247 


BIBOHINQTON.  ^  Hsphzzbah  Baptist 
BinrsAY  BcHOoi..  Thundsy,  September  3rd,  the 
children  and  Mends  of  the  Sabfaeth-Bohool  met 
together  for  tea  and  recreation,  and  to  oelebrate 
their  first  gathering,  which  was  very  encourag- 
ing. The  day  bemg  moat  propitious,  several 
fhends  from  Broadstaira,  St.  Peter's,  ftc,  came 
to  encourage  us.  Though  our  interest  is  small, 
and  our  members  few,  and  many  things  for  us  to 
struggle  against,  our  friends,  nevertheless,  rallied 
rouM  us  with  good  spirit,  and  we  had  a  good 
attendance.  Our  chapel  being  small  and  incom- 
modious for  a  tea  meeting,  our  friends,  the  Wes- 
leyans,  kindly  offered  ua  their  commodious 
Bc»ool-room  Again  to  tea  in,  where  were  regaled 
about  sixty  chudren  with  cake  and  tea,  and  as 
many  friaids  and  visitors  at  the  same  time. 
After  partaking  of  a  bountiful  repast,  all  present 
xepaix«d  to  Mr.  Nearness  meadow  for  recreation, 
kindly  lent  for  the  occasion,  the  children  in  pro- 
ceasion^  proceeding  with  banners  with  appro- 
priate  inscripUona,  singing  the  praises  of  Im- 
mannePs  name,  all  jpartiudng  in  the  amusements 
of  tbB  evening  until  about  seven  o'clock,  when 
the  children  were  assembled  and  appropriately 
addressed  bv  the  pastor  and  the  Bev.  J.  Brooks, 
of  Broadstaira.  After  several  juvenile  pieces  had 
been  sung,  the  children  were  dismissed  in  high 
glea  A  piece  of  plum  cake  was  given  to  each 
child  present  on  parting.  Thaa  we  s|>cnt  a  very 
I^leasant  and  happy  day,  all  being  highly  gra- 
tified and  profited  Dy  the  gathering,  in  Uie  which 
we  trust  it  was  seen  that^-~ 

**  Beligion  never  was  designed. 
To  make  our  pleasures  less.*' 

HAUBTEAD,  ESSEX.— Deas  Bbotheb, 
—In  December,  16&9,  our  brother,  S.  Kevan, 
osme  auKMig  us  to  preach  the  Gospel,  since 
which  period  the  Lord  has  blessed  his  labours 
in  the  conversion  of  many  poor  sinners  and  the 
comforting  of  the  saints  of  Ood.  But  the  great 
Head  of  the  church  often  works^n  a  mysterious 
way.  Being  a  poor  people,  without  much  of 
thia  world's  wealth ,  we  are  unable  to  support 
our  pastor  in  propoition  to  his  need,  tliough  we 
have  striven  to  our  utmost  to  a o  so.  He 
therefore  has  felt  reluctantly  compelle<7  to  resign 
his  pastorate,  which  will  dose  at  Christmas,  and 
it  is  with  sorrow  we  receive  his  resignation,  as 
the  dinreh  and  ocMogregation  wish  he  had  lived 
and  died  wiUi  them,  we  therefore  can  recom- 
mend him  to  any  church  as  a  faithful  preacher 
of  the  Ooepd ;  as  a  man  of  peace  (a  wonderful 
blessing  in  this  time  of  so  much  strife),  and  a 
sympametic  friend  in  the  time  of  trouble.  Those 
who  know  him  apart  fVom  our  cause  bear  the 
same  testimony,  and  have  manifested  their  es- 
teem in  the  time  of  his  heavy  sfRiction  ai\^  trial. 
Our  prayer  is  that  the  Lora  may  open  a  door 
where  He  may  use  those  talents  which  He  has 
entrusted  to  him  to  the  good  of  many  for  whom 
Christ  died,  and  that  he  may  be  kept  close  to  the 
truth  aa  it  is  in  Jesus  as  lie  has  been  with  us. 

ligned)  WnxiAic    Porter,   Johk   Taylor, 

~~^T  Satiteb,  Deacons. 


(Sigot 
Hjub^ 


0SBAT  ^vtftt.mtA.vrA'Mr  Baptist  Cha- 
PSL.— On  Sonday,  August  80th.  our  brother  Peet 
haptired  three  m  the  name  of  tho  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  OhoaL  Our  ohapel  was  crowded,  so 
that  many  had  to  stand  all  the  services,  and  at 
the  taaat  there  were  160  that  could  not  get  into 
the  hnOding.  and  stood  outside  the  chapel ;  but, 
notwitbataoding  the  great  number  of  the  people, 
the  sarriee  waa  Mt  to  be  a  solemn  occasion,  and 
all  paMBd  off  qoietly  and  orderly.  We  pray  God 
that  our  brother  Peet  may  remain  with  us;  for 
we  M  €KmI  is  with  him,  olessing  his  words  from 
time  to  tine  to  many  that  listen  to  his  voice.  On 
tiir4bUowing  Bnnmiy,  September  6th,  our  two 
niien  and  hroiher  were  reoeived  into  full  com- 
mmioo.    -^  James  Toller. 


TBING.'Sunday-sohool  anniversary  at  Weat 
End,  Tring,  was  holden  September  8th,  1868. 
Afternoon,  Drother  Pells  preached  from  Acts  xiv. 
7.  Above  one  hundred  sat  down  to  tea.  Bre* 
thren  North  and  John  Plaw  (the  Aylesbury  jna- 
tor)  assisted  in  the  afternoon.  At  six,  publio 
meeting  commenced ;  brother  Woodman  m  the 
chair.  Brother  North  implored  Divine  blessing. 
Brethren  Lister,  John  Plaw,  Pells,  and  North 
gave  excellent  speeches.  The  school  is  still  on 
the  increase.  Brother  Henry  Chapman,  the  su- 
perintendent, and  the  mi^onty  of  the  teachera 
are  members  of  the  church.  The  good  seed  of 
the  kingdom  is  sown  in  many  hearts :  God  grant 
them  immense  prosperity. 

CHELSEA.— Ebshezer  Baptist  Chapel, 
College-street.  The  church  meeting  at  above 
place  having  given  our  brother  Caunt  six  months' 
call,  the  Lord  having  blessed  the  preached  word 
to  the  souls  of  his  people,  and  having  given  our 
brother  several  seals  to  his  ministry,  that  time 
having  expired,  tiie  church  unanimously  agreed 
that  our  esteemed  brother  Caunt  be  requested  to 
accept  the  pastorate  over  them,  which  he  cordially 
accepted,  praying  the  Lord  to  bless  the  union, 
and  still  enable  him  to  continue  preaching  the 
truth,  and  that  the  Lord  may  be  pleased  to  use 
him  as  an  instrument  in  calling  many  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  in  building  up  those 
who  now  believe.  The  following  brethren  Jcindly 
stand  engaged  to  preach  for  us  every  Friday 
evening :  our  brother  Haaelton,  1st ;  Wyard,  3nd ; 
Pells,  3rd ;  Meerea,  4th. 

FABNBOBOTTOH.  KENT.-On  Thurs- 
day eve,  July  30tb,  Mr.  George  Webb,  of  Eyns- 
ford,  baptized  two  believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  at  Bridge-street,  Greenwich,  kindly  lent 
for  the  occasion.  Thank  God,  he  is  working  with 
us.  On  Monday  eve,  Aug.  24th,  we  held  our 
Sunday-school  anniversary.  The  afternoon  waa 
spent  in  recreations,  tea,  &c.  A  public  meetinjg^  in 
the  evening  was  well  attended,  and  addressea  by 
Messrs.  Sjaights,  of  Brixton  ;  Popplewell,  of  Or- 
pington; Camp  and  Webb,  of  JSj'nsford;  W. 
Wallis,  J.  Sawyer,  B.  Law>'er,  and  —  Baker,  of 
Fnmboroiigh.  

BIEMImGHAM.— Our  Bristol  cnrrespon- 
dent  confirms  other  testimonies.  How  a  man 
can  thus  thrust  himself  into  the  miuistr>',  scat- 
tering the  sheep,  destroying  cause,  and  making 
himself  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  all  ri^ht- 
thinking  people,  we  cannot  conceive.  Our  Bristol 
letter,  snd  other  records,  may  be  noticed  further 
yet.  We  expect  the  vain  conceit  will  soon  die  out. 

WOLVBBHAKFTON.— Mr.  Pnwson,  of 
Wood-street,  is  anxious,  under  God's  guidance, 
to  find  a  new  sphere  of  labour.  "  Little  John 
Turner  "  has  returned  from  New  Zealand  out  of 
health.    We  hope  he  will  soon  recover. 

BATH.— The  Baptist  church  at  Widoombe, 
under. Mr.  Huntley^s  ministry,  is  highly  fit- 
voured.  The  dew  of  heaven  descends;  crowds 
are  ff^hered.  We  believe  the  great  day  will  de- 
clare more  good  done  here  than  now  can  be  told. 

ALLBBTON*  — Our  new  meeting  was 
opened  at  J.  Hatch's  by  G.  Paul,  September  18. 
We  hope  to  have  a  hvppy  church,  with  the  Divine 
blessing. 

ANDOVEB.^Mr.  Geome  Dyer  has  gone  to 
Australia;  but  still  he  holds  the  pastorate  here, 
as  he  expects  to  return  to  us  before  very  long. 

BOBOUaH  GBEENv  KENT.  -  On 
Lord's-day,  July  36th,  Mr.  Frith  baptized  two 
sisters  in  Jesus  in  the  preeenoe  of  a  very  large  as- 

"""y-  Digitized  by  Google 


248 


THE  BJUKTHEN  VBaSEL. 


QdL  hlM. 


BAFXIflT  8innXA.T  1SN1HOOL 
T7KIOV. 

AccoBDnrG  ta  the  •pnoanoenMot  wMeh  Iim  a]) 
pcttred  io  this  Mflunizme,  the  friends  desiring  this 
union  met  in  Shaitesbttr>'  Hall,  Aldevsgafce-stveet. 
*It  was  a  noble  gathering,  well  filling  that  eom- 
modions  aaaemblv  room.  Several  London  minis- 
tors  weie  engagea  at  •nniversnries  in  the  oountr>', 
but  we  do  not  know  of  one  of  our  schools  un- 
lepiesanted.  Of  course,  as  there  always  must  be 
in  prriiminary  mestinga,  there  was  free  oonfer- 
enoe,  and  much  convenation,  the  results  of  which 
were  the  resolutions  as  follow : — 

1.  <*That  there  was  necessity  for  sudh  a  oem- 
bination."  &o.  Proposed  by  Mr.  W.  Falmer, 
seconded  by  Mr.  Woodard. 

a.  That  we  now  form  ourselves  into  a  aoAt/ty  to 
meet  this  mfeeesstty.  Proposed  by  Mr.  FUok, 
aeoonded  by  Mr.  W.  HawkiusT 

5.  «*That  this  Sooiety  was  caUed  the  Baptist 
Aniiday  Scbool  Union.'^ 

4.  **That  this  Union  shall  oonaist  of  ministers, 
HiAeers,  and  teacliers  of  those  schools  holding  the 
doctrine  of  three  equal  persons  in  the  Oodhead ; 
the  plenary  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures;  per- 
•onal  aad  etenuu  election :  the  universal  depravity 
and  ruin  of  all  mankind,  by  a  federal  union  to 
Adam,  the  Just  condemnation  and  utter  hdpleas- 
ness  oif  all  men  under  the  law  of  Ood ;  particular 
redemption  by  the  substitutionary  obedieneeand 
death  of  Ohrist^n  oontanadistinction  from  agenezal 
oufieienoy  with  a  limited  application  of  the 
atoneDMOt;  the  ueoessity  of  regeaemtion  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  with  the  fhiito  of  holiness  in  a  hie  of 
faith;  the  free  procUmation  of  the  Gtospel  to  all 
with  the  assured  salvation  of  those  who  believe 
without  demanding  spiritiul  acts  from  merely 
natural  men ;  .spiritual  iaith  as  a  fbee-grace  gift 
through  the  merits  of  Christy  aud  as  wrought  in 
the  soul  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  in  distinction  troui 
faith  as  a  natural  act.  and  as  a  legal  requirement 
of  unregenerated  men ;  baptism  bv  immersion  of 
believers  in  the  name  of  the  U0I3'  Trinity  as  a  pre- 
sequisite  to  Church  membership,  and  to  commu- 
aion  at  the  Lord's  supper ;  the  final  perseverance 
of  the  saints;  the  resurrection  of  the  body  ;  the 
final  judgment ;  the  everlasting  bapoincsd  of  the 
righteous,  and  endless  misery  of  the  wicked." 
Proposed  by  Mr.  Cracknel!,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Wall,  and  spoken  to  by  Messrs.  Ancferaon, 
Chivers,  Crowhurst,  Evans,  James,  Wait,  Phillips, 
Schooling,  ko. 

6.  "  That  the  primary  object  of  this  Uuion  shall 
be  an  adequate  supply  or  sound  religious  in- 
alruction  in  aooordanoe  witli  the  docvine  and 
practice  as  heretofore  laid  down.  The  secondary 
objects  are  to  excite  the  energies  of  Sunday 
school  teachers,  and  unite  them  in  one  common 
ground  of  action,  at  the  same  time  not  in  any 
way  interfering  with  the  private  concerns  of 
Sucday  schools. 

0.  **That  a  subscription  of  not  less  than  five 
ehillings  per  annum  shall  be  paid  by  all  schools 
connected  with  this  Union ;  that  individuals  may 
baoome  members  thereof  on  the  payment  of  a 
like  amount  or  upwards." 

By  the  time  the  two  latter  resolutions  were 
sead,  it  had  become  late,  and  this  gratifying 
meeting  was  adieaned  to  ^Msday  ovening, 
October  80th  next,  at  7.80,  in  the  same  hall. 

An  earlisr  evening  ma  fisund  not  to  be  pacti- 
«aMe,as  those  mtgkgtd  in  this  movement  ielt 
'  dasiinua  that  as  many  mintatera  should  be  psesent 
at  the  formation  as  possible,  desiring  a  dose 
affinity  with  the  pulpit  and  class.  At  the  ad- 
Joumed  meeting  in  Shaftesbury  Hall  en  Tuesday 
evening,  October  80th  next  at  7J80 ;  farther  reso- 
lutions will  be  proposed  as  loUows,— 

7.  **That  the  affiurs  and  fVmds  of  this  union 
shall  be  under  the  direction  of  a  General  Com- 
mittee, oonsiflling  of  a  President.  Treasurer, 
Secretaries,  and  twenty  members  eieeted  at  the 

'  Annual  Meeting,  together  with  two  r^resenta- 
tives  from  each  school  in  connection  with  this 
Union,  exclusive  of  the  Pastor  and  Superinten- 


dents.    The  Oonmittee  thne  oooititnted  4haU 


meet  once  in  each  month,  or  ofteoer  if  requisite 
atsueh  tame  and  plaoe  as  shall  be  fixed  bv  them- 
selves, five  to  be  a  quorum.  A  Special  Meeting 
may  be  called  by  five  members  communicating 
thetr  request  in  writing  to  the  Secretaries." 

The  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  up 
vacancies,  and  that  the  £»U«wing  jnntlemen  oon- 
stitttto  the  Committee  of  this  Union  for  tJie 

present  year,  —  Mr.  •— ',  President;  Mr. , 

Treasurer;   Mr.  ,   Minuto  Secvetaay;  Mr. 

' — ,  Correspondent  Secretary ;  Mr.  — — ,  Finan- 
cial Secretary;    Mr. ,  ISUtistic  Secretai^\ 

OenUemen  have  been  spoken  to  to  allow  their 
names  to  be  mentioned  for  the 


living  in  the  seveml  divisions  of  London,  who 
will  All  them  satisfieietorily  if  the  meeting  choose 


8.  '*  All  meetings  of  this  Union  shall  be  opened 
and  cloied  with  prayer.*' 

The  Above  constitution  liavii^  been  adopted  it 
will  be  further  propossd,— 

*-That  there  be  asked  for  a  list  of  friends  who 
shall  be  reeonunended  as  gifted  to  address  the 
schools  of  this  union  where  invited.  And  ficom 
this  list  to  appoint  visitors  to  the  schools." 

It  is  hoped  that  tlie  above  bu8ineBs,nnd  other 
found  needful  may  be  completed,  so  as  to  allow 
the  following  to  be  read  and  discussed  by  those 
present,  each  being  limited  to  oo»  address,  not 
l<mger  than  ten  minutes,  viz., 

A  paper  by  Mr.  W.  Palmer,  on  the  "ISature. 
Objects,  and  Motives  of  Sunday  School  Teaohers.'* 

Also,  a  paper  by  J.  M.  Whittaker.Bsq.,  on  the 
Right  Position  and  Action  of  the  people  of  God 
in  relation  to  Sunday  Schools. 

Schools  and  friends  will  have  an  opportunity 
of  entering  this  union  at  the  above  named  meet- 
on  the  20tn  prox. ;  and  schools  and  friends  of 
the  ouutttry  wishing  to  do  so,  or  knowing  gen- 
tlemen whom  they  wish  to  serve  the  Umon  by 
being  elected  on  the  Committee,  are  invited  to 
give  us  the  in^rmation  as  early  as  convenient. 

That  grsat  good  may  result  mmi  all  labours  is 
the  prayer  of  a  humble  labourer  in  the  Oo^el, 

Sep.  18th,  1863.  W.  HAWKim. 

6,  Nile  terrace,  Old  Kent  road,  London,  «.£. 

OZJ)  FOBD.^Bethxl  Baptisl  Cbaprl 
Sabbath  School,  Nobth  Bow,  au«iv8t  aoth. 
.-Sermons  were  preached  by  Mr.  Samuel  Banks, 
of  Canterbury,  for  the  Sabbath  schools.  In  the 
morning,  our  brother  preached  a  waigb^  sennon 
from  "  In  whom  we  nave  redemption,*^  fcc.  In 
tbe  evening  be  very  powerfiiUy  «nd  blessMlly 
pmcbed  £>m  Luke  xi.~'*flay.  Our  father.^' 
This  sermon  will  long  be  remembered  by  many 
of  God's  dear  children.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
mane  day,  our  brother  gave  an  address  fo  the 
children,  teaeher&  and  parents.  It  was  vev>' 
pleaeing  to  the  children,  ue  said  be  knew  most 
children  were  fond  of  a  picture  book :  such  books 
were  good  books  forchildieo,  because  they  aerved 
to  ilfustibted  tbe  suh|ect  tliey  were  reading. 
Then  he  held  the  Bible  in  his  hand,  and  aaid. 


"This  is  a  picture  book,  oontaininsr  son 
noble  pictures.**     He  then  referred   to 
namely,  Noah's  Ark,  Daniel  in  the  Lion*s  Den. 


three; 


noble  pictures.** 

namely,  Noah's  atk,  i^aniei  in  uie  uou  b  j^vu. 
and  diirist  beating  Hie  Cross.  These  intensted 
the  oliiMren  very  nraoh.  We  pimy  the  Lord  may 
Mess  the  bibour  of  our  brother  Samuel  Banks, 
wheiwer  he  may  be  called  to  pieaeh  the  glofions 
Gospel  of  salvatieo.    -   - 


R.  ] 


It 


(Thie  school  has  leeently  been  eennnc 
has  experienced  eupenntendeotL  1 
teacherd,  aad  helpesa^over  one  hnadvad  «htldseo, 
and  many  mere  migrtit  be  had,  but  wfr  have  not 
room  for  a  multitmle.  We  need  a  enbrtsntial 
ohspel  in  this  fhst-grawing  part  of  Loadoo,  srith 
schoolrooms,  library,  Ac.  MannfMtnreM  are 
building  here ;  thousands  of  working  neopledwell 
around.  We  want  tracts  aad  bodn  mr  ihem,  fer 
the  children,  and  fiMrthoaeighbottfliood  geassnlty. 
In  lens  than  two  years,  the  Lord  has  uaouniagid 
us  greatly.    We  believe  He  will  go  on.] 


Cot.  1,  1663. 


TUB  EARTOBM  YESSEX. 


2A9 


[The  present  Dp.  Carson,  of  Colenine,  and  Mr. 
Jfedburat,  of  Glasgow,  have  written  us  some 
severe  eoiaments  on  parts  of  I>r.  Bell's  quota- 
tions from  correspondence  on  the  Plymouth 
Brethren.  That  Dr.  Bdl  is  a  true  Chnetian— 
a  thorough  gentleman  —and  one  who  writes 
from  the  purest  of  motives,  we  hare  no  doabt. 
and  if  by  his  correepondents  he  has  been  led 
'  into  any  mistake,  he  would  willingly  aoknow- 
led^  the  same.  We  should  not  insert  the  fol- 
lowmg  note  from  Dr.  Carson  but  for  this  one 
fact:  his  feelings  are  wounded  by  the  allusions 
Dr.  Bell  has  made  to  his  late  revered  father. 
We  most  heartily  wish  Dr.  Bell  had  never 
mentioned  Dr.  Carson  nor  his  views;  for, 
great  and  good  man  as  he  was,  we  well  know 
that  neither  Dr.  Bell's  quotations  from  him, 
nor  his  son's  refutation  of  him,  are  any  sub- 
jects of  interest  to  our  readers.  However,  we 
promised  Dr.  Carson  an  opportunity  of  defend- 
ing his  father:  therefore  we  insert  his  note  as 
follows :— 

TO  TUM  SOITOB  OF  TJIX  BitSTHSV  rS33BL. 

818,-1  have  read 'Dr.  Bell's  papers  in  yoar 
magasine.  If  he  were  not  afraid  of  his  subject, 
he  surely  would  not  waate  your  pages  with 
twaddle.  At  all  events,  if,  wnen  he  docs  enter 
on  it,  he  turns  out  as  tedious  as  in  the  preface, 
be  will  not  be  able  to  ftnish  daring  the  lifetime 
4»f  the  present  geaemtion. 

As  the  extracts  from  oorrespondenfes  which  Dr. 
Bell  publishes  are  anonymous,  he  is  entirely  re- 
aponaible  for  their  oorreotaeu;  and  thereu>rel 
eharge  him  with  gross  miareprestttation  of  my 
father  in  your  number  for  May.  He  says,  the 
late  "Dr.  Oarsoa  held  aimiUr  views  to  those  of 
the  *  Brethren*  oa  the  imreatricted  exercise  of 
the  gifts  of  the  Brethxen  in  public  worsliip,  the 
ener  of  a  one-maa^ministry,  and,  if  I  am  not 
Kieatly  mistaken,  he  disapproved  of  a  fixed 
aalary."  Now,  Sir,  I  am  well  aware  that  the 
Plymonths  hold  extreme  views  regardiqg  the 
^^■uwviirieled"  exercise  of  wliat  theyoall  gifts— 
aooordiug  to  Mr.  Darby,  as  I  have  elsewhere 
proved,  tfie  speaker  is  the  direct  mouthpieoa  uf 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  of  eonsequenoe  should  not 
be  intarfated  with  by  meo— ^but  my  father  held 
no  such  sentiments.  The  late  Dr.  Carson  never 
held  the  tatrestrieud  exercise  of  gifts,  as  Dr.  Bell 
asserts,  and  hence  his  views  are  furtdaincfUaUy 
different  from  those  of  the  Plymonths.  lie  ad- 
vocated exhortation  and  prayer  by  those  who 
weie  qualified  for  the  task,  wider  the  direct  go- 
wemmeiU  of  the  vattar^  or  preeiienL  and  with  the 
tamcHoit  of  the  eteivA  wikkk  icaetoU  edifM;  but 
he  never  held  that  the  exhorter  was  to  be  unrf 
eMetedy  or  to  be  sole  judge  ot  his  own  qualifica- 
tions, or  that  any  man  was  to  exhort  who  was 
not  qualified,  in  the  estimation  of  the  ohuroh,  for 
that  du^.  The  church  was  to  judge  on  every 
aubjeet.  -  No  man  was  to  have  the  power  of  crea- 
ting himeelf  a  pope.  In  writing  on  the  subject, 
my  father  says,  **  There  is  a  strict  order  and  go- 
vernment in  every  ordinance  of  a  church  of 
Christ.  The  bishops  eedl  /orih  ami  dk-eet  the 
talent*  of  the  church ;  and  it  is  their  business  to 
see  that  tlie  brethren  epeak  to  ed^^itaUen.**  Nei- 
ther ia  it  Irae.  Sir,  that  my  father  ^  disapproved 
of  a  fixed  salary"  for  the  minister.  No  man 
eier  lielid  more  dsoidedly  than  hcL  Ihat  the  '*  la-* 
bottier  is  worthy  of  his  Airs."  That  the  late  Dr. 
Canoa  praetiged  the  oneHDao-ministiy  durinff  his 
entire  ministerial  career,. and  newsr  sufTerecfaBy 
one  but  himself  to  sign  ^  minister  of  tlie  Gospel, 
Tubbermoiea,"  is  surely  sulBoient  to  prove  the 
fiOaity  of  Dr.  Bell's  statement  that  he  agreed 
with  the  Brethren  en  **  the  enor  of  a  one-man- 
ministry." 

I  am  by  no  means  satisfied  with  the  way  in 
which  Ht.  Bell  puts  forth  my  father's  views  on 
saactiflcation.  He  tells  a  part  of  the  truth,  but 
be  does  not  tell  the  whole  truth ;  he  quotes  as 


mochas  suits  hinu»dlf,  but  he  leaves  out  a  part 
which  I  suspect  does  not  tally  with  Pl3'mouth- 
ism.  Is  this  an  honest  representation  of  my  fa- 
ther's opinions  ?  I  am  sure  it  is  not.  My  father 
lisXd. progrtsaive  saiiutilicatiori  in  the  Christian  aad 
perfect  sauctiflcatiou  in  Christ;  but  I  do  not  re- 
collect seeing  the  doctrine  \)i  progreuive  sanctifi- 
cation  promulgated  in  the  wntiugsof  the  Darby- 
ites,  and  therefore  my  father's  opinions  and 
their's  do  not  tally.  In  order  to  show  the  ex- 
tremely one-sided  representation  which  Dr.  Bell 
has  given  of  my  lather,  I  will  place  the  two  ex- 
tracts in  parallel  coluimis.  The  words  which 
Dr.  Bell  has  intentionally  omitted  are  marked  by 
italics. 


DR.  BELL. 
**The  Brethren's  view 
of  complete  sanctitioa- 
tion  in  Clirist,  as  found- 
ed on  1  Cor.  i.  80, 
though  peculiar,  is  not 
altogetlier  pociuiar  to 
themselves.  Tiie  late 
excellent  Dr.  Cai-son 
held  similar  views,  or 
at  least  nearly  so.  *  The 
sanctifioatiou  spoken  of 
in  this  passage,'  says 
he, '  we  have  not  in  our 
own  persons,  but  in 
Christ,  OS  one  with 
Him  by  faith,  in  His 
righteousness  thi*ough 
de.tth.  It  is  this  that 
makes  us  fit  to  go  to 
heaven  the  moment  we 
believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  We  can- 
not enter  heaven  but  as 
having  a  perfect  holi- 
ness, as  well  OS  a  per- 
fect righteousness.  This 
we  Iiave  in  Christ;  as 
we  are  one  with  Him, 
whatsoever  is  His  is 
ours.  This  view,  how- 
ever, you  will  not  find 
in  any  of  the  commen- 
tators." —  See  Letter 
from  T>r.  Carson  to 
William  Tough  in 
Moore's  Life  of  Carson. 
P.  90. 


DB.  CAB80N. 
"  The  eanaijication  here 
apoken  of,  appeare  not  to 
Ue  that  which  ia  wrought 
in  ua  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
which  ia  progreaaive  and 
mver  perfect  in  this 
world.  The  aanctifica- 
tion  here  apoken  of  ia 
that  which  Chriat  ia  made 
to  ua,  and  7iot  that  we  are 
tnade  by  Christ.  The 
aa  noli  feat  ion  of  the  Spirit 
ia  performed  in  ua  by  the 
Spirit  through  the  word. 
The  ttauctitlcation  spo- 
ken of  in  this  passage 
we  have  not  in  our  own 
persons,  but  in  Christ, 
as  one  with  Him  by 
faith  in  11  is  righteous- 
ness through  death.  It 
is  this  that  makes  us 
fit  to  go  to  heaven  the 
moment  we  believe  in 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Wo 
cannot  enter  heaven, 
but  as  having  a  perfect 
holiness,  as  well  as  a 
perfect  righteousness. 
This  we  have  in  Christ ; 
as  we  are  one  with 
Him,  whatsoever  is  His 
is  ours.  Tliis  view, 
however,  you^will  not 
find  in  any  of  the  com- 
mentators." —  Dr.  Car- 
son's Letter  to  William 
Tough  in  Moore's  Life 
of  Carson.    P.  90. 

Dr.  Bell  alleges  there  is  a  coramanity  of  senti- 
ment between  Dr.  Carson  and  the  Plymonths  on 
open  communion,  weekly  communion,  and  the 
Bible  the  only  creed.  If  so,  what  is  there  extra- 
ordinary in  the  matter  ?  Are  there  not  hosts  of 
others  who  hold  similar  opinions  f  But  is  It 
strictly  true  that  Dr.  Carson  and  the  Plymouths 
are  the  same  on  these  points  ?  I  think  not.  Dr. 
Carson  held  open  communion  in  reality,  and  ad- 
mitted every  man  who  was  ready  to  enter  hea- 
ven ;  but  there  is  not  a  more  persecuting:  exclu- 
sive, bigoted,  and  narrow-minded  sect  than  the 
Plymouths  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  They  fight 
like  wild  beasts  amongst  themselves,  and  exclude 
well  known  Christians  out  of  all  denominations. 
Dr.  Oarson  held  th  it  the  Bible,  which  is  the  only 
creed,  should  be  Interpreted  by  the  strictest  rules 
of  the  laws  of  language ;  but  the  Darbyites,  as  I 
have  fully  proved  m  another  place,  mamtain  di- 
rect inspiration  in  their  interpretations,  and  thus 
act  like  wild  fanatics. 

I  may  qbserve  in  passing  that  Dr.  Bell  asserts 
Mr.  Mackintosh  has  recalled  his  opinions  on  the 
heavenly  humanity.  That  this  statement  is  not 
strictly  true,  will  be  evident  to  all  who  take  the 
trouble  of  reading  the  twelfth  thousand  ot  my 
pamphlet  on  the  heresies  of  the  Plymouth  Bre- 
thren, where  the  subject  is  ^i^lb'(^>i^f^l^^ 


-250 


THE  EABTHEN   VESSEL, 


Oct  I,  186S. 


where  the  entire  of  Mr.  Mackiiitosh*8  would-be 

retraction  is  inserted.    Yonrs  truly. 

James  C.  L.  Cabsox,  M.D. 
Coleraine,  Ireland.    Hay  20th,  1863. 

[One  word  with  reference  to  our  Christian  friend 
and  brother,  Dr.  Bell.  He  is  grieved  by  the 
note  we  inserted  in  our  August  number ;  but 
the  letters  which  reached  us  time  after  time, 
led  us  to  fear  that  in  some  things  his  corres- 
pondents were  not  quite  correct ;  and  we  be- 
lieved Dr.  Bell  would,  in  a  Cfhristian  spirit^  and 
in  an  edifying  manner,  vindicate  the  course 
he  had  pursued.  The  church  is  not  yet  in 
Paradise ;  differences  will  arise :  but  for  one 
Christian  to  be  angry  with  another  Christian, 
because  in  some  things  there  is  a  want  of 
unity  and  harmony,  is  so  expressive  of  weak- 
ness that  it  daily  fills  our  hearts  with  sorrow ; 
and  in  the  foregoing  note  of  Dr.  Carson's,  there 
are  expressions  too  severe  we  think ;  but  here 
let  the  matter  rest.— £o.] 

SOUNDINO  THE  ALARM  FOR 
HABBO  W-ON-THE-HIIili.— More  than 
60  years  has  a  Baptist  cause  existed  here:  the 
present  pastor,  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  has  been 
settled  over  the  church  full  26  years.  The 
chapel  is  wearing  out;  and  is  not  suiBciently 
commodious ;  consequently,  an  efibrt  is  making 
to  erect  a  new  one;  but  to  obtain  the  money  first. 
We  suppose  for  chapel,  schools,  and  all  exiwnses, 
they  will  require  nearly  £1,000.  The  Conunittee 
have  been  hard  at  work ;  and  nearly  £500  is  al- 
ready paid  in,  or  promised.  Why  should  the 
present  generation  pay  for  all  the  diapels  th^r 
build,  thus  leaving  to  future  worshippers 
places  which  cost  them  nothing?  To  open 
churches  and  cliapels  quite  free  is  very  pleasant : 
—the  Methodists  tell  us,  by-the-bye,  that  a  debt 
on  the  chapel  gives  a  spur  to  the  industry  and 
energy  of  the  people;  but  Mr.  Kmith  and  his 
frienos  have  resolved  to  get  near  £700  before  they 
commence.  Thus  tbey  declare  themselves  to  be 
strictly  honourable  men.  The  pastor  himself 
has  given  a  noble  sum.  But  the  cfrcular  does  not 
inform  us  of  the  principles  and  practice  of  tlie 
church.  On  one  anniversary  day  at  Harrow,  we 
heard  the  late  Arthur  Triggs,  the  present  James 
Wells,  ^d  Thomas  Stringer :  tliat  was  a  singular 
variety  of  ministerial  talent;  but  the  present 
Harrow-on-the-Hill  subscription  list  preaents  a 
greater  variety  still.  Here  we  have  Lord  North- 
wick,  Sir  Morton  Peto,  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon,  the 
Head  Master  of  Harrow  School,  the  Assistant 
Master,  Baptist  Noel,  with  the  Brocks  and  Bloom- 
fields,  the  Stovells  and  the  Sweetings,  the  Bal- 
fems  and  the  Barkers,  the  nusselTs  and  the 
Rolfes,  the  PcUs's  and  the  Paines,  the  Squires 
and  the  Church  of  England  Servanta,  the  ooun- 
sellers  and  the  lawyers,  the  Christmas  tree  and 
the  tea  meetings,  and  a  host  beside  all  of  tlie 
respectable  class.  But  for  the  name  of  a  hyper,  or 
out-and-out  sti*ict  communion  Baptist,  we  have 
almost  looked  in  vain.  To  have  the  pratronage 
of  the  popular  and  the  polite,  must  bo  exceedingly 
pleasant  to  human  nature ;  and  the  subscription 
list  proves  that  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  ancl  the 
Baptist  canse  at  Harrow,  are  held  in  the  highest 
esteem.  But  we  are  Trinitarian  Baptists :— we  do 
not  believe  that  tlie  truth  is  wholly  confined  to 
our  denomination ;  we  do  not  arrogate  to  ourselves 
any  superiority ;  but  we  do  be>ieve  that  all  the 
doctrines  of  toe  Gospel  are  to  be  faithfully  and 
.  lovingly  preached  :  we  dare  not  but  believe  that 
the  ordinances  are  all  designed  by  Christ  to  stand 
toffetlier  in  the  faith  and  fellowsnipof  the  saints ; 
and  we  are  compelled  to  believe  that  a  little  of 


they  are  goiuff.  Good  old  John  Bunyan,  in  the 
compassion  of  his  soul,  flung  strict  communion 
away.  Robert  Hall,  in  the  miffhtiness  of  his  in- 
tellect, tried  to  argue  New  Testament  church 


order  away.  0.  H.  Spurgeon  often  buttona  up 
his  ooat,  and  pours  a  little  sweet  contempt  upon 
us  poor  strict  commnnionista :  he  has  nobly  given 
Thomas  Smith,  of  Harrow,  nearly  £40;  but  the 
question  is,  will  friend  Smith  abide  by  the  New 
Testament  or  not?  As  out  of  our  obscurity,  we 
look  abroad  upon  the  fiuse  of  the  churches,  and 
see  which  way  the  wind  is  blowing,  we  cannot  stifle 
a  jealous  suspicion,  that  these  rich  parsons, 
wealthy  nobles,  and  highly  influenced  Christian 
professors  are  Homocpathy-like  taking  away  the 
truth.  Are  these  jealousies  falsely  founded  f  We 
fear  not. 

BtJNKEBTOK,  vcab  Bath.— A  heart- 
cheering  day  was  Lord's-day,  Sept  18th,  wlien 
two  believerB  were  baptized  by  Mr.  C.  C.  Davis, 
of  Bath.  Mr.  S.  Littleton,  of  Bath  (who  supplies 
the  pulpit  three  Lord's-days  in  each  month), 
preached  morning  and  evening.  Mr.  Davis  broke 
bread  in  the  afternoon,  reoei\*ed  candidates  into 
the  church,  and  delivered  a  solemn  address.  Tea 
was  provided.  Services  were  well  attended.  Some 
of  our  country  churches  are  in  a  low  state.  May 
the  Lord  give  you  a  word  of  cnoouraffement  for 
us,  prays  A  Cokstaitt  Beadbx. 

jSotest  anti  Quetfes. 

Ur.  J.  B.  irCure's  New  Ohapel.— 
Dbab  Sir,— The  appeal  for  help  made  to  the 
Baptists  of  England  in  two  consecutive  numbers 
of  your  YEBsmsf  on  behalf  of  their  far-distant 
brethren  and  the  honour  of  Ood,  seems  to  have 
met  with  no  response  whatever— not  even  a  God 
speed  you.  TruV  the  heathen's  expresaion,  **  See 
how  these  Christians  love  one  another^  can  no 
longer  have  any  application  when  the  Brethren 
seem  to  lack  even  the  heathen's  generosity.  Ten 
thousand  pounds  will  speedily  be  raised  for  a 
New  Tabernacle  when  not  a  penny  can  be  spared 
for  a  struggling  cause.  What  will  the  world  say 
to  whom  an  appeal  for  sympathy  for  even  the 
things  that  pensh  is  never  made  in  vain  ?  Cheer 
up,  brother  M^Cnro.  this  disappointment  must 
prove  in  the  end  to  be  thy  greater  gain.  Yours 
fidthfully,  Z.  WIL80V. 

6,  Benyon  Road,  Southgate  Boad,  Kingsland. 


Tsv  August  mail  from  Melbourne  brought  tlie 
intelligence  of  the  death  of  Mb.  Jambs  Cozbxs, 
formerly  of  TeUworth,  Hanta,  after  two  or  three 
days*  illness,  in  Juno  last  For  several  yean  he 
was  a  very  useful  and  active  deacon  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Ludgershall,  two  milea  distant 
from  his  residence.  He  has  left  a  widow  and  an 
only  son  to  mourn  tlieir  loss.  No  partiouUrs  of 
his  last  hours  have  been  received ;  but  in  his  new 
country  he  discovered  his  love  to  the  glorious 
Gospel  and  the  house  of  tlie  Lord,  by  driving  his 
tenuly.  though  the  place  was  distant  aome  eight 
miles  from  his  home,  to  listen  to  the  joyful  sound 
of  sovereign  and  redeeming  grao^  and  mingle 
with  the  sons  of  Zion.  J.  B.  Watcot. 

DiBD  July  7th,  186S,  on  board  the  *«Tnie  Briton/' 
Benard  Gawkrodger,  eldest  son  of  the  late  Mr. 
James  Gawkrodger,  for  many  years  one  of  the 
deacons  of  the  Church  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
C.  W.  Banks  at  Crosby  Bow  Chapel,  Kiog  street. 
Borough.  Mr.  fieoard  Gawkrodger  waa  adviaed 
by  his  medical  attendant  to  go  to  Australia  for 
the  benefit  of  hia  health ;  and,  wiHiin  dght  of 
Melbourne,  he  waa  called 

To  the  region  of  the  bleat, 
Changing  grief  for  perfect  rest : 
Wafted  home  by  angel  choirs, 
^*ho  strike  anew  their  golden  lyrea 
To  the  praise  of  Christ  their  Kibg  : 
What  an  anthem  *tis  thc^  stag ! 
He  waa  interred  at  Melbonme  Cemetery. 

Bibth.  —  September   18t?i,   at  58,  New    Cut, 
Lambeth,  the  wife  of  Mr^  Jone^,  of  a  daughter. 


V<n.  a,  1803. 


THE   EABTHEM  TE88BL. 


261 


ha    U    an    JsraijIUtf 

By  J.  £.  Cracknell,  of  Dacrb  Park,  Blackhbath. 


"  Behold  on  Zsradito  indeed,  in 

Tbb  chapter  before  us  contains  many  in- 
teresting statements.  The  first  is  a  state- 
ment relfttinff  to  the  dignity  and  glory  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  is  called  "  the  Word." 
Then  we  have  an  account  of  the  visit  of 
the  priests  and  Levites  whom  the  Jews  sent 
to  inquire  of  John  whether  he  was  the 
Messiah  or  no.  We  have  also  John's  con- 
fession ;  and  the  testimony  which  he  bore 
to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  ample  and  vivid 
description  which  he  gives  of  the  prophecies 
of  Scripture  being  accompli^ed  m  His 
glorious  Person.  Following  is  a  brief  but 
mteresting  account  of  the  conversion  of  two 
of  John's  disciples,  one  of  whom  was 
Andrew;  and  the  moment  he  felt  the 
Saviour's  grace,  and  the  inward  power  of 
love  to  Christ,  he  sympathised  with  his 
brother.  He  first  findeth  his  own  brother 
Simon,  and  in  the  joy  of  his  soid,  saith 
unto  him,  "We  have  found  the  Messias, 
which  is  being  interpreted  the  Christ,  and 
he  brought  him  to  Jesus."  The  day  fol- 
lowing, Philip  hears  the  Saviour  calling 
him,  and  immediately  after  he  findeth 
Nathaniel,  and  saith,  "We  have  found 
Him  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law  and  the 

Srophets  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the 
on  of  Joseph."  But  Nathaniel  was  some- 
what stumbled  at  the  intimation  that  He 
belonged  to  Nazareth,  and  inquired,  **  Can 
there  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth  ?'* 
Philip  wisely  answered,  '*  Come  and  see." 
Jesus  saw  Nathaniel  coming  to  Him,  and 
taith  of  him*  '*  Behold  an  Israelite  indeed 
in  whom  is  no  guile.*'  In  the  49th  verse, 
we  have  Nathaniel's  confession  of  faith 
when  Jesus  had  declared  His  perfect  know- 
ledge of  him,  he  answered  and  saith  unto 
him,  "  Babbi,  Thou  art  the  Bon  of  God ; 
Thou  art  the  King  of  Israel." 

The  Saviour's  words  to  Nathaniel  give 
us  some  light  as  to  the  nature  of  true 
religion.  Let  us  inquire  who  is  an  Israelite 
indeed? 

^  An  Israelite,  according  to  the  ancient  defi- 
nition,  wan  a  descendant  of  Jacob  or  Joseph, 
according  to  the  fiesh.  To  be  a  child  of 
Abraham,  Isaac,  or  Jacob,  was  to  have 
ffenealogy  dear  and  indisputable ;  and  the 
Jews  thought  this  was  all  that  was  requisite. 
But  they  had  to  learn  that  it  was  possible 
to  be  the  descendanta  of  Abraham  phy- 
■ieaUy,  and  to  be  apostates  from  Abranam 
really.  To  be  an  Israelite,  but  not  an 
Isradite  indeed.  They  are  not  all  Israel 
Vol.  XIX.— No.  222. 


wliom  is  no  guile."— John  i.  47. 

who  are  of  Israel  He  is  not  a  Jew  (said 
the  apostle)  that  is  one  outwardly,  but 
he  is  a  Jew  that  is  one  inwardly.  In 
other  words,  there  may  be  no  genealogical 
relationship  to  Abraham,  and  yet  true  trust 
in  Him  whom  Abraham  saw  from  afar,  and 
rejoiced  to  see,  and  all  heaven  will  recog- 
nise such  an  one  as  an  Israelite  indeed, 
when  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  he 
shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  In 
pursuing  the  inquiry, 

I.  First,  let  us  look  unto  the  obioin  awd 
MEANING  OF  THE  woBD.  We  are  taken  back 
three  thousand  years  into  the  Mesopotamian 
wilderness,  ana  behold,  Jacob,  a  fn^htened 
fugitive,  weary  with  travel,  overtiien  by 
the  setting  sun,  falls  asleep  in  the  desert ; 
the  hard  stone  his  pillow,  tnc  wide  horizon 
his  only  chamber.  In  a  vision  of  the  night,* 
God  Speaks  to  him.  and  in  accents  of  mercy 
and  love,  reveals  Himself  as  the  God  of  His 
fathers,  and  cheers  his  heart  with  a  promise, 
*' Behold,  I  am  with  thee,  and  will  keep 
thee  in  all  places  whither  thou  goest^ 
and  will  bring  thee  again  to  this  land,  and 
I  will  not  leave  thee  till  I  have  done  that 
which  I  have  spoken  to  thee  of."  Twenty 
vears  pass  away,  and  the  Patriarch  is  on 
his  way  back  to  this  land.  Messengers  in- 
form him  that  Esau,  with  four  hundred 
men,  is  coming  to  meet  him.  He  prays  and 
pleads  the  promise.  All  night  he  wrestles 
with  the  angel,  who  at  the  break  of  day, 
inquired,  what  is  thy  name?  and  to  his 
answer  Jacob  replied,  "  Thy  name  shall  be 
called  no  more  Jacob,  but  Israel,  for  as  a 
prince  hast  thou  power  with  God,  and  with 
men,  and  hast  prevailed. 

Then  an  Israelite  indeed  is  a  prevailer, 
one  that  has  power  with  God  in  prayer :  he 
is  a  man  of  prayer :  it  is  his  "  vital  breath  ;" 
his  "  native  air."  What  knowest  thou  of 
this  earnest  wrestling  praver  with  God; 
hast  thou  this  evidence  of  tne  Spirit's  work 
in  thy  heart  ?  See  to  it,  for  there  must  be 
heart  religion,  or  there  is  no  relij^on. 

II.  Faith  in  Christ  is  also  the  peculiar 
MARK  of  a  true  Israelite.  The  apostle  in 
his  reasoning  with  the  Bomans,  alluding  to 
the  Jews'  boasting  and  descent,  says  in 
Bomans  iv.  13,  *'  Fot  the  promise  that  he 
(Abraham)  should  be  the  heir  of  the  world 
was  not  to  Abraham,  or  to  his  seed  through 
the  law,  but  through  the  righteousness  of 
faith ;"  and  in  Galatians  iii.  17 :  "  Know  ye 


therefore  that  they 


are  of  faith,  tci 


252 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


iror.  a,lf6S. 


same  arc  the  children  of  Abraham ;"  and  in 
the  last  verso  of  same  chapter  he  adds, 
*'  And  if  ye  be  Christ's,  then  are  ye 
Abraham's  seed,  and  heirs  according  to  tne 
promise."  It  is  quit^  ^ain,  therefore,  that 
:i  living  faith  in  Christ,  as  the  only  and  all 
sufficient  Saviour,  is  ttie  link  that  nnites 
the  Christian  to  Abraham, 

III.  Interest  in  a  special  eorenant  is  the 
peculiar  Pbivileoe  of  the  true  Israelite. 

The  nature  of  this  covenant  is  expressed 
by  the  apostle  Paul :  "  This  is  the  covenant 
tliat  I  wiU  make  with  the  house  of  Israel 
after  those  days,  saith  the  Lord;  I 
will  put  my.  laws  into  their  minds,  and 
write  them  in  their  hearts,  and  I  will  be  to 
thorn  a  God,  and  they  shall  be  to  me  a 
people."  How  fuU  is  this  covenant,  its 
provisions  are  all  that  man  can  need,  and 
all  that  infinite  bounty  can  bestow.  What- 
ever is  necessary  to  save  a  sinner  is  stored 
up  here,  and  no  saint  can  have  necessities 
beyond  it.  One  of  the  most  tried  saints 
iiaid,  "It  is  all*  my  salvation,  and  all  my 
desire/*  Art  thou  a  true  Israelite?  brin^ 
thy  wants  and  put  them  by  the  side  of  this 
^omise :   *'  I  will  be  unto  thee  a  Qod." 


true  satisfSaction  is  not  to  be  found  here. 
The  business  of  .life  must  be  attended  to, 
but  the  heaven-bom  soul  rises  above  it. 
Wealth  is  not  to  be  hoarded  up.  Let  the 
man  of  the  world  pull  dewn  his  bams  and 
build  greater,  and  Uy  up  for  many  years, 
but  the  Israelite  is  only  a  pilgrim  passing 
through  the  world  to  his  bright  inheritance 
be3rond.  Honour  the  Lord  with  thy  sub- 
stance, and  the  first-fruits  of  all  thme  in- 
crease, remember  that  the  greatest  ha^ii- 
ness  here  is  to  be  found  in  contribttting  to 
the  happiness  of  others,  and  amidst  all 
lifeV  losses  and  crosses,  look  forward  to 
your  home;  and  what  awaits  you  there, 
pilgrim  ?  Glories  that  never  fade,  pleasures 
that  never  cloy,  companionship  that  never 
wearies,  and  happineas  that  never  ter^ 
minates. 

VI.  To  be  the  subject  of  prejudice  is  the 
ItrriRMiTT  of  the  true  Israelite.  Can  anj 
oood  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth  ?  Alas, 
IS  it  not  often  with  the  Israelite  something 
like  this,  when  he  questions.  Can  any  good 
thin^  come  from  the  lips  of  those  who  nold 
opinions  contrary  to  mine?  Can  there  be 
any  good  thing  found  in  another  denom- 


•SiB  omnipotence,  yours  to  protect  you ;  His   ination  than  tSoait  with  which  /  am  ooD- 


omniscience,  yours  to  counsel  you.  The 
Father  in  all  His  wisdom  and  love,  yours. 
The  Son  in  all  His  offices  and  relationiBhips, 
yours.  The  Holy  Spirit  as  Teacher,  Ccon- 
forter,  Bemembrancer,  yours. 

IV.  To  worship  and  draw  near  to  God  is 
the  peculiar  Joy  of  a  true  Israelite.    The 


nected?  Surely  the  time  is  passing  aw^ 
when  such  questions  as  theee  will  be  heard, 
or  such  thoughts  harboured  in  the  breart. 
It  is  through  the  infirmities  of  our  £sUea 
nature  that  diversity  of  judgment  begets 
alienation  of  feeling ;  but  whwe  we  closdiy 
observe,  we  shall  find  with  less  illumination 


Israelites  of  old  were  the  worshippers  !  in  the  judgment,  and  perhaps  a  less  orthodox 
of  tlio  one  livins  and  only  true  God ;  I  creed,  there  is  ofttimes  mors  grace  in  the 
"  Hear,  0  Israel,  the  Lord  thy  God  is  One  {  heart,  and  therefore  let  us  be  more  ready 
God;"  and  when  the  apostle  would  shew  j  to  Bynn>athize  than  to  censiire ;  and  when 
who  are  the  truly  oircumcised,  he  says  "  we  freed  &om  other  infinnities  by  which  he  is 


are  the  circumcision  who  worship  God  in 
the  Spirit,  r^oioe  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  have 
no  confidence  in  the  flesh.** 

The  Israelite,  in  drawing  near  to  God, 
approached  Him  by  a  sacri&e,  by  a  priest, 
and  through  an  altar.  Christ  is  all  this 
to  the  believer.  He  is  the  sacrifice, 
the  priest,  the  altar.  He  stands,  0  Chris- 
tian, by  the  golden  altar,  the  ever  present 
High  Priest  to  present  your  prayers  with 
much  incense  acceptable  to  God.  Throu^ 
Him  we  both  (bebeving  Jew  and  G«ntile) 
have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father, 
and  it  is  tae  joy  of  the  hearen-bom 
Israelite  to  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of 

ace,  and  obtain  mercy,  and  find  graoe  to 


elp  in  time  of  need. 
V.  1 


That  this  world  is  not  their  rest  is 
the  continued  sxperienck  of  a  true  Israelite. 
Abraham  went  forth  a  stranger  and  a  pil- 
grim, and  looked  for  a  city  that  hath 
foundation  whose  Builder  and  Maker  is 
Gcd  and  Israelites,  having  been  called  out 
of  the  world,  desire  a  better  country  that 
is  an  heavenly  one.    Beal  happiness  and 


now  marked,  the  true  Israelite  will  find  all 
his  pJBJndices  are  departed. 

^I.  A  ^odly  sincerity  EmnKCSS  the 
true  Isrsehte.  "Behold  an*  Israelite  in- 
deed, in  whom  there  is  no  guile.  It  does 
not  say  in  whom  is  no  guilt,  but  no  guilt. 
No  man  on  earth  is  absolutely  sinless,  hot 
whilst  there  is  no  sinless  perfection  in  aouy, 
there  is  sincerity  in  the  true  Israelite.  Th^ 
resemble  Peter,  who  could  say,  "Lotd, 
Ihou  knowest  all  things,  Thon  knowest 
that  I  love  Thee ;"  and  toe  omniscient  Qod 
knew  it  was  so.  Peter,  like  Nathaniel,  ^nus 
a  man  possessed  of  a  guileless  epirtt. 
"Behokl,^'  said  our  Lord,  "  this  Isr&elite 
indeed."  The  hypocrisy  of  the  Scribes  and 
Pharisees  hltd  so  lessened  the  Jewish 
church  and  nation,  and  their  religion  was 
so  d^enerated  into  formality,  that  an 
Israelite  indeed  was  a  man  wondered  at — 
a  miracle  of  Pivine  crace.  God  grant  unto 
us  to  know  the  blesseonessof  that  man  whese 
tran^;ression  is  forgiven,  whose  ain  is  eoMr- 
ed,  unto  whom  the  Lord  imputeth  not  ini- 
quity, and  in  whose  ipirit^sre  is  jw  gnile. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Sar.  3. 186 


TBI   KAKTHXH   VBS8BL. 


253 


CHRIST'S   LAMENTATION    ON    THE    CROSS 

By  Jomr  Bbow5,  A.M.,  Gonug,  Nbwtoukards,  Irbland. 


**]Ury  Ood,  my  Qod,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me?"  —  Psalv  xxii.  I. 


Thzb  psalm  is  written  as  if  by  the  pen  of 
JoRia.  £76iy  part  of  it  is  applicable  to 
fiim ;  bat  man^  parts  are  altogetlier  inap- 
{dieable  to  Dsrid.  There  is  no  incident  in 
the  history  of  Band,  for  example,  that 
vimld  warrattt  him  to  say,  "  They  pierced 
n^  hands  and  my  feet*'  (ver.  16l)  ;  bat  this 
was  literally  true  of  the  Bedeemer,  whoee 
hands  and  feet  were  nailed  to  the  cross. 
Kor  do  w«  know  anything  in  the  history  of 
David  which  oould  lead  him  to  ezdami, 
"  They  part  my  garments  among  them,  and 
cast  lots  for  my  resture"  (ver.  18.) ;  but 
Christ  could  use  this  complaint  with  per- 
isct  truth.  (Matt,  zxrii.  35.)  In  quoting 
Twm  22,  the  apostle  puts  it  into  the  mouth 
of  Jesus.  (Heb.  iL  11,  12.)  The  ps&lm 
may  there&re  be  regarded  throughout  as  a 
prafsr  of  the  Son  of  God,  prenously  in- 
spind  bjr  the  Holy  Spirit  for  His  use,  in 
the  opening  sentence  of  which  He  poured 
out  His  camjdaint  on  the  eross.  "And 
aboot  the  nixtth  hour,"  says  the  sacred  his- 
tooan,  '*  Jeans  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  say- 
ing, Eli,  Eli,  lama  sabachthani?"->that  is 
to  say,  *'My  &od,  my  God,  why  hast  Thwi 
Ibnaken  me  ?*'  (Matt,  xxvii.  46.)  On  these 
wmda  we  observe : — 

I.  That  this  striking  language  does  not 
imply  that  Jesus,  ptrmmalfy  conHdered,  was 
ererforaiken  of  His  Father.    For,— 

1.  Christ  was  peorftctly  holy.  He  nerer 
(^fended  His  Father.  On  the  contrary.  He 
"always  did  thoae  things  that  pleased 
Him."  He  "  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile 
&attd  in  '1^  mouth."  The  most  quick- 
■ghtod  of  His  adversaries  were  unable  to 
OQBvict  Him  of  sin.  Even  the  prince  of 
llns  world  found  nothing  in  Him — not  the 
ieaat  taint  <fi  eormption  in  His  nature — 
B«t  the  least  deCaetflf  obedience  in  His  life. 
Ihou|d^  "  temped  in  all  points  like  as  we 
a«,"  He  remained  "without  sin"— *•  with- 
wt  h]«mith"—'<  without  spot."  It  is  ex- 
ansaly  asserted  by  one  apo|8tle  that  "in 
Him  was  no  smi"  (1  John  iii.  5) ;  and  as 
expressly  afflrmedbyanoth^  that "  He  knew 
«o  mn."  (2  Oor.  t.  21.)  Paul  representi 
Him  as  a  High  Priest,  who  is  **  holy,  harm- 
Isn,  undsfiled,  separate  frcmi  sinners." 
(Heb.  Til.  26.)  Christ  never  offended  His 
rather,  and  tharefore,— 

2.  It  was  impomtlk  for  an  infinitely 
holy  God  to  forsaks  an  infinitely  holv  Per- 
son :    "  For   the   righteous    Lord  loveth 

a'  htsooaesa.     His  countenance  doth  be* 
d  the  mpright'*    "  They  that  know  Thy 
name  will  put  their  trust  in  Thee;  for 


Thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek 
thee.'*  *'  For  the  Lo]^  loveth  judgment,  and 
forsaketh  not  Sis  saints."  (Ps.  xi.  7;  ix. 
10;  xxxiii.  28.)  Now  if  the  Lord  "for- 
saketh not  His  saints,"  notwithstanding 
their  many  imperfections — ^if  they  are  "pre- 
served for  ever**^  from  all  the  temptations, 
and  through  all  the  trials  of  this  present 
enl  world,  much  less  would  He  forsake  His 
Son  whose  holiness  was  as  perfect  as  His 
own. 

3.  The  human  nature  of  Christ  was  in- 
separably united  to  the  Divine.  He  and 
the  Father  were  one  God, — "  the  same  in 
substance,  equal  in  power  and  glory."  He 
dwelt  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  dwelt 
in  Him.  This  union  between  the  Divine 
and  human  natures  in  the  person  of  Christ 
was  indissoluble.  There  never  was  a  mo- 
ment in  which  He  ceased  to  be  Divine.  He 
was  as  truly  God  when  He  lay  in  the  man- 
ger, and  himg  on  the  cross,  as  when  He 
raised  the  dead  and  reversed  the  laws  of 
nature.  The  Father,  therefore,  could  not 
forsake  the  Son  without  forsaking  Himself, 
because  He  and  the  Father  were  one, 

4.  The  language  of  the  text  implies  the 
most  unfaltering  confidence  in  God.  "  M^ 
God,  my  God."  He  claims  His  interest  in 
God  as  His  own  God,  whilst,  at  the  same 
time.  He  complains  of  being  forsaken  of 
Him.  In  the  dying  words  ot  this  illus- 
trious Sufferer  too  we  have  aproof  of  the 
most  unshrinldng  trust  in  His  heavenly 
Father:  "Into  thy  hands  I  commit  my 
spirit,"  said  He ;  even  into  the  hands  of 
that  God  who  bruised  Him  and  put  Him 
to  griel  Christ,  then,  pergonauly  con- 
sideredy  or  considered  in  His  private  capa- 
city, was  not,  could  not,  be  forsaken  of  His 
Father.    But,— 

II.  The  Bedeemer*s  language  not  only 
implies,  but  even  affirms  that  He  was  for- 
saken of  Qt)d  in  some  sense.  We  have 
seen  that  He  neither  was  nor  could  be  for- 
saken personal^.  But  He  was  forsaken 
rehiive\/^  as  the  Substitute  of  His  people. 
For,— 

1.  Their  sins  were  imputed  to  Him.  Our 
sin  is  compared  in  scripture  to  a  burden, 
and  that  burden  was  laid  on  Jesus  as  the 
Surety  of  the  church :  "  Jehovah  laid  upon 
Him  the  iniquity  of  us  all."  (Isaiah  liii.  6. ) 
"  Him  who  knew  no  sin  He  hath  made  to 
be  sin  for  us,  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  Him."  (2  Cor. 
T.  21.)  But  in  what  sense  was  the  blessed 
Jesus  made  sin?    We  have~>already  seen 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


254 


THE   EARTHEN   YESSEL. 


Nor.    p  1868b 


that  He  wm  not  made  sin  by  inhesion  or 
trantfusion  —  that  sin  was  not  communi- 
cated to  Him  80  as  to  reside  in  Him*. 
In  this  sense  He  knew  no  sin.  But  He 
was  made  sin  for  us  in  the  same  way 
in  which  we  are  made  the  righteousness 
of  God  in  Him.  And  as  we  are  made 
the  righteousness  of  Ghod  by  the  imputation 
of  His  righteousness  to  us,  so  He  was  made 
sin  for  us  by  the  imputation  of  our  sin  to 
Him.  Again  we  read  that  "unto  them 
that  look  for  Him  shall  He  appear  the 
second  time  without  sin  unto  suTation." 
Heb.  ix.  28.  Now  His  appearing  the 
second  time  without  sin  implies  that  He 
appeared  the  first  lime  with  six.  Sin  of 
His  own  He  had  none ;  but  He  clothed 
Himself  in  the  filthy  garments  of  His 
people's  guiltiness  in  order  that  they  might 
be  clothed  in  the  spotless  robe  of  His 
righteousness.  In  this  way  the  Divine 
Redeemer  came  under  a  charge  of  guilt; 
and  on  this  principle  we  find  Him  confessing 
the  sins  of  His  people,  as  if  they  were  His 
own,  in  sereral  of  those  Psalms  in  which 
He  is  the  undoubted  Speaker.  Thus  in  Psalm 
xl.  12,  which  is  eviaently  the  lan^age  of 
Messiah  (compare  verses  6 — 10,  with  Heb. 
X.  5 — 9,)  Jesus  says,  "  Mine  iniquities  have 
taken  hold  upon  me,  so  that  I  am  not  able 
to  look  up ;  they  are  more  than  the  hairs  of 
mine  head :  therefore  mine  heart  faileth  me." 
Again  in  Psalm  Ixix.  5,  which  is  also 
spoken  throughout  in  the  person  of  Christ 
(compare  verse  4  with  John  xv.  26):  he 
sftys,  "  O  God,  Thou  knowest  my  foolish- 
ness (or  ^Itiness  as  it  is  in  the  margin) ; 
and  my  sins  are  not  hid  from  Thee."  A 
stronger  proof  of  the  doctrine  of  the  im- 
putation of  sin  to  Christ  could  not  be  given 
than  these  verses,  in  which  Jesus  confesses 
the  sins  of  the  elect  as  if  they  were  His 
own. 

2.  Christ  having  become  chargeable  with 
the  guilt  of  His  people,  Divine  justice  re- 
quired Him  to  suffer  the  penalty  of  the 
law.  The  penalty  threatened  in  conse- 
quence of  Adam's  offence  was  death,  and 
that  death  included  the  death  of  the  soul, 
as  well  as  of  the  body.  Jesns  experienced 
death  in  both  these  senses.  He  not  only 
died  the  death  of  the  cross ;  but  "  His  soul 
was  made  an  offering  for  sin."  He  tasted 
death  for  each  of  the  man^  sons  whom  He 
brings  to  glory,  in  a  sense  in  which  none  of 
those  who  keep  His  sayings  shall  ever 
taste  of  death.  (John  viii.  62.)  It  is  of  this 
that  He  complains  in  the  text.  He  does 
not  complain  of  the  pains  of  temporal 
death,  but  of  the  hiding  of  His  Father's 
face— the  endurance  of  Divine  wrath:  "  My 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ? 
"Why  art  Thou  so  far  from  helping  me,  and 
from  the  words  of  my  roaring?  O  my 
Ood,  I  cry  in  the  day  time,  but  Thou 


hearest  not ;  and  in  the  night  season,  and 
am  not  silent."  "  Save  me,  0  God ;  for  the 
waters  are  come  in  unto  my  soul.  I  sink 
in  deep  mire,  where  there  is  no  standing :  I 
am  come  into  deep  waters,  where  the  floods, 
overflow  me.  I  am  weary  of  my  eryinff : 
my  throat  is  dried:  mine  eyes  fail  whue 
I  wait  for  my  God.  *  *  ♦  *  Beproacit 
hath  broken  my  heart:  and  I  am  full 
of  heaviness  ;  and  I  looked  for  some  to  take 
pity,  but  there  was  none;  and  for  oom> 
forters,  but  I  found  none."    Fsalm  xxii. 

i,2;  Ixix.  1-^,20.  Thus  Jesus  "in  the 
ays  of  His  flesh,  offered  up  prayers  and 
supplications  with  strong  crying  and  tears." 
It  pleased  Jehovah  to  bruise  Him,  to  put 
Him  to  grief,  and  to  make  His  soul  an 
offering  for  sin.  Thus  Jesus  was  forsaken 
of  His  Father  in  a  sense  in  which  none  of 
His  people  ever  were  forsaken  of  Him. 
Psalm  xxxii.  28. 

III.  The  great  end  ibr  which  the  Son  of 
G-od  was  thus  forsaken  of  His  Father  was, 
that  He  might  reconcile  the  apparently 
conflicting  attributes  of  God  in  the  pardon 
and  acceptance  of  sinners.  In  the  cross  of 
Christ,  we  see  Divine  justice  and  Divine 
mercy  unitins  in  harmony.  Divine  mer<7 
flows  througn  His  blood  to  the  guilty. 
"  Grace  reigns  through  His  righteousness.'* 
Jehovah  at  once  appears  **  the  just  God  and 
the  Saviour" — so  just  that  He  does  not 
pass  the  least  sin  unpunished— so  merciful 
that  He  forgives  the  greatest  In  the  all- 
atoning  sacrifice  of  Jesus,  *' mercy  and 
truth  are  met  together ;  righteousness  and 
peace  have  kissed  each  other."  O  the 
depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom 
and  knowledge  of  God .' .  Amen. 


FerralFs  Brighton  iVitert;'— No.  264— 
contains  three  sermons  by  three  men  of 
much  note  in  Brighton,  liewes,  and  East- 
bourne at  the  present  time.  The  Bevs.  B. 
Tatham,  £.  Vinall,  and  John  Grace.  They 
were  preached  in  Lewes  on  a  harvest  thanks- 

giving  day ;  and  ;0ontain  some  experience ; 
ut  we  reserve  our  reviews  of  them,  as  we 
wish  to  make  quotations.  The  sermons  were 
doubtless,  much  better  to  hear  than  to  read. 
In  reading  sermons  you  have  not  the  speaker 
before  you ;  you  have  not  his  living  voice; 
you  have  not  his  warm  heart,  his  moving 
energy,  nor  his  pressing  emphasis.  More 
than  all;  he,  in  speaking,  nught  have  the 
unction  of  the  Holy  One  upon  his  spirit, 
but  you,  in  readinff,  may  have  nothing  but 
the  cold  paper  and  the  print.  What  an 
amazing  difi^rence  this  must  make.  Still  as 
these  i£ref)  ^(ood  men  are  part  of  that  youns 
Huntingtonian  class  now  springing  up ;  ana 
as  their  sermons  are  eoming  forth  for  cri- 
ticism, we  wish  to  see  how  far  it  may  be 
said  that  '*  the  mantle  of  Blisha  has  fallen 
upon  El^a  ^  ^    ^^  ^^  GoOglc 


Sm.  2,  1863. 


THE  EA.BTH£«   TESSEIu 


255 


THE     TITLES     OF     OUR     LORD: 

Being  thb  Substance  of  some  AoDRBsess  delitebed  at  Mr.  Cbowuitbst's 

Annivbssabt. 


OuB  fourth  anniversary  of  the  Baptist  chapel, 
Dorchester  Hall,  Hintem-street,  rfew  Korth- 
Toad,  Hoxton,  was  holden  Lord's-day,  September 
-SOth.  Mr.  Crowhunt,  pastor,  preached  in  the 
morning;  Mr.  Foreman  in  toe  afternoon;  and 
Itr.  George  Wyard  in  the  ei^ening.  The  dis- 
courses were  well  accepted,  and  the  attendance 
overflowing.  A  tea  ana  public  meeting  was  lield 
in  the  large  school-room  of  the  Wesleyan  chapel, 
kindly  lent  for  the  occasion.  About  ISO  took 
tea:  nearly  double  that  number  was  piesent  at 
the  meeting.  **An  hail  the  power  of  Jesu's 
name**  being  sung,  Mr.  E.  O.  Davis  prayed. 

Mr.  Orowhurst  then  said :  —  Dear  Christian 
Friends^— It  is  with  much  pleasure  I  meet  you 
upon  this  occasion,  and  much  regret  that  unex- 
pected events  havejprevented  our  brethren  Wyard, 
Williamson,  and  Foynder  being  present.  It  is 
now  four  years  since  this  cause  of  truth  was  es- 
tablished. ,We  have  had  our  dark  and  bright 
days ;  but,  at  the  present  time,  a  gleam  of  sun- 
alune  seems  to  be  the  harbinger  of  brighter 
times.  At  our  last  anniversary,  I  thought  that 
ere  another  year  had  passed  we  should  have  been 
in  the  possession  of  a  more  commodious  place ; 
•but  Croil's  mind  was  otherwise,  and  thonsh  we 
still  cry  to  Him  for  the  bestowment  of  this  fa- 
Tour,  we  also  ciy  for  grace  to  know  no  will  but 
His ;  that  by  His  grace  we  nuy  be  helped  to 
Irtsnd  still  or  go  forward  as  He  sees  fit,  feeling 
that  position  is  the  best  and  that  post  mom 
honourable  which  the  great  Master  places  us  in, 
and  we  have  no  desire  to  go  before  our  Chod,  but 
Co  follow  on  as  He  leads  forward.  All  I  have  to 
aay  on  concluding  these  remarks  is,  that  during 
tto  four  years  of  my  pastorate,  some  have  come, 
and  havine  tarried  lor  a  season,  have  left ;  others 
have  found  a  home  amongst  us ;  some  have  been 
^thered  from  a  state  of  darkness  and  brought 
into  a  state  of  Gospel  light;  while  some  have 
been  gathered  from  our  midst  and  taken  home  to 
the  haven  of  rest.  I  will  not  detain  you  farther. 
Msy  the  Lord  direct  our  brethren  into  the  sub- 
jects appointed  for  the  eveniuff^s  meditation.  We 
vrlll  tiierefore  sing  the  following  verse, — 
'*  Jesus,  I  love  Thy  charming  name, 

Tib  mnsic  to  my  ear ; 
Ftun  would  I  sound  it  out  so  loud. 

That  heaven  and  earth  might  hear.'* 
iCr.  Hall,  of  Glapham,  gave  a  pleasant  address 
upon,— 

"XBSUS,  AS  THE  MIGHTY  GOD." 

He  said : — My  dear  Brother  and  Chris- 
■tian  Friends, — ^I  am  pleased  to  meet  you, 
and  am  also  pleased  to  find  you  waiting  for 
the  Lord's  time,  content  to  follow  as  He 
leads  on.  Depend  upon  it,  the  Lord  has 
His  churches  in  His  own  hands ;  He  knows 
best  what  will  be  for  their  good  and  His 
^ry.  Best  assured  His  will  is  a  wise  and 
just  one,  and  as  full  of  love  as  it  is  wis- 
dom ;  hence,  when  it  will  be  best  for  you 
to  go  forward,  He  Himself  will  lead  the 
way,  and  overthrow  all  impediments.  May 
^ou  therefore  be  kept  waiting  and  watch- 
ing till  He  thus  leads  on.  My  subject  is  a 
mighty  one  ;  although  it  is  not  first  in  the 
list  of  titles,  it  is  the  very  basis  of  them 
All :  it  is  this  gives  merit  to  His  work  and 
to  His  mission;  for  had  He  not 


been  tiub  MionTv  God,  the  church  would 
never  have  been  saved,  por  the  great  enemy 
of  God  and  man  overthrown.  It  is  many 
years  since  two  great  errors  were  broached  : 
the  first  of  these  attack  the  Divinity,  and 
the  second  the  humanity  of  the  Lord  Jesus ; 
but  though  many  changes  have  taken  place, 
and  many  years  rolled  away  since  fij^st 
these  errors  appeared  in  the  professing 
church,  yet  they  still  continue,  and  while 
we  are  prepared  to  respect  every  man's 
opinion,  we  scruple  not  to  say  that  we  have 
no  sympathy,  nor  can  we  hold  any  com- 
munion with  men  holding  either  of  the 
above  heresies ;  and  we  rejoice  to  believe, 
that  though  these  fundamental  truths  of 
God  may  be  opposed,  still  His  foundation 
standeth  sure.  It  is  said,  "He  shall  be 
called  THE  MiOHTT  God,"  and  all  that  the 
Spirit  spake  concemineJesus  by  the  mouth 
of  His  servants,  when  He  came  He  fulfilled 
to  the  very  letter.  This  title  does  not  mili- 
tate against  His  humanity ;  for  having  un- 
dertaken man's  salvation,  it  was  necessat^' 
that  the  work  should  be  performed  in  the 
same  nature ;  but  Deity  was  also  requisite 
to  give  merit  to  that  which  humanity  per- 
formed; hence,  from  the  manger  to  the 
cross,  we  love  to  trace  Him  as  Mighty  God, 
the  Saviour  of  His  mystic  body — the 
Churdi.  The  works  of  nature  proclaim 
Him  as  Mighty  God,  as  also  His  work  of 
providence  and  grace.  Much  as  we  should 
like  to  say  here,  time  forbids.  We  must 
content  ourselves  by  saying,  that  diversified 
as  His  creatures  are,  He  1ms  made  them  all, 
and  made  them  well.  Numerous  as  this 
family  is,  He  provides  for  them  with  a  re- 

Silarity  and  bounty  sufficient  to  proclaim 
im  as  worthy  this  name,  because  He  pos- 
sesses all  the  attributes  of  Mighty  God. 
But  while  the  glorious  proof  of  His  mighti- 
ness is  seen  m  His  wondrous  miracles 
sufficiently  clear  to  convince  every  unpre- 
judiced mind  (and  wilfully  obstinate  sin- 
ners will  have  no  excuse  hereafter),  still 
we  take  our  chief  delight  in  contemplating 
the  proof  of  His  Deity  when  He  opened  the 
fountain  for  sin  and  uncleanness  in  the 
presence  of  so  many  witnesses.  His  Father, 
m  the  character  of  Divine  Justice ;  Satan, 
as  th»  desperate  foe  of  God  and  man; 
Jews  and  Gentiles,  all  looked  on ;  all  na- 
ture was  convulsed  at  the  great  transac- 
tion; but  He  opened  wide  this  fountain, 
and  with  the  voice  of  a  mighty  Conqueror, 
exclaimed,  "  It  is  finished  -,  while  to  at- 
test God's  entire  satisfaction,  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  bestowed ;  He  go^  forth  with  the 

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Nor.   2,  1«6». 


apostles,  and  lias  been  ever  since  pfoing 
forth  with  the  ministers  of  Jesiis  Christy 
confirming  the  word  of  salvation  in  the  in- 
gathering of  precious  souls  to  the  footstool 
of  Jesus,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  till  the 
entire  family  of  grace  are  gathered  home, 
as  an  everlasting  monT^ment  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  Mighty  Qod.  And  while  we  thus 
view  Him,  may  we  be  helped  to  go  forward, 
rejoicing  that  if  God  bo  for  us,  then  who 
can  be  against  us  to  do  us  real  or  permanent 
iniury  ?    May  Qod  bless  you. 

Mr.  Crowuvrst  said,— Let  u»  sing,— 

**  Lord  of  every  land  and  oatioo. 
Ancient  ot  eternal  days : 
Soanded  through  Thy  \nde  oreatiou, 
Be  Thy  Just  and  lawful  praise.  Hallelujah/* 

Mr.  WtSTnELD  then  spoke  as  follows  upon  the 
title,— 

"  EVERLASTINa  FATHER." 

My  dear  Brother, — I  only  came  here  this 
evening  as  a  listener,  and  further  to  show  a 
friendly  spirit  towards  you  and  your  friends, 
and  while  I  am  quite  willing  to  give  you 
any  help  in  my  power,  I  should  have  pre- 
ferred silence  in  place  of  speaking  at  a 
minute's  notice  upon  so  great  a  subject^ — 
one  tliat  rec^uiros  much  tnought  and  close 
meditation.  This  title,  "Everlasting  Fa- 
ther," is  a  relative  one,  and  peculiar  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  in  His  associations  with  His 
people.  When  God,  under  the  old  dispen- 
sation, proclaimed  His  name,  He  did  it  in 
a  peculiar  way.  "I  am,"  said  He,  in  re- 
ply to  Moses,  "  that  I  am.*'  And  it  has 
ofVen  struck  me  that  there  seems  a  space 
between  these  two  revelations  of  His  name 
that  He  has  left  open  to  be  filled  up  in  the 
experience  of  Hia  people.  As  though  He 
said,  *•  I  am  what?  your  God,  that  I  am. 
I  am  what?  your  Preserver,  that  I  am.  I 
am  what  ?  your  Provider,  that  I  am.  I  am 
what  ?  He  that  redeemed  vou,  that  I  am." 
And  so  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is,  indeed, 
all  that  Ho  is  represented.  The  term,  we 
have  said,  is  relative,  and  supposes  chil- 
dren ;  and,  secondly,  supplies :  and  as  His 
children  are  dependent  upon  Him,  so  He 
spreads  their  table,  provides  the  feast,  and 
says,  *'Eat  and  dnnk.  yea,  drink  abun- 
dantly, oh  beloved.'*  As  the  Everlasting 
Father,  He  creates  within  His  children  an 
appetite  for  those  things  which  He  has  pro- 
vided; creates  the  hunger  and  thirst  for 
those  spiritual  provisions  designed  for  the 
sustenance  of  those  made  alive  by  His 
Spirit  Hence,  if  we  look  on  this  fiimily- 
table,  here  10  bread  and  wine,  the  grapes  of 
Eshcol,  for  thirsty  and  parched  ones,  and 
the  fatted  calf  for  returning  prodigals,  for 
guilty  poor  distressed  ones ;  and  all  this 
providence  and  sympathy  because  He  is  the 
Everlasting  Father.  Again,  in  this  sweet 
relationship,  He  guides  and  manages  for 
them,  overcomes  their  enemies,  and  makes 


the  crooked  straight,  and  rough  places 
plain,  and  at  they  journey  onwards,  and 
freouentlv  have  to  eat  of  bitter  herbs  in  the 
valley  of  Baca,  He  provided  against  their 
trials,  the  sorrows  and  difficulties  of  the 
way,  the  precious  Lamb,  even  His  own 
samficial  merits,  and  though  the  bitter 
herbs  seemed  to  be  {dentiful,  still  He  never 
leaves  nor  forsakesy  beeause  Ho  is  their 
EvKHUkarnro  FATftiB.  May  you  be  led 
more  fuUy  into  the  blessings  resulting  from 
this  blessed  relationflhip,  and  may  God  be 
with  yon. 

After  sivgiaff  aaotber  verw,  Mr.  Evaks,  ot 
Bextey,  spo&e  trom  the  title,— 

"THE  PBINCE  OF  PEACE." 

He  said — ^My  dear  Brother,  I  am  not  going 
to  make  any  witty  remark  to  enlist  your 
sympathies,  first,  because  I  am  not  a  witty 
man ;  and  second,  because  buffoonery  seems 
out  of  place  to  me,  both  on  tfa'e  piatibrm 
and  in  tne  pulpit  I  never  have  been  abl« 
to  discover  that  it  amalgamates  with  the 
religion  and  service  of  Jesus  Christ. 

In  giving  you  a  ffew  thoughts  upon  these 
words,  I  want  you  to  take  a  short  excursion 
with  me,  for  as  it  is  common  to  associate 
princedom  with  prineipalitiM,  so  we  will 
just  look  round  the  territorial  possessioDB 
of  this  mighty  Potentate. 

And  first  we  look  upwards  and  t$k%  in 
that  vast  expanse  of  gloxy  in  which  k 
heard  the  song  of  countless  legions  of 
angelic  spirits,  while  the  vokime  of  praise 
is  increased  by  the  tribirtes  laid  down,  and 
continually  arriving  in  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect ;  but  gi«at  as  the  orlones  are, 
boundless  as  the  territory,  still  tnis  is  but 
the  palace  of  the  great  King,  the  house 
prepared  beyond  tiie  flood,  the  celestial 
mansion,  but  not  the  entirety  of  His  pos- 
sessions, for  thus  it  is  left  upon  record  that 
'*  the  heaven  of  heaveas  cannot  contain 
Him." 

We  turn  our  eyes  eastward  and  west- 
ward, and  we  he«r  the  same  spirit  declare 
that  *•  Ethiopia  shall  soon  stretch  out  her 
hands  unto  the  Lord,  the  princes  of  8eba 
and  Sheba  shidl  offer  gifts,  that  the  daujghter 
of  Tyre  shall  be  there,  while  the  distant 
isles  shall  wait  for  His  law."  We  see  the 
numerous  hosts  of  His  subjects  gathered, 
and  behold  they  are  flrom  every  tribe, 
nation,  tongue,  and  people,  while  we  listen 
with  the  most  intense  satisfaction,  as  the 
hymn  of  triumph  proclaims  that  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  are  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  God. 

We  must  not  stop  here,  otherwise  manv 
of  His  subjects  may  go  away  disappointedL 
There  may  be  amongst  us  some  wJio  haTe 
waited  long  for  the  appearance  of  this 
Prince ;  their  eyes  fail,  their  neck  aches, 
their  knees  tremble,  and  their^  hands  hang 

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257 


down,  while  they  cry,  **  Oh,  when  wilt  Thou 
come  unto  me."  All  this  is  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  within,  as  He  prepares  the  way  of 
liord,  breaks  down  our  conceit,  destroys 
our  creature  excellency,  fills  us  with  desires, 
causing  us  to  cry, 

*^£ater  with  all  Thy  ^lorioua  train, 
Thy  Spirit  and  Thy  word/' 
If  this  is  thy  positionp  know  of  a  certainty 
the  Prince  of  peace  is  not  far  off;  thou 
shalt  shortly  hear  Him  say,  to  the  satis- 
fiwtion  of  tl^  soul,  •*  This  is  my  rest ;  here 
Willi  dwell;  for  I  have  desired  it.  For 
with  him  will  I  dwell  who  is  of  a  humble  and 
contrite  Bjpirit,  and  that  trembleth  at  my 
word."  This  is  His  territory  ;  these  are  His 
subjects.  But  what  is  the  nature  of  His 
teign  ?  a  peaceful  one ;  where  Jesus  is 
there  is  peace :  He  is  our  peace,  and  it  is 
the  only  oafs  and  true  eTidenoe  of  a  peaceful 
state.  "  He  hath  made  peace  by  the  blood 
of  His  cross.**  By  this,  God  and  the  sinner 
are  brought  together,  for  by  Him  we  hare 
reeeiyed  me  atonement. 

Hence,  if  Jesus  exercise  His  princely 
power,  it  overcomes  aU  outward  circum- 
stances to  the  alighted  disciples;  it  is 
Peace,  be  still ;  it  is  I,  be  not  afraid.  To 
His  doubting  ones  he  says,  "  Why  are  ye 
troubled ;  why  do  thoughts  fill  your  minds  ? 
handle  me  and  see,  for  a  spirit  bath  not 
flesh  and  bones  as  ye  see  me  have."  In 
the  hour  of  sickness,  in  the  season  of 
poverty,  at  the  martyr*s  stake,  and  in  the 
article  of  death,  He  still  rules,  and  ever 
reigns  as  the  Prmce  of  peace. 

Again,  the  Prince  is  never  from  home.  His 
subjects  are  His  constant  care,  He  dwells 
in  the  nudst  of  them,  and  of  the  increase  of 
His  government  and  peace  there  shall  be 
no  end.  We  have  had  a  sip  bore,  it  shall 
be  a  draught  hereafter ;  a  taste  here,  but  a 
feast  soon ;  a  moment  here,  but  an  eternity 
by-and  bye ;  when 

•*  We  shall  tMthe  our  weary  souls 

In  seas  of  heavenly  rest ; 
Aad  not  a  wave  of  tronble  roll, 
Aoroaa  oar  peaeeful  breasl.** 

Mr.  Obowhvmt  said,  We  will  slug  one  vene ; 
and  then  oar  brother  Hr.  Davis  will  address 
you  upon  the  words 

**  WONDERFUL  COUNSELLOK." 
Mr.  Davis  said,— My  dear  Brother,  I 
came  here  with  the  expectation  of  hearing 
some  of  your  great  men;  but  as  you 
have  been  dtsanpointed  by  their  absence, 
and  have  called  upon  me  to  address  the 
meeting,  I  will  do  my  best.  My  subject  is 
truly  a  wonderf^  one ;  in  fact,  the  whole 
Terse  is  about  the  most  w<mderM  of 
characters.  The  Lord  Jesus  Qirist  is  truly 
wonderftii  in  the  distinctness  of  His  nature 
— perfect  God,  and  perfect  man ;  wonderM 
in  the  oompleaci^  of  His  person,  Immaouel 
6od  with  us ;  for  great  is  the  mystery  oi 
godliness ;  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh. 


Wonderful  in  His  grace ;  He  died  for  us 
men,  and  shed  His  blood  for  our  salvation ; 
wonderftil  in  the  display  of  His  humility, 
thoagh  He  was  rich,  for  our  sake  He  became 
poor ;  so  humble  that  He  made  Himself  of 
no  reputation,  and  became  conformable  to 
death,  even  the  death  of  the'  cross ;  and 
thou^  this  world  has  seen,  and  still  sees 
some  wonderful  characters,  yet  Jesus 
Christ  exceeds  them  all. 

And  hero  I  a^n  look  at  the  words 
of  the  text,  and  it  reminds  me  of  those 
leading  cases  left  upon  record  in  oar  books 
of  law,  as  precedents  upon  which  to  gzotmd 
future  decisions ;  every  good  lawyer  will 
hare  these  cases,  as  it  were,  at  his  finger's 
end,  so]  this  and  many  other  striking 
por^Bs  of  God's  word  are,  or  should  be 
familiar  to  every  Christian ;  and  as  there 
are  a  good  many  young  people  here  to  night, 
I  would  urge  upon  them  the  benefit  arising 
from  a  close  acquaintance  with  God's  bode, 
for  it  is  by  this  we  become  more  intimate 
with  Jesus,  and  those  who  have  God's  word 
laid  up  in  their  hearts  have  the  best  things 
in  the  best  place,  for  the  best  use.  But 
Jesus  is  aJso  called  a  Coxinsellor,  and  here 
again  He  is  truly  wonderfiiL 

As  a  Counsellor  He  has  first,  the  ear  of 
the  Judge :  Ho  pleads  upon  rig^iteous  teraie ; 
he  thoroughly  understands  His  client's 
case ;  earthly  counseUors  may  err ;  He 
cannot ;  they  may  not  succeed  ;  He  must ; 
they  die  and  pass  away  ;  but  He  ever  liveth 
to  make  intercession  Ua  those  who  came 
unto  6k>d  by  Him.  He  is  a  Counsellor  to 
advise :  see  what  good  advice  He  gives  to 
us  in  the  8t.h  chapter  of  Proverbs,  and 
many  oUiers  ;  and  seeing  that  His  counsel 
is  so  good,  and  He  so  willing  to  give  it, 
what  an  encouragement  there  is  to  lay  all 
our  cases  and  causes  in  His  bands,  for  all 
our  needs  shall  be  supplied  according  to 
the  riches  of  God's  glory  by  Christ  Jesus. 
I  conclude,  wishing  you  all  the  best  of 
blessines. 

The  doxology  and  benediction  closed  as 
happy  and  successful  a  nieeting  as  we  have 
known. 


KZW  BOOKS. 

A  splendid  large  type  edition  of  Hart's 
Htwis  has  just  been  issued  by  Mr.  CoUing- 
ridge.  It  is  well  suited  for  the  sick  room, 
for  hospitals,  and  for  aged  people  in  all 
^aees.  Mr.  W.  Yapp,  the  publisher  in 
Welbeek  Street,  has  sent  us  a  copy  of  Mr. 
Shiad's  memoir — ^a  very  sweet  narrative: 
also,  Catesby  Paget's  pamphlet,  entitled, 
"Righteonsness  without  Law:  or,  Christ 
o«r  righteousness,  and  we  the  Righteous- 
nese  of  God  in  Him."  It  desumds  close 
and  euekl  thou^t.  A  sketch  and  portrait 
of  Geoige  Moore,  Esq.,  is  given  in  (Xd 
Jonathan  for  October. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Nor.  3,  1S68. 


CHRISTMAS     EVANS. 

Bt  T.  J.   MB88EB. 
(Oontinued  from  page  280.) 


SrifCB  my  last  paper  vas  written,  I  have 
been  asked,  *'  What  is  Sandemanianism  ?  " 
And  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  not 
well  read  in  the  history  of  the  different  re- 
ligious sects,  I  will  commence  my  present 
article  by  succinctly  responding  to  that 
question. 

The  Sandemanians  are  a  sect  that  sprung 
into  existence  in  Scotland  about  140  years 
atfo.  The  originator  of  the  sect  waa  a 
clergyman  of  the  Scotch  Church,  called 
Glass,  who  waa  expelled  by  the  Synod  for 
teaching  that  Chriafs  Kingdom  ia  not  of 
thU  world.  What  strange  things  have  been 
done  by  Synods,  Conferences,  &c.  After 
Mr.  Glass's  expulsion,  his  friends  and  ad- 
mirers formed  themselves  into  a  Church ; 
and  some  time  after  their  establishment  as 
a  separate  sect,  they  received  very  valuable 
assistance  from  an  elder  of  the  Scotch  Kirk, 
called  Sandeman;  hence  the  name  they 
now  bear.  They  hold  that  faith  is  merely 
a  brainel  assent  to  the  New  Testament 
statements  respecting  Christ — a  mere  con- 
viction in  the  mind  that  He  lived,  died,  and 
rose  again.  In  their  disciplinary  ar- 
rangements they  somewhat  resemble  the 
Plymouth  Brethren.  They  hold  love-feasts, 
of  which  every  member  is  required  to  par- 
take ;  these  feasts  are  not  exactly  like  the 
feasts  of  charity  held  in  apostolic  times. 
Theyabstain  from  blood  and  things  strangled, 
use  the  kiss  of  charitjr,  wash  each  omers 
feet,  profess  to  hold  all  thinm  in  common, 
all  they  possess  being  at  the  call  of  the 
poor  and  the  Church.  They  hold  also  the 
opinion  that  it  is  wrong  to  lay  up  earthly 
treasures;  allow  their  members  to  eiyoy 
innocent  amusements,  but  forbid  lotteries, 
cards,  dice,  &c.;  in  a  word,  they  "tithe 
mint,  anise,  and  cummin"  to  a  very  remark- 
able extent  It  was  by  these  opinions  and 
views  the  great  and  good  Christmas  Evans 
got  entangled,  but  from  which  after  much 
mental  confusion  and  suffering  he  was  mer- 
cifully delivered;  and  he  gave  abundant 
proof  after  manumission  from  Sandemanian 
fetters,  that  he  had  indeed  learned  wisdom 
from  past  sufferings. 

Immediately  subsequent  to  his  deliverance 
from  Sandemanianism  we  find  our  hero, 
for  such  he  really  was,  again  girding  up  the 
loins  of  his  mind  to  fight  more  valiantly 
than  ever  the  battles  of  the  Lord.  Bfe 
stood,  after  his  wanderings  from  the  beaten 
sun-fiooded  pathway  of   truth,  on  higher 

Sound  than  that  he  occupied  previously, 
ow  often  have  the  errors  and  sins  of  tie 
best  of  men  been  graciously  over-ruled  by 


Ood,  and  an  amount  of  gratitude  and  zeal 
superinduced  which  has  subserved  the  hap- 

Siness  of  many.  Whilst  we  regret  the 
eparture  of  any  man  who  has  been  a  "  tea- 
cher of  the  people,"  from  the  right  pathway, 
we  cannot  but  admire  the  forbearance  and 
the  love  exhibited  towards  such  by  the  Lord, 
as  well  as  the  way  in  which  infinite  wisdom 
and  love  overrules  such  untoward  events, 
and  makes  them  in  many  instances  to  secure 
a  revenue  of  glory  for  himself.  Wdl  might 
an  old  and  well-taught  poet  sing,  — 

**  Wonders  of  grace  to  Qnd  belong!" 

Having  been  made  to  shed  burning  tears  of 
sorrow  over  that  hiatus  in  his  ministerial 
toil  we  have  referred  to,  Christmas  £van8 
rose  from  the  meshes  of  the  net  in  which 
he  had  been  entangled  in  the  possession  of 
the  *'  olden  sort  of  power,** — a  power  which 
his  biographer  aptly  designates — "power 
of  the  glowing  oriental  type."  Again,  he 
walks  on  the  "  crested  hiUs,  like  the  hills 
of  Bashan,"  and  bringing  the  force  of  his 
extraordinary  eloquence  to  bear  upon  this 
foul  citadel  of  error  and  sin,  he  made  it 
rock  upon  its  antiquated  foundations. 
Standing  within  the  sliadow  of  the  cross, 
clothed  in  righteousness  divine,  he  hurled 
his  God-g^ven  arrows  at  the  hydra-headed 
monster  of  error  and  sin,  and  caused  the 
monster  to  quail  before  him. 

Travelling  one  day  in  the  discharge  of 
his  pressing  ministerial  duties  from  JDol- 
gelly  to  Machynlleth,  when  he  was  under 
the  shadow  of  that  heaven-kissing,  majestic 
mountaiL,  Cader  Idris,  he  wrestled  like 
Jacob  of  old  with  the  Glory-Man,  and  re- 
ceived there  fresh  and  satisfactoiy  intima- 
tions that  (us  path  would  be  flooded  with 
increasing  lieht,  until  the  hour  of  his  en- 
trance into  tne  golden  city  of  "many man- 
sions." That  holy  wrestling  with  God;con- 
tinued  for  three  hours;. it  was,  to  use  his 
own  words,  *'  renewed  again  and  again,  like 
one  wave  after  another,  in  full  tide,  borne 
on  b^  a  miehty  wind  until  I  grew  faint  with 
weeping,  while  I  consecrated  myself,  body 
and  soul  to  God;  eifts  and  labors,  my  whole 
life,  every  day  and  every  hour  I  had  yet  to 
live.  I  resigned  all  my  cares  to  Christ. 
The  road  waa  mountainous  and  lonely,  so 
there  was  no  one  near.  Thus  it  waa  the 
Lord  preserved  me  and  the  people  of  Angle- 
sea  fW)m  beinff  swept  away  by  the  floods  of 
Sandemanianism." 

We  commend  this  part  of  the  memoir  we 
are  reviewing  to  the  special  prayerfW  atten- 
tion of  our  readers. 


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THE  EABTHEN   vessel. 


259 


Am  v6  read  the  golden  sentences  descrip- 
tive of  this  important  event  in  Mr.  Evans's 
life,  we  did  indeed  feel  disposed  to  "  elorifjr 
Gi>d  in  him."  They  led  our  mind  back  into 
the  dim  distant  past,  and  with  the  eje  of  the 
mind  we  saw  Jacob,  the  lonely  wanderer 
from  the  roof  tree  of  his  father,  rising  up  to 
wrestle  at  Peniel  with  the  First-Bom,  the 
Gloiy-Man,  onr  blessed  and  only  Bcdeemer. 
Strange  but  sweet-toned  voices  fell  then  upon 
our  mental  ears,  "Let  me  go,  for  the  day 
breaketh."  And,  "I  will  not  let  thee  go, 
except  thou  bless  me.*'  And  then  the  bliss- 
creating  utterance,  **Thy  name  shall  no 
more  be  called  Jacob,  but  Israel,  for  as  a 
prince  hast  thou  power  with  Grod,  and  hast 
prevailed ; "  and  we  rose  from  our  desk  after 
we  had  finished  reading  the  interesting  ac- 
count of  those  three  hours  wrestling  on  the 
part  of  our  great  sainted  friend  and  brother, 
reminded  of  the  prayer  of  an  equally  great- 
minded  Christian  poet, — 

'*  I  know  Thee.  Saviour,  who  Thou  art, 

Jesus,  the  feeble  sinner's  Friend; 
From  me  Thou  never  wilt  depart. 

But  stay  and  love  me  to  the  end. 
Thy  mercies  never  shall  remove, 
Thy  nature  and  Thy  Name  is  Love. 
Contented  now.  upon  my  thigh 

I  halt,  till  li&B  short  journey  end; 
All  helplessness,  all  weakness,  x 

On  Thee  alone  for  strength  depend ; 
Nor  have  I  power  from  Tnee  to  move. 
Thy  nature  and  Thy  name  is  Love. 


lame  as  I  am,  I  take  my  prey ; 
Hell,  earth,  and  sin,  with 


o*eroome; 


I  leap  for  Joy,  pursue  my  way, 

And,  as  a  bounding  hart,  fly  iiome. 
Through  all  eternity  to  prove 
Thy  nature  and  Thy  name  Is  Love, 

After  the  struggle  we  have  so  briefly  noticed, 
Christmas  Evans  tells  us  *'  he  felt  a  peace- 
ful calm  and  happiness,  like  a  poor  man  who 
had  been  taken  into  royal  favour,  with  an 
annual  settlement  made  upon  him  for  life, 
and  from  whose  home  the  harrassing  fear  of 
poverty  had  been  for  ever  banished.'* 

At  this  period  in  his  life's  history,  Mr. 
Evans  was  no  "longer  the  haggard  young 
man  he  was  when  Srst  introduced  to  our 
notice."  He  had  become  a  strong-looking 
man.  We  are  told  "  there  was  now  an  un- 
mistakable though  not  very  graceful 
majesty"  about  his  appearance.  He  had  a 
massive  head,  covered  with  thick  coarse 
black  hair,  not  very  artistically  arranged  so 
as  to  display  to  advantage  the  ample 
brow;  and  beneath  the  'Mark  arched  but 
somewhat  heavy  eyebrows"  was  that  extra- 
ordinary eye  we  have  already  spoken  of. 
The  portraits  published  of  this  remarkable 
man  do  not  present  us  with  so  correct  a 
likeness  as  we  might  have  had,  had  sun- 
pjiinting  been  known  in  his  day,  as  now. 
Unlike  many  of  the  "  sprigs  of  Divinity  " 
we  oftimes  meet  with,  he  was  not  very  par- 
ticular about  the  cut  of  his  habiliments  as 
many  now  are.  He  knew  well  that  "the  mind 


was  the  standard  of  the  man."  Men  may 
clothe  themselves  in  ecclesiastical  costume 
as  nicely  as  they  please,  but  if  on  openins 
their  mouths  effete  twaddle  flies  out  instead 
of  "  words  marked  by  intelligence  and  fire," 
how  contemptible  they  appear  in  the  eyes 
of  aU  deep  minking  men.  Let  me  advise 
young  ministers  to  attend  more  lo  intel- 
lectual culture  than  to  the  arrangement  of 
the  cravat  or  the  adjustment  of  their  locks. 

By  the  way  of  doing  those  who  need  it 
some  little  good,  we  cannot  forbear  intro- 
ducing here  a  little  episode  in  the  life  of  Mr. 
Evans. 

On  a  certain  occasion,  a  young  min'ster 
made  his  appearance  amongst  others  decked 
out  more  finely  than  Evans  thought  he 
ought  to  be.  Besides  wearing  a  very  showy 
breast-pin,  he  was  silly  enough  to  assume 
certain  airs  of  greatness,  so  that  some  one 
present  was  led  to  address  him,  not  by  his 
Christian  and  surname,  but  with  the  addi- 
tion of  the  then  disliked  prefix  "  reverend^ 
This  induced  C.  E.  to  make  an  effort  to  re- 
duce the  budding  young  tyro  to  his  "  pro- 
per dimensions."  Mr.  Evans  walked  into 
the  kitchen  of  the  house  they  were  met  in, 
and  selecting  from  among  the  shining  brass 
utensils  with  which  Welsh  housewives  are 
fond  of  adominff  their  mantel  pieces  a 
small  brass-headed  poker,  he  placed  ^  it  in 
his  breast,  and  .walked  back  with  a 
dignified  air  to  the  company  he  had 
left.  "  Christmas  Evans,  dear,"  exclaimed 
his  friends,  '•  whatever  is  the  matter  ?" 
Whereupon,  says  his  biographer,  he 
"pointed  to  his  title  to  higher  honours, 
and  said,  '  What!  do  you  call  me  Christmas 
still  ?  '  "  Perhaps  there  was  too  much  of 
the  severe  in  this  attempt  to  lower  a  self- 
important  young  teacher  of  the  people,  but 
did  Christmas  Evans  live  in  our  day,  he 
mi^ht  be  tempted  pretty  often  to  put  the 
extinguisher  upon  some  of  these  pretentious 
bits  of  humanity.  We  confess  we  have 
often  had  our  patience  severely  tried  by  such 
ministerial  pretenders,  and  would  just  add, 
for  the  especial  benefit  of  such  stiff-starched 
pseudo-ecclesiastics, — 

"  The  bird  that  soars  on  highest  wing. 
Builds  on  the  ground  its  lowl}'  uMt! 
And  that  which  doth  most  sweetly  sing, 
Sings  in  the  shades  when  all  things  rest.'* 
Truly   great   men  are  the  humblest  men. 
"Pnde  goeth  before  destruction."     Heal 
talent  requires  no  trumpet  blowing  to  make 
it  known.    Genuine  men  have  always  been 
appreciated,  and  always  will  be,  by  the  wise 
and  the  gjood. 

Some  time  after  this  little  incident  which 
we  have  inserted  transpired,  our  groat 
preacher  was  spoken  of  by  the  people  as 
"  Old  Christmas ;"  and  it  w<is  after  men 
began  to  call  him  "old"  his  greatest 
battles  were  fought,  and  his  most  glorious 
victories  were  won.  /-~^  t 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


260 


THE   EAlRTHEN  TESSEL. 


Nov.  i,  1868. 


He  had  singular  moods,  and,  like  all 
great  men,  was  occasionally  a  little  eccentric 
in  his  movements ;  but,  with  all  his  strange 
fancies  and  little  odd  actions,  love  was  sure 
to  ccshibit  itself,  and  win  by  its  beauty  the 
hearts  of  observers.  But  we  must  draw  in 
the  rein,  or  we  shall  not  be  able  to  bring 
our  notices  of  the  'Welsh  apostle  to  a  close 
in  the  December  number,  which  we  are 
anxious  to  do. 

Being  now  a^ain  on  the  wing,  one  day  in 
one  county  and  the  next  in  another, — to- 
day in  England,  to-morrow  in  Wales, — ^we 
cannot  write  as  we  used  to  do  when  shut 
m>  within  our  own  study  at  home,  and 
therefore  hope  that  anything  bordering 
upon  carelessness  in  the  composition  of 
these  papers  will  be  kindly  overlooked  and 
fonriven. 

We  are  now  nearing  a  most  important 
epoch  in  the  life  of  Evans,  noticing  which 
in  our  next  paper,  we  shall  tiy  to  bring  our 
lucubrations  if  possible  to  an  end. 

We  can  now  only  add  that  amidst  all 
hifi  labours,  even  when  the  tempest  of  hu- 
man ingratitude  and  malevolence  roared 


most  wildly  around  his  pathway,  ChrisbnaB 
Evans,  like  every  heaven-illumined  dis* 
dple,  proved  the  truth  of  the  poet's  song, — 

**  Ohrift  iB  DMur  thee,  Chrut  upbeui, 
I        Over  waters  wide  and  drear, 
I     Throufffa  all  danoers.  amongst  strangen. 
With  no  friend  or  brotber  near. 
Though  the  winds  and  wavee  may  wiestle, 

Skies  may  threaten,  deeps  may  rave, 
Safely  rides  the  lab'rinff  vessel, 

When  the  iiaviour  wuks  the  waves. 
Te^  thongh  winds  and  waves  may  wreekle, 
Masto  may  spring  and  bulwarks  dip, 
j     Safely  rides  the  laboring  vessel. 
When  the  Saviour's  in  the  ship." 

f  And  that  Saviour,  whose  love  is  older  than 
>  the  everlasting  hiUs,  and  which  records  no 
'  fluctuating  moods,  and  knows  not  the 
!  shadow  of  a  change,  He  has  said  (and  with 
I  this  gem  of  a  promise  I  close  for  the  pre- 
'  sent),  '*  I  will  never  leave  thee,  I  wHl  never 
forsake  thee." 

**Then  we  to  the  end  mutt  endufc, 

As  sure  as  the  eaniest  is  given ; 

If  ore  happy,  but  not  more  secure. 

The  glorified  spirits  in  heaven.** 

Belper,  Oet.  8th,  1863. 


COMPANIONS  OF  THE  CROSS; 

^  Siarraiibt  of  some  of  ttoVf  SoUcg  <fomib  in  i^t  ^nlfpbn  of  t^  C^im^ts. 


THE  LATE  MB. 
It  is  a  Ions  time  since  I  left  the  consider- 
ation of  the  life  and  ministry  of  Ae 
honoured  and  heloved  Isaac  Bebkav  ;  but 
I  shall  travel  back  to  Cranbrook  as  soon  as 
I  can,  fini^  Mr.  HmrriiroTOR,  dose  up  the 
meditation  on  Mr.  Beeman,  and  proceed 
with  others  who  have  long  since  passed 
home  to  gloiy ;  "  and  this  wul  we  do,  if  God 
pennit." 

Thia  month  I  am  taken  captive  by  the 
£dling  into  my  hands  of  a  letter  written  bj 
a  friend,  descriptive  of  her  father's  death ; 
as  that  letter  opens  up  a  little  of  the  last 
days  of  a  companion  of  the  cross,  who  has 
but  recently  joined  the  choir  above ;  and  as 
I  am  exoeemngly  hard  dnren  for  room  in 
this  month's  Vbbsbl,  therefore  I  cast  it  in 
this  place,  instead  of  testi^rinff  to  the  mar- 
vellous deliverance  the  iora  effected  for 
the  poor  coal-heaver  when  sunk  in  aoul 
distresB  and  sorrow. 

One  Saturday  evening,  toward  the  end 
of  last  summer,  soon  after  I  was  shut  in 
my  little  study  seeking  the  Lord,  and 
Bearching  His  word,  two  friends  called  to 
see  me ;  it  was  the  writer  of  the  letter  I  am 
about  to  give,  and  her  beloved  fother.  I 
had  never  seen  Mr.  Bairat  before ;  he  was 
a  stranger  to  me  in  every  sense  of  the 
word  *  but  I  soon  found  he  was  a  man  of 


JAMES  BABBAT. 
strong  fkith ;  a  man  well  read  in  the  Scrip- 
tores ;  a  man  who  had  known,  loved,  and 
listened  to  veiy  many  of  the  best  of  God*6 
ministers ;  a  man  who  had  passed  throuffh 
heavjr  outward  triahi ;  had  seen  some  special 
providences ;  had  been  thrown  about  on  the 
waves  of  this  wayward  world ;  but  now 
he  seemed  to  hope  the  worst  was .  all  over; 
he  anticipated  spending  the  rest  of  his  days 
more  quietly ;  and  without  being  compelled 
to  labour  as  he  had  done :  in  met,  he  was 
to  me  like  the  church  of  old :  the  whole 
tenor  of  his  conversation  was  a  fresh  illus- 
tration of  Psalm  Ixvi.,  where  Bavid  com- 
passes the  whole  conrse  of  a  pilgrim's 
pathway  in  few  words.  He  says: — "0 
bless  our  God,  ye  people;  and  make  the 
voice  of  his  praise  to  be  heard;  which 
holdeth  our  soul  in  life :  and  sulTereth  not 
our  feet  to  be  moved.  For  Thou,  0  God, 
hast  proved  us :  Thou  hast  tried  us  as  silver 
is  tried :  Thou  broughtest  us  into  the  net : 
Thou  laidst  affliction  upon  our  loins :  Thou 
hast  caused  men  to  nde  over  our  heads ; 
we  went  through  fire  and  through  water ; 
but  Thou  brauffMest  tu  oxjt  ikto  a  wxajltot 

PLACE.** 

All  this  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  lanffutge 
of  my  frieno^B  spirit  and  experience,  as  he  sat 
for  some  time,and  freely  opened  up  Jiis  path- 
Digitized  by  VjOOV 


Kov.2,  IMS. 


TH£   EAftTUKM    VEMJUL. 


2G1 


Wfty  and  bU  prospects  to  me  that  eToaing. 
I  never  thought  he  was  soon  to  lie  down 
and  die.  I  hmked  at  him ;  listened  to  him : 
perhaps,  in  some  things,  I  almost  ended 
him.  I  vraB  much  cast  down  mjiself ;  and 
although  I  tried  to  speak  freely  with  him, 
I^  felt  de^ly  I  was  not  in  that  freedom — 
eiihor  spiritnaUy  or  circnmstantially— which 
he  so  evidently  enjoyed. 

Thus  we  met  for  the  first,  the  onlv  time. 
We  talked  of  the  Lord  and  his  fidthmlness. 
We  parted,  never  on  earth  to  meet  again. 
He  is  gathered  hdme.  I  am  left  in  this 
valley.  In  preaching  the  Master's  word, 
I  often  am  favoured.  In  every  other  path, 
I  am  mortified  and  pained.  But  I  give  the 
letter  as  written  by  Mr^  Carpenter,  descrip- 
tive of  her  fiither's  death  :-* 

"  My  dear  £ither  was  horn  Nov.  20thp 
1802,  was  baptised  by  Mr.  Geoige  Coomb, 
at  old  gfoho  chapel,  about  the  year  1824, 
and  continued  many  years  a  member  of  that 
ehureh;  hot  evenioally  he  removed  with 
his  wif<»  to  Salem,  under  tha  ministry  of 
Mr.  John  Stevans.  In  1852,  he  removed 
with  his  £unily  to  America,  where  he  re- 
mained till  June  last  In  consequence  of 
the  death  of  his  mother,  he  came  to  £n^- 
iapd  to  arrange  his  affiiirs,  and  visit  his 
frianda  Mpain,  intending  to  retnm :  but  the 
Loid  had  not  so  willed.  He  appeared  very 
well  in  health;  the  cDSnate  had  agreed 
vith  him.  He  met  with  some  remarkahle 
diliveraaeee  in  Amerioa.  At  one  time  he 
vaa  going  from  the  town  to  hia  fiuaily,  and 
had  to  pa«  throng h  a  wood :  he  started  on 
his  jonroej  provided  with  a  lamp;  but 
when  half  wa^  through  the  wood,  the  lamp 
went  oat,  and  he  knew  not  which  war  to 
take.  Affcer  gropins  some  time  in  the  dark, 
and  finding  no  path,  he  sat  down  on  the 
stomp  of  a  tvee,  and  after  commending 
himself  to  the  Lord,  he  folded  his  arms  and 
Ibll  aaleep,  althoogh  surrounded  with  the 
croaking  of  frogs  and  wild  beasts  that  are 
seen  sometimes  in  those  places.  After 
deeping  some  time,  he  awoke,  and  took  his 
watch  and  felt  the  hours,  and  found  it  was 
half-past  twelve  o'dock.  He  said,  **  Bless 
the  Ijord,  there  are  three  hours  gona"  Then 
he  fell  asleep  agMn,  and  when  he  awoke  he 
saw  a  gleam  of  light  through  the  trees ;  he 
was  then  able  to  trace  his  way  and  reach 
home  in  safety  to  raise  an  Hbenezer  to  his 
Ood. 

'*0n  another  occasion,  when  returning 
from  chapel  one  fiabbath  morning,  his 
nearest  way  was  over  a  bog,  or  small  river, 
that  is  froien  owa  some  months  in  the 
year:  he  had  crossed  it  several  times  be- 
fore, bot  this  memorable  morning,  when 
about  half  way  aoross,  the  ice  broke,  and  he 
fell  through  with  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  of 
water  beneath  him,  his  arms  resting  on  the 
iee  and  his  body  in  the  water.     Be  was  not 


in  sight  or  hearing  of  any  one  ;  but  his  Lord 
was  near  and  delivered  him. 

''  *  Till  He  bids  I  osuiot  die.' 
He  said  he  was  quite  calm,  although  he 
did  not  expect  to  get  out  again :  he  had 
presecce  of  mind  to  leave  his  body  to  the 
movement  of  the  water,  and  his  body  floated 
up  on  to  the  ice  before  he  was  aware ;  thus 
he  was  enabled  to  regain  dry  land  to  raise 
another  Ebenezer  to  his  God.  It  appeared 
as  if  the  Lord  had  spared  him  purposely  to 
see  his  dear  friends  in  England  again. 

*'  The  first  six  weeks  uter  his  arrival  in 
England,  he  was  busily  engaged  visiting 
his  friends.  On  his  first  Sunday  in  Eng- 
land, ho  sat  down  at  the  Lord's  table  at 
East-lane  with  hb  beloved  daughter  and 
her  husband,  and  found  it  a  sweet  oppor- 
tunity :  he  also  >^sited  several  churches, — 
Carmel,  at  Woolwich,  Mr.  Foreman's,  Kep- 
pel-street,  Soho,  and  Salem ;  this  was  the 
Last  house  of  public  worship  he  was  in. 
Aware  that  his  time  was  so  short  on  earth, 
he  could  not  have  acted  differently  in  Iiis 
anxiety  to  see  all  his  friends,  and  to  visit 
tho  dinerent  churches.  In  the  beginning 
of  August,  he  went  to  the  anniversary  at 
Hayes  with  some  firiends,  and  on  returning 
home  it  raiupd  heavilv :  he  got  a  violent 
cold :  he  saw  a  medical  man,  who  told  him 
he  had  a  severe  attack  of  asthma  and  a  dis- 
eased heart,  and  if  he  had  any  affairs  to 
settle  he  had  better  do  so,  for  he  might  be 
taken  home  very  suddenlv.  He  had  die 
advice  of  two  medical  men  beside ;  likewise 
a  physician ;  all  said  the  same.  It  did  not 
alarm  him :  he  said,  '  The  Lord  was  pulling 
do¥m  the  poor  tabernacle :  he  had  a  right 
to  do  so :  it  was  Hia  property :  he  could 
trust  Him, — 

***  He  was  too  wise  to  err, 
Too  good  to  be  unkiad.' 
He  had  been  an  unprofitable  servant ;  bnt 
if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  and  he  should  re- 
cover, he  hoped  he  should  live  more  to 
His  glory.  'Not  my  will,  but  Thine  be 
done.' 

"Medical  aid  only  relieved  him  for  a 
time ;  he  was  perfectly  satisfied  everything 
was  done  that  could  be  done ;  he  felt  thank- 
ful the  Lord  had  brought  him  to  die  in  hia 
native  laud,  and  lus  dear  children  to  attend 
on  him,  surrounded  by  kind  Christian 
friends.  At  times  he  was  overcome  with 
the  Lord*s  goodness  to  him,  and  would  say, 
*  Why  me,  Lord?  What  am  I,  or  my  ^ 
therms  house  that  ihe  Lord  is  thus  mindfdl 
of  me  I' 

"On  the  1st  of  October  he  was  taken 
much  worse,  and  thought  he  could  not  last 
long ;  the  difiiculty  of  breathing  was  great 
In  Sie  evening  the  doctor  came.  He  asked 
him  how  long  he  thought  he  eould  live? 
He  hesitated  to  tell  him,  when  he  quickly 
replied,  *  I  have  no  fear,  doetar.  lamionly 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


262 


THE  EAETHEN  VESSEL. 


Nov.  9,  1869. 


r>iiig  home;  I  have  a  mannon  prepared, 
know  whom  I  have  believed ;  He  has  been 
a  &ithfiil  God ;  He  preserved  me  when  sus- 
pended between  life  and  death  in  water, 
and  I  can  trust  Him  now.' 

**  *Te8, 1  to  the  end  thall  endore, 
As  Bare  as  the  earnest  is  given ; 
More  happv  but  not  more  secure, 
The  glonfled  spirits  in  heaven.' 

'*  On  the  drd  he  was  lower,  and  thought 
his  end  was  near,  he  called  us  around  him« 
took  an  a£fectionate  farewell,  saying, '  Cleave 
dose  to  the  Lord.  I  have  known  Him 
nearly  forty  years;  He  has  brought  me 
through  many  dangers  and  trials,  and  He 
will  not  forsake  me  now.*  He  revived 
a^ain ;  and  when  any  friend  came  to  see 
him,  he  said,  '  I  am  going  home  to  a  man- 
sion prepared ;  but  it's  Mrd  work  to  die  ; 
what  must  it  be  to  die  without  hope  ?  * 

"On  Sunday  morning  early,  he  was 
raised  in  bed:  he  was  engaged  in 
prayer :  some  words  I  caught — *  Dear  Lord, 
strengthen  thy  poor  worm ;  my  strength  is 
almost  gone;  be  with  me  through  the 
valley;  may  Thy  presence  cheer  me ;  and 
land  me  safe  on  Canaan's  shore:  there  I 
will  praise  Thee  for  ever  and  ever.*  •  One 
time  I  said,  *Your  sufferings  are  great, 
dear  father,  but  not  com|Mired  to  our 
Lord's.'  '  Ah,'  he  said,  '  His  was  for  our 
sins,  bless  His  holy  name ;  He  suffered  for 
us ;  but  I  think  had  I  known  what  it  was 
I  should  have  shrunk  from  it:  'tis 
hard  work  to  die.  You  may  pray  the 
Lord  to  spare  your  father's  sufferings.' 
But  never  a  murmur  escaped  his  lips. 

"  On  Sunday  mcvsing  he  asked  what  day 
it  was.  I  replied,  '  The  Lord's  day ;  and 
if  you  should  be  taken  home  to  day,  it  will 
be  a  memorable  day  to  us.'  He  said,  '  I 
think  I  shall  sit  down  at  the  marriage 
sapper  of  the  Lamb  to-night.' 

"  In  the  afternoon  he  was  free  from  pain, 
and  fell  in  a  doze.  We  watched  every 
breath,  thinking  it  would  be  his  last 
About  an  hour  after,  he  opened  his  eyes 
with  such  a  heavenly  smile ;  he  threw  up 
his  arm,  and  sang,  '  Going  home  I  going 
home,  to  be  with  Jesus  at  home.' 

At  night  he  said,  '  I  thought  I  should 
have  l^en  home  before  this.  More 
patience.  Lord.'  At  one  time  he  spit  a 
quantity  of  blood.  He  said,  'Bless  the 
Lord,  that  is  my  heart-strings.  I  shall  soon 
be  cone  now.  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly.  Why  tarrjr  Thy  chariot  wheels  ? 
Why  do  these  lagging  moments  roll  that 
keep  me  from  my  Lord  7' 

*'  OnMondayhewaswanderingmuchinhis 
mind;  but  when  spoken  to  on  the  best  things, 
quite  conscious,  and  in  the  night  quoted  those 
hymns,  *  Rock  of  ages,'  and,  '  What  shall  I 
do,  my  Saviour  to  praise  ?  and  after  a  very 


restless  night,  his  happy  spirit  took   its 
flight  without  a  straggle  or  a  groan. 
M  One  gentle  sighhis  fetters  broke, 
We  soaioe  oould  say,  *  He's  gone.'  '* 
We  put  a  glass  to  his  lips  to  satisfy  our- 
selves, he  was  gone  so  quickly.    He  went 
off  at  twenty  minutes  to  six  o  dock. 

"It  was  his  own  re<^uest  that  Mr. 
Alderson  should  improve  his  death ;  as  an 
encouragement  to  others,  he  said,  'Don't 
exalt  the  creature ;  but  glorify  the  grace  of 
God  in  me.' " 


THE    COMING  WINTER. 

THE    CHRISTIAN    POOR    IN     THE 

COTTON  DISTRICTS. 

An  affectionate  appeal  to  the  Lord's  chosen 
and  redeemed  familv  on  behalf  of  their 
suffering  and  afflicted  brethren  and  sisters 
in  the  cotton  districts  of  Lancashire  and 
Yorkshire. 

Beloved  in  thb  Lord.— Your  hearty 
response  to  mjfs.  appeal,  in  the  pagea  of  the 
Earthsh  Ybsskl  during  the  last  winter, 
emboldens  me  to  address  you  again  on  the 
same  subject. ;  and  I  do  so  with  the  greater 
pleasure,  knowing  that  the  adveraaries  of 
the  fflorious  truths  of  the  Gospel  aotr  that 
the  doctrines  of  free  and  sovereign  grace  lead 
men  to  live  as  they  list,  and  to  shut  up  the 
bowels  of  compassion  and  sympathy  from 
suffering  humanity;  but  we  bless  the  Lord 
that  all  such  calumny  has  wer  been,  and 
while  an  dect  vessel  of  mercy  shall  remain 
on  the  earth,  will  ever  be  repudiated  by  the 
lives  and  conversation  of  those  in  whom 
the  Lord  has  implanted  His  Ibar ;  and  sore 
am  I  that  wherever  the  Lord  haa  led  a  poor 
sinner  to  feel  his  lost  and  ruined  state  by 
nature  and  practice,  led  him  to  discover,  in 
the  chambers  of  imagenr,  greater  and  still 
greater  abominations,  tul  at  last  the  soul, 
loathed  with  the  sight,  exdaims  m  mental 
agony,  "  Unclean,  unclean,"  led  him  to  dis- 
cover the  utter  impossibiU^  of  doing  one 
thing  toward  his  own  salvation ;  and  that  if 
ever  saved,  it  must  be  by  an  act  of  free  and 
sovereign  ^nce ;  led  and  guided  by  the 
eternal  Spirit  to  see  One  hanging  on  a  tree 
whose  precious  blood  cleanseth  from  all 
sin,  even  that  mighty  Him  coeval  and  co- 
equal with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghoel 
— let  but  a  drop  of  that  precious  blood  that 
streamed  from  His  sacrea  aide  fall  upon  the 
soul — one  look  from  that  pitying  and 
loving  eye  that  broke  the  heart  of  s 
cursing  and  swearing  Peter— let  but  the 
voice,  the  gentle  tones  of  which  entered 
the  heart  of  the  contrite  woman,  bathing 
His  dear  feet  with  tears  while  she  listened 
to  His  gracious  language :  "  Thy  sins  are 
forgiven  thee/' — ^sure  am  I  that  souls  thus 
favoured  tot//  and  muet  have  sympathy  for 
others :  as  the  elect  of  Godpthey  arck  m< 

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KoT.  a,  IMS. 


THE   EABTHBM   YESSEL. 


263 


or  less,  constrained  to  pnt  on  bowels  of 
mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind 
(Col.  4,  3—12);  and  are  taught  by  the 
Spirit  to  feel  and  know  that  every  good 
gift  of  Providence,  and  every  perfect  gift  of 
grace  cometh  down  from  above. 

Your  kindly  aid,  during  the  last  winter, 
by  collections  made  in  many  of  the  churches, 
as  well  as  private  contributions,  effected 
considerable  good.  Many  a  dear  saint  had 
the  tear  of  sorrow  dried,  and  heartfelt  gra- 
titude to  God,  and  to  you,  drawn  forth  for 
the  seasonable  help  so  freely  given. 

But,  again,  dear  friends,  I  must  appeal 
to  your  generosity.  You  know  with  me 
that  the  American  war  has  not  ceased,  still 
the  arm  of  brother  is  raised  against 
brother ;  and  ihestaple  commodity  of  this  huge 
workshop  but  scantily  supplied,  and  of  such 
inferior  quality,  that  able-bodied  men,  em- 
ployed as  ftiatian  cutters,  handloom  weavers, 
&a,  even  when  they  can  get  a  warp,  which 
is  very  uncertain  and  precarious,  only  earn 
firom  five  to  six  shiUings  per  week ;  and 
much  fear  is  entertiuned  that  in  consequence 
of  the  extremelf  impoverished  condition  of 
many,  from  their  lon^  want  of  employment 


donation  will  be  thankfully  received ;  and 
any  one  having  left-off  garments  will  be 
provided  with  carriage  free.  Printed  ad- 
dress cards  on  application  by  letter  ad- 
dressed to  me,  at  19,  Bride  Street,  Man- 
chester. Yours  in  truth, 

W.  Wbight. 


NEW     BOOKS. 
Who  and  What  was  Andrew  Fuller  P 

NO.   II. 

Messbs.  Hbatos's  volume  of  **  Bunyan 
Librai^y,'*  containing, "  The  Life  of  Andrew 
Fuller,"  by  his  Grandson,  Thomas  Ekins 
Fuller,  is  a  biography  of  a  very  pleasant 
and  interesting  character.  The  grandson, 
in  drawing  the  portrait  of  the  grandfather, 
has  developed  not  only  a  considerable 
amount  of  editorial  capacity,  and  of  rela- 
tive tenderness  and  affection,  but,  also,  of 
becoming  modesty,  propriety,  and  a  sweet 
impartiality,  which  justifies  us  in  pro- 
nouncing this  a  first-class  piece  of  minis- 
terial history — a  histoiy  fraueht  with  extra- 
ordinary passages  of  botli  the  private  and 
public  sides  of  a  determined  man's  career. 


and  the  evident  falling  off  of  public  sym-  "  ^^nJrew  Fuller  was  a  man — a  full  grown 
pathy,  that  the  coming  winter  wiU  be  most  man  .  he  was  a  husband,  a  father,  a  pastor, 
severely  felt  True  under  the  valuable :  ^  preacher,  a  philanthropist,  a  citizen,  a 
♦•  Pnbbc  Works  Act"  many  thousands  will   ne^hbour— yea,  in  every  sense  of  the  word 

be  ei^aged  in  out-door  employments — such  ; ^  fbiend.      In    everything    (except  his 

as  drainage  and  sewage  works,  road  creed)  he  was  the  eort  of  man  we  love  to 
making,  &c.,  &c, ;  but  it  is  obvious  that  njeet.  There  are  but  few,  it  may  be,  in  any 
manv  will  not  be  able  to  enter  upon  such  ^^^  ^g^ .  y^^^^  f^^  ^s  they  are,  such  men  as 
employment.  Many  are  physically  unable, '  Andrew  Fuller  are  fine  specimens  not  only 
whde  those  partially  employed  atthe  mills,  or  j  ^f  ^^e  original  beauties  of  God's  excellent 
their  looms  at  home,  wUl  be  thus  prevented,  (workmanship  in  the  constitution  of  man's 
Again,  of  course,  neither  women  or  children  jj^j^g.  ^^<^  ^i^  ^f  ^at  heaven-born 
can  be  thus  employed;  and  as  children  form   ijenevoleuce    which   looks    with    longing 

aa  important — '^'~  '~  ^ ''' ^ 

in  this  part 

thrown  out  oi  employment^  senous  aimciucy  ;  j      

mnst^iae.     ,         ^        ,,        „  ,     :  fronr  the  burning.      ^Ve  glory  in  all  such 

J.  W.  Maclure,  Esq.,  Hon.  Sec.  to  the    enterprizing  men,  although   not  one  in  a 


central  relief  committee,  thus  adds  in  his 
circular  address  to  the  various  committees 
on  behalf  of  the  distress : — ''  That  hating 
regiurd  to  the  fiict,  that  in  certain  very 
populous  districts,  the  distress  continues 
intense,  it  is  desirable  that  a  supply  of 
dothiog  should  be  obtained  for  the  nu- 
merous faetoiT  operatives  likely  to  be  em- 
ployed in  out-door  labour,  as  well  as  for  their 
wives  and  ftunilies." 

I  faring  this  paragraph  under  the  notice 
of  the  rraders  of  the  Vessel  to  prove  the 


rions  of  those  best  qualified  to  judge 
the  distress  still  abounds,  although  to 
some  considerable  extent  ameliorated  ;  and 
that  the  approaching  winter  will  doubtless 
bring  increasing  poverty  and  sorrow,  unless 
asain  assisted  hy  the  kindness  of  tiiose  to 
miom  a  kind  providence  has  showered 
down  its  temporal  blessings.    The  smallest 


crowa  of  them  clearly  see  the  genius 
of  the  Gospel.  They  have  been  so  kindly 
and  carefully  nursed  in  and  preserved  by 
the  grave-clothes  of  morality,  respectability, 
and  consistency,  that  they  hardly  need  the 
full  tides  of  electing  and  everlasting  love  to 
flow  into  their  souls :  Satan  has  seemingly 
^4onc  them  so  little  felt  damage,  that  they 
hardly  require  the  full  fountain  of  atoning 
blood  as  opened  up  by  our  Saviour,  Christ 
the  Lord.  The  dirt  and  dreadful  con- 
sequences of  sin  have  so  little  defiled  or 
distressed  them  that  they  can  hardly  enjoy 
that  verse  of  Watts's — 

•*  And  lest  the  shadow  of  a  spot 
Should  on  my  bouI  l)e  found. 
He  took  the  robe  the  Saviour  wrought, 
And  wrapped  it  all  around." 

They  never  break  out,  overwhelmed  with 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


264 


Til£   EAKTilEM   V£SSeL. 


Nor.  a,  1868. 


astonishment  at  the  supenibounding  mercies 
of  a  covenant  God  towaid  them,  saying, 

**  Stnui|pel3%  my  soul,  art  thou  amy'd, 
By  the  G-rcat  Baored  Thre« : 
In  sweetest  uabmohy  of  praise, 
Let  all  thy  powers  agree." 

They  have  never  been  so  thoroughly  broken 
up  as  to  know  that  nothing  short  of  a  special 
and  supernatural  power  can  ever  raise  the 
soul  of  a  sunken  sinner  \ip  into  the  true 
liberty  of  the  Gospel. 

We  hardly  dare  to  say.  Andrew  Fuller 
was  one  of  this  class ;  but  that  he  brought 
in  a  system  of  Gospel  preaching  which  has 
confused  and  divided  the  Churches,  is  be- 
yond all  question.  And  this  we  shall  shew- 
as  we  proceed ;  but  while  Mr.  Messer  has 
Christmas  Evans  in  hand,  we  cannot  get 
fairly  out  to  sea. 

"The  Noble  Army  of  Kartyrs." 

To  the  unread  masses  of  our  people  most 
valuable  service  has  recently  been  rendered 
by  the  issue  of  three  works  to  which  we 
now  but  briefly  refer ;  but  purpose  to  select 
from  them  notes  of  much  use  in  these  times 
of  gradual  departure  from  the  foundation 
principles,  and  Divine  institutions  of  the 
Kew  Testament  dispensation. 

The  first  book  we  refer  to  is,  "  The  Earfy 
English  Baptists."  Vol.  1.  By  B.  Evans, 
DJ).  Published  by  Messrs.  Heaton, 
Londoa;  forming  the  seventh  volume  of 
"The  Bunvan  Library."  Dr.  Evans,  of 
Scarborougn,  deserves  the  wannest  thanks 
of  the  whole  Christian  family  who  lovingly 
adhere  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism  by  im- 
mersion ;  the  doctor  having,  in  a  most  in- 


telligent and  intelligible  spirit  and  style, 
shown  that  in  all  ages  the  most  devout  and 
decidedly  godlv  men ;  yea,  the  most  severely 
persecuted  and  patient  sufferers  have  been 
the  genuine  successors  of  the  apostles — ^the 
rigid  followers  of  the  obbat  and  good 
Shepherd — called  in  modern  times,  **the 
bigoted  B4^t%$U.'*  Only  with  a  pnre 
desire  to  win  over  many  who  love  our 
Lord,  but  walk  not  in  His  command- 
ments, would  we  exhibit  a  few  of  the 
portraits  of  these  "  Noble  Army  of  Martyrs." 
The  second  book  is  Mr.  WiUiam  Stokes's 
'*  Century  ^  Centurv  T  or,  History  of  the 
Baptists.  By  the  aid  of  this  little  volume, 
you  may  travel  through  all  the  centuries, 
from  Christ's  Ascension  to  the  present 
time  ;  and  as  you  pass  rapidly  on  through 
the  nearly  19  hundred  years  of  the  Churcdi's 
existence  since  the  price  of  her  redemption 
was  paid,  you  will  see  monuments  standing 
thick  narrating  the  history  of  men  who 
sooner  than  deny  that  ordinance  which 
preaches  the  death  and  the  resurrectioD, 
they  would  go  to  prison — go  to  the  rack — go 
to  the  flames — a  Noble  Army  of  Martyze 
indeed. 

The  third  volume  before  us  is,  "  Th€ 
BaptUt  Church  J)ir$etory,"'  By  Dr. 
Hiscox,  pastor  of  Stanton-street  Baptist 
Church,  New  York.  This  work  is  pub- 
lished by  Sheldon  and  Co.,  in  New  York; 
and  is  a  plain  directory  to  everything  con- 
nected with  the  right  order  and  Scriptnre 
discipline  of  a  New  Testament  Church. 
This  is  a  practical  book,  and  to  the 
thousands  of  young  men  rising  up  on 
both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  must  be  hailed 
with  grateful  pleasure. 


Jnieltiigett^e  from  onr^  Chui;cliqs,  their  pastot[s  and  ^ta$U. 

GBEAT  ULEETVXQ  AT    TH£  SUBBBY  TABEBNACXLB. 


A  great  and  enthusiastic  meeting  was  held 
at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  on  Monday,  Oct. 
19th,  1863 ;  the  design  being  the  furtherance 
of  the  object  now  in  hand  of  building  a 
new  and  much  larger  chapel  for  Mr. 
Wells's  church  and  coiigregation.  Upwards 
of  eleven  hundred  friencb  took  tea;  and 
long  before  the  commencement  of  the 
public  meeting,  the  large  chapel  was  closely 
packed  in  every  pait — botn  chapel  and 
large  vestry,  pulpit,  pulpit  stairs,  and  every 
inch  of  ground  was  occupied  with  fricn(fs 
anxious  to  hear  the  brethren  who  were  to 
speak.  Beyond  the  interest  attached  to 
this  important  movement,  it  was  just  33 
years  to  the  very  day  that  the  chxirch  was 
formed,  and  Mr.  WeUs  elected  its  pastor, 
as  will  be  seen  from  the  statement  read  by  Mr. 


Butt  on  the  occasion,  and  which  we  giye 
verbatim  below.  But  as  a  full  report  of 
the  meeting  will  be  issued,  we  shall  merely 
give  a  summary  of  the  proceedings,  refer- 
ring those  of  our  readers,  who  wish  for 
furUier  particulars,  to  that  report. 

As  early  as  it  was  possible  to  ibmish 
the  host  of  friends  with  tea  (which,  thanks 
to  Mr.  Cox's  able  management,  and  the  ex- 
cellent assistance  of  the  ladies,  was  well 
managed),  the  meeting  commenced.  In 
the  aMence  of  Mr.  Jno.  Vicara,  our  esteemed 
friend,  Mr.  Thomas  Pocock,  was  unani- 
mously voted  to  the  chair,  supported  on  his 
left  by  Mr.  Wells,  on  his  right  by  Mr.  John 
Foreman ;  and  surrounded  by  the  following 
ministers: — Messrs.  Atiwood,  Buttetfieio, 
Edgecombe,  Elo^,  Hawkins,  inward,  J.  A. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Vor.  1.1861. 


THB  EARTHEN  TB88RL. 


365 


7<nMfl,   Hjenon,  Koyle,  Ponsfbrd,  Pdls, 
Bon^aad,  Webster,  and  Oeorga  Webb. 
The  meeCiiig  was  opened  l^  singing — 
**  Qod  nores  in  a  myitorioiiB  way." 
wbidi  Mr.  Wells  read  with  mnch  eiEbct,  and 
tlie  great  mass  of  friends  seemed  to  sing 
with  amaaing  power.    Mr.  John  Pells  (of 
Soho),  with  marked  earnestness,  sought  for 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord  upon  the  move- 
mant  under  oonsideration ;  and  in  becoming 
tams  acknowledged  the  great  blessing  the 
XfOid  had  been  pleased   to   make  of  the 
pasktt  of  that  ehurch  to  his  own  souL    The 
"mat  multitude"  then  rose  and  sang  to 
dd  Cranbrook — 

**  Gtaoe 'tis  a  ofaarming  wMmd," 
altar  iHueh  the  Chainnan  made  a  few 
pointed  remarks.  He  believed  that  their 
aovenaat  God  was  with  them  in  the  more- 
meat:  he  felt  that  they  should  haye His 
blessing  with  them  that  eveninff;  and  if 
tiiat  was  the  case,  it  would  mm  amends 
ftr  all  diflcDlties  said  disoowngements  they 
mi^tmeet  with. 

Mr.  E.  Butt,  the  Seerstaij,  read  the 
isllfliving  statement  of  the  ehm«h:— 

"  This  day  we  are  called  to  celebrate  oar 
8M  annirenaiT.  for  on  the  evening  of 
Oetober  19th.  \8S0  (our  fHend  and  broQier 
Mr.  John  Foreman  wesiding),  a  little 
band,  consisting  of  ^  persons,  whose 
hearts  the  Lord  had  opened,  Mi  constrained 
by  the  lore  of  Christ  to  fbrm  themselTee 
into  a  strict  Baptist  ehurdi,  five  of  whom 
remain  stedftst  to  their  profession,  while 
the  other  fifteen  hare  ended  their  pilgrimage 
and  entered  into  their  rest 

"  On  that  erening,  Mr.  James  Wells  was 
eliosen  to  be  their  pastor;  and  it  is  a  source 
of  much  thankfhlness  that  amidst  tfafe 
various  changes  which  hare  taken  place 
that  he  has  been  enabled,  through  the 
gnce  of  God,  to  abide  unmoyeable  and 
mithful  to  those  great  truths  he  was  led 
to  embrace,  and  from  his  own  soul's  expe- 
rience to  proclaim  to  others.  Though 
our  beginnines  were  small,  we  must  indeed 
si^  the  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us 
whereof  we  are  glad. 

"  The  Lord  still  blessing  the  preaching 
of  the  word  in  the  ingathering  of 'many 
souls,  the  place  becsme  too  strait;  and 
after  much  and  prayerftil  consideration,  the 
present  chapel  was  erected  in  the  year 
1838,  at  a  cost  of  sbout  i8,000 ;  and  by  the 
perBererance  of  the  people,  was  paid  for. 
An  enlargement  was  made  in  the  year 
1850,  which  cost  ;ei, 066;  and  in  1858,  a 
Testiy  was  added  girine  room  for  150 
persons  at  an  outlay  of  jr458.  The  whole 
nas  been  paid  for  without  any  application 
beinff  made  beyond  our  own  people. 
While  helping  ourselves,  man^have  been 
helped  throng  our  esteemed  minister.  The 
poor  haye  been  cared  for,  and  their  sufferings 


alleviated.  Manypoorministersandchuzchee 
in  different  parts  of  the  country  have  been 
assisted,  the  sum  raised  and  distributed 
for  the  poor  and  various  benevolent  objeets 
being  upwards  of  £4,500;  besides  that 
most  valuable  institution,  the  A^ed  Pil- 
grim Friend  Society  having  received  to> 
wards  its  funds  the  sum  of  J2,170.  While 
we  speak  of  these  minor  things,  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Gh>sp6l  within  these  walls  has, 
b^  the  gracious  operations  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit, been  attended  with  great  and  lasting 
results.  Sinners  dead  in  sin  have  been 
awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  condition,  and 
led  to  embrace  the  Bock  Christ  Jesus  for 
want  of  a  shelter ;  while  the  saints  of  the 
Most  High  have  been  refreshed,  their  souls 
established  in  the  truth,  and  the  purposes 
of  Jehovah  accomplished.  In  the  year 
1859,  it  was  proposed  to  publish  the  Sun- 
day^ morning  sermons.  Many  instances  of 
their  useftilness  have  come  to  light  from 
various  parts  of  the  country  as  well  as 
foreign  lands.  More  than  250,000  of  this 
little  messenger  ol  mercy  have  been  cir- 
culated, and  tae  present  sale  folly  justifies 
its  continuance. 

*'  We  cannot  pass  over  a  most  important 
institution  established  in  this  place  in  the 
year  1843,  called  the  **  SurrejTabemade 
Benefit  Society,  **  now  numbenng  920  mem- 
bers belonging  to  churches  and  congr^a- 
tions  of  truth  in  town  and  country.  The 
members  have  received  in  times  of  sickness 
and  their  families  after  the  decease  of  their 
parents  the  sum  of  £4,967.  It  has  an  in- 
vested capital  of  £2,500,  and  is  in  good 
working  order.  We  trust  our  ministering 
brethren  will  commend  this  society  to 
the  attention  of  their  congregations  and 
churches. 

"  As  to  our  present  movement,  our  lease 
is  short,  having  only  nine  years  to  run. 
Our  inconveniences  are  great ;  families  are 
separated  for  want  of  accommodation  ;  and 
the  friends,  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  10th 
of  Auffust,  determined  to  lay  no  more  out 
upon  uie  present  chapel  for  enlargement, 
but  unanimously  passed  the  following  re- 
solution : — 

"  *  That  the  congregation  now  assembled 
in  reviewing  the  goodness  and  merer  of  the 
Ood  of  all  grace  ra  establishing  and  main- 
taining His  truth  within  these  walls,  and 
continuing  the  labours  of  His  servant  so 
successfully  from  its  commencement,  do 
feel  called  upon  to  erect  a  larger  and  more 
convenient  cmapel  on  the  most  e%ible  spot 
which  can  be  obtained.' 

"  And  at  once  commenced  a  subscription 
to  the  amount  of  £800.  Since  then  others 
have  helped,  and  we  have  now  invested  in 
trust  £1,000,  and  promises  of  £1,500,  awak- 
ing in  less  than  two  months  £2,500.  Col- 
lecting books  and  cards  are  actively  at 


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THE   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Kov.  2p  186& 


work,  and  it  is  our  desire  that  a  building 
shall  be  erected  in  keeping  with  the  times, 
and  more  especially  as  a  memorial  of  the 
Lord's  goodness,  which  shall  stand  when 
the  present  minister,  deacons,  and  people 
are  inheriting  the  promises.  In  conclusion, 
affectionate  and  zealous  co-operation  is 
called  for,  «nd  we  are  encouraged  hj  the 
sanction  already  received  as  well  as  from 
the  Divine  benediction.  *  Be  strong.  O 
Zenibbabel,  saith  the  Lord,  and  bo  strong, 
O  Joshua,  son  of  Josedek,  the  high  priest. 
And  be  strong  all  ye  people  of  th^  land, 
saith  the  Lord,  and  work,  for  I  am  with 
you,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts.'  (Haggai 
ii.  4.)" 

The  first  resolution  was  moved  by  Mr. 
Foreman,  and  read  as  follows : — 

"That  this  meeting  rejoices  at  the 
success  which  has  attended  the  labours  of 
the  pastor  of  the  church  at  the  Surrey 
Tabernacle,  and  earnestly  prays  that  he 
may  long  be  spared  to  minister  the  truth, 
and  that  he  may  realize,  in  a  large  measure, 
the  words  of  our  Lord,  'Thou  shalt  see 
greater  things  than  these.' " 
In  a  lengthened  address,  Mr.  Foreman 
gave  a  descriptire  account  of  the  formation 
of  the  church,  which  at  that  period  met  in 
Princes-street,  Westminster;  and  of  the 
choosing  of  Mr.  Wells  as  the  pastor.  At 
this  service,  Mr.  Foreman  alone  officiated ; 
although  the  late  George  Frances  was  pre- 
sent on  the  occasion,  but  took  no  part  in 
the  service.  Mr.  Foreman  gave  an  outline 
of  the  charge  that  33  years  ago  that  even- 
ing he  gave  to  Mr.  Wells  from  the  words 
in  Keh.  vi.  3,  "  I  am  doing  a  great  work,  so 
that  I  cannot  come  down."  He  remem- 
bered well  a  remark  he  made  on  that 
occasion ;  it  was  that  he  should  preach  the 
truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth ;  to  give  meat  to  the  young  men,  and 
milk  to  the  babes,  and  to  put  no  water  in 
it.  Some  might  smile  at  tne  idea ;  but  the 
Lord  had  preserved  bis  brother  Wells  in  the 
whole  truth.  Nothing  had  been  held  back, 
neither  added  thereto.  Respecting  the  new 
chapel,  Mr.  Foreman  wished  them  every  suc- 
cess ;  and  hoped  that  generations  yet  to  come 
might  find  a  blessing  therein. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Jones  seconded  the  resolution. 
He  remembered  that  John  Martin  (of 
Keppel-street)  held  a  controversy  in  his 
day  as  to  interested  and  disinterested  love ; 
John  contending  that  there  was  not  such  a 
thing  as  disinterested  love :  "  We  love  Him 
fjecause  He  first  loved  us."  Mr.  Jones  was 
there  that  evening  out  of  love  to  his  brother 
Wells  ;  but  it  was  not  disinterested  love ; 
for  on  several  occasions  had  Mr.  Wells 
shown  his  sympathy  and  regard  to  him  by 
his  timely  help  and  aid;  two  occasions 
specially  ne  mentioned,  therefore,  his  was 


interested  love,  but  thoogfa  interested,  it 
was  sincere  Chnstian  love  for  the  truths  his 
beloved  brother  had  now  for  33  years  so 
powerfully  and  successfully  proclaimed. 

Mr.  Wells  spoke  of  the  meetine  held  here 
on  the  10th  of  Auenst ;  there  had  not  been 
for  years  such  a  demonstrative  meeting  as 
that,  which  meeting  was  composed  of  th^ 
own  people;  and  they  were  certainly  the 
best  persons  to  judge  if  a  new  and  larger 
place  was  wanted ;  and  that  meeting  not 
only  unanimously  decided  that  such  a  step 
must  be  taken,  but  they  practically  said  so 
by  giving  at  that  very  meeting  upwards 
of  .:^00  towards  the  object. 

Mr.  Moyle  (of  Peckham^  spoke  of  the 
blessing  Mr.  Wells'  ministry  nau  been  made 
to  him ;  of  his  being  baptized  there  nearly 
forty  years  ago.  He  hoped  they  would  be 
united,  and  with  union  they  had  nothing  to 
fear,  but  eveiything  to  encourage  them. 
Mr.  Wells  was  heartily  welcome  to  the  use 
of  his  pulpit  at  Peckham  any  week-day  or 
Sunday  afternoon  he  mieht  choose. 

Mr.  John  Pells  moved  and  Mr.  Myerson 
seconded  the  next  resolution,  which  read  as 
follows:— 

"  That  this  meetine  heartily  sympathises 
with  the  church  and  congregation  in  their 
movement  for  the  erection  of  a  new  chapel, 
which  shall  stand  as  a  memorial,  tnat 
hitherto  the  Lord  bath  helped  us ;  and  trust 
that  they  will  be  generously  aided  by  other 
churches,  both  by  means  of  congregational 
collections  and  the  contributions  of  indi- 
viduals." 

Mr.  Hawkins,  Mr.  Webster,  and  Mr. 
Butterfield  also  spoke :  all  in  a  warm  and 
cheerful  spirit^  encouraging  the  friends  to 
push  on  firmly  with  the  movement. 

Mr.  Carr  said  they  had  every  reason  to 
believe  the  Lord  was  making  the  way  plain 
before  them.  A  very  eligible  piece  of 
ground  was  in  view,  and  they  hoped  to  se- 
cure it.  The  subscription  list  now  amounted 
to  upwards  of  £2,500,  with  another  £500 
almost  certain. 

Mr.  Carr,  Jun.,  handed  a  cheque  from  a 
gentleman  for  £40.  This  was  the  third 
donation  from  the  same  party,  making  in 
all  £160  he  had  given.  This  gentleman 
had  decided  to  ^ve  out  of  the  profits  of  his 
business  a  certain  per  centage  till  the  place 
was  secured,  and  Mr.  Carr  threw  out  the 
hint,  hoping  some  other  friend  might  like 
to  act  upon  it. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  eiven  to  the  chair- 
man, who  acknowledged  the  same;  the 
doxolo^  was  sung,  and  Mr.  Wells  pro- 
nouncMf  the  benediction. 

The  spirit  manifested  for  the  movement 
was  most  enthusiastic ;  the  place  was 
crowded  to  excess,  and  almost  unbearable 
from  the  overpowering  heat;  but,  for  all 
this,  the   interest   of  the  meeting  never 


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THB  EABTHKK   VESSEL. 


267 


flagged  for  a  moment,  although  it  was 
just  upon  ten  o'clock  befoie  it  vaa  brought 
to  a  close. 

NBW  ST7BBET  TABEBNAOLE 

AND 

8TBIOT  BAPTIST  A88BJCBLT 
HAIili. 

TO  THB  XDITOB  Or  THX  XABTHSST  VESSEL. 

DxAB  SiB,~I  am  gUd  to  see  the  energetic  spirit 
von  tiave  evinced  upoo  the  subject  of  a  New  Ts- 
beroaole  for  Mr.  Wells,  and  your  noble  advocacy 
of  a  temple  worthy  the  illostrious  and  noble 
champion  of  a  free  grace  Gospel.  Your  allusion 
to  the  necessity  of  such  an  edifice  has  already 
cheered  the  heurtsof  many  thousands  zealous  for 
laying  the  basis  of  a  Tabernacle  and  Assembl}'- 
Hall,  which  will  do  honour  to  the  many  cham- 
pions  of  Strict  Baptist  principles  in  London  and 
the  prorincee.  In  any  design  for  the  New  Ta- 
bernacle, the  time,  dear  Sir.  has  arrived  also  for 
an  A*sembly-Hall,  which  could  not  fail  of  being 
attended  with  the  most  happy,  the  most  beue- 
ileial,  the  most  permanent  results.  Your  long 
life,  respected  e>ir,  has  been  one  continued  advo- 
cacy of  free  grace  Gospel  through  the  press  and 
the  pulpit;  indeed,  yon  have  been  a  perfect 
"Hercules"  in  the  London  and  provincial  field ; 
what  therefore  more  important  at  this  mighty 
crisis  of  our  principles  than  an  assembly-hafl  at- 
taehed  to  the  New  Tabernacle,  where  the  honest, 
sealons,  and  God-fearing  layman  would  have  his 
labours  blessed  in  plans  for  future  usefulness  at 
home  and  abroad.  The  call  for  labourers  is  loud 
from  evmy  quarter,  and  thousands  are  deeplj' 
aflboted  at  the  want  of  a  giand  central  assembty- 
tiall  for  the  Gospel  grace  interests  of  the  churches 
and  the  wide  diffusion  of  new  covenant  truth. 
The  statistics  of  the  Strict  Baptist  churches  in 
London  and  the  provinces  exhibit  hundreds  of 
Toang  men  who  would  gain  imperishable  laurels 
in  aiding  the  veteran  warriors  now  in  the  field, 
amd  let  every  man  whose  heart  beats  with  love  to 
Christ,— with  sympathy  for  the  ingathering  of 
the  ransomed  of  the  Lord,— be  cheered  up 
thnMigh  the  invaluable  columns  of  the  Vfssel, 
always  detailing  new  fields  for  future  usefulness 
To  the  noble  Vessel,  the  Strict  Baptist  churches 
look  not  only  for  the  inland  fields  of  the  United 
Kingdom,  but  also  the  colonies  of  the  British 
empire,  for  a  noble  band  of  honest  ploughmen  in 
a  adf-consecxating  of  themselves  to  the  Lord. 
The  assemblv-hallwill  thus  beoome  a  centre  for 
«  new  and  glorions  epoch  for  the  Gospel.  The 
time  has  arrived  for  an  army  of  lealons  God- 
iaaring  laymen  for  the  Strict  Baptist  ohnrohes  of 
the  United  Kingdom.  With  your  phuts  for  the 
IMUchase  or  erection  of  a  jMriot  Asaembly-Hall. 
the  aspect  of  aSalrs  would  speedily  undergo  a 
nightjr  change.  Thousands  are  deeply  con- 
vinced that  the  time  has  now  come  for  action  for 
I^ndon  and  the  provinces.  Any  plan  proceeding 
from  your  pen  would  succeed  in  a  surprising  de> 
cree.  Let  ns  have  a  bold  appeal  with  your  plans 
for  immediate  action,  and  with  the  Argus-eyed 
Sditor  of  the  Vessel  in  thunder-toned  anpeals 
to  the  Strict  Baptist  churches,  an  army  of  Gospel 
moe  agents  will  be  called  to  march  forth  under 
the  banner  of  "Immannel."  The  signs  of  the 
times  indicate  the  most  signal  events,  and  call 
Ibr  yoor  powerful  pen,  that  the  greatest  atten- 
tion may  be  draum  to  a  Strict  Baptist  army,  and 
the  untold  resources  at  command  may  be  brought 
forth  for  the  most  formidable  operations  in  all 
diieetiona.  As  a  grand  memonaJ,  therefore,  for 
the  tmth  and  redoubled  future  efforts  by  the 
Strict  Baptist  churchea,  I  am,  dear  and  much- 
respected  Editor,  yours  in  the  best  of  bonds, 

A  Scotch  Baptist. 
(The  writer  of  the  above  is  not  a  member  at  the 
Snrr^  Tabemade;  but  he  is  an  impartial, 
amiest,  untiring  pleader  for  oeHbH  ca-cpemliM 


in  the  cause  of  God  and  Truth;  and  being  a 
gentleman  whose  lite  has  been  spent  in  go- 
vernment service,  he  has  had  immense  oppor- 
tunities of  learning  the  real  state  both  of  the 
church  and  of  the  world.    Had  he  the  i 


which  some  of  our  "  Loven  (?)  of  Truth  -(????) 
have,  he  would  not  allow  our  Baptist  cnapels 
to  be  handed  over  to  the  Arminians  and  anti- 
Ck>spel  people  as  is  now  so  extensively  tlie 
case.  But  we  have  been  sacrificed  at  the  shrine 
of  effort  to  advance  the  interesU  of  TBUTH, 
and  to  stem  the  torrent  of  genteel  and  flesh- 
pleasing  error  so  fiut  flowmg  in.  Our  rich 
men— our  wealthy  ones— who  espouse  the  true 
Gospel,  button  up  their  pockets,  hoard  up 
their  treasures,  and  practically  saj^,  if  means 
are  required  to  help  on  the  best  of  all  < 


let  some  other  people  find  them,  we  shall 
KOT.  We  have  cried  unto  the  Lord  day  and 
night  to  help  us  to  fill  the  world  as  mil  ot 
Gospel  Teuth  as  it  is  now  filled  with  old 
wives'  fable<«,  cold  philosophy,  and  the  logic  ot 
the  learned;  but  our  cnes  almost  seem  in 
vain;  our  efforts  have  resulted  in  injuring 
some  whom  we  would  not  have  injured  for  ail 
this  world.  The  sleek  and  sly  foxes  have 
laughed  in  their  sleeves;  some  of  the  men 
who  boast  of  their  zeal  for  God's  truth  have 
slaughtered  us  all  they  can;  we  have  almost 
sunk  in  despair,  and  now.  to  our  warm-hearted 
Scotch  Baptist  corresponoemt,  we  say,  '*a  burnt 
child  dreads  the  fire  i*'  but  go  you  on  agitating 
the  good  cause.  Try,  instrumentally,  to  set 
fire  to  the  covetous  and  cold  creedy  spirit  ot 
the  people.  Then,  not  till  then,  shall  we  liave 
hope.  We  have  no  fear  but  that  Mr.  Wells  will 
build  his  New  Tabernacle,  and  it  an  "Aux- 
iLiABY  Penny  per  Week  Subscbiption*' 
was  to  be  commenced,  and  carried  on  through- 
out the  whole  of  London  and  its  suburbs,  the 
Baptist  Assembly  Hall  might  be  erected  also 
beside  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle,  thereby  we 
should  tell  the  future  ages  that  the  love  ot 
Christ  did  indeed  constrain  us  to  work  as  well 
as  talk  Who  will  take  the  lead  in  an  enter- 
prise so  commendable  and  good  ?— En.} 

BAILWAT     BEFIiEOTIONS. 

South  Westebn,  Oct.  1,  1863. 
30KS  Ashwobth,  of  Boohdale  must  not  think 
he  has  all  the  glory  of  his  good  work ;  for  last 
evening  I  read  one  of  his  strange  tales,  headed, 
^  Niff  and  his  Dogs,"  to  a  company  of  friends 
who  met  at  the  weekl3'  meeting  holden  by  the 
ncMsters  and  men  of  the  firm  of ''^Mace  and  Son's 
Floorcloth  Works,  at  Old  Ford."  It  was  a  plea- 
sant meeting;  and  I  believe  the  circulation  and 
public  reading  of  John  Ashworth's  "strange 
tales,"  to  the  working-classes  especially,  with 
occasional  comments,  would  be  very  useful.  This 
morning  at  six,  I  left  my  home  and  family  for  a 
long  foumey  into  Somersetshire,  where  I  have 
promised,  God  helping,  to  preach  twice  this  day. 
It  is  a  lovely  autumnal  mom.  Nature  has  not 
yet  put  on  her  winter  attire.  The  com  has  been 
gathered  in,  the  ground  has  been  cleared,  the 
plough  has  turned  up  the  earth,  ready  again  to 
receive  the  seed.  The  meadows  and  tne  market 
saudens  look  sweet,  fresh,  and  fidl  of  vigour. 
The  oontinned  alternate  showers  and  stinsnine 
with  which  the  Almighty  has  this  year  fkvoured 
us  has  kept  all  vegetation  in  a  healthy  and  abun- 
dantly productive  state.  If  this  whole  nation 
doth  not  lift  up  public  thanksgiving  to  God,  and 
again  strive  her  utmost  to  help  the  poor  in  Lan- 
eashire  over  the  coming  winter,  it  will  speak  but 
poorly  for  England's  knowledge  of  her  depen- 
oenoe  on  the  good  hand  of  God,  and  of  her  re- 
cognition of  the  amazing  privileges  of  peace  and 
prosperity  which  have  been  preserved  and  con  • 
tinued  unto  her. 

I  am  travelling  to  a  harvest  thanksgiving  meet- 
ing this  day.  I  nope  ereiy  clergyman,  ana  eveo' 

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VHB  BABTKBH  VEflm* 


Nov.  S,  1868. 


minister  of  God's  word,  will  andeftvoixr  to  have 
one  day  with  bispoople  on  which  to  offer  thaoks 
to  our  neavenly  ^ther.  I  nmA  this  morning,  on 
starting,  the  sevonty-flfth  paalzn.  It  is  one  or  the 
blessed  Redeemer^  psalms.  In  that  pssim  He 
loc^s  at  and  speaks  of  two  things  most  (ipeQially. 

1.  The  destruction  of  all  the  horns  of  the  wicked. 

2.  The  exaltation  of  all  the  horns  of  the  righte- 
ons,  and  emphatically  says,  **  I  will  deelaie  for 
erer :  I  will  sing  praises  unto  the  Qod  of  Jacob." 
Tlie  one  sprinfls  out  of  the  other.  By  His  Gos- 
pel the  Great  High  Priest  of  our  profession  has 
begun,  and  continues,  to  declare  tne  deep  coun- 
sels of  His  Father's  will— the  perfection  of  His 
own  work— the  solvation  ot  His  own  people; 
and  as  His  truth  triumphs  orer  Satan's  dark  de- 
lusions—as  His  grace  gathers  out  the  vessels  of 
OMrcy  given  to  Him— as  His  churches  spread 
and  prosper,  and  as  His  redeemed  ones  go  nome 
to  their  prepared  mansions  of  glory,  so  doth  the 
glorious  covenant  Head  of  Zion,  with  all  the 
glorified,  break  out  in  celebrating  the  praises  of 
the  God  of  Jacob.  Oh  1  what  a  happy  place  that 
heaven  must  be.  Here,  go  where  yon  will,  read 
whatyou.will,  talk  to  whom  you  wiiL  it  is  almost 
all  about  sin,  sorrow,  death,  disappomtment,  and 
distress.    In  lieaven  it  will  not  be  so. 

There  is  a  great  contrast  between  the  appear- 
ance of  things  here,  in  these  southern  vaUeys, 
and  the  appearance  of  things  in  those  Lancashire 
towns  to  which  I  reibrred  last  month.  When  I 
walk  the  streets  of  Manchester,  I  think  of  the 
lady*8  saying  respecting  Hr.  Elven,  of  Bury.  He 
was  preaching  one  Sunday  evening  for  Mr. 
Spurgeou.  A  lady,  perceiving  that  her  pet  par- 
eon  was  not  in  the  pulpit,  fled  out,  and  at  the 
door  she  asked  the  policeman  what  minister  that 
waa  who  said  he  did  not  know  his  name. 
**  Well,"  said  her  ladyship,  "I  should  think  ho 
oares  too  much  tor  this  world  ever  to  think  of 
another  P' 

A  more  ui^ust  sentence  I  think  never  was 
nttcred ;  for,  albeit,  Cornelius  Elven,  of  Bnry,  is 
not  a  strict  oommunionist,  nor  is  he  what  some 
would  consider  a  hyper-Calvinist ;  yet.  he  cer- 
tainly Is  a  TCTy  devoted  man  of  God,  and,  I 
think,  a  spiritual,  successftil,  and  liappy  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ.  But  "Why  la  Manchester  like 
Cornelius  Elven  ?•»  Oh  1  it  is  not  like  him ;  but 
it  makes  me  thmk  of  that  which  the  lady  said  of 
him ;  for  really  the  Manchester  people  appear  to 
be  so  engrossed  with  worldly  bales,  bills,  and 


buildings  -so  eagerly  set  on  obtaining  the  oold 
of  the  world— that  they  cannot  give  much  ume 
to  the  promotion  of  the  GKwpef  kingdom,  and 


^  >  as  I  left  Manchester  last  Saturday  fortnight, 
I  said  to  myself  (and  all  by  myself  I  was),  »*If  I 
was  not  bound  to  London  by  many  sacred  ties, 
I  would,  God  helping  me,  oommence  the  preach> 
ing  of  the  Gospel  in  this  big.  Mack,  and  busUing 
town,  and  although  my  loving  Meads,  the 
Standard  men,  might  try  to  burn  me  up  anu  tiun 
me  out,  I  should  nothing  fear  them ;  but  should 
with  the  poet  sia«,~ 

"Oh  I  I  have  seen  the  day, 
When  with  a  single  word, 
God  helping  me  to  say, — 
'  My  taust  IB  iir  the  LObd/" 

and  trusting  in  Uhn,  I  should  nothing  fear. 
Why  John  Corbitt,  WilUam  Palmer,  Master 
Hanks,  the  Jew,  and  many  others,  never  made  a 
good  stand  in  Maachestsr  is  almost  a  mystsnr  to 
me.  Some  of  the  Manchester  people  oertainlT 
triad  to  eetabUsh  a  Gospel  choxoh  in  thatdty; 
but  they  felled.  Why  did  they  feil  P  I  atop  not 
^  BOW  to  answer ;  b»t  Oiis  is  oertain— if  the  Sphit 
of  the  living  God  would  constrain  a  man  to  go 
into  Manchester  with  those  three  <inali1leBtioDe 
revealed  to  John,  in  Bev.  xi.,  as  eharacteristio  of 
the  true  servants  of  Christ,— namely.  **  wJOMtfeB," 
**  olive  trees,"  and  "  candlesticks,*'— if  a  man 
eoiUd  go  into  Manehester  as  a  living  wittoeas  for 
God,  to  the  hidden  elect  of  God— witnessiBjf 


only  of  those  things  wbfah  he  himeelf  in  his 
own  soul  had  handled,  tasted,  and  felt— of  the 
good  word  of  God ;  and,  if  with  that  witnessins;, 
the  olive  oil  of  the  Spirit's  anointing  should  be 
constantly  flowing,  then,  like  a  candlestick 
should  he  stand,  not  seeUng  the  gold  nor  the 
gilded  applause  of  the  Manchester  men,  but 
truly,  simply,  snooesafnlly  seeking  the  welfera  of 
Zion,  in  the  proclamation  of  God^  Truth,  stand- 
ing indepenoent  of  masters  and  men,  he  should 
see  the  Kingdom  of  God  coming  with  spfritnal 
power  and  Gospel  gloiy  too. 

HB7WOOD 

Ain> 
ABBAHAM      HOWABB. 

On  Thursday,  September  10th,  IS63,  a  tea  meet- 
ing was  holden  in  the  Hall  at  Heywtxid.  After 
the  tea,  Mr.  Ashwortb,  a  respeetable  and  inteUi* 
gent  Christian  flanttoiaan  addressed  the  acetiBg : 
the  nunister,  Abiaham  Howard,  followed  hin^ 
and  gave  us  some  aooonnt  of  the  many  stones  of 
help  the  Lord  had  enabled  him  to  set  ups  writing 
Ebenszer  on  them,  how  the  Lord  had  delivered  him 
from  many  dark  temptations  and  had  led  him 
into  the  truth,  and  into  the  public  ministry  of  the 
word:  after  that  I  preached  to  them;  tne  hall 
was  lull ;  and  I  hope  God  honoured  us.  But,  oh  I 
poor  H^3rwood,  is  it  not  a  libel  upon  all  tfafS 
wealthy  and  truth-professing  citizens  of  the  nortli, 
that  taey  have  no  chapel  in  the  midst  of  that  isa- 
mense  mass  of  people— no  chapel  where  theglori> 
ous  gospel  of  the  graoe  of  God  may  be  preaobed^ 
The  Cborch  people  have  erected  a  new  and  a  noble 
building ;  the  sandv-lbuodation  people  have  built 
their  llew  Jerusalem  Temple ;  the  Methodista 
have  their  modest  places  of  wordiip;  but  the 
&ee-gTaoe  gospel  people  must  hire  a  Ball  or  a 
sdiool-room,  or  a  temperance  ezehange— tA«y  ecMi- 
not  have  a  house  for  God.  Oh,  ye  rich  Lancaater- 
ians,  is  not  this  jour  disgnoe?  Do  ye  not  hoard 
up  your  thousands  ?  Bo  ye  not  build  your  maar 
sicms  ?  Do  ye  not  furnish  and  fit  up  your  libraries 
—your  drawing  rooms-  your  green-houses,  and 
your  halls  in  splendour ;  out  your  covenant  God 
must  be  worshipped  in  a  tent  hardly  fit  to  drink 
a  cup  of  tea  in— and  your  Popish  parsons  have 
such  precious  narrow  spula,  and  are  so  awfully 
jealous  withal— that  they  would  rather  hinder 
than  help  in  the  erection  of  Tabernacles  where 
otlier  ministera  beside  themselves  might  pieaeh 
the  lovely  name  of  Jesus. 

Salisbuzj,  Oct.  1st,  IMS. 

Here  ia  another  hive  of  human  bdnga,  and  of 
souls  immortal— but  fer  Christ's  go^  there 
seenaino  room.  To  auppoee  Gkxl  has  no  spiiitBM 
children  here  weald  be  daring  presumption ;  hot 
are  hidden,  fearfUf  and  it  may  be  fer  i        ^ 


Iliave  sooMthinff  moie  to  ny  of  the  North--«if 
Bury,  AeoringteBflbc.,  but  not  now. 
THB   JfUTUKB  BCABIVE8TATI0K' 

JE8T78  OHBIST 
is  a  subjeet  on  mymind.  Let  me  write  a  word  or 
two  on  that  whitdi  the  Bible  plainly  tellv  me  ie 
yet  to  come.  At  the  top  of  the  S4th  of  Isaiah  is 
wTttten  tills  sentenoe,  **GoD  avxsvsth  HA 
Ohuboh  :  **  at  the  top  of  the  SSth  (l^  very  next 
ehapter)  is  written  this  sentence,  '*tbx  jo77VL 
STATE  or  CarsisT'a  Kaf^nou.**  What  a  dillhr^ 
enoe  between  the  two  t  The  fint  deecribea  "^els 
Oajf  of  mnfeemee ;**  the  aeoond  describes,  *'the 
goar  of  tke  Lar^s  rtjonmd.'* 

Ik  maom  or  tbssb  two  chaptsbs^  my 
reader.  fTAKDs  tbt  vortiov  P 

In  tiie  first  ehapter,  it  isaaid,  •*  the  awond  of  the 
Lord  is  filled  with  blood'*— in  the  seoond  Ufa 
said  **the  ranoomed  of  the  Lord  shall  nMwn 
and  oome  to  Sion  with  songs,  and  ever* 
lasting  Joy' shall  be  upon  their  lieads;thevshaU 
obtain  Joy  and  gladnesa,  and  sqrow  and  nghing 
Shan  fiee  away. 


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THK  EARTHBK  YBSSEL. 


269 


t  ask,  When  ssalx.  this  be  so?  John  says 
it  will  not  bo  until  tho  mvcnth  aogel  haa  sonnded, 
then  the  time  win  come,  the  time  to  which  the 
present  dispensation  is  leading  ua.  Think  of  three 

I.  The  Scripture  terma  by  which  the  time  ie 
described. 

II.  The  works  to  be  done  in  this  time. 

III.  The  Mighty  and  M^estio  Person  by  whom 
all  is  to  be  done. 

I.  The  Time  ituelf  is  called  the  "  third  woe,"  also 
•♦the  time  of  the  dead  when  they  shall  bejudffe<l" 
Jesus  Christ  speaks  uttt  in  this  wuy—lHiiiahlxiii 
—the  prophet  asks  W(lO  IT  IS  ?  Jesus  answers, 
**I  that  speak  in  righteousness— MIGHTY  TO 
SAVE !"  This  prophet  Isaiah  liad  been  accus- 
tomed to  see  Uim  as  a  SAVIOUR.  Is^aiah  liad 
seen  Hiqi 'Med  as  a  lamb  unto  the  slanghter;" 
he  hod  seen  that  the  Lord  Iiad  made  to  meet  on 
Him  the  iniquities  of  us  all  ;'*  he  had  seen  that 
"it  pleased  the  Lowl  to  bruise  Him ;  to  put  Him 
to  grief,  and  to  make  His  soul  an  offering  for 
sin.^  The  prophet  Isaiali  hod  heard  the  voice 
from  hearen  proclauning.  •  Behold,  my  servant 
whom  I  upluMd;  mine  elect  in  whom  my  soul 
delighteth ;  He  shall  not  break  a  bruised  reed ; 
He  shall  not  quench  the  smoking  flax ;  He  shall 
be  a  hiding  place  from  the  storm ;  a  covert  from 
the  tempest ;  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  Rock  in  a 
w«ary  land.'*  All  this  of  Him,  AS  A  Satiovb, 
laaiatli  hae  Been. 

Bat  BOW,  as  a  blood-stained  warrior,  he  beholds 
Mm,  and  he  tremblingly  asks,  "Wherefore  art 
thou  red  in  thine  apparel,  and  thy  garments  like 
him  that  treadeth  in  the  winefatr' 

Ah !  Isaiah  had  not  seen  Him  like  this  before. 
Ministers  now-a-daya  do  not  see  Uim  in  this 
character;  but  let  them  listen  to  His  answer:  '•  I 
have  trodden  the  wine- press  alone;  and  of  the 
people  .there  was  none  with  me,  for  the  dat  of 
VBSGEANCB  ia  in  mine  heart,  and  the  year  of 
MT  kEDBEXaD  Is  oome.'* 

Mark  the  dtstinetion — Chritft's  enemies  will 
liare  TRBta  day— their  time  of  judgment.  Chrfst 
will  make  an  end  ot  all  who  wilfully  and 
wickedly,  and  to  the  end,  pei*secnte<l  him  and  his 

x>ple;  but  hi«  redeemed  shall  have  their  year. 

Oh  I  how  precioua  seems  that  sentence— ^Hhe 


TKAR  of  my  redeemed  is  ooMe." 

Ah  I    not  vet;  ZT  is  TO  oome  I    The  "teab" 
is  aymbolioarof  all  the  beauties  and  blessings  of 
the  higher  and  holier  state.    In  that  year  triere 
will  be  a  sPBiirGiifO  ikto  life.    That  dreadful 
qufivtion  will  then  be  answered— 
**  Lord,  aad  shall  we  ever  lie 
At  this  poor  dying  rate  ? 
Our  love  to  Thee  so  faint,  so  cold, 
And  thine  to  as  so  great." 
yo— "the  morning  without  clouds"  will  come; 
and  then  oar  sprine time  will  come;  eternal  life 
shall  then  be  lonnd  and  known,  as  in  this  djMng 
state  it  never  can. 

Bummer  time  will  be  in  that  j-ear,  too.  There 
we  shall  grow  up  into  a  likeness  with  Him. 
God's  predestination  of  us  to  Christ's  image  will 
then  be  fulfilled.  Antumn,  too  will  then  give 
w  a  HBaVENLY  RIPENESS;  and  as  the 
hanrestman  mthers  np  his  sheaves,  so  shall  all 
the  seed  of  JTacob  then  possess  their  j^ssessions; 
and  as  winter  is  expremve  of  best,  so  in  tliat  year 
shall  our  rest  be  glorious,  and  cur  salvation 
aura. 

There  are  two  other  titles  given  to  the  time  I 
am  referring  to— see  Rev.  xix— "  the  supper  of  the 
great  Ood  (when  He  will  in  a  way  of  judgment 
eat  ap  the  ungodly  advennry)jand  **  the  marriage 
toirper  of  the  Lamb :"  when  He  will  present  the 
chnreh  unto  Himself. 

II.  The  work  to  be  done  is  summed  up  in  ibw 
words  in  Revelation— "The  beast  and  the  fiUse 
prophet  were  taken,  and  were  cast  alive  Into  a 
Take  of  lire  huming  with  brfanstone. 

The  beast  is  anti-Christ ;  the  fUse  prophet  is 
the  theeiver^  who  fbr  a  time  lives  under  Christ's 
banner :  their  end  ia  dreadful. 


III.  The  Person  who  will  thu-«  come;  and  thus 
work,  John  saw  on  a  white  horM?.  Of  Hini  I 
write  presently. 

[I  have  been  to  Sherborne,  where  dear  Minifle 
once  nui*sed  the  Church  ©f  G(k1  ;  but  he  is  ^one.— 
I  have  thought  of  William  Bidder,  G<5orge 
Kellaway,  William  Daj%  and  others  who  in  these 
parts  I  onoc  well  knew— where  are  thej^now  ? 

BOTHEBHITHB.  —  Betrlebem  Cita- 
pel,  CmxA  Hall  Gate.  The  fourth  anni- 
versary of  the  opening  of  this  pretty,  convenient, 
and  well-aiTanged  place  of  worship  was  helil  on 
Sunday,  October  11th,  when  three  sermons  were 

g reached:  mornincf  and  afternoon  by  Mr.  J. 
[illnKUi,  of  GtiildVord;  in  the  evening  by  the 
pastor,  Mr.  J.  Butterfield.  &ood  congrepitiona 
attended  each  of  the  services.  On  the  f'>jTowing 
Tuesday,  in  the  afternoon,  a  sermon  was  preached 
by  Mr.  MyersK^n,  of  Hackney.  Tea  was  provided, 
at  which  a  goodly  number  sat  down.  The  pub^ 
lie  meeting  commenced  with  singing,  and  the 
choir  was  occupied  by  Mr.  James  Btitterfleld,  the 
minister,  who  called  upon  Mr.  William  Webb  to 
implore  the  Divine  blessing.  The  chairman,  in 
his  opeuins  address,  stated  ne  nhould  not  nuake  a 
long  speecli,  as  the  secretary  would  do  tliat,  or 
rather  would  read  his  report  of  the  i)ast  year's 
proceediDgs.  Mr.  Hibbs,  deacon  and  sccretaiy, 
then  read  a  well- written  report.  It  stated  the 
last  year  had  been  a  very  pr(»si)erons  one  with 
them.  They  had  to  thank  Ood  for  the  improved 
health  of  their  minister,  who  was  made  very  use- 
ful in  that  neighbourhood,  both  in  the  chapel 
and  out«ide.  The  place  was  well  filled  on  Sun- 
days; the  prayer  meetings  were  well  attended; 
anH  a  spirit  of  eamestnesH  pen-aded  them.  The 
open  air  meetings  had  been  largely  blessed  (and 
here  the  report  gave  two  or  three  wonderful  casea 
of  saving  grace  as  manifested  in  some  through 
the  instrumentality  of  open  air  services).  They 
had  also  praver  meetings  at  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing; a  gooa  Sunday-school  and  Tract  SocietT 
also  were  in  working  order.  Their's  was  a  tlark 
neighbourhood ;  and  it  was  neoes?nry  and  re- 
quisite for  them  to  use  all  the  means  in  their 
power  for  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel.  The 
report  then  gave  the  cash  aooonnt,  which  showed 
due  to  the  treasurer  £fl  leJs  9d.  The  reix^rt  also 
spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  minister,  Mr.  But- 
terfield. and  stated  that  he  had  resigned  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  the  building  fund,  which  office 
had  been  accepted  by  the  gentleman  who  read 
the  report.  Mr.  Butterfield  then  said  it  was  a 
great  thing  to  have  such  a  report  read,  beoaiiHe  it 
said  many  things  which  it  would  have  been  im- 
possible for  him  as  their  minister  to  have  said. 
The  gentleman  who  read  the  report  had  been  a 
good  churehwardcn  for  seventeen  years,  and  now 
he  made  a  really  good  Baptist  minister's  warden. 
They  generally  had  gooa  congreguti<mj«,  some- 
times full,  sometimes  more  than  full,e<«i>ecia11y 
when  there  were  collections  at  neighbouring 
chapels.  They  had  but  five  collections  in  a  year, 
and  they  found  that  the  weekly  offering  was  a 
ffood  sjstera.  It  was  a  fact  that  on  collection 
days  people  would  nm  away;  and  he  held  that 
it  was  the  business  of  ever}"  minister  to  expose 
such  conduct.  Lately  he  had  called  at  one  of  bit 
friends,  and  they  had  been  to  a  chax>el  not  one 
hundr^  miles  from  there,  and  it  was  nearly 
empty.  He  asked,  "What  had  been  the  matter? 
Had  there  been  a  division  ?  for  that  was  generally 
tne  first  question  that  came  to  a  minister's  mind 
in  these  days."  **ao!"  was  the  reply;  "there 
had  been  no  division."  "Well, what  h.ad  been 
the  matter!"  "O,  sir,  it  was  collection  day!'* 
Such  was  a  fact  It  was  painful ;  they  escaped 
all  this,  or  nearly  so.  The  subject  for  the  even- 
ing was  Ezekiers  Prephec}'-,  first  chapter.  Mr, 
Alderson  gave  an  Intelligeut  address  upon  the 
"  Whirlwind,"  making  many  original  remarks, 
which  it  wouM  have  been  well  if  it  had  been 
heard  by  every  student  in  theolog>'  in  the  world. 


270 


THS  EABTHEN   VE88SL. 


Bov.  9,  iBes. 


Mr.  Anderton  delivered  a  ffood  address  upon  the 
*'  Creatures."  Mr.  J.  E.  CrBOknell  was  to  liare 
spoken  upon  "Their  Feet;**  but  nuMt  Judiciously 
remarked  it  was  too  late  in  the  evening  to  oom- 
menoe  a  speech.  He  oeitaialy  was  verv  pleased 
with  the  appearance  of  the  chapel.  He  nad  never 
aeen  such  a  pulpit  in  a  Strict  Baptist  chapel ;  he 
admired  it;  indeed,  the  place  altogether  was 
beautiful.  Ho  wished  them  Ood  speed.  Mr. 
Flack  had  to  speak  upon  *' Their  Wings;"  but 
as  time  had  gone  he  only  mentioned  the  needs  of 
a  speech  he  would  have  made  had  time  per- 
mitted. Mr.  Hillman,  of  Guildford,  spoke  upon 
"The  Wheels."  The  other  subjects  were  "The 
Firmament,"  by  Mr.  C.  Merrett,  and  the  **  Man 
on  the  Throne,"  bv  Mr.  Myerson.  One  of  the 
members  of  the  enurch  moved  a  vote  of  thanks 
be  given  to  their  esteemed  minister  fur  the  time 
he  had  served  the  office  of  treasurer  to  the  build- 
ing fund.  The  vote  was  recorded  by  our  brother 
Ronuing,  one  of  the  deacons  and  friend  of  the 
church,  who  has  stood  bv  it  in  its  seasons  of  dis- 
tress, and  has  pro\'ed  nimself  a  friend  to  the 
cause  when  many  have  looked  upon  it  with 
doubt  and  suspicion.  The  people  at  Botherhithe 
have  worked  very  hard  indeed,  and  certainly 
the3'  have  a  model  of  a  chapel  as  their  reward. 
We  wish  them  c%-ery  success. 

BTE  liANB,  PEOKHAM. 

The  new  Sunday-school  building,  in  connection 
with  Mr.  Moyle*s  chapel  at  Peckhani.  being  com- 
pleted, was  opened  on  Tuesday,  October  6th, 
with  a  tea  and  public  meeting.  The  evening 
meeting  was  held  in  tlie  unfinished  chapel,  where 
temporary  seats  and  platform  were  provided  for 
the  occasion.  Alderman  Abbiss  occupied  the 
chair,  and  save  some  excellent  advice  to  teachers, 
which  we  nad  purposed  giving  our  readers;  but 
OS  llr.  Congreve's  address  gave  full  particulars 
of  the  cause  here,  we  give  way  to  nuike  room  for 
it,  reserving  our  remarks  on  the  building  till  we 
report  the  opening  of  the  chapeL    Mr.  Congrevc 

**  Mr.  Chairman  and  Dear  Christian  Friends,^ 
As  secretary  of  our  Church  and  Building  Com- 
mittee, allow  me  to  give  you  our  most  cordial 
welcome,  and  to  express  our  great  pleasure  m 
meeting 3'ou  here,  I  rise  to  telT  you  very  briefly 
in  the  first  place,  whf  t  we  have  done,  Ood  nelping ; 
in  the  next  place,  what  we  want  to  do—and  what 
we  will  do— God  helping,  pay  all  that  we  shall 
owe.  I  will  not  occupy  your  time  and  that  of 
these  excellent  ministers  around  me,  bv  going 
over  ground  I  have  gone  over  before.  1  would 
simply  refer  you  to  the  printed  circular  which 
most  of  you  have  seen,  that  has  been  distributed 
widely.  You  will  perceive  by  that  circular  that 
after  much  anxious  negotiation  the  terms  for 
the  sale  of  our  old  Chapel  were  agreed  upon— the 
amount  £3,270.  But  uthough  tnose  terms  were 
agreed  upon  in  March,  the  purchase  money  has 
not  yet  come  into  our  hands.  It  is  at  present 
locked  up  in  that  beautiful  banking  house  that  the 
lawyers  love  so  well,  (as  it  brings  so  man3'  fees) 
the  Court  of  Chancery— aimpl3'  in  consequence 
of  an  omission  in  our  original  trust  deed,  which, 
while  it  gave  our  trustees  power  to  mortgage, 
gave  them  no  power  to  sell ;  the  consequence  of 
which  has  been  that  the  railwav  company,  for 
their  own  security,  have  paid  tne  money  into 
court,  and  we  have  to  get  it  out  again  the  best 
way  we  can.  The  expense  of  that,  hoirever,  will 
fall  upon  themselves;  and  there  being  no  ques- 
tion of  dispute,  we  hope  for  a  speedy  settlement. 
But  the  old  proverb  says,  while  the  grass  grows 
the  animal  starves;  and  though  we  have  not  been 
starved  f  we  shall  never  starve  with  so  good  an 
under-snepherd),  we  must  have  been  houseless 
.  for  another  3'ear,  had  not  some  of  us  been  so  cir- 
cumstanced, by  the  providence  of  God,  to  be  able 
to  furnish  money  for  these  works  to  proceed  to 
theamoont  already  of  £i;80a  Our  tmstees  blamed 


us  for  going  on  till  we  had  got  the  monev  actually 
,  paid  over;  but  I  have  that  faith  to  believe  that 
I  all  will  be  well.  The  land  has  cost  us,  with  the 
conveyancing  expensea,  a  little  over  £000.  It  is 
considered  by  all  to  have  been  an  excellent  pur- 
chase. The  position  is  more  commanding  and 
central,  and  we  have  nearly  double  the  frontage 
of  our  old.  It  is  larger  and  more  convenient  for 
our  school.  As  the  railway  progresses,  land 
rises  in  value  almost  every  aay ;  and  since  our 
purchase  Sir  Claude  de  Crespigny  is  asking  a 
!  ground  rent  tor  the  adjoining  land  double  the 
price  of  tliis.  The  chadll  I  need  not  tell  you 
,  (for  although  unfinished  you  ma3- judge  what  it 
!  will  be),  in  style  and  accommodation,  is  ver>' 
superior  to  the  old.  Great  credit  is  due  to  our 
I  architect,  Mr.  BUmd,  and  the  building  com- 
mittee I  think  must  have  their  share.  We  have 
devoted  a  great  deal  of  time  and  thought  to  the 
arrangements,  wandering  about  to  other  chapels 
to  see  what  ideas  we  could  pick  up  here  and  there. 
That  ceiling,  for  example,  came  from  Bond-street 
chapel,  Brighton.  I  calculate  the  chapel  will 
contain  one  hundred  more  persons  than  the  old. 
The  contract  for  this  was  £1,784;  but  concrete 
for  the  foundations,  and  extra  additions  and  fur- 
nishing will  probabl>'  make  it  cost  £200  more, 
or  liUle  short  of  £3,000.  It  is  to  be  finished  by 
November  1st,  and  probabl3''  will  be  opened  in  a 
fortnight  after ;  but  due  notice  will  be  ^ven. 
The  bishop's  palace  (the  pastor's  house)  will  be 
larger  than  the  old  one,  and  be  a  permanent  ad- 
dition of  value  to  the  cause.  The  house  we  have 
sold  was  worth  about  £400  to  £430.  The  oon- 
,  tract  for  this  is  £380,  full  £150  more.  We  were 
obliged  to  build  it  corresponding  to  the  adjoin- 
ing house.  I  am  sure  we  all  hope  our  good  bi- 
j  shop  will  there  spend  many,  many  happy  >''ears. 
And  now  the  school  whicn  i»  opened  to-day. 
The  contract  for  the  building  was  £340 ;  extras 
and  furniture  will  make  it  £360.  We  have  a  neat 
and  comfoi  table  building,  capable  of  acoommo- 
datinff  150  children.  Long  have  we  wanted  a 
building  such  as  that ;  the  inconvenience  and  ob- 
jections to  a  school  held  in  the  chapel  are  vei^' 
great.  For  many,  many  years,  the  school  was 
held  in  the  old  chapel;  there  many  thousand 
children  have  been  taught  the  word  of  God ;  many 
ha\'e  been  savingly  impressed ;  many  have  become 
teachers ;  many  have  Joined  the  church ;  some 
have  gone  to  glor^'.  Ma3'  the  blessing  of  the  God 
of  I&nel  rest  upon  us  still.  And  now,  dear 
friends,  I  will  tell  you  briefly  what  we  want  to 
do :  we  want  to  pay  for  what  we  have  done  for 
you  and  for  the  cause  of  God.  New  trustees 
nave  been  appointed;  we  want  to  transfer  the 
property  Into  their  hands  free  from  debt.  Ac- 
cording to  our  best  calculation,  the  total  expend- 
iture will  exceed  the  railway  compensation 
money  b3'  £450.  Our  former  circular  presumed 
£360 ;  but  during  the  progress  of  the  works,  the 
I  committee  have  seen  it  necessary,  with  our  archi- 
tect's approval,  to  incur  extras  in  various  ways 
I  for  the  general  comfort  and  convenience :  we 
I  have  thought,  ^*  What  we  are  doing  now  wc  are 
doing  for  many  years  to  come:  let  us  do  it 
well.*^  Therefore  I  think  you  will  not  blame 
us ;  and,  after  all,  had  we  remained  in  the  old 
chapel,  we  must  have  built  a  school,  and  we 
must  naxe  had  a  gallery,  and  we  must  have 
done  other  things  too.  which  would  have  come 
to  all  this  £150.  We  nave  got  from  the  railwaj' 
a  better  site  of  land,  a  larger  house,  and  a  better 
chapel  too ;  we  could  not  expect  tnem  to  build 
us  a  school,  or  to  erect  a  galler3'  for  the  children, 
and  this  is  what  we  want  the  money  for.  We 
have  raised  hitherto  the  sum  of  £81  28.  I  trust 
we  shall  realise  a  large  amount  this  evening. 
Our  people  are  not  wealthy  in  general— far  from 
it;  but  if  ever  a  people  worked  well,  it  is  the 
friends  of  Rye  Lane.  In  conclusion,  I  would  say 
I  believe  it  has  been  the  earnest  prayer  of  nu- 
nister,  deacons,  building  committee,  and  congre- 
gatloD  that  God  woulo  guide  our  steps,  and  I 


Digitized  by 


Google 


NOF.  3,  IMB. 


THJE  EABTHBN   VE88SL. 


271 


believe  to   that  He  baa  hitherto  answered  our 
pniyenL 

In  the  ooone  of  the  evening,  the  children  oon- 
neetod  with  the  school  brought  in  their  collect- 


When  the  books  were  issued  to  the  children, 
they  were  told  that  at  the  opening,  tea  woold  bo 
given  them,  and  that  Aldennan  Abbiss  would  in 
the  evening  receive  what  they  had  gathered. 
This  was  carried  out  to  the  letter ;  each  child,  as 
its  name  was  called,  came  on  the  platform,  and 
the  Aldennan  received  firom  them  their  moneys, 
and  thanked  them  for  their  exertions.  The 
amoont  thoa  brought  by  the  children  alone 
amounted  to  £21  Ms.,  and  the  total  collected  to- 
wards the  school  during  the  evening  amounted  to 
£96  8b.  6d. ;  b^ond  this,  there  is  some  £6  profit 
on  the  tea,  which  was  gratuitously  supplied  by 
the  ladies,  and  served  in  the  school,  which  was 
tastelhlly  and  elegantly  decorated. 

JOHN  AKDBBWS  JOKES. 

Spicial  services  were  holden  in  Jireh  chapel, 
Sast-road,  City-road,  on  Tuesday.  October  13th, 
the  ch^set  being  to  recognise  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord  in  sparing  the  venerable  pastor  of  the 
church  meeting  there  to  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-four  years,  fifty-four  of  which  have  been 
spent  in  endeavourinc  toprodaim  the  everlast- 
ing €k>spel.  Most  of  the  Vessel  readers  are  well 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Jones,  and  know  he  has  been 
unflinching  in  his  defence  of  truth  both  by  his 
pen  and  m  the  pulpit;  and  although  *< years 
gather  fkst  upon  his  brow,"  still  he  gave  proof 
at  these  services  that  for  the  defence  of  the  Gos- 
pd  he  was  as  determined  and  as  bold  as  ever; 
and  we  had  an  intimation  that  should  necessity 
call  for  it,  **the  old  stump  of  his  pen*'  might  yet 
once  more  be  brought  into  action  against  some 
who  are defkmers  of  the  pure  Gospel.  Mr.  Jones 
has,  in  the  course  of  his  lengthened  ministry, 
given  to  the  churches  some  excellent  works. 
**Bnnhill  Memorials^  being  amongst  the  most 
interesting  of  his  productions.  In  the  afternoon 
of  the  day,  Mr.  Foreman  preached  an  important 
sermon  from  Oeot  vii.  9,  on  the  I^thfulness  of 
Ood.  Then  upwards  of  300  took  tea  with  the  venenb> 
ble  pastor ;  and  at  the  evening  meeting  the  chapel 
was  closely  packed  in  every  comer,  and  we  believe 
that  some  could  not  get  in  at  all.  Mr.  Jones 
presided,  and  we  had  the  question  which  ap- 
peared in  last  month's  Vessel  answered,—"  Who 
and  what  was  Andrew  Fuller?"  The  chairman 
read  some  extracts  showing  what  really  Andrew 
Fuller  held  as  to  doctrine;  but  as  this  matter  is 
likdy  to  come  before  our  readers  in  another 
form,  we  here  leave  it  by  saying  that  Fullerism, 
Arminianism,  and  duty  fiuth  were  analysed  by 
the  chairman,  and  shown  to  beamongst  the  most 
delusive  errors  of  the  day.  Bfr.  Jones  then  re- 
vievrad  the  doctrines  he  nad  maintained  and  de- 
fended, anddedared  that  the  nearer  he  came  to 
the  end  of  his  Journey,  the  clearer  and  dearer 
thoeo  views  became  to  him.     Mr.  Fells,   of 


the  Lord's  will,  they  might  yet  meet  anin'to 
oommemoimto  another  birth-day.  Mr.  Milner 
neoEt  spoke,  and  after  showing  the  necessity  of 
adhering  flrmlvand  unflinchingly  to  the  great 
and  eawntial  oootrines  of  the  Gospel,  gave  his 
xvaacna  for  not  supporting  a  sooety  recently 
fonned  in  London :  to  be  right  in  the  ordinances 
waa  good ;  but  he  waa  not  one  who  would  care 
to  work  with  men  who  were  right  in  the  ob- 
aervanoe  of  the  ordinances,  but  as  unsound  in 
doctrine  aa  it  was  possible  to  be.  With  such  men 
heooold  have  no  heart  union;  and  often  sacri* 
ileea  were  made,  and  it  was  the  men  of  truth  who 
had  to  make  them.  Mr.  John  Foreman  followed. 
He  was  glad  to  find  his  brother  Jones  so  full  of 


mental  vigour.  He  (Mr.  Foreman)  was  now 
seventy- three ;  he  had  just  been  into  Dorsetshire - 
had  tmvelled  400  nules  in  four  days,  and 
preached  four  sermons,  which  was  certainly  not 
being  idle  for  a  man  of  his  shears.  Geoxve  Webb 
came  next,  and  right  cheerfhlly  for  a  few  mo- 
ments did  our  young  warm-hearted  brother  ring 
the  Gtospel  bells.  Mr.  Hawkins  (son-in-law  of 
Mr.  Jones^,  expressed  his  thankmlness  in  see- 
ing his  aged  parent  still  spared  to  them,  and  in 
such  excellent  health.  Mr.  Wise  opened  and  Mr. 
Ponsford  closed  the  meeting  with  prayer.  1  hege 
were  several  other  ministers  and  brethren  pre- 
sent, amongst^  them  we  noticed  Mr.  Combs  (son 


_..  late  George  Combs),    Mr.   Minton,  Mr. 
Jackman,  Mr.   Holmes,  Mr.  Garrett,   Mr.  Od- 

r.  Edwards,  and  "'    "" "        "^ 

we  think  I 


ling,  Mr.  Bdwards.  i 
getner,  we  think  Mr. 
fully  for  the  laroe  number  of  friends  wHb  ga- 


Mr.  Edgecombe.    Alto- 
Jones  must  have  felt  grate- 


thered  around  him  on  this  his  eighty-fourth 
year,  and  manifested  such  a  lively  interest  in  his 
wel&re.  The  reader  will  be  interested  in  the  in- 
formation that  for  eighty-four  years  this  church 
lias  been  under  the  pa^rate  of  two  ministers 
only— viz.,  Mr.  Thomas  Powell,  and  Mr.  Thomas 
Jones;  both  of  them  seeing  eye  to  eye  even  to  an 
hair*s  breadth  in  Gospel  truth  and  Bcriptural 
church-order.  Mr.  Powell  oommenoed  his  mi- 
nistry in  Fetter^lane  chapel  on  September  27th, 
1779,  which  was  thirteen  days  before  Mr.  Jones 
was  bom.  His  first  text  was  Psalm  xxxiv.  15. 
The  writer  has  now  before  him  a  manuscript  of 
many  pages  in  the  handwriting  of  Mr.  Powell, 
containing  the  dates  and  texts  of  all  the  ser- 
mons he  preached,  from  September  1779,  to 
December,  1818,  which  is  more  than  39  years. 
Mr.  Powell  himself  has  numbered  them,  and 
they  amount  to  4618  sermons.  Mr.  Powell  went 
to  nis  rest  November  18th,  1829,  in  the  Slst  year 
of  his  age.  In  the  church  book  it  is  written, 
"  The  church  deplore  his  loss"  while  it  is  con- 
soling to  know  that  the  same  precious  truths  he 
preached  to  others  were  the  support  and  comfort 
of  his  own  soul ."         

FLYMOTTTH.  —  At  Howe-street,  the  fifth 
anniversary  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  F.  Collins  was 
held  Tuesday,  October  Idtn.  In  the  afternoon,  a 
meeting  for  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  when  Mr. 
Vaughan,  of  Mount  Zion,  Devonport.  gave  a 
spiritual  and  edifying  address  to  the  friends  as- 
sembled, during  whiw  he  exprrased  his  growing 
esteem  for  both  the  minister  and  his  people.  At 
half-past  five,  the  friends  partook  of  tea,  which 
was  very  comfortably  served ;  and  at  seven  a 

gublic  meeting  was  held.  Prayer  was  presented 
y  brother  F<x>t,  under  the  manifiest  anointing 
of  the  Holy  Ghost;  brother  Westaway  gave  a 
suitable  address,  in  which  he  explsined  the 
meaning  of  the  services  as  being  a  recognition  of 
the  Lord's  mercy  and  goodness  to  His  church  in 
sending  and  snnaining  among  them  His  servant, 
Mr.  Collins,  whom  the  Lord  nad  made  to  them  a 
truthful,  fUthful,  and  affectionate  pastor,  for 
which  they  felt  it  was  right  to  acknowledge  the 
Lord's  goodness  and  praise  His  name;  for  while 
with  many  it  was  invitation,  ordination,  and  se- 
paration in  rapid  succession,  the  Lord  had  sus- 
tained them  the  past  five  yesrs  in  love  and  pesce. 
He  closed  his  remarks  with  the  usual  appropriate 
expression  of  the  people's  gratoftd  feelings  to  the 
Lord  for  his  goodness  unto  them  by  asking  Mr. 
Collins  to  accept  a  purse  containing  a  sum  of 
£16  7s..  This  was  a  larger  amount  than  at  any 
previous  anniversary.  Mr.  Collins,  in  a  few  ob- 
servationa,  acknowledged  the  great  goodness  of 
the  Lord  unto  him  in  the  seasonable  manner  in 
whioh  His  people  had  expressed  their  affection 
to  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and  the  blessing  con- 
ferred in  his  being  privileged  to  live  in  the  affeo- 
tiona  of  His  quidcened,  xedeemed,  and  everlast- 
ingly-loved people— a  people  that  practically 
lovea  the  Go^wl,  and  whonu  he  believed,  would, 
if  called  theroUvsufler  affliction  or  even  death 
by  the  grMe  of  God,nther  than  oom] 


Digitized  by 


»m^roaiiseor 

Googk 


272 


TJU  BABTHEH  YEBAKL. 


Vov.  3,  IMt. 


|iiT«  up  the  prooioitt  truth  aa  it  m  in  Chxiat  in 
tt^  naiUatine  and  oampromiana  nge ;  obaetviag 
that  dttrini^  the  five  yean  he  had  been  with  them^ 
the  Lord  had  given  peace;  there  had  not  been  a 
jar  between  either  hun  and  the  comnegation,  or 
his  beloved  brethren  the  deaeons.  Mr.  £iiiat,  of 
Oomptoo-stoeet,  followed  with  an  address  replete 
with  practical  and  exeellent  remarks.  Mr.  West- 
lake,  Tate  of  Devonport,  spoke  from  a  tail  heart 
tbe  loving-kiiidiiesaes  of  the  Lord,  whieh  inter- 
estinfc  address  he  closed  b^  reading  some  wpro- 
TP^te  lines  apon  the  subieot  oomposed  by  nim- 
self.  Mr.  Cudlilfe,  of  Stoke,  gave  an  earnest  and 
affectionate  address,  with  some  rich  things  of  the 
rich  love  of  God  as  being  the  sonroe  of  salvation. 
Mr.  Hill  addressed  the  maethig;,  and  after  siog- 
ifig  the  hymn«  **  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesirs 
"  &C.,  oar  brother  Bobert  Hardens  closed 
irayer.  Thus  ended  the  services  of  this  in- 
ng  day  for  recognising  in  a  poMic  manner 
tbe  Lord's  mercies  to  us. 

THE  OSDSB  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCH 

AT 

OOI<ESAIirS,  IB1SI«AKI>.  —  To  thk 

Editor  of  thr  Eabthsv  Vessel.  Deab  Sir,— 
The  account  of  the  order  of  the  Baptist  church  at  l 
Ooleraine,  gJTen  in  the  September  number  of  the 
Earthen  vessel,  p.  324,  has  caused  some  con- 
fusion and  misunderstandmg  among  vour  readers. 
With  3'our  kind  permission,  I  willm  a  sentence 
or  two  unravel  tnc  whole  ravBtBry.  In  the  fr»t 
place,  Mr.  Medhurst  says,  **  Any  person  reading 
this  note  would  \-%Ty  naturally  conclude  that  the 
writer  was  describing  what  is  at  the  present  time 
the  order  of  the  church.**  Now,  Mr.  Medhurst 
is  quite  right  here.  The  general  impression 
would  be  niat  the  occurrence  took  place  Uut 
Augvsty  which  I  know  was  not  the  case.  7a  the 
second plaee^  Mr.  Medhurst  say&  "The  writer  fs 
describing  not  what  is  now  the  order  of  the 
ehurch,  but  what  he  saw  on  a  particular  datyjlve 

Sara  ago^  on  Lord's-day,  Augast  29th,  18W.*' 
ere  Mr.  Medhurst  is  undoybudiy  wrong;  for  I 
can  prove  that  the  writer  died  on  Augast  6th. 
1856,  and,  eonsequenUy,  could  not  describe  what 
took  place  two  years  after  his  death.  Whete  did 
Kr.  Medhurst  receive  his  infomitttiQB?  Be  ad- 
mits the  truth  of  the  atateuMit^  and  writes  as  if 
ha  knew  all  about  it;  but,  in  eonreofcing  others, 
he  only  displays  his  ignocanee  of  the  wbde 
matter.  In  (Jks  (Airdjrfase,  the  Momuit  given  in 
tlie  Eabthbh  TaSBiL  is  an  «xtinet  from  a  letter 
of  the  late  Rev.  W.  Oroaer,  seevetaxy  of  t^e  Baq^ 
tist  Irish  Booiety,  addreissd  to  the  oommSttee, 
and  reeoided  in  the  "  Baptist  Magazine  for  ISCa,** 
p.  MS.  These  paitioolars  ougfit  to  have  been 
stated  hi  the  EABTOBir  VBasBi.,  and  thns  the 
whole  Biisunderstaaduig  would  hav« 
avoided.  In  tke/omrth  pkue,  aa  to  " 
fill  statemento  made  m.  Dr.  Bell's 
tioBs  onps^^  114  and  188  of  YntEL,  to  whieh 
Mr.  Medhurst  retars,  I  bag  to  assure  yim.  that 
Mr.  Medhurst  is  <|iiito  incapable  of  baaitog  «vi- 
denoe  oa  the  subieot,  for  he  was  only  two  jeais 
ia  Ooleraine,  aaa,  I  believ«,  knows  little  or  no- 
thing of  the  history  of  that  ohureh.  Theblundar 
whiSi  he  makes  alxKit  the  <yiteof  Mr.  Oreaer's 
visit  to  Colersiae  prot^es  that  he  ia  not  oompeteat 
to  bear  evidence  Mn  any  sul^lect,  and  ha  knows 
wall  that  this  is  not  tte  ilrst  time  that  I  h«r»  bnl 
<K)casian  publidy  to  eomet  him  on  wntia's  of 
tMt,  as  not  longer  aince  than  Jmlm  Imt,  he  aadaa 
piiUie  apology  in  leieraoce  to  a  Mter  of  mineia 
the  **PrimiUve  Cbmch  Mafaciaa  for  IMA,'*  p. 
ISO.  But  as  soon  aa  the  tkmtk  at  Cblawansaa* 
pUeitly  denies  the  statements  made  in  icfiBMaeL 
to  them  (p.  138),  I  hereby  pladge  myself  to  pro- 
4uee  evidenee  of  their  Iftefal  aooamor  in  eswy 
psrtieular.  In  juttioe  to  Dr.  BcU.  I  hav»  eiary 
eonfldeace  that  vou  will  Uisot  ^is  latter  in  the 
next  number  of  the  BAnraBV  Tasntr.  Taars 
My,  JAinsa  M^Doxald.  Dramkirk,  Bally- 
gxdney^Irehuid.    Oetober  ath,  1808. 


TBLDHAX,  B8SB3L— A  New  Partienlar 
Baptist  chapel  was  opened  here  Tuesday,  Oet. 
18th,  1868.  The  plaoe  of  worship  has  been  ob- 
tahied  on  a  learn  for  tsa  years,  rsnt  free.  The  use 
is  for  Mr.  Beaeock,  late  of  Sible  Hedingham, 
who  has  been  preaching  with  great  sueeess  to 

^         inenaeing  congregations.    The  Mm.  G.  Pang,  of 

Mr.  West-  |  Olemafoi^.  pseacbed  ia  the  mocaing  from  Heb. 

iv.  14.    The  High  Priesthood  of  Jesns  was  dwelt 

on  by  the  spesher  with  satisfiMtioa  and  profit  to 
those  that  listeaed.  In  theaftomoon^the  Bar.S. 
Cozens,  of  London,  preaohedfrom  Ps.  sxiic,  part 
of  ver.  9:  **Ai»d  in  Bis  temple  doth  eveiy  one 
speak  of  His  glsry.*'  The  sal^iM  i»*  listened  to 
with  interest  and   pleasuse.    Mr.  C.  deliversd 


his  subject  hi  a  scbolasticinteUeetaal,  and  «  . 
mental  way.  We  obserrad  the  tears  flowing 
down  the  frees  of  some  ot  UssUalenmgmaltitndek 
Tea  was  waU  snppUed.  In  the  avaaang,  a  pabUa 
meetiag  was  held.  The  plaoe  was  literally 
'     ICr.  Beaeack  took  the  dhaar;  in  a 


grave  and  satisfrotoiy  manner  ststed  his  modvaia 
*  ■        o  Yefdi 


Irst  coming  to  Yefdham;  how  the  Lord  had 
opened  the  way,  and  blessed  the  word  to  two  and 
thme  huadcea  assembled  on  the  green  ia  tha 
open  air  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath.  Bxniesaioas 
of  deep  ailbction  have  been  manifosted  in  this 
dark  village^  This  is  the  only  Dissenting  pbMS 
we  have.  Here  is  a  good  opening  for  die  aina- 
plioity  of  Christ's  QoapeL  will  say  of  the  lovan 
of  sovereign  tmth  lend  a  hekriag  hand  in  tha 
support  sod  progress  of  this  mfant  eaaser 
The  people  are  generally  poor,  bat  thay  hava 
manifested  a  gooa  teeliag  by  their  eontribtttioo^ 
which  have  amounted  to  about  £10;  the  total 
expense  in  fitting  up  the  pJaos  will  be  about  £8&. 
Mr.  Beaoook  is  mghly  reipected  fior  his  exeellenf 
character,  the  solidity  and  flrmaess  of  hia 
ministiy,  the  powerfulness  of  his  voioe,  sad  the 
pl^asaatoessofhiadeUveiy.  We  beliare  the  seed 
sown  will  one  day  apaear  to  the  glory  of  the 
Lord:  we  hope  his  Ul»  will  be  long  spared  to 
exhibit  the  Person  and  gkiiy  of  Jesus  m  the  ssl- 
ratioa  of  his  people.  Mr.  Powell,  of  CqgflersfaaU; 
Mr.Pung,  of  Gleraeford  t  Mr.  Kavan  aad  lu.  Smith, 
of  Ualst^deU^-ered  excellent  addresses.  Kewer 
such  a  day  was  known  at  Taldham ;  a  houae  of 
prayer  for  God's  poor  and  needy  ispronded :  thesa 
la  an  opening  for  a  fiahbath  sobsoL  bat  oar  means 
are  ao  oontnnDtad.  Biethrea,  will  you  help  vmf 
Jaxes  Smith,  Jamsb  Dusbavt,  Teldham. 

im  jyUBIJO.— Akotheb  Littlb  aAannr, 
AMD  Olp  Bobbbt  MAKTor.— Dear  Bdltor.— 
Oa  Monday,  Sept^  7th,  1888,  a  Gospel  Baclens 
(ss  good  Wtllism  Flack  called  it),  was  formed  at 
Bnfleld  Highway,  tha  origin  of  whioh  ia  aa 
follows:— &vcn  years  ago,  on  the  Tth  day  of  tha 
7th  month,  the  Lord  in  His  wise  and  aaenteg 
PMfvideBoe  ceased  one  of  His  followars  to  pitoh 
his  tent  at  Bafleld,  which  you  see  Is  spdt  with 
sevea  letters;  bat  he  eoald  find  ao  plass  ot 
truth  ia  all  that  Isrge  nariab.  Th«re  wasa  dear 
old  man  of  Gad-.4he  late  Bobert  Mailin,  ot 
Bpfiag  Long  Gsaen,  who  frad  travelled 
of  miks  to  nreach  the  Oespel,  speaJ 
room;  bnt  illness  psiimited  even  tha 


That  good  old 


plaos  for  his  tmth  here. 


waoldmy /'Godwin 
I  lore  the  Hi( 


spsaUag  ia  a 
that  tegnlar. 
'  rill  rsise  a 
Highway. 
wM  twios  bom  ttera  I  hava  phmted  aad 
wateiad.  OhttaitGod  woaldaiaetfasiaenawr 
He  wasa  Huatinglaaian j  bat  his  dean 
hamid,  were Bsptisto.  Ia  1887.  aaott 
a  young  maa,  esme  into  tUs  aelghboaihoad,  i 
a  room  waa  opened  <sse  X.  v.  for  Bcpteasbai^ 
1867);  there  the  Huberts,  old  and  yoong,  saoka 
forthe  honoor  aad  glory  of  thair  iKMdT  Ifanr 
hoaoorable  efnamstsacss  were  eoaneetsd  with 
thoBS  maetinas.  Fron  some  onkaowa  eauaethe 
nwstiag  waa  dosed.  In  1880,  a  brother  apsnad 
hia  hoase  at  Chase  aide;  hat  tha  Lord  seen  took 
Um  to  the  hoose  not  made  wMh  hands  <fl«e 
B.  ¥.  for  Dseember,  1880).  A  frer  friends  tlan 
took  a  housa,  hi  Bskor-strest,  and  asBed  it 


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Nov.  2,  1863. 


THE  EABTHEN '  VESSEL. 


273 


Ebkkxzeb  :  but  it  did  not  continue.  On  Sept.  i 
7th.  1861,  Mr.  W.  Flack  presided  at  a  happy  meet- 
ing, speaking  from  these  words :  **  Arisis,  0  Lord, 
enter  thj'rest ;  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength." 
The  close  of  the  \*e«r  closed  that  also.  In  uay. 
1868,  a  brother  offered  his  parlour  for  Sunday  and 
Wednesday  erenings.  Nine  or  ten  met  for  pnuse 
and  praj-er;  they  relt  constrained  to  take  and  fit 
up  a  room  for  public  worship;  it  succeeded;  it 
was  publicly  opened  on  Monday,  Sept.  7tli. 
Chareh  folk.  Catholics,  MethodistsiMornouites. 
Wesleyans,  and  Indepeodeats  in  Enfield,  with 
Baptists,  make  seven  distinot  sects.  At  our  open- 
ing meeting,  there  w«re  of  the  friends  themselves 
pneeot  seven  baptized  beljefors,  and  seven 
speakers ;  but  who  tb^  were,  or  what  they  said, 
I  must  leave  till  my  next.  It  was  a  happy  day— 
a  day  that  the  great  day  will  only  fully  explain. 
John  STftiOKBrr,  fieoretaiy. 

''GATHEBIKa   TBB  OHTJBOB 

TOOBTKEB." 

Osx  itlea  has  oocupied  my  mind  more  than  any- 
thing this  morning ;  it  is,  "  Thx  Yai.ue  or  ihb 
Ghttach  or  Christ;^  or,  rather  the  very  high 
estimation  in  which  the  Ohureh  of  Christ  is 
holden  by  every  person  in  the  glorious  Trinit>'. 
Xhis  high  value,  or  estimation  in  which  the 
cburdi  IS  holdeiu  nsay  be  seen  b  v  an  enlightened 
mind,  if  there  be  a  oonaideration  of  the  many 
wuiema  given  out  of  this  church,  both  in  Old  and 
Kew  Testament  times.  Th^  are  numerous, 
varied,  and  exceedingly  and  beautifully  instructive 
and  oomfortini^ 

Koft  only  the  patttnu  of  her  existeaoe,  but  eon- 
aider  also  the  many  ghrimt$prmitiutt  made  to  her, 
ia  which  you  may  see  h«iw  entirely  and  eternally 
Goo  hath,  as  it  were,  laid  Himselt  out,  and  made 
Himaelfover  unto  the  churoh,  that  she  might  be 
mied  with  aU  the  fulness  of  Ood,  and  inh^t  His 
gfoiy-kinfdom  lor  ever  nod  ever.  That  one  text 
of  Faul*s  in  Bomans  viii.  83,  is  more  thana  matoh 
for  rae,  and  f»r  millioBS  beside  me:  *'St  tkmi 
9p»^  HOI  His  owx  SON,  ftiU  dtlmtrmi  Bim  ^/ar 
UB  mU,  kom  tkaU  a  not  with  Bim  ffdM  mm  im  oU 
(lk«y«r  In  givuigOHBIST  to  the  church,  sad 
for  the  chorah,  Ooo  hath  given  herall  things 
which  can,  m  any  wissL  tend  to  her  hnlinwia, 
her  happiness,  her  perfeetioaL  and  her  bliss. 

The  ImtrmtimPn^tikwim  or  the  ehureh's  iktaee 

Slory  are  also  declarative  of  the  largeneas  of 
BHOVAH'8  love  to  her ;  and  if  anything  more  was 
wanting,  we  might  try  to  enumerate 

TS«  Prao%ikm»  which  tlM  LoBD  has  made  for 
the  benefit  and  blessedness  of  the  whole  elecdoD  of 


A  hasty  glance  at  the  patterns,  the  promises,  the 
propheoea,  and  the  nrovisions  will,  Ood  helping, 
give  us  a  fair  view  of  the  eharacter  and  oonoition 
of  the  church  of  our  Lord  and  Savieur  Jssvs 
Chxist. 
The  JutaUM  of  the  floney  TebMOAole. 

I.  Tkk  FATRSHa.— The  Bftde  is  foil  of  them. 
Take  the  Tabernade  first  When  John  Church 
opened  the  original  **  Surrey  THbemade,**  which 
was  Monday  momlng,  October  8rd,  1814  (and  as 
the  fird  of  October,  18M,  will  be  the 
JVBiune  of  that  event,  I  hope  that  on  that  day, 
the  new  Surrey  Tabernade  will  be  either  opened, 
or  that  the  comer  stone  be  Udd ;  or,  at  least, 
that  some  grand  demonstmtion-soine  Jvbiz>bx 
Fkbtttal— should  on  that  day  be  holdoi,  not 
only  in  conuaemoration  of  the  first  risfauf  up  of 
the  Surver  Tabernacle;  bat  also  gmtetuliy  to 
oeknowledge  the  goodness  of  God  m  preserving 
and  prosperiuff  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  in  that 
i»laee  Itor  firily  %i^  i«ara. 

"  Why  shouM  the  kindness  He  has  WTOoglit, 

Be  loet  la  olleeoe,  and  forgot  r) 

W«1L  JolmCharsli  aaid,  when  be  pi«aoh«l  the 

nijjBaing  sernaon  of  ths  first  tBrreT  Tafcsraack, 

*  It  is  very  remarkable  that  the  Holy  Gliost,  \j 


Moses,  gives  us  the  account  of  the  creation  in 
otit  chapter;  but  he  fills  nearly  sixty  chapters  in 
giving  an  account  of  the  (typical)  Tabernacle, 
tie  relates  the  wonders  of  creatiou  as  being  uccom- 
plished  In  six  days;  whereas  Moses  was  forty 
days  in  the  Uonnt  with  Q-od,  receiving  the  plan 
of  the  X&bemacle." 

The  New  Ohiueh  at  Plaistov, 

These  I  call  load  hints,  expressing  the  intensity 
and  fulness  of  the  miod  of  jeuovad  toward  His 
church  and  people.  But  the  review  of  the 
precious  patterns,  promises,  prophecies,  and  pro- 
visions, given  and  secured  to  Zion,  I  cannot  now 
write  out.  They  were  slightly  touched  upon  at 
the  formation  of  a  Christian  church  at  Zion 
chapel,  PUistow.on  Wednesday,  Oct.  14th.  1863: 
on  that  day,  Mr.  J,  Inward,  of  Zoar  chapel. 
Poplar,  preached  a  sermon  as  purely  Gospel  as  I 
ever  heard.  His  text  was,  **  For  other  foundation 
can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  whidi  is  Jssrs 
Christ."  I  was  much  comforted  in  heariug  a 
brother  so  dear,  original,  savoury,  and  affec- 
tionately dedded. 

A  large  company  had  tea ;  the  place  was  more 
than  crowded,  in  the  evening,  I  read  for  my 
text  Acts  xiv.  S7 :  ^  And  when  they  were  oome, 
and  had  gathered  the  church  together,  they  re- 
hearsed ul  that  €h>d  Iuk!  done  with  them,  and 
how  he  had  opened  the  door  of  faith  unto  the 
Ghsotiles.**  A  number  of  members  were  then 
formally  united  together  in  church  fellowship; 
and  Mr.  William  Palmer,  of  Bromley-bv-Bow, 
will  minister  unto  them  the  word  of  truth ;  his 
labonis  having  been  instrumental  in  l^'inging 
Uietn  together,  and  others  will  be  shortly  added 
unto  them.  We  hope  Zion  ehanel,  Plaistow,  will 
soon  be  much  too  small,  and  that  the  minister, 
W.  Palmer;  the deaoon,  John  Stammers,  and  alt 
the  friends  will  work  on  in  harmony  and  pros- 
perity: so  prays  their  old  friend         0.  W.  B. 

BBADINQ.— Pbovidence  Chapel.  The 
cause  of  tmth  here  was  favoured  with  a  truly 
profitable  and  eneonraging  meeting  on  Mond^ 
evening,  October  5th,  the  object  of  which  was  to 
give  a  public  acknonrledgment  of  gratitude  to 
Ghod  tor  the  recent  bountifhl  harvest  After  « 
very  happy  tea  meeting  and  ptmr,  and  praiee 
being  omnvd,  Mr.  Purwj',  one  oTthe  deacons,  in 
a  br^speedi,  introduced  to  the  meeting  Mr.  H. 
Strickett,  late  of  Bartford,  who  presided,  and 
opened  the  evening's  proceedings  with  a  warm 
and  earnest  Mldvess  on  the  han«st  viewed  in  a 
threefold  sense.  1st  A  proof  of  the  long  suffer- 
ing and  goodnoBS  of  Ood.  Sndly .  A  gradous  Ail- 
fllment  ot  His  promise ;  and.  Srdly,  an  event  to 
remind  of  the  approach  of  the  great  han'est, 
when  the  wheat  snail  be  gathered  into  the  gamer 
and  the  tares  burnt  with  nnqueDehoble  fire.  The 
bsethrsD  VyasL  Hntt»  and  Fox  thea  gave  the 
nseftil  and  peootteal  addresses,  dwdling 


by  the  alng^iir  of*  iiy»B  eompoaed  for  the  c 
sfoo,  and  also  «  pieoe  «f  ooered  mnoio  by  the 
ehoir.  Mmy  escpvessieiM  were  given  by  the 
friends  of  tkalr  eq^ojosent  and  pvofit,  and  a 
fleneral  hope  was  entertaiaed  that  it  wtmld  eat- 
erdeeabeneOeial  iBfioeoee  upon  the  ohwch,  the 
fMts  of  which  would  be  manifest  in  fiitore  days. 
A  8vBxn.ar«. 

OIJ>  VOBD.-On  Wednesday,  Oct.  Tth, 
the  mastnw  and  the  men  of  the  Floer  Cloth 
Wotfes,  belonging  to  that  Ivmowabie  and  losw 
eelablished  ftom,  the  Messn.  Maoe,  held  a  ssom! 
meeting  C^to  gKe  «xmI  receive  inotruelteB  for 
their  etanal  welfore^).  A  large  ooaapasy  toek 
Mt.< 


fesn.  At  tiM  pnblie  meeUuft  Mt. 
presided,  wim,  with  •••  ^  tiM  workmen,  ex- 
pressed the  good  reealting  from  their  moniiag 
and  weekly  meetings  for  prayer.    Ifx^  W«  Mooe 

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THE   EARTHSN   VESSEL. 


Nov.  a,  186S. 


read  a  Psalm,  and  aasisted  in  oondoeting  the  ; 
evenixig'8  Bervioe.  The  cleravnuui  of  St  Stephen's 
church  gave  a  practical  address ;  and  the  audi- 
ence listened  patiently  to  some  varied  speakinff 
from  the  lips  of  Messrs,  Williamson,  Joseph 
Flory,  J.  Harrison,  C.  W.  Banks,  ftc.  We  seri- 
ously hope  that  these  happy  minglings  of  minds, 
and  these  many  oommumoations.  may  be  fol- 
lowed with  good  results  to  many  who  have  rattier 
despised,  than  desired  the  privileges  of  the  Oospel. 
The  parable  of  the  marriage  which  "a  certain 
king  made  for  his  son,**  has  a  loud  voice  in  this 
dispeosation.  Who  will  sive  us  a  sound  expo- 
sition of  Matthew  xzii.9:  "Go  ye,  therefore, 
into  the  highway,  and  as  many  as  ye  shall  find, 
bid  to  the  marriage."  We  sometimes  fear  the 
Gospels,  recording  tne  real  sayings  of  the  Saviour, 
are  too  much  neglected  by  some  of  lu. 

OliAPHAK.— On  September  SOth,  we  held 
our  harvest  thanksgiving  services  at  Ebenezer 
chapel.  At  half-past  two  we  met  for  praj'er  and 
praise,  and  at  a  quarter  past  three  Mr.  Wells 
preadied  an  iostructive  sermon  from  Psalm  Ixv. 
18.  An  excellent  tea  was  provided  at  five,  and  at 
half-past  six  a  public  meeting  waa  held.  Mr. 
Pocock  was  called  to  the  chair,  who,  in  his  open- 
ing address,  alluded  very  feelingly  and  appro- 
priately to  the  special  object  for  wnich  we  were 
met,  and  showed  how  much  cause  we  had  for 
gratitude ;  for  it  had  been  a  season  of  almost  un- 

Sreoedented  goodness.  He  read  several  extracts 
1  support  of  his  assertions  and  said  that  he 
hoped  that  we  should  give  suitable  expressions  of 
our  gratitude.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  our 
brethren  Mr.  Wyard,  Ponsford,  Attwood,  and 
BalL  Our  brother,  Mr.  Dearsly,  offered  prayer. 
The  meeting  in  every  respect  was  a  most  ex- 
cellent one,  and  the  collections  amounted  to  X16. 
Again  we  heartily  thank  our  God  and  our 
friends.  H.  Hall. 

GLEMSFOBD.—The  fourth  anniversary  of 
the  new  Baptist  chapel  waa  holden  on  Sept.  32nd. 
Mr.  Thomas  Poock,  of  Ipswich,  preached  the 
sermons,  and  made  deep  impressions  upon  his 
audience  by  the  solemn  and  wholesome  truths 
advanced.  The  people  were  ediAed,  encouraged, 
established.  About  300  took  tea :  the  chapel  waa 
rendered  pretty  and  pleasant  by  the  flowers  and 
good  words  exhibited,  and  being  filled  with  peo- 
ple, and  a  happy  persuasion  of  the  Divine  mer<^, 
the  day  will  be  remembered  gratefully.  Our 
valued  ministerial  brother  WorTow  cheered  our 
hearts;  and  pastor  Kemp,  and  others  of  the  royal 
household,  helped  to  swell  the  noble  song,— 
"  And  crown  our  Jesus  Lord  of  all?' 

HAYBS.~Mr.  Alfred  Peet  preached  here  in 
the  Independent  chapel  on  Wednesday,  Oct.  10th. 
The  Lora  was  with  us;  many  were  blessed  in 
their  aonls.  On  the  following  Thursday,  a  special 
service  was  held  in  Strict  Baptist  chapel.  Mr. 
Alfred  Peet  preached  to  a  large  and  attentive  oon- 
gregation;  sevend  friends  from  Uxbridge  were 
present,  and  many  that  heard  him  on  Wednesday 
night;  also  Mr.  Xowdon,  Baptist  minister;  and 
two  independent  miniatera  enoouraged  ns  by 
their  presence.  We  pray  God  to  bless  the  preach- 
ing of  brother  Peet.  He  promised  to  preach  for 
ua  again  when  we  re-open  chapel  and  our  school- 
I  are  built 


powerful  preacher,  having  been  brought  out 
from  the  ehurch  of  Rome;  and  having  passed 
through  the  ranks  of  the  Plymouth  BreUiren, 
the  Free-will  Baptists,  and  others  into  the  know- 
ledge and  liberty  of  the  truth,  we  hope  he  is  de- 
signed of  God  to  become  a  man  of  much  use  in 
the  churches  in  this  day  of  great  effort  and  little 
power. 

STEPNET.  —  Com  AduUam^  OUL  JRoa^— 
August  39th,  our  Baptistry  waa  opened  for  the  im- 
mersion of  two  females.  On  the  evening  of 
Sept.  SOth,  four  more  were  baptized  by  our 
pastor,  Mr.  Webster,  in  the  presence  of  a  nu- 
merous and  attentive  congregatiun :  two  of  these 
were  males  and  two  fimuues,  who  with  the 
parents  of  one  of  the  candidates,  were  admitted 
into  the  church  on  the  following  Lord's-day : 
among  them  were  the  first  fruits  of  our  Sunday 
school. 

liAXFIBLD,    8UFF0I«K.— Lord'8-day, 

August  9th,  our  pastor,  Mr.  B.  C.  Bears  wa^  again 
fiftvoured  to  enter  the  biqitisnial  pool  to  immerse 
three  believers ;  also  two  on  Lord's-day,  Oct  11th. 


TEOVTlt.— October  3nd,  186S.'-Barvett  ser- 
vices were  holden  yesterday  at  South  Chard,  in 
the  stony  and  ridify  varied  county  of  Somerset- 
shire. The  day  was  wet;  no  great  multitude 
Sthered ;  but  David  OresswelL  the  minister,  read 
e  hjrmns.  Mr.  Walters,  the  pastor  of  the 
Chard  church,  read  the  word  of  •God,  and  prayed 
to  God,  and  two  sermons  were  pieaohed  by  C.  W. 
Banks,  of  London.  We  hear  that  Davia  Cress- 
well  is  likely  to  leave  Chard.    Heisayoongaad 


£oU0  anti  (!|turit0. 

New  Oaoae  In  Vaiizhall.~To  the  Esi- 

TOB  OF  TRB    EABTHEV    YESSBX..— DBAB    SIB,— 

Having  been  in  the  London  City  Mission  more 
than  five  years,  I  was  dismissed  about  six 
months  ago  for  preaching  in  a  public  place  of 
worship,  viz.,  J.  Foreman's,  Hill-street;  Zion, 
Deptford;  Carmel,  Woolwich,  ftc,  &a  Since 
that  time,  I  have  been  supplying  various  pulpits 
every  Lord's  day ;  but  not  finding  any  cause  of 
trutn  within  haff  an  hour's  walk,  it  is  my  de- 
sire to  endeavour  to  raise  one,  if  a  suitable  place 
can  be  found  for  such  a  purpose.  Can  any  of 
your  readers  point  one  out,  and  are  there  any 
lovers  of  our  precious  Bedeemer  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood willing  to  assist?  If  so,  will  they 
write  to  yours  in  covenant  love,  Gbobob  Hbab- 
B0N.6,  New  Bridge-street,  Yanxhall,  S.— [There  is 
a  wide  sphere  stretching  in  all  directions  from 
Yauxhall.  We  hope  Mr.  Hearson  may  have 
three  essential  blessings:  God's  true  guidance, 
the  great  High  Priest's  blesshig,  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit*s  constant  dew.—BD.] 


IBtat^. 


DxKD.  lately,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
three.  Mm.  BBETE8.  the  widow  of  Mr.  John 
Bee%*ea,  fiuiner,  formerly  of  Gammon's  Ttam, 
about  three  miles  from  Ludgershall,  Wilts.  She 
was  baptized  and  admittra  a  member  of  the 
church  at  that  place  in  the  year  1816,  and  her 
end,  trom  the  giadual  decay  of  nature,  waa  peace- 
tal :  for  she  haid  long  reposed  upon  the  blood  of 
the  everlasting  covenant  When  the  writer  (then 
an  Independent  minister)  liad  to  leave  his  fur- 
nished house  belonging  to  the  chapel,  in  conse- 
quence of  being  baptized,  ahe  recei\'ea  him,  his 
wife,  and  children  into  her  home,  and  lie  re- 
mained there  till  he  found  another,  and  another 
place  of  worship  in  the  place.  In  a  striking  way, 
some  years  after,  God  made  him  signally  the 
means  of  great  benefit  to  her  husband  and  her 
two  sons,  as  well  as  herself.  The  Saviour  remem- 
bers those  for  good  who  shew  their  love  to  Him 
and  His  suffering  servants.  J.  B.  W. 

Leighton  Buzzard,  October.  1863. 

Mr.  William  Salmov,  of  449,  Oxford-street» 
W.C,  died  on  Sunday,  October  17th,  1863,  in  his 
seventy-fifth  year. 

Mabbisd,  on  the  10th  Oct,  at  Trini^  Chapel, 
Borough,  Mr.  Bwnro  (successor  to  Mr.  Bpurgeon 
aa  pastor  at  Waterbeaofa,  Cambridgeshire),  to 
LiBBT,  the  youngest  danghter  of  Mr.  William 
Hawkins,  mtnister  of  Trinity,  and  granddaughter 
of  the  veneraUe  J.  A.  Jones. 


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I>M.1.18«. 


THB  SABTHBN  yS«8BL« 


27« 


ITS  RESIDENCE,    PROPERTIES^    SUBJECTS,    AND  POWER. 
BY  MB.    GEOBGE  HUBBELL^ 

PASTOB    or   TBS    BAPTIST    CKirBCH,    ST.    KWVfB,    HUIfTZVODOirBBlBI.* 
**  rOB  THB  LOTS  OF  OSBIBT  OOHSTBAIBBTH  I7&*'— S  OOT.  ▼.  14. 


Iv  tiie  word  **  ooBitnined/'  there  appears 
something  like  foree,  something  like  power, 
beoaoseit  appears  oppotedto  unrestraint,  the 
opposite  to  free-wilL  Now,  there  is  a  force, 
there  is  a  power  pat  forth  in  the  salration  of 
•vsrr  saved  man ;  a  power  that  constrains 
the  heart,  the  intelligence,  inwardW  making 
the  man  willing  in  Uie  day  of  (ioas  power. 
Ths  thought  hM  jnst  dropped  into  my  mind 
of  a  man,  a  minister  in  the  oonntiy,  idio  is 
very  fkiendly,  bnt  qmte  of  low  sentiment. 
When  he  need  to  come  to  our  town  to  preach 
at  the  Independent  Chapel,  he  would  make 
me  a  visit.  On  one  occasion  he  said, 
"MniTeU,  yon  hypers  lay  great  stress  on 
the  word  "  sbaUi  be  wimnff,"  referrinff  to 
the  patsage,^*'  My  people  shall  be  wiUing 
in  the  day  of  My  poirer."  ''  Now/'  said 
he,  *'  do  yon  know  tne  word  tkall  is  not  in 
the  origmal ;  it  is  supplied."  "  Well,  my 
friend,"  I  replied,  ''take  the  word,  we  can 
do  without  It:  *My  people  willing  in  the 
day  of  My  power.*  '*  I  enquired,  *'  Do  you 
atjpawir  is  not  in  the  oriffittal ?  *'  "No, 
]io»'^  said  he,  **  that  truly  is  m  the  original." 
Well,  my  brother,  that  will  do ;  power  shall 
hriitf  the  rebel  down ;  power  shall  raise  the 
dead  to  life ;  power  shall  chase  away  dark- 
BMS,  power  shall  triumph  over  sin.  This 
power  then  is  put  forth  in  the  mind  of  evezy 
man  that  is  saved,  and  it  centres  in  the  love 
of  Christ;  not  only  does  it  draw,  but  its 
power  constraineth  the  subject  on  whom  it 

Just  look  at  the  power  there  is  in  music. 
A  man  that  has  an  ear  for  harmony  of 
Mond,  is  morally  taken  captive  bv  its 
eharms;  its  power  holds  the  ear,  and  keepe 
the  man  listening  patientlv  to  the  sonn<u. 
Iliere  is  also  power  in  beauty ;  beauty 
strikes  the  mind,  and  holds  the  eye  captive, 
exerting  a  power  that  has  been  known  to 
take  possession  of  the  man's  heart  In  the 
loie  of  Ood  there  is  a  force,  but  yet  it  is 
not  such  a  power,  such  a  force  that  possesses 
a  man  against  his  inclination ;  but  love 
ooBouers  the  sinner.  It  is  a  power  that 
teaenes  man,  a  power  that  holds  him ;  it  is 
a  power  that  captivates  him ;  it  is  a  power 


•  rkeeehed  at  the  ■aaivexeiiry  of  80I10  Chapel, 
Oxiord  -" — ' 


Vou  XIX.~No.  22a. 


that  has  harmony  in  its  sound;  it  has 
the  power  of  beauty;  its  power  is  seen  in  a 
risen  Christ,  and  in  the  plan  of  salvation. 
Oh  I  if  this  power  be  not  exerted  in  yon, 
poor  sinner,  you  will  never  be  bronaht  to 
take  delight  in  the  harmony  of  the  ^jspel, 
or  in  the  good  wavs  of  the  God  of  heaven. 

The  love  of  Christ,  then,  so  to  speak, 
seises  the  conscience;  it  is  a  power  that 
takes  the  poor  sinner  captive,  influencing 
the  heart  heavenward. 

From  the  text,  I  will  try  and  glance  at 
the  following  thoughts ;  first,  the  retidenee 
of  this  love ;  Christ  is  the  subject  of  it ;  it 
is  the  love  of  Christ.  Seoondlv,  I  will 
look  a  little,  as  the  Lord  may  help  me,  at 
some  of  the  properiiea  of  this  lov^ ;  there 
are  certain  qualities  in  the  love  of  Christ. 
Thirdly,  I  will  try  and  glance  at  the 
$uH^€cU  of  this  love ;  on  whom  it  falls ;  to 
whom  it  belongs.  Liistly>itsjioi0er,foritis 
constraining  love.  "The  love  of  Christ 
constraineth  us.*' 

let.  Now,  dear  friends,  the  love  that  looks 
upon  us  in  all  our  deformity,  in  our  sinM 
state ;  that  love  that  looks  upon  us  in  our 
ruin,  pollution,  and  death  has  its  BnsmmroB 
and  centres  in  Christ  Jesus.  So,  then,  it  is 
not  common  love,  it  is  very  uncommon  love, 
because  it  is  the  love  of  a  peculiar  person. 
Sometimes  we  have  attachments  among  our 
friends,  which  attachments  often  vary  ac- 
cording to  circumstances.  I  dare  say  if 
our  Queen  should  grant  us  some  pledge  of 
peculiar  affection,  we  should  esteem  it  more 
than  the  affection  of  a  common  person. 
But  the  love  of  Christ  is  extraordinary :  its 
residence  is  in  Him ;  its  fulness  is  throu^ 
Him ;  and  by  Him  we  are  blessed,  and 
brought  safely  to  heaven.  You  cannot 
properly  conceive  the  love  of  God,  only  in 
connection  with  Christ.  "God  is  love;" 
but  if  you  try  out  of  the  infinity  of  His 
essence,  you  can  know  nothing  of  God's 
saving  love ;  you  can  only  know  it  as  yon 
view  It  embodied  in  the  person  of  Grod's 
dear  Son.  The  loye  of  God  which  is  in 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  is  a  vast  ocean ;  not 
a  mere  rirulet;  it  is  a  river — not  a  river 
only— but  the  ocean  of  love.  Here  we  have 
the  love  of  the  EnajrAL  Tbbbi,  the  Fa- 
ther, Son,  and  Spirit—all  embodied  an^ 


sre 


TH«  BAStBIN  VKMSL. 


Ij60<  if  W684 


summed  up  in  the  sacred  person  of  Jesos 
Christ  our  Lord. 

DoesGodlore  70a,  poor  sinner?  If  He  does, 
He  neyer  did  apart  m>m  Christ  Dees  Qod 
loTe  yonr  poor  sonl  ?  That  lore  must  \>e  in 
the  person  of  the  dear  Saviour ;  He  is  the 
flrtMam.  that  is  tKVerfloisiug ;  the  foun- 
tain, that  is  inexhaustible ;  tl^  sea,  without  a 
brim,  bottom,  or  shore.  The  apostle  prared 
for  the  Oentile  ohnieh,  Ihat  tbmy  mig^t 
know  the  loTe  of  (}od,  not  apart  mm 
Christ,  but  the  l9tetif  CM  in  Chriit  J^sos 
our  Lord.  Belieyer,  I  am  not  telling  you 
what  yaa  ^  not  know,  I  presume ;  out 
•one  ttdttgs  yen  do  \wm  jovl  like  to  hear 
f^Maled.  The  lov«  of  jow  heavenly  Fin- 
Hieris  a  matter  thai  wffl  bettrrspesting  in  all 
Hb  ^owdleSB  ftdness,  in  Its  unalterable 
tetdness,  in  all  its  embraeini^  poMrer,  in  all 
it»  fei|giv«nefls,  in  all  its  ptffi^.  This  love 
has  its  residfloee  ht  Christ,  and  is  shed  on  the 
Ohmreh  of  God  throu^  the  person  of  Gkxl's 
bsioved  Son.  In  Him  are  oenti«d  all  our 
mercies— grace  and  love---^  blessings  are 
treasuNd  up  in  Hhn.  We  can  never  lose 
(%rwt*s  love;  wecan  net«rdieont  of  Hislove, 
snd  He  will  never  withdraw  His  love.  God 
has  chosen  and  blessed  us  in  the  immutable 
Head,  and  His  Messtngs  He  will  never  take 
from  us.  You  have  sometimes,  I  presume 
(IhaYenodottbtofit),  folt  the  love  of  God 
sitod  abroad  in  your  heart,  which  has  given 
grateAilness  for  your  ingratitude;  your 
hatren  heart  has  been  t«fredied ,  your  thirsty 
sold  has  been  watered,  your  cold  heart  has 
been  warmed  with  the  sacred  flame  of  this 
heaveidy  fire.  Bvery  Christian,  I  think,  at 
times  experiences  the  lore  and  mercy  of 
G«d,  Warming  the  heart  and  renewing  the 
sflMifons.  8nll,it  must  never  be  fbtgotten, 
as  the  poor  soul  is  blessed  with  an  experi- 
■Mfttlal  feeliug  of  the  love  of  God,  it  is  all 
in  Christ.  Has  He  opened  the  channel  of 
HMKff  Htt  He  opened  up  the  fountain  of 
affection  ?  It  is  au  from  the  love  of  God 
irtiieh  centres  in  Christ  Yes  I  Christ  holds 
God*s  love ;  and  my  Christ  holds  me  in  His 
lore.  This  is  the  blessed  centre  where 
God  and  the  sinner  meet;  this  is  the  blessed 
ibmitain  that  never  runs  dry ;  and  out  of 
this  stream  of  salvation  mercy  flows  to 
guilty  men. 

Seieondly,  we  will  look  at  some  of  the 
QCf&Lrms  and  novaeraui  of  the  love  of 
Christ.  To  me  the  thought  has  been  not 
a  little  pleasant,  in  reflecting  on  certain 
pfoptftties  in  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
that  are  exceedingly  precious.  I  will  glance 
at  a  few  of  the  properties  of  the  love  of 
Christ  that  conStraineth  us.  First,  it  is  the 
love  of  sympathy.  I  know  some  of  our 
divines  of  tne  prpsent  day  do  not  like  to 
renresent  that  Christ  looks  on  sinners  with 
aintetion  while  th^  are  dead  in  sin.  But 
these  divines  adopt  certain  phrases  which 


are  rather  deceptive  in  their  tendency,  and 
call  it  the  love  of  sympathy  for  all  persons. 
Brethren,  the  love  of  Chnst  is  more  than 
svmtMthy,  more  th  vi  pity,  or  complacency. 
How  sireetly  it  is  wroressod  in  the  Q2nd 
cluster  of  Isaiah.  Wnat  a  beantj^  Christ 
sees  m  ffis  Churdi ;  He  speaks  cl  her  in 
the  following  words  of  high  approbation, 
"  But  thou  shalt  be  called  Hephzibah,  and 
thy  land  Benlah;  lor  the  Lordddightethin 
thee,  and  thy  land  shall  be  married."  Here 
are  some  of  tba  beaMtiM  expressions  of  the 
love  of  Christ.  Some  mav  say,  Can  Christ 
love  men  when  dead  in  am,  when  they  es- 
hibit  no  ieaturos  bift  the  fcatntes  of  flalinn  f 
I  think  He  can ;  I  laiow  He  can ;  I  kaMr 
He  does !  The  cooaequenees  indeed  wtnM 
be  serious  if  He  did  not  lots  tiiem ;  if  He 
did  not  love  His  whole  JMnily,  eren  when 
they  were  reMs  against  His  authorHy. 
But  He  does,  dear  flnends;  He  loved  tm 
when  in  a  state  of  enmity ;  love  moved  Hfai 
to  die ;  love  moved  our  precious  Cfatiat 
to  shed  His  precious  blood.  It  was  lovo. 
He  highly  esteems  His  people ;  He  is  tktk 
ariiamed  of  Ihem ;  He  pinea  them ;  Ha 
saves  them,  and  blesass  them  in  this  SIh 
with  marks  of  apnobation.  Think  of  this, 
mv  brioved  friirnds ;  your  hearts  have  1M6 
a  tittle  of  the  love  of  Christ,  you  now  a&fl 
then  have  had  evidences  in  your  heart  th4fc 
your  Saviour  cares  for  you  in  vour  distresssa^ 
think  of  His  love !  think  of  His  tender  care  1 
He  delighteth  in  mercy,  and  He  carcth  fbr 
His  pe<^le  in  their  low  estate. 

Christ's  sympathy  has  to  do  with  fte 
people  of  God  in  their  afflictions,  in  tfisir 
vanous  seasons  of  trouble,  in  their  fearft 
and  sorrow.  How  often  the  heart  feels 
burdened  and  sighs  to  God ;  how  fireouantiy 
the  soul  weeps  t>ecause  of  the  trials  by  m 
way.  Like  the  lews  in  Babylon,  who  hng 
their  harps  troon  the  willows,  so  with  Hft, 
we  hang  our  harps  up  as  tuneless ;  we  hsv% 
lost  our  skill  in  the  tnneAd  employment  of 
our  harps  hi  prayer  and  praise.  Wnen  thai 
mourning,  the  Lord  loou  upon  us  and  Mb^ 
pathises  with  His  children,  so  that  what- 
ever ma^  be  oi»  trials,  our  sorrows,  or  oui^ 
temptations,  our  Lord  is  ever  ready  ti> 
extend  the  hand  of  sympathy.  SomvtisMs 
the  children's  f^t  are  tripped  up,  Hio 
character  maj  be  disgrsceo,  the  bi-ethraa 
become  riiy  m  su^,  instead  of  usinff  meuBb  . 
to  restore  them.  When  a  man  is  wanned 
we  sometimes  say  it  serves  him  rk^t ;  bnt 
would  it  not  serve  any  of  us  ri^ht,  if  tho 
Lord  were  !o  shun  usr  But  His  wA  la 
irrmnathetic.  O,  may  we  bo  more  like  tho 
Good  Samartan,  who  visited  the  poor 
stranger  when  he  fell  among  thieves ;  oil 
and  wine  were  administered ;  and  when  tho 

VJVWl      nVaaasaXIUUll    ^ntlWW  TII9     jWniV^^    ^f^ 

left  a  halfpenny  per  day,  to  «ttpply  the 
poor  man's  needs.     LoolraLthe^poor  pro- 

itizedby  Vj  00  V. 


:1. 


THB  BAftTffSH  TBMBL. 


377 


dtM ;  the  ftlSMr  iiciled  las  x«tani ;  ]i«  had 
bsBQ  ft  T0M  against  the  paternal  anthoritj, 
jwtthe  iaAtr  znoioed  to  reoeire  hn  son 
safe  and  aoKmd.  fie  came  inmie  diH7,  «Bot- 
sore,  aad  nigged,  jet  the  &tliflr%  love  was 
sympathetic,  asd  he  pitied  his  Tetarning 
SOP.  Sonetimes  we  aaee  called  to  waAk  in 
OBTtaiB  psdiB  whiflh  are  very  painfal,  and 
then  it  may  be  we  can  haidly  ftid  a  Mond, 
and  we  bittariy  exclaim  with  Hait— 

**  TfeMt  itisdeoreed  xxuMt  ahould  walk 
The  daitast  paths  alone." 

But  I  Mint  s^  that  sympathy  is  a  gre«t 
blessiagtD  the  ehildno  of  Qod  to  pvMtiae 
flBong  theoBslires.  I  mention  this  to  show 
how  one  brother  may  strengtiien  another 
IB  adresse  azcmnstanees,  bow  sMmbers 
mtj  help  their  pastor,  aad  the  pastor  may 
aid  the  tried  membera.  I  remember  par- 
ticolaxiy  on  one  oeeasion,  when  ^reaching 
^Bong  my  own  people,  in  myself  I  fMt  truly 
misersUe,  all  within  seemed  dead,  ao  li^ 
to  chase  awi^  dsxkness,  no  liberty  to 
at  mydeaizBS,  no  plessnre  in  the 
» of  0ed's  innd,  bat  my  Bool  seemed 
,  and  I  was  sorely  perplexed.  One 
of  my  deacons  (who  has  since  gone  t» 
hearen),  atfter  I3ie  serrice,  eaDia  ovar  to  my 
honse  on  pnrpose  to  sympaithise  with  me. 
Yon  cannot  tell  what  good  this  did  me ;  if 
I  had  not  loTsd  this  geod  man  befbre,  this 
seemed  to  wwi&e  ap  iMh  f^^eting  of  lore  in 
wf  heart  to  faan  and  to  God  forpirttiBg  the 
~  ~       hia  nmid  to  thas  TisiS  ma 


UUta 


into 
I  imitate  oar  Lord;  His  low  was 
B;  members  of  dMrches  in  their 
aba  be  sympatfaelie. 
I  maemftMr  aiy  late  dear  broliier  Stevens 
OBSoatoldmjpeople,  '^  Tour  aunister,'' 
ha^^is  bat  aaoBthenpitciMr:  if  he 
beCare  yoa  and  hsva  no  water,  yon  mast  not 
hwaktiie  ^iteher,  becaase  if  yon  bieak  it, 
il  aover  wdi  biiog  you  any  more  watw; 
bat  if  it  be  diyona  tmie,  pray  and  expect  it 
wfll  biiag  yott  some  water  next  time.** 

WeQ,  we  say,  the  heart  of  Christ  is  sym- 
pa^tie;  there  is  not  a  sonow  which  we 
sflEparieace,  baft  in  what  he  sympathiBes  with 
ns.  Do  the  evils  of  yonr  heart  trouble 
ymT  do  the  wwnderings  and  c^dcess  of 
yov  hsnA  m  the  things  of  Ood  grievtevonr 
jpat?  if  aa,  remembsr tiis  lov«  of  Cnt 
s^Mathatie:  synatfay  is  liie  cfaasaetec^ 
■tiewr  Aatove  ofCbrist.  Whstef  oi  may 
rbeaoiato 
,  Aoi^byou 
t  eaves  nrllie 
» haa!vy4Bden ;  yes,  in  afi  o«r 
,  Ha  is  afllieted,  beinc  toaehed 
wUh  thafteliaffa  of  sfar  in&mitieB.  Love 
looksoB  iu  a¥jeet  wHIi  oamphcaney,  with 
!■"■—" ;  so  ma  dear  Levd  kwhs  upon  His 
WMMB.  Ha  deea  aat  desert  them,  and 
new  Idtatt  with  ^yoess  and  in^Aweaoe, 


bfQt  wvtdies  over  them,  and  with  sympathy 
evea  in  their  low  estate. 

Bat  iSMre  is  another  property  connected 
with  the  ailhctions  of  our  blessed  Loid — 
frmifuinesB.  It  is  a  beneficial  love,  not  a 
woTMly  love,  bnt  love  of  a  higher  and  noble 
ehaxaeter:  "TfaeloveofGoC^  said  James, 
"is  aot  in  word,  but  in  tnttii."  If  you  see 
a  poor  brother  stambling  up  hiU,  you  will 
penapB  pity  him;  I  hope  you  would ;  but 
wliat  IS  rae  nsoof  your  pitjr  unless  you  help 
him?  Wo  say, tben.  Christian  love  must 
produce  qoalitaee;  there  must  be  frnitfiil- 
neai.^  Let  ns  not  love  in  word,  but  in  deed 
aad  in  truth.  There  is  no  property,  as  I 
am  arware  of,  either  in  earth  or  in  heaven 
so  fraught  with  benefits  as  love.  Love  wiD 
do  a  great  deal  among  men ;  it  has  done 
much :  it  wfll  do  almost  anything.  Have 
yon  got  the  fhmily  robe?  if  so,  it  was 
wrought  by  the  love  of  Christ.  Did  you 
earn  your  inheritance?  no,  love  gaye  H. 
Have  you  love  in  your  bosom?  if  so,  love 
putit  there.  Have  you  a  heart  that  values 
the  presence  of  €Jod  ?  love  gave  your  new 
heart.  Have  you  got  a  fountain  in  wbich 
may  warii  the  worst,  the  vilest  of  the  vile  ? 
it  was  flie  denelopiueiit  of  love  that  opened 
iro  that  foontant ;  indeed,  the  whole  scheme 
of  salvation  is  one  bright  display  of  tha 
love  of  Ood  in  Christ  to  the  ianuly  of  grace. 
It  is  love  that  reaches  the  lowest  soul  to 
bring  us  out  of  the  miiy  deep ;  it  is  love 
tluKt  eaei'led  its  strongest  arm  to  boar  up 
the  feeble  soul  in  death.  Christ  hatetb 
putting  away;  He  will  supply  all  His 
cluldren's  needs ;  blessed  are  they  on  whom 
His  love  IS  fixed. 

**  In  Ham  the  hicheat  j<QrB  we  pvove, 
O  think  Of  everlartii^  love.*' 

Then  the  love  of  Christ  is  synjMrtlietic, 
and  it  is  fimitfal.  From  His  love  our  ssH- 
vatioa  spcnga ;  all  our  glory  in  haaven  will 
emanate  fmm  the  love  of  God  to  us  His 


I  might  notiee  another  quality  in  tha 
love  of  Qod ;  H  is  tmHastinjf,  bat  I  must 
pasB  on  to  g^ee  at  oar  kst  thought ;  ia 
tiie  love  of  Christ  thcve  is  union,  Fnom* 
this  love  them  aM«r  can  be  sspaxatumr 
this  love  never  oan  bear  seohudon.  Love 
gevsrallT  eootrivies  to  be  present  with  its 
dneet;  love  holda  fhst,  and  Christ's  loso 
holds  ftat^  and  will  hold  us  flut  for  ever. 
Oar  lilesBed  CM  shews  His  love  to  Hia 
chiweh  by  uniaii!  guil^ sinnMs  are  the  oIk 
Jeola  of  His  love,  a  Magdalene  was  the  re- 
oipiflttt  of  Hli  ingiVBig  osre,  love  leads  vm 
to  the  cross,  aadstaeiousfy  foigives  us  therer 
John  said,  <<Be£oldtJie  love  of  God:"  w« 
si^,  *"  Beheld  the  love  of  Christ"  that  will 
never  allow  of  our  separalion.  God 
will  \m^  my  poor  soul,  and  yours,  be- 
Kewr;  He  hath  sa^.  ug  ^fr^^^Satan 


878 


THE  EABTHBH  YKSSBL. 


]>M.1»   ISMT/ 


would  destioj  v»  but  oh  I  our  Jenu  oAnnot 
part  with,  norwill  He  part  with,  HiB  people. 
He  lores  them  too  w&;  He  bought  them 
at  a  price  too  ^reat ;  He  bears  too  deep 
an  interest  in  their  eternal  welfare,  for  Him 
to  love  them,  and  then  allow  of  a  final 
separation.  The  lore  of  Christ  is  uniting ; 
it  gave  Christ  to  His  people,  and  gave 
them  to  Christ,  and  will  never,  no  never 

Skrt  with  them.  Satan  will  tell  jrou^  un- 
lief  will  tell  yon,  you  hare  no  part  with 
the  SaTiour ;  siye  no  heed  to  the  foe ;  Christ 
loreth  His  (£ildren,  and  He  loveik  them 
for  ever.  Jesus  with  a  mighty  grasp  holds 
them  up;  no  power  can  wrest  them  from 
Him;  sm,  the  world,  poverty,  nor  pain, 
tribulation,  foes  within,  nor  foes  witnout, 
can  separate  Christ  from  His  dear  people. 
Ihere  is  no  divorce  court  under  our  jBCing's 
government:  *'He  is  the  sameyesterdav, 
to-day,  and  for  ever."  He  loves  Hb  chun£, 
He  hath  given  Himself  as  an  evidence  of 
tSiat  love,  and  He  holds  His  subjects  with  a 
mighty  grasp.  Who  shall  separate  us  from 
the  love  of  Christ?  Shall  tribulation,  or 
distress,  or  perMCution,.  or  famine,  or 
nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword  ?  Paul  here 
enumerates  a  variety  of  things ;  but  Jesus 
piesides  over  them  all:  this  the  apostle 
plainly  saw,  and  added,  "That  neither 
death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principal- 
ities, nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor 
things  to  come,  nor  heicht,  nor  depth,  nor 
any  other  creature,  shall  oe  able  to  separate 
us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord." 

Christian,  you  may  lose  the  sweet  sense 
of  your  portion  as  to  your  feelin|^,  but  jou 
can  never  lose  vour  interest  in  Christ's 
elemal  love,  which  is  uniting,  unites  Christ 
to  His  church,  and  His  church  to  Him,  and 
wiU  never,  no  never,  bear  separation.  I 
might  illustrate  the  thought,  as  between 
Adam  and  Eve,  some  have  thought,  and  I 
am  not  quite  sure  they  are  not  correct, 
that  Adam  saw  his  wife's  guilt,  and  the  con- 
sequence ;  but  such  was  the  love  for  his 
wife,  though  he  saw  she  had  forfeited  the 
blessings  of  Paradise,  he  followed  with  her, 
conscious  of  the  results ;  rather  than  be 
•epazated ;  he  would  share  with  her  in  her 
degradation  and  shame.  Eve  was  deceived, 
but  the  man  was  not  deceived.  Satan 
somehow  blinded  Eve's  eyes,  entrapped  her 
with  views  of  false  gloiy,  he  worked  upon  her 
ignorance,  and  she  put  forth  her  hMid  and 
took  the  fruit  Now  Adam  saw  the  oonae- 
quences,  yet  he  followed  into  the  same 
miserable  condition,  such  being  his  love  for 
his  companion  Qod  had  givvn  him.  Does 
not  this  apply  to  the  Husband  of  the 
ohurch?  Jesus  saw  His  bride  sink  down 
into  sin,  and  exposed  to  a  terrible  hell,  and 
a  ten-fold  wrath  of  a  sin-hatine  God. 
Jesus  will  not  merely  look  tn,  merdy  as  a 


S 


disinterested  spectator ;  He  will  leave  heaven. 
He  will  suffiw  JEEimself  to  be  crucified ;  He 
will  suflbr  what  the  church  deserved,  that 
his  spouse  may  go  free  as  the  poet  says — 
**  If  othinc  brought  Him  from  above, 
Hothmg  bat  xedeeming  Ioval" 

Brethren,  the  love  of  Christ  is  uniting ;  it 
unites  His  heart  tojour  heart :  we  are  united 
to  Him  for  ever  and  ever. 

Thirdly,  I  notice  the  SunnBcrs  of  this 
love.  Love  makes  dioice,  love  is  discri- 
minating; jea^  brethren,  and  this  love  is 
sovereign ;  it  is  not  universal ;  it  does  not 
fiill  on  all  Adam's  guilty  frimily;  it  is 
sovereign,  according  to  the  will  of  God. 

But  I  pass  on  to  notice  who  are  the 
people  interested  in  the  love  of  Christ  ?  If 
yon  read  a  book,  you  will  see  the  writei^s 
mind,  as  his  words  are  supposed  to  repre- 
sent his  mind.  Now  I  can  tell  vou  the 
mind  of  Christ  by  His  words,  and  He  says, 
"  I  love  them  that  love  Me."  Let  me  ask 
you  then,  Is  Jesus  Christ  precious  to  you  ? 
Have  you  sung  the  sweet  son^  of  mercy 
with  an  understanding  heart ;  with  a  loving 
heart  have  worshipped  at  His  feet,  and  felt 
our  sins  removed  ?  Can  you  join  heartily 
singing— 

*'irothiiiff  in  my  hand  I  bring. 
Simply  to  thy  crow  I  oUng ; 
Naked,  oome  to  Thee  for  dr«M, 

Helpless,  look  to  Thee  for  grace ; 
Tile.  I  to  the  fountain  fly, 
Wash  me,  Saviour,  or  I  dis.'* 

If  we  have  a  little  love  to  Christ,  I  am  sure 
we  shall  desire  to  have  more ;  if  we  have 
but  one  drop  from  the  ocean,  we  shaU  long 
for  larger  dnughts ;  if  we  have  any  evidence 
of  its  healiuff  power  on  our  souls  this  morn- 
ing, we  shul  go  home  desiring  to  drink 
sweet  draug^  of  bliss,  the  realisation  of 
which  will  make  us  as  happy  in  the  love  of 
God  as  our  hearts  can  desire.  I  will  come 
down  a  step.  Every  soul  that  loves  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  cannot  feel  satisfied 
with  its  love.  There  is  honesty  about  the 
children  of  God.  Many  who  dare  not  posi- 
tively say,  '<  (  do  love  Christ,"  yet  they  can 
say,  "I  hojM  I  love  Him."  The  soul 
sighs  and  cries  for  evidences  of  Christ's 
love  to  it. 

Now  the  soul  that  wishes  to  love  Christ 
longs  and  mourns  his  coldness,  even  this 
longing,  \}uB  sighing,  and  desires  sprins 
from  love,  and  will  eventually  be  satisfiea 
with  tokens  of  the  love  of  Christ  to  the 
longing  soul. 

Lastly,  the  pown  and  iirFLVBrci  of  the 
love  of  Christ:  "For  the  love  of  Christ 
oonstraineth  us."  Brethren,  it  constmia- 
eth  us  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Let  us 
notice  it  oonstraineth  us  to  love  Him. 
"  We  love  Him  because  He  first  loved  us." 
It  oonstraineth  us  to  bve  His  people. 
"  We  know  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
lifr,  because  we  love  the.  brethren."    It 

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eoDftzftineth  us  to  liye  near  Chriat,  and  to 
honour  Hun,  bj  following  Bim  into  the 
watezy  grave,  and  by  meeting  ronnd  Hie 
funily  table.  It  oonetraineth  ne  to  love 
His  eanse.  If  you  love  Christ,  brethren, 
Ton  will  love  Hie  canee.  Yon  will  also 
love  the  saints ;  yes,  and  the  poor  saints 
too  as  well  as  the  rich  ones.  The  love  of 
Chriat  is  without  partiality,  his  affections 
are  genuine,  the  gay,  the  great  and  the  ridi 
have  no  special  attractions  for  Jesus.  Men, 
even  gooid  men  are  attracted  by  these 
things,  while  the  poor  and  simple  arn 
passed  carelessly  by ;  bnt  the  love  of  Christ 
is  without  partiahty:  He  loveth  all  His 
children,  whether  poor  or  rich :  *<  The  love 
of  Christ  constraineth  us."  What  brought 
OB  to  mercy's  door  but  the  love  of  G^? 
What  brought  us  to  esteem  the  Bible  above 
aU  other  books  but  the  love  of  Christ? 
What  unites  us  in  heart  with  Qod'B  people 
but  the  love  of  Christ  ?  What  brought  us 
to  the  cross ;  wbat  opened  mercy's  door  and 


healed  our  broken  hearts  but  the  love  of 
Christ?  "The  love  of  Christ  constraineth 
us."  I  woxdd  that  we  might  see  more  of 
its  constraininff  power,  that  we  might  bear 
more  features  in  harmony  with  the  person 
of  Christ.  Happy  are  you,  my  friends,  if 
you  have  the  love  of  Christ  fixed  on  you. 
Hajypy  are  you  if  you  are  under  its  con- 
straming  power.  Happy  are  you,  and  my 
prayer  is  that  you  may  feel  its  constraining 
power  more  and  more,  that  you  may  show 
your  love  to  Christ,  and  your  love  to  His 
people  and  His  cause.  We  can  never  ex- 
press our  love  as  Christ  deserves ;  He  hath 
shown  His  love  to  us  in  various  ways.  Let 
us  show  our  love  in  a  practical  manner  by 
sympathy  with  His  people,  bv  love  to  His 
ordinances,  and  by  nberalfy  aiding  in 
the  support  of  His  cause. 

May  the  dear  Lord  add  His  blessing  on 
the  truths  spoken,  I  add  no  more. 
Amen. 


NEHEMIAH— A     MODEL     MAN     FOR     CHRISTIAN 
PRACTICE    AND    PERSEVERANCE. 

Br  HsKRT  Hall,  Fastob  or  Ebeiieier  Chapel,  Claphav. 

**  Think  upon  me,  O  my  Ckxl,  for  good  acoording  to  all  that  I  have  done  for  this  people.*'— 
l^ehcmiah  v.  19. 


BtjaiXG  the  sleepless  hours  of  the  past 
nijljbtf  I  was  led  to  reflect  on  the  stata  of 
Zion  at  laige— so  fax,  at  least,  as  my 
limited  knowledge  would  cany  me ;  and  I 
cannot  say  that  my  reflections  were  of  the 
most  pleasing  kind;  for  tads  forced  upon 
me  the  conclusion  that  the  state  of  the  pro- 
fessing church,  for  the  most  pait,  resemblee 
th#t  of  a  tree  well  covered  with  leaves,  but 
void  of  fruit ;  and  that  even  where  there  is 
fruit,  there  are  spots  found  thereon,  which 
indicate  not  a  sound  and  healthy  state,  or 
changing  the  figure,  and  adopting  biblical 
language,  Sphntim's  strength  is  devoured 
by  strangers ;  gray  hairs  are  here  and  there 
upon  him,  yet  he  knoweth  it  not,  for  to  a 
considerable  extent  "men  seek  their  own, 
not  the  things  of  Jesus  Christ.''  While  my 
thoughts  were  thus  ruminating,  the  piayer 
of  Mehemiah  which  I  have  read,  dn^ped 
into  my  mind,  and  the  character  of  Nehemiah 
eame  vividly  before  me,  so  that  I  am  con- 
strained to  make  these  words  the  basis  of 
this  evening's  meditation. 

We  will  first  look  at  Nehemiah's  work 
alluded  to  in  his  prayer ;  and  sec<mdly ,  at  his 
req[iieat.  Firgt  we  %nU  glance  at  Ma  devoted- 
neea  to  that  work.  This  was  the  secret  of 
hifl  seal — ^the  foundation  of  the  sacrifices  he 
auide-*-the  source  of  his  enersy  and  labour 
—Ida  tliorough  and  hearty  devotedness  to 


his  Qod ;  and  this  is  the  secret  of  all  vital 
godliness,  heart  consecration  to  God;  the 
absence  of  Uiis  is  the  cause  of  so  much  finv 
mality,  so  many  departures  from  the  ways 
of  truth,  while  the  possession  of  it  made 
Peter  esdaim,  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we 
go  ?  Thou  hast  the  wrads  of  eternal  life ;" 
and  Buth  to  utter  with  so  much  feelinff: 
"  £ntreat  me  not  to  leave  thee ;  thy  peome 
shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God." 
The  lack  of  this  grace  made  multitudes  go 
back  and  walk  no  more  with  Christ ;  but 
where  this  grace  is  implanted  in  tho  heart 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  nothing  can  separate  the 
soul  from  Christ,  from  His  truth,  nor  frxim 
His  people,  the  soul  becomes  incoiporated 
with  these ;  and  come  what  will— floods  or 
flames,  fire  or  fiiggots,  the  soul  is  found 
following  after  Chnst,  as  the  needle  will 
follow  the  loadstone,  or  the  tide  will  follow 
the  moon.  Nothing  will  or  can  separate 
the  devoted  soul  from  Christ.  See  how  this 
devotedness  operated  in  Nehemiah's  mind. 
His  place  was  one  of  honour  and  of  emolu- 
ment; but  no  sooner  did  he  hear  of  the 
distressed  state  of  his  brethren,  the  Jews, 
that  the  waUs  of  Jerusalem  were  thrown 
down,  the  gates  burnt  with  fire,  than  an- 
guish filled  his  soul,  his  position  was  lost 
sight  of,  his  gnin  was  counted  loss,  and  he 
sought  relief  in  ailood  of  t^,  to  heaves 

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he  sent  hid  sighs  on  behalf  of  Jerusalem. 
Oti,  my  brethren,  where  are  we  to  look  for 
snch  effects  of  true  deTotednesa  to  God,  to 
His  truth,  to  His  people  now  t  How  little 
do  we  mourn  over  the  afflieUons  of  the 
churuhfandsTmpathisewithherasNehemiah 
did.  How  few  are  found  readr  to  make 
sacrifices  for  the  cause  of  tnitn.  Bo  we 
not  more  resemble  the  priest  and  the 
Levite,  and  pass  b^  the  afflicted  and  fallen 
Uother,  and  despise  the  poor,  afflicted,  and 
may  be  strngglinff  churcn,  lest  our  pockets 
should  be  a&cteo,  or  our  interests  endan- 
gered ?  How  ready  are  we  to  seek  for  the 
more  wealthy  flocks,  rather  than  where  we 
ean  do  the  most  good.  Not  so  with 
Nehemiah.  Jerusalem,  and  Jerusalem  in 
her  affliction  too^  had  his  heart,  £or  like 
Moses  he  chose  to  su&r  affliction  with  the 
people  of  God. 

"  Jerusalem  my  hsppy  home, 
Name  ever  deur  to  me ; 
When  shall  my  labours  have  >Q  end 
In  joy,  and  peace,  and  thee?*' 

was  Nehemiah's  language. 

Secondly,  we  notice  his  judiciousness 
in  his  V)ork.  He  did  not  utter  hasty  expres- 
sions, nor  rash  tows.  No  vain  boasting 
escaped  his  lipa :  he  did  not  say,  I  wont 
serre  a  heathen  king  a  moment  longer — ^no^ 
no ;  but  to  heaven  he  made  known  his  com- 
pkint ;  and  like  a  Daniel  he  sought  guid- 
ance from  on  high  :  to  his  Father  he  poured 
out  his  soul,  and  with  much  entreaty  begs 
that  he  may  obtain  faTour  with  the  kinff. 
^See  Ist  chapter.)  What  a  noble  example 
ooes  he  set  us  in  this:  bow  badrward  are 
we  in  this  matter :  how  ready  some  of  ns 
are  to  go  forward  without  oonsulting  the 
holy  oracle,  or  waiting  a  reply  from  oar 
Father's  throne,  and  ikilure  w  the  result; 
and  this  judiciousness  nerer  left  Ndiemiah 
aU  through  his  undertakxng.  No  sooner 
did  the  king  giro  him  leaTs  o?  absence,  than 
be  asked  for  letters  to  the  gofemors  beyond 
the  river,  and  to  Asaph,  the  keeper  of  tli* 
forest,  that  materials  raisht  be  given  him 
fbr  the  work.  How  jumcieas  &  we  find 
his  procedure  upon  iBspectmg  tike-wattis, 
when  treating  with  Sanballat  and  Tobiat ; 
with  them  he  would  have  no  confedency ; 
no  lowering  the  standard  to  please  one  or 
the  other;  no  opening  tiie  gates  of  the 
ehnrch  to  extend  her  bmrders  to  tlie  disobe- 
dient—nay, nay,  "The  God  of  he«ven,  He 
will  prosper  us ;  therefore,  we  His  servants 
will  arise  and  build,  hiUye  have  nofortiem^ 
w)r  right  t  nor  memorial  in  JemsaknC*  was 
his  language.  Neither  could  the  eneoMB 
entrsp  him,  nor  his  fearful  brethren  fkig^iteB 
him  ;  but  onward  he  went  witil  the  work  of 
his  God.  I  scarcely  need  say  how  little  of 
this  judieiousness  do  we  see  amoi^gat 
vs.  How  apt  are  we  to  mofe  here  Mid 
thew  without  consulting  hewen,  or  writing 


for  provideDce  to  open  the  door.  Not  to 
with  Nehemiah— he  lifked  up  hia  heart  to 
Ged  in  orery  strait ; "  so  I  prayed  to  th« 
God  of  heaven,"  as  it  ia  reooraed  of  him,  and 
he  acknowledged  that  his  mercies  are  aU 
according  to  the  good  hand  of  his  God  upon 
him ;  but  alas  with  us,  how  prone  aze  we  to 
eonsult  this  or  that  friend,  uid  even  in  the 
proclamation  of  tmth  itself  ai«  we  aa 
judicious  as  we  might  be,  that  tns  docferiiie 
may  not  be  gainsaid,  and  that  babes,  young 
men,  and  fathess  may  hare  their  portion  c^ 
meat  in  due  seaaon  ?  Oh  for  mors  of  this 
grace  which  shone  so  brightly  in  Nehemiah, 
Danielt  and  others. 

Thiridlv,  iiis  LABOuxiosHnss.  No  sooner 
did  he  obtain  the  king's  permission,  than 
he  applied  himself  to  the  work  in  real 
earnest.  How  foolish  some  mig^  have 
thoue^t  him.  Look  at  the  distance  lo 
travd,  at  the  labour,  too,  andyou,  Nehemiah, 
the  king's  cupbearer,  how  unused  to  toii ; 
what  hardships  vou  will  have  to  eudnre : 
what  can  you  understand  of  building  ?  Is 
it^ot  an  act  of  madness  to  attempt  it  ?  But 
Nehemiah  had  no  ears  to  listen  to  these 
suggestions ;  flesh  and  blood  were  not  to  be 
considered  by  him,  neitJier  was  he  too 
eflbminate  to  engage  in  the  work,  however 
rough;  to  endure  hardahipe,  however  great. 
Now  his  master's  interests,  and  Jerusalem's 
welfare  were  at  stake ;  sacrifices  were  not 
to  be  considered  by  him,  but  Jeruaalem 
was  to  be  considered  above  his  chief  joy. 
Hence,  we  find  the  first  night  he  arrives  at 
Jerusadem  is  a  sleepless  one  to  him ;  the 
walls  must  be  inspected ;  the  gaps  examined ; 
and  so  quietly,  too,  did  the  man  itf  God  set 
about  his  work.  No  blowing  of  fzumpefee, 
nor  great  nretensions ;  the  rulers  Imew 
nothing  of  nia  projects  imtil  he  was  ready 
for  action,  and  uieii  we  see  how  eaxsestly, 
how  vifforoudy  he  proceeded  with  hw 
work.  Neither  did  he  exempt  himself  from 
labour ;  he  worked  with  the  nobles  of  the 
land  and  the  buvden-bearen ;  no  graM 
grew  under  their  foet;  the  toilet  wae  net 
I  visited  by  hma,  neither  i&ik  the  coseh  foel 
the  wetfffat  of  his  weaiy  body.  For  flftytwo 
days  did  he  labour  nntil  the  waU  was  com- 
pleted, for  his  clothes  were  not  even  changed, 
out  night  and  dav  with  sword  in  hand  did 
he  labour  to  build  up  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 
And  he  ia  not  the  only  labourer  in  God*8 
canaetheBiUe  rriates.  We  have  yomg 
Joeiah  and  the  rettleQe  Hen^ah,  as  well  M 
the  ssif-denying  npoetle  of  the  Gentiles^  wiia 
laboured  n^ore  than  they  all,  and  yet  net 
he,  but  tiie  gnee  of  God  which  was  with 
him;  and  some  few  labowen  hare  w«  now. 
May  the  Lord  of  the  harveat  inereaee  tiwir 
nuaber. 

Fourthly,  his  rArniFVunas  iv  ma  woaK 
mnmvsa  oub  kotiom.  How  eonpreheaaiw 
waettt     Fdthfofaiess  was  awB  IB  all  the 


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departments  of  hie  labour.  He  was,  doubt- 
leas,  faithful  to  the  king,  and  fedthiul  was 
he  to  his  God>  to  his  brethrea,  and  to  hie 
foes.  He  looked  to  CK>d  for  direction  and 
for  protection.  He  sharply  reprored  the 
enemies  of  the  Jews,  neither  did  he  alhnr 
the  inconsistencies  of  his  brethren  te  paas 
wunptmed.  On  thia  suljeet»  I  fear  we  are 
too  badbvard :  fiiithful  we  are  to  the  do&- 
tanas  of  truth,  ordinances  of  truth ;  but  are 
we  as  &ithful  in  reproving  onrselyes,  and 
•ur  brethren  as  Kehemiah  was,  ior  our 
«0Tetooane8s,  our  oonloimij^  to  the  world, 
our  indifferanoa  to  the  cause  of  truth  ?  Oh, 
tbit  we  were  as  futhful  in  reproving  for 
theia  things  as  we  are  in  the  former ;  it  is 
no  uncooimon  thing  to  hear  us  denounce  in 
no  measured  terms  doetrinal  errors,  but 
enoBeous  practices  we  for  the  most  part 
oveilook.  I  was  pained  not  long  since  at 
infovmation  which  reached  me  of  a  meeting 
held  in  london,  at  whieh  the  chainnan  ex- 
preosed  mtelnUljr  his  long  preservation  in 
the  troth,  to  which  some  of  the  speakers 
allndsd  in  their  speeohea ;  but  not  content 
wiih  tha^  they  poured  forth  their  in- 
TOBtiTea  against  certain  individuals, 
wl^iiBg  them  guerillas,  destitute  of  the 
«oe  of  Ghod,  and  I  know  not  what, 
Tbio  is  fumfiUne$3  run  mad,  but  not  the 
fcithftilnesfl  of  Testament  worthies.  The 
brother  who  gave  me  the  information 
lamarkad  vei^  properly,  *'  Is  this  preaching 
Christ?  Is  Ukis  exalting  the  riches  of 
gcacei»  and  comfarting  the  Lord's  people  ?  " 
f ifthly»  we  notice  his  UBEajkwn. 
Idhorality  is  one  of  the  leading  features  of 
Ghnstiaahy.  It  shone  pre-eminently  in  the 
founder  fiimselt  "  Ye  know  the  grace  of 
«nr  Lord  Jesaa  Gkrist  who,  though  He  was 
lidi,  yet  for  ow  sakes  beeame  poor,  that 
ve  thcoiu|h  Hia  poverty  might  be  made 
xieh.'*  Wo  see  it  in  Abraham  in  giving  a 
repast  to  the  aagekk  In  David,  in  pro- 
Yidiag  so  laiM^  for  the  temple.  In  the 
iflirtad  Ghurchea  of  Christ  in  the  apostle** 
da^rs,  whose  lihanlity,  notwithstanding 
thmr  deep  porvty ,  was  worthy  of  all  praise. 
Amd  thoM  lait»  not  least,  in  the  poor 
widow,  wno  exoeeded  them  all,  for  she 
Aave  all  that  she  had.  In  this  grace, 
Kahamiah  also  shone.  He  didnot  take  the 
nanal  aUowaaee  of  the  goveiwus,  assigning 
■a  a  rsaaoa  for  his  not  doing  so,  thii  the 
h&tdm  was  kmn^  <m  th$  pe9plt,  while  he 
fKrariofd  lor  the  people  fi<Hn  his  own 
iwonnes  dailr  one  ox,  six  sheep^  besides 
fonrla  in  abuadanea ;  100  mlers,  in  addition 
fta  healhan,  sat  daiwn  daily  at  his  taUe ; 
fhmdaAh^**^$eaimi^ae/i€rrfii0Lord:* 
0»my  hrtthren,b«»r  with  meirtien  I  say,how 
Httladowaaeeof  thiatnly  Christian graoe 
Mir ;  ti«e  thnaara  a isw  hare  and  there 
whasii  hearfti  a«a  open,  whose  property  is 
Adieatsdto  tha  lufAi  but  te  the  moza 


part,  how  are  our  pockets  closed !  Many 
a  poor  minister  deprived  of  a  proper  sub- 
sistence, and  hia  children  supported  like 
charity  children — while  in  some  of  our  more 
wealthy  brethren,  what  little  qrmpathy  is 
there  with  our  poorer  Churches  and  our 
poorer  brethren.  Labour  we  may  to  serve 
them,  but  aia  not  our  own  coffers  inereasad 
thereby  b^ond  what  they  mig^t  he?  I 
have  thought  that  the  losses  whieh  some 
of  us  have  sastaiaed,  to  the  extent  of 
some  hundreds,  was  it  a  witness  against  ui, 
who,  like  Baxter,  who  through  his  delay  in 
contributing  his  i;i,000,  lost  it?  The  wor- 
thies of  the  past  generatiott  are  wortlnr  of 
imitation.  Becrioge,  Whitofleld,  and  othsv 
were  well  known  for  their  extensive  chaai^. 
Bankers  ther  had  none,  axaept  the  bank  of 
heaven ;  and  Lather,  whan  he  had  nothiag 
to  give  to  the  noor,  gave  his  fpldao  onp. 
O I  for  mora  of  this  practical  Christiaaitxr 
amongrtus.  We  lose  much  by  our  niggaia- 
liness,  "For  there  is  that  soattereth  andyat 
inereaseth,  while  there  ia  that  witkhohlelh 
more  than  is  meat,  and  it  tendath  to 
penury." 

Lastly,  I  would  notice,  nia  tms  anc- 
BATHT  wrra  nis  nanmnnM  nr  us  wosx. 
He  did  not  stand  aloof  from  them  baeanse  of 
their  affliction ;  bat  their  sorrows  became  his 
sorrows,  their  eares  his  oare»«  0}  hoar 
blessed  would  it  be  amongst  the  Charehas 
generally  if  this  eympathetie  fBelina  ware 
experienced:  the  minister's  trenbis  the 
people's  trouble,  and  the  people's  tvaable  the 
minister's  traubJe  ;  then  would  the  divine 
iiV^ction  be  fidfilled,  "Bear  ye  one 
another's  hardens,  and  so  fulfil  tha  law  of 
Chxial." 


HELP   FROM    ON   HIGH. 


Fbox  lowest  deaths  of  heavy  woe, 

To  0od  my  Toioe  I  ruse  t 
Oh  I  let  me  to  my  Jesas  go, 

▲ad  loodly  sheaS  Bis 
Qiwe  me.  O  Loid,  Thy  8pliM%  wiage, 

Aad  fet  me  meant  abota, 
Wbeie  heaven's  ova  oholr  for  erar  sin^ 

Thy  rioh  redeeming  love. 

Thou  koow^st  the  sorrows  of  my  haavt, 
Are  sore  enlarged  and  great ; 

Dear  Lord,  Thy  swift  reUef  impaxt, 
Or  give  me  strength  lo  wait. 

Ohl  let  flseea  Thy hoaom rest, 

Or  call  ma  to  Thy  throne : 
Jesos*  my  refuge  when  diaUrest 

I  want  Thyself  alone. 
Jesus,  while  here  co  earth  I  live, 

Be  with  me  in  the  Are; 
Olcanaa  me  ftom  sin.  Thy  Sahit 

Asd.tbeo  remove  me  higher. 

living  and  dying,  he  Tboa  miaa 

Thon  art  ay  only  love ; 
And  I,  great  God,  am  alsp  Thine, 

Btemaliy  above. 
eoldingtoaCiaaoMl       Gk. 


maa^e 


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TBB  BABTHEN  TB88BL. 


Dec  1.  1868. 


THE     FINAL     SETTLEMENT. 

Bt  Saicusl  Comrs. 


**  And  the  books  were  opened.**— Bs7.  an.  U. 


Wi  aje  on  the  eve  of  Chrietmas-day,  and 
on  that  day  the  book  of  Ood's  dicbku 
were  openeo,  and  out  cam*  the  darling  Son 
of  God;  and  the  Church  sang,  "Unto  vlb 
a  child  is  born — ^nnto  na  a  Son  ia  eiren," 
See,  (Isa.  ix.  6.)  On  that  day  the  book  of 
Qod's  ooYiXAiiT  lore  was  opened,  and  the 
aaqpresaion  of  that  love  waa  neard  in  Beth- 
lehem, and  echoed  throngfa  all  the  low 
conntriet  of  Jndea:-^"Qd  so  loved  the 
world  that  He  gave  Bis  only  begotten  Son/' 
&c  On  that  day  the  book  of  pbomises 
wta  opened,  and  vie  promises  of  God  con- 
oeming  the  oomins  of  the  Messiah  were 
verified.  On  that  day  the  book  of  shadows 
was  opened,  and  He  who  was  the  substance 
of  the  shadows — to  iriiom  they  all  pointed — 
appeared  in  a  body  like  our  own.  On  that 
day  the  book  of  the  Gospel  was  opened, 
and  the  Word  was  made  flesh— foil  of 
ffraoe  and  tvnth.  On  that  day  the  book  of 
ue  riOFBBTs  was  opened,  and  the  Creator 
of  all  things  is  a  Child  of  creation ;  the 
Everlasting  Father  is,  as  touching  His 
humanity,  a  fiitherless  child ;  the  mighty 
God  is  a  dependent  babe ;  the  Beiug  whom 
the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain,  is 
contained  in  a  manner;  the  Upholder  of 
all  worlds,  is  earned  in  the  feeble  a  rms  of 
Mary;  the  Supplier  of  all  beings,  sucks 
supplies  from  tne  virgin's  breasts ;  He  who 
meteth  out  the  heavens  with  a  span,  is 
wrapped  in  swaddling  bands.  0,  the  mys- 
tery 1 .  The  OmnipSunt  Sustainer  of  the 
vast  universe  of  worlds  and  beings  is  borne 
in  the  arms  of  a  poor,  fragile,  obrcure  maid. 
The  Onuipresent  is  infolded  in  the  arms 
and  fondled  in  the  bosom  of  human  love. 
The  Omniscient  is  under  the  eye  and  needing 
a  mother's  care.  Yes,  we  are  loet  in  won- 
der when  we  consider  that  it  is  He  who  sits 
upon  the  throne  of  universal  dominion — 
that  once  sat  a  babe  on  Mary's  knee — that 
it  is  He  who  is  the  Qod  of  glory  and  bliss 
that  was  once  bom  a  man  of  sorrows. 

But  the  books  I  have  referred  to  are  not 
he  books  in  the  words  before  us.  These 
books  were  opened  in  order  to  a  final  settle- 
ment of  accounts.  In  the  last  great  day, 
the  day-book  of  the  law,  shewing  the  items, 
and  the  ledger  of  yttf^ice,  revealing  the  total 
of  the  debtor's  debts,  will  be  opened.  Did 
it  ever  occur  to  vonr  mind  that  God  will  at 
the  last  great  day  produce  a  statement  of 
accounts — a  just  statement  of  His  claims  ? 
If  it  luui  not,  let  me  remind  you  that  Gk)d 
is  a  creditor  whose  claims  must  be  met— 
He  will  not  bate  a  faithing-^His  charges 


are  just  and  will  admit  of  no  discount. 
Some  people  think  to  discount  God's  moral 
bill ;  bat  it  is  a  vain  thought.  O,  but  aay 
you,  won't  there  be  a  little  discount— « 
little  allowance ;  a  little  taken  off  for  my 
alms-giving ;  and  a  little  discount,  a  little 
allowsnce,  a  little  taken  off  for  my  good 
works ;  and  a  little  taken  off  for  my  keep- 
ing the  Sabbath ;  and  a  little  taken  off  ror 
my  observing  the  ordinances  of  God's 
house ;  and  a  little  taken  off  for  my  doing 
so  much  for  the  cause  of  Christ;  and  a 
little  taken  off  for  my  prayers  ?  No,  sir, 
not  a  fraction!  And  it  aigues  that  the 
devil  has  grossly  blinded  your  mind,  or  you 
would  never  entertain  sndi  low  thoughts  of 
a  just  God.  But>  say  you,  do  we  not  read 
that  every  man  shall  be  judsed  according 
to  the  work  done  in  the  body  7  Yes,  verily, 
and  we  are  glad  that  it  is  so  written,  be- 
cause the  saints  will  be  jud^  according 
to  the  work  of  Christ,  which  is  done  in  the 
body  mystic,  the  Church  :  *<  He  is  the  Head 
of  His  body  the  Church."  He  obeyed  the 
law  in  union  to  the  Chuieh,  and  the  Church 
obeyed  the  law  in  Him:  He  bore  the 
punishment  of  sin  in  union  to  the  Chureb, 
and  the  Church  was  punished  in  Him :  He 
destroyed  death  in  union  to  the  Church, 
and  the  Church  conquered  death  in  Him : 
He  vanquished  hell  in  union  to  the  Church, 
and  the  Church  vanquished  hell  in  Him : 
He  took  possession  of  heaven  in  union  to 
the  Church,  and  the  Church  took  posses- 
sion in  Him :  and  therefore  if  any  state- 
ment is  given  to  the  Church,  it  will  not 
be  a  statement  shewing  a  dtmanA^  but  a 
statement  exhibiting  a  mighty  balance  in 
hand  in  her  &voar.  The  church's  balance- 
sheet  ends  thus: — ^**'Wheresin  abounded, 
there  grace  doth  much  more  abound;" 
that  is  to  say,  in  plain  words,  there  is  mom 
ffrace  on  the  credit  side  than  sin  on  the 
debit  side. 

Again,  there  is  the  work  of  confusion, 
and  that  work  is  done  in  the  body — ^in  a 
broken  and  contrite  heart ;  and  if  we  con* 
fess  our  sins,  God  is  faithftil  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness  (1  John  i.  9):  and 
there  is  ttie  work  of  faitk,  and  that  work  is 
done  in  the  body:  "  Faith  works  by  love, 
and  purifies  the  heart"  Faith  woAb  in 
the  word,  and  at  the  throne,  till  she  gets 
into  the  blood  of  Christ ;  and  when  she 
ffetB  into  that,  she  purifies  the  heart-  with 
It  firam  all  sin.  If,  therefore,  I  heartily 
confess  my  sin,  and  look  by  iluth  to  the 

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288 


blood  of  Christ,  I  need  not  faar  the  opening 
of  the  books,  becanse  He  is  ftithfiU  to  the 
oon^Msing  sinner,  and  just  to  the  cleansing 
blood  of  the  Saviour. 

But  Tonr  aooonnt,  if  jou  die  without 
Christ  the  Surety,  the  Pay-master,  will  be  a 
dreadful  biH,  full  of  evil  thoughts,  wicked 
words,  and  sinfhl  actions,  without  a  sinffle 
set-off  on  the  credit  side.  And  when  will 
you  pay  it?  Never:  you  will  go  to  the 
prison  of  hell  a  bankrupt  0  for  ever  to  be 
in  debt !  0  for  ever  to  be  in  the  prison  of 
hell  for  debt  I  O  for  ever  to  have  me  same 
unliquidated  and  unliquidating  debt  staring 
you  in  the  face!  Bon^tbeangzywith  God; 
the  debt  is  your  own ;  it  is  of  your  own 
oontzacting;  and  if  it  isvours  to  make  the 
debt,  it  is  Su  to  demana  payment 

"J%e  bookt  were  opened;'*  the  book  of 
knowledge  will  be  opened ;  this  book  is  now 
closed  ixom  the  eyes  of  the  ungodly ;  hence 
*hey  say,  •«  The  Lord  doth  not  know ;"  and 
hence  thej^go  on  in  their  deeds  of  darkness, 
not  knowing  that  **  the  eyes  of  the  Loidrun 
to  and  fro  tiuoughont  the  whole  world,  be- 
holding the  evil  and  the  good;"  but  when 
He  comes  to  judgment,  this  book  will  be 
opened  with  <' Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  know 
tty  works;"  "  J.  know  thy  works,"  ftom 
the  remotest  tnought  to  the  minutest 
act.  "I  know  thy  works,**  from  the 
foolish  imagination  to  the  finished  trans- 
gression. To  Him  all  hearts  are  known, 
and  from  Him  no  secrets  can  be  hid.  He 
writes  down  in  the  book  of  His  imperish- 
able knowled^  the  sins  of  sinners  with 
an  iron  pen  in  indelible  characters.  Gill 
says  the  book  of  remembrance  will  be 
opened,  and  from  this  book  the  secrets  of 
ul  hearts  will  be  disclosed—not  a  single 
sin  will  be  forsotten — ^the  book  of  conaeienee 
will  be  opened  in  which  all  our  actions  are 
recorded :  "  Then  a  thousand  sins,  whidi  the 
wicked  have  trodden  as  worms  under  their 
foet,  will  rise  up  aoainst  them  as  flaming 
serpents."  The  book  of  the  creatures  will  be 
OMned,  and  every  creature  you  have  abused 
vul  be  produced  as  witnesses  against  you. 
The  book  of  providence  will  he  opened, 
and  ^our  non-observance  of  GK)d's  provi- 
dential goodness  will  rise  up  in  judgment 
a^inst  yon.  The  book  of  the  Scriptures 
will  be  opened,  and  the  curse  of  God^s  Liw 
will  be  the  righteous  recompense  of  everr 
tiansgression ;  ay,  and  every  text  which 
the^mrftet*  employed  as  the  means  of  his 
deceptions  will  rise  in  judgment  against 
him  -  and  every  text  which  the  Hoentious 
emnloyed  us  excuses  for  his  dissipation 
shall  rise  in  judgment  against  him;  and 
every  text  which  the  covetous  emploved  as 
^olqgies  for  his  covetousness  snaU  rise 
in  Ji^ffment  against  him.  The  book  of 
Lifi  wul  be  opened  in  which  all  the  names 
of  the  adopted  sons  and  daughters  of  the 


Lord  God  Almighty  are  written.  Christ 
will  open  this  boof  ,  not  to  blot  their  names 
out  of  it,  but  to  confess  their  names  before 
His  Father  and  His  holy  angels.  Tt&t  will 
be  the  Christian's  Christmas— the  jftnaJe  of 
the  present  dispensation  and  the  com- 
mencement of  a  new  year  of  gloiy — the 
happy  new  year  of  bliss  and  immortality. 
I  need  not  wish  you,  dear  brethren,  that 
happy  new  year,  for  that  year  is  yours,  by 
love  and  blood,  by  oath  and  promise,  hy 
right  and  deed. 


TO  MR.  ROBERT  BOWKES.    . 

Dbak  Sib, — I  trust  you  will  pardon  the 
liber^  I  take  in  addressing  you ;  but  for 
some  length  of  time  I  have  felt  a  growing 
desire  to  write  and  inform  you  of  the 
blessings  I  have  received  under  your  min- 
istry, which  I  hope  will  ever  remain  with 
me.  I  trust  you  will  bear  with  me  while  I 
feebly  attempt  to  relate  a  few  of  my  feel- 
ings,  knowing  that  if  they  are  in  accord- 
ance with  truth,  you  will  be  gratified.  As 
you  are  aware,  I  was  brought  up  under  a 
Gospel  ministry  at  Welwyn ;  and  attended 
there  only  as  a  form  for  some  years,  until 
I  was  led  to  hear  Mr.  Mortimer,  in  your 

rilpit  some  months  ago ;  and  so  much  did 
enjoy  the  service  that  I  resolved  to  attend 
whenever  able.  From  that  time,  sitting 
under  your  ministry,  I  got  a  dear  view  of 
Divine  realities,  and  a  longing  desire  to 
feel  them  for  myself.  I  have  often  felt, 
and  that  most  strongly,  that  I  am  not  in 
the  right  way,  because  I  have  not  ex- 
perienced that  dreadM  law  work,  and  that 
powerfol  application  of  pardon  which  is 
the  lot  ot  many  a  child  of  God,  and  which 
is  declared  to  be  the  essential  point  by 
many  Standard  ministers ;  so  that  in  trying 
to  discover  a  likeness  in  reading  obituaries 
in  the  Standard,  I  have  been  much  dis- 
comforted, and  brought  to  feel  that  if  it  is 
essential  in  all  its  terrors,  I  have  no  part 
nor  lot  in  the  matter  at  aU— Although  I  am 
pleased  to  read  such  sovereign  acts  of  grace. 
If;  sir,  I  have  passed  through  the  new 
birth  which  is  what  I  so  want  to  know,  it 
has  been  brought  on  very  slowly.  I  can 
recollect  slight  convictions  of  sin  ever  since 
my  eighth  birthday  until  now.  I  feel  truly 
my  wretchedness,  helplessness  and  destitu- 
tion ;  and  though  I  have  been  told  that  I 
should  not  wish  such  thinas,  yet  I  have 
many  times  longed  that  I  might  p^s  through 
the  trials  afore  mentioned  eooner  than  be  de- 
ceived. But  many  times  has  my  heart  been 
made  to  rcrjoicc  when  you  have  been  led  to 
speak  a  word  to  thn  feeble  and  little  ones 
of  the  flock  ;  and  the  more  I  got  the  more 
I  wanted,  so  that  I  could  even  have  sa.  to 


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XBB  SAItTWII^  VEjUW*. 


PW.1.IM. 


hear  you  as  lon^'aa  you  could  luire  moken. 
The  last  time  I  heaid  Mr.  Wise,  of  Doiaet 
square,  in  your  pulpit  on  a  week-diiy  eirie» 
I  felt  BO  assured  that»  Uke  David,  1  said, 
*'  I  shall  never  be  moved."  Indeed,  the 
sweetness  and  power  of  that  service  did 
abide  with  me  for  some  time,  and  then  left 
me  to  doubts  and  fears.  This,  oouplad  with 
many  temporal  trials,  has  led  me  much  to  a 
throne  of  grace ;  and  there  I  can  say  I  have 
had  some  sweet  moments.  I  often  feel  my 
soul  80  led  out  in  communion  with  the 
Lord,  that  I  know  not  how  to  leave  off,  and 
fear  I  shall^asktoo  much  and  be  troublesome. 
To  me  all  other  streams  an  dry ;  and  every 
little  burden  or  cross,  makes  me  long  to  get 
awayfrtfin  the  world  and  all  it  contains. 
No  one  knows  how  I  long  for  strong 
manifestations  of  love  and  peace,  and  sigh 
ix  some  promise  to  be  oiven  with  power ; 
for  now  I  see  them  in  lul  their  sweetneai 
and  fulness,  but  fear  to  take  them,  lest  I 
should  do  so  presumptuously.  Then  '^ff^t 
I  have  read  that  a  man's  natusil  feelingi 
may  go  thus  far  in  the  matter ;  and  my  poor 
mbefieving  heart  is  so  prone  to  believe  in 
anything  that  causes  doubt.  This  I  know, 
that  a  great  change  has  been  wrought  in 
m«,  ioT  a  few  years  aeo  I  did  run  after 
unoleanness  with  greediness.  One  plaoe 
where  I  lived,  the  conversation  of  those  I 
was  obliged  to  be  with,  was  somatimas 
awful  to  hear ;  yet  it  was  amercy  I  was  not 
allowed  to  run  to  the  same  length ;  but  it 
did  not  give  me  that  pain  that  I  now  Coel 
lor  eveiy  idk  word  or  thought.  Indeed, 
it  is  now  my  desire  to  walk  uprightly ;  lor 
six  months  it  was  my  constant  prayer,  that 
the  Lord  would  grant  me  a  situation  in  life 
until  I  was  ready  to  despair  of  success;  and 
now  it  has  plBased  Him  to  place  me  in  such 
a  manner,  that  I  am  deprived  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  getting  to  Hertford,  or  the  dis- 
tanoe  wou&  be  trifling  with  a  meal  in  view ; 
but  I  know  His  presence  is  not  confined  to 
His  house,  and  He  is  able  to  mako  it  up  to 
me  in  other  ways.  No  one  knows  the  sor- 
row I  felt  at  hearing  the  two  last  seBnrices 
at  £benezer,  and  also  at  parting  with  those 
that  had  become  dear  to  me  thera,  not  fiir- 
gatting  yourself^  all  of  whom  have  a  fond 
remembrance  in  my  heart  I  hope  what  I 
have  written  may  not  lead  you  to  think  I 
wish  to  establish  or  encoursge  a  self-right* 
eous  spirit,  as  that  I  detest,  although  I  nnd 
it  will  often  creep  in  with  risings  of  pride, 
likewise  its  con^mnion,  proud  feee^wilL 

Kamestly  praying,  that  your  labours  may 
be  sUll  highiy  blemed  in  the  conversion 
and  bringing  in  many  poor  wanderers  into 
the  fold ;  and  though  I  am  unable  to  attend 
my  heart  will  often  be  with  you. 

Believe  me,  dear  sir,  to  be  your  sincere 
though  humble  friend  for  the  truth's  sake, 

Frogmore  Lodge,  G.  QoLDsmtu. 

WaUon,  Hants. 


MRBOT. 

Bt  W.  FaifH^  BoBOvas  Qt\ 

AUTHOR    or  "COMKUVIOII    OF    SAimS.*' 


UiBCY  is  &vour  shewn,  not  to  the  un- 
deserving merely,  but  to  those  who  reallv 
deserve  condign  punishment.  The  CSiurdh 
could  not  be  the  recipients  of  grace  without 
mercy.  Justice  could  not  allow,  with  be- 
coming de&rence  to  his  own  honours^ 
man,  fallen  and  degraded,  and  already  under 
serious  obligations  honourably  to  meet  ita 
demands  and  to  endure  the  penal^  in- 
separately  eonnected  with  transgressum,— 
should  become  the  recipiants  of  any  fimra 
or  gifts  of  grace,  till  he  had  met  the  right* 
eous  daima  alreadj^  due,  either  by  them- 
selves, and  in  their  own  name,  or  by 
another  and  in  his  name  for  them.  Man, 
therefore,  could  not  as  a  fallen  creatur% 
become  the  partaker  ofgrace  without  mercy 
first  be  manifested.  Had  Justice  taken  its 
natural  and  legal  oourse,  it  would  have 
treated  fallen  man  as  it  did  Mien  anaeto— 
them  in  chains  under  darkness 
nent  of  the  sreat  day' 


till  the  judgment  ot  the  sreat  aay  — «na 
visited  tnem  with  merited  punismnent  im 
BTKBKAL  FiRi  to  enduro  **  the  wrath  of  the 
Lamb/'  But  mercy  was  evidenced  in  eternal 
choice  to  eternal  life,  in  making  an  '*  cFsr- 
lasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and 
Bure/Mn  appointing  a  Mediator  and  making 
that  fiiU  extensive  provision  in  the  atone- 
ment, so  that  the  vicarious  suffering  should 
finally  secure  the  "  eternal  salvation*'  of  the 
"  Church  of  Gtod ; "  and  in  the  perpetnal 
and  effectual  operation  of  the  blessed  Spirit 
in  and  on  the  hearts  of  the  "  househofi  of 
faith,"  secure  their  full  and  free  diaohazge 
&om  all  legal  requirements,  all^  the  penal 
requirements  of  honourable  justice ;  and  by 
imputed  righteousness  a  full  andacoeptable 
justification,  so  that  they  mi^  be 
"justified  from  all  things  from  which 
they  could  not  be  justified  by  the  law  of 
^oses.*'  Thus,  mercy  free  and  sovereign 
has  gone  forth  toward  *'  miserable  sinneis,** 
making  them  "  righteous  before  Gtod,"  and 
«<  accepted  in  the  Beloved.*'  So  that, 
whereas  they  deserved  wrath,  "they  ob- 
tained mercy'*  and  "find  grace  to  help  in 
every  time  of  need.*'  0 1  marvellous  mer^  1 
Wonderful  condescension  to  guilty  rebels  1 
Hear  Paul.  '*  I  obtained  mercy.'*  O,  what 
poor,  sensible,  guilty  creataire  need  despair  7 
U  the  dying  wief  had  mercy,  who  is  so 
Tile  as  to  be  too  degraded  and  sunken  that 
mercy's  arm  cannot  reach  him?  Ol 
Christian,  look  at  the  unspeakable  gift! 
Bemembco;,  "  mercy  shall  be  built  un  for 
ever ; "  her  house  shall  standi "  her  child- 
ren shall  live ;  "  her  kingdom  shall  con- 
tinue. 


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MS 


CHRISTMAS    KVANS. 

By  T.  J. 


(Oootiiuiad  from  j^igt  960.) 


FlMH  the  period  ui  Ohriitmat  £yawi'  life, 
nfivred  to  in  onr  kit  mpcr,  on  to  the  mo* 
mwfitnpB  hear  whieh  mtnesMd  his  dismis* 
wn  *'  tern  a  wiflhring  chnfeh  below  to  the 
smgniBg  ehueh  above,"  we  hare  bo  rtry 
itwtUag  QTiata  to  auiste,  having  littte 
man  to  add,  bo&re  we  oome  to  the  doeing 
aeeiie,  than  that  he  "pmmad,  the  ov«m 
tenor  of  hia  wtsy"  domg  aad  recerring 

Hia  biographer  hae,  howerer,  inter- 
■penad  thioogh  the  Istter  pavt  of  his  book 
beef  notices  of  a  nnmbeir  of  C.  £.'s  con- 
tanqmrsries,  all  of  whom  aapear  to  bare 
been  need  vety  eztensiTely  by  the  creat 
Lord  of  the  harvest  Ibr  the  gauiering  in  of 
thousands  of  His  redeemed  ones.  We  deem 
it,  therefore,  light  to  introduce  one  or  two 
•f  these  renowned  men  to  the  notice  of  our 


in  onr  own  way. 
Tiie  first  hero  of  the  evssB  we  wonld  no- 
lice  is  that  eitrmerdjnarilj  useful  and  elo- 
qnent  minister  of  Jems,  John  Ettas.  That 
great  and  good  brother  was  a  distingoished 
member  of  a  rery  nseful  connexion— the 
Galrinistic  Methodists.  John  Ellas,  like 
Ohfistmas  Bvans,  eould  not  boost  of  his  de- 
scent from  liiose  of  whom  so  many  are 
proud  to  ha^e  sprang  from,  yiz.,  the  aris- 
taeratie  Korman  tkievea,  who  came  over  to 
o«r  island  home  with  that  kingly  ^nomid^r, 
the  hmi-hearted  William  the  Conqueror. 
We  envy  not  those  persons  who  are  so  fond 
of  tradng  their  pedigree  back  to  men,  many 
of  whom  had  not  a  particle  of  real  noble- 
sees  about  them.  To  belong  to  CM's  no- 
Irikhj  is  the  higfaeet  honoar  that  can  be 
eonferred  upon  a  son  or  daughter  of  Adam. 
Though  bora  in  a  humble  cottage,  of  parents 
who  had  to  toil  hard  fbr  their  daily  bread, 
if  those  perentB  have  given  evidence  that 
they  formed  a  part  of  Gbd's  great  mystic 
hoaseheld,  that  is  a  greater  honour  than  to 
have  deoeended  firam  the  loins  of  kings  and 
For,— . 


^  However  ft  be,  it  seems  to  me» 
*Tls  emly  aeble  to  be  aooA ; 
Kind  heoiti  sTOmeie  «hn  eoioMli, 
^iad  simple  ^h  tbsa  Vormw  Mood." 

John  JOiae's  parento  were  poor  as  regwds 
eastUy things ;  but  tlMywere  rich  in  the 
bait  and  hohest  sense  of  the  word. 

InhiiMilydays,  as  he  was  budding  vp 
to  manhood,  John  Elias  was  greatly  in- 
debted to  a  pious  graadfother,  who  watched 
•far  Us  nandsott  as  a  hen  watches  her 
brood,  and  who  was  "instant  hi  prayer" 
iij  after  difia  his  behalf.  Itwnsbythe 
VBfoeit  of  this  good  nun,  who  was  a  dkiMvA- 


faan,  that  John  Elias  first  entered  a  dis- 
senting Pttlpit,  and  from  that  hnportent 
epoch  in  his  life's  history  down  to  his  death, 
the  pulpit  was  hie  home;  there  he  enjoyed 
the  greatest  amount  of  happiness ;  there  ha 
often  found  himself  in  the  very  suburbe  of 
the  city  of  purity,  sunlight,  and  rest;  and 
there,  in  a  rtyle  which  was  peculiar  to  hinu 
self,  he  gave  utterance  to  those  precious 
truths  whidi  were  instruments^  }n  leading 
multitudes  to  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

In  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  he  wae 
called  to  endure  reiy  fl;reat  hardships;  but 
in  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  having  married 
a  lady  of  title,  he  passed  smoothly  on  as  Ihr 
as  pecuniary  matters  were  concerned  to  the 
grave. 

John  Elias  was  not  only  an  intellectual 
man  and  a  devoted  Christian,  but  h^  was 
singularly  courageous.  No  enemy  to  the 
truths  he  promulgated,  however  wildly 
malignant  that  enemy  was,  ever  caused  Mip 
to  fear.  Often  did  he  beard  the  lion  in  his 
yery  den,  and  in  most  cases  he  came  pff 
victorious. 

When  we  inform  our  readers  that  John 
Elias  was  necessitated  to  follow  a  businefs 
for  many  years  after  he  commenced  preach- 
ing, th^  will  be  astonished  to  hear  that  he 
attained  a  high  elevation  in  the  scale  of 
learning. 

Referring  on  one  occasion  to  the  subteet 
of  preparation  for  the  pulpit  (and  it  was  his 
practice  to  write  the  greater  part  of  every 
sermon  he  delivered),  he  said:  "It  h^ 
often  been  a  great  burden  and  anxiety  to 
my  mind  to  find  suitable  subjects  to  place 
before  the  people— subjects  that  were  likely 
to  be  profitable ;  subjects  by  which  CkA 
might  condescend  to  work.  The  time  was 
short  for  me  to  read  and  meditate,  and  my 
mtit  was  often  too  far  from  the  Lord.  But 
r.wish  to  speak  to  the  praise  of  Qo^a 
mercy  and  grace,  and  to  make  known  how 
good  he  has  been  to  me  on  many  tj^ing 
oeeasions,  giving  to  me  sometimes  in  an 
hour  for  the  pulpit  (beinff  much  psessed  for 
want  of  time  by  business)  more  than  I  had 
often  obtained  when  striving  for  it  all  day, 
and  when  in  possession  of  better  means  of 
suMtying  myself  with  materials.*' 

Ifow,  though  this  was  the  case  ccca- 
shtudfy,  Elias  was  too  well  taughjt  to  d«)- 
pend  upon  that  special  assistance,  or  to 
preach  as  some  men  ignorantly  say  they  do 
by  "  irupiraHon  /"  who  never  use  the  mea^s 
at  band  to  secure  mental  cultivation.  He 
"  gave  attention  to  reading,"  and  was  really 
a  hard  student.    He  went  down  venr  deep 

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THB  EARTHIM  YESIBU 


See.  1, 1861. 


into  the  rich  mine  of  theologie  trath,  from 
which,  after  long  and  laborioasmeaich,  he 
frequently  came  up  redolent  with  liftht,  and 
amply  prepared  to  antagonise  wiu  igno- 
rance and  error,  with  Satan  and  sin.  And 
thia  ha  did  until,  ripe  in  eveiything  that 
was  lovely  and  good,  he  paaaed  away  to  the 
abodes  ol  immortality,  where  with  Christ- 
mas £Tans,  and  a  multitude  which  no  man 
can  number,  he  is  now  magnifying  the  so- 
vereign grace  and  mercy  of  Uie  great  Three- 
One  Jehovah. 

Another  great  Uoht  is  introduced  by  Mr. 
D.  M.  Evans  into  nis  excellent  memoir  of 
his  namesake,  viz.,  Williams  of  Wero,  the 
eloquent  orator  of  the  Welsh  Independents, 
who,  by  his  beautifrdly  expressive  poesy, 
and  his  burning  pulpit  eloquence,  minis- 
tered to  the  joy  of  thousands.  We  feel 
tempted  to  write  much  about  this  splendid 
man ;  but  we  are  compelled  to  forbear.  Our 
desire  is  to  finish  these  Pi^rs  in  tliis  De- 
cember number  of  the  Vbssxl,  so  that  our 
remarks  now  respectinpr  other  personages 
introduced  to  our  notice  in  the  memoir 
must  here  dose. 

Clhristmas  Evans,  during  the  remainder 
of  his  stay  at  An^lesea,  had  to  resist  a 
"  Diotrophesian  tide,"  which  rolled  in 
heavily  against  him.  As  it  rolled  in,  he 
rose,  says  his  biographer,  *'to  the  full 
hei^t  of  his  stature,  and  thundered  forth : 
*  I  fear  not  what  man  can  do  unto  me.'  " 
Whilst  the  waves  were  beating  violently 
against  him,  and  when  he  was  in  the  very 
"  thick  of  his  ecclesiastical  conflict,"  he  was 
threatened  with  law  by  a  party  whom  he 
had  offended,  and  the  party  offended  was 
evidently  a  professor  of  the  religion  of  the 
ffentle  Christ  Who  that  is  conversant  wiUi 
tne  writings  of  that  man  who  is  at  the  time 
I  write  these  sentences  creating  by  his  elo- 
quent utterances  on  the  sanguinary  conflict 
now  transpiring  in  the  transatlantic  world 
a  perfect yurore  in  some  of  our  large  towns, 
but  must  here  call  to  mind  one  of  his 
beautiful  and  striking  paragraphs  respect- 
teg  the  conduct  of  such  men  as  Christmaa 
Evans  at  this  time  was  annoyed  by. 
"There  are  men  in  this  congregation,*' 
says  the  pr<«cher  referred  to  aMve,  "  now 
sitting  before  me  who  stuff  their  Sundays 
fiill  of  what  they  call  religion,  and  then  go 
out  on  Mondays  to  catch  tneir  brothers  by 
the  throat,  saying,  'Pay  me  that  thou 
owest ;  it's  Monday  now,  and  you  needn't 
think  that  because  we  sat  cryinp  together 
vesterday  over  our  Saviour's  Bu£»ringa  and 
love,  that  I  am  going  to  let  you  off  from 
that  debt,  if  it  does  ruin  you  to  pay  me 
now.' "  How  many  really  honeat  Christiana 
have  been  mined  m  their  temporal  drcum- 
Btances  by  such  miserable  carieatures  of  the 
real  Christian  eternity  will  disclose. 
The   threat  of  law  caused   Christmaa 


Evans  no  small  amount  of  mental  anguish. 
He  carried,  however,  the  matter  to  a  throne 
of  grace,  and  as  he  bent  there  before  his 
Lord  and  Master,  exclaimed,  "Bleased 
Lord,  I  trust  in  Thjr  merits,  and  have  con- 
fidence that  Thou  wilt  hear  me.  Some  of  my 
brethren,  (?)  Lord,  have  become  enraged, 
and  having  mrgotten  their  duties  and  obli- 
gntions  to  their  father  in  the  Gospel, 
Oureaten  me  with  the  law  of  the  land. 
Weaken,  I  beseech  Thee,  their  designs,  as 
Thou  didst  the  arm  of  Jeroboam,  andsoften 
Thou  their  hearts,  as  Thou  didst  that  of 
Esau  against  Jacob,  alter  the  wrestling  at 
PenueL  I  know  not  the  length  of  Satan's 
chain  in  this  unbrotherly  attack,  but  Thou 
canst  shorten  it,  even  as  Thou  wilt.  0 
Lord,  I  anticipate  them  in  the  matter  of 
law.  Their  design  is  to  put  Thine  un- 
worthy servant  into  their  little  courts 
below  ;  but  I  would  have  Thee  judge  my 
cause  in  the  supreme  court  above,  and  m 
which  Thou,  gracious  Lord,  art  the  Chan- 
cellor. Do  Thou  undertake  the  cause  of 
Thine  unworthy  servant,  and  speedily  send  a 
writ  into  their  consciences,  compelling  them 
to  surrender  what  they  are  about  to  at- 
tempt." In  this  way  for  a  long  time  he 
pleaded,  and  deliverance  at  2en^  came, 
so  that 

"*  Like  Moset^  Imata,  he  mounted  higher, 
And  iloarisbed  unooosoned  in  Are." 

Only  those  who  have  been  similarly  treated 
can  fully  enter  into  the  feelinc|8  of  Christ- 
mas Evans  at  thia  trving  period.  All  we 
have  to  say  is,  God  pity  and  help  that 
minister,  who  is  permitted  to  &11  into  the 
hands  of  such  wretched,  mean-epirited  op* 
pressors. 

After  a  few  more  struggles  and  mueh 
wasting  toil,  Mr.  Evans  bade  adieu  to 
Anglesea,  where  for  forty  years  he  had 
scattered  broad-caat  the  seeds  of  truth. 
When  he  left  the  {people  there,  he  tells  ua 
he  had  none  of  this  world's  goods,  but  the 
horse  on  which  he  rode,  and  a  little  moner 
in  his  poeket»  which  he  could  scarcely  call 
his  own. 

We  know  another  man  who  after  more 
than  forty  years*  wasting  toil  to  lift  sin- 
scathed  men  and  women  from  the  dung- 
hill of  debasement,  is  similarly  circum- 
stanced— nay,  hx  worse.  How  mysterious 
are  the  wave  of  providence! 

After  toiling  fer  a  season  at  Caerphilly, 
a  place  to  which  Jehovah  directed  his  steps, 
and  where  he  crowned  his  efibrts  with  con- 
siderable success,  we  find  him  at  Cardiff, 
treading  the  ftoows,  and  breasting  many  a 
storm. 

We  are  next  introduced  to  him  at  a  Welsh 
assodatioB,  held  at  Liverpool,  an  account  of 
which  is  worth  recording  nere. :— • 

His  visit  to  Liverpo<3  greatly  ddighted 
his  old  friends,  who  had  begun  to  think 


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THB  RARTBJBH  TSSBBU 


287 


thry  "  Bhoold  lee  his  face  no  mote,"  and  the 
ootdial  reoeptioB  which  he  met  with  did 
miidk  to  T^fteah  him  after  his  wan  in  Qhi- 
BMMgnnshire.  firerything  was  done  to  hon- 
our and  comfort  him.  He  waa  among  those 
idio  well  loiew  his  likings  and  antipathies. 
Before  he  stood  up  to  prradi,  care  would  be 
taken  that  the  chapter  read  should  not  be 
too  long,  that  not  more  than  one  verse  of  a 
hjmn  should  be  sung  at  a  time,  that  the 
peajer  should  not  be  tedious,  and  that  the 
preyiotts  sermon  should  not  exceed  the 
proper  limits ;  for  it  should  be  remembered 
that  without  such  precautions,  the  venera- 
ble preacher  would  denounce  tiie  first  part 
of  the  service  as  a  reading  school,  or  a  sing- 
ing cUss,  that  he  would  protest  the  praver 
hM  made  him  **  a  perfect  Fsgan,"  and  that 
the  sermon  was  the  d^verance  of  a  fool. 
As  so  much  depended  on  preliminaries, 
eveiything  calculated  to  irritate  would  be 
studiously  avoided.  In  these  circumstances, 
*'the  old  man  ekwuent"  was  himself  again. 
The  vision  of  fomuiar  fiiees,  and  the  venera- 
tion and  deference,  deepened  by  a  kindly 
sense  of  his  reoent  conflicts,  which  were  ac- 
eofded,  acted  powerftdly  upon  him. 
**  Andeat  fiwiiitt  of  iniplntioii, 
Welled  thrangh  all  hb  fluey  yet" 

At  these  meetings,  we  are  told  the  brethren 
talked  together  respecting  the  likeliest  part 
of  the  Welsh  vineyard  for  Christmas  Bvans 
to  labour  in.  It  seems  he  had  all  but 
settled  it  in  his  mind  to  go  to  Carnarvon. 
The  brethren  agreed  that  that  was  a  very 
proper  locale  to  be  visited.  An  unfortunate 
member  of  the  association  closed  some  re- 
marks on  the  point  by  the  following  sen- 
tence— "  You  had  better  go  to  Carnarvon ; 

itTs  notlikelj  your  talents  would  suit , 

but  you  might  do  excellently  well  there." 
Xr.  fevans  ihshed  his  eye  upon  the  man, 
and  with  a  husky  voice,  rather  indignantly 
mponded— <*Aml  when  didst  thou  come 
out  of  the  shell  r*    Vo  doubt  that  pointed 

ry  prevented  all  farther  remarks  about 
matter.  So  ftom  Cardiff  he  went  to 
Carnarvon.  Whilst  at  Carnarvon,  Mr. 
Sfans  wisely  became  the  <'  hero  of  the  Car- 
Murvon  teetotal  platlbrm.*'  Well  would  it 
be  Ibr  society  in  general,  and  for  the  church 
in  partieular,  if  dl  ministers  of  the  Goqiel 
wsm  to  imitate  his  example.  If  Christmas 
JBwis  eould  toil  as  ne  did,  without 
the  stimulus  of  alcoholic  or  poisonous 
bsvemgas,  why  might  not  all  ?  We  know 
br  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  centurys  expe- 
rience the  hardest  toil  in  the  pulpit  and 
the  platform  can  be  gone  throngh  better 
without  the  stimulus  of  what  is  eaUed  "  the 
moderate  glass"  than  with  it.  Qlad  are  we 
to  put  on  record  the  gratiiying  foct  that 
Ohnstmas  Bvans  was  a  TnroTAuia !  After 
hi»  settlement  at  Carnarvon,  he  often  wan 
dered  fiv  and  wide  to  preach  the  Qospd  of 


peace.    Once  he  visited  the  old  scene  of 
his  self-abneirattnff  labours — ^Amrelssa ;  and 


when  he  spoke  there,  he  stirred  the  pulses 
of  his  hesrers  as  in  days  gone  by.  At  the 
dose  of  his  sermons,  he  r^rred  to  former 
times— to  some  of  his  contemporaries  who 
had  entered  into  rest,  and  hinted  that  it 
was  probable  they  would  see  his  ihce  on 
earth  no  more ;  and  then  it  was 

*•  Women**  tews  feU  ftst  M  nin, 
And  Rmgh  meo  shook  with  inward  pain, 
For  him  they  ne'er  should  see  again.** 
After  his  visit  to  Angebea,  we  find  him 
going  on  an  evangelistic  tour  in  company 
with  his  ififoand  a  young  preacher,  oiUed 
Hushes,  into  South  Wales.  At  Tredegar, 
theliaad  of  affliction  grasped  him,  but  he 
rallied  sufficiently  to  reach  Swansea,  where 
he  lifted  up  his  migh^  voice  for  the  last 
time  in  public  in  belialf  of  the  cause  of 
truth  and  righteousness.  As  he  descended 
the  pulpit  stairs,  he  was  heard  to  say, 
"  This  is  my  last  sermon  !*'  He  repaired 
to  the  house  of  his  friend  the  Bev.  P. 
Davies,  D.D.,  and  laid  himself  down  on  hb 
couch  to  die. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  June, 
1838,  he  summoned  his  Mends  to  his  bed- 
side, thanked  them  for  the  kindly  feelings 
they  had  evinced,  and  tremulously  said,  "  I 
am  going  to  depart.  I  have  laboured  in  the 
sanctuai;^  for  Uiree  and  fifty  yean,  and  my 
comfort  IS  that  I  have  not  laboured  without 
blood  in  the  vessel.  Preach  Christ  to  the 
people,  dear  brethren  I  Look  at  me  in  my- 
self and  in  my  preaching.  I  am  nothing 
but  a  lost  and  ruined  man,  but  look  at  me  in 
Christ  I  am  heaven  and  salvation."  He 
Uien  repeated  a  verse  of  a  hymn  in  Welsh, 
and  with  his  inward  eye  beheld  the  chariot 
which  had  come  to  take  him  to  his  everlast- 
ing home.  As  he  took  his  place  in  it,  he 
tnumpbantiy  waved  his  luuid,  lovingly 
said,  "  QooD  btsI  Dmtvx  oh  T  and  n^elted 
away  into  a  glorious  eternity  of  bliss. 

**  Servant  of  Ood,  well  doneb 
Best  from  thy  lov'd  employ ; 
The  bstUS's  icnight,  the  Tiet'ry  won, 
Bnter  thy  Master's  joy. 

<*  The  cry  fhnn  hesTtti  esme, 
Then  didst  attaniive  hear : 
A  mortal  axrow  pierced  thy  fkame. 
But  thou  wast  proof 'gainst  fear. 


**  Thy  spirit  with  a  bound. 

Thy  tent  L 
A  darkaned  ruin  lay. 


theeneambering'elay; 

Thy  tent  at  sunrise  on  the  ground. 


Farewell,  good,  eloqiient,  coviageons 
Christmas  Bws,  foreweU  t  Brother  of  our 
heart*  fiurewell!  Thou  hast  indeed gsined 
the  very  goal  and  purpose  of  thine  ex- 
istence upon  earth.  Predestinated  to  a 
g^ous  immortality,  thim  hast  readied  the 
blessed  inheritance,  where  thou  ahalt  dwell ' 
in  fiideless  bsanty  and  inersasing  bri^t- 
ness  for  ever. 

And  now  my  task  is   "all  ever  and 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


DM  1,  1« 


It  may  of  mf  poor  MUttaceB  nhoM 
bttfv  inadb  hix  one  viodMr  «f  UMm  long  to 
be  mora  like  Um  flireu  Elder  Btotker  of  tho 
Ghvxoh— te  be  bow  eoungeow  in  battling 
ivilh  «Ron«-nore  denioM  to  bo  iaetni* 
mmM  kk  wiping  lean  of  eonov  fren  the 
t^m  of  thoiO  imo  no  coUod  to  woikr^ 
moM  Iffnag  ia  tboir  tempon  and  diopon* 
tiono— more  ftiendly  to  erezgr  iagbnattm- 


taHty  eal6ahilid  in  any  moann  to  gtro  » 
healthier  aetion  to  the  giiafc  heatt  of  t^ 
deeaied  hauanity,  I  ahidl  nea  hate  writtaa 
and  they  will  not  hare  rmd  my  poor  hn»* 
bfatioaa  altogether  in  vain.  WiahiBg  nj 
kind  leadeta  hi  the  beet  eenae  of  the  woiw 
a  Joyoas  GhristiMui  when  it  ocnkm^  and  » 
hamrnMr  jHur,  I  bid  f 


COMPANIONS  OF  THE  CROSS; 

^  9«niilte  of  torn  of  M>'»  Jbiiltt   Jfonnb  ia  i\gt  ^t^pba  «f  %  €|a»|pf. 


THE  lATX  WmilH  BIBCH— W.  HUNTINGTON'S  BBUVERANOB. 

Iir  the  Eiditiaar  Vaegm.  for  September,  I 
gate  one  tnit  of  Mr.  Hnntington'B  teeti- 
moBT  tonening  hie  own  deliTerance:  In  thie 
nvmW  I  win  give  the  end  of  it ;  but  will 
Hiat  Bay  <m»  wcod  annonndng  the  death  of 
one  who  might  be  well  called  a  son  in  the 
fhith  of  the  late  leaac  Beonum^I  mean 
William  Bizoh,  of  Cranbrook,  in  the  county 
of  3Kom> 

l^faottlwai a ainging-boy in  the  parish 
dte^Wimam  Birch'e  Mher  sat  by  my  ride 
ereiyJBimday  in  die  gallery,  and  sangtenor : 
ond  WilHamS  motiier  made  pies,  and  sold 
them  on  die  maritet  days.  William  was  a 
•hoomaker,  and  for  years  an  unconverted 
nan.  Isaac  Beeman's  ministry  was  the 
means  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord  of  bringing 
Mm  aaringly.  I  do  bolf  ere,  into  the  kingdom 
of  graea ;  and  after  some  time  he  was  called 
hito  the  ministry,  and  was  ultimately  settled 
as  pastor  over  a  church  at  Staplehurst, 
whm  fcft  several  yean  he  preacbed  the 
Gospel  in  an  esperimental  way,  and  not 
ttewonly,  but  in  many  parts  of  Kent  and 
fNsiui;  in  London,  and  other  parts  of 
finriand,  William  Birch  was,  I  believe, 
God*8  mouth  to  many  of  the  tried  and 
aiBicted  in  Zion. 

His  woak  on  earth  ia  done.  Bather  sud- 
denly, in  the  meoth  of  Oolobctv  he  was 
called  to   his   awt;   and  now  aand  the 

r*  'ta  of  the  imiiOiMd,  I  hope  he  realises 
ftill  dories  of  his  holy  mastei^s  pre- 
sence. Ox  his  life,  ministry,  experience, 
and  death,  I  may  g^ve  more  some  day ;  for 
he  was,  iadeedt  ia  auaiy  ways»  a  *'Com- 
pjkmoif  op  thb  Cmw.'* 

To  redeem  om  of  the  many  proniaes  I 
ha^  made,  let  mo  hero  give  the  ooal^ 
Boont  of  Iha  great  doliveaanoe  he 
tby 


TtolMmnMMvn  Smoror  tmiLo«». 


ntro  wa  mukj  paadng  among  ws  for 

men ;  and  professing  to  bo  odled  to 

of  the  Go^l;  bat  I  fear 


neither  their  hearta  nor  their  : 
tn4y  set  fret  and  ftdl  in  that  three-ftid 
knowledge,  ao  eaaential  to  real  CaUowahip 
with  God.  I  mean  (1)  a  knowledge  of  tho 
woik  of  the  Holy  Gheat :  (iQ  a  Unng  iMt 
in  all  that  may  be  said  to  oonatitnto  tha 
personalty  and  mediatorial  pewarof  the  Soil 
of  God;  and  (8)  a  hAj  asqaaiataBoe  with 
the  LuBD  ia  Hia  weUUotdsrad  oovenMit  of 
grace. 

All  who  arestnuigeni  to  a  IMaao  Jahovah 
ia  t^eae  great  mattesswill  lookwitheoa^ 
tsBipt  on  tboso  who  eamaatly  oontcnd  fttov 
and  fliithfully  afponnd  them :  bat  to  their 
own  Master  they  stand  or  foil. 

Tn  Gtioftior  B  RsvXLAtiOH  op  Jbsvs  Ckinr» 

Let  us  look  car^iUy  at  the  testimony  of 
William  Huntington.  His  great  distress  of 
loul  I  have  dsMribed.  We  left  him  on. 
his  knees  cmag  out  of  thepaia  of  his  soal 
for  mercy.  The  Lord  delivered  lam  ia  tho 
following  manner :    Hesajs:^ 

< '  Tho  very  moBMnt  the  laat  aenteaea  hfli 
dropped  from  my  lipa»  *the  spirit  of  giioo 
and  of  aopplicatioa  was  pouod  into  mar 
0OQl,'aad*IliDrthwtth  spake  asthofipajk 
gave  me  utterawso/  I  immadialely  pii^yiii 
with  saeh  onevcy,  aloqaonce,  flusMy,  boM* 
neas,  and  ^unmarity,  as  qvito  as 
me:  as  randi  as  though  I  shoald  i 
denW  apeak  Arabio,  a  Jaaguaga  that  1 1 
learned  a  i^Uable  of.  And  the  blo«ed 
Spirit  of  God  poured  the  sweet  prcaMsea 
into  my  heart,  fiiom  all  paits  of  the  Serqi- 
tnrea,  m  a  powoifal  manner;  and  helpod 

ar  infirmities  greatly,  bfy  fhmiafaiag  mgr 
tering  tongue  with  woras  to  plead  paa» 
valently  with  God.  Yea,  thai  blessed  Srak 
enabled  me  to  compass  the  Almighty  aMft 
wiUihiaowaproauaes;  i^chworaaosvil* 
aUe  to  my  eaaa,  that  hia  bicasod  li^mj 
could  not  get  out  of  his  owa  boada.  It 
came  to  pass  that,  after  I  had  baanwreal^ 
ling  in  tins  asaaaer  for  about  tho  apaea  «f 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  bchoU,  Joaaa  CUit 
appeared  to  nm  in  a  moat  riwioaa  aid  oaiK 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


TBB  BAB1 


vith  blood  I  He  vppmind  im  his  amaet  w 
oiM  i^VAtly  dithoBoiired  ud  auuh  ftboaed, 
«Bd  y^  uefin^d  to  pity  aae.  I  terned  my 
^yMteioai  him,  bat  he  porfoed  me^  end  ww 
fliiU  Utoe  me.  I  fell  to  the  gioaiid,  ead 
lay  on  my  fuse,  but  oonld  not  shim  the 
mm  Imtwm  befoie  mw  «tn  in  each  a 
UgMMltheadxL 

«'In  the  light  of  the  lev  God  eppeesm 
dreedM  to  «s :  for  ae  the  law  diecoTen 
nothing  bnt  sin,  and  the  wrath  of  God 
egiitwl  «iift»  the  LawviTer  ef^peea  en  ene- 
jny  to  us ;  which  flUs  ne  with  tocmentiag 
fear;  and^  as  we  expect  no  mercy  fxom  him, 
We  natnrally  hate  mm.  The  law  rerealing 
BO  pity,  we  are  moTed  with  aelf-pitj:  thus 
wtiAl  self  beoottiee  the  olgeet  of  mty»  aad 
the  eaaml  muid  ehewe  her  enmity  eivea 
a^nuft  eod.  Boft  the  sig^fc  and  sense  of 
an,  which  I  had  in  the  sight  of  a  sbm^tered 
Safioor,  filed  mv  seoT  with  indignation 
against  myself  and  my  sin;  and  eansed  my 
bowels  to  asondwith  mratterable  Iotc,  pity, 
and  compassion,  towards  my  highljr-iijnred 
Chid  aaid  -SaTioar.  Hy  mnnnnrbfl  was 
completely  slain  at  once,  and  I  criea  oat, 
•Oh  I  cannot  bear  it !  Oh  eend  me  to  hell, 
toBnrownplaee,£or  Idesttrreitl  I  cannot, 
I  «ul  not  oomplaia.  Oh  send  me  to  helll 
I  did  not  know  till  now  that  I  had  been 
sinsiBg  against  thT  wooads  and  thy  blood  I 
I  did  not  know  that  thoa  hadst  snffeied 
thaaforwietahedmel  I  did  not  know  till 
BOfWthat  I  had  any  eonoem  in  crucifying 
theel  I  cannot  beg  men^  of  my  aufferiag 
Jjud  and  Saviont;  No;  send  me  to  hell, 
for  I  dssaiie  it.  Ob,  I  will  never  oomnlain, 
for  I  know  that  my  complaining  woiud  be 
UQvatr 

*'  The  meas  I  stuore  to  avoid  him,  the 
nearer  he  approached,  the  visioa  opened 
hvightsK  and  briohtv,  and  the  de^er  im- 
piessieii  was  made  npon  my  mind :  and  the 
BMxe  I  eendenned  myself  and  tried  to  creep 
hrte  daikness  foom  his  sig^t,  the  more  he 
ssailed  iqpon  me,  and  the  store  he  melted, 
NBMwed,  and  eomforted  my  sovL  When  i 
foaad  I  ooold  not  shnn  him,  nor  shut  oat 
kse  disBolYing  beam^  I  aroee  from  the 
CBonnd,  and  went  into  the  garden.  Hera  I 
nmad  that  all  my  temptations  wera  fled;  my 
hard  thoaghts  of  God,  ead  the  draadfUl 
ideas  I  had  of  him  in  his  nghteoos  law» 
ipwe  dissipated ;  my  sias,  whi3i  had  stood 
befora  me  dating  so  manr  months^  with 
their  ghastly  and  fonaidable  appeuance^ 
had  spread  their  wings  and  taken  flight,  as 
fkr  irom  me  'as  the  east  is  fiom  the  west,' 
•o  that  ao  bird  rsinained  apon  the  saepioe. 
My  daskneas  was  dispellea  by  the  rays  of 
'thefiaD  of  rii^teonsaess ;'  and  life  and 
immortality  appeared  in  such  a  gjLorions 
paint  of  Tiew,  toat  I  swooned  in  the  sonl- 
aaa  soal-tnasporting  flames  of 


flieriastiag  love!  All  the  honan  of  the 
damned,  mid  meditations  apon  tibeir  inwo- 
cable  doomtTanished;  coafhsion  and  despair 
sank  into  oblivion;  the  self-ezisteat  Je- 
hovah, the  God  of  annies,  had  pnt  all  to 
flight,  and  kept  both  throne  and  lield  aloasb 
waving  the  banner  of  eternal  love.  Tha 
raprobate  said  the  awfol  lines  of  thmaten* 
ingi  wera  all  set  at  the  foot  of  the  ssoan^ 
and  I  was  bronglbt  milder  the  covenant  liaa 
of  God'e  elect;  while  the  nnceaditiimal 
promises  of  an  everlasting  goi^  stood  aa 
nnmeroos  as  the  leaves  in  antamn  to  eecnra 
my  interest  in  a  finished  salvation.  My 
thoaghts  were  sweetly  established ;  my  heart 
was  firmly  fixed ;  my  mind  was  seranely 
composed;  my  dcnbte  and  feara  wera  finally 
fled ;  my  conscience  appeared  a  mveterieaa 
principality,  divinelj  governed  by  the  Pnnce 
of  peace;  my  affections  wera  n^tonmsly 
inflamed;  my  will  sweetly  lerigned;  and 
Grace,  with  all  her  comforting  operations^ 
swaying  her  tmcontrollable  seeptn  over 
eveiv  fSeoIty  of  my  sooL  Thus  sin,  Sitaa. 
death,  destrnction,  honor,  despaur.nnbelie^ 
confnsion,  and  distraction,  straek  their  flan ; 
and  wera  rooted,  vanqaished,  and  slain,  be- 
fore the  triumphant  Bedeemer^s  divine  aiv 
tillery,  displayed  from  that  wonderAU  ar- 
moury, the  mystery  of  the  cross,  whera  God 
and  smnen  meet 

*'I  wmt  into  the  tool-hoase  in  all  the 
agonies  of  the  damned,  and  retnmed  witii 
the  kingdom  of  God  established  in  my 
heart  Oh  happy  year!  happy  day! 
blessed  minute  1  saersd  spot!  Yea,rather 
blBSBedbemydearfiadaanwr,who  *dehirand 
my  eoaliSrom  death,  mine  eyea  foomteaii^ 
and  myflMtfiwmfbUmg/ 

**  I  now  went  and  tried  to  work,  but 
esaklnot;  fori  had  not  a  tfaoaghtata^ 
command,  nor  an  affeetioii  bat  what  was  is 
heaven :  nor  was  it  in  my  power  to  remdl 
them  fkom  thence,  for  ray  heart  was  a^ere 
my  treasnra  was.  I  went  to  my  toohhonse 
to  fetch  a  tool;  bat  belbra  I  readied  the 
•pot  forgot  what  I  wanted    I  stood  1 


b^,  laariang,  crying,  and  r^oieing;  and 
sayinff,  'What  do  I  want?  What  do  I 
want  ?  *  but  caald  not  recollect  which  tool 
I  wanted  So  I  went  back  again  to  my 
work,  and  stood  looking  at  it ;  but  my  sew 
was  fled  to  her  owa  mansion,  and  the  pear 
gardener  was  left  alone.    As  I  eould  do 


nothing  without  hsr,  I  was  jm*  like  a  i 
machine  without  wheels.  After  I  had  stood 
oonsidering  a  long  time,  I  thought  it  was  a 
koe  that  I  wanted ;  then  I  ran  to  my  tool- 
house^  crying  out  all  the  way  'Hoe,  hoe^ 
hoe,  hoe; "  bnt,befora  I  couldreach  the  tool* 
house^  my  thoiights  and  the  hoe  wera  flad 
together.  I  then  went  back  a  second  tim^ 
and  stood  lookin|[at  my  work,  lauding  aai 
ciyinff  aloud  for  joy.  When  I  was  me  to 
oonsioer  alitUe,  X  rtmembersd  that  it  waa 


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%9Q 


IHB  BASTHJUr  YEMKI.. 


Dee.  1, 1M». 


a  raA$  I  wanted.  Then  I  set  off  BgfAn  u 
£Mt  fts  I  oould  wttlk  to  my  tool-house,  crying 
out, '  BakOk  rake,  rake,  rake ; '  but,  before 
I  could  eet  to  my  journey's  end,  the 
thoQffht  of  the  rake  went  after  the  koe,  so 
that!  conid  get  neither  of  them.  I  was 
like  poor  Peter,  when  he  said,  *  It  is  good 
to  be  here,'  bat  knew  not  what  he  said.  I 
now  went  back  the  third  time,  and  gsre 
up  all  hopes  of  being  able  to  work.  And  I 
considered  with  myself  what  I  should  do  in 
this  case.  If  I  did  not  work,  I  oould  not 
with  conscience  receive  my  wages ;  and,  if 
I  receired  no  pay,  my  wife  and  children 
mnst  suffer  for  want  of  bread.  As  for  my- 
ielf,  I  regarded  not  food;  nor  do  I  betierc 
I  shouldf  hare  felt  the  want  of  it,  had  I 
starved  to  death. 

"However,  all  my  eflbrts  to  work  would 
not  do ;  Jesus  Christ  was  come— it  was  the 
year  of  jubilee  with  me— And  tJie  earth 
must  bring  forth  of  herself  for  I  could  not 
till  the  p^round.  The  servant  was now£reed 
from  his  master,  and  my  *  hands  were 
deUvered  from  the  pots ; '  my  soul  had  got 
on  the  wings  of  a  dove,  and  had  fled  to  keep 
holy-day,  and  I  was  deteimined  to  keep 
holV-day  also.  I  therefore  left  the  ffaiden, 
and  went  to  Sunbury  common,  wnere  I 
could  walk  as  many  mdes  as  I  pleased  with- 
out  being  molested ;  and  there  I  blessed  and 
praised  Qod  with  a  loud  voice,  without  any 
body  listening  to  the  gloriousconverse  which 
I  held  with  my  dear  Bedeemer. 

**  When  I  came  there  I  was  amaced;  for 
the  whole  creation  aroeared  in  such  divine 
embroidery  as  I  had  never  before  seen. 
'  The  glory  of  God  covered  the  heavens,  and 
the  earth  was  full  of  his  praise,"  Hab.  iii.3. 
Indeed  I  could  not  compare  myself  to  any* 
thing,  unless  it  was  to  one  who  had  been 
shut  up  in  a  dark  cell,  from  the  moment  of 
his  birth,  till  he  airived  at  the  ageof  twenty 
Of  tlurty  years,  and  then  was  turned  into 
the  worid  on  a  fjbrious  sun-shiny  day,  and 
plaeedcm  an  eminence,  where  he  oonm  sur- 
v^  the  greatest  part  of  the  worid  at  one 
view. 

"  I  now  saw  the  wisdom  of  God  in  every 
thing,  even  from  the  canopy  of  the  heavens 
down  to  the  smallest  insect  His  omnipo- 
tence appeared  in  framing  and  supporting 
the  worid,  and  all  the  various  tribes  that 
inhabit  it  His  fkithftilness  shone  sweetly 
in  accomplishing  his  promise  to  Noah;  as 
it  is  written,  'While  the  earth  remameth, 
seedtime  and  harvest,  and  cold  and  heat, 
and  summer  and  winter,  and  day  and  night, 
shall  not  cease,'  Oen.  viiL  22,  His  omni- 
science and  wisdom  were  displayed  in  the 
government  of  a  world,  so  confused  and  dis- 
ordered by  sin.  In  short,  evexything  con- 
spired to  make  my  soul  happy,  to  engage 
Mj  thon^ts,  to   employ  my  mind,  aal 


attract  my  warmest  affsctions  to  the  Divine 
Fabricator  and  universal  Ruler. 

"I  kneeled  down,  and  begged  of  my 
Saviour  to  let  me  die :  I  eame^  entreated 
him  to  take  me  to  himself,  lest  1  should  be 
left  to  sin  again.  But  in  this  I  could  not 
prevail.'* 

I  cannot  give  the  iriiole  of  this  relation 
now;  nor  do  I  nve  it  as  an  experience 
which  must  be  rea£sed  in  all  who  are  saved 
— at  least  to  such  an  extent ;  but  of  this  I 
have  more  to  say. 

While  I  have  been  musing  over  these 
solemn  discoveries  of 

Majt's    Haladiis    and    the    MhscifuIi 
Manifsstatkoits  of  the  Hidiatob, 

a  letter  has  fallen  into  my  hands,  in  which 
we  have  another  testimony  unfolding  some- 
thing of  the  same  conflict-~«lthouflh  in  a 
lesser  degree— by  a  minister  still  living.  I 
mean  Mr.  Samuel  Coseks,  whose  letter  to 
roe  reads  as  follows : — 

"Ma.  EoiTOB.—Bear  Sir;— We  read  of 
some  who  in  the  place  of  drawing  water 
reheaned  the  righteous  acts  of  the  Lcvd.  And 

'Why  should  the  wonders  He  hath  wrought^ 
Be  lost  in  silenoe  and  forgot  F 
On  Monday  night,  after  reading  1  Peter  iv., 
and  a  part  of  Bomana  viii.,  from  the  28th 
verse  to  the  end,  I  went  to  bed  with  a  calm 
and  heavenly  mind  rejoicing  in  the  fellow- 
ship of  His  suffering  who  endured  the 
contradiction  of  {religious)  sinners  against 
Himself,  who,  tnou^  charged  with  blas- 
phemy was  not  impious,  and  who  though 
called  a  wine-bibber  (that  is  according 
to  the  original  a  confirmed  drunkard)  was 
never  inebriated ;  and  who  though  denomi- 
nated a  devil ;  nay,  the  veiy  chie^  the  alpha 
of  devils,  was  not  a  devil ;  and  who  though 
he  was  made  a  sinner  by  insinuation,  was 
not  a  sinner  in  fact,  ffis  associating  with 
sinners  could  not  be  tolerated  by  the 
pious  Pharisees  (who  while  their  outer  life 
was  garnished  with  broad  phylacteries^  and 
pompous  observances,  were  in  their  inner 
life  a  sink  of  sin),  from,  which  conduct  they 
immediately  drew  deductions  un&vourable 
to  His  reputation.  Nevertheless,  wisdom 
(Christ)  is  justified  of  all  her  children,  and 
we  rejoice  that  "His  loving  heart  is  still 
eternally  the  same :"  still  His  heart  of  love 
is  warm,  and  beats  with  deathless  sympa- 
thies for  sinners ;  and  '*  sinners  can  say,  and 
none  but  they,  how  precious  is  the  Saviour." 
Well  I  say,  I  went  to  sleep  in  peace, 
calmly  and  ouietly  reposing  on  the  lov- 
ing heart  oi  the  sinner's  Friend.  But 
ah  f  when  these  short  visits  end !  Sometimes 
like  Jacob  we  sleep  away  fh»n  Lus  into 
heaven  (Gen.  xzviii.) ;  bnt  on  Monday  night, 
like  Abraham,  I  slept  away  f^m  sacrificial 
visions,  and  fiK>m  communion  with  God  into 
an  horror  of  great  darimess^Gen.  zv.) ;  att4 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


Des.  1,  IMS. 


TBS  BAKTHKN  V£6«BL. 


291 


mjBterious  that  one  nour  wa  ihoold  be 
ablt  to  cMt  all  our  oaree  upon  the  Lord,  and 
the  next^  gather  them  au  up  again,  as  if 
there  were  mo  Gk>d ;  to  feel  one  moment  re- 
posing in  a  £iithful  God,  and  the  next  dis- 
tmstfol  and  misftnsting ;  to  feel  one  mo- 
ment a  yesy  heaven  of  saTing  delight  in  the 
sool,  and  the  next  to  groan  from  a  yety 
hell  of  misery  within.  I  think  I  can  nn- 
derstand  how  it  is  that  we  hare  these 
ehanges.  We  are  all  right  when  the  Spirit  of 
grsce  worlcs  in  ns ;  but  when  he  leaves  off 
working,  the  flesh  benns  to  work ;  and  we 
are  all  wrong  then.  Let  the  Lord  leave  off 
eoBmnmiug  with  ns,  and  we  are  sure  to 
subside  into  the  flesh.  It  is  as  natural  for 
us  to  fall  back  into  the  flesh  as  it  is  for 
water  to  find  its  leveL  You  may  throw 
water  up  to  hearen  a  thousand  times,  but  it 
will  come  down  again ;  ay,  and  you  may 
heat  it  a  thousand  times,  and  it  will  go  cold 
again ;  take  it  away  from  the  fire,  and  it 
goes  oold  again,  because  coldness  is  its  na- 
ture ;  and  just  so  we  fall  back  into  self  when 
we  miss  the  presence  of  our  Friend. 
**  let  «mve  divines  my  what  they  will, 
Matnie  will  be  natuze  stUL" 

For  that  which  is  bom  of  the  flesh  is  flesh, 
and  that  which  is  bom  of  the  Spirit  is 
Spirit ;  that  which  is  bom  of  the  flesh  will 
never  become  spirit :  the  flesh  is  flesh,  and 
the  spirit  is  spirit :  when  I  am  in  the  flesh,  I 
cannot  jplease  Qod,  for  to  be  camally 
minded  is  death ;  but  when  I  am  in  the  Spirit, 
I  cannot  please  the  flesh :  these  two  are 
eontnrj  the  one  to  the  other;  and  these 
two  an  in  the  Shuhimite  (Sol.  Sonff  vi.  16), 
in  the  church,  in  every  living  child  of  Qoa. 
Before  conversion  there  is  only  the  law  in 
the  members,  but  after  there  is  also  the  law 
in  the  miod.  (Bomans  vii.)  A  man  in  a 
state  of  nature  may  go  on  quiet  enough, 
because  he  haa  no  contending  laws  withm ; 
he  is  under  one  law,  and  that  law  he  loves 
and  obeys,  and  revels  in  lust  as  a  free- 
wilier  to  all  that  is  evil;  but  while  the 
graceless  are  free  to  evil,  the  gracious 
mourn  becanse  they  cannot  do  the  good  that 
they  would.  ^  But  1  am  forgetting  my  ob- 
ject in  writing.  I  said  I  got  up  consum- 
mately wretched,  and  so  f  did;  but  on 
going  into  my  sitting-room,  I  was  attracted 
to  a  small  pamphlet  lying  on  the  table, 
headed  with  this  solemn  intenragation : 
'How  shall  I  paaa  over  Jordan?'  Ae  mo- 
ment I  took  It  up  the  conviction  stole  over 
me  that  I  should  find  something  in  it,  Iiead 
*  little  way  into  it,  and  saw  nothing,  and 
felt  nothing,  and  thought,  it  is  no  use  read- 
ins  this;  and  with  that  thought  I  mechani- 
caDy  throat  the  book  into  my  coat  pocket. 
Li  the  ovening,  taking  thence  some  letters 
leottraeted  the  question, '  How  shall  I  pass 
over  Jocdan?*  Surely,  thought  I,  thL<i 
eaquixy  must  be  answered.    Iwill  read  it 


throug;h,  and  tiy  and  get  at  the  solution ; 
and  Iwas  truly  rewarded  for  my  pains,  for 
when  I  got  to  the  seoond  page,  and  read, 
Bo  you  remember  that  time  when  Uie 
Saviour  came  in  the  Gospel?  when  your 
heart  melted  under  a  Saviour's  love; 
that  God  should  tsave  sinners  was  wonderful, 
but  that  He  should  save  mb  more  wonderful 
still?  I  felt  my  heart  to  melt  afresh :  the 
fountains  of  the  deep  were  broken  up,  the 
flinty  rock  within  was  smitten,  and  I  wept 
tears  of  sweetness — ^tears  of  love  and  ^ef. 
Soul,  said  I,  dost  thou  remember  that  tune  ? 
O  yes,  more  than  twenty  years  age;  and 
the  place  ?  O  yes,  in  a  small  garret  in  the 
house  of  Messrs.  Stuckey  and  Meade^  Long- 
port  ;  and  the  words  of  the  Gospel  ?  O^es, 
'  Thy  sins,  which  are  many,  are  all  forgiven 
thee;'  and  the  preacher?  0  yea,  the 
Preacher  was  the  Lord  Himselfl  I  was 
upon  my  knees  crying  to  God  with  my 
voice,  my  sins  were  crying  against  me,  and 
the  powers  of  darkness  were  crying  after 
me  ;  i  felt  lost  and  ruined,  within  a  step  of 
death,  on  the  vexy  margin  of  hell,  and  I 
was  crying  aloud  to  God,  for  Christ's  sake, 
to  save  me ;  and  I  heard  the  words  uttered 
by  Divine  lips,  and  applied  by  Divine 
power,  '  Thy  sins,  which  are  many,  are  all 
forgiven  thee.*  Then,  like  Peter,  I  shook 
off  my  chains,  and  left  my  prison.  I  was 
free  I  free  from  the  chains  of  sin ;  f^  from 
the  prison  of  condemnation  ;  free  from  the 
agents  of  justice ;  free  to  tell  of  Him  who 
imULes  the  captive  free.    (Isaiah  Ixi.) 

"  Well,  my  dear  sir,  your  book  brou^t 
to  remembrance  His  fomier  mercies ;  and  I 
write  this  line  to  inform  you  that  all  your 
labours  are  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  God 
bless,  and  keep,  and  guide  you  for  His 
name's  sake,  prays,  yours  tmly  S.  Cozens." 


THE  COVENANT. 

BT  TBS  LATE  ROBERT  SEARS. 

I  smo  the  nnchanginff,  firm  decree. 

Laid  deep  in  bleit  Inftnltr; 

Fix*d  1^  the  one  eternal  VFord, 

Unshaken  as  the  mount  of  Qod, 

ru  aiii«  it,  vest  in  deep  dirtren; 

Beoanae  in  this  I  all  noaaMi: 

ru  ting  it  as  I  travel  on; 

For  this  alone  deserves  a  song. 

Yes,  in  the  most  aflliotioff  day, 

This  is  my  souVs  eternal  suty ; 

And  here  through  grace  secure  I  stand, 

Though  troubles  rise  on  every  hand. 

If  omtains  may  cleave  their  solid  base, 

And  hills  be  hnrl*d  ftom  plaoe  to  nlaee ; 

Tet  s|iU  this  covenant  must  remain. 

And  Inael's  Ood  be  still  the  same. 

Ky  oovenantj  saith  the  Holy  One, 

Can  ne'er  be  broke,  my  word  is  gone ; 

My  kindness  never  can  remove ; 

I  ever  am  the  Qod  of  love. 

This  covenant,  then,  with  Joy  111  sing ; 

My  soul  is  safe,  my  God  is  King: 

He's  mine—my  0<id,  my  heaven,  my  all ; 

Nor  can  I  from  His  ftvour  ML 

This  song  eternity  shall  know ; 

This  song  wetiy  to  sing  belovr ; 

Well  King  in  nobler  strains  above.  ^^^1^ 

In  honour  of  the  Oo«!  of  lor  \    ^ ^X  l>- 


MS 


VSI  BAS1 


]>6eL  1,  IMft. 


Jnt^ttijgettJte  ftm  oni  C^bnitdits,  their  fastoits  snil  fesjiie* 


TBMt'S 
PA8TOBATB     ZXT    X-ORDOV. 

Oh  Tuesday,  the  Sk^  of  November,  a  puUio 
meetiiKg  was  held  in  Boho  Ohapei,  Oxford 
eUeet,  to  oommemomtd  the  fifth  year  of  Mr. 
PeUfl's  ministiT  with  the  Chuich  in  th^t 
place.  Thougn  the  weather  proved  exceed- 
Ukgly  nnfavountUe  —  beins  a  thorough 
London  November  day — a  large  nmnber  of 
friends  met  and  took  tea  together ;  and  in 
the  evening  the  chapel  was  well  attended. 
Mr.  PeUs  took  the  chair,  and  the  spacionfl 
taUe  pew  was  flUed  with  miniaten,  among 
whom  were  Meotrs.  Bioomflald,  Edgcombe, 
Foreman,  Higham,  Mihier,  Bayment,  Wyard, 
the  brothers  Webb,  Webater,  and  othera. 
After  a  suitable  prayer  bv  Mr.  Webster,  Mr. 
Pens  gave  a  review  of  their  joys  and  sor- 
rows for  the  past  vearB.  In  his  own  family 
he  had  lost  bv  death  two,  whUe  one  had  been 
given.  In  tne  eariy  part  of  the  vear  he  had 
suffered  much  in  nis  own  health;  during 
which  time  his  pulpit  had  been  acceptably 
supplied  by  several  brethren,  among  them  Mr. 
Hignam  and  his  young  brother  Peet.  under 
whose  ministry  the  Lord  was  plaasea  to  call 
two,  one  of  whom  he  had  smce  baptised 
there,  and  one  at  St  Alban's.  Thev  had  dia- 
missed  eight  to  other  churches;  out  their 
number  of  members  was  811 :  during  his  five 
years*  labors  amongst  them  198  mid  been 
added  to  the  church.  Peace  reigned  in  their 
midst;  and  he  was  able  to  say  that  pastor, 
deacons,  and  members  worked  together  har- 
moniousty.  Mr.  Belina^  one  of  the  deacons, 
in  a  few  words,  confinned  the  statement  of 
the  pastor,  and  spoke  of  the*  continued  useful- 
ness of  the  ministiy  of  Mr.  PeUs  amongat 
them.  Mr.  MUner  addressed  them  on  the  im- 
portance of  Bight  Principles;  Mr.  Wyard  on 
the  importance  of  Attending  the  Means  of 
Grace ;  Mr.  Foreman  on  Keeping  the  Com- 
mandments and  Ordinances  of  the  Lord 
Bkmeless;  Mr.  Bloomfield  on  the  Necessity 
of  the  Spmt*s  Work  to  the  Suceess  of  the 
Gospel ;  and  Mr.  Higham,  asa  dose  to  tiie  ad- 
drecees,  related  two  or  three  instances  in  his 
own  experience  of  the  blessing  ariiing  from 
the  exercise  of  prayer  and  praise.  The 
meeting  was  varied  in  talent,  sooerin  thought, 
cheerful  in  praise ;  and  we  zelt  it  to  be  one  of 
John  Fells*  best  meetings  at  Boho. 

John  Pellsis  a  manof  affendzousandliberal 
disposition,  has  a  sympatjusiiig  hsaart,  con- 
nected with  which  is  an  active  and  working 
mind ;  that  is,  he  is  a  man  who,  if  he  espouses 
a  cause  in  any  form,  either  of  a  church,  a 
society,  or  an  individual,  he  is  not  to  be  easily 
daunted  in  actively  canTing  out  any  design 
for  furthering  the  interest  of  the  same.  If  a 
young  minister  falls  in  his  way  whom  be  be- 
lieves the  Lord  has  designed  for  usefulness, 
Mr.  Pells  is  onA  of  the  flrsl  to  take  him  by 
the  hand;  and  whecohessasthevDUBgman 
deficient,  he  (in  a  bbothehlt  siinit>tnes  to 


supply  the  want,  and  thereby  help  and  en- 
couraM  him  on  in  the  good  wen.  Ktyw, 
this  IS  a  lesson  from  whisk  sons  of  his 
brethren  nay  lesm  samowhat^  if  fthsy  wiU; 
and  not,  when  they  meet  a  pronisn^  jovmm 
man  in  the  minikry  look  at  him  tmi^ 
glasses  of  a  vellowish  cast;  and  should  ths^ 
condescend  to  jreoognize  him,  it  is  with  sucL 
a  warmth  that  the  touch  of  their  hand  sends 
a  chiB  through  the  youthful  frameu  Let 
these  young  men  of  oiFra  and  OBAcai  be  en- 
oouiaged.  We  want  them,  and  the  Lord  has 
work  for  them  to  do.  The  addresses  at  the 
meeting  were  all  to  the  point  Mr.  Mitnar 
argued  his  sulyject  manfully;  Mr.  Wynid 
spoke  of  the  oljeots.  the  airthoritv.  and  ths 
inducement  to  worship,  and  his  adareis  was 
not  heads,  for  there  was  good  gospol  i« 
it  Mr.  John  Foreman  gave  us  some 
diamond^thoughts  in  the  rough.  Itfr. 
Bloomfield  in  a  speech  replete  with  mat- 
ter, and  Tif  we  may  be  allowed  the  re- 
mark,) delivered  in  a  manner  both  beeom- 
ing  and  earnest  followed  ilie  Mount  Zion 
pastor,  and  then  we  had  the  gentle,  smooth, 
and  deiubente  Mr.  Higham.  Afewwonlsfrom 
the  pastor,  a  veoe,  and  ths  bensdictian  closed 
the  meeting. 

OPHHXHO>  OF  TKB  VBW  OHAPBIi, 
.  BTB    IaANB,    PBOKlTAMr, 

Fob  Mr.  Gbobob  Motlb. 

This  interesting  and  looked-for  event  took 

Stece  on  Wednesday,  Novsmber  18th.  Ths 
ay  was  remarkably  fine.  In  the  morning 
the  body  of  the  chapel  was  well  filled,  but 
in  the  afternoon  and  evening  the  place  was 
crowded.  In  the  morning  an  excellent  dis- 
course was  preached  by  the  pastor,  from  the 
words,  **  Tms  day  is  salvation  oome  to  thy 


doUvend  a  masterly  ssmon  on  ths  words, 
"  The  govenunent  shall  be  en  his  shouldsn." 


house.**    In  the  aftanoon  Mr.  Janes  Wei 
masterlv  ssr 
Dinent  shall  I 

In  tfie^evsning  a  puUio  meetlBg  was  hsld, 
at  which  the  pai^r  presided;  sad  oongnta- 
latoiy  addresses  were  delivered  by  the  foUow- 
ing  ministerial  brethren^  Wyard,  Andexsoo, 
Bickerson,  Hacelton,  and  Attwood.  The 
collections  of  the  dav  amounted  to  £20  10s. 

The  BecPBtary  (Mr.  Oongreve)  at  the 
evening  meeting  made  a  statement^  of  which 
the  following  is  an  oxtraet  t~ 

We  have  tMa  day  a  Ut«al  ezpeiienee  of  the 
Soriptow,  *'  Old  thingt  are  passed  away,  allihla^ 
an  beeome  new."  I  am  ^nifce  sure  if  erer  we  Mil 
cause  we  hare  it  now  to  join  bavt  with  hsart  in 
sratefblaaeriptioa  of  pffMse  to  Him  who  doetbatl 
thingswdl.  This  diqr  the  buUding  CkMnmlttse 
tnaaferfxom  tbeif  hands  to  years  this  ftmpls, 
oonaecrated  to  tbe  living  Ood;  I  troat  lar  our 


good  and  fbr  His  c^ory.  We  have  worked  to- 
aether  in  peri^  harmony;  and  now  that  our 
Uboon  are  aeanly  esded,  nv  any  own  past  I  am 

plag  iis>  remor- 
I  gmdmgus  to 

Google 


areaeanly  eBdid|f 
sf^,  and  I  am  sumit  would  be 
tetl^  I  have  felt  God  has  been 
ing  oar  diflboltlia  one  by  one^ 


Digitized  by  ^ 


SM 


a  iMppgr  iMnOb  HcM  n<Nr  vfty  ttw  King  of  glonr 
floowawl  dwell ;  1mm  may  His  honouiea  aervani. 
ow  btlovad  minigtor,  Itbor  bappUy  with  aaovad 


I  Mviag  p<rRr«r*-yel 
nita  «» iBift  be  ken  the  Ma«l«r»i  sommoiM,' •*  Wan 
ctae  thoa  good  end  klthltel  Mmmt,  cntertlMa 
iBlatiM  joy  af  «hy  loud.'*  It  Is  bnteix  moiitlM 
liiNe  tha  woilc  eommeiNed;  some  delay  took 
place  in  camequiaee  of  the  fofOodatieM ;  the  lead 
wee  soft .  end  a  sieet  depith  of  oonorete  wee  re- 
mdnd,  eo  that  tlw  flrat  brldk  we*  not  leMantil 
Jane  4th  -Mttle  more  then  five  moothe  ego— no 
tfane  bae.  therafoxa.  been  lost.  Our  builder,  Mr. 
,  of  Cbmberwell  Orase,  ha^  I  beltere, 
I  ba  eoold  to  ftuther  oar  wieaes  and  ee- 
dato  as  in  every  way,  end  it  is  but  due  to 
etlemea  to  aobnowledge  the  oourtesy  ead 
Uon  we  hare  at  all  times  reoeivad  at  his 
I.  I  bedtomentkiB  whsn  I  madeaalate- 
OMat  in  tMs  plaee  liz  weeke  ago,  that  oar  railway 
moa^y  wae  locked  up  in^the  Court  of  Chaaoery. 
Sfaee  then  the  Ooiurt  having  resumed  its  sittings 
a  petftloo  has  been  pieeeuted.  signed  by  mysMf, 
en  behalf  of  the Chnnsb,  and  by  the   '^       ' 


natgentlemei 
aMeaUon  we  1 


anyingfor  the  investment  of  the  money  In  this 

land  ■Dd  chapel,  whioh  has  hitherto  stood  in  my 

The  Hester  of  the  Bolls  at  onee  made  an 


es<iet  to  tbat  elfoct,  and  in  a  few  weeks  time  I 
aaftleipato  the  alTair  will  be  setUed,  and  the 
ptapeKy  daW  vested  in  our  new  trustees,  and  oar 
last  sooiae  of  anxiety  lemoved.  I  will  not  delay 
tlBMi|  dear  Mendsi  by  going  over  statements 
givsa  you  before.  Msny  who  were  not  present 
attheonealng  of  oar  Sohool  on  the  6th  of  last 
month,  nave  seen  the  statement  then  givan  ftillY 
reoorted  in  Tax  BASttwmti  VseeEL  fbr  Nov.  I 
will  simply  repeat  tbat  ae  Ikr  as  we  can  calculate 
(and  wa  nava  aot  yet  all  our  aeoounto),  but  as  fiir 
as  we  can  calculate,  the  total  expenditure  will 


gAesed  the  Bailway  eonpensation  money  by  £460. 
We  bare  eadeavoured  to  do  what  we  have  done 
well,  and  to  have  everything  in  hannony.  and  our 
deflciency  arises  from  the  fact  of  oi 
a  ■chool  and  a  gallery,  which  we 
and  which  we  must  nava  built  ha 


in  the  old  ptose.    Toward  this  sum,  we  have  re- 


vwwa,  l^  Ood*s 
day.  £1«  fls.  M^ 
in  May  and  July ;  £98 


mhigo 


Iff,  already,  prior  to  this 
£81  3s.  at  oar  meetings 
s.  8d.  at  oinr  meeting  m 
its.  lOd.  proAto  of  the  tea  at  the 
of  the  School.  As  I  have  said  before^  I 
,  _  d;  although  oar  people  are  not  wealthy 
in  general,  yet  if  ever  people  worked  well  and 
unitedly,  with  ehoalder  to  the  wheel,  it  is  the 
peo^  of  Bye  Laae.  And  new,  dear  frienda,  that 
vpa  nava  got  into  our  new  ehapel,  let  our  priyars 
unitedlv  asooend,  ^  Let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord 
oar  Oca  be  npoa  ua,  and  establish  Thou  the  work 
of  oar  hands  upon  us ;  yea,  the  work  of  our 
hands,  eetabUeh  Thou  it^ 

We  eaoi  say  that  certainly  the  promise 
made  by  Mr.  Congreve  on  behalf  of  the 
BoUdlng  Committee  at  a  preyioue  meeting 
^tta  been  fuSy  redeemed.  We  were  told  this 
was  to  be  a  *^  model  chapel ;*'  and  having  our- 
selveB  gone  thoroughly  over  the  building,  we 
g^ve  the  eeoiatary,  eommittee^  architect^ 
builder,  and  all  concerned,  the  credit  of  having 
preitzitddiis  vrHh  oaeol  the  mo6t  oompaet,  eotn- 
platOk  neat,  •ubetantialt  and  uflefnl  places  of 
wovaiiip  -we  have  in  the  Strict  Baptist  interest 
May  heaven  amile  upon  the  cause ;  may  the 
pastor  here  be  ble«ied  in  gathering  many 
preclouB  souls ;  may  the  church  be  fed ;  the 
young  instructed ;  ike  olBcei^  rewarded ;  and 
the  Lord  shall  have  all  the  piaiee. 


IJBTHWAlt   0] 


BAFIIHT    CHAmi.,    SquntRlBS    8TBKBT. 

Osf  Wednesdar.  November  18th,  FubUe 
Services  were  holaen  in  this  place,  when  s 
Church  was  fanned  by  C.  W.  Banks.  The 
brethven  CraclcBeU,  Inwa^  €^i«e  and 
WUliam  Webb,  J.  W.  Dyer,  Heanon,  gtanley. 
Elijah  Packer,  A.  Howard,  J.  Brett,  and 
others  uniting.  The  place  was  crowded 
with  friends,  and  after  the  Church  was 
formed,  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Samper 
was  administered  by  Mr.  Banks.  Many  oi 
tha  friends  gathers^  expessed  themselves 
as  being  much  comfortea  and  refreshed  by 
the  solemn  service,  and  hopes  are  entertained 
that  a  cause  of  Truth  may  yet  be  established 
in  this  thickly  populated  locality,  where  the 
asHistance,  iqrmpathy,  and  advice  of  the  be- 
nerolent  Christian  visitor  is  much  needed. 

Some  excellent  addresses  were  delivered  on 
the  occasion  by  the  brethren  mentioned ;  azkd 
in  the  course  of  the  evening  Mr.  Banks  said, 
some  of  his  own  friends  at  Bow  had  intimated 
that  they  were  suspicious  he  was  likely  to 
leave  them  ;  but  he  could  say  he  had  not  the 
least  idea  oi  that  Squirries  street  was  shut 
and  with  the  assistance  of  the  brethren,  it  had 
be  cleansed,  opened,  and  the  truth  preached. 
For  this  he  was  thankful ;  and,  although  the 
Lord  was  giving  him  ^labours  in  abunqance,* 
still  be  would  cheerfully  help  them  as  far  as 
time  and  strength  woul^  permit 

DX7NXSRTOV,  NBAB  BATH.- 
WiTHTnrrcB  Bamist  OKAPJEL.<-Lord's-day, 
Oct.  36th,  sermons  were  preaobed  by  Mr.  W.  B. 
Littleton,  and  Mr.  O.  Cox,  of  Bath.  In  the  altsc^ 
noon  Mr.  G-.  Cox  gave  an  address  to  the  8uBd(^ 
school,  after  which,  on  behalf  of  the  Sunday 
school,  and  the  friends  of  the  chapel,  he  presented 
Mr.  S.  Littleton  with  a  handsome  Bmt,  aa  a 
token  of  tb^r  love  and  esteem  for  him,  and 
his  labours  amongst  them.  Mr.  LittieUm,  on  w^ 
oeiving  the  Bib^  thanked  the  children  aad 
friends  for  the  great  kindness  they  had  that  dar 
sliown  him,  ana  he  hoped  that  the  word  of  Ur 
wliich  he  preached  unto  them  might  be  in  their 
heaxts  the  hope  of  glory,  for  that  book  was  akme 
able  to  make  them  wise  unto  salvation.  The 
meeting  was  closed  by  singing  tbat  very  appro- 
propriato  hymn— 

'*  HoT^r  Bible  book  divine, 
Precious  treasure^  thou  art  mine,**  kc 

THB  VBW  OHJJPm:.  AT  EABBOW- 

OUT  -  THT!^  -  yii'r.T.  • 
ITS  DOOTBINBB  AND  PBAOTZOB, 

A  LBTTSB  rSOM  MB.  THOMAS  SMITB, 
TKX  PASTOB. 

Mb.  Epztob,— In  reply  to  your  strieturss  on  the 
drottlar  issued  by  toe  committee  for  raising  a 
new  chapel  at  Harrow,  I  bee  vrith  all  Chiisfian 
aileotion  and  ministerial  fldelity  to  say,  sines  the 
oommenoement  of  the  moiamen^  it  has  ftUen  to 
my  lot  seveial  times  to  answer  diflteent  optotons 
upon  the  sultJect  I  have  not  tried,  d0  apt  sob- 
peoti  certainly  should  be  disappofotsd,  if  we 
could  secure  the  approbation  of  every  ona.  The 
ciroularB  have  been  distributed  lar  and  wida; 
sent  to  persons  of  different  creeds,  and  efannhes 
of  various  denominatlona    The  i 


have^  in  some  iostaacea  been  stiaage  aad  alait- 
ling:  the  Plvmouth  Brethren  have  dsnonnosd 
the  effort;  the  Eigh  Ohnrohman  has  been  eU' 
raged  at  our  appUoalion ;  the  Open  Oononunioa* 
ist  thinks  it  absurd  to  ask  him  tor  balp  whsn  he 
has  been  exdudsd  from  thetaMeof«haLocd  to 


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THB  BABTBBII  YBMOImi 


wbleh  be  mmtU  hif  •eiiptana  rifht  m  be- 
qgMtfMd  to  him  by  hi«  Scrioor  ana  IjOfd,  and 
BOW  the  Strict  Ooinmniiioiiiit  poimoM  npon  xm 
with  bis  ■aspidous  ipiiit^  nqjasi  lurmiMi,  iui> 
ebivritable  and  nnioriptaial  oonotosioas,  and 
■ounda  a  warning  voice,  believing  we  are  drifUnc 
into  error:  and  aeparting  from  the  coonaela  or 
the  New  TeetamenL  limply  tor  this  oaveaaooable 
TCMon.  ["  O  tell  it  not  in  Gatb ;  pnbliih  it  noC 
in  the  streets  of  Askelon.'*]  fieeause  we  have  re- 
ceived contributions  from  godly  men,  miniiten, 
and  cburehes  of  various  denominations,  God  has 
disposed  their  hearts  to  aid  us,  and  indined  our 
hearts  grateftilly  to  reodve  it  To  Him  we  give 
the  glory,  and  have  JoyftiUy  published  it ;  shall 
apply  it  to  the  purpose  for  wnioh  it  is  |dven— to 
erect  a  new  cfaapd  for  the  Particular  Baptists, 
and  commodious  school-rooms  for  the  Sunday- 
school  children.  But  to  the  points  in  yoar  com- 
munication. 

I  quite  agree  with  you  thai  the  present  geneM^ 
tion  ought  not  to  bear  all  the  burden  of  building 
chapds ;  still,  to  my  mind,  there  is  nothing  more 
to  be  dreaded  than  a  heavy  chapel  dd>t  presiing 
down  the  energies  of  the  church.  The  drcular 
states  pUinly  &e  chapd  to  be  built  is  for  the 
Baptists,  indicating  deariy  to  an  intdlicent  mind 
that  the  prindples  and  practices  of  the  diurch 
are  founded  upon,  and  regulated  by,  the  New 
Testament.  I  am  happy  to  infonn  you,  we  be- 
long vitally  and  spiritually  to  tliat  peopl^ 
**  Who  are  not  by  a  party's  narrow  banks  con- 
lined, 

Hot  by  the  ssmcness  of  opinions  Joined ; 

But  oemented  by  the  Bedeemer's  blood. 

And  bound  together  in  the  heart  of  Ood.'* 
If  the  veisel  in  which  you  am  tailing  is  earthly, 
out's  is  heavenly;  if  the  limits  of  ^ur*s  is  so 
eontraeted  as  to  recdve  none  on  board  but  Strict 
Oommunionists,  out's  is  fu  more  expansive; 
the  inscription  en  our  banner  i%  "Grscebewith 
all  those  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Ohrist,**  and 
by  the  authori^'  of  our  Captain,  we  sinr,  '*  Who- 
soever will,  let  him  come.**    As  to  the  variety  of 


in  our  dreular,  this  is  our  gloiy ; 
think  it  noble  of  noblemen  to  help  ns;  mmUw»« 
smiling  npon  our  efforts,  especially  of  other  de- 
nominationa,  ministering  to  our  encoungement; 
masters  of  sohools  aiding  us,  spur  us  on  in  the 
enterprise  for  the  glory  of  our  Divine  Uaster, 
the  law  of  whose  house  is  this^— "One  ii  your 
Master, even  Christ:  all  ye  are  brethren,' 

the  Sweetings  and  others,   by  thdr  kl 

counteract  the  bitters  that  even  in  this  laudable 
eflbrt  we  have  been  called  to  tMte ;  and  we  hope 
yet  to  publish  a  dreular  with  greater  variciy 
still.  Believing  uniformity  is  not  essential  to 
unity,  we  earnestly  Invite  the  co-operation  of  all 
in  this  important  snd  pressing  matter:  the 
Churchmen  and  Dissenter,  Independentand  Wes- 
kyu,  rich  and  poor,  Toong  and  old,  preachers 
and  people,  one  and  all:  the  work  is  the  Lord's 
and  there  is  a  pressing  necessiQr  it  should 
speedily  be  done.  You  stste,  in  searching  the 
names,  that  of  a  higher  is  not  to  be  found.  Let 
me  assure  you  there  are  some,  though  few.  We 
have  applied  to  ministers  and  churches  of  this 
iohool :  some  would  if  they  could,  others  would 
not  though  they  could :  and  let  me  now  ear- 
nestly invite  jrou  to  send  a  contribution,  then,  in 
the  next  Hst,  your  naoM  shall  be  published  that 
others  may  see  we  have  at  least  one  of  this  class, 
and  perhaps  your  example  may  stimulate  othera 
Too  tell  us  that  you  are  a  Trinilarian ;  so  are  we^ 
and  yield  to  none  in  a  blessed  experience  of  that 
doctrine  hi  our  personal  salvation  and  constant 
mfaiistntlcns.  lam  glad  you  believe  the  truth 
is  not  wholly  conftnedto  the  Baptists,  though  I 
ounot  recondle  your  liUth  with  your  undiarita- 
Me  and  ni^nst  statement^  that  godly  people  have 
given  thdr  contributions  to  draw  us  front  the 
froth.  I  am  satisOed  the  contrary  is  the  IIm*: 
to  hdp  us  in  furthering  the  truth,  in  preaching 
Christ,  who  is  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life, 


and  in  winning  souls  to  Hin.  Ton  ask,  Will 
fricMl  Bmithabde  by  the  Hew  TMuneiit  or 
not?  Xy  plain  podtive  answer  is.  Yes.  I  hare 
been  led  Into  the  spirit  of  it  I7  the  Spirit  of  Ood, 
have  abided  by  it  thirty-three  years;  have  ifr- 
alized  ito  Mtesednees  in  the  depths  of  my  ex- 
perience; walked  it  out  in  lifo  by  the  mnty  of 
God ;  and,  according  to  my  humble  ability,  have 
fUthftUlyand  fterieedy  proclaimed  it  tbe  last 
twenty-nve  years  of  my  Uml  as  hundreds  of  New 
Testament  foving-souTs  will  testity  at  Harrow, 
Tring,  Aylesbury,  Baton  Brsy,  Hampstead^ 
Bsmjflste,  Hastiiigs^  Chesham,  Inivenham,  Wo- 
bum.  North  Wales,  and  many  other  placesL  and, 
in  the  strengtfi  of  n^  Divine  Master,  it  is  my 
intention,  by  Divine  grsce,  relyiag  on  the  Meseea 
Spirit,  to  abide,  not  by  the  commenta  of  men 
upon,  but  by  the  prindples  laid  down  in  the  New 


Testament  In  soul  matters  and  eternal  thinga, 
in  my  estimation,  human  opinion  has  not  a  leaf 
UieKs  weight     What  saith  Divine  revelatioBr 


By  tide  I  am  willing  to  stand  or  fiUl,  i . 

swim,  live  or  die.  Tnere  are  many  things  stated 
as  New  Testament  prindples  and  jpraotiees  flrom 
which  the  pn^er  of  my  soul  is,  **Good  Lord,  de- 
liver me;**  snd  for  a  lew  mhiisters  to  set  them* 
sdves  up  aa  the  only  ministers  of  truth,  and  to 
denounce  all  others^  is  to  my  mind  anything  but 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  That  is  a  noble  principle, 
and  it  is  mine  because  the  prindple  of  the  New 
TMament,  — **In  things  essenoal,  unity;  in 
things  non-essential,  liberty;  but  in  all  tninMi, 
ehanqr.'*  May  our  spirito  be  baptised  more  by 
God's  Spirit,  that  we  may  maninst  mora  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ— 

-  Then  wiU  the  churoh  below, 

Besemble  that  above; 
Where  streams  of  pleasure  ever  ftow. 

And  eveiy  heart  Is  low." 
As  I  have  answered  your  Question  readily^ 
you  will,  I  doubt  not  answer  a  isw  questicns  for 
the  advantage  of  those  who  are  seeking  the 


1.  Did  not  our  bleesed  Master  eonsUtuto  the 
supper  exdusively  for  his  disciples  f 

1  Has  any  a  right  to  it  but  His  disdples  f 

8.  What  constitutes  a  disdplef  Is  it  baptism 
by  water,  or  spiritual  regeneration  by  God  the 
Hdy  Ghoetf 

4.  Has  not  every  disdple  a  right  to  the  supper 
by  virtue  of  the  appointment  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  formation  by  Him  of  thdr  spiritual  chap 


6.  What  right  hare  I  (seriptnrsl  right)  as  a 
disdple,  or  a  body  of  disdpies,  to  say  toadia- 
dple,  you  shall  not  oume  to  the  Lotd'a  table  be- 
cause you  are  not  baptised? 

As  you  inserted  your  review  of  the  dronlar  in 
this  month's  Yxsbbl,  you  will,  of  course,  publish 
my  reply  in  tbe  November  number,  iar  the  in- 
formation of  my  friends,  as  many  of  them,  no 
doubt  have  been  stsitled  at  the  indnnationa  it 
contains.  I  am,  your  brother  in  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  end  fellow-labourer  in  His  vineyard. 

Thokab  Smitb,  Pastor. 

[Brother  Smith  has  occupied  so  much  room* 
our  answers  must  tany.) 

INTBBB8TING  8BBYICB 

aBmBEBB     OHAPXXi,     BAVH. 

Ov  Lord*s-day,  November,  1st  our  dear  pastor, 
Mr.  J.  Huntley's  hesrt  was  cheered  by  again 
vidting  the  HJver  Avon,  to  bury  beneath  tlw 
liquid  waves  ten  believers  in  our  blessed  Lord 
and  Sariour  Jesus  crhrist  The  weather  for  some 
time  past  had  been  rery  col d  snd  wet ;  and  up  till 
past  two  tf'dock  on  Sunday,  it  was  raining  veiy 
hearily,  when  all  at  once  the  rain  ceased,  snd  the 
sun  shone  out  most  beautiftilly,  and  we  assembled 
around  the  river,  thinking  to  see  but  vmr  few 
persons  present;  but  what  was  our  astonishment 
to  see  the  people  flodcingaround  to  the  number 


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THB   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


296 


of  aboat  nine  tbouaand,  m  wibMites  to  thoM^  we 
tnut,  thftt  have  bean  Drought  fttxn  darkneas  to 
light^  from  death  to  life^  from  the  power  of  batan 
mto  the  glorious  light  and  liberty  of  the  Qoapel 
oi  Jcsua  Uhriatk  showing  to  the  world  their  love 
to  their  bleised  Lord  and  Master,  after  believing 
in  Him,  to  obey  His  oommanda,  by  being  pub- 
licly baptized  m  the  river  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Their  language  was,  **  We  will  go  with  you,  for 
we  peroeire  the  Lord  is  with  you.''  Ood  grant 
this  may  be  the  desire  of  many  that  were  looking 
on.  We  r^oioe  to  state  that  we  have  not  had  a 
baptizing  yet  since  our  dear  pastor  has  been  with 
us  but  some  poor  sinners  have  been  caught  in  the 
Ooepel  net  at  the  river-side,  and  eome  forward  to 
tell  what  God  has  done  for  their  poor  souls.  We 
were  disappointed  in  not  having  the  help  of  other 
ministers,  so  our  beloved  pa^or  undertook  to 
preach  in  the  morning,  baptize  in  the  afternoon, 
noeive  the  Candidates  into  the  church,  and  break 
biead  in  the  evening;  and  we  bless  and  praise  our 
heaveolv  Fisther  for  His  goodness  in  strengthen- 
ing and  supportinA  and  enabling  him  to  go 
through  all  his  duties  so  well. 

At  three  o'clock  our  pastor  commenced  by  ap- 
pealing to  the  Christian  friends  to  keep  good 
order  am<Mig  the  unruly  boys,  whilst  he  attended 
to  the  solemn  ordinance  before  him.  We  then 
sang  that  beautiful  hvmn— 

''See  how  the  willing  converts  trace 

The  oath  their  great  fiedeemer  trod ; 
And  follow  through  His  liquid  grave 

The  meek,  the  lowly  Son  of  God." 
He  then  engaged  in  prayer,  alter  which  he  briefly 
addressed  the  people,  telling  them  that  he  was 
about  to  baptise  some  who,  a  short  time  ago, 
stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  as  dead 
sinnen^  but  now  made  alive  by  the  precious  love 
and  blood  of  Christ;  and  he  hoped  the  time  was 
not  fiur  distant  when  all  believers  would  see  and 
acknowledge  that  there  is  but  one  Lord,  one 
fldth,  and  one  baptism,  and  that  the  arrow  of  oon- 
viotion  might  enter  some  rocky  hearti^  so  tliat  we 
may  have  to  rejoice^  and  the  angels  in  heaven 
have  to  rc^joioe  over  some  poor  sinners  that  may 
be  brought  to  repent  that  day.  We  could  hearti  ly 
join  with  him  and  aay,  God  srant  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake^  that  sinners  may  oe  converted  to 
day.  We  then  asng  a  verM  or  two  of  the  460th 
hymn  in  the  selection— 

**  Jesus^  and  shall  it  ever  be, 
A  mortal  man  ashamed  of  Thee : 
Ashamed  of  Thee  whom  angels  praise^ 
Wtiose  glory  shines  through  endless  days  I" 
Then  the  osndidates  went  down  into  the  water 
and  were  baptiied ;  and  whoi  they  came  up  out 
of  the  water,  they  went  on  their  way  rejoicing; 
and  peaising  theXord.    Between  the  immersion 
of  each  candidate^  our  pastor  brought  forth  aome 

I  ot  Scripture,  pmying  and  hoping  that 


to-day,  through  God's  . 
imee,  look  and  believe  in  Jesus,  and  then  follow 
His  commands  who  aaid,  ''If  ye  love  Me,  keep 
my  commandments;  and  be  baptized." 

Service  commenced  at  half-past  six,  when  our 
diapel  was  erowded  in  every  part  After  aingmg 
a  hymn,  and  reading  part  of  the  eoth  of  Isaiah, 
Mr.  Arthur  Huntley  engaged  in  prayer ;  then  our 
dear  pastor  commenced :— 

My  beloved  Friends^-i-God  knows  my  heart; 
and  If  there  is  one  thing  more  than  another  that 
I  deaire,  it  is  that  aonls  may  be  converted  to  God ; 
and  we  bless  God  that  you,  my  dear  friends  (the 
candidates)  have,  by  your  coming  forward,  shown 
oa  that  our  labours  nave  not  been  in  vain:  your 
eonveiaion  is  one  of  the  greateat  wonders  upon 
earth  when  we  consider  you  have  been  pludced 
as  brands  from  the  fire  of  hell :  you  have  been 
baptiaed;  but  still  if  you  now  feel  you  cannot 
be  happy  and  oomfortable  with  us,  you  need  not 
now  leoeive  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  If  you 
ttdnk  yon  will  bnng  a  diegraoe  upon  the  caus& 
and  toat  we  diall  have  to  aoratofa  your  names  aS 
tht  efanxch-book,  you  had  better  stand  back  there ; 


but  your  presence  here  to-night  tells  us  you  wish 
to  be  united  with  us ;  and  now  I  must  aay  to  yon 
to-night,  that  if  you  wish  to  eajoy  God*s  love;  to 
dwell  under  Uis  smiles^  you  must  ding  to  the 
cross.  In  clinging  to  the  eroaa,  you  muat  be  con- 
stant in  reading  Ood'a  word.  There  are  precious 
doctrinea,  pAcnous  comforts  to  be  drawn  from 
theoce.   In  clinging  to  the  crosi^  it  will  be  necee- 


ya»j«*    v*f  VRWi,  jivu   **««>  w  aH^iv  •«*  kM>«Mrf««  vrawu  BUJ, 

the  cares  of  this  world,  and  the  flery  darts  of 
i'^atan.  In  clinging  to  the  croes,  it  will  be  necesaaxy 
that  you  attend  the  ordinance  of  God's  house : 
ye  that  neglect  God's  house  will  have  leanness 
In  your  souls.  The  one  speaking  to  you  knows 
something  of  what  it  is  to  battle  with  the  cares 
of  life,  and  trust  he  knows  what  comfort  there  is 
to  be  derived  in  secret  prayer  to  God.   It  will  be 


ary  also  that  you  work  for  Christ  They 
that  work  for  Christ  will  often  hear  their  Master's 
voice  speaking  comfortably  unto  them.  The 
young  men  working  for  Boaz  heard  their 
Master's  voice  saving  unto  them,  "The  Lord  be 
with  you;  and  th^  answered  and  said,  the  Lord 
bleasthee."  After  Airther  addreasLng  them,  and 
telling  them  their  duty  to  the  church,  and  giving 
them  good  advice  for  the  future;  our  pastor  pro- 
ceeded with  telling  the  experience  of  the  candi- 
datea,  and  giving  them  the  right  hand  ot  fellow- 
rtiip^  and  a  watchword  to  go  forward  with. 
The  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  then  at- 
tended to,  when  between  two  and  three  hundred 
sat  down  to  partake  of  it ;  and  we  were  able  to 
aay  from  our  hearta,  truly  God  is  in  our  midst; 
and  that  to  bless  us.  There  were  also  added  from 
other  churchea,  by  dismiaaal,  seven  others,  making 
a  total  of  seventeen  added  to  our  number  to-day. 
**  When  we  ahall  reach  the  heavenly  coast. 
O'er  life's  rough  ocean  driren ; 

May  we  rejoice— no  wanderer  lost;— 
A  family  in  heaven." 
A  highly-coloured  print  of  the  baptizing  may 
be  had  of  Mr.  W.  W.  Wheatley,  fi.  Prior  Park 
Boad,  Widcombe,  Bath. 

THB  0HT7B0H  IN  THB  BliAOX- 
BMITH'S  SHOP. 

Otm  London  lords  and  ladies  who,  in  their 
ermine  dress  and  on  their  velvet  cushions,  sit  to 
hear  the  fifteen  minute  sermon  read,  are  a  strong 
contract  to  tliousands  who  meet  in  hovels,  cots, 
bams,  and  upper  rooms  to  hear  of  Jesu's  mighty 
love  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God.  During  the 
last  two  years,  we  have  laboured  principally  in 
school-rooms  and  *<  halls"  instead  of  pulpits  and 
spacious  chapels ;  but  we,  with  many  hundreds, 
have  found  the  Lord's  presence  and  hlesaing  are 
not  confined  to  temples  nor  consecrated  build- 
ings. \^  here  His  people  meet  there  He  la  found. 
The  following  note  frt>m  Mr.  Large  is  simply  and 
truthfully  illustrative  :— 

Sudboume,  near  Aldborough,  Nov.  1, 1863. 
Dkab  Bib,— In  giving  you  a  few  items  of  the 
cause  at  Budboume,  in  BuiTolk.  first  I  would  aay 
brother  Brett  left  the  little  flock  in  a  wheel- 
wrigbt'a  ahop,  where  he  had  been  preaching  the 
wata  ot  life  to  them ;  after  which  the  people  in- 
vited me  to  speak  the  word  to  them,  and  after 
supplying  at  dilTerent  placea,  I  went  I  often 
think  of  my  first  time  of  going  to  the  aforesaid 
place,  for  I  disdained  it  in  my  neart ;  but  I  had 
not  begun  the  aervioe  long  before  my  great  Master 
came  and  took  His  stand  by  me,  and  so  overcame 
me  with  His  blessed  Spirit,  with  His  love;  blood, 
and  power,  that  I  coiud  say,  "  Lord,  it  is  good 
for  us  to  be  here.'*  I  soon  found  it  was  not  the 
place,  but  the  great  Master's  presence,  thst  made 
a  heaven  below,  and  the  place  of  H  is  feet  glorious. 
In  this  shop  we  continued  till  July  last;  some- 
times almost  perished  with  cold,  at  other  thnes 
almost  surieited  with  heat,  and  then  we  began 
the  service  in  a  amith's  shop^  which  is  more  com- 
modious and  better  to  meet  In  iisimeJJMLW  '"  ~ 
Digitized  by  VJVJOV 


sa« 


TB£  £ABTHSM  VBSfiEL. 


]>M.  1,  IMS. 


onntinned  to  keep  warm;  but  now  we  feel  it 
irmj  incommodioiUL  the  wetCher  being  eo  oold, 
tbat  some  of  tlie  frleods  ere  e&Mid  to  meet  with 
us ;  we  have  no  window  liglite,  and  are  obliged 
to  haTethe  door  stand  open,  to  aa  to  afln»rd  ub  a 
enlBoient  light  to  read  t9ie  Word,  and  our  meet- 
iBg»pIace  being  still  ftUl.  Under  all  these  un- 
Ikvoniable  cireomstanoes,  I  think  ron  see  the  ne- 
cessity- we  were  under  to  arise  ana  build.  After 
nraeh  deliberation  and  prayer,  a  pieoeof  (free- 
hold land  was  obtained;  and  though  we  have 
tat  little  of  this  world's  goods,  we  were  by  the 
good  hand  of  our  0od  derermined  to  arise  and 
ndld.  trusting  to  Him  to  whom  the  gold  and 
the  silver  belongs,  hoping  that  He  will  dispose 
tiw  hearts  of  them  who  are  stewards  of  this  part 
Of  Bis  property  to  lend  us  a  helping  hand.  Try 
what  you  can  do  for  us  in  the  great  city  of  Lon- 
don. The  smallest  donations  will  be  thankAiUy 
Tecdved  on  behatf  of  the  church  by  W.  Large, 
fkator.  My  address  is  W.  Large,  Baptist  mi- 
nister, Butfey,  Wiokham  Market,  Sullblk.  The 
Opening  services  are  fixed  for  Wedeesdav,  18th 
of  November,  when  brethren  Brand,  of  Buncav, 
and  Oallam,  of  Qrundisburgh,  are  expected  to 
maoh  here,  and  a  public  meeting  in  the  evi»i- 
mg.    The  new  chapel  is  a  good  substantial  briek 


and  slate  baildiuj 
fcwenty-1 


«  buildings  measuring  thixty-two  ibet  by 
■two,  high  enough  for  an  end  gallery 
«  are  able  to  erect  it,  which  we  want  to 
do  for  the  Sabbath-school,  but  we  have  not  the 
means.  A  new  vestry  is  about  to  be  erected  or- 
TCotly.  The  name  of  the  chapel  is  Bkhoboth. 
W.  Labox. 
[We  pray  our  QoA  to  constrain  everj'  reader  of 
the  VxasxL  to  send  if  it  be  but  one  shilling  in 
stamps,  and  thus  encourage  our  worthy  brother 

OLAFHAIC—Zioir  Hiu.  CnAPSL,  Coub- 
iJorD  Gbovx.  a  very  interesting  meeting  was 
held  in  this  chapel  on  Monday  evening,  Oct. 
Stth,  on  the  oooaaioii  of  the  pastor,  Mr.  Fonsford, 
fsaohlng  his  sixty-seeond  vear  and  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  nis  ministry.  A  gooolj' number  of  friends 
sat  down  to  tea,  which  was  enlivened  by  the 
sound  of  the  harmonium.  At  seven  o'clock,  a 
p  AUe  meeting  was  held ;  Mr.  Ponsford  in  me 
chair,  who,  after  prayer  by  Mr.  Batsoji.  ex- 
pressed his  pleasure  on  seeing  so  mam'  tnends 
present  on  tm  occasion,  and  called  on  Mr.  Hall, 
who^  he  said,  had  very  kindly  closed  his  chapel 
ISmt  he  and  his  friends  might  be  present,  to  ad- 
' the  meeting  on  the  subject  allotted  to  him. 


trhiflhwas,— 

•'BBDEBMING  THB  TIMB.' 

Ibr.  Hall,  after  a  fsw  oongcatulatory  

«baerved  that  his  sulirject  was  certainly  one  oi 
importance :  for  what  was  more  valuable  than 
time;  everybody  was  oying  out  for  more  time, 
and  yet  how  much  we  all  wasted;  even  five 
minutes  per  day  would  amount  in  the  year  to 
three  good  working  days.  Why  his  brotnerhad 
Ahnan  him  this  sutgeet  he  could  not  tell;  but  as 
fie  had  done  so,  he  would  do  the  best  he  could 
with  it,  and  if  his  remarks  hit  rather  hard,  our 
bvotiier  Ponsford  must  bear  the  blame,  for  he 
had  given  the  sul^eot.  Mr.  Hall  first  spoke  of 
TDOB;  then  of  its  bxdbxttzok;  and  closed  with 
a  fow  reasons  why  it  should  be  bkdxsmkd.  In 
the  eourse  of  his  remarks,  he  said  that  time  was 
aaollier  word  for  duration,  and  had  refSrence  to 
the  oreature.     With  the  Creator  it  had  no  re- 


*Hia  boundless  yeara  eaa  ne'tor  deormse. 

But  still  maintain  their  prime ; 
JBteniilly**  His  dwelling-place, 
And«wrisHistlmS*'^ 
And  while  the  duration  of  omui  was  threescore 
and  ten  yean,  the  avenge  of  man*slife  appeared 
1  pubtished  statistios  to  be  only  thirty-three 
•  and  one  third ;  what  need  was  there  there- 
B that tima should  be  ndaemed.   Hefintad- 
I  hiaiidf  to  th«  youths,  remiading  them  oi 


ymnn 

IbMth 


the  advantageei  and  that  they  were  not  to  shield 
themselves  under  the  idea  tbey  had  no  time  nor 
opportunities ;  for  ttere  was  no  golden  path  to 
eminence:  our  great  meo— our  suoesssftil  man*— 


and  their  being  thrown  on  their  own  resouofli 
had  been  the  making  of  them.  Mr.  Hall  named 
several,  and  added  what  the  eldeat  Biekine  aaid 
was  true  of  many,— 4hat  his  yovnger  brothsr  was 
indebted  to  him  for  his  eminenoe;  forbeeause 
he  refused  him  supplies,  hie  brother  set  to  woilr 
and  earned  it— henoe  his  emiaenee;  and  Busk* 
acknowledged  the  reason  ef  his  younger  brother^ 
success  was  that  he  **  worked^  whilst  they 
played ;  but,  abofe  all,  said  Mr.  HaU,  "  Remem* 
ber  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth  f  but 
to  the  Lord's  people  he  applied  himself  in  real 
eamert.  showing  how  much  time  was  lost  la 
sheer  ialeue       '  "^  "*"  ""  "    '         '""  '' 

the  means; 

Lord'a-day;  _  _  . 

afternoon  lost  by  the  nap;  ttie  means  of  | 
neglected  in  the  wedt  evening  Hirough 
trifling  engagement,  by  which  the  minisssrs 
heart  was  discouraged,  and  thoee  that  were  pre* 
sent  were  made  uncomtortable  through  others' 
neglect.  Our  brother  then  showed  how  all  thia 
1  to  be  remedied,— by  redeeming  the  time ; 
7  it  by  giving  up  a  little  sleep— a  little  indul- 
loe— a  little  woiidly  interest,  fea,  and  it  was 


leness ;  in  empty  ehit-ehat ;  in  negleet  of 
kns;  in  preparing  for  the  body  on  the 
lay;  the  wife  kepi  at  home  to  cook;  the 


buy  1 

rice— a  L 
be  done  because  the  dajrs  were  evil.    Days 
were  short :  "  night  oometh  when  no  man  can 
work."    Evil,  as  regards  temptations;  Bataa  stA 
or  idle  hands  to  do,  and  evil  (pr»- 


finds  work  for  i 


fessionally)  profession  abounded,  but  the  loveef 
man}*  waxed  cold .  Little,  very  little  regard  was 
paid  to  truth,  and  to  men  of  truth,  and  cansss  of 
truth.  Some  eminent  man  here  and  there^  eves 
ff  he  were  or  were  not  altogether  trathfhl,  at- 
tracted the  people  iaatead  of  their  suppprting  aa 
they  ought  a  truthfUl  ministry,  Acl  He  thero* 
fore  called  on  the  people  to  be  slive  to  their  pri- 
vileges, lest  they  Miould  have  no  privileges  to  ea- 
Joy/  Our  good  brother,  Mr.  Ball,  followed  wMi 
some  exodlent  remarks  on  **  Bemembraace." 
He  took  up  his  position  in  Canaan,  the  land  ot 
ibitilil^''  and  bleasedness,  reoapitulatsd  a  lltHe  0f 
his  own  experience  eonformiag  the  remarka  «f 
the  previous  speaker,  and  called  on  thoee  wlio 
had  passed  throng  Jordaa— the  river  of  Judg- 
ment—into Ctospel  rest,  to  remember  the  way 
with  gratitude  which  the  Lord  had  led  them. 
Brother  Franks  followed  with  soaie  remarks  on 
»  ««Thy  shoes  shaU  be  ixon  and 


and  as  thy  day  thy  strength  shall  be:*'  aad 

Moto  addressed  ua  en  ^^Pforaaotr  iad  as 

might  be  expected,  be  put  the  estiagniahflr  on 
the  whole,  oleatiag  erarything  oat  of  the  way 
for  Jesus.  Our  good  brotlwr  said  he  aaoe 
bought  Cobbatfa  grammar;  bat  he  aaav  i«hI  a 
page  of  it,  for  ever  aiaoe  he  read  Mr.  Bacw's 
Mng  lemaiiis,  that  if  te  had  his  Ufoofverama, 
he  would  derote  hims^  to  the  sM7  oTthe 


toekhia 


ing  was  a  good  one  ia  all  rsapeala,  ire  dvoppad 
down  aaain  to  our  mother  earth  after  the  aveo- 
ing*a  etSoymaiBt,  aad  prosed  the  truth  of  the 
1^^0*8  woida:  ''To  be  oaxaaUy  minded  is 
'^  -  be  apiritwOly  mladad  ia  liiiaiid 

OVUnm  Al  ALL  MT  FAnoM  WEMMP 

ABTTLLSKT  X.AKX-A  eomspoadnt 
vors  us  with  the  followlag  aote^  whleh  wegNe 


Sa?oj< 


•*  November  l8th,ll«L 
**I>SAX  Bis.— On  the  wrapper  ot  the  Vmam, 
this    mott^   «€riti-Oeaaor^  ««lhMt    Ckmnku 

trtthef  itnf  itt  Msai  ts  tHe^m^ovtm.*    To  tUbwa 


Digitized  by 


Google 


OMLi^iaaa. 


TfiV  MAVaWK 


9» 


flWr*  tta^  we  kaovr  mttaMBW  for  Ikat  «5  va 
nMniaig  tbepoddiog  befoieMlii^it.  Tbeiktxt 
oesaiiM  '^ti  ore  not  araee:^  who  aoid  it  was; 
and  vet,  *a  man'ftgilU  wull  malw  Boom  fo?  him.' 
*  Gifis  are  like  a  man's  ciotAes,  if  good,  set  Asm  ef.' 
Xzue:  particulaK;  wImii  tbe  walk  is  ctean,  aad 
tbaie  is  no  black  spota  in  the  ohanolBr  ot  the 
vaa  that  wean  them.  *  And  pro^ssaon  are  often 
cttMght  Ufitk  tJum  embeUithmenia ;  but  pftM  when 
tmoHtMeeted  with  grace,  wear  out,  wither,  oMd  die 
aumg:  True :  but  it  u  the  apiritual  judgaa  all 
thinjn,  while  eavy  is  rottenneaa  to  the  bonea;  and 
M  all  good  gifts  ooxnefiwm  God,  the  gift  of  utter- 
aaoe  ia  valuable  to  tell  o«t  the  nMnUbld  giafle  of 
Ckxl,  that  dootrinaU  spiritual,  expcrimeutal,  and 
vm^Mal ;  thus  we  pcaiae  the  nver  end  tbe  gift. 
^  Very  few  d»aeameTekainhm0wmFS,eagidiKBrncfr 
eeamk  out  tAe  true  ^graee  of  God  in  the  muustry,' 
Sow,  bow  ia  it  you  posaess  thia  diBoemiiient,and 
you  do  not  eoligbten  thoae  deacons  aad  dmreh. 
Henee,  oomea  tfao  following  aentenoea,  sent  to  yon 
by  a  man  chafed  in  his  mind,  and  sadly  dia- 
appouited,oryou  would  not  have  had  the  aen- 
tenoea, and  its  cootenta  sent  you,  for  he  has  won- 
decftOly  missed  the  mark  in  his  oidiaation, 
either  of  long  or  short  standing;  ao  nothing  is 
TCoderadnnUnorToid;  and  as  to  SU'a  progany, 
othen  have  judgment  as  well  em  he;  andaa  to 
the  test  and  the  diviaioa,  it  ia  quite  on  the  other 
aide  ot  thequestion,  and  so  je  not  likely  to  ooour. 
Sow,  sir,  aa  the  above  oomea  from  envy,  dia- 
nppoiatment,  and  oawthatiaehafedin  hiamind, 
we  hope  patience  may  have  its  perfect  work,  and 
bgr  thia  prooaas  all  snapicions  may  be  owerthrowed. 
Aa  the  miaisfier  serving  at  Artillery  atreet 
is  qwite  generally  received  aad  aooeptad  by 
fOnnreh,  and  eoogragatimi,  for  we  are 
ire  that  all  God's  people  would  not  bear 
ika,  nor  Mr.  Welia,  nor  an  angel  from 
;  we  expect  ;some  to  eomplain,  dictate, 
apeak enril, and  grumble;  neither  dovreaakany 
one  for  their  advice;  we  act  for  ouraelvea,  and 
w«lk  on  in  our  conrae,  looking  to  Jeaua:  thuswe 
aie  paetiawd  for  good  as  well  aa  evil  report. 
Vow,  air,  this  comae  from  an  eye  witnaas^  one 
that  know  the  mind  of  the  people  geaexaily-- 
deaeoaa,  clnir«h,  and  eoogi^entian,  and  minister 
to.  It  yon.  like  to  pot  thia  in  next  month'a 
YasBSL  yon  can  aa  vre  think  it  ioatia. 


quite  sure  I 


chancter,  and  of  a  dewlad  mind ;  when  w<He» 
such  ao  one  sailing  on  in  the  fiuw  of  wind  and 
bH  bad  weather,  we  eonchide  the  Lord  hasaald 
to  him,  "  My  grace  is  snflleient  for  thAa."  We 
gladly  announce  Artillery  street  chapel  is  ftUed 


with  people,  the  pulpit  is  filled  with  the  GKispel ; 
i  long  Qontmna.— £d.] 


may  u  long 


»Aif: 


WiXHSsa." 


[We  only  add,  as  a  reply  to  the  above  note,  that 
we  aad  our  eorreapondent,  we  thiak,  are  free 
from  envy.  Por  many  yeara,  we  have  ever  re- 
joiced to  help  on  young  men,  when  the  Loid  baa 
ealled  tham  into  the  vineyard ;  aad  when  we 
hana  been  fiHroBradtowitneasthehraneeeaa  In 
tfaa  good  woffk,  it  haa  ftOed  oar  aools  with  glad« 
aaaa;  thia  ataoag  aympatfay  with  Ziott  hi  all 
her  happy,  holy,  Christ-exaltiag,  soul  oonvert- 
iag  auwemaata,  wa  shall  carry  with  ua  to  our 
dj^M  momenta.  Letnot^AnBye  Witoeas** 
entenaia  fitdae  pitafudleea.  Comparatively 
\  wanolice  buM  few  eorreapondenta  who 


write  us  in  fiudt'flnding  strains.  When  we  do 
jiaa  them  a  ooroer,  it  ia  with  the  one  only 
motire,  of  citiur  cauttoning  or  oomforting  the 
Ghnreh,aa  tiie  caoe  may  require.     One  word 


SOITTHAMPTOJtf  —  BenicT  BAPmx 
CHUBca^  CANAi.-WALK.—'Ihe  Iiord  hath  don» 
great  things  for  ua,  whereof  we  are  g)ad.— FaALic 
czxvL  3.->The  above  was  the  subject  of  a  disoooiae 
preached  on  Lord'a-day  morning,  Kov.  8th,  by  our 
highly  esteemed  pastor,  Mr.  Ghappell,  who  haa 
now  Laboured  amongst  ua  about  ten  months,  and 
whoae  labour  haa  not  been  in  vain.  The  diuroh 
was  at  a  very  low  <^b  when  Mr.  C.  came  amoogat 
ub;  indeed,  it  waa  considered  imperative  to  cloae 
the  doors  tlirough  want  of  meana ;  but  He  whoae 
name  is  Jehovah  Jireh  appeared  for  ua  in  the  timfl 
of  extremity,  and  directed  the  feet  of  his  servant  to 
this  place,  which  haa  proved  to  be  the  '*  power  of 
God  unto  aalvalion."  We  axe  greatly  enoouxagad 
when  we  reflect  upon  the  state  and  condition  of 
the  chuivh  when  Mr.  C.  came  amongst  ua,  there 
being  but  few  members  composing  the  little  in- 
terest; but  through  infinite  goodneaa,  after  a 
short  time,  others  were  added  to  their  little  num- 
ber; and  we  cannot  feel  sufiioieotly  thankful  c» 
beholding  the  good  work  of  grace  that  haa  been 
going  on  in  our  midat.  Several  have  been  con- 
strained to  make  an  open  avowal  of  their  attach- 
ment to  their  Badeeroer  by  walking  in  the  way 
of  obedience.  On  Thursday  evening,  November 
5th,  our  respected  pastor  administered  the  ordi- 
nance of  believei's  bsptiam  to  four  malea  aad 
three  females  in  the  pxeaence  of  a  large  assembly. 
The  services  were  ofa  solemn  aad  aSecting  oha- 
lacter,  mora  particularly  with  regard  to  the  laat 
ftnn^i4*^,  bemg  a  son  of  our  esteemed  minlater. 
who  had  the  unspeakable  joy  of  baptizing  him 
alao  in  the  name  of  the  Etan&al  Three.  The  frao- 
tifyiog  influencea  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were  en- 
joyed; a  happy  feeling  seemed  to  pervade  the  aa- 
sembly.  Mi^the  aeed  then  aown  be  productivia 
of  much  good  in  leading  othera  to  aee  the  vaat 
importanoeof  our  dear  I^^rd's  words :  **  If  ye  love 
me,  keep  my  commandmanta.*'  And  agalni 
*«  Why  caU  ye  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not  the 
things  which  X  command  you?"  Then  will  thay 
not  only  be  willing,  but  constrained  to  aas* 
**  Hinder  me  not,  ye  much  loved  frieada,  for  I 
muat  go  with  you.*  Having,  aa  a  little  onurob* 
thus  experienced  the  grscioua  dealinga  of  tbs 
Lord  in  answer  to  many  petitiona,  we  are  boond 
to  say,  "  The  Lord  hath  dam  great  things  wheree^ 
we  are  giad;"  and  would  atill  be  found  at  the 
mer^-seat  imploring  freah  manifoatationa  of  Hia 
power  in  the  sanctuaxy  through  a  praaohed 
Qoapel,  that  tbe  tendtoriea  of  dataa  may  bs 
aliaken,  and  aohuy  an  one  '^ready  to  penaht" 
be  plucked  aa  a  brand  from  the  eternal  buxningp 
-  •  -  •'  of  Ohriati 


aapectiBg  «the  mjaiater  aerving  at  ArtiUenr 
Jtaaatb"  we  have  been  intimately  aoquabiteU 
wMh  aome  of  hia  daaicat  relativea ;  we  have 


known  of  his  uprising  and  going  forth  in  the 
^Dod  work,  fiehas  mat  with  many  diaoonxage- 
manta :  aome  who  ahould  hare  helped,  have 
tried  to  hMter  hhn;  bathe  haa  believed  the 
Lord  called  him ;  he  haa  obervd  that  call:  he 
jet  fcJafoeeataadHiathr  toward  Jeruaalem;  the 
lamlhM  helped  him  with  a  Uttle  help;  and  if 
Urn  tiiwoit  IJMter  will  giv  Mm  the  temoor  of 
pMpha^iriag  among  thathtafc  bongha;  if  0«d 
vili  foaaaaaiaaAy  proqier  aad  pceaarve  him, 
amm  wlU  be  mora OnnEhl  than  the BdilOTof 
Jl^JhvMaa  Vrnet  When  we  see  a  aaaa,  Uka 
the  miniater  refiorrad  to^  a  yonng  man  of  good 


On  the 


aadbe  brought  into  the  peaceful  fold  4 
flodc,  and  go  in  and  out  aad  find  paatare^ 
following  Lord'a-day,  -(a  day  kmg  to  be  1 
bernd  as  one  of  thehluwieat  and  moat  deUgbtfiil 
speat  in  the  service  of  God,)— ia  the  •Ommcm, 
alter  a  moataffectionateaadaoHlHitirrtngaddreai^ 
our  paator  gave  the  right  hand  of  feUowahip  on 
behalf  of  the  churah  to  thoee  who  had  previeusty 
witnessed  a  good  profession  before  them;  aoma 
of  whom  had  been  brought  under  tbe  tenoraof  tbe 
Uw,  whilat  othera  had  experienced  the  atiU  amaU 
voice  of  the  Qoapel,  aad  were  dmwn  by  theailkan 
corda  of  love,  thua  showing  the  aorareigatr  of  oar 
adonble  Bedacmer,  who  works  aU  tliinga  after 
the  ooiuael  of  Bia  own  will,  aopower  on  earth  o? 
ia  ImU  being  able  to  frustrate  Hlapurpoeea  in  the 
redemption  of  Hia  peonle,the  ^  bainib  '^^^ 
shaU  eame  who  were  ready  to  perlab  ;**  and  **  Z  «al 
AoaeaMTtii  upon  whom  I  wiUhasaaMray.*' 

W^A  SVBUir. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


298 


THE  EARTHEN  YEMEL. 


I>M.  1,  1868. 


BX8B  AND  PBOaBBSS  OF  THX 
GOflPSL  ZV  THB  VZXiZJLaS  OV 
B7AB8H,  KBVT. 

This  event  took  pleoe  in  1815,  HeMn.  Denton 
and  Baaeet,  members  of  Zoar  Chapel.  Stiood, 
oommenoed  preaching  in  dame  Terry's  house; 
but  afterwards  removed  to  the  house  of  Wm. 
Fuikhurst,  who  was  the  flrst-frnits  in  the  place ; 
and  in  process  of  time  others  were  gathered  to  the 
Lord,  and  became  members  of  Zoar.  In  1831,  Mr. 
O.  Basset  commenced  preaching ;  and  a  feeling 
pawed  over  the  littie  band  to  build  a  house  for 
Ood.  The  purohaae  of  a  piece  of  land  being  ren- 
dered impossible,  it  was  decided  to  take  on  lease 
the  building  after  converted  into  a  chapel  for  the 
period  of  31  years :  this  was  taken  in  the  latter 
part  of  1821,  fitted  up  and  opened  in  March, 
1823,  by  Mr.  Drew,  and  Mr.  Shirl^,  of  Sevenoaka. 
The  pulpit  was  supplied  by  the  brethren  Basset, 
Denstead,  Basset,  and  others,  firom  Ebenezer, 
Chatham.  After  a  few  years,  some  were  con- 
vinced of  baptism,  and  Joined  Borough-green. 

The  church  at  Strood,  to  prevent  the  whole 
from  doing  so,  came  over,  and  formed  the  others 
into  a  branch  church  with  Zoar;  but  it  was  a 
Ailure,  for  all  but  two  became  Baptists;  several 
uniting  with  the  church  at  Zion,  Chatham.  The 
inconvenience  of  the  distance  was  felt,  and  after 
consulting,  Mr.  Lewis  and  others  agrwd  to  form 
themselves  into  a  Baptist  church,  which  took 
place  about  the  year  1827  or  1838,  comprising  18 
persons :  13  from  Chatham,  and  4r  fom  Borough- 
men.  Mr.  Lewis  formed  the  church,  and  Mr. 
Bolton  'preached  to  the  church.  This  proved  a 
happy  union,  as  some  living  can  bear  testimony : 
unify,  peace,  and  harmony  prevailed.  Several 
others  were  united  to  tlie  litUe  band,  and  in 
course  of  a  few  years,  it  grew  in  numbers  amount- 
ing to  80;  they  luul  no  pastor,  but  obtained 
neaghbouring  pastors  to  come  and  break  bread  to 
them. 

In  the  year  1886,  a  new  Baptist  chapel  was  built 
at  West  Mslling,  about  two  miles  dlsUnt ;  some 
of  the  people  were  not  very  willing  to  move ; 
their  feeling  being  the  Lord  had  planted  the  Gk>a- 
pel  in  Ryarsh ;  and  it  should  be  continued  there: 
some  of  the  elder  members  exprecsing  feelings 
that  the  Gospel  might  go  there  for  a  time,  but  ft 
would  be  brought  Dack  again,  as  the  sequel  will 
show:— Prom  about  1838  to  1863,  these  people 
worshipped  at  Mailing,  and  were  members. 
Of  what  happened  diuing  this  period  of  fifteen 
years  we  have  no  definite  aoeount,  as  it  has  to  do 
with  the  church  at  Mailing. 

Early  in  the  year  1868,  in  consequence  of  a  mis- 
understanding or  disagreement  between  Mr. 
Hammond,  the  then  pastor,  at  Mailing,  and  the 
deacons  about  opening  the  chapel  at  ^rsh  for 
preaching  on  Sunday  evenings,  the  three  deacons 
were  turned  out  of  their  office,  and  others  chosen 
in  their  stead :  the  result  was  a  division  in  the 
church,  and  the  few  that  left  met  fbr  worship  in 
Bunuel  Ungley*s  house  at  Mailing,  from  May 
aeth,  1868,  until  October  of  the  same  year,  when 
the  chapel  at  Byarsh  was  hired  by  them  for  the 
remainder  of  the  lesse,  which  was  to  fTpfn?  nt 
Michaelmaa,  1868.  The  chapel  was  o|x^i.*>i  (.^:t. 
16th,  1863,  and  the  church  formed  (con-^iMinir .  f 
five  members)  on  the  same  day  by  Mr.  i^titiKll^:r, 
of  Matfield-green,  and  the  ordinance  o1  th'  i  i  r<] -i 
Supper  administered  in  the  aflemoou.  1a^ 
18th  of  the  same  year  twenty-four  were  received 
toto  the  church  by  Mr.  Lingl^,  of  Meopham, 
having  received  tbdr  dismission  from  the  <&urch 
at  Mailing.  The  pnlpit  was  supplied  hy  several 
ministers  until  1857,  when  Mr.  J.  Inward  became 
pastor  of  the  chnreh.  His  ordination  took  place 
Dec  1st,  1867,  and  he  was  with  them  till  Aug.,  1861 , 
the  Lord  having  blessed  his  testimony  among 


Wnoe  that  time,  tiie  pulpit  has  been  snppUed 
by  Menrs.  Martin,  Dalten,  Orey,  JuU,  and  others. 


During  the  ten  years  of  meeUag  in  the  old  chapel, 
seven  male  members  have  been  vemovcd  1^  death, 
and  seven  have  been  dismissed  to  other  dinrehea, 
the  present  number  on  the  churefa  book  betag 

Early  in  the  spring  of  the  present  year,  we 
began  to  think  what  was  to  bedone  at  the  exp* 


§ 


tion  of  the  leaa&  The  landlord  of  the  buifding 
was  consulted ;  he  proposed  a  raise  of  rent,  and 
other  conditions,  which  we  felt  would  become 
oppressive.  This  led  us  to  cry  to  the  Lord  for 
help  and  interposition,  that  he  would  make  a 
provision  for  us  In  the  ratnre. 

A  kind  fHend  came  forward  and  offered  to  lend 
money  to  build;  but  the  difficulty  still  waau 
where  could  we  get  a  piece  of  Uwd.  We  applied 
to  one  and  another;  the  answer  was  in  the  negar 
tive.  Still  we  kept  looking,  hoping  and  praying 
to  the  Lord.  At  last  His  hand  was  seen.  His 
power  displayed,  and  moved  the  heart  of  one  to 
sell  us  a  piece  on  which  the  chapel  now  stands. 

We,  as  a  church,  felt  Justified  in  the  steps  we 
were  about  taking,  for  three  things  :~1.  The  old 
place  was  very  inconvenient  in  every  raajpeot  to 
preacher  and  to  hearers;  scarce  any  ventilation ; 
the  second  was  burdens  being  imposed  more  than 
we  could  bear.  8.  The  Lord  having  given  firom 
time  to  time  evident  signs  of  His  presence  being 
with  us  in  calling  sinners  frmn  nature's  darknese 
into  the  light  of  the  Qospel,  by  the  preacliing  of 
the  word,  and  in  fiBeding  and  comforting  the 
churchy  thus  increasing  us  numerically,  and  with 
all  the  increase  of  our  God. 

These  things  encouxaged  us,  and  our  ob- 
lect    and    motive   was  to    erect   a  house  for 

is  name,  for  the  publishing  the  glorious  merita 
and  achievements  of  a  crucified  Mvionr,  and  for 
the  sood  of  souls. 

A  Duilding  committee  was  fbrmed,  chosen  by 
the  church,  who  devoted  their  time  and  attentioo 
gratis ;  ana  we  now  realise  the  things  we  have  so 
Ions  desired  and  anticipated. 

We  desire,  as  a  churai,  to  ascribe  all  praise  to 
the  Triune  God  of  Israel,  and  say,  **  The  Lord  He 
is  Jehovah  Jireh  still.**  Trusting  we  can  come 
under  the  congratulatery  language  at'  Moses: 
**  Happy  art  thou,  O  Israel,  who  is  like  unto 
thee  ?  O  people  saved  by  the  Lord ;  the  Shield  of 
thy  help ;  and  who  is  the  sword  of  thy  excellency : 
tmne  enemies  shall  be  found  liars  unto  thee,  and 
thou  Shalt  tread  upon  their  high  places.'*  Dent 
suudii.  39. 

The  opening  day,  October  Uth,  1868,  was  a 
bright  October  morning.  We  were  disappointed 
in  not  hearing  Mr.  Wells  (through  illness) ;  but 
were  remembered  by  our  God  In  sending  Ufa 
other  servants.  Mr.  Jtennett^  of  Chatham,  opened 
the  morning  service,  solemnly  imploring  the  Di- 
vine presence  to  rest  upon  us  for  the  day  and  to  con- 
tinue with  us  in  the  future.  Mr.  Wall  of  Graves- 
end,  preached  from  Isaiah  xxxiiL  90 :  **  Look  upon 
Zion,  the  dty  of  our  solemnities:**  many  found  it 
a  good  time,  and  said,  this  is  the  house  of  God, 
and  gate  of  neaven :  a  goodly  number  sat  down  to 
dinner. 

In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Avery,  of  Hadlow,  souglit 
the  Lord's  blessing  upon  minister  and  people. 
Mr.  Lingley,  of  Mudstone,  preached  firom  Dent. 
xxxiii.  89,  a  sound  encourajang  discourse.  M^iQy 
felt  truly  hajMnr.  Mr.  Nevm,  of  button,  read  the 
statement  or  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Gospel, 
and  concluded  by  prayer. 

About  SOOpaitook  of  tea.    In  the  evening,  Mr. 

Fremlin,  of  Foot's  Cray,  preached  from  8  Cor.  iv.  7, 

Iving  us  some  good  counsel,  hoping  to  reduce  it 

^practice. 

The  attendance  was  extraordinary  through  the 
dav,  many  being  obliged  to  stand  outside.  Our 
collections  exceeded  our  expectations,  for  whi<^ 
we  desire  to  tender  our  Ancere  thanks  to  the 
fHends  that  assisted  and  visited  us,  and  to  erect 
our  Bbenecer,  and  say,  •*  Hitherto  the  Lord  haa 
helped  us."  A  Touve  HutBAXDicAX. 


g' 


Digitized  by 


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Dm.  1,  IMt. 


THE  EARTHIK  TSflSSt. 


jraor  BUHTAV  XoOVBB. 
DiAB  BBOTHSB.-I  lutve  to  pioMli  dwioff  the 
next  Mven  or  eight  di^i  at  Oaranoe  Town, 
Hinton,  and  other  plaoea  on  the  Hanter,  and 
for  that  jNUpoae  I  shall  leave  Sydney  ner 
aleamon,  deren  o^alook  to-night;  therefore 
oaa  onlj  write  yon  a  Um  lines  for  the  oot-going 
Hail.  I  have  very  mnoh  to  write  of  the  gooo- 
nees  of  the  Lord  toward  me  His  nnwoittiy  ser- 
vant. I  have  been  peatly  honoured  of  Oodsinoe 
I  have  labonred  in  Sydney;  many  souls  and  seals 
the  Lord  has  given  me.  On  tne  third  of  this 
month  I  baptised  four;  one  a  very  pleasing 
instsnee  indesd:  a  yoong  woman  who  never  at- 
tended the  house  of  Ood.  When  I  first  visited 
Sydney,  she  was  asked  to  hear  me:  she  did  so;  it 
was  my  first  LordVdsy  sermon  in  Sydney :  to 
use  her  own  words,  she  said,  *<I  got  no  good  by 
hearing  that  sermon ;  I  went  away  wretoned  and 
misersble.'*  She  was  convinced  or  sin :  she  con- 
tinued in  great  sorrow  without  hope.  After  my 
arrival  ana  settlement  in  Sydney,  she  has  always 
been  in  the  house  of  CK>d;  and  when  I  preached 
in  the  theatre,  one  of  those  sermons,  she  says, 
made  her  worse,  her  state  appeared  to  be  more 
hopeless;  nevertheless,  her  cry  vrss  to  the  Lord 
for  merey ;  thus  she  oontinned  until  she  heard  a 
sermon  that  I  preached  in  the  hall.  Iwasspeak- 
ing  of  the  diflbrent  mountains,  and  of  the  monn- 
taus  of  sin  in  a  slnnerli  conscience;  before  the 
Mood  of  sprinkling  that  mountain  shall  become  a 
plain.  That  sermon  was  the  means  of  hope  to 
her :  she  left  and  fielt  for  the  first  time  vrith  **toho 
etm  idl  T  "    Some  time  after  this  I  vras  prsaohing 

Irom  ^  Them  that  thought  ui>on  His  name  ;**  now 
j^, ^-   .  . 


and  bebig  assured  of  her  love  to  Christ,  she  now 
felt  constrained  to  keep  His  commandments; 
therefore  I  baptised  her  in  the  name  of  the  Holy 
Trinity.  I  have  another  very  wonderfU  case,  I 
wni  give  yon  the  perticnlars  of  it  next  mail,  I  am 
•are  that  you  will  r^ce.  You  vrill  see  by 
Charutian  /faacbr.  I  am  still  hard  at  vrork  against 
Fopenr.  Up  to  the  presenttime  before  thepnhlic 
I  stand  alone ;  not  one  minister  comes  forward  to 
help  hi  this  great  work ;  nevertheless  I  am  helped 
\ry  the  Lord,  and  many  are  the  prayevs  ofltoedup 
on  my  behalf;  and  I  am  tola  that  neat  good 
is  being  done,  therefore  in  this  I  vrul  rcgoioe. 
Krs.  MeCure^  with  me^ desire  our  love  to  yonand 
Ifn.  B.  I  lemain,  dear  brother,  yoor's  in  Jesns^ 
JOBV  Btotav  McOubb. 
Sydney. 
Sep.  SMh,  1869. 


JOKH   0LAJBKnr. 

FiOTiDncB  Baptist  Ohaoel,  between  86  and  87, 
Upper  street  Islmgton.  Lovers  of  the  tmth  as  it 
is  in  Jesas,espefilany  those  in  the  neighbourhood, 
will  be  interested  to  know  that  a  neat  and  oom- 
forteble  Ohapel  is  situate  as  above,  fhnn  the 
pulpit  of  which  the  0ospel  trumpet  is  blown  and 
the  bkK)d-stained  banner  of  the  cross  is  unftarled, 
to  the  joy  and  refVeahing  of  weary  nilgrims.  If  r. 
John  Olaskin,  the  pastor,  has  for  iburteen  years, 
steadily,  eameally,  fSBariessly,  and  afieotionately 
neaehed  the  QoKpA  of  the  grsce  of  Ood:  and 
Che  Lord  has  commanded  His  blessing,  even  life 
for  evermore:  many  souls  have  been  given  fbr 
hire  as  seals  to  his  ministiy.  On  Lord*s-day, 
November  8th,  the  fourteenth  anniversary  was 


a  very 
ftom  the 


eelebrBted.   TOe  pastor  preached  in  the  morning 
*~*  eased  sermon,  taking   encouragemenl 

past,  that  Ood  having  blessed  ns  as  a 

ehureh,  will  still  bless  us,  and  expressed  his 
determination  to  know  nothing  among  men.  at 
home  and  abroad,  but  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crud- 
ftodf  making  mentioa  of  His  righteonsneass  alone. 
Brottier  lV>f«msa  fbllowed  m  the  afternoon; 
bnOier  Fills  in  the  evening;  and  brother 
fnam  Wells  on  Tnesdqr-«11  of  whom 


happy  in  their  work.  The  people  had  good 
seasons;  and  though  the  vreather  was  very  wet 
still  the  house  wss  filled,  and  the  Lord  was  pre* 
sent.  In  entering  upon  another  year,  we  praise 
Ood*s  great  and  holy  name  for  all  the  mercies 
bestowed  npun  us  to  this  present,  and  take  them 
to  be  an  earnest  of  good  things  yet  to  come. 
That  the  Lord  will  iiAeed  gather  othen  to  this 
part  of  His  Isrsel,  beside  thoee  that  are  gathered 
unto  Him,  is  the  prayer  of  the  writer. 

L  J.  WAITg. 

XZXtfB  SHD.— Hbpbzibah  Ohapkl,  Dab* 

uwo  Plaoi.— A  public  meeting  vras  held  on 
Tuesday,  Oct.  SOth.  in  connection  with  the  efbrts 
now  being  made  by  If  r.  Charles  Oordelier  to 
speak  the  truth  in  this  dark  neighbourhood. 
About  160  persons  took  tea  together,  after  which 
the  chair  was  taken  1^  B.  Oowland,  Bsq..  who 
was  surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  ministers. 
Brother  Ctordelier  read  a  statemept  reepeeting 
the  past  history  of  the  place,  and  the  present 
prospects  for  nsefhlnesb  It  appears  that  the 
chapel  has  now  come  into  his  hands,  and  being 
aninous 

**  To  tell  to  sinners  round 
What  a  dear  Saviour  he  has  found,*' 
he,  without  fiM  or  reward  (save  the  satisfiMtion 
"  '  *),  preaches  theOospel  hereon  Lord's- 


day,  andsuperfntends  the  various  eflbrts  fbr  in- 
structing the  masses.  A  Bible  woman  has  been 
appointed  for  the  district  connected  with  the 
chapel,  by  means  of  which  the  Oespel  will  be 
carried  to  every  house,  there  is  a  Sunday  school 
vrith  about  80  children,  and  a  Christian  Instruction 
Society.  The  meeting  vrss  addressed  by  brethren 
Dickerson.  dackneU,  Woodaid,  and  several 
neighbouring  minlstera.  We  believe  this  is  a 
movement  in  the  right  direction :  and  if  persons 
residing  in  the  neighbourhood  likeminded,  will 
co-operate  with  brother  Oordelier,  much  good 
may  be  done.  Teachers  and  visitors  are  greatly 
needed.  We  heartily  wish  oui^brother  great  co« 
coumgeraent,  and  reoommend  those  who  are 
able  to  help  as  fellow  workers ;  and  those  who 
have  been  olessed  with  this  world's  goods,  and 
are  able  to  contribute  to  the  expenses  neoeesarily 
involved  in  such  an  undcftakmg,  to  communl- 
cafo  at  once  vrith  Mr.  Charles  Ckmlelier,  IS, 
Stepney  Oreen.  A  Bbothss  who  wi6  Thbbs. 

POPIiAJt— Zoar  Chapel,  Manor  street.  On 
MondiQr  evening,  October  JMth,  Mr.  WUliam 
Palmer,  minister  of  Zion  Ohapd,  Plaistow,  bap- 
tised fbnr  believers,  three  of  whom  were  malee^ 
and  one  fenude,  after  a  most  impressive  discourse 
by  our  pastor,  Mr.  J.  Inward,  ftom  1  Peter  iii, 
81,  "The  like  figure  whereunto  even  baptism 
doth  also  now  save  us  (not  the  patting  avray  of 
the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  ansvier  of  a  good 
conscience  toward  Ood)  hy  the  resurreetion  of 
Jesus  Christ  Many  found  it  good  to  be  there ; 
and  may  the  seed  then  sovm,  produce  an  abundant 
crop  in  the  Lord^  time.  J.  Cuhch. 

HAYBB8T00K  HUX.  —  TsMPOBAiir 
Baptist  Chafbl,  Maldbit  Boao.  A  social 
meetittg  vrss  hdden  here  on  Monday  evening; 
Nov.  16th.  After  tea  in  the  class-rooms,  to  which 
a  goodly  number  sat  down,  the  public  senrice  vrss 
hMd,  and  the  place  vras  filled.  After  singing  and 
praver  1^  Mr.  Floiy,  the  pastor,  Mr.  iJowdalL 
said  th^  were  met  to  encourage  one  another,  and 
raise  an  Bbeneser  to  praise  Ctod  for  His  goodness 
who  had  brought  them  to  the  second  year  of  the 
cause  here^  the  Lord  having  put  it  into  the  hearts 
of  several  friendly  espedally  Mr.  Wilkin  (whose 
vre  all  deeply  deplore  this  evening  incon- 
e  of  illness)  to  estsblish  in  this  new  and 
locality  a  Strict  Baptist  cause.  Seven  had 
been^baptized  the  past  year —one  a  Bussian,the 
servant  of  a  very  notea  Bussian  theatrical,  who 
had  endured  a  deal  of  persecutionr^ut  had  left 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


900 


l«oiild«ooatelNiilt.  ThefoOowiMr 
1  ftoM  Ib  A  powwfu 
— HMn,  '*Vhe  FtwDiM  of  BaKBikioii  tkrouli 
Ctent,"  Hr.  J.  PeUs;  -TteiHpcMMm of  follow- 
ing Christ,*'  Mr.  C.  W.  WooUM»tt;  -Hm  privi> 
le!0»«f  UboiiruKfor  Christ,"  tfr.  Dunning ;  **The 
Joy  of  being  with  Chriat^"  ICr.  W.  Norton.  After 
«iiwingaad  pmyer, «  very  Ghrifll4ioiioiiring«id 
80uT-<lei]gliting  mtkOag  wm  broiu(ht  to  a  doae. 
Mf^  the  '*littl0C  one  fieoome  a  thonauul,  and 
annaUonea  stiong Datkn.** 

V0(BBIT0V.--On  TuMday,  Kor.  Brd,  two 
■VBons  wen  pnadicd  by  Mr.  6,  Cobsm,  of  lin- 
oolMMratt,  London,  fkom^aftlmcviLU.  In  tbe 
aftawwdii^  JCr.  O.apoke  of  Ood*«  eoodMM  to  the 
VMtaal  tmveUer.wttidwiiig  in  the  wildemeM 
iKanUlaiywmr.  She  pnamer  Hid  that  Ood'e 
ddldiai  jMuned.moft  of  tbalr  wildenMW  way 
•lone,  (m—to  the  prisoner  shat  up  the  dank 
dungeon  of  condemBation,  tied  end  boond  in  the 
iron  nudaof  hie  aiae,  with  the  ehadow  of  eternal 
dtath  npoa  hfti  aool.  Hera  a  dew  law  worit  in 
tke  flool  was  aeetsolcmly  eBteradfaito,  and  the 
qMakar  s^d  thoofl^  tbsm  be,  who  orydowa  a 
law  wexk,  still  yoa  say  that  a  atian  imiet  know 
the  law  befbre  he  eumnderstBad  the  Gospel:  he 
■mit  be  led  into  the  wf  Idemees  of  Sanai  by  JEoaai, 
befow  he  wiU  be  taken  into  tlM  land  of  OteMB  by 
Joehna:  he  mast  listen  to  the  thunders  of  fionSb 
befsn  he  will  sing  the  songs  of  Ziea :  he  must  be 
•onvinoed  of  aJnbeliMe  he  will  feel 


hianeedof 

(UI>-to  the  ack,  at 

ao  siok  that  they 

■tale  of  —  ■ 


i  to  the  Saviour. 
the  gales  of  death,  who 
afahonad  ail  manner  of 

dsspentian  was  8otoo<         _ 

it  was  quite  eleer  thii  thelwendher  had  teen  hi 
that  ease  (IV>~to  the  tsmpesi-teBsed  marfaMK, 
driven  of  fteaee  wind.    It  was  a       ' 


none  bnt  the  living  ooald  realty 
» it.  Zn  the  evening  Me.  a  nioha  of  the 
rftd  woiiEa  of  €kid  in  cseation.  (II)  In 
■nteredll)  Injawklsnue  <IV)  Of  the  wonderfhl 
works  of  God  thefion  for  ns  (Y)  Of  tbe  wondei^ 
ftUwoikaof  OodtheapMtinas.  Itwasatime 
of  love :  many  hearts  von  made  glad,  and  went 
home  njoioing. 

[OaonBT.^On  the  24th  of  SefptembiHEV  a 
was  held  in  this  plaoa  liar  the  double 


tiftal  harvest. and  to  pnenra  means  ftrthejpar- 
ehseaof  a  pieoe  of  gronnd  enwhiah  to  baud  a 


wonhipof  e«d. 


i  subatontialpln 


had.    In  the  afternoon,  Kr.  Harria. 
^Ten«and  pnyed, nd  Mr.  HflCof 

liia  worta;  *^HiaBii^iaafc  able  gift.*'  In  tha^lw- 
Del  (wUiSti  was  beantifliUy  deeomled  with 
flowers  and  mottos),  and  in  an  adjoining  booth, 
tea  waa  pvovided,«f  which  many  paatook.  Che 
evening  eerviee  began  at  half-paai  aix,  when  Hr. 
Biuiis  was  sailed  to  the  ohaic,  who  sailed  npon 
Hr.  Sheppard,  a  deaoQa,  firom;8toke  Ash,  to  sn- 
sngeiapraycryaad  after  ain^^ng  a  vane  or  two. 


XM.,the|vioe  

fiarAaew  pfatoa of  worship^  the  old  plaeabeia« 
aniy  hkad^  that  pntposa.  Mr.  Hoddy.  ol 
Borbam,  being  than  oaUednpon,  diliitinMl  an 
anooniagtag  addmsa,  and  nMdaaeall  qpon  the 
people  to  manffast  their  desifle  for  a  newptaoe 
pnblioly  in  whioh  ttmy  eould  aaaemble  them- 
selves  to  bear  the  word  of  lifc  by  their  libsnli^; 
when  iE21  were  given,  or  promised  to  be  givaa^ 
in  theoooneof  amonth.  ^.  Shaw,  af  Oeeold, 
Aadiaws,  of  Disa,  and  B^g,  of  fteaiiagflaW, 


addrasnd  the  ■MBtinfc  m4  aimt  a  wwA  ftom 
hvbther  Bania  and  liaghig  and  prajfer,  flm 

fUsn*  «««  «smismd,  it    being  nsaity  ten 
o^fllook. 

BtJSSESUi  8QVABB.~Kkppu.  Stbbbt 
Ohapel.  The  forty-^hth  anniwrmTy  of  the 
Sabbath  schools  waa  held  on  Tuesday,  Nov,  ITIh. 
Tea  was  wed  attended,  tidcets  being  fiee  under 
tbe  enenetic  auspioes  of  Hr.  Cooper,  wlio  felt 
satisfied  that  many  would  be  attracted  to  so  oood 
an  cMect.  Mr.  8.  MHuer  presided;  after  -mMb 
eocoenent  addreaKs  were  delivcied  by  Measra. 
Fiells^  BtoomfleM,  Cradkndl,  Hawkln%  H^avd, 
and  AndenKMi,  n^nn  the  Interesting  subject  ef 
teaching    the  rhtng    generation.     Mr   nfftnar 


refetredto  the  little  boy  who  died  at  nine  yaoa 
oM,  whom  he  buried  as  not  only  having  his  mind 
stored  Willi  large  portiuus  of  Scripture  and  by  uim^ 
but  he  evidently  understood  and  felt  the  great 
truths  of  sin  and  salvation,  and  was  in  the  habit 
of  atten^ag  the  prayer  meetfaig.  He  was  not 
satisfied  wiOi  attending  himself,  out  brougtit  a 
oompanion.  *'lfow,*' remarked  the  worthy  pastor, 
<*there  is  noQiing  particularly  inviting  for  t^ 
young  to  attract  them  to  prayer  meethigi,  ^how- 
lag  his  vital  knowledge  of  Ood,  and  love  to  things 
divine.^'  Several  bret&ren  weie  pTe8entr**'Higham, 
Flary,  Williamson,  tee.  This  was  one  of  the 
largest  meetbigB  held  here  in  support  of  iStm 
schools. 

WTCnrKATL   XBHT — On  Wi 
Ootobcr  31st,  a  thanksgiving  meeting 
for  the  abundant  harvest  with  whiS  a  Ood  af 
providsnoB  has  tavoued  our  land,  when  tww  aas^ 

D  preached  by  Mr.  John  WehatSTr-of 

Tbe  tea  me    ' 


Stepney.  „  _ 

weu  attended.    Many  iticnda 

and  thaaaigfaboarinc  \ilh19s  attended  to  m 
feet  iheh- esteem  for  the  bberiaaa  pastor,  Mr. 
Bowers.    Oir  reoieoted  fiasod  brother  Pkorer. 
nowofI>axi&Bd,liiboasedhamfbr  " 


JRO VBHOU4B,  DXTOK—Xr.  wmhan 
Wel^  paster  of  mt  ehmcb,  and  smrosMnr  to 
Mr.  Webster,  now  of  OBfe  Adttlhnn,  fll^noa,  «a 
asleep  m  Jesaa  on  Tamday,  Vov.  UMh.  IboHt 
ilx  moathaslnea,  he  had  a  eeisma  ftusn  whMh  hn 
paitiallyrcaovered^  botontheSataMfa^praaeA* 
mghia  deeeaae,  hafaadanolherdeprtvmglbhB  of 
speeeh.  His  end  vras  pmna.  He  dIM  witlioal 
ashrwgle.  **Blemedare1hedsadvrtiodiein«n 
LonL* 

WOOL  WICU,— On  Wednesday,  Seplemher 
aoth,  Mr.  Hanks  baptfaESd  eight  believer^  who 
... .. •    dfctoc 


with  one  Other  were  asoeisad  &to  obnaeb  follow 
ship,  on  LoidVday,  Oetdber  Wk,  and 


XP8WIOK— ZoAS  < 

—A  tea  meetfaig  wm  held  on  Wednesday,  Oct. 
14th,  tbe  <Ageot  of  which  was  to  wtf  eoaoe  1b>« 
WUkins  (late  of  ChatteriiQ^  who  hasnooeiitea  ^Ok 
invitation  to  supply  tlie  pulpit Ibrtwdve  months 
with  a  viewto  ministry.  Aboat^OamBmbereand 
friends  sat  down  to  tea,  after  which  a  trAUo 
S'^iLT^  fce>i  «»  cinpel  bohig  mwSSl 
Mr.  Willans  jnesided,  anda^gopriate  ailditaiua 
woe  delivered  byflie  ohalman,  T.  H.  Honris,  JL 


Ibythe  _ 

Cox,  T.  Poock,  S  .  Collins  (Gtundislairghlb  and 


]>  W8XAaiiB<~Tows  Hax4i»  The 

oharoh,  worshipphigin  thoabovahall,  hdd 


Hr.  Plaw,  of  Aylesbuiyc, 

Digitized  by 


weaoovaoaii,  JSeld  a 
HoadM^  Oefc.S6th,l 
(,  piaoehad  hi  tiie  a: 

Google 


D«e.  1, 1868. 


THE  EART&SSr  VESSEL. 


801 


ooon  from  Knmben  x.  S9.  In  the  evening  ■ 
Md  6onip— y  ottondeA:  Urotber  Rmh  in  the 
dHir.  Brother  tU-vr  gave  Mi  the  harvest  h3'mii. 
Brother  Lester  implored  the  Divine  blessing  on 
the  meetinffL  when  the  chairman  read  the  para- 
ble ftom  Mattheiw  xiii.  Ministers  then  spoke 
tiom  given  sabjeota  arimng  oat  of  the  parable: 
Bntiiren  Flaw,  Bam«s  B.  North,  Letter,  Cook- 
son,  and  H.  Ricketta.  Select  pieces  were  sung, 
brather  F.  Sanders  presiding  at  the  harmonium, 
■ndabont  twenty-tire  of  the  choir.  Allappaami 
pleased  and  I  h<^pi<oated. 

I'AX*aCOT7TH.~On  the  I8th  of  October, 
tibe  Bev.  John  Waloot  left  the  above  town  where 
he  had  been  paster  of  the  Baptist  chunli  for 
sevend  y«nsi  Pvevious  to  his  departure,  the 
ehordi  and  oongre^stioa  to  which  he  had  mi« 
nistered  expressed  the  sense  they  entertained  of 
Ms  liiitiiAil  Mid  ettmest  mfnist^  by  presenting, 
kin  witik  a  Mrrae  oontaliilng  £M.  Other  per- 
■onii  belcngiag  to  dilibreot  denominations, 
ihowed  their  respect  for  his  oonsistent  character 
■Ml  his  readinees  to  aid  in  all  religious  and  bene- 
wtaoteffhrta  by  another  purse  of  £35.  Thepab- 
Uo  pflnta  bore  their  testimony  and  expressed 
their  wffti  at  his  retireoient. 

Fni«HA]C.~Tbe  harvest  home  was  cele- 
bnted  hera  on  Oet  1st.  ICr.  Hill,  of  Stoke  Ash, 
pwehed  in  the  afternoon,  and  tea  being  pro- 
vided, 114  sat  down  to  the  repast.  In  the  even- 
ing, Kr.  Collins,  of  Grandisburgh,  being  unable 
to  attend,  brother  Brand,  of  Bungay,  conducted 
theservioe^  AeoUeotton  for  the  obapel  painting, 
dfaning,  Ac,  having  beea  made,  the  irienda  dis- 


BOBOTTOH  ;  OffiBBK  -  Mr.  John  Pells 
ynaobed  here  oo  ttie  afternoon  of  the  let  Oct. 
and  after  tea  a  public  meeting  was  oonvened, 
when  Mr.  Frith,  the  pastor,  took  the  chair.  After 
the  opening  address,  eoUeoUng  cards  were  issued 
far  the  pofpoee  of  imiaing  a  snm  for  the  erection 
of  aminiitei'ehoiMe.  .£bo«t  £S0  were  promised 
the  sMne  enwniuff.  Addresses  were  also  delivered 
by  brethren  Peus,  Jull,  Malyan,  and  Norton  on 
the  harvest. 


iUfUn  antH  Queries. 

Inlknt   SalYatiott.— Bkldtsd  Editor,— 
Will  yon  spare  a  oomer  in  yonr  most  exoellent 
r  a  Bosmpv  whioh  may,  under  God's 


blessing,  be  a  oomfort  to  thousands  of  mothers. 
I  had  the  great  pleasure  of  hearing  the  Rev. 
Jnoes  Wells  laet  Sondi^  evening  (Oot6ber  18th.} 
Id  the  eonne  of  hie  eermon  ne  said  he  had 
TOceiTod  a  great  many  letters  fh>m  persons  who 
oomplafaied:  that  he  had  said  there  were  in&nto 
in  hell  not  a  span  long;  and  it  was  repeatedly 
He  had  many,  many 
.Mtement,  but  still  it 
seems  it  is  believed.  His  foul  abhorred  the  idea : 
lie  did  not  believe  it  for  a  moment;  he  believed 


that  ALL  dying  in  iniknoy,  both  in  the  heathen 
as  well  as  in  the  dvllixed  world,  ivent  to  heaw. 
And  fiee  grace  people  were  those  only  whocottM 
believe  it.  Were  ne  an  Arminian  he  could  not 
believe  it ;  If  it  was  by  work  and  doing  men  were 
saved,  then  he  eonla  not  believe  it,  but  as  it  was 
by  wurey  (the  text  was,  **  He  vrill  have  nerqy  upon 
those  who  have  not  obtained  mercy  **),  he  believed 
and  was  fUUy  persuaded  all  infants  went  direct 
to  heaven.  I  think,  beloved  Editor,  this  is  so 
plain  that  it  should  be  so  written  that  all  who 
run  may  read.  It  is  a  vefy  cruel  thing  that  mea 
will  hatch  up  these  l3ring  tales  of  God's  ministers* 
It  may  with  the  utmost  truth  be  said  of  an 
Arminian,  ^FaUtm  in  wm,  Jithwm  m  iwiwaiis.** 
Wishing  every  snoeess  to  Mr.  Wells,  theogli  vei 
a  WellsU*  by  a  long  w^ :  hut  knowi)^  he  is  reaUv 
in  want  of  a  new  chapel,  and  knowing  Ghxl  will 
certainly  get  it  for  him ;  and  knowing  he  is  one 
of  the  most  honest  (if  wrong  sometimes)  men  w* 
have.  I  am,  beloved  Editor,  yours  affeotionately, 
~A  LOVKB  OF  Mr.  Wells,  Mb.  Spurqbok,  Mb. 
0.  WBahxs,  ajxb  all  Go]>*s  SKJrt  Munsi'ino 

EVXSrWHXBB. 

The  X>erby  Baptist  Oathedral.  —  A 

''Baptist  Gathedxal'^(aB  our  OorresponteH 
terms  itX  has  been  erected  here  of  "gigantio  d^ 
mensions,*^  with 

"  windows  richly  di^ht, 
Casting  a  dim  religions  light." 
QolA  and  glitter,— "  {7mi««  ad  woassam."  tt«t 
where  is  the  golden  candlestick,  the  fire  which 
never  goes  oat,  the  golden  bells,  and  the  pom^ 
granate?  Ah !  echo  answers,  Where  f  But  deiN 
our  correspondent  mean  that  thb  Gobpbl  of  our 
Lord  and  Savioor  Jesus  Christ  is  hard  to  find  in 
Derby?  We  have  preached  there  to  a  people 
professing  to  love  and  to  abide  by  the  ITew  Tes- 
tament in  every  branch.  Are  they  soattered^ 
Is  the  ark  of  the  covenant  lost  in  that  large 
town  ?  We  hope  not.  We  shall  surely  hear  that 
still  there  is  a  people  who  have  bought  but  will 
not  sell  the  Tbvth. 

The  Lord's  Supper— To  thk  Bditos. 
Mb.  Bdoob.— Oan  you,  or  any  of  yonr  numiw 
ous  corrsspondente,  answer  the  foUowtsg  fm* 
portent  questions,  with  Scriptural  proof? 

I.  Can  a  Strict  communion  Baptist  Church, 
SeriptuteOfy  oelebnte  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord^ 
supper  wAfls  ^aelitttU  ^  a  pattoi^f 

II.  If  it  is  the  ditjf  of  the  Church  to  eoin- 
memorate  the  LonJP»  death,  uho  has  a  Scriptural 
right  to  preside  at  the  table  f 

ni.  If  none  but  a  pastor  of  that  Church  em 
&ru;«Mni£fy  preside  at  the  table,  ought  the  Choreh 
to  desist  from,  the  obaervanee  of  the  ordinance  until 
the  Lord  shall  establith  a  pastor  over  them  f 

Plain  Seriptuiml  answers  to  the  above  will 
gieatly  oblige  both  the  Choroh  and  its  probatioA- 
ary  minister,  who  are  anxious  to  know  and  to  do 
the  1017/  of  their  reignbiff  Lord  and  Head. 

a,  Clarence  place,  Olapnam  road. 
[We  leave  the  question  open  for  any  brethren  to 
reply  as  they  may  be  led.    We  beUeve  the  an- 
swers are  by  no  means  fiur  off  or  difficult.— Sd.] 


TO   OUR  READERS  AND  CORRESPONDENTS. 

Fob  nineteen  yean,  Tax  Eabthxn  Vbssbl  has  now  circukted,  more  or  less,  in  all  thoae 
ChnrchoB  who  hold  fiwt  by  the  great  princ^>l68  and  oidinances  of  the  New  Testament. 
We  eommehced  hy  printing  2,000  eopiea  per  month  daring  the  first  year.  Erom  that 
number  we  graffiuOly  increased,  untu  in  England,  Ireland  Scotland,  the  Colonies,  the 
Indies,  the  Canadae,  America,  and  on  most  parts  of  the  Continent  our  Vessel  has 
carried  the  tidings  of  truth,  the  experiences  of  the  Haints,  the  movements  of  the 
Churches,  the  memoirs  of  her  ministers,  with  notes  and  notices  of  erenrthing  which 
could  be  nsefnl  either  temporally  or  spiritually  to  the  friends  of  the  Bedeemer  in  His 
kingdom  on  the  earth.  ^g.^.^^^ .^ GoOglc 


SM  THB  EABTHXN  VE8SBL. 

Alter  makinff  a  cueM  inyestigation,  we  find  that  between  one  and  two  nuUions  of 
copies  of  Ths  l^LBTHur  Ybsbbl  have  been  printed  and  circulated.  To  one  head  and 
ntai  of  hands,  it  has  been  a  laborious  task,  but  to  many  hundreds  of  thousands,  we  hope 
u  has  been  rendered  a  eood  help  by  the  wa^  in  the  right  direction. 

We  are  thankM  tnat  our  circulation  is  still  extennre.  There  is  but  one  monthly 
— advocating  the  vital  unity  of  sound  doctrine,  safe  experience,  and  the  observanoe  of 
the  ordinances  as  instituted  by  our  Lord  Himself— that  excels  us  in  numbers.  Con- 
sidering the  character  of  the  times  in  which  we  live,  the  circulation  of  The  Ootp^ 
Standard  must  be  highly  gratifjring  to  its  proprietor,  editor,  and  friends.  What  are 
termed  Th$  Gofpel  /SSten^rtf  Churches  and  ministers,  are  very  numerous;  and  they  are 
bound  together  by  most  powerful  influences.  There  is  an  immense  bodjr  of  uneducated 
people  to  whom  that  class  of  the  ministry  is  well  suited — besides,  there  is  a  vein  of  rich 
eixperimental  truth,  running  through  all  the  writings  of  the  Editor  and  his  correspondents 
which  viU  always  render  it  an  acceptable  mean  and  medium  of  help  and  comfint  to  the 
tried,  the  tempted,  the  afflicted,  the  oppressed,  the  bound  and  burdened  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  Lord  God  Almighty.  We  alwa^fs  feel  a  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the 
mmts  and  dums  of  the  Staitdardf  and  although  it  has  made  some  sore  thrusts  at  us,  we 
are  not  angry.  We  have  made  manv  mistakes ;  we  have  never  sailed  on  smoothly  as  it 
has  done ;  we  have  had  a  dreadfiil  hard,  uphill  work  of  it ;  and  as  soon  as  we  were  per- 
mitted to  reach  a  position  of  extensive  usefulness  and  influence,  a  number  of  little  eoorts 
were  made  to  impede  our  progress,  or  to  obtain  for  their  originators,  a  similar  position ; 
there  is  plenty  of  room  for  them ;  and  in  proportion  as  they  seek  the  welfkre  of  Zion,  we 
bid  them  all  God's  speed. 

And  now,  as  our  own  is  a  peculiar  sphere  of  labour — as  we  aim,  simply  at  two 
things,  we  hesitate  not  to  ask  still  for  all  the  cooperation  and  sealous  enterprising  help 
and  effort  which  the  lovers  and  friends  of  a  good  old  fiuhioned  Gospel  can  possibly  give 
tu. 

Our  original  aim  was^our  choice  and  most  &vourite  aim  still  is^to  furnish  the 
most  power&l  illustrations,  the  most  striking  facts,  and  the  richest  evidences  not  only  of 
what  THE  TRUTH  IS,  but  of  what  THE  TRUTH  does.  To  gather  some  of  the 
firuit  found  on  the  Tree  of  Life,  has  always  been  joyful  work  to  us ;  but,  in  this  depart- 
ment we  have  seriously  failed  during  the  last  few  years.  It  has  been  impossible  to  Ailfil 
this  branch  of  our  desigpi  as  we  desire ;  but,  if  our  commission  is  still  lengthened  out, 
we  are  resolved,  in  the  strength  of  the  mighfy  God  of  Jacob,  to  return  to  the  develop* 
ment  of  GRACE'S  GLORIOUS  CONQUESTS  in  the  souls  and  salvation  of  our  fellow- 
men,  with  ffreater  perseverance  than  ever.  We  have  been  betrayed,  misled,  hindered, 
and  injured ;  but  through  the  forbearance  and  mercy  of  our  ever  gracious  Lord,  we  hope 
to  be  rendered  more  usdiil  than  ever  in  this  original  and  essential  feature  of  our  work^- 
iAs  revelation  ot  ths  bbal  okaoe  or  God. 

The  other  branch  of  our  work  is  to  represent  the  character,  condition,  and  motions 
of  all  those  Churches  who  faithfully  adhere  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  Apostolic 
times.  This  branch  of  our  work  has  increased,  and  still  it  grows:  the  Chun^es 
multiply ;  ministers  epring  up  on  every  hand — and  all,  to  some  extent,  rpqnire  a  channel 
of  communication.  Christian  fHends  who  are  removed  far  from  their  first  pastors  and 
Churches,  are  ref^hed  by  reading  reports  of  the  Loid*s  work  still  going  on  among 
tiieir  old  firiends.  Destitute  Churches  need  information  of  the  fitness  of  good  men  to 
preach  to  them ;  and  ministers  who  are  not  in  cures,  are  desirous  of  using  au  wholesome 
means  for  the  furtherance  of  their  usefblness.  Indirect  appeals  have  constantly  been 
made  to  us  to  open  up  a  channel  for  the  dissemination  of  these  several  objects ;  we  have 
fflmost  imperceptibly  glided  into  this  kind  of  work ;  and  hence,  while  some  have  been 
oflbnded  because  too  much  room  has  been  occupied  in  this  practical  department,  many 
thousands  have  thanked  us  for  the  benefit  derived 

Our  sincere  thanks  are  tendered  to  all  who  have  helped  to  hold  up  our  hands  during 
the  many  years  in  which  we  have  sought  to  spread  abroaa  the  savour  of  Christ ;  and  we 
wonld  intreat  them  still  to  unite  with  us,  so  far,  and  only  so  far  as  they  may  beHeve  we  are 
doing  the  work  of  the  Lord ;  and  wherein  we  have  given  offence,  or  fiiiled  in  effecting 
plans  and  promises,  we  ask  forbearance  and  forgiveness. 

To  our  energetic  and  kind  Agents,  to  all  our  Correspondents,  and  to  our  thousands 
of  readers,  we  ask  for  continued  and  renewed  &vour8 ;  and  may  the  God  of  all  grace 
unite  ns  together  in  the  bonds  of  everlasting  love.    So  prays, 

Tm  Editor. 

END    OF    VOLUME    NINETEEN. 


LOMDOV:    PBOITSD    BT    BOBEBT    BAXXS,    CBAITE    COUBT,  IXEST^ 

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/87BSXT.      I 

Googk 


THE 


EAETHEN  VESSEL, 


AKD 


Cljrigtian  %mxl; 


FOK 


186  4. 


VOLUME   XX. 


LOKDON: 
ROBERT  BANKS,  9,   CRANE  COURT,   FLEET  STREET,  E.C. 
G.   J.  STEVENSON,  54,  PATERNOSTER  ROW,   E.C. 

1804. 


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THE   EARTHBN   VB88EL. 


CONTENTS. 


A  PsEciors  Promise  for  tb<>  Now  Yew  1 0 
Arc" hbi shop    Usher    h\    EuthtTford'* 

GarMt,.,        ..         *, 319 

A  Most  Lomeotuble  Fact  con  u  nee  ted 
with  Je#i3i  Cbriint^fi  Mtfuim  Teat  of 
I*isdple*hip  ...        .**        ...  HI? 

Am  I  on  the  Right  Way  ?      19 

A  Hfl^pj  Scene  »t  P^wst^Food ^4 

An  Ev^aiofi  at  Zoa^r    ,. 40 

Anderson^  Mr.,  H  Deptford  »,.  .„  47 
A  Mother  in  Israel      ,..        >..        .„     55 

Apostolical  Freichiti  g 277  30 1 

A  Few  Though tt  on  the  UeflVfinW  Cal- 

ling ,        „,  3(k8 

Bapf  iri t  Sn  nclAy  Soliool  I'  aio  ti . . ,         ...     47 

Chrbtj«ii  Trial  Preyentiitive 37 

Calrinism  and  Hjper- Calvinism       .„   1136 
OomiDg  to  Cbriit  i^tid  Going  lo  Hen- 
Tea     ,.,        ., 273 

CiivACftcs  at: — 

LUtJe  BtonhiAm,  SS ;  Cl«rkciiwc1L  Btmiitig- 
iiini,  34;  Hnnj»cy  Xtw  Town,  >>w  ftnrtli  ri>ii<1, 
Dantf>uK%  Torrtiigloti,  0-rav^jN^hf1»  Ibi  FruswEu^ 
fields 'iC^  Norwicb*  LiLjiMrUni  Su>kf  N«iiji^ 
too,  iJa ;  Houifrtiin,  44;  HuiiiifiluWf  B«i^k'y 
li«sitli,  fitetiue^v  49;  Hei^ ilia? hum,  Oower  ttre^'t, 
LiUJe  W  iM  i-twet^  4t  I  rjiiiidfii  T^^yvn,  &n;  BaX' 
muualLttm,  KicJimond,  Old  F^ml*  M  ;  Ftvn»\ui^ 
field,  BtmtugU  Grvtu,  ri7  ^  Birminj|tbim  i^n^l  Uil»« 
Cou,  74  J  Ipfr«i<?fi,  I9f<jfi>rd.  Chjinf,  Kottintf  IliU, 
OOmmvrciAl  rkiatl,rA;  F1mn-<teiul,  fUtinilN,  Mr. 
TliojiuLs  SlTiiiKer,  1!((5;  UiXa^  KinJ,  Vnuxhill,  Ii>«- 
winh,  137;  Jjrurk^iiliur^t,  Pklntijiw,  Stcpnev,  Eii- 
fltlcl,  U*^  ;  Clftplwuu   ItfMtpy,   Chdt<?iih(iinr  UJlt]^ 

Qitiifct  WUtidutfliiiiiii  IJl*>^k3ic*th»  GraluOmn, 
K«rppet  Ktnet,  TCew  York,  ]4£;  Ht|(!i  ViVi^nibi^ 
Wtixibiutt  GntfiL  Ami  Pj^MHim**!  CoimjIiiQ,  l^v; 
Jfeptfontf,    LiCtLe    iUmliAin,    Ha :    ShmuiurkifG, 

flurtlMiiiru,  Tutibri*l|fe  Wd[<^  17T  ;  Horin  ,  Tuu^tull, 
rqttoUt  I!l]r\id(hBi?K  I(>«wic1i,  17S;  HBckiivv,  fitolte 
K«viiieti>rj,  Frvs-sfnj^fli-lil^  ClijtttA'rix,  "Avci^>q 
elJUbrd,  HjitTOW.iJii'Uit^-HlU,  KuflWrt,  St.  Uf^ 
IT-J;  8tA0brd,  Hurvikb,  YtliiriiKfi,  im:  Wot^lfunl 
eiinday  iitlK<a.\  K('<i4fnct^.n'l\^J;  New  Bftptint 
Clmrchttt  Btrniingtmm,  P^'klium,  199;  Ok-md- 
fateA,  CJiimt  TortitigUm,  1^;  Waltlmm  AbJit^-, 
Baomoifr,  201 1  Pot  ton,  Kpj.iijig,  eoa  ;  Otley,  Kii>'L^ 
Aylrabun;  SIM;  Braotl  Orvek,  'J^l ;  Tunlm^ig^e 
Mrll<l  Ckijluiin,  »<3;  WTJnclBor*  hnt\  AvJciihurx, 
KjHkllngtf^i^  Gkniftfurd,  t43  ;  LeMlnfli^^jd,  ill; 
Jkmi  Bergtujlt,  Hopi^Li'y,  CliatUTliH  TLlu^kiff]^ 
Smrnumtiwy.imi ;  BTtiK.'((rj-,  2*7  ;  Ki?w  Chiiruli  jit 
|l*tmil*iy-by-B4>w^  ilft;  6totts  ibO;  TTuuui?,  Fi'l- 
ilMrnxv  Artillery  *trc*?l,  2?t  r  Briitol,  Plytiinutlj, 
A^Uburtttn,  %U;    WiTnltlfdon.    Stn-athani,  Ciiy 

i^niij,  aio,  yijfvfidi*  ipjiwfcb,  na;  Catuiwrweii, 

!Bap4imt  fctuiitUy  SchiHif  Cflfab,  lU ;  Eh1i*?t.  Trmfii 
BUUiftfcfd,  StAjiniTT,  ilnrwiclj,  XcwtoaAbU-t.  lU; 

d0|  WlngtvP.  Jmi  Old  i\rd,  KedlijfeL.:.,  .     >. 
«■•■■".■        .         ^  "  • 


Death  of  Miss  M.  A.  Wells 29 

„     of  Mr.  Tiptaft 253 

Deborah's  Lofiy  Anthem       135 

Devotional  Readings GG,  120 

Editor's  Thoughts  on  Men  and  Things 

on  the  EarA 13,  SS,    58 

English  and  Colonial  Book  Mission  ...  202 
Four  Questions  touching  the  Fall     ...      8 

Foi^venees      16,    33 

Five  Negatires 21 

Fiery  Tnahi      127 

Great  Battle,  the ;  and  the  Vision  of 

Glory  5,    G7 

Great  White  Throne 177 

Qnshings  out  of  the  Heart     99 

Glorious  Work  at  Sutton  Courtney   ...  311 
Great  Meeting  at  Surrey  Tabernacle...  Ill 

Human  Responsibility 126 

How  shall  I  oome  to  my  Grave  ?      ...  188 
How  to  Preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Un- 
converted       229 

Hey  wood,  Manchester,  and  Hull      ...  331 
lUnese  and  Be«th  of  Mr.  John  Pells 

185,  268 

Impreeations  in  the  Psalms 296 

Jesus  Mighty  to  Save 126 

Knowing  and  Believing  303 

Late  James  Nunn       59 

Late  Mr.  Silver 316 

Laving  the  Foundation  Stone  of  the 

New  Surrey  Tabernacle      311 

Love  of  God  to  His  Elect  Family    ...  187 
Looking   Backward,    Forward,    and 

Around  us 331 

LeUer  from  New  York  to  the  Editor...  200 
My  Way  from  the  Plough-Tail  to  the 
Pulpit ...  159,  193,  227,  252,  291,  327 

Mr.  Southall  at  Southwark    135 

Mr.  Cosens  and  Mr.  Silver 101 

Mr.  Leach  at  Plumstead        27 

Mr.  Cracknell's  Removal        76 

Mr.  Brunt  and  Mr.  Cornwell's  Ordi- 

naLion  73 

MinisterialAppeals  to  the  Unconverted  121 

New  Books       69,  131,  230,  310 

Notes  apd  Queries       ...*       ...       28,244 

Nothing  but  Leaves 94 

New  Church  and  Pastor  at  East  Berg- 
holt    71 

New  chapel  at  Rushden        265 

Openbg  of  New  chapel  at  Aldborough    26 

Our  Australian  Mail ^,    52 

On  Revelation 51 

Our  Fathers— Where  are  They?     ...  117 
Obituary  of  Mrs.  Flory  194 


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THE  SABTHXN  VESiiEL. 


Obituary  of  Mrs.  Atkins         279 

On  Sunday  Tnyelling  ...     247,  304 

Ordination  of  Mr.  Curtis        264 

Open-Air  Fruits 204 

Opening  of  New  School  Rooms  at  Dept- 

ford 290 

Peace,  be  still 235 

Plain  Han's  Pentateuch         ...         41 ,  63 
Presentation  to  Mr.  Wise       ...        ,..  314 

POKTBT  : 

Christ  our  Shepherd 12 

Jehovah  Tzidkenu 15 

Conference  between  a  King  and  a 

Christian 38 

The  late  Mr.  HarhotUe      57 

The  Four  Beasts      107 

The  late  Mrs.  Mitaon         62 

Fear  Not       165 

The  Word  of  God  in  the  Soul       ...  182 

The  Oarments  of  Salvation 196 

On  the  Death  of  Mr.  John  Pells    ...  226 
A  Company  of  Poor  Fishermen    ...  238 

Pared  with  Love      267 

The  Lord's  Beautiful  Flock. 260 

The  Christian's  Conflict  turned  to 

Triumph 260 

Indwelling  Sin         274 

New  Surrey  Tabemade      285 

^e  Land  of  the  Blest       298 

The  Elect  Glorified 308 

Your  Redemption  Draweth  Nigh  ...  330 

Becognitum  of  Mr.  Bnmt      20 

„  Mr.  Andenon*^       ...  133 

Mr.  Webb     72 

I,  .  Mr,  Kemp     •..        •».    50 

Rooiemg  in  the  Lord 125 

B^cinff  Novices        ...        ...        ...  192 

Beeoncihation  to  Go<I ...        ..»        ...  262 

BeH>pening  of  Shalom,  Hacknej      ...  264 
Sorrowfiil,  yet  always  Rei<»cing        ...    93 
Shipwrecked  Mariner  ana  Gospel  Min- 
ister..  40,  10a  233,  261 


Samuel  Jackson  in  the  Backwoods  of 

Canada 45 

Singingafter  Sorrow 352 

ScotchBaptisU 75 

Self-Dedication 157 

Suffolk  and  Norfolk  Baptist  Association  203 
Site  of  New  Surrey  Tabernacle  ...  241 
Saints'  Sure  and  Certain  Hope  ...  241 
Sweet  And  IWthfid  Testimony  to  the 

memory  of  the  late  Mr.  Tiptaft     ...  286 
Spiritual  Poverty  and  Heavenly  Bles- 
sedness          320 

The  Surrey  Tabemade  Expositor  120, 

163,  236,  275»  298,  322 
The  Unknown  Path    ...        ...         ..  160 

The  late  Mr.  Pells       221 

The  late  Mr.  Huntley 292 

The  Ute  Mr.  WatmuflT. 255 

The  late  Mr.  Brocklehurst     ...     180,  262 

The  late  Pastor  at  Soho         240 

The  Godly  delivered  out  of  Temptation  293 


The  New  Surrey  Tabernacle 

The  Great  Search        

TheSanctuajy 

The  Ardent  Ix>ver       

The  Battle  that  was  Against  Me 

The  Ministerial  Warrior 

The  SoUtafj  and  Bebellions  ... 

The  Eleventh  Commandment 

The  First  SiA...        

The  GI017  of  Free  Grace       

The  Australian  Cripple 

The  Trhmmhs  of  TnitK       

The  Openmg  oi  a  New  Chapel  for  J. 

B.  McCura    ...        ••• 
Take  Care  of  your  Ministets 
Tne  Disdpleship 
Walking  in  Darlmess  ... 
Wanderer  in  Harness  ... 
Wav  it  fron  tfie  Lord? 
Welcome  to  Ifr.  Stringer 


263 
250 
269 
232 
255 
181 
305 
319 
107 
303 
110 
110 


110 
.    294,  329 

...  330 

...     U 

.23,71,  174 

...  124 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 

A2fD 

d^liristian  3l(Corl 


CH  (iwat  S([ath,  and  thi|  f  i8i0«  0f  dloiig. 

A   FEW  WOBDS  FOR 
ALL  WHO  WILL  READ  THEM    AT   THE    BEGINNING  OF   1«64. 


To  ALL  OUB  <*FSLL0W-HBLPBBS  VX  TBS  TboTB/*  TO  OUB  BbADKBS,  GoBHESPONDBNTS, 
AND  FUDBlTDSy  Uf  ALL  PARTS  OF  THE  WORLD— AKD  TO  ALL  WHO  MAY  RBAD  THB8E 
FEW  LIMES— WITH  THE  BELOTBD  JOHIf,  **  THE  ElDEB,"  WE  WO»n.D  MOOT  STWCBHBLY 
BAY,  "GEACE  BE  WITH  YOU,   MBBCY  AND    PEACE  FBOM    GOD    THE     FATHER,   AND 

PBOB  THE  LORD   JESUS    CHRIST— THE  SON  of  the  FATHER,  m  tbuth 

AND  LOVE." 

In  commencing  the  twentieth  volume  of  The  Eabthbn  Vessel  ard  Ghbistiait  Rbcobd, 
we  are  disposed  to  call  special  attention  to  two  solemn  subjects— Jtfizn'«  TaUd  and  Entire . 
RtUn  by  the  Fall  of  the  first  Adam;  and,  the  Fulness  of  Grace  and  Truth  found 
in  the  glorious  Person  of  the  second  Adarny  by  all  who  were  by  thb  Fathbb  given  to 
tub  Son  ;  by  all  who  through  the  Spibit,  come  to  the  SON ;  and  by  all,  who  having 
had  fellowship  with  Him  in  His  sufferings,  being  made  conformable  unto  Him  in  His 
death,  and  more  than  conquerors  through  Him  that  loved  them,  are  heirs  of  all  the 
promises— have  secured  unto  them  all  the  perfections  of  their  Covenant  Head,  and  shall 
certainly  enjoy  all  the  preciousness  of  His  mediation  and  intercession  for  ever  and  evf'r. 
Amen  and  Amen.    Hallelnjah. 


nail,  Ctod  the  Son  with  gloiy  crown*d 

Bre  time  began  to  be  1 
Tfaroo'd  with  the  Either,  through  the  round 

Of  yaat  eternity. 


Our  feeble  nature  He  aasnmea. 

And,  **  full  of  truth  and  grace,' 
By  His  imputed  work  becx>m< 

The  LORP  OUS  RIG-HT: 

To  lift  us  from  oar  lost  eatate, 
Behold  Bis  life-blood  stream ! 

Bail,  Lobd  Almighty  to  create ! 
Almighty  to  redeem  I 


What  wondrous  love  in  mystery  shewed, 

That  mystery  who  can  scan  f 
The  co-etenM  Son  of  Ood, 

The  mortal  Son  of  man. 

It  is  usual  with  Editors— in  their  annual  addresses — to  find  much  fault  with  the 
times  in  which  they  live ;  and  then  to  attempt  to  point  out  some  of  "the  signs  of  the  times," 
closing  up  by  prophe^ng  and  promising  a  great  de^.  The  simplicity  and  the  certainip 
of  the  word  of  Grod  is  hereby  often  slighted ;  the  people  are  led  out  to  star-gazing ;  theur 
minds  are  plunged  into  a  thousand  mysteries ;  they  are  confused  b^r  the  theories  and  specula- 
tions of  Cloudy  or  muddy  dreamers ;  and  hence  they  know  neither  the  TRUTH— nor 
the  perfect  freedom  which,  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  that  truth  is  destined  to 
bestow. 

Was  it  not  thus  that  the  serpent  began  his  dire  and  dreadful  work  in  Eden's 
delightful  garden  ?  Did  he  not  labour  to  make  them  question  the  eimpUdty  of  the  word 
of  God  ?  "  Hath  Qod  said.  Ye  shall  not  eat  of  the  tree  V  A  doubt  is  suggested :  it  was 
the  first  attack  of  the  old  serpent  upon  our  nature ;  it  was  the  first  seS  of  infidelity 
thrown  into  the  human  heart ;  it  was  the  first  drop  of  hellish  poison  poured  into  onr 
veins ;  it  was  the  first  arrow  shot  into  the  soul  which  Qod  had  created.  It  took  eifect ; 
and  the  floods  of  death,  which  (from  that  first  issue)  have  been  poured  into  this  poor 
Vol.  XX.— No.  224.  r-  \ 

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6  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL.  Ju.  1,  1864. 

world  of  ours,  doth  plainly  diBCorer  the  immeasurable  depths  which  doth  in  that  old 
serpent  dwell,  of  whom  the  Spirit  speaketh  so  descriptiyely  and  so  emphatically,  when  He 
saith,  "  Now  th^  serpent  was  more  subtle  than  any  beast  of  the  field  which  the  Losd 
G-OD  had  made."  "More  subtle*^  Mark  you:  he  is  called  the  serpent  with  heads, 
haying  great  cunning :  he  is  called  the  crooked  serpent,  with  knotty  objections :  the 
piercing  serpent,  because  he  wounds  mo  detpiy  and  ao  often,  and  his  mfrs  are  called 
devices,  ten^tationif,  tkltmone,  wiles,  fotoer^,  and  the  gates  of  hell.  How  far  in  this  day 
he  is  working  as  an  angel  of  light,  the  Lord  God  alone  can  tell. 

We  will  not  waste  our  words  by  pretending  to  condemn  the  times  in  which  we  live ; 
much  less  w^ll  we  prophesy  of  either  good  or  evil,  beyond  what  the  plain  letter  of  God's 
word  will  warrant ;  but  we  will  hurl  our  little  pebble  at  Great  Goliath's  brazen  front ; 
and  then  with  one  word  of  encouraging  explanation,  proceed  to  the  two-fold  testimony 
we  hare  in  hand. 

First,  let  us  hurl  a  stone  at  Satan's  head,  for  he's  a  foe  indeed.  Forty  years  ago  or  more, 
he  began  his  dreadfid  work  with  us ;  and  with  most  fearful  and  powerful  stratagems  hath 
he  sought  our  temporal  and  eternal  ruin.  But,  when  the  Biblb  became  our  "  bag"  (of 
imperishable  treasures ;  1  Sam.  zirii.  50)  we  found  therein  some  precious  stones ;  and 
when  by  the  hand  of  a  loTing  experience  we  took  therefrom  that  one  special  word, 
*'  Hesrlran,  my  beloved  bnathien,  hath  -not  God  chosen  the  poor  of  iihia  wai*ld,  xich  in 
faith,.en'dlieirs  of  that  kingdom  which  He  hath  promised  to  them  that  loye  Him  ? " 
when  by  faith  and  the  Spirit's  .pawner  we  threw  out  that  stone,  down  fell  the  Philistine, 
while  many  of  the  men  of  Israel  and  Judah  arose  and  shouted  and  sang  praises  tmto 
God :  "The  soul  of  Joitfthsn  was  {then  Imit  wiih  the  soul  of  David ;  Jonadian  lored 
David  as  his  own  soul:  "  and  all  things  went  on  well:  the  Gospel  was  preached,  the 
people  were  gathered,  the  kinffdom  did  grow,  sinners  were  converted,  saints  did  Bhout 
ahwd  to  joy,  .and  Ihe  eliiry  fiued  the  honae  and  all  the  poo^e's  hearts  aa  well.  But 
Although  I>a<«d  slew  Uxe  PhiliafeiBe,  thePhiliatme's  Maater  a% 


nraida  felled  David  with 
-an-c^ost  fatxil  blow;  and,  hvt  ior  the  New  'Covenant  ProrisioDS,  and  'the  Heaven- 
wzought  :Spuntual  Poweta-^ejraerasad  in  the  flfty*flrst  Psalm,  'and  aome  otheca  of  a 
leindfed  natuw^^-'pooT  Datvid  haa  liied  in  the  dark.  He  could,  howeiver,  say,  '*  The  mebct 
OF  THE  LORD  IS  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  Him:*'  and 
although  in  the  deep  and  the  dreaaful  waters  we  have  sunk  ;  although  the  enem^  has 
come  in  like  a  ^od,  BweepiDj^'aUbffiDieihim — stiU,  deep  m  the  aoul  of  « li!VBig*i^d  of 
God,  there  i»  a  priunple  dunne ;  andfthat  firing  ^aom,  in  the  midat  of  the  moat  awftil 
atoBm.-viU^ut. forth  its  cQDfLdeaee  in  ^od;  and  he  Toice  within  may  ofton  be  heavd 
exelftiining  .of  its  iviiestfoe, 

Satan  may  vent  his  Bharpest  spite,  I  The  arms  of  everlasting  love 

And  all  liiB  Jogion  niar ;  Beneath  im- soul  He  plaoed ; 

.Aimichi^r  nevpy  gvmf^  my  lift,  1  Aad  en  ttwaook  of  Ages  set, 

^^d  bmds  his  mgi^g  power.  \  My  alippery  foolsfcqps  fast. 

Being  giyen  to  Christ,  heiag  i*edeemtd  1:^  Chriat,  beiogimited'to  Ghzaat,  tering  al 
and  a  living  faith  in  Christ,  and,  withal,  as  the  essential  tmd  «vidential  vait  of  i 
being  i>osse8sed  of  power  to  plead  with  God  through  Christ,  having  a  .hol^,  haart- 
enshrining  knowledge  of  that  superlative  Scripture  (Komans  v.  II.).  "By  whom  also 
we  have  access  by  iaLthiBto.liua.gEBce,  wherein  we  ataad,  and  tejince  >in  hope  of  the 
gloiy  of  Qod : "  beiing  thue'hidden  inthe  clefts  of  the  Bock  of  Ages,  we  may  be  destroyed 
as  David  seemed  to  be,  when  he  avent  up  Mount  Olivet  weeping ;  we  may  be  crashed  and 
cursed  as  Job  afpeoored  to  1»e  when  Satan  smote  him  with  boils  ;&om  ihe  «ple  of  his  foot 
unto  his  crown ;  we  may  be  .xsast  away,  as  St.  Paul  might  be  aaid  to  h^,  when  he  was 
left  almost  naked  and  deserted  in  the  prison  cells  of  ^ome ;  or  as  John  when  banished 
into  ithe  irile  that  is  tcaliid  ^ataaoa ;  bat,  a«  the  aneient  poet  aays. 


The  path  wasmgced  to  my  "feet, 

¥•1  stlUI Jfollow'd  Thee : 
Went  often  to  JJby  marcij'-aeat. 


•dackeh 

,-  _„, ^ Lt.  Uviiiahtof '^ 

With  **^God  rememlier  ana' 


At  length  my  soul's  refidg 

Vhrough  the  """^  ^'  — 
ab^iiight  of  »w_- . 

JKy  soul  was  t>l/wsed  and  ghtawL 


vwoe  was  like  a  < 


And  then  with  all  that  «amnoihle  pawer  undplaaBantpiacidnesa  whieh  futh^and  feUoarahjlp 

in  Jesus  producea,  we<jqniiet]^  add, 

**  My  Gk>d  I  felt  Thy  goodness  then ;  was  sweetly  led  to  see 
Xhat  Thau  dcMtmWiite  firtas  of  OMn,  andaU  things  aiaof  fftaee." 

In  paHiin|^fiefmi^ieTefere«ee  to  Satan's  clhort  triumph  over  David,  Job,  Paul,  and  otiiers, 
w«  moat  ^ttote  a  aentenea  or  two  fhmi «  sermon  vHiicb  was  refreshing  to  u«.  The  jnieacher 
apaddnff  of  Paul  bemg  forsaken  Ofliis'friefBds,  eays, 

'*<iEow>freat  mtait  faaive  been  i^e  anguiah  of  the  lorine  heaxt  of  Paul  tvt  aueh 
insnititnde.  He  is  ao  -iitteviiyleffc,  Ihat  idihcragfa  he  is  ready  to  die  of  ague  in  fhe  dungeon, 
not  a  ionl  wiU  knd  or  gire  him  a  cloak." 

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9tai,  1,  1864.  THE  EABfHfiK   TB88EL.  7 

In  this,  and  in  other  eottntries,  there  are  not  a  few  who  have  laboured  hard  and 
zealonshr  in  the  eanse  of  Christ,  but  their  incomes  were  small,  their  fomiUes  were  heavr, 
their  amictions  flew  toward  them  in  rapid  sncoession,  nobody  rememberod  them  in  their 
will,  no  rich  wife,  or  ample  fortune  fell  to  their  lot ;  hence,  in  their  deolining  days  they  are 
at  low-water  mark  in  almost  ovey  sense.  To  them,  the  aforesaid  preacher's  words  may 
conTey  a  drop  of  comfort.     Speaking  of  such  he  says, — 

"  Has  it  nllen  to  tl^  lot,  my  brother,  to  be  forsaken  of  firiends  ?  Were  there  other 
times  when  jrour  name  was  the  symbol  of  popularity — ^when  many  lived  in  your  favour 
ISeo  insects  in  a  sunbeam—and  has  it  come  to  this  now,  that  you  are  forgotten  as  a  dead 
man  out  of  mind?  In  your  greatest  trials  do  vou  find  your  fewest  mends?  Have 
those  who  once  loved  and  respected  you,  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus  ?  And  have  others  turned 
out  to  be  hprpocritical  and  untrue  ?  What  are  you  to  do  now  ?  You  are  to  remember 
this  case  of  the  apostle ;  it  is  put  here  for  your  comfort.  He  had  to  pass  through  as  deep 
waters  as  any  you  are  called  to  ford,  and  yet,  remember  he  says,  '  J^otwithstanding,  the 
Loan  stood  with  me  and  strengthened  me.*  So  now,  when  man  deserts  you,  (Jod  inll  be 
your  Friend.  '  This  God^  our  God  for  ever  and  ever : '  not  in  suushiny  weather  only, 
but  for  ever  and  ever.  This  God  is  our  God  in  dark  nights  as  well  as  in  bright  days. 
Go  to  Him ;  spread  your  complaints  before  Him.  Muwnur  not !  If  Paul  had  to  suffer 
desertipn,  you  must  hot  expect  better  usage.    It  is  common  to  all  the  saints." 

As  our  thoughts  run  toward  many  of  the  deav'Old,  worn  out,  and  almost  focsaken 
saints  of  the  present  day,  we  can  but  earnestly  pray  that  prayer  for  ihem,  whieh,  twice 
in  the  seventy-first  Psalin,  David  pleads  before  God,  "Cast,  me  not  off  in  tiie  time  of 
old  age ;  forsake  me  not,  when  my  strength  fiiileth.  Now,  jomo,  when  I  am  old  and  grey- 
headed, 0  God,  forsake  me  not,  until  I  have  shewed  Thy  strength  unto  this  generation, 
and  Thy  power  1o  evoxy  one  that  is  to  come.*' 

Secondly,  we  offer  one  word  of  Encouraging  Explawatiox.  One  feature  in  the 
present  day  is  the  uprising  and  success  of  not  a  few  young  men  in  the  ministry  of  the 
word.  Many  who  hear  them  are  puaaded  to  know  what  it  is  that  gives  them  acceptance 
among  the  people,  and  success  in  the  work, 

Xbflse  Pells'B  and  Peetiws,  these  Inwards  and  Halls ; 

VbeBb  Ctaokneirs  and  CrowliarBt*8 :  who  gave  them  their  calls  ? 

^heae'lftds  fill  our  ohurohes,  th^  cany  the  day; 

Xheir  ineaching  teems  little,  but  what  can  we  my  ? 

8ay,  indeed!  say  as  John  Bunyan  says,  *'  So  long  as  we  retain  the  simfiMiy  of  the  word, 
we  have  Satan  at  the  end  of  ^e  staff;  unless  we  give  way  to  doubting  the  simpliei^  of 
the  word,  Satan  can  get  no  ground  upon  us." 

We  believe  the  success  of  these  young  men  is  to  be  traced  to  three  distinct  sources 
or  causes. 

J.  They  srjB  free  from  guile.  It  is  said  of  David,  when  Jesse  sent  to  fetch  him  in 
befoire  Sanmel,  that  "  He  was  ruddy,  and  withal  of  a  beautifiil  oounteDance,  and  goodly 
to  look  to; "  that  is,  Us  heart  was  sincere,  and  he  had  enjoyed  mudi  communion  with 
his  God.  This.madle  him  goodly  to  look  to.  So  with  these  young  men ;  they  have^  had 
Jsstrs  revealed  in  their  souls  ;  they  have  found  Him  precious,  and  His  word  precious ; 
and  in  the  simj^licity  of  their  hearts,  they  talk  of  Him  as  the  word  is  given ;  and  God 
gives  His  blessing. 

n.  Of  David,  when  before  Samuel,  it  is  said,  "  The  LonnBaid,  Assign,  anoint  him,  for 
THIS  IS  HE."  So  with  these  acceptable  young  men  ;  when  the  (Providence  and  Spirit  of 
God  bring  them  before  the  people,  the  I/>rd  anoints  them,  the  Lord  caeries  their 
testimony  with  sweetness  into  the  experiences  of  the  people  ;  and  t|ien  'the  yoice  of  the 
people  is,  "  this  is  he." 

!ul.  When  David  came  before- Saul,  it  is  evident  he  had  strong'faidi  in  the  Lwrd  ;  hd 
had  no  fiiith  in  Saul,  nor  in  his  armour ;  but  he  had  a  mighty  faim  in  the  God  of  Jacob, 
and  when  Saul  doubted  David's  abilitv,  David's  &ith  in  God  waxed  confident:  he  said, 
*<  7%e  Lord  that  delivered  me  out  of  the  paw  of  the  lion,  and  out  of  the  paw  of  the  bear, 
3e  will  deliver  me  out  of  the  hand  of  this  Philistine."  So,  with  our  young  men,  they 
hear  of  the  Bomish  Pontiff;  they  see  on  every  hand  the  extensive  bubrarks  of  our 
'National  Church,  whidi  threaten  the  overthrow  of^  Nonconformists  idtosfetbar ;  they 
know  something  of  the  aristocratic,  classieiil  and  scholastic  superiority  of -the  Oongrsga- 
Itional  body,  and  of  the  strongly  iron*bound  systems  of  the  ICetnodist  communitias ;  tmy 
are  not  strangers  to  the  deep  terrors  experienced  and  enuneiated  by  the  good  Standard 
divines ;  but  neither  external  nor  internal  aggressions  alarm^em :  they  Imve  been  down 
to  the  brook  ]^hcol ;  they  have  found  there  five  smooth  stones ;  and  they  gathered  Ihare  a 
mop  bunch  of  grt^pes;  and  these  Gospel  stones  are  so  sound  and  strong ;  andtiiese  iBshool 
gems  are  so  experimentally  precious  to  their  souls,  that  ^eir  fiiith  groweih  eoceedmgl^ ; 
andas  tiietime  to  try  their  fiuth  has  not,  perhaps^  fiilly  cone,  they  are  happr^—in  GEaist 

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8  THB  EARTHBN  VESSEL.  j^^n,  1^  18^ 

they  are  holy ;  ib  their  work  they  are  sincere ; — and  although  to  some  who  have  been  to  sea 
for  many  years— >haTe  been  in  man^  dreadful  engagementa.and  so  on-— although  we  say  to 
these  old  captains,  the  young  recruits  may  seem  rather  too  much  on  the  sumce^yet^  to 
all  of  them  who  sincerely  Iotc  our  -Lord  and  His  Gospel — to  ill  of  them  who  know  the 
sin-cleansing  efficacy  of  His  atoning  sacrifice— to  sXL  of  them  who  Uve  in  meditation  and 
pray  in  temptation— to  all  of  them,  whether  they  arePeet's  or  Pells*s,  Blake*s  or  Butter- 
field's,  Crowhurst's  or  Cracknell's,  CUrk's  or  Peggs's,  Webb's  or  Higham's,  to  all  the 
Lord's  anointed,  young  or  old,  Uterate  or  illiterate — whether  they  come  from  the  sheep- 
fold  or  the  counter,  from  the  carpenter^s  bench  or  the  anvil,  from  the  wood-yard  or  the 
lapstone,  from  the  brick-kiln  or  the  cow-shed — ^these  antecedents  go  for  nothing,  if  the 
Lord  caUs,  anoints,  and  blesses ;  then  to  them  all  the  real  Christian  says, — 

Te  measenflen  of  Christ*  His  80verei|ni  voioe  ob^. 
Arise,  and  follow  where  He  leads,  andpesoe  attend  your  way. 
Go^  spread  a  Saviour's  ikine,  and  tell  His  matohleas  gnct. 
To  the  most  guilty  and  dq;>raved  of  Adam*s  numerous  race. 

From  the  fulness  of  our  souls,  with  earnest  prayer  to  God,  we  close  this  encouraging 
word  to  all  the  dearly  beloved  disciples  in  our  holy  Master's  service,  exclaiming,— 

**  We  wish  you,  in  His  name,  the  most  Divine  snceess ; 
Assured  that  He  who  sends  3rou  forth,  will  all  your  labours  bless.** 

The  two  great  branches  of  the  ministry  to  which  we  have  referred  are  thb  Fall,  and  th^' 
FuLNBSs  or  Gracb  which  it  hath  pleased  the  Fatheb  should  in  Jesus  dwell. 

We  were  standing  in  one  of  the  meet  densely  thronged  thoroughfares  of  our  city, 
waiting  to  make  a  rather  dangerous  crossing,  when,— 

FOUR  QUESTIONS  RESPECTING  THE  FALL, 

stood  up  before  us  in  thought  and  reflection.  Paul's  word  to  the  Corintbians  was  under 
silent  meditation :  *'  We  h^  the  sentence  of  death  in  ourselves,  that  we  should  not  trust 
in  ourselves,  but  in  God,  which  raiseth  the  dead :  who  deltversd  us  Jrotn  eo  grsat  a 
DEATH ;  and  doth  deliver;  in  whom  we  trusty  that  He  will  yet  deliver  t»."  We  solemnly 
and  silently  afked, — Firsts  Were  all  involved  in  this  great  death  ?  Was  there,  is  there, 
no  exception?  Secondly.  What  is  this  great  death?  Thirdly.  Can  a  man  certainly 
know  that  he  is  delivered  from  this  great  death  ?  Fourthly.  If  a  soul  be  delivered  from 
this  great  death,  is  it  at  all  possible  for  that  delivered  soul  ever  to  be  swalbwed  up  of 
this  great  death  again  ? 

Answers  to  these  four  questions  are  decidedly  given  in  the  Scriptures ;  and  an  earnest 
consideration  of  them — ^looking  them  fully  in  the  face — using  them  as  keys,  instru- 
mentally,  with  which  to  open  some  of  the  mysteries  of  the  word — and  thereby  giving 
that  word  a  fiiir  opportunity  of  simply  and  clearly  speaking  to  men — fiuthfully  unfoldins 
their  condition  in  the  fall,  is,  without  question,  an  essentiu  branch  of  the  ministry,  and 
a  weighty  matter  in  the  mixid  of  every  one  on  whose  spirit  has  dawned  the  first  rays  of 
the  LiGST  OP  Lm. 

Tearing  up  man's  righteousness  by  the  roots ;  breaking  men's  hearts  so  as  to  make 
them  bleed  to  death ;  tmit  is,  death  to  all  their  hopes  and  helps ;  rendinff  man's  cob- 
web piety,  pretty  duties,  and  doings  to  shreds ;  burning  up  every  branch  of  his  supposed 
goodness ;  nulling  him  down  to  hell's  dark  door,  and  leaving  him  there  to  be  feelingly 
"  buried  in  sorrows  and  in  sins :" — all  this  is  work  which  must  be  done  where  Chbist's 
kingdom  is  to  stand :  whether,  with  all  the  popular  gatherings,  attracting  preachings, 
natural  excitings,  and  apparent  alarmings  of  this  day,  this  bbbakikg  up  of  the  fallow 
GROUND  is  going  on,  we  judge  not ;  but  we  ftar  if  wounds  are  made  at  all,  they  are  too 
slightly,  too  rapidly  healed.  Let  every  sinner,  who  feels  he  has  an  immortal  soul  so 
sunk  in  sin  that  none  but  an  Almighty  God,  by  an  Almighty  arm,  can  save  it,  see  to 
this.  Let  eveiY  duly  authorised  ambassador,  who,  with  Paul,  can  say,  "  We  watch  for 
spuls,  as  they  tnat  must  give  an  account,"  see  to  this. 

John  Weir,  in  his  ''Romanism,"  says,  "We  have  had  a  season  of  calm;  a  sluggish 
calm ;  pestilential  vapours  have  risen  up  from  beneath :  the  plague  has  begun.  We 
have  had  a  season  of  slumber ;  and  '  while  men  slept,  the  enemy  sowed  tares.'  These 
tares,  in  appearance,  are  so  like  the  real  wheat,  that  it  is  hard  to  decide  to  whom  among 
the  foremost  God  will,  at  the  last,  exclaim  (not>,  *  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,' 
but)  '  Depart  from  me,  I  never  knew  you.' " 

Before  we  come  to  urge  the  questions,  look  at  one  hidden  Scripture.  When  Moses  was 
about  to  send  men  to  spy  out  the  land  of  Canaan,  the  Holy  Ghost  carefblly  throws  in 
this  momentous  typical  sentence.  After  enumerating  certain  names  (Numbers  ziii.),  it 
is  added,  **  These  are  the  names  of  the  men  which  Hoses  sent  to  spy  out  the  land.    And 


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Jan.  1,  1864. 


THE  EABTHBK  VESSEL.  9 


M<i9U  caUed  Oshea,  ike  son  of  Nun,  JEiioanvi.."  Trapp  says,  "  His  name  is  changed 
from,  *  Save  us,  O  God,'  to  '  God  shall  save  us.' "  The  fint  is  typical  of  Chbist  in  His 
humiliation ;  the  second  is  typical  of  Chbist  in  His  exaltation.  The  first  is,  also,  like 
the  cry  of  the  poor  awakened  sinner  when  coming  out  of  the  fall ;  the  second  is  expres- 
sive of  a  believer  standing  upon  the  Bock  of  Ages.  There  is  no  right  assurance  until 
mishty  prayer  has  been  wrought  in  the  soul ;  and  being  poured  out,  has  prevailed  with 
wd.    Wow  let  ufl  brieflv  consider,— 

I.  Are  all  the  race  of  Adam  involved  in  this  great  death  ?  The  answer  is  expressive 
and  full:  **  The  Lord  looked  down  from  heaven  upon  the  children  of  men,  to  see  if  there 
were  any  that  did  understand  and  seek  Ood,**  The  Lobd  Himself  made  the  search. 
What  is  the  result?  He  savs,  "  'Diey  are  all  gone  aside  ;  they  are  all  together  become 
filthy ;  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not  onb."  To  the  same  end  speaketh  Paul 
(Bom.  ill.) :  "  We  have  before  proved  both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  that  thev  are  all  under 
sur.  As  It  is  written,  There  is  none  righteous  ;  no,  not  onb.  *  *  ♦  There  is  no  differ- 
ence: for  all  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  gloiy  of  G^"  "  By  one  man  sin 
entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin ;  and  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all 
have  sinned."  Nothing  can  be  more  conclusive  or  positive.  This  levels  us  all.  There 
may  be  differences  in  societv,  in  station,  in  circumstances,  character,  and^  conduct,  and 
the  variety  is  endless,  wonderful,  and  full  of  instruction ;  but  we  are  sinners  in  the 
common  fall — ^under  the  cursBi  exposed  to  wrath,  and  helpless  in  our  ruin.  Do  the 
people  really  believe  this  ? 

ISut  some  man  will  ask, — What,  then,  did  God  mean  when  to  Koah  He  said,  "  Come 
thou,  and  all  thy  house  into  the  ark,  for  theS'  have  I  seen  righteous  before  me  in  this 
generation?"  Mark  you,  there  are  some  special  things  said  of  Koah  before'  this: 
''  Noah  found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  Noah  was  a  just  man,  and  perfect  in  his 
generations,  and  Noah  walked  with  QuA"  Trapp  says,  "  He  found  grace  because  he 
was  in  the  covenant." 

Do  ponder  well  this  short  but  grand  piece  of  truth :  "  Noah  was  of  himself  a  child  of 
wrath,  as  others ;  but  he  was  in  covenant  with  God,  and  was  saved  by  grace  only. 
The  mercy-seat  was  no  larger  than  the  ark.  To  shew  the  grace  of  God  extends  no 
further  tmin  the  covenant,  As  all  out  of  the  ark  were  drowned,  so  all  out  of  the  covenant 
are  damned:*  •*  Noah  was  a  just  man :  he  had  a  justice  imputed,  and  a  justice  im- 
parted.*' Until  a  man  is  brought  into  the  bond  of  the  covenant,  he  cannot  be  known  : 
all  are  in  this  great  death  by  the  fall ;  and  as  regards  the  deliverance  of  any  out  of  it, 
nothing  can  be  expressed  with  more  sovereign^  than  this ;  for  Jesus  said,  "  As  the 
Father  raiseth  up  tiie  dead,  and  quickeneth  them,  even  so  the  Son  quickeneth  whom  He 
wiH"     "  It  is  the  8piri£  that  quickeneth ;  the  flesh  piofiteth  nothing.*' 

But,  again,  it  maybe  urged, — "  If  a2{  are  involved  in  this  common  fell— in  this  great 
death,  what  becomes  of  the  milHons  who  die  in  infancy  V*  Their  precious  souls  are  all 
quickened  into  Divine  life  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  they  are  accepted  in  the  Beloved,  and 
have,  comparatively,  a  short  and  easy  passage  from,  the  womb  to  eternal  gjloiy.  This 
mystery  is  both  developed  and  decided  in  the  narrative  Luke  gives  of  Mary  going  to  see 
her  cousin  Elizabeth.  As  soon  as  Gabriel  had  revealed  to  Mary  the  great  secret  of  the 
incarnation,  Mary  visited  Elizabeth  to  be  confirmed  in  the  great  things  declared  unto  her 
by  the  angel  Gabriel.  What  is  said  of  the  meeting  of  Mary  and  Elizabeth  is  wonder- 
fully ded^tive  of  the  mighty  and  mysterious  work  of  God  upon  the  souls  of  infants. 
Mark  you  with  what  distinctness  and  order  the  Holy  Soirit  by  Luke  introduces  and 
repeats  this  supernatural  event :  "And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  Elizabeth  heard  the 
salutation  of  Msay,  the  babe  leaped  in  her  womb,  and  Elizabeth  was  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,"  That  is,  with  a  mighty  spirit  of  power,  of  understanding,  and  of  prophecy : 
"  And  she  spake  out  with  a  loud  voice,"  and  among  the  other  glorious  things  which  she 
uttered  was  this,— "  Whence  is  this  to  me,  that  the  mother  ofwi  LORD  should  come  to 
me?  For,  lo!  as  soon  as  the  voice  of  thy  salutation  sounded  in  mine  ears,  the  babe 
Uaped  in  my  womb  for  ioy^  We  should  not  make  this  applicable  to  all ;  but  with 
Luther,  and  Thomas  Adams,  we  may  say,  from  the  case  oi  Jacob  and  Esau  in  the 
womb,  "  The  secret  way  of  God  in  working  upon  infents  is  amazinsly  wonderful."  It 
is  almost  one  of  the  secret  things  which  are  with  God  alone ;  and,  therefore,  to  attempt 
to  define  the  work  of  the  Almighty  here  would  be  to  presume ;  but  when  Luther  was 
«ontendine  for  infent  baptism,  although  in  that  respect  he  was  at  sea,  yet  his  words 
have  weJ^t  in  them  touching  regeneration  and  salvation.  He  smd,  "  As  it  is  with 
<^dren,  they  have  their  nourishment  in  the  womb  in  another  manner  than  when  they 
are  bom ;  so  the  work  of  God  upon  their  spirits  may  be  such  as  when  they  are  in  the 
wpmb,  and  when  they  are  little  ones,  before  Uiey  come  to  the  use  of  reason,  that  be/ar 
<Ufferent  to  what  the  work  of  God  is  upon  them  when  they  come  afterwards  to  have  the 
use  of  reason."    As  we  were  all  in  the  loins  of  that  one  man  Adam,  it  is  most  certain  all 


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T^B  EA&THBN  VBSSBIn 


JmuI,  1864. 


infants  wore  and  ara  in  the  fall ;  bat  "  to  tlie  uttermost"  of  their  natural  weakness,  did 
the  atonement  made  by  Jesas  extend;  and  down  to  the  deeps  of  their  heb^leasness  dbtE 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost^  in  regeneration,  deaeend^  so  uiat,  instead  of  being  "  sent 
from  the  wonb  to  the  tomb"  as  one  speaketh^  their  immortal  spirits  are  canght  un  from 
the  secret  places  and  tenderest  parts  of  our  nature  to  the  mansionii  of  the  glonfied^  "  tfxs 
of  such/'  said  Christ,  "  is  tiie  kingdom  of  hea?en." 

To  make  room  for  some  of  the  nomerotis  papers  demanding  insartioB,  we  can  only 
give  the  aboye  intiodaotoiy  paragraphs  to  onr  Annual  Address. 


A  PRECIOUS  PROMISE  FOR  THE  NEW  TEAR. 


"/will  native  y<m.''-2  Cor.  vi.  in 


Of  aJl  the  glorious  "I  will's'*  to  be  found 
in  the  belierer's  chart  (i.e.,  the  word  of 
God)  there  stands  one  prominent  in  their 
midsti  speaking  of  a  welcome  &r  above  any 
which  man  can  give,  and  has  a  world  of 
meaninff  embodied  in  it,  which  none  but 
tJie  ezclusiye  property  of  the  Author  can 
fully  appredata  or  attain  to.  The  passage 
referred  to  is  a  well-known  one,  and  runs 
thus,  "Wherefore  come  out  from  amons 
them,  and  be  ye  separate, saith  the  Lord,  and 
touch  not  the  uncieaa  thing,  and  /  wiU  re- 
ceive you.'* 

Various  are  the  constructions  which  may 
be  placed  upon  these  words ;  and  certain 
Cbnstians  rejoice  in  the  idea  that  thejr  have 
fulfilled  the  great  command  implied  in  the 
words,  "  Come  out  from  among  them,  and 
be  ye  separate,"  when  they  have  i)]h.unned 
the  societT  of  the  godless  and  the  profane. 
But  give  need  to  me  a  moment  or  two',  dear 
reades;  hear  my  humble  statement,  uid 
pause,  ere  you  condemn  the  motives  which 
prompt  the  writer  to  submit  it  to  thy  charit- 
able consideration. 

Is  thy  Christian  pathway  all  strewed  with 
flowers  ?  Have  ye  not  qfttestionings  in  your 
own  mind  now  and  then  which  promptyou 
to  say,  Am  I  really  a  true  belieyor  ?  Do  I 
love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity  and 
truth  ?  Have  I  a  feeling  of  sympathy  with 
those  in  affliction  ?  Because,  if  these  or  kin- 
dred surmises  are  agitating  thy  mind,  let  me 
tell  thee  for  thy  encouragement  there  i«  no 
more  hopeftil  soul  than  thine  own,  for  a  dead 
soul  cannot  ask  itself  the  question.  Do  I  live  ? 
any  more  than  a  dead  body  can  put  the 
same  query  to  its  clay.  Kememoer  the 
words  of  Him  who  has  said,  "  Because  I 
live,  ye  shall  live  also."  Look  at  that  word 
"  because,"  and  doubt  your  acceptance  if 
ye  dare.  Think  mo  not  strange  when  I 
write  thus,  for  1  have  the  highest  authori^ 
for  my  statement,  and  if  by  the  blessing  of 
God  I  can  settle  anv  doubts  which  may  be 
agitating  the  mind  of  the  reader,  to  Him 
be  all  the  glory.  The  Lord  has  sin^larly 
blessed  my  efforts^  and  I  believe  this  will 


come  before  the  notice  of  some  poor  soul 
to  whom  it  will  be  the  "  savour  of  life  unto 
life." 

ITow,  then,  dear  sifter  or  brother,  who- 
soever tkou  art,  "  To  the  law  and  the  testi- 
mony." Follow  me  praverfully  to  the  filtb 
chapter  of  the  first  epistle  of  John,  read  the 
10th,  11th,  12th,  and  13th,  venes,  and  let 
me  ask  thee  the  following  questions, — Have 
you  ever  had  the  witness  of  the  Spirit^ 
which  none  can  mistake,  for  embodied  in 
it  is  a  "  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ?* 
However  short  its  stay  may  be,  it  has  never* 
theless  left  a  silent  eloquence  on  thine^ 
heart:  "Fear  not^  for  I  have  redeemed 
thee ; "  and  this  ia  the  Comforter  which 
was  promised  to  us. 

Are  you  prepared  to  make  the  Creator  a 
liar  ?  Monstrons  question !  say  ye.  Ah, 
no,  the  Book  itself  to  which  1  have  cefenred 
has  already  told  you  that  in  efiectyou  do  so, 
when  you  refuse  to  take  comfort  in  these* 
promises,  after  havins  received  the  evideitce 
of  the  Spirit :  "  Ana  this  is  the  record  that 
God  OATU  Givui  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this 
life  is  in  His  Son."  "  These 'things  have  I 
written  unto  vou  that  believe  on  Uie  name 
of  the  Son  of  God :  that  ye  rnay  know  that 
yt  have  eternal  hfeJ*  Now,  then,  dear 
reader,  cast  thy  doubts  to  the  winds. 

Beware  of  those  who  would  lead  you  to 
place  confidence  in  works  of  merit,  for  we 
know  that  "  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law/w- 
riahteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth."' 
The  Gospel  (falsely  so  called)  preached 
laigely  in  our  own  day,  is  not  after  the 
teaching  of  the  apostle  Paul  Indeed  it 
beus  no  resembhuioe  to  the  Gospel,  since 
its  tenor  is,  Do  this  and  thou  skalt  live ; 
and,  if  I  mistake  not,  this  is  law,  just  the 
very  dispensation  which  convinces  man  of 
his  helplessness ;  but  of  what  avail  is  it  to 
tell  a  helpless  mortal  to  help  himself?  It  is 
like  saying  to  a  poor  starving  creature. 
Get  plenty  of  money,  and  you*u  no  more 
starve  thw  I  do.  There  is  another  and  a 
better  way  of  dealing  with  him  than  that ;. 
say  to  him  thus,  WeU,  friend,  I  sympathize 


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THS  EABTHBN  VBSSBL. 


11 


with  yoa  in  your  poverty,  bttoause  I  wu  in 
a  Hmiliir  stete^  but  if  yoa  go  dirtct  to  cm 
aad  60,  he  haa  aa  abnodanee  togiTe  to  «udt 
oc  oak  kim,  and  mil  take  pity  on  your  Btata 
aad  fiU  you  witLgpod  thiogs — I  ^rantun  to 
aaMKt  that  I  do  the  man  more  xiaal  semoe 
than  ha  who  singly  say»>  to  him.  Be.  ye 
wanned  and  be  |«  flUecL 

DeaiL  nadn;  if  you  ha{»pen  to  be:  the 
sobjeet  of  a  '*  flezy  taial,'*  and  they  happen 
to  mofi  at  the  sadeemed,  do  not  po  to 
man  fas  saliBf,  fi»  you.  will  find,  him  a» 
halplefli  a»a.biibe»  The  writer  haa  lately 
passed,  through  one  of  dieae  severe  oodealsi 
and  O !  no  tongue  ean  tell  what  he  endured. 
*'The  terroni  of  hell  gat  hold  onhim«"  and 
he  flew  to  ppeaohen  for  advice,  but  judgeof 
hia  aatimiehmmit;  when  he  found  that  the 
very  men  who  oan  stand  up  and  preach  £ar 
hooBB,  IV  HSBDS  u,  could  not  even  counseL 
himin  the  time  of  this  dreadful  trial.  Well, 
what  did  it  teaeh  him  ?  Why,  the  very  lea* 
son  that  the  visitation  was  sent  for,  ie.,  to- 
shew  him  that  man  is  a  powerless  creature, 
and  of  himsdf  can  do  nothing  that  is  really 
good.  Yonmay  aolbly  callthatmao  an  impos- 
tor who  boasts  of  anything  eood  of  Immlf ; 
there  will  be  plenty  of  people  of  the  profess- 
ing relision  class  who  will  brand  vou  as  un- 
charitable^-that  ia  a  fiVTOiKite  and  ^dxarlkng' 
accusation  ^  the  moral  man  and  tiie  pro- 
fessor ;  but  let  him  talk  aa  he  wiE  about 
his  chaxity,  tall  him  it  i»  tmthfol  to  say  of 
self-boaaters  that  they  art  imoosBOifei ;  and, 
as  truth  ia  just  what  mankind  hates,  do 
not  be  aurpnsed  at  anything  yon  meet  with 
in  defence  of  it 

Is  bereavement  thy  trouble  ?  Seek  cour 
Bolation  from  Xasns,  and  aa  £ftr  as  in  you 
lies  to  do  so  honeady ;  say  with  Job  of  old; 
"  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  LordI  *" 
and  if  he  of  whom  you  are  bereaved  died 
happy  in  Jesua^  and  yon  are  m  JSm,. 
take  comfort  from  the  aflansanoa  that  (h&n 
U  recognition' in  heaven,  the  haven  of  reaty 
**  wheie  we  meet  to  part  no  mom." 

Is  pecnnioiy  £fficuUy  thy  trial  ?  Bb- 
membev  "  the  earth  is  the  Liord's,  and  the 
fulness  thereof."  Nothing  belones  to  us : 
"  Ask  of  the  Lord,  who  givath  libezallyi 
and  upbraideth  not:"  sud  wdien  relief 
comes,  w4iieh  it  will  do-  aeeaiding^  to  your 
faith,  give  thanks  to  the  Great  Sender,  and 
treat  everything  else  as  mere  instrumental- 
ity in  the  hands  of  God. 

"  Cease  from  man''  in  everything  in 
which  wjadom  and  gnidaaee  are  coneerned ; 
and  perhaps,  dear  reader,  when  you  have 
tried  creeds,  and  doctrines,  and  sects,  and 
partiaa  ('aa  I  have),  you  will  knew  some- 
thing of  what  is  implied  in  the  words, 
"  Come  out  frtnn  amons  them,  and  be  ye 
separate,  saith  the  Lord,'* 

jBamsbury.  J.  H. 


WALKING   IN  DARKNESS. 

By  Willxah  Fritu, 

MnOOB  09    '*00MJ1I7»IDK  OF  aAIKT%*   BVO. 

To  wallt  in  darkness  is  the  portion  of  manv 
who  are  nevertheless  "  children  of  l%ftt.'^' 
But  the  dltribiess  in  wfinh  they  waUr  is^lfte 
the^daritnesvof  the  night—to  be  especiallj 
fblihwed^  hr  a  gladMme  rising  dawn.  This 
is  trae^wTOther  the  darkness  arise  from 
the  mind,  being  borne  down  by  outward 
trials — or  in  the  absence  of  those  comfort- 
ing. evicRmiTn  and  feelings  which  anr  tiie 
sunbeams  of  tli»  Believer's  Kf^. 

The  ibrmer  condition  is  by  no  means  tm* 
common.  And-  from  the  time  of  old  Jacob, 
who,  in  the  midst  of  his  gloomy  circum- 
stances',  exclaimed,  "  All  uese  things  are 
againsO  me/*'  down  to  the  tried,  vexed, 
annoyed^,  and  downcast  believer  of  the  i>re- 
sent  age ;.  and  through  all  intervening' 
periochtiiestfoeaaaionarseasons  of  darkness 
are  working  together  fbr  good— just  as  the 
darknessof  the  natural  worid  has  ita  salutary 
influence  upon  the  &ee  of  nature.  The 
truth  is,  that  as  in  the  natural  world  there 
is  no  darimess"  that  is  the  result  of  God's 
arraiigennnt  in  theoomplwated  but  beauti- 
Ail  Bjstem  of  lurtttre,  but  is  advanta^ous 
to  lliatr  system,  whether  the  discoveries  of 
modem  science  can  discover  and  prove  it 
or  not :  so*  there  is  no  darkness  in  the  moral 
&ysofthe  believer  (i.e.,  his  life  under  the 
superintendence  of  Divine  Providence),  but 
emstrand  continues  for  the  real  and  ulti- 
mate benefit  of  those  in^o  are  under  its 
d«rk  and  sombre  irtiades.  Every  trial,  sent 
of  God,  like  that  dark  catalogue  of  events 
that  hapjpened  to  the  patriarch  of  Vz ;  to 
Daniel  m  liie-  dto ;  liie  three  Hebrews  in 
,th»  ftimace ;  Pan!  and  Silas  in  the  prison 
otPhillppi ;  Pkul  in  the  prison  at  Borne  to 
convert  Onesimus ;  John,  the  exile  of  Pst- 
mos;  Btmyan,  to  write  the  "Pilgrim's 
Pfog^cess,"  twelve  years  in  Bedford  Jail ; 
indwd^  any  darkness,  that  cannot  be  traced 
to  the  criminality  of  those  who  are  called  to 
"  walk  under  the  doud"  is  for  good,  though: 
even  our  own  inadverteneies  and  waywt^' 
dttpartuRS  from  the  "  true  living  way"  are 
often  overruled  by  infinite  wisdom  for  God's 
gloiy ; — sooh  wnsthe  foQy  and  criminality  of 
Jacob  in  taking  the  burth-right  of  Esau, 
which  for  more  than  twenty  years  cast  its 
long  deep  shadow  upon  his  pathway,  though 
mercy  in  lovin^-kinaness  cast  across  his  life 
in  Mesopotamia  some  coruscations  of  hea- 
venly light ;  still,  that  loving  mother  who, 
on  his    leaTxng,  had  said,    **a  few    days 


*'  We  again  sCroogly  recommend  this  book  to 
all  intelllgeiit  penons  1  n  oiir  denomination.  It 
is  the  best  psmphlet  we  have  seen  on  th»  sabject. 
—Ed. 


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THE   EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


Jan.  1,  1864. 


mar^^  wa8  never  more  beheld.  Neither 
Rebekah  the  adTiser^nor  Jacob  the  deceiver, 
could  look  back  upon  that  event  with  *'  a 
conscience  void  of  offence  both  toward  God 
and  toward  man."  And  though  the  bless- 
ing was  appointed  for  Jacob,  the  means  that 
procured  it  prematurely  were  not  such  as 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel  could  sanction  ; 
nevertheless  such  were  permitted  and  were 
still  overruled  for  God's  gloiy ;  it  did,  how- 
ever, cost  Rebekah  the  loss,  and  for  ever 
(used  in  reference  to  this  life)  of  her  darling 
boy. 

Jacob's  life  we  know  was  darkened,  for 
as  he  had  deceived  so  he  was  repaid  by  La- 
ban's  treachery,  which  darkened  his  social 
life,  at  least  for  another  seven  years.  And, 
after  he  had  obtained  the  beloved  Rachel 
from  the  crafty  and  avaricious  Laban,  the 
dread  of  Esau's  anger,  kept  him  a  menial 
under  his  covetous  uncle,  who  ''changed 
his  wages  ten  times,"  till,  by  the  graspmg, 
selfish,  and  illiberal  dealings  of  lus  uncle, 
he  determined  to  make  some  attempt  to 
improve  his  position  by  conciliating  the 
anger  which  ror  one  and  twenty  years  he 
supposed  had  brooded  and  fermented  in  the 
heart  of  Esau.  And  it  was  not  till  he 
had  wrestled  with  God,  near  the  brook 
Jabbok,  that  the  <iAi»VneBff  of  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  of  his  eventful  life 
"  brake,**  and  the  cloud  that  had  so  lone 
hung  pendent  over  the  sky  of  his  mortal 
career  passed  away ;  and  he  "  saw  God  face 
to  face'^  at  Peniel. 

So  now,  there  are  shades  of  darkness 
which  we  create  ourselves.  We  leave  the 
pillar  of  fire,  and  the  consequence  is  "  all 
is  darkness."  The  Lord,  though  He  is 
mysteriously  with  us  to  prevent  mial  apos- 
tasy, "His  face,**  like  the  face  of  Laban 
towards  Jacob,  **  is  not  towai^  us  as  be- 
fore." And  the  hidings  of  His  face  either 
in  our  path  of  providence  or  erace,  leaves 
a  darker  shade  upon  the  pathway  of  our 
life  than  when  the  solar  orb  is  fiilly  ob- 
scured by  an  eclipse.  Our  own  hearts, 
however,  must  decide  as  to  the  cause  of  the 
darkness  in  which  we  walk.  It  is  our  meicy 
to  know,  however,  that  theeloom  of  life 
shaU  be  all  dissipated  by  Hun  of  whom 
the  poet  speaks  when  he  says, 

**  In  darkest  shade  if  He  appear, 
My  dawning  is  began ; 
He  Is  my  soiu's  sweet  morning  star, 
And  He  my  rising  son.'' 

How  beautifully  does  Bavid  speak  of  the 
darkness  of  his  life  arising  from  the 
untowardness  of  hisfiunily :  **  Although  my 
house  be  not  so  with  God,  yet  ha^  he  made 
with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered 
In  all  things  and  sure.'*  Equally  so,  too, 
was  the  enthusiastic  Habakkuk  (lit  17.) 
"  Although  the  fig.tree  shall  not  blossom, 
neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines ;  the  la- 


bour of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields 
shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  fiock  shall  be  cut 
off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no 
herd  in  the  stall,  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the 
Lord  ;  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salva- 
tion.'* There  were  dark  seasons  in  provi- 
dence to  these  two  good  men,  and  yet  they 
could  "  rejoice  in  tribulation  also,"  know- 
ing that  the  darkness  would  be  dissipated 
aad  be  exchanged  for  a  bright  "morning 
without  clouds,"  bv  the  God  of  their  salva- 
Tioir !  And  so  shall  it  be  with  thee,  O  afflic- 
ted brother  in  thejLord,  for  although ' '  sorrow 
may  endure  for  a  night,  yet  joy  cometh  in 
the  morning."  "Light  is  sown  for  the 
righteous,  and  joy  for  the  upright  in  heart." 
O  for  patience  to  wait  till  Uie  "  day  dawn" 
and  the  sun  rise  upon  Zoar,"  then  the  dark 
niffht  of  temporal  loss  and  trial  will  be 
fUlly^  compensated  bv  the  jubilant  song: 
*'  Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  . 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  hath  risen  upon 
thee." 


CHRIST,    OUR   SHEPHERD. 

BY  T.  O.  C.   A. 


Christ  is  the  Shepherd  of  his  sheep, 
Oose  to  himself  their  souls  he'll  keep ; 
And,  though  they  from  the  flock  may  straj', 
Into  some  dark  and  lonesome  way. 
Where  sin  may  cause  their  feet  to  foil ; 
Yet  he  will  hear  them  when  they  call 
Upon  his  name;  will  gently  lead 
Them,  where  they  can  in  safety  feed : 
When  they  transgress,  heMl  use  the  rod 
In  love,  to  bring  tliem  hack  to  Ood. 

To  moke  them  his,  upon  the  cross 
He  BulTered  such  amazing  loss. 
That  they  eternal  lifo  might  gain, 
And  show  he  sullbred  not  in  vain ; 
Out  of  the  tomb,  the  Saviour  rose, 
And  oonqnered  all  his  people's  foes. 

He'll  guide  them  while  the>''re  here  below. 
To  where  the  richest  pastures  grow ; 
Will  lead  them  to  the  living  stream. 
And  let  the  young  ones  rest  on  him : 
He'll  shield  them  firom  temptation's  power; 
Be  witli  them  in  eaoh  trying  hour; 
Watoh  o*er  them  in  the  ^M  of  night. 
And  wake  them  with  ttie  mominglight. 

All  their  diseases  he  will  heal, 
And  with  them  in  their  sorrows  feel ; 
Help  them  in  times  of  sore  distress. 
And  with  his  grace  their  spirits  bless ; 
He'll  guard  them  when  their  foes  assail : 
A  Befuge  be  which  cannot  fail 

And  when  on  earth  their  course  is  run, 
And  they  with  worldly  things  Imve  done; 
When  all  their  trials  here  are  o'er, 
Them  npwaxds  through  the  clouds  they'll  soar, 
And  wfth  their  Shepherd  rest  above, 
And  feast  upon  his  matchless  love. 
Satan  shall  vex  thdr  souls  no  more ; 
Kor  Christ,  their  Lord,  shall  shut  the  door ; 
And  they  with  him  shall  ever  reign, 
Kor  Bin,  nor  sorrow  know  again. 
Kew  Cross. 


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THE  EABTH2N  TESSKL. 


13 


THE  EDITOR'S  THOUGHTS  ON  MEN  AND  THINGS  ON 

THE  EARTH; 

AKD 

MB.  JOHN  FOREMAN'S  THOUGHTS  ON  HEAVEN/ 


Moke  tlian  a  quarter  of  a  century  has 
passed  over  Mr.  Foreman's  head  since  he 
penned  this  pamphlet.  Baring  that  period 
he  has  travelled  over,  and  preacned  the  GK>s- 
pel  in,  most  parts  of  this  his  native  land ; 
and  that,  too,  with  much  acceptance,  pro- 
fit, and  earnest  decision  for  all  that  he  be- 
lieves to  be  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Mr. 
John  Foreman— as  a  pastor,  as  a  bishop, 
as  a  fiiithful  adviser,  as  an  anniversary,  ordi- 
nation, and  public  pireacher,  as  a  kind  of 
Gospel-barrister,  as  a  sound  theologian,  and 
as  an  ai^pamentative  debater,  stands,  per- 
haps, higher  in  the  general  estimation  of 
the  people  who  belong  to  our  churches  than 
an^  other  minister  uving.  It  is  to  him, 
principally,  that  ministers,  deacons,  and 
believing  people  fly,  when  any  difficulty,  or 
emeiig^ncy,  occors;  or  when  any.  special 
work  is  to  be  done :  and  his  presence,  his 
preaching,  his  advice,  or  his  letter,  is  alwavs 
deemed  fiill  weight,  and  condusive.  If  Mr. 
Foreman  thinks  well  of  a  minister  he  will 
serve  him  faithfblly  and  efficiently ;  if  he 
thinks  iU  of  a  man,  he  will  shew  him  no 
quarters.  He  is  a  great  man,  and  he  main- 
tains his  dignified  position  by  an  imdeviat- 
ing  firmness  fbr  all  he  loves,  and  by  an  un- 
bending and  unabating  condemnation  of  all 
he  does  not  love.  It  has  never  been  our 
happiness  to  enjoy  Mr.  Foreman's  confi- 
dence ;  therefore,  for  us  to  refer  to  any  of 
his  weak  points,  would  be  lajring  ourselves 
open  .to  censure  and  suspicion.  Neither 
the  Eabthut  Vessel,  nor  the  editor,  have 
ever  been  cordially  welcomed  by  the  pas- 
tor of  Mount  Zion.  We  have  preached  in 
his  pulpit :  we  have  laboured  with  him  in 
some  parts  of  the  country;  and  he  has 
cheerfully  preached  for  us,  when  bright 
days  shone  upon  our  head ;  and  he  has, 
beyond  all  doubt,  considered  himself  per- 
fectly justified  in  taking  another  course, 
when  (uoudfl  and  darkness  overwhelmed  us. 
Qod  forbid  that  we  should  murmur  at  any- 
thing he,  or  any  of  his  compeers  may 
have  said  or  done.  He  is  an  honoured — 
an  highly  honoured  servant  of  God;  as 
such,  m  our  right  mind,  we  should  desire  to 
esteem  and  love  him,  as  highly  as  we  are 
bound  to  do  Mr.  James  Wells,  whose  Chris- 
tian kindness  toward  us— and  whose  untir- 


*  IhougktM  OH.  HeoMH.  By  John  Foremon,  Ui- 
niiter  at  Mount  Zion,  Hill-itreeL  Boraet-sqaare. 
Beoond  edition.  London :  W.  Holmes,  3,  iXew- 
•txeet,  Ponet-eqiuie :  J.  Paal,  Aa   4d. 


ing  readiness  to  serve  all  the  sincerely 
truthfdl  cause8->is  unbounded.  And  we 
believe  the  Lord  will  bring  him  through 
the  present  heavy  task  of  building  a  new 
tabernacle;  and  set  his  feet  in  a  much 
larger  place  yet  Ko  futhAil  minister  of 
the  cross,  we  believe,  ever  did  enjov  a  pas- 
toral career  with  more  ease,  comrort,  and 
continued  success  than  has  the  author  of 
these  "Thoughts  on  Heaven."  William 
Gadsby  had  a  glorious  day ;  but  he  had 
heavy  afflictions.  John  Stevens  was  a  giant 
in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ ;  but  he 
was  not  the  general  and  every-day  preacher 
that  John  l^reman  has  been  for  so  many 
years.  Gk)od  old  Father  Jones  has  stood  to 
an  almost  unparalleled  age,  in  these  times, 
and  with  his  pen  has  done  wonders  in 
guarding  truth,  and  exposing  enor ;  but  he 
naa  not  been  privileged  to  stand  in  one 
place  and  with  one  people,  as  the  bishop,  or 
arehdeaoon  of  the  Strict  Baptist  Churches 
has  done.  Samuel  Milner  has  worked  the 
Goepel  plough  long  and  well ;  but  in  leaving 
Behoboth,  and  in  continuing  at  KeppeC 
street,  he  has  not  been  without  his  sorrows. 
George  Wyard  is  one  of  the  vei^  best  of 
men ;  grave,  holy,  devoted,  full  of  integrity, 
uprightness,  and  zeal ;  but,  in  leaving  his 
long-loved  Soho— ("  ah !  there,"  everj^)ody 
kindly  says,  "he  made  a  mistake")  in  re- 
tiring to  Tring  -in  beholding  a  want  of 
stem  prosperitv  at  DeptfDrd — and  in  return- 
ing to  (almost  his  old  spot)  Blandford  street, 
even  that  universally  esteemed  modern 
Puritan  has  had  the  heart-ache  sadly  at 
times.  His  soil  has  not  been  so  productive 
as  that  of  his  brother  John.  Still,  the  Lord, 
in  preserving  him,  in  making  much  use  of 
him  through  the  press,,  in  calling  his  sons 
into  the  ministiy,  and  in  surrounding  him 
with  multitudes  of  mercies— demands  of 
him  a  daily  song  of  praise ;  and  we  hope 
his  daily  meditations,  his  sermon,  and  his 
song  for  evenr  day  in  the  year,  will  be  hailed 
by  all  the  Churches  in  Christendom,  and 
that  even  good  George  Wyard  may  yet  have 
a  second  baptism,  a  fresh  and  full  anoint- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  that  among  the 
thousands  who  love  him  for  his  work's  sake 
and  for  his  Christian  urbanity,  he  will  go 
forth  again  stronger  than  ever. 

It  is  in  the  raising  up,  in  the  qualifica- 
tions given,  and  in  the  lonj[^bicung  per- 
severance of  such  leaders  as  jMr.  Foreman, 
that  we  see  much  of  the  Lord's  tender  care 


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THE  EA&THEK  VESSEL. 


Jan.  1, 1864. 


toward  His  people.  From  the  day  that 
Noah  was  chosen  to  build  the  ark,  onward 
to  Abraham,  Joseph,  Moaes,  JoBhva,  Sam- 
uel, David,  Isaiah,  Peter,  Paul,  Wiokliffe^ 
Luther,  (roodwin,  Owen,  Gill,  Abrahams — 
and  to  the  present  moment  the  Qreat  Head 
of  thi  Church  1»b  fulfilled  that  pcadoua 
declaration  :  *'  I  have  set  watchmen  upon 
thy  walls,  O  Jerusalem,  which  shall  never 
hold  their  peace  day  nor  night."  None  of 
these  vatcniiMii  have  been  in  themoelTee 
VEMMmat  men ;  tiiey  have  had  their  work  to 
do ;  that  Men  eomnissioa  thegr  have  ae- 
eon^ahed;  aad  tiien  tht^  have  paeeed 
ww&j-^as  we  all  soon  ahall  likewise  do ;  asud 
wtei  we  ooiiaid»r  how  mukf  mere  meieors 
have  shot  i^  in  Zion,  and  quickly  gone  out ; 
when  we  movn  over  man^  who  did  seem 
to  mn  well,  bat  were  so<»i  hindeared,  surely, 
we  toe  not  beside  the  nazk,  if,  in  nolsioiiig 
an  anther's  wixrk,  as  weare  requested  toi do 
these  **  Thoughts  on  Heaven,"  weesdeavour  > 
to  call  out  Ihe  Ghureh's  gra^tude  to  God  | 
for  oontiniiing  tuito  her  men  of  hick  moidL 
bearing,  men  of  deep  BpirituaL  understaiftd- 
ing,  men  of  long  pnietical  experieBce,  men  | 
iriio  have  for  many  years,  risen  eariy  aadj 
sat  n^  late,  and  wuo^  from  JaaMvy  to  De- 
cember hanpe  studied,  laboured,  and  aervied 
the  CaRiEchae,  antil  ripe  and  seadgr  Ibt  a 
bri^tor  kiogdom  they  stand  wMnttwiag 
aronad  them  the  ftJl  ears  of  com  eve  t»the 
Master^B  gamer  they  axe  gath«ed  in. 

(BUsr  vov !  that  we  are  seeking  anrr  lover 
endby  these  spontaaeoas  thonghts,  man  thn 
ckxiy  of  Bm  who  only  can  Hiake,  anduae»  and 
keep  a  Hvihig,  Mbkfhl  mimstiy .  IXn^ :  we 
hereby  neidier  oom^  the  smut,  nor/borthd 
vnoiwirofany«MM,  or«e^<>f  MM.  We  ham 
exercised  more  seal  t}han  sober  wisdom ;  wOk 
have  made  many  mistakes;  we  have  ta^* 
eurred  the  diepkasare  of  thousands  whom 
wewoidd  most  gladly  have  edified,  eom* 
fdrted,  and  bout  np:  therefore,  most 
heartily  would  we  pray  for  grace  to  be  ex- 
ercised in  a  thret^fold  uprightness  of  ^irit ; 
first,  with  Mioah  to  say,  "I  will  hear  the 
indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
sinned  against  Him : "  secondly,  to  "  give 
honour  to  whom  honour  is  due :  *'  thirdly, 
to  be  ever  adoringly  grateful  to  God  for  the 
smallest  measure  of  usefolness  He  may  be 
pleased  to  continue  unto  us,  and  as  Hese- 
iiah  said,  "  I  shall  go  softly  all  my  years 
in  the  iHtternees  of  my  soul."  Theee,  God 
knoweth,  are  the  inwrought  desires  of  oar 
soul. 

Mr.  Fdreman  has  nearly,  or  quite,  at- 
tained to  the  heaven*appointed  good  old 
age :  ere  many  years  he  may  be  gathered 
unto  his  fathers.  Instead  of  giving  vanr 
to  petty  Jealousies,  and  proud  and  seUsh 
foeungp,  let  us  all  ask  for  oraee  to  aakaow* 
ledffe  the  good  hand  of  God  in  lima  haU«g 
up  in  Zion,  good  and  steadfost  men  like 


those  to  whom  we  have  referred.  And  not 
onlv  so,  but  should  not  all  our  ministers 
and  people  constantly  pray  'that  Zion  may 
yet  a^^  and  again  realize  that  delightful 

Sromise,  "  Instead  of  thy  fathers,  sluill  be 
1^  children,  whom  thou  mayest  make 
pnnces  in  all  the  earth ;  "  for  where — ^but 
to  ihe  Lord — can  we  look  for  men  to  fill 
the  places  of  those  who  soon  must  put  off 
the  naraess?  Ah  I  where?  Ana  echo 
answers.  Where? 

let  two  things  seriously  be  in  our  mind. 
First,  our  iionoured  brethren  Foreman, 
Wells,  Wyard,  Milner,  Murrell,  and  many 
more  we  might  name,  have  for  many  yesfs 
stood  £M5t  and  firm  by  the  wholesome  and 
harmonious  doctrines  and  ordinances  of  tiie 
New  Testament :  and,  secondly,  let  us  not 
be  unmindful  of  that  heavy  tide  of  uni-  - 
varsalism,  and  of  nothingism,  which  ia 
pouring  in  up<m  us,  enough  to  sweep  away, 
if  God  prevent  not,  all  Uie  bulwam  and 
fortresses  which  have  been  instrumental^ 
and  ministerially  set  up  during  the  ages 
which  have  rollc^d  on,  since  the  days  of  She 
Kastor's  sending  forth  His  own  disciplei. 
Svea  the  iWssia9i--the  oigaa  of  all  lihe 
foflhionable  Baptist  Churches  in  Qudsten* 
dom— has  recently  admitted  that  the  gene- 
rality of  the  profession  of  the  Gosycl  in 
thesedajTS,  is  nu»e  regulated  by  the  fsuiona 
of  the  tisMBk  than  by  the  geaoA,  dear^** 
redeemed,  and  deaBlv  revealed  doctrines 
and  ueoepia,  principles,  and  praoticai  oi 
tlM  »&w  Testament. 

^ehn  Stevens  onoe  said  in  his  day,  thajb 
the  time  would  soon  come  when  there  would 
not  be  a  Sto0t  Communion  Baptist  Chnsob 
in  existence.  We  have  feared  so  too.  But 
it  is  asked.  Wet  do  yov  fkas?  Is  (td^ 
hsr$nee  to  Uie  umitt  of  Tm  oanucAiicie  of 
tnckesawiial  moment  f  Ohiyes,  itis.  It 
is  not  essential  to  salvation — end,  therefor^ 
SHoh  good  men  as  Geoi^  Abrahams  (whp 
fires  hot  shot  at  us  Baptists),  Jamss  Jay, 
at  the  Grove ;  Bichard  Luckm,  at  Wood- 
bridge  CSiapel;  and  others,  are  permitted 
to  stand  in  their  work.  They  are  valiant 
man  for  Goepel  doctrine  and  Christian 
eaqperienoe.  Bichard  Luckin  is  an  aniabU, 
fiuthfol,  and  asefol  man  of  God.  George 
Abrahams  is  a  deep  diver  into  the  mysteries 
of  Christ  and  His  union  with  His  uhnreh. 
JsAes  Jay  is  a  salB&ring  saint 

But  what  are  all  or  a^y  of  these  good 
men  doing  for  the  dtfence  of  the  Gospel^ 
beyond  their  own  lon^taading  spheres  of 
aetkm  ?  Let  them-^Mid  lat  us  all  remen- 
ber-4iMt  if  Tax  TRUTH  of  the  Gospel 
is  to  be  maintained,  it  mnst  be~«mnder  God 
^-by  the  self-semfiring,  united,  eamac^ 
and  harmonious,  and  untiiuig  labonrs  of 
those  who  hav^  been  sent  into  the  vineyard 
by  Jbsus  Cnnisr  Himself ;  but  if  good  men 
can  content  thamselves  with  simply  preach- 


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Jan.  1,  1864. 


THE  XABTHBK  VESSEL. 


15 


inff  their  three  sermons  in  the  week,  and 
inanl^ng  in  ease  the  reet  of  their  time,  let 
us  whisper  in  their  ear  the  fact,  that  Church 
of  Engiandifln  is  rising  np  in  mighty 
forces,  aetermined  to  banish  Nonconfonaity 
from  its  position.  Congregational,  Wesleyan, 
and  General  Baptist  Unions,  are  strainine 
every  nerve  to  enlarge  their  circles-^ana 
enlarging  they  are  too  at  a  rapid  rate.  Mr. 
Simrgeon  is  sending  his  students  out  into 
all  parts  andplaces,  where  an  entrance  can 
be  made.  What  the  result  of  all  this  pro- 
fessed evangelization  may  be,  we  cannot 
decide.  But,  ^is  we  know,  that  by  aU  the 
bodies  we  have  named,  the  Strict  Baptists 
are  scouted,  scorned,  and  derided;  mere- 
fore,  in  the  midst  of  this  immense  armv  of 
preachers  and  people,  who,  divided  as  tney 
ma^  be  in  most  uangs — in  one  they  are 
united — that  is,  to  root  up  and  cast  away 
all  the  ministers  and  churches,  who  for 
erery  branch  of  truth  stand  unmoved.  Let 
free-will,  duty-fWth,  open  communion,  and 
some  other  tnings  come  in,  and  away  goes 
the  DmiNCTzON  between  the  Church  and  the 
world ;  the  whole  company  of  G-ospel  pro- 
fessors will  become  like  the  ten  viigins  in 
the  panble— wise  and  foolish  all  mixed  up 
together — and  after  they  have  toiled  hard  to 
do  what  they  never  wui  do,  they  will  fidl 
fkst  asleep,  and  in  this  state  thej  will  con- 
tinue, nntU  the  midnight  cry  is  heard — 
"Behold  the  Bridegroom  cometh.'*  And 
it  is  to  this  general  slumber,  the  people  aie 
dtiviiig  us  now  witk  all  their  might.  At 
leasts  uiat  is  our  humble  conviction. 

It  if,  then,  a  mercy  that  in  this  evening 
time,  there  are  a  few  veterans  who  will  nerrer 
make  shipwredc  of  their  faith,  nor  of  a  good 
conscience:  but,  through  grace,  enduring 
itaad&stto  the  end,  shall  be  saved.  In 
attempting  to  write  a  short  notice  of  Mr. 
Foreman's  nice  **  Thoughts  on  Heaven," 
ire  have,  been  involuntarily  and  uninten- 
tionally drawn  out  to  make  these  remarks 
wlfich  are  made  in  all  sincerity;  and  but 
fbr  want  of  space,  we  should  call  over  the 
toll  of  faithful  men,  and  shew  that  neither 
London  or  the  provinces  are  yet  left  with^ 
out  witnesses  for  all  that  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord  commanded,  but  the  review  of  our 
BBnisterial  Boll,  and  a  review  of  Mr.  Fote* 
ilMui*8  book  has  yet  to  be  written. 


If  **  Satan  "  were  chained  up,  if  "  the 
flesh"  were  destroyed,  oad  if  "  the  world" 
«reve  tami  np,  the  tfsrellen  Zionwaid 
vvvmld  have  easy  and  pleasant  Umes  «f  it ; 
but  as  long  as  these  thi«e  antagonists,  or 
ioj  of  them  cxist>  so  long  shall  we  find  the 
right  wagr  a  thomy  and  adifBedlt  way. — 
/?w.  W.  Parka. 


JEHOVAH    TSIDKENTJ. 

'♦The  Lord  our  Bi|diteoaaneia."-~77a'  toatchv<->rd 
of  the  Rejormen. 
I  onoo  was  a  stranger 

To  graee  end  to  God, 
I  knew  not  my  danger, 

And  felt  not  my  load. 
Thoiu^  frieodfl  spoke  in  rapture 

Of  Christ  on  the  tree, 
Jehovah  Tsidkenu  was 

Nothing  to  me. 

I  oft  read  with  pleasure. 

To  sooth  or  engage, 
Isaiahs  wild  meaanve, 

And  John's  simple  page : 
Bat  ev'n  when  they  pictored 

The  blood-sprinlcled  tre^, 
Jehovah  Tsidkenu  deemed 

Nothing  to  me. 

Tiike  tears  fh>m  the  daughterM 

OfZion  that  roll, 
I  wept  when  the  waten 

Went  over  his  soul ; 
Tet  thought  not  tlrnt  m3-  sins 

Had  muted  to  the  tne. 
Jehoiwh  Taidkeon— 'twas 

Nothing  to  me. 

But  when  ftee  graoe  awoke  mo 

By  light  ft<om  on  high, 
Thai  legal  fcars  shook  me, 

I  traiabled  to  die ; 
9V>  tcIusm^  no  saftty, 

In  self  could  I  see- 
Jehovah  Tsfdkenn  my 

flavfoai  must  he. 

MVterron  all  vanished   - 
More  the  8 
Htyl 

I  boldness  I  caine» 
To  drink  at  the  fountain 

So  eopio«s  and  ftee, 
Jehovttk  Tsidkean  ia 
AllthlBgetoine. 

Jehovah  IMdkeno,  my 

Tieasuie  and  boaat^ 
Jehovah  Tstdkenu,  I 

Ne'er  ean  be  lost. 
In  thee  I  shall  oeaquer 

By  ilood  and  hy  field, 
Uy  cable,  my  anchor. 

My  breast'-pilate,  and  shield. 

S\'en  treading  the  valley 

The  shndow  ef  death, 
This  watehwetd  Shall  fnlly 

ICy  faltering  breath: 
tov  while  from  life's  fever 

BCy  Ood  sets  me  ftee, 
JehevBh  TSidheui  my 

Death  nftng  shall  be. 

ForwanM  bj/  T.  J.  ItSSfiJCB. 
DumfHes,  Dec.  2i,  IMS. 


**Sti«itia  th«  gate  and  nacrow  is  the 
wi^  tkM^  leadeth  unto  lilew*'  What  did 
CSinst mean  hy  "narrow?"  ETidendyto 
eonrey  the  truth  that  there  is  no  room  for 
svperfliiioas  baggage  upon  it,  siiek  as  woriw 
of  righteousbeas  that  poor  man  does  ib  hop# 
of  eternal  lifo.  It  is  so  "  namw*'  thai  all 
merit,  all  supposed  goodae«s,  all  fiuieied 
holiness  must  be  left  behind,  and  the 
trarellers  must  trust  solely  to  the  merits 
and  righteoasnesB   of  Chnst,  who  ia  the 

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16 


THE   EABTH£N  VESSEL. 


Jail  1,  1864. 


FORGIVENESS: 

ITS  AUTHOR,  ITS  SOURCE,  ITS  SECURITY,  ITS  NATURE,  AND  ITS 

BLESSEDNESS. 

Bt  John  Blooxfuld,  of  Salex  Chapbl,  Mbard's  Court,  Soho.* 


*  BlMted  if  he  whoae  tnun^ression  is  forgiven,  whose  sin  is  covered."— Psalm  xxxii.  1. 


Thb  views  of  men  under  worldly  influence 
are  widely  different  from  the  views  of  men 
who  are  taught  by  the  Divine  Spirit  the 
imiK>rtance  and  the  preciousness  of  the  sal- 
vation of  the  soul.  Men  who  have  no  ri^ht 
views  of  their  own  condition,  or  the  claims 
of  Ood  and  -the  eternal  world,  their  views 
are  limited  in  their  range,  being  confined  to 
this  present  life.  The  g^Uy  man  knows  that 
(fodhness  is  profitable  for  the  life  that  now 
IS  and  that  which  is  to  come.  It  is  onlvby 
real  religion  that  the  best  can  be  made  of 
both  worlds— the  present  and  the  ftature. 
The  nnffodly  man,  snch  are  his  views,  that 
he  would  say,  "  Blessed  is  the  man  who 
hath  laige  possessions,  who  hath  propertv. 
Therefore  he  wears  his  mind  and  his 
bodv  to  amass  wealth,  forgetting,  however, 
wealth  is  only  useful  to  us,  and  life  ia  onlv 
useftil,  really  so,  as  they  are  wisely  used. 
He  foiffets  that  -riches  sometimes  take  to 
themselves  wings  and  fiy  away.  Others 
would  say,  "Blessed  is  the  man  of  high 
station,  of  princelv  titles  ;*'  forgetting,  how- 
ever, there  are  titles  of  far  mgher  value^ 
Uat  more  durable  in  character,  for  those 
who  possess  real  and  vital  religion .  Princely 
titles,  which  men  wear  in  this  world,  are  all 
as  passing  shadows.  Riches  and  titles  will 
fall  from  the  man  who  wears  them  ;  or  the 
man  will  fall  and  soon  leave  the  princely 
titles  with  which  he  has  been  honoured  in 
this  world.  Some  would  sav,  "  Blessed  is 
the  man  of  lofty  intellect,  who  belongs  not 
to  the  aristocracv  of  blood,  but  of  mind  ;" 
forgetting  that  the  loftiest  intellects,  some- 
times in  this  world,  have  been  employed  in 
opposition  to  God,  in  strenuous  opposition 
to  the  cause  of  Christ ;  and  though  not  so 
employed,  the  greatest  mind  may  soon  be- 
come humbled,  and  the  loftiest  intellect 
may  be  soon  enfeebled.  Others  would  say, 
"Messed  is  the  man  who  is  in  possession 
of  power,  who  sways  a  sceptre  over  Uiou- 
sands  and  millions  of  his  fellow-creatures  f* 
forgetting  that  there  is  nothing  more  un- 
certain than  the  possession  of  power ;  the 
man  who  swa>s  a  sceptre  to-day  may  have 
it  dashed  from  his  hand,  and  the  erowu 
from  his  head,  and  to-morrow  he  may  be- 
come the  scorn  of  his  subjects. 


*  Being  the  subatanoe  of  a  sermon  delivered  on 
Sunday  morning:  January  5th,  IMS,  in  Salem 
Chapel,  Xeard's  Court,  Dtan  Street,  Soho  Square. 


The  godly  man  would  say,  "  Blessed  is 
the  man  who  hath  a  genuine  religion ;  who 
possesses  Christ's  everiastin^  righteousness  ; 
the  man  who  possesses  Christ's  Spirit ;  the 
man  who  imitates  all  that  is  imitable  in 
Christ's  example.  Blessed  is  the  man  who 
hath  a  saving  knowledge  of  Qod,  who  is. 
influenced  by  the  fear  of  CK)d,  and  who  is 
found  faithfully  serving  God;  blessed  ia 
the  man  who  knows  the  Saviour,  and  who 
is  watching  for  His  coming.  Blessed  is  the 
man  who  breathes  the  spirit  of  the  Saviour^ 
and  imitates  all  that  is  imitable  in  Hia 
example.  Blessed  is  the  man  who  under- 
standa  what  it  is  to  be  burdened  with  a  sense 
of  sin,  and  has  lost  that  burden  through 
fiiith  in  the  cross  of  Christ  Blessed  is  the 
man  who  understands  his  own  righteous- 
ness to  be  but  as  filthy  rags,  and  h^  been 
clothed  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  thefine 
linen,  clean  and  white.  Bleseed  is  the  man 
who  depends  for  completeness  in  Christ;, 
not  like  the  Pharisees  of  old,  looking  to 
their  own  doings  for  a  standing  in  com> 
pleteness."  The  godly  man  says  in  the 
words  of  our  text,  "Blessed  is  he  whose 
transgression  is  forgiven— whose  sin  is 
covewd." 

These  words  contain  a  great  deal  of  the 
mercy  of  God  in  His  plan  of  salvation ;  so 
the  apostle  Paul  thought,  for  he  quoted 
them  in  the  fourth  chapter  of  Romans.  We 
are  never  pleased  with  the  men  who  tell  u» 
the  Old  Teatament  believers  knew  nothing,, 
or  very  little,  about  Jesus  Christ.  We 
think  they  knew  a  great  deal  more  than 
many  imagine.  We  think  they  saw  through 
the  types  and  shadows  with  more  cleamees» 
with^  more  light,  than  many  give  them 
credit  for.  We  think  men  misrepresent  the 
Old  Testament  saints  when  it  is  asserted 
they  knew  but  little  of  Jesus  and  His  work 
of  mediation.  We  think,  on  Uie  contrary^ 
the  saints  of  the  Old  Testament  ages  un- 
derstood the  ground  of  pardon  for  sin ; 
they  understood  that  ground  was  the  sys- 
tem of  Mediation,  by  which  sins  are 
covered,  by  which  their  debts  were  blotted 
out,  and  the  sinner  finds  peace  with  God. 
We  shall  discover  as  we  read  the  Old  Tes- 
tament, in  the  spirit  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, the  grounos  and  principles  of  thv* 
great  system  of  salvation,  whidi  are  more 
clearly  exhibited  in  the  Goi^  of  the  grace 


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17 


We  shall  notice,  therefore,  in  the  words 
of  our  text, — ^iiTBt,  The  mediatorial  grounds 
on  which  the  forffivenese  of  sin  is  granted  ; 
my  second  point  will  be,  The  nature  of  that 
formveness  of  ein  which  the  believer  enjoys  ; 
and,  thirdly,  I  ahaU  show.  The  hlessedntse 
of  the  man  so  forgiven^  whose  ein  is  blotted 
out, 

I.  My  first  point  is,  Tns  Mbdiatorial 
Gbouhd  on  which  thb  FoBGITBintSS  OF  Ba 
18  SICUSBD. 

We  think  we  can  prove  that  God  never 
forgave  sin  but  thron^h  sacrifice — a  sacri- 
fice that  reveals  the  wisdom  of  God's  mind, 
that  declares  the  love  of  His  infinite  heart, 
and  vindicates  the  honour  of  His  moral  go- 
vernment. We  shall  notice,  then,  fi^t, 
Ute  sacrifice  under  the  Levitieal  dispenea- 
tion  ;  and  then  oar  second  point  will  be  to 
ahow,  that  Chrisfs  sacrifice  was  mare  ^ffica- 
ei€us  than  all  the  types.  He  was  the  Great 
Sactifiee ;  that  He  is  the  Great  Mediator, 
through  whose  works  the  forgiveness  of  ain 
ismnted. 

First.  The  mediatorial  ground  on  which 
the  forgiveneee  of  sin  is  granted.  Now,  for 
the  first  Scriptural  proof,  I  would  direct 
your  attentions  to  the  14th  chapter  of  Le- 
viticus and  the  2(Hh  verse.  You  will  there 
find,  the  priest  that  offered  an  atonement 
for  the  people  who  were  convinced  of  sin, 
who  sinned  through  ignorance,  and  were 
brought  to  acknowledge  their  sins  before 
God,  the  priest  had  to  offer  an  atonement 
for  himself  first  In  the  passage  zeftired 
to,  it  is  thus  written, — '*And  the  priest 
shall  ofier  the  burnt-offering  and  the  meat 
offering  upon  the  altar,  and  the  priest  shall 
make  an  atonement  for  .him,  and  he  shall 
be  dean."  The  atonement,  you  see,  pre- 
cedes the  act  of  foroiveness.  The  atone- 
ment is  the  ground  on  which  forgive- 
ness is  granted.  This  truth  is  taught 
plainly  in  all  the  Levitieal  services  respect- 
ing the  sacrificial  work  which  God  earlv 
taught  to  His  ^ple.  Bead  again  the  16th 
chapter  of  Leriticus,  that  beautifxd  and  im- 
pessive  chapter  which  I  read  in  your  hear- 
ing this  morning.  There  we  find  there 
were  "  two  goats,  one  lot  for  the  Lord,  and 
ibe  other  lot  for  the  scapeffoat"  One  was 
offered  for  a  sin-ofiertng;  the  other  was  let 

S>  into  the  wilderneas,  and  carried  away 
e  transgressions  of  the  people.  But,  mind 
there  was  no  forgiveness  but  by  the  atone- 
ment ;  one  goat  was  offered  to  God  for  an 
atonement ;  the  other  let  go  into  the  wil- 
derness, and  carries  away  the  sins  of  the 
people  into  the  land  of  foij^etf^ilness,  teach- 
ing us  still  the  same  doctnne  as  taught  in 
the  first  Scripture,  that  atonement  must 
precede  the  doine  away  with  or  carrying 
away  the  sins  of  the  people. 

Secondly.  Now  let  me  notice  the  eacri- 
fiee  of  the  Lord  Jesus  answers  to  this  view. 


or  teaching  of  this  delightful  theme,  I  do 
not  .'suppose  that  sin  was  really  put  away 
by  the  slaying  of  these  auimals.  It  was 
not  possible  that  the  blood  of  bulls  and  of 
goats  could  take  away  sin.  The  animals 
sacrificed  could  not  even  take  away  moral 
guilt,  but  they  did  what  God  intended 
they  should  do ;  that  was  to  teach  the  great 
sacrifice  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  they 
were  to  adumbrate,  to  show  forth  the  only 
sacrifice  on  which  sin  can  be  pardoned-^the 
onlv  way  in  which  transgression  can  be 
really  carried  away.  Christ  was  the  reality^ 
shadowed  forth  by  all  the  priestly  worka 
under  the  Jewish  economy.  The  priests 
that  served  God  in  that  dispensation  were 
men  of  infirmity — they  were  to^ffer  sacri- 
fice for  themselves  before  they  offered  onci 
for  the  pe^le.  But  they  were  types  of 
Him,  that  Great  High  friest,  who  com- 
prises in  His  own  nature  all  that  priceless 
worth  that  gave  efficacy  to  His  own  work 
in  Himself;  He  was  not  a  priest  who  had 
infirmities  for  which  He  must  make  an 
atonement.  He  came  expressly  to  put 
away  sin ;  He  came  that  He  might  make  an 
atonement  for  the  sins  of  His  people.  He 
came  and  was  wounded  for  our  transgres- 
sion ;  He  came  and  God  laid  help  upon  One 
that  was  mighty ;  He  that  was  just,  suffered 
for  the  uiyust,  whereby  He  might  bring 
them  to  God.  Christ  hath  made  a  fiill  and 
perfect  atonement,  by  which  God  might  be 
just,  yet  the  justifier  of  the  ungodly,  of  all 
that  believe  in  Jeeus.  Were  the  sins  of 
God's  ancient  people  put  away  by  the  types 
and  sacrifices  that  were  offered,  Jesus 
Christ  came  and  put  away  sin  really  and 
truly,  and  for  ever,  by  the  sacrifice  of  Him- 
self. He  is  our  propitiation;  He  is  our 
covering,  "  not  for  our  sins  only,  but  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  This  sacri- 
fice was  not  for  the  Jews  simply,  but  for 
all  God's  people,  of  every  nation;  kindred, 
tongue,  and  people  under  the  heavens^ 
Now,  without  an  atonement,  God  has  never 
then  forgiven  sin;  when  Qod  forgives  a 
man  his  sins,  He  does  it  for  Christ's  sake ;. 
He  does  it  for  His  own  great  name*s  sake  ; 
He  does  it  on  the  principle  thoroughly  in 
harmony  with  the  claims  of  His  own  moral 
government;  He  does  it  without  givine  up 
one  right  of  His  claims  of  justice  without 
one  blemish  on  His  character,  as  the  moral 
Governor  of  the  universe.  Do  not  think, 
then,  that  God  forgives  sin  apart  from  the 
sacrifice  of  Christ  Jesus.  The  Old  Testa- 
ment saints  believed  this;  when  they  asked 
for  pardon,  they  said,  "  Pardon  me,  O  God,, 
for  my  iniquity  is  great."  But  this  prayer 
is  generally  preceded  by,  *•  Pardon  me  for 
Thy  great  name's  sake."  Ah  1  poor  sinner,, 
look  to  this,  the  mediatorial  ^und,  as  the 
only  way  thy  sins  can  be  forgiven.  This  ia 
the  root  of  all;  here  lies  the  foundation  o£ 


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THE  SARTHBir  VESSEL. 


Jan.  1, 1864. 


yonr  salration.  The  anxious  and  thought- 
M  mind  may  say,  "  I  hope  to  be  foigiren  ; 
I  hope  to  escape  tiie  consequences  of  sin  ;  I 
have  repented,  and  acknowledge  my  sins  I 
before  God.**  This  we  must  do ;  but  that  | 
forms  no  ground  on  which  we  can  expect  | 
God's  pardon.  You  may  maJke  promises  of 
what  you  mean  to  do ;  that  you  intend  to 
lead  a  better  life;  you  acknowledge  you 
have  led  an  evil  life,  and  if  God  will  paidon 
you,  you  will  lead  a  life  more  in  harmony 
with  the  holy  Scriptures.  But,  remember, 
this  can  be  only  done  as  under  the  influ> 
ence  of  God^s  bpirit,  and  we  can  only  ex- 
pect mercy  from  God,  in  the  forgiveness  of 
our  sins,  by  the  way  He  hath  pointed  out, 
and  there  is  no  other  ground  on  which  we 
can  acceptably  plead  for  pardon  but  by  and 
through  the  full  and  perfect  atonement  of 
the  Lord  J-esus  Christ.  As  we  hare  shown, 
under  the  old  economy,  atonement  was 
oflered  by  the  priest,  first  for  himself,  then 
for  the  pe<^le,  ere  sin  was  pardoned ;  and 
the  saicrifice  being  accepted,  sin  was  carried 
away,  and  the  people  were  forgiven. 
II.  Now,  secondly,  let  me  notice  that 

l^MOIVBNSSa  THB  MAN  OP  GoD  SNJOYS. 

FiSBt.  It  is  a  Divine  faryiveness,  **  There 
is  fomtvnesB  with  God  that  He  may  be 
fearecT"  The  Lord  loTsth  meiey  and  for- 
giveness. Eoigiveaess  for  sin  is  the  right 
of  G^,  and  none  can  exercise  that  ri^t 
hot  God.  Jesus  Christ,  when  on  eanh, 
foigare  men  their  sins;  but^  then,  Jesus 
(Sinvt  was  God  incarnate,  as  none  can  for- 
give sin  but  God,  and  ChrisI  forgave  sin  ; 
Christ  is  therefore  the  eternal  God.  "I 
have  hlotted  out  as  a  thid^  cloud,"  says  our 
God,  "thy  transgression,  and  as  a  cloud 
thy  sins."    This  is  the  act  of  God. 

What  would  it  be  for  us,  dear  friends,  to 
be  forgiven  by  some  priest,  some  minister, 
or  some  prophet?  To  have  a  cheering 
prospect  of  heaven,  to  eiyoy  peace  of  eon* 
science,  to  realise  the  blessings  of  God's 
Word — to  have  these  cheering  prospects, 
yon  must  be  foipveu  by  God,  against 
whom  yon  have  sinned,  upon  wfxose  rights 
you  have  tnuni^ed,  by  Him  whose  laws  you 
have  broken.  Forgiveness  of  sin,  then,  is 
a  Divine  act ;  we  see  the  Psalmist  believed 
in  this :  of  whom  did  he  ask  pardon  but  of 
God  ?  David  sought  paidon  of  ncme  but 
God.  "  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Gtyd,  ac** 
oording  to  Thy  loving  mndness ;  according 
unto  the  multitude  of  Thy  tender  mercies, 
blot  out  my  transgressions.*'  And,  **  For 
Thy  name's  sak^  O  Lord,  paidon  mine 
iniquity,  for  it  is  great."  The  poor  pub- 
lican, when  he  was  filled  with  a  sense  of 
guilt,  cried,  "God  be  merciful  to  ma  a 
sinner."  My  dear  hearers,  have  ym  sought 
pardon  of  God  ?— have  you  sou^%  foigiv«- 
nesB  for  your  sins  of  Him  who  alone  can 
f<»giVB f>— remembering,    "There   is   fiv- 


giveness  with  God,  that  He  auiy  be 
foared;*'  that  He  may  be  sought  unto; 
that  He  may  be  trusted  in,  as  tha  only 
one  who  oan  remove  our  guilt. 

Second.  Again,  it  is  a  free  forffiwness. 
When  man  forgives,  he  may  say,' "I  foe- 
give  you  freely  ;'*  but,  then,  there  axe  con- 
ditions respecting  the  future.  But,  with 
GK)d,  it  is  not  a  conditional  it»giv«neas ; 
it  is  forgiveness  out  of  His  rich  graea 
and  sovereign  favour.  You  can  never  da* 
serve  it,  nor  attain  it  by^thy  own  sacri- 
fices if  vou  try,  God  fbrgives;  but  He 
forgives  tike  a  God.  Hefov^vss  out  of  the 
riches  of  His  grace ;  He  foigives,  but  it  ia 
an  act  of  sovereign^ ;  Ha  foij^vea,  but  it 
is  through  the  mediatioB  of  His  Son ;  fie 
forgives^  and  it  is  freely.  O,  poor  sinnei^ 
this  should  cheer  thy  heart.  Ait  thou  a 
burdened  sinner  ?—u  you  arv,  remember 
God  fireeiy  forgives  throi^  Jesua  Chriat 
Are  you  seeking  paidon  for  your  sins  ?-^ 
then  let  this  cheer  your  aoul,  that  God  d»- 
lighteth  in  mercy.  Do  you  earnest^  de- 
sire mercy  ?~^et  this  thought  cheer  you, 
that  God  pardoneih  poor  smners  through 
His  rich  sovereign  giaos.  Yon  wfll  never 
be  able  to  say,  "  I  am  pardoned,  .for  I 
boueht  my  pardon:"  na^par  say,  "i  an 
pardoned,  but  I  deserved  my  pardon«" 
You  ean  never  sa^,  "I  aia  pardooed^  bat, 
than,  it  was  obtained  a«  osctiain  eoiidi- 
dono^ceitaiii  of  my  tmrks  appeared  be- 
fore God  to  atone  for  my  aiiuk"  Ro^  aa, 
this  will  not  do ;  there  are  no  concUtians  at 
all ;  if  forgivea,  you  are  freely  foxsiyett  ont 
of  the  loving  kindnesa  of  God  MfanaaUL 
Did  the  Lord  foigive  Ae  fSabaiat  P  Then 
Ho  forgave  him  $reeiy,  and  fteely  bbttad 
out  his  traasgrsBsioa,  aad  put  away  faia 
rins.  Did  God  forgive  Seal  of  Tansua  hia 
shis  ?  Then  it  was  fieely  and  without  any 
merits  on  the  part  of  Saul  that  he  receivad 
of  God.  Did  He  ibigive  Mtty 
le,  out  of  whom  He  east  **  seven 
devils  ?**  Did  she  earn  forgiveness?  It  ia 
certain  she  never  deserved  it;  it  ia  also 
certain  she  could  aever  have  proeaiedit^ 
were  it  not  for  the  provisiaaa  made  in  God*a 
fiwegraee. 

Perhaps  th«ra  ia  some  poor  mnner  here, 
saying)  "  I  have  never  o^joyed  pardon  ftr 
my  sins ;  this  is  what  I  irant.  O  that  I 
oould  believe  my  sins  were  pardened.  O 
that  I  had  my  paidoa  in  posajBSSson.'* 
Pardon  to  the  condemned  cukrit  amat 
come  from  the  ciewned  head;  the  paidon 
may  be  sealed  by  the  royal  hand,  and  then 
some  time  ellipse  between  the  aealin|[  of 
that  pardon,  and  having  it  in  poaBeaamn. 
Now  God^a  people  are  all  foc^msy  every 
one  hath  his  pMdon  aigaod  and  sealed  by 
the  royal  hand ;  hat  it  ia  only  aa  the  man 
is  brought  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jeaus 
ChiiBt,  with  all  hia  heaft  and  soal,  haean 


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19 


haT«  the  parclcBi  in  his  own  poeseaaion ;  or, 
in  odfter  words,  as  the  soul  heeomss  ood- 
flcioas  olhis  state  as  aaianer,  forgiTeneas  is 
sought,  and  he  desires  to  know  that  his 
inanity  is  blotted  ont.  It  is  only  as  70a 
believe  in  the  Lord  Jesns  jou  can  be 
sayed  ;  it  is  only  by  trusting  in  the  merits 
of  Bis  atoning  blood,  only  as  you  cast  all 
your  care  on  ISim,  look  to  Him,  and  trust 
in  His  blood  aad  righteousness  you  ean  re- 
ceiye  pardoB.  You  nu^haye  to  wait  for 
the  knowladge  of  pardon ;  but,  as  eertain 
as  the  Soriptures  are  true,  "  He  that  be- 
lieyeth  and  is  baptized  shaU  be  sayed,  and 
he  that  belieyeth  oot  shall  b^  damned." 
He  who  hath  fidth  in  Jesus,  hath  the  wit- 
ness in  himself;  He  who  belieyes  in  Jesus, 
and  trusts  in  His  atoning  woric  and  peer- 
less character,  hath  oertain  eyidences  in  his 
own  soul  of  a  sense  of  pardon,  and  that  hU 
isiqiiity  is  put  away. 

(To  b*  coacmctod  viexi  month.) 


AM  I  ON  THE  RIGHT  WAT? 

JIT  BBy.  W.  MHBt,  BJL 

**I  o«CB  knew  a  young  man  who  was 
high^  moral  in  his  walk  and  conyersation, 
but  who  had  bo  mere  yital  godliness  in  him 
than  a  beast.  He  waa  a  formalist  of  the 
aiMt  nBexosptionable  kind,  and  was  ye^ 
punctual  in  saying  his  prayers  and  in  his 
attendance  at  chureh.  He  liyed  thus  for 
yeaie,  avrer  dzeaaing  that  axqrthing  was 
wrong  with  him.  One  day,  howeyer,  he 
happened  to  hear  a  strange  minister,  who 
took  f«f  h»  teact, '  Therefore  by  tiie  deeds 
of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified.*  The 
preacher  preyed  most  clearly  that  those 
deeds  were  the  deeds  of  the  moral  law,  and 
showed  that  no  good  works  of  any  kind 
could  pomkikj  juimfy  a  soul  before  God. 
The  yooBg  man  was  deeply  impressed. 
His  nMuth  waa  stepped :  he  was  brought  in 
guihy  btftwe  God!  Then  the  ay  waa  put 
into  his  h«Mft,  *What  shall  I  do  to  be 
sared !  *  'I  haye  liyed,*  said  he  to  himself, 
'  I  haye  Hyed  bhunelessly  all  those  years ; 
I  haye  kept  the  commandments  from  my 
youth,  but  I  find  that  I  am  not  sayed !  * 
Thia  j^oor  creaturo  would  haye  fallen  down 
dead  in  despair  if  the  words  had  not  been 
bioMjbt  home  to  him  with  power,  '  The 
bloed  of  Jesos  deanseth  from  all  sin!* 
lliia  M  hia  to  enquire :  inquiry  led  him 
farther  into  troth.  But  if  yon  ask  that 
man  to-day,  had  he  anytlung  to  do  with 
gettisff  on  the  ri^t  wvf,  he  wUl  unhesi- 
tatini^  answer,  'Indeed  I  had  not ;  and 
what  is'  more,  the  person  who  first  induced 
me  to  hear  the  strange  minister  was  him- 
self doMd  in  tsespasses  and  sins!*  Oh! 
we  amf  well  fiBelaini,  how  naryelLous  are 
tlke«a^«f  CM!** 


NEW  BOOKS  &  PAMPHLET& 

TrMtktfir  ike  Lay  of  Ufi,  ami  the  Hour  of 
Beam.  London :  Virtue  Brothexs  and  Ck>., 
1,  Amen  Comer,  Fatemoster  Bow.  1864. 
That  earnest  and  most  iRborious  writer,  the 
author  of  "God  is  Love,"  "Our  Heayenfy 
Home,"  "Grace  and  Glory,"  Ac,  Ac.,  has 
here  given  us  another  handsome,  weighty, 
and  every-day  seasonable  book.  "  The  Aa- 
snranoe  of  Faith  **  is  the  leading  subject  in 
this  volume.  "  Causes  why  the  Assunmce 
of  Faith  is  not  enjoyed  by  all  Believers,'*  are 
tiaoed  out  in  the  anthcNr's  own  way;  with 
"Genersl  Ofaser¥ations  to  Doubting  BeUev* 
en  ;*'  and  an  attempt  to  shew  ''*'  How  the  Aa- 
suranoe  of  Faith  may  be  obtained.*' 

It  is  evident  from  the  Preface,  that  the 
author's  mind  was  deeply  exercised  while 
writing  out  the  different  bvanohes  of  his  great 
theme;  he  has  issned  many  volumes  bSore^ 
bat  in  none  has  his  own  heart  and  soul  been 
more  fully  doawn  out  than  in  this.  We  Hye 
in  a  day  when  the  "  Aasanmce  of  Faith  "  ap* 
pears  to  be  but  little  known  or  enjoyed.  IJL 
therefore,  this  wiiter  has  found  and  fumishea 
a  genuine  antidote  and  remedy  for  the  afanoet 
univenal  rei^n  of  unbelief,  he  has  oonferxed 
a  liliiiwiufe  inaeed;  bat  as  the  work  is  newly 
from  the  pvees,  we  briefly  announce  it,  being 
oeofldent  ttiat  however  sharply  some  of  the 
anthor^  oanofawions  may  be  controverted  in 
eeme  quarten,  the  oarefnl  and  prayeif nl  peiw 
naal  of  thia  elegant  and  appiopnate  new  year^ 
gift-book  aeMK)t  fail  of  conleoing  good  to  the 
souls  of  many. 

We  are  really  fearful  that  the  oo&vsiting 
power— the  Christ-revealing  and  extolling 
power— >the  aoul-estaUishing,  tmth-unloM* 
ing,  and  promise-applying  powers  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  are  much  withdrawn  in  these  days; 
and  without  His  quickening,  illuminating, 
and  sealing  powers,  no  soul  can  have  assub- 
AKGB  of  its  own  salvation.  That  the  Uoly 
Ghost  works  by  means  more  generally — that 
where  the  honoured  means  are  neglected  the 
blessing  is  withheld,  we  know  most  painfully. 
But  this  is  not  a  review. 

Grace  Vidoriom.  The  Experience  of  Mr* 
Francis  CoUins,  Minister  of  Howe  Street 
Chapel,  Plymouth.  Published  by  J.  FaxJ, 
Chapter-house  Court;  to  be  liad  of  the 
Author,  4,  Constantine-street,  P^-mouth. 
A  SERDBS  of  tracts  on  themes  of  the  highest 
value  to  man,  have  been  issued  by  Mr.  Col- 
\rom  during  his  pastorate  at  Howe  street:  they 
are  all  ably  and  faithfully  produoed ;  but,  in 
this  last  one,  Mr.  CoUins  opens  his  heart,  and 
freely  dataila  the  work  of  God  upon  his  soul 
both  in  giving  him  grace,  and  in  putting  him 
into  the  mimstry.  Mr.  Collinas  ministiy 
commenced  in  measure  under  his  farmer  pas- 
tor, Mr.  James  Wells,  for  whom  he  entertains 
the  deepest  Christian  affection.  The  late 
well-known  Borrey  Tabernacle  deacon,  Mr. 
Bamea,  was  instrumental  in  sending  Frande 
GolUns  into  the  work,  in  1849 ;  and  from  thai 
time  the  Lord  has  upheld  and  honoured  him; 
and  in  that  veiy  difficult  town,  Plymouth,  he 


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THE  EABTHEX  VESSEL. 


Jan.  1,  1M4. 


has  laboured  for  eeveral  years,  and  still  con- 
tinues. His  Grace  Victoriotu  will  be  an  ac- 
ceptable testimony  to  niany;  and  that  for 
writing  and  preaching  he  may  be  spared  to  a 
A^Mxl  old  age,  we  can  and  do  unf eignedly  pray. 
We  hope,  in  the  spring,  Mr.  CoUins  will 
aupply  for  a  iew  Sundays  at  Squirries  street, 
where  many  of  his  old  friends  will  gladly  hear 
him  again. 

The  OrigmalBaatUt  Abtumack  and  Congrega- 
HamfH€md-BookJbr  1864.  London :  Bobt 
Banks,  9,  Crane  court,  Fleet  street :  Steven- 
son, Paternoster  row.  2d. 
Mr.  Edrob, — I  yery  much  yalne  your  Bap- 
titt  Ahnanae  for  the  yast  amount  of  useful, 
pnctical,  commercial,  chronological,  astro- 
nomiod,  historical,  and  denominational  in- 
formation it  contains.  I  value  it,  too, 
because  it  stands  out  in  bold  contrast  from 
the  blasphemous  astrolo^cal  prognostications 
of  some,  and  from  the  mipious  profanations 
of  others.  Christians  do  err  much  in  purchas- 
ing certain  religious  blaspheming  publica- 
tions (for  what  less  than  blasphemy  is  the 
following), — *^0  sinner,  if  you  perish,  it 
won't  be  because  Qod  didn't  love  you,  or 
because  Christ  didn't  die  for  you,  but  because 
you  didn't  believe  in  him.  You  would  not 
trust  your  soul  to  him,  though  he  beseeches 
you  to  do  sa"  The  denomination  is  greatiy 
indebted  to  you  for  an  almanack  that  is  true 
to  its  Baptist  colours.  To  Christians  visiting 
London  it  is  an  aoeuiate  directory  to  the 
residences  and  chapels  of  our  metropolitan 
pastors.  To  ministers  the  interleaved  is 
quite  an  acquisition  to  the  study. — I  am.  Sir, 
yours  truly,  S.  CotEKua 

€(m/brmiiy  to  Ae  Ckmreh  of  Engiand,  By 
Ebenezbr  Baiuct.  London:  Hamilton, 
Adams  and  Co. 
Thx  autkor  of  this  defence  of  the  doctrines 
and  practices  of  the  Church  of  England  was 
till  recentiy  a  Baptist  minister.  Mr.  Bailey 
was  amongst  Mr.  Spurgeon's  first  students, 
and  one  of  his  earliest  contributions  to  the 
now  numerous  list  of  youthful  Baptist  pastors. 
But,  after  receiving  the  training  and  educa- 
tion provided  at  Mr.  Spurgeon's  College,  and 
having  been  a  Baptist  Pastor  for  some  time, 
he  sudaenly  discovers  the  error  of  his  way,  and 
turns  with  much  penitence,  to  the  arms  of 
the  mother  Church,  and  here  presents  us  with 
*'his  decided  avowal  of  his  preference"  for 
a  national  establishment— netting  himself  to 
the  task  of  defendina  her  system,  fearlessly 
declaring  that  the  "Anglican  Church  bears 
upon  it  God's  own  signature.'*  We  are  not 
quite  sure  that  the  Church  of  England  re- 
quired this  defence  at  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bailey, 
or  that  she  is  benefited  thereW ;  but  we  shall 
probably  look  again  into  this  76  octavo  page 
book,  and  say  something  more. 

Try!    Try!  md  Try  Again.    London:  W. 

Jiacintosh,  24,  Paternoster  row, 
Nearly  all  our  readers  know  something  of 
Old  Jonathan^  and  that  most  useful  monthly 

gaper  he  issues.    When  we  inform  them  that 
e  has  recently  published  a  new  edition  of 


Try !  Try !  tmd  Try  again^  which  is  an  out- 
line of  the  lives  of  two  youths  who  became 
clergymen  of  the  chnrcn  of  England,  they 
will  doubtiess  feel  interested  in  its  contents. 
This  is  the  time  for  presenting  young  people 
'vHth  useful  presents  in  the  shape  of  pretty 
books,  &c~  and  here  is  one  wnich  we  can 
recommend  for  that  purpose  beyond  any  we 
have  seen.  The  binding  is  elegant,  the  fllus- 
trations  are  pretty  and  numerous,  and  the 
contents  will  please  and  edify,  instruct  and 
stimulate  every  boy  who  has  the  germ  of 
true  manhood  in  him.  (Hd  Jonathan  ynil  have 
the  thanks  of  thousands  for  this  juvenile 
literary  gem. 

The  Garden  (hxuie,  and  Fbrictdtural  Tear- 
Book  ;  an  Almanock  far  1864.  Edited  by 
Shirlkt  Hibberd,  F.B.H.S.  Published 
at  Groombridge's. 
We  have  gone  carefully  over  this  annual 
and  to  every  one  interested  in  the  beautiful 
works  of  nature— as  now  so  elegantiy  illus- 
trated in  our  shrubberies,  parks,  fields,  gar- 
dens, orchards,  nurseries,  groves,  Ac  te, 
this  wliiiifwg  volume  must  be  an  indespenaable 
companion.  Gardening  is  ever  new ;  there 
is  a  continued  and  constant  flowing  forth  of 
new  species.  No  one  must  ever  think  of 
settling  down  here  with  the  persuasion  that 
he  knows  all  that  is  needful  He  may  in- 
crease in  knowledge  in  this  department  of 
creation's  glory  to  the  end  of  his  days— and 
Shirley  Hibberd  in  his  Weekly  Magazine  and 
Annual  Oracle,  takes  the  lead  in  all  things 
new  and  practical. 

The  New  Zealand  Hand-Book;  or.  Guide  to  the 
Britain  of  the  South,  London :  £.  Stan- 
ford, 6,  Uhaiing  Cross. 
Thd  littie  sixpenny  manual  contains  suffi- 
cient matter  to  form  a  good  volume,  if  it  had 
been  spread  out  as  many  books  are,  but 
economy  and  real  usefulness  are  its  features. 
New  Zealand  is  not  the  new  heavens,  nor 
the  new  earth,  which  the  Lord  has  promised 
to  create;  but,  certainly.  New  Zealand  is  be- 
yond all  question,  a  part  of  our  Holv  Master^s 
workmanship,  almost  unexcelled  in  the 
known  worloL  To  young  men  whose  hearts 
are  breaking  for  fields  of  usefulness,  in  the 
dispensation  of  the  Gospel,  New  Zealand 
opens  a  door  of  wide  extent;  and  from 
this  book  (issued  by  WHlis,  Gann  and  Co., 
New  Zealand  offices,  Crosby  square,  London, 
or  by  Edward  Stanford,)  every  atom  of 
necessary  information  may  be  easily  obtained. 

Six  Sermona  by  ChaHee  GordeKer,  Minister  of 
Hephzibah  Chapel,  Mile  End.     To  be  had 
of   the  Author,  18,   Stepney  Green:    or 
in  the  vestry  of  his  Chapel,  Darling  place, 
near  Mile  End  Gate. 
These  are  not  common  sermons;  nor  are 
they  likely  to  interest  mere  ordinary  or  stereo- 
typed Gospellers ;  but  as  words  of  warning 
for  the  careless,  as  words  of  healing  for  the 
wounded,  as    words  of    direction  and   en- 
couragement for  the  ensnared  and  fallen,  and 
as  words  of  intelligence  for  the  ignorant,  they 
have  their  fitness  and  fulness  too^  and  in  send- 


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Jan.  1,  18M. 


THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


21 


ing  them  forth,  Mr,  Gordelier  ia  doing  good 
service.  With  the  blessing  of  the  Ahnighty 
thoufiands  may  read  them  to  much  profit 

The  Scrwiwnal  Testimony  to  the  Perton  and 
Work  of  God  the  Holy  Ghod,  rfc.,  ^  Bv 
John  Bujitak  McCube.  Sydney :  G.  E. 
Addison. 
Isf  every  way  our  brother  McCure  is  zealously 
working  in  Australia.  The  Bomanists  with-  ; 
out,  and  the  dead  formalists  within,  have  the 
full  force  of  John's  heaven- wrought  power  in 
exposing  Popery's  pestilential  poison,  and  in 
endeavouring  to  convince  men  that  aU  re- 
ligion without  the  Great  Glorifler  of  Christ— 
THS  EnuiHAL  Sfxiot— is  fearfully  delusive, 
and  must  end  in  an  awful  disappointment 
John  Bunyan  HcCure  has  the  heartj  empa- 
thies of  all  those  believers  who  rejoice  in  the 
spread  of  the  Gospel;  but  selfishness  and 
pride  are  so  fearfully  rampant  here,  that  real 
Christian  sympathy  is  almost  dumb  and  life- 
less. 

Cdatiai  PitradUe,  &c.    London :  0.  Nichols,  | 
30,  St  Martin's  lane,  and  to  be  had  of  Mr.  i 
John    PeUa,    a,    College   place,    Camden 
town. 
This   funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr. 
Pells  after  the  death  of  Mrs.  Kerley.    It  is  a 
neat  and  ooncise  little  memoir,  and  speaks 
well  both  for  the  growing  ^ability  and  minis- 
terial patience  of  the  pastor  of  Soho. 

The  PrietthoodofJBelievert* 

A  leaflet  on  a  subject  of  much  more  value 
to  the  Church  than  is  now  sufficiently  under- 
stood. Thero  is  no  part  of  real  experimen- 
tal religion,  but  is  closely  bound  up  with 
the  character  of  Christians  as  priests  unto 
Ood.  With  Mr.  Groom  we  see  this  subject 
calls  for  a  careful  advocacy. 

The  Child's  Book  of  Praise.     Edited  by  Bev. 

Charueb  YnrcK.    Birmingham :  published 

by  Hugh  Barclay;  and  Virtue  Brothers, 

London. 

On£  hundred  and  thirteen  of  the  best  hymns, 

in  sixty-four  pages,  on  good  paper,  first-dass 

printing,  with  index  and  preface,  all  in  neat 

wiApper,  for  one  penny,  is,  we  should  think, 

all  that  could  be  desired  by  the  most  zealous 

and -economicaL     Both  Mr.  Vince  and  Mr. 

Bazchiy  have  done   ^eir   work   admirably 

well. 

TheBntiA  Workwoman^  Out  and  at  Home, 

No.  1  of  a  new  penny  monthly,  issued  by 
Hall,  All^ and Co.2and  Job CaudwelL  The 
effort  is  mmilar  to  The  BriUsh  Workman,  but 
much  its  inferior  as  vet  Still,  the  design  is 
essentially  good,  and  will  confer  great  benefit 
upon  the  female  part  of  our  population  if 
earned  out  zealously  and  efficiently. 

The  Sealed  PiBople,  Ac,  by  Bev.  Bobert  Pol- 

whele.    London:  Seeleys. 
A  UTTLE  book  distinguishing  between  the 
diirerent  future  manifestations  of  Christ    We 
hare  been  much  solemnized  by  its  contents. 
It  leads  your  thoughts  to  Jesus. 


THE  SPARE  MOMENT. 


FIVE  NEGATIVES. 

It  is  koown  that  two  Begatives  in  English 
are  equal  to  an  affirmative.  They  destroy 
each  other.  But  it  is  not  so  in  Greek. 
They  strengthen  the  negative,  and  a  third 
negative  makes  it  stronger  still,  and  so  a 
fourth  and  a  fifth.  How  strong  ^t«  nega- 
tives must  make  a  negation!  Whether 
they  ever  occur  in  the  Greek  classics,  I  do 
not  know ;  but  in  the  Greek  of  the  New 
Testament  there  is  an  instance  of  the  kind. 
And  what  is  that  ?  Are  the  five  negatives 
used  to  strengthen  anjr  threatening  T  No ! 
They  are  connected  with  a  promise^  one  of 
the  "exceeding  great  and  precious  promises" 
which  ^ire  given  unto  us.  The  case  occurs 
in  Hebrews  xiii.  5 :  **  For  He  hath  said, 
I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee." 
There  five  negatives  are  employed.  We 
translate  but  two  of  them  ;  but  there  they 
all  are,  as  one  may  see  who  looks  into  his 
Greek  Testament.  Now  they  need  not  all 
have  been  there ;  they  are  not  all  necessary 
to  express  the  simple  idea  that  God  will 
never  forsake  His  people.  There  must 
have  been  <2e9^  in  multiplying  negatives  so. 
I  do  not  believe  the  phniseology  was  acci- 
dental, and  I  think  it  not  difficult  to  guess 
the  design.  God  meant  to  be  believed  in 
that  thing.  He  would  secure  the  confidence 
of  His  diUdren  in  that  particular.  He 
knew  how  prone  they  were  to  doubt  His 
constancy,  now  strongly  inclined  to  that 
form  of  unbelief;  and  how  liable  to  be 
hazassed  by  the  dread  of  being  forsaken  by 
Him,  and  He  would  therefore  midce  assur- 
ance more  than  doubly  sure.  So,  instead  of 
saying  simply,  "  I  will  not  leave  thee,** 
which  alone  would  have  been  enough,  He 
adds,  •'  nor  forsake  thee  ;  "  and  instead  of 
leaving  it  thus — "  I  will  not  leave  thee,  I 
will  not  forsake  thee,"  He  uses  language 
equivalent  to  the  following:  *'I  will  not,  I 
will  not  leave  thee;  I  will  never,  never, 
never  forsake  thee."  There  is  a  stanza 
which  very  faithfully  as  well  as  beauti- 
fully expresses  it, — 

•*  The  soul  that  on  Jesus 

Hath  leaned  for  repose, 
I  will  not,  I  will  not 

Desert  to  his  foes : 
The  aouL  though  all  hell 

Should  endeavour  to  shake, 
I'll  never,  no  never, 

Ko  never  fonake.*' 


It  ia  a  revealed  truth  that  "there  is  no 
other  name  given  under  heaven  amongst 
men  whereby  we  must  be  saved'*  but  that  of 
Jesus  Christy  and  whosoever  ia  off  that 
ereai  highway  is  journeying  to  his  own 
destruction.— ^«f.  fV,  Parks, 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


22 


THS  EABXHXV 


J«i.  1,  1864^ 


#ur  (i^)tui[()u|s,  0ur  ^pastot^  m)i  m\  IP^n^I^ 


A0AIlf  HT      lflierweluulliiiiBiiedourworkstBirmiiiglaun» 
we  went  to 


NO.  I. 
***!  ftd  tliiB  son  of  life  no  more 
In  gBy-merldlMasIiinteir; 


Long  ahadoim  Itaiwall  oMntoo^er, 
JoBd  show  the  orb  dedinug.*' 


Oxca 


e,  Iro  pemtoioB  of  .th«  Bditor,  I  tehe 
i^  my  pen  to  taOc  a  little  with  the  leadan  of  this 


magakineabout  things  seen  and  heard  as  I  wander 
over  different  coottttes  in  our  ieIand*home.  Hav- 
ing flnished  my  srtioles  on  that  renowmsd,  elo- 
quent and  ueefiil  ambassador  for  Chiistk  Christ- 
mas EranL  perhaps  I  may  venture  to  present 
myself  agam  to  my  fMenas  in  a  d!lfei*ent  gnrb, 
and  thna  try  toaAwd  to  Chem  <o.y.)  half-an*honi^» 
reading  every  mont\  whieh  I  trust  will  inteieBt 
and  profttthem.  Wisiiingeaoh  and  all  ^  a  happy 
new  y«ar,»»  I  now  with  no  ordlnaxj  plessnns, 
ooranenoe  the  work  I  have  pledged  myself  to 
pertbmu 

My  summer  vacstion  terminated  on  the  aoth  of 
August  last,  and  on  the  2Ist,  I  was  on  the  Rail- 
way, carried  fhrward  by  the  iron  horse  towaitte 
the  dianseiy  pepoJattod  town  of 

BIBVZne'HAS. 

That  town  I  reaohed  in  safety,  and  was  ooidially 
reeeiwed  into  the  beaom  of  &  family  of  my  in- 
teUigBBt  and  libenl  brother  and  iUedl,.  Mr.  Thee. 
Brew.  My  obfect  in  going  to  Bfrmingham  was 
not  to  rectuTB  but  preach.  Kr.  Drew,  with  a 
heroism  that  retfeets  great  credit  upon  him,  has 
reaoliwiL  Ood  helning  him,  to  esttftblish  a  Chnreh 
on  what  he  oonoetves  to  be  New  Ttestament  prin- 
ciples in  that  Hefaropolitan  Midland  town.  In 
unison  with  his  brother.— who  with  himself  is 
oquslly  anxious  to  be  **  doing  and  reoelidng  good." 
-^^cendbrtshle  room  haa  been  opened,  ana  within 
its  limits  lor  more  than  twelve  months,  a  few  have 
assembled  to  listen  to  the  truth  as  ft  is  in  Jesus; 
In  attempting  to  form  a  ehnreh,  and  gather  a 
oongngafeum^  our  frioada  have  had  nnay  diflteol- 
ties  to  contend  with.  A  town  like  Birmingham, 
where  there  acre  so  many  talented  preacliers  helong- 
•ing  to  the  different  seetions  of  the  professing 
Church,  re^ttiraBfop the  establtehmeMt  of  aeaose 
in  pei^Bet  harmony  with  the  taaofatngs  of  truth*  a 
man  or  men  of  commanding  talents.  If  there- 
ibre  the  Churdies  thronghout  the  country  woald 
help  bj  the  traasmlsBion  of  the  *"  sinews  of  wttr  " 
to  our  good  Mends  there,  I  have  no  doubts  but 
that  ere  long  a  people  would  be  withered,  who, 
walking  in  aix  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord,  would 
gloriiy  hi^name.  and  exert  an  iofliienee  on  the 
mhabitant*  of  this  large  and  densely  populated 
town,  that  would  cause  "  angel  brothers  to  strike 
their  harps  of  gold,  and  joyously  sing,  Many  that 
were  dead  are  alive  Moua  I  many  that  were  lost 
are  found !"  On  rsachmg  tlie  hospitable  home  of 
Mr.  D.,  I  heard  that  the  room  they  had  opened 
had  been  for  some  time  past  so  tUnly  attended 
that  he  and  his  brother  were  almost  ready  to  hang 
their  harps  upon  the  willows.  Sunday  morning 
we  wended  our  way  to  the  little  sanetnary,  which 
IS  situated  in  Great  Charlotte  straat,  a  not  very 
attractive  locale,  and  to  our  gratiilcation  foun'd 
nesTty  every  seat  occapted.  We  wore  directed  to 
speak  to  the  people  in  the  morning  on  "  Christ  the 
B«5k  and  Refuge  cf  Believers ;"  and  in  the  evening 
Item  tta*  ftm  twt  we  vead  from  the  Chilstian 
pnlmt  mosethan  forty  yearasinoe^  3  Got  viii.  9 ; 
and  both  m  the  morning  and  evening  felt,  as  we 
hoped  seveml  others  also  did,  that  the  great  Head 
of  the  mystic  household  was  present  to  comfort, 
elevate,  and  bless* 


WOI.VSBHAKPTair, 

having  been  invited  to  do  so  by  two  estb»u«>ti, 
lovfng,larg»hea!rted  fHesdrwho  used  to  sitat  John 
street  chapel' beftve  its  doonwemeloBed.  In  the 
midst  of  thi»  ihoiily,  we  eqjoyed  a  few  dlys 
onislade  and  reel,  wUeh  admhaUy  prannedna 
for  subseuaent  travelling  and  toiL  in  Wol«Br- 
hamptoo  there  were  three  Baptist  Churches,  now 
I  regret  to  say  there  are  only  two.  John  Street 
Chapel  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Bpxseo<- 
palians^  eoHseansntly  within  its  walla  in  mttne 
only  a  part  of  «k>d*struth  will  be  proclaimed.  The 


psator  of  one  of  the  other  Baptist  Chuvohes  is  the 
grandson,  I  believe,  of  that  model  missionary,  the 
late  learned  and  self-denying  Carey,  and  by  eftut^ 
the  most  strenuous  ana  uaiSaggmg,  he  nas  suo> 
ceeded  in  erecting  a  new  chapel,  which  Is  situated 
in  an  inviting  locality.  What  was  there  to  hinder 
the  John  Street  friends  fVom  doing  likewise  ?  On 
this  point  I  could  like  to  write  mush,  but  aa  it  ie 
a  rather  delicate  subject  I  pass  on,  just  expressing 
my  r^iret  thatthere  should  be  one  Baptist  cause 
less  in  that  lane  and  important  town.  From  some 
of  the  scattered  friends  belonging  to  the  Uile  John 
Street  causey  I  have  roeeived  no  small  amonaftof 
kindness,  the  remembsanoe  of  which  i»a  bala  to 
my  spirit  as  I  struggle  on;  through  life's  ainev 
sorrows,  perplexities  and  cares.  May  He  who 
dwelt  in  the  bush  cover  them  with  Bfis  Itethers^ 
and  gently  lead  them  on  snd  up  to  the  city  oi 
many  mansions.  The  fottowing  Sunday  I  preached 
twice  sgain  to  very  pleasing  gathcnms  at  ]lt»> 
osingham  ;  and  after  being  eomforted  in  the  work 
and  mneh  enaomnaged  by  the  friendly  gseetingi^ 
the  next  day  found  me  whirling  along  the  iron 
road  towards  Kington,  in  Herefordshire,  where  I 
spoke  two  evenings,  in  company  with'  my  tiUented 
colleague^  Mr.  W.  P.  Thomas,  to  hu'geandenthnd* 
ssde  aadlenscfc  Ehsffton.  haain  it  a  Baptist  oanse 
in  a  very  thriring  state :  the  minister, 
Smitii,  who  was  one  ofMr.  C.  H.  Spurgeon's 
students,  is  "  a  living  bonfire !"  zealous  to  promote 
the  prospwfty  of  fflon*  TMs  ftmik  snd  lasge- 
hentod  young  mnn  pnsided  most  eAeiently  at 
one  of  onf  meetings,  and  waa  with  us  on  the  plat- 
form at  the  other.  This  cheered  us.  We  love  to 
see  the  rising  young  men  of  our  dencantnaOon 
tattling  wfth  that  chnic,  malignant,  devastating 
foe  to  hanuttity,  Aleokol ! 

From  Kington  we  passed  on  to  Rerefeed,  and 
found  itspopeJatfon,  Gke  that  of  all  other  Oatha- 
dml  cities^  not  nrach  interested  in  theftempenusoe 
enterprise.  After  doing  what  we  could  to  benefit 
as  many  as  were  present  at  the  two  meetings  we 
held  in  the  Com  ^xdiange,  we  stsrted  foe  the  in- 
teresting and  romantically  situated  town  of 


and  as  we  gated  upon  its  church  on  the  hifl, 
thought  of  a  couplet  in  a  piece  we  had  ol%  re- 
peated when  at  senool,— 
••  Who  fesngiit  that  heaven-directed  spire  to  rito? 

The  man  of  Boea^  each  lisping  babe  replies." 
At  Boss  we  found  two  BaptCst  causes.  Our  Strict 
friends  asked  for  and  had  my  poor  services  on 
the  morning  and  evening  of  tne  8th  of  Septemr- 
ber,  can  amore,  and  in  the  aftoveon  tile  chil* 
dren  of  the  Stmday  schools  were  collected 
together  in  the  other  very  beauUfol  Baptist  cha- 
pel, which  they  filled,  and  I  spoke  to  them  with 
some  freedom  for  about  an  hour  on  Jesns  and 
Salvation.  The  fbllowing  evening,  the  fine  room 
in  conaeoHoa  with  the  itxobsnge  was  filled  by  a 
very  respestable  and  interesting  andieaee,  and 
for  a  couple  of  hours  we  tsied  to  promote  their 


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THE  EARTHXSr  TX88EL. 


2^ 


BeltutBltly  lenrinff  our  kind  ttdmda 
AtSiaaByWlio  did  all  taeyootudtoiiudBeuBfeel 
at  home  wUIiit  fehna^  ^f«  vnan  finind  neakt  at 
Stntford,  gaaing  am  the  tombstana  of  that  ex- 


•*  Wfl>«r«d  wood  notMT  wUd/ 
fdr  many  a  yBKt  alonff  tbe  banka  of  the  **8oft 
flowing  Avon."  W«  v&tad  the  houae  in  which 
the  great  poet  fintdiew  bfreatb,  and  were  greatly 
delighted  with  what  we  both  heard  and  saw. 
Whst  a  obange  haetalEen  place  sinee  Sha&Bpeai« 
wtuKiei^  through  the  rtreeta  of  this  dull  little 
town.  Having  visited  jknn  Haflihawv3r%  oottase; 
AcaBCy  we  bade  adieu  to  the  birthpuoeof  tius 
great  ^iglish  poetL    Otir  stay  at  Stratfbrd  betog 


so  short,  I  had  not  an  opportunity  of 
iqg  the  stste  of  things  touehing  the  cause  of  the 
Bedeemer  in  this  town.  The  next  day  we  were 
in  the  city  of  Oxford,  gazing  on  if«  Mdaoe-like 
oolleges,  and  wandering  through  its  InteTCsting 
libraries.  Having  satisfied  ourselves  there,  we 
passed  on  to  Dunstable,  where,  on  Sunday,  the 
13th,  I  pleached  to  very  laive  ooagregstions  front 
Bev.  i.  O^ttid  Psalm  Ixxi.  lU.  The  two  follow- 
ing evenings,  we  had  excellent  meetings  in- the 
Temperance  Hall,  an  admhrable  buflding,  which 
having  been  newly  painted,  ke.^  we  nad  the 
ptaanre  to  re-open.  From  Dunstable  we  run  up 
to  London,  stayed  Chere  at  home  (and  the  man 
wfiD  does  not  love  his  home  is  not  rightly  in<- 
floeneed)  for  a  day  or  so,  and  on  the  1^  of  Sep- 
tember, lifted  up  our  voices  in  behalf  of  the 
right  and  the  good*  in  the  town  of  Wolvcrton, 


hands  mosfr  eenUaUy  with,  me^  and  SMd,tliirty 
yean  oao  I  bessd  you  at  such  and  such  »plao&. 
I  leltlmnst  be  growing  okL  Well,  no  matteiv  I 
can  now  manage  to  speak  an  hour  and  a  half 
eveiy  night  in  the  week,  and-  twioe  or  thrice  on 
the  Sabbflth,  when  doors  are  opened  for  me  to  do- 
sol  and  that  is  one  proof  amongst  »  thoussnd 
oiiiiem  that  alcoholie  beveragsa  ase  needless,  not 
to  say  imnrion%  things  for  ministers  to  tamvev 
wtttat  ud  I  am  move  aotive  and  can  do  m^ 
wtivfc  thn  I  could  twettfey  yeaie  ago^  **  Thus  fiur 
theLordhaelednsson."  Whan  this  is  read  byr 
my  ftioodB^  I  shali  have  pasBed  the  sixtietli  yeav 
»r  my  pilgrimage  on  earth,,  a  long  way  towards  a 


moiety  oifwhieh  years  I  have  toiled  without  the 
stimulna  of  those  liquors  which  have  blighted  so 
many* 

lu  dosing  my  jottinm  for  the  present,  I  may 
just  add,  that  lam  **a  debtor  to  mertjy  stone^"— 
sovereign,  discsiminatinfti  eternal  love  and 
meicy.'-and  hope,  despite  of  all  my  weak- 
nesses and  waywardness,  through  the  completer 
work  of  the  Bedeemer,  bj^eand  b^e,  to  waL-B  tno 
palm  and  raiae  the  song  before  Hiathmne. 

OtJ^,  ISTov.  4th,  IBM.  Tub  WandBBEB. 

tATTJ^  STONHAJT.  --  A  glorfooe 
meeting  was  recently  holden  in  the  fiaptirt  cha- 
pel  here,  presided  over  by  the  hiborioua  and  sue* 
oessftil  pastor,  tf r.  Caleb  Broom.  Our  corree- 
pendent,  writing  of  this  meeting,  says,— On  wa- 
tering the  cha^,  seeing  it  greatly  improved, 
beholding  many  smiling  fkces,  hearty  greeting 


On  the  20th,  I  preached  twice  to  our  Binning-  given  to  friends  Irom  a  distance,  and  zriany  de- 

hem  friends  from  1  PMer  i.  8,  9 ;  snd  again  oh  voted  ministers  of  the  Gospel:  on  the  platfonn, 

the  2lBt  from  Gal.  v.  1 .    The  congregations  were  one  could  not  help  finatefulfr  cxdaiming,  **  What 

good:  the  prwenceof  the  Itaster  wasfolt;  and  hath  God  wrought^  for  this  cause  and  people! 

we  blendM  onr  songs  and  prayers  under  the  Excellent  arrangements  vrere  made;  abundance' 
elevating  inihienoe  of  a  God-implanted  hopethatj !  vras  provided ;  and  at  the  evening  /^^^PJ^^^^ 

bye  and  d;           '  -»     .  ^     -    ,          -^^    j  _*  *t.^     —  ^ 


bye  aod'ityek  we  should  meet  toge^ier  on  the  gold 
veined  sea  of  glass,  to  swell  that  song  the  sweet- 
ndse  of  whfdi  will  increase^— 

"Whilst  life,  or  thought,  or  being  last. 
Or  immortality  endures." 
Simse  wesaid  ''Ibieweir  to  the*  kind  fnands 
at  Birminghanw  we  have  held  meetingii,  most  of 
tlMm  of  a  oJghirgTatifying  chaiacter,  atBvoras- 
gravew  Dudley,  Wolyerhampton,  Coventry,  Mel- 
IbiiUowlH^,  Belper,  Der^TManafleld,  Wirks- 
wotth,  and  Leeds,  in  reference  to  which  I  cannot 
nakebnt  a  wy  lew  remarks.    Whilst  at 

BBBBT, 
I  diopt  into  the  General  llaptist  Chapelt  and  was 
stmek  on  entering  it  witii  the  profuse  oraaasen- 
■  -^  -  which  everywhere  met  my  eye.    la  I 

upon  the 

•*  Windows  richly  dight, 
Casting  a  dim  xeli^ous  light/'— 

the  gorgeously  ornamented  baptistry,  the 
handsomely  carved  stono  pulpit»  white  as  the 
anow^'the  Popish4ooking  covering  of  the  book- 
boaid,  and  a  hundred  other  needless  gimcracks, 
I  could  not  forbear  saying,  "Why  all  this 
waste?"  Of  the  sermon,  I  did  not  hear  one 
whole  sentence;  these  high,  open-roofbd,  cathe- 
dml-like  buildings  not  being  well  constructed  for 
bearing.  I  vras  told  the  sermon  was  a  very  good 
ooe»  as  r^arded  the  language,  but  vei^'  defective 
dootrittO^.  I  did  not  repeat  my  v«it  during 
my  stay.  There  is  another  general  Baptist  cause 
in  the  town  over  which  Mr.  Stevenson,  formerly 
of  theBorou^i-road,  has  presided  several  veers, 
bat  in  healtti  has  again  interrupted  his  kibours. 
At  Leeds,  where  Ihave  preached  hundreds  of 
times,  the  tcmpenmce  friends  had  arnmged  for 
ma  to  preach  on  Sunday,  October  25th,  in  the 
Ctil  Lane  General  Baptist  Chapel  at  eleven,  and 
in  the  Tempenmce  EEaU,  formerly  a  Baptist  chor 
p^,  at  six.  Here  I  wss  most  sumptuously  en- 
Istained  by  friends  I  had  not  seen  for  years, 
and  when  one  after  another  came  and  shook 


was  offei^  by  a  sincere  friend  of  the  cacne  of 
God.  Mr.  Caleb  Broom,  the  present  esteemed  p»^ 
tor,  entered  into  a  statement  of  the  Lord's  gP^ 
ness  since  he  came  amongst  tliem.  Previous  toJJ^ 
time,  and  for  several  years,  the  cause  dwrndte* 
away ;  indeed,  at  one  timet  not  more  than  liver 
or  SIX  could  be  got  together  in  this  place  for  the 
worship  of  God,  and  the  path  to  Uie  doer  wa» 
overspread  with  grass.  Mr.  Broom,  who  had 
been  speaking  in  the  Lord's  name  in  cottage^ 
Ac  (but  all  the  week  engaged  in  agricultural 
labour),  was  invited  over  to  Stonliam  on 
the  Sabbath-day.  The  scattered  sheep  be»n 
to  assemble;  careless  sinners  vfcre  atbraoted; 
the  word  was  blessed  to  some  of  them  ;  the  mi* 
nister  was  invited  to  come  and  live  amongst 
them.  He,  believing  the  work  and  call  was  of 
God,  obeyed  and  came.  The  Lord  oontinned  to 
give  success;  the  Sew  struggling,  praying  one?,, 
who  could  never  quite  give  over,  began  to  see 
their  earnest  prayers  were  answered,  and  they 
were  favoured  tD  see  ••  Zion  arise."  Great  in- 
terest has  been  manifested  in  this  cause  by  Mr. 
Broom's  former  pastor,  Mr.  Woodgate,  of  Otiey. 
The  old  trustees  of  the  chapel  were  nearly  all 
dead;  a  new  trust-deed  has  been  obtained  and 
paid  lor ;  the  minister  has  been  supported ;  all 
other  expenses  have  been  met ;  the  chapel  got  to 
be  more  than  comfortably  filled;  a  Sunday- 
school  was  wanted  and  determined  upon.  It 
was  found  necessary  to  erect  a  new  galleiy  m  the 
front  of  the  chapel  cai»ble  of  holding  lOO,  which,, 
together  with  a  few  other  little  odds  and  eiids, 
cost  About  £35.  Towards  raising  tliis,  the  people 
had  obtained  about  iB27,  and  now  this  meeting 
was  held  to  wipe  off  the  debt,  and  the  object  aud 
wish  was  fully  realired ;  for,  before  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  it  vms  announced  with  gratiUide 
that  they  had  got  all  the  money.  Through  a 
friend  from  a  distanoe.  they  are  provided  with 
books  to  the  amount  of  £1  10s..  with  which  to 
commence  the  school.  The  ministers  attended 
this  day  without  any  expense  whatever  to  the* 
people,  and  in  the  most  Christian-like  manner* 


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24 


THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


Jan.  1,  1864. 


suitable  and  Seriptuna  addreMes  were  given  by 
brethren  Woodgate,  of  Otler;  Morris,  of  Ipe- 
wioh;  Clai^  of  StowmarKet^  and  Oobb,  of 
Franuden.  The  friends  appeared  so  wdl  pleased 
they  were  loth  to  part.  The  meeting  was  cod- 
tinued  to  a  ntther  late  honr.  As  a  proof  of  the 
Lord's  working  in  this  fitvonred  spot,  it  was 
stated  by  the  beloved  pastor  that  the  ohureh 
numbered  between  seventy  and  eighty  membors, 
of  whom  thirty-six  had  been  baptized  by  him 
during  the  brief  period  of  his  psuBtorate.  That 
Ood  may  continue  to  bless  and  prosper  them 
prays,  Ovx  who  wab  there. 

OLSBBLBNWBLXi.  —  Chadwbll-stbext 
Chapel.  On  Lord's-day,  Dec  18th.  and  the 
Tuesday  following,  services  were  holaen  here  to 
commemomte  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  open- 
ing  of  this  chapel.  Excellent  Crospel  sermons 
were  preached  on  the  Sunday  by  the  aged  Oeorge 
Murrell  (of  St  Ifeot's)  and  Mr.  John  Foreman  (of 
Borset-square).  On  the  Tuesday  following^  a 
large  number  of  friends  gathered,  and  took  tea 
toffether.  In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was 
holden,  over  which  the  pastor,  Mr.  John  Hazel- 
ton,  presided,  and  was  surrounded  by  the  follow- 
ing ministerial  brethren :  —  Murrell.  Forenum, 
Fdls,  Mot&  DixoD,  Meeres,  Wyard,  Milner,  An- 
derson. O.  Webb.  Kealey,  and  others.  The  meet- 
ing bemg  openea  with  pra>'er  by  Mr.  Pells,  the 
chairman,  in  the  course  of  some  sober  observa- 
tions, acknowledged  the  continued  merqy  of  the 
Lord  towards  them  as  a  church  and  people :  the 
word  was  still  blessed ;  their  congrefpitions  were 
good ;  peace  reigned  in  their  midst ;  and  he  Btill 
held  by  the  same  truths  he  professed  when  he 
eame  amongst  them.  As  to  their  prosperity,  he 
should  not  mention  numbers;  they  were  still 
blessed  in  that  respect :  but  he  preferred  not 
boasting  as  to  numbers^  because  the  Lord  changes 
His  hand  sometimes,  and  we  have  to  endure 
days  of  adversity,  and  then  (on  a  similar  occa- 
sion) it  would  not  be  pleasant  to  have  to  refer  to  ! 
former  large  numbov.  As  regards  his  minis-  { 
terial  connections,  he  had  not  associated  himself , 
with  anv  ministers  who  were  not  of  the  same  > 
ftlth  ana  order  as  himself;  he  was,  therefore, 
found  surrounded  by  nearly  the  same  brethren 
as  on  former  occasions;  witn  these  he  was  quite  I 
content  to  dwell.  Mr.  Anderson  then  spoke  of  i 
Adam  as  a  type  of  Christ'.  Adam  was  our  na-  I 
tural  iisther— we  all  sprang  from  hinL  Families 
were  proud  to  trace  their  ^igree ;  but  he  could  I 
not  see  that  we  had  much  to  be  proud  of  in  that 
respect ;  for  there  was  much  truth  in  the  state- 
ment that  we  were  all  sons  of  Adam,  who  was 
a  gardener  that  lost  his  place  for  robbing  his 
Master.  Adam  was  a  type  of  Christ,  he  being 
the  head  of  a  family ~a  figure  or  type  of  Him 
who  was  to  come.  Mr.  Mote  spoke  of  **  Joseph 
as  a  type  of  Christ."  Joseph  was  a  very  signifi- 
cant ivve  of  Christ :  he  was  the  fint-bom  of  the 
rightful  and  beloved  Bachel :  he  had  the  double 
blessing;  he  was  hated  by  his  brethren ;  he  was 
persecuted;  but  he  was  presently  made  king. 
Mr.  Mote  draw  some  parallels  between  the 
various  events  in  the  life  of  Joseph,  and  in  tliat 
of  our  blessed  Spiritual  Joseph;  noticing  his 
love^  his  peneeution,  his  imprisonment,  his  suf- 
ferings, his  humility,  his  exaltation,  his  calm 
death,  and  of  not  a  bone  of  his  bemg  left  in 
Egypt.  Mr.  Milner  gave  a  pleasing  panoramic 
view  of  the  life  ot  Moses ;  and  then  spoke  of  him 
as  a  type  of  our  blessed  Saviour :  noticing  the 
providence  in  preserving  his  life  when  in  in- 
fancy; the  heart  of  Pharaoh's  daughter  was 
moved  with  love  towards  him,  her  motherly 
heart  was  affected,  and  Moses  was  nnrsed  and 
protectwl  in  the  royal  house  which  he  should  e\-en- 
tually  shake  to  the  very  foundation.  Mr.  Meeres 
spoke  of  Aaron  as  a  type  of  Christ,  in  his  call  to 
sustain  the  priestly  character;  in  his  anointing; 
in  the  sacrifice  he  had  to  make;  in  his  represen- 
tative ohaiBCter,  and   in   his  eloquence.     Mr. 


Freeman's  subject  was  '<  Joshua,"  and  from  It 
we  were  favoured  to  listen  to  some  excellent  re<* 
marU.  Mr.  Wyard  next  spoke  of  David,  and 
Mr.  Murrell  doaed  the  addresses  with  some  soul- 
elevating  remarks  on  *  Zerubbi^l."  Seven  bre- 
thren sooke;  some  excelleiit  observations  were 
made;  the  meeting  was  pleasant  and  profitable; 
the  chapel  was  well  filled,  and  a  good  feeling  ap- 
peared to  reign  amongst  the  i^eople. 

STXPNET.  —  Cave  Adullax.  Bear  Mr. 
Editor  and  Christian  Friends,— We  beg  respect- 
fully to  iuform  you  that  the  lease  of  the  present 
chapel  in  which  the  late  Mr.  William  Allen 
preached  as  pastor  for  roanj' years  with  much 
success,  and  where  Mr.  John  Webster  (formerly 
of  Trowbridge)  is  now  the  pastor,  will  expire  in 
a  few  years,  It  being  old,  and  originally  by  no 
means  strongly  built,  although  now  in  good  re- 
pair; yet  it  is  verj'  uncertain  whether  it  will 
last  out  the  few  remaining  years  of  the  lease. 
For  nearly  two  years  past  a  fund  has  been  es- 
tablished to  build  a  new  diapel  and  school- 
room or  rooms,  as  may  be  practicable;  but, 
owing  to  keeping  the  place  in  repair  and  insur- 
ing iC  in  addition  to  the  payment  of  the  rent,  all 
of  which  the  chureh  is  bound  to  do  by  the  con- 
ditions of  the  lease,  with  the  unavoidable  ex- 
penses of  carrying  on  Divine  worship,  and  there 
being  a  Sabbath-school  with  about  130  children, 
and  a  sick  and  distressed  fund  in  connection  with 
it;  the  church,  consisting  of  about  140  mem- 
bers, the  great  majority  of  whom,  while  rich  in 
faith,  being  the  poor  of  this  world,  the  com- 
mittee are  imable  to  raise  so  large  an  amount  of 
mon^  as  they  regard  •»  necessary,  considering 
the  expense  the  accomplishment  of  their  object 
will  necessarily  involve.  For  tlie  history  of  this 
building  fund,  we  beg  to  refer  our  fneuds  to  the 
Eabthen  Vessel  for  May,  1863,  page  1»,  and 
May,  1803,  page  138.  Considering  the  total 
amount  that  has  now  been  collected,  with  the  ac- 
cumulation of  interest,  about  £60,  it  certainly 
does  not  warrant  the  hope  of  our  having  a  sufli- 
cient  sum  at  the  expiration  of  our  present  lease 
to  build  a  new  chapel  and  school-room,  mudi 
less  rooms,  without  incurring  debt,  which  we 
are  anxious,  as  far  as  possible,  to  avoid.  Under 
all  the  cireumstances  of  the  case,  we  earnestly 
and  respectfully  appeal  to  those  Christian  friends 
who  have  it  in  their  power  to  assist  us  to  attain 
the  object  we  have  in  view.  Subscriptions  and 
donations  however  small,  will  be  most  thank- 
fully received  by  our  pastor,  Mr.  J.  Webster,  9, 
Wilson-street,  Stepnej',  B. ;  Mr.  C.  0.  Abbot,  the 
Treasttier,  83,  Qrsfton-street,  Mile  Bud,  N.B. ;  or 


by  the  Bon.  Secretary,  Thomas  Culyer,  1, 

side,  opposite  the  Jews'  Hospital,  Mile  Bnd-road, 

B..  who  will  duly  acknowledge  the  same. 

BXBKINOHAM.— ^BiCT  Baptist  Cha- 
pel, Ckablottb  Stbbbt,  Fabadb.  —  Joyful 
tidings  I  Truly  we  can  say, "  The  Lord  is  on  our 
side.^  We  have  waited  for  and  seen  the  salva- 
tion of  our  God.  Monday  evening;  November 
28rd,  four  persons  nublioly  declared  their  love  to 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord  by  baptism.  Mr.  P.  W. 
Williamson,  from  Johnson-street,  Notting-hill, 
London,  came  down  to  Birmingham  during  the 
day ;  and  in  the  eveninsr  went  with  the  candi- 
date and  friends  to  Bflston,  where  Mr.  Lodge 
preaches.  The  baptistry  was  kindly  lent  for  the 
occasion,  and  much  kindness  was  shown  1^  the 

K>ple  there.  All  seemed  to  rejoice  that  the  good 
rd  had  led  the  way,  and  said,  "Walk  >*e  in  it." 
Mr.  Williamson  took  for  his  text  John  1 12.  He 
preached  an  impressive  sermon:  it  was  alto- 
gether a  solemn  season.  Under  Ood^  blessing, 
we  believe  some  good  was  done.  May  Ood  seal 
home  His  truth  to  the  heafts  of  many,  and  cause 
them  to  rejoice  that  He  has  appointed  such  an 
ordinance.  On  Tuesday  evening,  a  heart-seareh- 
ing  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Williamson  in 


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Jan.  1,  1864. 


THE   EAKTHEK  VE88EL. 


25 


Clutriotte  ■treet  chi^,  from  the  words,  "  Bnt  let 
a  man  examine  himaelf,  and  bo  let  him  eat  of  that 
bread  and  drink  of  that  cup.**  We  hope  manv 
woold  be  led  to  examine  themaelvee.  Bow  muen 
do  we  daily  need  euch  an  exhortation.  After  the 
eermon,  we  had  a  favoured  time  at  the  table  of 
the  Lord,  our  lovin^r  Saviour  presiding,  and 
causing  our  tears  to  flow  in  deep  gratitude  to 
Him  for  H  is  unspeakable  merdes.  If  ay  He  help 
those  so  lately  added  to  His  church  to  go  on 
their  way  rejoicing  in  Him,  their  living  Head. 
**OhI  that  men  would  pndiie  the  Lord  for  His 
goodness  and  for  His  wonderful  works  to  the 
chlldnnofmen.  D. 

H0BHSE7  NEWTOWN.— HouifT  Zxoh 
Baptist  Chapel,  Cowper  Boad,  near  Stoke  New- 
ington.  It  is  well  kno¥ni  that  there  are  many  parts 
within  the  limits  of  the  great  metropolis,  where 
sound  truth  cannot  be  heard,  but  where  ropery 
and  Arminianism  reign,  and  where  missionary 
aid  is  as  much  needed  as  in  the  darkest  climates 
of  the  earth.  Such  is  the  case  in  Homsey  New 
Town,  a  spot  situated  in  Stoke  Newinffton.  Many 
friends  desiring  that  a  Strict  Baptist  cause  be 
opened  in  this  dark  neighbourhood,  we  are 
happy  to  inform  the  readers  of  your  magaxine, 
that  a  place  has  been  preparea  competent  of 
holding  one  hundred  persons,  and  have  ohosen 
for  our  pastor  Mr.  C.  Comwell,  a  converted  car- 
penter, who,  no  doubt,  the  Lord  hath  called  to 
the  ministry,  for  when  we  see  his  humble  posi- 
tion in  lifie,  labouring  daily  at  the  bench,  and 
blest  with  no  superior  education,  and  when  we 
hear  him  handle  the  Word  of  Ood  so  readily  and 
tnithfhlly,  it  leaves  no  doubt  but  that  the  Lord 
is  his  Teacher  and  His  marvellous  works  have 
not  yet  ceased.  This  place  was  opened  Lord*s- 
day,  Nov.  Ist.  Three  sermons  were  preached; 
the  morning  by  Mr.  W.  Osmond,  from  **  Happy 
art  thou,  O  Israel,"  &c  In  the  afternoon,  Mr. 
J.  8.  Anderson  preached  an  encouraging  sermon 
from  Zechariah  Iv.  10 :  **  Who  hath  despised  the 
day  of  small  things?"  In  the  evening,  Mr.  C. 
Comwelt  gave  a  heart-cheering  discourse  firom 
Psalm  xlvui.  11 :  ''Let  Mount  Zion  reJoioe,'^ftc. 
Altogether  we  had  a  good  day.  We  hope  this 
was  the  dawning  of  a  great  and  glorious  day 
upon  which  the  Sun  or  righteousness  has  just 
risen.  W.  M.— [We  are  favoured  with  com- 
mnnications  fh>m  Mr.  Comwell,  and  as  his  pub- 
lic reoognitaon  is  soon  expected,  we  then  purpose 
to  notioe  the  goodness  of  God  to  him  ana  His 
people  more  fully.— Bjx] 

MB.  W.  FLACK*S  BX-OPBNXKO 
SEU  VICES. 

SAI.BM  Cbapxl,  Wilton  Square,  was  re-opcned 
aooording  to  announcement.  On  Thursday,  Nov. 
26th.  Mr.  Foreman  and  Mr.  Wells  preached  two 
good  Qoepel  sermons  to  large  and  attentive  con- 
gregations. On  Lord*s-day,  the  29th,  Mr.  Wy- 
ard,  Mr.  Bloomfleld,  and  Mr.  Flack  oooupied  the 
pnlpiL  and  preached  to  crowded  assemblies.  On 
the  foUowina  Tuesday,  Dec.  Ist,  the  public  meet- 
ing was  held  as  described  below.  On  Thursday, 
Dea  3rd,  Mr.  Fells  preached  a  sermon  on  be- 
liever's baptism  to  a  full  house;  after  which,  Mr. 
Flack  baptized  four  believers,  two  males  and  two 
Cemales.  There  were  several  things  of  a  pleasing 
character  in  connection  with  these  services: 
1st  Th^  were  well  attended  throughout;  3nd., 
the  collections  were  good;  3rd.,  universal  sa- 
tisfiMstion  with  the  alterations  was  expressed. 
The  chapel  is  not  only  greatly  enUuvd,  but 
^«atly  improved.  The  re-arrangement  of  the  seats, 
the  alteimUon  of  the  gas,  snd  the  new  ventilation, 
is  calculated  to  add  greatly  to  the  comfort  of 
both  minister  and  people.  May  Qod  send  pros- 
perity. A  report  of  toe  services  on  Thursday, 
Nov.  26th,  has  been  forwarded  to  us;  but  as  it 
did  not  reach  us  until  the  82nd.  it  was  impossible 
this  month  to  give  it.    Mr.  Wall,  of  Gnvesend, 


preached  in  the  afternoon.  O.T.Congrere,  Esq., 
presided  at  evening  meeting ;  the  brethren  Flack, 
Alderson,  Anderson,  Attwood,  Bloomfleld,  Chi- 
vers,  Evans  (of  Bexley),  Hazleton,  Milner. 
Meeres,  and  Milboume  all  delivered  hearty  and 
intelligent  addresses,  from  which  we  hope  to  ex- 
tract some  good  things  next  month. 


BUNICOW, 


certainly  presents  an  opportunity  for  any 
taught  and  sent  of  God,  and  whose  heart 


AJUMJKUW,     WilWIHTT  — XU   this  tOWU  18   a 

large  and  comfortable  Baptist  chapel,  once  the 
scene  of  the  happy  and  sncoessfiil  labours  of 
*«The  Watchman  on  the  Walls^'*  Mr.  Williaia 
Garrard,  now  of  Ldoeeter.  For  some  few  yean 
thechureh  has  been  small,  the  oongregstion  is 
much  scattered,  and  the  hearU  of  those  who  love 
God's  holy  truths^  have  been  much  disooursged. 
All  that  is  wanting  is  a  good  and  devoted,  a 
faithful  and  fruitfkLl  preacher  and  pastor.  Dun- 
mow  certair' '     -     " 

man  tanglU  , 

and  hancU  are  willing  to  be  employed  in  raising 
a  drooping  cause.  The  fleld  is  most  extensive, 
and  if  a  real  Nehemiah  could  be  found, -if  in 
Dunmow  Baptist  chapel  the  whole  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  could  be  preached,— if  the  fidth  and 

Sayera  of  the  people  could  be  strengthened,— 
ys  of  prosperity  would  here  again  be  seen. 
The  people  can  ofibr  no  golden  reward  at  pre- 
sent ;  but  would  gladly  do  their  utmost  in  con- 
nection with  an  earnest  ^^aanbanador  FOB 
Christ.*'  Mr.  John  J.  Burton,  of  Dunmow, 
Essex,  will  give  further  particulars. 

TOBBIKOTON,  BBVOK.-Sunday 
Dec.  13th,  our  pastor,  Mr.  W.  Jefbry,  had  the 
pleasure  of  baptising  twelve  believers,  making 
thirty-four  during  the  last  Ave  months ;  these, 
with  nine  othen^  forty-three  in  all,  have  been 
added  to  the  church  during  the  last  half  of  the 
present  year.  On  Lord's-day,  Dec.  18th,  our  pas- 
tor preached  from  *'The  Baptism  of  Christ,^'  as 
recorded  in  Matthew  iii.,  shewing  what  true 
Christian  baptism  was,  and  stripping  stark  naked 
the  arguments  of  infknt  baptists  and  their  mi-* 
serable  ceremony.  Weslevans  and  many  poedo- 
Baptlsts  present  fully  confessed  the  power  of  our 
pastor's  plain  and  weighty  reasoning.  The  cha- 
pel was  crowded  to  excess  one  hour  before  the 
service,  and  hundreds  failed  in  obtaining  ad- 
mittance. In  the  town  we  have  baptismal  re- 
generation, sacramental  efficacy,  ana  all  that  is 
essentially  Popish  fhlly  preached.  Brethren, 
pray  for  us,  that  as  good  soldiers,  we  may  with 
spiritual  weapons  war  a  good  warfiwe. 

A  Fbixitd. 

ORAVBSBND.— ZeAB  Ohapju.,  Pieacock- 
BTBEBT.  It  is  with  deep  feelings  of  gratitude  to 
our  covenant  God  that  we  have  to  record  another 
baptismal  service  in  this  chapel.  On  Wednesday 
evening^  I>m.  2nd,  our  esteemed  pastor,  Mr.  Wall, 
baptized  flve  belleven  in  the  Lord,  who  had  given 
a  good  testimony  of  their  love  to  Jesus,  and  of 
the  blessings  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Wall  to  their 
souls  in  leading  them  on  in  the  fitith  and  hope  of 
the  Gkwpel.  Our  pastor  delivered  a  very  appro- 
priate discourse  on  the  occasion  fh>m  the  words, 
**  And  He  commanded  them  to  be  baptised  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord."  Acts  x.  48.  The  subject  was 
listened  to  with  great  interest,  and  we  caxmot  but 
pray  that  it  may  prove  as  bread  upon  the  waters, 
to  be  found  after  many  days.  The  spectators 
were  Impressed  with  the  solemnity  of  the  occa- 
sion, and  conducted  themselves  with  great  de- 
corum. The  ministerial  friends  that  so  kindly 
assisted  this  churoh  by  their  services  will  r^oioe 
to  learn,  that  sinoe  Mr.  Wall's  pastorate  amongst 
us  (being  about  eighteen  months),  twenty-nine 
members  have  hem  added  to  our  numbers, 
twenty-one  of  whom  have  been  baptized.  Bre- 
thren, rejoice  with'  ni,  and  help  us  to  ascribe  all 
the  praise  and  glory  to  Him  to  whom  alone  it  is 
due.  8.  C.  Dbatsox,  DeaoOn. 


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26 


CTE  KiJUTHEET  VESSEL. 


Jan.  i,  1664. 


OPBNINO    OV 

NEW   BAPTI8T   OEAPSL, 

4B:in>B0TJBXr,  KXAB  AUDBOBOTTOH, 

SO  VPOUC. 

The  opening  of  our  chapel  took  place  Yotfa  ult 
When  the  morning  service  commenced,  the  cha- 
pel ^which,  by  the  labours  and  under  the  auper- 
mtendenoe  of  brother  Xavge,  had  beentieinin  and 
Md),  ^a«  oeropletely  ftlled   with  hwrara. 


The  public  aer-  ^  *»W>y  «5>j 


llnirtMd^ 

Seweral  miniftors  iwere  pveaent. 
HFJce  commenced  by  brother  LMgolt,  of  Orans- 
ford,  giving  out  the  paalm,  **i&iae,  O  King  oi 
Once,  ariae.**  which  was  eoag  with  enerKv  and 
Beloved  brother  Rnanaotaa,  of  Oban- 


TOTliAR.  —  fFrom  a  CorruptmdeKtA  On 
Tueaday,  Dec.  16tb,  Mr.  Invrard  and  bia friands, 
at  Manor^atoeet  obapel,  Poplar,  wMe  frTOurea 
with  another  token  forgood.  In  tlie  afteaBOon, 
Mr.  J.FeUa  preached  from  «7or  we  know  that 
all  thinga  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  Qod,  who  are  the  called  aooording  to  His 

OflA.*      !Phe   text    wtam    nl^uly  eKpOUDdsd ; 

of  flioae  who  hare 


The  text  was 
well  adapted  to  the  ezi 


puruoae:^ 

welfadapted  to  the  ezpenenee  of  tboae  i 

to  live  hy  futh  on  t«e  word  of  Ood.   A  very 


ipany  sat  down  to  tea.    It  had 
annbimoed  that  brethien  W«beter,  Flack,  G, 


fMing.    

'field,  vead  the  word,  and 'moat  eanieatly  pleaded 
for  tne  preaance  of  toe  Lord ;  another  hymn  was 
•eung,  and  then,  aoeotdiag  to  my  engagement  I 
aaoended  the  pulpit  to  addieaa  the  people.  The 
text  was  Psann  oxniL  8th  and  two  ibUowiog 
>«ei«es,  in  notioing  which,  I  apoke  of  the  aimi- 
larity  of  the  eiieumataneea  under  which  David 
ijenned  the  words  to  Ihoae  mider  which  we  wave 
then  niet»  and  ahowed  that  we  needed  the  btoas- 
-iiq^ -for  which  he^waa  pleading.  I  noticed  thne 
orfonrtlilDge  which  were  implied  in  the  text: 
>ftnt,  the  exiateaoe  of  4>ae  Great  Sovenign  Ruler, 
'Vis.,  the>0«d  of  'Nature,  PfovidaBee,  and  C^raoe ; 
ind,  that  this  great  Seing  baa  a  reating  plaee 


•in  thia  worid,  viz.,  Hia  demally  belorad  Eion, 
Hie  church,  whioh  He  has  deabed  and  in  which 
He  has  declared  He  **  will  reat  forever:"  third, 
the  bleasings  pleaded  for,— the  presence  of  the 
Akther  to  be  eqjoyed  tlvough  the  mediation  of 
4he  Sou,  that  the  liord's  prieats  might  be 
hoMHirably  dothad,  and  that  His  saints 
imi^t  tab  so  fiUed  with  heavenly  Joy  that 
itki^  nught  ahont  loud  praiaaa  to  His  name. 
Btie  IfCMnl  was  with  ns.  In  the  aAacnooD, 
temther  Baker,  .af  Tuaatall,  read  the  fa^rmas  ; 
brother  Brown,  of  Fristen,  read  tiie  Acc^ 
Aarea  aad  prated;  bsotbar  CoUina,  of  G-run- 
dlahuKgli,  spoke  to  a  vQi:y  croarded  assemblyfiom 
Acts  nv.  7.  In  the  ^awaning,  the  place  was 
«Broirded  to  cKoaai;  pnQwr  Imt  bvothar  3akar. 
Bralher  aiown  waatben  caUao  to  tha.«hair,  and, 
«fter  a  few  semaaka  of  .his  own,  called  upon  the 
jigad  Cbarafleld  Mstor  to  address  the  mcRting, 
^Shieh  be  did  with  tso  much  Christian  aflectkni 
4nd  aeal  for<God'a  gloo'i  Uiat  theinfluance  under 
(wlutoh  he  qM>ke  ■awed  to  be  diiluaad  through 
•the  meeting;  manv  Iteavts  were  made  4;lad. 
Jffter  him  came  tfr.  Ilobexts,  of  Aldborongh  \ 
next  followed  brother  XMtfBt,  of  OiaiMford; 
after  him  brother  Baker,  of  Tunstall,  all  of  whose 
speeches  were  well  worthy  of  commendation  ; 
but  I  must  not  trespass  upon  your  space.  At 
'the  dose  of  tfaaaervfce,  brother  -OdUins  made  an 
eaneat  i4>peal  :to>the  people <for  help,  as  our  bro- 
ther Laige  had  eaected  the  buildmg  upon  his 
.«wn  responsibility,  and  that  for  the  comfort  of 
the  people  «f  Budboatn.  This  appeal  brought 
Csrih  promises  to  Hie  amount  m  tan  pounds, 
which,  with  the  cblleotiaas  wUch  had  been 
'ouide^  and  about  £93  «*ffich  had  been  pvevfonaly 
aubaeribed,  amounted' to  ^Bi8,  towaida  the  aum  of 
A76,  whioh  will  be  theantire  coat  of  the  chanel 
aad  veatry.  Thus  «ndad  the  aervioea  of  uiiB 
■happy  dar.  The  ndahbonrfaood  is  morally  reiy 
wv,  and  I  aincerriy  nope  our  brother  l4Vge  will 
i^eceirc'f^om  the  OhHatian  public  that  pecuniary 
-aaaialanee  which  Ma  wall-dirscted  cffbrtto  build 
the-chapel  deservaa,  and  that  he  and  his  firiends 
•may  often  enjoy  the  pvawnceof  th^Lord  therein. 

J.-B&AIID. 

„ .IBUi.^fiueh  wall-attended 

_  iforpnyeraatbfil'vesaingflelddmrohnow 
beholaa,  must  be  pteoious  to  the  souls  cf  all  who 
piay  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem.  From  tidings 
dDBoaived,  it  app^n  Kr.  Yegg's  minlatry  is 
honoured  of  God.  *H«  is  pnaaehiug,  JbMtiziiig, 
and  the  Lord  is  addiiyg  to  them  miny  who^  we 
trust,  are  saved* 


Es.  aad  Toung  would  speak  to  the  i 
but  Mr.  Inward  announced  that  his  I 
Webster  and  Flack  were  ill.     The  chapel  was 
.nearly  filled,  and  the  meeting  was  aacecdingly 
pleasant    The  service  was  opeoad  with  prayer  »y 
Ux.    Inward,    who    afterward    addnsscd    hu 
friends;  then  called  upon  C.  W.  Banks  to  apeak 
on  Ohriat  as  the  apple  tree.    He  aroae,  aad  apoke 
:  in  his  usuaL  earnest,  weighty,  and  living  mao- 
i  ner.    Then  followed  a  hymn  heartily  sung ;  after 
I  which  Mr.  Inward  said  he  ahculd  feel  a  plea- 
'  sure  in  aeeiug  the  friends  come  forward  who  had 
I  kindly  taken  collecting  cards  at  the  mcetang-a 
year  %ao  for  the  nurpoee  of  dealing  off*  one  por- 
tion ofthe  chapel  debt.    One  by  one  the  umIqc- 
tors  came  iorWiud,  oheerfUh'  laying  down  ttieir 
aeveral  auma  collected.     Threa>fourths  of  the 
cards,  or  more,  oasna  in,  and  to  Mm  anipriae  of  paa- 
tor  aad  people^  thore  was  ^£49  10a.  withoutirou- 
ble  to  an^"  one,  simply  .from  the  collecting  caxda. 
Mr.  Toung  then  roae  aad  expieased  hi8  ragvet 
thatour  churches  should  be  obliged  to  bavcao 
jnuch  to  do  with  the  money.;  bowarcr,  he  con- 
gratulated the  miniater  and  the  ohiimh  on  the 
«ann[>iiaiug  amount  thev  had  been  enabled  to  ob- 

turned  to  his 

.     .    he  opened 

in  a  oonunaadiag  and  compmhenaive  manner, 
juat  shawinig  the  order  he  hadpumoaed ;  but  as 
It  was  now  tnine  o'clock,  he  coula  not  a 


Mr.  Inward  thanked  the  Menda  very  wannlylbr 
their  seal  and  kindneaa  jn  what  bad  been  done, 
and  than  turning  to  his  right  iiand,  he  caUad 
upon  a  young  brother,  Mr.  Abaham  Howard, 
who  liad  come  in  during  the  evening  just  to 
weak  a  word.  He  made  a  ramaik  or  two  on  the 
lily  being  an  enablem  of  the  Saviouj^  a  hymn 
was  rung,  and  by  a  word  of  thankagiriqg  and 
prayer,  thia  deligntful  aervice  dosed. 

MB.  H.  HABXSAT  W«OLWXCai. 

AuiEBT  Booms,  Eijusob  Boab,  Powib  Stbbet, 

MBAB  anu  Ajwmal  SicaTiMr. 
Tuesday,  Dec.  1st,  Mr.  Jlames  Wells  preached 
two  excellent  sermons  to  crowded  congregations. 
At  tpn  o*doQk,  nearly  900  persons  au  <K»wn  to 
tea.     After  the   sermon  in  the  evening,  Vr. 


ea.    j/ec., -i9ea."    »i. 

Hitchcock,  deacen, 

tnpalbising  addreaa, 

Mmsfderable  humour 


Hanka,  representing  the  chmwh  and  congrtna- 
tion,  preeentedto  Mr.  E.  D.  BnUock,theliBaaer 
of  theaingittg,  a  handsome  tea  and  ccffiBc  awice 
of  plate,  bearing  the  following  inaoripticn  :— 
"  Preaented  to  Mr.  B  D.  Bullock,  by  the  congra- 
gation  meeting  at  the  Albert  Booms,  in  conai- 
Mation  of  tils  vocal  aervieea.    Dec.,  IMft"   At 

the  sane  time.  Mr.  D.  W.  W " 

after  an  aflbotionate  and  aymp  . 
which  waa  maiked  with  consfd 
and  heartily  responded  to  by  the  fHenda,  -pte- 
sented  to  Ur.  Hanks  a  purse,  •containing  twenty- 
five  aovereigna.  as  an  expreaston  of  the  cordial 
eateem  and  afleotion  in  whidi  he  is  hdd  by  his 
numetous  fHends.  Mr.  'Hitchcock  assured  Mr. 
Hanks  -and  the  meeting  that  nothing  was  ever 
more  easily  obtained  than  the  jmtse  S»  had  tiie 
pleaaure  of  preacntiQg  to  him.  A  fcw  o1  them 
had  ^mtAy  mentioBcd  to  the  frienda  that  'thnr 
wese  desirous  of  presenting  Mr.  Hanks  with  snoh 


then  contrfbuti<MV  were  spon- 
taneously wonght  to  them.  In*  tiie  ooufse  of  ^Mr . 
Banks's  aeknowledgment  <A  the  munlfteent  ex- 
ion  "of  the  kindness  of  his  frienda,  we  were 


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XaiS  BARTt[EN  VBSSEL. 


27 


glad  to  hear  mm  e$y^  that  he  sever  felt  more 
settled ;  and  thst  he  was  happier  in  his  present 
position  aad  oonaootions  than  hetwd  ever  been 
duriag  bie  (em  ymn'  reaidenoe  in  Woolwich. 
That  Qod  hM  anently  hoDOured  his  xmnistiy  in 
this  town-and  ehewlieie  none  in  truth  tmi  deoy. 
And  tliat  Jie  <nay  oontinue  to  do  ao  for  niaq>' 
ycwta  to  eome  ia  the  fervent  prayer  of  the  noany 
that  love  him  few  hia  nnflinohiag  advocacy  of  the 
truth  as  it  ia  in  Jeaua.  Halleivoah!  the  Lord 
-God  Qranipotent  reigneth.  - 

inKK  BonrsT,  Z>eacon. 

KB.  W.  Js-BKOS.  AT  FI^UKBTBAD 
TAB9BJffA.OIiS!. 

As  A  portion  of  the  2Uon  of  &od,  we  are  still  per- 
mitted to  worship  in  the  above  place ;  we  are  fa- 
voured with  the  Lord's  preeence  and  blessing. 
Our  anniversorv  was  a  hwpy  season :  our  colloc- 
tloos  were  £ood,  and,  with  the  united  effort  of 
the  people,  we  have  cleared  ourselves  of  a  small 
debt  the  treasurer  had  against  us.  Brother  Leach, 
late  of  yorthana>ton,  nas  preached  to  us  for 
several  Lord's-days  post,  whose  testimony  the 
Xxird  baa  so  blest  in  our  jnidst,  that  we  as  a 
church  have  desired  to  *^ arise  and  anoint  him;" 
the  which  being  made  known  to  him,  he,  after 
due  deliberation,  has  consented  to  become  our 
pastor  for  at  least  twelve  months,  commencing 
the  first  Xord's-day  in  Starch  next.  That  tho 
Xordjoiay  bring  him  forth  jdchly  laden  with  hea- 
venly truth  ia  the  desire  of  yours  to  serve  in  the 
l4»a*8  vineyard.  3.  WEsnoBxu 

anOAWSGOS*— Mr.  Jobn  Oorbitt's  sermons, 
only onebaUp^iiiyeBoh,  are  suitable  for  eirou- 
laftMm,  aaJieigeMnaiy,  in  fehese  printed  sermons,' 
takes  qpaoBMjpetnt  of  impertauoe»  nnd  diaousaes 
it  with  all  tbe  ability  he  ^oaseaaes.  iliabt  not 
nMayJBtniaterB  extend  ttieir  usefulness"^  by  fre- 
quently iaauiBg  a  .good  -aeivBon  f     ^'on^,   dn% 


staNOlhrpe  dlaemuMs  me  not  ada|ited  for 
timas  mwbMi  we  live.    But  Truth,  expressed  in 


iiimpUaitar  «»<&  affsotion,  and  iUiitttafted  by  the 
a  wtaiohdally  fBss  beneath  our  notioe,  might 


be  nnfiil  totbe  iieople,  and  cause  many  to  hear 
a-minialerlipom  reading  bia  tract. 

IjAXFISLD.— Ohaqges  will  come :  if  David 
needed  that  his  head  be  anointed  with  fresh  oil, 
so  wflt  all  red>Kwanta.  *'John,  tlie  fanner's 
man"  must  not  be  hasty— winter  as  well  as 
enmnMr  will  come.  When  times  of  trial  over- 
take na,  let  Bs  uaitedly  ;hOBOcoh  the  Xo2U>  to 
shew  us  wherefore  Be  contendeth  with  us.  Dan- 
gers are  avoided,  difficulties  are  overcome,  deli- 
vemaoea  arewroagbt,  and  delighting  in  the  Lord 
reaUMd,wlMnonlyonUimwewatt:  but.  if  any 
idol  be  cherished,  we  shall  know  —  bitterly 
know-«4be  biding  of  His  J&ce. 


POPERY  JLND  PKOTESXAFTlSJff. 

THE  vmefT  UKD  THE  FfiESS 

IK  MnrrBAUA. 
[W«  hare  this  month  received  a  packet  full 
of  cheerftil  intelligence.  We  can  only  gire 
a  portion.  The  letter  of  J.  F.  Broadwell 
to  John  Bnnjsn  McGure  -will  certainbr 
appear  in  ourTcbmaiy  nnmher  (t).v.).  It 
is  a  source  of  much  .grief  to  us  not  to  be 
able  to  send  forth  one  half  of  the  precious 
finiitB  and  testimonies  which  reach  us ;  but 
ire  live  on  hoping  the  way  will  jet  be  made 
dear.      The  Australian  friends  ask  for  a 


large  packet  of  JBUitTHSx  VsssaLS,  CheerU^ 
Words,  and  Gospel  tracts.  We  purpose  to 
send  them  out  a  bimdle  as  soon  as  means 
are  supplied.  Will  any  £nglish  people  help 
us?] 

TO  THE  BD£H>B  OF  THE  EARTilEK  TESSEI* 

Dear  Brotuek, — ^I  give  you  a  shoi-t  account 
of  my  visit  in  the  countrj'?  about  100  miles 
from  Sydney.  I  arrived  in  safety,  througli 
the  Lord's  mercy,  at  Clavenco  Town,  on  Wed- 
nesday evening,  and  spoke  to  the  people  con- 
cerning tlie  tilings  of  the  kingdom  of  God. 

OnThursday,  a  tea  meeting  was  hold; 
after  which  a  public  meeting,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  close  the  labours  of  Mr.  Cater, 
who  felt  his  work  was  done  in  those  pails. 
It  was  a  verj'  interesting  meeting,  more  es- 
pecially because  the  people  proved  them- 
selves to  be  time  and  faithful  to  all  their  en- 
gagements, and  verj'  much  regretted  Mr. 
Caters  leaving  them.  They  parted  in  love 
and  Iriandship. 

The  next  day  we  ix)de  to  Hinton,  sixteen 
mil  OS  through  the  bush.  I  found  the  enemv 
hard  at  work,  making  a  stir  against  mo :  all 
manner  of  reports  were  circulated  to  prevent 
tlie  people  from  coming  to  hear.  The  Eo- 
nmn  Catholics  said  I  had  been  a  priest  in 
their  Church  for  seventeen  years.  That  re- 
port induced  some  Boman  Catholics  to  hear 
me  ;  and  they  heard  our  precious  Christ  ex- 
alted as  the  only  oficid  Friest,  whose  right 
it  is  to  receive  Con/hesion  and  grant  Absolu- 
tion, witliout  money  and  withoutprice.  Ano- 
ther report  that  I  had  been  a  Monnon,  &c., 
and  that  I  preached  awful  doctrines ;  indeed 
evenrthing  that  jealousy  and  envy  could 
think  of  and  invent  was  said.  Instead  of 
preventing  the  people  irom  coming  to  hear, 
it  w«i«  the  means  through  which  maxiy  came ; 
the  chapel  was  crowded ;  and  those  who  went 
expecting  to  hear  awftd  doctrines,  listened  to 
the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus^doc- 
■trinally,  experimentally,  and  practically  set 
forth ;  God  the  Holy  Ghost  was  pleased  to 
cause,  his  rich  blessing  to  go  forth  with  his 
word;  so  tiiat  many  who  came  full  of  envy, 
were  now  my  wannest  friends,  and  desired 
I  would  visit  them  again. 

Brother  Henderson,  paentor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  ^uton,  and  his  good  little  ^vife 
are  well  and  happy,  united  together  in  the 
Gospel;  they  have  warm  hearts  for  Zion, 
and  Zion^s  children,  and  Zion's  watchman ; 
and  the  reason  why  it  is  thus  with  them,  they 
are  in  love  with,  and  are  determined  to  honor 
Zion's  glorious  Christ.  I  was  truly  happy 
with  them ;  we  could  work  together  in  giving 
all  the  glory  unto  the  Lord.  The  Lord  is 
with  them,  and  wiU  bless  them.  On  the 
following  Wednesday,  I  preached  at  Morj^eth, 
at  the  Pr«8bvterian  place  of  worship ;  after 
it  was  advertised  we  found  the  Boman  Catho- 
lics were  .to  hold  a  great  meeting  at  tbair 
own  place  in  Morpeth,  close  to  where  I  was 
to  preach,  the  same  evening :  hundreds  were 
expected  to  attend :  some  of  my  friends  feared 
that  it  would  not  be  safe  for  m»  -to  go,  my 
name  being  well  known  thnmifh  7*e 
Christian  PXeaSer  as  an  enenqr  cff  th^  •y«tem. 


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28 


THE  BABTHEK  VESSEL. 


Jan.  1,  laSA. 


and  my  presence  might  excite  them.  I  replied 
"  I  fear  Ood,  and  can  trust  in  him,  for  ^  I 
know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  per- 
suaded he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have 
(body  and  soul)  committed  unto  him  against 
that  day ; '  moreover,  if  I  am  to  be  hurt, 
injured,  or  killed  by  my  enemies;,  I  desire  that 
it  might  be  at  the  post  of  dutj.*"  Therefore 
I  was  determined  to  go,  "Beheving,**  as  good 
Havelock  said,  "  every  bullet  has  its  billet'' 
I  am  therefore  immortal  until  my  time  comes. 
We  had  the  chapel  crowded:  there  were 
some  very  suspicious  and  ruffian-looking 
men  outside,  looking  through  the  window. 
The  word  was  a  shield  for  me ;  my  glory  and 
the  lifter  up  of  my  head  while  I  was  preach- 
ing unto  the  peome  concerning  the  PenoHal, 
the  Offickif  and  JiekUive  greatness  and  ability 
of  Christ  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  I  returned 
to  my  kind  host's  in  safety,  having  an  escort 
of  many  horsemen  who  acoompaniea  me.  The 
next  day  brother  Henderson  and  myself  rode 
off  to  Baymond  Terrace  on  the  Hunter 
River;  in  the  evening  I  preached  in  the 
Court  Haute  to  a  crowded  and  attentive  con- 
gregation, from  "  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  Me  and  drink." 

The  next  day  I  left  by  the  City  of  New- 
castle steamer  for  Sydney,  rejoidng  that  the 
Lord  had  counted  me  faitnf uL  intrusting  me 
with  the  Qospel  to  preach :  and  that  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord  had  attended  my  labours. 
The  Earthen  Vessel  T%e  Gotpd Standard. 
The  Goepel  Herald^  and  Zion'e  Tnmipet  are  well 
known  in  all  these  parts,  and  are  read  with 
increased  pleasure  by  those  who  love  the 
ti-uth.  At  Newcastle  one  person  said  how 
much  he  desired  to  get  The  Eabthen 
Vessel;  Mr.  Adderson,  bookseller,  Sydney, 
is  now  supplying  him  and  many  more.  Your 
Vessel  is  well  known  in  the  Colonies.  I 
have  circulated  many  hundreds;  and  like- 
wise Cheerina  Wards,  instead  of  tracts.  / 
fcish  you  would  ask  some  of  the  rich  and  good 
in  ZioH  to  tend  me  out  a  good  parcei  of  Go^ 
iiterature,  to  give  away  to  the  many  tkousands 
who  do  not  and  will  not  go  where  tke  Gospel  is 
preached. 

I  have  more  good  news  yet  to  tell  you,  but 
I  must  leave  it  until  next  maiL  I  have  sent 
you  a  little  book  I  have  Just  published  upon 
the  work  of  the  Spirit  Errors  are  very  much 
on  the  increase,  therefore  we  must  preach  by 
the  preiBS  as  well  as  pulpit,  that  we  may 
speak  for  the  Lord  in  the  homes  of  men 
where  error  is  lifting  up  its  voice  against  the 
truth. 

The  Christian  Pleader  is  still  sent  to  you 
that  you  may  see  that  I  am  a  kind  of  servant 
of  all  work.  WelL  if  useful  and  fruitful  in 
the  work  and  my  Master  is  glorified,  I  will 
therein  rejoice.  I  am,  dear  brother,  ever 
yours  in  Jesus, 

Sydney,  Johh  Bunyax  McCcrb. 

Oct  22,  1868. 
[The  report  of  a  noble  meeting  in  Australia 

as  soou  as  possible.] 

Brisbasve,  QuEEifSLA2n>.^We  have  some 
good  words  from  brother  John  Kingsford, 
which  we  will  give  next  month. 


£ote0  8nti  Qttecictf. 

The  Z<ovd*s  Sapper.— Dbab  Mb.  Editob,— 
Oan  you  prevail  on  our  highly-honoured  brother, 
Mr.  James  Wells,  to  annrer  the  queries  relating 
to  the  Lord's  Bnpp«r  in  the  December  Vbmsxl? 
I  believe  his  views  would  be  received  with  great 
oooaideration  and  thankfiilness  by  thousands 
who  love  him  for  his  work's  sake,  and  desire  to 
walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  blamdeas.    J.  B. 

The  Oavae  of  Tmth  at  Homudow.— 
Mb.  Bditob,— a  notice  in  December  Vessel 
aonounoes  a  change  in  the  tenancy  at  Zoar,  and 
that  a  churoh  is  to  be  Ibrmed  of  Strict  Baptists, 
kc  From  that  notice,  some  might  infer  that 
other  than  Strict  Baptists  held  the  pUoe.  WUl 
yon  say  the  church  worshippinc  now  at  Zear  is 
a  Strict  Baptist  Church,  established  fourteen 
years,  under  threepastora»  viz.,  brethren  Bracher, 
J.  Palmer,  and  Woollington.  For  some  time, 
brethren  Parsons,  Alderson,  and  Attwood,  on 
Tuesday  evenings,  have  preached  to  us.  The 
chapel  was  built  for  us.  Mr.  Comey  advanced 
the  money  at  five  per  cent  Interest;  holding  the 
groimd  lease  as  seouritv.  About  £60  has  been 
naid  oflT,  and  a  gallery  built,  oostinc  £80  more. 
Three  years  since  the  church  got  in  arrears; 
and  assigned  their  fittings  and  ramitnre,  with 
all  interest  in  the  chapel,  to  Mr.  C,  as  an  equi- 
valent for  the  debt,  tsking  it  of  him  at  a  rentaL 
That  rent  has  been  punctually  paid  up  to  Mi- 
chaelmas  last;  the  attendance  has  incressed ;  but 
the  person  holding  the  chapel  gives  it  up  at 
Christmas.  Mr.  C.  has  let  it  to  a  oomparative 
stranger,  who.  with  a  minority  of  the  present 
church,  are  to  form  the  new  one,  thus  oompelUng 
the  m^ority  to  leave  and  seek  another  home. 
We  feel  we  have  been  unkindly  treated.  With 
our  God  WB  leave  our  osubcl  and  trast  His  pro- 
mised grace.    On  behalf  of  the  churoh. 

B.GBEimxxx. 


Mabbibd,  at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  on  Satur- 
day, Dec  5ttLl86S,  Selina,  eldest  dan^ter  of  the 
Bev.  James  Wells,  to  Mr.  Charles  BufiUl.  The 
service  was  attendedby  a  large  number  of  friends, 
and  a  very  suiteble  addreis  was  given  by  the 
daughter's  parent,  Mr.  James  Wells,  who  per- 
fbrmed  the  service. 


THE 

$tam  Pan's  ^tnhUuch 

Wb  have  often  referred  to  good  old  Br. 
John  Tbapp's  quaint,  pithy,  and  most  ex- 
cellent sentences,  illustrative  of  the  ffreat 
truths  revealed  in  the  Seriptureis.  We  have 
felt  disposed  to  give  his  Commentary :  it  is 
entitled, 

"A    CLAVIS    TO    THE    BIBLE;      • 

OB,  A  KEW  COMimrT  UPON  TBB  FKNTATSCCR, 
OK  ITTS  BOOKS  OF  MOSKS, 

Wherein  are,  I.  BiiBeult  Texts  Explained. 
II.  Controversies  Discussed.  III.  Common 
Places  Handled.  IV.  Cases  of  Conscience 
Cleared.  V.  Many  Remarkable  Matters  Hin- 
ted that  had  by  other  Interpreters  been  Omit- 
ted. Beside  Divers  Other  Tilings  which  ffive  a 
Beauty  and  Value  to  that  now  disputed,  but 
most  £66ential  and  Comprehensive  Foun- 
dational Portion  of  God's  Most  HolyWoid." 
In  thus  proposing  to  give  the  Churches 
this  rare  and  precious  piece  of  Sacred 
Literature,  we  hope  we  shall  be  rendering 
some  good  service ;  and  that  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  will  rest  upon  the  perusal  of  that 
devout,  but  critical  commentator. 


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THB  SA&TaSH  VESSBL. 


n  i0un 


A     BRIEF     OUTLINE     OF      THE      DBPABTUBB 

TO  A  BJnTBR  WORLD  OF 

MARY        ANN        WELLS, 

DAUGHTER  OF  MR.  J.  WELLS. 
Mnciam  of  thb  bubbbt  tabbbnacls,   borough  boad.  lonson. 


Dbar  Mb.  Editob. — The  annotmeement 
in  this  month's  Vbssel  of  my  eldest  daughter 
being  married  is  not  correct :  it  was  not  my 
eldest,  but  my  second  daughter  who  was 
married  at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  on  Bee. 
5th.  My  eldest  daughter  had  been  for  many 
years  heavily  afflicted  with  spinal  affection. 
And  this,  my  eldest  daughter,  departed  this 
life  on  Munday  mommg,  January  18th, 
1864«  at  twenty-fiye  minutes  past  eight 
And  I  wiU,  by  your  kind  permission,  giye 
an  outline  of  her  liTing  and  djins  testi- 
mony. And  I  will  do  so  as  a  word  of  en- 
coura^ment  to  every  one  who  is  seeking 
salvation ;  and  as  a  word,  I  pray,  may  be 
blessed  to  the  thoughtless  and  careless ;  and 
as  an  evidence  of  the  grace  of  Him  whose 
mercy  endoreth  for  ever. 

My  daughter  Maiy  Ann  was  33  years  of 
age.  Her  mother  died  twenty-nine  years 
ago  the  6th  of  last  June.  It  will  not  be 
out  of  plafie  just  to  say  a  word  concerning 
her  mc^er. 

When  her  mother  and  myself,  in  the 
order  of  providence,  were  brought  together, 
neither  of  us  knew,  or  desired  to  know,  the 
Lord.  I  was  first  broueht  into  deep  soul 
trouble ;  but  she  despised  my  religion,  and 
made  sport  of  it  for  about  two  months. 
But  one  afternoon  when  I  was  fh>m  home, 
she,  fipom  some  unacootmtable  cause,  was 
smitten  with  a  locked  jaw.  This  she 
solemnly  felt  to  be  a  judgment  upon  her, 
and  she  felt  as  though  the  Judge  or  all  was 
saying  to  her,  If  you  cannot  open  your 
numth  without  despising  God  and  godliness, 
yon  shall  not  open  it  at  all ;  but  before  the 
medical  attendant  arrived  it  came  right. 
The  arrow  of  conviction  had,  however, 
effiwtnally  pierced  her  heart.  When  I  ar- 
rived home,  I  wondered  what  was  the  mat- 
ter with  her.  On  my  entering  the  room, 
she  burst  into  tears,  and  related  to  me  what 
had  occBrred.  From  Uiat  hour  she  was 
glad  to  kneel  down  with  me  day  by  day, 
and  join  in  my  poor  broken,  but  earnest 
prayen  to  Gted  for  mercy.  We  were  both 
of  one  mind,  and  both  in  all  but  black  des- 
pair.    Some  few  weeks  after  this,  we  were 

Vol.  XX.— No.  226. 


both  matly  blessed  by  being  brought  into 
the  liberty  of  the  Gospel.  As  I  wss  en- 
gaged in  reading  the  fifty.fonrth  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  and  on  coming  to  the  words  in  the 
eighth  verse,  which  read  thus,  "  With  ever- 
lasting kindness  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee, 
saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer,* '^  we  were 
both  completely  overwhelmed  with  peace, 
and  Mrs.  W.,  bursting  into  tears,  spontan- 
eously exclaimed,  **  0/  how  happy  lam.** 

At  this  period  neither  of  us  hardly  knew 
what  it  was  that  thus  gave  us  such  peade 
and  comfort ;  like  Peter  when  he  wist  not 
that  it  was  true  which  was  done  by  the 
angel,  but  thought  he  saw  a  vision  (Acts 
zii,  9) ;  but  as  iter's  deliverance  was  real, 
so  was  ours  spiritually.  In  this  &ith,  at 
the  end  of  litue  more  than  nine  years,  con- 
sumption took  her  to  her  heavenly  rest: 
her  end  was  solid  peace.  A  cold  struck  her 
chest  while  bathing  in  the  sea ;  from  this 
she  never  recovers.  A  better  wife,  or  a 
better  mother  was  simply  impossible. 

Such  was  the  hope  and  the  end  of  the 
mother  of  my  dear  departed  Maiy  Ann, 
who  from  a  child  was  convinced  of  her  state 
as  a  sinner.  That  conviction  commenced 
as  I  had  her  when  a  child  upon  my  knee, 
which  I  was  very  fond  of  doin^.  I  always 
delighted  greatly  in  my  dear  httle  ones.  I 
was  thus  holding  her  with  one  hand  on  my 
knee,  with  the  Bible  in  my  other.  I  do  not 
now  remember  what  the  remarks  were  that 
I  then  made  to  her;  and  not  only  on  this 
but  on  other  occasions  also,  the  word  spoken 
wrought  conviction  on  her  mind,  although  I 
knew  it  not  until  years  aft»r,  when  affliction 
brought  it  out.  Still,  it  was  not  until  re- 
cently, comparatively,  that  she  joined  the 
Church  ;  and  I  believe  all  who  heard  her 
testimony  at  the  Church-meeting,  were  well 
persuaded  of  the  work  of  grace  in  her  soul« 

It  was  her  lot  to  be  afflicted  from  her  in- 
fancy ;  and  though  surrounded  with  every 
earthly  comforti  ufe  at  the  best  was  to  her 
but  a  bitter  cup,  I  can  form  no  just  esti- 
mate of  her  bodily  sufferings ;  and  ^ret  those 
sufferings  were  borne  with  a  resignation 
none  but  heaven  could  give.  Deep  some- 
Digitized  by  LjftOQlC 


THX 


M>.1,  18M. 


rimes  wen  her  ezeicises  and  despondings ; 
more  before  she  was  entirely  confined  to 
her  room  than  afterwards.  Pondering  over 
her  afflictions  and  miserabla  state,  she  felt 
she  must  pnt  an  end  to  her  Mfe.  This,  of 
course,  I  aid  not  know  at  the  time :  but  the 
words,  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,** 
put  the  adversary  to  flight,  and  she  was 
again  strengthened  and  made  strong  in  the 
Jjotd  and  in  the  power  of  His  mig^t 

She  was  able  to  sit  down  at  the  prdinance 
onl^  twice.  On  the  last  of  these  two  oc- 
casions I  dwek  chieflj  upon  the  twenty- 
fourth  Psalm,  from  which  aoe  coold  and  did 
again  read  h^  title  dear ;  and  being  thus 
afflicted  she  was  driven  to  the  Word  of  God. 

Her  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  was 
truly  wonderful;  and  scores  of  hymns 
wers  as  (amiliar  to  her  as  the  letters  of  the 
alphabet.  J[t  was  remarkable,  also,  how  as 
affliction  dried  up  other  comforts,  she  drew 
water  with  joy  ttie  more  laigely  out  of  the 
wells  of  salvation. 

She  not  only  well  knew  these  thiogs,  but 
was  favouxeci  with  such  a  gift  of  utterance, 
that  she  could  and  did  meak  freely  of  them 
to  others.  It  mattered  not  who  the  in- 
dividuals were  that  were  by  her  bed-side, 
vital  godUn^  was  her  theme,  always  with 
a  Scripture  at  command  to  prove  and  es- 
tablish what  was  said.  Those  Christian 
friends,  who  are  well  taught  (being  taught  of 
Go4),  meml^rs  of  the  Surrey  Tabemade, 
who  have  conversed  with  her,  always  readily 
exDressed  their  full  satis&ction  that  her 
zeuffkin  wm  of  God. 

sLe  had  a  great  love  of  languago:  I 
scarcely  recollect  her  ever  making  a  breach 
in  grammexv  She  wffs  well  ver^d  in  the 
construction  and  powers  of  ^  Bn^sh 
languid;  and  could  also  read  the  Moh 
Scnptures,  and  converse  in  the  French 
lapgnagf  witjti  nearly  or  quite  as  much  ea^e 
and  fluency  as  in  her  own  language.  I 
hx>pe  the  kind  reader  will  forgive  mj  weak- 
ness (perhaps  vanity)  in  naming  tlu|  mere 
n^toiu  acquirement. 

Her  chief  watchword  i^ider  her  affliction 
was,  '*Zi  ther$  tw^tUng  too  hard  for  the 
Lord .'  *'  But  to  write  one  half  of  what  she 
iias  said  during  her  deep  affliction,  would 
be  to  write  a  v^nme.  Her  eye  was  indeed 
](een  as  the  eye  of  an  eagle,  t^  distinguish 
truth  from  error :  whether  in  bpoks  or  per^ 
801^  she  would  discover  it  in  an  instan^ 
and  roll  in  firom  the  Scriptures  such  a  tide 
of  testimony  against  it  as  would  swallow  it 
up  quickly ;  and  from  a  oonscioui|ness  that 
Goa  and  truth  wa^  on  her  aider  she  would 
^ory  in  her  victory,  seemii^g  to  say  with 
X>eborah,  "  O,  my  soul,  thou  hast  trodden 
down  strength;*'  I  seemed  as  though  % 
eould  teach  ner  nothing;  her  heart  was  in- 
deed fixed,  trusting  in  the  Lord ;  and,  aa 
ke  said,  **  Pain  has  kept  me  frx>m  sleep,  bnt 


it  eould  not  keep  mefirem  the  Lord,  nor 
could  it  Keep  the  Lord  from  mb." 

After  a  life-time  of  affliction,  and  several 
months  confined  to  her  bed,  she  was,  on 
Sunday,  January  the  10th,  taken  much 
worae.  Yet  I  still  hoped  this  would  so  off. 
But  on  Friday  evening,  the  15th,  as  I  was 

f'  St  going  to  Bartlett's  Buildings  to  preach, 
went  into  her  room  again  to  kiss  her  dear 
in&nt  lips  (for  they  were  as  infant  lips  to 
me).  I  toen  dearly  saw  death  in  her  coun- 
tenance.    My  heart  sank  within  me.    But 
even  after  this  she  revived  a  little,  and  I 
again  began  to  feel  a  hope.    This  hope  was 
soon  de^royed.     I  went  and  preached  on 
Sunday  the  17th ;  but  how  I  got  through 
the  day  I  know  not.    Glad  enough  when  I 
'  reached  home  on  the  Sunday  evening  to 
find  her  still  alive;  and  though  ixyensely 
suffering,  yet  calm  and  perfectly  s^nBibLe, 
,  and  could  and  did  speak  up  to  within  a 
'  quarter  of  an  hour  of  her  death.    One  of 
.  our  deacons  hadnaJled,  and  kindly  engaged 
in  prayer  with  her. 

I     On  the  Slonday  morning,  as  her  end  drew 

near,  the  light  was  the  more  bright.  Truly 

at  evening  time  it  was  light.     oo(\ly  I  said 

to  her,  "My  dear,  are  youafrsid  to  die ? " 

]     The  answer  was, 

>  ^*  I  am  not  so  much  afraid  to  die  as  T 
have  sometimes  been  qfraid  to  go  to  sleep.'* 
This  sufflsring  is  not  worthy  to  be  compved 
with  the  gloiy  to  be  revealed.*' 

The  candle  bein^  placed  near  to  her  (it 
not  yet  being  daylight),  she  said, 

**I  shall  need  no  candle  there.  Here  it  is 
aU  night ;  there  it  is  all  day.  God  and  the 
Lamb  being  the  light  thereof.*' 

**  Complete  in  Him.   I  long  to  be  gone." 
I  said,  "  Your  life  has  beep  but  a  bitter 
cup  to  you,  dear." 

"Ah,  but  thi»  Lord,*' she  said,  **hasmadd 
it  all  up.**. 

"Then  you  do  fed  that  the  Lord  is 
yom»r 

**  Ah,  yes,"  And  then  with  a  power  that 
pone  but  thpse  in  the  sam0  circumstances 
could  equal,  she  said, 

"  *  Hy  Ood,  By  portiDo,  and  my  love, 
XyeverJaatinffaU; 
Tbere*8  none  but  Thee  ip  heaven  abov& 
Kor  on  this  earthly  balL"* 
«•  •  What  emoty  things  aw  all  Che  akiea, 
And  tlU8  inftnriar  dod; 
Tbeie's  nqthina^  bane  deserves  niy  Joys, 
There's  nothing  like  my  Ood.^ 
8he  then  desired  the  twenty- first  and  twenty- 
second  chapters  of  B-evelatioi^  to  be  retfii, 
which  I  did  as  caref^y  t^  I  could,  without 
word  or  comment    I  then  sajd, 
*'  My  dear,  shall  X  prnr  with  you  ? 
She  said,  "r»." 
And  in  that  prayer  I  trulv  felt  that  I  was 
at  the  gate  of  oeaven,  and  t&at  her  redeemed 
spirit  would  soon  be  there, 
I  said,  **  You  wiU  not  ba  long  ^ow." 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Nbkl,  IM. 


81 


006  anflwwod, 

••  I  would  be  abMit  firom  the  flesh. 
And  pnMD^  Loid,  with  thee." 

She  then  stntdied  oat  her  dyinff  hand 
to  me;  and  it  seemed  a  degree  of  com- 
fort to  her  that  I  was  with  her.  To  the 
nune  who  so  kindlj  attended  upon  her, 
ahe  was  much  attached,  expressing  the 
deepest  affection  tome,  and  to  all  the  hoose, 
all  naying  been  kind  and  STmpathetie  to 
her.  To  her  youngestsist^r  (the  only  one  at 
home)  who  sat  np  all  ni^t  with  her,  and  in 
deepest  affection  did  all  she  coiUd  to  soothe 
her  dying  honn,  she  felt  deeply  indebted 
Isaid, 

♦'  We  shall  not  part  for  ever." 

"Oh,  not  oh,  nol  my  dear  fitther;  I 
AuSi  see  yon  agtub." 

I  said,  '*  Yon  will  soon  ie  happy,  dear.'' 

She  said,  **  /  am  happy  new  /  " 

And  then  q[noted  those  beantiM  words, 
only^th  a  little  alteration,  to  make  them 
speak  in  the  present  tense. 

■*  Jesna  wviku  a  dying  bed 
Veel  ■ud  M  downy  plllowi  tat." 

Very  affectionately,  she  then  referred  to 
her  brother  WiUiun,  ^son  of  the  same 
mother)  and  prayed  taat  he  might  be 
Drought  safinfl^  to  know  the  Iiord. 

She  then  saiiC  "I  lone  to  be  gone;*'  pre* 
sently  adding,  *'  X  shaQ  not  bo  long  one. 
Ifeellamgoinfl." 

She  then  tried  to  say  something  more  of 
the  care  whieh  bad  been  taken  of  her,  and 
of  the  hblT  trinmpha  of  her  happy  heart  and 
sonl ;  bntner 'breath  grew  graaiualy  shorter, 
and  in  abont  ten  minutes,  without  a  siaAi, 
or  strng^e,  or  a  groan,  she  sweetly  ftll 
aaleep  in  Jesns. 

I  shall  nerer  fbrget  my  feelings.  Just 
at  the  moment  of  her  depaitore,  a  peace 
snd  holy  calmness  rested  npon  mv  sonl 
thai  I  seldom  or  erer  eneneaoed  before. 
Then  said  I  to  myself,  What  is  this  bnt  the 
presence  of  God  and  the  Lamb  ? 
**  A  Biortal  paleness  on  her  oheek. 
Bat  glory  In  her  soul.'' 

Aad  some  of  that  gknr  reached  to  m; 
and  in  a  moment  I  was  iuled  with  lofe  and 
graiitiide  to  mT  dear  oorenant  Ood.  For 
what  more  conld  I  desire  than  snch  fMrey 
aa  thia  ?  Aa  I  came  down  stairs  this  morn- 
ing (Wednesday,  Jannarf  20th,)  with  mr 
hMrt  almost  broken,  these  words  came  with 
great  pow«r,  **  I  am  not  worthy  that  thoa 
ahonldsst  eomennder  my  roof.^'  But  I  said, 
He  hot  eome  under  my  roof;  and  will  He 
erer  leanre  any  of  his  own?    No !  ne?«r. 

In  what  litue  I  hare  thns  said,  I  have 
ftUen  very,  rm  fur  short  of  tho  depth  and 
hmf^t  of  the  glory  of  her  departing  honrs. 
For  how  can  one  write  or  speak  that  whieh 
a  vwpeakablof  To  realise  the  real  power 
eoold  be  only  by  beinc  with  hei,  when  she, 
withgreat  power,  testified  of  her  own*  eternal 


s^TBtioD.  She  had  spoken  hi^y  of  a 
Christiao  friend  with  idiom,  some  yean 
ago,  she  xesidea;  not  foigetfcing  that  she 
had  in  the  preasnt  Mta.  Welb^  the  kindest 
of  mothers.    Bat 

ICMy  Ann  Wens  is  gone, 

The  eonfliet  o^er;  the  yieloey  won  I 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  eittiy 
written  in  my  note  book  on  the  oeeasion  of 
two  of  my  danghters  being  bapdaed:— 

«<  Wednesday,  Maroh  2nd,  1860.— Bap- 
ticed  at  the  Snrre^  Tabernacle  Ibrty^fire 
persona :  twentT^nine  women  and  sixteen 
men ;  and  among  them  mj  two  dear  daugh* 
ters,  Mary  Ann  and  Elizabeth  Selina.  I 
felt  Teiy  happy  in  baptising  them — there 
seemed  jnat  at  those  moments  a  special 
smile  from  heaven  into  my  souL  Was  that 
a  token  for  good?  It  mast  be;  for  the 
smile  of  heaven  cannot  be  4  token  for  eriL 
O,  thou  Ood  of  my  life,  my  hope,  my  all— 
Thou  art  become  Uie  Ood,  and  father,  and 
Savionr  of  two  of  my  dear  children.  Yes, 
Jesos  died  for  them.  They  are  His.  0, 
lead  them,  guide  them,  bless  them  I  and  let 
Thy  servant  rejoice  in  seeing  the  otheia 
brought  also.  Hast  Thou  not  promised 
Thy  servant  that  he  shall  *Bee  greater 
things  yet  r  Bind,  Lord,  my  heart  and  sonl 
more  and  more  to  Thee ;  for  ^on  knowest 
that  I  love  Tliee.  And,  thou^  less  than 
the  least  of  all  Thy  children,  and  the  poorest 
creature  that  ever  lived,  yet  Thv  grace  is 
sufficient  even  lor  ma.  Thou  hast  taken 
the  mother  of  ono  daughter  to  Thvselfi  ther 
mother  of  the  other  daughter ia  also  Thine; 
and  thus  havo  I^  Thy  servant^  a  plaoe 
amon^  Thy  diildren.  And  now»  Lotd, 
what  la  my  request  aad  pelitioKi  hut  thia? 
--^hat  Tlioa  vronUat  BtiU  keep  ma  walking 
and  working  in  Thy  Uessedwayvi  Btesa 
all  that  last  night  pnblidy  oafoed  Thy 
dearest  name ;  and  biesa  ail  Thine  ererf  • 
where;  feed  them  also;  and  lift  them,  np 
for  ever." 

The  above  nota^-^^hicih  I  have  eoptsd* 
verbatim^-— was,  aa  yon  see  bif  Ae  oate^ 
written  nearly  five  years,  ago,  merely  for 
rav  own  reference,  whhoni  the  least  thongfat 
01  its  ever  being  thaa  brcraght  into  ouhlia 

And  nowj  dear  Mr.  Editor,  may  toe  Lord 
bless  jTon  and  yours  abnndantly ;  and  all 
whelove  His  name ;  and  yet  gather  harveata 
of  sonls  to  CHiriat  JsbiU'  the  Lord,  is  the 
earnest  prayer  of^ 

YoQc's  ia  the  Gkapel, 

JaMIS  WUtLIL 

2^  Aaq^hilMaae^  North  Brixton, 
London^  8. 
January  20tfa,  1664. 

THE   FUNERAL. 

After  reading  the  forcing  most  blessed 
testimony,  we  reeolved  to  witness  the  inter- 
ment of  all  that  remains  of  o^  who  was 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


S3 


THE  BABTHXN  YKBSKIi. 


SM>.  1,  186*, 


indeed  chosen  in  the  ftirniice  of  affliction^ 
but,  haying  come  ont  of  great  tribolation, 
having  washed  her  robes,  and  made  them 
white  in  Uie  blood  of  the  Lamb — she  is  now 
before  the  throne,  enjoying  and  uniting  in 
a  worship  snblime  in  its  nature,  ani  more 
pure  ana  precious  in  its  realisation  than 
can  be  imagined. 

On  reaching  Nunhead  Cemetery  (the 
earthly  resting  place  of  the  mortal  remains 
of  thousands,  and  of  many  whose  memory 
is  dear  to  us)  we  found  a  large  assembly 
of  firiends  gathered  in  groups  awaiting  the 
arriral  of  the  funeral  cortiffe*  Among 
them  were  many  aged  saints  of  God,  dearly 
belofed  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ,  and 
miuisters  of  the  Gospel,  were  mingling  their 
t4iar8  of  sorrow  and  of  joy — while  upon 
their  staff  they  leaned, 

"Till  Ood  shall  oaU  them  home." 
We  always  think  there  is  a  grave  and  so- 
lemn sternness  stamped  upon  the  features 
of  ail  the  living  vessels  of  mercy  who  really 
know  and  We  thk  Truth  as  in  oiir 
Saviour  it  is  found.  They  are  a  different 
people  from  all  the  people  that  dwell  on  the 
uee  of  the  earth ;  and  this  we  noticed  as 
among  the  groups  we  walked  in  Nunhead 
last  Friday  affcemoon. 

After  long  waiting,  a  hearse  and  coach 
drove  up  to  tne  Chapel  doors,  but  it  was  the 
fhneral  procession  of 

Thb  latb  Mb.  Missn, 
who  was  for  so  many  yeara  the  honoured,  the 
useful,  and  the  hapny  deacon  of  good  old 
GsoRGB  Fbanczs,  of  Suows'  Fields,  and 
since  his  death,  and  the  removal  of  the 
Church  to  Bermondsev  New  road,  Hr. 
Massie  has  continued  the  fiuthftd  friend  of 
the  Church  whose  beloved  and  esteemed 
pastor  is  now  Mr.  Thomas  Chivibs.  Mr. 
Massie  died  at  the  age  of  65,  or  thereabouts, 
and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  on  Fri- 
day, Jan.  22nd.  1864,  by  Mr.  Chivers,  sur- 
rounded by  an  immense  concourse  of  Christ- 
ian friends.  Mr.  Chivers  read  Romans  iv.  and 
v.,  and  addressed  the  people  with  much 
feeling,  and  approached  his  God  in  prayer 
with  much  laigeness  of  soul  and  boldness 
of  faith  and  utterance.  A  solemn  season 
indeed.  We  hope  to  be  able  to  give  of  Mr. 
Massie^s  life  and  death  some  truthAil  record. 

It  was  nearly  dark  before  the  heane 
bearing  the  body  of  the  late 

Miss  Makt  Aim  Wnxs 
came  up.  The  fact  is,  the  mortality  of 
London  has,  lately,  been  so  gVMit,  that  un- 
dertakers have  found  a  difficulty  in  obtain- 
ing hearses,  horses,  carriages,  and  assist- 
ants fast  enough.  Surely,  death  has  done 
a  mighty  work  among  onr  three  millions 
of  kte! 

At  length  the  coffin  was  laid  on  the  stand. 
Mr.  Henxy  Hanks,  of  Woolwich,  ascended 


the  pulpit  Our  brother,  James  Wells,  and 
many  of  his  fkmily  followed.  All  being 
seated  and  in  silence,  Mr.  Haaks  com- 
menced reading  2  Cor.  v.,  and  bore  a  blessed 
testimony  expressive  of  the  happy,  the  well- 
grounded,  and  the  abiding  confidence  in 
God  of  the  departed.  In  speaking  and 
prayer,  he  was  evidently  strongly  affected 
with  a  sense  of  the  greatness  of  the  mercy 
which  God  had  granted  unto  his  faithful  ser- 
vant, James  Wells,  in  indulging  him  to  wit- 
ness his  beloved  child's  departure  so  unmis- 
takeably  safe  and  glorious. 

When  many  nngratefhl,  iron-hearted 
men— whom  our  brother  has  served  so  many 
years— but  now,  in  the  effi>rt  to  erect  a  new 
tabernacle,  not  only  stand  aloof,  but  speak 
unkindly;  when  they  read  this  signal 
token  of  heaven's  special  favour,  they  will 
surely,  with  us,  feel  thankful  to  the  Lord. 

When  they  laid  the  coffin  in  the  srave, 
and  while  Henxy  Hanks  addressea  the 
crowds  of  friends  in  the  dark  shadows  of 
approaching  night,  we  noticed  our  brother 
Wells*  heart  was  overwhelmed ;  but  he  waa 
sustained;  and  to  see  his  worthy  deacons, 
the  brethren  Butt,  Carr,  Attfleld,  Lawrence 
and  Edwards^  and  a  host  of  strong  men, 
and  of  deeply  affected  godly  women  sur- 
rounding .the  grave,  and  to  hear  them  nng^ 

*•  Why  should  we  tremble  to  convey, 

Their  hodies  to  the  tomb; 
There  the  dear  flesh  of  Jesue  lay. 

And  left  a  long  perftime. 
The  graves  of  ell  Hie  aunts  He  bless'd, 

And  softeoM  eveiy  bed. 
Where  should  the  dying  members  rest 

But  with  their  llvingliead  r 

To  silent  spectators,  like  ourselves,  the 
scene  was  awfully,  yet  gratefully  solemn. 
May  Gh)d  space  our  bereaved  brother  yet 
for  many,  many  years. 

We  sincerely  trust  Mr.  Wells'  letter  res- 
pecting his  beloved  child,  will  be  profitably 
read  by  many  hundreds  of  thousands. 
There  are  two  important  features  in  it: 
first,  therein  is  seen  how  wonderfully  God's 
gracious  presence  and  bleising  can  sanctify 
afflictions  of  the  heaviest  kind,  as  this  dear 
sister  in  Jesus  so  abundantly  proved.  Se- 
condly, the  letter  unfolds  the  keen  and 
tender  affections  of  a  father^s  heart— and 
the  holy  joy  of  k  Christian's  soul  in  be- 
holding the  salvation  of  his  o£&pring  so 
remarkably  developed.  May  the  etomal 
Spirit  make  these  two  portions  of  the  letter 
instrumental  in  convincing  thousands  that 
neither  the  truth  we  love,  nor  the  ministen 
we  defend  are  so  dreadful  as  many  would 
declare. 

The  report  of  Mr.  John  Foreman's  heavy 
illness,  aoded  much  to  the  seriousness  of  the 


^   and  respectably 
iutchinson,  of  St.  Mar- 


The  funeral  was  ouietl^ 
conducted,  by  Mr.  Hutchu 
tin's  Lane. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


tnbm  If  1884* 


THE  SABtHBK  YBSBKi. 


83 


FORGIVENESS: 

ITS  AUTHOR.  ITS  SOURCE,  ITS  SECURITY.  ITS  NATURE,  AND  ITS 

BLESSEDNESS. 

Bt  John  Bloomfuld,  of  Salem  Chapel,  Mbabd's  Coubt,  Soho. 
(Gonduded  ftom  page  1&) 

*'  BiMMd  iM  hB  whoM  tnm%i'wiiiion  i«  foigfveii,  whose  nn  if  ooveredL''-*FBALK  xxxiL  1. 


Third.  Forgiveness  in  the  next  place  is 
full  and  entire.  When  God  forgives  a  man 
He  forgivea  fineely.  He  doe6  not  forgive  in 
part,  port  of  this  life  and  leave  the  other 
part;  bnt  He  forgives  sins  entirely.  He 
blotteth  them  oat  fully,  and  wipeth  away 
all  nncleanness.  He  pntteth  them  behind 
His  back,  and  bnrieth  them  in  deep  waters, 
from  whence  they  shall  never  rise  again. 
When  the  Israelites  }eft  the  land  of  B^ypt, 
liiey  were  porsaed  by  their  enemies,  and 
appeared  in  great  daneer  of  being  over- 
come by  them ;  bnt  the  Israelites  were  en- 
conraged  to  go  on  their  way,  by  the  asstir- 
anoe  that  their  enemies  '*  whom  ye  have 
seen  to-day,  ye  shall  see  no  more  for  ever." 
And  the  waters  came  upon  them  and  buried 
the  ]^yptians,  and  they  were  no  more  seen. 
So,  poor  sinner,  though  you  may  have 
pursuers,  though  you  may  have  diffi- 
culties before  and  enemies  behmd,  your 
Great  Captain  hath  overcome  them  all ;  and 
if  you  have  faith  in  Christ  and  His  atoning 
blood,  those  sins  which  ye  have  seen  to- 
day, shall  be  buried  like  the  Egyptians,  and 
you  shall  see  Uiem  no  more  for  ever.  Just 
Botice  what  the  Scripture  saith  on  this 
point :  '*  As  fiir  as  tne  east  is  from  the 
west,  so  far  have  I  removed  thy  trans- 
gressions from  thee."  God  also  says,  "  Be- 
hold I  win  blot  otct  th^  sins,  as  a  doud, 
and  thy  iniquity  as  a  thick  cloud."  Also, 
**  For  thou  hast  cast  all  my  sins  behind  Thy 
back : "  and  He  hath  buried  them  in  the 
depth  of  the  sea,  when  they  are  sought  for 
they  shall  not  be  found.  Then,  as  if  this 
is  not  enough:  "I  will  remember  Thy 
*  iniquity  no  more  for  ever."  Our  Lord,  then, 
we  sav  foigiveth  fully  and  entirely:  He 
casteth  our  sins  behind  His  back ;  they  are 
buried  in  the  depths  of  the  sea,  when 
sought  for  they  shall  not  be  found.  Are  you 
interested  in  this  matter  ?  Do  these  Smp- 
tures  meet  at  all  your  case  ?  Have  you  been 
£ivoured  to  enjoy  peace  with  God  ?  Are 
you  interested,  dear  friends,  in  these  pre- 
cious, precious  portions  of  God's  holy  Word, 
wherein  is  so  beautifully  pourtrayed  the 
love  of  God  in  putting  awajr  sin? 

Fourth.  Further,  we  notice,  God  for- 
giveih  sin  and  Heforgiveihfor  ever.  Man 
will  sometimes  say  to  another  who  has 
offended.  Well,  I  will  forjp^ive  you,  but  then 
mind  you  do  not  commit  the  like  again  I 
Man  cannot  forgive  his  fellow  for  ever,  but 


God  does.  What  the  Lord  does  He  doeth 
for  ever.  Doth  He  love  His  people  in 
Christ  ?  He  loveth  them  with  an  everlasting 
love !  Hath  He  made  them  righteous  in 
Christ?  It  IS  with  an  everlastingri^ht- 
eousness  I  Bath  He  saved  them  in  Chnst  ? 
It  is  by  an  everlasting  salvation.  Doth 
God  forgive  sin  ?  He  forgiveth  for  ever  I 
These  blessings  are  securely  et^'oyed,  for 
Gh)d*s  love  is  everlasting ;  His  will  is  im- 
mutable as  concerns  His  people ;  the  efficacy 
of  the  atonement  of  Christ  is  an  everlast- 
ing efficacy,  and  in  which  all  believers  are 
interested  for  ever  and  for  ever. 

III.  Let  us  notice,  in  closing,  thb 
BLB8BINQ8  OF  FOBOivEstBss.  He  is  said  to 
be  a  blessed  man  *'  whose  transgression  is 
foiKiven,  whose  sin  is  covered."  Wherein 
is  he  a  blessed  man  ? 

First.  Blessed  first  in  a  freedom  from 
condemnation.  If  sin  be  forgiven  he  can- 
not be  condemned,  as  God  only  condemns 
man  for  sin.  Man  is,  and  would  remain 
under  a  perpetual  violation  of  the  law ;  but 
Christ  came,  and  in  His  own  body  on  the 
tree  suffered  on  the  behalf  of  His  people : 
He  was  wounded  for  their  transgression, 
and  bruised  for  their  iniquities.  He  had 
no  sin  of  His  own,  but  He  suffered  in  the 
place  of  others ;  He  made  a  full  atonement 
for  His  people,  that  He  might  bring  them 
to  God.  Now,  therefore,  there  is  no  con- 
demnation to  them  **  that  walk  after  the 
Spirit,  and  not  after  the  flesh."  Then  say 
some,  it  is  only  believers  who  can  walk 
after  the  Spirit,  and  enjoy  the  things  of  the 
Spirit.  But  what  is  it  to  walk  after  the 
flesh  ?  To  walk  after  the  flesh,  is  to  walk 
in  enmity  to  God :  to  walk  in  blindness  to 
Gt>d,  to  walk  unconscious  of  our  depend- 
ence upon  Him,  and  to  walk  unconscious  of 
our  entire  dependence  on  Jesus  Christ  for 
our  soul's  salvation.  While  to  walk  after 
the  Spirit  is  to  walk  with  God,  to  walk  with 
our  minds  enlightened  by  Gtxi,  with  the 
enmity  of  our  minds  slain,  and  our  hearts 
filled  with  love  to  God.  To  such  a  man, 
who  loves  God's  truth,  who  delights  in  God's 
service,  there  is  no  condemnation.  There 
may  be  lamentation  to  experience,  and  tribu- 
lation for  the  child  of  God  to  experience,  and 
temptation  to  test  the  genuineness  of  the 
principles  of  his  heart,  but  no  condemnation. 
That  which  lights  u^  the  fires  of  hell,  is  con- 
demnation ;  that  which  makes  th^  agonies  of 

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b.1,] 


hell  00  great  and  to  terrible,  is  the  oon- 
■eiousnesB  that  the  oondeiimation  la  jvat ; 
that  it  ia  the  act  of  a  juat  and  r^teoua 
Jndge-'the  condemnation  of  a  righteous 
OoTernor ;  this  thought  makes  the  condem- 
nation the  more  temble,  that  it  is  the  just 
punishment  of  ol&nces  oommittad  against 
a  righteous  God.  Believer,  whaterer  may 
be  the  pains  thou  art  called  to  endure; 
whatever  ma  jbe  the  tomnr  yon  may  cxperi- 
enoe;  whatever  may  be  the  conflicts  you 
may  engage  in;  whatever  mav  be  the  bur- 
dens you  are  called  to  beac,  let  this  cheer 
your  heart,  that  there  is  no  ooademnation  to 
ihose  who  are  in  Christ  Jeans,  and  «alk  not 
after  the  flesh  but  after  the  Spirit. 

Second*  The  blessedness  of  the  con* 
sciou$n09$  qf  pardon.  What  makes  man 
00  ftUl  fluf  trouble  aa  a  sense  xxf  sin  and 
guilt  ?  I  do  not  know  anything  like  a  oon- 
scioBsness  of  ffoilt  that  makea  a  man  such 
a  coward :  I  do  not  know  anything  that 
throws  such  a  gloom  over  the  present*  and 
terror  over  the  future,  as  a  consciousness  of 
gvilt:  I  do  not  know  anything  that  makes 
night  so  tesrible,  and  day  so  miserable,  as  a 
consdoosness  of  (juilt  Now,  if  this  be 
true,  that  a  consciousness  of  guilt  makes 
man  so  miserable,  it  is  also  true  that  a  con- 
sciousness of  panlon  fiUs  the  heart  with 
iov,  and  the  soul  with  cheering  prospects. 
The  Christian  can  look  back  with  thank- 
ftdnasa ;  he  can  look  forward  and  sneak  of 
the  soleuuiities  of  the  etenud  world  with 
calinness;  he  can  speak  of  those  great 
realities  which  lie  beyond  human  ican ;  he 
can  contemplate  depths  he  cannot  fathom 
with  confldence,  with  joy,  and  with 
holy  expectation.  The  man  that  enjoys 
peace  in  lus  own  soul  can  be  happy  ui  a 
dying  hovr ;  he  can  battle  with  any  enem^, 
only  let  him  feel  in  his  own  soul  that  his 
iniquity  is  pardoned,  that  his  sin  is  blotted 
out,  he  then  has  peace  with  God  and  peace 
in  his  own  aouL  If  God  gives  peace,  who 
can  give  troi^Ue  ?  If  God  crives  lifht,  who 
can  give  darkness  ?  If  God  takes  the 
burden  from  a  maa*s  soul,  who  can  make 
the  sonl  groan,  being  burdened  ? 

Third.  Another  toinf;  the  pard<med  man 
enjoys,  is  oomimmion  with  God,  A  mere 
name  to  Kve  while  dead  in  sin  is  of  no  avail. 
No  man  can  have  communion  with  God  who 
delights  in  ain:  ain  makes  the  gulph 
between  the  soul  and  God.  If  a  man  can 
be  happy  in  fin,  live  in  sin,  he  cannot  be  a 
godly  man.  A  man  to  hAve  communion 
with  God,  must  be  made  like  God,  must 
be  a  partaker  of  the  Divine  nature 
before  he  can  have  intercourse  with 
God.  The  man  who  hates  sin,  has  com- 
munion with  God,  for  God  hatea  sin.  The 
man  who  loves  holiness,  has  communion 
with  GK)d,  U>r  God  loves  holiness.  The  man 
who  hath  light  in  his  own  soul,  has  com- 


munion with  God,  for  God  is  Uriit,  in  whom 
there  is  no  darkness  at  all*  Ime  man  who 
loves  the  truth  of  God,  and  the  God  of 
truth ;  the  man  who  knows  CSirist,  and  in 
whose  heart  Christ  is  formed  the  hope  of 
elory — that  soul  ei^^ys  communion  with 
his  llaker.  I  do  not  know  anything  so 
hunblinff  to  the  believer,  as  communion 
with  God:  I  do  not  know  anything  that 

E'ves  a  man  sneh  exalted  viswa:  I  do  not 
low  anything  that  oives  a  man  such  hi^^ 
prospects  to  titles  ana  a  heavenly  atate,  and 
enaUea  him  to  form  a  ooraect  setimate  of 
eternal  things  and  eternity,  as  to  hold  eon- 
verse  with  God.  What  is  heaven,  dear 
friends,  but  the  highest  possible  state  of 
communion  with  God  ?  What  la  haavon, 
but  the  hk best  possible  atate  of  holina00  ? 
What  is  neaven,  but  the  highest  possible 
state  of  felicity  in  the  presence  andserviea 
of  God-^welnng  in  uie  light,  love,  and  , 
gloiy  of  God  ? 

Do  you  walk  with  Qod,  my  hearers  ? 
Do  you  rejoice  in  the  pardon  of  your  sins  ? 
If  so,  you  are  bleasea  indeed  I  If  so,  yo« 
have  a  freedom  from  condemnation,  and 
you  are  fiivoured  to  walk  with  the  God  of 
truth,  the  God  of  love,  and  the  God  of  holi- 
ness. A  few  mote  months,  or  years  at  moot, 
and  you  will  prove  theee  great  and  aolemn 
truths.  I  am  sure  they  are  true,  aa  I  am 
the  Bible  is  the  word  of  God ;  and  the 
words  to  whidi  you  have  listened  with  s«eh 
serious  attention  this  morning,  will  prove 
themselves  true  in  that  great  and  solBmn 
change  which  ere  long  must  be  experienced 
by  us  alL  Kay  God  bless  the  words  of 
His  grace^  and  cheer  your  hearta,  and  give 
vou  to  es^qj  the  blessingi  of  fi>];givene00 ; 
but  do  not  oay,  Bleesed  is  the  man  who 
hath  wealth,  ]>ow«r,  prinoalr  estates,  and 
commanding  titles ;  but,  "  Blessed  is  he 
whose  tiiuiMEesaion  is  foigiven,  whose  ain 
is  oavexed.^^ 


"The  Christ  of  God'*  is  a  complete  Sa- 
viour, and  will  not  halve  His  gloi]y  with 
another,  and  whosoever  believes  not  in  rich 
a  Christ  is  not  on  God's  hi^way,  but  ia 
joumeymg  to  death!  It  is  here  that 
countless  multitudee  of  professors  are  de- 
ceiving themselves.  Th^  believe  that 
whatever  is  Christ  in  name  is  Christ  in 
reality,  and  that  if  they  can  take  the  words 
into  their  mouths,  **  We  believe  in  Jeens 
Christ,"  they  have  an  interest  in  and  aro 
saved  by  the  Christ  Jesus  of  the  Bcriofarea  I 
Shis  is  an  awftil  and  a  wide-spreaa  deln- 
sion.— i7st;.  W.  Forks. 

Youcapnot  get  to  heaven  by  your  works. 
You  might  as  well  seek  to  mount  the  stala 
on  a  troadwheel,  as  to  go  to  heaven  by  your 
doings ;  for  as  you  get  up  a  step  you  will 
always  come  down  as  low  as  before. 

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Ak.  1, 1M4. 


THE  EDITOR'S  THOUGHTS  ON  MEN  AND  THINGS  ON 

THE  EARTH. 


WfCBir  wer«ceiv6d  the  Dimphlet,  entitled, 
"  Th/mghts  on  Heaven,  Of  John  Foi^man/* 
'We  condoded  that,  as  the  writer  had  pamed 
the  pnecribed  age  of  man—three  soore 
yeAcsand  ten-^he  had  qtiietLj  sat  himself 
down  to  contemplate  the  oeauty,  the  glory, 
the  greatness,  and  the  ftlieity  of  that  King- 
dom into  which  his  redeemed  spirit  is  ex- 
pecdng  soon  Id  enter.  like  sood  old 
ttobert  Boltoii,  who  said  he  wrote  bis  "  Di- 
rwHions  for  k  Comfortable  Walking  with 
Qod/*  as  k  kind  of  help  to  hold  up  his  own 
sonl  in  the  good  aaa  right  way ;  so  we 
thought  good  John  Foreman^-standing  now 
on  the  margin  of  time-^h«d  taken  three 
things, 

L  The  balances  of  the  sanctuary,  in  order 
to  be  quite  fdertain  that  if,  in  passing  out  of 
time  he  should  be  subjeeted  to  a  serious 
weiflfaing  up  of  matters^  he  might  et^jov  the 
oonndence  that  to  him  it  never  would  be 
said,  •'  Thou  art  fotUid  wanting.** 

II.  That  he  had  taken  the  telesoope  of 
FAITH,  and  with  it  had  been  looking  upwards 
and  onwards  iato  the  brighter  worlds,  and 
so  had  beoome  filled  with  the  Spirit,  and 
clothed  with  the  power  of  Simeon,  when  he 
cried  oi^  "Locdt  lettest  now  Thy  sefrrant 
dapaft  ia  peace,  for  mine  eyes  hiaye  seen 
thy  BidyMion  /*  And  then,  baring  txamiinei 
hine^,  and  having  looked  carefully  into 
the  ^reat  Beoompense  of  his  Beward,  he 
had  taken  tiwu  for  writing  out  these 
ThamahU  that  othecs  might  be  profited 
thereby.  But  on  finding  that  these 
"  Thou^ts  on  Heaven"  were  written  many 
yean  since,  and  that  this  pamphlet  is  but 
a  re-iasoe^  our  first  impressions  fied:  in 
fact  we  wera  disappointed;  for  we  had 
hoped  to  have  found  in  this  little  book  a 
kind  of  minw  which  would  shew  us  some- 
thing of  the  presmU  urraaaAL  state  of  this 
great  man's  soul:  but  we  suppose  what  he 
believed  and  thought  about  Heaven  twenty 
or  thir^  years  since,  he  believes  and  thinks 
about  Heaven  still.  If  his  mind  has  not 
soared  higher  during  the  last  quarter  of  a 
century,  the  re-issue  of  this  book  shews  it 
has  not  desoended  any  lower.  If  ha  has 
not  been  favoured  with  any  special  revela- 
tioos  of  the  heavenly  doiy  since  he  wrote 
these  "  Thoughts,"  he  has  not  had  any  very 
dark  douds,  or  material  alteration  of 
fiuth  touching  the  heavenly  kingdom.  Nay, 
he  is  the  same  man,  in  the  same  mind, 
preaching  the  same  Gospel,  serving  the 
same  Master,  and  looking  for  the  same 
home.  All  this  is  weU.  And  here  we  res- 
train our  thoughts— fling  down  our  pen — 


fold  up  the  feelings  df  our  heart— shut  the 
doors  of  the  mind,  and  forbeAr,  aA  least  for 
the  present,  lest  in  giving  libertv  to  some  of 
oar  own  I%ougJUs  we  should  intrude. 
Silence,  then,  ye  st^ggling  powers  within. 
Go  on  with  your  Work. 

John  Foreman's  "  T%ouahts  on  Seaven** 
now  re^issued  by  his  felloW-labourer,  W. 
Holmes,  of  Kew  street,  Dorset  ttjnare  (a 
most  intelligent  and  worthy  Christian  man, 
and  useful  itinerating  minister)  have  three 
excellent  features  in  them.  1.  His  argu- 
ments against  degrees  in  glory,  although 
open  to  criticism,  are  well  worked  out.  2. 
His  reasons  for  infant  salvation  are  numer- 
ous, and  calchlated  to  administer  comfort 
and  confidence  to  many  a  bereaved  heart. 
8.  His  portraits  of  the  two  fiices  of  the  Bible 
^are  nicely  defineated.  He  shews,  first,  how 
minutely  God,  through  his  Word,  looks 
down  upon  His  people  in  the  wilderness,  and 
speaks  to  their  every  sorrow,  every  woe,  every 
fear,  every  casting  down,  every  temptation^ 
every  conflict,  andeveiy  degree  of  affliction ; 
and  then  he  shews  how  Gk>D  looks  at  the(to  us) 
unspeakable,  unsearchable,  and  imperishable 
per^tions,  conquering  graces,  healing  and 
saving  remedies,  treasured  up  for  them  in 
His  own  and  only  begotten  8o!f,  the  Son  of 
His  love ;  and  through  the  Bible  assures 
"  tkem  thai  are  HU'  that  every  tear  shall 
be  dried,  and  every  atom  of  the  cvse  re- 
moved—in that  eternal  wo^ld  of  joy.  Yes, 
it  is  of  sin  htre^  and  of  the  consequences  of 
sin  here,  that  fills  up  the  one  page :  and  it 
is  ottalvaHon  fsom  sin,  and  ox  deliverance 
from  all  the  consequences  of  sin ;  and  of  an 
inheritance  among  all  them  that  are  sancti- 
fied—that  fills  up  the  other  page. 

But,  lOB  WHOM  is  Biavm  Pbwarbd? 
Well,  even  this  momentous  qUMtion  is  not 
quire  passed  by  in  Mr.  Foreman's  book, 
dut  if  anv  poor  dejected  reader  of  Thi 
EAaTHBH  VassBL  should  urge  this  question 
upon  us,  we  reply,  Hbavbv  u  pbipabid 

FOK  THB  PimTBlIT  BILniVSa. 

Is  not  that  enough?  Must  the  term 
**  Penitent  Believer^  defined  ?  Here  it 
is,  then.  First,  hear  the  contrite  oonfessioa 
of  the  penitent    Ho  says. 

Thy  judgments,  Lord  are  just;  thou  lor'st  to 


The  &ae  of  pity  and  of  love  divine : 

But  mine  is  guUt-/Fhou  must  not  not— oaast  not 

qpare, 
While  heaven  it  true,  and  equity  is  Thine. 
Yes!  O,  my  &od  1  such  crimes  as  mine,  so  dread 
Leave  but  the  oholoe  of  punishment  to  thee ; 
Thy  interest  oslls  for  judgment  on  my  head. 
And  e'en  Tbiy  menj  mm  m*  plead  f 


L  for  mel 


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fMb.  1,1864. 


TsT  WILL  BE  ooin!  sloee'tls  Tbjrslory^idufl, 
Tho'  from  mine  eyes  the  endlets  torrents  flow ; 
Smite  I  il  ii  time^tho' eodleu  deeth  enaae, 
rd  bleas  the  avenging  hand  that  Utya  me  low. 

Such  is  the  broken-hearted  confestion, 
appeal,  and  surrender,  unto  a  holj,  just-, 
and  righteous  Qod.  Ah  1  the  self-righteous 
Creedsmeo,  the  Fharisee„.and  loftv-minded 
Priest  and  Professor  will  say— Such,  indeed, 
is  language  becoming  some  of  the  guilty 
wretches,  upon  whom  we  would  not  look— 
with  whom  we  would  not  walk ;  but  it  is  not 
necessarily  the  language,  and  feeling,  and 
confession  of  all  who  are  to  be  saved. 

There  is  the  fatal  deficiency  in  manj  who 
stand  high,  we  fear. 

But  we  have  only  given  jpart  of  the  reply. 
It  is  not  Penitential  Coi^femon  alone  that 
evidences  salvation.  For  whom,  then,  is 
Heaven  prepared?  For  all  who,  after 
penitence  wrought,  have,  in  their  souls  the 
Christ  of  God  revealed — and,  faith  looking 
on  His  substitutionary  Sacnfice  made  for 
sin,  repeats, 
**  Bmite— it  ia  time— tho'  endleaa  death  ensue, 

I'd  bleaa  the  avenging  hand  that  layame  low.* 

f  Then  in  comes  Faith's  mighty  appeal : 

**  Bui  on  WHAT  SPOT  aiaU  /off  thine  angn'tjhod. 
That  has  not  fim  been  DBioroHXD  in  Obbist^s 
▲TOimro  BLOOD  r* 

There  is  the  Pxhiteht  Belikvbr.  A 
sense  of  sin  has  sunk  him  low — a  sight  of 
the  Holy  Majesty  of  God  has  appeared  to 
seal  his  doom  in  darkness  for  ever.  But, 
the  bow  in  the  cloud  appears,  Jefras 
looks  through  the  tempestuous  hurricane 
whidi  is  hurlin£[  the  soul  to  hell — and  as 
He  looks  down  into  the  soul.  He  speaks, 
*'LooK  UMTO  MB,  and  he  ye  saved;  for  I 
AM  GOD ;  and  beside  Me  there  is  no  Savi- 
our.*' Power  with  the  Word  carries  the 
soul  up  into  the  arms  of  Emanusl  :  it  looks 
— it  lives — in  heaven  it  must  for  ever  dwell 
—for  Jesus  says,  "  I  have  redeemed  thee ; 
I  have  called  thee ;  I  will  never  forsake 
thee.    Tkou  art  mine.** 

Now  wo  majr  safely  leave  Mr.  Foreman, 
and  his  ^*  Thoughts  of  Heaven.  We  only 
add,  we  hope  he  has  even  now  something 
more  than  thoughts  of  heaven.  We  trust 
his  soul  is  often  carried  up  into  the  bosom 
of  his  God,  in  sacred  realization  of  the  Best 
which  remaineth: 

And  when  upon  hit  dying  bed 
Be  lays  hit  large  and  naeml  hei    . 
May  Jeaua  near  his  soul  then  ftand* 


Be  lays  hit  large  and  naeml  head. 
May  Jeaua  near  his  soul  then  fti 
Ana  waft  it  to  that  happy  laud 


Where  Joys  for  ever  reign. 
Mr.  Cox,  the  celebrated  artist — has  pro- 
duced an  original  Carte  de  Visite  of  Mr. 
Foreman,  in  which  his  whole  soul  is  seen  in 
his  face :  it  is  enlumineur,  the  work  of  a 
limner  as  perfect  as  things  can  be  here,  we 
think.  TBere  is  no  ministerial  Carte  de\ 
Visite  out  to  equal  it.  Mr.  Cox  deserves ' 
the  deepest  thanka  of  all  who  wish  to  have 


John  Foreman  to  look  upon,  even  when  he 
may  be  in  heaven ;  and  they  are  not  few  in 
this  country,  nor  is  their  number  small 
in  the  Colonies,  and  across  the  Atlantic 

•'  J%e  Address  of  WHKam  Idneoln  to  tie 
Church  and  Congregation  of  Beresford 
Chapel"  has  occupied  our  most  serious 
thoughts.  The  following  is  the  commence- 
ment  of  our  notice ;  and  in  giving  it  we 
must  defer  the  Beview  of  the  Ministerial 
Boll,  which  is  designed  to  direct  strangers 
to  places  where  godly  men  preach  the 
Gospel ;  and,  also,  to  hand  aown  to  our 
chiloren's  children  the  names  of  manv  who 
in  these  days  have  dared  to  be  singular  in 
the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesua 
Christ. 

But  the  beginning  of  notice  of  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's Address  is  as  much  as  we  can  find 
room  for. 

"  ONE  YEAB  ITEABEB  BEST  WITH 
JESUS." 

BiaiSVOBD  CKAPBL,   WALWOBTB. — 

MB.  Lincoln's  fobition  axx>  pboobbss. 

Tn  minister  of  "Beresford,"  in  Wal- 
worth, has  issued  an  Address  to  the  Churdi 
and  Congre^tion,  which  was  delivered  on 
the  first  anniversaiy  of  his  Secession  from 
the  Established  Church.  It  is  published 
by  J.  Paul,  in  Chapter-house  court,  price  2d., 
and  contains  some  dose  and  searching 
questions  which,  we  fear,  many  of  the  pro- 
fessed disciples  of  the  Lord  are  neither 
sober,  nor  single-eyed  enough,  profitably  to 
consider.  We  recommend  a  candid  read- 
ing of  Mr.  Lincoln's  works.  He  brings  a 
strong  thinkinff  mind  to  all  the  subjecta  he 
discusses;  and  speaks  out,  acts  out,  and 
stands  for,  all  he  believes  to  be  the  will  of 
the  Lord,  with  great  boldness  and  clear- 
ness. Mr.  Lincoln  has  been  walking  in  m 
path  of  deep  anxiety—"  Blessed  be  God," 
ne  says,  "our  difficulties  have,  one  after 
another,  been  cleared  away:  and  now,  not 
only  are  we  one  year  nearer  Best  with 
Jesus,  when  He  snail  come ;  but,  also,  as 
we  firmlv  believe,  are  in  a  much  more 
scriptural  position." 

We  look  upon  Mr.  Lincoln  as  occupying 
a  position  singularly  criticsl.  He  is  wit- 
nessing as  much  against  the  generally  re- 
cogniz^  Dissenting  bodies,  as  he  has  done 
against  the  National  Establishment.  He 
declares  that  *'  the  professing  Church  is  in 
ruins  all  around ;"  and  he  stands  out  dis- 
tinct and  separate  from  them  alL  He  ia 
not  a  Particular  Baptist;  and  yet  he  baa 
had  a  baptistiT  sunk  in  a  retired  part  of 
his  chapel,  and  he  is  constantly  baptizing. 
Many  are  being  added  to  the  church  under 
his  care;  and  although  he  ia  fiurfrom  ex- 
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37 


pressing  himself  oonfldentlj  as  regards  the 
future,  yet  he  says,  "  I  believe  the  work 
here  is  so  fax  at  least  Ood's  own,  that  as 
light  shining  in  a  dark  world,  we  are,  by 
our  very  unique  position,  witnessing  for 
God  in  a  peculiar  manner,  and  against 
much  spiritual  uncleanness."  We  learn— 
not  firom  the  writings  of  Mr.  Lincoln— but 
from  the  personal  testimony  of  godly  men 
who  hear  nim,  that  a  special  blessing  is  at- 
tending his  labours :  and  the  earnest  expec- 
tation of  many  a  Christ-loring  heart  is  this 
— that  the  foundation  has  been  laid  for  a 
continued  flow  and  wide-spreading  increase 
of  real  prosperitj  —  eren  that  prosperity 
which  stands  in  the  manifested  power  of 
God :  eonrerting  sinners ;  eneonmging  be- 
lievers ;  uniting  living  souls  to  Jssus  and 
His  Truth;  and  instrumentally  ripening 
them  for  the  higher  spheres  of  likeness  and 
nearness  to  the  Autaor  and  Finishar  of 
their  faith.  Without  going  fiirther  into 
this  Address  now,  we  must  say,  Mr.  Lin- 
coln 8p«iks  most  tenderly,  yet  most  nobly, 
for  Believers'  Baptism  —  it  shall  not  be 
foraotten  by  us. 

Much  less  shall  ^Forwavd!  Forward! 
Forwaidr  by  Mr.  Spumon.  His  "Pres- 
sure upon  the  people  to&dnlaces  in  which 
his  vonng  men  may  preach/'  is^  as  **  Gau 
tor'^  obscorves,  **  a  ieature  of  ti 
be  slighted." 


is^as 
tha  times  not  to 


CHRISTIAN    TBIAL 

PREVENTIVE. 
Br  WfirUAx  FaiTB,  Borough  Gbbeh. 

ACTHOB  OF  "COXIIUWIOH    OF    BAINTS,"  J|TC. 

If  this  world  ware  as  some  men  affirm  it  is, 
origioating  and  eontinning  by  orancb,  we 
might  indeed  bewail  our  present  lot  For, 
to  our  poor,  limited,  and  short-sighted  view, 
the  scenes  of  this  world  often  excite  scep- 
tical feelings  in  our  breast  when  we  see  in- 
nocence trodden  down  bj  iniustice,  and 
poverty  in  her  pitiful  nudity,  snivering  be- 
fore the  cold  heart  of  human  charity,  and, 
like  an  importunate  mendicant)  appealing 
to  the  favoured  of  the  earth.  When  we 
see  the  greedy  and  the  avaricious  <*pull 
down  thfiir  barns  and  build  greater,"  iniile 
the  poor,  helpless,  and  diseased  Lazarus, 
like  a  Wicklifle  Lollard,  lies  a  beggar  at  his 
door;  when  wo  aee  misfoftune  treated  as 
swindling,  and  afwry  ctffort  to  raise  henelf 
frustrated  hy  opposing  haid-heartedness, 
and  the  erring  one  stand  penitent,  but  met 
by  the  haughty  diadain  of  those  who  appear 
to  be  conadoua  of  the  freedom  from  inad- 
vertence, and  smitten  by  the  withering 
sativa  at  nnibigivins  man,  —I  say,  when  we 
see  these,  with  a  uousaud  other  evils,  we, 
ignorant  of  the  «oniplieated  and  ffljrstcrious 


revelations  of  Providence,  are  fearfully 
staggered.  Nature  gives  as  no  explanation 
of  her  actings  in  her  ''open  volume." 
Many  of  her  lessons  aro  given  "  without 
note  or  comment,**  and  leave  the  inquisitive 
spectator  to  seek  the  exposition  in  the 
supplementary  volume  which  the  kind  Au- 
thor of  nature  has  mercifully  supplied. 
Here  we  have  the  "  key**  to  many  of  the 
mysteries  of  nature  and  providence.  Be- 
velation  is  God*s  will  more  fully  developed. 
And  the  truly  pious  soul,  who  has  felt  the 
power  of  covenant  love,  the  efficacy  of  atoning 
olood,  and  the  Divine  unction  of  the  Spirit, 
*'  will  look  into  the  perfect  law  of  liberty," 
and  read  the  characters  of  nature,  Uie 
intention  of  its  Author,  and  feel  calm  and 
eompoMd  amid  the  "  war  of  elements'*  and 
<*  the  strife  of  tongues.'*  God  will  be  seen 
to  be  working  according  to  **  His  own  ptir- 
pose  and  graae,**  known  only  as  it  is  fipwd- 
nally  evolved,  Uke  the  ancient  mannacript 
|rom  the  binding  roller. 

But  to  the  pious,  devout,  and  humble 
Christian,  providence  is  but "  the  way  of 
Qtod  with  man."  The  world  is  foil  of  Di- 
vine action  with  many  powers  operating,  in 
appearance,  inimical  to  Jehovah's  honour 
and  glory.  Yet  revelation  assures  us  that 
**  His  purpose  shall  stand,  and  He  will  do 
aU  His  pleasure;*'  and  that  *'the  wrath  of 
man  shall  praise  him,  while  the  remainder 
He  will  restrain.**  The  natural  coroUaiy 
deduced  from  the  inspired  statement  is, 
that  many  of  the  believer's  trials  are  pre- 
ventive, especially  when  considered  in  con- 
nection wiUx  this  soul-cheerixig  truths"  AU 
things  work  together  for  goodto  them  who 
love  Qod." 

The  thorn  in  the  flesh  was  to  St  Paul 
a  preventive  trial,  fbr  that  honoured  afios- 
tie  distinctly  declares  that  it  was  ^ven  him, 
"  LEST  he  should  be  exalted  above  mea- 
sure," i.e.,  that  it  was  the  Divmn  iirrBNTfow 
to  thus  afflict  the  apostle,  and  that  for  a  spe- 
cial end,  vis.,  a  preventive  oney— to  preventthe 
growth  of  pride  and  arrogance,  which  are 
too  often  existent  in  the  lifo  of  the  sanctiied 
nnder  certain  circumstances,  and  without 
preventive  influences.  And  who  will  ven- 
ture to  affirm  that  **  a  crook  in  the  lot," 
»'  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,"  •'  an  Us  disaster  * 
were  not  given,  as  well  as  an  Absalom  and 
an  Adon\jah  to  a  David— a  furnace  to  the 
Hebrew  children — ^a  den  of  lions  to  a  &ith- 
ftd  Daniel,  "  LEST  THEY,"  too,  "  should 
be  exalted  above  measure  ?  '*  Header,  are 
there  no  preventive  trials  in  thy  life  f  See, 
look,  ana  be  thankful,  inasmuch  as  they 
prevent  greater  ones  1 


Peace  is  the  Rowing  of  the  brook,  but  joy 
is  the  dashing  of  the  cataract  when  the 
brook  overflows,  bursts  its  banks,  and 
rushes  down  the  roeka. 


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38 


THE  BABTHXV  VISSKL. 


Feb.  1.  1884. 


CONFERENCE  BETWEEN  A  KING  AND  A  CHRISTIAN. 

*"  But  ye  are  A  choaen  aenention,  a  royal  priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people." 
*"  Thou  halt  made  ub  kings  and  priests  unto  Ood.  * 


King: 
Can  any  one  more  happy  be 
Than  £  array'd  with  llajestyr 
Has  any  one  more  cause  to  sing 
Than  I,  an  arbitrary  King? 

Christum: 
Yes,  I  am  happier  far  than  you. 
And  richer,  greater,  nobler  too; 
With  oosUier  robes  by  far  arravM, 
Bobca  from  more  distant  oonnnies  had. 

King: 
What!  do  yon  dare  the  distsnoe  boast t 
My  robe  was  had  from  Persians  ooast, 
And  thenoe  to  Tjrre,  to  take  that  dve 
With  which  no  purple  e'er  could  vie. 

ChristioH: 
But  mine,  by  fu  more  distant  stOl, 
Was  fetch'd  from  Zion*s  holy  hill ; 
And  in  a  nobler  colour  dyed— 
The  orimson  stream  from  Jesu's  side. 

King: 
The  purchase  of  my  robe's  so  great, 
It  cost  a  little  king*"  estate; 
Then  who's  most  nch,  then  who's  most  flne^ 
Your  far-fetched  robe,  or  this  of  mine? 

C9irixtian: 
But  mine  no  king*s  estate  could  buy. 
None  but  our  God  who  reigns  on  high— 
His  blood  alone  the  price  could  pay ; 
That  Gk>d  whom  Monarohs  must  obey. 

King: 
Your  robe,  perhaps,  will  quicklv  wastes 
But  mine  for  many  vears  will  last. 
Unless,  by  chance,  toe  fire  or  moth 
Consume  or  rot  the  precious  cloth. 

Christian : 
No  I   Mine  can  never  waste  or  rot, 
Nor  ever  wrinkle,  ever  spot : 
But  always  fresh,  and  dean,  and  pnre^ 
*Twill  everlastingly  endure. 

King: 
To  whatsoever  place  I  go, 
By  these,  mv  robes,  all  mortals  know 
That  I'm  a  king,  and  ready  wait 
To  do  me  service  at  my  feet 

Christian: 
And  by  my  Riffhteous  Bobe  I'm  known 
To  Him  who  sits  on  Zion*s  throne; 
And  all  the  angels  ready  wait 
To  do  me  service  at  my  feet. 

What!  do  you  think  your  robe  to  save^ 
Wear,  and  possess  beyond  the  grave  f 
I  know  that  I  my  robes  must  leave: 
And  all  my  pomp  to  Death  must  give. 

Christian: 
O  yes !  through  all  eternity 
This  Righteous  Robe  my  own  shall  be ; 
Tis  death  that  makes  it  perfect  shine, 
And  renders  it  completely  mine. 

King: 
BtTange  Robe  indeed!    How  got  it  you? 
To  merit  it  wh«t  did  you  do? 

C^iristian: 
Nothing  at  all,  'tis  freely  given 
By  Jesus  Christ,  tlie  Elng  of  heaven. 

King  : 
Were  this  my  Robe,  ray  all ;  to  take 
Your  dren,  1  would  my  own  forsake; 
But  I  am  rich,  have  pearls^  and  gold, 
As  mnch  as  my  large  chest  can  hold. 


Gkristusn : 
rm  richer  still :  for  I  possess 
His  treasure,  who  alt  riches  has ; 
The  Pearl  of  Greatest  Prioe  is  mine; 
Jesuit  that  Jewel  all  divine  1 

King: 
Your  riches  may  my  wealth  excel. 
But  I  in  joy  and  pleasure  dwQll ; 
Banquet  on  choicest,  daintiest  fare. 
And  drink  the  richest  wines  that  are. 

Christian  : 
T  greater  pleasure  know  than  yoo. 
Banquet  on  greater  dainties  too : 
For  Christ's  own  body  is  my  food ; 
My  wine  is  His  most  precious  blood. 

King: 
But  what  are  these  without  a  power? 
Bebels  may  rob  you  in  an  hour. 
And  leave  you  destitute  and  mean. 
And  change  your  robe  into  a  chain. 

Christian: 
With  all  your  boasted  power,  I  know 
With  earttily  kings  it  may  be  so; 
But  power  almighty  acts  for  mei 
Subduing  every  enemy. 
ISng: 
And  are  these  robes,  this  wealth  and  power. 
Pleasures  and  peace  for  evermore. 
All  freely  given  ?     Where  may  I  go 
Your  joy  and  happiness  to  know  f 

CkrisUan: 
O  yon  must  leave  your  fancied  throne^ 
And  your  imaginary  crown; 
And  in  the  dust,  with  David  bow, 
David,  a  temp'ral  kin^  as  you. 

King: 
And  will  humility,  and  prayers, 
Loud  crying,  and  repeated  tears, 
Purchase  your  robe,  your  joy,  and  pcace^ 
And  merit  endless  happiness! 

Christian: 
No !    Could  you  pray,— for  ever  pray.— 
And  spend  in  teara  the  night  ana  day— 
Your  prayers  and  tears  would  all  he  >-ain. 
Still  wretched  would  your  soul  remain. 

King: 
Shall  I  then  sacred  temples  "build, 
And  altars  raise  in  everv  field? 
And  with  my  sacnflces  Duy 
A  throne  to  all  eternity  ? 

ChristiaH: 
Were  you  to  offer  thousaud  bulls- 
Ten  thousand  rivers  of  rich  oils— 
But  vain  the  sacrifice  would  prov«^ 

'TIS  GITXN  FBXXLY— AXX  OF  LOYJEl 

King: 
How  shall  I  come?  or,  how  draw  nigh? 
Or.  how  to  your  Great  God  apply  ? 
Which  way  must  I  the  gift  receive? 
To  please  the  Giver,  which  way  live? 

Christian: 
Reason  no  more,  but  come  away. 
And  at  Christ's  feet;  like  potter^s  day. 
Submissive  vrait  His  sovereign  will— 
He  wUl  the  empty  vessel  flfl. 

King: 
Then,  dearest  Jesus,  hear  my  prayer  :— 
My  wretched  vileness  made  me  fear 
That  I  to  hell  should  tumble  iiuwn. 
And  there  have  condemnation  known. 


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TBB  SiBTHSH  TSS6BU 


S9 


ChruHan: 
Ah  1  then  my  iool  long  stnoe  had  been. 
Had  God  dealt  thus  with  sinfU  men! 
But  since  his  ways  are  grace  and  love : 
Oome^  and  his  tender  kuulness  prove  1 
JSmg: 

0  dnw  me^  Jesus,  and  I  oomel 
Kor  lon^ier  icnonuitly  rotim. 

If  thou,  bright  Monung  Star,  wilt  shine 

And  lead  me  in  the  path  dlvmel 

My  golden  riohes  111  fofsake, 

And  with  this  crown  my  cross  111  take. 

If  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  be  my  guides 

And  all  my  former  follies  hide. 

Ifo  more  in  sceptres,  or  in  thrones. 

In  regal  robes^  or  sparkling  crowns^ 

My  blest  immortal  soul  shall  trusty 

But  spurn  such  flattering,  gilded  dust. 

My  Jesus  shall  my  riches  be ; 

Jesus,  a  spotless  Bobe  for  me; 

Jesus  my  Pleasure,  Power,  and  Peaoe; 

Jesus,  my  Endless  Happiness! 

ChTrittian: 
Is  tills  yonr  song  ?    Then  let  me  Join, 
For  this  same  Jesus,  He  is  mine; 
And  in  Him  greater  Joys  I  feel 
Than  tongue  can  tell,  or  heart  reveal. 
Xing: 

1  feel  them  too:  ah.  Lord,  why  mef 
A  lump  of  sin  and  miseiy  I 

Black  as  the  blackest  fiend  in  hell, 
Expecting  no  where  else  to  dwell. 
But  such  is  Jesu's  boundless  love, 
That  rebel  I,  his  kindness  prove. 
How  shall  I  sing^  or  how  proclaim^ 
The  merits  cf  my  Savioni^s  name? 

ChriMtian: 
If  othing  the  Lord  requires  of  yon. 
But  what  He*U  give  you  power  to  do : 
Justice  to  do^  Love  to  esteem. 
And  always  humbly  walk  with  Him. 

Xinff: 
Then,  O  my  soul,  tor  ever  blen 
Christ,  the  EtenuU  Bighteousness ; 
And  let  his  praises  be  thy  song : 
His  praise  th'  employment  of  thy  tongue. 

CkrisHm: 
Then  thankfizl  let  us  Join  to  sing 
The  praises  of  our  loving  Kin^ 
Who  brought  us  from  the  sons  of  men» 
With  Mm  eternally  to  reign: 

Gkristiati  <md  ISng  ting  together: 
*  All  praise  we  give  and  honour  Uxv 
To  whom  all  praise  and  honour's  due; 
And  sing  for  ever,  'Worthy  Be 
Who  lives  and  reigns  eternally.' " 


OBITUARY. 

GEOBQE  CBUMLIK. 
GaoBGB  CBUMLTir  was  hopefally  brought 
to  Chiiflt  in  the  **  Irish  fieTival,"  being  one 
of  those  who  were  usually  oftlled  oonverts, 
ie.,  he 'was  a  subject  of  the  physical  affec- 
tion, and  that  in  an  extraordinary  degree, 
being  firequenfly  deqfj  dumb,  and  blind. 
When  he  was  first  convinced  of  sin,  I  visited 
him ;  and  while  I  prayed  at  his  bed-side, 
ha  professed  to  experience  the  peace  of  the 
OospeL  Having  afterwards  learned  the 
will  of  Christ  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  he 
obeyed  the  Saviour's  command  by  being 
baptised  in  His  name  on  the  18th  Sep. 

For  some  time  ho  liyed  consistently  with 


his  profession.  Indeed,  of  all  the  "eon- 
▼erts"  whom  I  haTe  seen,  he  appeared  to 
me  the  most  promismg.  His  views  weie 
dear;  his  coxmdence  in  Christ  so  strong; 
his  prayers  so  fervent.  So  melting  were 
his  prayers  that  some  of  our  elderly  pray- 
ing people  who  experienced  less  freedom^ 
were  led  to  doubt  tne  reality  of  their  own 
conversion.  How  sad  therefore  was  our 
disappointment,  when  we  learned  that  he 
had  become  the  victim  of  temptation,  and 
that  it  became  our  painful  duty  to  exclude 
him  from  the  fellowship  of  the  Church  I 
It  is  pleasing  to  relate,  however,  that  after 
all,  the  Lord  appears  to  have  had  mercy  on 
him.  He  was  visited  with  a  lingering  and 
painful  disease  which  I  hope  was  sanctified 
to  his  soul,  and  which  eventually  proved 
fatal  On  his  death-bed  be  sent  for  me  to 
visit  him,  which  I  did  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember last ;  and  when  I  was  about  to  leave 
him,  he  desired  me  to  stay  a  little  longer, 
as  he  said  he  had  something  special  to  sa;^. 
He  then  acknowledged  his  sins  very  peni- 
tently^said  that  he  had  fled  to  Christ  as 
his  only  hope ;  and  desired  me  to  mention 
his  case  to  Uie  Church,  and  ask  the  forgive- 
ness of  the  members ;  also  that  he  might 
be  restored  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Church, 
as  he  earnestly  wished  to  be  united  to  the 
Church  below,  in  the  hope  of  soon  being 
united  to  the  Church  above.  I  need  not 
say  that  his  request  was  granted.  On  the 
4th  October  he  was  restored  to  full  com- 
munion. 

During  his  illness  I  fimouently  visited 
him,  and  eveiT  visit  increased  my  confidence 
in  his  sincerity.  I  saw  him  about  two 
hours  before  his  death.  He  was  unable  to 
speak;  but  his  conduct  indicated  that  he 
was  perfectly  sensible.  He  grasped  my  hand 
and  maintained  his  hold  until  I  pulled  my- 
self awav  from  him.  On  the  same  day 
(Dec  5th)  he  fell  asleep,  being  in  the 
twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 

I  improved  his  death  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  from  Fsahn  Ixxxix,  30-^33. 

Conlig,  John  Bbowh,  M.A. 

Newtounards,  Ireland. 

DEATHS  AT  ROTHERHITHE. 

Dbar  Brothib,— The  Lord  has  called  for 
another  of  His  saints.  Within  three  months 
death  has  thrice  hung  our  pulpit  in  black. 
The  first  was  old  liSy  Orion,  a  very  aged 
believer  and  a  constant  supporter  of  the 
cause.  The  second  was  a  itolwart  young 
man,  whom  death  laid  hold  of  suddenly, 
and  in  six  davs  he  was  gone,  but  whose 
triumph  I  shall  never  forget.  The  third 
from  our  midst  whom  death  has  taken,  is 
our  aeed  mother,  Mrs.  Stenson,  relict  of  the 
late  Rev.  John  Stenson,  minister  of  Carmel, 
Pimlioo.  For  the  last  three  years  her  health. 

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40 


THB  XARTHXV  TBSSEXm 


Bd^lfl8e4i 


htm  dNMy  6f  luitiift,  bas  hwn  gnd«aUv 
dtfcKsfaiei  but  refenmng  h^r  powefs  until 
ViidAf  »  Juittrt  8th,  1§B4,  when  sIm  wm 
MddeAly  seiMcl  with  ft  fit  of  ^oplexi»y  of 
whieh  Me  expired  en  Monday,  Januarf 
11th,  1864,  aged  seTen^thme.  Our  good 
Brodier  Williaaison,.who  had  known  our 
mother  from  his  earliwl  reooUeetionii.  per- 
formed the  Mineral  rites  in  Bethlehem 
Ohapel,  Rotherhitbe,  where  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  Mends  were  gathered.  His  afl^BC- 
tionate  and  appropos  address  will  not  be 
fbi«>tten  by  the  bereaved.  Thence  we  pro- 
(Seeded  to  Brompton  oenetery,  where  the 
ls0t  cold  tM  was  performed,  that  of  plaeing 
amotherin  the  cold^  cold  granv^.  There  she 
lies,  as  H  were,  in  the  arms  of  her  belored 
husband,  awttting  the  '*  last  trump  ot  Qod,'* 
while  her  spirit  lus  joined  the  ii^py  host 
of  heaven. 

A  funeral  sermon  w&g  preaohed  by  her 
son-in-law  on  the  fblkwing  Sanday  even-^ 
ing,  from  the  words,  **Com&vt  one  another 
with  these  wotds ;  so  shall  we  be  evmr  with 
the  Lord.**  Fraying  that  the  boreaved  may 
not  only  be  com&rted,  bnt  prepared, 
I  am,  yours  trtih^in  Jesus, 

Bothexhithe.^  J»  BumnFit&n^ 


THB 

SHTPWEECKED  MARINER, 

AKB 

THE  GOSPEL  MINISTER. 

A  LiYivG  Nabxativb, 
Bn&n  Hn.  EDrron, — ^As  I  have  some  reason 
to  hope  that  I  can  (throuffh  grace)  claim 
an  interest  in  both  time  ana  eternal  bless^ 
ings,  spoken  of  by  Jude  in  his  Epistle^ 
and  as  many  of  my  personal  Mends,  who 
have  known  something  of  the  Lord's  deal- 
ings with  me  ^m  my  youth  up,  have  time 
afUr  time  urged  upon  me  my  duty  in 
putting  upon  reemrd  something  of  the  Loi^*s 
goodness  toward  me,  as  BMmifetted  in  the 
way  in  which  He  hath  led  mei  both  in  pro- 
vidence and  grace.  And,  thirdly,  feeUng 
myself  to  be  a  monument  of  sovereign  grace 
and  mercy,  a  brand  pludced  out  of  the  fire, 
inasmuch,  as  from  the  time  I  was  of  a  very 
tender  age,  I  was  permitted  to  run  away 
fivm  my  bome^  and  for  thiiteen  years  to 
lead  a  wandering  life  upon  the  t>osom  of 
the  mighty  ocean,  in  Europe.  Asia,  Africa, 
and  Amenca,  dnnng  which  time  I  was  not 
only  permitted  to  run  into  the  greatest  ex- 
ceuee  of  ein,  folly,  and  open  vice,  or,  in 
other  words,  as  the  poet  has  it,  went,-^- 
"As  far  from  Ood  u  sheep  conid  run  ;** 
but  was,  also,  through  rich  mercy,  wonder- 
fullv  preserved,  and  deliyered  in  perils  oft, 
such  as  the  following: — Four  tiroes  ^om 
shipwieck ;  £our  times  picked  up  after  fail- 


ing overboard  at  s<«,  «t  the  capture  of 
seventeen  slate  ships,  where  many  of  my 
companions  were  often  swept  suddenly  into 
the  presence  of  the  Judge  of  all  tbe  eaith ; 
besides  having  been  aiade  to  suffer  im- 
prisonment, and  the  lash  of  the  inetorable 
cat-o' -nine-tails,  for  my  fbllyin  an  unre- 
generate  state ;  and,  after  all,  U>  be  called 
to  a  knowledge  of  my  state  as  a  law-eon- 
demned  sinner  wbale  upon  the  bosom  of  the 
Indian  bcean,  sovereignly,  and  without  the 
use  of  meane,  so  far  as  man  can  see;  then, 
aftenrords,  to  be  broucht  to  see  «*  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  under  the  preaching  of 
that  noble  champion  for  Divine  truth,  the 
beloved  minister  of  ths  Surrey  Tabernacle, 
Mr.  J.  VTells :  all  these  thmrt,  together 
with  others,  are  the  reasons  why  I  leel  it 
my  duty  to  tell  to  sinners  round  what  a  dear 
Saviour  1  have  found.  If  you  think  that 
the  relation  of  a  ffew  of  the  above  inci- 
dents would  be  interesting  to  the  readers 
of  your  Eamtums  TfiBSKL  from  time  to 
time,  I  will  famish  them  with  some  twenty 
minutes'  reading  for  eaeh  SMoth  during  the 
present  year.  I  might  also  add,  tiiat  I 
should  have  done  so  while  an  agbnt  of 
the  London  City  Mission,  wiilch^.  as  many 
of  my  brethren  know,  I  had  «S  leave  for 
the  truth's  sake ;  but  their  act  of  narliament 
forbsdiu  and,  as  soon  as  they  knew  that 
Mr.  J.  Foreman  was  my  "  nursing  &ther,** 
whom^  with  Mr.  Wells,  I  love  Ibf  liieir 
work's  sake,  I  at  once  received  sailing  or- 
ders, and  myself  and  another  bitother,  Mr. 
G.  Hearson,  of  VauxhaU,  had  to  shape  our 
course  under  Divine  gttidan6e,  to  a  land  to 
us  hitherto  unknown^  However,  though  I 
am  not  at  present  exactly  in  OoAen,  but 
in  the  wilderness,  trying  in  my  poor  Way 
to  celebrate  His  Divine  perfeetinn,  whose 
counsels  of  old  are  fkithnihMfls  sad  truth, 
and  to  speak  of  the  glorious  majesty  of  His 
kingdom ;  yet  the  pillar  of  doud  flontinues 
to  go  befbre  by  dsjr  and  the  pillar  of  fire 
by  ni^ht.  The  manna  still  falls  in  right 
quantity,  and  as  I  am  now  and  then  per- 
mitted to  drinlE  a  little  water  from  the  rock, 
I  hope,  by-and-bye,  to  drop  "my  bett 
bow"  in  that  city  where  the  Lamb  is  the 
Light  thereof,  and  shall,  deubtless)  ^en, 
as  now,  ascribe  my  safety  during  the  whdU 
voj^ge  to  etermil  and  electing  Inve^ 
Wallingford*  Hxno^ 

F.S.— As  I  have  neither  been  to  Cam« 
bridge  or  Oxford,  nor  received  three 
month's  schooling  in  my  Hfe,  excuse  gram- 
matical errors. 

[We  trust  oar  brother  will  proceed  with  his 
nomtive.  It  xniut  be  Tftlttable,  as  expressing 
the  preserviBg  and  mriag  hand  of  the  Lord  to^ 
ward  him.  Am  regards  the  City  ICission,  we 
know  aome  now  expecting  to  be  diamiaaed  for 
Truth's  sake;  but  we  are  surprised  Sny  Tmth- 
loving  man  can  be  bound  by  the  Misaion  wi  all.— 
En.)  ' 


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tMM  SAH'MAN  VE86S1. 


41 


THE  PLAIN  MAN'S  PENTATEUCH : 

Oft)   THX 

FREACHER   AND  HIS    PREACHING. 


3-  •#<^  Jntrobrutots  lfi«r^s  xcs^^ecttn}  #lj»  $r.  S^mpp,  anb  {oong  €tait\i  g^eUor. 


Whbs  Ood  loakef  and  fills  •  mightr  mind, 
and  BAOctiilee,  aod  conploys  it  for  Hk  own 
gloiy,  it  deT9lopes  and  lays  open  beauties 
of  tbe  highset  order— and  the  fruit  of  its 
meditation  is  ncj,  rieh,  wlkoiesome,  and 
^ood ;  like  the  luminanes  in  the  heaveils^ 
it  scatters  blessings  all  around. 

Old  Vt,  John  Trapp's  Commentary  on 
the  PcntAteaeh(aliUieoId  fashioned  quarto), 
lies  on  our  left  hand,  and  Enoch  Mdlov's 
Address  to  the  Oonsreeational  Churches 
lies  on  our  right  han£  Th^  are  gems  of  a 
bhlUant  order*  We  hare  beliered  Trapp's 
Pentateuch  would  be  read  bv  thousands  in 
this  daj  with  great  spiritual  pleasure  and 
real  soul  pn^t :  henoe^  we  have  marked  its 
insertion  for  the  eonseeutiYe  numbers  of 
Thb  Basthmw  Vissil.  And  nothing  is  to 
hinder  its  portions  being  iound  everj  month. 
But  while  looking  over  Dr.  John  Trapp's 
shattered  old  book,  the  Annual  Address  to 
the  Congregational  Chirches  (this  year  by 
the  Ber.  Enoch  Melkr,  ALA.,  of  Liverpool), 
csoie  to  hand ;  and  has  so  drawn  out  our 
soul  in  admiiation»  that  we  are  compelled 
to  giro  a  few  sentences  ere  we  plunge  into 
the  sea  of  Trapp's  Pentateueh. 

It  apeahs  weU  for  the  Coccregataraial 
boa<d»  to  see  them  ehoosing  such  a  man  as 
Enoch  Mellor  for  their  chairman.  What 
he  ia  as  a  preacher  we  know  not ,  but  as  a 
writer,  he  has  metttal,  spiritual,  literary^ 
theologieal,  and  truly  practical  powers  be- 
yond any  of  hia  eompeers  we  have  yet  met 
with.  Enoch  Mellor  stands  head  and 
shoulders  above  all  his  feUow8->not  only  a 
classical,  eloquent,  snd  gifted  combatant 
—but  evidently  as  a  man  whose  head,  hearty 
mind,  spirit,  sjid  conscience,  have  all  been 
deeply  baptixed  into  the  knowledge  and  k>VQ 
of  that  Holy  Maotsb  he  dotit  so  faithfhUy 
and  devotedly  serve.  He  is  on  the  mime- 
try,  ia  one  port  of  the  Address.  He  calls 
«a  iout'iriiaUgiing  faith;'  PIETY;  and 
with  this  word  he  thus  addresses  his 
audience.    He  says, — 

'*  It  ia  a  trite  saving  that  the  first  and 
most  indispensable  uement  in  the  ministry, 
is  pobtt"  ft  hat  is  a  living,  soul-ravishing, 
heart-purimne,  lifennntroUing  faitk  nr 
Jntis).  " ix islamentable  that  there sboold 
be  any  necesoity  for  the  utterance^  aad  still 
more  for  the  emj^iatio  and  repeated  utter* 
aoce  of  so  tranapKeat  a  truism  as  this» 
For  a  preaoher,  in  the  sense  which  the 
word  has  acquired  in  too  many  quarters  in 
our  coaatfy»  pielj  ia  no  requisite  whatever. 


When  the  ministij  is  regarded  as  a  pro- 
fession, a  walk  of  life,  a  ^here  to  which, 
a  man  betakes  himself  from  taste  in  pre* 
ference  to  any  other  sphere,  because  of  its 
social  respectability,  or  the  leisure  it  is 
presumed  to  aflbid  for  study  or  recreation,. 
no  wonder  that  piety  is  regarded  as  a  very 
needless  qualification.  If  the  work  of  \h» 
ministry  were  a  mere  routine,  a  perfonnance 
in  a  certain  order  of  specified  or  expected 
services,  the  reading  of  prescribed^  or  the* 
utterance  of  extemponneoua  prayer,  the 
delivery  of  a  sermon  orthodox  or  heterodox^ 
original  or  bought,  borrowed  or  stolen*-* 
piety  would  be  a  m^rsterious  superfluity  in 
an  office  so  mechanical  and  penunctoty  aa 
that  Such  is  not,  my  brethren,  the  con-* 
ception  you  have  formed  of  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  You  believe  the  Gboepel  you 
jireach  to  be  from  Ood,  and  that  men  of 
God  alone  can  truly  p*aeh  it,  He  that 
sends  the  troth  must  send  its  ambassadors,, 
and  no  man  can  be  a  true  ambsasadoe  who 
is  an  enemy  to  the  truth.  To  say  that 
piety  is  needf^  to  the  minister,  is  to  say 
that  eyes  are  needful  to  a  ^^uide— that  ears 
are  needful  to  the  musicuuH-that  know- 
ledge of  the  stars  is  needfol  to  the  teacher 
of  astronomy—- that  aeqruaintonee  with  navi« 
gation  is  needful  to  toe  captain,  aad  that 
love  is  needful  to  the  mother.  A  minister 
without  piety  is  a  well  without  water-Hk 
lamp  without  li^t.  He  has  entered  an 
office  where,  uuess  his  sensibilities  are 
seared  as  with  a  hot  iron,  he  will  be  expqsed 
to  miseries  which  one  woidd  not  wish  to  inflict 
on  his  worst  enemy.  He  will  feel  that  he 
is  an  unspixitusl  men,  manipfolating  with 
unsympathetic  heart  spiritual  things.  In 
the  midst  of  his  most  earnest  yet  purely 
physical  enforcements  oi  the  Qospef,  oon-> 
science  will  keep  up  her  remonstrant  ac- 
oompaniment,  as  if  Heaven  were  incessantly 
uttering  in  his  ean,  *Thou  art  anunbeliever*' 
He  will  be  confronted  dailv  with  Christian 
experiences^  the  depth,  the  snbtlstv,  the 
complexity  of  which  he  will  be  unable  to> 
comprehend.  Spiritoal  delusions  will  ttieet 
him  whidi  he  osnnot  dispel,  sorrows  which 
he  caxmot  alleviate,  doubts  which  he  oan^^ 
not  remove,  fears  iHuch  he  cannot  allay« 
Whils  expected  to  be  at  the  head  of  the 
most  spiritual  of  his  flock,  he  will  be  behind 
them  alL  Professing  to  be  a  physician,  he 
will  know  nothing  of  the  thousand  diseases 
which  will  claim  his  consideration,  and  he 
will  know  aa  little  of  the  cure.     If  ha  had 


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THB  EABTHIK  TXSSEk 


Vcb*  If  10Sf  • 


aimed  to  compress  into  his  life  the  hiehest 
amount  of  wretchedness,  he  couldnotliaYe 
realized  a  more  perfect  success.  The  sense 
of  unfitness  in  its  most  torturing  form — 1 
mean,  the  want  of  sympathy  with  his  work 
— will  never  desert  him,  and  what  to  him 
must  be  misery,  to  others  must  be  disaster. 
Better  far  that  he  had  assumed  the  command 
of  a  Tessel  freighted  with  a  thousand  souls, 
and  had  undertaken,  though  knowing  not 
an  inch  of  the  way,  to  steer  them  through 
rocks,  and  shoals,  and  whirlpools  to  a  dis- 
tant land ;  or  better  that,  in  the  most  peril- 
ous crisis  of  his  countxy's  history,  he  had 
usurped,  were  it  possible,  the  functions 
of  a  leading  statesman,  though  ignorant  of 
the  first  principles  of  goyemment,  than 
have  assumed  the  office  of  guiding  souls  to 
the  Gross  which  he  has  never  seen,  to  the 
Saviour  on  whom  he  has  never  believed, 
and  to  a  heaven  upon  which  his  back  is 
perversely  turned.  If  he  had  wrecked  the 
vessel,  the  extent  of  the  cidamity  would  be 
known  ;  if  he  had  plunged  his  country  into 
confusion,  wiser  heads  uian  his  own  might 
gradually  reduce  the  chaos  to  order ;  but 
under  a  ministry  without  faith  and  sym- 
pathy, souls  go  on  and  down  to  a  perdition 
whida  knows  no  remedy.  There  are  many 
hypocrisies  in  the  world,  but  none  like  that 
of  commending  to  others  a  Gk>spel  in  which 
one  does  not  believe ;  and  there  are  many 
fearful  retributions  lying  ready  in  eternity, 
but  none  Hke  that  which  awaits  the  man 
who,  once  a  preacher  to  others,  himself  be- 
comes a  castawa^jT.  Faith,  then,  or,  if  you 
will,  piety,  is  a  prime  condition  of  minister- 
ial power,  for  it  is  essential  to  a  Christian ; 
and  if  to  a  Christian,  surely  to  one  whose 
work  it  is,  under  God,  to  make  Christians, 
and  to  l^d  them  on  from  strength  to 
strength,  until  they  appear  in  Zion  before 
G04. 

*'  We  speak  of  fiiith,  and  we  mean  not 
that  mystic  and  blind  eneigy  which  is  so 
lauded  by  many,  whether  it  rest  on  error  or 
on  truth,  but  the  fiuth  which  grasps  the 
verities  of  the  Gospel  as  special  truths  com- 
municated to  man  through  a  special  revela- 
tion. We  are  ambassadors,  not  scholars ; 
ambassadors,  not  philosophers;  ambassa- 
dor^ not  historians.  We  have  a  message, 
distinct,  specific,  separate  from  all  else  that 
is  true  in  morals,  or  in  physics,  and  it  is 
this  that  we  have  to  deliver  with  deamess, 
and  to  enfiorce  with  love.  We  have  to  de- 
clare an  eternal  purpose,  purposed  in  Christ 
Jesus  before  the  world  was;  to  nairate 
events  that  have  happened  once  and  for 
ever  upon  the  theatre  of  the  eurth — ^to 
preach  a  redemption  accomplished  through 
suffering  an^  blood— a  resurrection,  an 
ascension,  an  intercession,  a  judgment,  a 
heaven,  a  hell !  There  is  something  called 
the  Gospel  which  Christ  commanaed  QIb 


apostles  to  preaclu  This  same  thing  waa 
esteemed  by  the  Apostle  Paul  as  of  such  su- 
preme and  sovereign  moment,  that  he  trem- 
bled as  he  thought  of  the  penalty  which 
would  fall  upon  the  unfiiith&l  preacher — 
'  Woe  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.'  In  the  fervour  of  his  admiration  of 
that  truth,  or  system  of  truths,  he  feared  not 
to  scathe  with  a  curse  an  angel's  brow,  if  a 
spirit  so  lofty  should  ever  venture  to  preach 
any  other  GospeL  In  an  age  which  has  given 
so  manv  indications  of  a  tendency  to  under- 
value tiie  hist<Nric  in  Christianity,  and  to  in- 
culcate the  belief  that  its  reputed  mirades 
encumber  and  dispiritualize  it,  is  it  not 
incumbent  on  us  to  hold  and  publish  the 
truth,  that  there  is  no  Gospel  which  is  not 
historical?  The  philosophic  spirit  may  be 
scandalized  at  being  remitted  »)r  the  truth 
that  saves,  not  to  the  depths  of  human  con- 
sciousness, but  to  events  which  have  hap- 
pened once  for  aU  in  the  histoir  of  our 
world.  But  if  so  the  scandal  must  be  given. 
Tell  us  not  that  the  history  is  but  the  shell, 
and  that  there  is  a  Gospel  independent  of 
it  all ;  that,  under  the  winnowing  of  a  pure 
and  transcendental  criticism,  the  incarna- 
tion, and  the  miracles,  and  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  Christ  may  be  blown  aa 
chaff  awav,  leaving  all  that  is  solid  and  es- 
sential behind  in  the  shape  of  noble  ethical 
principles.  A  system  which  thus  uncere- 
moniously casts  aside  the  fiuts  of  Christian- 
ity maj  be  worthy  of  some  name,  but  that 
name  is  not  the  Gospel.  If  it  promise  us  a 
salvation,  it  is  without  a  Saviour;  if  it  pro- 
mise us  forgiveness,  it  is  without  a  re- 
deemer ;  if  it  promise  us  sanctification,  it  is 
without  a  Holy  Spirit ;  and  if  it  pronuse  ua 
eternal  life,  it  takes  from  us  the  onlj 
ground  of  hope  that  death  is  not  an  eternal 
sleep  or  a  terrible  wakefulness.  If  un- 
happily, £uth  in  the  facts  of  the  Gospel 
should  in  any  of  us  begin  to  yield,  our 
power  as  preachers  will  tremble  as  if  smitten 
by  palsy :  and,  if  that  faith  should  desert 
us,  we  shall  be  weak  as  Samson  when  shorn 
of  his  locks.  The  life  of  Christianity  is  in 
its  fiiets,  the  motives  of  Christianity  are  its 
facts,  the  impulses  of  Christianity  are  its 
facts,  the  consolations  of  Christiamty  are  its 
facts, — ^it  stands  on  ita  facts,  or  with  its 
facts  it  fblls." 


There  is  a  seeming  relation  between  the 
foolish  and  the  wise  virgins ;  but  the  time 
comes  when  the  brotherhood  \a  broken. 
There  is  a  seeming  relation  between  those 
who  have  a  name  to  live,  and  are  dead ;  but 
the  time  will  come  when  this  relation  shall 
be  dissolved ;  no  more  false  profession ;  the 
reality  of  every  man's  character  must  come 
to  light :  if  bad,  his  wickedness  will  appear 
before  assembled  worids ;  if  good,  not  one 
of  hia  sioB  will  appear.— «^a«nM  WUlf* 


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43 


d^ur  (!{k!iflui8,  tmx  ^aators,  anb  0ui[  |pii0^1i[. 


ITBW   BAPTIST   OHUBCH, 
Hear  8T0BJS  NBWXKQTON  GBBXN. 

A  Ohubcu  WB8  formed  on  New  Testament 
principlea,  as  a  Strict  Baptist  Cause,  on  Mon- 
day, Jan.  18th,  hv  Charies  W.  Banks,  in 
Moont  Zion  Chapel,  Cowper  road,  Matthias* 
road,  between  Stoke  Newington  and  Kings- 
land  ;  Mr.  ComwelL  the  minister,  having  been 
instnunental  in  gathering  a  Chnrchand  Con- 
mgation.  Mr.  Joseph  Floxy  poured  forth 
his  heart  in  earnest  prayers  to  God  for  a 
blessing  upon  minister  and  people.  In  des- 
cribing 

THE  CHARACTER  &  CONSTITUTION 

OF  A  GOSPEL  CHURCH, 

0.  W.  Banks  said : — This  is  a  solemn  meet- 
ing in  more  senses  than  one.  L  Because  it 
is  asepantion,  a  division,  a  coming  out  from 
other  places;  and  divisions  are  generally 
painful;  but  one  Scripture  has  impressed  my 
mind  this  day:  it  is  in  2  Thess.  iiL  6,  ''Kuw 
we  command  yon,  brethren,  in  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  ye  withdraw  your- 
selves from  every  brother  who  walketh  dis- 
orderiy."  This  is  one  ground  of  ju8tiiication 
for  any  to  oomfi  out  from  others  with  whom 
they  cannot  hold  Scriptural  and  exi^erimental 
communion.  When  I  met  with  a  succession 
of  losses  in  1861,  and  a  dark  cloud  burst  noon 
me,  I  at  once  resigned  my  pastorate.  I  had 
■tood  with  those  people  about  eighteen  veara ; 
I  commenced  with  them  in  1843  with  only 
eighteen  memben:  we  rose  up,  as  a  Church, 
to  nearly  300.  I  obUined  more  than  £800 
for  the  two  chapels  we  worahipped  in — I  mean 
Crosby  Bow  and  Unicom  Yard ;  and  to  leave 
my  pastorate  was  dreadful  work ;  still,  I  felt 
under  such  trying  circumstances  I  was  not 
prepared  to  stand,  and  at  three  several  Church 
Meetinga,  I  resigned.  It  has  been  the  heaviest 
trial  of  my  life,  but  my  earnest,  constant 
prayer  is,  that  the  Lord  would  enable  me  to 
give  to  every  one  a  righteous  recompense  for 
all  they  have  lost  Then—not  till  then,  can 
I  have  any  real  peace. 

I  have  to  say  a  word  or  two  descriptive  of 
a  real  Gospel  ChurclL 

One  of  the  ancients  said,  "  Not  the  place, 
but  the  congregation  of  the  elect  I  call  the 
church."  And  you  all  know  that  remarkable 
saying  of  Chbibt,  **Upon  this  Rock  will  I 
build  my  church,  and  the  ^^tes  of  hell  shall 
not  prevail  against  iV*  The  Bock  is  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  as  God-Man,  as 
Days-Man  and  as  Mediator,  which  know- 
ledge came  from  God  the  Fatner  into  Peter's 
souL  Christ  will  build  souls  together,  but 
they  must  be  living  souls,  and  upon  himself 
and  his  word  will  he  build  them. 

Only  consider  two  things, 

L  The  number  and  the  nature  of  the  ma- 
terial necessary  to  form  a  Church. 

II.  The  ends  for  which  a  Church  is  formed 
on  tbe  earth. 


The  Number  should,  at  least  be  twelve, 
if  there  must  be  pastor,  deacons,  and  members, 
this  number  seems  requisite. 

The  Naivre  was  typmed  in  those  coverings 
of  the  Tabemade;  these  were  ten  all  joined 
together  by  loops  and  |folden  daspsL  The 
inner  ones  were  of  fine  hnen,  beautifully  em- 
broidered with  cherubim,  Ac.,  descriptive  of 
the  work  of  the  Spirit  upon  the  souls  of  all 
who  are  united  togetiier  in  bonds  of  life  and 
love.  Those  curtauis  were  of  blue,  of  purple, 
and  of  scarlet  .fifttf,  expressing  the  highness 
and  origin  of  salvation  in  and  from  God. 
Purple,  the  Royalty  of  their  character,  made 
klngB  and  priests  unto  God.  Scartet,  the  pre- 
cious blood  of  the  Lamb  by  which  they  are 
redeemed.  But  the  New  Testament  is  plain. 
The  second  of  Epheeians  is  a  grand  and  all- 
sufflcient  testimony  to  the  kind  of  charactera 
which  should  form  the  Church.  Souls 
quickened  into  life  divine — sitting  together 
in  heavenly  places;  the  covenant  of  grace,  the 
kingdom  of  grace,  all  the  offices  of  Christ,  all 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  all  the  ordinances 
and  precepts,  and  promises  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament; these  are  indeed  heavenly  places 
where  by  f aitii  they  sit 

Consider  the  ends  for  which  a  Church  is 
to  be  formed. 

1.  For  the  bringing  in  of  God's  quickened 
people.  "  No  more  strangera  and  foreigners, 
but  fellow  citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the 
household  of  God."  "  The  ransomed  of  the 
Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion."  There 
must  be  churches  to  receive  them,  and  to 
nourish  and  ripen  them  when  by  grace  they 
are  called. 

2.  A  place  for  Christ  to  come  in  and  bless 
his  people,  called  "An  habitation  of  God 
through  the  Spirit^  Jesus  will  have  churchea 
where  he  can  meet  with  his  people. 

8.  The  church  is  to  maintain  the  ordinances. 
Prayer  to  God,  preaching  the  Gospel,  baptiz- 
ing penitent  believers,  the  Lord's  Supper,  and 
praise.  These  ordinances  must  all  stand  to- 
gether. 

4.  The  church  is  to  defend  and  uphold  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Let  us  glance  at  the  posture  each  member 
of  the  church  should  strive  to  occupy. 

7^  Pastor^  as  a  father  and  feeder  of  the 
flock  must  be  a  man  living  near  to  God — 
seeking  all  his  messages  from  God — aiming 
in  all  things  to  glorify  his  Maker,  to  honour 
his  Master,  and  to  be  a  real  and  constant 
blessing  unto  the  people. 

The  Beacons  should  aim  to  be  real  helpen 
to  the  pastor,  to  the  memben  of  the  church, 
and  to  all  who  are  seeking  for  salvation. 

The  Membere  should  aim  to  fulfil  all  the 
duties  which  God  in  his  word  calls  them  to 
attend  to ;  and  if  they  really  love  the  Lord 
and  his  truth ;  if  they  have  a  living  and  de- 
voted pastor ;  if  they  have  careful,  wise,  and 
kind  deacons,  they  will  find  grace  to  pray  for 


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THS  BABTHSN  YESaXIi. 


F^  1,1864. 


Ziou,  and  in  every  way  to  seek  her  peace  and 
proapority. 

C.  w.  Banks  then  asked  for  a  Confeasionof 
itheir  faith,  ^hich  wu  pven  by  Mr.  Corn- 
well,  their  miniirter.  All  the  persons  to  form 
*he  church  then  stood  up,  lifting  up  their 
kandfl,  attesting  their  faith  in  and  attachment 
to  the  principles  enunciated  by  Mr.  Oomwell. 
After  thia,  C.  W.  Banks  addressed  each  mem- 
Iber  separately,  giving  to  them  the  right  hand 
of  fellowsfaipL  Mr  Oomwell  then  offered  up 
«  n?08t  heartHmoving  prayer  to  God  for  his 
blessing  in  all  their  movements;  the  Lord's 
©upper  was  administeredL  Mr.  Plory  asked 
them  to  sing, 

**  All  hau  the  power  of  Je8u*s  name,** 
•and  the  hallowed  service  closed. 

Believers  in  Jesus  desirous  of  enoouniging 
this  new  and  needed  cause,  may  address  the 
Deacon,  Mr.  W.  Maslen,  6,  Keppel  row,  8t. 
Matthias  road,  Stoke  Newington-green,  N.W. 

VB.   PAI«KBB*8   MEBTUrO   AT 
HOMEBTON. 

As  is  the  oasis  in  the  desert  to  the  weary  traveller, 
«o  is  it  gladdening  to  the  heaven-seeking 
Clhristian  now  and  again  to  find,  amid  tfie  darken- 
ing shadows  gatherin|{  around,  that  theiv  are 
lioiues  built  for  the  worship  of  God,  where  Ood 
itimself  dwelleth,  and  the  truth  and  li^ht  of  his 
oierey  and  gxaoe  through  Christ  Jesus  is  still 
made  known.  On  Thursday  evening,  January 
7th,  at  the  Baptist  Chapel.  Ilomerton,  with  a 
band  of  ministers  around  him,  Mr.  Palmer,  and 
tj^e  people  of  his ^ 


Iiord*s  i^upper.  It  was  instftntcd  by  Jesus  im- 
mediately after  the  possover,  to  succeed  or  follow 
in  the  place  of  the  Passover ;  as  the  Passover  was 
commemorative  of  the  release  from  the  great 
Egyptian  bondage,  this  institution  wns  in  oom- 
memoration  of  the  one  great  and  lasting  deliver- 
ance of  the  Church  by  Himself.  The  persons  for 
whom  it  was  Instituted  :  he  should  say  for  the 
good,  for  the  loving,  the  obedient  disciples  of 
Jesus.  The  speaker  said  he  did  not  see  Uiat  any 
others  had  right  to  it.  The  way  to  it  wsabv  bap- 
tism. It  is  ssid  tluit  we  are  strict ;  ws  admit  that 
we  are  Strict  Bnatifts;  but  are  not  other  pro- 
fbssiDg  bodies  Stnct  Uaptists  too?    The  Congre- 

gidonalista,  the  Church  of  Englsnd,  and  the 
oman  Catholics,  will  the^r  receive  pcRsons  to  the 
communion  without  baptism?  ifo!  they  will 
not.  Some  immerse,  some  pour,  some  sprinkle ; 
while  we  strictly  enforce  that  inunersion  is  the 
one  right  and  only  Scriptuial  way.  The  place 
where  it  should  be  observed  is  in  the  Church,  in 
the  fkmily  of  the  adopted :  when  assembled  to- 
gether ;  not  to  be  earned  round  to  bed  sides,  and 
tlie  like ;  but  in  the  assembled  Church  is  the 

Elace ;  regeneration  is  the  way  to  baptism  ;  and 
aptism  IS  the  wny  into  the  dnuroh.  Whether 
the  communion  be  administered  once  a  month, 
or  every  week,  the  speaker  did  not  see  It  dearly 
enforoed  in  Holy  Soriptme.  Its  end  aitd  design 
was  to  lead  vs  to  the  oAving  of  Christ:  the  sacri- 
floe  of  himself;  his  life,  his  sufferings,  his  blood, 
his  death  for  us.  Those  who  are  lax  in  theb  at- 
tendance at  the  house  of  Ood,  they  neglect  this 
ordinance  of  Gk)d  :  they  come  to  the  table  oc- 
ossionally^for  this  reason— they  say  in  them- 
selves. **There  is  a  rule  in  our  Chunh,  that  if  we 
absent  ourselves  from  the  table  b^-ond  such  a 
time,  our  membership  is  lost"    Thus  they  make 


Tofhtaim^w^  «°  occasional  attend^ce,  just  toprevenf  being 

*nniial  meSiM.     T^TWdI^^  separated  from  the  Church.    I  say,7acE 

-  -  •  ^^pi^'Sdl^^^^^  ^:rs'.^?LT..^'2}iLl^^^j2^^^^ 


]neet£g  by  readinir  a  sweet  hymn  Mr/PearMn  ^^9*  membCTship :  thev  t«oeive  H  unworthily, 
SbrediSivSr  J&r  ?ahw>r^  said.  ITS  5?**.  ®»*  «"?  ^""^  condemnation  to  themselvei ! 
SSSlylSdtos  ^v/SSfid  i? 5^7  «u^  I  SS^^J^  *>«^  «>d  oon^enoe.  condemn  them, 
quietly  "Wking  their  revoluUons,  fulfilling  tS  |  S^?l^J  if fj  fl!^' S^!??i'*~  "*  S^*;J^''• 
course  God  has  given  them  without  an  appSu«nt  I  2f Li*S2«i  7  ^^      ^     ^    "*  ^  ^ 

change  to  the  ordinary  observcr-so  we  niaVTon-  i  ^K  ri.*rJL^«**JK  J  ^  2«^n2tion. 
warvrfrcsn  year  to  yaar  in  our  oonnes  without   m]^j^  Chairman  thanked  Mr.  Wyard  for  hia  ra- 

MB.  MOTB  Oir  *«  SCABS  OF  HOHdrB." 

Mr.  E.  Mote  then  spoke  on  "Scars  of  Hononr." 
-^ohn  XX,  20.    The  meaker  ga\-B  a  lengthened 


I  year  to  year  in  our  oonnes  without 
mnch  observed  change:  yet  the  ^'cars  pass  and 
we  approach  nearer  uul  nearer  to  the  end  of  our 
coarse.  And,  as  the  changes  of  the  heavenly 
bodies  are  only  known  from  certain  points  of  ob- 

ssi^tkNi,  so  our  ehanges  are  mostly  known  by     ^  ^ „ - 

coming  to  certain  places,  or  pointa,  for  ohserva-  address,  evidently  with  intenaitv,  desiring  hia 
tion  and  refleotioa.  Since  the  meeting  of  this  audience  to  feel  the  worth  and  appreciate  the  ex* 
kind  at  tlie  opening  of  1868,  another  vear  has  '  cellendes  of  the  glorious  Conqueror,  who  Is  more 
passed  away.  In  the  past  year  Ood  has  increased  glorious  and  exoellent  than  all  the  mountains  of 
n»r  by  experience,  by  bapUsm,  and  by  disn^nal  <  ^wy ;  and  who,  after  his  victories  and  ranrree- 
^„^. ire  haw  inctwMwi  between    taon  made  his  disciples  glad  a        - 


fhan  other  Ohuvehes,  we 

twenty  and  thirty  in  the  Church.  A  grealer  in- 
csaase  than  in  any  one  year  since  I  nave  been 
here.  The  congregation  has  Increased  also :  they 
have  gotten  strong,  so  strong,  they  thought  of 
Ufttng  the  reof  orthe  ohapel,  and  gettinga  dome 
on  in  its  place :  and  M9  the  people  Increase,  new 
ideas  increase.  The  windows  were  small,  and 
they  thought  of  baring  larger;  and  then  (casting 
his  «ye8  tu  the  east  side  of  tne  chapel),  on  the  east 
it  is  rather  dark,  and  some  want  the  light  of  the 
^east :  so  we  think  of  having  windows  that  side. 
Indeed  we  know  b«I  what  we  are  not  going  to  do, 
only  they  were  not  going  to  make  It  a  new  ohapel, 
but  they  hoped  to  make  It  look  like  one.  Mr. 
.fJflwjerspake  well  of  his  people.  They  increased 
in  aflhction  toward  him,  and  ne  felt  an  increasing 
desire  for  them.  He  knew  nottiing  of  the  futui^ 
that  was  with  Ood  alone;  but  ho  bad  been  with 
^Hsm  some  nine  or  tenyears.  and  he  had  no  other 
desire  bat  to  live  and  die  with  them. 

MB.  0.  WTARB  Oy  THB  LOBD^ 

8UFPBB. 

Mr.  Wyard  aswke  on  the  institntion  of  the 


his  dwciples  glad  accordingly,  by  shew- 
ing the  scars  of  honour  In  his  hands  and  fbet. 
Mr.  Mote's  address  was  good. 

MR.  J.  POBEMAIT  ON  -THB  FATRSB^S 
TBABSr 

The  subvert  was  from  flt  Varkix,84,  "The 
Father  weeping  orer  his  OWld.*'  Mr.  Foreman 
appeared  to  be  mwell.  and  evidently  felt  a  sense 
of  Qod'sgoodneas  toward  him.  In  the  omirae  of 
his  remarks  he  said  that  be  was  not  his  own ;  un- 
worthy as  he  was,  he  was  bought  with  a  price, 
and  bdonged  to  the  Lord  It  was  tlie  feeling 
scnae  of  this,  that  tbr  so  many  years  had  kept 
him  on  as  he  had  done.  In  reference  to  the  sun- 
jeot.  be  observed  that  there  were  diflbrent  kinds 
ot  tean;  compound  tears,  ikctftious  tears :  of  all 
tears  fictitious  tean  were  the  worst.  In  the  fer- 
vice  of  Almighty  Ood.  this  was  greaUy  to  be 
oreaded.  Emotion  and  tean  produced  by  thea- 
trical effects  were  fearftdly  delusive.  Oood 
Geoige  Coombe  used  to  pray  to  be  preserved  ftom 
any  ftendeney  to  theatrical  amotion  in  his  pT«aidi> 
ing :  he  knew  its  danger,  for  he  had  been  enfltged 


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TBB  BAATUEK  VS88BL. 


45 


in  thAtlife.  Mr.  Foreman  nude  some  ctriklng 
nferaofje  to  teara  and  their  eflbot  in  easing  the 
heart  and  spirit  when  under  distress  and  oppres- 
akm  from  natoral  causes.  But  the  tears  of  the 
great  Father  of  whloh  he  spake  were  oompoond 
tears.  Tiiey  were  tears  or  grief  over  his  poor 
demoaiaeal  child,  of  which  demoniacal  powers 
mai^  were  po«esaed  at  the  time  our  blessed 
Lora  was  upon  earth.  One,  in  particular,  for 
whom  there  seemed  no  help :  he  had  been  to  the 
disciples;  but  until  he  went  to  Jesus  there  was 
no  help.  This  man  wept  tears  of  reflection ; 
be  went  to  Jesns^  making  confession  to  our  blessed 
Lord,  who  said,  **  If  thou  canst,  believe.'*  This 
word,  with  ocnvictintf  force,  led  him  to  reflect; 
he  saw  his  own  unbelief;  the  powerlessness  of  his 


own  heart,  to  believe  in  Jesus:  though  by  soi 
little  hope  he  had  come  to  Jesus,  yet  here 
wept  in  perplexity,  in  gribf.  and  renection  on  the 


onbelief;  the  unsoundness,  the  badness  of  his  own 
heart  before  Jesn%  and  with  tears  said,  **  Lord,  I 
believe^  help  Thou  mine  unbelief."  Also,  they 
were  tears  of  hope.  Tea,  fhmi  this  word  of  Jesus 
his  understsnding  was  oilightened,  his  hope  in- 
creased ;  he  saw  the  Lord's  power,  and  wept  in 
confidence  of  him  to  whom  he  was  come,  feeling 
«Lord4I  can  believe  I  do  believe;^  and  thus  tht^ 
were  tears  ot  hope.  Lastly,  as  Jesus  did  command 
the  deaf  and  dumb  spirit  to  come  forth  of  his 
child  rthns  having  mercy  upon  himself  and 
ehUd),  ne  would  weep  tears  of  gratitude.  So  this 
man's  tears  wen  compound  tears.  Tears  of 
relief;  teara  of  reflection,  tears  of  hope^  tears  of 
gratiCBde.    May  the  Lord  bless  you. 

Mr.  Webster,  of  Gave  Adnllam,  made  some 
very  interesting  nautical  observations  on  Paul's 
Voyage  and  its  Happy  Issue.  This  subject  had 
been  well  studied :  it  was  really  well  done. 

Mr.  Blake,  now  of  Artillery  lane,  made  some 
earnest  remarks  on  the  Noble  Besolutlon  (Psalm 
Uxxv,  8)  •'I  will  wait  to  hear  what  Ood  the 
Lord  will  speak." 

After  another  hymn  and  prayer,  this  happy 
New  Tear's  meeting  at  Homerton  closed.  May 
the  Lord  God  be  glorified.  Bo  prays  the  Church's 
yoong  servant,  Abbaham  Howabd. 

SAXUBL  JAOKSOH  TN  THB  BAOX 
WOODS  OP  OANADA. 

Cub  patient  and  forgiving  brother,  William  H. 
Peck,  of  Halloway,  Umadk  West,  sends  us  the 
fbUowing  kind  note.  Such  evidences  of  useAil- 
ness  are  cheering  to  us  in  the  valley.  It  is  a 
merc^i  indeed,  that  although  our  churches  do 
nothing  toward  sending  out  good  ministers,  yet 
doth  God,  in  His  Providence,  press  out  many 
who  prove  their  mission  to  be  of  Him,  by  their 
enduring  hardness  in  His  service,  and  by  their 
success  m  His  vineyard.  We  have  thougnt  that 
all  believens  who  really  receive  the  Truth  from 


the  Great  Fountain  Head,  as  the  pledge  of  their 
*  *  etnual  salvation,  and  who,  uso,  desire 


souls* 


above  all  things  that  the  Living  Truth  of  the 
Gospel  should  be  spread  abroad  through  the 
mievrable  masses  or  men  in  our  oount^,  and 
through  the  wide-spreading  and  constantly-cpeo- 
ing  colonies  and  countries  beyond  us -we  have 
long  desired  that  all  such  earnest  souls  should 
hold  special  meetings  at  least  once  a  quarter,  to 
oniteoly  pray  unto  God  for  the  prosperity  of 
those  of  our  brethren,  who^  like  J.  Bunyan 
M'Cure^^Samuel    Jackson,    John     Kingsford, 

Samuel  Ward, Bay,  and  many,  many  others 

are  now  fighting  the  good  fight  in  the  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  earth.  The  Allnight^-  Lord 
0oi>  Himself  has  said, —**  Them  that  honour 
Me,  I  will  honour.*  How  can  poor  finite  men 
honour  the  eternal  God  f  We  answer  the  ques- 
tion by  qnotinff  a  section  of  a  short  sermon  we 
lately  preached  in  Squirries-street  chapel.  It 
was  a  doleftil  night— business  had  occupied  us 
all  the  day— hinaeranoes  prevented  our  usual 
hoitf^  retuement  previous  to  preaching.    Cold 


and  barren  we  set  out  to  spedc  in  the  Lord's 
name,  without  one  word  or  thought ;  but  as  we 
pushed  on  through  the  gloomy  Green-streets, 
and  other  crowded  thoronghfkres,  **  Jerusalem  is 
bullded  as  a  dty  that  is  compact  ttwether"  came 
to  mind.  To  ourselves  we  said,  **  Jerusalem,  the 
Church  of  God,  is  bullded  AS  ▲  citt,  because 
she  is  bullded  according  to  a  weH-consideied  and 
wisely-ordered  plan;  the  covenant  of  God's 
graces  concerning  the  building  of  this  city,  is 
ordered  in  all  things  and  sure.  Again,  she  is 
builded  to  answer  and  to  accomplish  certain 
special  ends— certain  most  wondernil  things  are 
in  this  dty  to  be  accomplished.  Ghid's  glory  ia 
to  be  revealed  herein ;  the  Soic  of  God  is  to  be 
honoured,  and  extolled,  and  lilted  very  high; 
the  work  of  the  Etbbkai.  Spirit  is  to  be  earned 
on ;  and  the  spiritual  and  final  happiness  of  all 
the  vessels  of  meroy  is  herein  to  be  effected.  For 
the  carrying  out  of  these  blessed  purposes,  there 
is  ample  provision  made.  The  heavens  are  pre- 
pared, the  glorious  Mediator  is  appointed,  the 
Bible  is  inven,  the  Gospel  is  preached,  ministers 
are  qualified,  the  door  of  mercy  is  open,  the  Sa- 
viour's intercession  is  carried  on,  the  power  of  the 
Spirit  is  exerted,  the  promises  aie  realised, 
<murehee  are  formed,  sinners  are  converted,  be- 
lievers are  built  up,  thk  oitt  la  GBowne  unco 
PBBPBCTIOH.  And  are  we  identified  with,  and 
vitally  joined  to,  all  these  most  holy  works  of 
the  Lord  f  And  shall  we  be  slothful,  sdfish,  sen- 
sual, and  of  an  isolated  spirit !  Oh  t  God  iorbid. 
As  £nooh  Mellor  said,  so  would  we  re-echo»— 
"  While  we  would  advocate  strongly  the  removal 
from  our  or  firom  any  church  everything  which 
can  ollend,  being  unsoriptural  and  anti-evan- 
gelical, let  us  not  forget2_that,  in  the  end,  the 
mass  will  crowd  where  ThS  CBOSS  is  most  up- 
lifted, and  the  love  of  God  most  displajred. 
*  Will  crowd,'  did  we  say  P  We  mean  God  will 
bring  them ;  and  the  power  of  any  denomination 
over  the  unregenerate  (vessels  of  mercy),  will, 
eventually,  be  in  the  ratio  of  the  power  of  the 
pulpit,  and  the  power  of  the  pulpit  will  be  as  is 
the  power  of  its  individual  preachors,  and  the 
power  of  its  individual  preachers  will  be  in  the 
proportion  in  which  they  receive  the  power  of 
the  Spirit  of  God ;  and  they  will  reodve  the 
power  of  the  Spirit  of  GkKi  to  ttie  extent  in  which 
they  seek  in  the  true  spirit  and  manner  to  preach 
that  truth  which  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salva- 
tion to  every  one  that  believeth."  Why,  then, 
should  not  our  churches  meet  together  in  strong 
and  loving  companies— not  to  have  tea-meetings 
and  collections  lor  their  own  use  rimply— but  to 
pour  out  their  hearts  unto  God  for  His  blessing 
upon  our  brethren,  and  upon  our  dsber  ohuroheik 
who^  in  the  back  woods  and  roughly-inhabited 
parts  of  the  world,  are  suiforing  and  often  soiw 
rowing  in  the  midst  of  their  heavy  mission! 
Brethren,  ministerial  brethren,  deaoonical  bre- 
thren, iimuential  and  earnest  praying  brethren 
and  nsters,  when  God  shall  move  your  hearts  to 
this  Apostolical  and  Pentecostal  nniU*  ol  pur- 
pose and  power,  praying  God  to  '*  SEND  OUT 
His  light  and  His  truth ;"  then  shaU  envr,  sdifiB^ 


leesk  and  petty  divisions  greatly  dimi- 
niah ;  then  shall  our  cords  be  lengthened ;  then 
shall  we  see  Christ's  kingdom  oommg,  and  glory 
shall  dwell  in  our  land,  tiome  of  our  half-inll- 
del  and  dreadfully  proud  preachers,  who  seek 
nothing  but  their  own  aggrandisement,  will  scoff 
and  sneer  at  this;  but  that  we  leave  to  the  Great 
Judge  of  all.  Let  this  hint  have  room  in  the 
hearts  and  heads  of  all  who  are  sincerely  devoted 
to  Christy  and  let  us  soon  have  a  meeting  of  the 
kind  referred  to.  Meanwhllei  here  is  orother 
Peck. 

Halloway,  Canada  West  Dec.  19,1868. 
Deab  Brothbb  Bakxa,— Although  it  is  a  long 
time  since  I  wrote  you,  you  have  not  been  for- 
gotten by  me ;  nor  is  your  service  of  love  in  the 
Bedeemer's  cause  less  acceptable  than  heretofore 
to  myself  and  a  few  others  who  rtU)  continue  to 

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46 


THB  XlBTHiar  TS8BSI. 


1  Jim  by  neint  of  Hm  good  Ymmwt^ 
wbioh  bringi  lu  *^g1ad  U<Unct^  of  good  thing*— 
whioh  pubUsheth  MdvatiaiH  wbiob  Mith  onto  Zkm 
"tby^od  raignekh.*'  How  beuittfla  upon  tlw 
moontaint  are  the  feet  of  such  OMMengert;  jrea, 
we  hail  tbem  with  delight  aa  (h^  oome  bringing 
ua  the  old  corn  and  wine  of  the  kingdom*  and  we 


feel  nuo  that  thoae  thua  employed  in  enattrring 
(by  the preas)  the  aaeda  of  truth  to  **the  eoda of 
the  earth/'  wiU  not  in  thia  life  be  pennitted  to 


know  how  noeful  their  laboun  haTu  been  to  the 
ohnreh  of  Ood,  and  although  mountaina  of  diA 
ooltiea  and  diaoouragementi  may  be^  and  aoma- 
tiroea  are*  in  their  way;  and  sorrow  Alia  their 


aoulf  yet  the  promiae  for  their  enoouragemcnt 
atanda  aore:  ''He  that  goeth  forth  weenin*- 
bearing  predooa  aeed,ahalC  donbtlea^  oomoi 


sping* 
aoam 
Sear 


i^oioing,  bearing  hia  aheavaa  with  him.' 
Brother,  the  Lord  bleaa  thee,  and  make  thee  a 
Uei^  atiU  to  Zion  both  fay  word  and  epiatla. 

Brocher  Samuel  JafOkaon,  who  waa  formerly  in 
the  London  Oitgr  Miasion,  and,  I  think^  with 
whom  you  were  aeqnaintea,  ia  now  in  thiapart 
He  waa  well  reeeivod  by  the  **««- 


of  Canada. 


'Be- 


gular  Baatiat'*  body  here;  tha^'^  appointed  him 
to  a  miaBiQn  in  a  newly-aettled  part  of  the  coun- 
try, quite  **baok  in  the  woods,"  between  forty 
and  fifty  milea  north  of  where  I  live.  He  oame 
"out**  to  attend  a  quarterly  meeting  in  thia 
neighbourhood,  and  waa  ordained  by  the  mi- 
niateia  preaent  aa  a  **Bagular  Baptiat'^  miniater, 
being  raoeivod  with  Mrs.  J.  aa  memben  of  the 
ehureh  at  the  then  place  of  meeting.  Mra.  J> 
waa  made  quite  oontented  with  her  "  bmsk  wooda** 
life  by  the  auperabundant  kiodncaa  and  ^ad  re- 
oeplion  ahe  here  met  with  from  the  Baptist 
ftiend%  who  aait  them  back  to  their  Held  of  la- 
bour with  maogr  tokens  of  praotioal  kindnfua. 
Their  temponl  wanta  have  thus  for  been  well 

supplied,  and  brother  J.  has  aome  encouraoa- 
_      .  .....  .^_  -   _^  _...  ...._  ...    •  -     n-T,^ 


I  that  the  Lord  wUl  bleM  his  labours 

baa  a  very  laborious  field,  praaohea  three  times 
on  Sabbath,  and  walks  thirteen  milea  over  rook% 
through  awampi^  and  over  hilla,  in  aome  plaoaa 
almoat  perpeadiouhu';  but  the  *'aealera"  gladly 
*'tnni  ont*>  to  **  bear  preaohini^  in  some  neigh- 
bour^ **  shanty'*  (a  houae  built  vrith  loga),  and  a 
Sabbath-aehool  haa  alao  been  oonunenoad,  and 
brother  J.  baa  met  with  aome  few  of  BMtiat  aen- 
timanta  whom  he  hopea  to  baptise  and  form  a 
ohuroh.     X  aeod  this   per    fevour  ot  brother 
Hotmea,  of  Dorset  square,  through  whom  I  ob- 
tain my.mafludnea  regularly. 
**  A  ffui%,  weak,  and  helplcas 
On  Jesus*  arma  I  fell; 
He  ia  my  atrength  and  righteouaneaa, 
My  h0p^  my  help,  my  all.*' 
YouramHlm, 

William  H.PsoK. 

A  HAPF7  HOlUVil  AT  niWf - 

WOOD,  BtTCKa 

«•!  LOYB  THB  LOBD.  AND  THB  LOBD 

LOYEB  MB." 


VfOfB, 


J}nAM  Bnomziif'-A  bapciaingaa 

eeaUy  holdcB  at  Preatwood.  TThe 

haa  been  in  a  low  atata  for  yeaxa.    The  work  of 

the  Lord  haa  aoaroe  betm  viaibto;  but  He  haa  put 

it  into  the  hearUof  Hia  people  to  ory     

to  Him  to  revive  Hia  work,  that  they 


Joioe  in  Hiin^;  and  a  fevourable  oham  1 

nSr?y  Hia  tP^m^^ 


iblestHto 


plaee.   The  Lord  haa  heard 

BtoHia  draMh  and  piop^e.    kr. 


.  of  BpeUf  preached  from  faalm  oxvi. 
'  Hiou  haat  delivered  my  adnl  from  death,  mine 
eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  fhnn  felling:  I  will 
vralk  before  the  Lord  in  the  light  of  the  living." 
The  candidates  wero  two  females;  each  a  young 
mother  of  several  small  children.  Cheerfully 
thmr  walked  into  the  water,  and  were  buried 
with  Ohriat  in  baptiam,  riaing  again  vrhile  the 
congregation  were ainging,  **ntdm  ye  the  Lord. 


Halldniahl"    Itwueafaapnytini;  brt  aUvn 
not  done.    Mr.  Free,  addwsafag  the  eungianatta  . 
said  if  there  wen  any  cthera  piaaant  who  were 
believen  hi  the  LoidJesua  Ohriat,  but  had  no* 


yet  obeyed  Hia  command  with  regard  to  bap- 
tiam,  ifthey  would  oome  fevward  and  give  a  na- 
son  of  the  hope  within  them,  he  wotdd  baptiae 
them  there  atid  then  if  they  vriahed  It;  wbeve- 
unon,  arather  tall  young  man  at  once  puahed  Uo 
'"        ^    '      rowiaad-r   •"  '^^^     - 


vray  through  the  erowd,      ^ ^    

towarda  the  miniater,  aaid,  **  ^  love  the  Loid.  and 
He  lovea  me^  and  I  desire  to  be  baptized.**  In 
anawer  to  questfona  put  to  him,  he  gave  a  v«» 
interesting  acoount  of  his  call  by  graoe  t  how  hia 
godly  fetter  and  mother  ted,  from  hia  aarlieat 
yeara,  atrivea  to  bring  him  up  in  tte  vray  of  tiia 
Lord;  how  te  had  run  eontiary  to  theb  good 
wiahea  and  inatractiaiis^  until,  a  few  montte  •aot 
te  beeame  ao  diatiesaud  about  hfeaonl,  and  the 
painaof  hell  gat  ao  teld  upon  him,ttettevrBa 
driven  to  ciy  to  God  for  merqy.  At  length  te 
found  pardon  and  peace  by  feitn  in  Jeana  Chriak 
Since  then  te  had  worshipped  with  tte  F  '  ' 
Methodiata;  bntaate  had  not  been tep 


felt  oonatndned  to 

Tte  next  question  vraa  how  could  te 

ofraiment?    * 

lend  him 


ition  vraa  how  could  te  geta  change 
A  man  hi  tte  galleiy  aald  he  tronld 
me  dothea.     He  then  vralked  de^ 
voutly  into  the  water  with  the  miniater,  exclaim- 
ing,^ Bleaa  tte  Lord,'*  and  vraa  teptiaMl,  and 
again  tte  oonmntion  aangi  **Pndse  ye  tte 


congregation 
Idi^ah^It  \ 


w.  I  ya  th 

a  piimiinn  al^t  to 
see  tte  man  thua  follow  tte  Lord  thro^ifa  that  de- 


Lord.    HaUdi 


spiaed  ordinance. 

and  one  old  man  exolaimed. 


done  great  things  hn 
ToOodteallthegloi 
Mr.  Bvana  gave  tte 


>*Tte  Lead  hath 


things  lor  na,  whaieof  we  araglad. 

te  right 
hand  oi  feUdwahip^  and  febeived  them  into  the 


Soiy."    On  foUowinc  fl 
•  newly  bapliaed  tte 


ohunA.  He  ap^ce  in  the  morning  ft«m  Faalm 
Ix.  *'Tte  Lord  will  te  a  raftige  for  tte  op- 
preaMd :  a  reliige  in  times  ot  trouble.*'  In  after- 
nooB  from  Isaiah  xlvL  •«  He  ahallited  Hia  Sock 
Ute  a  shepherd;  He  shall  gather  tte  lamte  hi 
Hia  arms,  and  cany  tiicu  m  Hia  bofDm;  and 
shaU  gently  lead  ttMae  that  are  with  young." 
After  tUa  be  administered  the  Lord'a  Supper, 
addreasing  tte  new  members  from  Laban*a  woraa 
to  Abtahara'a  aervaat,  mySmm,  *Oome  hi,  tlio« 
bleased  of  tte  iKod,  wtanOira  acandeat  thou 
vrithoutr*  It  was  a  solemn,  aaered  scMon :  tte 
Lordii  bleaatng  waa  on  tte  word.  We  teve 
otfaen  we  hope  will  thortly  dome  foHnird  and 
dcdare  irhat  God  haa  don«  for  tteir  aodla.— 
[Mr.  8.  Bvana,  ot  High  Wyoomte  (son  of  the  lata 
Mr.  Bvans,  the  pastor  thcfe  aome  yeara  iinoe)» 
haa  been  honoured  of  tte  Lord  to  preatfh  Hia 
tvord.  We  should  rejoice  to  tea  hini  uaefolly 
aetlled  over  a  prosperous  cauacj 


AV  JlVJUUmO  AT  SBOAB. 

Dbab  Mb.  EptTOB,—!  Juat  send  you  a  line  to 
inform  you  of  an  evening  I  spent  at  tte  Ftarticu- 
lar  Bapfiat  ChaneL  OreatAliesfreeL  WhitaohapeL 
Ton  may  use  u  If  you  think  well,  or  you  may 
cast  it  into  ttet  moat  grievoua  baaket,  which  all 
editors  keep  for  the  special  benefit  of  aach  piecea 
aa  are  of  no  uae.  very  much  to  the  wounduig  of 
tte  fbelings  of  the  resoected  writers.  A  oeofiain 
ourioua  writer,  apeaxing  of  tte  very  oouxt- 
eooa  mannera  wtudi  persona  generally  TCooiv« 
at  diapehL  aaya, 

^  When  1  went  to  Zoar, 
I  sat  me  on  the  floor." 
Wdl,  thia  ia  a  feet  On  tte  flrat  Sunday  evening 
in  this  year  I  went  to  the  abovenamed  plaea,  and 
I  perched  on  tte  anti(uie  gallery  ataira.  Aono 
but  peraons  ofa  very  rdigioua  a^;>ect  get  a  aeat. 
Permit  me  to  draw  a  contract  Perhapa,  air,  you 
are  aware  that  it  is  a  very  remarkable  thing  ia> 
deed  fora  person  to  te  seen  going  into  a  Ohnreh 
(I  mean  the  good  Church  of  England)  in  i 
parte  of  the  City.    But  when  i 


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Kb.  1,1364. 


47 


doM  hapiMD  (that  K  Ifyoa  do  getoiTDfihlpcfc  a 
City  ChnMta)  tha  pe«r  opcnen  ran,  pot  yoa  in  a 
■eat.  brteir  y?^  ^MMkiiaad  toy  to  mike  jroa  oom- 
fbnabie.  WlMi  a  diffeNooe!  Wen  you,  dear 
Xr.  Sditorjiwttogive  ue  aa  arUda  ofMUitUa 
aotajaot,  wo  mi^  etaad  tha  etianoe  of  fcttiog  a 
•eat. 

Theoreaeher wImmii  I  beard  wae  aKr.  WaiiMir- 
ton.  ViM  lesmm  irae  the  liMtioth  ebaptar  of 
laaiah,  whioh  was  feiy  dietinoUy  taul,  wittoont 
a  oonmiaat.  The  euffing  is  .batter  oondaotad 
Hian  at  oiHiy  plaaes.  Murder  is  not  oonimitted. 
I  meaa  they  do  not  ffive  out  two  lines  at  a  tiiaa : 
this  both  murders  the  tune  and  the  words,  for 
▼ery  often  there  is  not  so  much  ss  a  oomma  where 
the  division  Is  mada.  I  am  glad  this  two-line 
Moda  has  ahnost  died  ant:  itisanoutn^genpon 

Vha  pnaoher  <Xir.  Waiburten)  rase,  ud  gsTe 
oothlsteaBt.  It  was  taicen  Ihnn  Ibddal  zLltt, 
**  That  they  may  walk  in  my  statnteib  and  keep 
miaa  ardmaaees*  and  do  toam;  snd  thsy  shall 
be  my  people,  and  I  wiU  be  their  CKxL^    The 


I  that  the  key  to  the  text  was  the 
nneoedlnir  vetse,  ''And  I  will  give  them  one 
ttsert,"  kc  We  were  taken  baek  to  the  day  of 
Peataoost,  and  hesrd  that  when  the  Holy  e-hoet 
wvoughtnpon  the  hesitsof  tlie  three  thoassnd, 
they  weie  all  of  one  heart.  In  this  manner  we 
lieanl  the  doapel  Mthlhilly  prssflhsd.  Upon  the 
atatates  and  ordinaases,  Mr.  Warbartdn  spake  as 
a  workman  that  aeoilath  not  to  beasham<Ml.  1 
have  iMard  ths  moat  eurious  aeoeunts  of  these 
Stamdard  preaohers;  they  oeitalBly  have  a 
standard,  which  seeaos  to  me  (who  am  an  im- 
partial Judge)  piineipally  toaet  differently  to  any 
other  persona.  AU  men  have  a  standard ;  but 
he  is  no  man  who  pins  his  taith  upon  the  nnsub- 
staotial  smUes  (if  they  dare  oominit  suoh  a  orime) 
of  two  or  three  men  at  the  helm.  Well,  I  do  not 
know  wtiat  Mr.  WailmrtQn  is,  save  that  he  Is  a 
minister  of  the  cross.  His  description  of  good 
works  is  one  that  every  man  should  hear,  andone 
that  WiU  bear  the  sorntiny  of  the  oritia  He  says 
every  Cfaristiaa  should  work  as  though  salvation 
were  dependent  noon  it,  snd  then  trasd  upon  the 
whole,  and  Join  with  St.  Paul,  and  say,  **  I  oonnt 
all  things  bat  dung  and  dross  fbr  the  ezceUeocrf 
of  Jesus  Christ.*'  The  sermon  was  frequently 
Interqiersed  with  anecdotes  that  had  evidently 
come  under  his  own  notice.  I  certainly  wsssorrv 
to  hear  so  goodjy  a  presohar  so  unacquainted  witaa 

language.    If  it  be  right  to  speak  at  all.  It 

ft  oertably  be  well  to  do  it 


t  m  aooordanoe 


Mr.  Bditor,  a  happy  new  year, 


with  propriety. 
Wishing  you, 
and  your  excellent  magazine  vety'maeih  suooess', 
as  it  Justly  merits,  I  am,  yonramost  respectfully, 

Bpvr. 

J.  B^AJSTDBBfiOH  AT 
SSFClfOJEUD. 
TBXflrst  Sabbath  in  the  new  year  waa  apfoo- 
priately  tized  for  the  eommenoament  of  the  new 
Msuxr's  lahoum  at  Zion  Ohapel,  Vcw  Oroaaaroad, 
J)eptfMKi.  Sfaee  the  opening  of  this  plaee^  two 
paitoia  hase  dispanssd  the  word  of  life  -to  the 
ehuxeh.  Jhirmeny,  Mr.  Telton,  now  at  Ipsarich ; 
nUy,  Mr.  George  Wyard,  who  lias 
..  _j^    .  -  -,  where  the  closing 


yearlHon^also  coAQlose  ids  kdKwrs  at  that 
once4onnshing  but  now  decayed  cause, 

Mr.  Anderson  having  resigned  his  pastomte  at 
Bethesda,  St.  Luke's,  and  the  church  at  Deptford 
•  tofiadan 


being  anaiotta 

appeared  to  be  open  to  invite 
accept  that  olBce,  he  havlug 
**     '--'  —         »eonsidentb] 


sheptierdythe  way 
)  Mr.  Anderson  to 


DcfKCosd  with  some  eonsideraEle  aoceptaace.  „ 
is  hoped  that,  by  the  btoisfng  of  ths  Load,  he 
may  be  enabled  to  aeviw  the  eause  hsra.  These 
is  abundaaoe  of  room  and  opportunity  at 
DepCfard  foraioMiof  troth;  ana  who  wilipn^ 


eligibly 
8efiooi,s] 


andwoik.  The  loeaUty  is  thickly  populated,  and 
these  are  in  and  around  that  ne^:llbourhood  a 
large  number  of  lovers  of  a  tine  gmoe  gospel. 
Here  is  a  good,  substantial.  oomaMidions  chapel, 
-  My  situated,  a  weU-orgaalied  Sabbath 
snd  other  working  bodies  oonneotsd  with 
the  ohureh.  To  human  Judgment^  all  that  ap- 
pears to  be  wanted,  was  a  leader,  or  captain  to 
oounsel,  to  direct,  to  instruct,  and  to  go  before 
the  people.  Should  Mr.  Anderson'e  Idioaia  be 
blessed  among  the  people  of  his  new  charge^  we 
hope  the  church,  and  its  uulous  institutions  may 
be  revived,  and  that  new  lift  and  energy  may 
mark  the  future  progress  of  this  cause  of  truth* 
Mr.  Anderson's  openkig  sermon,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, January  8rd,  was  a  well-timed  and  saitahla 
disooune^  and  no  person,  after  listening  to  that 
semum,  could  leave  the  place,  without  bemg  fhlly 
aware  of**  the  theologiflal  views'*  of  the  oewlj^ 
elaoted  pastor.  The  text  was  Atom  Bar.  i.  ft,  6; 
**  Uato  Uim  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from 
ear  sins  in  His  own  blood,  and  hath  made  na 
kings  and  priesto  unto  God  and  His  Vnther,"  Ao. 
The  text  waa  apoken  to  under  three  heada^  and 
three  more  vital  and  important  mat^ttU  never 
ged  the  thought  or  nund  of  umbl  ViiBt,  wo 
aome  thougftta  on  the  loss  of  our  Oteat 
Redeemer:  ssoondly,  we  were  led  to  oon« 
template  the  efBdency  of  the  Hood  of  Jesus ;  and 
thirdly,  the  sower  of  our  once-crudlled  but  now 
our  exaltea  Saviour.  Oertainly— a  great  and 
|dLorioos  saboect— tk«  lose,  Uood^  andpoawr  of  our 
&i«at  High  Priest.  May  the  Lord  abundantly 
bless  such  bold  and  plain  prodamatloos  of  the 
pure  Word  of  Truth  to  the  oomforting  snd  estab- 
Ushing  ^of  believers,  and  to  the  arousing,  con- 
vincing, and  converting  of  sinner^  so  tnat  His 
Kingdom  may  grow,  Zion'a  borders  be  estended, 
and  the  Lord's  name  glorified. 

May  showers  of  Heaven's  richest  blessings 
descend,  and  water  this  garden  of  tha  Loid| 
under  the  presidency  of  its  new  pastor* 


THB   BAPTIST   SUNDAY  SOSOOL 

It  la  ri^t  that  the  fHends  of  God  and  man, 
truth  and  rii^htsousneaa,  ahould  know  what  this 
body  la  dofaig,Bad  I  am  plessed  there  aie  many 
enqniriea.  (Ai  the  lath  inst.  at  its  monthly  niaet*> 
ing  -at  Bhaftesbuiy  halL  deputatlona  were  ap- 
polnled  to  visit  our  Sunday  Schools  in  London, 
toexplain  our  ot^jeets  and  acticna,  and  to  invite 
their  union  and  ooHipamtion  wtth  osi  Ths 
districts  fbr  these  deputations  aie  those  of  the 
post-office  divisions  ofthis  great  dty. 

A  snbHwnmittwe  was  **  famed  toewamliMi  said 
report  what  publioafeiona  ean  be  leoomoMUded  to 
the  achoola  ofthis  Union.*'  The  members  of  this 
Committee  sae—Miaisters,  S.  Milner,  W.  Palmar, 
J.  Olaskin,  and  W.  Hawkins:  Meem  Ooopeiv 
T.  M.  Whittaker,  O.  T.  Ckmgiwa.  G.  PMrson,  W. 
C.  Keoap,  J.  Briscoe.  Jim.,  G.  ITew,  T.  Janies» 
W.  T.  ODoper,  and  Waite. 

Msnyfittsnds  throughout  the  kingdom,  I  ftel 
sue,  will  highly  apmeciats  this  labourTif  watt 
acoompllshBd.  Bendes  the  schools  of  Daoea 
Pludc,  Homettcn-row,  and  Feokfaam,  -all  ot 
London,  being  reedved:  the  aohool  of  €|iatteri% 
Isle  of  Bly,  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Sy Iverton, 
vras  also  addsd  to  our  number.  ThiseauMopleof 
adiatant  aohool  we  beg  to  call  attention  to»  a» 
one,  whereby  a  soudl  subscription  aaaually^  they 
share  the  pleasure  of  fbimingabondofunionlA 
a  work  having  no  superior  ott  earth,  and  in  help- 
ing to  raiae  meana  of  greater  uaefulaeas  and 
pleasure  in  Bundav  School  teachinga:  also  in 
fonning  a  depot  or  book^  lessona  and  fbnds  for 
themselves  and  others,  u  was  delightful  to  hear 
from  the  Keppel*atreet  represenUtivea  of  the 
hearty  manner  in  whkA  the  teaehers  of 
Brother  Milner's  School  voluntarily  sufaseribe 
iteir  weakly  mites,  to  be  paid  giiMtflrlj  to  cair 


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48 


THS  XABTHXtr  VBBBXL. 


Fdi.  1. 186C 


■eeratary,  ttetiag  It  la  likely  to  prodnoe  £6  in  the 
year.  Of  ooune^  thia  liberality  ia  eotirely 
optioQAl,  only  it  deaervea  apleoe  in  the  aumnuuy 
otthis  meeting'a  buaineaa,  sa 

Two  letters  were  read  from  gentlemen  in  the 
country  with  donationa,  and  warm  intereat  ex- 
preanea  for  the  auooeaa  of  the  Union.  Theae  are 
noble  examplea  too,  very  worthy  of  imitation  by 
the  thouaanda  of  auch  lovera  of  the  *'  genenition 
following  *'  scattered  throughout  our  land.  Who 
ahall  aay  what  la  the  number  of  auch  frienda, 
ladleaas  well  as  gentlemen,  who  could  afford  to 
aend  ua  their  ahilllngs,  half<«rowna  or  crowns, 
their  ten  ahillinga  or  aovereigna,  for  thia  gooa 
eaube  now  first  starting  mto  lite  and  work  among 
ua?  And  let  it  be  repeated,  that  a  aubacription 
of  five  shillinga  or  upwarda,  constitutes  each  of 
them  members  of  thia  Union,  with  power  to 
vote  at  public  meetinga,  ftc 

Our  miancial  aecretary  declared  a  cheering  sum 
in  hand ;  other  pmeticiu  meaaurea  were  puaed, 
and  with  some  notioea  of  motions,  very  import- 
ant, for  next  meeting,  thia  cordial,  and  we  truat, 
uaeful  meeting,  waa  dcaed,  aa  it  began,  in  prayer. 
Ixpectinff  theae  prayerftil  effbrta  will  be  a  bleea- 
ing  indeed  to  all  coming  generationa,  I  subscribe 
myself  the  friend  of  all  such  inatitutiona  of  truth, 
love»  and  aotion.       W.  Hawkina,  Jan.  16, 1864. 

mSW  KOBTR  BOAD.  —  DoBCHVBTBB 
Hall  Baptist  Chapel,  Uixtsxs  Btbbst.— On 
the  10th  of  January  three  sermons  were  preached 
on  behalf  of  the  Sunday  School ;  that  in  the 
morning  by  lir.  Hanka,  of  Woolwich ;  afternoon, 
by  Mr.  George  Wynrd ;  and  in  the  evening  by 
Mr.  Crowhuratjministeiiof  the  place.  Hr.  Hanks, 
as  usual,  came  richly  lacien  witn  the  sweet  things 
of  the  Ooapel,  text— "He  is  a  rock,  His  work  is 

Sirfect,"  and  took  five  heads  aa  the  baais  of  his 
soourae,  lat,  Seoreay ;  Snd,  Shelter ;  8rd,  Safety ; 
4th,  Supply ;  6th,  Bah-ation.  It  was  a  soul-re- 
fhwhing  season  and  many  there  could  experi- 
mentally cry  •*  Lord,  it  ia  good  to  be  here."  Mr. 
Crowhurst  preached  at  Woolwich,  and  trust  that 
through  the  exchange  of  pulpits  some  soula  have 
been  converted,  othera  comforted,  and  led  on 
their  Journey,  enabled  to  afng  of  Jeans*  blood,  and 
righfeeouaneaa. 

^'The  day  will  declare  it" 

In  the  afternoon  our  beloved  friend,  Mr.  G-. 
Wyard,  preached  from  a  venr  abort  but  import- 
ant text,  **  Predoua  faith,'*  which  waa  expounded 
ill  a  maaterly  manner.  Such  a  aubject  in  the 
hands  of  so  good  a  workman  could  not  ikil  but 
be  aweetly  and  experimentally  spoken  from  and 
with  the  tiord'a  blearing  of  building  up  the  aainta 
in  their  moetholy  fUth. 

Mr.  Crowhuzat  preached  in  the  evening  trom 
Pruverba  xxii  6.  **Train  up  a  child  in  the  way 
he  ahonld  go.  and  when  he  ia  old  he  will  not  de- 
part fh>m  It.**  Abandoning  the  ordinary  aocepta- 
tton  of  these  words,  he  rewi'red  them  to  the  child 
of  God  trained  in  the  School  of  the  Holy  Ghoat 
according  to  the  Word,  **  All  thy  children  ahall 
be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  gicat  ahall  be  the 
peace  <»  thy  dtildren,'*  and  persevering  until  the 
end.  The  aervicea  were  well  attended  and  the 
dav  doaed  with  **  a  day'a  march  nearer  home." 

On  Tueaday,  January  18th,  a  tea  and  pubUc 
meeting  waa  held  at  the  Wealejran  School  rooms, 
Mintem-atreet  (khidly  lent  fbr  the  occaaion). 
Over  one  hundred  eat  down  to  tea,  after  which  a 

Eablic  meeting  was  held,  and  on  the  platform, 
rethren  Attwood,  Bvana,  Flack,  Hawkina, 
Milboume^  ITicole,  and  PoyiMer,  kindly  came  to 
see  and  help  ua.  The  subject  for  the  evening's 
meditation  or  diaoaaalon,  waa  the  riae,  progreaa, 
and  working  of  Sunday  Schools,  moTally,  prao- 
tically.  illuatratively,  and  religionaly  conaldered, 
Mr.  Orowhunt  in  the  chair.  After  ainging  a 
hymn,  Mr.  Poynder  prayed ;  Brother  Kimber,  one 
of  the  Deaoona  then  roae,  and  on  behalf  of  the 
ohureh  and  congrMation  preaented  to  our  be- 
loved pastor,  Mr.  iSvwhunt)  a  handaome  Bible 


and  Danham'a  hymn  book,  "fbr  the  lUthlVil  dia- 
ohargeof  hia  minlatetial  oflloe  aa  paator."  Mr. 
Crowhurst  feelingly  acknowledged  the  same.  The 
aeoretary  read  the  report,  after  which  excellent 
apeechea  were  delivered  by  the  miniatera  preaen^ 
and  which  were  liatened  to  with  marked  attention. 
Mr.  G.  B.  Kicole  moved,  and  Mr.  Attwood 
aeoonded  **That  the  beat  thanka  of  thia  meeting 
are  due  tothe  trnsteea  of  the  Weai^yan  Schoola  for 
their  kindneaa  in  lending  the  rooma  and  tea 
service  on  thia  occaaion. "  Carried  unanimoualy. 
The  meeting  broke  up  ainging,  **Good  ni^kt, 
dear  firienda,  good  night 


HOTTKBZiOW.^DxAB  Bbotrsb  Bavk^— 
We  thank  you  for  inaertina  the  re>openinc  of 
Zoar  Baptiat  chapel,  Stain'a-road,  Uounalow. 
Mr.  WeUa  oould  not  come ;  Mr.  PeUa  preached  a 
good  acrmon.  Between  aeventy  and  eighty 
frienda  and  miniatera  sat  down  to  tea.  Mr. 
Foreman  waa  with  ua  in  the  evening;  apoke 
from  Psalm  oxxxiii.  1 ;  gave  good  advice.  We 
hope,  by  Ged'a  help,  to  cany  it  into  practice. 
On  Sunday,  Mr.  cosena  preached  twice  from 
Paalm  xx.  6.  Bach  aermon  waa  good  and  pro- 
fitable. A  ohureh  waa  formed;  ten  jcining 
handa;  two  abaent  through  family  illneaa,  wiU 
Join,  making  twelve.  Otnera  atand  prepared. 
May  itbetrueofourcauae:  God  ia  in  her  midat, 
saying,  *Teaoe  be  unto  you.*^  Our  pmyer  ia 
mingled  with  David,  Paalm  Ixxx.  14.  May  the 
aame  prayer  echo  fkom  the  hearu  of  your  rea- 
derafor  ua,  though  we  are  in  adark  comer  of  the 
earth.  May  we  yet\be  aa  a  city  aet  upon  a  hilL 
which  cannot  be  hid.  So  pnya  youra  on  behalf 
of  the  few  met  together  in  the  hope  and  love  of 
Chriat  Jeaua.  Altbxd  Jxm. 

BEZIjST  HBATH<— Baptist  Ckapxl.— 
Our  aflcd  pastor,  Mr.  J.  Wallia.  was  privileged  to 
admimster  the  ordinance  of  believers'  baptism  to 
two  sainta  on  the  8rd  of  January.  On  January 
the  12th  A  new  year'a  service  waa  held  in  the 
chapel,  when  between  thirty  and  forty  sat  down 
to  tea  with  delighfdepicted  on  their  countenanoea. 
In  the  evening  a  few  of  the  membera  and  a 
brother  from  the  North  delivered  some  good, 
practical,  and  spiritual  addreaaea,  which  were 
liatened  to  with  devout  attention,  and  evident 
marka  of  appreciation.  The  aubieCt  of  the  die- 
couraea  waa  **  Spirituality  of  Mind.**  Theapeakera 
wereMesara.  Wallia,  Hudaon,  Carman,  Chester* 
New,  Sweet,  Bnglish.  We  had  no  strangers  or 
viaitora ;  it;waa  a  aemi-pri  vate  and  aodal  meeting. 
One  feeling— love— aeemed  to  poaaeaa  the  whole 
aaaembly.  and  it  waa  a  good  time.  May  God  bleia 
the  cause.  A.  Caxicax. 

HOB8BI<TDOWN-Mb.  Soitob  —  Tour 
readera  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  Ooapel  ia 
fUlly  preached  in  the  Church  of  St  John,  by  the 
Bev.  J.  W.  Govrring,  B.A.,  the  afternoon  lecturer, 
who  ia  totally  blina.  Perhapa  yon  may  be  aur- 
priaed  to  learn  that  thia  ia  the  only  place  in  the 
Immediate  neighbourhood  where  truth  ia  even 
hinted.  The  rector  ia  a  aemi<detached  kind  of  a 
parson,  and  you  cannot  for  a  moment  imagine 
what  yon  will  hear  from  him.  But  trom  the 
afternoon  lecturer  we  have  the  Gospel  affection- 
ately preached.  Bxcuse  thia  intruaion  from  a 
lover  of  the  *'ateeple-houae^"  whoaubacribea  him- 
aelf  *  A  Thuio." 


STBPNBT.^Cayx   ADVLLAM.—  On 
Wedneaday  evening,    Dec.  Ind,  the  Bellever'a 
Baptiam  waa  adminiatered  to  four  peieona  in  the 
'  "  —  ^  gregatlOT, 

,mmeraedf 

.  .  following 

Lord's  Day  by  our  paator,  making  fifty  added 
daring  hia  miniatvy  among  na. 


napaam  waa  aominiwprea  to  lOur  peraoiia  m  u 
preaence  of  a  large  and  attentive  congregatio: 
these,  with  four  othera  previouriy  immerae 
were  received  into  the   cnureh  the  foUowii 


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FA.  1, 1864, 


THE  BARTBBK  VESSEL. 


49 


MENDIiEaEAX.— He  Bditos,  —  Allow 
me  to  reprexeat  to  my  friends,  to  several  bre- 
thren in  the  ministry,  and  to  all  able  and  willing 
friends  of  truthf  the  position  of  the  church  over  ! 
whom  the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  me  overseer. 
Upwards  of  twenty  years  have  elapsed  since  the  ; 
trumpet  of  the  Oospel  first  sounded  forth  in  this  \ 
then  dark  comer.  The  small  beginning  (only  < 
six  members  whm  the  church  was  formed),  has  ' 
gradually  increased ;  many  reverses  the  church 
has  had.  At  one  time  tho  doors  were  well  nigh 
closed:  only  two  worshippers  within  its  walls: 
but  light  again  dawned— the  garden  again  flou- 
rished —  another  dark  cloud  —  the  elements 
threatening  the  entire  destruction.  But  the 
sunshine  of  peace  and  prosperity  lias  shone 
torth;  my  fourth  year's  ministr>'  J^*'*  dosed 
with  the  past  year,  and  was  commemorated  on  i 
Christmas-day.  Bretluen  Baker,  of  Tunstall,  and  ; 
Hanger,  of  Colchester,  uniting  with  us  on  the 
ooca:»ion :  they  were  helped  to  extol  our  Lord  to  i 
the  great  delight  of  many.  Our  collections  vrere  | 
not,  as  has  often  been  the  case,  to  pay  off  the 
d^t  on  tiie  oliapel ;  nor  the  debt  contracted  two 
years  since  in  erecting  a  school-room.  No;  all 
that  has  been  paid :  nor  yet  to  make  up  the  mi- 
nister's salary.  They  owe  him  nothing ;  but  to 
commence  a  fund  for  enlarging  the  chapiel.  Mr. 
Bloomfleld  first  put  on  his  regimentals  in  this 
part  and  stood  in  fellowship  with  some  of  our 
good  brethren  still  among  us.  Brethren,  to 
whom  I  have  in  days  past  preached— to  you,  in 
the  name  of  my  Master,  residing  in  Bssex, 
Surrey,  Hampshire,  Wilts,  Bath,  Herts,  Manches- 
ter, Norfolk,  Xondon,  &c.,  can  you,  will  you  put 
your  hand  in  your  pocket  for  the  mo«t  valuable 
piece  you  can  spare,  and  forward  to  me  to  aid 
me  and  my  friends  in  this  really  necessary  work ! 
We  enlarge  from  necessity:  the  majority  of  my 
people  are  poor;  we  have  no  wealthy  folk, 
though  some  well  to  do  ;  and  on  them  rests  more 
than  I  like.  They  have  done  well,  are  doing 
well,  and  deserve  to  be  helped.  We  liave  space 
enough  for  ourselves  as  a  church ;  but  it  is  for 
our  poor  neighbours  around,  seeking  food  for 
their  immortal  souls,  we  plead.  TheXord  is  call- 
ing out  His  hidden  ones,  aye,  some  from  the  very 
dregs  of  society.  Seventy  precious  souls  have 
been  added  to  our  ehureh  since  mv  coming  here. 
We  oommenoed  the  first  LordVday  in  we  year 
by  baptising  five,  and  six  additions  to  the  church, 
"fne  Lord  is  iTorking;  many  are  pressing  to  hear 
the  word  of  life.  Oar  vestry  will  not  hold  those 
that  flock  to  the  prayer-meeting ;  our  gallery 
will  not  hold  oar  school  children.  The  body  of 
the  chapel  will  not  hold  our  congremtion  often 
now  in  the  middle  of  winter :  we  feel  there  is  a 
call  for  more  room,  and  we  want  £100.  Our  peo- 
ple do  not  like  getting  into  debt  They  have 
been  in  bondage  for  years  through  it,  and  have 
only  of  late  med  themselves.  They  have  aet  a 
noble  example  since  by  founding  a  school,  erect- 
ing a  building  for  the  purpose,  and  to  maintivn  a 
resident  pastor.  Once  more,  dear  brethren,  ^111 
you  help  ?  I  ask,  in  the  name  of  my  Blaster,  tor 
your  poor  brethren.  I  am  the  ohnroh's  humble 
servant  for  Jesu's  sake,  Hskbt  Babtholoscew. 
Mendleeham  Oreen,  Suffolk. 
F.8.  —Will  any  good  brother  lend  me  his  pulpit 
to  come  and  pleiui  for  my  brethren  1 
[There  are  tnonaands  in  this  oountry  who  can 
help.  If  one  friend  in  each  church  would  un- 
dertake to  coUect  the  mites  of  ther  fellow- wor- 
shippers, the  church  at  Mendlesham  might 
soon  make  room  for  all  who  flock  to  hear,  we 
have  known  this  cause  many  years  and, 
heartily  second  the  appeal.—Ejxj 

GK>WBR  STBBBT— Wa  anderstand  the 
Church  here  have  decided  that  every  member 
shall  dgn  the  Article  of  Faith  in  the  Btbbhitt 
of  Chbut's  Soxship,  or  be  exdoded.  This,  at 
leant,  is  annonnoed  as  being  the  case ;  and  if  so  it 
will  be  an  affliction  to   many— to  many  who 


really  do  not  understand  what  is  meant ;  and  for 
their  edification  we  would  quote  the  simple  defi- 
nition of  Joseph  Caryll.  **  Of  Cubist,"  says 
Caryll,  *• « He  is  Ood  s  own  Son '  (Bom.  viii,  82.) 
HiH  Bun  not  only  as  Socinians  say,  because  his 
conception  was  by  the  Holy  Ohost,  but  he  is  the 
Sox  07  Ood  by  an  eternal  and  unspeakable  gen- 
eration.'' Now.  If  it  be  "WMpeaAoWe,"  then,let 
men  be  carefUl  of  three  things.  I.  We  would 
beseech  them  to  beware  of  denying  it.  ToSus, 
that  does  appear  both  dangerous  and  distressing. 
II.  Let  men  be  careful,  also,  how  they  dare  at- 
tempt to  define  and  explain  it  This  no  man  can 
do  in  our  present  frail  manner  of  conception  and 
of  conversation ;  it  is  unspeakable  :  no  words, 
no  ideas,  no  figures  of  speech  can  expound  the 
mystery.  III.  Let  Mr.  Philpot  and  all  the  min  - 
isters  of  his  diocese ;  let  the  deacons  and  heads 
of  Churches  be  careful  how  they  cut  off,  cast  off, 
and  send  to  perdition  those  who  have  not  faith 
enough  in  this  glorious  mystery  to  set  their  hands 
to  it  by  way  of  covenant  The  cruel  I3rranny  and 
popery  of  such  conduct  is  a  crying  sin  in  our 
Churches.  *^  Repentance  toward  Ood,  and  fidtli 
in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"  are  essential  to  mem- 
bership here,  and  to  salvation  and  glorification 
hereafter.  And  if  the  question  be  asked.  What 
must  that  fiiith  comprehend  ?  The  answer  is 
in  Matthew  xvi.  The  Saviour  asked,  *'  Whom 
aay  ye  that  I  am  P**  Peter,  in  the  name  and  as  the 
mouth  of  the  rest,  gives  answer.  -*  Thou  art  Christ, 
THE  Sow  of  THE  L'ViKO  OOD."  Christ  was  so 
highly  satisfied  with  this  answer,  that  first  he 
pronounced  him  blessed;  and,  secondly  declares 
that  this  ctmfession  is  the  Rock  on  which  the 
Church  is  built  We  shall  never  deny  the  Eter- 
nity of  our  glorious  fiedeemer's  standing  as  the 
Son  of  Ood,  nor  will  we  persecute  those  whose 
fidth  is  weak,  or  whose  eyes  are  doudy. 

UTTLE  WILD  STBBBT.— On  New 

Year*s-day,  the  church,  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Mr.  Christopher  WoolUcott,  held  their  annual 
tea-meeting;  after  which  they  proceeded  to  the 
choice  of  some  new  deacons,  when  Mr.  C.  W. 
Williamson,  Sen.,  of  1,  Picket-place,  in  the 
Strand,  and  another  excellent  brother,  were 
chosen.  Subsequently,  the  jubilee  meetina  was 
publicly  holden  in  the  chapeL  Mr.  WooUacott 
having  oeen  in  the  ministry  fifty  yean^  he,  that 
evening,  resigned  and  retired  from  lua  stated 
labours.  A  large  congregation  assembled ;  many 
ministers  delivered  iSldresses;  and  a  handsome 

gurse  of  nearly  one  hundred  sovereigns  was  given 
>  the  retiring  pastor.  The  scene  was  deeply 
affecting.  Mr.  Woollacott's  position  was  enviable 
Indeed.  As  a  fiuthful  and  useful  Strict  Baptist 
minister— as  a  warm-hearted  and  devoted  Chris- 
tian—as a  labour'ng  servant  in  many  benevolent 
societies— as  the  husband  of  one  beloved  wife, 
and  the  father  of  one  honoured  fiunily.  he  has 
been  preterved  beyond  thousands;  ana  in  the 
deepest  gra^tode  of  his  heart,  he  desires  to  mag- 
nify the  grace  so  abundantly  bestowed  upon  him. 
We  all  pray  th4(  while  his  yet  noble  and  well- 
sustained  MrquA  is  at  anchor  laid»  waiting  for 
his  holy  Master'^  call  to  come  home,  that  rich 
and  happy  foretastes  of  the  bliss  of  the  glorified 
may  be  fl^Joyed  by  him  and  his  happy  partner. 
What  a  scene  I  To  view  this  pleasantly  united, 
friiitfiil,  but  now  ancient  couple  of  saints,  sitting 
down  together  in  the  lato  evening  of  life,  both 
alike  expecting  soon  to  receive  the  message, 
**  Higher  comet  And  in  the  blest  assembly  join, 
where  the  service  never  «nde— frailty  is  never 
found;  but  where  joys  are  pare,  and  Jesu's 
praise  is  sung  in  songs  divine.'*  Christopher  and 
Ids  spouse  nave  been  *'  lovely  and  pleasant  in 
their  lives  ;*  **  and  in  their  death"  may  they  not 
be  divided.  The  church  at  Little  Wild-street 
needs  a  strong  and  sterling  pastor.  Should  the 
Lord  move  toe  heart  of  any  worthy  man  that 
way,  communications  might  be  addressed  to  Mr. 
Williamson,  1,  Picket-place,  Strand. 


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THB  BAmsnF 


Kb.  I,  IMC 


PBOVIBSKOB     OHAPBXi, 

BBCOaNITIOir  OF  KS.  EB1CP. 
Ths  flxvt  Lord'*-dAy,  Juwaxy  trd,  1M4»  wm  u 
evooHul  di^  with  the  ohnrclL  ■■■iiiiiblinjg  ia  Fmo' 
▼ld«iiMclkapel;  that  day  bdng  set  apan  for  the 
paUio  reoogaitioo  of  brothor  Samuel  Kemp,  late 
of  Brookl^,  as  their  paator.  Be  waa  engaged  for 
tweltre  months  with  a  view  to  the  paatomte :  in 
the  meaa  tisre,  ahould  the  ohureh  be  aatiifled 
with  hJfl  ministry,  and  paatoial  qualifloatioiis,  to 
invitB  him  to  become  tbeir  pastor.  After  six 
months*  labonr  amooAsI  them,  it  waa  evident  he 
wsa  the  sent  of  the  lord ;  his  ministrv  gene- 


tally  being  veiy  seoeptable  and  much  bl( 
Ths  ohuroh  was  eallea  together,  and  was  unani- 
mous in  their  invitatioBi,  and  which  our  brother 
Kemp^  with  mneh  tiwrnWing  and  affection,  ao* 


osptsdi 
The 


morning  service  was  devoted  entirely  to 
player,  and  it  was  truly  a  spiritual  and  devo- 
tional meeting.    The  Holy  Spirit's  influence  was 


naliaed^  and  appeared  to  pervade  the  whole  as- 


bly. 

In  the  aftetnoen,  the  meeting  partook  mom  of 
an  official  ohasaeter,  brother  Whorlow  presiding. 
Brother  For^  deaoca,  gave  a  very  dear  and  plam 
alBlnnent  of  the  leaduigs  of  Piovidcnee  in  di- 
vesting brother  Kemp  to  Olemsford,  and  of  the 
long  aeonaintaaca  that  had  eodstsd  betwesn 
them:  and  that  neither  had  ever  had  ooeasion  to 
regret  that  they  ever  knew  each  other;  bat  the 
longer  their  aooaaintanea,  the  stronger  their 
love;  *  Happy  Jbnathan  and  David.  Dhi  that 
we  eould  all  say  so.**  Brother  Merrington,  dea- 
eon,  gave  also  a  brief  history  of  the  church,  shew- 
ing ioat,  although  the  ohnreh  wae  young  in 
yean,  they  had  passed  through  many  rough  and 
dreary  spots  on  their  march  ttimugh  the  wilder- 
neia;  but  th^  bad  the  preMnoeM  the  .Angel  of 
Hie  covenant  with  them,  which  was  the  cause  of 
Hieir  union  and  poeeveiance,  and  could  aay, 
«« Hitherto  the  Lord  had  helped  them." 

Brother  Kemp,  then,  as  their  nnsnJmt 
chosen  psstor,  gave  a  brief  but 
and  affisetionate  addiVM,  stating  t 
not  among  them  as  a  partisan,  out  as  a  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ,  to  pieacfa  Him  and  Uim  crud- 
iled.  and  that  the  minister  and  church,  meeting 
at  the  old  meeting*house,  being  of  the  ssme  ikitn 
and  order,  he  pmTod  and  trusted  there  would 
ever  be  a  happy  Ming  existing  between  the  two 
causes  (yet  out  one). 

In  the  evening,  brother  Whorlow  preached  a 
aermon  from  Luke  zix.  IS,  **Oacapy  till  I 
oome;**  ftcm  which  he  addressed  the  pastor, 
deseouiL  membere,  and  congregation,  snewing 
their  relative  obligations  to  eseh  otheiv  and  espe- 
elal^  to  thdr  Lmd,  whom  they  proiesnd  to 
love,  trust  in,  and  to  serve;  and  thus  doeed  a 
d^,  the  particulars  ef  the  proceedings  bdng  now 
recorded  in  the  ohnroh-book  of  the  church  of 
Christ  meeting  in  Providence  Chapd,  Gleauford, 
and  veooenised  and  sanctioned,  we  trust,  by  ^e 
Bead  of  the  Obureh  in  heaven,  and  long  to  be  re- 
men^iered  by  all  pneent. 

BtBTSOrAIi  GBBBN*- Jan.  lOlh  and  llth« 
■peaial  services  were  holden  ih  Squirries-sftreet 
<Aa|ieL  Hr.  IL  Bowlee,  of  HiBrtlbitL  pienahed 
thrassoriptumlssimons;  andatUiecloaingpnb* 
lie  meetingi  Mr.  HaaiyStsniey  proposed  an  eflbit 
far  going  mto  the  hig^nwsys  aod  hed0Ba  to  search 
—  lnstrumeatsUy,.some  of  the  LordHi  hidden 
~"'"~'  In  no  part  of  Aigland  can 

■    p<ipiiiEfeed,  ] 


tiie  sound  of  the  Gospel:  hat  the  mesne  and  the 
men  are  wanting.  It  in  the  east  of  Landon  any 
sealous  hearts  are  moved  to  aid  in  a  work  eo 
much  like  the  Saviour^  th^y  might  oommnnl- 
cate  with  Mr.  Stanley,  addressinir  him  stYice 
Controller's  Office,  Qeneral  Post  Office,  London, 
B.C.  Hr.  John  Inwards  tbUowed  Hr.  Stanley 
with  a  warm-hearted  speech.  In  which  he  ex- 
pressed the  utmost  oonfldenee  that  tiie  Lord 
would  gather  in  Bis  own  in  Hie  own  timsi 
Messrs.  B.  Bowles,  H.  Btriokett,  W.  Palmer,  of 
PkUstow,  C  W.  Banks,  A.  Howsrd,  and  James 
Wise  aided  the  ol^eot  of  the  meeting ;  but  no  re- 
solution wss  carried.  We  will  dare  to  express  an 
opinion,  that  if  the  ehurdies  at  Hope  chapel* 
Oreen-street,  under  Mr.  Merrett's  mmislry;  at 
Shalom,  in  (the  Hacknev-road,  under  Mr.  Mycr- 
son's  mininry;  at  Hephsibah,  under  Mr.  Gor- 
ddier's  ministry,  sad  at  Bouirries  street,  under 
Mr.  A.  Howard's  ministry,  ir  these  good  minis- 
ters and  people  were  to  unite  to  work  outan 
evangelising  effiirt  to  benefit  theiteeming  thou- 
sands around  them,  we  bdieve  greater  prosperity 
would  attend  them  all.  Mr.  Meivett  is  a  power- 
ful pleader  forOospd  truth ;  Mr.  Myerson  is  a 
lively,  ready,  and  eloquent  speaker:  Mr.  Oor- 
delier  and  Mr.  Howard  are  grave  and  fntdligent 
divines.  Were  thees^  and  other  good  men,  to 
band  together  to  cany  out  mofe  fhuy  the  Oospel 


commieri< 
blessing  to 


thqr  might  be  a  great 
Green. 


^ 


there  he  ibnnd  a 


I  densely  ] 


dreadfiilly  oMneesed  and  sunken^  people  tliaa  is 
tobafoondbyhui^Reds   '" 


atneti^  sad 
roads  of  Bethnal  • 


thonsaadt  around  the 

and  courts,  and 

Sqniniea-etnet 


Baptist  chapd,  Mr.  Stsnley  prqpbeed  a  Uttia 
hand  of  Ohiisttaa  pioneeni  should  be  sent  to  en- 
deavour to  resow  some^  and  bring  them  under 


0AM BBK  TOWV-Atbrvs  Ohapxi^ 
Great  Cdlege  street  On  Tueeday,  January  13th» 
public  services  were  holden  in  this  place  to  com- 


memorste  the  second  snniversar^' of  the  opening 
liffham,  the  pastor  or 
who  formerly  stood 


of  the  chapd.  Mr.  Thomas  Hiffham,  the  i: 
this  church,  is  a  young  man  who  formerly 
in  fellowship  with  »  John  Foreman's  church. 
He  is  not  at  present  a  popular  London  preacher* 
ndtiier  do  we  expect  he  will  ever  become  exten- 
sivdy  so ;  not  that  we  have  the  slightest  doubt  of 
his  abiUliv  for  the  wcnk,  to  which  he  is  evidcntiy 
called;  out  bdng  a  solemn,  delibemteb  and 
thoughtftil  speaker,  a  man  who  evidentiv  looks  at 
the  pulpit  and  its  work  with  that  sacrea  feeUng« 
that  to  make  liffht  of  it  would  be  to  him  a  matter 
of  deepest  anxiety,  it  is  not  probably  that  he  will 
become  so  prominent  a  preacher  as  some  who  are 
more  fluent,  and  whoae  cheerftil  maimer  and  pe- 
culiar style  of  expresdon,  have  brought  them 
prominentiy  and  fieqnenUy  before  our  churohca 
at  these  snnual  satherlnfls.  From  what  we  have 
heard  fall  fkom  Mr.  Hignam*fe  lipa,  we  gather  he 
is  one  who  knows  and  &ds  In  nis  ovm  soul  the 
contimud  waxing  of  the  two  natures— the  man  of 
dn,  and  the  man  of  grace.  Under  Mr.  H1gham*k 
minisfceiy,  this  cause  at  Camden  Tovm  has  in- 
creased, and  die  present  chapel  raised ;  it  is  a 
neat^  plain,  <iuietly-situated  plsce  of  worship :  end 
in  such  a  large  locality  we  are  pleased  to  And  a 
cause  is  bdng  estabHshed.  where  the  ordinaocea 
of  the  Kew  Testament  and  the  troths  of  the  Gee- 
pel  will  be  faithfttUy  proclaimed. 

On  tile  day  in  qnestion,  Mr.  John  Foreman 
spoke  to  the  people  in  the  afternoon  from  the 
vrords,  -*'lfy  speeoHsball  distil  as  the  dew,"  Ac 
Tea  was  provided.  In  the  evening  a  public 
meetinrwasbdd. 

Mr.  Higham,  the  pastor,  in  opening  the  same 
spoke  of  tile  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  them.  It 
was  twelvemonths  dnce  they  iMt  met  to  recog- 
nize the  continued  merdes  of  God  toward  them 
as  a  dmrch,  and  to  say  to  one  another,  *'  havinir 
obtdnedhelpofGodwe  continue  to  this  day.'* 
Our  spiritual  Ufb  had  been  maintained  in  the 
fidth  of  the  gpi^.  WhatdeMors  we  are  to  the 
mercy  of  G<Ml  In  the  frmllyoirde^  Mr.  Higham 
spoke  of  heasy  afllietion— ef  death  and  of  Ufc; 
but  through  all  the  Sun  of  righteousness  some- 
tlmss  shone  with  power,  and  aseerat  something 
appealed  to  sweeten  allthoae  heavy  triala  In 
■waking  of:  the  causa  under  his  eha>t«^  Mr  * 
Higham  mentlDBed  hisowa  inaiiffldsn<^  and  satu 


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TH9  BAJOHXir  VBBfiEL. 


61 


*<lflluul  not  tees  tfamit  ovtinta  tbe  woriE,  I 
■luHild  never  bavebepome  a  mfnisto'r."  Peaoe  vna 
in  thdr  midst;  there  had  been  no  oaoM  for 
eepamtion  from  any  of  their  namb-3r ;  the  word 
Iuk!  been  reodved  with  power,  and  be  had  felt 
the  aweetaew  of  the  word  la  hie  own  aool  at 
timei»  FtoandaUy,  the  year  had  been  the  best 
oo«|  and  th^  had  paid  0»  off  their  debt  which 
redneed  it  to  £47IL  Hie  hou^  was  built  in  fiuth, 
and  he  believed  that  they  should  be  enabled  to 
pimy  for  ita  eraotlon  ;  and  he  must  say,  "The 
idm  hath  done  great  thjnga  tor  oa.  whereof  we 
Mr.  FeU's  sqMeot  was,  **  Onat  is  the 
J  of  ffodlinesB,  Qoa  was  manifest  in  the 
We  had  hoped  to  have  given  sketches  of 
tbe  speeches  at  this  meeting,  but  cannot  now  find 
room.  Messrs.  Foreman,  Milner,  Green,  and 
Webb,  also  spoke.  The  chapel  was  filled  with  an 
•tteotivB  oompany ;  the  aaeeting  was  cheerful ; 
tbe  spaeehea  wem  flood,  and  the  mendd  appeased 
weU  satisfied  withlbe  result 

^AJOCXrNDBAK.  8T7FFOUL  — In- 
teveat^r  services  were  held  here  on  Tuesday,  Jan- 
uary  IMn.  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Leggett  or  Crau' 

^ % . : MA.\^^     ^ ^ ^1 ^W4##%     » 1*—  ^  ~ 


reading  and  oflbring 
appropriate  prayers;  after  which,  Mr.  Fella,  ol 
Bono  Chapel,  London,  delivered  an  excellent  dls- 
oonrse  on  the  past,  present  future,  and  final 
gathering  of  the  children  of  Ood.  A  gocMlly  num- 
ber of  fhands  stayed  to  cea.  aiid  ere  the  frieads 
bad  finished,  Mr.  Pells  arose  and  said  he  was  re- 
I  to  make  a  short  speech,  which  he  did. 


and  a  lively  and  interesting  one  it  was,  and  in 
winding  up  be  addressed  hu  brotber-fai-law,  Ifr. 
Cttllingfotd,  saying,  **My  dear  brother,  a  very 
pleasiBg  duty  devolves  upon  me,  namely,  in  the 
behalf  of  your  pastor,  your  brother  deacon, 
naembera,  and  other  fHenda,  I  present  to  you 


these  two  vesy  handsomely  bound  rtilumes  of 
hymns,  one  by  Dsu  Rippon,  and  tbe  other  by  Dr. 
wiattiLaaatakeR  of  Christian  love*  and  sa  a  proof 
that  the  friends  not  only  esteem  you  as  a  deacon 
of  tbe  chnrob,  and  as  superintendent  of  tbe  Bab> 
bath  acbool,  but  ab»  for  tbe  eBdent  and  satas' 
faObary  manaer  In  which  you  lead  tbe  ulnging  of 
eod'spmises  within  these  vails;  and  if  it  behis 
blessed  wfll,  I  pray  you  may  continue  to  do  so 
waMi  yau  are  90;  than  die  ana  go  to  heaven,  and 
there  sinfl;  the  prsisea  of  the  Btemal  for  ever 
and  ever.**^  Mr.  Cullingford  in  a  short,  but  truly 
appropriate  address^  eapsessed  bia  surprise^  and 
also  gratitude  fi>r  aneb  a  manMBst  token  of  the 
mpect  in  which  hfi  waf  held.    IC»  AOdwin, 


_ was  ht_  .     _     . , 

paitor,  made  also  a  short,  but  capital  speech;  and 
that  wbicih  added  to  the  pleasure  of  the  cIjh 
eumsteoce  was  that  Mr.  David  Barney  a  deaoon, 
and  the  principal  supporter  of  the  cause  most 
heartily  concurred  therein,  and  contributed  to* 
wards  the  samci  After  teiL  Mr.  Baker,  of 
TnnstaUt  ooQunenoed  the  sorioe  by  reading  and 
pmyer;tb«i  Mr.  Fells  again  ascended  the  pul- 
pit and  in  a.olear  and  satisfi^otory  manner,  an 
well  as  to  theeomfbrt  bf  the  children  of  God,  set 
Ibrtb  bow  aU  things  do  come  and  last  and  end.  as 
doth  beat  please  our  heavenly  Friend,  and  that 
Ibr  tl»e  0ood  of  hie  children,  and  for  the  gkny 
of  blaoam  gssaiaame.  I  magbt  have  said  that 
a  fbw  of  tbe  friends  much  emoyed  tbe  pmyer 
meeting  held  at  Ma.  Cnllingfbrd's  house  the 
previoaa  ev^iing  ;  Brethren  Baldwin,  FelV^  dear 
old  Abrahpm  Bakec,  fistber  to  tbe  Bishop  of 
TtmstsH,  avd  OuIUngford,  boldly  ajmroaohed  the 
tbxane  of  Oraes^  obtained  mercy  ana  fbund  grace 
to  help  fai  tbe  time  of  need.  Tnrough  the  mercy 
of  our  God,  pro^edty  and,pei»oe  attfnds  oty  little 


InflSeMoTthe deigy, the  Baptist cansa atBich- 
mtrnd^  hpabotb  improved  its  fonnev  position,  and 
aMifiBd  %  macb  larger  and  more  commodious 


l^tbf  flit  oaettiigi    iSu  recently  the  friends  met 
maaolim  loom  dose  to  tba  pariah  Cboroh*  io 


of  the  Church;  and  through  some  peculiar  in^^ 
fiueooe  brought  to  bear  on  the  landlord  of  the 
room  which  our  fHenda  occupied,  thc^  received 
notice  to  auit  The  result  has  been  tbe  scouring 
another  place  of  meeting.  A  hall,  standing  in  a 
good  open  thorough&re.  facing  George  street  has 
been  opened.  Its  position  is  all  that  can  be  de- 
sired ;  the  place  is  lofty,  well-lighted,  and  haa 
been  comfortably  fitted  up.  Thus  far,  we  think, 
be  Bichmond  people  have  no  cause  to  be  dis- 
eatisfied  with  the  result  of  this  little  oppceitioa 
to  truth— although,  perb^)ik  the  issue  is  not  quite 
m  accordance  with  our  clerioal  friends' wish.  On 
Thursday,  January  7th,  special  services  were 
bolden  m  the  new  place  of  meeting.  In  the 
afternoon,  Mr.  Joan  Foreman,  of  London, 
preached  an  excellent  Gospel  sermon;  after 
which  about  130  took  tea;  and  in  the  evening,  a 
public  meeting  was  held,  over  which  Mr.  Samuel 
Coxens  prBsl<&l;  aod  suitable  addresses  were 
given  by  Messrs.  Anderson,  Fells,  and  Flack. 
And  on  the  following  Sunday,  Mr.  Cozens 
preached  two  sermons,  on  the  evening  of  which 
day  the  hall  was  comfortably  filled.  The  friends 
have  idso  commenced  a.  Sabbath  SchooL  with 
goodly  signs  of  success.  We  ask  for  tbe  Bichmond 
cause  the  sympathy  and  support  of  all  lovem  of 
truth.  We  sre  pleased  to  be  able  to  announce 
that  Mr.  Samuel  Cogens  has  accepted  an  invita- 
tion to  supply  tbe  pulpit  for  three  months,  oom- 
mendng  with  February.  Any  friends  who  wdl 
co-operate  in  the  establishment  of  their  cause, 
will  be  wdeoflMd  by  the  friends^  and  Mr.  B.  Jefia 
will  be  pleased  to  bjear  from  such. 

OLD  FOBD.-Monday,  Jan.  4th,  the  first 
annirersaxy  of  the  Sunday-school  estabUsbedin 
Bethel  ohapel,  Old  Ford,  Victoria  Fark,  was 
holden.  A  number  of  the  friends  took  tea.  At 
public  meeting,  C.  W.  Banks  presided;  Mr. 
Beetciifie,  the  secKetary,  read  tbe  report  which 
Mr.  Cosens  eulogised  as  most  excellent  in  com* 
position,  in  detail,  and  iu  fact  It  is  really  en- 
eonraging  to  know  that,  under  the  superin- 
tendenoo  of  that  most  energetic  and  devoted 
Gbristiim  man.  Ma  Crewse^  asrislsd  by  Messra. 
BeetoUfl^  Gowing,  JeflEries»  and  a  good  staff  of 
teacben^  the  new  school  haa  prospered  beyond 
all  their  expectations.  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens  gave 
an  address  quite  worthy  of  himself.  Mr.  Temple 
gave  tbe  teachers  golden  sentences  and  niles  by 
wbioh  to  prosecute  their  work.  Mr.  Brittain,, 
Mr.  Staal«y»and  Mr.  A.  Howard  egaoounged  tbe 
enierorise.  We  hppe  this  new  field  of  labour 
which  the  lord  has  gtaoted  unto  us  will  be  tba 
means  of  bringing  many  into  His  own  fold.  We 
have  precious  tokens  for  good  at  times.  Wb 
think  we  want  a  bettev,  a  larger,  araore  ceme-at- 
able  Dlaee  for  wccship  and  teaching;  bntwlth 
tbe  Lord  it  must  be  left  WewVrttlosdoaUtte 
good  our  God  will  epable  usl 

UTTLS  STONHiJC--M«,  Kjotob,- 
The  account  in  January-  ysssei.  of  a  meeting  re- 
cently held  here  does  not  contain  all  the  truth. 
Your  correspondent  should  have  stated  that  in 
my  opening  address,  I  distincUy  slated  thatsome 
four  years  ago,  when  tbe  Qbapel  was  almost  d»* 
serted,  GK)d,  hi  His  provideOfOe,  directed  the  stepe 
of  Mr.  G.  Menett  to  this  phice,  and  that  thruugh 
bia  labours.  God  began  to  gather  together  and 
build  up  Qis  canm  nere;  and  when  be  left,  in 
obedience  to  tlie  Mastei's  call,  I  came  and  en- 
tenedhitD  His  labours,  and  having  obtafaied  help 
of  God,  I  oontiQiie  tQ  this  day.  Godeootinneato 
bless  His  Word,  sad  m  tbe  vUU«as  around.  On 
the  fbqt  Iiord*s-day  in  December  we  baptixed, 
and  hope  to  biq[>tiie  again  shortly.  Our  Sabbath- 
school  movement  is  successful ;  we  have  already 
sixty  scholars.  For  the  Truth's  sake,  and  injus* 
Ijtae  <P  my  pcedaoBBSorinartthis.  a  Baoov,  Fasr. 


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THE  EA.BTHBN  VSS8SL. 


V^  1,  1M4. 


FBBSSIKaFIBLD,  ST7FFOX<K.-The 

animal  Tea  Meeting  of  the  Baptist  Chapel  Sab- 
bath School  Teachers  took  place  on  New  Year's 
^y»  previonsly  to  which  occasion  the  Mends 
hsid  presented  a  crimson  silk  velvet  cushion,  with 
fringe  and  taseels  to  match  for  the  pulpit  desk, 
with  carpetting  for  the  stain^  and  funuture  for 
the  reading,  desk,  as  a  mark  of  their  esteem  to- 
wards the  present  minister,  Mr.  Isaac  Pegg.  The 
chapel  was  prettily  decorated  with  wreaths  of 
flowers  and  evergreens  suspended  firom  tlie  gal- 
lery,  pulpit,  and  desk,  with  appropriate  mottoes. 
About  250  took  tea.  In  the  evening,  Mr.  Tsylor 
(of  Fulham),  preached  from  Mark  x,  36.  After 
which  Mr.  rega  stated  that  the  school  had  increa^ 
sed  during  thelast  six  months  from  46  to  96.  A 
similar  blessing  has  also  crowned  the  ministerial 
labours  as  16  during  that  time  have  been  added 
to  the  Church.  The  avenue  congregations  on 
Lord's-days  have  increased  from  600  to  600  or  650. 

OXFORD  STBBBT.-SOHO  Chafkl.— On 
Lord's  day  evening,  S7th  of  December,  Mr.  Fells 
preached  to  a  crowded  and  attentive  congrmtion, 
from  Boclesiastes  ▼.  4,  6;  afto*  which  he  im- 
mersed five  males  and  one  female ;  who  with 
two  other  bretiiren  and  a  sister  were  received  in 
the  fiiU  communion  and  fellowship  of  the  church, 
on  Sunday  afternoon,  January  Srd. 

■'  Praise  Godfh>m  whom  aU  blessings  flow.** 

BOBOTTOH  aBBBir— On  Sunday,  Jan. 
Srd,  Mr.  Frith  baptized  two  believers  in  the  name 
of  the  Holy  Trinity. 


Aitr  JLttstrBlian  IRatL 

THB  BAPTIBT  KnBIOaiART  80CIBTT,   ASTD 

THB  FtBST  STBIOT  BAPTIST 
M1NI8TEB  IN  QT7BBNBUkND. 
BcinoRB  UB  lies  the  letter  and  the  likeness  of 
Mr.  John  Kingsford,  who  has  gone  out,  with 
his  family,  to  that  far — very  nr  off  Colony, 
to  be  engaged  in  extensiTe  oommercial  mat- 
ters, and  in  preaching  Christ's  GosjieL  He 
is  a  missionary  indeed,  dependent  on  no 
society,  sent  out  by  no  company,  but  con- 
strained as  by  heayen^B  mighty  force.  When 
we  consider  John  Kingsford  was  for  many 
years  the  beloTed  and  univeisally  respected 
oo-worker  with  the  pastor  and  teachexs,  and 
Tillage  preachers,  connected  with  King-street 
Chapel,  Canterbury:  when  we  assert  that 
in  a  business  point  of  view,  he  was  doing 
well  in  that  favourite  dty  of  oun,  Canter- 
bury, when  we  tMnn  that  no  human  power, 
oompelled  him  to  leave  all  so  dear  to  him  in 
England — even  his  truth-loving  flock  at  Eger- 
ton,  and  all  his  happy  social  and  relative  ties, 
surely  we  are  jnstined  in  asserting  tiie  Lord 
had  need  of  him  in  Queensland,  and  there  he 
is  honoured  of  Ood,  and  will  inshrunentally 
plant  the  Gospel  there.  When  we  hear  and 
read  the  dreadful  outcry  of  the  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society,  who  require  eignt  or  ten 
thousand  pounds  to  set  them  right,  we  feel  sad 
for  them ;  we  know  too  well,  too  painfully,  what 
these  embarrassments  arS)  not  to  feel  deeply  for 
them,  and  their  ohurohes  are  bound  to  deuver 
them,  which,  no  doubt,  they  will :  but  let  us 
be  heard  in  two  things.  Firsts  Does  it  not 
become  them  to  see  well  to  it,  that  their 
missionaries  have  the  love  and  knowledge  of 
Christ  in  them,  and  that  it  is  pure  love  to 
souls  constrains  them   to    ga   out?     7%eir 


reprosentative  in  Qtioensland  reqnires  a 
Pnsdlla  and  an  Aquila  to  do  for  him  that 
which  was  done  for  Apollos,  unless  he  be 
too  lofty  to  be  instructed.  Then,  secondly, 
we  would  ask  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society 
if  they  could  not  find  men  like  Mr.  Kings- 
ford, who  will  not  burden  them,  but  who, 
having  some  kind  of  mechanical  or  com- 
mercial intelligence,  and  being  possessed  of, 
and  influenced  by,  an  earnest  spirit  of  indus- 
try, might  be  useful  in  commencing  the  good 
work,  and  helping  it  on  instead  of  hinder- 
ing it.  If  a  man  has  not  bmin  and  body 
enough  to  work  with  his  hands  for  some 
support,  and  with  his  mind,  heart,  and  soul, 
for  the  spiritual  good  of  the  people  whither 
he  goes,  we  almost  venture  to  affirm  he 
should  not  go  forth  as  a  missionary,  relying 
upon  the  over-burdened  home  churches  for 
hw  living.  Of  Mr.  Kingsford  and  his 
church  we  hope  to  say  much  soon,  and  for 
the  Baptist  M!issionary  debt,  we  have  other 
hints. 


IN    MEMORIAM. 

MISS    MABY    ANN    WELLS. 


Oar  sister  Is  gone! 

Where— where  is  she  gone  f 
She  has  gone  to  the  banquet  of  Jesus  abofvc^ 
To  feast  on  the  glories  prepared  by  His  love. 
She  is  gone  to  behold  her  Bavioux's  sweet  lhoe» 
And  Joui  the  glad  song  of  redemption  by  graoa. 
Her  spirit  Iws  fled  to  that  haven  of  peace, 
Where  sorrow,  and  trouble,  and  donbtings  all 


She  is  seated  beside  her  dear  Lord,  on  His  Throne, 
Whose  merita,  while  bera,  she  trusted  alone. 
And  angels  will  guard  o'er  her  slumbering  dost. 
Till  that  solemn  day,  when  shell  rise  with  the 

To  hear  the  glad  welcome  her  Father  will  give^— 
**  Oome  near  me»  ye  blessed,  with  me  yon  ahall 

live, 
And  sing  the  loud  anthem  with  raptore  and  Joy 
For  ever,  and  ever,  without  an  alloy." 

Header,  do  we  also  hope  to  gain  that  sweet  rert  f 
And  stand  with  Mary  in  the  ranks  of  the  blest! 
Have  we  the  same  love  our  sister  possessed  ? 
And  that  godly  fear  that  dwelt  in  her  bresst  f 
If  we've  the  same  hope  to  support  us  while  ber& 
Although  like  our  sister,  we  have  doubtings  and 

four; 
Yet,  leaning  on  Jesus,  we  surelv  shall  rise 
Triumphant  and  happy,  to  dwell  in  the  ski< 
And,  like  her,  be  welcomed   to  join  the  , 

throng, 
To  sing  the  loud  ehoms  of  Calvary's  Song. 

Borough  Boad.  jAim  Oox. 


Seat). 


Died  suddenly,  in  Florence  road,  Deptford, 
Ann,  wife  of  Mr.  Georm  Wood,  an  honourable 
and  usefiil  deacon  of  Zion  chapel.  New  Cross. 
This  solemn  event  occurred  on  New  Tear*s  day, 
1864. 

Died,  Jan.  Ilth,  I8M,  Mrs.  Martha  Stenson,  the 
relict  of  the  late  Mr.  John  Stenson,  minister  of 
Carmel  Chapel,  Fimlico  sged  7S.  She  died  at 
the  residence  of  her  son-in4aw,  Mr.  Batter&dd, 
of  Botherhithe. 

Died,  Jan.  6th.  1864,  Harriet,  the  beloved  wife 
of  Mr.  Darid  Btdmead.  alter  an  union  of  about 
twelve  months.  Her  death  is  deeply  felt  by  a 
very  numerous  circle. 


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THB  BABTBEK  YE88BI. 


53 


rtW  WOBDS  IN  RESaSMBBANCE  OF  THE  LATE  ELIZA  BUTlErt,   TBB  BELOTEO  WIFE  OF 
JCB.   SAMUEL  BUTTBB,  OF  WHITE  BTBSBT|  BOBOnQH. 


Mbs.  Butter  was  ono  of  that  happy  band 
of  q»iritaal  and  excellent  saints  of  God  who 
■ome  years  since  crowded  the  seats  of  Cros- 
by Bow  Chapel ;  and  where  the  Lord  did,  in 
aspedal  manner,  bless  the  souls  of  veiy 
Eoanj.  For  ten  years  saccessiyel;^,  the  Gos- 
pel was  effectiye  in  gathering  in,  and  in 
building  up,  a  goodly  number :  most  of  them 
are  gone  hcnne  to  aarj.  Who  that  knew 
tbose  godly  men,  ^anes  Blake,  and  Gawk- 
xodflers,  ths  best  of  deacons  ?  who  that  ever 
walked  in  feUowship  with  Mrs.  Blake,  Mrs. 
W.  Fanner,  Mrs.  Xjock,  Mrs.  Bussell,  Mrs. 
Symonds,  and  a  multitude  of  brethren  and 
sisters  in  Christ  that  might  be  named,  but 
wiU  be  folly  persuaded,  with  us,  thai  now 
in  those  sweet  worlds  they  live — where  the 
SaTionrwhom  they  loyed  below,  is  beheld 
without  a  yeil  or  doud ;  and  now  in  sweeter, 
nobler  songs,  they  sing  His  power  to  save. 
When  we  think  of  the  glory  our  God  did 
tb^e  rereal ;  and  then  of  the  cloud  which 
led  us  therefrom,  with  all  the  trying  circum- 
gtancee  which  followed;  when  we  behold 
the  scattering  hither  and  thither  of  families 
and  fiiends  once  pleasantly  settled  in  Gos- 
pel bonds,  we  hang  our  harp  upon  the 
willows,  and  we  sit  down  in  sorrow — sor- 
rows more  heayy  than  sometimes  our  spirit 
can  bear.  But  to  hear  of  the  glorious  de- 
pfftttre  of  another  of  them,  like  the  foUow- 
insr,  is  some  relief  to  an  orerburdened  heart. 

When  members  were  receiyed  into  the 
Church  at  Crosby  Bow,  a  card  with  the  date 
of  their  admission  was  always  given  them  ; 
and  on  the  card  was  writteii  some  text  of 
scripture  whidi  was  frequently  obtained  in 
answer  to  prayetr.  Mrs.  Butter*s  card  lias 
been  lent  us  by  her  bereayed  husband. 
When  we  read  the  text  on  her  card,  and  the 
memoir  herewith  furnished,  we  could  but 
exclaim,  "How  beantifully  and  exactly  true 
is  the  Word  of  Qod !"  Wehere  transcribe 
an  exact  copy  of  the  card  that  our  readers 
may  compare  the  scripture  given  with  her 
experience ;  and,  with  us,  learn  to  love  more 
devoutly  the  predous  book  of  God.  The 
etzd  reads  as  follows : 

**  Baptist  Chapel,  Crosby  Bow,  Kins  st, 
Sonthwark.  Sister  Elisa  Butter  admitted 
to  lull  oommnnion,  Aprfl  6,  1851.  *J&i 
UiH  my  dan^ter,  until  Uion  know  how  the 
matterwin  ffll.    For  tbb  Max  will  not  be 

Vou  XX.-N0.  226. 


in  rest,  until  He  have  finished  the  thing.' 
Ruth  iii.  18.    C.  W.  Banks,  Pastor." 

On  the  back  of  the  card  is  written  (as  a 
comment  on  the  Scripture  given) — "  This 
is  the  language  of  the  Church  to  eveiy 
comine  chud.  It  shews  the  commencement 
and  the  consummation  of  the  work,  Ib 
Christ's  ;  and  that  the  safest  posture  for 
the  seeking  sotil  is  waiting  patiently  and 
prayerfully  at  Christ's  feet*' 

All  who  knew  Mrs.  Butter  will  say,  this 
was  the  posture  in  which  the  Lord  kept 
her. 

Mr.  Samuel  Rutto?,  writing  of  his  beloved 
wife,  says : 

After  a  long  and  painful  affliction,  she 
calmly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  January  29th, 
1864.  Her  end  indeed  was  peace.  Jesus 
was  precious ;  God's  £uthfulness  in  His  pro- 
mise was  fully  realized.  To  her  He  had  said, 
"  I  will  make  all  thy  bed  in  thy  sickness.'* 
She  had  for  upwards  of  ten  years  shown 
symptoms  of  approaching  consumption.  A 
medical  gentleman,  nine  years  ago,  told  her 
she  could  not  last  two  years.  But  God  had 
ordained  it  otherwise.  He  kept  her  in  the 
wilderness  till  He  had  prepared  her  fully  to 
enter  into  that  rest  prepared  for  His  samts. 
Her  heart  was  fiilly  satisfied  with  what  her 
God  was  doing,  and  she  would  often  say  — 

**  All  our  timet  are  in  His  hands ; 
All  events  at  His  commands ; 
ISot  a  single  shaft  can  hit 
'      Till  the  God  oflove  sees  fit* 

"  I  shall  have  my  sufferings,  as  well  as 
my  joys ;  and  my  afflictions,  which  are  but 
for  a  season,  will  work  for  me  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  ^lory.  I 
hope  I  majr  not  be  left  to  be  so  vile  as  to 
mistrust  Him  after  all  He  has  shown  me. 
I  am  looking  forward  (she  would  say}  to  a 
better  world ;  and  I  feel  the  earthly  nouse 
of  this  my  tabernacle  is  being  taken  down 
as  it  were  piece  bv  piece.  But  I  hope  I 
may  not  murmur  now  long  soever  it  may 
be."  I 

Thus,  year  after  year,  through  many 
triab,  sorrows,  and  pains,  she  calmly  wend- 
ed her  way,  with  the  eye  of  faith  fixed  on 
that  cit^ — ^her  eternal  home— which  hath 
foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is 
God.  In  April,  1862,  a  violent  cough  set 
in,  and  never  left  her  free ;  her  sufferings 

H 


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JSBM  J&AMTBJBS  YBSSXIi. 


MmpIl  U.18M. 


were  yery  acute.  She  was  last  out  of  doors 
Feb.  10,  1863 :  since  then,  almost  entirely 
confined  to  her  bed ;  gradually  reduced  to  a 
mere  liying  skeleton.  But  O,  mercy  of 
mercies,  she  was  favoured  to  hold  sweet 
communion  with  her  God^ad  Sainour  JeauB 
Christ.  When  those  about  her  were  speak- 
ing of*  her  dseaiy  homr^  sh»  would  say,  "X 
am  never  alone.  O  no  I  Jesus  is  a  present 
help  in  time  of  troifble ;  and  this  is  indeed 
a  time  of  sore  trouble.  But  when  the  Lord 
comes  to  me  and  speaks,  I  can  bear  it  all, 
I  can- say— 

"  *  He^  nrins;  9Dd  with  pleMure  I  see 
We  both  are  uaited  in  one ; 
And  such  is  my  Jesns  to  me, 
I  nemr  CBB  froDfr  Him  be  torn*'* 

"  It  pleased  the  Lord  when  I  was  young, 
(she  would  say  in  referring  to  her  first  con- 
cern for  her  immortal  soul)  to  give  me  a 
very  tender  conscience ;  and  he  gently  led 
me  to  see  my  lost  condition.  I  was  living 
with  my  (now)  dear  aunt  Hawkins,  at  Kew, 
in  Surrey;  who  tenderly  and  with  much 
conoem,  helped  me  on  in  my  way  Zion- 
ward ;  and  '^^lat  the  Lord  then  shewed  me, 
he  has  never  drawn  the  veil  over.*'  When 
called,  in  the  ordM*  of  provldencej  to  accept 
a  situation  in  the  same  village^  one  SftMbaUi 
moming,  being  low-  in  spirit,  her  heart 
fiunting  under  a  sense  of  tier  *  kwft  coodi* 
txon,  and  beings  asztous  to  atlend  God's 
house,  she  asked  to  be  allowed  to  go  with 
Mrs.  Hawkins  to  the*  Meeting  Houm  at  Old 
Brentfbid ;  but,  to  her  s<iee  pain,  ■!»»  was 
refused,  and  wm  deeiied  by  hep  mistrssato 
attend  the*  Church  on^  tiie  greeo,  which  was 
respectftiUy  deeHned.  Beflbrring-  to  tiiis 
morning,  she  said,  **  I  then  took  my  Bible ; 
went  to  x^  duttiibei»;  fell  on  aiy<  knees; 
and,  with  dod's  word  b^re  me,  pleaded  in 
broken,  but  I  now*  b^eve^  aeeeptable  ac- 
cents, that  GKkI  woald  by  some  means,  ffive 
me  a  word  of  encouragement  and  comfort 
I  then  opened  my  "BShle,  and  the  first  words 
which  caught  my  eye  were,  *Fear  thou 
not,  for  I  am  with  thee;  be  not  dismayed, 
for  I  am  thy  God ;  I  will  strengthen  thee ; 
yea,  I  will  help  thee;  vea,  I  will  uphold 
thee,  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteous- 
ness.' (Isa.  zli.  10).  /  heKeved  then  those 
toorde  were  given  me- for  m^  living  and  tr^ 


stream ;  and  who  was  b^itized  in  the  wrath 
of  God,  to  atone  for  her  sins. 

During  the  last  nine  months  of  her 
severe  affliction,  she  was  never  heard  by 
any  friend  present  to  murmur  or  complain : 
however  great  her  pain,  and  pungent  her 
grief  at  the  thought  of  leavine  her  children 
and  husband,  she  was  enabled  to  commit 
them  in  prayerful  confidence  to  the  care  of 
Him  whose  futhfiilness  she  was  helped  so 
firmly  to  rely  on.  But  when  her  pains  were 
the  heaviest,  she  would,  with  sweet  com- 
posire  of  soul,  and  earnest  expression,  relbr 
those  who  were  speaking  abouther-snffer- 
ing,  to  the  a^nies  of  Him  who  suffered, 
blid,  and  died,  to  save  her  soul,  and*  say, 
"You  know  He  did  not  murmur  at  suffar- 
ingthe  pains  and  sorrow  due  to  me,  and  not 
to  Blm ;  and  my  sufibrings  are  light  com- 
pared to  His.  I  must  not  refnne;  I  w31 
not,  if  God  will  listen  to  my  humble  prajrer 
for  patience  and  resignation  to  idl  His  will, 
I  would  wait  with  patience  all  my  ap- 
pointed time.  I  lon^  to  be  gone :  I  pray  to 
be  gone.  But  He  will  do  au.  Sieptearare 
conoernine  me,  and  will  take  me  to  my 
heavenly  home  when  it  shall  seem  best  to 
Him." 

I  She  would  often  say  to  her  husband, 
when  fretting    under   the    sidling  y<^ 

I  "  God  will  work,  mv  dear  mtsbaod,  and 

,  none  shall  let  or  hinder.  I  do  pray  timt 
God  will  abundantly  sanctify  my  painftd 
affliction  to  your  immortal  soul,  axMl^  t^qt 

,  the  patience  God  has  blessed  me  with,  ae- 
companied  with  living  fiuth,  may  be  tliine 
in  the  hour  when  heart  and  flesh  shiJl  fidl 

,  you,  and  that  God  will  make  my  dying 
days    a    living    memento    in-   my   dear 

\  children's  hearts  that  that  God  I  have  so 

!  often  pointed  them  to,  has  proved'  Himself 
faithfiu  to  me,  that  they  may  in  early  life 
seek  to  know  Him  by  the  same  sovepwgp 
grace  that  has  upheld  me  through  life,  smd 
comforts  me  in  my  affliction,  and  will  su£^ 
port  me  in  my  dying  hour.'* 

She  would  often  ask  them  to  sing  titose 
sweet  words, — 

*  "  Our  nrtlMif|»  h«ase  on  Uffh, 
Hoquaof  ay  aoiil,  how  oesr  I 
At  time  to  faith's  fiir  aesing-^e^ 


lis  was  her  testimony  of  her  first  hope, 
the  sweetness  of  which  never  left  her  while 
on  earth.  After  this,  die  became  anxious 
to  unite  with  the  people  of  God  meeting  at 
Brentford,  and  was  the  first  candidate  fbr 
Believers'  baptism  immersed  in  the  pool  at 
the  chapel,  .Ne^  North  Boad,  Old  Brent- 
ford, where  Mr.  Parsons  now  ministers. 
She  enjoyed  the  Lord's  presence  much  at 
this  ordinance ;  and  often  spoke  of  the 
sweet-  interconrse  her  soul  then  had  with 
Jesus,  who  set  her  the  pattern  in  Jordan's 


Thy  golden  gates  appear, 
lere  in  the  body  pent, 
AhseatfircmTtiael] 


Bat  nightly  pitch  my  moiiiig  teali 
A  day's  march  nearer  hOme.** 

"  Hc'W  sweet, "  she  would  m^  whea 
her  bobbine  children  had  ceased  to  sioft, 
"  to  have  a  house  to  go  to  not  made  win 
hands;  an  eternal  home;  no  more  pain, 
sorrow,  or  mourning,  knawo.  by  the  inhab- 
tanta  theieef.    Qhl  how  sweet. 


lo^t 


«n^I 

Than  shall  my  pisinaaBlal  he  (ove^. 
And  all  my  po.wenFl)e  prda&T 


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6ff 


*•  Qrieve  no*  f or  me^  oqr  ^»^*  %  to  His 
bosonr;  <a«*all  tli^  oareft  up«n.  Him,  for 
He  mnA  fm  joa:  He  i»ft  verf  pmseiLt 
Heij^  in  evecr  tnno  of  need;  and  jron  vi^ 
mniw  aaed  His  he^  I  knov.  &U  look, 
opt  lookto  Him.  His  lappaEt  isMreet ;  He 
ennot  eir.  He  will  not  give  me  one  moie- 
pou^  no»  80110^  norgpouit  than  io  my^lot 
ihl  nor  Mio  leeo.  If  Be  appoints  the 
number  ten,  I  ne'er  ehtU  hmre  eWen*  It 
is  a  heavy  afflictiott,  a  deep,  and  paialiil 
oraeible  I. am  in;  bnt  oaaenieatlL  ma  I 
Ibal  Hia  aiwriaating  anwH  sMmiid  me  Hie 
fjmmtw  pjag  mewy,  and  above  m»  Hia  imoul 
Mttilea ;  and  I  oiuy  wait  to  hear  W»  pae- 
OKHHr^ce,  mtfingt  'Come  no  higher.*  I 
kna  tO'  be  gam.  Cbme^  Xsrd  Jetua^  eome 
4m»kkf,      HaotOy  mj  beloved,    fatoh  me 

l%a  day  prevkva  to  her  departure^  when 
■ufflbiing  venr  aenta  agony,  Aid  eaid  to  me, 
'*  My  dear,  I  want  yon  to  besr  d  the  Lord 
to  remember  the  word  on  i^ieh  ha  fint 
oaiuaed  me  to  h(^;  you  know  what  that 
waa  (referring  to  Isaiah  xli  10).  My 
breath  is  too  snort  to  speak  oat  my  thoogfats 
and  my  sonPs  enjoymants.  But  I  know  I 
riudl  not  be  disappointed.  I  shall  soon 
enter  opoo  that  giorioos  Sabbath,  though 
not  theora  now:  yet  there  is  nO'  oondemna- 
tian  to  tham  that  are  in  Jesua.  My  ftiUings 
and  sufferings  eaanot  alter  my  dear  {te> 
daemev^s  purposes  of  love.  He  haa  man^, 
many  times  assured  n^  soul'  oi  its  part  m 


Hialosttaad  mai^y.  Andnow  I  need  the 
eomibit  of  Hi»  ufomise  more  than  tiM». 
ShaU I  doubt Him.BMre?  Oh,nol 
*  Did  Jasae onee upon  aie  shtaa^ 
Then  Jamais  fcravar  miaa.* 
**YoQ  will  i&ad  maa^r  Sanptums  tumad 
down  in  my  BiUe  inucb  haTo  bean  Tsvy 
nraeioas  to  m^  soul.  And  now,  my  dear 
nuaband»my  pfrayer  ia  tlsat  the  same  sweet 
nesa  ma^  ba  reahaed  1^  yon  and  my  be- 
lored  ehikbMB  when  I  am  gone.  Hy  dagw, 
£ka  my  breath,  are  gnarin^  shorter.  Hv 
oomfiate  axe  low  at  timaa,  but  my  finth 
relaxes  not.  It  holds  ilnnly  on  tiie  nniehed 
work  of  wap  dear  BedeeuMr.  AU  is  right ! 
aUiswelll     Do  not  think  Ha  will laare 

§«  in  tioiibfe  ta  sink :  no  I  Ha  will  not" 
erannt,  'iriiio  una  aoxioasl^  watahing  har 
during  her  last  night  on  earth,  saw  her 
tiying  in  ▼»n  to  sle^  and  said,  **I 
wua  in  hope  ytXL  weretakiag  a  little  akaaj^** 
She  smiled  and  said,  '*  /  cammt  stem  hue 
agmn;  ha  I  siail  aocn  dttp  m  «/«mm." 
And,  at  flmr  the  same  morning,  her  happy 
soul,  in  sweet  peace,  took  its  flight  to  be 
for  eiver,  ever  with  the  Lard. 

Sahuxc  Hunnnu 
[This  is  a  Ueaaed  tBstimenT  indeed.  We 
hope  all  Qod's  dear  childreD  will  read  it 
themaebiBa,  and  read  it  to  others.  Itis 
a  solid  and  powarfhl  diaplay  of  the 
reality  and  gennioenesa  of  iae  true  »aee 
of  QedL  May  our  hut  end  be  like  hers. 
Amen.-— >£hh] 


A     MOTHER    IN    ISRAEL. 

MB.  JOHK  BLOOMFI£U>*S  8BBM0N, 

nr  XQCOKT  OP  MUS.  beans,    VFWABDS   op  TBIBTT  TKARS  a  XSXBn  OF   TBK  CffUBCff 

unKTura  nr  salem  cbapkl,  usabd's  ooubt.  boho. 


Ife.magr  be  aakedt.  who  was  tie  subjeet  of 
thamxamarimP  We  oaonot  better dsscribe 
hsr;  tiuuii  byseying  she  was  a  quiets  unaa» 
saanocr  Ohnatiaa^  who  fissredl  Qod,  and 
.  loved  His  peoplsb  She  was  not  a  woman 
of  aflusMe,  but  aha  waa  not  withoul  her 
inftueneeb  At  the  tea  meefemy,  one  might 
ahnoat  be  as  ameh  surprised  ta  And  the 
usad.  re&wfaments  wanting^  as  the  aotiTe 
araaanoeaf  Mis.  Beane.  In  the  Sunday 
UioGi,  she  waa  aakfae  mother,  in  midstof 
hsr  large  SMaily.  To  the  eandidatea  for 
baptianv  har  snila  and  kind  word  of  en- 
OQuauBBxeBt  Hrere  ever  ready ;  in  the  veetry 
to-  aamat  ia  the  fittle  neeesearies  on  bap^ 
tiring  ooeasions,  she  was  always  forsmost. 
InskoEt,  ia  every  good  worii,  shs  was  move 
oslaaB.aeyvaly  engaaod;  bnt  she  is  gone, 
laanqer  her  iafras  behi^  simwiag  wWfe 
afaewaaAQlagrMltaikais  she  was  seen- 


tinuoua,  humble,  and  oonsiatent  follower  of 
Jesua,  and  aa  such.she  loved  to  be  among 
His  pMpia  while  bekm. 

Her  raasfst  sermon  being  weatdMd  on 
Sunday  evening^.  Jan.  a4th  1864,  by  her 
belofvd  pastor,  M&  Bloomfteld,  a  huge 
number  assembled  on  that  oesasina,  dressed 
in  sombre  attire,  as  a  token  ol  respeet  to 
one  who  had  walked  so  long,  and  walked 
80  well  aasid  the  saaie  people. 

The  text  waa  "For  we  Mnew  that  if  oar 
earthly  hoaas  of  this  tabemade  wese  die* 
solved,  we  have  a  buiiding  of  Ged,  an  house 
not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavenft"-*2  OorinAiana  v.  1.  Mr. 
Bloomflakl  contnsted  with  neat  feeling 
the  trials  of  the  presen*,  with  the  ghartee 
cftheftUnra.  G^  have  a  knowledge  of  an 
inOHist;  he  did  not  knowwiiat 
thewadic 


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THE  EA&THXK  TS8SBL. 


Vatch  1, 18M. 


nor  what  could  more  light  up  the  dark, 
deep  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  or  tend 
more  to  make  the  gimve  a  desired  restin^- 

Elace,  rather  than  the  odd  sepulchre.  This 
ouse  must  be  dissolved,  then  to  know  we 
have  a  building  not  made  with  hands 
strengthened  the  departed.  For  many 
long  years,  she  had  tokens  that  her  body 
was  but  a  crazy  building,  trembling  with 
every  wind,  showing  that  it  was  but  a  tem- 
p<»rary  dwelliiu;,  in  which  the  spirit  was 
eaged,  until  the  time  arrived  when  it 
should  take  its  flight  to  a  dwelling  more  in 
harmony  with  its  lofty  destiny. 

The  preacher  then  asked  for  the  attention 
of  his  hearers  while  he  spoke, 

First,  on  the  detcription  given  by  Paul 
of  our  eartkfy  mode  ofexietence,  Secondlv, 
the  eujperioritv  of  the  future  dunUing  of  the 
people  of  Godj  and  lastly,  the  inepiring  as- 
eurance  "  we  know  we  have  a  building,  not 
made  with  hands." 

First,  the  deecription  given  hy  Paui,  Han 
has  a  body,  and  he  has  a  soul ;  the  bodv  is 
adapted  to  this  temporary  esdstence,  while 
the  soul  must  live  out  the  crush  of  worlds, 
and  the  wreck  of  matter.  This  soul  is  acted 
ui)on,  not  the  body,  by  Divine  life  and 
Divine  principles.  Mind  is  influenced,  not 
matter,  matter  drags  down  the  mind.  The 
body  then,  is  but  a  crazy  house,  which  the 
soul  inhabits.  The  penitent  thief  cried, 
**  Lord,  remember  me.'*  Jesus  answered, 
"  This  day  thou  shalt  be  with  me."  With 
me,  not  the  body  but  the  soul.  The  body 
was  left  on  the  cross,  the  soul  was  freed. 
So  there  is  no  middle  state,  no  purgatory ; 
but  the  soul  at  once  enters  into  the  presence 
of  the  Lord.  In  the  morning  we  have  the 
dyin^  penitent  thief  on  the  cross ;  in  the 
evening  he  was  standing  at  the  right  hand 
of  God,  possessing  glory  and  life  immortal. 
In  the  morning  he  sighed  and  groaned  on 
the  cross ;  in  the  evening  he  sane  sweet  like 
the  harps  of  heaven,  and  loud  like  the 
thunders  thereof,  in  the  morning  he 
prayed  with  a  trembling,  fluttering  spirit, 
"  Lord,  remember  me."  In  the  evening  he 
praised  with  a  joyAd  heart,  becatuse  he  was 
a  subject  of  free  grace  and  salvation,  and 
interested  in  that  covenant,  which  in  life 
he  had  despised,  and  hated  in  the  enmity 
of  his  heart. 

This  body  then  is  a  house  built  with 
hands,  whioi  is  indicative  of  intelligence, 
and  it  is  fearftilly  and  wonderftdly  made ; 
a  beantifid  piece  of  Divine  workmanship. 
It  is  the  soul's  dwelling-place;  the  soul 
acts  through  the  body. 

Then  the  body  is  a  house  because  the 
soul  dwells  in  it,  and  acts  through  the 
body.  It  is  called  an  earthly  house  to 
show  that  all  its  parts  came  from  dust;  it  is 
not  made  of  marble,  nor  silver,  though  it 
be  thought  that  some  bodies  ace  composed 


of  the  best  china,  and  others  of  common 
earthenware,  yet  all  are  made  alike,  and 
all  must  return  to  the  dust  again.  It 
is  a  house,  and  is  adapted  to  an  earthly 
life,  and  is  supported  by  earthly  means. 

It  is  also  represented  as  a  tabemade, 
indicative  of  liie  being  a  pil^rima^e,  and 
also  because  of  the  ease  by  which  it  is  taken 
down.  I  little  thought  when  I  shook 
hands  with  our  dear  sister  in  this  chapel  so 
recentlv,  that  it  would  be  the  last  time ; 
she  had  often  spoken  of  her  failing  healtbt 
but  how  easily  was  her  tabemaele  at  last 
taken  down.  She  went  home,  was  taken 
unwell,  and  in  a  day  or  two  her  spirit  took 
its  flight  to  the  regions  of  light.  Some  are 
taken  down,  we  hardly  know  how,  some 
suffer  great  agony  ;  death  is  represented  as 
fallinfir  asleep  in  Jesus.  But  let  us  ever 
bear  in  mind,  before  we  can  £Edl  asleep  in 
Jesus  we  must  be  one  with  him.  By  being 
called  a  tabernacle  also,  indicates  brevity 
of  existence. 

II.  The  superiority  of  the  saints'  ftiture 
dwelling-place,  th^  shall  dwell  in  their 
Father's  house,  *'  This  day  thou  shalt  be 
with  me  in  paradise."  With  Jesus,  ah, 
we  could  not  be  happy  in  heaven  without 
Him.  We  are  with  Him  now  by  antidpa- 
tion ;  He  is  crowned,  and  so  must  Hia 
people  be ;  Uie  husband  is  exalted,  and  tha 
spouse  must  also  be  exalted,  to  live  where 
he*  lives,  to  behold  his  glory,  and  share  hia 
triumphs  for  ever  and  ever. 

In  saying  a  few  words  in  relation  to  our 
dear  departed  friend ;  it  appears  from  early 
life  she  was  blessed  when  hearing  a  sermon 
preached  from  the  third  chapter  of  Romans. 
From  this  text,  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit, 
she  was  shown  her  helpless  state  as  a  sin- 
ner,  and  that  there  was  no  help  for  her 
only  in  Christ.  She  enjoved  the  advantage 
of  a  mother's  company  from  whose  go^v 
companionship  she  profited  much,  which 
tenaed  much  to  strengthen  and  encourage 
her  in  earl^  life.  From  her  first  entry  into 
spiritual  hfe,  down  to  her  later  momenta, 
she  was  always  grieved  to  hear,  and  always 
wondered  how  any  good  people  could  speak 
against  the  doetnne  of  election,  Tospeak* 
against  the  great  distinguishiiig  truths 
troubled  her  much,  because  they  had  been 
such  comfort  to  her.  She  saw  very  plainly 
that  if  the  doctrines  of  election,  predesti- 
nation, and  eternal  justification  were  taken 
away  '<  What  could  the  righteous  do?"  But 
for  election,  no  siJvation,  no  predestination, 
no  life,  no  mercy,  no  justification,  no  lifil- 
lowship  with  Goa,  and  no  heaven  at  last.  I 
rejoiced  when  her  beloved  husband  inlbnncd 
me,  that  in  early  life  and  down  to  her 
latest  days  these  great  truths  were  to  her  a 

Seat  source  of  c<nnfort.     Many  years  ago 
e  heard  my  venerated  predecessor,  and 
whose   name,    while  she  lived,  was   em- 


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THB  EABXBXS  YESSSIi. 


67 


bttlmed  on  her  heart,  as  were  the  tmths  he 
preached,  and  which  are  also  embalmed  on 
the  heazta  of  tena  of  thousands  in  this 
conntzy.  Would  to  Otod,  many  who  have 
profbsaed  to  believe  in  the  great  tmths 
iriiich  be  taught,  and  who  professed  to 
drink  into  his  spirit,  would  prove  their 
sincerity  by  al»ding  in  the  same  things, 
rather  than  to  torn  their  backs  on  them 
and  go  to  places  where  the  truths  he  tan^ht 
are  ignored.  I  pray  God  to  keep  ns  faith- 
ful to  his  gospel.  I  may  have  taken  a  more 
charitable  view  of  some  things  than  many 
men,  which  maybe  owing  to  my  natural  tem- 
perament, but  I  can  never  forget  the  great 
distingnishinff  truths  which  I  nave  learnt, 
Bor  be  bought  by  the  kindness  of  men, 
to  depart  from  the  truth  ;  I  tremble  not  at 
men's  frowns,  in  preaching  the  gospel  I 
seek  no  man's  friendship,  nor  fear  their 
enmity,  if  they  want  me  to  give  up  the  truth. 

To  the  honour  of  our  deceased  sister 
then  be  it  said,  that  she  was  received  into 
this  church  upwards  of  thirty  years  ago, 
and  during  that  Ions  i>eriod,  she  adherod 
quietly,  (»lmly,  and  with  a  warmth  that 
never  died  out,  to  the  great  truths  she 
loved.  She  was  a  quiet  Christian,  never 
talked  much,  but  her  presence  in  our  school, 
in  the  bible-class,  and  on  baptizing  occa- 
sions, will  be  much  missed.  For  thirty 
yean  she  belonged  to  this  Christian 
ehurch,  she  loved  the  people,  she  loved  the 
institutions  of  God's  house,  she  loved  my 
predecessor,  and  without  flatteiy  I  may 
BtkT  she  loved  the  present  pastor,  from 
whose  lipe  the  Word  has  often  been  greatly 
blessed  to  her.  She  would  often  say  to 
me  after  a  sermon,  **  The  Lord  has  been 
with  you,"  when  I  have  thou|^ht  all  was 
•cold  and  poor.  She  lived  a  life  of  £uth 
and  she  died  in  peace.  Her  life  wiU 
speak  now  she  is  gone ;  can  you  go  into  the 
mooJioom,  and  not  think  of  her?  can  you 
think  of  any  of  our  institutions  and  not 
think  of  her,  as  a  steady,  quiet,  warm- 
heaited  Christian? 

Bv  way  of  conclusion  we  may  say,  having 
no  detailed  account  of  her  last  da^,  that 
her  end  was  peace ;  that  as  she  hyed,  so 
she  died,  trusting  in  Jesus  and  His  ever- 
laeting  righteousness  for  eternal  salvation. 


LINES 

ni    MBMORT   OF 

KB.     J08BPH     HABBOTTLE 

BT  WILLIAM  BT0KS8,   OJ  MAXCRISTKR. 

Loris  on  the  death  of  that  learned  and 
«»DeUent  man,  Mr.  Joskfh  Hajrbottls 
late  of  Accrington.  who  was  called  to  his 
rest,  on  January  19th,  1864,  aged  65  years, 
Hia  last  sermon  was  preached  in  fames 
Stieet  Chapel,  Accrincton,  on  Lord's  Day 
eyeiiing,  Januaxy  10th,  1864,  from  those 


important  words,  **  For  by  one  offering  he 
hath  perfected  for  ever  them  that  are  sanc- 
tified." Heb.  z.  14.  Those  who  were 
privileged  to  hear  that  earnest,  impressive 
discourse,  will  never  forget  it  to  their  dying 
day.  The  doctrine  of  that  passage  was  the  law 
and  guide  of  his  ministerial  life.  Whatever 
changes  occurred  around,  he  stood  to  that 
doctrine  as  firmly  as  a  Paul,  a  Luther  or  a 
Dr.  GilL 

Why  that  loud  wail  f— Why  that  moan« 
Where  weepinff  crowds  their  aorrowi  own  f 
What  woe  pron>und  has  stirred  the  griei, 
That  finds  in  tears  a  sole  relief? 
Not  the  wild  roar  upon  the  blast, 
Or  skies  with  thunaer-douds  o'ercast ; 
Not  the  deep  cry  of  lone  despair, 
Could  spread  those  mighty  sorrows  there. 
All,  all  in  vain  the  blast,  the  doud, 
These  draw  no  tears  from  yonder  crowd ; 
And  grief  retir'd,  to  few  but  known, 
Moves  but  that  ftw  to  weep  and  groan. 
But  when  the  noble  cedar  falls,* 
The  stroke  resounds  in  distant  halls ; 
While  Cotters  and  their  babes  deplore, 
The  greatness  they  shall  see  no  more. 
Harbottle  thus,  in  manly  irrowtb. 
The  foe  alike  of  pride  and  sloth ; 
Rose  high  as  some  more  fitroured  Son, 
Like  Cedar  in  great  Lebanon. 
Deep  read  in  all  of  saored  lore, 
Ana  rich  in  every  heavenly  store,* 
Yet  sunk  he  greatness  in  the  mild 
And  humble  spirit,  of  a  child. 
Pride,  nor  in  word  or  deed  he  knew, 
Nor  ever  leani'd  he  to  pursue 
The  vain  professor's  empty  fkme, 
That  nothing  carries  but  a  name. 
He  knew  not  how  to  fiiwn  on  power, 
By  doctrines  **  fashioned  to  the  hour  ;'* 
Nor  at  the  shrine  of  wealth  to  bend. 
Or  own  the  **  changeling"  as  his  firiead. 
True  as  the  needle  to  the  pole^ 
Straight  on  as  racer  to  the  goal, 
Like  the  great  Paul,  he  onward  press'd, 
•To  the  *•  high-calling"  of  the  blest. 
To  saored  truth  his  heart  he  gave, 
Nor  ever  swerv'd  like  hireling  slave ; 
That  Truth  to  him  was  life  and  health. 
More  prized  than  honour,  pow'r,  or  wealth. 
O  noble  man  I  Few  like  remain. 
Few  care  a  silent  praise  to  gain, 
Few  like  thee  now,  from  eariy  youth. 
To  stand  forth  boldly  for  the  Truth. 
All,  all  around  cry  "bow  the  knee,  *' 
To  the  new  Idol,  ^  Charity,  *♦ 
Nor  heed  they  greatly  Truth  Divine, 
It  but  the  Worid  upon  them  shine. 

Not  so,  thou  ohJld-like,  noble  z 


Not  so  thy  glorious  race  was  ran ; 
Not  so  didst  thou  for  idle  fiune, 
Tarnish  thy  pledges  or  thy  name. 
There,  where  the  few  retir'd  to  pra3% 
There  dosed  thy  unambitious  day ; 
There  thy  last  words,  like  heavenly  dew. 
Dropped  sweetly  on  that  &vonr'd  few.  t 
Adieu  I  Adieu  I— We  part  with  pain. 
Yet  we  but  part  to  meet  again; 
A  few  more  stormy  sessons  o*er. 
And  then  we  meet  to  part  no  more. 
Yet  while  we  view  thy  heavenly  flifht. 
And  trace  thy  way  to  worids  of  lignt. 
Say,  Prophet,  say,~wherD  dwells  the  sees, 
Worthy  to  wear  thy  mantle  hers  f 
•    •  Zeehariah,  xi  9 
t  Barnes  Street  Chapel,  Aoeringtoa.T 

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58 


ICnreh  ly  1IM> 


THE  EDITOR'S  THOUGHTS  ON  MEN  AND  THINOS  ON 

THE  EARTH. 


no.  in. 

We  we  still  Hiiiild&g ;  md  it  is  a  privilege,  vea,  it  is  a  meicy  great  indeed,  when,  as  one 
said,  "In  the  nrahitnde  of  my  flzorafrhts  inuiin  ue,  Thy  coxnfortB  delight  my  sonL**  H 
any  one  was  to  ask  us  on  what  groundWB  could  dare  to  hope  we  should  enter  heayen  at  last» 
we  should  not  tc^  to  oar  poist  e^rienoe,  nor  to  our  present  fSuth,  we  should  affirm 
that  oar  hope  stands  on  the  promise  in  Malachi  iii.  17,  "Thev  shall  be  mine,  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  op  my  jewels."  And  who  are  they  ?  "  Them 
that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  tbovobt  upon  His  vaus."  Oar  happiest  hours  are  spent 
in  thinking  tipon,  and  in  IwUinff  oat  the  wokdirs  or  His  blxsskd  name.  Can  a  soul  so 
think  of  Uim,  until  holiness,  happiness,  and  even  heaven  itself,  seems  to  be  possened  ? 
and,  yet,  can  such  a  soul  be  lost  f    We  hope  not  indeed. 

VhlBken  on  the  naaie  of  Jems, 

BCin  tlitB  glorious  theme  pursue ; 
Be  will  eome  «t  length  and  bless  us, 

Thek  His  •lobt  wb  «kft0  mme. 

We  have  not  retamed  to  St.  Spoi^geon's  "  Forward !  Forward  !  '*  nor  to3Ir.  Lincofa^t 
beautiful  words  on  Baotism  ^  for  many  tilings  have  almost  overflowed  as ;  but,  passing 
many  of  them,  we  briefly  refer  to  the  gn^at  meeting  announced  to  be  holden  in  the  Surrcsy 
Tabernacle  on  <3«od  Friday,  when  Mr.  James  WeUs  will  preach  a  sermon  in  die  alt^- 
noon ;  and  nUter  tea,  a  pabHe  meetiog  to  be  addressed  bv  several  ministering  brethren. 
This  will,  with  God*s  blessing,  be  a  noble  and  profitable  ga^ering,  and  multitudes 
expect  a  feast  of  &t  things,  in  which  they  will  not  be  disappointed,  we  believe ;  for  th^ 
more  we  are  led  to  the  oonaidetatiosi  of  the  object  before  them,  the  erection  of  a  laxge 
and  permanently  freehold  house  for  God  and  truth,  the  more  we  are  persuaded  that  the 
time  is  come  when  the  living  in  Jerosalem  mtcst,  in  the  strength  of  the  Ahnighty, 
stand  out  freely  and  openly  in  the  distinguishing  and  undying  principles  of  sovereign 
and  invincible  grace. 

But,  we  have  some  thoughts  upon  one  question  laid  before  as ;  it  is  "fiiis : 

WHY   HAS   TRUTH   FALLBK   IN    OUK   STBEET8? 

A  QUESTION  FOR  THE  SERVANTS  AND  SAINTS  OP  THE 

MOST  HIGH. 


Perhaps  it  will  be  said  troth  has  not  &llen. 
Praises- to  God  it  has  not  becomo  extinct. 
There  are,  in  this  happy  &therland  of  ours, 
thousands  who  uvs  in  THE  TBtTTH-^ 
and  the  truth  doth  live  in  them.  Not  a  fow 
good  men  are  evidently  called  of  God, 
anomted  and  sent  by  Him,  to  preach  the 
great  and  excellent  Gospel  of  His  grace, 
and  are  usefol  to  some  extent ;  but  we  are, 
with  rare  sBeepticns,  few  and  feeble,  and 
&r  between.  Not  only  bo,  bnt  to  us  it  is 
fearfully  astoanding  to  find  how  many  (who 
are  reckoned  as  men  of  troth)  are  mei« 
glossographers,  mere  reciters  of  the  word, 
and  expounders  of  the  letter:  they  have 
that  "  knowledge  which  pofiM  ap ; "  they 
are  filled  with  pride ;  they  can  prate,  and 
with  their  Kps  they  can  pray:  but  they 
have  no  bowels  of  compassion  ;  they  have 
no  travail  of  aoul,  no  veaniings  of  heart 
over  the  souls  of  their  f ellowa,  no  agonising 
cries  to  Qhd.  for  salvation-fower,  no  taking 
the  precious  from  the  vile,  no  spedal  revela- 
tions from  heayen  in  their  own  axperience, 
no  leapings  of  joy  at  th«  soond   of   the 


M«8ter*s  voice,  no  mhing  mighty  wind  ent 
blows  through  them— no  gashings  foith  of 
soul  are  ever  known  bv  them :  yea,  tbegr 
poor  cotttompt  upon  all  who  contend  te 
these  R)eeial  mercies ;  and  hdnee,  they  «m 
themsMves  dry^breasts,  and  it  is  with  dtfll* 
colty  they  hold  i^n  at  sll. 

What  shall  we  do  ?  has  been  oor  eiy  te 
many  years.  There  are  many  good  yooBg 
men  in  our  Churdies  seerotly  panting  for 
usefol  positions  in  the  Church,  but  theyaiv 
in  some  things  like  ApoUos.  Are  not  Mr 
leading  men  responsive  to  God  for  the 
talents  committedf  to  them  ?  Should  there 
not  be  efibrts  and  means  employed  to  en- 
courage, to  trta^ngthen,  to  stimulate,  and  to 
help  them?  Should  we  not  unitedly  do 
something  beside  preaching  in  our  own 

Sulpits  f&  tile  planting,  extending,  and 
efonding  of  the  Gospel  we  so  sinoer^ 
love?  Is  not  that  second  verse  of  t4» 
twelfth  of  Daniel  esceedingly  fiill  <«f 
heavenly  meaning  and  of  evangelical  m^ 
gestion  ?  «*  Theiy  that  be  wise  (teadieM)» 
they  that  truthMly  and^ittiftilb[  teach 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ^IC 


Ibrchl,  1M4. 


THE  'KAKtuiszv  VE88BL. 


5$ 


the  -pectflPj  shall  sliise  as  fbe  brightoMS  -of 
the  firmament;  and  the^  that  ttmn  hakt 
vo  uoHXBOuflVBM,  as  the  stan  for  ever 
and  erer." 

MB.  Kl ; 'I'PI^^KVTIgTiT).  , 

Bid  fb»  apostle  St.  Paul  nonrish  and 
eommend  hia  Timodiies,  his  Titnses,  bis 
FfailemonB,  and  hianumeionB  fellow-helpers 
and  labooren  in  the  Lord,  as  named  in 
that  Bist«enth  of  Bomans?  He  did !  His 
loving  heart  and  laborioQS  life  was  ever 
towara  them.  And  is  he  not  in  that  part  of 
his  woA,  as  well  as  in  bis  doctiine  and  ex- , 
perience,  an  eacample  to  as?  We  think  he  is.  ^ 
not  in  oar  Cfanrches  how  fearfol^j  isitbat 
example  lost  sight  of.  At  ameeting  recently 
held  in  Old  Ford,  we  heard  onryonng  brother 
Bnttetfield  speak ;  he  delirered  an  address  i 
faU  of  ChoBpel  matter,  and  with  a  mind  and 
manner  which  commended  his  testimony  to ' 
the  consciences  of  the  crowded  audience  he  | 
then  addressed .  It  forcibly  reminded  us  of  \ 
oor  text  the  'first  time  we  preacbed 
for  Mr.  James  Btttterfield  at  Jamaica 
Bow,  "  Instead  of  thy  fathera  shall  be  thy 
^ildien,  whom  thon  mayest  make  princes 
in  all  Uie  earth."-  Good  John  Stenson,  of 
Cnrmel,  Pimlico,  was  a  father  indeed  to 
Jsmes  Bntterfield.  The  father  has  gone 
home.  The  child  has  been  instrumental  in 
planting  a  new  cause,  building  a  new  cha- 
pel, and  nourishing  a  growing  Church  at 
Botherhiibe ;  but  heiias  many  times  been 
afanoat  crashed  under  tiie  weight  and  burden  j 
of  tiie  debt,  and  ia  even  now  leetimiur  to 
obtain  the  means  to  remore  the  liabuitv. 
When  we  consider  the  heavy  affiictionB  wh 
idiich  he  has  been  visited,  the  burdens  he 
has  had  to  bear,  the  discouragements  he  has 
had  to  meet,  and  see  him  growing  up  into  a 
sphere  of  usefhlness  promising,  by  God's 
,  good  Spirit  and  keeping,  to  make  a  decided 
'  and  devoted  minister  of  no  common  order, 
we  do  rejoice,  we  are  encouraged  ;  wc 
would  thank  God,  and  venture  to  exhort 
all  the  labouring  men  and  the  laymen  to 
help  him  and  his  people,  with  all  the  aid 
they  can  afford.  On  "the  7th  of  March, 
(D.v/)  be  delivers  hia  Lecture  on  "Bunyan 
and  His  Times"  in  Bethel  Chapel,  Old 
Ford,  the  whole  of  the  profits  to  help  to 
liquidate  the  debt  on  his  chaT>e1.  We  crave 
the  support  of  all  our  frienas  for  him  on 
that  occasion.  Heads  of  houses  might 
send  their  families  if  they  cannot  attend 
themselves.  We  understand  the  lecture  is 
reaUy  good,  and  of  a  lively,  but  beneficial 
tendency. 

THE  LA;TE  JAMES  NUNN,  AND  THE 
FBE8ENT  PASTOB  AT  "ZION." 

SIiQr  we  kindly  refer  to  oAer  young  men 
who  ate  now  springing  up  in  our  midst? 
Poor  James  Ntrnn  was  last  year  c^ed  home 


to  his  rest;  and  ^iduttever  deffp  somws 
overwhelmed  hia  sonl,  whatever  draadfol 
furrows  lay  in  his  path,  he<wae  holdaii  fast 
in  the  truth  to  tne  end;  and  our  most 
meroifal  GrOD  did  so  bless  his  nftinistzy  that 
hundreds  will  speak  to  this  day,  Of  the 
blessedness  they  realized  therein ;  but  the 
Lord  has  taken  him  home. 

Let  us  pause  here  one  moment.  Br. 
Thomas  Goodwin,  in  his  comment  on  that 
32ud  verse  of  Psalm  boxix,  and  Of  the 
boundless  mercies  x>f  God  to  poor,l)roken- 
hearted  children,  says,  "  Millions  of  God's 
elect  pass  home  to  gloiy  without  ever  com- 
ing; into  the  experience  ftlHy  and  deeply  of 
this  part  of  God*8  word.  They  are,  after 
conversion,  most,  mercifully  preserved:" 
that  they  should,  therefore,  in  this  time- 
state,  carry  it  vciy  haughtily  toward  the 
bruised  and  bleeding  prodigals,  must  not 
be  wondered  at.  There  are  many  little 
rivers  with  water  and  tide  enough  to  cany 
small  boats,  but  vessels  of  any  size  could 
not  enter  on  them;  they  must  have  the 
deep  seas,  the  unmeaeurable  depths  and 
lengths  and  breadths  of  the  mighty  ocean, 
with  all  its  consequent  rising  and  rolling 
waves  and  powerful  winds,  in  order  that 
from  one  nation  to -another  they  may  can^ 
both  freight  and  people  enongh  to  meet  their 
ends.  So,  there  are  many  good  little  men 
gliding  gently  down  on  the  smooth  suzfiEuse 
of  the  fallow  waters,  and  they  have  their 
work  to  do ;  and  we  hope  it  is  as  much  of 
God  as  those  who  often  sing, 

"Oar  Journey  liwjMiQU  the  brink 


Of  nuiqy  a  thieatening  wa\^ ; 
The  world  expeetB  to  see  ua  dnk, 


But  JBSVB  lifw  to  • 

Not  for  oiOBelvee,  but  for  aD  whom  it  may 
concern,  we  here  introduce  a  few  lines  sent 
us  by  a  yoting  Ohristian  friend : — 

Think  kindly  of  the  erring; 

Yc  know  not  of  the  power 
With  which  the  daxfc  feemfitation  eama. 

In  aome  unguarded  hour ; 
Ye  may  not  know  how  eameatly 

They  stniggledj  or  how  well. 
Until  the  hour  or  weakncM  oane, 

Jiod  Mdly  thenttey  Ml. 

Think  kindly  of  the  enrlag ; 

Oh  I  doBOtthoufoiiffet, 
Howerer  daikly  stained  by  sin. 

He  is  thy  brother  yet ; 
Heir  of  the  aelf-eame  heritsse, 

Child  of  the  •elf-aame  God ; 
He  hath  but  stumbled  in  the  path 

Thou  hofit  in  weakness  trod. 

Speak  cently  to  the  erring ; 

For  is  it  not  enongh 
That  iunooenee  and  peace  ai«  gone 

Without  thy  censure  rough  P 
It  sure  must  be  a  weary-tot. 

The  sin  cmshed  heart  to  bear ; 
And  they  who  have  a  happier  lot. 

Their  ehidingB  well  may  spare. 

Speak  kindly  to  the  erring. 

And  thoumaVst  lead  taem  faaek; 
With  holy  words  and  ton«B  of  love. 

From  misery's  thorny  tnick. 

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60 


THE  BABTHEET  VESSEL. 


lUroh  1.1864. 


Torgei  not  thou  hast  often  iinned. 

And  Binfnl  yet  may  be ; 
Deal  gently  with  the  erring  one , 

Ab  Ood  baa  dealt  with  thee. 

Well,  poor  James  Nunn  has  gone,  as  we 
have  saii  Who  shall  succeed  him?  Will 
any  of  the  "  elder  sons"  who  walk  and  toss 
their  heads  as  though  they  never  sinned  in 
all  their  life,  whereas  if  they  be  weighed  in 
that  Matt.  vi.  15,  "  If  ye  forgive  not  men 
their  trespasses,  neither  wiU  yonr  Father 
forgive  yo\ir  trespasses,"  (until  He  has  sorely 
chastened  von  for  your  sins  of  omission :  ) 
they  woula  be  found  very  light ;  but  will  any 
of  these  uprigl^t  ones  ever  tread  the 
threshold,  or  ascend  the  pulpit  of  "Zion  ?  ** 
WiU  they  ?  For  years,  of  that  beautiful 
'  sanctuary  in  Gk>ldington  crescent,  it  might 
be  said  by  not  a  few,  "  The  daughter  of 
Zion  is  left  as  a  cottage  in  a  vineyard ;  as 
a  lodge  in  a  garden  of  cucumbers."  Ah,  and 
as  "  a  besieff ed  city**  too.  She  was  not  left 
by  her  Redeemer-Lord;  nor  was  she  left 
by  hundreds  of  his  disciples ;  but  from  the 
memorable  day  when  she  was  opened,  down 
to  the  sorrowful  day  when  the  coffin  and  the 
corpse  of  James  Nunn  was  carried  through 
his  beloved  "  Zion,"  not  one  of  "  the  honor- 
able" men  would  ever  tread  its  floor ;  but 
as  soon  as  God  removes  His  sorrowing  son, 
plenty  looked  with  anxious  eyes  toward  the 
spot.  "Who  will  succeed  Mr.  Nunn?" 
was  the  question.  The  Lord  gave  the  an- 
swer. And  when  before  the  eyes  of  Deacon 
Marks,  and  others  in  authority,  there 
npidly  passed  the  vision  of  many  a  tall 
Euab,  Abinadab,  Shammah,  and  others, 
there  was  no  power  to  call  or  anoint  them ; 
but  as  the  baney  loaf  tumbled  into  the. an- 
cient host  of  Miaian,  so  did  a  young  brother, 
George  Webb,  tumble  in  among  the  Zionites 
of  St.  Pancras ;  and  thev  hewd  the  voice, 
**  Arise,  anoint  him,  for  tnis  is  he  1 "  And, 
having  ob^ed  the  voice  of  Providence,  on 
Tues&y,  February  2nd,  you  might  have 
seen  passing  through  the  quiet  gates  on 
their  way  to  Zion,  the  grave  and  gracious 
C^ise  Wyard,  the  sedate  and  sainUy  John 
Hasdton,  comely  and  happy  John  Bloom- 
field,  the  lofty  Anderson,  the  particular 
Samuel  Milner,  with  some  other  good 
brethren,  such  as  Flack,  Chivers,  Meeres, 
Pells,  Higham,  Green,  William  Webb,  and 
hundreds  of  believing  people  who  thronged 
the  house  to  give  the  newly  chosen  pastor  a 
hot  and  hearty  welcome. 

When  Dr.  Hawker  died,  the  clergyman 
who  succeeded  him,  declared  he  womd  not 
stand  in  the  same  pulpit  as  the  Doctor 
stood  in ;  he  would  have  it  pulled  down, 
and  a  new  one  erected.  A  eentleman  told 
US  in  Plymouth,  when  lookmff  at  the  stone 
which  recorded  the  death  of  Dr.  Hawker's 
saccessor,  that  before  the  new  pulpit  could 
be  [erected,  the  deigyman   irtio    was   to 


occupy  it,  and  his  wife,  were  both  suddenly 
removed  by  cholera.  How  solemn  the  dis- 
pensation seemed!  These  are  solemn 
things.  They  are  not  to  be  thought  of,  nor 
dealt  with  lightly,  and  we  will  omy  add,  we 
hope  the  "holy  brethren"  who  assembled 
in  Zion  on  the  2nd  of  February,  had  no 
such  unhappy  feelings  as  the  newly-appoint- 
ed vicar  of  Charles,  Plymouth,  had  toward 
Dr.  Hawker's  pulpit,  when  the  cholera 
suddenly  laid  him  m  the  grave.^  We  have 
much  more  to  say  on  the  subject  another 
day.  We  only  now  make  one  remark. 
Recognition  days  are  vervwell;  they  are 
something  like  the  nuptial  days  when  two 
young  fHends  are  joined  together  in  wed- 
lock. After  these  weddii^  davs,  come 
winter  days,  dark  days,  trymg  days,  and. 
nights  of  sickness,  and 'seasons  of  heaTj 
sorrow.  Neither  the  Chureh  at  Zion,  St 
Pancras,  nor  their  new  pastor  are  inex- 
periencMl :  the  Church  has  had  manv  years 
of  trial,  intermingled  with  joy.  Brother 
George  Webb  Has  not  had  the  deep  plough- 
shares of  law  and  terrors,  as  some  have 
had ;  but  he  has  had  many  little  afflictions 
and  not  a  few  trials  and  tribulations  by  the 
way ;  he  is  highly  respected  and  beloved 
by  hundreds  in  our  Churches  where  he  has 
occasionally  or  statedly  laboured.  He  is 
one  of  the  few  ypunc  men  of  whom  we 
may  surely  say,  TheLord  hath  called  him, 
formed  him,  qualified  him.  honoured  him, 
and  helped  him.  He  had  no  colleee  train- 
ing, he  nas  no  acquired  literary  tfuents,  he 
has  no  stores  gathered  up  from  research  and 
reading.  He  is  an  original,  heaven-made 
minister ;  and  we  expect  and  hope  that  the 
Church  at  Zion  will  take  care  of  him.  We 
believe  the  Lord  has  g^iven  him  to  them, 
that  they  may  nurse  him,  encourage  him, 
and,  instrumentally,  help  him  in  his  growth 
and  onward  ministerial  labour. 

George  Webb  has  an  enviable  position. 
He  is  in  character  unblemished,  in  natural 
powers    well-famished,  in    Chrisdan   e^- 

Serience  of  mild  and  moderate  tone,  in 
octrines  sound  as  a  belL  And  i^  with  all 
these  great  advantajCes,  he  can  dispense 
with  some  of  his  oft-repeated  poetry,  and 
apply  himself  to  the  Bible,  to  the  study  of 
everything  which  may  tend  to  open  up  the 
mina  of  God  in  the  Word;  if  he  can 
prayerftillj,  carefully,  diligently,  earnestly, 
and  habitually  give  himself  up  to  these 
two  things  :  1,  laborious  meditation ; 
and,  2,  a  faithftil  and  affectionate  un- 
fiinching  ministration  of  God's  eternal  and 
most  comprehensive  truth,  and  keeping  his 
proper  place  at  all  times— he  may  become, 
yea,  by  God's  sparing  and  sanctifying 
blessing,  he  will  become  one  of  Zion's 
leading  ministen-H>ne  of  her  noblest  defen- 
ders—one of  her  successfU  champions, 
when  the  heavy  head  of  John  Foreman,  the 


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61 


dastic  and  oTer-flowing  brain  of  James 
Wella,  the  stern  and  decided  Milner, 
Wyard,  Attwood,  Hanks,  and  a  host  be- 
flide  are  silent  in  the  tomb ;  for  ere  George 
Webb  reaches  his  meridian  prime,  many 
who  are  now  preachixig  Christ*s  Gospel — 
except  the  unbending  John  Andrews  Jones, 
[and  realhr  there  is  no  knowing  now  how 
long  the  t/yrd  mar  let  him  liye,  the  Mas- 
ter seams  practically  to  sa^,  If  I  will  that 
he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee  ? 
with  the  exception  of  this  good  old  Jireh 
pastor,]  many  of  the  nowrecognized  servants 
of  Qod  wiU  liave  passed  home;  but  if  brother 
Webb  can  work,  wait,  weep,  watch,  and 
wrestle,  and  get  his  heart,  and  mind,  and 
soul  all  filled  with  the  stores  of  heavenly 
treasures,  always  the  saub  man  — yet 
ALWAT8  with  THB  GospxL  in  a  new  phase, 
he  will  stand  long,  Zion  will  be  enlarged 
greatly,  and  the  Church  will  prosper  and 
rejoice. 

OUR  YOUNG  MEN  WILLING  TO  BE 
USEFUL. 

While  such  young  men  as  theae  to  whom 
we  have  referred,  are  growing  up  into 
visible  and  acceptable  usefulness,  there  are 
man^  who  can  scarcely  be  heard  at  all. 
Their  hearts  are  breaking  with  the 
lon^g  thf^  have  for  the  free  proclamation 
of  uie  glorious  Grospel  of  the  ever  blessed 
God.  And  with  the  hope  of  rendering  some 
service  to  our  Churches  and  our  famish- 
ing brethren,  we  introduce  the  following 
note,  as  a  specimen  of  many  constantly 
coming  to  our  hand, — 

"  Mt  Deab  Brother  in  Christ, — I  thank 
you  for  your  kindness.  My  mind  has  been 
verjr  much  exercised  about  the  work  of  the 
ministiy;  and,  as  a  l^herin  Christ,  I  send 


to  ask  your  advice.  Ever  since  I  was 
brought  to  know  the  Lord  I  have  had  a  de- 
sire to 

"  Tell  to  sinnen  round. 
What  A  dear  Saviour  I  have  found.*' 

The  desire  has  increased.  At  last  I  made 
it  a  matter  of  prayer  to  God  that  if  it  were 
His  will  I  was  to  speak  in  His  name,  He 
would  make  the  matter  plain,  opening  up 
the  Word,  and  in  sending  me  to  some  place. 
No  one  knew  my  mind  about  this  matter ; 
but  the  Lord  knew.  Not  many  days  passed 
after  that  solemn  season  of  prayer,  before  I 
was  asked  to  go  and  speak  to  a  few  brethren 
about  three  nules  from  my  home.  I  again 
asked  the  Lord's  direction.  I  went  with 
much  trembling,  took  for  my  text,  "  Say  ye 
to  the  righteous,  it  shidl  be  well  with  him, 
for  they  shall  eat  of  the  fruit  of  their 
doings ;  woe  unto  the  wicked  it  shall  be  ill 
with  him,  for  the  reward  of  his  hands  shall 
be  given  him."  The  Lord  helped  me  for 
half  an  hour  to  tell  what  He  was  to  the 
righteous ;  how  they  were  so :  and  what  He 
would  be  to  the  wicked.  Since  then  I  have 
been  employed  in  this  work.  I  stand 
amazed  at  the  goodness  of  God  to  me  in 
conferring  such  an  honour  upon  one  so  un- 
worthy, to  declare  His  truth.  Dear  brother, 
I  have  my  seasons  of  darkness,  and  am 
sorely  tried,  knowing  scarcely  what 
course  to  pursue.  Tmsis  a  poor  place. 
Should  you  know  of  an  opening  where  you 
could  send  me,  I  am  willing  to  go,  but  de- 
sire to  leave  it  with  the  Lora.  I  pray  God 
to  bless,  comfort,  and  support  you  and 
yours." 

We  should  rejoice  to  see  this  young 
brother  in  full  work  in  the  ministry,  where 
the  Lord  may  lead  and  bless  him.  We  will 
give  his  address  to  any  who  require  it. 


ON       REVELATIONS. 

By  Mb.  John  Brunt,  latb  of  Colnbrook. 


RiVELATioxa  are  from  heaven ;  they  have 
ever  been  the  desire  of  the  Church.  When 
man  had  sinned,  and  so  had  brought  dark- 
ness into  Eden,  Jehovah  was  pleased  to  re- 
veal the  purpose  of  His  grace  in  the  person 
and  work  of  Jesus.  Gt3,  at  sundry  times 
and  in  divers  manners,  spake  in  times  past 
unto  the  fathers^  the  prophets;  but  Hehas 
also  spoken  by  His  Son,  and  even  now  He 
speaks  by  His  Spirit.  Sometimes  the  voice 
of  God  was  a  man,  a  nriest,  or  a  seer,  and 
sometimes  an  angel.  When  Jehovah  speaks 
man  should  listen,  for  when  Heaven  speaks, 
earth  is  interested. 

The  revelations  of  Jehovah  have  respect 
to  the  course  of  individuals,  to  the  destinies 


of  nations,  and  to  the  interests  of  His 
Church.  With  respect  to  those  revelations 
which  more  immediately  affect  the  Church, 
we  remark,  that  they  are  the  outpourings  of 
love.  God  is  love;  His  revelations  are 
expressions  of  love ;  they  are  as  truie  as 
love,  and  as  faithful  as  love ;  they  are 
mighty  like  love,  and  as  vehement  as  love. 

Jehovah's  revelations  point  to  Jesus — 
attract  to  Jesus,  and  are  concentrated  in 
Jesus ;  they  are  intended  for  Ihe  Church  of 
Jesus. 

AVhen  Christ  was  bom  in  Bethlehem, 
what  a  grand  revelation  did  Jehovah  make 
of  His  h)ve  for  His  chosen  people !  When 
the  day  of  Pentecost  was  Mly  come,  what 


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THE  BABnSEN  TB86IEL. 


a  mftrTellmiB  ref^tetion  wtm  ihm  maide  of 
tile  €hMpel  kingdoml'  Andirlieii  G^  is 
pleased  to  call  a  simier  by  grace,  how 
strikingly  do«B  He  rereal  the  cnaracter  of 
Bis  sahratioD  !  Tet,  further,  when  the  last 
gteat  day  shall  hare  come,  how  trtdy  and 
granny  will  Jehovah  rereal  the  people 
(A  His  choice,  the  work  of  His  own  hands, 
that  He  mar  be  glorified. 

The  prophet  Isaiah  was  oomniBsioned  to 
deekure  that  the  ri^fateoaBneKs  of  the  Ohnreh 
^ooM  be  '*  88  bnghtness,''  and  the  salva- 
tion thereof  as  "  a  lamp  that  bimeth/' 
We  propose  to  onreeWes  to  look  somewhat 
into  this  imporlant  revelation. 

The  Lord  Jesus  was  "  The  brightness 
of  the  Father's  glory—the  express  image 
of  His  Person.*'  ne  is  acoordinff  to  His 
Cfwn  declaration,  "the  Light  d£  the  world," 
He  is  also  '*  a  Light  to  them  that  sit  in 
darkness/'  The  advent  of  Christ  nshered 
in  the  day  of  sanation.  Doubtless,  the 
pvephet  intended  to  set  forth  the  coming 
Messiah  as  *'  the  Light  of  Day,"  and  as 
"  the  Light  of  Nipht,"  that  is  to  aay,  "  He 
shall  be  tne  sole  light  of  the  Ciraroh,  in  aU 
her  wilderness  wandsfrings." 

Jesns  is  the  lighter  Day.  Our  world 
woold  have  been  cbrk  indeed  without  ibis 
living  Ikht.  Asfd  in  our  dark  aeosons, 
Christ  atone  is  the  lamp  which  Jehovaih 
has  ordained  for  His  anointed  ones.  Light 
is  symboHcal  of  wisdom,  and  "  Christ  is  ihe 
wisdom  of  God."  In  Jeovs,  i^  the  designs 
olf  love,  all  the  deteniiiiiationB  of  purpose, 
all  the  acoomplisfameuls  of  power,  are  laid 
up,  and  consequently  wnen  Christ  is 
revealed  b^  the  Spirit,  all  the  designs  of 
love,  in  their  magnitude,  marvellousnees  and 
mercy  break  forth.  All  the  determinations 
of  purpose  are  seen  to  be  baaed  on  Him,  to 
be  built  on  Him ;  in  a  word,  are  seen  to 
be  indissolubly  connected  with  Hxbl 

All  the  accomplishments  of  power,  assert 
the  rights  of  Jesus,  reflect  His  gloQr,  and 
crown  Him  with  a  diadem  of  living  lig^t. 
Again,  light  is  symbolical  of  truth.  Jesus  is 
TauTH ;  the  Truth  of  Ood,  the  Truth  for 
the  Church.  Whatever  is  true  in  relation 
to  the  Church  of  God  is  found  in  Christ. 
The  gntndest  truths,  namely,  those  which 
relate  to  man's  best  interests,  all  centra  in 
Christ.  Atonement  for  sin,  riffhteonsness 
to  justify  the  ungodly,  a  life  of  godliness, 
and  a  life  of  glory  are  all  in  Christ,  who  is 
"  The  resurrection  and  the  life." 

Light  is  also  mnbolioal  tft  safety.  How 
safe  is  the  soul  in  Christ  1  Law  never 
thunders  here,  terrors  never  alarm  here. 
Satan  may  tnnpt,  sin  may  tiy,  and  troobles 
may  distress,  death  may  awaken  fears,  and 
thoughts  of  judgment  may  nve  rise  to 
douH ;  but  while  Jesus  is  the  'vLight  of  the 
Church,"  Satan  will  miss  his  mark,  sin  shall 
fail,  troubles  shall  be  succeeded  by  a  oalm, 


death  shall  be  n>bbed  of  Ids  sting,  and  vmn 
iu<^^ent  shall  be  anticipated  as  conflnit- 
inff  in  eloiy  what  hod  befoi  begun  in  gMoe. 

Lastly,  Light  is  symbolioal  of  tiisB.  The 
more  of  li^t,  the  more  of  happinew ;  «&d 
therefore  Heaven,  the  World  of  light,  wifl 
be  the  scene  of  endless  joy.  Cfluist  in  fife 
righteousness  is  brightness  without  ob» 
seurity,  Light  without  dantaesi,  a  momiiig 
without  clouds,  a  mwidian  ood  without  a 
shadow.  «<  Christ  the  rigfateoas  One"-^ 
is  the  aouive  of  light  to  Mb  Church  (the 
moon),  and  the  Fonataia  of  Light  to  lU 
those  "  stars  of  various  nuCTitads,"  which 
are  styled  His  ministers.  Just  as  the  son 
cJways  shmes,  so  Jesus  is  always  a  "  ' 
His  liffat  is  always  Brighin$8$. 
made  the  morning  of  promisa.  He 
the  dt^  of  grace,  and  fie  will  be  the  Ugllt 
of  that  world,  where  there  shall  te 
no  sun,  nor  moon,  nor  atars,  He  being  the 
One  Ught  of  that  glorious  world.  Joot  «■ 
a  lamp  is  lighted  to  bum,  and  boena 
for  the  oenefit  of  others :  so  Christ  was  a 
Saviour,  a  Mediator,  an  Intecessor,  and  will 
be  tiie  Judge:  that  He  might  save  His 
people  for  ever,  tiiat  He  miflht  beUie  oidy  Hie- 
diatbr,  that  He  miftht  be  the  prevai]ia| 
Intercessor,  and  the  Itighteous  Jadgm  in  mt 
those  moMsrs  oifeothig  the  eterMiTathary 
and  the  eternally  belo^sd  pe<^le. 

Be  comfbrtedf,  believer  in  Jests;  Jesne 
ever    lives,  never  to  ohonge;   He  ne^wr 
dumges,  t^  you  may  live  for  ever. 
Jesui !  l%ea  art  the  Otorions  fhm  of  Heaven, 
nie  ■gypu-twandied  vaaotuaiy  lamp  of  evth.; 
Thou  art  the  biightnew  of  a  aoul  totmv«k. 
The  Guide  of  all  who  know  a  seoona  biith. 
Be  Thou  my  Light,  of  never  ending  day, 
Shine  thro*  the  dcKida,  so  dark,  orKme  and  sin ; 
Be  Thou  my  Laaap  thro*death»yet,  all  the  way, 
Until  the  pearly  galea  ahall  shut  me  in. 

LISIS  WRITTEN  ON  THB  DXATH  OF 

MES.     MARGARET     MITSON, 

Whixe  here  on  earth  she  felt  her  need 

Of  Jesus'  cleaaaing blood; 
But  this  proud  nature  never  taught; 
,  That  was  her  gift  from  God. 

■'  The  appointed  time  arrived,  to  take 
i  That  jewel  to  Thine  heart; 

I        Uy  poor  weak  nature  sighed  and  said, 
Afas!  tie  hard  to  part. 
Bat  rm  a  worm ;  and  Thou  art  God ; 

Shall  I  dispute  with  Thee  ? 
¥o  I  'tis  Thy  right  to  take  her  home, 

Without  consulting  me. 
Kow  Areed  from  all  her  doubts  and  fiears. 


And  clothed  in  white  array 
She'll  join  to  sing  of  aoiverergn  graee. 


lite  array, 
„    f  aoiverergn 
Through  everluting  day. 
Lord,  could  these  mortal  eyes  befaold 

How  glorious  she  appears ; 
Then  fiuth  would  raise  my  soul  on  high, 

And  stop  theae  rolling  tears. 
Stenial  God,  Thon  Prince  of  Peace, 

Whom  all  Thy  saints  adme ; 
Teach  me  to  own  Thy  sovereign  hand. 
And  weep  for  her  no  more. 
Stamford  street  Saxss  Mitsok. 


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THE  PLAIN  mm  PENTATEUCH : 

OS,   TIfK 

PREACHER   AOT)   HIS    PREACHING. 


Omb  of  the  defidaaoieft  of  the  generality  of 
our  minifltecs  in  thia  da^  is  the  lack  of 
QWiiiJiALiTT.  Upon  the  eorfiMse  of  their 
aainda  there  is  stereotyped  the  set  phsases, 
and  miUion-times  m^ntion^  sentenoes  of 
other  men  :  hence,  there  is  neither  interest 
nor  power  in  their  sennona.  At  leaflfc,  it  is 
so  with  many,  not  with  ail.  When  a  minis- 
tar  lays  hold  npon  a  text,  he  had  need  to  do 
with  itaa  the  blacksmith  doth  with  a  i>ie<;e 
of  iron  he  ia  about  to  use.  The  minister 
should  first  thrust  the  text  into  the  experi- 
enee  of  his  own  soul,  until  it  becomes 
asd  hot  with  the  heat  of  life  and  love  which 
the  Spirit  of  the  living  God  has  kindled 
therein.  When  the  text  is  thu3  red-hot»  let 
ftiaUy  it  on  the  anvil  of  a  meditating 
Ibaste  of  mind— and  with  the  hammer  of 
TBUT7GBT  and  the  afcvong  arm  of  prayer, 
aftsikeili  until  thasqpArii^^inaUdireotioBB: 
wwlding  and  faehioning  the  texb  inio  that 
finimana  figure  which  God  desigp»i  and 
whflreby  ^jpemuMient  and  powerful  theme 
«wy  be  ^ven  to  the  people^  We  know 
that  this  18  hard  work.  But  the  man  who 
has  not  ft  aoul&eed  with  love  to  Christ,  the 
tama  who  has  not  an  anvil  (^salid  meditation 
on  which  to  Uy  hie  teste ;  the  man  who  has 
not  a  aledge-hanuner  kind  of  thonght,  and  a 
heaven-wxioi^ht  power  in  piayer  will  never 
mak»  a  snooMaml  nreaeher. 

Tmpp^good  ola  Xrapp— had  a  pair  of 
eyes  which  looked  eveiywhens  and  fetched 
matter  into  his  mind  from  all  quarters  and 
hia  mind  beinf  sanetified  of  Gon,  he  coold 
eo^und  and  illaetrate  Bible  troth  in  a  man- 
ner canly  equalled.  Xhia  month,  we  give 
hie  Dedioatozy  mxet  addressed  to  his 
hononred  fnoid^  wQiiam,  Combe,  Esq.  He 

WoBTmr  Sai^-*-<You  may  well  wonder, 
mt  so  much  that  I  now  dedicate  this  peece 
of  my  paina  unto  you,  aa  that  I  did  it  not 
till  now ;  considering  how  long  I  have 
known  yoii«  and  how  very  much  I  am 
•Uie^toYou.  The  truth  ia  this  ;  These 
Notes  (upon  Geneaie)  were  the  first,  in  this 
lQn4  what  ever  I  finiahed ;  and  You  were 
duaervedly  among  the  first  that  came  into 
na  thou^^,  ^r  a  Patron  to  them,  But  as 
Paarea  oaee  made  a  breaah  upon  his  brother, 
Zarah,  and  gat  into  the  world  before  him, 
BQ  did  thcNia  oikx  Works  of  mine  (if  at  least, 
th^  name  be  not  too  Kood  for  them)  deal 
hy  This,  whidi  now,  witS;  its  red  threed,  (a 


sign  of  its  intended  seniority,)  humbly  im- 
plores Your  patronage,  and  (  if  worth  while) 
your  perusal :  I  know  you  have  somewhat 
else  to  do,  than  to  read  Commentaries  ;  and 
yet  I  must  needs  know  too,  that  You  ( that 
are  so  sedulous  a  searcher  of  the  ScriptireSi 
and  so  seriously  inquisitive  after  the 
genuine  sense  of  such  and  such  dark  Texts 
therein,  as,  in  conference  occasionally.  You 
have  oft  proposed  unto  me,)  cannot  but  de- 
light to  be  duely  exercised  in  books  of  this  na- 
ture. That  Reverend  Doctourof  Cambridge, 
that  (in  the  behalf  of  himself,  and  hia  whole 
OoU  edg,  for  a  very  good  turn  you  did  them,) 
presented  You  with  the  fairest  great  Bible 
that  ever  I  beheld,  saw  something,  surely,  of 
vour  pious  inclination  to  the  dtudy  of  that 
blessed  Book :  And,  if  to  the  better  under- 
standing thereof;  this,  or  any  thing  else  that 
I  have  yet  written,  may  be  any  way  service- 
able, I  have  that  I  sought  for.  Aiphonans, 
King  of  Arragott,  is  said  to  have  read  over 
the  Bible  fourteen  times,  with  Lyra's  Notes 
upon  it.  And  those  Englifih  Exiles  for 
Christ  at  Geneva,  knew  tl^y  could  not  pre- 
sent any  thing  more  pleasing,  to  that  In- 
comparable Queen  Blizabeth,  than  their  n«w 
Translation  of^  and  marginal  Notes  upon 
the  holy  Bible;  which  Book  of  books  she 
had  reaieved,  with  both  her  hands,  from  the 
Londoners,  soon  afi»r  her  Coronation ;  and 
kissing  it,  laid  it  to  her  breast,  sayinc.  That 
the  same  had  been  her  chiefest  delight,  and 
should  be  the  rule  wiiereby  she  meant  to 
frame  her  whole  deportment  Let  it  be 
still  Yours,  Good  Sir,  as  hitherto  it  hath 
been  ;  and  let  this  poor  piece  of  mine  (if  at 
auy  time  you  think  good  to  consult  with  it) 
teli  yon»  in  my  absence^  what  my  sence  is  of 
auch  places,  as  wherein,  with  that  noble 
Eunuch,  (Act.  8.  31)  You  may  need  an  In- 
terpreter. No  more,  Sir,  at  present,  than  to 
pray  the  Father  of  lights  (who  commanded 
the  liffht  to  shine  out  of  darknesse)  to  sive 
You  tae  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  fl^ry 
of  God,  in  thefS^e  of  Jesus  Christ;  ^lu^t 
thou|[h  You  have  this  treasure  presented  to 
you  in  an  earthen  vessel,  in  a  vUe  oyster- 
shell;  (as  the  Greek  hath  it,)  yet  You  may 
partake  of  the  excellency  of  the  power  that 
IS  of  God,  and  not  of  Ke,  who  preach  not, 
present  not,  myself,  but  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord;  and  myself 

Your  Servant  for  Jesus'  sake, 
John  Tsapp. 
(To  be  continued.) 


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THE  EAJITHEN  VES8EU 


lbrohl,lM«. 


THE  SHIPWRECKED  MARINER  AND  THE  GOSPEL 

MINISTER. 

^    Ifiirxng    J^arrnttbt. 


CHAFTEA  II. 


31r.  Editor,— In  complUnee  with  your 
wishes,  I  here  send  you  an  account  of  some 
of  the  Lord's  dealings  with  me  in  a  way  of 
Providence,  and  sh^,  as  I  proceed  with 
my  narrative,  tiy  to  describe  something  of 
that  way  in  which  He  hath  been  pleased  to 
bring  me  to  know  Him,  the  only  true  God, 
and  Jesus  Christ  whom  He  hath  sent.  This 
is  the  true  Qod  and  eternal  life. 

In  so  doing,  as  most  of  the  "  sable  traits" 
of  my  character  were  made  manifest  in 
early  life,  and  during  my  wanderings  hither 
and  thither  upon  the  mighty  ocean,  at 
which  time  the  providential  mercies  of  "  a 
covenant  God"  were  neither  few  nor  small 
(though  I  perceived  them  not,*neitiier  was 
thannnl),  I  shall  commence  at  the  begin- 
ning, and  shall  occupv  the  first  few  pa^es 
of  your  Vbssbl  in  describing  how  "He 
hath  made  His  goodness  to  pass  before  me 
in  the  way"  whilst  in  a  state  of  unre- 
generacy.  And  here  I  can  appeal  to  Him 
who  18  tne  Searcher  of  all  hearts,  and  say, 
**  Lord,  Thou  knowest  that  my  only  motive 
is  U>  shew  forth  the  fpreatncss  of  Thy  pre- 
serving care  over  me  in  the  evil  day,  and  to 
save  a  word  of  encouragement  to  others  of 
Thine  own  people,  who  have  to  tread  the 
path  of  tribulation  in  the  wilderness.** 

I  begin  by  sayine  I  was  bom  at  Barton- 
in-the-Clay,  a  small  village  in  Bedford- 
shire, where  I  remained  with  my  parents 
until  I  was  about  five  years  of  age.  I  had 
little  or  no  schooling,  inasmuch  as  there 
was  but  one  school  in  the  place,  where  the 
chief  branch  of  education  imparted  was  to 
say  the  "  Collect  for  the  Day,'*  and  to  make 
plait  for  straw  bonnets,  to  be  sold  in  the 
neighbouring  market  towns. 

About  this  time,  my  father  obtained  a 
situation  in  London,  wmch  led  to  our  speedy 
removal,  and  being  the  only  chilo^  my 
parents,  "  too  kind  and  indulgent,"  allowed 
me  to  have  too  much  of  my  own  way ;  and, 
as  the  sequel  will  shew,  I  found  "  the  way 
of  transgressors  was  hard :"  the  result  was, 
instead  of  my  being  found  in  the  Sabbath- 
school  Twhither  my  parents  had  sent  me),  I 
generally  spent  mvSundavs  in  playing  at 
'*  pitch  and  toss'^  in  Britannia-fields,  Is- 
lington, or  in  any  other  way  that  suited  my 
comparatively  infant^  but  depraved,  mind. 
I  'was  at  that  time  of  a  quarrelsome  temper ; 
frequently  fighting  with  other  boys,  and 
making  use  of  fearAil  oaths.  I  blush  while 
I  have  to  say  it,  that  in  my  veiy  childhood, 
my  •*  throat  was  an  open  sepulchre,"  and 


"  my  mouth  was  ftdl  of  bitterness  and  curs- 
ing.^' This  my  parents  knew  but  little  of; 
my  departed  father,  I  am  ha^py  to  say,  was 
afterwards  brought  to  a  saving  knowledge 
of  the  truth  in  the  church  of  which  brother 
Banks*  is  now  (I  believe)  the  pastor,  and 
which  was  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  late  Mr.  Parker.  My  father's  end  was 
peace. 

When  I  was  about  six  and  a  half  years 
of  age,  I  distinctly  remember  one  of  my 
companions  (a  boy  four  or  five  years  older 
than  myself)  had   been   to  sea,  and  had 
made  two  voyages  to  the  West  Indies ;  and 
from  bein^  fr^uently  in  his  company,  as 
well  as  seeing  that  he  always  had  *'  plenty  of 
money  to  spend,"  my  mind  was  fiired  with 
the  idea  that  I  would  go  to  a  foreign  land, 
thinking  that   "an   inheritance  might  be 
gotten    quickly  at    the  beginning."     My 
difficulty  was  haw  could  I  get  away  from 
home  y    At  length,  meeting  one  day  with 
my  companion,  he  informed  me  that  he  had 
that  day  shii>ped  on  board  a  vessel  called 
the  Amphitrite,  of  London ;  that  she  was 
bound  to  Van  Dieman's  Land ;  and  aa  she 
was  going  to  take  out  some  four  or  ftre 
hund^  convicts,  if  I  liked  to  go,  he  would 
manage  to  stow  me  away  in  tiie  "fore* 
hold"  until  such  time  as  the  vessel  was 
clear  of  the  land.    I  could  then  come  on 
deck,  and  there  would  be  no  poasibili^  of 
my  then  being  put  on  shore.    This  to  me 
was  a  golden  opportunity;  "my  feet  were 
swift  to  do  evil, '  and  thus  my  path  was 
marked  out,  little  dreaming  that  my  "hope 
and  expectation  were  to  be  cut  off"  by  a 
merciful  interposition  of  Divine  Providence^ 
by  which  my  life  was  to  be  spared  from 
sudden  destruction.    I  accordingly  aacer> 
tained  the  day  when  the  ship  was  to  leave 
the  docks,  the  morning  of  wmch  I  went  on 
board,  and  took  up  my  abode  on  the  "  water 
casks"   in  the  "fore-hold,"  where  I  re- 
mained  undiscovered   till   the   ship   had 
cleared  the  docks,  and  had  nearly  reached 
Blackwall;    but,    on    the    third    officer 
coming  below  to  get  some  provisions  for 
the  ship's  company,  I  was  perceived  lying 
on  my  hands  and  face  at  ftill  leneth,  in 
order,  if  possible,  to  conceal  mysen  from 
view.    "  My  nest  having  been  thus  starred 
up,'*  and  being  sought  out  of  my  hiding- 

flaoe,  according  to  the  "  ancient  settlement,*' 
was  brought  on  deck,  received  a  rope's* 


•  Mr.  Merrett  is  the  psitor. 
).  W.  Banks  meets  at  Old  n»rd. 


The  church  under 


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THE  EABTHIEN  VESSEL. 


65 


ending  at  the  hands  of  the  chief  mate,  and, 
to  my  then  sorrow,  was  landed  by  a  water- 
man's boat  at  BladLwalL 

But  some  may  say  why  record  all  this  ? 
To  such  I  reply,  be  not  too  hasty ;  behold 
the  finger,  the  faithfulness,  and  sovereignty 
ef  God  in  the  matter.  There  was  an  elect 
■inner  on  board  the  Amphitrite,  and  the 
eternal  God,  in  the  deeps  of  His  own  so- 
Tereignty,  had  destined  that  vessel  not  to 
reach  Van  Dieman's  Land,  but  to  become  a 
total  wreck,  and  a  grave  for  four  hundred 
souls  and  upwards.  Within  three  days  of 
her  leavinff  liondon,  she  struck  on  a  sunken 
rock  off  me  French  coast,  and  although 
within  two  miles  of  the  port  of  Boul^ne, 
only  some  three  or  four,  were  saved.  Tnus 
did  eternal  love  watch  over  and  protect  an 
unworthy  sinner  like  mvself,  and  at  the 
same  time  make  good  the  words  of  the 
poet, — 

**  Ood  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 

His  wonders  to  perform ; 
He  plants  His  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm.'' 

Oh!  how  thankful  have  I  often  felt  since 
to  the  God  of  all  my  mercies  for  this  de- 
liverance. 

I  returned  to  my  parents,  who  knew  no- 
thing of  what  had  transpired,  and  remained 
with  them  until  I  had  turned  seven  vears 
of  age ;  and  Uiough  I  had  been  thus  foiled 
in  my  first  attempt,  still  mv  ardour  for  fol- 
lowing tlie  sea  had  not  in  the  least  abated. 
And  as  I  was  one  day  walking  over  Tower- 
hil],  I  saw  a  bill  in  the  window  of  l&e  "  na- 
val rendezvous"  which  stated  that  a  number 
of  boys  and  ordinary  seamen  were  wanted 
to  serve  on  board  H.  M.  ship  "Princess 
C^iarlotte,"  which  was  then  fitting  out  at 
Portsmouth.  I  at  once  went  into  the  ren- 
dezvous, and  offered  myself  as  a  second- 
class  boy  for  the  Princess  Charlotte,  but 
was  told  by  the  quarter  master  that  her 
complement  of  boys  was  made  up,  but  that 
there  were  two  or  three  ships  lying  at 
Portsmouth  wanting  hands,  and  if  I  went 
these  he  had  little  aoubt  that  I  should  suc- 
ceed. Now  my  difficulty  was,  "  how  can  I 
eet  to  Portsmouth?  If  I  could  only  get 
mere,  my  ambition  would  at  once  be  grati- 
fied." That  same  night  my  plans  were  laid, 
and  so  determined  was  I  to  carry  out  my 
object,  that  the  next  morning,  while  my 
mother  was  gone  out  on  an  errand,  I  took  a 
blanket  from  off  my  bed,  tied  it  up  in  a 
bundle  handkerchief,  and  without  one  fkr- 
thing  of  money,  and  only  a  clasp  knife  in 
my  pocket,  I  set  out  for  Portsmouth,  *'a 
land  hitherto  to  me  unknown."  The  first 
day  I  sold  my  blanket  for  ninepence  to  a 
man  on  the  road,  with  which  I  got  myself  a 
night's  lodging,  a  twopenny  loaf,  and  a 
pennyworth  of  cheese ;  and  on  the  second 
day  I  sold  my  dasp  kmfe  for  sixpence  at  a 


public>house  in  a  place  called  Petersfield, 
with  which  I  pircnased  some  food,  and  at 
night  I  took  up  lodgings  in  a  chalk  pit,  near 
a  village  called  Homaean,  and  in  this  said 
chalk-pit  was  theyir^^  conviction  of  sin  that 
I  ever  had  wrought  upon  my  soul.  I  dis- 
tinctly remember,  while  I  was  lying  in  a 
kind  of  hovel,  ruminating  upon  my  chances 
of  success,  when  I  reached  Portsmouth  on 
the  morrow,  and  the  deep  grief  that  I  must 
have  caused  my  parents  in  being  away  two 
days,  besides  the  theft  I  had  committed  in 
taking  the  blanket,  that  these  words  came 
with  some  amount  of  power  to  my  soul, 
"  Be  sure  your  sin  will  find  you  out."  My 
very  frame  trembled,  and  what  to  do  I  did 
not  know;  to  return  home  I  dare  not  to 
face  my  parents,  and  thus  did  I  again  re- 
^'ze  the  solemn  truth,  that  '*the  way  of 
transgressors  is  hard."  Since  that  time,  I 
have  had  reason  to  believe  this  was  onlj 
natural  conviction,  inasmuch  as  although  it 
made  me  fear  and  tremble  for  the  time,  for 
fear  of  the  "  punishment  of  my  sin,"  yet  it 
wrought  no  penitential  tear — no  cry  for 
mercy — and,  like  the  *'  morning  cloud  and 
the  early  dew,  it  soon  passed  away;"  so 
much  so,  that  after  lyine  awake  all  night, 
I  set  out  with  a  fuller  determination  than 
ever  not  only  to  keep  away  from  home,  but 
to  represent  myself  as  an  <'  orphan"  where- 
ever  1  went,  tliat  I  might  excite  the  pity  of 
the  creature  toward  me.  Thus  did  I,  though 
I  shudder  as  it  were  to  say  it,  "go  astray 
speaking  lies  &om  the  womb,*'  ana  thus  did 
Satan  lead  me  captive  at  his  will.  Still, 
being  brought  to  know  something  of  the 
breaath  and  length,  the  heights  and  depths, 
of  eternal  and  electing  love,  there  is  a 
sense  in  which  I  can  bless  and  praise  our 
GK)d  for  thus  instructing  me  into  the  mys- 
tery of  my  base  origimu,  by  permitting  me 
to  drink  somewhat  deeply  of  the  bitter 
waters  of  sin.  Oh  I  that  it  may  teach  me 
how  as  an  instrument  '*  to  gather  out  the 
stones  firom  the  way  of  others,  and  cast  up 
the  high  way  of  eternal  perfection  in,  by, 
and  tluough  the  blood  of  the  everlasting 
covenant.*' 

On  my  reaching  Portsmouth  the  third 
day,  my  difiiculties  were  again  increased ; 
first,  because  I  found  those  ships  that  were 
in  want  of  boys  were  lying  off  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  harbour,  and  coidd  only  be  got  at 
by  my  taking  a  waterman's  boat,  which  it 
was  utterly  out  of  my  power  to  do ;  and, 
secondly,  because  here  I  was  in  a  large 
seaport,  homeless,  houseless,  and  nenni- 
less,  and  here  again  the  dear  Lord,  who 
commanded  the  "  ravens"  xo  feed  Elijah  in 
days  of  old,  also  went  before  me  in  His 
kind  providence ;  for  while  I  was  standins 
on  a  place  called  "  Common  Hard"  (and 
which  I  truly  thought  was  a  hard  common 
for  me),  a  boat  came  on  shore  firom  a  ship 

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EA&THU  ynsBL. 


ealled  the  Vifttory,  irith  a  crew  of  five  men. 
These  men  being  desirous  of  going  up  into 
the  town,  asked  me  to  mind  the  boat  while 
thejr  were  awajr,  and  said  that  on  their  re- 
tiun  they  would  gire  me  a  penny  eaoh, 
which  they  did.  Thus  my  ••bread  was 
again  given,"  and  my  extremity  was  the 
opportunity  of  that  God  who  was  watching 
oyer  me,  though  I  knew  it  not.  I  spent 
part  of  my  little  stock  for  food,  keeping 
twopence^  in.  reserve  for  the  following  day, 
and  at  night  took  up  my  lodgings  in  the 
wreck  of  an  old  vessel  that  was  lying  on  the 
beach  close  to  the  dock-yazd  gates.  But 
here  aeain  the  God  of  my  mercies  was 
pleased  to  interpose  in  such  a  way  that  has 
often  filled  my  heart  with  gratitude  since. 
I  had  not  been  long  aslMp  in  my  new 
lodgings  before  I  was  awoke  by  the  raU 
ranning  over  me  as  I  lay,  and  which  caused 
me  to  take  *' rather  a  sudden  departure." 
However,  "the  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap, 
while  the  whole  disposing  thereof  is  of  the 
Lord,"  and  as  I  was  walking  round  the 
garrison  walls,  a  soldier  that  was  on 
Bentrj  got  into  conversation  with  me,  and 
finding  the  deoloEable  state  I  was  in,  told 
ma  that  I  could  always  have  a  bed  in  the 
WiMdrhouse  with  him,  and  as  there  were 
alwya  more  zaittoiis  than  they  stood  in 


need  of;  there  wonkl  be  plenty,  of  food  for 
mei  "  He  giveth  them  their  mMt  ia  due 
season." 

And  now,  in  oondlqsion  for  diie  month's 
VassBL,  should  any  of  my  friends  think 
that  I  have  said  too  moch  upon  the  **  sable 
side"  of  the  mftltez;  let  me  say  it  is  "  naked 
truth,"  and  mv  fiaith  stands  not  in  the  win* 
dom  of  man,  but  in  the-  Omnipotent  powv 
of  that  God  who  hath  £Bd  me  all  my  life 
long,  and  who  in  His  own  time,  way,  and 
manner  hath  redeemed  me  from  all  evil. 
Another  reaeoa  is,  because  I  hare  genesally 
found,  in  reading  the  biQgn^>hy  of  pco- 
fsssedly  Christian  men,  there  has  bean  • 
very  bright  side  made  manifest— sonwthing 
amounting  to  almoat  fleshly  pMfeotion*— 
but  no  spot,  wiinkle,  binmish)  or  any  sneh 
thing;  and  thus,  as  the  wise  man  s»a^ 
**  Most  men  will  pioolaim  erery  one  hie 
own  eoodness  ;  but  a  faithful  man  who  enn 
find  *r  But  the  heaien-boni  soul  shall  find 
that  the  plaffue  of  his  own-  heart  stands  as 
a  perpetual  barrier  to  keep  him  from 
putting  any  confidence  in  the  flesh,  and  his 
daily  infirmities  shall  experimeataUy  teach 
him  that,  at  most,  he  is  but  an  "  unprofltn»> 
ble  servant."  I  am,  yours  in  coveneol  lovsv 


Wallingford. 


lO. 


DEVOTIONAL  READINGS  FOR  LORD'S-DAY  EVBNINGa 

BY  WILUAM  FBITH, 

BOEDUGH  GBBKN;  AUTHOR  OF  "  COIIMUXION  OS  8AJBTB." 

"  He  preached  unto  them  Jesus  and  the  resurreotion.''— Acts  zviL  Idk 
Blbssbo  subject !  How.much  it  contains  I 
What  writer  ever  exhausted  it?  What 
preacher  ever  fully  exhibited  its  incompara- 
ble excellency  ?  Jesus  is  the  centre  of  the 
believer's  hopes.  His  "name  is  as  olnt- 
nient  poured  forth."  It  emits,  in  every 
direcuon,  an  unctuous  fragrance,  that  ever 
revives  the  drooping  spirits  of  the  Lord's 
tried  ones.  It  is  the  blessed  Jesus  who 
says  "  in  aU  thme^^flietiona  he  is  afflicted.'' 
And  surely  my  soul,  that  which  was  the 
favourite  theme  of  the  "chief  of  sinners" 
can  ne^er  be  an  unwelcome  theme  to  thee. 
Surely  if  Saul  of  Tarsus  "  preached  Jesus" 
to  the  Athenians,  and  Philip  the  Deacon 
"went  down  to  Samaria  and  preached 
Christ  unto  them,"  with  whom  "  the  Jews 
had  no  dealings,"  thou  mayest  well  say. 

Bear  nams^  the  Hook  on  wMoh  I  build. 

My  shield  and  hiding  pUM, 
my  nevQT-ftiUnff  treasury,  fliled 

With  boundless  stores  of  grace. 

Oh,  my  soul,  exult  in  that  name  which  is 
above  every  name.  That  '•  brand  "  plucked 
from  the  eternal  burnings  near  Bamassus 


gloried  in  Jesns.    The  precioua  

first  manifested  HimseUf  to  hua  when  qb 
his  way  to  the  capital  of  ^yiiai  under  thiff 
sweet  name,  sajcing  unta  hun  in  the.  plainp 
tive  tone  of  mercy,  as  well  aa  in  the 
authoritative  tone  of  Divine  savereigatirt 
^'  I  am  Jbsvs  whom  thou  pMnecuiest.'*  Ah« 
yes>  and  that  Name  ever  after  rang  witli 
sweeter  melody  in  his  ear,  liiaa  the  mntia 
or  the  vesper  song  upon,  the  rural  avniniL 
And  is  it  not  so  with  thee,  poor  sooL? 
When  life  is  dark  with  thee,  when  thou  art 
like  a  sparrow  alone  u^n  thehouastop,  hM 
not  that  Name  a  preaous  sweetness  that.ia 
"  sweeter  than  honey,  vea,  than  the  hone^ 
comb?"  Does  not  the  very  mention  off 
that  Name  strike  the  slnmbering  chord  of 
thine  heart,  and  make  it  vibsate  to  his 
matchless  glory  ?  Has  it  not  a  ^ell  more 
potent  than  tils  amulet?  The  very  name 
carries  with  it  asavouz  that  makes  even  the 
conversation  pleasant,  and  the  diaeowae 
more  thaa  aoosptiUUe  when  literaij  eoBibeL- 
lishmente  are  entirely  abeenL  iJbul  am, 
the  soul,,  whose  lipa  ace  embittered  by  thf^ 


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na  JVAKOiSN 


j67 


tnqamt^mfB  of  w^wmwood  wbldi  e«ftl4y 
«ae  «uBd  domartie  lai^  aflM,  '*lat  Him 
(Jmw)  4diB  me  with  the  kiaees  of  Hie 
■kSBdi  f  let  him  ''^tmid  A  mj  right  hand, 
tiKB  I  ehaU  not  he  fM«t^  moTed."  Thie 
NiuBe  hes  been  ptt^om  to  the  dmreh  in 
■11  acTM.  It  mm  '*Ba8  neme,  thioi^ 
fnth  in  hie  Name,"  as  the  ApeeiLe  si^rB, 
(▲elB  iii.  6/  16(),  "hath  made  this  man 
itnmg."  Feter  piajed  in  the  N*iia  of  the 
holy  child  Jaaoa.  The  noble  «rmy  of 
Maitjii  died  in  Us  naoie,  thiongh  faith  in 
His  Name  they  sealed  their  testimonieB  in 
their  own  bl(M)d.  Like  the  proto-martTr 
Stephen,  th^  emdtfimda'minig^BMmM 
hut    wUk    a    mmt^t    fitUh, -^  ^*  Lord 


JesVB,  receive  my  spirit.*'  r!hm«^^ 
d^vell  devoutly  npon  the  high  Mtimation  in 
which  this  predons  Name  was  held.  JBbt- 
tract  aid  £rom  this  rode,  and  honey  from 
this  flinty,  rock.  Let  it  be  frequently  .at 
thy  lip,  and  the  subject  of  thy  aonff.  Oh, 
let  it  be  to  Uiee  an  antidote  to  all  d^r  bov- 
lows,  a  sure  anodvue  that  will  remove  all 
thy  pains.  Dwell,  O  dwell,  in  sweet  modi* 
tation  upon  this  pneums  Name,  and  auy 
the  blessed  ^and  eternal  Spirit  make  it  to 
thee  "what  the  poet  so  bMutifully  ^m- 
pFssees, — 

**flow  sweat  tbe  name  of  J«u«  eoandg, 
In  A  belieT«r'8  ear ; 

It  aoothes  his  •orrows,  heals  his  wounds, 
And  diifesewey  his  fear.*' 


THE  GREAT  DEATH  ABD  THE    VISION  OF   GLOET. 


Wb  efltend  veiy  brie^  upon  the  ftrst 
question  oonaeoted  with  una  onaja  ubaxh, 
nmndy, 

"Is  BVXST  CHILD  OF  THB  FiBST  AdAH 
nVOLYK)  IB  TBI8  CBS4T  DBAVR?" 

Is  there  no  oscention?  The  answer  is. 
Norn  loAstfmfr .'  In  ereiy  sense  this  death 
»  oitiie  and  it  is  etemai-^xoept,  and  until 
the  qoidkenin^  %Hzit  of  God  doth  oome. 
The  multitadmons  ^srmty  of  dii|»ntants 
against  this  solsmn  troth,  is  astomshing ; 
but  let  Arminians,  free-willeis,  duty-iaith 
man,  and  aunikiM»n  tsBohers,  wsy  and 
do  their  utmost,  we  mean  to  asserty-Oon 
AxJOOHTT  helpinf;— that  this  Great  Death 
is  Entire,  and  it  is  Eternal ;  but  that  it  is 
not,  cannot  be,  never  will  be,  a  kon- 
KZiSTBXOB.  ,Nay,  let  Charles  Skinner 
write  and  print  his  volumes,  and  he  has 
studied  and  laboured  hard  in  one  part  of 
this  question,  and  is  a  man  of  dominant 
peiweveranoe,  a  man  of  mental  metal  be- 
yond many— in  every  other  sense  a  most 
worthy  man — ^bnt,  let  him  write  as  he  may 
•—let  him  teach  WiOiam  Chamberiain  to 
preach  up  annihilation  to  (he  utmost  of  his 
power ;  let  the  popular  preachers  of  the  day 
impliedly  pieaeh  that  man  has  something 
ysftin  him  which  may  rise,  and  live,  ana 
torn  to  God,  and  repent,  and  believe,  and 
be  saved,  and  so  ignore  the  Person,  office, 
and  wofk  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  we  shall  con- 
stantly affirm  two  things : 

I.  That  man's  soul  is  Eternally  Immor- 
tal ;  that  the  immortality  of  man's  soul  is 
a  truth,  which  causes  the  saints  to  rejoice, 
and  the  wicked  to  tremble. 

II.  That,  notwithstandii^  all  this,  Man's 
soul  b,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  dead  to  its  own 
atate,  dead  to  God,  dead  to  the  terrors  of 
ihe  law,  dead  to  the  beauties  of  the  Gospel, 
dead  to  the  glories  of  Christ,  dead  to 
an  the  vaered  and  secret  mysteries   of 


spiritual  and  heavenly  worship,  and  never 
can  love  nor  serve  God  aoeeptably  until  the 
Hoi«T  Sfhit  hath  created  it  anew  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Oh!  this  immortalibr  of  man's  soul  is 
the  grandest  piece  of  God's  workmanship, 
and  the  greatest  piece  of  revealed  tvou. 
Let  us  then  apply -oursdves  to  itB.oonsider- 
ation;  let  us  try  and  eo^dodeall  tiieddn* 
sions  of  men,  and  exhibit  ss  much  of  this 
great  mystery  as  the  Ixnd  our  God  ribidl 
enable  us  to  tnsce  out. 

The  salvation  of  iniants  we  entered  upon 
hist  month.  We  irish  to  fintifV  tins  part 
of  truth  as  well  as  we  can.  We  desire  to 
call  in  all  the  witnesses  to  its  reality,  who 
are  willing  to  aid  us.  Therefore,  &om  Mr. 
John  Foreman's  book,  "Thoughts  on  Hea- 
ven," we  make  an  extract  or  two  on  this 
point.  The  Pastor  of  Mount  Zion  adduces 
ten  reasons.  We  quote  a  few  sentences  as 
follows,*^ 

"  It  will  be  an  answer  to  many  enquirers 
to  state  "what  m^r  opinion  is,  relative  to  ihe 
future  state  of  infants  dyins  in  their  in- 
fancy. I  beUeve  they  go  to  heaven.  But 
not  on  the  ground  of  their  inno(*ency  as 
creatures  ;  for  if  they  -were  not  involved  in 
the  fall  of  Adam  as  the  federal  head  of  tbe 
whole  human  race,  they  could  not  die  at  all. 
"For  by  sin  only  came  death,"  and  ^ere 
sin  hath  no  being,  death  can  have  no  ad- 
mittance, by  the  first  great  and  Divine  law 
on  human  oonstitution.  **And  man  be- 
came a  livins  soul,  but  of  the  tree  of  know- 
ledge of  good  and  evil  thou  shalt  not  eat  of 
it ;  for  the  dip^  that  thou  erttest  thereof  tiiou 
shalt  surely  che."  Nor  do  they  go  to  hea- 
ven upon  the  equally  unseriptiu«l  senti- 
ment of  Christ's  having  died  for  aU  original 
sin ;  Ibr  Christ  never  Sied  for  sin  irrespec- 
tive of  persons ;  for  the  idea  of4i>surety  for 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


68 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Much  1,  1864. 


debts  and  offences,  witliont  an  immediate 
regard  to  debtors  and  offenders,  is  most 
ri£culons  and  unreasonable  bj  any  laws 
known  under  heayen.  Besides,  if  Christ 
died  for  the  wbole  of  original  syi,  then  he 
purified  the  root  of  the  whole  human  race ; 
and  if  the  whole  root  be  holy,  the  branches 
must  all  be  so  consequently ;  but  for  such 
a  conclusion  we  have  no  warrant  in  the 
Bible.  Christ  died  for  all  that  will  ever 
live  to  God,  and  they  will  all  live  for  whom 
He  died.  And  He  died  as  personally  for 
every  in£int  that  will  be  saved,  as  He  did 
for  any  one  of  those  who  are  spared  on 
earthHor  years,  and  are  blessed  with  faith 
to  believe  and  openly  profess  his  name. 

"  The  reasons  for  my  opinion  that  infants 
dying  in  their  infancy,  do  go  to  heaven, 
are, 

"Fiist,  the  perfect  uneonditionality  of 
salvation  as  purely  the  will  and  work  of  God 
on  whom  He  will  have  mercy,  and  on  whom 
He  will  have  compassion.  A  proposed 
conditional  salvation  would  exclucte  them, 
for  their  lack  of  performance  in  the  condi- 
tions required;  but  a  purposed  uncondi- 
tional salvation,  all  willed  and  wrought  of 
God,  can  embrace  them  on  the  ground  of 
election.    Bom.  ix.  11. 

"  Secondly,  while  their  death  itself  im- 
deniably  proves  them  implicated  in  the  fall 
of  Adam,  their  dying  in  their  infancy  is 
entirely  by  the  will  of  Gk}d,  over  which  they 
can  have  no  control ;  and  their  so  dyinff  is, 
therefore,  to  my  belief,  a  testimony  of  their 
interest  in  the  Lord's  electing  love,  as  is  the 


openly  declared  faith  of  a  living  person 
called  to  believe.  And  as  the  Lord  made 
all  things  for  Himself,  He  made  them  for 
His  glory ;  and  I  believe  they  will  stand 
in  heaven  as  monumenta  of  free-graoe»  to 
the  condemnation  of  all  the  carnally  inven- 
ted notions  that  the  salvation  of  a  sinner 
is  in  any  wi^  hineed  on  human  conditions, 
or  that  the  Lord  hath  in  any  way  subjected 
His  infinite  will  to  forgive,  justify,  and  sare 
by  any  conditions  whatever  on  the  part  of 
the  guilty,  the  law-condemned,  and  the 
lost." 

From  Mr.  Foreman's  testimony  we  take 
no  more.  He  has  wisely  concluded  by 
saying,  "These  things  I  have  stated  as 
matters  of  opinion,  but  the  little  that  is  in 
any  shape  said  on  the  point  in  the  Bible, 
teaches  us,  that  it  is  a  province  we  have  but 
little  business  to  occupy ;  for  while  they  are 
alive  we  know  not  the  will  of  God  concern- 
ing them,  and  when  the^r  are  dead  they  are 
within  the  righteous  will  and  gOTernment 
of  God,  and  out  of  the  reach  of  our  intei^ 
ference." 

Before  we  can  euter  upon  the  Vision  of 
Glory,  we  must  ftiUy  beat  out  the  four-fold 
view  proposed  of  the  Adam  iSsll,  and  man's 
state  herein.  Herein  we  hope  to  be  of 
some  service.  Never,  until  some  revelation 
of  the  glory  of  Cnaisr  has  reached  a  man'ii 
soul,  can  he  ever  fully  believe  nther  die 
extent  of  the  fall,  or  the  awftil  nature  of 
sin.  Let  not  ministers  neglect  these  great 
principles  so  much  as  they  hare  done. 


THINGS  SECRET  AND  REVEALED. 

By  Johh  Brown,  A.M.,  Conlio,  Newtownauds,  lBUiA)(D. 


All  the  **  things  "  contained  in  the  Biblb 
are  "revesled,"  and  therefore  it  becomes 
us  diligently  to  make  ourselves  end  our  chil- 
dren acquainted  with  them;  but  many 
things  relating  to  these  are  secret,  and 
ought  not  to  be  curiously  pried  into.  For 
example :  it  is  plainly  *'  revealed  "  that 
there  are  three  Persons  in  the  Godhead, 
and  that  these  Three  are  One  (1  John  v.  7). 
But  the  nwde  of  the  Divine  existence  is  not 
"  revealed,'*  and  therefore  not  an  object  of 
faith.  It  is  not  only  not  *'  revealecl,"  but 
incomprehensibl e.  * '  Canst  thou  by  search- 
ing find  out  God?  Canst  thou  find  out 
the  Almighty  unto  perfection  ?"  It  is  also 
plainly  *< revealed"  that  the  Divine  and 
human  natures  are  united  in  the  one  person 
of  Christ.  Hence  He  is  sometimes  called 
Qod^(Acts  XX.  28),  and  sometimes  man 
(Acts  xiii.38^,  because  He  is  both.  But 
the  nature  ei  this  union  is  one  of  the 
**  secret  thinps ''  which  belong  to  Jehovah 


our  God.  "  What  is  His  name,  and  what 
is  His  Son's  name,  if  thou  canst  tell?*' 
(Prov.  XXX  4.)  "  It  is  secret"  (Judges  xiii 
18.)  It  is  plainly  "revealed"  that  man 
was  ori^nally  created  in  the  image  of  God 
(Genesis  i.  2d,  27),  and  that  he  now  bears 
the  image  of  the  devil  (John  viii.  44) ;  but 
how  a  pure  and  holy  being,  having  no  ten* 
dency  m  his  nature  to  corruption  should 
become  guilty  and  depraved  is  not  "  re- 
vealed," and,  thesefore,  not  an  object  of 
investigation,  or  b<fiief.  It  is  also  plainly 
^'reveiued'*  that  a  sinner  cannot  convert 
himself  ( Jer.  xiii.  23),  and  that  conversion 
is  effected  by  the  operation  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  heart  (Acts  xvi.  14) ;  but  the 
Ttiode  of  this  operation,  is  not  only  a 
"thing"  not  "revealed,"  but  declared  in 
Divine  revelation  to  be  inexpHeable.  "  The 
wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou 
heareet  the  sotmd  thereof^  but  canst  not 
tell  whence  it  cometh  or^whither  it  goeth; 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


UudkhlML 


THl  SABTHlSr  A'KaSEL. 


69 


•0  is  oTwyone  that  is  bom  of  the  Spirit" 
Affm  it  18  pUinly  <* revealed"  that  all 
erenta  are  Ibreeeen  (Acta  xy.  18),  and  their 
iflBueB  ^-appointed  by  God  (Eph.  i.  11) ; 
and  it  is  also  plainly  "  revealed  ^  that  man 
is  acoonntable  to  GK>d  for  all  that  he  does 
^fatt.  xti.  36),  but  a  recaneiUation  between 
Divine  prescience  and  human  responsibility, 
is  nowhere  attempted  in  Scripture.  When 
the  Arminian  asks,  '*  Why  doth  He  yet 
find  £Milt,  for  who  hath  resisted  His  will?" 
the  Apostle  answers  him  with  a  rebuke 
rather  than  a  reason :  "  Nay,  but  O  man, 
-who  art  thou  that  repliest  against  God? 
Shall  the  thing  formed  say  to  Him  that 
formed  it,  why  hast  thou  made  me  thus?" 
The  imputation  of  Adam's  sin  to  his  pos. 
terity  (Bom.  v.  14) ;  the  imputation  of  the 
sins  of  the  elect  to  Christ  (2  Cor.  v.  21), 
and  the  imputation  of  Christ's  righteous- 
ness to  the  elect  (Bom.  v.  14^  2  Cor.  v.  21), 
are  all  *' things^'  which  are  "revealed" 
in  Seriptore ;  but  the  solution  of  these  is 
one  of  the  "  secret  thinffs  **  which  *'  belong 
onto  Jehovah  our  Goo."  Humble  fai£ 
credits  these  apparently  contradictorv 
doctrines  on  the  testimony  of  God's  Word, 
but  does  not  attempt  an  explanation.  "  The 
secret  things  belong  unto  Jehovah  our 
God ;  but  those  whidi  are  revealed  belong 
onto  us  and  to  oar  children  for  ever." 
"  And  I  said  unto  Moses,  Go  down,  charge 
the  people,  lest  they  break  through  unto 
Jehovah,  Xogaze,  anamany  of  them  perish." 
**  Draw  not  nigh  hither ;  put  off  thy  shoes 
from  off  thy  feet,  for  the  place  whereon 
thon  standest  is  holy  ground."  "  And  He 
smote  the  men  of  Beth  Shemedi,  because 
thej  had  looked  into  the  ark  of  Jehovah  ; 
even  He  smote  of  the  people  fifty  thousand 
and  three  score  ana  ten  men:  and  the 
people  lamented,  because  Jehovah  had 
smitten  many  of  the  people  with  a  great 
slaughter.'*  Deut  xxix.  29;  Exodus  xix. 
31 ;  iii  6 ;  1  Sam.  v.  19. 


NEW  BOOKS  &  PAMPHLETS. 


Bailey's  Book  on  Bntarlnir 
the  Ohiiroh  of  Bn^land, 
CbufrrmUy  to  Ike  Chvreh  of  Engbnd.      By 

Knmmaat  Bailkt.     London:  Hamilton, 

Adams  and  Co. 
Ws  have  received  from  Mr.  Abraham  How- 
aid  a  clever  and  conclusive  note  on  Ebenezer 
Bailev's  namphlet ;  but  a  word  is  enough. 
We  nrmly  believe  if  this  young  man  could 
have  succeeded  as  his  pastor  has  done,  the 
Church  of  England  bail  never  seen  him ;  but 
history  tells  us  of  many  who,  not  succeeding 
as  DissenterB,  have  Moome  priests  of  the 
National  Church ;  while  but  very  few,  who 
have  left  the  National  Church^have  been  of 
much  use  to  Dissenters.  Mr.  West,  of  Win- 
ohelsea.  is  considered  a  giant  in  the  Church 
of  England,  and  he  is  too  wise  to  leave  it 


The  same  may  be  said  of  those  excellent  men, 
the  Doudneya  At  Bristol  and  Plymouth, 
they  are  acceptable  to  many  hundreds,  and 
there  they  will  abide  until  their  work  is  done, 
no  doubt 

There  has  long  been  a  fear  that  the  Church 
of  England  would  not  find  young  men  fast 
enough  for  ordination  —  espeoisOly  as  the 
Bishop  of  London  is  raising  a  million  of 
money  to  build  churches  and  to  employ  men 
as  ministers.  But,  the  bishope  need  not  fear, 
now  young  Bailey  has  taken  so  bold  a  leap 
from  the  lap  of  popular  Dissenterism  into 
the  bosom  of  Church  of  En^landism. 

Let  us  look  calmly  and  fairly  at  what  this 
young  Bailey  has  done,  and  at  all  he  is  now 
saying. 

What  hai  he  done  f  He  has  confessed  be- 
fore God,  and  angels,  and  ministers,  and  men, 
that  he  was  a  true  penitent,  and  by  grace  be- 
came a  true  believer.  He  believed  (at  least, 
he  practically  said  so,)  that  baptism  by  im- 
mersion was  most  certainly  an  ordinance,  a 
sacrament,  and  an  institution  of  heaven's 
own  ordaining.  He  was  baptised ;  he  preach- 
ed and  practised  baptism;  he  entered  into 
most  solemn  covenants  to  abide  faithful  to  all 
the  responsibilities  which  he  took  upon  him- 
self. He  availed  himself  of  aU  the  advant- 
ages of  the  College— he  accepted  pastorates 
— and  seemed  determined  to  be  a  zmIous  and 
laborious  Baptist  Minister :  but — whether  his 
heart  failed  him  or  the  Lord  forsook  him,  or 
the  people  withdrew  from  him,  or  the  re- 
muneration did  not  satisfy  him— whatever  it 
could  be,  we  cannot  imagine ;  whether  he 
dreamed  he  should  certainly  make  a  fine 
bishop ;  whether  Batan,  as  an  aneel  of  light, 
seduced  him ;  whether  female  influence  con- 

2uered  him ;  or,  whether  the  golden  wedge 
Uured  him:  it  seems  impossible  to  decide; 
but  one  thing  is  certain^  he  has  ehanaed  his 
mind,  he  has  altered  his  position,  he  has 
broken  all  the  vows  he  made  as  a  Baptist 
Minister,  and  to  his  original  friends  he  has 
said,  FarewelL 

And,  now,  having  taken  his  leave  of  all 
that  appeared  so  dear  to  him ;  having  placed 
himself  upon  the  strong,  but  tottering,  waUs 
of  the  Establishment,  ma  example  will  have  a 
loud  voice  in  it  It  says  to  all  the  young 
men  who  long  for  the  ministry,  "  Get  into 
the  College  if  you  can;  go  forth  into  the 
ministry  successfully,  if  you  can ;  but  if  your 
anticipations  there  are  not  realized^  come  in- 
to the  Church,  she  will  gladly  receive  you." 
We  remember  well,  Paul  8ay&  **  All  things 
work  together  for  good ;"  and,  ii  the  Church 
of  England  will  gladly  receive  all  the  young 
men  who  are  tramed  in  our  numerous  col- 
leges, but  cannot  make  much  head-way 
among  the  Dissenting  Churches,  in  a  tempo- 
ral sense,  it  will,  for  them,  be  a  good  thmg 
that  the  Church  of  England  steps  in  to  pre- 
vent them  from  falling  down  to  their  original 
level  But,  where,  and  how,  they  wiU  stand 
in  the  last  Great  Day,  must  be  left  tUl  the 
books  are  opened. 

Agmntt  the  coUeee,  or  its  founder,  we  write 
not  one  word.  Mr.  Firminger's  pamphlet 
may,  some  day,  have  a  notice  tis^  us. 

Digitized  by  VjOCWIC 


TO 


THE  SAKTHUr 


Agakiti  3SbeK0ier  BtUey,  or  bis  book,  ^0>e 
brlo|f  no  cbuf^e.  'He  his  evldautty  rea4i 
maaay  Ohmvh  of  Bngland  Aothon;  ko  has 
adopted  their  clotheft,«adnmqiiiokly^  to  their: 
conclusions.  But,  has  Ebenezer  Bailey  even 
truly  paosed  from  death  unto  life?  has  he 
been,  «nd  is  he  etffl.  ^tolly  united  onto' 
Jeeus  Ohiist,  ttie  Son  of  Ged  ?  As  a  miirietor 
of  JesQfl  Ohriet,  has  he  heen  faistnuiiental  in 
beffeiting^floiils  to  lif e,  vnd  iaith.  and  feUow- 
ehip'divine?  Does  he  iiem  in  Chitet?  Does 
he  walk  in  the  Spirit  ?  Does  he  enjoy  the 
spirit  of  vdoption?  Solemn  questiODS.  How 
will  he  answer  them  ? 

Dr.  'Omninlwg*^  Antswanlflt. 

The  Last  ViaU.    Stevenson,  54,  Patenweter 

Bow. 
This  .gnat  writer  .is  reckoned  among  those 
powesB  hy  which  our  aatian!is,<*t  this  mo- 
meut  hsing  flattened,  delnded,  and  InUed  in- 
to m  lalM  preBnmption  of  peace.  Budi,  how- 
ever, is  the  bom  anextion  of  the  writer  of 
Tie  Lof*  rioii,  a  mouti^  iaroe  of  moat  eom- 
prehensive  powen.  Imat  writer  •a^a,  in 
Janmxy  nnmber,  ^*In  aposteript  to  one  of 
the  Virn^  it  was  eaid  long  ago,  that  the  Arm- 
stnmg  gODB,  the  Tinmu  newspaper,  Br.  Onm- 
mlug,' and  Lord  F— ^-^  were  aU  daoelTing  ns 
serionsly,  if  not  fataijlt."  Dr.  Gumming 
has  T«cenUy  sent  into  the  world  aaother 
volume, — Tke  Destinujf  Naiiom:  but  be- 
tween thedoetor  and  2%e  Last  Vials  there  ai« 
soo&e  dilferenees  as  regaids  the  future.  The 
Editor  of  7*he  Vials  hae«n  immense  pair  of 
eyes  -tkey  tnivene  the  whole  of  the  globe, 
taey  review  the  paat^  they  survey  thetpre- 
sent,  thev  penetrate  intone  future,^ana  in  ' 
few  words  you  have  a  plain,  ovt-epoken,  and 
deesded  oinnion  of  the  eKtemal  state  of 
affdiB,  not  only  as  regaids  Europe,  but ' 
throughout  the  whole  world.  Many  may 
think  lightly  of  this  flood  of  light,  which  for 
eighteen  years  has  been  pound  upon  the 
paaoismio  movements  of  the  nations;  but 
we  read  its  issues  with  the  most  careful  and 
sarions  attention. 

*'A  Chspd  Worth  Dving  Fory  Sermon  by 
J.Wells:  being  No.  269  of  "5iirrcy  Taber- 
noofe  Pu^.""  Published  at  Stevenson's,  M, 
Patemoster-row.  It  does*  not  say  trAcn  this 
aeimon  was  preached,  nor  where ;  but  we 
can  discover  in  it  the  most  sacred  of  all  feel- 
ings in  the  author  of  the  sermon,  both  to- 
ward those  who  love  their  own  life  more 
than  they  love  the  Loi'd,  as  well  as  those  to 
whom  the  Gospel  of  Ohrist  is  of  more  value 
than  ten  thousand  worlds.  As  we  read  this 
sermouj  we  tx)uld  tiot  help  crying  out,  *'"Who 
can  this  be  for?"  mch  professors  and 
crawling  cringing  ministers  have  certainly  a 
few  words  of  weight  here ;  but  their  seared 
consoiences,  their  proud  hearts,  and  their, 
Wind  eyes,  will  shield  them  from  feeling  the 
force  of  these  most  seasonable,  yet  terrible, 
truths.  The  scenes  which  have  passed  be- 
fore us  of  late  of  Mr.  lAfeUss  Ambition  laying 
bimeelf  down  at  the  feet  of  Mtssrs.  Wmit^ 
Wsedlk,  have  so  saddened  our  hearts,  that  we 
dare  nottnurt  ourselves  to  write  more  now. 


Thelflih  of  Esekiel  Jias  haoi  scrfenalgrMad 
ov«r  to  us.  We  may  send  it  to  pocnr  .ZioD 
some  day  to  help  to  discover  the  eniptinnM 
of  many.  Let  ministers  and ,  people  read  this 
seimon  of  James  Wells  if  they  dare. 

''Saltation:  Whatisitf  Whoisxtforr^ 
A  sermon.  byW.  Chappell,  Hinister  of  Bap- 
tist dnircn,  V  ictoria  liooms,  Southaoiptxm. 
To  be  hadof  the  Author,  or  of  his  deaeons. 
20 -pp.  2d.  Our  well-known  borolhar,  Wfl^ 
liam  Ofaai^ellf  has  been  called  outopenlgftdMi 
fully  to  sfxpnwB  and  declare  his  nith  -a-wk 
sentimentB  touching  the  salvation  the  laoad 
has  promised,  provided,  and  revealed.  Kr. 
Chappell  met  the  demand  as  an  .honest 
Christian,  and  as  a  scribe  well  instructed  in 
the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom.  Those  who 
heard  the  sermon  on  Salvation  requested  ite 
publication.  Their  request,  also,  Mr.  C.  Ims 
complied  with.  We  nave  earefuUy  govs 
throuffh  it,  and  hesitate  not  to  pronooMe  it 
orthodox  in  eveiy  point;  a  BOiBon  «aitad.to 
be  useful  to  ill  who  aseanziovs  to  kno«r  the 
truth.  As  a  preacher,  poet,  and  author,  Jfr. 
Chaj^pell  is  no  idle  or  ordinary  man. 

''DaU^lUjUciUMs."  3y  G.  Wyard.  This 
volume  IS  now  ready,  and  can  be  had  from 
the  Author  at  5,  Molesworth-street,  Lewis- 
ham,  near  London.  The  soundness  of  Mr. 
Wyard'e  theology,  and  his  well-known  l&ve 
to  Zion,  are  the  hest  ^puirantee  we  «an  fur- 
nish of  the  value  of  this  new  book. 

''A^aobiogngi^o/J),  Lae^"  Baptist  AG» 
nister  of  Bilston,  in  Staffordshire.  To  .be 
had  of  the  Author.  There  is  talent  variety, 
ministerial  exercises,  changes,  and  Ofaristian 
trials  and  temptations  in  this  book  above 
many. _ 


BNQXJSH  ;ASX>  GOUOHLiLL 
KlfiSIOV. 

Application  having  been  made  to  us  from 
Australia,  America,  and  different  parts  of 
our  own  country,  for  a  free  grant  of  pam- 
phlets and  periodicalB  advocating  Gospel  uorfB 
experimental  Truth,  we  'purpose  to  send  out 
packets  as  fast  as  possible.  Friends  wiUhig 
to  belpu  will  please  notify  the  same  to  lb* 
Bobert  Banks,  9,  'Crane-<x)urt,  Fleet-street 


n>  TAB    BDITOB   OF   TBS  

Dear  Bbothxr,— Iu  the  Earxhsk  Tks8KL 
of  January  last,  'there  is  an  article  respecting 
your  Bendmg  over  a  paml  of  boeics  to  our  MM 
and  hvother,  HKTuie,  Baptist  mhiiateria  9ydB4f , 
Auatralia,  and  requesting  sutworiptioas  towards 
the  aaaie,  statina  you  have  a  quantity  cfboolGa 
suitable.  I  think  the  propoiition  a  very  godd 
one.  and  beg  to  forward  a  mite  towards  tbeanua 
Bursfy  there aie  net  a  tarn  that  tofethetoulh  ■ 
reia  bknpal  trath— in  our  hiff)ily*4aNroiiMd  tAs^ 
who  win  'Withhold  their  Ivlpuig  ihaod  to  «o 
dcaiiable  an  ol^eot,  however  small  their  dona- 
tion may  be,  that  the  hands  of  om*  friend  maylM 
eacouTSged by  itading  there  are  some  inhiiim- 
tive  coontiy  who  feel  en  Interest  in  the  sprestt  of 
the  evertasdug  eospel  in  ourdlstnt  'ooloaiiak 
especially  wfaeie  our  IMsad  is  Mbonriag/  ^ 

lo  maoh  opaoaiyou  to  the  tiuth,  and  «i^        _ 
that  awful  hcve^,  Popei;}'.    Toura  in  tinaerity* 
Bichahd  ICncioir, 
(From  whom  we  have  reeeivedsn  stsinpiir6a'fd.> 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


llaroli  1,  1864. 


THX  ttURTHSN  TX88EL. 


74 


#ar  4ffew[A«^,  m  faste,  via  m  f  eq^ 


NSW  aSTTBOH  AlTD  PA8T0B  AT 

BAST  vsaxxBovn. 

In  tbe  rural  village  of  Bnt  Bogholt,  SOflblk, 
sUnds  ft  ohnreh,  ft  K^tliedlift  tltmnA,  wa  inde- 
pendeat  wtM,  and  «  Beiuftii  CMhoIto  "Smauay ; 
and  here  a  ftfw  of  tbe  memlwrB  Of  the  Paiticaiar 
Baptist*!  Cbuieh  of  Beflmeda  CtutptA,  Ipswich, 
lived,  wbeee  liearts  were  grieved  beoame  so  little 
troth,  and  «>  muoih  error  exletod  In  that  looaU^. 
Tbey  were  led  to  make  known  tbeir  Mai's  desire 
to  thdr  Lord,  to  their  paster,  and  to  the  ohuroh. 
They  were  eacoaraged,  and  on  the  I7th  June, 
1861,  sermons  were  prsaobed.bv  a  W.  Banks,  and 
T.  Poock,  in  the  Methodist  Chapel,  kindly  lent 


word   was    Most, 


yard 
to  00 


armigeDMnit  was  made 
'  Brether  William  Chv 
members,  was  requested 


preach  in  a  eottage,  and  BrotherWilliam  Chvth- 
rd,  one  of  Mr.  Pooekfs  members,  was  requested 
oome  and  pnaohto  tbem ;  be  did  so,  and  eon- 
iiiee  floiiu  fhnn  Ipawidi— a  dlsianee  of  ten 
Qea— bi  an  wiettfcbers,  wtthont  fee  or  reward. 


r. 


tittiiee 

mllea— I- 

thev*  being  so  poor  tbslt  hfa  travellui|;  ^^^enseB 
are  Mrdly  paid ;  ytl  his  heart  being  in  the  work 
and  the  word  being  blest,  and  tAie  spirit  of 
prn^pomred  tetothe'soiiils  oftfaoaessrcnnd  Mm. 
and  numbers  inoreasfaxg,  the  oottage  was  too 
small  toaoeommodate ;  fresh  work  arese  forfsith 
and  prayer ;  some  wtsre  Impressed  the  I^rd  would 

Jive  them  a  house  to  worstiip  in.  One  was  con- 
dent,  our  Bister  Bahtwin  had  her  mind  when 
she  was  before  the  lEiord  so  satisfied  upon  it,  that 
nothing  could  hinder  herfrom  persevering  and 
enoamuriiig  others  hi  the  work  of  askiBg  laxgdy 
in  the  Mivionr's  name. 

A  piece  of  _gromid  was  offered  at  a  moderate 
price  by  Mr.  Baldwin,  who  baa  ifliowed  no  small 
kindnwrn  in  this  mtfiter.  Some  of  Mr.  Poock's 
deaooBB aad  memben  formed  theipsalves  tatoa 
tmitt  took  the  gromid,  and  on  July  16th,  1868,  a 
number  of  ttiends  fram  Ipswleh,  good  brother 
Whortow  tram  Sudbury,  and  braCher  Baker 
from  Tuaatatl,  met  at  the  (srfiflK  of  the  stone  by 
T.  Pooek,  for  a  house  Of  OoQ ;  Che  season  was  a 
solemn  one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  Brother 
Baker,  brother  Whortow,  and  aeveral  other  kind 
fHends  jam  enoonncing  addi«Mes  on  that  truly 
deli|rtitfttl  day.  The  ehapel,  named  Jireh,  is 
flniened,  and  was  opened  on  Oct  «t,  186I,  by  T. 
Poodk  nreaohlBg  in  the  morning,  and  brother 
Baker  of  TunalsU  hi  the  afternoon, 
brother   Wherlow  took  ttie   ohair, 


meeches  were  dellfered  by  brethren 
I^mbert,  Indrew*.  James  Ohurohyara,  William 
Churchyard,  T.  Poodt,  and  Ohairman.  Ool- 
leolioM  were  made,  and  5oy  and  gladness 
enwmed  the  day,  and  the  motto  was  **What 
halii  God-wronghtr 

Now  aipain  they  ory  unto  the  I«rd  Ibr  a  snitar 
ble  pastor,  to  leaa  them  teto  green  pastures,  and 
beside  Che  Kving  watere,  for  nothing  short  of 
living  truth,  sound  dootrines,  hsart-felt  experi- 
ence, wiOi  Scriployal  order,  and  IMb  and  oon- 
vereation  agreeing  therewith^  will  be  recognized 
by  tliem  aa  real  evidenoes  of  a  living  aoul.  They 
unanimously  agreed  to  Invite  brottier  WHliam 
ClraNhyard  to  beoome  their  pastor  and  to  be 
formed  into  a  dhnroh ;  ha.  alter  seddng  Divine 
odUHSL,  agrecjd  to  thefr  call,  and  on  January  87th, 
1864,  he  was  pdbliely  ordained.  Mr.  Poook,  his 
pastor,  stated  the  nttore  of  a  gospel  church, 
called  i^on  Mr.  Cburohyardto  state  his  call  by 


ffnnBto'6hemixiiitay,hls  fiinii,andtothatphu9e 

m  parti«Clsr  •.  his  every  rvply  was  laruly  satis- 

Mr.  P.  thn  oaltea  upon  liim  to  hold 


up hferlght  hmA  -aa  *a  token  of  wfllingness  to 
baaoniaaft  «l»ted  paMorof  Jfreh  chapel,  Bast 
BerigMt;  %w  dtd  w>;  'fhen  Mr.  Pootik  and  Kr. 


mn  hhn  theiightJnnd  ofiUlmwahipan  a 

bruthar  tai  the  Lord,  and  hi  the  jmspd  mhMv. 
His  pastor  «are  1dm  his  ehasgefrwmOsl.  iv.g. 
The  nmbSa  to  be  foamsd,  mostly  from  Hr.^ 
ohnioh,heldimhaada,  eenftrming  thdr  call  irf 
I3ie pastor, andwiUingness to foma  a partofttat 
chvroh  (niae  in  number),  to  whom  brdtMU 
AxMiwwa,  BheklraiBe,  and  ^amfc  three  of  Mr. 
P»s  deacons,  gave  the  right  band  effcUowsW^ 
recognising  ^m  as  a  dster  ehareh  of  the  mom 
faith  and  order.  Tbe  Lord's  flupner  ^««  »» 
raeelvodbytheohnrehthna  formed,  eadfrienas 
from  other  ohinufaes.<riKwt  thirty  in  nnmbaralte» 
gether.  OolleetioaB  were  made,  joail  to  the  utaoDSt 
in  thefr  power  the  poor  people  aave.  _^_^_       , 

Here  £Bds  agoed  daipd  with  ba|)^st«y,^ 
everfthhig  necessary, -neat  and  plam ;  ^«  w>J}a 
ingwill  hold  160  pevaons,  the  cost  of  which,  with 
gmund  eonviMmnce  aad  other  eiqpensei.  hr  •bout 
1360.  The  friends  talpowichtaweholpjjd^Mj 
they  oould ;  wUl  any  lover  of  truth  *«ist  them  P 
Jlr&  Ohmel  standi  as  alUy  among  thorns,  ttj 
banner offree  gxaoe,  ftdl  redOTiption,  ««*>**; 
atonement,  and  cartam  mtvatfoa.  tiuMgh  the 
love  of  the  Father,  tbe  blood  of  the  Son,  «ad 
gmce  of  the  Holy  Ohost,  made  Imami  in  ^ 
Heart,  lip,  aad  life  of  the  fcmUy  o^5«^.«"5S 
troths  had,prea*ed,and  maintamed  with  the 
diseipline  of  particular  •  and  stdet  «mc«»*«»: 
DonatioM  thankftilly  w-*:?*  by  Mr^ota 
Lambert,  bardwaiemaa,  Bt  Matthews.  Xlfwldw 
mT  S.  G.  ^^rhSow/flrndbuiy,  and  OChomafl 
Poock,  Baptist  minister,  Ipswich. 

F^bniaryl«ti,1864. 

THB  WAHDSSEB   IST  HASHMB. 

fro.S. 

"  Our  time  like  a  dream, 

Ourlifel^eastresni, 

GUdes  swiftly  awfly.'* 
flwCB  nu'  last  Jottings  were  ■written,  the  gtr 
1863  with  all  its  sins  and  sorrows,  perirtaOtlfa 
and  cares,  storms  and  tempests,  has  passed  ay^. 
Whilst  Its  months  rolled  slowly  along,  many  hare 
been  cut  down  by  the  ruthless  8<^be  Jrt 
death,  some  of  whom  have  passed  up  to  the  <ag; 
of  rest  and  song,  while  others  have  been  plunged 
into  the  wild  and  dark  abyss  of  everlasting  degra- 
'  '  '  May  those  of  us  who  are 
•ossession  of  the  blesshigs 
in  all  things  and  sura  "~ 
evinoe  our  gratitude  to  God,  day  after  day,  Iqr 
vigorous  eflbrto  to  lessen  human  wretchedneiB, 
by  proclaiming  to  those  who  are  wUling  to  listoi 
to  our  teaobings,  the  eawdlencF  «^"»"i«W«. 
whioh  is  the  «^power  of  God  lo  «}j«^°^,.*? 
every  one  that  believeth  its  soul-purifying,  bliss- 
creatUig,Christ^xaltirig  truths.  .„^,..,^„^ 

Uy  last  paper  was  sent  from  the  mteresting 
little  town  oT Otley,  in  Yorkshire.  Since  we 
held  very  successful  meetings  at  tbe  lecture  hjM 
there,  we  have  visited  and  lAoured  to  oountorsj^ 
the  daric  doings  of  man's  malignant  foe.  In  the 
Ibllowhig  towns  in  England  and  Sooaandj-- 
Bkiptonf  Settle.  Cohie,  Ormsk  rk,  Oastieford, 
New  Bldldon,  Speanymoor,  Dwlington^White- 
haven.  Gatehouse,  dreetown,  Borgue,  Wiahaw. 
and  Stirling;  and  in  every  place  we  have  had 
reaaon  to  believe  that  our  labours  were  not  ia 
vain.  Both  myself  and  my  traveUmgoOTU?anion 
have  been  greatly  helped,  and  merciftilb^  vn- 
served  ami£t  dangers  seen  and  H»««v»^«J? 
the  places  Just  named,  we  have  visited  Bradiora, 
Maaohester,  Carlisle^  and  Dumfries. 


LTtiiSSlS  Nation  and  despair.  Maj 
^-SS^SlS?'  spared -spared  in  thepoa 
»  *"^.  ^™°"    of"  a  covenant  ordered  in 


Is  a  very  large  town,  and  cont«liffl>«W^^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  K 


72 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


March  1, 1604. 


the  greater  portion  of  whieh  appear  to  be  rushing 
onwards  with  a  fearfnl  rapuuty  towards  per- 
dition.. In  this  town  there  are  five  Baptist 
ehapels,  several  of  them  very  laiwe  and  well- 
attended.  The  chapel  that  greatly  interested  me 
is  that  in  which  a  very  intuligent  and  eloquent 
brother  preaches,  whoee  praise  is  in  all  the 
ohurches^the  Sev.  J.  P.  uhown.  The  cause 
with  which  he  stands  connected,  waseommenoed 
in  the  year  1761.  A  tew  persons  first  met  to- 
gether at  the  house  of  one,  Elisabeth  Frankland, 
at  Manningham.  A  church  consisting  of  33 
members  was  duly  oiganized,  and  the  persons 
composing  it  took  the  cockpit  in  Bradfoi^d, 
for  their  plaoe  of  lasetinff.  In  the  year  1782  a 
small  chapel  was  ereeted  by  them  in  WestgateL 
which  had  to  be  enlarged  in  the  year  1817,  and 
again  in  18319.  Mr.  WT  Crabtree,  of  Halifax,  was 
pastor  of  this  church  for  half  a  century  of  years. 
That  good  man,  whose  natural  temper  was  by  no 
means  crab-like^  was  brought  to  dod  by  the  in- 
strumentality of  that  eminent  servant  of  Christ, 
the  Rev.  W.  G-rimshaw.  For  many  years,  Mr. 
Crabtree  worked  hard  at  his  loom  during  the 
week,  and  preached  to  the  people  on  the  Sabbath. 
He  is  reported  to-have  been  a  cheerful  Christian, 
whose  eveiy  word  and  look  seemed  to  endorse 
the  sentiment  of  that  poet  who  once  sung, 
'*  How  charming  is  Divine  philosophy ! 
Not  harsh  and  crabbed  as  dull  fools  suppose, 
But  musical  as  is  Apollols  lute." 
He  lived  beloved  by  many,  and  died  in  the  Lord. 
Mr.  Crabtree  was  succeeded  by  the  vrell-known 
Dr.  Steadman;  after  him  the  Bev.  H.  Dawson 
laid  hold  of  the  pastoral  crook,  and  when  he  laid 
it  down,  others  followed  in  his  wake  until  our 
kind-hearted,  intellectual  brother  Chown  was 
chosen  pastor.  The  chapel  (Sion)  where  Mr.  C. 
has  laboured  with  no  small  amount  of  sucona, 
becoming  too  small,  another  has  been  reoently 
built,  by  Mr.  Chown's  people  for  their  beloved 
minister.  With  a  noble  disinterestedness,  Mr. 
Chown,  on  the  completion  of  the  new  building 
resolved  to  remain  in  his  old  pulpit,  and  Mr. 
Makepeace  from  Luton  has  become  the  minister 
of  the  new  and  very  beautiful  sanctuanr.  Mr. 
Taughan,  whose  theology  harmonizes  I  believe 
with  my  own,  occupies  a  chapel,  or  upper  room, 
in  Wes^ate.  called  Zoar.  Besides  these  Bap- 
tist places,  Bmdford  contains  immense  chapels 
belonging  to  the  different  sections  of  Methodists, 
and  a  considerable  number  of  very  fine  episcopal 
houses  of  jyrayer.  I  have  not  called  them  churches 
because  I  cannot  see  how  the  word  church  can 
be  applied  to  a  mere  building. 

8BTXLE, 

in  which  we  held  three  large  and  enthusiastic 
meetings  (the  hall  in  which  they  were  held 
being  too  small,  comfortably,  to  hold  those  who 
desired  to  be  present),  is  an  interesting  town. 
The  scenery  around  it  is  peculiarly  picturesque, 
and  richly  beantifU.  Immense  limestone  rocks 
surround  the  town,  fhnn  the  summit  of  which 
much  that  is  truly  interesting  may  be  seen.  I 
found  here  three  small  chapels,  one  belonging  to 
the  Wesl^yans,  one  to  the  Indepeodenta,  and  one 
to  the  Primitives,  but  no  Baptist  house  of  prayer. 
The  Independent  minister  is  a  very  warm- 
hearted brother,  and  fVom  him  we  received  a 
S eater  amount  of  fraternal  kindness  than  we 
ve  received  from  some,  whose  views  of 
Christian  truth  fully  harmonize  with  my  own. 
I  was  much  interested  with  some  valuable 
Bonun  remains  I  met  with  here,  and  I  walked  a 
oonnderable  distance  fifom  the  town  in  company 
with  Mr.  W.  P.  Thomas,  my  useful  jroung  oof- 
league,  and  a  friend  belonging  to  one  of  the 
churches,  to  see  the  fkmous  ebbing  and  flowing 
well,  the  water  of  which  is  as  dear  as  erystel.  As 
I  sat  by  the  well  somewhat  wearied  with  my 
walk,  I  travelled  back  into  the  dim,  distant  past, 
and  with  my  mental  eye.  gaaed  upon  Him,  who 
rested  himself  beside  a  similar  object  and  talked 


to  the  Samaritan  woman  about  that  water  ot 
whieh  **  if  a  man  drink,  it  shall  be  in  him  a  well 
of  water,  springing  up  into  everlasting  life."  Of 
this  famous  well  at  Settle,  a  quaint  poet  once 
sung, 

**  Ibi  vena  prope  vice 
Fluit,refluit,  nocte,  die; 
Keque  novunt  unde  vena. 
An  a  sale  vel  arena.'* 
which  may  be  translated  thus  :— 

"  Near  to  the  way  as  a  tmveller  goes, 
A  fine  f^esh  spring  both  ebbs  and  flows ; 
Neither  know  the  learned  that  travel 
What  procures  it»  salt  or  gravel." 
Since  that  poet  tuned  his  lyre,  it  has  been  dis- 
covered that  the  syphon-like  fonn  of  the  hoUoii- 
in  the  rock,  through  which  the  water  finds  it« 
way,  causes  the  remarkable  phenomenon  he  re- 
fers to  in  his  lines.    From  Settle  we  proceeded  to 

OOLREt 

which  is  anj^hing  but  a  beautafld  town.  The 
streeto  are  badly  formed,  and  some  of  the  houses 
are  very  old,  and  very  ugly.  It  contains  about 
8,000  people^  and  to  more  than  an  eighth  nart  of 
ita  population  I  was  permitted  to  speak,  I  hope^ 
words  of  truth  and  soberness.  There  is  a  snutll 
Baptist  chapel  here  in  which  the  popular  theology 
is  presented  to  the  people.  I  founa  on  the  Bab- 
bath  morning  I  visited  it,  only  a  small  oongreffa- 
tion  assembled  within  ito  walls.  In  theevenmff 
of  the  same  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  a  large  and 
beautiful  hall,  to  a  very  attentive  and  overflowing 
conffregation,  and  I  hope  not  altogeUier  in  vain. 
I  believe  many  felt  it  good  to  be  there,  for 

*<  Joylike  morning  dew  distilled 

And  all  the  air  was  love." 

The  Wjlkdebbb. 

BBOOGNinON  OF  XB.  a.  WBBB, 

AS  PA8T0B  OF  THE  CHVBCX 

itsxtnta  IK  ziox  chapel,  ooLDiiroToir 

OBESCEFT,  ST.  PAXCBAS. 

Becoohitiob  services  are  not  new  as  angel 
vidta  are  proverbially  supposed  to  be,  for  tSty 
are  neither  far  between,  nor  are  they  very 
tew.  Unions  between  Churolies  and  mini*- 
ter0  in  these  sensation  days,  are  quickly  made  and 
almost  as  quickly  divorced.  Mr.  Right  is  an- 
nounced this  month  as  pastoi^  of  the  Church 
meeting  in  Changeable  street ;  and  we  are  rejHw 
ted  to  announce  that  there  **  appears  every  proa- 

Sct  of  success.**  Our  readers  barely'  nt  the 
telligence  befbre  we  are  again  desired  to  state 
that  Mr.  Bight  is  not "  the  right  man  in  the  right 
place,"  and  **  he  is  at  liberty  to  supply  any  om- 
iitute  Church."  The  fact  is,  the  solemn  relatioii- 
ship  between  Church  and  minister  are  not  looked 
upon  with  that  seriousness  andthoughtfhl  refleo- 
tion  which  the  case  demands. 

These  remarks  in  no  way  apply  to  the  Church 
at  Zion,  for  there  the  case  is  an  exception  to  the 
general  rule.  The  Church  there  have  never  had 
but  one  under  Shepherd  in  the  person  of  James 
Nunn,  of  whose  departure  to  a  "  oetter  country,** 
we  gave  our  readers  particulars  in  our  June  num- 
ber of  last  year.  But  we  have  to  rnxnrt  Mr. 
Webb's  Beoognition  as  the  successor  of  Mr.  Nunn* 
and  not  sermonize  in  this  wise. 

These  interesting  services  were  holden  on  Toes- 
day  afternoon  and  evening,  Feb.  2nd,  18M,  in 
Zion  Chapel,  Ooldington  crescent,  St.  Panccma. 
At  8  o'clock,  Mr.  Mans^  the  deacon,  commenced 
by  reading  a  hymn,  which  was  cheioAillT  song 
by  a  chapel  full  of  peoplcL  and  these  Zionites 
know  how  to  sing.  After  tliis,  Mr.  Pdls  read  the 
fonrth  of  Bphenans.  1  to  lo,  and  sought  the 
Lord's  blessing  on  the  occasion.    Mr.  BawUns 

Save  out  the  next  hymn  ,*  after  which  Mr.  Bloom- 
eld  made  some  remarks  on  the  Choreh  tram  the 
word%  '*  Upon  this  Bock  I  will  build  my  Church." 
At  the  dose  of  Mr.  Bloomfleld's  remarks,  Mr. 
George  Wyard  ascended  ihe  pidpitTaad  aaked 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


March  1,  1M4. 


THE  £ABTH£N  VBOSEL. 


73 


the  Usnal  QumUoiis.  In  the  flnt  places  Mr. 
Wjaid  nid  be  ahould  like  to  hear  a  Miort  state- 
ment  of  how  the  Lord  flnt  brought  him  to  know 
and  feel  himself  a  ainner.  To^sMr.Webh,  in 
a  lew  words,  replied,  noticing  the  way  in  which 
he  had  been  dee|»lv  ezeroifled  now  ninetero  years 
ago ;  and  eventoally;  alter  much  exerdse  of  mind 
how,  under  the  word  as  deliTered  by  Mr.  Wyard 
at  an  anniversary  at  Ilford,  his  soul  was  set  at 
Gospel  liberty.  Mr.  Wyaid  thanked  Mr.  Webb 
for  this  statement,  and  asked  him  to  give  some 
relation  of  the  exerdses  of  his  mind  respecting 
his  call  to  the  ministry.  Mr.  Webb  said  he  was 
not  Uke  some  of  his  brethren,  who  had  to  be 
■*  thrust*  into  the  ministry.  He  alwavs  felt  a 
longing  desire  to  be  eugaged  in  so  glorious  a 
won.     The  leadings  or  providence  were  then 


original  and  oondse  paner  on  his  belief  as  to  the 
doctrines  and  order  of  the  Ohurch  of  Corf  st ;  and 
we  then  had  the  particulars  of  how  Mr.  Webb 
had  been  led  to  accept  the  oversight  of  the 
Church  over  which  he  was  then  being  ordained. 
At  this  point  of  the  procedings.  Mr.  Wyard 
called  upon  some  member  of  the  Church  to  state 
the  reasons  that  had  led  them  to  choose  Mr.  Webb 
to  walk  in  and  cut  before  them  as  the  mouth  of 
Ood  to  their  souls.    To  this  Question,  Mr.  Marks 

Save  the  reply  on  behalf  of  tne  Church :  and  in 
oing  60,  he  spoke  of  the  late  Mr.  James  Nunn  in 
the  Hghest  terms  as  a  man  that  was  deeply  tried 
and  heavily  afBicted ;  but  a  man  of  God  who  was 
most  remarkably  Jed  into  the  mysteries  of  the 
Gospel ;  a  man  of  giant  stature  m  the  word  of 
God ;  and  a  man  whom  the  Lord  sent  up  to  the 
golden  city,  shouting,  *<  Hallelc^ah  I  BalIel^jah  I" 
After  Mr.  Marks^  statement,  the  members  of  the 
Church  were  requested  to  hold  up  their  right 
hand,  to  signiiy  their  desire  that  Mr.  Webb 
should  now  become  their  pastor.  This  being 
done,  Mr.  Wyard  told  Mr.  Webb  that  if  he  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  now  given  him  by  the 
Chureh  there  as  Just  expressed  by  their  show  of 
hands,  he  woula  please  to  si|nufy  the  same  by 
holding  up  his  right  hand.  Mr.  Webb  having 
aooepted  the  call  of  the  Church,  Mr.  Wyard  asked 
some  ministerial  brother  to  ratify  this  union; 
whereupon  Mr.  Webster  took  the  right  hand  of 
Mr.  Marks  (cm  behalf  of  the  Ohurch),  and  placing 
it  in  the  rignt  hand  of  the  newly-appointed  min- 
ister, aaid,^*  What  God  hath  jdn^  togjsther,  let 
no  man  put  asunder.''  Thus  the  marriage  con- 
tract of  this  Church  with  its  youagpastor  was 
openly  and  publicly  declared.  Mr.  Wyard  was 
to  have  delivered  ^a  Charge^"  or  words  of  warn- 
insL  of  counsel,  of  caution,  and  of  encouragement 
to  the  newly  recognized  pastor,  but  it  being  five 
o'clock,  the  afternoon  service  was  closed  by  a 
hymn  read  by  Mr.  Alderson,  and  theordinauon 
prayer  offered  by  Mr.  Hazelton. 

Alter  tea»  the  service  was  commenced  by  the 
pastor  giving  out  a  hymn;  and  prayer  was 
oAred  by  his  brother  William.  Another  hymn, 
and  Mr.  Wyard  addressed  the  pastor  from  the 
words  in  2  Timothy  iv.  8,  «  Preach  the  word." 
Mr.  Wmd's  remarks  were  based  upon  many 
rs  of  ministerial  life ;  and  we  therefore  had  a 
i  JUU  experimental  Charge  to  and  about  the 
work  of  a  minister,  which  MTr.  Webb  will  do 
well  to  call  often  to  remembrance,  liter  Mr. 
Wyard's  Charge,  addresses  were  given  by  Mr. 
AndenMo,  Mr.  Milner,  Mr.  Gi«en.7Mr.  Higham, 
Mr.  Bloomfteld,  Mr.  PeUs^  Mr.  Meeies,  and  (Shers, 
moetlj  of  a  congratolatoiy  character. 

ThoB  was  omi  thing  we  could  not  but  help 
ootfcing  at  these  serrioes;  with  the  exception  of 
theicmarks  by  Mr.  Maries  in  the  afternoon,  when 
spealdnff  of  the  leadingsof  pro videnoe  with  them 
as»GliiD«b»  aad  a  word  which  dropped  ftom 
Mr.  HighaBi  in  the  evening  meeting,  tne  menutty 
r  tbvfint  paatofv  and  the  man  who  established 


yearsc 

UmAJk 


%  WM  nfoit  eflbotwlly  buried.    In  iust, 


but  for  the  Instancea  we  have  just  mentioned,  one 
would  have  left  the  place  entirely  ignorant  of  any 
previous  pastor;  but  possibly  this  may  be  ac- 
counted tor  by  another  fect^that  scarcely  one  of 
the  ministers  who  were  atthese  services  ever  were 
either  in  the  Chapel  before,  or  had  any  connec- 
tion with  the  first  and  former  pastor.  But, 
James  Kunn's  memory  is  embalmed  in  the  souls 
of  thousands  of  the  living  family  of  God  scattered 
up  and  down  this  islana ;  and  on  the  table  of 
their  hearts  a  memorial  of  unfeigned  love  is  in- 
scribed to  the  God  of  all  grace  for  the  greet  and 
lasting  blessing  He  was  pleased  to  make  of  His 
servant  to  them ;  and  with  this  we  rest  perfectly 
satisfied. 

During  the  whole  of  the  day,  the  chapel  was 
well  filled;  and  a  large  number  of  ministers 
gathered  to  assist  in  tlie  services,  amongst  whom 
were  Messrs.  Flory,  Meeres,  Dowdall.  Webster, 
Winfield.  Green,  W.  Webb,  Higham,  Bloomfield, 
Milner,  Hazelton,  Alderson,  Anderson,  Chivers. 
Fells,  and  others.  A  cheerful  spirit  pervaded 
the  people  and  speakers;  and,  to  all  human  ap- 
pearances, a  large  sphere  of  usefulness  is  here 
opened  up  for  a  man  of  God.  We  desire  for  the 
Church  here  much  of  the  spirit  of  prayer,  that 
their  new  ps«tor  may  be  unto  them  a  teacher,  a 
leader,  a  guide,  a  counsellor,  and  a  spiritual  and 
lasting  blefsing.  To  the  pastor— whom  we  have 
long  known  and  loved  tor  his  sincerity  ond 
devoted  zeal  to  his  Msster's  service^to  him  we 
say,  **  Be  determined  to  know  nothing  unong  men 
save  Jesus  Christ  and  B  im  crudfled?'  And  may 
Heaven's  richest  blessings  crown  the  union  which 
we  have  thus  briefly  noBced.  **  B.'* 

lot.  BBUNT,  A  lot,  OOBNWBZJ/S 

OBDZKATIOK. 

On  Monday,  Feb.  15th,  Mr.  Comwell  was  pub- 
licly recomiised  aa  pastor  of  the  Particular  bap- 
tist Church  recently  formed  in  Mount  Zion  Cha- 
gel.  Cowper  road,  Stoke  Newington.  Mr.  John 
runt  (of  Bhadwell)  delivered  an  Address  on  the 
Origin  and  Design  of  OrdinatioDs:  in  which  he 
displayed  mndi  mteUigence.  growinff  talent^  and 
a  vigorous  spirit  toward  all  that  is  consistent 
with  the  revealed  will  of  God.  We  were  most 
sgreeably  surprised,  pleased,  and  profited.  Men 
sound  in  feith  and  loringly  determined  to  abide 
by  every  branch  of  truth— men  who  have  minds 
of  their  own,  and  who  are  industrious,  laborious, 
and  devoted  in  the  work  of  God.  are  not  numerous. 
We  hail,  thei«for&  with  sacrea  gratitude  such  a 
man  of  God  as  John  Brunt—who  has  for  the  last 
seven  years  at  Colnbrook,  aad  for  seven  previous 
years  at  Watford  and  Bedford,  proved  himsdf  to 
be  **  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed ;" 
and  whether  his  future  settlement  be  at  Shad- 
well,  or  Blackheath,  or  Beading,  or  Bt.  Keot'^  we 
trust  it  will  be  a  prosperous,  and  for  many  years 
a  permsnently  peaceful  one.  We underetsnd  Mr. 
George  Murrell  invited  him  to  become  co-pastor 
with  nim,  bnt  the  engagements  Mr.  Brunt  had 
entered  into  prevented  nis  unitinff  his  labours 
with  that  of  the  much  beloved  minister  of  the 
Chureh  at  St.  Neot^s«  With  all  our  heart  we 
wish  John  Brunt  God-speed.  As  an  able  minister 
of  the  New  Testament,  we  esteem  him  increas- 
ingly, and  with  real  sincerity  admire  the  grace 
and  gift  of  God  in  him.  We  venture  to  add 
(and  when  we  see  anything  like  real  goodness  in 
a  man,  we  delight  in  recommending  him  to  the 
notice  of  all  the  spiritnal  fiunily;  as  well  as  sug- 
flesting  any  improvement;  we  therefore  add) 
Rttle  more  dose  consecutivcness  in  abiding  " 
and  diving  more  deeply  Into  the  theme  in  hex 
a  little  more  apt  illustration;  a  little  more  real 
exposition  of  the  Word ;  and  a  Uttle  less  ref^ 
enee  to  pastdrcumstances^craring  hard  for,  and 
obtaining  more  of  the  unction  and  power  or  the 
HOLV  Osk;  and  then  we  hedtate  not  to  declare 
JoBH  BBvm;  will— by  God's  good  care  and  con- 
tinned  watering— be  an  honour  to  cor  seotk>n  of 


Digitized  by 


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74 


UUH. 


tilt  &mtitit,  tni  a  i 


bcr  IMD  fODHDM 

tam  brtrin^  ompt  wtoyt  iImi^m  liadiag 
aec^  the  IMien.  IB  OBP  pM«  a 


tiniQ,  iiuMcnf  ^v  HMP 
iiutmmfliitany.  mMtit  wvn  oar 
ftom  8iBldiig:aItogedMrnilo  llw^ 

After  1^.  BnuirB  aMiw^  ICr.  Joemli  Slory 
spoke  to  the  people,  and  ned  •  bemtifbl  hymn. 
wtttchwassuBg.  0.  W:  Bneto  nkedr  the  taear 
tions :  Ify.  Omnnreil'  lebitod  hie  eKperieMoiv  end 
deacnbed th*  way m wiiiohh* weebreoght wto 
the  miBiatry.  The  evowded-  leeemtoly  teettfled 
their  approbation,  and  sanotiaBed  and  weieoAed 
him  as  a  mhiistor  of  Jlssas  Christ  Mr.  Benrv 
Stanley  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  C  w. 
Banks  addressed  his  brother  Oomwell,  advisina 
hlRLftrat^aaaChxistfaii,  to  be  deeply  eonocsaed 
St  an  tfmns  to  maintidH  his  ehwaoter  as  a  tne 
disciple  of  the  Lord  his  Ood,  seeking  to  bs^  at 
home  and  abroad,  a  blessing  and  not  a  onrsa 
O.  W.  Banks  said,  note  ftw  msn  who  rsn  preseh- 
in&  negleoted  their  homes;  and  wiTse  and  6td\* 
dxcn  mourned  hi  almost  destliute  oonilnenieBt  at 
home,  while  their  panon-hushands  wera  tying 
in  all  direotions  for  pulpits.  He  had  reesntly 
reoaived  a  long  and  bitter  tsle  of  a  mimster's 
wift,  who,  fbr  years,  had  been  almost  abandoned 
by  her  husband,  a  large  fhmily  of  sickly  ehU* 
dren  to  rear  8ingle>hattded  with  small  means, 
had  broken  down  her  spirit ;  and  her  preaehing 
husband  has  now  separated  himself  from  his 
broken-heaxted  and  nriaed  wi#:  how  snah  a 
man  can  preach  Christ's  Cfospel  i»  a  mystery 
dtotf)  indeed.  O.  W.  Banks  next  advised  Mr. 
Oomwell  as  a  student,  entreating  him  to  endea* 
vonr  to  acquire  the  habit  of  getting  his  mind 
fined  ufntbMioj/oat,  sad  tiMn  jnrsiing  it  with 
thought  and  ■wriitstion  t»  the  utmost  of  his 
power.  Some  men  would*  ssy  they  could  not 
piay,  nor  oo«ld  they  studji;  then  tm^'Onght  not 
to  preach.  Ood  ia  ftdttafhl ;  andifasMneaawitft 
on  the  Lesd  hoMstiy  mad  t>«lg^  the  Lord  wttl 
snpply  him.  ▲§  a  praasber,  and  as  a  visitor 
ameng-the  people^  bvotiisv  Oomnnll  was  kindly 
adnonislpd.  Mn  IWtb,  of  Beiough  Gkrecm,  ad- 
dnssed  tba  chneh  in  m  wmdnam  sod  pleaaant 
sphit.  Mr.  Plery  and  Mr.  AbMham  fiosracd 
helped  te  dese  thin  veiy  solemn  astvieek 

WHAT  IS  WiJnSD  AT 
BTTMiT  ST.  BDMUVSS. 
Snv^Mnhing  Jaoaea  Howeli  haa  been  thsee 
anndayamaee  at  tha  Baaltodar  Baptist  Ohnpel 
hMe;  tat  wet  believe  bathinka  of  leaving  itTHe 
pleached  twa  QiindBMS  in  8«idrrieastsast.Xiondan, 
wOli  aaeeptaneo.  wa  helMPe  hahaa.yeft  a  wcrk 
to  do;  bat  Buy  SI.  Bdauuada  leqniiva  a 
BoBMBBeSf  a  asD  otf  thnnriar;  not  menly  "a 
Lovfeag  J  ohn  and  a  PraetieaL  Jaaaaa^*  in  one  man, 
fbathafcthegr  haaa  in  Oamlku  Blvwi  and  the 
ftnit  of  hia  lidMiia  tsiUlaab  fBv  gMMmtinna  yet 
tneoma.  AaamnoMbapafliaenofarlaeganian 
with  a  la«ga  lafia«  ha«^  aaanoH  ba  fomid  in 
Mi^famdf  stili  it  ia  pswlMs.ibra>minisfiw^isrene 
sanae,  ta  be  too  nnivsrsal,  and  toa  ganasl^  and 
too  ma^  snd  too  lenient,,  and  too  eaa^.  and  tao 
Aseitabla.  We  say  afaift*  Bnnr-  Bk  Udmnnde 
wnnlresasomef  thandetv  Bafraitonnd«inggnn« 
■■(  a  ttnmdiaingnMninarely,  btttnnuaatluBngh 
wbmn'ymQtA  of  CMary  thnnAentii.';     It  is 


of  «peaoh  by 
ty  iliWaifci  that  he 


thnndeBBd  GsaeeeR  bst  wa»  a  man  samighlgrt  in 
sloenftfa^thBthannAaMaheaieBitreMUBrAnd 
h^ee Clirisii ¥imeeii smaainsiitiaa  of  HISs own 
(Maeiplea.  Baanasgai^  wMah  is  tka«naqr 
l^dM  naknal^aawa  myi,  UknAan 
dHBSS^  hnftwagiTgiMHialiCaadaslil 


bSlttll 


badly  off" 


aona  highly  tniiMd  niniil 

dnntlpaa:  and  aha  haa  hiv  al(K  lo^  Med. 
Morad)  pai^  OosBaUnikWiio  hna>heaa  a 
ta^haa  naenla;  hnt  ^m>  in  not  amaMh. 


The  Paslioalar  Jk^^iist  Chunh  thann  ranofans  a 
Ami.- of  whonrik  waaaaid,  **ThaBawaatfaBDder 
hi  hisdnetriM^  and  Ug^Mbiairin  fat^Hfe."  Oh  I 
anrfikid  in  aownMil^  oar  Father  in.  Chdal^  fior 
ThyOhnrch^  saka»  jpiwa. ii» sam  Basm^aane 
PAVBflL  seme  WhitaAddn  again;  orwa lasandah 
and^sw  Oh,  that  wa  had  Mssar  in  pr^ar, 
pawer  in  meditation*  powar  in  tha  pnlpit,  yamu 
to  waiix  V  all  tha  goad  wave  ed  Oad  fiov  Ks 
alory,  for  withinit  tina  maniwii^  pqwwr  oun  aain- 
Sitera  are  paor,  and  ana  Ghnaahaa  ttaiu  Latna 
dy  toQod at BU merqr  tfaaone^  and  nnl  fio^pC 
BaiyfStBdflnun^ 

BTBKLH WH AST  ANiy  BZLJVfO'll.— 

Tlie  Church  meeting  for  worship  in  the  Strict 
Baptist  Ohapel,  Oharloltaelreei  near  tha  paiwle, 
Is  growing  into  usefulness,  and  we  hope  a  pro»> 
peet  cf  permanent  prosperity.  On  Snnday, 
Jan.  St,  three  sermons  wem  preached'  by  C.  w. 
Banks :  and  on  Ifonday  a  hapnr  and  pteaaing 
meeting^  for  tea  and  apiritnu  QDnrerae^  was 
holden.  On  the  Tuesday,  the  ehildien  of  the 
Sundaj^  School  aaaemb1ea»  and  tsajmd  a  twat 
was  given  to  ttiem  On  die  Mondi^  afniiiug 
Mr.  LodgCL  at  Bilston.  gave  two  addnHsea  &t  a 


spirited  cfuuracter.  Mr.  Thomaa  Skew  fin  re- 
porting on  the  prograss  of  the  oans^,  oneored 
the  friends  by  a  relation  cf  their  progress.  The 
brethren  Thomaa  and  Henrv  Drew,  with  their 
Christian  wives  and  fkmiUes^  ham  worked  hard 
under  Oodia  blessing^  tn  raise  r  oanae  of  truth 
in  Birmingham ;  antFaain  iltttn^  and  anlarging 
the  place,  a  debt  haa  been  incuctad,  weaaa  bola 
to  appeal  to.  the  weahSly  andr  the  gpod  fidendn  of 
truth  in  London,  to  help  them  to  rear  thia  in- 
ftnt  cause  in  thamidsC  of  onn  of  thamightlast 
and  most  productive  towns  ofour  native  Snd — a 
town  vrere  Satan's  seat  iadteadfhllyvlaibl^  wMle 
in  its  centre  stand  a  nnmberof  spaaona  churches 
and  chands,  whose  ministers,  Ibr  tlla  moat  part, 
axe  of  the  firee-wiU  and  laTarfan^dasa.  At  the 
meeting  refomd  to  Vtr,  Sodgrtta  c#  Bttidlfiy. 
Mr.  A^ood,  of  Bfltton.  and  olharfHenda.  aa- 
sisted  to  render  the  meeting  profllabliaL  The 
large  and  respedabla  gatherms  caused  us  to  be- 
lieve there  is  an  abunidaxMM  or  material  for  a 
flourishing  church,  Bven  wa  hope  to  Itva  to  see 
it  multiidy  greaay^  On  ttte  mtowing  Wbdaawlny 
0.  W.  Bknks  preaehed  ih  M^  JUMlgpli  now 
ofaapel,  when  we  were  ilkvouiwf'  to  sos  the  ohL, 
nearly  filled,  and  to  ieam  tharCfod*  hVmm  i 
Lodg^  in  this  place. 


THM  BAPTXSr  flVMMk'r  flOHOOI. 
TfNIOW.—sAt  our  aacualamadim— thtg  maatfag 
Pkhruary  %  hi  SJfclisahmji  talk  our  pnmn 
ascandad  thethroMe  of  9«sa forlkBr  btoarii^  of 
Oed  on  oua  sObrti;  aubaarlptiann  iStwna twaigan- 
jttemen  ware  added  t»  anrftaada^  wad  anaOter 

Ihepatatian OtoaaaatohetSStothi  linaiil  dla' 
triots- of  Lendaa,  t»  wkiohwill  ha  inaitad  nil 
the  teachen  keicn|tag  to  BWMR  nmUata. 
Sishrfctvitllonrepostodvevar  amaaiafcKr^ttiair 
reeepHoB  as  hv  aa  thaw  hadr  gona^  Of 
ooene  they  had  aascmpilaaa*  *  asMfU  nnvl  of 
their  undertaWnr aa  y«at  hat  I  tvoal  wa*  atakll 
all  ha  haapy  ta^  bland  ov  faiA««Bl»  aad^  our 
albat^ and nolta fon  anihni aU»  whaaar laaiaae 
enain;thagod«giadftriag«rim<iilaa  lihiahklrpH 
thaaoai,  taaithaheaiLiaag^thaiMlad  fiM'pm.lL. 
aad  ky  thai  graaa  of  Ob*  n  iHiw  ft0Qed«,tlie 
laaMed OI& ^  that  »iU  UimmI  jrantiL^^ar 
Id.   ThnffW»lAHliemaMneiilMLS|irfM»o«in 


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4Miblii^«i«ltttl  hnelbvoo: 
ofteok»  tonuM  totkim  aforyna^siutoUft  finr 
■nrnliMW  andt  allafltB  off  jfauoff  piBwia..  .And 
1  lun»  It  tiiU'nat  b»  loBg'Oeftira  «e  have  xtdapot 
«r  «0M$  to  mppiy  our  whooU  on  ftvounnla 
til  III  ▲'  imoleus  ot  alltnaiy  maj  Bonr  b»liad» 
had*  iwniw  iiiaiunt  apatiuwuta  ytopafy  for  many 
of  nai  and  fri«odi,  wcmiA  aantrHmto  tom  oar 
I|bmnat<  to  fbttm-  anoh.  attanaaui«>  ftor  ati  our 
B  t»  roftrto  ftiMlnir  panonai  andl  offlaial 
SUcfald-tlMM  l»aagr'  twaniiiCT.  or 
ttkiirto  aea  if  WB  sooaaad  before 
ttiM^Joliif  ta  them  iwtiay,  Daar  fBUow-laboanra 
totaa  baat  of  caunan  w^  afcaU  sanly  auaoaecLI 
InHevaj  and  we  the-  mDm  diraafetyi  nobly, 
■peudityt  and'ejLtmaivelT^  anceead^  it  yon^  laill  at 
<NM»  nnttfr-yonp  oordiai'  kwe^  of  the-  tnrtb,  and 
yomtpmcftktal  wiadom  wMb  oum 

W.  & 

ISSWICOC— Lord't  Sar,  Jtooary  \  1894, 
nine penooawere baptized  in  Bethesofa  Ohapd, 
I^flwlch,  by  T.  PooGk,  where  a  large  immber  met 
to  witoeaa  the  aolenin  and  delightful  ordinance, 
aad  trolv;  the  lUrine  presenoe  was  merciftilly 
l^ianted  to  the  adtnioistrator  and  candldatea,  tor 
«veiy  one  aaid  thmr  were  brands  plucked  out  of 
ttte  Are  by  Sovereign  mercy,  and  willingly  made 
fib  fiMlow  their  oeat  redeeming  Lord  in  ma  ap- 
QPinted  way.     in  the  altemoon  they  were  wel- 
comed  to  the  l^rd^a  table  with  two  more  from 
other  ehnrohes,  when  to  the  glory  ot  the  Lord 
<tf  the  feast,  the^  fed  on  the  deucioua  fare  his 
lore  prepared,  Himaalfdnwlqg  out  t  he  joy  of  the 
heart  with  a*<Bat,  O  friends;  drink,  yea,  drink 
aZmndantly,  O  belored.**     They  did  ae  asking, 
*'  Why  me,  O  Lord,  w4iy  mef^    When  the  whole 
ftMlhr  pteiwnt  paxtaolfi  of  thfl  aame  royal  spirit 
and  in  heart  ecmld  aay, 
**WliabcrQatiuea  baaide  are  faroured  like  ua  ? 
Iforeiean,  supplied,  and  bauquetted  thus : 
By  Qod  our  good  Father,  who  gave  us  His  Son, 
And  sent. Him  to  gather  His  children  i»  one. 
Bttlvatien^  of  Oof^ttie  efltet  of  free  graae^ 
Upon  OS  bestowed  beine  the  world  WA8, 
Oodfnm  everlaifitng  be  blest,  and  again 
Biaaf  to  everlaating^    Amen  and  amen.*^ 
Ajo4  bieaaed  be  our  gnwnoua  and  good  Kaster, 
who  was  alao  operaongupon  thehearta  of  some 
of  Hfs  children  among  the  host  of  spectators  ; 
othera  have  oome^sMdntt  we  wish  to  come  also, 
fcripe aee aad ftat' tfiedml  ia-with  yovL    May 


IftM  pMl^  ftftwdMfilef of  ehrifltrlmve  dtitied 
to  eslahlish  aSfBotobBilpllst  Ghorthfin  tWy  great 


told  there  i 


they 


in  London  holding 


.°« 


aany ^ 

&ith;  and  praoMcsy  who.wenlil  gliMtty 
oe^petato-  with  theaa-dianpiM  if  thc&v  etfeam- 
ataaeea  wen  known.  ShoiikL  thi»  axveat  the  at- 
taKtionofany  indisidnii  ao- diapoaad,  the-miter 
of  this.wauld  be  gUui  toi  oeaimumeMte  with  them 
ettber  psffsoaally  ortaQr  lettsc\  under  the  hep^tbnt 
bjrtbaDnine  bieaatafK  it  nay.  ImA  to  the  far- 
nsatioa  ofoneoaore  Stiiot  Communion  Ghiuoh, 
wharo  the  tmtb of  Ood  would  beset  fonh«  the 
lore- of  Obriat  proelaimed  to  perishing  aaxmen, 
,  aad  the  aouleof  the  fiuttafiii  madei  joyiiil  in  their 
Kingi    Imif deareir,y)ouB«a^ytnily» 

BOBEST  Bhm~ 
6,  Palestine  place,  Cambridge  iieatb«  liLB* 

'  OH!ABD.~I>ear  Brother  BMiks,  will  yon 
pleaae  inform  the  chnrchee  of  truth  thronah  tUe 
Earth  Kir  YsmEit  that  the  minister  of  South 
Ohard,  Somerset,  Mh  D.  &.  C^esswell  is  open  to 
supply  any  deatitnte  ohnreh:  He-  has  been  veiy 
sueoessftd  in  thiv  locality  in  hia  ministiy,  and 
Ood  has  wrought  powarhilly  by  him  to  the  eon- 
version  of  some  souls,  and  {lie  ehnreh  ir  very  re- 
luctant to  part  with  him,  but  the  spheie  of 
labour  is  too  small  and  limited.  He  has  been 
lonff  exercised  as  to  the  oourse  he-  ought  to  talie 
under  the  circumstances,  and  at  length  has  re- 
solved to  propose  tcrttie  South  Chard  church, 
that  they  spare  him  aa  often  aa  necessary.  The 
friends  met  on  the  sobjecti  and  expressed  thair 
regret  that  they  were,  too  poor  to  beableto&nd 
him  necoasnjiy  support.  And  rather  than  lose 
him  altooether  consented  to  hia  goiagout  when  re- 
quired. And  aajl  ministerin  the  adjacent  town  and 
aaar  well  aoquainted  with  the  ministerand  peoj^, 
and' truly  sympathixe  with  them,  and.  also  think 
that  brother  Ofesawell  is  well  calcolated  under 
Ged,  to  stir  up  the  slumbering  ehnrohes,  ItaliB 
the  liberty-  (^th  their  oonsent)  to  oonunend  fadm 
to  the  notice  of  the  churches  of  truth,  and  hope 
and  trust  that  yon,  my  dear  brother,  will  do  all 
3ron  can  in.  opening  hia-  way,  ao  uiafe^  h^  miQr 
serve  the  ohorehes'  in  need,  aad.  not  be  eon- 
strained  to  flive  up  Mar  ministering  entirely  at 

8 k     smtk  sinoere  sjrmpathy  withr  yova^f 

and  the-ohiiTO'heB  athmia, 

0.  H.  ^ 


b  Head  of  Hia  church  stir  up  His  minia- 
tera  and  people,  in  thia  day  of  awful  rebuke, 
that  while  aor  many  do  triile  with  the  dootrinea 
aad  diaoipllne  of  the  (}oapel  of  the  bieaaed  Qod, 
and  while  wareareahtjring,  aad  fire  deatroying 
thonaaads^  we  maiy  seeoor  aigas,  oleave-  to  our 
iBad^ariektoowrbaaaeBSf  be  vaUaat  for  troth, 
mtAMTomk  UMBMiomr  Losd^laU. 

BX09OBB— Our  brother  C^wnpin,  late  ot 
aenensham,  is  called  to  supply  in  Bedford  for 
tlliee  months.  He  is  an  inteulgenti  careftal*  hot 
fiathful  minister  of  Ohriat'a  Qoapel.  «eahaU 
■ijeios  if  the  leng-aighlag  aad  oft-fainting  cause 
•b  Bsdf on!  riasf  ui  atrauj^  and  provperi^  under 
l|»d*V  blearing  upon.  John  Grampin's  laboura. 
JoluLBunyan  aad  Bedford  aie  daar  names  to  us. 
We  brilev»  hundreds  in  that  town  long  for  some- 
tiring  more  like  real  Qospet  thaa  they  can  find  at 
eMler  the  Kxpeeifluatal  Badowed  OoUege^or  the 
Oliiriaai  Mautlm,  oe  at  even  the  olear,  oritieal 
IlDaMiufPraMv,  whiehriolMa  have  rolled  in.  Let 
John  Oramptn  roll  in  the  unaearehable  adobes  of 
^hrtst,  and  the>people  will  wjftice. 

SOOTOK   B^'PnSTS.— To  thk  BniToa 
«!*•»«  RkmrntrnVwrnni.    Ihum  ai%-.Will 
Madly  aUow  nae  to 
exoelle 


your 


llent  periodiAVtiwfiMCftlMa.tearloag) 


IfOTXXSra'  SZIjL.  — Mt^.  Williamson's 
anniversary  was  holden  FM>.  18th  and  10th. 
56ither  Sir.  John  Foreman,  nor  Mh  Jhmes  VTells 
could  fulfil  their  engagements  to  preaah.  beiag 
unwell ;  but  M>.  Bloomfield  and  tit.  PelleiHlea 
up  cheir  places^  We  hope  theae  veterans  will  be 
speedily  restored  to  their  xramerous  labours. 
On  the  15th,  Kr.  WUliamaon  aad  his  (Heads,  at 
J  ohnson  sCreet,  were  encouraged  by»goodly  com- 
pany to  tea,  and  many  ministers  addressed  the 
evening  audienee.  The  baptistry  ae  Johaslteet 
has.  been  much  improved;  a  new  gallerv  is 
about  to  be  erected;  a  hnrmoninnu  to  aid'  the 
singing,  iv  contemplated-;  all  wMoh  indkatv  a 
continued  steady  progress^ 

aO]KJiraU0IAIi  JbOiflLD.— The  ordination 
of  ACr.  Branka-took  plaoe  at  Bloomsbuiy  ohapel, 
Tharsday,  Beh.  18th.  Hr.  Bat,  of  Nottiagham, 
pieaahed  in  the  aftomooa ;  Mr.  Luokin  asked  the 
qiieationa;  and  Mik  Jay*  of  CamberwelL.  deUveied 
a  powerAil  aermon  in  the  evening,  in  the  oourw 
of  whioh.he reCarredto  the  late  pastor  of  Blooms- 
bury,  the*  mueh  beloved,  but  heavUy  afSteted 
Gabriel  BayAeld.  of  whom  Mt.  Jay  said, 
*^  GFabrifli  Bayfield  is  the  onlyiemaining  type  of 
tiie  late  BCr.  Joaeph  Iroa."  How  sad,  if  this  is 
trae.  a«briel  Bayfleld'a  Ulnest  IA'  a  painful 
trial  to  all  who  loved  aad  U^ed  under  his 
mfaiiakcy,  Of  Mr.  Banic^a  ordination,  we  hope 
to  give  more  partionlars. 


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76 


THX  EAftTHSK  VEBBEL. 


IbrdiltlSM. 


ru.       AT*  «l  .    IT  CUD  uc^wti^u  vwov*- 

f  oompuiy.  n  early  900  Mt  down 
reoing  Mr.  B.  Picker  opened  the 
.  Banlu  presided :  and  addraMes 


THB  TWBXiFTH  AimXVXBSABT 
OF  KB.  J.  BXiOO]EFIBZJ>>8 

PABTOBATX  AT  aAZJDC  CHAPU.,  MXABD*a  COUBT, 
BOHa 

Hb.  BlooMrau)  havinff  completed  eleven  yeara 
among  hia  people  at  BaMm.  the  event  waa  com- 
memorated on  February  9tli,  by  a  tea  and  public 
meeting.  On  the  Sabbath  precedinff  ■'•  bloom- 
Held  spoke  from  **  We  preach  Christ  erudfled." 
Indeed,  it  appears  this  (s  his  annual  custom ;  it 
was  the  theme  with  which  he  began  hia  ministry 
at  Salem,  and^t  is  the  theme  he  more  par- 
ticularly delights  to  expatiate  on  as  his  annivcr> 
sary  seasons  roll  round,  when  he  fiuls  not  to  im- 
press upon  his  Church  and  congregation,  that 
this  all  important  subject  has  had,  and  by  the 
grace  of  God,  shall  liave  the  most  promment 
place  in  bis  ministry. 

The  public  meetmg  was  very  numerously  at- 
tended. If  from  these  annual  jpatherings  inferen- 
ces may  be  drawn  to  show  the  ftvourable  standing 
of  a  minister  among  the  Churches  and  his  own 


may  say,  various  addressea  were  delivered  (the 
subjects  and  speakers  as  announced  in  our  last 
month's  number),  and  were  listened  to  with  great 
interest;  and  VLt,  Bloomfleld  pronounced  it  one 
of  his  best  meetings ;  and  pastor  and  people 
seemed  really  happy. 

SVIOTO&IA  PABX.-On  Monday,  Feb. 
tth,  n)edal  services  were  holden  in  Bethel 
Chapel,  Old  Ford.  Mr.  J.  Wells  preached  cheer- 
ftilly  to  a  goodly  a 
to  tea.    Intheeveni] 

meeting:  C.  W.  Banlb  presided ,  «•>»  w.u<ai»B 
were  delivered  by  the  brethren  J.  Whitteridge, 
8.  Coeens,  J.  Webster,  J.  Butterfleld,  J.  Inward, 
Comwell,  W.  Palmer,  ftc  Brethren  Oordeiier. 
Hose,  Strickett,  Floty,  Bayment,  Porter,  and 
others  were  present  The  place  was  densely 
crowded.  — — 

APPBAI«. 
Deab  Bditor,— Be  kind  to  say  the  Baptist 
Chapel  at  Cruawell  requires  to  have  a  new  roof 
in  it.  and  part  of  the  walls  to  be  rebuilt:  the 
people  are  very  poor;  they  ask  the  friends  of 
Zion  to  help  them.  Should  the  Lord  incline  any 
to  send  us  a  little  of  what  God  has  given  them, 
they  can  forward  it  to  Thomas  Lamb,  of  Cmd- 
weu ;  or  to  Thomas  l^ylor,  Chedglow,  Tetbuty, 
Gloucestershire,  which  would  be  thankfully  re- 
ceived. rCrudwell  Chapel  was  John  Wigmore's 
happy  place  of  ministry.  Instrumentally  we 
brought  him  ttom  there;  and  we  are  bound  to 
plead  for  them.  Cxudwell  people  deser^-e  real 
help.    LetnsaUhelpalittie.-Bi>.] 

$.tAt»  and  ©unfefs 

"MB.    OBACXKBWS   BBXOVAX^. 

OuB  kind  note  last  month  has  been  considered 
unwise.  Let  us  speak  freely  and  truly.  From 
the  very  commencement  of  Mr.  Crackndrs  min- 
istry, we  have  been  deeply  interested  in  his  wel- 
fare. At  his  first  settlement  and  in  his  subsequent 
zemovaL  we  were  instrumentally  employed.  Ai 
soon  as  he  received  the  invite  from  Cheltenham, 
he  laid  it  before  us— not  to  be  guided  by  us— but 
that  his  course  might  be  thoroughly  understood. 
In  answer  to  our  question  to  him  respecting  the 
Communion,  we  understood  him  to  say  the 
Church  at  Cambray  is  a  decidedly  Particular 
Baptist,  and  composed  of  people  wno  love  and 
labour  for  the  great  and  most  essential  principles 
of  the  Gospel.  We  could  say  much  by  way  of 
exposition  on  this  matter;  but  perhaps  Mr. 
Cracknell  may  feel  it  his  duty  to  inform  his  old 
fHends,  through  our  pages,  whether  his  well 
known  views  touching  the  prindples  and 
practices  of  the  Kew  Testament  have  undergone 
any  change. 


Xr.  J.  S.  OntoiaMlL— Dear  Mb.  Borob^ 
For  the  sake  of  truth  and  strict  church  prindptos, 
will  yon  ask  this  one  important  question  in  yonr 
March  number?  Is  the  Church  of  which  Mr. 
Crmcknell,  of  Daore  Park,  has  accepted  the  pa»- 
torate,  one  fomaed  on  New  Testament  prin- 
dples, or  Open  Communion?  This  is  an  im- 
Eortant  question,  and  asked  in  all  sincerity  of 
eart  by  a  lover  of  Gospel  order.  B.  O. 

Dbab  Bn^—Has  Mr.  Cracknell  thrown  hia 
strict  Baptist  prindples  overboard,  for  the  sake 
of  a  larger  diurcb,  and  perhana  a  hunger  salary  ? 
I  was  greatly  surprised  to  And  by  your  magazme 
last  night,  that  he  had  accepted  an  mvitation  from 
an  Onoi  Communion  Church,  when  no  longer 
ago  than  last  April  his  name  was  enrolled  aa  a 
member  of  the  **  Strict  Communion  Baptist 
Bodety,**  one  ol^|eot  of  which  was  to  try  snd  pre- 
vent the  spread  of  the  very  error  he  is  now  so 
ready  to  embrace.  How  long  it  will  be  ere  thia 
laxity  in  practice  will  be  followed  by  laxity  of 
doctrine  remains  to  be  seen ;  they  generally  go 
together;  and  some  of  the  Csmbray  people  nave 
a  great  horror  of  those  whom  they  designate 
"  Hypers.'*  It  strikes  me  that  a  young  man  who 
can  so  easily  and  readily  change  ms  colours,  is  Ux 
more  deserving  the  censure  and  disapprobation 
of  the  wise  and  good,  than  the  high  commenda- 
tion bestowed  upon  him  in  your  magaxine  for 
this  month.  I  have  no  personal  fisehng  in  the 
matter.  I  never  saw  Mr.  C.  but  once,  and  have 
no  connection  whatever  wkh  the  Oambrny 
bcople;  but  I  am  a  lover  of  consistency,  and  n 
lover  of  the  Babthsn  Vessel. 


AJCBBIOA. 

Wb  haye  received  painful  tidings  of  the  long 
illness  and  almost  starving  condition  ol 
our  friend  and  ndnistering  brother,  Jaaaee 
Hooper,  whose  residence  is  246,  West  82nd- 
street,  near  9th  Avenue,  New  York,  U.S. 
James  Hooper  was  a  member  of  Mr.  John 
Foreman's  church ;  afterward  at  Barnstaple ; 
and  now  is  settled  over  a  little  faithful  band  in 
New  York,  but,  through  lonsr  and  severe 
illness,  is  unable  to  preach.  It  rejoices  ns 
much  to  learn  that  recently  some  Baptist 
friends  in  New  York  have  found  him  out, 
and  have  endeavoured  to  relieve  him  and 
hie  family  in  their  necessities.  And  to  all 
James  Hooper's  friends  in  England  we  would 
say,  send  him  out  a  kind  note  of  sympathy 
to  cheer  his  poor  broken  heart,  if  you  can  do 
nothing  more.  We  believe  him  to  be  an 
honest  and  humUe  believer  in  Jesus— a  man 
loving  and  living  the  truth-^smd  we  pray 
the  Lord  to  raise  nim  up  friends  in  the  land 
of  his  adoption,  where  he  is  almost  a  ttran- 
e^er.  and  in  a  hot  and  heavy  furnace. 

We  have  not  seen  the  American  paper, 
entiUed,  "  TAe  CAriKiofi."  If  the  editor  wiU 
forward  us  copies,  we  will  send  him 
Eastbezt  YsssELfl  in  return. 

A  correspondent  inf  onus  us  that  the  SUmd- 
onf  party  in  Ameria  maii{/<a<  acruel  unUndnees 
toward  all  Ybssel  readers  and  friends.  We 
ask  our  friends  in  New  Y<>rk  to  procure  us 
some  active  agents  there.  We  could  circu- 
late as  many  thousands  in  America  as  we  do 
in  England  if  we  oould  only  get  the  agents. 
Let  our  friends  exert  themselves  and  oom- 
municate  with  us. 


Died,  on  the  last  day  of  January,  1064,  after  a 
lingering  illacas,  the  eldest  son  of  Mr.  Tvoicas 
BowxJUiiH  of  Ooggleshall. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


April  1,  1M4. 


THE  BARTHEN   TEflSBL. 


93 


''S^oxtawfnl  get   g^Iwaija   "^tjaitinj^:' 

WHAT    DOES    IT    MEAN? 

WITH  SOME  THOUGHTS  UPON  "VERY  PIOUS  PEOPLE"  AND 
"  NOTHING  BUT  LEAVES/* 


Tkb  Bev.  William  Pdrk«,  the  rector  of 
Opemhaw,  has  recently  issued  No.  4  of  his 
nev  series  of  penny  tracts,  bearing  this 
title,  "  Rejoicing  Soviets  and  Qroaning 
Veterans.**    (Manchester:  Edward  Slater. ) 

One  of  the  most  deci*ptive  abuses  of  the 
words  **/aUh,"  *' believing,*'  &?.,  is,  what 
may  be  termed  **  the  abstract**  —  **  the 
isomted;"  or,  the  abiding  and  nninter- 
mpted  AssuRiurcB  of  interest  in  Christ, 
and  a  constantr  rejoicing  in  that  great 
PACT ;  let  circumstances  be  whatever  thf»y 
may,  let  conscience  say  whatsoever  it  will, 
or  let  clouds  and  darkness  gather  arouod 
the  soul  thick  and  heavy  as  midnight 
itseU 

We  have  travelled  more  than  thirty 
years  amid  the  ranks  of  believers  in  all 
parts  of  the  country;  we  have  read  the 
livea  and  experiences  of  ministers  and  of 
private  members  in  the  church,  of  all  sec- 
tions and  of  almost  all  periods ;  but  in  no 
case  have  we  found  one  whose  faith  and 
assuranco  so  earned  them  beyond  them- 
selves and  their  circumstances  as  to  keep 
them  in  one  unceasing  strain  and  c<^ttrse  of 
joy,  and  p^^ace,  and  constant  gladness  of 
soul.  X 

"  The  iblly  and  absurdity  of  the  '  always 
rejoicing*  theory,  lately  become  so  fashion- 
able amongst  certain  religions  professors," 
is  by  Mr.  Parks  examined  in  a  masterly 
and  faithful  manner.  We  are  quite  cer- 
tain a  little  li^t  of  this  kind  is  quite  ne- 
cessary in  these  days,  when  **oelieiin^ 
and  "  r^'oidng,"  *'Jfyin^  to  Jettit^*  and 
**  resting  entirely  and  at  all  times  on  Hix," 
are  reoresented  as  exercises  and  pririleges 
EO  easuy  obtainable.  The  plain  fact  of  the 
case  seems  to  us  to  be  here,  and  let  it  be 
fidthftdly  declared  (if  we  are  deceived  and 
wrong  here,  let  us  stand  condemned  ten 
thousand  times  more  than  we  do ;  and  yet 
our  trembling  heart  cries  ont,  **0  Lord, 
in  mercy  spare  I"  but  let  us  express  our 
conviction)  :^that  the  pRorcssion  6/  re- 
ligion has  become  a  popidar,  a  pleasant,  a 
respectable,  a  lucrative,  a  neoessaiy,  and  a 
iasnionable  accompaniment  of  all  who  are 
not  onite  sunk  either  in  infidelity  on  the 
one  nand,  or  carnality  and  worldly-mind- 
edness  on  the  other.    The  wise  and  the 

Vol.  XX.— No.  237, 


wealthy  are  come  over  (professedly,  at 
least)  to  the  side  of  Christianity.  Her 
Majesty,  our  most  excellent  Qubbn  Vic- 
toria, espouses  the  cause  of  Christ,  per- 
haps as  far  as^she  thinks  she  can  ;  she  pa- 
tronises and  even  encourages  the  publica- 
tion of  ffood  books ;  she  retires,  as  much 
M  possible,  from  the  world,  and  in  '*  con- 
templations upon  the  God  of  Israel,"  we 
nora  she  spends  many  solemn  seasons. 
Queen  Victoria  is, — we  nad  almost  said, — 
the  noblest  "defender  of  the  Protestant 
faith"  that  ever  sat  upon  the  throne  of  this 
much-favoured  empire.  In  aristocratic 
circles,  bending  griMually  downward  even 
to  the  lower  classes,  there  are  many  thou- 
sands of  "  verypi&u8  people.**  We  use  not 
the  term  irreverently,  nor  sarcastically,  but 
simply  because  it  is  in  common  use  among 
the  Puseyitish,  Evangelical,  Congrega- 
tional, Wesleyan,  General  Baptist^  Ply- 
mouth Brethren,  and  Primitive  armies  of 
Christians  of  all  ages,  classes,  and  degrees. 
We  use  not  the  term  **  very  pioue  people** 
derogatively,  or  contemptuously ;  nay,  the 
Lord  forbid.  Oh  !  no ;  not  for  one  mo- 
ment: for  when  we  read  of  their  multi- 
tudinous efforts  to  do  good—when  we  read 
their  beautifblly-written  essays,  memoirs, 
pNoems,  prettjr  tales,  and  amazing  conver- 
sions, we  quite  envy  them,  ana  hope — 
although  sometimes  fears  will  arise— still, 
we  hope,  that  their  happy  piety,  their  ap- 
parent deep  devotion,  and  their  seeming 
self-denying  labours,  all  spring  from  the 
possession  of  a  much  lar^r  measure  of 
erace  than  we  ever  yet  attained  unto.  And, 
wen,  questions  arise  in  our  hearta  like 
these,— Was  Peter^s  vision,  "the  great 
sheet  knit  at  the  four  corners,  wherein 
were  all  manner  of  four-footed  beasts  of 
the  earth,  and  wild  beasts,  and  creeping 
things,  and  fowls  of  the  air,"  was  this  a 
representation  of  the    whole   election  of 

Sace,  or  of  only  a  part  of  them?  Was 
e  seventh  of  Romans  designed  to  shew 
how  men  come  into  the  experience  of  the 
eiffhth?  Was  *<the  whole  armour  of  God," 
whi<&  Paul  so  carefiilly  defined,  only  ne- 
cessary for  the  first  ages  of  the  Christian 
era?  Was  John  Bunvan's  Pilgrim**  Pro- 
grtse  a  kind  of  map  of  the  way  all  must  go 

Digitized !  u  tC 


94 


THE  ZAKIHXS  VESSEL. 


April  1«  18M. 


who  will  to  heaycn's  high  glories  oome  ? 
Or,  is  it  possible,  now, — now,  when  they 
build  so  many  churches,  such  eaudy  and 
elegant  edifices,  such  noble  and  commo- 


chapels,  halU,  fte.,^ik?io,  when  s^hix)U  are 
80  numerous,  colleges  so  efficient,  ministers 
so  gifted  and  so  talented, — n&w^  when  mis- 
sionaries, Scripture  readers,  Bible-women, 
and  eyangehats  nin  in  all  directions, — and, 
again,  we  say,  we  refer  not  to  these  enter- 
prises with  any  other  feeling  than  that  of 
thankfulness  on  the  one  side  of  our  heart, 
that  00  much  care  is  shewn  towaid  the  poor 
fallen  massea  of  the  people  ;  and  with  lope 
on  the  other  side  of  our  heart  that  tne 
Lord  Hinuself  will  bless  these  earnest  la- 
bonrers,  and  maka  use  of  them  to  lead 
home  thouaands  of  His  owt  sheep  to  the 
Divinely-appointed  fold.  But,  we  ask 
than,  now,  m  these  palmy  days,  has  the 
Christian  no  burden  to  oany?  la  the 
SUmi^  of  Despond  quite  filled  up  ?  Are 
the  lions  dead  ?  Has  Satan  ceased  to. worry 
thfoae  whom  he  cannot  devour  ?  Nay,  na^ ; 
when  we  see  with  what  overflawiag  siuseess 
the  papular  and  faahioasble  ohurdici  are 
attended,  and  when  wa  witness  the  paii^ 
afflfotionfl^  dinsiona,  and  heart-vending 
eeeaes  of  the  muoh-deapised,  yet  raaUy 
earnest  and  truthful,  foUowers  of  the  Lamb, 
we  aie  ten^ied  to  fear  that  the  one  mat 
adversanr  (and  all  his  infernal  hosts)  has 
left  the  romer  as  dreaming  and  deluded, 
while  amoiuf  the  latter  he  labows  with  un- 
ceasing maijca» 

We  could  not  easily  desoribe  with  what 
acute  sorrow  and  silent  grief  we  read  the 
following,  in  some  senses  correct,  yet,  to 
us,  in  evBiy  way  afflicUaff,  psoragn^h.  The 
preacher  is  describing  the  different  olaasas 
of  profesaora  who  have 

"NOTHING  BUT  LEA\'^." 

Ho8»a,— 


no  more  to  be  expected  from  them  than 
grapes  from  thorns,  or  fi^  from  thistles. 
Doctrine,  my  brethren,  is  to  be  prised 
above  all  price  I     Woe  to  the  Church  of 


dians  tabernacles,  congregational  churches,]  Ood  when  error  shall  be  thought  a  trifle, 


*  Another  very  numerous  class  have 
opvnioH  hui  not  faUht  creed  but  not  cre- 
dence* We  meet  them  everywhere.  How 
zealous  they  are  ibr  Protestantism !  They 
would  not  only  die  for  orthodoxy,  but  kill 
othem  as  well.  Perhaps  it  is  the  Calvin- 
istic  dactriae  which  tn^  have  received, 
and  than  the  Ave  points  are  as  dear  to 
them  aa  their  five  senses.  These  man  will 
contend,  not  to  say  earnestly,  but  savagely 
for  the  fSaith.  They  very  vehemently  de- 
nounce all  those  who  diner  from  them  in 
the  smallest  degree;  and  deal  danmation 
found  the  land  with  amaang  liberality  to 
all  who  are  not  full  waifidit  according  to  the 
baUaee  of  their  little  Zoar,  Behoboth,  or 
Jirah:  while  all  the  while  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  bowels  of 
eompaaaiwi,  and  hoUneas  it  character  aise. 


for  truth  will  be  figbtly  asteamad:  and 
when  truth  is  gone,  what  is  left  ?  But,  at 
the  same  tune,  we  grossly  mistake  if  we 
think  that  orthodoxy  of  creed  will  save  us. 
I  am  sick  of  those  cries  of '  the  truth,'  *  the 
truth,'  *  the  truth,'  from  men  of  rotten  lives 
and  unholy  tempers.  There  is  an  orthodox 
as  well  as  a  heterodox  road  to  hell,  and  the 
devil  knows  how  to  handle  Calvinista  quite 
as  well  aa  Azminians.  No  pale  of  any 
dbnroh  can  insure  salvation,  no  form  of 
doctrine  can  guarantee  to  us  eternal  life. 
'  Ye  must  be  bom  again.'  Ye  must  bring 
forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance.  '  Every 
tree  which  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit  ia 
hewn  down,  andcast  into  the  fire.'  Stopping 
short  of  vital  union  to  the  Lord  Jesua  by 
real  faith,  we  miss  the  great  qualification 
for  entering  heaven.  Yet  the  time  is  not 
come  whan  these  mere  head-knowers  are 
cursed." 

We  represent,  it  may  be,  aa  many  of 
these  little  Behoboths,  Zoars,  Jirehs, 
Bethels,  Carmels,  and  Ziona  as  any  publi- 
cation extant;  and  the  frequent  public 
contempt  cast  unon  them  by  this  great 
Solomon  of  our  day,  causeth  us,  and  many 
beside  as,  great  sorrow  of  heart,  and  wa 
humbly  ask,  is  the  liUlenesSt  the  weakness, 
the  creature-he^Ussnesg  of  a  church  its 
damning  feature  ?  In  London,  in  "English 
cities,  in  our  manufacturing  towns,  in  our 
agricultural  districts,  in  ^  parts  of  the 
XJmted  Kingdom,  these  little  Zoars  and 
Zions  exist.  The  worshippers,  for  the 
most  part,  are  the  very  salt  of  the  earth ; 
they  are  the  men  who  sigh  and  ciy  for  the 
abominations  that  exist  in  the  land ;  tMr 
nunisteza  are  net  furnished  with  axtraor- 
dinaiy  gifta;  their  pastors  ara  not  rich 
either  in  daaiical  loss,  the  use  of  anecdotaa, 
or  the  poeaebsion  of  wealth.  Many  of  them 
have  not  the  charity,  the  bowels  of  com- 
passion, nor  the  laigeness  of  soul  we  could 
desire.  But  how  many  thousands  of  them^ 
ministers  and  laymen — work  hard,  Uve 
hard,  walk  hard,  and,  in  eveiy  sense,  **  en- 
dure hacrdness  as  good  aoldiera  of  Jaaua 
CiiBieTl"  Their  temptations  are  painful 
in  the  extreme ;  their  toils  and  trials  are 
heairy  and  severe ;  their  friends  are  con- 
paratiTaly  fow;  their  foea  are  mighty  and 
many;  but,  with  little  more  than  "  Ohiiat 
and  acruat,"  they  press  on — they  persevere : 
instrumantally,  they  uphold  Trvvh  in  tha 
land,  and  feed  the  poor  of  the  fiock^  and 
while  neither  thay  nor  ouraelvea  would 
envT  the  man  who  can  command  hia  thon- 
saiida  upontbouaands — ^while  we  would  de- 
Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC    • 


J«dl  1,  JM4. 


^ 


aire  to  T%adBc  thanks  to  God  for  Qvery  dii- 
pcnsadon  of  tbe  Gospel— let  it  be  by  whom 
it  nuij— still,  we  venlar«  to  aiik,  on  the  be- 
half of  the  captauw  over  fifties,  is  it 
Chzist-liJte  indiroctlj  to  enaie  them,  be- 
cause thMr  amnbeis  are  few,  beeanse  theii- 
gifts  are  small ;  b^eause  their  minds  have 
not  been  much  salaigtd ;  beeanse  their  in- 
finence  is  scant;  because  their  means  are 
poQt  in  the  extreme,,  and  because,  among 
them,  ma^  be  now  and  then  one  or  more  <2' 
"  rotten  hires  and  nnholy  tempets?"*  NaT, 
we  think  such  eonten^t  grieves  thousands 
of  the  broken-hearted  who  reallj  and  daily 
mourn  in  Zion,  while  snch  eontempt  leads 
the  nnoiroamcifled  to  lau|^  us  to  soom. 

It  is  a  most  Jamentable  fiust,  that  the 
Pioli9asing  Chureh  has  $earce^  ever  pat 
fiwth  any  ybtj  gigantic  d£>rt,  but,  sooner 
or  later,  a  dark  cload  has  covmd  it.  From 
Sobmon  to  Heiekiah,  and  taking  a  veir 
nuuah  h»^  stretch,  from  Heaekiah  to  £d- 
waid  Imag,  there  has  been  written  in 
lettees  (streaming  with  blood  and  the 
Uadcest  of  soTiewB)--brok!ea,  yet  blazing 
lettera— not  to  be  mistaken,  "  Let  him  that 
(kinketh  he  ttandeth  taJte  hnd  le$t  hefaUr 

Away,  then,  from  thii  scene,  where  the 
peofkle  pay  so  preeioaa  dear  for  the  Gospel 
thsy  getr-wheie,  with  the  left  hand  Truth 
is  mnbraeed  (with  a  genius  and  mental 
power  hardly  evur  surpassed,  and,  we  hope, 
with  a  heart  beating  high  in  its  love  to 
Qod  and  His  glory  in  the  salvation  of 
souls),  but,  where,  with  the  right  hand, 
Tairra,  and  her  poor  ragged  children,  are 
often  stabbed  to  the  heart,  and  with  the 
utmost  soom  cast  down  into  the  dust 
Away — with  daily  tears  of  real  heart- 
breaking sorrow,  we  lum<— because  much 
as  we  rejoice  in  every  branch  of  Zion's 
prosperity,  yet  in  any  way  to  see  "the 
Church  cutting  at  and  eondemninf  the 
Chorch," — to  hear  ministers  who  profess  to 
stand  with  Luther,  Toplady,  and  even 
pnach  Tobias  Oiisp's  sermons  over  again, — 
to  hear  such  men  raiHng  at  their  fellows^ 
IB  moat  lamentable;  therefore  we  turn  to 
One  who  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as 
We  are,  yet  without  sin  (and  then,  some, 
times,  a  little  hope  and  help  is  found),  and 
around  the  feet  of  this  once  bleedixig  Inter- 
oeSBor,  we  sometimes  meet  a  saan  like  Wil- 
liam Parks,  of  Openshaw,  from  whose  tract 
on  the  impossibility  of  Christians  *'  Always 
fi^oieing^  here,  we  gather  an  extract  or 
two.  1^  take  not  conteeative  nor  critical, 
bat  the  most  expastmental  paragraphs:— 

"  The  li^ft  of  a  iHnistian  is  a  struggle,  a 
ii|^  a  eonfliet,  a  warfive,  in  which  the 
moat  desperate  efforts  are  made  by  the  ardi- 
eaemy  of  sonk  to  ofarthrow  him ;  and  how 
any  real  aetor,  aoUier,  at  eombatant  In 
a  stBfs  eaa    always  r^ioe,  ia  aa 


I  utterly  incomprehensihle  to  mc  aa  the 
!  skipping  and  singing  of  a  regiment  in  the 
,  midst  of  the  din  ana  roar  of  battle.  After 
a  victory  (even  a  temporary  one)  I  could 
I  uttdemtand  the  regiment's  delight;  bat  as 
I  long  as  .there  was  danger  about,  or  the 
smart  of  wounds  felt,  or  mt  terrible  slaugh- 
ter by  the  enemy  witaeased,  I  should  un- 
hesitatingly pronounce  the  men  composing 
it  to  be  insane  I 

"  I  know  that  Paul's  own  expressionaare 
brou^t  to  bear  against  mv  views  upon  this 
qaestion.  The  antithetical  phrase,  'Sorrow- 
ral,  yet  always  r^oieing,'  is  pointed  to  as  an 
unanswerable  proof  that  if  this  be  not  the 
ordinary  Christian's  experience,  he  doesn't 
know  the  Lord.  But  what  fallacious  folly 
is  this !  What  schoolboy  superficiality  is 
here !  What  outrageous  recklessness  does 
such  dealing  with  the  Word  of  God  exhibit ! 

*<  Am  I  Paul  ?  Have  I  Paul's  graces, 
Paul's  privileges,  Paul's  power  ?  Nay,  for 
though  I  have  *  like  precious  £edth'  with  him, 
it  is  not  of  the  same  measure  or  quantity, 
and  in  comparison  with  him  I  am  but  a 
weaklin|^  and  a  babe  I 

**  Besides,  must  it  necessarily  follow  that 
because  Paul  has  stated  to  the  Corinthians 
that  he  was  '  always  rejoicing,'  his  words 
are  to  be  taken  in  their  hteruity  f  Does 
the  word  •  always'  invariably  mean  continu- 
ally, continuously,  uninterruptedly  ?  Surely 
not  We  read  elsewhere  that  'Cornelius 
prayed  to  God  always.'  (Actsx.,  2.)  And 
we  read,  too,  that  the  Apostle  exhorted  the 
Epheaians  and  the  Theesalonians  to  pray 
'  always'  (Eph.  vi.,  18. ;  1  Thess.  v.,  17 :)  but 
surely  no  man  in  his  senses  would  under- 
take to  show  that  there  was  never  any  inter- 
Xuptkm  to  Cornelius's  pravers,  or  never  any 
cessation  to  those  of  the  ^phesians  or  Thes- 
salonians !  Yet,  till  this  is  done,  the  advo- 
cates for  the  *  always  rejoicing'  theory  must 
be  content  to  be  regarded  as  talking  with- 
out book. 

"Paul  was  terribly  afflicted  with  ^a 
thorn  in  the  flesh,'  which  so  harassed  him 
that  he  besought  the  Lord  three  several 
times  to  remove  it;  but  the  Lord  would  not 
|;iant  his  nation  (2  Cor.  xii,  7,  8).  Now 
It  is  wholly  incredible*  that  Paul  rejoiced 
whilst  he  was  strugj^ing  in  ijrayer  &t  the 
removal  of  Una  annoyance — this '  messenger 
of  Satan'  that  so  buffeted  him.  True, 
again,  he  says, '  Therefore,  I  take  pleasure 
IB  infirmities.  I  will  gloxy  in  my  infirm- 
ities' (2  Cor.  xii.,  9,  10) ;  but  we  must  re- 
member that  this  was  after  the  Lord  had 
soothed  and  consoled  him  concerning  this 
matter,  and  not  whilst  he  was  in  the  midst 
of  his  conflict 

"Though  Paul  frequently  emplovs  the 
tenn  '  rejoiee'  it  is  not  at  all  d^ar  that  he 
means  by  it  what  we  mean  by  it ;  and  it  may 
help  uaeaacated  persons  to  kn^  that  the 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


H 


THX  BAmTHKN 


April  1,  ItM. 


pAMMgM  in  Philippians  iii.,  1,  and  it.,  4, 
and  1  Thefls.  t.,  16,  mein  nothing  more 
than  an  affectionate  greeting  at  parting. 
The  word  rendered  '  rei'oice*  here,  haa  been 
more  aecuratelj  translated  *  farewell'  in  2 
Cor.  xiii.,  11.  It  ia  the  simple  word-form 
of  greeting,  and  means,  'May  all  go  well 
wiUi  you  in  a  Christian  way ;  may  ^ou  be 
happy  as  a  Christian  ought  to  he,  t.  e.,  in 
Chnat.*  And  even  if  it  meant  what  the 
always-rejoicing  theorists  would  have  it,  we 
must  remember  that  it  by  no  means  follows, 
because  we  wish  a  man  to  bo  joyous  and 
happy,  he  must  consequently  be  so.  Ten 
thousand  apostles  might  call  upon  me  to  re- 
joice, or  wish  me  to  be  happy,  and  yet  I 
might  find  it  impossible  to  do  the  one,  or 
be  the  other. 

"  Some  of  us,  at  least,  know  what  it  is  for 
the  enemy  to  'come  in  like  a  flood,'  and, 
what  is  more,  for  dark  and  blasphemous 
unbelief  to  take  possession  of  us  whilst 
waiting  for  the  Lord  to  fulfil  His  promise, 
'  I  will  lift  up  a  standard  against  him  !*  It 
is  idle  to  talk  about  rejoicing  then.  What ! 
when  everything  goes  crosswise  ?  When 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil  are  all 
banded  tosether  against  us?  When  the 
world  insiUts,  and  the  flesh  tempts,  and 
the  devil  taunts  us?  Impoesible!  Im- 
possible I 

" '  £very  man,'  says  Rutherford,  '  is  a  be- 
liever in  the  day-light ;  but  I  And  it  hard 
work  to  believe  when  the  course  of  Provi- 
dence goeth  crosswise  to  our  &ith»  and 
when  misted  souls  in  a  dark  night  cannot 


know  east  by  west,  and  our  sea  compass 
seemeth  to  fail  us.*^  O  how  the  letter  of 
the  Word  deoettes  simple  souls !  They  see 
it  written,  *  B^oioe,^  *  Alwojfi  rejoicing^  end 
the  poor  creatures  jump  to  the  condusion 
that  because  the  words  are  there,  the  feeling 
must  be  or  ought  to  be  in  their  souls !  So 
they  come  forth  and  mock  us  with  that  we 
know  to  be  a  lie  or  a  delusion,  and  say, '  Wt 
always  rejoice,  and  they  who  do  not,  know 
not  the  Lord!' 

"  As  well  might  they  tell  us,  because  the 
words,  '  Be  ve  perfect  as  my  Heavenly 
Father  is  perfect,'  are  in  the  Scriptures, 
therefore  we  may  beperfect.  But  some  one 
asks, '  And  does  the  Christian  never  rejoice?' 
To  whom  I  reply,  yes,  the  Christian  is  en- 
abled to  rejoice  sometimes,  but,  for  the 
most  part,  it  is  at  intennals  far  between  that 
he  is  inclined  to  take  his  harp  from  the  wil*- 
lows,  and  sin^  praises  to  his  God.  It  is 
with  the  Christian  as  with  the  seedier.  When 
victory  has  been  achieved  he  rejoices,  but 
not  in  the  midst  of  conflict.  It  is  with  the 
Christian  as  with  the  suflTerer.  When  Uiere 
is  a  respite  from  pain,  there  is  joy  of  heart, 
but  not  in  the  agonies  of  torment. 

"When  the  Christian  can  realise  the 
Saviour's  presence,  when  he  has  had  prayer 
answered,  when  he  has  escaped  the  net  of 
the  fowler,  when  he  has  received  a  sweet 
promise  into  his  veiy  soul,  he  rejoices  in- 
deed; but  as  these  things  are  not  always 
happening,  it  is  clear  the  Christian  is  not 
always  rejoicing." 


THE  PLAIN  MAFS  PENTATEUCH : 

OR,  Titn 
PREACHER   AND   HIS    PREACHING. 


I  WAS  glad  to  And  that  Mr.  Spurgeon 
studies  good  old  Trapp.  I  saw  a  quotation 
from  that  ancient  commentator  in  a  recent 
published  senUon  of  Mr.  S.'s,  and  being  so 
fond  of  Trapp  myself,  I  rejoiced  to  find 
others  occasionally  consult  him.  It  was  a 
saying  of  the  late  Isaac  Beeman,  of  Cran- 
brook,  that  he  alwavs  laboured  to  get  from 
the  Lord  Himself  the  mind  of  Chust— the 
mind  of  GoD^the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  in 
any  text  he  might  be  led  to  atudy ;  and 
having  thus  drunk  in  the  Truth  from  the 
Fountiun  Head— having  well  digested  it  in 
his  own  soul's  experience— be  sometimes 
referred  to  Gill,  and  others,  to  see  if  they 
were  led  by  the  same  Spirit.  Thus  he  was 
oft-times  confinned  and  comforted. 

When  ministers  speak  light^  of  books, 
book-makers,  and  authors,  commentators, 
and  interpreter,  I  ask  myself  (and  I  would 


ask  them,  if  I  dared),  three  plain  ques- 
tions:— First.  Did  you  ever  know  a  per- 
manently successful  and  useful  minister 
who  had  no  library  ?  A  pastor,  a  preacher, 
a  biblical  student,  a  workman  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard,  without  his  Ubrary  ?  Kay.  That 
dear  old  man,  John  Warburton,  did  ex- 
hort'William  Allen  to  read  no  book  but 
tiie  Bible ;  but  when  William  called  to  sec 
John,  he  found  him  surrounded  by  many 
excellent  books.  Such  mighty  men  as  John 
Bunyan  and  George  Whitfield  could  not 
make  much  use  of  books*  One  was  shut 
up  in  prison,  and  lived  in  times  where  and 
when  he  could  not  have  books  to  any  ex- 
tent ;  the  other  was  such  a  flying  evaligc- 
list,  that  he  could  not  have  recourse  to 
what  are  called  "dead  men's  brains." 
George  Whitfield  fo^nd  text,  sermon,  com- 
meat,  notes,  and  all  in  the  ann]^  Goapel 

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<»f  Jetut,  and  such  was  his  bumiug  lore  to 
the  souls  of  his  fellov-inen,  and  such  wore 
the  rich  anointings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on 
his  soul,  and  sacn  was  the  frnitfmness  of 
his  mind,  the  ilnencyof  his  tongue,  and 
the  use  which  he  could  make  of  erer^hing 
he  saw  or  heard,  and  so  frequent  and  con- 
stant his  laboun,  that  he  needed  not  to 
arail  himself  of  any  raj  of  light  an  ancient 
student  might  throw  upon  the  text.  With 
such  mre  exceptions,  most  ministers  have 
their  book-sheiTes  and  librarj  tables  pretty 
well  stored. 

Thra,  secondly,  I  would  ask,  do  these 
gaod  men  content  themselves  with  merely 
icnowing  the  books  are  there,  yet  never 
lo(^  into  them  ?  I  have  heard  that  good 
young  John  Pells  read  consecntirely  the 
whole  •f  Caryl  on  Job,  besides  many 
other  books,  which  has,  under  Gk>d,  greatly 
helped  to  expand  and  fill  up  his  mind. 
But,— 

Thirdly.  Let  me  ask  the  contemner  of 
booka  this  question :  "My  friend,  doth  thy 
wrath  against  good  books  come  from  thy 
poverty,  so  that  jou  cannot  obtain  them  ? 
Obr  from  thv  laziness,  that  thou  wilt  not 
apply  thyself  unto  them  ?  If  from  the  for- 
mer, I  pity  thee ;  if  from  the  latter,  I  say 
cease  thy  prating  in  that  direction ;  for 
every  common-e^nse  hearer  of  thine  will 
clearly  see  ^at  thou  hast  suqh  a  large 
measure  of  the  Spirit  in  thee,  that  thou 
lackest  little  or  nothing  from  any  other 
source,  which  reaUy  is  tne  happy  privilege 
of  here  and  there  one ;  or,  he  will  see  thy 
«mptxne88  and  vain  boasting,  so  as  soon  to 
leare  thee  to  thyself  and  to  thy  vain  con- 
ceits. 

«•  Wkere  to  Find  Fruit,'*  is  the  title  of 
the  sermon  referred  to.  **  From  Me  is  thy 
fruit  found,"  was  the  text.  The  preacher 
aaid,— "  According  to  Master  Trapp,  some 
re«d  this  passage,  *In  Me  is  tny  fruit 
ready.'  Certain  it  is  that  at  all  times, 
whenever  wo  approach  to  G-od,  we  shall 
find  in  Him  a  reMy  suppljr  for  every  lack. 
The  beet  of  trees  have  fruit  on  them  only 
at  appointed  seasons.  Who  is  so  unrea- 
sonable as  to  look  for  fruit  upon  the  peach 
or  the  plumb  at  this  season  of  the  year  ? 
No  drooping  boughs  beckon  us  to  partake 
of  their  ripening  crops,  for  winter's  cold 
still  nips  the  bu£.  But  our  God  hath  fruit 
at  all  times:  the  tree  of  life  yieldeth  its 
frruit  every  month;  nay,  every  day  and 
every  hour,  lor  He  is  'a  very  present  help 
in  time  of  trouble.' 

"Another  translator  reads  tlie. passage, 
*In  Me  thy  fruit  is  enough.'  Whatever 
miy  be  the  accuracy  of  the  translation,  thtt 
sentiment  itself  is  most  corrept.  In  God 
there  is  enough  for  all  His  people;  and 
well  there  mav  be.  since  in  Him  there  is 
ii^hiity.      'I  have  enough,  my  brother,' 


said  Bsau  when  he  met  Jacob :  '  I  have  ail 
things,'  said  Jacob  in  reply.  None  but  the 
believer  can  say,  '  I  have  all  things  ;'  and 
therefore  only  ne  can  be  sure  of  having 
enough.  Ishmael  had  his  bottle'of  water, 
and  went  away  into  the  wilderness;  but  it 
is  written,  that  Isaac  abode  by  the  well: 
how  happy  is  the  soul  which  hath  learned 
how  to  live  by  the  well  of  his  faithful  God! 
for  the  water  will  be  spent  in  the  bottid, 
bat  the  water  will  never  be  spent  in  the 
welL  Christian,  remember  the  all-suffi- 
ciency of  thy  God !  Let  that  ancient  name, 

•  El  ShaddaV-^Qod  ali-sufficient,  sound  like 
music  in  thine  ear ;  as  some  translate  it, 
'The  many-breasted  God,'  yielding  from 
Himself  the  sustenance  of  all  His  crea- 
tures." 

Kow,  let  us  come  to  giva  a  few  words  at 
a  time  from  this  rare  old  scholar  John 
Trapp,  with  whoe<*  testimony  I  may,  here 
and  there,  give  some  expository  notes  from 
others.  My  motive  is  simply  to  stir  up  the 
hearts  of  good  men  to  study  more  intensely 
the  precious  Word  of  God. 

"  *  In  the  beginning t  Ood  created  the  hea- 
vens and  the  earth,'  A  beginniug  there  was, 
then,  whatever  Aristotle  fancied  of  the 
world's  eternity.  So  true  is  that  (saying) 
of  a  learned  Italian :  Fhiloeophy  seeks  after 
truth;  Divinitg  only  finds  it;  Jieljgion  int- 
proves  (i.e.,  manifestjj  it,  *  *  *  The  mys- 
tery of  the  blessed  Trinity  is  expressed  by 
Elihu  (in  Job  xxxv.  10),  Eloah  GnoscM, 
God,  ?/iy  Makers.  *  None  saith^  AYhere  is 
GoD,  my  Makers,  who  giveth  songs  in  the 
night?"' 

The  Fatiibr  made  all  the  elect  one  IN 
CHRIST,  and.  oxb  AVITH  CHRIST,  iu 
the  covenant  of  grace.  The  BoK  made 
them  righteous  by  His  riehteousness,  and 
clean  from  eyery  spot  and  wrinkle  by  His 
precious  blood-sheading.  And  the  Spirit 
makes  them  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus. 
If  any  man  be  in  Chbist  (by  the  power 
and  grace  of  the  Spirit),  he  is  a  new  crea- 
tion; or  has  in  him  a  new  creatioii,  which 
unregenerate  men  never  have.  To  them, 
even  in  this  night  of  a  dark  world,  Ih' 
giveth  many  songs. 

"Divid  (in  Psalm  cxlix.  2),  &ays,  *Let 
Israel  rejoice  in  the  Maker  of  Israol.' 
While  Solomon  says,  '  Remember  thy  Crea- 
tor in  the  dilys  of  thy  yoxith.' 

*'  To  the  same  sense,  sweetly  sounds  tlie 
Haphtora,  or  portion  of  Scripture  which  is 
read  by  the  Jews  (namely,  Isaiah  xlii.  5)  : 

*  Thus  saith  God  the  Lord,  He  that  created 
the  heavens  and  stretched  them  out;  lie 
that  spread  forth  the  earth,  and  that  which 
Cometh  out  of  it;  He  that  giveth  breath 
unto  the  people  upon  it,  and  spirit  to  them 
that  walk  therein') :  this,  ana  Genesis  i., 
the  Jews  read  together.  Also,  that  of  iha 
Psalmist :  '  By  the  breath  of  the  Lord  wero 

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XABTHBf 


April  1*16M. 


the  heaTens  made,  and  all  the  host  <yf  th^m 
bj  the  breath  (or  spirit)  of  His  month  :* 
that  is,  Odd  the  Father,  by  the  Son, 
through  tl^  Holy  Ghost,  created  all.  This 
THmeaist,  an  ancient  Egyptian,  who  fl<m- 
rished  before  Pharaoh,  aeloiowledeed,  and 
from  thence  had  his  name.  The  Hebrews 
of  old  were  no  strangers  to  this  mystery, 
thooffh  their  posterity  nnderstood  it  not. 

**"&.  Solomon  Jarchi,  writing  on  Can- 
tides  i.  11  (which  we  read,  *  We  will  make 
thee  borders  of  gold  witii  studs  of  jrilver), 
intexpreted  it  thus,  *  /  and  my  judgment- 
haXL*  Now,  a  jndgment-hall  in  Israel  con- 
sisted of  three  at  least,  which,  in  their  close 
manner  of  si>eech,  they  M»plied  to  Gon, 
who  is  TAree-in-One,  and  One-in-Three." 

From  this  short  exposition  you  may  see 
how  deeply  Trapp  searched  into  the  hidden 
parts  of  every  sentence  of  God's  Word :  so 
that  its  harmony,  whidi  to  teany  of  us  may 
be  hidden,  is  most  beautifully  made  trans- 
parent. 

I  must  confess  that  Trapp  is  not  so 
grand  and  full  upon  the  Trihitt  as  many 
others.  The  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  the 
existence  of  the  Trinity,  the  knowledge  of 
the  Trinity,  a  liring  fiuth  in  the  Trinity, 
and  fellowship  with  ekch  and  every  Person 
in  the  all-|;lorious  Trinity  in  unity  is  so 
very  essential,  as  the  foundation  and  root 
of  all  religion,  of  all  worship,  of  all  eiycnr- 
ment,  and  of  all  salvation,  that  I  cannot  be 
content  to  confine  myself  here  to  Trapp. 

The  Bible  opens  with  this  the  highest 
mystery  of  all  things  revealed;  and  as 
£uth  in  this  mystery  is  needfhl  to  qualify 
ns  for  the  church  below  and  for  heaven 
above— as  this  mystery  seems  to  be  so 
srach  beclouded  or  Unknown  by  men  of  our 
day— let  us  have  a  fuller  chapter  on  this 


mat  theme,  wkidi,  the  Lovd  permittuig, 
X  will  give  next  moBth. 

When  Augustus  Toplady  wrote  his  pre» 
face  to  Zane^'s  '•  PredesHnoHon,*'  he  said, 
"  £z!eellent  as  Zanohv's  oriffiiial  pieee  is* 
I  yet  have  eocasionally  venSored  both  to 
retrench  and  to  enlarge  it.*'  So  say  I  of 
Trapp*s  Pentateudi,  in  which  are  ma^y 
Latin  quotations  of  no  benefit  to  mj 
readers.  Most  of  these  wiU  be  oauttod ; 
and,  on  the  other  hand,  on  some  Seriptore 
words  and  seatencee,  Master  Trapp  is 
silent  or  scant ;  here  I  shall  (if  that  blessed 
SpntiT,  under  whose  ^danee  I  desire  to 
be  in  all  things,  will  help  and  proserre 
me),  often  throw  in  some  precious  gsoBS  of 
thou^t  and  deeply-due-out  expositions  of 
the  sacred  Word  of  CM. 

For  instance,  this  first  word— this  door 
of  entrance  into  the  precious  chambers  of 
revealed  Truth— is  but  briefly  toudied  by 
Trapp :  yet,  this  **  In  THa  beginiiikg"  is  a 
golaen  sentenoe — a  relative  fine — a  gnuid 
note,  which  demands  veverent  attention 
and  notice.  It  is  the  first  putting  forth  of 
the  Divine  hand  to  open  the  door  throogh 
which  the  glorious  Trinity  are  to  march  out 
of  the  councils  of  eternity  into  the  tranaae- 
tions  of  time.  Tm  FATHER  had  been 
predestinating,  choosing,  oovenanting,  no* 
mising,  and  preparing  aU  things  for  His 
elect  family.  Trs  SON  had  been  under- 
taking, and  receiving,  and  delighting  in  the 
forethoughts  of  the  glory  to  be  revealed  to 
the  children  of  men,  yet  unborn.  The 
SPIRIT  had  been  witaessinff  and  0M^f 
all  the  glorious  plans  of  salvation.  And 
now  they  arise  firom  their  inexptossiUy 
blessed  "  thoughts  of  peace*'  and  purpoMs 
of  love,  and  putting  forth  Divine  power  in 
creation,  the  Holy  Gboet  says,  "In  the 
beginning,'*  Let  us  look  at  this  for  one  mo* 
ment  further. 


THE  GLORY  OF  FREE  GRACE. 

By  Albbbt  Bbown,  Baptist  Hinistbh,  Wisbiach. 
**  To  the  prtiBe  and  glory  of  His  graoe,"— Sph.  L  6. 


Bt  the  great  division  of  our  sphere  of  land 
and  water,  we  are  supplied  with  a  fhint  il- 
lustration of  what  the  sacred  Scripture  is 
to  us,  and  in  our  hand  when  we  attempt  to 
search  into  its  holy  mtgfa^  mysteries. 
The  Bible  is  our  tvrrafirma  of  holy  know- 
ledge whereon  we  stand.  ''Search  the 
Scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ve  have 
eternal  life,  and  thev  are  they  whi^  testify 
of  me."— John  v.  30.  It  is  the  field  of 
truth  wherein  lies  the  pearl  of  great  price. 
It^eontains  mines  of  inexhaustible  trea- 
sures for  misers  aud  miners  who  love  it, 
and  are  skilled  therein,  for  which  they  may 


lawfully  labour  without  guilt ;  and  tho  mot^ 
they  acquire  of  sueh  precious  subataacev 
the  more  bountiful  they  will  become. 

As  the  literal  earth  was  brought  forth  by 
a  word,  and  a  law  given  it  to  jield  seed 
and  bring  forth  firuit,  »o  the  inspired  word 
was  ffiven  by  the  mouth  of  Jehovah, 
"And shall  not  return  void,  but  shall  ac- 
complish it." 

It  presents  us  with  the  tree  of  life,  the 
Rose  of  Shaion,  the  Balm  of  Gilead,  hoDSj 
out  of  the  Rock,  streaauB  of  waters,  with 
the  sweet  aroma  of  an  infinite  oolleetioD 
of  aromatics,  of  afanond  nuta;  spices,  myiriu 


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aloes,  and  eawi^  of  ]ot«,  mfirty,  and  peace 
firom  the  Plant  of  Renown  to  feed,  revive, 
comfort,  and  strengthen  the  souls  of  all 
vho  love  the  Lord. 

The  mighty  waters  girdle  the  earth,  and 
the  earth  embosomis  Uie  waters ;  so  the 
depths  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  of  God,  girdles  the  book  of  God ; 
and  thus,  while  secret  things  belong  unto 
God,  the  things  that  are  revealed  belong 
unto  us,  and  become  our  tecritory^  bounds 
and  shore. 

We  have  in  thia  chapter  some  rich, 
bsillianty  and  precious  gems  of  Divine  wis- 
dom brought  iforafiM!  distant  lands,  on  love's 
mighty  deep,  wafted  by  her  fair  waves,  and 
cast  ashore  at  Ephesus  to  enrich  the  Church 
of  Jesu's  fold  there.  Should  the  Lord 
favor  us  to  walk  on  this  shore,  with  a  clear 
atmosphere,  Brieht  shining  sun,  and  our 
eves  well  washed  in  the  flowing  water  from 
the  ri^er  side  of  the  precious  Saviour — 
without  doubt  we  sh^  obtain  spiritual 
pleasure  and  profit. 

In  the  passage  wepropose  to  contemplate, 
there  is  a  slight  difference  in  verses  twelve 
and  thirteen  of  this  chapter,  which 
reads  "  To  the  praise  of  His  glory ; "  the 
other  "  To  the  glory  of  His  grace." 
Bottbtiess  there  is  more  implied  in  this,  be- 
cause more  is  said  or  expressed;  besides 
there  appears  to  be  two  forms  of  treating 
the  subject,  or  at  least  one  great  subject 
divided  into  two  distinct  orders."  In  one 
we  haTft  choosing,  adopting,  and  accepting 
in  the  Beloved,  as  an  act  of  free  grace 
above  the  hX\  of  man  in  Adam ;  in  the 
other  we  have  redemption,  calling,  and 
juttifioBtion,  an  act  of  me  gvaoe  toward  the 
Ghnreh  as  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  So 
the  apostle  was  led  to  trace  out  the  cause 
and  omier  of  salvation  in  the  manner  des- 
cribed, shewing  something  of  the  incon- 
ceivable wisdom  and  |prace  of  the  eternal 
Three.  Grace  in  choosing  and  blessing  un- 
alterably and  for  ever,  who  in  sovereign 
rAVOVR  He  did  so  blees.  Wisdom  in  con- 
triving the  marvellone  plan  of  recorery  of 
such  from  a  fallen  state  through  the  Person 
and  woric  of  His  dear  Son,  wherein  He 
hath  abounded  toward  us  in  all  wisdom 
and  prudence." 

Grace  is  a  term  of  exceeding  sweetness 
even  when  spoken  in  reference  to  the 
children  of  men,  more  so  when  Divine 
grace  takes  possession  of  the  heart,  and 
shines  Ibrth  in  living  declaration  of  faith 
and  love  in  the  Lord  Jesns  Christ,  as 
Barnabas,  "a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  I 
Holy  Ghost  and  iliitth."  Superlatively' 
sweet  is  grace,  true  and  only  genuine,  the 
^race  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  has 
Its  habitation  and  essenee  in  Deity,  for  He 
is  "the God  ef  aU  grace." 

AeoonHng  te  my  ap^frtehension,  graee  is 


on  act  of  a  beug  that  ia  goodt  nndhUgedbj 
anreerent,  eiromMtaaftiUy  or  pecMoal:  » 
voinntacy  aet  oontenng  a  Beneflt  ae  a 
superior  to  an.  inferior.  We  mav  propoee 
to  consider  the  paasage  ae  ibUtivs :  Isfe, 
graee ;  2nd;,  glonr  of  grace ;  &d,  tfaejmiias 
of  the  gloij  of  Uw  graoe ;  or  it  ma^  he 
eonobed  in  this  sentence,  '^Tbe  ^^osy  of 
Giod  in  the  sahcaftioD  of  His  people." 
Will  be.  continued. 

GUSmNGfi    OUT    OF   THE  ^ 
HEAET. 

We  began  some  time  since  a  paper  under 
above  heading  \  but  it  has  never  yet  come 
forth :  we  borrow  the  heading,  to  place 
under  it  the  following  from  a  long  ani 
deeply  exercised  lamb  of  the  iold, — 

My  Daab  Feunp, — ^Nothing  have  I  more 
desired,  save  the  sabration  of  my  soul,  than 
to  coBmunicat»  to  you  a  little  ef  the  sovrow 
of  my  heart,  but  I  feared,  ae  something  says 
within  me,  if  that  should  not  turn  out  weU, 
allwiU  be  ev«r  theub  As  I  have  often 
thou^t,  cottld  I  but  tell  yon  all  from  tha 
beginning,  I  m>nld  take  yonr  advice,  know- 
ing that  yoii  aro,  and  have  be»  led  in  deep 
waters,  but  your  kindnees  in  wishing  to 
know  my  state,  I  cannot  refrain  longer.  I 
am  bound  in  psison,  and  cannot  get  out. 
My  eyes  ane  opened;  and  cannot  be  shnt. 
I  have  often  wished  I  never  heard  the 
sound  of  that  dnadfol  word, ''  God  is  of 
one  mindf  and  none  can  turn  JTma,"  wliksh 
is  above  six  years  since.  What  does  it  all 
mean?  At  first  I  thoo^t  there  was  none 
but  God,  and  I  Izuiy  knew  him  te  be  aoffiy 
with  me.  Until  that  time  I  knew  not  that 
I  had  a  soul  more  than  beasts;  a  dark 
hornor  lay  upon  me  about  six  months, 
tin  the  wofds  '^the  blood  of  Jesns  Christ 
His.  Son  deanaeth  us  from  all  sin,"  shewed 
me  so  plainly  the  way  i^  was  put  away-^ 
that  from  that,  the  Gospel  opened  up  vevy 
plainly,  and  gave  me  aome  hope  Ibr  a  time. 
At  iength  these  words  spoke,  **  He  is  not  a 
Jew  that  is  one  outwudlj,*'  and  "  Many 
are  called,  bnt  few  diosea,^'  with  other  like 
passages.  Oh- !  this  was  worse  than  the 
fixet.  The  Gospel  beeem  to  look  such  a 
hard  thing.  At  first  I  thought  I  could 
mend  mvself,  and  should  get  better ;  bnt 
alas !  I  found  that  I  was  sin  itself,  and  was 
too  sinful  for  God  to  pa^on,  and  daied 
not  attempt  to  pray.  This  state  of  things 
lasted  for  two  years.  It  was  a  remarkame 
time.  0 !  the  hmd  thoughts  oi<}od  I  had 
at  that  time  none  can  tell ;  the  more  firee 
the  Gospel  appeared  to  be,  the  further  I 
was  off.  Bat  m  these  dreadAil  low-places 
the  Lord  did  many,  many  times  meet  me 
vrith  His  precious  Word*.  One  or  two 
things  I  must  name.    One  time  I  had  given. 


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THE  lAXTREN  TlflSXL. 


A^l  1, 1664. 


up  idl,  and  thought  I  would  neyer  take  the 
Bible upanj  more ;  vet  befon  I  dare  lie  down 
to  rest  I  must  look  again ;  and  it  opened 
upon  these  words,  "  Let  the  sighing  of  the 
prisoner  come  before  thee,  O  I^rd."  This 
langttsge  was  so  suitable ;  I  can  nerer  des- 
criM  that.  It  was  as  though  the  Lord  did 
put  his  hand  down  from  heaTen,  and  said, 
Nerer  mind  words,  let  the  sighs  and 
groans  come  up  before  me.  This  did  melt 
me  indeed.  At  another  time,  "ShaU  the 
dust  arise  and  praise  thee  ?"  I  thought 
this  did  come  down  «s  low  as  my  trouble ; 
and  many  more  such  things.  But  that  is 
all  over  and  gone.  The  last  two  years  have 
been  dark  and  fearful.  There  seems  such 
a  PiBSUASioif  in  my  mind  that  I  am  not  an 
elect  vessel.  There  has  been  a  great 
shaking,  and  I  hare  thought  a  coming  to- 
tether;  but  I  fear  there  is  '* no  breath  in** 
me.  These  words  came  to  me  the  other 
day,  **  Ye  hare  beliered  in  the  Father,  be- 
li6re  also  in  me.*'  I  thoneht  I  could  see 
myself  in  the  first  place,  but  not  in  the 
latter.  O !  this  is  where  I  fear  I  shall  £sll 
short.  None  can  giro  me  Christ  but  Ood. 
And  this  gift  Gk>d  parts  with  HARDLY ; 
He  will  give  anything  before  His  Soir ;  it  is 
too  gro&t  I  fear  for  me :  this  raiment  of 
needlework  I  fear  will  nerer  be  mine.  To 
really  know  that  Ood  is  independent  of  us, 
and  we  really  feel,  our  wickedness,  what 
reason  have  we  to  think  He  will  save  our 
souls?  except  He  gire  us  to  say,  "  Who 
hath  lored  me,  ancfffiren  Himself  for  me.** 
This  question  is  still  with  me,  Will  He 
pardon  me  ?  and  wash  me  ?  and  accept  me  ? 
0 !  dear  friend,  this  question  remains  with 
me.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your  family  is 
better. 


Sin  is  no  part  of  humanity,  and  therefore 
his  was  a  holy  nature.  Sin  is  a  subsequent 
blot,  an  after  interpolation,  or  intrusion,  not 
God's  work.  God  neither  made  sin,  nor 
did  Ho  make  man  sinful.  Instead  of 
constituting  an  integral  part  of  human 
nature,  it  is  a  rile  poison  that  rushes  alone 
every  arteir  and  ferers  erery  part,  and 
•disturbs  and  destrojrs,  and  ultimately  draca 
this  exquisite  organism  to  the  dust  of  death, 
retaining  in  its  wreck,  however,  the  blessed 
hope  that  it  will  be  recast  in  resurrection 
beauty,  and  become  a  meet,  and  pure,  and 
perfect  shrine  for  the  inhabitation  of  the 
glorified  soul.— X>r.  CumminQ, 

All  the  belie vei^s  troubles  and  trials 
preach  and  say,  "  none  can  do  you  sood 
but  Christ  :**  temptations  sav,  '*  you  have 
temptations,  go  to  Christ  for  him  to  conquer 
them:"  troubles  sav,  "rou  hare  troubles, 

go  to  Christ,  and  he  will  turn  them  into 
lessings." — Rotnaine. 
Tkub  is  nothing  but  deadness  and  dark- 
ness without  ChnMU^Romaitie. 


CHOICE  EXTRACTS 

FROM    TKK    P0STUUM0V8    WOBKS     OP    TOE 

CELEBRATED  A.  M.  TOPLADY. 

Mr.  Editor,— On  mj*  bookshelrea  I  liave  some 
choice  voluine:^.  I  have  just  laid  myluuK^OD 
one;  it  is  entitled,  "ThePosthumout  Works  of 
A.  M.  Toplady,"  containing  passages  selected 
from  the  Writings  of  Eminent  Divines,  Short 
Memorials,  a  Collection  of  Letten,  ftc.  1780.  I 
send  you  one  or  two  extracts.  The  hwtk  is  equal 
to  the  MmpU.  At  my  extreme  period  of  )if^  I 
can  promise  nothing;  but  (n.T.)  you  Majr  hear 
from  me  again.    I  am,  yours  truljt 

Jireh,  East  Road.  J.  A.  Johks. 

"  Generally  speaking  those  that  hare  the 
most  prace,  and  the  greatest  aiftt,  and  arc 
of  the  greatest  usefulness  in  the  Church  of 
Christ,  are  the  mast  humbfe,  and  think 
meanly  of  themselves.  So  those  boughs  and 
branehes  of  trees  which  sre  most  laden  with 
fmit,  bend,  doumwards,  end  hang /otew/.'* — 
Dr.  Gill's  sermon  on  the  character  of  8t.  Paul . 

*•  Satan  is  yeiy  busy  with  all  good  men, 
and  especially  with  ministers,  fie  desired 
to  have  Peter  in  his  hands ;  he  buffeted  the 
Apostle  Paul ;  like  the  archers  that  shot  at 
Joseph,  that  fruitful  bough  by  a  well,  so  he 
lerefs  his  arrows  at  those  that  are  the  most 
fruitful,  flourishing  and  useful.  Joseph 
wi^s  grieved,  but  his  bow  abode  in  strength, 
*  the  arms  of  his  hands  being  made  strong 
by  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob.* " 

"  The  natural  man  is  a  spiritual  monster ; 
his  heart  is  where  his  feet  should  be,  fixed 
upon  the  earth;  his  heels  are  lifted  ui> 
aninst  heaven ;  his  faee  is  towards  helL 
He  hves  what  he  should  hats ;  joys  where 
he  should  mourn;  glories  in  his  shame; 
abhors  what  he  should  desire ;  and  desires 
what  he  should  abhor." 

<*  The  souls  of  the  elect  were  saved  upon 
trttst  for  four  thousand  years.  The  Father 
gave  credit  to  Christ  and  glorified  his  saints 
on  the  footing  of  a  sacrifice  not  then  offered 
tip,  and  of  a  righteousness  not  then  wrought, 
Chrbt  also,  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  u^enf 
on  credit  with  his  Father,  every  time  he 
said  to  a  sinner,  'thy  sins  are  forgiven 
thee,'  previous  to  his  offering  himself  ou 
the  cross". — ^Told  me,  savs  Toplady,  by  Mr. 
J.  Ryland,  Sen.,  of  Northampton,  July 
11th,  1769. 

"Before  you  go  to  the  UniversUg,  you 
ought  to  go  to  a  preparatory  school.  Don't 
m^dle  with  Election  and  Predestination 
till  you  have  experienced  something  of 
divine  grace  in  effectual  vocation.  While 
thou  art  unconverted  thy  body  is  but  the 
living  coffin  of  a  dead  soul," 

"  When  the  coat  of  a  saint  is  cleanest,  the 
derilis  most  desirous  to  roll  himin  the  mire,*' 


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THE  EA.STH8K  TI88EL. 


101 


THE  CORRESPONDENCE  ARISING  OUT  OF 

MR.  SILVER  EJECTING  MIL  COZENS  FROM  HIS  PULPIT. 


TO  THX  EOITOB  OF  **TinB  BAKTRKT  VKSSSL.*' 

Dkas  Sib, — A  short  time  since,  some  of 
vkj  Citj  friends  sought  and  obtained  per- 
mission for  me  to  occupy  Mr.  Silver's  pal- 
pit  on  Monday  evenings;  accordingly,  I 
preached  there  last  Monday  evening,  the 
7th  instant;  and  to  my  astonishment,  on 
Saturday 'afiernoon,  I  received  the  follow- 
ing unceremonious  writ  of  ejectment,  be- 
cause, forsooth,  my  views  of  the  Person  of 
Christ  are  not  in  keeping  with  the  views  of 
the  worthy  pastor  of  Jewry  street.  Perhaos 
he  can  comprehend  the  subject,  I  frankly 
confess  that  I  cannot. 

**  To  oomprehend  the  great  THBBE  ONE 
Is  mora  tban  highest  angels  can." 

Albeit,  I  love,  adore,  and  worship  the 
STERNAL,  and  immutable,  and  inoom- 

Srehensible  TRINITY  in  UNITY,  Father, 
on,  and  Holy  Ghost.  In  the  faith  of 
whom  I  was  baptized ;  in  the  worship  of 
whom  my  soul  delighteth ;  and  in  the  lore, 
blood,  and  power  of  whom  my  heart  greatly 
rqjoiceth :  for  by  the  electing  love  of  GK>d 
the  Father;  and  by  the  redeeming  blood  of 
Qod  the  Son;  and  by  the  regenerating 
power  of  (jh)d  the  Holy  Ghost ;  I  hope  to  be 
mdmitted  finally  into  the  temple  above, — 
notwithstanding  I  am  now,  by  an  excess  of 
zeal,  pu!;  out  of  the  synagogue.  I  should 
have  been  greatly  alarmed  at  this  conduct 
had  it  not  been  anticipated  by  the  dear 
Lord  Jesus. 

Aoeording  to  the  noia  bene,  as  I  was  to 
be  publicly  read  out  of  church,  I  think  I 
am  entitled  to  this  public  mode  of  replv  to 
my  respected  brother,  Mr.  Silver.  May 
God  lead  him  more  and  more  into  tlie 
essential  and  mediatorial  glories  of  the 
God-Man  Mediator  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord, 
is  the  prayer  of  yours  faithfully, 

S.    COZBNS. 

13,  Lincoln  street.  Bow  road,  £. 
March  14,  1864. 

'*  Mr.  CosExs,  —  Mr.  Silver,  pastor  of 
Jewry  street  chape^,  has  requested  me  to 
write  you,  and  say,  that  Jewrv  street  chapel 
pulpit  cannot  be  occupied  by  you  again ; 
m  consequence  of  your  views  of  the  Person 
of  the  son  of  God  being  antagonistic  to 
his.    Yours  truly, 

**  Thos.  Ladd,  Co-Pastor. 

"N.B.— There  will  be,  therefore,  no 
lecture  at  Jewry  Street  Chapel,  on  Monday 
evening  next^  of  which  notice  will  be  given 
on  Lom's-day  next.  Thos.  Ladp.'* 

'*  98,  Houndsditcb,  March  12, 1864." 


[mr.  cozens  to  ub.  silver.] 

My  Dear  ako  Respected  Brother  in 
THE  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  —  Leaping  over 
the  circumstantial  gulf  betwixt  us  (there . 
being  no  distinctions  of  rank  in  the  king- 
dom of  Christ,  for  all  are  kings  there),  I 
presume  to  cashier  the  formal  **sir"  of  the 
world,  and  to  address  you  in  the  familiar, 
fraternal,  and  family  nomen  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith:  and  I  do  so,  because,  for 
many  years  (nearly  twenty),  I  have  loved 
you  as  a  brother,  beloved  in  and  of  the 
Lord.  And  although  you  have  addressed 
me  (by  your  amanuensis)  so  t«?2sentlemanly, 
and  treated  me  so  Knbrotherly,  and  con- 
demned me  so  unfairly  (even  more  un- 
fairly than  the  Romans),  and  put  me  out 
of  tne  svnaffogue  so  unceremoniously,  I 
love  you  in  me  Lord  none  the  less.  In- 
deed, I  am  not  sure  that  I  do  not  love  vou 
rather  more,  because  you  are  still  zealous 
(though  not  with  equal  knowledge)  for  the 
honour  of  the  dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in 
whom  believing  we  rejoice  with  joy  ifn- 
speakable  and  fuU  of  glory.  Believe  me, 
my  personal  feeluiffs  are  nothing  to  be 
compared  with  His  honour.  For  His  sake 
I  'have  suffered  much,  and  am  not  only 
content  to  suffer,  but  I  rejoice  to  be  counted 
worthy  to  suffer  for  His  dear  and^precious 
name  sake.  I  am  willing  to  decrease  in 
the  estimation  of  the  church,  and  of  her 
ministers  too,  that  He  may  increase  in  my 
affections  to  Him,  and  in  my  abstractions 
from  an  evil  world  and  an  mperfect 
church.  He  to  whom  all  hearts  are  known, 
knows  that  I  would  not  wilfully  say  one 
word  to  disparage  the  glory  of  my 
ETERNAL  Ix>rd,  who  became  a  man,  and 
was  called  Jesus.  Again,  I  call  you  bro- 
ther, because  I  am  assured  in  my  heart  that 
I  have  a  personal  right  in  ^ra^e  so  to  ad- 
dress you.  For  the  first  sixteen  years  of 
my  life,  I  lived  after  the  manners  and  cus- 
toms of  my  godless  fathers,  without  God 
and  without  hope  in  the  world.  In  1836, 
at  Sherborne,  Dorsetshire,  the  sorrows  of 
death  compassed  me,  and  the  pains  of  hell 
gat  hold  upon  me.  I  found  trouble  and 
sorrow,  and  for  nearly  five  years  I  was  of 
all  men  the  most  miserable.  Condemned 
by  the  law,  haunted  night  and  day  with 
the  ghostly  apparition  of  my  guilt,  tempted 
to  open  rebellion,  infidelity,  blasphemy, 
and  self-destruction,  I  was  reduced  to  a 
;hastly  skeleton.  In  1841,  at  Taunton,  in 
Somersetshire,  God  of  His  mercy  was 
pleased  to  kindle  a  spark  of  hope  in  my 
nitherto  hopeless  soul  by  the  woMS,  "  Itris 

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TST  S^THEK  V<BSfi&. 


Aptn  h  1864. - 


good  that  a  man  both  hope  and  quietly 
wait  for  the  salvation  of  God.'*  Nine 
monthi  after,  I  was  brought  into  the 
glotioTis  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God  by  the 
mighty  application  of  these  words:  "Thv 
bins  wnich  aie  many  .are  all  forgiyen  thee. ' 
Then  I  saw  the  itfan— the  real  man— with 
wounds  still  gaping  wide,  and  adored  Him 
as  God  my  Saviour. 

"  I  love  the  incaraate  mystery, 
And  there  I  fix  my  trost^ 

The  change  was  so  great  and  my  ioys 
were  so  unbounded  that  I  could  not  help 
telling  to  sinners  round  what  a  dear  Sa- 
viour I  had  found.  There  was  not  a  mem- 
ber of  my  father's  or  mother's  family  but 
what  saw  and  acknowledged  the  cnange, 
and  some  of  them  were  constrained  to  aa- 
mit  Uiat  the  power  that  could  tame  such  a 
wild  ass  of  the  wilderness  must  be  Divine. 
After  speaking  a  few  times  in  the  name  of 
the  Lom,  I  fell  into  deep  soul  travail  about 
my  call  to  the  ministry.  Could  the  fields, 
and  lanes,  and  solitary  places  frequented 
by  me  during  those  three  years  speak, 
their  wail  would  thrill  the  heart  and 
frighten  one  half  of  the  untried  and  nnsent 
preachers  in  our  land  out  of  the  pu^it.  In 
a  field  near  Orpington,  Kent,  I  believe  a 
dispensation  of  the  Gospel  was  committed 
unto  me.  In  that  field  I  had  my  text  and 
sermon;  in  that  hour  I  was  asked  to 
preach ;  on  that  day  I  opened  my  com- 
mission, and  from,  then  until  now  I  have 
gone  hither  and  thither  preaching  peace  by 
Jesus  Christ,  for  He  is  LORD  of  aU.  And 
in  most  oi  our  large  towns,  from  Liverpool 
to  Brighton,  and  from  Plymouth  to  Dovet^ 
I  have  held  forth  the  Word  of  life,  and 
have  never  till  now  been  ejected  from  any 
pulpit  fbr  preaching  error,  and  promul- 
gating anytning  derogatory  to  the  person 
of  Hun  vmom  I  love  above  all  things — 
above  the  praises  of  men,  and  in  spite  of 
the  disapprobation  of  those  wlio  wilfully 
misrepresent  my  views. 

My  dear  brother,  my  prayer  for  jou  and 
your  Mr.  Ladd  is,  that  the  unchristian  mea- 
sure which  you  have  meted  out  to  me  may 
not»  with  some  more  painful  additions,  be 
meted  out  to  you  again. 

The  Lord  bless  you  for  His  name  sake  is 
the  deaire  of  your's  truly,        8.  Coieks. 

IXB.  SILVU    TO  MB,   C0ISK8.] 

I  xaeifiEto  bless  the  Lord  for  His  mercv 
towards  thee,  S.  Cozens ;  and  I  do  thank 
you  for  your  kind  and  affectionate  letter. 
I  never  heard  of  you,  even  by  name,  until 
Mr.  Ladd  informed  me  of  your  desire  to 
preach  in  Jewry  Street  Chapel ;  and  then 
he  atated  you  maintained  the  Eternal  Son- 
ship  of  Clmst  in  opposition  to  Mr.  W.  But 
Mr.  Ladd  appears  to  have  been  miBtaken ; 


for  last  Thursday,  your  publication  entitled' 
"  The  Sonthip  ci  Ghrist*  was  shown  to  me 
by  a  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  and  I  was  sur- 
prised toflnd,  in  page  13,  'We  Jiold  that. 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  &n  of  God,  but  only  in 
his  complex  existence:  as  Immanuel  God 
ia  our  nature."  Surely  Son  is.  a  name  of 
nature,  moreover  the  Eternity  of  His  S(»- 
ship  is  expressly  revealed  in  the  7th  chapter 
of  the  Epistle  to  the  Helnrewe;  and  our 
Lord  deelaies,  the  nysitoiy  of  His  Sonehip 
no  man  knoweth.  (Luke  x.  23.  See  Jchn 
X.  30.)  In  page  xi.  ymi  ask,  "  Is  He  ( Jeens ' 
Christ)  a  servant  as  one  of  the  Etema]* 
Three  ?"  Certainly  not.  He  came  to  mixK 
ister :  "  He  took  upon  Him  the  fonn  oi  a 
servant,"  &c.  (Matt.  ix.  28.  Phil.  xi.  7, 8.) 
Who  was  the  "He'*  that  took  iqponHim  the 
form  of  a  servant  ?  &c.  Does  not  the  Holy 
Spirit  testify,  He  was  equal  with  God? 
what  say  you  to  the  I13th  Psalm? 
I  have  great  cause  to  lie  low  befoie  God, 


and  to  bless  His  Name  for  preserring  nie 
firom  the  subtiltv  of  men  wno  corrupt  the 
word  of  God.  Whosoever  txansgressctn,  and 
abideth  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  Irath 
not  God.  He  that  abideth  in  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  he  hath  both  the  Father  and  the 
Son.  If  there  come  any  unto  you,  and 
bring  not  this  doctrine^  (look  at  the  3rd 
verse)  receive  him  not  into  your  house; 
neither  bid  him  God  speed;  for  he  that  bid- 
deth  him  God  speed  is  partaker  of  his  evil 
deeds.  2nd  Eph. ;  John  ix.  II.  As  many 
as  walk  according  to  this  rule  peace  be  on 
them  and  mercy  and  upon  the  Israel  of  God  r 
which  is  the  prayer  of 

E.  SiLVlB. 

Luke  xvii.  10. 
Camberwell,  16th  inarch,  1864. 

[VR.  connis  to  xb.  sii/vbb.] 

My  dbab  brother  i»  the  FAim  of  Chwst, — 
I  feel  thankful  that  the  mercy  for  which 
you  bless  the  Lord,  in  the  commencement 
of  vour  letter,  is  far  more  compassionate,  and 
noble,  than  that  of  my  aged  father,  Mr. 
Silver.  Indeed,  my  heaven  would  be  tre- 
mendously^ppecariou8,  if  it  were  not  secured 
by  mercy,  as  high  above  the  tender  mercy 
of  Mr  Silver,  as  the  heavens  are  high  above 
the  earth.  Surely,  sir,  your  long  experience 
of  shortcoming,  and  imperfections^  and 
errors,  and  mistakes  (for  I  presume  you, 
have  had  to  »nleam  a  good  deal,  and  still ' 
feel  there  is  ^et  room  for  the  emendatioitf  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,)  ought  to  have  prompted 
you  to  put  on  bowels  of  mercy,  toward  the 
ignorant^  and  the  out  of  the  way ;  unless, 
forsooth,  I  have  erred  beyond  compassiOD 
and  recoveiy. 

Ton  say,  "Mr.  Ladd  inltoiied  me  of 
your  desire  to  preach  in  Jewry  gtwet." 
Allow  me  to  say  that  I  oev^  M#Mr.  Ladd, 

Digitized  by  Vj' 


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103 


sod  therefore  nerer  expressed  such  a  desire. 
My  Mends  desired  me  to  preach  there,  »ttd 
I  oonsented :  but  that  matter  is  of  no  con- 
sequence to  mc,  and  is  now  done  with.  I 
want  to  say  a  little  to  you  about*  the  ques- 
tion at  issue.  You  remark,  "  surely  S<m  is 
a  name  of  nature."  No,  sir,  "  Son"  is  not 
always  a  name  of  nature.  Angels  are  called 
"  the  sons  of  God ;' '  not  because  they  have  a 
'Dimne  nation,  but.beoauae  they  are  God's 
■sublime  creations. '  Adam  was  ealled  the 
**  Son  of  Qod  ;"  not  because  he  was  JHving ; 
but  because  he  was  the  immediate  produc- 
tion of  God  without  the  ioterrention  of  se- 
condary causes.  Every  man,  but  Adam,  and 
Ohrist,  had  it  mem  for  his  father,  Adam 
was  called  the-aon  of  Gtod,  beeause  in  the 
complexity  of  his  being  he  was  God's 
Mm.  So  Christ  (who  is  not  divided-^ 
who  is  the  Child  bom,  and  tJie  everlasting 
Vktiier,  the  Son  giTen  and  the  Mighty  God^} 
is  in  the  complexity  of  His  being  Uie  Son  of 
#od.  I  beheve  what  the  Angel  aaid  to 
Mazy,  "  that  holy  thing  whioh  a&U  be  bobn 
•TTRBK  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God." 
lioke  i,  35.  X  most  heartily  accept  the 
Itstimoiiy  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  not  only  in 
tils  wbcfre  seriptnres,  faot  in  all  ifae  scriptures 
«f  troth.  Th»  '^Oa^ild  bora,"  was  the 
Mighty  God,  befiirs  His  birth ;  <*the  Son 
ipen*'  was  the  Father  of  JStemity,  before 
maprssentation.  Butadmittia^hatSoDisa 
Bams  of  nattte,  I  have  nowhere  dmued  the 
ditinity  of  Chnist  The  seventh  chaptsr  of 
Hebrews  is  »  blessed  rovelation  of  the 
Sternal  Priesthood  of  Jesus.  It  is  rinh  in 
saTonry  meat,  suck  as  ererr  tene  Israelite 
mnst  love.  I  balieye  that  the  literal  Mdl- 
^hisededc,  had  neither  &ther  nor  mother,  in 
the  tribe  of  Leri ;  neither  beginning  of  days, 
moK  end  of  life,  in  the  Aaronie  otfer ;  and 
that  this  is  the  idea,,  is  dear  from  the  word 
ptdiffr06  in  tiie  margin  ;B.nd  to  the  frequent 
lefezeaoe  to  the  iribtd  ordar  of  the  Aanmic 
priesthood.  Neither  the  type,  nor  the  an- 
titype, had  an^  pedigiee  in  thai  tribe;  and 
BO  they  had  neither  **  besianuig  of  days,  nor 
end  of  lilb,"  in  that  <Md  covenant  order 
of  priesthood.  The  words  eannot  betaken 
In  ihejr  broad  LrrmuL  sense:  for  Jesus 
Cbrist  had  a  mother.  Yoa  may  say  He 
Itad  no  mother  as  God.  I  am  not  talking 
alioot  Him  ss  God— bat  as  the  Priest  of  the 
nost  High  God.  I  say  He  had  smother, — 
•a  veal  mother,*— a  m<^er  who  gave  Him 
birth ;  who  nursed  Him ;  wT«ppM  Him  up 
in  swaddling  bands ;  sudded  Him ;  fimdled 
Him  in  her  bosom;  dandled  Him  on  l^er 
knees ;  pressed  Bim  to  her  lips ;  watched 
over  Him  ;  and,  indeed,  did  a  motiier's  part 
towards  Him :  and  that  dear,  darling,  pre- 
cious babe  of  Bethlehem  was  God ;  Mary's 
Ckid;  my  brother  Silver's  God ;  and  I  hope 
mj  CM.  Yes,  and  the  Man  of  sorrows  ex- 
perienced f^^tfo/A.    ''Jesus  died;*' not  as  God| 


but  inofficial  capacity.  Hence,  honourable 
mention  is  frequently  made  of  "  Maiy,  the 
mother  of  Jesus ;"  and  His  death  is  every- 
where proclaimed. 

Again,  you  say,  "  Our  Lord  declares  the 
mystery  of  His  sonship,  'Neman  knoweth,'" 
Luke  X.  22.  But  you,  sir,  act  as  if  tou 
knew  it,  by  putting  me  out  of  your  pulpit, 
for  ^'0T  knowing  it.  If  man  cannot  kxibw 
the  mystery  of  His  Sonship,  why  do  you 
contend  for  the  knowledge  of  it  ?  Why  do 
you  condemn  those  that  arc  ignorant  of  it  ? 
XKd  not  Peter  know  the  mystery,  when  he 
said,  "  Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  th^ 
living  God  7"  No  naturcil  man  can  know 
the  mystery  of  His  Sonship ;  and  no  spirit- 
ual man  ean  comprehend  the  mystery  of  His 
Sonship.  I  know  there  is  a  sun  in  the 
heavens,  but  I  cannot  comprehend  him.  So 
I  know  that  Jesus  Christ  is  both  God  and 
Man,  but  I  cannot  comprehend  the  mystery 
of  the  union  that  makes  Him  oke  glorious 
complex  Person.  I  don't  know  that  it  would 
be  wicked  to  desire  to  look  into  this  mys- 
tery ;  fi>r  the  aneels  desire  to  look  into  it. 
The  quenchless  mirst  of  the  great  Apostle 
was,  '*  That  I  may  know  Him  1"  He  knew 
Him  savingly ;  he  would  know  more  of  Him 
in  the  |(kury  of  His  adorable  Person.. 

Again,  you  ask,  "  Who  was  the  Be  that 
took  npon  Him  the  form  of  a  servant  ?"  I 
answer,  "  The  Word  that  was  in  the  begin- 
bagioUh  God,  and  was  God."  John  i.  1. 
**  The  Word  that  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt 
among  as."  May  you  behold  His  complex 
glory,  as  the  full  of  grace  and  truths  prays 
your  iinured  and  persecttted  brother, 

13,  Lineoln  Street,  S.  Coxviis. 

Bow  Hoad,  £.,  March  17, 1864, 

[We  have  j  inserted  the  foreeoing  letters 
simply  because  we  feel  bound  to  give  the 
Churches  the  clearest  and  most  correct 
information  as  regards  the  cause  why  Mr. 
Silver  refuses  Mr.  Cozens  the  use  of  the 
pulpit  at  Jewiy  street.  We  are  much 
affUcted  to  find  this  question  is  jpermitted 
so  to  divide  the  brethren. — Ed.] 


Dr.  Mc  Neile  gives  a  happy  illustration 
of  this  sulyeet:  ''The  'volume  of  the  book* 
of  Moses  in  its  connection  with  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  ims  been  vary  appropriately  com- 
pared to  a  watchmaker's  boaid,  on  which 
ho  scattered  chains  and  springs,  and  pivots 
and  wheels,  and  cylinders  and  eases,  and 
dial-plates  and  hands;  aU  separate,  and  all 
ready-made  according  to  the  purpose  and 
by  the  skill  of  the  workman  who  has  planned 
their  combined  movement.  The  gospel,  ^ 
brought  to  light  in  the  New  Testament,  is 
the  watch  completed,  with  evexy  chain,  and 
sprinff,  and  .pivot,  and  wheel,  in  its  pro- 
per place,  exhibiting  the  manifold  wisdom 
of  the   everlasting   Gk)d."-pDr.  Cummin^, 

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THB  EARTHEN  VB88SL. 


April  1,  1864. 


THE  SHIPWRECKED  MARINER  AND  THE  GOSPEL 

MINISTER. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Deas  Mb.  Editor, — In  my  lait  I  gave  an  ac- 
count of  the  time,  way,  and  manner  in  which 
I  was  pennitted  to  leave  the  roof  of  those 

Sarents,  the  memory  of  whom  will  be  ever 
ear  to  me.  At  that  time,  I  little  dreamt 
that  mv  track  was  marked  out  by  an  un- 
erring hand,  or  that  the  Lord  was  about  to 
"  make  a  way  in  the  sea,  and  a  path  in  the 
niig^hty  waters,'*  wherein  I  was  to  tread 
until  I  reached  the  eternally  destined  spot 
whereon  He  was  to  appear  unto  me  in.  all 
the  terrible  majesty  and  inflexibility  of  His 
most  holy  and  righteous  law.  But,  as  the 
time  of  my  deliverance  from  the  gallinff 
yoke  of  sin  and  Satan  did  not  transpire  tifi 
I  had  reached  the  age  of  nearly  twenty 
years,  I  shall,  for  the  present,  continue  my 
narrative  by  the  relation  of  those  mys- 
terious leadings  and  merciful  interpositions 
of  Divine  Providence  in  my  behalf  while  I 
was  a  stranger  to  Qod  and  desired  not 
"  the  knowledge  of  His  way." 
.  I  proceed  by  saying  I  remained  nearly 
three  weeks  with  my  soldier  friend  at 
Portsmouth,  who  shewed  me  great  kind- 
ness, and  who,  on  finding  that  I  was  not 
an  orphan,  as  I  had  repnsented  myself, 
frequently  advised  me  to  return  home  to 
my  disconsolate  parents,  but  to  no  effect ; 
ray  fall  determination  being  to  follow  the 
sea.  And  here  I  might  observe,  that  if 
anything  short  of  the  blessed  Spirit  could 
subdue  or  soften  the  heart  of  stubborn  and 
rebellious  man,  surely  my  circumstances  at 
that  time  would  have  done  so ;  for  although 
I  obtained  a  goodly  amount  of  food  on 
some  days,  yet  there  were  times  when  I 
was  glad  to  pick  up  even  a  piece  of  orange 
peel  in  the  street.  The  time  drew  nigh 
that  the  promise,  "Thy  bread  shall  be 
given  thee  and  thy  water  shall  be  sure," 
was  to  receive  its  fulfilment  in  a  somewhat 
remarkable  way.  I  was  standing  one  even- 
ing on  a  pier,  or  landinff-place,  called  the 
Logs,  when  an  officer  of  Her  Majesty's  ship 
Victory  came  up  to  me,  and  maife  inquiries 
as  to  where  I  hved,  who  my  parents  were, 
and  whether  I  should  like  to  go  to  sea ; 
and  on  the  ground  of  the  representation  I 
made  of  myself  to  him.  He  said  that  he  had 
noticed  me  for  several  evenings,  and 
tjiought  that  1  was  "all  adrift,"  and  gave 
me  a  shilling  to  purchase  some  food,  and 
that  shilling  I  shall  never  foiset  to  the  day 
of  my  death.  He  further  told  me  that  he 
was  in  want  of  a  boy,  that  he  would  take 
me  on  board  the  Victoiy  the  next  day,  and 


I  should  I  be  too  small  to  onter  as  one  of  the 
I  ship's  company,  I  opuld  onty  come  ashore 
I  again,  or  he  would  keep  me  as  his  private 
I  servant,  at  a  salary  of  two  dollars  a  month, 
!  he  finding  me  all  my  clothes.  I  need 
I  hardly  say  that  I  was  delighted  at  the 
I  prospect;  I  readily  acceded  to  his  request ^ 
and  how  did  I  Ions  for  that  night  to  pass 
'  qnickly  away.  Stul  *'  bitter  herbs"  were 
mixed  with  the  prospect  of  plenty.  I  well 
knew  that  I  should  have  to  be  both. 
*'  weighed  and  measured"  as  soon  as  I  got 
on  b<Mrd ;  I  also  knew  that  I  should  fall 
considerably  short  in  both.  And,  oh !  how 
often  have  I  since  thought  that  had  I  then 
been  weighed  in  the  "balances  of  the 
sanctuary," — not  as  I  stood  in  God's  ac- 
count, A  <'  vessel  of  mercy,  afore  prepand 
unto  g]ory,"*-but  as  I  stood,  mi  unre^ne- 
rate,  unpardoned,  and  nneanctified  sinneer 
in  the  first  Adam,  how  awful  most  liave 
been  my  doom.  And  as  the  above  may, 
perhsps,  be  read  by  s(Hne  out  of  mere 
onriosity,  I  would  put  the  question  in  aU 
affection, — Header,  how  stand  matters 
between  God  and  thy  soul  ?  Art  thon  Mi 
weight  on  the  ground  of  that  infimte  atotte- 
meiit  rendered  by  the  Son  of  Goa,  and  full 
measure  with  that  law  which  demands  a 
perfect  obedience  at  thy  hands,  on  the 
eround  of  the  etemaUy  perfect  obedienoe 
He  hath  WTOUffht  out  ?  for  in  the  Lord 
alone  "shall  idl  the  seed  of  Israel  be  jus- 
tified and  shall  glory." 

To  return.  I  was  taken  on  board;  the 
process  of  weighing  and  measurinff-  was 
carried  out ;  and,  as  I  had  predicted,  so  it 
came  to  pass.  And  perhaps  my  readers 
may  smile  at  what  I  am  about  to  relate,  as 
it  regards  this  process.  Mv  master  (for 
such  I  now  called  him),  finding  that  I  was 
deficient  in  both,  seemed  anxious  to  try  an 
experiment  with  "flesh  and  blood,"  or- 
dered that  I  was  to  be  well  fed,  and  to  be 
weighed  every  morning  for  fourteen  days, 
and  accordingly  I  was  hooked  on  to  file 
"  steel  yards"  morning  after  morning  by 
the  corporal  of  marines,  who  eventually 
pronounced  me  as  full  weight ;  but  I  must 
here  tell  my  readers  the  deficienev  was 
made  up  by  my  pnttins;  some  bullets  in 
the  bosom  of  my  serge  shirt ;  so,  after  all, 
it  was  only  "  a  balance  of  deceit  which  is 
not  good. 

Here  I  remained  for  nearly  two  years, 
and  did  add  sin  to  sin.  There  were  some 
sixty  otiier  boys  on  board,  over  whom,  in  ai 

Google 


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THX  XABTHEF  VX8BBL. 


105 


mofttl  point  of  view,  there  was  little  or  no 
restnint  laid.  I  soon  became  an  adept  at 
sioginff  immoral  songs,  and  making  use  of 
feamiimpreoations.  I  became  rather  fond 
of  grog,  and  freanentlj  sp^t  my  Sabbath 
afternoons  in  playing  cards,  and  thus  I 
became,  if  possible,  **  two-fold  more  the 
child  of  hell  than  before." 

I  hare  not  mentioned  here  the  deep  dis- 
tress  I  caused  my  parents  (as  I  afterwards 
learned),  but  wOl  leave  that  to  be  ima- 
gined ;  sniBea  it  to  say,  that  the  first  re- 
port which  reached  them  was,  that  I  had 
become  acquainted  with  a  gang  of  young 
thieves,  and  was  confined  in  gaol  at  Hor- 
sham. This  was  a  fSslse  report.  My  fa- 
ther, having  some  idea  that  I  was  gone  to 
sea,  determined  to  make  a  search  after  the 
poor  j^rodigal,  and  accordingly  visited  the 
following  sea-ports  in  quest  of  me: — Chat- 
ham, Sheemess,  Southampton,  and  Ports- 
mouth, but  to  no  purpose.  Thus  tiie  wise 
man's  words  were  true,—"  A  fooluh  son  is 
a  grief  unto  his  fkther,  and  bitterness  to 
her  that  bare  him,"  and  this  at  times 
"  bums  like  a  fire  in  my  bones.*'  Truly, 
then,  it  may  be  said,  it  is  of  the  Lord's 
mercies  I  am  not  consumed,  because  His 
compassions  fiiil  not ;  they  are  new  every 
morning;  great  is  thy  faithfulness;  trulv 
thou  hast  remembered  that  covenant  which 
standeth  |;ood  to  all  the  myriads  of  God'it 
elect ;  umte  my  heart  to  fear  Thy  name. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1841,  I  was 
draughted  on  board  Hor  Majesty's  ship 
Bittern,  sixteen  guns,  which  was  shortly 
to  sail  for  the  west  coast  of  Africa  in  the 
abolition  of  the  slave  trade.  And  as  the 
whole  of  this  voyage  for  a  period  of  five 
years  and  four  months  was  nothing  less 
than  a  series  of  merdftd  interpositions  to 
preserve  my  soul  alive,  I  will  here  men- 
tion some  few  incidents  that  occurred 
wherein  the  ]^rei»erving  hand  of  Israel's 
God  was  manifested  in  a  most  remarkable 
way. 

After  having  touched  at  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
where  we  were  detained  for  some  months, 
we  received  orders  to  sail  immediately  for 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  while  on  that 
passage,  the  vessel  was  suddenljr  overtaken 
by  a  strong  breese,  which  made  it  necessary 
to  send  all  the  upper  vards  and  spars  on 
deck.  I  was  accordingly  aloft  with  others, 
and  while  in  the  act  of  sending  down  the 
fore-top-gallant  yard,  the  mast  suddenly 
went  over  the  side,  myself  and  another  poor 
fellow  being  precipatod  headlons  into  the 
ocean  from  a  height  of  not  less  than 
eighty  feet  Why  I  speak  of  this  as  an 
almost  miraculous  interposition  is  for  a 
two-fold  reason:— First,  Mcaufie  neither  at 
that  time  nor  ever  since  have  I  known  how 
to  swim  one  yard ;  and,  secondly,  because 
as  I  fell,  the  wind,  whieh  was  blowing  half 


a  gale  at  the  time,  had  forced  its  way  to 
the  inside  of  my  blue  shirt,  and  formed  a 
kind  of  bladder  by  which  I  was  to  be  sus- 
tained amidst  the  mighty  billows,  until 
such  time  as  a  boat  could  be  lowered  from 
the  ship's  side,  and  myself  and  shipmate 
brought  safe  on  board,  which  occupied  a 
peri<3  of  nearly  half  an  hour.  And  well 
do  I  remember  how,  while  in  the  water, 
that  what  with  the  fear  of  death,  the  dread 
of  dying,  and  the  thought  of  entering  upon 
a  solemn  etemitv*  my  very  soul  sank  within 
me.  One  would  have  thought  such  a  dis- 
play of  Divine  mercy  would  have  called 
forth  an  eternal  song^  of  sratitude  from  my 
heart  to  Him  who  is  the  "  Preserver  ci 
man  and  beast."  But  so  hx  from  that,  I 
was  no  sooner  in  a  position  of  comparative 
safety,  than  I  appeared  to  be  totally  in- 
sensible of  the  source  from  whence  that 
mercy  flowed;  but^  oh  I  how  often  since, 
in  reference  to  both  this  and  a  greater  de- 
liverance, hath  my  soul  exulted  in  singing 
those  delightftil  words  of  the  poet, — 
"  Determined  to  save.  He  watched  o'er  my  path. 
When  Satan's  blind  slave  I  sported  wiUi 
death." 

As  I  have  before  said,  so  far  ftom  this 
interposition  leading  me  to  repentance  even 
in  a  natural  way,  I  seemed  only  the  more 
to  "  despise  the  riches  of  His  goodness,  and 
forbearance,  and  long-suflToring ;"  for,  about 
twelve  months  after  this,  I  became  on  very 
intimate  terms  with  a  shipmate  who  pro- 
fessed to  be  a  downright  infidel,  and  who, 
having  drunk  somewhat  deeply  into  the 
works  of  Tom  Paine,  Owen,  Gibbon,  and 
others  of  a  similar  cast,  I  was  easilv  led  by 
his  reasoning  to  disbelieve  in  a  hell,  or  in 
the  doctrine  of  a  future  punishment  and 
reward.  My  new  companion  was  able  also 
to  perform  a  few  tricks  at  conjurins,  which 
art  he  offered  to  teach  me  on  the  per- 
formance of  certain  conditions,  which,  in 
the  ignorance,  blindness,  and  hardness  of 
my  heart,  I  consented  to.  And  now,  rea- 
der, what  do  you  think  those  terms  were  ? 
My  very  blood  chiUs  as  it  were  while  I  re- 
cord it,  and  I  only  do  it  by  way  of  "  utter- 
ing the  memory  of  His  ereat  goodness  who 
hath  saved  us  and  called  us  with  an  holy 
calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but 
according  to  His  own  purpose  and  grace, 
which  was  given  us  in  Chnst  Jesus  before 
the  world  began."  It  was  this :  I  was  to 
give  or  sell  myself  to  his  sable  majesty  in 
a  formal  way,  and  which  was  as  follows : — 
While  all  liands  were  aft  at  church,  "  so 
called,"  on  the  Sabbath  morning,  I  was  to 
remain  alone  on  the  lower  deck,  ta^e  a  pack 
of  cards,  and  laying  them  out  in  the  form 
of  a  ring  or  cirde,  was  to  read  the  Lord's 
Prayer  backwards  over  them.  I  took  the 
book  and  commenced  my  task;  butthanks, — 
yea,  ten  thousand  thanks  to  Immanuel's 

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ao6 


fWS  EA913HBN   VBSBEU 


AiMil  1,  laH.. 


narne,^— I  never  completed  it.  An  Onini- 
j;M>teiit  ^wer  seemed  to  seize  upon  my  veiy 
fram^ ;  my  tongue  cUve  to  the  zoof  of  my 
mouth,  while  the  words  of  Uagar,  "  Thou 
God  seest  me/'  seemed  to  speak  within  mo 
■with  a  Yoice  louder  than  that  of  thunder, 
and  never  from  that  moment  has  a  card  been 
Qean  in  my  hand,  nor,  to  my  knowledge, 
haT6  they  been  found  in  the  house  where  I 
have  lived,  and  for  months  afterwards,  sueh 
was  the  agony  of  my  mind  through  the  ac- 
ensations  of  conscience,  and  the  dread  of 
dropping  into  hell  every  moment,  that 
many  times  I  was  tempted  to  take  away 
mj  life  by  jamping  overboard.  Still,  no 
real  penitential  tear,  no  "godly  sorrow/' 
was  wrought.,  and  thus  do  I  well  know, — 

**'  That  Uw  and  terrora  do  but  harden. 
All  the  time  they  work  alone." 

And,  now,  should  any  say,  What  a 
hardened  wretch  you  must  have  been,  to 
the  eternal  Jionour  of  my  God  I  confess  it. 
But  shouldst  thou  be  saying  in  thine  heart 
1  am  not  so  bad  as  you,  my  reply  to  such 


an  one  is, — ^If  by  dint  of  educaftioa,  nond 
training,  or  a  resUaining  aad  imrinUe 
power  thou  hast  been  kept  from.  goiiHr  ^ 
thia  excess,  be  thankful  thou  hist  not 
trodden  thy  unworthy  brother's  path. 
Nevertheless,  if  thou  wouldst  like  to  be- 
hold thine  exact  .portrait,  it  may  be  seen 
at  any  time  in  Bom.  iiL  10th  to  l^tk 
verses.  Yea,  forget  not  th«t  the  aeeda  of 
all  this  are  lurking  within  thee,  and  wvMdd 
burst  forth  like  a  mighty  avakneh*  ware 
that  restraining  power  withMd.  That 
"also  Cometh  from  the  Lord  of  Hoate, 
which  is  wonderful  in  coonsel  and  exeallent 
in  working/'  and  sun  I  am  that  gnee 
never  appears  more  amiable  or  shinea  with 
a  greater  lustte  than  it  does  in  the  eyes  of 
that  poor  sinner,  who,  by  Divine  tMehing, 
has  to  do  buaineas  in  the  deepvatenof 
his  own  mystenoua  heart,  and  jet  stands 
in  the  manifest  relation  of  a  chili  of  God, 
an  heir  of  hearen,  and  a  joint  heir  with 
Jesus  Chnst.  I  am  jonn  in  oovenant 
love,  Nmo. 


DEVOTIONAL  READINGS  FOR  LORD^S-DAY  EVENINGS. 

BY  WILUAK  FRITH, 
BORotrsR  GttHEiv;  Amioa  or  "comcvHiow  or  SArms.'* 


«*nB   s 

How  restless  is  the  heart  of  man  I  Not 
only  are  the  "wicked  like  the  troubled 
sea,  whose  waters  stir  up  mire  and  driC 
bttt  even  the  soul  of  the  faithfiil  is  too 
often  ♦'driven  of  the  winds  and  tosded." 
•But  how  good,  how  kind,  how  sweetly  in- 
dulgent  is  our  dear  heavenly  Father  to  His 
tempest-tossed  children.  Hear  what  He 
says  by  the  burning  lips  of' the  senphic 
Isaiah:  "0  thoa  afflieted,  tossed  with 
tempest,  and  not  comforted,  behold  all 
thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord, 
and  ffreat  shall  be  the  PEACE  of  thy 
children."  (Isaiah  liv.  II.)  0  how  suited 
are  His  mercies  to  our  afflicted  state! 
Though  «*in  deep  waters, *•  they  do  not 
orerflow  us.  The  dear  disciples,  thoogh 
driven  and  tossed  on  the  boisterous  lake  of 
Galilee,  are  directly  ushered  into  a  pacific 
calm  by  the  potent  roice  of  Him  who 
'*  holdeth  the  winds  in  His  fists,  and  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand."  And 
art  thou  not  still  under  His  watchfiil  care  ? 
"  0  thou  of  little  faith,  wherefore  dost 
tiiou  doubt  ?"  Wherefore  art  thou  sad  ? 
Canst  thou  not  hear,  above  the  raging  of 
the  storm,    Him    whose  kingly  mandate 


T  I.L  a." 

tranquillizes  the  stormy  billows  of  the  hu- 
man soul  by  a  "  Peace  be  still !  0  my  soul, 
why  art  tJ»ou  cast  down  ?  Why  art  thou 
disqnieied  within  thee?  Hope  ikw  in 
GcdV  The  dfi^est  day  will  pass  away 
under  the  dissipating  iofluenee  of  His  irra- 
diating beams.  Be  still,  thou  troubled 
heart,  and  look  up.  That  dark  cloud  only 
hides  or  obscui^sthe  ever-eemplacanteoQB- 
tenanes  of  thy  covenant  God  1"  ''Be  stiU, 
and  know  that  He  is  God."  "Behind  a 
frowning  Providence  He  hides  a  smiling 
face/'  which  is  a  faithful  index  of  His  ever- 
loving  heart !  Do  the  birds  sing  in  Tain  ? 
Do  the  fiowers  shed  thair  deUeioua  frag- 
rance in  vain  ?  Is  the  heart  so  sad  that 
nature's  beautiee  cannot  dispel  the  impend- 
ing gloom?  **  Draw  "nigh  to  God,  then, 
and  He  will  diaw  nigh  to  you:"  and 
though  He  "  has  been  like  ona  that  hideth 
himself/'  yet  He  will  appear,"'  shewing 
Himself  through  the  lattice.  O  "  be  stffl  /' 
say  with  good  David,  "I  was  dumb,  1 
opened  not  my  mouth  because  Thoa  didst 
it."  O  my  soul,  wait,  watch,  piaj—go  not 
forward  -^  **  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord  I  ** 
Dear  Lord  Jesus,  come  ouickly !    . 

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XHS  J!ABXHEN  VESUL. 


107 


THE  FIRST   SIGH. 
By  Henbt  Stbickbtt,  op  Ennauf, 

Encibcuxq  yonder  couch  stand  a  group 
of  pttrsons,  on  irhose  countenances  anxiety 
the  most  poignant  isxlepicted,  as  they  bend 
forward,  and  with  intense  eagerness,  watch 
for  the  first  retiiiming  sign  of  life,  if  any 
ezisl,  in  the  foim  of  one  who  lies  there. 
No  words  are  exchanged  between  them, — 
scttioe  a  breath  or  sound  dxeturbs  the  awful 
stillness,  of  what  may  be  the  chamber  of 
death.  With  agonized  suspense,  the  still 
and  patient  watchers  continue  to  hope  for 
^e  success  of  measures  used,  to  rescuiiitate 
the  vital  spark  of  life  in  the  drowned  man. 
But  hush !  what  meant  that  feeble  fluttering 
sound  ?  Why  do  those  faces  gleam,  as  with 
the  firaiiion  of  hope  2  Why  that  sudden 
actrnty  asumg  tfaiose  before  so  still  and 
sfleatf  Ah,  the  half-drowned  man  has 
heoYcd  a  sigh,  and  though  eo  feeble  as  scarce 
to  raffle  the  silken  down  of  a  feather,  yet 
'twas  a  sigh :  and  life  exists  in  the  breast 
from  whence  that  sigh  has  sprang. 

So,  beUever,  when  grace  caught  thee  a 
drowning  wretch  in  the  daik  waters  of 
spiritual  death,  and  by  its  sating  exercise 
infhsed  life  within  thee,  what  was  it  first 
erlHenced  the  existence  of  the  vital  princi- 
ple ?  Waa  it  not  a  deep  drawn  sigh  spring- 
ing ieom  thy  contrite  hesit,  so  weary  and 
diHtesMdwith  the  load  of  sin?  There  were 
Timffifti  waitclieri  too  wmitiiig  ibr  that  sign  of 
lifc,->HniAisteriag  spirits  who  knew  Jesus 
had  mD%:ed  thee  out  an  heir  of  salvation. 
And  <^  I  aa  that  qtuyering,  panting,  longing 
sound  burst  from  thy  aichmc  bosom,  wet 
with  the  tears  of  inwvrd  grie^  there  sprang 
from  beside  thee,  and  quicker  than  thought, 
*wiBged  his  rapid  flight  heavenward,  an 
angel  of  light !  He  neaved  the  portals  of 
bliss ;  wide  open  ^ew  the  pearly  gates,  w 
the  celestial  messenger  from  earth  appro- 
ached with  all  the  fire  of  seraphic  zeal 
Bapid  his  flight,  as  he  entered  those 
heavenly  mansions,  and  staying  not  to  com 
municate  his  tidings  to  thronging  hosts  cf 
ffkriouB  beings  like  himself,  who  heralded 
hie  approadi  with  eager  expectancy,  he 
sprang  past  them  all,  up  through  the  realms 
of  blus,  nor  tarried  till^  he  bowed  his 
majestic  head  at  the  foot  of  the  eternal 
throne,  where,  amidst  ten-thousand  legions 
of  ransomed  spirits,  bathed  in  refulgent 
glories^  sat  the  God-man  Jesns. 

TbefB  waa  a  paoee  in  heaven's  music  of 
nrjise^  and  every  eye  was  bent  upon  the 
kaeeling  meaaonger,— when,  lo!  opening 
wide  hia  «»»,  he  diseloeed  to  view— what  7 
Tile  ftnfc  B^h  of  thy  contrite  heart  And 
instantly  there  arose  a  shout  of  gladaess  that 
ftr  «ad  wide  tliRni|^  the  heavenly 
;  fgt  "IIkjio  was  ysy  ni  hewen  over 
r  tin*  repentefh ;"  and  that  sinner 
was  thyself. 


THE  REVELATION   OF   TRUTH. 
"THE  FOUIl  BEASTS." 


•''And  intheandst  of  tlie  throne,  ood  round 
about  the  throne,  were  four  beasts,  full  of  cyBs 
before  and  behind ;  and  the  first  bea^t  was  like  a 
lion;  and  tlie  second  beast  like  a  calf;  and  the 
thiid  boMt  had  a  faee  aa  a  wmn ;  and  the  tbuiih 
beast  waa  liko  a  flyuig  eagle.  And  the  four  hnsiti 
had  each  of  them  six  wings  about  him ;  and  they 
were  fUll  of  eyes  within.*' 

Now,  while  the  shades  of  Savdian  night  grow  deep. 

And  feaxful  Jodgments  through  the  nations  sweep. 

While  human  speculations  ever^'where, 

Like  bubbles,  nse,  and  burst  inkindixKi  air  ; 

Comeu  thou,  my  fellow  citizen,  with  me, 

Oar  time)  of  peril  and  of  triomph  see. 

Our  floes,  too,  with  their  lUl ;  the  times,  how 

loDK~ 
Look  up  for  promised  gmoe,  and  have  a  soag. 
O  Book  of  books  !  throughout  thy  sacred  iiage 
What  wondrous  scenes  the  conscious  soul  engage  I 
In  metaphoric  beauty  see  they  rise. 
Bright  with  the  liring  glory  of  the  skies. 
Now  notice  that  ami<b^  and  round  the  throne. 
Twenty-four  elden  and  four  beasts  are  shown. 
Aa  one  they  fall  down  prostiate,  and  adore 
The  Lajkb,  who  died,  and  lives  for  evermore. 
His  pow'r  they  sing— which,  in  redeepiing  blood. 
Sought  out,  and  made  them  kings  and  priests  to 

eod. 
Hero  the  true  ohoreh  appean ;  for  who  among 
AMambted  worlds  oao  nU^  this  Joyfid  song 
Bat  her  i    Not  e'en  the  blessed  angels  can»— 
Wish  as  they  may  the  m^'stic  theme  to  scan. 
They  never  left  their  high  and  happy  home, 
Bedtteed  by  sin  through  foieiga  lands  to  roam. 
Th^  never  from  the  reaUnaotdcath  woe  dzawn. 
Heirs  of  new  life,  and  to  »  kingdom  bom. 
But  finnly  in  eleoting  love  they  stand. 
And  all  on  fixe  to  know  his  high  command. 

Aaaia :  these  elders  mark ;  for  there  we  see 
That  patriarchs  twelve,  and  twelve  apostles  be. 
They  represent  the  dispensatf  odb  two  : 
This,  by  the  Christian  own'd,  that  by  the  Jew  : 
Bttfl^  in  more  ample  meaaara»  we  henold 
By  the  four  beasts  the  Choroh  of  Ood  unfold. 
Thfiy  represent  the  Church  in  periods  four— 
From  Adam's  time,  till  time  shall  be  no  more, 
Yet  ere  we  their  historic  course  pursue, 
Bome  other  points  of  character  we'll  view. 
Bach  had  six  win/T*.  and  this  seems  to  imply, 
Beyond  six  thousand  years  tfane  cannot  Ay. 
For  aaa  day.  Gad  sees  a  thonaaad  j'ears— 
A  thousand  years  with  him  a  day  appears— 
Thus,  in  six  days,  Creation's  work  we  trace, 
Six  thousand  years  of  new  creation  grace. 
Again— in  theae  six  wings  the  Church  may  ne 
The  oMrks  of  her  time-state  idcmity. 
Alike  in  eaoh  great  period  taiight  of  Ood, 
Her  children  walk,  and  overcome  by  Mood. 
So  by  six  wings  on  each  she  plain  appears 
As  the  one  diurch  of  twice  three  thonsand  yeKn. 
These  four  were  also  full  of  eyes  within, 
So  does  the  Church  look  inward  ;  and  her  nn 
Original,  and  actual,  descry, 
Witn  the  drawn  sword  of  angry  Justice  nigh. 

She  looks  again,  and  lo !  the  bleeding  LamU 
Hath  bome  her  griefii,  and  put  away  her  sbame. 
His  whole  obedience,  as  a  robe,  she  wears 
And  iiee  for  ever  from  all  blame  api^eara. 
Beiore,  behind,  they  stUl  were  fall  of  eyes; 
By  which  the  church  looks  backward,  and  descries 
Her  sin  foreknown,  before  the  worlds  were  inadCr 
And  the  great  scheme  of  her  salvation  laid. 

Again— the  Chnrch  looks  wistfhlly  before. 
And  sporee  this  den  of  sin  and  grief  the  more. 
The  mow  she  sees  bar  iMppyhenEM  abovtv 
Whero  all  is  brlghtnsss,  pimte.  and  Isfve. 
Thus  in  ths  type  Of  ^es  the  HiAy  Ohost 
Oives  light  ana  knowledge  to  the  blind  and  lost. 
Nottingham.  J-  N. 


108 


THE  KABTHEK  VESSEL. 


April  1,  18M. 


NEW   BOOKS   &  PAMPHLETS. 


»•  Gleanimgi  Among  the  Sheaves.'*  By  Bev.  C. 
H.  Spubokox.  London:  Passmore  and 
Al^Mster. 
This  antiqae  little  volame  is  sent  us  for  no- 
tice ^*wiUi  the  publisher's  compliments," 
stating  that  **more  than  eight  thousand 
copies  of  this  little  eighteenpenny  book  were 
sold  on  the  day  of  publication."  That  sale 
aiose  not  from  any  novelty  in  the  book  it- 
self, but  simply  from  the  fact,  that  Charles 
Haddon  Spuigeon  is  a  great  favourite  with 
the  people.  His  sermons,  his  lectures,  his 
volumes  will  sell  by  thousands,  where  other 
authors  or  preachers  will  only  sell  by  hun- 
dreds. But  our  readers  will  sav,  ^*  what  do 
you  think  of  Mr.  Spurgeon?**^  and  "what 
report  can  you  give  of  the  book?"  It  is 
now  eight  or  nine  years  since  we  bent  our 
knees  beside  Mr.  Spurgeon's  little  bed,  on  a 
certain  occasion  wnen  he  was  verv  ill :  and 
in  the  arms  of  our  faith,  and  in  the  simple 
affection  we  ever  feel  for  all  young  men  wno 
are  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  Christ,  we 
were  helped  to  plead  with  the  Lord  for  his 
speedy  recover}'.  It  was  such  a  season  of 
holv  fellowship,  and  of  earnest  wrestling 
with  God,  as  we  have  known  but  seldom 
during  our  five-and-thirtv  years  pilgrimage 
in  the  truth;  and  so  fully  did  we  receive 
that  young  brother  into  our  hearty  that 
neither  his  rapid  rising,  nor  our  circum- 
stantial descending,  has  ever  caused  us  to 
forget  He  has  gone  up  into  the  skies  of 
popularity;  we  hiave  gone  down  into  the 
valley  of  adversity :  he  has  stretched  him- 
self so  extensively  as  to  take  in  almost  every- 
body ;  and  almoei  everybody  in  some  shape 
or  other  has  taken  him  in :  the  circles  of  his 
ministry  are  so  immense,  that  you  can  never 
say  of  him  he  is  the  same  yesterday,  and  to- 
day, and  for  ever.  He  travels  round  the 
whole  of  the  evangelical  globe,  and  touches, 
more  or  less,  at  every  point;  while  we, 
having  sunk  almost  into  obscurity,  can,  per- 
haps, understand  but  little  of  what  passes  in 
these  days  for  religion,  for  revivals,  for  con- 
versions, and  for  Christian  churches.  When 
in  our  right  mind  ^unfortunately,  we  are  not 
there  every  day ;  out  when  we  are  there), 
we  sit  down,  and  if  with  Watts  we  cannpt 
nnjh  y«t  with  him  we  can  say,— 
•  My  God,  my  portion,  and  my  love, 
My  everlasting  all, 

I've  nooe  but  Thee  in  hea«'*n  above, 
Or  on  thii  earthly  ball. 

Let  others  stretch  their  arms  like  seas, 
And  gnBD  in  all  the  shore ; 

Grant  me  the  visits  of  Thy  face. 
And  I  desire  no  more." 

We  have  alwavs  believed  him  to  be  a  ten- 
der-hearted child  of  God ;  and  although  he 
hurls  dire  contempt  down  upon  us  poor  little 
Zionites,  Zoarites,  and  Bethlemites,  some- 
times, still,  having  had  some  boys  of  our 
own,  we  know  they  will  be  naughty  now 
and  then ;  but  love  covers  their  loUy,  and 
aims  to  correct  their  fault  Whatever  O. 
H.  Spnigeon  may  do,  or  not  do,  on  this  im- 


perfect stage  of  time,  we  hope,  through 
gprace,  to  meet  him  in  that  kingdom  where 
pleasure  in  perfection  is,  and  all  are  like 
their  Lord.  We  have  bought — we  hope  it 
is  not  a  wicked  thought^ but  we  nave 
thought — What  a  changed  scene  it  will  be 
if,  in  tnat  Mght  oelesnal  world,  on  some 
future  period,  and  sitting  on  one  of  the  hea- 
venly hills,  we  should  &ppen  to  see  a  com- 
pany of  the  Southwark  divines,  good  old 
George  Francis,  in  all  the  youth  and  beauty 
of  a  Saviour's  healing  life ;  ^*  dear  Master 
Thomas  Gunner,"  with  a  heart  as  soft  and  a 
mind  as  refined  as  the  loving  John  and  the 
holy  Jesus  Himself;  Hu^h  Allen,  as  tame  as 
Noah's  dove;  James  Wells  in  the  shining 
robes  of  his  loving  Master's  righteousness, 
and  Charles  H.  Spuigeon  dose  beside  John 
Foreman  and  J.  A.  Jones  (tor  we  believe  the 
ancient  Jirah  patriaroh  will  go  home  some 
day,  and),  then  and  there,  as  our  favourite 
poet  says,  we,  yes,  even  we,  hope  to  see,  — 
^  The  glorious  tenants  of  that  place. 
Stand  bending  round  the  throne ; 

And  saints  and  sefaphs  sing  and  praise, 
The  inllaito  Three-One. 

And,  oh  I  what  beams  of  hear'Uly  graoe. 
Transport  them  all  the  while ! 

Ten  thoDsand  smiles  fkom  Jesn's  fkoe^      ^ 
And  love  in  eveiy  smile.'* 

Ah  I  brethren,  differences,  jealousies,  and 
suspicions  here  will  exist;  but,  to  us,  seeing 
the  worid  is  so  full  of  sin,  our  hearts  so  full 
of  deception,  the  adversaiy  so  full  of  malice, 
the  mere  profession  of  religion  so  full  of 
death,  to  us  the  man  who  really  seems  to 
love  and  live  Ohxist  »  HIS  GKwpel,  to  us 
such  a  man  is  highly  esteemed,  and  leaving 
all  imperfections,  we  silently  breathe  out, — 

*' Jesus,  and  when  shall  that  dear  day, 
Thst Joyful  hour  appear, 
When  I  snail  leave  this  house  of  cla}% 
To  dwell  amongst  them  there." 
Oh!  that  will  be  joyful  indeed. 

^'7%e  Gleamn^*^  are  extracts  from  Mr. 
Spuiveon's  sermons.  All  his  friends  will 
like  them,  and  among  them  are  some  choice 
little  gems  of  thonght. 


''  The  Memory  of  the  Jtttt.  A  Funeral  SerMou 
occationed  by  the  death  o/the  kUe  Mr,  John 
Mauey.  By  Mm,  Thomas  CHn^EBs." 
We  referred,  in  Febuarj',  to  the  f uneial  of 
this  aged  and  honoured  man  of  God.  A 
Funend  Sermon,  preached  in  Ebenezer 
Chapel,  Webb  Street,  Bermondsy,  Jan.  27th, 
by  Thomas  Chi  vers,  has  since  been  published ; 
and  can  be  had  at  the  ChapeL  For  happy 
Christians  it  is  a  sweet  and  pleasant  testimony 
of  the  life,  faithfulness,  and  peaceful  end  of  a 
really  good  man.  We  give  the  first  paia- 
gpraph,  in  the  Sermon,  as  a  testimony  to  the 
character  of  the  deceased.  Mr.  Ohiven  began 
by  saj-ing, 

*'It  may  not  be  altogetheir  unprofitable  to 
give  a  brief  outline  of  our  knowledge  of  and 
connection  with  our  late^  highly-esteemed 
~1[C 


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TBB  SABTHSK  VISML. 


109 


friend  and  brother,  Mr.  John  HaMey.  who 
stood  in  honoumble  membership  of  thecnurch 
at  SnowVfieldB  and  Ebenezer,  Bennondsey, 
fifty  yean,  thirty-nine  of  which  he  was  a  use- 
ful and  faithful  deacon  of  the  same.  What 
Qneen  Victoria  said  on  the  death  of  the  Duke 
of  Wellington,  that  there  never  was  two 
Wellingtons,  I  am  sure  may  be  said  of  our 
brother,  there  never  was  two  Masseya:  he 
was  a  man  of  good  report,  and  highly-es- 
teemed by  all  who  really  knew  him.  His  life 
was  a  true  exemplification  of  the  Christian 
character  before  God  and  man ;  his  death  an 
incontestable  proof  of  the  reality  and  vitality 
of  the  graat  truths  he  had  so  many  years  been 
sustained  by.  Our  brother  has  left  the  sta^e 
of  time  for  the  glory  world,  and  is  now  m 
the  realms  of  the  blest,  for  ever  with  the  Lord.** 

*^  The  Cfaspel  Trmnrjf  $  or,  TVeoMiry  Harmontf 
of  the  Four  fntM^elMte,"  in  the  words  of 
Vie  authorized  venion,  according  to  Qras- 
welFs   '*Harmonia  Evanffelica;^   having 
Scripture  Illustratious ;  Eixpository  Notes 
from  the  most  approved  Uommentators ; 
Practical  ReflecUous;    Geogmphical   No- 
tices; Copious  Index,  drc.     CiMnpiled  by 
RoBKRT  MiMPRisa,  Author  of  "  The  Sys- 
tem of  Graduated  Simultaneous  Instruc- 
tion ;"  "  Christ  au  Example  for  the  Young,** 
Ac.    Two  vols  in  one.    London;  The  Bri- 
tish and  Colonial  Educational  Association, 
&,  New  Bridge-sti^set,  Bbckfriars,  Ac 
Tins  book  never  can  be  appreciated  nor  its 
full  value  realized   but  by  a  constant  use. 
Reviewers  have  exhausted  all  the  usual  terms 
in  their  high  commendations  of  Mr.  Robert 
Mimpriss's  labours ;  but  we  are  persuaded  no 
uno  can  anticipateor  imagine  the  real  charac- 
ter of  the  book  but  br  searching,  using,  re- 
ferring to,  and  carefully  perusing  it.    Eveir 
lover  and  teacher  of  Now  Testament  Truth 
will    most    delightfully  and    gratefullv  ac- 
knowledge the  immense  service  Mr.  Mim- 
prlas  has  rendered  the  highest  and  best  of  all 
causes. 


*^The  Sioru  of  (he  lA/e  of  John  Andenon, 
the   FugiHve  Slave,''     Edited  by  Harfkk 
TWKL.VIITRKK8,    M.A.,    Chainuau  of   the 
John  Anderson  Committee.  London:  Wil- 
liam Tweedie,  337,  Strand. 
A  i»iMri.K  title,  leading  you  on  to  sheets  of 
<:oiitent5  which  furnish  such  photographs  of 
men  and  of  minds,  of  characters  and  of  cruel- 
it  iel^  of  places  and  of  political  principles,  of 
nations,  narratives,  triala.    and  triumphs  be- 
yond all  description.    The  world  is  full  of 
stories ;  but  this  is  a  storehouse  of  fact,  and 
finely    worked    out    incidents    sufficiently 
j>owerful    to    enchant,    entertain,    and  en- 
lighten the  whole  of  the  human  family,  from 
tlie  boy  of   ten   up  to  the  most  aged  sire. 
.  Harper  Twelvetrees  has  climbed  the  ladder 
•of  commercial  enterprise  with  almost  un- 
prtraUeled  success.   In  the  domestic  circles  of 
eveiy  house  and  home  he  is  a  benefactor; 
but  here  he  has  stepped  into  the  library,  and 
made  a  contribution  for  which  hundiiids  of 
thousands  will  thank  him,  not  in  our  times 


merely,  but  in  all  succeeding  ages,  especially, 
as  the  tide  of  freedom  rolls  on  tnrough  the 
civilized  world. 

''The  Gardener'$  Weekfy  Magazine,''  Con- 
ducted bv  Shirley  Hibbkrd,  Esq.  Pub- 
lished by  K  W.  Allen,  Warwick-lane. 
Shirlky  Hibbkrd  is  an  industrious,  active, 
intelligent,  and  talented  gentleman.  To  get 
good  matter  for  his  magazine  he  walks  many 
miles,  makes  observations  upon  the  rxNUi- 
side  villas,  mrked  mansions,  countr}'  nur- 
series, and,  lilco  the  busy  bee, — 

I  **  fle  gathers  honey  all  the  day, 

I  From  every  opening  flower." 

'  And  ha^-ing  gathered   up  a  richly-\*aried 
.  store,  he  sends  it  forth  to  many  thousands 
i  for  their  use  and  help  in  gardening  and  hor- 
[ticultuial   pursuits.     Shirley  Hibberd  pos- 
'  sesses  the  rare  gift  of  writing  phdnlv,  pleas- 
ingly and  in  a  truly  practical  style.      We 
only  know    him   through   his    literary  la- 
i  hours ;  but  we  are  certain  his  work  deser^-es 
extensive  patronage. 

^*' Supplement  to  Earthen  Vessel,''  containing 
I  Letters  to  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  by  Na- 
'  thaniel  Wright,  Esq.,  of  Famdon ;  to  Mr. 
\  jMneB  Wells,  from  R.  Lee,  in  America, 
I     Ac  Ac 

I  If  all  our  decidedly  God-fearing  la^nnen 
j  would  do  as  Mr.  Wright  has  done,  erroneous 
I  clergymen  would  not  be  allowed  to  pour 
'  contempt  upon  the  Gospel  of  Christ  as  now 
!  many  do.  Mr.  Wright's  letter  is  a  noble 
[  Scriptural  testimony  to  the  truth  of  that 
'  Gospel  which  Jesus  and  His  ftix>6tles 
:  preached. 

''A  History  of  Baptism  from  the  Inspired  and 
Ummpired  Wrttingg,  By  Isaac  TAYr/>R 
j  Hwtun,"  being  the  twelfth  volume  of 
I  "  Bunyan  Library."  Published  by  J.  Hea- 
j  ton  and  Son,  42,  Paternoster-row.  1864. 
I  The  value  of  this  volume  to  the  Baptist  in- 
1  terest  is  beyond  all  price. 

I     The  pictures  and  the  tales,  the  lessons  and 

testimonies  to  every  branch  of  truth,  which 

:  fill  "  OLD  JONATHAN"  every  month,  are 

I  worthy  of  thkt  increasing  and  hearty  wel- 

i  come  with  which  it  is  hatted.    Mr.  CoUing- 

!  ridge*8  execution  of  this  penny  broadsheet 

i  is  excellent    The  editor  must  work  hard  to 

bring  together  such  a  variety  of  reading  so 

suit^  for  the  cottage,  or    to  comfort    the 

comfortless  in  all  their  sorrow. 

"  The  Baptist  Reporter,"  now  published  by 
Messrs.  Heaton.  is  most  wonderiully  im- 
proved, and  shall  have  special  notice. 

"  The  lAttle  Gleaner,"  by  SEFrmrs  Sears, 
comes  out  this  year  quite  respectably,  and 
for  children  and  schools  is  a  nice  monthly. 
We  know  it  is  very  usefuL 

^  Happy  Years  at  Band,"  Outlines  of  th^ 
Coming  Theocmcy.  By  Wiluam  Lease, 
D.D.    London:  S.  W.  Partridge. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


11« 


^m  (^Utith^,  mx  f  astaw,  »n^  m\  |wir^. 


TSB    TBIUXPEB    07    TBT7TK    IB 

<», 

THB  ATJSTRATiTATT   OBIFPLB 

iWk  give  with  pleuuM  tb»  feUoving  ooaHnuai- 
oatioiM  firom  oar  Sydney  friends.] 

TO  THS  £D[TOB  OS*  TKJ>  XASTHSV  YBaSBI** 

Dkab  Sir,— On  LordVday,  December  a7th»  1863, 
our  pastor,  Mr.  John  Bunyan  ICCare,  baptized 
ten  disciples  in   the  name  of  the  most  holy 
and  blessed  Trinity  in  ont  new  chapel  in  the 
presence  oCa  very  crowded  and  atteaUre  congre- 
gation, ma^y  of  whom  were  very  much  aflbcted 
and  oonvinoed  that  baptism  is  immenion,  and  is 
the  command  of  Christ,  and  ought  to  be  obeyed 
by  all  Christians.    Those  who  were  immoMd, 
most  of  them  are  ■wi»n^rtfi1niMp  instances  of  the 
converting  power  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  with 
the  word  preached.     One  was  met  with  when 
our  pastor  preached  on  board  the  White  Star 
ship;  another  when  he  preached  in  the  Boyai 
Lyceum  Theatre;  another  while  he  was  preach- 
ine  at  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall ;  and  others  in  our 
late  place  of  worship  in  the  sugar  works,  two  of 
whoDfi  are  his  own  daughten»  and  one  a  widow 
with  sn  inflrmitr,  bowed  down  and  could  not 
lift  up  heneir.    She  had  not  been  to  a  plaoe  of 
worship  for  thirteen  years,  and  had  not  been  oat 
of  her  room  fior  three  years.    She  was  a  member 
of  the  Church  of  JEngland,  and  considered  her- 
self to  be  a  goo<l  Christian,  and  trusted  in  her- 
self that  she  was  righteous,  and  knew  not  that 
she  was  **  wretehod,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and 
blind,  and  naked/    She  knew  nothiiur  of  the 
new  birth  and  her  need  of  the  **  halm  ofGikad." 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  tiie  only  physioiaa  of  souls. 
It  pleased  the  Lord  to  honour  the  writings  of 
Mr.  M'Cure;   his  exposure  of   Popery,  as  set 
forth  in  his  published  lecture  upon  **  Dominant 
Popery  always  the  aone,  wbether  Borne  Papal 
or  JBome  Proteetant."  as  the  means  of  her  oon- 
version.     Great  and  sore  troubled  of  soul  abe 
passed  through  from  a  sense  of  her  ruined  oon- 
dition,  and  that  she  had  been  an  enemy  to  the 
way  of  truth.    In  due  time,  the  Lord,  thromrh 
the  instrumentality  of  His  servant,  delivdMl  her 
soul ;  her  Jov  was  great  and  her  deoiaioa  woa  for 
Chnst.    M  have  never  been  baptized,-  she  said 
to  all  who  came  to  see  her;  ^'I  am  oonvinoed 
from  the  fford  of  God  that  the  Particular  and 
Strict  Baptist  Churches  are  the  only  ohorohes 
that  correspond  with  the  PostieuhHr  and  Strict 
BapthrtOhvdheaoftheirewTesta&Mnt    I  have 
been  s^nkled,  and  that  I  know  nothing  about 
aa  my  own  act.    But  sprinkling  is  nottne  bap- 
tism of  the  New  Testament ;  therefore  I  am  de- 
termined, with  the  Lord's  help,  to  be  baptized 
by  immenion  in  a  proper  manner.    I  am  quite 
sure  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  commanded  it, 
and  that  it  is  binding  upon  all  who  beUM«,  m- 
— ".and  love  Him.    I  believe  likewise  tliat  the 
is  able  to  give  strenspth,  and  that  He  wUl 


CUB    QOX.ONIB8; 

IN   BAPTiaK. 

ie  constantly  in  a 
k  and  helpleoB 


pent,  and  love  Him. 

Lord  is  able  to  five  ^     „ „ 

uphold  those  who  obey  him,'  and  1  beliere  He 
will  give  me  rtrength  to  pass  tlmmgh  His  own 
ordinance." 

She  applied  for  baptism  and  membership  with 
">•  Ip  consequenoe  of  her  aJBiction,  we  held  a 
church  meeting  at  her  house,  when  she  gave  a 
nrost  wonderftal  and  blessed  aeoount  of  the  work 
pfgvece  in  her  soul.  She  was  neeivadiDr  bap- 
tism, but  very  few  beliefod  that  she  wonld  be 
able  to  go  through  the  ordioance  of  baptism,  her 
aflkiion  being  of  that  distressing  character,  it 
appeared  impossible.  She  suHbrs  from  two  can- 
cers; one  has  grown  out  of  her  side  as  large  as  a 
child's  head ;  both  fleet  are  paralyced,  and  like- 


wise bar  right  1 

Btsteof  te«er,and  in  a  ^ ^ ^,»^ 

dition;  cold  water  she  cannot  endoie;  always 
obliged  to  be  washed  in  warm  water.  ICaayof 
her  former  friends,  when  they  fbnod  that  riie 
was  going  te  be  baptised,  did  all  they  could  ta 
prevent  it;  etiiefa  aajii^p  It  would  be  a  sliaiifee  to 
boptias  her:  itwouH  be  sue  to  hill  htr»  oad 
that  Hr.  M«Oa«e  would  be  guilty  of  aoa- 
slaughter.  To  all  such  she  replied,  ''If  the  Lord 
wiU  be  more  glorified  by  my  sulnring  harm  or 
death  in  the  act  of  obedience  to  Jesus,  I  will  my 
theLonPswiHbedene;  Midlf  I  wossuivthiiri 
should  die  in  the  water,  or  the  next  day,  I  am 
detanmned  to  obey  my  predoua  Lord  Jcouo.  It 
IS  His  oommaodmant;  therefore  I  believe  Ha  is 
aUe  and  willing;  to  give  me  strength  to  do  what 
He  has  commanded;  therefbre  I  will  leave  my> 
self  in  His  hands." 

Glory  be  to  His  most  holy  name,  He  did 
hoaour  His  own  &ith,  and  an  afliotod  sister  <aB> 
perieaoed  that  she  oonld  do  all  tliiags  throMb 
Chnst  strengthening  her.  With  great  dlAciab' 
she  was  brought  to  the  chapel ;  then  oazried  into 
the  vestry;  a  chair  was  provided  fbr  her,  in 
which  she  was  taken  down  into  the  water,  oad 
was  bsptised  in  the  name  of  the  Esther,  Soai,  aMl 
Holy  Ghosts  in  the  ptesenee  of  six  hondMdpw- 
eons.  Our  sistur,  not  havii^  ee«n  the  otdioaMe 
odmmistered.  she  deaired  that  she  might  be  left 
lsst>  that  she  might  witness  the  immersion  of 
those  before  leferred  to.  The  power  and  pre- 
senoe  of  the  Lord  was  indeed  in  our  nidst,  and 
many  wore  emvineed  that  bsptiam  is  not  spstak- 
Hng^  but  iameision.  Two  have  oppUad  for  bap» 
tiam;  one  was  hrooght  to  wywitanos  under  a 
somon  Mr.  K'Cure  preached  on  board  the  Wave 
of  Life. 

On  Lord's-day,  Januaxy  8rd,  in  the  ereniiis, 
seventeen  were  received  Into  the  fUlowshipoT 
the  ohnrefa  by  om  pastor.  Oar  aUKcced  antor 
eomeatly  desired  and  peagred  to  the  Lord  titat 
she  might  once  more  go  up  to  the  Lord's  hoose 
to  be  received  into  the  church,  and  obey  the 
other  command  of  Christ,—'*  Do  this  in  remem- 
brance of  me,"  and  then  she  would  be  able  U> 
"put  to  silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men," 
by  thus  declaring  that  no  harm  had  happenedto 
her  through  obeying  the  Lord.  Kotwfthstandinc 
her  great  suftariags  of  body,  she  woa  bronght  vS 
agaiii  to  the  Lord>  hoose  in  a  cnh.  »eiras 
publicly  veoeived  into  the  church,  and  tliooe  who 
witnessed  were  constrained  to  say,  **Thi8  is  the 
Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes.** 
This  noble  witness  of  the  Lord's  fidthfutnesa,  and 
that  those  ovdinanees,  Baptism  and  the  LmtTa 
^^P^^t  *>"  Divines  and  that  poor,  weak,  and 
afflicted  ones  may  with  confidence  in  the  Lord 
keep  His  commandments  and  fear  not,  is  x«joic> 
ing  with  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
Her  enemies  are  very  angry  that  she  should  leave 
the  ehureh  of  her  fiithers,  and  unite  herself  with 
the  despised  Baptist  ehureh.  Thus  we  may  say 
the  Lord  of  Hosts  woa  with  us,  and  glory  b«  to 
His  holy  name.  Jobbpb  Olabx. 

Sydney. 

THE  OPEiaNG  OF  JOHN  BUNYAN 
McCUfiKS  NEW  CHAPSL 
AV  tfTDISCRY. 
TXB  Baptist  Chapel  in  Cksttsseagb^tsMi,  i 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


XvA  1,  MH^ 


THB  BAVnXBaX  VESSEL. 


Ill 


eiu  <9ol 


the  ptateMl  caw  «f  tlMBOT.  John  taqyMi  JCcCurek 
wM  opoMd  test  SwBdasr  week,  wbeo  three  aer- 
roons  were  pieBahcd— one  in  the  mondngf  by 
Ber.  John  Btxayau  HcCiire,  from  Bev.  vi«  8 ;  one 
at  three  o^oloek  in  the  alternoon,  bv  Bev.  F. 
Hlbherd,  Iron  Zech.  ir.  7 ;  eod  one  m  theevening 
by  the  Bev.  8.  a  Kent,  from  Bobw  ix.  a  Ber.  Dr. 
Steel  preeebed  on  the  following  day,  end  we  ere 
*  py  to  ny  that  the  amonnt  realized  by  tbesev- 
eoHeobena,  amettBted  to  £40.  Yesterday  • 
tea>meeting  wee  held  In  the  chapel  to  eelelnate 
the  nune  nappy  crent,  iHiieh  wee  very  num- 
erouly  attended.  After  tea  a  public  meeting 
wae  had,  J.  B»  MoOuro  presiding.  The  meeting 
wae  well  attended;  Mr.  Graham,  B.  Humphreys, 
S.  C  Kent,  A.  Thomson,  F.  Hibberd»—  Shepherd, 
^Biek%  ice,,  Ac,  were  present 
A  hymn  having  been  snag  and  prayer  offered, 
The  CBAmMAV  opened  the  prooeedings  by  ex> 
inrenning  toe  gratitude  he  telt  to  Providence  at  the 
happy  termination  of  the  work  that  had  been 
WMfertnkett  end  carried  oot  under  many  diffl- 
cnhaea  The  eongregation  had  been  united  to- 
i»  holy  brotherhood  tor  two  years  and 
wirniiha,  and  when  they  first  thought  of 
erecting  a  plaoe  of  wontup,  great  diffionlty  had 
been  found  in  finding  a  site  suitable  for  the  pur- 
pose, imtil  a  member  of  the  oongregatiott  had 
pointed  omt  the  land  on  which  the  present  ehapel 
was  baiH,  and  which  was  for  sale— the  price 


asloed  being  £760 ;  but  afterwards  it  was  purchased 
foriSTW.  JmeoDdoelon,  he  begged  them  all  to  aak 
God*a  hieseing  on  the  work  that  had  been  com- 
pletert,  and  wmild  call  upofu  Mr.  Beaumont,  the 
arohitnot  who  had  planned  the  chapel,  to  give  a 
statement  of  the  vavioaBexpenflea  that  had  accmed 
in  oarrying  out  the  work. 

Mr.  B.  BxAUMmiT,  who  had  planned  and 
snyefinlnnded  the  erection  cf  the  building, 
stated  that  ttie  church  bntlding  oentjnact.  exdusive 
of  the  gallery  and  enhngement  of  the  vestry, 
amounted  to  £836.  The  erection  of  the  gallery, 
the  enhursement  of  the  vestry,  and  an  excavation 
beneath  €at  ehnveh  building,  for  the  purpose  of 
estebliahing  a  eohool-room,  to  the  extent  or  thirty 
b^  ti«TCnty*nine  fcet,  being  snbaeiiuently  oon- 
sidaned  cseential,  they  were  aooordingly  pro- 
ceaded  withata  onrtior  £110,  Ttiecort  of  the 
chorch  seite  and  tea  boaide  was  £88,  with  £43  for 
gas,  water,  and  drainage.    The  cost  of  the  ground. 


with  deeds,  Am.,  amovated  to  £719.  making  the 
total  cost  of  the  ohapel  end  mund  to  amount  to 
£1,833.  The  amount  expended  in  the  erection  of 
the  minister's  house  waa£ffi»,  with£96  fordrain- 
age  and  out-buildiags,  Ac.,  total  £620.  The  cash 
collected  was  £810,  and  the  balances  due  were — 
on  the  chapel  £1023,  and  on  the  minister's  house 
£620,  cauWng  a  total  of  £1649. 

The  Chaibman  said  he  had  now  a  very 
pleasing  duty  to  perforai,  whieh  was  to  present  a 
te«timonial{to  Mr4Beauniant  expressive  of  the  uni- 
versal feeling  of  gratification  experienced  at  the 
mimner  in  which  ne  had  carried  out  the  work  in* 
truffted  to  his  hands.  Besides  his  kindness  in  off- 
eringto  plan  and  superintend  the  work,  he  had 
also  subscribed  handsomely  towards  the  £800, 
which  was  the  amount  required.  He  had  great 
pleasure,  on  behalf  of  the  congregation,  in  pre- 
senting to  Mr.  Beaumont  a  copy  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  hoping  he  would  live  long  to  read 
and  dimst  them. 

Mr.  MoCurethen  handed  over  to  Mr.  Beaumont 
a  massive  handsomely  moroooo  bound  volume  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  finely  lettered  and 
illustrated,  on  the  first  leaf  of  which  was  inscribed 
— "Preoented  to  £.  Beaumont,  Esq.,  by  the  mem> 
bersandoongreffation  of  the  Baptist  Chui-cb,uu-. 
der  the  pastoral  care  of  John  Buny&u  McOure, 
Gastlereagh  and  Liverpool  streets,  Sydne^r*  aa  a 
token  of  their  appreciation  of  his  services  in  act- 
ing as  the  architect  of  their  new  otiapel,  1853.*' 

Mr.  Beaumonty  who  appeared  deeply  moved, 
briefiy expressed  his  thanks. 

The  CHAiRMiOf  then  called  upon  those  present 
to  join  in  a  hynua,  during  which  a  collection  waa 
made  towards  tlie  funds  of  the  church,  and  the 
sum  subscribed  we  are  happy  to  say  amounted  to 
£U8s. 

Appropriate  and  eloquent  addresses,  on  various 
portions  of  Scripture,  were  next  delivered,  by 
brethren  Hibberd,  Graham,  Hicks,  Kent,  Shep- 
herd, and  Thomson,  and  between  each  addresa 
the  verse  of  a  hymn  was  sung. 

The  Mw  ehapel  la  an  elegant  structure,  and  all 
ite  internal  arrangements  roomy  and  oomforteble. 

Attached  to  the  chapel  is  a  house  built  with 
every  view  to  convenience  and  health,  tlie  rooms 
all  being  lofty  and  well  ventilated.  This  is  to  be 
the  residence  of  the  respected  pastor,  &£r.  John 
Bunyan  McCure. 


OB2AT  WLESIXNOk  AT  THS  SITBBXrr  TABBBITAOLB,  BOBOTtaH  BOAD, 

OH    eOOD   FBIDAY,  MABCH    WTS,   1864. 

On  IMday,  April  25th,  18G4,  two  spedal  ser- 
vices were  hmden  in  Mr.  James  Wells*s  chapel  in 
the  Borough-road,  in  furtherance  of  the  object 
of  erecting  a  new  and  much  larger  place  of  wor- 
ship for  the  overflowing  congregations  that  con- 
tinually gather  to  listen  to  the  ever-fresh  ml- 
nistiy  of  the  pastor  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle. 
In  the  afternoon,  at  8  o'clock,  Mr.  Wells  de- 
livered a  most  excellent  discourse,  which  was 
listened  to  by  a  large  congregation,  among  whom 
we  observed  several  ministers.  We  also  were 
much  pleased  to  see  the  rector  of  the  parish  fn 
which  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  stands,  sitting  and 
widi  much  earnest  attention  listening  to  Mr. 
Well8*B  afkemoon's  discourse.  Dr.  Allen,— much 
better  knosrn  as  plain  Hugh  Alien,— was  one  of 
the  congregation  on  this  occasion ;  and  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  gave  it  as  his  own  opinion 
that  Mr.  Wells  *' ought  to  hove  a  large  chapel  out 
of  doora,  and  not  in  doort,**  like  the  present  one 
is.  Mr.  Alien,  in  his  worm  Irish  heart,  told  the 
deacons  that  they  must  go  right  a-head ;  there 
could  be  no  two  opinions  as  to  the  great  ne- 
cesrity  for  the  place  which  was  contemplated, 
and  he  hoped  soon  to  hear  that  the  matter  was 
piQgsBsaing  fiivnurably. 

After  the  sermon,  tea  was  provided,  at  which 
between  twelve;  and  thirteen   hundred  penons 


gathered ;  the  large  chapel,  both  below  and  in 
the  galleries,  was  filled ;  and  how  such  a  multi- 
tude were  Bupplied  we  cannot  tell ;  but  every  one 
seemed  to  vie  with  his  neighbour  in  doing  all 
that  could  be  done  to  assist,  and  make  the  occa- 
sion a  pleasant  one ;  in  tact,  •*  good  will"  reigned 
everywhere,  and  the  pressure  upon  the  officers 
and  friends  only  served  as  an  opportunity  for  the 
development  of  a  largo  amount  of  good  Chris- 
tian feeling  and  brotherly  love,  which  probably 
would  otherwise  have  lain  slumbering  in  ob- 
scurity. Such  a  monster  tea  meeting  we  have 
never  before  seen;  and  we  may  say  that  the 
friends  all  seemed  quite  happy  in  being  so 
*'  warmly  received." 

In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was  held. 
Shortly  after  half-past  six,  Mr.  Wells,  with  his 
deacons,  and  a  number  of  ministerial  brethren, 
entered  the  table-pew,  and  at  the  unanimous  re- 
quest of  the  meeting,  the  FAfiTOR  oconpied  the 
chair.  The  service  was  then  commenced  by  the 
vast  body  singing,— 

**  Gtod  moves  in  a  msrstericus  way, 
H^  wonders  to  perform ; 
Hel)lants  His  footsteps  in  the  sea. 
And  rides  upon  the  storm." 

Mr.  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Surrey  Tnber- 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


112 


THE  EABTHKN  VE88SL. 


April  1,  ISM. 


nsde,  WKight  lor  tint  Lttrdli  blewliv  on  the 
meeting.  All  who  tletened  to  Mr.  Smith's  ear- 
nett  ■uppIicolioDB  for  the  oanee  there,  for  its 
mcmben,  for  ite  peator,  for  its  rarioue  inetitu- 
tions,  tor  ite  new  end  important  nndertaking, 
felt  thet  a  such  prayere  mait  be  heard  and  an- 


■  After  another  vene,  Vr.  Wxlu,  aa  ehairmaa, 
opened  the  prooeedingt  by  stating  the  object  for 
callinc  the  fHende  together :  it  was  to  reoogniee 
thepRndple  that  was  laid  down  at  a  meeting 
held  in  that  place  seven  months  ago :  it  was  then 
resolved  that  a  new  and  muoh  more  commodious 
place  of  worship  should  be  built ;  to  that  prin- 
ciple and  to  that  object  they  were  still  peme- 
veringly  and  hopeftilly  adhering.  The  shortness 
of  their  present  lease :  the  hidden  position  of  the 
chapel;  the  conflnea  and  narrow  egress;  the 
closeness  of  the  place;  the  imperfect  ventilation, 
and  many  other  inconveniences,  led  the  friends 
to  the  determination  to  obtain  an  eligible  and 
aaitabte  place  of  meeting,  where  they,  with  their 
families,  might  worship  in  comfort  and  peace. 
The  greatest  difficulty  that  had  yet  arisen  was  in 
obtaining  a  suitable  site :  ground  in  that  locality 
was  daily  becoming  more  scarce;  but  still  they 
had  two  or  three  spots  in  riew;  and  he  hoped 
before  long  they  would  be  in  a  position  to  state 
something  more  deanite  on  this  point  But  this 
was  no  ground  for  discouragement;  for  seven 
montlis  they  had  gone  on  well;  and  he  was  con- 
fident, by  the  spirit  of  tlie  meeting  now  before 
him,  that  they  would  still  go  on  energetically 
and  suooessftilly  till  the  great  and  good  work 
was  acomplished.  Mr.  Wells  then  said,  aa  there 
wen  probably  many  strangers  present,  and 
friends  of  other  denominations,  he  would  briefly 
refer  to  the  main  principles  of  their  religion. 
The  speaker,  then,  in  a  rerv  afltetionate  and 
ludd  manner  detailed  the  leading  features  of  our 
faith  and  hope,  and  in  so  doing,  t^K>k  occasion 
to  speak  especially  on  the  subject  of  "good  will 
toward  men."  Mr.  Wells  obserred  that  they, 
as  a  body,  were  grossly  misrepresented  by  per- 
M>ns  who  said  they  cared  not  tot  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  He  could  say  that  he  prayed  earnestly 
for  the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  men ;  for  the 
conversion  of  his  fdlow-mortals;  for  the  en- 
laigement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom ;  and  for 
the  spread  of  the  e\'erlastinff  and  glorious  truths 
which  had  been  made  so  endearingly  precious  to 
his  own  soul ;  and  if  angels  zciJoicM  to  see 

"The  feeblest  saint  upon  his  knees," 

how  much  moreehould  they  be  earnest  in  seeking 
to  use  the  means  for  plucking  men  aa" brands 
trom  the  burning.'*  This  was  a  movement,  also, 
not  only  for  the  present  generation,  but  for  many 
>'et  unborn.  Further,  it  was  a  mo%'ement  for  the 
good  of  their  families.  Verj*  many  pnyen  were 
here  presented  by  parents  to  the  Lord  on  behalf 
of  their  children :  they  were  bound  to  use  all 
lawful  means  for  their  ei-erlasting  good;  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  alone  could  quicken  their  souls, 
and  call  them  out  of  nature's  darkness;  but 
many  fi  parent,  he  belie\-ed,  would  see  their 
prayers  answered  when  in  heaven ;  for  there  he 
aoi>ed  numbers  would  witness  the  entrance  of 
their  children  through  the  golden  gates  of  the 
celestial  city.  It  was  a  mo\'ement  also  for  the 
good  of  the  cotmtry.  Take  away  the  real  Chris- 
tians out  of  Old  England,  and  it  would  immedi- 
ately becojne  a  hell  upon  earth.  Mr.  WelU  then 
referred,  in  a  pleasing  manner,  to  the  influence 
the  Gospel  exercised  among  men  of  the  worid, 
Illustrating  this  part  by  come  pleasing  incidents. 
The  importance  of  the  rooY-ement  as  an  '*im- 
pro^-ement  in  our  socisl  position*'  w^as  also  re- 
ferred to ;  and  upon  this  poiut  the  speaker  took 
a  review  of  the  numerous  and  varied  temptations 
with  which  the  metropolis  now  abaimds,  all 
more  or  less  tending  to  ensnare  our  youth,  de- 

Oour  countfy,  and  stop  the  spread  of  the 
.    We  were  told  tliat  only  thirty  per  cent. 


of  the  inhabllanta  of  Bouthwark  attended  any 

{»laoe  of  worship,  flhonld  aoch  a  testimony  as 
hat  be  the  means  of  stopping  them  In  their 
efforts  to  spread  the  Tnithf  Iio^  by  no  means; 
let  such  a  testimony  make  them  mora  earnest 
and  determined  to  use  every  meanato  aprasd 
the  truth  Ur  and  wide.  Tne  Lord  had  weo- 
derfUly  eneouraged  them  in  that  ptaiee.  II  hen 
they  first  came  then  (he  did  not  remember  how 
long  ago  it  was  now),  it  was  a  little  square  place, 
holding  about  600;  twice  they  had  enhuwed  it ; 
and  still  they  were  in  want  of  room.    Thai  meet- 


ing was  a  pledge  to  them  to  go  forward.  Why  had 
so  many  friends  as  he  now  saw  before  him  de< 
prived  themselves  of  a  little  lk«sh  country  air  oo 
so  fine  a  day,  and  come  there  to  be  near  suffo- 
cated ?  why  wbera  they  there  ?  because  they  were 
determinea  to  carry  on  this  work  with  energy; 
and  he  believed  that  eneray  would  not  abate 
until  the  top-stone  was  ruaed  with  ahontings 
of  *'  Graces  grace  t"  unto  it. 

At  the  dose  of  Mr.  Wells's  address,  wUeh.  for 
energy  of  spirit,  (and  breathing  a  strong  desire  to 
benefit  his  fellow  mortals,J{was.une(|nalMd,  he  cal- 
led upon  the  Secretary  to  give  a  statement  of  the 
propess  made  by  the  bmlding  committae.    In 

Mr.*BirTT  aaid,~ 
"The  OoMKirrBX  appointed  at  the  public 
meeting  held  in  the  autumn  of  1861;  with  the 
Minister  and  Deacons,  ara  now  called  upon  to 
state  what  has  been  done.  Their  atteation  has 
been  drawn  to  several  sites,  some  of  whioh  appear- 
ed to  be  eligible;  but  upon  careful  eonaidentjon 
they  wera  oDliged  to  decline  them.  They  are 
still  looking  out,  and  hope  to  be  rightly  directed 
in  this  important  step. 

**  The  oollecton  are  most  acti\'e  in  obtaining 
not  only  donation  but  weekly  subsoriplions 
which  now  amount  to  about  £90  weekly ;  olbere 
are  ttsioff  collecting  cards;  while  many  have 
promised  and  othera  are  waiting,  until  the  site 
is  obtained. 

**  Several  churches  have  responded  to  our  ap- 
peal, by  granting  the  use  of  their  «hapelL  for  our 
pastor  to  preach  in,  in  aid  of  the  lund,  whidi 
collections  amount  to  £67.  8a.  9d.  we  hereby  ten- 
der our  thanks  for  the  kindness  thus  shewn. 
Othen  have  kindly  promised ;  and  will,  as  the 
spring  adraiices,  be  accepted. 

"Tfie  Committee  most  thankfully  aooept  the 
encouraging  success  whioh  has  attended  their 
elTorts,  as  a  proof  tnat  th^  have  taken  the  xi^t 
step;  and  whilst  preparing  to  make  every  eroit 
themselves,  as  fiar  as  their  means  vrill  permit, 
purpose,  under  the  dirine  blessing,  to  use  every 
means  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  desired 
object— in  building  a  house  for  the  senrioe  of 
God. 

They  feel  sure  this  meeting  will  rqfoice  to  hear 
that  the  various  benevolent  soueties  have  in  nowise 
suffered  Arom  the  increased  call  which  haa  been 
made  upon  the  friends  for  this  new  undertaking. 
The  amount  received  to  the  present  is  as 
follows:—  £    s.    d. 

Subscriptions  and  donations    ..   3,108  15    4 

Congregational  Collection        ..        $7    8    9 

Collection  at  the  public  meeting 
in  October  .,        iO   0    0 

Profits  of  tea  meeting  in  Oct  ..        14    1    4 

making  a  total  of  cash  received      SSi^ili    0   2 
This  amount  of  £a,S]0  is  invested  in  the  names 
of  three  trustees,  bearing  Interest,  which  will  be 
placed  to  the  funds. 

*']n  additon  to  this,  we  have  received  promises 
amounting  to  XIOSO.  ThusL  in  a  little  more  than 
six  months,  the  amoimt  realise  in  cash  and  prom- 
ise being  £8,365.  Os.  6d.  These  arefiuto  which 
encourage  us  to  go  forward,  still  looking  unto 
the  Lord,  who  has  been  with  his  church  and 
people  in  thia  place  for  ao  many  yeara.  We  be- 
lieve thia  work  ia  of  the  Lord  ;  and  that  it  will 
still  go  on,  and  prosper. 


Digitized  by 


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April  1,  1864. 


THE  EABTHSH  TMSBL. 


113 


**  We  euroot  foitair  expreMing  our  ■ympftthv 
with  maoy  of  ottr  dear  friend*  who  hvn  passed 
through  painflil  and  nnexpeeted  hereavements 
ainoeour  last  meeting :  some  who  were  then  pre- 
aent.  and  entered  heartily  with  their  silver  and 
gold  as  well  as  their  fierrent  prayer,  that  a  more 
convenient  and  larger  building  mfglit  be  erected 
for  the  aervioe  of  Ood ;  and  prore  the  means  of 
the  Attheianoe  of  that  Gospel  which  supported 
them  in  lifL  cheered  them  in  their  departing 
raomentB.  They  are  gone ;  and  left  us  still  to 
struAle  on  in  the  wilderness. 

** »  conclusion  we  say,  '  whatsoever  thine  1 
band  flodeth  to  do^  do  it  with  all  thf  might*  • 
"^  '  ^  my  beloved  brethren,  •  be  ye  stedfast,  | 
it,  slways  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord ;  for  as  much  as  ye  know  that  3'our  labour  ■ 
is  not  in  rain  in  the  Lord."  | 

Mr.  Butt,  in  closing  the  report  of  the  Building  i 
Committee,  expressed  nimselr  much  pleased  at  the  I 
npid  progress  that  bad  been  made  with  the  fund  i 
dining  the  six  months  it  had  been  in  operation ; , 
more  than  thn»e  thousand  two  hundred  pounds  \ 
had  in  soshorta  time  been  received  and  promised. 
'We  were  also  much  pleased  to  hear  that  tne  various 
Benevolent    Institutions    connected    with   the ! 
Surrey  Tabemicle  had  in  no  way  suffered  from  | 
the  extra  exertion  that  hod  been  put  forth  by  . 
the  friends  there;  in  Ikct,  :Bifr.  Wells's  words  were  ' 
proved  to  be  onite  true,  **  only  get  the  people  use 
to  giving,  ana  th^  will  always  work  better ;"  - 
the  amonnt  contributed  to  the  various  Benevolent ' 
institutions  amounting   to  £500  in  Uie  twelve 
months.    Binoe  the  tervice  Mr.  Butt,  has  received 
finom  one  friend  £50^  and  he  liad  every  confidence 
in  the   nndertakiuA   believing  the  Lord  had 
iraetedthemtoit. 

ICr.  Ain>E]i8o?r,  of  Deptford.  said  he  was  glad 
to  see  such  a  large  number  of  people  gathered, 
and  such  a  united  feeling  amongst  them.  He 
looked  upon  such  a  meeting  as  an  extremely  in- 
teresting event  in  the  history  of  the  church 
there.  He  was  sure  what  they  had  heard  that 
evening  tully  repudiated  the  charge  that  tlieae 
•*  hypers**  were  a  people  who  did  nothing  for  the 
fartbersnee  of  the  Gospel ;  £500  subscribed  in 
one  twelve  months  for  benevolent  purposes,  and 
then  £S000  towards  a  new  house  for  the  worship 
ofGod. 

Mr.  HAWbm,  of  Trinity-street,  said  he  was 
delighted  at  the  prosperify  the  movement  had 
met  with;  he  was  not  jealous;  be  only  wished 
every  minister  of  truth  in  the  metropoHs  was  in 
the  same  position  ss  his  brother  Wells,  wanting 
a  larger  tabemable. 

Mr.  Hall,  of  Clapham,  expressed  very  great 
8}*mpaChy  with  the  tmdertakiog;  he  had  tra- 
velled a  long  way  to  express  that  feeling;  and 
now  he  was  much  pleased  to  see  such  a  gathering. 
He  hoped  they  would  soon  have  a  noble  chapel 
in  an  eligjlble  position,  for  he  did  not  see  any 
reasons  why  the  good  old  Gospel  should  be  hid 
up  in  oonrta  ana  at  the  back  of  house%  while 
error  stood  with  a  bold  front  in  our  open  streets. 

Mr.  Mrxmoif  (of  Hackney),  and  Mr.  Blakx, 
(of  ArtiUery  Lane),  also  advocated  the  cause  in  s 
warm  spirit. 

Mr.  Cars  (deacon)  with  much  energy,  spoke  of 
tho  good  success  that  had  attended  tl^ir  efforts ; 
and  oonelnded  by  moving  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
Ladies  »*for  their  indefatigable    and    untiring 


*  in  the  cause.  The  vote  was  second- 
ed, and  unanimously  carried. 

After  some  further  remarks  fWrni  the  chair,  the 
doxology  was  sunfl:  and  the  meeting  closed. 

It  has  seldom  fallen  to  our  lot  to  attend  such  a 
gatherfaig ;  the  spacious  chapel  was  filled  in  every 
oomer  where  standing  room  could  be  got ;  the 
h^ypfert  spirit  reigned  amongst  the  speakers ;  the 
friends  seamed  dedded  and  united ;  the  interest  of 
the  meetiiw  never  flagged  for  one  moment ;  and, 
aHhough  tne  plaee  was  almost  unbearable  for 
haai,  hardly  a  person  moved  till  the  proceedings 
tcvminated. 


VOBWZOH  —  VA^tE  I5tl),  1064.  —  The 
church  of  Christ,  at  Orfbrd  Bill,  Korwich,  agsJn 
bear  testimony  to  the  kind  and  watohl^l  care  of 
our  covenant-keeping  God.  Seven  yesrs  have 
rolled  into  the  eternal  past,  since  our  present  pss- 
tor,  Mr.  John  Corbltt,  first  came  amongst  us; 
thanks  to  our  heavenly  lather  they  have  not  been 
seven  j'ean  of  famine ;  indeed,  there  has  been  no 
lack  of  temporal  good ;  and,  I  trusty  I  may  say 
with  confidence,  spiritual  blessings  have  been 
showered  upon  us.  It  lias  been  our  custom  to 
hold  an  annual  tea  meeting  as  near  tlie  time  of 
Mr.  C.'s  first  ooming  as  oonvenient ;  the  express 
object  of  which  has  been  to  commemorate  tlie 
above  event,  and  to  raise  a  small  aum  for  inciden* 
tal  expenses :  these  yearty  meetings  have  answer- 
ed the  desired  end.  On theSSrd of Eebruaiy, we 
held  our  seventh  annual  tea  meeting ;  two  hundred 
or  more  sat  down  to  tea.  A  pubno  meeting  was 
held  in  the  evening  at  which  addresses  were  de- 
livered by  Mr.  Joseph  Field,  minister  at  Sazling- 
ham ;  Mr.  Dearie,  an  occasional  speaker,  anda 
member  at  Pitt  street ;  Mr.  John  (lowing,  minis- 
ter at  Pitt  street,  and  Mr.  Cortritt :  a  few  minutes 
being  occupied  by  the  choir  between  each  of  the 
addresses;  and,  as  a  whole,  this  meeting  was  a 
very  encoursging  one,  and  afforded  ample  proof 
of  tne  attachment  of  Uie  great  bulk  of  the  people 
to  the  minister  and  the  cause  of  God  in  this  place. 
Mr.  Corbitt  thoroughly  enjoyed  it ;  and  at  the  con- 
clusion expressed  nimselt  as  being  proud  of  the 
success  of  the  meeting  for  various  reasons,  which 
he  pointed  out  in  his  usual  warm-hearted  manner. 
I  am  quite  aware  that  publisliing  such  things  as 
these,  is  r^rded  by  many  ss  extremely  fhlsome 
and  egotistic :  but  I  trust  the  motive  in  the  pre- 
sent instance  is  a  righteous  one^  whatever  fidlings 
may  appear.  The  holy  scriptures  declare  of 
brethren  dwelling  together  in  unity,  that  it  is  like 
the  precious  ou  poured  upon  the  head  of 
Aaron,  that  ran  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  gar- 
ment, a  holy  and  copious  anointing.  Kow  al- 
though we  uMy  never  realise  to  the  ftiU  this 
brotherly  unitjr,  yet  we  have  been  favoured  with  a 
good  share  of  it,  and  as  a  church  have  a  right  to 
say,  **  The  Lord  has  done  great  things  fbr  ns,"  Ac 

It  is  equally  true  that  tliere  are  those  around  ns 
that  think  and  speak  diflTerentlf ;  and  imagino 
the  promerity  that  attends  us  to  be  but  a  bubble 
that  will  one  day  bunt,  and  expose  its  hoUowness ; 
but  it  is  our  merojr  that  Chxl's  tlioughts  are  not  id- 
ways  as  men's  thoughts,  or  we  must  en  this  have 
been  dispersed  to  the  four  winds.  We  do  not 
anticipate  &ir  weather  and  smooth  water  all 
through  the  voyage,  as  that  would  be  oontrsry  to 
the  experience  of  God's  family  in  all  ages ;  it  may, 
therefore,  be  summed  up  that  as  a  whole  we  have 
been  happy  and  prosperous,  and  whatever  has 
manifested  itself  of  a  contrary  nature  lias  hitlier- 
to  been  of  short  duration.  But  he  who  reads  the 
hearts  of  all  knows  exactly  how  matters  stand ; 
and  having  of  late  had  to  pass  a  painful  ordeal,  the 
ttni^  of  the  main  body  of  the  ehuroh  has  been 
dearly  tested ;  and  we  are  again  breathing  freely 
and  looking  forward  hopefully.  May  the  good 
shepherd  ever  watch  over  his  little  flock  in  this 
place,  and  all  other  places  of  his  dominions,  to 
oomfort  and  to  bless  them,  is  the  prayer  of  a 
feeble  one,  J.  M.,  Secretary.  P.S.,  Our  senior 
CeacoQ,  who  is  over  eighty  \-ears  of  age,  is  still 
able  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  his  oflloe  apparent^ 
with  unwearied  energy  and  remarkable  punctual- 
ity, and  has  hitherto  taken  the  management  of 
all  our  tea  meetings.  Give  honour  to  whom 
honour  is  due. 


IPflTWlCH— On  Wednesday,  Feb.  34,  was  liekl 
tlie  snnual  tea  and  thanksgiving  meeting;  oom- 
mcmorative  of  the  Lord's  i^adons  dealings  with 
the  cause  at  Bethesda  ohsjpeL  and  with  their  %  - 
tor,  T.  Poock,  in  preserving  himA 
Digitized  by  ' 


m  wita  wiwr  |m»- 


114 


f  HH  iuMtama  Yum^L. 


i#cii  i,uai. 


M«eiithy«rotliiBB»tunabirtb>digr.  Uptntda 
of  four  hundjwd  penons  Mit  down  to  partake  of  a 
tea  plentifully  and  tastefully  Mt  out  by  the 
wann-hearted  wilfing  atoten  belonging  to  tbe 
oaiue.  After  tea,  a  hymn  was  Mtna,  one  of  tlie 
deaoona  pFaiml,  and  Mr.  W.  Clarice  took  tbe 
chair.  In  biB  usual  manner,  he  spoke  much  of 
God's  goodness  to  the  cause,  showed  the  present 
state  of  financial  aftdrs  as  bemgsatisfitetory,  oon- 
gistalMad  his  pastor  in  b«ing  enabled  through 
aaollier  year  to  fill  his  pulpit  withoutonQe  baiag 
laid  by  In  aiBiction,  and  still  hoped  for  further 
peace  and  prosperity.  He  called  on  Mr.  7.  to 
address  the  meeting.  In  so  doing,  he  said  he 
raoioed  in  again  meatiiig  his  aaany  frtonds,  and 
while  they  had  to  feel  the  loss  of  six  membem 
and  one  deacon  by  death,  the  Lord  had  sent 
mem  than  He  had  takao  away ;  the  ohurch  had 
eliosen  two  to  that  office,  men  competent  and 
willing  to  ftilfll  the  duties  of  such  an  important 
post  in  the  dinroh  of  God.  He  had  buried  no 
less  than  four  deacons  during  his  nineteen  yecrs 
Ubonr  among  them.    Bis  intenUons  were  still, 


our  bcotber  Chinan  to  i«ad  a  stateoMatitf  .4he 
result  of  the  aiort  made  by  himself  and  miala- 
terial  brethren,  which  their  liad  so  ooidiaUy  and 
zealously  undertaken,  malizing  iha  noUe  amiHinr 
of  £78  te.  4d.,  which,  with  some  affeeticm»tii  re- 
marks, oudr  brother  Ohlvers  handed  to  ttie  chair- 
man for  presentation  to  brother  Attwood  as  an 
expreasioa  of  loving  n-mpaihy  toward  ikim.  Our 
brother  Attwood  teaoered  all  his  a^tsfiod  ao^ 
knowledgmeots,  and  desired  to  smg  *'rmiae 
God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow.*'    Tha  mant 
ing  was  then  cheerfully  •darasaed  bybrethim 
Butterfleld,  Webster,   Heeres,  and  Bnob«r,  all 
expressing  themselves  delighted  with  what  th^' 
'  had  wUnessed  of  the  goodness  of  our  oowsBMit 
I  Ood.    Thus  ended  an  evening  worth  living  lor. 
God  be  thanked.    Total  amount  piesented :~ 
Friends  at  Charles-street..    ..  £»   add 
Brother  Chivers's  List     ..     ..    78   i(    4 


by  Divine  gnca.  to  preach  the  same  truth,  the 
whole  trut^  ana  nothing  else  but  tm^.  Mr. 
Collins,  of  Grundisburgh,  then  gave  us  a  speech 
we  hope  not  to  forget^  Mowing  the  manifold  way 
the  man  of  ain  was  using  to  inundate  the  Gospel 
by  artifice  and  lies;  the  duty  of  ministers  and 
chorcbes  to  watch, jpray,  and  oppose  his  errors, 
and  to  be  valiant  for  inith.  He  r^oioed  to  see 
the  cause  so  bleat^  and  warmly  ooagiatnlated  his 
brother,  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and  the  people 
with  him.  Mr.  Dearing,  of  Crowfield,  next 
nwke  veiy  foelhigly  to  the  pastor  and  friends, 
that  being  his  birti^laoe.  they  being  his  near 
BBlntfons,  and  Mr.  P.  his  father  in  the  Gospel,  of 
wiMm  he  was  not  ashamed ;  nor  did  he  think  he 
was  ashamed  of  him.  The  Lord  had  downed 
na  with  lovteg  kindness  and  tender  mersies,  and 
eirery  additional  blessing  was  an  add!  ticnal  gem 
in  that  crown.  He  pn^€d  that  peao^  love,  and 
prosperity  may  forther  abound.  Mr.  Joseph 
FOo<lr.  the  younger,  son  of  Mr.  P.,  rose  at  ttie 
eall  ox  the  ohaiiman ;  stated  he  was  now  an  in- 
habitant of  Ipswich;  congratulaied  his  frther 
and  friends,  and  hoped  the  Lord  would  still 
make  him  a  greater  blessing  to  many.  Mr. 
Harris,  one  of  the  newlyMsleoted  deacons,  was 
next  asked  to  speak.  He  very  aptly  did  so,  and 
hoped  to  see  further  prosperity  in  the  canse, 
espedaUy  in  the  Sabbath-school,  he  being  the 
superintendent  Our  singers  performed  between 
the  speeches  in  no  mean  manner  snitable  pieces 
to  the  deUght  of  the  assembly  and  mudi  to  their 
credit  The  doxology  was  sung,  the  benediction 
pitmoonoed,  a  vote  of  thanks  presented  to  the 
ohairman  and  ladies  for  their  kind  help  given  on 
the  oooamon.  Thus  closed  tlie  most  happy  meet- 
ing ever  folt  on  the  like  occasion. 


OAMBlSBWBLIi.— A  Happy  MEsmra  at 

0RARLK8-8TBBET,  CaXBXBWELL  5EW  BOAD.— 

Deab  Mb.  Bdztob,  —  I  desire  for  myself  and 
others  to  congratulate  our  esteemed  brother, 
Thomas  Ohivers,  on  the  success  attending  his 
ncbte  effort  put  forth  by  himself  to  assist  our 
brother  Attwood  in  his  late  heavy  trial.  On 
Tuesday  evening,  March  15th,  after  a  goodly 
number  had  taken  t««,  the  business  of  the  even- 
ing oomm^iced.  Mr.  William  Aldersoo,  who 
hsM  taken  an  active  part  with  our  brother 
Ohivers,  was  unanimously  chosen  to  take  the 
chair.  A  hymn  wtw  sung.  Brother  William 
Webb  implored  the  Divine  presence  and  blessing. 
The  worthy  chairman  then  made  some  godly, 
practical,  and  eff^ive  remarks.  One  of  tne  re- 
spected deaoons  of  Charles  street  then  presented 
to  our  brother  Attwood  from  tbe  chujcch  and 
oongtegatlon  the  sum  of  twenty-nfne pounds  odd 
as  an  expression  of  their  sjrmpath}'  for  him, 
which  our  brother  Attwm>a  (affectionately  ac- 
knoirMlged.    The  ehairman  then  called  upon 


£107    $   4 
Omz  who  wab  PBSfflurr. 

[We  leadily  give  place  to  the  following  note 
ttom  our  brother  Attwood.— Bs.l 

**  To  each  and  all  of  those  ministerial  brelhren 
and  fHends  who  have  so  kindlyresponded  to  the 
appeal  of  our  brother  Thomas  Chivers,  whose  in- 
demtigable  labours  have  been  crowned  vrith  com- 
plete success,  I  desire  hereby  to  present  n^* 
heartfelt  thanks.    Hoping  the  Lord  mav  abun- 

yo 

the  words  of  the  everlasting  GK>apel,  Thomaa 


SS' 


dantly  repay  them  and  bfess  them  with  all  peed< 
ful  grace  tor  Jesu's  sake  is  the  desiuD  of  yours  in 
the  words  of  the  everlasting  GK>apel,  Thomaa 
Attwood.  Oharles-street  Chapel,  Gamberwetl 
New  Bead. 

BAPTIST  STTirBAY-aCSOOIi 
T7KI0N.— A  large  number  of  gentlemen  met 
at  our  excellent  ana  spacious  committee-room  at 
Shafteaburv  Hall  on  the  8th  iostant;  and  when 
one's  mind  looked  at  them  one  by  one,  earnest 
men  as  they  ar&  most  of  them  leading  men  at 
the  head  of  the  labours  and  benevolent  institu- 
tions of  their  own  churdies  and  schools,  and 
some  of  them  of  such  churches  as  the  everiaating 
Gospel  and  its  ordinances  have  seldom  had  in 
London  perhaps  before,  the  soul  heaved  up  to 
God  in  humble  devotion  and  holy  thankagiving 
for  the  sight.    The  schools  of  brethren  Meeras, 
of  New  Church-street,  Bermonde^,  and  Hiier- 
I  son.  Oval,  Hackney,  were  received  into  oiur  union. 
j  The  zealous  and  generous  teachcra  of  Keppel- 
I  street  presented  their  first  quarterns  collectiona, 
f  voluntary  of  themselves,  amounting  to  the  sum 
I  of  ISs.  Id.    So^eral  other  sums  from  schools  and 
j  individuals  were  added  to  our  funds.    An  aggre- 
gate tea  and  public  meeting  was  resolved  on,  at 
I  which  the  nature  and  objects  of  our  union,  witla 
I  the  means  by  which  wo  purpose  to  carry  them 
I  out,  shall  be  set  before  our  denominauon,  to 
i  which  all  the  teachers  and  friends  of  those 
schools  approving  of  our  principles  and  oonsti- 
tntion  are  to  be  welcome  and  invited,  while  such 
fHends  who  may  be  in  London  from  any  part  of 
the  world  at  the  time  it  would  give  uspleaMue  to 
see  amongst  us.    Tbe  place,  tune,  sumects,  and 
speakers  will  be  shortly  published.    Tlieiwbli- 
cation  conmiictee  reported  that  brother  Hilner 
was  preparing  a  Juvenile  catorhism  to  be  Isid 
before  them ;  that  they  recommended  a  monthly 
serial,  to  be  called  ^  The  Baptist  Sunday-school 
Union  Bible-Class  Magazine,*'  at  one  penny,  and 
also  a  *  *  List  of  Lessons,"  with  illustrations.    The 
report  was  received  with  instructions  to  procure 
printer's  terms,  &c .   The  visitor's  oonuuittae gaw 
an  interesting  report,  and  the  preparatinn-olass 
committee  recommended  a  central  class  in  Hol> 
bom,  a  northern  one  in  Islington,  and  a  aouthem 
at  Trinity  chapel,  Trinity-streeti  Borough.    This 
report  was    received,  and    remains    for  tiext 
month's  consideration.    Our  monthly  meetings 
in  fhture  to  be  held  ^n  the  third  Friday  < 
to  aceemttii 


ings  instead  of  the  Tuesday*,  ; 
ovr  ministering  brethren. 


W.tt. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


hipdl  1,  l$u. 


J.15 


«ttfa»tHMKV  aMtiag.   After  4te  hid  %w^9w. 


1:  Itw  fitim  well  ftUM.    Vhe  MniS 


WM  heU: 


JTO  qmkBD  to  ^Mr.  Wanvm *he antov,  upon 
tiw  irark  Slid  nrinktoy  of  the  S^Mt  ifoTi. 
lOloOT,  of  London,  then  gif«  a  vwy  eBoeltent 
AddnMsnpoaftlio  gfeiU;  doeferines  of  llie Qeepel. 
Mr.  J.  Vloinr  epolDDof  the  enoenragement  ctf  eoih 


viewB  of  JDMne  tnrth.  to  kriKmr  IbriAiisL  as  alio 
ofeni -«^- --.» ..    TT^  .  _   - 


of  enunrt  to  the  faallever  peraoMllT,  tbet  Ck>d 
wwUd  ouryeii  the  work  of  grace  in  thewal  «ni 
we  eiionld  eome  off  "moie  than  oonqwMm 
tihwQgh  Him  that  lovAdne.**  H«MJak»d,li«riiw 
luul  deep  empathy  with  the  laiMe  for  yaara,  to 
see  8o  many,  and  trusted  the  efforts  of  the  friends 
would  be  crowned  with  epeedar  sneow  in  iHMdnff 
jtehapel  of  their  own  in  whloli,  as  SteiotBaiH 
wsi  to  worahip  the  God  of  aalvaUon.  lb. 
CoiliBs,  of  Clegett,  spoke  a  few  warm  words  of 
love  to  the  **  truth  ae  it  is  in  Jama'*  showiaff 
that  the  lore  of  the  Father,  the  work  of  tkeBon! 
and  ministry'  of  the  VLoly  Spirit  ledonnded  to 
tite  good  ot  the  ohnroh,  and  glory  of  tihe  trione 
Jehovah.  After  a  few  words  from  Mr.  Hine, 
«ad  avQteof  thanks  to  the  ladies  for  ICavtha- 
like  oaxe,  ended  one  of  the  happiest  meetmas 
thcw.    '«0  Lord,  seed  now  ppoeperity." 

TBOfQ.— Atthe  Ute  Jjir.  Glover's  ohapel, 
Mr.  Bennet,  of  Chatham,  is  on  probation,  the 
Lord  give  him  manv  souls  in  that  immense  field : 
bat  let  him  not  look  with  contempt  upon  the  sis- 
ter cnrehes.  If  he  does,— as  some  hare  done  before 
Mm,— hftmavezpeetbatadmitpaatonite.  We 
wlU  nev«r  betieve  that  oar  loving  Lord  and  ]fa»- 
ter  win  xtelly  bleis  that  ml&tar,  nor  tliat 
people,  who  look  with  oooumpt  npea  the  peer 
and  aJHeted  charrhea  in  jian.  Lofty  taleots^ 
wesdtiiy  eoflters'—  aristocratio  leanings  —and  pur* 
ohawdpopateritiee— holdnpeooMcaiMee  in  ap- 
pearanoefor  years-battheooostoiit^hngeB  speak 
loud  and  solemn  lessons.  For  the  good  of  Zion, 
we  pray  that  the  chnrebes  in  Tring  and  in  those 
parte  of  Bueks  may  be  mom  unitad— moredkwoted 
—more  subetantuulv  useful.  'Theosoaedt  West 
Sad,  Trlng^  has  sufiered  for  ^eara,  still,  it  has 
been  helped  and  honoured  of  God.  That  good 
mazu  Henry  Ohapman.  has  almost  laid  down  his 
life  for  the  cause,  ana  many  more  with  him. 
Let  them  be  encouraged,  thev  love  Jesus  and  he 
loves  them.  The  same  may  i>e  said  of  dear  Col- 
yer,  of  Ifinghoe.  Like  onrselves,  he  has  had  his 
sorrows,  and  he  has  made  his  mistakes,  bnt 
Christ  is  for  him.  Oh,  ye  ministers,  and  mem-" 
bers  of  churobea  veaA  Joha  xiii,  4^17. 

9XAMFOBD.-'VALo(ser  of  Tmth"  gtres 
a  sad  ceport  of  this  place.  **The  ehonh  his 
wmhed  at  ein;  etoalccdit  ever;  membeia  with- 
drawing from  oommonioa;  »<^J»*ng  but  con- 
fusion.'^  What  does  all  this  mea&P  A  aentle* 
man  was  in  atouflwd  one  Lord's-day,  aadbeiag 
afHendtotralih,aoaghtibrit.  WedOBOtkBow 
how  maay  ehandies  aai  chapels  in  Stamford 
hare  the  truth ;  but  his  conviction  was^  '*a  long 
decline,  and  an  nlomato  division"  wontd  beolodd 
truth  there  most  fearfhily.  Let  us  be  careful  we 
do  not  help  fbrwavd  the  afflictions  of  Joseph; 
but  always  remember,  that  although  the  Lord 
does  sometimes  correct  end  reprove  His  ohildi«i, 
Re  allows  no  one  but  Himself  to  use  the  rod. 


TOOTINa  «BOYB«*-Mb.  BAirKS,-We 

adsh  to  record  the  LonMi  MKt  jgopdness  to  us 

flnrt  aaiilferBaty  of  J?K>videDee  ^Baptist 

We  had  Iwo  0Dod  sound  Gospel  ser- 

Mr.  Sosalande  in  the  afternoon,  and  Mr. 

Lookin  in  ttie  aveniag.     Seventy  persons  sat 

down  to  tea,  kindly  Amtehed  by  the  ladies  of 

thechaaohaad  congregatton,  tliat  Ute  proceeds 

might  go  towarda  the  funds,  so  that  witli  the 

cnthctiena,  a  nice  Uttie  sum  was  paid  off  the 

Aebt  H.  WKLca. 

(Onr  btiether  Welch  is  one  of  those  industrious 

mittlaton  who  labour  six  da>'s  to  eupp^  bis 

flunily,  and  fully  and  ireelyf  preach  the  Goe- 

pel  en  the  Babbatfa.    The  Lord  giweshim  peace 

and  prospeiitjy.  .We  love  him,  and  pray  that 

eoea  his  chi^  may  be  free  from  debt,  and 

»swh  too  sasaU  fior  the  people:  yea,  that  be 

may  long  live  to  labour,  and  see  his  pretty 

chapel  very  much  enlaxgedw-<^£o.] 

STlBPIfBT.  —  Catji  Aduujlx  Baptist 
Chapjel,  Old  Boad.^On  Wednesday  evening, 
March  and«  Mr.  Wehsler,  our  pastor,  was  pii. 
vil^ged  to  baptise  four  penoms,  one  male  and 
three  femalea  wIkv  on  the  following  Lord*s-di^ 
•retting,  with  two  othen^  formerur  membete, 
were  received  into  the  church,  whicn  makes  up- 
wards of  ftfly  who  have  been  received  during  i&. 
Webefcer's  pastorate  here,  now  two  years,  all  of 
whom  profess  to  have  received  spintual  bene^t 
under  nis  minist^,  some  of  them  quickened 
into  Divhie  life  under  it.  Tlu«e  members  have 
Moently  been  taken  to  their  heavenly  home. 
Thus,  while  the  Lord  is  adding  to  the  church 
triumphant  He  is  also  adding  to  the  church 
militant.  Peace  and  unity  prevail  in  our  midst, 
and  the  minlstiy  ia  blessed  to  those  who  have 
Iketord.    -    - 


long  known  the  1 
gioiy. 


To  Him  alone  be  all  the 
Thomas  Oui.rsB. 


We  tiMsh  we  have  suAred  savsnely  An 
qn«ctor  our  correspondent- lefers  to :  buL  for  the 
tmu's  sake,  we  aekto^  6ver  to  love  and  to  pray 
for  all  who  to  the  tnrth  do^etMid.  We  CKpept 
ftirfher  eommunicaSons  firom  dtaittfcrd.  tVe 
win  try  and  review  die  sermons  earemlty;  but 
where  there  is  su<^  a  clear  system  always  main- 
tatawd  with  so  maayaennlred  taienCi,  itU  haid 
to  get  oat  of  printed  p^pcr  my  ealb  isoiMAtiiloii  of 
theman^tetato. 


HABWIOH.— Mr.  J.  W.  Dyer,  of  Wal- 
worth, commences  Mi  stated  labours  at  Baptist 
dhapel  bete  this  month  of  April.  We  are  glad 
that  Harwioh  fHends  have  ohoeen  a  brother  so 
haM»7  lined  with  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  witdli 
a  ae^roeted  love  to  all  who  love  the  Lord. 
Brother  Dver  sat  not  at  the  Ibet  of  Ghuaaliel,  but 
he  eat  lontf  under  the  ministry  of  that  late  earnest 
and  usefuTnum  of  €tod,  Joseph  Irons.  Since  Mr. 
Iitmrs  decease,  brother  "Dyer  has  seen  Mid  ob- 
served the  ordinance  of  believei's  baptism  by  im- 
meraion;  and  efen  if  the  aainte  in  heaven  oonld 
know  what  the  aaiute  on  earth  are  doing,  we  do 
not  thfaik  that  now  the  spirH  of  the  noble  Joseph 
would  be  grieved  either  at  beholding  his  soa 
Dyer  in  the  baptistry  or  in  the  pulpit.  Hay  the 
Lord  gieatly  bleas  J.  W.  Dyer  at  Harwioh  tor 
vn'y  years^ "  

l^EWTOK  ABBOT,  DEVON'. -A  Dav 

OF  Good  TiDnrea.  On  Lord's-day  morning, 
many  were  wending  their  way  towards  the  Bap- 
tist ehapel,  STewtou  Abbot,  to  Ksten  to  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation.  Our  beloved  pastor  preaonad 
a  meet  impfessive  and  suitable  sermon  trom 
Acta  ii.4L  43  :**  Then  t 


tbey  that  gladly  received 

Hie  word,''  Ac.  Alter  which  three  were  bap- 
tiaea,vOne  male  and  two  females.  It  was  a  time 
leogtoberemembeNd  by  nsall.  We  thank  the 
Leca,  and  take  ooursge.  Our  last  three  bap< 
tisiagB  have  been  greatly  honoured  of  Ood,  inaa- 
muoh  as  one  or  more  have  been  oonstvainedt  after ' 
witaessing  them,  to  say,  **  We  will  go  with  you, 
for  we  bSlieve  that  0od  is  with  ▼on.'*  As  a 
ehnroh,  we  are  eqjpying  peace  and  pitieperitir. 
Oar  pntycc  meetings-  are  attended  better  than 
evor.  We  hope  to  nave  again  in  our  midst  on 
Tuesday,  A|»il  lOth,.  that  emiofnt  servant  of 
r.  J .  foreman,  of  London,  whoee  services 
parte  were  made  a  mreat  blessing  to  us 


Ood,.Mr, 

in  these  parte  were  madeaAreal „ 

when  he  was  last^ere  in  October.    May  Ood 


long  spare  his  usciBil  Itfe^ 
Jesus, 


Bo  prays  yonrs  in 
Tk 


Digitized  by 


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116 


April  1,  ] 


VOTTXVOKAM.-In   the  mmnt 

-  -   -  -     -  -  ■  -   -   naeh  Kttin 


fctttod  fteteof  thingt,  we  had  mi 
■Bd  tfetf  for  ounelvM  than  pobliBh  from  eonce- 
pondenta,  although  for  them  we  are  thanklW; 
but^all  the  time  gold  oan  buy  meaehen^  and 
pmehcnwill  sell  f hamirlve^  and  lell  bapkiim, 
and  mU  anything  for  ntiti  of  clochea  and  for  a 
few  ■orereigni^  we  cm  only  lilentiy  aorrow  over 
them.  We  hope  to  be  in  Nottingham  before 
long,  and  then  we  can  meet  any  one  who  is 
xeany  eoncemed  to  earry  out  the  whole  truth. 
We aieglad  Mr.  Ganrard  haa  been  helping  the 
feeble  notik.  He  ie  a  maiter  in  leraeT,  and  in 
feith  purraea  hia  ooone  without  killing  himaelf. 
With  him,  and  all  poor  bdieving  linnenh  even 
with  many  of  the  mighty  men  of  Nottingham, 
we  hope  to  find  merqy  of  the  Lord  in  that  day. 

HOKE&TOH.— Mr.  William  Palmer*  paa- 


TCcrait  and  to  re-eetablislv  hie  liealtli.  The 
church  can  ill  spare  him ;  but,  in  the  kindest 
manner,  they  have  cnoonraged  him  to  make 
this  experiment.  Am  a  preacher.  Mr.  *  Palmer 
never  rose  to  any  remarkable  heiffht  of  popu- 
larity; but  aa  a  self-made  man  of  Iftenury  power, 
as  an  entagonistio  writer,  as  a  man  of  immense 
research,  as  an  argumentative  reaaoner,  aa  a 
thorough  diseecter  of  every  sutrfeet  he  luw 
handled,  as  a  theoloaian  in  the  literal  aooepta- 
tion  of  the  term,  we  nave  not  perhaps  in  our  de- 
nomination hia  equal.  He  has  had  nis  work  to 
do ;  and  many  are  the  prayers  now  ascending  to 
heaven,  that  on  his  return,  he  may  be  so  re- 
frnhed,  re-anointed,  and  leplenlshed,  that  for 
years  he  may  sing  more  sweetly  and  more  clearly 
still,  and  that  the  i^Iorious  CmuTof  Ood  may 
more  than  ever  be  his  one  successful  theme. 

OZ«B]E8FOBD  —  Paovidexce  Chapbl, 
March  8th,  was  a  day  anticipated  with  pleasure 
heie.  Our  kind  brother  Whorlow  oocupied  the 
pulpit  in  the  forenoon;  and  delivered  a  weighty 
and  suitable  discourse  fh>m  Matt.  ill.  18,  and 
foUowing  versesw  Mr.  Whoriow  titen  descended 
hito  the  newbaptistiy,and  Immersed  five  persons 
upon  profession  of  repentance  toward  God,  and 
feith  m  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  chapel  waa 
well  filled  with  hearers,  and  many  eagerly  wit- 
nessed tlie  ordinance.  Mr.  Kemp  (the  paator) 
preached  in  the  afternoon ;  and  afterwards  de- 
livered a  very  appropriate  address  to  the  newly 
baptised  personam  He  then  in  the  name  of  the 
Church,  gave  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship; 
and  administered  tlie  Lord's  Supper.  There  was 
a  good  attendance  of  communicanta,  and  it  was 
truly  a  refreshing  season  to  the  Lord^s  dear 
people. 


have  met  m  Zion ;  twenty-four  hare  been  added 
to  us ;  and  there  are  other  **  Lepers  cleansed"  who 
will  soon,  vre  hope,  shew  their  love  to  their  Healer 
and  Saviour.  The  anniversniy  was  held  on  Toes- 
day,  March  15th  ISN;  our  dear  brother  Foreman 
preached  in  the  afternoon  from  laaiah  xii.  I. 
^  And  in  that  day  thou  shalt  say,  O  Loid,  I  will 
praise  thee,'*  Ac.  Chapel  filled,  a  tea  meeting  was 
held  at  the  condnsion  of  the  snvlce,  to  which 
nearly  SOO  sat  down.  Mr.  lVn«man  pfeached 
again  in  the  evening;  the  chapel  waa  crowded  in 
every  part  and  man  v  obliged  to  sit  in  tite  veatiy. 
The  collections  during  tlie  day  were  £41  Is.  M. 

Here,  then,  we'll  sound  Jehovah's  praise. 

Glad  to  behold  and  feel  hia  grace ; 

Joy  in  the  wonders  he  haa  done. 

Still  pmying^  M  My  werlc^  en. 


HOXJLOWAT.^Xr.  F.  Green's  cstmct 
from  hia  sermon  on  »*The  Finfe-betn"  is  not 
BoAciettt.  If  the  sermon  be  calculated  **  to  pro- 
duce a  union  among  the  ablcat  servanta  of 
Christ-the  teethrnPhilpoi  and  Wdls,"  could 
not  hia  conne^pation  puBUah  it  entire  t  Mr. 
Green's  movre,  no  doubt,  ia  good.  He  aayi^ 
"  O  |for  thai  happy  period  (would,  heaven,  that 
it  were  nigh  t)  when  Philpot.  Kershaw,  Wells, 
Abrahams,  and  many  others  whom  I  have  known 
and  jlored  for  yean^  were  about  to  meet  on  one 
platform,  joining  haind  to  hand  to  build  up  Zion. 
Brethren,  it  is  an  eril  day;  cannot  we  draw 
eloaer  ?  See  how  many  enamiea  are  lajing  siege 
against  the  inspired  book.  Let  ua  draw  doser ; 
the  day  is  for  spent** 


BBTHKAIi  0BBBir.  —  Hopk  Chafel, 
Green-street -Serrices  were  held  in  connection 
with  this  cause  for  liquidation  of  chapel  dtM, 
On  Sunday,  Feb.  38th,  sermons  were  preached 
morning  and  evening  by  the  minister,  Mr.  C.  B. 
Merrett ;  in  the  aftonoon  Mr.  Pells  gave  an  ex- 
cellent discourse  from  Matt  v.  4.  On  Monday, 
Mr.  J.  Bloomfldd  preached  from  1  Peter  i.  13: 
**  Which  things  the  angels  desire  to  look  into.** 
It  was  full  of  thoucht,'and  for  the  thoughts  of  the 
redeemed  of  the  Lord.  After  tea,  the  public 
meeting  was  addressed  by  brethren  Wall,  Web- 
ster, G.  Webb,  W.  Webb,  and  Flor^',  brethren 
Haisman  and  Palmer,  of  Plaistow,  engaging  in 
prayer.  The  speakers  had  much  liberty,  the 
numbers  present  good,  and  the  collections  en- 
couraging. 


THX  BBZaHTON 
have  seen  the  contempt 
Points"  whioh  F.  F.     ' 
had  time  to  enter  upon 
ofeh 


amazing  variety 
pulpits  at  preeeot  fturnish. 
town  in  all  Bngland  so 
with  aingnlar  cfanracten. 
speetion. 


KIKI8TBT.-We 

cast  upon  **Thb  Firs 
to ;  but  we  have  not 
liasectittg  of  such  an 
as  tbe  Brighton 
There  is  not  another 
remarkably  occupied 
We  wait  a  closer  in- 


PLTlC0T7TH.~The  good  people  at  Howe* 
street  have  resoTyed,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord, 
to  build  a  new  chapel.  We  hope  the  Lord  will 
crown  their  desires  with  good  success,  and  that 
all  the  churches  in  Christendom  will  help  t 


BTB.— A  traveUer  says  Mr.  Wall's  pulpit  is 
kely  to  be  well  filled  by  "'     " 
Halstoad. 


likely  to  be  well  filled  by  Mr.  Kevan,  late  ol 


fiotm  anil  Qucrim. 

Op«n  Oommnnton.  —  Is  it  Jnat  or  right 
for  a  Strict  Baptist  Church  holding  their  views 
so  rigidly  that  they  will  not  admit  bi^itized  be- 
lievers (members  of  open  communion  ohurehes) 
to  commune  at  the  Lord's  table;  to  reedve 
money  left  as  an  endowment  especially  for  a 
church  holding  flree  ot  open  oomnmnion  ? 

A  LoTKB  OF  OovanfnoicT. 

[The  terms  free  or  open  are  not  suiBdently  de- 
finite. If  the  trust-deed  is  for  open  ooni- 
munion,  the  church  should  adhere  to  the  terms 
on  which  they  hold  the  diapel.  If  tliey  re- 
ceive open  communion  wago,  th^  are  twund 
to  do  open  communion  work  or  give  up.— Bd.] 


Disn,  AM  Fvfarwiy,  •!  BktaMid  T«mo«,  But  Sii^t. 
Walworth, avad  W,  Aira, ih«  Ma««d  wlfeof  Mr.E.  J.  l«vaa. 
who  yraM  te  tw«Dtr-oM  tmuv  «  ncniter  of  the  Bnrrnr  Tib^ 
•nuMk.     "Tb  icput  aad  to  he  with  ChHil,  whkh  S«  fcr 

DMf 

tfMLord 

with  ■•▼■■■  mmmmra^,  ncr  aaw  wnmvm 

TMTt  at  Rephslhuh  ^hwI  ,Mno  Sad 


»dFoh.»n,lii^M.Oih|is»^wiyy>  ShohaahMwn 
<ord  tmm  Mrlr  lUb  t  her  hUftar  4mjb  were  maob  cloaJed 
tnwm  ■■ihHin.  Hier  Lue  haebaDd  was  w«U  knowa  fbr 
■  mA  n«Hi.*iiMK  «han>^  |fi]^  Sad. 

i  by  Google 


Digitized  t 


Mftya,  18M. 


THB  £ABTH£N  YEBSBL. 


117 


A  FEW  WORDS  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  THE  LATE  THOMAS 
WORSLEY,   OF  BRIGHTON. 


Tm  bishops  and  deans  in  the  ecclesiastical 
establishment  of  this  conntiy  have  of  late 
been  fast  going  home  to  their  last  account. 
The  venerable  Bishop  of  Peterborough  died 
the  other  day  orer  eighty-four ;  he  was  the 
honoured  tutor  of  our  much  and  increas- 
ingljr-beloTed  Queen.  The  historian  says 
of  him,  "He  laboured  more  to  be  good 
than  great  ;*'  of  Thomas  Worsler  we  may 
certainly  say,  he  laboured  to  do  good  in 
the  happy  name  and  holy  cause  of  that 
great  BoDBBirBR  who  had  saved  him  from 
all  the  destructions  of  sin  and  the  curse. 
We  remember,  not  Tczy  long  since,,  having 
to  take  part  in  a  public  meeting  in  London, 
and  Thomas  Wobslet,  of  Brighton,  was 
there.  He  opened  that  meeting  with 
prayer,  and  that  prayer  gave  us  sach  a 
union  of  soul  to  him  as  leads  us  even  now 
16  hope  that  ere  man^  years  have  rolled  on, 
we  shall  meet  him  in  that  vast  assembly 
where  all  the  prayers  of  the  redeemed  will 
be  turned  into  songs  of  everlasting  joy  and 
gladness. 

Oh !  brethren  in  the  ministiy,  gird  afresh 
the  loins  of  your  minds,  and  with  all  the 
seal  and  light,  with  all  the  power  and  love 
our  God  shall  give  you,  lift  the  Saviour's 
name  on  high,  and  tell  aloud  of  his  ability 
to  save  even  unto  the  uttermost  all  who 
come  unto  God  by  Him.  Your  oppor- 
tunitieB  for  preaching  Christ  to  poor  sin- 
ners will  soon  pass  away.  May  the  still 
direful  state  of  millions  of  our  people — 
may  the  rapid  flowlngs  in  of  eveiy  kind  of 
error — may  the  exceeding  preciousness  of 
Jssc's  most  delightful  Gospel,  and  may  the 
eertainty  of  an  eternal  reward  in  the  Has- 
ter*s  higher  temple,  stimulate  you  all  to  in- 
creasing devotedness  in  spreading  abroad 
the  essential  fullness  of  our  Almighty  Sa- 
viour's finished  work. 

Thomas  Worsley  was  really  a  bishop  over 
the  village  churches  around  that  part  of  the 
country  where  the  Lord  gave  him  accep- 
tance, prosperity,  and  many  seals.  His 
beloved  and  much-honoured  widow  has 
compiled  an  excellent  memorial  of  his  life, 
labours,  and  last  days,  and  a  most  soul- 
encouraeing  testimony  to  the  faithfulness 
of  God  It  certainly  is. 

Thomas  Worsley  was  bom  at  Beckley, 
in  Kent,  in  1793 ;  he  fell  asleep  last  De- 
cember 15tfa,  leaving  behind  an  indisputable 
Vol.  XX— No.m 


testimony  of  his  safety  and  salvation  in 
Jesus,  of  which  the  following  extracts  are 
a  small  portion : — 

Sepiemher  9. — ^When  he  awoke  in  the 
morning,  he  said,  "  1  have  been  repeating 
that  verse,  *  Time  sweetlv  glides  away.*  I 
should,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  like  to  go 
home  to-day.  I  am  like  a  child  ^ing  home 
for  his  Christmas  holidays — getting  on  the 
stiles  to  see  if  he  can  see  his  father's  house. 
I  can  now  rejoice  in  the  God  of  my  salva- 
tion. '  He  hath  brought  me  out  of  the  hor- 
rible pit  and  miry  day,  and  hath  set  my 
feet  on  the  rock,*  I  was  very  much  cast 
down  once  when  I  was  going  to  preach.  I 
thought  of  those  words,  *  They  all  had  their 
penny.*  I  am  having  mine  now,  not  for 
what  I  have  done,  for  1  am  an  unprofitable 
servant  But  He  is  a  faithful  God ;  in  Him 
I  trust ;  His  word  is  my  staff.  He  hath 
said, '  Where  I  am,  ye  shall  be  also.'  ** 

Se^ternber  15.— One  of  his  old  friends  com- 
ing in  to  see  him,  said,  "  You  will  dwell  in 
many  hearts  when  you  are  cone  from  us.  I 
often  think  what  you  used  to  say  at  the 
chapel  when  you  poured  the  wine  into  the- 
cup :  you  could  pour  it  out  without  pain, 
but  Christ  poured  it  out  with  suffering  anck 
death." 

There  was  a  vein  of  pure  originality 
running  through  our  friend  Worsley*s  mi- 
nistry which  rendered  him  useful  to  many ; 
and  this  vein  opened  up  precious  fayinos 
on  his  death-bed,  as  the  book  from  whidi 
we  quote  doth  amply  prove.  Origivauty 
is  one  of  the  beauties  of  God*s  creation ; 
and  in  every  part  of  His  workmanship  the 
richest  variety  in  the  purest  originality 
shine  forth  with  grandeur  Ad  goodness. 
A  profession  of  the  Gospel  without  this 
originality  is  like  a  tree  without  leaves  or 
fruit — it  is  like  a  barren  desert.  A  Gospel 
ministry,  without  this  orifftnaHty,  is  always 
hard,  tame,  samely,  and  without  either 
unction  or  power.  That  word  "springs" 
in  the  Bible  is  a  precious  word:  "the 
springs  of  Pisgah*'  lefireshed  the  Israelites 
in  the  promised  land ;  and  when  a  mi- 
nister*B  soul  is  full  of  heavenly  si>rings, 
gushing  out  with  new  streams  of  spiritual 
life,  how  refreshing  to  the  people.  In  iiuX 
song  which  was  most  especially  for  the 
"  sons  of  Korah'*— poor,  du^,  and  dried- 
Digitized  by  LjO0QIC 


118 


THE  'EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


May  2,  1S64. 


up  thing*  as  evoR  Gh>d's  dear  children  many 
times  are — in  that  song  the  Psalmist  closed 
up  by  saying,  "All  my  spbixgs  are  in 
THEE ;"— that  means,  **  Let  me,  0  Lord, 
give  all  the  glory  to  1%ee :  for  it  is  from 
Thse  all  my  springs  of  life  and  light  do 
flow." 

Ah !  these  springs  a  man  can  never  buy 
if  Nature  and  Grace  have  not  given  them 
to  him.     He  may  have  a  very  pretty  face, 
and  smile  pleasantly  upon  the  people,  and 
that  does  wonders  for  a  while ;  or  he  may 
have  a  large  embodiment  of  human  nature, 
with  a  stern  front,  and  a  dreadful  method  ; 
and  mannar  of  eondeatning  everybody  but , 
hwi*^,  and  this  for  a  time,  and  with  a ' 
few,  peases  for  wondeifiil  fidthfulneas ;  and 
then  thieve  is  your  precise  systematic —        ' 

**  His  head*  and  divisions  are  always  three ; 
Hia  doobrinal  expreaaions  exaotly  agree; 
JBefofre  he  begins  3'oa  know  where  )pe'll  end, 
Aiid  all  his  dry  sermons  to  weariness  tend." 

We  heard  John  Brunt  say  the  other 
tvemog  he  did  not  care  to  read  any  book 
if  it  wimLd  not  set  you  thinking,  <>r  writing, 
or  ^)eaking  for  yourself  before  you  \M. 
lead  naay  pages  of  it.  That  is  the  thing 
we  Mean ;  a  mind  so  full  of  sprinf^s  that 
immeiiatoly  that  mind  or  the  springs  in 
thfit  nind  are  touched,  up  it  springs  with 
flowing s  of  thought,  and  new  views  of  its 
own  npMi  a  thousand  evangelieal  and  spi- 
ritual beaHties  rushing  out  so  £sst  you  can 
aeoreely  cutch  them. 

Hi>w  aneet  those  promises  look,  but  how 
much  nore  precious  to  realise  them!  A 
miniater  of  God  sometimes  foels  himself  as 
diy  and  as  dead  as  the  flinty  rook ;  he 
goes  dcnvn  into  a  deep  vallev  of  humilia- 
tion ;  but,  then,  is  it  not  always  true, —  i 
''HE  sendeth  springs  into  the  valleys 
which  run  among  the  hills."  And  if  you 
take  these  hilbto  be  the  tittle  hiUs  of  Zion,  ; 
how  true  it  is !  For  instance :  a  young  man  ! 
comes  to  London  to  supply  some  empty 
pulpit.  It  is  soon  noised  abroad  among 
the  Mills,  "  there  is  a  new  minister  at  so 
and  flo.**  Off  runs  Mrs.  Salt-cellar  to  hear 
him ;  and  if  he  has  any  of  these  blessed 
springs  in  him,  she  sounds  aloud  his  fame. 
**  Oh*!  lie  is  a  precious  servant  of  God  in- 
deed!** True  enough,  no  doubt;  hence 
thetidingfl  spread;  crowds  flock  to  hear 
bim;  all  the  churches  send  for  him  to 
come  and  preach  their  anniversary  ser- 
mons ;  and  being  full  of  springs,  he  obeys 
their  summons,  and  thus,  in  a  double  sense, 
the  springs  ''ran  among  the  hills;*'  every 
beast  of  the  field  gets  a  little  drink,  and 
goes  to  his  work  all  tbe  better  for  it.  and 
even  the  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst," 
and  ate  qfuiet  for  a  while :  the  e>»Tth  (the 
charoh^  is  eatisfied  with  the  fruit  of  Go  I's 
-  works,  which  is  the  ministry  of  the  Word, 
indited  and  eanetified  by  the  SriaiT  of  Ood. 


The  dry  ground  is  turned  into  springs  of 
water,  and  all  the  people  see  that  the  pro- 
mises of  God  are  true,  where,  by  Isuah, 
He  says,  "the  parched  ground,"  (as  Old 
Artillery  Lane  has  been  for  years,  but)  is 
now  become  a  flowing  brook,  and  the 
thicst^  land  ejprings  of  water,  and  Abe 
Lord  18  glorifiecL 

Well,  Sussex  has  lost  a  man  who  had 
living  springs  in  his  soul ;  and  it  is  a  loss 
to  the  little  hills  all  round,  where,  for 
many  years,  Thomas  Worsley's  ministerial 
i^rings  did  run.  But  we  must  return  to 
his  dying  bed.     On 

September  21. — He  was  very  nappy  in  the 
Lord.  He  said,  "  Death  is  like  Bamaon's 
lion,  terrible  to  look  on,  bnt  it  hae  no^etisig. 
I  am  not  afraid,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Ohriat 
has  conquered  death.  When  I  am  gone,  do 
not  think  too  much  of  the  world,  if  I  had 
all  Brighton,  what  would  it  be  to  ase  oow? 
I  have  done  with  the  world ;  I  have  a  good 
home  to  go  to.  There  I  shall  ever  be  with 
the  Lord,  who  has  done  such  great  things 
for  me.  I  will  not  let  unbelief  get  the 
mastery  over  me,  for  where  He  iiaa  began 
a  good  work.  He  will  cany  it  on  to  the 
end.  Bless  His  dear  name.  He  has  oanrted 
it  on  in  my  soul  for  these  fifty  years ;  He 
never  left  me  to  bring  disgrace  on  His  cause, 
and  He  will  not  now  leave  me  in  trouble  to 
sink.  He  has  said,  *  Because  I  live,  ye 
shall  live  also.'  He  has  said,  'Let  him 
that  is  athirst  come  unto  me  and  drink.' 
Bless  His  dear  name,  none  ever  sought  Him 
in  vain.  I  do  hope  the  Lord  will  hear  onr 
prayers  for  onr  child ;  I  do  want  her  to  be 
with  me  the  few  days  I  have  to  live,  that  I 
may  talk  to  her  about  the  best  things.  I 
wish  she  could  feel  as  I  do— fixed  on  the 
Rock." 

How  well  bis  faith  fought  with  unbdief, 
and  carried  up  his  ransomed  spirit  to  the 
faithfulness  of  God,  and  the  fruition  of  His 
kingdom.     Sqi*  this  more  fully.     On 

September  28. — Very  dark  in  his  mind. 
He  shed  tears,  "  Surely  the  Xiord  will  not 
leave  me."  I  said  to  him,  "Did  yon  not 
sa^you  would  not  have  anything  to  do 
with  unbelief?  Bless  the  Lord,  He  will  be 
true  to  His  word ;  He  will  not  leave  you  in 
trouble  to  sink."    He  said — 

"  Beffono,  unbelief ;  my  Savtoof  is  aear, 
And  for  my  relief  will  surely  appear.**  . 

This  verse  of  the  hymn  was  a  great  comfort 
to  him. 

What  changes  do  departing  saint-s  ex- 
perience !  When  the  secular  records  speak 
of  the  departui'e  of  some  great  primate  or 
other,  he  always  is  repreitented  as  "  dying 
divinely  calm.*'  Is  it  true?  Nay;  they 
citJier  hold  back  a  great  deal,  or  being 
twice  dead,  neither  sin  nor  Satan  alarm 


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THE  EABTHBN  YBSSEL. 


119 


them.  Mrs.  Worslej  has  faithfully  recorded 
both  sides,  as  the  remaining  extracts  wit- 
ness:— 

September  29. — ^When  he  awoke,  truly 
his  mourning  was  turned  to  joy ;  he  was 
blessing  and  praising  God.  lie  said,  "  The 
Lord  hath  said,  '  Him  that  comet h  to  me,  I 
will  in  nowise  cast  out ;'  '  Tliore  is  a  fountain 
filled  with  blood,'  &o.  Bless  the  Lord; 
bless  Him  now,  bless  Him  when  I  am  gone  ; 
live  near  Him,  keep  close  to  Him,  love  His 
word."  I  said,  "  You  will  exhaust  yourself 
talking  so  earnestly."  He  said,  "  Talking 
to  you  for  two  hours  does  not  seem  so  long 
as  half  an  hour  to  other  people ;  you  have 
been  such  a  help  meet  to  me.  I  think  I 
must  be  one  of  the  Lord's  favourites — I 
do  so  long  to  be  at  home.  There  will  be 
no  night  there." 

September  30.— In  veiy  great  pain ;  very 
much  cast  down  in  mind.  "  Satan  is  a 
great  coward,"  he  said ,  *'  he  always  attacks 
mo  when  my  body  is  weakest,  and  is  in 
most  pain."     He   was   much   tempted  to 

f-ieve  at  leaving  those  he  loved  behind, 
e  tried  to  pray,  and  could  not ;  but  the 
latt«r  part  of  the  day  the  Lord  appeared  and 
removed  the  cloud.  He  said,  "  I  have  been 
thinking  of  a  passage  I  heard  your  father, 
Mr.  Tidd,  preach  from  at  Wadhurst,  from 
Nehemiah  vi.  11,  'Shall  such  a  man  as  I 
flee  ?'  I  am  very  happy ;  I  do  not  en^y 
kings — not  if  their  palaces  were  of  soKd 
gold  ;  for  there  is  such  a  fulness  in  Jesus 
Christ — enough  for  every  poor  sinner  that 
feels  his  need." 

He  continued  very  happy  till  the  3rd  of 
October.  Then  the  enemy  came  in  like  a 
flood.  The  tears  ran  down  his  face  with 
anguiiihof  mind,  and  he  said,  ^'  Oh,  do  pray 
for  me !  Dear  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me ! 
"•Is  His  mercy  clean  gone?  will  He  be 
gracious  no  more  ?* "  In  the  midst  of  this 
tnmble  a  friend  came  in,  Mr.  Carr.  He 
read  and  prayed  with  him!  The  Lord  dis- 
parted the  clouds  by  little  and  little,  be 
said,  like  the  breaking  of  the  day.  He 
blessed  and  praised  the  Lord  the  greatest 
part  of  the  night,  and  repeated  that  hymn, 
**  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul,"  and  '^When 
Tfaon,  my  righteous  Judge,  shalt  come," 
and  many  passages  of  Holy  Scripture. 

October  5. — Abont  three  in  the  morning, 
when  I  awoke,  he  said,  "  I  have  been  re- 
joicing for  more  than  three  hours ;  the  Lord 
is  so  precious  to  me.  This  is  heaven  begun 
below.  I  grieve  I  cannot  praise  and  love 
Him  more.  I  long  to  get  to  heaven.  His 
pretnoos  blood  hath  cleansed  my  guilty 
soal.  The  inheritance  of  the  saints  is  not 
like  an  earthly  inheritance ;  it  endureth  for 
ever;  it  is  secure;  it  cannot  be  lost  I 
have  been  wrestling  with  the  Lord  for  our 
dear  child : '  Hid  arm  is  not  shortened,  that 
it  cannot  save ;  nor  is  His  ear  heavy,  that 


He  cannot  hear.'    Bless  His  dear  name,  I 

can  trust  Him  and  love  Him  too.    When 

you  go  to  my  fhneral,  don't  oty  for  me ;  lift 

the  eye  of  &ith.  and  think  how  happy  I  am, 

\  for  ever  with  the  Lord,  eternally  shut  in. 

I  Bless  the  Lord,  it  is  only  once  to  die.    I 

I  am  happier  than  the  angels,  for  I  can  sing 

I  of  redeeming  love.     I  rest  on  His  precious 

'  righteousness  to  clothe  ma— His  precioqs 

blood  to  cleanse ;  and  I  shall  be  glorified 

with   Him." 

!  N&vernber  8.— Had  no  sleep  all  night 
I  When  the  light  of  morning  dawned,  he  said, 
/*Hail,  blessed  Sabbath!  I  wish  I  was 
going  to  preach ;  but  oh,  I  must  not  be  dis- 
satisfied ;  the  Lord  is  so  good  to  me.  I  can 
meditate  on  the  word,  and  repeat  many 
;  blessed  hymns."  He  was  very  bad  aU  day, 
I  but  at  times  the  Lord  was  very  precious  to 
him.  He  said,  "  I  want  to  praise  Him  all 
the  time  I  live.  I  did  persecute  those  who 
loved  Him,  but  like  Saul  one  word  from  the 
Lord  stopped  me." 

Nove7nher  9.  —  His  wedding-day  —  been 
married  forty -four  years.     *'  I   think  the 
Lord  has  indeed  blessed  us  both  in  provi- 
dence and  grace  more  than  any  one  else  in 
Brighton,  that  we  have  been  happy  together 
I  so  many  years,  when  so  many  have  been 
separated  by  death ;  but  now  I  want  to  go 
home.    I  leave  you  and  our  dear  child  with 
'  the  Lord.     But  if  I  am  to  lie  here  for  six 
i  months,  it  is  for  the  good  of  my  poor  soul, 
'  and  the  glory  of  God.    As  long  as  it  is  His 
blessed  will,  I  can  lie  here.     I  shall  have  a 
I  long  heaven  to  enjoy.     This   has  been  a 
trying  week  of  pain,  but  much  of  the  Lord's 
'  presence." 

j      Not  many  days  before  he  died,  he  said, 
!  **  When  you  hear  my  eye>8trinff3  break , 

How  sweet  my  minutes  roll ; 
I  A  mortal  paleness  on  my  cheek, 

I  And  glory  in  my  soul." 

I      The  day  before  he  died,  being  in  great 

I  pain,  he  said  to  me,  "  What  sh^  I  do  ?" 

I I  said,  "  You  have  nothing  to  do,  but,  Uke 
a  child  at  its  mother's  breast,  lie  down  to 
sleep."  "  Is  that  all  ?"  I  said.  ♦'  Yes,  it  is." 
He  said,  "It  is  all  right."  A  friend  came 
in,  and  went  to  prayer  with  him.  He  said, 
**  I  shall  see  you  no  more  on  earth."  Being 
very  m:ich  fatigued,  he  said,  '^I  will  see 
no  friends,  only  my  own  family."  His 
dauight«r  said,  "No,  fother,  what  breath 
you  have  left,  spend  it  on  us."  Ha  &aid, 
"  8o  I  will"  Efe  could  only  take  a  spoon- 
ful of  cold  water  or  tea,  but  he  blessed  and 
praised  the  Lord  for  that ;  for  he  said, 
"The  dear  Lord  had  only  vinegar  and 
gall  to  drink."  He  said,  "  There  are  rirers 
of  salvation  for  me  to  swim  in."  Not 
lone  before  he  died,  he  said,  almost  singing, 
"  The  straggle  is  hard,  but  I  have  plenty 
of  smmunition  to  fight  with.  Blessed  Jesus !' ' 
Two  friends  came  to  see  him  on  Friday,  he 
cried  to  them,  "  Crown  Him !  crown  Him  I" 


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THE  EAaTHKN  VXSSBL. 


Iby  S,  19U. 


EXPOSITION  OF  PSALM  XXX. 

Bt  Hr.  Jahks  Wblls,  MnfimiR  of  the  Surbby  Taberkaclk,  Boboucii  Roju). 


]^ANT  thousands  have  been  greatly  edified 
by  the  shorty  but  expressive,  unfoldings  of 
God's  word,  as  read  on  the  Sunday  morn- 
ings by  our  brother  Wetjjs.  We  purpose 
to  give  some  of  them  in  the  ensuing  num- 
bers of  The  Earthen  Vessel  ;  believing 
many  Christians  in  different  parts  of  the 
world,  who  cannot  now  hear  Mr.  Wells, 
will,  in  reading,  be  helped  on  in  their 
journey  by  these  sparks  from  the  anvil. — 
Ed.] 

I  will  extol  Thee,  O  Lord;  for  Thou  hast  lifted 
me  up,  and  hast  not  made  my  foes  to  rejoice 
over  me. 

What  a  sweet  thing  personal  religion  is ; 
especially  when  we  can  realize  its  advan- 
tages ;  to  be  able  to  say  that  the  Lord  hath 
lifted  us  up  where  we  are  beyond  the  reach 
of  our  foes.  We  must  go  to  the  second 
chapter  of  Ephesians  bo  get  the  explanation 
of  tnis :  "  He  hath  raised  us  up  together, 
and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places 
in  Christ  Jesua.'*  There  it  is  our  foes 
cannot  triumph  over  us. 

O  Lord  mv  God,  I  cried  unto  Thee,  and  Thou 
hast  healed  me. 

A  wounded  conscience,  a  wounded  spirit, 
a  wounded  heart,  and  in  many  other 
respects  perhaps  wounded ;  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  and  the  Word  came  with  pow«r,  oil 
was  poured  in,  healins  was  reabzed,  So, 
if  we  are  taught  of  the  same  Spirit,  we 
shall  need  the  same  liftings  up,  and  shall 
need  the  same  healings  as  did  the  Psalmist. 

0  Lord,  Thou  hast  brought  up  my  soul  from  the 
grave ;  Thou  bast  kept  me  alive^  that  I  should 
not  go  down  to  the  pit.  Sing  unto  the  Lord, 
O  3'e  saints  of  His,  and  give  wanks  at  the  re- 
membrance of  His  holiness. 

Now  we  can  never  give  thanks  for  that 
which  is  not  on  our  side.  I  do  not  myself 
happen  to  be  made  of  that  kind  of  material 
that  I  can  be  thankful  for  that  from  which 

1  get  no  advantage.  And  therefore,  when 
we  are  exhorted  to  give  thanks  at  the  re- 
membrance of  Qod's  holiness,  this  certainly 
must  be  explained  by  that  beantifiil  decla- 
ration where  Jeaus  Christ  is  our  sanctifica- 
tion,  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleansing 
finom  all  sin.  So,  being  brought  thus  to 
receive  the  blest  Redeemer ;  there  holiness 
is  on  our  side ;  there  we  may  give  thanks 
at  the  remembrance  of  His  holiness,  because 
we  are  partakers  of  that  holiness,  and  we 
have  immortality  by  that  holiness,  and  we 
have  perfection  before  Ood  by  that  holiness, 
and  we  are  prepared  by  that  holineips  for 


eternity;  we  are  prepared  by  that  holiness, 
being  bom  again  of  a  holy  seed,  to  appre- 
ciate the  provisions  of  the  everlasting  Gos- 
pel. So  tnat  here  holiness,  like  every  other 
perfection  of  the  Blessed  God,  is  on  our 
side. 

For  His  anger  endnreth  but  a  moment;  in  His 
f&vour  is  life :  weeping  ma3'  endure  fcr  a  night, 
but  joy  comet  h  in  the  morning. 

So  here  is  apparent  wrath  and  apparent 
anger;  but  over  against  the  anger  is  set 
eternal  life,  and  over  against  the  weeping 
is  ret  everlasting  joy — the  one  lasting  a 
little  while,  and  uie  other  laiting  for  ever. 
Still,  even  that  is  an  order  of  tilings  that 
I  flesh  and  blood  cannot  altogether  appreciate. 
'  There  is  a  natural  desire  about  us  to  have 
two  Heavens ;  to  have  nothing  but  Heaven 
'  here,  as  well  as  nothing  but  Heaven  here- 
after.   But  the  Lord  hath  ordered  it  other- 
i  wise ;  and  if  we  cannpt  now  see  that  His 
I  way  is  the  best,  the  time  will  come  when 
we  shall  see  that  His  way  is  the  best.    And 
when   we  cannot  see  His  way  to  be  the 
best  way,  what  a  great  mercy  to  believe  it, 
and  to  rest  upon  it,  and  to  believe  the  Lord 
will  demonstrate  the  wisdom  of  His  deal- 
ings, and  the  love  of  His  heart,  when  the 
appointed  time  shall  arrive. 
In  my  prosperity, 
Very  natural, 

I  said  I  shall  never  be  moved.  Lord,  by  Thy 
favour  Thou  hast  made  my  mountain  to  stand 
strong :  Thou  didst  hide  Thy  face,  and  I  was 
troubled. 

Yon  mav  depend  upon  one  thing :  that, 
if  the  Lord  hido  His  face  from  us,  Sitan  is 
with  us,  either  personally  or  by  some  of  his 
agents,  and  then  the  worst  qualities  of  our 
nature  are  uppermost.  You  must  never 
forget  this :  that  sin  is  ten  thousand  times 
more  lively  in  the  child  of  God  than  it  is 
in  the  man  of  the  world.  There  is  many 
an  aged  Christian  has  been  tempted  to 
what  he  never  was  tempted  to  in  a  state  of 
nature ;  many  a  child  of  God  feels  infirmi- 
ties  and  imperfections  which  he  never  felt 
while  he  was  in  a  state  of  nature.  Satan 
is  not  BO  busy  with  the  world ;  he  leaves 
them  to  follow  their  own  course.  It  is 
when  the  sons  of  God  meet  together,  then 
Satan  is  among  them;  and  Satan  would 
leave  the  whole  world  to  try  to  throw  a  son 
of  God  over;  that's  where  he  is  busy.  So 
that,  ^hen  the  Lord  hides  his  face,  there  is 
the  presence  of  everything^ that  makes  the 

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THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL* 


121 


Christian  eigli   and  say,   **0h,    wretched 
man  that  I  am."    And  yet  how  well  this  \ 
downward    experience  prepares    him    for, 
that  messa^  of  mercy  which  is  on  the ' 
way  for  him;    how  well  this  downward 
experience  prepares  him  for  the  fruit  that 
is  nearly  ripo  for  him,  for  the  set  time. 
So  that  mysterious  are  these  hidings  of 
the  Lord's  face ;  but  He  doth  hereby  esta- 
blish  us    in  His  truth   and  loving-kind- 
ness, and  make  Himself  increasingly  our 
delight. 

I  cried  to  Thee,  O  Lord;  and  unto  the  Lord,  I 
made  mpplication.  What  profit  is  there  in 
my  blood,  when  I  go  down  to  the  pit  ?  Shall 
the  dust  praise  Thee !  shall  it  declare  Thy  truth  ? 
Hear,  OXord,  and  liave  mercy  upon  me:  Lord, 
be  Thou  my  helper. 

"We  must  go  to  Biblical  history  to  under- 
stand these  allusions  here.  "  What  profit 
is  there  in  my  blood?"  David  evidently 
wrote  this  Psalm  at  the  time  that  King 
Saul  was  seeking  his  life;  and  therefore 
David  wished  to  live  a  little  longer.    He 


knew  the  Lord  had  done  great  things  for 
him,  and  he  wished  to  be  spared  in  order 
that  he  might  put  upon  record  those  Divine 
revelations  that  should  show  God's  right- 
eousness to  future  generations,  and  His 
strength  unto  every  one  that  was  to  come. 
David  therefore  prays  for  life,  that  he 
might  thus  serve  God,  and  be  a  blessing 
to  others.  And  who  will  say  that  the  Book 
of  Psalms  is  not  a  pearl  of  great  price? 
What  tried  Christian  would  part  with  the 
Book  of  Psalms  ?  What  experience,  down- 
ward or  upward,  plaintive  or  pleasant,  is 
not  contained  in  the  wondrous  Book  of 
Psalms  ? 

Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourninff  into 
dancing :  Thou  hast  put  off  my  sackcloth,  and 
girded  me  with  gladness ;  to  the  end  that  my 
glory  may  sing  praise  to  Thee,  and  not  be  silent. 
O  Lord  my  Qod^ — 

"  0  Jehovah,"  is  the  literal  rendering, — 

O  Jehovah  my  Interposer,  I  will  give  thanks 
unto  Thee  for  ever. 


MINISTEKIAL    "APPEALS    TO    THE    UNCONVERTED." 

A  ifiTTBR   TO  A  MINISTEIf  OP  THE  GOSPEL. 


TO  THE  KDITOB  OF  "  THE  SABTHXN  VESSEL." 

Dkab  Bbothsr  Bakes,  —  Having  had  occasion 
within  the  last  week  to  write  the  accompanying 
letter  to  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  it  has  struck 
me  since,  that  considering  the  importance  of  the 
subject  of  which  it  treats,  its  inseition  in  the 
EABTHXir  Vessel  would  not  be  without  advantage 
at  the  present  moment;  I  accordingly  forward  it 
for  that  purpose,  if  you  should  deem  it  worth  in- 
erting. 

D1.1&  BBOTiiBB, — ^Your  letter  is  to  hand.  I 
cau  at  least  congratulate  you  on  your  in- 
creased temporal  prosperity ;  and  pray  that 
in  things  spiritual  you  may  be  CKjuaUy  blest ; 
though  I  may  venture  to  remind  you,  that 
the  two  things  seldom  co-exist  long  together 
in  the  Christian  minister's  path.  When 
t&e  Lord  means  to  speak  comfortablv  to  us, 
he  generally  allures  us  into  the  wilaerness, 
and  not  into  a  well  watered  plain ;  though 
he  may  leave  us  to  choose  the  latter  for  our- 
selves.   Gen.  xiii.  10. 

Now,  you  know,  my  dear  brother,  my 
attachment  to  you,  and  my  esteem  for  you; 
you  know  also,  that  I  am  not  one  of  the 
most  "straight-laced"  of  the  sect  whom  the 
professing  world  calls  "Hypers;"  that  I 
nave  no  sympathy  with  that  narrow-mind- 
ed illiberality,  which  characterises  some 
of  them  :  that  intolerant,  and  intolerable 
bigotry,  which  hesitates  not  to  launch  the 
thunderbolts  of  condemnation  against  every 
one  who  does  not  see  eye  to  eye  with  it,  even 
in  points  indifferent  and  non-essential.    I 


do  not  believe  in  that  Ghristianitv  which  is 
synonymous  with  spitefulness ;  which  would 
make  a  man  an  offender  for  a  word ;  and 
feeds  with  greater  gusto  upon  the  serpent's 
meat, (Isaiah  Ixv.  25)  than  it  does  upon 
the  bread  of  life. 

But  with  all  these  concessions,  there  are 
some  points  on  which  I  am  as  strict  a 
"Hyper"  as  the  strictest  of  them ;  that  is 
in  relation  to  maintaining  the  pure  and 
undiluted  doctrines  of  grace;  for,  herCf 
**  Hyperism,"  as  the  professing  world  court- 
eously calls  it,  is  identical  with  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus ;  and  from  that  truth,  bv  God's 

r'ace,  I  hope  never  to  budge  an  inch  ;  and 
am  always  deeply  grieved,  when  I  see  any 
minister  of  truth  manifesting  an  inclination 
to  give  up  any  portion  of  that  truth  ;  or,  to 
diverge  so  mncti  as  a  hair's-breadth  from 
the  right  line  of  the  "  doctrine  which  is  ac- 
cording to  ffodliness." 

Now,  I  have  been  led  to  these  remarks 
by  a  sentence  in  your  letter  which  pained, 
alarmed,  and  surprised  me.  You  say,  that 
"  finding  the  people  at  •— ^  were  not  quite 

so  straight-laced  as  the  people  at^ ,  in  going 

there,  you  dealt,  and  mean  to  deal  more,  in 
*  Appeals  to  the  unconverted.*  "  And  you 
add,  that  "  God  has  blessed  this  kind  of 
preaching  to  the  conversion  of  sinners  in 
thousan£  of  cases."  That  is,  as  I  under- 
stand it,  that  God  has  blessed  the  preaching 


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122 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Hay  2,  1M4. 


of  tTTor  to  the  furtherance  of  truth.  Never  I 
Now  you  will  pardon  me,  my  brother, 
if  I  address  myself  to  these  two  re- 
marks in  rathsr  a  serious  manner.  I 
feel  them  to  be  most  important ;  and 
to  my  mind  'pregnant  with  error.  I 
tremble  for  you ;  and  I  feel  that  I  should 
be  wanting  in  brotherly  kindness  and  faith- 
fulness, if  I  did  not  at  once  point  out  the 
precipice  on  which  you  have  taken  your 
stand.  "  Cest  le  premier  pas  qui  coute," 
says  the  French  proverb .  "  It  is  the  first 
step  that  costs  all  :'*  that  taken,  the  slope 
is  easy,  the  descent  certain,  and  the  end 
disastrous. 

But  what  do  you  mean,  my  brother,  by 
"  Appeals  to  the  unconverted  ?"  What  are 
yon  going  to  appeal  to  them  to  do  ? 

The  Holy  Ghost  declares  that  they  are 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  Will  you  call 
upon  them  to  give  themselves  life  ?  Or,  do 
you  think  that  spiritual  acts  can  be  per- 
formed, without  spiritual  life?  Or,  do 
you  think  that  tliis  description  of  man's 
state  by  nature  is  merely  a  figurative  one? 
"  Let  us  take  a  single  captive."  Adam,  the 
first  culprit,  (all  are  in  the  same  plight,) 
his  sin  placed  him  beneath  the  penalty  of  a 
btoken  law,  that  was  judicial  death ;  he 
could  no  more  get  rid  of  that  than  the  con- 
demned murderer  sentenced  by  the  law  to 
the  gallows.  He  liad  lost  fellowship  with 
God,  and  conformity  to  his  image,  and  that 
was  spiritual  death.  Could  he  regain  his 
lost  Happiness,  by  any  act  of  his  own  ?  He 
was  dead  morally :  that  is,  ho  was^e  power- 
less as  a  dead  man,  to  make  that  past  trans- 
gression not  a  transgression ;  or,  to  undo  what 
he  had  done.  Now,  every  sinner  occupies 
the  same  position  as  Adam.  What  then 
would  you  appeal  to  him  to  do  ?  He  is 
blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world.  Would 
Tou  call  upon  him  to  strip  off  the  bandage 
by  his  own  efforts?  Will  you  call  upon 
the  sinner  to  rise,  and  turn  out  the 
**  stronff  man  armed  ?"  Or,  do  you  believe 
with  Jesus,  that  the  strong  man  will  not 
stir,  till  *'  a  stronger  than  he  cometh  f  0  be- 
lieve me,  my  brother,  this  *'  strong  man 
armed,"  is  not  to  be  frightened,  nor  moved, 
by  any  display  of  human  power  ;  or  the 
puny  assaults  of  freewill.  He  laugheth  at 
the  shaking  of  that  spear ;  estoemeth  its  iron 
as  straw^  its  brass  as  rotten  wood.  Bind 
him  with  the  green  withes  of  human  re- 
solutions, he  snaps  them  in  twain  at  will, 
and  resumes  his  old  dominion  in  the 
soul. 

But  you  will  call  upon  them  to  repent 
and  believe  ?  Allow  me  to  ask  you,  Are 
faith  and  repentance  the  gifts  of  God,  or 
the  product  of  the  creature?  Are  they 
according  to  modem  theology,  the  *'  condi- 
tiomf*  of  salvation  ;  or,  are  thoy  not  raUier 
among  the  thingii  that  accompany  salvation? 


Is  it  not  expressly  aflSrmed  by  the  Hol^ 
Ghost,  that  ''faith  is  not  of  ourselves,  it  is 
the  gift  of  QodV  AVhy,  by  that  one  sen- 
tence the  Holy  Ghost  knocks  down  at  one 
blow  that  proud  modem  theology  which 
would  compel  God's  free  grace  to  stand  as 
a  dutiful  lacquey  behind  the  chair  of  my 
Lord  Freewill. 

As  for  repentance,  the  Holy  Ghost  affirm* 

expressly  that  Christ  was  exalted  to  give  it. 

Acts  V.  31.    And  mark,  my  brother,  the 

other  great  gift  with  which  the  Holy  Ghost 

associates  this   gift  of  repentance — "Him 

hath  Qt)d  exalted  to  ^ve  repentance  and  re- 

mission  ^pardon)  of  sin."    If  now,  in  the 

face  of  this  passage,  you  can  contend  that 

the  "  repentance  that  needs  not  to  be  repent- 

I  ed  of  "  is  in  the  power  of  the  unconverted 

sinner, — and  you  can  yet  call  upon  him  to 

!  exercise  it  before  God  gives  it  to  him, — 

I  you  may,  upon  the  same  ground,  appeal  to 

j  him  to  pardon  his  own  sins.    For  the  Holy 

I  Ghost  affirms  the  first  to  be  as  much  the 

'  gift  of  God  as  the  last ;  and  if  the  sinner 

j  may,  with  impunity,  pluck  the  one  jewel 

from  the  Saviour's  diadem,  to  bedizen  his 

'  own,  why  should  he  hesitate  to  steal  the 

other  ? 

I  grant,  indeed,   that  there  is   a  faith 
which  is  in  wan's  poweff  but  that  faith  is 
not  the  faith  of  the  heart  by  which  a  man 
j  believethnnto,  up  to,  Christ's  righteousness, 
(Rom.  X.  10);  but  by  which  he  believeth 
down  to  his  own ;   a  faith   like  that  the 
'  Saviour  encountered  in  the  days  of  his  flesh, 
'  (John  ii.  24,)  but  to  which  he  would  not 
,  "  commit  himself  because  h^  knew  what 
was  in  the  heart,  and  he  knew  that  faith 
was'nt  there.      No,  Jesus  never  associates 
himself  with  or  is  to  be  found  in  connec- 
tion with  that  faith,  which  is  the  act  of  the 
unrenewed  human  mind ;  it  is  a  faith  which 
went  then,  and  can  go  now  one  way,  ivhiU 
Jesus  goes  ayiother,  a  faith  which  can  do 
without  Christ. 

I  grant  also  that  there  is  a  repentance  in 
man* n power,  but  not  that  repentance  which 
needs  not  to  he  repented  of  Esau  had  this 
repentance,  when  he  lifted  up  his  voice  and 
wept,  (Gen.  xxvii.  41.,  Heb.  xii.  17,)  but  it 
was  a  repentance  perfectly  compatible  with 
the  premeditated  mitrder  of  his  brother. 
Judas  had  it  but  it  is  said  that  he  "  repent- 
ed himself,"  that  is,  the  Holy  Ghost  had 
nothing  to  do  with  it,  so  it  ended  in  suicide. 
You  will  probably  base  your  "  appeals  to 
the  unconverted"  on  such  passages  as  £zek. 
xxxvii.  4—9,  Luke  vi.  10.,  and  Acts,  ii.  38. 
and  iii.  19.  -  Let  us  look  at  these  passages 
closely.  I  once  heard  your  friend  and  patron 
the  Rev.  C.  H.  S.  quote  all  three  passages 
in  one  sermon  to  justify  his  appeals  to 
the  unconverted,  and  as  he  put  the 
case  as  strongly  and  clearly  perhaps  as  it 


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THE  EARTHEN   VE86SL. 


133 


coxdd  be  put  on  his  own  side,  I  will  as 
nearly  as  possible  give  yon  his  words. 

But  first  of  all,  you  know  my  feelings  to 
Mr.  S.  No  one  ever  heard  me  speak  an 
unkind  word  .of  him.  I  admire  his  genius, 
hare  rereiled  in  the  creations  of  his  fanoy, 
admire  his  kind-heartedness,  his  frank  and 
ncHMe  nature;  but  his  ministry  is  to  me 
a  "  dry  breast."  From  aQ  the  sermons  I 
haire  ever  heard  or  read  of  Ms,  I  never  had 
one  drop  of  heavenly  dew,  nor  one  element 
of  spiritual  strength.  They  have  produced 
much  the  same  eifect  upon  my  mind  as 
Buiwer's  novels  did  in  the  years  of  my 
unregeneracy — ^an  irritability — a  void— a 
craving  after  something  that  wasn't  there— 
an  indefinable  consciousness  that  thei«  was 
something  wanting.  I  felt  9s  I  guess  the 
poor  Israelite  did,  whon  he  was  set  hard  to 
woric  to  make  the  full  tale  of  brick  without 
any  straw. 

But  to  return.  In  the  sermon  referred 
to  he  quoted  the  d7th  of  Ezekiel,  and  siud, 
"Was  not  the  Prophet  commanded  to 
preach  to  dry  bones?"  Answer — Yes. 
And  so  *ti8  the  minister's  mission  to 
"  preach  to  every  creature."     "  Did  he  not, 


to  such  persons  in  the  3rd  chapter  19th  v., 
where  Peter  says,  "  Repent,  be  converted." 
Admitted  again.  They  wvre  called  upon  to 
repent  of  their  false  conceptions  of  Chiist's 
character  and  work.  But  the  one  VfOid  is 
active,  the  other  passive.  He  doea&'t  say, 
"Repent  and  convert  yourselves,"  but 
repent  and  be  converted ;  a  proof  that,  as  I 
have  previously  affirmed,  that  there  is  a.  re- 
pentance that  may  exist  without  coaverscpy 
but  God's  order  of  things  in  the  soul  is, 
conversion  first  and  repentance  afterwasdi, 
as  a  fruit  of  conversion. 

Be  faithful,  my  brother,  to  the  wodc  of 
grace  in  your  own  soul.  If  your  faith  and 
repentance  are  your  own  work,  you  are 
justified  in  telling  the  poor  sinner  to  go  and 
do  likewise.  But  if  thev  sprang.  &om  no 
higher  source  than  the  nesh,  they  will  end 
there.  But  if  they  sprang  from  the  Holy 
Ghost,  how  can  you  with  any  ooneisUncy 
urge  a  dead  sinner  to  do  that  for  his  own 
soul  which  GK)d  alone  could  accomplish  for 
yours?  Bid  Paul  appeal  to  A^ppa  to 
become  a  Christian  then  and  these,  as  raoBt 
I  of  our  modem  preachers  would  ha^e  dona  ? 
No.     He   said,   '*!  would  to  God,"  lite- 


at  the  command  of  the  Lord,  call  upon  them  rally  meaning  if  it  were  His  will,  knowing 
to  hear  the  Word  of  the  Lord,  and  bid '  that  Agrippa  hadn't  the  power  unless  God 
them  live?"  Answer— No.  So  far  from '  gave  it  him.  This  one  case  is  a  gufficient 
that,  htB  invdces  or  jliesents  a  prayer  to  the  answer  to  all  *'  appeals  to  the  unconverted." 
Holy  Spirit  to  breathe  upom  them  that  they  Imagine  one  of  our  modern  ministers  be- 
may  live  (v.  9).  lieving  in  the  efiica<qr  of  "appeals  to  the 

Ezekiel  did  not  caU  upon  the  dry  bone  unconverted,    standing   by  Paul's  side  at 
to  perform  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,   that  moment,  how   different   would  have 

Mr.  S.  then  qpioted  Luke  vi.,  10,  been  his  language — '*  Become  a  Christian 
and  said,  "When  the  Lord  bid  the  man  at  once, Agrippa;  don't  delay  another mo- 
with  the  withered  hand  to  stretch  it  out,  he  ment."  But  this  was  not,  is  not  the  Gospel 
didn't  say  he  couldn't,  but  ho  did  it."  1  of  Christ,  nor  the  Gospel  that  Paulpreached; 
Admitted.  "Where  the  word  of  a  King  it  is  that  other  Gospel, against  which  and 
is,  there  is  power."  Neither  you,  nor  1,  \  its  ministers  he  pronounces  that  terrible 
nor  Mr.  8.,  is  Jesus  Christ  We  might '  anathema,  "  Let  mem  be  accursed,"  GaL 
have  told  the  man  to  have  stretched  out  his  i.  9.  A  most  terrible  imprecation— suffi- 
hand  long  enough  before  he  could  have  |  elent  to  warn  off  any  minister  of  truth  from 
done  it;  but  witnthe  Word  of  Jefius  went  ^  ground  so  nigh  to  cursing.  Heb.  vi.  8. 
forth  the  power  that  enabled  him  to  do  Pardon  me,  my  brother,  for  my  freedom 
it.  Does  any  one  believe  that  when  ^  ia  writing  thus.  Depend  upon  it,  I  should 
God  said,  ''Let  there  be  light,"  that  not  have  written  bo  seriously  and  freely  did 
liffht  was  an  intelligent  agent,  heard 
hm,  and  came?  Or  that  when  Jesus  re- 
buked the  waves  they  were  endowed  with 
intelligence,  that  they  understood  him,  and 
undersUnding,  obeyed?  Or  rather  with 
the  Word,  did  there  not  go  forth  a  power 
which  compelled  obedience  ?  Did  Lazarus 
hear  Jeeus  when  he  said.  Come  forth?  If 
so,  he  wasn't  d€«ad,  and  the  miracle  was  no 
miracle.  But  with  the  Word  we^^liprth 
the  life. 

Mr.  S.  then  referred  to  Acta  ii.  3,  and 
asked,  "Did  not  Peter  exhort  themtojie- 

Sut  and  be  baptised?"     An8wer--Yes; 
ose  who  being  convinced  of  sin,  cried  out, 
*•  What  must  we  do  to  be  saved  ?" 


I  not  fed  the  extreme  importance  of  the  step 
that  you  have  taken,  and  the  erroneous 
nature  and  tendency  of  the  views  you  have 
broached. 

Praying  that  the  Lord  may  guide  jrou 
and  keep  you  dear  in  ther  truth,  and  give 
yoti  grace  prayerfully  to  consider  what  I 
have  written, 

X  remain,  moat  cordially  ycmsB, 

B.  B.  Walk. 

Plymouth,  March,  1864. 


Righteousness,  holiness,  perseverance, 
victory  over  sin,  death,  and  hell,  and  life 
eternal ;  all  these  are  the  blessinw  freely 

^^^ held  forth  to  peor  sinners,  in  Chnst.— 

Btttthia  exhortation,  say  youjis  not  limited ;  Romaine. 


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THB  ZAXaUSS  VES6KL. 


lt»y3,WL 


WAS    IT    FROM    THE    LORD? 


Dear  Mb.  Editor, — I  am  convinced  that 
of  the  many  troubles  which  beset  the 
children  of  God,  scarcely  any  are  equal  to 
that  which  often  arises  from  words  spoken  in 
the  mind  either  without  sensible  power  or 
with  so  very  little  as  to  leave  the  poor  things 
in  great  perplexity.  I  wish  some  able  and 
deeply  experimental  scribe  would  analyze 
carefolly  tnis  intricate  subject. 

It  is  of  the  very  highest  importance  to 
know  whether  we  have  the  "  Power  of  God  " 
in  our  souls,  especially  in  this  day  when  the 
''  form  of  godliness  "  abounds.  The  pious 
Pharisees  of  our  Lord's  day  "  knew  not  the 
scriptures,  neither  the  power  of  God/'  Those 
of  this  day  seem  to  know  the  scriptures 
tolerably  well  in  the  letter,  and  talk  much 
of  the  power. 

Two  or  three  hints  I  may  be  permitted 
to  give,  culled  firom  my  own  experience, 
which  may  throw  some  lj|^ht  on  the  question 
often  uiged  with  deep  anxiety, — "  Was  such 
and  such  a  word  spoken  in  my  mind  from 
the  Lord?" 

And  first  let  me  caution  any  little  babe 
in  Christ  not  to  conclude  that  ne  has  never 
felt  the  power  of  God  in  his  soul  'because  he 
has  not  nad  any  words  or  word  applied  with 
power.  I  believe  that  this  wondrous 
miraculous  power  of  God  in  the  soul  is  most 
frequently  unaccompanied  by  any  words 
whatever.  If  sin  be  hateful,  self  abhorrent, 
Christ  precious,  and  new  Covenant  truth 
welcome — ^if  there  be  these  feblinqs  in  any 
measure,  then  in  that  soul  there  is  the 
"  power  of  God  unto  salvation."   Rom.  i. 

^ut  now  to  words  spoken  within.  A  re- 
generate man  has  a  mind  and  a  spirit  as 
well  as  A  body.  Thousands  of  words  are 
spoken  in  the  carnal  mind  purposely  to  dis^ 
tract  and  mislead,  and  there  are  thousands 
of  fallen  spirits  continually  employed  in 
this  work.  Then  there  are  me  spontaneous 
actings  of  the  mind  itself. 

But  all  these  we  may  dismiss.  But  now 
to  speak  of  words  spoken  in  the  new  man 
or  spirit  It  is  said  of  the  new  man,  **  that 
wicked  one  toucheth  him  not."  And  as  I 
believe  that  fidlen  spirits  cannot  "  touch  " 
the  new  man,  I  also  equally  hold  that  they 
cannot  act  upon  him  by  words,  which  is  the 
same  thing  as  touching  him.  The  old  man 
always  ciedits  Satan's  lies,  the  new  man 
never.  Satan  can  talk  to  and  'touch' '  the  old 
man  but  not  the  new. 

Is  a  word,  then,  spoken  within  me?  If  ac- 
companied by  ieniible  power,  endearing 
Chnst,  and  while  it  lasts  completely  ex- 
tinguishing the  flesh,  if  only  for  a  second  or 
two^  I  am  certain  it  is  the  power  of  Gk>d. 
But  if  not  aocompanied  with  much  sensible 


power,  if  veiy  faint  indeed,  if  only  just 
producing  a  little  tiny  hope,  what  then  ? 
Well,  if  the  hope  be  concerning  spiritual 
things,  and  if  it  be  a  well  grounded  hope, 
groimded  on  Christ,  as  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life — something  after  this  manner, 
'*!  am  a  sinful,  lost,  nelpless  wretch;  O 
that  I  could  know  that  Christ  died  for  me ; 
0  that  I  might  be  allowed  to  love  him,  etc," 
while  the  poor  bruised  reed  is  the  subject 
of  such  feelings  a  hope  springs  up,  and 
this  hope,  if  ever  so  tiny,  ever  so  fleeting, 
ever  so  weak,  is  a  saving  hope.  *'  We  are 
saved  by  hope." 

But  suppose  a  nice  line  of  a  hymn  or  text 
or  godly  sentence  from  some  sermon  to 
spring  up  within  us  unaccompanied  by  any 
power  whatever,  that  is,  none  that  we  can 
perceive.  Nevertheless  you  may  take  en- 
couragement, for  we  are  not  able  of  our- 
selves to  think  any  thing  good.  2  Cor. 
iii.  5. 

But  again.  Let  a  word  come  for  future 
direction.  Here  is  the  truth.  Unless  ac- 
companied with  very  great  power  there  is 
no  resting  firmly  on  it.  We  must  in  the 
absence  of  sufficient  power  watch  and  wait. 
Suppose  a  eracious  promise,  say  of  restora- 
tion to  health.  Take  ^an  instance— my  own 
case. 

A  protracted,  comphcated,and  distressing 
malady — a  very  tempest  of  mise]7,  resulting 
in  temporal  ruin,  had  thrust  me  into  obscure 
lodgings,  dismantled,  broken—a  stranded, 
wreck,  no  means  of  refittins;  a  nauper, 
crying  and  sobbinff  three  and  four  hours  a 
day  with  continual  loss  of  blood.  Words 
can't  depict  it._One  day  as  I  sat  lamenting  in 
amostwoful  state — for  the  conflicting  state- 
ments of  many  doctors  had  left  no  hope  of 
getting  well,  the  words  came  in  a  very  fkint 
whisper,  '*  I  am  the  Lord  that  healeth  thee." 
A  little  hope  sprang  up,  but  I  could  not 
rest  upon  them.  I  went  about  with  clasped 
hands  and  weeping  eyes,  entreating  the 
Lord  to  speak  more  plainly,  when  these 
words  womd  come, — "  Be  not  Pithless  but 
believing."  This  often  took  place.  Simul- 
taneously with  this  hope|there  came  a  deter- 
mination to  try  one  prescription  out  of 
several  which  I  had  obtained  (viz.,  Dr. 
Corfe's).  Whenever  my  despondency 
seemed  about  to  rend  me  tne  wonis  woiild 
come,  but  alwa^  so  faint,  so  inarticulate, 
BO  soon  gone,  bringing  hope  indeed,  but  hope 
so  tiny,  so  fleeting,  that  it  was  not  until 
health  came  on  apace  that  I  fully  credited 
the  divine  origin  of  the  power  of  the  words 
within  me.  I  am  restored  to  as  much 
health  as  I  have  ever  had  for  these  twenty- 
flve  years,  in  some  respects  greater. 


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THE  EABTHEN   VESSEL. 


125 


I  am  well.  The  issue  of  blood  is  staged, 
jet  not  without  human  means.  I  have  felt 
andlearned  some  wonderful  things  in  mylong 
and  dreary  sickness,  which  may  hereafter 
oome  out  to  the  comfort  of  poor  bruised 
reeds  and  the  confusion  of  Satan.  I  told 
a  clergyman  about  the  words  spoken  in  my 
mind,  and  the  hope  of  returning  health 
which  they  i  nspired.  He  robbed  me  for  the 
time  of  all  my  comfort  by  saying  **  it  was 
a  snare  to  be  looking  for  a  sign  within  ;  we 
should  be  looking  to  Jesus."  I  confess  I 
know  not  what  he  means.  Either  I  am 
yery  stupid,  or  he  is  grossly  ignorant. 
Yours,  in  the  loye  of  Jesus, 

A  Bbuisbd  Rkbo. 


REJOICING    IN    THE    LORD. 


TO    TUB    EDITOR    OF    THE    SASTUE.H    yESSEL. 

Dkab  Editob, — It  is  with  a  deeree  of 
sorrow  that  I  notice  in  this  month's  V  essel 
an  attack  made  by  Mr.  Parks  on  those 
whom  he  is  pleased  to  designate  "  Re- 
joicing Noyices."  I  cannot  but  think  the 
Rector  might  haye  been  much  better  em- 
ployed tlum  so  copiously  and  angrily  pour- 
ug  his  contempt  on  such  of  the  Lord's 
people  as  desire  to  speak  well  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  rejoice  in  Him  as  the 
Gt>d  of  their  salyatiou,  glorifying  Him  eyen 
in  the  "fires'*  of  affliction  and  sorrowr. 
The  Lord  hath  said  in  his  word,  "Whoso 
offereth  praise  glorifieth  me.'*  But  the 
"  word"  with  too  many  in  this  our  day, 
does  not  seem  to  stand  for  much.  Really 
Mr.  Porks  appears  to  know  little  or  nothing 
of  the  Apostle's  meaning,  where  he  says — 
'^  We  walk  by  faith  not  by  sight;"  let  him 
haye  a  dear  sky,  smooth  sea,  and  calm 
sailing,  then  he  can  understand  sotnething 
about  rejoicing — ^reverse  the  scene,  aifu 
fiirewell  at  once  to  (iU  rejoicing.  I  am  un- 
able to  discover  accordmg  to  Mr.  Parks' 
doctrine,  wherein  the  belieyer  stands  (while 
in  this  life)  in  a  whit  better  position  than 
the  poor  worlding  who  knows  not  God ;  so 
utterly  does  he  lose  si^ht  of  the  ground  of 
the  belieyei's  ioy  and  rejoicing.  I  have 
read  some  of  his  yioient  remarks  which 
hare  lately  appeared  in  a  monthly  periodi- 
cal, there  he  asks,  as  with  an  air  of  triumph, 
whether  Paul  could  "  rejoice"  when  he  cned 
•*0  wretched  man."  I  think  it  is  yery 
evidtnt  that  he  cotUd  and  did^  for  scarcely 
does  the  groan  appear  to  haye  died  away, 
ere  we  find  him  breaking  forth  in  **thanks- 
giyings  to  God."  We  might  notice  some  of 
a  later  date,  the  poor  martyrs  for  instance, 
they  could  not  be  supposed,  poor  things,  to 
rejoice  in  respect  of  their  cruel  tortures, 
certainly  not.  Yet  they  did  rejoice  and 
endure  a<<  seeing  Him,  wha  though  invi- 


sible to  the  eye  of  sense  was  present  to  the 
eye  of  faith. 

Impossible,  Impossible^  says  Mr.  Parks, 
"to  rejoice  when  eyery  thing  goes  cross- 
wise." The  Lord  Jesus  himself  declares 
"All  things  are  possible  to  him  that  be- 
lieyeth."  Mark  ix.  23.  The  dear  Lord 
enable  his  poor  "Noyices**  still  to  go  on 
their  way  like  the  eunuch  of  old,  "  Re- 
joicing.*' 

Flelching.  April  11.  H,  H. 

Dkjlb  Editor, —  The  following  "extracts"  are 
takeo  from  the  late  W.  Romaine,  which  I  hope 
you  will  not  refuse  a  place  in  the  pages  of  tlie  • 
Vessel.  I  wonder  if  Mr.  Parks  wUI  dare  to 
class  that  excellent  man  with  his  list  of  "  Bejoic- 
ing  Novices."  Had  the  Bector  of  Openshaw  lived 
In  the  days  of  the  man  at  *'  Blackfriars,'*  he 
mi^ht  liave  esteemed  it  an  honour  to  have  un- 
loosed even  his  shoe's  latchet.  Believe  me  yours 
faithfully,  A  Comstakt  Readsb. 

April  4,18^. 

"The  object  of  the  believer  is  always 
one  and  the  same  ;  it  is  God  in  Christi  con- 
cerning whom  the  commandment  runs, 
".Rejoice  in  the  Lord  Jesus  always,  and 
apain  I  say  rejoice."  In  every  possible 
view  that  can  be  taken  of  Him,  a  believer 
may  and  ought  to  rejoice  always,  and  that 
with  a  fulness  of  joy,  for  thus  the  apostle 
offers  up  his  praise,  "  Now  thanks  be  to  Qod 
who  always  causeth  us  to  triumph  in  Christ," 
for  he  has  in  his  person  every  possible  sub- 
ject of  triumphant  joy.  The  Old  Testament 
saints  sang  with  the  sweetest  melody  as 
the  prophet  does  ia  the  148th  Psalm,  cauing 
upon  all  in  heaven  and  earth  with  all  their 
inhabitants  to  join  him  in  the  praises  of 
ImmanueL  They  triumph  indeed,  and  so 
mayest  thou,  0  believer  ;  thou  hast  the 
same  reason  as  they  had,  Jesus  is  thy 
Saviour  as  truly  as  he  is  theirs ;  even  to 
day,  thy  conscience  purged  from  guilt,  thou 
mayest  enter  within  the  vail,  and  make 
sweet  melody  in  thy  heart  unto  the  Lord 
thy  God.  Lord,  help  and  fit  us  now  to  sing 
in  as  high  a  strain  .as  we  can,  and  every  day 
to  aim  higher.  **  All  the  Old  Testament 
words  which  we  translate  triumph,  signify 
great  joy  felt  in  the  heart,  and  expressed 
outwardly  in  word  or  deed ;  a  jubilee  of  joy, 
even  joy  in  the  highest,  as  near  as  it  can  be 
to  the  joy  of  heaven.  The  Lord  Jesus  still 
goes  on  conquering,  and  to  conquer ;  giving 
his  redeemed  such  a  share  in  his  conquest, 
that  they  ought  to  be  ever  praising  Him 
with  joyful  lips." — "Romaine's  Triukfu 
OP  Fatth.'* 

The  best  find,  that  when  the  heart  is  at 
the  top  of  the  mount,  it  is  even  then  but  as 
warm  water,  soon  cool  again ;  and  therefore 
we  should  go  to  Christ,  not  only  to  warm, 
but  to  keep  our  hearts  warm. — liomaine. 


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M«7  9,  ia64». 


HUMAN  RESPONSIBILITY  AND  THE  CHURCHES* 
SECURITY. 

Bt  H.  Mtsbsoh,  MnnsTEB  of  Shalom  Chapbl,  KtCBrnt  R«ad. 


Ik  eyery  man's  histoiy  there  are  eyents 
which  transpire  that  prove  the  providential 
care  of  God  over  him.  I  mean  something 
striking,  of  a  remarkable  character:  and 
nnl689  man  obstinately  shuts  his  eyes  to 
this  fact,  he  will  not  only  admit  God's  kind 
and  providential  care,  bnt  will  also  per* 
ceive  that  as  God  evinces  his  care  fbr,  and 
displays  his  kindness  to  him,  he  is  indebted 
to  God ;  and,  therefore,  a  responsible  being 
that  is  responsible  for  his  own  actions. 
No  man  is  without  his  losses,  and  no  man 
can  deny  that  remarkable  and  unexpected 
ways  are  made  for  him  to  meet  his  exi- 
gencies ;  or  to  provide  for  him  in  his  extre- 
mities; no  man  is  without  his  days  of 
adversity,  though  the  causes  from  whence 
thev  spring  are  as  varied  in  their  nature 
and  kind  as  wormwood  is  from  gall ;  still, 
both  are  bitter,  and  man  may  as  easily 
perceive  Qt)d*s  hand,  Gk)d's  ca^e,  God's 
goodness,  as  these  trials,  but  while  the  one 
IS  very  apparent  and  notable,  because  felt 
and  affecting  his  interests;  the  other  is 
passed  by  because  man  is  ungrateful,  selfish 
and  sinful.  Nevertheless,  it  doth  not  fol- 
low that  man  is  inexcusable,  he  cannot  be 
excused  for  ingratitude  to  God;  and  here 
we  may  quote  the  Apostle's  language — 
*'Thou  art  inexcusable,  0  man."  Inex- 
cusable because  you  treat  with  contempt 
the  God  of  your  blessings,  from  whom 
you  receive  your  very  being,  and  every  dis- 
play of  his  providential  goodness  is  thus 
passed  by  in  forgetfulness.  Here  is  human 
responsibility. 

But  we  wul  take  another  view  of  man's 
retnoDsibility.  God  hath  endowed  man 
with  power  to  abstain  from  moral  evil ;  and 
also  to  perform  moral  good.  Now  here  we 
may  see  that  man  is  culpable.  God  lays 
down  this  rule  in  his  word — "  Cease  to  do 
eyil ;  learn  to  do  well :"  that  is  moral  evil, 
and  moral  sood.  It  cannot  mean  spiritual 
good ;  for  there  is  none  good  but  One,  that 
is  God ;  and  no  goodness  can  be  achieved 
by  man  acceptable  to  God,  since  man  is 
defiled  and  corrujjted  by  the  fall.  God's 
goodness  to  man  is  displayed  in  the  work 
of  r^eneration ;  and  actuating  him  to  good 
works  ;  which  works  are  acceptable  to  him, 
being  the  effect  of  his  own  grace ;  bnt,  still, 
there  is  a  moral  gocdn  ?&&  that  all  men  may 
attain  to ;  and  it  is  unmanly  not  to  strive 
to  attain  to  it.  Alas,  how  many  are  as 
Peter  saith,  more  like  natural  brute  beasts 
than  men.  Man  is  exhorted  by  God,  God 
who  has  endowed  him  with  reason,  God 
who  hath  surrounded  him  with  mercies, 


God  who  hath  gty«n  him  a  ooit9eienea»  Mid 
dicttttes  to  him  to  abstain  from  thai  wliaeli 
is  evil  and  cleave  to  that  whieh  is  ffood- 

God's  justice  is  disf^yed  in  rendering  t» 
every  man  accordiBe  to  hia  woriu;  tkna 
man  is  not  responsible  for  any  sin  bnt  hio 
own  sin  ;  and  man  will  not  be  punished  lor 
another's  sins,  but  his  own  sins,  let  then 
be  what  thej^  may.  "  We  must  all  appear 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  that 
every  man  may  receive  the  things  done  in 
the  body,  accordinc  to  that  he  hath  done, 
whether  it  be  ffoc3  or  bad."  Here  1  aeo 
man's  accountability;  and  should  you  be 
surprised  at  this  attempt  to  show  man's 
true  position,  dear  reader,  let  me  state  two 
reasons : — ^first,  because  we  are  stigmatised 
as  being  that  class  that  say,  "  Let  ns  do 
evil,  that  good  may  come  ;"  and,  seoondlj, 
because  man  will  make  excuses  for  his  sins 
committed  against  God. 

Let  me  now  direct  your  attention  to  a 
great  error,  which  I  trust  God  the  Spirit 
has  delivered  you  from.  Though  man  is 
punished  for  his  sins  in  the  next  world,  he 
IS  not  rewarded  lor  his  goodness ;  henee 
saith  David,  "  My  goodness  extendeth  not 
unto  thee."  Thus,  though  we  may  do  good 
to  others,  and  in  doing  ^od  to  others,  may 
do  good  to  ourselves;  yet,  we  cannot  hy 
our  actions,  gain  u  high  position  in 
heaven;  nay,  nor  a  place  at  all  there  by 
onr  works.  Now  many  sincere  souls  who 
are  seeking  peace  and  striving  for  heaven 
stumble  at  this  stumbling  stone,  and.  are 
flUed  with  dismay  and  confusion,  because 
men  who  are  bund  guides,  direct  them 
^^ng ;  and  here  is  the  great  evil  of  brinff- 
ing  carnal  rewon  and  human  laws  to  ffoide 
them,  instead  of  the  Word  of  Gh>d.  Hence 
seeking  sonk  are  exhorted  to  do  all  they 
can  to  get  a  high  position  in  heavea :  oif 
course,  meaniag  that  we  are  rewarded  ia 
heaven  for  'OUr  goodness  done  on  eai^ 
This  I  denounce  m  tato.  Hart  sftys  we  mnet 
renounce  all  onr  woirks,  both  the  bad  and 
the  good.  Now,  ehild  of  graee,  not  only 
cease  from  your  own  works  bet  cettse  front 
man's  also ;  and  seek  the  direction  of  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  and  remember  that  He  saith 
we  are  not  to  look  at  things  which  are  seen, 
but  the  things  which  are  not  seen ;  for  the 
things  which  ace  seen  are  tempomU  aad 
must  die,  will  not  continue ;  hence,  we  abaft 
not  be  rewarded  for  our  natural  doun^^; 
but  things  which  are  not  seen,  not  seen  hy 
the  eye  of  sense,  but  by  the  eye  of  lakh, 
theee  things  aM  eternal.  Thue  the  ^pe 
of  iiuth  must  clearly  view  the  ptffeelieae 


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THE   EABTHBK  VBMeL. 


127 


of  God  in  ChriBt.  The  hand  of  faith  muaft 
l&j  hold  of  Christ's  hand,  the  month  of 
£ftith  must  feed  on  Him;  and  Uie  soul 
mnst  deare  to  Him,  and  nought  beside. 
If  this  be  true,  which  I  am  confident  it  is, 
for  Jesus  says,  •*  I  am  the  way ;"  and  Paul 
tells  us  to  look  to  Jesus ;  then  there  cannot 
be  degrees  in  glory.  Taking  this  view  of 
this  important  subject,  which  is  a  scrip- 
tural one,  it  must  appear  plain  that  the 
Chareh  of  Christ  is  not  held  responsible. 
All  the  members  of  the  Church  will  bo 
equal  in  glory.  Such  an  idea  as  degrees  in 
glory  only  leads  to  pride  and  vain  glory. 
Faitn  in  Christ  gives  dignity  to  the  soul, 
and  brings  gloiy  to  Jesus's  great  name. 
How  does  a  sinner  get  pardon,  and  obtain 
pardon  ?    By  looking  to  Jesus.    How  does 


a  poor  sinner  find  justice  to  be  his  friend  ? 
By  viewing  him  laying  on  the  back  of  Jesus 
aU  the  strokes  due  to  him,  thus  by  faith  in 
Jesus  we  escape  responsibility,  and  feel 
secure  from  wrath.  How  can  a  poor,  weak, 
degraded,  unworthy,  sinful  creature  get  to 
heaven  ?  By  living  faith,  by  which  he  is 
able  to  fu>propriate  all  that  is  in  Christ; 
yea,  all  that  Christ  is  to  himself.  "  Who 
of  Gh>d  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  righteous- 
ness, sanctification,  and  redemption."  This 
will  be  the  Christian's  peace  in  life,  his 
joy  in  death,  his  passport  into  heaven, 
and  the  substance  of  his  song  throughout 
eternity. 

May  I  be  found  a  living  Bteae 
In  Balem'fl  streets  above ; 

And  help  to  sing  around  the  throne 
Free  grace  and  dying  love. 


FIERY      TRIALS. 

BY   SAMUEL    COZENS. 
"  Ihiok  it  not  strange  oonoeming  the  fiery  trial  which  Is  to  try  you."-~l  Peter  iv.  IS. 


"  Man  is  born  to  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly 
upward." — Job  v.  7.  Is  it  as  certain  that 
man  is  born  to  trouble  as  that  the  sparks 
fly  upward  ?  Yes !  Is  he  the  creature  of 
manv  troubles,  as  the  fire  is  of  many 
sparks  ?  Yes !  Are  his  troubles  designed 
to  bear  him  upward  ?  Yes,  if  he  be  a 
Christian:  "Lord,  in  trouble  have  they 
visited  thee,"  &rc.  Are  his  troubles  like  the 
sparks  extinguished  by  ascending  upward  ? 
xes!  You  are  sometimes  discouraged 
because  of  the  troubles  of  the  way,  because 
it  is  an  uphill,  rugged,  and  thorny  road ; 
but  remember,  it  is  up  to  hea\«n  and  down 
to  hell ;  'tis  a  rough  way  to  heaven,  'Us  a 
sjnooth  and  slippery  path  to  hell;  'tis  a 
thorny  way  to  heaven,  tis  a  flowery  path  to 
hell.  It  is  "  through  much  tribulation  that 
we  must  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
In  the  text  we  have,  &rst,  the  trials  wkieh 
are  to  try  yoM  ;  second,  the  diecrmination 
you  art  to  exereiee  with  respect  to  these  fiery 
trials. 

I.  Tub  tbuls  whioii  abx  to  tbt  tou. 
What  the  tempest  is  to  the  atmospheee; 
what  the  storm-cloud  is  to  the  seed  sown ; 
what  the  winter  is  to  the  summer;  what 
the  night  is  to  the  day ;  what  the  probe  is 
to  the  wound ;  what  physic  is  to  the  patient; 
what  the  plouj^h  is  to  the  fallow  ground ; 
what  the  pruning  knife  is  to  the  vine ;  what 
the  war  cry  is  to  the  sddier ;  what  the 
atormy  wind  is  to  the  mariner ;  what  the 
ehisel  is  to  the  sculptor ;  what  the  fire  is 
to  the  ore ~ that  trial  is  to  the  Christian. 
Our  text  speaks  of  fikbt  trials.  There  are 
trials  of  a  severe  and  intense  nature— of 
such  an  intenee  nature  that  to  pass  through 


them  is  like  passing  through  fire  (Isaiah 
xliii.  2  ;  nay,  more,  is  like  being  melted  in 
the  **  fining  pot."— Zech.  xiii.  9  j  Malachi 
iii.  8. 

1.  There  is  the  fiery  law  of  God,  '*  He 
sent  out  a  fiery  law  for  them."  When  He 
sends  that  fiery  law  into  the  conscience, 
He  tries  a  man-^his  life,  his  works,  his 
words,  his  ways.  Paul  was  tried  by  this 
fiery  law ;  indeed,  it  burnt  the  Pharisee  of 
Pharisees  to  death,  and  he  died  a  moral 
death  in  the  terrible  blaze  of  Sinai. — Bom. 
vii.  9.  God's  fiery  law  is  a  killing  letter. 
The  fire  of  God's  word  will  burn  us  out  of 
all  our  refuges  of  lies,  and  burn  up  all  our 
wood,  hay,  and  stubble.  Everv  child  of 
God  shall  know  something  of  the  law  before 
he  shall  understand  in  his  own  experience 
anything  of  the  Gospel.  By  the  law  is  the 
knowledge  of  sin,  and  by  the  Gospel  is  the 
knowledge  of  salvation.  A  man  may  be 
convinced  of  sin  by  the  law,  and  not 
b^  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  Spirit's  con- 
victions will  not  only  convince  a  man  of 
sin  by  the  morality  of  the  law  in  the  overt 
act,  but  they  will  also  oonvince  of  sin  by 
the  spirituality  of  the  law,  which  deals  with 
sin  in  the  thought  and  feelings.  See  how 
the  Great  Teacher  discriminates  beween 
the  morality  of  the  law  in  the  xer  of  sin, 
and  the  spirituality  of  the  law  in  the 
THOUOHT  of  sin.    Matt.  v. 

2.  There  are  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked 
one.  Let  God  call  a  poor  man  out  of  the 
kingdom  o£  Satan,  and  then  his  old  master 
will  begin  to  hurl  his  fiery  darts  at  him. 
Directly  the  man  begins  to  believe  in  God, 
he  tries  to  fill  him  full  of  atheistical  thoughts, 


lOU 

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THE  EABTHSN  VESSEL. 


May  2,  18«4. 


and  says,  There  is  no  God. 

begini  to    pray,  he  tries 

"'ling  his 


As  soon  as  he 
^    . ,  to  distract  his 

mind  by  filling  his  soul  with  blasphemous 
thoughts  of  that  God  at  whose  feet  he  is 
bowing,  and  he  thinks  it  strange :  of  course 
he  does,  because  he  is  ignorant  of  Satan's 
devices.  Depend  upon  it  the  fieiy  tempta- 
tions of  Satan  will  burn  up  all  our  fleshly 
religion,  all  our  borrowed  religion,  all  that 
religion  which  we  have  inherited  from 
others.  Yes !  Satan's  fiery  darts  will  prove 
a  man's^  religion  of  what  sort  it  is  :  aye, 
they  will  bum  up  all  our  ready-made 
prayers,  our  lying  mockeries  at  God's  throne, 
ana  all  our  false  peace,  and  all  our  false 
comforts,  and  all  our  false  hopes.  ]f  God 
were  to  let  Satan  loose  upon  the  professing 
world,  tens  of  thousands  of  them  would, 
like  Judas,  take  a  short  cut  to  hell. 
Thousands  have  no  experience,  but  the  ex- 
perience of  conscience,  and  that  in  some  is 
very  deep,  for  conscience  will  work,  until  it 
is  steeled  by  a  lon^  course  of  crime.  And 
they  have  no  religion  but  what  they  pick 
up  from  the  canting  literature  of  a  bastard 
theology. 

How  different  are  the  strong  cries  of 
godly  sorrow,  of  soul  distress,  as  recorded  in 
the  Word  of  God,  to  the  flippant  jargon  of 
this  "  religious  age."  Take  the  standard 
periodicals  of  the  day;  and  how  rare  a 
thing  it  is  to  find  an  article  with  God's 
image  and  superscription  upon  it.  And 
just  what  periodical  religion  is,  that  the 
people  are ;  tis  the  pulse  by  which  we 
ascertain  the  health  of  the  body ;  tis  the 
face  of  the  watch  by  which  we  learn  the 
hour  of  the  night.  God  will  send  the  fire- 
man of  hell  to  set  fire  to  all  that  religion 
which  is  not  from  above.  Mind  you,  it 
doesn't  matter  where  your  religion  comes 
from,  if  it  is  not  from  God,  it  will,  it  must 
be  burnt  up,  for  the  fire  shall  try  every 
man's  work.  Man  may  lean  religion  as 
easily  as  he  learns  the  rule  of  three ;  he 
may  learn  to  talk  religion  with  as  much 
facility  as  he  learns  to  talk  poh'tics ;  he  may 
discuss  points  of  theology  as  clearly  as 
he  could  explain  the  problems  of  Euclid ; 
he  may  split  hairs  with  as  much  nicety  as 
the  mathematician  may  split  the  minimum. 
They  may  have  all  knowledge,  and  under- 
stand all  mysteries,  and  be  amazingly  elo- 
quent, and  have  extraordinary  faith,  and 
be  wonderfully  charitable,  and  go  to  hell 
aaer  all  (1  Cor.  13).  Every  man's  religious 
work  shall  be  tried  by  fire. 

3.  There  is  the  fire  of  persectUion,  and 
that  is  to  try  you.  For  if  any  man  will 
live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  shall  suffer 
persecution.  It  is  possible  for  a  man  to 
live  godly  in  the  world,  according  to  the 
world's  idea  of  godliness,  and  not  suffer 
persecution.  But  let  him  live  godly  m 
Christ  Jesus;  let  him  cry  up.  None  but 


CLrist,  HOME  but  Christ,  NONE  but 
Christ ;  let  him  contend  for  the  Taurn  as  it 
is  in  Christ ;  let  him  lay  the  axe  at  the 
root  of  Pharisaism  and  numan  merit ;  let 
him  sing,  "  Grace,  grace  unto  it ;"  let  him 
pray,  "Thikb  is  the  power ;"  let  him  put  the 
crown  upon  the  right  brow,  and  sing,  "  Sal- 
vation is  of  the  C)rd,"  then  depend  upon 
it  he  shall  suffer  persecution.  The  reason 
why  60  few  of  us  suffer  persecution  is  not 
because  the  persecuting  element  is  bxtixct  ; 
but  because  we  do  not  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus.  If  we  are  not  persecutea  by  hypo- 
crites, and  Pharisees,  and  false  professors,, 
there  must  be  something  awfully  wrong  in 
our  ministry.  Depend  upon  it,  if  the 
fires  of  Smithfield  are  ever  rekindled,  we 
shall  soon  see  who  is  on  the  Lord's  side. 
It  really  is  difficult  to  tell  now.  Keligion 
is  so  fashioLable  now-a-days,  we  want  a 
little  fire  to  bum  up  the  ihmsy,  flaunting 
professions  of  godless  formalists. 

4.  Then  there  are  fiery  trials.  What 
made  Job  curse  his  day  ?  The  fiery  darts 
of  the  devil,  or  rather  the  devil  hurling 
his  fieiy  darts  at  him.  You  a  child  of  God,  ' 
you — a  poor,  miserable,  loathsome,  forsaken 
wretch  u'ke  you — ^you,  a  favorite  of  heaven  ? 
Aha !  ha — ha — ha  I  Ay,  no  doubt  the  devil 
laughed  with  malicious  glee  when  Job 
began  to  curse  his  day.  Poor  Job !  it  was 
a  trial  to  try  him :  he  had  no  idea  there 
was  so  much  dross  in  him  till  that  trial 
came  ;  but,  poor  fellow,  he  looks  out  of  the 
furnace  and  cries  out  loud  enoueh  to  make 
the  devil  tremble,  "  When  he  nath  tried 
me  I  ^all  come  forth  as  gold." — Job  xxiii. 
10. 
II.   Secondly,  You  are  not  to  think  it 

STBARGE     COKCBBIOKG      HIE     FIERY     TAIiX 

WHICH  IS  TO  TBT  YOU.  When  the  winds 
blow  and  the  tempests  rage,  we  do  not 
think  it  strange.  No !  we  know  that  the 
miasma  and  effluvia  arising  from  vegetable 
and  animal  decompositions  would  poison 
the  atmosphere  but  for  the  purifying 
tempest.  And  when  the  summer  is  over, 
and  the  wintry  chilling  winds  blow,  and 
all  nature  looks  bleak  and  sad,  we  do  not 
think  it  strange.  No,  much  has  been 
created  in  the  summer  that  must  be  des- 
troyed in  the  winter ;  energies  have  been 
taxed  by  the  summer  that  must  be  relaxed 
by  the  winter.  The  freezing  bands  of  Orion 
must  bind  the  forces  called  into  active  oper- 
ation by  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades. 
Job  xxxviii.  31 .  When  the  shadows  of  the 
evening  are  upon  us,  we  do  not  think  it 
strange.  No ;  night  is  heaven's  merciful 
ordinance  of  repose.  Thi^  which  appears 
adverse  in  nature,  is  not  really  adverse; 
neither  is  that  which  appears  adverse  in  the 
soul,  properly  considered,  adverse,  for  '*  All 
things  shaJl  work  together  for  pood." 
n«^»-   children  h^Y^  sometimes  looked 

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THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


129 


upon  their  fieiy  trials  as  strange.  And 
then,  again»  they  have  taken  another  view 
of  them :  for  instance,  Jacob  thought  it 
strange  vhen  he  said,  **  All  these  things  are 
against  me."  But  he  did  not  think  it 
strange  when  he  said,  "It  is  enough,  Jo- 
seph  my  son  is  yet  alive."  Job  thought  it 
strange  when  he  "cursed  his  day;"  but 
he  did  not  think  it  strange  when  he  said 
<'  When  he  hath  tried  me  I  shall  come 
forth  as  gold."  '*  I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth."  Jonah  thought  it  strange 
when  he  said,  "  I  do  well  to  be  angry ;  but 
he  did  not  think  it  strange  when  he  said, 
"Salvation  is  of  the  Lora."  Jeremiah 
thought  it  strange  when  he  said,  ^'  Woe  is 
roe,  my  mother ; "  but  he  did  not  think  it 
strange  when  he  said,  "  The  Lord  is  my 


portion,  saith  my  sonL"  Asaph  thought 
it  strange  when  he  said,  '*  WiU  the  Lord 
cast  of  for  ever  ?  "  buthe  did  not  think  it 
strange  when  he  said, ''This  is  my  in- 
firmity." David  thought  it  strange  when 
he  said,  "  I  shall  one  dav  fall ;  "  but  he  did 
not  think  it  strange  when  he  said,  "  He 
will  perfect  that  which  concemeth  me." 
Hezekiah  thought  it  strange  when  he  said, 
'^  He  will  cut  me  off  with  pining  sickness ;" 
but  he  did  not  tl^ink  it  strange  when  he 
said,  "  By  these  things  men  live." 
Rebekah  asked,  **  Why  am  I  thus  ?  " 
Naomi,  **  Call  me  Mara"--Ruth  i.  21.  But 
subsequent  events  explain  all.  Eli's  faith 
is  the  faith  for  the  day  of  trouble,  "It  is 
the  Lord." 


DEVOTIONAL  READINGS  FOR  LORD'S-DAY  EVENINGS. 

BY  WILLIAM  FRITH, 

BOROUGH  ORREN  ;   AUTHOR  OF  "  COMMUNION   OF  SAINTS." 


*  Open  thy  mouth  wide,  and  I  will  fill  it'*     Psalm  Ixxxix.  10. 


How  often  has  this  blessed  portion  of  Holy 
Scripture  been  a  comfort  to  the  "poor  and 
afflicted  people!*'  Truly  the  contents  of 
Scriptnre  are  wisely  adapted  to  meet  the 
manifold  wants  of  the  deeply  exercised  "sons 
of  affliction."  It  is  an  arsenal  full  of  ammuni- 
tion, from  which  the  Christian  takes  his 
"  sword  of  the  Spirit,"  yea,  his  "  whole 
armour  of  Ood."  It  is  a  revelation  of  in- 
vitations and  promises  that  cheer  and  sup- 
port those  who  are  "  weak  in  faith,"  and 
«  ready  to  halt]'  in  *'  the  path  of  life."  0 
my  soul,  what  is  there  that  is  not  provided 
for  thee  ?  The  Bible  does  not  reveal  nor 
promise  more  than  its  Divine  Author,  our 
covenant  God,  is  able  to  give.  He  does 
not  invite  without  first  preparing  the  feast, 
nor  call  without  making  all  things  ready! 
And  if  it  is  true  that,  "He  who  was  rich 
for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we  through 
his  poverty  might  be  rich,"  surely  He  will  not 
fail  to  bestow  what  he  has  already  obtained ; 
and  communicate  what  he  has  received  es- 
pecially for  us !  O  no ;  "  He  has  received 
gifts  for  men,  even  for  the  rebellious  also 
(what  a  mercy),  that  the  Lord  their  God 
might  dwell  among  them!"  He  is  our 
great  and  ^acious,  and  faithful  ALMON- 
ER. He  18  fiuthful  to  his  ^eat  mediato- 
rial trust.  "  For  all  the  promises  are  in  Him 
yea,  and  in  Him  amen,  to  the  glory  of  God 
by  us !"  O  precious  promises !  May  I  open 
my  mouth  wide  in  filial  obedience  to  this 
gracious  and  inviting  injunction!  Come, 
my  soul,  feip  this  "  cup  of  salvation" — taste 
and  see  that  the  Lora  is  good ;  there  is  no 
unrighteousness  in  Him!    Divine  compas- 


sion goes  furtherin  its  condescending  invita- 
tion, and  whisper8,"£at,  O  friends,  yea,  drink 
abundantly,  0  beloved ! "  The  streams  of 
mercy,  like  'Hhe  streams  of  Lebanon,"  are 
clear,  deep,  and  ever-flowing !  Behold  thr 
blessedness  of  the  promise  in  its  fulness ! — 
I  will  fill  it!  0  that  those  who  arc 
"  dwelling  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land  where 
no  water  is"  may  open  their  mouth  wide 
and  receive  this  very  gracious  and  abund- 
ant blessing  !  Dear  I^rd  Jesus,  come,  par- 
don our  indifference  to  thy  merciful  invi- 
tation, and  "  may  we  more  and  more  hunger 
and  thirst  after  righteousness  that  we  may 
be  filled."  0  may  we  not  "feed  upon  the 
husks  that  the  swine  do  eat,"  not  be  like 
Ephraim,  "  feed  upon  the  wind." 

0,  that  we  may  open  our  mouth  in  faith 
and  love,  with  longing  desires  to  be  *•  satisfied 
with  the  goodnees  of  Thy  house ,"  and  like 
Naphtali,  "  satisfied  with  favour,  and  FULL 
with  theblessine  of  the  Lord."  Deut.  xxxiii. 
23.  David  said,  and  he  was  a  good  experi- 
mental saint,  "  They  shall  be  satisfied  with 
the  fatness  of  Thy  house."  Psa.  xxxvi,  8. 
My  soul,  listen,  regard  and  obey  this  gra- 
cious and  very  blessed  invite,  and  tnou 
"  shalt  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fat- 
ness." O  think  not  that  earthy  joys,  plea- 
sures, comforts,  and  friends  will  satisfy 
thee  ;  they  will  all  fail  like  the  streams  of 
Cherith,  and  leave  thee  disappointed  and 
sad.  But  sine  with  the  excellent  and 
pious  Dr.  Rylana : — 

When  all  created  streams  are  dried. 


Thy  fulness  la  the  same ; 

fay  I  with  this  tw  satiBfiedt 

And  glory  in  Thy  name ! 


Digitized  by 


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130 


THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


May  3/1864. 


Why  sliould  thesoul  a  drop  bemoan, 

W  ho  haa  a  founralD  near  : 
A  fuuDtauQ  that  will  ever  run 
With  waters  sweet  and  clear? 
O  for  more  faith  to  open  the  mouth  of 
our  soul  in  spiritual  desires  at  the  throne 
of  grace  I     Spirit  of  light,  and  love,   and 
power,  excite  us  to  those  soul-longings  that 
must  be  ever  gratified  and  satisfied  out  of 
His  fulness  who  is  Head  over  all  things  to 
the  church ! 

Come,  my  soul,  draw  near,  open  thy 
mouth, — plead  the  promises  and  receive  the 
riches  of  covenant  favour  1" 

THE    BURNT    OFFERING. 

Dear  Sir,— You  will  much  oblige  by 
inserting  in  the  columns  of  your  valuable 
paper  a  few  remarks  in  reply  to  a  work 
that  has  lately  appeared  imder  the  title, 
£untt  Offering  not  in  the  Hebrew  Bibh. 
(Mr.  Lennell,  the  author.) 

The  first  remark  in  reference  to  the 
burnt  offering  that  attracted  my  notice 
runs  thus — "How  sadly  the  whole  scope 
and  teaching  in  the  Sacred  Text  (Autho- 
rized Version)  is  here  missed ;"  and  as  an 
amendment  Mr.  L.  introduces  a  revised 
version,  "  If  his  gift  be  an  ascension  sacri- 
fice "  In  order  to  establish  his  premises, 
he  assails  Gesenius,  who  erroneously,  he 
states,  followed  the  dictum  of  the  Septua^ 
cint  in  the  use  of  holokautoma,  the  ren- 
dering of  {Tihv)  olah.  Mr.  L.  admits 
that  Origen  found  holokautoma  promis- 
cuously used  in  the  Septuagint.  After  all, 
he  states,  it  is  not  an  adequate  rendering 
of  the  Hebrew  olah.  In  his  opinion  holo- 
kautoma was  borrowed  from  the  heathen 
idea  of  sacrifice.  It  seems  to  be  an  insur- 
mountable obstacle  to  his  theory ;  ergo,  it 
is  nothing  abort  of  heathenism. 

I  have  to  observe  that  our  Lord,  in  his 
addresses  to  Israel,  never  charged  her  with 
the  crime  of  applying  heathen  terms  to  the 
instituted  sacrifices,  or  of  any  interpolations 
in  the  Sacred  Oracles  of  truth ;  but  on  the 
contrary,  he  referred  to  the  Gredt  Scriptures 
in  his  quotations.  Had  the  Jews  viuatcd 
the  spiritual  signification  of  the  true  bear- 
ing of  the  sacrifice  f  olah)  by  the  usage  oi 
a  neathen  term  to  aefine  its  import,  otir 
Lord  would  have  condemned  them  for  their 
idolatrous  perversions,  and  especially  so, 
as  those  sacrifices  referred  to  himself.  The 
inquiring  Scribe,  in  reply  to  our  Lord, 
quoted  tJ^e  Septuagint  in  referring  to  the 
absolute  duty  of  loving  God  with  all  the 
heart  and  his  neighbour  as  himself.  It  is 
more  than  whole  burnt  offerings,  &c., 
(holokautomaton,  kai  thnsion).  Again, 
Heb.  X.  5,  6,  the  Apostle  quotes  thus — 
"Sacrifices  and  offerings  Thou  wouldest 
not,  but  a  body  (aufia)  hast  Thou  prepared 
me.  In  (holokautomata)  burnt  offerings 
and  sin  offerings  Thou  hast  had  no  pleasure. 


Thus  we  see  that  the  Holy  Ghost  recognised 
the  Septnagint.  Body  is  not  in  the  Hebrew 
but  the  Greek.  Anjr  addition  withotit  the 
authority  of  the  Spirit  the  Apostle  irould 
not  have  thus  quoted.  Nacbmanides  on 
Lev.  i.  says  that  *'  it  was  right  that  the  offlfwr- 
er's  own  blood  should  be  ahed  and  his  body 
burnt,  but  that  the  Creator  accepted.  .  .  . 
Then  (hesays)  the  holocaust  was  a  substitnte 
(Temoorah  and  Kaphar)  an  atonement." 
Isaac  B.  Arama  writes— "The  victim  was 
skinned,  cut  in  pieces,  and  burnt  iri^  fire 
upon  the  altar."  R.  Bechai  and  Bavid  de 
Pomis  write  to  the  same  effect.  I  could 
adduce  many  other  Rabbins,  if  space  wotdd 
admit.  I  advise  Mr.  L.  to  consult  l}e 
Utram  Sacrificii. 

Schrevelius,  Bowyer,  Watts,  Entick, 
define  holokautoma  "  Genus  sacriflcii  ubi 
totartctima  cremabatur.*"  A  sort  of  sacri- 
fice where  the  whole  victim  was  consumed 
by  fire." 

Jerome  says :  "  Si  holocautoma  fuerit  ej  u£!» 
oblatio.  (If  his  offering  will  be  a  burnt 
offering.)"  I  am  by  no  means  surprised 
that  Mr.  L.  is  so  much  opposed  to  the  word 
holocautoma,  it  is  so  subversive  to  his  theory 
— oXoci  whole,  and  Kaio;,  to  bum. 

Levit  vi.  9,— "This  is  the  law  of  the 
(olah)  whole  bumt-oflfering, — it  is  the  whole 
burnt-offering,— upon  (JTJpto)  the  hearth, 
or  place  of  burning  upon  the  altar,  aU 
night  unto  the  morning,  and  the  fire  of  tfic 
altar  shall  born  on  it" 

Gesenius  admits '  that  olah  is  derived 
from  halah,  Mr.  L.  embraces  the  oon- 
cession.  At  the  same  time  Gesenius  main- 
tains that  burnt-offering  is  the  true  sig- 
nification. Mr.  L  demurs,  as  it  does  not 
suit  his  tbeol^^  In  a  word,  the  Rabbins, 
the  Septuagint,  St.  Mark,  St.  Paul,  our 
Lord,  the  Vulgate,  the  Authorized  Version, 
Gresenius,  Professor  Lee,  Professor  Beamish, 
and  the  Church  for  1800 years  had  followed, 
and  are  following  the  misguided  heathen 
notions  in  reference  to  (holocautoma). 
burnt-ofiferings,  according  to  Mr.  L.  (Novum 
arcanum.)  T.  W.  P&bt. 


Jksus  existed  in  his  original  glory  pre- 
vious to  his  birth  in  Bethlehem,  for  God 
"  sent  forth"— words  which  imply  the  pre- 
vious existence  of  Him  that  waa  sent  He 
also  was  "made  of  a  woman"— an  ex- 
pression  that  implies  a  supernatural  birth, 
for  the  word  "woman"  is  distinctive  and 
emphatic.  He  was  "  made  under  the  law." 
What  does  this  mean  ?  Every  creature,  from 
the  loftiest  seraph  to  the  meanest  worm»  is 
"under  the  law."  But  this  strange  state- 
ment that  Christ  was  "  made  under  the  law'* 
involves  and  implies  the  fact  that  He  was 
previously  above  law.  The  law-maker  took 
the  place  of  the  law-breaker,  and  became 
in  his  stead  the  law-magnifier. — Oummina, 


ib«r*i  UM* 


THE  XABXHEW  TEMKL. 


131 


TTEW   BOOKS   &  PAMPHLETS. 


Kr.  Xedlnirst  and  his  Mitganine.— A 

Caution  to  Bapid  WriterB. 
Our  Own  Magcunne,  By  the  Rev.  T.  W. 
MsDRimaT,  of  North  Frederick  Street 
Church,  Glasgow.  Published  by  Robert 
Forrester,  StockweU-  Street,  Glasgov. 
It  \b  tin^larly  ftmusiog  to  see  how  almost 
every  mioister  now  has — or  aims  to  have — 
his  own  "Magazine" — or  his  own  ••  Pulpit" 
—or  his  own  issue  from  the  press  of  some 
sort  or  other.  And  this  is  not  only  amusing, 
but  it  IS  a  pleasing  feature  of  our  timee.  It 
disooTers  a  spirit  of  zeal;  of  intelligent 
activity;  aiid  of  mental  and  moral  industry. 
It  shows  our  ministers  are  practically  learn- 
ing that,  in  these  times,  the  press  is  a 
mighty  auxiliary  to  the  pulpit — (or  plat- 
form, if  you  wish  to  be  in  the  fashion) — 
and  that  magazines,  printed  sermons,  tracts, 
leafleu,  &c.,  are  excellent  messengers,  carry- 
ing the  good  things,  which  good  men  col- 
lect together,  into  the  parlours  and  pea- 
sants' cottages — into  hamlets,  cities,  colo- 
nies, and  countries,  where  their  voice  could 
never  reach*,  where  their  persons  could 
never  come.  This  almost  universal  use  of 
the  prose  is  a  grand  enterprise,  and  it  must 
have  on  the  minds  of  the  people  an  influence 
most  mighty  either  for  good  or  6viL 

Our  study  table,  and  our  study  shnlves, 
and  even  the  floor  itself,  yea,  every  comer, 
is  covered  with  this  multitudinous  mass  of 
religioas  literature.  Here  are  6purgeon's 
Sermons;  James  Wells's  Sermons;  Phil- 
pott's,  Smart's  and  Septimus  Sear's  Sermons ; 
Samuel  Martin's  Pulpit;  and  pamphlets 
and  magaziBes  out  of  number;  and  now, 
for  the  second  time,  the  Rev.  T.  W.  Med- 
hurst,  of  Glasgow,  sends  us  copies  of  his 
Ovm  M^gazine^  and  kindly  requests  us  to 
notice  them.  And  this  we  will  do  for  the 
truth's  sake,  having  known  Thomas  Med- 
hunt  when  he  was  an  unpolished  Ber- 
mondsey  lad ;  and  now,  to  meet  his  name, 
as  we  do,  in  almost  all  the  penny  papers 
and  cheap  monthly  issues,  confinniuff  the 
impression  we  have  long  had,  that  he  is 
determined  to  work  himself  up  into  an 
exalted  and  extensively  useful  position, 
if  the  Lord  will  crown  his  effi>rt8  with  a 
Divine  blessing. 

Minds  full  of  earnest  and  untiring  energy, 
like  Mr.  Medhurst's,  are,  however,  exposed 
to  some  dangers,  which  we  wiU  not  shrink 
from  mentioning.  First,  it  is  quite  possible 
for  such  young  men  to  overtax  their  mental 
springs.  An  eminent  physician  said  to  us 
years  ago — *'  We  all  of  us  work  our  brains 
too  haid :"  when  the  mischief  is  done,  years 
of  partial  or  entire  prostration  frequently 


follow.  To  Mr.  Medhurst,  and  to  aU  such 
fast-going  writers,  we  would  say —Be  careful 
of  this.  Secondly,  it  is  possible  for  such 
men  to  begin  so  many  things  that  none  are 
well  done.  This  has  been  our  fatal  folly ; 
and  we  warn  those  who  write  much  against 
this  sometimes  direful  habit.  Thirdly, 
and  principally,  there  is  the  fearfiol  danger 
of  so  fully  occupying  ourselves  in  outward 
works  for  others,  as  to  seriously  dry  up  and 
wither  our  own  souls'  spiritual  strength. 
Time  for  close  self-examination,  for  deep  and 
careful  meditation,  for  fellowship  wiA  the 
Lord,  for  searching  into  the  hioden  mys- 
teries of  the  Holy  Word,  and  for  weU 
thinking  out  the  different  subjects  with 
which  our  minds  should  be  thoroughly  fur- 
nished; time  for  these,  and  many  similar 
associated  mercies,  must  be  given ;  or  we 
become  like  the  parched  heath,  and  the  har- 
dened desert. 

In  the  history  of  Ruth  there  are  three 
things  of  immense  value  to  all  the  living  in 
Jerusalem,  beautifully  put  together.  First, 
Boaz  strictly  charged  her  not  to  depart  from 
her  fleld— "  Hearest  thou  not,  my  daughter, 
go  not  to  glean  in  another  field;  neither  go 
from  hence:  but  abide  here  fast  by  my 
maidens."  This  is  the  vital  point  to  which 
the  attention  of  all  young  ministers  ought 
to  be  called.  The  field  of  Christ's  Gospel, 
by  many  of  them,  is  never  entered ;  there- 
fore by  many  of  them  the  sheep  of  Christ 
cannot  be  fed.  But  those  who  are  in  the 
field  of  God's  everlasting  covenant,  and  who 
go  forth  therein  to  glean ;  for  them  the  com- 
mand is  given—"  ]^  fall  some  of  the  huid- 
fuls  of  purpose  for  them ;"  and  hence  the 
livinflr  children  find  that  express  words-^ 
suitable  and  useful  words — are  spoken  to 
them ;  and  they  know  none  but  the  Lord 
could  send  such  messages  to  their  souls,  for 
He  alone  could  know  weir  necessities,  and 
only  from  Himself  could  their  healing  come. 
Then,  thirdly,  it  is  said,  Ruth  "  beat  out 
TSAT  SUB  BAD  ouBANSD."  By  prayer  and 
meditation  to  beat  out,  to  enter  mto,  to 
feed  upon,  and  fuUy  to  realize,  the  vitalizing 
truths  of  God's  good  and  ^ven  Word,  is 
holy,  happy,  safe,  and  certain  work.  The 
reward  for  all  this  is  very  rich.  Now, 
whether  Mr.  Medhurst  is  really,  truly,  ex^ 
perimentally,  and  savingly  in  the  fields  of 
our  spiritual,  our  anti-typical  Boaz,  is  not 
to  be  decided  by  us ;  to  his  own  Master  he 
standeth  or  faUeth;  but  when  we  see  his 
long  list  of  lectures  announced  for  Sunday 
evenings,  for  three  months  to  come,  we 
tremble  for  him.  If  a  man  is  ordained  and 
anointed   by   the   Eternal  Spirit,  if   the 


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THE   EABTUEN  VESSEL. 


Umy  3,  M64. 


Almighty  say  to  him— "Son  of  man,  I 
hare  made  thee  a  watchman  unto  the  house 
of  Israel;  thkripobk,  reab  tub  word  at 
MY  MOUTO;  and  give  them  warning  from 
Me ;"  surely  such  a  man  would  never  dare 
to  mark  out  three  months*  work  beforehand ; 
for  this  seems  to  us  to  put  a  practical  nega- 
tive upon  the  direct  and  positive  teaching  of 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  have  for  many  years  realised  a  three- 
fold preciousness  connected  with  the  minis- 
try :—l.  In  waiting  upon  God;  having  the 
Word  softly  spoken  into  the  soul  and  opened 
up  in  the  mind,  so  as  for  the  mind  to  be 
filled  with  heavenly  light,  peace,  and  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  must  exceedingly 
blessed.  2.  To  go  forth,  and  to  eznoy  the 
power  and  presence  of  the  Lord  m  dis- 
pensing to  the  people  the  hidden  treasures 
of  Divine  Trutn,  as  laid  up  in  the  soul  of 
the  preacher,  is  another  spiritual  feast ;  and 
after  all,  to  behold  witnesses  coming  for- 
ward to  declare  how  the  Lord  himself  met 
them,  convicted,  called,  and  manifested  to 
them  His  salvation,  is  a  crown  of  rejoicing 
even  here ;  what  must  it  be  to  meet  them 
in  the  kingdom  above  ? 

Let  the  multitudes  of  sermon-makers  and 
young  ministers  now  starting  out  take  these 
hints  home  for  careful  consideration ;  and 
even  Mr.  Medhurst  himself  may  sustain  no 
serious  injury  by  thoroughly  sifting  and 
searching  into  the  true  nature  of  his  standing 
as  a  minister  in  the  sight  of  a  heart- 
searching  and  motive-weighing  God.  For 
even  in  Glasgow,  if  he  is  obliged  to  frame 
up  Sunday  evening  lectures  for  three  months 
to  come  he  may  find,  as  at  Kingston  and 
Coleraine,  a  need-be  to  remove ;  and  this 
we  do  not  desire ;  because  in  Glasgow  he 
has  an  immense  sphere  of  labour  before 
him;  but  he  can  efficiently  and  perse- 
veringly  occupy  that  sphere  only  as  he 
daily  throws  himself  into  the  hands  of  the 
Eternal  Spirit — seeking  to  be  led  by  that 
Sacred  Aitointkr  into  the  constantiy-in- 
creasing  discoveries  of  the  Sovereign  Will 
of  God,  the  beauties  of  the  Saviour  and 
His  Salvation,  thereby  being  qualified  to 
preach  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  ever- 
blessed  God,  according  to  the  Word  of  God, 
and  not  after  the  fashionable  and  new- 
fangled systems  of  men. 

Mr.  Medhurst  has  gratuitously  contri- 
buted some  valuable  papers  both  for  our 
Earthbn  Vessel  and  for  our  Cheering 
Words,  for  which  we  publicly  and  sincerely 
thank  him;  and  honestly  we  can  affirm 
that  as  we  have  seen  him  nsini^  in  the 
ministry,  and  branching  out  in  all  directions 
as  an  author,  we  have  smiled  and  rejoiced ; 
but  we  will  not  sanction  his  carving  out 
work  for  himself  in  the  ministry.  If  that 
ministry  beean  in  the  Spirit,  in  that  Spirit 
only  must  ne  walk  ana  continue;  or  on 


the  Mountains  of  Gilboa  he  will  either  be- 
I  come  a  lifeless  letteialecturer,  or  a  wreck 
of  mere  human  intellect,  and  of  rapidly- 
acquired  talent. 

"  Our  Own  Magazine^  by  the  Bev.  T. 
I  W.  Medhurst,"  is  a  neat  and  respectable, 
!  a  useful  and  interesting  serial.  It  reflects 
mat  honour  on  Mr.  Macrone,  the  printer. 
We  have  scarcely  any  magazine  so  tho- 
roughly well  printed  as  this  is.  It  proves 
Mr.  Medhurst  to  be  an  incessant  reader,  as 
well  as  an  endless  writer,  and  it  developes 
his  missionary  spirit  as  buoyant  and  exten- 
sive. We  umost  anticipate  seeing  the 
announcement  that  Mr.  Medhurst  has  taken 
ship  for  China,  as  an  enterprising^  mis- 
sionary of  the  first  class.  We  seriously 
believe  it  quite  possible  the  Great  Head  of 
the  Church  may  use  him  in  this  way.  In 
his  writings  we  do  wish  to  find  more  of  the 
genuine  experience  of  the  believer,  both  in 
its  ccnfiicts  and  its  joys ;  but  this  we  cannot 
now  insist  upon.  When  we  get  time* to 
notice  his  letter  to  the  poor  self-styled 
hypocrite,  we  may  say  more.  That  a 
Triune  Covenant  God— Father,  Sok,  and 
Holy  Ghost — ^may  dwell  richly  in  his 
soul,  and  be  equally  honoured  in  his 
ministry,  is  our  silent,  sincere  prayer. 

The  ten  tribes  were  carried  away  captives 
to  Assyria,  and  never  returned.  But  Judah 
retained  his  sceptre  till  it  crumbled  away  at 
the  advent  6f  the  Son  of  God.  That  tribe 
had  then  its  elders,  rulers,  lawyers,  and 
scribes.  Being  deprived  of  the  power 
of  infiicting  capital  punishment,  its  sceptre 
was  so  far  broken ;  and  on  the  destruction 
of  the  temple  and  city,  the  autonomy  of 
Judea  wholly  ceased,  and  has  not  returned. 
The  "Sent  One,"  alluded  to  by  St,  Paul, 
has  come  as  Shiloh— the  Bedeemer,  the 
Sacrifice,  the  Peace-maker.  The  scattered 
and  depressed  children  of  Judah,  without  a 
country,  a  capital,  or  a  home,  witness  to 
the  nations,  what  they  are  too  blind  to  see 
of  themselves,  that  the  Messiah  has  come ; 
people,  of  all  tongues  and  tribes,  gathering 
to  Him,  and  finding  peace  in  his  atonement, 
and  life  in  his  death,  and  immortality  in 
his  grave,  and  union  with  God  and  with  each 
other  in  Him,  are  portions  of  **  the  great 
multitude  no  man  can  number,"  emere:ing 
out  of  "great  tribulation,"  washing  tlieir 
robes  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  there- 
fore ascending  the  steeps  of  glory,  and 
standing  evermore  in  the  presence  of  God 
and  the  Lamb.  The  Jew  of  the  nineteenth 
century  is  the  most  impressive  Pi'oof  that 
the  Messiah  has  come,  and  suffered,  and 
died,  and  risen.  In  vain  do  any  look  fbr 
another.— 2>r.  CumtniTiff. 

It  is  a  poor  sermon  that  does  not  lead  the 
sinner  to  Christ,  and  the  believer  to  lire 
more  upon  him. — Romaine. 


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THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


133 


^nt  ^htti[rhi|»,  am  ^astora,  anb  a\i\  |wp^, 

THB   FT7BLIC   BECOaNITION    OF    KB.   J.   S.  ANDEBSON 
At  Zion  Ciiafel,   New  Cross,   Dektford, 

MR,  ANDERSON'S  CONVERSION,  CALL  TO  THE  MINISTRY,  FAITH,  Ac. 


Zion  Chapel,  Deptford. — Once  the  scene 
of  the  happy  labours  of  William  Felton, 
the  remembrance  of  whose  ministry  is  still 
dear  to  many ;  and  subsequently,  of  Qeorge 
Wyard,  sen^  whose  faithful  testimony  the 
Lord  is  pleased  to  divide  among  many  sec- 
tions of  the  Church  has,  this  spring,  been 
favoured  to  receive  another  sent,  and  now 
settled,  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  preach 
the  gospel,  and  to  administer  the  ordinances 
according  to  the  New  Testament  On  the 
afternoon  of  Wednesday,  March  30th,  we 
took  a  silent  walk  to  New  Cross,  and  on 
entering  Zion  chapel,  took  a  seat  in  the  gal- 
lery. The  body  was  well  filled  with  a  very 
attentive  and  respectable  audience,  and  the 
newly  chosen  pastor,  Mr.  J.  S.  Anderson, 
was  surrounded  by  a  considerable  number  of 
his  ministerial  brethren,  by  whom  he  is 
hif  hlv  esteemed,  and  who  came  to  sincerely 
bid  him  God-speed  in  his  new  and  enlarged 
sphere  of  labour.  Mr.  John  Pells  read  the 
Scriptures  and  offered  solemn  prayer.  The 
venerable  father  Murrell  delivered  an  ad- 
dress on  "  the  Divine  Appointment  of  the 
Christian  Ministry."  Mr.  Anderson  then, 
from  the  ptilpit,  spake  in  substance  to  Ihe 
following  effect: — 

My  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  dav  is  a 
very  important  one.  Were  it  possible  for 
one  person  to  do  the  work  of  another,  I 
should  have  been  glad  of  a  substitute.  See- 
ing that  cannot  be,  I  must  do  my  own  work 
in  the  best  way  possible,  and  shall  divide  it 
into  four  parts.  I  shall  first  give  a  brief  ac- 
count of  my  Christian  experience ;  secondly, 
of  my  call  to  the  ministry ;  thirdly,  the  doc- 
trines I  mean  to  preach ;  and,  fourthly,  my 
views  on  church  government 

L  My  first  busmess  is  to  tell  you  how  I 
became  a  Christian.  It  was  not  by  birth — 
it  was  not  by  the  sprinkling  a  few  drops  of 
water  on  the  forehead,  which  a  good  old  man 
travelled  many  miles  to  do,  and  then  pro- 
nounced mo  "a  member  of  Christ  a  child  of 
God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.*'  This  was  a  sad  mistake,  as  my  fu- 
ture life  proved ;  for  I  ^rew  up  to  be  a  god- 
less youtn,  and  a  leader  in  all  sorts  of  wicked- 
ness. When  funds  and  other  circumstances 
would  admit,  my  evenings  were  spent  at  the 
village  public-house,  when  everv  sinful  de- 
sire was  gratified  as  far  as  possible. 

One  Saturday  night,  more  than  twenty 
years  ago,  I  formed  a  resolution  to  go  home 
eariy  and  sober  for  once,  and,  although  with 
some  difliculty,  the  resolve  was  earned  out 
On  leaving  the  village,  I  began  to  congratu- 


late myself  on  my  good  behaviour,  and 
formed  some  plans  of  reform;  but,  in  the 
midst  of  this,  something  seemed  to  say  within 
me,  If  I  (Ued  that  night,  I  should  go  to  heU.  It 
came  as  quick  as  lightening,  and  with  a 
power  quite  beyond  description.  In  a  few 
moments  the  sins  of  my  past  life  stood  before 
me  in  black  array.  The  claims  of  a  righteous 
but  broken  law  were  thundered  in  my  souL 
After  proceeding  about  a  mile,  I  rolled  my 
Scotch  plaid  round  my  neck  to  keep  out  the 
driving  snow,  and  knelt  beside  the  stump  of 
an  old  oak  tree,  and  tried  to  prav ;  but  found 
no  relief.  I  could  neither  eat,  sleep,  or  work 
as  heretofore,  and  some  thought  I  nad  gone 
mad. 

I  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  old  com- 
panions and  old  habits  were  forsaken ;  and 
all  means  used  to  get  rid  of  my  burden, 
which,  for  weeks,  grew  heavier."  At  last, 
the  Wesleyaus  heurd  of  my  case,  and  got  me 
I  to  their  meetings,  the  only  places  of  wor- 
I  ship  I  knew  of  except  the  parish  church. 
I  They  prated  with  and  for  me,  and  urged  me 
I  but  to  believe  and  be  saved.  Gladly  would  I, 
but  could  not ;  and  then  they  told  me  it  was 
my  own  fault  and  if  I  perished  I  was  making 
my  hell  tenfold  hotter.  At  length  I  got  some 
gleams  of  hope — ^felt  mv  heart  warm  with 
love  to  Jesus — and  talked  about  it  like  a 
child,  and  especially  to  my  old  companions. 
Soon  after  this,  by  a  mysterious  provi- 
dence, my  steps  were  directed  to  London. 
That  was  in  tne  year  1842 ;  and  never  can 
the  desolate  feeling  be  forgotten  when  first 
I  found  mvself  in  the  busy  streets  of  the 
great  Babvlon.  I  was  almost  as  ignorant  as 
the  animals  I  had  been  accustomed  to  drive, 
not  having  the  slightest  knowledge  of  the 
plan  of  sfuvation,  and  could  read  very  im- 
I  perfectly.  Being  cast  entirely  among  stran- 
'  gers  and  ungodly  persons,  I  fell  into  sin ; 
this  was  followed  bv  despair,  and  a  very 
desperate  attempt  to  drown  conviction.  But 
it  kWas  truly  kicking  a^inst  the  pricks.  I 
tried  to  return  to  the  Bible,  to  grayer,  and  to 
the  Weslevan  chapeL  For  a  time  the  con- 
flict was  sharp ;  the  order  was  to  sin  and  re- 
pent At  length  conscience  prevailed,  and  I 
tried  to  be  a  good  Methodist^  and  worked  in 
earnest  But  being  brought  into  contact  with 
an  old  Calvinist,  he  took  every  prop  from 
under  me,  and  after  a  severe  conflict,  1  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  election  was  tru&  but 
I  was  not  chosen  and  must  perish.  Soon 
after  this,  my  steps  were  directed  to  the  Bap- 
tist chapel  in  the  Waterloo-road,  where  a 
half-and-half  Calvinst  preached— the  late  Mr. 
Branch.    He  was  the  means  of  shewing  me 


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3lay  3,  l$6i. 


the  plan  of  salvation,  and  bringing  my  poor  veuant  Christ  stood  as  the  head  of  the 
soul  into  some  degree  of  liberty.  1  was  bap-  '  church,  and  engaged  on  her  behalf  to  meet 
tized,  and  became  a  member  of  the  church,  all  the  demands  of  law  and  ju.stice. 
After  a  time  the  contradiction  of  free-will  i  2,  I  believe  that  Christ  loved  the  church, 
and  free-grace  in  tlie  ministry  was  detected,  ;  and  gave  Himself  for  her,  and  for  her  wdy. 
and  I  got  amonff  the  unhappy  people  who  |  Therefore  redemption  is  pirticnhir  and  effec- 
" cannot  hear''    I  never,  however,  sat  under  i  tual. 

a  better  ministnr  than  that  of  Mr.  B. ;  for,  be-  I  3.  I  believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  entered 
coming  engaged  in  the  London  City  Mission,  1  into  cov«iant  to  quicken  aU  th*  elect,  and 
I  had  to  search  out  truth  for  mj'self,  and  the  '  the  elect  oaty^  and  bring  them  to  Jesus,  to 
process  lasted  about  twelve  years  before  I  work  faith,  aud  love,  and  evei^  grace  in 
ivMy  enjoyed  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  '  tkair  heactsL 


of  God. 

II.  My  duty  now  is  to  give  a  concise  ac- 
count of  my  can  to  the  (  hristian  ministry. 


4.  With  regard  to  the  Souship  of  Christ, 
my  belief  is  that  it  stands  in  the  complexity 
of  His   Person,    aud  not    in  His  Godhead 


When  the  star  of  hope  first  dawned  in  my '  alone,  and  His  Bonsfaip  is  the  bani  of  ours, 
soul,  I  felt  a  strong  desire  to  communicate  j  Hence  it  will  be  sees  that  I  am  no  believer 
my  feelings  to  others;  and  in  the  north  of  in  eternal  ^enemtion— have  no  sympathy 
England  held  forth  a  few  times  ignorantly  '  with  duty  faith,  or  the  popular  yea  and  nay 
enough.    But  coming  to  London  put  a  stop  |  go«p©l  of  the  day. 

to  that  Ultimately  I  sought  and  obtained  I  make  these  statements  for  distinction'a 
employment  as  a  city  missionary,  and  got  in  '  «*«»  »nd  wish  it  clearly  understood  that  I 
the  habit  of  speaking  from  the  'duty  of  hav-  I  ^oW  the  principles  firmly,  and  mean  to  make 
ing  to  hold  meetings  in  my  district,  and  ulti-  I  them  the  bans  of  my  public  ministry  in  thia 
mately  gave  up  missionary  work  with  the  '  pls^^^^'^thoutuncharitableness  towards  those 
idea  that  I  had  gifts  for  the  ministry.    But '  ^^^  differ  from  me. 

veiy  soon  discovering  the  step  to  be  a  mis-  I  IV.  A  few  words  on  church  government, 
take,  I  returned  to  my  eld  employ  of  visiting  '  ^^^  ^ot  the  sake  of  distinction,  let  me  say  in 
the  poor,  and  holding  cottage  meetings  }  *  word  that  I  am  a  Strict  Baftvit,  asd  am 
amongst  them,  and  entirely  gave  up  the  idea  so  from  conviction.  Believing;  that  the  right 
of  ever  being  a  pastor.  But  my  lot  being  '  subject  for  baptism  ia  the  believer  in  Christ, 
cast  in  a  villiw^e  near  Brighton,  1  beame  as-  I  the  right  mode  is  by  immenion  of  the  body 
sociated  with  brethren  there  who  took  me  by  «»der  water,  and  this  is  the  proper  door  of 
the  hand,  and  seemed  to  recognize  me  as  a  '  entrance  into  the  visible  church.  Bafitiamy 
preacher,  and  ultimately  Mr.  Atkinson  re-  ;  ^  ^fi  is  a  solemn  and  beautiful  orcBnance, 
commended  me  as  a  supply  to  the  friends  at  shewing  Christ's  sufferings,  death,  and  re- 
Bethesda,  and  the  result  was  a  call  to  the  surrection  for  us,  and  our  death  unto  sin 
pastorate,  which  led  me  to  believe  it  was  the  and  new  life  in  Him.  If  othere  cannot  see 
Lord's  will  I  should  accept  it  Thus,  bre-  •  i^i  I  <»n't  help  that,  only  do  not  let  them  try 
thren,  your  humble  servant  was  brought  into  '  *«  P"*  <>«*  my  «y«»  because  they  ai^  hUnd^ 
the  ministry,  and  without  the  deep  exercises  !  buch,  brethren,  are  the  chief  points  on 
concerning  it  that  many  have  had.  As  to  my  |  which  I  differ  from  the  bulk  of  professors, 
coming  here,  I  shall  say  little.  My  mind  &ud  the  views  named  are  held  from  deep 
was  deeply  exercised  concerning  removal !  conviction  of  their  truth  and  importsAce,  and 
from  St  Luke's,  and  at  length  I  came  to  the  ^oi  from  mere  theory.  I  am  not  likety  to 
conclusion  to  remove  if  the  Lord  opened  the  change ;  the  nrinciples  havw  been  burnt  into 
door,  and  made  known  to  a  friend  now  pre-  I  my  soid,  and  are  dearer  than  life;  but  no 
sent  my  feeling.  Ho  at  once  commimicated  '  man  knows  what  he  may  come  to ;  there- 
with friend  Kennard,  and  this  is  the  result ;  '  ^on^  should  I  ever  depwt  from  the  views 
and  I  believe  it  to  be  of  God.  May  time  1  advaniced  to-day,  I  hereby  pledge  myself  to 
prove  it  to  be  so  in  the  building  up  of  many  '  resign  my  oflce,  and  not  to  alter  the  consti- 
lu  the  faith  and  gathering  of  others.  tution  of  the  churoh,  or  alienate  the  property 

III.  The  doctrines  I  mean  to  preach.  On  '.  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^*  ^^*^  ^^^^ 
this  subject  I  wish  it  to  be  particulariy  un-  :  The  afternoon  service  was  brought  to  a 
derstood  that  my  aim  is  rather  to  give  a  clear  '  close  by  an  address  from  Mr.  Wyard,  the 
statement  of  the  matter  wherein  we  differ  j  former  pastor,  on  the  "Design  of  the  Minis- 
from  others  than  a  full  confession  of  tiy.''  Certainly  the  afternoon  services  were 
faith.  There  are  many  doctrines  held  in  I  edifying  and  well  conducted.  We  should 
common  by  all  professing  Christians  into ;  anticipate  many  years  of  inci-easing  useful- 
which  it  is  unnecessary  to  enter  :->such  as  -  ness  for  Mr.  Anderson,  if  the  Lord  spare  him. 
the  being  of  God,  the  Trinity,  the  inspira-  Nature  and  Orsoe  together  join— 

tion  of  Scripture,  Ac.  Ac    Passing  these  by  Jo  aid  him  in  this  woric  divine; 

let  me  say  ik  a  word,  that  in  doctrine,  I  am  a  '        2£!n'i2i^tST«.'?ZS^HE^ 
fi^^^^i!?^;:^^  ^  commonly  cafled         Sj^iSTaSSjSiJiS^^ 
a  hmer.    My  high  Cal vmiam  consists,—  When  Zion  was  mdesmed  from  bsll, 

1.  In  the  belief  of  God's  everksting  love  And  thus  shall  all  things  work  quite  well, 

to,  and  choice  of,  the  church,  from  bef  oro  the  TJittii  the  gnat  reward, 

foundation  of  the  world ;  in  which  love  the  |  A  large  number  of  friends  then  took  tea: 
sacred  Trinity  entered  into  covenant  to  de*  after  which  a  public  meeting  was  h^d,  and 
liver  the  elect,  and  the  elect  only,  from  all  addresses  given  by  the  brethren  Milner,  Dick- 
the  consequences  of  the  fall     In  this  co-  erson,  Alderson,  Meefes,  Bland,  and  others. 


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DBBOBAH'S   JMFTY  AITTHBIT, 

AND  EARNEST  APPEAL  IN  THB  ESSEX  PLAINS. 

dntR  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  1 
\rill  declare  (aa  the  bleased  Spirit  shall  help 
me)  Bome  of  the  great  things  the  Lord  hath 
(lone,  and  is  doing,  for  His  own  little  cause 
at  Jireh  chapel,  East  Bergholt.  We  read  that 
when  the  Lord  had  delivered  Israel  out  of 
the  hand  of  Sisera  and  his  chariots  of  iron, 
''  Then  sang  Deborah  and  Barak,  praise  ye 
the  Lord.  I,  even  T,  will  sing  unto  the 
Lord ;  1  will  sing  praise  to  the  Lord  God  of 
Israel"  The  Lord  knoweth  that  I  feel  my- 
self a  very  little  dwarf  compared  with 
Deborah ;  but  this  1  do  know,  and  am  ena- 
bled to  rejoice  in  it  daily,  that  the  Lord  God 
of  Israel,  Deborah's  God,  is  my  God  and  Fa- 
ther, and  He  hath  heard  me;  he  hath  at- 
tended to  the  voice  of  my  prayer;  and 
blessed  be  God  which  hath  not  turned  away 
my  prayer  nor  His  mercy  from  me :  and  now 
my  soul  snaU  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord ; 
the  humble  shall  hear  thereof  and  be  glad. 
I  have  told  my  dear  friends,  in  former  num- 
bers of  the  Vessel,  how  the  Lord  had  put  it 
into  my  heart  to  cry  unto  Him  day  and  night 
that  He  would  send  His  own  pure  Gospel 
into  this  place :  humanly  speaking,  it  looked 
like  an  Impossibility;  but  faith  laughs  at  im- 
possibilities, and  says  it  shall  be  done.  The 
word  of  the  Lord  was  mighty  to  the  over- 
throwing of  all  the  artillery  that  Satan  and 
all  his  agents  could  bring  to  bear  against  us. 
Truly  have  I  found  it  that  He  giveth  power 
to  the  faint,  and  to  them  that  have  no  might 
He  increaseth  strength.  For  the  space  of 
two  and  a  half  years,  I  cried  unto  Him,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  nothing.  Still  the  spark 
was  kept  alive,  and  the  cry  continued  until 
the  littie  cloud  appeared,  and  although  no 
bigger  than  a  man's  hand,  faith  recognized  it 
and  pleaded.  What  I  now  allude  to  is,  when 
the  Lord  sent  our  beloved  brother  Church- 
yard Tour  present  beloved  and  much-es- 
teemea  pastor)  into  this  village  to  preach 
the  Gospel  in  a  cottage,  as  it  hath  already 
been  shewn  by  our  brother  Poock  in  the 
March  number  of  the  Vbs^l.  And  now,  step 
by  step,  the  Lord  hath  led  us,  blessing  Uia 
own  Word,  first  to  one  and  then  to  another, 
and  in  His  own  God-like  way  removing  one 
by  one  the  seeming  great  mountains  that 
stood  in  our  way,  and  now  we  have  a  beau- 
tiful little  sanctuary  to  worship  our  Qtyd  in. 
We  are  formed  into  a  church  upon  New  Tes- 
tament principles,  and  we  have  good  reason 
to  believe  there  are  many  waiting  at  the 
posts  of  his  doors  until  they  shall  hear  their 
Master's  sweet  voice,  saying  unto  them, 
"  Qo  FORWARD."  As  the  crowning  blessing 
from  our  Father's  hand,  He  hath  sent  us  a 
pastor  after  His  own  heart,  whom  Ue  hath 
tilled  with  His  love,  and  made  him  willing 
to  come  cheerfully  every  Sabbath  without 
any  fee  or  reward  from  us — that  is,  tem- 
porally ;  bat  he  has  our  hearts,  our  wannest 
love,  our  united  and  earnest  prayers;  and, 
bMt  of  ail,  his  Jiaster's  smile  of  approbation  : 
and,  by  and  by,  he  will  reap  a  rich  rewara 
in  that  glory  world  where  pastor  and  people 
shaO  all  in  one  harmonious  strain  for  ever 


join  to  bless  and  praise  redeeming  love, 
ijow,  ray  deal-  brethren  aixd  sisters,  you  who 
love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  have  felt 
the  ix>wer  and  preciousness  of  His  Gospel, 
He  calls  uiwn  you  to  prove  your  love  by 
feeding  Uia  sheep,  feeding  His  lambs,  help- 
ing His  poor  and  needy  ones  where  He  has 
not  given  them  the  power  to  help  them- 
selves. He  knows  we  are  doing  all  we  cai^ 
and  our  eyes  are  up  unto  Him ;  for  He  laid 
the  foundation,  and  bix>ught  up  the  top 
stone,  and  He  will  carry  it  on ;  for  He  will 
never  forsake  the  work  of  His  own  hands. 
For  the  particulars  of  our  position,  I  refer 
our  readers  to  the  March  number  of  the  Ves- 
sel. We  have  the  promise  of  collections 
from  some  of  our  churches  around  tia,  and 
our  dear  friends  at  Ipswich  are  doing  all 
they  can  for  us,  and -some  are  making  up 
articles  for  a  bazaar.  If  any  kind  friend 
could  send  us  anything  in  that  way,  it  will 
be  thankfully  received,  and  also  any  dona- 
tion, however  small,  by  Mr.  John  Lambert, 
hardwareman,  St.  Matthew's,  Ipswich; 
Mr.  G.  G.  Whorlow,  Sudbury ;  Mi'.  T.  Poock, 
Baptist  minister,  Ipswich,  and  by  your  hum- 
ble sister  and  favoured  servant  of  the  church 
of  the  living  God,  E.  Baldwin,  East  Berg- 
holt, Colchester. 

[We  were  honoured  to  labour  among  these 
people  when  they  first  began.  We  have 
witnessed  Mrs.  Baldwin's  faith  and  fervent 
zeaL  We  rejoice  in  the  real  success  the 
Lord  has  granted  her  and  His  people  around 
her,  and  had  we  the  power  to  help  further, 
we  should  esteem  it  a  favour  indeed.— 
C.  W.  B.] 

UB.  GAD  SOtTTHAIili  IN 

SOX7THWABK. 

Dear  Sib.— Bouthwark  stands  pre-eminent  for 
the  preaching  of  tlie  Gospel,  vn  e  can  get  it  in  or 
out  of  the  Church:  by  Baptist,  by  Independent, 
by  Cliurclimau,  and,  if  that  won't  please,  you  can 
hear  the  Gospel  preached  by  those  who  rejoice  in 
having  no  denominational  name  at  all.  Here  is 
Hugh  Allen  in  the  Church ;  James  Wells,  the  Bap- 
tist ;  Mr.  Jaj%  the  Independent ;  and  Mr.  Lincoln, 
of  no  name  or  denomination ;  all  preaching  the 
Gospel  in  our  district.  But  beyond  these  we  nave 
Mr.  Spurgeon  and  his  ^at  tabernacle,  Mr.  Gun- 
ner and  his  little  place,  Mr.  chivers,  Mr.  Hawkins, 

Mr.  Meeres,  Mr.  Aldersou,  and but  stop ;  or 

I  should  take  half  your  space  to  enumerate  all  the 
places  we  have  "  tliie  side  of  the  water.-  And 
still  they  come  I     We  are  not  iealous ;  oh,  no. 

I  There  is  room  enough,  and  *'  all  the  land  is  be- 
fore them."  We  are,  therefore,  glad  to  hail  an- 
other "  champion  for  truth"  to  om-  borders  in  tiic 
person  of  Mr.  Gad  Southall— aname  not  altogether 
tmknown  to  yoiur  readers— who  has  opened  the 
hall  at  Taylor's  Bepoaitory,  nearly  next  door  to 

I  Mr.  Spurgeon.  The  place  is  a  large  handsome 
room,  or  liall,  capable  of  holding,  I  should  think, 
600  persons.    It  is  light,  clean,  «iry,  and  comfort- 

I  able,  chairs  being  substituted  for  the  old  forms.  At 
the  end  of  the  room  there  is  a  large  green  corercd 
.platform,  frcu  which  the  minister  and  clerk  offi- 
ciate. The  first  Sunday  morning  in  April,  then. 
Gad  Southall  opened  this  place,  and  it  was  an- 
nounced that  there  he  would  contlnne  preaching 
Sunday  mornings  and  erenings.  On  the  opening 
morning  thei'e  was  a  comfortable  congregation, 
and  every  kindness  was  shovm  to  all  who  came. 
Mr.  Southall  is  not  a  young  man  now,  and,  as  a 
preacher,  he  has  had  some  experience.    His  lan- 


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THE   EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


Hay  2,  1864. 


gu&ge  is  refined  aiid  choioet  bin  manner  is  lively 
and  active,  his  appearance  commanding,  his  voice 
clear  and  distinct,  and  he  jpreaches  a  free  grace 
Gospel  with  much  originahty,  thought,  and  ex- 
perience. I  hope  to  hear  him  again  :  and  then,  if 
this  not«  finda  a  place,  you  may  again  hear  from 
A  Wamdcrimo  Lax>. 


PLXTMSTBAD.— Third  anniversary  of  form- 
ation of  church  meetinffat  Plumstead  Tabernacle 
took  place  on  Good  Frioay.  In  the  afternoon,  Mr. 
Box,  of  Woolwich,  read  and  engaged  in  prayer; 
Mr.  W.  Leach  (late  of  Northampton)  pr»iched. 
Tea  for  300  was  provided  by  the  ladies  gratui- 
tously.   After  tea,  of  which  nearly  240  partook, 
Mr.  Gibson,  one  of  the  deacons,  invoked  the  Lord's 
blessing;   when  Mr.  Leach,  who  occupiM  the 
chair,  referred  to  the  practice  of  the  Easterns, 
who  in  travelling  were  accustomed  to  set  up 
stones  at  certain  stages  as  a  memento  of  mercies 
received  on  their  way.    Thus  it  was  with  Chris- 
tians, who  had  their  Ebenezers,  and  with  the 
churches  it  was  the  same.    That  meeting  was  to 
partake  of  this  character— to  memorialize   the 
loving-kindness  of  God  towards  the  church  since 
it  had  been  established.    Mr.  Cowell,  the  senior 
deacon,  made  some  statements  relative  to  the 
past  which  were  very  encouraging,  and  expressed 
nis  faith  and  hope  m  God  for  the  future.    Mr. 
Chi^'ers  delivered  an  address  on  the  pastoral  cha- 
racter of  Christ.    After  expressing  liis  pleasure 
at  meeting  with  the  chairman,  Mr.  Chivers  com- 
menced by  observing  that  the  personal  excel- 
lencies of  the  Lord  Jesus  gave  a  sufficiency  to 
every  office  He  sustained,  threw  a  sympathy  into 
every  relation  He  bore,  and  stamped  every  act 
with  infinity  and  eternity,  which  stood  out  in 
great  brilliancy  as  compared  with  the  acts  of  man. 
The  sympathy  of  Christ,    His   substitutionary' 
work,  and  the  endurance  of  His  love,  were  points 
dwelt  upon  and  illustrated  from  Scripture.    Mr. 
Parsons,  of  Brentford,  gave  an  address  on  the 
priesthood  of  Christ,  contrasting  it  with  other 
orders  of  priesthood,  and  dwelling  upon  its  being 
after  the  order  of  Melchisedec.    He  tben  showed 
that  Jesus  was  a  great,  holy,  merciful,  and  able 
High  Priest — no  sinner  being  too  fallen  or  too 
black  for  Him     He  concluded  by  gi%ing  a  few 
thoughts  upon  the  parage,  *'  A  minister  of  the 
sanctuary  and  of  the  tabernacle  which  the  Lord 
pitched,  and  not  man."  (Heb.  viii.  2.)  Mr.  Alder* 
son,  of  Walworth,  followed  with  an  address  upon 
the  royal  character  of  Christ    Having  expressed 
his  pleasure  in  meeting  with  Mr.  LMch  on  that 
occasion,  Mr.  Alderson  proceeded  to  remark  that 
Christ  was  emphatically  declared  to  be  Wondo*- 
ful ;  but  all  the  names  by  which  He  was  known 
were  only  descriptive  forms  of  the  grandeur  of 
His  person.    Under  the  Law,  the  three  distinctive 
offices  required   three  different  persons  to   fill 
them ;  but  Christ  undertook  them  all,  and  was 
Teacher,  Priest,  and  King.    Kings  had  a  right  to 
reign  over  their  people ;  but  Jesus  reigned  by  a 
blood-bou^ht  rigot  in  His  people.    Christ  knew 
all  His  subjects,  which  was  more  tlian  could  be 
said  of  their  most  excellent  Queen  Victoria.    His 
subjects  were  all  loved  by  Him,  and  had  an  equal 
share  in  the  dignity  and  treasure  of  His  kingdom, 
and  as  He  was  an  everlasting  King,  so  His  sub- 
jects must  be  everlasting  too.     The  Chairman 
closed  by  saying— Now,  of  the  things  which  have 
been  spoken  this  is  the  sum :  we  have  a  Good 
Shepherd,  a  Great  High  Priest,  and  a  Glorious 
King,  tlmt  in  all  things  he  might  have  the  pre- 
eminence.   Alter  thanking  the  brethren  for  their 
addresses,  the  proceedings  were  concluded  by 
singing  and  the  benediction. 


BATTNDS.— Our  pastor  baptized  on  April 
17th,  in  the  presence  of  a  crowded  audience.  We 
rq'oioe  to  see  the  Truth  effectual  in  many  \ic- 
torics. 


KB.  THOMAS  STBIKGEB/.OF 
BBiaHTON. 

Mb.  EDrroB, — The  enclosed  verses  I  thought 
would  be  read  with  pleasure  by  some  of  the 
Lord's 'people.  We  do  not  see  Mr.  Stringer's 
name  in  The  Vkssel  but  seldom.  I  think  the 
churches  hardly  know  there  is  such  a  man  of 
truth  in  all  its  departments.  When  I  vis.t 
Brighton  I  hear  hijn,  and  it  does  seem  a  pity  (I 
was  going  to  say  a  sin)  to  all<>w  a  minister  of 
Christ  like  him  to  be,  as  it  were,  buried  in  a  proud 
fashionable  town  that  is  crammed  with  mimsters, 
and  some  good  ones.  Surely  lie  would  shine 
more  bright  at  Bury  St  Edmund«,  where  yon 
say  they  want  a  Boanerges.  I  am  sure  he  is  the 
exact  likeness  of  what  you  have  drawn. 

A  Constant  Bkadeb. 
SOLILOQUY. 
**  Wliere  I  am  there  also  shall  my  sen-ants  be." 
And  can  it  be,  dear  Lord,  that  I— 

So  vile  and  so  unholy, 
Sliall  dwell  with  thee  beyond  the  Bky-~ 

To  swell  thy  praise  in  glory  ? 
Had  not  Thy  precious  blood  been  shed 

For  one  throughout  depraved, 
I  must  have  gone  to  hell,  instead 

Of  ever  being  saved. 
No  hope  tor  me  but  through  Thy  grace. 

Which  qualifies  for  heaven, 
No  sinner  can  behold  Thy  ftuoe. 

Except  his  sins  foi^ren. 
This  is  Thy  own  prerogative. 

To  pardon  vile  transgressors. 
For  such  the  Lord,  Himself  dia  give  ;— 

Of  Him  they  are  possessors. 
Come,  then,  my  soul,  hope  for  the  best ; 

Thy  Saviour  will  not  leave  thee. 
One  smile  from  Him  will  give  thee  reet. 

However  things  may  gneve  thee. 
He  knows  Thy  longing— hears  Thy  sighs— 

Thou  art  His  new  creation. 
He's  fixed  on  thee  His  losing  eyes ; 

And  he  is  thy  salvation. 
Though  sin  may  vex,  and  Satan  roar. 

And  threaten  to  destroy  Uiee— 
Ton  soon  shall  reach  that  peooefol  shore. 

Where  these  will  not  annoy  thee. 
Till  then  cheer  up— on  Chnst  rely. 

Thy  triumph  is  before  thee; 
Thv  mansion,  crown,  and  hup's  on  high, 
In  everlasting  gloiy. 
Brighton.  T.  Stbiitosb. 

I  We  give  insertion';  to  the  note  and  verses,  witli 
but  one  object— the  advancement  of  the  Gospel. 
We  have  known  Mr.  Thomas  Stringer  nearly  20 
years  as  a  bold  defender  of  the  faith,  'and 
when  we  reflect  upon  the  multitude  of  men 
who  now  stand  in  a  mixed  and  contzadiotory 
ministry,  we  think  Mr.  Stringer's  position  in 
Brighton  is  an  important  one.  In  decision  for 
real  Gospel  Truth,  he  stands  there,  head  and 
shoulders  above  many  of  his  compeers.  He 
luis  found  some  warm  friends  there, lie  has  been 
very  useful  there,  and  if  our  ministers  and 
churches  would  co-operate  in  concert  for  the  ea- 
tablishment  of  their  own  principles,  the^'  might 
have  built  Thomas  Stringer  a  chapel,  to  which 
the  thousands  of  metropolitan  visiton  night 
resort,  when  for  sea-air  to  Brighton  they  go. 
The  first  text  we  heard  Thomas  Stringer  preach 
from  was,  "  A  man  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  God 
is.'*  We  hope  he  is  si  ill  that  man ;  and  that  in 
Brighton  he  may  yet  see  many  years  of  happy 
prosperit}'.— Bd.] 

BAPTIST  SUNDAT-SOnOOIi 
UNION. 

At  the  tea  and  public  meeting  in  Kxeter  Hall, 


(lower  room),  on  the  iOth  of  May,  to  be  presided 
over  by  H.  Cooper, Esq.,  tlie  resolutions  wiU  be 
spoken  to  much  in  the  following  order  (Mr. 
I  at  Jireh  Anniv 

Google 


.  _  following  order  (Mr. 

Foreman  having  to  preach  at  Jireh  Anniversary-, 


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THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


137 


will  have  to  leave  after  tea  for  that  servtoe):— 
Heaors.  W.  Palmer,  8.  Milner.and  J.  Bloomfteld ; 
by  W.  Hawkins,  J.  Pells,  W.  Stokes,  and  J. 
Thwaxtes,  Esq. :  by  J.  Glaskln,  J.  Haaelton,  J. 
Williamson,  and  W.  Wall ;  by  W.  Alderson,  J.  C. 
Anderaoni  W.  Moyle,  J.  Meeres,  ko.  The  tea  by 
firee  tickets,  a  collection  in  the  evening  (see 
Wrapper  of  this  month.— E.  V.) 

It  was  resolved  to  commence  the  Preparation 
Classes  the  week  following  the  public  meeting,  if 
poasible,  at  the  expense  ef  the  Union.  The  West 
district  to  meet  in  Moant  Zioa  school-room, 
Dorset-square ;  the  Central  in  Particular  Baptist 
Library,  Took*s-oourt,  Castle-street,  Holbom; 
the  Korthem  in  Providence  Chapel  school-room. 
Upper-road,  Lillngton ;  the  Southern  in  Trinity 
Chapel  school-room,  Trinity-street,  Borough.  On 
this  work,  so  precious  to  those  oouoemed,  may 
God*8  blessing  rest  to  the  welfare  of  the  teacliers, 
and  through  tttem  to  their  charge. 

The  school  of  the  Baptist  Chapel,  Johnson- 
street,  Notting-hilU  Brother  Williamson's,  was 
received  into  the  Union,  also  the  school  of  Salem- 
street,  Richmond,  per  Mr.  Jeffs. 

A  notice  of  motion  wa-s  received  for  next 
monthly  meeting,  that  a  committee  be  formed  to 
correspond  with  all  schools  belonging  to  the 
Particular  Biq^tists,  whether  of  this  Union  or 
not,  asking  them  to  gi\'e  their  "■  Children's  Annual 
Treat"  on  tiie  same  da}',  and  at  the  same  place, 
and  to  invite  each  of  such  schools  to  send  one  or 
more  of  their  number  to  arrange  details  for  the  occa- 
sion. Should  this  invitation  be  generally  accepted, 
we  should  ho^  to  see  some  flfCy  ministers  of 
London  and  neighbourhood,  with  as  many  super- 
tendenta-some  700  or  800  teachers,  and  6,000 
scholars,  all  met  one  fine  summer's  day,  at  the 
Crystal  Palace  grounds,  Kew-green,  Richmond- 
park  or  some  other  beautiful  spot  mutually 
agreed  upon,  and  thereby  present  such  a  testi- 
mony to  our  principles  and  practice  they  are  so 
worthy  oC 

A  feeling  almost  of  impatience  was  expressed 
because  as  yet  we  have  no  depository  whence  to 
supply  Sunday-school  requisites,  with  magazines, 
and  approved  books  for  rewards  and  libraries. 
This  was  a  good  sign,  as  this  was  felt  by 
some  who  at  the  first  pressed  their  cautions 
aipdnst  expenses  risks,  fcc.  This  we  hope 
will  stimulate  our  sub-«ommittee,  who  are 
doing  what  they  can  toward  this  deside- 
ratum. And  as  at  the  public  meeting  our  prin- 
dplea,  motives,  means,  and  objects  willbe  laid  be- 
fore oar  fellow-labourers  of  London,  and  through 
the  preas  before  the  devoted  followers  of  our  Lord 
in  all  our  churches  and  schools  throughout  the 
kingdom,  we  hope  fh>m  that  date  a  great  num- 
ber will  Join  the  Union  with  their  counsel  and 
support,  and  a  greater  progress  in  all  that  is 
useral  will  be  apparent. 

Ifay  the  blesmngof  €K)d  teach  all  in  this  Ubour 
of  loviL  and  reat  upon  the  work  that  has  been,  and 
shall  be  done^to  the  furtherance  of  His  glory 
and  the  spread  of  His  truth,  in  the  blessinir  of  the 
youthful  race.  W.  H. 

aCIZiE  -  END  -  a  ATE.— Heprzibah 
Chapjsi,  DAitLDCo-PLACB.— The  first  anniversary 
servioea  of  the  r&-opening  of  this  place  were  held 
on  Lord*s  day,  17th  April;  Mr.  T.  Ladd,  of  Jewry- 
street^  preacned  in  the  morning  and  Mr.  Gorde- 
lier,  pastor  of  the  church,  in  the  evening.  On 
Wednesday,  the  90th,  Mr.  P.  Diokerson,  of  Little 
AUe-street,  also  preached.  It' was  stated  that 
three  months  since  a  church  had  been  formed  of 
twelve  members,  and  that  others  were  about  being 
nnited.  It  appeared  also  they  had  commenced  a 
miasicn  in  the  neiffhbourhooci,  and  besides  carry- 
ing the  Gospel  to  the  nninstructed,  about  £l6  had 
been  expended  in  relieving  the  sick  poor.  Mr, 
O.  Haxferigg,of  Leice^er,  very  kindly  preached 
a  sermon  on  behalf  of  this  object,  on  the  35th 
March,  and  obtained  a  very  good  collection. 

B.V. 


VATTXHALIj.— Tour  readers  will  be  glad 
to  hear  our  gracious  God  is  prospering  us  in 
Goding  Street  Chapel,  YauxhaU  Gardens.  I  do 
not  thmk  we  were  mistaken  in  thinking  there  was 
a  good  opening  for  a  Baptist  chapel  here.  I  have 
now  been  preaching  three  times  a  week  for  the 
last  three  months ;  our  God  has  been  with  us  in 
love,  blood,  and  power.  Our  chapel  has  gradually 
filled  with  attentive  listeners  to  the  "slorious 
Gospel  of  the  blessed  God."  Many  warm-hearted 
lovers  of  and  workers  for  our  precious  Jesus  have 
come  amongst  us,  who  cheertullv  and  gratefully 
bid  us  God-speed.  The  tear  or  penitence,  and 
the  holy  smile  of  pleasure  and  hearty  greeting  is 
as  fiuniliar  as  encouraging.  Many  sheep  profess 
to  find  a  green  pasture,  and  we  are  unitealy  and 
eomestiy  praying  for  the  salvation  of  many  pre- 
cious souls.  One  Christian  man  has  offered  (and 
commenced)  to  lead  our  singing  without  fee  or 
reward ;  another  has  commenoed  a  singing  dass 
on  Mr.  Curwen's  Tonic  Sol-fa  sj'stem;  the  class 
alr»idy  numbers  o^'er  20.  nearly  all  Christians; 
six  others  regularly  attena  to  instructthe  children 
in  the  Sabbath  school.  The  box  placed  at  the 
end  of  the  room  with  **  For  rent  and  expensea**  ' 
on  it,  increases  in  its  receipts.  Last  Sunday's 
half-quarterly  special  collection  produced  twenty- 
six  shillings :  the  £60  or  more,  which  I  spent  m 
fitting  up  the  place  has  been  reduced  by  about 
half  tnat  amount.  Our  Sabbath'  morning  congre- 
gation has  greatly  increased.  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul.  May  many  souls  be  bom  of  God  in  this 
place.  Obi  may  the  good  Loi*d 

Convince  of  sin. 
And  lead  to  Jesus'  blood  ? 
And  to  our  wundering  view  reveal 
The  secret  love  of  God. 
Oh !  how  I  long  for  this ;  and  bless  his  dear 
name,  I  know— 

His  puTpows  shall  ripen  fast. 
Unfolding  every  hour. 
May  He  keep  us  earnestly  working,  prayerfully 
contending,  and  humbly  walking  to  the  glory  of 
His  grace,  and  when  we  get  home— 
Loudest  of  the  throng  we'll  sing. 
And  make  the  heavenly  arches  ring 

With  shouts  of  80vei«ign  grace. 
For  who  of  all  our  friends  to  save  us, 
Could  or  would  have  shed  his  blood  ? 
But  our  Jesus  died  to  have  us 
Reconciled  in  Him  to  Qod. 
Oh  1  what  a  $alvationt  from  sin,  death,  and  Hell. 
There  is  therefore  no  condemnation  to  them  who 
are  ta  Christ  Jesus.    Oh!  what  a  mercy  that  He 
is  the  end  of  the  Law  for  righteousness  to  every 
one  that  believeth.    Reader,  dost  thou,  belie^^e  on 
the  Son  of  God? 

Tonrs,  for  Jesus'  sake, 

Gbobge  Hjsarsov. 

IPS  W  10U.<^0n  Lord's-day,  April  3,  1864, 
four  persons  were  baptized  in  Bethesda  Chapel, 
Ipswich,  by  T.  Poock ;  the  Divine  presence  was 
mercifully  granted,  both  to  the  administrator 
and  candidates.  The  congregation,  as  usual,  was 
large ;  many  rejoiced,  and  some  appeared  ashamed 
at  uieir  known  and  acknowledged  neglect,  and 
others  declared  they  could  see  it  no  more,  except 
they  themselves  went  through  that  blessed  ordi- 
nance. What  various  feelings  there  are  on  such 
occasions!  I  never  heafanj-thing  like  it  when 
infiinta  or  adults  are  sprinkled;  and  I  wonder 
what  feelings  arrest  the  minds  of  those  brethren 
who  once  Scripturally  obeyed  Zion^s  holy  King; 
but,  from  some  cause,  now  disobey.  May  me 
Great  Lord  keep  Bis  church  from  these  depar- 
tnres  firom  the  good  old  way,  and  ^md  men  of 
fixed  principles,  rich,  and  sound  in  the  knowledge 
of  His  midesty  and  mercy;  then  with  a  warm 
heart,  readv  mind,  and  willing  soul,  cheerflilly 
shall  we  follow  Him  who  rewards  in  the  work. 
Jt,  POOCK. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


138 


THE  EABTHEN  VESBBL. 


Kay  t,  1M4. 


PIiAISTOW.— On  Uie  lea-hand  side  as  you 
vaik  from  Barking  road  station  toward  Plaiatow, 
you  may  see  written  on  the  back  of  a  building, 
"  ZiON  Chapkl,"  near  to  which  is  the  residence 
of  John  Stammers,  a  well  known  friend  to  Gos- 
pel men  and  Goiipel  truth,  of  many  years  stand- 
ing  In  this  Ziou  chapel,  some  few  yeare  sinco, 
J.  E.  Cracknel  I  (now  of  Cheltenham),  was  first 
ordained  as  the  pastor  of  a  Particular  Baptist 
church,  and  some  happy  days  in  His  Mast4.'r's 
eervioe  did  he  there  realize.  Let  him  not  for^^ot 
this  little  one:  that  he  may  never  forsake  the 
principles  he  Uiere  avowed  himself  the  friend  of, 
IS  our  fervent  prayer.  From  Plaistow  Mr  Crack- 
uell  soon  removed'  to  Dacre  Park,  and  there  he 
laboured  for  Kome  five  years.  Duriu;^  this  time 
'  Plaistow  chui'ch  Iia-^  undergone  many  changcst; 
but  on  Tues«lav,  April  19th,  IdtJt,  a  good  company 
assembled  in  tlte  same  Zion  chapel  to  celebrate 
the  first  annivei-8.ir>-  of  brother  W  illiam  Palmer's 
settlement  as  pastor  over  tliat  people.  A  large 
company  of  friends  from  London  went  down  to 
encoura^v  the  good  brother  and  his  friends— and. 
gertaiuly,  upon  the  whole,  it  was  a  noble  and 
lu4>py  gathering.  Tlie  Lord  was  with  his  i^eople. 
and  most  p>ecious  did  their  communications  ap- 
pear tt)  be.  In  th«»  at'temoon  C.  W.  Hanks 
preached  a  aermon.  after  brother  Dixon  had  re  id 
the  word  and  prayed  to  God.  After  tea,  brother 
Palmer  gave  us  a  pleasing  account  of  how  the 
Lord  haaheli)e«l  and  honourod  them.  He  is  an 
original,  plain,  but  decidedly  godly  and  truthful 
man  ;  and  as  he  grows  in  the  work,  will,  we  are 
certain,  be  usctul  to  man}-  souls.  For  all  such 
men  of  God  it  becomes  us  to  be  thankful  indeed 
Addresses  were  delivered,  nnd  the  evening's  ser- 
vices wew  a-ssiHted  by  the  brethren,  John  Brunt, 
George  Webb,  J.  Inwards,  H.  Myei^sou,  C.  W. 
Banks,  8.  Cozens,  J.  Debnam,  and  othei-s.  Father 
Wallace,  of  Bexley  lieath,  was  prew^nt,  and  if 
John  and  Prisdlla,  the  Sunday  school  teachers, 
and  the  pastor  and  people  at  Plai!»t4)w,  were 
happy  in  Gosix-l  things,  we  believe  tliey  were  that 
day.    Hallelujah.    Praise  the  Lord ! 

BBOOKENHTJHST,  weab  LyMiNGTON. 
—At  Brockenhurst,  Lord's-day,  March  27th,  five 
persons  (two  brethren  and  three  sisters)  ijubliclj- 

Srofessed  their  f  lith  in  Christ,  being  "  buried  with 
Tim  in  baptism.''  It  was  a  festive  season  to  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  in  the  above  village ;  and  the 
promised  presenge  of  the  Saviour  was  ^praciously 
realised  by  as.  Previoas  to  the  oetebration  of  the 
ordinance,  an  appropriate  address  was  delivertfd 
by  the  pastor,  from  Acts  ix.  6,  **  Lord,  what  wilt 
l^hoo  have  me  to  do?"  The  marvellous  chouKe 
in  the  mind  and  ehareoter  of  Saul  from  a  malig- 
nant persecutor  to  such  entire  submission  when 
Jesus  revealed  himself,  thedodlity  and  simplicity 
of  his  disposition,  and  his  anxie^  to  know  and 
do  his  Lord's  wUI,  was  the  subject  of  remark ; 
nresenting  a  model,  into  conformity  with  which 
Chriat  would  brin^  all  His  followers.  It  was 
then  shown  what  is  plainly  and  urgently  the 
disciple's  duty  with  reelect  to  Baptism,  i.e..  to  ob- 
serve Hit  command,  and  follow  /r{«example,  pro- 
fesaing  Him  before  men,  trusting  in  Hispromised 
aid;  enoouraged  by  the  assurance  that  such  as 
confess  Him,  He  also  will  confess  before  His 
Father  and  the  hoi}-  angels.  A  lai;|ge  proportion 
of  the  villagers  are  still  living  "without  God  in 
the  world ;"  wlule  many  others  oontent  them- 
selves with  a  form  of  godliness;  but  thanks  be 
to  the  Ood  of  all  grace.  He  has  a  chosen  few  exen 
ben,  whom  Ue  has  called  into  the  fellow(>hip  of 
His  dear  Son.  The  instances  of  His  saving  power 
0¥«i'  which  we  now  rejoice  are,  we  believe,  an 
earnest  of  future  and  still  greater  Messinff.  The 
Lord  is  working  by  His  own  graciotis  metnods  in 
the  liearts  of  some  who  have  Ions;  contemned 
Him ;  and  we  have  good  hope  that  the  refreshing 
season  just  experienced  will  speedily  be  reneweo. 
All  glory  be  to  Him  who  makes  "His  people 
willing  in  the  day  of  His  power." 


STEPNEY-— Cave  Adullam,  Oij>  Roao.— - 
The  second  anniversary'  tea  and  public  meeting 
of  the  Chapel  and  School  Building  Society  coo- 
neeted  with  this  place,  was  held  on  WedaewUy 
evening,  April  6th.    Mr.  Webster,  the  pastor,  pre- 

I  sided.  The  report  shewed  that  owing  to  its 
funds  not  progressing  in  such  a  manner  a»  the 
committee  regard  as  absolutely  necessary  to  the 
accomplishment  of  the  object  sou^t  to  be  ob- 
tained, it  was  decided  at  a  committee  meeting 
recently  held,  that  indindual  weekly  submnip- 
tions  be  adopted,  \-ar34ng  in  amoont  as  perscns 
C4tn  afford,  from  sixpence  or  more,  down  to  ooe 

1  penny.  Se\'eTal  of  the  committee  have  praott- 
cally  carribd  out  this  plan  since  the  first  Lord's- 
day  in  this  year,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few 
weeks  the  sum  of  one  guinea  was  realized  In- 
such  weeklj'  offerings  alone.    The  meeting  was 

,  appealed  to,  to  co-operate  in  this  plan.    Twenty - 

I  seven  persons,  including  the  secretary,  readiiy 
rciipondcd  to  such  appeal,  each  of  whom  wai* 
furnished  with  thirteen  small  envelopes,  having 
on  tliem  "  Cave  AdulUm  Building  Fund."  weekly 
subscription,  with  a  space  left  few  the  name  and 
date  enclosed  in  a  larger  envelope.  Others  we 
fully  expect  will  also  act  upon  this  plan,  who 
we  believe,  on  account  of  business  were  unavoid- 
ably- abseut  on  this  occasion.  The  adc^tion  of 
the  repfirt  was  moved  b}'  bruther  Bloomfield,  of 
Soho,  and  seconded  by  brother  Alderson,  of 
Walworth,  each  of  whom  with  the  brethren  who 
afterwards  addressed  the  meeting,  Chiversof  Ber- 
mondse^'.  Blake,  of  Artillerj'-street,  and  Cozens, 
late  of'Shadwell,  in  appropriate  speeches  eo- 
foroed  the  claims  of  this  society  upon  the  meet- 
ing. During  the  evening  a  liberal  collection  was 
made.  We  also  wish  to  state,  that  at  this  meeting 
we  commemorated  the  second  anniversary  of  Mr. 
Webster's  pastorate  amongst  us.  ITpon  the 
generally  acknowledged  principle  that  all  right- 
minded  persons  who  have  it  in  their  power,  are 
always  willing  to  assist  those  who  do  their  utmost 
to  assist  themselves  in  the  attainment  of  a  noble 
obiect,  we  most  earnestly  and  respectfully  beg  to 
solicit  the  contributions  of  those  who  can  aasisft  ns 
in  sudi  wa>'.  Donations  and  subscriptiona,  how- 
ever small,  in  postage  stamps,  post-office  order, 
or  cash,  will  be  most  thankfully  received  by  Mr. 
John  Webster,  9,  Wilson-street,  Stepney,  B. ;  Mr. 
C.  C.  Abbot,  treasurer,  82,  Grafton -street.  Mile- 
end,  N.E. ;  or  of  the  honorary  secretary,  Thomas 
Culyer,  MS,  Mile  Bnd-Road,  & ;  who  will  didy 
acknowledge  the  same. 


EKTIEU)  HZOBWAT.— The  spedal 
services  held  in  the  Congreoational  diMel  heve 
on  Good  Friday'  on  belialf^of  this  littte  oanae 
were  productive  of  much  pleasure  and  enoouniAe- 
menL  Mr.  J.  Hazelton,  of  London,  preacheabi 
the  afternoon  and  evening  two  excellant  sermons, 
full  of  original  and  weighty  ideas.  A  happy  tea 
meeting  was  held  between  the  services.  Tike 
attendance  was  very  encouraging,  many  friends 
from  London  and  tlie  country'  rounds  came,  and 
the  collections  were  liberal.  On  Sunday,  April 
101^,  the  reopening  services  of  the  Baptist  Chapel 
were  held,  toe  place  having  been  closed  fi>ren- 
1  argement.    Sermons  were  preached  momSng  and 


afternoon  by  C.  W.  Banks,  of  London,  and  w  Itie 
e\'ening  by  Mr.  H.  Striekett,  bite  of  Daztfeid,  who 
has  engaged  to  preach  here  for  six  months,  eom- 
mencing  May  1st,  with  eooountfiQg  proq>ecto  of 
success.  The  friends  ha«  have  liad  an  udaoos 
struggle  amid  many  disconragemeDts  toestaMiiA 
a  Strict  Baptist  cause.  At  length  their  lafooiurs 
Meem  crowned  with  a  degree  of  sueceas ;  they  imve 
DOW  a  little  chapd  capable  of  aceommodaling 
about  130  persons,  and  would  affeotionatdj'  appea 
to  aH  true  friends  of  the  Church  of  Cbritt.  to 
asSiSt  tliem  in  paying  the  debt  incurred  by  the 
enlargement  The  snuUlest  donation  thankfully- 
received  b3'  Mr.  Minton,  secretar>',  M,  Grove 
Road,  Enfleld  Highway,  r 
Digitized  by  ^ 


,  Nf^  *  T  H.  C.  S. 

)ydoogle 


H«y  !t,  L8M. 


THE  EABTUJESr  TESSEL. 


189 


CXtAPKAJL— Bxtjuboa^Cbavxkb  Cohbt. 
—On  Monday*  April  llth,  Spwdid  Seirioet  were 
lield  to  commemorate  tbe  fiftl^anaiveiBary  of  the 
Ixying  the  foundation  «tene  of  the  above  place  of 
worship.  In  the  afternoon,  at  three  o'oloek  Mr. 
Joeeph  Winfield  ascended  the  pulpit,  and  com- 
menced the  service  by  reading  and  prayer,  after 
whudi  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens  preached  a  very  im- 
pieseive  and  instructive  sermon,  from  Is.  xxvi.  1, 
"  In  that  day  shall  thi^  song  be  simff.*'  A  goodly 
company  sat  down  to  tea ;  at  hau-paat  six  the 
pubUc  meeting  commenced.  J.  C.  Kemp.  Esq., 
occupied  the  chair,  who  gave  a  very  nice  and  con- 
cise addrMs.  The  chairman  then  «med  upon  Mr. 
Joseph  Winfield,  who  in  a  powerful  manner,  and 
for  a  ooosiderable  time,  dwelt  upon  the  subject  of 
a  foundation  stone.  Mr.  Winfield  said  the  Church 
— tbe  Spiritual  building  rested  upon  the  follow- 
ing aix  things: -1.  The  love  of  God ;  2.  Divinity 
ofthe  Cluist  of  Ood ;  3.  The  blood  of  Christ ; 
•L  Tlie  righteousness  of  Christ ;  5.  The  immuta- 
bUi^  of  Christ ;  0.  The  teaching  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  He  said  he  considered  these  things  lay  at 
the  bottom  of  the  Spiritual  edifice.  Mr,  J, 
Webster,  of  Cave  Adullam,  Stepney,  next  ad- 
dressed tlie  meeting,  and  was  followed  by  Mr. 
George  Webb,  of  Camden-town,  and  Mr.  W. 
Cowdry,  of  Mile-end-road;  all  of  them  Bpoke 
well  of  retrospective  and  prospective  blessmgs. 
Mr.  W.  Hawkins,  of  Trinity-street,  Borough,  was 
obliged  to  leave  at  an  early  hour,  having  a  meet- 
ing at  hi«  own  chapel.  Thus  ended  one  of  the 
happiest  meetings  that  has  been  knowa  at  Beth- 
esda  for  a  very  long  time. 

SIPJU5T.~IU.PTtaT  CaifBCH.  ~I  wish  to 
known  the  goodness  of  our  Q«d  in  bring- 
ing poor  oinnew  out  of  the  world,  and  giving 
them  a  deaiie  to  honour  Him.  Our  beloved 
pastor,  C.  Z.  Turner,  baptised  four  believers,  after 
speaking  from  John  xlv.  6.  Showing  Christ  the 
only  true  way,  and  the  life  and  truth  of  that 
way.  One  of  the  candidatee  was  aged  78 ;  he 
has  known  the  Lord  many  yeara ;  and  nis  worthy 
dame,  74 :  both  brojughl  together  by  the  good 
hand  of  God  to  walk  m  the  order  of  his  House. 
The  Lord  grant  them  much  of  his  presence  the 
few  reottimng  years  they  travel  here  below ;  the 
other  two  were  seals  to  our  pastor^s  mlntetr}'. 
1^  ordinance  was  admhiistered  in  Mr.  Mcrritf  s 
Chapel,  which  he  very  kindly  lends.  The  can- 
didates were  reoeired  into  Oharoh  fellowship  the 
following  Lord's-day,  the  first  in  April ;  it  was  a 
happy  trme  with  pastor  and  people,  msy  we  en- 
joy miny  more  such  occasions.  We  have  had  16 
added  to  onr  little  number  in  13  months;  there 
we  several  more  standing  round. 

A  LOTEB  or  THE  TRUTH. 

OHEIiT£<NHAV. — Oa-mbbay  Chapel.  — 
Ou  Monday  evening,  April  4ch.  a  large  and  in- 
teresting meeting  was  held,  when  a  public  wel- 
oome  wa*}  given  to  the  recently  chosen  pastor, 
Mr.  Cracknell .  Bev.  Thomas  Harris  occupied  the 
oliMir,  and  spoke  in  a  feelinje;  and  appropriate 
numner  of  the  late  James  Smith,  for  many  years 
pastor  of  the  ohunoh.  He  then  gave  the  right 
nand  of  walcame  to  his  successor,  and  expressed 
bis  belief  that  Mr.  Cracknell  waa  well  suited  for 
the  position  the  church  liad  called  him  to  occupy. 
The  following  ministers  then  addressed  the  meet- 
ing, Eevs.  Maopherson,  B.  Smith,  Dr.  Brown.  W. 
G.  Lewis,  and  W.  G-.  Sergeant,  each  sneaking 
upon  ftbe  worda  that  appeared  in  large  and  orna- 
mental letters  hung  across  the  gallery, "  Welcome 
our  Paator."  Representing  eaoK  denomination  in 
the  town,  the  speakers  gave  Mr.  Oraeknell  a  most 
ocnrdial  and  hearty  welcome.  Mr.  Cracknell  ac- 
knowledged the  kindness  shewn  him  in  an  ap- 
propriabB  speech,  thanking  tlie  friends  for  their 
company  and  good  wishes,  and  moved  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  ohairman  and  m'misters,  for  their 
help  to  the  o^use,  which  was  seconded  by  the 
d  jacon?.    The  meeting  closed  with  praise  to  God. 


BATH.— EBSVfiZlwB  COAPEL,  WlDCOMBB.— 

The  ftfteenth  aunirersaiy  of  Sunday  school  was 
held.  March  13th,  two  sermons  were  preached 
by  Mr.  J.  Huntley,  the  pastor.  In  the  afternoon 
an  address  was  delivei'ed  to  the  children  and  con- 
gregation, by  T.  Thompson,  Esq. ;  the  children 
were  then  rewarded  with  buns  and  books,  numy 
of  them  received  very  nice  Bibles  and  T^^- 
ments.  They  sang  some  hj'mns  on  the  ocoaalon, 
the  last  being— 

<•  Blest  is  the  tie  that  bindi». 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love ; 

The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds, 
la  like  to  tliat  above. 

There  will  be  no  more  sorrow  there. 
In  Heaven  above, 

Yfhere  all  is  love, 
There'll  be  no  more  sorrow  tliere." 
On  Monday,  March  lith,  we  had  a  tea  meet- 
ing ;  upwards  of  two  hundred  sat  down.  There 
were  present— the  Rev.  D.  Wasael,  of  Somerset- 
street,  Bath ;  Mr.  W.  Huntley,  of  Stoke ;  Mr. 
Bogers,  of  Frome ;  Mr.  Clarke,  of  Twerton ;  Mr. 
Newel,  of  Bradford;  Mr.  Vincent  and  Mr.  Clark, 
of  Bath.  The  school  consists  of  Mr.  J.  Huntley, 
our  esteemed  pastor,  as  president ;  Mr.  Wheatley, 
superintendent;  a  librarian,  an  absentee  visitor, 
24  teachers,  90  boys  and  80  girls.  After  paying 
off  all  debta^  we  are  happy  to  say  we  nave  a 
balance  in  hand  of  £5  7s.  3id.  Truly  we  have 
nreat  room  to  feel  very  thanklul  to  onr  heavenly 
Father  for  his  goodness  towards  ua  The  teachers 
had  a  tea  meeting  March  3 let,  when  we  presented 
our  esteemed  pastor,  Mr.  J.  Himtley,  with  a  nice 
inkstand,  with  letter  scales  and  weights  attached 
to  it ;  as  a  mark  of  our  love  and  esteem  towards 
him  as  our  pastor  and  president  of  the  school. 
May  his  blessing  rest  upon  us  and  keep  us  toge- 
ther in  the  bonds  of  love  and  peace,  is  the  earnest 
prayer  of  their  superintendent, 

W.  w.  Whkatlky. 


BBTH£rAL  CHEIBBN  ROAD. -Special 
services  were  holdon  in  Squirries-street  chapel 
en  the  mh  and  18th  of  April.  Mr.  F.  Collins, 
the  konoored  and  ueefol  minister  of  Howe-atveet 
chapel,  Plyraottth,  preached  two  Gtospd  sermons 
oa  tne  17th ;  and  again  on  the  ISth,  in  the  after- 
noon, he  gave  im  a  discourse  and  experimental 
exposition  of  Hoaoa's  prophecy  respeothog  the 
Valley  of  Aohor.  C.  W.  Banks  preached  in  after- 
noon of  the  17th  from  Paul's  remarkable  words, 
**  Therefore  judge  nothin;|  before  the  time  until 
the  Lord  come,  who  will  both  bring  to  light  the 
hidden  things  of  darkness,  and  make  manifeat 
the  counsels  of  the  hearts ;  and  then  shall  wery 
man  liave  praise  of  Q-od."  On  the  18th,  a  happ}' 
company  of  kind  friends  took  tea.  Soon  after 
six,  the  public  meeting  was  opened  by  Mr.  W. 
Flack  seeking  a  blessing  on  the  cause  and  mi- 
nisters of  onr  Lord.  C.  W.  Banks  then  said  the 
meeting  was  convened  for  the  purpose  of  ae- 
knowledging  the  Lard's  goodness,  and  to  seek 
for  some  help  toward  the  repairing  debt.  Mr. 
W.  Palmer,  of  Platstow,  Mr.  Thomas  Chivera, 
Mr.  J.  Inward.  Mr.  Dixon,  Mr.  J.  Flory,  Mr. 
Collins,  and  other  ministers  came  and  cheered  us 
greatly.  Mr.  Messer's  address  was  unusually 
interesting.  All  spoke  well  for  the  uprising  of 
this  long-standing  cause  of  Gpspel  truth. 

BOBO'  QBBBN.— On  Good  Friday,  Mr. 
Wall,  of  Oravesend,  preached  an  exoellentaermon 
in  the  Baptist  chapel,  Boro'  G-reen ;  after  wJiieh 
about  200  took  tea;  and  in  the  evening  a  very 
larse  meeting  was  convened.  Addresses  were 
delivered  by  Mr.  Avery,  of  Hadlow,  and  the 
I>astor.  The  choir  favonxed  us  with  some  select 
pieces,  which  were  well  performed  and  well  sus- 
tained by  the  efficiency'  of  the  lady  who  played 
the  harmonium.  Frioida  from  Sevenoaks,  Had- 
low, Oraveaend,  Meopham,  and  Mailing,  favoured 
us  with  their  presence.  C^ r^r\n\^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOy  IC 


HO 


THE  EABTHEK  VESSEL. 


May  2, 1864. 


K  XAN0HS8TEB.~Th«iiks  to  Mr.  John 
Hudson  tor  his  letter.  We  cannot  think  or  speak 
too  highly  of  **  The  Irish  Lad  and  the  Sqoire  :*' 
we  have  given  it  entire  in  Chesbixg  Wobds  for 
May.  A  trutliful  tale  more  sound  and  sweet  we 
have  never  read :  it  carries  ita  own  witness.  We 
would  saj*  to  our  friends— read  vourselves,  and 
circulate  around  you,  this  simple  but  striking 
exposition  of  God's  grace  in  the  heart  of  a  poor 
Iruh  boy.  Oh  I  for  tens  of  thousands  like  him. 
The  work  by  Mr.  W.  Birch,  jun.,  of  Hulme,  is, 
we  hope  of  the  Lord.  Of  oourFe  we  speak  no 
altogether  without  the  Book ;  but  we  have  seen 
that  if  anvthing  is  to  be  done  to  gather  the 
masses  of  ignorant  and  low  sunken  myriads  of 
our  fellows,  It  must  be  done  by  those  who  can 
go  right  into  their  midst;  and  simply  tell  them 
of  their  spiritual  destitution  and  danger,  and 
instrumental ly  point  them  to  Jebus,  the  One 
great  Savioub  heaven  has  given  to  man ;  and  if 
God  Almighty  is  pleased  thus  to  employ  any 
man— be  he  wnat  he  may— if  the  Lord  give  to 
such  a  messenger,  life  in  his  own  soul— a  reve- 
lation of  Je&uB  Christ  in  his  own  heart— a  love 
to  the  Truth,  and  a  love  to  the  souls  of  perish- 
ing sinners ;  with  these  essential  qualifications  a 
man,  be  he  captain,  or  lord,  or  plough-boy ;  be 
he  literate  or  illiterate,  he  will  be  sucoessfiil  as  a 
pioneer ;  he  will  be  like  the  net  cast  into  the  sea, 
gathering  fish  of  all  kinds;  among  them  some 
of  Ood*s  elect,  and  they  shall  come  step  by  step, 
to  KNOW  THE  TBUTH,  and  the  TRUTH  shali 
make  them  free.  If  it  be  Jehotah's  blessed 
will,  may  we  pray  for— and  be  favoured  to  see 
many  such  pioneers  in  every  part.  W.  Birch's 
letters  we  hope  to  receive  more  of,  and  to  notice 

GBEAT  WILBBAHAK,   OAMBS.— j 

Lord's- Day,  March  a7th,  four  were  baptized  by  | 
Mr.  A.  Peet.    The  Lord  has  been  good  to  this  j 
part  of  Zion .   The  chapel  was  more  ttuui  crowded,  • 
news  and  aisles  co  full  it  was  impossible  to  sit 
aown ;  Uie  double  doors  in  fh>nt  of  chapel  and 
firont  windows  were  opened,  thus  many  could  i 
hear  outside,  but  many  returned  home  because ' 
they  could  not  be  admitted.    The  service  was  I 
particularly  solemn,  and  every  one  tried  to  take 
care  of  those  around  them,  thus  this  large  oon-  \ 
gregation  remained  packed  for  one  hour  and  a 
nalt,  quiet  and  orderly.     Our  brother,  Mr.  A. ' 
Peet,  has  baptized  ten  while  he  has  been  sup- , 
plying,  and  others  are  seeking.    Mr.  Peet.  (after  , 
supplying  near  twelve  months,)  has  been  mvited  | 
to  become  the  pastor,  but  declines.    His  last  Bun- 
day  is  Maj'  Ist.    He  is  open  to  supply  churches 
requiring   a   pastor.     Address   K,   St.    Loj'es,  I 
Bedford.  I 

BI/AOXHEATH.— Tebtikoxial  to  Mr. 

Crackkeix.— Before  leaving  Blackhcath,  Mr. 
Cracknel  1  received  a  practical  proof  of  the  love 
and  affection  of  his  h-iends  there,  by  the  pre- 
aentation  of  a  purse  of  Bovereigns,  accompanied 
with  a  copy  of^  the  holy  Scriptures,  while  many 
sincere  and  hearty  wishes  were  expressed  for  his 
future  usefulness  in  the  important  field  in  which 
he  was  about  to  labour.  At  the  same  time  Mrs. 
Cracknell  was  presented  by  the  ladies  with  a 
handsome  tea-pot,  shewing  that  the  pastor's  wife 
also  dwelt  in  the  affections  of  the  people. 

GBAFTT  aBBEN.-This  little  hill  of 
Zion,  where  that  loving  and  tender  saint  of  Ood, 
Edward  Sedgewick,  has  laboured  so  many  years, 
to  the  real  good  of  multitudes  of  people,  is  not 
so  prosperous  and  peaceful  this  spring  as  all 
good  Christians  must  desire.  But  the  clouds  will 
soon  diMperse;  and  brighter  still  the  sun  will 
shine.  Ood  has  wonderfully  helped  and  ho- 
nom«d  Edward  Sedgewick  in  his  work,  and  still 
he  stands  in  bonds  of  everlasting  love.  We 
should  rejoice  to  see  and  hear  him  in  London : 
so  would  thousands  of  the  right  sort. 


HOZNB,  8TJFFOZJL— Wednesday,  April 
SOth,  a  meeting  was  held  in  connection  with  the 
small  cause  in  this  place  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
pleting the  purchase  of  a  site  for  the  proposed 
new  chapel,  and  to  buy  the  shell  of  the  old  one 
in  which  the  friends  now  worship.  In  the  after- 
noon, brother  Bird  preached  an  excellent  Goi^>el 
sermon.  Tea  vras  provided  by  the  friends,  of 
which  a  veiy  goodly  number  partook.  In  the 
evening,  service  was  commenced  by  brother 
Bheppurd  (a  deacon  at  the  Stoke  Aah  cause)  en- 
gaging in  prayer.  Brother  Hill  (Stoke  Aah) 
being  In  the  chair,  stated  the  object  of  the  meet- 
ing, and  the  progress  they  had  made  towards  the 
accomplishment  of  that  object,  and  called  upon 
the  friends  to  come  forward  to  do  all  they  oomd ; 
after  which  upwards  of  £33  was  collected.  The 
purchase  money  by  this  and  former  efforts  being 
thus  obtained,  nothing  now  remains  but  to 
begin  to  build  a  new  cluipel,  for  which  arrange- 
ments will  soon  be  made.  Brothers  Wroots  (^^- 
sall),  1^'lor  (Pulham), Harris  (Bishangles).  and 
Pegg  (Iressingfield),  then  made  some  few  en- 
couraging remarks ;  after  which,  and  singing  a 
h3-mn,  the  fViends  dispersed,  it  being  past  tot 
o;clock.  This  is  a  mnd  proof  of  wnat  united 
eflbrt  will  aooomplish,  even  among  a  few  of  the 
poorest. 

SCOTLAND.— Our  brother  T.  J.  Measer, 
in  a  note  (March  80)  from  Carlisle,  aaya— **I 
preached  in  the  Free  Church,  Wigtown,  last 
Sunday  evening,  on  the  "  Security  of  the  Cnurch 
in  her  ever  living,  loving  Heaa/*  to  a  crowd. 


Truth  has  beoa  heard  from  my  poor  lips  by 
thousands  in  this  glorious  oountnr.  Wigtown  is 
where  young  Mar j^ret  Wilson  and  the  old  woman. 


McLauchlaxM,  were  tied  to  stakes  and  left  on  the 
shore  for  the  rising  tide  to  overwhelm  them,  for 
adhering  to  truth,  in  the  days  of  the  Btuartsi  I 
could  almost  see  the  spot  fVom  the  pulpit  of  the 
Free  Church  last  Sunday. 

[We  hope  to  give  M>me  interesting  papers  from 
the  pen  of  our  brother  Messer,  descriptive  of  his 
tour  through  Scotland  this  last  winter.J 

XEPPBL-STBEBT,  BtJS8BI.L- 
SC^UABE*— The  ninth  anniversary  of  Mr. 
Milner's  pastorate  was  held  on  Tueeaay,  April 
5th.  The  drenching  and  incessant  rain  prevented 
many  fVom  attending.  After  an  excellent  tea, 
Mr.  Milner  took  the  chair,  and  gave  a  good  open- 
ing address,  speaking  of  the  goMlness  of  the  Lord 
in  pre8er\'ing  them  in  peace  throughout  another 
vear.  Then  excellent  speeches  were  naade  by 
brethren  Bloomfield,  Austin,  Higham,  Anderson, 
Haselton,  and  Alderson.  BreUiren  Pells  and 
Green  were  to  have  followed,  but  the  time  was  too 
far  gone.  Brother  O.  Webb  opened  the  meeting 
by  prayer,  and  brother  Green  closed.  It  was  a 
spiritually  profitable  meeting;  speakers  seemed 
at  home  vdth  their  subjects,  taken  frrm  1  Peter 
ii.  1—6,  and  the  hearers  were  made  glad. 

NEW  TOBK.— We  have  a  letter  firtan 
James  Hooper,  the  young  Baptist  minister,  who, 
by  heavy  sIHiction,  has  Men  laid  down  nearly 
nineteen  months.  We  have  full  report  of  the 
trial  of  the  party  through  whose  malice  his  in- 
jury was  sustained.  His  caco  is  certainly  one 
demanding  the  most  earnest  and  active  sym- 
pathy the  churches  in  England  can  exercise 
toward  him ;  and  it  is  distressing  to  leatn  that 
from  those  quarters  from  whence  Christian  cha- 
rity ought  first  to  flow,  no  bowels  of  compassion 
are  found.  The  continued  cruel  conduct  of  some 
great  ones  toward  the  oppressed  and  afRicted,  is 
suflSdent  to  justify  the  ugly  epithets  cast  upon 
them.  Were  we  to  publish  James  Hooper's  letter 
and  the  attested  trials  he  has  endured,  whs  t  would 
Bnglishmen  say  P  We  may  do  ro  yeU  His  ad- 
drees  is  84ft,  West,  33nd  Street,  Kcw  iTork,  U.S. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUM  I,  IIM. 


TBB  KAxnaa  vessei. 


167 


By  Joiix  Bbowk,  A.  M,.  Co5ug,  Newtownards,  IsBLAim. 


Dt  your  bodies  a 
living  acrifioev  bofy,  aooeptable  unto  Qo<L'wfiicb  in  your  reasonable  service.  And  be  not  conformed 
to  thiB  world :  bat  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  mny  prove  what  is  that 
good^  and  acceptable,  and  perfectHrill  of  God.       Rom.  xii.  1,  9. 


I  BBSBBCH  yon  thenfore.  brethren,  by  the  merdesof  God,  that  ye 
*oly,  **        '    "    -     -•  «  •  -  • 


Thb  apostle  haying  finished  the  doctrinal 
part  of  this  epistle,  now  jprooeeds  to  make  a 
practical  application  of  it  Having  laid 
the  foundation  deep  in  Qod*B  everh»ting 
lore,  he  now  proceeds  to  erect  a  saperstnic- 
tore  of  holiness  on  that  foundation.  The 
dedication  of  the  believer  to  CK>d,  in  the 
entire  man— soul,  body,  and  spirit—  is  the 
grand  moral  result  of  his  whole  doctrine ; 
and  the  motives  by  which  this  dedication  is 
urged,  are  *' the  mercies  of  God,"  in  the 
olection,  redemption,  calling,  justification, 
adoption,  sanctification,  final  perseverance, 
and  everlasting  happiness  of  the  redeemed. 
*'  I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,"  says 
he,  ''  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  pre- 
sent your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy, 
acceptable  unto  (3k>d,  which  is  your  reason- 
able service.  And  be  not  conformed  to 
this  world ;  but  be  ye  transformed  hy  the 
renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  may  prove 
what  is  that  good,  and  acceptable,  and  per- 
fect will  of  God."  Let  us  consider  these 
exhortations  in  their  order. 

I.    Hb  bbseecues  us  to  pbbsemt    our 

BODXB0    ▲  LtVI.HG  SACaiFICE  TO    OOD.       The 

bodies,  as  well  as  the  minds,  of  the  unregen< 
prate,  are  represented  in  Scripture  as  being 
actively  employed  in  the  service  of  sin. 
Sin  reigns  in  their  mortal  body,  and  they 
yield  its  members  as  instruments  of  un- 
righteousness unto  sin.  Its  various  mem- 
bers  are  described  by  the  apostle  as  each 
performing  its  part  in  this  vile  service. 
"  Their  tkroat  is  an  open  sepulchre ;  with 
their  tongues  they  have  used  deceit ;  the 
poison  of  aups  is  under  their  Up$ ;  whose 
tHouth  is  fuu  of  cursing  and  bitterness: 
\he\i  feet  are  swift  to  died  blood."  But 
when  a  sinner  believes  the  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  Gk)d,  he  is  taught  by  we  W oid,  and 
disposed  by  the  Spirit,  to  mortify  the  deeds 
of  tne  body,  that  he  may  live.  The  body 
which  had  hitherto  been  devoted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  sin,  is  now  devoted  to  the  service  of 
God.  Its  members,  which  had  been  former- 
ly yielded  as  instruments  of  unrighteousness 
unto  rin,  are  now  yielded  as  instruments  of 
riftbteousness  unto  holiness.  And  this  is 
what  the  apostle  means,  when  he  exhorts  us 
to  present  our  bodies  a  living  sacrifice  to 
God.  His  allusion  is  to  the  encharistical 
Vol.  XX.— No.  230. 


sacrifice  under  the  former  dispensation.  It 
was  a  ^ft  devoted  to  Cxod,  as  an  expression 
of  gratitude.  Believers  are  not  required  to 
offer  propitiatory  sacrifice,  for  the  atoning 
death  of  Jesus  has  rendered  that  not  only 
unnecessary  but  improper.  But  they  are 
required  to  present  Uieir  living  bodies,  and 
not  slain  animals,  as  a  thank-offering — an 
expression  of  gratitude  for  a  full  and  free 
salvation,  through  the  blood  and  righteous- 
ness of  Christy  As  the  Jewish  sacrifice  was 
entirely  devoted  to  God,  so  the  bodies  of  be- 
lievers, in  all  their  faculties,  ought  to  be  de- 
voted to  Him ;  and  as  it  required  to  be  free 
from  all  natural  blemishes,  so  tkey  should 
be  pure  from  all  moral  defilement,  **  holy  and 
acceptable  unto  Gk)d.**  This  is  a  "  reason- 
able sendee."  The  sacrificial  worship  under 
the  law,  though  an  important  typical  ap- 
pointment of  God,  was  not  a  dictate  of 
nature,  or  agreeable  to  reason.  But  to 
serve  God  with  our  bodies  is  as  reasonable 
as  to  serve  Him  with  our  minds.  The  be- 
liever is  under  the  most  sacred  obligations 
to  serve  God  with  his  body.  First,  because 
the  body  was  made  for  the  Lord,  and  the 
Lord  for  the  body.  It  was  created  to  be 
employed  in  the  Lord's  service,  and  is  His 
property  by  creation.  Secondly,  because 
the  bodies  of  believers  are  members  of  the 
mystical  body  of  Christ  and  this  lofty  con- 
nection between  Christ  and  them  requires 
that  they  should  possess  their  bodies  in 
sanctification  and  in  honour.  Thirdly,  be- 
cause the  body  of  the  believer  is  the  temple 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  a  holy  residence 
ought  to  be  kept  for  an  inhabitant  so  holy. 
J^ourthly,  because  believers  are  not  their 
own,  but  bought  with  a  price,  even  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  and  therefore  they 
are  under  the  most  sacred  obligations  to 
glorify  God  with  their  bodies  and  spirits 
which  are  His. 

II.  He  beseeches  us  HOT  TO  Bi  OONVOBJOED 
TO  TOis  WORLD.  By  tkU  worlds  he  means 
worldly  men  and  worldly  courses.  We  read 
of  the  men  of  the  world,  who  have  their 
portion  in  this  life,  and  Paul  reminds  the 
Ephesians,  that  when  they  were  in  their 
natural  state,  they  "walked  according  to 
the  course  of  this  world,  according  to  the 
prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  Ui^  spirit  that 

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158 


.THE 


June  1.  iMi. 


now  worketh  in  the  cbildren  of  disobedi- 
ence."  Thifi  is  the  coarse  according  to 
which  we  all  walk  by  nature,  and  &om 
which  we  are  delivered  by  the  gospel.  We 
lire  expressly  informed  that  thj^  Lord  Jesua 
<'  ^ave  Himself  for  oar  sins,  that  He  might 
deuTer  us  from  this  present  eyil  world."  To 
be  "  of  the  world"  is  a  characteristic  of  the 
wicked  and  to  be  ''not  of  the  world"  is  a 
characteristic  of  the  righteous.  "Ye  are 
of  this  world,  "  savs  Christ  to  the  Jews,  "  I 
am  not  of  this  world."  And  again  He  de- 
clares that  His  disciples  are  not  of  the 
world,  even  bb  I£e  \b  not  of  the  world: 
J^n  viii.  23,  xrii.  16.  The  apostle,  there- 
fore, exhorts  us  to  walk  worthy  of  the  vo- 
cation wherewith  we  are  called,  as  strangers 
and  pilgrims  in  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow, 
but  as  having  our  citicenship  in  that  world 
where  sin  and  sorrow  are  unknown.  The 
preeept  requires  that  w«  should  keep  our- 
sdves  unspotted  from  worldly  pollutions. 
Pore  religion  and  nndefiled  before  God  and 
the  Father,  is  this, — that  a  man  "  keep  him- 
self unspotted  frcMn  the  world."  We  are 
commanded  to  '*hate  even  the  garment 
spotted  by  the  flesh."  The  procept  requires 
us  also  to  withdraw  our  affections  from 
worldbf  things,  John  not  only  inculeates 
this  as  a  duty,  bat  he  gives  it  as  a  eriterion 
by  which  we  mayjudge  of  our  state  in  the 
isight  of  God.  *'  £ove  not  the  world,"  says 
he,  "neither  the  tilings  that  are  in  the 
world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love 
of  the  Father  ie  not  in  him**  The  precept 
too  condemns  inordinate  worldly  cares^ 
which  "  choke  the  word,  and  render  it  un- 
fruitfuL"  "  Be  not  over-anxious,"  says 
Jesus  to  His  disciples,  "  saying.  What  shall 
we  eat?  or.  What  shall  we  drink?  or. 
Wherewithal  shall  we  be  dothed?  (For 
after  all  these  things  do  the  (Gentiles,"  t,  «., 
the  people  of  the  world,  **  seek"  as  their  por- 
tion.) ''But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  His  righteousness,  and  sU  these 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you."  The 
apostle  also  ioiAnAf^  carnal  wjUcy  or  worldly 
rmumHs,  '*  Let  no  man  aeceive  himself," 
says  Paul  to  the  Corinthians.  '  *  I f  any  man 
among  you  seemeth  to  be  wise  in  this  world, 
let  him  become  a  fool,  that  he  mav  be  wise. 
For  the  wisdom  of  this  world  is  foolishness 
with  God."  In  one  word  we  must  have  no 
friendship  with  the  world.  "  Know  ye  not 
t&at  the  friendship  of  the  world  is  enmity 
with  God  ?  Whosoever  therefore  will  be  a 
friend  of  the  world,  is  the  enemy  of  God." 
Nor  is  it  suAoient  that  we  do  not  take  part 
with  worldly  men  in  their  wioked  praetioes, 
we  must  lift  up  a  testimony  agaiast  their 
evil  ways.  And  in  doin^  this,  we  shall  not 
only  have  to  forego  their  friendship,  but 
incur  their  displeasore.  "  The  world  hat- 
eth  me,**  says  the  Redeemer,  "  becanse  I 
testify  of  it,  that  the  works  thereof  aroeviL" 


And  again,  "Because  ye  are  not  of  the 
world,  but  I  have  chosen  you  out  of  the 
world,  therefore  the  world  hateth  you." 
Thus  as  "the  friendship  of  the  world  is  en- 
mity with  God,"  so  the  friendship  of  God  is 
enmity  with  the  world.  The  apostolic  in- 
junction, therefore,  involves  much  self-de- 
nial. We  do  well,  therefore,  to  count  the 
CO jt  and  follow  Christ  at  all  hazards ;  for  it 
is  only  on  these  teims  that  He  will  acknow- 
ledfije  us  as  His  disciples. 

ni.  He  beseeches  us  to  be  tjunsformkd 

BT  THB  BEXBWIRG  OF  OUR  UIKD.      Having  iu- 

stnieted  us  how  to  walk,  as  it  respects  our 
extorior  deportment,  he  next  shews  that 
that  deportment  must  take  its  form  and  com- 
plexion  from  a  renewed  heart  Thiszenew- 
al  has  its  commencement  in  regeneration. 
For  ^'  if  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  is  a 
new  creature."  But  as  the  Chrirtiaa  al- 
ways carries  about  with  him  a  portion  of 
corruption,  called  an  old  man,  the  exhorta- 
tion of  the  text  is  adapted  to  every  stage  of 
Christian  experience.  Hence  we  find 
David  praying  for  a  new  heart  and  a  right 
spirit,  long  after  his  heart  had  been  renew- 
ed. Psa.  li.  10.  Hence  also  the  Bomaa 
Christians,  who  are  designated  saints,  chap, 
i,  7,  are  exhorted  in  the  text  to  be  trans- 
formed  by  the  renewing  of  their  mind.  The 
Ephesians  also,  who  are  acknowledged  to  be 
saints  and  faithful  brethren  in  Cknst  Jesus, 
are  admonished  in  similar  terms; — "That 
ye  put  off  conoemine  the  former  conver- 
sation, the  old  man,  which  is  corrupt  accord- 
ing to  the  deceitful  lusts,  and  be  renewed  in 
tlie  spirit  of  your  mind ;  and  that  ye  put  on 
the  new  man,  which  after  God  is  created  in 
righteousness  and  trae  holiness."  £ph.  iv, 
22-24. 

This  transformation  of  mind  and  charac- 
ter is  both  the  duty  and  privilege  of  the 
people  of  God.  It  is  their  privilege  inas- 
much as  it  is  prodnced  by  the  agency  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  (Ezek.  xxxvi.  26);  and  liieir 
dutj,  inasmuch  as  it  is  accomplished  by 
their  own  instrumentality  (Ezek.  xviii.  31). 
They  work  out  their  own  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling,  while  they  believe  it  is  God 
that  worketh  in  them  both  to  will  and  to 
do.  It  is  represented  in  the  light  of  ^u/y 
in  the  text,  .and  is  oonsequently  "enjoined 
upon  us.  **  Be  ye  transformed,  &c.  And 
this  transformation  is  aceomplished  by 
means  of  looking  to  Jesus.  Beholding  in 
His  unveiled  face,  the  glorv  of  Jehovah, 
the  believer  is  changed  into  the  same  image. 
The  original  wora,  which  is  tmnalated 
transformed  in  the  text,  and  changed  in  2 
Cor.  ill.  18,  is  employed  in  heathen  mytho* 
logy  to  signify  the  changing  of  animals  into 
trees,  or  of  men  into  other  animals.  Its  ap- 
plioation  here,  therefore,  teaehes  us  that  the 
subject  of  regeneration  differs  as  much 
from  his  former  self,  as  the  lamb  diffsea 


Digitized  by 


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June  1,  ISOi* 


^BOM  EAATHEK  VBB8HU 


1S9 


ficom  the  lion,  or  thA  dore  from  the  tiger. 
There  is  naturally  a  resemblmice  betw)een 
him  and  the  devil ;  now  there  ii  a  resem- 
bance  between  him  and  ChruBt  He  is 
transformed  out  of  the  image  of  the  deyil 
into  the  image  of  Christ.  Thus  we  see 
Uiere  is  abeautifdl  and  inseparable  connex- 
ion between  faith  and  holiness.  "  The 
more  frequently  the  belierer  beholds  the 
Bedeemer,"  says  the  late  venerable  Abra- 
ham Booth,  '*  the  more  fully  he  knows  His 
perfections  of  which  His  holiness  is  the 
ornament.  The  more  he  knows  of  them,  the 
more  ardently  he  loves  them  i  for  love  as- 
pires a&er  a  likeness  to  the  beloved.  The 
more  he  loves  the  transoendentlv  amiable 
Jesus,  the  more  frequently,  attentively,  and 
delightfully  will  he  behold  Him.  And  thus 
he  ODtains  by  every  fresh  view  a  new  feature 
of  his  Lord's  most  slorious  image.  Hence  it 
appears  that  our  advances  in  true  holiness 


will  alwvrs  keep  pace  with  our  views  of  the 
elory  of  Christ;  or,  in  other  words,  that  a 
life  of  holiness  to  the  honour  of  Christ,  as 
our  King  and  our  God,  will  always  bear  an 
exact  proportion  to  a  life  of  mith  upon 
Him,  OS  our  Surety  and  Saviour." 

The  text  teaches  us,  moreover,  that  this 
renewal  of  the  mind  is  necessary  to  our 
knowing  what  the  good,  and  acceptable,  and 
perfect  will  of  Goi  is.  Carnal  men  can- 
not understand  spiritual  things,  just  as 
blind  men  cannot  distinguish  between  col- 
ours or  deaf  men  between  sounds.  "  The 
natural  man  cannot  receive  the  things  of  the 
Spirit  of  Gh>d ;  neither  can  he  know  them, 
because  they  are  spiritually  discemed."  But 
"If  any  man  will  do  His  will,"  says  our 
Saviour,  "  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine, 
whether  it  be  of  God,  or  whether  I  speak  of 
myself." 


MY  WAY  PROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  TO  THE  PULPIT. 

Bt  a,  Loimoif  Baftist  PAsroft. 


No.  1. 


Man  has  been  designated  "a  reUgioiLs 
aidmai,"  nearly,  if  not  all,  tribes  of  savages 
discovered  b^  tmvellers  have  had  some  ob- 
ject of  woiship.  But  man's  natural  religious- 
ness is  no  disproof  of  his  depravity  and 
alienation  from  God,  but  rather  a  confirma- 
tion of  it,  for  nowheve  does  that  alienation 
more  manifest  itself  than  in  the  religious 
inventions  of  the  carnal  mind.  The  devil 
cares  not  how  religions  a  man  may  bo  so 
long  as  he  can  keep  him  ignorant  of  the 
plague  of  his  own  heart  and  the  way  of 
salvation  by  Jesus  Christ.  It  has  ever 
been  his  policy  to  set  up  false  gods,  or  coun- 
terfeit the  worship  of  the  true.  Thus  it  is  he 
"  hUrids  the  minds  of  them  which  believe  not, 
lest  the  glorious  gospelof  Christ  should  shine 
unto  them"  Such  are  doubly  blind,  'Hwioe 
d«ad/'  '*  plucked  up  by  the  roots,"  their 
sight  is  not  only  put  out  by  sin,  but  their 
very  eye-balls  are  daubed  over  with  the 
mud  of  a  counterfeit  gospel.  •  Such  charac- 
ters have  ever  been  amongst  the  bitterest 
enemies  of  the  Lord's  people.  Such  was 
Cain  who  slew  his  brother :  such  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  who  wtAi  wicked  hands  slew 
the  Lord  of  life.  The  same  class  of  persons 
knocked  out  the  brains  of  Stephen,  but  in 
him  they  aimed  at  the  life  of  the  gospel  he 
preached.  Since  then  holy  men  have  rotted 
m  prison,  burnt  at  the  stake,  taken  joyfully 
the  spoilij^  of  their  goods,  suffered  banish- 
ment to  foreign  lands,  and  many  other 
cmeltiaB  committed  agunst  them  in  the 
sacfed  name  of  religion.    So  blind  were  the 


Serseontois  that  the^  thought  they  were 
oing  the  Lord  service.  Thank  Ood,  an 
open  Bible,  a  free  press,  pulpit,  and  plat- 
form, have,  by  His  blessing,  secured  to  us 
in  this  country  liberty  of  conscience. 
But  do  not  let  us  suppose  that  the  enemy 
is  dead,  asleep,  or  anyj  more  friendly  to 
Christ — his  truth  or  people.  We  mbtake, 
too,  if  we  think  that  educatipn — **  the  march 
of  intellect " — or  any  mere  human  agency, 
has  produced  a  radical  change  in  our  nature, 
and  thereby  made  men  rea^  more  friendly 
to  '*the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  That 
people  appear  more  cliristianised,  we  frankly 
admit.  Churches,  chapels,  societies,  minis- 
ters, missionaries,  and  other  agencies  have 
been  multiplied,  and  many  are  the  men 
who  are  working  with  a  zeal  to  be  admired 
and  commended.  But-— ah  1  that  ughf 
''but" — ^yet  we  must  ask,  **But  are  all 
things  in  the  Christian  world  going  on  in 
harmony  with  the  scriptures  of  truth?" 
How  accords  the  theology  of  the  daygener- 
ally  with  that  of  the  Apostles  of  Ctrist  ? 
Is  everything  pleasing  and  flattering  to  the 
flesh  excluded,  and  the  soul-humbling,  and 
Christ-glorifying  doctrines  of  sovereign 
ffrace  made  prominent?  Are  men  wno 
hold  and  preaeh  these  doctrines,  encouraged 
and  helped  in  making  their  sentiments 
known  ?  No ;  the^  are  frowned  upon,  called 
ugly  names,  which  names  are  set  up  as 
scarecrows  to  frighten  people  from  going  to 
hear  them,  and  one  of  their  dreadful  crimes 
is  the  fact  that    **they  havs 

•Digmzed  by  ^ 


160 


THE  EAETHEN  VESSBL. 


June  1,  1864. 


coUege^^  thej  are  not  gentlemen  in  the  aris- 
tocratic  sense  of  the  wordf  and  are  not  only 
guilty  of  a  **lapew  Unaua"  oocasionally, 
but  positively  do  not  unaentand  the  rules  of 
grammar  atalL 

Now  Ood  forbid  that  we  should  ciy  down 
education,  or  even  apologise  for  some  who 
utterly  neglect  the  improvement  of  their 
minds;  every  man  who  feels  that  he  is 
called  to  the  Christian  ministry  should  feel 
that  he  is  also  called  to  obtain  such  an  ac- 
quaintance with  his  mother  tongue  as  will 
enable  him  to  convey  his  ideas  clearly  and 
intelligibly  to  others :  we  cannot  give  what 
we  do  not  possess.  Learning  is  good  so 
lonff  as  it  is  not  put  in  the  place  of  the 
Hofy  Ghost,  and  Ae,  to  shew  his  independ- 
ence of  human  agencies,  and  to  glorify 
sovereign  grace,  has  ever  been  jront  to 
make  ministers  of  just  such  men  as  carnal 
wisdom  would  despise,  and  in  not  a  few 
instances  persons  have  been  called  from  the 
most  humble  ranks  of  societ]^  and  menial 
occupations  to  occupy  positions  of  honor 
and  usefulness  in  the  church  which  could 
not  be  reached  by  the  best  scholars. 

And  a^r  all,  it  is  not  what  the  man  is, 
or  the  position  he  occupies,  by  which  we 
must  either  measure  him  or  the  grace  of 
God  in  him ;  a  risht  estimate  can  only  be 
formed  by  considering  where  he  started. 
the  difficulties  he  had  to  contend  with,  and 
the  amount  of  help  afforded  him  in  the 
struggle  with  them.  The  writ«r  of  these 
papers  does  not  stand  high  either  with  regard 
to  ministerial  position  or  abilities,  but  he 
began  veiy  low,  and  to  obtain  the  sphere  of 
nsefulness  he  now  occupies,  had  to  contend 
with  ignorance,  excessive  manual  labour, 
want  of  books,  and  of  the  knowledge  which 
to  purchase  when  able  to  get  one,  or  how 
to  use  it  when  possessed,  and  above  all  with 
Hin-^)idwelling  sin.  He  cannot,  therefore, 
consider  all  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  has 
led  him  these  many  years  in  the  wilderness 
without  standing  amazed  at  His  grace,  and 
it  struck  him  that  some  account  of  the 
matter  might  be  both  pleasing  and  profit- 
able to  the  readers  of  Thk  Eabtren  Vmsel, 
for  whose  special    use  these  papers    are 


written  and  commended  to  the  blessing  of 
the  Eternal  Spirit. 

THE  FIRST  STEP. 

How  momentous,  oft-times,  has  been  "  the 
first  step  /'  it  is  like  the  launching  of  a  ship : 
if  the  voyage  be  prosperous,  well;  but 
winds,  waves,  rocks,  pirates,  and  many  s 
"  false  liffht,''  may  give  rise  to  the  thought, 
"  0  that  1  had  never  left  the  shore !"  Es- 
pecially if  **  neither  sun  nor  stars  appear 
for  many  days."  Should  this  meet  the  eye 
of  any  enterprising  young  man  we  would 
say  with  all  earnestness  and  afibction,  "  Be 
careful  how  you  take  the  first  step.'* 

However,  mv  first  step  **  fipom  the  plough 
tail  to  the  pulpit"  was  one  that  all  must 
take  who  get  to  Heaven,  and  yet  it  is  one 
that  none  ever  take  of  themselves.  It  was 
a  step  out  of  death  into  life — out  of  darkness 
into  light ;  in  other  words,  Regeneration — 
a  new  creation,  and  therefore  tne  sovereign 
act  of  God  in  fulfilment  of  his  eternal  pur- 
pose, by  the  exercise  of  His  creative  i>ower. 

The  Christian  minister  must  be  a  Christian 
mtn.  Some  may  preach  the  gospel  from 
hearsay,  but  Christ  sends  none  to  preach  it 
who  have  not  been  themselves  saved  by  it, 
and  the  first  part  of  experimental  salvation 
is  the  discovery  that  we  are  lost.  This  dis- 
covery was  made  to  me  more  than  twenty 
years  ago  in  a  somewhat  singular  way.  It 
was  not  when  reading  a  book,  or  hearing  a 
sermon,  or  even  when  thinking  on  religious 
matters  at  all;  but  late  at  night,  when 
quit**,  alone,  the  thought  was  shot  into  the 
mind  by  the  arm  of  the  Eternal  Spurit, 
"  Were  I  to  die  I  should  go  to  hell."  Th& 
arrow  struck — the  wound  was  deep — sin 
appeared  in  its  damnable  character — the 
claims  of  law  and  justice  thundered— 4h» 
poor  soul  trembling  owned  every  claim 
just,  and  being  ignorant  of  Christ  and  his 
truth,  there  seemed  no  way  of  escape  but  by 
works,  and  these  were  set  about  in  real 
earnest ;  but  how  the  matter  ended,  if  the 
reader  cannot  guess,  he  will  kindly  wait  the 
issue  of  the  July  number  of  Tnn  Earthbk 
Vessrl,  having  been  detained  too  long  id- 
ready  in  this  introductory  chapter  by  his 
humble  servant  Gideow. 


THE    UNKNOWN    PATH. 

Br  Lizzie  Stbmbridce. 


It  was  New  Year's  Eve.  We  were  pre- 
paring to  enjoy  ourselves,  according  to  the 
established  custom  on  such  occasions,  when 
our  dear  Arthur — the  pride  of  our  home — 
was  taken  suddenly  lU.  Symptoms  of 
fever  manifested  themselves  and  Uie  doctor 
was  sent  for.     He  came  immediately.    He 


was  a  kind  sympathizing  old  gentleman, 
and  very  fond  of  Arthur,  and  needed  not 
that  we  should  urge  him  to  do  his  utmost 
to  save  our  dear  one's  life.  We  watched 
over  our  darling  with  unceasing  care,  but 
still  ha  wasted  away,  and  soon  it  became 
painfully  evident  that  the  seal  of  death  was 


iine  1,IB6L 


THE  BABTHSN  YBSSSL. 


161 


oa  his  brow;  still  we  oonld  not  znalise  the 
mournf ol  tact  Uiat  ere  long  the  dsrlixig  son 
«nd  brother  would  leare  us  to  wander  on 
alone,  with  the  light  of  our  ej^es  taken  away ; 
And  all  of  us  but  mv  poor  invalid  brother 
iioped  even  against  nope  that  he  would  be 
soon  restored  to  his  wonted  health. 

The  doctor  said  nothing  to  alarm  us,  but 
«re  could  perceire  that  he  had  but  very  little 
hope  of  the  su£ferer*s  raoovery.  One  even- 
ing towards  the  end,  of  January,  Arthur 
<caUed  me  to  him : — 

**  Katie,  dear,"  he  said,  *'I  want  you  to 
sit  with  me  a  little.  I  shall  not  be  with 
jron  long,  dear." 

"  Oh  Arthur,  dear,  dear  Arthur,  do  not 
«peak  so !"  I  cried.  "  You  wiU,  you  must 
get  better  soon;  I  cannot  let  you  go." 

But  even  as  I  spoke  the  mournful  echo  of 
iiis  words  sank  into  my  heart,  and  a  voice 
aeemed,  to  mv  nervous  fancy,  to  say,  *'  It 
is  even  so."  My  best  and  dearest  one — ^my 
darling  brother  was  going— whither  t  The 
«ound  of  his  voice  roused  me  from  my 
reverie. 

"  Katie,  I  am  going  to  Heaven— to  my 
3aviour.  All  my  life  long  I  have  been  walk- 
ing blindly — ^trusting  in  my  own  merits  for 
salvation.  But  since  I  have  been  ill  I  have 
read  the  Bible  more  attentively,  and  it  has 
shown  me  that  there  is  salvation  in  none 
other  save  in  Jesus  only.  He  has  drawn 
me  to  Himself ;  He  has  washed  my  sins 
away  in  His  own  blood.  He  is  so  aood. 
Oh  Katie,  I  wish  you  knew  Him,  and  loved 
Him  too." 

Then  exhausted  by  the  effort  of  talking, 
he  fell  asleep. 

When  the  doctor  came  the  next  day,  his 
troubled  anxious  look  even  more  than  his 
words  told  the  tale  we  so  dreaded  to  hear. 
Our  beloved  Arthur  must  die.  The  ceid 
grave  must  be  his  jportion.  And  ours  ?  Life 
would  be  bereft  of  bliss,  deprived  of  him ; 
for  we  then  thought  not  of  a  happy  re-union 
with  our  loved  one  in  Heaven.  A  few 
hours  more,  and  we  all  stood  around  his 
bedside  to  hear  the  dying  words  of  him  we 
loved  so  welL  He  was  weak  and  faint. 
The  cold  waters  of  the  river  were  surround- 
ing him,  and  we  were  powerless  to  help. 
But  there  was  One  with  him  who  has 
said,  **l  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  for- 
sake thee,"  and  His  everlasting  arms  were 
underneath  my  brother.  It  was  with  diffi- 
culty that  he  could  speak,  but  af^er  a  few 
moments  we  heard  him  fSaintly  whibX)er: — 

"Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for 
TAou  art  with  me." 

One  sigh  and  the  immortal  spirit  was 
before  iis  Maker's  throne. 

We  laid  him  to  rest  in  the  little  country 
church-yard,  and  a  weeping  willow  now 
<droops    its  branches   over   the    cold    sod 


which  covers  all  that  is  left  us  of  him  whose 
prseence  once  filled  our  hearts  with  joy.  It 
was  the  first  breach  in  our  family  circle,  and 
as  we  heard  the  dods  fall  with  a  dull  heavy 
sound  upon  the  cofiln,  we  felt  as  if  all  that 
was  bright  and  beautiful  was  taken  away, 
and  nought  remained  but  a  cold  and  dreaiy 
waste,  and  our  hearts  rose  in  rebellion 
against  Him  who  dealt  the  stroke. 

Three  years  rdled  on.  My  father's  hair 
was  silvered  now.  My  mother's  eye  was 
less  bright  than  in  former  times,  and  her 
step  was  slower  and  more  feeble  than  when 
she  stood  by  the  side  of  her  dying  boy. 
And  of  late  I  had  seen  an  expression  of 
quiet  peace  upon  her  countenance  usually 
so  wan  and  pale.  Time  had  indeed  wrought 
changes  in  our  once  happy  household. 

One  morning  as  we  were  seated  at  break- 
fast, my  father  said,  "  Katie,  my  child,  you 
have  not  had  any  hoUdav  for  a  lon^  while, 
and  both  your  mother  and  myself  thmk  that 
a  change  of  air  would  do  you  good.  Would 
you  not  like  to  spend  a  few  weeks  at  your 
Aunt  Selwin's?" 

"I  should  like  it  very  much,  papa,"  I 
replied.  And  so  it  was  settled ;  and  a  week 
afterwards  I  was  on  my  way  to  Arlev-dale, 
as  my  aunt's  residence  was  called.  My 
uncle  and  aunt  were  very  glad  to  see  me, 
and  my  cousins,  Marion  and  Emma,  were 
kindness  itself,  and  for  the  first  few  days  I 
was  very  happy,  or  rather  I  enioyed  a  great 
deal  of  so-called  pleasure.  True,  lasting 
happiness  was  far  as  ever  from  my  grasp—- 
there  was  still  an  "aching  void"  within 
my  breast,  and  there  were  times  when  lite 
appeared  a  blank — myself  without  one  hope 
or  aim,  and.  when  it  seetaed  to  me  it  would 
have  been  blisq  to  lie  down  and  die,  but  for 
the  thought  of  meeting  an  offended  Judge. 
I  thought  not  of  Jesus  the  Saviour  as  having 
sufier^  for  the  sins  of  the  people  ;  but  of 
the  Kinff  whose  laws  I  had  broken,  whose 
commands  I  had  defied— and  it  made  me 
tremble.  And  when  I  thought  of  my  lost 
brother,  the  ccmpanion  of  my  girlish  years, 
and  of  his  calm  trustfulness,  I  wondered  at 
the  strange  composure  with  which  he  met 
the  last  enemy.  But  a  time  was  coming 
when  the  bright  rays  of  the  Sun  of  righteous- 
ness would  break  upon  my  benighted  mind 
aud  disperse  the  gloom  and  darkness  which 
enveloped  me  like  a  sable  pall.  I  had  been 
a  visitor  at  Arley-dale  nearly  a  fortnighr, 
when  one  morning  I  received  a  letter  fbom 
home.  It  said  that  my  mother  had  had  an 
attack  of  fever,  that  Dr.  Welsford  hoped  that 
with  care  and  good  nursing  she  might  re- 
cover, but  they  thought  it  would  be  advis- 
able for  me  to  return  as  soon  as  possible. 
When  I  had  finished  reading  my  letter,  I 
sought  my  aunt,  and  told  her  that  I  must 
leave  immediately.  It  was  too  late  for  me 
to  do  so  on  that  day,  but  early  on  the 


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^MfomiBg  Horniag   I  was  bong  rapidl j  { Her  iw»  vw 


whirled  ftlong  tovtfda  wj  home.  Itvas 
neariy  dark  wben  the  tmn  stopped  at  the 
nearest  itation  to  oar  nllage,  which  was 
aerenteen  or  ei^teen  Btles  diaUDt:  too 
]at«  for  me  to  think  of  trarelKne  so  far  tha*^ 
night,  and  eren  had  I  wished  to  do  so,  I 
knew  not  where  to  pioearp  a  eoBTeyaaee, 
for  the  la«t  'bos  had  left  more  than  an  hoar 
before ;  so  I  was  obliged  to  make  the  best 
of  it  and  wait  nntil  the  following  morning 
to  ponrae  m^  jonmej.  Jost  before  I  retired 
for  the  night,  I  took  np  my  letter  to  pemse 
it  ones  more,  and  as  mjr  eje  fell  upon  the 
postmark  I  saw  what  I  had  not  before 
noticed,  that,  owing  I  snppoee  to  myfiither's 
aptation,  the  ad£es8  was  written  rather 
iUegiblj,  and  had  in  consequence  been  mis- 
tent,  so  that  it  reached  me  a  day  Uiter  than 
it  ought  to  haye  done.  I  felt  very  nerrons, 
and  anxious  to  see  my  mother,  and  I  lay 
nwake  for  hoars  listening  to  the  wailing  of 
the  wind  and  the  soum  of  the  mi^ty 
waten  of  the  deep  as  the  waves  beat  upon 
the  rocky  shore.  And  as  I  listened  in  the 
still  midnight,  I  thought  how  inexpressibly 
dreary  even  my  short  life  had  been.  Bow 
was  it  ?  Why  was  I  never  happy  ?  Peace ! 
What  was  it  ?  To  me  it  seemea  a  phantom 
rather  than  a  reality.  Then  the  thought 
nr<y§(\  that  if  my  brother  had  but  lived— he 
whom  wo  all  loved  so  fondly — it  might  have 
been  different ;  but  it  was  not  to  be.  And 
now  was  my  mother  also  to  be  taken  away  ? 
As  I  listened  once  more  to  the  movn^ul 
song  of  the  winds  and  waves,  their  voices 
seemed  to  rebuke  my  rebellious  thoughts, 
and  to  call  me  to  the  Saviour^s  arms,  but 
my  heart  was  hard,  and  I  turned  from  the 
kind  inviting  voice,  determined  to  pursue 
my  own  way  and  to  work  out  my  own 
devices.  I  lay  thus  for  some  hours,  but  at 
length  wearied  by  contending  emotions,  I 
slept. 

When  I  awoke,  the  sun  was  shining 
brightly,  and  1  sprang  up,  fearful  lest  1 
might  have  slept  past  the  hoar  when  the 
'bus  left,  but  happily  I  had  not  done  so,  and 
after  a  hasty  breakfast  I  was  once  more 
"homeward  bound."  The  horses  were  fleet, 
and  it  was  not  long  before  the  remaining 
eighteen  miles  of  ray  journey  were  aceom- 
phshed,  and  I  was  standing  at  the  gate  of 
my  own  dear  home.  My  father  met  me  at 
the  door,  and  in  answer  to  my  inquiries, 
tatd.  *•  Your  mother  is  not  any  better,  my 
ehild,  perhaps  now  you  arc  come  home  she 
will  rally,  but  she  seems  very  ill  at  present." 
And  he  spoke  with  an  air  of  such  utter  de- 
jection, that  I  was  quite  alarmed,  and  begged 
him  to  go  and  tell  my  mother  I  was  come, 
whilst  I  took  off  my  bonnet  and  cloak,  and 
then  I  would  go  to  her  at  once.  When  I 
entered  my  mother^s  room  I  was  startled  by 
the  change  a  few  short  weeks  had  wrought. 


{Heri 

sonken  and  heavy, 
emaciated  by 
glad  Ihadi 


She  and  she  waa 

ahehad  wanted  to 

And  then  she  added  m 

;  a  faint  voice,  m  onUka  my  mothei^s  ftniiier 
musical  tones:— > 

;     '« And  if  I  should  die,  Katie,  I  shaU  have 
the  satisfaction  of  having  my  only  dtfld 

'  near  me  in  my  last  hoars." 

**  Oh,  mother  dear,  yoa  most  not  speak  of 

■  ^7^°§ '-  7^^  ^rill  soon  be  well  and   BtiOfBg 
agnin ;  yon  must  not  think  of  such  gloomy 

•  things." 

I     "It  is  not  a  gloomy  subject,  Katie;  I 

>  used  to  think  so  till  Jesus  r^ealed  himself 

I  to  me  as  the  Saviour  from  sin  and  its  eonae- 
quences — the  conqueror  of  death ;  bat  now 
it  ia  delightful  to  me  to  anticipate  the  time 
when  I  shall  enter  into  the  jor  of  my  Lofd.'* 
Here  t  hen  was  thesecret  of  that  myeterioos 
pence  which  seemed  to  flow  from  no  enrlhfy 
Muruc,  to  be  disturbed  by  no  earthly  cir- 
cumstances. How  I  longed  to  share  in  that 
blissful  hope,  but  I  was  too  proud  toaeknow- 
ledge  that  I  was  unhappy,  that  worldly 
pleasures  had  lost  their  charms,  and  I  re- 
sohred  to  try  for  a  little  longer  the  broad 
and  downward  road,  in  the  delosive  hope 
that  I  might  yet  And  happiness  in  other 
paths  and  porsnits  than  those  I  had  triad. 

For  a  few  days  after  my  return  home,, 
my  mother  rallied  a  little,  and  we  fondly 
believed  she  would  soon  be  as  well  as  ever. 
Vain  hope!  the  symptoms  of  letnming 
health  soon  fled — the  last  faint  beam  of  light 
disappeared  from  the  horizon,  and  left  our 
home  in  darkness. 

One  evening,  after  the  usual  visit  of  Dr. 
Welsford ,  he  requested  to  speak  to  me  alone. 
Mechanically  I  led  the  way  to  the  drawing 
room  and  waited  to  hear  what  he  had  to 
say.  He  was  silent  for  a  few  moments,  as 
though  he  had  a  trying  duty  to  perform  and 
needed  all  his  strengUi  of  mind  to  enable 
him  to  do  so.    At  length  he  said : — 

"  My  dear  Miss  Elwood,  are  yon  aware 
that  your  mother's  illness  is  more  dangeroos 
than  was  at  first  imagined  ?" 

**  She  is  veiy  ill,  I  know,  but  oh.  Doctor 
Welsford,  she  tmll  get  well  again,  will  ahe 
not  ?" 

Then  as  I  thought  on  the  possibility  of 
her  death,  the  tears  would  not  be  reproseed, 
and  I  burst  into  a  fit  of  uncontrollable  ery- 
ing.  The  good  doctor  did  all  he  could  to 
comfort  me,  and  when  I  was  calmer,  he 
said  very  kindly: — 

"  I  wish  it  had  been  in  my  power  to  wnrd 
off  this  blow.  I  have  done  everything  that 
is  possible,  but  all  is  useless.  Human  aid 
is  vain.  Trust  in  God,  my  dear  yonng 
lady,  He  will  not  fail  you  in  this  hour  of 
trial" 
I  cannot  tell  half  the  wild  thoughts  "vHbicb 


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1<8 


erofwdad  tlieBi8el:res  into  my  brain  on  that 
night  iHian  first  I  leacned  die  bitter  tmth. 
In  what  was  I  irorse  than  others  that  I 
•honU  be  always  so  nnntterably  wretched  ? 
That  thoae  I  loTed  the  beet  should  be 
anatdied  fitom  me  by  a  single  tench  of  the 
xelentleBs  icr  hand  of  the  stern  destzoyer  ? 
AU  night  I  lay  tossing  eleeplessly  npon  my 
pillow,  thinking  of  the  time  so  near  at  hand 
vhen  I  riionld  he  motherless,  and  my  father 
left  to  monm  the  loss  of  tb»  wife  of  his 
yootfa,  whom  he  had  loved  so  tenderlj,  and 
fcnr  whose  life  he  wonld  haye  given  his  own, 
eonld  the  sacrifice  have  been  of  any  avail. 
I  was  reiy,  very  miserable,  the  langoaire  of 
my  heart  was,  "Woe  is  me,  who  shall  de- 
liver me  firom  this  body  of  sin  and  death !" 
Bnt  I  could  not  answer  "  Thanks  be  unt4> 
Ghid,  who  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our 
Lord  Jeeua  Christ." 

I  rose  eaily  the  next  morning  and  casually 
opened  my  Bible,  if  perehaneel  midit  there 
find  something  to  ooosole  me.  As  I  turned 
its  pages,  my  eye  fell  upon  these  words, 
<«  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  are  weary  and 
heavy  laderiy  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  It 
seemed  as  if  the  words  were  written  ex- 
pressly for  me.  Was  I  not  weary,  heart- 
aiek  of  the  road  I  had  hitherto  been  walking 
In?  And  was  I  not  also  heavy  laden  ?  The 
bmden  npon  my  heart  was  very  weighty, 


and  I  could  not  go  and  lay  it  at  the  l^ei  of 
Jesus,  for  I  had  no  living  fiiith  io  Him  as 
m$f  Saviour,  my  Bedeemer.  Best  was  what 
I  wanted,  for  what  I  was  eravinff,  and  here 
was  the  promiie  that  if  I  would  but  go  to 
Jesus  I  soould  have  it  given  me.  In  that 
hour  all  my  pride  ana  my  unholy  resolves 
melted  away,  and  I  determined  to  throw 
myself  into  the  arms  of  Jesus,  assured  frcim 
his  own  word  that  he  would  receive  me, 
and  when  my  earthly  toils  were  ended,  take 
me  to  his  everlasting  rest.  Bnt  little  re- 
nuuns  forme  to  add ;  my  mother  died,  but 
before  she  left  us  she  was  n^oicing  in  the 
thought  of  one  day  welcoming  her  oeloved 
husband  and  her  only  remaining  child  to 
the  realms  of  bliss  to  which  she  was  f^ 
hastening. 

And  now  my  father  and  myself  are  left 
alone.  The  many  joyous  hours  we  onee 
spent  are  gone,  bat  instead  we  have  that 
peace  which  passeth  knowledge ;  and  as  we 
tread  the  patn  of  life  it  is  not  drear  or  deso- 
late, though  some  would  call  it  so,  for  we 
have  the  light  of  our  heavenly  Father^s  love 
shining  npon  us ;  and  when  our  work  for 
Him  on  earth  is  done,  He  will  come  and 
cany  us  to  His  own  bright  home.  Truly 
did  He  lead  us  by  a  way  which  we  knew 
not,  but  it  was  to  the  *'  city  of  habitation." 


EXPOSITION  OP  1.  JOHN  II.  1,  2. 

Br  Mb.  Jims  Wslls,  Munanm  op  the  Subrbt  TAjaairACLE,  Bobovgv  Roa*. 


••  My  little  ehildran,  theM  things  write  I  unto  yoa 
fSalyt  sin  not  And  if  any  man  ain,  we  bave 
an  adVooate  with  the  IVither,  Jesus  Christ  the 
rig^hteous ;  and  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our 
ainiL  and  not  for  omaonly,  but  also  for  the  mnn 
ot  the  whole  world.** 

It  is  a  self-eTident  truth  that  in  all  ages 
mere  professors  of  religion  hare  been  houer 
in  their  own  eyes  than  were  or  are  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel  Their  language  always  has 
been,  and  it  is  so  to  the  present  day,  to 
erery  free  grace,  poeitiye  truth  of  the  new 
eovenant,  "  Stand  by  thyself,  fori  am  holier 
than  thou."  The  Lord  saith  of  such, 
'*  They  are  a  smoke  in  my  nose ;  a  Are  that 
bumetfa  all  the  day."  Hence  in  ancient 
times  they  forsook  Ciod's  corenant,  consider- 
ing it  dangerous,  and  not  holy  enough ;  they 
threw  down  God's  altars,  put  an  end  to  the 
■nnplicity  of  his  order  of  things,  and  set  up 
•a  many  altars  as  there  were  weeks  or  days 
in  the  year ;  they  slew  the  Lord's  prophets, 
and  would  hare  prophets  of  their  own  mak- 
ing. And  iost  so  it  is  now.  How  many 
pvofonors  there  are  that  say,  election  ought 


to  be  preached  moderately,  for  it  is  danger- 
ous to  preach  it  much ;  that  the  perfection 
that  is  in  Christ  ou^bt  to  be  preached  now 
and  then  only,  for  it  is  dangerous  to  preach 
it  rery  much,  and  that  the  certainty  of  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ought  to  be  preached 
now  and  then,  but  not  very  much,  because 
of  the  danger  of  it,  for,  say  they,  these  doe- 
trines,  if  preached  too  prominently,  will 
lead  to  sin. 

Now  then,  it  does  appear  here  that  among 
the  persons  to  whom  John  was  writing— foor 
some  of  them  had  already  gone  out  from  the 
tmth;  "They  went  out  from  us  because 
they  were  not  ef  us  ;"->it  does  appear  that 
there  were  some  trying  to  persuade  the 
people  of  God  that  the  doctrines  of  grace  led 
to  sm,  that  the  doctrines  of  grece  tolerated 
and  sanctioned  sin;  and  that  it  matters 
not  in  what  profligate  w^  you  Uye,  so  that 
you  hold  these  doctrines.  This  is  eri- 
dently  what  some  of  them  were  trying  to 
persuade  the  people  of  God. 

And  therefore  the  Apostle  says^  "  And  not 


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THE  EABTHEN  YBEWSL. 


Jane  1,  Itft. 


(as  we  be  slanderoiisly  reported,  and  as 
some  affirm  that  we  say,)  Let  us  do  evil  that 
»K>d  may  oome ;''  a  thing  that  no  child  of 
&od  under  hearen  ever  did,  or  ever  will  do, 
or  ever  can  do.  The  real  Christian  knows 
that  holy  ends  must  be  obtained  by  holy 
means,  and  that  righteous  ends  must  be  ob- 
tained by  righteous  means,  and  that  godly 
ends  must  be  obtained  by  godly  means. 
Therefore,  saith  John,  not  so  much  from 
any  fear  of  the  people  of  Qod  going  wrong 
as  to  repel  this  general  accusation  against 
them,  "  My  little  children,"  listen  not  unto 
them  that  charge  these  doctrines  with  leading 
to  sin,  listen  not  unto  them  that  are  holier  in 
their  own  eyes  than  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 
I  do  not  write  unto  you  to  make  vou  care- 
less ;  I  do  not  write  unto  you  to  oriTe  you 
on  to  ungodliness ;  I  write  unto  you  just  the 
zeverse,  "  that  ye  sin  not/*  Thus  he  would 
not  only  exhort  the  people  of  God  kindly, 
but  he  repudiates  the  general  chaise  brought 
against  the  truth,  ioid  if  ever  the  truth  of 
Ood  was  badly  off  it  is  in  the  day  in  which 
we  lire.  There  are  conyersions  now  by 
scores,  moral,  mental  conyersions;  men 
who,  if  they  go  on  straightforward  in  the 
world,  honest  and  upright  men,  reyere  the 
Sabbath,  reyere  the  Bible,  and  fear  their 
Maker,  as  moral  and  responsible  agents,  and 
make  no  profession  of  religion^  they  might 
be  honourable  men.  But  what  do  these 
new  conyerts  do  ?  They  take  that  upon 
them  which  Saul  of  Tarsus  took  upon  him- 
self, that  is  as  far  as  they  can.  If  a  minis- 
ter ot  truth  be  coming  into  a  country  town, 
these  are  lUl  at  work  lust  before  his  cooung 
to  prejudice  eyeryboay  against  him.  Don't 
go  to  hear  him  ;  he  is  an  awfally  dangerous 
man ;  he  preaches  most  awfdlly  dangerous 
doctrines.  Duty  faith  men  are  one  in 
just  the  same  kind  of  union  that  there  was 
between  Samson's  foxes;  only  with  this 
difference,  Samson's  foxes  were  not  so  bad 
as  they  are,  for  Samson's  foxes  burnt  down 
the  corn  of  the  Philistines,  but  these  ti^  to 
bum  down  the  corn  of  the  Israelites. 
Therefore  do  these  professors  appear  to  me 
to  be  twofold  more  the  children  of  hell  than 
when  they  made  no  profession  at  all.  Thus, 
then  John  in  this  exhortation  to  sin  not  eyi- 
dently  alludes  to  that  cast  of  professor  who 
is  holier  in  his  own  eyes  than  is  the  truth. 
Why  was  the  Sayiour  crucified  ?  Oh,  he's 
such  a  wine  bibber,  he's  such  a  gluttonous 
man,  he's  such  a  friend  of  publicans  and 
harlots,  that  for  the  moral  interests  of 
■society  we  must  crucify  him.  And  why 
were  the  Apostles  treated  as  they  were? 
Why,  for  the  moral  interests  of  society,  of 
course;  of  course  it  was.  And  this  has 
been  the  pretension,  and  is  the  pretension 
now.  Oh  what  a  solemn  scripture  is  that, 
that  "  Satan  is  transformed  as  an  angel  of 
light  2*'    But  those  of  you  that  know  your 


own  hearts,  and  that  know  the  truth,  wiU 
not  be  moved  by  these  deyicee  of  Satan,  for 
"  wisdom  is  justified  of  all  her  children." 
And  the  people  of  God  will  neyer  blame  one 
of  their  units  upon  the  truths  they  profess, 
they  will  blame  their  faults  upon  them- 
selves, they  will  confess  them  oefore  the 
Lord.  And  this  scripture  I  haye  just  read 
shews  how  the  Lord  will  deal  with  those 
that  loye  his  truth,  that  do  not  forsake  his 
covenant.  Abide  by  his  ooyenant,  and  then 
you  haye  a  remedy  for  your  faults ;  abide 
by  his  altar,  that  is,  by  the  sacrifice  and  in- 
tercession of  Christ,  then  you  have  a 
remedy  for  your  woes,  abide  by  his  pro- 
phets, and  then  you  have  a  word  suited  to 
you  as  the  matter  shall  require.  Now  see 
the  fourfold  remedy.  First,  here  is  the  per- 
son of  Jesus  Christ.  *' We  have,"  we  who 
abide  by  the  covenant,  we  who  abide  by  the 
true  altar  of  God,  we  who  abide  by  the 
prophets  of  God,  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
— "we  have  an  advocate,  Christ  Jesus." 
Second,  we  have  him  in  his  intercession,  he 
is  an  adyocate  with  the  Father.  Third,  we 
have  him  in  his  righteousness,  he  is  Jesus 
Christ  the  rig^hteous.  Fourth,  we  have  him 
in  his  propitiation.  So  then  give  me  the 
person  of  Christ,  my  sins  are  gone,  give  me 
the  intercession  of  Christ,  though  my  mouth 
be  stopped,  and  I  whisper  out  of  the  dust, 
and  feel  unable  to  pray,  my  Heavenly  Aaron 
can  speak  well  ana  will  bring  me  off  more 
than  conqueror.  Give  me  the  righteousness 
of  Christ,  and  I  am  free  from  condemnation, 
give  me  the  propitiation  and  the  atonement 
he  hath  maae,  and  I  am  eternally  free,  in 
spite  of  all  the  adverssoy  can  say  or  do. 

"  He  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and 
not  for  ours  only,  but  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world."  This  is  a.  form  of  speech 
standing  in  contrast  to  mere  nationality. 
We  see  in  the  case  of  Peter  going  down  to 
Cornelius,  and  preaching  to  the  Gentiles, 
that  which  throws  a  neat  deal  of  li^ht  upon 
Jewish  notions,  and  Jewish  pr^udioes,  and 
a  great  many  scriptures.  The  Jewish 
Chnstians  considered  that  Peter  had  done 
wrong ;  they  considered  that  this  Messiah 
came  to  save  the  literal  IsraeL  They  were 
not  yet  enlightened  to  see  that  there  was  a 
new  covenant  Israel,  a  spiritual  Israel,  an 
eternally  chosen  Israel,  independent  of  all 
nationality.  Therefore  John,  to  sweep  away 
their  narrow  notion  that  Christ  diea  for  a 
nation  merely,  to  sweep  that  away,  he  uses 
the  term,  "whole  world,"  to  denote  that 
Jesus  Christ  died  for  a  people  in  all  nations  ; 
as  explained  in  the  7th  chapter  of  the  Revel- 
ation, a  people  out  of  all  nations,  and  kind- 
reds, andtoDgues.  So thatthe  words,  "whole 
world,"  here,  do  not  mean  all  the  human 
race,  but  only  some  out  of  every  nation,  a 
number  that  no  man  can  number.  That  is 
the   way  I  take  it    So  that  the  *<  whole 


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166 


world"  is  limited  by  the  fact  that  none  are 
saved  but  those  for  whom  Christ  died. 
Howtsver,  we  will  take  it  the  other  way,  we 
will  take  the  words,  **  whole  world/'  to 
mean  the  whole  hnman  race ;  we  will  take 
them  so,  and  then  let  ns  see  the  difficulties 
in  which  we  shall  be  inTolyed.  First,  if 
Jesos  Christ  be  the  propitiation,  the  atone- 
ment, for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  then ; 
it  follows  not  one  man  ever  was,  is,  or  ever 
can  be  lost.  Now  it  is  clear  some  are  lost. 
But  if  Jesus  Christ  took  awaj  their  sins, 
how  can  they  be  lost  ?  If  Jesus  Christ  re- 
deemed them,  how  can  they  be  lost?  If 
Jesus  Christ  justify  them,  how  can  they  be 
lost  ?  If  Jesus  Christ  became  their  surety, 
how  can  they  be  lost  ?  And  therefore,  in 
order  to  prove  that  it  means  the  whole 
world  litmlly,  all  the  individuab  of  the 
world,  yon  must  prove  that  none  are  lost. 
And  then  if  you  admit  some  are  lost  not- 
withstaading  Christ's  dying  for  them,  that 
does  not  lessen  vour  difficulty;  you  then 
come  to  this  declaration,  So  if  vou  admit 
that  some  are  lost  for  whom  Christ  died, 
then  in  order  to  maintain  your  ground  you 
will  have  to  prove  that  your  Maker  is  a  Uar, 
Ton  will  have  to  give  the  lie  to  the  Eternal 
Spirit  of  Gk>d,  you  will  have  to  give  the  lie 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Holy  Ghost 
declares  that  "  The  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
shall  return,  and  come  with  singing  unto 
Zion,  and  everlastinff  joy  shall  be  upon 
their  head ;  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and 
joy,  and  sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee 
away."  The  8a?iour  declares  that  the  per- 
«ons  for  whom  he  died,  called  his  sheep, 
shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck 
than  out  of  nis  hand.  And  the  Father  de- 
clares, *'  As  for  thee,  by  the  blood  of  thy 
covenant  I  have  sent  forth  thy  prisoners 
out  of  the  pit  wherein  is  no  water." 

Thus  John  evidently  not  only  exhorts  the 
people  of  God,  and  repudiates  the  insinua- 
tion of  professors  that  the  doctrines  of  grace 
are  dangerous,  but  secondly  shews  the  ex- 
pansion of  the  Gospel,  that  it  is  to  be 
? reached  to  every  creature,  and  that  Jesus 
rhristdied  for  a  people  in  all  nations,  here 
called  the  "  whole  world."  But  if  von  take 
it  to  mean  the  whole  world  literally  then  I 
say  it  follows  none  can  be  lost,  consequently 
tiiose  leriptores  cannot  be  true  that  shew 
0ome  are  lost ;  and  that  the  scriptures  can- 
not be  true  that  shew  that  those  for  whom 
the  Saviour  died  cannot  be  lost. 

Duty  faith  has  a  veiy  sinffular  invention 
upon  this.  Weave  told  in  Reprinted  duty 
faith  sermons  that  Jesus  Christ  did  not  die 
for  die  non-elect  to  save  them,  that  he  did 
not  die  for  them  to  bring  them  to  heaven, 
that  he  did  not  die  for  them  that  he  may  pre- 
sent them  at  the  last  day  as  the  consequence 
of  his  own  oflering;  but  that  he  died  for 
them  in  order  that  he  may  lay  or  form  a 


ground  upon  which  he  may  invite  them  all 
to  come,  and  then  blamethem  for  not  coming. 
So  that  here  is  Jesus  Christ  inviting  a  sinner 
to  what  he  never  designed  that  sinner  to 
have  ;  inviting  a  sioner  to  receive  that  life 
that  was  never  designed  for  him,  to  receive 
that  salvation  that  was  never  provided  for 
him,  and  to  come  to  that  heaven  in  which 
there  is  no  place  prepared  for  him,  for 
"  it  shall  be  given  unto  them  for  whom  it  is 
prepared ;"  and  then  blame  the  man  for 
not  coming.  Nov  this  is  the  invitation  of 
duty  faith.  And  they  say,  It's  true  wp 
do  hold  two  opposite  or  contradictory  truths 
— ^namely,  that  Christ  died  only  for  the  elect, 
and  the  rest  are  invited  ;  but,  they  say,  we 
don't  mind  about  this.  Well,  all  I  mind 
about  it  is  that  God  cannot  contradict  him- 
self, that  God  cannot  deny  himself,  and  if 
it  be  a  small  matter  with  you  to  wrest  the 
scriptures,  so  to  wrest  the  scriptures  is  not 
a  small  matter  with  me.  But  that  system 
of  universal  invitation,  what  doth  it  do  ? 
It  sets  thousands  down  for  Christians  that 
are  not  Christians,  it  beclouds  the  truths  of 
the  Gospel.  It  suits  the  purposes  of  these 
men.  Take  away  this  element  of  universa- 
lity, and  down  goes  their  popularity  directly, 
the  world  wouM  forsake  them  directly.  It 
is  this  element  of  universality  that  pleases 
the  world,  feeds  the  pride  of  man,  d^ades 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  degrades  the 
people  of  God. 

May  it  be  our  happy  lot  whQe  we  live,  to 
stand  out  as  iron  pillars,  defenced  cities,  and 
bra^n  walls,  for  God's  truth,  and  never 
move  an  inch  therefrom. 


"  FEAE  NOT." 
By  J.  BowLsa. 

As  trembles  on  a  broken  bough 

The  fading  leaf,  so  we  do  now ; 

Poor  anxious  mortals  at  the  best. 

Until  we  gain  our  heavenly  rest. 

Our  doubU  and  fears  are  all  well  known 

To  Him  who  site  apon  the  throne; 

Where  hosts  of  shining  angels  stand 

Bubmissife  to  his  wide  command. 

•TisHe,the  kind  and  gracious  Lord, 

Whose  promise  shines  all  through  His  Word, 

To  cheer  ns  in  the  way  of  Life, 

To  help  us  in  each  painful  strife. 

Though  weak  as  worms,  yet  He  withal, 

Deigns  much  to  pity  lest  we  fall, 

In  aeeents  gentle  hear  him  speak 

•  Tls  « Kotin fain  My  fiwe  ye  seek.* 

Fear  not,  Behold  •'  I  am  thy  CKkL," 

And  ye  are  mine,  redeemed  by  blood, 

X  My  grace  suffleient/*  ye  shall  pro^e 

«*ia1  never  leave,*'  the  souls  I  love. 

Fear  not  when  fleree  temptations  roll 

Their  heavy  shadows  on  thy  soul. 

His  eounteoanoe  supremely  bright. 

Shall  chase  away  thy  darkest  night. 

Fear  not  to  tread  the  thorny  road. 

The  pilgrim  way,  to  thine  abode. 

Where  kindred  spirits  wait  to  gree( 

And  lead  thee,  to  the  MastwVfeet.       j 

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June  1, 1M4. 


CALVINISM     AND     HYPER-CALVINISM: 

Mb.  J.  £.  Cracknsll's  Reply  to  Mk.  Wale's 

LBTTZB  ON 

"MINISTERIAL  APPEALS   TO   THE  UNCON\"ERTED.*' 


V^AR  Brother  Wale, — Few  readers  of 
The  Earthen  Vessel  will  need  to  bo  in- 
formed who  the  *' Minister  of  the  Gospel" 
is,  to  whom  your  letter,  which  appeared  in 
last  month's  issue,  was  originally  addressed, 
should  doubts  exist  in  the  minds  of  any, 
they  will  be  removed  by  the  reply  which 
now  appears,  bearing  the  signature  of  the 
writer. 

You  had  not  informed  me  of  your  inten- 
tion to  send  the  letter  for  publication.  I 
considered  it  a  private  correspondence,  and 
treated  it  accordingly,  replying  to  you  in 
the  regular  way.  It  was  not  my  wish  to 
publish  anything  upon  the  subject,  having 
no  love  for  controversy,  and  believing  with 
my  esteemed  predecessor  that  it  generally 
"  draws  the  heart  from  God,  feeds  pride, 
starves  humility,  and  renders  the  soul 
barren."  But  since  ^our  letter  appears  in 
the  pages  of  a  magazine,  I  give  equal  pub- 
licity to  my  reply,  hoping  that  it  may  not 
he  without  advantage  at  the  present  moment. 

Passing  by  the  introductory  parts  of  your 
letter,  I  come  at  once  to  the  point,  which 
appears  to  be  this,  you  consider  that  the 
way  in  which  I  feel  led  to  preach  the  gospel 
to  the  unconverted  is  inconsistent  with  a 
fall  belief  in  the  pure  doctrines  of  grace  ; 
that  in  exhorting  sinners  I  "  depart  from 
the  truth,"  preach  *'not  the  gospel,  but 
another  gospel." 

Now  I  am  fully  awaro  that  we  must  ever 
appeal  to  the  word  and  to  the  testimony, 
ana  that  the  opinions  and  practices  of  un- 
inspired men  are  not  to  be  taken  as  our 
authority.  Yet  it  is  pleasing  to  find  one's- 
self  in  good  company,  and  part  of  my  reply 
will  go  to  prove  that  in  this  matter  about 
which  you  write,  1  am  not  alone,  but  in 
company  with  those  tohom  I  have  often 
Jieard  extoUed  at  champions  far  the  truth. 

I  ask  do  you  consider  Dr.  Ow«d,  Calvin, 
Goodwin,  Chamock,  Bibbs,  and  Abraham 
Booth,  men  of  truth?  Did  they  preach 
Christ's  gospel,  "or  that  other  gospel"  to 
which  you  refer  ?  I  know  you  to  be  an 
admirer  of  John  Owen,  and  presume  you 
consider  he  was  a  sound  theologian,  what 
then  do  you  say  to  the  following  extract : — 

"  Wherever  there  is  a  declaration  oi  the 
excellencies  of  Christ,  in  hie  person,  ^ce, 
or  offices,  it  should  be  aeoompaniad  with  an 
invitation  and  exhortation  unto  sinners  to 
come  unto  Him.  This  method  Christ  him- 
self first  made  use  of  (Matthew  xL  27,  30. 
John  vii.  37,  38,)  and  consecrated  it  unto 


our  use  also.  Besides,  it  is  necessary  from 
the  nature  of  the  things  themselves;  for 
who  can  dwell  on  the  consideration  of  the 
glory  of  Christ,  being  called  therewith  to 
the  declaration  of  it,  but  hia  own  mind  will 
engage  him  to  invite  lost  sinnets  onto  a 
participation  of  him  ?" 

In  the  following  wo  have  his  method  of 
dealing  with  the  unconverted  sinner : — 

"  Jesus  Christ  yet  stands  before  sinneiBy 
calling,  invitinff,  encouraging  them  to  come 
unto  fiim.  This  is  somewlukt  of  the  woid 
which  He  now  speaks  unto  you,— Why  will 
yo  die  ?— Why  will  ye  peiwh  ?— Why  will 
ye  not  have  compassion  on  your  own  souls  ? 
Can  your  hearts  endure  or  your  hands  be 
strong  in  the  day  of  wrath  that  is  approach- 
ing ?  It  is  but  a  little  while  before  all  your 
hopes,  your  reliefs,  your  presumptions,  will 
forsake  yon  and  leave  you  eternally  miser^ 
ablel  Look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved. 
Come  unto  me  and  I  will  ease  you  of  aU 
your  sins,  sorrows^  fears,  burdens,  and  give 
rest  unto  jour  souls.  Come  I  entreat  yon, 
lay  aside  all  procrastinations,  all  delays, 
put  me  off  no  longer,  eternity  lies  at  the 
door.  Cast  off  all  cursed  self-deceiving  re- 
serves, do  not  so  hate  me,  as  that  you  will 
rather  perish  than  accept  of  deliverfAoe 
from  me.  These,  and  the  like  things  doth 
the  Lord  Christ  continually  declare,  pro- 
claim, plead,  and  urge  on  the  souls  of  sinners 
as  it  is  fuUy  declared  (Prov.  i,  20,  34).  He 
doth  it  in  the  preaching  of  the  word  as  if 
He  were  present  with  you,  stood  amongst 
you,  and  spake  personally  to  every  one  of 
you.  And  because  this  world  does  not  suit 
His  present  state  of  glory,  He  hath  ap- 
poLoted  the  ministers  of  the  ^pel  to  appear 
before  you,  and  to  deal  with  you  in  liis 
stead,  avowing  as  His  own  the  invitations 
that  are  given  you  in  His  name  (2  Corin- 
thians, V.  19,  20)."— Owen**  Qlory  of 
Christ  f  page  535. 

Such  were  the  views  of  one  of  yoop 
favorite  divines.  Is  it  not  then  a  marveUous 
thing  that  with  a  book  in  yoor  librair  oou- 
taimng  such  sentiments  (and  which  you 
once  speoialfy  recommended  me  to  read)  you 
shoola  now  be  "  alarmed,  pained,  and  sor- 
pnsed"  at  finding  the  sentence,  ''appeals  to 
the  unconverted,'*  in  my  letter,  if  that 
sentence  be  "  pregnant  with  error,*'  as  yoo 
say  it  is,  how  mudi  error  must  there  be  in 
that  which  I  have  quoted  from  the  pen  of 
one  of  the  best  of  theologians,  and  if  I  stand 
upon  a  pj^cipice  irom  which  the  "  slope  19 

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167 


euj,  the  descent  certain,  and  the  end  disas- 
trous,'' what  position  cotild  hehayeoecupied 
who  in  such  a  wa/  '*  appealed  to  the  nn- 
conTerted?" 

But  to  proceed,  I  see  by  Thb  Eaathkn 
Vmsbl  that  the  Tri-centenary  of  John  Cal- 
vm'i  death  will  be  commemorated  on  the 
27th  May,  and  in  June  the  industrious 
editor  announces  that  he  will  publish  "  Cal- 
vin's Tri-centenaij  Supplement,"  with  a 
portrait  of  that  great  reformer.  I  think 
myself  most  happy  to  have  the  opportunity 
you  have  affi>ixied  me  at  such  a  time  of 
giving  you,  and  the  readers  of  THsEAaTHBN 
VBsaiL,  with  "all  who  profess  and  call 
themselves  Calvinists,"  the  following  ez- 
tnct  from  his  writings  Calvin  says : — 

"  Christ  began  His  sermons  thus,  the  king- 
dom of  God  is  at  hand,  repent  and  believe 
the  gospel.  First  of  all  he  declareth  that 
the  treasures  of  mercy  are  set  open  in  Him. 
Secondly,  He  requireth  acceptance.  Lastly, 
confidence  in  God's  nromises.  'To  what 
end,'  some  will  ask,  '  ao  exhortations  tend  ? 
Why  are  not  men  rather  left  to  the  conduct 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Why  are  they  solicited 
by  exhortations,  since  they  can  only  oomply 
with  them  so  &r  as  the  Holy  Spirit  enalues 
them?'  This  briefly  is  our  answer:  The 
anner  cannot  impute  the  hardness  of  his 
heart  to  any  one  besides  himself,  and  oh 
man,  who  art  thou  that  wouldst  impose 
laws  on  Qod?  If  he  choose  to  prepare  ua 
by  means  of  exhortationa  to  reeeive  that 
very  grace  to  obev  those  exhortations 
which  are  addressed  to  us,  what  hast  thoa 
to  object  to  this  conduct  of  the  Lord,  and 
what  is  there  in  it  which  thou  oanst  justly 
condemn  ?" 

Such  is  Calvin's  Calvinism,  and  I  am 
bold  to  affirm  mvself  a  Calmniet  according 
to  Calvin ;  a  "  ifyptfr"  must  be  what  the 
term  signifies  '^  above  and  beyond"  Calvin. 

It  will  be  well  if  those  who  bear  his 
name  and  join  in  these  commemorative 
services,  wUl  resolve  in  future  to  imitate 
his  method  of  preaching  the  gospel,  or  at 
aogr  rate  let  them  cease  to  designate  as 
*'  unsound  "  and  nntruthfbl  those  who  do. 

I  could  give  extracts  from  all  whose  names 
I  have  mentioned  and  many  others,  to  shew 
that  the  great  bulk  of  the  Puritans  held  the 
sentiments  you  condemn  as  "  modern 
theology,"  but  I  fear  to  make  this  letter  too 
lengthy,  and  thus  intrude  upon  the  kindness 
of  the  editor,  and  therefore  have  only  to 
add,  give  up  calling  these  "  men  of  truth," 
ere  you  charge  me  with  "departing  from 
the  truth." 

I  now  come  to  the  sure  word  of  prophecy. 
Yon  are  very  decided  in  your  statement 
that  faith  (saving  faith)  is  not  a  diUy. 
Allow  me  to  ask  u  unbelief  a  sinf    If  you 

ily  no,  then   I  ask  you  to  explain  the 

llowing   passages :      "  When    He    (the 


Holv  Spirit)  is  oome  He  wiU  reprove  the 
world  oj  sin  .  .  because  they  believe  not 
on  me"  (Johnxvi.8,9.)  '<  The  Lord  Jesus 
shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  Hia 
mighty  angels  in  fiaming  fire,  taking  venge- 
ance on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  that 
ob^  not  the  yoapel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
(2  Thes.  i.  7,  9.)  "  He  that  believeth  not  ia 
condemned  already,  because  he  hath  not 
believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God:*  (John  iii.  19.)  "Be  that 
believeth  notshall  be  damned."  (Markxyi.  16) 
I  know  the  meaning  some  would  give  to 
these  passages  in  order  to  make  them  square 
(according  to  human  reasonina)  with  other 
portions  of  the  truth,  but  the  j^in  teaching 
appears  to  be,  that  unbelief  is  a  sin,  the 
damning  sin.  If  you  admit  this,  what  be- 
comes of  your  statement  that  fiiith  is  not  a 
duty  ?  If  it  is  a  sin  to  reject  Christ,  is  it  not 
a  duty  to  receive  Him  ?  If  unbelief  be  a 
sin,  then  must  not  faith  be  a  duty  ? 

Yon  ask  do  I  believe  that  faith  and  re* 
pentanoe  are  the  gifts  of  God?  Answer, 
yes,  most  decidedly,  and  that  no  creature 
has  power  apart  from  Him  to  exercise  them, 
and  therefore  to  your  explanation  of  Acta 
ii,  3,  that  they  were  convinced  of  sin,  whom 
Peter  bid  repent,  I  reply  granted,  and  coiUd 
they  in  that  state  any  more  repent  and 
believe  without  God  bestowing  those  gifts 
on  them  than  they  oonld  before  r  No,  then 
what  becomes  of  your  point,  the  inconaist- 
eney  of  bidding  men  do  what  they  have  no 
power  to  do  ? 

"  This  is  God's  commandment  that  we 
should  believe  on  the  name  of  His  Son  Jesus 
Christ"  (1  John  iii.  23.)  "This  is  the  work 
of  God,  that  ye  believe  on  Him  whom  He 
hath  sent"  (John  vi.  29.)  True,  man  haa 
no  power,  but  seeing  that  his  inability  arises 
from  the  corruption  of  his  nature,  the  en- 
mity and  wickedness  of  his  heart,  his  lack 
of  power  is  sin,  and  for  this  he  is  justly 
condemned. 

Dr.  Gill  is  generally  quoted  as  being 
sound  in  the  faith  by  those  who  hold  the 
same  views  as  yourself,  but  he  distinctly 
states  man'sgniltis  the  greater  for  refecting 
and  despising  the  gospel.  I  quote  the 
following  from  his  writings : — 

*'  Thouffh  such  is  the  condition  of  man 
by  the  fall,  that  he  cannot  believe  in  Christ 
without  the  powerful  influence  of  that 
divine  grace  which  God  is  not  obliged  to 
communicate,  yet  it  is  not  the  withholding 
of  that  influence,  or  denying  of  that  grace, 
which  lays  him  under  me  necessity  of  not 
believing,  but  it  is  the  corruption  of  his 
nature  that  lays  and  holds  him  in  the  chains 
of  unbelief,  and  therefore  his  unbelief  is 
not  to  be  imputed  to  the  want  of  this  power- 
fid  influence,  which  God  is  not  obliged  to 
give,  but  to  the  enmity  and  wickedness  of 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


JuiM  1,  18M. 


his  heart,  on  which  account  he  is  justly 
blameworthy." 

My  opinions  have  not  chansed  in  the 
least  with  regard  to  the  great  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  the  truth  I  Mve  preached^  I 
preach  no^jo.  Salvation  by  the  free  and 
sovereign  grace  of  QoS  is  still  the  groat 
theme  of  my  ministrv,  and  my  continued 
aim  to  exalt  Christ  m  the  glories  of  His 
person,  the  riches  of  His  grace,  and  the  in- 
finite merit  of  His  blood.  I  feel  more  de- 
pendent than  ever  on  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  make  the  wora '  effectual  to  the 
conversion  of  the  sinner  und  comfort  of  the 
saint,  and  believe  that  the  church  will  be 
saved  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  the  great 
Sacred  Three. 

Upon  these  points  I  am  unchanged,  but 
I  trust  that  we  all  grow  wiser  as  we  grow 
older ;  no  man  should  be  ashamed  to  say 
(humbling  though  it  ma^  be)  I  have  seen 
reason  to  alter  my  opinion,  "he  must  be 
miserable  who  is  constantly  watching  to  see 
that  the  opinion  he  holds  to-day  dove-tails 
exactly  with  that  he  held  years  ago."  Dr. 
Owen,  when  taunted  with  having  changed 
his  views  on  one  pointy  replied,  "  He  mtX 
can  glory  that  in  fourteen  years  he  has  not 
altered  in  his  conception  of  some  things, 
shall  not  have  me  for  a  rival."  It  is  about 
a  year  and  a  half  since  my  mind  began  to 
be  exercised  on  the  subject ''  how  should  the 
gospel  be  preached  to  the  unconverted  T  I 
asked  some  well  known  ministers  of  truth 
what  they  understood  by  2  Corinthians  v. 
20,  "Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for 
Christ,  as  though  GK)d  did  beseech  you  by 
ufl,  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead  be  ye  re- 
concilea  to  God."  /  asked  in  vain,  no 
answer  was  given,  because  to  have  admitted 
the  plain  meaning,  would  have  involved  a 
difficulty,  and  not  squared  with  that  system 
to  which,  alas,  many  are  still  so  wedded 
that  they  continually  briTig  it  to  God*s  word 
and  reject  or  seek  to  explain  away  that 
which  does  not  harmonize  therewith.  It  is 
clear  that  Paul  was  not  then  addressing 
himself  to  the  Corinthian  believers,  for  they 
were  already  reconciled,  but  he  is  giving  an 


account  of  what  he  preached  and  how  he 
preadied  it,  in  a  word,  of  what  his  own 
ministry  was.  Let  us  more  carefully  study 
the  preaching  of  our  Master,  attend  to  His 
commands,  lay  our  reason  at  His  feet,  and 
seek  to  imitate  the  bright  examples  of  Hia 
apostles,  in  goin^  forth  to  preach  the  gocmel 
in  all  iVi  simplicity,  remembering  that  what 
we  know  not  now  we  shall  know  nereafter. 

I  have  said  I  do  not  love  controversy, 
and  it  is  not  my  intention  to  take  up  time 
with  it,  wishing  to  live  in  peace  with  al> 
men,  and  prosecute  my  work  without  inter- 
ruption, and  in  the  words  of  a  living  writer,. 
I  say,  "  Let  w  look  back  on  that  battle  field 
where  much  wiser  men  than  we  have  fought 
in  vain  .  .  .  and  learn  the  lesson  it 
teaches,  and  be  contented  to  sa^  the  short 
cord  of  my  plummet  does  not  quite  go  down 
to  the  bottom  of  the  bottomless,  and  I  do 
not  profess  either  to  understand  God  or  to 
understand  man,  both  of  which  I  should 
want  to  do  before  I  understood  the  mysteries 
of  their  conjoint  action." 

I  cannot  close  without  noticing  your  re- 
marks on  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  C.  H 
Spureeon.  If  it  lead  yon  to  *'  feel  like  the 
poor  Israelite  did  when  he  was  set  hard  to 
woik  to  make  the  full  tail  of  brick  without 
straw,"  remember  you  are  but  onty  and  don't 
forget  that  there  are  many  thousands  who- 
have  felt  under  it,  rather  like  the  Israelite 
when,  emancipated  fromEgyptian  thraldom, 
and  brought  safely  across  the  Bed  Sea,  he 
"  sang  unto  the  Lord  who  had  triumi^ied 
ffloriouslv."  That  which  has  been  to  you 
but  a  "  dry  breast,"  has  been  the  means  of 
conveyine  rich  consolations  to  thousands  of 
distressed  souls. 

And  now  my  prayer  for  you,  and  all  those 
ministers  with  whom  I  have  long  associated, 
is  that  you  may  bs  faithful  to  your  convict 
tions,  and  not  shun  to  declare  the  whole 
oounsel  of  €K>d,  and  may  His  blessing  ever 
attend  you. 

With  Christian  love,  yours  faithfully, 

Joiu  EoinniD  Cbackksi^^ 

Kose  Villa^  Leckhampton,  Cheltenham. 


THE   SHIPWRECKED  MARINER  AND  THE  GOSPEL  - 

MINISTER. 

1^    JFt6itt0    KBiratifrt. 


CaAFTU  IV. 


Dbak  Mb.  Edftob, — I  presume  my  poor 
scribble  will  be  too  late  for  insertion  in  the 
May  number  of  your  Vessel,  but  since  my 
last  my  soul  has  been  much  exercised  as 
to  whether  I  should  Rive  your  readers  any 
further  relation  of  the  rough  and  thorny 


wav  in  which  the  Lord  hath  been  pleased 
to  lead  me  towards, tb at  city  of  habitation 
whose  builder  and  maker  is  God,  inasmuch 
as  I  find  in  so  doing  it  is  no  easy  matter 
for  fiesh  and  blood  to  follow  on  through 
evil  as  well  as  good  report,  more  especiaUj 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Jusel.  JM4, 


THE  EARTHEN   VESSEI*. 


169 


when  Satan  disputes  every  inch  of  ground 
we  tread.  But  as  I  am  only  moving  as  the 
cloud  appears  to  go  before  me,  and  have 
reeently  reeeired  some  letters  of  encourage- 
ment from  persons  whom  I  know  compara- 
tively little  of,  I  again  proceed  with  my 
narrative,  hopine  if  it  is  the  Lord's  will  that 
many  may  be  led  to  see  both  His  preserv- 
ing care  as  well  as  His  special  providence 
in  watchine  over  an  unworthy  sinner  like 
mvself  whue  I  wandered  in  the  wilderness 
where  there  is  no  way,  and  the  mysterious 
path  that  some  of  His  chosen  are  led  in 
before  they  are  brought  manifestly  to  re- 
ceive the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and 
thus  become  partakers  of  eternal  life. 

I  commence  then  by  saying  that  after 
reaching  the  Cape  of  Qood  Hope  .the  Lord 
was  pleased  to  keep  me  on  the  west  coast 
of  Africa  for  a  period  of  four  jrears,  during 
which  time  His  covenant  faithfulness  was 
signally  displayed  in  preserving  my  worth- 
less life  while  others  of  my  shipmates  were 
suddenly  cut  off  before  m^  eyes  to  stand  in 
the  solemn  presence  of  Him  who  is  **  Judge 
of  all  the  earth,"  so  much  so  that  out  of  a 
ship's  company  numbering  145  men  when 
we  left  Portsmouth,  only  twenty-six  sur- 
vived to  be  paid  off  on  the  ship's  arrival 
home.  Why  was  /spared  ?  Because  Thou 
hadst  a  favor  unto  me,  and  Thine  own 
eternal  mind  had  designed  to  make  me  see 
the  good  of  thy  chosen,  and  to  visit  me 
with  Thy  salvation;  and  thus  while  my 
meditation  of  Him  has,  and  shall  be,  sweet 
at  times,  I  would  affectionately  say  "  Con- 
sider this,  ye  that  forget  God,  lest  He  tear 
you  in  pieces  and  there  be  none  to  deliver." 

After  being  about  four  or  fire  months  on 
our  new  cruising  ground,  the  ''  God  of  my 
mercies  "  was  again  pleased  to  appear  in  a 
special  manner  on  my  behalf,  and  again  to 
mercifully  preserve  my  life,  not  from  the 
yawning  billows,  but  from  the  hand  of  the 
deliberate  and  cold-blooded  murderer — by 
what  some  persons  would  call  a  mere  acci- 
dental circumstance,  but  which  I  shall  ever 
belike  was  etemidly  written  in  the  book 
of  God's  decrees  to  be  manifested  in  due 
time,  for  "  Not  so  much  as  a  sparrow  falleth 
to  Uie  ground  without  your  Heavenly 
Father's  knowledge,"  and  which  in  my 
poor  way  I  will  t^  to  make  plain  to  the 
reader.  There  was  a  Spanish  schooner  on 
the  coast,  waiting  a  favorable  opportunity 
to  take  in  her  suves,  and  after  which  we 
had  given  chase  no  less  than  nine  different 
times,  and  being  well  manned  and  armed, 
also  a  much  faster  saUer|than  our  own  shin, 
veiy  little  hope  was  entertained  of  succeea- 
ingin  her  capture.  Atlengthshewas  sighted 
one  morning  just  at  daybreak  at  not  more 
than  a  league  distant,  but  being  a  dead 
calm,  the  sea  itself  like  a  sea  of  ^ass,  and 
not  a  breath  of  wind  to  be  felt,  the  two 


ships  lay  motionless  on  the  vast  expanse  of 
ocean,  the  only  chance  of  capture  being  to 
send  the  smalt  boats  in  chase ;  the  three 
boats  were  dccordinjp;ly  manned,  armed,  and 
sent  away,  myself  forming  one  of  the  cut- 
ter's crew.  On  getting  within  gun-shot  of 
the  slaver  she  opened  fire  upon  us,  the 
bullets  falling  in  showers  around  us ;  two 
of  my  boat  mates  were  mortally  wounded, 
while  the  boat's  oar  was  shot  away  out  of 
my  hand,  and  another  shot  took  license  to 
pass  through  the  sleeve  of  my  serge  shirt, 
but  kindly  left  me  uninjured.  Thus  was  I 
made  to  realize^* 

Tho*  plagues  and  deaths  around  me  fly 
Till  He  bids  I  cannot  die, 
Not  a  single  shaft  can  hit 
Till  the  &od  of  love  sees  fit. 

But  to  return :  the  vessel  was  captured  and 
brought  alongside  for  formal  examination, 
after  which,  being,  as  I  aforesaid,  a  fast 
sailer,  she  was  sent  in  chase  of  a  brigaatine 
just  hove  in  sight,  and  which  we  knew  was 
full  of  slaves.  Myself  with  seventeen  sea- 
men and  two  officers  were  put  on  board, 
with  orders  that  should  the  second  vessel 
be  captured  we  were  to  be  divided,  leaviaff 
nine  men  and  an  officer  on  board  each,  and 
wore  to  shape  our  course  for  Sierra  Leone, 
the  port  of  condemnation.  The  vessel  was 
taken,  and  finding  there  were  430  slaves 
on  board  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  take 
the  Spaniards  forming  her  crew  and  put 
them  on  board  the  empty  vessel,  making 
thirty-two  Spaniards  and  only  ten  English- 
men on  boai-d.  These  Spaniards  deter- 
mined to  mutineer,  and  accordingly  mur- 
dered in  the  most  deliberate  and  diabolical 
manner  every  Englishman  on  board.  An 
omniscient  eye  was  resting  upon  the  track 
of  the  murderer,  and  three  days  subsequent 
she  was  again  captured  by  Captain  Diidop, 
of  H.M.S.  Star.  The  crime  was  discovered, 
they  were  sent  to  England  and  tried  at 
Exeter,  but  what  their  doom  was  I  do  not 
know.  Well,  says  my  reader,  what  was  the 
circumstance  by  which  you  were  preserved  ? 
My  answer  is,  truly  it  is  marvellous  in  our 
eyes,  but  the  dear  Lord  had  so  ordered  it 
that  at  the  capture  of  the  full  vessel  my 
musket  was  to  be  lost,  thus  I  simply  formed 
one  of  the  ten  left  on  board,  instead  of  one 
of  the  ten  put  on  board  the  ill-fated  Felica- 
dada,  whicli  otherwise  I  should  have  been. 
Oh  how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments 
and  his  ways  past  finding  out.  How  great 
the  mercy  manifested  in  leading  his  chosen 
in  paths  they  have  not  known — ^in  rebuk- 
ing the  devourer  for  their  sakes  and  making 
all  his  goodness  to  pass  before  them  in  the 
way. 

After  takinff  the  prize  to  Sierra  Leone,  I 

was  conveyea  back  to  my  own  ship  by 

H.M.S.  Hydra,  and  while  on  board  that 

vessel  the  fever,  so  prevalent  on  the  African 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  iC 


170. 


THB  SABTHSN  YSS8JBL. 


June  1. 1864. 


coast,  broke  out  with  so  much  violence  that 
in  a  few  days  no  less  than  eightj  of  my 
shipmates  were  laid  in  their  hammocka — 
some  dying  and  buried  every  day ;  those  of 
us  that  were  well  not  being  permitted  to  go 
on  the  lower  deck  for  near  a  fortnight,  ex- 
cept to  perform  a  kind  act  to  the  sick  and 
dying  around.  And  here  again  the  dear 
Lord  was  round  about  me  as  a  wall  of  fire 
to  protect  and  gird  with  strength,  though  I 
knew  it  not,  for  although  I  was  frequently 
employed  in  attending  the  sick,  at  other 
times  sewinff  up  the  dead  for  interment  in 
the  mighty  deep  till  the  resurrection  morn, 
when  the  sea  shall  give  up  her  dead  and 
thej  both  small  and  great  shall  stand  before 
God,  yet  such  was  the  abundant  mercy 
of  my  God  that  not  one  hour's  sickness  was 
I  the  subject  of^  although  I  was  given  up 
to  many  pernicious  habits,  'which,  in  the 
estimation  of  poor  mortals  must  assuredly 


hava  brought  it  on.  And  oh,  with  what 
pleasure  am  I  at  times  led  to  look  baiek  at 
these  circumstances  in  my  eventful  life,  and 
with  gratitude  behold  the  faithfulness  and 
wonder-working  arm  of  God  therein,  ascrib- 
ing all  the  glory  of  that  providence  unto 
Him  with  whom  no  uuK^reseen  eircum- 
stanoe  can  arise,  but  all  is  one  eternal  now, 
and  who  maketh  "all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  thorn 
that  are  the  called  according  to  His  pur- 
pose." And  in  conclusion,  at  that  time  the 
words  of  Job  would  aptly  apply  to  myself, 
wherein  he  saith  that  '*  God  speaketh  onee, 
yea  twice,  yet  man  perceiveth  it  not." 
Reader,  is  it  so  with  thee,  or  hast  thou 
through  rich  mercy  been  led  to  hear  that 
sweet  voice  which  says  "  Comfort  ye,  com- 
fort ye,  my  people,  saith  your  God  1" — ^I  i 
•    Chj '     ' 


yours  in  Christ  Jesus, 


NSMO. 


HiaH   WTOOXBB,    WOOBUBN    aSESN,  A  PBESTWOOD   OOUCOV. 


Mat  5,  1864. 
SoXE  yoara  have  pasied  away  since  I  flnit 
pleached  in  this  delighttul  little  oouuty  of  Bucks; 
it  is  nearly  twenty  \e»x9  since  tbe  good  pastor  of 
Fenn  Beacon  (brother  Miller)  met  me  at  the 
Taplow  station.  My  mind  had  been  filled  with 
thoufbta  upon  those  Iwautiful  words  of  Paul, 
**  tienoeforth  there  ia  laid  up  tor  me  a  crown  of 
n'ffhteousness,''  Ac,  and  bo  absorbed  was  I.  that  I 
left  bag,  books,  &c.,  all  in  the  carriage,  ana  never 
saw  them  since.  We  rode  through  Wooburn 
Oreen.  For  the  first  time  that  morning  I  saw 
my  dear  old  friend,  Mr.  Bichard  Howard,  and 
oar  ChristiaD  fellowship  has  continued  trom  that 
day  until  now.  At  first  he  thought  certainly 
there  could  t>e  no  good  thing  in  me.  Ifature 
nerer  gave  me  a  prepossessing  front;  first  ac- 
quaintance always  went  against  me,  oonsequodtly 
there  are  many  pulpits  I  nerer  entered  a  second 
time.  Natiural  endowments  have  done  more  for 
many-  than  ever  grace  did  for  them;  but  if  the 
Lora  IN  me  had  not  overcome  all  that  has  been 
aflainst  me,  I  had  long  since  been  in  the 
suent  darkness  of  death,  without  useftilness  and 
without  hope.  The  ancient  exclamation  suits  me, 
**  If  it  had  not  been  the  Lord  who  was  on  iny  side, 
now  may  Israel  say."  fta,  but  glory  to  CFod  on 
hiffh,  neither  my  insigniflcaoce  nor  my  utter 
heipleaBneas,  nor  all  tbe  Job-like  hurrloanes 
which  across  my  path,  and  tliough  my  possessions 
have  been  hurlea.  have  yet  totally  hindered 
my  usefalness  in  the  little  comers  of  Zion.  The 
gloiy  of  the  Gospel  has  continued  to  fill  my  soul, 
and  in  unfolding  some  of  its  beauties  has  to  me 
been  more  precious  than  all  the  treasures  of  earth. 
Oh  that  in  e\'ery  sense  my  Lord  Jesus  would 
honorably  and  righteously  redeem  me  from  all 
evil,  from  all  reproach,  ana  give  to  all  the  utmost 
satisfaction :  then,  in  Uis  name,  I  think  I  should 
rejoice  as  I  have  never  done  yet 

Let  me  say  a  word  or  two  touching  the  churches 
I  have  tliis  week  travelled  through.  The  cause  at 
Woobum  Green  is  not  so  happily  united  as  I 
think  it  should  be.  I  preaoned  in  a  room, 
crowded  up,  but  the  Lord  gave  us  a  happy  time : 
I  have  reason  to  believe  good  was  done.    Still,  all 


tbe  dear  children  of  God  at  WoObum  Oieen 
should  be  together  $  tb^  have  a  good  ohapel,  yet 
some  of  the  lunily  meet  in  that  nios  new  aaao- 
tuary  and  some  meet  in  a  room.  I  wish  they 
would  all  agree  to  meet  together  for  prayer,  and 
in  the  spirit  of  our  holy  Master.  pMor  as  He  tells 
them,  "  When  y;e  pray,  s^r^Our  Fathsr,"  Asti, 
not  omitting,  either  in  the  K>irit  or  in  the  nra«> 
tice  of  it,  that  one  sentence,  FORGIVB  US  OUB 
THB8PA8SES  AS  WB  FOBGIVB  THBM 
THAT  TBB8PABS  AGAINST  US.  I  am  boM 
to  tell  the  dear  saints  of  God  at  Woobum  Green, 
the  Howards,  the  Bwellys,  the  Francises,  the 
Thompsons,  and  all  tbe  rest  of  them,  if  they  will 
thus  meet,  and  pray  to  their  heavenly  Fatlmr,  sad 
let  some  good  honest,  right- hearted  brother  give 
tbem  a  sermon  on  the  ^'seventy-times  seven'*  sub- 
ject—a  subject  so  largely  developed  in  God's  boc^ 
but  so  little  proctisea  by  His  ohildxen  faeie,' 
nevertheless,  if  to  this  course  of  flodly  conduct 
they  would  surrender  themselves,  Iflrmly  brieve 
the  outsiders  at  Woobum  Green  would  soon  be 
*ayhig,  '*See  how  these  Christians  love  one 
another."  Tell  noe  nothing  about  your  zeal  for 
doctrines,  it  3'our  deeds  deny  the  veiy  spirit  ef 
that  Gospel  by  which  ye  have  been  called.  Let 
no  man  deceive  himself.  I  am  so  deeply  inter* 
ested  in  this  Woobum  Green  church,  that  I  mnsS 
plead  for  her  healthy  and  happy  re-union.  The 
Lord  grant  it.    Amen. 

After  preaching  on  the  Green,  Bichard  Howard 
and  his  ezcelleiH  wlfe^  sheltered  and  sustained^ 
comforted  and  cheered  me;  and  then  next  mora- 
ins  I  Joined  brother  Steven  Evons^  brother  Stem- 
biTdffe,  and  others,  in  the  anniveraoiy  services  at 
Prestwood  Common. 

The  ministiy  of  Steven  Bvans  among  ths 
Prestwood  people  has  been  very  useful ;  and  al- 
though they  cannot  keep  him,  they  can  most 
highly  recommend  him ;  and  I  thina  he  would 
be  a  devoted  and  happy  minister  to  any  people 
who  desired  to  have  TX£  tbvth  in  its  experi* 
mental  simpUdfy. 

OUB  JOUBNBY  TO  PBESTWOOD  COMMON. 

Prestwood  anniversary  wsf*  a  most  ^lendid 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Jwie  1,  18M. 


THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL. 


171 


day.    Of  oiir  Joaniey  to  fhat  annivcmry  I  wrote 
the  following  note  on  the  Satorday  evening 
foUowiatf»  and  I  hope  it  will  be  found  pieaaant 
and  prafltable  to  many  of  my  readers  :— 
*•  FROM  VE  IS  THT  FKUXT  rouWD."— May  7, 1864. 

lAst  Tuesday  I  was  travelling  on  to  Prestwood 
Common,  to  preach  two  anmversary  sermons. 
Two  ministers  were  with  me.  T\e  had  to  walk 
up  a  hill ;  as  wo  did  so,  Mr.  Stembridge,  of  High 
Wjroombe,  called  my  attention  to  the  reading  of 
the  8th  verse  of  Hosea  xiv.  He  said,  '*Bead  it 
without  the  italic  words.*'  The  Lord  is  speaking 
to  Bphraim.  He  says  "  Ephraim !  what  have  1 
to  do  any  more  wlui  idols?  I  have  heard  and 
observed  him.  I  like  a  green  ilr  tree.  From  me 
is  thy  fruit  found." 

Thus  read,  the  verse  is  very  expressive.  Pirst, 
the  Lood  tells  Bphndm  He,  the  Lord,  caa  have 
nothing  to  do  with  idols.  Secondly,  the  Lord 
tells  Ephraim  He  has  heard  all  his  mournings 
and  observed  all  his  ways.  Tliirdly,  the  Lord 
tells  Ephraim  what  it  ia  He  will  have  His  people 
to  be :  that  is  Oskex  Fir  Tbees.  Lastly,  lest 
Bphraim  should  despair,  and  say  *<  I  am  not,  and 
I  fear  I  never  shall  be  a  green  fir  tree,"  the  Lord 
tell«  poor  Ephraim  that  from  Himself,  that  is 
from  the  Lord  alone,  is  all  his  fruit  to  be  found. 
"From  me,*'  saith  Jesus  to  Ephraim,  **iB  thy 
fruit  found.** 

Then  last  evening  T  had  a  letter  from  brother 
Wells,  rather  a  long  letter,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
letter  he  refers  to  the  9th  verse  of  this  chapter, 
and  expounds  one  or  two  words  in  that  nmth 
veiae.  For  instance,  that  ninth  verse  declares 
fomr  very  weighty  matters.  First,  that  GK)d'8 
people  are  a  wise  and  prudent  people,  and  that 
thqr  shall  know  and  understand  these  things  ex- 
prosed  in  this  prophecy.  Secondly,  that  ninth 
vane  dedaies  that  all  the  ways  otthe  Lord  are 
right,  deeply  mysterious  as  thev  may  be  unto 
us  in  our  frail  and  finite  ooudltion.  Tliirdly, 
that  there  are  many  who  get  into  these  ways 
-without  being  called  of  Ghod  or  sanctified  by  Him, 
and  th9ir  are  called  **transgresaor8,"  or  '*  intru- 
ders, "*  Th^  dimb  over  the  wall :  they  are  not 
brought  into  Zion  by  the  Lord,  nor  by  His  people, 
nor  by  Hif  servants,  nor  by  His  Spirit,  nor  by  His 
troth  being  made  precious  and  powerful  in  them, 
oonaequenuy  they  are  intrwderSy  they  get  into  the 
profession  of  things  of  which  they  have  no 
heartrlblt  possession,  consequently  the  verse  says 
two  things.  1.  The  just,  tnose  who  are  of  full 
weight,  those  who  have  life  in  their  souls,  they 
ehau  WALK  ots  iir  the  ways  of  the  Lord.  Satan 
may  tempt  them,  sin  may  dreadfully  annoy  them 
very  great  trials  and  sorrows  may  overwhelm 
thorn,  but  still  wait  a  little  and  you  will  yet  see 
them  walking  on  in  the  good  old  Ghospel  ways  of 
the  Lord.  That  is  a  gr^  merc3'^,  but  the  verse 
declares  a  fourth  thing :  that  these  transgressors, 
or  iHirudert,  shall  ''  fAiJ.  bhobt  thebbin,"  that 
is,  there  are  some  things  essential  to  their  soul's 
lelvation  tSiey  will  never  attain  unto.  *'Yet, 
lackest  thou  one  thing,"  he  fell  short.  „  Friend, 
how  camest  thou  in  hither,  not  having  on  a 
weddindgarment  ?**  He  fell  short,  you  see.  Balaam 
had  visions,  Saul  had  a  kingdom,  Judas  liad  a 
discipleship.  but  they  all  fell  snort  How  impor- 
tant then  a^  the  three  questions  the  text  sug- 
rits:— 1.  Who  are  really  spiritual  Ephraima? 
What  fruit  is  this?    8.  Uayk  wk  foukd  it? 

The  anniversary  day  at  Prestwood  Common  was 
one  of  joy  and  gladness  to  some ;  we  may  hope 
the  name  of  the  Lord  was  gloriAed.  Kr.  Stem- 
bridge,  of  High  Wycombe;  Jilr.  Free,  ofSpeenr 
and  Mr.  S.  Ems,  assisted  in  the  services,  which 
resulted  in  a  elearance  of  the  debt,  and  we  l.;ft 
with  a  degree  of  cheerful  pleasure. 

At  Aylesbury  I  visitea  the  juvenile  establish- 
ment of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flaw,  at  White  Hill  Cottage. 
It  is  a  sweet  homefor  children.  The  school-rooms, 
the  gardens,  the  OTOhard,  all  seem  exactly  suited 
for  plain  little  people  to  get  the  first  elements. 
There  are  two  or  three  Baptist  causes  in  and 


around  Aylesbury ;  but  they  are  not  like  a  green 
fir  tree.  We  heard  some  things  in  Aylesbury 
which  require  searching  out.  We  expect  to  be  in 
Aylesbury  in  June,  if  our  faithful  and  merciful 
Lord  permit,  and  after  that  we  may  make  some 
effort  to  show  why  it  is  the  Baptists  have  had  no 
iaeting  prosperity  for  many  years.  Aylesbury  is 
agrowiuff  town,  it  is  becoming  an  important 
centre:  there  are  some  thouttands  of  precious 
souls  there.  Why  should  the  teuth  be  trodden 
down?  Why  should  tyranny  triumph  1  Let  us 
look  all  evils  fully  in  the  face,  and  tear  no  man, 
if  it  be  man's  pride  and  power  which  hindera  the 
peace  and  unity  of  Zion. 

At  one  of  our  Hay  meetings  the  other  morning, 
a  popular  London  minister  was  exhorting  the 
audience  to  have  faith  in  God,  and  in  doing  so, 
he  said:' 

If  you  have  tkith  in  Qod  3'ou  will  have  no 
need  to  have  &ith  in  men.  I  do  not  mean  by  that 
that  I  would  have  every  man  distrustful,  but 
really  the  more  I  live  the  more  I  am  inclined  to 
think  that  this  world  is  a  world  of  humbug. 
From  the  first  thing  in  the  morning  almost  to  the 
last  thing  at  night  I  see  some  one  or  other  trying 
either  to  cadge,  to  beg,  to  cheat,  to  lie,  or  to  de- 
ceive. The  other  day  I  met  with  an  amusing  in- 
stance of  the  folly  or  mankind.  A  man  call^  to 
see  me,  and  as  he  could  not  do  that,  he  sent  up  a 
note  which  he  had  prepared,  telling  me  that  he 
was  the  father  of  two  *'  noble  infanta  "-and  that 
he  intended  taking  a  pan  of  charcoal  into  his 
room  that  night,  and  destroying  himself,  his  wife, 
and  the  two  **  noble  infants  '*  unless  I  sent  him 
down  some  money  to  relieve  their  wants.  I 
asked  my  secretaiy  what  I  should  do  about  it, 
and  he  advised  me  to  take  no  notioe  of  it ;  but  I 
said,  **  Well,  but  if  the  fellow  does  charcoal  him- 
self, I  shall  feel  very  queer  over  the  thing."  So 
I  sent  the  man  down  ten  shillings.  When  my 
secretary  gave  it  to  him,  he  looked  at  it  and  saia, 
"What  a  trifle t  Do  you  think  I  am  going  to 
save  the  \ivei  of  my  wife  and  my  two  *  noble  in- 
fants *  for  ten  shillings?  Take  it  batik  to  Mr. 

and  tell  him  I  resent  the  insult  I 

We  can  believe  this.  We  could  fHimish  instances 
of  the  daring  folly  and  sin  of  not  a  few  who 
greatly  injure  the  churches  and  impose  upon 
Christian  ministers. 

At  High  Wycombe,  in  that  most  beautiful 
Zion  where  Mr.  Stembridge  ministers,  we  roent 
one  evening,  enjoying  much  the  Massing  of  the 
Lord,  and  then  returned  home.  We  found  the 
good  old  Wycombe  friends  gratefully  praising 
God  for  having  sent  to  them  a  minister  so  devoted 
and  useful. 


STBIOT    BAPTIST     STJfiTDAT 
SOHOOIi   TJNIOK. 

AGGRBOATS  MBETING  AT  SXBTBR  HALL. 

An  A^ttregate  Meeting  of  the  teachers  and 
fWendsof  Particular  Baptist  Sunday-schools  was 
held  at  Exeter  Hall  (Lower  Boom,)  on  Tuesday, 
May  10, 1864.  Tea  and  coffee  were  provided  at 
hair-past  fire,  in  a  manner  highly  creditable  to 
the  officials.  The  hall  was  well  filled  at  the  tea 
meeting,  and  afterwards  was  crowded  to  excess. 
The  attendance  of  a  large  number  of  ministers 
manifested  their  earnest  ssrmpathy  with  the 
movement. 

The  Public  Meeting  commenced  at  half-past 
six.  Henry  Oooper,  Esq.,  the  President,  occupied 
the  chair. 

Mr.  G-BOTTTB,  of  Woolwich,  gave  out  the 
Urst  hymn,  commencing-^ 

**  Here,  gracious  Qod,  beneath  thy  feet%** 

Mr.  Mebbrs,  of  Bermondseyt  asked  the  Divine 
bletsing. 

The  Ohaibmah,  in  hia  opening  address,  stated 
that  several  let|en  had  been  reottved  from  minis- 
ters unable  to  be  present,  and  referred  especially 


172 


THE  EABTHEN  YESSSL. 


Jmia  1,1864. 


to  one  from  Mr.  StokeB,  of  ICanoheiter,  whose  ab- 
senoo  had  been  occuioned  by  an  accident,  from 
the  effects  of  which,  however,  he  was  recovering. 
The  Chairman  briefly  explained  the  objecto  of 
the  meeting,  respecting  which  he  regretted  that 
much  misunderstanding  prevailed.  In  oommen- 
ciuga  societ}'  of  this  description,  it  required  great 
wibdom.  He  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  young, 
and  had  an  attachment  to  tlie  old  "  Union,'  not- 
withstanding he  differecl  from  it  on  many  pointo. 
He  was  not  bom  a  Dissenter,  but  was  one  upon 
principle,  and  thought  tliat  Baptists  especially 
should  disseminate  their  sentiments  among  the 
rising  generation.  He  had  long  been  associated 
with  Sundaj'-Bchools,  and  considered  it  very  im- 
portant that  every  church  should  have  a  school 
connected  with  it.  The  Sunday-school  Union 
had  been  the  means  of  great  good,  but  many  of 
its  books  contain  sentiments  entirely  opposed  to 
our  views  (hear,  hear.)  and  the  Baptists  were 
awaking  to  a  sense  of  their  duty  to  the  rising 
generation.  (Cheers.)  In  many  cases,  the 
teaching  of  the  Sunday-school  had  not  been  in  ac- 
oordance  with  the  teachings  of  the  pulpit.  Hence 
the  great  necessity  for  the  establishment  of  the 
Baptist  Sundav-school  Union.  Glancing  at  the 
present  condition  of  the  various  denominations, 
he  referred  especially  to  the  zeal  of  the  Boman 
Catholic  Church.  **  (^ive  us  the  rising  generation." 
said  they :  the  old  folks  might  then  go  on  in  their 
own  way.  He  had  lately  met  with  an  instance  in 
which  the  Bomanists  had  offered  to  educate, 
dothe,  and  maintain  a  boy  for  five  years,  free  of 
expense,  and  his  parents,  regardless  of  religion, 
■greed  to  let  him  go,  thimcing  it  a  veiy  good 
chance.  Ther,  as  promoters  of  the  Baptist 
Sunday-school  tJnion,  wished  the  children  to  be 
taught  the  same  solid  truths  in  which  they  them- 
selves believed,  in  their  purity  and  simplicity. 
He  thought  that  every  Christian  in  the  denomi- 
nation should  be  interested  in  this  matter,  and 
trusted  the  Societ}-  would  so  expand  that,  at  the 
end,  we  should  B»y,  ♦•  What  hath  God  wrought  I" 
He  hoped  that  this  day  would  long  be  remem- 
bered.   (Loud  cheers.) 

Tlie  first  resolution  was  moved  by  Mr.  Talhxr, 
of  Romerton,  and  was  as  follows  : 

«  That  believing  the  doctrines  held  by  Paiti- 
onlar  Baptists  to  be  identical  witli  the  irrevocable 
teachings  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  and  deplor- 
ing the  prevailing  errors  of^the  timee.  ana  the 
natural  susoepdmlity  of  the  human  mind  to  re- 
ceive them,— this  Meeting  deems  it  to  be  the  in- 
cumbent duty  of  Partiouuur  Baptists  to  unite  for 
mutual  assistance  in  the  instruction  of  the 
young." 

He  congratulated  the  meeting  in  the  name  of 
oar  honoured  Lord,  who  himself  patronized,  and 
to  some  extent  educated  little  chUdren.  The 
meeting  was  a  very  important  one.  The  course 
now  adopted  should  have  been  taken  half-a-oen- 
tnry  ago.  (Hear,  hear.)  The  Sunday-school 
Union  nad  done  great  good,  and  the  Baptist 
Sunday-school  Union  was  not  antagonistic  to  it. 
(Hear,  hear.)  The  Sunday-school  Union  did 
not  represent  any  denomination,  and  we  wanted 
a  denominatimuu  material.  In  his  opinion,  no 
efficient  action  could  be  taken  but  in  a  dmomi- 
national  form.  It  had  been  said  that/bets  might 
be  believed  without  doctrines;  bat  a  fact  withont 
its  doctrinal  teaching  was  an  inoperative  fket 
They  must  have  doctrines,  and  some  system  as 
the  means  of  salvation ;  for  what  sprinn  are  to 
streams— causes  to  effecti— or  the  soul  to  tlie 
body,- so  doctrine  was  to  the  believer.  Hence 
the  Importance  of  sokm^  doctrine.  The  idea  of  a 
man  believing  without  doctrine  was  absurd.  He 
believed  **  the  doctrines  held  by  Particular  Bap- 
tists to  be  identical  with  the  irrevocable  teachings 
of  Christ  and  hfs  apostles.**  Ood*8  method  of 
salvation,  and  the  ooMtitation  of  a  Christian 
church  would  neoer  change.  (Cheersw)  The  Far- 
tioalar  Baptists,  whose  views  lie  maintained  were 
tnaoooidancewith  the  Kew  Testament,  believed 


three  things  with  regard  to  salvation ;— first,  the 
sovereignty  of  Divine  grace:  secondly,  the 
satisfa^ory  merits  of  Christ's  sabstitutiooar>' 
work;  and  thirdly,  the  effioieneyof  the  Holy 
Spirit's  operations ;  and  they  desired  that  these 
truths  should  be  taught  in  their  Sabbath  schools, 
in  contradistinotionnom  the  fashionable  theology 
of  the  day.  He  thought  we  had  arrived  at  a 
very  important  period.  He  had  long  pleaded  for 
anew  society  in  connection  with  Sunday-schools. 
He  believed  that,  in  many  cases,  the  influence  of 
the  Sunday  school  upon  the  church  had  been  the 
means  of  tneir  departure  ftrom  the  truth.  He  had 
witnessed  the  unhappy  effects  of  contrary  doc- 
trines at  Anniversary  gatherings.  He  believed 
that  this  society  would  prosper;  for  although  it 
might  have  great  difficulties  to  contend  with,  yet 
the  resources  of  the  Particular  Baptists  were 
very  great.  He  had  much  pleasure  in  being  pre- 
sent at  so  full  a  meeting,  and  hoped  that  when  - 
they  next  met.  they  should  require  the  Upper 
Hall  (applause) ;  for  the  next  meeting  would  not 
be  confined  to  metropolitan  teachers  and  mini.«- 
ters,  but  country  churches  and  schools  would  be 
represented.  They  had  friends  enough  and  inter- 
est enough,  they  had  only  to  get  close  enough  to- 
gether and  warm  one  another.  (Laughter  and 
applause.)  They  had  not  been  suflidentlv 
united— had  not  looked  kindly  enough  into  each 
other's  faces,  nor  shaken  hands  as  coraiallj*  as  they 
should.  The  Meeting  had  his  best  wishes,  and  he 
desired  God's  blessing  upon  it 

Mr.  S.  MiLirsB,  of  Keppel-street  Chapel, 
briefly  seconded  the  resolution.  He  liked  short 
speeobes,  especially  when  so  many  had  to  follow 
him .  He  was  not  very  fond  of  general  ideas.  All 
the  money  in  the  Bank  of  Bngfand  was  of  no  use 
to  him,  unless  he  had  a  particular  tHterett  in  it. 
He  had  seen  what  was  termed  ^  The  Happy 
Family*'— a  collection  of  animals  of  opposite 
natures,  and  viewed  in  a  similar  light  the  popular 
endeavour  to  blend  all  sections  of  the  Christian 
church  in  one  denomination.  He  liad  no  ob- 
jection to  the  broad  platform  of  Christian  philan- 
thropy. It  afforded  nim  much  pleasure  to  meet 
a  Churchman  on  the  platform  of  the  Aged  Pil- 
grim's Friend  Society;  but  he  met  him  there  a« 
a  man  and  as  a  Christian.  (Applause.)  Be  liked 
fVee  expression  of  opinion,  and  r^oloed  that  they 
were  all  in  union .  Union  must  be  maintained  on 
principle;  for  without  principle  it  was  a  rope  of 
sand.  If  onr  principles  were  worth  anything,  the>' 
were  worth  everything.  Th<0'  should  beware  of 
false  doctrine :  for  ■*a  little  feaven  leaveneth  the 
whole  lump."  Many  did  not  sufficiently  under- 
stand '*  the  five  pointa."  These  should  not  be  lost 
sight  of,  but  firmly  maintained.  There  should  be 
no  misunderstanding  of  terms*  The  term— /^rfir- 
%Uar  Baptist  had  a  different  meaning  now-a-day« 
from  what  it  formerly  liad.  He  instanced  the 
Norwich  Case,  and  stated  that  owing  to  the 
part  which  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  took  in 
refierenee  thereto,  the  church  over  which  he  presi- 
ded had  been  induced  to  withdraw  ita  support 
tram  that  Society.  Thev  had  now  a  missionar)' 
of  their  own.  itany  held  the  doctrine  of  electicn ; 
but  it  was  their  election  of  God.  and  not  Gcd*.f 
election  of  them.  They  held  with  calling,  yet 
implied  that  you  must  call  yourselves,  m  oe- 
lieved  that  many  Wesl^'ans  preached  sounder 
principles  than  some  Baptist  ministers.  Some 
persons  objected  that  the  doctrines  of  grace  were 
above  the  capacities  of  children,  but  m  believed 
that  what  was  committed  to  memory  in  youtli 
would  be  remembered  in  after  lifiB.  Re  admired 
the  old  Sunday-school  Union  for  somethings,  and 
this  Union  was  not  started  in  opposition  to  \t. 
(Hear,  hear.)  The  literature  of  the  Snndaj- 
sohool  Union  did  not,  however,  meek  the  require- 
mento  of  the  Particular  Bapnst  denomin^ion. 
He  strongly  repudiated  the  prevailing  thirst  for 
novels  in  the  religious  worid,  and  especially  the 
erroneous  doctrines  which  many  of  them  con- 
tained. He  desired  that  theblessfngof  God  might 


Digitized  by 


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June  1, 1861. 


THE  EABTHBN  VS88EL. 


173 


cwt  upon  the  new  aodefy,  and  that  it  might 
prora  ^-ery  useftil  to  the  liatng  genentioii, 


Mr.  Jonir  Blooxfixld,  or  Balem  Chapel. 
Meard'B-ooiirt,  supported  the  resolution.  He  naa 
ecaroely  ever  attended  a  public  meeting  at  which 
he  had  been  more  gratified  than  on  the  present 
oooasion.  He  regaraed  the  formation  of  such  a 
society  with  great  solemnity.  The  importance  of 
right  principles  was  manifest  in  the  life  of  ever/ 
man.  A  man  could  not  live  without  ^rindples^ 
and  his  life  would  be  in  accordance  with  them. 
Tlieir*s  was  an  important  work,  for  thev  had  to 
do  with  souls,  which  were  deatliloBs  as  the  great 
Ood  whom  they  served.  He  did  not  beliere 
either  in  a  religion  which  stood  entirely  in  a  oieed, 
or  in  a  xelimon  that  ignored  one.  He  had  been  a 
member  of  many  societies  professing  neutrally 
on  certain  points,  but  had  disoovered  that*  while 
he  was  bound  to  silence  upon  points  on  which  he 
differed  from  them,  they  maintained  th>ir  right 
to  itttrodttco  the  points  on  which  th^  diflbred 
from  him  as  boldly  and  as  frequently  as  possible. 
He  had  therefore  resolved  not  to  mute  with  any 
•odety  in  which  he  could  not  advocate  the  prin- 
ciples he  loved.  (Cheers.)  He  rejoiced  in  the 
present  movement,  and  trusted  it  would  prosper 
iMqrcnd  their  most  sanguine  expe<^tious. 
<<»eeffs.)  Their  principles  would  never  die.  be- 
cause they  were  in  accordance  with  the  teachings 
of  our  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour.  The  children 
should  be  taught  the  pure  truth  of  Qod;  and 
this  matter  should  be  taken  up  in  the  fear  of  Qod, 
for  without  his  Spirit  we  can  do  nothing.  The 
iqKMtles  ware  feeble  in  themselves ;  but  the  Holy 
9|>irit  gave  them  success;  and  if  ever  we  became 
mighty,  tho  same  Spirit  must  be  with  us.  He 
knew  of  no  reason  on  earth  or  in  heaven  why 
this  Sodety  should  not  be  great  and  successfiil. 

The  resolution  was  carried  unanimously. 

The  collection  was  then  made,  which  amounted 
to  upwards  of  £20. 

Mr.  J.  8.  Ain>BB80ir,  oi  Deptford,  gave  out  the 
aeoondhymn,  commencing^ 

^  "  God  of  eternal  truth  and  love." 

Tlie  second  Besolution  was  moved  by  J. 
Thwaitxs,  Esq.,  which  was  as  follows:-^ 

**  That  the  numerous  and  importsnt  advantages 
of  such  a  Union  of  Particular  Bapti»is,  suimest  the 
neoessi^  of  individual  exertion  by  the  ^aohers 
of  our  Schools^  with  a  view  of  urmng  the  claims 
and  extending  the  influence  of  the  Baptist  Sunday 
fiohool  Union." 

Like  the  preceding  speaker,  he  felt  the  solem- 
nly of  the  present  meeting;  Sevenl  of  chose  who 
had  addressed  the  meeting  had  demonstmted  the 
ntee$nty  for  this  iustitaaon.  The  publications 
circulated  in  their  schools  had  not  been  in  accord- 
ance with  their  denominational  views— hence 
their  desire  to  esfeabUsh  a  society  for  the  publi- 
«ation  of  the  truths  th^  profess  to  love.  There 
was  evefything  to  encourage  the  sodei^  srhich 
had  been  formed;  and  he  trusted  that  the  Bxe- 
cntive  Commitee  would  consist  of  earnest,  busi- 
ness men. 

Their  teachings  must  be  in  accordance  with  the 
tmth :— they  must  be  "  instant  in  season  and  out 
of   season ;''  and  leave  with  God  the  result 


spread  it  by  every  possible  means.    (Applause.) 

Mr.  W.  tUwxiaS,  of  Trinity  Chapel,  seconded 
the  resolution.  He  hoped  that  this  society  would 
be  one  of  the  best  societies  upon  the  fece  of  the 
globe;  for  he  believed  that  Faitioular  Baptists 
were  the  oalv  persons  upon  the  face  of  the  globe 
who  held  tne  doctrines  end  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel  in  their  purity  and  simplicity.  They  had 
a  good  committee  of  men  who  loved  the  truth, 
and  vrare  anxious  to  teach  it  to  the  rising  gener- 
ntlon— of  men  who  had  business  in  their  heads, 
andDivine  grace  in  their  hearts.  TiJdng  a  cur- 
•aory  glance  at  the  statistics  ot  the  PartiocUar  Bap- 


tists, he  proceeded  toshow  the  advantages  of  snob  a 
Union  as  that  which  they  had  met  to  advocate. 
The  ad>mntages  of  cooperation  were  great  for 
they  could  accomplish  by  union,  what  could  not 
be  done  by  individuals.  The  advantages  of  oon«'«- 
tency  were  paramount  They  believed  in  the  ir- 
revocable teachings  oi  Cluristand  his  apostles,  and 
were  bound  to  show  it  by  their  actions.  The  im- 
portance of  this  undertaking  lay  near  his  heart 
In  his  first  endeavours  to  ertablish  this  Society, 
some  had  attempted  to  discoumge  him ;  but  he 
had  proved  them  to  be  false  prophets.  He  was 
still  a  Sundav-school  teacher,  although  his  class 
met  on  Friaay  as  well  as  Sunday.  (Laughter.) 
Loving,  as  a  rarticnlar  Baptist,  the  Bible,  it  was 
inconsistent  to  use  an  erroneous  hjnnn-book,  or 
an  Axmintan  magazine.  They  would  shortly 
have  a  depository.  Brother  Milner  was  prepar- 
ing a  juvenile  catechism;  a  half-penny  maga- 
zine—** Pearls  from  the  Golden  Stieam,*'  con- 
ducted by  one  of  their  friends,  had  been  in  cir- 
culation for  some  time ;  and  it  was  intended  to 
commence  with  the  new  year  a  penny  magazine 
for  the  elder  scholars.  He  concluded  by  exhort- 
ing each  to  do  his  best  to  promote  the  object  the> 
had  In  view;  and  expressed  his  firm  belief  that 
God  would  crown  the  Union  with  lus  blessing. 
(LoudcheerL) 

Mr.  PsLia.  of  Soho  Chapel,  supported  the 
resolution.  He  expressed  great  pleasure  in  beiug 
present,  and  in  seeing  so  goodly  a  number  of 
teachers  and  superintendents  there.  It  had  been 
well  said  that  Sabbath-schools  were  the  backbone 
of  Old  Bngland ;  for  he  believed  that  she  would 
not  have  stood  so  firmly  but  for  them.  Philoso- 
phy, arts,  and  sciences,  were  very  useful  in  their 
way,  but  the  Sabbath-school  was  not  the  place 
for  them.  The  Bible  was  the  book  for  the  Sab- 
bath-school. The  resolution  expressed  the  im- 
portance of  individual  exertion  on  the  part  of  Par- 
ticular Baptists.  He  referred  to  the  frequent  per- 
version of  the  term  THrticuiart  and  was  glad  to 
find  that  the  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union  con- 
sisted onlj'of  Particular  Strict  Ommitniou  Bap- 
tistt.  He  referred  to  the  Norwich  and  Bamsgate 
Chapel  Cases,  as  illustrating  the  distinction 
which  was  now  made  between  these  terms.  This 
Union  was  not  antagonistic  to  the  Sunday  School 
Union ;  yet  while  they  were  greatly  indebted  to 
that  institution,  there  was  an  urgent  necessity  for 
a  Strict  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union.  All  sects 
were  now  strenuously  maintaining  their  denomi- 
national distinctions,  yet  theStriots  Baptists  were 
styled  bigots  for  domg  the  same  ttting !  He 
hoped  tliat  every  strict  Baptist  would  use  his  ut- 
most endeavours  to  support  the  Baptist  Sunday 
School  Union,  and  with  God's  help  he  would  do 
his  part  (Loud  cheers.) 

The  resolution  was  carried  unanin^ously. 

Mr.  Glaskik.  of  Providence  Chapel,  Islington, 
moved  the  third  Besolution,  viz. :~ 

*'That  tills  Meeting  desires  to  impress  upon  the 
churches  and  Sabbath-schools  of  the  denomi- 
nation^the  importance  of  prayer  for  the  blessing 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  ''  that  they  may  all  be  one"  hi 
this  endeavour  to  preserve  the  pmnitive  simpli- 
city of  '■  tnc  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.^' 

He  deeply  sympathized  with  the  sentiments  of 
the  pre%ious  speakerai  He  was  neither  afraid  nor 
ashamed  of  the  principles  upon  which  this  Union 
was  based,  and  was  proud  to  ha\'e  had  his  name 
upon  the  first  circulars  it  liad  issued.  He  hoi>ed 
this  society  would  have  the  support  of  their  min- 
isterial brethren.  The  sentiments  of  the  resolu- 
tion were  of  vital  importance  to  the  cliarocter,  the 
motives,  and  the  success  of  the  society.  He  would 
have  been  happy  to  have  offered  a  few  reroarlui 
upon  the  necessity  of  prayer  to  the  Holy  Spirit 
and  tlie  means  which  should  be  used  to  iead  the 
young  in  the  paths  of  truth  and  virtue ;  but  time 
admonished  him  to  forbear.  They  must  endea- 
vour to  teach  the  children  the  importance  ot 
prayer.  He  concluded  by  wishing  the  society 
much  success.    (Cheers.) 


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THB  EABTfiXN  VXfiBXL. 


Jnnel,  1M4. 


Ur.  O.  Wyabd,  of  Betfwsda  Cluipcil,  Bt  Laks's, 
thought  that  the  rMoIution  mvit  com  mend  itself 
toeveiy  ChrietiAn  present.  He  wm  not  a  member 
of  themciety,  althoagh  he  had  been  present  at  its 
Unt  meeting;  but  he  wished  it  every  saooese ;  and 
BOW  that  he  iiad  aooepted  a  pastonte  in  London. 
iHierehe  hoped  to  remain  comfortably,  hehaa 
no  doubt  he  would  soon  beeome  a  memoer  of  the 
•odety;  for  as  the  superintendent  and  some  of 
the  teaehera  of  his  riiool  were  present^  he  thought 
he  should  Itave  no  dii&culty  in  persuading  them 
to  join  it.  He  considered  the  society  in  eveiy 
way  consistent  with  their  riews  and  practice. 
He  had  been  piaoed  in  a  similar  position  to  that 
to  which  brother  Bloomfield  rwerred ;  but  he 
desired  to  hare  the  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth.  He  had  been  pleased  with  brother  Haw- 
kins's labours  for  many  years,  and  was  glad  that 
he  had  been  the  means  of  starting  the  society. 
He  had  great  pleasure  in  eeoondingtBe  resolution, 
which  was  put  by  the  Chairman,  and  carried 
nnanimouriy. 

Mr.  WooDABD  moved,  and  Mr.  Hawkiks  se* 
conded  the  fourth  Resolution,  viz^ 

'*  That  the  conlial  thanks  of  this  Meeting  be 
hereby  presented  to  the  President,  Henry  Oooper, 
Bsg.,  fat  his  efficient  services  as  Chairman.** 

The  resolution  was  carried  unanimously;  and 
briefly  acknowledged  by  the  Chairman. 

Alter  singing  the  well-known  doxology— 

"Alay  the  grace  of  Christ  our  Saviour,** 
the  meeting  separated. 

SCOTItAHB. 

I  was  much  interested  in  pasaing  by  the  EHan- 
gowan  estate,  where  Meg  iferrilees  is  said,  by 
the  Ute  Sir  Walter  Scott,  to  have  frightened  the 
good  Domine  Sampson,  and  vrtiers  somany  otber 
still  more  singular  events  than  that  I  have  referred 
to  transpired  *  long,  long  ago."  We  halted  a 
little  to  give  our  torsea  rest  at  a  locality  whieh 
alTorded  me  the  opportunity  ofgacing  over  the 
suroing  waves  of  the  sea  towards  Wigtown,  on  the 
sands  of  whieh  town,  in  the  days  of  the  blood- 
stained malignant  Claverfaonse,  ruthless  perseen- 
orabouud  to  a  stake  driven  deep  in  the  sands  the 
body  of  that  oonmgeons  disciple  of  Jesus,  the 
lovely  young  Margaiec  Wilson,  and  left  her  there 
till  she  was  submerged  by  the  rising  tide.  Witli 
her  an  old  disciple  similarly  traatecH  mounted  up 
to  the  leal  land  of  purity  and  peace.  After 
dropping  a  sympathizing  tear  over  the  suffiBrings 
of  those lieroic  ones,  who  in  those  dark  times  so 
**  flrmly  stood  and  sealed  Christ's  doctrines  with 
their  vital  blood/*  we  passed  on  to  Creetown,and 
in  addition  to  the  rich  enjoyment  we  realized  at 
the  meeting,  we  greatly  enjoyed  the  com- 
pany of  the  Bev.  J.  Brown,  who  entertained 
us  in  first  class  style  at  his  comfortable  manse. 

In  order  to  reach  our  next  engagement  we  had 
to  pass  through 

THE  CIT7  OF  aUkSOOW, 
which  dty  rerainded  me  more  of  London  than 
any  dty  I  have  yet  seen.  Here  we  spent  a 
Sabbath  day ;  here  we  closed  the  year  IMS.  As 
I  wandered  through  the  streets  of  this  tity  I 
beheld  scenes  of  squalid  misery,  aye  even  in  the 
shadow  of  the  magaifloentold  oathedral,  surpass-^ 
ittg  anvthing  I  have  witnessed  in  the  metropolitan 
d^of  my  native  land. 

The  Qathedml  Church,  one  service  of  which  I 
attended,  is  certainly  one  of  the  moat  singularly 
beautifal  eodesiastical  structuree  I  have  as  yet 
visited.  Bvevy  window  is  indeed  **  most  richly 
difffat,**  and  the  rich  eclors  reflected  by  the 
whiter^  son  on  the  massive  pillan  made  the  in- 
terior of  this  sanctuary  look  indescribably  beau- 
tiful. We  deMwnded  into  the  Orrpts  beneath  the 
chofav  If  it  be  right  to  apply  such  a  term  to  any 
part  of  a  Prediyterifln  edifloe,  and  fonnd  all  the 
windows     there     as     richly    oi 


in    the    dioir 
a   fte 

plate  of  bvaas  has  been  inlaid,  lies  low  in 
the  ground  the  onee  stalwart  body  of  that  vegnariE- 
able  man  ttie  late  Edward  Irving;  on  whoae  noble 
head,  which  waa  covend  with  vravy  raven  looks, 
falling  in  ringlets  upon  his  maaiive  8hoQldev%  I 
used  to  gaaein  the  days  of  my  youth,  whilst  I 
listened  to  his  norgeous  desoriptioDs  of  Hewven, 
and  his  fearftal  dennndationa  of  every  kind  of 


red  with. 


in  thdr  teaohings  that  inteUeofcoally  stalwait 
teadier  who  went  all  round  about  from  Jemanlem 
to  Illjnioum  than  did  Bdward  Irving.  It  is  tn» 
he  had  weaknesses,  who  has  not?  But  notwithr 
standing  all  his  mental  wanderings  he  sailed 
mafeatically  into  the  port  of  peaoe  at  last,  -^ 
ingjustas  the  "port  was  '  '  "  '"-* 
djdng  I  am  the  LordV*  B 
as  one  otwerves;  **  splendid  rites  of  i  . 
all  dasses  sorrowingly  followed  him  to 
last  quiet  resting  place,  and  his  old  and  honored 
oo-pastor,  the  lato  Dr.  Thomas  Chalmen.  delivend 
for  him  a  funeral  sermon,  the  eftoot  of  whieh  is 
not  yet  fiorgottan.  His  sun  of  life  setearlv.  Heonly 
wandered  forty-two  years  aver  the  suraoe  of  tlus 
aoeldama  ot  sin,  snflering  and  misery.  He,  hew- 
ever,  lived  ianff  after  all,  and  suoh  a  life  maikcd 
by  such  **  wealth  of  love  and  lofty  endeavoar," 
could  not,  as  one  has  observed,  ^*  be  vrasted.'* 

When  I  sat  down  tolisten  toall  connected  with 
a  Sabbath  morning  service  in  the  glorious  old 
eathedral,  I  eonld  nanily  persuade  mysdf  I  waa 
within  such  a  building.  Ko  organ  pe^s  fbvth  its 
trumpet  or  Its  flute  notea  within  its  walls;  bae 
we  find  no  snrplioed  priests,  no  cringing  vesj^pen, 
everything  that  is  done  is  marked  by  a  dunplualgr 
and  idainness  which  exdtes  surprise  in  the  mind 
of  a  southerner.  The  singing  was  anything  but 
agreeable  to  my  ears,  and  the  sermon,  whieh  was 
read  by  a  plain-looking  young  sprig  of  divinity, 
thougn  it  eontained  some  good  things,  waa  read 
in  so  drawling  a  tone^  that!  was  really  thsnklU 
when  **  all  was  over  and  done/' 

The  Necropolis  nearby  the  Cathedral  is  indeed 
acity  ofmagniflcanttombs.  The  statue  of  that 
fiery  old  refbrmer  who  struck  most  voughW  i 
a  chord  in  the  heart  of  the  beantiful  UIh 
Queen  Mary,  towers  above  them  all,  and  uiitimn 
to  emulate  Heaven  with  ito  simmiit.  At  its  baas 
I  saw  the  monumental  tombs  erected  to  eom- 
memotatethe  rirtues  of  that  prof ou&dphilos»> 
pher.  Dr.  Dick ;  that  in  honour  of  Dr.  Wardlaw,. 
by  whose  instrumentality  I  was  first  led  to  tiilnk 
seriously  about  the  religion  of  Jcwia  Wealaa 
saw  the  manumental  bust  of  Dr.  Mo^Nish,  author 
of  "The  Philosophy  of  Sleep,"  in  firat  the  plaee 
is  crowded  with  sculpture  of  the  most  pleasing 
character. 

On  the  Sabbath  I  ment  in  Olasgow  Ifonndoat, 
after  I  had  been  at  the  Cathedral,  the  Ohiqwl,  i» 
which  an  earnest  yoiug  brother  olBdatea,  of  the 
nam»4>f  Medhnrst;  one  of  Ur,  C.  H.  SpuxgeoB% 
first  stadent8,-the  /Int  I  believe  that  studied 
under  his  auspices.  The  Cliapel,  or  Chatreh  aa 
they  call  it^  la  a  very  eommodious  and  well  fitted 
up  sanctuary,  and  is  dtuated  in  North  Frederick 
street  On  reaching  the  Chapel  just  at  the  dose 
of  the  motiiiBg  service,  I  found  Mr.  Medhunt 
had  been  immerdng  several  bdievera.  I  had 
iust  time  to  shake  hands  with  him  and  promifle 
by  his  earnest  request  to  preach  to  his  people  in 
the  afteraoon.  On  reaching  the  Ohapd  at  two 
p.m.  I  found  two  bowls  piaoed  in  the  vestibule  of 
the  building  for  the  reception  of  the  voluntary 
ofllerings  oithe  people  on  entering  the  smctnaiy. 
a  praenee  common  throughout  Sootiand.  I  waa 
pteased  to  see  a  five  pound  note  l3ing  in  one  of 
the  bowls,  and  I  was  still  more  gratified  to  find  a 
large  congregation  assembled  in  the  Chapet  I 
spoke  to  the  people  on  **  Christ  the  stTong  hafait> 
aticn  of  the  bdiever,  and  the  safety  of  the  eleotiflift 
of  grace  in  Kim  ;**  with  something  like  the  flna- 
dom  of  days  gone  by,  and  at  the  dose  of  the  ao^ 


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THE  EARTHEK  VESSEL. 


175 


In  the  evening  I  heard  Mr.  If  edhurst  presoh  a 
sonnon  characterised  by  all  the  eansestocaB  of  his 
late  paBtor,  and  on  retiring  from  the  home  of 
nrayer  I  think  I  had  reason  to  hope  that  1  was 
^  a  day's  march  nearer  home.** 

Thx  WAimsRSR. 


ZZOH    OHAPBIi,    DBPTFOBD. 

ULYVM  THE  MUfOBUX  STOW  OF   THE  ITXW 
SfTXDAY  fCHQCLS. 

Tkx  ceremony  of  Uying  the  memorial  stones  of 
the  new  sdiool  rooms  connected  with  the  church 
at  Zion  Chapel,  Deptford,  took  place  on  Bfonday, 
Uay,  9th,  1864.  In  the  aitemoon,  a  namber  of 
friends  assembled  on  the  grounds  behind  the 
chapel.  A  hymn  having  been  sung,  George 
Thomas  Congrere^  Esq.,  ofPeck  ham,  proceeded  to 
lav  the  stone  of  the  boys*  school.  In  the  course 
Of  a  vary  pointed  and  appropriate  addre«s,  he 
aaid  he  wondered  why  they  had  not  attended  to 
ihia  before,— seeing  children  meeting  in  chapels 
for  sohool  purposes  was  rery  bad  in  a  variety  of 
ways ;  one  of  which  was  the  great  injury  of  pro- 
petty.  The  "boys*  stone"  was  then  adjusted, 
and  Ur.  Congreve  pronounced  it  **■  truly  and  pro- 
perly laid,"  The  inscription  reads  thus :— "  That 
our  sons  may  be  as  plants  srown  up  in  their 
yooth.  This  stone  was  laid  oy. Geo.  The.  Con- 
greve, Esq.  May  9tb,  1864."  Another  hymn  was 
aung.  The  second  stone  was  laid  by  Thomas 
pillow,  Esq.,  who  was  introduced  by  Mr.  George 
Wyard.  In  a  speech  of  intelligence,  Mr.  Pillow 
oontraated  the  present  state  of  this  country  with 
the  past;  the  present  enlightenment  in  some 
measnre  might  be  traced,  under  the  blessing  of 
Ckxi,  to  Sabbath-scliool  teaching.  The  speaker 
took  a  hasty  fflanoe  at  the  immense  good  result- 
ing from  Sabbath-schools;  and  thought  there 
waa  plenty  of  room  for  the  building  of  such 
rooms  as  they  had  that  day  assembled  to  oom- 
naence.  Mr.  Pillow  then  laid  the  stone,  upon 
which  was  insoribed,—'*  That  our  daughters  may 
be  as  oomer  stones^  polished  after  the  similitud'e 
of  a  palace."  Tea  waa  provided  in  tlie  chapel. 
In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was  held>  Mr 
Anderson  was  in  the  chair.  Mr.  George  wyard 
implored  the  Divine  blessing  npon  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  evening. 

Mr.  Hawkins,  of  Trinity  chapel,  delivered  an 
addresa  upon  the  great  importance  of  Bunday- 
•ohool  instruction :  it  was  a  great  national  bles- 
sing, illustrating  it  b^  several  lively  anecdote*. 
Toung  people  should  help  in  this  glorious  work. 
With  reference  to  the  movement  attended  to  that 
day,  thev  had  laid  thoee  memorial  stones ;  but 
who  could  tell  the  good  that  would  result  before 
«bciy  are  taken  down.  He  considered  there  was 
no  system  eqnal  to  it  in  the  country :  he  believed 
more  fullv  in  the  efficiency  of  this  work 
than  people  generally  did.  To  illustrate  the 
pvfnt,  Mr.  Hawkins  said,  in  a  small  sohool  there 
wta  a  little  deformed  girl  whose  father  was  an 
infldel.  This  girl  became  very  ill;  the  father 
was  exceedingly  fond  of  his  aflfieted  child .  On 
one  oocasico,  the  ftither,  on  entering  her  cham- 
ber, saw  she  looked  fast  sinking.  Seeing  she  had 
the  Bible  reading,  be  said,  **  I  am  afraid  that  is 
too  much  for  yon;  it  is  too  tiring.*'  She  said. 
**  It  waa;  woaid  he  read  it  for  herr*  Reluctantly 
he  consented.  Tliat  part  was  read  where  the 
Master  says  He  goes  to  prepare  a  place  for  His 
people.  The  little  girl  spoke  to  her  father  of 
what  her  teacher  had  told  her  of  the  love  of  i?od, 
and  then  said,  *'  I^tlier,  shall  I  pray  Jemis  to 
prepare  a  place  for  youT*  Oh  I  His  love,  to 
come  down  »n^  die  for  such  unworthy  wretched 
things  as  we  are!  Those  little  thin  hands  were 
then  clasped  together^  and  the  feeble  voice,  al- 
most gone  fwith  the  mfldel  father  kneeling  be- 
side the  bea\  the  little  one  pleaded  at  the  throne 
of  grace  for  tier  father— that  fkther  who  had  not 


read  the  Bible  Ibr  so  many  yean-abe  pleaded 
that  Jesus  would  prepare  aplaee  for  him.  That 
prayer  was  answered.  The  little  deformed 
scholar  went  to  heaven ;  and  the  teacher  who 
had  spoken  to  her  of  Qod*s  love,  had,  instead  of 
the  little  one,  the  &ther,  who  came  to  the  school. 
Ittstrumentaily  through  the  Sunday-school,  this 
little  girl,  her  father,  and  her  mother  were 
brought  to  know  Divine  things  for  themselves. 

Mr.  Anderson  observed  tliat  the  new  school- 
rooms would  aeoojuDodate  300  children ;  he  felt 
with  Mr.  Congreve^  that  children  meeting  in  the 
ehapel  not  only  injured  the  property,  but  had  a 
tendency  to  lessen  the  esteem  in  the  e3'cs  of  the 
children  for  the  house  of  God.  Tlie  cost  would  be 
about  £420.  They  had  received  up  to  the  present 
time  £2ftO  18s.  8d.,  inclusive  of  the  moneys  that 
were  put  on  the  stones  in  the  aitemoon. 

Mr.  Palmer  delivered  a  speech  with  his  usual 
ability.  Mr.  Meeres  gave  a  pleasing  address. 
Mr.  Griffiths  r^oiced  with  them  in  the  move* 
ment,  and  was  glad  to  see  his  brother  Anderson 
there.  Mr.  Thomas  Jones  delivered  a  most  ex- 
cellent address.  Mr.  Bland  and  Mr.  George 
Wyard  also  spoke.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  last- 
named  gentleman's  address,  he  read  some  very 
appropriate  poetry  oomposed  by  himself  for  the 
occasion.  The  boiediotion  cloMd  these  liappy 
proceedings. 

LITTLB  STONHAK.— Wandering  round 
and  about,  up  and  down  the  county  of  Suffolk, 
among  people  large  and  small,  some  trul3'  re- 
ligious in  the  best  sense  of  the  term,  but  many 
profane,  it  is  the  lot  of  the  writer  to  observe  the 
movements  of  men  and  the  aspect  of  the  times  in 
which  we  live  in  this  psrt  of  the  wurld.  Amongst 
men,  many  profess  out  evidently  don't  really 
possess  the  one  thing  needful  to  salvation. 
Amongst  mtaiisters,  some  feel  very  large  and  tall 
in  their  own  esteem,  while  most  other  people 
see  them  very  short  and  small.  Some  know  their 
own  littleness,  and  shine  in  the  garment  of  hu- 
mility, bdoved,  esteemed,  and  honoured  by  their 
fellow  pilflrims.  Some  of  the  Baptist  canses  are 
happy  ana  prosperous,  being  nnclogged  and  un- 
fettered ftom  the  tyrannical  rule  and  malignant 
influence  of  those  who  seem  to  think  themselves 
the  reservoirs  of  all  that  is  good  and  useful,  and 
without  whose  consent  and  word  of  command 
nobody  else  may  move.  It  appears  an  undeniable 
fact  that  if  one  really  wishes  to  spend  a  happy 
day  with  God's  people,  so  as  to  evjofy  the  80ciet>' 
of  genuine  Christianity,  he  must  thread  his  way 
through  this  bustling  world,  and  ferret  out  a  fe^* 
oftheiiOrd*s  poor  outcasts  and  hiddoi  ones  in 
some  quiet  and  perhaps  out  of  the  way  comer, 
where  that  praise  which  glorifies  God  is  oflJered, 
and  inward  as  well  as  visible  prosperity  is  enjoyed 
in  answer  to  fervent  supplications  continual^ 
uprising  to  the  God  of  all  grace,  where  the  prayers 
of  the  people  and  the  preaching  of  the  minister 
are  evidently  going  together.  Such  a  people  and 
minister  in  such  a  place  were  found  on  May  18th, 
at  Little  Stonham.  On  entering  the  verj'  nicely 
improved,  but  rather  badly  ventilated  chapel,  we 
found  ourselves  amongst  a  numerous  gathering 
of  friends,  the  new  gallery  free  from  debt  and 
fnlly  occupied  with  people;  Caleb  Broom,  the 
beloved  and  successful  pastor,  reading  thehynms. 
James  Bearing,  of  Crowfield,  looked  like  many 
more,  a  very  warm  but  satisfied  listener.  Mr. 
Hoddy,  of  Horham,  occupied  the  pulpit,  who  in 
his  afbnnoon  sermon  from  Malachi  iv.  2.  seemed 
to  revel  and  bask  in  the  beauties  and  glories  of 
the  Sun  of  righteomness.  About  300  partook  of  a 
comfortable  tea.  In  the  evening  the  place  was 
again  filled,  while  the  same  minister  shewed  forth 
the  fVee,  sovereign,  softening,  melting,  fertilizio^ , 

rdness  of  the  grace  of  God,  f^rom  Psalm  Ixxii. 
Caleb  Broom  appears  to  be  gathering  many 
kind-hearted  friends  around  him,  but  bis  path- 
way is  not  wholly  covered  with  roses ;  his  very 
neat  good  wife  has  been  very  ill  Jl$  aa  to  canse 


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176 


THE  SAETHEN  YESSEL. 


June  1.I8M. 


serious  appx«hieii8ioo»;  but  now  is  a  little  nlU-- 
inir.  May  the  Lord  grsclously  restore  her  tor 
her  dear  Amily's  sake,  if  His  righteous  will.  Tlie 
newly-established  Sunday  school  is  working 
well,  and  the  church  increases  in  numbers.  The 
▼oioe  of  the  turtle  and  the  time  for  the  singing  of 
birds  is  come  after  many  days  of  gloom  and  dark- 
ness ;  that  such  maybe  the  like  blessings  to  many 
sister  churches,  prays  A  Fsbbli  Okic. 

8TOWMABXBT.— The  first  anniversary 
of  Mr.  Clark's  pastorate  was  held  on  Whit-Tues- 
<lay.  Nay  17.  Unavoidable  circumstances  pre- 
vented its  being  held  earlier.  Mr.  Wilkina.  of 
Ipswich,  preached  a  sermon  in  the  afternoon,  full 
of  the  glory  of  Jesus,  as  revealed  in  the  Gospel 
from  S  Corinthians  ili.  and  last  verse,  after  which 
about  130  partook  of  tea  provided  in  the  chapel. 
The  evening  service  began  at  a  quarter  to  seven ;  a 
good  company  of  friends  were  gathered  tosjether, 
and  their  countenance  seemed  to  bespeak  delight 
and  pleasure.  After  some  appropriate  remarks 
by  the  pastor,  Mr.  Caleb  Broom,  of  Little  Stonham, 
delivered  a  weighty  and  solemn  address.  Mr. 
Clark  rehearsed  some  of  the  Lord's  goodness 
shewn  since  his  first  visit  in  September,  1862,  liis 
becoming  the  pastor  in  April,  1863,  and  to  the 
present  ume.  He  said  he  felt  at  home  with  the 
rriends  at  Stowmarket,  and  had  enjoyed  the 
presence  of  the  Master  .n  preaching  the  word;, 
proofs  also  have  been  given  of  the  sealmg  witnesses 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Be  boasted  not,  nor  spake 
swelling  words  t3  mislead  the  public  mind.  Ac- 
cessions as  to  numbers  have  not  been  \'ery 
numerous ;  the  churoh  was  formed  in  December, 
1862,  of  fifty-lour  members,  it  now  numbers 
seventy-three.  One  dear  sister  is  gone  home  to 
ffloiy,  and  one  has  left  to  join  a  churoh  at  a  dis- 
^ce.  Peace  abides  in  the  churoh,  and  heai-t- 
union  evidently  exists  between  pastor  and  people. 
Mr.  Wilkinsthen  came  fon^ard  with  a  speech  full 
of  anm'p«rjartes,  lively,  appropriate,  and  interest- 
ing: birthday  anniversaries,  wedding  auniver- 
saries^  also  anniversaries  of  the  death  of  friends 
near  and  beloved,  anniversaries  of  events  solemn 
and  important,  then  came  the  present  anniver- 
sary of  the  pastor's  settlem^it  here;  he  told  an 
interesting  tale  of  a  pastor  who  "came  to  stop." 
Then  in  an  eloquent,  scriptural,  and  instructive 
address,  in  Itmguage  noble  in  its  simplicity'  and 
plainness,  he  dwelt  upon  the  anniversary'  of  what 
IB  called  Whitsuntide,  shewing  forth  the  wave 
offering  and  harvest  home  of  Israel  in  ancient 
days ;  then  the  beauty,  gloi^',  and  success  on  the 
day  of  Pentecost,  when  the  Holy  Spirit  descended 
with  wondrous  power,  and  large  accessions  were 
made  to  the  churdi.  He  tola  his  audience  he 
should  be  free  and  easy,  and  he  kept  his  word ; 
his  language  was  telling,  plain,  3^et  talented.  Mr. 
Wilkins  is  favored  with  tact  and  manner  in  de- 
livering an  address  above  many  of  his  brethren, 
and  which  cannot  fail  to  win  the  affection  as  well 
as  attention  of  his  hearers.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  a  collection  was  made,  which,  together 
with  the  profits  of  the  tea,  are  to  be  presented  to 
the  esteemed  pastor,  as  a  token  of  the  affectionate 
regard  of  the  people  of  his  charge.  Other  minis- 
ters would  have  been  present,  but  beins  altogether 
an  anniversary  season,  were  prexmtea. 

Av  Obskbvkb. 

CHEVITSTONE,  DEVON.— The  anni- 
venary  services  in  connection  with  Ford  Chajiel 
Sunday  Scliool  were  held  on  Whit-Monday, 
when  two  sermons  were  preached  by  Mr.  B.  B. 
Wale,  minister  of  Trinity  Chapel,  Plymouth. 
There  was  a  good  attendance,  and  the  word 
seemed  to  be  much  enjoyed.  A  goodly  number 
sat  down  to  tea  between  the  services.  We  regret 
to  add  that  the  esteemed  and  beloved  pastor.  Mr. 
Horton,  whose  labours  the  Lonl  has  specially 
blessed,  still  continues  too  unwell  to  preach, 
though  a  hope  is  entertained  that  he  will  be  able 
to  resume  his  labours  before  long. 


•WB-TC^TTPQlf-—  Why  tlie  deocou  was  dia- 


cause  at  Bond  street  This  chapel  is  said  to  be 
most  unique,  convenient,  and  even  bandaome. 
Mr.  Olaslun's settlement  there  is  anticipated  with 
great  pleasure  by  many.  The  effect  of  the  great 
orator  in  Queen  Square  upon  the  good  man  who 
swims  as  fisr  and  as  fast  as  possible^  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at.  It  is  only  by  sticking  fast  to  that 
truth  which  God  makes  powerfiil  in  a  man's  soul, 
that  any  minister  can  hontstfy  stand  the  tug  and 
tear  of  the  changing  elements  of  this  time-state. 
The  man  who  was  trained  up  in  a  place  where 
triltth  was  proclaimed  but  not  practised,  will  soon 
see  that  the  simple  truth  of  the  Gospel,  in  these 
days,  will  not  do  in  a  town  like  Brighton,  nnless 
he  has  a  living  spring  in  his  sOul,  which  will  re- 
fresh and  confirm,  eaif^  and  comfort  the  Lord's 
people  in  tlie  truth  of  their  own  salvation.  If 
people  ask  us  how  it  is  Mr.  Grace  stands  so  well, 
our  answer  is.  first,  he  came  from  two  influential 
houses  -Mr.  Vinairs  pulpit  made  him  as  a  minis- 
ter many  friends,  and  secured  to  him  a  good  con- 
nection :  and  his  connection  in  business  with  that 
immense  Brighton  establishment,  also  gave  him 
an  extensive  influence.  Beside  all  this,  secondly, 
he  is  a  linng  minister  of  real  Christian  experi- 
ence. He  has  no  flowing  eloquence ;  he  has  no 
oipaoious  mental  powers ;  but  he  has  proof,  and 
gives  evidence  of  the  truth  of  Solomon's  words, 
^  The  words  of  wise  men  are  heard  in  quiet  more 
than  the  cry  of  him  that  ruleth  among  fools.**  Id 
the  experience  of  salvation,  Mr.  Graced  ministtr 
stands :  there  he  is  useful.  Many  of  the  weak 
and  trembling,  who  visit  Brighton,  go  to  West 
street,  and  they  declare  that  the  Lord  meets  with 
them  there :  they  receive  the  testimony  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  their  consciences,  and  that  is  more 
to  them  than  all  the  pompous  swellings  of  men, 
whether  they  stand  in  the  letter  ol  truth  or  in 
systems  of  a  mere  evangelical  philosophy.  More 
and  more  are  we  convinced— 

The  Spirit,  like  some  heavenly  wind, 
Blows  WHEN  and  woere  He  please. 
He  is  only  limited  by  the  enactments  ot 
the  everlasting  covenant  of  atonement:  by 
the  ^  redemption  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  : 
wherever  there  is  a  vessel  of  mercy,  wherever 
there  is  a  soul  on  whose  lintel  is  placed 
the  blood  of  atonement,  the  Spirit  will  act  directly 
contrary  to  the  destroying  angel  in  the  land  of 
Eg>'pt;  for  while  that  angel  passed  over  those 
houses  where  that  blood  was  seen,  the  Holy  Spirit 
will  enter  in,  and  will  so  secretly  and  certainly 
bless  the  souls  in  those  blood-besprinklod  habita- 
tions, thut  they  will  rejoice  in  God,  and  love  th« 
instrument  through  whom  the  blesshig  came. 
We  thank  our  correspondents  for  all  favors.  W** 
will  give  the  exact  names,  times,  and  places  of  all 
faithful  men,  if  favorable. 

SIBLE  HEDINOHAlflC.- Br-  Bb.  Bjlhk5. 
—I  have  been  a  reader  of  The  Eajithrm  Vesbxl, 
and  speaking  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  years, 
but  have  not  been  called  upon  before  this  to  send 
a  piece  for  your  VesseIu  On  Tuesday.  8rd  Mav, 
we  held  a  meeting  at  Sible  Hedingham,  for  the 
laying  foundation  stone  of  a  new  chapel.  Our 
God,  who  is  the  hearer  and  answerer  of  prayer, 
heard  our  cry,  and  gave  us  a  most  "delightful 
afternoon.  The  service  commenced  by  our  voung 
brother  Cook,  of  Braintree,  giving  out  a  hymn, 
wherein  Christ  was  made  the  sure  foundatiwi 
stone  on  which  the  church  is  built;  after  which 
brother  Seacock  offered  solemn  prayer.  Brother 
Powell  gave  a  good  address  to  the  people^  and 
read  a  piece  out  of  .Vlr.  Mote's  book,  called  '*  Th<- 
new  trust  deed,"  in  order  that  the  people  might 
kinaw  upon  what  principle,  tlie  chapel  was  to  i>e 
built,  and  put  in  trust  for  the  ParUcnilwr  Bapti»t» 
for  ever.  Our  brother  Whorlow.  of  Sudbury,  wa» 
appointed  to  li^'  ^be  foundation  stone,  on  which 


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Jnne  1, 1864. 


THE  EAATH£N  VESSEL. 


177 


wa<  enflraved.  ^  Fartioular  Baptist  Chisel,  f otm- 
dation  stoae  laid  May  Srd,  1864."  Our  brothw 
Whorlow  gave  a  very  appropriate  addrets:  the 
Lord  the  Spirit  made  it  a  blewingto  the  people. 
The  BtoDe  being  laid,  brother  Whoriow  placed  a 
sovereign  on  it,  which  was  followed  by  others 
patting  on,  until  the  sum  reached  £4  8s.  lOd.  ▲ 
nymnbeing sung, brother  Kemp,  of  Olemsfbrd, 
wno  was  to  apeak  upon  the  name  of  the  chapel, 
^'Rbhoboth,  gave  a  good  address,  whioh 
was  well  received.  Prayer  being  ofltered  by  my- 
self, the  service  of  lay&ig  the  stone  ended,  we 


proceeded  to  a  good  tea,  whieh  was  given  gratis 
by  the  friends,  and  the  proceeds  of  it  went  to« 
waxds  the  building.    Kearly  two  hundred  sat 


down  to  tea;  the  net  profit  amounted  to  £8  2s. 
A  hymn  was  sung  and  prayer  ofiered  by  brother 
Whoriow.  The  evening  meeting  was  addressed  by 
brethren  Cook,  of  Biamtree,  Huck,  of  Earl's  Colne, 
Whoriow,  of  Sudbury,  Beaoock,  Powell,  &c;  all 
seemed  at  home.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  did  send 
the  word  with  divine  power :  many  did  testify 
that  the  word  was  blessed.  The  meeting  broke 
up  between  nine  and  toa,  and  a  collection  making 
in  all  £13  8b.  4d.,  besides  £31 159.  lOd.  colle<^ 
before,  making  a  total  of  £44  I8s.  8d. ;  thus  ended 
one  of  the  most  blessed  meetings  that  have  been 
known  in  Hedingham  for  some  time.  Should 
this  be  read  by  any  who  are  blessed  with  this 
world's  goods,  the  Lord  dispose  them  to  help  us 
poor  at  Hedingham,  who  much  need  a  place 
where  the  truth  may  be  preached.  Donations 
will  be  thankfully  receivedby  Mr.  A.  E.  Bowtell, 
gfooer,  Yeldham,  Essex,  or  by  myself,  John 
Wheeler,  of  High  street,  Braintree. 


8Xn>B017BN«--MB.  Bditob,— To  the  honor 
of  otir  covenant,  Ood  and  Father.  I  give  outline  of 
a  meeting  held  on  Whit  Monday,  at  our  new 
chapel,  at  Sndbonm.  In  aftcarnoon  brother 
Ckwding  preached  a  blessed  discourse  from  the 
words  **/esu*  only."  It  was  soul-cheering  and 
Qod-honouring.  The  chapel  was  well  filled. 
After  tea  our  brotlier  Baker  (from  Tunstall) 
preached  fh>m  *' Though  I  vraak  through  the 
vall^,*  fte.  Many  of  the  Tunstall  friends,  and 
tbeiralngersylentusahelpinffhand.  I  can  say  my 
cup  ran  aver,  yea,  we  were  nivored  to  realise  the 
language  of  Isaiah  the  piophet,  "  The  wilderness 
and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  them,  and 
the  desert  shall  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose." 
What  service  can  be  compared  to  the  service  of 
our  Ood  9  In  regard  to  money  matters,  we 
realised  in  the  evening  by  collections,  cards,  money 
promised  at  the  opening,  Ac.,  about  £10.  Yes, 
sir,  and  I  must  tell  you  that  since  I  have  been 
writing  this  to  yon,  a  gentleman  fi&r  advanced  in 
liiiB,  who  has  been  known  many  years  for  his 
liberality  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  sent  me  the  noble 
sum  of  ten  pounds,  I  felt  truly  overcome^  and 
wept  for  joy.  Surely  my  old  friend's  prayer  was 
soon  answered  that  he  put  up  on  my  behalf  on 
Lord's  day  last  My  wife  heard  the  dear  old  man 
so  earnestly  pmying  the  Lord  to  appear  for  his 
d4>ar  minister,  and  send  him  some  help  from 
some  quarter,  that  I  might  be  preserved  from 
getting  into  diflionlty  in  r^ard  to  the  building, 
ibr  I  had  told  the  people  I  wanted  £30,  £10  for 
the  bricklayer  and  £10  for  the  deal  merchant. 
On  the  Monday,  through  the  goodness  of  Ckxl  in 
disposing  the  hearts  of  friends  to  assist  us,  we 
realised  £lo,  or  nearly  to,  and  the  Lord  sent  £lO 
on  the  same  day,  which  was  brought  to  me  on 
the  Tuesday  morning.  Oh,  how  good  is  my  CKmI 
to  me  I  In  addition  to  this,  I  woidd  say  that  we 
are  abont  to  make  a  baptistry ;  our  friends  have 
wrought  well  and  collected  the  money  for  it  be- 
fore it  is  begnn.  so  that  no  addition  be  made  to 
the  debt,  and  I  hope  soon  to  see  some  walking 
thronaii  that  divhie-ordinanoe.  "We  have  realised 
towards  the  sum  of  £176,  £78,  and  do  sincerely 
tlmk  Ood  and  take  eouraga— Tours  in  Jesus, 
Wm.  Lahoe. 


TBiB  GREAT  WHITE  THRONE. 
S  AOBB  P ABK  Baptist  Chapel,  on  Whit 
Monday  presented  a  most  pleasing  sight  to  the 
lovers  or  nature,  standing  as  it  does  in  an  exten- 
sive shrubbery,  with  a  ifoh  variety  of  the  lilacs, 
the  May  trees,  the  mountain-ash,  and  manv  other 
beantinil  trees,  evergreens,  ftc  The  fKeoos  who 
assembled  greatly  eujojred  the  treat  Anniversary 
sermons  hM  been  preached  on  the  previous  Sun- 
day by  Mr.  Alderson.  of  East  Lan&  and  much 
good  in  every  way  had  been  done.  The  meetings 
on  Monday  were  only  supplemental,  and  we  fear, 
in  temporal^  were  not  so  successful.  A  short  dis- 
course was  oelivered  in  the  afternoon  to  a  small 
audience,  by  C.  W.  Banks,  on  ^'The  sympathy  of 
Christ  vrith  His  people.**  After  tea  had  been 
served  most  eflBclently  and  comfortably,  Mr. 
Peploe  opened  the  public  meeting;  Mr.  Dixon 
prayed ;  and  Mr.  Cozens  gave  a  preface  to  the 
meeting^  by  making  a  few  remarks  on  Whitsun- 
tide. Mr.  Anderson  discoursed  on  the  **  White 
stone ;"  Mr.  Leech  on  the  "  White  raiment;"  Mr. 
Wall  on  the  "White  Horse;**  and  C.  W.  Banks 
was  announced  to  speak  on  the  **  Great  white 
throne,**  but  a  mental  fever  strongly  influenced 
his  brain,  and  before  he  could  close  nis  review  of 
the  previous  speakers,  it  was  considered  time  to 
close  the  meeting.  There  were  some  excellent 
points  advanced  by  the  brrthren,  Cozens,  Ander- 
son, Leach,  and  wall,  in  fact  we  had  from  each  of 
them  a  lltUe  sermon;  but  the  '* Great  white 
throne,"  was  a  theme  of  such  deep  solemnity, 
that  in  thinking  and  attempting  to  discourse 
thereon,  the  spesJcer  felt  awed  and  inwardly  over- 
whelmed. Be  had  purposed  to  open  the  three 
words,  **  throne,**  •*  white  throne."  •*  great  white 
throne,"  but  something  hindered  him,  and  the 
previous  speakers,  i^ho  had  done  so  well,  found 
plenty  of  room  for  comment  on  the  failure.  The 
readers  of  The  Eabthen  Ykssel,  however,  shall 
have,  ere  long,  (d.y)  the  substance  of  the  address 
which  would  have  been  delivered  had  not  a  most 
mysterious  influence  prevented.  The  church  at 
Dacre  Park  now  requires  a  pastor ;  the  cause  re- 
quires a  preacher;  a  brother  fully  rich  in  mental 
and  experimental  powers,  of  high  moral  and  in- 
tellectual attainments,  might,  under  God,  here 
raise  up  a  large  congregation.  The  Lord  only 
knows  where  He  is  to  be  found. 

TX7NBRIDaB  -  WBI<I<S.  —  Rehoboth 
Baptist  Chapel.— Anniversary  services  were 
held  in  the  above  chapel,  on  Wednesday,  May  U ; 
three  sermons  were  preached,  morning  and  even- 
ing by  Mr.  John  Warburton,  altemoon  by  our 
esteemed  minister.  Mr.  R.  Bax.  We  had  a  good 
day,  both  spiritually  and  temporally.  Many  of 
the  friends  and  admirers  of  the  late  Mr.  J.  war- 
burton  came  to  hear  his  son.  because  they  had 
heard  he  was  very  like  his  father  in  more  res- 
pects than  one.  We  were  fflad  to  hear  they  were 
not  disappointed.  Mr.  Warburton  was  heard  best 
in  the  morning,  though  he  had  much  more  liberty 
in  speaking  in  the  evening.  We  feel  bound  to  add 
that  Mr.  Vl^burton  manifested  a  most  kindly  and 
Christian  spirit  towards  us,  expressing  his  deep 
sympathy  ror  the  friends  at  Rehoboth,  and  de- 
clared it  as  his  Arm  and  solemn  conviction  that 
the  man  who  lately  acted  so  as  to  exdte  the  pro- 
found contempt  ot  every  honest  minded  person 
would,  ere  long,  come  to  the  ground  with  shame 
and  dishonor.  Said  he,  **  Don*t  tell  me  that  a 
man  is  led  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  denythe  truth 
of  Ghxl,  and  despise  the  ordinances  of  uis  house. 
No,  no,  that  is  the  work  of  the  devil.*'  If  we  dare 
credit  the  half  we  hear,  there  is  a  long  account  to 
be  settled  at  a  future  day,  t<  For  God  shaU  bring 
every  toork  into  judgment,  with  every  secret 
thing,  whether  it  oe  good  cr  whether  it  be  evil.*' 
(EocTea.  xU.  14.)  We  cannot  but  believe  theLord 
will,  in  His  own  time,  raise  us  up,  and  build  us 
with  living  stones^  whose  names  are  written  in 
Jerusalem.  We  are  expecting  to  baptize  shortly. 
HSKBY  AsHBY,  PHIU.IP  CABS,^Deaoons^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  iC 


17« 


THB  SABTHEir  YBSSBL. 


J1U10I,  ISM. 


HOZNS,  8TrFPOI<K.-Oii  April  90th  a 
public  tea  iii«etiii|(  waa  held  in  itie  abore  pUee 
fay  the  few  friends  who  have  met  for  divine  wor- 
ship there  for  several  ywn  past.  Hie  object  of 
the  meeting  was  to  maice  oollections  towards  the 
ereotion  of  a  new  ohapel,  wliich  is  now  had  in 
contemplation,  and  will  soon  be  commenced.  The 
friends,  thongh  few  in  number,  and  very  poor  as 
to  this  world's  goods,  have  certainly  done  wonders 
by  God's  grace  and  their  own  perseverance.  They 
have  paid  for  the  ground  upon  which  their  little 
boarded  clu^  still  stands,  and  which  cost  them 
over  £70.  Through  their  own  exertions,  with  a 
little  help  from  some  Christian  friends  in  the 
neighbourhood,  this  sum  has  been  quickly  ob- 
tained. On  the  evening  of  the  above  day  over 
£90  was  colleoted,  and  as  the  friends  have  now 
cleared  the  groimd,  the  next  object  is  a  new 
chapel,  which  is  much  wanted  where  the  inhab- 
itants are  numerous,  and  where  there  is  a  large 
sphere  of  labour.  If  any  of  the  friends  of  Jesus  feel 
it  in  their  hearts  to  send  these  worthy  people  a 
mite  towards  their  new  place  of  worship,  it  will  be 
most  thankfully  received.  In  the  afternoon 
brother  Bird,  or  Battlesden,  preached  a  faithful 
and  powerful  sermon  from  Eph.  iv.  15.  In  the 
ovenmg  brotlier  Hill,  of  Stoke  Ash,  occupied  the 
chair,  when  addresses  were  given  by  brethren 
Boots,  Taylor,  HarriiL  Bird,  Bead  and  Pegg.  The 
worthy  chairman  of  the  meeting,  in  hist  usual 
way  of  proceeding  on  such  occasions,  was  enabled 
throughout  the  services  to  keep  up  a  spirit  of  the 
highest  animation  among  the  large  numbers  that 
attended.  Great  gratitude  is  due  to  brethren  Hill, 
Harri^  and  Boots,  who  have  so  cheerfully  and 
liberally  lielped  the  Lord's  little  flock  in  Hoxne. 
It  is  well  known  that  these  servants  of  Clurist  are 
always  ready  to  help  those  that  help  themselves. 
Vor  the  encouragement  of  our  young  brother 
Bead,  who  labors  statedly  among  the  Hoxne 
friends,  we  ought  to  say  that  his  prospects  are  of 
a  cheering  character,  while  the  aooeptability  of  his 
ministrations  may  be  judged  of  by  the  overflow- 
ing numbers  that  attend  his  nunistry.  After 
readin|(  tliis  we  have  no  doubt  but  the  churches 
of  Chnst  will  lend  a  helping  Iiaud,  desiring  to 
see  the  salvation  of  Israel  go  forth  as  a  lamp  tiiat 
burnetii.  A  Fbibitd. 

TUNSTAU:.,  STTFFOLK.-DEJLB  Br. 
BAirxs,~The  writer  has  great  ioy  in  informing 
you  how  blessedly  the  Lord  is  dwelling  amongst 
us.  Last  ordinance  day  the  Lord  enabled  our  paa  - 
tor,  A  Baker,  to  immerse  some  redeemed  veaiels 
of  mei-cy.  One  of  these  sisters  has  for  many  years 
been  a  partaker  of  the  Lord's  supper  in  the  estab- 
lished  church,  but  she  never  felt  nor  knew  till 
within  the  past  year,  how  unworthily  she  had 
been  eating  and  drinking.  In  great  merqy  the 
Lord  has  brought  her  out  and  made  her  sing 
aloud  for  io3%  and  sav  **  Give  place,  for  I  moat 
dwell  witn  thee."  The  other  young  sister  the 
Lord  has  long  since  ooavinoed  of  her  statcL  by 
nature ;  he  has  drawn  heron,  by  the  cords  of  love, 
from  step  to  step,  and  has  constrained  her  by  love 
divine  to  show  to  a  gazing  world  around  what  a 
dear  Saviour  she  has  found.  We  have  more  de^ 
airing  to  put  on  Christ  by  public  baptism  next 
ordinance  day.  On  Tuesday,  Mety  17th,  we  had 
brother  Pells,  wlio  preached  in  utemoon  from 
Psalm  Iviii.  18,  and  brother  Corbitt,  of  Norwich, 
preached  in  evening.  They  spoke  of  a  fiill  Christ, 
a  free  Christ,  a  crucified  and  risen  Christ;  they 
were  enabled  to  speak  of  His  worth.  Bis  greatness, 
His  goodness,  His  sublime  beauties  and  His  lov- 
ing kindneas  most  delightfully.  We  had  a  Uurge 
andienee  to  tea,  about  three  hundred  sittir^ 
down;  we  also  had  with  us  our  brethren,  w. 
Large,  of  Butie\';  Mr.  Legate^  of  Oranford;  the 
Tenerable  old  Christian  and  brother  Bunnadea,' 
of  Chaaefield,  who,  in  turn,  took  part  in  tiie  aei^ 
vices,  by  giving  out  the  hymns.  At  the  dose  of 
tile  meeting  our  beloved  pastor,  with  a  ffrateful 
heart>  thanked  one  and  all  for  their  kindneas  to- 


ward him.  Our  pastor  ia  enabled  to  proclaim  the 
lovinff  kindneas  of  the  Lord ;  the  Lord  liaa  proa- 
perea  him  thus  far,  made  him  an  honourad  in- 
strument of  convindng  many  poor  ainiieis  of 
their  state,  and  in  the  setting  at  liberty  and  build- 
ing up  and  blessing  many  who  have  believed. 
We  have  our  morning  and  noon  prayer  meetings 
on  the  SabbaUi,  and  they  are  refreshing  seasons. 
We  have  some  bitter  things  to  cope  with ;  but  the 
Lord  reigneth.  Dear  brother,  may  the  Lord  bless 
you  while  travelling  through  this  vale  of  tean. 
A  Little  Dsm, 

POTTON,  BBI>S.-~SzsicT  Baptist  Ohu>cx« 
Boyston  street.— -Dear  Brother  BankB,~Wev  as  a 
church  and  congregation,  feel  delighted  at  the  tes- 
timony delivered  by  you  on  oorannivemry  4aj : 
it  did  our  hearts  good,  and  we  have  great  veaaon 
to  r^oioe ;  the  Lord  was  in  our  midm.  We^  aa  a 
little  church,  have  straggled  bard  to  keep  open 
the  doon;  so  many  to  oppoee  us,  atill,  we  keep 
on  believing  the  LoM  is  with  us,  though  we  have 
been  sorely  tried,  yet  nrereifully  bleseed;  our 
humble  hope  is  God  will  increase  us.  We  had 
160  to  tea.  In  the  evening  we  were  glad  when 
brother  Cozens  came  in ;  be  preached  well,  his 
text  was  **/>K>m  smcA  itam  eneay."  We  have  aome 
waiting  to  Join  us  in  church  fellowship. 

H.  COOPSR. 

BBOGXRAIL— Not  far  from  Docking,  in 
Surrev,  lies  tlie  long  favored  aospd  valley,  ciiled 
Brockham :  over  whose  little  church,  Mr.  Henry 
Allnutt  presides.  On  Wednesday,  May  18,  the 
Baptist  Chapel  presented  a  lively  scene.  It  was 
anniversary'  day,  and  in  proof  of  deep-rooted 
Christian  affection,  nearly  forty  of  Mr.  Allnutf  s 
old  Bipley  friends  travelled  in  mill  waggona  a 
distance  of  fifteen  miles,  up  hill  and  throvgh  dalea^ 
in  order  practically  to  convince  their  old  paafeor, 
Mr.  Allnutt^  that,  in  the  Lord,  they  loved  him 
atill,  although  now  for  years  he  naa  been  re- 
moved from  them.  And  when  he  saw  that  long 
stream  of  loving  hearts  and  oheerfbl  faeea,  oom- 
ing  in  on  his  annlvenary  day,  his  tears  streaaaei 
again,  and  *  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,*'  waa  the 
language  of  his  inner  man.  The  **  Watchman  en 
the  wans,**  Mr.  Ganard,  of  Leieester,  preached 
momfngand  evening,  and  Mr.  Allnutt  aftemocn. 
The  Bipley  friends  were  thankful  to  find  fbe 
Brockham  pastor  quiet,  patient^  and  stall  preaaing 
on  in  the  best  work  under  heaven — preadiiiig 
Chrises  Gospel.  They  left  him  with  a  good  hope, 
that  if  never  here  again  they  meet,  aroond  flw 
glot;^-throne  they'll  stand  to  lift  Immaanet'e 
glones  high.  The  Ripley  friends,  the  next  day 
(May  19)  celebrated  the  return  of  their  pastor's 
Mrtn-day,  Charles  Turner  being  that  day  fbrty- 
five.  Two  sermons  were  preached  by  C.  W.  Banks, 
and  abundant  evidence  waa  given  that  in  Ripl^ 
meeting  the  Lord  is  blessing  His  own  ynad. 
Brother  Stevens,  of  Mayford,  read  John  xvfi.  and 
expounded  with  great  deamess.  Broekham  and 
Rll)ley  had  two  good  dtcys. 

IPSWIOH.— Behoboth  Baptist  Crapiul. 
Tackxt  Stbbst.-^u  WedneadayafteraooBi.  April 
27th.  1864,  a  tea  meeting  waa  held  in  the  aforenid 
place,  when  about  80  persona  gathering  uiid^the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Wm.  Felton.latoofZoarChapeL 
were  associated  together  in  harmony,  peaoeLiud 
Dleasure.    In  the  evttiinir.  af.  MUAn  a'aj^woT  mi^. 


alx- 


pleasure.    In  the  evening,  at 

teen  persons  publioty  volunteered  to  fonn  cnera- 
selves  into  a  church  society,  on  the  baaia  of 
sovereign,  free,  and  distiagnishing  gnee,  zeaolv- 
ing  to  cleave  to  each  other  ia  the  Lord,  and  to 
keep  the  ordinanoea  aa  delivered  by  Chtiat,  in 
^/>^^T«fi^^t  ot6»r.  Prayer  waa  ofTercd  by 
Mr.  &  Baker.    Afker  a  ahort  but  vlenin  addreaa 


ilA  J  T     !•""  w«-«w,  wjr  feua  will  w  vaa,.wi«aK 
uplifUd  hands  and  a  heartjgshaking^f  hands  in 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Jane  1, 1864. 


TBS  SASEBIK  VZSaKL. 


in 


the  name  of  Jesiu.  Addmset  were  then  given  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Baker,  of  Ohelmondiaton,  on  the 
union  of  the  churoh  in  and  with  Christ,  it*  oauae, 
its  nature  and  design,  Mr.  W.  Smith  spoke  of 
the  living  churoh  in  tiUowvhfp  with  Jesus  and 
its  blessingB.  Mr.  John  Stanunen  said  some  few 
things  on  a  ohuTCh  state  on  eertli,  itvnse  and  end. 
Bro£er  Oliver  was  to  have  spoken,  but  time  being 
goofl^  the  meeting  was  eloeed  after  a  few  appro* 
pilate  verses,  by  solemn  Quaver  from  the  pre- 
flident     William  FsLxoir,  liinister  presiding. 

BAOKN  JS  Y .  — HOMBBTOV  Tsbbacx.  — On 
Suadsgr,  l^y  Uth,  three  eermou  were  preached, 
in  the  morning  and  evening  by  our  esccellent 
young  brother  OilL  and  in  the  afternoon  bv  our 
esteemed  brother  Banks.  On  Tnssdav.  17th,  a 
tea  and  public  meeting  was  hrtd;  on  woioh  ooca- 
sloa  the  place  was  illed  with  verv  attentive 
heazeriL  the  meeting  being  opened  by  brother 
GUI,  who  engaged  in  prayeiv  and  after  a  short  ad- 
dnas,  introdoeed  brother  Banister,  who  spoke 
with  great  freedom  on  JSph.  iv.  33.  24. 
Tbsn  came  brother  Bayment,  who  spoke  for  some 
time  on  the  blood,  after  which  our  excellent 
brother  Brunt,  of  Shad  well,  who  spoke  with  much 
etaqoence  on  Bev.  xiv.  1.  and  then  brother  UoUaad 
treated  his  subject  in  his  usual  s^le  on  the  good 
Samaritan,  after  which  brother  witteridge,  for  a 
very  short  time,  spoke  on  Christian  course.  At 
the  doae  a  vote  of  thanks^  pmosed  br  Mr.  T. 
OiU  (brother  to  our  young  pastor)  to  Mrs  Bay- 
lies and  the  ladies  who  assuted  in  preparing  tea, 
and  seconded  by  Mr.  Kemp,  terminated  oneot 
the  happiest  meetings  which  it  has  been  oor  privi- 
lege  for  some  time  to  be  present  at.  Our  friends 
eaperienced  a  disappointment,  as  our  dear  brother 
Banks  oould  not  be  present,  but  circumstances 
having  so  ooonrred  whieh  prevented  him,  we 
were  obliged  to  put  up  with  the  disappointmioit 

Om  THAT  WAS  TUEKR, 

8T0XE  iraWINOTON.— Salkm  Chapel, 
Ghvboh  Btbeet.— Mr.  George  Stevens  having 
raeeived  annsninuws  invitation  from  the  church^ 
has  accepted  the  pastorate,  and  commenced  his 
pastoral  duties  on  Lord's  day,  Mav  the  first. 
This  church,  while  under  the  pastoral  eare  of  Mr. 
W.  Dover,  sen.,  commenced  a  building  sooletjr,  for 
the  building  a  suitable  place  of  worship,  the  one 
hitherto  held  by  them  oelng  two  rooms  thrown 
into  one,  and  m  whieh  there  is  no  convenience 
for  a  veedy  or  school  room,  andno  bMitistrv ;  they 
at  that  tune  issoed  cards,  and  coUected  from 
friends  about  £140^  which  they  invested  in  the 
public  funds  and  savings  bank,  but  in  conse- 
quence of  Mr.  Bovey  retiring  from  the  ministry, 
tne  society  thought  it  desurable  to  suspend  any 
further  publioeffort  until  the  church  had  obtained 
another  pastor.  This  being  now  eflfected,  th^ 
purpose  at  once  to  reconunenoe  their  efforts,  and 
to  re-issue  their  collecting  cards  in  the  name  of 
their  new  pastor.  Mr.  Stevens.  The  sooiety  have 
the  promise  of  £60  if  they  can  obtain  five  more 
ftft&M,  and  in  which  case  thejr  would  feel  them- 
selves jostiiied  in  at  once  oommeneing  to  build  a 
chapeL 

PBBSSnrOFIBl578tTPPOIiK.-Anni- 
rersaxy  of  Baptist  Cliapel  was  held  Thursday, 
Mayllth.    ~*  .  ^^  ._._._ 


The  gateway,  entrance,  and  interior 
of  tlie  chapel  was  tastefully  decorated^  with  ^- 


lands  of  flowers,  appropriate  mottoes,  9cc  After- 
noon service  commenced  by  brother  Hodd}*,  of 
Horhaao,  reading  and  f»gp>g<«g  in  prayer.  Br. 
eooding,  of  Balesworth.  preached  a  sonl-cheering 
■eononfrom  **  Jesus  Christ,  the  sameyestesday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever."  Br.  Taylor,  of  Pulham, 
invoked  the  divine  blessing.  An  exceUent  tea 
being  provided,  about  840  refreshed  themselves. 
In  evening  Br.  WrooCs^  of  KelsalCk  read  and 
pv^ed.  Br.  Poock  preached  a  Indd  gospel'ser- 
aon.  l^yr  several  yean  psst  we  have  not  Known 
such  a  generally  satlslhetory  and  large  meeting. 


We  have  much  to  Uesi  Ood  for;  fbr  ■neosos  in 
our  pastor's  (Mr.  Fogg's)  ministerial  labors,  for 
an  unbroken  harmony  and  mfimimi^  in  the 
churoh,  and  for  the  untiring  and  united  efforts  of 
the  mends  in  all  meaaures  for  our  welfiuee. 
*'  Surely  thy  paths  drop  fktness." 

TUMBTAItlt.   STTFFOIiK.  ^  We  had  a 

blessed  day  on  <aKM>d  Fridi^.  The  Lord  was 
powerfUly  felt  by  many  souls,  dottier  Hanger, 
of  Colchester,  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  a 
large  congrention .  Nearly  800  persons  took  tsa. 
Our  brotMr  Goodinff,  of  Hailsworth,  preached  in 
the  evening.  We  rqoice  still  to  open  our  chapel 
for  public  meetings  as  often  as  we  can ;  beeanse 
our  deacons  with  myself  know  that  the  Lord  has 
crowned  these  meetings  with  His  blessing.  This 
last  time  one  poor  soiu  was  brought  into  Gospel 
liberty  under  brother  Hanger,  one  who  had 
been  some  twenty  years  what  Is  commonly  called 
a  strict  churchwoman.  All  fl^ory  to  our  blessed 
God. 

OHATTEBTS.  Iale  of  Ely.— Last  Lord's 
day  in  March,  Mr.  E.  J.  Silverton  had  the  honor 
to  lead  into  the  water,  five  sisters  and  five  bro- 
thers in  Christ,  and  baptized  them  in  the  name 
of  the  ever  glorious  three-one  God.  The  baptism 
took  place  m  the  afternoon,  in  a  water  about  one 
mile  from  the  town.  When  the  minister  and 
tliose  who  were  to  be  baptized,  arrived  at  the 
water:  it  was  a  grand  sight  to  see  the  great  num- 
ber of^ people  present;  there  must  have  been  near 
8000.  God  IS  doing  great  things  for  Zion  at 
Chatteris,  the  word  is  made  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
lay  hold  of  the  hearts  of  the  people.  *'To  God 
the  glory  does  belong."  S.  8.  GL 

AVETOK  OIPFoitD,  DBVOlT.-'nie 

anniversary  services  of  the  Baptist  shurch  and 
congregation,  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  San- 
dover,  were  holden  on  Whit-Tuesday.  Mr.  Wale, 
of  Plymouth,  preached  afternoon  and  evening 
fh>m  Le%iticus  xxili.  4,  and  a  happy  day  we  hod. 
The  dew  and  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  wen  most 
blessedly  felt,  aocompanylng  the  word  spoken, 
and  to  neariy  all  present'it  was  a  time  of  special 
refreshing  fVom  on  high.  Many  were  seen  to  be 
in  tears,  their  hearts  melted  and  gladdened  be- 
neath the  good  and  gradous  presence  ^  the 
Lord.  A  laige  number  sat  down  to  tea  between 
the  services. 

BrABBOW-ON-THB-HXl4L.-Sh>  S. 
Bforton  Peto,  Bart.,  M.P.,  laid  the  foundation 
stone  of  a  new  chapel,  April  16, 1804.  A  '^  highlv 
respectable'  company  was  present.  Some  ask 
why  not  answer  the  questions  ?  They  have  been 
answered  thousands  of  times.  Some  yean  since, 
a  minister  was  asked  at  Aylesbury,  if  he  was  not 
veering  toward  open  oommunion?  He  scorned 
the  idea.  But  a  little  golden  inflnenoe  has  turned 
noany,  ana  many  more  wHl  go  as  gentler  as  pos- 
sible. 

BNTZBIJ)  HiaHW AY.  —  This  little 
cause  is  still  realizing  the  maniffest  favor  of  God. 
On  Monday  evening,  16th  May,  three  believers 
were  baptized  by  Mr.  H.  Strickett,  one  of  them 
being  a  seal  to  his  ministry  here,  after  a  suit- 
able sermon  and  address  at  Waltham  Abbey 
Chapel,  lent  by  our  kind  friends  there  for  the 
service.  We  expect  othen shortly.  God  willing, 
on  the  second  TuMday  ia  July,  theehoroh  will 
be  organized,  of  which  due  notice  will  be  given. 
Brethren,  pray  for  us,  H.  C.  8. 


ST 

a  spedal  day  for  Gospel  truth 
num  on  HSb.  vil.9,  « 
exceedingly  precious, 
envoys  peace  and  good  success. 

Digitized  by 


'.May  3] 

ter.  Wells*  ser- 

luminou%  profound,  and 
Mr.  Haynes,  themlmster, 

Google 


180 


THB  EABTHXN  VSSML. 


Juae  I,  ; 


8TAFFOBD.— The  letten  are  received. 
Are  there  no  godly  men,  of  euflldent  wiedom 
and  power,  to  stand  in  the  breach?  Many 
hourto  are  grieved  beyond  measure.  We  pray 
that  a  more  Ohrittlike  spirit  might  pr6vail«  and 
holy  peace  be  ^ven,  with  a  greater  measure  of 
prospvity  than  has  been  known  for  many  years. 
We  cannot  say  more  now.  "Truth's  sake^'  and 
**the  Deacon,**  and  **the  retiring  members" 
should  ail  strive  to  obtain  a  pure  reconciliation. 

HABWIOO.  — '*  They  that  honour  me." 
saith  the  Lord,  *'  I  will  honour.*'  Truly,  this  is 
being  verifled  to  the  Joy  and  rqfoicing  of  the 
hearts  of  the  Lord's  people  here.  Our  deur  bro- 
ther, J.  W.  Dyer,  whom  the  Lord  in  His  wisdom 
has  placed  here^  is  doings  great  but  steady  work. 
His  ministry,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
is  being  made  eflfectual  in  cementing  hearts  to- 
gether in  love,  binding  up  broken  roirita, 
strengthening  the  faint  and  fearful,  to  follow  in 
the  footsteps  of  their  Lord  and  Kaster,  in  all  the 
commandments  and  ordinances  of  His  house 
blameless.  -All  glory  to  His  name.  We  had  a 
high  day  here  on  Lord's-day,  May  3tad.  God 
was  in  our  midst  of  a  truth.  Our  dear  pastor 
preached  a  soul-encouraging  discourse  in  the 
morning  fW>m  John  yi.  57,  and  in  the  evening 
from  Acts  ii.  4S. ;  after  which  our  brother,  in  the 
ioy  aod  strength  of  God,  led  four  believers  down 
into  the  baptismal  waters,  and  upon  a  fitlthful 
confession  of  their  &ith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
he  immersed  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
Son.  and  H0I3'  Ghost.  His  dear  wife  being  one 
of  the  number,  a  solemn  awe  pervaded  through 
the  place,  exhibiting  a  sweet  mixture  of  rejoicing 
and  weeping.  It  is  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten. 
May  God  crown  the  opportunity  with  His  Divine 
blessing,  and  send  His  angel  to  troubled  waters 
again,  prays  A  Pilobim. 

ST.  ALBAN'S— In  Strict  Baptist  Chapel 
on  Good  Friday,  two  sermons  were  delivered  ny 
Mr.  A.  Pept,  of  Great  Wilbntham,  to  excellent 
congregations.  About  eighty  sat  down  to  tea, 
collections  were  made  in  support  of  the  cause; 
the  friends  gave  in  a  liberal  spirit,  many  left  ^e 
chapel  saying  the  Lord  had  been  ffracious,  and 
through  His  Spirit  aooompanying  the  Word  de- 
livered, had  really  csused  it  to  be  a  "Good 
Friday.'* 

BOBOnOH  aBEEK.  —  On  Lord's-day, 
May  1st,  Mr.  Frith  baptized  two  believers,  a  man 
and  his  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity. 
On  Whit  Tuesday,  Mr.  Palmer,  of  Homerton,  and 
Mr.  Alderson,  of  WalworUi,  preached  theanniver- 
Muy  sermons  at  Borough  Green  chapel.  Tlie 
day  was  fine  and  the  congregations  good. 

TEI«DHA1C.— Mr.  Seacock's  ministry  is 
useful  in  this  village  to  hundreds ;  the  chapel  is 
crowded,  and  means  are  required  to  erect  a  larger 
place.  At  Castle  Hedingham,  we  understand,  Hr. 
Wheeler's  ministry  is  honoured  of  the  Lord.  The 
new  chapel  is  begun.  Has  not  the  gospel  in  these 
parts  been  like  a  ship  at  sea  for  years  f  We  hope 
better  days  are  coming. 

WOOLWICH.  —  Cabmbl  Chapel.  On 
Lord's-day,  April  34th,  three  persons  were  bap- 
tired  by  our  piastor,  Mr.  Griffith. 

,  HIGH  WTOOMBB.— Zxoir  Obapbl.  On 
Lordls-day,  May  1st,  our  pastor.  Mr.  H.  W.  Stem- 
bridge,  baptized  three  believers,  and  received 
them  into  the  chureh  the  same  day. 

OHBLTBlTHAlC—CAVBRAy  Chapel.  On 
BundM^  evening,  March  aoth,  fourteen  believers 
were  baptized,  after  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Crscknell, 
the  pastor,  from  Mark  xvi.  W. 


«C8t^ 


THB  LATB 

MR.  SAMUEL  BROCKLEHUBST. 

On  Fridfty,  April  15th,  1864,  deiMuted  this 
life  by  a  sweet  sleep  in  Jesus,  Mr.  Samuel 
Brocklehurst,  nearly  thirty  years  the  steady, 
faithful,  and  affectionate  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  assembling  in  the  Baptist  cluwel, 
St.  John's  'green,  Colchester.  His 
mortal  remains  vera  deoosited  in  blessed 
hope  at  the  cemetery,  Colchester,  followed 
by  a  laige  body  of  monming  Mends,  sereral 
ministers,  and  a  vait  concourse  of  neigh- 
bours, amounting  to  some  hundreds,  whose 
solemn  aspect  powerfully  but  silently  pro- 
claimed we  have  lost  a  ihend.  The  funeral 
services  were  conducted  by  his  tried  friend 
and  brother  in  Jesus,  Mr.  William  Felton, 
Baptist  minister  of  Rehoboth  meeting, 
Tacket  street,  Ipswich,  by  whom  two  solemn 
addresses  were  given,  one  in  the  chapel  and 
the  other  oyer  the  open  gnye,  in  the  audi- 
ence of  several  hundreds  of  persons.  It 
was  truly  a  solemn  scene.  After  sing^ns 
some  blessed  hymns,  the  service  was  dosed 
in  prayer,  many  weeping  disciples  bidding 
a  silent  adieu  to  departed  worto. 

On  Lord^s  day  afternoon,  April  24,  1864, 
this  very  solemn  providence  was  improved 
at  the  chapel,  St.  John's  green,  by  Mr. 
Felton,  where  our  late  brother  had  so  long 
sounded  forth  the  melodious  notes  of  re- 
deeming love.  The  meeting  was  filled  with 
attentive  hearers  to  a  discourse  founded  on 
2nd  Timothy  iv.  6,  7,  8,  **  I  am  now  ready 
to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  departure 
is  at  hand."  "  I  have  fought  a  goc^  fight, 
I  have  finished  my  course,"  &c.  [This 
discourse  will  appear  in  the  next  number 
of  The  Eabthbn  Vsssel.]— Affectionately 
yours,  William  Felton. 


Ok  May  (th,  suddenly,  Mr.  Tromas  Poiub,  a|^ 
fort3'-eight,  a  member  of  the  church  at  Darlinff- 

C'  oe,  Mile  End  Gate.  By  his  death  the  church 
lost  one  of  its  most  useful  members  in  tlie 
Sunday-school  and  district  visiting.  The  event 
v-as  improved  1^  his  pastor,  Mr.  Oordelier,  from 
1  Chron.  xv.  18.  **The  Lord  our  God  has  made 
a  breach  upon  us."  His  death,  though  sudden, 
was  under  circumstances  so  mercitul  that  it  could 
well  be  said,- 

"Softly  his  fainting  head  he  laid. 
Upon  his  Maker's  breast ; 
His  Maker  kiss'd  his  coul  awa3% 
And  laid  his  flesh  to  rest.'* 

On  Wednesday,  May  18th,  1864,  at  Finehley, 
the  beloved  wife  of  Mr.  William  Coopeb.  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church  meeting  in  Bbeneaer 
chapel,  New  Bnd,  Hampstead,  aged  slxty-nh>e. 
She  lived  the  Christisn.    Her  end  was  peace. 

Mrs.  Thobklbt,  the  wife  of  the  old  Baptist 
minister  in  Stowmarket,  died  May  13th,  and 
was  buried  on  the  SOth  by  Messrs.  Collins  and 
Cooper.    Her  age  was  sixty-four. 


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181 


A  SEBMOil  OCCASIONED  BT  THE  HAPPT  AND  PEACEFUL  DEPARTUBB  OF 

MR.    SAMUEL    BROCKLEHURST, 

LATE  BAPTIST  MUaSTES  AT    ST.    JOHN'S    GREEN    MEETING  HOUSE,  COLCHESTER,   ESSEX. 

Preached  on  Lord*b-dat  afternoon,  April  24th,  1864. 

BY      WILLIAM      FELTON, 

Baptist  Mioirter  of  Behoboth  Meetinic,  Tacket  Street,  Ipswich,  BnflbUc. 

**  For  I  am  uow  ready  to  be  oflterecL  and  the  time  of  mv  departure  is  at  hand.  I  liave  fouglit  a 


>;ood  Bghtp  I  have  finished  mu  course.  I  have  kept  the  faita :  lienoefortli  there  is  laid  up  for  me 

a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judffe,  shall  give  mf  -*  *'— *     '' 

not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  that  love  his  appearing.**-- 9  Timothy  Iv.  6,  7, 


[ve  me  at  that  day:  and 


Whilst  I  was  mnBinfl  ovet  the  somewhat 
Hudden,  but  ffentle,  dismission  of  my  late 
endeared  brother  Brocklehnzst  to  his  bUss- 
ful  home,  the  words  of  the  great  Apostle  to 
Timothy,  as  quoted  above,  were  snggosted 
to  my  mind  as  truly  illustrating  the  ^arac- 
ter  of  the  departed,  and  strikingly  expres- 
sive of  him  as  a  member  in  Christ,  a  min- 
ister of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed 
Ood,  a  steady  sterling  Christian  brother 
and  friend,  and  a  glonous  victor  over  sin, 
ileath,  and  hell. 

We  notice  from  these  words,  by  way  of 
distinction,  the  ministerial  warrior,  mrst, 
in  his  complete  readiness ;  8econdly,-iU«  nobU 
conflict  ;  thirdly,  his  assured  victory  ;  and 
fourthly  and  lastly,  his  glorious  coronation, 

I.  I  need  scarcely  remind  my  dear 
hearers,  that  these  words  were  spoken  by 
an  eminent  servant  of  Jesus  under  very  pe- 
culiar trials  and  feariul  prospects.  Beloved, 
Paul  was  now  about  to  suf£r  death  for  the 
Gospel's  sake,  under  the  government  of 
that  accomplii^ed  tyrant,  Nero,  of  execrable 
memory.  From  the  best  sources,  we  learn 
that  the  martyrdom  of  Paul  took  place  in 
the  year  66.  It  has  been  wisely  remarked, 
that  so  long  as  the  ministry  of  Paul  was 
making  conquests  at  a  distance,  Nero  was 
contenttoleavePaulin prison.  But  when  the 
holy  Gospel  comes  in  power  from  a  prison  to 
apalace,  and  disturbs  tne  falsepeace  of  its  in- 
mates, Nero  is  enraffed,  and  AvU  must  die ; 
so  true  it  is,  that  wherever  there  is  a  spark 
of  real  spiritual  life,  there  will  be  a  devil 
to  oppose  it.  See  Philippians  i.  13.  It 
is  easy  enough  to  talk  of  these  things  in  the 
letter  when  there  is  little  or  no  opposition 
made  to  them ;  but  to  face  the  foe  armed 
with  all  the  fury  of  hell;  and  to  meet 
martydom  calmly  and  undismayed,  is  the 
work  of  triumpl^t  grace  in  the  vessel  of 
mercy.  Here  is  something  more  than 
theory ;  a  servant  of  the  living  Gk>d  putting 
off  the  harness,  and  going  joyfWy  into  the 

Sresence  of  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead,  thus 
ying  with  the  grasp  of  eternal  truth  in  the 
Vol.  XX.^No.  231. 


hand  of  fSuth.  This  is  glorifying  the  Master 
to  the  last  moment  of  existence.  I  will  not, 
my  dear  friends,  trouble  you  with  a  length- 
ened introduction,  but  proceed  at  once  to 
consider  the  words  of  our  text,  in  accord- 
ance with  which  our  departed  brother  was 
a  Christian  hero,  and  a  noble  minister  of 
the  ancient  faith. 

II.  We  enquire  into  the  Christian's 
complete  readiness  to  depart,  or  to  be  offsred. 
He  only  who  is  truly  fit  to  live  is  really  fit 
to  die,  he  therefore  who  is  ready  to  depart 
is  therefore  quite  fitted  to  stay.  There  is  in 
vital  godliness,  a  ready  clothing,  a  ready 
cleansing,  and  a  ready  girding ;  these  our 
brother  possessed  in  a  large  measure,  he 
delightea  to  be  found  in  heaven's  best  robe« 
the  spotless  riffhteousness  of  the  Redeeming 
Lamb.  He  gloried  in  being  washed  whiter 
than  snow  in  the  foimtain  of  innocency. 
Aa  a  saved  sinner  and  a  minister  of  grace 
he  was  girt  about  with  sound  doctrine, 
solid  experience,  and  godly  practice.  Our 
brother  was  no  loose  man ;  his  loins  were 
girt,  his  light  was  burning,  and  his  Christ 
was  present,  and  precious.  He  was  ready ; 
the  aay  previous  to  his  departure  he  said!, 
"  I  am  all  ready,**  although  he  did  not  think 
his  end  was  so  near.  He  who  was  truly 
ready  to  be  offered  was  also  ready  to  do  his 
Master's  work  :  and  almost  with  his  dying 
breath  proclaim,  **  Behold  the  Lamb."  He 
did  so,  for  he  preached  most  delightfully  in 
the  school  room  of  his  residence  the  vei;y  day 
previous  to  his  demise.  Now  Christian 
brethren,  in  what  does  your  readiness  to  live 
and  die  for  God  consist  ?  I  would  address 
my  dear  friends  in  this  laree  assembly  Tal- 
though  sorrowful)  but  with  kind  faithful- 
ness and  affection ;  which  of  us  here  can 
say,  I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered,  I  am 
ready  to  depart,  ana  can  call  the  language 
of  the  text  your  own  ?  But  to  reply  to  the 
Question.  The  readiness  of  the  gospel  is 
designed  to  fit  for,  and  take  its  subjecto  to 
heaven;  but  we  can  enter  ([lory  only  in 
new  clothes,  upon  which  no  sta;^  or  spotisan 

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July  1,  UM. 


appear;  the  inhabitants  of  that  happy 
world  are  all  made  new,  therefore  they  sing 
a  new  song.  Remember,  my  fellow  sin- 
ner, you  may  be  decaived  by  a  false  minis- 
try ;  beware  of  men-traps,  there  are  Tarious 
ways  to  the  pit  Blessed  be  Gk)d,  there  is 
but  one  road  to  the  hearenly  city,  -and  that 
is  consecrated  by  blood.  BaiHii  our  li^- 
giving  Lord,  "I  am  the  way,"  all  others 
will  mislead  you.  Oh,  ye  ministeis  of  Zion, 
beware  how  you  slide  into  a  middle  course. 
It  is  thus  deceitfully  handling  of  the  word 
of  God,  by  teaeliiiig  a  medium  path  between 
law  and  Gospel,  which  deceires  the  unwary, 
and  makes  hypocrites  by  hundreds.  The 
Chnstian'sreadineBS  includes  the  whole  Per- 
son of  Christ ;  in  every  offioe  he  suetauiB, 
the  entire  worth  and  work  of  ourlmmanuel 
in  all  he  did,  in  fJl  he  said,  in  all  hissofier- 
ings  and  trimnphs,  as  ^ta  redeemer  of  his 
bnde,  he  is  our  entire  riffhteousnees  to 
justify  his  whoie  church  froai  all  law, 
charge,  curse,  and  condemnation ;  our  en- 
tire sanctifioation  to  make  us  holy;  he 
is  our  life,  our  peace,  our  all;  tomnd  m 
him,  dressed,  cleansed,  and  patrdoned,  we 
are  ready  for  all  the  storms  of  mortality, 
and  shail  hear  faim  welcome  us  to  the 
last,  **  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 
eome  and  lire  witii  me  for  eter,"  this 
will  make  the  dying  pillow  soft,  and  fit 
lis  to  meet  our  Judge  with  pleasure  and 
delight.  Thus  it  was  with  our  late  dear 
brother,  who  eahnly  laid  his  head  upon  the 
bosom  of  his  dear  wifs,  and  without  a  sigh 
or  groan  departed  in  the  peace  of  the  great 
Peacemaker,— thus  in  the  language  of 
Watts  he  could  say, 

*'  Kow  I  can  leave  thiji  world,  he  criw, 
Behold  thyservant  dies ; 
I've  seen  thy  great  aalvatioii.  Lord, 
And  eloM  my  peaoafnl  cgras.*' 

I  had  a  strong  desire  to  see  him  before  he 
ims  taken  home ;  but  a  rery  heavy  domestic 
calamity  prevented  my  doing  so.  ^  But  those 
who  die  m  Jesus,  and  those  who  live  in  him, 
are  still  one.  Ko  man  loved  to  extol  the 
work  of  Christ  more  than  Samuel  Brockle- 
hurst.  Like  Paul  he  i^loried  in  preaching 
that  new  garment  which  the  devil  cannot 
rend  in  pieces,  nor  all  the  guilt  of  hell  defile. 
Our  Jesus  makes  all  things  new ;  the  man 
of  God  is  a  new  creature  in  a  new  suit, 
clotlung  that  will  neither  sjpot,  nor  wear. 
Our  precious  Jesus  wrought  it  out,  and  our 
loving  Comforter  puts  it  upon  us.  Oh  my 
liearers,  let  us  be  followers  of  tkem  who, 
throu^  faith  and  patienca,    inherit  the 

r>mises.  Put  on  thy  beautiful  garments, 
thou  Jerusalem  of  the  Lord;  for  th^ 
aiore  Christ  is  worn  br  faith,  the  bzaght&r 
will  hiti  image  appear  in  tha  lile,  walk,  aod 
conversation.  , 

"The  time  of  my  depazture  is  at  hand.** 
If  0  man  knoweth  the  exact  time  of  dismis- 


sion from  this  vile  body;  »nd  this  conceal- 
ment is  a  mercy  to  us  alL  But  Paul  mi^ht 
gather  from  the  gloom  of  surrounding 
events,  that  the  hour  of  his  death  was  not 
far  distant.  The  concealment  of  the  future 
is  to  us  a  great  favour ;  nevertheless,  the 
Lord  sometimes  gives  his  tried  servants 
intimation  'Of  his  solemn  coming.  Paul 
was  now  upon  his  trial  before  the  court  of 
Nero,  the  second  time;  and  very  shortly 
afterwards  sealed  with  his  blood  those 
great  truths  he  had  so  nobly  preached  to 
the  eihiizeh  of  tha  living  God.  It  was  the 
voice  of  a  prisoner  of  nope,  from  a  filthy 
dungeon  at  Rome,  piercing  through  all  the 
gloom  of  darkness  and  deatli,  and  thus  fol- 
lowing his  Master  from  a  cross  to  a  oxovn. 
It  has  been  most  ignorantly  observed  by 
some  {|«r80DS,  that  individuals  die  befbre 
their  time.  This  is  not  only  absurd,  bat 
eonb*aiiy  to  Bible  truth.  It  may  be  before 
their  eadmated  time,  and  that  is  I  preemne 
what  is  meant  in  lliose  portions — ^Ecdes. 
iii.  17 ;  f^saln,  Iv.  23.  But  surely  we  are 
not  idlowad  to  interpret  one  part  of  God's 
word  in  direct  opposition  to  tne  other,  (see 
Job  vii,  1,  also  Bede.  iii,  2.)  Paul's  fife 
was  eecvre  uirtil  the  appointed  hour  came. 
Nor  could  bloody  Nero  hurt  a  hair  of  his 
head  until  the  set  time  airived.  A  man 
once  said  to  me  many  vears  since  whilst  J 
dwelt  at  March,  Isle  of  Ely,  with  a  sneer— 
"There  is  no  appointed  time  to  die." 
Then,  I  sud,  hj  way  of  reply,  ''mind  you 
do  not  die  too  ««ity."  Such  statements  are 
a  dishonour  to  the  Bible. 

Secondly,  The  (%ristian  Waxrior's  Noble 
Conflicts.— •*  I  have  fought  a  good  fight ;"  it 
is  in  the  came  of  a  goodmaster,  for  the  ob* 
tainment  of  a  good  object,  and  with  a  ^;ood 
end  in  view.  The  Christian  man  and  minis- 
ter asnew^bom  into  a  new  state  »  designed  to 
contend  with  the  whole  earth.  See  Jere- 
miah XV,  10.  Our  fight  is  with  sinful  self, 
and  righteous  self,  the  world,  the  flesh,  and 
the  devil.  We  are  exhorted  to  contend 
earnestly  for  the  fliith.  The  spiritual 
minister  in  Zion  has  a  legion  to  fight  against; 
false  systems  in  almost  every  gwd®*  Be 
has  a  peculiar  sword  to  use,  and  it  is  a  most 
blessed  privilege  to  use  it  wisely ;  that  we 
cut  up  error, 'but  spare  the  transgressors. 
Our  dear  departed  fnend  was  eminently 
blessed  in  ihis  particular.  He  knew  how 
to  combine  solid  firmness  in  the  truth,  with 
warm  affection  for  the  souls  of  men.  He 
kept  the  faith  because  he  was  kept  in 
the  faith.  He  doubtless  had  his  sore  con- 
flicts at  Colchester,  but  he  was  honourably 
helped  through  alL  Tes,  he  fought  in 
faith ;  ho  iojigtxt  for  fte  fkith ;  t2ie  ancient 
faith ;  not  the  jumbie  cre&d  of  dntj-faid, 
that  smooth  way  to  pescdition.  His  glory 
was  to  hoist  the  person  of  Immanud  veiy 
high,  to  preach  the  pprar  cf  his  Mood; 

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July  1,  166i. 


THE  EABTHSK  VESSEI^. 


183 


above  all,  the  d«filementfi  of  ain  and 
the  glory  of  the  grace  of  Christ 'as  the 
solid  stay,  rapport,  and  comfort  of  a 
uyed  sinner ;  and  these  things  will  stand 
irhen  eyery  thing  else  will  come  to  nothing ; 
and  through  mejrcy  our  dear  friend  lived 
out  his  preaching,  to  the  obtaining  a  good 
report  horn  hundreds,  who  knew  not  the 
ralue  of  his  ministry.  Re  fought  with 
**  the  sword  of  the  Spirit"  which  oftentimes 
divides  between  the  husband  and  the  wife, 
the  brother  and  sister.  In  this,  grace  is 
magnified  and  sin  exposed.  So  fought  our 
dear  brother  until  his  divine  ]tf  aster  said, 
it  is  enough, — "  well  done,  good  and  faith- 
ful seryaat,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord.'*  I  have  oftentimes  felt  surprised 
that  our  brothei^s  ministry  was  so  thinly 
attended.  I  once  asked  lilm  how  he  could 
q[uietly  preach  to  so  few.  His  reply  was, 
"My  Ix>rd  is  working."  It  was  a  peculiar 
ministry  by  a  peculiar  man ;  peace  was  his 
darling  theme,  but  never  at  the  cost  of 
truth.  He  never  q^ualified  his  creed  to 
psvsons  of  middle  stature.  He  kept  the 
xaith,  no  trimming  with  Samuel  Brockle- 
hnrst  to  seek  love. 

For  nearly  thirty  years  did  he  stand  in 
Colchester,  a  witness  for  God,  labouring 
soundly  in  honestly  declaring  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus,  with  apparently  small  en- 
oDuragement.  I  well  know  my  tempera- 
ment would  not  have  endured  such  a  trial. 
We  have  stood  together  in  solid  and  un- 
disturbed friendship  for  twenty  ^ears.  I 
shall  not  soon  forget  the  very  kind  solic- 
itude he  often  sh^ed  to  his  friend,  es- 
pecially at  our  first  interview ;  we  walked 
and  worked  together  ae  one,  his  steady 
and  abiding  friendship  was  truly  worthy  of 
the  name. 

III.  We  notice,' "The  heavenly -warrior's 
assured  victory."  This  is  according  to 
the  covenant  promise  and  power  ot  our 
God.  The  triumph  of  truth  is  certain,  we 
obtain  many  victories  in  our  pathway  whilst 
contending  against  earth,  and  hell,  and 
**  wicked  spirits  in  hiffh  plaices." 

It  is  a  great  favor  tohave  self  under  control 
whilst  employed  in  the  noble  service  of  the 
sanctuaiy.  This  our  dear  £nend  did  pos- 
sess in  a  large  degree;  he  lived  by  faith, 
walked  in  the  faith,  and  died  in  the  &ith. 
Grasping  the  standard  with  his  almost  ex- 
piring brcatl^  on  the  aflemoon  previous  to 
the  da^  of  his  departure,  he  eoDefaamed,  "  I 
am  going  home;  I  am  so  fiill  of  Christ,  I 
could  not  bear  more."  There  was  no  room 
for  the  creature,  this  was  finishing  his 
course  with  joy,  and  obtaining  victory  over 
the  last  enemy  with  holy  triumph. 

Wo  hayie  Irred  to  see  manv  wlio  have 
b«gan  ipell,  and  for  a  time  maintained  the 
eauae  of  &ee,  sorweign,  and  sAectnal  gmee, 
but  wlMie  are  they  wm?      They  wl  vai 


candidly  they  have  found  it  needful  to 
choose  a  miadle  course ;  will  they  dare  to 
assert  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the  author 
of  such  changes,  and  if  not,  who  but  ihe 
devil  is  ?  I  have  lon^  been  censured  for 
speaking  out  thus  plainly,  but  I  heed  not 
such  rebuke.  Were  1  now,  after  forty 
years  standing  on  Zion's  walls,  to  begin  to 
qualify,  I  should  go  down  to  Jericho  at 
once;  oh  the  great  mercy  of  keeping  the 
faith  I 

But  the  Christian  in  death  is  more  than 
conqueror,  for  he  dies  to  Hve.  Our  brother 
fights  no  more ;  the  warrior  has  left  the  walls 
below  for  the  mansions  above.  Contention 
and  strife  can  vex  his  spirit  no  more.  His 
mortal  remains  sleep  in  Jesus  to  be  brought 
with  Him  again,  when  the  ^eat  trumpet 
shall  sound.  Zion  in  general  has  lost  a 
truly  fftithful  servant;  you  as  a  church 
have  lost  a  kind  and  affectionate  pastor, 
who  always  had  your  wel&ire  at  neart; 
you,  my  widowed  sister,  have  parted  with  an 
endeared  husband.  But  your  union  in  Josus 
is  unbroken.  Very  many  in  Colchester 
have  lost  a  real  friend,  who  delighted  in 
doin|;  good  to  you  in  those  many  kind 
services  which  has  given  his  name  a  warm 
place  in  your  affectionate  remembrance; 
and  for  which  he  was  so  well  qualified.  He 
had  truly  a  good  report  of  them  that  are 
without. 

IV.  We  notioe,  **  Wb  coronation,  a  crown 
of  righteousness  laid  up."  Shall  we  ask 
what  this  erown  is,  where  laid  up,  and  for 
whom  is  it  reserved  ?  This  crown  I  take  to 
set  forth  the  whole  slory  of  Christ  in  heaven ; 
Jesus  is  the  life  of  that  vast  assembly,  His 
righteousness,  blood,  and  grace,  is  the  sub- 
stanoe  of  their  new  sone.  It  is  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  as  it  is  the  full  enjoyment  of 
the  soul's  bliss,  until  the  resurrection  mom, 
for  the  chureh  of  God  will  not  be  perfected  in 
fulness  until  bodv  and  spirit,  bought  with 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  be  presented 
sound  and  whole  before  the  throne.  This 
was  treasured  up  in  the  covenant  council 
of  Jehovah,  —  Father,  Word,  and  Spirit, 
laid  up  in  Jesus  as  the  living  Head  of 
His  body,  and  He  tbe  righteous  Judge 
will  give  it  to  all  his  followers  who  war  a 
good  wrarfiEve  even  to  the  end.  Hanj 
godly  people  are  apt  to  say  yes,  this 
crown  wmslaid  up  for  Paul  and  others,  who 
like  him,  labor  mueh  in  the  Lord,  but  surely 
it  oaiinot  be  laid  up  for  such  a  poor  nothing 
creature  as  I  am.  Now  observe  how  my 
text  meets  such  humble  souls,  "And not 
for  me  onl^,  bat  fior  all  them  also  that  lore 
his  appeanag."  How  encouragingr  for  the 
wieakeat  beUopor  that  hangs  upon  3ie  anna 
of  Jeans. 

It  would  M«n  that  Paul  does  not  in  theie 
words  isiclude  the  idea  of  degrees  of  glory. 
Many  good  people  think  ao ;  well,  wo  need 

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184 


THE  EABTHEK  VESSEL. 


July  I,  ISM. 


not  be  displeased  wIUi  them,  I  confess  I  do 
not  believe  the  sentiment,  and  for  this 
reasoni  because  I  cannot  conceire  how  per- 
fection can  admit  of  degree :  but  be  it  so. 
If  some  minds  are  larger  than  others  in 
glory,  this  is  our  crown :  they  will  all  be 
full,  and  he  that  is  full  of  Christ  will  be  per- 
fectly happy,  and  who  can  be  more.  "For 
all  them  aUo  that  Iotc  his  appearing."  Here, 
my  hearers,  is  a  touchstone  to  tiy  ourselvte 
by.  It  is  very  plain  but  not  less  exprewlTe, 
most  persons  can  tell  where  their  love  ia. 
Is  the  Christian  man  or  woman  the  only 

Sirson  who  cannot  tell  where  their  heart  ia  7 
0  you  loTe  his  appearing  very  clearly  in 
the  Gospel  ministry  ?  Do  you  love  his  ap- 
pearance in  prayer,  in  Providence,  in  the 
means  of  grace  ?  Is  everything  quite  empti- 
ness to  you  without  Him  ?  Then  you  will 
love  His  appearingto  take  you  home,  to  make 
your  bed  in  death,  and  to  prepare  you  for  the 
place  he  has  prepared  for  you.  To  con- 
clude, we  are  gathered  this  afternoon  to  pay 
the  last  token  of  res{>ect  to  the  memory  of 
one  we  loved,  and  in  death  we  are  not 
divided.  Could  our  brother  now  speak  he 
would  say  in  those  meltiog  words  of  our  great 
Christ  on  the  cross,  "  Weep  not  for  me,  but 
for  yourselves."  This  voice  speaks  solemnly 
to  the  church  in  this  place,  orer  whom  he 
very  affectionately  watched  for  so  many 
years.  Be  ye  followers  of  your  departed  pas- 
tor as  far  as  he  followed  Christ ;  the  greatest 
honor  you  can  do  to  his  memory  is  to  cleave 
close  to  those  great  truths  which  were  the 
delight  of  his  soul  to  preach.  Let  it  be 
your  constant  care  to  guard  this  pulpit  from 
error ;  we  live  in  kidnapping  days,  beware 
of  middle  men  in  particular.  Watch  and 
pray  against  any  strife  amongst  yourselves, 
be  united,  watchful,  and  prayerful. 

To  his  dear  widow,  my  bereaved  sister,  I 
would  say,  look  upwards  and  press  forward. 
Your  heavenly  husband  is  on  the  throne. 
Put  on  Jesus  continually  as  thy  wedding 
dress,  wear  it  to  his  honor,  for  as  Watts 
saith, — 

The  more  'tis  worn,  the  mora  it  shines. 

The  Lord  appear  to  befriend  the  widow  in 
tliis  hour  of  need. 

To  the  dear  children  who  were  entrusted 
to  his  care  as  a  schoolmaster ;  he  was  not 
only  your  teacher,  but  your  foster  father. 
He  loved  you  and  felt  a  deep  concern  for 
your  good.  I  was  much  pleaded  with  a 
relation  of  circumstancos  I  heard  a  short 
time  since  of  his  affectionate  care ;  he  was 
often  seen  in  the  eve  of  the  day  with  the 
boys  around  him,  one  on  each  knee,  and 
others  round  his  neck,  all  eagerly  listening 
to  the  instructions  he  was  impacting,  and 
although  hia  Toice  is  now  silent  in  death,  I 
would  hope  that  the  God  of  all  grace  may 
bless  those  instructions  to  your  youthftd 


minds,  which  shall  bring  forth  fruit  in  an 
after  day. 

Neighbours  and  friends  at  Colchester, 
our  departed  brother  has  his  testimony  in 
vour  hearts  as  a  real  and  valued  friend.  I 
have  heard  something  said  about  a  tablet, 
such  things  are  very  well  in  their  place, 
but  his  best  monument  is  in  the  affectionate 
remembrance  of  those  who  loved  him  for 
his  works*  sake.  I  have  lost  a  valued 
friend  and  companion,  always  ready  to 
every  kind  work ;  but  our  berearement  is 
his  everlasting  gain. 

Accept,  dear  friends,  these  feeble  re- 
marks as  a  testimony  of  kind  respect  to  the 
memory  of  one  we  all  loved.  Keep  close 
to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ ;  and  now  that 
the  servant  is  called  home,  ask  yourselves 
how  far  you  profited  by  his  labors  of  love. 
I  may  never  see  you  any  more,  but  I  shall 
not  cease  to  cherish  a  hope  that  the  dear 
Lord  may  raise  you  up  a  pastor  after  his 
own  heart,  who  shall  feed  you  with  know- 
ledge and  understanding.  Farewell  for 
Christ's  sake.  To  the  ^ly  Three  in  one. 
Father,  Word,  and  Spirit,  be  all  the  glory. 
William  Feltos. 

No.  6,  Borough  road,  Ipswich. 
May  18,  1864. 


THE  WOED   OF  GOD  IN  THE 
SOUL. 

**  My  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain,'*  &o.— 
Dent,  xxxii.  2. 

Like  as  the  field  when  t)ath*d  in  tears 
Of  glist'ning  dew  at  early  mom. 
Or,  as  the  earth  around  i^pears 
When  gentle  showers  an  past  and  gone ; 
The  mead  with  sparklinf  moisture  shines 
Or  silvery  pools  adorn  the  plain. 
So  in  the  Christian's  sonl  these  signs 
Attend  each  tall  of  heav'niy  rain. 

But  ere  the  day  has  pasa'd  away 
The  fields  their  former  look  regain. 
Refreshing  dews  no  longer  stajs 
The  silver^'  pools  forsake  the  plain. 
Yet  when  the  parched  and  thirsty  ground 
Implores  again  the  genial  shower. 
Soft  cooling  rains  descend  around, 
Beviving  eVrj-  plant  and  flower. 

Thus  is  it  often  with  the  soul. 

And  evidences  fade  from  view. 

But  He  who  first  the  heart  made  whole. 

His  visits  will  again  renew. 

And,  as  the  rain  and  snow  fulfil 

His  gracious  purposes  of  love. 

So  doth  His  word  instruct  the  will, 

Bejoioe  the  heart,  and  fears  remove. 

A.w.r. 


Chritft  as  our  surety,  put  away  sin  from 
hefore  God,  as  if  it  had  never  been.— 
Somaine. 

Chriat  has  the  same  love  in  his  heart 
now,  as  he  had  when  nailed  to  the  eroM : 
he  has  not  changed  hia  heart,  though  he  has 
changed  hia  state  and  place. — Somaine, 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


July  I,  1864. 


THE  EABTHEir  T8SSEL. 


185 


jnitii88  ma  luath  0f  IHln  John  |A 

FASTOa  OF  THB  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  MBSriNO     IN   80HO  CKAPKL,  OXFOBO  STRBET,   LONDON. 


It  appears  but  a  few  yean  since  we  first  met 
our  deceased  brother  JPells,  at  the  Parsonage 
house,  adjoining  Mr.  Foock*s  chapel,  in 
Ipswich.  John  Pells  was  then  jn^t 
b«ginning  to  be  useful  in  the  Sunday 
school,  and  was  highly  esteemed.  We 
remember  well  the  impression  upon  our 
mind  was  that  he  would  soon  be  in  the 
ministry;  there  was  all  that  cheerful  apt- 
ness, warm  zeal,  and  inward  light  and  love, 
all  those  natural  and  spiritual  qualifications 
which  are  almost  certain — under  favourable 
circumstances — to  carry  a  man  into  fields  of 
usefulness  and  acceptance. 

Very  soon  after  the  period  we  have 
referred  to,  we  heard  that  John  Pells  was 
preaching  the  Gospel  in  different  places, 
runstall,  Clare,  and  other  parts  of  our 
Zion,  soon  heard  bis  voice  ;  and  the  good 
people  at  Clare  speedily  settled  him  as  their 
pastor.  For  that  cause  our  brother  worked 
vefy  hard ;  and  we  believe  seals  to  his  min- 
istry were  neither  few  nor  uncertain.  The 
Lord,  we  hope,  did  there  honour  his  servant ; 
and  if  ever  a  man  flung  heart,  head,  and 
hand  into  a  work,  we  feel  persuaded  others 
with  us  will  say,  John  Pells  did  without  any 
reser>-e. 

His  removal  from  Clare  to  Soho,  Oxford 
btreet,  is  ^^nerally  known.  His  influence  in 
Metropolitan  and  Provincial  Churches  as  a 
pleasant  prMcher  of  Christ's  Gospel,  has 
been  increasingly  extensive.  It  is  only  the 
other  day  we  luui  a  long  list  from  his  secre- 
tary of  his  engagements  for  the  coming 
month ;  but  in  one  short  week,  he  has  been 
laid  in  illness,  and  in  the  sleep  of  death. 

The  following  note  we  had  written  for  our 
wxapoer  in  the  expectation  that  a  few  days 
woula  have  seen  him  raised  to  his  work 
again:— 

*'  Mb.  John  Prlls  has  had  a  severe  ill- 
ness ;  his  medical  attendants  almost  des- 
paired of  his  life ;  but  at  the  time  we  write, 
his  beloved  wife  says  in  a  note  to  us,  dated 
June  2l6t,  '  I  am  happy  to  say  I  hope  there 
is  a  change  for  the  better  in  my  dear  hus- 
band ;  he  is  in  a  veiy  low  state,  unable  to 
see  any  one,  or  to  rise  in  the  bed  without 
assistance.  Craving  an  interest  in  your 
prayers,  I  am,  &c.,  0.  S.  Pblls.'  We 
trust  he  will  speedily  be  restored  to  that 
large  field  of  usefulness  the  Lord  has  given 
him. 

But,  alas !  while  a  dear  brother  minister 
opposite  us  (Mr.  Bowler)  has  been  in  the 
waters  of  death  apparently  for  four  years, — 
this  young  man,  m  the  ascendency  toward 
his  prime,  is  suddenly  called  away. 

The  following  lines  gave  us  the  first 
mournful  announcement  that  John  Pells 


was  no  more.    A  Correspondent  writes  for 
us  in  words  as  annexed. 

"It  is  our  painful  duty  to  record  the  death 
of  this  esteemed  and  highly  successful  minis- 
ter of  Christ,  whose  labours  are  so  sudddenly 
brought  to  a  close.  It  is  almost  needless  to 
refer  to  the  happy  succes  which  has  attended 
his  labours  at  Soho  Chapel,  Oxford-street. 
The  Church  has  been,  by  this  unlocked  for 
stroke  of  divine  providence  deprived  of  their 
affectionate  pastor ;  the  happy  wife  and  de- 
voted mother,  has  been  widowed,  and  seve- 
ral small  children  left,  bereft  of  one  of  the 
most  loving  of  fathers.  We  can  only  state 
at  present,  that  our  esteemed  brother,  moved 
into  a  new  house  on  Thursday  last,  the  16th 
of  June  ;  on  the  next  day  he  was  unwell ; 
and  was  unable  to  preach  on  Sunday  last. 
Thecomplaint,being  stoppage  of  the  bowels, 
seemed  relieved  on  Monday ;  but  a  relapse 
came  on  and  he  sunk  in  the  arms  of  death 
on  Thursday,  the  23rd  June.  Thus  ended 
the  earthly  career  of  Mr.  John  Pells,  but 
more  in  our  next  in  relation  to  the  life  and 
death  of  this  short  lived  but  favoured 
saint. 

Smce  the  above  was  written,  we  have 
called  on  Mrs.  Pells,  anxious  to  express  and 
manifest  any  sympathy  within  our  power. 
Our  dear  sister  was  almost  overwhelmed 
with  sorrow,  yet  upheld  and  consoled  with 
the  double  consolation  that  during  the 
whole  course  of  their  union,  the  strongest 
and  purest  affection  had  bound  them  to- 
gether, and  in  the  closing  hours  of  his 
earthly  life  he  was  enabled  to  commit  wife, 
children,  church,  deacons,  and  all,  iuto  the 
hands  of  the  Lord,  and  free  from  every  fear, 
and  happy  in  the  prospect  of  an  eternal 
world,  to  bow  before  his  glorious  Master, 
and  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done."  Although 
the  ^ins  of  death  were  severe,  yet,  until 
within  ten  minutes  of  his  end,  he  was  sen- 
sible and  happy,  he  expressed  no  wish 
either  to  live  or  die ;  but,  as  it  were,  clasp- 
ing a  dear  Redeemer  in  the  arms  of  his  faith 
and  affection,  and  laying  aside  every  other 
weight  and  burden,  he  entered  Jordan^s 
flood;  and  at  half-past  four  on  Thursday 
morning,  June  23rd,  1864,  nothing  but  a 
lifeless  corpse  was  found—the  ransomed 
spirit  of  John  PeUs  was  gone,  after  spend- 
ing seven  and  thirty  years  in  this  lower 
world.  In  about  four  years  Mrs.  Pells  will 
have  buried  three  children  and  her  husband. 
As  we  journeyed  on,  reflecting  upon  the 
sudden  departure  of  the  young  pastor  of 
,Soho,  many  thoughts  crossed  the  mind. 
"  Man  appoints  ;  God  disappoints."  Col- 
lege place,   Camden  Town,  has  been  the 


186 


THB  EARTBBH  VESfflSL. 


July  1,  1M4. 


resting  plaoe  of  brother  PelLs  and  his  family 
for  some  few  yean.  "He  had  just  contem- 
plated and  completed  a  removal.  This  re- 
moral,  it  may  be,  had  imduly  exehed  him. 
He  had  scarcely  taken  his  family  into  No. 
9,  Tolman  square,  in  the  Hampstead  road, 
than  prostrate  he  lay  on  a  bed  of  sickness, 
and  in  the  arms  of  death.  Oor  ministers — 
considering  the  immense  amonnt  of  mental 
and  physiSiI  labour  some  of  them  undergo 
— ^live  a  long"  time ;  our  brother  might  have 
looked  forward  for  tSiirty  years  of  labour 
in  his  Master's  service ;  but  alas !  suddenly 
he  has  left  us.  •*  Man  that  is  bom  of  a 
woman,  is  of  few  days,"  and  they  are  days  of 
trouble. 

THE  DEATH  OfISr  JOHN    PELL'S. 

Mb.  John  Pills,  the  late  happy  and  useful 
minister  of  Soho  Chapel,  Cbdtord  street,  is 
no  more.  This  disciple  of  Jesus  has  been 
called  from  his  labours  below  to  receive 
his  reward,  and  to  enter  into  rest.  The 
Lord  is  a  Soveroign,  and  who  shall  question 
his  will  and  his  wisdom,  when  He  cometh 
into  His  vineyard  and  (»dleth  away  one  of 
the  most  usenil,  and  highly-blessed  labour- 
ers, imparently  in  the  very  midst  of  his 
work? 

Such  appears,  to  mortal  view,  the  case 
with  our  departed  brother.  In  the  37th 
year  of  his  age,  and  the  6th  year  of  his 
ministry  at  Soho,  where  the  church  and 
congre^ion  has  been  rapidly  increasing : 
where,webelieve,notone  seat  remained  unlet 
and  where  the  chapel  has  been  crowded 
to  inconyenience ;  and  doubtless  many  souls 
have  been  born  for  heaven  under  his  minis- 
trations. But  his  work  is  done,  and  he  is 
called  home. 

On  Thursday,  the  16th  of  June,  our 
brother  removed  fifom  his  residence  in  Col- 
lege place,  to  a  new  house,  nearer  the  Chapel, 
just  ouf  of  Hampstead-road,  built  on  the 
ground  where  the  old  reserroir  sto«d.  On 
the  same  evening,  he  complained  of  being 
unwell ;  and  kept  his  bed  the  greater  part 
of  the  next  day.  In  the  evening,  by  the 
solicitations  of  his  dear  wife,  he  ^t  up, 
hoping  by  a  little  exertion  to  assist  the 
action  of  the  medical  remedies  employed. 
The  disease  now  showed  itself  to  be  stop- 
page of  the  bowels ;  inflammation  set  in  most 
rapidly;  and  the  poor  patientfs  sufferings 
became  very  great.  It  was  deemed  advis- 
able to  call  m  further  medical  aid.  A  phy- 
sician was  sent  for ;  and  eonsultation  after 
consultation  eosued  :  but  alas,  without  avail, 
for  on  the  Thursday  following,  our  dear 
brother'ii  soul  took  its  flight  to  regions 
above. 

We  have  been  ftivoured  with  a  few  facta 
relating  to  his  hat  days.  It  is  felt  by  his 
dear  wife,  and  now  sortowfW  widow,  that 
he  had  a  presentiment  that  his  time  was 
short.     On  the  last  Sunday,  he  went  to 


Soho,  as  his  custom  was  to  walk  with  Mr. 
Bloomfield,  about  six  o*do«k  he  aroused 
his  wife,  saying  **  my  dear,  don't  let  us  be 
late  this  morning,  for  this  will  be  my  la^ 
Sabbath's  walk  with  brother  Bloomfield." 
In  this  he  doubtless  referred  to  his  remov- 
ing to  the  new  house;  but  there  were 
several  other  incidents  tending  to  show  hia 
mind  was  deeply  fixed  on  the  changeable- 
ness  of  things  below.  He  recently  pleaded 
for  the  Birmingham  Minister's  Socie^» 
and  the  earnestness  with  which  he  pressed 
the  claims  of  the  widow  on  his  hearer^ 
struck  the  minds  of  many ;  and  particularly 
of  his  deacons.  On  the  Monday  previous  to 
his  death,  he  seemed  somewhat  easy,  and 
fell  asleep ;  his  wife  left  fbr  a  short  time, 
and  returned  and  laid  by  his  side.  Sudden- 
ly he  sprang  up  in  great  aeony,  codling  for 
one  of  his  cnildren.  His  ever  vigilant 
companion,  inquired,  "  are  you  frightened, 
dearr 

He  replied,  "yes,  I  was  afraid  yon  had 
all  left  me !" 

Then  in  earnest  prayer  cried  to  his  Loid 
and  Saviour,  to  support  him;  for  he  had 
preaehed  resignation  to  others,  O  might 
that  graee  support  him  now,  that  a  murmur 
might  not  escape  his  tips. 

A  slight  pause  ensued  ;  turning  to  his  wif^, 
he  said,  "  my  love,  /  am  about  to  leave  you  ; 
and,  I  fed  I  cam  commit  you,  and  my  dear 
children,  nuf  people  and  deacons  to  the  keep^ 
inaofthe  Lord,'* 

"From  that  time  the  c«-e  of  his  children 
seemed  to  be  taken  ficom  him,  as  he  never 
mentioned  them  after,  although  one  of  the 
moet  loving  and  affectionate  Others. 

He  now  became  much  exhausted,  could 
talk  but  little,  and  but  few  friends  could  be 
suffered  to  see  him. 

The  same  day,  Mr.  Peat,  (a  young  minis- 
ter taken  by  the  hand  very  warmly  by  our 
departed  brother)  saw  him,  and  engaged  in 
prayer.  • 

After  Mr.  Feat  had  gone,  he  exclaimed, 

"  Blees  that  dear  feflow ;  how  his  prayer 
has  seemed  to  strengthen  my  soul  to  bear 
what  I  have  to  paas  through." 

The  dosing  scene  was  nowgrowing  apace; 
strength  rapidly  failed;  the  body  sunk 
while  the  spirit  rose. 

His  faithful  partner,  seeing  the  shadoW9 
of  death  ftiUing  around,  inquired  most 
affectionately, 

'*  My  dear,  are  you  happy  ?  " 

The  dying  saint  repUed,  in  lisping 
straina, 

*' Happy!  happy!  happy!  Christ  is  so 
pRaaetrs   wintiS   I   ah  pasbiro  tsrocqh 

THE   WATKRS    OP    JOKDAW." 

With  such  a  blessed  testimony  on  his  lip9, 
and.  supported  in  the  arms,  and  leaning  on 
the  breast  of  his  loving'but  sorrowing  wife, 
John  Pells'  soul  fled  to  be  with  his  Lord  and 
Master.  ^  t 

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1S7 


THE   LOYE  OF   GOD  TO    HIS   ELECT  FAMILY, 


Whsv  the  all-bleflBed  Spirit  of  the  ever 
liying  and  evei  .loving  God  hath,  given 
His  testiinony,  and  set  Bi»  seal  to  the  soul, 
which  before  sat  quivering  and  trembling 
at  the  door  of  hope,  that  God  doth  own, 
accept,  and  pardon  it,  oh!  what  a  cabn 
there  is  in  that  soul;  what  halcyon  dajs 
doth  it  then  live  in.  It  enjoys  a  jubUee 
every  moment.  Ohi  the  breathings  and 
mutual  interstreamings  forth  of  love,  that 
are  between  God  and  this  soul.  Time 
steals  away  and  is  not  perceived;  the  soul 
is  so  busily  employed  in  the  contemplation 
of  its  blessed  lEsdaamer ;  hours  are  not  ac- 
counted for  minutes,  uat  da3pa  for  hours ; 
it  rather  seems  an  eternity  than  time ! 
The  soul  is  ravished  with  1h/d  shining  forth 
of  the  rays  of  light,  and  forgets  itself  in 
minding  Him,  and  is  ready  to  say,  Am  I 
in  heaven,  or  is  heaven  in  me  ?      Is  time 

fne  up,  or  eternity  come  down  ?  Methinks 
hear  mv  Beloved  calling,  "Arise,  my 
love,  my  dove,  and  come  away;  let  me  see 
Thy  fece ;  for  sweet  is  Thy  voice,  and  Thv 
countenance  is  cotnefy." — Canticles  iL  1^ 
14.  Oh!  how  do  the  love-speaking  words 
of  Christ  afifect  the  heart  and  even  transport 
the  soul  into  admiration  ;  all  the  pangs  of 
the  new  birth,  and  all  its  sorrows  are  now 
foraotten  and  swallowed  up  in  mrishmenl 
and  raptures  of  joy ;  the  soul  ia  bo  ava- 
rouaded  with  the  gUUeringraya  of  joy;  it  is 
even  siok  of  love,  while  healed  by  it.  Now  it 
be^ns  to  feast  itself  on  loves,  and  to  cheer 
itself  with  the  Bridegroom's  voioe  (Can.  iv. 
7).  My  Beloved  haSx  piomounoed  me  fair, 
and  there  is  no  spot  in  me  ;  now  the  day  of 
my  espousals  is  eoma,  whevein  all  the  hidden 
treasures,  all  the  pmoious  jewels,  all  the 
vast  possessions,  all  the  sparkling  beaaty, 
all  thefflorious  holiness,  all  the  Divine  wis- 
dom, all  the  all-snfBoient  power,  yea,  all  the 
all  of  Christ  is  made  over  to  me,  saith  the 
soul.  What  shall  I  now  fear  who  am  more 
than  conqueror?  What  shall  I  want  who 
have  all  things  richly  to  enjoy?  Who  shall 
lay  anything  to  my  enarsef  Who^iallhnrt 
me  ?  Who  shall  daimt  me,  who  h&ve  the 
love  of  Jesus,  and  the  power  of  my  dear 
Saviour  to  goard.  ma?  Nothing  shall 
seMzate  between  my  B^vad  and  me,  for 
*'He  is  mine,  and  I  son.  His  for  ever."— 
Bom.  viii.  35. 

The  law  is  so  far  firom  being  a  Beaneiges 
to  such  a  sonl,  tliat  it  ^ealetliiin  £ur,  and 
him  blessed.  li  ottmet  not  to  him  as  of 
old  from  Sinar,  wlkk  terrible  thuBdanxi|gB, 
but  it  poSMth l^  as  a  still  small  voioe,  heina 
silenced  by  Jesaa  Christy  who  hath  stoppea 


its  mouth,  and  sealed  it  up  from  cursing 
(Gal.  V.  24).  Jesus  Christ  hath  fulfilled 
the  law  whereby  the  large  bills  of  indict- 
ment, which  it  had  to  cunrge  are  aU  can^ 
celled ;  the  repenting,  returning  soul  hath 
now  an  everlasting  Counsellor,  a  Riehteoua 
Advocate  at  God^s  right  hand,  and  God's 
dischai^ge  within  His  own  breast  for  ac- 
quittance ;  free  grace  doth  clasp  Him  within 
her  acms,  as  her  heart's  d^ght;  mercy 
embraceth  and  embosoms  Him  as  her 
dearest  darh'ng,  and  for  grace  and  mercies 
sake  the  very  Judge  ai^  justice  itself  is 
become  his  friend.  So  that  though  he  be 
found  a  breaker  of  the  law,  yet  upon  his 
hearty  sorrow  and  amendment,  by  tho 
Spirit,  a  pardon  makes  up  that  breach; 
and  thou^  he  cazmot  keep  the  law,  his 
righteousness  is  not  the  less  complete,  for 
he  is  complete  in  Christ,  who  hath  out^ 
lawed  the  law,  and  turned  the  curse  into  a 
blessing.  And,  though  a  Christian  cannot 
be  justified  by  the  law,  yet  the  law  itself 
cannot  but  clear  him,  and  give  him  the 
white  stone  of  absofaition.  Bomans  viii. 
2;  Galatians  V.  8, 2a. 

"The  strength  of  sin,  which  is  the  law," 
beinfl"  taken  aw^,  sin  itself  is  the  less 
dreaoftil.  The  Christian  is  already  freed 
from  t^e  reigning  power  of  sin,  though  he 
be  not  as  yet  free  from  sinning  ^Rom.  v.  7). 
He  oan  theaefpre  r«joice  in  spirit,  thouffn 
sin,  an  ill  neighbour,  dwell  in  flesh ;  he 
would  not  willingly  sin  against  God  that 
loves  him,  and  vet  he  doi2}te  not  but  6iod 
loves  him  upon  his  sincere  and  hearty  sor-- 
sow,  thott^  he  sin  against  him.  It  makes 
much  to  his  grief  that  his  heart  is  fEdse,  but 
it  makes  more  to  his  joy  that  God  is  droe ; 
though  his  sin  reaoh  unto  the  douds,  the 
mercies  of  his  God  are  above  the  heavens  ; 
thoagh  his  sin  overflows  him,  yet  the  grace 
of  his  God  overflows  his  sin ;  and  though 
the  ooeaa  of  sin  be  deep,  yet  the  deep  sea 
of  God's  mercies  is  boundless  to  the  family 
of  faith. 

As  for  his  wants  and  troubles,  he  is  not 
troubled  at  them,  but  bids  ell  welcome  with 
this,  «  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done."  He 
hath  more  oomfbrt  in  his  Benonies,  thou^ 
the^  be  sons  of  sorrow,  than  others  have  in 
their  Benjamins,  though  t^y  be  sons  of 
the  ri^thand ;  though  it  be  sometimes  low 
water  with  him,  ana  his  nomforts  ebb,  vet 
the  hi^  spring  of  his  joy  and  Qonsolation 
are  net  lest^  but  swallowed  i^  in  theooean 
of  love,  where  they  ore  zeeerved  for  him  to 
an  apppointed  time.  He  wonld  not  be  de* 
lighted  in  unless Qod  will;  'tis  the  will  of 


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THE  SAATHBN  VESSEL. 


July  1, 186ft. 


God  he  looks  after,  and  how  it  comes  he 
cares  not ;  whether  clothed  or  naked,  it  is 
welcome ;  to  have  anything  or  nothing,  to 
abonnd  or  to  want,  to  rejoice  or  to  be  sorrow- 
ful, to  be  AiU  or  empty,  to  fast  or  to  ^ast, 
to  lire  or  die — is  all  one  to  him  who  ac- 
counts nothing  his  joy  but  this,  To  be  in 
all  things  as  Qod  would  haye  him.  He  is 
One  that  would  not  be  at  his  own  choice, 
but  quiets  himself  in  Gk>d*s  determination ; 
if  Grod  send  him  comforts,  he  accounts  not 
them  but  Ood  his  comfort ;  and  if  God 
take  them  away,  he  is  not  displeased,  for 
he  is  not  comfortless  in  their  absence.  He 
knows  he  is  always  going  to  heaven,  and 
whether  his  way  oe  a  paradise  or  a  wilder- 
ness, whether  strewed  with  roses  or  beset 
with  thorns,  it*s  all  one  to  him.  He  loves 
nothing  for  it^  own  sake,  but  anything  as 
God's  allowance.  If  God  will  take  him  to 
heaven  he  will  go,  if  God  will  have  him 
stay  he  will  sta^'.  If  God  move  he  moves  ; 
if  Gt>d  stand  still,  he  pitcheth  his  tent  and 
stirs  not.  He  often  wants  livelihood,  and 
yet  lives ;  for  though  others  may  have  the 


thing,  thev  want  the  comfort ;  and  though 
he  want  the  thing,  yet  he  hath  the  comfort, 
and  therefore  he  can  part  with  his  dearest 
employment,  and  trample  upon  his  choicest 
comforts  when  God  calls  for  them,  as  being 
more  willing  that  God  should  be  glorfled 
in  their  absence  than  himself  comforted  in 
their  presence.  If  his  comfort  cannot  W 
wrapped  up  in  the  glory  of  God,  he  would 
have  no  comfort  (2.  Cor.  i.  9,  lO).  He  b<-«s 
abundance  in  want,  he  sees  enjoyments  lu 
disappointments,  health  in  sickness,  life  in 
death,  and  therefore  he  is  never  solicitous 
what  his  condition  may  be ;  but  with  a  liolv 
carelessness  and  resignation,  trusts  himself 
to  God's  disposing.  When  he  is  at  tht- 
highest,  Ghod  is  his  triumph,  and  so  God  is 
when  he  is  at  the  lowest.  He  is  never 
happy  but  in  God,  and  he  never  wants 
*- — iiness  whatever  befall  him  if  he  hare 

od. — ^Psalm  Ixxiii.  2r». 

Windsor  street, 

Harrow  road,  Paddington. 
(To  be  c&ntinuM.) 


HOW    SHALL   I    COME    TO    MY    GRAVE? 

▲  FEW  WOSDS  OATHBRKD  OUT  OF  A.  SERKOIC   PREACHBD  AT  THE  BAPTIST   CUAPSI', 
OLD  FOSD,   BOW. 

BY    CHABLES    WATERS    BANKS. 
#tCMionrb   b^  t^c   ^cat^   of  t^e  late  ^r.   Utosts   |8tUcr 


JuvB  18tr,  1864. 
Last  Thursday  afternoon  we  carried  to  the 
grave  the  mortal  remains  of  our  aged 
brother,  Mr.  Moses  Miller,  whose  age  was 
79,  or  nearly,  whose  faith  was  well  founded 
in  the  covenant  God  of  Israel,  and  whose 
.end  was  peace— only  interrupted  by  the 
pains  and  struggles  of  a  strong  nature  not 
easily  surrendering  to  the  cold,  stem  hand 
of  death. 

I  haye  known  our  departed  friend  rather 
closely  for  two  years ;  but  I  have  in  that 
time  known  his  nistoty  and  experience  for 
many  years.  He  was  a  honest,  devout, 
£uthful,  and  truly  God-fearing  man ;  and  I 
am  constrained  to  ask  jou  to  unite  with 
me  in  thanking  the  Lora,  who  so  carefully 
and  safely  preserved  him  to  the  end. 

I  have  no  uncommon  thing  to  speak  of 
respecting  him.  During  the  time  we  have 
lived  as  neighbours  together,  we  often 
walked  home  together,  and  always  talked  of 
the  beat  things.  I  am  thankfid  I  was 
enabled  to  administer  to  his  comfort  a  little 
in  lending]  him  some  of  my  best  books 
to  read.  He  loved  Huntington's,  Giirs, 
Owen's,  and  men  of  that  stamp,  and  florae- 
times  enjoyed  their  testimonies  much. 


Two  things  he  said  to  me  in  his  last  days 
I  will  mention.  First,  very  decidedly,  one 
morning  he  said  to  me, ''  I  have  one  thing 
to  say  to  you.*'  I  asked  him  what  it  war. 
He  said,  **It  is  that  you  continue  to  preach 
the  same  things  as  you  have  done."  He 
looked  unusuaUy  stem  at  me,  and  I  almost 
feared  he  had  discovered  some  little  fiigD» 
of  declension  in  me.  I  said,  "  Do  you  at 
all  suspect  me  ?  "  He  said,  "  No !  not  in 
the  least."  He  told  me  that  my  ministry 
at  times  ha4  been  a  neat  comfort  to  him. 
Secondly,  he  said,  '*  The  Lord  has  given  me 
a  word,'*  I  thought  he  meant  to  die  with,  "  It 
is  this,  '  Ye  have  continued  wit^  me  in  my 
temptations,  and  I  appoint  unto  yon  a  king- 
dom, as  my  Father  nath  appointed  unto 
me.'  "  It  'was  a  girdle  to  nis  heart,  and 
raised  him  above  aU  abiding  fear.  I 
could  walk  with  him  in  that  one  thing,  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  seek  for — and  to 
receive  words  from  the  Lord ;  these  were 
his  spiritual  meat  and  dnnk.  I  think  I  may 
say,  Moses  Miller  Adly  realized  both  parts 
of  that  Scripture,  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknow- 
ledge Him,  and  He  shall  direct  thy  paths." 
He  would  often  tell  me  he  had  had  a  word 
from  the  Lord ;  tsik  he  seemed  glad. 


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July  1,  1864. 


THE  BABTHSN  VESSEL. 


189 


When  I  was  thinking  of  the  ftmenl — 
those  words  in  laaiah  came  to  me,  "The 
righteous  is  taken  away  from  the  eyil  to 
come."  The  margin  says  '*  taken  from 
that  whieh  t>  evil.''  There  is  truth  in  that 
translation.  An  nnbeliering  heart  is  an 
aril ;  a  world  blishted  by  sickness,  sin,  and 
death,  is  an  evil;  and  there  may  be  eyil 
days  on  the  earth  for  Zion  yet,  but  Moses 
Huler  is  taken  from  them  all.  When  I 
thought  to  speak  a  few  words  this  evening, 
the  text  came  to  me,  "Thou  shalt  come 
to  thy  grave  in  a  full  age,  as  a  shock  of  com 
Cometh  in  his  season."  And,  therefore,  I 
shall  t^  and  speak  a  word  or  two, 

I.  To  shew  the  meaning  of  the  words. 
^  II.  To  notice  they  are  addressed  pos- 
itively to  persons,  some  of  whom  may  be 
present.  I  may  look  at  some  of  you,  and 
say,  "  Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a 
full  age,"  &c 

The  subject  in  the  text  is  A  happt  diath. 
It  was  said,  "  No  man  is  to  be  accounted 
happy  until  he  come  to  die."  A  man 
may  live  in  good  estate  circnmstantiaUv, 
morally,  and  professedly,  and  yet  not  die  m 
union  to  Chnst,  because  all  the  time  ho 
lived  he  was  dead.  So,  on  the  other  hand, 
a  man  may  live  under  great  temptations  all 
his  life,  yet  Ood  may  fovor  him  with  solid 
peace  and  pardon  in  the  end. 

The  words,  of  the  text  we  may  divide  into 
two  parts. 

.    1.  The  Declarative:   "Thou  shalt  come 
to  thy  grave." 

2.  The  iU^Hrative  or  Descriptive :  how 
shall  I  come  to  my  grave  ? 

Ah  \  that  is  a  <^uestion  indeed.  It  would  do 
a  man  no  harm  if,  in  connection  with  faith 
in  Jesus  Christ,  he  should  every  night  lie 
down  with  this  solemn  declaration,  "  I  must 
come  to  m^.  grave ;  *'  andeveiy  mom  ins  rise 
up  with  this  weightv  question,  "  How  shall  I 
come  to  my  graveV'  Constant  meditation  on 
the  things  needful  for  a  happy  death  might 
be  useful. 

Eliphaz  is  d'^acribing  a  good  man,  a  man 
whom  God  hath  saved,  corrected,  redeemed, 
delivered,  and  hidden;  to  such  an  one 
Eliphaz  says,  "  Thou  shalt  come  to  thy 
grave  in  a  full  age,  like  a  shock  of  com  in 
his  season." 

Look  at  the  Declaration,  <'Thou  shalt 
come  to  thy  graye."  That  is  troe  of  all, 
and  how  soon  none  can  tell.  But  here  is  a 
pleasant  meaning  opposite  to  many ;  for  can 
a  man  come  wulingly,  cheerfuUv,  gladly, 
and  longingly  unto  his  grare,  if  he  can  see 
nothing  but  death  ?  Na^ !  Did  not  Eliza- 
beth cry  out  to  her  physicians  to  saVe  her  ? 
Did  not  a  king  once  cry,  "A  horse,  a  horse, 
my  kingdom  for  a  horse ! "  Did  not  even 
Darid  in  that  d9th  Psalm  cry  out,  "  O  spare 
me  a  little,  that  I  may  recover  my  strength 
before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more  seen." 


So  there  is  a  wide  difference  between  despair 
and  presumption  dragging  a  soul  down  to 
destmction,  and  a  blessed  &ith  in  Jesus, 
and  love  to  God,  drawing  a  Urine  soul,  so 
that  that  soul  really  says,  '<Lo!  glad 
I  come!" 

Our  brother  did  really  come  to  his  grave. 
Yes !  I  think  he  had  some  desires  for  heaven, 
ere  the  time  did  come.    But  now, 
I     Secondly,  how  shall  the  tmly  godly  man 
'  come  to  his  grave  ? 

'  (1.)  •'  In  a  full  ageJ*  Ever  since  brother 
I  Moses  Miller  died,  I  have  had  Barzillia 
I  coming  to  my  mind.  He  lived  to  a  full  age 
naturally ;  and  if  you  would  see  a  fair  sam- 
'pie  of  an  old  Testament  saint  who  came 
'  to  his  grave  in  a  full  age,  just  look  at  him. 
'  I  know  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob,  and  others 
came  to  a  good  old  age ;  but  I  am  looking 
at  a  kind  of  representative  man  of  the 
average  character  of  the  saints.  1.  When 
Darid  was  in  great  distress  Barzillia  suc- 
coured him ;  when  David  was  returning  to 
Jerusalem,  he  Dressed  Barzillia  to  go  with 
him,  but  Barzillia,  in  a  humble,  grateful, 
prudent  spirit,  begged  to  be  allowed  to 
return  home;  he  said,  "I  am  this  day 
fourscore : "  not  qualified  either  to  act  as  a 
counseller,  or  to  eiyoy  the  court,  so  he  begs 
to  be  permitted  to  return,  and  die  in  his  own 
city,  be  buried  beside  his  own  father  and 
mother;  yet  he  would  see  David  over  Jordan, 
and  then  send  his  son  Chimnam  with  the 
king.  Here  is  a  eood  old  man;  and  Darid 
kissed  and  blessed  him.  Eliphaz  mieht  be 
an  Arminian  preacher,  but  he  certain^  laid 
out  before  Job  some  things  which  the  Lord 
gives  unto  and  works  in  His  people,  in 
order  to  produce  their  ripeness  for  His 
kingdom. 

The  following  note,  written  by  our  de- 
parted brother's  onlv  son,  Mr.  Aaron 
Miller,  will  briefly  illustrate  the  tmth  of 
the  tpxt :  "  Thou  shalt  come  to  the  grave  in 
a  full  age."  I  read  the  following  note  at 
the  close  of  the  sermon : — 

"My    dear.  Pastor,— Yon  wish  me  to 

§ive  you  a  few  lines  respecting  my  dear 
epartcd  father.  It  pleased  God  to  call 
him  in  early  life  to  a  knowledge  of  himself, 
and  a  realization  of  an  interest  m  Jesus.  The 
Lord  took  him  very  ffently  in  hand,  giving 
him  to  consider  his  ways,  and  to  turn 
to  the  Lord,  which  he  first  attempteil 
by  his  own  work*,  but  finding  this  way  fail, 
the  Lord  led  him  to  see  the  plan  of  salva- 
tion, and  being  situated  among  servants 
who  knew  not  the  Lord,  he  often  retired  to 
outhouses  and  quiet  places  to  pour  out  his 
soul  to  the  Lord  for  the  pardon  of  sin,  and 
these  words  were  applied  one  day  after 
prayer,  **I  have  blotted  out  thy  transffret- 
sion  as  a  thick  eloud,  and  as  a  cloud  thy 
sins.'  Speaking  of  this  he  says,  '  How  soon 
did  the  old  enemy  rob  me  of  my  comfort  ; 

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THE  fiARTBBV  VES8BL. 


Julyl,  UM. 


he  told  me  it  iras  for  the  people  of  Qod  in 
olden  times,  and  not  for  smh  a  bad  sinner ; 
that  I  was  too  great  a  linner  for  so  gfrest 
a  bleesing ;  but  I  have  proved  him  a  Mar 
many  timeti ;  the  Loi«k  has  been  better  to 
me  than  all  mj  fears,  He  has  cdven  me  to 
oTereome  Satan  by  the  bhMd  m  the  Lamb, 
and  nothing  bat  the.  Mood  of  the  Lamb  ean 
make  this  old  enemy  flee !  * 

'*  My  father  eat  under  a  legal  ministry 
three  or  four  years,  where  he  was  bapUeed. 
He  was  then  led  to  hear  amongst  the  des- 
pised of  Ood's  poor  people  those  truths  of 
sovereign  saving  gtace.  Prom  what  I  have 
gathered  at  dulmnt  times,  he  fdr  some 
thne  walked  ift  the  «BJoyme«t  <>f  those 
tnithB  whieh  irsre  wiy  scaaree  in  those  days, 
sometimes  only  to  be  had  OMe  a  month,  and 
a  long  distance  to  tnvel. 

*'  After  some  few  y«an  there  #as  an  evi- 
dent decline,  a  wovMly  spirit,  followed  by 
domestic  sIRii^on,  the  loss  of  my  brother, 
and  then  my  mother ;  bat  a  constant  meet^ 
ing  with  the  people  of  Qod  whenemr  op- 
portunity oDfetvd.  I  have  h«afd  him  relate 
now  the  Lord  merciAitly  delivered  hfim. 
Being  at  Bamsden,  an  eld  friend  laid,  "  Mo- 
ses, tbefe  is  a  boy  pt«aiiehes  at  Oaleswood 
Common ;  go  and  hear  him ;  I  beK«ve  he  is 
right/*  My  flithef  ewM  not  AbkI  theplaee 
in  the  momhig ;  he  then  went  to  get  some 
nfreshment,  when  some  whom  he  knew 
came  in  fbr  their  dhiner;  he  seduded  him- 
self, and  prvpeif ed  to  fottow  them,  his  mind 
being  in  olsttess,  he  did  not  wish  to  make 
himself  known.  When  he  got  in,  and  Mr. 
Way,  late  of  Cave  Adnllmn,  began  pm^, 
the  oil  ran,  and  he  gave  out  this  t««t: 
'  For  the  ^  of  God  is  eternal  life,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.'  This  was  a  jutOee 
to  his  Boul-^neverfoiigottea ;  and  tfver  itfter 


there  was  such  a  spirit  of  lo^  betis^n 
those  two  I  think  seldom  seen.  He  wis 
always  a  man  of  meditatisn,  exercised  with 
temporal  difficolttes,  walking  steadily  in  the 
ways  of  the  Lord,  living  upon  inwara  m^ 
piies  of  grace  from  day  to  day. 

"For  the  last  three  yeans  he  has  bsea 
with  me ;  he  found  it  an  unspeakable  mes€f 
to  sit  constantly  under  the  Word,  which  he 
highly  prized ;  and  I  need  not  tell  yoahd# 
constant  he  was  with  the  Lord's  peo^.  I 
believe  he  lived  to  pray  for  Zion.  IjbMj  he 
anticipated  his  end.  lie  told  me  that  oat 
morning  waiting  for  she  ehildrea  agaimt 
the  railway  arch,  these  lioss  carae,-^ 

'  No  rising  snn  hlsmwdliMS  twams  dltpU^ys^ 
No  sickly  mc»on  emits  hm fesMe  mys ; 
The  QodhMd  heretseleelifti  glory  •iwdi^ 
The  exalted  Iamb  eternal  riMlianee  spreads.' 

He  said  his  soul  had  a  lontfiag  to^  be  then, 
and  such  joyM  anticipation  of  bliss  and 
blessedness.  When  he  was  taken  ill,  he 
said  one  moning, '  I  feel  such  a  plsasoM  in 
leaving  myself-in  His  hands.'  On  anochsr 
be  eaid  to  «•, 

^SheydlelaJeiuesfld 
How  kind  tbBk  ' 


He  tacpfeiwtd  his  ooofldenoe  Ibr  the  meet 
part  r^t  through,  ahheiigh  1  beKeva  these 
were  at  times  sharp  ooniliets  with  the  atiemyv 
for  he  said  to  me  ones,  *  The  enemy  mb 
been  vety  busy  with  me  to-day.'  At  another 
time  he  said,  '  My  sin  is  before  me.'  He 
often  tried  to  sneak  and  did,  but  ire  conl4 
not  understand  his  faltering  voice;  bat 
tMs  we  know,  he  is  aslbly  landed  on  the 
happv  shore  of  eteml  glory.    I  have  losia 

Ksyuiff  father,  the  Chweeh  a  praying  mem- 
r.     Oh  f  tlMt  wa  may  be  nrepared  to 
fbllew  him.     80  ptnys  youza  affectionately 
"A.  Miumu" 


EXPOSITION  OP  ISAIAH,  LIL  1—8. 

By  Mn.  Jambs  Wslu,  Mxxistbr  of  thb  Surrey  Tabbrxaclb,  Boaooon  Koao. 


•*awske,  MvOce,  put  cm  thy  strength,  O  Zion  ; 
put  on  thy  beautiliil  ganasntw,  O  Jerusalem,  the 
110I7  dtj.    . 

SsE  what  a  beautiful  line  there  ia  hrre  of 
Christian  ezperiease  and  of  Gospel  truth. 
What  is  it  to  put  on  onr  strength  ?  to  put 
on  strength  is  to  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  to  have  all  tuat  confidence  in  him  which 
his  power  to  save  authorizes  us  to  have, 
to  have  all  that  oonftdence  in  him  which  his 
acceptance  with  Qod  aathomes  us  to  have. 
And  thus  by  this  oonfldeace  in  Christ,  Bod  is 
on  our  side,  and  if  Ood  be  on  o^v  side,  then 


we  are  rebtively  and  eternally  omnipotent. 
And  what  is  it  to  put  on  the  beautiful  gar- 
ments? The  beanttfttl  garments  of  holiness 
aod  of  righteousness ;  the  puttins  off  af 
unholiness,  and  the  putting  on  of  Christ  as 
our  sancUficatioo,  the  putting  off  of  unri|[M* 
eonsness,  and  the  putting  en  b^  fiiith  of  the 
Tiabteousnees  of  the  Lord  Jesna  Christ. 
Then  oomes  the  safety  : 

*•  For  henceforth  there  Shsll  flomW«  Sdltie  Mlb 
theerthe  unefrcfomelssi^  and  the  1 


Heathen  nations  entered  ftom  time  to 

/Google 


Digitized  by  ^ 


July  1.1864. 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


191 


timf  into  th*  literal  Jernsftlon,  ftnd  ulti- 
matelj  destroj^i  it ;  bnl  into  the  K«w 
Jeramlem,  where  tbe  people  are  that  thtis 
beliere  in  Ghriel,  the  eQitmy  can  never  en- 
ter; tiiere  we  are  safe,  in  id  okhrer  placaa 
ve  are  in  danger  of  lotiag  erecylkiBg  we 
haTe,  e^n  onr  very  life ;  Intt  hem,  i»  t}u8 
new  JeraBalem,  m  are  not  in  danger  of 
losing  anything,  mther  our  naiM,  oar  Uf^, 
oar  priTilegae,  oior  pr(»erty,  or  anything 
elae^  bSX  is  safe  there.  Then,  after  putting 
on  this  streBpBt,  a»d  theee  beantisal  gar^ 
meats,  and  being  broi^glrt  into  this  staika  of 
sa^y,  then  oome?  a  dhange  of  poaitioo : 

**  Shake  thyself  from  the  dust,  arise,  aqd  sit  down, 
O  JerasBlem.** 

Arise  from  earth,  and  sit  down  in  places 
that  are  heavenly ;  arise  £rom  t^e  law,  and 
sit  down  upon  the  premises  of  the  Gospel ; 
arise  from  creature  things,  and  ait  down  at 
the  Savionr's  feet,  and  Ssten  to  the  eternal 
realities  of  the  mercy  of  Ood.  And  then 
comes  the  liberty  : 

**  Loose  thyself  from  the  hands  of  thy  neck." 
And  Jqswi  Ghanst  is  omr  libertgr ;  it  is  by 
him  we  are  free  frdm  aJl  listtfen'a  threaten- 
ings,  it  is  by  htm  we  are  fvee  in  eTeiy  r^- 
pect  jft  which  he  Jhtaiself  is  free.  And  then 
comev  th»  stdflmption : 

"Te  hevB  sold  yourselves  for  neugjht;  and  ye 
Shan  be  redeemed  wMioutmoney.^ 

H«re  is  the  eternal  redemptAon  of  the  Lord 
JesuA  Chrwt  Thea  coww  Dinne  inter- 
poeiti«n : 

•*  He  ehatt  jaoiiaitnprbe  diiwuiaaed,  tUl  he  have 
set  Jiid^poait  in  tlm^eoriih ;  and  the  isles  ahaU 
wait  for  hit  law.  Tlius  saith  God  the  Lord,  he 
that  oieafted  tlie  heavens  and  slralclied  tMan 
oat :  he  that  spnMl  foitii  the  eazfth,  aad  that 
ii)ii«hewseth  otttof  it;  he  that  gisetii  hreath 
onto  the  peopl<  thai  are  upon  iU  and  sairit  to 
ihem  thAt  wmHc  theieia.'* 

If  w&  are  bron^t  doivn  into  ISgjpt,  fhr  what 
is  this  woM  hut  ftlund  of  Egypt,  a  scene  of 
bonda^  of  aj^ction.  and  of  tribulatloD, 
whare  the  pepple  of  God  are  opproasad? 
Nov  here,  is  Qoatraat  to  thl3«  the  Lord  says 
that  hia  peoplt  shall  know  hie  name, 
**  Therefore  my  people  shall  know  my  name;*' 
that  is,  they  shaU  utow  tiiat  name  recorded 
in  the  ard  of  EjKodns  ;  "  I  am  that  I  am ;" 
they  shall  know  that  name  that  is  rec^Mpded 
in  the  34th  of  Exodus ;  **  The  Lord  God, 
merciful  and  gracious  ;*'  and  they  shall 
IcBOw  my  name  as  reeorded  in  the  l«t  of 
Matthew:  <*Hilinm6flhaiibe«aUedJe9«i, 
and  hia  Daaa^  al«ll  be  called  SknnaaaeL" 
Now  my  jpeopli»  «UI  kiMW  thia.  AmA 
"tkejF  ahaU  knovin  thai  day  that  I  am  he 
that  dolh  apeak,  WhoU,  it  ia  I  ,*^  that  ia, 
they  abaU  know  Qod^a  tenth.  '^Tkej-AtSi 
know  that  I  amhatbit  dati^  speftk;**  that 
I  apeak  of  k>ve  e««nal,  that  t  spedk  of 
eloetian  sovexMgn,  that  I  speak  of  etemal 
salmtion  aeitftin.    **Bekm,  it  is  L**    So 


the  Lord  pita  his  name  before  his  truth* 
and  he  puts  hie  name  after  bis  truth ;  tba 
one  to  shew  na  he  ia  the  author  of  the 
Goapel,  Mid  the  other  to  shew  us  that  the 
Gospel  will  veat  ebemally  upooathe  strength 
of  ma  name.  Now  here  fro  tbeae  a«ren 
things  I  hare  naaaed  to  yon;  here  ii  the 
strength,  the  befnty,  and  aa|sty,  the 
change  of  position,  the  libenty,  th«  iMemiH 
tioii,  and  me  I/ord's  interpoaubion. 

Now  then,  if  ire  are  bro^eht  into  thia 
stveagth  oSliiB  G«apej|,  wa  shw  want  samfr* 
thing  to  keep ns  there;  we  shall  want  aome* 
thing  to  Ura  npoQ  whan  w»  aae  thwa* 
Hesee  the  nesi  words : 

*' How  beautiful  upon  tSie  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  him  that  btiagiMi  goad  tkUn^a.'* 

So  that  if  we  are  brought  to  receive  these 
good  tidings  we  shi41  continue  to  listen  to 
tham,  to  live  upon  them,  to  walk  by  them, 
to  rejoice  in  them»  to  esteem  them  better  than 
silver  and  gold,  and  Uiat  all  things  we  can 
desire  are  not  to  be  compared  unto  these 
delightfiil,  thesa  eternal  truths,  that  bring 
us  into  these  present  and  eternal  advan- 
tages. 

•*TlMit  paUiahakh  peaes;  that  bnogeth  gix>d 
tidings  of  good,  tbatpubliabeth  aolvatio]},  that 
■altb  uniD  9ion.  Tny  God  reigneth!  Thy 
WatohnieB  shall  lift  up  the  voioe;  with  the 
voice  together  shaU  they  wb^i  fm  they  shall 
see  eye  to  eye,  when  the  Lord  shall  bring  again 
Zion." 

Now  what  watchmeu  are  these,  but  the 
apostles ;  the  aposiles  lifted  np  the  voice  of 
triOh  together,  and  tbey  sang  togathfir,  ther^ 
was  entire  harmooy  between  them ;  and  the 
apostles  were  the  watchmen  that  saw  eye  to 
eye,  and  it  was  in  their  day  that  the  Lord 
brought  again  Zion.  2!ion  in  the  tot 
Adam  want  awajr  £rom  God.;  but  in  Uui 
apostoiae  ago  God  in  an  espaeial  Uiv e  man- 
ner farongjht  again  2Soa  unto  hMOia£  And. 
these  waAekman,  the  apoadet,  saw  eya  tp 
eye.  They  Bead  eaok  othn^a  wiili»ga»  aod 
when  one  read  the  writings  of  the  ethfur  ha 
fovnd  aotfaaag  iv  thoae  writings  that  he 
ooold  ind  fiaali  wilk  ;  ho  Ibmid  nothing  tkat 
he  wiakad  to  h»  akaaoiv  hence  aaitih  tha 
apcMtle  Fefeei;  **<hn  btlonttd  brother  Paul 
in  all  hia  opistfes.**  Bat  how  ttHild  £eter 
know  that  if  ho  had  not  read  than?  He 
had  tkeNfote  Bead  tkam;  hMS  xead  the  lere* 
latiesa  thalweve  giaen  to  kis  brethxon*  So 
they  read  th»  rovelatioBft  oande  to  oMh 
otkari  tha  sane  aaCSuciatsani  should  do  now. 
And  they  not  oidy  aead  the  revelalioiia 
mads  to  caeh  o4hir,  but  thejF  also  read  efutk 
other ;  tha  saaae  aa  Chdatxans  ahcaild  do 
now.  (^viakiana  an  apoken  of  aa  ^pistlea, 
in  which  are  written  the  vitalitiea  of 
etemitj ;  and  tkqr<>NideMk  otkier  aa  wella^i 
each  othoiNi  zeTekOnma,  and  they  aaw  eve 
to  ey«.  There  neffer  wSl  be  down  to  the 
end  of  time  another  auck  ordej^of  man  jm 

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THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


July  I,  IM*. 


were  the  apostles  ;  there  noTer  will  be  while 
the  world  shall  last  another  order  of  men 
that  shall  see  eye  to  eye  in  that  perfection  as 
did  the  apostles.  They,  therefore,  were  the 
watchmen  that  saw  eye  to  eye ;  and  so, 
though  they  differed  in  manner,  they  did 
not  differ  in  materiaL  Their  experience  in 
kind  wae  the  same,  their  testimonies  in  kind 
were  the  same ;  the  source  of  their  apostle- 
bhip  was  the  same ;  the  theme  was  the  same ; 
the  end  and  object  the  same.  Thus  then  they 
saw  eye  to  eye.  In  our  day  people  want  to 
persuade  us  that  we  are  to  have  another 
Bible  by  and  by  ;  that  a  class  of  ministers  is 
to  rise  by  and  by  that  shall  see  eye  to  eye, 
and  that  we  are  going  to  have  I  don't  know 
what.  All  these  are  me  inventions  of  men. 
And  as  for  finding  another  class  of  minis- 
:ers,  there  is  a  curse  attached  to  those  that 
shall  add  anything  to  that  which  is  given. 
Therefore  it  is  we  have  all  that  ever  will 
be  given  ;  we  have  the  Holy  Spirit,  we 
have  the  Holy  Scriptures,  we  have  Christ, 
we  have  God,  we  have  in  those  respects  all 
♦.hat  ever  will  be  given.  All  we  want  now 
is  the  progress  of  what  is  given ;  is  for  the 
Lord  to  attend  with  power  that  Oospel  that 
is  given ;  for  that  Gospel  that  is  capable  of 
converting  one  soul  is  capable  of  converting 
all,  and  shall  convert  all  that  the  Lord  hath 
ordained  unto  eternal  life. 


**  REJOICING  NOVICES." 

A  LETTER  FROH  TBB  BlV.  WlLLIAH  PaRKS, 

Rector  op  Opbnshaw. 

mt  dear  sir, — 
Some  one  sent  me  a  copy  of  "  Tub  Earthbh 
Vessel"  for  May,  the  other  evening,  in 
which  I  perceive  there  is  an  attack  made 
upon  me,  in  connection  with  the  parti  have 
liken  in  the  controversy  upon  the  **  Always 
Rejoicing",  theory. 

Of  course,  yon,  as  an  Editor  of  a  period- 
idieal,  are  obliged  to  admit  papers  from  all 
parties ;  and  I  cannot  blame  you  for  givinf? 
insertion  to  the  lucubrations  of  "  H,  H.," 
or  "A  Constant  Reader ;"  but  one  would 
think  that  you,  as  Editor,  would  have 
added  a  little  comment  upon  those  person^  s 
observations  in  accordance  with  your  previ- 
ously made  remarics  upon  my  tract  upon 
the  subject  However,  you  haw  put  your 
imprimatur  upon  my  views  in  this  connec- 
tion ;  and  so  has  your  able  contemporary, 
Mr.  Philpot;  so  that  it  does  not  matter 
much  what  the  "theorists"  say  or  write 
against  me. 

But  will  you  allow  me  space  to  say,  that 
I  have  had  upwards  of  thirty  written  testi- 
monies from  Christian  people,  in  many 
parts  of  England,  in  favour  of  my  views 


upon  the  subject ;  and  that  it  matters  n 
one  jot  what  Romaine,  or  Toplady,  or  Owen, 
or  Newton,  or  any  number  of-eminent  men, 
say  upon  the  subject,  if  it  can  be  promd 
that  any  Christians  at  af^  time  have  ceased 
for  a  moment  to  rejoice.  The  thing  is  se^ 
tied;  the  controversy  is  at  an  end  except 
with  those  characters  called  '*  wooden." 

The  question  is  not,  ought  a  Christian 
always  r^oieel  hut  has  every  Christion 
uninterrtmtedfy  rejoiced  from  the  day  qf 
his  new  hrth  to  the  day  of  his  deathf 

I  for  one  can  produce  a  hundred  instan- 
ces to  the  contraiy ;  you,  my  dear  sir,  mnat 
know  of  hundreds  more,  and  so  we  come  to 
the  conclusion,  as  I  have  fairly  stated  it  in 
my  tract,  that  "  they  who  have  always  re- 
joiced, and  do  alwa^rs  rejoice,  must  either 
be  novices  or  hypocrites,  or  extraordinarily 
favoured  persomi, " 

Let  "H.H."  and<<A  Constant  Reader^' 
take  shelter  under  the  last  supposition  if 
they  choose :  but  for  pity's  sake  let,them  not 
insult  our  understandings  by  their  illogical 
and  unjust  conclusions. 

,  *'  liogic  admits  of  no  compiomise.'* 
I  am,  my  dear  Sir, 

Yours  faithftilly, 

Wtluam  Parks. 

June  10,  1664.  Openshaw. 

P.  8.  "  H.  H."  evidently  does  not  know 
that  he  has  cut  the  ground  from  under  him- 
self in  the  following  remarks.  *'  I  have  read 
some  of  his  violent  remarks  which  have 
lately  appeared  in  a  monthly  jperiodical, 
there  he  asks,  as  with  an  air  of  triumph, 
whether  Paul  could  '  rejoice*  when  ne 
cried  '  0  wretched  man.'  I  think  it  is 
very  evident  that  he  could  and  did,  for 
scarcely  does  the  eroan  appear  to  have  died 
away  ere  we  fina  him  breaking  forth  in 
*  thanksgivings  to  God.' " 

*'  H.  H."  seems  not  to  know  that  a  time 
must  have  elapsed  between  Paul's  groan, 
and  his  thanksgiving.  It  matters  not  how 
brief  that  time  was.  Grant  that  a  single 
moment  only  eLipsed,  during  that  moment 
he  did  not  rejoice,  and  consequent^  Paul 
did  not  always  or  uninterruptealy  rejoice. 

The  man  who  can't  see  the  force  of  this 
mav  be  an  eminent  saint>  but  indeed  he  is 
no  logician.  W.  P. 

As  a  church,  be  you  ever  cautious  against  * 
that  faith  that  is  so  prevalent  in  the  present 
day,  which  takes  not  into  ita  open  and  de- 
eland  belief  all  the  plainly  stated  and  fund- 
amental sentiments  God  haa  revealed  in  his 
word.  Ever  consider,  that  the  Bible  con- 
tains no  doctrinal  sentimenta  but  whftt  are 
good,  to  be  believed,  to  be  held  fast,  to  he- 
contended  for  as  the  &ith  once  delivered  to> 
the  saints,  to  beopenlyprDfessed,and  notcon- 
eealed  any  more  than  denie^,-^.  Foreman^ 

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193 


MY  WAY  FROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  .TO  THE  PULPIT. 

By  ▲  LowDON  Baptist  Pastor. 


No.  2. 


THE  CONFLICT. 

No  Papist  believes  more  fully  in  the  infalli- 
bility of  the  Pope  than  I  did  in  my  first 
Christian  teachers, — ^the  mind  was  plastic, 
and  easily  moulded  into  the  first  system  of 
theology  that  came  in  its  way.  The  Ar- 
minian  yiew  of  the  text,  "  frork  out  your 
uwii  MlvaUon,**  was  received  in  blind  sim- 
plicity, and  the  labor  commenced  in  real 
eameat.  All  went  on  well  for  a  time,  a 
Babel  of  self-righteousness  arose,  which  was 
expected  soon  to  reach  the  skies,  and  raise 
the  builder  thereof  beyond  the  reach  of 
livery  flood  and  flime  of  divine  wrath.  It 
was  a  dream  most  pleasing  to  the  flesh,  but 
iUas !  the  material  was  not  of  the  right  sort, 
nor  laid  on  the  right  foundation. 

Bricks  are  of  human  construction.  Stones 
(jod  alone  can  make.  Slime  may  answer  in 
the  place  of  well-tempered  mortar  for  a 
time,  and  the  sand  seem  to  offer  a  firm 
foundation  to  an  inexperienced  builder,  but 
the  first  flood  and  storm  will  sweep  all  away. 
It  appears  to  me  now  that  the  Lord  per- 
mitted this  attempt  to  get  to  heaven  by 
creature  doings,  that  thereby  the  folly, 
weakness,  and  depravity  of  the  heart  might 
1)0  discovered.  Kepeated  failures  in  any 
enterprise  will  teach  by  painful  lessons. 
Peter  thought  himself  incanable  of  denying 
his  Master,  and  bought  the  Knowledge  of  his 
own  weakness  at  a  bitter  price. 

My  Babel  fell,  and  the  builder  with  it, 
Kadly  mangled  and  besmeared  with  mud. 
iSatan  grinned,  roared,  taunted,  and  threat- 
ened, crying,  "  Aha  I  so  would  we  have  it,'* 
Old  habits  and  companions  were  again  em- 
braced, and  an  attempt  made  to  drown  the 
voice  of  conscience  in  sin.  But  a  spark  had 
I>een  kindled  in  the  soul  from  off  the  altar 
of  burnt  offeringthat  no  flood  could  quench, 
and  a  voice  was  raised  within  that  no  noise 
could  drown.  To  be  an  infidel  was  impos- 
sible, and  to  be  a  Christian  seemed  equally 
so.  There  was  too  much  religion  to  enjoy 
sin  and  its  pleasures,  but  not  enough  to 
enjoy  Christ.  No  words  can  utter,  no  pen 
describe,  the  misery  of  a  soul  in  such  a  state, 
perhaps  the  word  nearest  expressing  the 
utter  loneliness  and  wretchedness  of  my  ease 
is  '*  outeant^'^  a  pelican  of  the  wilderness, 
an  owl  of  the  desert,  a  sparrow  alone  upon 
the  house  top.  My  reader  may  now  be  m  a 
similar  state:  be  of  good  cheer,  the  pangs 
of  guilt  make  way  for  the  sweets  of  pardon, 
the  darkness  of  the  prison  house,  with  its 
close  confinement,  make  light  and  liberty 


I  more  precious.  The  depth  into  which  the 
I  sinner  has  sunk  in  disease  and  debt  makes 
I  him  bless  the  skill  that  cured  the  one,  and 
the  love  that  forgave  the  other.  And 
through  all  the  .varied  scenes  of  the  quick- 
ened soul's  conflict,  the  hidden  fire  of  grace 
bums,  the  secret  spring  bubbles  up  unto 
eternal  life.  The  blooa-bought  jewel  may 
be  flung  into  the  mud  and  trampled,  for  the 
time,  out  of  sight,  but  He  whose  eyes  are  as 
a  flame  of  fire  never  loses  sight  of  it,  and 
\  when  He  wants  ^o  make  use  of  it,  He  only 
has  to  speak  and  it  is  done,  to  command 
and  it  stands  fast.  **  Commit  thy  way 
unto  the  Lord;  trust  also  in  Htm ;  and  He 
shall  bring  to  pass."  Bring  what  to  pass  ? 
Why  His  own  sovereign  will,  and  thy 
PRATER,  presented  in  sighs,  and  groans,  and 
tears.  Thou  mayest  not  think  it,  poor  bur- 
dened soul,  but  He  "  telleth  thy  wandenngA 
and  putteth  thy  tears  into^  Hia  bottle*' 
**From  heaven  did  the  Lord  behold  the 
earth,  to  hear  the  groaning  of  the  prisoner, 
to  loose  those  that  are  appointed  to  death." 
Up  to  the  time  above  referred  to  I  had 
never  seen  a  live  Calvinist,  to  my  know- 
ledge. What  a  mercy  that  men*s  sentiments 
are  not  written  in  their  foreheads ;  we  pass 
them  in  the  street,  meet  them  at  the  mart, 
ride  with  them  in  the  public  conveyance, 
'  and  converse  with  them  on  ^neral  topics, 
,  all  as  matters  of  course,  but  now  a  perfect 
I  knowledge  of e>^ry  man's  ''religious  oelief 
'  would  modify  our  conduct.  Had  a  believer 
in  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  God  in 
matters  of  salvation,  been  distinguished  in 
the  street,  I  am  sure  he  would  have  been  re- 
garded with  a  feeling  of  horror,  such  a  person 
would  have  been  treated  much  as  people  do 
a  sweep  or  a  miller  in  a  crowd.  The  cari- 
catures of  Calvinists,  given  in  a  certain 
school,  were  to  me  so  frightful  that  I  re- 
carded  them  as  pests  of  soeietv.  0  prq'u- 
dice !  thou  child  of  the  devil,  I  hate  and 
abhor  thee.  By  thee  God  is  dishonored, 
his  children  libelled,  and  the  soul  robbed  of 
much  good;  in  the  great  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  I  abjure  thee  for  ever  to  quit  the  re- 
sidence thou  hast  had  in  my  heart.      • 

Early  in  the  year  1844  a  situation  was 
offered  me  of  a  superior  kind  to  that  pre- 
viously occupied.  This  was  unsought  for, 
and  quite  as  unexpected,  but  thankfully 
accepted.  And  behold,  to  my  dismay,  a 
few  days  discovered  that  a  constant  work- 
fellow  was  nothing  less  than  a  Calvinist  of 
the    Calvinists— a    very  "Hx^er!"      He 

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THE  EABTHEN  TE88EL. 


Jvly  1,  1864. 


could  use  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  with  ad- 
mirable skill,  evezy  Armiuian  Gk>liath  he 
c  *uld  fell  to  the  ground  at  a  blow,  and 
nothing  pleased  him  better  than  to  set  his 
f  >ot  upon  the  neck  of  a  Canaanitish  king. 
He  was  a  first  class  soldier,  drilled  by  one 
of  the  sharpest  swordsmen  in  London.  This 
man  had  no  mercy  on  my  poor  creed,  but 
cut  and  slashed  away  till  I  was  wounded, 
naked,  and  half  dead.  But  he  waa  a  bad 
physician,  not  a  d?op  of  oil  had  he  to  heal 
o?  wine  to  eheer,  yea,  rather  gloried  in  the 
•pains  he  inflicted,  and  for  a  tim«  he  was 
moat  cordially  hated,  and  tha  '*  claas  Uadw" 
was  applied  to  for  relie£  He,  poor  man, 
did  the  Deat  he  could,  and  that  was  sunply 
to  make  matters  woise.  Truth  had  wouuoed 
aad  error  could  nerer  heal    Alas,  the  poor 

EMient  knew  no  means  of  reliof,  and  muat 
are  lain  and  periahed,  had  nat  One  comm 
by  in  a  *'  time  o£  love,"  who  took  up  the 
helpless  in  the  arms  of  a  gracioua  inrori- 
descc^  and  oamed  him  to  the  place  of 

DEIIVERANCE. 

How  aveet  is  the  mcmoiy  of  that  houf 
whan  first  the  frae  grace  gospel  of  Christ 
sounded  in  my  eaj>k  It  waa  net  a  drv,  dull, 
doctrinal  statement  of  the  letter  of  truth, 
but  a  lively  and  e«ei!getie  destirif|tion  of  the 
aad  state  of  the  sinneci  mixisd  with  a  sweet 
direotion  to  the  dootrine  for  x«]kf.*  The 
good  man  seemed  to  hara  a  key  tibai  fiited 
every  ward  of  the  aouL  He  tumad  one 
upside-dovn  and  inaiJe^ut,  and  expoaed 
au  the  working  and  windioga  of  ain,  and 
then  how  Christ  met  the  caae  in  hia  obedi> 
ence,  blood,  reawrreotion^oonronant,  fi)lhaesa» 
and  mediatorial  offices. 


Yet  that  ministry  was  not  what  I  should 
now  approve,  and  perhaps  the  secret  of  so 
much  enjoyment  in  it  is  to  be  fbund  in  €b.e 
fact  that  I  was  more  anxious  to  obtain  eyi- 
dence  of  an  interest  in  Christ  than  to  know 
on  what  that  interest  was  founded.  But 
after  baring  a  little  time  to  think  and  look, 
about,  the  mixture  of  free  grace  and  free 
will  was  detected,*;  tha  miniatry  left,  and 
for  about  twelve  ^eare  I  had  to  grope  my 
way  out  of  the  juml^e,  momble,  fumble^ 
grumble,  stumble  stuff  of  duty  faith,  up  to 
thaglorious  hills  of  Qod's  eternal  settlementa 
aad  Christ's  perf»ct  fuifilmenta,  and  th« 
Holy  Ghost's  precious  revelationa  and  ap- 
pHcationa.  I  ha v«  neither  to  thank  miniat«rs 
or  booka  for  my  creed,  but  the  Eternal 
Spirit,  by  whom  the  truth  has  been  so 
burnt  into  the  aoul  that  the  derfl  can  never 
gel  it  out.  Hieaaed  be  the  Lord:  He  ahewed 
me,  made  me  feel,  a«id  keeps  me  conacioua 
of  m^  utfeep  rain  bv  stn  and  perfect  helpleaa^ 
neae  in  myself.  Old  Adam  ia  just  the  aane. 
In  me,  that  ia  in  mj  flesh,  dwelleth  no  good 
thing,  but  every  erd.  B«t  in  Christ  I  have 
pedSet  sottttdneaa^  without  apot  or  wnnkle, 
or  any  snoh  thio^ 

la  Ctu'ist  etenally  bskwocU 
In  Him  aooepted  mX  wfvcoved 

And  made  an  heir  ofgraoe. 
Por  me  in  hefl;>*en  lie  now  ftppeara. 
For  me  She  otown  ef  viotovy  weu«, 

For  ne  pa«pai(f9  a  plaee  1 


The  nestmooth'*  VnasK.  aanct  revaalhow 
the  aeoond  atep  from  the  piouah-tail  to  the 
pul|dt  waa  t<uben  by  th»  zefimr's  ainoaee 
w^wi«iMr»  Ouiiov. 


OBirUAHY  OF  MBS.  ELIZA  FLOEY. 

anucrr  or  iin.  vsNJAimf  rums,  or  ar^innro,  uMO^uraainc 


It  ia  written  of^e  righteoRUK  '<Thou  ahnlt 
come  to  thy  grare  in  a  f  i^  age,  l&e  a  ahoek 
of  com  oometb  in  hia  aeaean."  Job  v.  26. 
Which  is  true  of  all  the  election  in  ita  grace 
reUtion  to  Christ  and  aalvatkm  of  the  sool ; 
hare  the  Sairiour  redeemed  and  flniahed 
tmaa^reasion,  and' here  in  this  wozld  Mm 
soul  anteva  into  the  tt&adam  with  whoA 
Christ  makea  hia  peopk  hem;  for,  aaid  our 
Load,  "li  the  Son  tharafora  shall  make 
you  fiee,  ye  shall  ha  fipte  indaed.*'  John 
viii.  ao.  And  akbaa^h  anne  mtf  •'aU 
their  life  time  be  subject  t  a  bondage  tnaaugh 
fear  of  death,"  yet  I  donhl  not  in  the 
watara  of  Joadan  in  time  thangh  pna«ng 
out  of  time  into  eternilT  Uney  raaltia  their 
ripeness,  pnaj^aredneaa  by  grace  rereUliona 


of  l^e  Boljr  fl^irit  to  ^nifc  this  mortal  atrife 
and  lanouiah  into  li#B« 

Our  dear  pavant  waa  flavored  to  rtaliae 
the  flLoat  length  of  d»yB  oatuznlly,  and  we 
doubt  nol  the  latter  apieitaallj.  Hera  waa 
a  long  profesaion  of  *'  Xenna  and  the  reaup- 
reotioQ,"  aoae  than  aisbf  years  hnvii^heen 
bantieed  into  the  vieibar  Ghusch  of  Uiriat, 
idtnough  for  more  tha*  foBtgr»8in  yean  at 
tiaaea  a  great  auflbcer  in  har  peznon  from 
cough  MM  intannalweaknaaa. 

My  mother  w«a  bom  at  Housley,  in 
8nflbUi»  in  the  year  1788,  her  pnrenta  were 
than  Chnreh  of  8ngla«d  people.  8he  waa 
b|iengfa(t  uf  in  the  natnrai  fear  of  Qod. 
Wheaahout  aeventeenyaara  of  aae  aha  went 
to  reaide  with  an  uncle  at  Woodbridge,  and 


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July  1,1864. 


THE  £ARTHSK  FBS8BL. 


195 


sodn  after  there  ^eas  a  great  awafcaoiiig  of 
souls  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Hurn,  of 
Debenham,  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  I  believe  it  was  under  his 
preaching  her  soul  was  awakened  to  the 
unportance  of  eternal  matters  flrom  the  text 
ana  sermon  from  Matthew  v.  25, 26,  "  Agree 
Vith  thine  adyersaxy  quickly,  &c."  And 
after  considerable  anxiety  and  soul  trouble 
was  set  at  rest  by  a  precious  tiew  of  Jesus 
being  taken  bj  low  a&d  justice,  and  deliver- 
ing her  by  being  "delivered  for  her  offences 
and  raised  for  her  justification/*  And  many 
sweet  promises  applied  and  power  given  to 
receive  them  for  nMSolf,  sochw,  *<Come 
unto  me  all  ye  that  laboixr  and  are  heavv- 
laden,  and  I  will  give  vou  rest,"  "  Behold 
the  Lamb  of  Gk)d  whicn  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world.'*  But  «  with  many  of 
Mr.  Hum's  hearen,  his  "hnrns  turned 
ducks,"  which  was  a  common  saying  in 
those  parts  of  Suffolk  at  that  time,  and  well 
remembered  hy  many  of  vow  Suffolk 
readers  and  elMwhere,  for  Mr.  J.  Thomp- 
son, the  father  of  most  of  the  old  Bemtist 
causes  in  that  coimtjr,  either  went  to  Vtood- 
bridge  or  Grundisbuieh  to  preach;  my 
mother  heard  him  and  her  mind  was  opened 
to  see  baptism.  She  wentbefora  the  caurch 

at  G and  was  immersed  with  many 

more  at  Culpo,  about  1804,  by  Mr.  Thomp- 
son. In*  a  year  or  two  she  removed  to 
Chatham,  Kent,  and  be<»me  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Chtt^,  Ciover-stnet,  under 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  J.  ^ott,  (tnm  which 
church  my  dear  f^er  waa  sent  out  to 
preach  the  gospel)  of  which  she  WM  an 
active  member.  But  her  path  was  one  of 
great  change  in  thts  wofld,  my  dear  ffether 
having  been  by  providential  dealianfl  and 
in  the  ministry  euled  to  pan  thiougn  great 
trials  and  chsnges,  but  through  all  our 
parent  was  enabled  to  hold  out  m  the  truth 
and  ways  of  Qud,  and  tot  this  period  of 
fifty  yeaffs  her  delight  was  in  the  blessed 
things  of  God;  her  ^arly  convenations 
about  death,  and  h#r  hymns  she  repeated 
and  sang  very  mwdi  upon  death  and  salva- 
tion by  Ohrist^ymie,  rery  enrly  afiH(edme, 
and  I  have  reason  to  bless  God  fof  such  a 
parent  She  was  one  of  the  first  to  ffo  «  ith  me 
more  than  twenty^five  yean  ago  waen  I  went 
outin  the  open  atrtopr«a<»h  a  fnegraeegospel. 
I  think  I  can  see  het  now  when  on  that  occa- 
sion I  was  txying  to  preach  Christ's  gospel  at 
Trowse,  near  Norwich,  ftom  the  words,  *'  Go 
into  all  the  wwld  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature."  How  her  soul  appeared 
delighted ;  the  ^pospel  was  her  delight,  free 
grace  and  nothng  abe.  Prom  many  trials 
and  constMit  wsMiwm  and  iabred  cor- 
mptions,  her  sotfl  wmi  oft*in  dark  and 
low,  but  the  "Loxd  was  her  stay,"  and 
often  enjoyed  Ashtt  povtion,  and  idle  would 
say,  let  tin  sln{^ 


Ah  I  shall  soon  be  dying, 
Time  swiftly  gtides  away. 
But  on  my  Lord  relying, 
I  hail  Cbe  happy  day, 

or  Bdme  such  verse  or  hymn.  For  this  last 
year  or  two  Bhe  had  evidently  not  only 
been  getting  weaker,  but  her  mind  more 
fixed  en  eternal  things,  the  word  of  God 
mcfee  than  ever  her  companion,  and  her 
conversation  mofQ  on.  eternal  thin^.  She 
has  had  a  deal  of  fbar  at  times,  that  after 
all  she  should  not  he  right,  and  often  t 
have  endeavoured  to  direct  her  to  Christ,  to 
look,  to  hang  on  him  who  gives  his  sheep 
eternal  lifie,  and  says  **  they  shall  never 
perish."  and  that  her  covenant  God  would 
never  leave  her  nor  forsake  her.  The  words 
by  Mr.  Warren,  who  preaches  at  Esher, 
especially  the  expositions,  were  very  much 
blessed  to  her.  Her  Bible  is  full  of  marked 
precious  portions,  and  her  hymn  book 
fGadsby's)  is  fcJl  of  precious  hymns 
(turned  down)  made  so  to  her  soul ;  I  will 
write  a  few  verses  which  give  an  opening 
of  her  state  of  mind : — 

O  Lord  how  vile  am  I, 
Unholy  and  unclean, 
How  can  I  dare  to  ventiua  aigh 
With  such  a  load  of  sin  ? 

Low  at  thy  feet  I  bow, 

O  pity  and  forgt^'e, 

Hera  will  I  lie  and  wait  till  tMn 

Shalt  bid  me  rise  and  live. 

Jesus  is  predoua,  says  the  word. 
What  comfort  does  this  truth  afford. 
And  those  who  in  his  name  believe^ 
With  Joy  this  precious  truth  receive. 

^wfts  grace  that  called  our  souU  at  first. 
By  MMe  thes  far  We  H)  come, 
And  ffraee  will  help  ui  tJuoogh  ttie  worst 
And  Mad  us  MiMy  norae. 

Tea,  I  rfiaU  soon  be  Ittided 
On  yonder  ahoMS  of  blias. 
There  with  my  powers  expanded 
Shall  dwell  where  Je&us  to. 

Sweet  Spirit,  guide  me  orer 
This  HleS  tempestumiB  sta ; 
Keep  me^  O  Jioly  Jiorar, 
For  I  ooDflide  in  thaa. 

0  that  iA  Jordan's  ewalllag 

1  may  be  helped  to  aiug, 
And  pass  the  titer,  tellmg 
The  triumphs  of  my  King. 

But  I  must  now  stay  transposcng  the  sweet 
hymns,  for  thev,  with  verses  of  Soriptnre 
marked,  would  make  a  book,  therefore  I 
draw  to  a  brief  doae. 

Onr  dear  parent  was  oat  on  the  Friday 
week  to  tea  with  a  Christian  friend,  only 
eight  days  before  her  death,  to  whom  she 
expressed  her  confldence  of  soon  being  with 
the  Lord  and  her  dear  husband  and  all  the 
saved  Uood-washed  throng.  Our  parent 
was  stricken  with  death  on  the  Thursday, 
Februaiy  4,  about  12  o'clock  p.m. ;  my 
dear  sister  (Mr?.  Lemm'J  was  called  up,  and 
found  ber  very  ill  and  mil  ol  pain.  The 
surgeon  was  sent  for,  who  sent  a  draught 

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July  I,  IS64. 


to  be  taken  immediately.  Dear  soul,  sho 
said,  "  I  have  been  a  deid  of  trouble  to  you, 
take  the  keys,"  and  drinking  the  medicine, 
like  nectar,  said,  "  If  it  is  the  Lord's  will 
it  \i'ill  do  me  good."  In  a  few  minutes  she 
said,  "Let  me  lie  down,  let  me  have  a 
little  sleep,"  and  went  off  into  apparently  a 
nice  sleep,  but  it  Afas  the  sleep  of  death, 
never  recovering.  When  I  went  down  on 
the  Friday  I  spoke  to  my  dear  mother,  told 
her  it  was  her  Joseph,  and  quoted  some 
sweet  portions  of  Scripture,  "  When  thou 
passest  through  the  waters  I  will  be  with 
thee,"  &e.,  &c.  She  opened  her  dear  eyes 
and  recognized  me,  and  pressed  my  hand 
in  »gn  she  was  happy  in  the  Lord  as  also 
in  the  night.  She  so  lay  till  about  two 
o'clock  on  Saturday,  February  6th,  1864, 
when  she  breathed  her  precious  soul  into 
the  hands  and  keeping  of  Jesus,  almost 
without  a  sigh  or  struggle,  aged  eighty -two 
years,  to  be  for  ever  with  Jesus  in  the 
glory  world: — 

Where  light  for  ever  swells 
And  darkoess  never  dwelUi. 

Her  mortal  remains  were  interred  in  the 
Woking  Cemetery,  on  the  l6th,  in  the  same 
grave  with  her  husband  and  a  dear  child  of 
mine,  waiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just 
unto  life  eternal  of  body  as  well  as  soul, 
for  blessed  be  Q-od,  our  bodies  are  to  be 
<<  raised  and  fashioned  like  unto  Christ's 
glorified  body." 

On  Lord's  day  evening  following,  know- 
ing I  could  not  fulfil  her  desire  better,  and 
at  the  kind  desire  of  friends,  I  was  enabled 
to  improve,  I  trust,  the  event  by  preaching 
her  funeral  sermon  at  Esher,  at  me  Friends' 
Meetinj^,  to  a  good  congregation,  from 
Rev.  vii.  14.  The  Lord  crown  the  event 
with  his  blessing,  that  we  who  are  called 
by  grace  to  love,  fear,  and  serve  him,  may 
feel  that  '*  now  is  our  salvation  nearer  than 
when  we  first  believed,"  and  may  the  un- 
called, the  purchase  of  a  Saviour's  precious 
blood,  be  brought  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
to  feel  that  death  is  ever  on  its  march  to 
hurry  mortals  to  the  grave,  and  that  with- 
out a  knowledge  of  and  love  to  the  dear 
Redeemer,  they  must  perish,  be  lost,  not 
annihilated,  from  the  presence  and  glory  of 
God's  grace  for  ever  and  ever,  but  *•  Blessed 
are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord." 

Dcalh !  awful  sound,  the  fruit  of  bin. 
And  terror  of  the  human  race ; 
Who  except  Jesus  Kmiles  within 
Can  look  the  monster  in  the  face. 

Yet,  dearetit  Lord,  when  viewed  in  tliee, 
The  monster  loses  all  his  dread : 
There  all  his  fHghtful  horrors  tlee, 
And  joj  surrounds  a  dying  buJ. 

JOSBPR  FlORY. 

No.  4,  Libra  Road,  Old  Ford.  E. 


JEHOVAH  TZEDKINU. 

2.  Cor.  V,  21. 

My  God,  Emmanuel,  and  m}'  King  : 
Mv  teriour,  Christ,  my  all : 
His  glories  now  nr)'  tongue  rehearse ; 
And  thus  adoring  fall. 
Fk  bore  the  load  of  all  my  sin, 
And  8a\-ed  me  from  the  n&ll. 
He  set  my  captive  soul  at  large, 
And  is  my  "All  in  All." 
He  made  ray  footsteps  tread  the  way. 
The  glorj'  way  he  trod, 
Nor«ulfers  me  again  to  stra}* 
From  happiness,  and  God. 
His  blood,  his  righteousness  I  claim, 
His  work  is  all  my  plea. 
It  is  the  bleedinff,  dying  Lamb, 
Who  rescues  souls  like  me. 
My  sin  near  sunk  me  down  to'he'I, 
*  "rwas  an  overwhelming  flood ; 
But  thy  rich  grace  around  1*11  tell 
Which  washed  me  in  thy  blood. 
My  soul  no  longer  now  condemn e<l 
Is  ftillyjustifled, 

And  it  the  law  condemns  my  sin. 
I  answer,  "  Christ  has  died.^ 
And  though  my  soul  is  prone  to  lea\  e 
The  Jesus  whom  I  love ; 
<  Tis  his  obedience  mtisfies, 
And  seals  my  peace  abox-e. 
Thy  justice.  Lord,  is  tunc  engage<l 
To  bring  my  soul  to  thee. 
And  where  its  thunders  once  have  ra^e  I. 
7htre*8  life,  and  liberty. 
To  thee,  dcarSanour,  I  would  bring 
The  tribute  of  my  heart 
Great  Kiog  of  saints  here  I  would  st«i  v. 
And  never,  never  part. 
My  soul  break  forth  in  Joyous  lays. 
In  anthems  sweet  and  long ; 
Thy  Jesus  well  deserves  thy  praistf. 
And  he  shall  be  thy  song. 
Fressingfield.  I.  Peoo. 

THE  GARMENTil)F  SALVATION. 

Clothed  with  garments  dipped  in  \>\ooA, 
Dance,  ye  saints  l>efore  the  Lord. 
Bound  ttie  timbrel,  strike  the  lyre. 
Praise  Him  with  seraphic  fire. 
He  thy  sackcloth  puts  aside, 
Nothing  can  thy  beauty  hide. 
Members  of  the  blood-bought  throng 
Chant  the  new  creation  song. 
Clothed  with  garments  dipped  in  blocKl, 
Garments  of  the  Lamb  of  God  I 
Costly,  chaste,  and  richly  wrougbt> 
Radiant  with  eternal  thought. 
Thine  to  wear  this  glorious  dress, 
.Tesu's  rot>e  of  righteousness ! 
His  own  halo  on  thv  brow, 
Dance,  3*e  saints  before  Him  now. 
Clothed  with  gpments  dipped  in  blLvxJ. 
Thine  the  precious  fountam  flood . 
Thine  the  Lamb  in  sacrifl'^e, 
God's  redeeming  matchless  price. 
Ye  from  ruin  called  and  bought. 
He,  Jehovah's  sabbath  thought. 
Resting  there  in  lo^^  to  bless 
All  the  heirs  of  righteousness. 
Clothed  wi|h  garments  dipped  in  bl<  cd. 
Kinas  and  priests  made  nigh  to  God. 
Chrbt  the  Lord  your  righteousness, 
Olrds  you  with  bis  seamless  drebs. 
Finest'linen.  ever  new. 
True  and  fkithful  saints,  for  you. 
Dance  and  sing  before  the  Lwd. 
Clothed  with  gnrments  dipped  in  blood. 

ciix^.v:i  F.  Css^'aa. 


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d^ur  (|hui[r)uts,  0ur  pastors,  mi^  0Uit  $t^\ti. 


WOODFOBD  SUNDAT  SCHOOLS. 
—A  word  to  my  deur  brother  Bobert  It  was  a 
painful  note  yoa  sent  me  informing  me  of  the 
illness  of  oar  beloved  brother  Samuel;  as  he  was 
appointed  to  pieaoh  for  me  it  was  a  disappoint- 
ment to  D^  friends  at  Bow,  who  had  with  plea- 
sure anticipated  his  visit  I  pray  the  Lord  to 
raise  him,  and  give  him  yet  a  lonff  dav  of  useful 
labor  in  the  Lwd's  Tineyard ;  ana  I  nope  your 
ministry  at  Efferton  will  be  still  greatly  blest  to 
many  souls.  I  write  this  note  on  my  journey 
homeward  fh>m  Woodford,  in  Northamptonshire, 
where,  yesterday,  anniversary  sermons  were 
holden  for  their  ^bbath  schools.  When  I  reached 
the  Isham  station  on  Saturday  afternoon,  a  kind 
Christian  brother  (Mr.  Thomas  Oreen)  met  us  to 
oonvtsy  us  to  Woodford,  and  on  the  way  he  related 
to  me  the  Lord's  dealings  with  him  in  effectually 
calling  him  by  His  grace  under  tho  ministry  of 
Mr.  Suverton,  in  fact,  the  Lord  did  most  power- 
ftilly  use  Mr.  Silverton's  ministnr  to  the  conver- 
sion of  both  Thomas  Oreen  and  his  beloved  and 
de>t>ted  partner  in  life,  and  that  the  work  is 
jreniilne  and  divinely  wrought  I  had  not  the 
shadow  of  a  doubt.  I  have  had  much  opportunit3' 
of  seeing  and  hearing  the  evidences  of  their  sal- 
\*ation,  and  with  holy  pleasure  I  did  retjoice  with 
thankfulness.  Mr.  Silverton  baptized  them  both 
in  the  baptistry  at  Woodford,  and  great  joy  has 
been  leallzed  in  their  union  to  the  church.  I  am 
sure  you  will  believe  me  when  I  assure  you  that 
my  soul  was  refreshed  in  finding  conversion  work 
is  still  going  on,  and  in  beholding  the  fiiith  and 
fellowship  of  the  saints  here  in  Woodford :  I  did 
receive  great  encouragement.  On  Lord's  day, 
Jime  12, 1  was  helped  to  preach  three  times  to 
good  oongrsgAtions.  The  children  and  the  choir 
Ang  delightfully,  I  must  say  I  thought  those 

frts  of  the  wonhip  excelled  all  I  had  ever  heard, 
wished  th^  had  sung  much  more  than  they 
did.  The  voices  of  the  young  ladies  and  the 
ebildren  imiting  with  the  other  parts  conducted 
by  the  brathren,  rendered  it  truly  pleasant.  They 
ha\'e  a  first-rate  band  of  teachers:  husbands, 
fathers,  young  men,  and  maidens,  throw  their 
whole  hearts  into  the  work,  and  a  large  number 
of  pretty  looking  girls  and  boys  receive  great 
benefit.  Mr.  J.  Mitohell,  an  earnest  friend  and  a 
warm  supporter,  unites  with  the  humblest  Chris- 
tian, in  aiding  this  good  work;  and  recently, 
through  his  benevolence,  the  debt  on  the  new 
school-rooms  has  been  entirely  cleared  off.  The 
.  ancient  father  Welb  is  quite  an  old  Abraham  in 
their  midst;  he  is  a  man  strong  in  faith,  giving 
glory  to  Ood,  and  enoonnging  the  younger 
branches  of  the  church  in  their  untiring  labours 
of  lo\^  Mr.  Cox,  the  pastor,  is  not  so  successful 
in  his  ministry  as  he  deeply  desires ;  but  hopes 
of  better  days  sometimes  dawn  upon  them ;  and 
in  patience  they  possess  their  souls.  There  are 
many  churches  around  Woodford«  such  as  Irth- 
lingborough,  Willingborough,  Round,  Thrapstone, 
AtUebury  (where  good  John  Stwens  was  bom) 
Oundle,  and  others,  and  in  connection  with  tlie 
whole  of  them  truth  is  maintained,  and  our  dis- 
tincti\-e  principles  are  adhered  to.  I  hope  to  give 
e\'en  better  tidmgs  from  Northamptonshire  yet 
At  Bushden,  Mr.  Charles  Drawbridge  has  erected 
a  new  cliapel ;  and  it  is  expected  Mr.  James 
Wells  will  open  it  the  latter  part  of  July. 

We  liave  just  lost  our  aged  brother,  Moses 
Miller,  who  at  the  ase  of  nearly  seventy-nine, 
left  this  country  on  Thursday,  June  9, 1864,  and 
in  Nunhead  I  spoke  a  few  words  o^'er  his  grave. 

XBDDIKG^TOH.—Next  momixig,  after  my 
ivtum  fVom  Northamptonshire,  I  set  off  very  early 


for  Haverhill,  in  Suffolk^  order  to  fulfil  my  en- 
garment  once  more  at  Keddington  anniversar}-, 
rhioh  took  place  on  Wednesday,  June  15th.  Our 
run  through  the  Coins  valley  was  delightful; 
but  I  was  nearly  beat  out  with  travelling  and 

E reaching.  The  Lord  permitted  me  to  reaoli 
[avrrhill  station  in  perfect  safety,  and  there 
stood  my  noble-looking  Christian  brother,  Mr. 
John  Dillistone,  waiting  to  receive  me.  I  was 
predous  glad  to  see  him.  For  nearly  fifteen 
years  now  we  liave  met  as  brethren,  and  through 
all  tlie  adverse  changes  I  luiTe  been  plunged  into, 
no  man  in  Bngland  liaa  stood  closer  by  me, 
as  a  minister  of  Christ's  Ooepel.  than  has  the 
proprietor  of  Woodland  Oreen,  John  Dillistone, 
of  the  firm  of  Thomas  and  John  Dillistone,  whose 
splendid  nursery  grounds  form  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  spots  in  this  part  of  our  sweet  little 
island.  Toward  the  Keddington  Mends  I  ever 
desire  to  cherish  the  most  sincere  gratitude  and 
the  warmest  Christian  love.  It  is  fifteen  years 
next  October  tliat  we  opened  that  Ood-honoured 
house  of  prayer,  called  Behoboth  Baptist  Chapel, 
standing  in  a  quiet  little  nook,  under  wfde- 
npreading  trees,  mid-way  between  Keddington 
and  Stunner,  and  within  a  short  and  sweetly 
rural  walk  from  the  town  of  Haverhill,  reached  by 
the  Oreat  Bastem  aud  Colne  Valley  lines. 

Fourteen  anniversary  days  have  I  spent  there 
siKCE  the  opening  day.  On  that  day  Henry 
Honks,  now  of  Woolwich,  preached  in  the  after- 
noon, myself  morning  and  evening;  and  the 
morning  and  evening  of  every  anmveraar>'  day 
lias  been  allotted  to  me  since  that  good  oom- 
menoement.  I  have  gone  down  there  many 
times  with  a  heart  overwhelmed  witli  sorrow, 
and  sometimes  with  such  a  sense  of  bodily  weak- 
ness as  though  I  must  sink  into  the  grave,  but  in 
tliat  blessed  Keddington  pulpit  I  have  always 
been  most  wonderfully  helped  and  honoured  too. 
Many  of  the  beloved  cloth,  with  their  deacons 
and  dames  most  devout,  scorn  me  and  my  minis- 
try, and  in  every  part  of  the  kingdom  slander 
saws  my  soul  almost  in  sunder;  nevertheless, 
GK>d  Almighty  holds  me  up  as  yet  in  great  minis- 
terial liberty,  and  like  Jacob,  I  wait  to  see  a  full 
salvation,  ithink  last  Wednesday,  June  16th,  was 
as  g^ood  an  anniversary  day  as  any  we  have  ever 
had  at  Keddington.  Mv  brother,  John  Dillistone, 
in  a  note  since  reoeivea,  says:— 

"  I  believe  it  wasa  really  good  day  at  Kedding- 
ton. I  hear  many  say  they  were  greatly  blest 
under  the  preached  word;  so,  by  these  lifts  bj' 
the  way,  we  pitch  our  tents  nearer  home ;  and  do 
you  tblnk  we  shall  get  to  heaven  at  lastP  It 
sometimes  painfully  revolves  in  my  mind  whether 
I  am  in  the  right  path  or  not;  but  when  the 
Lord  comes  and  blesses  me  with  his  glorious 
presence,  then  all  is  manifested  well.  We  have 
had  many  changes  since  we  first  met,  and  some 
since  we  last  parted.  But  through  merpy  our 
hope  and  expec^tion  is  the  same  in  object  and  in 
purpose.  I  find  all  to  be  very  dreary  and  com- 
fortless without  the  Lord,  but  His  presence  makes 
a  prison  a  palace,  and  I  do  hope  and  pray  He 
will  so  bless  us  continually,  and  His  cause  here 
and  elsewhere.  The  pure  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesn^ 
made  manifest  to  the  soul  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  is 
the  only  thing  that  will  be  of  any  use  to  any  man 
in  time  or  eternity.  Our  sands  will  soon  be  ran 
out,  if  you  live  until  you  are  ninety  it  will  not  be 
long,  but  I  don't  expect  for  myself  such  length  of 
days ;  but  long  or  short,  if  we  are  the  LonPs,  all 
will  be  well,  and  if  not.  nothing  will  be  well.  O 
the  false  hopes  people  do  die  on." 

I  may  add,  that  our  brother  Wilson,  of  Clare, 
came  and  preached  a  choice  sermon  in  the  after- 


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XJifi  HAJSLTHSS  VEdfiSL. 


July  1,  ld64» 


noon,  at  Eeddin^n.  Mr.  Murkin,  the  pastor, 
read  and  prayed  in  opening  the  evening  service: 
The  place  vraa  crowded  ;  a  large  company  took 
tea;  Mrs.  Hurkio.  the  paator's  cheerful  sponit, 
the  two  »«.  Difiistonee,  the  aged  Mia  Wallis, 
with  the  deiaoons  and  a  host  of  the  younger  people, 
all  did  their  very  utmost  to  make  the  people 
happy.  I  will  try  and  get  the  "  Village  R^acher" 
to  give  a  little  sketch  of  the  services  in  Ck£EBiv6 
WoBDB.  God  bless  the  dear  friends  at  Kedding- 
ton,  and  save  them  in  Hla  Son ;  so  praya  theur 
devoted  servant,  c  W.  Bajtks. 

IfVW  BAFdST  CHUBCH  AT 

l^BMUromAX.'-MM,  BDtnofi.-.WeeamiBt 
rejmin  from  aaking  you  for  sntoe  on  the  point  to 
which  we  hMm  armed,  and  the  spedal  lavw  God 
shewed  ns  on  thesorvieesof  LordVdiqr  and  Mon- 
day, Mav  32nd  and  Strd.  Brother  Williamson, 
PMtorof  the  Strict  Baptist  No«tia|rhin  olmroh, 
ajul  of  onmlves  slao,  (until  now  a  part  of  them), 
waa  brought  safely  to  us,  and  on  Lord*s  day 
moxning.  at  Charlotle  alreet  chapel,  entered  on 
servioet  for  our  dlsmiasal  ftom  Notting  hill,  fbrm*- 
mg  onr  UtUe  band  into  a  Striot  Baptist  churoh  at 
BirmmA^ham.  A  good  momiag  oongranition  as- 
sembled;  after  raaidiag  first  andseoond  diaptersof 
Spheaians,  and  pcayer,  onr  pastor  read  Bpnesians 
li.  Id,  ML  20,  and  prooeededl  to  stirte  the  nature  of 
aGo8pelchinofa,in  a  sotind,  clear,  andisBtrao- 
tive manner.  Heshewied  himself  to  be  a  free- 
grace  Gospel,  Strict  Commonion  Daptisk  to  the 
baok-bone.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  P.  W.  Wflliam- 
son  pioeeeded  to  say  he  was  abonttodo  a  painftU 
thlnff.  and  yet  one  of  pleasnre :  painftd  to  read 
bnr  dismissal,  and  to  sever  his  pastoral  nlation. 
ship,  hitherto  se  happily  existing  between  us : 
"  Yet  theve is,'*  said  he»  "a  pleasure  m  liMt.  I 
trust  it  is  of  God.  I  trust  it  is  provedyeur  as- 
Mmblmghete  has  been  of  God,  and  thet  now  He 
has  fkvored  yon  with  strength  to  stand,  tAiougfa 
but  a  child,  upon  your  own  feet."  And  then  with 
many  kind,  touohmg,  and  consolatory  words,  ho 
read  onr  sspatation  ftom  the  Netting  hill  ohoreh, 
and  then  asked  us  to  join  hands  in  saered  Gospel 
feUow«hi|^  that  he  might  pronounoe  us  oo»;  and 
It  was  done.  Be  then  gave  the  right  hand  of 
fiulowship  to  three  sisters  and  one  brother,  who 
a  few  days  shioe  were  bi^tized  by  Mr.  A.  Howard, 
and  now  with  a  few  more  admonttovy  words, 
joining  in  one  at  the  supper  of  the  Lord  and 
mver,  this  meethig  dosed.  In  the  evening  Mr. 
Williamson  preaehed  to  the  church  from,  •rCTow 
the  Lord  of  peace  Himself  give  you  peace  alwuys, 
^aU  means:  the  God  ot  peaoe  be  with  yon  afl.** 
Frayer  befog  oaee  more  made  unto  God,  we  went 
to  our  homes  to  think  overthe  solemn  thinn  we 
had  done.  I  am  sony  t»  tsooble  you  with  so 
much,  but  I  moat  mate  refcreBBoe  to  Monday's 
servioos.  Onr  ehapel  was  nieely  seated  with 
pleasant  Chriatian-looking  people  ronad  the  tea 
table ;  a  sociable,  cheerful  tone  of  feeling  evidently 
prevailed.  Tea  over.  Mr.  WUliamson  took  the 
diair,  and  opsued  the  meeting  in  the  usual  way, 
uid  said  his  brathven  in  the  ministry  would  ad- 
dfess  the  mesling  firom  Fsalm  xlvL,  selsotiag 
their  own  pasaages.  Theveoerehleold  Ohriatian, 
Mr.  Hodgetts^  spoke  first  on  theOhristiau's  only 
i^fnge,  God  in  Christ.  Mr.  Ledos,  of  BUston, 
gave  a  nice  diseoursa  on  the  rivw  of  mercy.  Mr. 
WUlianwm  followed,  be  said  there  wm  a^ebt  fisr 
aaterations  and  improvements  of  £H  IBs.  on  that 
mfimtehnroh.  He  waa  about  to  leave  tte  ehuroh 
without  his  can.  aad  he  should  lite  to  kuve  it 
fiwe.  About  «22  wua  wanted.  He  titea  took 
naoMs,  with  donottons,  premises,  te.,  obtainiB« 
not  quite  half  tte  amount.  Mr.  Kowuid  then 
spokcc  he  made  ssme  rsnaariteou  Psalm  xtvi.  fi. 
After  him  Mr.  WMu  spoteptaaaantly  on  stuuUng 
stUl  bclloM  tte  Lord.  Mr.  WUliamaon  ratorned 
again  to  plead  the  neeessi^  of  ffsttlug  o«r  the 
burden,  and  though  itwusa  seemingly  impossible 
thing,  it  was  done.  Tte  debt  at  JOt  Ifis.  vnas 
Tte  brsMiren,  Mr.  Thomm  and  Mr. 


Henry  Drew,  two  of  the  deacons,  arose  and 
thanked  the  friends,  expressing  their  wonder  at 
what  had  been  done,  We  sang  ^'Pndse  God  from 
wtem  all  Uessiaga  flow,**  ko^  pronounoed  tte 
benediction,  anda^n  returned  to  our  homes. 

Tte  little  chureh  at  Charlotte  street,  Birming- 
ham, luu>  chosen  for  its  deacon^  the  brethren 
Thomas  mid  Henry  Dresr,  and  Voliaee^  thraemcn 
of  flnt-rate  buanMss  mailer  and  in  their  heaiti^ 
under  the  Divine  Mesaing.  With  on  eAcicnt 
ministary,  there  ia  eveiy  prospeet  of  estsbliaWug 
a  useftil  and  eictsnstve  seetioD  of  Christ%  Heir 
Testament  drarch.    Qed  gmat  it.    Amen. 


BTX  XiAJTS,  FKCKWAMT. 

On  Tuesday,  June  28th,  a  very  interesting  meet- 
ing was  teld  in  the  new  and  oeautiful  chapel  at 
Rye  lane,  to  commemorate  the  Lord's  goodneaa 
to  tte  church,  in  continuing  amongst  them  in 
peace  and  much  Christian  affection  for  aixteea 
years,  Uieir  beloved  pastor,  Mr.  George  Moyleu 
Additional  interest  was  also  felt  on  thu  occasion, 
it  beuig  understood  that  a  Ihial  statement  of  the 
position  of  thechurch  rejecting  their  new  ctepel 
would  te  given  in  the  course  of^tte  proceed  inga> 
The  ctepel  and  schools  am  now  complete,  ana  n 
more  compact,  convenient,  substantia^  end  really 
handsomely-good  Baptist  chapel,  there  is  not  in 
London;  butas  wemveMr.  Con^ve's statement 
on  tte  occasion  ui«;%iuo,and  as  it  furmshes  oon* 
ciM  information  on  this  pomt.  we  here  leave  that 
part  of  the  subject.  At  five  o  clock  a  good  num- 
ber of  friends  were  served  with  tea  in  tte  oomi> 
modious  vestcies  and  school  rooms;  after  whiclk 
a  public  meeting  was  held  in  tte  ctepel,  over 
which  the  pastor  presided ;  and  in  his  openini^ 
remarks  took  a  retrospeotire  view  of  tte  past,  fiur 
which  te  had  groat  cause  for  thtekfulneaa,  the 
Lord  having  maintained  him  in  usefhlnees  and. 
peace  with  tte  church  during  tte  sixteen  yearn 
be  had  been  their  pastor.  Mr.  Moyle  then  asked 
tte  secretary  of  tte  buildiag  committee  to  furnish 
the  friends  with  tte  statement  of  their  position  ; 
to  which  Mr.  Conysve  seized  as  follows  :— 

Wt  DiAR  Sib,— Onee  aprfn  itiemy  he 
privilege  on  behalf  of  m3'BStf  and  lirotiier 
and  the  chuieh,  and  the  eonnegatlon  amemhUnf 
here,  and  may  [I  not  my  of  every  hind  fWend 


churehes,  to  wish  yon  «•  Many  hanpgr 
His  day,'*  and  I  ttdnk  as  «  chureh  and 


from  other  c 
returns  of  tliis  <!  , , 

congregatiaR  v  ought  to  wish  one  am^ker  i 
teppy  retams  of  this  day.  It  is  tUa  tfane  six^ 
teen  yean  ago  that  tte  nmnrioge  eerenuny  !»• 
tween  pastor  and  people  wnn  entemd  hito,  and 
whom  God  hoe  thus  Joined  togeOier  in  band»of 
holy  oencord  and  Obnatian  love,  let  no  man  put 
asunder.  And  thia  is  the  firet  aunhreraary  in  thv 
new  building. 

Sir,  I  eongnrtiulato  yon,  and  I  think  we  mmr 
all  oonmatniote  onnehres,  while  we  look  up  with 
thankf^lnem  to  that  Divine  Being  to  wtem  we 
owe  off,  on  the  difltereneetetwecn  our  present  and 
onr  last  year^  droumataaioeR  Driven  fyom  onr 
home  by  the  giant  of  modem  dm,  to  whom  tSm 
mansion  of  tte  rieh  and  tiie  oottage  of  tte  peer, 
the  temple  of  Satan  or  the  aonetumy  of  God  mm 
all  one,  net  to  te  spared,  but  swept  elite  from 
his  pathway,— vre  had  to  meet  a  year  ago  hi  the 
laage  room  of  a  tavern,  thankftil  mr  thm  aeoom-> 
modation,  telievtng  that  tte  preaenee  c€  Jehovak 
is  not  confined  to  ptaees,  but  wheresoever  hiv 
people  ore  colled  to  dwell,  there  will  Be  te  in  the 
midst,  and  we  ftmnd  it  so.  But  since  ttet  tfane 
this  beautiful  ctepd  has  arisen,  rapieto  with 
every  oonvenienoe,  with  ita  osnniodions  vestay, 
ite  aabstantial  housetor  minister,  anditeneat  well 
ftimished  schoolH^xmi.  If  I  were  poetical  thin 
night  I  oonld  dilate  hi  glowing  longange  on  that 
piupit,  which  does  soeh  credit  to  the  twto  of  «ur 
architect  (though  of  course  looking  more  com- 
pleteand  beautiShl  when  our  ebaixman  fills  it) 
then  ttet  gallery,  that  oeiling,  tte  elesxwe  but 


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199 


neatness  of  every  part  of  the  building ;  hot,  sir,  I 
am  Hot  poetical,  besides,  I  do  not  wish  to  trespaaa 
on  the  tiuie,  so  I  will  sum  up  all  by  veiitunn^  to 
call  it  (and  I  think  our  fnends  willall  agree  with 
me)  one  of  the  prettiest  chapels  (A  the  size  in 
Loudon,  and  a  modd,  for  many  a  olmpel  yet  to  be 
built.  To  Him  who  is  tbe  giver  of  all  goini  be  aU 
the //nziM, 

And  now  the  time  haf  come  for  placing  this 
chapel  in  trust  The  deed  is  ready,  and  I  suppose 
witliiu  three  weeks  time  the  property  will  be 
duly  vested  in  our  new  trustees. 

The  oooounts  have  been  all  in«de  up,  and  wore 
passed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  church  at  a  npeoial 
meeting  last  week,  and  will  be  duly  audited.  I 
cannot  ^ve  them  >x»u  in  detail,  nor  would  it  be 
interesting  at  a  meeting  such  as  this,  but  I  will 
give  you  a  brief  summary  of  the  whole. 

I  veg^et  to  sav  our  estimate  of  the  probable 
deficient,  which  you  liave  heard  on  former  occa- 
sions and  probably  seen  in  print,  was  below  the 
raaxk,  and  I  stand  before  -you  something  like  a 
boy  who  has  done  his  sum  wrong  and  is  penitent 
for  his  etrov. 

The  foot  is  when  you  are  engaged  in  wwkB  of 
tlus  kmd  you  cannot  foresee  all,  nor  form  a  perfect 
e8t»m*to  until  the  works  are  done  and  paid  for. 
One  thin?  leads  to  another :  you  see  a  something 
needed  for  comfort  and  conrenienoe  you  did  not 
see  before^  and  we  have  been  anxious  (I  speak  for 
the  boildinc  oommittee)  to  leave  nothing  to  be 
done  hereoiler,  oonc^neotly  oar  builder's  account 
for  extms  lately  brought  in,  including  nearly  £100 
for  concrete^  amounted  to  over  £300,  and  our 
balance  sheet  now  shows  a  deficiency  of  £494. 
That  snm  we  are  about  to  borrow  at  five  per  cent, 
deducting  whatevei*  yon  nay  be  pleased  to  give 

Let  me  now  give  you  enr  total  baUmoe  sheet  in 
a  ooadensed  form,  vrhich  yon  may  readily  lullow. 

Our  UjUU  expendtttove^  in  rauad  numbers,  has 
been  J64000. 

The  land  with  payment  of  Sir  OUudes  agents 
has  cost  us  £687. 

The  bonder's 
£2964. 

The  architect's  fees  £106. 

The  solicitor's  fieee  £»%, 

The  expenses  of  conduoting  worship  in  the 
mterral  away  from  the  chapel,  £A8. 

And  then  every  other  expense :  interest  on  some 
portion  of  the  mon^  adinonced  for  carrying  on 
the  work^  blinds,  fnraitare,  harmonium,  laying 
out  the  ground,  pav«menfc  in  front,  and  all  sundr>- 
expensea  are  included  ki  tbe  remaining  jfiiOO, 
making  a  Rrond  total  of  je4000. 

On  tbe  other  sMs  we  have  received  from  the 
railway  company  compensation  money  and  in- 
terest £8814,  and  we  live  alao  received  by  our 
subscriptaon  fund  for  new  schools,  £199,  (not  bad 
for  twelve  months  exertion  in  a  small  congrega- 
tion like  this)  and  a  small  item  of  £2  for  sale  of 
$ome  old  forms  and  tables,  making  a  grand  total 
of  £3516,  and  leaving  the  defieieney,  £484,  as 
before  named. 

You  see  then  that  by  addhig  that  £464  now  due 
to  the  £199  subscribed  before  tliis,  that  we  have 
exoeeded  the  money  reeeivod  from  the  railway 
company  in  all  £675.    And  if  you  aek  **  How  is 
thisV"  r will  try  clearly  to  answer.   We  have  now 
a  property,  take  it  altogether,  that  is  worth  £1700 
mora  than  the  old  pbuie  that  we  have  quitted,  and 
therefore  taking  olf  the  eacew  of  expenditure,  I 
consider  we  have  gained  £1000  really  by  the  ex- 
change, and  that  £1060  ttiat  is  gamed  is  in  the 
extm  valoe  of  hovse  and  chapel.     We  have  spent 
it  all  there— all  that  we  got.  We  had  but  a  chapel 
and  house  before,  we  had  no  sehool,  nor  land  for 
a  school,  nor  gallery  fir  our  children.    But  in  \ 
purehaaing  the  land  we  seound  a  laiy^  piece  in  ! 
order  to  have  room  for  a  school  and  approach  to  ! 
school,  and  that  extra  land  made  quite  a  difference  , 
of  £109.    The  bnilding  c^  the  schools  with  extras  ' 
£371,  and  tlw  gallery  tor  the  ediool  ehUdnn  witli  | 


with  extras  has  been 


its  stone  stsrir  cases,  and  its  ftttiogs  \n  accordance 
with  the  style  of  the  place  made  £178.  Thus  you 
see  you  have  a  total  of  £615  for  etliicational  pur- 
poses, and  if  we  had  not  doue  that  wo  should  not 
have  exceeded  the  money  received.  We  have 
therefore  to  ask  this  £484  which  is  deficient  on 
behalf  of  our  schools. 

It  is  true  that  some  schools  have  Ijeen  built 
chejijxjr.  It  is  the  idea  of  some  that  cliiMren  may 
be  shoved  anywhere.  You  ^  into  some  schools 
down  under  ground  below  clwpelf,  dark,  close, 
ill-ventihUed ;  others  again  you  see  hare  brick 
walls  whitened  over  like  some  respectable  wash- 
house.  I  siiy  let  your  schools  be  light,  neat, 
cheerful,  attractive  plao&s. 

I  feel  thanktul  we  have  a  school  at  last.  The 
friends  at  Deptford  ai-o  following  us ;  I  had  the 
honor  to  lay  the  stone  of  their  boys'  school  a  tbi-t- 
niffht  since.  I  told  tliem  I  wondered  what  they 
at  JDeptiOi-d  and  we  at  Peckhaui  hatl  beeu  abont 
so  long  that  we  had  not  done  this  before.  There 
are  serious  objections  to  schools  in  chapels,  and 
most  of  all  is  tluit  Uio  feeliug  of  reverence  f<tr  the 
house  of  Grod  is  almost  eutirely  lost-  I  have 
proved  fmm  exjierienoe  it  is  far  easier  to  main- 
tain order  in  a  school-ioom,  and  the  behaviour  of 
our  children  in  the  gallery  lias  been  quite  a  con- 
ti-ast  to  what  it  was  before  we  had  a  Hchool.  I 
hope  that  we  shall  be  willing  to  do  what  we  win 
by  degrees  to  remove  this  £481,  and  that  we  shall 
get  a  little  of  it  olf  to-uighc 

After  Mr.  Congreve's  statement,  sevei-al  sums 
were  paid  in,  (iiiibscrii)tion.s  and  promises,  about 
£50).  Addre^soii  were  delivere<l  by  tlie  brethren 
Wyard,  Hawkins,  Mceref,  Anderson,  Alderson, 
and  others.  Siuj^ing  aud  prayer  closed  tliie  in* 
tcresting  proeeedmgs. 

Q-IiBMBPOKD.— PiwyinmrcTB  Chapel.— 

Anniwrsary  sermons  for  Sabbath  schools  were 
preached  by  Mr.  D.  Wilson,  of  Clare,  on  Sunday, 
iMaj^  22nd.  Our  brother  preached  three  very 
Christ-exalting  and  sonl-eomforting  sermons. 
The  cliapel  ^vas  crowdetl  with  attentive  hearers. 
The  collections  and  subscriptions  from  frieuds' 
amounted  to  £9  2s.  6 W.  On  the  following  Mon- 
day afternoon  the  children  of  the  schools  (108  in 
number)  met  in  the  chapel  to  partake  of  an  ex- 
cellent tea  provided  for  them.  A  public  meeting 
in  the  evenmg:  brother  Pung  earnestly  Implored 
a  blessing  on  the  meeting ;  brother  Wilson  was 
then  pro|>osed  to  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  ably 
addressed  by  brethren  Kerridge,  Puiig,  Whorlow, 
and  Kemp  (the  pastor).  The  speakers  all  har- 
monized in  One  deli/^htful  theme  and  object,  Wz., 
the  exaltation  of  Christ  and  the  furtherance  of 
His  cause.  The  school  children  sang  some  appro- 
priate pieces  selected  for  the  occasion.  The  chapel 
was  tastefully  deooratefl  with  mottoes  and  flowers, 
indicating  the  great  interest  taken  by  the  young 
friends  to  promote  the  Sabbath  school.  The 
benediction  was  pronounced,  and  the  pe<'ple 
8eparate<l  greatly  delighted,  and  we  hope  many 
profited  on  Sabbath  day,  June  5th.  Mr.  G.  Cf. 
Whorlow  had  the  honor  to  lead  into  the  water 
four  persons,  and  baptized  them  in  the  name  of 
the  ever  glorious  three-one  Q-od.  In  the  afternoon 
Mr.  Kemp  received  them  into  church-member- 
ship. We  must  say  the  Lord  has  done  (and  is 
still  doing)  great  tilings  for  us  whereof  we  are 
glad. 

GBBAT  TOBBUffOTOS;  DEVOK.- 
On  Lord's  day,  June  19th,  the  Bev.  W.  Jeffeiy 
proaohed  his  farewell  sermon.  Mr.  Jeffery  hav- 
ing declined  an  unanimous  invitation  to  continue 
hia  pastocal  laboiuv  at  Torriagton.  the  church 
resolved  on  gi  ving  some  exfnressi on  or  their  esteem 
by  presenting  thoir  pastor  on  Jane  15th,  with  a 
very  eleffint  drawing  reom  easy  chair  and  otto- 
man. Fifty -seven  members  have  been  added  to 
tbe  church  during  the  last  year. 


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THE  EABTHEN  VB8SEL. 


Jtdy  1,186€. 


NEW  TOBK,  Mabch  35, 18M.— Mr.  C.  W. 
Banks,  Editor  of  The  Bjlbthzk  YEUEL.~lCy 
Bear  Sir,— On  the  last  page  of  the  Vessel  for 
March,  there  appears  an  article  under  the  head 
*•  America,*'  which  myself  and  a  few  others  here 
have  read  with  much  pain,  as  we  think  it  calcu- 
lated to  convey  a  very  wrong  impression  to  the 
minds  of  many,  of  the  character  of  the  little  num- 
ber of  strict  Baptists  in  this  dty.  The  article  in 
question  seems  to  call  for  a  reply  from  some  one 
on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  as  I  feel  interested 
as  an  individual,  as  well  as  being  a  member  and 
deacon  of  the  Beulah  Particular  Baptist  Church 
in  New  York  city,  to  whom  James  Hooper  spoke 
for  a  short  time,  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  a  few 
lines  on  the  subject  for  publication  in  the  Vessel. 
I  ask  for  its  insertion  abo  as  an  act  of  justice  to 
the  little  church,  now  without  a  pastor,  who  is  in 
a  measure,  by  implication  in  the  said  article, 
charged  with  unchristian  neglect  of  a  "minister- 
ing brother  in  illn^ts  and  an  almost  starving  con- 
dition." [An  account  of  theorflanisation  of  this 
church  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  John  Bennett, 
now  of  Chatham,  was  published  in  The  Earthen 
Vessel  for  September,  18.58.  page  313.]  In  the 
article  now  under  consideration  you  call  Mr. 
James  Hoof>er  your  "friend  and  ministering 
brother."  If  by  this  j'ou  mean  he  is  a  spirit- 
taught  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  are 
sorry  to  say  he  has  failed  in  his  labors  among  us 
to  convince  us  as  a  church  of  the  circumstance. 
We  are  informed  by  one  of  the  deacons  of  Mr. 
John  Foreman's  church  in  London,  where  he  was 
baptized  and  became  a  member,  that  they  knew 
nothing  of  hfa  being  a  minister,  farther  than 
when  m()uiring  of  the  cause  of  his  absence  from 
them  at  Umes,  they  were  told  he  was  out  preach- 
ing, but  where  or  to  whom  they  did  not  know. 
Also  Mr.  Alexander,  at  Barnstaple,  where  Mr. 
Hooper  went  afterwards,  informs  us  that  he  knew 
nothing  of  his  beina  a  preacher,  only  that  he  spoke 
once  or  twice  at  their  afternoon  meeting  on  Lord's 
days.  With  this  introduction  I  will  come  to  the 
time  of  his  first  appearance  among  us  in  New 
York.  Sometime  about  the  month  of  June,  1862, 
a  young  man  walked  into  my  book  store,  151, 
Fulton  street.  New  York  dty,  and  the  first  words 
he  uttered  were,  ^  I  have  found  the  right  place 
at  last."  He  was  an  entire  stranger  to  me,  but 
he  soon  informed  me  he  was  a  strict  Baptist,  by 
the  name  of  James  Hooper,  lately  arrived  from 
England,  and  havingseen  my  name  as  agent  here 
for  The  Earthex  Vrsskl,  he  sought  and  was 
now  glad  he  had  found  me.  We  entered  into 
convei*8ation,  and  in  a  short  time  he  gave  me  to 
understand  he  had  been  In  the  habit  ofspeaking 
in  public  to  a  number  of  chnrdies  in  England, 
where  he  was  providentally  directed,  naming 
some  of  the  places.  Somewliat  liking  his  conver- 
sation, and  knowing  t4i6  good  standing  of  some 
of  the  ministers  he  mentioned,  with  whom  he 
said  he  was  acquainted,  including  yourself,  I  cor- 
dially received  liim,  and  when  he  was  about  to 
lea^-e,  invited  him  to  call  on  me  again,  and  go  to 
meetmg  with  me.  From  that  time  I  heard 
nothing  of  him  for  two  or  three  weeks.  When 
he^llod  aj^in  he  apologised  for  his  long  absence 
by  saying  he  had  been  iU.  I  gave  him  directions 
where  our  place  of  woroliip  was,  to  which  he 
shortly  after  oame.  Mr.  W.  J,  Erskine,  the  suc- 
oeiisor  to  Mr.  Bennett,  was  then  preaching  for  us, 
although  he  had  previously  resigned  the  ofHce  of 
pastor.  My  new  made  friend,  Mr.  Hooper,  was  of 
course  introduced,  and  brother  Erskmo  kindly 
inrited  him  to  take  part  in  the  services.  He  did 
so,  and  spoke  to  us  in  a  measure  acceptably 
several  times  while  Mr.  Erskine  remained  with 
m.  When  the  period  arrived  for  our  late  pastor 
to  leave,  Mr.  Hooper  was,  by  a  vote  of  the  church, 
(not  unanimous)  invited  to  <*  supply  the  pulpit 
for  the  time  being."  The  church  being  small,  and 
having  to  meet  her  expenses  by  ooUeotioas  after 
the  services,  could  not  give  the  preadier  much  for 
hL<i  labors.    Still,  I  believe  she  did  what  she 


could,  and  Mr.  Hooper  at  that  time  expressed 
himself  fully  satisfied  with  what  he  noeived. 
And  when  the  congregation  began  to  fall  off, 
which  soon  was  the  case,  and  the  collections  in 
consequence  became  less,  he  said  be  was  willing 
to  preach  for  nothing,  rtXtver  than  the  little  cause 
should  suffer.  At  a  subsequent  church  meeting, 
Mr.  Hooper  sent  word  that  he  wished  to  know 
whether  his  serrioes  were  wanted  by  ns  anj- 
longer.  as  if  not  he  intended  to  go  to  Canada. 
(Bear  in  mind  Mr:  Hooper  was  never  a  member  in 
the  Beulah  church.)  A  vote  was  taken  on  the 
question,  and  it  was  decided  in  the  negatire.  He 
supplied  Che  pulpit  for  us  the  next  Lord's  day, 
which  was  the  last  Lord's  day  in  January,  IWi, 
and  he  has  never  met  with  us  since.  Bo  much  for 
Mr.  Hooper's  connection  with  the  Beulah  Baptist 
church,  on  the  strength  of  which,  I  understand, 
he  is  calling  on  the  Christian  community  for  aid. 
by  representing  himself  as  her  pastor,  and  that 
he  was  sorry  to  leave  them,  and  they  were  sorc^- 
to  be  obliged  to  part  with  him.  If  he  ever  was^  or 
is  now,  "settled  over  a  little  fidthful  band  in  New 
York,"  farther  than  as  stated  in  the  fencing,  I 
know  nothing  of  it,  and  if  it  had  been  so,  I  believe 
I  should  liave  known  it  I  hope  I  may  be  par- 
doned for  here  writing  a  few  words  on  personal 
matters.  With  mush  reluctance  and  very  painful 
emotions^  though  not  without  careful  and  prajrer- 
ful  consideration,  I  make  the  following  state- 
ment. So  far  as  I  am  concerned  as  an  intnvidual. 
I  would  much  rather  be  silent,  and  patiently  bear 
the  &lse  accusations  made  against  me,  by  one 
whom  I  reoeived  to  my  bosom,  welcomed  him 
and  his  wife  to  the  hospitalities  of  my  house,  as- 
sisted to  procure  means  for  them  to  commence 
housekeeping  with  themselves,  and  in  erery  way, 
as  far  as  I  could,  treated  as  a  brother  m  the 
Gospel ;  but  the  feelings  of  my  family  and  friendsi 
seemed  to  demand  that  the  same  should  be  made. 
Soon  After  my  first  acquaintance  with  Mr.  James 
Hooi>er,  he  asked  as  a  privilege  that  I  would 
allow  him  to  liave  his  letters  adcMessed  to  my  oaiv. 
I  told  him  (as  I  have  many  others,  though  with- 
out any  such  trouble  heretofcnre)  certainly  he 
might,  and  I  should  feel  a  pleasure  in  receiving 
and  forwarding  any  letters  for  him.  One  letter 
came  to  me  for  him,  after  the  church  had  dis- 
pensed with  his  services.  I  received  it,  and  sent 
It  to  him  promptly  at  his  residence,  and  his  wife 
sent  back  the  price  of  the  postage  (25  cents,  an 
English  shilling)  which  I  had  paid.  So  fiu-,  so 
gcKKi.  Judge  of  mv  surprise  then,  when  some 
months  after,  word  was  Drought  to  me  that  he 
was  circulating  a  report  that  letters  from  Eng- 
land had  been  sent  to  me  for  him,  some  with 
monev  enclosed,  which  I  had  refused  to  take  in, 
and  they  had  been  sent  back,  while  he  was  hexe 
in  want  of  the  money.  I  tried  my  utmost  to  get 
one  who  was  still  very  friendly  with  him,  to  go 
with  me  to  the  letter  carrier,  and  ascertain 
whether  it  was  so  or  not,  but  in  vain.  In  juatioe 
to  myself  I  then  procured  the  following  amdarit 
on  the  subject,  which  I  suppose  will,  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  any  reasonable  person,  refute  the 
charge  he  made  against  me. 

City  and  County  of  New  lorA,  U,  S, 

Henry  C.  M*Lean,  of  said  city,  being  duly  sworn, 
doth  depose  and  say,  that  he  is  the  Tetter  carrier 
for  the  t7nited  States  postofflce,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  that  his  district  embraces  No.  151, 
Fulton  street,  tlie  book  store  of  John  Axfbrd,  Esq . 
That  said  Axford  has  never  refhsed  to  reoei^^ 
from  me  any  letter  firom  England,  or  any  other 
place,  addrened  to  his  care  fur  Mr.  James  Hooper 
or  any  one  else ;  and  when  the  postage  has  been 
due  on  letten  thus  addressed,  he  has  uways  paid 
the  same  without  any  hesitation: 

Hekbt  C.  M^Leah, 

Sworn  to  before  me,  January  39th,  1894,  Jame^ 
Ward  Smyth,  Notary  Public,  New  York  City. 

Here  permit  me  to  say  I  have  sever,  by  word  or 
deed,  iiOured  Mr.  James  Hooper,  neither  do  I  wish 


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THE   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


201 


to ;  though  I  very  much  four  he  is  only  a  "  glofso- 
f^raplmY*  [see  Vessxi.  for  March,  1864,  page  58, 
''Editors  thoughts  on  men  and  things  on  the 
e«rtb,'*}on  the  contran%  I  beseech  the  Almighty, 
ifit  be  His  blessed  ana  holy  will,  to  give  him  to 
see  the  wrong  he  has  done  the  Beulah  church  and 
the  oaoM  of  Christ  in  this  city  by  his  deceptions, 
(I  can  think  of  no  better  word  to  nse  here)  to  say 
nothing  about  my  own  iqjuxy,  and  that  he  may 
be  led  to  pray  CFod,  if  perhaps  the  thought  of 
his  heart  may  be  forgiven  him,  for  Chnst  the 
dear  Bedeemer's  sake. 

Now,  brother  Banks,  having  occupied  so  much 
of  your  spate  with  this  unhappy  subject,  though 
I  assure  yon  I  have  stated  nothing  but  what  I 
believe  to  be  strietiy  true  in  evrry  particular  in 
the  case  of  Mr.  Hooper,  I  hope  you  will  bear  with 
me,  and  not  consider  me  egotistical,  if  I  intro- 
duoe  a  ftw  words  with  referenoe  to  myself  as 
agent  for  Thx  IBABTSiir  Tbssel  In  America.  I 
have  been  acting  agent  here  for  the  Qospel  Stak  d- 
ABD  and  Idndnd  publications,  ever  since  the 
summer  of  1844^  when  I  was  last  in  England,  now 
nearly  twenty  yean,  and  though  not  personally 
acquainted  with  any  of  you  editors  there,  having 
efleeted  an  arrangement  for  my  supply  with  the 
late  Mr.  James  Paul,  of  St  Paul's  Cfnurchyard,  in 
1M4,  stUl  I  consider  I  am  known  to  most  all  of 
you  by  reputation,  as  wd I  as  by  the  greater  part 
of  the  lovers  of  a  free  grace  Oospel  of  salvation  by 
Christ  alonOf'withoat  the  works  of  the  creature,  in 
this  land.  Yon  say  you  **  might  circulate  as 
many  thousands  in  America  as  you  do  in  England 
if  you  could  only  get  the  agents."  Now,  my  dear 
sir,  with  all  due  oefereooe  to  you,  permit  me  to 
say  that  yon  are  very  much  mistaken.  The  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jeaus,  is  received  in  the  love  of  it  by  a 
very  few  indeed  here.  Why,  you  can  have  no 
idea,  unless  you  were  to  oome  here  and  see  for 


mercy,  *'a  little  chamber  and  a  bed,  and  a  table, 
and  a  chair,  and  a  candlestick,"  to  which  you  shal  1 
be  heartily  weloome)  I  say  you  can  have  no  idea 
of  the  great  repugnance  there  is  manifested  to 
the  distinguishing  doctrine  of  grace,  as  held  by 
the  strict  fftrticular  Baptists,  separating  them 
trom  the  great  bulk  of  reliffious  prefeeson. 

One  other  point,  and  I  wul  close.  Tou  farther 
say,  **  a  correspondent  informs  us  that  the  Stan- 
dard party  in  America  mamfett  a  cruel  unkind- 
ness  to  all ViBSKL  readers  and  fhends."  I  know 
not  who  your  informant  may  be,  but  I  consider 
you  ha^'e  been  muinformed.  In  my  opinion  there 
would  have  been  nothing  known  here  of  **Stah- 
DABD  and  YESflBL  paruea,*'  if  the  subject  had 
not  been  i&rst  introduced  by  **  friends  and  readers 
of  the  Vesssl.*'  So  far  as  I  am  concerned  as  sn 
individual.  I  have,  and  do  now,  endeavour  io  cir- 
culate all  the  magaacines  which  I  am  agent  for. 
and  whatever  my  own  predilections  may  be.  I 
have  advertised  to  supply  them  all  alike.  I  should 
be  very  much  pleased  to  circulate  one  thousand 
of  either  of  them  where  I  do  now  a  single  copy. 
But  I  believe  the  thing  utterly  impossible,  except 
by  the  power  of  God,  I  have  been  trying  to  pro- 
cure a  livelihood  for  myself  and  family  in  this 
city,  by  bookselling,  fro.,  for  the  last  quarter  of  a 
century,  and  without  any  boasttnff,  except  in  God, 
and  to  the  honor  and  glort  of  His  grace,  who^e 
I  am  I  humbly  hope,  ana  whom  I  wish  to  for 
ever  serve,  I  have  been  enabled  to  do  so  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  linger  of  soom  ^has  not  been 
pointed  at  me,  as  I  have  endeavoured,  as  fiir  as  in 
me  lay,  to  *' provide  things  honest  in  the  sight  of 
all  men."  I  may  have  committed  errors  (and  who 
haa  not  f)  I  am  very  willing  to  admit,  but  when- 
ever It  haa  been  so,  they  were  those  of  the  headt 
and  not  of  the  Acar<.    Praised  be  tlie  Lord ! 

That  you  may  be  long  preserved  to  write  and 
disseminate  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  of  the  ever- 
btesaed  CKmI,  is  the  prayer  of  (I  trust)  >oar  brother 
and  companion  in  tribulation,    JOHir  Axtord. 


DXTONSHIHE.— Deab  Brotheb  Baxks, 
—In  Devonshire  most  of  the  Baptist  churches  are 
wandering  after  the  free-will  beast:  they  are 
meagre  in  doctrine,  shallow  in  experience,  con- 
fused in  judgment,  and  loose  in  practice.  "  Ye 
shall  be  ss  god»,  if  you  will  exercise  j'our 
mighty  powers,"  is  the  awful  cry  of  the  most 
popular,  professed  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  many  faithftil  ten-ants 
whom  He  hath  called,  taught,  and  sent  forth  into 
His  vineyard,  to  root  out  hyi)ocrites,  to  pull  down 
creature  loftiness,  to  destroy  the  lying  vanities  of 
free  will,  and  to  build  the  church  on  the  sure 
foundation  of  electing  love,  on  the  precious  blood 
of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  to  plant  the  church  ^th  real 
converts,  and  to  plant  everj*  part  of  the  truth  in 
their  hearts.  I  have  taken  an  active  part  in  many 
thanksgiving  meetings,  where  sound,  experimen- 
tal, lively,  energetic  ana  spiritually-minded  minis- 
ters have  spoken  the  truth  out  of  full  hearts,  to 
the  edification  and  comfort  of  the  Lord's  living 
family.  My  heart  rejoiced  in  the  Lord  and  my 
spirit  was  .abundantly  cheered  wliile  I  sat 
under  his  shadow  with  delight,  listening  to  these 
servants  of  the  most  high  GFod,  who  shewed  unto 
the  people  the  way  of  salvation.  Many  of  the 
ministers  who  were  on  the  open  system  are  now 
strict,  and  will  not  admit  any  unbaptized  person 
to  the  Lord's  table,  though  to  obey  Christ's 
commands  is  uncharitable,  and  to  follow  his  lovely 
example  is  a  great  sin  in  the  sight  of  many,  who 
regard  themselves  the  most  respectable  and  in- 
fluential in  the  church.  We  have  nothing  to  fear ; 
God  is  working  the  great  and  glorious  machinery 
of  salvation  according  to  his  own  eternal  purpose, 
for  the  display  of  His  glory,  the  exaltation  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  the  good  of  His  chosen  people. 
And  He  is  raising  up  some  good  workmen,  who 
boldly  declare  the  counsel  of  God,  regardless  of 
the  consequences  which  were  to  follow.  One  of 
these  devoted  ministers  resides  at  Tatness,  Mr. 
Ash  Huxham,  and  successfully  labours  at  Har- 
burtonford.  He  is  determined  to  abide  by  God's 
word.  At  his  place  the  churoh  presented  to 
brother  Huxham  and  his  wife  valuable  presents, 
tokens  of  their  affbetion  to  their  much  beloved 
pastor,  and  his  highly  esteemed  wife,  for  their 
tmabiiting  love,  zeal,  and  kindness  manifested  in 
every  possible  way,  for  the  good  of  their  souls,  I 
was  requested  by  the  chureh  to  make  a  few  re- 
marks on  their  presentation.  It  was  soon  visible 
that  the  dewy  influence  of  the  Eternal  8i>irit  \%-aa 
moistening  our  souls,  which  blessing  is  often 
reali7.ed  by  the  chureh  in  this  ptece.  During  the 
obsenations  made  on  the  presentation,  brother 
Huxham  laboured  hard  to  suppress  the  stirring 
emotions  of  his  mind,  which  was  not  caused  bv 
the  gift,  but  arose  trom  a  deep  sense  of  the  Lord's 
goodness  to  him,  in  calling,  qualifying,  and  nsing 
him  to  gather  in  the  outcast,  feed  the  hungry, 
and  build  up  many  precious  souls  in  their  most 
holy  faith.  When  our  brother  arose  to  respond 
to  the  church's  kindness,  he  said,  **  What  mean 
ye  bv  this?  To  break  my  heart."  As  the  godly 
sentence  flowed  out  of  his  grateful  heart  it  thrilled 
through  ours,  and  such  a  strong  feeling  of  love 
and  sympatliy  ovemowered  our  souls  that  we 
all  wept  together.  Hard  must  be  the  heart  that 
refused  to  yield  a  throb  at  such  a  demonstration 
of  Christian  affection.  E^'ery  eye  must  lend  a 
tear  while  beholding  the  sublime  beauties  of 
brotherly  love  wWch  shone  forth  so  brilliantly  in 
the  big  tears  of  joy  that  flowed  down  our  cheeks. 
Bach  l>eliever  telling  to  the  other  (in  deathly 
silence)  of  love  that  waters  cannot  quench,  nor 
floods  drown.  After  the  flood  of  love  and  joy  had 
subsided,  brother  Huxham  ably  responded  to  the 
chureh.  He  said  the  debt  was  nothing  to  him 
apart  from  the  motive  by  which  they  were  in- 
fluenced to  giveu  He  then  traced  the  motive  up 
to  the  great  source  of  all  good,  and  dosed  his  re- 
marks by  ascribing  all  the  glory  to  God ;  and  the 
service  closed  with  singing  and  prayer.  Thus 
ended  a  day  ot  thanksgiving  at  Harburtonford, 

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TJSE  SABTHEV  VESSEL. 


Ja^'  1, 1864. 


which  will  not  be  forgotten  as  l<»ig  ag  we  Uve. 

Praise  the  Lord  for  ever.  Z.  Tubweb. 

[We  are  quite  ashamed  at  the  delay  in  givistg  this 
publicity.  Unfortunately' brotherTumer'stetter, 
amid  a  heap,  was  mislaid.  It  is  as  good  as  ever, 
and  will  make  many  cry  for  joy.  We  wish  the 
pastor  of  Harburtonford  abunciant  hi>nor.-oSjDL] 


POTT0K»  BEDS.— New  Strict  BAPxiflT 
Chapel,  Boyaton  street —Bear  brother  Bouka,  aa 
a  little  church,  we  wish  to  give  honor  to  our  Lord 
for  his  mercy  towards  us  as  a  church.  Somue  time 
since  I  saw  m  your  Yesskl  the  Lord's  goodness 
to  Mr.  Wells,  in  bringing  his  daughter  to  the 
knowledge  oi  the  truth ;  and  also  to  our  brother 
Foreman  in  bringing  his  daughter  to  a  saxring 
knowledge  of  the  truth.  In  reading  the  goodness 
of  God  to  my  bretliren  in  the  OospeL  I,  as  a  poor  \ 
tried  soul,  lamented,  and  even  saemea  like  Jonah,  i 
fretful.  In  ttie  salvation  of  my  family,  /  was  \ 
rebeliious;  but  the  Lord  was  about  to  shew  his 
great  power.  In  the  month  of  April  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  was  seen  and  felt  in  my  tamily :  mv  8<mi 
was  greatlv  afflicted;  we  triad  all  maai)s,aad  our 
medical  adxiser  thought  he  must  go  toan  asylum. 
We  had  no  hopes  of  recovery  for  near  two  months. 
After  about  six  weeks  he  was  a  little  composed, 
be  said.  '*  Father,  what  did  you  preach  from  wboi 
I  heard  you  lasL"  I  said,  ''I  do  not  know."  He 
said,  "  One  tiling  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that 
will  I  seek  after."  I  said,  "  Do  you  want  Jesus  F" 
He  said,  *'Yes,  I  do  want  Him.**  As  my  dear 
partner  and  myself  were  walking  out  with  him, 
^*  Oh,"  he  says,  "  Father,  what  is  thia— why  art 
thou  cast  down.  O  my  soul."  Then  he  said, 
"  Hope  in  God,  lor  I  ahall  yet  pi-aise  Him."  He 
was  delivered,  helped,  comforted,  and  brought  to 
the  feet  of  Jesus^  clothed,  and  in  his  right  mind. 
We  can  truly  say  he  was  delivered  from  tlie  lowest 
hell.  Oh  that  many  may  exalt  him  for  the  great 
deliverance  wrought.  Ohmy  brotJier,  itdoesme 
good  to  see  the  dear  Saviour  revealing  Himself  to 
such  a  poor  rebelUoos  worm.  Further  to  shew 
tiie  Lord's  goodness,  ayoun^j^  woman  walked  four 
months  ago,  to  hear  roe  testifjr  the  troths  of  the 
Gospel ;  she  walked  eleven  miles  to  hear  Jeoiia : 
He  met  with  her  soul ;  to  hear  the  sipeet  testimooy 
■he  delivered  was  cheering.  She  was  under  the 
Congregationalists,  but  oould  find  no  God  for  her 
•oul,  until  she  came  to  our  little  plaee,  where  ahe 
was  delivered  from  bondage^  and  led  to  tell  out 
the  glorious  truths  of  the  Gospel.  Again,  a  dear 
old  man  was  brought  out  wonderfully  to  rcgoioe, 
aa  I  was  speaking  from  songs  of  Solomon,  **  Hy 
beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his."  Oh,  brother 
Banks,  the  hearing  mjr  son,  the  young  woman, 
and  the  old  man,  stating  before  the  church  tke 
liord's  great  work  on  their  souls^  never  can  be  for- 

Stten;  it  was  soul-refreshing,  and  the  little 
urch  waa  delighted,  we  did  weep  for  joy.  The 
aext  thing  was  where  to  baptize.  We  appointed 
to  go  to  the  brook,  in  Potton  town,  on  Lord's  d^f , 
June  GtlL  We  had  over  three  hundred  in  the 
meeting,  and  after  service  at  U  a.m.,  we  went  out 
to  the  water  to  baptize.  We  read,  song,  prayed, 
and  walked  up  perhaps  two  hundred  yards  or 
more  in  the  face  of,  I  think,  onethouaana  people ; 
all  was  peace  save  one  or  two,  but  as  a  gentleman 
favored  us  with  the  polioe,  thegr  kindly  made  the 
way  clear  for  ua,  and  it  was  a  aolemn  time.  In 
the  afternoon  they  were  reoeived  into  the  ehuxch, 
our  chapel  waa  crowded.  I  never  auw  ao  many 
w«eping.  In  the  evening  we  again  met  with  a 
crowded  houae.  I  spake  upcm,  "My  son  was 
dfiad,and  isalivvaom;  was  lost  and  islomid." 
It  was  a  day  of  much  tnioyiOBai  to  many.  ICay 
the  Lord  be  praised  for  ao  great  a  nen^  to  os- 
ward.  We  have  baptised  this  year  six,  and  we 
have  others  waiting.  Our  brother  Tatket  kindly 
hmtnahisiiaptiziBgdxeiaeafortbflMaaiiMu  We 
have  (asA  ehmrah)  had  great  work  to  keK>  on, 
jtiU  we  havenuny  «Oj|a}'Bwntai  and  thougft  we 
aropoor.theXoBdiaoDourside.  May  the  Lord 
tAam  Zion.  Bjonr  Coopvb,  Bwtor. 


EPPIKG-.— Baptut  CiUPEi..^On  Good 
Friday,  March  S5th«  the  ftist  annivenary  of  tlie 
opening  of  ohapel  took  place.  Two  sermons  were 
preached  by  Mr.  Henry  Hall,  of  Clapham,  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon,  after  which  a  pablic  tea 
meeting,  of  which  nearly'  JNK)  partook,  in  Hie 
^rational  school  room.  A  public  maeting  in  the 
evening,  Mr.  Weeks  in  the  ohaitu  Several  fnends 
took  part  in  the  interesting  meeting.  A  teed- 
monial  was  presented  to  ea<£  of  our  kind  frienda 
(Messrs.  Weeks  and  Brindle)  who  at  great  per- 
sonal inconvenience  had  come  frt>m  Lobdon,  al- 
tenmtely  supplying  the  pulpit  every  Sabfaath,  so 
that  the  cause  on  no  ocoaaiott  hae  ever  been  left 
destitute  sinoe  it  first  aotmaanoad.  The  teiti- 
mouial  consisted  of  two  linndsomr  time  pteoaa» 
subscribed  by  the  friends  attend ing,  ma  a  small 
token  of  their  disinterastad  labors  amonget  ns. 
Between  each  addnss  the  ohohr  lang  aevwml 
pieces  of  sacred  miaaic  auitable  to  the*  oooaiioii. 
The  services  were  well  attended  all  daj^  eapecially 
in  the  afternoon  and  evming,  when  the  ch^iel 
was  crowded  to  oxeesa.  The  ooUeations  and  pm- 
fits  of  the  tea  maetoig  amouaifted  to  aboat  ten 
pounds.  Tbia  auue  was  oomaaenoed  in  Jnae, 
1S62,  by  a  few  friends  who  had  long  felt  the  want 
of  a  ]>lace  where  they  oould  hear  the  glorious 
doctrmes  of  salvation  hy  a  crueiAed  Bedecmer 
proclaimed.  A  friend  with  his  finnily  (in  the 
wise  arrangements  of  the  Almighty)  waa  sattlad 
ill  business  in  the  town  a  abort  time  ainoe,  he 
felt  the  destitution  very  keenly ;  made  it  a  matter 
of  prayer  that  if  the  Lord  bleased  him  in  his 
undertaking,  he  would  endeavenr  to  open  a 
place  where  the  doctrhtes  of  free  and  sorsreign 
grace  could  be  proclaimed  to  all  those  who  felt 
they  were  undone  and  heU'deaemn^  sinners.  A 
cottage  was  obtained,  and  a  room  opened  for 
prayer  and  pneaohiag,  and  in  the  leading  of 
divine  Frovktenoe,  Mr.  Wetita  and  Mr.  Brindle, 
who  W6X8  quite  staangen  to  all  the  fnenda  at 
Eppinir,  came  down  to  prea^ ;  their  hearts  were 
dmwn  out  to  the  handnil  of  people  who  firrt  met 
them;  they  promised  tharn  that  they  wodld  en- 
deavour (God  wUling)  to  supply  the  palpitjao 
that  the  people  should  not  he  left  deatitnte.  Tbe 
Lord  so  blosaed  the  lahors  of  his  taro  aerranta 
such  a  spirit  of  hearing  80  manifinted  itself  among 
the  people,  that  tbe  room  soon  beeame  too  strait 
for  us.  A  diapel  laas  built  bgr  a  tradaaman, 
capable  of  holding  about  Md  henBere,  which  was 
opened  <m  Good  Frid^,  laSB,  and  thia  haa  now 
become  too  email  far  the  vmnbem  who  floek  to 
hear  the  word  of  God  peodsimed,  and  a  gieat 
number  are  unable  to  obtain  admission.  Oar 
pBiyer  meetings  see  weU  attended,  and  the  Lord 
has  indeed  made  them  a  Bethel  unto  our  aoola. 
When  we  look  haek  and  review  the  way  the  Lord 
has  led  us,  we  are  constrained  to  cry  out,  **  What 
hath  43^od  wrought,"  so  that  our  minds  are  lad  to 
look  forward  and  trust  that  we  shall  yet  aee  a 
larger  plaoe  of  wocahip  arectad  to  Godls  honor 
andglo 


1  glory. 

BNOZJBH  Sc  OOLOKIAIi  BOOK 
1CI88ION. 

Haddington,  Black  Blvei;  Canada. 
West  America,  4th  Mv%  1004. 
To  Hr.  Banks,  Baptist  Ministar,  Bditor  of  Tke 
BARXaxi  YttSBi^Xrfmdan,  BaglMid. 
Beapeotod  Sir^-We,  tiie  anhsocf hens,  beg  lea- 
peotftilly  to  eall  yanr  attention  te  the  elaima  of  a 
district  in  this  oolony  to  r     '  " 


district  in  this  oolony  to  the  bcnesotat  eoniid- 
eration  of  tto  ''Mmmd  CWsaia?  S^ck  MU- 
utm**  aodMy.  The  plaee  tMaeaafBcred to  iaaighl^* 
miles  from  Seenet,  in  thaealoapr  of  PatsiteR>\ 
and  is  entirely  «hniiU^  of  a  wbb  pveaabed 
GoapeU  atthoagh  evasr  tara  meniha  or  lasa  Ar- 
mtiManMethoSstiviait  «ieB.  JDoring  UM  and 
M68,  tiw  paator  of  tfie  eefoowd  Pntf9*«» 
congregation  in  Allee  rillasie  (foi^j-Ava  Miles 
from  Faddingten)  pwached  evring^tfaeaprinKand 
^^         '  'n  tiie  fiUl,  whaa  the  a" 


r  months,  and  in  I 


Digitized  by 


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July  1,  1864. 


THE   EARTHEK   ^-ESSEL. 


203 


of  the  roads  would  allow  of  travelling,  ouce  a 
month,  without  fee  or  reward ;  but  since  the  fall 
of  1863  they  have  not  reocrrod  the  eerrioes  of  tliat 
devoted  Christian  and  aound  foapel  preacher,  he 
naving  ta  nrtum  to  Scotland,  by  reason  of  ill 
aaalth.  The  people  of  the  district,  whose  claims 
on  the  generosity  of  the  "English  and  Colonial 
Book  8ociety»»  we  reepectfully  urge,  are  principally 
Irish  and  English,  with  a  few  Booteh  settlers, 
principally  Frotestantu,  oecupied  mostly  in  the 
lumber  business  on  the  Bkwk  River,  some  pf  them 
itrmers,  while  others  are  engaged  as  raftsmen, 
'lis  a  difficult  matter  to  bring  them  out  to  hear 
preacliing  of  anj'  kind  when  it  comfis  their  way. 
One  hundred  and  sixty-nine  small  pamphlets, 
with  aomepariedioals  and  email  boote,  were  dur- 
ing the  year  1862  obtained  fr«e  from  a  book  and 
pamphlet  aooijety  in  the  United  Btatee,  which  ttiev 
leadjjy  took  and  read,  but  that  society  (the  Pitt*- 
Inirg  Gospel  Pamphlet  fioeiety)  having  oeated 
0peratioQ0,  we  hafe  received  bo  more.  There 
aee  sodetias  in  the  Stetes  who  publish  tracts, 
pnnphleta,  and  small  books,  but  they  are  not  fit 
Cor  our  object,  as  they  ace  lull  of  Armioianism, 
■c.,  and  other  erron.  Would  3'ou,  respected  sir, 
tbferefore  have  the  kindfiees  to  send  us  a  aitAU. 
PA&OEL  of  pamphlets  and  periodicals  for  the  use 
of  the  place  mentioned,  which  we  will  faith- 
fully distribute  and  take  esse  of  for  these 
people's  use  and  sfriiitual  good,  a  few  Eab- 
IHKK  VjESSBLS.  aud  GosPiiX  Hkbajlds  for  past 
year^  b.'ing  among  them  if  vou  please. 
ne  are  both  Baptists  of  tlie  Sootcu  Calviiii«tic 
denomination,  and  witli  six  or  eight  Presb^lerian 
families,  the  only  professors  in  a  widol}-  scattered 
district.  Will  you  send  us  tlie  cost  of  the  things 
jent,  and  whenever  Providence  enables  us,  wc 
will  perhaps  some  dax  send  you  money  for  your 
free  ^eant.  Sous  Laitjhsb. 

Pexeb  CojiLms,  Juts. 

Jas.  CoLLiirsO!r. 

SUFFOLK  AMD  MOSFOLK  BAPTIST 
ABflOCIATIOir. 

Annual  meeting  was  held  Tth  and  8th  of  June, 
at  Friston,  a  village  in  Suffolk,  between  Saxmund- 
tutm  and  Altfborough.  The  public  meetings  were 
^eld  in  the  tent  belonging  to  the  society.  Mr. 
Bobert  Bird,  pastor  of  ^e  church  at  RattlMden, 
pvesided  orsr  the  meetings,  and  made  some  ver}' 
mppropriate  vsmarks.  The  letters  from  the 
cfaurones  were  then  read.  The  church  at  Carlton 
Boad,  Iforfolk,  is  supposed  to  have  left,  as  no 
letter  was  read  either  this  rear  or  last  The  letters 
were  generally  of  a  cheerful  ckaraoter,  indicative 
of  finoeta  attachmant  to  New  Testament  princi- 
ples and  practice.  We  hope  this  association  will 
be  enabled  to  hold  firmly  and  unflinchingly  its 
nncompi omising  featores  as  long  as  it  exists. 
There  is  some  {Prosperity  in  most  of  the  churches ; 
eight  more  have  been  baptised  than  last  vear ;  in 
INS  ttwpe  were  two  hundred  and  three ;  last  year 
•ae  hnndrcd  and  seventy-seven;  this  year  one 
himdjied  and  eighty-five.  Fewer  have  been  re- 
moved by  deatti  than  in  tfee  two  imfvious  years. 
More  have  been  separated,  but  this  is  accounted 
for  by  nax^  haviiigainlgmtad.  Xheaetual  num- 
herofeburohmaoiMrsin  thaaasociatedchurdies 
la  a]»out  ^,000.  At  Waldiiagfield  tvenigr-three 
have  been  bsAtised;  at  Fjwssiogfield,  eighteen; 
at  lAx£eld,  finecn;  at  Priston,  fourtaen ;  Baccles, 
tUrtaen;  Tinstal,  ten ;  otbars  vary  from  nine  to 
ona.  At  fivB  of  thiiefliuueefaaatbeia  appears  to  have 
fcam  BO  baptiaiag. 

We  ware  privUJifed  toaee  the  venerable  and 
beloved  pastor  of  Baodasehiuoh  (the  sacvetaiy  of 
this  aasodation^  present^  whose  presence  alwa^^ 
'TiiipartaaflBcroaiiasato'tRe  iiieetiug,  liring,  as  ne 
doeSfintheenjoymaBtof  that  liberty  wherewith 
the  Saviour  makes  liis  people  free.  His  letters 
mm  timK^%  weight'  aai  .good.  TJia  chuxoh  at 
Basdfls  are  iralunff  tiMir  IiDnTe  dmctiau  in  the 
choice  oi  aoo-workar  with  tknrbelm'ad  minister. 
The  church  at  Battlesden  Mm'tes  encouriigiugly, 


and  their  letter  breatlies  forth  strong  desires  to 
Live  more  under  the  hallowed  influences  of  vital 
religion,  and  the  blessed  proepect  held  out  to  the 
struggling  saint.  Tlie  letter  from  Laxfieid  sings 
of  mercy  and  iudgment;  their  faith,  hope,  aud 
aims  are  one,  tiieir  counsels  and  their  cares.  The 
heavenly  Husbandman  has  been  pruning  some  of 
the  plants  in  his  garden,  but  not  one  under  his 
care  has  died  away;  some  have  ceased  to  live  on 
earth,  but  are  blossoming  in  purer  reffions.  Two 
of  their  oldest  members  have  orossed  the  river, 
man  and  wife,  whose  united  ages  amounted  to  ?T2 
rears.  Their  l)eloved  pastor  has  been  wit  h  them 
five  years,  aud  is  labouriutf  with  success  amidst  a 
large  congregation  in  the  chapel,  and  also  preaches 
in  ten  villages.  Waldringtield  letter  my^  ^'Yot- 
mer  years  have  been  smchuj  time,  this'  lias  been 
a  reaping  J'car."  The  pastor,  Mr.  Last,  has  been 
houorefX  to  baptize  the  wife  of  a  Church  of  Eng- 
land minister,  who  wassoeuraged  at  such  unpar- 
donable liberty  taken  by  Mr.  Last,  that  he  has 
furnished  him  with  a  lawyer's  letter,  demanding 
an  apoloiO'<  ^'  ^^'  X^st'  has  not  yet  framed  his 
apolog}-.  At  Ooeold  5fr.  Bliaw  has  left,  and  is 
gone  to  Over;  Mr.  Wm.  Harris  is  supplying 
them. 

Thus,  Mr.  Editor,  you  have  a  verj'  impartial 
description  of  tlie  character  of  the  letters  as  read. 
One  novel  feature  was  introduced  this  year  with 
reference  to  the  preaching  services  in  the  after- 
noon and  evening  of  the  first  day.  It  has  gener- 
ally been  ciistomarj'  to  obtain  the  assistance  of 
some  ministera  present  not  belongingto  the  asso- 
ciation; this  3'ear  none  but  ministers  inside  the 
society  were  to  preach,  why,  we  cannot  say.  We 
missed  Mr.  J.  £.  Bloomfieid,  and  others,  on  this 
occasion.  The  congregations  were  not  so  numerous, 
owing  in  a  measure  to  the  meeting  being  held  on 
QfikB  adge  of  tine  oountry%  at  a  long  distaaoe  from 
many  who  love  to  meet  at  tiiese  annual  gatherings. 
The  services  afterwards  held  can  best  be  gathered 
from  a  verbatim  copy  of  the  notices  given  at  the 
close  of  the  reading  the  letters.  **  Brother  Brand, 
of  Bungay,  to  itreach  in  the  afterooon ;  brothei* 
Sears  in  tne  evening.  Wednesday  morning,  six 
o'clock,  a  prayer  meeting  amongst  tlie  messengers 
of  the  churelies;  half-past  nine  o'clock,  a  prayer 
meeting  by  the  ministers;  half-past  ten  o'clock, 
brother  Collins  will  give  us  an  excellent  sermon, 
no  doubt,  and  in  the  afternoon  brother  Hosken, 
of  liorwiob,wiUpreaoli."  Ak  OsasBVUi. 

WAl^THAM  A3BET.— Bkthbl  Chapel 
—The  aaniversarj-  was  held  the  first  of  June.  We 
were  fevored  to  hear  the  precious  fame  of  Jesus 
gloriously  exalted,  in  the  morning  bj"  Mr.  J, 
Wells,  in  the  afternoon  by  Mr.  J.  Florj%  in  the 
evening  by  Mr.  S.  Milner.  The  whole,  by  the 
blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  tended  to  cheer, 
strengthen,  and  edify  the  friends.  The  friends 
were  refreshed  by  a  plentiful  supply  of  temporal 
provisions,  in  a  place  kindly''  lent  and  decorated 
with  evexgreans  and  flowers  by  our  very  helpful 
friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster,  and  other  good 
assistants.  About  110  sat  down  to  dinner,  and 
HO  to  tea.  i^evecal  bretlireu  in  the  ministry 
honoured  us  with  their  presenoe.  0  that  the 
Lord  would  set  his  hand  a  second  time  to  the 
work  in  our  midst,  and  send  us  a  man  afl^r  his 
own  heart,  anointed  to  the  office  of  a  priest  to  go 
in  and  out  among  us,  and  lead  us  out  intfO  the 
green  pastuiw  and  springs  of  waters . 

BTTKKOW,  BSBBX.— Our  honest-hearted 
friend  and  broUier,  J.  StockweU,  baptised  in  the 
Baptist  chapel,  Dunmow,  June  fi,  and  same  da}' 
the  dear  friends  were  added  to  the  church.  Large 
congi«gations  were  gathered  together,  and  many 
hearts,  with  ours,  earnestly  hope  tliat  days  of 
prosperity  will  again  be  enjoyed  by  the  churches 
of  Ciirist  in  this  part  of  iSagland,  and  especially 
:uDumnow,wli<jw  tii?  Is.lia  of  L>ic  ftuthftd  has 
been  so  sharply  triec. 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


204 


THE  EABTHEN  TE06EL. 


Jnly  1,  16«4. 


HAPPY  PASTOH  AND  PBOPLE  AT 
OTUBnTi—AnniTenaiy  meeting  for  Bun- 
day  school  at  Otl^  waa  held  on  Wed* 
neflday,  Jane  16.  In  the  afternoon  the  children 
were  examined  and  addressed  in  a  highly  appro- 
priate manner,  by  Mr.  Hoddy,  of  Horham,  wnose 
solemn  and  edimng  manner  made  even  the  grown 
up  children  feel  that  thnr  were  yet  but  learners 
in  the  school  of  grace.  At  five  a  public  tea  was 
held,  near  400  were  present ;  the  children  also 
were  provided  for  near  the  chapel.  In  the  even- 
ing the  following  ministers  were  present  at  a 
very  interesting  meeting :  Hr.  Woodgate,  pastor, 
brethren  Brown^of Stonbam ; Bunekles^of  Chars- 
fteld;  Cobb,  of  Framsden;  Gatt,  of  Witaesham; 
Boe,  of  Barl  Soham;  Leggett^  of  Cransford; 
Talbot  of  Debenham;  Moms,  of  Ipswich;  Col- 
lins, of  Orunditburgh.  Mr.  Hoddy,  with  great 
ability  and  earnestness,  interested  the  fHenas  in 
the  evening,  winning  not  only  abnost  breathless 
attention,  but  also  the  true  affections  of  God's 
people.  Hr.  Woodgate  is  labouring  for  the  Lord 
with  much  success,  and  the  cause  at  Otley  is 
steAdily  prospering.  The  school  is  in  a  heslthy 
state,  and  has  a  very  efficient  staft  ofteadiers. 
Here  it  was  the  late  Mr.  Cole  labored  for  many 
years;  he  lias  lone  since  entered  his  rest;  his 
name  is  embalmed  In  the  memories  of  many  who 
are  still  living.  Otley  is  a  nice  chapel,  holds 
nearly  700.  The  friends  have  built  a  substantial 
house  for  their  minister,  upon  the  site  of  the  old 
one.  At  Otley  we  see  the  effects  of  Christian  love 
and  kindness  between  pastor  and  people  recipro- 
cated. A  Wayfabixo  Mak. 

HAYBS,  MIDDLSSEX.— Dear  Brother, 
bein^  greatly  rejoiced  at  hearing  of  the  prosper!^ 
of  Zion  in  fbreim  lands,  through  the  medium  of 
Tbe  Eabthen  ve88S1^  having  been  persMially 
aoQuainted  with  the  brethren  when  in  Bngland,  I 
fed  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  Lord  hath 
,  again  blessed  the  cause  at  Salem  Chapel,  Hayes, 
under  the  ministerial  Uibours  of  our  brother,  Mr. 
James  Curtis,  who  has  been  speaking  here  in  the 
name  of  <*  a  triune  God,*'  for  the  last  twelvemonths 
occasiimally,  the  last  five  months  regularly.  The 
baptistry  was  opened  the  last  £>rd*s  day  in 
March,  to  immerse  a  believer  in  the  name  of 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  The  first  Sabbath 
in  April  four  were  added  to  the  church.  The 
pool  was  agahi  i^«-opened  May  29th,  to  baptize 
one  male  and  two  females,  all  bearing  testimony 
to  the  work  of  grace  in  their  hearts,  and  their 
firith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  the  Lord  having 
made  Mr.  Curtis  the  instrumeot,  with  deep  feel- 
ing of  gratitude  to  our  covenant-keeping  God. 
S.  Bartok. 

BECOaKITIOK~~OP    2CB.    JOHN 
BBTTKT,   AT  SHADWBI«L. 

Services  in  connection  with  the  settlement  of 
Mr.  Brunt,  at  Rehoboth  chapel,  Victoria  street, 
Shad  well,  were  holden  on  Tuesday,  June  aist, 
1864.  For  some  considerable  time  past  the  church 
has  been  declinmgt  and  lately,  so  we  were  in- 
formed, they  thought  they  must  close  the  doors. 
In  the  Providence  of  God,  the  present  minister 
was  sent  amongst  them ;  and  fh>m  his  first  ap- 
pearing amoiigst  them,  evident  signs  of  success 
were  seen.  On  the  above-named  day,  Mr.  Philip 
Dickenson  stated  tlie  nature  of  a  Go^>el  church  ; 
after  which  a  coodly  company  sat  down  to  tea. 

In  the  evenmg  Mr.  Box  asked  the  questions, 
which  were  answered  in  a  manner  which  gave 

Cit  8atisfiu;tion.  From  our  reporter's  sfaort- 
d  notes  ot  the  occasion  we  could  give  them  in 
exfttuOf  but  being  so  late  in  the  month,  we  can 
on^  notice  it  in  passing. 

Mr.  8.  Milner  joinM  the  pastor  and  chujvh 
together,  and  gave  the  charge  from  the  words, 
**  A  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ" 

Mr.  Geoige  Wyaid  delivered  an  address  to  the 
church  of  a  generally  instructive  character. 


XOtnUT  ZION.— Mr.  John  Foreman  bap- 
tized thirteen  the  last  Lord*s  day  in  April.  It  «-aa 
a  happy  time ;  proving  that  the  Lonl^s  wotk  is 
still  progressing;  and  the  Lord  is  still  rendering 
the  ministry  of  his  aged  and  honoured  servant 
powerful  in  converting  and  comforting  ransomed 
souls.  These  testimonies  loudly  proclaim  the 
faithfulness  of  God  in  crowning  tne  labours  of  his 
devoted  servants  with  glorious  triumphs.  While 
such  men  as  John  Foreman  are  spared  and  proe- 
raised  up  to  preach  tike 
a  pledge  that  God  will 


pared,  and  numy  like  him 
same  gospel.  Bngland  has 
not  forsake  tier. 


To  the  Editor  of  Ths  Babthen  Yb88SL. 

BABNBT.— Deab  Sib,— I  see  a  notice  in  the 
VsasBL  of  this  month  hi  relation  to  the  lack  of 
Gospel  privileges  at  Bamet  Would  yoo  ask  the 
fUendsto  communicate  with  me;  my  Sundays 
have  been  verj'  much  disennged  sinoe  I  left  tne 
Metropolitan  Tabemade,  (Mr.  Spuvgeon's)  of 
which  church  I  was  a  deacon  and  preaching  eider, 
but  resigned  through  a  change  of  views  regaziling 
the  open  communion  practised  there.  My  doc- 
trinal views  also  agree  more  with  those  advocated 
by  Mr.  James  Wella,  the  late  Dr.  GilL  John  Ste- 
vens, Ac.— I  remain,  dear  dr,  yours  foithfnlly, 
Thoxab  Moob. 

Springfield  road,  Colney  Hatch, 
Middlesex,  June  20,  1864. 

[Our  firiends  at  Bamet  will,  no  doubt,  gladly 
correspond  with  Mr.  Moor.  Other  mifihrtem 
have  written  to  usl  expressing  their  willingnea^ 
to  help.  A  place  in  Bamet  should  be  sought 
for,  and  obtained  at  once.  Public  meetings 
should  be  convened ;  ministers  able  to  preach 
THE  Gospel  should  be  invited  :  the  Lord  would 

f:ive  His  blessing.  A  cause  mignt  soon  be  raised, 
f  love  to  Christ  and  His  Gospel  prevail,  He  wifl 
their  every  effort  crown.— Bd.] 

OPEN  AIB  FBUITS. 

B0THS9HITHS.  -^Bbthuehbm.  ~  Bsp- 
tized  during  the  months  of  May  and  June,  eight 
believers,  by  our  belo\>ed  pastor,  Mr.  J.  Butter- 
field,  of  whom  are  the  fruits  of  the  last  summer's 
open  air  services,  whose  testimonies  before  tbe 
church ,  touching  the  work  of  grace  in  their  hearts* 
put  evcov  doubt  to  the  winds.  We  hold  open  air 
services  three  and  four  times  a  week,  and  once  a 
month  a  special  service  is  held  at  China  Hall  Gate. 
One  of  the  last-named  was  held  in  May,  when, 
instead  of  gathering  inside  the  diand,  upwardit 
of  a  thousand  peopte  were  gathered  to  listen  to 
the  words  of  eternal  life ;  and  such  was  the  at- 
tention that  though  the  service  was  continued  by 
some  of  the  Bethiehemites  until  nine  o'clock,  at 
the  conclusion  thereof  there  were  at  least  five 
hundred  people.  Brethren,  would  yon  succeed 
in  your  work,  *'  go  thou  and  do  likewise,"  adher- 
ing strictly  to  two  things— preach  thejlnt  princi- 
Sles  of  the  gospel  and  never  answer  a  question.  Thus 
oing.  we  never  have  any  controversy,  and  nerer 
fail  of  marked  attention.  KAK]f  a. 

▲TIiBSBTTBT.— Baptist  Chapel,  Wal- 
ton St.— Mr.  Chas.  Ohipohase,  who  has  been 
labouring  here  some  time  with  much  acceptance, 
baptized  three  believers  in  Jesus,  on  Sunday 
evening.  May  29th,  after  preaching  an  appropriate 
sermon  for  the  occasion.  The  place  was  well 
filled,  and  many  cf  the  Lord's  people  felt  it  to  be 
a  time  of  refreshing,  and  were  tnankftil  to  witness 
the  love  and  obedience  of  the  three  who  were  thus 
following  in  the  steps  of  the  Master. 


Btat|. 


Dno.  on  June  7, 18M,  George  Alexander  Welch, 
son  of  Mr.  Welch,  Baptist  Minister,  of  Tooting, 
aged  five  years  and  six  months. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Aag.  1,  1664. 


THE  BARTHfiX  YESSEI.. 


221 


Jtt  Jf^utorram. 


THE      LATE      MR.      JOHN     PELLS, 


Is  ova  Iftst  Number  we  bzieflj  announced 
th.e  painful  intelligence  that  Joiiy  Pslls 
had  been  suddenly  called  home  to  his  re- 
-vard ;  and  his  happy  career  in  the  Gospel 
ministry  unexpectedly  and  abruptly  termi- 
nated. This  Borrovful  erent  appeared  to 
call  for  a  fuller  account  than  we  could  pos- 
«tbly  give  in  any  one  nuotber  of  Thk 
EARTnEX  Ybbsbl.  We,  therefore,  published 
immediately  a  Supplementary  Number,  con- 
taining a  vaiiety  of  striking  and  solemnly 
edifying  particulars^-to  which  was  added 
the  affectionate  and  truly  aympathetic 
discourde  by  Mr.  Bloomfield,  called  The 
F^tneral  Sermon*  That  Supplement  has 
been  yezy  widely  circulated  ;  and  through 
its  inatnunentality  we  tnest  the  fund  now 
tusing  for  the  devoted  nod  beloved  widow, 
will  be  advanced,  and  rendered  truly  effec- 


tive. .The  nian  that  professes  to  moum 
over  the  loss  of  a  minister  so  promising  and 
80  mneh  needed,  yet  does  not  practically 
come  farward  to  aid  the  widow  and  the 
fatherless  in  their  distress,  gives  but  little 
proof  of  the  genuineness  of  his  Christian- 
ity. We  arc  thankful  that  Mr.  James 
Wells,  Mr.  Flack,  Mr.  Wall,  of  Giavesend, 
and  other  brethren,  have  already  commen- 
ced to  do  th(»ir  utmost ;  we  ask  every  min- 
ister in  the  denomination  —  and  everj- 
Church  of  the  same  faith  and  order — ^to  do 
their  utmost  in  a  work  of  grateful  charity 
90  absolutely  imperative  upon  them.  In 
this  direction  we  shall  continue  to  aid  the 
committee  with  an  untiring  zeal. 

Wc  now  give  a  £dw  more  ^papers,  which 
we  are  certain  will  be  read  with  the  deepest 
interest.     The  fle»t  is— 


MR.    GEORGE    WYARD'S    ADDRESS 

IN    SOHO   CHAPEL,   THE  EVENINa  APTER  THE  EUNEBAL. 


Mr.  Wyakd  said:  Mr  Dmb  Christian 
^RiEims, — ^As  you  very  weU  know,  I  have 
often  occupied  this  post,  and  the  one  over 
my  head,  and  I  have  sometimes  stood  in 
both  places  with  a  light  heart,  with  a  heart 
eased  of  its  burdens,  through  communion 
with  the  God  of  grace  and  mercy,  rejoicing 
in  hie  love  and  salvation.  But  sometimes 
my  heart  has  been  heavy.  It  is  a  little 
heavy  now,  inasmuch  as  we  are  gathered 
together  under  no  ordinary  circmnBtances, 
jftUier  under  extxaordinaiy  circumstances, 
whieh  do  not  take  place  evecy  day  within 
onr  own  locality,  within  our  own  circle  of 
ac^nw'ntOTcee,  within  compaes  of  our  friend- 
ahips  and  fellow-citi^ns,  and  fellow-heirs  of 

Jcsofl  Christ.  The  few  remftrks  that  I  now 
make  to  you,  I  expected  to  have  made  at 
ihe  grave,  but  I  had  not  an  opportunity. 
There  was  a  little  different  arrangement  to 
that  originally  commuxiieatfid  to  me,  there- 
fore I  was  prcfvenied  from  then  expresaing 
my  e«te«m  and  regRi^  tor,  a^  love  to  onr 
daparted  friend  and  bjrother,  John  Pells. 
Beiia  gono,  gone  ibr  evw  from  us,  for  we 
shall  aee.him  no  mpre  u  we  have  been  in 


the  habit  of  seeing  him.  We  shall  talk  to 
him  no  more  as  we  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  talking  to  him  ;  and  he  shall  sec  us  no 
more,  nor  will  he  talk  to  us  in  the  way  and 
manner  any  more  as  he  has  been  in  the 
habit  of  talking  to  us.  Still  we  hope  to  see 
him  where  he  is,  being  redeemed  through 
the  same  blood  as  he  was,  taught  bv  the 
same  Spirit  as  he  wa^,  having  a  knowledge 
of  the  same  great  facts,  the  same  great 
Gospel  facts,  as  he  had.  We  hope  then  to 
see  nim  again,  to  hear  him,  and  that  he 
will  hear  us,  and  see  uii,  and  then  our  song 
and  theme  will  be  one.  Whatever  degree 
of  discordancy  may  mark  our  notes  in  this 
world,  there  will  be  no  discordancy  of  notes 
by  and  by,  when  we  shall  sing  with  the 
aaiuts  for  joy,  in  a  joy  that  is  higher,  with 
a  ioy  nobler,  sweeter,  and  greater,  with  a  joy 
wnich  will  be  everlasting,  uninterrupted, 
and  more  delightful  than  we  have  ever  sung 
yet 

Our  brother  has  finished  his  course,  we 
have  our's  to  j^sh;  he  has  fou^t  his 
battle,  we  have  our's  to  %ht;  he  has  run 
his  race,  we  have  onr's  to  run :  he  has  ar- 
rijrj&d  athwxe,  ve  hUtT/e  ^ll(g  travel  in  the 


222 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


Aug.  1,  1864. 


way,but  it  is  our  comfort,  that  we  are  sustained 
by  the  same  grac?,  prompted  by  the  same 
love,  inspirit^  by  the  same  hope,  directed 
by  the  same  power  towards  the  same 
heavenly  home.  We  did  not  all  begin  to 
run  at  the  same  time ;  we  are  not  all  called 
to  run  the  same  length  of  time.  Some  finish 
their  race  in  a  little  time,  while  others  are 
running  and  fighting  standing  on  the  very 
edge  of  the  grave,  we  are  looking  and  expec- 
ting for  this  one  and  the  other  to  drop  into 
the  grave's  jaws.  The  grave  is  opening  in 
our  imagination  to  receive  this  one  and 
another :  but  when  we  look  around,  behold 
the  one  we  little  expected  is  gone,  and 
others  are  left  behind. 

**  God  moyes  in  a  mysterious  way. 

His  wonders  to  perform ; 
He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm." 

Though  the  storm  may  at  times  seem  to 
ride  over  us,  it  is  in  the  hands  of  Him  who 
IS  our  Lord  and  Father,  unto  whom  we  look 
with  feelings  of  confidence,  that  He  will  do 
all  things  right  through  Jesus  Christ. 

This  ver^  solemn  and  mysterious  circum- 
stance which  has  just  now    taken  place 
has  created  a  great  deal  of  excitement  but 
there    is  nothing  wonderful  in    it   more 
than  the  providence  of  Ood  is  mysterious. 
The  providence  of  Ood  is  wonderful,    it 
is  a  deep  we  cannot  fathom.    The  Lord 
knows  better  than  we  do.     We    do  not 
therefore  suppose  that  a  great,  wise,  jealous 
God  has  made  any  mistake.      We  make 
many  mistakes,  and  if  we  live  long  enough 
we  shall  make  many  more.    But  we  look  ' 
to  Him  and  trust  in  Him  who  is  without ! 
mistake,  who  never  said  anything  wrong, 
who  never  thought  wrong,  who  never  did 
wrong,    promised,    nor   proposed   wrong. 
Our  Sod  does  nothing  at  naphazard,  he  is  ' 
of  one  thought  and  of  one  mind,  and  it  is  i 
our  duty  to  trust  Him  where  we  cannot  | 
trace  Him.    The  father  knows  much  that 
the  child  does  not  know ;  then  it  is  for  us  ' 
to  submit  to  all  the  Lord's  dispensations,  • 
for  he  is  a  wise  GK)d,  a  great  Q-od,  a  merci-  I 
ful  friead  and  Almighty  Saviour.  i 

It  is  quite  possible,  seeing  all  this  excite-  ' 
raent  which  is  called  forth  by  this  deep  dis-  | 
pensation  and  solemn  circumstance,  some 
may  say,  who  was  John  Pells  ?  What  was 
his  particularrelationship  andcircumstances 
in  life,  which  he  sustained  the  little 
time  he  lived  among  us  ?  With  regard  to  j 
the  first,  if  we  are  asked,  who  was  John 
Pells  ?  we  say  he  was  a  sinfVil  man  like  the 
rest  of  us.  He  was  a  sinner,  but  then  he 
knew  this  great  fact  and  he  obtained  mercy, 
through  the  Lord  Jesus.  This  makes  the 
difference.  I  would  to  God,  there  were  no 
exceptions  at  all  in  regard  to  this  fact ;  if 
the  will  of  God.  Sin  is  a  fact ;  and  though 
it  be  good,  and  though  it  be  mercifdl,  for  us  to 


desire  the  conversion  of  all,  for  aU  to  be  saved 
from  the  effects  of  sin,  if  the  fact  could  come  to 
pass  only  according  to  the  will  of  God,  it 
would  cease  to  be  a  good  fact,  cease  to  be 
good,  cease  to  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  if  not 
according  to  the  will  of  God.  Therefore  our 
best  wiihes  must  be  subject  to  the  will  of 
God.  But  our  brother  John  Pells,  being 
brought  to  experience  for  himself  that  he  was 
a  sinner,  he  felt  his  condition  and  lamented 
the  fact,  which  shows  another  great  fact,  that 
not  only  was  he  a  sinner,  but  he  was  a  saint. 
He  was  by  nature  a  sinner  as  others,  and 
by  the  grace  and  mercy  of  God  he  was  a 
real  saint.  The  grace  of  God  possessed  his 
soul,  he  felt  the  enormity  of  sin,  this  made 
the  difference  between  him  and  many  others 
of  his  fellow  men. 

If  therefore  we  are  asked  who  was  John 
Pells,  about  whom  there  is  such  a  wonder- 
ful deal  of  excitement  ?  we  say  he  was  one 
who  was  saved  by  God,  according  to  His 
divine  will.  God  did  not  allow  him  to  come 
into  the  world  without  a  mission ;  God  did 
not  allow  death  to  come  and  take  him  out 
of  the  world  contrary  to  his  purpose.  Hence 
we  have  the  faithful  and  truthful  record 
with  regard  to  all  saints,  "  Precious  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints." 
No  terrible  circumstance,  nor  however 
eventful  the  circumstance,  can  in  any  way 
at  all  interrupt  or  interfere  with  the  end  of 
God's  saints :  they  are  precious,  their  life  is 
precious,  their  character  is  precious,  their 
death,  of  which  God  Himself  speaks,  is 
precious,  for  no  saint  dieth  unobserved  by 
our  precious  Gk)d. 

It  may  be  asked  where  did  brother  Pella 
die,  and  seeing  he  is  gone,  was  there  any- 
thing in  particular  in  the  place,  in  the  way, 
and  the  manner  of  his  death?  Oh  yes, 
many  things,  but  one  which  seems  to  absorb 
all  others,  is  the  &ct  of  his  dying  in  the 
Lord  Jesus.  It  may  be  no  particular  interest 
to  know  that  he  died  in  his  own  house, 
further  than  it  is  a  merciful  recollection  to 
us  to  say  he  died  in  the  arms  of  his  friends. 
It  is  a  painful  recollection  with  some  thou- 
sands, who  say,  "My  friend  dropped  down 
dead.'*  The  friends  and  relatives  of  our 
brother  are  spared  this ;  he  died  in  his  own 
hired  house,  in  the  presence  of  his  friends, 
who  wept  as  they  parted  with  him,  as  true 
friends  do  weep.  But  in  this  stroke  there 
are  reasons  for  rejoicing,  when  we  contem- 
plate our  brother  died  in  the  Lord  Jesus. 
This  is  a  precious  privilege.  To  die  in 
Jesus  is  to  be  saved  through  his  precious 
blood.  To  die  in  Christ  is  a  great  mercy. 
To  die  in  Christ  is  to  live  where  he  lives. 
To  die  in  Christ  is  to  live  where  honor  is: 
To  die  in  Christ  is  to  live  where  dignity  is. 
To  die  in  Christ  is  to  live  in  the  fulness  of 
grace,  mercy,  and  sweetness  of  Christ^s 
presence  for  ever  and  eveiv-^Pw>5io9f  w  the 

Digitized  by ' 


Aug.  ],  1864. 


THE  EABTHEN   VESSEL. 


223 


lot  of  such  a  one,  the  end  is  peace.  How- 
ever longh  the  road,  nigged  the  pathway, 
and  deep  the  waters  of  tribulation ;  whatever 
the  pilgrimage  of  such  a  one  may  be,  to  die 
is  to  die  in  the  Lord,  and  to  die  is  to  rest 
*'  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  shall 
follow  them.*' 

Our  brother,  John  Pells,  died  in  the  Lord, 
and  he  died  to  honor,  died  to  dignity,  died 
to  glory  and  excellence,  infinitely  above  all 
the  excelienee  this  world  ood  tains.  His 
pathway  to  heaven  was  through  the  blood 
of  Christ.  To  die  out  of  Christ  is  to  have 
uo  interest  in  Him,  which  is  to  die  in  dis- 
honor, to  die  in  disgrace,  to  die  an  enemy  to 
the  God  of  love.  Well  may  we  say,  **  Let 
me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let 
my  last  end  be  like  his."  To  die  in  Christ 
is  to  die  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ.  Our 
departed  brother  had  a  knowledge  of  Christy 
of  the  names  of  Christ,  of  the  person  of 
Christ,  and  of  the  offices  of  Christ  Though 
I  had  but  little  opportunity  of  hearing  him 
for  myself,  yet  from  what  I  have  hear^  and 
from  what  I  have  gathered  from  others,  I 
have  ereiy  proof  that  he  was  well  grounded 
in  the  truth,  he  was  blessed  with  the  pre- 
sence of  Jesus,  knew  him  in  his  titles  and 
character,  and  more  or  less  was  favored 
with  his  smiles  to  sustain  him  in  hi^  minis- 
trations of  the  word  of  love  to  others. 
What  he  preached  to  others  supported  his 
soul  through  life  and  in  death.  Then  to 
die  in  Chnst  is  not  only  to  die  in  the  loiow- 
ledge  of  the  Lord,  but  to  die  in  His  affec- 
tions, rooted  and  grounded  in  His  love. 
"  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  Thee  ?  and 
there  is  none  on  earth  that  I  desire  beside 
Thee."  Oh,  to  die  as  our  brother  Pells  died 
then,  is  to  die  in  Christ,  yes,  it  is  to  die 
that  we  may  live,  die  to  rejoice  in  and  be 
with  Him  we  love  for  ever  and  ever. 

But  another  question  might  be  proposed, 
not  only  where  did  our  brother  die,  but 
what  were  his  relationships  as  called  by  the 
Providence  of  GK)d  in  this  life.  This  life 
was  short,  yet  long  enough  to  taste  some  of 
the  bitters  of  life,  and  some  of  the  sweets. 
There  is  very  little  doubt  but  that  they  were 
equalized,  nay,  though  we  talk  so  much  of 
our  miseries,  I  am  much  inclined  to  think 
that  we  talk  too  much  of  our  miseries  and 
not  enough  of  our  mercies.  In  regard  to  the 
relationshipe  then  our  brother  sustained  in 
this  Hfe,  some  of  them  were  of  course  of  a 
temporal  character,  and  some  of  a  spiritual 
kind.  Those  of  a  spiritual  kind  will  last  for 
ever.  With  regard  to  the  first  of  a  temporal 
kind,  they  are  all  gone,  he  is  no  more  in  the 
fleeh ;  no  more  as  the  husband,  the  parent, 
nor  the  pastor,  these  are  done  with ;  our 
brother  sleeps,  he  is  dead  to  all  kind  of 
natural  ties :  these  ties  were  snapped  by 
death.  The  hand  of  death  pays  no  respect 
to  the  entreatiea  of  the  wife,  she  may  cry, 


Stay  thy  hand,  leave  him  a  little  longer 
with  me,  I  cannot  give  him  up."  D^tth 
pays  no  regard,  but  takes  him  away.  The 
children  may  cry,  '*  Spare  my  father,"  but 
it  is  useless,  death  pays  no  attention,  but 
removes  the  object  loved.  The  commission 
being  given  from  the  high  court  of  heaven, 
the  wife  may  cry  "Stay  thy  destroying 
hand,"  the  children  may  plead,  without 
avail ;  the  wife  is  deprived  of  her  husband, 
the  children  of  their  fother,  aod  the  people 
of  their  pastor.  They  are  separated,  but 
for  a  little  while.  These,  his  family 
relationships,  seemed  at  one  period,  shortly 
before  his  death,  to  trouble  him.  It  seemed 
to  him  hard,  as  the  husband,  the  parent, 
and  pastor,  to  leave  all ;  there  appeared  a 
struggle  goinff  on  in  his  breast,  but  the  grace 
of  6^  put  aU  this  riffht ;  the  Lord  app 


to  say  to  his  mind,  "Don't  let  these  disturb 
you,  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  you,  and  my 
Willis  best."  The  Lord's  wifl  cannot  be 
altered,  He  is  of  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn 
Him  ?  Our  brother  then  lived  his  allotted 
time,  according  to  the  infinite  purpose  of 
God,  and  performed  the  work  allotted  to 
him. 

These  natural  relationships  arc  now  dis- 
solved, there  are  others,  though  death  has 
taken  him  away,  which  death  cannot  touch, 
which  death  cannot  solve.  We  have  nothing 
in  this  life  which  death  cannot  touch ;  but 
the  life  which  is  bom  of  Gkxl  cannot  by 
death  be  cut  short 

Our  brother  was  not  only  called  to  be  a 
saint,  but  he  was  called  to  be  a  preacher,  a 
preacher  for  God.  But  this  character  he 
does  not  sustain  now,  oh  no,  there  is  no 
need  of  preachers  where  our  friend  is  gone. 
It  is  here  below,  where  sinners  are ;  here 
where  sinners  are  taught  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, here  where  wrong  needs  being  put 
right,  where  darkness  is  exposed  by  light, 
and  where  ignorance  is  sought  to  be  re- 
moved. Hence  God  ordained  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Gospel,  for  the  express  purpose 
of  carrying  out  his  mission  of  mercy.  The 
honor  of  preaching  the  Gospel  was  conferred 
on  brother  PeUs,  m  which  work  his  heart 
delighted,  and  in  seeking  to  save  souls  was 
the  joy  of  his  heart.  This  preaching  is  now 
all  over,  he  has  ceased  to  be  a  preacher 
among  meo,  to  be  the  companion  of  angels. 
He  has  ceased  to  be  a  Christian  on  earth, 
to  be  a  saint  in  the  courts  above.  He  has 
ceased  to  be  a  labourer  here,  to  possess  the 
great,  glorious,  and  precious  treasures  he 
preachM  to  others. 

Our  brother's  relationship,  which  is  re- 
gsirded  with  so  much  excitement,  was  sus- 
tained in  the  high,  the  holy,  and  honour- 
able office  of  pastor ;  our  friend  in  this  par- 
ticular, I  may  say,  was  not  only  apastor, 
but  a  {aithM  pastor.  He  had  the  a££ctions 
of  his  people,  they  had  his  affections,  tlJM ; 


224 


TSE  EARVIUV   VESSEL. 


▲««.  4,  tf64. 


wdfi  a  6)rini>athj  between  them.  John  P«il6 
WBS  an  inaustrious  pastor,  he  lott  no  opfx>r- 
tunity  to  prepare  himself  for  biB  work.  The 
spirit  of  industry  with  which  be  followed 
his  duties  yon  all  know,  and  his  endeavours 
to  acquaint  himself  with  Hie  snibjeets  he 
brought  befow  you,  and  by  which  under  the 
blessing  of  Ood,  be  proved  himself  useful  to 
you,  both  to  instruct  and  to  comfort  your 
souls.  He  discharged  the  office  of  pastor 
among  you  to  your  mutual  benefit.  You 
are  aware  he  had  to  think,  to  pray,  to  read, 
and  to  study  before  he  oould  eomo  befors 
you  with  that  zeal  and  intelligence  with 
which  he  cast  the  bread  upon  the  waters, 
and  which  shall  be  seen  after  many  days. 
Doubtless  as  time  wears  on,  many  circum- 
stances will  occur  to  your  minds  to  remind 
vou  of  him  who  is  gone :  •"  This  is  what  owe 
late  dear  pastor  used  to  say."  When  you 
open  the  good  old  book,  you  willhanUy  fail  to 
eome  across  many  passages  you  have  heard 
him  speak  from,  and  which  will  recur  with 
a  fresnneis  and  a  sweetness  to  your  hearts. 
I  ^n  glad  therefore  to  know  not  only  was 
he  a  faithful,  affectionate,  and  loving  pastor, 
but  I  rejoice  also  to  know  that  he  had  an 
affectionate  people  to  hear  him,  that  there 
was  a  reciprocity  here.  In  fact,  he  Wed 
you  and  you  loved  him.  He  was  careful  of 
you,  and  I  may  say,  you  weee  oareftil  of  him : 
as  the  common  saying  goes,  ^^  There  was  no 
love  lost,"  for  vou  lored  each  other  as  you 
should  love  each  other.  He  loved  you  be- 
coming the  pastor,  you  loved  him  as  a 
people  should  love  their  pastor. 

I  am  thankful  to  have  had  this  oppor- 
tunity of  expressing  my  love  for  him  whose 
remains  we  have  this  day  followed  to  the 
grave,  and  likewise  to  express  my  sympathy 
with  the  widow,  and  with  you  as  h  church 
in  your  present  state.  May  you  watch  the 
hand  of  Providence,  and  pray  that  the  Lord 
will  go  before  you  in  His  wisdom,  and  bring 
some  one  to  stand  before  you,  and  that 
there  may  be  a  soft  voice  saying,  *'  This  is 
he.^'  God  bless  vou  and  keep  you  together 
united  in  heart,  for  his  great  name's  sake. 
Ameii. 

MSi.  R.  BOWLES    ON    THE   DMTjH 
OF  HIS  BROTHER  JOHN  PELI^. 

BbAb  Editoa,  "h^  The  sudden  removal 
from  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow  to 
heaven's  etenwl  jest,  of  our  rdear  broUker 
Pells,  speaks  to  us  in  an  unmistakAble 
voice,  '<Bd  ye  sJaosaady,  for  at  suoh^an 
hour  9fi  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  JKf^ 
cometh."  Whan  I  iweivwd  the  intelligence 
of  .his  demise,  in  a  note  from  bcoUier 
Chivers,  which  reached  me  on  Lord^hr^ 
morning,  June  26th,  I  wis  indeed  painedi 
undsmpwe^;  and  when  I  annoimoed  it 


from  mv  pulpit,  the  griaf  of  the  people 
was  ao  less  great,  they  having,  but  only  a 
few  4ays  before,  been  fwroured  to  Usten 
to  his  testimony,  On  Tuesday,  Jane  14th, 
I  met  him  at  the  HertfoidRaiiway  Station, 
he  being  engaged  to  preaoh  the  anniversary 
sermon  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day ;  and 
brother  Chivers  in  the  evening.  Alter 
dining  in  the  Ves^,  with  myself,  brother 
Chivers,  brother  Minton  (deacon)  at  brother 
Hazelton's,  and  a  few  other  friends,  he 
retired  into  my  little  study,  untii  the 
commenoement  of  the  afternoon  service, 
when  he  preached  a  tuost  excellent  God- 
glorifying,  soul-comfortuig  sevmon,  founded 
upon  Psfilm  xxxi.  19,  his  very  soul  seemed 
swallowed  up  in  **  The  great  goodness  of 
the  Lord."  It  was  remarked  at  the  time 
how  particularly  be  enlarged  upon  its  future 
realisation,  **  As  laid  up  for  them  that  fear 
Him,"  speaking  personally  upon  Jehovah's 
great  goodness  toward  'him  in  plucking  him 
as  a  brand  out  of  the  fire,  and  of  His  eon- 
tinned  goodness  until  the  present  moment^ 
and  that  being  an  earnest  of  the  future 
engagement  *'  of  the  great  goodness  laid 
up ;"  in  fact,  both  in  prayer  and  in  preach- 
ing the  soul  seemed  alive,  and  a  sweet 
savour  accompanied  the  whole,  so  that  the 
people  gathered  together  tiiat  afternoon  in 
£b6n«eer  chapel,  Hertford,  could  and  did 
say,  **  How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains 
are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tid- 
ings,*' &e.  He  took  tea  with  the  ^ends  in 
theschool  room,  expressing  himself  delighted 
with  the  large  company,  also  with  the  ar- 
rangemeat  (m  the  tables,  and  with  the  abun- 
dant display  of  flowers.  So  much 
did  he  admire  one  of  the  bouquets,  that  he 
begged  it  as  a  favour,  whicb  was  readily 
granted.  After  readingr  to  us  at  the  table 
an  extract  from  a  rebffious  paper,  of  the 
vital  .godliness  of  an  md  negro  preacher, 
and  the  old  man's  anticipation  of  g^oty,  he 
hastily  folded  the  paper  up,  put  it  into  Ilia 
pocket,  bade  the  friends  adieu,  and  made 
his  way  for  the  railway  station,  and  we  aaw 
him  no  more.  In  the  course  of  oonvena- 
tion  he  refesred  to  'his  anticipated  removal 
firom  College  place  to  the  fiampstead  read  ; 
one  thiuff  he  aaid  he  should  miss,  was  hia 
usual  wadft  with  Mr.  Bloomfield.  But,  dear 
happy  saint  now,  *'  He  dwells  in  light,  aofd 
walks  with  Jseus  olothed  in  white." 

Praying  the  great  Head  of  Zion  to  sanc- 
tify the  ovent,  5)  raise  vp  for  the  bereaved 
church. another  txuthful  under  shepher^.  to 
be  a  .husband  to  the  sorrowing  widow,  wd 
a  father  to  tiie  fatherless  children, 

Yew»  in  the  Qespel  of  the  giaoe  of 
Ch?ifftt  BaBiHir  Bomw. 

ChApel  house,  Hertford,  Mw^- 

Digitized  by  VjOOy  LC 


Aug],  18d4, 


THB  EABTHJUf  YESfiBU 


225 


LETTER    FROM    MR.    PBLLS'S 
BROTHER-IN-LAW. 

Dear  BBOrncR  BaiJks, — As  relatives  of 
the  late  Mr.  John  Pellfl^  we  ftel  deeply  in- 
debted for  the  kind  and  diligent  rannner 
you  have  laid  before  his  man^  fHende  and 
the  public,  particulars  of  his  life  and  sudden 
departure,  yet  We  tetl  that  many  trho  knew 
him  and  his  family  connections,  will  wonder 
at  no  mention  being  made  of  any  beyond 
our  dear  sister,  his  widow  and  tender  off- 
spring. It  is  now  about  five  years  since  I 
became  brother-in-law  to  the  dear  departed, 
by  being  married  to  his  only  living  sister. 
At  our  first  interview,  there  commenced  a 
union  which  time  has  only  strengthened ; 
and  since  he  has  been  so  snddenTjr  taken 
from  us,  while  musing  on  the  mystenotrsness 
of  the  providence,  I  have  been  led  to  say, 
that  perhaps  we  made  too  much  of  him ;  for 
God  will  not  allow  his  people  to  have  idols. 
If  time  and  space  would  permit,  I  could 
state  many  things  thiit  made  him  deaf  to 
us,  and  much  respected  and  loved  by  the 
church  U  Saxmundham,  of  which  I  am  the 
unworthy  Beacon. 

When  we  were  in  a  very  low  stale,  (as 
stated  in  the  Supplement  of  Vessbl)  he 
sent  brother  Frith  (now  at  Borough  Green), 
whom  the  Lord  macle  useful  in  greatly  re- 
viving the  cause,  and  since  which  time  we 
have  been  steadily  progressing.  When  pro- 
vidence removed  brother  Frith,  we  again 
sought  his  advice ;  and  iilthoagh  we  thought 
it  strange  at  the  time,  he  recommended  us 
to  hear  our  near  friend  aAd  brother,  Mr. 
John  Baldwin,  who  was  then  leaving  Crans- 
ford,  about  five  miles  ftom  us.  We  did  so ; 
and  our  brother's  messages  were  so  blest, 
that  we  saw  the  hand  of  providence  was  in 
it.  After  bearing  him  profitably  t(St  some 
time,  he  beoame  otir  pastof ;  otkl  un  to  the 
present  he  has  appeared  as  the  rignt  mati 
in  the  right  pUue.  During  the  tWT>  yesre 
and  about  six  montlM  at  his  nllnittir 
among  us,  wo  have  Im^sh  Mest  with  peacefnl- 
nesB  and  a  good  degree  of  ptroBperity  ia  the 
ingathering  of  wmla.  I  say  thus  much  be« 
camie  I  know  yov  will  be  ghid  to  hear  of 
the  welfare  of  our  Uttl<e  cause,  having  been 
with  OB,  and  maniliieted  a  deep  interest  in 
onr  welfiu!«  at  our  commencement  as  a 
Baptist  cause  is  Sasmundham ;  but  nev«r 
hare  we  httd  a  warmer  friend  than  our  dear 
departed  brother.  He  generally  preached  for 
us  at  onr  anniversaries,  and  many  of  the 
friends  from  Tnnstall  and  elsewhcve  would 
meet  bim  here ;  and  as  hie  general  deport- 
ment WHS  a  kind  word  and  a  smile  for  ail, 
he  was  beloved  for  this  as  well  aaferthe  ex- 
cellent God-glorifying  sermona  he  has  been 
helped  to  preaoh  on  snch  occasions. 

Our  pastor  preached  a  funeral  s^nnon 
for  Mm  on  the  Sabbath  fo^!owimr^*=  :nt**r- 


ment  at  iHiichtime  much  respect  was  mani- 
fested ;  as  was  also  evinced  by  tne  many  orders 
for  the  Supplement  of  Vkssbl.  The  last  time 
we  saw  our  dear  brother  was  at  Whitsuntide, 
when  he  preached  to  a  largo  congregation 
at  Tuustdll;  he  was  then  cjieerful  and  well ; 
and  his  being  now  consigned  to  the  cold 
grave  seems  almost  as  if  it  could  be  but  a 
droam ;  and  when  the  reality  comes  home  to 
our  minds,  our  feelings  are  wounded  with 
keen  sensibilitv ;  yet  we  desire  to  bow  sub- 
missive to  the  hand  of  merey  that  deals  out 
to  us  in  infinite  wisdom  our  portion  of  sor- 
row or  joy ;  and  say,  shall  not  the  Judge  of 
the  whole  earth  do  right  ?  Just  at  tlie  time 
when  our  expectations  wore  bright  of  seeing 
our  brother  with  his  beloired  wife  (for  they 
had  purposed  to  dine  with  us  on  the  Friday 
following  his  death,  being  his  birth-day)  we 
received  tidings  of  bis  being  dangerously 
ill,  but  a  slight  change  fwr  the  better  was 
stated.  Although  this  cast  a  gloom  over  our 
feelings,  still  we  hoped  and  praved  that  he 
might  be  spare'!.  The  two  following  days 
brought  us  no  better  account ;  these  were 
days  of  painful  emotions, — faint  hopes,  and 
many  fears ;  still  we  little  thought  his  end 
was  BO  near.  Theint<?nse  grief  of  his  aged 
mother  (Who  resides  with  us)  who  is  now  in 
her  75th  year,  and  to  whom  he  was  most 
tenderiy  attached  and  ever  kind,  her  grief 
at  the  prospeet  of  losing  her  dear  and  only 
son,  in  whom  seemed  concentrated  all  her 
earthly  pleasure,  may  be  imagined.  Alas,  our 
hopes,  although  very  faint,  were  all  swept 
away  by  our  beloved  sister  informing  us 
through  a  friend  that  death  had  done  its 
wtrrk ;  the  ransomed  spirit  had  fied.  No 
doubts  hovered  round  our  minds  as  to  its 
safe  arrival  at  that  blest  place 

"Where  not  a  wave  of  troable  Krlls-, 
Acren  his  peaoe<al  bveasl.'' 

The  news  Was  so  painftil  and  shocking 
that  nnr  dear  wif(»  (his  most  ftfTeetionate  sis- 
ter and  to  whom  he  was-  a  loving  brother), 
was  BO  prostrate  and  ill  as  to  be  unable  to 
attend  the  fatieral.  I  visited  the  house  of 
mourning,  and  mingled  my  prayers  and 
sympathies  with  the  many  who  came  to  con- 
dole with  the  bereaved  widow  and  her 
fatherless  children  ;  but  as  the  funeral  of 
the  dear  departed  was  deferrfd  till  the 
Wednesday,  I  was  nuable(thrtmeh  pressing 
matters  in  my  calling)  to  stay  to  be  present, 
althcnigh  I  much  desired  to  do  so.  This  is 
to  ns  indeed  a  painfttl  lose ;  yet  we  do  hope 
it  has  been  sanctified,  by  loading  us  to  feel 
more  deeplv  our  mortality ;  and  as  one  end 
of  the  cotd  of  love  that  united  us  is  taken 
{torn  narth  to  heaven,  we  pray  our  aflfectlonH 
may  be  more  drawn  thither,  not  only  to 
him  as  onr  glorified  brother,  but  to  o«r 
glorified  and  enthroned  Redeemer,  throngh 
whom  alone  we  hope,  ere  long,  with  widow, 
patent,  sfsfer,  the  unworthy  writer,  4^ 


22G 


THE  EARTHEX  VESSEL. 


Aug.  1,  1964. 


many  others  dear  to  us,  aud  the  departed, 
to  meet  the  ransomed  that  are  gone  oefore. 
May  we  share  an  interest  in  the  prayers 
of  the  many  sympathizing  friends. 

Voors  affectionately  in  Jesus, 

JOIIK  CULLWGFORD. 

8,  Chantry  Place,  Saxmimdham. 
July,  11th,  18G4. 

LINES 

Suggested  by  the  sudden  death  of 

MR.  JOHN   PELLS, 

Uiiiister  of  Soho  Chapel.  Oxford  street,  who  died 
Juiie23nl,18C4. 

He's  gone !    We  cauiiot  now  behold 

Hib  ever  smilinjs,  happy  fiioe : 
Nor  hear  again  his  voice  unfold 

The  mysteries  of  redeeming  grace. 

We're  thunder-struck  !  'tis  like  a  dream ; 

'Tis  hard  to  realize  the  truth. 
That  deatli  has  laid  iU  liand  on  him, 

Just  in  the  vigour  of  his  youth. 
The  widow's  tear,  the  orphan's  cr}', 

The  empty  pulpit— bleating  flock  — 
Suggest  the  solemn  question.  Why 

This  sudden,  unexpected  shock? 

In  ^-ain  we  tiy  to  understand 
The  Great  Jeho\'Eh's  secret  will, 

Who  gave  to  death  the  dread  comnuuKl, 
The  weak  to  spare,  the  strong  to  kill. 

The  hour  hnd  come,  by  hca%^en  decreed, 
Before  the  day  star  knew  its  place, 

That  he  from  sin  and  sorrow  freed, 
Should  rise  to  rei»t  in  Christ's  embrace. 


Let  fall  the  sympathetic  tear. 
For  those  whom  be  has  left  below : 

Unite  the  widow's  heart  to  cheer : 
On  helpless  orphans,  help  bestow. 

But  he,  brave  soldier  of  the  croais, 
Has  heard  the  Master  say,  **  Well  done :" 

Hi.**  gain  is  greater  than  our  loss ; 
The  battlers  fought,  the  victory*  wc^n. 

Methiuks  I  liear  the  music  roll. 
Throughout  the  vast  celestial  plaiu,— 

That  welcomed  Uiere  his  ransomM  soul, 
From  sin  and  suffering,  toil  and  |iain. 

Metldnks  I  see  his  great  surprise. 

Amazed  such  glories  to  behold, 
Methiuks  I  hear  him  as  he  cries, 

*'  The  half  on  earth  had  not  been  told:' 

He's  gone !  but  we  shall  meet  once  mot^e, 
Though  not  as  oft  we  have  met  hen», 

Our  deep  defilement  to  deplore. 
Before  the  mercj--aeat  in  prayer. 

Together  we  have  often  souglit 
Direction  how  to  preach  the  Word, 

That  many  sinners  might  be  brought 
To  find  sah-ation  in  tne  Lord. 

But  then  when  we  again  shall  meet, 

My  trials  too  will  all  bA  o'er ; 
I'll  DOW  with  him  at  Jesus'  teet. 

His  boundless  beauties  to  explore. 

Till  tben,  dear  brother,  &re  thee  well ; 

Enjoy  the  smiles  of  Jesus*  face; 
I'll  fiffht  by  faith  with  sin  and  hell. 

And  conquer  too  tlirough  so^^reign  gnoe. 

29,  Bokebey  road,  J.  8.  Akdersom. 

New  Cross.  S.£. 

July  &tli,  1804. 


JESUS    MIGHTY    TO    SAVE. 

By  Mr.  J.  Bloomfield,  Hi^abo's  Court,  Deak  Stbsbt,  Soho. 


TiiE  subject  of  these  remarks  ii-as  Miss 
Foulsham,  a  member  of  Salem  chapel,  under 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Bloomfield.  She  vas 
favored  some  years  since  to  sit  under  the 
late  lamented  Bishop  of  Durham,  when, 
and  perhaps  better  known,  as  the  Ker.  Mr. 
Villierf,  the  rector  of  Bloomsbuiy.  Under 
this  good  man*s  ministry  she  was  brought  to 
know  her  state  as  a  sinner,  but  here  under 
a  sense  of  sin  the  Lord  seemed  to  have 
le^  her  till  in  His  all-wise  direction,  she 
was  ffuided  to  hear  Mr.  Bloomfield.  He 
pxeaoied  from  the  words,  "He  is  mighty 
to  save."  Under  this  favored  man  of  U-oa, 
she  experienced  Jesus  was  mighty  to  save 
her,  and  she  rejoiced  that  He  had  saved 
her  and  spoken  peace  and  pardon  to  her 
eouL  She  soon  after  joined  the  church  at 
Salem,  and  continuea  one  of  the  most 
steady  attendants  and  spiritual-minded 
worshippers.  Bein^  engaged  in  one  of  the 
lange  houses  of  busmess  in  Oxford  street, 
(of  which  she  was  one  of  the  projjpietors,) 
her  health  soon  showed  signs  of  giving  way, 
but  with  it  her  spiritual  stcength  increased. 


From  her  letters,  some  of  which  were  read 
by  Mr.  Bloomfield,  written  at  various  times, 
fiom  1861  downwards,  were  mailed  indi- 
cations of  her  resignation  to  the  will  of  God. 
Her  sufferings  were  peculiar,  happily  for 
mankind  not  such  that  many  are  called  to 
suffer,  yet  not  one  murmur  e6ca|>ed  her  lips. 
Though  her  trials  were  peculiar,  around 
her  was  cast  that  peculiar  care,  being  £up< 
ported  by  a  peculiar  power ;  even  in  her 
sufferings  she  could  at  times  rejoice  in  the 
joyM  anticipation  of  putting  off  mortality, 
and  being  clothed  in  immortality,  ami 
sufficing  sin  nor  sorrow  no  more. 

Her  death— which  took  place  at  Westle- 
ton,  Suffolk,  May  Slst, — was  aUuded  to  in 
touching  terms  on  Sunday  evening,  June 
.  12th,  from  the  words,  *'  1  shall  be  satis- 
fied when  I  awake  with  Thy  likeness.*' 
Psalm  zvii.  15.  From  our  notes  we  select 
the  following  passages. 

Mr.  BiiOOHfiBLD  said: — 

I  have  taken  these  words  as  the  fbonda- 
tiou  of  a  few  remarks  in  relation  to  our  de- 
parted friend,  Miss  Foulsham.    These  were 


Aug.  1,  1864. 


THE  EARTHEN  YEBSKL. 


227 


tke  last  words  over  upon  her  lips,  and  if  I 
am  rightly  informed,  they  were  not  fully 
nttered,  as  she  could  only  say,  *' I  shall  lie 


awake  again,  refreshed,  inngorated,  body 
and  mind.  So  when  the  Christian  falts 
asleep  in  death,  it  is  that  he  may  awake 


satisfied  when  I  awake — "  then  the  power  ,'  again:  awake  to  higher  relationships,  nobler 
of  utterance  failed  her.  These  are  beautiful  |  employments,  and  to  holier  companionship, 
words  to  have  at  any  time  resting  on  one's  |  All  must  sleep  the  sleep  of  death,  all  must 
heart  with  power,  but  specially  are  they  i  be  raised,  but  to  what?  some  to  eyerlasting 


interesting  in  dying  moments,  when  every 
worldly  thin^  is  &ilinp  before  our  eyes, 
when  ererything  is  passing  from  us,  and  we 
are  passing  into  the  solemnities  of  death. 
Then  to  have  a  holy  confidence,  to  have 
these  words  resting  on  our  hearts  with  an 
inspiring  hope,  will  be  prized  far  beyond  all 
eaithly  treasure,  far  beyond  all  human 
greatness,  far  beyond  all  crowns,  thrones, 
and  monuments  of  earthly  glory.  In  during 
moments  nothing  can  give  us  satisfaction, 
but  real  religion  ;  property,  however  valu- 
able, however  to  be  desired,  during  life, 
when  we  come  to  the  swellings  of  Jordan, 
when  the  waves  are  about  to  overflow  us, 


life,  and  some  to  everlasting  shame  and 
contempt.  Those  that  sleep  in  Jesus  shall 
awake  m  Uim.  Those  that  fall  in  dishonor 
shall  awake  to  their  everlasting  confusion 
and  dishonor. 

III.  Then  the  satisfaction  anticipated. 
Satisfiiction  is  not  found  here.  The  stations 
men  occupy,  the  wealth  they  own,  the 
power  they  sway  over  their  fellows,  with  it 
all  there  is  not  satisfaction,  for  like  Alex- 
ander, having  conquered  the  world,  they 
sit  down  and  weep,  not  having  another  to 
conquer. 

Our  dear  young  friend  knew  satisfaction 
was  not  to  be  found  in  the  world.    She 


that  which  in  life  procured  us  many  bless-  j  valued  the  everlasting  Gospel,  she  knew  its 
ings,  cannot  now  stem  back  the  waves  of  j  blessedness,  having  often  tasted  its  plea- 
Jordan  ;  nothing  can  avail  to  satisfy  the  '  sures.  She  was  favored,  as  manv  of  you 
cravings  of  a  dying  man,  but  the  presence  i  know,   in  hearing  the  word,  and  valued 


highly  the  privilege,  yet  her  dying  request 
was,  "  Qive  my  love  to  the  young  friends  at 
Salem,  and  tell  them  that  I  never  felt  more 
the  value  of  a  simple,  plain,  Gospel  minis- 
try." Let  then,  I  .say,  her  words  nave  their 
proper  place  in  your  memory ;  you  know 
she  walked  with  you,  and  talked  with  you, 


cravings 

of  Christ.    To  olSerlb  man  in  dying^circum- 

stances  wealth  and  worldly  honor,  would  be 

but  to  mock  him;   he  would  say,  "They 

cannot  do  me  any  good  now,  I  am  about  to 

leave  this  tabernacle,  this  body  is  about  to 

tumble  down,  and  the  spirit  to  take  its 

flight  to  r^ions  above ;"   now  the  only  real 

satisfaction,  and  that  which  can  inspirit  the  '  you  know  her  anuous  care  for  the  good  of 

heart,  is  the  prospect  of  being  with  Jesus,      i  souls,  and  Uie  welfare  of  this  cause,  and 

Let  us  then  notice  firsts  tl^t  death  is  re-  ,  that  the  Gospel  to  her  was  a  reality.  She 
presented  by  sleep  ;  aecondlyy  the  prospects  >  was  not  content  to  have  a  name  to  Uve,  she 
the  godly  have  of  falling  asleep ;  and  lastfyf  \  was  only  satisfied  when  she  enjoyed  the 
the  satisfaction  anticipated  "  when  I  awake  I  sweetness  of  the  Gospel  in  her  own  soul, 
in  Thy  likeness.''  I  Her  last  words  were,  "I  shall  bo  satisfied 

I.  Death  of  believers  is  represented  as  i  when  I  awake  in  His  likeness."  Yes,  satis- 
falling  asleep.     Death  is  not  extinction  of  ficd  with  the  likeness  of  Jesus,  when  we  see 


Him,  we  shall  be  like  Him,  conformed  to 
Hb  imaffe,  like  Him,  not  equal  to   Him. 
We  shalfsee  Him  as  He  is,  not  as  He  was^ 
not  the  little  babe,  not  with  His  body  lacer- 
ated, not  crowned  with  thorns,  but  we  shall 
see  Him  and  behold  His  glory.      Then  we 
shall  be  satisfied  with  His  dealings,  and 
_  satisfied  with  our  employment,  for  we  shall 
godly  fall  asleep.  'When  we  lie  down  to  j  behold  His  glory,  and  be  companions  of  the 
sleep,  it  is  with  an  expectation  we  shall  |  patriarchs,  martyrs,  prophets,  and  apostles. 


our  existence ;  it  is  a  falling  asleep.  This 
falliog  asleep  is  common  to  all  man- 
kind, all  must  undergo  a  change  tanta- 
mount to  death.  We  are  apt  to  forget  this, 
we  live  in  a  crowd,  wo  think  in  a  crowd,  we 
think  all  men  mortal,  but  forget  we  too  arc 
as  the  weaver*8  shuttle. 
II.   Notice  the  prospects  with  which  the 


MY  WAY  FROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  TO  THE  PULPIT. 

By  ▲  London  Baptist  Pastor. 

No.  3. 

THE  SECOND  STEP.  ,ledge,hvLtth^  capacitt/ to  receive  it.      That 

If  regeneration  be  the  first  great  qualifi-  life  has  its  infancy,  youth,  and  manhood, 

cation  for  the  nuDistzy  of  the  word,  it  is  not  in  which  there  is  great  variety  of  develop- 

the  only  one.    Spiritual  life  is  not  know-  ]  ment,  according  to  the  soveiwgn  pleasure 

Digitized  by  VjDOQ  IC 


228 


THE  lABTHSN  VESSEL. 


Aug.  1,  ld«4. 


of  the  Most  High.  Thiire  aie  certain  h^ps 
and  hindrances  which  come  in  the  Chns- 
tiui'e  way  that  tend  to  make  him  a  ffiant 
or  a  dwarf  in  divine  attainments.  And  jet 
the  "measure  of  the  etatare'*  of  the  spiritual 
man  is  ae  much  fixed  by  the  soTereign  ap« 
pointment  of  Jehovah  as  the  fact  of  his  sal- 
vation. And  in  erery  case  there  are  con- 
flicts with  sin  and  Satan,  the  world  and  the 
fiesh.  We  can  hardly  call  the  man  a  sol(^er 
who  hae  seen  no  service  bevond  that  of  the 
parade  ground,  at  best  he  is  but  a  fighting 
man  in  theortf^.  We  do  not  consider  the 
man  a  trareller  whose  knowledge  of  distant 
countries  has  all  been  obtained  from  books, 
and  maps,  and  charts,  and  there  is  no 
getting  to  heaven  but  by  fighting  and  jour- 
neying, except  indeed  in  such  cases  as  the 
thief  on  the  cross,  which  are  very  rare. 

Grace  does  not  find  the  mind  empty,  but 
full,  and  as  the  supernatural  enters,  the ' 
natural  is  pressed  out.  As  the  spiritual 
prevails  the  carnal  is  subdued.  Evoty 
graee  of  the  Spirit  hat  its  work  to  do ;  faith 
contends  with  unbelief;  hope  with  fear ;  the 
love  of  God  with  the  love  of  sin  ;  and  the 
hmnon  soul  is  often  a  scene  of  strife  on 
which  angels  gase  with  wonder  and  delight. 
And  we  know  too  that  all  this  may  be  going 
on  under  ihe  outward  appearance  of  great 
peace,  but  every  heart  knoweth  its  own 
oitterness ;  every  man  feels  his  own  thorn 
in  the  flesh. 

Now  how  Can  a  man  be  an  able  minister 
of  the  New  Testament  who  knows  little  or 
nothing  of  these  things  ?  An  able  scholar 
he  may  be,  and  perhaps  an  eloqaetit  speaker, 
and  he  may  speak  many  good  things  as 
learned  ttam  hearsoff^  but  he  cannot  say, 
*'  That)  which  I  have  tasted  and  handled  of 
the  word  of  life,  that  which  I  have  seen  and 
heard,  declare  I  unto  you." 

And  where  shall  the  necessary  knowledge 
be  obtained  for  such  a  work?  Why  at 
college,  many  would  say.  The  Bible  fur- 
nishes all  necessary  tools  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  and  where  go  to  learn  the  use 
of  them  but  to  college?  But  what  is 
college?  Literally  it  is  a  place  where 
people  go  to  coifeffti  and  ''pitms"  young 
men,  who  want  to  be  ministers,  go  to  an 
institution  to  collect  ideas.  If  they  be  clever 
they  tie  these  ideas  up  in  nice  bundles,  duly 
labelled,  and  lay  thera  by  in  their  capacious 
brains  for  future  use,  and  so  after  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  a  few  years,  they  come  forth, ' 
beardless  youths  still,  but  with  the  astound- 
ing title  of  *' lie  vprend''  prefixed  to  their' 
names.  ' 

I  nev(!r  had  the  advantage  of  such  a 
training,  if  it  really  be  an  advantage  ;  it 
W2to  my  lot  to  wander  through  the  fields  of 
observation,  and  pick  up  what  little  I  know 
much  as  a  gleaner  gathers  ears  of  whent. 
Had  it  been  designed  that  my  broad  should ; 


have  been  obtained  by  reading  elegantly 
composed  essavs  instead  of  preaching  Gos- 
pel sermons,  Pn^-idence  would  have  pro- 
vided the  meant. 

Yet  the  second  step  from  the  ^ongh-tail 
to  the  pulpit  was  by  going  to  college — ^thab 
is  to  collect  all  the  knowledge  of  men  and 
things  possible ;  but  not  in  a^tately  haU^ 
under  the  tuition  of  some  celebrated  double 
D,  but  in  the  garrets  and  cellars  of  the 
courts  and  narrow  streets  of  St.  Giles',  and 
elsewhere  in  this  vast  metropolis. 

Great  consequences  are  often  suspended 
upon  little  circumstances.  A  simple  word, 
a  gentle  hint,  sometimes  turns  the  whole 
current  of  a  man's  life.  How  little  did 
Andrew  think  when  he  brought  Peter  to 
Jesus  (John  i.  41, 42)  what  the  result  would 
be.  And  the  publican  of  Jericho,  who 
ascended  the  tree  to  gratify  his  cnrioeitT, 
never  dreamed  that  the  Son  of  God  wonU 
that  day  make  him  a  new  man,  and  honor 
him  by  becoming  his  guest.  Truly, 
*'  God  meves  in  amysterloQs  way 
Hiswondento  perform." 
O  that  the  thoug^ht,  "  Thou  God  seestme," 
might  ever  be  with  us,  that  our  words  and 
works  might  testify  alike  His  truth. 

In  the  far  north  of  our  island  I  was  con- 
versing witli  an  old  infidel  surgeon  on  the 
enfeebled  state  of  my  health,  who  suggested 
a  visit  to  some  relatives  in  London  during 
the  winter,  for  the  sake  of  a  warmer  climate ; 
the  hint  was  taken  and  the  visit  paid^ 
which  resulted  in  an  entire  change  of  ooca- 
pation  and  habfts. 

Visiting  one  evening  from  door  to  door* 
with  a  view  to  induce  the  poor  to  purchase 
Bibles  by  small  weeklv  subscriptions,  a 
little  shop  was  entered  in  the  South  df 
London,  and  orders  to  quit  were  at  onto 
given,  which  shewed  a  deep  hatred  of  the 
Bible.  Subsequent  conversation  on  this 
incident  gave  rise  to  a  desire  for  employ- 
ment in  the  City  Mission,  which  was  sought 
and  obtained,  and  thus  secular  employment 
abandoned  through    the    agency    of   iW9 

Poverty  with  all  its  attendants,  as  dirt, 
disease,  ignorance,  drunkenness,  indifier- 
ance,  and  immorality  in  every  form,  wwe 
under  God  mv  tutors.  Amongst  these  ''  / 
studied  for  tie  ministry:*  The  city  mis- 
sionary miLst  not  preach,  or  assume  the 
title  indicated  by  the  three  letters  REV. 
Woe  betide  him  if  he  do.  His  business  is 
to  visit  from  door  to  door,  read  and  pray 
with  the  people  where  he  can,  and,  if  pos- 
sible, persuade  them  to  attend  some  exist- 
ing place  of  worship.  But  he  may  hold 
"meetings  for  the  exposition  of  scripture 
and  pra\er"  on  his  district,  and  get  as  many 
poor  old  women  as  possible  to  come  and 
hear  him,  generally  speaking  the  men  can- 
not be  induced  to  do  so.  Wie  mufll   not 

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Aug.  1,  18M. 


THE   EARTHEN   VESBEL. 


229 


preach,  mind  that>  or  if  he  do  he  will  be 
*'flent  to  Coventry''  bjr  the  committee, 
without  a  retam-ticket  into  the  ranks  of 
missionaries.  But  at  his  meetings  he  may 
take  a  text  of  scripture  and  have  an  intro- 
duction, with  firstly,  secondly,  and  thirdly, 
and  concluding  remarks,  sometimes  called 
*'the  application."  But  that  is  not  preach- 
ing, it  IS  only  **  exposition."  Need  we  there- 
fore be  surprised  if  many  of  the  old  Irish 
women  on  the  district  wiU  persist  in  calling 
the  missionaiy  '*  His  Biverence,'*  in  spite  of 
the  prohibition  of  the  powers  that  bein  Red 
Lion  square,  and  the  protestations  at  Exeter 
Hall,  that  the  "  agents  of  this  society  are  all 
laymen,"  and  do  not  interfere  with  the 
duties  of  the  **  clergy  ?'*  Many  of  these  poor 
creatures  haye  a  great  deal  more  reverence 
for  the  poor  missionaiy  than  they  have  for 
**  His  Biverenoe  "  proper.  If  he  be  a  godly 
earnest  man,  the  people  understand  him 
better,  and  therefore  lore  him  more.  *  And 
on  some  well  worked  districts  the  meeting 
room  is  frequented  b^  the  godly  poor  who 
worship  Gk)d  in  spint  and  in  truth,  and 
hear  really  good  sermons ;  no  wonder  then 
if  the  missionaries  *'  get  it  into  their  heads 
that  they  can  preach,"  and  begin  to  thirst 
for  laiver  oongreflations,  or  if  some  of  them 
should  oecasionaUy  go  out  as  "suppliks." 
Any  how  it  was  the  meeting  room  "for  ex- 
posidon  and  prayer,"  that  got  me  into  the 
habit  of  pubue  speaking,  and  kindled  the 
desire  for  the  pulpit,  hence  it  may  be  con- 
sidered as  the  next  step  thereto  aftor  regen- 
eration. 

A  PROFITABLE  MISTAKE. 
Most  of  the  blunders  of  the  Lord's  peo- 


ple, uay,  may  wo  not  say  all  their  mistakes 
are  for  their  profit :  **  All  things  work  to- 
{(ether  for  good  to  them  that  love  God." 
But  the  good  is  not  seen  till  afterward— or 
perhaps  not  at  all  in  this  life ;  yet  our  gra- 
cious Father  will  make  every  painful  event 
in  our  history  yield  some  benefit  to  our 
souls ;  and  it  is  amazing  grace  that  works 
good  out  of  our  own  foUies. 

One  danger  to  which  young  aspirants  to 
the  pulpit  are  exposed  is  that  of  over  esti- 
mating their  own  abilities ;  and  so  sure  as 
this  is  the  case  with  any  whom  God  has 
designed  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  they 
will  nave  to  be  cured  of  it.  Another  dan- 
ger is  of  forming  the  notion  that  it  is  as 
easy  to  preach  to  a  laige  congregation  of 
strangers,  as  to  a  few  wdl-known  poor  peo- 
ple in  a  room.  I  fell  into  both  these  snares, 
giving  up  the  work  of  the  missionaiy' 
"  with  a  view"  to  that  of  the  ministry. 
But  behold  it  was  a  mistake.  The  chapel 
was  not  like  the  little  room ;  nor  did  the 
pulpit  at  all  resemble  the  elevation  at  the 
end  of  that  room.  Then  the  people !  Ah, 
the  formidable  iacea  with  upturned  eyes — 
enough  to  look  one  through.  These  were 
not  denizens  of  St.  Giles;  there  was 
not  a  "costor,"  "dusty,"  *' chummy,"  or 
"  cabby"  among  them.  The  silk  dresses, 
gold  chadns,  and  white  neckcloths — ^wert* 
enough  to  take  all  the  preachment  out  of 
anyl^y,  but  the  really  learned  and  clever. 
Anyhow  it  took  it  all  out  of  mo,  and  ^lad 
was  I  to  get  back  to  the  work  of  a  mission- 
ary again,  quite  cured  of  the  notion  that 
*'  I  had  gifts  for  the  ministry." 

GiDSOX. 


HOW  TO  PREACH  THE  GOSPEL  TO  THE 
UNCONVERTED ! 

A    REPLY    TO    MR.    JOHN    EDMUND    CRACKNELL. 


^  Gall  no  man  master,  for  one  is  your  Master,  even  Ohrisk." 
••  Obntend  eamettly  for  the  faitli  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 


DsAa  BaoTHBR  Cricrnkll, — ^I  have  pre 
fixed  the  above  texts  to  my  reply  to  your 
letter,  for  two  reasons :  first,  because  you 
say  you  prefer  peace  and  would  fain  decline 
controversy.  So  do  I :  so  would  I,  if  that 
peace  were  consistent  with  an  earnest 
maintenance  of  truth ;  otherwise  I  prefer  a 
wholesome  warfare,  to  a  false,  flattering, 
and  delusive  peace.  Secondly,  because  a 
large  portion  of  your  letter  is  made  up  of 
the  opinions  of  other  men — opinions  which 
you  seem  to  make  your  ultimate  standard 
of  appeal. 

It  IS  perfectly  true  that  I  recommended 
you  to  read  Dr.  Owen's  Works;  and  so  I 
should  recommend  all  young  ministers  to 
read  not  only  his  Works,  but  the  Works  of 


all  the  other  Divines  whose  names  you 
mention,  and  many  others.  For  myself,  I 
read  all  I  can  lay  my  hand  upon,  that  is 
worth  perusal ;  but  I  never  recommended 
you,  or  any  other  minister,  to  adopt  all 
their  opinions,  and  treat  them  as  if  they 
were  all  infallible.  Here  it  becomes  us 
to  call  no  man  master,  seeing  that  one 
is  our  Master,  even  Christ  A  thought- 
ful Christian  mind  will  not  only  read, 
but  it  will  mark  J  learn,  and  inwardly 
digest ;  it  will  "  prove  all  things"  by  the 
standard  of  God's  Word  and  its  own  ex- 
perience, and  will  onfy  hold  fast  that  which 
IS  good ;  like  the  Gospel  net,  it  will  keep 
the  good,  and  cast  the  bad  away.  But  by 
your  process  of  reasoning,  mvprother,  vou 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


280 


THB  EARTHBN   VEflBEL. 


1.1 


take  these  men's  errort  in  teaching,  and 
adopt  then  as  truths,  because  they  are 
theirs.  In  the  sane  way,  Talkatm,  in  the 
**  Pilgrim's  TtogroM"  took  the  moral 
failings  of  God's  people  as  his  pattern  of 
actions,  simply  because  tht?y  were  the 
failings  of  God*©  people. 

I  sMmire  Dr.  Owen,  but  I  don't  agree 
with  him  on  infant  sprinkling ;  I  admire 
Oalrin,  but  I  do  not  admire  has  burning 
of  Senretus,  nor  his  Church  polity ;  I  admire 
Adams,  and  Howe,  and  Gbarnock ;  but  I 
do  not  admire  Howe's  Arminianism,  nor 
Adams'  episcopalianism.  And  these  are 
iust  the  points  too,  my  brother,  where  yon 
have  to  split  off  from  tiien,  land  to  call 
them  matter  no  longer.  I  seek  to  follow 
good  men  as  fkr  as*  I  consider  tbey 
follow  Christ;  when  they  diverge  from 
the  right  line,  I  bid  them  good-bye,  be  thoy 
great  men,  or  small  men ;  thor  teachings, 
however  plausible,  nmst  give  way  before 
thfifads  of'j^ersomal  esperienee.  In  passing 
by,  then,  this  part  of  yetir  letter,  with  all 
the  writings  you  qtxote,  and  the  names 
to  which  vou  refhr,  as  havvny  n^  weight 
whatever  m  the  oentrorersy  between  ne,  I 
would  merely  add  that  my  reeommendinr 
you  to  read  their  writmgs,  no  more  implied 
a  recommendatidn  that  yov  should  luiopt 
a/f  their  opinions,  than  ray  recommending 
you  to  read  Bertingbroke's  Letters- on  His- 
tory, because  of  the  bea-uty  of  their  style, 
wowd  be  a  recommendation  to  you  to  adopt 
his  deistieal  principles. 

I  turn  to  the  second  part  of 'yottr  letter. 
You  ask  me,  "  Is  unbelief  a  sin  r"  and  you 
quote  many  passages  to  prove  that  it  is.  An- 
swer, Yes  I  the  unbelief  named  in  the  pas- 
sages quoted,  is  and  was  unquestionably  a 
great  sin,  for  it  is  the  denial  of  the  Messiah- 
ship  of  Chriit.  The  Jews  were  guilty  of  this 
sin,  and  crucified  Him  for  clainung  to  be  the 
only  begotten  Son  of  God ;  Pagan  Rome 
was  ^ilty  of  this  sin  in  denying  His 
Divinity,  and  persecuted  those  who  believed 
it;  the  Mahomedans  in  our  own  day,  and 
the  Deists.  Atheists,  and  Socinians  in  our 
own  country,  are  all  guilty  of  this  great  sin 
of  unbelief  in  the  naytie  of  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God.  Bat  I  presume  that  we  have 
not  many  infidels  of  this  class  in  our  con- 
gregations. 

Permit  me  to  say  that  your  confusion  of 
thought  here,  and  your  mistaken  conclu- 
sions on  the  subject -under  discussion — 
arise  from  your  not  recognising  the  dis- 
tinction between  an  histi^ical  fKith.  and  a 
saving^  faith ;  the  one  is  man's  duty,  the 
otheris  God's  gift; /ai^A,  «nd  that  not  of 
f/ottrselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  (7orf.— Ephes.  ii. 
8.     Nor  can  I  forbear  sayine   here  that 

Jroup  letter  is  not  a  reply  to  mine,  for  you 
eave  the  principal  points  in  my  letter  un- 
noticed—?. ^.,  the  distinction  between  the 


two  faitba  The  ScriptoM  aboimds  wMt 
passages  clearly  marking  this  distindaMi, 
which  yon  so  qmctly  paas  by  and  ignoie^ 
and  wluch  is  the  pivot  on  which  the  whoir 
controversy  turns.  The  tleoila  believe  aad 
tremble. — James  ii.  19;  There's  a  faith  1-^ 
a  fitith  followed  by  trnalte  j^  surely  ft  vsiy 
different  faith  to  that  which  brings  *'j^ 
and  peace  in  believini^"  You  and  I,  frmft 
childhood,  always  belieived  that  Jeans  Christ 
was  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  only  SaTioar-; 
but  were  we,  in  the  oonrt  of  ooB0ciMiM» 
"justified"  by  dm  f«it^  ov  did  we,  by  i*, 
"  enter  iatowst?" 

Many  believed  on  Jesos,  to  whom  he  M* 
fttsed  to  oommit  himself. — John  ii.  24.  Wm 
that  finth  the  Lord's  gift,  with  which  the 
Lsffd  hfiisitf  reflMsd  to-  have  anything  to 
do?'  Biao^iof  iaS'diseipleB^  v1m>  <nio^  )>*>' 
Haired  on  Him,  turned  back  and  walked  no 
more  wMi  Him.>-JohD  vi.  66.  Was  tfait 
ftttth  thegfft  of  God,  or  the  work  of  ram? 
Gleariy  the  wwk  of  man.  It  began  in  tbe 
flesh,  and  hnvinff  lived  &  litUe  while,  it 
ended  there,  as  aU  faith  will,  wkioh  a  dsB«l 
sraner  can  he  exhorted  to  peFfisvm.  Othwt 
fbr^^ii  whUe  beUeve"— (Luks  vn.  13)--ia4 
then  Ml  umif^  Bnt  I  need  not  mnitt^ 
q«etetions9  eveiy  nuadnei -biased  by  a^pie* 
cooeeived  theory^  with  a  due  reveMnoe  Urn 
the  word  4ft  Bod,  and  a  toieEablofiftmiliante 
withit.^  nMst  zvooonise  this  two*£bld  fun 
--ene^  being  H»nmy  in  man^s  power,  ihm 
oljhfer  beiqg  clearly  the  aft  of  Qod.  Hi 
theeef^re>  yoo-adc  m^if  the  non^possesssHi 
of  saving  &ith  be  a  sin,  I  answer  csairannr 
MOT,  for  tbat  faith  the  Holy  Ghost  declares 
is  7*0t  of  oursehes  (t.  a.,  not  in  our  povMr), 
but  the  gift  of  God.  And  had  you,  my 
brother,  recognised  this  distinction,  yon 
would  not  have  perpetrated  the  contradic- 
tion yon  have  in  the  first  andeecond  paab- 
graphs  of  this  part  of  your  letter.  In  the 
first  you  affirm  that  "saving  faith  must  be 
a  dttt^:^'  in  the  second  you  admit  that 
"  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  that  no  crea- 
ture has  the  power  to  exercise  it  apart  from 
Him." 

Well  did  the  late  John  Stevens  call  this 
the  *•  Jumble  Creed,''  which  in  one  sentence 
admits  that  man  has  no  power,  und  in  the 
next  calls  upon  him  to  exercise  it ;  with  one 
breath  tells  him  that  faith  is  the  gift  of 
God,  and  with  the  next  that  it  is  his  own 
fault  if  he  hasn't  got  it ;  pronounces  him 
one  moment  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins, 
and  the  next  calls  upon  him  to  perform  thr 
acts  of  spiritual  life.  This  is  confusion  in- 
deed, but  certainly  the  Holy  Ghost  is  not 
the  author  of  it.  In  any  otber  department 
of  thought,  literature,  or  science,  the  pro- 
pounder  of  such  contradictions  woold  be 
simply  laughed  at ;  bnt  here  the  natter  is 
too  serious  for  a  smile. 

Yon  f>ay  that  it  is  about  a  year  and  a 

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half  ago  that  your  mind  began  to  be  exer- 
cised as  to  how  the  Gospel  should  be 
preached  to  the  anconyerted?  The  answer 
was  at  hand  had  you  referred  to  the  preach- 
ing  of  the  Apostles.  Read  Peter's  Pente- 
costal Sermon  (Acts  ii.  14—^),  and  make 
that  your  model  What  is  it  but  the  declara- 
tira  of  the  way  of  aalyation,  not  one  exhor- 
iaticn  to  the  dead  sinner  to  perform  the  acts 
cf  spirihial  life.  It  was  a  simple  declaration 
of  yod's  way  of  salftttion.  See  the  de- 
scription of  Paul's  preaching  to  the  uneom- 
rerted  at  Thessaloniea.— Acts  xvil  1,  2,  3. 
Freiiching  Christ — no  yain  exhortations 
tbere.  See  also  his  sermon  on  Mars  Hill; 
SBoae  chapter.  See  him  again  before 
Agrippa,  when  Agripfn  was  almost  per- 
•naded  to  be  a  Ghristiflii.  Hear  his  reply : 
^  I  would  to  €K>d,  £iiig  Agrippa,  that  not 
only  then,  but  all  who  hear  me,  were  not 
OBly  ahnost,  but  altogether  such  «s  I  am, 
esusept  these  bonds."  Why,  had  you  been 
th^re,  my  brother,  instead  of  Paul,  preaeh- 
ing  to  a  man  so  tteor^  converted,  you  would 
fasye  urved  him  to  oome  to  Ohrist  then  and 
^ei«.  Paul,  on  the  other  hand,  refened 
liie  matter  to  the  wiU  of  God;  he  knew 
tint  A«nppa'«  eonvmsien  dtpanded  upon 
Ctod.  You,  with  your  present  viewsv  would 
Jiaye  told  him  that  it  depended  upon  him- 
»]£  Who  would  haye  been  rights  yon  or 
Okb  Apostle  ?  ettt  mtut  be  wrmiff.  You 
Bttm  to  haye  Ibnad  it  diffieolt  to  nadenBtand, 
S-Oor.  y.  Sa  "  Now  then  we  ave  antbas- 
-mAon  for  CBuisty  as  though  Q«d  did  be- 
•oeech  you  by  ua,  we  may  ymi  in  GiiriBt'B 
•toad,  be  ye  reoonciled  to  Ood."  Yon< 
•a^,  "It  is  dear  that  Paul  wn  not 
then  addresBiBg  himself  to  the  Gorinthian 
belieyers,  because  they  ware  already  reoon- 
ciled." A  moat  groundless  assumption,  and 
■t*irly  opposed  to  iiact,  and  to  ibe  truth ! 
Xho  verm  is  pari  of  the  J^ntikt  aad  is  of 
oourse  addressed  to  the  saxae  peisons  to 
mhom  the  whole  is  addressed;  and  who 
•ttK  they?  Turn  to  the  first  yexoe,  and 
look  at  the  direction  on  ihelMter :  **Toihe 
ekureh  of  God  ed  Corinth,  iMi  iUl  emnSa 
in  Aehtda"  That  is  pretty  8iq)lidt;  and 
'he  must  be  a  bcdd  man,  that  in  the  faee  of 
Paul's  declaration,  that  he  is  WHtisg  to  the 
aaints,  contends  tliat  he  is  wtiting  to  the 
world  tU  terss.  This  is  sad  spotting  with 
the  tpozd  of  Qod,  to  si^port  a  theoxy,  and 
tiiat  causemuat  be  apoor  one  ^diich  requires 
sndi  a  wretched  cratch  as  this  to  lean  upon. 
It  is  perfectly  tnu  that  -tiie  Corintliaon 
beHeyers  were  reeoncilsd  to  6od  in  Ohxist ; 
and  I  suppose  squally  true  that  ih»j  w«re 
fmt  reconciled  taall  liie  ervsMs  nnd  Male 
theLofdsawfitthegrshonhifaBniie.  Job  was 
Tesoneiled  to  Cl^od  in  Christ,  but  wns  he 
voeoaeiled  to  tbe^woll  of  Qod  in  his  troubles, 
tiriien  he  said,  *'  fihew  me  iwherefoie  thou 
oontendestwitb  me?  Why  dostff  honnot  leaye 
me  alone  till  I  swallow  down  my  spittle  T' 


Jonah  knew  that  salvation  was  of  the 
Lord,  and  was  reconciled  to  God  in  Christ. 
Butwas  he  reconciled  to  the  withering  of  his 
gourd  ?  And  who  of  us  now,  when  wi- 
have  seen  our  gourds  wither,  have  been 
reconciled  to  the  Divine  dispeufiatiou  thai 
plaiced  the  worm  at  the  root  ?  This  was  the 
reconciliation  that  the  Apostle  urged  upon 
the  sainta  in  Corinth — and  the  reconcilia- 
tion which  wo  all  need  more  of  to  make  us 
happy  in  this  life. 

in  closing  this  letter,  permit  me  to  point 
out  briefly  the  legitimate  tendency  of  the 
teaching  you  advocate.  In  exhorting  i]xv 
dead  sinner  to  believe  in  Christ,  and  to 
come  to  Christ,  you  dishonour  the  H0I3' 
Ghost,  for  you  call  upon  the  creature  to 
perform  that  which  the  Holy  Ghost  alone 
has  the  power  to  work  in  the  human  heart 
— sdving  IJaith.  You  put  the  power  of  the 
unrenewed  sinner,  and  the  power  o^  the 
Holy  Spirit  on  the  same  level. 

In>  eaJyUag  upon  the  unconverted  to  come 
to  Christ,  and  to  believe  in  Christ,  you  can 
only  do  it  upon  the  ground  that  Christ  has 
died  for  them — ^in  other  words — that  Christ 
hath  died  to  redeem  every  member  of  the 
luusan  jeane-^in  other  words,  you  will  be 
compelled  U>  shift  your  ground  from  Par- 
tiouilar  to  Univereal  Redemption,  otherwise 
such  invitation  would  be  the  ve^  refine- 
ment of  omeHy— ^inviting  the  unconverted 
-sinner  to  a  participaUon  in  a  salvation  in 
whioh.  yaichancer  £e  had  no  part*  So. dear 
is  it  that  univsrsal  eshortaUons  must  rest 
upon  universal  redemption,  that  Howard 
ttinton  hisuelf,  aman  with  whsseyiane  I 
hayano  sympathy,  points  out  thaoontaradie- 
tion  and  the  absurdity  of  thAt  ministii;}' 
which  accepts  the  one  and  pretends  tor^^ect 
the  other,  in  the  following  passage  from  his 
"  Harmony  of  Iteligious  Truth  with  Human 
Reason," — 

*'  How  any  persons  who  hold  that  Chnat 
did  not  die  for  ail^  can  ever  exyoin  or  in- 
vite ail  to  oome  to  Jew4^  axcopt  by  a  thought- 
less inconaistency,  I  eonfees  myself  unable 
to  conceive.  If  I  thought  the  JBible  was 
wiitteuonsuch  a  principle,  it  would  fill  me 
with  the  deepest  melancholy." 

And  he  is  right.  Tiie  kvo  wust  go  to- 
gether. 

One  lenmrk  more,  in  aUuaiou  to  Mr.  S., 
and  I  close.  I  said  nothing  disparagingly  of 
Mr.  S.,  but  only  stated  my  own  feelings  in 
relation  to  his  ministry ;  but  your  re£oreaee 
to  my  remarks  reminds  me  of  a  letter  which 
appeared  in  Tkb  E^BTOBtf  Vbsskl  some 
ton  years  ago,  signed  Job  (it  was  attributed 
to  Mr.  W.);  Svety  word  in  that  leUer  has 
oome  true  in  relation  to  Mr.  S.,  though  at 
thatitime  I  and  many  othars  felt  cha^prined 
fit  its  contents. 

I  Teoiain,  my  dear  brother,  most  cor- 
dially yonrs  in  Uim  we  h>ye, 

Plymouth,  June,  1864.     K  B.  Wali. 

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THE      ARDENT     LOVER. 

By  Mr.  William  Leach,  op  Ploi9th.41)  Tabbbnacle. 

'  A  bundle  of  myrrh  is  my  well-belo\^  unto  me ;  he  shall  lie  all  night  betwixt  my  breasts.*' 
Song  of  Solomon  i.  13. 


There  is  no  book  that  treats  more  largely 
of  the  mutual  affection  between  Christ  and 
His  church  than  this  Song  of  Solomon. 
How  great  is  the  love  of  Jesus  to  His  people! 
and  how  far  beyond  all  othor  love  is  their 
love  to  Him !  Surely  we  lu  ly  hvlv  that  the 
love  of  the  church  for  Christ  excels  even 
the  love  of  angels:  they  may  love  Him 
for  creating  them—  yes,  they  love  Him  for 
that;  for  His  preserving  care  over  th«^m, 
they  love  Him  for  that ;  but  oh !  the  church 
has  all  this  to  love  Him  for,  and  something 
more  than  this,  even  His  redeeming  love, 
the  gift  of  Himself. 

There  are  four  things  to  be  observed  in 
the  text :  namely  first,  CompeUation ; 
secondly,  Comparison;  thirdly,  Appropria- 
tion; fourth,  Determination. 

I.      COMTBLLATION ;     Or,    THB     MODE      OP 

ADDBB8S— **My  well  beloved."  Sometimes 
the  bride  in  this  song  calls  Jesus,  "  my 
love ;"  often  "  my  beloved ;"  and  here  the 
term  of  affection  is  "my  well-beloved." 
We  will  notice  the  powerful  influence  of 
Christ's  love  in  the  heart  of  the  church  as 
shown  forth  in  this  book.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  first  chapter  we  find  her  exclaiming, 
"Let  him  kiss  me  with  the  kissee  of  his 
mouth ;  for  thy  love  is  better  than  wine." 
"  Better  than  wine !"  and  the  Psalmist  says 
it  is  better  than  life ;  "  because  thy  loving- 
kindness  is  better  than  life,  my  lips  shiJl 
praise  thee."  (Psalm  bnii.  3.)  Is  not  diis 
love  better  than  life  to  us  ?  Have  we  not 
felt  at  times  as  though  we  would  rather  be 
annihilated  than  live  without  the  love  of 
Christ  ?  This  love  influenced  the  church's 
ears ;  she  says—"  It  is  the  voice  ot  m>f  be- 
loved :"  she  knew  His  voice,  and  this  is 
the  ease  with  all  the  Lord's  people;  they 
know  His  voice  in  the  ministry :  as  Jesus 
naid  concerning  His  sheep— "They  know 
His  voice,  and  a  stranger  will  thev  not  fol- 
low, but  will  flee  from  him :  for  they  know 
not  the  voice  of  strangers."  It  is  true  in 
the  East,  and  to  some  extent,  no  doubt,  in 
this  country,  that  sheep  know  the  voice  of 
their  shepherds  from  the  Toice  of  others ;  it 
has  been  tried  whether  they  do  by  stnmge 
persons  putting  on  the  shepherd's  clothes 
and  calling  the  sheep,  going  befbre  them, 
but  the  experiment  has  proved  unsuccess- 
ful, the  sheep  will  not  follow  them,  "for 
they  know  not  the  voice  of  stranffen." 
Again,  the  love  of  Jesus  influenced  the 
Church's  feet  If  we  turn  to  the  third 
chapt4>r,  we  find  that  she  says,  "By  night 
on  my  bed  I  sought  Him  whom  my  soul 


loveth;  I  sought  Him  but  I  found  Him 
not."  She  could  not  find  Him  while  on  her 
bed,  and  she  could  not  remain  there.  But 
she  resolves  to  rise  and  look  for  Him :  "  I 
will  rise  now,  and  go  about  the  city  in  the 
streets,  and  in  the  broad  ways  I  will  seek 
Him  whom  my  soul  loveth :  I  sought  Him, 
but  I  found  Him  not."  Then  we  are  told  that 
the  watchmen  found  her;  and  we  must 
remember  that  in  the  East  it  was  not  con- 
sidered proper  for  any  female  to  be  abroad 
after  dark ;  no  woman  of  reputation  would 
venture  forth  into  the  streets  at  that  time ; 
but  the  bride  did  not  care  for  this ;  she  must 
go  forth  at  night  after  Jesus,  enquiring, 
'*Saw  ye  Him  whom  my  soul  lovetl\?" 
What  was  it  that  caused  her  to  rise  ftom 
her  bed,  and  go  out  to  seek  her  Lord? 
Love !  love !  And  what  is  it  that  influences 
many  to  come  to  the  house  of  Gk)d  to  hear 
something  about  Jesus  ;  that  brings  them 
out  on  the  week-day,  and  in  many  cases 
causes  them  to  journey  four,  six,  seven, 
or  even  more  mues  on  the  Lord's-day,  to 
attend  the  means  of  grace  ?  It  is  love ! 
love  I  The  love  of  Christ  influenced  the 
Church's  eyes ;  it  influenced  her  hands  also, 
for  we  read  that  when  she  found  her  Be- 
loved, she  embraced  Him,  as  the  wife  em- 
braces her  husband  on  his  return  from  a 
longjoumey :  "  I  held  Him,  and  would  not 
let  Him  go."  It  influenced  her  tongue :  she 
could  not  be  silent  concerning  her  Beloved ; 
She  enquired  for  Him,  and  she  breaks  forth 
into  praises  of  Him,  such  as,  "  My  Beloved 
is  white  and  ruddy;  the  chiefest  among 
ten  thousand:"  "His  mouth  is  most  sweet, 
yea.  He  is  altogether  lovely."  So  the  love 
of  Christ  influences  the  toneues  of  His  peo- 
ple now ;  depend  upon  it,  if  you  have  the 
love  of  Christ  in  your  hearts,  it  will  be  sure 
to  come  out,  yon  cannot  keep  it  a  secret. 
You  may  tlunk,  Well,  I  will  be  silent ;  I 
will  not  say  anything  about  what  I  fbel ; 
but  if  the  love  is  there,  you  will  be  com- 
pelled to  speak,  or  it  will  in  some  way  be 
shewn,  so  that  others  will  take  knowledge 
of  you  that  you  have  been  with  Jesns. 
What  do  vou  say  to  these  things,  friends  ? 
Do  you  Know  anything  of  this  love  of 
Christ  ?  I  can  say  tl^t  He  is  my  well* 
beloved,  and  if  He  is  your  well-beloved, 
then  I  am  sure  we  shall  agree  well  together. 
II.  Coxpabisoh:  "A  bundle  of  myrrh  is 
my  Beloved  unto  me;"  or  as  some  read  it,. 
"  a  bag  of  mvrrfa."  Myrrh  was  bitter,  and 
may  set  forth  the  bitterness  of  the  snifering^ 
of  Christ.    Ah !  sin  is  no  trifle ;  it  was  no« 


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233 


trifling  thing  which  caused  our  Lord  to 
sweat  as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood, 
which  made  Him  to  be  in  an  agonj,  and  to 
cry,  "Oh!  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let 
this  cup  pass  from  Me."    As  the  poet  says, 

^'  How  bitter  that  cup,  no  heart  can  oonceive," 
and  the  myrrh  may  be  taken  as  a  type  of  its 
bitterness.  Jesus  says,  "  Until  the  day 
break,  and  the  shadows  flee  away,  I  will  get 
me  to  the  mountains  of  myrrh,  and  to  the 
hill  of  frankincense"  (Cant.  iv.  6).  We 
may  consider  this  as  meaning  that  until  the 
Lord  came  to  earth,  until  the  shadows  of 
the  Jewish  dispensation  were  dispersed,  and 
the  Gospel  day  began  to  dawn, — His  ancient 
people  might  meet  with  Him  in  their  temple 
worship;  the  temple  was  built  upon  an 
eminence,  and  the  sacrifices  there  offered 
prefigured  the  sufferings  and  death  of 
Christ,  while  the  incense  typified  His  inter- 
cession. We  read  in  the  Rerelation,  con- 
cerning the  angel,  that  "  there  was  given 
iinto  him  much  incense,  that  he  should  offer 
it  with  the  prayers  of  all  saints  upon  th^ 
golden  altar  which  was  before  the  throne," 
&e,  (Rev.  viii.  3).  The  fragrance  of  the 
myrrh  may  represent  the  fragrance  of 
Christ's  name,  person,  work,  righteousness, 
&c.  The  spouse  sa^s,  "Because  of  the 
savour  of  Thy  good  ointments,  Thy  name 
is  as  ointment  poured  forth;  ^erefore 
do  the  virgins  love  thee."  When  our  testi- 
mony of  Christ  is  as  a  savour  of  life  unto 
life,  it  is  indeed  fragrant  as  myrrh,  and  as 
"ointment  poured  forth,"  In  the  forty- 
fifth  Psalm,  David  says  concerninff  Jesus, 
''All  thy  garments  smell  of  myrrh,  and 
aloes,  and  cassia,  out  of  the  ivory  palaces, 
whereby  they  have  made  Thee  g^."  "  AU 
Thy  garments ; "  whether  Christ  come  as 
Teacher,  Priest,  King—in  everj'  office  He  is 
fragrant  to  His  people.  M^h  has  medi- 
cinal properties :  so  Christ  is  our  HeaJer. 
Myrrh  was  used  in  embalming :  Nicodemus, 
we  read,  brought  for  the  embalming  of  Je- 
sus "  a  mixture  of  mjrrrh  and  aloes,  about 
an  hundred  pounds  weight"  As  the  myrrh  ^ 
preserved  the  dead  body,  Christ  preserves  j 
us  from  corruption  ;  were  it  not  for  Him  we 
should  be  entTrely  corrupt  before  God.  And 
lastly,  upon  this  point,  myrrh  appears  to 
have  been  very  valuable,  and  Christ  is  very 
precious  to  the  souls  of  His  people. 


III.  AppfiOPRiATiON,  *'A  bundle  of 
myrrh  is  my  well  beloved  unto  nie.'*  Here 
the  church  speaks  cxperimentalljr  and  ex- 
ultingly.  Oh,  friends;  can  we  join  in  this 
language?  Can  you  each  say — "Jesus  is 
that  unto  me  ?"  It  is  not  knowing  what 
He  is  to  others  merely,  but  knowing  Him 
for  ourselves,  **  unto  Tne^  unto  me"  This  is 
the  religion  I  want«  one  that  will  do  through 
life  and  in  the  hour  of  death,  that  enables 
me  to  say  what  my  well-beloved  is  *'"unto 
me.'*  The  church  not  only  speaks  experi- 
mentally, but  sterns  to  speak  exultingly  also, 
"a  bundle  of  myrrh  is  my  well-beloved 
unto  me." 

Surely  we  may  speak  exultingly  too  of 
such  a  Saviour  as  Jesus  is :  oh !  what  poor 
creatures  we  are  that  we  boast  so  little  and 
seldom  of  Him,  when  we  might  boast  of 
Him  all  our  lives  long. 

IV.  Detebmikation.  **  He  shall  lie  all 
night  betwixt  my  breasts."  Here  is  reser- 
vation ;  we  place  what  we  love  most  next 
our  heart,  so  this  the  best  place  is  reserved 
for  Jesus;  He  will  not  be  satisfied  with 
anything  short  of  this,  friends:  the  best 
place  He  must  have.  This  is  the  language 
of  familiarity,  and  it  also  implies  rest^  the 
church  rests  in  her  Lord  and  He  rests  in 
her,  as  it  is  written,  '*  The  Lord  hath  chosen 
Zion ;  He  hath  desired  it  for  His  habitation. 
This  is  my  rest  for  ever ;  here  will  I  dwell, 
for  I  have  desired  it."  (Psalm  cxxxii.  13, 
14.J  Lastly,  continuance  is  here  implied, 
"  all  night"  The  church  wants  the  pre- 
sence of  Jesus  during  the  night  of  her  stay 
upon  earth,  and  do  not  we  &el  sometimes, 
wnen  we,  like  John,  have  been  leaning  upon 
the  bosom  of  our  Beloved,  and  enjoying 
sweet  and  close  communion  with  Him,  that 
we  cannot  let  Him  go?  If  we  could,  we 
would  always  have  our  Lord  with  us,  and 
like  the  disciples  at  Emmaus,  we  exclaim, 
*'  Abide  with  us."  And  now,  friends,  how 
is  it  with  you  ?  Is  Jesus  your  well- beloved, 
and  can  you  say,  "  He  is  as  a  bundle  of  myrrh 
unto  me  ?  "  Do  you  make  your  boast  in  Him, 
reserve  the  best  place  for  Him,  and  long  for 
a  holy  familiarity  with  Him,  and  are  yon 
anxious  that  He  should  abide  with  you  for 
ever  ? 

The  Lord  add  His  own  blessing  for  His 
name's  sake.     Amen. 


THE   SHIPWRECKED  MARINER  AND  THE   GOSPEL 

MINISTER. 

^    Jftbiiig    S^ariRttbt. 


CHAPT1BR  V. 

Dear  Mr.  Editor, — In  further  relation  of  I  shortly  after  the  remarkable  deliverance  re- 
the  Lord's  goodness  and  mercy  towards  me,  I  ferred  to  in  my  last,  I  was  again  made  to 
I  commence  by  informing  your  readers  that  |  experience  those  sweet  words  of  the  Psalmist^ 

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234 


THE   EAJtTHSK  YBBSBL. 


Aug.  1,  1M4. 


(though  in  the  day  in  which  we  live  but 
little  understood  in  the  profeseing  world,) 
"  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships, 
that  do  busiQess  in  great  waters,  these  see 
the  works  of  the  Lord,  and  His  wonders  in 
the  deep."  And  which  was  as  follows : — 
While  iying  at  anchor  in  the  river  Congo, 
another  slave  ship  hove  in  sight,  and  orders 
were  immo:ii«tely  given  from  the  quarter 
deck  that  the  cutter  (the  boat  to  which  I 
then  belonged)  should  go  in  chase,  and  the 
slaver  being  but  a  short  distance  from  us, 
say,  some  six  or  seven  miles,  it  was  not 
thought  necessary  to  take  with  us  more 
provisions  than  would  suffice  for  the  night. 
We  went  in  chase,  but  the  darkness  of  night 
setting  in  upon  us,  the  slaver  was  lost  sight 
of,  and  the  wind  at  the  same  time  freshen- 
ing into  a  gale,  which  lasted  for  about  forty- 
eight  hours,  M'e  were  driven  in  our  little  nut- 
shell about  150  miles  out  into  the  offiag,  and 
altogether  not  less  than  170  from  our  own 
ship :  and  thus,  like  the  disciples  of  old,  were 
we  toiling  in  rowing,  having  forgotten  to  take 
bread  witii  us,  and  no  signs  of  help  or  de- 
liverance being  afforded  in  any  way.  For 
«even  days' and  nights  the  Lord  was  pleased 
to  keep  me  in  this  position ;  but  what  with 
exposure  lo  the  heat  of  an  African  sun  by 
<lay,  the  heavy  dews  that  fall  by  night,  the 
sufferings  produced  by  hunger  and  thirst 
(more  especially  the  latter),  the  weakly 
st<ate  my  body  was  brought  into,  -and  my 
hopes  of  deliverance  being  turned  almost 
into  despair,  my  state  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described.  Suffice  it  to  say  tliat  all 
my  legal  fears  and  dread  hung  heavy  upon 
me,  and  gladly  could  I  have  wished  t^at  I 
had  never  been  bom.  But  as  the  dear 
Lord  generally  delivers  at  sueh  a  time  when 
His  omnipotent  power  and  grace  may  ap- 
pear most  illustrious,  so  that  all  boasting 
may  be  stopped  on  the  part  of  the  creature, 
ana  no  mortal  have  any  pretence  to  elaim  a 
share  in  the  glory  of  His  divine  Providence, 
even  so  was  it  then  with  rae,  His  eye  was 
watching  those  turbulentwaves  and  biUows, 
and  His  thoughts  were  good  and  not  evil  to- 
wards me,  to  give  me  an  uudeserved,  and  I 
may  say  (with  me  tkeii)  an  unexpected  end, 
for  on  the  afternoon  of  tne  seventh  day  we 
were  picked  up  by  H.M.  brig  Cygnet,  the 
commander  of  which  treated  us  with  neat 
kindness,  had  all  needful  medical  aia  ad- 
ministered, and  ultimately  conveyed  us 
back  in  safety  to  our  own  ship.  Thus  was 
I  again  preserved  in  Christ  Jesus,  while  at 
the  same  time  I  was  sensible  that  I  deserved 
the  lowest  hell.  And  why  was  this  but  that 
they  that  are  afar  off  might  hear  wlmt  God 
hath  done  t  while  they  that  are  nigh,  by 
redeeming  love  and  blood,  shall  gladly  ac- 
knowledge His  might,  by  saying  from  a 
feeling  sense  thereof,  "Kot  unto  us,  not 
unto  thus,  0  Lord,  but  unto  Thy  name  gire 
glory,  for  Thy  mercy  and  Thy  truth  s  sake." 


A  short  time  after  this,  such  was  my  love 
for  strong  drink,  and  such  the  stupidity  of 
my  heart,  that  as  I  said  at  the  commenee- 
ment  of  my  narrative,  I  was  for  my  folly 
brought  beneath  the  lash  of  the  inexorable 
cat^o'-nine-tails,  and  received  forty-eigbt 
lashes,  being  bound  both  hand  and  foot  to 
the  ship's  grating,  and  some  of  the  marks  1 
then  received  I  shall  carry  with  me  to  the 
day  of  my  death,  as  a  kind  of  additional  evi- 
dence that  I  was  a  stranger  and  bondman 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  ami  that  Almighty 
grace  delivered  me  therefrom.  And  here, 
while  receiving  my  punishment,  although 
my  soul  seems  to  sicken  at  the  thought, 
my  mouth  was  giving  vent  to  the  most  fear- 
ful language  towards  those  that  had  com- 
manded me  to  be  thus  inhunutnly  and  bar- 
barously treated ;  for  to  my  own  mind  of 
all  the  degrading  scenes  I  have  been  called 
to  pass  through,  I  think  that  of  deliberately 
binding  a  fellow  creature  hand  and  foot, 
and  then  flogging  hhn  till  his  veir  flesh  is 
laid  open,  the  blood  streaming  down  his 
bare  back,  and  every  nerve  and  muscle 
within  him  made  to  tremble  as  it  were,  h 
the  worst  that  can  possibly  be  inflicted  in  a 
professedly  Gospel  land.  Reader,  whoever 
thou  mayest  be,  that  hast  been  called  to 
tread  in  a  smoother  paAway  than  myself, 
my  prayer  for  thee  is  that  if  the  Ixffd  vnll, 
thy  heart  may  be  drawn  out  in  gratitude 
and  Aflfection  to  the  God  of  all  thy  mercMS, 
for  that  kind  Providence  and  pieventiiig 
grace  bestowed,  that  thou  mayest  die  daily 
to  the  flesh,  the  world,  and  sin,  and  thus  be 
ever  mindfol  of  the  Rock  from  whence  those 
mercies  flowed. 

I  may  now  take  up  the  fines  of  Newton, 
which  I  do  with  afeefiug  sense  thereof,  and 
with  solemn  reverence  for  the  name  of 
Iwaers  God,  and  say, 

In  evil  long  I  took  delisfat, 
0nafwed  by  shame  or  fear, 
TOl  a  new  objeot  straok  my  sight. 
And  stopped- my  wild  oaien; 

As  my  reader  will  see  from  the  following 
paragraph,  the  time  arrived  when  we  were 
ordered  home  from  Africa,  baving  been  up- 
wards of  five  years  in  commission ;  and  on 
my  arrival  at  Spithead  I  sent  a  letter  to  ny 
parents,  informing  them  that  I  was  stiU 
alive,  that  we  were  going  to  be  paid  off  at 
Sheerness  in  a  few  days,  and  requesting  my 
aged  father  to  come  down  and  accompany 
me  to  London.  He  came,  and  truly  the 
tear  of  joy  and  gratitude  rolled  down  hi*' 
cke<^  at  (he  thought  of  the  prodigal's  saff 
return,  in  that  way  that  one  would  have 
thought  that  a  heart  of  adamant  must  have 
been  dissolved  thereby;  but  not  so  with 
lae,  it  was  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference, 
my  eyes  being  blinded  by  the  god  of  this 
world,  my  heart  was  callous  and  dead  to 
every  holy  and  kindly  feeling,  while  my  god 
was  my  belly,  and  that  which  I  gloned  in 

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Amtfh'^m4^ 


TUB   EAfilVfiN   VB6SBL. 


(htd  9race  ■Ptpwawatod)  mst  faaveproved 
my  eternal  shaiiM  anddAcradadoii.  But  to 
raiiira:  I  wai  pstd  off  at  Sheorness  on  Nov. 
26tfa,  1846,  and  reeeiTed  m  my  due  (wages 
and  prixe  moneytogether)  the  sum  of  eighty- 
fcm  pounds,  twelve  shillingB.  Another 
yowUi,  a  companion  of  mine,  reooiyed  the 
same  sum,  and  having  no  parents  in  Lon* 
don,  it  was  agreed  that- he  should  come 
home  with  me,  which  he<iid;  but  suoh  was 
onr  love  of  pleasure  and  the  madneai  of  oar 
career,  ttuU  although  to  my  knowledge  we 
never  genre  my  parents  a  single  sovereign 
far  our  siqyport^  yet  in  three  weeks  and  four 
day»  from  the  time  we  were  paid  off,  the 
waoie  of  my  money  was  ^>ent  by  riotous 
living,  and  I  ww  driven  to  the  necessity  of 
borrowing  half-a-crown  of  my  father  to 
pajr  my  passage  to  Sheemess,  to  join  another 
ship,  the  Birkenhead.  At  that  time  mv 
CQStom  was  to  go  out  in  the  morning  with 
some  six  or  seven  pounds  in  my  podcet, 
wander  from  one  scene  to  another  through- 
out the  day,  finish  either  at'the  dance  room 
or  theatre  at  night,  and  frequently  return- 
ing hom»  the  feiioaring  merning  vriibk  my 
watch  left  in  pledge  for  the  sum  of  ten  or 
twetke-shilUngB  at.th»  bar  of  some  pniUie 


I  Should  the  reader  of  this  bo  a  thouglileee, 
careless  young  man  or  woman,  that  is  in- 
fatnated  with  the  vanities  of  this  world,  and 
desinms  of  throwing  off  all  pamntal  res* 
traint,  I  would  refer  such  an  one  to  Ecde- 
I  siastes  xi.  9,  10,  while  at  the  same  time  the 
writer  would,  fiwm  hie  very  heart,  beseech 
such  one  to  ''hearken  unto  thy  father 
.  that  begat  thee,  and  despise  not  thy  mother 
i  when  she  is  old,'*  knowing  from  his  own 
experience  that  none  but  the  Qod-fearing 
parent  knows  either  the  cares  and  anxietiee> 
the  sighs  and  groans,  put  fbrth  from  time 
to  time  on  the  braalf  of  thai  son  or  daughter 
that  is  walking  in  that  way  which  seemeth 
right  unto  them,  but  the  end  thereof  is 
eternal  banishment  from  the  Divine  pres- 
ence, and  from  the  everlasting  glory  of  His 
power.  Reader,  is  it  so  with  thee,  or  art 
thou  through  grace  brought  to  praise  the 
God  of  eternal  and  electing  love,  and  like 
the  feeble  instrument  addressing  thee,  say- 
ing :— 


Oh  tog 

Daily  rm  constrali 

Let  thy  lore,  LoMi,  like  a  fetter, 

Bind  my  wandering  soul  to  thee  ? 


how  ^reat  a  debtor, 
lined  to  be : 


I  am,  yours  in  cove 


tlovo, 


Nmo. 


PBACB     BE     STILL. 

Bt  Johh  Bku.nt,  or  SnAiywatL. 


'*With  the  word  of  a  king  thew  is 

llalare's  King,  who  oft. 
Amid  tempeatuotis  darkness  awells  alone, 
.And  on  Che  wioga  of  tlie  eareeriag  wind 
Walks  dtrndftiUy-serene^  oooinuuxis  a  calm. 
Tben  stnight^  earth,  saa  and  air  are  hushed  at  once. 
TiioMPSOir. 


9TOBMe  do  not  oemir  by  chance,  they  arc 
suljiect  to  laws,  which  laws  are  of  nocessity 
known  to  and  under  the  control  of  the 
Great  Creator  of  all ;  in  fact  what  we  call 
natural  laws  are  but  the  unwritten  will  of 
GkKi 

The  words  at  the  hoad  of  thin  pc^r  are 
the  words  of  Jesua.  They  are  not  the 
words  of  an^er  but  of  authority.  .Te.su« 
did  not  come  luto  our  world  to  hush  storms, 
but  to  save  luen.  I  repeat.  He  came  to 
save  not  simplv  Souls,  but  man  as  he  is 
made^  having  oody  and  soul.  In  fact,  the 
salvatiofa  of  Jesus  has  this  as  its  destinctive 
featnre,  to  sav«  the  whole  man.  The  salr 
vation  of  Jesus  does  not  prevexrt  death  of 
the  body,  nor  dseay  of  the  body:  but  it 
MOvides  for  the  resurrection  of  the  body, 
The  body  has  been  the  vehiculor  means  of 
sa,  it  shall  be  Lhe  v«;hiculor  means  of  blisSf 
at  least  so  Watta  thought  and  sang — 

nien  shall  I  bear  and  aeeaad  know 
All  I  desired  or  wiehed  below. 


And  every  power  find  sweet  employ 
Id  the  eternal  world  of  Joy. 


The  Doctrine  of  the  words  at  the  head  of 
these  remarks  is  that  upon  which  we  would 
dwell  at  this  time.  Until  Jestis  speakt^ 
confusion  reigns ;  when  Jesus  commands 
order  is  restored.  The  word  of  Jesus 
maintains  what' his  power  calls  into  oper- 
ation. 

First, —  Until  Jeana  »vwks  confusion 
reigns.  Just  as  it  was  on  tne  Sea  of  Galilee 
so  was  it  in  your  caee,  my  brother :  law  ran 
riot,  sin  was  rampant,  the  prince  of  the 

Jower  of  the  air  rided  in  your  disobedience, 
ehovah's  will  was  set  at  defiance,  his  word 
was  neglected,  his  salvation  disregarded; 
you  lived  without  God  in  the  world.  A 
more  ruinous  and  destroctive  course  could 
not  have  been,  and  the  result  would  have 
been  everlasting  destruction  if  Jesus  had 
not  appeared  upon  the  scene  and  said 
*•  Peace,  be  stiU.*^ 

Second, — When  Jesus  eomniands,  order  is 
restored.  When  tlie  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
speaks  by  His  Spirit  to  tlie  heart  of  a  poor 
smner,  sin  is  discovered  and  pardon  is 
desired,  sin  is  hated  and  holiness  is  sought, 
rebellion  is  felt  and  reconciliation  is  longed 

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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Aug  1.  1864. 


after,  in  a  word  we  taste  the  bitterness  of 
fiin  and  pra^  to  taste  the  sweets  of  salvation. 
Nor  is  this  all :  salyation  is  more  than 
desire,  it  is  more  than  notion,  eomething  is 
known  and  felt— feeling  becomes  fact,  de- 
sire frnition.  life  given  makes  confusion 
felt.  Qrace  given  brings  salvation  nigh. 
The  voice  of  Jesus  spoken  into  the  ear  of 
faith,  brings  the  sweet  calm.  It  was  not 
by  commands  to  believe  and  obe3r  that  I 
found  peace.  But  as  I  felt  the  miyesty  of 
the  presence  of  Jesus  when  he  spoke 
through  the  ministry  of  his  word  and  told 
me  that  salvation  originattd  in  love^  was  ac- 
complished by  blood,  was  applied  by  God 
the  Spirit,  would  be  continued  by  grace, 


and  would  finally  be  cousommated  in  glory, 
truhr  there  was  a  great  calm. 

Third, — The  word  of  Jwub  maintaitm 
what  his  power  eaUs  into  exi^teuce.  It  ib 
all  right  now ;  but  will  there  be  no  mort« 
storms?  His  word,  '*I  will  never  leare 
thee,  I  will  never  futsake  thee,*'  provided 
for  all  such  contingencies ;  but  vnll  then* 
be  no  trials  ?  The  Lord  will  deliver  out 
of  them  all.  But  shall  I  never  fail  ?  You 
may,  yet  he  abideth  f&ithful,  he  cannot  deny 
himself.  But  may  not  I  be  deceived  and 
destroyed  at  hist?  *'They  shall  never 
perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of 
mv  hand."  Blessings  for  ever  on  the  Lamb 
who  bore  the  curse  for  wretched  men  ;  yer* 
let  His  holy  name  be  praised  for  ever. 


^\it  Ifititrtg   SPabtrnarl^  (Expositor. 

EXPOSITION  OF   PSALM  II. 

Br  Me.  Jamss  Wblls,  Mimistbb  of  the  Subeet  Tabebmacle,  Boboloh  Road. 


"Why  do  the  hestlien  rage,  and  the  people 
tiwjptwi  a  Tain  thing?  The  kingB  of  the  earth 
set  themaelves,  and  the  mien  take  counsel  to- 
gether against  the  Lord,  and  againat  hin 
anouitedT' 

You  observe  here  that  their  opposition  to 
God  is  not  to  Ghxi  in  the  abstract,  but  unto 
God  in  that  saving,  new  covenant  order  of 
things  by  which  His  mercy  reacheth  sinners, 
and  by  which  they  are  saved  and  God  is 
glorified.  This  is  that  that  ths  enemy  stirs 
up  the  minds  of  men  against ;  hence  observe 
here,  the^  set  themselves  asainst  the  Lord, 
and  against  His  anointed.  The  great 
offence  that  God  has  given  to  Satan  is  in 
sending  his  Son  into  the  world  to  bruise 
the  serpent's  head,  and  to  deliver  us  from 
the  powers  of  darkness,  and  bring  us  to 
understand  and  to  love  that  order  of  things 
which  by  the  adversaiy  is  so  hated,  and  by 
the  carnal  mind  so  despised. 

"Saying,  let  us  break  their  bands  oaunder.ond 
oast  away  their  oords  ftom  ua.  He  that  nitteth 
in  the  heaveos  shall  laugh,  the  lord  »hall  have 
them  in  deriaion.** 

What,  break  their  bands  asunder  ?  Why 
they  are  united  to  God  in  His  eternal  love, 
and  what  can  break  that  asunder  ?  They 
are  united  to  God  by  the  sanctifying  power 
of  the  Saviour's  atoning  blood,  and  by  the 
everlasting  righteousness  of  Jesus,  and  by 
the  immutable  oath  of  the  blessed  God ;  and 
what  can  break  these  bands  in  sunder,  or 
what  can  cast  away  these  cords  that  unite 
our  soubi  to  God  ?  But  then  they  reckoned 
after  the  appearance  of  things,  they  thought, 
surely  a  little  handful  of  disciples  like  this 
may  esBily  be  hronght  to  nought.    Thev 


thought,  surely  a  solitary  man  tike  this 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  whom  we  have  crucified, 
and  that  between  two  thieves,  surely  we 
may  put  an  end  to  it  aU  now.  So  much 
forjudging  after  the  appearance  of  tilings. 
It  IS  a  great  mercy  to  be  brought  to  ludge 
then  righteous  judgment,  to  judge  of  things 
according  to  wliat  the  Lord  .is,  and  acoozd- 
ing  to  what  the  Lord  saith.  And  you  ob- 
serve here  that  the  most  powerful  persons, 
kings  and  rulers,  not  a  few  nrivato  power- 
less individuals,  but  kings  and  rulers,  bring 
all  their  regal  and  legu  power  against  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  against  His  people,  and 
against  His  order  of  things.  But  "He  that 
sitteth  in  the  heavens  shall  laugh,  the  Lord 
shall  have  them  in  derision."  Well  then, 
if  He  laugh  at  these  kings,  we  ought,  in  the 
holy  sense  of  the  word,  to  laugh  too ;  for  I 
am  sure  of  it  that  if  we  are  kept  close  to 
Jesus  Christ,  and  are  favored  to  walk  in 
fellowship  with  the  Father,  and  with  His 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  feel  that  we  arc 
heart  and  soul  on  His  side  in  this  order  ot 
things,  whatever,  if  this  be  our  position, 
may  stand  against  us,  we  may  smile  at  the 
storm,  we  may  Ift^h  at  our  mightiest  foes. 
The  daughter  of  Zion  of  old  was  led  into 
this  secret,  and  so  it  is  written,  «*The 
daughter  of  Zion  hath  shaken  ht«r  head  at 
thee,  she  hath  laughed  thee  to  scorn."  Only 
we  must  make  up  our  minds  to  sufTer  from 
men,  we  must  make  up  our  mind;-  to  sufier 
after  Uie  flesh ;  we  must  make  up  our  mind«^ 
to  be  cast  out  and  to  be  hated ;  make  np 
our  minds  to  that  on  one  side,  so  as  to  des- 
pise the  shame,  endure  the  cross  that  falls 
to  our  lot.  nnd  la'>k  to  the  iov  that  is  ^et  be- 


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THE  EARTHEN   ^^BSSEL« 


237 


fore  us,  and  then  it  shall  amidst  it  all  be 

well  with  lui, 

•*  fhcn  sliali  lie  ?pe&k  onto  them  in  his  wmth." 

Which  he  did  to  the  Jewish  nation,  to 
whom  this  Psalm  in  the  primary  seuso 
refert. 

"  And  wx  them  in  His  sore  displwuiure.  Yet 
liave  I  set  my  king  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Ziou." 
Af»  nothing  could  hinder  the  resurrection, 
ascension,  and  enthronement  of  the  8avioor, 
so  nothing  can  hinder  His  reaching  the  holy 
hill  of  Zion.  Do  not,  friends,  if  you  can 
help  it,  lose  sight  of  the  character  of  Zion. 
It  ia  said  to  be  a  ho^y  hUl,  and  good  men, 
and  some  who  are  questionable  as  to  their 
being  men  of  GoJ,  they  speak  very  emphat- 
ically about  Zion  being  a  holv  place ;  and 
so  far,  BO  good ;  but  if  we  looTc  at  it  in  that 
form  only,  we  lose  one  part  of  the  excellency. 
This  hili  of  Zion  is  called  a  holy  hill,  not 
only  becHuse  Zion  is  a  holy  place,  and  thit 
Christ  is  holy,  and  that  t::e  people  as  they 
are  there  in  heaven  are  holy ;  but  there  is 
another  reason,  it  is  because  ?;y  his  media- 
torial work  he  has  put  an  end  to  sin  ;  it  is 
because  by  the  reign  of  His  erace.  He  reigns 
until  ail  His  enemies  be  made  His  footstool. 
Death,  the  last  enemy  to  be  destroyed,  thall 
also  become  His  footstool.  Thus,  then, 
Tiew  Zion  as  a  holy  place  in  this  way,  and 
then  vi?w  the  Saviour  as  the  end  of  sin,  and 
view  grace  reigning  in  us  as  well  as  fop  us, 
until  we  are  brought  into  that  perfection 
which  ultimately  shall  be  hj  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Take  this  yiew  of  it,  then  we  may 
join  with  other  parts  of  the  Psalms,  and 
give  thanks  at  the  remembmiice  of  flis 
holiness.  X  make  these  remarks  because 
men  talk  of  Zion  as  though  we  had  to  take 
some  holiness  with  us.  We  can  take  no 
holiness  with  u«  but  Christ  Jesus.  If  you 
enter  into  the  cit^  it  Must  be  1/y  the  cleans- 
ing blood  of  Chnst  Jesus ;  if  you  enter  into 
/^ion  it  must  be  by  the  righteousness  of 
Chrat  JesTO,  it  must  be  by  the  .Spirit  of 
Christ,  and  by  the  truth  of  Christ.  And 
thus  then  Jesas  hath  conquered  sin,  set 
upon  this  holy  hill  of  Zion,  which  can  never 
be  dotiled,  and  consequently  can  never  be 
moved  ;  here  it  is  whore  sin  is  ended,  that 
God  hath  commanded  the  blessing,  even 
life  for  evermore:  a  divine  life,  a  happy 
life,  a  free  hfe,  a  satisfying  life,  an  oudless 
life,  a  glorious  life,  a  life  in  which  all  the 
hidden  powers  of  the  soul  shall  be  developed 
in  their  perfection,  and  range  in  rapture  in- 
describable, when  mortality  shall  be  swal- 
lowed up  of  life. 

•*  I,"  aaith  the  Saviour,  "  vrill  declare  tUe  dea-ec ; 
the  Lord  hatli  said  uuto  mo  Thou  art  my  Son, 
this  day  have  I  Ix^gotten  thee." 

People  tell  us  that  "this  day'*  means 
•  ternity,  but  the  apostle  Paul  says  that  it 
nieans  the  day  of  Christ's  resurrection. 
And  so  they  tell  ns  that  this  is  a  declaration 


of  Christ's  eternal  generation  from  the 
Father,  and  so  this  doctrine  of  eternal  gen- 
eration must  be  brought  in  by  men  to  be- 
cloud the  Scriprarcs.  Let  us  be  guided  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  saith 
that  Christ  being  begotten  hero  means  his 
resurrection  from  the  dead*  And  this  is 
the  decree  the  Saviour  means  ;  the  Saviour 
is  ihe  speaker  hero  in  this  part,  "  I  will 
declare  the  decree."  And  how  often  He 
did  so ;  how  often  did  He  say  to  His  disciples, 
*'  The  Son  of  Man  must  be  killed,  and  rise 
again  the  third  day."  He  often  said  this 
to  His  disciples;  He  declared  the  decree, 
and  that  decree  came  to  pass.  Now  then, 
when  Jesus  Christ  rose  from  the  dead  and 
ascended  to  heaven,  what  was  He  to  do 
when  He  got  to  heaven  ?  Why  He  was  to 
do  that  that  God  willed  Him  to  do  in 
heaven.  He  ha<l  done  that  on  earth  that 
God  willed  liim  to  do,  and  now  He  goes  to 
heaven,  to  do  that  in  heaven  that  God 
willed  Him  to  do.  And  hence  it  goes 
on  to  describe  here  what  He  is  to  do  in 
heaven. 
"  Aik  of  me." 

After  His  resurrection,  you  see,  after  His 
ascension,  when  He  reaches  the* right  hand 
of  God ;  ah,  look  at  it,  friends ;  if  we  under- 
stand it,  it  will  draw  out  our  affections  to 
His  dear  name.  He  ascends  to  heaven, 
comforted  on  every  side ;  He  asct^ids  to 
heaven,  fulness  of  joy,  pleasures  for  ever- 
more. Would  you  not  naturally  think  that 
on  entering  into  this  glory  He  would  forget 
poor,  despicable  sinners ;  He  would  forget 
heathen,  lost  sinners ;  He  would  say,  "  I 
have  had  enough  to  do  with  them ;  I  have 
suffered  enough  from  them."  But  no,  no, 
no,  exaltation  of  position  does  not  alter  the 
love  of  His  heart,  that  love  is  as  great  after 
He  has  let\  the  earth  as  it  was  when  He  was 
on  earth.  Having  done  the  will  of  God  on 
earthi  He  ascended  to  heaven  to  do  the 
same  will  the^e. 
"  Ask  of  me,  and  I  sliall  give  thee  the  heathen  for 

thine  intterhancc,  and  the  uttermost  ports  of 

the  earth  for  thy  possession." 

Which  God  did.  Yes,  in  the  apostolic 
age,  east,  west,  north,  and  south,  thousands 
and  thousands  of  hetithen,  to  the  very  utter- 
most part  of  the  earth,  were  gathered  in  to 
knew  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  bless 
the  Lord,  that  work  still  goes  on.  And  you 
observe  here,  the  Saviour  is  not  led  to  ask 
God  for  some  of  the  best  of  the  people: 
doesn't  say  that.  Ask  of  me  some  whose 
case  is  not  too  bad,  ask  of  me  those  who 
are  entitled  to  a  little  favor ;  ask  of  me  those 
who  are  not  quite  so  vile  as  the  rest.  No, 
bless  the  Lord,  no,  they  are  viewed  in  that 
state  that  God  knew  they  were  all  in  ;  and 
80  the  Saviour  asked  the  heathen  for  his 
inheritance,  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 

for  his  possession.  C^r^r^nl^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


238 


THE  EABTflSK  VESSEL. 


Aug.  1,  IMi. 


"Thou  Shalt  break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ;  thou 
shalt  dash  them  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel." 

So  He  did,  bo  He  did.  He  aerred  every 
one  just  as  He  did  Saul  of  Tarsus,  only  not 
in  such  a  conspicuous  way.  He  met  Saul 
of  Tarsus,  ruled  him  with  a  rod  of  iron, 
broke  him  down,  and  dashed  him  all  to 
pieces.  AVhy,  there  was  the  religion  now 
of  Saul  of  Tarsus  dashed  to  pieces  like  a 
potter's  vessel.  Why,  I  didn  t  think  my 
religion  such  a  brittle  thing ;  I  didn't  think 
my  hope  was  so  easily  destroyed  as  that. 
Well,  Saul,  where  are  you  now  ?  Why,  I 
am  broken  all  to  pieces;  why,  I  am  a 
sinner,  nothing  but  a  sinner,  haven't  a  par- 
ticle of  holiness  nor  a  particle  of  righteous- 
ness. Well,  but  haven't  you  a  good  heart  ? 
Heart!  in  my  heart  there  is  all  manner  of 
concupiscency ;  I  am  broken  all  to  pieces. 
So  the  Lord  doth  thus  break  down,  overturn, 
root  up,  and  destroy;  after  He  has  done 
that,  then  He  plants  and  then  Ho  builds. 
*•  Be  wise  now,  therefore,  O  ye  kings." 

But  they  are  fallen  kings.  Some  think 
this  an  exhortation  to  all  men.  It  is  not 
an  exhortation  to  all  men.  These  after 
verses  speak  only  to  those  who  are  broken 
down ;  only  there  are  some  that  the  word 
lays  hold  of  and  breaks  them  down,  morally 
but  not  spiritually;  breaks  them  down 
mentally,  and  brings  about  a  reformation, 
but  does  not  so  break  them  down  as  to 
make  them  know  their  need  of  that  order 
of  things  in  which  Christ  appears.  They 
are  called  here  kings.  "  When  thou  wast 
young  thou  girdedst  thyself,  and  wentest 
whither  thou  wouldst." 

*'Bc  wise  now,  therefore,  O  ye  kings;  be  in- 
structed, ye  judges  of  the  earth.*' 

And  so  we  were,  we  were  all  kings  and 
judges ;  we  were  reigning,  having  our  own 
way,  as  far  as  we  cotdd,  and  judging  for 
ourselves ;  but  now  we  have  given  up  both. 
Saul  of  Tarsus  reigned  like  a  king,  but  it 
was  like  one  of  the  devil's  Icings ;  and 
Saul  of  Tarsus  assumed  the  judgment  seat, 
and  did  as  all  carnal  men  do  that  mount 
the  judgment  seat,  he  assigned  the  saints 
of  6od  to  hell,  and  the  devil's  children  to 
heaven ;  that's  what  he  did.  But  now  he 
ifi  a  dethroned  king,  gives  it  up ;  now  he  is 
a  dethroned  judge ;  now  he  no  longer 
judges  others,  he  himself  feels  that  he  is 
judged,  and  appeals  to  the  Judge  of  all. 
**  Serve  the  Loi"d  with  fear." 

Here  is  the  instruction  unto  such,  what 
they  are  to  do: 
"And  rejaioe  with  trembling.    Kiss  the  Son,  lest  \ 

He  be  angry," 

You  are  a  professedly  converted  man  ? 
Yes.    You  profess  to  hop© in  Jesus  Christ?  ■ 
Yes.      You    profess  to    expect  to  get  to 
heaven  by  Jesus  Christ?  Yes.   You  expect . 
to  see  God's  face  by  Jesus  Christ  ?     x  es.  i 


Very  well ;  it  says  here,  *'  Kiss  the  Son,  lest 
He  be  angry."  That's  a  token  of  entire 
submission.  But,  saith  such  an  one,  though 
I  expect  to  get  to  heaven  by  Jesus  Christ,  I 
will  never  believe  in  election,  I  will  never 
believe  in  predestination,  I  will  never  believe 
that  He  laid  down  His  life  for  the  sheep. 
and  the  sheep  "  only.  Then  He  will  be 
angry  with  you ;  He  wiU  not  be  pleased 
with  you ;  He  will  be  angry  with  you. 
What  for  ?  Why,  for  making  a  profetsion 
of  His  name,  while  at  ^the  same  time  in 
your  soul  there  is  no  real  submission  to 
Him.  But  if,  on  the  other  hand,  thou  art 
brought  really  down  to  His  feet,  and  to  feel 
it  is  all  of  grace  from  first  to  last,  then  He 
will  not  be  angry  inth  thee,  He  will  then  be 
pleased  with  thee,  and  caress  thee,  and 
bless  thee,  pity  thee,  take  care  of  the^. 
gather  thee  with  His  arms,  carry  thee  in 
His  bosom,  never,  never,  no  never  part 
with  thee. 

"Kiss  the  Son,  lest  He  be  angrj-.  and  ye  perish 
from  the  way,  when  His  wrath  is  kmdied  but 
a  little.  Blessed  are  all  they  that  put  their  trust  iu 
Him." 

Thus,  then,  here's  ths  Saviour,  here's  the 
opposition,  here's  the  ingathering  of  sinners, 
here  is  the  instruction  given  to  such,  and 
here  is  the  ultimate  blessedness  of  aU  who 
ai*e  brought  to  rest  their  present  hope  and 
everlasting  all  upon  the  foundation  God 
hath  laid  m  Zion. 

A  LITTLE  COMPAIST  OF 
POOR  FISHERMEN. 

[Brother  W.  Taffs,— **Our  Poplar  Poet"— is  out- 
of  the  ver\'  few  who  can  speak  well  of  thr 
Lord's  ministers,  brother  Ta«fs  lo\'es  the  truth, 
because,  by  it,  Uie  Lord  has  set  him  free :  and 
he  smiles  sweetly  on  all  whose  ministr}-  stand- 
not  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  In  the  power  ot 
God.  The  foregoing  lines  may  please,  — and 
even  be  useful  to  some  of  the  good-temiwie.i 
children.] 

LsT  Ziou*s  sons  lift  up  their  heads 
And  saints  rejoice  upon  their  beds. 
Vainly  may  earth  and  hell  assail, 
For  nought  against  her  can  prevail : 
And  tho'^will  worshippers  aoound. 
Yet  if  you  oast  a  glance  around. 
To  see  a  few,  (you  cannot  fail.) 
Of  knees,  that  havS  not  bow'd  to  Baal. 
Men,  who  fh>mGod  their  strength  obtaiu. 
And  well  the  cause  of  truth  maintain. 
Amongst  the  foremost  Bishop  Wkllb. 
Olad  tidings  of  salvation  tells; 
Chaplain  to  Prince  Emmanuel's  forces. 
Of  Jesus  sweetly  he  discourses ; 
Then  girding  on  the  warrior's  sword, 
Does  valiant  battle  for  his  Lord 
Near  him,  stands  sturdy  Aiwbew  JoMts. 
With  massey  club,  upon  the  bones 
Of  bible-truth's  insidiuous  foes 
Bestowing  most  tremendous  bIow». 
Hard  by  Is  seen  Oharlbs  Watebs  Bank^. 
A  standard  bearer  in  the  ranks, 
Wearing  the  scars  of  nmu}'  a  blow, 
Beoeived  from  fHend/a»well  asfjpe; 
Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Au^.  1,  IS64. 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


230 


Yet  bravely  lie  uiaiutaius  the  fitf ht. 
And  keeps  \m  gospel  armoar  bright  : 
Unfurls  his  banner  to  the  breeze. 
Careless  of  whom  be  may  displease. 
Next  comes  vehement  Rob£RT  B^mles, 
With  fiery  words,  like  burning  coals, 
Indited  by  the  Hoi  v  Spirit, 
('WQSuming  quite  all  human  merit. 
Here  we  behold  good  Thomas  Chivkbs, 
Who  with  his  powerful  weapon  shivers 
Van  Haarmin's  shield,  and  pierces  too 
His  flimsy' liamess  through  and  through, 
Youthful  and  bold  J  amis  Buttkjbfiki.d, 
Scorning  an  inch  of  ground  to  yield, 
Tho*  not  so  far  advauc'd  in  years, 
'Hongst  hardy  veterans  appears. 
Then  there  is^Brother  William  Flack, 
Gonceming  good  things  never  slack  ; 
But  zealous  for  his  Master's  cause,  1 
His  honour,  glor}'  and  his  laws ;     [ 
Nor  coveting  the  world's  applause.  ) 
Here's  cheerful,  Imppy,  smiling,  Pklls, 
Of  water  from  salvation*s  wells. 
Draws  large  supplies  and  in  the  name 
Of  Israel's  God  pours  forth  the  same 
To  those  whom  grace  has  made  to  thirst, 
And  feel  themselves  of  sinners  worst. 
Then  earnest  Webster  calmly  brave 
Dwelling  like  David,  in  a  cave. 
And  gathering  around  him  there, 
Poor  souls  who  discontented  are 
With  Satan's  servitude,  and  now 
To  David's  Lord  are  brought  to  bow, 
Zealous  freewill 's  high  towers  to  raze, 
John  Inward  his  artillery  plays. 
And  fieroelj-  tow'rd  the  hate<l  spot, 
Directs  a  shower  of  red  hot  shot. 
The  Brothers  Wkbb  and  Palmeb  too. 
In  their  allegiance  firm  and  true ; 
Wyard  and  Attwood,  Caujtt  and  Wise, 
Bloomfibld  and  many  more  arise. 
The  walls  of  Zion  to  defend,  1 

*  Qaiust  open  foe  or  treach'rous  friend .       J 
And  valiantly  for  truth  contend,  ; 

These  ever  at  the  trumpet's  sound. 
Will  steadfast  at  their  posts  be  found  ; 
By  grace  determin'd  ne'er  to  yield, 
And  but  with  life  to  quit  the  field ; 
Then  fear  not  for  the  Church's  state, 
Since  e'en  in  Babylon  the  Great, 
God  hath  such  men  of  truth  uprais'd, 
(For  which,  His  holy  name  be  praised,) 
And  hare  we  not  his  word  beside?— 
When  Death  on  his  pale  horse  shall  ride. 
And  earthly  kingdoms  shake  and  foil, 
Zion  shall  rise  abme  them  all. 

Poplar,  E.  W.  Taff. 


NEW  BOOKS  &  PAMPHLETS. 


Hs.  Joux  CoRBiTT,  Baptist  muiister  of 
Orfoid  hill  chapel,  has  issued  a  neat  eight- 
penn^  book,  with  this  title,  "Little  Things 
tor  lilt  tie  Folks ;  being  an  Allegorical  Essay 
in  Three  Distinct  clusters  on  each  Letter 
in  the  Alphabet."  A  Sunday  school  teacher 
£rom  Mr.  Corbitt's  book  might  deliver  to 
his  children  many  instructing  addresses. 

Dissenters,  one  and  all,  should  read 
a  penny  pamphlet,  which  is  spreading 
rapidly,*  written  by  Mr.  Thomas  Oyler 
BeiBman,  of  Cranbrook,  in  Kent,  and  is  pub- 
liiriied  by  Waters  and  Son  ;  and  by  Marl- 
borough, in  Ave  Maria  lane.  Mr.  JBeeman 
has  had  his  eyes  open  for  some  few  years  to 


watch  the  growing  spirit  of  tyranny  which, 
in  many  members  of  the  Church  of  England, 
is  painfully  manifested  towards  all  wlio  do 
not  conform.  We  must  again  urge  all  men 
to  read  for  themselves  this  pamphlet- 
headed,  "  jVIt.  Henry  Hoare,"  &c.,  «c. 

'  *'  The  Bristol  Tracts  ;  or,  Thoughts  for 
I  the  Tried  and  Tempted.  By  Rev.  D.  A- 
I  Doudney.  London :  Collingridge.  Popery 
'  would  meet  with  little  success  in  this  coun- 
i  try  if  all  the  clergy  laboured  under  God's 

blessing    as  Mr.    Doudney  is    labouring. 

While  he  lives,  neither  the  press  nor  the 
'  pulpit  will  be  quiet ;  nor  will  there  be  any 

famine  for  lack  of  Gospel  food. 

The  Living  Word ;  being  a  Short  Argu- 
ment for  the  Inspiration  of  the  Bible.     A 

j  sermon  preached  at  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Huntingdonshire  Association,  June  1st, 
1864.  By  James  H.  Millard,  B.A.  Lon- 
don :  J.  Heaton  and  Son,  Paternoster  row. 
Mr.  Millard  has  ^ven  us  a  valuable  docu- 
ment, in  which,  with  much  Christian  valor, 
with  no  little  mental  power,  and  calling  to 
his  help  the  testimony  of  many  of  the 
greatest  men  God  ever  gave  the  world — he 
has  grappled  with  "  the  controversy  of  the 

■  present  age."  Mr.  Millard's  book  may  well 
be  laid  beside  the  Rev.  Edmund  Garbett's 

I  Address  on   "Inspiration:"  both  authors 

I  have  done  well. 

"  77te  Remembrancer,'*  edited  by  Rev. 
I  William  Lush,  is  a  monthly  collection  of 

food  things  fiom   all  the  best    authors, 
•ublished  by  Paul,  London,  (3d.) 

Mr.  William  Stokes,  of  71,  Robert  street, 
C.-ou-M.,  Manchester,  has  issued  a  tract  on 
"  Duty-Faith,"  which  mav  be  read  by  any 
one  in  a  few  minutes,  and  it  will  be  found 
useful  in  enabling  many  to  discern  between 
that  which  is  formal  and  false,  and  that 
which  is  vital  and  efficient. 

Sermons  by  Henry  Ward  Beecher.  Pub- 
lished by  J.  Heaton  and  Son.  We  have  heard 
and  read  much  condemnatory  of  the  profes- 
sion andpreachingofthe  Gospel  in  America, 
and  we  do  fear  that  it  is  neither  very 
spiritual  nor  savingly  successful ;  neverthe- 
less, there  is  in  America  an  immense 
amount  of  mighty  mentality,  the  minds  of 
men  there  are  not  so  Yankee-like  as  some 
think,  and  Mr.  Beecher's  sermons  are  well 
suited  to  feed  and  to  edify  the  intellectual 
and  the  enquiring  mind.  How  far  Mr. 
Henry  Ward  Beedier  is  employed  in  the 
conversion  of  souls,  and  in  building  up  the 
church  in  the  most  holy  faith,  we  cannot 
say.  He  is  a  clever  man,  and  many  portions 
of  his  sermons  lead  us  to  hope  he  is  no 
stranger  to  God's  grace,  but  we  fear  to  speak 
confidently.  Digitized  by  GoOglc 


240 


THE   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Aug.  h  IBM. 


d&nr  afhur^rhiis,  our  ^astora,  m\)i  m\  ^toifit^. 


THSI  liATB  PAMOB  AT  SOHO. 

Great  Eastbak,  Jvke  27,  1864. 
Thi»  Monday  evening  I  am  packed  in  an  ex- 
pren  tHiin  ior  Isle  of  Ely,  where  I  luive  a  da3''s 
work  announced,  tlie  kind  frienda  at  Soutliery 
having  allotted  me  to  preach  three  times  in  one 
dav.  if  the  Lord  will  gf  vo  mental,  physical,  and 
Mpirttttal  power,  I  shall  pass  thruugti  it  pleflfumtly, 
but  if  left  to  mvselt,  it  will  be  hard  work.  Yester- 
day I  preachca  three  times,  and  the  death  of  poor 
John  Pells  did  so  press  upon  my  spirit^  that  I 
ootrid  not  get  away  from  it.  I  was  obliged  to  go 
up  in  the  e^'enlng  with  no  other  text  than  that  In 
Matthew  xxiv.  "Therefore  be  ye  also  reAd3\  for 
in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not,  the  Bon  of  Man 
oometh."  My  feelings  were  nearly  too  much  for 
mc,  bwt  I  was  permitted  to  get  throngh.  First  of 
all  I  considered  the  character  and  work  of  a  Gos- 
pel minister,  as  shewn  in  the  context  Seoondly, 
the  danger' implied.  Thirdly,  the  weighty  ex- 
hdrtations  given  bj'  tlfe  Saviour,  such  as  (I) 
»«Wateh,  tlwrefore,  for  ye  know  neither  the  day 
nor  the  hour  wherein  the  Son  of  Man  eometh." 
(2)  "  Therefore  be  ye  also  ready,*'  &o.  The  char- 
acter and  work  of  the  ministry'  may  be  said  to  be 
set  otit  by  Jesus  raider  the  following  terms.  1. 
"The  good  mm  of  the  house."  2.  ^'A  falthfihl 
and  wi^  HervanU"  3.  One  whom  our  Lord  hath 
**  made  ruler  over  His  household,"  and  his  work 
is  "  to  give  them  theirmeat  in  doe  seoBOti.'*  And 
then  our  I/ord  adds,  **  Blessed  is  that  servant  whom 
when  his  Lord  oemeth,  He  shall  find  so  doing." 
How  much  (in  the  case  of  John  Pells'  death)  my 
mind  was  impressM  with  these  words,  "ifthe 
gtyod  ma«i  of  the  house  had  known  wha(twat«h 
tlie  thief  would  come,  he  would  have  watched, 
and  would  not  have  sitffered  his  house  to  have 
been  In'oken  up."  Death  was,  in  this  oas^  like  a 
thief,  it  has  come  so  suddenlj',  and,  as  it  were, 
broken  up  the  house.  As  far  as  the  mortal  taber- 
naole  was  concerned,  it  was  a  break  up  indeed  ; 
death  to  John  Pells  was  no  trifle.  Like  a  vefaeel 
in  a  storm,  when  winds  and  waves  tear  and  toss 
her,  when  all  her  timbers  are  shattered,  and  lurr- 
self  at  laAt  a  total  wreck :  so  with  that  dear 
young  man ;  t  fear  some  essential  ^rtety  or  a  vital 
string  was  bnrst  or  snapped  ip  his  exertions  of 
removing;  if  so,  it  produced  the  violence  and 
sudden  dissolution  which  so  fearfully  set  in,  and 
soon  left  his  darling  children  and  belovc<d  wif^, 
only  a  lifeless  oorpse  to  be  soon  is  eorruption. 
But  he  died  in  harness. 

Washington  Wilks  has  been  taken  off  suddenly 
too.  Tlie  poet  wrote  a  line  or  two  which  in  some 
senae  are  true  of  him  of  whom  I  write  :— 

He  died  in  harness.    So  to  die 
An  honoured  grave  is  neblj'  won. 
We  grieve,  a  high  career  half  run, 

He  'neaith  tlie  sod  shall  peaceful  Ha 

Tis  well ;— for  what  God  wills  is  well : 
The  seed  he  sowed  shall  fruitful  spring: 
Ami  they  who  harvest  treiisflfes  bring. 

Studl  of  his  labors  qieak,  and  how  he  work- 
iug  felL 

The  Master's  Messing  Was  on  him  ia  the  deep 
waters.  All  the  spring  and  sumraor  he  Iws  been 
moving  hither  and  thitlicr  pi-carhing  the  Gospd 
with  oil  his  nWght ;  up  fft  within  a  few  dMsof 
hie  death,  he  waa  in  tlic  pnlpit  alaioet  every *day. 
He  had  muoh  work  before  him.  his  heart  was 
beating  for  mure  engagements:  his  soul  was  all 
on  fire  to  go  fbrth  evervwl«»re  preadiing  Jesus 
and  the  relurreotion ;  letters  were  oomlogin  from 
all  quartern  inviting  him,  add  he  waa  aeoepting, 
and  preparing  for  his  loved  employ ;  his  wings 
were  expanding,  his  hoi^es  were  buoyant,  his 
powers  of  mind  were  gatherinff  fruit;  the  •!*- 


mina  of  his  minhftr^  was  fttcretMug  in  a  mental 
comprehensiveness.  Almost  everybody  seemed 
to  love  and  welcome  him,  and  having  been,  by 
his  beloved  church  at  Soho,  set  ftilly  in  his  minis- 
terial course,  the  Lord  having  nsed  him  already 
for  much  good,  he  did  doubtless,  anticipate  a  loving 
and  laborlouB  career  fn  an  employment  the  most 
refined,  the  mast  noble  and  heavenly,  a  vocation 
in  which  God-i>ent  men  may  more  devotedly 
8er>-e  their  Maker,  and  benefit  their  fellow-men, 
than  in  any  other  on  the  earth.  Litorallv  speak- 
ing, John  Pells  was  giving  out  to  eacn  "their 
meat  in  due  season,  when  suddenly  the  call  to 
'* come  home"  touched  his  heart,  and  with  the 
significant shoirt  "Hapjjy!  Hapjy}'!!  Happy!!!" 
he  entered  the  cfiariot  of  fire,  and  Hod  for  the 
regions  of  bliss  beyond  tlie  skiea. 

THOnOKTa  AT  1*HK    FXTirBBAL. 

Having  been  to  my  work  at  Soirtbery  and  at 
Brand  Creek.  I  am  now  returning  to  London, 
where,  if  the  Lord  will,  I  think  of  witaeviag  Ihe 
interment  of  those  mortal  remaloa  tlnaaitomooo. 

Although  wearied  with  my  heavy  work,  I  be- 
took myself,  in  a  solitary  mood,  to  Highgate 
Cemetery.  I  walked  aleae:  I  like  tb«t  Mere 
talk,  of  which  there  is  somueh,  dotli  only  rob  tfie 
soul,  and  oft  enraare  the  mind.  Around  the  cAen 
grave,  where  did  already  lie  the  meulderiagaiiflt 
of  brother  Pells'  babes^  and  into  whioh  hie  own 
fallen  tenement  was  now  to  be  lowered,  aronsd 
that  open  mouth  of  earth  stood  a  host  of  mortala 
in  black  attire  ;  on  every  face  was  paleneas,  grief, 
and  very  anxious  fears.  I  quietly  took  my  plaoe 
beneath  the  trees,  beside  the  grave,  and  aeeo  we 
saw  that  well  known  herald,  James  Wella,  fol- 
lowed  by  tlie  now  silvery-beaded  George  Wyard, 
Samoel  Miluer,  Alfred  Peel,  and  a  praoeasion  of 
ministers  and  friends  most  numerous.  The  heavy 
cofiin  was  plaoed  on  blaak  stands  beside  the  grave: 
the  widow,  led  on  by  two  deacons  of  SoIkh  mid 
followed  b3'  her  bereaved  children,  oame  aiovnd 
the  grave.  I  saw  her  pale  fiioe,  deeply  aet  in 
mental  sorrow,  but  *'  patiext  ur  tbibulatiok.*' 
She  silentlv  listened,  and  quietly  waited,  until 
all  was  saia  and  done  connected  with  this  solemn 
ser\-ioe,  and  then,  after  looking  for  tlie  last  time 
into  the  nlace  where  her  beloved  John's  remains 
were  laia,  she  was  eai^fuUy  borne  away. 

Merciful  lieaven! 
Give  sorrow  words :  the  grief  tliat  does  not  speak» 
Wliispers   the  o'er-fraught   heart,   ami    bids   it 
break. 

And  break  her  poor  heart  will,  I  fear,  in  many  a 
coming  hour.  Srltl,  while,  during  the  eleven 
years  uf  her  wedded  life,  she  has  had  nothing  but 
the  tenderest  kindness  from  the  bridegroom  of 
her  heai-t  on  earth,  she  has  liad  trouble  on  trouble^ 
sorrow  rolling  after  sorrow,  domestic,  0(Anmer- 
cial,  and  spiritual ;  but  tliis  one  trouble  absorbs 
thorn  all.  May  the  Great  Head  and  Husband  of 
the  one  chnrch  send  her  His  own  blessing,  and  be 
her  very  present  lielp  in  trouble^  and  may  our 
covenant  God  and  Father  guide,  guard,  and  do 

5oo<l  to  the  children,  for  Hit  gr^at  nainc's  sake. 
Lmen. 

Like  o«r  brother  Webster,  who,  looking  into 
the  grave,  said,  so  must  I  now  say,  ''Good 
b3»'e,  dear  brotter  Pells  :*  The  reeurreotioa  sOon 
will  come,  the  morning  without  clouds. 

B&AKD  cbbsb:. 

WjIdnesOat,  Juxb  99,  1664. 
In  Ion  than  three  hours  after  I  left  London  on 
Moudav  night,  the  Great  Eastern  safely  landed 
me  in  titcleport.    Mr  billet  told  me  mv  h>dg' 
wa<t  at  the  hcur^e  of  Mr.  J^^tforpMLia^  fin 
Digitized  by  VjOVJvIc 


Aug   1,  1864. 


TH£   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


241 


Oreek;  I  did  not  know  wliere  that  «m,  so  I 
looked  round  to  see  if  aDyooe  would  know  me. 
No.  I  enquired  **Ho«r  &r  to  Brand  Oi«ek?" 
^VouT  miles,  air."  Slight  ww  coming  ou.  I 
walked  into  UtUeport.  The  oottagea  by  the 
road-side  looked  pretty;  the  peas  and  tlowexs, 
and  gardens  altogether,  showed  plainly  ttut  the 
ooouplers  were  a  dean  and  industrious  people.  I 
felt  miserably  lonel^r.  It  is  fourteen  years  since 
I  last  preached  in  Littleport,  and  I  knevno  one  ; 
jio  I  en^ged  a  bed  at  a  veury  respeotable  inn,  took 
possession  of  a  comfortable  room,  and  determined 
to  have  a  quiet  thii(king  night  to  myseU;  but  it 
was  neither  *' night  nor  da}*,"  so  I  took  a  little 
stroll  ^t^  saw  a  ohspel,  asked  an  old  man  where 
Baptist  chapel  was,  ''Oh,  round  back  ways," 
paid  be.  A  neighbouring  woman  said  she  would 
fihewme,  for  Mr.  Jiuskitt  was  then  preaching 
tbaee.  In  another  minute  I  was  seated  in  Little  • 
port  Baptist  cluipel.  Kr.  Huakitt  was  in  the 
pulpit;  but  I  could  faiear  little  or  next  to  nothing 
of  luspreaohing.Althouj^h  I  tried;  the  priestly 
office  of  Jesus  was  his  theme,  but  lie  soon  dosed 
after  I  got  in.  As  soon  as  I  was  out  of  tlie  chapel 
I  haara  Mr.  John  Porter  was  in  search  of  me ; 
and  in  his  trap  he  carried  me  to  Bratnd  Guedc. 
wiiere  I  found  a  kind  entertainment,  and  I  feel 
thankful  to  Xjlod  that  I  made  the  acquaintance  of 
good  John  Poster,  Ids  attaelied  family,  father, 
pfother,  and  other  Ohristian  friends  in  that 
n^ibourhood. 

Ijittleport,  in  Cambridgeshire,  is  one  of  the  spots 
where  William  Huntingrton  laboured  for  tlie  good 
of  eouls,  and  after  him  Mr.  Ohamberlain,  of 
JjQieeeter.  Mr.  Martin*  of  LiUleport-,  has  built  a 
ehapel  ^tbefe :  Uyay  call  it  '*  Thb  CAitViviSTB,"  and 
Mr.  Geo.  Abrahams,  of  London,  and  Mr.  Chmce, 
of  Brighton,  are  the  favorite  ministers  who  ocoa- 
siooal^  supply  the  pulpit.  It  was  thought  very 
inopportune  that  Mr.  Omoeand  Mr.  Muskitt  were 
both  pieadhtng  at  Littleport  when  I  was  to  be  at 
Boutheiy  and  Bnmd  Greek.  The  Porters  at 
Bouthory  are  dedded  Baptists,  men  of  deep  and 
tried  experience,  firm  upholders  of  tu«  tduth, 
and  thoroughly  opposed  to  every  deadly  delusion 
and  device  to  aeewve  souls,  now  so  prevalent ;  but 
tbe;>'  meet  with  no  sympatibiy  from  those  good 
people  who  yet  like  to  be  considered  the  suo- 
eeosoni  of  **  the  sinner  saved."  I  am  glad  that 
ttere  are  auch  man  as  Mr.  Martin,  of  Ltttleport, 
who  can  build  ohapels  for  God's  holy  truth,  and 
I  am  also  th«nkful  that  such  noble-minded  citi- 
zens as  Mr.  Martin  can  And  suitable  and  effldent 
minMan  (worthy  to  enter  the  pulpit)  in  the  per- 
sons of  snoh  man  as  the  bretliren  Abrshama  and 
Grace.  Some  friends  almost  wish  Mr.  Martin's 
son  (who  has  entered  the  church  at  Portsea)  could 
have  devoted  himself  to  aueh  a  ^uise  as  his 
honoured  father  mamtains;  but  u%  Uiat  cannot 
be^will  be  dedared  in  a  clearer  day  than  this.  We 
b»d  a  good  day  at  Southery  and  Brand  Greek  anni- 
vennvyf  but  as  I  most  not  occupy  mora  room  here 
I  srill  give  a  fbir  words  in  Cjuebbihg  Wobinb,  if 
the  Lord  will. 

THE 

KSW  SrUBBET  TA^BBNACI^B. 

SIT£  f OS  THE  NEW  CHAPEL. 

A  very  interesting  meeting  took  place  in  1«ie 
Surrey  'Aihemaele,  Borough  road,  on  Monday 
evening,  Julv  4th,  1864,  for  the  committee  to  lay 
befoK  the  finends  the  epedfleations  of  the  pro- 
posed site  far  the  new  tabemaele.  Umisual  in- 
terest pievailed.  The  minister  of  the  ohomh,  Mr. 
James  Wells,  presided.  After  a  hymn  had  been 
sung,  and  pmyer  offered, 

The  OgAiKMAir  remarked  that  it  was  tnily 
wonderfiil  wlMt  had  been  done  by  tbem  in  so 
short  a  time;  what  had  been  done -had  beenae- 
eempliahed  for  the  most  part  by  the  ehureh  and 
eeogregation  these»  and  they  nroaki  have  to  do 


what  vSs  to  be  done  very  neailv  all 

He  tmatakieA  that  they  tehmuea  nadcr  seme  die- 


advantagoii  whidi  many  otlier  ohurdies  did  not. 
Some  churches  where  a  part,  of  the  truth  was 
preached,  could  adopt  means  for  getting  money 
which  they  could  nut ;  tiiey  could  aak  tUe  world 
U)  aid  them,  but  Uie  churohat  the  Surrey  T^kber- 
nade  could  not.  Yet  in  the  short  Hpnoe  of  eleven 
months,  £3700  had  been  given,  and  promises  to 
the  amount  of  nearly  .€lO0O:  it  was  perfeotly 
wonderful.  The  dmirman  then  said  that  the 
committee  would  now  lay  be  fore  them  what  they 
had  done  in  Uie  matter  so  iar.  Freehold  ground 
seemed  out  of  the  question,  they  oouJd  not  get 
tliat,  so  tiiev  must  do  the  best  tliey  oomd. 
An  oQer  had  lioen  made  them  of  a  piece  of 
fre^'hold  ground  fur  iei2,000,  but  they  did  net 
entertain  that  idea;  still  a  very  suitable  piece 
had  ofiered  itself  for  a  term  of  ninety-nine  yeacs' 
lease,  which  seemed  to  be  tlie  thing  needful. 

Mr.  Butt,  on  behalf  of  the  committee^  stated 
that  they  had  now  a  plot  of  ground  which  they 
thought  would  in  all  respects  answer  their  de- 
sires, save  it  was  not  freeliold,  and  he  thought 
th^  could  no  longer  entertain  the  idea  of  a  free- 
hold.   Their  pastor,  Mr.  Well:),  had  told  them  of 
a  liberal  offer  that  had  been  made  them  of  a  free- 
hold fur  £12,000,  which  was  tlie  sito  which  the 
"StoneVEnd"  public  house  now  occupies,  so 
that  in  his  (Mr.  Butt's)  opinion  they  would  not 
be  able  to  get  such  a  thing-     Tlie  committee  bad 
trie<l,  they  had  looked  everywhere  within  Uie 
circle  tliat  would  suit  them,  but  the^'  liad  come 
,  to  the  conclusion  that  if  they  could  get  a  good 
site  for  a  long  lease,  tliey  bed  better  embrace  the 
opportunity,  and  in  aoixurdance   with    tliis  the 
I  meeting  had  been  called,    Mx.  Butt  then  euumer- 
:  ated  the  many  pieces  of  ground  the  committee 
!  had  looked  at  and  amsidered,  one  in  particular, 
I  which  tliey   thought  seriously   of,  which    was 
situate  at  the  comer  of  Prospect  place,  Walworth 
'  road;  butaftermany  consultations  it  was  thought 
i  tliat  the  noise  from  the  great  traffic  which  passes 
I  there,  and  tliat  of  the  railway  combined,  would 
I  not  be  at  all  agreeable.  The  advice  of  an  emiocnt 
I  builder  was  obtained ;  he  stated  that  it  would  be 
I  necessary  to  build  t)ack  from  the  road  quite  flftv 
,  feet    Tfiis  for  many  reasons  they  could  not  well 
do.  While  negotiating  about  this  ground,  another 
presented  itself  which  was  situate  at  the  end  of 
Albion  place,  Walwortli  roofl.    This  in  all  things 
>  seemed  to  the  committee  very  desirable.      It  whs 
'  an  exodlent  position ;  there  wexe  three  plots  of 
tlie  same  dimensions,  the  one  they  looked  at  was 
the  middle  plot,  aod  they  wouUf  have  plenty  of 
room  to  build  all  tliey  required,  end  therefoie 
they  thought  it  desirable  to  call  this  meeting,  to 
ask  whether  the  committee  should  at  once  Uke 
proceedings  and  make  it  tlieir  own.    Mr.  Butt 
then  spoke  of  the  goodness  of  Alm{rht>'  God  to 
I  them  as  a  church,  and  the  marvellous  way  in 
I  which  they  had  been  led  in  this  matter.    They 
luid,  with  promises,  which  would  be  made  good, 
nearly  £^fiOO.    Truly  wonderful.    He  (Mr.  Butt) 
might  just  say  that  upon  money  invested,  they 
had  already  received  an  interest  of  £05. 

A  gantleman  from  the  body  of  the  ehapel  asked 
where  the  place  was.  He  knew  Albion  place 
well,  but  l»c  could  not  comprehend  where  this 
iJot  was.  Mr.  Wells,  the  architect,  and  others 
explained  to  him  where  it  was,  but  he  could  not 
understand.  Mr.  Wells  at  last  told  him  it  was 
"  out  of  doors."  (Lauff htCT. )  The  arehitoot  then 
shewed  the  plan  of  the  ground,  and  gave  everj- 
information  respecting  it. 

Thomas  Pooook,  Esq.,  thm  made  some  re- 
marks. 

A  discussion  took  place  here.  Some  thought 
tlisit  the  original  idea  of  freehold  should  be  kispt 
dose  to:  while  others  were  of  opinion  that  it  was 
almost  impossible.  Be\'eral  proposals  were  made; 
in  fact  it  was  a  slight  contusion  at  one  pari  of  the 

^  Mr. CAARspoke of  the ffveat diseomfsrt  atlbe 
DMsent  plaoe,  and  thought,  on  the  whole,  a  more 
SsdNibte  plot  oould  not  be  <>btaine^    He/felt  an 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


242 


THE   EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Aug.  U16H, 


amazing  interest  in  the  work,  as  he  wm  8u»e  all 
did.    (Cheera.)  .  .     , 

Aflersome  dieciWBioo,  Mr.  Wells  put  theoriginal 
resolution  to  the  meeting:  whether  or  no  the 
around  which  had  been  deemed  desirable  by  the 
Ebmmittee,  near  Albion  place,  Walworth  ro^, 
Mhould  be  at  once  secured,  and  be  the  site  for  the 
new  tabernacle  ?  ... 

AOKWTLBMAir:  What  are  the  terms  for  the 
land?  we  have  not  yet  heard. 

Mr.  Wells  :  The  lease  is  for  ninety-nine  yean^ 
and  £1 16  per  annum ;  this  includes  the  three  lota 
befon  explained ;  so  we  shall  have  plenty  of  room 
to  build  a  large  chapel,  with  so  much  space 
round,  so  as  to  keep  us  to  ourselves,  and  <miet; 
and  I  don't  know  what  we  are  not  going  to  ha^ 


The  divine  mission  and  guidaxice  of  tlie  Lord^ 
own  servants.  Aols  viii.  W.  Here  the  preacher 
remarked  that  every  man's  work  is  appointed  of 
God,  and  a  sufficiency  of  divine  wisdom  and  power 
is  granted  to  every  one  for  the  labor  they  are 
called  to  perform,  that  in  all  things  Qod  may  be 
glorified.  And  also  that  one  mimster  oannot  do 
anottier  servant's  work,  neither  can  earth  nor 
hell  prevent  the  accomplish ment  of  God's  pur- 
poaes  by.  that  servant  Thirdly,  the  efficiency 
and  in&Uibility  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  teaching. 
The  same  blessed  Spirit  who  commanded  and 
directed  the  footsteps  of  Philips  gave  him  wisdom 
how  and  what  to  speak,  and  accompanied  Ris  own 
truth  with  a  quicicening  and  illuminating  power 


_ to  the  heart  and  undemtanding  of  the  eunuch. 

but  we  are  gotag  tohive  a  spleii'dTd  cfiapel  and  fourthly,  and  lastly,  the  <^"*  *°d  ejfecte  ofthc 
ewything  Irst-class;  besides  this  we  shall  let  SPi"* 'J^^'k  upon  the  eunuch's  heart,  prompt 
flZ:x*y.l^^Tt     (Ch^rm  ^  and  joyful  obedience  to  the  Lord%  oommands. 

'•^Tht  JLShJion  wafth^  moved  by  Mr.  Hall ; ,  "  AnS Jhe  eunuch  said,  ^^JT^ll^^J^J^ 
«Ao«iiiled  bv  Mr  Peakett  and  carried  unani-  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptiredr  Philip  answered 
^nrfv      ^  i-eaaew,   ana  auxieu  .  ^^  desiring  a  confession  of  faith;  and  when  the 

Mr  WKLLB  stated  that  the  committee  would  '  «muoh  haH  satisfied  him  upon  this  point,  "they 
now  at  once  go  to  work.  They  would  have  a  ;  went  down  into  the  water,  both  Philip  and  the 
meeting  In  October,  a  good  tea""  meeting,  when  '  ennuch  -.and  he  baptized  him."  But  was  Phihp 
Srihw airangementi  woSldbe  known.  M?  Wells  authonred  to  command  this  ordinance,  or  rather 
said/"  The  two  deacons  who  so  kindly  left  us,  to  require  it,  and  perform  It 
thought  you  could  not  do  all  this  with  them,  but 

vou  have  done  it  all  MufAmrf  them."  ('rremeodous    ---;.-„              ,,  -,     ...  *_^*„ 

?h^r^  repeated  several  times,  and  lasted  seveml .  !?«d«d  of  all  evangelical  ob«li«>«Jr*«Sg;.- 
minutes.)^eir  motto  was  •»  Okwabd.  Oicward,"  ,  "And  when  th«y  wereoome  up  ont  of  the  water. 
Md  hchopedsoon  they  would  know  when  the  the  «?»"  of  the  Lord  caught  awav  PhiHpthJ^ 
«x,i;i»/i.HmiTfcnriA  wnnld  he  laid  the  eunuch  saw  him  no  more ;  and  he  went  on 
'Th^  P'uStan^SiS,  clo«d  thfa  in-  ■  hi.  w.y  .^olctag" -•—  " 


„  require  it.  and  perform  It  upon  the  eunuch ! 
Did  the  Lord  influence  him  thus  to  speak  and  act  f 
Let  the  words  ot  unerring  truth— the  test  and 


.      _,        Now  let  me  ask  whether  it 

seems  reason  for  the  Spirit  to  sanction  and  bless 
what  He  had  not  commanded  ?  The  fiercest  enemy 
of  baptism  cannot  oontravert  this  scripture,  but 
wrest  it  tt^y  may,  as  they  do  also  other  soriptttreg, 
unto  their  own  destruction.  We  are  expecting  to 
baptise  again  this  month.  O  why  is  it  that  even 
Baptists  nave  become  so  lukewarm  and  sluiwish 


tensely  interesting  meeting. 

TTTNBBn>G>E,  WEIjI<S.  —  Behoboth 
Baptist  Chapel.— Mr.  Editor,— With  feelings  of 
unmingled  Joy  and  thankfulnera,  we  inform  our 
Baptist  friends,  who  are  concerned  to  keep  the        ., 

onunances  of  the  Lord's  house  as  delivered  unto  in  their  defence  of  this  di>ine  ordinance  ?  mum, 
them  by  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  tliat  on  we  answer  the  question  ?  It  is  then,  because  we 
LordMay,  June  26th,  two  believers  were  baptized  are  csmal  and  walk  as  men.  May  the  Lord  yet 
inthenameofthetriuneGodoflsrael.  This  being  appear  In  His  glory,  and  buildup  the  waste 
the  first  time  the  baptistiy  has  been  used  since  places  in  Zion.  And  when  believers  recognise 
Mr.  Bdward's  ejection  for  violating  the  trust  their  personal  obligations  to  Jesus,  as  King  in 
deedsofthechapel,theserviceacQuired  additional  Zion,  and  practically  fulfil  their  high  and 
interest,  and  brought  together  a  large  number  of  heavenly  oalling,  they  shall  no  longer  cry^  *"  My 
people.  The  Lotd  was  in  our  midst ;  great  solem-  leanuess,  my  leanness,''  but.rather  **  Give  plaoe, 
nity  seemed  to  pervade  every  mind.  If  wemi^ht '  where  I  may  dwell.'*  The  dear  Lord  liasten  tt,  for 
form  a  hopeful  Judgment  of  future  prosperity    His  name's  sake.  K.  B. 

from  the  many  (aces  oedewed  with  tears,  we  may  |  

confidently  expect  the  little  one  to  become  a  thou-  ,  OLAPHAM.— The  anniversary  of  Ebenezer 
sand  in  the  Lord's  good  time.  Many  old  believers  ehapel,  on  Tuesday,  July  5th,  was  through  the 
who  were  present*  said  they  never  before  so  Lord's  mercy  in  all  respects  a  good  one.  The 
thoroughly  and  solemnly  enjoyed  a  service  of  this  friends  met  for  prayer  at  sex'en  and  at  ten  o'clock, 
kind,  noroeheld  such  marked  and  devout  atten-  Mr.  Hazelton  preached  in  the  morning  from 
tjon  and  order,  as  was  observed  throughout  the  ,  Bomans  xiv.  8,  **  Whether  we  live  therabre  or 
whole  service.      The  words  selected  for  the  ocoa-    die,  we  are  the  Lord's."  A  good  number  of  friends 


I  those  of  Philip  and  the  eunuch.  The 
minister  began  by  remarking  that  he  was  much 
more  concerned  to  speak  to  the  honor  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  edification  of  his  people,  than  to  sermon- 
ize, or  make  a  parade  of  Baptist  principles  and 
practice.  He  felt  the  Lord  had  conferred  upon 
himself  and  the  candidates  for  baptism,  an  especial 
honor,  by  entrusting  to  them  the  duty  of  vindi- 
oatixlg  His  truth  and  ordinances  from  the  foul 
aspersions  cast  upon  them.  O  one  thing  he  would 
assure  Uiem,  wherever  Christ's  Gospel  was  faith- 
fully preached,  there  the  Lord  would  have  a  Bap- 
tist cause  and  people,  for  the  ordinance  of  be- 
liever's baptism  is  coeval  with  the  Gospel,  and 
will  continue  as  a  part  of  it  until  the  second  com- 
ing of  Christ.  With  these  remark  the  preacher 
introduced  his  subject  by  saying  there  were  four 
leading  truths  to  oe  observed  m  this  narrative; 
flrat,  the  mysterious  providence  of  God,  whereby 
He  "  works  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  His 
own  will."  and  that  it  is  none  other  than  the  ex- 
ecutive of  His  own  etemalpurpoae,  for  of  Him, 
and  through  Him,  and  to  Him,  are  all  thingai 
to  whom  be  glory  for  ever.   Amen.     Secondly, 


sat  down  to  dinner,  and  at  three  o'clock  Mr. 
Aldenon  preached  upon  I  Peter  ii.  S,  **  If  so  be 
that  ye  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gradous." 
The  attendance  on  both  occasions  was  good,  and 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord  evidently  attended  the 
word  preached.  A  large  number  of  friends  took 
tea,  some  in  the  chapel  and  some  out ;  at  the  dose 
of  the  tea  Mr.  Bloomfleld  requested  the  friends  to 
assemble  within  the  chapel,  when  a  very  interest- 
ing service  was  witnessed,  for  Mr.  Bloomfidd  had 
been  deputed  by  the  church  and  congregation  to 
present  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  with  a  handsome 
time  piece  and  a  pair  of  lamps,  which  he  did,  ac- 
companying it  with  an  aflectionato  and  very  ap- 
propriate speech,  and  remarked  that  although  he 
could  not  in  all  respects  agree  with  the  course  his 
brother  had  pursued,  vet  as  a  man  of  God  and 
minister  of  Christ,  he  neld  him  in  much  esteem, 
as  he  did  also  his  wife.  The  present  of  whidi  he 
had  the  pleasure  lo  ask  thdr  acceptance,  was  in- 
tended to  convey  to  them  both  an  expre«losi  of 
the  high  regard  in  which  they  were  held  by  tlM 
churoaaod  congrogation,  and  while  it  must  be 
exceedingly  gratif^ng  to  have  such  a  token  of 


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243 


their  friends'  esteem,  it  was  very  honoarable  to  < 
those  who  had  presented  it.  Mr.  Bazelton  res- 
ponded to  Ilr.  ^loomfleld's  oall  to  speak,  very  I 
cordially,  most  lieartlly  agreeing  with  his  brother  ! 
Bloomfield'b  remarks,  for  he  nad  known  his  ' 
brother  Hall  and  his  wife  for  some  years,  and  he 
fully  believed  they  were  deserving  of  the  confi- 
ilenoe  and  esteem  of  the  friends;  as  also  did  Mr. 
Alderson,  in  a  very  appropriate  speech,  thoroughly  1 
endoiting  the  remarks  or  both  nis  brethren  who  j 
had  preceded  him.  Mr.  Hall  rose  to  reply  on  be- 
half of  Mrs.  Hall  and  himself,  but  the  unexpect- 
edness of  the  event,  his  totai  isnoranoe  of  the 
friends*  intention,  and  the  very  kind  manner  in 
which  the  present  had  been  presented,  perfeotlv 
r)veraame  him,  which  rendered  it  very  diificttit 
for  him  to  speak.  He  thanked  the  ministers  for 
their  kind  remarks,  and  the  fHends  most  heartily 
for  their  expression  of  sood  feeling,  and  assured 
them  that  both  himself  and  his  wife  would  ever 
appreciate  their  kindness.  On  the  part  of  his 
wife,  he  oould  say  that  although  she  still  retained 
her  membership  at  Mount  Zion,  yet  she  took  a 
very  Uvely  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  cause  at 
Ebeneser.  She  was  a  great  admirer  of  consist- 
ency both  in  minister  and  people^  and  watched 
over  both  with  much  anxiety,  even  to  a  fiiult.  As 
for  himself,  all  he  could  say  was  to  express  his 
regret  that  he  had  served  the  cause  so  imperfectly, 
and  to  beg  an  interest  in  their  prayers  that  he 
might  serve  them  better.    The  friends  assembled 

Sve  expression  of  their  satisfaction  at  what  they 
d  witnessed,  and  passed  immediately  and  luian- 
imously  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  ministers  for  their 
fHendship  towards  both  pastor  and  people.  Mr. 
Bloooufield  preached  a  powerful  sermon  in  the 
evening  to  a  full  house,  which  was  listened  to 
with  deep  attention,  and  was  thoroughly  enjoyed. 
The  collections  amounted  to  £82.  ^  Bless  the 
Loord,  O  our  souls,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits." 
In  lurch  last  a  public  meeting  was  held,  over 
whieh  Mr.  James  Mote  presided,  and  was  ad- 
tlreesed  by  several  ministers.  To  our  friends  fiir 
and  near  we  say  "  Pray  for  us." 

WINBSOB.— Mr.  Lilycrop  being  compelled 
through  ill-health  to  resign  the  pastorate,  his 
Huccessor  opened  the  church,  which  occasioned 
many  to  Icavc,  having  a  desire  for  the  pure  Gos- 
pel and  the  ordinances  maintained  as  laid  down 
in  the  Xew  Testament  They  met  in  a  friend's 
house  until  they  could  obtain  a  room,  which 
they  now  have.  After  prayer  for  Divine  guid- 
ance and  blessing,  they  were  formed  into  a  Gos- 
pel church  on  Lord's-day,  July  3rd,  by  Thomas 
Drake,  Staines.  In  the  opening  address,  our 
brother  told  the  friends  very  plidnly  and  scrip- 
turally  the  doctrines  they  intended,  by  Divine 
aid,  to  promulgate.  That  nothing  short  of  the 
good  old-fashioned  Gospel  would  satisfy  them ; 
rtiat  they  should  not  only  be  strict  in  com-  i 
mnnion,  but  also  in  maintaining  the  doctrines  of  j 
f^[«e  and  sovereign  grace  pure  and  undeflled.  No  ! 
mixture  of  linen  and  woollen.    Our  brother  then  | 

gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  fourteen  be-  ; 
even,  addressing  each    person  solemnly  and  i 
faithfully.    The  Lord's  Supper  wae  then  admi-  ' 
nistered,  and  the  fHends  were  cheered  and  en- 
cooiaged  by  the  presence  of  memben  of  the  same 
faith  and   order  IVom  Chelmsford,  Colnbrook, 
and  Dartfbrd,  who  found  it  good  to  be  there, 
and  wish  them  sncoesa  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
that  they  may  go  on  and  prosper,  waiting  and 
watching  the  moving  of  the  cloud,  and  that  ere 
long  ttiey  may  bo  compelled  to  arise  and  build 
R  house  for  wd, 

KBDIKQTON  —  In  the  year  184o,  Mr. 
Powell  left  Boltisham  Load,  and  came  over  to  j 
Kedington,  and  preached,  sometimes  in  the  open  j 
air. Kmietimea  in  abam,  at  othere  in  a  cottage, 
mitil  September,  1846,  when  a  cottage  was  hired, 
and  after  it  was  fitted  up,  he  commenced  preach- 
ngth^andachuroh  wasformed.  Additions  were 


made,  until  the  cottage  became  too  small  for  the 
people.  After  much  trouble  a  piece  of  groimd 
was  purchased,  and  a  chapel  built  thereon,  and 
was  put  into  trust.  October  16th,  1850,  it  was 
publicly  opened  for  worahip.  Since  then  it  has 
been  naid  for.  After  fourteen  years'  residence 
here,  Mr.  Powell  moved  to  Coaffeshall.  Since 
our  present  pastor  (Mr.  Murkin)  has  been  a  resi- 
dent with  us,  who  was  ordained  July,  1868,  the 
church  has  greatly  increased;  a  baptistry  has 
been  made,  and  many  other  things  done,  and  all 
are  paid  for.  Now  we  really  want  to  raise  the 
chapel,  and  erect  a  gallery,  as  we  need  room ;  also 
we  wish  to  establish  a  Sunday  school,  (there  are 
many  very  poor  children  in  this  hcah)  and  by 
HO  doing  t^  and  show  them  the  way  of  salvation. 
We  believe  it  is  greatly  needed;  but  the  next 
thing  we  want  is  the  money.  We  have  done  well 
hitherto  amongst  ourselves ;  and  with  the  help  of 
friends,  we  have  paid  off  all  demands.  What  we 
now  want  is  for  the  friends  to  the  cause  of  God 
who  sympathize  with  the  rising  generation,  to 
send  us  what  help  they  can,  either  to  our  pastor, 
Mr.  T.  Murkin ;  Mr.  Walter  Price,  jun.,  Keding- 
ton, Suffolk ;  or  Mr.  Dillistone,  Woodlands,  Stur- 
mer,  Halstead,  Essex.  We  think  our  esteemed 
brother  Banks  would  gladly  receive  any  contri- 
butions for  us ;  he  is  well  acquainted  with  our 
position,  as  he  has  visited  us  fifteen  times,  once 
at  tile  opening,  and  fourteen  successive  anniver- 
saries. All  favora  will  be  thankfully  received, 
and  duly  acknowledged.    Trj-,  friends,  trj'. 

[We  heartily  commend  this  cause.  To  us  it  is 
the  most  blessed  spot  in  all  this  world--ED.] 

BATH.  —  Ebknbzer  Chapel.  Lonl's-day, 
July  ard,  we  rejoiced  in  seeing  the  Lord's  arm 
is  not  shortened  that  it  cannot;  save.  He  hai« 
again  blessed  the  labours  of  our  beloved  pastor 
in  giving  him  six  souls  as  the  fhiit  of  his  labours 
amongst  us,  to  come  out  before  the  eyes  of  many 
witnesses  that  surrounded  the  banks  of  the  river, 
and  to  show  their  love  and  obetlience  to  His  most 
holy  command.  "If  ye  love  Me,  keep  my  com- 
mandments :  they  are  buried  with  Christ  m  bap- 
tism." In  the  afternoon  they  were  received  into 
the  church.  On  the  following  Monda}%  we  had  a 
member's  tea-meeting  to  welcome  them  into  the 
church,  when  nearlj-  200  sat  down  to  a  com- 
fortable tea,  and  we  spent  a  most  happy  c\'ening 
together.  God  grant  we  may  see  many  who  pro- 
fess to  love  the  blessed  Saviour  come  out  boldlj' 
from  the  world,  and  show  their  love  to  Jesus. 
W.  W.  Wheatley. 

AYI*E€fflTTBY.— At  our  last  church  meet- 
ing, we  gladly  invited  our  happy  little  brotlier 
Chipchase  to  preach  to  us  regularly  until  the  end 
of  October.  We  hope,  Mr.  Editor,  that  dear 
Chipchase  will  be  our  settled  pastor  ere  long,  and 
that  3*ou  and  brother  James  Wells  will  come  to 
his  ordination.  Of  course,  I  dare  not  tell  you 
why  he  is  not  settled  at  once;  but  onr  friends 
here  are  very  careful— they  do  not  approw  of  a 
union  one  year  and  a  separation  the  next.  Our 
devoted  father  in  Christ,  Mr.  Marshall,  guides  us, 
under  God,  with  much  holy  prudence,  and  we 

Sray  he  may  long  be  spared  unto  us,  and  that 
Ir.  Chipchase  may  live  and  labour  among  us 
imtil  his  haira  are  white  with  age— until  his  God 
shall  call  him  home.    lam, 

A  PooK  Member. 

aiiBKSFOBD.  —  Providenck  Chapel. 
Sunday  morning,  July  3rd,  Mr.  G.  G.  Worlow 
delivered  a  very  appropriate  address  from  Acts 
iii.  26,  and  following  verses.  After  whicii  he 
again  descended  the  baptismal  pool,  and  ini- 
mersed  three  believera  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghoet.  Tliis  is  the  third  time  we 
liave  been  favoured  to  baptize  since  the  settle- 
ment of  Mr.  Kemp,  and  each  time  a  husband  and 
wife  have  been  pnrileced  to  follow  the  command 
of  thdr  Lord.    Two  of  the  candidate  addressed 

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244 


"THE  EABTHSK  TB89BL. 


Aug  1,  U64. 


tbe  audionoe  befara  going  down  into  the  water. 
In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Kemp,  pwtor,  recci^red  the 
three  friends  into  ohuroh  relfowahip,  and  it  was 
truly  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of 

BEOOLBS.— In  travelling  I  was  told  that 
-B.  K.  Bland  was  esrtainly  chosen  as  oo-pastor 
with  Mr.  George  Wright,  the  venerated  Suffolk 
Baptist  divine.  It  is  the  church's  earnest  prayer 
that  their  long-loved  minister  may  long  stand  as 
a  heavv  shock  of  com  fully  ripe,  and  drop  around 
him  blessed  seeds  of  eternal  truth,  until  gently 
and  kindly  his  Lord  shall  take  him  up  among 
the  many  who  are  already  at  home  in  glory. 
Mr.  Bland  is  a  very  olever  man,  and  the  cause  at 
Beooles  seems  likely  to  revive.  May  it  be  per- 
manent»  and  full  of  precious  fruit  pnys, 

One  who  looks  oh  akd  toTBs  Zion.     , 

SliEAFOBD,  IiINCOIiN8SIBB.-The  I 
first  Baptist  church  was  organir.ed  by  Mr.  E.  | 
Samuel,  the  pastor,  according  to  the  New  Testa-  j 
ment  order,  strict  communion.    On  Jimc  29th,  • 
thirteen  persons  were  baptized  by  Mr.  Samuel,  I 
including  the  only  four  surviving  members  ol  i 
the  old  Huntingtonian  church.    The  age  of  some 
of  the  above  are  as  follows:  eiffhty-six  years, 
blind,  eightj'-two,  seventy-six,  seventy-five,  and 
two  seventy.     These,  with  twelve  others,  who 
had  previously  been  bapti»«d,  met  together  on 
the  following  Lord*s-day  afternoon,  and   were 
formed  into  a  church.     In  the    evening    Mr. 
Samuel  administered  the  Lord'.s  Supper  to  the 
church. 

[What  will  Mr.  Abrahams  think  of  tids?  The 
lemnaat  of  dear  William  Huntington's  fol- 
lowers literally  buried  in  the  Baptismal  waters 
at  hist.  We  hope  next  to  hear  that  Mr. 
Samuel  has  bapttaad  his  loving  brother 
George,  and  that  even  at  Sleaford  the  cause  of 
Truth  is  permanently  prospering.— Ed.] 

ISLXNOTOir.  ^  FioYiDEircE  Ohafbl, 
Upper  Stbeet.— On  Monday,  July  11th,  a  meet- 
ing was  held  in  the  new  school  room,  followed  by 
a  public  meeting  in  the  chapel,  for  calling  in  the 
cards,  which  have  been  issued  for  the  purpose  of 
removing  the  debt  incuned  by  the  racent  ei«etion 
of  a  veiy  convenient  and  compact  school  room, 
together  with  the  alterations  and  improvements 
in  the  chapel.  Mr.  Waite,  the  senior  deaeon,  pre- 
sided, and  in  a  very  appropriate  speech  explained 
the  obiect  of  the  meeting;  after  which  he  called 
upon  the  secretary  to  read  the  repoit,  from  which 
it  appeared  that  something  like  £380  has  been 
expended,  towards  which  about  jC200  luu  been 
raised  by  cards  and  subscriptions.  After  tlie 
eards  had  been  called  in,  the  sura  of  £20  was 
added  to  the  funds.  The  chairman  thanked  the 
friends  for  the  efforts  made,  and  for  the  cheering 
result,  and  called  upon  Messrs.  Willey.  Smith, 
Duncan,  &c,  to  address  the  meeting,  whieh  was 
brought  to  a  close  by  brother  Willey  readmg  some 
lines  oompoeed  for  the  occasion. 

PBESTWOOD  OOMKOW-Dear  Friend, 
Smoe  you  were  at  our  anniversary,  we  have  five 
more  added  to  our  little  number ;  three  by  bap- 
tism, one  from  Lee^  and  one  that  had  been  with 
us  some  years  before :  we  hope  there  are  others 
waiting.  Our  Sunday  school  increases.  The  Lord 
is  blessing  the  labours  of  His  servants  amongst  us. 
The  God  of  all  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  irith 
and  bless  yon  in  all  your  ubours  of  love  for  the 
benefit  of^His  living  fitmily.  G.  Masov. 

SCIIiE  BVB  BOAD.— Beuijih  MEEturo. 
StepxetGbexk.— Theanniv^;sary  ofHr.  Cow- 
dery,  as  pastor  of  the  above  place,  was  held  Tues- 
day, June  28th.  Many  met  to  tea.  Public  meet- 
ing was  presided  over  by  Mr.  Kemp.  After  sun- 
pliating  the  Divine  blessing  by  Mr.  Mose,  bw*h 
Ten  Blake,  Palmer  (of  PlaistowT.  MyenoMCeerw, 


Inwards,  and  Kaiseman  addressed  the  <neflttng. 
Prom  tlie  earnest  manner  in  which  thp  meeting 
was  addressed,  the  friends  at  Beulah  see  the  ne- 
cessity of  eetablishing  a  Sabbath  school.  The 
meeting  was  well  susuitned:  the  oollQotjgtn  was 
^ry  good. 

liEATHBRKBAD.— In  the  Vessel  Is  a 
notice  of  tlie  anniversan^  at  Leathertaead,  August 
4th.  As  many  cannot  find  it,  permit  me  to  saj 
the  whereabouts :  it  is  near  the  engine-honae,  on 
which  is  a  clock ;  before  you  is  H.  Moore,  Wool- 
stapler  :  ne?:t  is  A.  Blaker,  Whitesmith,  At  Be- 
tween thesie  is  a  gite  leading  to  a  gardai.  in 
which  is  the  room,  within  as  Mean  a«  a  new  pin. 
Those  who,  like  me,  want  a  Christ  suited  to  the 
needy,  may  enjoy  an  hour  here.  Should  an\'  re- 
quire the  preacher's  name,  I  will  get  it 

QvE  yrno  has  bekt  tvwe. 

oxm  Towo  unwr. 

As  sure  as  ever  we  say  one  word  in  f^rcnr  of  a 
hopeful  Toung  man,  we  get  a  sound  thrashing 
for  it,  which,  with  other  hardships,  we  reoei^T 
as  patiently  as  possible,  ««A  Strict  Baptist** 
M3'B.— "  My  opinion  is.  our  leading  men  are  re- 
sponsible for  the  talents  committea  to  thorn.  A» 
a  body,  we  belie^T  we  hold  views  nearest  to  the 
truth ;  but,  as  is  often  remarked  by  memben  of 
other  churches,  we  do  not  move  ourselves  to  make 
tnith  more  ftilly  known  by  sending  forth  young 
men  who  have  been  under  sound  tuition  for  yean. 
I  do  not  approve  of  sending  yonng  men  with  so 
much  wild  gear;  still,  on  «ie  oftier  hand,  we 
may  be  over  oautio7«s.  I  think  our  pastors  Might 
to  be  glad  when  the  least  signs  of  real  n8ef\ilnefl6 
appear.    A  word  to  the  wise  is  enough." 


i^te0  anb  <ftttm'e0. 

Sir,— Will  yon  oblige  me  by  an  answer  W  the 
following  question :— I  am  a  member  of  a  Bap- 
tist churoli  which  practises  open  communion.  I 
certainly'  am  averse  to  anything  of  the  kind ;  but 
there  is  no  other  place  of  worship  to  which  I  can 
go.  Should  I  be  justified  by  velinqnishi^g  all 
oonnection  with  the  said  church  and  itior  ftt 
home  on  Uie  Lord's  day,  as  tiiere  is  no  preeont 
prosi)ect  of  an  altenition  for  the  better,  or  what 
slialildo?  Av  Ikqphieb. 

hymt  Begis.    June  14th,  \8&i. 


S«»tb«. 


On  the  8th  of  July,  at  Si 


Shallaiid,  in  his 
80th  year,  the  venerable  din3air  Thonwon  was 
called  away  to  his  heavenlv reward.  IJpwarda  of 
fifty  vears  ago  this  laborious  minister  beoame  a 
Baptist  simplv  by  reading  the  liew  Testament, 
and  before  he  knew  then  xcat  amther  BaptdU  in  tkr 
whole  world.  He  oonuneaoed  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  the  Shetland  Isles,  and  one  of  the  Ust 
acta  of  his  public  life  was  to  originate  a  Baptist 
cause  in  theUmm  of  Lerwick.  His  uboora  through 
his  long  career  were  .eminently  blessed  by  his 
Divine  Master,  and  hie  last  words  were,  **  fie  i» 
fiuthtul  who  hathpBpmiaad."— W. 

Died  at  Haverhill,  of  consumption,  June  St, 
1S«4,  Smily  Hugo  Lay,  aged  1 7  years.  We  have 
inserted  the  little  memorial  and  diary  in  Cbxse- 
xHe  WoBDfl  for  August. 

Good  old  John  Bailey,  of  near  60  yean  litniling 
in  the  truth  of  God  hi  Hull,  fell  asleep  in  June 
last,  ofwl^mwehopetoa^moresboKtiy. 

On  the  31st  inst.,  at  the  Surrey  Tabeniade, 
Borough  road,  by  the  minister  (Mr.  J.  Wells), 
Frederick  Bartlett,  eldest  son  of  Mr.  Frederick 
Spong,  of  London,  to  Justinia,  fifth  swrMng 
danght^cfMr.BeberifHall,  of  Bath,  •omerwt- 
shire. 

At  Salem  chaMl,  Boho,  hy  Mr.  >lniw^»1,  on 
July  14th,  Mr.  Kealy,Danv«is  streat,  OMeM,  to 
Mrs.  Sounes,  widow  of  the  late  Mr.  SooMt,  :Soho 

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THB   EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


245 


''  m\  %Mt[  that  ms  %^mmi  |ttV 


WoEiv  gathering  clouds  around  I  view, 
And  days  are  dark,  and  friends  are  few ; 
On  him  I  lean,  who  not  in  vain. 
Experienced  every  human  pain ; 
He  sees  my  wants,  allays  my  fears. 
And  counts  and  treasures  up  my  tears. 

If  aught  should  tempt  my  soul  to  stray 
Prom  heavenly  wlsdom*s  narrow  way ; 
Tb  flee  the  good  I  would  pursue. 
Or  do  the  sm  I  would  not  do, 
Stdl  he,  who  felt  temptation's  power. 
Shall  guard  me  in  that  dangerous  hour. 

If  wounded  love  my  bosom  swell. 
Deceived  by  those  I  prized.too  well ; 
He  shall  his  pitying  aid  bestow, 
Who  felt  on  earth  severer  wo — 
At  once,  betrayed,  denied,  or  iled 
By  thoM  who  shared  his  doily  bread. 

ToB  Holy  Spibft  sometimes  gives  me  sweet 
scriptores  to  draw  out  faita  in  exercise. 
There  may  be  no  real  enjoyment  of  the 
blessing  spoken  of  in  the  words  given ;  but 
the  words  given  produce  a  sacred  anticipa- 
tion that  the  mercies  revealed  in  the  word 
will  be  realized  in  the  souL  On  Sunday 
morning,  August  14th,  1864,  the  eighteenth 
verse  of  the  fidy-fifth  Psalm  rested  kindly 
on  my  spirit,  "  He  hath  delivered  my  soul 
in  peace  from  the  battle  that  was  aaainst 
me;  for  there  were  many  with  me.^  A 
gentle  surprise  awakened  my  soul  when  the 
words  came,  and  I  secretly  wondered  if  ever 
that  day  would  oome  when  I  might,  in  the 
assurance  of  a  Divine  realization,  stand  in 
the  words,  and  say,  "  He  hath  delivered  mj 
soul  in  peace  from  the  battle  that  was 
against  me/'  &c.  That  battle  has  been 
long,  and  sometimes  dreadful  to  endure. 
The  entire  history  of  it  is  in  mv  mind; 
and  if  memory,  means,  and  Qod^s  mercy 
enable,  some  day  it  may  appear. 

But  now  let  me  invite  tne  attention  of 
my  readers  to  some  things  contained  in 
these  words. 

There  is  a  most  edifying  analogy  between 
the  history  to  whidi  these  words  refer  and 
the  experimental  testimony  in  the  text, 
which  may,  perhaps,  appear  as  we  try  to 
work  it  out  I  walked  prayerfully  and 
thoughtfully  to  what  we  call  our  Btihd. 
I  felt  very  unwell,  and  on  the  way  I  saw 
my  excellent  friend  and  brother  Thomas 
James  Mesaer.  I  begged  him  to  open  the 
service.  He  read  some  beautiful  scriptures, 
and  ofifered  fervent  prayer.  Then  I  read 
my  text,  and  purposed  to  notice  four 
things. 

L  THb  haUle.  II.  Thi  many  who  were 
with  Daoid,  III.  Their  behaviour  in  the 
hatUe,    It  is  emphatically  said  (in  1  Chron. 

Vol.  XX.— No.  232, 


When  vexing  thonshts  within  me  rise, 
And,  sore  dismayed,  my  spirit  dies; 
Yet  he,  who  onoo  vouchsafed  to  bear 
The  sickening  anguish  of  despair, 
Shall  sweetly  soothe,  shall  gently  dry 
The  throbbing  hearty  the  streaming  eye. 

When  mourning  o'er  some  stone  I  bend 
Which  covers  all  that  was  a  friend, 
And  from  his  hand,  his  voice,  his  smile, 
Divides  me  for  a  little  while 
Thou,  Saviour,  mark'st  the  teara  I  shed, 
For  thou  didst  weep  o*er  Lazarus  dead. 

And  O !  when  I  have  safelv  passed 
Through  every  conflict  but  the  last ; 
Still,  still,  unchanging,  watch  beside 
My  dying  bed— for  thou  hast  died ; 
Tnen  pomt  to  realms  of  cloudless  day, 
And  wipe  the  latest  tears  away. 

V.  20],  "  They  cried  to  Ood  in  the  battle, 
and  He  was  entreated  of  them ;  because 
they  put  their  trust  in  Him."  And  in  this 
psalm  David  says,  "As  for  me,  I  will  call 
upon  God;  ana  the  Lord  shall  save  me. 
l^ening  and  morning  and  at  noon  will  I 
pray  and  cry  aloud;  and  He  shall  hear  my 
voice,*'  This  was  their  behaviour  in  the 
battle.  The  last  head  of  discourse  was  the 
honour  God  put  upon  them.  "He  hath 
delivered  my  soul  in  peace  from  the  battle 
that  was  against  me." 

I.  In  the  first  branch,  I  saw  my  way  clear 
to  notice  the  Battle,  hietoricallyt  as  re- 
lated in  Chronicles ;  then,  prophetically ^  as 
applicable  to  Christ  in  His  incarnate 
humiliation,  in  His  Gospel  dispensation, 
and  in  that  preat  battle  called  Armageddon ; 
and,  jilso,  eircumetantially,  in  my  own  ex- 
perience, and  in  the  experience  of  many 
thousands  of  the  Lord's  people.  But,  first, 
historically,  it  is  said,  "In  the  days  ot 
Saul,  they  made  war  with  the  Hagarites, 
who  fell  by  their  hand."  These  Hagarites 
represent  three  classes  of  powers  opposed 
to  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  There 
are  those  who  are  in  bondage  under  the 
law :  these  are  Hagarites.  There  are  those 
fleshly  pious  people  who  believe  faith  to  be 
in  the  power  of  the  creature,  and  whose 
whole  course  has  a  tendency  to  bring  many 
of  the  pardoned  saints  into  bondage  again ; 
these  are  Hagarites  too ;  and  how  far  they 
deceive  the  souls  of  thousands  we  cannot 
tell.  Then  there  arc  all  the  fallen  powers 
of  the  body,  of  the  fallen  humanity,  of  the 
first  Adam:  these  are  Haearites  as  well; 
and  are  always  entangling  the  souls  of  the 
people.  There  are  three  great  deeps  which 
are  the  principal  sources  of  all  the  miseries, 
and  of  all  the  mercies,  man  is  the  subject  of 
in  this  world.  ^  , 

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The  first  great  deep  is  man's  innate  pro* 
pensitj  to  learn,  ana  look,  and  cleave  to 
those  tilings  which  ruin  him.  Satan's  ser- 
vice is  destructive;  yet  fallen  man  reallv 
loves  it.  Sin's  dominion  ii  dreadful  in  all 
its  consequences ;  yet  man  is  content  to 
live  under  it.  The  old  covenant  can  give 
neither  life  nor  salvation ;  yet  self-righteous 
persons  cUng  to  this  law, — pretend  to  keep 
this  law, — expect  to  put  their  partial  obe- 
dience of  its  demands  to  the  Saviour's 
work,  and  so  reach  heaven.  This  is  a  deep 
mystery  of  iniquity.  The  Church  of  Rome, 
the  Puseyites,  the  ArminiADS,  and  firee-will 
people,  are  all  Hagarites  in  a  certain  sense, 
and  fearfully  hate  and  disclaim  against  the 
tree  mercies  and  perfect  freedom  of  the 
new  covenant,  wherein  the  bride  of  Christ 
doth  stand.  i 

The  second  great  deep  is  that  of  the  free-  'freedom  in  Christ, 'he  says,  amt 
dom  of  the  saints  by  virtue  of  Aeir  union  |  things,  **It^  is  all  yours  already, 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.    There  is, — 


verified  in  many  of  the  very  highly-fii- 
voured  of  the  Lord,  when  to  them  Hi  b$jb, 
**  Thou  shalt  call  me,  Mt  Fathjbe  ;  and  thou 
shalt  not  turn  away  from  me"  Then  is 
Paul's  word  powemllv  lealiaed,  "Let  ns 
come  boldly  unto  the  tnrone  of  grace,  that 
we  may  obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help 
in  time  of  need."  There  is  the  freedom  of 
the  dav  of  espousals,  when  the  soul  is 
marriea  to  the  Lobd;  and  faith  to  that 
soul  declares,  **  All  things  are  yonr's ;  for 
ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  ia  God's."  This 
perfect  love  casteth  out  fear,  and  a  fireedom 
in  the  covenant  of  grace  is  eiyoyed,  which 
neither  head  xior  tongue  of  moztala  ean  de- 
clare. I  have  read,  and  may  give  here  a 
singular  but  u^piopriate  lint  or  two  from 
Mr.  James  Wells's  sermon,  entitled-  "  T%e 
Vision  of  Life,"  Speaking  of  the  betiever*! 
c — J —  •_  m — ;_*.    i-_ many 

on 


1.  The  Freedom  of  Friendship.    Man,  by 
nature,  ia  full  of  enmity  against  the  pure 
(Jospel  of  Chbist.     He  does  not  acknow- 
ledge his  enmity  to  be  against  the  Goroel ; 
he  manifests  his  anger  against  the  preachers 
who  preach  it,  and  the  people  who  profess 
it.    He  calls  them  Antinomians,  andhypo- 
crites,  and  says  of  them  many  bad  thmgs. 
It  is  quite  true  that  the  ministers  of  Jbsus 
Christ,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  and  the 
beloved  saints  of  God,  do  give  eagle-eyed 
opponents  some  dust  to  eat  in  this  way; 
but  the  freedom  of  the  true  believer  is  in 
Jesus  only,  and  not  at  all  in  his  fallen  na- 
ture.    The  man  of  God,  and  the  real  par- 
taker of  pprac<>,  is  delivered  from  enmity 
against  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God. 
He  is  friendly  toward  it.     He  can,  bv  faith, 
enter  into  it,  and,  sometimes,  he  doth  re- 
joice in  it.    The  scales  have  fallen  from  his 
eyes,  the  vail  is  taken  from  his  hoart,  and 
Iwly  love  to  God's  holy  truth  gives  him  a 
freedom  to  range  up  and  down  among  the 
valleys  and  the    hills  of  grace's  glorious 
mysteries.    Oh  !  when  first  this  Gospel  was 
to  me  revealed,  and  when  all  its  ^ates  were 
wide  open  flung,  how  delightfully  did  my 
soul  fly  up  and  down,  and  bathe  in  the 
beauties  of  a  full  and  finished  salvation  I 
I  was  in  heart  a  real  friend  to  the  Gospel, 
and  felt  £pee  to  ei\jov  it,  and  to  proclatm  it 
to  others.    I  studied  it  night  and  day ;  I 
wrote,  and  ran,  and  talked,  and  sang,  and 
truly  glad  was  I ;  but  in  preaching  it,  at 
first,  1  had  terrible  tremblings  and  fears. 
These  were  removed,  and  my  freedom  in 


may  look  all  around  heaven,  and  say.  That 
mansion  is  mine,  and  that  field  is  mine ; 
that  mountain  ia  mine^  that  vaUsy  iA  mifie, 
that  throne  is  mine ;  the  Holy '  Spirit  is 
mine,  and  Christ  is  mine,  and  Gk>d  is  aune, 
and  that  brother  is  my  brother,  and  that 
brother  is  my  brother,  and  that  farotbes  ia 
my  brother;  heaven  is  minc^  it  is  all  HuneL 
You  cannot  covet,  yon  have  got  eveiythin^ 
Now  to  keep  the  law  of  faith,  then,  ia  to  lay 
hold  of  Christ ;  He  is  the  honourable  end 
of  the  kw ;  He  is  the  end  of  the  law,  not 
to  the  spoliation  of  the  law,  not  havii^ 
taken  away  the  ameety  of  the  law;  Ha  is 
the  end  of  the  law  for  righteonsoiesa;  the 
hiw  is  magxufied,  and  the  peo^e  stand  free 
to  all  eternity.  Thus,  then,  if  yo«i  wooJd 
stand  square  with  God's  law,  it  must  be  by 
faith  in  Christ  Jesus  the  Loid."  This  £ree> 
dom  ia  a  gxeat  deep,  and  only  as  we  are 
baptized  into  Chjust  can  we  know  any* 
thing  really  of  it  in  oar  own  aoala. 

The  third  deep  is  the  eonflict  of  the  sool 
between  the  two,— the  bondage  of  the  lew, 
and  the  freedom  of  the  GtMpeL  How  the 
soul  is  tossed  to  and  fro  between  these  is  a 
mystery  indeed.  But  it  is  so  vaziedy  and 
of  degrees  so  different,  I  cannot  ventaze  on 
a  field  which  hath  so  many  paths-— s&many 
changing  scenes— so  many  sonowa^  aadC 
in  some  oases,  joys  so  very  few. 

II.  Come  and  look  at  the  CHAaacns  or 
THs  "  MAmr  TBAT  wxEB  WITH  Da^tu."  Thegr 
were  **  the  sons  of  Reuben,  and  die  Qaditcs, 
and  half  the  tribe  of  Manasseh,  of  valiant 
men,  able  to  bear  buckler  and  s«OEd«  and 
to  shoot  with  bow,  and  skilful  in  ww,  f<nir-> 


the  Gospel  hss  been  manifest  in  many  and-forty  thousand,  seven  hundred  and 
places,  and  for  many  years.  Alas !  that  I  !  threescore,  that  went  out  to  the  war."  >>f  «U 
must  add,  the  battle  has  been  against  me.  !  might  David  say,  ''  There  were  numy  with 
There  is  the  freedom  of  relationship.  ^  ^^"  But,  although  many,  their  nua^er 
The  Spirit  of  adoption  shot  into  the  heart  of  was  prseisely  known  :  a  fine,  n<Me,  tre- 
Thomas  when  the  Saviour  shewed  him  His  .  mendous  snny  it  most  have  been  I 
hands  and  His  side ;  and  that  prophecy  is  >     There  is  an  alU^|oty  in  this    histofyv 


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Sep.  1, 18M. 


THK  SA&THEK  YXMOL. 


247 


Dayid's  anny  typifies  the  good  soldiers  of 
Jbsus  Chbist,  and  by  analyzing  a  little,  we 
shall  find  mnoh  real  Ch»p«l  hidden  in  these 
historie  lines, 

*'  Th$  $om  of  Meuben'*  were  figutative 
efaaraetera  of  maay  who  hare  been,  and 
who  still  are,  in  the  risible  church  of  Jesus 
Chaist.  JReuben,  in  his  name,  has  the  es- 
sential germ  of  salvation ;  he  has  '*  the 
viwm  oftht  tan :"  he  **  sees  a  son  ;"  it 
would  indicate  £uth  in  the  Son  of  God. 
And,  indeed,  if  ever  any  tribe  needed  to 
see,  and  to  seek  for,  and  to  find  salration  in 
another,  that  tribe  is  Beuben;  for  Jacob, 
his  father,  pronouneed  a  dreadful  sentence 
over  him.  "Beuben,  thou  art  my  first- 
bom  ;  my  might,  and  the  b^ppinning  of  my 
strensth,  the  excellency  of  dignity,  and  the 
excel&ncy  of  power."  What  a  splendid 
array  of  nafcund  endowments!  Did  this 
xet^reeent  the  church  in  her  new  ooTenant 
standing,  before  she  fell  ?  Did  this  repre- 
sent A.aam  in  his  first  estate  as  €lt>D  made 
him  ?  Or  doth  this  merely  show  how  ex- 
cellent and  mighty,  how  powerful  and  no- 
ble a  man  majf  l>e  in  nature,  and  yet  be 
altogether  destitute  of  the  saving  grace  of 
Qod?  I  decide  not.  Jacob  adds,  "  Un- 
$tMe  as  watery  thou  ihah  not  excel."  By 
Beuben's  fall,  he  lost  the  birthright,  the 
priesthood,  and  the  kingdom;  and,  in 
Adam's  fall,  we  have  all  lost  all  ri^ht  to 
God's  fiivour— all  qualijication  for  His  ser- 


here  for  the  present ;  for  "  the  deep  which 
coucheth  beneath"  is  deep  indeed. 
WlNfte'er  thy  lot— where'er  thou  be— 
Oonfeu  thy  foUy^klBS  the  rod ; 
And  in  thy  chaBtening  aorrowB  Bee 

The  hand  of  God. 
Humbled  beneeth  hlB  mighty  hand, 
ProBtrate,  hia  provdenoe  adoie : 
'Tib  done  I  arlae  1  he  bids  thee  ataad. 
To  fall  no  more. 


ON 


SCrin)AY  TBAYELLIHG. 
Bt  Mb.  JoHir  FoRXMAir. 


TO  THSEDITOK  OF  "THE  EABTBEX  VKSBEL." 

DSAB  SiB.-^Hovteg  been  muoh  troubled  rel** 
tive  to  Sunday  travelling  for  the  purpose  of 
preaching  the  Gospel  of  Jeeus  Christ,  I  wrote  to 
our  venerable  brother,  Mr.  John  Foreman,  re* 
qaesting  him  to  fttror  me  with  a  few  lines  ex- 
pressiire  of  his  opinion  on  this  point.  He  did  ai\ 
and  knowing  that  there  are  many  who  are 
troubled  in  like  manner  to  myself,  I  hare  sent 

Sa  his  excellent  reply  for  insertion  in  **THK 
LBTHBV  YxssxL,"  Ming  assured  it  will  be 
read  with  pleasure  by  many  young  serraata  of 
the  Lord.— Yours  in  the  faith  of  God's  elect, 
80,  St.  Martin's  lane.  Objcswiok  ISTichoUI. 
Dbar  FRium,— I  was  in  Suffolk  all  last 
week,  preaching  in  four  different  places, 
and  did  not  return  till  Saturday,  and  after 
to-day  I  am  out  for  this  week,  and  there- 
fore hasten  to  give  you  a  brirf reply  to  your 
enquiry. 

The   moment   I  read  your  letter,  the 
words  struck  on  my  mind  with  great  power, 
"Is  it  lawful  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath 
Mark  iii.  4,  Luke  vi.  9.  Our  Lord's 


.days? 
vice,  and  all  possession  of  Hia  kingdom.  |  meaning  in  those  words  is,  that  it  is  lawfal, 
And^  consequently,  when  Moses  commanded  in  opposition  to  the  notions  of  the  Scribes 


the  Levites  to  stand  upon  Mount  Ebal  to 
curse,  Beuben  was  the  first-named  among 
them.  And  yet  before  Moses  died,  as  the 
great  prophet  of  the  Lord,  he  blessed  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  among  them  was 
Eeuben  named,  and  that,  too,  in  a  most 
emphatic  manner.  He  said,  "  Let  Beuben 
LIVE,  and  vor  Dts;  and  let  not  hia  men 
hefew." 

This  is  the  Gospel  by  Moses ;  as  though 
fie  said,  Although  Eeuben  has  forfeited  all 
right  to  my  blessing;  although  according 
tc^  and  under,  the  old  covenant  he  is 
oorsed,  yet,  being  of  the  tribes  of  Israel- 
having  repentance  and  pardon  granted 
unto  him  —  having  faith  in  the  sacrifice 
made  for  sin  in  &e  person  of  another,  I 
pronounce  this  blessing  on  him.  "  Let" — 
what  a  significant  word  is  that!  ''Let 
Beuben  live,  and  not  die  ;  and  let  not  his 
men  be  few.*' 

Before  I  pass  on  to  the  Gaditee,  and  the 
half-tribe  of  Manasseh,  I  would  desire  to 
examine  this  character  of  Beuben,  and  his 
estate  before  Qod,  more  minutely,  and  dis- 
net  a  little  the  three  branches  of  Moses's 
blessing.  *'  Let  Eeuben  live," — this  is  the 
first  very  significant  note :  **  cmd  not  die" — 
that  is  the  second :  *<  and  let  not  hie  men 
bo  lew/' — then  is  the  third.  But  we  pause 


and'Phariseesr  Now  preaching  the  Gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God  is  doing  good,  and  there- 
fore it  is  lawfal  to  use  the  necessary  means 
to  get  to  the  places  where  doors  are  opened 
for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  However 
wicked  Sunday  traffic  with  the  motive  of 
getting  money  thereby,  your  availing  your- 
self of  those  means  with  the  motive  of 
preadiing  the  Gospel,  is  lawful ;  your  mo- 
tive does  not  justi^  them,  nor  does  their 
motive  condemn  you. 

If  Sunday  travelling  to  preach  the  Gospel 
was  sinfully  disallowable,  and  fer  that  rea- 
son to  be  abandoned,  there  are  very  many 
places  that  would  not  have  the  Gtos^l  at 
all,  and  many  would  have  to  stand  silent, 
who  now,  through  travelling  by  such  means 
as  they  can  obtain,  preach  the  word  of  life 
with  much  godly  profit  to  many  little  twos 
and  threes  of  God's  ransomed  family.  Aud 
be  it  remembered  that  the  Lord  we  serve  in 
the  Gospel  is  Lord  even  of  the  Sabbath  day. 
The  above  will  sufilce  to  shew  you  my 
opinion,  and  perhaps  to  relieve  your  mind.- 
And  as  I  am  in  great  haste  to  ^et  about 
other  work,  my  lunds  being  full,  I  m\ist 
bee  you  to  excuse  me  from  saying  jpove. 
Dear  friend,  yours  in  the  grace  of  Chrbt 
Jesus,  *.  ^PoBBMAIf. 

Paddmgton  grew,  N.,  July^lSW. 

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248 


THE  BASTHEN  YESSSL. 


Sep.  1,18m. 


THE  SAINT'S'  SURE  AND  CERTAIN  HOPE. 


Dbab  BaoTiixR, — The  following  are  a  few 
reflections  at  Um  close  of  a  Lord's-day  spent 
in  this  priest-ridden  ooiintzy. 

Well  knowing  that  I  should  be  quite 
without  the  means  of  grace,  my  soul  had 
been  drawn  out  to  the  LK>rd  that  He  would 
graiit  me  His  own  dear  presence  as  the  sum 
and  substance  of  all  means,  and  before 
leaving  my  room  in  the  morning,  my  mind 
had  found  a  sweet  field  for  meditation  from 
Psahn  ozxii.  1 ,  5.  Having  found  a  quiet 
walk,  I  think  I  may  say  that  I  spent  a  Sab- 
bath morning  in  meditation  upon  the  above 
portion.  When  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  I  heard  sounds  of  approaching 
music,  and  soon  saw  the  commencement  of 
a  soldier's  funeral  procession.  At  a  respect- 
Ail  distance  I  foUowed  it  into  the  burial 
ground,  and  saw  the  whole  ceremony.  The 
music  was  played,  the  candles  burned,  the 
consecratea  water  sprinkled,  the  incense  lit 
up,  the  pravers  read,  and  the  responses 
uttered  by  the  surrounding  crowd  of  Bohe- 
mians in  their  own  tongue.  The  coffin 
lowered,  the  band  marched  out,  playing 
strains  as  lively  as  they  had  been  solemn, 
and  all  was  over — at  least,  with  the  crowd, 
not  so  with  me — ^my  mind  took  a  different 
turn.  I  returned  to  my  hotel  about  four 
in  the  afternoon  a  wiser  and  more  quiet 
man. 

My  first  train  of  thoughts  turned  to  the 
state  of  the  country ;  wherever  I  turn  there 
is  the  foot-print  of  the  beast.  This  town 
has  about  one  hundred  and  sixtv  thousand 
inhabitants,  eleven  thousand  of  which  are 
Jews.  It  contains  sixty-three  churches,  of 
which  sixty  are  Roman  Catholic,  two  German 
Protestant,  one  Bohemian  Protestant :  but 
these  three  Churches  are  not  all  open  on  the 
Lord*8-day ;  they  take  it  in  turns.  And  is 
this  the  only  result  which  Hubs  has  for  his 
labour  in  the  Gospel  ?  Does  this  poverty 
of  the  truth  arise  from  the  Gospel  not  being 
sufficiently  powerful  to  accomplish  its  legiti- 
mate object,  even  the  salvation  of  souls  ? 
No !  we  bless  the  Lord  we  can  sav,  we  know 
we  have  not  followed  cunningly  devised 
fables,  for  it  is  still,  and  ever  snail  be,  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation.  -  We  are 
rather  disposed  to  think  that  God  vindicates 
his  own  honour  by  this  display  at  times  of 
retributive  justice ;  and  where  the  Gospel 
has  been  exterminated  Vith  fire  and  sword, 
there  He  also  withdraws  the  enlightening 
influences  of  the  Spirit  according  to  Prov. 
i.  24  to  32.  And  from  this  cause  we  believe 
may  be  traced  the  revolutions  and  desolating 
wars  which  have  at  times  dismembered  the 
whole  of  Europe.  In  making  th(  se  remarks 
I  do  not  wish  any  to  go  away,  and  believe 


that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  God  being  dis- 
appointed as  to  the  number  to  whom  the 
Gospel  shall  prove  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation;  for  there  is  no  more  certain 
truth  than  this,  that  the  foundation  of 
God  standeth  sure,  and  that  His  counsel 
shall  stand.  But  most  certainly  do  I  believe 
that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  national  repent- 
ance and  a  national  reception  of  God*s  truth, 
as  taught  in  the  Word  of  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel,  which  consists  in  the  approving  of 
things  which  are  excellent,  and  very  fre- 
quently brings  down  God's  blessinga  in 
temporals,  but  does  not  take  us  one  indi 
towards  heaven.  Evangelical  repentance  is 
evidenced  by  the  reception  of  the  truth  as 
a  broken-hearted  guilty  sinner,  deferving 
nothing  but  hell,  but  still  cr3ring  for  mercy 
by  and  through  Jesus  Christ,  which  repent- 
ance is  shed  abroad  by  the  Holy  Gnost, 
being  one  of  the  spiritual  gifts  placed  in  the 
Saviour's  hands,  upon  the  completion  of  His 
mediatorial  work,  of  which  things  the  Holy 
Spirit  takes  and  shews  them  to,  and  in  the 
heart  of  every  sensible  sinner,  through 
which  it  is  made  evident  that  the  Gospel  is 
for  the  accomplishment  of  God's  purpose. 
The  Spirit  is  proved  faithful,  Jesus'  sacrifice 
is  maae  manifest  as  perfect  to  the  removing 
of  sin,  and  the  satispring  of  Divine  justice ; 
andthe  Father's  will  is  accomplished,  even  in 
the  salvation  of  a  number  which  no  man  can 
number,  but  known  to  Himself  before  time, 
and  ordained  unto  good  works  before  ever 
they  had  an  existence.  See  Psalm  cxxxix. 
16 ;  Ephesians  i.  3—10. 

Now,  my  dear  reader,  hast  thou  the 
inward  witness  that  the  truth  has  been  thus 
received  in  thy  heart?  Then  thou  hast 
indeed  a  sure  and  certain  hope,  called  a 
ffood  hope  through  grace,  and  mayest  with 
tne  fullest  confidence  go  on  in  thy  journey, 
believing  that  thou  shalt  never  be  left  to 
embrace  any  soul-destroying,  Christ- 
Heparating,  heaven-loosing  doctrines  and 
practices — such  as  we  have  seen  to-day  at 
the  soldier's  grave ;  for  the  same  Spirit 
which  broke  your  heart,  and  made  yon  sen- 
sible of  your  needs,  abideth  in  you,  and  is 
the  truth  and  no  lie.  Hence,  you  may  follow 
me  to  my — 

1 II.  Second  idea  upon  the  saint's  sure  and 
certain  hope,  which  is,  first,  that  the  day  of 
one's  death  is  better  than  the  day  of  one's 
birth  (Eccles.  vii.  1). 

We  would  never  speak  lightly  of  death  : 
it  is  the  most  painful  event  to  human  nature ; 
we  have  still  unhealed  wounds  which  at 
times  break  eut  again  in  streams  of  sorrow 
over  dear  departed  ones  whom  death  has 
taken  from  us  for  a  ^ifa900.^^fCbe  ties  of 

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Sep.  1,  1864. 


THE  EABTHEN  YB8SSL. 


249 


nature  are  yerj^  strong,  and  many  of  the 
Lord's  dear  children  are  kept  in  bondage 
through  these  things :  wife,  children,  hus- 
band, parents,  frieims ;  all  these  things  tend 
to  tie  us  down  to  earth.  Again,  death  is 
very  revolting  to  human  nature  ;  the  clay- 
oold  corpse,  the  helpless,  lifeless  mass  of 
fast  corrupting  matter,  the  dark,  woi*m- 
tenanted  grave,  are  all  things  from  which 
nature  turns  and  shudders. 

And  further,  death  is  a  very  solemn  thing. 
Wo  have  stood  at  the  bed-side  of  dying 
saints,  and  watched,  and  waited  till  the  last 
sigh  has  separated  soul  from  body ;  and  in 
our  office  as  the  minister  of  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  hare  had  to  visit  sinners  in 
dying  circumstances,  who,  to  all  human  ap- 
pearances, were  going  down  to  the  grave 
with  a  lie  in  their  right  hand. 

'*  Oh,  yes,  sir,"  said  a  poor,  wretched  old 
woman,  whose  whole  life  nad  been  spent  in 
the  most  filthy  profanity;  "Oh,  yes,  sir,  I 
have  always  known  I  have  been  a  sinner." 

Poor  deluded  thing  to  be  trusting  in  such 
a  knowledge,  when  unaccompanied  with  a 
taming  from  sin.  In  such  cases  truly  death 
is  awfully  solemn !  But  though  death  is  all 
this,  and  more  than  any  human  mind  can 
ooneeive,  if  thou  hast  the  repentance  spoken 
of  in  the  first  part  thou  mayest  then  say, 
**  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for 
Thou  art  with  me." 

Again,  the  saint  ma^  die  in  the  sure  and 
certain  hope  that  he  will  need  no  prayers  to 
assist  him  into  heaven;  no  consecrated 
water;  no  man-made  incense;  no  funeral 
pomps.  The  only  meetness  for  heaven  is  to 
be  found  in  the  Spirit's  work ;  the  onl}r  gar- 
ments which  can  be  worn  there  a  Saviour's 
righteousness;  and  the  only  kev  to  open 
heaven's  gate,  a  Saviour's  blood;  He  nas 
done  it,  and  did  it  all  and  well— and  now 
stands  to  welcome  his  dear  ones  home.  Oh ! 
my  reader,  jrou  may  ein^  indeed,  "  For  me 
to  die  is  gain,"  for  it  will  be  absent  from 
the  body,  and  present  with  the  Lord. 

But  this  hope  is  a  very  comprehensive 
one,  and  embraces  bQdv  as  well  as  soul. 
It  is  true  that  what  is  cherished  now,  will 
become  revolting,  and  shall  worms  become 
my  masters.  How  little  we  remember  as  the 
csawling  insect  is  crushed  beneath  our  feet, 
that  we  ourselves  shall  become  subject  to  its 
power ;  nav,  more,  that  the  animal  juices  of 
m^  body  snail  be  taken  up  in  other  forms  of 
animat^  matter,  but  with  this  })le8sedhope 
we  rise  superior  to  everything ;  and  whue 
the  sceptic  is  wrecked  on  the  sandbank  of 
bis  own  finite  powers,  we  say  with  good  Job, 
**  Though  after  ray  skin  worms  destroy  my 
hody,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God  ;"^  for 
*^  this  corruptible  shall  put[on  incorruption  ; 
this  mortal,  immortality:   then   shall  be 


brought   to   pass  the    saying.   Death    is 
swallowed  up  in  victory." 

Lastly,  this  sure  hope  is  a  wound-healing 
hope.  Hast  thou  got  it,  soul  ?  And  hast 
thou  lost  those  who  through  grace  possessed 
it  ?  Put  this  healing  plaister  on  the  wound. 
They  are  not  lost !  Wife,  thou  shalt  again 
see  thy  husband ;  parent,  again  meet  thy 
child ;  sisters  meet  orothers,  and  brothers, 
sisters ;  pastors  their  people,  and  teachers 
their  scnolars,  to  whom  God  has  made 
them  useful — meet  them  as  glorified  saints 
who  have  been  dear  to  us  here,  but  whose 
company  shallbe  far  dearer  there.  Sometimes 
we  wish  them  back  to  sing  with  us,  and  talk 
with  us ;  but  there  we  shall  talk  with  them, 
and  for  ever  sing  with  them,  "  Unto  Him 
that  hath  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our 
sins  in  His  own  blood,  and  made  us  kings 
and  priests  unto  God :  to  Him  be  glory  for 
ever."     Amen. 

Yours  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 

W.  H.  EVAKS. 

Prague, 
June  6th,  1864. 


LINES 

Written  after  htaring  a  Sermon,  preached  by 

MB.  J.  S.  AimSBSOK, 

At  Zion  Chapel t  New  Cna$  Road,  Dept/ord,  on 
Smuiay,  Aug,  7, 1S64. 

"  Bestore  unto  me  the  joys  of  Thy  Bolvation.'*— 
Psalm  li. 


The  joys  of  Thy  salvation  to  us,  O  Lord,  restore, 
Kay  we  behold  Thy  glories,  as  we  have  oft  before ; 
Oh !  speak  the  word,  and  free  us  from  Stan's 


hateful  chain, 
Make  us  to  feel  the  liberty  of  spirit  onoe  again. 

Teach  va  to  know  the  fulness  of  Thy  salvation's 

joy; 

Then  in   glad  songs  of  praises,   shall  we   our 

tongues  employ— 
To  TlMe,  O  blessed  Jesus,  who  sits  on  heaven^i 

high  throne. 
For  all  Thy  love  and  mercy  to  us  poor  sinners 

shewn. 

We  long  to  feel  Thy  presence,  Thy  smiting  face 

to  see, 
For  when.  Thou,  Lord,  aft  near  us,  we've  peace 

and  liberty; 
Then  sin  dares  not  assail  us,  and  Batan  slinks 

away; 
Oh  \  that.  Lord,  ever  with  us  Thou  would'st  b 

pleaaea  to  stay. 

But,  no  1  t'would  be  like  heaven,  if  Thou  wert 

alwa\'s  near. 
And  Thou  hast  said  our  portion  while  we  are 


journeying  here, 
Must  e'e    * 


'en  be  care^  and  sorrow,  our  hearta  from 
earth  to  draw, 
Till  our  redeemed  spirits  shall  rise  and  heavenward 
soar. 

Then  when  we  shall  beliold  Thee,  and  in  Thy 

glories  share. 
Our  Joys  will  be  unbounded,  without  a  shade  of 

eare; 
No  trials  there  surround  us,  no  enemy  oppress. 
For  Thou,  Lord,  vrilt  be  with  us,  our  Qod  and 

righteoaJRiefls. 
Zion  Chapel  Sunday  Behool,  T.  Q.  0.  A* 

Deptford. 


Digitized  by 


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250 


THE  EAJtTHJSN  TflMSL. 


Sep.  1,  IBM. 


THE 

THE  CONDITION 


GREAT     SEARCH: 


OF  THE  SEARCHERS;  THEIR  OBJECT  AND  DBSIEE. 
By  BiDYicus,  OF  Maitchesteb. 

•*  With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  Thee :  O  let  me  not  wander  from  Thy  Commandmento."— 
Faalm  cxix.  10. 


'  How  endearing  to  the  souls  of  God's 
children  are  the  breathings  out  of  the  desires 
and  confessions  of  the  tempted  and  tried 
ones,  whose  hallowed  names  appear  on  the 


be  great  and  glorious  Head  of  grace  has 
well  prorided  for  His  people's  necessities. 
In  His  own  blessed  booV  He  points  out  to 
OS  the  way  in  which  He  lea  His  people 
through  *'fire  and  water"  to  the  city  of 
habitation.  From  their  own  lips  and  hearts 
He  counsels,  encourages,  and  comforts  us. 

In  the  psalm  before  us  we  see  exhibited 
the  sunny  and  shad^  sides  of  a  gracious  ex- 
perience. At  one  time  the  Psalmist's  heart 
rejoices  in  the  realization  of  Jehovah's 
presence  and  favour ;  at  anothjBr  it  melteth 
lor  heaviness,  and  longs  for  the  quickening 
and  strengthening  influence  of  His  word. 

The  psalm  opens  with  a  description  of 
the  standing  of  the  church  before  Gk>d  in 
Christ.  At  the  second  vane  he  states  that 
every  individual  believer  ''seeks  Him  with 
the  whole  heart.*'  What  an  easy  matter 
b  it  for  preachers  and  teachers  to  prate 
away  concerning  what  the  Scriptures  say 
about  the  state  Of  the  believer.  How  easy 
10  it  for  letter  preachers  to  describe  to  a 
nicety,  how  the  sinner  should  approach  Qod. 
As  we  pass  on  through  the  world,  we  may 
hear  the  silverv  eloquence  of  gifted,  but 
pAceless  preachers,  telling  out  what  God 
has  done  for  the  world  or  for  the  church,  but 
never  a  word  about  Triiat  He  has  done  fbr 
their  souls. 

How  differently  does  the  Psalmist  appear 
in  this  10th  verse.  Has  he  before  stated 
in  the  2nd  verse  that  the  "blessed  seek 
Him  with  the  whole  heart?*'  Here  he 
gives  unmistakable  evidence,  that  he,  him- 
self, is  of  the  number  whose  state  he  waa  so 
particular  in  describing  at  the  onset. 
"Blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in 
heavenly  places,  in  Christ,  according  as  the 
Father  has  choaen  us  in  Him  betore  the 
foundation  of  the  world,"  we,  now  in  time, 
aie  caused  by  the  Father  to  approach  unto 
Him,  Psalm  Ixv.  4,  "and  seek  Him  with 
the  whole  heart.'* 

Notice  first  the  object  of  the  search :  the 
Lord.  Secondly,  the  state  and  condition  of 
tke  souls  enaaged  in  U.  Thirdly,  ths  nature 
cfihe  search. 

I.  God  as  he  is  revealed  in  the  wcM'd  of 
truth,  and  from  it  to  the  soub  of  the 
aearcnert,  is  thb  objbot,  ath,  aitd  dbsibx 
OF  His  peoplb's  heart.     How  sweet  and 


how  precious  is  Jehovah  in  His  Trinity  of 
persons,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoat^  to 
the  soul  which  finds  him.  Sovereign^  but 
full  of  love.  Independent,  but  kind,  pitiful* 
and  forgiving.  Just,  but  affectionate,  and 
condescending.  With  a  heart  overflowing 
with  tenderness,  he  devised  the  schen^e  for 
the  salvation  of  a  countless  multitude  ol 
guilty,  undeserving,  and  hell-deserving 
wretches.  How  unspeakably  glorious  dcfea 
He  appear  in  the  person,  and  work  of  tiie 
Son  of  TSXe  love.  It  is  here,  in  the  dis- 
covery of  Christ's  suitability  and  adapta- 
bility to  the  weaiy,  searching,  sinner's  need 
and  necessity,  that  the  enmity  of  nature  is 
subdued,  and  he  is  made  a  willing  and 
hearty  recipient  of  sovereign  nwrcnr« 
through  the  grace  and  power  of  God,  toe 
ever»bles8ed,  and  eternal  Spirit:  the  ever- 
lasting and  immutable  goodness  of  Jehovah 
is  mule  to  pass  before  the  soul.  The 
Father,  in  His  love  and  ailection ;  the  Son, 
in  His  condescension  and  sympathy;  the 
Holy  Ghost,  in  grace  and  power;  are 
eagerly  sought  after,  and  that  with  the 
whole  heart  of  him  who  is  the  subject  of  the 
Spirit's  sin-subduing,  Christ-exaUing  woric 
II.   We  now  come  to  enquire  what  is  thb 

STATB  ASD  OOKDmON  OF  THOSB  WHO  TBQ* 
SBBK    HIM     WITH    TRBIB    WHOLE     HEABT? 

No  man  by  nature  can  do  this.  "  The  heart 
is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  despeiately 
wicked ;  who  can  know  it  ?" — Jerenuah  zvii. 
9.  '*  Every  imagination  of  the  thonghte  of 
lus  heart,  is  only  evil  continually."  Genesia 
vi.  5.  A  host  of  other  scriptures  might  be 
quoted  to  prove  this  terrible  fact,  but  these 
are  sufficient.  Man,  universal  man,  by 
nature  has  the  whole  bent  of  his  afi^oticNia 
estranged  from  God,  '*  alienatedfrom  the  life 
of  God,  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in 
them — because  of  the  blindness  of  their 
hearts.'*  Ephesians  iv.  18.  The  whole 
course  and  conduct  of  the  uogenerate  is 
earthly,  sensual,  devilish. 

Here  then  is  ample  scope  for  the  Snirit's 
work  of  grace  and  power.  **  He  shall  con- 
vince of  sin."  Believer  I  Convinced  sin- 
ner! How  dost  thou  bear  up  under  this 
searching  and  distressing  business  ?  The 
law  in  its  holiness,  justice,  perfection,  and 
condemning  power,  brought  to  bear  upon 
thy  crooked  and  perverse  neart,  causes  thee 
to  tremble.  With  thy  heart  overwhelmed 
with  a  sense  of  God's  wrath  and  indignation» 
and  thy  own  vileness  and  baseness,  the  cir 
for  merey,  help,  and  deliverance,  goes  fbrta 


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THB  SAKTUEN  YBiSEL* 


251 


to  the  very  heavens.  The  workiDgs  and 
evidences  of  the  new  heart,  God's  m,  are 
now  seen  and  experienced.  God  oas  be- 
stowed the  "  one  heart,"  and  the  "  one  way." 
Now  earth  with  all  its  fancied  and  short- 
lived  pleasures  has  lost  its  charms ;  nothing 
bnt  the  levelation  of  Christ  in  His  precioos- 
ness,  and  sonl-ravishing  charms,  can  saUsfv 
thee.  With  the  commeacement  of  God's  work 
in  the  sonl,  its  conflict  with  the  world,  the 
fleehf  and  the  devil  beeins.  The  world 
allures,  the  flesh  bows  down  the  aoul,  and 
Satan  with  his  hellish  darts  assaults  the 
child  of  grace. 

The  Soriptnres  represent  the  believer  in 
Jesus,  in  aU  the  phases  and  features  of  his 
earthly  pilflprimage. 

Job,  under  trying  dispensations,  seeks 
God.  *'  Oh  that  1  knew  where  I  might  find 
Him  I  that  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat!" 
"Behold,  I  go  forward,  bai  he  is  not  there ; 
and  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  him : 
on  the  left  hand,  where  he  doth  work,  bat 
I  cannot  behold  him :  he  hideth  himself  on 
the  right  hand,  that  I  oanuot  see  him. 
Bat  he  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take ;  when 
he  hath  tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as 
gold."  Job  zxiii.  3,  8,  9,  10. 

Here  we  have  a  soul  assaulted  by  the 
devil,  tormented  bv  his  friends,  and 
harassed  by  the  flesh,  seeking  eon&fort  of 
the  Lord.  No  assault  of  Satan,  no  infirmity 
of  the  flesh,  no  allurement  from  beneath, 
hindered  Job  from  arriving  at  the  sunny 
spot  of  Divine  acceptance. 

"  With  my  soul  have  I  desired  thee  in  the 
night,"  says  the  church  by  Isaiah.  In  the 
night  of  affliction,  desertion,  and  sorrow,  the 
soul  seeks.  With  what  importunity  is  the 
church  represented  in  the  act  of  seeking  him 
whom  her  soul  loves,  in  Solomon's  Song, 
Chap.  iii.  "  By  night  on  my  bed,**  &c. 
Here  is  the  soul  deserted.  It  seeks :  but 
where?  Where  he  is  not  to  be  found.  How 
oiWn  do  we  go  into  the  murky  streets  of 
human  ingenuity,  and  communicate  our 
wants  to  those  who  are  but  legalists  at 
heart,  and  who  can  never  assist  us.  How 
often  do  we  seek  for  that  in  6od*s  ministers 
which  can  only  be  found  in  huuself.  It  was 
when  the  church  had  passed  away  from  the 
watohmen  that  she  found  him  whom  her 
soul  loved.  How  blessed  is  the  ^sition  of 
the  believing  soul  when  it  rests  m  undis- 
turbed security  on  the  loving  bosom  of  an 
affi»ctionate  Saviour. 

IIL       Tn   NATUBE  OF  THE  8BARCH.    It  IS 

with  the  whole  heart.  The  search  for  God  by 
the  convinced,  afflicted,  or  deserted  soul,  is  no 
half-hearted  work.  Nothing  in  heaven  or 
earth  oan  satisfy  the  sonl  in  such  a  state 
but  Christ  himself,  a  blessed  and  precious 
interest  in  His  blood,  love,  and  righteousness. 
Oh  what  importunity  I  Give  me  Christ,  or  I 
die!  Poor  anxious  sinner,  as  assuredly  as 


thy  cry  goes  forth  in  humble  faith,  and 
hope,  and  love^  so  assuredly  shall  thy  cry 
be  answered.  Christ  shall  be  given  thee, 
and  thou  shalt  receive  him  in  thy  heart's 
best  affBctions,  and  the  gift  shall  be  thy 
death.  "  Dead  to  the  law  by  the  body  of 
Christ.*'  '*  A  agkt  of  Chritt  kilU  the  soul 
to  the  worlcU* 

What  determination  of  purpose,  '*  My 
soul  followeth  hard  afterthee.'*  The  Spint 
strives  within  mightily.  Hell  and  doetruc- 
tion  behind ;  sin  and  death  reigning  here. 
Honour,  glory,  immortality,  eternal  life 
with  Christ.  Blessed  Jesus,  bow  the  souls 
of  thy  saints  anxiously  seek  for  that  time 
when  in  body  and  soul  they  shall  be  like 
thee,  because  they  shall  see  thee  as  thou 
art. 

"  With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought 
thee.**  Yes,  dear  Lord,  oftentimes  I  have 
sought  thee,  at  the  mercy  seat,  in  Thy 
word,  and  m  Thy  house;  in  solitude  and 
in  tho  companv  of  the  people ;  the  silent 
watches  of  night,  and  at  noon-day,  and 
oftentimes  has  thy  gracious  presence 
gladdened  my  heart,  raising  my^  drooping 
affections,  and  setting  them  on  things  above 
where  thou  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father.  May  Thy  presence  cheer  me  to 
my  journey's  end,  keeping  me  in  sweet  com- 
munion with  thine  own  dear  self  and  thy 
believing  people. 

Many  a  poor  and  afllicted  disciple  with 
his  heart  melting  for  heaviness,  has  written 
bitter  thiu^  against  himself  in  reading  some 
parts  of  this  psalm. 

Have  I  sought  Him  as  I  ought  ?  No, 
indeed,  you  have  not ;  and  a  poor  sign  it 
would  be  if  you  could  compliment  yourself 
in  having  done  so.  Snares,  besetments, 
trials,  and  sorrows  attend  the  steps  of  Zion*s 
pilgrim,  and  too  often  his  heart  wanders 
from  the  spring-head  of  grace,  and  becomes 
entangled  in  (he  brambles  and  thickets  of 
the  wildemesss.  The  Psalmist  knew  this 
well,  hence  the  prayer,  *'  0  let  me  not 
wander  from  thy  commandments.*'  Let 
my  faith  ever  rest  in  Jesus,  and  my  love 
alwajs  abound  to  thy  saints. 

Weak  ia  the  effort  of  my  heart, 
And  cold  my  warmest  thouglit ; 

But  when  I  see  Thee  an  Thou  orf, 
111  pralie  Thee  as  I  ought. 

Mark  this.  It  is  not,  "I  have  always 
sought  Thee  with  my  whole  heart,"  or  '*! 
am  always  seeking  Thee  so.**  Oh,  no !  A 
sense  of  failure  day  by  day ;  a  daily  remem-  ^ 
brance  of  the  infirmities  of  our  natura  will 
send  us  to  the  throne,  to  seek  for  succour  and 
sympathy  from  One  *'  who  can  reasonably 
bear  with  the  ignorant,  and  them  that  are 
out  of  the  way. 


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THE  EAHIHEN  TESSEL. 


Sep.  1,  I8«4. 


MY  WAY  FROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  TO  THE  PULPIT. 

By  a  Lokdov  Baptist  Pastor. 


No.  4. 


LESSONS  BY  THE  WAY. 
We  gain  by  giving.  This  is  a  universal 
law.  The  vegetable  kingdom  gives  back  to 
the  earth  what  was  drawn  from  it ;  the  de- 
cayed leaves,  stalks,  and  weeds  enrich  the 
soil  to  produce  a  fresh  supply.  The  well- 
tilled  ground  repays  the  labour  of  the  hus- 
bandman by  a  plentiful  crop.  As  in  the 
physical  world,  so  in  the  mental,  moral, 
and  religious.  We  cannot  ^nolate  the 
Divine  order  of  things  with  impunity. 
"  Whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he 
also  reap."  I  have  been  reaping  for  some 
time  the  advantages  of  studying  for  the  mi- 
mbtry  amongst  the  poor.  Many  a  lesson 
of  unspeakable  worth  was  learned  in  their 
miserable  domiciles.  It  is  no  small  mercy 
if  we  can  say  with  tnith  as  did  the  apostle 
to  the  Gentiles,  "  I  have  learned  in  what- 
soever state  I  am  to  be  content."  Mark, 
not  "therewith  to  be  content,"  as  the 
italics  make  it  read.  Paul's  was  not  the 
stupid  contentment  that  would  drudge  on 
without  seeking  to  better  his  state ;  but  a 
calm  submission  to  the  Divine  allotments 
of  Providence.  Godliness,  with  this  con- 
tentment, is  indeed  great  gain;  and  the 
daily  visitation  of  those  who  are  a  thousand 
times  worse  off  than  ourselves  will  greatly 
promote  it.  We  are  too  apt  to  forget  that 
our  temporal  mercies  are  all  the  gifts  of 
Him  who  openeth  His  hand  and  satisfieth 
the  desire  of  every  li^-ing  thing. 

Such  cases  as  the  following  arc  pregnant 
with  instruction.  I  have  often  had  patience 
and  thankfulness  awakened  by  reflection 
upon  them,  and  have  been  helped  to  say 
more    cheerfully,    "  Thy    mil    be  done.*' 

W T lived  at  No.  1, street ; 

his  home  was  a  miserable,  dark,  and  damp 
cellar,  dignified  with  the  name  of  front 
kitchen.  It  was  entered  by  means  of  a 
ladder  in  the  area,  and  contained  a  table, 
a  cobbler*s  stool,  three  chairs  with  broken 
backs,  a  "stump"  bed,  and  a  "patent** 
mangle.  My  friend  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade ;  but  being  near-sighted,  and  having 
a  long  nose,  he  was  not  able  to  follow  his 
business.  Perhaps  the  reader  may  ask 
what  his  olfactory  member  had  to  do  with 
his  trade.  It  hung  in  the  way ;  he  had  to 
hold  the  boot  so  near  bis  face  in  order  to 
flee,  that  when  shaving  the  edges  of  the 
sole,  he  often  slit  the  end  of  his  proboscis, 
l)esides  frequently  cutting  the  "uppers.** 
So  he  had  to  abandon  shoemaking,  and  live 
by  other  means.  The  produce  of  the 
mangle  was  the  chief  support  of  the  hus- 


band, wife,  and  two  children.  Many  a 
morning  they  rose  without  money,  food,  or 
credit,  and  had  to  wait  brealifast  "till 
something  came  in.*'  Threepence  often 
procured  a  meal  for  four,  and  sometimes 
that  was  the  only  meal  during  the  day.  He 
would  say  on  such  occasions,  "We  have 
had  a  hard  pinch,  sir ;  but  a  bit  o*  mang- 
ling came  in,  and  we  yarned  threepence, 
so  I  have  got  twopen'orth  o*  bread,  three 
farthing*s  worth  o*  tea,  and  a  farthing*s 
worth  o*  sugar,  and  we*re  just  going  to 
have  it.'*  Then  he  would  give  God  thanks 
with  tears  of  gratitude  for  the  scanty 
supply,  and  ask  a  blessing  with  it  with  an 
earnestness  that  has  brought  many  a  tear 
to  nay  eye.  He  would  say,  "You  see,  sir, 
the  Lord  is  good;  He  has  fulfiUed  the  pro- 
mise, 'Bread  shall  be  given,*  bless  Hia  dear 
name."  That  used  to  send  me  off  to  Port- 
land-place or  Harley-street,  to  lay  his  case 

before  Sir  W B ,  or  the  Earl  of 

W —    ,  or  the  Hon.  Mrs.  K ,  and  to 

their  honour  be  it  spoken,  I  never  went  in 
vain.  And  having  witnessed  the  poverty 
first,  it  saved  me  from  discontent  and  envy 
of  the  wealth  of  the  rich.  Reader,  visit 
such  cases,  and  it  will  soften  thy  hard  pil 
low  and  sweeten  thy  dry  crust,  if  such  be 
thy  lot,  and  withal  it  may  convince  thee 
that  there  is  a  grand  reality  and  powCT  in 
grace. 

Mrs.  H lived  in  a  cellar  in  O 

Mews.  On  my  first  visit,  she  had  a  party 
of  friends, — two  neighbouring  "costew?' 
and  their  wives.  "We  have  just  had  a 
drop  of  gin,  and  cduld  drink  some  more ; 
will  you  drink  with  us?"  "No,  thank 
you."  "Will  you  stand  half-a-pint ?** 
"  No."  "  Well,  what  are  you — a  parson  or 
an  undertaker?'*  "Neither."  "What  then?" 
"A  friend  who  wishes  yon  well;  here's  a 
little  book,  and  I  will  call  again  when  Ton 
are  sober,  and  talk  to  you  about  your  Bonis.** 
"  Ha !  ha !  ha !  he*8  a  parson  after  all ;  we 
don't  want  your  religion,  master."    Mrs. 

H staggered  across  the  room,  took  the 

tract,  saying,  "  1*11  read  it  when  I'm  sober, 
sir,  and  do  you  call,  it  may  do  me  good ; 
you*re  right  and  we  are  wrong."  "Ha! 
ha !  ha !  she  is  going  to  turn  Methodist — 
what  next  I  '*  This  woman  was  the  daugh- 
ter  of  a  Baptist  minister;  had  been  well 
educated,  and  religiously  and  tenderly 
brought  up;  but  married  a  "fast"  young 
man,  contrary  to  the  wish  of  her  parents. 
He  took  to  drmk,  ill  used,  and  then  left  her 
to  live  with  another  woman.    She  followed 


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the  bad  ezamido,  and  bdcamd  an  habitual 
dmnkafd,  and  was  now  tiTing  with  a  man 
who  b«Bged  abont  the  West  End  nnder  the 
ffoise  orBeQing  boot  laoes.  Mr  -visits  were 
bleseed;  she  became  a  teetotaler,  got  some 
decent  clothes,  and  legularij  attended  mj 
meednffSy  and  went  by  the  name  of  the 
"saint"  among  the  ''costers"  in  the  mews. 
Soon  after  onr  aoqnaintance,  her  cruel  hns* 
band  died,  which  she  said  was  a  blessins 
she  owed  entirelj  to  mj  prajers.  Bat  I 
oertaittlj  never  prayed  for  the  man  to  die ; 
airp'how,  the  event  opened  the  way  for  her 
to  be  lawfhlly  married  to  the  man  with 
whom  she  liyed,  which  took  place  at  All 
Soul's  Ohnzch  by  the  rector,  now  a  bishop, 
who  kindly  consented  to  forsgo  his  fee,  and 
my  wife  found  the  ring. 

In  this  and  many  omer  eases  I  was  ftir- 
mshed  with  a  beacon  of  warning  to  the 
young.  Here  was  a  sad  proof  that  "the 
way  of  transgressors  is  hfod."  My  dear 
joung  reader,  if  thou  hadst  seen  the  scald- 
ing tears  this  woman  shed  at  the  remem- 
bnmee  of  her  once  .happv  home,  thou 
wouldst  take  warning,  and  be  careftil  how 
a«ociatioBs  are  fonaed  and  afibcttons 
placed.  And  vet  the  vilest  sinner  who 
feels  the  wickedness  and  folbr  of  sin  maj 
take  courage.  What  grace  £d  for  her  it 
can  do  for  any. 

It  is  a  merey  to  feel  fullj  persuaded  that 
a  kind  Providence  is  working  all  things  to- 
gMther  for  good  to  them  that  lore  Ood,  and 
this  we  may  trace  not  only  in  our  own  his- 

toiy,  but  in  the  case  of  others.    Mn.  T 

wis  a  widow  with  three  little  children, 
whose  husband  I  visited  almost  daily  dur- 
ing his  last  illness,  and  was  not  without 
hope  that  he  sought  and  found  mercy 
thrcusfa  the  Wood  oi  Christ.  The  funeral 
and  the  **  mourning"  swallowed  up  the 
little  all,  and  not  many  days  after,  the 
widow  sat  solitaty  and  sad  in  her  humbly- 
famiehed  "  two  pair  back,"  without  money, 
food,  or  friend  that  she  knew  to  help  her. 
As  she  looked  at  her  little  ones,  and 
thought  of  the    "  Union,"    the   big  tears 


rolled  down  her  grief-stricken  foce.  She 
concealed  her  foelinas  as  best  she  could 
from  the  children,  ana  in  the  midst  of  her 
ffrief  went  off  into  a  kind  of  day  dream, 
from  which  she  was  startled  by  two  gentle 
rings  at  her  bell,  which  indicated  a  visitoff 
to  the  second  floor.  On  t^ninff  ^o  door, 
there  stood  a  most  wretched-looking  sp^* 
men  of  humanity  with  matches  for  sale. 
"  No,  my  good  man,  no ;  I  wish  you  had 
not  brouftht  me  down  two  pair  of  stain  fm 
nothing.'^  He  uiged  the  idea,  and  kept 
her  some  moments  at  the  door,  when,  at 
length,  she  replied  to  his  entreaties,  *<  My 
good  man,  if  a  nalfpenny  would  save  you,  I 
really  have  not  one;  neither  have  I  a 
mouthful  to  eat  in  the  house  for  myself  and 
children.'*  The  beggar  walked  away,  and 
the  widow  returned  to  her  miserable  domi- 
cile; but  a  respectable  servant  maid  heard 
her  remark  on  passing  the  door.  **Jyf^ 
me,"  she  said  to  herself,  <*  not  a  halfpenny, 
not  a  mouthful  of  food,  and  a  widow  too. 
When  I  get  home  I'll  tell  missus."  In  less 
than  an  hour  she  returned  with  bread, 
*'  broken  meat,"  &c.,  a  basketful  "  Ano- 
ther beggar,*'  said  Mrs.  T .  "Jim,  you 

go;  I  cannot  drag  up  and  down  these 
stairs."  *' Mother,  here's  a  lady,*'  cried 
Jim.  ''  I  heard  you  tell  the  beggar,  ma'am, 
that  you  had  no  money  nor  food,  and  told 
missus,  and  she's  sent  you  this,"  handing 

her  the  basket.     Mrs.  T stood  for  a 

while  amaoed,  but,  at  length,  all  was  ex- 
plained, and  on  my  leaving  that  district,  a 
visit  was  paid  daily  by  the  widow  to  *i  the 
kind  lady  in  Burners  Sireet.** 

Reader,  these  are   focts, — ^naked  foots. 
Never  shall  I  forget  the  brightness  of  Mrs. 

T *s.face  as  soo  related  the  simple  but 

important  story.  And  how  the  circum- 
stance has  helped  me  to  trust  Qod  and  aUio 
to  preach,  you  may  suppose.  Yes,  our  God 
is  tiie  widow's  God :  the  God  of  the  poor. 
Believer,  He  telleth  all  thy  wanderings,  and 
putteth  thy  tears  into  His  bottle.  Blessed 
are  all  they  that  trust  in  Him.     Gideok, 


Seatit  nf  Pr.  a^i^taff. 


Wa  have  received  the  announcement  that 
the  soul  of  this  good  man  left  this  world  on 
the  17th  of  August,  1864,  after  a  longafflic- 
tion.  Further  particulars  we  shall  give  if 
they  reach  us  before  our  sheet  is  printed  off. 

Mr.  Tiptaft's  ministry  was  peculiarly  sim- 
pls,  experimental,  and  truthful.  It  was 
mors  £rom  the  heart  than  from  the  head ;  it 
was  more  from  Qod  than  from  man.  It  was 
a  blessing  to  many. 

A  long  and  choquerod  life  has  William 


Tiptsft's  been.  First,  in  the  Church—then 
with  that  section  of  the  Baptist  body,  where- 
in stood  in  great  honour  those  blessed  men, 
William  Ckdsby,  John  Warburton,  Macken- 
zie, and  many  others — commonly  called 
"  the  Standard  party"— at  whose  head  now 
stands  Mr.  Philpot,  and  for  literary  powers 
it  m%y  be  said,  he  almost  stands  alone ;  but 
for  a  real,  deep> taught,  and  savoury  minis- 
tjy,  the  greatly-belqred  Joair  KxasoAw, 
and   a   ho9t   beside,   are   stiU   given  to 


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k7,lllit 


tlttit  oeolMB  <tf  our  a<M|>d  2Um«-ft  seatiM 
vibM^in  we>  tfcnaoieatioaalv  Miera  ^ere 
liw  been  a  largo  amount  o/  tbe  poiMv  and 
ireiMtte  «f  the  Holt  Spiu^b  saving  in* 
floeMoe.  We  moet  flinoenly  Mteem  many 
Q#  these  Qod*flflBt,  hnmUe,  and  boneetmin- 
iHeiB  ai  what  say.  be  tanned  the>w^ 
Otaeore  than  the  £ACTS)  of  the  Gospel  of 
the  gnwe  of  God.  Etom  the  eariiest  days 
of  one  prolesBion  of  the  tmtb,  w«  h»re  most 
BMred^  sjrmpathiaed  with  all  those  blessed 
men  who,  in  their  measwa,  faaye  followed 
William  Hnotinpiton'a  Scriptural  and  ex- 
peiiraental  ministerial  oovzm,  only  they 
naya  added  to  it  ^e  praotxeal  observance  of 
the  baptism  of  believera  by  immersion ;  and 
benin  the  blessuw  of  a  Tannu  Gon  has 
TMtad  upon  thoir  JaboMa;  they  have  been 
iofltromental  in  planting  many  Chnrehes  in 
aU  parts  of  this  kingdom;  and  although 
thej  are  instmeted  most  ri^dly  to  exclude 
iia--«nd  all  connected  with  us— still  we 
eany  no  enmity  nor  angf>r  in  our  breasts 
toward  them.  We  pray  thai}  our  heavenly 
"BkTEMB,  would  gire  them  reiy  truly,  "very 
powerftdly,  and  very  pnusticdly  to  adopt 
and  to  carry  out  in  mmisteiial  and  in  ail 
Ghriatian  conversation,  the  experience  and 
lanj^uige  of  goad  Hasektah,  simply  trana- 
ponmg  the  wwda,  and  exaaimiagi  '*  Behold, 
tegrcatbittamesB,''^  towards  oth'm  ofGod's 
saints,  "we  have  now  peace"  and  good-will, 
lior  <' Thoo,'*  the  LordGod,  •'  haftdeUverad 
onr  seals  fh>m  the  pit  of  oorruption;  Thou 
haatoaataUonr  sins  behind  Thy  baek.'*  Oht 
that  that  hap|^  day  might  coma,  whan  all 
the  truly  baptized  sainta  of  God— when  all 
the  truly  anointed  servanta  of  God  might 
nnita  in  the  bonds  of  sacred  truth;  snd 
umte  to  strengthen  each  othera  hands ! 

Painful  beyond  all  deseriptioa  is  the 
thought  that  but  T<»iy  £bw  of  our  own  dear 
brethren  can  together  meet— in  harmony, 
IB  charity,  in  purity  of  motiye,  and  in  apos- 
tolic manner,  bidding  each  other  God-speed 
in  their  most  holv  work. 

Brethren,  besiae  all  the  beautifVil  words 
the  Saviour  spake  of  loyb— do  read  the 
following  from  Hugh  Binning,  an  old  Scotch 
divine.    He  says: — 

*'  The  love  of  God  is  the  fulfilling  of  the 
law,  for  it  is  a  living  law— the  law  written 
on  the  heart ;  it  is  the  law  of  a  spirit  of 
life  within  —  qai$  legem  del  amatUtbus? 
Major  eex  amor  »ibi  ^m  sH.  Tou  almost 
need  not  prescribe  any  rules,  or  set  over 
the  head  of  love  the  authori^  and  power 
of  a  command  for  it  is  a  greater  law  to  it- 
Mlf ;  it  has  within  its  own  bosom  as  deep 
an  engagement  and  obligation  to  anything 
that  mav  please  God  aa  you  can  put  upon 
it ;  for  It  in  in  itself  the  wry  engagement 
ajid  l^nd  of  the  seal  to  Him.  This  it  is 
indeiid  which  will  db  Him  service;  and 
that  is  the  service  which  He  likes.    It  is 


that  only  servaa  Him  oonataiitfty  and  ^mu^ 
saatlv;  and  ceaafeantiy  it  eaancit  servwHim) 
which  doth  it  not  pleasantly,  fbv  it  ia  de» 
light  only  that  makM  it  oonatBiit  Violank 
motiona  may  be  airift,  bat  nob  dusaUe: 
they  last  not  long.  Fear-  and  tenmr  ia  » 
kind  of  extamal  impalsa^  that  may  drivb  m 
soul  swifUy  to  some  duly ;  but  beeaov 
that  is  not  one  w«th  the  sonl,  it  caaaot  an- 


dura  long-  it  is  not  ^ood'  company  to  tha 
Boul.  But  love*  making  a  dn^  pleaasnt, 
becomes  ona  with  the  s^ ;  it  inoorpoialoa 
with  it,  and  beeomea  like  ita  natnxa  tait* 
that  though  it  may  not  move  so  swiftly^  yet 
it  moi«a  more  oonatantly.  And  what  i» 
love  but  the  vary  motion*  of  the  soal  to- 
God?  And  ao^  tin  it  have  attained  tha^tt^ 
be  in  Him,  it  can  find  no  P^aoa  of  leati 
Now  thia  is  tha  only  servioa  Ha  ia  plaaasd 
with  which  comes  from  love,  beoauaa  Ha 
seea  His  own  image  in  it;  fbr  love  in  na. 
is  nothing  else  £it  the  impnsnon  t/nib 
stamp  that  God*s  love  to  ua  makes  on  the* 
heart ;  'tia  the  Tecy  veftaedoa  of  that  «waet» 
waan  beam.  So  then,  when.  His.  low  zav 
fleets  back  unto  Himaalf,  caaieyinK  oo 
heart  and  dnty  with  it,  He  knoraE  Hia 
own  Aupenoripittoa,  He  lovea  Hia  own  ia 
in  a«!h  a  du^r  **  He  that  loftsdi  ma,  i 
continueth  in  my  lova,  I  will  lova  faiaki  and 
I  and  my  Father  will  come  aad-  malDaoor 
abode  with  hnr/'  Haie,  aow,  ia  as  swi- 
denoethatHalikaait:  for  Ha  most  naadat 
like  that  plaoa  He  chooaes  to  dwell  in;  Ba; 
who  hath  snchta  glorioua  mansion  and  par 
laea  abore^  He  BBnatneada  loveihaft  sail. 
deadly  that*  Ha  will  prefer  it  to  Hia  higb 
and  hol^  plaaa.** 

As  death  eomes  in  so  freqnantly  taUof 
ourbiathren  home,  doletna  canaidaroae 
ways,  do  let  us  "consider  one  another  to 
love,  and  to  provoka  one  another  to  worin 
which  are  good.'* 

No  more,  then,  shall  tha  Ohnroh  at 
Abingdon  see  their  afieotionata  paatOf'a 
face  in  the  flesh  ;  no  more  shall  hia  voiaa 
be  heurd  in  Gower  street,  nor  in  Zoar,  nor 
in  the  hundreds  of  the  hamlets  where 
William  Tiptaft  loved  to  meet  the  seeking 
■aintsofGi^.  Hievramings,  andhisworda 
of  coasolatibn  are  all  delivered;  and. now 
to  give  an  account  of  his  stewardship  he 
goes  in  before  the  Great  High  Priest  Him- 
self. 

The  mortal  remains  of  Iffir.  Tiptaft  wera 
laid  in  the  graye  at  Abingdon,  on  Sunday, 
Auffust  21st,  1804,  Mr.  Gorton  and  othaia 
taking  part  in  the  service.  It  is  five  and 
thirty  years  since  Mr.  'notaftpreaohed  that 
sermon  in  the  great  Fariah  Church  oT 
Abingdon  (on  the  evaning  of  Ofaristaiaa 
day,'  1^99)  by  the  appointment  of  thelflaa- 
ters  and  Qovemora  of  Christ  Hospital,  and 
which  caoaed  great  enitement;  and  opened 


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op  the  miy  for  Jus  leaTing  i^  Cihiiroh  «1- 
•logeUMr.     Mr.  TipUfb  was  then  Viesypf 
S^ton  GoartiMgr,  ia  Berkihire.  Webelnre 
Mr.  Bichtted  BMidaJI,  tbe  Baptist  minUter 
in  tba4  ▼iliagi,  waa  instrumental  in  opening 
the  yicar^B  eyes  to  see  the  trath ;  and  a  more 
Arm  adherent  to  GhMpel  truth  the  Christian 
Church  could  not  have  had.    We  have  Mr. 
Tiptaft's  sermon,  and  his  Letters  to  the 
Sishop  of  Salisbury;  but  our  memoir  of 
Um  gwxL  man  must  come  another  day»  in 
iriu&  soma  notice  of  these  letters  mi^  ap- 
pear.   For  nearly  forty  years  WilUam  Tip- 
laft  preached  ths  Wonii^  contended  for, 
•nd  endeayoured  to  define  a  rital  e^perienoe 
of  Cbiust  in  the  heartf,  and  while  preach- 
ing £eee*grace  doctrines,  his  character  and 
conversation  proved  him  to  be  a  man  whose 
laifth  was  genaine,  and  whose  felloitahip 
was  with  ^)d. 
We  subjoin  the  following  note  :*^ 
-"'Dbab  fiBOTmn, — I  know  nothing  pw- 
ticttlsEr  «f  Mr.  Tipti^'s  last  sayinge,  but  this 
anck  I  have  spoken  in  publiCi  that  sahra- 
tiott  i*  of  gzmce ;  therefore  Mr.  Tiptaft  is 
«ew  anongst  those  who  die  in  the  Lord, 
«ad  wn  blessed  for  evw.    If  salvation  had 
bwft  of  w««fcB»  neither  Tiptaft  nor  me  eould 
h9tmmL    When  Mr.  Tiptalt  first  eame  to 
SnMoaGaBStneyv  he  eame  full  of  blind  seal 
At  Obaieh  forma,  infant  iqprinkling,  confir- 
■latiMi,  «ad  this  saerament.     Thus,     the 
^people  wore  to  make  themselves  good,  and 
lo  baastved  for  their  goodness,  by  Christ 
■laftliig   up  mbal  waa   laokmg;*-bat  the 
€M  «f  all  graoe  stopped  Mr.  Tiptaft  in 
llda  uad  wwk,  and  showed  him  that  he 
tdmeelf  was  such  a  sinner  that  he  eould  do 
«»  good  work ;  thevefbrs  eould  not  be  saved 
%y,  or  for,  his  works :  fima  this  time  to  the 
«id  Mr.  Tiptaft  has  been  a  firm  believer  in 
ihe  free  mer^  of  Ood  in  Christ  Jesus; 
■anilMtsd  acoording  to  €k)d's  eternal  pur- 
pose ;  thoB  Mr.  Tiptaft  was  a  lover  of  Jesos, 
ond  a  lover  of  those  around  him,  whom  he 
thooght  the  Lotd  had  loved.     Mr.  Tiptaft 
gars  idl  his  meeos  to  help  the  Lord*8  poor 
ind  needy  ones;  thns  we  have  a  proof  that 
Ids  heart  was  not  set  upon  the  things  of 
tins  world;  but  in  this  good  work,    like 
other   good  men,    he  was  much  imposed 
ttpon.    In  Mr.  Tiptaft,  and  in  his  public 
admausliation,  although  firm  in  the  doc- 
trines of  grace,  there  was  too  much  cavil, 
too  much  finding  fault  with  eveiybody,  but 
the  party  he  stood  in  connexion  with ;  if 
Ihat  censorious  spirit  had  been  more  morti- 
fied, and  he  had  had  more  real  fellowshkiwith 
odiers,  than  just  his  own  f^,  he  would  have 
twen  a  much  more  able  minister  of  Christ 
Jesus:   but  now  he  is  absent  from  this  vile 
body,  and  praising  with  the  Lord  Jbsos 
hi  {b  now  free  from  all  imperfection.    May 
it  be  our  mercy  to  be  Catthf  ul  unto  dealih, 
Aat  wo  may  finally  wear  the  orown  of  fife ; 


may  we,  seeing  the  haperfootions  of  others, 
behold  more  of  our  own,  and  pray  and  fight 


against  theai,— Youn  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
R.  lUNnaBb." 
«  SHtton  Covrteey,  August  22, 1891 
<'  Mr.  Tiptaft  was  at  Cbapel  on  LordTs 
Day  week ;  on  Tussdsy  mortiing  he  was  up 
and  aboat  house,  'and  shaved  himself;  in 
the  evenioff  he  was  persoaded  to  go  to  bed. 
I  believe  he  waa  veiy  happy  in  mind,  re- 
joieing  in  the  Lord  Jesas  for  some  time. 
At  last,  his  mental  sofferings  were  great ; 
he  breathed  his  last  about  one  o'clock  €fa 
Wdinesday  morning,  August  17th ;  he  waB 
buried  last  Lord's  Day,  (many  spectators 
around,)  in  the  new  burial  ground  at 
Abingdon.  Dear  brother,  it  is  the  life  of 
Christians  I  love ;  to  live  is  Christ,  to  die 
is  gain.  It  is  not  the  last  feeling  or  the 
last  words.    Just  look  at  Matthew  rii.  21. 


THE  LATE  MR.BENBY  WATMUFF. 

Wn  have  received,  in  a  posted  letter,  a 
deep  black-bordered  card,  bearing  the 
following  inscription : — 

IN  lOMOBT  or 

MR.  HENRY  WATMUFP, 

qfSriffhim, 

Who  died  at  Mottlake,  in  Surrey,  July  18, 

1864v  aged  66  years. 

•^For  if  we  be  dead  with  Hhn,  we^hall  also  live 

with  Him." 

Mr.  Henry  Watmuff  was  one  of  the  most 
sincere  and  devoted  friends  the  churches  of 
truth  could  possibly  have.  It  was  the  jojr 
ai  his  heart  "  to  do  good,  and  to  commum- 
eate:"  and  in  these  exercises  of  charity 
and  of  an  earnest  and  practical  contention 
for  truth,  it  may  be  said,  he  spent  the  last 
five  and  twenty  years  of  his  life.  He  was 
one  of  the  earliest  fHends  this  publication 
had  in  London,  and  the  earlier  volumes 
contain  several  papers  firom  his.  pen.  It 
may  very  confidently  be  said — ^Henry  Wat- 
moff  lived  the  lifo,  and  died  the  death  of 
the  righteous ;  his  end  was  perfect  peace, 
and  vr&h  his  Loan  his  ransomed  spirit  now 
dweUs  for  ever. 

"Brother,  thou  art  gone  before, 
And  thy  mintly  soul  ia  flown 

Where  lean  aw  wiped  (hnnerery  eye^ 
And  sorrow  is  unknown." 

We  attempt  no  memoir  of  the  deceased ; 
his  brother,  Mr.  Stephen  Watmuff  has 
favoured  us  with  a  note,  ftom  whenoe  the 
IbUowing  eztiact  is  given : — 

Dbab  Sib,*— As  mv  late  dear  brother, 
Henry  Watmu£P,  haa  been  a  subscriber,  I 
believe  firom  the  commencement^  and  until 
his  death,  of  the  EAvnax  YnsssL.  his  friend 
here,  Mr.  Steadman,  the  bookseller,  supply- 
ing him  with  two  osiithree  copies  of  it,  and 
alM   the  OasaMim  Wonns  eveiy  months 


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with  some  others  «!«>,  I  haTe  thondit  a 
memoir  of  him  in  that  publication,  would 
be  interesting  to  his  many  friends  here,  and 
in  London,  and  neighbooring  towns,  where 
he  haa  lived  nearly  36  years,  and  dnring  the 
last  12  years  or  more,  he  had  been  labouring 
as  a  humble  ambassador  among  the  poor 
churehes  of  his  dear  Lord  and  master,— 
whom  he  so  highly  loved,— in  this  and  the 
neighbouring  counties.  But  I  am  unable 
to  furnish  anything  that  would  be  really 
edifying  to  that  class  of  readers  whom  he 
loved  and  laboured  amongst,  vis.,  the  poor 
of  Christ's  flock,  among  whom  his  memory 
will  long  be  cherished.  His  labours  were 
abundant.  The  manuscript  portion  of  his 
works,  unpublished,  conrasting  as  far  as  I 
have  had  time  to  examine  them,  of  sermons, 
journals,  essays,  and  other  miscellaneous 
subjects,  besides  what  he  undertook  for 
others  to  arrange,  and  assist  in  getting 
printed,  are  quite  suzprismg.  Many  have 
been  the  instances,  we  have  heard,  of  the 
blessing  attendiuff  the  reading  of  that  ex- 
cellent work  of  his,  published  about  25 
years  ago,  called  "  Gideon,"  in  two  volumes. 
Indeed,  he  was  really  worn  out  in  his 
Master's  work.  He  left  his  home  at  six 
o'doi,  a.m.,  Saturday,  July  16th,  preached 
at  Bichmond,  Sunday  morning  the  17th, 
and  died  at  Mortlake  about  half-past  nine 
onMondav  morning,  the  18th,  and  was  buried 
there.  Kature  was  sinking  rapidly  when 
he  was  peaching  that  hu  affectiDg  and 
solemn  discourse  from  Revelations  ui.  8, 
"  For  thou  hast  a  little  strength,  and  hast 
kept  my  word,  and  hast  not  denied  my 
name ;  '*  words  appropriate  to  himself.  His 
death  is  much  lamented  here.  In  two  of 
the  neighbouring  churches  it' was  improved 
from  that  passage,  "And  Enoch  walked  with 
God,  and  was  not,  for  God  took  him."  The 
words  in  a  measure  express  the  character 
of  the  man.  I  enclose  you  a  short  tract, 
being  the  closing  scenes  in  the  life  of  a 
dear  old  saint  of  God,  of  over  threescore 
vears  standing,  which  was  the  last  work  my 
brother  assisted  to  get  printed.  The 
daughter,  a  poor  but  gracious  woman,  has 
a  few  of  them  in  hand  for  sale  at  2d  each. 

In  a  letter  just  to  hand,  from  one 
who  was  with  him  all  the  remainder  of  the 
Sabbath  day  preceding  his  death,  he  aaid 
to  him  about  three  o'clock,  "  My  work  is 
ilnished."  He  also  adds  that  he  informed 
him  that  it  was  his  intention  to  have  spoken 
in  the  evening  on  the  **  Excellent  of 
Christ,"  from  the  17th  chapter  of  John, 
I  therefore,  he  says,  read  the  chapter  to 
him  at  his  request.  He  said  to  me,  *'0h, 
what  an  unspeakable  mercy  it  is  to  feel  an 
interest  in  that  prayer,  and  to  be  kept  from 
the  evil  of  the  world."  IVomthe  30th  verse 
to  the  end  he  much  ei\joyed  it,  liiUng  up 
his  hands^as  he  lay  on  the  bed  with  such  | 


feelings  of  delight.    I  afterwards  engaged 
in  prayer,  and  both  of  us  felt  the  preeence 
of  the  Lord  on  that  solemn  occasion. 
I  am.  Sir,  respeetfrilly  yours, 

.Srapmuf  Watmut'. 
22,  Egremont  Place,  Brighton,  August 

I  HAVE  OBTAINED  THE  VICTOKY, 

The  Lord  in  his  good  pleasure  and  wisdom 
has  entered  into  one  oran^  of  my  £unilv, 
and  take  thence  the  youngest  daughter  m 
her  fourteenth  year.  The  nairative  of  bar 
affliction  and  happv  death  will  I  think  net 
only  interest  many  of  the  acquaintance  and 
family  widelv  scattered  through  the  oountiy 
and  the  tMrld,  but  for  the  readers  of  the 
useful  and  amaaingly  cheap  little  periodiea]' 
in  general. 

Kate  Carter  waa  born  at  Upavon,  Wilts, 
the  youngest  of  a  family  of  nine.  ^  She  was 
of  a  quiet  retiring  disposition,  and  [of  a. 
weakly  body.  Some  time  since  she  was 
sent  to  school  at  Devices,  placed  under  iht 
care  of  Miss  C— ~,  she  attended  with  har 
at  the  old  Baptist  meeting.  A  gracious  G<id 
so  ordered  it  for  her  benefit,  aa  will  appear. 
Miss  C~*  has  long  discovered  equu  cob- 
cem  for  the  health  and  spiritual  wel&re  of 
her  youthful  diaige;  and  her  kind  and 
judicious  conversation,  when  Kate  was  un- 
well and  not  very  agreeable  among  her 
companions,  was  attended  with  a  pleansg 
and  markedchange  inherfhmi  that  veiy  time. 
Dr.  Marsten,  the  minister  of  the  meetiag, 
is  also  a  very  suecessfiil  homoBopathie  phy» 
sician,  and  he  was  called  in  to  viait  herforhtr 
health.  Happy  those  who,  like  ourgkoioaa 
and  compassionate  Redeemer,  are  able  to 
minister  both  to  the  physical  and  spiritual 
wants  and  maladies  of  men. 

Soon  after  leaving  school  at  Christmas, 
Kate  had  a  severe  cou^h  and  cold,  and  die 
desired  to  have  the  advice  of  Dr.  M — ,  who 
was  therefore  sent  for.  On  examination 
her  lungs  were  found  very  much  affeeted». 
and  soon  issued  in  a  very  rapid  consumption^ 
and  her  decease  on  the  24th  March,  18^4,  to 
the  inexpressible  grief  of  her  parents  and 
frriends. 

Anxious  to  elicit  the  state  of  her  mind, 
the  doctor  asked  her  whether  she  had  a 
good  hope  of  going  to  be  with  Christ  when 
she  died.  Her  reply  was  simple  and  rather 
quaint : — 

"  No,  but  I  hope  I  shall  have  a  good 


a  subsequent  visit  he  enquired  whether 
she  thought  the  Lord  had  given  her  a  new 
heart,  and  pointed  out  the  necessity  of  it. 
She  said:— 

*'  Nol  but  I  desire  one,  and  I  do  hope 
the  Lord  will  give  it  me." 

On  a  third  visit  he  asked  her  whether 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


267 


she  could  say  she  loved  the  Saviour,  when 
0he  replied: — 

*<Ye8,  I  do,  and  I  love  my  fiither  and 
mother  and  siiterfl  and  brothers,  and  love 
them  to  be  with  me,  but  oh,  I  love  my 
Saviour  now  move  than  them,  and  I  long  to 
go  and  dwell  with  Him." 

"  Why  do  you  lovoHim  ?"  said  the  doc- 
tor. 

"  Oh,  because  he  hae  given  me  a  new 
bettt,  and  died  for  such  sinners  as  I  am. 
Oh  how  ignorant  and  evil  I  have  been,  but 
he  died  for  sinners,  and  now  I  do  love  Him." 

After  Uiis  she  told  her  parents  she  wished 
the  doctor  to  come  not  to  heal  her  body,  but 
to  speak  of  Jesus  and  to  pray  for  her.  On 
this  occasion  she  said: — 

*'This  sickness  is  not  unto  death,'*  and 
when  he  reminded  her  that  she  could  not 
live  long,  she  said  "No."  There  was  a 
meaning  to  those  words.    Once  she  said : — 

"  Calf  my  brother  Henry.  Be  reads  his 
Bible,  and  he  can  tell  the  meaning.  The 
rest  of  you  cannot,  you  have  not  read  your 
Bibles,  but  I  hope  you  will,*'  and  then 
turning  to  her  fother,  said,  <*  You  will  read 
it,  and  if  you  understand  it  and  love  God, 
I  shall  have  two  fathers  in  heaven,  my 
haavenly  Father  and  earthly  one  too." 

To  hear  and  sing  hymns  and  anticipate 
her  decease  was  now  her  delight  night  and 
day.  But  the  conflict  was  not  over.  Satan 
buffeted,  doubts  prevailed,  and  she  was 
brought  into  deep  exercise  of  soul. 

•<  Oh  my  &ther  and  mother,"  she  said, 
"  I  told  you  X  should  soon  be  with  Jesus, 
and  now  I  fear  that  I  am  to  be  lost,  and 
shall  not  Me  his  smiling  face."  Waking 
up  in  the  morning,  she  said,  "  I  have  been 
to  night  between  heaven  and  hell,  but  I 
have  obtained  the  victory  through  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb ;  my  fears  are  gone,  and  I  can 
sinff  again. 

thi  the  day  of  her  decease  she  asked  often 
whether  it  was  12  o'clock  yet. 

*'  Are  my  legs  cold?"  said  she 

"Yes." 

''  Then  I  know  I  am  dying.  Mother  put 
your  hand  to  my  head :  is  it  cold." 

So  peaceAilly  and  joyfully  she  spoke  of 
the  person  to  lay  her  out ;  of  her  little  books 
ana  her  money,  how  to  be  given ;  entreated 
her  parents,  brothers,  sisters,  not  to  weep 
for  her ;  said  she, "  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly,"  and  so  at  a  quarter-past  twelve 
ane  8lq>t  in  Jesus. 

From  a  visit  to  her  parents.  Dr.  Marston, 
and  Hiss  Cook,  I  gathered  up  these  par- 
ticulars, and  have  related  them  as  nearly  as 
I  can,  in  the  hope  that  they  prove  cheering 
words  and  quiuLening  words  by  the  Holy 
Spirit's  might  to  many,  and  that  out  of  the 
mouths  of  others,  young  and  thoughtless 
now,  the  Lord  may  ordain  strength  and 
perfect. praise,  and  that  this  early  death 


may  be  not  merely  a  sickness  unto  death, 
but  that  in  the  case  of  the/anUfyl^t,  my 
numerous  grand-children  and  many  who 
read  this  painful  yet  pleasing  stoiv,  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  that  the  Son  of  Man  mav 
be  glorified  thereby,  as  in  John  the  eleventh 
chapter.  J.  B.  Wawjot. 

Leighton,  Beds.,  May  3, 1864, 

ANOTHER  YOUNG  MINISTER 

SUDDENLY  CALLED  HOME. 

[From  the  "  Gospel  Gtads,"] 

Some  few  yean  since,  there  lived  and  laboured 
in  the  town  of  High  Wycombe,  a  good  minnter 
by  the  name  of  Bvana :  truly  a  man  of  aorrows 
waa  he ;  theee  lorrows  bioke  nis  heart,  and  hOTW 
to  glory,  we  believe,  he  was  taken.  He  left  a 
most  affectionate  and  devoted  widow  and  seveni 
children.  The  widow  is  a  widow  still ;  but  m 
her  every  trial.  God's  promise  has  been  true. 
Her  "Hluaband,"  Hx  has  been;  and  to  her 
fatherless  ones,  the  tender  hand  of  Heaven  has 
ever  been  extended.  We  believe  the  whole  of 
them  have  joined  the  militant  church,  and  ue 
living  witnesses  that  God  is  faithful  and  that  he 
hears  and  answers  praj-er.  Stephbn  Svahs,  (a 
son  of  the  once  beloved  but  departed  brother,) 
has  for  some  few  years  laboured  in  the  Qospel 
ministry  at  Frestwood  Common  and  oUier  places ; 
but  last  Monday,  August  Ist,  at  two  o'clock,  he 
sailed  through  a  stormy  sea  of  deaths,  deep  ago- 
nizing pains;  but,  now,  in  Jesv*b  holy  palace 
his  soul  doth  rest  Dear  young  man,  he  deeply 
loved  His  Saviour's  blest  employ,  l»",wnglc 
heart  and  soul  was  set  upon  bemg  useful,  nta 
broken-hearted  widow  says,  ••  Knowing  and  ap- 
preciating the  interest  you  took  In  my  dear  hus- 
band, Stephen  Bvaaa,  I  now  feel  it  to  be  my 
mournful  duty  to  convey  to  you  the  intelligenoe 
of  his  death.  He  departed  this  life  yesterday 
(Monday  afternoon,)  about  ten  minutes  jpast  two, 
after  a  most  distressing  illness  of  brain  fevwr. 
He  was  preaching  at  Frestwood  last  SabbaOi  fort- 
night:  came  home  at  night ;  took  to  bis  bed  the 
next  day,  was  insensible  nearly  one  whole  we«. 
and  never  shall  I  forget,  I  think,  the  dreadftil 
aconies  in  which  he  died.  Oh,  pray  for  me,  that 
the  dear  Lord  may  bless  this  most  severe  berwW' 
ment.  He  was  one  of  the  most  devoted  and  aHec- 
tionate  of  husbands,  in  leading  me  to  live  in 
nearer  and  doeer  communion  with  Him  who  has 
promised  to  be  a  husband  to  the  widow,  and.  a 
father  to  the  fatherless.  My  heart  is  too  fiUl  to 
say  more."  M.  A.  EvAirs. 

4,  Oanal  Side,  High  Wycombe,  Bucks.      


PAVED  WITH  LOVE. 
Cant.  iii.  10. 
Favkd  with  love  thy  pathway  lies. 
Christian  pilgrim,  to  the  skies ; 
Then  onward  go  with  fearless  tread, 
By  the  Saviour's  guidance  led. 
Though  snares  and  dangen  may  abound, 
And  cares  encompass  thee  around ; 
Tis  but  the  dust  that  floats  above. 
The  pavement  underneath  is  love.; 
The  love  that  brought  the  Saviour  here,. 
To  suffer  sorrow,  pain,  and  care ; 
The  love  that  nailed  Him  to  the  tree, 
A  ransom  for  thy  soul  to  be. 
The  love  that  watches  day  by  day 
The  various  wand*ring8  of  thy  way; 
The  love  that  makes  ail  work  for  sood 
To  thoee  He  lias  redeemed  with  blood. 
*  A  little  while,'  and  thou  shalt  tell 
That  Jesus  hath  done  all  things  well ; 
And  Joyful  tread,  in  courts  above. 
The  unsoiled  pavemoit  of  His  love. 


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9U  J$nitrcg  WnUtnuli  (Sxpsit^r. 

EXPOSITION  OF   REV.  VHI.  7—13. 

Bt  Mb.  Jijow  Wills,  Mutisxbb  or  tbx  Surbst  TABsaNACi.s,  BoROXJoa  Boab. 


**  The  flnt  aoMl  loiiiided,  and  OwrefollMrod  hail 
and  Are  mingled  with  blood,  aad  they  were 
caat  npoQ  the  earth,  and  the  third  part  of  tieee 
was  burnt  up,  and  aU  greeu  gnas  was  burnt 

It  18  as  well  if  the  Lord  is  pleased  so  to 
Jbvor  us  to  understand  the  meaning  of  His 
bleased  book  in  its  seTeral  parts,  as  to  goon 
eontented  in  our  ignorance.  What  then  is 
the  meaning  of  the  four  trumpets  spoken  of 
*?^3f.?^5P'®''»  *^  ^  ^^ch  are  taken  from 
the  Old  Testament?  The  four  circum- 
stances I  am  about  to  read  are  taken  from 
the  Old  Testament,  and  especiallj  from 
^om  restraints  which  were  put  upon  Nebn- 
cnadnezzar  and  the  Babylonish  power.  He 
JP^fi  J^.  as  jou  are  aware,  in  the  record  of 
toe  Old  Testament,  carried  the  people  of 
«Jd  mto  captirity,  and  would  have  arnii- 
wlsted  Israel  if  he  could.  But  tribulations 
nme  upon  that  BabyloniA  power,  to  les- 
toain  It.  And  hence  the  angel  that  sounded, 
nrnplj  signifies  the  tesUmony  of  God's 
jnd^ent,  that  the  wrath  of  man  shall 
pwwe  €ted,  and  the  remainder  will  he  res- 
tettn.  Sothat  this  hail  and  fire  mingled 
inth  blood  and  so  on,  is  not  expressive  of 
^y  thing  against  the  people  of  God,  but  ex- 
f««8sive  of  those  judgments  by  which  their 
adversaries  are  restrained.  This  is  the  way 
W9  are  evidently  to  understand  this  trum- 
pet. In  the  preceding  part  of  the  chapter, 
or  rather  the  beginning  of  the  chapter,  we 
tove  an  account  of  "  silence  in  heai^en 
•bout  the  space  of  half  an  hour."  The 
heaven  there  spoken  of  does  not  mean  the 
heaven  of  glory,  but  of  course  means,  as  in 
other  places  in  this  bd6k,  the  Gospel  dis- 
pensation ;  and  the  silence  does  not  mean 
any  particuhir  state  of  the  church  at  any 
psrticular  age,  but  every,  time  the  Lord 
oaUs  a  sinner  by  His  grace,  that  sinner  is 
put  to  silence,  and  he  remains  in  that 
nlence  this  mystic  half  hour,  until  the  Lord 
riiaU  <»me  in  with  His  pardoning  mercy. 
And  hence  said  one,  "Open  Ihou  my 
mouth,  and  my  lips  shall  shew  forth  Thy 
PJ^  '  '^^^  woondly,  when  the  people 
01  iiod  are  baxmght  into  advereity,  they  are 
put  to  silence  until  the  Lord  turns  their 
captivity,  then  ia  their  mouth  filled  with 
^ughter,  and  their  lips  with  r^oicing.  Here 
you  have,  then,  in  the  beginning  of  this 
chapter,  the  people  of  God  in  their  experi- 
ences,  and  you  have  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
'ion  at  the  golden  altar  <F?4^rmfding  for 


them,  and'liien  yon  haifc  the  jvdgmeDts  of 
God  upon  their  emsmies,  to  Mstnin  thi. 
And  hence  yon  will  find  that  there  ia  not  in 
these  judgBMntB  an  entbe  dastractMii  ol 
nature,  but  only  a  dasfereetioD  «f  the  third 
part  in  each  eaae,  to  denota  the  Iioid  faa- 
training  them.  Now  applf  Una  in  a  three- 
fold way.  First,  if  you  have  penonaL  ad- 
versaries, those  of  you  that  kn«w  what  itis 
to  be  put  to  silence,  and  to  be  baongbt  40 
know  BOBsething  4>f  the  Lord  Jeraa  Cfariiti 
and  ere  loven  <^  Him,  if  you  hayeyeistiil 
adversaries,  they  have  their  plana,  and  they 
will  cany  tham  out  justaa  ftr  as  the  LoM 
pleaseth,  and  no  farther ;  for  the  Lovd  afaaU 
pour  His  judgmeBts  upon  them,  and  shall 
meet  them,  and  shall  weaken  tbem  is  these 
parts  essential  to  the  conmlelian  of  thair 
plan.  IMiaraoh  had  his  plan,  and  earned 
that  plan  out  as  te  as  1^  Lo^  permlttad, 
and  no  fiuthar.  This  is  one  idea,  than,  of 
reatraiat  80  that  if  you  hare  Mrsoaal 
adversaries,  leave  yoinaelf  «with  toe  Locd, 
and  He  will  find  a  wi^r  to  stop  them,  and 
make  a  way  for  your  escape.  Sseond,  appl^ 
it  to  princi^es,  if  tbsfe  be  delsshw  doctrines 
abroad,  whidi  of  couzae  there  always  hav^s 
been,  they  shall  go  so  far  and  no  farther. 
If  possible,  they  should  Istall v  deceive  Qod'a 
elect,  did  not  God  rsetrain  those  delusions, 
open  the  eyes  of  His  people,  and  briaft 
them  out.  Third,  it  means  advenoties  aad 
afllictioiie  also  of  all  kinds.  Satan  is  vsiy 
busy  amid  the  afflictions  of  the  people  m 
God.  Satan,  if  he  see  you  ill  in  the  body, 
is  quite  pleased  with  it;  and  if  he  sec  yon 
cast  down  in  mind,  is  quite  pleased  with  it ; 
and  if  he  see  adversity  in  your  fsmily,  or 
in  your  circumstances,  he  is  quite  pleased 
with  it  I  think  he  has  givan  pietly  good 
proof  of  this  in  the  way  he  treated  Job.  Bat 
nererthelesB  the  Lord  tealxains  all  these 
dftietions,  saying  to  them,  *'  Hitherto  shalt 
thou  come,  and  no  farther."  This  is  the 
doctrine  contained  here  in  thiese  tarump^ts. 
Why,  then,  not  understand  it  ?  The  lewnsd 
tell  us  that  one  trumpet  behm^  to  mie  age, 
and  another  toanotherage ;  wfatlethey  all  be- 
long to  all  ages,  and  ase,  like  all  other  paits 
of  Ssriptore,  to  be  understood  in  tfasir  pf<a- 
per  and  practical  sense. 

**  And  the  "eoond  sngel  •mmded,snd  n  it  were  a 
giSKt  moanaan  buraiBn  with  fire  was  esst  tarto 
Stoasa;  and  (he  thkd  psitof  theseabsassae 
blood." 

^ow  let  US  get  iha  history  of  this.  Babgr- 


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km  in  its  d«traetion  is  called  a  bvrnt 
moimtain;  and  when  the  Persians  were 
rolled  in  by  Ojnm  upon  Babylon,  it  was 
like  a  borning  mountain  rolling  into  that 
national  sea;  and  that  so  cnppled  the 
power  of  the  Babylomaaa  that  they  were 
nnable  to  hold  the  people  of  Ood  in  bond- 
age any  longer ;  for  by  the  roUing  in  of 
tms  Persian  Kingdom,  here  called  a  burn- 
ing moontain,  the  gates  of  Babykm  were 
tmown  open,  her  riTers  dried  up,  and  the 
people  of  God  came  triumplutntly  out, 
wended  their  wwf  towards  Jemaslem,  built 
her  walls,  eieeted  her  temple^  established 
her  serriee,  and  praised  the  name  of  the 
Lend  their  Qod(  and  there  yon  see  joat  the 
same  reetraint.  Heva  then,  again,  was 
Babylon  OTertorned.  What  a  God  is  our 
Oodl  AU  these  things  are  to  establish  us, 
and  inereaaanain  our  faith  in  Him. 


•And  ttie  third  angel  sounded,  and  there  fell  a 
ffreat  ctar  from  heaven,  burninff  as  it  were  a 
ump,  and  it  fell  upon  the  third  part  of  the 
riTen,  and  upon  the  fountains  of  waters ;  and 
the  name  of  the  star  is  called  Wormwood ;  and 
the  third  part  of  the  waters  beoame  wormwood, 
and  manv  men  died  of  the  wateia,  becaose  they 
were  maae  bitter.** 

So  it  was  that  the  Lord  went  on  with  His 
jodgments  upon  Babylon.  ^  This  star  moans 
a  ruling  power — a  ruling  power  that 
idOi  upon  Babylon  until  Babylon  was 
weakened  more  and  more,  and  came 
ultimately  to  destruction.  That's  what 
I  nndezBtand  by  the  star.  And  there- 
toe,  friends,  if  there  be  some  ruling  power 
that  would  crush  us,  let  us  fear  it  not.  The 
Lord  will  so  direct  this  star  of  bitterness 
liiat  it  shall  not  fkll  upon  the  people  of 
Qod,  but  upon  their  adyersaries.  What 
axa  we  to  understand  by  malLing  the  waters 
bitter?  Why,  making  all  departmenta of 
liifo  bitter.  You  know  when  a  despot  as- 
cends the  thzone,  and  takes  people's  liberties 
andliveafrom  them,  that  xnakes  all  the  de- 
pttrtments  ofUfebitter.and  amreait  manv  lose 
uuii  liTea.  But,  bless  the  Lord,  amidst  all 
these  despotisms  and  cruelties  of  men,  the 
Lord  will  take  care  of  His  own;  keeping 
ap^  then,  all  through  the  same  idea. 
**  And  the  fourth  angel  sonnded,  and  the  third 
part  of  the  son  was  smitten,  and  the  third  part 
of  the  moon,  and  the  third  pert  of  the  stars;  so 
as  the  third  part  of  them  was  darkened,  and 
the  day  shone  not  for  a  third  part  oi  it,  and  the 
night  likewisB.** 

Now  by  the  aniL  moon,  and  stars  we  are 
to  naderstand,  in  the  first  place,  the  goyem* 
idg  powers  of  Babylon,  afterwards  any 
goreminff  powers  tnat  would  scorch  the 
paegple  of  6bd,  that  would  ii\juie  the  people 
of  God ;  and  then,  while  thcjy,  any  gorem- 
ing  powers,  are  t^ing  to  injure  the  people 
of  GJod*  the  Lord  finds  means  to  reach  them. 
Maik,  the  aiin  was  smitten.  Ah,  say  these 
gOffvmfaigpawefs^  we  are  so  lofty ;  who  can 
reaeh  tis  ?    Ttie  Lord  oah.    Ah,  I  am  as 


high  aa  the  son,  ^iho  can  reaoh  meP  hig^ 
as  the  moon,  who  ean  reach  me  ?  high  aa 
the  stars^  who  can  reach  me  ?  But  there 
is  One  above  it  all.  Now,  then,  to  get  an 
explanation  of  this'jou  go  to  the  Idth  chap*> 
ter  of  laaiah,  where  the  Lord  describing  the 
destruotion  of  Babylon,  speaketh  thus:— 
'*  The  stars  of  heaven  and  the  conittellationa 
thereof  shall  not  give  their  light ; "  that  is, 
the  Babylonish  heayens,  that  their  rulers 
should  be  confounded,  know  not  what  to  do 
to  maintain  their  ^und ;  "  the  sun  shali 
be  darkened  in  his  going  forth;"  sama 
thing  in  substance,  the  goTemment,  so  that 
tyrannical* power  was  darkened ;  **  and  th» 
moon  shall  not  cause  her  light  to  shioe ;  '* 
and  thus^  the  Babylonish  heavens  were 
darkened  altogether ;  but  here  it  refers  only 
to  their  partial  darkness.  Thus  it  is  then, 
friends,  whatever  adverse  powers  there  are, 
the  Lord  smites  them  so  as  to  restrain  them. 
Bat  there  are  stars  in  heaven  that  can  never 
cease  to  give  their  light,  namely,  the  pro- 
phets of  the  Lord ;  there  is  a  sun,  namely, 
Christ,  that  never  can  be  smitten,  will 
always  give  light ;  and  there  is  that  moon 
of  the  Gospel  that  will  never  cease  to  shine, 
shall  not  withdraw  its  brightness. 

Brethren,  if  you  can  understand  it,  here 
are  adverse  powers  that  stand  against  the 
people  of  G-(xl,  and  as  the  Lord  poured  out 
plagues  upon  Egypt,  and  thereby  weakened 
Egypt,  imd  in  proportion  as  Egypt  was 
weakened  Israri  was  strengthened,  until 
Egypt  was  brought  down  so  low  that  laraal 
came  out  from  their  midst:  so  the  Lord 
will  still  proteet  and  deliver  His  own  ^ple. 
Now  if  you  understand  these  verses  in  this 
way,  it  will  encourage  you  amidst  your 
troubles  and  trials  to  look  to  the  Lord,  and 
to  remember  there  is  no  power  which  he 
has  not  at  inimediate  command,  and  how- 
ever feeble  your  cry  may  be  to  Him  for  heln. 
His  people  never  aid,  and  they  never  wiU| 
never  shall,  cry  to  Him  in  vain. 
"  And  I  beheld,  and  heard  an  aofpel  flying  thrangh 
the  midst  of  heaven,  sayina  with  a  loud  voioe^ 
Woe,  woe,  woe,  to  the  inhaoiters  of  the  earth.'* 
The  inhabiters  of  the  earth,  in  contrast  to 
the  saints  of  Ood,  who  inhabit  heaven,  they 
are  raised  up  to  sit  together  in  heavenly 
places  in  Chnst  Jesus. 

By  reason  of  the  other  voices  of  the  trumpet  of 
the  three  angels,  which  are  yet  to  sound/ 

Now  two  of  the  following  trumpeta  are 
judicial  trumpeta :  the  third  of  the  following 
trumpets  is  tne  seventh  trumpet,  and  m  the 
gospel,  and  yet  the  gospel  is  here  called  a 
woe  trumpet  It  is  a  woe  trumpet  to  the 
adversary,  because  the  Gospel  bears  witness. 
The  Gkwpel  wiU  eome  in  at  the  last  daiy  and 
bear  testimony  against  the  ungodfy,  that 
they  hated  it,  that  they  despised  it,  or  that 
they  weie  enemiea  to  some  of  tha  meoiben 
ofChnat.    And  thna  the  Qospal,  aa  well  as 


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89.  t,  UM. 


the  law,  shall  be  a  woe  tnunpet  unto  the 
ungodly.  Whereas  these  jadgments  are  in 
fiiYoor  of  the  saints.  *'Let  Mount  Zion 
Mjmee  because  of  Thy  judgments."  And 
the  serenth  tnimpet,  you  find  in  the  11th 
chapter,  tarns  the  kingdoms  of  this  world, 
which  it  did,  in  the  sense  there  intended, 
in  the  apostolic  age,  into  the  kingdoms  of 
our  God  and  of  His  Christ. 

I  am  persuaded  if  we  were  a  little  more 
ezerased  in  this  book  of  the  Berelation  that 
its  ambiguity  wotdd  fly  from  us,  and  that 
we  should  read  it  with  as  much  ease,  and 
pleasure,  and  clearness,  as  we  do  the  Book 
of  Psalms,  or  the  17th  diapter  of  John. 

THE  CHKISTIAN'S  CONFLICT 

TtJKNED  TO  TBIUMPH? 

Br  William  Flack,  of  Wiltow  Squabs 

Chapkl,  Nxw  Nobth  Boad. 

An>  mast  it.  Lord,  for  ever  be^ 

That  I  should  live  bo  &r  from  Thee? 

Such  darkness  prove,  such  oonflicts  know. 

And  through  such  rarions  troubles  gef 

Do  all  thy  ohildrsu  fed  the  samef 

Bo  all  who  love  and  fear  thy  name 

Buoh  heavy  burdens  have  to  bear 

Of  sin,  and  sorrow,  doubt,  and  fear  f 

Do  all  such  bitter  waters  drink  ? 

Do  all  thus  in  the  mire  sink  f 

Do  all  the  seven-fold  furnace  prove, 

On  whom  thoalit  Hxi  thy  'lasting  love  f 

Do  aU  fuch  disappointmenti  meet 

Who  hans  about  thy  meroy  seat  ? 

And.  day  Dy  day,  so  on  to  see, 

Kotning  on  earth,  but  vanity  f 

Do  all  Buoh  hellish  spleen  oonftont, 

And  daily  stand  to  bear  the  brunt 

Of  dark  temptation's  foul  assail. 

While  in  humiliation's  vale  f 

Do  all  sttoh  weaknesB  feel  within, 

Who  fight  against  the  monster  sin ; 

And  tread  a  path  all  spread  with  snares, 

And  face  a  world  with  thounnd  cares  ? 

Well,  be  It  80^  and  still  Thy  word 

Does  help,  and  graee,  aod  strength  afford : 

The  saint  goes  on  from  strength  to  strength ; 

And  readies  Zion*s  hill  at  length. 

Tis  still  afSrmed  in  sacred  page, 

(Thifl^  saints  have  proved  in  every  age  J 

*^  U.y  giaoe,  snffielent  is  for  thee. 

And  as  thy  day,  thy  strength  shall  be.'* 

And  though  tny  burdens  weighty  be 

Though  wave  on  wave  roll  over  thee ; 

**  Fear  not,  nor  be  thy  soul  dismayed,*' 

"  I  am  thy  Oodf^and  for  thine  aid— 

ni  surely  oome,  and  strength  impart ; 

Thy  name^s  engraved  upon  my  heart. 

Though  bitterest  waters  thou  may^t  drink. 

Let  not  thine  heart  in  sorrow  sink,    . 

There  is  a  Tree  of  great  repute^ 

Whose  virtues  none  oan  e'er  diq>ate. 

On  Calvary  stands  thy  soul  to  greet 

It  makes  ine  bitterest  waters  sweet. 

Though  disappointments  strew  thy  way, 

Still  hear  thy  heavenly  Father  say, 

*  I'm  not  a  man,"  I  know  no  change, 

Vo  dnmmstsnoe  can  e'er  estimnge 

My  heart  fkum  thee:  or  mofe my  love; 

Hor  from  thee  will  I  ever  move. 

What  though  all  hell,  against  thee  fight, 

Though  power  and  emelty  unite ; 

Bf  Uooff  and  truth  thou  ahak  o'ereome, 

And  reach  at  length  your  destined  home, 

AM  be  at  Aam«,  in  heaven  ab''ve. 

And  feast  your  soul  on  wine  of  love. 

There,  thou  shdt  wdk  the  Odden  Straet, 

And  many  a  well  known  brother  gieet,    ,  - 


And  sitting  in  the  LamVs  Uest  throne. 
Shall  tdk  of  conflicts  past  and  gone, 
With  Abra*m,  IsaacL  Jaoob  too, 

.  With  prophets  'poaUes,  maityrs,  (who 
Have  trod  thU  dreery  waste  before) 
Thoult  hold  sweet  converse  evermore. 
There,  thou  shalt  tslk  of  viotoiy's  won, 
Of  burdens  borne  of  rsoes  run ; 
Of  sin  subdued,  the  tempter  foUed, 
The  world  o'eroome,  deatii  and  grave  spoiled. 
Then  in  that  pure,  bright,  crystal  sea, 
Thou'lt  bathe  with  blest  felic% ; 
Then  rise  to  Join  the  glorious  throng. 
Unite  in  everlasting  song : 
"To  Him  who  washed  us  in  His  blood,** 
<*  And  made  us  Sings  and  Priesto  to  Oed** 
Be  honour,  power,  glory  pmiee. 
Through  never-never  ending  days, 
AUhirfl!  all  hail  I  will  be  the  cry, 
All  hall,  King  Jesus,  majesty ; 
Bring  fbrth  the  orown  or  richest  worth. 
Crown  Him  --of  highest,  noblest  birth : 
Crown  Him-the  eternal  mighty  God ; 
Crown  Him—the  great  inoamato  Word ; 
Crown  Him— on  heaven's  highest  throne^ 

.  Crown  Uim-who  hath  the  vieteiy  woo. 
And  captive  led  captivity '. 
Crown  Him— crown  Him  eternally. 
And  O,  what  blest  celestial  Joy. 
Shall  fiU  each  soul,  (without  alloy.) 
While  thus  engaged  before  the  throne 
The  church  in  Jesus  now  made  one. 
Forgets  her  sins  and  sorrows  past. 
In  peace  that  roust  for  ever  last. 
AmenI  amen:  Lord  Jesus  come  ! 
And  fetoh  thy  ransomed  people  home  ,* 
Amen !  come  quickly,  and  again. 
Join  all  the  church,  to  say,  amen ! 

THE  LORD'S  BEAUTIFUIi  FLOCK. 
JxBxiciAH  xni.  17— so. 
**  Fear  not  little  flock,  it  is  your  Fathet^s  good  plea- 
sure to  give  yon  the  kingdom."— Luke  xiL  88. 

Oh !  flodc  of  all  beauty,  thou  bride  of  the  Lamb ! 
The  oovensnt  choiee  of  Jehovah,  I  am. 
Predestined  and  called  to  the  glory  atovL 
And  pastured  through  grace  on  the  wealth  of  Bis 
love, 

Thou  beautiftil  flock! 
Thou  church  of  the  Living  Ontv  ehaste  and  com- 


plete, 
¥itht 


With  thy  sins  all  forgiven,  for  ^aey  made  meet. 
Ordained  to  that  glory,  to  the  shame  of  thy  foes, 
Who  dare  to  assau  thee  with  slanders  and  woes. 
Thou  beentiftil  flock! 
Though  feeble  and  erring  and  marred  by  thy  sio. 
How  ptecf  ous  to  Jesus,  and  all  glorious  within. 
Oh,  bride  of  the  Lamb,  thou  beloved  one  so  fair. 
The  Bridegroom  appoints  thee  Bis  kingdom  to 

share.  Thou  beautiful  flodc ! 

Endowed  by  His  loi«,  with  the  bread  and  the 

wine. 
What  glory  and  beauty,  and  blessing  is  thine. 
Alas !  what  he  bore  when  aociursed  on  the  tree^ 
What  stripes  for  thy  healing,  what  bruises  for 

thee. 

Thou  beautiftil  floek! 
IVo  love  could  be  stronger,  for  He  Himself  gave 
His  elect  to  redeem.  His  helpmeet  to  save. 
Oh,  tell  of  the  eost,  when  He  poured  forth  His 

blood, 
And  died  to  present  thee  *>  clwste  spouse  to 

Ood. 

Thou bcmtifVil  floek! 
And  teU  of  the  day  the  Chief  Sheplvrd  Aall 


To  take  thee  away  to  thy  glorified  home. 

To  sing  the  new  song  of  His  oonijuest  and  lore. 

In  glon-  and  blefpslng  and  rapture  above, 

HallelutelH  Amen! 
Plymouth.      .  CnARUce  F.  Cbkwfs, 


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THB  EABTHKN  YESSEI.. 


THE  SHIPWRECKED  MARINER  AND  THE  GOSPEL 

MINISTER. 


CHAPTER  n. 


How  utterly  inexplicable  are  many  of  thd 
wiLja  of  Qod  with  mortal  man ;  and  how 
true  it  IB  that  we  know  bat  little  aa  regards 
their  ultimate  design  until  we  attain  the 
end,  the  inheritance,  the  rest  that  remaineth 
for  the  people  of  God.  Here  we  see  through 
a  glass  darkly;  but  then,  face  to  face. 
Here  we  know  but  in  part ;  then  shall  we 
know  even  as  we  are  known,  the  Whys  and 
Wherefores  for  every  bitter  cup  we  have 
dmnk  of  by  the  way.  Yet  in  this  time- 
state  how  truly  sweet  and  refreshing  it  is  to 
the  really  heaven-bom  soul  to  be  enabled 
at  times  to  take  a  calm,  a  retrospective 
▼iew  of  the  past,  and  thus,  by  an  eye  of  liv- ; 
ing  faith,  behold  in  all  the  mysterious  lead- 1 
iiijgB  of  Divine  Providence,  that  infinite 
wisdom,  eternal  love  and  mercy,  hath  not 
only  been  concerned  but  manifest  therein, 
though  at  the  time  we  knew  it  not ;  that  the 
lance  which  hath  made  the  wound,  and  the 
plaster  which  applied  the  remedy,  hath  both 
wrought  together  for  good.  Such  an  one 
will  see  something  both  of  the  goodness 
and  glory  of  Qod  in  the  face  of  Christ 
Jesus,  chant  out  occasionally  the  song  of 
heaven's  redeemed,  and  gladly  acknowledge 
from  his  own  soul*s  experience  that  grood- 
ness  and  mercy  hath  lollowed  him  aU  the  ' 
days  of  his  life.  But  the  man  that  is  a  | 
stranger  to  divine  teaching,  and  to  the, 
mcious  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  \ 
uie  heart,  knows  nothing  of  this  sweetness  ;  j 
yea,  the  sinner  dying  an  hundred  years ' 
old  shall  be  aocursed.  I 

But  to  return  to  the  Lord's  dealings  with ' 
me  while  afiur  off:  I  must  inform  the  reader 
that  I  remained  on  board  H.M.S.  Birken- 
head for  a  period  of  nearly  two  years,  the 
early  part  of  which  we  were  stationed  on 
the  coast  of  Ireland,  and  were  busily  en- 
gaged in  the  dangerous  work  of  floating  the 
then  noted  steam-ship  Great  Britain,  which 
then  lay  a  comparative  wreck  on  the  rocks 
in  Dundrnm  bay,  and  in  which  we  eventu- 
ally succeeded.  At  this  time  my  mind  was 
occasionally  seized  with  fearfmness  and 
trembling  on  account  of  the  past,  while  my 
base  ingratitude  to  my  parents  and  the 
lengths  to  which  I  had  gone  in  open  sin, 
were  subjects  of  which  my  natural  conscience 
loudly  accused  me  from  time  to  time,  and 
knowinff  that  a  day  of  retribution  must 
come,  when  the  righteous  judgments  of  God 
must  be  poured  out  upon  the  ungodly,  I 
was  sometimes  brought  to  a  state  of  desper- 
ation, and  could  gbdly  have  wished  I  nad 


never  been  bom.  Aloft  or  on  deck,  th® 
pains  of  hell  appeared  to  have  hold  upon 
me,  but  never  for  a  moment  was  I  humbled 
down  at  a  sight  and  sense  of  the  Lord's 
goodness  and  mercy  toward  me.  At  such 
times  I  was  powerfully  tempted  to  destroy 
my  own  life  by  jumping  overboard  just 
before  the  padiUe  wheel,  which,  as  Satan 
suggested,  would  strike  me  on  the  head  and 
momentarily  put  an  end  to  my  existence. 
Thanks  be  unto  God,  preventing  grace  re- 
strained. Thenwhentnese  fiery  temptationa 
were  over,  I  would  frequently  vow  and  re- 
solve to  turn  &om  my  evil  ways  and  become, 
as  I  then  thought,  a  good,  morid,  respectable, 
and  religious  man,  for  I  had  no  idea  at  that 
time  that  real  and  vital  godliness  consisted 
in  anything  more  than  do  and  live ;  and 
how  uur  I  went  in  this  way,  and  what  the 
result  was,  the  following  circumstance  will 
show.  After  making  several  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  move  the  wreck  of  the  Great 
Britain,  we  left  Dundrum  bay  for  the  Cove 
of  Cork,  where,  on  our  arrival,  the  ship's 
company  had  libertv  to  ^o  on  shore  for 
forty-eight  hours.  At  this  time  the  great 
temperance  advocate,  Father  Matthew, 
was  in  Cork,  and  I  had  a  very  strong  im- 
pression that  if  I  could  but  see  him,  take 
the  pledge  of  total  abstinence,  and  obtain  a 
blessine  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  that 
it  would  be  a  great  preventive  to  a  further 
course  of  folly.  I  accordingly  took  the  steam 
boat  to  Cork,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles,  in 
quest  of  his  holiness,  another  shipmate  ac- 
companying me  for  the  same  purpose.  But 
on  our  arrival  in  the  city  we  found  that  his 
reverence  was  not  at  home,  but  that  another 
of  the  so-called  apostolic juccessors  (though, 
hj  the  bye,  they  never  enter  into  matrimo- 
nial bonds)  was  officiating  in  his  stead. 
This  gentleman  applauded  us  for  the  step 
we  were  about  to  take,  assured  us  of  the 
vital  efficacy  of  the  ceremony  we  were 
about  to  pass  through,  and  I,  poor  fool,  be- 
lieved it  My  shipmate,  however,  had  not 
such  a  robust  faith  as  your  humble  servant, 
and  accordinglv  lefl  mo  and  the  reverend 
father  to  ourselves.  But  to  be  brief,  suffice  it 
to  say,  reader,  the  confession  was  made,  the 
hand  was  laid  on,  the  pledge  was  taken, 
and  the  reduced  charge  of  two  sbilliuffs 
paid.  Oh  the  blindness  of  poor  mortus 
unassisted  by  Divine  grace!  truly  man  is 
but  vanity  at  his  best  estate.  H!ow  impo- 
tent are  all  his  vows  and  resolutions,  nis 
poor  puny  fleshly  efforts,  in  the  great  matter 


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of  God*8  salvation.  Now,  reader,  for  the 
result,  though  with  a  sense  of  shame  I  tell 
it,  bnt  to  the  eternal  honour  of  mj  God,  I 
retnmed  to  my  shin  intoxicated,  my  bine 
jacket  sold  at  the  dance  house,  and  eyexy 
particle  of  my  money  ffone.  Thus  as  a 
laithfnl  senrant  of  his  sable  m^esty,  did  I 
zealously  espouse  his  cause,  while  the  in- 
fernal crew  had  a  high  day,  and  one  deril 
oxultingl^  said  to  another,  "  Aha,  so  would 
we  hare  it  I"  But  as  I  wish  to  be  brief  in 
these  matters,  that  I  may  sooner  come  to 
Aat  more  vital  and  eifectiJal  work  of  regen- 
eration by  the  alone  operation  of  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  upon  the  heart,  the  reader 
must  be  content  by  knowing  that  I  was 
again  sentenced  to  receive  forty-eight  lashes. 

Kxico. 

EECONCILIATION  TO  GOD. 

A  Lvmm  fbox  Me.  J.  S.  CttkcamiA  to 
Mb.  B.  B.  Walb. 

Dear  Brother  Walk, — I  stated  in  my 
last  letter  that  it  was  not  my  intention  to 
take  up  time  wilh  controversy,  and  decided 
to  give  no  further  reply. 

But  seeing  that  in  your  last  letter  in 
August's  VsssBL  you  misrepresent  me,  and 
then  find  &u]t  with  what  I  did  not  write, 
truth  requires  that  you  be  corrected.  I 
shall  confine  myself  to  this  one  point. 

Heferring  to  2nd  Corinthians  v.  20.,  you 
say,  "That  must  be  a  bold  man  that  in  the 
face  of  Paul's  declaration  that  he  is  writing 
to  saints,  contends  that  he  i&  writiDg  to  the 
world  at  large;**  but   who  said  that  any 

E'on  of  it  was  addressed  to  the  world  at 
?  Your  quotation  from  my  letter  is  a? 
«rs: — **It  is  clear  that  Paul  was  not 
then  addressing  himself  to  the  Corinthian 
believers,  because  they  were  already  recon- 
ciled^'^ why  stop  at  the  comma  after  the 
wora  reconciled,  read  the  remainder  of  the 
sentence,  "  but  he  is  giving  an  account  of 
what  he  preached,  and  how  he  preached  it, 
in  a  word,  of  what  his  own  ministry  was,** 
Where  is  there  anything  about  writing  to 
the  world  ?  It  was  perfectly  consistent  that 
in  an  epistle  to  the  church,  he  should  refer 
to  the  way  in  which  he  preached  to  the 
world. 

Look  at  the  20th  verse  again,  and  you 
wiB  see  that  in  the  English  version  of  the 
Bible,  the  pronoun  ffou  is  in  italics— not  in 
the  original — omit  it,  and  it  reads  thus — 
"  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ 
as  though  God  did  beseech  by  us,  we  pray 
in  Christ's  stead  be  ye  reconciled  to  God. 
Then  follows—"  For  He  hath  made  Him  to 
be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we 
might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God 
in  Him."  How  plain  to  "every  mind  not 
biassed  by  a  pre-conceived  theory  "  that  this 


is  a  statement  of  how  Paul  preached  the 
**  ministiy  of  zecoooiliatian.'' 

Now  look  at  your  explanation  of  the 
passage,  viz.,  that  it  meant  reconciliation  to 
the  crosses  and  trials  the  Lord  saw  fit  they 
should  have,  to  His  dealings  with  them  in 
Providence.  Mv  brother,  may  I  not  adopt 
your  own  words,  and  say,  "  This  is  sad 
sporting  with  the  word  qf  Ood  to  support  a 
theory.  Bead  the  closing  part  of  the  chap- 
ter again,  and  say  is  there  one  word  to 
justify  such  an  interpretation  ?  and  wonld 
you  have  given  it  if  you  had  not  a  ptapoe^ 
to  serve  ?  I  ask,  in  all  honesty,  are  you 
satisfied  witii  your  own  explanation?  and 
in  the  face  of  the  apostle's  own  wordb^ 
"  reconciliation  to  God,"  are  you  prepaid 
to  maintain  it  was  reconciliation  to  the 
dealings  of  God  ? 

If  I  needed  anything  to  (Mmfinn  my  viewfr 
and  convince  me  that  I  was  right,  I  have  it 
in  this  portion  of  your  letter.  Your  ex^ 
planation  of  the  verse  in  question  will 
astonish  many,  and  do  more  towards  opm»' 
ing  the  eyes  of  men  to  see  the  evils  of  tfaflt 
one-sided  theologv,  than  anything  that  hua 
been  written  on  the  subject ;  shewing  as  it 
does  how  its  advocates  must  wrest  the  ^ain 
meaning  of  some  portions  of  the  wora,  in 
order  to  make  them  square  with  their 
system. 

Whatever  else  may  appear,  I  shall  not 
again  take  up  mv  pen  to  oiseuss  this  subject. 
Be  faithful,  my  brother,  be  honest,  and  may 
God  bless  you,  so  prays,  yours  sineerely, 

J.  £.   CRACKKRLIb 

Rose  Villa,  Leckampton,  Cheltenham, 


"  OUR  YOUNG   MEN." 

Dear  Xditoil— For  the  oaoouragement  of  other 
yoxmg  men,  will  you  allow  me  just  to  flfve  a  brief 
aooount  of  mv  oonvenion  to  Ckxl,  through  the 
preoious  blood  of  Christ.  I  am  truly  say,  ^  X]r 
Bedeemer  liveth  for  ever."*  Sinoe  I  was  fourteen 
yean  of  Hffe,  I  have  experienoed  the  efllcscy  of 
that  blood  thkt  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  wwld. 
Pnviova  t»  that  periodi  was  greatly  templed  to 
destroy  myaelf,  by  throwing  myself  into  a  muXk" 
stream  that  passed  by  my  praying  motherii 
house.  Thank  God,  His  grace  was  sufflcienc  for 
me.  Oh,  sir,  wheo  I  was  brought  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  trath,  my  heart  aii4  soul  leapt  for  joj» 
Who  osn  tell  but  those  that  have  experienced  toft 
Divine  truth  of  the  blessed  Gospel  as  it  is  to 
Jesus  f  I  shortly  afterwards  became  a  CNmdsy 
BolMNyl  teaoher,  aad  through  the  influenee  of  the 
superiatendont,  was  persuaded  to  stand  up  and 
give  an  address  tothe  idiildreu,  whidi  was  not  in 
vain.  He  induced  me  to  give  other  addresses, 
irhieh  were  listened  to  both  by  teaohersaad  sdid- 
are  with  much  nroflt.  Ood,  in  His  providsnoi^ 
opened  a  door  lor  me  in  sndi  a  way  that  I  know 
not,  by  sending  me  into  the  country,  where  1 1«- 
odved  aoalltopreachtoasmalleanse;  aaddoi^ 
ing  my  sdqr  ttiCM  the  Lord  greatly  blaased  tba 
work  m  my  hands.  As  I  am  now  settled  in  Lon* 
don,  I  feel  desirous  still  to  cany  on  my  Master^s 
work,  where  the  truths  are  stiictly  carried  out  ia 
•ooocdaom  with  this  aiagaBineb  If  aooeptable,  X 
will  gite  tny  whol«  eaperienoe^  my  eonvietiaBy 
and  ooBversioD,  in  yonr  next,  or  at  any  other 
future  time.  &: 


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(S«r  (^ht\th^  m  |a8taw,  an^  0tti[  |wp^. 


THB      KBW      SU  B:B  B  Y 

TABEBNAOLB. 

Oir  Monday  ttmdng,  Angiut  2teid,  IBM, 
an  important  pabllo  meeting  of  the  Clmroh  and 
ooDgregfttion  mnMnmag  in  the  Surrev  Taberoaole, 
BoKNiflh  road,  waa  haldan.  At  tialf-paatoevcn, 
Mr.  WeU^  «urroiinded  by  liis  deioona  and  Itae 
building  oonmuttee*  entered  the  table  pew ;  Mr. 
Wella  oooupf  ing  the  chair.  The  loerang  was 
opened  with  smginft  and  a  fervent  prayer  was 
offered  bj  the  pastoi^-eamestiy  asking  the  great 
Disposer  of  all  eveota  so  to  direot  and  govern  their 
movements,  that  every  action  might  plainly  de- 
dare  their  object  alone  to  be  the  gloiy  of  thaiiOod 
who  had  dooesuoh  great  things  lor  them,  and  for 
the  eternal  welfiwe  of  many  soul*  out  of  the  vast 
multitiide  with  which  they  were  surrounded. 

Mr.  Wblls  then  laid  before  the  meeting  a  brief 
outline  of  the  obsject  for  which  the  oommutse  had 
agsin  called  the  friends  together;  leaving  the 
detsiU  to  be  fumisUed  by  the  seoretary,  HrWells 
flonflning  his  observations  won  partioulariy  to  the 
movement  as  having;  with  him,  the  panoaount 
importanee  of  the  nrtheimnoa  of  the  glorious 
Gospel ;  he  said,  it  was  the  salaoe  of  hto  life  to 
know  that  the  Lord  had  been  pleased  so  far  to 
make  use  of  him;  and  he  beUeved  it  would  be  the 
glory  of  his  rising  day.  There  could  now  be  no 
question  as  to  theimporianoe  of  the  present  move* 
ment.  For  a  long  period  there  had  been  a  grow* 
ing  nneaaiiiess  amongst  the  firiends  to  get  out 
from  such  an  obscure  place  as  tliat  was ;  that 
nneaBuiess  increased,  till  twelve  months  ago,  the 
fUends  took  a  position  in  the  matter;  and  the 
amount  that  had  been  subscribed  in  that  place 
during  one  ymt  was  to  him  truly  miraculous- 
far  b^ond  his  most  sanguine  anticipation;  in 
fiu^  be  could  scarcely  credit  it— when  he  was 
told  that  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  fiiends  in  one 
twelvemonths  had  subscribed  to  this  one  object 
along  £i,100 1  The  ground  had  been  secured— an 
excellent  site^  and  now  thev  had  met  to  ask  that 
meeting  whether  they  should  not  at  once  proceed 
with  the  undertaking  P  He  advised  them  to  step 
cautiously ;  to  go  carefully ;  and,  as  they  had  al- 
readv  done,  act  with  discernment  and  Judgment 
in  tne  matter.  The  Building  Committee  felt 
thJH^  that  as  soon  as  they  had  JBbfiOO  in  hand  they 
would  be  in  a  position  immediately  to  arrange  for 
laying  the  foundation  stone,  towards  that  sum 
th^HBad  £i,100 ;  it  therefore  rested  entirely  with 
the  friends  to  say  what  oouise  of  action  thev  de- 
sire the  Committee  to  adopt ;  if  the  friends  wished 
them  to  go  on  this  autumn  with  the  building;  all 
th^  badto  do  was  to  give  them  the  £900  required 
to  make  up  the  £A,0O(L  and  then  the  Committee 
would  at  once  proceed.  But,  he  wosUd  ask  the 
Secretary  now  to  address  them. 

Mr.  Butt  said  it  was  one  year  and  two  days 
since  the  flxst  meetiag  was  holden  in  that  place 
to  oonaider  what  courae  should  be  sdc^rted ;  since 
that  day  it  was  wonderful  what  had  been  acoom- 
pliabed;  he  was  sure  ha  v^aa  speaking  the  feelings 
of  hia  brother  deacons  and  the  committee  when 
he  said  they  stood  amased  at  the  amountthathad 
be«i  gathered  in  so  short  a  time.  It  bad  been  a 
year  of  pleasant  aajuety  {  it  had  often  sent  them 
to  athrone  of  gnuae.  tluoe  to  ask  counsel  and  od- 
viaa.  Well  m^t  they  exclaim,  "  What  has  Gk>d 
wrought?^  He  was  sure  the  work  was  of  the 
Lord ;  and  believed  they  should  see  itoompleted. 
Daring  the  twelvemonths  they  had  raised  £4,100, 
aadthis  had  in  no  way  alliBCted  the  various be- 
DCv>olant  and  other  elaims  upon  tliem  in  connec- 
tion with  the  oanse  there;  the  miniatry  had  been 
sostained,  the  poor  as  well  cared  for  as  ever,  the 


benevolent  aoeieties  efflciently  supported,  and  the 
greatest  of  all  blesssings,  the  ministiy  continued 
faithful  amongst  them ;  and  the  Lord  blessing 
thatmittistry  to  the  xcftesMngof  their  own  souls, 
of  others.     He  never  had  the 


and  the 

least  doubt  of  the  Lord  being  with  them  in  tide 
movement,  and  the  prospect  was  encouiaging  in 
every  way.  In  conolnsioa  Mr.  Butt  read  a  list  of 
donations  which  he  had  received  towards  the 
£900^  the  sum  theeommittee  thought  necessary 
before  proceeding  with  the  building:  this  list  of 
Mr.  Butt's  amounted  to  £983. 

Mr.  Oabb  said  he  could  heartily  indorse  every 
word  his  brother  Butt  had  said :  tnere  was  eveiy- 
thing  to  enoourage  them ;  the  prospect  was  cheer- 
ing. And  why  should  ft  not  be  ?  Bee  how  otAier 
denominations  worked:  look  at  the  Roman 
Catholics,  they  even  punished  themselves  to  sup* 
port  their  religion ;  and  should  they,  who  held 
the  truth,  be  less  zealous  than  these  poor  deluded 
creatures  ?  He  hoped  not.  Their  weekly  con- 
tributicMDS  fh>m  one  pomy  and  upwards,  brought 
them  in  about  £100  per  month;  and  with  that  In 
view,  the  prospect  or  a  large  amount  being  sub- 
scribed that  evening,  he  thought  they  oucht  to 
go  forward.  If  they  could  get  the  Foundation 
stone  laid  this  autumn,  he  hoped  about  Septem- 
ber twelvemonths  they  would  be  able  to  complete 
the  new  chapel.  He  should  continue  his  weekly 
subscription,  and  be  most  happy  to  lay  £10  on  the 
foundation  stone. 

Mr.  ITleldiko  spoke  of  the  difficulties  the  com- 
mittee had  experienced  in  trying  to  obtain  a  suit- 
able site ;  but  he  thought  the  ground  they  had 
decided  on  was  eligible  in  every  respect,  it  had 
roads  leading  fh)m  all  directions,  there  was  plenty 
of  light,  go<>d  egress  and  ingress  to  be  obtained^ 
and  above  all  it  was  in  a  petition  where  they 
would  be  quiet  and  undisturbed. 

Mr.  MiTSOir  having  made  some  kind  remarks 
respecting  the  pastor, 

Mr.  Edwabds  gave  a  passing  review  of  the 
thirty-three  years  he  had  sat  and  listened  to  the 
ministry  ot  Mr.  Wells;  Dudley  court  was  spoken 
of,  the  original  Surrey  Tabernacle  was  also  des* 
•cribed,  and  Mr.  Bdwards  said  he  was  only  sorry 
that  they  bad  not  soonerthought  of  so  important 
a  movement  as  this  present  one  was.  He  trusted 
Mr.  Wells  might  be  spared  many  yean  to  proaeh 
the  truth  to  thouaands  of  souls  in  the  If  ew  Surrey 
Tabernade. 

Mr.  Ambboae  Oaab  said  one  important  feature 
had  not  been  mentioned :  he  referred  to  the  prin- 
ciple of  bringing  children  up  under  the  preaSiing 
of  the  Oospel:  ne  thought  it  most  desirable  that 
heads  of  umilies  should  see  their  children  were 
brouglit  to  listen  to  the  ti-uth;  children  were 
quick  in  discernment,  and  much  sooner  learned 
to  understand  these  important  matters  than  some 
parents  thought.  In  their  present  pitnob  famiUoa 
could  not  be  accommodated  with  sittings,  in  the 
new  building  they  could  be ;  and  if  for  no  other 
reasons  he  would  advocate  the  speedy  erection  of 
the  new  building. 

The  names  and  amounts  of  the  friends  were 
then  taken,  when  it  was  stated  that  £720  had  been 
subscribed  that  evening  towards  the  £800  which 
the  committee  had  asked. 

Mr.  WSLL8  said  he  oonsiderBd  the  obieot  of  the 
meeting  had  been  fully  realised,  and  now  the 
committee  would  immediately  go  to  work,  and 
as  early  as  it  was  practicably  they  would  sn- 
nounce  the  day  when  the  foundation  stone  would 
belaid. 

In  reply  to  the  question  whether  the  stone  be 
laid  by  Mr.  Wells,  the  chairman  said  that  would 
rest  with  the  committee;  but  he  hoped  that^no 


that^n 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ  IC 


26^ 


THE  lUBTHSN  VESSEL. 


Sep.  1,  IMi 


worldly  peraon  would  be  brooffht  into  the  matter 
for  the  sake  of  a  few  pounds.  They  had  not  gone 
to  the  world  for  anything,  and  ne  hoped  they 
would  not;  they  had  done  without  bazaar^  and 
fancy  falra,  and  illustrated  lectures,  and  all  that 
kina  of  worldly  machinery,  and  he,  tor  one,  would 
oopoae  any  connection  with  such  things  at  alU 
The  truth  had  done  it.  the  truth  oould  do  it,  the 
truth  would  do  it,  and  the  truth  shall  do  it,  or  it 
should  not  be  done  at  all  I  In  fact,  he  considered 
the  work  almost  accomplished. 

Before  the  meeting  dosed  some  farther  dona- 
tions were  made,  and  the  £900  was  nearly  realized. 
After  such  a  result,  the  new  Tabernacle  will  be- 
come a  fiict,  and  the  fHends  who  prophesied  it 
would  not  be,  will  shortly  behold  with  their  own 
eyen  the  building  which  they  "  feared  "  could  noi 
be  raised ;  but  m  this,  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  < 
fViends  purpose  to  sustain  their  duumotor,— that 
when  they  commence  a  thing  they  go  to  work 
determined  to  succeed. 


OBDINATION  OF  KB.  JAMES 
OtTBTIS 

▲T  SALEM  CHAPEL,  HAYES»  MIDDLESEX. 
Tuesday,  August  8th,  bein^  the  day  appointed 
for  the  solemn  reoogniuon  or  Mr.  Cfurtis  to  the 
pastorate  of  Baptist  church,  Hayes,  not  only  the 
residents  of  the  village  of  Hayes,  but  also  fHends 
from  seve'.al  metropolitan  cnapels,  arranged  to 
gire  this  yoimg  minister  a  hearty  ffreeting  on  the 
occasion.  For  the  convenience  of  mininers  and 
people,  omnibuses  and  other  vehicles  started 
From  town,  well  filled.  Mr.  Curtis  is  a  young 
man  of  humble  pretensions,  but  comes  from  a 
ffood  school,  and  is  an' undergraduate  at  Mount 
2ion  cliapel.  Hill  street,  Dorset  square.  Being 
trained  under  the  strict  discipline,  and  in  the 
sound  doctrine  as  taught  by  Mr.  J.  Foreman,  it 
is  unnecessary  to  say  more  as  to  his  creed.  Like 
others,  Mr.  Curtis  was  bom  in  sin,  and  grew  up 
to  pursue  the  lollies  of  youth  and  the  vanities  of 
the  world.  He  was  particularly  fond  of  gaiety, 
more  espedally  the  theatre,  indeed  by  his  em- 
plo}*er  he  bad  often  been  told,  the  day  was  not 
nr  d  istant  when  he  would  be  on  the  stage.  Qod 
saw  dilTerently.  Having  some  associates  who  at- 
tended Mount  Zion  Simday  school,  Mr.  Curtis 
ii-as  invited  to  accompany  them  on  their  annual 
excursion.  Hence  sprung  up  a  tender  attachment 
to  the  present  Mrs.  Curtis,  then  Miss  Purfurst, 
the  daughter  of  an  hones^  Cnrist-loiing  German, 
who  has  stood  and  now  stands,  a  member  at 
Mount  Zion.  He  was  induced  from  time  to  time 
to  hear  Mr.  Foreman;  the  word  spoken  by  that 
fhlthfhl  man  was  blessed  to  his  hesrt ;  ne  was 
brought  to  bow  before  the  Lord,  and  supplicate 
for  mercy,  whirh  after  many  anxious  das's  was 
^radously  granted.  He  became  a  zealous  teacher 
m  the  Sunday  school,  and  as  was  the  custom,  one 
teacher  by  turn  each  Sabbath  selected  a  passage 
of  Scripture,  and  then  made  choice  of  the  speaker, 
From  time  to  time  t^  e  choice  fell  on  Mr.  Curtis, 
and  he  was  increasingly  blessed  wiUi  freedom  in 
speaking,  so  much  so,  that  Mr,  Tinsoii,  who 
heard  htm,  and  being  engaged  to  preach  at  St. 
Alban's.  requested  him  to  supply.     He  did,  and 


[1  receJ 


was  invited  again,  being  well  received,  and  God 
blessed  his  labors,  till  it  became  manifest  he  was 
ealled  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  From  St. 
Albaa*s  he  went  to  Staines,  wnere  he  was 
honoured,  but  behig  engaosd  in  business  the  dfs- 
'  •   ^tierefore  he  accepted  theeall 


I  too  much,  there! 

to  the  little  church  at  Hayes.  He  has  been  en- 
giged  at  various  places  for  about  three  years  and 
we  believe  he  dates  his  call  by  mce  about  eleven 
years  ago,  and  is  now  nearly  thirty  years  of  age. 

The  services  were  watched  with  interest,  the 
Uttle  chapel  and  vestries  were  crowded.  Among 
the  ministerial  brethren  present  were  Messrs. 
Foreman,  Bloomfleld,  Milner,  Brunt,  Tinson, 
Hlgham,  Parsons,  W.;bb,  Bezley,  undDadswell. 

Mr.  MiLKBB  stated  the  nature  of  a  Go^l 


church,  basing  his  remarks  on  "  Which  is  the 
church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground 
of  the  truth  f*  Drawing  some  apt  distinctions  be- 
tnreen  what  is  the  church,  ana  what  is  not  the 
church,  and  in  conclusion  asked  the  usual  ques- 
tions which  were  very  satisfactorily  replied  to ;  the 
iiubatapce  we  have  flnvisn  above. 

Mr.  CuMMiNGS  olered  the  ordination  prayer 
the  usual  ceremony  of  jofning  hands  bemgob- 
serveil,  and  as  the  afternoon  was  &r  advauced, 
the  fnends  adfoumed  for  tea,  agreeing  to  divide 
the  evening  between  Mr.  Foreman  and  Mr. 
Bloomfield. 

After  tea  Mr.  Foreman  proceeded  tOjgiiwthe 
charge  to  the  minister,  from  **  Preach  the  Gospel." 
A'ter  defining  what  the  Gospel  was,  showed  the 
distinction  between  justification  and  sanotiftca- 
tion,  invitations  and  exhortations.  First  then, 
the  minister  was  to  preach  the  Gospel,  then 
wait  for  the  expression  of  sorrow  from  the  ooa- 
viction  of  sin,  then  listen  to  the  cries  of  the  soul 
humbled  under  a  sense  of  guilt ;  then  bring  forth 
the  healing  balm  and  blessings  of  the  Qo:.<pel  to 
them  with  bleeding  hearts ;  then  apply  the  cor- 
dial from  the  medicinal  chest,  remembering  the 
Word  contained  all  needful  remedies  for  the 
wounded  in  spirit. 

Mr.  Bloomfisij)  taking  as.his  motto,  -  Encour- 
age him,*'  referred  to  the  great  and  anxicus  work 
of  a  God-sent  minister,  and  pointed  out  the 
various  modes  in  which  a  church  and  people 
oould  most  efTeotually  hold  up  the  hands  of  him 
who  ministered  unto  them  in  holy  things.  Es- 
teem him  highly;  be  iealous  of  nis  chaiaeter, 
whidi  to  a  man  of  Goa  is  as  saoned  as  life :  en- 
courage him  by  steady  attendanoe,  strict  adher- 
ence to  prindple,  by  stability  of  character,  and  by 
seeking  to  promote  fellowship  and  peace  in  the 
churdi. 

The  proceedings  dosed  after  singing  the  doxo- 
log>'. 


HAOKNST.  —  Rx-oPsmHO  of  Shalom 
Chapel.— Shalom  chapel  was  re-opened  Sunday, 
August  7th,  1864,  after  renovation.  Three  ser- 
mons were  preached:  morning  and  eveninsby 
the  minister,  Mr.  Henry  Myerson,  in  the  after- 
noon by  Mr.  Wm.  Palmer,  of  Plaistow,  Essex. 
On  the  following  Tuesday,  after  a  sermon  by  Mr. 
John  Bloomfield,  an  excellent  tea  was  provided. 
The  eveninjg  service  bmn  by  singing.  Mr. 
Bladcshaw  implored  the  iJivine  blessing  upon  the 
evening's  proceedings.  Mr.  Henry  Myerson  (in 
the  chair)  said,— Christian  friends,  I  will  not  oc- 
cupy much  of  your  time ;  I  will  Just  say  God  has 
been  good  to  us.  We  have  had  to  pray  fur  His 
presence  and  blessing ;  I  mean  by  this^  things  did 
not  always  look  as  we  should  luce,  and  we  have 
prajed  to  God  to  help  us,  and  the  prayer  has  been 
answered.  Our  chapel  is  full,  and  within  the  last 
three  months  seventeen  have  been  added  to  our 
number,  and  i^ix  more  are  waiting  for  member- 
ship. Peace  is  in  our  midst  I  beueve  this  is  the 
third  anniversary  of  my  settlement  here;  I  have 
been  here  altogether  five  years.  I  have  often 
gone  into  that  pulpit  without  a  text,  but  the  Lord 
has  given  me  one.  When  I  have  thought  I  have 
been  very  dry  and  useless,  the  churca  has  been 
much  blessed;  and  when  sometimes  the  fire  has 
kindled  in  my  own  bosom,  and  I  have  thought 
surely  all  must  have  felt  the  same,  I  have  found 
it  not  to  be  sa  The  diairman  made  referenee  to 
the  chapel  having  been  cleaned  and  painted,  and 
that  pecuniary  aid  was  wanted  to  pay  for  the 
same.— In  the  absence  of  Mr.  Palmer,  ofPlaistow, 
Mr.  Webb  was  called  upon  to  address  the  meet- 
ing upon  the  "Kingdom  of  God.**— Mr.  Webb 
was  pleased  to  hear  that  the  word  of  the  Lord 
was  blessed  there ;  was  very  pleased  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  chapel,  and  should  beg  leave  to 
propose  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Blackshaw  for 
the  way  in  which  he  had  superintended  the  clean- 
ing and  painting  of  the  ehapet.     The  resolution 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Sep.  1,  IBM, 


THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


265 


was  Moonded  by  Mr.  Flaok,  and  carried  unani- 
mooaly.  Mr.  Blackshaw  thanked  the  friends, 
and  oould  only  aav,  when  the  chapel  required  it 
again,  he  should  oe  fflad  to  do  the  same.  Mr. 
Webb  then  delivered  ou  speech  upon  the  **  King- 
dom of  God."  He  felt  lather  in  a  fix,  inasmuch 
as  he  had  to  take  the  place  of  another ;  however, 
as  a  sol^ect  of  that  kingdom,  he  ought  to  know 
somethmg  of  it.  There  had  been  many  great 
kingdoms  in  this  world,  but  they  passea  away, 
and  this  kingdom  only  remained  for  ever.  Baby- 
lon and  Ninereb  had  gone,  but  thiskinff:!om  was 
for  ever.  The  subjects  of  tliis  kingdom  were 
spiritual  men  only;  man  knows  nothing  of  this 
kingdom  until  he  is  led  by  the  Spirit,  when  he 
is  led  by  the  Bpiritlof  God,  then  he  says  with  Job, 
''Now  I  see  with  mine  eyes  what  1  had  only 
bfeard  of  before.**  God's  kincdom  is  a  prepared 
kingdom  for  a  prepared  people;  it  is  a  kingdom 

Siven  to  certain  subjects,  "For  I  give  you  a  king- 
om."  It  is  givoi.  They  do  not  get  it  by  any- 
thing that  they  do.  No.  But  He  gives  it  of  His 
gooa  wilL  And  Satan  can*t  move  this  kingdom ; 
It  is  founded  upon  the  Bock  of  eternal  ages.  The 
gates  of  hell  cannot  prevail  against  it    Xo,  no- 

"  Plagues  and  death  around  me  fly,'^ 
but  they  cannot  take  me  out  of  this  kingdom. 
Every  sntgect  of  this  kiugilom  is  as  safe  as  Jeho- 
vah's throne  itself.  It  is  a  glorious  and  beautiful 
kingdom.  Mr.  James  Butterfield  delivered  a 
■peech  on  the  **  Sower.**  After  speaking  in  high 
terms  of  the  pastor  of  Shalom,  he  said  the  verses 
from  which  tiis  text  was  taken  would  be  found 
in  ICark  iv.  90—27.  They  were  aware  that  com- 
mentators all  took  a  different  view  of  Uiis  parable ; 
there  was  a  difference  of  opinion  respecting  its 
meaning,  and  it  oertainly  did  look  rather  difneult. 
After  running  through  many  pass'iges  of  Scrip- 
tUM  illostiative  of  the  text,  Mr.  Butterfield  con- 
eluded  with  the  following:— I  was  staying  at 
Brighton  a  little  time  since  for  the  benefit  or  my 
health,  and  looking  out'for  everything  as  parser,  s 
dOb  that  may  tend  to  be  useful  to  them.  I  was 
walking  through  a  com  field,  and  something 
strudk  me  there  that  seemed  very  strange;  it  was 
this,  that  the  field  in  which  the  com  was  growing 
was  as  full  of  stones  as  it  could  be.  I  at  once 
thought  of  tha*-.  passage,  ^  And  some  fell  on  stony 
ground,"  and  thought  it  seemed  stianffe.  I  had 
a  millOT  with  me,  so  I  tliought  I  should  soon  find 
the  secret  out  But  he  said  he  did  not  know  the 
secret.  I  met  an  old  countryman,  and  I  asked 
him,  but  oould  not  find  out  satisfkctorily ;  he 
said  he  knew  a  person  who  had  had  his  field 
cleared  of  the  stones,  and  the  com  would  not 
grow,  and  he  was  obhged  to  put  all  the  stones 
oaok  again.  This  seemed  verystrange,  I  thought 
I  should  not  And  it  out  Well,  where  is  the 
secret  f  I  lifted  up  one  of  the  stones,  and  under- 
neath the  stones  the  earth  was  quite  moist.  This 
ia  the  seorat.  Bo  that  during  the  much  hot 
weather  we  have  had,  the  eart^  is  kept  moist,  for 
it  dries  at  the  top,  but  underneath  there  is  a  mois- 
ture. This  com  field  would  r.  present  the  people 
of  God,  and  many  stones  are  thrown  at  them, 
but  are  they  better  without  these  stones?  No. 
They  are  bd^er  with  them.  But  better  still,  will 
not  these  stones  represent  **£bene£er**  stones? 
When  the  rain  is  withheld,  then  under  the  stones 
is  the  dew,  although  the  sun  dried  up  all  the 
moisture,  yet  there  is  the  dew  underneath.  In 
oondusion  the  speaker  asked  that  the  dew  of 
heaven  might  rest  upon  the  minister  and 
the  church  there.  Mr.  W.  FUck  delivered  an 
address  upon  **  Bowing  the  seed."  He  thought 
the  sowers  for  the  most  part  were  the  ministers 
of  the  OospeL  The  fashion  of  the  present  day 
was  Idntej'-Wolsey  material,  and  that  might 
do  for  ths  body,  but  it  would  not  do  to  have  a 
Iiinsey-Wois^  (Mspel.  No.  The  sower  must 
nnderstand  how  to  make  a  difference  between 
things  that  differ,  and  must  not  make  it  out  as 
though  part  were  works  and  part  something  else. 


Mr.  Flack  felt  sure  the  pastor  of  Shalom  did  not 
give  them  anything  but  the  Gospel  of  God.  They 
were  told  to  scatter  the  seed  broadcast  all  the 
world  over,  not  to  be  careful  where  it  iiills.  There 
is  a  difference  betweoi  preaching  and  offering  sal- 
vation. Their  business  was  to  preach  the  word 
as  it  stands.  Of  course  theri'  liked  to  see  the 
fVuit  of  their  labors,  they  liked  to  bring  their 
sheaves  with  them,  but  it  was  God's  work.  In 
preaching  (however  thankful  he  was  for  all  good 
books)  there  were  two  books  he  had  to  go  to  daily^ 
the  book  of  God,  and  the  book  of  his  own  experi- 
ence; and  he  could  only  preach  as  he  had  been 
taught  Milton  had  said,  **  If  a  man  were  to  live 
a  long  life,  and  save  one  soul,  it  would  be  a  useful 
life  indeed."  But  he  felt  he  should  like  to  be  the 
means  ol  saving  1,000  souls,  aye  10,000,  if  it  were 
the  Lord's  will.  But  it  is  God's  wo  k  alone.  Good 
ground  must  be  prepared  b^'  a  better  hand  than 
that  of  man.  It  has  to  be  ploughed  up,  and  some- 
times burned  up,  and  so  does  the  human  heart 
often.  It  wants  a  good  deal  of  the  work.  In  con- 
clusion the  speaker  spoke  of  the  alterations  in  the 
chapel,  and  admired  them,  considering  what  the 
place  was  before.  He  hoped  soon  gallerif  s  would 
be  added,  as  he  thought  the  place  would  never 
look  really  well  uotil  that  addition  was  made. 
Mr.  J.  L-Meeres,  of  Bermondsey,wasby  sickness 
in  famil}*^  prevented  attending.  Mr.  John  Web- 
ster, of  Stepney,  then  spoke  upon  the  ^  Beeper." 
In  the  course  of  a  very  pleasant  and  powerful 
speech  Mr.  Webster  said,  lately  in  going  to 
preach  some  anniversary  sermon  in  the  country, 
he  had  to  pass  throngn  many  com  fields.  He 
saw  some  ears  towering  above  the  others,  while 
the  others  were  bowing  down  their  heads,  waiting 
for  tlie  reaper.  How  significant  this  was  of  the 
proud  professor,  holding  their  heads  up  so  high, 
while  the  poor  Christian  often  had  to  go  bowmg 
down  his  head.  He  had  heard  his  brother 
Bloomfield  with  much  pleasure  in  the  afternoon ; 
he  preached  a  good  sermon,  and  he  felt  .profited. 
Mr.  G.  Webb,  of  St  Pancras,  spoke  upon  *'  the 
blade,"  and  Mr.  Wise  upon  the  "full  com." 
Singing  and  benediction  closed  the  meeting. 
Shalom  chapel  now  looks  well. 

B  tr  S  H  D  B  N.^OBTHAMFTOK- 

8HIBE.— SucooTH  Nkw  Baptist  Chapel.— 
This  new  chapel  was  opened  for  the  worship  of 
the  triune  God  of  Israel,  on  Thursday,  June  29th, 
1864.  Mr.  James  Wells,  of  Surrey  Taberaaclev 
preached  in  the  morahig  and  atieraoon;  Mr. 
Oharies  Drawbridge,  the  minister  of  the  chapel, 

{>reaehed  in  the  evening.  This  was  a  long  looked- 
brand  long  desired  event;  the  glorious  weather 
was  only  surpassed  by  the  manifested  presence 
of  the  God  of  all  arace.  The  mnltitude  of  per- 
sons present  filled  the  spacious  chapel  and  sur- 
rounded the  walls  thereof;  Here  were  present  on 
one  plaform  two  Surrey  Tabernacle  men,  Charles 
Drawbridge  tra^'elled  ttom  that  place  to  Rushden 
in  the  commenoement  of  the  year  1820 ;  James 
Wells  has  been  many  years  the  beloved  and  hon- 
oured minister  of  that  place,  and  on  this  day  both 
these  preserved  and  blessed  men  unfurled  the 
true  Gospel  standard,  and  by  one  spirt  extolled 
the  great  Standard  Bearer  together.  To  ray  it 
was  a  good  day  would  be  trae,  but  we  say  it  was 
one  ofthe  higii  dajrs  of  the  Son  of  Man  to  His 
beloved  saints  then  and  there  assembled.  The 
hymns  composed  for  the  occasion  by  our  minister 
and  his  daughter,  were  sung  heart*fy,  all  standing 
up  to  praise  Jehovah's  holy  name.  The  exposition 
or  the  Ffalm,  the  unfolding  of  itevelation  in  the 
open  temple,  the  visible  ark.  the  lightnings 
which  had  fire,  the  voices  which  had  distinctness, 
the  thunderings  which  had  power,  the  earth- 
quake which  gave  distinct  vibrations,  and  the 
great  hail  which  pelted  and  peppered  very  sevete- 
iy,  edified,  instructed,  and  aroused  the  people 
{n  the  morning.  The  song  of  all  songs  was  cheer- 
ing in  the  company  of  theShulamiteAin  her  four- 
foKl  rstom,  her  joj-ftal  inspectioq^  and  piecions 


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266 


THE  EARTHEN  YESSEL. 


8«p.l,  IBM. 


conclusion,  in  the  afternoon.  The  evening  w»s 
dosed  with  an  iiin)eotion  of  the  inoomnarable 
ibundation,  Jesus  Christ,  in  His  ancient  depoed- 
tion,  firm  duration,  alorious  oompactnessi  ster- 
Mna  worth,  living  perfection,  and  eternal  stability ; 
bttut  ujpon  by  Ood  the  Father,  having  the  seven 
mes  of  the  Holy  Spirit  beholding  and  sealing  the 
dsurch's  oneness  with  Him  in  constituting  0od's 
habitation  for  ever.  This  was  a  thrice  happy  da^* 
indeed ;  we  Join  heartily  together  as  living  stones 
built  up  on  this  foundation  by  Ood  the  Holy 
Spirit,  in  thanking  our  kind  firiends,  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  for  their  preeenoe  and  support 
Through  the  good  hand  or  our  God  upon  us  and 
opon  tnem,  the  proceeds  of  this  day  amounted  to 
£08  7s.  3d.    All  praise  and  gloiy  to  our  Ck>d. 


TtrKBBIDOB     WSLLS, 

BXHOBOTH  BAJFTI8T  OHAPBL. 

In  Jordan's  tide  the  Baptist  stands, 

Immersing  the  repenting  Jews ; 
The  Son  of  Ood  the  rite  demands, 
Nor  dares  the  holy  man  refuse : 
Je»u8  descends  beneath  Uie  wave, 
Tlie  emblem  of  His  future  grave. 

Wonder,  ye  heavens !  your  Maker  lies 

In  deeps,  conoeal'd  ftx>ra  human  view ; 
Ye  saints,  behold  Him  sink  and  rise ; 
A  fit  example  tkieforyou. 
The  sacred  record  while  you  read, 
Calls  you  to  imitate  the  deed. 

But,  hark  I  my  soul,  hark  and  adore ! 

What  sounds  are  those  that  roU  along  f 
Kot  like  loud  Sinai's  awful  roar. 
But  soft  and  sweet  as  Gabriel's  song: 
This  is  my  well  beloved  Son, 
I  see  well  pleased  what  hfi]bath  done. 
Thus  the  Eternal  IVither  spoke^ 

Who  shakes  creation  with  a  nod ; 

Through  parting  skies  the  aooent  broke, 

And  bade  us  hear  the  Son  of  God : 

O !  hear  the  gracioma  word  to^ay, 

Hear  all  ye  ranwm*d  and  obey. 

*•  He  that  saith.  I  know  Him.  and  keepeth  not 
His  commandments,  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not 
in  him.  He  that  saith  he  obideth  in  Him,  ou^t 
himself  also  so  to  walk,  even  as  He  walked.*— 
1  John  ii.  4-«.    Bee  Matt,  xxvui.  Id,  30. 

On  Lord'B-day,  July  Slat,  it  was  oipun  our 
f|rivilege  to  witness  the  willing  and  hapnr  cap- 
tives of  sovereign  grace,  descend  into  the  baptis- 
mal  waters,  treading  in  the  ibotsteps  of  their  en- 
throned and  incarnate  Lord.  These  two  diaeiples 
wore  made  willing  and  longing  to  follow  wfaitner- 
Boever  the  lAmb  leads,  by  beholding  the  example 
of  those  whose  baptism  we  recorded  in  last  month's 
YEseXL.  How  truly  delightful  it  is  to  recount 
the  manifold  mercies  and  fidthftiineas  of  our 
oovenant-keeping  Ood.  Did  not  Jeeua  say  to  his 
diaeiples  just  before  His  ascension  into  glory, 
«  Teaching  them  to  observe  aU  things  whatsoever 
1  have  eommanded  yon :  and  lo,  I  am  with  you 
alwoy;  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world  ?**  And 
does  ue  notalTord  US  jojrful 


one  instance,  the  detectien  of  Baton's  lies  bos 
resulted  in  an  open  profession  and  decision  for 
the  truth  as  it  is  m  Jeans.  Although  we  gave  but 
little  publicity  respectiiMfthe  baptising,  yet  our 
attendance  on  that  occasion  was  very  good.  Fo^ 
haps  some  of  our  readers  may  think  it  struage 
that  we  make  any  kind  of  allusion  to  tlie  attend- 
ance on  that  occasion,  but  if  we  inform  them  that 
the  "  screw"  is  brought  to  bear  upon  every  one  who 
bows  to  the  imperial  nod  of  tlieir  "  pet "  Diotre- 
phea,  they  wiQ  cease  to  be  surprised.  Neither 
the  "screw,''  nor  the  baser  tnck  of  anonymuuM 
communications,  have  any  influence  upon  the 
minds  of  those  who  are  determined  to  ooer  God 
rather  than  man.  Let  these  statements  declare 
whether  the  author  or  authors  of  these  un-chriatian 
0Qntri>'ance8,  do  possess  the  "better  baptism** 
they  make  so  much  ado  about.  On  Tuesday, 
August  0th,  we  had  a  public  tea-meeting ;  and  m 
the  evening,  a  most  excellent  sermon  was  preached 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Wall,  of  Gra\-esend.  We  trust 
much  good  was  done ;  for  many  bearta  were  en- 
couraged and  praised  the  Lord  for  His  great  good- 
ness to  them.  We  feel  it  is  but  right  to  mention 
that  a  goodly  number  from  the  Hanover  cause 
favorecTus  with  their  presence,  and  manifested  a 
most  kindly  feeling  toward  us.  We  had  about 
seventy  persons  to  tea,  and  quite  a  large  congre- 
gation in  the  evening;  considering  our  circum- 
stances and  the  state  of  the  weather.  It  is  our 
privilege  to  conclude  by  informing  you  that 
others  ore  proposed  for  baptism  this  month.  O, 
that  the  liord  would  open  the  hearts  of  our 
wealthy  friends  to  render  material  aid  to  this 
stniggung  cause.  B.  B. 


^, BofHiafWth- 

OUneas  to  his  own  promise:  and  of  the  sweet  de- 
light He  takes  in  those  whohonoor  Him  by  walk- 
ing in  His  oommandmenta  ?  Truly  He  does. 
We  trust  that  weeniogFed  the  benign  iafhienoeB  of 
thebtossed  Spirit  throughout  the  whole  service; 
and  expect  to  monlfeat  aome  of  the  fruite  of  that 
service  before  the  month  is  out^  by  baptising 
others,  who  eamesUy  long  to  openly  proclaim 
uwir  love  to  onr  praeioBa  Lord  Jeaua.  Thoa  our 
hearts  ore  encouraged  liy  seeing  and  fStelingthe 
preaeuM  of  1h«  great  Head  of  the  Ohu>«h  toEe  in 
our  midst :  "  The  Lord  is  on  mr  sidsy  im  will  not 
fear  what  man  can  do  unto  no."  At  the  present 
tiflsethe  Lord  soema  to  be  making  the  devils 
omii  to  help  forward  thfrintenat  of  troth.  Instead 
oCoUowing  himt»  htederit;  for  in  mote  than 


"OS 


BAflT  BXBOHOIiT,  BS8XZ.-DBAB 
Bbothjib  iir  THE  LoBD,->For  the  fleet  time  aa  a 
eorreapondent  to  Thx  Babthbn  VanBK,  I  wiite 
for  the  cause  of  God  meetmg  at  Jireh  e'-apel. 
Boat  Bergholt.  July  ISth  being  the  day  opp  inted 
for  our  anniversary  and  boaaar,  we  hod  a  beauti- 
ful morning,  and  the  day  hdd  out  flae.  We  are 
happy  tostate  the  Lord  sent  our  pastor,  Mr.  Pooek, 
from  Bethesda«  Ipswich,  and  nia  four  deacons 
(MesarsL  Andrews,  Allston,  Harris,  Sheldrake) 
and  brother  William  Clarke,  treasurer,  to  help 
us.  We  were  fiivoured  with  the  presence  of 
brothers  Dyer,  of  Horwieh,  Last,  or  WaldTfaig>- 
fleld,  and  Fowdl,  of  CoggershoU^  who  will 
assisted  ns  in  the  worn  of  our  Lord.  Br 
Thomaa  Poook  preached  a  aeraion  that  did  gladden 
the  hearts  of  God*B  dear  children,  who  said  it  was 
good  to  be  there.  We  are  happy  to  state  that  an  a 
little  cfaureh  we  feel  ourselves  under  a  laating 
obligation  to  all  dear  friends  that  did  osrist  to 
relieve  us  fkona  a  vast  amonnt  of  anxiety,  and 
under  everiosluig  obligation  to  Almighty  God  for 
the  positioB  he  haa  placed  us  in.  Our  dei*r 
brother,  Mr.  Clarke,  pleaded  most  nobly,  and  the 
ladiea  who  got  up  the  baaaor  worked  moat  heartily, 
Brother  Poock preached  moat  fervently;  brothers 
Byer,  Last,  and  othera,  spoke  moat  warmly,  and 
brother  Powdl  prajed  meet  eameatly.  We 
wanted  £5e  to  meet  onr  demanda  at  prcnt,  £50 
was  givett  us;  our  motto  is,  •'What  hath  God 
wrought."  We  are  happy  to  state  our  proapeobi 
ore  still  enoonragJnA  aome  are  looking  towards 
Zion  with  theirfliees  thttherword,  and  we  do  IM 
though  we  are  poor  and  needy,  y«t  the  Lord 
thinkath  upon  ua.  We  have  now  on  outstanding 
debt  of  siK>at  £16  we  should  be  ghul  to  pay  oix 
as  soon  aa  we  can.  Should  any  kind  flriends  ted 
disposed  to  send  us  a  little  hdp,  it  wilt  be  thank- 
fully received  by  Mr.  Thomas  Poook,  Betheada 
Chanel  hosue,  Ipewieh,  or  Mr.  William  Church- 
yard, Bromfoid  Ume.  St.  Matthew^  Ipewlch.— 
I  am,  dear  brother,  in  Ohriatian  lore  aad  brottier- 
hood,  TponM  in  the  beat  bonda, 

WiLXIAM  dn^SCffTABl). 

Autor  at  Bast  BeKi^olt,  SuffoOi* 


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THE  'gAH^'F^'''^  YSSSEL* 


267 


B  r,*A<lKHBATH>  —  Dacbs  Park.  —  On 
Taeadiqr,  August  8nd,  we  |ield  our  Sabbath  school 
fe^val.  Thfi  children  assembled  in  the  chapel  at 
half-oast  two,  where  they  ^eze  arranged  for 
maroiiing  throagh  Lee  to  Todor  boose,  Eltham 
road,  the  private  residenoe  of  Mr.  Whittaker. 
Before  starting,  Kr.  Dinnoek  addressed  them  for 
a  few  minutes^  and  then  Hr.  A.  Feet  (late  of  Ghreat 
Wilbraham)  delirered  a  short  speech  on  **  How 
<^iildicn  should  pUy,"  after  which  the  teachers 
and  seholars  started  lor  the  grounds  of  Hr 
Whittaker ;  they  arrived  about  a  quarter  to  four.' 
The  children  trien  marched  before  the  house* 
orar  the  lawn,  through  the  orchard,  to  the  fields, 
vhere  they  dispersed  to  ez^oy  themselves  till 
called  to  tea.  About  half-past  four  the  teachers 
collected  them  again  on  the  lawn,  where  they  sat 
down  in  oireles,  surrounded  by  gazins  friends, 
who  stood  in  groups  to  behold  tl^  chiKlren  par- 
take of  their  tea.  Mr.  Peet  then  gsive  out  a  short 
faymn  from  their  hymn  book,  which  the  children 
beautifully  sang.  At  a  quarter-past  five  the  friends 
bad  tea  under  a  tent  erected  for  the  occasion  ;  a 
ipoodly  number  was  ther<\  and  the  tables  were 
adorned  with  lovely  flowers.  After  the  friends 
had  had  their  tea,  the  teachers  and  friends  mixed 
with  the  children  in  their  simple,  harmless 
games.  The  meeting  for  the  evening  was  i^- 
nounoed  at  seven  o'clock,  but  it  did  not  com- 
mence till  quarter  past,  when  Mr.  Peet  gave  out  a 
short  hymn,  and  eni^aged  in  prayer,  after  which 
he  delivered  his  address  on  **  The  true  Sabbath 
Bohool  teacher."  Most  assembled  to  hear  it,  the 
children  leaving  their  games^  and  quietty  and  at- 
tentively waited  tUl  the  dose.  A  vote  of  thanks 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whittaker  was  unanimously 
carried.  Mr.  Wbittalwr  onavoidably  being  absent, 
Mr.  Pillow  replied,  saying  they  must  uoicy  for 
once  be  was  Mr.  Wnittakar;  thi^  were  way  wel- 
come, hA  was  pleased  to  meet  them,  and  should 
be  glad  to  see  them  next  year,  and  he  hoped  the 
spweh  they  had  listened  to  tram  Mr.  Feet  would 
■nr  them  up  and  do  them  all  good.  It  was  de- 
cidad  that  Mr.  Peeiahouldfi)rward  the  resolution, 
thankiBg  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whittaker,  to  hi^^  at 
VoUseetone. 


BOPLB Y.  —  Deab  BBornaB  Bavks^  —  I 
vottldcatl  yoar  attention  to  the  oireiunstanoe  of 
aCswofthe  Lard*a  people,  gathered  together  at 
Bopler,  whow  for  some  yaars,  were  favorM  with  a 
eospel  ministry.  It  was  at  Roplej  the  late  W. 
C  Powell  oommanoed  his  labours ;  also  brother 
H.  BartholomeiiN  now  of  MandleahaaoL  SuAolk; 
brother  Joy,  of  Horsell;  brother  'Aiylor,  of 
Worthing,  and  other  men  of  th»  right  stamp.  But 
this  little  eauae  of  truth  baa  lost  her  former  privi- 
ledge.  It  is  suggested  there  isa  good  opening  for 
a  pUin  day  sehool  in  the  viUags^  and  if  the  £ord 


week,  saeh  a  man  would  be  a  great  blessing  in 
thia  locality,  there  being  nothing  bat  an  inmnt 
aofaool  for  aailea.  The  Gospel  ia  not  preached 
maeh  taither.  The  room  in  which  we  meet  ia  at 
all  times  well  attended  when  the  Gospel  is 
preached.  This  is  a  very  dark  part  of  Hantii  as 
yo«  may  know.  Mar  yon  be  able  to  assist  ua  in 
oar  dMhed  ol^yeet  Is  the  piagrer  of  the  fisw. 

0.  Pbwtbkia. 

OHA.TTBBZS,  OAXBS.— On  SundayTthe 
31at  of  July,  E.  J.  Silverton,  minister  of  2ion 
ohapel,  Chatteris,  baptized  nhie  persons  in  the 
river  at  Carter**  bridge,  four  women  and  fli^  men. 
The  sight  was  a  grand  one,  for  there  must  have 
Z>een  nearly  2,900  people.  Cheat  solemnitv  was 
felt  throughout  the  ^rvioe,  and  the  people  said 
it  was  gooa  to  be  tnere.  The  serrioe  commenced 
at  a  quarter  to  ten,  and  lasted  over  one  hour.  It 
was  a  Messed  day,  aad  longto  be  remembered. 
May  aioo*B  Xing  go  on  to  bless  us. 


BE&2C0NDSEY«— Ebevezsb,  Webb 
STBKeT.>~Onr  brother  Ohivers'  place  has  been 
closed,  and  very  nicely  painted  and  cleansed,  and 
made  exeeedingly  neat  and  comfortable.  It  was 
re-opened  by  the  pastor  and  Mr.  Wells,  when  ooI« 
lections  were  made  towards  the  expense,  which 
was  further  to  have  been  helped  bv  the  profits  of 
the  annual  excursion  which  Mr.  Chivers*  friends 
have  now  for  some  years  taken.  But  we  fear  this 
year  must  have  proved  a  hear^  loss.  It  was 
rather  singular,  the  Sunday  previous  to  the  ex- 
cursion Mr.  Chivers  prayed  most  earnestly  that 
the  Lord  would  send  us  rain  to  water  the  parehed 
ground.  This  prayer,  so  earnestly  craved,  was 
speedily  answered,  for  on  the  Tuesday  (the  day 
for  the  excuraion)  heavy  dark  clouds  gathered 
eariy  in  the  morning,  and  the  heavens  sent  forth 
sneh  a  refreshing  and  vigorous  rain,  that  but  few 
friends  dared  to  venture  out.  Prayer  was 
answered,  and  fiiith  was  tried. 

ST.  PANOBAS.'Zioir,  aoLDorovoir 
Crsscbkt.— On  Sunday,  aist  July,  Mr.  George 
Webb  administered  the  ordinance  of  believenT 
baptism  to  six  females.  On  the  following  Wed- 
nesday the  same  baptistrywas  kindly  lent  to  the 
church  at  Old  Ford.  C.  W.  Banks  preached  and 
baptized  four  persons;  this  being  the  second  time 
the  church  at  St  Pancras  have  kindly  obliged 
the  church  at  Old  Ford,  who,  at  present,  hare 
neither  chapel  nor  baptistry. 

OXiD  FOBD.— Tliird  anniversary  of  forma- 
tion of  this  churdh  was  holden  August  1.  After 
tea,  0.  W.  Banks  presided,  and  stated  the  ohureh 
began  with  seven  three  years  since ;  over  seventy 
have  been  added,  and  in  preaching  the  Gospel  he 
has  been  greatly  favored.  Mr.  Gordelier  and  Mr. 
Maycock  Doth  nve  pleasing  testimonies  to  the 
use  the  Lord  had  made  C.  W.  Banks'  ministrv  to 
them.  The  brethren  Thomas  Stringer,  T.  J. 
Messer,  and  G.  Webb,  delivered  very  effective  od* 
dresses.   It  was  a  profitable  meetilng. 

BOW.—If  old  Dr.  Newman  oould  look  in 
upon  us  now  at  the  old  Baptist  chapel  at  Bew. 
he  would  rejoice.  If  the  spirits  of  the  departed 
have  tidings  of  Zion's  good  snooesB  on  earth,  then, 
in  heaven,  he  doth  rejoiee  to  know  that  we  are 
crowded  with  hearers,  and  many  are  being  added 
unto  VLH.  On  Lord'ii  day,  Aumist  7,  our  pastor, 
Mr.  Blake,  received  into  the  cnureh  nineteen  new 
members.  Whether  we  are  quite  orthodox  or 
not,  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  is  with  us,  and  we 
are  thinking,  luce  other  people,  we  must  soon 
have  a  larger  tabemade. 

A  Fbijshd  to  Tbotfs. 

WOOZ<WIOH.~Albbrt  Boomb,  Bleaztob 
BoAD,  Powzs  Strke  r.  Our  beloved  pastor,  Bfr. 
Hanks,  whose  laboun»  God  has  so  signally  owned 
from  toe  commencement  in  this  town  even  till 
now,  baptized  four  believers  on  the  29th,  seals  to 
his  mimstxy ;  who,  with  four  others,  received  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  at  the  table  of  the  Lord 
on  the  first  Sabbath  in  August.— J.  B. 

BI8BLT.— On  July  29th  we  held  oar  faar- 
vest  meetiiur.  The  friends  sat  down  to  tea  at  fire 
o'clock.  After  tea,  before  the  friends  left  the 
chapel,  about  £10  was  collected  towards  theehapel 
debt.  At  night  Mr.  Peet  preached,  Mr.  Dexter, 
of  Thurleigh,  praji«d,  and  Mr.  Wilson,  the  pastor, 
gave  out  the  hsrmns. 

THUBIiBtOH,  BEDFOBD9HIBB,* 

On  July  28,  Mr.  A.  Peet  preached  at  night  oar 
'.larvest  sermon ;  we  had  a  good  congregation,  and 
the  Lord  was  with  as.  Mr.  Dextsr,  the  pastor  of 
thaohofoh,  opened  the  serrice  with  singing  aad 
prayer.  ^  j 

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268 


THE  EABTHEK  VESSEL. 


8ep,  I,  1«M. 


WALLINOFOBB.-Mr.  Knifton  UptiMd 
tbx«e  believert,  August  7th.  The  -word  of  the 
Lord  doth  not  only  shew  us  the  way.  but  the 
Spirit,  by  that  word,  coostraina  us  to  follow  the 
Lamb  in  all  His  holy  ways. 

SOHO.~Mr.  Ball,  of  Shrewsbury,  has  been 
supplying  the  late  Mr.  Fella's  pulpit  with  pleas- 
ing aeoeptanoe;  We  receive  cheering  communis 
cations  respecting  tliis  young  man,  .and  wish  him 
€H)d*s  blessing. 

OITT  BOAD.— Mr.  Abrahams*  chapel  has 
been  dosed  for  repairs,  and  he  has  been  in  the 
country.  He  has  not  fully  recovered  his  wonted 
health  and  strength,  but  ne  has  been  enabled  to 
preach  Clirist's  cFospel  with  much  freedom,  and 
It  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  many  a  living  saint  in 


any  literary  monument  behind  him,  of  the  ex- 
oeedinff  grace  of  God,  we  cannot  tell.  We  hope 
he  wilL  W  by  should  not  every  minister  of  truth 
do  as  Mr.  WeUs  is  doinff,  give  the  people  some  of 
their  sermons,  which  nught  be  handed  down  to 
ftitore  generations  ? 

WIMBI<BDON.— Thanks  for  good  wishes 
we  can  wish  too  that  the  two  bands  could  be  one, 
aiMl  that  one  a  good  strong  one.  Wo  highly  es- 
teem the  pastor,  and  wish  him  and  his  people 
every  blessmg. 

0T7B   I«ATE    BBOTHBB 
JOHN   PEIiliS. 

We  wish  to  call  special  attention  to  the  me- 
morial issued  by  the  friends  of  the  above  deceased, 
whose  object  is  two-fold.  First^  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  one  whose  sterling  worth  and 
usefulness  m  Zion  endeared  him  to  many  thou- 
sands ;  and  who  will  gladly  place  in  their  dwel 
lings  this  neat  and  expressive  lithographic  re- 
presentation of  a  brother  beloved.  S^ndly,  the 
object  of  the  friends  who  have  produced  it,  is  to 
aia  the  fund  now  raising  for  the  bereaved  widow 
and  fatherless  babes.  Nothing  on  earth  can  fur- 
nish a  stronger  appeal  to  the  benevolence  of  the 
Christian  community,  than  doth  this  most  afHic- 
ting  esse.  Alas  1  alas  1  that  our  fallen  world  Is 
so  mil  of  pitiable  esses  of  this  kind.  None  of 
us  know  how  soon  we  may  be  cslled  either  to 
leaTC  behind  many  dear  ones,  or  be  left  ourselves 
in  trials  so  deep. 

Of  the  Lithographer,  Mr.  Creswick  Nichols, 
30,  St.  Martins  Lane,  this  large  and  appropriate 
memorial,  both  of  tne  lifb  and  last  moments  of 
Mr.  John  Pells,  can  now  be  obtained.  Every 
friend  will  use  all  the  influence  he  has  to  pro- 
mote a  large  sale,  as  the  necessity  of  soon  ascer- 
taining tlie  result  of  the  committee's  labours  is, 
of  course,  most  urgent.  Four  years  ago  this  ver}' 
month,  that  is,  on  Lord's-day  momiog,  Augnst 
13th  1860,  Mr.  Pells  preached  that  remarkable 
sermon  on  '*  the  dkstbuctiok  of  the  vailb  ; 

AJTD  THE  BXXOTAL  OF  THE  COYEBIire  CIBT  OYER 

ALL  2IATIOM0,"  By  a  singular  coincidence,  we 
bad  that  sermbn  taken  down ;  and  it  was  pub- 
lished in  ttM*'New  Londm  PuIpiV  for  S^tember. 
We  purpoee  tore-issue  that  sermon,  if  his  widow 
consent,  for  her  benefit;  and  with  the  view 
of  fumislung  the  churches  with  a  permanent 
testimony  to  the  powers^  the  ministerial  powers 
which  were  gradually  developing  themselveo. 
With  that  sermon  it  is  poftible  some  Auther 
notes  may  be  added. 

'MB.   JOHN   PBLLS. 
Dear  Fkibhdb  of  the  Dsfabtbd^— Last  month 
there  was  an  advertisement  on  the  covers  of  the 


Babthxh  Ysssbl,  to  the  eflbot  that  I  intended 
to  publish  an  extended  memoir,  containing  the 
"  LiflB,  Correspondence,  and   Sermons,*'  of  my 
and  your  dq>axted  brotner,  to  whom  I  hav«  been 
very  closely  united  for  more  than  seventeen 
years,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  encouraging  him 
to  speak  in  the  Lord's  name,  which  he  did  ror  me 
for  the  first  time  at  Rushmere,  Suffolk,  in  1849, 
and  for  which  Iluve  often  blessed  God  who  made 
him  a  great  blessing  to  your  souls.  The  esteemed 
Editor  of  The  Eabtheit  Tessel  has  published 
an  excellent  account,  still  I  have  felt  that  nothing 
short  of  all  collected  that  can  be  gathered  in  one 
volume,  is  a  fitting  memento  to  the  late  highly 
esteemed,  laborious,  and  Ood-bleseed  pastor  of 
Soho.    I  think  it  can  be  brought  ont  for  38.  per 
volume.    Any  surplus  applied  to  Mrs.  Pells*  fond, 
but  must  have  a  good  number  of  subscribers, 
which  I  hope  to  secure  in  a  few  weeks.  In  the 
interim  allow  me  to  express  your  and  my  aflbc- 
tionate  regard  for  the  denartea,  and  our  hope  be- 
yond the  azure  vaulted  skies. 
Servant  of  Ood,  gone  up. 
Possessing  now  the  promised  rest. 
Finished  thy  toils,  thy.faith,  thy  hope, 
G-one  up  ana  flilly  blest. 
Ere  long  we  one  by  one. 
From  earth  shall  pass  away. 
And  meet  thee  near  the  sun-girt  throne, 
Nor  dread  a  parting  day. 

J.  Flobt. 
No.  i.  Libra  road.  Old  Ford,  Bow. 


Died,  July  3nd.  1864,  'aged  tbtalyeight^  Mabt, 
the  belovea  wife  of  Mr.   Jaxbb  Oaskabd,  of 


Stowmarket.  Deceased  for  many  years  had  been 
a  lover  of  Jesus,  which  her  life  and  walk  fully 
testified.  For  several  years  she  was  a  member 
with  the  ohuroh  meeting  at  the  old  Baptist  cha- 
pel ;  but  when,  for  conscience  sake  and  for  the 
nonour  of  religion,  the  majority  of  them  were 
obliged  to  leave,  she,  with  her  partner,  left  alsc^ 
and  nas  been  in  fellowship  with  the  friends  at 
the  new  chapel  until  her  death.  Her  eldest  child 
was  removed  by  death  a  few  weeks  ago,  and  now 
three  small  children  are  bereaved  of  an  afflbe- 
tionate  mother's  watchf\il  care.  The  fkmend  took 
place  on  Tuesday,  July  5th,  in  the  Stowmarket 
Cemetery,  and  was  attended  by  many  sympa- 
thising friends.  Mr.  Clark  read  a  part  of  the 
7th  chapter  of  Bevelation,  and  aa\-e  a  veiy 
solemn  address  from  Philippians  i.  21.  **For 
me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.**  At  the 
grave  that  very  suitable  hymn  was  suiih,— 
**  Why  should  our  tean  in  sorrow  flow 

when  God  recalls  His  own  ; 
And  bids  them  leave  a  world  of  woe. 

For  an  immortal  crown  ?"* 
"Farewell,  dear  sister,"  her  esteemed  pastoi 
said,  *^  we  here  leave  thyjpoor  body  in  the  care 
of  our  heavenly  Fiather.  Onl}'  for  a  short  time 
we  bid  thee  farewell ;  ere  long  we  shall  meet 
thee  again:  our  fellowship  will  then  be  unin* 
terrupted ;  our  sorrows  for  ever  gone;  our  i<^  in 
the  Lord  continue  for  ever  evermore.*'  Oh,  the 
blessedness  of  union  with  Jesua— living  with 
Jesus,  and  dying  in  and  with  Jesus.  Earthly 
ties  are  snapped  asunder :  this  heavenly  bond 
win  never  be  broken.  Union  with  Christ  on 
earth,  by  love  and  fiiith,  with  raints*  sweet  fel- 
lowship, is  often  found ;  but  in  hea\'«n  there  is 
gloriouis  full,  and  uninterrupted  communion  for 
ever.  Boll  swiftly  on,  ve  wearisome  days  and 
gloomy  nights,  and  break  forth,  thou 
day,  wnoee  sun  shall  no  more  go  down. 

Arrayed  in  glorious  grace, 
Shall  these  vile  bodies  shine ; 

And  every  form  and  every  fiMse, 

Look  heavenly  and  Divine.'* 

says,  **  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live 

also."  OgsgtKVB. 


»  days  an 
evexiastin 


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Bt  Joun  Watkbs  Bahtlb,  Ciuplain  of  the  Convict  Pjusov,  Portsmouth. 


"  A  glorioua  high  tlirone  from  the  heginning  is  the  place  of  our  saDCtuan*.**— Jer.  xvii.  12. 


The  context  shows  that  the  language  of 
the  text  is  the  thankfiil  expression  of  be- 
lierers  for  security  afforded  them  in  the 
object  of  their  confidence.  Look  at  the 
fifth  and  following  yerses.  While  he  that 
trusts  in  man  is  compared  to  the  heath  in 
the  desert,  inhabiting  the  parched  places  in 
the  wilderness,  unconscious  of  good  when  it 
approaches,  and  blasted  with  the  maledic- 
tion of  heaven, — ^he  whose  hope  is  in  the 
Lord  is  described  as  a  tree  planted  by  the 
waters,  and  spreading  so  her  roots  bv 
the  river,  that  the  presence  of  heat  shall 
onl^  elicit  a  peater  viridity,  perennial 
frmtfulness,  and  the  husbandman*s  blessing. 

The  difference  in  these  two  pictures  is  so 
mreat  that  lookers-on  can  see  it;  and  thouf^h 
the  dead  in  sin  may,  through  being  twice 
dead,  be  past  feeling,  tho;^  who  possess  life 
so  abundantly  must  feel  it^  and  must  give 
utterance  to  their  exultant  feeling. 

The  connection  between  the  context  and 
the  text  seems  to  be  here:  believers  are 
those  who  have  escaped  from  the  innumer- 
able seductions  which  led  them  to  look  for 
succour  in  men,  themselves,  or  riches :  and 
have  reached  a  good  land  beyond  these,  a 
good  land  and  a  secure  one,  in  which 
they  can  rest  and  fear  no  evil. 

There  are  many  circumstances  in  which 
it  seems  next  to  an  impossibility  not  to 
make  flesh  our  arm,  or  not  to  lean  to  our 
own  understanding,  or  not  to  place  some 
reliance  on  the  multitude  of  riches :  and 
yet  only  he  who  is  delivered  from  aU  these 
confidences  can  triumph  in  the  excellency 
of  his  refuge  as  a  glorious  high  throne  of 
antiquity. 

And  uien  when  we  consider  the  tenacity 
with  which  men  ding  to  things  seen 
and  tangible,  what  chastening  they  must 
be  the  subjects  of  before  all  those  thines, 
i^nd  the  systems  builded  on  them,  can  be 
looked  upon  as  false  refuges!  I  say,  it 
must  be  tribulation  that  uproots  men !  And 
through  what  tribulation  must  they  wade 
before  the  refuse  named  in  our  text  can  be 
so  jojfttlly  spoken  of?  *'A  glorious  high 
throne  m>m  the  beginning  is  the  place  of 
our  sanctuazy."  I  &aJi  begin  by  speaking 
of  the  sanctuaxy. 

L  The  idea  of  a  sanctuabt  is  connected 
with  a  leparaied  place,  a  sacred  spot; 
sacred  especially  from  the  grasp  of  some 

Vol.  XX.— No.  233. 


power  fled  from,  and  so  related  to  the 
Asyla  of  old.  The  first  really  of  this  kind 
were  the  cities  of  Befuge,  that  merciful  pro- 
vision of  the  Almighty  set  forth  in  thirty- 
fifth  chapter  of  Numoers,  and  other  parts. 
Those  cities  of  Refuge  were  at  once  a  pro- 
tection for  justice  and  helplessness.  Justice 
was  clear  when  the  guilty  was  condemned ; 
and  the  unwitting  man-slajer  was  protected 
in  a  way  to  make  men  reverence  tne  ima^e 
of  God  in  man,  and  watch  ajgainst  an  acci- 
dental as  well  as  a  wilful  injury  to  it.  Per- 
haps it  is  not  a  groat  fiight  of  imagination 
to  suppose  that  Uadmus,  King  of  Tyre,  who 
went  into  Qreece  soon  after  the  death  of 
Joshua,  had  heard  of  these  sanctuaries ;  and 
that  when  he  built  Thebes  there,  and  gran- 
ted the  privilege  of  sanctuary  to  all  sorts 
of  criminals,  he  in  some  sort  imitated  the 
Divine  institution,  as  Romulus  in  after 
time  imitated  him  in  opening  Eome  as  an 
asylum  for  similar  refugees.  So  Canada 
has  for  a  long  time,  by  me  constitution  of 
British  law,  been  a  sanctuary  for  the  fugitive 
slave ;  long  before  the  exigencies  of  war 
compelled  the  Americans  of  the  North  to 
admit  the  slave  was  entitled  to  the  rights  of 
a  man. 

But  let  us  pass  from  the  historic  to  the 
natural  idea. 

A  sanctuary  is  the  pince  of  refuge  from 
the  face  of  an  enemy.  ^  Ho  the  "  hart  pan- 
teth  after  the  water-brooks'*  to  escape  the 
teeth  of  the  bayine  hounds ;  and  so  *'  the 
high  hiUj9  are  a  refuge  for  the  wild  goats." 
This  idea  has  been  illustrated  and  intensified 
hj  the  artistic  genius  of  Landseer.  His 
picture  LB  familiar  to  muiy  of  you.  The 
**  harbourer  "  has  tracked  the  '*  slot "  of  a 
"  warrantable "  stag,  and  the  dogs  have 
been  put  on  the  scent.  Forced  to  quit-his 
lair,  the  stag  has  bounded  away  for  ms  life  I 
O'er  hill  and  plain,  through  field  and  fiood, 
he  has  doubled  and  distanced  them,  until 
his  strength  f^ils,  and  they  gain  upon  him, 
and  his  passage  seems  bounded  by  bluflk 
without  an  opening  1  With  desperate  efforts 
he  reaches  the  summit  of  a  mount,  and  a 
succession  of  leaps  brings  him  to  the  waters 
of  a 'lake  spread  out  before  him;  those 
waters  receive  him,  and  his  pursuers  are 
at  fault. 

You,  too,  lose  the  stag  in  the  wide 
waters!    But, 


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"  See  where  the  startled  wild-fowl  BcreamiDg  i  in  Qjrder  that  it  may  be  diBCOTered  from  all 
""^  other  places,  when  He    save  of    Himself 

(Exodus  xxxiv.  7),  *'  Keepiog  mercy  for 
thousands,  forgiving  iniquity,  transgression, 
I  and  sin,  and  that  will  by  no  means  dear  the 
gtiiUyP  Psalm  bucxv.  10,  is  a  key  to  open 
up  that  passage :  "  Mercy  and  truth  are 
met  together,  and  righteousness  and  peace 
have  lussed  each  other/'  But  some  may 
say,  All  these  sayings  are  most  enigmatical ; 
there  seems  notmng hut  contradictions  where 
one  would  have  expected  the  plainest  decla- 
rations. Let  us  consider  these  passages  of 
Holy  Writ  attentively.  God  keeps  mercy 
for  thousands,  yet  by  no  meana  will  He 
clear  the  guilty.  The  person  of  Christ  is 
the  place  of  sanctuary;  there  mercy  is 
treasured  up ;  in  Him  sinners  obtain  mercy ; 
through  His  atoning  sacrifice  they  are  ac- 
cepted, and  acceptMl  without  spot.  **By 
His  knowledge/*  says  God  in  Isaiah  liii.  11, 
«  By  His  knowledge  shall  my  rishteous  ser- 
vant JUSTIFY  many,  for  He  shall  bear  their 
iniquities.'*  The  Psalmist  understood  this 
when  he  prayed,  "  Behold,  O  God,  our  ddeld, 
and  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  Anointed/* 
— Psalm  boxiv.  9.  There,  there  is  mercy 
with  God  that  He  may  be  feared. 

And  it  was  in  the  same  night  in  which 
He  was  betrayed,  that  mercy  and  truth  met 
together — ^merey  in  the  person  of  Jesua. 

<*  That  was  oompMsioii  like  a  Ood's, 
That  when  the  Saviour  knew 
The  price  of  pardon  was  His  blood, 
Hu  pity  ne'er  withdrew.'* 

Then  there  was  truth.  Inflexible  troth 
exacting  that  price  from  the  sinner^s 
Surety. 


And  seek  in  marshalled  flight  those  golden 

skies; 
Yon  wearied  swimmer  scarce  can  win  the  land. 
His  legs  yet  fiilter  on  the  watery  atnuid ! 

Poor  himted  hart,  the  painful  struggle  o'er, 
How  blest  the  i^elter  of  that  iiland  shore  I 
There  while  he  sobs,  his  panting  heart  to  rest, 
Nor  hound,  nor  hunter  shall  his  lair  molest !  '* 

Landseer  called  thia  '^the  Sanctuary." 
But  the  Christian  idea  is  the  one  of  the  text. 
The  Christian's  idea  finds  no  rest  until  it 
finds  the  Messiah. 

"  In  Tain  the  trembUng  consdenoe  seeks 
Some  solid  ground  to  rest  upon ; 
With  long  despair  the  spirit  breaks, 
Till  we  apply  to  Christ  alone." 

The  hope  of  the  Christian  enters  into,  and 
lays  hold  of,  and  is  secured  by  Him  wlio 
was  typified  by  the  ark  of  Koah,  and  the 
cities  of  Befuge,  and  more  mysteriously  by 
the  ark  of  the  Covenant,  and  the  mercy- 
aeat,  and  the  over-shadowing  cherubim 
where  Jehovah  abode. 

II.  This  brings  me  to  the  second  thine 
in  our  text,  namely, '*tu£  flack/'  "A 
glorious  high  throne  from  the  beginning  is 
the  place  of  our  sanctuary.**  "  The  place/' 
This  is  none  other  than  the  person  of  Jesus. 
Christ  our  Passover  sacrifiea  for  us  shelters 
us.  The  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus 
stamps^the  mark  which  preserves  from  the 
devouring  sword.  Under  the  droppings  of 
His  blooa  alone  is  salvation.  In  tne  pro- 
fusion of  our  ideas  of  a  refuge  or  sanctuary, 
let  not  this  be  hidden  or  hastened  over,  for 
the  other  places  only  shadowed,  or  are  em- 
blems of  thia — ^the  person  of  Jesus  the 
place  of  sanctuary !  r^ot  the  person  of  Je- 
sus either  or  merely,  but  the  atoning  blood 
of  Jesus.  Not  the  blood  shed  only,  out  this 
applied  to  the  conscience  secures,  not  the 
dechiration  of  the  fact  that  He  lived  and 
died,  but  the  application  and  dechiration  by 
the  Hohr  Spirit  that  He  loved  /n^,  and  gave 
Himself  for  me.    That  beautiful  hymn, 

'*  Bode  of  aM,olflft  for  mei 
Let  me  Bide  myself  in  Tliee ; 

Let  the  water  ana  the  blood. 
From  Thy  wounded  side  which  flowed. 

Be  of  sin  the  double  cure, 
8are  me  from  its  guilt  aad  power," 

was  composed  while  meditating  on  the  words 
spoken  to  Moeee  (Exodus  xzxui.  21),  **And 
the  Lord  said,  B^ld  there  is  a  place  by 
Me,  and  thou  shalt  stand  upon  a  rock :  and 
it  shall  come  to  paM,  while  My  gloir  passeth 
by,  that  I  wilt  put  thee  in  a  deit  of  the 
rock,  and  will  cover  thee  with  My  hand 
while  I  pass  by;  and  I  will  take  away  my 
hand,  and  then  shalt  see  my  back  parts."  Mo- 
sea  saw  then  His  after  manifestations,  wheft 
the  Word  made  fleth  should  dwell  with  men, 
that  they  might  have  a  hiding-place,  a  covert, 
a  place  of  saLctnary.  God  points  as  it  were 
to  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  this  place, 


**  Came  at  length  the  dreadful  night. 
Vengeance  with  his  iron  rod. 
Stood,  and  with  eolleeted  might, 
Bruised  the  harmlsM  Lamb  of  Ood.** 

That  was  the  meeting  of  mergr  and  truth. 
"  But,*'  as  we  mad  again  in  Isaiah  liiL  5, 
"  But  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgiesaions, 
He  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities,  the  dias- 
tisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  Him,  and 
with  His  stripes  we  are  healed."  The 
chastisement  which  procures  peace  for  us 
wtanpon  Him ;  and  the  righteousness  which 
Christ  obtained  by  suffering  and  obeymg^ 
and  paying  all  demands  against  those  for 
whom  He  appeared,  is  reckoned  his  iriio 
with  the  heart  believes  unto  rightoonsneap. 
And  the  God  of  peace  is  weU  pleased  with 
such  believers,  for  His  righteousness'  sakp, 
and  they  are  looked  upon  as  all  righteous ; 
and  Jesus  introduces  them  as  such,  and  the 
God  of  peace  smiles  on  them,  and  the  peace 
of  God  fills  them !  And  so  mercy  and 
truth  are  met  tether,  and  r^hteousnesa 
and  peace  have  kissed  each  dther.  Then 
God  does  keep  mercy  for  thousands ;  and 
yet  it  is  true,  as  you  see,  that  He  w^  by 
no  means  clear  the  guilty.     If  we  sheker 


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271 


in  Christ,  our  guilt  is  pursed  by  His  blood 
and  we  obtain  meroy.  £r  we  tnut  to  any 
thing  short  of  that  atoning  blood,  oar 
gailt  will  be  on  our  own  heads,  and  we 
shall  bear  the  punishment  of  it  for  ever. 
Hence  the  value,  hence  the  necessity,  of 
sudi  a  place  of  sanctuary,  and  to  know 
where  to  find  it. 

The  administratiye  principle  of  this  place 
is  faith.  Faith  generated  in  the  sinner  by 
the  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  I  Faith 
iriiich  then  feels  after,  and  ^Eunts  unless  it 
be  invigorated  from  Jesus  t  faith  in  Jesus 
as  the  propitiation  for  sins!  faith  In  His 
blood  as  the  instrumental  cause  of  pardon 
and  peace,  and  which  therefore  takes  hold 
of  and  brings  him  only  for  acceptance. 
**  Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitia- 
tion through  faith  in  His  blood,  to  declare 
His  righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins 
that  are  past^  through  the  forbearance  of 
God.  To  declare,  I  say,  at  this  time  His 
nghteousness,  that  He  mish^  be  just,  and 
tl^  jnstifier  of  him  that  b^eveth  in  Jesus." 
Bomans  iii.  25. 

Of  this  place  I  can  now  say  to  all  who 
tire  desirous  of  sanctuary,  "  There  yet  is 
room.''  There  is  room  for  the  hungry, 
starving  poor,  whom  nothing  can  satisfy  but 
heavenly  food  t  There  is  room  for  those 
who  are  ashamed,  and  loathing  their  own 
xaos,  think  of  the  prodigal  and  the  best 
xoSe !  Yes,  there  is  room  for  them ;  and 
aU  things  are  ready,  and  the  "  best  robe  " 
amon^  the  "  all  things."  There  is  room  for 
tibe  sick  too;  for  those  who  have  fiiith 
in  the  healing  virtues  of  the  wounds  of  th^t 
Physician  who  |^ve  His  life  a  ransom  for 
many  I  There  is  room  for  the  lost  who  feel 
iheir  need  oi  salvation ;  and  there  is  room 
f(x  the  bac^bdider,  who  still  knows  the 
Shepherd's  voice,  and  can  bleat  after  Him 
in  answer  to  the  loTing  declaration, 
"  In  Jesus*  breast  there  yet  is  room." 

And  then  the  excellency  of  sopply  in  this  place. 
Whatstores!  what  resoureesl  what  treasures  I 
The  poor  refugees  shall  sonrow  no  more — 
shall  want  no  more :  '*  For  the  Lamb  which 
is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them, 
and  shall  lead  them  unto  liying  fountains  of 
waters ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
txcaxk  their  eyes." — ^Bev.  viL  17.  In  this 
last  precious  word  £rom  the  Scriptures,  we 
have  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  feeding  His 
people ;  and  this  Lamb  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  throne.  And  so  we  pass  easily  to  the 
next  particular  in  our  text 

HI.  The  plaee  of  our  sanctuary  is  a 
TBBMiOL  "A  glorious  hish  throne  ftom 
the  beginninff  is  the  plaee  dour  sanctuary." 
A  throne  is  we  symbol  of  te»ftorial  sway, 
«d  Jesus  has  that  Pl»lmlzdi.ll,  *<Yea, 
allkasga  sthall  ftOl  4mtk  befbre  Him;  all 
iwlipM shall sartaHfaiu"    Athroneuthe 


symbol  of  judgment  and  honour:  and  the 
Father  hath  committed  all  power  and  judg- 
ment to  the  Son — "That  all  men  should 
honour  the  Son,  even  as  they  honour  the 
Father:  he  that  honoureth  not  the  Son, 
honoureth  not  the  Father  which  hath  sent 
Him."-^ohn  v.  22,  23.  A  throne  is  the 
symbol  of  royalty;  and  Jesus  sways  the 
sceptre  of  universal  dominion;  and  He 
does  so  by  virtue  of  creation,  redemption, 
and  conquest.  In  His  muesty  He  rides 
prosperouisly .  * '  And  I  saw  heaven  opened, 
and  behold  a  white  horse ;  and  He  that  sat 
upon  him  was  called  FaithpuXt  and  Tbue, 
and  in  righteonsness  He  doth  judge  and 
make  war.  'His  eves  wore  as  a  flune  of  fire, 
and  on  His  head  were  many  crowns ;  and 
He  had  a  name  written  that  no  man  knew 
but  Himself.  And  He  was  clothed  in  a 
vesture  dipped  in  blood;  and  His  name  is 
called  TBI  Word  of  God."— Bev.  xix. 
II — 13.  I  would  not  say  that  the  mere 
mention  of  a  throne  in  the  text  determines 
the  Godhead  of  Jesus,  for  there  are  thrones 
for  hierarchs,  and  powers  in  heaven  and  on 
earth ;  but  this  is  a 

High  throne.  The  positive  epithet  is 
used  to  express  the  most  superlative  height. 
The  throne  of  Jesus  is  without  controversy 
higher  than  all  hierarchies !  higrher  than  all 
imperialism!  higher  than  a&  grades  of 
intelligences !  And  then  His  tlm>ne  is  as 
holy  as^  it  is  high ;  and  as  full  of  mennr 
as  it  is  of  holiness  I  But  this  is  not  all. 
'*  The  place  of  our  sanctuary  is  a  glon&u8 
high  throne."  And  the  throne  of  Jesus  b 
more  glorious  than  all  the  thrones  of  idl 
created  beings  put  together,  as  He  hath  by 
inheritance  obtained  a  more  excellent  name 
than  they.  He  is  the  Son  of  God  I  He  is 
the  King  of  glory!  His  throne  is  the 
throne  of  grace,  to  which  the  necessitous 
are  invited,  and  that  makes  it  glorious! 
His  throne  is  the  throne  of  life;  for  out  of 
the  throne  of  GKkI  and  the  Lamb  proceeds 
the  riyer  of  the  water  of  life ;  and  tiiat 
makes  it  glorious !  The  throne  of  Jesus  is 
the  antitype  of  £liakim*s,  mentioned  in 
Isaiah  xxii.  22,  of  whom  God  says,  *'And 
I  will  fasten  him  as  a  nail  in  a  sure  place ; 
and  he  shall  be  for  a  elorious  throne  to  his 
fiither's  house,  and  they  shall  hang  upon 
him  all  the  glory  of  his  father's  house,"  &c. 

And  this  thit>ne  has  been  a  sanctuary 
ntoM  TKB  BioiKinHO.  As  the  Father  de- 
clares, Psalm  ^v.,  and  Heb.  i.  8,  "But 
unto  the  Son  He  saiKh,  Thy  throne,  0  God, 
Is  for  ever  and  ever,  the  sceptre  of  Thy 
kingdom  is  a  rieht  sceptre ! "  "Foe  vrtn!;* 
^ot  is  fh>m  everlasting :  <*  Aim  evhs/'  that  is 
to  everlasting.  And  thus,  <*  The  place  of  our 
sanctnarv  is  a  throfie,"  a  high  throne,  a 
dortous  high  throne,  a  glorious  high  tfarone 
irom  the  begianinsL  A&  witnesses  confirm 
this  of  Jbs^s.      The  apostle 

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"  He  Ib  before  all  things,  and  by  Uim  all 
thincB  oonsist.'*— >Col.  i.  8.      The  prophets 

S^jclaim  it,  "  Out  of  thee,  Bethlehem,  shall 
■  come  forth  unto  me,  that  is  to  be  Ruler 
in  Israel ;  whose  goings  forth  hare  been 
from  of  old,  from  everlasting."  —  Micah 
T.  2.  The  Psalms  repeat  the  strain  (Ixxiv  12\ 
"  For  Ood  is  my  King  of  old,  working  sai- 
Tation  in  the  midst  of  the  earth."  Moses 
wrote  of  Christ  (John  y.  46) ;  the  patri- 
archs saw  His  day  (John  viii.  56) ;  by 
faith  WE  understand  that  the  worlds  were 
framed  by  the  Word  of  God  (Heb.  xi.) ; 
in  the  beginning  was  this  Wou>  (John 
i.  1).  And  this  Word  was  mads  flesh,  and 
dwelt  among  us  that  we  might  shelter  in 
Uim  as  a  sanctuaiy. 

This  is  the  simple  truth.  Man  had  un- 
ned.  The  daily  sacrifice  of  lambs  had 
failed  to  take  away  sin.  God  so  loyed  the 
world  that  He  gaye  His  only  begotten  Son. 
He  was  the  Lamb  of  God;  He  was  the 
Lamb  slain.  He  paid  the  penalties  incurred 
by  His  people;  He  ransomed  them  from 
the  power  of  the  graye  by  dying  for  them  ; 
and  fle  rose  the  mighty  Conqueror  1  He 
was  eyer  the  Mifl£ty  God:  now  He  is 
the  mighty  Man !  He  was  ever  the  glorious 
God:  now  He  is  the  glorious  God-Man! 
And  as  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  He 
hath  prevailed.  '<And  I  beheld,"  says 
John,  *'  and  lo,  in  the  midst  of  the  throne, 
and  of  the  four  beasts  (that  is,  in  the  essence 
of  Deity),  and  in  the  midst  of  the  elders 
(that  is,  tn  the  essence  of  humanity)  stood 
a  lamb  as  it  had  been  skin.  And  he  took 
the  book,"  which  but  for  Him  had  remained 
unclosed  to  all ;  He  took  the  book,  and  then 
that  new  song  issued,  and  to  tlus  hour  is 
8UDg,  **  Thou  art  worthy  to  take  the 
book,  and  to  open  the  seals  Uiereof ;  for 
Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to 
God  by  Thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred, 
and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation ;  and 
hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and 
PHiESTS ;  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth." — 
Key.  y.  Hence,  the  language  of  our  text  is 
the  language  of  admiration,  "  A  slorious 
high  throne  from  the  beginning  is  the  place 
of  our  sanctuary .'* 

Do  you,  my  brethren,  admire  this  view  of 
the  Saviour?  If  you  do,  you  are  not  far 
from  an  interest  in  Him.  To  admire  an 
excellence  is  near — ^is  the  next  good  thing  to 
possessing  it.  But  the  next  iiood  thing  will 
not  satisfy  an  earnest  souL  There  is  a  great 
difference  between  an  almost  and  an  al- 
together saved  souL  The  difference  equals 
the  wise  virgins  within  with  the  Bridegroom, 
and  the  foolish  ones  too  UkU^9  knocking  at 
the  door  without. 

I  rejoice  to  find  ^y  who  can  admire  th^ 
great  things  of  God ;  ^y  who  take  a  delight 
to  walk  about  Zion,  and  go  round  about,  and 
tell  tbo  towMf  thereof,     X  enoQuzvg^  vncb 


admiration.  I  sajv  "Mark  ye  well  her 
bulwarks,  consider  her  palaces.''  But  I 
sa^  further,  "Seek  to  enter  into  the 
King's  palace ;  seek  to  draw  near  the  throne, 
to  touch  the  golden  sceptre;  and  lose  no- 
time,  and  take  bo  denial,  that  ye  may  tell  it 
to  the  generation  following,  This  God  ia 
our  God  for  ever  and  ever ;  He  will  be  our 
guide  even  unto  death." 

Hence,  the  langua^  of  the  text  is  the 
language  of  appropriation:  *'a  glorious 
high  tlm>ne  from  the  beginning  is  the  place 
of  our  sanctuary."  There  is  an  inconceivable 
wei^t  and  value  in  these  littleappropriatine 
W0M8  in  Scripture  (Psalm  xlvi.  i.^,  *.*  God 
is  our  strong ;"  (xci  2),  "  I  will  say  of 
the  Lord,  He  is  m^  Befuge  and  Fortresa;. 
MY  God,  in  Him  will  I  trust."  And  aflain,. 
"  My  beloved  is  mine."  Now  I  beUeve 
there  are  some  here  who  would  resisin  all 
earthly  things  to  say  the  same,  with  the 
Spirit's  approval;  I  believe  there  are  some 
here  who  at  this  moment  are  praying  with 
the  Psalmist,  "  Say  unto  my  soul,  I  am  thy 
saltation."  Well,  that  is  an  acceptable 
pn^*er,  and  if  Christ  be  all  your  salvation, 
and  all  your  desire,  this  is  the  accepted 
time!  this  day  is  salvation  come  to  this 
house — thy  house,  thou  emptied  soul— thy 
heart)  thou  bruised  reed.  If  I  should  say  I 
did  not  know  Christ  thus,  and  for  myself  I 
should  speak  falsely,  for  He  was  revealed 
to  me  as  my  Sanctuaiy  many  years  ago^  and 
I  lon^  now  for  such  a  consummation  in  your 
experience,  not  only  for  your  sakes,  but  for 
mine  also,  for  I  long  for  companionsliip : 
hence,  the  lan^age  of  the  text  is  the  lan> 
guage  of  association — our  Sanctuaiy !  Thus 
those  who  sow  and  those  who  reap  njoioe 
together !  Though  each  must  be  pursued  hy 
himself,  and  each  must  enter  in  by  himself^ 
yet  the  happiness  will  be  increased  a  thou- 
sand fold  by  communion  with  others  so  won- 
drously  saved  I  See  with  what  ioy  saved 
souls  congratulate  each  other  whUe  they 
praise  the  Bock  of  their  salvation. 

Wb  have  a  strong  city  I  "  Salvation  will 
God  appoint  for  waUs  and  bulwarks !"  Seek 
communion  with  G^,  and  then  oommunioB 
with  saints  will  be  sweet.  *' The  promise  is 
to  you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  all  that 
are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  die  Lord  our 
God  shall  call.'  Seek  to  enter  into  this 
sanctuaiy  I  Lay  aside  every  weight  that 
you  mayrun  the  £uter,  looking  unto  Jesos 
only.  Having  by  £uth  entered,  seek  th# 
welfure  of  others  also.  Seek  to  have  your 
children  with  you,  and  your  kinsfolk,  and 
your  neighbours,  and  your  aoquaintaace. 
Then  theUngnage  of  the  text  will  be  yours, 
and  it  will  be  the  Iftoguage  of  admizati<m, 
%nd  appropriation,  and  association,  and  of 
thankfubeMb  "A  glorious  high  throne  from 
the  beginning  u  the  ^laee  of  our  ■anetnaiy." 
A  giatefal  •ppreci«tio&^  niohit  raftige  i» 

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an  eternal  well-spring  of  blessedness.  It 
is  the  blessing  that  maketh  rich.  There 
can  be  no  porertj  where  such  thankfulness 
exists ;  there  can  be  no  riches  where  such 
thankfulness  is  altogether  unknown.  "  Cry 
out  and  shout,  THOU  inhabitant  of  Zion ;  for 
^reat  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the 
midst  of  Thee.*'— IsaiA  zii.  6.  BtiU  I  feel 
there  are  many  who  are  not  inhabitants  of 
the  Bock ;  many  who  nevertheless  are  eren 
now  saying.  '*  Oh,  that  I  knew  where  I 
might  find  Him."  I  say  to  you  in  Gt)d*s 
words,  **  Sanctify  the  Lord  of  hosts  himself, 
And  let  Him  be  your  fear,  and  let  him  be 
jronr  dread.  And  He  shall  be  for  a  sanc- 
tuary. "—-Isaiah  viii.  13,  14.  I  am  to  you 
4IS  the  direction  poets  in  the  land  of  Israel 
were  to  the  manslayer;  I  point  and  cry, 
Bsfnge !  Eefuge  !  To  Jesus  the  true  city 
of  Refuge  you  are  directed.  Yea,  if  you 
feel  the  avenger  of  blood  gathering  on  you, 
do  you  not  feel  that  you  are  drawn  also  If  If 
ytm  are  drawn  as  well  as  driyen,  then  you 
bare  hope  as  well  as  fear.  You  feel  that 
you  cannot  reach  the  mountain,  and  yet  the 
mercy  Touehsafed  creates  in  you  a  strong 
tiope  that  grace  will  find  means,  and  so  you 
will  find  it.  If  you  cannot  reach  the  moun- 
tain, the  mountain  can  reach  you;  and 
before  you  are  aware  you  will  find  yourself 
on  the  borders  of  the  sanctuary ;  and  Christ 
on  the  cross  will  be  seen,  and  the  pangs  for 
^elireranee  will  be  felt ;  and  faith  in  the 
.atonement  of  Jesus  will  break  the  strings 


which  hare  bound  vou,  and  you  will  enter 
into  rest — ^you  will  leap  into  Jesns,  and  find 
Him  a  strong  tower  from  the  face  of  the 
enemy. 

I  think  by  this  time  you  all  understand 
my  text.  X  have  approached  it ;  I  have 
lingered  over  it,  and  carefully  gone  through 
it,  and  round  about  it,  because  I  want  you 
aU  to  understand,  not  the  text  only,  but  your 
relation  to  the  principal  thing  spoken  of  in 
it — Jesus  as  a  hiding  place  from  the  wind. 

Have  you  shelterMl  in  Him?  Jesus  the 
covert  from  the  tempest.  Has  He  covered 
your  defenceless  head?  Jesus  as  rivers  of 
water  in  a  dry  place.  Have  you  tasted  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious  ?  Jesus  as  the  shadow 
of  a  great  Rock  in  a  weary  land.  Arc  you 
praying,  "Lead  me  to  the  Rock  that  is 
higher  than  I  ?  "  I  know  you  have  sympa- 
thised with  political  refugees  hastening  to 
reach  our  shores,  which  have  been  a  sanc- 
tuary for  thousands ;  I  know  you  have  sym- 
pathised with  the  slave,  stretching  every 
nerve  to  reach  the  Canadian  border,  which 
has  proved  a  sanctuary  for  many ;  I  know 
that  yon  would,  and  do  sympathise  with 
the  sufferings  of  others,  presented  to  you  in  - 
any  shape ;  I  further  beseech  you  to  sym- 
pathise with  yourselves — to  have  compassion 
on  yourselves. 

«<  Hasten,  O  sinner,  to  be  wise. 

And  stay  not  for  to-morrow*s  Bun.** 

For  you  know  not  what  or  where  you  will 
be  on  the  morrow. 


"COMING    TO    CHRIST,"    AND    "GOING    TO    HEAVEN." 

By  Augustus  Topi*adt. 


Bbadsr,  read  carefully  the  following 
lines.  They  are  from  I%e  Bemembrancer^ 
■a  sweet  monthly  issued  by  Bev.  W.  Lush, 
ot  Waterloo,  Hants.    Mr.  TopUdy  says,^ 

'^In  the  evening;  received  a  letter  from 
Jtfr.  Andrew  Lacam,  of  London,  wherein  he 
ffives  me  thia  account  of  his  late  sister, 
Mrs.  Carter,  who  died  last  month  :  '  She 
had,  for  some  time,  leffc  the  fountain  of 
living  waters.  I  had  tsro  different  confer- 
'ences  with  her  during  her  illness.  I  as- 
sured her  that  I  did  sot  come  to  lord  it  <^ver 
her,  but  in  love  to  her  soul  put  the  question. 
How  stand  matters  between  God  and  you  ? 
Her  attestation  was,  with  sishs  and  tears, 
as  follows :  I  am  truly  sensible  that  I  have 
run  away  from  God,  and  it  is  my  heart*s 
burthen.  But  it  is  written  in  Goa*s  word, 
Whoflo  Cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise 
•cast  out  I  will,  therefore,  upon  His  promise, 
yenture  to  cast  my  soul,  without  reserve, 
^pon  Jesus  Christ,  and  there  I  am  sure  I 
can  never  perish.  Upon  this  we  went  to 
•prayer, '  &e.  | 


''  I  could  not  forbear  answering  my 
friend's  letter  almost  as  soon  as  I  received 
it,  and,  among  other  things,  observed  to  him 
as  follows, — 

"The  account  you  give  of  dear  Mrs. 
Carter's  decease,  is  a  ground  for  hope  in 
Israel  concerning  her.  It  is  a  great  and 
biassed  thing  when  we  are  enabled  to  cast 
ourselves  on  the  promises.  It  cannot  pos- 
sibly be  done  without  faith,  and  he  that 
believeth  shall  be  saved.  Adored  be  the 
free  grace  of  Ood,  which,  I  trust,  healed 
the  backsUdin^s  of  your  sister,  and  brought 
her  again  within  the  bond  of  the  covenant. 
His  8|>irit  alone  can  drive  the  ploughshare 
of  penitential  conviction  through  a  sinner's 
heart,  and  give  us  to  mourn  at  the  spiritual 
sight  of  him  whom  our  sins  have  pierced. 
The  Lord  give  us  to  mourn  more  and  more, 
until  we  have  mourned  away  our  unbelief, 
our  carelessness,  and  hardness  of  heart! 
The  soul,  I  verily  believe,  is  never  safer 
than  when,  with  returning  Mary,  we  stand 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  behind  him,  weeping. 


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THE  £ABTfl£N  VESBBL. 


Oot.  1,  186A. 


I  read  lately  of  a  miDister  in  the  last  centnxy, 
whose  departixig  words  were,  A  broken  and 
a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wUt  not 
despise.  Nor  can  I  think  such  a  state  to 
be  at  all  inferior,  in  noint  of  real  safety,  to 
that  of  a  good  man  who  died  a  few  yean  aa) 
in  London,  with  these  triumphant  words  in 
hiB  month,  Now  angels,  do  your  office.  Of 
some  it  is  written,  *  They  shall  come  with 
weeping,  and  with  supplications  will  I  lead 
them,'  while  others  oi  the  Lord's  people  enter 
the  haven  of  everlasting  life,  as  it  were, 
with  full  sails  and  flying  colours ;  they  *  re- 
turn with  singing  unto  Zion.'  But  this  ia 
our  comfort,  that  of  all  whom  the  Father 
gave  to  Christ  he  will  not  lose  one.  How- 
ever the  joy  of  faith  may  decline,  the  grace 
itself  shall  never  totally  fail ;  having  for  its 
security  the  Father's  covenant  love,  which 
is  fix)m  everlasting  to  everiasting;  the 
blessed  Mediator's  intercession  which  is  per- 
petual and  all-prevailing ;  and  the  faithful- 
ness of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  when  once 
given  is  a  fountain  of  living  water,  spring- 
ing up  in  the  believer's  heart  to  life  eterniO. 
May  he  in  all  his  plenitude  of  saving  grace 
and  heavenly  love,  descend  upon  our  souls 
as  dew, and  make  usglad  with  the  light  of 
his  countenance!— When  I   consider   the 

redness  of  God  to  me  the  chief  of  sinners, 
am  astonished  at  the  coldness  of  my 
gratitude  and  the  smallnesa  of  my  love. 
Yet,  little  and  cold  as  it  is,  even  that  is  his 

f*ft,  and  the  work  of  his  Spirit;  an  earnest, 
cannot  doubt,  of  more  and  greater.  The 
Lord  Jesus  increase  the  spark  to  a  flame, 
and  make  the  little  one  become  a  thousand ! 
— My  healtfi,  after  which  yon  are  so  kind 
as  to  inquire,  was  never  better.  And, 
which  is  greater  still,  I  often  experience 
the  peace  which  ^asseth  all  understanding, 
and  the  joy  that  is  unspeakable  and  full  of 
riory.  Not  that  I  am  always  upon  the 
Mount.  There  are  seasons  in  which  my 
Lord  IS  *  as  one  that  hideth  himself.'  But 
He  only  hides  Himself.  He  never 
forsakes  the  sinner  he  has  loved.  And, 
blessed  be  his  name,  he  has  engaged  { 
Aat  the  regenerate  soul  shall  never  totally  i 
forsake  him,  else  there  never  would  be  a  ] 
saint  in  heaven.— I  rejoice  to  hear  of  Mrs.  • 
W.'s  temporal  welfare,  and  pray  God  to 
make  her  spiritually  such  as  he  would  have 
her  to  be.  She  and  I  have  much  chaff  to 
be  burnt  up;  much  tin  to  be  consumed; 
may  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  be  upon  ua  both, 
for  pardon ;  and  the  sacred  Spnit  be  to  us 
as  a  refining  fire,  for  sanctification.  If  you 
write  to  her,  do  present  the  captain  and  her 
with  my  Christian  respects;  and  let  her 
know  from  me,  that  except  she  comes  to 
Christ  as  a  poor  sinner,  with  the  haltwr  of 
self-abasement  round  her  neck,  and  the 
empty  vessel  of  faith  in  her  hand ;  as  a  con- 
demned criminal  who  has  nothing  to  nlead. 


and  as  an  inaolTent  debtor,  who  has  nothing 
to  pay :  she  ia  8toat*h«aited,  and  far  ftom 
righteoiuneM.  The  wmv  to  be  filled  witli 
the  Adness  of  God  is  to  bring  no  monej  in 
our  Back's  mouth.— If  von  aee  my  old  Mend 
Mr.  L,  tell  him  that  newill  not  be  able  to 
And  any  rest  for  the  sole  of  hia  foot  until  ha 
retnxni  to  the  doctrints  of  grace,  and  fliea 
back  to  the  ark  of  God's  election." 


BIBLE  LIVES  &  BIBLE  LESSONS. 

Wkat  a  man  the  Rev.  D.  A.  Bondneyls 
for  making  books !  He  is  the  incumbent  of 
St  Luke's,  Bedminster,  Bristol ;  he  is  the 
noted  "Old  Jonathan;"  he  is  the  editor  of 
7^  Qotpel  Maffoxine;  he  is  author  of 
"Heart  Breathinp,"  "Sympathy,"  and  » 
host  of  other  nice  Uttle  pieces  of  experimen- 
tal literatnre.  And  now  we  haTO  a  volnme 
"  get  up  "  in  a  chaste  aqd  elegant  manner 
by  Mr.  Collingridge,  entitled  "  Bible  live* 
and  Bible  Lessons ;  or  Gleanings  from  the 
Book  of  Genesis."      We  notice  in  Mr.  Ool- 

igridge's  style  of  printing  and  binding,  m 
marked  improvement,  almost  equal  to  any 
of  the  first  houses'  in  London,  far  better 
than  very  mauy  of  them. 

Mr.  Doudney  is  not  a  boney  and  boiu^ 
divine,  like  some  of  the  old  Puritans.  Ho 
is  not  an  ^ephant  plunging  into  the  depths 
of  theology;  but  a  gentle  lamb,  swimming 
sofUy  upon  the  still  waters  of  that  degi«» 
of  experience  which  makes  him  usefnl  to 
many.  But  of  the  contents  of  this  new 
work,  with  an  extract  or  two,  next  month. 
For  sound-hearted  Sunday  school  teachec» 
it  will  be  a  companion  dearly  beloved. 


IN-DWBLLING  SIN. 

How  is  it,  Lord,  I  cant  defy 

This  raging  foe  that  dwells  witbln, 
Cnt  off  Uie  hand— pluok  out  the  ey^ 

And  break  tlie  neok  of  every  sin  ? 
A  viler  wietoh  there  eannot  be^ 

Beneath  the  canopy  of  heaven, 
Sach  sinfulness  appears  to  me 

As  though  it  ooufd  not  be  forgiven  I 
The  fleshly  will  obtains  the  sway. 

I  peld  to  sin  with  open  eyes : 
It  stops  my  mouNi  when  I  would  pray,. 

I  utter  naught  but  groans  and  sighs ! 

Oh  can  it  be  I've  been  deceived 

In  all  iVe  hitherto  professed ! 
And  ne'er  en  Christ  aright  believed, 

Nor  been  of  saving  graoe  possessed  ? 
If  so,  then  why  this  deadly  strife 

That's  daily  going  on  within  ? 
Dear  Iiord,  there  surely  most  be  life. 

Or  should  I  loathe  myself  for  sin  P 

The  person,  jMomisa  power,  and  blood 
OfChrist  fll  plead,  and  will  not  doubt  r 

By  Him  I'll  venture  near  to  God, 
And  shall  «*ik  jto  wrax'»  be  cast  out. 


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THE  SASTBEK'  TE88ZL. 


275 


9U  S^niirtji  ^tihtrnncl^  (inifOiiUr, 


EXPOSITION.  OF   REVELATION   IX.    13—21. 


"And  the  sixth  angel  sounded,  and  I  heaxd  a 
voice  from  the  four  horns  of  the  golden  altar 
which  U  before  aod.*' 

It  ma  the  lot  oftlie  apotrtles  to  haTO  but 
Teiy  little  to  do  with  toe  things  of  this 
world.  Their  lot  on  the  one  hand  was 
great  suffering,  on  the  other  hand  their  lot 
was  fellowship  with  God:  and  therefovs 
they  ever  felt,  to  a  greater  extent  than  per- 
haps any  of  us  have  ever  felt,  a  deep  interest 
in  the  special  reyehitions  of  the  great  Ood, 
in  relation  both  to  His  merdes  and  His 
judgments.  Hence,  then,  the  words  I  hare 
just  read  are  ezpressire  of  sereral  things. 
I  will  just  giro  a  little  sample.  Here  is  a 
voice  from  the  four  horns  of  the  golden 
altar :  this  eolden  altar,  of  course,  typifies, 
or  js  intended  spiritually  to  set  forth,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  our  intercessor.  And 
if  we  are  sedking  access  to  God  by  the  sac- 
nfidal  perfection  of  Christ,  then  we  stand 
with  Him  in  His  inteioession  for  us  before 
the  throne  of  God.  *'  And  a  voice  from  the 
four  horns:*'— the  four  horns  represent  a 
four-fold  or  universal  power ;  to  snew  that 
the  Lord  is  round  about  His  people,  and 
that  on  every  side,  even  as  the  mountains 
are  round  about  Jerusalem,  so  the  Lord  is 
round  about  His  people;  so  that  neither 
from  east,  west,  north,  or  south,  can  anv- 
thing  smite  them  that  shall  fatally  or  finaliy 
injure  them.  They  are  standing  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  encircled  with  the  sal- 
vation of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  the 
enemy  can  move  only  by  the  authority  of 
Jesus  Christ.  So  the  sound  or  the  voice  is 
said  to  come  from  the  ffolden  altar,  to  de- 
note that  the  Saviour  hath  all  power  in 
heaven  and  in  earth.  Let,  therefore,  friends, 
our  reliance  for  time  and  for  eternity  be  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  what  He  hath  done, 
and  in  what  He  is  now  doing.  And  a  little 
attention  to  these  apparently  mysterioxis 
things  will  take  away  meir  ambiguity,  and 
make  them  as  plain  as  other  parts  of  the 
Word  of  God. 

"  Saying  to  the  sixth  angel  which  had  the  trum- 
pet, Loose  the  four  angels  which  are  bound  in 
the  great  river  Euphmtes.  And  the  four  angels 
were  loosed,  which  were  prepared  for  an  hour, 
and  a  day.  and  a  month,  and  a  year,  for  to  slay 
the  third  part  of  men."* 

Kow  these  four  angels,  vou  are  not  to 
understand  that  they  m^an  literally  angels, 
or  that  they  mean  literally  fallen  angels,  or 
that  they  mean  angels  at  aU ;  but  simply, 
agencies  which  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  use 
for  the  execution  of  His  judgments.  And 
these  four  are  said  to  be  bound  in  the  great 


river  Euphrates.  The  river  Euphrates, 
mystically  taken,  signifies  Babylon;  and 
Babvlon,  mystically  taken«  signifies  the 
whole  world ;  and  therefore,  the  four  angels 
mean  the  four  agencies,  east  and  west,  north 
and  south,  which  are  ever  readv  under 
Satan's  influence  to  come  against  the  truth 
of  GK>d,  to  come  against  the  people  of  God, 
to  come  a^jainst  the  church  of  God.  But  at 
the  same  time,  the  Lord  hath,  as  we  see  in 
this  vision,  and  we  shall  see  presently  from 
these  things  especially.  He  hath  caused  the 
movements  of  the  enemies  to  recoil  upon 
themselves ;  while  the  Lord's  people  have 
escaped.  You  will,  therefore,  understand 
that  by  their  being  bound,  it  means,  that 
these  enemies  cannot  move  till  the  Lord 
looseth  them.  You  may  have  enemies,  and 
they  may  have  their  plans  to  come  acainst 
you ;  but  they  are  in  tne  hands  of  the  Lord : 
you  stand  fast,  and  be  quiet ;  and  if  they 
should  be  loosed  against  you,  you  will  see 
presently  what  limitations,  even  when  they 
are  loosed,  they  are  under.  Therefore,  by 
the  four  angels  you  are  to  understand  ene- 
mies at  work  from  the  four  quarters  of  the 
earth,  and  that  all  these  were  hound,  limited 
by  the  government  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Now  then,  it  here  says  that  when  they 
were  loosed  the;^  were  "  prepared  for  an 
hour  ;*'  so  there  is  their  hours  work ;  and 
when  they  have  done  that,  then  there  is 
'*  a  dav ;  then  will  come  their  day's  work; 
and  when  they  have  done  their  dav's  work, 
then  comes  their  ** month's  work;*'  and 
when  they  have  done  their  month's  work, 
then  comes  their  "  year's  work." 

^  Which  were  prepared  for  an  hour,  and  a  daj,  ^ 
and  a  month,  and  a  year,  for  to  slay  the  third 
part  of  men." 

You  observe,  there  are  no  less  than  five 
limitations.  The  enemy  has  but  an  hour's 
work  to  do  in  one  place ;  he  must  be  off 
then:  he  has,  periu^,  a  day's  work  to  do 
in  another  place ;  he  must  be  off  when  he 
has  done  that :  he  has  a  month's  work  to 
do  in  another  place ;  when  that  is  done  he 
must  be  off:  he  may  have  twelve  months' 
work  to  do  in  another  place,  then  he  must 
be  off.  See  what  a  fearful  thing  it  is  to  be 
prepared  to  serve  the  devil;  these 
agents  were  prepared,  tboy  were  quite 
r«idy ;  only  let  Satan  have  the  opportunity, 
and  call  them  into  action,  then  these  four 
angels  come  against  Jesus  Christ,  and  say, 
"Crucify  Him,  crucify  Him;"  then  these 
four  agencies,  that  is,  enemies,  come  against 
His  apostles,  and  do  evorything^hey  can  io 

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276 


THE  EABTHEN  TX88EL. 


Oct.l,18«4. 


hinder,  and  if  possible,  to  stop  the  progress 
of  the  Gospel.  So  in  all  ages  Satan  has  not 
been  lost  for  want  of  servants.  Bless  the 
Lord,  he  has  been  at  a  loss  for  opportunity, 
because  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  reigneth. 
See  how  encouraging,  then,  to  those  that 
know  something  of  the  golden  altar,  that 
while  the  enemy  is  thus  loosed,  he  is  under 
the  special  limitations  of  Him^  who  is  our 
almigntj,  eternal,  and  best  Friend.  And 
they  were  to  "slay  the  third  part  of  men;", 
only  a  certain  number ;  and  where  should 
we  be  but  for  this  limitation  ? 

'*  And  the  number  of  the  army  of  the  horsemen 
were  two  hundred  thousand  thousand :  and  I 
heard  the  number  of  them.'* 

Of  course,  a  definite  number  for  an  in- 
definite; as  when  it  is  said  of  the  agencies, 
the  angels,  that  "  The  chariots  of  God  are 
twenty  thousand  ;*'  that  is,  many  thousands ; 
and  80  the  adversary  consists  of  many  thou- 
sands. And  David  refers  to  the  same  sub- 
ject, when  he  says,  "Though  ten  thousand 
should  set  themselves  against  me,  my  heart 
shall  not  fear ;"  because  he  knew  the  Lord 
was  on  his  side. 

Kow,  if  we  apply  this  vision  first  to  the 
incursion  of  the  Bomans, — for  this  vi8i3u 
corresponds  generally  with  the  2nd  chapter 
of  Joel,  and  the  2na  chapter  of  Joel,  you 
are  aware,  in  the  latter  part  of  it  contains 
an  account  of  the  day  of  Pentecost ;  and  the 
next  chapter  that  follows  this  vision  is  a 
Gospel  chapter,  wherein  Christ  appears  in 
the  universality  of  His  dominion  ;  you  will 
observe  that  toe  judgments  here  described 
represent  first  the  Roman  armies  coming  up 
against  Jerusalem;  second,  they  renresent 
those  armies  that  came  upon  Home  Pagan  ; 
and  indeed,  represent  all  the  wars  and 
scourges  that  have  taken  place,  and  will 
take  place  down  to  the  end  of  time ;  for  I 
think  that  Scripture  must  be  spiritually  un- 
derstood where  it  is  sud,  "  They  shall  not 
learn  war  any  more." 

'*  And  thus  I  saw  the  hones  of  the  vision,  and 
them  that  sat  on  them." 

Go  to  the  2nd  chapter  of  Joel,  you  will 
see  the  same  thin^  there,  nnder  the  figure 
of  locusts,  expressive  of  the  calamities  that 
should  come  upon  this  sin-blasted  world. 

"  Havina  breastplates  of  fiie^  and  jadnth,  and 
brimstone  :  and  the  beads  of  the  horses  were  as 
the  heads  of  lions;  and  out  of  their  mouths 
issued  fire  and  smoke  and  brimstone,'* 

All  descriptive,  you  see,  of  the  judgments 
of  God  that  should  come  upoir  the  ungodly. 
No  one,  I  am  sure,  can  have  only  a  sliffht 
acquaintance  with  Koman  history,  English 
history,  or  other  histories,  without  seeing 
how  these  terrible  judgments  have  been  ftiC 
filled.  Millions,  millions  of  our  fellow- 
ereatures  in  ^ne-bv  ages  have  been  cut  off 
by  the  despotisms,  barbarities,  and  tremen- 


dously murderous  agea  in  which  they  lived. 
Truly,  ours  is  hitherto,  and  has  been  now 
for  hundreds  of  years,  a  happy  country ;  the 
peace  we  eiyoy,  the  liberty  we  eigoy ;  the 
number  of  Christians  we  have  in  our  happj 
land  whose  souls  go  up  to  God  on  behalf  of 
the  monarch  that  reigns  over  us,  on  behalf 
of  the  senators  that  govern  the  land,  on  be- 
half of  the  servants  of  God,  and  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  God.  And  may  the  Lord  still  con- 
tinue the  sweet  privileges  we  enjoy,  that 
those  armies  of  locusts  which  once  covered 
this  land,  lighted  up  the  fires  of  martyrdom, 
that  those  armies  may  never  be  suffered 
again  to  come  in,  as  they  have  done  hereto- 
fore, upon  our  favoured  land. 

**  By  these  three  was  (he  third  part  of  men  killed, 
by  the  flre^  and  by  the  smoke,  and  by  the  brim- 
stone, which  issued  out  of  their  mouths.  For 
their  power  is  in  their  mouth.** 

The  mouth,  of  course,  means  the  ruler,  or 
the  king,  or  the  general,  or  the  captain,  that 

S'ves  oraers ;  that's  the  way  in  which  I  un- 
irstand  that. 

"And  in  their  tails." 

And  the  tails  mean  their  followers;  so 
you  may  take  the  tails  to  mean  the  military 
followers ;  or  yon  may  take  the  tails .  to 
mean  the  Mahometan  priests,  the  Roman 
Catholic  priesta;  these  follow  after,  and 
poison  the  minds  of  men,  delude  and  de- 
ceive them ;  ao  that  their  power  is  first  a 
despotic  power,  to  put  people  down,  and 
rob  them  of  their  liberty  ;  and  theii,  second, 
by  the  taU,  for  *<the  ancient  and  honourable, 
he  is  the  head ;  and  the  prophet  that  teach- 
eth  lies,  he  is  the  tail ;"  and  that,  therefore, 
those  that  go  over  and  preach  by  viztne  of 
Act  of  ParUament,  or  by  virtue  of  the  Pope's 
command,  or  by  virtue  of  some  humaa 
authority,  all  these  are  the  devil's  tail,  the 
devil's  followers,  the  devil's  drudges,  doing 
the  devil's  work,  beclouding  the  GospeC 
and  hiding  from  us,  as  far  as  the  agency  of 
man  can  do,  the  light  of  the  everlasting 
Gospel.  But  our  God,  bless  Hia  holy  and 
precious  name,  is  above  them  all. 

**  For  their  tails  were  like  unto  serpents.** 

They  are  that;  that  every  one  knows 
that  knows  what  these  enemies  of  the  truth 
are. 

'*And  had  heads,  and  with  them  they  do  hurt. 
And  the  rest  of  the  men  which  were  not  killed 
by  these  plagues  yet  repented  nof* 

No,  certainly  not ;  no  wars,  no  calamities, 
that  have  ever  occurred  yet  have  brou^ 
men  to  repentance ;  they  mav  embitter  life, 
and  make  them  prefer  deatn  to  life  :  but 
where  the  Holjr  Spirit  is  not,  where  the 
Christ  of  Gk>d  IS  not,  there  is  no  calamity, 
no  human  force  that  can  change  the  charac- 
ter of  man;  the  grace  of  God  alone  can 
do  it. 


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279 


of  likening  Him  to  idols  of  silver  and  gold, 
and  warns  them  that  the  day  cometh  when 
He  will  indge  the  world  in  righteomineM. 
Not  a  solitary  ••  offer  of  Christ  '^  to  the  poor 
idolaters ;  not  a  solitary  exhortation  to  re- 
concile themselves  to  dfod.  Acts  xviL  22, 
32.  Now  he  is  off  to  Corinth,  (Acts  xviii. 
5)  and  positively  he  is  preachins  the  old 
subject  again.  I^essedin  spirit,  ne  proves 
that  *'  Jesns  is  very  Christ.'^ 

And  now,  my  brother,  we  follow  the 
apostle  throu|;h  the  closing  scenes  of  his 
life.  Acts  zxui.  Before  the  chUf  ca^taiti 
and  a  mixed  multitude  of  Jews,  Pharisees, 
Saddncees,  and  Gentiles,  he  relates  his  ex- 
perience, and  preaches.  Does  he  exhoil 
any  of  them  to  reconcile  themselves  to  God  ? 
No.  Before  FeUx  he  reasons  of  temperance, 
righteousness  and  jud^ent  to  come,  till 
f  elix  trembles  on  the  judgment  seat ;  does 
he  exhort  him  to  reconcile  himself  to  God? 
No.  Agrippa  is  almost  persuaded  to  be  a 
Christian :  (Acts  xxiv.  2o.}  what  a  golden 
opportunity  for  Paul  now  to  beseech  Agrippa 
to  iQconcile  himself  to  God ;— surely  he  will 
not  let  it  slip  I  Listen—*'  I  wotdd  to  God, 
JGttg  Agrippa,  that  not  only  thou,  but  all 
who  hear  me^  were  not  only  almost,  but  al- 
together such  as  I  am,  except  these  bonds." 
He  refers  the  matter  not  to  the  wiU  of 
Agrippa,  but  to  the  wiU  of  God. 

Now,  my  brother,  are  not  the  facts  in  re- 
lation to  the  apostle's  preaching,  dead 
against  ^our  interaretation  of  the  passage 
under  discussion  7  If  in  the  face  of  facts 
like  these,  you  still  contend  that  Paul  is  in 
this  passage  telling  the  Corinthians  how  he 
preached  the  Gospel— yon  make  him  state 
that  iohich  his  own  recorded  semens  j^rove 
to^  he  false.  Either  then  you  have  miscon- 
ceived the  meaning;  of  the  passage,  or  you 
make  the  apostle  the  utterer  of  audsehood ; 
as  you  will  not  do  the  latter,  you  must  of  ne- 
cessity admit  the  former.  Considering  the 
length  to  which  this  letter  has  reached,  I 
must  reserve  the  seoond  part  of  my  reply 
for  the  ensuing  number  of  the  Vessel. 

Meanwhile,  I  remain  yours  as  ever, 

B.  B.  Wale. 

Plymouth,  Sept  1864. 

OBITUARY  OF  MABY  ANN  ATKINS, 

WIFE  OF  XE.  W.  T.  C.  ATKINS,  DOVEB. 

It  might  be  said  of  our  parent^  "  Willing 
rather  to  be  absent  from  the  body,  and  to  be 
present  with  the  Lord."  2  Cor.  v.  8.  The 
snHect  of  our  memoir  was  bom  in  Dover, 
1790,  of  decided  Christian  parents,  indeed 
it  miffht  be  said  of  her  mother,  "  She  was 
a  motner  in  Israel,'*  whose  usefulness  in  the 
.  church  was  of  a  no  ordinary  kind.  Our 
beloved  parent  realized  early  in  life  that 
spirituality  whidi  in  death  caused  her  to 


exclaim,  "Por  I  know  in  whom  I  have 
believed." 

Her  path  in  life  was  one  of  but  few 
changes,  still  the  providential  dealings  of 
God  to  her  soul  were  many.  The  dispensa- 
tions of  heaven  are  frequently  compucated 
and  mysterious,  the  Christian  finding  it 
difficult  to  reconcile  them  with  the  equity  of 
the  Divine  government.  "  His  judgments 
are  a  great  deep.*'  But  though  the  dispen- 
sations of  heaven  are  frequently  mysterious, 
yet  in  many  instances  we  have  seen  the 
darkness  entirely  removed ;  every  symptom 
of  obscurity  has  disappeared,  and  the  bri^t 
shining  of  the  Sun  of  righteousness  has  dis- 
sipated every  intervening  cloud.  The  late 
bereavement  she  sustained  in  havine  within 
the  short  period  of  twelve  months  her  two 
younger  sons  taken  from  her,  doubtless  this 
quickened  her  zeal  for  the  Divine  glory,  ex- 
citing her  to  greater  diligence  in  the  con-  . 
cems  of  her  soul,  thus  promoting  her  purity, 
her  holiness,  and  happiness,  and  qualifying 
her  for  a  life  with  Christ, 

**  When  all  the  stonns  of  life  are  past** 

Por  a  period  of  seventy  vears  she  was 
connected  with  Zion  ehapel.  Prom  that 
pulpit  she  ^mnst  have  heard  of  the  cove- 
nant of  graoe^  of  its  security,  of  its  &ee- 
nest,  of  its  falness^  and  finally  of  its 
glory;  all  is  now  ov«,  and  many  widi 
whom  she  held  sweet  oommmiion  in  the  flesh 
yean  gone  b^,  are  now  her  cotemporaries 
in  the  wide  invisible  realms  of  disembodied 
spirits. 

'*  Where  no  friend  departeth  tbeneSi 
Where  Jesus  is  their  sua,  their  centre ; 
And  their  shield  omnipoteaee^" 

From  sore  trials  «nd  a  weakly  eonstita- 
tion,  her  soul  was  often  dark  and  cloudy, 
fears  at  times  besetting  her,  still  her  faith 
was  strong,  never  deserting  her,  causing  her 
to  exclaim, 

*  The  Lord  my  shepherd  is, 
And  He  my  soul  will  keep.** 

On  the  Priday  night  before  her  death, 
which  took  place  on  the  following  Monday, 
she  was  out.  Her  sickness  at  first  presented 
not  an  alarming  character,  still  she  felt  as  if 
her  hour  was  come ;  her  pleadings  with  God 
in  intercessory  prayer  was  great,  she  felt 
her  weakness  and  need  of  the  cordials  of 
eternal  love,  and  as  the  springs  of  life  were 
ebbing  nearer  death,  her  faith  in  Him  be- 
came greater.  Her  Divine  Father  gave  as 
it  were  the  propitious  ray  to  cheer  her  soul, 
glory  appeared  to  meet  her  view,  and  in  the 
presence  of  her  friends  and  sorrowing  hus- 
band, she  without  a  sigh  or  pang  entered 
into  her  rest,  June  20th,  1804. 

On  the  following  Sabbath  her  death  was 
improved  by  the  Rev.  T.  B.  Hart,  from 
2  ^.  xiv.  14. 

London.  W.  N.  G,  Atkivb. 

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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Oct  1»1M4. 


FOUR    EXPERIMENTAL    PROMISES. 

By     Mr.    W.    Lsach,     Minister     op    Plukstead    Tabbrhacle. 

And  the  eyes  of  them  tliat  ne  shall  not  he  dim,  and  the  ears  of  them  that  hear  shall  h««ri(^ 
The  hcoi-t  also  of  the  rash  shall  midentand  knowledge,  and  the  tongue  of  the  stammexers  than  be 
ready  to  si>eak  plainly."-  Isaiah  xxxiii.  8,  4.  ,^      ,        ,  ,,,,.,,. 

-     ■  ■  .  *  *    "that  they  are  led  to  doubt  whether 


In  the  second  verse  of  this  chapter,  Jesus 
is  thus  spoken  of,  '*  And  a  man  shall  be  as 
an  hiding-place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert 
from  Uie  tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a 
diy  place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in 
a  weary  land."  A  hiding-place  from  the 
wind:  Isaiah  fays  in  another  part  of  hi? 
prophecy  —  "  Our  iniquities,  like  the  wind, 
We  taken  us  away."  But  through  Jesus 
the  iniquities  of  the  Lord's  people  are  all 
ibrgivcn  and  blotted  out,  so  He  is  a  hidiog- 

Slace  from  the  wind."  "  And  a  covert  from 
iie  tempe&t,"  sin  raises  a  tempest  of  wnth 
against  us,  even  the  wrath  of  God,  but 
Christ  is  a  covert  from  it^  having  borne  it 
all  in  His  people's  stead.  "As  rivers  of 
water  in  a  dry  place."  Suppose  the  child- 
ren of  God  should  get  into  a  dry  and  bar- 
ren spot,  where  they  can  get  no  water  at 
all  ?  Ah,  but  they  never  shall,  for  Jesus  is 
to  them  as  "  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry  place" 
— rivers^  not  as  a  stream  merely,  a  winter's 
brook  that  dries  up  when  summer  comes, 
but  rivers,  ever  flowing  and  abundant. 
"  As  the  shadow  of  a  great  rook  in  a  weary 
land.**  By  the  Orientals,  shade  is  almoat 
as  much  valued  as  water.  We  often  have 
to  encounter  the  heat  of  persecution,  temp- 
tation, &e.,  in  this  **  weary  land"  where  we 
dwell,  but  Jesus  is  found  as  a  shelter  for 
us.  "  As  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a 
weaiy  land."  Then  come  the  words  of 
our  text,  which  contain  a  fourfold  assurance. 
I.  "The  eyes  of  them  that  see  shall  not 
be  dim."  Some  of  the  Lord's  people  do 
not  see  clearly,  their  eye-sight  is  dim.  In 
the  account  of  the  miracle  that  Christ 
wrought  upon  the  blind  man  (Mark  viii.) 
we  find  that  after  He  had  spit  upon  his  eyes 
and  put  His  hands  upon  him,  He  asked  him 
if  be  saw  ought ;  then  the  man  looked  up 
and  said,  "  I  see  men  as  trees  walking."  His 
eyes  were  dim,  but  when  Jesus  had  put  His 
hands  upon  his  eyes  again,  and  made  him 
look  UD,  "  he  was  restored,  and  saw  every 
man  clearly."  This  miracle  was  wrought 
gradually,  and  so  with  the  work  of  grace  in 
the  heart,  it  is  a  gradual  work.  We  will 
notice  upon  this  point  those  whose  eyes  are 
dim  with  regard  to  their  calling,  in  regard 
to  the  exceUences  and  beauties  of  Jesus, 
and  as  to  their  future  state  ;  and  if  we  come 
down  low  here  it  may  be  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  little  ones,  and  those  who  are 
farther  advanced  will  be  able  to  recall  the 
time  when  thev  experienced  the  same  tlungs. 
1.  Those  wnose  eyes  are  dim  in  relation  to 
their  calling.  The  work  of  grace  is  carried 
on  in  the  hearts  of  some  so  gently  and  so 


tney  are  the  subjects  of  grace  at  all.  Not 
all  the  Lord's  people  are  arrested  suddenly 
with  sharp  convictionvand  terrors ;  in  some 
the  operations  of  grace  resemble  the  infusion 
of  leaven  into  the  meal,  gradually  a  differ- 
ence is  manifest,  but  the  work  goes  on  very 
gently.  Or  it  is  like  the  dew  softly  deseend- 
ing ;  as  the  Lord  says,  "  I  will  be  as  the 
dew  unto  Israel."  Some  of  God's  children 
feel  that  if  their  salvation  depended  on 
their  being  able  to  tell  when  they  were  cab- 
led, when  the  work  of  grace  was  first  begun 
in  their  souls,  then  they  must  perish  for 
ever :  they  know  that  there  is  a  chan|^  in 
themsdves,  that  they  feel  somewhat  differ- 
ently to  what  ihey  once  did,  but  when  that 
change  began  to  take  place  they  cannot  tell, 
and  tney  are  much  troubled  on  this  account, 
tlunking  that  they  cannot  be  the  children 
of  God.  Can  we  not  prove  from  the  case 
of  Lydia  that  some  of  the  Lord's  people 
are  thus  led?  It  is  said  of  her,  "Whose 
heart  the  Lord  opened.'*  How  gentle  the 
work  appears  to  nave  been,  how  diflerent 
from  the  case  of  the  jailor,  who  was  ar> 
rested  suddenlv;  he  would  have  throat 
himself  through  with  a  sword  had  not  Paul 
cried,  *'  Do  thyself  no  barm ;"  and  then  he 
came  trembling  and  czyingt  *'  What  must  I 
do  to  be  saved  ? "  Those  who  are  the  subjects 
of  such  a  gradual  work  labor  under  man^ 
disadvantages,  if  we  mar  so  speak :  it  is 
trying  to  have  so  many  aoubts  and  fears, 
and  to  be  continually  harping  upon  the 
words, 

**Tis  a  point  I  long  to  know. 
Oft  it  Cftuses  anxious  thought. 
Do  I  love  the  Lord  or  no  f 
AmlHiaoramlnotr* 

And  then  to  add  the  prayer, 

"  Bhine  upon  Thy  work  of  gnoe, 
Ifit  he  indeed  begun." 

Now  such  are  brought  to  know  the  differ- 
ence between  a  fieshfy  a&d  a  real  religion, 
and  it  is  a  favourable  sign  if  you  are  anx- 
ious that  your  religion  shoula  be  of  God 
and  not  of  the  cretature.  Though  sometimes 
when  you  compare  your  experience  with 
that  of  others  of  the  Lord's  people  you 
find  a  difference,  and  are  ready  idmofrt  to 
cut  yourselves  off,  yet  we  must  remember 
that  there  are  diversities  of  operations,  and 
perhaps  there  are  not  two  of  the  Lord's 
people  to  .be  found  whose  esLperieuce  will 
agree  in  every  particular.  Au  are  brought 
to  feel  their  need  of  God's  mercy  and  of 
Christ's  salvation,  to  feel  that  unless  they 
are  saved  by  grace  alone  they  cannot  be 


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**■  Repdnfed  not  of  the  worksf  of  their  hands,  that 
the/  should  not  worship  devils ;'' 

Demons,  mediatory  gods. 

*  And  idols  of  gold,  and  silrer,  and  brass,  and 
stone,  and  of  wood ;  whioh  neither  can  see,  nor 
hear,  nor  walk.'* 

Ererj  one  Bees  what  Jesus  Christ  did  hj 
the  simplicity  of  the  Gospel ;  erery  one  sees 
what  the  great  Augustine  did  by  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  Qospel ;  eyery  one  sees  what 
Wicklifftf.  John  Hnss,  Luther,  and  those 
gone-by  men  did  by  the  simplicity  of  the 
Gospel ;  every  one  sees  this,  t  nat  can  see  at 
aU,  what  is  brought  about  by  the  simplicity 
of  the  Gospel. 

Here  then  are  wars  and  calamities  that 
have  destroyed  unnumbered  human  lires, 
and  spread  misery  over  the  world,  so  that 
the  history  of  the  world  is  little  else  but  a 


history  of  blood ;  yet  every  one  sees  that 
no  conversion  has  been  wroueht,  the  world 
has  never  been  made  better  tor  that.  But 
let  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God 
come,  life  is  ministerod,  the  lieht  of  heaven  is 
realized,  the  presence  of  God  is  there  seen, 
Satan  is  put  to  flight,  is  subdued,  repentance 
and  I  emission  of  sin  is  bestowed,  and  the 
people  become  a  new  people,  new  creatures, 
brought  Into  a  new  and  living  way,  and  are 
favoured  with  all  that  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  them  free;  brought  to 
that,  that  nothing  but  the  Gospet  could 
bring  them  to. 
*'  Whioh  neither," 

These  idols  they  worshipped, 
**  Which  neither  can  see,  nor  hear,  nor  walk, 

neither  repented  they  ot  their  murders,  nor  of 

their  sorceries,  nor  of  their  fornication,  nor  of 

their  thetts.*' 


APOSTOLIC    PREACHING. 

A  KEPLY  TO  MR.  CRACKJTELL'S  LETTER  ON  *'  RECONCILIATION  TO  GOD." 


BsAS  BsoTiiEB  CRACKtBLL,— When  I 
was  a  boy  I  read  an  anecdote,  the  effect  of 
which  has  never  left  me.  A  poor  cobbler 
was  in  the  habit  of  attending  the  Latin 
disputations  in  the  Leyden  university.  One 
of  the  professors  seeing  him  so  constant  in 
his  attendance,  asked  him  if  he  knew  Latin. 
*•  No,'*  was  his  reply.  "Then  what  is  the 
use  of  your  attendinff  ?"  "  Why,"  said  the 
cobbler  shrewdly,  "  1  always  know  who  has 
the  weakest  side  of  the  argument,  for  the 
man  thai  is  in  the  wrong  alwojfs  loses  his 
tetJwer  first.** 

I  Quote  this  anecdote  because  the  tone  of 
TOUT  last  letter  proves  that  you  have  sadly 
lost  your  temper  in  this  controversy,  other- 
wise you  would  not  leave  the  main  point  at 
issue  to  descend  to  personalities, — a  low- 
land  into  which  you  will  pardon  me  for  de- 
clining to  follow  you.  xou  accuse  me  of 
"  wresting  Scripture  to  sertfe  a  purpose"  A 
serious  accusation  for  one  minister  to  bring 
against  another.  You  ask  me  if  I  am  satis- 
fied with  my  own  explanation,  clearly  im- 
plying that  I  havo  said  that  which  J  do  not 
heueve.  You  abjure  me  to  he^aithfal^  to  be 
noxEST,  clearly  implying  that  in  your 
opinion  I  have  not  been.  And  why  ?  Be- 
cause my  interpretation  of  the  passage 
under  discussion  differs  from  yours  \  Realfy, 
my  brother,  I  am  ffrieved  for  your  own  sake 
that  vou  should  nave  stooped  to  language 
like  this,  in  calmer  moments  you  will  regret 
it  too.  Look  throogh  my  letters,  and  vou 
will  find  nothing  akin  to  this  addressed  to 
yourself:  no  insinuations  of  dishonesty,  no 
charges  of  wresting  Scripture  to  serve  a  pur- 
pose, &c.,  charges  which,  even  if  they  were 
true,  would  haraly  come  with  befitting  grace 
from  one  who  for  the  last  six  years,  and  till 


within  the  .last  few  months,  has  preached 
Uiose  very  truths  which  he  now  renounces, 
and  denounces  as  a  one-sided  theology.  That 
this  course  of  conduct  may  be  nigsssabt  for 
YOUR  PRRSBNT  POSITION,  I  Will  not  dispute ; 
but  that  it  is  consistent  with  right  principle 
you  must  permit  me  to  deny.  No,  my 
brother,  I  have  no  j>er8onal  "purpose  to 
serve,"  in  maintainmg  the  punty  of  the 
Gospel  The  drfence  of  the  truth  has  never 
been  a  "profitable  speculation"  yet. 
Whether  its  abandonment  is  not  so,  I  will 
leave  others  to  answer.  But  passing  from 
this  to  the  controversv  in  general,  and  your 
last  letter  in  particular,  wore  the  subject 
under  discussion  not  so  grave,  I  should 
positivelv  smile  at  the  agility  yon  evince  in 
leaping  from  pillar  to  post,  and  post-to  pillar, 
with  a  kind  of  leap-frog  logic  which  in  itaamus- 
in^  summersaults,  always  cleverly  contrives 
to  jump  over  the  main  questions  in  dispute, 
and  to  settle  down  upon  some  secondary 
issue. 

Our  correspondence  commenced  on  "  £r- 
hortations  to  the  Dead  Sinner.*'  JF'aith  and 
Bepentance,  were  thev  the  gifts  of  God,  or 
the  acts  of  unrenewed  human  nature  ?  In 
your  first  letter,  you  asked  me  if  "  unbe- 
lief" were  a  sin.  In  my  answer,  I  ad- 
mitted tliat  there  was  an  unbelief  that  is  a 
sin ;  but  that  the  non-possession  of  saving 
faith  is  not  a  sin.  I  established  from  Gh)d'8 
Word  the  distinction  between  the  two 
faiths.  Did  you,  in  your  next  letter,  with^ 
draw  your  theory  or  refute  my  argument  1 
Neither.  What  did  you  then  ?  I^p  over 
it  without  any  reference  to  it !  Certainly 
the  easiest  way  of  surmounting  a  difficulty. 

You  were  exercised  as  to  how  t»  preach 
the  Gospel  to  the  unconvert<  ' 

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THI  BABTHEV  VESSEL. 


Oct.  1.  18M. 


apofltolie  examples.  Did  yoa  modify  your 
theory,  or  prove  that  iny  quotations  were 
incorrect?  Neither.  What  did  you? 
Adopted  your  faTouritemanauTre,  and  leapt 
over  the  examples  in  silence;  in  other 
words,  stuck  to  your  theory,  and  flung  the 
apostles  overboard.  And  now,  in  your  last 
letter,  you  put  all  these  points  aside,  and 
raise  another  issue,  the  correct  interpreta- 
tioDof2Cor.  ▼.  20. 

WeU,  be  it  so;  I  join  issue  with  you 
there,  and  strong  in  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  I  am  content  to  fight  the  battle  out 
oyer  this  text,  and  if  you  are  oontendinff 
I6r  truth,  not  merely  for  victory^  jou  shall 
be  compelled,  at  the  close  of  this  discussion, 
to  confess  that  you  or*  wron^  in  your  view 
of  the  passage,  or  else  be  silent.  But  if 
you  reply  again,  let  your  letter  be  a  rqfly 
or  an  odmiMum, 

Now  for  the  paasage.  "  Now  then,  we, 
as  ambassadors  for  G^,  we  beseech  yon  in 
Christ*s  stead  be  je  reconciled  to  God." 
You  contend  that  m  this  passage  the  apos- 
'tle  Paul  is  telling  the  Corinthians  how  he 
preached  the  Oo^  to  the  toortd; — that  is, 
tktU  he  exhorted  the  worid  to  reeomcUe  U- 
etffto  Qod, 

Now,  I  shall  first  proceed  to  proTe  that 
this  interpretation  is  contradictea  by  fact  ; 
and,  secondly,  that  it  is  contrary  to  the 
analogy  of  faith,  and  the  general  tenor  of 
Qod's  Word.  Ist.  JR  it  contrary  to  the 
facte.  link  your  arm  in  mine,  my  brother, ! 
and  walk  with  me  into  the  synagogue  at  I 
Damascus ;  there's  Paul,  just  coming  in,  ^ 
and  goin^^to  begin  his  jiret  eermon.  Acts 
ix.  2^ — S.  'Tis  only  a  few  days  since  he 
went  and  ''  reeoncUed  himedf"  to  God  on 
the  way  to  Damascus,  aocoraing  to  your 
tiiecoy.  (0  God-dishonouring— Christ-in- , 
suiting  thought!)  And,  now,  doubtless,! 
he  is  about  to  exhort  his  hearers  to  do  the 
same  1  Is  it  so  ?  Not  a  word  like  it.  Bo 
fiir  from  exhorting  his  hearers  to  do,  he 
preaches  what  Christ  had  done.  "He 
preached  Christ  in  the  synagogue ;"  "  prov- 
ing that  this  is  very  Christ."  How  did  he 
know  it?  By  his  own  experienee.  He 
had  proved  His  love,  His  power,  His  grace. 
His  electing  loVe, — ('*  He  is  a  chosen  vessel 
unto  me"), — His  power  to  subdue  the 
bitter  enmitv  of  his  heart.  His  grace  to 
blot  out  his  black  transgressions,  and  so  he 
preaches  what  he  hoe  experienced;  not  the 
power  of  the  unrenewed  numan  heart  to  re- 
concile itself  to  God,  but  the  grace  and 
power  of  Christ  in  reconcihtuf  the  heart  of 
the  rebellious  einner  to  khnee^. 

But  you  are  thinking,  my  brother,  that 
oiM  sermon  is  hardly  a  sufficient  test  of 
Paul's  preaching,  particularly,  too,  as  it  is 
his  /r«(*  Perhaps  he  will  get  *<  clearer 
light"  as  he  proceeds,  and  contradict  be- 


fore his  congregation  at  Antioch  what  he 
has  preached  at  Damascus. 

Well,  it  is  rather  a  long  journey ;  but  as 
it  is  somewhat  important  to  settle  the 
point,  we  will  follow  him  there.  (Acts  xiii. 
15-41.)  See,  the  Rabbi  has  just  finished 
reading  the  lessons  of  the  day  out  of  the 
Law  and  the  Prophets,  and  has  just  sent  a 
messenger  to  Paul  to  know  if  he  has  any 
"  word  of  exhortation**  for  the  people  ^the 
trueBabhinical  or  legal  style  of  preaching, 
according  to  the  Zoto,  not  the  Gospel,  of 
which  the  Kabbi  who  sent  the  messa^ 
knew  nothing) :  a  capital  opportunity  this 
for  Paul  to  exhort  them  aJl  to  reconeSk 
themelvee  to  Ood.  Does  he?  Silence! 
He*s  beginning.  Listen ;  let  us  take  notes. 
1st.  Division ;  Christ  the  sum  and  substance 
of  prophecy  (verses  16—22).  2nd.  Christ, 
in  £Qs  life,  death,  and  resurrection  the  fill- 
fllment  of  prophecy  (23—37).  3rd.  Ap- 
plication, result,  full  and  free  forgiveness, 
justification,  perfect  and  complete  (38, 
39).  To  whom  is  this  salvation  sent?  "  To 
whomsoever  among  you  feareth  God.** 
Verse  26. 

Ah !  my  brother,  you  scratch  your  head 
and  rub  your  chin ;  Paul's  preaching  lends 
no  countenance  to  your  interpretation  yet, 
does  it?  But  don't  be  cast  down;  we*ll 
do  with  Paul  as  Balak  did  with  Israel, 
"  look  at  him  from  soother  place,"  and  ssms 
if  we  can  catch  him  tripping  into  Armi- 
nianism. 

See,  he  is  now  going  into  the  synagogue 
at  Thessalonica  to  preach  there;  he  is  a 
long  way  off  from  his  old  hearers,  and  he 
can  spice  his  sermon  now  with  something 
flattering  to  human  nature ;  he  can  modify 
or  soften  down  his  manner  of  preaching ; 
besides,  he  has  been  eighteen  years  in  the 
ministry,  and  must  have  clearer  views  tiiaa 
when  he  started,  and  his  long  experience  of 
human  nature  must  have  convinced  him 
that  it  can  do  some  little  spiritual  good 
without  God's  help,  believe,  reconcile  it- 
self to  God.  Again,  then,  my  brother,  wo 
listen  to  the  apostle.  Acta  xviL  2,  3.  He 
"  reasons  with  them  out  of  the  Scriptures, 
opening  and  aUefi^ing  that  Christ  must 
needs  suffer  and  nse  again  from  the  dead, 
and  that  Jesus  is  the  Clmst."  Why,  re^y, 
it  is  almost  verbatim;  the  same  sermon 
that  we  heard  him  preach  at  Damascus 
eighteen  years  ago,  and  this  is  said  to  be 
his  constant  "manner"  of  preaching.  Verse 
2. 

But  we  have  not  done  with  him  yet.  L 
see  you  are  loath  to  go  any  farther,  my 
brother  ;  but  we  must  follow  him  to  Mars 
Hill — there,  under  the  shadow  of  the 
Areopagus,  he  has  begun  preaching  the  Un- 
known God.  He  prodauns  His  eternity^ 
epirituaUty,  power ^  and  omnipresence :  and 
calls  upon  the  wretched  idf^Iaters  to  repen^ 

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have  had  their  hearts  and  souls  made  glad, 
and  have  rejdoed  like  good  old  Simeon,  in 
Qod's  salvation.  You  vpeak  of  changes  ; 
we  are  like  childien  at  school,  our  restric- 
tions seem  great  and  hscd  lessons  to  learn, 
and  we  sometimes  heeome  tired  of  our 
present  position,  and  the  more  so  sa  the 
correction  incresees  to  bring  down  our  self 
wills  to  submit  to  the  will  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  who  will  withhold  no  good  thing 
from  His  family  beloved  in  Christ  Jesns. 
Whether  it  be  prosperity  or  adversity,  sick- 
ness  or  health,  persecutions  or  bereavements, 
He  in  love  wipes  the  ingredients  of  the  cup 
that^e  in  love  places  into  the  hand  of  eaxsL 
member  of  His  family  to  drink.^  Sach 
member  hath  his  own  peculiar  potion,  and 
will  have  its  medicinal  effisct,  and  the  effect 
will  result  in  gh>xy,  honour,  immortality, 
and  eternal  life.  You  said  in  your  letter 
that  I  should  be  glsd  to  hear  that  your 
dear  Saviour  has  favoured  you  with  the 
liffht  of  His  countenance,  and  like  Peter  on 
the  mount,  say  "It  is  good  to  be  here."  Ok 
how  I  should  Uke  to  abide  here ;  I  don't  like 


coming  down  into  the  valley  of  comphuning 
^kness,    ooldness,   and  deadness.    Yes, 
dear  sister,  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  the  Lord's 
gracious  dealings  with  vour  soul,  and  as  the 
pathway  to  yow  desired  haven  lies  through 
a  wilderness  of  temptations  and  sorrows, 
be  not  discouraged,  the  more  troublesome 
the  journey  the  sweeter  wUl  be  the  rest ; 
here  the  cross,  there  the  crown.      The  love 
of  Qod,  of  which  your  letter  speaks  so  much, 
will  then  be  your  happy  empkyment. 
Could  every  tbgu^t  of  ewry  h«art 
Be  clothed  witb  words  to  bear  a  part, 
And  flpeak  of  love  Dirine, 
They  ail  would  be  so  reny  thoat, 
iLnd  aU  thafi  said  would  be  as  naught, 
The  lubjeot's  too  sublime. 
Conld  oceans,  rivers,  springs,  and  lakes, 
All  that  the  name  of  water  takes 
Beneath  the  expmided  skies, 
Be  changed  to  mk  of  blackest  hue^ 
With  all  the  drops  of  fiiUen  dew 
To. make  the  wonders  rise  :^ 
If  a  large  book  we  could  suppose. 
That  thinnest  paper  might  compose 
As  the  whole  earthly  ball. 
Were  every  shrub  and  every  tree 
And  every  blade  of  graaa  we  see, 
A  pen  to  write  withal  :— 
Were  every  one  that  lived  oa  earth 
Since  nature  first  received  her  birth, 
The  ascetic  aeribes  declared. 
To  speak  the  wonders  of  CK)d*8  love. 
Found  in  the  heart  of  Ood  above. 
To  Adam's  fidJen  race :~ 
Were  each  to  Uve  to  Methuselah's  age^ 
And  every  moment  write  a  page. 
They'd  all  be  tired  and  die; 
The  pens  would  every  one  wear  out. 
The  book  be  flUedwithhi,  without. 
The  ink  be  drained  quite  dry. 
^   And  then  to  speak  that  love,  Ol2ien» 
Angels  above  as  wdl  as  men, 
ArdumgelseTen  woald  fall, 
Kay,  till  eternity  should  end, 
A  whole  etemi^  theyM  spend,. 
And  not  tdl  hau  the  tde. 


POOR  OLD  JACOB. 
By  Ma.  John  Brunt,  of  Suadwbll. 

"And  when  he  saw  the  wagons  which  Joseph 
had  sent  to  carry  him,  the  spirit  of  Jacob  revi- 
ved," Genesis  xiv.  27. 

*t  One  grain  of  grace  reveals  the  samt.** 

The  word  of  the  Lord  is  called  a  glass,  op 
rather  it  is  spoken  of  as  a  glass  or  mirror 
might  be  spoken  of,  in  which  when  we  look 
we  see  a  reflection  of  ourselves.  Come 
hither,  my  brother,  take  the  glass  of  God's 
word  into  thy  hand,  and  be  pleased  to  teU 
lis  whom  you  see.  Is  it  Jacob  ?  Oh  no  I 
not  Jacob,  surely ;  Jacob  at  this  time  must 
hare  been  an  aged  man,  and  he  whom  you 
see  is  really  and  truly  like  yourself— a  man 
of  middle  life.  The  fiict  is,  my  brother, 
that  as  face  answereth  to  face  in  water,  so 
the  heart  of  man  to  man.  There  is  enough 
of  likeness  to  establish  identity,  whilst  there 
is  enough  of  dissimilarity  to  shew  that  Peter 
is  not  John,  nor  is  John,  Peter. 

Just  as  it  is  written,  "  They  did  all  eat 

the  same  spiritual  meat :  they  did  all  drink 

the  same  spiritual  drink;"  so  is  it  now, 

.  there  are  c^Hain  things  common  to  all  the 

I  saints.    The  news  was  brought  from  Egypt 

by  the  sons  of  Jacob,—"  Joseph  is  yet  alive, 

'  and  he  is  gove^^or  over  all  the  land  of  E^;ypt. 

I  And  Jacob's  heart  fainted,  for  he  believed 

them  not.    And  vohen  he  saw  the  waggons, 

which  Joseph  had  sent  to  carry  him,  the 

spirit  of  Jacob  their  father  revived;  and 

;  Israel  said.  It  is  enough ;  Josepth  my  son  is 

'  yet  alive ;  I  will  go  and  see  him  before  I 

die." 

I  We  Hyper-Calvinists,  as  some  good  peo- 
;  pie  are  pleased  to  style  us,  do  not  say,  •'  Let 
us  sin  that  grace  may  abound.'*  iHo,  God 
forbid.  Nevertheless,  we  do  glory  in  infir- 
mities, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest 
upon  us,  and  that  God  in  all  things  may 
be  glorified. .  And  another  thing  we  ao  most 
heartily  believe,  m.,  that  young  Israel  was 
troubled  with  old  Jacob  all  his  days. 
What  a  strange  thing,  some  one  may  say, 
that  Jacob  dia  not  learn  better  than  to  trust 
his  eyes,  even  those  eyes  which  once  so 
fearfully  misled  him  in  the  case  of  Joseph's 
coat.  Why  did  he  not  receive  every  word, 
as  those  words  dropped  from  the  lips  of  his 
sous  ?  Shall  I  tell  you,  brother  ?  Jacob  be- 
lieved in  God  more  than  he  believed  in  his 
own  sons.  The  testimony,  was  the  testimony 
of  his  sons.  BUT  the  WAGGONS  were  the 
expression  of,  and  the  evidence  too,  of  Je- 
hovah's interposing  hand  in  this  wonderful 
matter.  We  think,  beloved,  that  Jacob  was 
a  good  deal  like  another  saint  of  whom  you 
have  heard,  who  said,  "  Shew  me  a  token  for 
good."  WTxy  David,  what  a  strange  idea 
you  appeac  to  entertain  of  Jehovah!    You 


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Oct.  1,  IMi. 


seem  to  suppose,  that  your  God  has  nought 
to  do  but  attend  to  you.  Methinks  the 
sweet  singer  would  reply,  **  Perfect  that 
which  ooncemeth  me."  Allow  me,  dear 
reader,  to  at  once  plunge  into  my  subject, 
sind  say,  "  The  saint  wants  proofs  as  well  as 
testimony ;"  and,  when  the  Lord  is  pleased 
to  give   the  demonstration  in  spirit  and 

Sower,  our  spirit  reviTes,  as  the  spirit  of 
acob  did.  Nor  is  this  alone  a  matter  that 
oozes  out  through  the  infirmities  of  the  flesh, 
it  is  rather  one  for  which  our  God  has  pro- 
Tided  in  a  marvellous  manner.  "  Wherein 
God,  willing  more  obediently  to  shew  unto 
the  heifs  of  promise  the  immutability  of 
His  counsel,  confirmed  it  by  an  oath ;"  (or 
interposed  himself,)  "that  by  two  immutable 
things,  in  which  it  was  impossible  for  God 
to  lie,  we  might  have  a  strong  consolation 
vho  hare  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  ni>on 
the  hope  set  before  us."  JehoTan  interposing 
Himself  is  our  security ;  was  the  security 
of  the  ancient  Church ;  but  when  He  sent 
His  Son— "The  chariot  of  paved  love,"— 
the  Church  cried  out,  **  Lord,  now  lettest 
Thou  Thy  serrant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation."  The  saint 
of  God  loves  the  doctrine  of  divine  choice ; 
but  likes  better  when  the  Holy  One  speaks, 
saying.  " /  have  chosen  thee"  He  loves 
promise;  yet  he  bves  performance  more. 
He  believes,  and  waits  patiently,  or  quietly, 
but  when  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  herald  His 
own  approach — when  the  rumble  of  the 
waggons  is  heard— when  the  rain  cloud 
does  appear— then  he  says,  and  says  it 
heartily  too,  "  Josepli  is  yet  alive ;  what  I 
have  heard  is  true,  for  God  Himself  has 
proved  it  true.'*  I  shall  yet  live  to  revert 
to  my  old  saying,  "All  those  things  are 
against  me." 


THIS  IS  THE  BAPTISM  I  DESIRE. 

Pkeciovs  baptism !  despised,  contemned, 
opposed,  yet  beautiful  ordmance.  And  why 
despised,  why  opposed  ?  Because  the  natu- 
ral man  discemeth  not  the  thinas  of  the 
Spirit :  and  often  the  natural  man  has  much 
to  do  with  them  that  are  spiritual.  To  say 
baptism  is  simply  scriptural  is  not  enough 
to  shew  forth  its  beauty  and  blessedness, 
for  we  find  upon  the  same  principle  men 
may  contend  for  circumcision,  which  Paul 
cast  away  from  the  Gospel  dispensation  as 
nothing  worth ;  nor  did  he  intimate  in  the 
slightest  degree  a  necessity  for  any  other 
rite  in  its  place ;  yet  because  that  ceremony 
was  practised  by  the  Jews  it  is  called  scrip- 
tural, and  thought  sacred.  But  baptism, 
believers'  baptism,  as  it  is  so  properly,  and 
Bcripturallv  called,  is  not  only  scnptund  and 
honoured  bv  the  sanction  of  all  the  apostles, 
but  it  is  also  spiritual ;  it  has  the  seal  of 


the  blessed  Spirit  It  never  seems  to  me 
snfflcient  for  a  minister  to  ask  a  candidate 
for  that  sacred  ordinance,  **  Do  you  think 
baptism  scriptural?'*  If  the^  have  read 
the  bible  they  must  think  it  scriptural. 
Long  before  I  knew  anvthing  spiritually,  I 
saw  that  ordinance  to  oe  plainly  enjoined 
upon  all  believers ;  but  that  was  not  enough 
to  make  me  love  and  admire  it.  I  feel  this 
to  be  holy  ground;  a  sacred  spot  which 
none  can  tread  but  those  who  are  brought 
thither  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  was  not  until 
Jesus  said  to  me,  *'  Soul,  art  thou  able  to  be 
baptized  with  the  baptism  wherewith  I  am 
baptized  ?  "  Not  until  the  Holy  Spirit  drew 
me  into  the  sacred  contract,  not  until  then 
did  I  run  with  willing  feet,  yearning  heart 
and  soul  overflowing  with  ardour  and  de- 
votedness,  answering,  **  Yes,  dearest  Lord, 
if  I  am  thine,  if  Thou  will  keep  me,  I  am 
able."  Not  until  baptism  came  into  my 
soul  did  I  desire  to  follow  Jesus  in  the 
watery  tomb ;  and  t&en,  had  it  been  asked 
me  which  would  I  have,  the  waten  of 
sprinkling,  or  those  of  immeraion,  had  I 
never  heard  of  the  two  distinct  modes  before, 
my  answer,  if  in  accordance  with  my  ez- 

rrienee,  would  have  been  **  sprinkling !  *' 
do  not  see  any  emblem  of  the  Saviour's 
deep  sufferings  in  that;  I  do  not  see  any 
resemblance  to  soul  humiliation  in  that ;  I 
do  not  see  anything  like  spiritual  burial  and 
consecration  in  i^rinkling;  nor  do  I  see 
anything  touching  death  and  resurrection 
in  it;  but  immersion  typifies  the  whole. 
Oh,  giveme  a  full,  complete,  perfect  baptism, 
if  any ;  emblematic  or  the  unreservea  sur- 
render I  would  make  of  body,  soul,  and 
spirit,  unto  Him  who  "  gave  Himself  for 
me."    This  is  the  baptism  my  soul  desires. 

And  why  do  I  love  baptism  ?     How  came 

f  soul  to  admire  that  sacred  ordinance? 

as  it  because  my  parents  had  been  bap- 
tized ?  No.  Was  1  first  convicted  under  a 
Baptist  ministry  ?  No.  Was  I  brought  out 
into  the  glorious  f^edom  of  the  Gospel  by 
a  Baptist  minister  ?  In  one  sense,  no ;  in 
another,  yes. 

After  a  night  of  keen  conviction,  and 
dark,  heavy,  soul  distress ;  after  that  period 
of  the  new-bom  soul's  existence,  never, 
never  to  be  forootten ;  when  the  first  sun- 
shine of  grace  beamed  upon  my  enraptured 
soul,  it  was  love,  joy,  peace ;  "  a  blithe  and 
glorious  summer ;"  and  with  a  joyous  coun- 
tenance, a  bounding  heart,  and  a  aoul  that 
had  never  known  duappointment,  I  used  to 
assemble  with  the  much  loved  children  of 
my  father,  to  receive  that  word  which  if  it 
did  but  enter  my  ear,  never  failed  to  reach 
the  heart.  Oh,  flowery  summer!  Baptism 
was  unknown,  unthought  of  then.  1  was 
underafiree  grace  ministry,  and  my  soul 
suffered  no  lack ;  and  I  once  said  to  my 
mother,  **I  am  like  Ruth,  I  have  found 


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saved  at  all,  but  they  are  bronglit  to  this  by 
different  process.  Paul  spoiuui  of  "  The 
God  of  all  grace,  who  hath  called  us  unto 
his  eternal  glory  by  Christ  Jesus,"  (1  Peter, 
V.  10,)  and  in  another  place  he  says,  **  Ye 
see  your  calling,  brethwn."  Now  those  of 
whom  we  haye  been  speaking  do  not  see  it 
at  present)  but  they  phall  see  it  by  and  by. 
"The  eyes  of  them  that  see  shall  not  be 
dim."  "  He  which  hath  begun  a  good  work 
in  you  will  perform  it  until  the  day  of 
Jesus  Christ.'^  See  Rom.  viii.  30,  2  Peter 
i.  10.  :?.  Their  eyes  are  dim  with  regard 
to  the  e.\cellences  and  beauties  of  Christ. 
Tfaey  he  \r  of  what  He  is  to  others  and  thoy 
hare  faiih  to  belicTe  that  He  is  all  that  He 
is  described  to  be,  but  it  is  not  a  realuing 
faith  at  present,  thev  do  not  as  yet  see  His 
beauties  for  themsehres  as  they  wish  to  do. 
But  they  shall  see :  **  The  eyes  of  them  that 
nae  shaU  not  be  dim."  The  Queen  of  Sheba 
heard  in  her  own  land  of  Solomon's  acts 
and  of  his  wisdom  and  greatness,  but  when 
she  visited  him  and  saw  for  herself  she  ex- 
claimed, "  The  half  was  not  told  me."  So 
it  will  be  with  you  when  Jesus  reveals  him- 
self to  you ;  you  will  see  such  loveliness  in 
His  person,  such  loveliness  in  His  work, 
such  loveliness  in  His  grace,  that  you  will 
exclaim,  "  The  half  was  not  told  me  con- 
cerning His  beauties  and  excellences,"  and 
your  testimony  will  be,  "He  is  aJto^ther 
lovely.  This  is  mt/  beloved  and  this  is  nw 
friend,  O  daughters  of  Jemsalem."  S. 
Th<MP©  whose  eyes  are  dim  as  to  their  future 
prospects.  Many  of  God's  people  walk  in 
miich  darkness,  often  sighing  and  asking, 
"  How  will  it  be  with  me  at  the  last  ?" 

*  They  cannot  read  their  title  eleftr, 
To  msnakms  in  the  skies, 
Nor  bid  tarewell  to  every  fear, 
Nor  wipe  their  weeping  eyes." 

But  the  eyes  of  them  that  see  shall  not 
be  dim  in  this  sense.  We  read  in  the 
Bible  of  *'a  mominff  without  clouds,"  and 
through  thisprimari^  refers  to  heaven,  yet 
it  may  be  applied  to  the  time  when  the  Lord 
manifestd  Himself  to  His'people  and  gives 
them  a  clear  view  of  the  future.  Before 
Moses  died  GK>d  gave  him  a  view  from 
the  top  of  pL9gah  of  the  land  of  Canaan, 
and  so  He  deSls  with  His  children  now, 
giving  them  a  glorious  prospect  of  their  hea- 
venly inheritance  bffore  they  leave  this 
world. 

II.  The  second  assurance  is,  "  The  ears 
of  them  that  hear  shall  hearken."  We  may 
Hpeak  now  of  those  who  are  willing  to  hear 
the  Gospel  preached,  and  this  hearing  can 
do  none  any  harm.  It  has  been  said  that 
the  Qospel  hardens -men's  hearts,  but  it 
never  does  that ;  they  may  be  hardened,  but 
the  Gh)8pel  never  does  it ;  no  man  was  ever 
the  worse  for  listening  to  a  fcee-graoe  Qos- 
peL    A  minister  will  feel  a  yearning  over 


those  who  come  to  hear  the  truth  preached 
by  him ;  he  will  say,  "  Lord,  here  are  the 
people  gathered  together,  some  of  them  yet 
unawakened;  nothing  but  Thy  power  can 
change  their  hearts,  0  Lord,  work  upon 
them."  And  when  the  Lord  does  work, 
there  will  be  a  difference  manifest  in  the 
formerly  unconcerned  hearers.  "  The  ears 
of  them  that  hear  shall  hearken.*'  Ah,  you 
will  not  then  come  and  sit  up  in  the  corner 
of  the  pew  as  if  you  were  going  to  sleep — 
no,  but  you  will  be  all  attention,  listening 
for  yourself,  and  asking  before  you  come, 
"  What  will  there  be  to  meet  my  case  ?  '* 
Perhaps  this  may  be  called  selfishness,  but 
if  so,  it  is  a  right  kind  of  selfishness,  for  if 
there  is  a  work  of  grace  in  the  heart  of  the 
hearer,  he  will  be  anxious  to  get  something 
for  himself,  and  will  not  be  satisfied  without 
it.  They  shall  hearken,  that  is,  they  shall 
understand  God  hath  said,  "I  will  give 
them  a  heart  to  know  me."  Solomon  prayed 
for  a  wise  and  an  understanding  heart  Je- 
sus asked  His  disciples,  '*  Understand  ye 
these  thines  ?  "  and  the  words  of  Philip  to 
tho  eunuch  were,  "  Understandest  tnou 
what  thou  readest  ?  "  It  is  God  who  gives 
tl'ie  understanding  heart:  by  Him  those 
who  hear  are  brought  to  understand  the 
Gospel ;  not  to  believe  in  an  Arminian,  free- 
will religion,  but  to  understand  that  Christ 
is  all,  and  in  all,  and  that  salvation  is  all  of 
grace  from  beginning  to  end.  They  hear 
with  the  hearing  of  faith ;  they  hear  also 
lovingly.  The  child  hears  the  words  of  its 
parent  lovingly,  and  so  it  is  with  up,  we  are 
brought  to  listen  and  to  receive  the  truth 
in  the  love  of  it.  They  shall  hearken:  this 
may  mean  that  they  shall  obey.  Jesus  saith» 
"  Why  call  ye  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not 
the  things  which  I  say  ?  "  The  children  of 
Gk)d,  who  own  Jesus  as  their  master,  will 
not  only  listen  to  His  voice,  but  they  will 
obey  it*  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  com- 
mandments." Thus  there  is  hearing  first ; 
then  attention  is  aroused,  and  interest 
awakened  in  what  is  heard,  an  understand- 
ing heart  is  given ;  and  those  who  thus 
hearken  are  brought  to  believe,  to  love,  and 
to  obey  the  Gospel. 

III.  *'  The  heart  also  of  the  rash  shall 
understand  knowledge."  Some  are  very 
rash  m  speaking  of  the  doctrines  of  grace ; 
they  talk  very  bitterly  about  them,  and  say 
that  nothing  shall  ever  make  them  believe 
in  such  doctrines.  Saul  of  Tarsus  was  very 
rash  in  his  unregenerate  state;  beyond 
measure  hepersecuted  theChurchof  God,  and 
wasted  it ;  but  in  his  case  the  heart  of  the 
rash  wss  made  to  understand  knowledge. 
As  he  journeyed  to  Damascus,  "breath- 
ing out  threatenings  and  slaughter  against 
the  disciples  of  the  Lord,"  he  was  brought 
down  by  divine  power,  and  then,  "  he  trem- 
bling and  astonished  said,  Lord,  what  wilt 


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2S2 


THE  EARTHEN  TESSEL. 


Oct.  1, 186i. 


thou  have  me  to  do  ?  "  And  afterwards,  vrho 
was  a  bolder  and  more  zealous  champion 
than  Paul  for  the  tniths  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  doctrines  of  grace  ?    I  may  have  some 
one  here  to-night  opposed  to  the  truth,  and 
who  has  said,  "  I  can  never  believe  in  those 
high  doctrirtts;"    but  do  not  be  too  sure 
about  it ;  God  may  so  work  in  your  heart 
as  to  make  you  receive  and  love  tliem.  Just 
consider  the  question,  "  Who  maketh  thee 
to  differ  ?  "    If  you  are  changed  and  made 
to  differ  from  the  world  that  lieth  in  wicked- 
ness, it  must  be  the  Lord's  work ;  everyone 
of  the  family  of  God  will  agree  in  confessing 
this;  and  if  it  is  not  wrong  for  Him   to 
make  you  to  differ  in  time,  surely  you  must 
acknowledge  that  it  was  not  wrong  for  Him 
to  purpose  doing  it  before  time.     God  makes 
His   people  to    understand   knowledge  in 
reference  to  His  way  of  saving  sinners — 
they  are  reconciled  to  it.      When  Naaman 
went  to  Elisha  to  be  cured  of  his  leprosy, 
he  was  angry  and  indicant  at  being  told 
to  wash  seven  times  in    Jordan.      "The 
rivers  in  my  own  land  are  fiir  superior,"  he 
said.    "  Are  not  Abana  and  Pharpar,  rivers 
of  Damascus,  better  than  all  the  waters  of 
Israel?  may  I  not  wash  in  them  and  be 
clean  ?**    But  this  was  not  God's  way ;  He 
said,  "Down  to  Jordan  thou  shalt  go;"  and 
so  to  Jordaa  Naaman  did  go,  dip^d  him- 
self seven  times  therein,  and  was  clean ; 
and  then  his  testimony  was,  '*  Behold  now, 
I  know  that  there  is  no  God  in  ail  the  earth, 
but  in  Israel"     "  The  heart  also  of  the  rash 
shall  understand  knowledge.**      Some  are 
ruih  in  reference  to  the  Xord*s    dealings 
with  them.      Poor  old  Jacob,  yon  know, 
when  Joseph  was  thought  to  be  dead,  Sim- 
eon  retained  as  a  hostage  in  Egypt,   and 
his  son  Benjamin  demanded  too,  exclaimed, 
'^AIl  these  things  are  against  ipe.'*      Ko, 
no,  Jacob,  they  are  not  against  you ;  at  last 
your  three  children  shall  be  restored  to  you, 
and  you  shall  find  that  all,  instead  of  bein^ 
against  you,  has  been  for  your  good.    So  it 
is  with  the  Lord's  people. 

*'  Ye  fwrfiil  wints,  fresh  counge  take, 

The  clouds  yt  so  much  dread 
Are  bitf  with  meroy,  and  shall  break 
In  blewiags  on  your  head.*' 
Jonah  also  was  rash  with  regard  to  the 
Lord's  dealings,  but  when  he  was  in  the 
fish's  belly,  and  had  been  in  the  belly  of 
heU  in  his  own  feelings,  his  heart  nnder^ 
stood  knowledge,  and  his  words  were,  *'Sal- 
Tation  is  of  tht  Lord."  Some  are  rash  in 
their  judgment  conceming  others.  When 
Hannah  went  up  to  the  temple  of  the 
Lord  and  prayed  in  bitterness  of  soul,  Eli 
formed  a  wrong  opinion  conceminsr  her;  he 
thought  she  had  been  drunken,  and  he  said, 
*'How  long  wilt  thou  be  drunken?  put 
away  thy  wine  from  thee."  But  Hannah 
answend — and  we  hare  mueh  to  admire  in 
the  wisdom  and  meekness  of  her  reply — 


"  No,  my  lord,  I  am  a  woman  of  a  very 
sorrowfyJ  spirit,  &c."  Then  EH  said,  *'  Go 
in  peace ;  and  the  GK)d  of  Israel  grant  thee 
thy  petition  that  thou  hast  asked  of  Him." 
(See  1  Sam.  i.)  Job's  friends  were  rash  in 
their  judgment  concerning  him,  but  their 
hearts  at  last  also  underst<x)d  knowledge. 

ly.  The  fourth  particular  is,  "And  the 
tongue  of  the  stammerers  shall  be  ready  to 
speak  plainly."  Some  of  the  Lord's  people 
stammer  in  conversation.  "Well,  they 
say,  **  1  hope  and  trust  that  tiie  Lord  has 
done  something  for  me;  I  feel  somewhat 
difibrently  to  what  I  once  did,  but  I  hare 
many  doubts."  But  by  and  by,  the  tongue 
of  the  stammerers  shall  speak  plainly,  and 
they  shall  boldly  say,  "The  Lord  haA  done 
great  things  for  me,  whereof  I  am  glad.** 
Some  stammer  in  prayer,  they  are  afraid  to 
call  God  their  Father ;  but  ere  l<mg  they 
shall  speak  plainly,  for  die  Spirit  of  adoption 
shall  be  given  them,  crying  in  their  hearts 
"  Abba,  Father."  And  there  are  stammerers 
in  praise.  "  Lord,"  they  say.  « if  Thou 
hast  done  anything  for  me,  I  would  desire 
to  bless  and  praise  Thee  for  it"  But  after- 
wards, when  the  Lord  causes  them  to  agMk 
plainly,  they  exclaim,  "I  will  praise  Thee, 
0  Loni,  with  my  whole  heart ;  I  will  shew 
forth  all  Thy  marvellons  works.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me, 
bless  His  holy  name." 

AN  AFFECTIONATE  LKTTEB 
To  an  heir  of  glory,  Caroline  Clunfidd,  Oxon* 
By  J.  fltookweU,  Donmow,  ] 


I)ba.b  Sistkr  in  CfiaisT  JisDa»-^Yoiir 
last  letter  came  safe  to  hand.  I  was  so  in- 
terested with  its  pleasing  contents  that  I 
venture  to  reply  to  you  through  Trx  Eut- 
THnr  VcssEL,  which  often  contains  much, 
heavenly  treasures  and  spiritual  instmetion 
and  food  for  my  soul  for  many  Tears  pastt 
and  I  tmst  throu^  the  Holy  Spirit's  power 
and  grace,  this  &ort  epistle  will  prove  a 
reviving  cordial  to  your  soul,  and  to  all  who 
may  read  the  same,  who  are  hungering  and 
thirsting  after  greater  discoveries  of  God*s 
grace  and  love  through  a  piecions  Christy 
and  the  holv  anointings  of  the  Holy  Ohost, 
and  the  rich  savoor  and  bahn  of  m  ever- 
lasting covenant  blood  and  rurhteonsness  of 
Him  who  is  miffhty  to  save.  Thou,  believer, 
art  to  come  daify  tfnd  draw  water  from  the 
wells  of  salvation  with  ioy.  Joy,  because 
of  the  soul-cheering,  sonl-sti«n^ening,  and 
cleanring  nature  of  these  living  waters. 
Jehovah  the  Fatli«r  is  the  fonntaiD  of  liv- 
ing waters ;  salvation  takes  its  trst  spring 
of  everlasting  love,  and  is  seemed  to  thee  by 
His  imahsiable  covenant  and  undMngeable 
promises.  The- Holy  Spirit  opens  poor 
sinners*  eyes  and  shows  them  their  need  of 
salvation's  waters,  and  believers  in  all  ages 

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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


2S5 


Boaz's  field  first,  and  I  hope  I  shall  stay 
there."  When  spoken  to  of  baptism,  I  would 
answer,  "Baptism  is  very  well  for  those 
who  are  Baptists,  but  it  can't  do  any  real 
good."  And  as  I  Nras  nerer  reminded 
ministerially  of  the  command,  my  conscience 
was  perfecUy  easy  aboat  the  omission,  and 
very  much  1  longed  to  be  admitted  to  the 
table. 

The  winter  came ;  the  black  sky  came ; 
the  stormy  wind,  and  the  rainy  day  came  ; 
the  sun  ceased  to  shine  brightly,  it  would 
for  a  short  time  show  its  much  loved  rays, 
and  then  so  suddenly,  so  unexpectedly  with- 
draw ;  the  flowers  laded  and  died  ;  nature 
grew  disconsclate  at  the  desolation  of  the 
soul ;  "  Is  this  wretched,  dreary  state,  grace? 
Is  this  miserable,  gloomy  feeling,  religion  ?" 
I  asked  myself,  am  I  to  have  no  more  joy 
and  peace  ?  Has  this  new  delight  flown  for 
ever?  I  sat  at  the  Lord's  table,  but  how 
empty  of  joy  and  soul  satisfaction  did  I 
find  itl  Jesus,  Jesus,  will  Thou  never 
vouchsafe  one  smile  ?  Art  Thou  angry  at 
my  presumption?  was  my  sorrowful,  yea, 
agonised  prayer ;  still  no  answer  came,  no 
token  of  recognition.  Events  transpired  to 
lead  me  from  my  fint  spiritual  home,  and 
for  awhile  I  luxuriated  in  the  pleasures  of 
roaming.  A  bright  star  arose,  on  that  ad- 
vent of  a  better  day,  and  led  me  to  the  very 
flace  where  the  Babe  of  Bethlehem,  the 
'nnce  of  Israel  was.  There  He  was,  lying 
in  a  manger.  Ah,  yes,  in  such  a  humble 
place;  among  such  a  despised  people.  I 
cared  not  for  that  at  all;  blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  I  found  Him ! 

It  must  have  been  autumn,  pale,  waning^ 
fading  autumn,  wjien  I  first  entered  into 
the  freedom  of  the  (jtospel:  for  the  days  of 
my  soul  th^,  though  pleasant  and  mild, 
were  insipid  and  fleeting  when  compared 
with  the  oright  spring  mornings  that  now 
threw  their  elonous,  bracing  influences 
around  my  soul ;  now  I  learnt  there  was 
root  as  well  as  blossom  in  the  earden  of 
grace ;  before,  I  had  been  as  a  pfiiyful,  un- 
thinking child,  admirinff  the  pretty  flowers 
that  grew  on  the  surfiEice,  out  never  imagining 
that  uglpr,  dirty  looking  root  had  anything 
to  do  with  the  beauty  and  vitality  of  the 
flower;  now  I  learned  though  the  biting 
east  wind  did  come  and  bbw  awa^r  the 
beautiful  mantle  of  summer,  in  so  doing  it 
did  but  scatter  seed  that  should  appear  in 
another  spring  time,  and  bear  fruit  for 
another  harvest ;  and  this  spoke  to  me  of 
baptism,  deep,  solemn,  spiritual  immersion ! 
And  though  the  rain  descended  in  heavv 
torrents,  covering  the  face  of  nature  with 
«0R0W  and  gloom,  it  was  not  to  sweep  awa^, 
not  to  destroy,  not  to  deluge  the  soul  m 
everlasting  woe ;  but  by  softening  the  seed 
sown  to  press  out  its  latent  virtues,  and  thus 
«nable  it  to  burst  out  into  life,  vigour  atfd 


beauty.  This,  too,  preached  to  my  soul  of 
baptism,  sacred,  overwhelming  baptism; 
and  though  the  sun  hid  its  life-giving  rays, 
and  the  whole  aspect  of  the  heavens  seemed 
changed,  the  days  short  and  gloomy,  the 
niffhts  long,  the  air  cold  and  ungenial,  still, 
all  these  did  not  show  anger,  neglect,  or 
want  of  love  on  the  part  of  my  heavenly 
Benefactor,  but  just  the  contrary ;  wisdom, 
kindness,  and  especial  care ;  for  to  be  con- 
tinually exposed  to  the  scorching  sun,  to  be 
always  arrayed  with  flowers  and  verdure  in 
this  weak,  failing  state  would  be  ruinous  to 
the  soil  and  roots,  as  continual  eating  to 
the  stomach,  or  continual  action  for  the 
mind  and  body  without  the  relaxation  of 
rest.  Thus,  in  menjy  and  wisdom  came  the 
dark  days,  the  long  nights,  the  stripping 
winds,  the  heavy  storms,  to  prepare  for  the 
bright  and  beautiful,  the  flourishing  and 
fruitful;  in  all  tihese  I  saw  baptism,  won- 
drous, glorious  baptism :  and  I  thought, 
"  Is  this  the  religion  of  the  Baptist  ?  than  I 
will  be  a  Baptist ;  for  the  Lord  has  worked 
this  religion,  this  baptism  in  my  soul." 

And  I  went  in,  and  was  received  among 
them,  and  hope  to  stand  with  them  until  in 
those  last  baptismal  waters  the  whole  Church 
shall  become  one  in  Him  in  whom  she  shall 
find  resurrection  and  life  everlasting. 

A  Votes  FROU  BXTOEL. 


NEW  SURREY  TABERNACLE. 

N  ot  to  the  praise  of  man  this  house  shall  rise, 
E  temal  truths  the  blessings  that  we  prize. 
W  hen  all  complete  the  building  shall  appear, 

8  cogs  of  salvation  shall  salute  the  ear. 

U  nder  its  roof  long  may  the  pastor  speak, 

B  edemptioii*B  wonders  to  the  poor  and  meek, 

B  eoeiving  none  but  those  who  plain  shall  prove, 

B  ntire  dependence  on  the  Father's  lore. 

Y  e  who  these  lines  in  distant  parts  may  read, 

T  hink  of  the  oaoae  for  whioh  we  simply  plead, 
A  nd  of  your  substance  prithee  freely  send, 
B  egrudge  not  help,  but  cheerfiilly  befriend. 
B  rror  is  stalking  rampant  through  the  land, 
B  ound  Truth's  pure  banner  let  us  take  our  stand ; 
K  or  stint  the  means  that  shall  suffice  to  raise, 
A  stately  temple  to  Jehorah's  praise. 
0  onstant  our  pastor  in  his  work  has  proved, 
L  oved  by  the  people,  well  and  truly  loved. 
B  temal  G-od !  preserve  him  sUIl  unmoved. 

Alfbed  0-askkll. 

BsBTOBS  TO  CiinisT. — It  is  a  pleasure  to 
be  in  His  debt;  yea,  the  greatest  I  know 
of.  I  would  not  have  inherent  righteousness 
if  I  could  eet  it  for  nothing.  I  would  not 
be  rich  ana  increased  with  goods,  and  have 
need  of  nothing  from  Him,  if  it  were  pos- 
sible.—RoiCAiini. 


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THS  EARTHEN  VEBSBL. 


Oet  1»  1864. 


^nx  dfkiirh^a,  mx  faate,  ani  mii  p^h 


SWEET  AKD  PAITHFTJL  TESTIMONIAL 
TO  THE  tf  Etf  OBY  OF  THB  I«ATE  MB.  W.  TIPTA7T. 

The  following  are  a  few  of  his  frequent 
•ayings:-- 


[We  insert  the  following  letter  with  gntStude  to 
the  writer,  and  with  hope  that  our  readers  may 
be  edified.  Mr.  Tiptafl's  life  and  ministeria] 
career  was  a  singular  one.  He  oertainly  was  a 
good  man,  of  Irim  we  may  say,  '*  The  watchman 
of  Israel  was  with  his  God."  The  life  of  such 
a  man  ought  not  to  be  lost.  We  hope  a  faithful 
ar  i  comprehensible  leoord  of  him  will  be  pub- 
lished. Our  correspondent  says  :-* 
Dear  FBX£irD,--Wliat  a  solemn  thing  it  is 
when  we  perceive  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  the 
removal  of  a  golden  candlestick;  mamr  times 
have  I  heard  tlie  following  passage  drop  rrom  the 
mouth  of  Mr.  Tiptaft,  "  Except  ye  repent,  I  will 
come  unto  thee  qnickly,  and  remove  thy  candle- 
stick out  of  his  place."  Full  ten  years  have  I 
been  going  to  and  fro  to  hear  this  good  man,  and 
1  have  seen  the  Lord  was  with  him  of  a  tmth ; 
evident  it  must  be  the  Lord  brought  him  into  the 
town  of  Abingdon,  and  planted  the  little  church 
in  the  abbey.  There  was  no  golden  candlestick 
lifted  up  in  this  dark  town  previous  to  the  one 
just  removed;  but  in  it  dwelt  a  poor  man,  named 
Harding,  who  was  oflen  persuaded  by  the  Lord 
of  the  necessity  of  the  truth  being  established  in 
the  town,  and  tliis  poor  man  prophesied  of  the 
candle  being  about  to  bum  in  the  above  place. 
The  late  Mr.  Warburton  asked  him  once  how  he 
got  on  here  ?  "  Oh  sir,  it  is  as  dark  as  midnight 
yet,  but  I  donot  despair  of  the  truth  being  planted 
here."  The  same  John  Warburton  opened  Mr. 
Tiptafl*s  new  (^apel,  and  consecrated  the  same  in 
the  name  of  the  Bishop  of  souls.  But  Mr.  Tip- 
toft's  entering  in  amongst  the  people  at  Abingdon 
took  place  when  God  burnt  nim  out  of  Sutton 
Courtney  church,  previous  to  this  he  had  preached 
in  the  great  chnrchat  Abingdon,  which  simple 
sermon  proved  as  offensive  to  the  heaiera  as 
8tephen*s  testimony  did  to  his  Judges;  still  there 
went  with  him  a  band  of  men  whose  hearts  God 
had  touched,  but  he  was  a  marked  man  to  the 
day  of  his  departure  by  high  and  low,  rich  and 
poor,  reproach,  sneers,  scandal,  lies,  baok-bitiog, 
contempt,  scorn,  and  prdudlee,  was  the  crown  of 
thorns  nis  persecutors  clapped  on  his  head,  and 
if  the  devirs  Bonners  had  been  pei'mitted  to  light 
up  a  furnace  in  Abingdon  for  the  annihilating  the 
saints,  Mr.  Tiptaft  would  have  been  the  first  they 
would  have  seized  and  hound  to  the  stake.  I 
have  heard  him  declare  in  the  pulpiL  there  was 
one  curse  he  was  free  from,  viz.,  **  Woe  be  unto 
}^ou  when  all  men  speak  well  of  you.**  Many  a 
single-handed  combat  have  I  been  engajB;ed  in 
through  him,  and  many  a'  challen^  nave  I 
thrown  down  when  I  I  ave  heard  his  enemies 
railinjT  and  manifesting  their  hatred  of  him.  God 
made  nim  a  faithf\il  witness  against  the  drunken- 
ness, whoredom,  pride,  eelflshness.  blasphemy, 
and  other  sins  committed  in  Abingdon.  He  also 
proved  a  solemn  light  afiafaist  the  delusions  and 
deceptive  religion  mat  abounds  in  this  town ;  he 
was  a  little  bright  twinkling  star  mixed  among 
the  eountttrfeits.  His  ministiy  was  clothed  with 
fire ;  many  that  started  out  on  pilgrimage  with 
liim  at  the  first  onset,  have  gone  over  to  the  poor 
l^lists,  bloated  witli  prej ucRce.  He  was  a  very 
liberal  man  with  his  money,  and  many  an  infidel 
and  professor  took  ad\'antage  of  his  open  heart 
and  laughed  at  his  weakne^e.  He  was  a  faithful 
man,  and  feared  God  above  man}' ;  it  was  seen  in 
his  self-denial,  his  love  to  God's  people,  his  seal 
in  the  cause,  his  holy  walk  and  living  near  the 
Lord,  acknowledging  God  in  all  his  ways. 


His  remarks  were  rery  pointed  in  tiie  pulpit 
conaeming  death  and  thegiave^  "Are  yon  ri^t 
now  in  doctrine,  practice,  and  ezperienoe  ;  wBsfc 
a  great  mercy  te  nave  a  religion  mat  will  do  to 
die  by.  Who  of  you  have  been  praying  to  QoA 
that  my  ministry  maybe  made  a  bleasingto  yoa  f 
What  a  great  mercy  to  be  well  laid  in  the  grave. 
Who  of  you  have  been  praying  to  God  your  laat 
days  maybe  the  best?  What  are  you:  tldrty- 
fold,  sixty-fold,  or  a  hundied'fold  tnut  bearcm  I 
If  you  are  to  go  to  heaven  yon  most  be  made  meet 
for  heaven.  You  say  you  are  not  selfish,  'iriiat 
makes  you  so  covetous  In  buying  and  selling? 
What  a  great  work  is  the  work  ef  God  upon  » 
sinner*s  soul.  You  must  «Uow  otiieis  to  be  a 
judge  of  your  religion  as  weU  aa  yourself.  If  yoa 
do  not  escperience  the  word  of  God  you  will  go  to 
hell,  u  the  Iiord*b  people  couM  have  their  por- 
tion in  thia  life,  God  may  have  heaven  to  Hiiniifif 
for  them.  Who  are  you  that  God  ataould  make* 
new  way  for  you  to  go  to  heaven  by  ?  It  is 
through  much  tribulation  we  must  enter  the 
kingdom.  I  am  upon  my  feet;  God  has  been  a 
good  God  to  me :  I  have  seen  both  sides  of  Hia 
face.  Some  years  ago,  when  certain  banks  broken 
I  never  lost  a  shilling  by  the  destruction.  What 
a  mercy  to  live  on  the  bounties  of  heaven.'* 

I  have  heard  him  to  my  coodeaination,  as  well 
as  to  the  saving  of  my  souL  I  loved  him  for  the 
grace  God  had  put  into  his  heart,  and  the  solemn 
truths  that  floiK'ed  ont  of  his  mouth. 

Previous  to  his  being  laid  aside,  X  saw  him  very 
restless  indeed :  alzange  obeervatieos  flowed  from 
his  lips.  As  I  was  sitting  beneath  the  joyftil 
sound  of  his  Goepel  one  Sunday,  I  said,  **  XJora,  I 
could  sit  and  hear  this  blessed  man  to  the  end  of 
my  days."  A  voice  replied,  **  You  moat  prepare 
to  lose  him.'*  I  said,  **  Lord,  thy  will  be  done.'* 
Once  I  heard  him  say,  "  I  eee  no  fruits."  On 
another  occasion  the  following  obserrayons 
dropped  from  m  v  own  heart  as  Isat  in  the  seat, 
"  Suppose  yon  aiiould  be  removed ;  suppoee  yoa 
should  be  laid  aside ;  suppose  you  shoula  be  pre- 
vented from  carrying  the  Goroel  to  other  chur- 
ches." He  was  often  highly  favored  before  God 
removed  his  candle^  and  m  boasted  of  the  same  in 
publia  I  said  to  a  dear  saint,  "  God  will  try  that 
grace  for  him ;  poor  man,  he  little  thinks  whafs 
coming."  Many  times  did  God  shew  me  his  re- 
moval, whioh  was  to  warm  within  that  I  ooold 
not  help  declaring  the  same  by  pen  and  tongue. 
Some  observed  the  saying,  others  would  not  be- 
lieve it  At  length  tne  Holy  Ghost  constrained 
me  to  pray  according  to  the  will  of  God,  ta  He 
had  shewed  m^  to  wit,  the  aoleinn  removal  of 
Mr.  Tiptaft.  In  a  few  monttis  he  was  laid  aside 
by  aiHiction,  and  prevented  from  carrying  the 
Gospel  to  other  ohurdhes.  What  a  tolemn  fhmf 
it  alvrays  i^peared  to  me  in  seeing  the  hand  « 
God  so  veiy  oonspicoous  in  the  removal  of  the 
candlestidc.  M}*  dear  fHend,  for  such  vou  have 
been  manifested  to  me  when  I  was  in  tne  depths 
of^verty,  I  perceived  more  in  the  removu  h^f 
this  useful  instrumenti  then  I  dare  to  otter;  but 
he  is  gone  up  witli  a  shout  into  [Paradise,  with 
the  rest  of  the  flock.  I  arose  from  a  sick  bed, 
and  went  and  joined  in  mourning  and  Bobbing 
over  onr  dear  pastor,  as  it  was  the  last  mark  of 
respect  I  should  ever  pay  him.  The  account  of 
his  death  you  will  read  in  the  Standard. 


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287 


But  now  eomes  tbe  tnzniiig  point  with  ue.  Will 
Ood  raise  up  another  out  or  his  ashes  ?  Ae  soon 
as  I  heard  of  his  dtath,  the  poet's  words  dropped 
upon  my  mindt^* 

«*Ab  one  Mijah  dies, 

True  piophet  of  the  Lord, 
May  some  BUsha  rise 
And  preach  the  Ggspel  word." 
We  really  do  stand  in  need  of  a  pastor,  one  allter 
God's  own  heart.    There  is  a  large  field  here  for 
one  to  labor  in.  if  the  Lord  will  send  him.    The 
town  and  the  villages  around  abound  with  back- 
sliders,  <A6  and  foolish  kings,  some  dinging  to 
the  law  for  lifiSf^some  are  stuck  fast;  some  caii*t 
tell  where  they  are,  or  what  ground  they  are  <m, 
and  other  sheep  not  yet  brought  into  the  fold,  I 
hope. 

A  new  minister,  you  know,  often  is  tbe  cause  of 
great  alterations  as  he  enters  into  the  labours  of 
his  predeoeasor ;  he  not  only  does  the  same  kind 
of  labour,  but  he  has  to  turn  his  hand  to  other 
work  in  addition.  It  is  written,  **He  that 
winneth  souls  is  wise."  "  Water  ye  the  sheep." 
The  Church  of  Ood  often  calls  out  to  a  minister 
to  oome  over  into  Macedonia  and  help  them.  O 
that  I  oould  perceive  the  hand  of  the  Lord  raising 
up  a  truthful  shepherd  amcmostus,  one  of  his  own 
qualifying ;  fidtlifol,  yet  loving,  one  after  Gtod's 
own  heart,  that  has  home  the  burden  and  heat  of 
a  sweet  and  bitter  experience.  Come  over,  firiend, 
into  Macedonia,  and  preach  salvation  by  grace  to 
us  perishing  sinners.  We  greatly  need  such,  for 
it  has  been  a  very  dry  barren  time  with  us.  **  I 
have  planted,"  said  the  late  Mr.  Tiptatt.  Come 
over  ApoIIos,  and  water  us  with  the  consolations 
of  the  cross.  Never  mind  his  honest  dealings,  so 
long  as  he  wounds  and  and  heals,  kills  and  makes 
alive,  strips  and  dothes,  and  gathers  up  the  stum- 
bling blocks  out  of  the  way.  Is  he  a  fool  in  his 
own  esteem  P  Is  he  a  poor  man!  Is  he  a  tempted 
man!  Is  he  fired  with  zeal  ?  Is  he  an  outcast  ? 
Is  he  boiwinf  with  soul  tntvail  f  Has  he  got  his 
commission  m  his  hand  ?  Is  he  single-eyed,  de- 
cided, firm,  daring,  full  of  experience,  la^n  with 
fruits  for  us?  Has  he  been  suffering  bodily,  as 
well  as  soul  aiUction?  Has  he  got  the  will  of 
God  in  his  heart  ?  Do  his  bowels  yearn  to- 
wards nsf  Is  he  oftea  enquiring  of  God?  Doth 
he  feel  all  on  the  stxetch  after  us  ?  If  so  he  is 
coming  over  to  Macedonia  to  hdp  us.  From  the 
Inmost  recesses  of  xny  soul,  my  dear  firiend,  I  can 
say  to  such  a  man,  Come,  and  I  will  hail  thee  with 
a  Mperabounding  welcome.  If  this  should  meet 
the  eye  of  snc&  a  blessed  man,  let  bim  come  and 
plant  his  standard  in  the  Abingdon  abbey,  says  a 
poor  outcast  who  is  unknovrn,  yet  well  known  to 
friend  Banks. 

BSOSSIiT.  —  Sabbath  School  Jubilee, 
This  adiool  having  existed  fifty  years,  its  teachers 
and  friends  resolved  to  celebrate  its  jubilee  on 
the  25th  of  July,  which  they  did,  in  the  following 
manner.  Upwards  of  three  hundred  persons  sat 
down  to  tea  after  the  children  had  been  plentifully 
regsled.  Many  present  had  been  scholars  in  the 
scEool,  and  some  of  them  had  oome  from  various 
parts  of  our  own  and  adjoining  counties  to  meet 
those  who  had  sought  their  good  in  their  child- 
hood, and  to  encouragethose  who  are  still  employed 
in  the  benevolent  work.  Tbe  Jewish  jubilee  was 
a  joyful  time,  when  liberty  was  i»t>daimed 
thnwigb  aU  the  land  unto  all  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  when  every  man  returned  to  his  possession 
and  every  man  unto  his  family ;  Lev.  xxv.  Some 
Budi  joy  was  ours ;  we  met  some  we  had  not  seen 
for  years,  all  wearing  smiling  countenances, 
pleased  at  asKmbling  under  the  old  roof,  and  re- 
ferring to  scenes  of  former  days.  Every  possible 
provision  had  been  made  by  the  committee  for 
the  comfort  of  visitors,  and  the  young  people  had 
beeo  at  immense  trouUe  todeoorate  the  walls  with 
flowers  and  evergreens  wrought  into  tasteful 
festoons  and  mottos.  The  choir  also  had  prepared 
GOttoords  of  sweet  sounds  to  delight  the  ear 


and  express  gratitude  to  Him  from  whom  all  bles- 
sings flow.  All  resolved  to  please  and  be  pleased, 
and  the  resolution  was  fully  carried  out,  for 
tiiere  was  not  a  discontented  visage  to  be  seen,  or 
a  complainm^  tone  heard .  Our  School  had  much 
to  contend  with  in  its  infan<^,  for  there  were  per- 
sons, themselves  not  over-taught,  who  were  mnd 
of  repeatiujg  the  poet's  stupid  line,  •'  A  Kttle 
knowledge  is  a  dangerous  thing,"  applying  it  es- 
pecially to  the  children  of  the  pour,  who  might 
by  a  little  knowledge  vie  with  their  superioi^ 
and  oblige  their  masters  and  mistresses  to  be 
careful  of  their  corresi>ondence,  lest  by  laying 
the  same  about,  their  servants  should  read  tbe 
same.  And  tiiere  were  good  old  Christians  fond 
of  peace  and  quietness  who  were  alarmed  at  the 
thought  of  baring  a  crowd  of  young  wilfuls  filling 
up  the  free  seats  and  hindering  toe  devotions  wt 
their  seniors.  But  the  objections  of  pride  and  of 
piety  were  alike  disregarded,  probably  the  object- 
ors are  dead,  but  the  school  still  lives.  Our  jub- 
ilee meeting  proved  the  wisdom  of  tiiose  who 
originated  and  of  those  who  have  helped  the  cause. 
After  tea,  Mr.  Jolm  Burnet  (ti^asurer  of  the 
school)  wa?  voted  to  the  cliair,  on  taking  which 
he  made  a  few  pertinent  remarks  respecting  the 
school,  and  the  benefit  it  Iiad  been  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  to  himself  who  in  his  boyhood 
was  a  sdioku'  of  it.  He  then  called  on  Sev.  T. 
Jones,  of  BUckheath,  to  implore  the  Lord's 
blessing,  which  was  done  in  a  very  earnest  man- 
ner. Mr.  Whatmore^  of  Bridgnorth,  a  deacon  of 
the  churdi,  was  called  up  by  the  chairman ,  and 
he  spoke  on  Uie  progress  he  had  loved  to  behold, 
of  the  intelligence  he  found  in  Sunday  School 
children,  which  he  attributed  to  the  abundant 
means  provided  in  these  times  to  engage  and  en- 
lighten young  minds.  Mr.  Benjamin  Bnidley,  of 
Birmingham,  followed.  He  had  been  both  a 
scholar  and  a  teacher  in  the  sdiool.  Ue  spoke 
impressivdy  of  tbe  duty  of  Christians  to  educate 
the  young  in  Bible  knowledge,  and  said  it  came 
under  his  own  observation  that  papists  were  most 
industrious  in  teaching  children  with  the  view  of 
extending  their  anti-christiaji  faitli,  and  it  was 
not  creditable  to  those  who  had  better  ligbt  to  be 
outdone  by  tbe  propagators  of  error.  Mr.  James 
SmithfOf  Newcastle  uuderLyme,who  hsd  formerly 
been  a  scholar  next  addressed  the  meeti  ug,  he  madfe 
a  little  amusement  by  repeating  a  littie  dialogue 
between  himself  and  his  wife  in  the  real  brogue. 
She  had  seen  anoticeof  our  Jubilee  in  the  maga- 
zines, and  she  said,  "  Jim,  tnere's  a  littie  businesa 
going  on  down  atBroeely,  theest  better  gu  and 
see  what  they  bin  doing  ;*'^80  lie  was  come  and  was 

glad  to  aeo  his  old  friends  once  more  and  to  give 
is  testimony  to  the  value  of  Sabbath  schooliA* 
struotion.  After  leaving  the  school  he  got  fond 
of  company  and  company,  led  him  to  drink  to  the 
injury  of  body  and  soul,  but  ever  and  anon  the 
words  of  wisdom  he  had  heard  in  the  school  came 
with  cutting  force  to  his  mind,  and  when  he  waa 
within  a  hair's  breadth  of  eternity  God  was  gra- 
cious to  bring  him  to  a  right  mind  and  to  a  pur- 
pose,God  hel(>ing  him,not  to  transgress.  He  sought 
the  society  of  the  godly,  renounced  the  intoxicat- 
ii:g  cup,  and  waa  now  happy  and  prosperous  in  • 
every  sense  of  the  word.  He  strongly  advised  those 
who  had  not  self-command  to  keep  dear  of  excess 
to  become  total  abstainers,  that  being  their  only 
security  against  tbe  evils  of  ebriety.  The  Bev. 
Timothy  baugh,  of  Shrewsbuiy.  gave  us  an  elo* 
queut  speech,  dwelling  mainly  on  the  glorious  iub- 
iteeappcinted  to  G-od'schurob,  when  liberty  shall 
be  complete  and  bondage  be  known  no  more.  He 
was  followed  by  Mr.  W.  Evans,  the  respected 
superintendent  of  the  school  for  a  number  of 
years.  After  expressing  his  pieasuro  at  seeing 
so  many  friends  and  old  scholars  together,  he  gave 
some  of  his  experience  in  teaching,  and  said  he 
always  endeavoured  to  work  on  the  principle 
that  the  great  end  of  all  tesohing  is  to  make  wise 
unto  salvation  through  taitii  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  We  cannot  g.ve  the  faith,  no  more  can 
ministers,  no  more.could  the  apoaties,  we  can  only 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


Oct.  1,  ISdI. 


80\r  the  seed  and  pray  for  the  growth.  He  said 
their  aim  had  been  to  teach  the  children  to  think, 
rather  than  to  forestall  a  riper  judgment  by 
pledging  them  to  our  particular  form  of  faith, 
precions  as  it  Is  to  ourselves,  and  we  have  with 
us  this  eveninff  old  scholars  who  are  walking  in 
different  reliinous  communions  but  all  ready  to 
acknowledge  that  they  learnt  here  the  first  princi- 
ples of  the  orades  of  God.  The  Kav.  J.  Jonee 
was  the  last  speaker.  He  had  been  connected 
with  the  s:>hooI  more  or  less  from  its  commence* 
ment.  He  said  he  was  glad  to  see  Mr.  Burnet  in 
the  chair,  for  if  it  was  an  honour  lo  preside  at 
that  meeting,  and  he  thought  it  was,  it  was  due  to 
the  representative  of  a  family  that  had  done  so 
much  for  the  school.  The  chairman's  father  was 
one  of  its  first  teachers,  and  never  had  the  staflT 
been  without  one  or  more  of  the  line.  Briefly 
and  solemuly  he  told  of  the  early  history  of  the 
school,  the  impediments  teachers  had  to  o\'ercome 
and  the  rewards  they  bad  reaped.  Thanks  were 
voted  to  the  chairman,  the  committee,  and  the 
choir,  and  the  meeting  closed  with  prayer,  and 
with  happy  feelings  the  assembly  broke  up. 

OXE  THAT  WAS  THSBX. 

BROlCIaBT-BY-BO W  —  A  new  Church 
was  formed  on  Tuesday,  Sep.  6th,  1864,  in  Jireh 
Chapel,  Willis  street,  St.  Leonard's  road,  on  New 
Testament  principles.  C.  W.  Banks  preached  in 
the  afternoon  from  Paul's  words,  *'  Ood  is  not 
the  Author  of  confusion,  but  of  peace,  as  in  all 
churches  of  the  saints."  The  sexinon  is  to  be 
published.  The  place  was  crowded  to  tea ;  and  at 
the  evening  meeong,  the  people  could  not  get  in. 
The  foUomng  reply  was  given  to  Charles  Waters 
Banks,  who  asked  for  the  evidence  and  proof  that 
the  Lord  had  led  them  to  take  this  course. 

Mt  scab  CRBuriAK  Fbiskss,— I  trust  the 
statement  to  be  read  will  clearly  shew  that  the 
Lord  has  been  with  us  in  all  our  movemenU  with 
ngaxd  to  this  place.  And  we  rejoice  to  say  it  is 
to  Him  and  Him  alone  we  look  for  all  that 
•trengUi,  wisdom,  and  deliverance  we  so  much 
need  under  the  trials,  temptations,  fighting,  and 
disappointihentswe  expeet  to  meet  with  m  our 

In'  the  autumn  of  1868,  a  few  of  the  dear  peo- 
ple of  God,  with  myself,  drew  together,  and  la- 
mented we  could  not  hear  any  in  the  neighbour- 
hood to  profit.  We  were  eight  in  number,  and  we 
all  thought  It  was  because  the  Lord  Intended  we 
ahould  open  some  place  for  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel,  where  it  might  be  much  needed.  Upon 
this  we  agreed  to  meet  together  on  Wednesday 
eveninga,  to  pour  out  our  hearts  to  God  for  His 
gvadotts  and  wise  direction  in  so  important  a 
matter.  We  continued  to  do  so  until  a  fortnight 
befbre  Christmas,  when  one  of  our  sisters  was 
anddenly  impressed  (while  walking  along  the 
street)  to  oome  and  enquire  whether  this  place 
waa  to  let.  She  wondered  how  it  was  that  her 
mind  shonld  be  so  impressed,  knowing  that  we 
had  just  been  informed  that  the  place  was  occu- 
pied ;  her  Impression  was  so  strong,  however,  that 
ehe  could  not  resist  it :  aeoordingly,  she  enquire<L 
and  to  her  great  surprise  found  it  was  unoccupied 
oa  Sundays,  and  although  two  other  parties  had 
applied  for  it,  the  proprietor  prelbrred  letting  it 
CO  ua.  Thia  ooourred  on  Thunday ;  and  as  I  have 
held  a  prayer  meeting  at  my  house  for  the  last 
aeven  years  on  Friday  evenings,  the  friends  met 
on  the  next  evening  for  prayer,  when  what  had 
ooonrred  was  laid  before  tbem,  after  which  we 
laid  the  matter  before  the  Lord.  At  the  oonclu- 
flion  of  this  service,  we,  with  two  other  friends, 
were  unanimous  that  the  place  should  be  taken. 
We  took  it,  to  be  occupied  by  us  on  Snndajrs. 
The  first  Sunday  services  were  but  thinly^tended, 
but  we  trust  tne  Lord  was  there :  at  the  dose  of 
the  day  we  fislt  oonvinced  we  had  taken  the  right 
ctep.  At  request.  I  preached  in  the  mornings,  and 
an  aged  brother  in  the  evening,  who,  through  ill- 
ness, was  Areqnently  assisted  by  Itis  nephew— a 


dear  brother  much  respected  In  the  truth^_^  Soon 
after  this,  two  of  our  number  were  removea,ana 
a  third  left  without  assigning  ft^«»»<»  ^VJ? 
doing.  The  general  attendance  at  this  fame  was 
smsjfl.  yet  wefelt  it  ffood  to  be  there;  *>««.  ^"fj: 
ever,  felt  discouraged,  and  thought  that  we^onld 
dose  the  place.  At  this  time  a  veiy  painful  or- 
cumstancS occurred, which  Satan nuMtf or  cvfl. 
but  which  worked  lor  onr  good.  A  ceitiitt  dass 
of  persons  got  possession  of  the  place  on  the  aft«> 
noon  of  the  Sabbath,  to  practise  spint-rappmg. 
I  went  one  Lord's-day  afternoon  to  seefor  myselt 
if  it  were  true  what  we  had  heaid.  ,Thiy«»f* 
our  friends  who  were  previously  inclined  to  give 
up  the  place,  at  once  to  do  so.  1  juraa  now  rtnjoet 
left  alone.  At  this  time,  onr  brother  Stuley, 
who,  prior  to  this,  had  paid  us  a  visit  a  few  times 
and  encouraged  us,  came  forward  nobly,  knowing 
how  I  was  situated,  seeing  that  my  «f>«4«» 
would  only  allow  me  to  be  present  part  of  gie 
Sabbath.  I  say  just  at  this  ttme  Mj- .Stanly 
came  forward.  A  friend  in  need  l8afri«d  ta- 
deed;  and  just  such  an  onehasbrothw  Stanley 
proved  hiniielf.  Ididspeak  to  theproonetorof 
the  place  of  what  I  had  seen  in  the  afternoon, 
and  gave  him  my  thoughts  UP<»^**»«  ""??: 
The  consequence  was,  that  he  went  to  the  ^^Int 
rappers,  and  stated  to  them  what  I  had  rtated 
to  him,  and  from  that  time  their  numbers  began 
to  decrease,  and  in  a  short  time  they  left  the 
place.  During  this  time,  our  friends  who  were 
removed,  were,  by  the  good  hand  of  prondenoe, 
brought  beck  again.  Our  numbers  incnsMed  also, 
and  rome  declared  that  the  blewing  ^  ©od  was 
felt  by  them  in  hearing  the  word ;  and  we  Mtit 
to  be  good  to  preach  to  the  people :  we  expwienoed 
mnch  liberty,  and  our  souls  were  btessed  in  the 
delivery  of  "the  word  of  life.  We  also  took  the 
place  for  afternoons ;  and  three  or  four  who  bad 
left  attended  occasionally,  and  kindly  oontinaed 
to  contribute  to  the  cause.  From  tlus  time  the 
Lord  has  evidently  blessed  our  labours,  and  there 
is  reason  to  believe  there  is  a  spirit  of  love  ai^an 
union  of  feeling  among  thepeoijle.  More  than 
once  it  was  suggested  by  our  friends  that  they 
had  a  great  desire  for  a  Church  to  be  fotmed.  It 
at  once  became  a  questlcn:  and  those  who  tms 
night  are  tobe bound togetheraChristian  Chureh 
were  all  of  one  mind,  IVe  made  it  a  matter  of 
preyer;  and  we  beUeve  this  st^  to  be  of  the 
Lord,  and  trust  He  will  continue  to  bless  us,  and 
increase  ua  with  suoh  as  shall  be  eternally 
saved.  Incondusion,  we  sincerely  thank  brother 


Palmer,  for  the  kind  help  i ;-- —,    i.;, 

have  received  ever  since  we  have  been  in  th!a 
place,  and  our  brother  Banks,  and  other  kind 
friends  who  have  oome  to  enoonrage  us.  The 
Lord  unite  our  hearts  together,  and  may  we 
prove  a  bleasmg  to  you  and  you  to  u%  for  ChnsI  a 
sake.    Amen. 

The  above  statement  being  read,  G.  W.  B^ks 
asked  brethren  present  to  express  their  satiafiu}- 
tion  or  otherwise,  of  its  contents.  Hr.  WiUfam 
Palmer,  Mr.  Stanley,  Ac,  highly  approved,  and 
recognised  the  Lord's  hand  In  the  movement. 
The  church  was  formed,  the  Lord's  Supper  ad- 
ministered, kind  counsel  and  preyeni  were 
O  flared,  and  a  deeply  sacred  meeting  closed  with 
greteful  emotions. 


STBPNEY.— BAPTX8T 

LBT  STRBKT.~On  Monday, 

public  meeting  took  place. 

Tells 


Chapel,   WsxaU- 
On  Monday,  18th  de|^.,  a  tea  and 


Mr.  James  Well  ^ 
goodly  number  of^ 


In  the  afternoon. 


preached  Arom  Joel  ii.  18,  to  a 
. . (ffriends ;  and  all  who  were  pre- 
sent and  tanght  by  the  one  blessed  and  gloiious 
Spirit  oould  say  it  waa  good  and  proftfeaMe  to  be 
there.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  took 
tea ;  and  to  say  the  least,  the  fHenda  looked  com- 
fortable and  liappy.  At  a  quarter  to  seven  o'clock, 
most  af  the  minbters  who  had  engaged  to  tske 
psrt  in  the  evening  service  were  present.  Mr. 
Stringer  (the  pastor)  presided;  and  opened  the 
service  by  singing  one  of  his  original  and  heart- 


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touching  bymni;  after  which,  ICr.  Hayaman  im- 
plored the  divine  proatnoe  and  bleanng.  The 
pastor  then  velatea  tome  of  the  ciroumatanoee 
oonneoted  with  hia  ministerial  career  in  the  lead- 
ing of  God*8  providence^  from  hie  commencement 
of  the  pMtonte  of  the  church  at  Snow's  Fields, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  accepting  the  unanimous 
invitation  of  this  church  to  become  their  pastor, 
and  gave  ua  to  understand  that  he  had  not  been 
entirely  without  a  crook  in  his  lot,— nevertheless, 
God,  under  whose  banner  he  had  tor  many  years 
listed,  and  whom  he  had  served,  and  hoped  to 
serve  fiiithfully  in  declaring  his  truth,  had  in  the 
dispensations  of  His  mercy  in  providence  and 
laoe  preaerved  and  upheld  Uim  tall  now ;  blessed 
the  nameof  the  Lord  for  it. 

**  Sot  will  he  shun  to  own  his  Lord, 

Or  to  defend  His  cause, 
ICaitttain  the  honours  of  His  name, 

The  glories  of  His  cross." 
Ifr.  Niobols,  (editor  of  ZianU  TirumpetJ  then  ad. 
dressed  the  meeting  with  much  waxmth  of  feel 


S,' 


ing  towaid  brother  Stringer,  with  whom  he  had 
been  intimately  acquainted  for  many  years,  and 
often  having  had  sweet  counsel  together,  desired 
much  his  prosperity  in  the  Lord's  cause  and 
church ;  over  which,  by  the  will  of  his  divine  Mas^ 
ter,  he  wae  now  olaced.— 'ICr.  Webster  followed  in 
a  kind  and  neighbourly  manner,  and  his  senti- 
ments rsjoieed  our  hearto  to  hear  that  he  indulged 
in  the  same  belief  that  we  at  Wellesley  streetchi4>el 
had  long  cherished,  viz.,  that  there  were  souls 


named  **  Bethel,"  and  that  each  minister  had  his 
own  work  to  do ;  and  the  writer  would  venture  to 
say,  that  the  two  churches  would  not  do  amiss 
by  taking  ahintfrom  the followinff  favourite,  with 
its  variauons^  at  the  meeting  of  the  contrabands, 
in  the  vidnity  of  New  Orleana,  viz.  :— 

**If  yoo  want  to  make  old  Satan  run. 
Oh,  iea  git  out  de  Ooapel  gun ; 
Oh,  play  on  de  golden  harp." 
jUid  whilst  ministers  preach  redemption  by  the 
atoning  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  the  church  sing 
of  never  dying  love,  Satan  will  not  do  much  harm 
in  the  churches.— Mr.  G.  Webb,  in  addressing 
the  meeting,  expressed  hlsgratifloatlon  in  meeting 
with  some  of  his  old  friends  with  whom  he  for- 
merly associated,  and  was  much  pleased  to  wit- 
ness such  a  goodly  gathering  of  frloids  on  tlie 
occaaion,  ana  the  indication  of  the  pastor's  and 
church's  prosperity <— Mr.  Palmer,  (of  Plaistow,) 
then  gave  us  Quite  an  original  and  lively  address ; 
we  admixed  nls  candid  and  honest  confession  as 
to  how  he  was  thwarted  on  one  occasion  In  having 
attempted  to  follow  another  minister's  line  of 
things;  or  to  build  upon  another  man's  founda- 
tion ;  or  in  manufkcturing  a  sermon  from  mate- 
rials not  his  own;  or  in  equipping  hfmself  with 
armour  which  he  had  not  proved ;  but  not  aa 
David  when  he  went  forth  to  battle  againat  the 
uncirenmeised  Philistine,  how  dilierently  he 
thought  when  he  refused  to  put  on  another  man's 
armour,  when  ottered,  beniuse  he  had  not  proved 
them ;  but  rather  chose  a  small  pebble  fkom  the 
brook,  and  a  sling;  which  more  plainly  ahows 
us  that  the  viet^  waa  the  victory  of  David's 
God,  in  whom  David  tnisted,  and  who  had  pre- 
viously detivered  him  from  the  laws  of  Che  lion 
and  the  bear.  Ko  donbt  Mr.  PAmer,  and  many 
other  yoong  ministers^  if  they  -had  heard  him 
would  havebeen  taught  mote  by  his  lesson,  than 
tbej  would  ha«e  been  taught  in  college  for  years. 
Our  beat  thanks  to  brother  Pfelmer,  for  his 
thoughts,  good  deaizea,  and  watdifkdneaa  concern- 


ing m  aa  a  ehnrch,  and  that  he  aaid  he  looked  upon 
it  and  beliewd  that  it  waa  In  answer  to  the  many 
wwymn  that  the  Lord  bttd  directed  Mr.  Stringer 
to  eome  andmeikie  over  na;  and  we,  also,  Ael 
bound  to  beliefe  it  to  be  ao;  nor  for  this  we  hope 
aei  to  he  nnmlndAil  of  oneof  Mr.  Ohivers' leasona, 
ifaL,  that  he  beliewd  the  best  aanrer  to  prayer 


was  to  be  >ept  praying.  That  aaying  rather 
startled  aome  at  first  hearing;  nevertaelea^  it  is  a 
fact ;  for  what  avail  would  toe  anawer  be  to  a  man 
if  he  left  off  praying,  whilat  oontinually  auinlng, 
and  exposed  to  constant  attacks  by  tne  wickea 
one,  and  the  church  having  needa  daily  to  be 
aupplied  9  IXo,  rather  let  us  say  with  the  poet, 
"*  My  soul  shall  pray  for  Zion  still 
While  I  have  Uib  and  breath.*' 
Mr.  8.  Cozens  then  addressed  the  meeting  in  hi» 
usual  solemn,  graven  and  weighty  manner,  stating 
his  pleasure  in  seeing  brother  Stringer  placed  in 
Bethel  Chapel,  Wellesley  street.  Stepney ;  that 
they  had  known  each  other  many  yeara;  had 
lived,  walked,  talked,  prayed,  and  preached  to- 
gether;  and  he  believed  that  the  whole  truth 
would  Btill  be  hia  theme;  that  he  (Mr.  Strlngek') 
was  not  controlled,  nor  influenced  by  periocOttl 
(ublicationa,  but  wholly  adhered  to  the  law  and 
to  the  testimony ;  and  he  hoped  the  Lord  would 
bleas  pastor  and  people  with  an  abundance  ef 
peace  and  prosperity.— Mr.  Brunt  then  addressed 
the  friends  in  a  very  affectionate  and  brotherly 
manner,  on  the  necessity  of  brotherly  love,  fellow- 
shipu  and  union  among  us;  that  ne  had  heard 
Mr.  Stiinaer  to  his  own  comfort ;  and  that  minis- 
ters should  not  be  Jealous  of  each  other,  as  each 
had  hia  appointed  work  to  do ;  and  he  wished  the 
cause  well  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.— Mr.  Flory 
closed  with  prayer,  which  ended  a  very  happy, 
social,  spiritual,  edifying,  and  interestmg  meet- 
ing.   ToZion'sOodbeanthegloiy. 

B.  TnauYoro,  Deacon. 

S  T  O  X  B,  next  Guiu>70Sd,  Surrey— Mr. 
Baxks,— Sir  and  Dear  Brother  in  the  Lord  Jesus. 
I  have  often  thought  of  sending  yon  a  few  words 
respecting  the  Lord's  dealings  with  me,  but  have 
not  hitherto  done  so.  I  now  take  the  liberty  of 
sending  a  few  words  for  insertion  in  the  Ysssbl, 
being  recommended  to  do  so  by  several  iHends : 
and  reeling  that  justice  demands  the  same.  I 
have  spoken  every  other  Sabbath  day  to  the 

Churah  at  R ,  for  four  and  a*half  years.    The 

other  minbter  having  left  them  of  his  own  accord, 
three  or  four  of  the  members  of  the  Church  took 
upon  themselves,  without  consulting  the  others, 
to  have  it  given  out  on  the  foUowlngSunday,  that 
I  waa  not  to  apeak  there  again.     The  membera 


and  heaxera,  togatlier  with  nu'aelf,  were  greatly 
astonished  on  hiring  this.  I  saw  the  cteacons 
and  asked  them  what  waa  the  matter,  when  they 


replied,  they  were  going  to  have  aupplles  for  a 
time.  I  then  naked  them  if  I  had  done  any- 
thing wrong,  or  if  I  had  spoken  anything  con- 
trary to  the  truth,  when  they  Htid  I  had  not. 
Now,  aeeing  it  had  become  a  anbjeot  of  public 
oonversation,  and  that  people  were  likely  to  con- 
strue it  into  something  wrong  on  my  part,  I 
thought  I  would  give  the  pubho  an  opportunity 
of  Judging  for  themselves,  whether  what  has 
been  done  nas  been  done  **  decently  and  in  order," 
and  Judge  ye,  ye  valiant  men  of  Israel,  whether 
It  is  in  aocotdanoe  with  the  holy  word  of  God.  Or, 
leaving  godliness  out  of  the  question,  is  it  a  just 
action  between  man  and  man  ?  At  all  events,  it  is 
quite  contrary  to  the  teaching  I  received  at  the 
school  of  Christ,  when  worshipping  at  Horsell 
Common.  And  I  believe  also  contrary  to  the 
word  of  God.  the  example  of  the  Great  Head  of 
ZIon,  and  of  the  holy  brethren :  when  Paul  parted 
from  them  (fliey  all  prayed  together,  and  Jclsaed 
each  other,  and  the  Lord  wenimth  Pftul  toBome. 
Holy  brethren,  if  any  of  you  think  the  treatment 
right,  aay  ao.  And  by  ao  doing  you  will  oblige 
ooeu  who  lathe  least  or  all  saints,  yet  not  ashamed 
of  tiie  Gospel  of  Christ,  having  proved  it  to  be  the 
power  of  <}od  to  the  salvation  of  my  soul  again 
and  again.  I  am  open  and  free  to  preach  aooording 
to  the  aMlitlea  God  haa  given  me  to  any  people 
within  reaeh.  I  have  been  preaching  the  aame 
Goapel  about  nine  yeara,  and  my  fsenle  labonra 
have  been  instrumentid  in  Bringing  aome 
out  of  the  kingdom  of  Satan  Into-MMcnrerhMthig 


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THS  3EABTH1N  VESSEL. 


Oct.l,  UH. 


kingdom  of  Chriit;  some  bare  fallen,  asleep, 
leanoff  behind  them  a  good  testimony ;  others 
have  Men  established.  But  this  seems  tome  a 
new  thing,  and  like  **  plucking  out  right  eyea,"  or 
"cutting  off  right  arms,"  seeins  that  three  paits 
of  both  members  and  hearers  lored  me  and  the 
Gospel  I  preached.  I  send  this,  sir,  in  a  good 
spirit,  praying  that  God  may  make  straight  the 
tninffs  whieb  now  i^ipcar  so  crooked,  both  to  the 
people  and  myself.  I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  in  the 
^th,  James  Daws. 

10.  Stoke  Fields, 
Kext  Guildford,  Surrey. 

Trm&IDE   WELLS. 

BXHOBOTH     BAPTIST    CHAPSL. 

Mb.  Editor,— Feelina;  assured  that  the  majority 
of  the  readers  of  the  ybssel  take  a  loving  and 
lively  interest  in  whatever  relates  to  the  interests 
ot  Cnriffb  kingdom  on  earth,  we  cheerfully  send 

£m  a  few  lines  descriptive  of  the  Lord's  doinss 
our  midst  And  this  we  do  the  more  readily 
because  we  believe  that  a  faithful  report  of  the 
state  of  the  Baptist  churches  generally  is  neosssar- 
ily  attended  with  beneftdal  results.  If  members 
of  ehurohes  had  no  other  means  of  ascertaining 
what  is  doing  in  their  own  denominatloa  than 
what  the  SUmdard  and  some  other  magaaines 
afford,  tliey  would  have  to  mmain  in  lamentable 
ignorance  of  the  "  sijgtns  of  the  times,"  and  of  the 
pvospeets  of  God'a  moa^t  large.  Dark  clouds  of 
mysterious  providences  seem  to  be  settling  down 
upon  us;  and  who  knows  what  the  end  shall  be? 
Tour  Vessel  is  freighted  with  mournful  intel- 
ligence this  month,  loudly  proclaiming  the  neoes* 
sity  for  earnest  and  unceasing  prayer  to  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest,  to  send  forth  more  labourers  Into 
the  field.  O,  that  they  might  be  spiritually 
minded  men,  so  aa  to  understand  much  of  the 
rich  love  and  tender  sympathy  that  is  in  Christ's 
heart  towards  His  suiiering  membera  upon  the 
earth.  Surely  the  removal  by  death  of  so  manv 
of  the  Lord's  ministering  ser\'anta  from  the  church 
militant,  is  an  irreflnigaole  evidence  that  the  Lord 
has  a  controversy  with  Zion.     This  month  we 

Sratefully  inform  our  readers  that  on  Lord'a-day, 
ugust  wth,  our  hearts  were  again  cheered  by 
listening  to  and  beholding  of  tlie  oonfession  of 
faith  made  by  three  sisters  m  the  L<»d,  who  were 
baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
8on,ai^d  of  the  Holv  GbosL  The  presence  of 
our  God  wss  e^joyea  in  an  especial  manner  by 
the  candidates;  wlio,  like  the  Bunuch,  went  on 
their  way  rejoicing.  Other  dear  disdples,  who 
witnessed  the  scenes  were  atetUj  moved  in  their 
hearts,  and  oonfeased  to  tne  fervent  longings  of 
their  souls  to  imitate  the  example  of  Jesus ;  but 
were  mourning  because  they  felt  too  unworthy 
for  so  solemna  step.  One  dear  sister  had  been  a 
believer  for  nearly  forty  yearsi  and  had  often  felt 
a  desire  to  confess  the  Lord  Jesus  by  beina  bep* 
tised ;  but  could  not  see  her  way  clear  to  do  so, 
imtil  a  week  or  two  ago  she  witnessed  the  admin- 
istration of  the  Lord^  supper,  and  this  so  fired 
her  soul  and  energised  her  mind,  diat  she  could 
not  forbear  openly  ptoolaiming  her  love  to  Jesus 
by  obedience  to  His  commandments.  "  I  love 
them  that  love  tfe,"  saitb  the  Lord.  This  our 
■bter  realised  most  blessedly.  We  will  add  yet 
further  for  the  eneoungsment  of  any  dear  one 
that  may  be  struggling  hard  against  the  iears, 
tumults^  and  misgivinga  of  their  unbelieving 
.  hearts  that  thismdaister  wasaa  escceedingly  ner- 
vous person*  and  suflering  from  many  infirmities 
of  the  body,  insomuch  that  some  ot  her  friends 
looked  forward  to  the  tame  with  much  dread  and 
trembling;  yet,  strange  to  tell*  she  passed  through 
the  ordinance  without  the  alighteet  twpidation. 

DXPTFOBD.— Ziov  Cbapxl,  Hsw  Obom 
B0Ai>.  Ob  Wednesday,  the  81st  ult^the  onite- 
-    »  of  Beliefer's  Baptism  was  adminiatOTsdi  in 


the  above  plaee  of  wonhjaw   Mr.  And 
ptiii,  delivered  an  able  ^aoooiw  «a 


iv.8»)<«Whatsaith  the  scripture  f"  Basp<Aeof 
the  infifdlible  giiide  the  Christian  has  in  the 
Word  of  Truth ;  and  appealed  to  that  word  to 
approve  of  that  which  he  was  about  to  peffwm. 
He  spoke  upon,  1.  The  mode  in  which  this  ord- 
inance was  to  be  administered,  by  immersioa  or 
dipping.  S.  The  subject  who  is  to  rsoelve  it. 
Keither  age,  sex,  oondilioB,  c»  country  is  men- 
tioned, nith,  the  one  pre-requisite  to  baptifln. 
If  thou  believest  with  all  thine  heart  that  JeesM  is 
the  Bon  of  God,  thou  mayest  be  baptixed.  S.  The 
desijsn.  It  sets  forth  the  baptism  of  Chriet,  with 
sufl&ing,  sorrow,  and  death,  and  His  feemieoHou 
to  glory.  By  Italfllling  thia  ordinance,  the  be- 
liever proclaims  to  the  world,  that  he  iadead  to 
the^world  and  has  been  madealive  unto  Christ. 
It  is  a  beautifVil  illustmtion  of  divine  graoe.  as  the 
Church  Catechism  says.  **  It  is  an  outward  and 
visible  sign  of  an  inward  and  spiritual  arace." 
Those  who  are  dead  to  sin  should  be  also  ouried 
to  sin,  that  they  may  rise  to  newness  of  life  in 
Christ  Jeans.  As  it  la  an  awful  thing  to  bury  one 
alive  naturally,  so  is  it  aa  awful  thing  to  bury  one 
to  sin  who  is  alive  in  dn.  As  the  water  eleaaees 
the  body  naturally  so  it  is  used  to  typify  the 
cleansdng  of  the  soul  by  the  applioatioa  of  the 
blood  or  Jeans.  4.  It  was  given  aa  a  teat  of 
obedience.  **  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  eoaamaad- 
menta."  Christ  naa  been  pleased  to  plaee  this 
pool  before  the  door  of  His  visible  cbeoPiA  and 
all  who  wooldeater  therein  mnst  pasa  thiongh 
it.  Itisnot  an  ordinanee  of  many, to  be  used  or 
not  used  aeoording  to  the  will  of  the  ereatnie : 
our  blessed  Bedeemev  passed  thro'  it  and  we 
would  welkin  Hislootalepa.  Mr.  Anderson  then 
descended  from  the  pulptK  and  in  the  name  of 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  One  Triune  Jehovah, 
baptised  two  males,  soul  two  femalaB,  who  had 
made  a  profession  of  feith  in  Jesoa  Chriati  the 
Son  of  God.  May  the  Lord  abuadantly  bleas 
the  labors  of  Mr.  Andemon,  at  Deptferd,  and  add 
to  the  church  daily  such  as  shall  be  saved.— A. 

OPBKING  or  ITBW  SCHOOL  BOOMS. 

These  school  rooms,  in  connexion  with  Zion 
Chapel,  Kew  Cross  road,  wete  opened  on  the  SSrd 
ult,  and  notwithstanding  the  unfavourable  state 
of  tlie  weather,  were  crowded  at  tea  with  friends 
to  the  cause.  The  rooms  were  decorated  with 
growing  plants,  kindly  lent  by  a  gentleman  in 
the  neighbourhood,  stands  of  cut  lowers,  and 
banners.  After  tea,  a  poblio  meeting  was  held  in 
the  chapel,  predded  over  by  Thos.  Pooock,  Esq., 
when  sddrnses  were  dehvered  by  T.  W.  Whit- 
taker,  J.  Mote,  H.  Cooper,  J.  Carr.and  T.  PQlow, 
Esns.  An  appeal  was  made  to  the  fnends  present  to 
assist  in  removing  the  debt  upon  the  school  rooms 
of  jSIM,  which  resulted  in  promises  and  money  to 
£105  9s.  4d.  It  was  stated  that  further  mvnisee 
and  donations  were  ezpeeted,  so  that  the  whole 
of  the  debt  would  be  removed  in  twelve  months. 

, —  DXAB   Mb. 

BncTOB,*A  brief  aoooont  of  the  progress  o#  the 
cause  ot  truth  hs  Bimintree:  On  the  Wh  FA., 
M68,  bsothev*  Bartholomew,  of  Mendleaham,  and 
Sevan,  of  Halatead,  formed  a  Uttle  dmrch  con- 
sisting of  five  mcnbers;  deaecoa  wereehoMn^aad 
aroom  lieenaedfor  pfeaeUnff ;  they  wwreaupptted 
on  Lord'»<layB  by  brothers  .nehennanyof  Maiden, 
French,  of  Markes-tey,  and  other  ndniaters^ 
BvantMlly  the  Lord  seat  brother  Smith,  of  Hal- 
stsad,  who  paeaohcd  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
Ood  with  acoepla»o&  ftom  mnt  Ai^nst,  ISM, 
tober,  lltt,  dming  whioh  ttea  sew^ 
prkked  in  theirheaifa,  bapliacd,  and 
^theehureh.**  ]Minglii»woilcdane,he 
rerigned,  and  they  iavited  our  young  baotfaar. 
Qmane  Cook,  who  wtaa  thsn  Amemberof  thaold 
cbnioh  at  Olemsiord,  Soflblk,  (and  of  whioh  the 
hrte  Mr.  B.  Baanea  waa  theeatoeBMdaBd  feiihlU 
for  many  yiara^  Who  praaehad  with  yrcat 
I  fbr  thsie  nonthi^  when  ha  aenplBd  an 
imonalmrllBtaoQ  toth»a|^loi«le,waoBlhe 


tUl  October, 
to 


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Oct.  1,  I 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


291 


23rd  February,  1864,  he  was  formally  ordained, 
when  '^brothers  Bartholomew,  of  MeriGleslmm, 
Kemp,  of  Glemsford,  Kevan  and  Smith,  of  Hal- 
stead,  Beacock,  of  Yeldliam,  Debeuliam,  of 
Maldon,  and  Wheeler,  of  Hedingliam,  took  part 
in  the  services.  The  Lord  is  indeed  with  them, 
and  is  at  work  in  their  midst^  They  purchased  a 
piece  of  freehold  flrround  in  the  Albert  road,  and 
on  Aumist  16  the  foundation  stone  of  a  new  house 
for  God  was  laid  by  their  young  pastor ;  addresses 
were  given  bj*  brothers  Kemp,  of  Glemsford.and 
Wheeler,  of  Hediogham.  in  the  evening  Mr. 
Kemp  preached  an  excellent  sermon  from  Zech. 
iv.  0.  In  a  short  time  (D.V.)  our  much  esteemed 
and  beloved  brorher,  Mr.  J.  Bloomfleld,  of  Salem, 
is  exi)ected  to  open  the'ehapel,  which  will  b?  a 
neat  little  place,  and  scat  about  330.  That  our 
endeavour  may  meet  the  approbation  ot  heaven, 
the  place  be  consecrated  by  the  Divine  presence, 
the  cause  of  truth  prosper,  and  your  soul  greatly 
blessed,  is  the  prayer  of  your  humble  servant  for 
Christ's  sake^  A  TRxysujisu 

▲BTIIiI.£BT  STREET— Third  Aoniver- 
8ar\'  of  the  Baptist  chapel,  Artillery  lane, 
Bishopsgat^  took  place  on 
Mr.  James  Welia  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  a 
ffoodly  number  of  people  from  Szekiel  ix.  11, 
from  which  he  educed  some  truly  solemn  lessons. 
There  were  as  many  to  tea  as  couM  be  comfortably 
Acoommodated ;  and  at  half>past  siz,  the  ehapei 
was  full.  Mr.  Blake  presided,  and  at  his  call  Mr. 
Smith,  of  Oxford,  implored  the  presence  and 
blessing  of  the  Master  of  assemblies.  A  fler  si  n  g- 
ing  afew  verses,  the  subjects  for  the  evening  were 
announced  in  a  short  introduction  from  the  chair. 
It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  by  some  asso- 
ciation of  ideas  the  name  of  the  locality  suggested 
the  topics  in  the  programme^  for  they  were  all  of 
a  military  cast.  Mr.  Palmer,  of  Homerton,  had 
to  describe  the  Sword  of  the  Spirit;  Mr.  Crowther 
followed  with  a  meditation  on  the  ITamo  of  the 
Lord  as  a  Strong;  Tower ;  Mr.  Bloomfleld  gave 
his  thoughts  on,  Balration  doth  Qod  appoint  for 
Walls  and  Bqlwarks;  Mr.  T.  Jones  spoke  on  the 
Helmet  of  Salvation ;  Mr.  Oozens  on  the  Shield 
of  Faith ;  Ur.  Webster  on  the  Breastplate  of 
Righteousness;  and  brethren  Inward,  Brunt,  and 
Flock  filled  up  the  remainder  of  the  evening  on 
other  portions  of  the  Armour  of  Qod;  and  the 
meeting  was  closed  with  singing  and  prayer.  We 
■oaroely  ever  remember  to  have  seen  such  an 
array  of  ministers,  except  at  an  association.  There 
Wire  some  of  the  London  heralds,  and  several  from 
remote  country  stations,  beside  those  named  in 
the  plan  for  the  evening,  any  of  whom  would  no 
doubt  have  come  forward  to  minister  to  the  edifi- 
oaioo  of  the  assembly  had  there  been  a  failure 
of  either  of  the  appointed  We  dan  not  attempt 
even  an  outline  ol  the  several  adresses.  Each 
speaker  kept  well  to  his  subject  and  all  were  heard 
with  evident  satiafbction.  We  beard  many  say 
OB  going  out  that  they  never  had  a  more  profit- 
Able  season  of  the  kind,  and  such  was  our  own 
fueling. 

PBBAOHIN0  TOTTB— Mr.  Silverton,  of 
Ofaatteris,  has  again  visited  the  counties  of  North- 
ftmpton«  Bedford,  and  Huntingdon,  labouring 
sntongBt  the  people  of  Bamids,  Carlton,  Wood- 
ford, and  Aloonbory.  On.  Lord*8-day,  September 
nth,  three  sermona  were  preached  in  the  Baptist 
obapd,  Bamids,  it  being  the  anniversary  of  the 
■ehool:  the  oongrentlons  were  good.  Aitemoon 
and  evening  oolleeuons  were  imuSe;  the  people 
9BT«  nobly :  which  was  alike  pleasing  to  the 
lainfB  at  Rannds,  and  Mr.  Silverton.  On  Monday, 
Mr.  Silverton  went  to  that  place,  where  he  had 
labonred  vesy  nioeenftilly  for  nearly  five  years, 
preaching  on  Monday  evening  at  their  harvest 
thanksgiving  Baeettag^  retonmg  on  Tuesday  to 
Woodford,  where  Mr.  Sitverton  has  preached 
■everal  timea  daring  the  last  eighteen  months.  It 


was  a  great  struggle  between  the  two  contending 
parties  to  got  Mr.  Silverton  to  Woodford,  but  the 
Lord  ha»  blessed  his  labours  cveu  there  in  such  a 
waj',  that  the  oi>poT>iiig  party  are  couuH:ll<id  to 
admit  the  Lord  is  on  his  side.  May  it  be  seen  in 
after  days,  that  this  visit  was  not  in  vain.  On 
Wednesday  Mr.  S.  preached  afternoon  and  e%-en- 
ing  at  Alconbury;  there  he  was  rejoiced,  by 
hearing  of  one  who  had  been  brought  to  know 
and  feel  himself  lost  and  undone  by  iiis  rainistrj'. 
Some  four  years  ago  this  young  man  was  awakened 
and  led  to  ciy  for  mercj',  which,  through  the 
blood  of  an  all-precious  Jesus  lie  had  found. 
May  it  rejoice  the  hearts  of  the  saints  of  God  to 
know  the  good  work  is  going  on. 

WARE.—At  Zoar  Baptist  chapel,  \^are,  our 
anniversary-  senices  were  opened  by  brother  Sam- 
ford,  the  minister.  He  gaveout,  "Amazing  grace, 
how  sweet  the  sound."  After  singing,  brother 
Flack  i-ead  and  implored  God's  blessing  upon  the 
services.  Another  hymn,  then  brotlier  Flack  read 
1  Cor.  v.  8,  **Let  us  keepjthe  feast."  Herepeatetl 
the  whole  of  the  verse  to  show  the  feast  that 
should  be  kci^t,  and  the  feai>t  that  should  not  be 
kept.  The  feast  we  should  keep:  Christ,  our 
passover,  slain  for  us;  here  is  a  precious  feast, 
upon  a  precious  Christ,  by  precious  faith.  At 
most  feasts  there  is  rejoicing;  this  is  a  feoat  with 
rejoicing;  truly  it  was  a  delightful  time.  In  the 
afternoon  brother  Cozens  spoke  from  Psalm  cxvi. 
10,  •*  I  belie\e,  therefore  have  I  spoken ;"  he  spoke 
experimentally  of  things  he  did  believe ;  such 
things  as  many  of  the  Lord's  people  are  not 
strangers  to.  He  opened  up  the  whole  of  the 
Psalm,  and  man}*  thing^i  he  brought  forward  con- 
cerning Davitl's experience,  that  we  might  under- 
stand liis  expressions.  I  think  every  child  of 
God  may  find  his  own  portrait  In  tnc  Psalms. 
Brother  Bowles,  of  Hertford,  read  and  prayed  in 
the  evening,  and  brother  Cozens  took  the  same 
word,  for  ho  had  not  told  us  all  that  he  believed ; 
I  think  we  had  the  best  at  the  last.  Bless  the 
Lord  we  had  a  good  feast,  with  kind  and  cheerful 
friends.  Over  loO  sat  down  to  tea,  and  they  did 
rejoice.— [Friend  Robinson  has  our  thanks.  We 
pray  for  great  prosperity  and  peace  to  rest  upon 
the  brethren  Samfords,  and  the  flock  connected 
with  them.— £d.] 

FSI«THOBPS— We  have  just  holden  our 
harvest' home  tea  part}*.  The  decorations  were 
conducted  by  Miss  Woodrow,  Miss  Newman,  Miss 
Fenn,  and  were  very  chaste.  Nearly  100  per- 
sons partook  of  a  wefl  provided  tea.  T::e  speakers 
were  Messrs  Hoskin,  Dearl  (a  member  of  Cherry 
lane,  and  an  useful  speaker).  Field,  Bummer6ela, 
Popplewell,  aud  a  friend  of  Mr.  Hoskin's      The 


meeting  commenced  by  our  deacon.  Mr.  Palmer, 
giving  out  a  h^'mn,  imploring  a  Dlesamg,  and 
oflTering  praise  for  God's  goodness.     Mr.  Hoskins 


spoke  on  the  goodness,  and  greatness,  and  bountj' 
of  God  to  all,  but  to  His  church  in  Christ  Jesus 
particularly,  in  a  way  which  showed  him  to  be 
a  master  m  Israel.  Brother  Summerfleld,  a 
young  man,  followed  on  the  faithfulness  of  God 
to  his  covenant.  Brother  Dearl  exhorted  to 
uni^  of  spirit,  aud  affection  to  the  minister.  Mr. 
Flela  gave  us  some  sweet  morsels,  shewing  the 
difference  between  cIu&flTand  wheat,  l^Ir.  Popple- 
well in  a  nice  maiden  speech,  dwelt  on  the  union, 
affection,  and  liberality  in  a  persuasive  way.  The 
doxology  was  sung,  the  benediction  pronounced, 
the  meeting  separated,  and  I  hope  something  the 
better  for  commg  together.  hUAO  Dixor. 

THAKE,  OXOIT.— On  Wednesday,  August 

Slst,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  town  hall, 
kindly  lent  for  the  oecasion  for  the  puipose  of 
taking  elepa  for  the  building  of  a  new  Baptist 
phapel.  Mr.  Wale,  of  Plymouth,  preaohed  at  the 
old  ohapel  in  the  afternoon,  on  behalf  of  flbe 
cause,  and  took  the  chair  at  the  evening  meeting, 
after  a  public  tea.     Beeolutions  in  favor  of  the 


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292 


THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL. 


Oct  1,  IH4. 


hui 


object  of  the  meetinff  were  proponed  and  leoonded 
by  the  Rev.  A.  ana  E.  Dyson,  of  Crendoa  and 
Hoddenham,  and  Hr.  Manh,  of  Thame.  Alto- 
ether  the  meeting  paaaed  off  witli  much  good 
iumour  and  kind  and  generoun  feeling.  £125 
was  given  or  promised,  a  result  at  which  the 
friends  were  ameably  surprised,  and  for  which 
they  thanked  God  and  took  courage.  The  present 
chapel  stands  in  a  bt^  court  completely  hidden, 
difficult  to  And,  and  not  at  all  pleasant  by  way  of 
access.  The  friends  have  had  an  eligible  eite 
offeied  them  in  a  public  Uioroughfare,  and  in  a 
good  position,  which  they  have  iSready  secared, 
and  are  now  preparing  to  act  to  work  m  eaniest 
Hay  the  Lora  prosper  their  labors ! 

ST.  FAKORAS— Zion  chapel,  Goldington 
street— Dear  Bbothek,  the  word  of  the  Cord 
is  being  glorified  in  ourmidat  under  the  pastorate 
of  our  beloved  friend  and  brother,  Mr.  George 
Webb.  We  held  our  members*  quarterly  tea 
meeting  on  Monday  evening  last,  when  our  triend 
Mr.  James  Marks  preaented  to  our  pastor  a  hand- 
some copy  of  the  Holy  Scripturee,  as  a  token  of 
Christian  love,  from  two  or  the  young  friends. 
Mr.  Marks  in  giving,  and  Mr.  Webb  in  receiving 
this  mark  of  affection,  were  much  affected.  We 
never  before  had  8u<^  a  members*  tea  meeting. 
Truly  our  God  hears  and  answers  pra>'er. 

CAVB  ABXnXiAtf •— Old  Boad,  Step- 
HEY.— On  Wednesday  evening,  August  the81st> 
Mr.  Webeter,  the  pastor,  bapUzed  eight  pereons, 
four  males  and  four  females,  (me  of  the  farmer 
for  the  churoh  in  College  street,  Chelsea.  An 
address  was  delivered  from  Acts  ii.  8—4,  to  a 
crowded  and  attentive  congregation.  Brother 
Brunt  concluded  this  interesting  service  with 
prayer.  On  the  following  Lord's^y  the  candid- 
ates, with  one  previously  baptized,  were  received 
into  the  church. 


Stai^i. 

34R.  HENRY  HUNTLEY. 

Ht  Dear  Brother  Ba5ks, — My  dear 
brother  Henry,  for  many  years  a  preacher 
of  the  glorious  Gospel  at  Southwick  road, 
Trowbndge,  Devizes  and  Wantaee,  died  last 
Lord's-day,  22ud  inst.,  aged  rorty  years, 
after  a  very  long  and  painful  illness.  He 
snfiered  for  somo  time  great  darkness  of 
mind,  but  towards  the  last  the  clouds  were 
scattered.  He  rejoiced  in  the  weU  ordained 
covenant,  and  said  to  my  dear  father,  that  the 
truths  he  had  preached  to  others  he  could 
live  and  die  upon. 

Another  of  my  dear  members  at  Ebeneser, 
at  the  affe  of  nearly  eig^ht^,  fellirom  his  horse 
and  di^  a  happy  Chnstian,  highlr  favored 
of  God.  His  name  was  James  Maalin.  A 
true,  full,  and  finished  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ  was  his  glory  and  joy. 

Next  Lord's-day  evening  I  intend  (God 
willing^  to  improve  the  deaths  of  tiiese  two : 
a  dear  orother  in  the  flesh,  and  the  other  a 
brother  in  Jesus,  yea,  both  were  that 

How  many  are  passing  away,  going  to  the 
harbour  where  stonna  can  never  come, 
where  the  sun  never  sets,  where  the  flowers 
never  wither. 


'*  There  everiaating  spring  abides, 
And  never-wiOierlng  flowers, 
Death  like  a  narrow  sea  divides 
The  heavenly  land  from  ours.** 

And  sometimes  we  can  say  as  I 
heard  your  deacon  at  Crossley  ^w  give 
out  a  sweet  and  bleeeed  bron  once,  which 
I  hare  never  forgotten;  the  yerses  ended 
with, 

**  For  there  I  long  to  be.  * 

The  Sunday  before  I  went  to  Limpley 
Stoke,  to  assist  my  dear  father  baptize  three 
young  ones  from  the  Sunday  schooL  The 
season  was  precious.  In  sp^Lking  upon  the 
delightful  ordinance  I  noticed  five  ideas. 
First,  its  divinity;  second,  its  antiquity; 
third,  its  spirituality;  fourdi,  its  particular- 
ity; fifth,  Its  essentiality.  But  I  feel  de- 
cision for  truUi  is  important  in  these  days 
of  degeneracy. 

I  am,  my  dear  brother,  yours  in  Jesus, 
John  Hurtlst, 

Minister  of  Ebeneser,  Bath. 

ANOTHB&  IJIiT  TBANSPIiAirrBD. 

Departed  this  life  on  the  Srd  of  August,  1964, 
after  a  long  and  lingering  illnes^  llr.  John 
Roberts  Dono^'an,  aged  33  yean^  The  departed 
was  a  ntember  of  the  churoh  under  the  pastorate 
of  Mr.  John  Foreman,  Hill  street,  Dorset  aouaie. 
Our  dear  brother  was  beloved  b3*  all  who  icnew 
him,  being  a  humble,  loving,  and  zealous  Chris- 
tian. As  a  son  he  was  all  thai  parents  oould  wish 
for;  as  a  brother  he  was  no  less;  so  that  parenta, 
brothers,  sisters,  and  friends,  mourn  their  loaa^ 
but  which  is  his  eternal  ndn.  for  with  the  Chris- 
tian ''To  die  is  gain."  To  depart  and  be  with 
Christis  fiur  better,  yeL  *•  Better  is  the  day  of  his 
death,  than  the  day  of  his  birth."  As  a  Sunday 
school  teacher  he  was  most  happy  in  the  work,  it 
was  his  element  and  pleasure  to  toy  and  lay  belore 
the  youthful  minds  of  the  children  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus.  Our  brother  was  for  some  time 
during  bis  afRiction  somewhat  In  the  valley, 
and  the  bright  shinings  of  the  Bun  of  righteons- 
ness  were  withheld  for  a  season,  so  that  be  said 
one  day,  "iJipiritual  things  seem  so  hisli,  beyond 
my  grasp,**  and  in  conversing  about  death  being 
a  oonquioed  foe  to  the  Ohnstian,  through  the 
meritorious  death  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  **  Tes» 
it  is  sow**  he  said.  **  bat  it  is  the  croedng,^s  the 
croraing,  as  one  has  said,**  he  replied.  iiev«rthe- 
leas,  oar  brother  had  his  little  helps  fk^m  time  to 
time,  and  as  he  drew  near  to  ** evening  time"  it 
was  li^t  indeed  with  him.  Oh  what  a  blessed 
change.  On  the  day  he  died  he  said  to  a  friend, 
on  asking  him  whether  Jesus  was  predous,  **  Tes, 
yes,*'  with  a  sweet  emphasia,  and  ahortly  after- 
wards said,  •*  AU*s  well,*' and  he  tried  to  aay  more, 
but  Ills  excessive  weak  state  prevented  hira.  To 
other  friends  and  relations  he  said  in  the  oomse 
of  the  day,  "  That  had  he  his  voioe  and  strength, 
he  oould  preach  a  sermon  now."  He  was  aaked  to 
repeat  his  favorite  text,  which  he  did.  **  We  know 
that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  iife»  because 
we  love  the  brethren.''  but  I  can  say  mor^  he 
said,  *  I  know  that  Jesus  Chr  st  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  chief.**  He 
expressed  a  wish  to  speak  a  word  to  each  of  those 
dear  to  him,  and  did  so,  snd  before  he  died,  said, 
"  Is  it  dying  t  oh,  why  do  the  whcda  of  His 
chariot  tarry,"  when  shortly  after  he  fell  aalecp 
in  the  blessed  Jesus,  to  awake  In  the  upper  and 
better  world,  where  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
"*  Bathe  their  w«ai7  aools 
In  seas  of  heavenly  reak.'* 


Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


Nov.  1,  18M. 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


293 


9h  dodlg  §i^vqd  (Bnt  of  SFpptata, 


Tht8  W18  marvellouslj  trne  in  tht)  case 
of  Joseph ;  and  if  the  Bible  furnished  no 
character  in  whom  temptation  made  farther 
havock  than  in  good  Joseph's  instance, 
manj  of  us  mi^ht  almost  sit  down  in  des- 
pair. But,  while  no  comfort  can  be  drawn 
m>m  anything  short  of  the  peace-speaking 
and  pardon-sealing  blood  of  the  Lamb  ap- 
plied hj  the  Holy  Sriarr  to  the  conscience, 
still,  the  facts  connected  with  the  painful 
war&re  of  manj  of  the  Bible  Saints  are 
oollaterial  eyidences  of  the  aboundings  of« 
mercy  toward  those  who  do,  through  grace, 
repent  of,  and  turn  from  the  snares  into 
which  Satan  may  hare  hurled  them« 

That  the  godly  are  delivered  out  of  (and 
not  permitted  to  fall  actually  into)  temptation 
is  a  great  and  blessed  truth !— that  some 
are  left  to  try  them ;  to  shew  them  what  is 
in  their  heart,  is  a  truth  as  painful  as  the 
other  is  precious  and  pleasing.  As  creatures, 
we  say,  perhapMs  as  Christians  we  may  say, 
PKESE&VATioir  is  better,  ten  thousand  times 
better,  than  Kbstoiutiok  ;  but  "  deep  in 
unfathomable  mines  of  never-failing  skill'* 
the  great  God  doth  many  times  work  out 
the  good  of  His  people,  and  the  glory  of 
His  name. 

We  mi^ht  follow  our  thoughts  in  this 
strain,  and  deduce  many  strong  illustrations, 
but  we  will  not. 

Sitting  down  in  the  study  one  Monday 
evening,  on  the  table  we  saw  a  volume  of 

Saculiar  beauty,  entitled  *'  Biblb  Lives  axd 
iBUB  Lessons,"  by  Rev.  D.  A.  Doudney, 
recently  issued  by  Mr.  Oollingridge ;  and  on 
opening  it,  the  following  paragraphs  on  the 
character  of  Joseph,  met  ooth  our  eye  and 
our  heart  Perhaps  they  may  be  useful  to 
some  of  our  readers : — 

The  Lord's  people --because  He  wiU  have 
it  BO— are  at  times  placed  in  circumstances 
And  positipns  in  which  their  characters  are, 
as  far  as  appearance  goes,  at  stake.  So 
stianga  and  so  peculiar  are  the  workings  of 
God's  Providence  in  regard  to  them,  that 
that  very  stranj^eness  and  peculiarity  are 
ascribed  to  Divine  displeasure,  at  the  same 
time,  it  may  be,  that  Jehovah  is  only  work- 
ing out^  in  His  special  and  gracious  way, 
the  loving  intentions  of  His  own  eternal 
mind  with  respect  to  them.  **  His  judg- 
ments ore  a  great  deep."  Well  has  it  been 
asked,  "Who  by  searehmg  can  find  out 
God?**  Hhnmtaiions  are  oftentimes  per- 
mitted of  GocC  in  order  that  they  should 
beeome  t€&U;  the  seeming  dtmblf  st  timea 
Vol.  SL— Ko.  284. 


appertaining  to  principle,  is  only  for  the 
more  striking  devdopment  of  principle; 
whilst  man,  judging  from  mere  externals, 
eo7u2smns— God,  not  unfrequently,  condoles. 
When  at  length  matters  have  reached  their 
climax,  and  the  destruction  of  the  tried 
one  is  anticipated,  God's  own  gracious  word 
is  brought  to  pass,  "  For  the  oppression  of 
the  poor,  for  the  sighing  of  the  needy,  now 
will  I  arise  saith  the  Lord ;  and  will  set  him 
in  safety  from  him  that  puffeth  at  him." 
He  "brings  forth  their  nghteousness  as 
the  light,  and  their  judgment  as  the  noon- 
day." The  Lord's  tried  and  tempted  will 
in  due  time  realize  the  truth  of  His  own 
word—"  For  he  hath  looked  down  ^rom  the 
height  of  His  sanctuary  ;  from  heaven  did 
the  Lord  behold  the  earth;  to  hear  the 
groaning  of  the  prisoner ;  to  loose  those 
that  are  appointed  to  death"  (Ps.  cil  19, 
20). 

Joseph  is  sold  into  Egypt ;  but,  we  are 
told  that  "  the  Lord  was  with  Joseph,  and 
he  was  a  prosperous  man ;"  moroover,  we 
read,  that "  the  Lord  blessed  the  Egyptian's 
house  for  Joseph^s  sake."  In  praof,  how- 
ever, of  the  fluctuating  nature  of  all  things 
here,  as  well  as  to  a&ow  principles  to  be 
tested,  and  to  prove  what  God's  grace  can 
do,  a  temptation  is  set  before  Joseph — one 
not  only  congenial  to  his  poor  fallen  fleshy 
but  coming  from  such  a  source  as  might 
have  led  him  to  conclude  the  yielding  there- 
to would,  in  some  sense,  hare  led  to  his 
advancement.  But,  ah !  no,  he  was  not  al- 
lowed to  take  so  low  and  so  despicable  a 
view  of  the  matter.  Possessed  of  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  Uiat  fear  brought  into  ex« 
ercise  in  the  most  trying  and  cntical  of  clr-^ 
cumstances,  he  repels  the  tempter  with  a. 
"  How,  then,  can  X  do  this  great  wickedness,, 
and  sin  against  God?"  Oh,  admirable- 
plea!  most  forcible  and  Godphonouring  of 
arguments!  Eegardless  he  of  all  conae-^ 
quences,  and  acting  upon  that  first  and^ 
greatest  of  principles,  "Thou,  GN>d,  seeet- 
me,"  he  denies  self,  denies  the  tempter^ 
and  depends  on  his  God  for  the  issue.  And 
what  was  that  issue  ?  Nought  less  than  the 
being  cast  into  prison,  and  that^  too,  upon 
the  Msest  and  most  grronndless  of  charges. 
Here  Reason  may  be  rife  again  with  argu- 
ment— ^heie  Sense  and  man's  puny  judgment 
may  haye  remonstrated.  What  returns, 
these,  for  honesty,  sobriety,  and  steadfast- 
ness of  character  1  What  a  sorry  compen- 
sation this!    "Peep  calling  onto  deepf'^ 

^  Digitized  ^VC 


39i 


THE  SAAXHBN  YESSEIi. 


Nov.  1,  1804. 


Fintk  banishment  from  a  £ather^8  hearth- 
then  being  sold  as  a  slaTe—and  now  con- 
signment to  a  dreary  dungeon,  npon  a 
cwge  of  which  he  was  absolutely  innocent. 
But  Joseph's  God  was  with  him  even  in  a 
prison;  for  so  it  is  recorded,  that  'Uhe 
Lord  was  with  Joseph,  and  shewed  him 
mercy,  and  gare  him  favour  in  the  sieht  of 
the  keeper  of  the  prison ;"  yea,  **  The  weep- 
er of  the  prison  committed  to  Joseph's  hand 
all  the  prisoners  that  were  in  the  prison ; 
and  whatsoever  they  did  there,  he  was  the 
doer  of  it.  The  keeper  of  the  prison  looked 
not  to  anvthing  that  was  under  his  hand ; 
because  the  Lord  was  with  him,  and  that 
which  he  did,  the  Lord  made  it  to  prosper*' 
(Gen.  Txxix.  22,  23).  Joseph  not  only  nad 
a  teaching  and  training  to  unden;o  in  the 
prison,  in  order  to  qualify  him  for  filling 
that  aU-important  position  to  which  he  was 
et«mally  appointed ;  but,  doubtless,  he  was 
to  be  made  of  inconceivable  benefit  to  those 
committed  to  his  care.  Wherever  a  child 
of  GK>d  is,'  there,  in  a  veiy  special  manner, 
God  is  likewise,  and  that  to  instruct  him— 
to  comfort  him — and  to  make  use  of  him. 
He  is  not  lost,  not  orerlooked,  nor  are  his 
labours  in  vain,  whether  they  take  the  form 
of  active  service  or  passiye  suffering.  In 
either  case  the  Lord  is  with  him,  to  sustain 
and  bless. 

To  suppose  that  service  supersedes  sensi- 
tiveness, IS  incorrect ;  the  woman  of  Shun- 
hem  was  so  resigned  a  sufferer,  that  she 
answered,  "  It  is  well,"  when  interrogated 
with  reoard  to  herself,  her  husband,  and 
her  chila,  and  yet  her  soul  was  so  bitter 
(margin)  within  her,  that  she  caught  the 
prophet  by  the  feet.  And  Joseph  so  felt 
Lis  position,  that,  notwithstanding  the  fav- 


our shown  him  in  the  prsion,  he  said  to 
Pharaoh's  butler,  when,  according  to 
Joseph's  inteipretation  of  his  dream,  he 
was  about  to  be  liberated,  *  Think  on  me 
when  it  shall  be  well  with  thee,  and  shew 
kindness,  I  pray  thee,  unto  me^  and  make 
mention  of  me  unto  Pharaoh,  and  bring 
me  out  of  this  house :  for  indeed  I  was 
stolen  away  out  of  the  land  of  the  Hebrewi : 
and  here  also  have  I  done  nothing  that 
they  should  put  me  into  the  dungeon" 
(Gen.  xL  14,  ft). 

We  find  that  "two  frill  years"  passed 
over  before  the  chief  butler  remembered 
Joseph ;  and  that  remembrance  was  brou^t 
by  God  Himself  who,  in  connexion  with 
two  remarkable  dreams  which  Pharaoh  had 
had,  led  to  the  chief  butler's  exdaiming, "  I 
do  remember  my  fiiults  this  day :"  when  he 
directly  detailed  what  had  occurred  two 
years  previously,  ctfid  so  impressed  Pharaoh 
with  the  facts  as  to  induce  him  to  send  im- 
mediately to  the  prisoner,  who,  in  due  time^ 
having  interpreted  the  kinsf  s  dreams,  was 
raised  to  a  post  only  second  in  importance 
to  that  of  the  crown  itself. 

Thus  we  see  the  completeness  and  the 
perfection  of  Jehovah's  working;  that, 
whilst  he  takes  His  own  time,  and  adopts 
His  own  course.  He  does,  at  length,  produce 
an  effect  worthy  His  wisdom,  newer,  love, 
and  faithfulness.  Han  may  be  in  hasten 
and  misjudge  Him,  whilst  He  works  and 
waits,  but  the  issue  invariably  has  been, 
and  shall  be,  that  which  shall  at  once  be 
glorifyinf^  to. God,  and  unspeakably  satisfies* 
toiy  to  His  people.  Infinitely  better  pleased 
are  they  with  OocPi  way  than  th<^  would 
have  been  with  fAetr  aim." 


TAKE   CARE    OF    YOUR   MINISTERS. 


It  certainly  does  seem  to  be  high  time 
that  this  note  be  sounded  loudlv  through  our 
hmd,  and  most  especially  in  the  denomina- 
tion which  we  more  directly  and  devotedly 
represent ;  for  man  v  of  our  flood  men  are 
hiuttssed  and  tried  beyond  all  cone^tion, 
owinff  to  the  want  of  proper  care  and 
thon^tfiilness  being  exercisea  towsrd  them. 
In  nearly  all  the  public  prints  now,  there 
has  been  attention  callea  to  the  fact  that 
many  ministers  are  turning  f^m  the  Baptist 
denomination,  and  going  elsewhereu  Of 
course,  we  have  no  faith  in  the  religion  of 
such  men,  but,  let  us  not  forget  that  while 
many,  for  want  of  principle,  go  away  from 
us,  a  very  great  many  wno  standi  firm  by 
their  principles,  do  so^  almost  to  the  starving 
of  their  families,  and  the  danger  of  losing 
their  moral  reputation. 

We  ve  disposed  to  hoMg  this  viatteeri 


clearly  and  faithfully  before  the  people,  and 
to  soheit  their  oonsideiation  to  a  branoh  of 
practical  Christianity  which  certainly  is  of 
no  mean  character.  After  noticing  some 
remarks  now  going  through  the  churches, 
we  may  refer  to  oases  S[  a  severe  kind, 
coming  under  our  own  notice ;  and  then  pomt 
to  a  variety  of  means  wherein  a  remedy  his 
been  found. 
We  first  submit  the  following : 
Considerable  excitement  has  recently  been 
created  in  the  Baptist  bod^  by  the  secession 
of  some  seven  of  their  ministers,  a  few  of 
whom  have  gone  to  the  Church  of  England, 
and  the  n«t  to  the  Independents.  It  is  cer- 
tainly an  event  of  rare  occurrence  to  find 
any  mim  renouncing  immersbn  for  afifusion 
or  sprinkling;  but  that  a  bod^  of  seven 
shouU  withdraw  is  among  the  signs  of  the 
The  Baj^tist  jouml*  the  JftYemoA 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Umr.  U  1M4- 


YH8  BABTHSN  VESGfELi 


2dS 


has  dealt  with  the  question,  and  gentlemen 
of  intelligence  have  also  oddresBed  the 
Bame  paper  in  the  wa^  of  correspondence. 
One  of  me  ablest  of  these  has  spoken  some 
▼eiy  wholesome  truths,  which  cannot  too 
80on  be  known  tfarong^bout  the  denomination. 
After  referring  to  seveal  eases  he  says  :— 

'*  Nor  are  these  the  only  eases  of  this 
kind ;  I  could  fill  a  whole  number  of  the 
ISreman  with  similar  announeements,  and 
authenticate  them  eTery  one.  If  either  have 
I  picked  these  cases  out  fSrom  the  rest ;  they 
aee  written  down  just  in  the  order  they 
came  to  the  mind;  and  if  it  be  doubted 
wiiether  sneh  cases  are  of  fte<nieBt  ooenr- 
rsBoe,  the  doubt  may  be  diBpelled  by  men 
who  are  acquainted  with  them  coming  foov 
mud.  once  for  all,  and  puttixi^  on  record  in 
jonr  columns  the  instances  with  which  they 
are  familiar.  The  page  would,  I  know,  be 
sudi  a  revelation  of  sonow,  of  daily  heart- 
biealdng  anxiety  and  woe^  of  real  soul- 
anguish  on  the  one  hand,  imd  of  meanness, 
cruelty,  tTraany,  and  £ilsehood  on  the  other, 
as  would  put  an  tod  to  all  wonder  at  men 
wishing  '  to  improve  their  position,'  and 
posrib^  would  at  the  same  time  do 
something  towards  briuffingthis  wickedness 
to  an  end  also.  Begtrd  for  your  space  and 
your  readers*  time  prevents  my  dtmg  more 
of  these  cases;  and  I  pass  to  others  that 
represent  wrongs  of  a  financial  diatacter. 

*'  I  hare  a  letter  in  mv  possession  from 
one  of  my  old  fellow  stoaents,  in  which  he 
says,  *  Mv  people  owe  me  jBSO.  I  do  not 
believe  1  shall  ever  get  thirty  {>ence;' 
tHietber  he  ever  did  I  cannot  say  positively, 
but  I  believe  not.  A  few  davs  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  that  letter,  I  lecelvea  another  from 
another  of  my  old  college  frioids,  in  which, 

writing  of  a  third,  he  says,  *  Boor  B ^is 

in  trouble ;  his  pec^e  promised  to  give  him 
£100  a  year;  the  first  quarter  they  paid 
him  ^5— last  quarter,  when  his  stipend 
became  due,  it  was  not  paid,  but  ten  weeks 
altsr  it  was  due,  one  of  bis  deacons  came  to 
settle  with  him,  and  coolly  handed  him  £6, 
which  he  said  was  all  taejr  could  do  that 
fuarter.  Yet  his  congregation  has  greatly 
increased'  Thus  was  a  dead  robbery 
practised  on  the  man  to  the  tune  of  £lv* 
A  member  of  that  same  congregation  con- 
flimed  that  statement  to  me,  out  added  that 
he  believed  it  was  made  good  some  time 
after,  when  the  man  left.  The  only  ex- 
planation I  have  ever  been  able  to  get  is, 
that  the  money  raised  for  the  support  of 
the  ministry  was  appropriated  to  meeting 
other  expenses.  A  third  case  was  that  of  a 
man  of  good  scholarship  and  abilities,  with 
preaching  powers  of  no  mean  order,~owing 
to  a  slipit  attadt  of  partial  paralysis  he 
was  somewhat  lame,  ana  this  prevented  him 
fitom  obtaining  a  pasteaNrte.  He  was,  how- 
e?«r,  staraggling  to  maintain  Mmself  and 
several  of  his  younger  bxothen  and 


the  father  being  dead,  and  the  whole  family 
being  more  or  less  dependent  on  his  personal 
exertions.  He  went  to  snpply  a  church  in 
Worcestershire  for  two  Sabbaths,  taking 
their  week-evening  services  as  welL  On 
the  evening  of  the  last  Sunday  the  deacons 
met  him  after  service^  and  thanked  him  fn 
his  services,  regretting  much  his  lameness, 
which  they  ieued  would  incapacitate  him 
from  the  duties  of  the  pastorate ;  in  all 
other  respects  he  was  the  veiy  man 
they  wanted:  and  after  many  kind  and 
flattering  words  presented  him  with  the 
liberal  sum  of  one  shilling  and  sixpence 
over  his  railway  foe  I  I  Imow  another  in- 
stance in  which  a  mfaiister  went  to  supply  a 
church,  and  lost  £1  iQs.  in  caah  bnr  so  douiff : 
a  second  minister  wo«H  have  lost  £3  by 
the  same  thing,  had  he  not  insisted  on 
having  at  least  his  expenses.  In  both 
these  cases  it  was,  I  believe,  the  result  of 
thoughtlessness  rather  than  meanness;  but 
it  is  a  thouffhtleesness  that  oug^t  not  to 
exist,  especially  on  the  part  of  businees  men. 
Then  I  know,  too,  of  several  instances  in 
which  diurches  without  pastors  have  re- 
garded it  as  a  favourable  opportunity  for  set- 
ting out  of  debt  They  nave  paid  their 
supplies  about  one-jialf^  or  less  than  one- 
haU^  the  sum  raised  for  Uie  ministry,  and 
appropriated  the  balance  to  meet  the  defi- 
ctences  of  their  incidental  ftmd.  Now, 
when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  as  a  rule  the 
salaries  of  Baptist  ministers  are  so  bw  as 
to  preclude  the  possibility  of  laying  by  for 
a  rainy  dAj,  so  low  as  to  make  it  one  of  the 
hardest  of  tasks  to  make  both  ends  meet, 
that  no  provision  is  made  for  helping  us  in 
the  education  of  our  children,  or  in  giving 
them  a  fair  start  in  life ;  that  only  a  scant 
provision  is  made  for  our  widows  and 
orphans  in  case  of  death,  and  that,  too,  of 
necessity,  on  terms  which  exclude  many 
from  the  benefits  thereof;  thatwhflst  health 
and  vi»)tir  last  we  may  swim  somehow,  but 
that  wnen  feebleness  and  age  overtake  us 
there  is  want  staring  us  ftill  in  the  £Eu:e,  just 
when  we  most,  need  freedom  feom  it, — ^I  say, 
when  it  is  remembered  that  aU  throu|di  we 
have  thus  toliveby  faith  in  a  rather  di^ent 
sense  from  Uie  Kew  Testament  meaning,  and 
are  thrown  for  comfort  on  the  good  old  truth 
alone,  *  SufBdent  unto  the  day  is  the  evil 
thereof  these  matters  do  become  serious.  Of 
course,  as  ministers  we  are  expected  tacti- 
cally to  honour  these  grand  woras,  but  I  sub- 
mit we  have  ako  a  right  to  expect  that 
churches,  bearing  the  name  of  Christiao,  will 
also  honour  the  same  book,  when  it  teOa 
them  that  he  who  lives  at  the  altar  shall  tilao 
live  (not  barely  exist)  by  the  altar.  Sirs,  we 
must  not  hold  one  language  for  the  sins  of 
the  world  and  another  ror  thotse  of  the 
Ohureh,— dishonestv  is  dishonesty  in  the 
one  as  mtieh  as  in  we  other.'*  C^r%r%n\(> 


296 


THE  BABTHSN  VESSEI.. 


Hot.  1.  ISM. 


IMPRECATIONS  IN  THE  PSALMS.    . 

Bt  John  Bbowh,  A.M.,  Cohug,  NswrouwARiM,  Ibblaitd. 


Sons  Ghrifltians  object  to  the  iise  of  the 
Fflalms  of  David  under  the  Gospel  dispen> 
sation  on  the  ground  of  their  alleged  ob- 
scurity, others  bring  ibrwaid  anoljection  of 
a  still  grayer  character  which  is  perhaps 
more  frequently  uiged  than  the^fonner,  vus. 
the  tpirit  of  revenge  which  they  are  supposed 
to  breathe,  and  which  is  so  inconsistent 
with  the  sj^t  of  the  Gospel.  In  reply  to 
this  objection,  I  obserre^- 

1.  That  the  Psalms  are  Divinely  in- 
spired. "All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspir- 
ation of  GK)d,*'  and  consequently  the  Psalms 
are  not  excepted.  But  if  they  are  *'  given 
by  inspiration  of  t3h)d,''  and  if  they  breathe 
a  spint  of  revenge,  it  is  easy  to  see  on 
whom  the  chaige  must  falL  To  charge  them 
with  a  spirit  of  revenge,  is  to  charge  God 
with  the  same  spirit ;  ror  if  they  be  inspired 
bv  Him,  they  have  no  more  revenge  than 
He  has  put  mto  them  To  represent  them 
as  being  in  any  denee  inconsistent  with 
right  feeling,  is  to  deny  their  inspiration ; 
for  it  is  impossible  for  malevolent  songs  to 
to  be  inspured  by  the  God  of  love.  If  God 
be  their  author,  as  David  says  He  is,  (2 
Sam.  xTJii.  1,  2,)  they  must,  like  all  His 
other  works,  be  "very  good," — ^perfectly 
holy  in  spirit,  sentiment,  and  tendency. 
*'  The  words  of  the  Lord  are  imre  words ; 
as  silver  tried  in  a  furnace  of^earth,  puri- 
fied seven  times.*'  '*  Every  yrovdi  of  God  is 
pure.''  Thy  word  is  very  pure^  therefore 
thy  servant  loveth  it'*— rsa.  xii.  6;  cjox 
140;Prov.  XXV.  6. 

2.  It  will  not  do  to  argue  as  is  sometimes 
done,  that  the  spirit  of  revenge  was  consis- 
tent with  the  old  dispensation,  though 
inconsistent  with  the  new ;  for  that  would 
be  to  place  the  Kew  Testament  in  opposition 
to  the  old,  and,  consequentlv,  to  '*  destroy 
the  law  and  the  prophets."  It  is 
readOy  admitted  that  positive  inetituiions 
mav  be  consistent  but  with  one  dispensation, 
and  inconsistent  with  another,  because,  not 
being  founded  in  the  nature  dT  things,  they 
are  neither  right  nor  wrong,  coneidered  in 
themselves,  God  may,  therefore,  diange  or 
abrogate  them  at  pleasure ;  and  as  they  de- 
rive all  their  authority  firom  His  revealed 
willf  He  may  make  tliat  to  be  a  sin  which 
WIS  once  a  duty,  and  that  to  be  a  duty 
which  was  once  a  sio.  Circumcision,  for 
example,  was  once  a  duty  under  the  old 
dispensation,  because  it  was  then  emoined ; 
but  it  would  be  a  sin  under  the  new,  because 
it  is  nets  forbidden.  In  the  same  wiqt, 
baptism  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity  is  a 
duty  under  the  new  dispensation,  because, 
it  if  eommanded  by  Christ;  but  it  was  no 


duty  under  the  old,  becanee  it  was  not  then 
a  Divine  appointment.  But  moral  precepU 
being  founded  in  the  nature  of  things,  are 
in  tmr  oum  nature  right,  and,  theref of«r 
unchanseable.  God  himself  could  not  make> 
that  which  is  in  itself  right  wrons,  nor  that 
which  is  in  itself  wrong  right.  And  as  the 
spirit  of  rdiigion  is  not  a  positive  institution, 
but  a  moral  duty,  and  consequently  rij^t 
in  itseV*  it  must  be  the  same  under  all  dis* 
pensations.  If  the  spirit  of  revenge,  there- 
tore,  was  right  under  the  former  dispensa- 
tion,  it  is  right  stiU\  and  if  it  be  wrong- 
now,  it  was  wrong  then.  But  malevolence^ 
or  revenge,  being  a  transgression  of  th» 
moral  law,  is  in  itself  wrong ;  and  therefore 
G\)d  could  not  sanction  it  under  one  dis- 
pensation more  than  another.  It  is  ac- 
cordingly condemned  by  the  law  as  well  aa 
the  Gospel,  and  love  is  enjoined  by  both — 
Lev.  xix.  17,  18.  We  thus  deny  that  the 
spirit  of  ill-will  was  any  more  oonsisteat 
with  the  old  dispensation  than  it  is  with, 
the  new,  and  consequently  nrjeet  the  argu- 
ment that  is  founded  on  such  a  suppoeition, 
namely,  that  Psalms  breathing  a  spirit  of 
malevolence  could  have  been  approved  of 
by  God  under  anp  dispensation:  and, 
therefore,  the  Psalms  cannot  be  possessed 
of  such  a  spirit    But, 

3.  If  the  language  of  the  Psalms  be  at 
variance  with  Christian  love,  the  language 
of  the  New  Testament  is  equally  at  variance 
with  it.  We  have  just  seen  that  moral 
feeUng,  under  all  dispensations,  must,  in  the 
very  nature  of  thingii,  be  the  same ;  and,  on 
comparing  the  NewTestament  with  the  Old, 
this  observation  ma^  easily  be  confirmed; 
for  the  same  enressions  that  are  objected  to 
in  the  Book  of  rsalms,  are  to  be  found  in  the 
Now  Testament  Take  the  following  exam* 
pies:  "If  anv  man  love  not  the  Locd 
Jesus  Christ,  Ut  him  be  aoeursecP* — "  Alex- 
ander, the  copper-smith  did  me  much  evil ; 
ths  Lord  reward  him  acoordina  to  his  works,*' 
"And  when  he  had  opened  the  fifth  seal,  I 
saw  under  the  altar  tne  souls  of  them  that 
were  slain  for  the  word  of  God,  and  for  the 
testimony  which  they  held ;  and  they  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  Myii^,  Sow  hng,  O 
Lord,  holy  and  true,  dost  thifu  not  judge  amd 
avenpe  our  Woodcm  them  that  dwell  en  tke 
earth  f — "  And  the  four-and-twenty  elders, 
which  sat  before  God  on  their  SMto,  lell 
upon  their  fiices,  and  worshipped  God,  say* 
in^.  We  give  thee  thanks,  0  Lord  God  Al- 
iiiighty,  which  art,  and  wast^  and  art  to 
come ;  because  thou  hast  taken  to  Thee  Thy 
great  power,  and  reigned.  And  thesatioiia 
were  aogiy,  and  Thy  vnAhlB  on&e, and  the 


ITOT.  1, 1864. 


TfiB  SABXHSST  TKBSBLt 


297 


time  of  the  dead,  tliat  they  dionld  be  judged, 
«iid  that  thou  ahouldest  give  reward  unto 
thj  seryants  the  prophets,  and  to  the  aainta, 
and  to  them  that  fear  thy  name,  small  and 
:great;  and  ahoMeti  ditiroy  ihem  which 
destroy  the  earlhJ^  "  And  I  heard  the  angel 
of  the  waters  say,  Thou  art  righteous,  0 
Lord,  which  art,  and  wast,  andahalt  be,  be- 
cause Thou  hast  judsed  thos.  For  they 
have  shed  the  blocd  of  saints  and  prophets, 
xtnd  2%ou  had  given  them  blood  to  drink  ; 
for  they  are  Uforthu^* — 1  Cor.  xyi,  22 ;  2. 
Tim.  V.  14 ;  Key.  H  10 ;  xi.  16, 18 ;  xvi.  5, 
7.  Thus  we  find  the  same  kind  of  expres- 
sions in  the  New  Testament  that  are  ob- 
jected to  in  the  Book  of  Psalms,  shewing 
that  they  are  so  far  from  being  at  yariance 
with  eacn  other,  that  there  is  a  perfect  har- 
mony between  them.  Those  that  object  to 
the  use  of  the  Psalms  on  the  ground  of  the 
imprecatory  language  that  is  found  in  them, 
tttust  on  the  same  ground  reject  the  New 
Testament  also. 

4.  We  are  in  danger  of  mistaking  that 
for  maleyolont|  whidi  is,  in  reality  the 
'4»xpreesion  of  a  holy  indignation  aeainst  sin 
It  IS,  no  doubt,  our  duty  to  love  all' men,  aa 
•»»m— our  enemies  not  excepted ;  but  we  are 
not  required  to  loye  them  ae  the  enemiee  of 
<hd.  On  the  eontita^,  as  God  "  hateth  all 
the  workers  of  iniquity*'  (Psa.  v.  12);  so 
there  is  a  sense,  at  least,  in  which  the  be- 
•lierer  hates  them  that  hate  him-*-(Psa.  cxix. 
21.)  True  beneyolence  breathes  good  will 
>to  all  mankind ;  but  not  at  the  expense  of 
the  glory  of  Gtod.  It  desires  the  salvation 
of  aU  mea  from  their  sins ;  but  it  desires  the 
salvation  of  none  m  their  sins.  It  "  abhors 
that  which  is  evil/*  as  well  as  "  cleaves  to 
4;hat  which  is  good.'*  It  unites  compassion 
for  the  souls  of  the  wicked  with  the  hatred 
of  their  wickedness,  or  of  themselves  con' 
^idered  as  vneked^persons.  Both  iheee  dis- 
positions were  exemplified  by  the  Bedeemer 
at  the  same  time,  who,  while  He  pronounced 
the  condemnation  of  the  widced,  yet  tenderly 
w«pt  over  their  miseries-^Matt.  xxiii.  13, 
15 ;  Luke  xix.  41,  42.)  And  these  appear 
to  us  to  be  the  feelings  that  pervaae  the 
Psalms,  rather  than  those  of  personal  re« 
*Tenge.    For, 

5.  In  many  of  the  impreeative  Psalms, 
Christ  is  the  speaker  rather  than  David ;  t.tf., 
-Christ  speaks  iu  the  prophet,  as  the  per- 
son principally  intended.  Perhans  more 
oflTence  has  been  taken  at  the  109th  Psahn 
*thAn  any  other  in  the  whole  collection,  and 
yet  that  Christ  is  the  speaker  in  that  Psalm 
IS  plain  trom  the  apostle*s  explanation  of 
verses  8,  10,  in  Acts  i.  20.  And  as  there 
•is  no  change  of  speakers  in.  the  Psalm, 
Christ  must  be  regarded  as  the  person 
gpssking  all  throughout,  and,  consequently, 
uttering  all  the  imBrecations  which  it  con- 

Some  wonla  soften  those  expressions 


by  rendering  the  verbs  by  the  future  tense 
rather  than  me  imperative  mood.  Por  ex- 
ample— instead  of  saying,  "Let  his  days 
be  few,  they  would  read,  "  His  dws  shall 
befeWf"  &C. ;  and  we  admit  that  thelSebrew 
verbs  may  be  rendered  either  way ;  but  as 
the  imperative  is  not  at  variance  with  the 
sacred  original — as  it  is  used  in  the  Greek 
taranslation— and  as  that  translation,  in  this 
particular,  is  sanctioned  by  the  Apostle, 
who  preserves  the  imperative  in  quoting  from 
it-^Actsi.  20;  Bom.  xi.  9, 10)— wo  think 
the  imperative  ought  to  be  preferred.  In 
these  expressions,  however,  there  can  be 
nothing  inconsisteut  with  right  feeling,  for 
thev  are  inspired  by  the  G-od  of  love,  and 
spoken  in  the  person  of  His  dear  Son.  *  *  All 
tuat  can  be  meant  by  such  expressions,'* 
says  Bishop  Home,  '*  whether  uttered  by 
the  prophet,  by  Messiah,  or  by  ourselves, 
must  be  a  solemn  ratification  of  the  just 
judgments  of  the  Almighty  against  His  im- 
penitent enemies,  like  that  ascribed  to  the 
blessed  spirits  in  .Heaven,  when  such 
judgments  were  executed.  **^Bev.  xi.  17, 
18.  xri.  6,  7. 

THE  LAND  OF  THE  BLEST. 

AwAT,  far  hwnj  in  the  laad  of  the  blest. 
Where  skies  never  darken,  there^  there  is  zay  rest. 
On  earth  but  a  pilgrim,  and  destined  to  room, 
I  hail  with  delight  that  sweet  land  as  my  home. 

Ye  visions  of  glory,  ye  bowers  of  bliss. 
Your  Joys  are  unknown  in  a  region  like  this : 
In  gross  darkness  shrouded  your  melodies  doy. 
And  nature  shrinks  baek  from  that  "  fulness  of 
joy." 

No,— earth  cannot  listen  to  muslo  like  yours. 
Bat  sunk  in  deep  folly  wUd  disoord  endures ; 
And  man  in  his  blindness,  by  sinning  opprest. 
Heeds  not  the  pure  songs  In  that  land  of  the  blest. 

Sweet  land  of  the  faithful  I  O  when  shall  we  be 
At  home  in  thy  glory,  from  sin  ever  free  t 
0  when  shall  we  spread  the  glad  wing  and  arise 
To  enter  the  mansions  prepared  in  the  skies  P 

Yet,  Saviour,  we  wait  all  Thy  service  below ; 
Nor  haste  to  depart  from  this  desert  of  woe : 
That  service  is  heaven  wherever  we  be, 
fiat,  Lord,  oorfuU  heaven  is  dwelling  with  Thee. 

Away  then— away  to  the  glory  above ; 
Away  to  the  home  of  the  Saviour  vre  love ; 
With  no  darlmess  clouded,  with  no  sin  distrest ; 
Away  then,  away  to  the  land  of  the  blest. 
ICanchester,  Oct,  1864.       WXlliam  Stoxxs. 


I  went  after  the  Lord  in^  chains ;  with 
supplication  and  bitter  weeping :  I  entered 
in  at  the  Strait  (or  Difficult)  Gkite;  and 
although  the  way  appeared  very  perilous, 
and  Ihave  found  it  a  path  of  triDulation, 
yet,  blessed  be  Ch>d,  it  is  the  rU^ht  way.and 
I  have  never  repented  of  it.— JoAn  Risk. 


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EXPOSITION    OF   REVELATION    IX.    1—7. 


"And  the  fifth  angel  sonnded,  and  I  aaw  a  star 
ftll  from  heaven  unto  the  earth.** 

Bj  the  word  "  trumpet*'  we  are,  I  think, 
to  vnderstand  the  testimon7  of  God  con- 
cerning those  jndfmente  to  which  the 
BAtionfi  that  were  his  enemies  should  be 
subjected.  Asd  the  star  falling  from  heayen 
means,  in  mj  opinion,  some  great  power, 
that  haa  some  special  mission,  or  that  exer- 
cises some  particular  influence  over  the 
land,  or  the  part  of  the  world  in  which  he 
appears ;  like  a  star  casting  its  rays,  like  a 
kind  of  princely  object. 

'»And  to  him  was  civentho  kqr  of  the  bottoiDleaB 
pit- 

The  key  is  the  symbol  of  authority.  And 
the  word  "bottomless  pit"  here  used,  is 
not  well  suited  to  explain  the  meaning  of 
tiie  original  word.  The  original  word 
"abyss,"  here  translated  ** bottomless  pit,*' 
Bometimee  means  the  sea,  and  the  sea  fig- 
uratively means  the  world,  and  therefore 
the  idea  conveyed  here  is  that  of  some  great 
power  that  should  exercise  authority  and 
dominion  over  the  stormy  nations  of  the 
earth  for  the  fVirtherance  of  his  own  evil 
designs,  and  for  the  persecution  and  the 
mar^rxdom  of  the  people  of  Qod.  Henoe  it 
was  that  from  age  to  agt,  for  a  thousand 
veais,  just  such  adyeisariea,  luat  snoh 
locusts  as  are  here  described,  fell  upon  the 
Christian  church,  and  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  the  Lord*8  people  were  bjr  these 
adversaries  put  to  deatn.  Unhappily  we 
seem  really  to  be  so  constituted  a«  to  need 
something  to  stir  us  up,  to  waken  us  from  a 
■tite  of  lethamr.  In  those  days  Christians 
assembled  with  ten  times  more  eagerness 
than  they  do  now;  listened  to  the  word  of 
Ood  with  ten  times  more  interest  than  they 
do  now.  In  the  midst  of  peace  and  quiet, 
when  things  eo  on  pretty  amoothly,  the 
Lord's  people  Oo  not  seem  to  manifest  such 
bnming  zeal,  such  high  enthusiasm,  so  that 
while  they  had  such  stormy  times  to  en- 
counter temporally,  the  Lord,  in  his  tender 
mercy,  made  it  up  to  them  spiritually. 

"And  he  opened  the  bottomless  pit ;  and  there 
arose  a  smoke  out  of  the  pit,  as  the  smoke  of  a 
great  ftimaee ;  and  the  sun  and  the  air  were 
garkened  by  reason  of  theamokeof  the  pit." 

That  is,  the  proapecte  of  men  were  dark- 
ened. Suppoee  waeh.  a  power  as  is  here  de- 
•oribed  should  eome  in  upon  our  happy 
nation,  and  deprive  us  of  the  liberty  and  the 
privileges  we  now  hava,  would  not  that 
darken  our  sun  ?  Would  not  all  our  sunny 
pxospaeta  as  a  nation,  in  which  wa  h<^  to 


ex^ov  social,  political,  and  Christian  liberty, 
would  not  all  these  be  darkened  and  swept 
away  ?  This  has  been  the  case  with  many 
nations,  we  hope  it  never  may  be  the  case 
with  our  nation. 

"And  there oame  out  ef  the  smoke  loonali  vpoii 
the  earth;  and  unto  them  waa  given  power, 
as  the  scorpions  of  the  earth  hare  power.  And 
It  was  commanded  them  that  they  should  not 
hurt  the  gmsa  of  the  earth,  neither  any  green 
thing,  neither  any  tanee;  but  only  those  mtt 
whiSh.  have  not  the  seal  of  GKkI  in  their  Ibre- 
heads." 

Well,  say  you,  just  now  you  said  tiiai  the 
people  of  God  were  put  to  death,  and  now 
It  savs  that  the  people  of  God,  represented 
by  tne  grass  of  the  earth,  and  the  tsees^ 
and  the  vegetation,  are  not  to  be  hnrc 
How  do  you  reconcile  these  two?  Veiy 
well  indeed,  friends.  It  was  in  the  a|Hritiiai 
sense  of  the  word  that  they  were  not  to  be 
hurt  They  were  liable  to  be  hurt  as  nrach 
as  other  men  in  other  rejects,  and  more 
too.  If  there  be  a  maa  to  be  cast  into  the 
lion's  den,  Daniel  is  the  chosen  man;  and 
if  there  be  peonle  to  be  cast  into  the  ftery 
furnace,  those  tnat  fear  God  are  the  meii. 
But  let  the  people  of  God  be  suljected  to 
whatever  they  mav,«whatever  temporiil  loss, 
whatever  physical  suffering,  whatever  pn* 
vation,  even  to  the  privation,  of  life  as  well, 
and  this  has  often  been  the  case  in  timee 
past,  yet  spiritually  it  has  not  hurt  them. 
See  the  apostle  in  the  eighth  of  the  Bonuae, 
how  he  enumerates  the  various  tribnlaliona 
that  the  people  of  God  were  then  paariag 
through.  And  after  describing  the  perils  to 
which  he  was  exsosed,  the  sword  to  whieh 
he  was  exposed,  the  persecution,  the  £unine^ 
the  nakedness,  and  m1  that  he  suflbred,  ha 
makes  the  confiession  that  none  of  theee 
things,  nor  all  of  them  put  together,  could 
hurt  him;  "  nay,"  he  saith,  solar  from  this, 
"  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than  cen- 
^uerors  through  him  that  loved  us ;"  that 
IS,  conquerors  spiritually.  And  if  you  are 
that  kind  of  conqueror  to  obtain  eternal 
life,  never  mind  about  this  life ;  if  you  are 
that  kind  of  conqueror  to  obtain  an  evv- 
lasting  kingdom,  an  immoveable  kingdflm, 
never  mind  about  the  kingdoms  of  Hum 
world;  ifyouare  that  kind  of  conqueror  to 
obtain  everlasting  riches,  everlaatinf^  joys, 
never  mind  about  the  riehes  or  the  jpys  of 
this  world.  And  if  you  are  that  land  of 
conqueror  to  obtain  a  ftUness  of  joy,  and 
pleasures  Ibr  evermore  in  the  presenoe  of 
God,  never  mind  about  the  pleeanres  of  this- 
world,  they  are  all  shadows,  nere  to-day  and 


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398 


gone  to-morrow.  So  that  no  power  on  earth 
has  ever  been  able  really  and  truly  to  hurt 
the  saintSi  for  God*8  word  etahdeth  thus, 
"  All  thuiffs  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God."  Not  work  together  for  good 
to  make  them  all  after  the  flesh  which  the 
flesh  might  desire ;  not  work  together  to 
bring  them  into  that  carnal  ease  and  honor, 
and  those  fleshly  advantaffes  that  the  flesh 
might  desire ;  no,  it  is  in  the  spiritual  sense 
of  the  word,  all  thinss  work  together  for 
their  everlasting  welmre.  So  that  yon  see 
the  Lord  takes  care  of  his  people.  They 
hare  a  life  that  the  adversary  cannot  reach ; 
they  have  a  standing  that  the  enemy  cannot 
overthrow.  Thus  it  is  that  these  adver- 
saries could  not  hurt  them. 

**  And  to  them  it  was  afven  that  they  should  not 
kill  them,  bat  that  they  should  be  tormented 
Are  montha ;  and  their  torment  was  as  the  tor- 
ment of  a  aoorpion,  when  he  atriketh  a  man." 

Here  is  a  limitation,  you  see,  five  months. 
Were  it  not  for  these  limitations,  that  the 
Lord  is  pleased  in  mercv  to  put,  there 
would  not  be  a  nation  left  upon  earth  at 
this  moment.  Here  is  the  American  war ; 
if  I  speak  of  it  as  a  Christian,  I  sav  God 
has  permitted  it,  and  at  the  appointed  time 
be  will  pnt  a  stop  to  it ;  when  tne  five  mystic 
months  are  up,  some  eircnmstance  under 
the  control  of  the  blessed  God  will  put  a 
stop  to  it.  Just  the  same  with  yonr 
tioubles ;  you  will  have  troubles,  and  you 
will  strive,  and  cry,  and  pray,  and  seek,  and 
labour  to  get  rid  of  them,  but  you  cannot 
do  BO.  At  last,  in  some  unexpected  way,  at 
some  unexpected  period,  the  time  is  up, 
your  five  mystic  months  are  completed,  and 
some  circumstance  turns  round  in  your 
favour,  your  troubles  all  pass  awav,  £iatan 
cast  down,  you  raised  up,  and  all  is  well. 


If,  therefore,  national  troubles  are  limited, 
much  more  the  troubles  of  the  people  of  God. 
Then  you  naturally  say,  if  ^ou  have  any 
interest  in  these  things,  and  if  vou  be  sin- 
cere in  your  religion  you  will  have  an  in- 
terest in  them,  if  these  national  troubles 
are  shortened,  if  they  are  limited,  why  are 
they  limited?  What  is  the  reason  dt  it? 
The  Bible  informsyon.  When  the  Bomans 
came  in  upon  the  Jewish  nation,  thev  would 
have  anaihilated  that  nation,  and  there 
would  not  have  been  a  Jew  left  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth.  But  for  the  elect's  sake, 
whom  Gtxl  had  chosen,  he  Fhortened  those 
days  of  tribulation.  There  were  many  of 
the  Jews  that  were  brought  to  know  the 
Lord,  and  m  the  early  ages  of  the  Chris- 
tian dispensation,  all  along  down  to  the 
fourth  and  fifth  centuries,  thousands  upon 
thousands  cf  Jews  were  brought  to  know 
the  Lord.  And  so  in  all  succeeding  am  the 
Lord  has  shortened  the  days  of  tribulation, 
and  has  limited  the  aggressions  of  the  na- 
tions, because  the  ftal&nent  of  their  inten- 
tions would  involve  the  preventing  of  His 
people  coming  into  existence.  Let  us  rejotee 
then,  that  our  Qod  ruleth  over  all. 

'<  And  it)  those  da3'B  shall  men  seek  death,  and 
shall  not  Dnd  it ;  and  sliall  desire  to  die,  and 
death  shall  flee  from  them." 

Of  course,  when  calamity  follows  upon 
calamity,niaking  life  miserable  and  wretched, 
it  is  veiy  natural  then  for  a  man  to 
wish  he  could  die ;  yet,  though  men  shall 
wish  this,  death  shall  flee  from  them.  That 
needs  no  explanation,  for  every  Christian 
in  tribulation  knows  what  that  feeling  is. 

*'  And  the  ahapea  of  the  loooata  were  like  unto 
horses  prepuvdunto  battle:  and  on  their  heads 
Wtfre  as  it  were  crowns  like  gold,  and  their 
faces  were  as  the  Ikccs  of  men.''^ 


MY  WAY  PROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  TO  THE  PULPIT. 

Bt  a,  Loia>ON  Baptist  Pastor. 


No.  6. 


H0UR3  WITH  THE  UNGODLY. 

How  distressed  is  the  child  of  God  some- 
times lest  he  should  be  deceived ;  the  more 
ha  knows  of  himself  as  a  sinner,  the  less  he 
seems  like  a  Christian  in  his  own  eyes. 
Though  others  mar  laugh  at  his  simplicity, 
he  wi&  sing,  and  tnat  feelingly, 

**  Tis  a  point  I  long  to  know, 

Oft  it  causes  anxious  thought ; 
Po  I  love  the  Lord  or  no<^ 
Am  I  His,  or  am  I  not?  " 

It  is  easy  to  sav  we  may,  and  ought  to 
know;  and  that  all  the  "anxious  thoughts'* 
arise  from  unbelief.  The  fact  still  remains, 
and  the  question  is—how  are  these  doubts 


and  fears  to  be  relieved?     Not  by  simple 
exhortations  to  believe ;   such  a  soul  would 

give  the  woiid  to  believe,  but  is  afraid,  lest 
e  should  be  a  poor  dog  taking  the  children's 
bread.  Faith  is  the  work  of  the  Holv  Gtfaost 
in  its  eveiy  act,  whereby  divine  blessings 
are  appropriated.  But  the  Spirit  usetf  a 
variety  or  outward  citeumstances  in  dia- 
oovering  to  us  our  interest  in  Christ ;  and 
not  unfrequently  we  are  relieved  by  witneit- 
isg  the  contrast  of  our  own  state  with  that 
of  othen.  I  have  often  sone  home  greathr 
encouraged  from  coming  into  converge  Wkn 
the  ungodly.  We  should  not  be  cast  down 
beoanse  we  h«T«  little  gtaoe,  but  thaB^Eftil 


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Vof.  U  1864. 


that  we  hare  any  aft  alL  The  least  spai^ 
of  divine  life  in  the  soul  is  worth  a  thousand 
worlds.  It  is  no  small  mercy  to  know  we 
are  lost  and  rained  Binners,  as  the  following 
case  may  shew. 

.  J.  B.  had  been  a  cabman,  bat  was  so 
afflicted  with  rheumatism  that  he  could  not 
leave  his  room,  or  bed,  without  help.  On 
my  first  visit  to  him,  the  following  conver- 
sation took  place :— *'  You  seem  very  ill, 
friend."  "  Xes,  sir,  I  am ;  but  I  am  very 
happy."  "  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so ; 
pray  what  is  it  makes  you  so  happy?" 
Pointing  to  the  Bible,  Prayer  book,  and 
another  small  volume,  he  said,  ''These 
books  make  me  happy,  sir."  My  heart  be- 
ffan  to  burn  within  me  at  the  thought  of 
having  found  one  of  Ood's  hidden  ones: 
but  alas,  the  hope  was  short-lived.  On  ask* 
ing  what  parts  of  the  Bible  made  him  most 
happy,  he  said,  "  No  part  in  particular ;  but 
you  see  I  had  learned  no  prayers,  never  had 
time  to  do  that  till  I  was  ill,  and  I  had  no 
books  to  learn  'am  from  till  the  curate 
brouffht  me  these ;  now  I  read  the  Oospel, 
epistle,  and  prayers  for  Uie  day,  and  keep 
the  commandments."  I  tried  to  shew  him 
from  John  3rd,  that  he  must  be  born  again  ; 
but  he  said  he  had  been  christened,  and  the 
curate  told  him  he  was  made  a  Christian 
then,  and  only  needed  to  "  read  "  the  books 
and  keep  the  commandments.  **I  only 
wish,  sir,*'  said  he,  **  that  everybody  was  as 
religious  as  I  am ;  I  can  assure  you,  there 
is  never  a  day  that  I  fo]]get  my  duties.** 
All  my  arguments  with  him  went  for  no- 
thing ;  he,  in  spirit,  thanked  Qod  he  was 
not  as  other  men ;  and  was  speciallv  thank- 
fill  that  he  was  not  ro  bad  as  I  took  him  to 
be.  If  the  visits  did  him  no  »>od,  they 
were  profitable  to  my  own  som.  When 
Satan  told  me  I  knew  nothing  of  the  truth 
savinglv,  I  could  reply,  "  One  thing  I  know, 
that  whereas  I  was  blind,  I  see  ;'*  no  book 
or  priest,  or  curate  could  persuade  me  out 
of  that ;  I  see  myself  a  lost,  guilty,  and 
helpless  sinner;  yes,  and  more,  Christ 
.alone  can  save. 

Perhaps  the  reader  would  like  to  know  a 
little  more  about  this  worthy  **  curate.'* 
We  made  acquaintance  in  a  somewhat  sin- 
gular way.  Ue  watched  for  me  one  morn- 
ing, and  on  entering  a  first-floor  £ront  room, 
he  followed,  and  without  any  ceremony,  he 
addressed  me  as  follows: — "Sir,  I  am  the 
lawfully  appointed  minister  of  tiiis  parish, 
.and  I  beg  that  you  will  not  interfere  with 
my  flock."  "  I  am  not  aware,  sir,  of  having 
done  so."  "  You  are  doing  so  now;**  and 
tnrnbg  to  the  old  lady,  in  whose  zoom  we 
were,  he  said,  "  Do  you  not  acknowledge  me 
•  as  your  pastor  ?"  She,  droppinff  him  a  low 
euztaey,  replied,  "  Certainlv  I  &,  air."  He 
looked  upon  this  as  a  complete  victory;  and 
forthwith  ordered  m^  to  leave  the  room.    I 


refused  to  do  so,  unless  requested  by  the 
person  whose  sole  right  it  was  to  bid  me  be 
gone ;  and  the  old  laundren  feeling  some- 
what amused  did  not  sav  go,  so  I  out  with 
the  sword,  and  at  him.  After  the  first  charge 
he  drew  up,  and  would  only  fight  with  the 
weapons  of  episoopal  ordination,  and  parlia- 
mentary authority.  I  plainly  told  him  such 
weapons  might  have  done  some  time  ago,  but 
I  cared  not  for  them,  and  therefore  should 
continue  what  he  deemed  a  sdiismatical 
course.  Einding  ho  could  not  induce  me  to 
leave  the  field,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  one  of 
the  committee,  and  published  it  in  the  form 
of  a  pamphlet ;  this  did  me  great  good ;  but 
no  tnanks  to  the  writer — ^he  meant  it  for 
eviL 

On  calling  again  on  the  old  latmdress, 
just  to  see  how  she  took  the  matter,  she  re- 
ceived me  kindly ;  but  hoped,  for  her  sake, 
I  would  not  let  the  "  curate  '*  see  me  there 
again.  "  As  for  you,  sir,  why  you  were  too 
much  for  him."  '*  Well  now,  if  you  believe 
the  truth  is  on  m  v  side,  why  do  you  call  him 
your  pastor,  and  go  to  hear  him  preach?*' 
«*  Now  look  here,  eir,  I  consider  as  how  one 
religion  is  as  good  as  another ;  and  I  g^oes  to 
church — not  as  I  likes  to  so  in  particular, 
but  I  must,  that's  all.  You  see,  my  old 
man  is  eat  up  with  rheumatism,  and  never 
yarns  a  penny,  so  I  has  to  do  a  bit  o' wash- 
ing ;  it  ain*t  much  as  I  can  do  now,  and  the 
people  don't  pay  half  as  they  used  to.  Oh, 
them  was  the  times,  sir,  when  I  yarned  ftvQ 
shillen  a-day  at  the  wash-tub ;  but  them 
days  is  gone,  and  we  must  all  look  arter 
number  one  as  well  as  we  can  ;  so  you  see, 
sir,  at  "  AU  Souls,"  there  are  a  mat  many 
rich  from  Portland  Place,  and  there-abont, 
and  there  is  a  good  bit  olmcrament  money; 
yes,  that's  pretty  good  at  •*  All  Souls  ;*'  the& 
there's  a  bit  o*coal  in  the  winter,  or  some- 
times a  few  bread  tickets,  and  a  blanket  or 
two ; — ^bless  ye,  sir,  we  could  not  live  at  all 
but  for  the  chareh ;  so  you  see,  I  likes  that 
religion  best  as  likes  me  best ;  and  yon  don't 
blame  me,  do  you?**^ 

She  knew  very  well  that  all  these  favors 
would  cease  if  she  offended  the  "curate" 
by  going  to  chapel : — as  they  would  call  my 
meeting^room.  and  therefore  she  remained 
a  "true  English  church-woman,"  as  the 
Puseyites  phrase  it" 

My  reader  may  be  suffering  for  conscience 
sake ;  and  truly  it  is  a  trial  of  faith  to  see 
the  abuses  of  public  charity  by  some  of  the 
"High  Church"  party.  But  sufiEer  on 
rather  than  be  of  tnose  who  are  anything 
for  a  loaf.  6od*8  heroes  are  often  amon^ 
the  poor ;  and  He  will  ultimately  reward 
patient  suffering  for  His  sake;  and  even  in 
the  midst  of  it.  He  can  sweeten  all  by  the 
smiles  of  His  f^. 

How  dtfibrsnt  was  the  case  of  poor  Mrs. 
Bobittson  to  that  above  mentioned!    On 


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301 


reading  to  Moi.  E.  of  the  dear  Lord  having 
not  where  to  lay  hia  head,  she  eried,  **  Poor 
Jeans !  I  would  have  given  him  inr  bed/' 
and  with  tears  of  joy  she  blessed  aim  for 
making  her  so  rich  through  His  own  pbvertj. 
Bat  to  retain  to  the  uuj^odly,  let  us  look  at 
a  case  or  two  &om  wh^  we  majleam  to 
be  thankfal  for  deUyeranoe  iicm  the  mark 
of  the  beast.  On  my  rounds  one  day  a 
door  was  opened  by  a  new  comer  on  the 
district,  anid  the  nanal  question  asked, 
*'  Who  did  you  please  to  want,  sir  V*  "  No 
one  in  particulju?;  I  am  a  missionary,  and 
will  give  you  a  traot»  and  redd  a  UtUe  of 
Ood's  word,  if  yoa  will  allow  me."  She 
had  a  roueh  busby  head,  a  round  red  face, 
Sjid  two  of  the  most  piercing  blue  eyes  I 
ever  saw,  which  were  separated  by  a  peculiar 
little  tucn-up  nose;  as  to  her  figure,  that 
was  somethmg.Uke  a  sack  of  wool  with  a 
string  tied  round  the  middle.  She  fi^ed 
her  two  stars  on  me,  and  asked  sharply, 
''What's,  your  nameP"  The  name  was 
given,  with  "May:  I  ask  yours?"    **My 

.  name  is  Q'ConneU,  with  a  sio  01  and  sure 
I*m  a  Catholic,  and  belooe  to  the  true 

.church.  You  heietie,  be  offr  On  Attempt- 
ing to  soothe  her  by  kind  assurabces  thM 

.  my  sole  business  wasto  tell  her  oi  One  who 
was  able  to  save  ainaflra,  she  shut  her  eyes, 
«tretchedout  her  arms,  and  in  the  most 
earnest  and  solemn  voice,  called  upon  Opd 
io  curse  m^.  Thece  was  something  reaj 
•olemn  a&d  awliil  in  hearing  the  God  of  all 
grace  called  iq>on  by  one  poor  sinner  to 

.  cocse  another,  and  that  in  the  sacred  name 
of  religion.  But  my  reeeptioQ  by  another 
Catholic  was  worse  stilL  Ifiad  he  lived  in 
the  floor  next  the  clouds  insve^  of  that 
ondexground,  my  neck  might  have  been 
broken.  He  opened  the  door  of  the  wret<died 

.  cellar  with  an  umbreUa  in  his  hand,  which 
he  levelled  at  me  in  anm  fashion,  saying, 
**  If  you  don't  be  ofl^  I'U  poke  your  eye  out." 
I  begged  him  not  to  be  ^oigiy,  as  my  only 
wish  was  to  do  him  flood,  when  he  matteaeed 
something  about  tmukting  error,  threw 
down  the  umbrella,  and  sent  me  heels-over- 
head in  the  passage,  and  in  awful  language 
threatened  my  life,  following  up-stairs  as  if 
to  put  the  threat  into  exeoution.  Bailies 
are  generally  cowards.  I  turned  in  the 
upper  passage,  and  said,  /'Now  I'm  off 
your  premises,  touch  me  if  you  dare."  He 
slipped  down  stairs  again,  and  I  have  not 
seen  him  since,  save  once,  on  which  ooession 
he  evidently  had  no  wish  to  meet  my  eye. 

What  a  mercy  to  be  deliyeRsd  from 
Popeiy  and  Pharisaism;  to  lie  a  poof 
sinner  at  the  feet  of  Jesus«  and  look  for 
salradon  only  there.  "Whomaketh  thee 
to  diffiur,"  and  what  hsst  t^ou  to  dis- 
tingnish  thee  ftom  such  ohaaiioteni,  bat  what 
thou  bast  zeoeived  ftom  sovereifln  love? 
That  man  who  would  knock  down  toe  Chris- 


tian preacher  or  teacher,  simply  as  such, 
would  knock  down  Jdsus  Christ  if  he  had 
it  in  his  power.  Therefore  we  know  we 
have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because 
we  bve  the  brethren.  But  self-righteous- 
ness and  superrtition  are  not  the  only,  or 
even  the  worst,  foes  of  the  city  missionaty. 
The  god  of  the  very  low  and  most  demded 
portion  of  the  people  is  Baechas,  and  by  a 
peep  at  one  of  his  secret  temples,  we  must 
elose  this  paper.  I  witnessea  the  scene  in 
the  "Rookery,"  St  Giles,  one  Sunday 
morning,  from  the  window  of  a  lodging 
house.  In  a  back  yard  there  was  a  sort  of 
cupboard,  where  stood  a  retailer  of  gitt ; 
'*tne  kids  were  sent  to  watch  the  peelers  *' 
in  case  of  a  surprise,  and  there  half-naked 
and  half-starved  men  and  women,  and  even 
boys  and  giris,  were  dancing,  swearing,  and 
smoking.  But  I  darego  no  fhrther:  what 
I  saw  and  heard  is  not  fit  for  publication. 
The  scene  took  place  behind  the  house 
where  a  murder  was  committed  a  year  or 
two  ago,  and  has  never  yet  been  found  out. 
Let  any  man  see  such  sights,  and  surely  he 
will  bdast  no  more  of  the  dignity  of  humian 
nature.  But  for  the  grace  of  God  one  of 
the  party  might  have  been  Gideok. 


APOSTOLIC   PREACHING. 

A  LflTOBK  TO  Rev.  Johit  £.  Cracknsll, 

Minister  of  Qxmbray  Chutpel^  Cheltenham, 

Ds4R  Bbotbir  Csackhb^— -In  my  last,  I 
proved  from  Paul's  preaching  that  your  in- 
terpretation of  2  Cor.  v.  20,  was  contrary  to 
the/oe^  ;  and  now  proceed  to  prove  in  a  few 
words  that  it  it  is  oontrary  to  the  general 
tenor  of  God's  Word. 

The  question  is,  Can  a  man  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins  r€t»ncUe  kimaelf  to  Ood  f 

1st,  observe  how  the  H^  Ghost  describes 
vum*s  ataie  ^  tudnre.  He  is  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins  (£dh.  ii.  1) ;  the  understand- 
tng  is  darkened.  He  is  alienated  from  the 
liie  of  God,  through  blindness  and  hardness 
of  heart— past  feeling. 

The  thiwa  is  an  open  sepulchre. 

With  the  tongue  they  have  used  deceit. 

Under  the  2^,.  is  toe  poison  of  asps. 

Their  mouih  is  Aill  of  cursing  and  bitter- 
ness. 

Their /stf^  are  swift  to  shed  blood. 

The  way  of  peace  they  have  not  known. 

There  is  no  fear  of  Cfod  before  their  eyes. 

Destmctionand  misery  are  in  their  ways. 

Every  imagination  of  the  thought  of  the 
heart  is  only  evil,  and  that  continuaUy, 

They  are  blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world. 
He  mMs  in  them  as  the  children  of  dis- 
obedience. 

Th^  desire  not  the  knowiedgs  of  God's 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


602 


Vm,  1,  UH. 


And  ^oa  6aQ  wm  a  man  in  this  state 
to  nooncile  himMlf  to  Qodl 

Hy  btotherf  the  whole  of  Qod't  Weed  is 
foil  of  cledarations  of  man's  utter  inoapacLty 
to  do  aught  that  is  spiritaaUj  good. 

Bpiriiual  Itft  must  preside  qririiual  aete, 
ana  that  li&  is  the  gift  of  God:  **l  give 
onto  tJiem  etoznal  life ;"  ^^yomtmetmoowie 
unto  Me,  except  the  Father  which  hath  sent 
Jlie,  draw  him;"  '<  All  that  the  Father  hath 
l^ren  Me  shall  come  to  me ;  and  him  that 
oomethnnto  Me,  I  will  in  no  wise  oast  oat" 

If  in  any  portion  of  Ood*s  Word  weoome 
into  contact  with  a  passsge,  which  seems  to 
mn  in  a  eontracy  direction,  to  these,  it 
most  be  interpreted  aocotdtng  to  the  analogy 
of  fiuth,  tmet  the  general  tenor  of  Q<Ma 
Word; — ^the  mle  being,  that  that  wldch  is 
dark  or  ambiauoHe  shall  be  intoq^ieted  by 
Uiat  which  is  light  and  dear* 

Beoonciliation  with  Oed,  most  spring 
ftom  a  eenee<f  Bu  love  to m»,  bat  thena- 
tnral  mind  is  enmity  agsinst  God;  "It  is 
not  sabfect  to  the  laiw  of  Qod,  nrntkermited 
etm  it,  and  therefore  all  exhortations  to 
him  in  that  state  to  reooneile  himself  to  Gkxi 
are  as  -vain— aswonld  be  an  address  to  the 
dead  in  some  cemeteij,  to  come  baok  again 
fix>m  dost  and  asheS|  to  take  ^avt  in  the 
busy  aettyities  of  life. 

wishing  yonereiy  new  oomaot  blessing, 
and  with  an  eamest  desire  that  this  cor- 
zespondenoe  ma^  not  interfere  in  any  decree 
wim  onr  old  fhendship,  I  remain,  my  dear 
brother,  most  cordially  yoors  in  Hdi  we  lore. 

ZrinitT  OMHpel,  B.  &  Win. 

fSymonth,  October,  1804. 

OUR    PATHEES. 

If  is  yeej  'enconxaging  to  witneoi  the 
nomber  of  good  old  men,  whose  liTes  the 
Lord  has  so  long  spared  to  his  choroh  in 
theee  days.  On  the  platfonn,  the  other 
day,  when  Mr.  Wells  laid  the  fonndation 
stone  of  his  new  Tabernacle,  we  stood 
beside  old  father  Jones ;  and  he  looked  as 
brave  as  eyer.  Next  to  him  stood  good  old 
&ther  Hanshew,  of  Watford,  Adl  76;  with 
a  foce  as  blooming  as  eter ;  and  then  there 
was  "old  John  Foreman,"  as  they  so 
fiunlliarlv  call  him;  and  he  spoke  well. 
Just  benind  him  stood  good  old  Thomas 
Stringer,  and  Tenerable  brother  Hanks; 
with  their  heads  almost  as  white  as  snow; 
but,  like  Btardy  cedars  in  Lebanon,  they 
looked  fistithfal,  cheerful,  and  determined 
never  to  sell  the  truth.  Tonng  James 
Wells,  whose  raven  locks  and  iron  ftame 
seem  to  promise  a  heartv  and  protracted 
long  age,  introduced  his  brother  Foreman 
as  **  the  Apostle  of  the  Nation  ;'•  this  tide, 
Mr.  WeUs  said,  was  to  be  on  his  tombstone 
when  he  died :  this  brought  a  smile  Cram 


some  other  patrisfehs*  sach  as  bonn^  old 
DrawbzidM  and  that  deep-bass  diviDe, 
Thomas  Wale,  of  Qravssend.  But  we  hsive 
just  received  tbe  following  note  of  a  sainted 
sire  indeed:— 

MB.    aEOBGhE    MUBBBLL 

▲T  KBPFKiL  8TBXBT  OHA.raii,  BTJBSKLL 
8QTTASI. 

It  seems  somewhat  to  allbvd  a  solemn  satis* 
foction  to  behold  the  traaqnil  features  and 


venerable  bsarinp  of  this  other  in  Christ; 
on  whose  brow  tune  has  plaoed  its  honovr- 
able,  yet  unmistakable  impress.  How  the 
distant  past  seems  linked  with  the  presentl 
How  the  mind  rushes  back,  as  it  wtm,  soma 
fifty  or  siz^  yean  ago,  as  if  it  could  pietore^ 
the  aged  man  now,  but  the  yoong  and 
vigorous  man ;  starting  out  in  the  woA  of 
the  ministiy  ftill  of  ssSi,  and  buoyed  nj;  by 
hopefol  e^ectation.  What  ehanffes  smee 
then  I  How  many  sturted  weil,  but  soon 
halted  on  the  nadi  How  manv  have 
ihiishsd  their  coarse,  sines  then,  with  joy  I 
What  thoughts,  like  these^  crowd  in  en 
the  mind.  But  than  the  sdenm  satii- 
fMiliott  is  not  only  to  eontemplate  wiiat  has 
been  passed  thnmsh,  bat  lettisr  to  antiai- 
pate  the  near  amfal  aad  upfMraat  haooy 
preparation  of  the  good  eia  man  te  ma 
heavenly  fsstb 

How  long  he  hu  stsod  fisftfi  with  the 
same  Ohrist-esaltiag  thsmel  The  fsemb 
has  eridentiy  grown  vesy  feeUe,  the  voice 
has  lost  its  powBr,>ad  the  limbs  seem  to 
have  grown  weary  of  their  Amotions.  Yet 
the  heart  is  warm,  the  mind  is  filled,  and 
the  tonffue  gives  uttesance  to*  the  same 
truths  midi  have  employed  its  powers  so 
long,  and  so  welL 

Sunday,  Oct.  16th,  being  the  69th  anni- 
venaiy  <tf  Keppell-street  Chapel,  three  ser- 
mons .were  preaohed,  morning  aad  eveniiu^ 
by  Mr.  Munml,  and  the  afternoon  by  Mr.  4, 
Bloomfleld.  In  the  mominff  the  text  wis 
Colossians  iiL  1:  **  If  ye  be  risen  with 
Christ,  seek  those  things  which  are  above, 
where  Christ  ritteth  on  the  tight  hand  of 
God."  We  cannot  say  more  than  just 
notice  that  the  text  was  spoken  ficom  veiy 
blessedly,  let.  The  ImpUoaHon,  "  Christ 
is  risen.  2nd.  The  St^poeitimh  **  Ye  are 
risen  with  Christ.  8rd.  The  Exlkortation, 
«Seek  those  thinss,"  te. 

In  conclusion,  tne  cause  was  afibctionately 
pleaded  for,  there  being  a  debt  of  between 
£40  and  £S0  zesting  on  the  place.  The 
aged  saint  urging  as  an  incenme  to  give, 
because  that  would-be  the  last  time  he 
should  plead  for  Keppell^eereet  It  will  be 
said,  and  it  was,  how  manv  times  he  has 
said  the  same  thine.  Sliu  let  us  be  not 
unmindlhl,  the  last  t£ne  wiBeome,  and  it  is 

""''"""*'^*-,,ized.yG00gle 


K  or..  1,1864. 


XBB  fBATtfyfrppy  YESBEL* 


303 


KNOWING     AND     BELIEVING. 

Bt  ]ICb.   Q.  HxABflOWi  MxmsTSE  of  Goduni  Stbbvt  Chafbl,  Vauxealii. 


"And  we  hflYO  known  and  beliered  the 
HsRE  we  hare,  flxst,  Experience ;  Beoond, 
Testimony;  and  third,  Eneouragem^, 

I.  CiiAiifnAir  EzpSAisffCB — "We  have 
known/'  &c  6od*8  love  is  the  fountain 
of  salvation.  Love  chose  as  (2  Thess.  ii. 
13h  love  betrothed  us  (Hoe.  ii.  19);  love 
redeemed  us  (Isaiah  bdii.  9);  love  doew 
us  (Hos.  xi.  4) ;  love  supports  and  defends 
us  (BooLviii.  37—^9) ;  buC  oh,  to  eaiperienet 
thief  An  old  tar*s  yam  18  ejBceedingij  inter- 
esting to  hear  or  xead ;  his  upsand  downs  are 
so  eztxaordinary  that  we  have  felt  peculiar 
pleasure  in  listening  to  his  strange  tale; 
but,  after  all,  he  alone  who  has  azpesiftnced 
the  bitterness  of  the  lash,  can  fully  enter 
into  the  mattsr:  his  nuuiy  dangers,  hair- 
bieadth  escapee,  and  woBdesral  deliver- 
ances, can  be  fully  understood  onl^  by  him- 
sdl  I  can  just  iaoey  him  running  away 
fixHU  tender  parents,  and  for  the  first  time 
stepping  on  ooard,  what  amotion  must  fill 
his  breast :  he  fots  to  sea,  battles  with  the 
wmvea;  is  toned  about;  taohs  about:, 
tumbles  £ram  aloft ;  slips  over  the  side,  ana 
iaoft  ''at  his  wits?  end;  butyohi  what  glad- 
nsM,  what  eestaqr  of  jo7  when  onoe  he  sets 
foot  on  *'tfltm  fiima,**^  he  onHy  ean  lully 
entiff  into  ita  sweetness.  Is  there  not  a 
faint  analogy  hsie-  of  what  John  felt  when 
ho  uttered  our  text?  Icca  well  remember 
such  times  of  luseiona  aweetness.  Very 
tme,  we  have  to  dcaw  a  long  sigh  at  times, 
but  he  doee  compass  us  about  wuh  songs  of 
deliveranoe. 

You  will  see  that  the  beloved  disciple 
makee  a  distinction  between  knowing  and 
believinff ;  sometimes  we  knew,  and  some- 
times beSeue,  Job  believed  when  all  looked 
bkok :  "  Though  he  shv  me,"  &;c ;  but,  by 
and  bye,  he  knew.  *'I  know  that  n^ 
Bedeemer,"  &c.  Abraham  believed  when 
he  went  (no  doubt  with  soma  trembling)  to 
day  his  son  $  but  he  knew  when  he  saw  the 
ram  in  the  thicket.  Just  so  we  have  fight- 
inoB  without  and  fears  within;  but  we 
bdieve  that  all  things  work  together  for 
our  ffood.  We  believe  this  world  is  a  sea 
of  mass,  and  our  oovenant  God  scatters 
trials  like  so  much  saad»  gravel,  and  ashes, 
in  our  path^  to  keep  us  from  slipping.  The 
husbandman  plouffos  his  ground,  and  the 
gardener  prunes  his  vines,  to  make  them 
Iruitful.  The  refiner  flings  his  jgold  into 
the  furnace  that  it  may  be  purified,  and 
the  jeweller  cuts  his  diamonds  to  make 
them  shine  the  brighter;  but  whea  the 
"  third  part"  is  brought  thrayigh  the  fire, 
then  we  can  say,  "  I  hnow  that  in  faithful- 
ness thou  hast  afflicted  me."    We  know 


love  that  Ood  bath  to  ua."— 1  Johniv.  16. 
His  love  by  seeing  it;  as  "trusty  Bob"  is 
said  to  have  done.  Bob  used  to  work  in  a 
coal  mine.  One  dav  he  left  his  dinner  out- 
side the  mouth  of  the  pit ;  some  wags  ran 
off  with  it;  when  he  came  up  some  otlies 
mates  said, "  Well,  Bob,  thy  <hnner  ie  gone ; 
— is  all  for  the  best  now  ?"  "0  vm,"  said 
Bob,  "  I  believe  it  is ;  but  I'll  go  ana  see  after 
my  dinner."  When  he  had  got  quite  away, 
some  foul  air  caused  an  explosion  whim 
killed  those  at  work,  while  Bob  was  mer- 
cifully spared,  and  then  he  saw,  and  knew, 
the  love  of  God. 

When  we  hear  the  ^orious  Gospel,  wa 
believe,  but  0,  how  we  snow  when  sweetlv 
applied:  then  we  wash  our  stepe  wita 
butter;  then  the  dew  rests  on  our  oranch; 
then  we  truly  feel,  "Blessed  are  the  souls 
that  hear  and  know  the  Gospel's  joyfiil 
sound." 

II.  CKuanAJr  TasiiMoinr.  '<We  have 
known  and  believed,"  &€,  Testifiers  there 
are  in  heaven  and  on  earth;  all  in  some 
way  speaking  of  the  power,  m%jes^,  wisdom, 
and  goodness  of  Qto^;  but,  brethren,  whet 
is  our  testimony  this  night?  Bhall  we  not 
say  with  one  yoitef  His  love  to  us  is  iauie« 
served?  What  was  there  in  us  to  merit 
esteem  or  give  the  Creator  delist  ?  Again, 
shall  we  not  teatiiy  his  love  is  unoonque»- 
able  ?  Yesb  we  wickedly  seeuted  as  lonig  ^ 
we  could ;  but 

•  Twas  the  same  lo^  that  spread  the  ftaaC 
That  i^nUy  fofced  ua  in." 

Once  more  we  testij^  His  love  is  imiini<* 
table;  having  loved  nis  own,  he  will  lore 
them  to  the  end. 

**  Hath  he  DOt  his  promiae  paas'd— 
We  shall  oreraome  at  last? 

m.  ErcouBAoiXKNT :  "  We  Aaotf  known," 
&C.  Mj  brethren,  does  not  the  love  of 
God  constrain  you  to  pn^f  for  the  yet  in- 
creasing numbers  attending  this  house  of 
prayer?  yea,  I  know  it  does,  for  you  are 
now  wantintf  a  Saturday  evening  prayer 
meeting.  Ju^  brethren,  doth  not  this  en- 
courage you  to  work  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  ? 
yea ;  I  know  it  does ;  for  the  school  is  being 
filled  with  children,  and  you  are  as  hapoily 
as  earnestly  teaching  them.  What  then  7  go 
on,  my  dear  brethren;  go  on ;  let  us  not  be 
afraid  to  work  while  it  is  day.  With  heart 
and  soul,  lei  us  work ;  the  Lord  has  greatly 
blessed  us,  and  is  blessing  us.  Our  chapd 
fills  welL  All  praise  to  Him.  Be  encou- 
raged, my  dear  brethren.  Go  on ;  endea- 
vour to  convince  of  sin,  righteousness,  and 
judgment;  lift  up  the  blessed  Jesus,  as  the  all 


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Vat,  U  IMA. 


in  all :  lift  up  the  Holy  Ohort ;  about— "Ye 
must  be  borp  fiom  »beva."  0,  bfftlirtB, 
teach  and  pray ;  watdi  and  pray;  get  some 
ipod  tract! ;  distribute  them  broadcast; 
iinners  shaU  tremble ;  Christ  aAoZT triumph ; 
saints  shall  rejoice ;  with  joy  and  singing; 
Go  on,  bretfaien.  Love!  Lots!!  LOvEl 
one  another.  I  will  help  you.  Go  on ;  we 
shall  foon  be  home;  tb«n,  for  ermr,  wel^ 
shout,  "The  winter  is  past;  the  rain  is 
orer  and  gone ;  and  we'll  soar  aloftfor  e^cr, 
sbgiBflr  nnto  Him  that  lered  «."  God  bless 
yon  aiU.    Amen. 

ON   SUNDAY    TRAVELING. 


t 


Mr.  EnnoB,-*-A  lett«r  on  the  abore^ 
named  subject  appeared  in  your  last  im- 
}re8sion,  on  whiot  I  beg  lea?e  io  offer  a 
tww  remarks. 

The  writer  of  that  letter  has  long  been 
dsserredly  esteemed  amongst  the  chntdieS| 
espedally  among  those  who  are  called  Hi^ 
Caivinists,  and  therefore.  hisjudgOMnt  on 
the  subject  will  be  receiTed  by  many  as  de- 
senring  of  an  implioit  regard;  especially 
by  those  who,-  likeyoor  ooRcspondent,  have 
fcit  some  stings  of  oonsdence  on  the  snigoet 
The  initation  arising  tberefirom  wfll  be  al- 
layed, and  "  Sunday  TnT)dltng/'  by  ooaeh» 
omnibus,  or  lail,  will  be  the  rule  and  not 
the  exception,  as  I  beliere-it  has  hitherto 
been.  lor  about  nine  monAs^  I  ohoae  to 
lose  two  days  eaeh  week  out  of  business, 
ztAer  than  trafel  on  the  Lord's<4ay  to 
peach  to  the  people  over  whom  I  have  now 
been  pastor  fifteaa  years.  But. who  will 
think  of  makinff  sneh  «  sacriflee  now-H>r 
in  £Btct  any  at  al^  seeiiy  it  is  laid  down  by 
so  eminent  a  servant  of  the  Lord,  without 
any  qualification  at  all,  to  be  lawfm ;  that  is» 
"not  sinfully  disallowable"  to  tcaycd  on 
the  LordVday  for  the  purpose  of  preaching 
the  GospeL  I  am  not  about  to  argue  the 
miestion  on  its  merits,  but  with  simply  to 
observe  that  the  letter  refeired  to  gare  me 
pain,  as  it  appeared  to  me  likely  to  be 
sreatly  misapplied.  It  may  indeed  be 
lawfuf,  but  is  it  expedient?  Does  it  tend 
to  edlfieation^to  profit?  Mi^t  not  the 
twos  and  threes  be  better  occupied  in  "  Ex- 
horting one  another,*'  seeing  the  promise 
stands  good  to  them  whether  they  have  a 
minister  fiom  a  distance  or  not:  "Wherever 
two  or  three  are  nthered  tog^ether  in  m^ 
name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst"  Is  it 
necessary  that  in  the  ministering  of  grace 
aad  trutti  to  those  "  twos  and  threes'^  the 
saeredness  of  the  Lord*8-day  should  be  in- 
fringed upon  aad  the  fiabbath  broken? 
But  the  "guilt  of  the  breachoftbe  Lord*s-d^ 
lies  with  the  railway  company,  and  not  with 
those  who  use  the  trains,  supposing  they 


areactinffwithagoodmotiTe."  Thisis  open- 
ing js  wide  door  indeed,  I  fe«r  ( V  4nd  mem- 
bm  .of  c^itrcfaee  who  dins  rclad  wiU  not 
confine  their  thquehts  to  railway  traveUmg^ 
nor  to  preaehmg  the  Gospel,  but  will  readily, 
too  readily,  receive  the  advice  and  adopt  it 
fortiiemsehres;  <XNnpreh6ndil%  the  whole 
in  a  short  seiitenee  supposed  to  be  expres- 
sive of  one  of  the  most  dancerons  tenets  of 
Romanism,  viz.,  •*'Tke  end  juwHJim  tie 
mmns,'*  If  this  is  te  be  admitted  in  our 
cdde»  amongst  our  ehnrches,  the  end  wilt 
sooni  be  denly  seen.  Wlio  would  not  re- 
joice in  seeing  the  whole  of  the  Sundty 
tzaffle  abolishM  or  discontinued  ?  but  will 
the  Chureh  aid  by  her  voice  Or  vote  while 
she  is  tangfat  that  it  is  lawfid  as  a  meant 
Ibr  the  prmnotiott  of  the  -preaching  of  the 
Gospel?  And  if  it  is  lawful  to  travel  on 
the  Ijord*s-day  because  the  motive  is  good, 
visL,  to  preach  the  Gospel,  then  it  is  lawftai 
to  Inrean  exenxtion  train  fin*  the  conrey- 
anee  of  the  people  to  hear  the  Gospel,  or 
for  anv  other  purpose^  if  von  can  onl^ 
prore  that  the  motive  is  to  aid  and  advance 
theprcMbingef  the  GospeL  Where  will 
the  admission  oanyns?  I  do  not  see  so 
clearly  that  the  sentence  quoted  is  sufBdent 
to  warrant  the  travelling  on  Lord'to-days  to 
preach  th^  GospeL  Our  Lord  did  not  say 
It  was  hMffhi  to  do  evil  that  good  migM 
come;  but  He  did  say  it  was  Uwftd  to  do 
good  on  the  Sabbath  dav.  Butlholdthat 
railwi^  travelling  on  tae  Loid*s-dav  is  an 
unmitiffated  evil ;  timreis  no  good  in  it  at 
all,  as  lonff  as  good  is  good  andevtl  is  evfl. 
Neither  is  it  godd  beeuse  good  men  allow 
it  for  ffood  puiposes,  nnidi  less  ean  it  be 
made  lawfiiU-tnat  is»  a  practice  existing 
by  and  agreeable  to  ihe  will  of  God,  because 
good  men  ''allow  it "  for  a  good  purpose. 

Let  us  ont  with  it  at  once  —  Sunday 
BaOwsy  Travelling  is  bad  to  all  intents  and 
purposes,  and  deserves  the  severest  con- 
demnation of  all  good  men ;  neither  should 
it  be  upheld  by  ministers  of  the  Gospel  ae 
lawful,  nor  even  as  expedient;  but  if  any 
find  their  consciences  not  wounded  by  bo 
using  it  for  sudi  a  purpose — ^then  the  worde 
of  the  apostle  will  strictly  apply,  "  Happy 
is  he  that  condemneth  not  himself  in  ttuit 
thing  which  he  alloweth."  But  no  kind  of 
reasoninff,  and  I  am  sure  no  part  of  Serip- 
tuTP,  will  ever  prove  that  li^ht  is  darkness, 
or  darkness  lig^ ;  nod  if  radway  travelling' 
on  the  Lord  Vdny  is  not  one  of  the  nnfruit- 
tal  works  of  dttkness— tell  me,  dear  Sir, 
what  is  ?  But  we  are  commanded  to  have^ 
no  feUowship  with  such  works.  I  conclude, 
therefore,  that  it  is  not  either  necessaiy, 
desimUe,  nor  lawfhl  to  do  a  positive  evir 
,  (or  to  share  in  the  doing  of  it,)  thak^ 
may  come  in  any  shape  whatever. — ^I 
am  yours,  W. 


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TBI-SABXBXH  TCSSn* 


305 


THE    SOLIIABY  AM)   THE   REBELLIOUS. 

By  BEXJAHnr  Tatlob,  of  Dxckuebusoh,  Kobtolk. 


"CtodwfetathttMtDUtwTiBlSimiUM;  Hebrlngeth  out  tboM  which  are  bound  with  dttint;  but  the 
KebeUiou awidl in* dry  hiad.**  Piilm IxviiU 8. 

This  Ptefan  i«  jaid  to  be  one  of  the 
songs  of  Dayid,  «nd  how  very  mnoh  it  is 
like  the  tenth  chapter  of  the  book  of 
Numbers,  where  it  reads,  ^'Eise  np,  Lord 
and  let  Thine  enemies  besoattne^"  Ac- 
cording  to  the  (imt  Tsise  of  thia  peaim,  there 
is' the  same  reference  made  to  the  remoTing 
of  the  ark,  and  on  which  aeeoimt  Moses  has 
also  they»  words«-<*  Betom,  O  Lord,  nnto 
the  thoiiiiands<^  Israel''  Wherever  the  ark 
of  Qod  came,  it  did,  in  a  remarkable  man- 
ner»  affaet  two  different  dasses  of  people  ;*- 
flrst^  the  widced— for  thej  fled  before  it; 
secondly,  the  rigfateovs-^fer  they  gsthered 
together  around  it.  The  words,  **  Lett  Qod 
arise,"  remind  me  of  the  rising  of  the  sun, 
when  night  shadows  flee  away,  beasts  of 
prey  recede  to  their  holes  and  dens,  and 
when  the  wicked,  who  prowl  about  in  the 
night  to  do  evil,  beoomc  scattered.  The 
ungodly  flee  at  the  presence  of  the  ark ;  they 
cannot  stand  in  the  presence  of  Christ  and 
the  Gospel ;  for  as  "wax  meUeth  before  the 
fire,  so  shall  thfr  wicked  perish  at  the  pre* 
senee  of  God." 

la  this  pealm  here  is  an  exhortation  to 
the  righteous  to  sing  unto  God,  and  praise 
His  name,  for  He  m  still  '*  a  fother  of  the 
fotherless,  and  a  judge  of  the  widows." 
Tried  and  doubting  souls,  you  who  think 
that  in  spiritual  matters  jtm  are  destitute  of 
a  father,  do  not  forget  thiSi  Is  it  your  fear 
that  you  are  widows,  that  €k>d  is  not  your 
husband,  that  you  hare  no  relatiouship  to 
Htm,  and  that  you  shall  die  at  last  without 
a  yital  tmion  to  Him  ?  Fear  not,  God  is 
your  judge ;  and  He  has  said,  "  Let  thy 
widows  trust  in  me."  (Jer.  xlix.  11.)  Are 
you  sonrowful  of  heart,  and  feel  as  though 
Tou  wore  cast  away  ?  Let  the  words  which 
head  these  few  remarks  be  a  comfort  to  you : 
"  God  setteth  the  solitary  in  families,"  &c. 
Two  sorts  of  characten  are  here  described. 
First,  the  people  of  God;  secondly,  the 
children  of  the  wicked  one. 

First,  the  people  of  God.  These  are  cir- 
cumstantially described  in  two  ways— first, 
as  being  in  a  soUtav^r  state;  secondly,  as 
being  bound  with  chains.  Fhrst,  as  being 
in  a  solitaiy  state.  A  child  of  God  is  some- 
times compared  to  "  a  sparrow  alone  upon 
the  housetop."  (Psalm  ciL  7.)  He  only 
makes  a  doleful  noise ;  it  is  one  dull  sound ; 
he  feels  himself  to  be  a  solitaiy  creature. 
Having  such  a  sight  and  sense  of  his  im- 
worthiness,  he  says,  I  must  dwell  alone  and 
bear  my  grief  and  calamity,  for  I  am  not 


fit  to  be  among  the  families  of  God.  I  am  not 
worthy  of  a  name  and  place  among  them,  I 
am  a  dry  tree,  abairen  stock,  an  empty  well, 
and  a  doud  without  water :  I  am  a  banished 
one,  an  exile,  and  a  castaway.  Fear  thou 
not,  for  **  God  setteth  the  soutazy  in  fami- 
lies." The  Christian  is  sometimes  compared 
to  "  an  owl  of  the  desert."  He  cannot  look' 
the  sun  in  the  face ;  cannot  see  anything  for 
himself  in  the  GK)spel ;  he  feels  blind  and 
stupid,  and  takes  it  for  granted  that  God 
has  made  no  provision  for  him  in  the  ever- 
lasting covenant,  and  will  show  him  no 
foyour.  He  seems  to  be  one  alone  in  a 
desert  place,  and  thinks  there  is  not  another 
in  such  wretched  circumstances.  Poor 
creature,  his  exercise  of  mind,  hissoul  trouble, 
has  made  him  so  nervous  and  timid,  that  he 
is  afraid  of  company,  he  shuns  every  one, 
is  afraid  any  one  should  speak  to  him ;  he 
would  rather  thjnk  by  himself,  walk  by  him- 
self^ and  talk  by  himself.  He  seems  more 
like  an  owl  than  a  man^  and  foels  indignant 
against  himself,  because  he  can  better  see 
the  dark  things  of  this  world  than  he  can  see 
the  things  of  God.  He  can  think  df  earthly 
things ;   and  foolish  things  come  before  the 

3«  of  the  mind ;  he  ia  sometimes  almost  ixt 
leyil,  is  as  a  beast  before  the  Lmtd,  and  as* 
it  were,  without  the  understanding  of  a  man. 
If  he  could  but  have  his  senses  exercised  in 
holy  things,  asthe^  are  in  temporal  things, 
his  soul  would  rejoice,  and  he  should  be 
more  satisfied  as  to  his  interest  in  Christ. 
The  Christian  is  sometimes  like  a  "  pelicaa 
in  the  wildemess."  To  be  in  a  wilderness, 
is  to  be  in  a  lonely,  mournful  state.  Art 
thou  under  the  hif&gs  of  €k>d*8  face  ?  Dost 
thou  mourn  an  absent  God  ?  Are  the  oon- 
solations  of  the  Almighty  small  with  thee  ? 
Art  thou  frightened  only  to  think  of  Uiy  bar- 
renness, thy  continual  lukewarmcess,  hard- 
ness of  heart,  and  backinudnesB  in  holy  ex- 
ncises?  Poor  soull  thou  art  solitaiy  in 
thy  coming  in  and  going  out,  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  in  all  places.  Thou  canst  find 
no  particular  rest  anywhere,  being  plagued 
with  constant  doubts  and  fears,  and  with 
the  piercing  thought  that  all  is  not  righfe 
within,  and  that  thou  shalt  finally  prove  to 
be  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal. 
But  are  not  the  Grentiles  meant  by  the  soli-' 
taiy  in  this  passage?  Without  doubt  they 
are.  These  are  the  people  that  dwell  in  the 
land  of  darkness,  and  in  the  shadow  of 
death ;  and  they  would  perish  in  this  state, 
if  the  Lord  were  not  to  concern  Himself 


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THS  BAJtTHBtf  YlBmVL. 


ISUmlfimL 


about  them.  They  voold  never  set  them- 
eelves  arnonff  Qoau  families;  this  being 
contrary  to  meir  natore^  habits,  and  prac- 
tice. "  dod  setteth  the  solitary  in  &milies.'* 
The  Gentile  nations  are  called  solitary 
places ;  and  we  are  told  the  solitary  places 
ahall  be  glad  of  Qod*B  sent  s^rranta,  and 
that  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as 
the  rose.  (Isaiah  zxzy.  1.)  It  is  a  good  thing 
when  we  become  solitaiy  on  account  of  our 
sms.  A  poor  sinner  under  the  law  feels 
himself  to  be  in  a  lost  and  lonely  con- 
dition, cast  out,  and  castaway,  and  so  is  one 
of  the  solitary  spoken  of  in  these  words.  He 
has  a  solitary  heart,  and  that  gives  him  a 
solitary  mien.  A  heart  that  once  feels  itself 
deserted  of  Grod,  as  to  the  evidences  and  con- 
solations of  the  Gospel,  can  never  rejoice  till 
set  amoii^  the  families,  and  found  in  vital 
onion  with  those  who  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  Secondly,  the  ford's  people 
here  spoken  of,  are  said  to  be  bound  in 
chains.  Quickened  souls  only  can  be  said 
to  know  what  bondage  is.  The  believer 
well  knows  what  it  is  to  be  bound,  so  that 
he  can  neither  pray  nor  praise ;  he  knows 
what  it  is  to  be  shut  up,  and  not  able  to 
oome  forth ;  to  be  so  confused  that  he  can- 
not speak;  he  knows  what  it  is  to  be  boond 
with  the  chains  of  his  ains,  and  not  able  to 
get  £ram  them.  When  onoe  bound  with  the 
chains  of  our  iniquities,  there  is  no  getting 
free  till  those  cnains  are  broken  by  the 
strong  hand  of  God.  If  bound  with  the 
chains  of  doubt  and  fears,  there  can  be  no 

eig  from  them  till  they  are  broken  by 
who  says,  "Fear  not,' '  and '  *  Wherefore 
didst  thou  doubt?*'  We  oan  neither  pray 
you  out,  preach  you  out,  nor  talk  you  out, 
unless  the  Holy  Spirit  make  use  of  us  lor 
this  purpose.  Is  a  man  bound  with  the 
chains  of  worldly  care  and  anxiety  ?  Give 
the  Lord  no  rest  if  you  are  thus  bound,  till 
He  shall  free  you  from  those  heavy  and 
dismal  chains,  and  cause  you  to  set  your 
affections  on  things  above.  Are  the  poor 
Gentiles  here  designed,  who  are  bound  with 
the  chains  of  sin,  alienation,  darkness,  and 
unbelief?  None  but  Gbd  can  break  those 
chains,  and  set  the  i>oor  captives  free.  None 
but  He  can  place  tiiem  among  the  families 
of  heaven,  and  the  true-bom  sons  of  God. 
They  are  all  found  bound  in  affliction  and 
iron,  and  it  is  the  Lord  that  looseth  the  pri- 
soners. It  is  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that 
says,  *'  The  Lord  hath  sent  me  to  preach 
good  tidings  to  the  meek,  to  bind  up  the 
broken-hearted,  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the 
captives,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to 
them  that  are  bound."  (Isaiah  Izi.  6.) 
God's  servant  Peter  was  bound  with  many 
chains,  but  his  Great  Master  broke  them 
aU.  Herod  was  a  chain,  the  two  soldiers 
were  chains,  and  then  there  was  the  prison 
and  the  stocks ;  but  God's  angel  smashed 


through  them  all,  and  set  Peter  fully  at 
liber^. 

Sesondly,  let  us  now  very  btielly  consider 
the  other  character  spoken  of  in  these  words  .* 
*'  The  rebellions  dwell  in  a  dry  land."  Here 
take  notice  of  two  things.  First,  the  state 
of  the  wicked  is  deseribad;  they  an  "the 
rebiUufua."  Secondly,  their  plaoe  of  feri* 
dence ;  "  a  dry  land."  First,  the  rebellioas. 
In  one  sense  they  dwell  in  a  fruitful  knd, 
but  it  will  not  be  for  l<uig,  for  Qtod.  will  tuni 
their  rivers  into  a  wilderness,  and  their 
water-sprinn  into  dry  ground;  yea,  the 
fruitfullana  shall  be  ooavexted  into  a  stite 
of  barrenness,  for  the  wickedness  of  the 
people  that  dwell  thorelD.  If  the  land  of 
the  wicked  produce  abondantly,  God  eaa 
destroy  all  by  fire  and  brimstone ;  He  can 
destroy  by  salt,  or  He  can  smite  with  blaat- 
ing  and  mildew.  The  rebellious  an  such 
as  fig^t  i^gainst  Jehovah,  with  their  head, 
tongue,  hands,  and  feet,  aad  agree  to  cast  off 
His  authority,  and  to  set  His  oommanda  at 
nought.  They  rebel  against  the  word  of 
God  in  rejecong  it ;  tM  house  of  God  in 
deroisinj;  it ;  and  tiiie  servwits  and  people 
of  God  m  soofflng  at  aad  persecuting  thMB. 
Secondly,  look  at  the  reeidenoe  of  the  widced: 
"Adryland."  They  dwell  in  the  dry  land 
of  isnorance,  when  then  is  ao  apizitnal 
wis£»n;  in  Uie  dry  land  of  darkness,  when 
then  is  no  heavenly  li^;  in  tliedry  land 
of  despair,  where  there  is  no  jqr  and  paaee. 
The  world  is  this  dry  land,  cAd  the  widced 
in  it  an  the  stubble ;  shorter  they  wiE  be 
set  on  fire,  and  the  smoke  of  their  torment 
will  ascend  up  for  ever  and  ever.  This 
world  is  pnved  to  be  sueh  a  dry  land  siaoe 
rin  entered  into  it,  that  even  those  who  am 
of  the  world  eannot  be  satisfied  with  all  it 
produces ;  and  if  then  is  no  such  thing  as 
satisfying  them  because  of  the  dryness  ol  it^ 
much  lees  can  it  satisfy  those  who  only  paaa 
throuA^  it  as  strangers  and  pilgrims  to  a 
city  Slat  hath  fouMations,  whit  builder 
and  maker  is  God. 

Dicklebuigh.  B.  Tatuml 


COMING  TO  JESUS. 

Ths  coming  of  a  sinner  to  Jesua  waa 
beautifully  typified  nnder  the  Law,  by  the 
approach  of  the  leper  who  needed  cleansing 
to  the  High  Priest  Befon  coming  unto 
the  High  Priest,  it  was  commanded  of  God 
that  he  should  shave  off  all  his  hair.  Lent. 
xiT.  8.  Bv  which  act  he  eznreased  belon 
God  that  he  was  wholly  witnout  stnogth. 
For  we  read  in  Judges  zvi.  17,  19;  Uiat 
when  Samson's  hair  was  shaved  ofi(  all  his 
stnngth  was  ^ne.  He  was  to  ^ve  off 
his  hair  according  to  God's  command  upon 
the  seventh  day,  or  in  other  words  the  Jew- 
ish Sabbath,  that  being  without  atrength 
upon  that  day,  (which  day  waa  typieai  of 


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TBB  £ABSBBK  YBSSIEL. 


807 


ChziBt,  who  w  the  belierer'B  etenial rest,)  he 
mighjb  thereby  aptfy  pre^figiun  the  poor 
Lav  and^  oonsdence-Btricken  sinner  in  the 
CKie{)el  din>enfiatieii»  who  being  oonvinced 
of  his  penbct  weakness  comes  to  Christ, 
leans  npon  and  rests  in  Him.  After  he  had 
ahsred  off  all  his  hair  as  oonunimded,  he 
ms  to  oome  vnto  the  High  Priest,  and 
bring  with  him  two  birds,  one  of  whidi  was 
to  be  killed  orer  a  running  stream.  Now 
the  killing  of  the  bird  and  the  {wnring  forth 
of  its  blood  over  the  numing  stzeau, 
utrikingly  pre-Bgnied  the  atonement  of 
Christ— of  whom  we  read  that,  "  He  poured 
fiarth  His  soul  unto  death."  Isaiah  fiii.  IZ 
Jt  was  also  a  blessed  type  of  the  Ooepel, 
which  bears  upon  its  nee  the  blood  of 
Christy  and  which  the  Loid  has  promised 
in  His  Word,  shall,  like  the  running  stream 
07er  which  the  bird  was  killed«-<<  Bun, 
lunre  free  eooxie,  and  be  glorified."  2  Thes. 
iiL  1.  The  other  bird  was  then  to  be  dip- 
ped in  the  blood  of  the  one  that  had  been 
aUia,  and  loosed.  Whi^  illustrates  the 
WflflUng  of  the  sinner  in  ttie  blood  of  Jesus ; 
and  also  expresses  the  joyfiil  feelings  of  the 
■onl  under  a  deep  sense  of  sin,  and  the 
amdenmatlon  of  the  law  of  Qodf— being  by 
lSbi&  pieetous  blood  of  sprinkling  looosed— 
IOec  the  bizd«-4kom  its  bondage  and  power. 

The  leper  was  also  to  be  spnnkled  seven 
limes  wim  the  blood  of  the  bird  whidi  had 
been  slain.  The  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of 
tiie  bird  seven  times  upon  the  leper,  and 
faii  bebg  deaneed  thereby,  setting  forth 
the  pertet  woric  of  Jesus  m  the  appucation 
of  Juja  blood  to  the  sinner's  oonsoteaoe; 
tfaweb^  perfecdy  eradioatuff  all  sin.  For 
thus  u  It  written^-^'  The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christy  ffis  Son,  deanseth  us  from  all  sin.*' 
1  John  I  7.  The  number  seven,  being  a 
perfect  number,  is  often  used  in  Scripture, 
fas  here)  to  denote  perfiMtion ;  hence  the 
leper  by  being  sprii&ded  seven  times  was 
eeremonially  perfectly  cleansed. 

Now,  the  only  way  to  oome  unto  Jesus 
aoeeptably,  is  to  oome.  as  did  the  leper  to 
the  High  Briest  of  old— without  stvength. 
Par  as  long  as  thou  hast  any  strength  of  thy 
own  lefty  thou  wilt  never  oome  unto  Him. 
Thou  must,  if  thou  wouldst  come  to  Jesus 
and  be  aeBepted  of  Him,  forsake  and  cease 
trusting  in  tny  own  strength ;  which,  though 
thou  knowest  it  not,  hi  but  p^ect  weakn^, 
and  oome  unto  Hhn  as  <*  a  poor  weak  and 
worthless  worm,"  and  thou  wilt  then  find  that 
He  of  whom  it  was  said  by  the  prophet,  in 
anticipation  of  His  coming,  «  A  bruised  reed 
ahaa  He  shaU  not  break,"  Isaiah  zUi.  3, 
ia  stEU  of  the  same  mind,  and  nothing,  not 
<Ten  thy  sins  though  they  be  great  shall 
tnm  HsBL  from  thee ;  then  wilt  thou  also 
be  able  to  enter  .friU^  into  the  meaning  of 
tike  apostle,  wherein  he  isays,  "When  we 
)  without  stvengtb,  in  due  time  Christ 


died  for  the  ungodly."  Bom.  v.  6.  And  as 
the  High  Pries^  under  the  Law,  made  an 
atonement  for  the  leper  by  the  killing  of 
the  bird-HBo  in  like  manner  shall  Jesus  the 
High  Priest  of  thy  profession,  under  the 
Gospel,  lead  thee  to  see,  by  faith,  that  He 
hath  atoned  for  thee ;  He  sludl  also  sprinkle 
thy  conscience  with  His  blood,  and  thou, 
like  the  leper  who  was  sprinkled,  shalt, 
though  thou  feelest  thyself  to  be  the  vilest 
of  the  vile,  be  cleansed  from  all  tb^  sins. 

VERITAS. 


THE    WEEPING    VALLEY. 

Bt  W.  FbIZH,  BOBOVfiR  0BSBK. 

WsLL  spake  the  Holy  Ghost  by  David, 
"They  go  from  stren^  to  stren^b;  for 
the  way  of  man  is  not  m  himself;  it  is  not 
in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps." 
Our  gracious  Jehovah  kindly  gives  Ida 
weary  pilgrims,  **  to  diink  of  the  brook  in 
the  way."  They  are  often  enabled,  while 
making  their  journey  through  this  waste 
.howling  wilderness,  to  ''remember  Him 
fl»m  i&  land  of  the  HsEmonites,  and  £eom 
the  hill  Misar."  0  yea,  veiy  veiy  gracious 
indeed  is  the  way  of  the  Lord  wmi  nan, 
while  passing  through  this  vaQev  of  Baca. 
Baca  meana  weeing  or  tears,  and  how  few 
are  there  but  ham  to  say  with  the  Fsahnist, 
**  Hy  tears  have  bean  my  meat  day  and 
nigUb.  O  Lord,  hold  not  Thy  peace  at  my 
tears !"  To  the  devout  soul,  humbled  be- 
fore Ck)d,  and  emptied  of  self  and  sin,  this 
world  is  a  vale  oftears.  The jpoor  degraded 
soul,  **  bound  in  affliction  and  iron,"  and  who 
is  compelled  to  exclaim  with  the  old  patri- 
arch of  XJz,  '*  Wearisome  niffhts  are  ap- 
pointed for  me,"  finds  that  the  life  that  now 
IS,  requires  a  strone  consolation  to  bear  up 
under  the  manifold  trials  and  great  fight  of 
afflictions  which  he  is  called  to  endure. 
But  0,  if  there  is  a  cross  to  bear,  there  is 
jgnreat  grace  promised  to  help  us  to  sustain 
the  burden.  Yes,  poor  soul,  if  thou  art 
"weary  and  heavy  laden,"  and  "faint yet 
pursuing,"  there  is  "a  well  of  living  water 
and  streams  from  Lebanon,"  to  whidi  thou 
canst  come!  0  yes,  listen,  hark,  mercy's 
sweet  silvery  voice  is  now  calling  to  that 
weary  thirsty  spirit,  "Ho  every  one  that 
thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters!"  The 
gracious  blessinc  of  the  Gospel,  the  sure 
mercies  of  David,  are  to  thee  what  a  gush- 
ing fountain  in  the  sandy  desert  is  to  the 
weary  way-worn  traveller,— a  spring  of  con- 
solation and  refreshing.  So  David  felt 
when  desiring  the  waters  of  the  sanctuary, 
but  was  deprived  of  them  for  a  season.  0 
how  did  his  fainting  soul  cty  out,  "  I  dwell 
in  a  dry  and  thirs^  land,  where  no  water 
is,*'  and  "As  the  hart  panteth  after  the 


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THE  EABTHBir  TSSSEL. 


BCT.  1,  1684. 


wHter  brooksi  00  pantcth  my  soul  after  Thee, 
O  God!*'  O  mj  soal,  art  thoa  now  pars- 
ing, in  thy  experience,  through  a  land  of 
drought  ?  Is  the  world  a  barren  wildemeBS 
to  tbce,  yielding  no  comfott  nor  consolation 
under  tny  daily  losses  and  tribulations? 
Ck>me  then  to  the  fountain  of  linug  waters, 
atand  in  the  front  of  Horeb,  and  see  that 
stream  of  living  waters  gushing  from  that 
flinty  rock,  at  which  the  thirsty  people 
drioK,  and  see  how  the  living  rolling  stream 
follows  them  till  they  tread  the  verge  of 
Jordan,  and  remember  that  they  while  tra- 
velling through  the  wilderness,  aid  all  drink 
the  same  spiritual  drink ;  for  they  drank  of 
that  spiritual  rock  that  followed  them,  and 
THAT  BOCK  WAS  Chbist.  And  are  the 
streams  cut  off?  Is  the  rock  exhausted  ? 
Are  there  no  streams  in  the  desert  ?  0  my 
soul,  rejoice  in  thy  covenant  God,  for  thou 
shalt  yet  with  joy  draw  water  out  of  the 
well  of  salvation !  0  yes,  if  thy  way  is 
rough,  if  the  road  is  full  of  thorns  and 
briars,  thy  shoes  shall  be  iron  and  brass, 
and  as  thpr  day  thy  strength  shall  be.  0 
what  a  nch  and  precious  mercv  that  he 
knoweth  the  way  we  take,  and  through  all 
the  journey  we  shall  find,  like  Israel  of  old, 
that  while  passing  through  the  valley  of 
weeping,  sorrow,  and  severs  trial,  we  shall 
find,  like  Hagar  of  old,  a  well  of  water  to 
meet  our  tiying  necessities.  Gracious  Lord, 
make  us  more  ready  to  take  and  receive  the' 
streams  of  true  consolation  which  Hiy  £ree 
and  boundless  fkvonr  has  afforded  us ! 


THE   ELBCT   GLORIFIED. 
BBv.  vn.  1»— 17. 
O  My,  from  whence  oometh  yon  legions  00  bright, 
All  clad  in  those  xobes  ao  wondroualy  white? 
Lilt  t  lift  to  the  •train*  from  their  harpa  of  gold. 
They  raviih  my  ear  with  their  notes  untold. 

O  none  but  the  sainti  of  the  most  Hish  Ood 
Coutd  chant  such  a  tweet  and  uoearmly  ode ; 
None  ooald  in  those  blood-whitened  robes  be 

decked. 
But  lav'ritw  of  hatvai— the  redeemed  eleoL 

Tet  these  are  the  eoola  that  were  once  defiled. 
The  blackneaa  of  shi,  had  their  gannenta  toiled ; 
But  weeping  they  pressed  on  to  Calnuy*B  flood. 
And  washed  their  robes  white  in  the  Saviour's 
blood. 

Throutfh  great  tribulation  and  woe  they  passed, 
And  oil  was  their  way  with  dull  gloom  oreroast ; 
And  wear}%  they  breathed  out  their  \iW»  last 

breath, 
To  enter  the  vale  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

But  now  at  Ood's  radiant  throne  of  light. 
They  serve  in  His  temple  all  day  and  nignt ; 
The  tear  of  deep  aatpush  no  more  th^  know, 
Hor  sorrow,  nor  signing,  nor  grief,  nor  woeu 

They  eat  of  the  Ihiit  of  that  land  so  fair, 
And  drink  at  the  T"     -  -      -         -     ' 
The  sun  may  not 
Kor  moon,  in  the 

O,  haste  thee  my  seal,  to  those  jplaans  abeve^ 
To  Join  in  the  praise  of  redefining  love : 
To  sing  to  the  strains  of  that  heavenly  ode, 
The  song  of  the  saintaof  tbe  moat  High  Ood. 


A  FSW  TaOUOUTS  OV  THX 

HEAVENLY     CALLING. 
Br  Alvbid  S.  CboDBinos,  or  Bats. 


I  was  for  years  ignorant  of  this  mystery, 
after  I  was  converted.  It  was  through  con- 
verse with  other  Christians  that  I  had  my 
attention  turned  to  it^  and  was  led  to  exam- 
ine the  Word  thereon.  I  believe  it  is  but 
little  understood  among  true  believerti.  Of 
course  till  we  do  see  it,  there  is  no  walking 
in  the  ^wer  of  it. 

A  child  of  God  cannot  enjoy  intell^ent 
fellowship  with  the  Lord  wmle  his  mind  is 
unenlightened  as  to  his  present  session  in 
Christ  in  the  heavenUea.  1  Eph.  18.  This 
of  course  in  spirit.  The  hope  of  our  calliofi^, 
is  to  be  like  Him  and  with  Him,  when  He 
comes— the  time  of  the  manifested  adop- 
tion and  the  redemption  of  the  bodv.  The 
present  relationship  of  the  risen  Christ  to 
the  mvstieal  bo^,  the  church,  moat  be  fint 
apprehended.  It  is  this  new  resurrection 
life  and  oneness  with  our  liviog  Head  that 
gives  us  this  place  in  Him  where  He  ia,  mnd 
nartieipation  in  the  same  blessings.  *'  As 
He  is,  80  are  we  in  this  world. "  Onr  condi- 
tion and  standing  b^ore  the  Father  ia  ti^e 
same^as  neraben  of  the  same  bodjr.  "  Ko 
more  in  the  flesh,  but  in  the  Spirit/*  cm 
bleasingi  thtfefore  must  be  where  He  is, 
BpintHiil— heavenly.  In  Him,  then  neoee- 
sarily  in  the  heavenlies^  and  blessed  in  Uv) 
evei^  spiritual  blessing  {the  eiaraeier  o/the 
hUssitiff)  even  as  He  is.  Blessings  suited 
to  A  people  in  the  flesh  (I  mean  ms  before 
Gh)d),  like  Israel  was,  would  be  ve^  nn- 
Sttited  to  us,  who  have  at  the  cross,  with 
Christ  done  with  the  flesh,  and  entered  on  a 
new  and  spiritual  life  on  niffh. 

I  am  sometimes  surprised  to  find  Chris- 
tians clear  enough  on  ''calling,"  <* divine 
calling,"  and  "  effectual  calling,"  and  even 
dwdl  upon  our  calling  from  ue  service  of 
sin— the  bondage  of  the  flesh,  and  flaUow- 
ship  with  the  darkness  of  this  evil  wodd, 
ana  do  not  apprehend — or  it  seems  tome  ao, 
for  they  respond  little  to  it,  and  sometimes 
even  <»ill  it  notion— the  ptesent  calling  to 
sit  in  the  heavenUes,  and  eigov  onr  true  por- 
tion there.  J  suppose  it  is  fScom  a  want  of 
ffayerful  study  and  meditation  on  the 
words  of  Scripture,  bv  which  theSmrit  doth 
teach  our  squIs.  The  epistle  to  the  Ephe- 
sians  was  evidentlv  written  to  make  known 
this  mvstery,  and  without  it,  though  we 
should  know  that  we  were  ''called"  as  not 
of  the  ^orld  in  spirit— to  present  snffinii^ 
in  it.  (1  Peter  ii.  21)  and  to  the  obtaintog 
of  glory  by  and  bye;  we  vhoold  noi  know 
that  we  are  mw  "  raised  up  by.  the  ezoeeding 
peatness  of  his  power  to  nsw;ard  who  l^e- 
aere*  aooording  to  His  mighty  power  (s 


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reetionpover)  vhich He  wrought  in  Gluitfc 
when  He  raieed  Him  from  the  dead,"  and 
made  to  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in 
Christ  Jesns — blessed  in  every  spicitaal 
blessing,  and  pTivfleged  to  hold  feliowship 
with  tlie  Father  in  his  veiy  presence.  We 
are  chosen  hereto  (I  Kph.  4;  and  called  to 
the  present  esjoyment  of  the  blessing  (Heb. 
iii.  1).  And  till  in  the  power  of  the  Holy 
'  Ghost  we,  by  fiiith,  (not  sense)  receive  God's 
decUration  of  what  He  has  oone  for  ns,  we 
shall  not— we  cannot,  know  its  sanctifying 
power  in  oar  hearts. 

I  am  afraid  a  spirit  of  Judaism,  which 
hinders  many  from  seeing  the  controsis  of 
oar  present  position  and  calling  with  Israel 
of  old,  is  really  at  the  root  of  this  obscurity. 
Judaism  recognized  flesh,  Christianity  does 
not,  except  as  dead.  Flesh  therefore  will 
always  cling  to  that  which  makes  account 
of  itself.  There  is  nothing  more  important 
to  uuderstaud  than  this;  and  nothing 
Christians  seem  so  backrad  to  receive. 

£AHTHLT  CALLISTO. 
lonel,  an  eIeote«rthly 
people—in  the  flesh- 
partakers  of  an  earthly 
calling  out  of  Bsypt  to 
possess  an  eartnfy  ia- 
heritance  in  Cbnaan, 
and  blessed  in  every 
temporal  blessing  in 
those  earthly  places— 
fields  and  lands— Wne- 
yards  and  ol  ive  s  rounds 
— herds  and  flocks- 
houses,  possessions,  and 
cities  to  dwell  In  (Beat, 
xxviii.)  —  hatinff  an 
earthly  **  place  of  wor- 
ship "<-  a  worldly  sane* 
tuaiy  and  temple,  an 
earthly  priesthood,  and 
an  earthly  glory.— Heb. 
Ix.  1. 


HBAYBIfLT 

CALLIVO. 
The  church  ->  the 
spouse  or  body  of 
Cfhrist— an  elect  hea- 
venly people,  partakers 
of  a  heavenly'  oalling 
out  of  this  world  to  poa- 
sess  a  hearenly  city  and 
inheritsnoe^  blessed  in 
every  spiritual  blessing 
in  the  heavenly  plaoes 
in  Christ  Jesus, and  en- 
tered into  in  spirit  now 
by  fidth  a^eb  Iv.;  xil. 
92,)  having  a  heavenly 
"place  of  worship'*— 
the  holiest  of  all  (Eph. 
iii.  IS.  Heb.  x.  19)-a 
heavenly  priesthood, 
and  a  heavenly  glory.— 
%  Cor.  iv.  e. 


Earthly  blessincs  then  are  not  promised 
to  ns.  This  is  a  hard  saying  for  the  man  v 
religionists  of  these  days  to  understand, 
who  "  mind  earthly  things."  But  if  we  are 
living  by  faith  in  the  heavenlies,  we  shall 
be  lookug  down  in  spirit  from  our  seat 
there,  upon  every  earthly  thing,  and  keeping 
them  under  our  feet.  Jesus,  the  Man  now 
in  the  heavenlies,  and  the  portion  he  had 
here,  are  our  pattern,  not  national  Israel.  I 
•often  grieve  to  read  and  hear  so  much 
Judaism  set  before  dear  believers,  es- 
pecially with  regard  to  what  is  promised  to 
us  in  this  world.  Instead  of  these  earthly 
blessings,  we,  being  one  with  the  rqected 
Jesus,  are  to  expect  as  "strangers  and 
IHlgrims "  only  tribulation,  (John  xvi.  33) 
persecution,  (2  Timothy  iii.  12)  suffering, 
<1  Peter  iL  21)  in  the  j^hway  of  obedience 
and  service ;  v^ereas  with  Israel  it  was  just 
the  opposite.  Temporal  blessings  are  now 
no  evidence  of  God^s  favour.  The  men  of 
this  world  are  manifestly  better  off  in  this 
iCespect  than  the  children  of  God.   The  tot 


epistle  of  Peter  clearly  teaches  that  we  who 
are  called  to  glory  with  Jesus  when  He 
comes,  are  called  to  buffer  in  the  flesh  here  on 
earth,  for  this  "  litUe  while."  (1  Peter  v.  21.) 
We  may  be  assured  all  the  Father  sees  good 
for  us  we  shall  have.  Pilgrims'  fitre  we  are 
nromised,  but  nothingmorc^  and  He  is  the 
Dest  judge  of  that.  How  little  will  suffice, 
the  Word  teaches  us,  by  Christ  and  his 
apostles.  When  a  child  of  God  is  looking 
for  blessings  of  wealth — ^lands — ^basket  and 
store  here,  he  is  evidently  in  ignorance  of  his 
true  position,  and  his  proper  euling  in  Christ 
Jesus.  In  these  days  we  cannot  dwell  too 
much  on  this  blessed  mystery,  for  bv  reason 
of  the  spirit  of  apostasy  all  around,  many 
are  drawn  aside  after  the  world.  What 
meaneth  all  this  worldly  status  and  pride  of 
life — pomp  and  luxury  at  home'— dress  and 
vain  show  out  of  doors?  And  all  this 
mixed  u{>  with  what  is  called  evanffelical 
Christianity !  What  meaneth  all  this  reOgious 
worldliness — ^services,  ceremonies — worldly 
" sanctuaries,"  and  ''churches,"  so-called? 
It  is  thus  souls  are  ensnared  by  the  maxims 
and  manners  of  mere  professing  Christen- 
dom, and  are  kept  in  darkness  and  bondage. 
Not  understanding  the  nature  of  their  voca- 
tion, they  are  not  walking  worthy  of  it. 
For  a  Jew  to  be  minding  earthier  things  was 
consistent  with  his  earthly  calling,  and  by 
and  bye  in  the  day  of  Christ,  it  will  be  no 
sin  for  him  to  be  worldly ;  the  earth  will 
then  be  blessed  again.  But  a  Christian  is 
called  to  mind  heavenly  things  because  par- 
taker of  a  heavenly  calling,  and  having 
done  with  the  world  and  the  flesh  once  and 
for  ever  at  the  cross. 

The  epistle  to  the  Ephesians  is  the  key 
to  understand  the  spiritual  lessons  of  Deu- 
toronomy  and  Josnua,  but  by  contrast. 
Israel  in  the  flesh,  we  *<  no  more  in  the  flesh 
but  in  the  spirit."  The  devotedness  of 
many  in  these  last  days  may  be  traced  to 
their  apprehension  of  this  secret.  One 
point  is  to  be  obseirved,  Israel  fought  with 
JMk  and  bktod  in  the  earthlies,  we  flght 
not  with  flesh  and  bloody  but  the  wicked 
spirits  of  darkness  contending  with  our 
spirits  in  the  heavenlies,  till  Satan  is  cast 
out^  He  is  not  yet  under  our  feet  (Bom.  xvi . 
22),  hence  the  spiritual  armour  in  Eph.  ri. 
This  is  a  point  of  Christian  experience.  We 
cannot  expect  any  to  apprehend  the  teach- 
ing of  the  6th  chapter  till  the  mystery  of 
the  1st  and  2nd  chapters  is  known  and 
realized  by  fSaith.  The  subject  is  eminently 
a  practical  one,  be«ring  on  the  walk  of  the 
beuever,  and  full  of  comfort  to  the  tried 
soul  *<  If  we  suffer  with  Htm,  we  shall 
reign  with  Him.*' 

Strangers  on  earth,  we  wait  for  Thee, 
O,  leave  the  Father's  throne  : 

Come,  with  a  shout  of  viotory,  Lord, 
And  claim  us  for  thy  own. 


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Sot.  1,  UM. 


NEW  BOOKS  &^  PAMPHLETS. 

"!l%e  Newbury* — l%ar  Opinume  and  For- 
tunes."   London :  Harlborongh  and  Co. 

Tbi8  U  a  small  but  pretentions  Yolnme, 
pnrporttng  to  b«  '<  a  g^pse  of  Baptists  two 
centuries  ago."  How  far  the  fortuna  of 
the  fiunily  are  correctly  namted  we  cannot 
pretend  to  say ;  but  we  shall  but  be  speak- 
ing in  aooordaiice  with  recognised  ihcts  if 
we  serionalf  call  into  question  the  aadioc^s 
zepresentaaon  of  the  ommona  of  ^e  17th 
centurj  Baptists.  We  do  not  wish  to  claim 
for  Baptists  freedom  from  those  constantly 
reenrrinc  heresies  which  mar  the  peace  of 
every  reli^ous  sect,  nor  yet  to  say  that 
these  doetnnal  abecralioiis  hare  always  re- 
ceived their  proper  checks ;  bat  we  cannot 
see  a  Tolome  like  this  befbre  ns,  represent- 
ing the  faith  of  our  foiefiitheni  as  a  medley 
of  wild  iknatieism,  German  mysticism,  and 
crude  creedless  neology,  and  dabbing  the 
holders  of  this  heterogeneons  oom|»9and  as 
Boj^iUts^  without  giafe  criticum  and 
«enou8  rebuke. 

Indeed,  we  cannot  see  irfnr,  in  a  volume 
where  the  patriarch,  Nathaniel  Newbury,  is 
in  the  deUghtAilly  lucid  mental  state  of 
being  "  a  Baotist  without  knowing  it,"— to 
quote  the  autnor's  own  words —and  where 
no  instance  in  the  course  of  three  genera- 
tions where  any  one  submits  to  the  dis- 
tinctive ordinance  is  described,  tiiis  family 
should  be  called  Baptists,  except  perhaps 
because  Primitive  Methodism  had  not  been 
invented,  or  the  book  of  Mormon  had  not 
revealed  its  secrets  to  the  enterprising 
Joseph  Smith. 

But  it  is  not  so  much  beeaose  Baptists 
are  slandered  by  this  woric,  as  that  Christ- 
ianity as  beUeved  in  then,  and  now  by  the 
truly  evangelical,  is  misrepresented.  In  the 
very  first  chapter,  the  head  of  the  family, 
before  named,  is  said  to  have  met  with  a 
German  work,  the  teaching  of  whidi  he  ez- 
ultingly  contrasts  with  '*the  somnolent 
folds  of  a  traditional  faith,*'  and  this  con- 
trast is  the  key-note  of  the  whole  volume. 
Anything  that  can  shock  a  prejudice,  that 
strikes  at  a  fondamemtal  truth,  or  that  has  a 
dash  of  originality  about  it,  (for  transcen- 
dental as  the  auUior  is,  he  is  not  above  a 
petty  vanity  to  be  considered  new  and  firesh 
in  his  turns  of  thought,  j^,)  he  greedily 
msps  at  and  eagerly  makes  the  most  of. 
Not  unfrequently  ne  goes  out  of  his  way  to 
give  a  aide  hit  at  orthodoxy,  orasmalldis- 
ouisitioa  on  the  freedom  of  the  human  will. 
In  one  chapter  he  is  openly  izreliffious ;  for 
the  fixity  of  the  divine  decrees  is  sMuneftilly 
ridiculed ;  the  hero  of  the  story  is  made  to 
allude  accusingly  to  a  previous  meditation 
of  his  on  election,  as  "his  own  firalt ;"  and 
a  letter  from  his  Ihther  is  intraduced— no 


doubt  to  form  a  kind  of  introduction  to  this 
sentence,  "  Vex  not  yourself  with  cruditiei. 
Christ  says,  •Whosoever  will,'  not  *  Who- 
soever /  hav$  willed,* " 

The  reader  will  readily  gather  an  idea  of 
the  kind  of  thing  in  thia  work — ^if  such  it 
can  be  called— ^without  our  wasting  time 
and  materials  with  further  extracts.  Let 
us  caution  our  readers  against  accepting 
this  as  a  true  picture  of  our  Baptist  foie- 
fathers.  A  true  sketch  of  our  honest,  men- 
despised,  but  understandable  anceston 
would  be  acceptable  alike  to  Ana-B^rtiitB 
and  Ftodo-Baptists ;  but  a  distortion  like 
this,  drawn  from  a  perverted  vision,  and 
with  a  perverting  hiand,  will  meet  with 
contempt  from  all.  We  bear  no  ill  feeling 
to  the  author,  but  we  do  towards  falsity ; 
and  it  is  this  ntter  regardlessnets  of  truth 
which  makes  us  speak  thus  warmly  in  the 
present  instance.— F.  P.  J. 

Sermem  hy  Henry  Ward  Beeeher.    Part  V. 

Price  6d. 
Msssis.  HiATOir  &  Son  are  earrrlng  out 
their  issue  of  these  sermons  in  a  first-class 
and  highly  respectable  style.  The  printing 
and  getting  up  are  truly  praisewortny.  (/f 
the  sermons  tnemselves,  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged, they  are  Ml  of  original  thought; 
they  are  philosophical,  argumentative,  and, 
sometimes,  very  edifying— although  in  some 
points  the  preacher  is  too  general  for  ua  to 
ascertain  the  stand-point  of  his  theological 
basis.  This  fifth  part  contains  four  singular 
discourses :  1,  "  The  Partialnessof  Chrisdan 
Knowledge;"  2,  ''The  Indwelling  of  God  ;" 
3,  "On  Necessity;"  4,  "Paul's  Ideal  of 
Life."  We  feel  bound  to  add,  the  following 
sentence  helps  much  to  shew  that  at  the 
bottom  of  all,  Mr.  Beecher  has  a  clear  view 
of  true  religion.  He  says  in  his  sermon  on 
'-'  The  indwellinfl  of  God :' '— "  Only  the  true 
religion  teaches  mat  God  makes  Himself  the 
Minister  of  Righteousness  in  us ;  He  besiae 
the  work;  He  continues  the  work;  and  it 
is  by  His  culture  it  is  brought  to  its  eonsum- 
mation."  The  ideas  drawn  from  nature,, 
from  history,  from  experience,  and  from 
circumstances  all  around,  prove  that  the 
mind  of  the  man  who  enunciates  these 
ever-springing  thoughts  must  be  active^  atfcd 
well-up  in  making  the  best  use  of  all  his 
knowledge. 

Dr,  Airaife  Qnnmentary  on  PhikpfianM, 
An  elegant  crown  ouarto,  ^nted  by  John 
Greiff  and  Son,  in  the  Old  Physic  Gardene,. 
at  Edinburgh,  is  now  sent  into  the  worid, 
havinflp  for  its  publisher,  the  celebrated  Jdin 
Nichof,  particulars  of  which  are  famished 
by  the  £ditop  of  this  magazine.  To  a 
printer^s  eye,  there  is  a  delicacy  and  beauty 
m  this  volume,  most  pleasant  to  look  upon ; 
and  to  all  cardU  students^  this  rspriat  of 


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THE  |c A.iyi*if  jisii  y  wumT^. 


311 


an  ancient  and  soaree  exposition  will  be  a 
soul-satisfying  and  frnitfxil  feast.  Old  Dr. 
jfUray  has  drawn  oat  Paul's  four  short  chap- 
ters to  the  Philippians  in  ninety-four  Lec- 
tures ;  not  wire-aravn,  not  fjsff-fetched,  hard, 
unintelligible  arguments;  but  soft,  easy, 
spiritnal,  and  living  expositions  of  the  mind 
of  Qt)d.  In  the  same  volnme,  there  are 
thirty-one  sermons  by  Thomas  Cartwright, 
on  the  Colossians— in  which  short  sermons 
"THE  ONE  CHRIST,"  and  His  labour 
for  His  Church  is  plainly  expressed. 

lU  Ooldm  Fbt  of  Manna. 
Mbs.  W.  Camps,  of  the  Isle  of  Ely,  has  in 
this  small  hook  of  178  pages,  drawn  to- 
gether the  pith  and  marrow  of  many  excel- 
lent authors ;  her  design  being  two-fold : 
first,  by  reading  the  hook  to  comfort  aged 
pilgrims ;  secondly,  by  the  sale  of  the  book 
to  aid  Mr.  Muller's  Orphan  Asylum  atSrii- 
toL  It  is  published  by  Mr.  CoUingridge, 
London;  Mr.  firaekett,  of  Colchester;  and 
Mr.  Creek,  of  Ely.  Nearly  1200  orphans 
are  under  Mr.  Muller*s  care,  supported 
alone  by  voluntary  contributions.  Xhis  in- 
stitution well  deserres  the  patronaee  of 
Mrs.  Camps ;  and  in  thus  putting  forth  her 
charitable  effort,  she  has  exercised  a  gra- 
cious wisdom,  for  while  conferring  a  benefit 
▼e  hope  upon  thousands,  she  may  stimulate 
many  to  **  Go,  and  do  likewise." 

Bunyan    Library.      Hbatov,.  Paternoster 

row. 
Volume  VIII.  is  published.  It  contains 
"  The  Early  English  Bai|tists"~yolame  2, 
by  Br.  Evans.  If  you  wish  to  make  a  tour 
through  the  political  and  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory of  your  own  nation,  you  cannot  do  it  in 
a  more  easy  and  economical  way  than  by 


trarellinp  eareftiny  through  these  volumes, 
compiledand  edited  by  Br.  Evans.  V^e  think 
he  has  done  his  work  well.  The  extracts> 
and  historical  and  biographical  sketches, 
abound  in  sweet  freedom ;  they  enhance  the 
value  of  the  books  beyond  all  price  ;  and  aro 
at  this  peculiar  period  most  suitable  and 
demonstrative  of  truth.  No  house  in  the 
book  market  renders  its  issues  with  better 
taste  and  permanancy  than  do  the  Messrs. 
Heaton. 

Greenhiffs  Commentary  on  Ezekiel, 
This  fine  small  folio,  containing  the  whole 
Prc^ecy  of  Ezekiel  in  over  800  pages,  is, 
in  Itself,  a  library  of  every  branch  of 
divinity.  At  the  cominff  Christmas  this 
volume  would  be  a  valuable  {present  to  the 
pastors  of  our  Churches.  The  Editor  of 
Ths  Eabthxn  Vessel  will  supply  all  requi- 
site information. 

Ckamo€k*8  WorJu. 
Tm  two  Tolumes  of  the  writings  of  this 
first-class  divinity  expounder,  published  by 
Mr.  Nichol,  are  equal  in  every  way  to  the 
volumes  previously  issued.  May  we  ask  the 
thousands  of  young  men  now  rising  up  in 
Zion,  to  read  in  their  still  and  retired  sea- 
sons, these  most  precious  productions  ?^  We 
wiU  send  partictuars  to  any  one  requiring 
the  same. 

VerraWa  Brighton  Pulpit 
The  October  number  contains  the  Harvest 
Sermons  by  Revs.  B.  Tatham,  E.  Vinall, 
and  John  Grace.  These  three  good  men 
are  preserved  in  their  several  localities — 
useful  and  in  peace.  We  trace  signs  of 
ministerial  growth  in  these  discourses. 


ULTUra   THB   FOTTWD ATION  "STONB   OF    THB   NBW  SUBBE 

and  will  help  ourwlves,— many  now  say. 


WE  tiav«L  from  thne  to  time^  daring  the  put 
twelvemonths,  informed  onr  readers  ot  the  pro- 
gress mode  in  this  movement:  we  have  always 
expressed  ourselves  fitvourable  to  the  nndertak- 
ing^  even  when  many  not  only  looked  shy,  bat 
even  went  so  fiuras  to  aay  it  onginatod  from  wide, 
and  that  a  larger  place  was  not  needed.  Aota 
few  ministers,  and  many  friends  of  truth,  have 
spoken  unkindly  of  the  matter,  and  have  stood 
silDor.  But  then  the  Borrey  Tabemaole  people  said 
they  raooired  a  larger  and  more  oommodions 
plaoe  of  worship,  and  seeing  they  intended  pay- 
ing the  cost,  we  eertainly  sawnojusC  ffreundfor 
any  oppoaitiOD  on  the  part  of  those  who  would 
never  think  of  assisting  thi&  or  perhapaany  other 
elToit  for  the  fteithexanoe  of  the  G^ospel ;  still,  we 
weito  pleased  to  see  that  now  the  movement  has 
aatnmed  the  position  it  has,— end  the  friends 
oonnected  therewith  have  praetieally  said  we  oan 


We 
will  also  go  with  yon."  ' 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  foundation  stone 
took  ptaee  on  Monday  afternoon,  October  17» 
1864,  on  the  site  in  Wansey  street,  Walworth 
Mad.  The  day  was  doady,  some  showers  falling 
in  the  morning;  still  dariBg  the  time  of  theafter^ 
noon  service  the  clouds  witheld  their  rain ;  but 
no  sooner  had  the  service  dosed  than  such  a 
shower  came  down  as  qniCkly  to  disperse  the  two 
thousand  or  more  friends  wbo  had  assembled  to 
witness  the  interesting  proceedings. 

At  8  o'dock  Mr.  Wblub  appeared  in  front  of 
the  tomporary  platform ;  on  his  left  stood  Mi. 
Butt,  the  indefktiaable  secretary,  and  Mr.  Garr, 
the  treasurer :  on  bis  right  was  Mr.  John  Fore- 
man ;  and  snrronndfng  him  we  observed  Mr. 
Parsons.  (Brentfovd,)  fir.  J.  A.  Jones,  Mr.  Feet, 
the  Editor  of  the  Bxxrwa  Ysssxl,    Mr.  T. 


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312 


THS  EABXHEN  YESySEL. 


Kov^.  1, 16M. 


StriogcF*  Mr.  W.  Fluck,  Mr.  Wubstcr,  Mr  P,  W, 
WiUium^Jti,  Jktr  Catiut,  Mr.  PirntU.  iSouttiump- 
t  -nj  Mt,  r,  DmiTbriJffe,  (Tlushtoiii)  ^Tr.  E. 
L^Aotir  Mr,  Ao'tei^m,  Mr*  Q.  Wy&td,  ssen..  51  r.  T. 
InwjTil*  Mf,  H.  Iliiiikf,  Mr.  HAvklm.  ^r.  Fa|. 
mer,  Mr.  VVal),  (C^imveac^dO  !^r.  8-  Cu^ciiit  >fr. 
llniijr.  3tr.  lldll^  Mr  Blaku;  witli  the  lavrntn,  T. 
Powck,  E-<;  ,  A.  UoqMwj,  Gsg.,  Mr.  E,  Jeffs^  Mr. 
lt*.nitt»,  Mr,  Tk  CdiTt  juiir.»  air.  FwMing,  Mr  E. 
J^vaius  obti  ^  li^J^t  uf  ijlher  friends  to  the  cnwie. 

The  proceedings  commenced  by  alnging  Dr. 
Watts*  iijTnn— 

'*  Keep  silence  all  created  things, 

And  wait  your  Maker's  nod ; 
My  soul  stands  trembling  while  she  sings 
The  honours  of  her  God." 

Mr.  Wall,  (of  Oravesend,)  offered  a  solemn 
and  appropriate  prayer  —  especially  pleading 
that  the  house  about  to  be  raised  might  be  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  for  the  good  of  many,  many 
souls ;  and  also  tliat  those  who  built  the  house 
might  themseh-es  be  brought  to  a  knowledge  of 
the  truth ;  that  no  accident  might  befall  any  thus 
employed ;  and  that  all  wisdom  and  Judgment 
might  be  given  both  to  architect  and  builder. 

Doddri age's  favourite  hymn— 

"  Grace  'tis  a  charming  sound,*' 
was  then  sung  with  much  power;  after  which 

Mr.  James  Wells  delivered  an  address,  em- 
bodying on  outline  of  the  principles  held  by  the 
church  for  which  the  new  building  was  to  be 
erected.  The  first  principle  was  good-wiU  to  nuui  ; 
wherever  the  grace  of  God  was  received  in  the 
heart,  it  made  a  man  look  to  his  own  soul,  and 
feel  anxious  for  the  souls  cMT others :  there  was  no 
character,  be  he  ever  so  bad,  bat  they  wished  well 
to ;  there  was  no  person  in  error,  but  they  desired 
to  see  them  brought  out  of  that  error;  and  there 
was  not  a  fellow-bein^  but  they  had  good-will 
towards ;  and  this  principle  was  in  accordance 
with  God's  word,  ••  JPreaoh  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature."  For  this  object  (said  Mr.  W.)  we  are 
about  to  erect  on  this  ground  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  chapels  that  has  ever  been  built  for 
the  denomination  to  which  we  belong— a  de- 
nomination to  which  I  am  proud  to  belong.  The 
next  principle  spoken  of  was  liberty  of  conscience 
in  all  matters  of  religion :  the  right  oi  every  man 
to  judge  for  himself,  and  to  worship  his  Maker 
accordmg  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  mind.  If  a 
man  was  a  Boman  Catholic,  no  one  liad  any  right 
to  persecute  that  man  for  lus  religion^altbough 
it  was  necessary  to  keep  a  close  wateh  that  they 
did  not  infringe  upon  other's  liberties :  it  a  man 
was  a  Wesleyan  no  one  had  a  right  to  upbraid 
him :  every  person  must  be  left  to  judge  for 
himself,  and  to  go  to  what  place  or  worship 
he  pleased.  The  third  principle  spoken  ot  was 
the  great  principle  advocated  by  the  prophets 
and  apostles :  and  by  snch  great  men  as  Augus- 
tine. Luther,  Calvin,  and  others,— a  principle  that 
might  bo  summed  up  in  one  short  sentence— 
jumfication  by  faith.  We  maintain,  and  hold, 
and  preach,  that  all  men  are  sinners ;  that  Jesus 
Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  ;  that 
lie  wrought  o«it  and  brought  in  everlasting  right* 
eousness ;  that  no  saving  knowledge  of  this  sacri- 
fice can  be  known  except  applied  to  the  con. 
jMsience  by  the  power  of  the  Uoly  Spirit ;  that 
faith  is  the  evidence  of  being  bom  again ;  and 
that  when  a  sinner  is  bom  of  God,  and  »  brought 
to  receive  and  fieel  that  be  is  alone  saved  byThe 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  then  heartily  leoeive  such 
a  one  as  a  Christian  saved  by  sorereign  grace. 
Mr.  Wells  next  spoke  of  the  happy  rwlii  that 
f.llow  from  a  veoeption  in  the  heart  of  these 
principles.  One  result  would  be  to  see  the  king- 
dom of  the  Lord  extended ;  to  this  end  they 
would  de»ire  to  see  the  temple  of  the  Lord  built ; 
and  they  wonld  act  as  the  people  of  old  did  in 
erecting  the  taberaade  in  the  wilderness,  they 
would  willingly  give  of  their  silver  and  gold ; 
imd  would  also  say  with  then,  **  We  will  give 
aeittier  sleep  to  our  eyes*  nor  atoniber  to  our  eye- 


lids until  we  find  out  a  place  for  the  Lord,  an 
habitation  for  th^  mighty  God  of  Jacob."  Other 
results  were  ipentioned,  and  Mr.  Wells  closed  by 
noticing  the  position  of  Old  England— what 
nation  could  compare  with  ber  for  ner  benevo- 
ienoe,  her  Christian  liberality,  her  asylums,  her 
noble  diarities.  her  .churches  and  her  chapels ; 
and  he  prayed  that  our  glorious  Queen,  and  all  in 
authority  under  her,  might  go  on  to  serve  God« 
and  be  a  blessing  to  the  coun^. 

Mr.  Butt  then  stood  forward,  and  (holding  up 
a  beautiful  silver  trowel)  said.  I  am  desired  by  the 
members  of  the  Building  Committee  to  present 
to  our  respected  -pastor,  Mr.  James  Wdis,  this 
silver  trowel,  which  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tion :  *'  Presented  by  the  Committee  to  Mr.  James 
Wells,  on  the  occasion  of  his  laying  the  foundation 
stone  of  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle,  October 
17th.  1864.'* 

Mr.  Wells  having  accepted  the  trowel,  came 
forward,  holding  in  nls  hand,  a  square  leaden  box , 
containing  a  volume  of  his  sermons,  Mr.  Wells' 
hymn  book,  the  articles  of  Faith  of  the  Church, 
and  a  portrait  of  the  pastor.  £ngra\'ed  on  the 
side  was  the  following  "  This  box  was  given,  with 
a  donation  of  £110.  by  Mr.  A.  Keates,  of  New 
Kent  Bead,  Oct.  17th,  ISdi."  Holding  the  box 
up,  Mr.  Wells  stated  its  contents,  adding,  should 
anything  contrary  to  truth  at  any  future  period 
be  preacned  in  tliat  place,  these  documents  would 
prove  a  dangerous  enemy.  The  box  was  then 
placed  in  the  cavity  under  the  stone,  and  Mr. 
Wells  proceeded  to  spread  the  mortar,  after 
which  the  stone  was  lowered  into  iu  position,  and 
having  squared  it  with  the  level,  and  struck  it  at 
each  corner  with  the  mallet,  he  said.  In  the  xuune 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  I  pronounce  this  stone  duly  and  property 
laid,  and  may  thousands  of  souls  be  blessed  with- 
in the  walls  of  this  building  when  raised. 

Mr.  J.  FoBEMAV,  (who  was  sufiTering  from  a  se\-- 
ere  otld  in  the  face)  then  delivered  a  short  ad- 
dress ;  the  friends  came  forward  and  placed  their 
donations  on  the  stone : 

**  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesu's  name,** 
was  sung;  the  benediction  pronounced;  and  the 
service  dosed. 

The  stone  bears  the  following  inscription  : 


THI 


LAID 


IS     STONE   WAS 
OCTOBEB  17,  IMi, 
BY    MB.    JAMES    WELLS, 
Mniiter  of  the  Piaee, 


EDWABD  BUTT, 
JOSEPH  LAWBKXCE, 
EVAN  EOWABDS, 
JOHN   CABB, 

DXACOSrS. 


HKITBY  ATTFIELD, 
JOHV  BEACH, 
JOHV  XEAi>, 


MB.  B.  P.  L.  BBOCK, 

Architect, 


MB.  J.  W.  SAWYEB, 
Builder. 


The  building  will  be  in  the  Italian  style,  having 
a  pcnrtioo  supported  with  six  Icmic  oolnmna,  i^ 
preached  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  with  three 
front  entrances ;  the  walls  will  be  white  brick, 
with  solid  stone  dressing.  The  internal 
measurment  will  be89  fieet  ^64  feet :  the  ootddie 
length  induding  vestries,  Iw  feet.,  accomodating 
about  2000  persons.  The  contract  is  £7,771.  but 
the  enthe  cost  will  considerably  exceed  £8,000. 
It  is  proposed  to  complete  tiie  building  within 
twelvemohths. 

JSTBXmxa  KSBTING. 
After  the  afternoon  servio^  about  L400  took  t?a 
at  the  Surrey  Tabemade.  Borough  Boad ;  and  a 
pablie  naeeting  was  holden  in  this  evening.  Mr. 
wells  presided,  and  addresses  were  ddiveredby 
Mr.  J.  A.  Jotte%  Mr.  John  Foreman,  Mr.  Draw- 
bridge, and  Mr.  Palmer:  Mr.  Anderson,  Mr. 
Stringer,  and  Mr.  Peet^  also  assisted  in  the  s?r- 
vioe.  Mr.  Butt  read  a  wdl  written  report  of  the 
Oomnsittee,  in  whioh  the  following  financial  state- 
is  given : 


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Kov.  1,  1861. 


THB  EABTRXN  VS8SKL. 


S13 


7b  Ouk  Reeeired  fnm  September,  IMS,  to 
Sepiemier,  1804.        ' 

SatMcriptions  and  Doiuttloiu       ..    8,406    6  9 

ColleorionatTvoPablio  MeeCinn..       73    1  0 

Proftta  of  Two  Tba  Meetings    ..    ..       4111  4 

OoUeodon  after  Sermons  bylCr.  Weill       65  16  0 

Intereet  reoei?ed  from  Binkers      ..       80    8  8 


£3,606  17    4 
In  additions-Promises,  some  of  which 
are  to  be  paid  on  the  laying  of  the 
Toondation  Stone 1,486    0   0 

Uaking  a  total  of ^65,102  17    4 

The  place  was  densely  packed  with  friends, 
and  the  importance  of  the  movement  was  fally 
recognized.  The  donations  and  collections  of  the 
day  (including   some  promises)   amounted   to 

We  have  thus  given  an  ontline  of  the  proceed- 
ings ;  and  for  a  full  report  we  refer  our  readers 
to  Nos.  306-6  of  The  Sumy  JbJbemaele  Pulpit, 
which  contains  the  whole  of  the  address  of  Mr. 
Wells  at  the  stone,  with  the  Committee^  report, 
and  some  other  addresses  by  ministers  who  took 
part  B. 


SOHO  CHiLPEIi— Sunday-school,  Oxford- 
street  ~The  twenty-llfch  annual  t«ft-meeting  took 
place  Tuesday,  Oct  4tb.  After  tea,  the  public 
meeting  was  held.  Mr  Hawkins  implored  the 
Lord's  olessing.^Mr  G.  Wyird,  from  the  chair, 
said  he  was  glad  to  be  in  their  midst;  but  a  pain- 
ful ibdlng  steals  over  the  mind,  when  we  con- 
sider that  a  year  ago  their  beluved  pastor  was 
there :~the  Lord  has  removed  him;  and  we 
should  see  his  happy  fiica  and  hear  his  cheerful 
voices  no  more.  It  would  produce  feelings  oi 
sorrow,  but  it  was  the  Loid*s  doings,  and  for  his 
gloiy.  He  called  upon  the  supmutendent,  Mr 
ilattersbee,  for  the  report,  which  was  a  very  ex- 
cellent one ;  and  refiured  very  touohingly  to  the 
loss  the  school  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  their 
pastor ;  who  was  president  of  the  school ;  and  on 
the  Lord*s-days  visited  the  school  and  gave  words 
of  enconrsssment  to  the  teaohen  ana  children. 
Nine  out  of  the  twelve  teachers  are  members  of 
the  church :  the  Lord  has  blessed  their  labours : 
many  of  the  children  have  become  members ;  and 
some  of  the  teachers  are  ministers  of  Christ's 
Oospel.— Mr  Fsulkncr,  sen.,  read  the  financial 
statement.— Mr.  Higham  moved  the  adoption  of 
the  report;  making  some  very  appropriate  re- 
marks upon  the  duties  of  teaohen,  wlio  should 
not  be  afraid  of  a  few  diflBctilties,  or  drops  of  rain ; 
and  said,  although  they  had  lost  their  dear  under 
shepherd,  they  had  not  lost  the  Chief  Shepherd ; 
the  cause  was  his ;  and  in  his  own  time,  he  would 
briug  in  one  to  go  In  and  out  amongst  them.— 
Mr  Meeres  seconoed  the  adoption  of  the  repoaeL^ 
Mr  AlderKU  spoke  of  **The  Sunday  school 
teacher  in  the  scliooL**  He  looked  upon  the 
teacher  t>y  his  voluntary  attainment  to  the  school 
under  solemn  responsltnlity;  he  should  be  prup 
dent  in  his  carriage  and  conduct;  punctual  In 
his  attendance;  patient  in  his  endurance;  per^ 
severing  in  mind  and  action.  They  had  a  teacher 
at  Bast  street,  who  was  one  of  the  wotst  boys  t  but 
by  these  qualities  in  the  teacher,  and  .Quod's  bles- 
smg,  he  now  nuked  as  one  of  the  most  efficient 
workers  in  the  school.— Mr  Mllner,  on  "The  Sun- 
day school  teacher  in  business,*'  entertained  the 
meeting  most  profitably.  He  looked  with  plea 
sure  upon  any  attempt  to  elevate  mankind ;  and 
this  was  one  of  tlie  great  means ;  but  it  could 
only  be  OMompllshed  by  the  strleteot  atteocion  to 
charoeterand  dUigeaee,  aiming  to  promote  active 
IlfB— not  monaafic  superstition;  the  teachers 
should  Ineuloate  the  same  nrlnciplee  {  rale  fay 
love  in  the  sehooL  tiTing  to  insptre  in  the  chiM- 
rm  a  spirit  of  aottrity  Mid  mitlruig  penevennce^ 


which  in  things  temporal  generally  would  be 
ctownel  with  suocess.— Mr  Attwood,  on  **  The 
Sunday  school  teacher  at  home,**  said  consistency 
was  a  great  thing  In  the  teacher.  If  he  said  one 
thing  and  did  another,  the  children  had  little 
ears  and  large  ^yes  to  notice.  He  should  be 
thonghtftil  and  meditative  at  home,  or  else  though 
he  might  interest  the  children,  he  would  foil  to 
instruct  them ;  certainly  they  mnst  pray  for  their 
children  at  home;  and  he  would  say,  have  them 
home  now  and  then,  if  possible,  and  pray  with 
them.  There  was  a  lady  in  his  neighbourhood 
did  so,  and  had  the  pleasure  to  see  all  her  clasa 
Joined  to  the  church:  There  was  a  power  in  home 
words  that  God  did  bless. -^Bretliren  H.  Cooper, 
John  S.  Wyard,  G.  Webb,  and  J.  Flory,  were  pre- 
sent—Mr  l^yard  prayed  Ibr  a  blessing  to  follow 
the  meeting;  the  church,  congregation,  widow, 
and  fatherless  children :  thus  ended  a  good  meet> 
Ing  at  Soho. 


HABBOW  ON-THE-HII4Z1— A  happy 
gathering  at  Harrow^n-the-Hill.-'You  know  a 
separation  has  taken  place  among  tbe  Baptists 
here ;  some  of  the  older  meml>er8  oould  not  con- 
sent  to  open  communion.  I  am  happy  to  say 
there  are  a  few  left  that  are  not  afraid  or  ashamed 
to  be  living  witnesses  for  God*s  truth  and  laws ; 
and  they  met  together  last  Wednesday  to  take 
tea  in  the  room  they  now  worship  in ;  and  it  was 
a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord.  Our  dear  brother  Hoore,  of  Colney  Hatch, 
met  with  us;  and  may  he  often  meet  with  us 
again.  After  tea,  he  read  the  93rd  Psalm  ;  one  of 
the  brethren  ofRsred  prayer ;  then  brother  Moore 
spoke  to  us  from  the  above  PsaUn.  He  ff&ve  us 
great  encouragement  to  stand  fiut  to  God'ti  truth 
as  a  testimony  for  Jesus.  Several  of  the  friends 
and  brethren  then  spoke  of  the  Joy  they  had  ex- 

Serienced  since  our  room  has  been  opened.  Some 
edored  their  souls  were  almost  starved  out  be- 
fore, but  now  th^  blessed  and  praised  God 
they  were  fat  and  flourishing.  We  are  about  to 
form  ourselves  into  a  church  upon  the  good  old 
plan—that  Is.  God*s  plan.  Our  good  God  has 
been  merciful  In  sending  men  of  truth  among  us ; 
and  may  we  as  His  dear  children  acknowledge 
Him  in  all  our  ways :  then  may  we  expect  Him 
to  direct  our  steps.  The  attendanee  is  more  than 
our  most  sanguine  expectatiatts.  That  God  may 
bless  His  own  truth  to  the  salvation  of  many  pre- 
doos  souls  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  yours,— 
Alfbxd  AiTDBEWS.— [Meosrs.  Heaton  have  issued 
the  second  volume  or  **  Bvans*s  Early  Bnglish 
Baptists."  In  which,  as  well  aa  in  many  other 
works,  it  is  easily  seen  that  no  seetfon  of  the  visi- 
ble church  has  eversoflfered  more  fWmt  opposition 
and  persecntion  than  have  the  decided  Baptiste. 
Is  it  not  a  singular  fiict  that  Wesleyan  churches 
have  sprung  up  and  flourished  without  oppositionP 
Whitfield's  tabernaoles,  and  congregational  chur- 
ches rise  thronghout  the  land;  no  money  is  lack- 
ing ;  Catholic  ohurohes  and  Open  Oommunian 
Baptist  chnrefaes  ore  plants  oa  thick  as  jxiq 
please ;  bnt  4o  ereot  a  Particular  Baptist  chap«l, 
where  only  the  doctrines  of  grace  are  to  be 
preached,  Is  always  a  great  trial.  And  a«ainst  no 
body  of  men  doth  the  old  serpent  vent  his  bitter 
Bpint  so  violenUy  aa  he  does  against  the  ministers 
and  men  who,  of  necessity,  ^contend  earnestly 
for  the  ftith  onoe  deUvend  unto  the  saints.'*  Old 
Job's  deadly  foe  has  been  oar  hard-set  opponent 
for  more  than  thirty  years;  and  still  ids  mallee 
isawftal.  Bat  we  would  rather  it  be  so,  than 
that  we  should  be  left  to  play  the  part  of  Uioae 
poor  sleek,  crafty,  and  iiitiable  creatures  who,  after 
starving  the  people  ol^God  with  tbeir  hnsks.  and 
notable  to  find  any  longer  a  market  for  tiiem, 
IHng  down  the  barriers  throw  open  the  gates, 
hurt  to  the  winds  all  ttnpediments,  and  laying 
tlown  the  btood-gaxttelfaies  of  carnal  expediencgr, 
flint  a  new  fii«t%«  ti«ii»aHogetl^.  Bot»  we 
ask,  is  it  «fe?— B©.]  /^  ^^r^T^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


8U 


TKB  EAATBtSS  YKaSBL. 


JX0¥.  U  1364. 


OHBIiSBA— PBEBEHTATZOIf  TO  UB.  WWB, 

On  Tuetday,  October  18th,  aervioet  were  holdao 
inOwmel  ohapel,  Westbourne  street,  Chelsea,  of 
•D  interesting  chAmoter.  Mr.  Wise,  the  present 
minister,  has  been  the  reoogniaed  pastor  for  over 
ave  years ;  peace  prevails,  and  general  usefulness 
attends  the  various  institotions  oonneoted  with 
the  chnroh.  A  sermon  was  preached  in  the  after^ 
noon  by  Mr.  John  Bloomfleid ;  tea  was  provided 
in  the  schoolroom,  of  which  about  900  partook. 
At  the  otmunenoemeut  of  the  evening  meeting  Mr. 
Xealy  asked  a  blessing  upon  the  service^  The 
ohair  was  occupied  by  the  minister,  Mr.  Wise, 
who,  in  his  openiaff  remarks,  told  us  he  roj>e  with 
oonMder&ble  emonon  on  that  oocasion.  He  felt 
thankM  to  Ood  for  all  His  mercies  in  the  past, 
he  drew  most  of  his  comfort  from  the  fkct  of  God's 
eternal  purpose,  and  that  he  wouM  accomplish 
that  for  wmoh  Ood  had  sent  him.  Five  yeara 
had  passed  away  since  he  was  publicly  reoocpoised 
in  that  place.  During  that  time/  said  the  chair- 
man, I  have  been  at  peace  with  all;  with  the 
deacons,  and  with  the  church— all  has  been  peace. 
I  have  not  received  one  anonymous  letter  during 
that  time,  but  have  received  many  expressing 
their  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  my  ministrv  to  them. 
As  a  dburch  and  conoregation  i;*  e  are  not  going  on 
so  fost  as  I  should  like— not  making  a  blaze,  but 
I  hope  not  declining.  We  hare  in  connection 
with  this  place,  a  Sunday  school,  and  hito  that  I 
go  as  often  as  possible;  we  have  a  Bible  class  for 
adult  females  and  males.  Certainly,  we  have  no 
tract  society,  no  Dorcas  society,  no  sick  society, 
bat  that  was  owing  to  the  fact  that  they  had  not 
sufficient  means  to  carry  out  all  these  worthy 
objects,  although  as  a  ohuch  and  oonncgation 
they  did  to  their  utmost.  A  few  mon^  since, 
the  senior  class  of  boys  and  girls  presented  me 
with  this  very  handsome  volume  of  nontgomeryli 
Poems ;  and  I  felt  thankful  to  receive  fh>m  younff 
hearts  a  token  of  respect  and  love :  I  again  thank 
them  heartily.  We  have  also  a  benefit  society, 
whidi  pi-oviaes  for  a  decent  interment  of  us 
members;  this  works  tolexably  well.  The 
secretary  will  now  read  a  repon  to  you  of  its 
success.  The  secretary  fa  deacon)  then  read  a 
statement  which  shewed  clearly  that  this  little 
benevolent  society  was  growing.  Also,  In  report- 
ing on  the  debt  of  the  onapel,  a  decided  decrease 
was  evident.  We  were  glad  to  learn  that  the 
Carmel  debt  is  so  decreasing:  H^.  Samuel  Milner, 
in  a  rather  lengthy  speech,  alluded  to  the  shifting 
about  of  the  day  in  which  we  live.  He  contended 
for  the  ordinances  to  be  kept  inviolate,  as  they 
had  been  given  bv  God,  and  not  alter  them  for 
any  man,  Abnuiam  Booth  had  written  ''An 
apology  for  the  Baptists***  but  he  did  not  think 


thatany  apology  was  necessary.  Mr.  John  Bloom* 
field  gave  an  intelUgent  speech,  intimating  that 
the  truth  must  be  spoken  in  an  intelligent  way ; 
the  time  was  past  for  vulgarism ;  he  looked  for 
blessing  to  attend  the  reading  of  Ood*s  word. 
Scnne  people  were  too  spiritual  to  want  to  go  to 
tiie  house  of  Ood,  too  spiritual  to  need  ordinan- 
ces; this  was  an  increasing  evil ;  but  he  told  us 
plainly  he  did  not  think  much  of  thpse  extraor- 
oinaiy  spiritual  people.  Mr.  John  Foreman  gave 
us  a  very  nice  adareaa,  in  which  he  alluded  to  his 
last  illness.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  he 
presented  to  Mr.  Wise,  in  behalf  of  the  church,  a 
very  handsome  writing  desk,  well  fitted  irith  all 
requisites.  The  pastor  aclmowledged  the  gift. 
These  services  were  dosed  by  the  <tox6logy  and 
the  benediction. 

WESTBTTBT.  WILXa— The  bH»tism  of 
eighteen  peraoniL  by  Mr  W.  Jedfery,  the  pastor, 
took  place  Sep.  35tb,in  a  stream  moning  through 
a  beautifully  wooded  district.  Many  tnousands 
were  present  firam  tl^e  neighbouring  towns  and 
villages.  The  new  creating  power  <7  the  eternal 
Spirit  is  still  going  forth  with  the  Christ-honour^ 


Spirit  is  still  going 
Ing  preached  word. 


BBX8TOIr--Mr.  Ediiob,  —  I  wrote  to  you 
once  respecting  the  cause  at  Birmingham,  (Fred- 
erick street.)  Since  then  I  am  pleased  to  learn  a 
new  cause  has  been  eetahUahed ;  may  it  goon  and 
prosper.  It  is  of  Bristol  I  wish  now  to  write. 
Two  years  since,  I  was  removed  from  Birmingham 
to  tills  Bristol;  and  beinc  unaetyed  there,  in 
church  matters,  I  was  fflad  to  set  away.  Bol^ 
alas!  I  have  not  much  bettered  myaelr  in  this 
respect.  I  have  seen  the  hand  of  Gk>d  in  bringing 
me  here  in  more  than  one  instance.  To  His  name 
be  all  the  praise.  On  my  fUrat  coming  to  Bristol, 
I  made  enquiries  for  a  particular  Baptist  chapeL 
I  could  hear  of  nothing ;  being  a  lever  of  /ree 
groM^  and  a  full  weight  QoipeC  I  had  to  go  to 
church,  to  hear  Mr.  Doudney.  I  heard  Mr.  D. 
very  well ;  but  I  could  not  make  my  home  at 
ohundi.  After  two  or  three  montha,  i  took  up  a 
Sbandard,  and  saw  advertised,  '*The  Ooepel  is 
preached  in  Preeham  street,  Bristol.*'  I  had  my 
fears ;  havizis  Just  had  such  a  drilling  at  Birming* 
ham.  The  first  time  I  entered  the  room,  I  reo^- 
nised  a  young  man,  who  used  to  attend  chapel  at 
Birmingham.  I  continued  my  attendance ;  and 
waa  found  among  them.  An  old  man,  then  d«- 
con,  was  speaking  of  what  ministers  he  had  heard, 
Mr.  Philpott,  Ac,  &a  I  toM  him  the  preacbeca 
that  suited  me,  mentioning  0.  W.  Bank^  Mr. 
Wells,  and  others.  That  was  enough :— away  he 
went  to  borrow  **Mr.  Gadsby's  Lifo,"  to  let  me 
see  what  Mr.  Oadsby  said  of  Mr.  Wdls.  I  said, 
it  mattered  not  to  me,  such  men  had  been  blessed 
to  my  soul,  therefore  I  loved  them.  Previous  to 
my  Joining  the  church,  this  old  man  had  every- 
thing his  own  way;  bdng  used  to  church  order 
myself,  (having  been  a  member  of  a  London 
church  some  yean,)  I  tried  to  establish  order.  I 
was  looked  upon  as  a  disturber  of  the  peace  by 
the  old  flentleman ;  he  said  he  would  resign  his 
office ;  the  church  took  him  at  his  word ;  he  left 
altogether ;  another  of  the  same  stamp  was  chosen 
in.  It  was  said  of  mcb  *'  Don't  choose  him ;  he 
wfll  bring  *  TE00KL '  men  here  to  preach."  Such 
things  have  weaned  me  fh>m  the  people  alto^eUier, 
This  little  cause  has  been  established  about  eleven 
yeara.  The  most  they  have  is  twenty-six ;  some- 
times, only  two  or  three;— two  gooa  men  have 
been  preaching,  during  that  time-  a  Mr.  Moody, 
and  a  Mr.  Hams ;  sometimes  one,  then  the  other. 
They  are  good  and  giacious  men ;  but  they  could 
not  run  together;  hence  disturbances  arose.  At 
the  present  time,  one  of  the  ministers,  the  deacon, 
and  others  have  left ;  and  are  gone  to  a  chapa 
called  Mr.  Hioka*s.  Mr.  Hicks  preaches  himsdf: 
I  don't  follow  them ;  I  like  not  a  turncoat  Mbr 
request  is,  and  several  others  ask  the  &vour  of  a 
few  words.  I  have  introduced  several  **Ye86SL8'* 
since  I  have  been  here.  There  are  many  loven 
of  truth  wandering  about  this  andent  dty  who 
would  be  glad  to  support  a  ministry  of  the  riffht 
sort.  But  as  there  is  no  dean  provender  to  be  had 
at  chapels,  the  sheep  break  hedge,  yea,  and  even 
stray  Into  mother  church.  Brirtol  is  favoured 
in  the  church;  Mr.  Doudney  preaches  at  St  Luke*a 
—a  good  and  mdous  man  he  is;  there  is  Mr.  8. 
A.  Walker,  of  Marylepott  church -a  sinner-de- 
basing, and  a  Christ-exalting  preacher.  He 
preaches  through  the  summer,  Lord'snday  after- 
noons, on  Brandon  Hill,  Bristol.  I  oftoi  hear 
some  precious  truths  fh>m  him  There  is  Mr. 
GifTord,  of  St  Matthew's  cbuich ;  and  Mr.  Corn- 
wall, of  Immanuel  church ;  making  in  all,  four 
free-mraoe  preachers  in  Bristol,  in  the  establish- 
ment If  such  men  were  out  of  the  diurch,  I 
could  do  very  well  with  them;— hut  there  they 
are,  and  there  they  seem  Inclined  to  stay ;  butt 
cannot  be  at  home  with  them.  After  the  pmyen 
are  over,  and  the  black  gown  is  put  on.  we  can 
depend  on  getting  a  sound  hymn,  and  a  full 
weight  sermon.  What  are  we  to  do  P  Food  wo 
must  have ;  is  it  wrong  to  go  to  chnreh,  when  it 
is  not  to  be  had  elsewhere f-A  Hoxkless  Ovs. 
[We  sfmpethise  deej^  with  **A  HomelCM  One" 
and  his  Mends.   U  If  •  painM  relleotion  thtt 


Digitized  by 


oog 


Nov.  1,  186i. 


THE  EAJtTHfK  VESSEL. 


315 


Particular  Baptists  in  Bristol  have  do  minister  to 
feed  them;  no  Gospel  home  to  comfort  them; 
while  in  the  Church  of  England  there  are  aeveraf 
CK)8pel  and  godly  men.  Tne  fearful  fact  is  this : 
our  people  make  no  effort  to  plant  new  churches. 
We  often  feel  ready  to  break  away  from  every- 
thing here,  and  fly  to  such  towns  where  no  causes 
of  New  Testament  truth  exist;  and  to  preach  un- 
til a  church  was  gathered ;  a  pastor  settled ;  and 
then  move  off  to  another  desert.  Here  is  our 
plain  advice  to  "  A  Homeless  One :"— hire  some 
hall  or  school  room —raise  a  little  fund— meet  for 
prayer— set  some  thorough  Gospel  ministers  to 
oome  and  preach  for  a  whole  week  at  a  time— «end 
bills  all  throuffh  the  city^let  the  people  know 
and  see  you  value  truth,  and  are  determined,  in 
God's  strength,  to  uphold  it  by  every  and  by  all 
consistent  means.  If  our  churohes  and  ministers 
quietly  let  Bristol  remain  in  this  state,  things  are 
bod  indeed.    Let  ua  hear  again.    Ed.] 


I    .  THAICE— On  Wednesday.  August  Slst,  spe- 
cial  services  were  held,  the  object  of  wliicli  was 
;  to  build  a  new  Baptist  cliapel.    The  want  of  a 
,  suitable  place  has  been  severely  felt;  our  present 
I  place  of  worship  being  situated  at  the  bottom  of 
,  a  long,  narrow,  and  iu   wiuter  extremely  dark 
j  yard,  for  wliich  we  pay  £7  10s.  per  annum ;   and 
I  as  the  property  has  changed  liands,  we  hold  it  by 
a  very  uncertain  tenure.    In  the  afternoon,  Mr. 
B.  B.  Wale,  of  Plymouth,  preached  a  very  im- 
pressive sermon,  (John  iii.  29.)     The  discourse, 
,  distinguished  as  it  was  by  the  beautiful  simplicitj' 
^  and  grandeur  of  its  ideas,  and  the  clear    and 
,  orderly  armu^emeut  which  marked  its  delivery, 
'  was  listened  to  with  deep  interest  by  a  large  oon- 


(  Tt»j  w^ci^uou  \,\j  vrinA  uau|i  uiworeai.  uy  a  large  oon- 

Sregation  ;  after  which,  the  friends  adjourned  to 
le  Market  Hall,  (granted for  the  occasion,)  where 
tables  were  laid  for  tea.    Above  100  sat  dow  n  to 


PLYMOUTH— Publle  serviees  were  held  at 
Howe  street  Baptist  chapel,  Plymouth,  on  Tues- 
day, October  lltli,  to  oommemorate  the  goodness 
of  God  in  that  plaoe  during  the  sixth  year  of  the 
labours  of  their  pastor  Mr.  F.  Collins.  It  was 
matter  of  thankfulness  to  God,  and  ref^shing  to 
the  souls  of  the  lovers  of  Zion  to  witness  the 
happy  and  united  feelingwhJeh  subsisted  between 
the  pastor  and  people.  The  Lord  is  with  his  peo- 
ple at  Howe  street:  the  spirit  and  power  of  the 
Gospel  reigns  in  their  midst  The  services  opened 
at  three  o'clock  with  a  prayer  meeting ;  brethren 
Weataway  and  Westlake  engaged  in  prayer.  Mr. 
Pearse,  of  Newton  Abbott,  gave  an  address  fVom 
the  words  in  Bath,  "  The  Xord  be  with  you." 
The  service  was  closed  with  prayer  by  Mr.  Cud- 
11pp.  Friends  sat  down  to  a  tea,  which  was 
oondncted  with  decorum,  and  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  all  present  The  evening  senioe  opened 
by  singing;  brother  Foot  engaged  in  prayer.  Mr. 
Weetaway  gave  an  interestingMdrees,  recapitula- 
ting some  of  the  events  of  tiM  past  year;  stating 
that  each  anniversanr  brought  its  own  tale ;  the 
peculiar  attraction  of  the  present  3rear  was,  that 
the  miniatxy  of  their  beloved  pastor,  Mr.  Collins, 
bad  been  more  than  usually  a  blessing  to  the 
Lurd's  people ;  the  attendance  bad  increased ;  and 
was  still  increasing ;  blind  eyes  had  been  opened  ; 
deaf  ears  tmstopped;  the  GkMp^  haa  been 
preached  to  the  poor;  and  he  felt  language  too 
poor  to  adequately  set  forth  the  value  of  having 
the  ministiy  of  God's  pxire  GK)spel  in  their  midst. 
He  asked  Mr.  Collins  to  aooept  a  proof  of  the  con- 
tinued attachment  of  the  people  to  the  '*  truth," 
and  to  himself  as  the  minister  of  God  unto  them. 
Mr.  Conins  suitably  acknowledged  the  unaltered 
kindness  of  his  people  to  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  himself  as  the  Lord^s  minister. 
Mr.  Pearse,  of  Newton  Abbott,  delivered  an  ad- 
dr«B8  to  the  friends  assembled :  evangelical  in  its 
matter ;  free  in  iU  delivery,  and  happy  in  its 
effects.  He  was  followed  by  Messrs  Easterbrook, 
WesUake,  an<l  Cudlipp ;  wiio  delivered  excellent 
and  suitable  addresses.  These  happy  services  of 
oar  sixth  anniversary  were  braoKht  to  a  oloee  by 
Mr.  Bobt  Barden's  engaging  in  prayer. 


PLinCSTBAD  TABBBNAOLB -.  On 

Oct  2nd,  eight  persons  ware  received  into  the 
church ;  the  pastor,  Mr.  W.  Leach,  having  bap- 
tised five  of  them  on  the  previous  Lorxrs-day 


evening  in  the  prasenoe  of  a  large  and  attentive 
ooagregation.  At  the  annivarsaiy  services  on 
Wednfiday  the  13th,  Mr.  Bloomfleld  preached  an 
oxoellent  sermon  ftom.  PhOlp  ill.  9.  After  tea, 
good  addresses  were  dallvvred  by  G.  Webb, 
GiiflHth.  BloomfleldySAd  Beoc  On  the  following 
Lord's-day,  sermons  were  preached  by  the  pastor, 
Mr.  Wells,  and  Mr.  Ohiversy  when  ttie  XK>rd*s 
presenoe  and  hleasiajE  w«re  Fwljsed  **0  Lord, 
we  beaeeeh  Thee,  mnim>w  ptfmgvity^" 


gregat 
theM; 

taUleS     nwMv    tai\A    «vu.    ifon.      43LMV\'V   lUU  (NfttUOHU  lO 

an  excellent  tea,  which  was  served  in  a  highly 
creditable  manner.  The  public  meeting  at  seven, 
Mr.  Wale  presided.  Mr.  A.  D^-son  opened  the 
meeting  by  prayer.  The  chairman  then  sUted 
the  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  raise  a  sum  of 
money  to  build  a  chapel;  he  need  not  tell  them 
I  one  was  wanted,  it  was  evident  to  every  one ;  an 
I  earnest  appeal  for  help  and  sympathy  was  then 
j  made.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Messrs.  E. 
Dyson,  A.  Dyson,  and  Marsli,  of  Howard  House 
I  Academy,  for  whose  services  we  feel  grateful,  and 
'  most  nobly  were  their  appeals  responde<l  to;  for 
above  £125  was  given  or  promised.  Our  people  are 
mostly  poor;  j-et  if  ewr  people  worked  well  and 
unitedly,it  is  the  people  of  Thame.  The  attendance 
was  good  throughout  the  services;  our  colleo- 
tions  exceeded  our  expectations,  for  wiiich  we 
desire  to  ten<ler  our  sincere  thanks  to  the  friends 
that  assisted  and  risited  us;  and  to  erect  our 
Ebenezer,  and  say,  <' Hitherto  the  Lord  has  helped 
us."  Brethren  in  Christ,  will  3'ou  help  us?  we 
confidently  make  this  appeal  to  you  for  your  as- 
sistance, and  may  He  who  seardieth  and  openeth 
the  heart  incline  you  to  come  to  our  help  in  raising 
a  temple  for  the  service  and  worship  of  God  :  the 
only  Baptist  cause  in  Thame.— Signed  on  behalf 
of  the  committee,  B.  0.  Bird,  sec.  Most  cordially 
recommended  by  Mr.  Hazletoz*,  of  London,  and 
Mr.  R  B.  Wale,  of  Plymouth.  The  smallest 
donation  will  be  most  thankfully  received  by  Mr. 
C.  Elton,  treasureir,  High  streeti  Thame. 

ASHBTTBTOir,  DBVON-The  harvest 
thanksgiving  services  were  held  here^  in  connec- 
tion with  the  anniversary  of  the  Poor  Saints  fund, 
ou  Tuesday,  thellth  of  October.  Mr.  Wale,  of 
Plymouth,  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  1  Cor. 
XV.  30,  to  a  good  congregation;  among  whom  we 
noticed  a  goodly  number  of  ministers.  A  public 
tea  was  provided  in  the  town  hall,  to  which  about 
two  hundred  persons  sat  down ;  after  which,  the 
annual  meetiug  of  the  Ashburton  Auxiliary'  of  the 
Poor  Saints  was  held.  TheEev.  J.  Babb,  minister 
of  Portland  Cliapel,  Plymonth,  (formerly  curate  to 
Dr.  Hawker,)  took  the  chair.  The  meeting  was 
addressed  by  the  following  ministers  :  Leggot,  of 
Ashburton,  Tomer,  of  Bxetcr.  Wale,  of  Plymouth, 
and  Mr.  Eellar,  The  Poor  Saints  fund  was  origin- 
ally formed  by  the  late  Dr.  Hawker,  vicar  of 
Charles,  Plj-mouth,  under  the  name  of  the  Corpus 
Ohristi  society ;  the  object  is  to  afford  temporal  re- 
lief to  the  poor  of  God's  family,  and  it  has  already 
distributea  several  thousanda  of  pounds*  The 
anniversaiy  of  the  Parent  Society  was  held  some 
short  time  since  in  tha  Household  of  Faith  school- 
room, adjoining  Charles  ohoroh,  Plymouth.  The 
Bev.  H.  JL  Greaves,  M.A,,  vicar  of  C^uurles,  took 
the  chair ;  the  Bev.  J.  Babb  read  the  report ;  and 
reaolutiovs  were  moved  and  secotkded  by  the  Bev. 
J.  Hawker,  (grandson  of  Dr.  Hawker,  curate  of 
Charles,)  Rev.  George  Doudnev,  incumbent  of 
Charles  chapeL  Bev.  B.  B.  Wale^  minister  of 
Trinity  chapel,  Bevs.  J.  Tanghan,  of  Mount  Zion 
(Aapel,  Devonport,and  Wilson,  of  Woriev  street 
ohapeU  Tbesoeiet/  has  aooompUshed  much  good 
but  is  stiQ  in  want  of  increased  help.^  , 

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316 


THE  EABTUE3I  VESSBL. 


KoT.  1,  ISM. 


HOXTOV-DoRdtetter-hidt,  Baptiit  cfaapel* 
ICintem  stiveL  New  North  road.— The  fifth  amii- 
verauy  of  th»  eanae  was  held  on  Lord*e-dey, 
Sept  18.  The  meroy  of  the  Lord  has  been  to- 
w»ids  ofl.  Ciroaitoiu,  jrel  aeoored  has  been  our 
path.  The  dispoael  of  our  lot,  aa  well  aa  of  all 
Christiana,  has  been  of  tiie  hard ;  and  in  review- 
ing which  we  destre  to  raise  an  Bbenezer  to  owt 
€K>d.— Ifr  Hanks  preached  in  the  morning,  Mr 
Wells  in  the  afternoon,  at  Salem,  (brother  Flaok's) 
kindly  lent,  and  Mr  Crowhnrst)  minister  of  the 
Dlaoe,  in  the  evening.  Appaiently,  the  Holy 
Spirit  prompted  and  aeoompanied  tqie  word.  On 
Tuesday,  Sep.  80,  about  1£0  sat  down  to  tea  in  the 
Wesleyan  schoolroom,  lent  fbr  the  occasion ;  after 
which  a  larae  publio  meeting  was  addressed  by 
brethren  Webster,  Hawkiiu,  Hall,  Myerson, 
Green,  Woodard,  Comwell,  and  Bayment;  who 
spoke  unmistakeably  thoae  things  which  God*s 
children  only  can  appreciate  and  r^oioe  in. 
Brethren  Ppynder  and  Dixon  conducted  the  de- 
votional servioea.  A  collection  was  made  on  be- 
half of  the  building  ftmd  in  connection  with  this 
cause.  An  increased  aocommodation  is  absolutely 
called  for :  may  He  whose  prerogative  it  is  to  dis- 
pose all  things  provide  us  a  place,  and  open  many 
nearta  to  help  ns. 

BBIZTOIV  ~  Where  suoh  a  full  Gotpel 
Vessel  has  lived  so  many  years,  to  speak  of  dark- 
ness  may  aeem  strange,  but  the  &ct  is,  the 
Vessel  referred  to  carries  its  treasures  a  long 
way  oflT:  let  us  then  still  plead  for  Brixton. 
One  correspondent  says:  Having  seen  in 
Eastbxs  YnsKL  some  friends  desirous  of  open- 


in  it.  Some  time  since,  the  institution.  Angel 
Town,  was  engaged  for  the  Lord^-day  only ;  it 
appeared  encounuKing.  If  a  cause  was  advoo^ed 
by  one  whose  life  adorned  the  doctrines  he 
preached,  much  good,  instrumentally,  might  be 
' '"  nd  haj 


done ;  and  I  for  one,  would  Join  heart  an< 
to  promote  it.  SuiTering  from  heavy  bodily  afflic- 
tion, I  am  often  detained  from  the  courts  of  the 
Lord's  houses  where  I  am  a  member,  and  steadily 
worship,  on  account  of  the  distance.  If  consistent 
with  the  will  of  our  covenant  God  and  Father  in 
Christ  Jesus,  may  fie  grant  all  needful  wisdom 
and  bestow  every  blessing  on  the  undertaking— 
Yours  in  the  bestof  bonds,— A.  M.  N.  [Are  there 
no  zealous,  truth-lovinc  people  who  will  unite  in 
praj^er  and  practical  efforts  to  build  up  a  cause  in 
thfit  desirable  spot?  Our  letters  show  many 
hearts  are  beating  for  it    Ed.] 

"WIMBIXDOV.  —  Special  services  were 
holden  in  the  new  Baptist  chapel,  Lord'»<!ay, 
Oct  9,  1864.  Brother  Luke  Snow,  the  pastor, 
preached  in  the  morning,  C.  W.  Banks  in  the  after- 
noon, and  F.  Wheeler  in  the  evening.  It  is  an 
honour  to  any  good  man  who  is  employed  by  the 
Lord,  to  establish  a  cause  of  truth,  and  erect  a 
house  tor  the  worship  of  a  triune  God,  in  any 
part  of  the  Uud :  and  certainly  that  honour  be- 
longs to  our  brother  Snow.  In  the  most  disinter- 
ested spirit  and  manner  he  has  preached  the  Gos- 
pel ;  and  has  built  a  neat  and  oomfortable  chapel  in 
Wimbledon ;  and  above  all,  the  Lord  has  given  him 
seals  to  his  ministry  whidi  no  man  can  question. 
He  has  had  his  trials;  to  him  they  have  been 
severe ;  but  to  the  church  they  have  oeen  useftil ; 
.  and  we  are  Justified  in  inviting  all  the  friends  of 
a  frte-gnoe  Gospel  to  rally  round  liim;  and  -to 
hold  up  his  han^s.  We  must  believe  he  will 
prosper  in  a  work  so  dearly  given  to  him  by  the 
Great  Shepherd  in  Zion, 

^  TXnrraAZiL,  SuinFOXiK-The  Lord  still 
honours  His  truth  in  onr  midst,  both  to  comfort- 

J-. .w__,__...     huich,andtotheoall 

On  the  fint  Sabbath 
two  bellevera  in  the 


Lord,  and  received  them  into  the  ehnrdh  thi  same 
day.  Others  axe  standing  until  the  Master  say 
**Qo  forward,  my  presence  shall  go  with  tbee.^* 
We  wcie  fhvouied  to  hold  a  public  meeting  on  the 
ISth  of  Sept  last  as  a  thanksgiving  meeting  to 
the  Almighty  for  His  bountiful  providence  to  us- 
ward.  Brotoer  Hanger,  of  Colchester,  preached  to 
us  In  the  name  and  fear  of  Israers  God;  we  had 
a  good  attendance  to  tea,  many  found  it  good.— 


XA8T  BOAX>--Jireh  ehapeL  A  moat  in- 
teresting gathering  of  the  members  of  the  ehnrdi 
and  eongiegation  connected  wilh  this  place  of 
worahip^  with  many  Christian  frienda  mnn  all 
parts,  took  place  on  Monday,  October  10th.  On 
that  day  the  venerable  paator,  the  Bev.  J.  A. 
Jonea,  completed  the  Wth  year  of  his  age,  and 
alao.  the  Mth  year  of  his  pubUe  ministry.  Mr. 
Wells,  of  the  Surr^Tabemacle^  preached  a  most 
appropriate  sermon  from  Habbakuk  iii.  19,  ■*  The 
Lord  is  my  strength,  and  he  will  make  my  feet 
like  hinds  feet,*'  after  which,  about  300  persons 
partook  of  tea.  In  the  evening,  the  aged  pastor 
occupied  the  chair,  and  gave  an  iutervsting  ac- 
count of  his  long  and  eventful  life;  after  which, 
the  brethren  Foreman,  Milner,  Dicketson,  Haw- 
king and  others  addrnsed  the  meeting.  Their 
remarks  were  kind,  affectionate,  and  mudi  to  tlie 
purpose.  The  meeting  was  brought  t  *  a  dose  by 
an  unmistakeable  act  of  kindness  on  the  part  of 
the  company,  i^o  prceented  Mr  Jones  with  the 
proceeds  of  an  excellent  collection.  Mr.  Jones 
may  now  by  age  and  miniaterial  standing  be  con- 
sidered as  the  patriarch  of  the  Particular  Baptist 
denomination  in  London,  and  .from  the  days  of 
the  learned  Dr.  Gill,  there  has  not  arisen  a  more 
firm  defender  of  their  views  of  di%'ine  truth.  Ihc 
recollections  of  this  day  will  long  retain  ita  f;a- 
grancy,  and  will  not  fan  to  dieer  tae  aged  minis- 

by 
post  (free)  on  receipt  of  twdve  postage  stamps, 
addressed  to—Mr.  J.  A,  Jonei^  60,  Murray  street. 
City  road,  London. 

STBEATHAK-^.  Editob,-  I,  with 
several  others,  would  be  thankful  to  see  a  Gospel 
cs.use  at  StreaUuun,  or  Brixton.  The  Lord's  peo- 
ple cannot  here  meet  together.  We  should  be 
thankful  if  the  Lord  inclme  the  heart  of  some  to 
hasten  such  a  good  work :  we  would  do  all  in  our 
power.^B.  Bussell,  Wdls  lane,  Streatham.  [Can- 
not a  room  be  hired  at  first?  We  could  find  good 
men  to  hdp :  with  Goer's  blessing  it  only  wants  a 
beginning  in  Csith  and  with  prayer.    £d.] 


ter  through  the  remainder  of  his  pilgrTmage. 
capital  carte  de  visite  of  Mr.  Jones  will  be  sent 


THE   LA.TE    MR.   SILVER. 

Sdtci  our  last  ism,  Mr.  Frederick  Silver, 
so  many  Tears  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  has 
been  called  home.  He  had  been  laid  aside 
ahoat  a  foitnight;  and  on  the  Friday  he 
died,  he  seemea  to  be  ^tting  better;  he 
was  Terj  happy  in  his  mind,  dwelling  madi 
on  heavenly  liaalities,  particnlarly  sweet  in 
his  meditations  on  the  108rd  Psalm  during 
the  day.  In  the  evening  he  retired  to  rest 
for  the  night  Mrs.  S.  thonght  he  was  in  a 
sweet  sleep ;  |he  looked  so  composed ;  but 
on  fbrther  inspection  the  spirit  bad  Had : — 
asleep  in  Jesus.  He  was  buried  at  arilhige 
near  Snrbiton.  The  funeral  strictly  private. 
On  the  coffin  plate  was  inscribed — 
Frsdkrick  81LVKB,  Esq., 
Died  Oct  7th,  18H 
In   hia   82nd^ar.       . 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


Dm  I,  1861. 


THK  XARTBKN  TESSEZu 


317 


A  MOST  LAMENTABLE   FACT 

OOXTBASTKD  WITtt 


TsdntB  Are  two  Beeda  in  the  family  of  man 
on  the  eArth,-^^e  seed  of  tlie  serpent  and 
the  seed  of  the  Lamb. 

There  are  two  indexes  in  Jesns  Chiistfii 
wordSy^^me  points  most  awfally  and  foaz^ 
fvlly  to  the  reprobate  race :  in  the  8th  of 
Jomi  they  are  called  Pharisees,  and  to  them 
the  Saviour  said,  *' Ye  are  of  your  father  the 
devil ;  and  the  lusts  of  your  father  ye  will 
do."  There  are  evidences  of  God's  childsren 
oonnected  with  that  word,  '*  He  that  is  of 
God  heareth  God's  word:  ye,  therefore, 
hear  them  not,  because  ye  are  not  of  God." 

God*s  children  hear  God's  word, — ^thatis, 
thev  receive  God's  word  literallv,  vocally, 
and  stnritnally,  but  the  others  ao  not  re- 
ceive it 

€h)d's  children  have  another  index,  to 
them  Christ  said,  '*  Ye  are  my  disciples  if 
ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you."  Eveiy 
true  disciple  of  Christ  desireth  to  know  and 
to  do  his  Lord's  blessed  will. 

There  are  not  only  two  seeds,  and  two  in- 
dexes, but  there  are  two  words  which  diS' 
Hngm»h  between  the  two  seeds.  The  one 
word  is  "  Hate;'  the  other  word  is  "Zow." 

Paul  to  Titus  says  of  the  natural  man, 
"  hateAil  and  hating  one  another.'*  But  of 
the  children  John  speaks  most  positively, 
"Eveiy  one  that  loveth  Him  that  begat, 
loveth  Him  also  that  is  begotten  of  Him." 

There  are  two  things  fp  together  in  the 
wasting  of  brotherly  affection.  Christ  puts 
it  among  the  signs  of  the  last  times.  He 
says,  "  Many  will  be  offended,  and  hate  one 
another;  many  false  prophets  will  arise  and 
deceive  many;  and  because  iniquity  shall 
abound,  the  love  of  many  shall  wax  cold." 

The  awful  feature  of  these  times  is,  the 
hatred  of  man  toward  man ;  in  the  world, 
in  the  Church,  in  all  diurches,  more  or  less, 
it  seems  so. 

Illustrations  of  the  painfbl  state  of  2Son 
irt  might  give  in  fjreat  abundance ;  and 
how  fiur  we  are  justified  in  silently  passing 
by  tha  causes  of  division  and  declension,  is 
a  question  which  has  long  and  seriously 
afleeted  us.  ICaiiJ  reasons  might  be  ur^ed 
aipiost  our  attempting  to  effect  a  reconcili- 
ation  between  those  brethren  and  churches 
vho  really  and  truly  ought  to  be  one  in  co- 
operation, seeing  they  are  ohs  in  faith  and 
cxpazienee;  ana  AiUy  oersuaded  as  we  are 
that  tha  eausea  of  neaAy  all  the  bitter  and 

Vol.  XX.«^lfo.  285. 


painful  divisions  arise  £rom  parfy  spirits, 
mym  ignorance  in  some,  from  presumption 
in  others,  and  firom  the  lack  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  in  not  a  few  who  stand  in  the  fitmt 
of  the  sates  of  Zion,  we  feel  great  difficulty 
in  witnholding  testimonies  and  painftu 
proo&  which  reach  us  from  all  quarters. 
Not  one  word  would  we  utter  to  wound  the 
spirit  of  any  saint  of  God;  not  one  line 
would  we  write  to  afflict  the  sotd  of  the 
smallest  of  the  children.  We  would  crv  to 
God,  and  would  look  to  Him  alone,  to  heid 
the  brsaches  ignorant  and  proud  men  are 
making ;  but,  at  the  same  time^  when  neces- 
si^  lies  heavy  upon  us,  we  would  also  use 
all  holy  and  possible  means,  in  order  to- 
convince  the  ignorant  and  the  spell-bound 
multitudes  of  this  most  terrible  fact,  that, 
like  Saul  of  Tarsus,  while  they  think  they- 
are  doing  God  service,  they  are  literallv  and 
deceptively  fighting  against  Him  and  His 
Church,  and  they  as  much  need  a  genuine 
and  efficient  conversion  to  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  as  did  Saul  of  Tarsus  before,  to  him, 
the  Saviour  came.  The  following  letter  is 
but  one  of  nuiny  which  prove  how  deeply 
the  canker-worm  and  the  caterpillar  are  eat- 
ing up  the  vitals  of  Zion's  peace  and  unity. 
Th^  following  letter  refers  to  our  kind 
notice  of  MR.  TIPTAPJTS  DEATH.  We 
shall  give 

MR.  TIPTAFT'S  WORDS  TO  MR.  R, 
RANDLE  ON  HIS  CONVERSION  TO 
GOD. 

DsAB  BnotBis  Banks,— You  were  pleased 
to  insert  in  the  Vxssil  my  note;  I  am  glad 
you  did  so.  What  you  said  yourself,  and 
my  note,  have  stirred  up  a  terrible  rage 
amongst  Mr.  Tiptaft's  folks.  Poor  dear 
souls,  I  pity  them  much,  and  may  God  deal 
in  mercy  with  them.  My  note,  brother 
Banks,  spealoi  to  the  praise  of  Mr.  Tiptaft 
more  than  all  they  have  said  in  the  Stan* 
dardf  and  yet  they  are  in  a  terrible  rage 
about  it,  and  will  combine  to  get  up  any- 
thing they  can  to  txy  to  blind  from  the  truth 
of  what  I  stated.    'Ihis  cannot  be  done. 

Brother  Banks,  your  correspondent  knows 
nothing  about  Mr.  Tiptaft's  coming  into  the 
Church,  nor  his  going  out  of  the  Church. 
I  will  teUyonfiMm  ifi.  Tiptaft's  own  words 
to  me,  and  he  spoke  the  same  to  many 


Digitized  by 


Google 


S18 


THE  XABTHESr  VESSEL. 


Dee.  1,  186i. 


others,  several  of  them  are  now  lirmg  who 
heard  him. 

Mr.  Tiptaft  said,  ''I  came  into  the 
Church  a  self-righteouA  Phariiee;  I  was  a 
Phariaee  from  a  lad.  I  was  a  Pharisee 
when  I  entered  the  Chnrch."  And  this  he 
was  to  mj  kaowledffe  when  he  came  to 
Sn^tom  Courtney.  Hi0  public  ministry  was 
to  this  end, — to  make  men  sood  by  their  at- 
tending to  the  Church  of  England  order  of 
things,  so  as  to  be  sayed  by  the  make- weight 
of  Christ  I  will  tell  Vou  how  a  total 
dhange  took  place  in  Mr.  Tiptalt's  niind.  I 
met  with  him  on  «  Saturaay  eVeningi  and 


oing  to  see  a  sick  woman.  I  returned 
Eome  in  about  half-an-hour.  I  was  scarcely 
in  when,  to  my  surprise,  in  comes  Mr.  Tip- 
taft.  We  discussed  matters  till  past  one 
o'clock  on  Sunday  morning ;  our  conversa- 
tion was  carried  on  in  a  good  calm  spirit. 
Mr.  Tiptaft  contended  as  well  as  he  could 
for  his  free-will,  and  Churchiflod  notions ; 
but  the  doctrines  of  srace,  by  the  power  of 
Ood,  were  so  opened  up  to  me  that  night, 
that  poor  Tiptaft  was  met  at  every  turn. 
We  nnallv  oroke  up  our  meeting;  poor 
Tiptaft  acknowledgms  he  had  been  wrong 
alltiis  life  long.  And  the  next  day  he  be- 
gan anew  to  preach  the  doctrines  of  grace, 
even  the  eleetms  love  of  God;  and  he  never 
more  preadxed  in  a  free-will  strain. 
Whether  this  sudden  change  was  of  God  or 
not,  I  leave  others  to  think  as  they  like ;  I 
am  satisfiedit  wasof  God;  but  these  poor 
ignorant  people  are  angiy  for  anv  gooi  to 
come  from  me ;  fuid  yet  God  will  convert 
sinners  by  my  ministry. 

A  GIiOBIOnS  WOBE  AT  SUTTOSr 
COTTRTNEY. 

The  oonverBion  of  Mr.  Tiptaft  was  good, 
we  have  no  doubt.  That  the  Abingdon 
people  should  be  an^  because  the  Lord 
employed  brother  Richard  Bandle,  is  very 
nau^ty  indeed.  They  ought  to  know  better ; 
and  if  th^  do  not  know  better,  they  must 
be  told,  fiut,  better  than  all  we  have  had 
yet,  is  the  following  precious  record : — 

"  We  have  had  some  of  the  most  striking 
oonversions  of  late ;  the  most  reprobate  of 
sinners  God  has  called,  and  thev  are  become 
the  most  active  saints:  the  change  is  as 
visible  as  Paul's  was.  and  as  sud£n ;  and 
like  the  thief  upon  tiie  cross,  th^  give  a 
living  testimony  ihat  Christ  is  in  them. 
Within  the  last  eighteen  months  t  have  had 
to]  baptise  nineteen  persons,  and  they  have 
b^n  added  to  our  Church.  We  baptise  in 
the  open  stream ;  this  brings  many  sinners 
to  witness.    Some  have  come  witn  the  Aill 


intent  to  mock ;  but  our  Jesus  was  with  \m. 
He  broke  down  the  mockers,  and  melted 
them  into  tears  of  real  repentance  toward 
God,  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  We  have 
now  such  with  us  in  Church  fellowship ;  and 
several  of  the  Independents,  in  witnessing 
our  baptising,  have  eome  ont,  and  havte  been 
baptized. 

Dear  brother  Banks,  after  Mr.  Tiptaft 

came  over  to  the  doctrine  of  the  grace  of 

God,  I  gave  him  a  list  of  the  people's 

names  whom  I  considered  knew  Jesus  the 

Saviour,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  finding  them 

out;   u4  from  going  round  amongst  the 

Christians,  myself  and  he  generally  had 

two  or  three  meetings  a  week :  our  meetinos 

were  until  midnight,  and  it  has  lasted  tOl 

two  o'clock  in  the  morning.     I  directed 

him  to  find  out  Mr.  Porter,  Mr.  Philpot, 

Mr.  Bullock,  and  Mr.  Hill :  aU  men  of  nmeh 

I  truth.    He  sought  them  oat,  and  they  all 

I  came  and  preached  for  him.    I  took  care  to 

'  lead  him  to  the  CSiuxch  Articles,  which  he 

had  never  considered,  and  backed  some  of 

them  up  by  Scripture  truth.    From  this 

teaching  of  mine  came  his  famous  aennon 

at  Abingdon,  that  made  a  ^eat  stir,  and 

j  some  of  the  scoffers  said,  Tiptaft  came  to 

I  Sutton  Courtney  a  very  nice  sentleman,  but 

i  he  had  fallen  in  with  RandM,  and  he  had 

driven  him  out  of  his  mind.      Mr.  TSptafi 

I  had  got  good  means,  and  he  was  very  liberal, 

:  so  that  some  of  the  poor  children  of  G{od 

!  were  slad  to  get  a  little  help  from  hint. 

They  pegan  to  pet  him,  and  crown  him  aa 

a  great  man.    Tnis  did  him  mudi  harm.    I 

was  pleased  that  there  was  a  man  to  preash 

some  truth,  but  then  I  never  oould  hear  him 

as  a  preacher  to  me,  nor  Mr.  Philpot  either, 

because  I  was  before  them  in  ^ean  of  age, 

and  also  in  grace,  therefore  Tiptaft  did  not 

bring  the  truth  to   Sutton,  but  he   waa 

brought  by  God  here  to  receive  the  trath. 

Many  people  could  not  hear  him ;  fkom  thia 

came  our  uttle  chapel  at  Sutton  Courtney, 

and  poor  old  worthless  Randle  still  pread&ea 

there.    I  am  at  mv  old  work,  driving  people 

out  of  their  minds :  that  is  of  beins  led 

captive  by  Satan,  God  brings  them  to  him* 

seu  in  Christ.    llCr.  Philpot  is  to  bring  out. 

a  memoir  of  Mr.  Tiptaft. 

In  eonchwion,  the  eternal  Jehovah  has 
been  amoapt  us,  and  with  tis,^~'Sktfa«>, 
Son,  and  Spirit,  have  been  engaged  in  hriaf* 
ing  sinners  to  us,  and  to  Jeeaa«  Mangr  too^ 
out  of  our  midst,  He  has  called  to  gutr : 
thev  have  left  a  good  tSBli&ony  of  Qon 
fkithltalnesB  to  them.  B^  God's  spraoa  we 
are  mneh  in  lore  and  umon,  whm,  I  am 
sorry  to  find,  many  of  our  Chureheo  axe  not. 
We  shoald  be  glad  to  see  yoa  at  tmy  timt^ 
and  tot  you  to  pieaeh  about  J«suai— •'Edaa 
in  theLotd  Jestu,  **  &  Ka«MB. 

"  Sutton  Courtney;  Kot.  9,  IBH.** 

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Dec.  1,  1864. 


XH£  BARTHKiy  VmSKL. 


319^ 


THE  ElEVENTH  COJMMANDMENT. 

Hov  different  things  would  be  if  the  last 
commandment  Christ  gaTo  Eis  disciples, 
pnrioas  to  His  death,  could  be  ftdl/  and 
pncticallj  earned  ont! 

We  hare  affain  been  called  to  look  at 
those  beantifalwoids  (and  at  iJl  the  cir- 
cnmstances  leading  up  to  them)  recorded 
in  John  riii.  34,  35.  When  that  supper 
(whicli  preceded  the  feaat  of  the  passover) 
vna  ended :  ^en  the  devil  had  stirred  up 
the  heart  of  Judas  to  betray  his  Master : 
^en  Jesus  had  washed  the  feet  of  His 
disciples :  vhen  Judas  Iscariot  had  received 
the  sop,  and  had  gone  out  to  perpetrate  his 
black  and  awful  deed :  when  the  Saviour's 
heart  had  first  ^vea  vent  to  His  inwaid 
affonies  hj  exclaiming,  '*  Now  is  the  Son  of 
Man  glorified,  and  Ood  is  glorified  in  Him. 
If  God  be  glorified  in  Him,  God  shall  also 
glorify  Him  in  EUmself.  and  shall  straight- 
way  fflorifF  Hun;*'  after  all  this,  Jesus 
tunted  to  His  own  disciples,  and  in  terms 
most  afl^ctionately  endearing,  He  said, 
'*Litfle  children,  vet  a  little  while  I  am 
vith  vou.  Ye  shau  seek  me ;  and  as  I  said 
unto  the  Jews,  Whither  I  go,  ye  cannot  come ; 
80  now  I  say  to  you.  A  nxw  commandmrnt 
I  give  unto  vou,  tbat  tb  i>ovs  ovb  aitothsr  ; 
Am  (mark  this  measurement  of  the  disciples, 
bve  one  to  another — **  As")  I  have  loved 
you;  that  ye  also  love  one  another,  ^y 
this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  dis- 
ci^es,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another." 

We  ask,  Has  this  new  commandment 
ever  been  repealed  ?  Has  it  ever  yet  been 
MbroKoM  iatopractioe?  Is  it  vtisfthe 
visible  badge  of  Christian  diseiplesMp  ?  We 
ask  ministers,  deacons,  and  members  of  all 
our  churches^  is  it  not  now  almost  extinct  ? 

Oh!  to  heaven  we  lift  our  aching  and 
our  burdened  hearts,  and  we  pray  that 
whatever  we  have  done  to  hinder  the  flow- 
ing of  this  love  one  to  another,  mifi^t  be 
fo^ven,  removed,  blotted  out,  i^  ourie^ 
in  the  pseciaus  f  ftnaBMi  e€  atoning  blood 
flowing  from  Calvary's  wounded  Sfteriflee; 
and  that  sneh  overnowingp  olPinpe  love 
might  fill  all  our  hiNUPts  and  mind^  tha»  a 
glorious  revival  in  our  churches  might  be 
realised. 

But,  in  the  present  fAtkte  of  thiage :.  whUe 
such  dead,  di^  oold,  yioad,  s«lf-Qeii9eitad, 
ifliorant,  and  uohaUowed  i^ta  dveU  in 
aS^the  aeetiona  of  an  vieiUe  ohnrehee,  tho 
hope  of  better  daya  aeenup  vogr  far  •^y, 

WealMUiiotfeaf  ta  asaeft  thM  tbie  ioh^ 
jeitx^Tb^  XoTO  of  tbe  Bvethnn-^lw^heea 
^  theme  of  mil  kaast  of  liite,  «id»  n«ict 
y«tt,  ilmred,  w«  wiUiwiBifb  imd.oontiiiae 
It.  Ana  «a  intisodnoUMigp  th«B»tO|  we  nve 
one  iUqftratioii  iirom  the  Iwt  vm^  of  that 

Oft  ik9  M09d  to  Qktif"  bjS#.99aii«r  of 


<<  God  is  Love,,"  luid  which  gives  us  a  plea- 
sant view  of 

AKCHBISHOP  ITSHER 

nr 

SAMUlSIr  RUTHBRFORiyS  GARRET. 

With  the  following  extract  fh>m  that 
beautiftd  volume,  **  Steps  and  Stages,"  &c., 
published  by  Virtue,  Hall,  &  Co.,  we  must 
abruptly,  for  the  present,  break  oft, 

**  Before  I  particularly  refer  to  this  new 
commandment  of  our  Lord,  I  may  mention 
that  it  is  often  called  the  elei/»nth  command- 
ment. The  eminent  and  most  spiritually- 
minded  Archbishop  Usher  was  the  first  who 
gave  the  name  of  the  'eleventh*  com- 
mandment to  the  '  new '  commandment  of 
Christ;  and  as  the  oircumstances  under 
which  that  great  and  ^ood  man  applied  the 
tenn  '  eleventh'  to  thia  commanoment  are 
interesting,  I  may  parenthetically  transfer 
to  my  pages,  from  the  Rev.  Charles  Buck's 
'  Anecdotes,*  a  brief  narrative  of  these  cir- 
cumetances. 

" '  The  eminent  Archbishop  Udlier,'  says 
the  writer  I  have  just  nameci,  ■  beins  once 
on  a  visit  to  Scotland,  heard  a  great  aeal  of 
the  piety  and  devotion  of  the  toious  Mr. 
Samuel  Rutherfpr^'  who,,  he  understood, 
spent  whole  nights  in  primer,  especially  be- 
fore the  Ss^bbath.  The  bishop  wished  much 
to  witness  such  extraordinary  downpouring 
of  the  Spirit,  but  was  utterly  at  a  loss  how 
to  aeeomplish  his  design.  At  length  it 
came  into  his  mind  to  dress  himself  like  a 
paujper ;  and  on  a  Saturday  evening,  when 
it  was  turning  dark,  he  called  at  Mr.  Ruth- 
eifbBd's  house,  and  asked  if  he  could  get 
quarters  fpr  ft.ni^t,  since  he  could  go  to  no 
other  house  at  so  late  an  hour  for  that  pur- 
pose. Mr.  Rutherford  consented  to  give 
the  poor  man  a  bed  fbr  a  night,  and  de- 
sired him  ta  sit  down  in  the  kitehen,  whieb 
he  did  cheerfully.  Mrs.  Rutherford,  accord-* 
ing  to  euetom  on  Sutirday  evening,  that  hef 
servants  migh^  be  ppwpared  for  the  Sabbath, 
called  them  tc^ther,  and  examined  them. 
In  the  eour^a  pf  the  examination  that  even- . 
ing  she  asked  the  strAUger  how  many  corn-, 
mandmente  these  were.  To  which  he 
aQBwe«e<^  '£hiveBu'  Upon  receiving  thit 
answaiv  she  replied*  '  What  a  shAme  ia  it. 
for  you  1  a  man  iriti  grey  haizB,  Uring  in  n 
Ghristiaftcfuiiitvy»  nek  to  know  how  many 
oommandments*  there  Hr»!  There  la  not  a 
child  of  el»  yftuo  old  ui  this  parish  but 
oould  answer  this  question  properly.'  She 
troubled  the  ppor  man  ao  moiOh  thinking 
him  so  vei7  ignore^ti  but  lamented  hie  oon- 
ditten  to  her  tmsmndtn ;  And,  after  givijoig  him 
some  sapper,  deeired  ft  sorvwit  to  show  him 
apftairstoAbedinftfpiMnet  ThiavMtho 
vwQr  flMpubtioQ  19  wwok  ho  imnd,  to  b^ 

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390 


THE  EABTHE9 


I>ee.  1,  1M4. 


placed,  tliAt  he  might  hear  Mr.  Batherfoid 
at  hit  aeeret  derotion.  Howerer,  he  was 
diaappointed ;  for  that  night  that  good  man 
went  to  bed,  but  did  not  Ml  uLeep  for 
some  home.  The  stranger  did  not  go  to 
bed,  bat  sat  listeninf^  always  hoping  to 
hear  Mr.  Bntherfiird  at  prayer;  and  at 
length  oondnding  that  all  the  hmbr  were 
asleep^  the  bishop  thought  if  he  had  been 
disappointed  in  hearing  another  offering  vp 
his  aesires  to  God  at  the  throne  of  grace,  he 
would  embrace  the  opportunity  himiBelf^  and 
poured  out  his  heart  to  God  with  such  lib- 
erty and  enlargement,  that  Mr.  Butherfbrd, 
immediately  below,  overheard ;  and  getting 
up,  put  on  his  clothes.  Should  thb  hsTe 
sirakened  Mrs.  Butherford  she  could  have 
suspected  nothing  of  his  design,  leeing  he 
rose  commonly  erei;^  day  at  thrae  o'cIo<3l  in 
the  morning ;  and  if  she  could  have  heard 
one  at  prayer  afterwards,  she  would  natur- 
ally hare  concluded  it  was  her  husband. 
Mr.  Rutherford  went  up-stairs,  and  stood 
waiting  at  the  garret-door  till  the  archbishop 
had  concluded  his  devotions ;  upon  which  he 
knocked  gently  at  the  door,  and  the  other 
q^ned  it  with  surprise,  thinking  none  were 
witness  to  his  devotions.  Mr.  Butherford 
took  him  bv  the  hand,  saying,  '  Sir,  I  am 
persuaded  uiat  you  can  be  none  other  than 
Arehbishop  Usher,  and  you  must  certainlv 
preach  for  me  to-day,  heins  now  Sabbath 
morning.'    The  bishop  confessed  who  he 


was ;  and  after  telling  Mr.  Butherford  what 
induced  him  to  take  such  a  step,  said  he 
would  preach  lisr  him  on  condition  that  he 
would  not  discover  who  he  was.  Happy 
union  of  souls,  althouffh  of  different  persua^ 
sions  I  yet  not  marvellous ;  Qod  males  but 
two  diranctions  among  mankind,  the  right* 
eous  and  the  wicked.  Mr.  Rutherford  fur- 
nished the  bishop  with  a  suit  of  his  own 
clothes,  and  early  in  the  morning  he  went 
out  to  the  fields;  the  other  foUowed  him, 
and  brought  him  in  as  a  strange  minister 
passinff  by,  who  had  promised  to  preach  for 
him.  Mrs.  Butherford  found  that  the  poor 
man  had  gone  away  before  any  of  the  fiunily 
were  out  of  bed.  Aftar  domestic  worship 
and  breakfiMt  the  family  went  to  the  kirk« 
and  the  archbishop  had  for  his  text,  *  A  new 
commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that  ve  lovo 
one  another;'  a  suitable  subject  for  the 
occasion.  In  the  course  of  his  sermon  he 
observed  that  this  might  be  reckoned  the 
eleventh  commandment:  upon  which  Mrs. 
Rutherfcnd  said  to  herself,  'that  is  the 
answer  die  poor  man  gave  me  last  night  ;* 
and  looking  up  to  the  pulpit^  said,  <  It  can- 
not be  possible  that  this  is  he?*  After 
public  worship,  the  strange  minister  and 
Mr  Butherford  spent  the  evening  in  mut-ial 
satisfaction ;  and  early  on  Monday  morning 
the  former  went  away  in  the  dress  he  came 
in,  and  was  not  discovered.' " 


SPIRITUAL  POVERTY  AND  HEAVENLY  BLESSEDNESS. 

MATTHEW  V.  3. 
Bt  Johk  Waters  Baitks,  CflAPLAiir  or  thb  Foktsicouth  Comrxcr  Paisox. 


*<  Blessed  sie  the  poor  in  spirit :  for  theirs  Is  the  kingdom  of  hesTen.** 


As  Jesus  went  about  teaching  andpreach]n|(, 
oft«n  neat  multitudes  followed  ffim.  This 
fifth  <£apter  of  St  Matthew  beg^is,  **And 
seeing  the  multitudes,  He  went  up  into  a 
mountain ;  and  iHien  He  was  set,  uis  dis- 
ciples came  unto  Him ;  and  He  opened  His 
mouth  and  taught  them." 

The  teacher  is  the  Saviour:  the  Saviour 
God  I  Ghod  is  the  seejoher  of  hearts :  He 
marks  the  character  of  men  with  a  woe  or 
a  blessing.  This  chapter  opens  with  a  long 
series  oi  characters  all  marked  with  the 
latter,  be^ning  with  "Blessed  are  the 
poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven." 

The  character  named  in  the  text  is  ftill 
of  importance;  whether  we  regard  His 
judgment  of  it  who  distinguished  it,  or  the 
blessing  He  attaches  to  it,  or  the  oonneidon 
which  exists  between  the  kingdom  and  the 
chiMeter  to  which  it  appeztdns.  "Blessed 


are  the  poor  in  sinrit,  for  theirs  is  the  king- 
dom of  neaven." 

This  short  text  suggests  the  following 
di  virions:— 

1st  The  Ckaraoter,  *'Poor  in  spirit" 

2ad.  TMr  State,  «  Blessed  are  the  poor 
in  spirit." 

Srd.  Tke  ground  qf  their  bleesedneee, 
**  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  theirs." 

I.  Tki  OBABAom,  *'Poor  in  spirit** 
We  read  in  Ecdesiastes  vii.  ^  *<  Better  is 
the  end  of  a  thing  than  the  be^nning  there* 
of:  and  the  patient  in  spirit  is  better  than 
the  proud  in  spirit"  Fatienee  of  spirit  may 
be  despised,  but  the  poasession  of  patience 
is  better  than  that  ofpride;  and  poverty  of 
spirit,  though  a  painnu  thing  in  the  bMn* 
ninft,  receives  the  blessing  at  the  end.  This 
made  the  Apostle  say,-  **  Now  no  chasten* 
ing,  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  wjfowr 
but  grievous;  nevertheless  afterwards'  it 

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Dee.  1,  18M. 


THE  SAETHBN  YEBSSL. 


m 


jieldeth  the  pMceable  fraits  of  xkhteoiuh 
nws  unto  them  which  are  ezerdfied  tneieby/' 
Heb.  xii.  11. 

••The bud  may  lyif« abitler  tMte, 
But  fweet  i4u  be  the  flower.** 

The  beffixming  may  be  with  weeping; 
the  end  shall  he  wiUi  rqoieing,  for  this 
porerty  of  apirit  eqiiahi  contrition  of  spirit 
to  which  so  many  promisee  belon(|[. 

How  whaterer  contrition  of  spirit  may  be, 
the  blessing  of  God  is  with  it ;  the  greatest 
fkyoor  of  heaven  accompanies  it.  **  The  sac- 
rifiees  of  Qod  are  a  broken  spirit^  a  brt^en 
and  a  contrite  heart,  0  Lord,  thou  wilt  not 
despise."  This  Terse  of  the  5l8t  Psalm  is 
stated  thns  in  Psalm  34,  *•  The  Lord  is  near 
unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart,  and 
aayeth  snch  as  are  of  a  contrite  spirit" 

We  see  from  these  passages  that  Qod  ac* 
<cepts,  as  an  aneeable  saoiflce,  contrition 
of  spirit ;  that  He  will  be  near  unto,  saye, 
and  watch  ever  such :  "To  this  man  will  I 
look,  eren  to  him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  con- 
trite spirit,  and  trembleth  at  my  words." 
Isaiah  IxYi.  2. 

This  contrition  or  ^yerty  of  spirit  brings 
down  all  hiffh  looks,  it  brings  down  "  eyety 
high  thing/'  or  conceit,  of  our  wisdom, 
atrength,  or  riches,  and  it  brings  down 
erexTthing  that  is  esteemed  by  the  world, 
ontif  the  world  is  aeoounted  less  than  no- 
thine  and  yanity. 

Tne  poor  in  spirit,  at  the  beginning,  is 
of  all  men  most  miserable,  for  the  world 
can  afford  no  satisfaction  to  such,  and 
heayen  is  so  holy  that  he  cannot,  dare  not 
so  much  as  lift  up  his  eyes  to  it ;  and  sin  is 
so  heayy  on  his  oonsdenee  that  he  can 
scarce  make  an  effort  to  relieye  it,  for 
**  Heaviness  in  the  heart  of  a  man  maketh 
It  stoop"  indeed.  This  subject,  though 
plain  to  him  that  understandeth,  is  not 
always  so  to  eyezy  one  that  eyen  meditates 
on  it,  and  sings, — 

"  The  Lord  will  heppinew  dirine 
On  oootrite  heuta  beatow,| 
Then  tell  me,  giadoua  Lord,  is  mine 
A  contrite  heart  or  no  f** 

But,  those  who  are  longing,  and  are  deso- 
late, and  mourn  to  God,  are  on  the  way, 
not  only  to  know  what  contrition  is,  but 
also  to  ei\joy  the  blessedness  resulting  from 
it. 

We  haye  seen  that  poverty  of  spirit  equals 
contrition  of  spirit,  what  then  is  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word  contrition?  Attrition  is 
tM  act  of  wearing  down,  or  wearing  away, 
by  rubbine  one  substance  a^jainst  another, 
and  morally  the  terror-strikiDg  law,  bear- 
ing upon  the  hard  heart,  cause  remorse  and 
that  grief  which  arises  from  fear ;  and  this 
#ear  nath  tocment,  toiment  that  reduces 
and  brings  down  to  despair  and  death;  but 
^lon^fili'oii  is  the  law  in  contact  with  the 
spirit  of  man,  under  the  operation  of  the 


Holy  Ghost.  The  voice  of  words,  and  the 
darkness,  fire,  and  smoke,  terrify  and  alarm, 
but  there  is  the  Spijut  which  ouickens  the 
man.  With  the  tenor  of  the  law  there  is 
the  Hol^  Spirit  impUntin^  the  incorruptible 
seed  which  germinates  with  hope,  and  so 
the  hard  heart  is  softened  and  turned  God- 
ward  with  a  desire,  a  petition,  a  ciy  for 
pardoning  mennr;  and  thus  contrition  is 
**  godly  sorrow,''^  which  worketh  repentance 
that  needeth  not  to  be  repented  of.  And 
he  who  is  the  subject  of  this  repentance, 
does  not  repeoit  of  it,  though  the  vision,  the 
wished  for  vision,  tarrv. 

But,  it  may  be  asked, — ^Why  is  this  pov- 
erty of  smrit  so  acceptable  to  God  ?  Why 
should  He  take  pleasure  in  a  wounded 
spirit  ?  Why  is  humbleness  and  contrition 
of  soul  so  magnified?  I  answer,  because 
God  delights  in  mercy,  and  thi$  i$  the  con- 
dition  which  can  receive  it.  God's  Spirit, 
by  the  chemistry  of  heaven,  dissolves  the 
rocky  hearts;  it  flows  down  at  God's  pre- 
sence ;  it  acknowledges  His  presence,  whidi 
is  inearporated  with  it;  it  is  comtritk. 
"  For  as  the  earth  which  drinketh  in  the 
rain  that  cometh  oft  upon  it,  and  brin^th 
forth  herbs  meet  for  tnose  bv  whom  it  is 
dressed,  receiveth  blessing 'from  GK)d." 
Heb.  vi.  7,  so  similarly  the  face  of  the 
moral  earth  is  renewed,  similarly  (}od  re- 
news a  right  spirit  in  man !  And  then  it  is 
no  longer  so  contemptible  a  thing  as  just 
now  it  seemed,  it  is  a  spirit  adorned  with 
that  which  in  the  sieht  of  God  is  of  ^at 
price.  It  is  a  me^  and  quiet  spirit,  a 
spirit  of  chastity  and  temperance,  one  that 
hasput  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  learned 
of  Him,  and  reflects  His  spirit 

But  this  will  be  further  seen,  as  we  dis- 
courneon 

n.  Thb  Statb.  "Blessed  are  the  poor 
in  spirit."  The  present  state  of  the  poor  in 
spirit  is  a  blessed  one.  It  is  so  because 
tne  divine  influences  from  heaven  have  pro- 
duced it ;  the  light  of  life  shines  upon  it ; 
effectual  calling  animates  it ;  and  sufficiency 
of  grace  sostains  it ;  and  among  the  many 
good  things  springing  from  it,  in  its  pos- 
sessor, I  see 

1st.  SatUfactum,  Such  is  the  capacity 
of  the  human  spirit,  that  no  earthly  pos- 
sessions or  attainments  can  bestow  that 
happiness  which  leaves  no  desire  unfnlfllled. 
The  &voured  psalmist  intimates  that  mor- 
tality swaDoweil  up  of  lii^  alone  can  satisfy 
such  a  spirit.  He  says,  ''  As  for  me,  I  wiU 
behold  thy  Usee  in  righteousness ;  I  shall  bo 
satisfied  when  I  awiOEe  with  thy  likeness." 
Psalm  xvii.  15.  But  there  is  a  satisfliction 
experienced  here,  a  satisfaction  in  kind 
though  not  in  degree;  a  satisfaction,  for 
instance,  similar  to  that  experienced  by  him 
who  knows  he  is  in  the  right  way,  in  oppo- 
sition to  one  who  knows  not  whither  nia 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


m 


THX  BARTBXir  TX88BL. 


]>e&l,  MM. 


feet  ai«  htm^s  hita;  there  is  8fttiBiftieei(m 
inliaTi&ga  mgit  eye,  and  that  eye  fixed 
njpon  the  rieht  object.  **Lord,  to  whom 
shall  ire  go  f  Thon  hast  the  iroids  of  eter- 
nal life.  And  we  betieve,  and  are  rare  that 
thon  art  that  Christ^^he  Son  of  the  living 
God."  John  Ti.  68,  69.  This  satisfiietion 
arises  from  the  t^rtainty  that  prayer  has 
been  answered.  This  is  a  great  sonrce  of 
satisfiietion.  That  yon  have  prayed,  and 
that  Gtod  has  heard  and  answered  yon,  is  a 
preoffr  satisf)M!tion  than  a  hearty  reception, 
and  thorough  appreciation  of  aJl  the  exter- 
nal evidence  that  has  ever  been  adduced  in 
proof  of  the  reality  of  divine  thin« :  it  is 
the  witness  of  heaven  in  yattir  som  to  the 
tmth  of  that  written  !n  the  Word  of  God. 

Ood's    mercy    flowing    down    throng^ 
Christ   Jesns,    and  tasM  in  answer   to 

Sayer,  is  a  sonl-satisfying  portion ;  and 
e  weaxv  soul  that  has  been  refteshed  by 
it,  though  he  be  drawn  by  the  force  of  in- 
dwelling sin  from  it,  will  seek  no  other 
sonrce  of  renewing.    He  will  tnm  his  ach< 


ing  eyes  to  this  source  only,  beating  hit 
breast  and  saying,— 


•<  V^vtah  tiiitt  I  «m  to  WK 
In  vhase  of  arise  dtU^t  1 
Let  me  be  fkatened  to  the  cross, 
BatlNr  than  loss  tbft  algUt.'' 

He  who  drinks  of  the  water  wMoh  Christ 
gives,  shall  never  thirst  for  a^y  othw.  He 
wk>  has  drank  hers,  demres  only  larger 
and  more  freqsent  draughts  from  the  Food* 
tain  of  Life. 

Smefa  a  soul  has  the  dew  of  heaven  nfut 
it,  has  life  in  it,  and  a  satisfiietioii  mat 
nothing  in  the  world  ean  eqnaL 

To  yon,  my  fellow  ereatores,  to  yoa,  seek* 
ine  sotJs,  to  yon  who  ne  8aying,^Who 
wiU  shew  us  any  ^ODd?  I  say,  i  can  dincA 
to  none,  to  nothng,  so  satiaAutoiy  aa  an 
answer  to  this  pmyer,  **0  sa^rff  ns  eaity 
with  thy  merer,  that  we  may  lejoioe  and  he 
glad  all  onr  days.**    Psalm  xc  14. 

■  (^  be  eonciladed  in  ovr  Jaansiy  number.) 


EXPOSITION    OP  llEVELATlOir   X. 

Bi  Kb.  Jambs  Wkias,  HiznBTBE  at  thb  SraaiET  Tabbrkacli,  3o»)uqh  Ro£d. 


''And  I  WW  another  miab^  sngd  some  down 
fhnn  heaven,  doflied  wnh  a doid;  snda ndn- 
txm  was  i4K«  his  head,  and  his  faoe  was  as  it 
Were  the  sun,  and  his  fMtas  pUiasi  of  flrs." 

This  book  of  the  Revelation  most  not  be 
understood  as  recording  events  that  take 
place  one  after  the  other,  as  here  pkoed,  for 
the  writer  is  led  to  take  up  a  certain  sub- 
ject, he  goes  on  to  the  ena  of  that  sulgect, 
and  thte  comes  back  again  to  the  bem- 
ning  of  the  €k)spel  dispensation,  and  tdcee 
np  another  feature  «f  that  upon  whidi  he 
had  to  write.  Hedce  in  the  preceding  two 
chapters,  the  8th  and  9th,  he  had  enlarged 
n^n  the  judgments  of  God,  and  the  oua- 
mities  that  would  attend  the  progress  of 
the  Gospel,  that  is  calamities  upon  the 
enemies  of  that  Gospel.  N«w  here  he  is 
led  back  to  the  resurrection  of  (Avist.  This 
miffhty  angel  means  the  Lord  Jesus  Christy 
and  his  coming  down  ftvm  heaven  does  Hot 
here  mean  His  personal  coming,  but  Hk 
mystical  coming,  His  spiritual  coming.  His 
coming  by  the  Gospel  And  He  is  here 
called  <*aitt]ffhtyaoedl;''thatisa  nd|^tj 
messenger,  fiemember  the  wend  <(«nffsl " 
means  a  messenger;  Jesus  Ohi4st  u  a 
mighty  messenfler;  He  speaks  with  m^ 
power  as  to  bring  the  dead  to  life ;  He 
speaks  with  subh  mvht  as  to  net  the 
prisoner  Awe ;  He  speaks  witti  soeh  power 
as  to  bring  peace  into  the  eonsoience ;  He 


speaks  with  such  power  as  to  ttandate  the 
soul  out  of  darkness  into  the  marvellona 
light  of  G^s  everlasting  presence.  Caned 
*'  a  mighty  angel."  Thenfore  this  refers, 
as  you  may  thus  perceive,  to  the  beginning 
of  the  Gospel  disnensation.  Christ  came 
down  acthe  day  or  Pentecost,  and  He  ha» 
come  spiritually  and  mysticslly  ever  rinoe» 
and  will  continue  to  do  so  down  to  'die  end 
of  time,  in  this  Gospel  sense  of  the  word. 
•*  Clothed  with  a  dond  ;*' 

And  what  is  this  dond  but  His  people? 
Theyare  a  ekmd  of  witnesses,  thof  all  bear 
testimony  of  what  He  has  done,  and  so  H» 
comes  in  aeloud  of  Old  TMamentwitneases. 
He  oomes  in  a  oload  of  New  Testament 
witnesses,  and  His  peoi^e  are  bronf^t  iis 
to  ibm  a  part  of  thateload  of  witnesMB. 
"And  a  ndnbow  was  upon  his  head,** 

To  denote  that  HismesMge  ispeaosi  tha 
xainbow  is  the  token  of  peaee.  And  we  all 
have  much  to  trouble  as  within,  and  bobm 
have  maoh  to  tsonble  them  without;  so  that 
the  tidings  aS  peaee  wchieh  are  ^  Jasw 
CShzist,  are  aUr^aooeptabLe  to  the  people 
of  God. 

«ABd  his  lioe  was  as  It  wees  die  san,  aiiiMs 
iwtaipiUanioffln." 

Of^tmrgt  His  feoe  being  ns  Ihe  bmo,  de^ 
notes  the  brigbtnsss  of  fiu  ] 


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il  He  is  pLeased  to  gnuit  us  Hii  presence 
to-daj  in  a  ipuBtaAl  lense^  then  the  xajs  of 
g^iy  firom  His  face  will  warm  our  hearts, 
wfll  lighten  our  cryee. 
••Andliif  feefeee  pUteniof  fira,*' 

To  denote  the  pnHtT  and  majesty  of  His 
Btens ;  that  He  steps  forth  with  parity  and 
wim  m^esty,  and  that  eTenr  step  He  takes 
throws  a  light  upon  the  pata  of  His  people. 

**  And  he  had  in  hia  hand  a  little  book  open;  and 
he  set  Mb  ri^t  foot  npon  the  tea,  and  his  left 
foot  on  the  earth." 

This  little  book  I  take  to  be  the  Gospel ; 
the  Gospel  is  ddled  a  little  book  became  it 
is  but  a  sample  of  the  greatness  of  the  glory 
yet  to  be  revealed ;  bnt  what  is  hereafter 
to  be  revealed  will  be  in  entire  accordance 
with  what  is  now  rerealed*  There  will 
iiewr  be  aavtlung  revealed  contrary  to  that 
pecf action  tnat  is  in  Christ,  oontsary  to  the 
fltecni^  of  God's  love,  or  oontraiy  to  the 
sovereignty  and  riches  of  His  grace.  I  take 
the  little  book,  therefore,  here  to  mean  the 
GcapeL  And  this  book  is  said  to  be  open, 
heeanse  the  Jews  had  dosed  it,  they  had 
dosed  the  Gkispel,  and  had  sabstitated  in 
j^Boe  of  the  Gospel,  human  tadition.  But 
now  that  the  dear  SaWoor  hath  asoeaded  ap 
onhi^,  He  openeth  the  Httle  bookimto 
His  disciples.  This  is  what  I  xmderstand, 
then,  by  uie  little  book. 

*' And  he  set  his  right  foot  apon  the  sea,  and  his 
left  foot  on  the  earth;" 

As  a  sign  of  ffis  nnirersal  dominion ;  all 
power  bv  sea  and  by  land,  in  heaven  and  in 
earth,  m  lod^  in  the  Saviour's  hands,  all 
concentrated  in  Him.  And  how  encourag- 
ing this  is;  it  is  one  of  those  revelations  of 
the  person  of  Jesus  Christ  that  wonderfully 
endear  Him,  that  He  hath  univenal  do- 
minion. And  if  the  Lord  were  to  say  to 
Satan, — ^There's  one  of  my  Jobs,  or  one  of 
my  Joohuas,  or  one-  of  my  people ;  now  if 

rru  can  take  that  sheep  into  a  place  where 
have  no  power,  then  he  may  be  lost.  Hut 
there's  no  possibility  of  Satan  dragging,  or 
his  servants  diaoging,  any  one  of  the  people 
of  God  into  a  j^ce  where  the  Saviour  has 
not  entire  dominion. 

**  And  he  cried  with  a  load  voice,  as  when  a  lion 
roanth;  and  wiien  he  had  eried.  seven  thun- 
ders uttered  their  voices.  And  when  the  seven 
thunders  had  uttered  their  voioes,  I  was  about 
to  write;  and  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  say- 
ing onto  me.  Sear  up  those  things  which  the 
seven  thnnden  uttered,  and  write  them  not.** 

ITow  as  I  go  alone  I  just  throw  out  my 
own  opinion,  that's  .ul,  upon  these  ambig- 
nons  Scriptures.  I  take  the  seven  thunders 
here  to  be  the  voice  of  God's  law,  and  they 
are  called  seven  to  denote  oompleteness. 
Aad  when  God  takes  a  sbmer  in  haaad,  these 
thunders  sound  in  -that*  man's  ears,  in  Hiat ; 
nan'*  «anMi«iMie,  in  thst  man'a  soul,  until  j 
thatsjaaarisdniinnU)  estiva  s«IMespAur ; , 


that's  the  work  of  the  seven  thunders,  to 
drive  a  sinner  to  self-despair.  Such  was 
the  work  of  the  law  upon  Saul  of  Tarsus ; 
sin  revifed,  and  he  died.  The  law  has 
nothing  thus  but  thunder.  And  then  when 
John  was  about  to  write  these  thunders,  he 
is  commanded  not  to  write  them,  but  that 
ihey  are  sealed  up ;  that  is,  those  threaten- 
ings  that  are  brought  into  the  conscience  hy 
the  Holy  Ghost,  convincing  a  poor  sinner 
of  what  he  is  as  a  sinner,  they  are  not  to 
be  written  against  you,  they  are  not  to  be 
confirmed.  They  sj^eak  to  vou  in  the  Ian* 
euage  of  condemnation,  and  you  feel  con- 
denuied,  but  your  condemnation  is  not  to 
be  confirmed;  you  feel  as  though  you  were 
lost,  but  your  lost  oondition  is  not  to  be 
confirmed ;  you  feel  as  though  you  must  go 
to  heU,  but  such  a  destiny  is  not  to  be  con* 
firmed.  Write  not  tJie  seven  thundeiy 
against  that  poor  sinner,  for  they  are 
sealed  up !  And  how  are  they  sealed  up  t 
By  the  dear  Saviour  being  made  sin 
for  us,  by  the  Saviour  being  made  a  curse 
for  us,  by  the  Saviour  taking  the  bitterness 
of  death ;  hereby  the  thunders  are  taken 
away,  and  there  is  nothing  left  but  -the 
voice  of  the  turtle,  nothing  left  but  the  etiU 
small  voiee,  nothing  left  bnt  that  voioe  Af 
love  and  mersy  that  shi^  bring  such  an<eiie 
firom  imder  these  thunders,  and  bring  him 
into  that  land  of  peace  where  the  flowers 
appear  on  the  earth,  and  where  is  heard  the 
voice  of  that  Beloved  that  charms  our  sins, 
and  guilt,  and  sorowb  away,  and  makes  as 
happy  in  His  presence.  Such  I  believe  1» 
be  the  meaning  and  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  these  seven  thnnders.  I  do  not  encum- 
ber my  remarks  with  the  opinions  of  men, 
as  to  these  seven  thunders,  because  th^ 
are  cdl  of  the  learned  kind,  of  the  literaiy 
kind,  what  we  want  is  something  spiritual : 
and  the  great  object  of  the  Gospel  is  to  find 
out  sinners,  and  turn  them  into  saints;  the 
great  object  of  the  Gospel  is,  after  it  has 
turned  them  into  saints,  to  sustain  them» 
and  after  it  has  sustained  them,  to  give 
them  an  abundant  entrance  into  the  ever- 
lasting kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 


■'And  the  angel  whioh  I  saw  stead  hdob  tlie 
sea  and  upon  the  eaith  lifted  ap  his  hand  to 
heaven,  and  sware  by  him  that  Uveth  for  ever 
and  ever,  who  created  heaven,  and  the  tilings 
that  therein  are,  and  the  earth,  and  the  things 
that  therein  aie,  and  the  ees.  and  the  tMugs 
which  are  therein*  that  there  should  bs  time  no 
longer." 

You  know  Dr.  Cnmming  says  it  should 
read  that  "  time  shall  .not  be  yet."  J 
am  fully  aware  the  Greek  word  sri,  here 
tranwlwited  **  no  longer,"  is  sometimes  ren* 
dered  by  that  term ;  but,  with  all  duadiefV' 
enee  both  to  the  Boetor  and  to  his  leiimwMb 
Imnst  say  I  prefo  the  rendering  which  ewr 
tcaaalators  have  iieie  given,  that  "  there 


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Dec  1.  1864. 


should  be  time  no  longer."  And  time  was 
no  longer;  not  mnndane  time  was  no 
longer,  for  that  continues,  and  Ood  alone 
knows  when  that  will  end :  no  man  knoweth 
when  that  will  end.  But  old  corenant  time 
did  end ;  Jewish  time  did  end ;  Lcvitical 
time  did  end ;  the  Jewish  national  dispen- 
sational  time  did  end;  Christ  sware  that 
Jewish  time — for  that  is  evidently  the 
meaning,  at  least  that  is  my  view  of  it, — 
should  oe  no  longer.  The  Jews  tried  to 
perpetuate  their  temple,  but  they  could  not ; 
they  tried  to  perpetuate  their  nation,  but 
they  could  not ;  they  tried  to  perpetuate 
the  Levitical  dispensation,  but  they  could 
not ;  Christ  had  sworn  that  that  time  should 
be  no  longer,  and  so  that  time  is  gone,  gone 
for  eyer,  and  Christian  time  takes  the  place 
of  Jewish  time,  and  to  Christian  time  there 
is  no  end :  '*  He  shall  reign  oyer  the  house 
of  Jacob  for  eyer,  and  of  nis  kingdom  there 
shall  be  no  end.** 

<*Bat  in  the  days  of  the  voioe  of  the  seventh  tngel, 
when  he  shall  begin  to  sound,'* 

And  you  know  when  he  did  begin  to 
sound ;  the  seyenth  angel  here  means  the 
angel  of  perfection,  the  messenger  of  per* 
fecfeion ;  when  he,  the  seventh  messenser  or 
seyenth  message,  shall  begin  to  souno, — 

"The  mystery  of  Ood  shall  Im  finished,  as  he 
hath  declared  to  his  servants  the  prophets." 

Now  I  will  not  say  anything  cross  to  you, 
but  I  think  that  if  some  of  you  were  allowed 
to  have  no  dinner  to-day  until  3rou  found 
out  in  the  Old  Testament  that  seventh 
angel  that  completes  the  mystery  here  re- 
femd  to,  it  strikes  me  your  bread  and 
cheese  would  get  very  cold  before  you  would 
be  allowed  to  eat  it ;  it  strikes  me  so  with 
some  of  yon.  And  yet  the  matter  is  very 
plain  and  very  simple.  You  have  nothing 
to  do  first  but  to  look  at  the  imageir, — 
trumpets,  seven  trumpets ;  you  have  nothins 
to  do  but  go  to  Jericho,  and  there  you  wiU 
-find  the  seven  priests  with  seven  trumpets, 
and  you  will  find  that  when  thf y  sounded 
the  seventh  time,  down  fell  the  walls,  and 
they  obtained  the  victory,  the  enem^  was 
put  to  flight,  and  Israel  had  possession  of 
the  promised  land.  Now  take  it  spiritualljr ; 
— ^wnen  Jesus  Christ  died  he  said,  "  It  is 
finished ;"  down  fell  the  territories  of  hell, 
•down  fell  sin,  down  fell  Satan,  down  fell 
death,  down  fell  tribulation,  and  the  mystery 
of  redemption  was  completed,  the  mystery 
of  eternal  salvation  was  completed,  the  vic- 
tory was  completed.  And  so  that  seventh 
angel  then  began  to  sound,  and  has  been 
sounding  ever  since,  and  will  sound  down 
to  the  end  of  time.  It  is  finished,  it  is 
ftushed,  it  is  finished,  is  the  language  of 
the  GkMpel  down  to  the  end  of  time.  And 
this  seyenth  trumpet,  this  trumpet  of  per- 


fection, will  sound  to  all  eternity ;  it  has 
begun  to  sound,  it  will  never  cease.  Yon 
cannot  get  to  heaven  without  it,  jon  could 
not  be  happy  in  heaven  without  it ;  it  will 
sound  for  ever  and  for  ever.  And  it  is  the 
great  sound,  the  joyM  sound,  the  gloriona 
sound,  sounding  forth  what  God  has  done ; 
the  ^r^at  trumpet  of  the  jubilee,  brinnng 
millions  of  sinners  to  eternal  glory.  And 
there  are  many  other  prophets  and  circum- 
stances in  the  Old  Testament  I  could  bring 
forward  here,  but  I  must  not  occupy  your 
time  by  so  doings  to  which  these  words 
refer. 

«  As  he  liath  declared  to  his  senraats  tlie  pro- 
phets." 

So  you  are  not  to  go  to  learned  men  to 
set  the  meaning  of  these  Scriptures,  bnt  to 
tne  prophets ;  and  if  you  hear  not  the  pro- 
phets, neither  can  vou  know  by  reading  the 
writings  of  learned,  but  at  the  same  time 
mere  natural  men. 

"  And  the  Toioe  which  I  heard  from  hesTcn  spake 
unto  me  afialn,  and  said,  Oo  and  take  the  Utile 
book  which  is  open  in  the  hand  of  the  angel 
which  standeth  upon  the  sea  and  open  the 
earth.  And  I  went  nnto  the  angel,  and  aaid 
unto  him,  Give  me  the  little  book.  And  he 
said  unto  me.  Take  it,  and  cat  it  up;  audit 
shall  make  thy  belly  bitter,  but  it  shaU  be  in 
thy  mouth  sweet  as  honey." 

Now  this  is  true  in  the  espepcnce  of 
every  minister,  and  of  every  Christian.  That 
man  that  receives  the  truth,  knows  that 
truth  to  be  sweet  as  honey ;  that  man  that 
receives  the  truth  must  have  some  after 
bitter  experiences  in  consequence  of  receiv- 
ing the  truth.  You  receive  the  truth  in  the 
sweetness  of  it,  and  then  you  have  the  bit- 
terness to  come;  but  that  bitterness  will 
not  last  for  ever ;  the  bitterness  will  by  and 
bye  go  ofi^  and  there  will  be  nothing  bat 
sweetness  left. 

*<  And  I  took  the  little  book  out  of  the  angel's 
hand,  snd  ate  it  up ;  and  it  was  in  my  month 
sweet  as  honey ;  and  as  soon  as  I  had  eaten  it, 
my  belly  was  bitter.    And  he  said  unto  me  *— 

Here  is  the  explanation,  you  see, 

*•  Thou  must  prophesy  again  ;*— 

Bless  the  Lord  for  that;  to  prophesy 
here  means  to  preach,  to  testify ; 

**  Then  mnst  prophesy  again,*' 

What  a  merc7,  fHends.  Literal  miradea 
were  stayed  when  the  apostles  died;  but 
what  a  mercy  for  us  the  Oospel  was  not 
stayed,  that  the  grace  of  Ood  was  not 
stayed,  that  the  suvation  of  Ood  was  not 
stayed,  that  this  glorious  Gospel  travelled 
on,  and  is  with  us  now. 

*  Thou  must  prophesy  again  before  many  peo|ile^ 
and  nations,  and  tongues,  and  kings."* 

That  has  been  the  case,  and  we  hope  and 
pray  it  may  yet  be  so  more  and  moiei 


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SINGING    AFTER    SORROW. 

Bt  Mr.  William  Liach,  or  Plvmstiad  Tabibvaclk,  Kbtxt, 


X  AwBke,  and  ting, ye  that  dweU  in  dnst.^'    iMiah  zxvl,  19, 


Ws  naj  giro  three  applications  to  the 
words  of  die  text,— applyiiig  them  in  the 
fint  place  to  those  whom  the  Lord  calls  by 
His  grace.  If  we  are  among  the  called,  we 
occnpy  a  middle  place,  as  it  were,  in  what 
in  recorded  in  the  8th  of  Bomans— **  Whom 
He  did  foreknow,  He  also  did  predestinate. 
Horeorer,  whom  He  did  predestinate,  them 
He  also  called ;  and  whom  He  called,  them 
He  also  justified ;  and  whom  He  jostifted, 
them  He  also  glorified/'  But  how  are  we 
to  know  that  we  are  among  the  called  ? 
We  may  know  this  bj  the  change  we  have 
experienced, — ^by  comparing  what  we  now 
are  with  what  we  once  were,  in  re^rd  to 
oar  conduct,  oar  desires,  oar  pnrsnits  and 
pleasores.  And  then  we  may  find  evidences 
of  oar  callixur  in  the  word  of  God.  Take 
one  text,  ''The  Lord  taketh  pleasnre  in 
them  that  iisar  Him,  in  those  that  hope  in 
His  merey."  (Ptahn  cxlrii.  11.)  There  is 
Teiy  little  experience,  it  may  be  said,  in 
this  text,'aod  jret  there  is  a  great  experience 
in  it  too;  for  if  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  im- 
planted in  yoor  heart  so  as  to  make  ^oa 
nnxions  to  escape  His  frown,  and  to  enjoy 
His  smile,  cansing  yon  to  hope  in  His  mercy, 
and  to  feel  that  there  is  no  nope  for  yon  bat 
in  that—  then  this  is  an  eridMice  that  yon 
are  one  whom  the  Lord  has  called  hr  His 
grace.  We  have  first  a  condition  relused 
to—"  Ye  that  dwell  in  dost."  This  impHes 
prostration.  Man  is  entirely  prostrated  by 
the  Adam  Ml ;  the  idea  is  jnite  an  erroneoos 
one  that  we  are  placed  in  this  world  in  a 
state  of  probation:  Adam  was,  but  he  fell, 
and  we  fell  in  him,  so  everyone  enters  the 
world  nndor  the  corse.  It  has  been  a  ones-, 
tion  how  long  Adam  continued  in  the  hol^, 
innocent  state  in  which  he  was  created ;  it 
has  been  thongfat  by  some  that  he  fell  on 
the  day  of  his  creation,  and  it  i»  mj  opinion 
—of  course,  it  can  onlv  be  an  opinion — ^that 
anch  was  the  case.  The  words  m  the  49tii 
Psalm—"  Nevertheless,  man  being  in  hon- 
our abideth  not;"  mav  be  translated— 
*<  abode  not  a  single  night  ;'*  which  words, 
being  referred  to  Adam,  are  in  fevour  of  the 
supposition  that  he  fell  on  the  dav  he  was 
created.  "  By  one  man  sin  enterea  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  sin;  and  so  death 
passed  upon  all  men.  for  that  all  have  sin- 
ned." (Bom.  V.  12.)  There  is  not  only 
prdBtaration  implied  bv  dwelling  in  dust,  but 
degradation  also.  Han  had  a  crown  of 
honour  and  of  dooMBion  put  upon  his  head 
when  he  was  creatad,  but  he  has  lost  that 


He  alone  was  fermad  in  the  image 
of  Qod,  and  it  seems  as  though  a  consulta- 
tion was  held  concerning  his  creation; — 
when  light  was  created,  "Ood  said.  Let 
there  be  light;  and  there  was  lidlit ;"  but 
when  about  to  create  man,  He  sai£^'*  Lei  us 
make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness  ; 
and  let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of 
the  sea,"  &c.  But  Adam  fell,  and  now  we 
are  in  a  state  of  degradation.  The  Psalmist 
calls  it  our  low  estate—"  Who  remembered 
us  in  our  low  estate."  The  Lord  said  to 
the  serpent,  "  Upon  thy  belly  shalt  thou  «>, 
and  dust  shalt  tnou  eat  all  the  days  of  &y 
life,"  And  so  it  does  move  in  this  way ; 
though  it  is  supposed  before  the  fidl  it 
moved  in  an  upright  position.  The  serpent 
does  not  literally  feed  upon  dust,  but  the 
words  were  also  spoken  to  that  old  serpent 
the  devil,  who  in  the  fonn  of  a  serpent 
tempted  our  first  parents  to  sin,  and  the  lan- 
ffuage  as  applied  to  him,  may  signify  that 
from  thai  time  he  was  plunged  into  a  deeper 
state  of  degradation  than  he  had  before  been 
In.  And  are  not  all  men  in  their  natural 
state  feedtnff  upon  dust  ?  One  is  pursuing 
the  empty  measures  of  this  life— he  is  feed- 
ing vpon  dust.  Another  is  seeking  alter 
eairthiy  feme  and  hoDoar— he  is  feeding  up- 
on dost.  And  another  devotes  himsdf  to 
heapinff  up  riches,  but  they  likewise  are 
dMtr^st  01  into  what  a  state  of  de- 
gradation has  man  feUen,  thus  to  be  feed- 
ing upon  dust! 

A^in,  death  is  implied.  Man  bv  nature 
is  not  only  prostratea  and  degraded,  but  he 
is  dead— "dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,**— 
80  boing  in  a  state  of  entire  helplessness. 
If  persons  are  bion|g[ht  to  feel  that  this  is 
their  natural  condition,  then  there  will  be  a 
death-blow  to  aU  Arminianism  and  duty- 
feith:  those  who  are  thus  taught  of  ine 
Lord  will  not  be  able  to  hold  and  teadi 
these  things  ;  all  thus  taught  will  saj  with 
the  apostle—"  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am 
what  I  am.'*  Now  the  Lord  comas  to  the 
man  just  idiere  he  is,  in  the  dust,  when  He 
calls  him  by  His  grace,  and  addresses  him 
— "  Aw^e,  and  sing."  These  words  imply 
divine  qniekening,  and  a  resurrection ;  the 
man,  beifore  dma,  is  qnickened  into  a  state 
of  consoionsness.  Now,  how  is  it  with  yon  ? 
Have  yon  experienceda  change  ?  I  do  not 
ask  you  how  Ions;,  or  how  deep  your  bonvic- 
tioDs  may  have  been ;  but  are  you  brought 
into  a  state  of  consciousness,  so  that  yon  are 
led  to  wj  to  the  Lord— to  gtoan^  U  vtaj  be, 


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or  to  sigh,  or  perhaps  utter  just  a  word  or 
two — "  iiord,  save  me  ;  Lord,  have  mescj 
on  me?"  Whenthe  Lord  say*-^*' Awake/' 
He  gives  spiritual  powers;  when  thus 
quickened,  we  can  believe,  and  hope,  and 
love,  and  repent  of  sin,  none  of  whidi  we 
could  do  before.  Then  it  is  not  only 
"Awake,"  but  "  Awake,  and  sing."  When 
the  2>>rd  has  rerealed  Himself  to  the  sitmer, 
Mjing,  "Son,  thj sias be foigiven  thee;" 
"  i)aughter,  be  of  good  comfort ;"  then  those 
who  are  thus  quickened  and  raised  from  the 
dust,  will  sing  of  pardon,  of  redeeming 
blood,  of  the  gracious  msnifestation  they 
here  nad  from  the  Lord,  and  so  on. 

n.-— The  words  may  Bpply  to  tbi  subo- 
n^msT  PABT  OF  JL  OmasmN's  xxpvokmoi  ; 
for  after  we  have  been  ealled  and  quiekened 
by  divine  ^race,  after  we  hare  been  brought 
to  rejoice  in  Gkxl,  we  often  fell  into  a  low 
state  again.    Sometimes  the  believer  gets 
into  a  state  of  worldlv-mindedness, — uen ! 
he  is  in  the  dust,  and  may  ary  with  ti^e  I 
Psalmist,  "  My  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust ;  { 
quicken  thou  me  according  to  Thv  word."  \ 
The  soul  cUamnff  unto  the  dast  implying 
that  theire  ia  some  afflni^  between  the  two. 
**  None  can  keep  alive  his  own  sonl :"  and 
this  the  Cftiristian  proves  in  his  ezperienoe ;  t 
ha  needs  the  quiokeBing  power  m  God  to 
xaise  him  up  iriien  he  fails  itfto  the  dust 
afpsin.    The  young  believer  may  ihink  that 
his  joy  in  God,  and  his  hi^py  feehngs  will 
always  continue,   and  can  naxdlf  believe 
that  what  older  ChriatuBiB  say  to  the  eon-  j 
tfacy  is  troe;  yet  he  will  find  that  it  is,  | 
and  that  he  will  not  always  be  able  to  re-  [ 
joioe.     I  have  been  brooffht  very  itfw  n^- ; 
self  sometimes,  and  I  feelf^t  I  have  now  < 
no  more  strength,  no  more  wisdom,  than  I 
had  when  I  first  knew  theLord,  only  as  He  ' 
is  pleased  to  give  me  theee  tilings.    The 
believer  will  prove  that  irfiat  is  boni  of  the 
flesh  is  fiesh,  and  that  whidi  is  bom  of  the 
Spirit  is  Spirit;  and  of  ten  be  wfll  have  the 
willing  mind,  but  how  toperform  that  which 
IB  ipood  he  will  find  not.  (Romans  vlt.  18.) 
Troubles  will  faring  the  obild  of  GM  into 
the  ddst— troubles  of  various  kinds,  caasiBg 
hkn  to  cry— "0  Lord,   I  am  opprMsed; 
.  ondeitake  for  me."    But  how  blessed  ^e 
chanoe  when  the  Lord  manifaste  htmaelf 
and  bids  us  "  Awake,  and  siag :    arise, 
shake  tir^aelffirom  the  dost."    It  is  written 
inEphe»ians2nd,  "Youhathheqmekened, 
who  wore  dead  in   trespasses  uid  bibb;" 
Andaoattt-— *'Bron  wiian  wo  trendeadin 
shu^    hath   qnickehed   us  togelber  with 
Christ,  (by  {^aaoiya are  saved);  «&&  Mi 
-nised  08  up  toMttier,  and  muens  sh  to- 
«ih«r  in  heaveatyjilaessiB  Cbriit  Jesus." 
Here  is  tiie  qmekemiig ;  then  tbo  issmoe 
tion ;    and  ^mu  the   sittiBg  togstfasr  in 
haanmihrplaeeB  in  Christ    wbaitlio  I«si3 
stvsah  nuDidfto  Hib  peopKoit  isat  abn- 


queting  house  to  their  souls ;  as  the  spouBO 
says  in  Solomon's  Song,  "He  brought  me 
to  the  banqueting  house,  and  His  banner 
over  me  was  love."  Wherever  the  Lord 
gives  a  manifestation  of  His  love  to  Hia 
people,  whether  it  be  in  the  closet,  or  the 
chapel,  in  a  field,  or  a  bam,  in  a  garret,  or 
a  cellar,  that  place  becomes  a  banquetin|g 
house  unto  them.  When  iiie  believer  ia 
raised  up  again  from  the  dust,  that  vromiBO 
is  folflUed  to  his  soul— ''She  shall  sing 
there,  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  and  as  in 
the  day  when  she  came  up  out  of  the  lasid 
of  Egypt.**  (Hosea  xL  15.)  ^  theae 
trials,  b^  thus  being  broucht  low  and  raised 
up,  the  immutabili^  of  Qod  is  pioved ;  as 
the  poet  says^^ 


"  My  soul  through 

Hii  love  no  Taifatloii 


r>«. 


He  never  changes — "  He  will  rest  in  His 
love."  And  we  idao  prove  in  all  this  the 
faithfulness  of  Qod  to  His  promises.  He 
has  said — "  When  thou  passest  through  the 
waters,  I  will  be  with  thee ;  and  t£N>og^ 
the  rivers,  thev  shall  not  overflow  thee; 
when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou 
shalt  not  be  burned ;  neither  shall  the  fiame 
kindle  upon  thee."  (Isaiah  zliii.  2.)  How 
if  we  had  no  fires  and  no  waters  to  pass 
through,  of  what  use  would  the  promise  be 
tons?  Jesus  said  to  His  disdples,  "I  will 
see  vou  again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoioe." 
And  we  nad  that  when  Jeeus  shewed  Him- 
self unto  them  after  His  reamrectiou,  thev 
were  "  glad  when  they  saw  the  Lord.^* 
And  so  we  shall  be  ;  the  valley  of  Aehor 
shall  be  for  a  door  of  hope,  and  we  shall 
sing  as  in  the  days  of  our  youtb— the  da^ 
of  our  espousals. 

Lastly.— The  teoct  will  apply  to  theresor- 
rection.  It  is  appointed  unto  men  onoe  to 
die ;  and  we  mav  each  say  in  the  worda  of 
Job,  ''  I  know  taat  Thou  wilt  bring  me  to 
deaih,  and  to  the  house  appointeiT  for  all 
living^"  But  the  resurrection  dsy  will 
oome,  and  this  oarruptlble  shall  put  on  in- 
ooEniption.  and  this  mortal  shall  put  on  im- 
mortality. Then  we  may  consider  the  words 
as  addressed  to  the  rif^teous  deady "  Awake, 
and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  dn^;  awake, 
and  sing  the  glorious  .song — *  Worthy  is  the 
Liunb  uiat  was  slain/  '*  We  shall  awake 
and  sing  in  heaven—siiig  there  sweetly, 
and  aiqg  peqjetuaUy. 

One  word,  in  conclusion,  in  tegfxd.  to  the 
ungodly.  When  the  zesuneetionai^  comes, 
thev  will  not  hear  the  words— "  Awake, 
ana  SLng"  addressed  to  thsm;  but  thery 
will  awiukfi  to  hear  the  sentence — "  Depart, 
ye  eurse^  into  ereriasting  fire.^ 

D. 


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327 


MT  WAY  FROM  THE  PLOUGH-TAIL  TO  THE  PDLPTL 

By  a  Lokdon  Baptist  Pasumb. 


HALF  WAT  THERE. 
I  FANCY  the  reader  sayioi;,  "  only  half-way 
there  ?"  it  Beems  a  great  distance  firom  "  the 
plonghtail  to  the  pulpit.''  It  is  much  fur- 
ther for  some  than  others,  or  else  they  make 
more  haste ; — ^the  writer  is  rather  slow  in 
his  movements,  and  Illces  to  feel  his  way  to 
be  secure  at  eyeiy  step ;  and  the  length  of 
the  journey  has  oeen  rather  a  benefit  than 
other wise«  as  time  was  allowed  to  brush  off 
some  of  the  clay  and  mud,  and  to  get  rid  of 
a  little  of  the  clumsiness  and  awkwardness 
of  the  bumpkin.  I  do  not  expect  ever  to 
attain  to  all  that  is  desirable  in  the  Chris- 
tian minister,  but  ever  intend  to  <um  at  im- 


No.  6. 

thank  any  Mend  for  help^  until  the  Jest  jee- 
mains  of  the  **  earthy  smdl "  of  che  plou^- 
tail  be  banished  from  the  pulpit. 

But  to  return, —where  is  half-way  ?  The 
''  rostrum  "  must  be  sueh,  as  it  is  mounted 
by  about  half  as  many  steps.  But  to  mine 
there  was  a  descent  into  a  place  called  the 
•  **  front  kitchen,"  at  Ko.  10,  S.  street.  Busy 
memory  recalls  the  scene,  and  the  days  seem 
to  have  returned  when  I  met  theiruly  little 
flock  in  that  dingy  damp  hole ;  but  we  often 
had  both  the  light  und  heat  of  the  "  Sun  of 
Righteousufss,"'  and  ibund  It  good  to  be 
there.  My  friend  with  the  little  eyes  and 
long  nose  from  No  1,  "conducted  the  service 


provement.      And,   at    the  risk  of  being  |  ^^  80Dg>"  in  a  style  of  his  own,  holding  an 
thought  dictatorial,  will  venture  the  opinion   oW  copy  of  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymna 

▲1.-i.?x    .. t3    1.. 11   ^ .    !_^.. *f      art    T%A<I1*   Vita    -fla/^a       aa   ^/\   «vnA««>n1rA    n    ^.mtl.*    <^..«i.» 


that  It  would  be  well  for  many  a  minister  if 
he  paid  a  little  more  attention  to  what  may 
be  considered  the  secondaiy  qualifications 
for  the  important  office  he  holds.  To  know 
the  truth,  and  be  able  to  set  it  clearly  forth 
are  confessedly  the  two  main  points;  but 
there  are  many  other  attainments  which  give 
a  man  an  influence  for  good.  Who  has  not 
been  disgusted  both  bv  fbppishness  and 
slovenliness  in  the  members  of  the  neculiar 
fraternity,  sometimes  designated  "the 
doth  ?**  Dandyism,  offensive  anvwhere  to 
rl|^t-minded  people,  and  especially  in  the 

gupit ;   on  fhat  vice  the  satire  of  the  poet 
not  too  severe— 

"  Behold  thepictoxe !  is  it  like?  like  whom  ? 
The  things  ttuit  mount  the  rostmm  with  a  skip, 
And  then  Skip  down  agafa ;  pronotmoe  a  text; 
Ciy  hemt  «nd  Tesding  what  they  never  wrotc^ 
Just  fifteen  minutes,  huddle  up  tbdv  work : 
And  with  a  well-bred  whisper  dose  the  scene." 

Bat  few  dandies  find  their  way  into  Piir- 
tienlar  Baptist  pnlpitB ;  now  And  then  we 
meet  with  one  who  woold  be  if  he  oould, 
bnialaat  the  means  are  lacking  to  carry  the 
thmg  fiilfy  out.  The  intelligent  portions  of 
Cor  oongM§aitioDs  have  rather  to  complain 
of  the  opposite  extreme,  if  not  in  the  perBon, 
yet  in  the  auumen  of  their  ministers,  and 
aomclSmee  in  both.  The  unshaven  chin, 
filthy  nails,  and  negleeted  attire,  are  so 
many  evidences  of  an  uncultivaM  taste; 
and  the  coaae,  vnloar,  and  often  low  habits, 
both  in  the  sacred  box,  and  the  parlor,  have 
ataadtaiugr  to  (pm  wall  ednoatea  p^Of^  an 
impHBakm  of  airtfrnaastethe  woik.  Seme 
Hmj  iMKhiriinfll  aniie,  and  not  a  few  of 
nyfellow^woriBeni  iMy  perhaps  sneer,  when 
I«[(r,  e(anjDaii4atheiroridCthe  **L0ff0te 

qf  Okriti, 


amldfteei  gtatloaiBQ*' 


Ik^wU^ri  Ml^'Jtf  fQHiU^ttd  if  not  inll 


so  near  his  flwe,  as  to  provoke  a  smile  from 
every  "  stranger  '*  who  came  in.  The  male 
occupant  of  the  room  officiated  as  -pew- 
opener, — only  there  were  no  pews  to  open, 
but  every  person  on  enterine  was  politely 
directed  to  a  seat,  and  not  allowed  to  stand 
for  some  minutes  in  a  state  of  bewilderment, 
as  they  do  in  "  respectable  congregations," — 
we  could  not  affind  to  be  in  the  fashion  in 
that  respect.  The  female  occupant  of  "  the 
chapel  room  **  fllled  the  arm  <mahr,  and  in 
the  winter  paid  special  attention  to  the  fire 
just  behina  the  speaker,  and  in  purest  love 
to  hhn  frequently  did  by  the  contents  of  the 
grate  what  he  oould  not  do  by  the  subject. 
There  was  "the  saint"  and  her  aged  husband 
from  O —  Mews,  a  street  blacking  merchant, 
his  wife  and  child,  from  No.  5 ;  they  had 
only  four  eyes  and  five  arms  amongst  the 
three,  but  they  all  had  souls,  and  so  had 
"  master  Smith,"  from  No.  2,  and  a  person 
fre<iuentlv  ©died  "she  with  the  beautiful 
voice,"  nesides  some  half-dozen  more 
"  r^ular  attendants,  who,  when  altogether, 
would  have  been  a  fine  eroup  for  the  photo- 
graphic  srtist.  From  5iis  naif-way  nouse, 
between  a  secular  and  a  sacred  employment, 
I  offcen  contemplated  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, and  seriously  considered  what  should 
be  the  motive  in  seeking  to  occupy  so  high 
a  vocation,  for 

I  say  the  pulpit  (in  the  sober  me 
Of  its  legitimate,  pecoliar  powers) 
Must  stand  acknowledged,  while  the  world  shall 

stand. 
The  most  important  and  eflbcfcual  guard. 
Support  and  ornament  of  vir|ae*s  cause. 
Tme  stands  the  messenger  of  truth :  there  stands 
TlK  lc«ate  of  the  rides  I  his  theme  dfvuie, 
Hia  ofieeflaena,  hia  eradentiala  olear. 
Sjy  him  the  violated  law  speaks  out 
Its  thunders ;  and  by  him,  in  strains  as  sweet 
As  angels  use,  the  Ooepel  whispen  peace. 
ar^stabUAes  ttaeatran«^  leMens  the  wodc^ 

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THS  EAKTHSK  YBflSBL. 


D0e.  1,1864. 


Bedaimi  tiM  wanderer,  binds  the  broken  heart, 
And,  arm'd  hlmadf  in  panoply  oomplele 
or  heavenly  temper,  fiunMici  with  anna 
Bright  as  his  own,  and  trains,  by  ereiy  rule 
Of  holy  diadpUne,  to  glorious  war 
The  sacramental  hoata  of  God's  elect** 

After  ten  thousand  heut-seareliingg  and 
self-ezaminations  as  to  motive,  and  the  con* 
yictioD  that  it  was  right,  there  remained 
the  necessity  of 

A  DIVINE  CALL  TO  THE  WORK. 

Yes,  a  roan  may  have  all  the  gifts,  graces 
and  qualifications  for  the  high  office  ^bnt 
what  then  if  he  is  not  sent  by  iSon's  King? 
No  donbt  there  are  men  in  tbis  great  king- 
dom quite  as  well  qualified  to  represent  her 
at  foreiffn  courts  as  those  who  are  doing  ao, 
— ^but  tney  hare  not  been  appointed  to  the 
office  by  Victoria,  and  thereibre  cannot  go ; 
or  going  are  not  received.  And  it  would  be 
the  height  of  egotism,  or  something  worse, 
to  deny  that  there  are  many  men  in  our 
churches  with  all  the  abilities  of  their  pas* 
tors  for  the  ministrv,  only  they  have  not 
been  called  to  it.  The  grand  question  with 
me  was — "How  am  I  to  know  whether  I 
am  sent  of  Qod  to  preach  ?*'  And  after 
years  of  waiting,  watchiuff,  and  prayer,  the 
old  theory  of  "  vox  popwi,  vox  JDd,**  was 
adopted  as  the  true  one,  and  acted  upon.  I 
hold  that  the  jry  still.  And  here  for  truth's 
sake,  for  the  honour  of  Christ,  the  good  of 
the  church,  and  the  credit  of  the  sacred 
office,  I  must  enter  my  solemn  protest 
against  the  practice  of  ADVsimsnio.  This 
is  not  designed  to  condemn  the  proper  pub- 
lication by  a  pastor  of  the  fiict  that  he  is 
leaving  one  sphere  and  wiUix^  to  take,  or 
desiring  to  find  another.  That  is  quite  allow- 
able, for  if  people  do  not  know  he  is  at 
liberty  they  cannot  give  him  a  calL  Neither 
would  we  condemn  any  younff  man  in  our 
churches  who  feels  a  secret  desire  for  the 
work«  if  he  made  that  desire  known  among 
his  friends.  But  ffenemlly  speaking  he 
need  not  do  so  ;  let  him  wait  on  the  Lord ; 
to  iuch  we  would  aay,  "  Commit  thy  way 
unto  the  Lord,  trust  also  in  Him,  and  He 
will  bring  it  to  jmuJ*  He  knows  where 
we  live,  and  havinff  appointed  the  work, 
time,  and  place  of  cu>ing  it,  for  all  His  ser- 
vants, when  He  wants  them  He  will  find 
them.  We  do  condemn  (not  the  men,  but) 
the  practice  of  the  same  i>erson  continually 
advertising  himself  as  "  willing  to  serve  the 
churohes,'*^  after  having  been  before  these 
churches  for  years.  The  idea  of  an  am- 
bassador of  the  King  of  kings  resorting  to 
such  a  plan  1  All  honour  to  the  *'  captains 
of  t€n$,^  as  wen  as  of  "  iiouwnds,"  so  long 
as  they  receive  tiheir  commission  from  the 
Master.  But  it  is  quite  time  to  speak  out, 
and  even  warn  the  people  against  such  as 
seek  the  prieef  •  office  for  a  moneL  of  bxead, 


rather  than  "  profess  honest  trades  for  neces- 
sary uses,*'  (see  Titus  iii  14,)  aeeordtna  to 
the  Scriptures.  The  "Metropolitan,"  **  Re- 
gent's  Park,"  and  other  coliegee,  are  sendioff 
out  young  men  by  scores  into  one  section  of 
the  Baptist  body;  and  according  to  the 
testimony  of  our  periodicals,  many  many  of 
these  same  persons  are  **  half  starved,"  and 
bitter  is  th^  cry  against  the  people.  But 
let  every  case  be  smirched  into^  and  all  the 
facts  stoted,  and  it  will  torn  out  that  in 
nine  out  of  ten  the  real  cause  of  the  young 
pastor's  troubles  lies  in  his  having  under- 
taken a  work  to  which  God  never  called 
him.  What !  shall  the  Qod  of  all  goodness 
not  provide  for  the  stewards  of  His  own 
household?  Im{)ossible.  Many  may  be 
their  trials  of  faith  and  patience,  but  the 
apostolic  assurance  shall  not*  it  cannot  fiiil — 
"  My  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  accor- 
ding to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus." 
We  nave  no  preacher  manufactorie»  in  the 
Strict  Particular  Baptist  body,  yet  we  do 
not  escape  the  same  evil.  But  let  us  rest 
assured  that  the  Lord  will  make  it  plain  by 
His  smile  and  blessing  whether  He  has  <a 
has  not  sent  us.  All  honour  to  the  good 
brethren  who  labour  with  their  hands  all 
the  week,  and  go  to  serve  the  small  churches 
on  the  Lcnd*8^y,  which  are  too  small  or 
too  poor  to  support  a  pastor— Qod  blees 
them  and  prosper  them  in  the  work;  the 
acceptance  with  which  they  are  received  is 
proof  enough  that  the  Master  sent  them- 
We  highly  approve  also  of  an  attempt  to 
"raise  a  cause ^  in  any  locality  where  it  is 
n^ly  needed,  and  he  who  is  led  to  such  a 
course  wUl  soon  see  if  the  Lord  approves. 
But  we  denounce  the  pettjr  opposition  mani- 
fested by  "splits  and  divisions,"  and  sup- 
ported by  a  dass  of  men  who  will  preaeh 
but  ought  not.  We  hope  these  remarks 
will  be  understood,  and  as  kindly  taken  as 
they  are  meant.  God  forbid  that  we  should 
disooumfre  any  whom  the  Great  Master  hath 
commissioned  to  proehiim  the  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy.  But  we  cannot  be  foithftil  to 
our  Loni  if  we  do  not  lift  up  our  voice 
against  every  "  abomination  in  Jerusalsm  ;** 
and  therefore  at  the  risk  of  being  thought 
uncharitable,  or  eomethtng  wone,  we  must 
speak  out.  And  now  perba^  the  reader 
will  say,  "Prove  your  own  divine  call;"  to 
whieh  we  simply  reply,  V6x  pofmU,  vox 
Deit  which  appeared  in 

THE  POINT  QAINEP. 

Walking  one  day  with  a  ministerial  ftimd , 
he  said,  "By  the  bye,  where  I  was  preaeh- 
ing  the  other  day,  they  want  a  pastor,  wonld 
you  go  and  snp|4y  fot  a  Sabbadi.'*  I  ze- 
pUed,  *'Yes,  if  they  adcme."  Myfriead 
wrote  to  the  deacon,  ssoommeBded  "Uideoii" 
as  &  "suitable  supply."  Tho  inritatifln 
soon  oame^  aod  vatoeospledforone^Ab- 


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329 


bfttlft ;  then  for  two  nuyre,  a^m  for  a  month, 
and  once  more  for  thrM. "  with  a  Tiew  to  the 
pastorate  ;*'  this  was  Ibllowedbj  some  sixty 
Totatf  or  mors  oat  of  about  setentj  mem- 
bers, "that  GKdeon  be  affectionately ioTited 
to  beeome  oar  pastor:  and  belieTing  that 
the  "Toiee  of  the  people  *'  in  that  ease  was 


the  "  Toice  of  God,"  the  awfoHj  important 
oiRce  of  the  Christian  pastorate  was  trem- 
blingly entered  upon  by 

GlDBOW. 

"Gideon  "  has  promised  (D.V.)  to  Or- 
nish a  paper  for  each  month  next  year. 


TAKE   CARE    OF    YOUR   MINISTERS. 

No.  II. 


What  ase  mm  Causbs  op  Mxhistbual 

POTSKTT? 

Ws  are  receiTing  letters  on  this  snbiect 
since  onr  last  article ;  but  few  have  had 
more  to  do  with  poor  ministers  and  poor 
chorehes  than  oarselves  daring  the  last 
twenty  yeazs»  mod  we  are  qaite  willins  to 
Tentilate  the  subject  a  little.  We  shall 
offSmd  some;  but  let  us  hare  troth  in  this 
department  as  well  as  in  ereiy  other.  Con- 
nected with  the  poaition  of  our  pastors  and 
peaehers,  there  is  a  loud  caXL  for  a  thorongh 
mTestigation.  It  will  do  good.  The  writer 
of  the  following  note  is  an  honest  and  faith- 
ful brother.    Bat  more  another  time. 

Dbab  Bbotheb, — I  see  an  article,  bear- 
ing the  abore  title,  in  the  Vssssii  hr  this 
month.  I  wish  to  ask.  What  are  the 
causes  of  ministerial  poverty  ?  Most  likely 
they  are  many.  I  will  name  one  or  two  I 
have  known.  When  persons  open  a  new 
place  of  wonhip,  it  is  sometimes  because 
they  are  too  fiir  from  their  own  church  ;  the 
distance  is  too  far  for  them  to  travel  Well, 
they  set  up  for  themselves,  with  a  hope  that 
they  shall  have  plenty  of  hearers,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  plenty  to  support  it  when 
it  is  opened;  but  they  soon  find  their  hope 
was  groundless. 

There  are  others  who  are  very  dissatisfied 
at  home ;  the^^  are  quite  eloquent  in  finding 
fault  with  their  minister  or  deacons ;  some- 
thing is  not  right  for  them ;  they  never 
have  much  to  say  in  favour  of  their  friends ; 
plenty  to  find  fkult  with.  After  a  time, 
they  cannot  hear  at  all ;  or  thoy  cannot  sit 
down  to  the  Lord's  table  with  Mr.  and 
3In.  So-and-so.  At  length  they  open  a 
new  plaoe;  their  leaving  the  old  one 
weakens  that,  and  thns  we  have  in  several 
instances  two  weak  causes  in  one  town  or 
village,  and  the  diisatisfled  paitv  are  sure 
to  find  ministers  to  come  and  bless  them, 
and  wish  them  God  speed.  Open  a  pli 
for  them,  form  them  into  a  chureh,  and  oc- 
casionally preach  to  them,  but  who  has  to 
pay  the  rent  of  the  place  ? — who  pav  the 
supplies  for  their  services  ?  I  have  heard 
persons  say,  "  Ot  we  shall  be  sure  to  Ret  the 
mon^ ;"  but  their  hopes  have  been  Masted, 
their  prospects  withered,  and,  in  many  in- 


stances, all  has  come  to  the  ground.  A 
friend  of  mine,  who  is,  I  trSat,  now  in 
glory,  said  to  me  a  short  time  ago  (he  had 
felt  Uie  church  where  he  had  been  a  mem- 
ber many  years),  **  1  find  it  a  veiy  easy 
matter  to  leave  a  church,  but  a  very  hard 
matter  to  join  it  again." 

Then  sometimes  there  are  miniBters  that 
bid  fur  to  be  useful;  but  they  have  such 
high  notions  of  themselves,  they  think  they 
are  iustified  in  giving  themselves  up  to  the 
wonc  of  the  ministty,  not  considering 
whether  the  people  reslly  can  afford  it  or 
not  I  could  name  several  that  have  thus 
acted,  and  the  result  has  been  their  services 
have  not  been  long  needed.  I  have  been 
in  the  ministry  several  years;  I  have  served 
two  apprenticeships  to  the  same  people ; 
but  I  n^ver  thought  of  throwing  myself 
upon  the  church ;  nor  did  I  ever  think  they 
ought  to  nuuntain  me  and  my  family  for 
preparing,  in  six  days,  three  sermons  for 
the  seventh.  I  can  say  I  never  made  a 
charge  to  any  people  except  it  has  been  my 
travelling  expenses ;  but  if  I  was  so  placed 
as  to  receive  a  sufficient  salary  for  my  la- 
bours, I  should  consider  mvself  justified  in 
givinff  up  my  situation  in  the  world  to  some 
one  ^e ;  but  till  a  people  can  afiford  this,  it 
is  useless  to  think  or  living  by  the  ministry. 
There  is  a  friend  I  know,  with  a  wife  and 
six  children,  all  under  ten  years  of  age; 
none  eamina  a  penny,  all  require  food, 
clothing,  and  a  home.  His  wages  are  eight 
shillings  per  week — ^that  is,  the  enormous 
sum  of  a  shilling  per  head  per  week;  and 
he  is  scolded  Motuse  he  does  not  pay  for 
the  support  of  the  cause.  What  has  he  to 
sparer  It  is  very  easy  for  the  gentleman 
who  has  h^s  thousands  at  command  to  tell 
the  poor  labourer  to  give  the  firstfruits  to 
the  Lord,  and  that  he  ought  to  contribute 
at  least  a  penny  per  week.  I  know  several 
that  would  feel  a  pleasure  in  giving  did 
th^  possess  it 

1  sometimes  think,  when  I  sit  down  to  a 
comfortable  meal,  what  have  some  of  our 
poorer  members  at  the  same  time?  I  am 
not  writing  to  justify  those  that  possess  the 
means,  yet  never  subscribe  to  tne  cause  of 
Christ,  or,  at  least,  ifery   LmiiBr    Some 

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830 


THE  ftABTfflW 


Dacl^iaM. 


want  the  best  pfeaeherB,  and  think  if  the^f 
put  ttixpence  ia  the  plttto  onee  a  qoartar,  it 
IS  as  much  as  is  needed. 

Bear  faeother,— yon  are  aware  the  peo- 
ple amo^g  whom  I  have  lahonred  for  vp- 
warda  of  fourteen  yean,  are  a  yezy  poor 
people ;  they  are  the  working  dassea ;  we 
nave  to  pay  upwards  of  £8  for  rent;  then 
there  is  firing  and  light.  We  number  about 
forty  members;  seyeral  are  husband  and 
wife,  and  in  tone  inataoeea  daughters  of 
members.  Our  congregation  is  never  more 
than  200 ;  but  there  are  those  that  lore  the 
truth,  and  feel  a  pleasure  in  doing  what 
they  can  for  the  canae ;  and  I  know  the 
Lord  is  often  pleased  to  bless  their  aook. 
We  haye  two  as  esuMllent  deacons  as  tou 
will  find  in  England;  so  that  pastor,  dea- 


and  memberB  are  united.  Of  coursB, 
we  hare  our  difieienees  at  times ;  bat  I 
always  avoid  as  much  as  poeBible  "party 
spirits.  In  some  places,  paalon  of  chinches 
hare  been  jealous  of  sobm  other  brather; 
but  I  am  never  afraid  of  any  one  heaving 
ne  out  of  my  station. 

Mar  the  Qod  of  all  giaee  be  with  yoa 
and  Ueasyou,  and  am  we  aliilgo  on  in  the 
ministiy  of  the  Woid  with  the  three-fold 
olrject  in  yiewi — ^the  glonr  of  tte  name  of 
the  Lord,  the  exaltation  of  Christ,  and  the 
everhuttng  happineas  of  lost  simMia. 

A  CoavTKT  Pastok  nr  Hmrs; 


TBUB    DISCIPLESHIP. 


'  At  Hull,  this  mominff,  (Nov.  9, 1864,} 
that  word  in  Acts  ziv.  22,  softlT  entwed 
my  mind — "  Conflrming  ^e  soius  of  the 
disciples.*'  That  wofd  contains  two  parts 
-—(I,)  the  fthanacter  of  the  Lord's  people— 
thi  diaeiplm  ;  (II.)  the  threefold  work  of  the 
minist(y--09i|/Er7nm^  the  soak  of  the  disci- 
ples; 4ghorting  them  to  eofttinne  in  the 
faith;  and  aseuring  them  that  throng^ 
much  tribulation,  we  rasst  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

I. — ^The  disoiplee  are  the  true  foUowers 
of  Christ;  those  who  follow  Him  whereso- 
ever He  iioeth.  This  discipleship  stands 
in  the  ordination  and  appetntment  of  GOD 
THS  FATHER.  The  good  old  Go^el 
says,  "  As  many  as  wore  oMained  to  eternal 
life  beUered."  And  most  plainly  Paul  says, 
"  God  hath  not  appointed  us  to  wiath,  bat 
to  obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  w;ho  died  for  us,"  &e. 

This  discipleship  stands  in  umon  with 
the  Son  of  God.  He  is  hsad  mot  all  things 
onto  the  ohareh,  and  the  reel  diio%)laa  ace 
the  membeis  of  His  nnratic  bodf.  I  niaat 
think  Jesus  nieaks  of  this  in  PHd»aiaaiz*- 
"  In  thy  book  wese  all  my  neaakbemwrittSD, 
andthedays  when  they  should  be  fosfaiotted 


them.' 


)  when  as  yat  thne  was  aime  of 
Christ  i^eaks  of  the  iriiole  eleetioBr 
of  grace  as  His  shesp,  whether  called  or 
not.  "  Other  sheep  I  kavi,  whieh  are  not 
of  this  fold;  them  also,  I  mast  faring,  that 
there  may  be  one  fold|  nnder  one  She^oevd.'' 
Being  ^yen  to  Him,  redeemed  by  Hun,  aad 
belonging  to  Him,  He  must  bring  them. 

But  let  OS  come  to  the  experimental  and 
individual  part  This  disapleship  stands 
in  the  power  and  pnoioos  grace  of  the 
Holy  Spirit;  who  doth  nve  unto  all  the 
heirs  of  God  three  special  blessxags.  He 
giyeth  them  spiritual  me ; — He  giveth  them 
a  living  fohh  ;-*He  givelli  them  a  tme-aad 
real  love  to  God.  All  ihese  are  essential 
to  salvation ;  no  simier  can  be  saved  with- 
out theoi. 

ContsmplaAe  the  spiritual  lifo,  as  the 
sei'iyteu^s  open  it  (1)  inita^fMlifeami; 
(2)  m  its  odtifrmatiom  ;  (3)  in  its  nauritk^ 
mmU;  (4)  in  its  pntmiatkm;  (5)  in  its 
mm^fttitaihn;  (6)  mits  uUimatt prnfmUmu 

If  any  soul  he  in  doubt  of  their  lutenart, 
it  would  be  well  if  they  could  meaeose 
tfasnaslves  bythe  ralnaandrevelatioBB  God 
haa  gaven  in  His  wofd  coaaamioff  this  deqp 
and lie^  mystefy— the  lifoof  God  in  toe 
souL 


YOUB  fiEDHMFTIOli  BEAWETH 
OTGFH. 


XJftap  yourl 

BedempUon  dnweChni^ 
And  gloiy  oomes  resnltuig 

From  Jeau'a  agony. 


Halklujsh: 


Iftft  you,  ye  minti  Wotorioes 

His  Kiogly  rale  beginsi 
AndifiHUi*'iert**an| 


HfllMi^! 

Xbea  dep  yonr  bands  for  glory. 

Ye  chosen  ones  of  God ! 
And  ihoi^  redemption's  atoiy 

Triumphant  through  His  blood. 

Hallelujah : 


mutt  mptaaattBflla 
ThecsptivB  goes  oat  fias! 

And  bonto  sf  aeaUoMliae 
Froelaim.tteJnUlee! 


All  hsO  !  the  momiDg  choms; 

Bfae  up,  ye  hosts  to  blest ; 
The  King  Himsdf  ia  for  ua, 

*•  The  Lord  ocr  Vi^btBoasneaB.** 

BaH^iiJafa; 


Plymouth* 


GXABSaaF. 


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8S1 


(^m  (^Jmfli^  m  Ja»tar»,  anlr  sn\  $t^% 


HBTWOODy   KASrOHBRXB^   AHB 
HUZJCfc 

A  fmp  itMf  «i>  Shwe?  Fo§»tr,  ^Stmrf,  CuOer- 
wvy*  OM  fvfwvBMT  fmi^  tkg  JVbrab* 
DsAB  ]lBonBlt,*-Wbile  pcaMUnff  this  <w«ek 
In  HnU,  I  TCftnmd  to  yon,  aadlo  jmrprotrndiid 
ttd  Mtw  alliolioii;  tteefow  to  jtm  I  addxm 
the  fbUowinf  penoiltod  puMnplu, .  jottod  dmm 
M I  tmfvllea  mm  Hvlf  to  LoMon.  It  ii  most 
plauiac  to  witoom  Om  <flbmCfaiyirltBre  makiDg 
to  iMuit  our  fcUow  ciigtiMM;  but,  It  It  equally 
ndBftil  to  be  ittfonned  of  tte  almoit  nnivOTnl 
depsCBe  from  the  good  old  Ihdilomd  dootrimo 
and   otdiamoeo  of  the  New  Ueohmient      In 


ohsrehes  wheve  tnith  weenuinlidiied,  PoHyian 
hm  takm  ito  plaee;  wad  «hi«Mli  ttet  wen 
cipiiiled  to  hear  pfadit  and  powenol  pieaohing, 
aie  oow  thialy  atfWted>  althoiigh  oiffaos  and 
rhenting  wnrioeo  tan  totrodiK 
dfignen  to  dnnr  the  people; 
pnaehingle  void  of  aabttiad 
anbottfiblyfllledwithpeople.  The< 
coed  eld  people  is  tfai%— that  we  veqaii 
of  note  hiave  and  bleseed  men  In  the 


not  when  the 

power,  the  pewi 

"""leapinioBof 

[oiiea  body 

'    niniilqr. 


Dtor  flamoel,  piay  fa 
Hot.  Uth,lS6£^I 
Bomfaig  AomHnH,  and  on  nnr  way  homeward, 
hope  to  make  a  note  or  two  wmoh  may  intemt 
yon,  and  ■ome  beeide.— On  Toeeday,  iTot.  let. 
early  in  the  morning,  I  left  London—employea 
■QMif  all  the  w^io  Mamiieitoi  in  wtltb^. 
* — ^1.1 —  •« — -^^^ *_,_^^  pawed  from  London 

to H^ywoodl^aiioUtoriinfc   On leaolting  aey" 
wood,  eminlred  ftw  New  Bi^tiit  Chapel,  ad 

_^ ^  widking  found  it  4n  anew  dietriotk 

,  qoito  by  itmlf :  a  noat*  ftrong-tmilt 
plaoB  or  woiahip,  with  eommodtona  gidlery  be- 
hind the  pnlpl^  wellMlted  to  hold  agoodflon- 
d^eobooi ;  and  when  the  aide  and  front  gilleriao 
are  thrown  np,  the  plaoewlU  well  mat  Ave  or  eix 
'  ao  H^jrwood  inseaeeo, 


JKoad  Station  to  Viotoria 


and  the  new  diaMeli  are  inhebtted,  it  OMy 
lUled :  and  if  the  Ormt  Head  oftte  ctanieh  will  be 
pleaaed  togiveflism  apaetoraAer  Hiaown  hearty 
«anian  in  whom  the Miit  ct  Ood  ia,"  a  aoond- 
heaited,  tpirit  amtfled;  heavttHmade,  and  labor- 
iono,  Mtf-danyiUft  and  aonl  aeoWng  miniattr  of 
Ohriit*!  goodaeipil,«-lfsiiehamaaean  bemnt 
to  theati,  under  dMne  upprobatlon,  I   eannot 


doubt  but  that  he  would  rmp  a-boontlM  hafveit. 
She  brathran  JUmham  Howard  and  Weightanan, 
have  both  laboued  then;  md  the  people  love 
them  for  their  wotk*a  Mho  j  and  now  Bobert 
Powell,  ftem  OoggmlnaL  ii  toprmeh  to  them 
through  Deeemboraad  Jenamy ;  whieh  of  them 
three  Ood  hm  flboean,  or  whether,  m  yet.  ttao 


flood  van  ii  known  only  to  Ahe  Lord,  le  a  myMeiy. 
U  will  be  an  hoaoor  liiii aaHanythem  tomiee 


Boftauth.  Whyahoulditnotbef  Thrm 
teli  to  iti  fiMFonr  ere  ^uito  eeatate.  1.  Many 
good  men  bate  ftii  mony'imii  been  eoweing  good 
aeed  hi  that  deMolyMMbtted  neighborhood; 
John  Xardiaw  hiaMOLr  haa  been  peeaehlng  in 


I  beenjibleeriag. 


Boobdale,  and  round  KboB*  for  near  Jicty  yeaia; 
be  oMuot  be  ttM  nriniilw  Of  HopeOhaptt  another 
Itoi^ynm;  hemuataeongifeuu'MDOuntof  hie 

etewnrJahtomidhe  heee«)loiMr  ^ '  — '"- 

many  to  whom  hit  mfaiiatnr  M 

flnmot  now  walk  to  ItodMale, 

fhrniUm.  and  ought  nUttoteudmHiim  en  the 

&DudNe-to;    BeJleuB  thorny  theream  thi— iiih 

who^a  toehmuh  heww  Itia  PutoHil^  ttor 

B,»  beeUM  It  iemvofeeitaMiSmft- 

lilhargothoyto 


Armialan-Iike.  Let,  then,  a  ftee-grtoe  man  go 
into  this  Urge  flfild->let  him  lovingly,  faithftUly, 
and  trutWulYv  ^  ^ 

"Tell  to  sinners  all  around. 
What  a  dear  Saviour  he  has  found," 

and  showers  of  blessings  mnstfbUow. 

Mr.  John  Ishworth,  the  author  of  **  Stnmge 
Tales,"  in  Boehdale,  has  done,  is  dotaig  an  extra- 
ordinary  work;  preparing  some,  at  least,  for  an 


mlnistiy;  he  has  both  broken  up 
the  fiOlow  around,  and  he  hescsst  in  some  good 
seed ;  and  it  eertalnly  will  bring  forth  fruit. 

ISo  good  sen  result  from  good  men  looking 
shy  at  euoh  men  as  John  Ashworth,  of  Boehdale. 
He  is  doing  a  woric  in  whioh  God  will  blew  him ; 
and,  agsin,  them  is  Mr.  Asfaworth,  of  Heywood, 
who,  for  thirty  yean  has  presided^  over  a  Bible- 
dam ;  and  haa,  under  Oed.  thrown  the  predous 
seed  of  the  Gospel  into  hundreds,  if  not  into 
thonssnds  of  immortal  souls.  Many  of  these 
vxmi  be  gathered  into  a  good  ibid ;  and  be  fed 
with  the  good  old  oom  of  the  Bedeemer's  khm- 
dom.  ^ 

Thus,  it  may  be  ssid.  the  ground  has  been  weB 
prepared,-^obn  Kerabaw.  and  the  AOhwurdia 
nam  done  their  woric:  but  they  sre  men  and  soon 
must  die;  the  fruit  of  their  labour  will  live  for 
sooTM  of  years  after  they  are  gone  to  heaven;  let 
them,  therefore^  help  on  the  infimt  caum ;  and 
therein  prom  that  all  petty  Jealousies,  all  bittor- 
Besses,  and  unholy  ugoteies,  are  buried  in  an 
etamal  oblivion. 

II.— Another  fsveomble  ibatum  is—this  new 
cause  has  been  watered  with  the  teen  of  many  of 
the  Lord's  living  sainto;  and  upon  this  well- 
watored  seed,  prmenfly,  I  lume^  theSun  of  Bight- 
eousaem  wiU  shine,  and  glmy  to  Ood  wUf  be 
given  by  thonssnds  who  eympathiee  with  the 
new  and  struggling  oanm  at  Heirwood. 

Mr.  OorbiC^ftr.  Orlndsbucg,  0.  W.  Banks,  and 
Mr.  Weightman,  addressed  the  meeting;  Mr. 
Ashwoith  spokeseveml  thnm ;  and  many  weighty 
words  wura  listened  to  by  a  large  ooogxegaUoo. 

Kezt  morning,  I  went  to  Bury*  te  gotton,  and 
henm  to  Tyldesley,  wbera  I  preaohed  amun  in 
Oountessof  Huntingdon'O  obapel:  and  the  neA 
Lotd'sMlay  I  was  permitted  to  soeak  three  timee 
In  the  new  ohapd  at  fl^ywooa ;  and  ehall  be 
right  glad  to  be  able  to  r^Kirt  its  onward  pesee 
and  prosperity.  I  eacpect  the  rise  and  progreea 
of  ttaJs  interesiiug  cause  wiU  be  given  by  the  pen 
of  one  &r  more  espable  than  mysell 

Mb.  OBUfDBBUsa  at  MurouBerxa. 

Before  I  left  Heywood  on  the  Monday  moming« 
I  was  fitvoured  to  have  this  word  given  to  me, 
'*Be  thou  faithful  unto  dmth,and  I  will  give  thee 
a  crown  of  USe.'*  I  was  announced  to  preach  that 
evening  in  Mr.  G-rindsbuig*s  meeting,  in  Bold- 
etreet,  a  UUle  off  the  Choriton-  road.  X  was  glad 
toreeeive  aword  to  think  upon  that  day ;  and  to 
MJsnohester  we  went.  And  that  season  was  very 
refreehing  to  me.  A  congregation  of  wsnn- 
hearted  ewgen^and  of  earnest  hearen,  with  Ood's 
preeenoe,  helped  me  to  speak  freely  of  what  the 
Ohiistian  is  called  upon  to  be  by  graoe  hem; 
«9kithful  untodeath?'  and  of  his  reward  here- 
alter~"I,"  saith  the  Lord,  "will  give  thee  a 
-lilB. 
nber  well  how  mueh   this  question 


of  1 


preeeed  tteelf  upon  my  mind :— "  0pon  what  prin- 
ciple can  the  fnlfUmcnt  of  tbepromiw  be  said  to 
d^tend  upon  the  performanoe  of  the  precept!" 
Oettainly  not  noon  the  ptindple  of  man's  free 
will :  but  upon  that  divinely  oo-opesOive  prinei- 
ptethat  where  God  giseth  graoe  the  holy  Spirit 
~"  for  IBS  BzEBonx  of  that  graoe;  mm  rttal 
Work  out  your  own  saiva- 


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382 


THB  XABTHBN  TBSaBL. 


Dee.  1,IML 


tion  with  fear  and  tremblioff ;  for  It  ii  God  which 
woiketh  in  you,  both  to  win  and  to  douf  his  own 
good  pleastune." 

There  an  three  things  Ikith  dealelh  with  ;-the 
covenant  of  ffraoe;  the  Lord  Jesns Christ;  and 
the  Ooepel  of  our  talvation;  To  each  of  these  w« 
are  called  upon  to  be  faithful:  (*Be  ye  always 
mindftil  of  the  oovenantk**  (that  is  one) :  "  Look- 
ing unto  Jesus."  (that  is  two) :  **  Holding  fiut 
the  profession  or  your  ftith  In  the  OospeL'*  which 
means,  holding  fiMt  (Sospel  dootrinei,  ordinances, 
and  precepts ;  never  forsaking  or  casting  contempt 
upon  anv  one  of  them. 

Mr.  Orindsburg  has  commenced  to  preach 
Christ's  Gospel  in  that  part  of  Manchester  where 
it  is  much  needed.  We  were  glad  to  And  so  many 
old  Manchester  ftiends  gathering  around 


lim.  Mr.  John  Derbyshire,  Mr.  John  Hudson, 
and  othei s.  We  should  be  glad  to  lean  that  Mr. 
Taylor  had  dealt  with  Mr.  Grindsburs  as  Mr. 
Smith,  of  Upper  Temple-street,  has  Bone;  in- 
Titing  Mr.  G.  several  times  to  supbly  the  Upper 
'Cemple-stieet  pulpit;  thus  prsctioalTy  introdnctng 
a  ministerial  brother  to  the  Christian  community 
in  Manchester ;  where,  we  pray,  he  may  usefUly 
and  acceptably  stand  for  many  years. 

After  being  Ikvoured  to  inspect  the  new  and 
beautiful  glassworks,  in  the  Chester-road,  be- 
longing to  the  Messrs.  Derbyshire  Brothers; 
whose  new  premises,  show  rooms,  Ac,  &c.,are 
worth  the  attention  of  all  who  are  interested  in 
the  progress  of  that  elegant  art ;  and  after  looking 
over  the  coach  building  repository,  In  Clarendon 
square,  of  Mr.  Wright's,— whose  family  kindly 
received  me.  I  set  sail  for  Hull:  and  was  landed 
there  late  that  night,  quite  safe,  but  weary  and 
fidnt  by  the  way.  Hull  is  a  fiunous  town  for 
ohurehes  and  chapels,  for  halls  and  institutions^ 
of  every  useful  class  and  character;  and  the  in- 
habitants  of  this  great  commercial  and  shipping 
town,  pay  a  gnat  respect  to  the  Lord's-day ;  and 
immense  congregations  are  gathered  together.  I 
preached  in  the  Mechanics'  Institute  to  a  numer- 
our  company ;  and  was  cheered  to  hear  that  the 
church  and  cause  increases  under  the  ministry  of 
their  pastor,  Mr.  Mac  Donald,  who  is  strongly 
recommended  to  supply,  cocasionally,  any  desti- 
tute chureb,  who  can  receive  a  plain  and  truthfiil 
testimony.  I  found  some  genuine  Christians  in 
Hull ;  and  really  eqjoyed  q>iritnal  communion 
with  them ;  yea,  some  things  I  heard  and  witnes- 
sed, nnay  form  a  second  letter  to  you.  Having 
tra%*ellea  eleven  dsys ;  being  mther  beat,  forgive 
the  barrenness  of  this  epbtle :  and  pray  that 
something  mora  profitable  may  next  come  from 
your  much  exereised,  and  old  Mend,      C.W.& 

XEOPHAX,  KENT— Dbak  Bbotheb 
Bakks,— You  feel  pleasure  in  bearing  of  the  pros- 
perity of  the  cause  of  God ;  while  many  readen 
will  rejoice  with  us  to  know  that  our  covenant 
God  has  again  visited  us,  after  a  long  winti^* 
season,  and  filled  our  hearts  with  joy,  and  our 
tonffues  with  singing.  Since  Mr.  Lingley  left  us, 
in  the  Autumn  of  1863,  we  have  had  various  sup- 
plies; and  in  the  beginning  of  this  year,  the 
ohnreh  met  and  agreed  to  hold  special  meetings 
ibr  prayer,  to  ask  the  Lord  to  send  us  one  whose 
minisb^  He  would  own  and  bless  to  the  in-gather- 
ingot  Hischosen  and  redeemed  family,  r.naalso,to 
feed,  comfort,  and  encourage,  the  chure'^  of  God. 
When  brother  Webb  resigned  his  pastorate  at 
Pimlico,  we  invited  him  to  supply  for  us ;  and 
his  ministry  being  blessed  of  the  Lord  to  the 
souls  of  many,  the  church  invited  him  for  six 
months,  with  a  view  to  the  pastorate.  Since  bro- 
ther W«bb  has  been  with  us,  our  hearts  hare  been 
cheered  with  the  blissful  sound,  **  Oome  and  hear, 
all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what  He 
hath  done  for  my  soul.*'  On  the  second  Lord's- 
day  in  August^  brother  Webb  baptised  four:-« 


brother  and  his  wifiK,  (who  had  passed  through 
much  aflUctfon,  and  to  whom  brother  W.'s  minw- 
tiy  had  been  made  a  blessing,)  and  a  brother  and 


sister ;  one  of  the  latter  to  whom  brother  Kevan's 
ministry  was  blessed  of  the  Lord  when  supplying 

here.    Last  Lord's-day,  Ifov.  6th,   eight  n 

were  immened  in  the  name  of  the  Bner,  I 


Son 
and  Holy  Ghost,  upon  a  profession  of  their  faith 
in  the  Bon  of  God.  Before  time  for  serviee,  the 
chapel  was  crowded  to  excess ;  at  half-past  tea, 
brother  Webb  and  the  candidates  were  by  tha 
pool.  A  hymn  was  sung:  a  portion  of  the  Word 
read,  solemn  prayer  for  the  aivine  blessing,  then 
aoether  hvmn,  and  then  brother  Webb  addreised 
the  crowded  andienee,  (going  out  of  the  usual 
wav  on  this  oooaslon.)  FInt  be  spoke  on  the 
ORunanoe,  then  dividing  his  hearen  into  six 
divisions,  namely— "The  curious  speelator;*' 
next,  -  Those  who  think  there  is  no  necessUj  to 
be  baptised ;"  third^  The  young ;"  fourth,  •^  The 
inauirer;"  fifth,  Hniaehurehr  •od  then  the 
^^Omdidates."  Brother  Martin,  the  father  of  the 
above-named  brother  and  sister,  again  smmlicated 
the  throng  another  verse,  and  brother  Webb  bap- 
tized five  remales  and  three  males,  in  the  name  of 
the  triune  Jehovah:  and  truly  it  was  «  moat 
blessed  season.  The  Lord's  presence  being  realised 
we  could  sing  the  lS6th  Psalm.  One  of  the  last 
eight  is  the  daughter  of  that  dear  man  of  God, 
Mr.  Pope ;  who  went  home  toglcry  in  1851,  after 
labouring  here  eighteen  yean.  8f  ven  out  of  the 
twelve  were  once  scholan  in  the  school :  five  are 
now  teachers;  two  of  the  males  have  known  the 
Lord  many  years,  but  oould  not  (through  fear) 
take  up  the  eross  before.  O  may  the  Lord  oon- 
tinue  to  bless  us  as  a  church,  and  pour  upon  us 
the  spirit  of  graoe  and  supplioation,  and  upon 
the  whole  ehurdi  of  Christ.  Bo  prays  jronr  un- 
worthy brother,  T.  Qnxaer, 


8IBX«B  HXDIN0HA1E~I  have  pleasure 
in  recording  one  more  good  day  at  Slble  Beding- 
ham.  On  Tuesday,  the  IStn  of  October,  we 
opened  our  new  chapel  (Behoboth),  when  Mr.  W. 
Aldersoa,  of  London,  and  Mr.  S.  Hemp,  of 
Glemsford,  were  the  preachers.  Amongst  us  were 
also  Messrs.  Smith,  of  Halstead,  Cook,  of  Braln- 
trse,  Powell,  of  CoggeshaU,  Frendh,  of  Marks  Tey, 
Beaoock,  of  Teldham,  Beaeh,  of  Onelmsfoid,  and 
Wheeler,  our  present  minister.  Owing  to  a  debiy 
on  the  railvray,  it  was  late  before  Mr.  AJderson  and 
other  friends  arrived,  consequently  the  aerrices 
were  commenced  by  Mr.  B.  Powell,  of  Ooflgeshall, 
reading  the  ISSth  Psalm  and  imploringGoohibleas- 
ing.  Mr.  Alderson  preached  a  good  sound  Gospel 
sermon,  subfeot-'*'The  name  of  the  Lord."  He 
particulsry  noticed  it  as  refbrring  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  He  spoke  blessedly  en  the  name 
being  the  password  of  a  Christian ;  and  he  hoped 
thereby  to  find  out  some  fbw  that  day  who  would 
know  that  name  which  is  abore  all  othere.  The 
afternoon  service  was  commenced  by  Mr. 
Oarriage^ofMelfonl.  Mr.  8.  Kemp  then  took  his 
text  Luke  i. ».  •*  And  be  shall  r^ign  over  the 
house  of  Jacob  n>r  ever,  and  of  his  kingdom  there 
shall  be  no  end."  He  spoke  first  of  the  qualiflea- 
tion  of  Christ  to  reign ;  secondly,  the  house  of 
Jacob,  the  kingdom  he  should  reign  over ;  and 
h»ay,  the  perpetui^  of  his  reign,  '*  for  ever.'*  Mr. 
Kempoeottpiedawnolehonr,  and  much  enjoyed 


his  snbject,'as  did  the  heante ;  who  listened  with 
marked  attention  to  such  glorious  themes ;  it  was 
an  enlivening  and  Ohrlst^alting  sermon.  Tm. 
was  then  supplied  for  916  in  the  chapdl  This 
tea  was  provided  fbr  the  benefit  of  tbe  cause  by 
the  friends :  it  brought  in  £»  7S.  M.  to  tbe  build- 
ing f^d.  At  the  evening  serviee  the  chapel  was 
densely  crowded ;  Mr.  Beacodc  engaged  in  prajner; 
Mr.  Alderson  pieaohed  aveiy  encouraging  sensMn 
flmn  Isaiah  xxv.  6.  He  spoke  of  the  mmmtalns 
as  representing  the  chureh^  in  their  ereation,  their 
greatness,  the&  grandeur.  Mid  their  loRfness :  be 
then  regarded  them  as  beingmade  upof  particles : 
here  he  spoke  very  beautifuBv  of  God's  love  to  the 
ones;  there  was  the  one  at  Samaria;  andtheoac 
lost  sheep;  and  he  hoped  there  were  some  ofMs  at 


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Dm.  1,  186L 


THE  ZAKTHXN  VEMBL. 


833 


Bible  Hfidlntfiam,  who  wtn  to  mato  up  thla 
mnnnffn.  Be  elio  nottoed  a  monnlain  u  an 
embtem  offtveagthaiid  power;  heftutherobaerfed 
it  aa  being  a  uniting  tie  betvreen  earth  and 
heaven;  he  Mid  he  believed  the  chnroh  of  Ohriit 
praMTved  the  whole  world,  and  as  tooo  asevenr 
partiolewaa  gathered  out  of  it  the  earth  would 
be  lolded  up  aa  a  gwment  He  eondnded  bv 
addroMing  the  people  nary  enoowagiagly  on  theur 
being  bleaaed  to  die  on  the  baae  of  the  mount,  on 
a  footing  of  leonrily ;  being  aamred  that  all  thoae 
who  are  onoe  on  this  roek  will  ultimatsly  readh 
the  glorious  summit,  there  to  enipy  the  presence 
of  Him  who  redeemed  them,  Ibr  ever.  When 
aakfng  for  a  eoUeotion,  he  said  he  had  much 
enjoyed  the  day  at  Hedingham,  and  vras  very 
agreeably  surprised  when  he  entered  so  large  a 
ebapel,  and  so  well  filled;  he  thought  of  ooimng 
to  aplaee  little  more  than  ten  ftet  square^  instead 
of  thirty  feet  by  filty.  While  the  thiid  good 
colleotion  was  bting  made,  we  sang— **  All  haU 
thepoverof  Jesu*sname;**and  while  the  friends 
were  leaving— **  Praise  Ood  ftom  whom  all 
flow^'  thus  ended  a  happy  dliy  at 
,  Bible  Hedingham.— On  the  following 
Sunday,  our  md  brother  Whotlow  preaehed  three 
sermonsto  fml  ooogregations:  his  text  morning 
and  afternoon  was  Tsalm  oxzii.  1 ;  another  oooa 


day  much  enjoyed.  I  am  requested  to  than!  all 
the  ministen  and  friends  who  have  so  liberally 
SiTouxed  us  and  assisted  us,  and  may  the  Ood  of 
all  grace  oontinne  to  blest  us,— Yours  fUthftilly, 

OUS  THAT  WAS  THKBB. 

8U jrjrOUC— Baptist  Ohapbl,  Budbourk. 
First  anniversary  of  ooening  above  ohapel  was 
held   Tuesday,  Nov.  15th ;    two  sermons  were 


ling,  by  Mr.  Fawson,  of  Aldring- 
;  afternoon,  by  Hr.  Fooek,  of  Lpsvrioh. 


preached 

ham;  aft        -  ,   „ , 

large  company'  took  tea.  In*  wtniag,  public 
meeting  vras  held ;  chair  occupied  by  the  minis* 
ter.  Mr.  Large.  Addreeses  were  delivered  by  Mr. 
Baker,  of  Tuostall,  Hr.  Fawson,  and  ICr.  Foock, 
and  the  following  report  was  read :— <*  We  desire 
at  this  annual  gathering  to  give  a  report  of  the 
Lord's  deslings  vrith  us  during  the  pastyear ;  to 
express  our  gratitude  to  our  covenant  ood  and 
Iwier;  and  our  tbankftilness  to  friends  known 
and  unknown.  In  relation  to  the  debt  on  the 
ohapel,  at  our  opening  services  last  year  we  had 
collected,  subsor^wd,  and  received,  m  17s.  4I<1. ; 
ooliections  and  tea  at  the  opening,  411  14s.  S)d : 
promised  by  fHends  at  the  evening  service,  about 
iClO ;  received  from  an  unknown  mend  in  Kent, 
£«  for  the  diapd,  together  vrith  £1  for  the  minis- 
ter; (our  friend  has  aince  gone  to  his  heavenly 
rest);  Hr.  W.  Walker,  (by  iCrs.  Large,)  £10;  a 
friend  at  Thetford.  £6 ;  colleotlons  from  diurohes, 
▼is.,  Waldringflela,  Bungay,  Becdes,  Cniarsfteld, 
Aldringham^Hadleigh,  andTunstnll,  £34  8s.  Sd  ; 
collections  and  profits  of  tea  at  Whitnmtide,  new 
year's  ollbring  at  the  chapd,  sunlus  of  monthly 
collections,  sittings,  ftc^  £9  Is.  Sfd.,  (our  brother 
Large  reserving  only  £3  per  quarter  for  his 
lahoufs)  :  vadous  sums  leettved  flrom  diftoent 
nana  of  tlie  kingdom.  £19  Os.  ad."  Thus  the  Lord 
has  prospered  us,  and  been  in  our  midst  to  bles^ 
and  do  us  gpod  ;.and  we  desire  to  pndse  Him  for 
all  that  is  past,  and  trust  Him  for  all  that  is  to 
come.  Tiro  penoos  have  besn  baptised,  and  ad- 
ded to  the  church.  Number  of  member^  twenty- 
lour;  children  in  Sabbath  school,  sudy-flve. 
OoUeotiona  en  Tkieaday,  £3  es.  S|d.;  earda  and 
donation,  £1  8a,  This  has  been  an  undertaking 
Ibr  our  brother  Largs^  but  the  Lord  has  signally 
bleased  theeffiart^  and  we  trust  by  the  Ubenlity  of 
Christian  ffiends,  the  remaining  debt,  something 
100,  wUl  soon  be  liquidated,   and  the 

OVS  WHO  WAS  TSMBXSn. 


by  Mr.  Bdwards^  of  Button,  Isle  of  Bly,  and  one 
in  the  afternoon  l^Hr.Jamee  Wells.  ICr.  Wells 
has  been  educatea  for  the  ministry  at  the  best  of 
s6hoolS|~he  knows  well  how  to  dig  deep  into 
truth,  and  bring  out  that  which  seeks  and  searches 


out  Ood's  dear  sheep  in  the  dark  and  doudy  day; 
however  ftr  they  may  have  wandered  firom  the 
fctd,  the  everlasting  oospel  embraces  them,  but 
it  is  not  every  minister  now-a-days  that  so  nith- 
fttlly  preadies  that  €K)spel  asto  be  made  instrn- 


in  gathering  in  the  outcast!  of  Israel.  Ko 
man  ever  preaoheid  like  Jeans  Christ  t  as  it  is 
written,  *  Never  man  spake  like  this  man;*'  but  I 
verily  believe  the  ministry  of  that  man  to  be  the 
most  sncoessftd  that  moat  resembles  that  of  his 
The  Lord  has  made  Hr.  Wells  a  very  suc- 
cessful preacher  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word, 
which  is  well  known,  the  secret  of  which  sterns 
tobc^  likethe  Master  Himself;  the  suitability  of  the 
message  to  the  lost  and  mined  condition  of  man ; 
may  the  Lord  still  bless  his  labours  abundantly  for 
many  years  to  come.  Mr.  Foreman  preaehed  on 
the  fouowing  Tuesdi^,  from  the  UHt  verm  of  the 
SSrd  Fsalm,  when  some  very  sayonrv  truths 
were  brought  ibrward ;  and  thus  concluded  our 
anniversary  services.  Though  the  weather  vras 
unlavouraSle  the  attendance  was  exceedingly 
good,  and  the  collections  also  good,  for  wmoh 
ire  staioerely  thank  the  friends  Who  vrere 
present  on  the  occasion.  Though  we  are  still 
without  a  pastor,  the  Lord  hath  done  great 
things  for  us;  we  have  had  most  excellent 
supplies,  and  the  word  has  been  much  blessed,  aa 
many  can  testily ;  but  our  ^es  are  still  up  unto 
the  £ord  for  a  stated  ministry.  Mr.  Comfort,  of 
Bamsgate,  is  supplying  occasionally,  and  his 
name  very  much  resembles  the  truths  he  is  able 
to  bring  forward:  for  very  many  of  Ood*s 
dear  people  at  Providence  nave  received  much 
comfort  in  hearing  the  same. 

A.  WlLLET. 

HOBN8BT  Haw  TOWK-Inthe 

Cow  per  road,  near  Stoke  Newington,  stands  a  neat 
building  called  Mount  Zion  chape!,  where  twelve 
months  since,  a  church  was  formed  on  Strict 
Baptist  prindples  under  the  ministry  of  Hr. 
Gomwell.  The  first  anniversary  of  this  young 
cause  was  holden  on  LordVday,  Nov.  18th. 
Sermons  were  preached  in  the  morning  by  Hr. 
Holland,  in  afternoon  by  C.W.  Bank&  and  in 
evening  by  Mr.  Osmond.  On  the  following 
Tuesday,  a  tea  and  friendly  meeting  was  holden. 
Mr.  Gomwell  presided,  bdng  surrounded  by  a 
crowded  audience^  and  several  of  bis  ministerial 
brethren.  Mr.  Corawdl  is  a  young  man  of  a 
modest,  but  dedded  spirit,  of  good  appeaxance, 
kind  deportment  and  qualified  to  speak  the  tmth 


£100, 
bnildingftee. 


ISXilKO'TOSI'-FBOTioncB  Cbapxl. 
Anniversary  servieee  ws»  hdd  Lord'a^lay,  Nov. 
18th«  when  Iwo  exceWot  eermons  were  delivered 


M  in  the  Lord  it  stands  and  shines.  We  msy 
hope  to  be  able  to  record,  IW>m  time  to  tlmei  his 
growth  in  the  ministry,  and  the  growth  of  the 
church  under  him.  Be  stsnds  In  a  rising  ndsh- 
bourhood;  and  a  devoted  minister,  a  willing 
people,  a  praying,  and  tmth-loving,  and  Ooepd- 
living  church  cannot  fall  of  finding  oood  success. 
The  mlnisters-at  least,  the  m^ori^  of  them— 
furnished  evidence  of  the  goodness  of  Ood  to  His 
people  in  continuing  to  raise  up  a  body  of  men 
willing  and  able  to  work  in  the  vineyard.  This 
wUl  appear  in  the  brief  detail  foUowlog.  Soon 
after  the  meeting  vras  opened,  Hr.  Holland  rose 
to  present  the  pastor  with  a  present,  in  the  shape 
of  several  volumes  of  0111*8  and  Chamock*s  works. 
In  a  pleasant  way  the  books  were  laid  before  Mr. 
Comwdl,  who  reodved  them  gmtefUlly.  His 
good  deacon,  brother  Maslin,  also  received  a  pre- 
sent; in  ftot,  the  kindness  and  happiness  of  the 
people  toward  thdr  pastor  and  deaoon  appeared 
very  delightf  ul.  When  the  presentation  was  over, 
C.  W.  Banks  vras  called  to  address  the  meeting. 
He  said— There  was  a  good  fbding  springing  up 
in  the  diurches  under  the  titles  "Take  care  of 
your  mittisterB.'*  The  diureh  here  was  carrying 
this  out  practically.   As  fky  as  poaslbfelt  was  well 


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8^4 


THE  KASTBStf  TE88BL. 


for  inimsten  to  seek  the  Locdevneitiy,.  to 

them  to  take  oereof  tbenBolvM.  Fiivt,  bv  gettiitf 
their  credentials  dearly  and  oomfortohiy  aealea 
home  in  their  own  aouls,  realizing  the  tact^  not 
only  that  the  Lord  had  sent  them,  but  that  He 
waa  with  them.  Una  happv  aMuranee  realised, 
would  enable  a  man  to  stand  ao  nrmly  that  none 
oottld  much  harm  him.  Ajpun,  a  minister  Bhonld 
labour  to  be  well  fUmished  in  his  own  mind  with 
the  greatest  possible  variety  of  good  Ctoapel  mat^ 
ter.  By  praying,  reading^  thinking  aoote  obser- 
vation, and  by  as  mucn  writing  as  possible,  he 
must  labour  inoeaaantly.  By  the  help  of  Qod  he 
most  well  open  up  three  books— the  Bible,  tb* 
experience  oi  good  men,  and  the  book  of  God'a 
providence  in  oonduoting  Israel  thz5nigh  this 
desert  land:  and  thus eQuipped,thaa  instructed, 
thuspreservsd,  he  would  oot  have  much  to  fisar. 
Mr.  <Ax>whurst  gave  ua  some  eneoursging  words ; 
he  is  a  good  and  useful  man;  his  ehuroh  and 
kion  have  so  extended,  they  mwt  have  a 


larger  plaoe.  The  choir  sang  with  good 
**▲  day's  march  nearer  home,"  ana  Mr.  Flaek 
delivered  one  of  the  best  addresses  we  ever  heard 
from  him.  He  looked  well  and  happy,  and  upc^n 
ever}'  point  of  interest  to  the  meeuog.  he  spoke 
pleasingly  and  truthfully.  Mr.  Holland  deacribed 
God's  plants  and  His  planting.  Mr.  Flory  with 
great  liberty  and  dearoess  threw  out  a  testimony 
for  truth,  which  was  gladly  received.  Mr.  Oa^ 
mond  iUnstrated  the  Christian  by  a  reference  to 
Samuel  and  David.  Mr.  WlUttendge,  io  a  pit  *'- 
and  neat  address,  proves  himself  a  man  of  Q  . 
who  is,  by  patieut  perseverance,  riiang  into  the 
enjoyment  of  more  coufldence  and  libotY  in  the 
mmistry.  Mr.  Baymeot  offered  thanksgiving  to 
God  for  His  goodness,  with  faith  and  grateftd 
feeling.  Mr.  Geo.  Webb,  the  pastor  of  Zion,  in 
Camden  Town,  kindly  united  with  us :  and  all 
the  preachers  and  people  having  sung— '*  Crown 
Him  Lord  of  all.**  retired  quite  refrosned.  Such 
meetlngaare  really  nsefU.. 

HABBOW-OK-THB-HILI<.-Agratefbl 

recognition  of  the  hand  of  God,  by  the  Particular, 
the  baptized  church  of  Jesus  Chnst,  worshipping 
a  triune  God  in  this  plaoa  On  Wednesday  even- 
ing, Oct.  19th,  a  united  and  happy  company  of 
friends  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  supper,  in  the 
neat  and  oommodious  adiool-room  belonging  to 
the  If  ew  Baptist  chapel.  The  opening  services  of 
the  two  prenoiu  days  being  condudM,  in  which 
that  noble  champion  of  trum.  Pastor  C.  H.  Spur- 
geon,  preached  two  powerful  sermons,  to  lai 
eongiegationB,  which  were  attended  with  1 
uncBon  of  truth,  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  and  the 
presence  of  Christ  On  Wednesday  afternoon  a 
minister,  whilst  speaking,  finding  there  waa  no* 
dock  in  thd  chapel,  kindly  presented  a 


k  soverei^ 

toward  purchasing  one. '  At  our  sodal  table  m 
the  evenmg,  around  which  sat  fifty  persona  re- 
Mcing  in  the  abundant  goodness  of  toe  Lord  to 
His  people,  the  subject  of  the  dock  was  brought 
forward;  a  clodcmaker  was  present,  the  prioe  of 
one  ascertained,  the  money  collected  and  paid 
then  and  there— it  is  the  new  dock  in  the  new 
chapel;  a  balance  was  over  the  required  sum; 
more  than  suffident  to  meet  the  defideney  re- 
quired fbr  the  new  harmonium,  though  one 
mend  collected  in  a  fortnight,  eigot  guiniBes  for 
it ;  so  that  tJiis  is  now  free.  A  gentleman  present 
eaouired  as  to  thefinanoisl  matters  oftlienew 
buildtDg.  He  was  informed  the  cost  of  pound, 
Ac  was  £1.100^  the  loan  of  flftO  from  the  Baptist 
Fund,  £S6  nrom  the  opening  services,  with  what 
the  friends  had  paid  in,  l3t  only  a  balsDee  of 
£130.  £iO  was  promised  u  the  £200  Was  collected 
within  twelve-months;  the  challenge  was  ao- 
oepted,and  notwithstanding  the  unbounded  lib- 
erality of  the  Harrow  friends,  in  a  very  Uiw  min- 
utes £10  was  promised.  We  hope,  by  the  blessing 
cf  the  Lord,  to  aooomnlish  this,  and  presenb  the 
chapel  tne  of  debt  to  the  denomination.  On  the 
Lord's  day  attar  the  opening  services,  the  pastor 


the  noaeipleaaai  VTMliese  of  the 
Qbusoh;  and  ia  tfiamniBg  baptised  fewo  b«- 
Uevonu  A  tacfe  eoi^rogetiiin,  with  deep  and 
pMCoand  attenttiM^  wiiaeeBad  the  aiiministHiton 
of  that  divinaly  i«|K>iBted  iufeltirtMn.  Btc  in* 
plicatLoBB  have  Aeen  made  Cer  membsahtp.  On 
the  eveningof  the  fleet  Babbsthof  tiua  montti, 
four  no^vSd  the  righttenA  of  fellowship;  the 
rest  aeswatiuigiNrlettcnofdisBiiaaioB.  Many 
othen  aieenqnilriag,  and  we  espeot  a  largem-^ 
orsaae..  TI»eon0Ngpttioa  is  enla^slBg;  the  spirit 
of  pmysr,  union*  peace,  and  love,  ia  poured  onft 
uponlb  Aureh.  ,  Xoieiitthigaalraadyase  let 


in  the  new  ahapel,  bti^giag  in  a  kiger 

oapply  tten  was  the  caaain  the  old  on&  The 
pastor  is  greatly  cneouaged,  and  defescmjaed  in 
thesteength  of  his  Master,  stUl  to  preaclitte 
troth,  the  whole  mth,  and  aothing  bat  the 
truth.  Theebuiekia  lull  of  hoM.  island  in- 
creaeedaefcrri^  in  tfaa  cause  of  dod;  evenrthtnar 
is  eneoiirsgta«.  We  asa  thaokfid  ta  God,  and 
takeoourage^  TBOt.  Bsncii,  Biator. 

[We  hav«  insevled  dsa  above  note  exaflay  •m  sent 
by  Mr.  Smith,  without  note  or  oomment--Bi>.l 

PXriiHILBC  aC.  MABT.*-!  was  U  11m 


Baptist  chapel,  here  in  Horfri]K,eiie  da/,  and  WW 
quite  happy.  The  laige/diapel  is  Ailed ;  the  pes- 
tor,  Mr.  Benjamitt  B^fan;  is  a  aeribe  well  te- 
sfcrufitsd.  He  read,  and  peaked,  and  preached, 
and  bapUsed,  and  nueivcd  owssbera  into  «m 
drareh,  and  administned  the  Loid'a  sapper,  and 
exhorted  sad  convened  with  the  people;  and, 
in  all  his  work,  his  heart  was  warm;  and  his 
mind  and  mouth  most  indostoiottsand  fridtlU  in 
holy  thin^   Hie  people  said  his  dear  wife  was 


almost  en&iely  paralyzed;  and  even  Mr.  T^aylor'a 
health  is  xK>t  good.  How  I  did  wish  our  weeltty 
Qhristians  m>ttld  remember  such  hard-workiiig 
and  aflUcted  pastors  as  tbisi  I  tall  you,  Mv.  C. 
W.  Bankak  I  nave  tmvelled  hundzeda  of  aileiw 
yea,  thousands  and  tena  of  thoussndi^  in  this 
countsT,  and  I  have  seen  the  poverty  and  aflUe- 
tion  of  many  paston^  aQd  X  do  think  it  ia  hi^i 
time  that  you  cry  out  more  loudly  then  yon  have 
everyet  done-"  TAKE  OABE  OF  YOIJE 
MIirtBT£S&'*  You  Yjwm.  men,  and  Stm4mrd 
men,  and  Herald  men,  who  represent  oar  ehnrehes 
(editoriaUy  and  ministerially)  can  do  mneli  to 
help  our  brsthrea,  if  you  will  but  pereevcua^  I 
tell  you,  good  aoen  oTGod  most  not  be  leA  to 
starve,  as  they  have  been  left;  let  us  arisesnd 
hdpthem.  The  Pulham  ohnxch  is  very  finad  oC 
its  pastor;  and  they  ding  to  him,  andai 
him  to  the  utntcet,  but,  poor  eouU 

dreds  of  them  have  to  rear  their 

ten  ^Uhtgs  per  week.  What  can  they  wftn 
for  Zion  f  One  fidead,  in  black  and  whiter  told 
me  Mr.  Taylor  is  writliog  »  beantiflil  book  on  tbo 
Yisionain  Zeehariah.  X  shaU  tnr  aad  get  eui' 
hers  for  it^for  X  believehim  to  db  » tpdly,  I 
man-^althoughheknewa  notliing  ot  tUe,  for  X 
am  A  iBAYBXABB  laoM  TVS  Ifoanc 

XBPIKaVOK Bsii>VB>  Baooau^ 

Many  thanks  for  yooiSi^  How  sti^srltappeaeodt 
My  dear  wifis  and  I  ware  standing  agsliist  onr 
door  as  Fmuj  brought  the  lettsriTll^  wife  said. 
"I  wonder  how  MOL  ia;  XwDoULsritetooBoS 
he  waa  deador  alive;*'  ao  voor  nafee  waa  seeoon- 
able.  lost  night  I  rseri  soain  some  of  your.  *  Afcip 
Uf*;*  and  found  itgooiriltAree&^wpel  lofo 
toyou;  say . mind  .haa  been  thinkiog  auieh  Miia 
momingnoon  the  best  of  all  suhfeai^  lore :  im 
AeEttioiLaililievMler;itissro«ttiaaworidatofeal 
nolhoiy  Iflvoin  thoheail.  X  belisve  ttMsaoro 
thousands  dsoeivod  on  tfaieeOB  poiak;  tho  Ifli* 
talked  aboutis  fUse,  and  tluv  wiUftnd  U«>aeiM 
time.  Oh,  what  a  wonderful  merqv  if  yDo^soA  X 
are  the  soltfeote  of  pors  love;  I  do  believe  we 
are ;  not  unto  us»  no,  no;,  love  teadies  its  subjects 
to  boner  aod  glotifir  the  MUnotof  ^  Yft  hof« 
*  "  '     '    '"      *  B0»  iHva 

ifwoik- 


not  yet  done ai»t|daff  to  tho  4iaa«»  «i 


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Dec.  1,  1864. 


THS  EABSH2N  YESSSEi; 


335 


ing;  hope  to  do  aonmthinjg  ia  the  spriagr  We 
have  plenty  of  people  at  KedlagtoxL  Hf.  Bltar- 
kin  baptized  two  last  Ordinanoe-day.  I  find  the 
pieaohar'fl  word  very  precioua  to  my  soul;  and 
ao  do  many.  Oar  pastor  is  goins  to  Cottingham 
on  the  30th  ofnext  month,  to  sapply  for  the  people 
that  Mr.  Wyaid  left.  I  fsel  thaokftil  we  get  some 
exoen«nt  matter  ftom  the  polpit ;  I  want  real 
Ghospel ;  it  is  of  no  use  to  me  unless  it  is  *'  Christ, 
all,  and  in  all."  My  trials  are  many.  Fray  for 
me  when  vou  can.  I  hear  Mr.  PoweU  haa  left 
Coggeshall,  «nd  is  going  200  miles  off.  Yours 
sincerely,  JOHir  DuLiSTOTra.  [We  urgently  ask 
Christian  friends  to  help  Kedlngton  brethren  to 
boild  their  gallery.  See  Cheering  Words  for  ITo- 
rember.    Bd.]  — — 

BRAJNTAES.  BSSBX-Salhx  Bap- 
tist Obapsl.-- On  Tuesday,  Nov.  15th,  the  above 
named  ohapel  was  opened  fbr  divine  worship, 
when  IHeaaa  fiom  Chelmaford,  Ooggeahall,  Hal- 
stead,  and  other  plaoea,  availed  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  of  hearing  that  well-known  *'  defen- 
der of  the  faith,"  and  sunporter  of  the  truth,  Mr. 
J.  filoomfleld ;  who  in  tm  mondng  preached  an 
esooelleBt  Mrmoa  from  Zac  viii.  Id.  The  Lord 
ble«ed  tho  word.  Mr.  Kemp,  of  G-lemsford, 
preached  in  the  afternoon  in  his  usual  cheerftil 
and  earnest  mflmier  from  Isaiah  Ix.  13.  About 
IM  took  tea  in  the  chapel  at  five  o'clock.  In  the 
et«oinff,  Mr.  Bloomfleld  preached  a^jain  to  a 
crowdea  audience,  and  many  were  obliged  to  go 
away  regretting  they  were  not  able  to  gain  ad- 
mmkm.  The  eolleotions,  Jbc.,  amomtedTto^lT. 
last Logd*a-day  I prenehod to  three^ood  congre- 


grations,  and  we  are  earnestly  prajrmf  that  the 
Lord  may  prosper  the  truth  in  this  dark  and  be- 
nighted pMt  of  onr  land,  and  add  daily  to  the 


chnroh  suoh  as  ahaU  be  everlastingly  saved. 
CSirlctiaa  frioida,  pleaae  to>  remember  us  at  a 
throne  of  grace.  That  we  may  be  enabled  to  "pray 
without  ceasfog"  here,  and  pirivileged  to  sing 
withont  ceasing  heteafter,  ia  thejprayer  of  yours 
in  Christ.  — —         <3^bobox  Cook. 

0OHO— The  late  Mr.  Pells  and  the  Soho  Sab- 
bath school  children.— The  children  of  the  above 
sehooU  connected  with  the  cfanreh  where  this 
honoured  man  laboured,  have  preaented  to  his 
widow,  through  their  superintendent  and  secre- 
tny,  a  very  handsome  gold  mourning  ring.  The 
fotlowing  ts  the  letter  fSrwarded  with  it :— *«  Soho 
chapel,  Smiday  sobooL— Dear  Mrs.  ]Ptil%~The 
scholars  of  Soho  Sunday  School  feeling  the  deep- 
est sorrow  at  your  recent  beraavement,  desire  to  , 
convey  to  yon  an  expression  o(  their  eameet  sym- 
pathy; and  to  this  end  the^  beg  to  enclose  a 
mourning  ring,  which  they  trust  you  will  accept 
with  kindest  love.— In  the  name  of  the  scholars, 
allow  us  to  subsorfbe  ourselves,  your  sincere 
fHeads,  — -  Joxir  Bxvpmbmvs^  Soperintendent^ 
Waltjeb  a.  Eau^  Searetary. 

HU*  8S  D  B  If  —  BroooTH '  New  Baptist 
CHAPSL.~On  IiOrd*»Hlay,  October  SOth,  Mr.  C. 
Drawbridge  had  the  sacred  pleasure  of  Immersing 
ei|^  Individnafaiat  their  own  reqnestin  the  name 
OTthe  Triime  CK>d.  Many  oould  not  gain  admis- 
sion to  witness  this  d^ghtful  act  of  scriptural 
obedience  to  the  mandate  of  the  King  of  kings. 
In  the  aftemoon  of  the  aame  di^;  these  five 
fsmalae  and  three  males,  were  received  into  ^his 
piaeperons  part  of  the  vineyard  of  Jehovah  our 
Kl|^teoasne88.  This  is  the  first  time  of  using 
the  new  and  eommodloas-  biipdaCry ;  we  hope 
sooa  t»  welodmemeny  more  volfuceors  into  the 
ranks  of  His  Most  Ozadous  K^^esty. 

BOraS. 

^J*Ap09toHe  Prmuhb^r'^Tt^  pamphlet  cca- 
talMMr.  nfacett  Bum*9 letter  to  Ms. Omeknell, 
rniewiitt  the  eoiitro?ennr  between  the  brethren 
Wale  ana  Qraoknell.  It  is  a  kind  of  supplemen- 
tary number  to  the  Bastsbv  TianBi.;  and  will 
come  in  Ibr  a  good  share  of  erlttdsmbefbre  long. 
Here  are  three  Methnili  iR  ttaaltag  fa  OkCfw  i» 


how  the  Gospel  is  to  be  preached— how  Christ's 
oomuiasion  is  to  be  fully  oarried  oat.  Sometimes 
a  ray  of  light  crosses  our  little  dark  mind,  and 
then  all  douds  vanish  in  a  moment.  One  scrip- 
ture, the  other  morning,  rmisaled  the  harmony  of 
the  whole  Gospel  plan,  that  is,  to  ns:  can  any 
brother  overturn  this?  It  is  Hosea  x.  11,  19; 
Uken  in  a  prophetic  Oospel  sense,  (I)  "Judah 
shall  plough."  This  our  anti-typical  Judah  did. 
He  broke  up  the  ground  of  man's  fall;  and  re- 
vealed the  deep  thmgs  of  God.  (3)  **  Jacob  shall 
break  his  clods."  This  the  apostles  did;  they 
ga\'o  us  the  great  truths  connected  with  man's 
need,  and  CK>d*s  remedy,  in  beautiful  detail. 
They  propounded  the  mysteries  of  heaven  with 
a  mighty  clearness.  (3)  This  leads  the  quick- 
ened elect  of  God  to  "  Sow  to  themselves  in  right* 
eousness.*'  The  hand  of  faith  takes  the  promise 
home,  and  in  prayer  and  with  tears  and  groans 
they  plead  with  heaven  for  peace  and  pardon.  (4) 
Then  in  God's  good  time,  they  "  Heap  in  mercy  :'• 
(6)  and  by  grace  given,  proceed  to  "  Break  up  the 
fallow  ground,**  by  preaching  the  Gospel,  plant- 
ing churches,  instrumentally  breaking  poor  sin- 
ner's hearts.  Then— (6)  they  may  w^l  cry  out— 
"  IT  IS  timk  to  seek  the  Lobd  ;"  there  is  the 
great  period  for  pressing  home  the  exhortation ; 
and  to  use  its  oonttnuanoe  "Until  (7)  He  come 
and  rain  righteousness  upon  you."  Does  not 
this  present  a  clear  viei»  ot  the  Gospel  ministry? 
If  not,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  bring  forth 
Master  Hussey's  work  on  this  great  mj^stery.  We 
have  before  us  a  naper  commenoad,  headed—^  Thb 
Question  FORfnxACHKBa  and  People;— ^ou? 
can  you  discern  a  letier-mntifrom  a  man  who  h/is 
the.  Spirit  of  God  in  him.  for  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel  r*  This,  and  good  John  Tayloi^s  totter, 
may  come  fcHrth.  Meanwhile,  read  Dixon  Bum*a 
review.  It  can  be  had  free  for  two  stamps  of  J. 
Paul,  London. 

«•  The  Gospel  Hymn  Book  for  SmuUty  Schools** 
By  W.  Hawkins,  Minister  of  Trinity  Ohapel. 
—This  usefhl  and  excellent  help  to  truthful 
melody  in  schools  has  reached  its  seventeenth 
thousand,  and  in  every  way  improves  as  it  advan- 
ces. All  our  churches  ana  schools  must  be  thaak« 
All  to  God  forhAvlnff  employed  Mr.  Hawkins  in 
the  production  of  a  book  so  purely  and  compre- 
hensively in  accordance  with  our  faith  and  our 
entarpriaing  efforts  to  do  good. 

•*  Hoippy  John,  the  Dyina  /Wicwnrtn.*— This  two- 
penny testimony  fh>m  the  pen  of  Mr.  Doudney, 
carries  strong  evidence  of  the  sovereigntgr  of 
saving  grace.  The  narrative  ia  full  of  the  mani- 
fsstations  of  Jesus  Christ  to  one  of  His  own  sheep. 
It  is  worth  millions  of  sermons.  It  is  more  to  ne 
than  many  oottly  volumes.  It  is  Christ  revealed, 
Christ  rec?ived,  Christ  rejoiced  in,  Christ  and  the 
mint  in  gloiy.  We  shall  notice  it  more  in  Cheef' 
ing  Wor£,    May  be  had  of  Mr.  ColUiigridge. 

Bptember,  at  Woodbridge^ 
SuffoUc,  Mr.  Bbast  Bivitt.  for  many  years  an 
active  and  naefol  deacon  of  tiie  Baptist  church  at 


love  and  ertsem,  among  whom  was  the  late 
pastor,  Mr.  Pawson  and  wife.  Mr.  Last  (the 
present  pastor)  conduoted  the  funeral  serrioe,  and 
on  the  fbUowlng  Lordt-dsy.  October  the  Snd, 
Mr.  Paweon  preached  the  nmenil  sermon  to  a 
erowded  aaaembly. 

That  devoted  and  faithful  servant  in  the  church, 
so  many  yean  deacon  in  Bast  Lane  Baptist 
ohixrch,  Broflier  Stradlxt,  has  gone  to  his  rest, 
ix>  his  hane^  to  his  Savionr  God.  His  remains 
were  laid  in  Konhead  eemeteiy,  Nov.  S4th.  lii« 
pastor,  Mr.  Alderaon,  preached  a  ftaneral  sermon^ 
Sanday  evening,  Kov.  97th,  1864. 

IHed  ITov.  fiiah,  1804,  Mr.  /ohv  Lssdubt,  Ibfky^ 
five  yean  deeoon  of  the  Btmtist  ohuroh.  Old  Bienii 
fbf««tndiatlieMVieal7«tlilrdy«rofhiiage.  c. 

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836  THE  XUnHOI  TIBBB.  Dao,  I.  Utt. 

LOOKING  BACKWARD-PORWARD-AND  AROUND  US. 

As  we  were  elotiiig  up  this  twentieth  Tolome  of  Thb  Eaktheit  Vimbl,  the  last  pub- 
lished seimou  preached  in  London,  bj  Mr.  West»  of  WiAehehwA,  was  pat  into  our  hands ; 
and  on  reading  the  tert,  "  Happy  is  the  suui  who  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  hit  help^** 
we  truly  felt  Siat  happiness  was  our  portion,  because  "THE  GOD  OF  JAOOB  HAS 
BEEN  OUB  HELP?^ 

Having  written  the  words,  we  look  at  them,  not  boastingly,  but  humbly,  and  sincerely ; 
we  must  HOT  erase  them;  we  write  not  fiUsely  in  adopting  them ;  we  realise,  in  soma 
measure,  the  exceeding  preciousness  of  them  ;  we  carefully  and  delightftilly  repeat  them, 
'•THE  GOD  OF  JACOB  HATH  BEEN  OUR  HELP;» 

Therefore,  for  foil  twenty  years,  we  have  been  pririle^  and  permitted  to  continue  in 
this  work,  and  in  many  letters  we  have  received,  testimonies  (from  over  the  seas,  and  from 
dUl  parts  of  our  native  shores)  are  jgiven  of  the  value  of  our  Vissbl  ;  as  hereby  thousands 
receive  the  good  news  of  Zion*s  increase ;  and  the  expositions  and  confirmations  of  the 
truth  and  the  grace  of  the  Gospel  which  we  give,  are  eveiywhere  joyfiiUy  welcomed  by 
the  scattered  tribes  of  God*s  chosen  inheritance. 

With  gratitude  most  profound,  we  raesent  to  all  our  readers,  to  all  our  contributors,  to 
all  our  agrents,  to  all  our  ministerial  brethren,  and  to  all  who  furnish  us  with  intelli* 
gence  (ami  thus  help  to  further  our^design),  our  acknowledgments  of  thankfulness ;  at  the 
same  time  beseeching  them  to  renew  Uieir  efforts  on  our  behalf.  In  this  department  of 
our  work,  we  are  not  ashamed  to  beg,  nor  are  we  too  idle  to  dig.  While^  therefore,  we 
purpose,  in  the  given  stzenfth  of  our  God,  to  press  on,  and  still  to  throw  the  seeds  of  truth 
into  all  parts  of  the  civilised  world,  and  to  sow  the  choicest  evidences  of  grace  among  the 
nullioiis  of  our  people,  we  can,  wiUi  good  conscience  ask  all  our  friends  to  bucklaon  their 
armour,  and  in  every  direction,  in  every  practical  way,  give  us  their  oo-qperation,  and 
their  most  persevering  aid. 

These  are  not  times  when  men,  who  are  set  up  for  the  defence  of  the  truth,  can  afford 
to  go  to  sleep :  nor  in  any  sense  to  be  idle ;  neither  must  they  be  discouMged  bv  aU 
the  opposition  they  meet  in  the  way.  In  many  ways  we  have  had  to  combat  witb  the 
heaviest  trials  that  could  aver  befall  a  public  man :  but  **THE  GOD  OF  JACOB  HATH 
BEEN  OUB  HELP."  It  may  be  asked,  *<HOW?"  We  answer,  first,  negatiyaly. 
He  has  never  yet  shut  up  the  bible  fimn  us.  No,  blessed  be  His  holy  name,  bv  His 
word,  by  His  Spirit,  by  His  interposing  Frovidence,  He  is  always  speaking  to  our  neaxt. 
In  our  study,  in  our  walks,  in  all  our  travels,  in  all  our  writings  and  rea£ngs,  we  prove 
this  true,  ''the  name  of  the  city  firom  that  day  shall  be,  THB  LORD  18  THERE." 

"How  HAS  THE  God  op  Jacob  helped  you?"  reiterate  some.  We  answer,  by 
never  shutting  the  doors  of  the  throne  of  grace  against  us.  There  we  have  gone — 
there  we  have  sighed— there  we  have  wept^there  we  have  taken  hold  of  His  strength — 
there  we  have  prevailed. 

He  hath  helped  us,  by  calling  us  from  one  sphere  of  labour  to  another.  These 
encampments,  and  our  removals  from  them,  are  all  on  record,  and  may  some  day  be 
read. 

He  hath  helped  us,  so  that  while  we  have  beheld  a  great  multitude  coming  out  against 
us,  we  have  never  despaired.  Not  one  of  all  the  literary  hosts  have  ever  taken  our 
ground  from  under  us.    Our  work,  and  our  spiritual  reward  is  as  great  as  ever. 

Praises— everlasting  praises  to  our  God  be  given ;  and  to  our  h^i^ers,  thanks. 

In  looking  forward,  we  have  plans  and  prospects  of  more  extensive  usefulness  than 
hitherto. 

In  loolduff  around  us,  there  is  still  room  and  there  is  still  a  neeessitf  for  a  plain 
experimental  work  Dke  our  own.  The  Christian  World  has  recently  cast  (m  a  genteel 
and  in  seemingly  a  humorous  spirit)  a  javelin  into  the  vexy  centre  of  our  camp.  We 
have  a  coat  of  inail  in  which  to  go  forth  and  meet  him  prejently.  Beside  this,  there  are 
many  spurious  and  cold  milk-and-water  preparations  presented  to  our  churches,  which 
are  only  fitted  to  starve  the  living,  and  to  tMtmper  the  pride  of  those  who  have  a  name 
to  live,  and  yet  are  (in  Divine  realities)  eitner  dead  or  asleep  in  folse  secority. 

Free  fh>m  all  cliques  of  men,  disentaneled  from  all  committees  and  fVom  all  societiee, 
calling  no  man  master,  having  neither  biBhop,  dean,  nor  elder  to  control  us,  we  hope 
still,  for  many  years,  to  pursue  our  oourae,  to  expose  error,  and  to  unfurl  the  deliffhtnil 
banners  of  Truth,  and  may  the  God  of  Jacob  still  be  our  help,  and  the  help  of  all  cfur 
fnends,  the  help  of  all  His  churches,  and  of  all  His  people,  untU  every  atom  of  rMocoedk 
be  righteously  wiped  away  from  us  and  all  our  work,  and  until  we  are  all  aafelr  housed 
in  heaven.    So  prays  the  grateful  and  humble  Editor  of  the  Earthbt  v  jmskl. 

BOBXBT  BAVBJi,  PBDITJU,  CBAXS  OOVBT,  FUEBX  BTJtSET,  UOOKEiQUt  &C, 

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THE 


EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Cjimtian  HernA; 


186  5. 


VOLUME    XXI. 


LONDON: 
ROBERT  BAITKS,  CRA3SE  COURT,  FLEET  STREET,  E.G. 
O.  J.  STEVENSON,  64,  PATERNOSTER  ROW,  E.C. 

1865. 


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CONTEHTS. 


CONTENTS. 


Pagjl 
A  ChrUtiaii'iLife  and  a  Chrifltian'8 

Death         186 

AFewThoaghUonRahabtheHarlot  236 

Affliction        18 

A  Good  Hope  184 

A  Good  Han's  Life  and  Death  325,  359 

A  Memory  and  its  Lesson 338 

An  Help- meet  Indeed         197 

A  Parent  Indeed      368 

A  Reminisoence  of  the  Lord's  Good- 


151 


165 
77 

371 
37 


A  Visit  to  the  Tomb  of  the  late  Mr. 

John  Warbnrton 

A  Whole  Family  Baptised  in  the 

River  Avon 
A  Word  of  Comfort  ... 
Beware  of  False  Prophets 
Bj  One  Offering 

CHUaCBBS  AT  : — 

Our  London  Chnrches,  29 :  Mr.  John  Cor- 
bitfs  Letter  to  his  Friends,  ao:  The  lite  Mr. 
W.  Ball,  31 ;  ▲  Joumnr  into  euffoVk,  39 ;  Pal- 
ham  St.  Maiya,  Korfdlk,  83;  Mr.  A.  Peet,33; 
Clerkenwell,  84 ;  Bermondsey,  84 ;  Soho  Chapel, 
34;  Baptist  Sunday  School  union.  36;  Olems 
fhrd,86:  The  Dark  Fart  of  the  City,ae;  The 
Pulpit.  86 »  Barking  road,  36;  Our  London 
Churches,  SO ;  Enaton-aquBie,  61 ;  Homerton, 
61 ;  A  Letter  from  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens,  63 ;  The 
Grett  Moral  and  BTangelieal  Philanthropist  in 
Sootland,  63;  Mr.  Myeraon's  Meeting  64;  Suf- 
folk, 65;  Clspham,  65;  Bichmond/ 66 ;  Ser- 
monds^  New  road,  66 ;  Sheffield,  67 ;  Vf  are, 
•7 ;  Bexley  fleath.  67 ;  Dacrs  Park,  Blaekhcath, 
67;  bxiffhton,  67;  Saxmundham,  66;  Stone- 
house,  I>evonshire,  66  ;  Manchester,  68 ;  Notei, 
Queries,  snd  BepUes,  68 ;  Our  I>ondon  Churches, 
90;  The  BwtisU  in  Scotland,  91 ;  Our  Churches 
in  Luicashfre  snd  Yorkshire,  93 ;  A  Model  Sun- 
day School  Report.  94;  How  the  **  Cotenses" 
came  to  this  country,  96 ;  Clare,  Suffolk,  97 ; 
Why  did  Mr.  Stringer  leave  Briahton  f  96;  Sal- 
lisrdf,  99;  Mount  Burea,  98;  Manchester,  99; 
Ooggeshall,  Sutton  Courtney,  99;  Woolwich, 
99rCottenhain,  100;  Bushy,  100-  High  Wy- 
oomhc^  100;  Our  London  Churches.  198,  Our 
Churches  in  I^meashire  and  Yorkshire,  196; 
Plymouth.  137  ;  St  LukeH,  127 ;  Mile  Bad,  197 ; 
Ipswich,  188;  Plnmstead  TSbemade,  128;  PIt^ 
mouth,  198;  ]>eath  and  Funeral  ot  the  late  Mr. 
Xdgeoombfl^  139 ;  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mr.  £dge- 
eombeand  Mrs.  Hill,  180;  Ohohham,  West 
Bad,  131;  Mendlesham,  131;  Stepncgr,  181; 
Xent»  Trowbridge  Wilts,  139;  Motes  and  Que- 
ries, 133;  Our  London  Ohurehss,  116;  Hales- 
worth,  167;  Fressiaafleld,  157;  Besding.  167; 
I,  167 ;  Plymouth,  157 ;  Cranbi 


AMringhsm,  ; 


Hymouth,  157;  Cranbrcwlc 


167 :  Meeting  at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  on  Oocd 
Friday,  158 ;  Bast  Bergholt.  189 ;  Good  Friday, 
160;  Mr.  Bioomfield*s  Sunday  School,  160; 
Xedingloo,  161;  Weekly  Obsenrancs  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  169;  Stepney,  169;  Shsmbrook, 
163;  Clare,  SnflUk,  163;  iMdon  Particular 
B^iMst  Itinerant  AssodatioD,  164;  Kyeford, 
eio'sterriiirs^  164;  Brsintne,  164;  Mr.  Moyia's 


aeveateenth  Anniterssry  st  FSdkham,  189;  A 
Letter  from  Mr.  Thomss  Bdwsrds,  of  Tun- 
bridge  Wells,  191;  Waltham  Abbey,  193;  Bible 
Hedmgham.  Bssex,  191:  Anniversaries,  194; 
Mr.  Cosens's  Visit  to  the  Boyal  Forest  of  Dean. 
196 ;  Harbertonfoiti,  195 ;  Plymouth,  199 ;  Bier- 
ton,  near  Aylesbuiy,  186 ;  Dunstable.  196;  Carl- 
ton. Bedfordshire,  196 ;  Bierton,  Bucks,  196 ; 
Maldon,  196;  Stowmarket,  196;  Olemsford, 
196;  Our  Associations  sad  theirClrcular  Let- 
ters, 931  ;  Whom  shall  we  Follow?  981 ;  Con- 
sider, ere  you  Chanfle^  3'iS ;  A  Letter  to  Mr. 
James  Wens,  838;  Thame,  Ozon,  925;  Mr. 
Hanks  at  Chatham,  935 ;  Southery  and  Bran- 
don Creek,  936;  Cheerful  Notes  from  Houn- 
slow,  8S6;  Surrey:  297;  The  late  W.  TiteS>s 
Daughter.  937;  Olemsford,  937;  Newbury 
House,  Homsey  Bias,  398;  Bottisham  Lode, 
Cambs,     99« ;      Keddington,     298 ;      Dacre 


iingham,2 

Peek,  365 :  CUipham,  255 ;  Bast  Lane.  856 ;  Stow- 
market, 856;  Islington,  856;  Know  HiU,857; 
Oxford  street,  257 :  Borough  Green.  267 ;  Horn- 
key,  958;  Stoke  Ash,  Sulfolk.258:  Enow  Hill, 
FrtMsingfleld.  SniToik,  258 ;  Ipswich,  256 ;  Shore- 
ditch,  358 ;  Ashill,  Devon,  vk;  Farewell  to  Old 
England,  358;  Old  Ford,  269;  Willenhall,  near 
Wolverhampton,  259;  Shambrook,  Bedford- 
shire. 960;  South  Chard.  260;  Conlig^New- 
townarda,  Ireland,  960 ;  Sneffleld,  285 ;  Homer- 
too  Bow,  286 ;  Canada,  West,  287 ;  Maple  house, 
Kelaale,  Suffolk.  288 ;  Taxing  *'  Supplies,"  288 ; 
Bye  Lane  Peekham  Schools^  288 ;  Mr.  Thomas 
Chivers's  Jubilee,  289;  Wars,  Herts,  989 ;  Bear- 
field,  Wilts,  289;  Cinderford,  980;  Mr.  Samuel 
Cosens's  removal  to  Australia,  2M;  Plain 
Hpeaking,  290 ;  Hemel  Hempstead,  390;  Bap- 
tising in  the  Biver  Thames,  290 ;  atrict  Com- 
munion Baptist  Sodety,  891;  Birmingham, 
Our  London  Churches,  291 ;  Opoungof  the  New 
Surrey  Tabernacle^  309 ;  Our  October  Meetings, 
817:  Kedington,  318;  Ordination  Services  at 
Old  Ford,  8i9;  Norwich,  821;  Stowmarket, 
822;  Aylesbury,  829;  Lancashire,  389;  High 
Wycombs,  822 ;  Bisely,  392 ;  Bipley,  328 ;  Fres- 
singfleld,  SuiTolk.  323;  Enfield  Highway,  333; 
Northampton,  383;  Horhsm,  SulTolk,  883; 
Hoxne,  SulTolk,  328 ;  Cransford,  Suffolk,  8x8 ; 
Aylesbury,  824;  Stepney,  824 ;  Thurleigh,  Bed% 
Taxing  Supplies,  824;  Sudboum,  SulTolk.  824: 
Bexley  Hesth,  824:  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens's  Final 
Fsiewell,  349 ;  Peekham,  Bye  lane,  348 ;  Hack- 
ney, 300;  The  Man  that  will  Preach,  851 ;  The 
Sunday  School  AuMiversary  atMasborougfa,  351; 
Our  rirrt  Anniversary,  362;  Herwood,  353; 
Plymouth,  353 :  Clapham,  363 ;  Burr  St.  Bd- 
munds,  353:  Bexley,  Kent  353;  Our  Aged 
Ministers,  354 ;  Meopham,  Kent,  355;  Sutton- 
at  Hone,  355:  Bexlex  Heath,  Kent,  965 ;  Thame, 
Oxon,  355 ;  Bynesford,  Ken^  355 ;  Shambrook, 
Beds,  356;  Olemsford,  356;  lokford,  Bucks, 
356;  Plymouth,  356;  PUistow,  366;  Ans- 
tnlia,  Sydney,  356;  The  Exclamation  and 
theExplanatfon  of  the  Apostle  Paul.  377;  A 
Visit  to  Fumess  Abbey,  379;  Our  Chuiehes  in 
Australia,  879;  Islln^on,381i  Stoke  Newing- 
ton.  882;  BgsrtonFostal,  Kent,  389;  Sible 
Hedin|2>^  ''"^'  '^  >  PlyflKmth,  883;  Kings- 


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IV 


C0NTWT6. 


Paol. 

Coming  to  the  Lord*8  Table 280 

Confirmation  and  Conversion         ...  135 
Constant  Supplies  in  a  Barren  Wil- 
derness           247,  278 

Death  of  the  Rer.  G.  D.  Doudney  ...  171 
Extracts  from  HemorVs  Page  261, 

306,841 

Fear  Not,  Worm  Jacob        42 

Fruits  of  the  Printing  Press  ...  218 

Golden  Fragments  Broken — bnt  not 
Lost  41,  76,  111,  145, 208, 277, 


870 
231 
133 


He  Pleased  God       

Jesos  in  the  Midst 

Letter  to  Hr.  James  Wells  121, 142, 

178,  244 
Letters  from  the  Heart      ...     124,  340 
Mr.  James  Wells  and  the  present  po- 
sition of  our  Strict  Baptist  Churches  373 
Mr.  James  Wells's  New  Surrey  Ta- 
bernacle      155 

New  Books 59,  154,  250.  343 

Notes  of  the  Month  ...        220,  251,  375 
Obituaiy  of  Mr.  John  Searle,  Sen. ...      9 

On  the  EWlof  Mixed  Marriages  ...  269 
OpeniDg  of  the  New  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle ...        •••        ...        ...  300 

Persecution  in  the  ProTinees  ...848 

POSTAT : — 

A  Hymo  of  Praise  to  Jeborah    •••  167 

A  Song  in  the  Night        279 

Faith         205 

It  U  Well 202 

Lines  on  the  Death  of  Mr  Dondney  171 

My  Ebenezer        144 

MyReiuge 144 

Nearer  to  Thee     174 

No  Continuing  City        188 

Pardon  and  Peace  112 

The  Christian's  Stronghold         ...  125 

The  Gospel  40 

The  Struggle         265 


Faox. 

Tribulation  and  Triumph 75 

Under  the  Cross 116 

Pray  for  the  Peace  of  Jerusalem    ...    74 

Beady  to  SaTe 276 

Spiritual  Poverty  and  HeaTenly  Bles- 
sedness       26 

The  Assurance  of  Faith      ...      105,  163 
The  Coming  and  Kiogdom  of  Christ    357 

The  Death  of  John  Sorrell 12 

The  Experience  of  Miss  Mary  Tog- 
hill  282 

The  Gospels,  and  How  they  should 

be  Read     23 

The  Guiding  Star     200 

Ths  Great  Year  of  Prophe^  5,  45, 

85,  lOT.  146,  181,  332 

The  Harrest 308 

The  Inward  Life  of  a  Real  Christian  293 

The  JudgmenUofGod        233 

The  Late  Heniy  Strickett 88 

The  late  Mr.  John  Fuller 283 

The  late  Mr.  John  Grace    ...     101,  147 

The  late  Mr.  William  Lee 110 

The  People's  Manna  38,  72, 

The  People  that  have  Eyes 294 

The  Perfection  of  the  True  Christian  168 

The  Real  People  of  God      211 

The  Rerelation  of  Christ  the  Resur- 
rection of  the  Church      229 

The  Shipwreeked  Mariner  and  the 

Goepel  Minister 56 

The  Sixth  of  Hebrews         209 

The  Surrey  Tabemade  Expoeitoi'20. 
63,  82,  117,  139, 175,  212. 240, 

272,  S02,  329, 365 
The  Table  of  Shewbread  14,  50,  79, 
113,  148,  172,  206,  237,  266, 

299.  336,  362 
The  Two  Roads  which  lead  to  the 

Eternal  World      58 

Thoughts  on  Jesa's  Name 204 

AVilliam  Fletcher     170 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 

AND     . 

(Ifhi[iatian   "^^orfi. 


ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-SIX. 

WHAT  DO  THE  PROPHETS  SAY  OF  IT  ? 

As  I  was  contemplating  the  commencement  of  this  mj  twenty-first 
volume  of  The  Earthen  Vessel,  the  words  of  Paul  to  Titus,  in  chapter 
two  and  thirteen,  softly  and  sweetly  crossed  my  mind — "  Looking  for 
THAT  Blessed  Hope;  and  the  Glorious  Appearing  of  the  Great 
God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  ;"  and  so  heavily  laden,  so  richly 
freighted,  did  they  appear  to  be,  that  I  resolved,  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord,  to  present  them  to  my  readers,  praying  God  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
render  them  useful  to  thousands  in  these  days  of  excitement  and  delu- 
sion on  the  one  hand,  and  of  supineness  and  apostacy  on  the  other. 

The  words  referred  to  furnish  two  very  great  features  in  the  conduct 
and  ultimate  happiness  of  the  true  Church  of  Christ.  First,  there  is 
her  Posture  here  ;  there  is  an  emphatic  exposition  of  what  ought  to  be 
her  Position — **  Looking  for  ! "  Then,  secondly,  there  is  her  Future 
Privilege  ; — her  expectation  and  her  highest  honour  expi  eased  in  those 
voluminous  words,  "  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  Great  God,  and  our 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ." 

Christian  People  all  1  Am  I  deceived  when  I  write  down  in  this 
my  Opening  Address  to  yon,  my  twofold  conviction  respecting  the 
Church's  Posture? — (I  mean  the  visible  Church  professing  faith  in 
Christ's  Gk>spel.)  My  first  conviction  is,  that  the  professing  Church  of 
God  in  these  days  is  not  "  Lw)KING  for  that  Blessed  Hope."  The  ten- 
dency  of  the  ministry,  in  some  cases,  is  to  settle  people  down  in  the  pos- 
session of  a  firm  faith  in  the  great  doctrines  of  grace  ;  and  this,  as  a  foun- 
dation to  build  upon,  is  absolutely  indispensable,  and  is  of  the  highest 
value.  Still,  let  it  be  noted  that  the  Holy  Ghost  by  Paul  to  the  Ephe- 
sians  reprcsenteth  those  who  ^^  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the 
apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  comer- 
stone,"  as  "  GROWING  unto  an  Holy  Temple  in  the  Lord;"  which 
grovnng  is,  in  one  sense,  that  of  the  soul's  "  Ix>oking  for,  and  hastening 


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6  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 1865. 

unto,  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God."  Standing  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages, 
the  Church  shoiild  be  '^  Looking  for  that  Blessed  Hope" — ^that  glorious 
appearing  of  her  Glorious  Head — which  is  THE  END,  the  completion, 
the  perfecting  finale,  of  all  that  Christ  did  in  the  days  of  His  deep  humi- 
liation, and  of  all  that  He  is  doing  in  these  Gospel  days  of  His  Interces- 
sion. 

To  my  mind,  it  is  a  sacred  fact  that  the  Holt  Spiarr,  in  all  His  work 
in  these  Gospel  times,  has  His  eye  intently  set  upon  the  future  glorious 
manifestation  of  the  Son  of  God.  Hence  that  precious  closing  up  of  the 
figurative  expression  of  the  Church's  growth  and  unity,  where  Paul, 
addressing  the  in-called  and  gruce-converted  Ephesians,  says,  ''  In  whom 
(that  is,  in  the  Lord)  ye  also  are  builded  together  for  an  habitation 
of  GOD  THROUGH  THE  SPIRIT."  Do  not  these  words  imply  that 
the  work  and  teaching  of  the  Spirit  is,  not  only  to  lead  believei's  into  a 
happy  realisation  of  their  oneness  with,  and  their  interest  in,  Jesus  now, 
but  that  the  Spirit  of  Christ  which  is  in  them  leadeth  them  on  to  a 
rich  anticipation  of  the  day  when  openly,  visibly,  really,  and  most  glo- 
riously, they  shall  SEE  HIM  as  He  is ;  be  made  like  unto  Him ;  be  with 
Him ;  and  serve  Him  day  and  night  in  His  temple  ?  Does  not  the 
CoKFORTsR  divinely  comfort  the  souls  of  the  saints  by  taking  them 
oftentimes  up  into  the  Gospel  Observatory,  and  by  placing  the  prophetic 
telescope  to  the  eye  of  their  faith,  causing  them  to  be  ''  Looking  for  that 
Blessed  Hope,  and  the  Glorious  Appearing  of  the  Great  God  and  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ  V*  I  feel  as  though  at  my  very  elbow  there  stand, 
prophets,  apostles,  martyrs,  puritans,  and  a  host  of  G>od-taught  men  of  all 
ages,  ready  to  testify  to  this  great  foot,  that»  although  many  have  been 
deceived,  and  many  have  said  of  Christ's  Great  Advent  things  they  never 
were  authorised  to  say,  still  it  is  a  revealed  truth  that  the  sacred  teach- 
ings of  the  Holt  Spirit,  in  the  written  word,  in  the  preached  word,  and 
in  all  His  secret  operations  in  the  souls  of  the  saved  ones,  is  to  cany 
their  minds  on  to  the  fulfilment  of  that  holy  parting  pledge — '*  And  if  I 
go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto 
myself^  that  where  I  am  there  ye  may  be  also."  Volumes  on  this  de- 
lightfiil  theme  could  I  write,  but  I  know  it  would  be  despised  by  many 
even  of  the  nobles  in  our  Gospel  land,  to  whom,  in  passing  on,  I  say, 
— ^having  so  many  times  been  robbed,  peeled,  trodden  down,  distressed 
on  every  hand,  and  afflicted,  it  is  to  me— -oh,  may  it  be  to  vety  many 
millions  of  the  ransomed — a  joyful  decLinttion  where  Jasus  says,  "  Ye 
Tiow  have  sorrow ;  but  I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice, 
and  your  joy  no  man  taketh  from  you."  This  manifestation  of  Christ, 
imparting  a  joy  which  no  man  can  take  away,  is  yet,  as  to  its  perfection, 
io  came  ;  and  for  it — if  we  are  built  upon  the  Rock  of  His  Godhead  and 
complete  atonement — let  us  be  looking. 

To  return  to  my  first  conviction,  I  observe, — ^The  tendency  of  the 
ministry,  in  some  other  cases,  is,  to  satisfy  the  dear  people  of  God  that 
their  soul's  experience  is  of  the  right  kind ;  that  it  is  of  heavenly  origin; 
that  it  is  THE  EXPERIENCE  which  floweth  out  of  the  regenerating  and 
revealing  operations  of  the  Eternal  Spirit  of  life  and  Truth  :  and  woe 
be  unto  us  if  we  make  light,  or  think  little,  or  speak  ill,  either  of  such  a 
ministry  or  of  such  an  experience  !  Nay,  God  forbid.  But  Peter  says, 
and  it  is  of  the  true  Church  he  speaks,  '^  We,  according  to  his  promise, 
look  for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness. '^ 


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Jan.  2, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECOBD,  7 

Hiese  are  not  the  newly-created  powers  of  tlie  soul  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
within,  for  these  the  saints  have  already ;  nor  are  they  merely  the  evan- 
gelical or  Gk)spel  heavens,  for  in  these  true  believers  dwell  by  faith  and 
by  fellowship  now,  and  cannot  be  said  to  be  looking  for  them  ;  but  they 
are  those  future  habitations  of  purity,  of  soul-exalting  power,  and  of  holy 
pleasure,  revealed  to  John  in  Patmos,  and  which  he  teUs  us  he  sawin  vision 
— ^that  is,  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth,  and  the  advent  of  the  holy 
city  therein,  he  sweetly  declares — "  I,  John," — mark,  he  puts  his 
name  to  it,  assuring  us  this  is  no  borrowed  figure,  no  conjured-up  meta- 
phor, but  the  revelation  given  to  him  by  God,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God 
handed  down  to  us,  wherein  we  are  assured  of  its  reality — for  "  T,  John, 
SAW  the  holy  city,  the  New  Jerusalem,  coming  down  from  God,  out  of 
heavetty  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband."  Then,  to  seal 
home  the  matter  with  greater  certainty  still,  John  says,  "  And  I  heard 
a  great  voice  out  of  heaven,  saying,  B^old  l^e  tabernacle  of  God  is  witli 
men ;  and  He  will  dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  His  people  ;  and 
God  Himself  shall  be  with  thbh,  akd  be  their  God."  And  then  fol- 
low all  the  blessings  resulting  therefrom. 

So  that  the  Church's  true  Posture  certainly  is  expressed  in  that 
word,  "  LOOKING  FOR  THAT  BLESSED  HOPE !" 

My  second  conviction  is,  that  this  Posture  exactly  auswereth  to 
the  mind,  and  command,  and  kind  injunction  of  Christ,  when  to  His 
disciples  he  said,  "  What  I  say  unto  you  I  say  unto  all — ^Watch." 
This  watching  is  a  peering  upward,  a  looking  onward,  an  expectation  of 
something  outward,  above  and  beyond  all  that  we  have  ever  had  before. 

Soundness  in  the  £uth,  and  deepness  in  the  real  experience  of  the 
saving  work  of  Gkkl,  then,  lead  not  to  a  despising  or  neglecting,  but  rather 
to  a  '^  Looking  for,  and  hasting  of,  the  Coming  of  the  Day  of  God." 

There  is  a  third  conviction  in  my  soul  on  this  matter.  The  parable 
of  the  virgins  opens  up  our  state :  "  While  the  bridegroom  tarried  they 
slumbered  and  slept."  For  many  generations  and  for  many  years  there 
has  been  an  expectation  of  His  coming  in  the  minds  of  some — but  He 
tarried  ;  He  tarries  still ;  and  many,  nearly  all,  are  either  slumbering  or 
&Bt  asleep. 

No  doubt  there  have  been  many  who  have  gone  into  wild  and  un- 
warranted extremes,  in  directing  attention  to  this  blessed  hope.  We  all 
know  how  excitingly  and  constantly  Mr.  Hughes,  of  Trinity  chapel. 
Hackney,  urged  this  upon  his  people  years  ago,  and  how  multitudes 
gathered  around  his  testimony ;  and  although  clouds  and  sorrows  have 
now  for  years  seemed  to  lessen  his  usefulness,  still,  from  his  ministry 
hundreds  have  gone  forth,  either  publicly  or  privately,  scattering  the 
seed  of  eternal  truth  ;  and  although  they  are  "  a  peculiar  people,"  they 
are  a  gradons  people  in  the  main ;  but  because  the  Bridegroom  fa&s 
tarried,  some  are  slumbering  and  sleeping,  while  others,  under  Mr. 
Lincoln's  ministry  at  Beresford,  or  Mr.  Jay's  ministry  at  the  Grove,  are 
alive  and  witnessing  for  Christ  and  His  kingdom,  in  a  way  I  must  love 
and  admire. 

It  appears  plain  to  me — and  this  is  one  thing  which  I  ask  both 
friends  and  foes  to  consider — that  there  is  no  branch  or  essential  part  of 
Christ's  Gospel  kingdom  but  what  has  been  sevei-ely  tested  in  one  of 
these  two  ways  -.—either  it  has  been  bitterly  assailed,  or  it  has  been 
carried  too  fiur. 


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8  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 1865. 

James  Allin,  in  his  "  Old  Testament  Prophecies,**  says : — "  Some 
enthusiastR,  as  the  late  Kev.  Edward  Irving  and  others,  insisted  that  we 
ought  to  desist  from  missionarj  exertions  because  Christ's  coming  was 
then  at  hand." 

The  abu.se,  however,  of  any  Bible  doctrine,  of  any  New  Testament 
ordinance,  of  any  new  covenant  promise, — the  abuse  (by  men)  of  any- 
thing God  has  revealed  to  us,  ought  not  to  lessen  our  reverence  for  it, 
nor  cool  our  zeal  in  the  defence  of  it :  but  it  should  rather  stimulate  us 
on  to  a  more  fervent  and  faithful  advocacy  of  it,  in  the  spirit  of  meek- 
ness, faith,  and  godly  fear. 

Ministerial  Brethren,  Christian  Churches,  Fellow  Pilgrims,  and 
Believers  all !  I  hail  you  most  heartily  in  the  name  of  our  Lord, 
at  the  commencement  of  this  One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Sixty 
Five  ;  and  I  pray  unto  the  God  of  our  fathers  that  He  may  grant  unto 
you  fui'ther  and  fuller  discoveries  of  His  grace  in  your  own  souls,  and 
that  amidst  the  declensions  and  disappointments,  the  divisions  and  dis- 
tressing events  of  the  times  in  which  our  lot  is  cast — ^that  you  may  be 
cheered,  and  encouraged,  and  comforted,  and  strengthened,  and  prospered 
in  all  your  way,  by  the  certainty  and  superiority  of  that  Blessed  Hope 
which  shall  be  realized  in  perfect  liappiness  at  the  glorious  appearing  of 
the  Great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  If  you  will  not  admit 
it,  I  will  give  expression  to  the  fact,  that  there  is  nothing  very  glorious 
in  the  "  appearing"  of  our  Ministerial  Brethren  at  this  day.  Our  pas- 
tors and  our  preachers  are,  beyond  all  question,  the  most  truthful,  the 
most  experimental,  the  most  faithful,  and  the  most  useful  men  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth  ;  but  in  many  cases,  there  is  nothing  to  sight  and  sense 
very  glorious  in  their  present  position.  The  uprising  of  an  army  of 
Juveniles,  planted  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  a  growing 
tendency  to  Open-Communionism  and  Free-willism,  and  a  new  fjashioned 
ministerialism — ^have  seriously  affected  the  position  of  many  a  devout 
and  long-standing  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.  Theii*  hearts  are  aching,  their 
heads  are  bowed^down.  They  keep  themselves  respectably,  they  walk  be- 
fore their  people  honestly,  they  carry  out  their  commission  manfully;  but, 
in  many  a  minister's  home,  in  many  a  pastor's  heart,  around  many  a 
preacher's  hearth — ^there  are  conflicts,  cares,  and  sorrows  which  mightily 
oppress  their  spirits,  and  often  make  them  weep.  Therefore,  to  all  of 
them,  I  would  endeavour  to  administer  the  stimulating  exhortation, 
"  Brethren,  be  of  good  cheer.  Jesus  stands  on  the  shore ;  and  although 
the  ship  (the  Church)  is  now  in  the  midst  of  the  waves ;  in  a  little 
while,  He  will  appear  for  your  deliverance.  He  will  say  to  both  winds 
and  waves,  '  Peace,  be  still ! '  Brethren,  be  ye  on  your  watch-tower. 
Get  ye  high  as  ye  can,  and  be  ''  Looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the 
glorious  appearing  of  the  Great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ" 

Our  Queen  is  still  mourning  her  irreparable  loss.  Our  National 
Church  is  threatened  by  a  thousand  breaches  and  breakers  of  an  ominous 
kind.  Our  fashionable  Nonconformist  communities  are  going  fiurther 
and  faster  from  the  good  old-fashioned  Gospel  than  ever.  Our  own 
Churches  are,  with  few  exceptions,  dwindling  and  dividing.  Our  coun- 
try, our  nation,  is  almost  every  day  startled  by  some  frightful  calamity. 
Our  trading  population  is  hard  put  to  it  by  the  monopolizing  alliances 
and  liability  companies'  customs  of  the  times.  Our  labouring  millions 
are  almost  sunken  into  the  earth  by  poverty  and  the  sins  which  so  easily 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  9 

besset  them.  On  every  hand  we  see  the  letters  great  and  gloomy,  "  In 
the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation." 

Surely,  then,  to  have  grace  to  be  "Looking  for  that  blessed  hope, 
and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  Great  God  aud  our  Savious  Jesus 
Christ,"  must  be  our  only  source  of  real  happiness  here  !  And  if,  while 
we  are  t^us  looking,  we  may  be  &vored  to  hear  HIM  say  to  us,  "  Come 
with  me  from  Lebanon,  my  spouse,  with  me  from  Lebanon.  LOOK 
FROM  the  top  of  Amana,  fi^m  the  top  of  Shinar  and  Hermon,  from 
the  lions'  dens,  and  from  the  mountains  of  leopards," — if  from  all  these 
He  calls  us  to  Himself,  it  will  be  a  joyfiil  change  indeed.  And,  then,  as 
concerning  thai  Great  Prophetic  Year,  1866,  of  which  we  have  so  much 
written  to  and  for  us,  and  on  which  future  papers  may  appear,  we  shall 
have  no  perplexing  fears. 

With  this  short  note  to  begin  with,  let  me  subscribe  myself  still, 
the  Church's  willing  servant,—  The  Editor. 

January  1,  1865. 


(IBIritttarg  of  Jttr.  John  ^mk,  $sjn., 

FOR     MANY    YEARS     PASTOR     OP    THE    BAPTIST     CHAPEL    AT    AYLESBURY, 
BUCKS,  WHO  DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  OCT.  28,  1864,  IN  HIS  82nD  YEAR. 


My  Dbab  Brother  Banks, — As  you  have  on  so  many  previous  occasions  found 
place  in  ^our  magazine  for  my  "Memorials  of  the  Dead,"  mav  I  request  that  you  will 
kindly  give  insertion  to  enclosed  account  of  my  late  revered  father.  Put  **  these  evidences 
in  an  Earthen  VsssBti,  that  thev  may  continue  many  da3r8."  Although  with  my  beloved 
father,  as  with  many  of  the  Lord's  servants,  the  sphere  of  labour  he  was  called  to  occupy 
was  humble,  and  com^nttively  obscure,  yet  such  men  do  their  great  Master's  work,  pursue 
"the  even  tenor  of  their  way,"  although  "the  world  knoweth  tnem  not,"  nor  is  their  high 
calling  appreciated  except  bv  the  Lord's  chosen  and  afflicted  people.  "  Their  record  is  on 
high,"  their  feet  leave  but  nupt  impress  on  the  '» sands  of  time,"  but  the  work  they  do  is 
done  with  a  single  eye  to  the  glory  of  their  Lord,  and  is  done  for  eternity. 

Of  such  was  mv  father,  and  although  unknown  to  the  man^,  there  are  some  in  the 
Churches  to  whom  nis  memory  is  fragrant,  and  theywill  prize  this  last  record  of  one  from 
whose  lips  they  have  heard  with  much  savour  the  Word  of  Life.  His  work  is  done ;  his 
reward  is  sained ;  and  he  is  "  for  ever  with  the  Lord."  "  Amen !  so  let  it  be."  May  we 
all  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ  Let  us  say,  as  once  said  the  sainted  Bonar,  (one  of 
Scotland's  worthies)  on  the  occasion  of  some  loved  one's  death^  "  Now  for  a  swifter  race." 
And  it  was  with  uncommon  sweetness  and  power  the  expression  came  to  my  mind,  when 
my  loved  wife  said  as  she  brought  to  us  the  sad  tidings,  "His  race  is  run ;  the  conflict  is 
over  now." 

Frederick  Silver  is  gone.  Gad  Southall  is  ^one,  "William  Ball  is  gone.  Dr.  Archer  is 
gone,  and  our  father.  John  Searle,  is  gone ;  aU  within  a  short  time  of  eacn  other,  all  worthy 
standard  beaiera  of  Calvary's  banner,  though  in  different  sections  of  the  one  Church  of 
the  Living  God.  And  now  are  they  all  before  "the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb." 
And  however  they  might  differ  on  some  points  in  the  Church  below,  yet  "as  one  "  in  the 
grand  doctrines  of  the  Saviour's  glory — ^through  the  sinner's  salvation,  so  now  they  join  har- 
moniously in  the  "one  song,"  "Now  unto  Mm  that  hath  loved  us."  &c  God  grant  unto 
some  of  us,  my  brother,  to  bear  aloft  the  banner  of  the  cross  as  wortnily  as  they  have  done. 
Thus  "may  we  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  aud  our  last  end  be  like  his." 

"  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto  me.  Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  who  die 
in  the  Lord  from  henceforth ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit^  that  they  may  rest  from  their  laboursi 
and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

I  remain,  dear  brother,  yours  as  ever  in  the  hope  of  the  Gospel,        J.  F.  Searle. 

My  fathei*  was  bom  at  Plymouth,  in  1783.  The  days  of  his  early  life 
were  passed  in  ignorance  of  God  and  Christ,  and  it  appears  by  the  record 
he  himself  has  given  (in  a  diary  which  he  kept  for  the  year  1807)  that 


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10  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Jan.  2, 1865. 

he  was  almost  as  striking  an  example  of  sovereign  grace  as  the  Apostle 
Paul  himself,  adopting  with  him  the  expression,  "  but  I  obtained  mercy." 
This  diary  is  in  my  possession,  and  was  given  me  by  a  veiy  early  friend 
of  my  father's,  on  the  occasion  of  my  visit,  six  years  ago,  to  Devonport, 
to  supply  the  pulpit  at  Mount  Zion ;  which  visit  of  six  weeks  is  associ- 
ated with  some  of  the  most  hallowed  recollections  of  my  ministerial  life. 
This  diary  I  shall  preserve  as  an  heir-loom  in  my  feuxuly,  as  worthy  of 
most  sacred  preservation.  Any  friend  of  my  £either*s,  who  would  like  to 
see  it,  shall  be  welcome  to  have  it  for  a  time.  Sure  I  am,  its  perusal  will 
awaken  the  most  humbling  as  well  as  sanctifying  emotions,  revealing  as 
it  doth  the  pulsations  of  the  inner  life  of  one  whose  soul  held  intimate 
communion  with  Jesus,  and  whose  religious  life  was  of  no  common  order. 
If  this  diary  be  an  index  of  the  spirituality  and  fervour  of  those  who 
loved  the  Lord  fifty  years  ago,  alas !  alas !  my  brother,  where  are  we 
nowl 

A  venerable  friend,  now  in  his  81st  year,  who  followed  him  to  his 
grave,  (and  whom  we  all  venerate  with  the  sincerest  love)  was  the  means 
of  leading  him  for  the  first  time  to  the  house  of  God,  and  though  my 
father  was  at  first  an  unwilling  listener,  he  was  made  willing  in  the  day 
of  God's  power,  and  added  to  the  number  of  those  who  love  and  serve 
the  Lord.  He  was  privileged  in  the  early  days  of  his  spiritual  life  to  sit 
under  the  ministry  of  many  of  the  burning  and  shining  lights  with  which 
the  Church  was  &vored  in  those  days.  Dr.  Draper  was  his  spiritual 
fiither,  and  under  his  ministry,  at  St.  George's  Church  in  the  Borough,  he 
lost  his  burden,  and  went  on  his  way  rejoicing ;  and  though  the  Doctor's 
after  life  was  passed  under  a  cloud,  yet  on  good  authority  am  I  able  to 
state,  his  end  was  peace. 

My  father  came  to  London  in  1806,  for  the  purpose  of  engaging 
himself  at  one  of  the  London  theatres ;  but  God  had  other  purposes 
in  view,  and  other  scenes  in  which  he  should  bear  a  part.  And  as 
&r  as  burning  love  to  Jesus,  heart  consecration  to  the  work,  with  an 
eminently  sanctified  spirit,  he  bade  fidr  to  occupy  a  prominent  position 
in  the  Church  of  God,  had  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  so  seen  fit.  But  as 
years  rolled  on,  he  came  in  contact  with  men  who  did  not  understand  or 
appreciate  his  mode  of  preaching,  by  which  he  ever  sought  to  exalt 
Christ  and  lower  the  creature.  Not  possessing  much  of  this  world's 
goods,  with  a  naturally  retiring  and  reserved  disposition,  he  never  attained 
that  position  among  his  brethren  to  which  his  pulpit  talents  seemed  to 
give  promise  of  his  attaining.  It  seems  to  have  been  in  the  year  1807 
tiiat  he  first  gave  utterance  to  his  desires  for  the  ministry,  either  in 
missionary  or  pastoral  labour.  The  Bev.  Matthew  Wilks,  of  the  Old 
Tabernacle,  at  one  time  made  him  an  offer  to  send  him  to  Collie,  which 
he  declined.  He  was  early  connected  with  the  Bethel  Prayer  Meetings 
held  among  the  sailors,  and  was  one  of  the  little  band  of  earnest  young 
men  of  four  in  number  who  started  the  Aged  Pilgrims'  Friend  Society, 
in  a  very  humble  apartment  in  Pear  Tree  street,  St.  Luke's,  one  of  whom 
still  survives, — the  honored  friend  whom  I  mentioned  before. 

I  have  no  precise  date  as  to  the  commencement  of  his  ministry,  but 
it  would  seem  that  many  years  elapsed  before  the  Lord  called  him  to  the 
work.  He  was  with  my  dear  painted  mother  in  membership  with  the 
Church  at  Shoe  lane,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  late  Mr.  S.  £.  Pierce, 
and  into  whose  mode  of  stating  the  truths  of  God  he  deeply  dnmk.    I 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHKISTIAN  RECORD,  11 

think  he  must  have  been  near  forty  when  he  began  to  speak  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  which  I  believe  he  did  some  time  before  he  was  baptized^ 
but  of  that  time  I  cannot  speak  with  certainty.  Many  were  the  toils 
and  difficulties  of  his  early  itinerating  labours ;  but  the  Lord  sustained 
him,  and  gave  abimdant  tokens  of  His  blessing.  After  the  decease  of  Mr. 
Pierce,  the  Shoe  Lane  Church,  which  had  removed  to  Boll's  buildings, 
Fetter  lane,  gave  him  a  call  to  the  pastorate,  where  he  continued  for 
some  time,  and  of  which  Church  I  became  a  member  at  the  early  age  of 
seventeen,  being  the  first  my  father  ever  baptized.  After  that  cause 
was  broken  up,  he  went  to  various  places  in  the  country,  preaching  the 
glad  tidings  at  Brentford,  Chippenham,  Deal,  St.  Albans,  Beading, 
Greenwich,  Woolwich,  and  many  other  places,  both  in  London  and  else- 
where, until  he  was  led  to  Aylesbury  in  1835,  through  the  kind  recom- 
mendation of  Mr«  J.  A.  Jones.  Here  he  was  ordained  in  1836,  and 
sustained  the  pastorate  near  fourteen  years,  and  which  of  his  own  will  he 
I'esigned,  conceiving  his  work  there  was  done,  though  we  had  hoped 
he  would  with  that  people  have  ended  his  days,  for  the  Lord  had 
there  given  him  many  seals  to  his  ministry,  and  souls  for  his  hire.  From 
thence  Ids  footsteps  were  directed  to  Swaffham,  in  Norfolk,  where  he 
continued  about  ten  months,  and  though  he  never  settled  afterwards,  he 
continued  to  preach  as  the  Lord  opened  doors  for  him,  declining,  on 
account  of  age,  two  or  three  offers  of  settlement.  The  death  of  my 
beloved  mother  in  1857  seriously  affected  him,  and  he  was  never  the 
same  man  again.  At  length  it  was  the  will  of  his  Divine  Master  to  lay  him 
aside  altogether  with  paralysis.  For  two  and  a  half  weary  years  he  lingered 
on,  a  mere  wreck  of  what  he  once  was,  both  in  body  and  mind,  until  at 
length  the  token  came  that  his  journey  was  drawing  to  its  close,  and 
that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  would  say,  "  Come  up  higher."  I  shall 
never  forget  the  last  Sabbath  he  spent  on  earth ;  my  two  eldest  sons 
had  bidden  him  "  good  bye "  in  the  early  part  of  the  day.  In  the 
evening  I  went,  accompanied  by  my  beloved  wife  and  three  youngest 
SODS,  when  he  distinctly  bade  each  of  us  "good  bye."  I  felt  that 
hour  to  be  a  most  solemn  one ;  it  was  the  last  time  we  should  converse 
on  earth.  I  said  to  him,  "Father,  shall  I  pray  with  you  a  few 
moments  V  He  answered,  "  As  many  as  you  will."  I  asked  him  what 
portion  of  the  Word  I  should  read.  He  replied,  "  It's  all  alike  to 
me."  "Well,  Father,"  I  said  again,  "shall  I  read  the  23rd  PsahnT 
**  Yes,  that  will  do,"  was  his  reply.  And  to  the  words  of  prayer  he 
gave  his  fervent,  though  scarcely  audible.  Amen.  Still  he  lingered  in  the 
dark  valley  until  the  following  Friday  morning,  almost  unconsciorts  to 
all  around.  At  length,  on  Friday  morning,  at  five  o'clock,  my  beloved 
wife  (who  had  watched  him  alone  through  that  last  sad  and  weary  night) 
was  fully  conscious  the  end  was  come.  Hastily  arousing  my  brother 
and  his  wife  (who  had  been|his  fidthful,  loving  nurses  through  the  whole 
time  of  his  sad  affliction),  they  all  three  surrounded  his  dying  bed,  and 
watdied  a  "good  man  die."  Weaker  and  weaker,  feebler  and  feebler, 
slower  and  slower,  flickered  the  waning  spark  of  life,  till  without  a 
struggle  or  a  groan,  without  a  sound  to  distress  or  a  fear  to  harass,  in 
the  calm  and  solemn  stillness  of  early  morning,  he  passed  "  through 
death  to  life,"  and  left  this  world  with  all  its  cares  and  sorrows,  to  rest 
for  ever  in  the  bosom  of  his  Saviour  and  his  God.  On  the  following 
Thursday   his  mortal  remains*  were  committed  to  the  dust  at  Ilford 


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12  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL.  Jan.  2. 16651 

Cemetery,  in  "sure  and  certain  hope,"  by  the  venerable  J.  A.  Jones^ 
his  oldest  ministerial  friend.  His  own  children  and  many  of  his  grand- 
children, with  a  few  dearly  attached  friends,  were  there  to  take  the  last 
sad  look  down,  down,  into  the  deep  cold  grave.  And  there  we  left  him, 
very  near  the  resting-place  of  my  sainted  mother,  in  the  careful  keeping 
of  their  risen  Saviour,  till  the  morning  of  the  resurrection.  Grood  bye, 
father,  'tis  our  last,  our  final  adieu,  till  we  meet  thee  with  all  our 
"  other  sainted  ones "  to  part  no  more  for  ever,  though  now  I  cry  out 
with  the  prophet  of  old,  "  My  father,  my  &ther,  the  chariots  of  Israel 
and  the  horsemen  thereof." 

My  father's  last  sermon  was  preached  at  Jireh  chapel.  East  road^ 
from  the  text,  "  Looking  unto  Jesus,"  which  was  his  &voiite  theme. 
In  the  same  chapel  was  also  preached  his  funeral  sermon  by  Mr.  J.  A. 
Jones,  from  the  words,  "An  old  disciple,"  Acts  xxi.  16,  which  will 
shortly  be  published  with  memoirs,  &c.,  of  which  due  notice  will  be 
given.      Yours  in  Jesus,  J.  P.  Sbarlv. 


THE  DEATH  OF  JOHN  SORRELL. 
Dear  Brother  Banks, — It  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  take  from  us  our 
afflicted  brother,  John  Sorrell,  whom  you  will  remember  in  connection 
with  Providence  chapel,  Cumberland  street,  Curtain  road,  whUe  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  George  Webb.  Thinking  that  some  account  of 
his  last  hours  might  be  interesting  to  your  readers,  and  glorifying  U> 
God,  I  send  you  the  following  lines. 

Seldom  has  the  immutability  of  God's  purposes  been  better  exemplified 
than  in  the  case  of  our  departed  brother.  During  my  acquaintance  with 
him,  now  about  seven  years  of  uninterrupted  fnendship^  I  have  had 
frequent  opportunities  of  conversing  with  him  upon  the  good  things,, 
and  although  he  was  afraid  to  presume  that  he  belonged  to  God's  family, 
yet  he  has  always  evinced  an  increasing  love  to  the  truth  of  Gk)d,  and  & 
sincere  desire  to  be,  though  an  humble,  yet  an  earnest  seeker  after  sal- 
vation. 

I  shall  not  soon  forget  the  upturned  eye,  or  the  heavy  sigh,  when 
on  several  occasions  we  have  been  trying  to  lead  the  eye  of  his  faith 
towards  the  Lord  Jesus,  nor  do  we  fail  to  remember  the  deep  emotion  ot 
our  own  heart,  when  we  have  wi^estled  with  the  Lord  on  hia  behalf,  in 
the  firm  and  feeling  conviction  that  our  petitions  would  be  attended  to, 
and  that  the  God  of  all  grace  would  in  His  own  time,  manifest  HimselT 
unto  our  brother.  In  these  desires  we  were  not  disappointed ;  on  the 
contrary,  we  were  favored  to  observe  that  as  the  outward  man  began  ta 
show  symptoms  of  rapid  dissolution,  the  inner  man  shone  out  most 
gloriously.  Although  our  brother  was  not  fieivored  to  realise  the  full 
assurance  of  faith  until  two  days  previous  to  his  departure,  yet  his  hope 
remained  firmly  fixed  on  Jesus,  and  a  strong  conviction  that  all  other 
means  were  useless  caused  him  to — 

"  Traat  his  whole  aalvAtion  there, 
And  nowhere  else  beside."* 

In  this  state  of  mind  we  found  oar  brother  on  the  Sabbath  evening  pre*^ 
ceding  his  death.  By  his  desire  I  read  to  him,  turning  to  Isaiah  xi, 
"  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,  my  people,"  ^,  which  seemed  to  strike  hia* 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  13 

mind  most  forcibly,  and  I  could  perceive  that  our  brother  was  in  the 
position  of  one  of  old,  who  said,  "  Thy  words  were  found,  and  I  did  eat 
them,  and  thy  word  was  unto  me  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  my  heart." 
Jer.  XV.  16.  The  last  clause  of  the  eighth  verse  too  was  most  power- 
fully felt,  where  the  prophet  declares,  "  The  grass  withereth,  the  flower 
fadeth,  but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  for  ever."  By  a  singular 
coincidence,  theso  woriis  had  formed  the  basis  of  an  encouraging  discourse 
at  our  own  place  (Providence,  Islington)  in  the  morning,  and  as  I  was 
enabled  to  tell  out  some  of  the  things  sei  before  us  in  the  sanctuary,  I 
could  perceive  that  our  brother  was  favored  to  take  firm  hold  of  that 
declaration,  and  join  with  and  say,  "  The  word  of  His  promise  stands  for 
ever."  I  read  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter,  and  it  was  evident  our  meet- 
ing had  not  been  in  ^in.  I  shall  never  forget  the  sincere  and  fervent 
exclamation  when,  addressing  me,  he  said,  "  Oh,  brother,  you  have  helped 
me  to-night."  "Then,"  I  said,  "we  will  bless  the  Lord  together,  and 
say,  *  He  hath  helped  us.' "  About  this  time  a  severe  attack  of  cough- 
ing came  on,  and  after  he  had  recovered  his  breathing,  he  said,  '*  Oh,  I 
should  like  a  little  tune  to  bless  and  praise  His  holy  name."  I  then 
read  to  him  the  hymn  commencing — 

^*  Great  things  the  Lord  h&th  done  for  us," 
with  which  he  was  much  pleased.     And  another, — 

"  My  most  indulgent  Saviour, 
I  long  Thy  love  to  find,"  &c 

The  effect  of  these  sweet  words  upon  his  mind  was  manifest.  After 
reading  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John's  Gospel,  and  commending  liim 
to  the  care  and  keeping  of  our  heavenly  Father,  I  took  what  I  thought 
my  last  &rewell  of  him  ;  but  his  time  had  not  come.  On  the  following 
Tuesday  evening  a  message  was  brought  to  me  by  a  person  whom  I  had 
requested  to  cal)  and  make  inquiries  about  him,  to  the  effect  that  he 
wished  to  see  me,  and  also  my  wife,  as  he  had  something  very  particular 
to  tell  us.  Circumstances  prevented  us  going  until  the  following  day  ; 
and  on  reaching  his  dying  bed  I  shall  never  forget  the  scene.  The  poor 
afflicted  body,  which  had  been  propped  up  with  pillows  and  other  appli- 
ances, was  now  peacefully  reclining,  his  head  only  requiring  to  be  raised 
a  little.  On  entering  th«  room  I  found  him  surrounded  by  several  dear 
friends,  engaged  in  administering  to  his  many  wants,  and  tenderly  speak- 
ing words  of  peace  and  consolation.  Approaching  him,  and  taking  him 
by  the  hand,  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  brother,  I  have  had  a  visit ;  all  is  well, 
and  I  am  quite  prepared  to  go  when  the  Lord  shall  be  pleased  to  take 
me."  I  could  only  express  my  feelings  by  i-epeating  the  words  of  ihe 
apostle,  "  Thanks  be  unto  God  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Cluist."  "That's  it,  brother,"  he  responded  with  much 
warmth  of  feeling.  A  short  time  after  this  his  brother  Edward  came  %o 
his  bed-side,  and  eagerly  seizing  him  by  the  hand,  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh, 
Ted,  I  have  found  what  I  wanted,  I  have  found  what  I  have  been  seek- 
ing after."  Shortly  after  this  he  motioned  all  in  the  room  to  his  side, 
and  affectionately  took  leave  of  all,  and  desired  his  love  to  be  given 
to  the  sister  of  his  dear  partner,  who  was  confined  to  her  bed  with 
rheumatic  fever  in  the  same  house.  Some  time  elapsed,  and  being  left 
with  him  alone,  was  speaking  of  the  blessedness  of  the  saint's  departure. 
After  a  short  pause,  he  said  to  me  very  distinctly  and  collectedly,  »« I 

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U  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL.  Jan.  2, 1865. 

think,  brother,  to-morpow  will  be  the  day  for  my  transit."  I  perfectly 
understood  whao  he  said,  but  fearing  his  poor  mind  might  be  wandering, 
I  said,  "  What  did  you  say,  brother?'*  and  he  repeated  the  same  sentence 
in  the  same  decided  tone. )  Symptoms  of  shortening  hours  began  to  be 
apparent,  and  in  accordance  with  his  own  words,  his  departure  took 
place  at  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  Nov.  17ch, 
1864,  aged  32  years. 

Nothing  remains  for  me  now  but  to  say  that  during  our  brother's 
illness  he  was  visited  by  many  dear  and  kind  friends,  among  whom  was 
his  late  pastor  and  father  in  Christ,  Mr.  G.  Webb,  and  brother  Lodge, 
the  present  pastor  of  Providence,  of  which  Church  our  brother  and  his 
beloved  partner  were  members,  who,  with  the  writer,  would  take  the 
opportunity,  through  the  medium  of  The  EARTHESf  Vessel,  of  thanking 
them  for  all  their  kindness  and  sympathy,  which  has  helped  to  uphold 
her  in  this  heavy  trial.  Heavy  it  is,  seeing  that  she  has  lost  a  faithful 
and  affectionate  husband,  and  is  left  with  four  small  cliildren,  without  any 
provision  being  made  for  her  or  them. 

The  remains  of  our  brother  were  deposited  in  their  last  resting-place, 
at  Bow,  on  Thursday,  Nov.  24,  1864.  Brethren  Lodge  and  Webb  tak- 
ing part  in  the  services.  On  Lord'a-day,  Nov.  27th,  the  funeral  discourse 
T^as  delivered  by  Mr.  G.  Webb,  at  Providence,  Cumberland  street,  from 
these  words,  "  Being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  He  which  hath 
begun  a  good  work  in  you,  will  perform  it,  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ." 
PMl.  xiv.  1,  Brother  Webb  spoke  very  kindly  and  affectionately  of  our 
departed  brother,  and  by  refei-ence  to  his  case,  unmistakably  proved  that 
the  work  begun  in  the  soul  is  God's  work,  maintained  and  carried  on  by 
Him,  and  results  in  the  complete  salvation  of  all  those  who  are  the  sub- 
jects of  it.     Yours  faithfully,  Charles  Bboad. 

Holloway,  Nov.  30th,  1864. 


OR,       A    PORTION     FOR     EVERY     SABBATH. 

BY  GIDEON. 


SUNDAY,  JAN.  1st.— A  NEW  YEARS  PORTION. 

*''•  liliy  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  according  to  His  riches  in  gloiy  by  Christ  Jesus.^' 
PhiL  iv.  19. 

Another  year's  cares  and  conflicts  are  past !  The  mercies  of  our  God  have 
been  new  every  morning ;  and  great  has  been  His  faithfulness.  How 
many  who  saw  the  light  of  the  first  Sabbath  last  year,  have  passed  away  ! 
Some  of  our  fellow-travellers  to  the  skies  have  reached  home,  theii*  work 
done,  their  trials  over,  they  are  at  rest  under  the  shade  of  the  tree  of 
life.  We  are  still  in  the  wilderness,  and  camiot  tell  what  shall  befall 
us  during  the  new  period  of  time  upon  which  we  this  day  enter.  We 
shall  be  deceived  if  we  expect  the  comforts  of  home  while  on  the  road 
there.  Our  gracious  Father  does  sometimes  favour  us  with  tastes  by  the 
way.  Jesus  occasionally  leads  us  to  the  Mounts  and  is  transfigured 
before  us,  and  we  see  His  glory,  and  feel  it  good  to  be  there.     But  soon 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  16 

we  come  down  again  to  conflict  with  sel^  sin,  and  Satan  ;  and  realize  the 
Diyine  trath,  "  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation." 

In  contemplation  of  the  unknown  future,  how  sweet  the  promise  at 
the  head  of  thisjpaper,  "  all  your  need ;"  at  all  times,  as  you  need — ^food, 
raiment,  home,  friends,  health,  sickness,  sorrow,  Satan,  sin,  and  self;  yea, 
all  are  at  the  disposal  of  Ood,  and  an  infinite  fullness  of  grace :  ^^ glorious 
riches  I "  Oh,  what  a  God  ia  ours  !  Take  this  promise,  Christiaa 
reader,  as  thy  new  year's  portion.  Let  faith  use  it,  as  you  journey,  for 
a  pass,  and  present  it  in  every  case  of  real  need ;  mercy's  gate  will  open, 
and  her  fair  hand  will  reach  you  down  the  blessing.  Consider,  too,  the 
blessed  medium  through  which  all  comes,  "  By  Jesus  CHRierr."  Our 
Joseph  whom  we  despised  and  sold.  He  is  exalted,  has  all  the  vast  stores 
of  heaven  under  His  hand ;  He  shuts  and  none  can  open ;  He  opens, 
and  none  can  shut.  Bless  His  name,  He  has  forgiven  all  our  sin;  and, 
notwithstanding  He  is  raised  to  such  glory.  He  has  the  heart  of  a 
Brother,  '^  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmity,"  and  delists  in 
men^.  Christ  Jesus,  the  T/iecmthroptiSf  or  Gk)d-Man — ^in  His  person 
heaven  and  earth,  Qod  and  sinners  are  united.  In  Him  mercy  and 
justice  meet  and  ki&s  each  other ;  in  His  blood  the  mountains  of  guilt  are 
drowned ;  in  His  righteousness,  our  souls  are  justified ;  and  through  HiA 
mediation,  all  ^  covenant  blessings  flow  down.  Fear  not,  then,  thou  poor 
believer,  in  one  sense  thou  mayst  have  nothing ;  in  another  all  things 
are  thine,  for  "  The  Lord  Gk>d  is  thy  Sun  and  shield  ;  He  will  give  grace 
and  gloty,  and  no  good  will  He  withhold,"  but  supply  freely  all  thy 
need  by  Christ  Jesus.      Amen. 


SUNDAY,  JAN.  8th.— REST  AND  REFRESHMENT. 

**  I  sat  down  under  bis  shadow  with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste.** 
Solomon's  Song  ii  3. 

Weaiy  pilgrim,  wounded  soldier,  tired  labourer,  lift  up  thine  eyes 
and  behold  before  thee  yonder  wide-spreading  tree — ^its  name  ia  life,  and 
all  its  qualities  prove  the  designation  just.  Jesus  is  the  Utee,  and  in  the 
words  quoted  above  see — 

1st,  Rest,  "  I  sat  down,"  that  is  a  resting  posture  ;  how  glad  is 
the  traveller,  soldier,  and  labourer,  to  sit  down ;  a  plam  bench,  a  naked 
stool,  or  a  hard  stone,  is  welcome  to  him.  They  who  never  knew  the 
burden  of  sin,  nor  the  fatigue  of  fighting  against  it,  nor  the  difficulties 
of  the  way  to  life,  wUl  not  have  a  naked  cross  and  Christ  to  sit 
nnder  and  upon.  The  cross  mast  be  adorned  by  human  deeds, 
and  the  Lord  clothed  after  the  modem  fashion.  Art  thou  laden  with 
sin,  weary  by  labour  to  get  rid  of  the  burden,  and  sorely  fatigued  in  thy 
soul  by  seeking  a  restiiig  place  7  Hark  then  to  the  voice  of  Jesus, 
(Matt.  XL  28,)  "  Come  unto  me,  I  will  give  you  rest."  He  carried  the 
load,  (Isaiah  liiL  6,)  He  did  all  the  work,  (John  xviL  4,)  and  He  is  the 
place  where  God  and  the  sinner  meet,  (Exodus  xxv.  22,)  and  meet  to 
part  no  more ;  therefore  in  Him  alone  by  faith  can  a  weary  soul  find 
rest 

2nd.  In  Him  is  sheUer,  "  Under  His  shadow."  Canst  thou  by 
&ith  flee  for  refuge  to  Christ  in  that  which  He  is  in  covenant  union  and 
grace  to  the  church?    If  so,  the  law  cannot  hurt  thee.    The  thunderbolt 

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16  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 1865t 

of  the  curse  fell  upon  the  tree,  and  split  and  tore  it,  yea,  killed  it  But 
there  the  storm  was  exhausted — ^the  tree  revived  in  new  beauty  and 
power — ^and  now  "  there  is  no  moi^e  curse ;"  sin,  Satan,  death,  the  grave, 
hell,  singly  or  combined,  cannot  touch  us  under  this  blessed  shadow — 

**  More  happy,  but  not  more  secure 
The  glorified  spirits  in  heaven." 

For  all  the  violence  of  every  storm  and  foe  must  £all  on  the  tree,  and  we 
under  it  escape. 

3rd.  Be/reshmerU — "  His  firuit  was  sweet."  Carnal  professors  who 
feed  upon  their  own  doings,  turn  up  their  noses  at  these  fruits — ^the  free- 
grace  privileges  of  God's  elect.  They  taste  not  the  sweetness  of  election 
because  they  never  had  a  hell  within  them  through  fear  of  rejection. 
Pardon  is  no  sweet  morsel  but  to  those  who  have  felt  the  pangs  of 
guilt.  Well,  under  the  cross,  from  Christ  cnicified,  are  all  manner  of 
precious  fruits  to  feed,  cheer,  heal,  and  comfort  hungry  soub.  Hence, 
blessed  are  they  who  hunger — ^the  fruit  is  for  them,  and  they  shall  hear 
sooner  or  later  the  Master  say,  ''Eat,  0  friends;  drink,  yea,  drink 
abundantly,  O  beloved." 

4th.  Jay — "  I  sat  down  with  great  delight."  The  grace  of  God 
makes  us  happy ;  there  is  everything  in  Christ  to  meet  our  need,  but 
that  is  not  all,  there  is  everything  to  delight  the  soul — ^there  is  a  beauty. 
He  is  £Eurer  than  the  sons  of  men ;  there  is  a  fragrance  that  delights  every 
spiritual  sense.  His  name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth. 

Header,  if  you  delight  to  sit  under  the  shadow  of  Christ,  surely 
you  may  say,  "  My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  His ;"  and  that  is  to  say 
everything  in  religion. — Amen. 


SUNDAY,  JAN.  16th.— DEFENCE. 

**  Behold  there  is  a  place  by  me,  and  thou  shalt  stand  upon  a  rock,  and  I  wiU  put  thee  in 
a  clift  of  the  rock,  and  will  cover  thee  with  my  hand."     Exodus  xxxiiL  21,  22. 

"  Behold  !"  May  the  Holy  Ghost  open  thine  eyes  to  see  what 
treasures  of  tr«th  and  grace  are  contained  in  these  words  of  the  Most 
High  to  His  servant  Moses,  and  through  Moses  to  all  who  are  chosen  in 
Christ  Jesus.     See  here — 

1st.  How  grace  does  away  with  the  distance  from  Qod  to  which 
sin  flung  our  poor  souls.  Sin  separates  from  the  Lord,  places  us  '*  far 
off,"  so  far  that  we  could  not  return.  Some  say.  Come  to  Christ,  come 
to  Christ  and  be  saved  ;  you  may  as  well  say  to  a  dead  man — live,  walk, 
speak,  feel ;  Christ  must  come  to  us  first ;  He  is  the  place  near,  that  is, 
close  by  God's  side ;  grace  put  us  into  Him  by  covenant,  and  the  word, 
by  the  Spirit,  does  so  experimentally ;  and  then  of  us  it  may  be  said, 
"  You  who  were  afar  off  are  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ." 

2nd.  See  how  grace  raises  up  our  poor  fallen  souls — "  Thou  shalt 
stand."  In  Adam  we  fell,  and  the  devil  having  got  us  down,  could  with 
ease  keep  us  so,  and  he  would  have  sunk  us  to  eternal  woe,  had  not 
the  strong  man  armed  come  to  the  rescue ;  and  God  said,  ''  Thou  shalt 
stand."  Ah,  poor  soul,  in  thyself,  both  as  to  feeling  and  conduct,  thou 
hast  had  many  slips  and  falls,  and  it  may  be  hath  hurt  thyself  and  defiled 
thy  raiment.  But  as  set  upon  this  rock  thou  shalt  stand  !  yes,  stand 
for  ever,  for  see«- 


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[  Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  17 

3rd.  How  solid  the  ground  is  :  grace  gives  a  firm  footing  :  rocks 
do  not  yield  to  the  influpnce  of  time,  but  ever  remain  the  same ;  and 
the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  which  placed  us  upon  this  rock,  will 
never  change.  Do  not,  poor  soul,  suppose  that  thy  God  is  like  thyself, 
and  changes  as  thou  dost — "  I,"  saith  |He,  "  have  loved  thee  with  an 
everlasting  love." 

4th.  Here  is  secrecy — "  I  will  put  thee  in  a  clift  of  the  rock,  and 
cover  thee  with  my  hand."  The  devil  is  a  cunning  old  fox,  but  he  can- 
not find  out  the  secret  life  of  the  child  of  God.  Put  into  Christ,  and 
covered  by  the  divine  hand  1  0  glorious  mystery  of  grace  !  Precious 
hiding  place!  Here,  0  my  soul,  retreat  and  defy  all  the  powers  of  hell. 
'^  In  the  time  of  trouble  He  shall  hide  me  in  His  pavilion ;  in  the  secret 
of  His  tabernacle  shall  He  hide  me;  He  shall  set  me  upon  a  rock." 
(Psalm  xxviL  5.)  "  O  how  great  is  Thy  goodness,  which  Thou  hast  laid 
up  for  them  that  fear  Thee ;  which  Thou  hast  wrought  for  them  that 
trust  in  Thee  before  the  sons  of  men  !  Thou  shalt  hide  them  in  the 
secret  of  Thy  presence  from  the  pride  of  man,  Thou  shalt  keep  them 
seci-etlyfrom  the  strife  of  tongues."  (Psalm  li.  19.) — Amen. 


SUNDAY,  JAN.  22nd.— CLEANSING. 

"  Everything  that  may  abide  the  fire,  ye  shall  make  it  go  through  the  fire,  and  it 
shall  be  clean ;  nevertheless  it  shall  be  ptmfied  with  the  water  of  separation :  and  all  that 
abideth  not  the  fire,  ye  shall  make  go  through  the  water."    Numbers  xxxi.  23. 

"  The  water  of  separation,"  the  atonement  of  the  blood  of  Christ, 
puts  away  all  the  sin  of  God's  people  at  once  and  for  ever  so  far  as  penal 
consequences  are  concerned,  or  in  New  Testament  language,  "  cleanseth 
us  from  all  sin."  It  was  in  His  blood  the  fountain  was  opened  for  sin  and 
uncleanness.  The  Jews  had  special  sacrifices  for  particular  sins,  and  these 
had  to  be  offered  as  often  as  the  sins  were  committed.  But  by  one 
-offering  He  hath  perfect^  for  ever  the  sanctified.  Then  there  wei-e  various 
uncleannesses  among  the  Jews  for  which  they  had  to  offer  special  gifts,  and 
•we  defile  our  hands  and  feet  by  the  way  though  clean  on  .the  whole,  and 
for  these  daily  defilements  the  fountain  is  open.  Jesus  washes  our  hands 
and  feet,  in  his  blood;  our  daily  doings  are  purified  :  that  is  the  hand  ;  also 
<our  daily  wanderings  in  the  mud  of  sin ;  that  is  the  foot.  Be  careful  as 
thou  comest  into  the  temple  to  call  at  the  "  brazen  laver,"  and  there 
wash. 

Thenthereis  a  kinddisciplinarycleansing, an  experimental  work;  the 
Christian  is  a  trophy  taken  from  the  foe,  the  church  consists  of  "  spoils 
iaken  in  battley"  (1  Chron.  xxvi.  27,)  represented  by  those  referred  to  in  the 
text  at  the  head  of  tliis  paper.  And  that  scripture  shews  how  our  most 
gracious  Lord  adapts  his  dealings  to  our  cases.  Canst  thou  not  '^  abide** 
the  fire  1  Then  thou  shalt  not  go  into  it !  The  treatment  shall  be  of  a 
milder  form.  Art  thou  in  the  fire  ?  It  shall  not  consume  thee,  it  will 
bum  the  fetters,  which  bound  thy  heart  to  earth,  and  the  Son  of  God 
will  walk  with  thee  there,  and  thou  shalt  come  forth  like  gold.  The 
flood, — ^that  shall  not  overflow ;  it  may  rise  to  the  chin,but  "  fear  not" — 
^*  I,'*  saith  the  Lord,  will  be  with  thee."  And  he  will  not  forsake  till  he 
bid  thee  go  up  and  be  with  him,  and  in  his  presence  is  fulness  of  joy,  and 
At  his  right  hand  are  pleasures  for  evermoi*e.  Amen. 


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18  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jm.  2, 1865. 

SUNDAY,  JAN.  29th.— LOOKING  UPWAED. 

'"Looknpw"    LiikexxL2& 

Poor  sonl,  art  thou  like  the  publican,  and  dare  not  so  niucH  as  raise 
thine  eyes  to  heaven  %  Or  art  thou  walking  in  darkness  and  unable  to 
behold  the  sun  9  Or  it  may  be,  like  the  good  woman,  thou  art  looking 
for  the  living  Saviour  amongst  the  deadi  Bless  his  name,  he  vxu  dead,  he 
did  lie  in  the  grave.  But  he  is  not  there  now,  he  lives,  is  ascended,  and 
enthroned,  and  amid  the  trials  and  tumults  of  time  his  voice  is  heard 
saying  to  the  troubled  believer  who  fears  some  coming  calamity,  ''Look 
up  !''  This  implies  that  they  to  whom  he  speaks  have  eyes.  Jesus  gave 
sight  to  many  bliad,  but  he  never  commanded  any  to  look  without  it. 
Some  people  tell  us  that  we  should  call  on  all  men  to  look  to  Jesus,  but 
surely  they  could  not  talk  so  if  they  could  see,  and  if  the  blind  lead  the 
blind,  no  maivel  if  both  fall  into  the  ditch,  the  wonder  would  be  if  they 
did  not.  But  you  see,  you  can  say,  "  One  thing  I  know,  whereas  I 
was  blind,  I  now  see."  See  what?  Why  yourself,  a  poor  helpless 
sinner ;  you  see  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  now  you  want  to  see  your 
interest  in  that  truth,  and  be  enabled  to  say  of  him, '' ZTe  hvedme,  and  gave 
Himself  for  me.** 

Well,  he  must  have  loved  you  or  he  would  not  have  opened  your  eyes, 
for  "  if  our  Ooapel  he  hidy  it  is  hid  to  theni  toho  are  lost"  It  is  not 
hid  to  you,  therefore  you  are  not  lost.     "  Look  up,"  then  ! 

1.  You  will  loose  sight  of  Satan,  sin,  and  self;  these  are  all  below,  and 
the  less  we  see  of  them  the  better,  for  the  more  we  see  of  sin  the 
blacker  and  more  damnable  it  appears,  and  as  to  self,  why  you  may 
look  and  look  till  you  are  horrified,  but  can  find  no  real  comfort  there. 
I  once  saw  a  lady  crossing  a  rapid  stream  on  horseback  ;  as  she  looked  on 
the  water  she  turned  giddy,  and  was  like  to  fall.  Her  brother,  who  was 
leading  the  pony,  obse^;ving  the  danger,  said,  "Look  up,  sister,  and  you 
will  not  fall."    Looking  down  on  the  stream  of  this  life  makes  us  giddy. 

2.  "  Look  up  !"  and  you  will  gain  sight  of  the  risen  and  exalted  Loixi, 
and  in  him  behold  a  thousand  beauties,  and  blessings  streaming*forth  to 
meet  all  your  needs.  Our  home  is  above  too,  and  who  would  not  often  turn 
his  eye  towards  his  native  land?  Does  Daniel  pray  in  captivity,  not  able 
to  reach  his  home  ?  then  he  will  turn  his  face  toward  Jerusalem. 

Not  to  say  more,  our  all  is  in  heaven.  Soon  we  must  leave  earth  and 
all  in  it.  May  we  therefore  catch  the  spirit  of  the  Prophet,  "  I  will 
look  unto  the  Lord ;  I  wDl  wait  for  the  God  of  my  salvation  :  my  God 
will  hear  me."  (Micah  vii.  7.  Amen. 


By  Samuel  Cozexs,  Author  op  "Bibucal  Lexicon,"  <fec. 


Afpuctions  work  for  good  because  they  are  medicinal.  "  By  this  afflic- 
tion shall  the  iniquity  of  Jacob  be  purged,"  Isaiah  xxvii.  9.  We  often 
need  the  purging  blue  pill  of  affliction,  and  the  black  draught  of  trouble, 
to  purge  away  our  vile  corruptions,  our  evil  distempers,  and  our  funish 


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JaiL  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  19 

passions.  Because  they  are  educcUianai,  "  Hear  ye  the  rod,"  <kc.  Mieah 
vi.  9.  The  rod  of  affliction  is  a  reproving  voice  for  sin,  and  calls  the 
wanderer  to  return.  The  rod  of  affliction  is  intended  to  teach  us  pro- 
fitable lessons. 

**  Afflictions  make  ns  know  what  else  would  *scape  our  sight,"  Ac. 

"The     rod     and    reproof    give    wisdom."       Manasseh    learnt   more 
among   the   thorns   than    ever   he   did   amidst   the    throne    of  state. 
He  was  made  more  wise  by  his  chains  than  by  his  crown:     Many,  like 
David  and  Job,  could  bless  God  for  afflictions,  but  few,  if  any,  could 
bless  him  for  an  earthly  crown.     Because  they  are  correctional.    "  Behold, 
happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth,"  Job  v.  17.     He  smote  Job 
down  into  the  ashes,  and  it  was  for  liis  correction  he  had  made  his  nest 
too  near  the  dust<hole.     He  smote  Paul  with  blindness,  and  it  was  for 
his  correction ;  he  had  been  looking  too  long  upon  the  sdf-importance  of 
the  Pharisee  of  the  Pharisees.     He  smote  Hezekiah  almost  to  death,  and 
it  was  for  his  correction.     God's  corrections  are  sometimes  very  severe. 
Look  at  David  with  his  broken  bones.     Look  at  Job  with  his  stinking 
boils,  an  object  of  self-loathing.     Look  at  Hezekiah  writhing  on  the  bed 
of  death,  without  a   ray   of  hope.     Look  at  Peter  in  Satan's  sieve. 
Look   at  Jonah  in  the  belly  of  hell.     But  however  severe  hLs  correc- 
tions, they  are  all  for  good.     Because  they  are  evidential.     "  For  what 
son  is  he  that  the  father  chasteneth  not,"  Heb.  ^.  7,  Amos  iiL  2.  Some 
are  left  to  go  on  in  sin  till  they  make  their  bed  in  hell.     "  If  ye  be 
without  chastisement,  then  are  ye  bastards  and  not  sons."     Because  they 
are  inUroductional^     "  Ye  now  have  sorrow,   but  your  sorrow  shall  be 
turned  into  joy,"  John  xvi  20.     Ye  now  have  the  winter  of  adversity, 
but  your  winter  shall  be  turned  into  the  joy  of  the  time  of  the  singing 
of  birds.     Ye  are  now  passing  through  the  night  of  affliction,  but  your 
night  shall  be  turned  into  a  fulness   of  joy.      Ye  are  now  drii^dng 
deeply   of  the    bitter  waters  of  tribulation,    but  your  waters  shall  be 
turned  into  the  wine  of  strong  consolation.     Because  they  are  infiiien- 
tied.     "Lord,  in  trouble  have  they  visited  thee,"  <fec.  Isaiah  xxvL  16» 
Abraham  was  called  to  leave  his  country  (no  doubt  that  was  a  trouble 
to  him)  to  seek  and  receive  a  country  from  God.     Jacob  was  driven  from 
his  home,  to  stand  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  to  heav^a ;  he  was  persecuted 
by  his  brother  into  the  very  arms  of  the  Lord.     Moses  fled  from  the 
wrath  of  Pharoah,  king  of  Egypt,  to  find  favor  in  the  sight  of  the  King 
of  kings.      The  Israelites  were  thrust  out  of  Eg3rpt  to  call  upon  God  at 
the  Bed  Sea,  and  to  eat  angels'  food  in  the  wilderness.     When  the  souls 
of  the  way-worn  pilgrims  fainted  in  them,  "  then  they  cried  unto  the 
Lord,  and  He  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses."    When  the  ship- 
wrecked mariners  were  at  their  wits'  end,  "then  they  cried  unto  the 
Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  He  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses." 
When  the  prodigal  had  spent  all  his  living,  and  was  ready  to  perish 
with  hunger,  he  returned  to  his  father's  house.     Psalm  cvii.    Luke  xv. 
Because  they  are  prepcuratory.     "  Our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a 
moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory."  2  Cor.  iv.  17.     As  the  fiumace  prepares  the  gold  for  the  master's 
use,  and  as  the^^chisel  prepares  the  stone  for  the  biulding,  so  the  saints, 
of  €rod  are  prepared  for  heaven  by  afflictions. 


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20  THE  EAETHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 1865^ 

EXPOSITION    OF    REVELATION    X  I.  1— 3. 
By  Mr.  James  Wells,  op  the  Surkey  Tabernacle,  Borouoh  Road. 


'•  And  there  was  given  me  a  reed  like  unto  a  rod :  and  the  angel  stood,  saying,  Rise,  and 
measure  the  temple  of  God,  and  the  altar,  and  them  that  worship  therein." 

The  measurement  must  be  understood  hei'e,  of  course,  not  literally,  but 
spiiitually.  The  temple  of  God  here  is  unquestionably  the  church  of 
God,  which  is  His  living  temple,  His  people  being  built  upon,  founded 
upon,  the  foimdations  of  the  apostles  and  prophets ;  Jesus  Christ  himself 
the  chief  corner  stone.  And  to  measuie  the  temple  is  to  take  account 
of  it,  and  to  test  it  as  to  what  it  really  is.  Now,  the  question  arises, 
what  was  the  great,  the  reigning  characteristic  of  the  temple  of  old  ? 
The  ruling  characteristic  of  the  temple  of  old,  which  was  a  type  of  the 
church  of  God,  was  that  of  holiness.  There  were  two  reasons  why 
that  temple  was  called  holy ;  first,  because  God  dwelt  in  it ;  and  secondly, 
because  it  was  built  for  a  holy  use.  And  so  the  church  of  Grod  is  holy ; 
God  dwells  in  it ;  and  that  church  is  devoted,  consecrated  to  God.  To 
measure  it,  therefore,  is  to  put  it  to  the  test,  and  to  ascertain  its  great 
characteristic — that  of  holiness.  Forty-third  chapter  of  Ezekiel  and  the 
twelfth  verse — "  This  is  the  law  of  the  house ;"  what  is  here  called 
measurement  is  there  called  law ;  "  This  is  the  law  of  the  house ;  upon 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  the  whole  limit  thereof  ix)und  about  shall  be 
most  holy.  Behold,  this  is  the  law  of  the  house."  The  temple  of  God, 
therefore,  is  distinguished  from  all  others  by  being  holy.  But  how  is 
the  church  of  God  holy?  Jesus  Christ  having  put  away  sin  by  the 
sacrifice  of  himself.  He  presents  thereby  the  church  holy,  without  spot, 
without  blemish,  or  any  such  thing.  That  is  the  church,  the  temple, 
that  God  dwells  in.  And  it  is  a  matter  of  essential  importance  we 
.should  understand  this  doctrine  ;  if  we  do  not  understand  this  particular 
scripture,  it  is  a  matter  of  essential  importance  that  we  should  under- 
stand this  doctrine  of  the  law  of  the  house ;  for  we  never  can  be  accept- 
ably holy  before  God  but  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  by  the  righteousness 
of  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God  bringing  us  into  vital 
oneness  with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Holiness,  then,  will  include  every- 
thing  that  God  approves,  and  will  inchide,  as  leading  to,  all  the  blessings 
of  the  everlasting  Gospel.  Therefore,  to  take  account  of  the  temple  of 
God,  is  to  remember  that  the  church  of  God  is  thus  holy  by  the  sacrifice 
of  Christ,  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  by  the  in-dwelling  of  the 
blessed  God.     This  is  what  I  understand  by  this  mystic  measurement. 

Then  we  are  reminded  of  the  altar ;  we  are  also  to  measure  the 
iiltar.  The  altar,  of  course,  carries  us  to  the  sacrifice  of  Christ ;  and 
we  are  to  test  the  sacrifice  by  which  we  expect  to  go  to  heaven  by  the 
truth  of  God.  What  is  the  kind  of  sacrifice  that  I  have  got  hold  of  in 
my  profession  ?  What  is  the  kind  of  sacrifice  by  which  I  come  before 
God  ?     Is  it  that  which  the  scriptures  'set  before  us,  namely,  that  He 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  21 

hath  by  His  one  offering  for  ever  perfected  all  them  that  the  Lord  hath 
chosen?  If  this  be  the  sacrifice,  hereby  bringing  the  soul  into  love  with 
Gcd,  by  the  perfection  of  the  priesthood  of  Christ,  and  consequently  the 
eternity  of  that  priesthood,  then  I  am  approaching  Grod  by  the  right 
altar,  by  the  right  sacrifice.  And  thus  we  are  by  the  word  of  God  to 
put  all  the  ])arts  of  our  religion  to  the  test. 

And  then,  after  noticing  the  church  of  God  in  a  corporate  form,  or  in 
an  architectural  form,  as  the  temple,  and  then  the  altar  as  the  way  into 
that  church,  the  apostle  is  directed  to  the  people  individually ; 

"  And  them  that  worship  therein." 

That  is,  that  worship  in  the  temple  :  that  is,  in  the  church  of  God. 
When  a  soul  is  regenerated,  that  brings  the  soul  into  the  church  of  God ; 
And  such  persons  are  to  be  tested  as  to  their  worship.  Is  their  worship 
by  that  faith  that  purifies  the  heart,  is  their  worship  by  that 
feith  that  works  by  the  love  of  the  truth  1  If  so,  then  here  we 
have  the  right  temple,  consequently,  the  right  altar  :  here  we  have  the 
right  altar,  consequently,  the  right  way  to  God ;  here  we  have  the  right 
people,  and  consequently  delivered  thus  from  delusion.  This  I  believe  to 
be  the  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  this  verse ;  but  I  do  not  of  course 
pretend,  the  Lord  forbid  I  ever  should  while  on  this  side  Jordan,  to  be 
infallible  in  my  opinions ;  I  simply  state  these  things,  and  most  delight- 
ful truths  they  are.  When  we  look  at  the  church  of  God  as  set  forth 
in  Solomon's  Song,  and  here  indicated ;  when  we  look  at  the  altar  of  God 
as  the  way  to  €k)d  ;  when  we  look  at  the  people  of  God  as  distinguished 
by  the  grace  of  God  from  all  other  people,  it  presents  the  Lord  in  all 
those  forms  of  love  and  mercy  that  draw  our  souls  out  to  Him,  make 
His  ways  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  His  paths  everlasting  peace. 

**  But  the  court  which  is  without  the  temjile  leave  out,  and  measure  it  not ;  for  it  is  given 
unto  the  Gentiles ;  and  the  holy  city  shall  they  tread  under  foot  forty  and  two 
months." 

Now  here's  a  temple,  and  here's  a  court  excluded  from  that  temple. 
What  court  is  this  excluded  from  the  temple  ]  Bather  ask  the  question, 
what  is  the  temple  1  Answer — the  new  covenant  church.  What  is  the 
court  left  out?  The  Mosaic  dispensation,  the  Levitical  services, 
ceremonies,  and  economy ;  that's  the  court  that  was  left  out ;  and  that 
court,  the  Jewish  court,  was  excluded  from  the  new  covenant,  from  the 
new  testament ;  though  there  were  plenty  in  the  apostle's  days  laboured 
to  make  this  old  court  a  part  of  the  new  temple  ;  saying,  •*  Unless  you 
are  circumcised,  keep  the  law  of  Moses,  you  cannot  be  saved."  But  the 
apostle  pronounced  a  curse  upon  an  angel  even,  that  should  join  that 
together  which  God  had  put  asunder:  knowing  that  in  joining  that 
together  which  God  had  put  asunder  they  would  put  that  asunder  that 
God  had  joined  together.  Thus,  I  take  the  court,  then,  to  be  the 
Levitical  dispensation,  that's  left  out.  Secondly,  the  court  means,  also, 
in  addition  to  that,  the  empty  professing  world,  that  profess  the  name 
of  Qtod  and  of  Christ,  but  are  at  the  same  time  ignorant  of  and  in  enmity 
to  God's  truth.  This  is  given  to  the  Gentiles  ;  God  is  not  in  it ;  God 
has  given  it  up  to  the  devil. 
"And  the  holy  city;" 
here  the  church  of  God  is  called  city ; 


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22  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 1866. 

^^  Shall  tliey  tread  under  foot  forty  and  two  months." 

Aad  80  they  have  done;  Jesus  Christ  has  from  that  day  to 
this,  in  some  shape,  foi*m,  or  another,  both  by  the  profane  and  empty 
professing  "world,  been  trodden  under  foot,  and  the  practices  of  men  show 
that  they  count  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  a  common  thing,  and  that 
they  do  despite  to  the  Spirit  of  his  grace ;  and  that  they  hate  his  people, 
that  they  tread  them  under  foot  as  far  as  they  can ;  and  thus  the  holy 
city,  the  true  city  of  the  blessed  God,  is  hated.  But  not  so  by  the 
citizens  of  heaven,  no ;  they  are  brought  out  of  the  outer  court  into  the 
inner  court,  and  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  have  boldness  to  enter  into 
the  Holy  of  Holies ;  they  recognise  her  foundations,  they  glory  in  her 
jasper  walls,  they  enter  in  at  the  gates  (if  righteousness,  they  are  met  by 
the  smiles  of  the  Most  High,  that  shine  upon  them  by  His  gloriotis 
presence  as  that  sun  that  will  never  set;  where  they  have  start),  pro- 
phetic and  apostolic,  that  will  go  shining  on,  and  that  for  ever  and  ever. 

Nov  the  Gentiles  are  to  tread  this  people,  this  city,  imder  foot  forty 
and  two  months.  I  love  human  learning  in  its  place  ;  and  a  paper  so 
called  the  **  Christian  World  "  has  made  a  great  mistake  in  representing 
myself,  and  representing  us  all,  as  despising  human  learning,  and  saying 
that  human  learning  is  worse  than  nothing.  Why,  there's  no  class  of 
people  in  the  world  stand  farther  from  such  a  sentiment  than  we  do ; 
but  at  the  same  time,  when  human  learning  is  substituted  for  the  scrip- 
tures, and  put  into  the  place  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  divine  teaching  is 
set  aside  to  make  way  for  human  teaching,  that  we  think  to  be  an  abuse 
of  human  learning,  that  we  think  to  be  a  prostitution  of  human  learn- 
ing, as  made  a  wrong  use  of.  In  its  place  it  is  of  great  importance  ;  and 
the  more  every  man  knows  of  his  own  business,  the  more  learned  man 
he  is.  People  sometimes  think  a  man  is  not  a  learned  man  because  he  is 
not  learned  in  literature.  A  really  learned  man  is  a  man  that  under- 
stands his  own  business.  Why,  the  man  that  can  make  the  best  shoe, 
and  the  best  hat,  and  the  best  coat,  or  whatever  his  business  may  be,  and 
thoroughly  understands  it,  that's  the  learned  man  ;  that's  real  learning; 
real  learning  consists  in  imderstanding  your  own  business,  thoroughly 
imderstanding  it,  and  real  wisdom  consists  in  attending  punctually  to  it. 
So  then,  if  men  will  speak  of  us,  take  notice  of  us,  as  they  condescend 
to  do,  I  wish  they  would  give  us  a  little  justice,  that's  all ;  we  want  no 
mercy,  not  a  particle ;  only  a  little  justice,  we  can't  expect  much  of  that. 
But  the  remark  I  was  going  to  make  is  this ; — ^human  learning  has 
laboured  hard,  and  no  doubt  sincerely,  to  explain  to  us  what  is  meant  by 
these  forty  and  two  months ;  which  you  will  perceive  is  the  same  period 
of  time  as  the  1260  days ;  the  same  period  of  time  as  three  years  and  a 
half.  Let  us  then,  friends—I  shall  for  myself,  you  must  choose  for  your- 
selves— I  shall  understand  the  forty  and  two  months  to  mean  a  long 
period,  one  of  those  seasons  which  God  has  kept  in  BKs  own  power,  and 
which  it  is  not  for  us  to  know.  We  know  not  when  it  b^an,  we  know 
not  when  it  will  end ;  but  we  do  know  one  thing,  that  it  does  denote 
the  limitation  of  the  enemy.  He  is  thus  to  go  on  treading  down  the 
holy  city  for  so  long ;  and  when  he  gets  to  the  end  of  the  forty  and  two 
months — when  that  will  be  I  don't  know,  and  if  I  did  I  couldn't  stop 
him ;  but  the  Lord  doth  know,  and  He  will  stop  him.  So  then  it  is  not 
for  us  to  know  the  times  and  seasons ;  leave  the  Lord  to  judge  when  the 
terminus  comes ;  and  then,  when  the  termination  comes,  He  will  deliver 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  23 

His  people  from  Babylon,  He  will  stop  the  enemy.     So,  if  we  did  know 
we  ootdd  do  nothing,  and  therefore  the  Lord  has  been  pleased  to  hide  it 
in  order  that  ^e  ourselves  may  trust  in  Him. 
'♦And  I  win  gire  power  unto  my  two  witnesses." 

Meaning,  no  doubt,  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  especially  the 
prophets  and  apostles  in  their  testimonies  as  put  upon  record ;  and  it 
will  apply  to  all  His  ministers,  and  as  ministers  are  the  representatives 
of  the  people,  it  will  apply  to  all  of  them. 

^  And  they  shall  prophesy  a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days,  clothed  in  sack- 
cloth." 

There  it  is,  you  see,  that  what  in  the  preceding  verse  is  called  forty 
and  two  months,  is  here  called  a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore 
days.  And  they  are  to  prophesy  in  sackcloth  all  that  time.  I  have 
done  nothing  else  yet.  I  have  been  prophesying  now  going  on  for  forty 
years,  I  was.  going  to  say,  and  it  has  been  in  sackcloth  all  the  time ; 
sorrow,  fear,  trembling,  heart-rending  trials,  a  thousand  trials,  that  none 
but  the  Lord  and  myself  know  anything  about.  This  is  what  I  under- 
stand by  sackcloth.  The  apostle  Paul  appeared  in  sackcloth  in  the  sense 
here  intended  when  he  saith,  ''  I  was  among  you  in  weakness,  in  fear, 
and  in  much  trembling."  And  so  the  people  of  God,  they  have  to  go,  as 
it  were,  much  in  the  sense  here  intended,  in  sackcloth,  indicative  of 
mourning,  sorrow,  tribulation,  humiliation,  and  discouragement,  and 
they  are  to  continue  so  as  long  as  the  enemy  continues  to  be  their  enemy. 
So  the  time  will  come  when  the  sackcloth  shall  be  put  off,  and  they  shall 
be  girded  with  gladness,  shall  put  on  the  robe  of  victory,  the  wedding 
garment,  the  robe  of  welcome,  the  best  robe,  and  the  sackcloth  shall  be 
put  on  no  more. 

But  I  am  taking  up  so  much  of  your  time  upon  this  cliapter  that  I 
must  say  no  more. 


SJk  ^a^^h  and  ^m  thtg  sIwuM  ht  "^tml 

PAPER  I.— INTRODUCTION. 

In  Rome  and  Greece  have  been  found  the  most  deadly  enemies  to  the 
kingdom  of  our  Lobd  and  Savioub  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  a  strange 
coincideuce  that  can  scarcely  be  accounted  for.  Before  that  happy  day 
when  angels,  leaving  the  splendour  of  Heaven,  winged  their  flight  down 
the  starry  skies  to  hover  over  the  little  village  of  Bethlehem,  and  hymned 
forth — "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace,  good-will  towards 
men  ;'*  before  that  day  when  the  Son  of  God  assumed  our  nature,  and 
was  first  seen  in  this  world  of  ours  in  a  manger,  because  there  was  no 
room  for  Him  in  the  Inn  ;  before  tlicU  glorious  day — the  most  awful, 
fearful,  and  immoral  religious  rites — ^were  performed  at  Rome 
and  Greece, — scenes  too  wretched  for  us  to  pen.  When,  then,  the 
glorious  Redeemer  came,  to  erase  misery,  to  raise  the  down-trodden,  and 
to  bring  in  the  pure  light  of  Heaven,  one  woidd  have  thought  that  these 
of  all  places  would  have  rejoiced,  and  joined  in  the  song  of  good  old 
Simeon.     But,  alas !  alas.  No  !    The  fearful  immoralities  that  were  then 

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24  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL.  Jan.  2, 1865. 

practised,  were  thought  virtues  if  put  on  a  par  with  any  citizen  embrac- 
ing Christianity.  There  darkness  brooded,  and  the  people  loved  its  cold 
and  deathly '  embrace  :  Moral  Death  was  King,  and  he  reigned  absolute. 
Under  such  circumstances,  they  loved  darkness ;  they  hugged  it  to  their 
breasts  ;  but  light  could  not  be  endured  by  them.  "  Men  love  darknesB 
rather  than  light,  becatise  their  deeds  are  evil.'*  Perpetually  were  offered 
to  the  gods  sacrifices  that  make  the  heart  grow  big  with  sorrow  to  hear 
them  recapitulated.  What  Sodom  was  in  the  dread  past,  that  were  Rome 
and  Greece  in  later  times.  And  when  the  Lord  came,  to  give  peace,  and 
to  teach  men  that  they  should  do  to  others  as  they  would  have  others  do 
tinto  them,  imagination  pictures  these  dark  places,  marching  up  to  their 
old  Death-King,  and  removing  him  from  the  charnel  house,  where  he 
drearily  sat.  In  their  ^^refusal,  and  their  clinging  to  darkness,  is  seen 
written  in  large  and  living  characters,  SOVEREIGNTY  !  And  he  who 
will  not  see  tliis  must  be  afflicted  in  his  mental  eyesight. 

Some  time  since,  two  men  went  up  to  the  temple  to  pray.  Mark 
the  difference  between  them.  A  Publican  was  an  unlikely  person  to 
cxy  for  mercy,  while  the  Pharisee  was  devout  and  pious  to  the  outward 
gazer.  A  lesson  may  be  here  learned  that  shall  not  be  erased  from  the 
memory.  Great  men  in  the  strength  of  their  wisdom  may  curl  the  lip, 
and  scorn  the  humble  believer ;  but  goodness  does  not  lie  in  greatness. 

'•  'Tis  only  noble  to  be  good. 
Kind  hearts  are  more  than  coronets, 
And  simple  faith  than  Norman  blood." 

St.  Paul  distinctly  said  that  the  Gospel  of  Christ  was  to  the  Jew 
a  stumbling-block,  and  to  the  Greeks  foolishness.  That  the  stumbling- 
block  of  the  Jew  is  fkst  being  removed,  is  confidently  asserted  by  many 
great  and  good  men ;  but  if  the  lame  and  crippled  philosophy  of  this 
age  does  not  resemble  the  haughtiness  of  the  Greeks,  we  are  mistaken. 

A  kind  of  semi-atheism  has  of  late  arisen  in  high  places.  A  Bishop 
does  not  believe  in  the  truthfulne^j  of  the  Pentateuch ;  and  a 
Dean  ignores  the  atonement.  From  nearly  all  quarters — ^in  which  Dis- 
senters participate  as  much  as  Churchmen — ^from  all  quarters  there  is  a 
spirit  of  anti-christ.  It  is  no  part  of  our  business  to  reply  to  any  of 
these  Greeks ;  but  en  passant,  if  any  look  upon  the  Word  of  Jehovah  ajs 
they  would  look  upon  an  ordinary  book,  such  will  find  ample  room  to 
:find  fault ;  but,  if  they  consider  that  the  Author  is  the  MIGHTY  GOD, 
and  that  HE  can  do  whatsoever  pleaseth  Him,  then  we  can  fully  un- 
derstand what  otherwise  would  be  a  blank.  If  all  things  be  rejected 
that  cannot  be  understood,  we  shall  disbelieve  many  things  even  in  com- 
mon life. 

Oh !  that  we  had  the  wisdom  of  a  certain  woman  in  olden  times,  who 
made  her  appearanee  on  the  city  walls,  in  the  midst  of  battle  array, 
and  cried  with  a  shrill  voice  to  Joab,  "  Hear,  hear,  come  near  hither  I 
pray  you,  that  I  may  speak  with  thee  ! "  A  femimne  voice,  sounding 
above  the  clash  and  din  of  war,  suspends  the  attack.  Men,  with  fearful 
visage,  rest  themselves  on  the  instruments  of  death ;  and  a  man,  who 
from  his  appearance,  is  a  superior  officer,  covered  with  blood  and  dnst, 
approaches  the  woman.  Bending  over  the  battlements,  she  interrogates, 
«•  Art  thou  Joab  1 "  He  sternly  replies,  "  I  am  he  ! "  Then  comes 
the  important  message,  **  1  am  one  of  them  who  are  peaceful  and  faithful 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD,  25 

in  Isi-ael ;  thou  seekest  to  destroy  a  city,  and  a  mother  in  Israel."  "Far 
be  it  £ix)m  me,*'  said  Joab,  "  that  I  should  swallow  up  and  destroy ;  the 
matter  is  not  so  ;  but  a  man  of  Mount  Ephraim,  Sheba,  the  son  of  Bichri, 
hath  lifted  up  his  hand  against  the  King — against  David ;  deliver  him 
only,  and  I  will  depart  from  the  city."  The  woman  replies,  "  Behold, 
his  head  shall  be  thrown  to  thee  over  the  wall,"  and  in  a  momeut 
vanishes.  Hastening  her  steps  to  the  tribe  to  which  she  belonged — she 
persuaded  the  people  to  deliver  up  the  head  of  the  son  of  Bichri  to  the 
chief  captain  of  the  armies  of  David.  It  is  settled,  and  in  a  short  time 
after  the  disappearance  of  the  woman  from  the  battlements,  a  bloody  head 
bounds  over  the  wall,  and  falls  near  to  Joab.  In  those  ghostly  features 
were  recognised  Sheba,  the  traitor ;  and  the  act  of  throwing  that  head 
over  the  wall  was  that  which  brought  peace. 

The  intention  of  these  papers  is,  by  God's  blessing,  to  act  as  did  this 
woman.  [n  our  camp  the  son  of  Bichri  has  again  risen  against  our 
King— the  KING  OF  KINGS.  It  is  our  duty  to  uphold  the  did 
customs  of  our  country  j  and  he  who  dares  to  rise  against  JE-HOVAH, 
must  perish,  [f  we  can,  in  these  papers,  remove  the  drapery  that  covers, 
the  glorious  object ;  if  we  can  but  show  that  the  Gospels  are  not  suffi- 
ciently read  and  appreciated,  and  give  some  incentives  to  love  them  better 
and  read  them  oftener,  we  shall  have  accomplished  our  desires. 

When  St.  Paul,  a  lonely  traveller,  was  walking  the  streets  of  Athens^ 
and  saw  that  the  city  was  wholly  given  to  idolatry,  how  his  noble  spirit 
moved  within  him;  and  with  thrilling  eloquence  he  uttered  those 
beautiful  words, — "  Ye  men  of  Athens,  I  perceive  that  in  all  things  ye 
are  too  superstitious ;  for  as  I  passed  by,  and  beheld  your  devotions,  I 
found  an  altar,  with  this  inscription,  To  ike  UTiknown  God,  whom  there- 
fore ye  ignorantly  worship,  HIM  declare  I  unto  you."  Sunken  as  low 
as  the  Athenians  are  many  in  these  days.  A  deathly  moral  stupor  has 
taken  the  place  of  the  truth ;  and  he  who  will  not  bow  down  to  the  god 
Morality,  is  considered  a  fanatic,  and  a  fit  associate  for  fools.  We 
want  to  see  hosts  climbing  the  battlements  of  heaven,  and  there  crying 
for  help.     Who  can  tell  but  the  Almighty  may  bring  deliverance. 

Looking  back— over  century  piled  upon  century — and  glancing  at  the 
beautiful  city  of  Jerusalem,  hearts  *sadden  as  they  hear  of  her  destruction  \ 
Looking  forward — a  few  short  years  perhaps — and  that  wilderness  shall 
blossom  as  the  rose.  Her  first  greatness  will  bear  no  comparison  to  the 
splendour  and  magnificence  of  her  restoration.  Look!  look  to  the 
brightness  of  the  coming  mom. 

"  Bnt  soon  shall  other  pictures 

In  briffhter  vinon  rise, 
When  Zion  s  sun  sevenfold  shines, 

On  all  her  mourners'  eyes ; 
And  on  her  mountains  beauteous  stand, 

The  messengers  of  peace  :— 
*  Salvation  by  the  Lord's  right  hand,' 

They  shout,  and  never  cease." 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  J«n.  2, 1865. 


^lirLitual  |o^t|tg  and  iu^attiinlj  gl^ssiidjwai 

Bt  John  "Watebs  Baiols,  Chaplain  op  the  Fohtsxouth  CoKnct  pRnoN. 


**  Bleased  are  the  poor  in  tpirit :  for  thein  is  the  kingdom  of  heaveo."  Hatt.  t.  8. 

(2.)    With  this  satisfaction  comes  Thankfulness, 

^  A  thankful  heart 
To  taste  God's  gifts  with  joy," 

is  no  small  part  of  the  blessedness  of  the  poor  in  spirit.  How  blessed 
is  (he  humble  thankfulness  of  Jacob,  ^*  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of 
all  thy  mercies,  and  the  truth  which  thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy 
servant/'  Gen.  xxxiL  10.  It  is  a  song  in  the  house  of  our  pilgrimage 
which — 

EaAos  grief  and  lightens  care. 

It  rises  to  adoring  thankfulness,  the  adoring  thankfulness  of  David,  **  I 
will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord/'  With 
this  satis&ction  thankfulness,  there  is  also-— 

(3.)  Advcmcementa.  The  path  of  the  just  is  one  <^  progreflB.  It  is 
an  advance  from  strength  to  strength ;  from  a  low  degree  of  fidth  to  a 
high  degree ;  a  growing  downwards,  in  an  increased  sense  of  necessity  and 
unworthiness ;  andagrowingup  into  Christ,  intoa  knowledgeof  His  nature, 
work,  and  value ;  an  increasing  appreciatuig  of  His  snffioiBncy,  suitability, 
and  readiness  to  sympathize  and  succour. 

And  with  this  growth,  this  growth  in  grace,  comes  the  assurance  of 
the  poet, — 

**  Tes,  I  to  the  end  shall  endure, 
As  sore  as  the  earnest  is  given.*^ 

This  is  an  understanding  of  the  truth  pf  God,  and  an  understanding 
of  the  truth  constitutes  a  great  part  of  the  blessedness  of  the  text.  He 
who  has  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  he  who  has  been  taught 
and  liberated  by  it,  speaks  the  truth  in  his  heart,  and  he  desires  to  praise 
God  for  the  liberty  it  conveys  to  enable  him  to  walk  up  and  down  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

These  are  some  of  the  things  which  constitute  happiness  here,  the 
blessedness  of  the  text.  But  what  the  foundation,  the  ground,  the  basis 
of  this  state  is,  will  appear  under  the  third  head. 

III.  The  ground  of  their  blessedness  is  "  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
We  have  in  the  text  a  class  defined,  "  The  poor  in  spirit."  Their  state 
is  pronounced  ^^  Blessed."  The  ground  of  that  blcHsedness  is  that^ 
"  Theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'' 

(1.)  The  Gospel  is  called  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  because  it  brings  "  life 
and  immortality  to  light,"  and  this  is  a  safe  ground  of  blessedness  or 
happiness. 

"  The  Gospel  bean  my  spirit  up. 
A  faitiif  uJ  and  unchannng  God 
'    ■    I  of  1 


Jjays  the  foundation  of  my  hope 
In  oaths,  and  promisefl,  and  blood.*' 


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Jan.  2, 1865.  AND  CHEISTIAN  RECORD,  27 

It  was  the  Gospel  of  God's  grace  that  first  came  like  a  breeze  of  the 
sea  over  the  fevered  and  exhausted  spirit,  and  breathed  into  it  the  breath 
of  life ;  and  it  is  the  Gospel  of  Gods  grace  that  still  gladdens  and  re- 
freshes the  impoTerished  soul,  and  renews  it  again  and  again.  The 
Gospel  in  all  its  plenitude,  in  aU  its  freeness,  in  all  the  riches  of  its 
grace,  is  preached  to  the  poor,  and  it  is  theirs  ;  and  ambassadors  from  its 
king  is  theirs,  and  so  are  their  tidings.  I  shall  say  to  the  poor  in  spirit 
here,  as  St.  Paul  did  to  the  Corinthians,  "  For  all  things  are  yours, 
whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or 
things  present,  or  things  to  come ;  all  are  yours,  and  ye  are  Christ's,  and 
Christ  is  God's."  1  Cor.  iii.  21,  22.  Is  not  the  Gospel  then  an  even 
place  on  which  to  stand  ?  Is  it  not  a  ground  of  blessedness  to  the  poor 
in  spirit? 

(2.)  Regeneration  is  called  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  because  by  this 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  set  up  in  the  heart  of  the  poor  in  spirit,  and 
this  is  a  firm  ground  of  blessedness.  This  kingdom  cometh  not  with 
observation.  (Luke  xviL  20.)  It  does  not  consist  of  anything  external ; 
it  comes  not  of  the  will  of  the  flesh  or  of  man ;  it  is  not  meat  and  drink, 
but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  (Romans  xiv. 
17.)  Regeneration  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  a  work  known 
only  to  God,  and  the  soul  operated  on.  ^'  The  wind  bloweth  where  it 
listeth,  and  thou  hearest  the  sound  thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it 
cometh,  or  whither  it  goeth.  So  is  every  one  that  is  bom  of  the  Spirit." 
John  iu.  8.  In  those  bom  of  the  Spirit,  Satan  is  cast  out  and  Christ 
takes  possession ;  the  throne  of  the  world  is  overturned,  and  the  throne 
of  Christ  is  set  up ;  and  Christ  is  enthroned  there,  and  His  sceptre  is 
swayed  there  until  every  thought  is  brought  into  obedience  to  Bis  wilL 
The  ground  is  changed.  Old  things  that  used  to  please  have  passed 
away ;  the  poor  in  spirit  count  it  their  greatest  present  happiness  to  be 
jmrtakers  of  the  heavenly  calling,  ''  Being  duldnm,  they  are  heirs,  heirs 
of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Chnst." 

(3.)     As  regeneration  prepares  a  soul  for  the  third  heaven,  so  that 
the  l^ghest  heaven,  opened  to  all  beliveers  in  Christ,  is  a  further  ground 
of    blessedness.      By    regeneration    of   the  Holy    Ghost,   a   man    is 
made   not  only  an  inheritor  of  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel,  and  endued 
with  a    capacity    to    taste    that    the    Lord    is   gracious;   but    he  is 
made  ''a   citizen  with  the  saints    and    of  the    household    of  *Grod." 
Heis  begotten  again  unto  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiJed,  and  that 
fadeth  not  away ;  reserved  for  him  in  heaven  now,  and  he  kept  by  the 
power  of  God  for  it.     (1  Peter  i.  3,  4.)     His  birthright  relates  to  the 
present  and  the  future.     It  ''  hath  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is, 
and  of  that  which  is  to  come."     1  Tim.  iv.  8.     It  has  both  privileges  and 
prospects.     It  has  grace  here  and  glory  hereafter.     The  poor  have  now 
the  promise,  by  and  by  they  shall  have  ^e  presence  of  God. 

"  There  thej  sliall  see  HU  face, 
And  never,  never  Bin  ; 
There  from  the  liverB  of  His  gpiBce 
Drink  endless  pleasures  in.** 

"  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  ofh^ven." 
I  shaU  now  draw  to  a  close  by  asking,  Is  the  kingdom  of  ^»|T^?^ 
y<mr8  /  rather  than  by  further  declaring  it  to  be  tl^rs.     The  Most  iiiga 


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28  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL  Jan.  2, 18(Jo. 

will  give  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  the  saints,  and  these  are  declared  to 
be  the  poor  in  spirit.         • 

This  gift  is  glorious  in  its  originatings.  It  is  the  gift  of  the  glorious 
Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit.  Heavenly  counsels  arranged  it ; 
the  everlasting  covenant  confirmed  it ;  inviolable  truth  secui'ed  it ; 
relationship  guarantees  it ;  the  satisfaction  of  their  Surety  makes  it  legally  ; 
and  the  work  and  graces  of  the  Holy  Ghost  prepares  them  for  it.  They  have 
the  earnest  and  they  have  the  ^*  right  to  enter  in  through  the  gates  of  the 
city,"  for  they  kept  His  commandments,  by  believing  the  record  God  has 
given  of  His  Son,  and  by  working  from  life  and  love  given,  as  He  gave 
them  commandments. 

I  cannot  apply  the  words  ;  I  am  not  equal  to  it :  it  is  the  Lord's 
work.  We  may  look  up  to  the  Lord  for  His  blessing  :  and  I  ask  each 
one  who  feels  his  need  to  do  so  earnestly. 

I  hope  He  has  already  blessed  this  word  to  some  who  feel  like  a  bruised 
reed.  To  such,  much  is  addressed  in  the  fifty-seventh  chapter  of  Isaiah, 
in  words  unsurpassed  in  any  language  of  earth  or  heaven.  For  thus 
saith  the  high  and  lofty  One,  that  inhabiteth  eternity,  whose  name  is 
Holy  : — "  I  dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place,  with  him  also  that  is  of  a 
contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to 
revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones.  For  I  will  not  contend  for  ever, 
neither  will  I  be  always  wroth ;  for  the  spirit  should  fail  before  me,  and 
the  souls  which  I  have  made.''  You  may  see  from  that,  that  God 
chastens  for  your  profit ;  that  you  may  be  partakers  of  His  holiness : 
that  is  the  end  of  the  Lord. 

He  wounds  that  he  may  bind  up.  He  kills,  even,  that  He  may  make 
you  alive  with  a  life  that  shall  never  die ;  and  He  strips  you  of  defile- 
ment that  He  may  clothe  you  with  glory  and  honour.  Severity 
sometimes  is  most  necessary,  bemuse  God's  love  is  so  great  that  He  will 
not  let  your  alone  in  you  sins,  nor  suffer  you  to  go  to  sleep  to  your 
destruction.  And  the  whole  subject  shows  that  the  contrite,  the  poor, 
the  humble,  "  after  they  have  suffered  awhile,  shall  be  'stablished,  and 
strengthened,  and  settled" — settled  in  the  kingdom.     1  Peter  v.  10. 

But  if  they  have  it,  where  shall  the  rich,  and  the  wise,  and  the  good 
appear  1  The  text  says  nothing  about  them,  and  yet  it  disposes  of  all 
that  heaven  has  good.  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  theirs  !  The  poor  in 
spirit,  the  broken-hearted  sinners,  the  humble  and  contrite  ones,  are  to 
possess  the  kingdom,  are  to  inherit  all  things. 

Well  may  the  &t,  and  the  strong,  and  the  wise,  and  the  rich  in  this 
place  tremble.  Well  may  they  be  alarmed.  I  am  alarmed  myself 
for  them.  I  am  alarmed  for  you  in  this  congr^pition  who 
have  not  been  stripped  of  all  goodness  and  creature-righteousness; 
emptied  of  all  conceit  of  wisdom,  or  strength,  or  power  to  do  smything 
acceptable ;  yea,  for  you  also  who  have  not  been  chastened,  until  with 
the  Psalmist  you  cry  out,  *^  I  am  feeble  and  sore  broken ;  I  have  roared 
by  reason  of  the  very  disquietude  of  my  heart,"  Ps.  xxxviii.  8. 

It  is  broken  not  divided  hearts,  tliat  God  regards. 

Therefore  while  all  that  is  good  is  given  to  the  poor  in  spirit,  I  say, 
with  the  greatest  desire  for  your  salvation  who  are  not  so,  I  say  to  the 
proud  in  spirit — Look  to  it^  for  evil  is  before  you, 

[The  flnt  portion  of  thii  paper  •ppeez«d  in  Tax  Babtbxk  Vessel  for  December,  1864.] 


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Jan.  2, 1865. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD, 


29 


(Sur  (!fki[xluis,  0ttr  ^pastcra,  m&  m\  $toifi^. 


OUR  LONDON  CHURCHES. 

Contrasting  the  state  of  our  chuiclies  at 
the  present  time  with  their  position  when 
old  1864  came  in,  we  see  no  very  great 
changes ;  nothing  beyond  what  might  be 
expected  in  the  course  of  a  long  twelve- 
months. 

The  aged  men  still  abide  with  as,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  Ball,  of  Wandsworth, 
who  haa  recently  been  called  home,  and 
whose  fxmeral  sermon  by  Mr.  Foreman  is 
an  excellent  testimony  of  a  surviving  bro- 
ther toward  one  who  had  taken  wing  and 
fled.  Nothing  oonld  be  more  seasonable, 
or  nsefnl,  than  was  John  Foreman's  "  Order 
of  Death,  and  its  Issues."  Wandsworth 
church  is  now  in  a  widowed  state.  May 
the  Lord  for  her  soon  appear.  With  thu 
exception,  the  fathersare still  with  us — Geo. 
Murral,  John  Foreman,  J.  A.  Jones,  and 
others  are  enjoying  the  promise — *'With 
long  life  will  I  satisfy  him,  and  show  him 
my  salvation*"  Poor  old  brother  Benjamin 
Mason,  although  on  his  bed  at  Know!  Bill, 
J.  WallifL  of  Bexley  Heath,  and  a  few  more, 
are  brealdng  up  house-keeping,  still,  here 


they  are  as  yet 
If  ^      - 


we  take  a  glance  at  the  brethren  who 
are  still  in  their  prime,  we  may  truly  say, 
"They  wear  welL"  Thomas  Attwood, 
Philip  Dickerson,  Samuel  Milner,  George 
Moyle,  William  Palmer,  of  Homerton, 
Samuel  Ponsford,  Thomas  Rowlands,  John 
Webster,  John  Wigmore,  Geo.  Wyard, 
and  James  Wells ;  with  a  numerous  body  of 
lather  aged  itinerants,  and  countrv  minis- 
ters, like  the  brethren  Edgecombe,  Poynder, 
and  others,  all  are  still  in  harness,  and  are 
fruitful  in  their  Master's  service.  To  these 
veterans  the  churches  look  for  counsel  and 
for  consolation ;  and  they  do  not  look  in 
vain. 

For  the  preservation  of  these  good  men, 
the  gratitude  of  Zion  to  her  covenant  Bead 
is  justly  due.  How  pleasant  and  how  pro- 
fitable, we  think,  it  would  be  if  once  in  the 
year  all  these  robust  and  well-trained 
lathers  in  Israel  did  meet,  in  one  public 
gathering,  and  having  invited  and  united 
the  younger  ministers,  should  exhort 
and  encouxage  them  in  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  very  arduous  work.  Such 
an  annual  ministerial  gathering  would  be 
hailed  by  the  churches  with  real  delight 

The  future  hopes  of  the  churches  centre, 
under  God,  in  her  younger  ministers.  And 
here,  in  our  contrast  between  last  year  and 
this,  we  have  a  deep  mixture  of  joy  and 

frief.  The  loss  of  such  a  man  as  John 
6lls  is  a  dark  line  in  last  year's  review. 
We  know  he  had  studied  and  labored  hard 
to  be  a  useful  man.  The  seed  he  had  sown 
in  reading,  writing,  praying,  weepine,  and 
thinking,  was  just  springing  up.  We  began 


to  hear  ministers  say,  "John  Pells  is  a 
better  man  than  we  thought  he  was."  The 
different  sections  of  our  Zion  were  finding 
out  his  value  more  and  more  every  day ; 
but,  alas !  it  waa  tiie  residt  of  his  ripening 
for  heaven,  and  not  for  permanent  useful- 
ness here.  So  suddenly  the  tidings  came, 
"  John  Pells  is  dead,"  that  no  one  could  be- 
lieve it  Let  us  once  again  ask, — that  his 
excellent  widow  and  bereaved  children  be 
not  forgotten.  We  publish  this  month  a 
list  of  donations,  but  there  is  room  for  much 
more  to  be  done.  Our  churches,  most  of 
them,  have  done  well,  but  we  believe  the 
perusal  of  this  note  will  remind  many  who 
have  done  nothing  yet,  that  Christian 
charity  calleth  them  to  action.  We  ask  oui^ 
readera  kindly  to  lay  these  lines  before  their 
wealthy  neighbours,  and  we  are  convinced 
the  subscription  list  will  be  enhanced. 
Looking  at  the  young  men,  three  cases 
pain  us  not  a  little.  Henry.  Strickett  is 
almost  prostrated  in  weakness,  and  cannot 
labour.  Samuel  Cozens  has  been  again 
afflicted;  his  removal  from  his  last  pastor- 
ate, principally  owing  to  declining  nealth, 
has  been  a  trial  to  many.  We  should  be 
thankful  to  see  him  strong  in  his  work 
again,  and  happily  settled  over  a  people 
to  whom  his  mental  and  ministerial  powers 
might  be  a  great  blessing.  Our  brother, 
John  Brunt)  has  also  just  left  his  London 
pastorate,  but  we  hope  so  worthy  a  brother 
will  si>eeaily  be  placed  over  a  church  where 
his  manv  qualifications  may  be  duly  ap- 
preciated. Perhaps  the  churches  in  London 
were  never  better  supplied  with  active 
men  than  now.  We  cannot  speak  of  Thomas 
Stringer  as  a  yoimg  man  exactly,  but  he 
appears  more  powerful  than  ever.  The 
Wellesley  Street  church  is  rising  out  of 
obscurity,  under  his  ministry.  They  are 
arninging  to  build  and  enlaxge,  and  make 
the  room  the  crowded  congregation  demand. 
J.  E.  Cracknell  is  certainly  lost  to  us ;  he 
may  occupy  a  larger  sphere ;  he  may  have 
done  well  in  removing ;  but,  whether  or  not, 
we  have  lost  him.  Our  London  churches 
looked  upon  him,  and  loved  him,  and  an- 
ticipated great  things  from  him.  but  he  haa 
left  us.  Mr.  Wale  comes  to  take  his  place 
veiy  soon,  and  we  hope  Dacre  Park  will 
still  be  a  very  happy  and  an  increasingly 
useful  interest  it  nas  all  the  elements^ 
and  only  requires  a  good  leader, — a  Joshua^ 
—one  who  can  go  before— and,  enlisting  all 
their  sympathies,  and  concentrating  all 
their  graces,  lead  them  on  to  victory.  Our 
young  men  are  a  great  boon  to  our  Xondon 
churches.  Look  at  Meard's  court :  under 
Mr.  Bloomfield's  ministry,  it  has  gathered 
strength.  He  stands  well  He  is  a  uni- 
versal  favorite.  The  lines  have  fallen  unto 
him  in  pleasant  places ;  he  has  a  goodly 


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30 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL. 


JaiL2,186& 


heritage.  AeaiOf  he  is  to  try  his  hiuid  at 
"  Editing."  We  speak  from  long  experi- 
ence, from  painful  .convictions,  and  we  are 
quite  certain  no  man  who  is  the  pastor  of  a 
good-sized  chnrcli,  and  the  preacher  of 
nearly  all  the  anniversary  sermons  in  the 
kingaom,  ought  to  be  "Editor"  as  well. 
Carefully  and  usefully  to  conduct  a  publi- 
cation, a  man  requires  an  immense  amount 
of  quietude  and  mental  strength.  More 
than  a  perpetual  preacher  can  possibly  have. 
However,  we  wish  him  hapj^iness  and 
honor  in  his  new  position.  He  is  an  orna- 
ment to  the  denomination  as  a  minister. 
What  he  may  be  as  an  editor,  time  must 
telL  Looking  again  at  our  ^oung  men, 
there  is  William  Alderson,  who  is  becoming 

3uite  a  favorite  preacher  with  the  people. 
.  S.  Anderson  has  Grod*B  smile  and  bless- 
ing at  Deptford.  J.  Butterfield  penBeveres 
zealously  at  Rotherhithe.  William  Flack, 
William  Orowhurrt;  Mr.  Blake,  at  Artillery 
lane;  John  Hazelton;  Henry  Myerson: 
William  Palmer,  in  the  Barking  road ;  and 
many  other  favored  brethran,  are  all  pursu- 
ing their  commission  with,  good  hope. 
May  the  Lord  this  year  pour  upon  them  all 
a  larger  measure  of  His  Spirit  For  this 
and  all  other  blessings,  we  again  urge  upon 
them  the  propriety  of  united  and  eameat 
prayer.  At  heaven*s  throne  may  we  all 
meet  and  prevail  Amen  and  Amen. 
Jan.  1,  1865,  No.  4,  Crane  ct.  Fleet  st 

MR.  JOHN  COEilTTS  LETTER  TO 
HIS  FRIENDS.  —  My  dearly  beloved 
brethren  and  sisters  in  the  Lord,  church, 
conjg^gation,  and  friends  whom  I  have 
visited,  I  feel  a  desire  to  inform  you  how 
I  have  been  employed,  what  I  have  ob- 
served, and  how  entertained,  during  my 
journey.  I  have  passed  many  woods,  and 
observed  some  crooked  sticks  among  the 
straight  and  well-gprown  trees  in  all  of 
them.  I  have  travelled  many  roads,  and 
seen  some  rolling  stones  on  them  alL  I 
passed  manv  well  cultivated  fielda,  and  saw 
some  weeds  in  most  of  them.  I  have 
visited  several  churches,  and  have  found  in 
most,  if  not  all  of  them,  some  straight,  well- 
grown,  and  fruitful  trees ;  also  some  such 
crooked  sticks  that  nothing  but  the  fire  can 
straighten ;  some  rolling  stones  that  never 
gather  moss  to  themselves,  nor  suffer  others 
to  rest  if  they  can  help  it ;  and  some  such 
pernicious  weeds  that  turn  everything  sour 
where  they  g».  Thus  I  observe  some  are 
like  Demetrius,  who  have  good  report,  and 
some  like  Diotrepheei  who  love  to  have 
the  pre-eminence,  still  in  existence.  And 
this  I  observe,  that  Christ's  word  is  fulfilled 
in  His  own  Church,  which  says  thataman^s 
worst  enemies  are  those  of  his  own  house, 
and  "inthe  world  ye  shall  have  tribula- 
tion, but  in  me  ye  shall  have  peace ;"  there- 
fore the  peaceful  may  weu  rejoice  that 
Christ  for  them  hath  overcome  the  world, 
sin^and  the  deviL  October  24, 1  preached 
at  Whittlesea  and  found  my  ola  and  fast 
friend.  David  Ashby,  their  minister,  in  good 
Crospel  spirits,  surrounded  by  some  active, 


liberal-minded  people,  which  I  gather  from 
the  fact  of  their  having,  in  union  with  their 
minister,  erected  a  good,  neat,  substantial 
house  adjoining  the  chapel,  for  the  minis- 
ter's residence,  which  is  an  ornament  to 
that  part  of  the  town.  On  the  25th  I  so- 
journed on  to  Leicester:  where  I  found 
"  the  Watchman  on  the  Walls,"  on  the  closo 
look-out  to  entertain  weary  pil^rimsi  and  to 
raise  an  alarm  in  case  of  invasion.  I  prea- 
ched for  him  that  evening  to  a  goodly 
number  of  attentive  hearers,  in  one  of  the 
most  commodious,  neat  chapels  that  I  ever 
opened  my  mouth  in,  wluch  they  have 
lately  purchased  and  fitted  up  to  the  honor 
of  that  God  whom  they  serve.  There  is 
nothing  mean,  nor  anythinggaudy  there. 
On  the  26th  I  passed  on  to  WillinghaJl,  in 
Staffordshire,  and  was  met  at  the  station  by 
my  old  friend,  Mr.  B.  Foster,  at  whose  house 
I  was  courteously  entertained,  and  found 
him  the  same  man  he  was  fourteen  years 
since,  when  I  first  visited  him.  The 
church  and  minister  there  have  passed 
through  some  severe  troubles,  some  of 
which  are  unknown  to  us  in  these  agricul- 
tural districts.  The  coal  and  iron  mines 
have  so  seriously  injured  their  chapel  thai 
it  hath  begun  to  fall,  and  they  are  forced  to 
leave  it,  lest  it  should  bury  them  in  the 
ruins.  This  is  a  noble  building,  capable  of 
holding  from  eight  to  nine  hundred  people, 
erected  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  since, 
at  about  £1,300  or  more,  ^d  they  havea 
person  to  contend  with  not  favorable  to 
dissent,  and  worth  a  mint  of  money,  and  it 
is  feared  will  not  remunerate  without  going; 
to  law:  this  is  a  sad  calamity.  Oh  that  the 
Lord  may  arise  and  work  deliverance  for 
them,  for  both  the  minister  and  people 
know  not  what  to  do,  but  their  eyes  are  up 
to  God  for  help.  I  preached  in  their  huge 
school-room,  which  they  have  neatly  fitted 
up  for  divine  worshin,  until  matters  res- 
pecting the  chapel  can  oe  amicably  adjusted. 
On  Thursday,  27th,  I  traveUed  to  Man- 
Chester,  arrived  at  half -past  six  in  the  even- 
ing, and  I  was  met  by  Mr.  James  Green- 
hough,  formerly  one  of  my  deacons  at  Old- 
ham Street  chapel,  at  whose  house  I  was 
kindly  entertained,  where  I  was  met  by  Mr. 
J.  Wright,  one  that  was  the  fruit  of  my 
minist^^,  and  one  that  has  always  been  a 
help  to  the  church  and  minister  where  he 
has  been  united.  In  the  evening  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  preaching  to  a  goodly  number 
of  old  faminar  faces,  who  with  me  had 
mourned  and  rejoiced  together  many  times 
before ;  but  I  had  the  sad  drawback  to  miss 
the  presence  of  some  of  my  fastest  and  moat 
liberal  friends  AflUgtion  and  old  age  for- 
bid some  to  leave  their  residence.  I  visited 
one  of  them,  and  found  that  even  old  age 
and  grievous  affliction  had  not  hindered 
his  firm  dependence  on  his  God ;  he  said 
it  was  painful,  but  it  was  all  for  the  best : 
and  death  had  removed  six  more  that  once 
stood  prominently  forward  in  connection 
with  me,  but  they  are  no  more.  I  am  happy 
to  say.  in  spite  of  that  ungodly  spirit  that 
prevails,  this  people  have  been  enabled  to 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  BECORD. 


31 


build,  and  by  the  kind  afisistance  of  friends, 
to  cU«ur  off  the  expense  of  theohape],  which 
is  a  great  honor  to  them,  Mr.  Smith,  their 
minister,  I  heard  was  very  poorly.  I  spoke 
with  many  whose  change  of  countenance 
and  age  had  hid  them  from  my  knowledge, 
unto  I  heard  their  name.  On  the  28th  I 
proached  at  a  large  room  held  by  a  con- 
verted Jew,  whom  I  hope  the  Lord  will 
raise  up  for  much  good:  he  is  about  thirty 
years  of  age,  well  versed  in  Scripture,  clear 
in  doctrine,  tried  in  experience,  and  full  of 
energy  in  Gospel  truth.  On  the  29th  I 
made  my  way  to  East  Howgrave,  near 
Boohdale,  where  I  was  again  well-enter- 
tained by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ashworth,  who  are 
the  prinoipal  cause  of  the  erection  of  the 
new  chapel  at  Heywood,  where  I  preached 
on  Sunday^  30th,  three  times,  with  great 
liberty,  qmte  revived  in  my  spirits.  Hey- 
wood is  a  manufacturing  town,  with  2,000 
inhabitants,  and  no  other  Strict  Baptist 
cause  in  it  It  was  one  of  my  week  night 
atations  when  I  was  at  Manchester,  and  the 
chapel  is  raised  up  and  attend^  by  some  of 
those  that  were  the  first  cause  of  mv 
preaching  there.  The  collections  were  good, 
and  the  attendance  more  than  might  be  ex- 
pected under  the  circumstances.  I  attended 
their  public  meeting  on  Tuesday,  Nov.  1, 
and  in  reference  to  what  they  might  expect 
from  the  Bishop  of  Manchester  and  Roch- 
dale, I  told  them  what  I  had  met  with  from 
them.  Qod  will  reward  every  man  accord- 
ing to  his  works;  bishops^  popes,  clergy, 
and  laity,  shall  all  reap  what  they  nave  sown. 
I  returned  to  Leicester,  Wednesday,  Nov. 
2,  and  preached  again  for  *^  the  Watchman 
on  the  Walls,"  and  was  most  courteously 
entertained  by  him  and  his  companion. 
Thursday  evening  I  visited  my  old  friend, 
Mr.  Thomas  Norman,  deacon  at  Peter^s 
Lane  chapel,  in  company  with  his  minister, 
Mr.  Charles  Smith,  from  whom  I  received 
with  thanks  something  that  I  hope  to  profit 
bv  in  the  future.  I  jpreached  at  Peter'sLane 
cnapel  in  the  evening  to  a  goodly  number 
of  attentive  hearers,  and  found  that  they 
are  progressing  fast  in  the  erection  of  new 
schools  adjoining  the  chapel,  which  seems 
to  indicate  union  and  peace  amongst  them, 
which  is  one  most  essential  element  of  the 
Oospel.  I  returned  on  Friday,  and  met  my 
friends  in  a  good  spirit,  preached  and  bap- 
tized three  women  and  one  man  in  the 
morning,  and  received  them  into  the  church 
in  the  afternoon  at  the  Lord*s  Supper,  and 
never  witnessed  a  day  when  I  more  en- 
joyed that  spirit  which  makes  communion 
aweet  And  now  I  wish  to  say  by  way  of 
conclusion,  that  with  all  the  kindness  that 
I  met  with,  there  is  no  place  like  home, 
sweet  home !  May  the  dear  Lord  make  us 
an  feel  ourselves  at  home  in  Him  wherever 
we  mav  stay  or  roam,  for  it  is  His  presence 
that  will  constitute  our  eternal  home,  and  I 
cannot  feel  at  home  anywhere  in  this  life 
without  that.  May  His  divine  blessing  rest 
npon  all  His  churches  and  ministers,  for 
Cnrist*8  sake.  Amen.  John  Corbitt. 
Norwich,  Nov.,  1864. 


THE  LATE  MR  W.  BALL. 

Wb  hesitate  to  write  any  memoir  of  the 
late  much-esteemed  pastor  of  the  Wands- 
worth Baptist  Church:  it  might  by  his 
family  be  considered  obtrusive.  We  wait 
until  their  own  tribute  of  ailection  to  a  de- 
voted man  of  Ood  shall  be  g^ven.  At  the 
reo  uest  of  the  Wandsworth  friends  we  have 
published  the  funeral  sermon  preached  by 
Mr.  John  Foreman,  which  can  be  had  at 
our  office,  4,  Crane-court  Fleet  street,  or 
through  any  bookseller.  From  that  sermon, 
we  quote  the  following.  Mr.  Foreman 
said: — 

t*  Our  dear  brother  Ball  I  have  known  for 
a  good  many  years.  I  think  I  have  been 
more  or  less  acquainted  with  him  for  about 
thirty  years  out  of  the  thirty-seven  yean 
that  I  have  been  in  London.  I  was  very 
much  attached  to  him,  because  I  considered 
him  a  man  of  truth.  He  waa  actuated  by 
Divine  principles  to  live  as  he  did,  and  wallc 
as  he  did,  and  talk  as  he  did,  and  preach 
as  he  did.    He  lived  what  he  preached  and 

S reached  as  he  lived.  He  acknowledged  his 
ependence,  and  he  had  support  from  God. 
This  he  declared  in  the  pulpit,  and  God 
blessed  his  message  to  many  a  souL  Ho 
was  bom,  it  seems,  in  Hampshire,  in  the 
year  1791 — the  very  year  your  humble 
servant  was  bom,  onr^  I  was  a  little  ahead 
of  him :  I  was  bom  m  April,  and  he  was 
bom  in  December,  so  that  he  was  just  sev- 
enty-three years  of  age  when  he  died,  and  I 
wasseventy-three  last  April,  but  we  were  not 
far  off  each  other.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to 
call  him  by  ^^race  at  an  early  period.  It 
seems,  aocordmg  to  dates,  that  he  was  cal- 
led from  darkness  to  light  and  qxdckened 
from  death  in  sin  into  life  that  never  ends, 
at  about  seventeen  years  of  age.  I  was  in 
my  twenty-second  year  when  the  Lord 
stopped  me.  He  was  in  his  twenty-second 
year  when  he  was  baptized,  and  I  had  just 
entered  my  twenty-second  year  when  I  was 
baptized,  but  I  wm  older  when  called  than 
he  wfa.  I  think  it  was  about  six  months  after 
the  Lord  was  pleased  to  snatch  me  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning,  before  I  walked  in 
the  ordinance.  I  began  to  preach  by  the 
churches  appointment  on  the  17th  of  March, 
1816,  and  he  began  very  early  also.  We 
have  not  the  particular  date  when  he  began, 
but  he  must  have  begun  pretty  eariy,  be- 
cause there  were  those  that  recognized  in 
him  the  ability  which  they  considered  as  a 
qualification  for  the  ministry,  and  took  him 
by  the  hand.  Mr.  Castleton  has  not  been 
dead  very  many  years,  but  it  was  John 
Keeble,  of  Blandford  street^  who  very  de- 
cidedly took  our  brother  by  the  hand  and 
encouraged  him ;  and  I  think  it  was  the 
church  at  Blandford  street  which  had  to  do 
with  what  we  call  sending  him  out  to  preach, 
that  is,  declaring  him  by  the  church's 
judgment  to  be  at  liberty  to  go  wherever 
Providence  sent  him,  and  he  could  refer 
back  to  the  authority  of  the  church  for  his 
encouragement  Here  was  a  point  of  order — 
not  that  we  think  we  can  confer  any  gifts 
by  such  a  mode  of  dealing  with  our  breth- 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Jan.  2, 186& 


reiL  We  prav  that  Qod  may  be  with  him ; 
we  pray  that  it  may  be  for  God  that  we  take 
the  step  we  have  when  we  give  the  right 
hand  to  a  brother  and  say,  "  Go^  brother ; 
and  wherever  God  shall  open  the  door, 
there  may  He  attend  thee  with  his  bless- 
ing r  It  soems  that  about  the  year  1828 
our  brother  Coombs  was  removed  from  the 
country  to  London.  He  had  been  preach- 
ing awut  ten  yean  at  Horsell  Common. 
At  that  time  it  wasaquestion  among  a  good 
many  friends  which  would  be  the  man  for 
the  new  forming  church  at  Soho  Chapel — 
whether  it  would  be  George  Coombs  or 
our  brother  BalL  However,  our  brother 
Bail,  though  he  was  much  esteemed,  was 
much  the  younger  majo,  and  perhaps  that 
had  some  weight  with  the  neople,  and 
brother  Coombs  was  chosen  the  pastor  of 
that  church.  From  that  time  our  beloved 
brother  went  from  place  to  place,  and  has 
never  been  out  of  employment  He  has 
been  emploved  in  seveial  places  in  helping 
churches  that  wanted  such  help  as  God 
qualified  him  instrumentally  to  bring  them, 
and  in  no  place  where  he  laboured  did  he 
labour  in  vain,  or  without  the  brethren 
thanking  God  for  sending  brother  Ball 
among  them,  as  he  did,  for  instance,  at 
Woolwich,  Foots  Cray,  and  other  places." 

We  have  found  Mr.  Foreman's  sermon 
savoury  and  profitable.  The  subject,  *^The 
Order  of  Death,  and  its  Issues,*'  was  well 
chosen,  well  handled,  and  we  may  say,  it 
is  well  printed,  and,  to  Mr.  Foreman's 
friends,  to  Mr.  Ball's  friends,  and  to  all  the 
Churches  throughout  the  kingdom,  it  will 
be  a  sweet  and  happy  testimony.  For 
three  stamps  we  wiU  send  it  to  any  ad- 
dress.   

A  JODENEY  INTO  .SUFFOLK.- »* In 
all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him.  and  He  shall 
direct  thy  paths." — Proverbs  liL  6.— Aftei 
twelvemonths  of  hard  toil  at  the  ledgers  in 
a  large  mercantile  house  in  the  city  oi  Lon- 
don, leave  of  absence  for  a  week  was  kindly 
granted  to  me  by  the  head  of  the  firm, 
whom  we  are  apt  to  term  familiarly  ^^  the 
governor.**  Thoughts  of  the  village  home 
where  I  was  brought  up,  were  at  once  pre- 
sented to  the  mind,  and  consequently  led 
to  a  determinatisn  to  visit  "  the  old  folks  at 
home."  "The  Queen  of  the  Orwell" 
would  take  her  accustomed  trip  on  the 
following  Saturday,  and  availing  myself  of 
which,  I  embarked  on  board  that  neat  little 
vessel  to  convey  me  to  Ipswich.  The  time 
was  pleasantly  spent  onboard  inciroulating 
sound  Gtospel  tracts,  and  speaking  a  word 
in  the  Master's  name  as  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself.  As  usual,  on  board  of  steam 
IxMfcts.  the  passengers  were  bent  on  pleasure, 
by  which  phrase  is  meant  eating  and  drink- 
ing, jollity  and  carousaL  Here  and  there 
might  be  found  those  who  delighted  to 
speak  of  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  to  hear 
Hhings  new  and  old,"  concerning  the  person 
and  work  of  the  Redeemer.  Entering  into 
conversation  with  a  young  man,  a  shoe- 
maker, and  a  resident  of  Teddington.  I 
found  him  one  of  staunch  Arminian  prm- 


ciples,  and  as  "  two  cannot  walk  together 
except  they  be  agreed,"  we  very  soon  began 
to  differ.    In  vain  I  referred  him  to  the 
law  and  the  testimony.    He  brought  for- 
ward  passages  of  Holy  Writ  which  he 
imagined  to  support  his  theory,  and  I  was 
not  behind-hand   in  bringing  before  him 
the  portions  which  more  particularly  bore 
out  tne  teaching  of  the  whole  sacred  volume, 
and  pointed  to  a  people  whose  redemption, 
and  preservation,  and  final  glorification  is 
secured  by  right  of  eternal  covenant    In 
the  midst  of  we  debate,  there  joined  issue 
with  us  a  young  man  named  Farrow,  of 
Olney:  a  schoolmaster  of  that  delightful 
spot,  and  one  whose  views  were  in  accor- 
dance with  free  grace,  on  which  he  spoke 
and  enlarged  as  only  those  taught  of  the 
Spirit  can  do.    However,  our  united  ex- 
ertions  proved   the  truthfulness  of   the 
words,  ^^Not  by  might  or  by  power,  but  by 
my  Spirit,  saiui  the  Lord.'^    In  the  coune 
of  the  voyage,  I  met  with  a  portly-looking 
man,  but  whose  countenance  betrayed  a 
saddened  heart,  and  seemed  to  court  the 
consolation  of  a  ^^word  in    season."    An 
old  saying  tells  us  that  "  where  there's  a 
will  there^s  a  way ;"  (and  oh !  what  a  deep 
truth  is  implied  in  this  familiar  proverb  n 
so  I  eagerly  seized  the  first  opening  whicn 
OTesented  itself  to  commence  a  conversation. 
The  topics  were  varied,  and  in  which  I 
felt  but  Uttle  interest,  and  managed  to  pre- 
face my  object,  by  the  remark  that  he  ap- 
peared dull  and  desponding.     He  gave  me 
to  understand  that  my  surmises  were  too 
true,  and  that  his  mind  was  not  easy  as  to 
a  future  state,  in  which  his  soul  would  be 
either  in  the  bliss  of  heaven,  or  lost  beyond 
hope  of  recovery.    Tears  filled  the  eyes  of 
the   poor    ^ntleman, — and      understand, 
reader,  this  is  no  contradiction  in  terms,  as 
he  thus  unburdened  his  mind  to  me — "I 
am  placed,"  said  he,  "in  the  midst  of  every 
comfort  this  world  can  afford.    I  have  a 
carriage  to  ride  in,  and  warmly-attached 
friends,  but  in  the  midst  of  it  all,  I  find  no- 
thing to  cheer  me.    I  go  out  for  my  drives^ 
and  enter  into  company,  returning  home 
again  only  to  be  wretched  and  miserable.  I 
Imow  I  am  a  sinner,"  he  replied,  "but  I  can 
find  no  easement  to  my  conscience,  and  I 
struggle  on  under  the  weight  of  this  fearful 
load."    In  my  very  humble  way  I  pointed 
him  to  the  "  Sinner's  Friend,"  endeavouring 
to  soothe  the  downcast  spirit,  and  ease  that 
breaking  heart  After  all  my  sympathies  had 
been  exhausted,it  was  only  to  draw  from  him 
the  remark, — "Yes,  all  you  say  is  right, 
and  has  been  advanced  by  othere  before 
you,  but  I  cannot  take  comfort  from  it,  and 
my  burden   continues  to    press  upon  me 
heavily."    I  left  that  man  with  a  kindly 
word  of  exhortation,  and  intended  comfort, 
but  in  doing  so,  saidness  represented  the 
state  of  heart  of  more  than  one  individual, 
and  having  obtained  from  my  companion 
the  promise  that  he  would  the  same  night 
plead  his  case  privately  to  the  Lord,  the 
conversation  ceased. 

TO  BE  CONTC^UBIX 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


33 


PULHAM  ST.  MABirS,  NORFOLK.-  I 
Mt  Dear  Brother— Looking  over  the  ; 
Vessel  for  this  month  I  was  struck  to  find  ; 
that  *'A  Trareller  from  the  North"  had  i 
spent aSabbath with  usatPulham St Mary'fl,  I 
and  at  a  time  when  we  had  baptizing.  It  is 
not  nnnraal  to  see  8trangenatoiirchapel,for 
scarcely  a  Sabbath  passes  but  what  we  have 
some,  and  I  often  wonder  where  they  come 
fromf  and  what  can  induce  them  to  come. 
Some  long  time  ago,  I  saw  two  strangers, 
and  after  the  service  I  went  and  snoke  to 
them,  as  I  am  sometimes  in  the  habit  of 
doing  this.  I  accosted  these  friends  thus : 
You  are  strangers  here ;  I  never  saw  you 
before.  One  of  the  men  smiled,  and  said,  ^*  I 
am  no  stranger  to  yon,  sir  for  it  is  twelve 
years  ago  to-day  since  the  ijord  set  my  soul 
at  liberty,  under  a  sermon  you  preached  at 
Halesworth,  in  Suffolk."  "  Say  you  so,  my 
friend;  well,  I  am  glad  to  hear  that :  if  you 
had  not  come  andtold  me.  I  should  never  have 
known  it"  "Osir,'  said  this  friend,  ''I 
had  been  in  bondage  and  distress  of  mind 
for  a  long  time,  and  could  get  no  rest  any- 
where; and  hearing  you  were  to  preaoh  at 
Halesworth,  I  thought  I  would  come  and 
hear  you;  and  I  bless  Gtod  that  I  did  come, 
for  I  shall  never  forget  that  day.**  Many 
cheering  testimonies  of  this  kind  have  I 
met  wiUi,  and  which  have  greatly  served 
to  strengthen  my  hands.  It  is  quite  true 
what  the  traveller  says,  we  had  a  glorious 
day  that  Sabbath  he  was  at  Pulham ;  and  I 
bless  the  Lord  we  have  had  many  such 
glorious  days.  It  is  quite  true,  too,  what 
this  ^^  Tnveller"  said  about  my  people  all 
being  very  poor,  that  my  wife  is  auite  a  crip- 
ple, and,  also^  that  mv  own  health  has  been 
quite  indifferent  all  the  past  summer.  It  is 
aiso  fact  that  my  people  are  much  attached 
to  me.  Tea,  and  so  am  I  tothem,  though  I 
receive  a  small  salary,  and  can  only 
just  make  two  ends  meet  through  taking 
care  and  undergoing  many  privations,  yet 
I  have  the  prayers  of  my  people,  and  every 
kindness  they  can  show  me.  It  is  also  true 
whatthe  ^^  Traveller"  heardaboutmy  prepar- 
ing another  volume  for  the  press  upon  the 
visions  of  Zechariah.  These,  and  also  the 
visions  of  Ezekiel,  together  with  other  ex- 
positions and  essays  of  an  experimental 
and  practical  character,  are  in  course  of  |pre- 
paration,  and  intended,  with  God's  blessmg, 
to  form  a  cheap  volume  at  about  Is.  6d.,  not 
exceeding  2s.,  and  as  I  have  many  friends 
who  read  the  Vessel  every  month,  I  shall 
feel  truly  thankful  to  them  if  they  wiU  aid 
me  in  beoominff  subscribers  to  my  new 
work.  I  should  esteem  it  a  great  favour  of 
my  beloved  friends  who  love  my  Master 
and  Ids  glorious  truth,  if  they  would  kindly 
forward  their  names  either  to  me  or  you.  I 
certainly  should  like  to  obtoin  subscribers 
before  going  to  press,  although  I  have 
always  been  successful  in  my  publioations. 
I  hope  my  new  work  will  be  out  some  time 
next  summer.  The  visions,  as  above  named, 
have  been  considered  in  Sunday  evening 
lectures  at  my  own  chapel ;  and  we  have 
always  had  large  -congregations  to  listen  to 


them,  not  only  my  own  people,  but  Church- 
men, Wesleyans,  and  otnera.  I  am  happy  to 
say  the  lectures  have  been  listened  to  with 
breathless  attention;  and  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Lord  has  caused 
a  holy  unction  to  rest  upon  them.  I  am 
happy  to  inform  ^ou  that  I  have  three  more 
candidates  waiting  for  baptism  and 
communion  with  us,  and  who  will  be  re- 
ceived, I  doubt  not,  the  first  Lord's  day  in 
the  New  Year.  I  shall  have  no  objection  if 
another  traveller  should  step  in,  especially 
if  we  should  have  as  good  a  day  as  we  had 
before.  I  shall  feel  obliged  to  you,  if  in 
thd  next  month's  issue  you  would  kindly 
name  my  intention  of  bringing  out  a  new 
book.  I  am  anxious  to  obtain  subscribers 
for  a  certain  reason.  On  account  of  my 
wife's  affliction  I  shall  not  be  able  to  go 
among  friends  as  heretofore.  I  do  hope 
then,  as  soon  as  my  friends  see  the  book 
named  in  the  Vessel,  they  will  at  once 
favour  me  with  their  names,  or  do  as  this 
unknown**  Traveller"  has  promised  to  do, 
get  me  all  the  subscribers  they  can.  In 
conclusion,  psrmitmeto  correct  an  oversight 
in  "  Traveller's  letter."  He  speaks  of  mant 
HUNDREDS  of  my  people  being  very  poor. 
I  should  say  the  avenge  quantity  of  my 
congregation  is  from  250  to  300.  I  am, 
my  dear  brother,  yours  affectionately,  B. 
Taylor.  Dickleburgh,  near  Scole,  Norfolk, 
Dec  8rd.  1864. 

MR  A.  PEET. 
The  elegant  carU  de  vinte  of  this  young 
and  faithful  minister  having  been  forwarded 
to  us,  we  were  anxious  to  know  how  he  was 
led  to  stand  in  a  work  so  weighty  and 
solemn.  The  following  few  sentences  from 
a  note  written  by  Mr.  Peet  will  be  accept- 
able to  many.  He  says: — **I  was  called 
by  grace  before  I  was  fifteen  years  of  age, 
at  a  Wesleyan  prayer  meeting,  at  Coventary, 
Warwickshire.  I  lived  there  only  a  montii 
to  see  if  I  liked  a  place,  so  that  I  might  be 
apprenticed ;  I  did  not  like  the  place,  and 
was  moved,  by  Providence,  to  Tring.  There 
bein^  no  Wesleyan  chapel,  I  attended  the 
Baptist,  but  was  prejudiced  against  their 
views ;  but  God's  power  was  stronger  than 
my  prejudice ;  and  by  gpnce  I  was  led  to 
embrace  views  that  I  once  hated.  Five 
years  the  last  Wednesday  in  this  month, 
(November,)  I  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Austen, 
then  pastor  of  the  Smct  Baptist  church 
meeting  at  Zion  Chapel,  Akeman-street, 
Tring.  Before  I  was  nfteen,  I  was  a  Sab- 
bath School  teacher ;  before  I  was  sixteen, 
I  was  a  ragged  school  teacher :  before  I  was 
eighteen,  I  was  unanimously  elected  by 
the  school  at  Long  Marston  to  be  their 
superintendent ;  there  I  used  to  walk  Sab- 
bath after  Sabbath  for  twelve  months. 
Long  Marston  is  four  miles  from  Triiu[. 
After  the  afternoon  school  I  used  to  wiJk 
home,  and  with  othen  hold  a  prayer  meet- 
ing at  five  o'clock  in  the  ragged  school 
Before  I  was  nineteen,  I  was  a  preacher  of 
the  t^spel;  I  continued  to  supply  various 
chuxches  for  a  time,  specially  the  church 


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34 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSBL. 


JaiL2,1865. 


at  St.  Albaofl,  when  the  Lord  blessed  mo  to 
many,  with  whom  I  laboiiTed  for  nine 
months;  but  by  working  all  day^  reading 
half  the  niffht.  preaching  three  sermons  on 


the  Sabbath,  I  f onnd  my  health  filing.  I 
therefore,  at  hist  was  compelled  to  leaTe 
my  bonness,  and  enter  altogether  into  the 
nunis^.  My  first  sermon  I  deliyered  at 
Two  Waten,  on  the  28id  March,  1862.  I 
left  my  business  June,  1868,  and  entered 
into  my  woiic  at  Great  Wilbmham,  the 
church  mviting  me  nnanimonsly  with  three 
months*  view  to  the  psstorKte;  here  I 
stayed  for  about  ten  months,  drcumstanoes 
preventing  me  from  receiving  their  oall  to 
be  pastor,  and  I  left  them,  with  a  people 
unanimous  for  me  to  stay,  and  vexed  be- 
cause I  would  go;  but  the  chapel  was  pri- 
TBte  property,  and  supported  very  much 
by  one  who  was  always  to  me  Idnd  and 
generous,  giving  me  a  promise  if  I  would 
stay  of  £100  a  year,  and  house  to  live  in : 
however,  my  faith  failed  me,  and  I  departed 
with  the  Messing  of  the  people.  I  baptised 
eleven  during  my  stay  with  them ;  since 
then,  I  have  laboured  at  8t  Neots  three 
months,  and  Blackheath  six  weeks,  also 
have  supplied  other  churches  for  a  Sabbath 
or  two.  I  am  now  labouring  for  Novem- 
ber and  December  at  Shamwook.  During 
the  week  I  have  preached  in  many  counties. 
God  has  opened  pulpit  doors,  I  have  entered 
and  fried  to  preach  His  GospeL** — ^We  hope 
Mr.  Feet's  me  may  lon^  be  spared,  and  his 
ministry  be  a  real  blessmg  to  thousands. 

GLERKENWELL.— The  eleventh  an- 
niversary of  Mr.  John  Hacleton*s  pastorate 
in  Mount  Zion  Ghapel,  ChadweliHBtreet, 
was  oommemonded  Dec  11th  and  18th. 
**  Father  Murrell,"  as  thev  begin  to  call 
him,  preached  on  the  Sunday ;  Mr.  Alder- 
son  taking  the  afternoon.  At  the  Tuesday 
meetfaig,  the  brethren  Wyard  and  his  son, 
Foremap,  Murrell,  Oeo.  Webb,  Meeres, 
Alderson,  and  others,  united  to  edify  the 
friends  assembled.  The  evening's  subject 
oarried  the  speakers  into  the  clouds;  but, 
being  living  and  spiritual  men,  they  saw 
thebriffht  hffht;  and  out  of  darkness  the 
light  <n  truth  pirooeeded  with  pleasantness 
and  profit,  lir.  EUdeton  has  enjoyed 
eleven  yean  of  steady  success.  He  has  Men 
upheld  by  God — he  has  been  strengthened 
bv  the  prayen  of  an  attached  peofde.  and 
his  deacons,  the  brethren  B.  Minton,  Dirrell, 
and  others,  have  laboured  with  persever- 
ance :  and  all  rejoice  together  in  behold- 
ing tnearkof  the  liord  standing  steady, 
and  the  Saviour's  kingdom  spreading.  We 
believe  this  to  be  a  real  cause  of  holy  truth 
and  service;  and  hope  still  better  days 
await  both  pastor  and  people. 

BEKM0ND8ET.— Mr.  Thomas  ChiverB' 
twelfth  pastoral  anniversary  has  been 
holden;  and  ministering  brethren  and 
Ghxistfan  friends,  as  usual,  met  tocong^tu- 
late  him  and  his  friends  on  the  continuance 
of  their  good  work.  Next  month  we  may 
give  a  fuller  rq[K>rt* 


SOHO  CHAPEL,  OXFORD  8TEBT.— 
The  deacons  have  great  pleasure  in  acknow- 
led^png  the  receipt  of  the  following  contri- 
butions for  the  widow  and  family  of  their 
late  beloved  pastor,  and  return  their  wann- 
est thanks  to  the  ministers  and  Mends  who 
have  so  liberally  reaponded  to  the  appeal 
on  their  behalf. 

£    9,    d. 
TheChurohatSohoandFriends  207  U  10 

l^fpiack        -       -           -  8    0  0 

„    Oortattt,  Norwich  -  8    13 

„    Oxowhurst         -           -  8    8  0 

„    Cause,  High  Wycombe  -  14  0 

„   Seaxu,  Laxfleld   -           -  3  U  4 

„    Bennet,Tring    -           -  16  10  0 

„    Landela              -           -  20  17  7 

Robt  Lush,  Esq.      -           -  10    0  0 

Mr.  MarahaU             -           -  1  18  0 

„   Bowe,  Little  Granaden  -  0    8  0 

„    Irish,  Bamsey    -           -  5    0  0 

„   Hollang,  Winchester      -  2    0  0 

,,   Meeres               -           -  4    6  1 

„    Attwood             -           -  5    0  0 

„   Bedhead,  Long  Manden  4    4  0 

„   Foreman             -           •  85    0  0 

„    Banes,  Walsham  Le  Willow    2    0  0 

„    Trotman,  Holloway       -  0  15  0 

„    Hadeton            -           -  12  15  8 

„    PaxBona  Brsntforl         -  4  14  0 

„    Green,  Holloway            -  1  15  0 

„    Frith,  Boro' Green         -  2    0  0 

„   Wall,  Gravesend            -  8    0  0 

„    Mihier                -           -  20    9  6 

„    Alderson        .    -           -  7    8  0 

„    Wells                -           -  69  10  0 

„    Bloomfield         -           •  27    0  0 

„    Marks,  Cambridge        -  12  6 

„    Wilson,  Clare    -           -  17    0  0 

„   Dickerson          -           *  20    0  11 

„    Higham              *           -  5    0  0 

„    Wise,  Pimlico   -           -  8    0  0 

„    Curtis,  Haves    -           -  4    2  0 

„    Cooper,  Wattisham       -  6    0  6 

„    WooUaoott         -           -  4  10  0 

„    Murrell,  St  Neots         -  18  17  0 

„    Moyle                -           -  5    8  6 

„    Durtnall,  Brighton       -  9    8  6 

„    Hoddy,  Horham             -  2  10  0 

„    Wyard  and  Friends       -  8  11  6 

„    MiBer,  New  Maiden      -  8    0  4 

„    Healy,  from  Staines      -  2  10  0 

„    Neville,  Sutton  at  Hone  2    0  0 

„    Wallis,  Bexlev              -  8  13  6 

„    Walters,  Cdnbrook       -  5    0  0 

James  Mot^  Esq..              -  5    0  0 

Providence  Chapel,  Islington  2  15  0 

Dacre  Park  Chapel,  Blackheath  8  14  6 

Mr.  Bowles,  Hertford          -  5    0  0 
„   Russell,  Providence  Chapel, 

Shoreditch              -  5  13  0 

„    Brock,  Bloomsbnry       -  20  12  6 

Captain  Trotter       -           -  2    0  0 

Mr.  Lillicrop,  Windsor        -  0  10  O 

„    Peet  and  Friends          -  6  11  0 

Further  Contributions  will  be  thankfully 

received  by  Mr.  Falkner,  Treasurer,  82. 

Ring  Street,  Holbom,  W.C. 


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Jan.  2, 1665. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


35 


BAPTIST  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  UNION. 
—The  fiivt  annual  Bnameaa  Meeting  was 
held  in  the  Baptist  Chapel,  Keppel-etreet, 
Bnflsell-eqiiazv,  onTnesoay,  Dec.  6th,  1864. 
Upwaids  of  200  sat  down  to  tea,  and  about 
600  were  afterwards  prosenl  The  chair 
was  oocHpied  by  Henry  Cooper,  Esq.,  the 
President.  Mr.  J.  L.  Meeres  asked  the 
divine  blessing,  and  Mr.  John  James  read 
the  report,  which  presented  the  following 
among  other  interesting  facts : — ^The  Com- 
mittee had  issued  an  address,  and  circulated 
it  widely,  both  in  London  and  the  country. 
Deputations  had  also  waited  upon  London 
achoc^ ;  and  the  result  was  that  80  schools 
were  now  in  connection  with  the  Union. 
An  aggregate  meeting  had  been  held  in 
May  last;  prepaxation  daases  had  been 
formed,  for  assisting  teachers  in  their  work ; 
a  penny  monthly  was  just  ready,  edited  by 
Mr.  Stokes;  Scripture  lessons  for  1865, 
would  be  ready  in  a  few  days:  a  catechism 
had  been  prepared  by  Mr.  Milner.  T.  M. 
Whlttaker,  £sa.,  presented  the  Cash  Ao- 
oount,  which  snowed  a  balance  in  hand  of 
£17  12s.  The  Chairman  expressed  the 
pleasure  he  felt  in  being  present  He  would 
not  be  faithful  to  the  truths  he  believed 
unless  he  made  a  firm  stand  for  principle. 
If  we  loved  the  doctrines  of  distinguislung 
graoe,  and  believed  only  immersion  to  be 
■cziptund  baptism,  we  must  necessarily  be 
di^nct  as  a  denomination.  These  truths 
should  be  firmly  maintained,  but  in  the 
snrit  of  love.  A  desire  to  do  this  had 
given  rise  to  this  SocieW.  Mr.  Waite.  in 
moving  the  adoption  of  the  Beport,  saia  he 
rejoiced  in  the  establishment  of  thijB  Union. 
Baptists  had  been  too  indifferent  in  times 
past,  and  suitable  materials  had  not  been 
provided.  The  object  of  this  Union  was  to 
provide  them ;  and^t  needed  increased 
support  from  pastors,  deacons,  church  mem- 
bers, and  teachera  generally.  Mr.  Hawkins 
said  he  admired  a  remark  made  by  a  worthy 
gentleman:  ^*Do  your  duty,  msteod  of 
talking  about  it."  The  Union  had  been 
trying  to  do  their  duty.  He  showed  the 
importance  of  teaching  the  whole  word  of 
Qod.  The  sjpeaker  particularly  referred  to 
the  preparation  classes  and  the  magazine 
just  commenced.  Mr.  Congreve  moved 
the  resolution,  nominating  the  ofRcers  and 
oommittee  for  the  ensuing  year.  Speaking 
of  the  Union,  he  said,  *'  The  day  of  small 
things  should  not  be  aespified."  Most  in- 
stitutions, however  great  now,  had  small 
begixmittgs.  Englisi^en  were  slow  to  take 
lip  with  new  things ;  but  when  they  did, 
they  held  them  mmly.  He  thought  that 
no  truth  was  too  sublime  to  be  taught  to  a 
child.  It  was  not  necessary  to  ^Isify  the 
truth  in  order  to  simplify  it.  The  necessity 
for  a  book  depot  was  also  urged,  and  some 
useful  suggestions  on  the  subject  given. 
Mr.  Whittaker,  in  seconding  the  resolution, 
adverted  to  the  importance  of  union,  and 
the  necessity  of  co-operation,  and  recom- 
mended more  frequent  meetings  of  teachers, 
and  the  establishment  of  branch  schools  in 
destitute  locaUtiee.    Mr.  Tinson  moved,  and 


Mr.  Kemp  seconded,  ^  That  this  meeting, 
believing  that  the  Baptist  Sunday  School 
Union  is  engaged  in  a  p;reat  and  ^dod  work, 
pledges  its  co-operation  in  usmg  every 
scriptural  effort  to  diffuse  the  pure  truth 
of  God  among  the  rising  generation." 
After  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  friends  at 
Keppel-street  ChapeL  for  the  excellent 
accommodation  Tn:t>viaed,  and  also  to  the 
Ohairman,  for  his  kindness,  the  meeting 
was  dosea  with  prayer. 

GLEMSFOBD.— Proyidencb  Chapsl. 
Sabbath  day,  Dec.  4th,  1864,  four  persons 
were  baptized,  on  a  profession  of  mith  in 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  received  into  church 
fellowship.  Tuesday  evening,  Dec  18th, 
a  meeting  was  held  m  the  above  chapel  to 
raise  funds  to  erect  a  pJleryforthe  better 
aooommodation  of  the  increasing  congrega- 
tion and  children  of  the  Sabbath  school. 
Mr.  Wilson,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church, 
Clare,  presideid,  and  warm-hearted  addresses 
were  delivered  by  brethren  Whorlow,  Ker- 
ridge,  and  Willis.  The  chainnan  then 
called  up<m  the  friends  to  give  their  sub- 
scriptions or  promises,  which  was  vexy 
cheerfully  responded  to,— the  sum  of  X12 
8s.  was  collected,  and  £82  12s.  promised, 
total  £45,  whidi  amount  surpassed  the  ex- 
pectations of  the  friends,  as  many  were 
absent  owing  to  the  unfavourable  state  of 
the  weather.  The  meeting  was  closed  by 
prayer.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  then  pro- 
posed for  the  chairman,  which  was  very 
heartily  responded  to. — Dear  Mr.  Editor.  I 
hereby  tencier  my  thanks  toyou  for  giving 
a  place  in  your  valuable  Vessel  for  our 
reports  during  the  past  year,  and  may  you 
be  long  spared  to  freight  her  with  the  same 
glorious  truths  as  hitherto,  and  may  its 
circhlation  increase  and  prove  a  bless- 
ing to  its  numerous  readers,  is  the 
prayer  of  yours  truly,  — Wm.  Mierhig- 
TON.  [We  aoknowleqare  most  gratefully, 
brother  Mirrington's  Und  word.  After  so 
many  years'  hard  editorial  labour  we  trust 
every  one  who  considers  our  work  useful 
in  these  times,  will  aid  us  in  widening  our 
influence. — Ed.] 

GBAVESEND.— ZoAB  ChapbLi,  Pba- 
cx)CK-«rBEBT.— We  wish  to  submit  a  brief 
statement  of  the  anniversary  tea,  and  pub- 
lic meeting  of  the  Sabbath  school,  which 
took  place  on  Monday,  Dec.  12tii.  Nearly 
100  sat  down  to  tea ;  a  good  number  were 
present  at  the  meeting.  Mr.  Wall,  the 
pastor,  occupied  the  chair.  Messrs.  Haw- 
kins, Anderson,  Woodward,  and  Dalton, 
delivered  addresses,  that  told  well  for  the 
interests  of  the  evening.  The  annual  re- 
port of  the  school  presented  a  satisfactory 
statistic,  showing  an  increase  in  number  of 
scholars  and  attendance.  The  library  has 
had  a  large  increase  in  books,  and  uso  in 
circulation.  A  spirit  of  unity  and  love 
exists  amongst  the  teachers,  each  striving 
together  for  the  peace  and  jnosperity  of  the 
schooL  We  are  also  ^lad  to  be  able  to  an- 
nounce to  our  Christian  friends,  that  we 


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36 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL; 


Ja]L2,186& 


have  evident  manifestatioiiB  of  the  Lord*s 
favor,  and  sanctions  of  the  ministry,  by  dis- 
posing the  hearts  of  three  females  to  pre- 
sent themselves  as  candidates  for  bap^sm, 
all  of  them  seals  to  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Wi^ ; 
and  also  one  friend,  that  has  recently  re- 
moved from  London,  who  has  expressed 
his  desire  to  unite  with  ns,  feeling  a  sym- 
pathy with  the  pastor,  and  an  attachment 
to  the  church.  We  would  say,  friends,  re- 
joice with  us,  that  Zion  manifestingly  is 
enlarging  her  courts  in  this  branch  of  the 
Loid*8  vineyard. — Signed,  The  Deacons. 

THE  DABK  PART  OP  THE  CITY 
has  been  illuminated  a  little  by  the  planting 
of  a  Baptist  Church  in  Golden-lane,  near 
Barbican.  The  minister,  l&r,  Reuben  May. 
has  laboured  in  those  degraded  and 
crowded  slareets,  lanes,  and  alleys,  with 
hopeful  evidences  of  God's  Uessing. 
He  has  truly  been  the  instrument 
of  raising  the  poor  out  of  the  dust,  and  of 
lifting  the  beegar  off  the  dunghill ;  and  we 
hope  many  of  them  will,  ere  long,  be  set  by 
GmI  himself  among  the  princes  of  His 
people.  Reuben  May  is  neither  a  learned 
nor  a  verv  talented  preacher;  but  his  whole 
heart  and  soul,  head,  hands,  mind  and  aU, 
are  engaged  in  aiming  to  pluck  poor  burn- 
ing brands  out  of  the  nres  of  sin  and  misery. 
His  chapel  is  called  *'The  City  Gospel 
HaU,*"  it  will  hold  a  thousand  people ;  in  it 
he  has  formed  a  Baptist  church ;  and  on 
every  branch  of  divine  truUia.  he  ministers 
according  to  the  light  given  him.  On  Tues- 
dav,  Dec  20th,  the  first  anniveraary  was 
holden.  A  large  congregation  assembled ; 
and  the  people  were  spoken  to  by  Judge 
Pape,  Mr.  Griesby,  Mr.  Lynn,  C.  W.Banks, 
and  others;  the  Rev.  Jesse  Hobson  pre- 
siding. Reuben  May  stands  much  in  need 
of  the  help  of  his  brethren.  We  hope  God 
will  honour  and  help  lum  too. 

THE  PULPIT.— Mr.  Editor,— Is  it 
right  for  unbaptised  persons  to  occupy 
Strict  Baptist  Pulpits  ?  Or,  for  Strict  Bap- 
tist parsons  to  occupy  Congregational 
Pulpits?  Old  Ipswich. 

[The  ministry  of  the  Gospel  is  a  very  ten- 
der and  a  most  difficult  office  to  criticise. 
If  the  Lord  g^ve  a  man  a  commission  to 
go  forth  into  all  the  world  to  preach  the 
Gospel,  it  is  not  safe  to  prescribe  limits  to 


his  opportunities  of  usefulness.  We  have 
preached  for  unbaptised  churches,  and 
God  has  given  us  souls  there,  who  are 
now  living,  and  some  aremembenand 
deacons  of  baptised  churches.  But  for 
Strict  Baptist  ministers  to  unite  mimsters 
opposed  to  our  practice  always,  to  ns, 
appears  inconsistent — Ed.] 


BARKING  ROAD.— The  Gosfxl  Guidb 
of  December  9th,  savs,— "Last  Sunday, 
the  4th  of  December,  Mount  Zion  Chap^ 
in  the  Barking  road,  near  Plastow,  was 
thrown  open  for  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  and  5or  public  worship.  Mr.  Wm. 
Palmer,  the  minister,  preached  in  the 
morning  and  evening,  and  Mr.  Thomas 
Stringer  in  the  afternoon.  The  congrega- 
tions were  good,  and  hopeful  evidences  are 
realised.  The  ministry  of  Mr.  Palmer  has 
been  rendered  peculiarly  useful  Schools 
are  provided,  intelligent  and  devoted 
teachers  are  at  work;  honest  and  trath- 
loving  deacons  are  u\  union ;  and  we  tmst 
that  a  very  large  and  a  vervhsppy  Church 
will  be  here  gathered  together,  Last  Mon- 
day, the  opening  services  were  continued. 
In  the  morning  Mr.  J.  Inward,  of  Poplar, 
read  the  scriptures,  and  in  earnest  pnyer 
implored  the  Lord  to  bless  the  pastor, 
people,  and  cause  altogether.  The  moining 
sermon  was  preached  by  Charles  W.  Banks. 
The  afternoon  and  evening  met  ' 
very  excellent,  and  in  a  note  fromH 
Palmer,  since  the  opening,  we  find  the 
following:— *  Dear  Brother, — Last  Sunday 
evening!  baptised  six  believers ;  and  next 
Sunday  week  they  will,  with  six  others, 
be  added  to  the  church,  making  a  number 
of  twelve.  We  had  a  good  day  last  Sun- 
day; brother  Cozsbs  preached  in  the 
evening  to  a  large  congregation.  I  do  feel 
more  and  more  of  my  own  weakness,  bat 
one  thing  greatly  encourages  me,  to  know 
that  God  is  with  us.  We  are  well  at- 
tended.* " 


HarriagM. 
Married  at  Jireh  Chapd.  East  road,  oo  Taes- 
day,  Deoember  Stb,  1864,  Bliza  Btednian0  reeo, 
of  Tiondon,  to  Mr.  firettol,  of  Liverpool,  bv  the 
pastor,  J.  A.  Jones,  who  presented  the  bride 
with  a  handsome  bible,  to  oommemonie  the 
ioterestinff  ocoasion,  this  being  the  first  mar- 
riage solemnized  at  this  diapeL 


BAPTIZINGS. 


xnrxsTXB's  kame. 


Banks,  C.  W.  ... 
Cozens,  Samuel  ... 
Jones,  Thomas  ..• 
Leach,  William  ... 
Myerson,  Heniy... 
Medhurst,  T.  W. 
Falmer,William 
Webb^  William  ... 


KAMX  AHD  SITUATIOK  OF  CEAPKL. 


DATS. 


Squirries  street,  Bethnal  Ckeen      ... 

Daoie  Park,  BlMdcheath.  Kent 

Bnon,  Hiffh  street.  Chatham,  Kent ... 
Tabemaole,  Plumstead,  Kent   ...    ... 

Oral,  Hackney  road     ... 

North  Frederick  street,  Glasgow  ... 
Bethel.  BarMngroad  ^.  ZT  ^  ... 
Meopham,  Kent    ...    ...    


1864~Dee.  S8. 
Oet  ao. 
Deo.  a. 
Oct.  SO. 
Dec  19. 
Vov,  6. 
Dec.  19. 
Kov.  «. 


KUMBXB 
BAPTXZXD. 


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Feb  1, 18«5.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


Satubdat  MoBNiNOy  January  21st,  1865,  was  one  of  the  most  foggy  and 
gloomy  days  I  ever  saw.  One  dense  clond  covered  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  and  all  the  people ;  and  danger  and  desolation  seemed  to  surround 
OS  on  all  hands.  I  was  engaged  to  journey  to  Manchester  j  for  that  city 
I  have  taken  my  ticket ;  and  having  endeavoured  to  commit  body,  soul, 
family,  Church,  and  every  other  relationship  into  the  hands  of  the 
mighty  God  of  Jacob,  I  msh  to  occupy  myself  in  pencilling  a  few  lines 
upon  those  memorable  words,  "  For  by  one  offering  He  hath  perfected 
for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified."  Many  times  in  my  small  life  have  I 
thought  upon  the  largeness  and  completeness  of  this  gigantic  and  glori- 
ous Scripture ;  but  this  morning  it  appeared  to  open  wider  than  ever. 
And,  dividing  itself  most  natundly,  its  Illness  appeared  in  four  delight- 
ful branches. 

I.  The  word  ''offering.''  It  looketh  down  into  that  melancholy 
pit  where  sin  has  hurled  man  as  far  from  God  as  sinful  worms  can  be. 
This  word  "  offering**  looketh  up  to  the  highest  heavens,  where  Deity  in 
perfection  reigns ;  and  into  whose  presence  sinful  man  {cu  sinful)  can 
never  come.  From  the  throne  of  God  a  voice  proclaims,  ''  Without  the 
shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  remission."  This  word  "  offering"  looketh 
abroad  upon  the  nations  of  the  world,  and  beholdeth  men  of  all  kinds 
and  colours,  of  all  tribes  and  tongues,  all  with  a  conviction  that  some 
Bort  of  offering  must  be  rendered;  hence,  various  sacrifices  are  presented  to 
priest  or  pagan  prince — to  sun,  and  moon,  and  stars — or  to  some  blind 
and  bigoted  idol,  from  whence  salvation  never  comes:  There  is  a  world 
of  meaning  in  that  one  word  ''  offering,"  but  this  line  or  two  is  only  sug- 
gestive,    rass  on, 

II.  To  the  PsBFEcnoN  of  this  offebino.  ''  By  one  offering  He 
hath  perfected  for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified." 

There  were  five  offerings ;  yea,  more ;  but  five  principal  offerings 
^^ical  of  man's  destitution  and  the  Saviour's  finished  work. — 

1.  The  Burnt  Offering  prefigiires  entire  devotion,  God  made  man 
for  His  own  glory,  to  be  devoted  unto  his  Maker ;  but  sin  has  turned 
man  into  a  rebel,  and  now  he  fights  against  God.  For  Zion's  sake  Jesus 
becomes  a  whole  Burnt  Offering ;  He  gave  HIMSELF,  and  thereby 
He  has  given  restitution  to  offended  Justice,  and  secured  entire  and 
eternal  reconciliation  to  all  His  people, "  The  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall 
bbtubn  ;  they  shall  •  come  with  singing  unto  Zion ;  everlasting  joy  shall 
be  upon  their  heads."  The  Holy  Ghost,  anticipating  the  peHection  of 
this  Burnt  Offering,  cried  out  by  the  Prophet  of  dd^  "  By  the  blood 
of  Thy  covenant  lutve  I  sent  forth  Thy  prisoners  out  of  the  pit  wherein 
was  no  water."  And  from  the  time  the  Saviour  returned  to  His  glorious 
intercessory  throne  (and  long  before)  His  poor  prisoners  have  been  sent 
forth  out  of  the  pit^  and  being  raised  from  the  dead,  having  Jesus 
Chbist  revealed  in  them,  and  formed  in  them  the  hope  of  glory,  they 
ccHoe  to  Zion,  each  one  singing, 

**  Lo!  glad  I  come;  and  Thou  blest  Lamb^ 
Shall  Uke  me  to  Thee  as  I  am.** 


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S8  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Peh  1«  18W. 

The  chief  end  of  their  predestination  by  God  the  Father,  was  that  they 
should  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  His  Son ;  and  as  He  is,  so  all  the 
ransomed  tribes  shall  be 

**  For  ever  with  the  Lord, 

Amenl  bo  let  it  be; 
Life  from  the  dead  is  in  Thy  word, 

'Tib  immorlality.*' 

The  consecration  of  the  Church  unto  Gk)d,  and  her  entire  and  eternal 
devotion  to  the  worship  of  the  Three-One  Jehovah  is  secured  by  that  One 
Offering  which  Jesus  in  Himself  did  render. 

This  perfect  recovery  of  the  Church ;  this  restitution  of  Zion  to  the 
glorious  likeness  of  her  covenant  Head,  was  the  theme  of  the  great 
Redeemer's  prayer,  '*  Father,  I  will  that  those  whom  thou  hast  given 
me,  may  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that  they  may  behold  my  glory." 
Nothing  short  of  this  will  satisfy  the  souls  of  Gk>d's  Israel;  this  shall  be 
their  portion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

The  shades  of  night  prevent  my  writing  more  now.  The  other 
offerings,  and  the  remaining  sections  of  the  text  in  successive  numbers^ 
if  life  and  light  be  given. 


By  Benjamin  Tatlob,  of  Pulham  St.  Mabt,  Norfolk* 

"  And  the  house  of  IstmI  called  the  name  thereof  mamut ;  end  it  was  like  oorisnder  seed, 
white ;  and  the  taste  of  it  was  like  wafers  made  with  honey.— Exodus  xvi  8L 

This  chapter  acquaints  us  with  the  journey  of  the  children  of  Israel 
from  Elim  into  fche  wilderness  of  Sin.  Here  they  murmured  against 
Moses  for  want  of  bread.  In  the  foregoing  chapter  they  were  murmur- 
ing against  this  holy  man  of  God  for  the  want  of  drink.  What  shall  we 
dnnk,  and  what  shall  we  eat,  was  their  great  anxiety ;  and  though  the 
Lord  had  wrought  signs,  wonders,  and  miracles,  in  their  behidf,  yet 
they  did  not  look  to  hun.  Instead  of  looking  to  this  great  and  wonder- 
working Qod  who  had  drowned  the  horse  and  his  rider  in  the  sea,  they 
kept  their  eye  upon  Moses,  an  arm  of  flesh,  and  kept  chiding  and 
scolding  him  if  they  had  not  everything  they  wanted  without  delay.  In 
the  &ce  of  that  flood  of  light  which  now  immerses  our  land,  only  think 
of  what  looking  to  the  creature  there  is !  How  much  is  Egypt  stUl 
thought  off  What  cravings  and  longings  after  Egyptian  stores  !  How 
many  resemble  the  horseleech,  ciying  out,  Give,  'give !  When  God's 
people  look  so  much  to  the  creature,  and  dwell  so  much  upon  the  things 
of  this  life ;  and  when  they  are  filled  with  over-anzieiy  and  concern,  do 
they  not  act  more  like  atheists  than  children  humbly  depending  upon 
their  father  for' daily  support?  What  murmurings  tiiere  were  among 
ancient  Israel !  And  what  murmurings  now  exist  among  Qod*B  more 
spiritual  Israel !  Hear  the  insulting  language  of  Israel :  '^  Would  God 
we  had  died  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  &e  land  of  Egypt  when  we  sat 
by  the  flesh  pots,  and  did  eat  bread  to  the  full."  How  much  they 
were   like  us  I     When  brought  into  great    trials,  we    say,  Would 


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Feb.  1, 1865.  AND  CHBI8TIAN  BBCOED.  39 

to  God  I  had  not  been  bom;  would  to  God  I  had  never  come 
into  such  a  pLice  as  this  where  I  dwell ;  wonld  to  God  I  had  never 
known  snoh  and  such  persons,  for  then  I  should  not  hare  suffered 
Bach  and  snch  things.  But  it  is  God's  design,  bj  all  these  things, 
to  prove  IIS.  Wants,  privations,  losses,  crosses,  oppositions,  and 
persecutions,  are  things  which  humble  ns,  keep  ns  in  onr  right  place, 
and  glorify  God  in  a]  1  his  dealings  with  us.  By  such  things  as  these, 
the  Lord's  people  are  made  to  learn  what  could  never  be  learned  in  any 
other  way.  Ah,  says  one,  what  hard  work  it  is  to  push  through.  I 
cannot  see  how  I  am  to  get  on  :  things  are  bad  enough  now,  and  they 
will  be  worse  by  and  bye.  How  shall  I  live  ?  How  shall  I  find  bread 
for  my  household  f  Trade  is  bad,  and  is  likely  to  be  worse.  What 
prospect  have  I  that  I  shall  clear  my  way  ?  Alas !  my  Mend,  you 
forget  that  Grod  rained  down  bread  from  heaven  rather  than  His  people 
should  starve.  You  forget  that  Christ  made  a  noble  feast  for  numbers 
of  hungry  persons  out  of  a  very  scanty  supply.  God,  who  could  maintain 
a  million  of  souls  for  forty  years  in  the  wilderness  with  bread  from 
heaven,  can  certainly  find  enough  for  a  small  vessel  like  thine.  Did 
not  Gk>d  tell  Moses  and  Aaron  that  he  would  surely  lead  his  people 
through  the  wilderness  f  WeD,  then,  if  he  brings  us  into  the  wilder- 
ness, and  with  a  design  to  lead  us  through  it,  it  is  certain  he  will  give 
ns  our  daily  bread  by  some  means  or  other.  Then  put  your  trust  in 
Him  who  has  said,  *'  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  formke  thee."  The 
chapter  before  us  plainly  declares  that  God  sent  down  bread  from 
heaven,  so  that  his  Israel  should  not  die.  This  bread  is  called  in  our 
text  manna.  Let  us  briefly  attend  to  three  things.  1.  Consider  what 
this  manna  represents,  and  when  it  came  to  the  children  of  Israel:  2. 
Notice  where  it  came.  And  3rdly.  Attend  to  the  description  here 
given  of  it. 

I.  Let  us  then  describe  this  manna,  and  notice  the  time  when  it  came 
to  the  children  of  Israel.  This  manna  was  a  type  of  Christ.  It  came 
frt>m  heaven ;  and  So  did  Christ.  It  is  called  angel's  food.  Not  literally, 
for  they  lived  not  on  manna  as  Israel  did,  but  they  had  a  spiritual  sub- 
sistence on  Christ  as  well  as  men,  drawing  from  him  their  bliss  and 
happiness,  he  being  Lord  of  all.  They  also  delight  to  meditate  on  his 
person,  the  mystery  of  his  two  natures,  the  glory  of  his  Godhead,  and 
the  purity  and  excellency  of  his  manhood.  Christ  is  called  the  hidden 
manna :  none  feed  on  him,  only  angels  in  heaven,  and  saints  on  earth.  It 
is  hidden  from  the  world ;  hidden  from  them  that  are  lost ;  it  is  that 
which  none  of  the  princes  of  this  world  knew ;  for  had  they  known  it, 
they  would  not  have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory.  It  is  hidden  from  the 
wise  and  the  prudent,  and  is  revealed  unto  babes.  It  is  found  hidden 
in  the  letter  of  God's  word ;  hidden  in  the  great  and  precious  promises. 
It  comes  direct  from  heaven  to  the  saints  by  means  of  these,  and  through 
which  they  get  refreshed.  The  Lord  says,  "  I  will  abundantly  bless 
Zion's  provision  :  I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread."  But  when  did 
this  manna  come  ?  In  the  morning,  at  the  time  of  sun-rising.  It  was 
in  the  morning  when  John  executed  his  mission  as  the  messenger  of 
Christ.  It  was  in  the  morning  of  the  present  dispensation  when  John 
was  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  and  saying,  **  Repent  ye, 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand."  It  was  in  the  morning  of 
John's  ministry  that  the  manna,  Christ  Jesus,  came,  and  which  heav^y 

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40  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1, 18»5. 

maima  was  pointed  at  by  him,  when  he  said,  '^  Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God  !"  As  soon  as  the  children  of  Israel  saw  the  manna,  they  cried  out, 
**  What  is  it  r  In  this  lies  the  secret  meaning  of  it,  "  What  is  it  r  It 
is  indeed  food  for  the  soul ;  but  who  can  describe  what  it  is)  We  may 
gaze  on  it,  and  wonder,  love,  and  adore ;  but  to  explain  what  it  really 
is,  surpasses  the  intellect  of  both  angels  and  men.  When  the  people 
saw  Christ  entering  into  Jerusalem,  they  cried  out,  **  Who  is  thisf 
None  can  be  said  to  know  who  Christ  is,  nor  what  He  is,  as  to  the 
mystery  of  His  two  natures,  for  "  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness." 
The  moment  Christ  reveals  Himself  in  the  preciousness  of  His  character 
to  a  poor  sold,  that  soul  in  amazement  says.  Who  is  this  f  What  is 
this  1  What  has  God  done  to  me  ?  Is  this  Christ )  Is  this  grace  t 
Is  this  love  1  Is  this  the  eternal  life  which  God  has  given  unto  me  ? 
'^  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  ail  that  is  within  me  bless  his  holy 
name  !"  When  did  the  manna  come  ?  Why  when  the  people  much 
wanted  it ;  when  they  were  hungry,  and  began  to  despair  of  having 
anything  to  eat.  Christ  comes  to  the  soul  at  a  needy  time ;  just  at  the 
nick  of  time  when  the  soul  says  I  shall  never  find  Christ,  the  bread  of 
life ;  I  shall  die  destitute  of  Christ  and  an  interest  in  Him.  There  is  no 
bread,  no  manna  for  me.  I  am  almost  in  despair,  for  surely  Christ  never 
was  intended  for  me.  But  let  me  tell  you  one  thing.  The  manna  was 
sent  to  a  hungry  people ;  and  if  you  have  any  hungering  after  CSirist, 
it  is  an  evidence  that  Christ  was  provided  for  you,  and  you  shall  have 
him  as  the  bread  of  God.  The  manna  came,  we  find,  when  the  people 
were  in  a  rebellious  state.  "  We  want  bread,"  said  they ;  "  we  are 
starving."  Looking  to  Moses  and  Aaron  as  though  they  were  gods, 
they  cried  out,  "  Give  us  bread ;  we  must  have  bread."  Poor  hungry 
souls,  under  a  wrath-working  law,  sometimes  get  pensive  and  fretful : 
they  feel  they  want  much,  and  can  get  nothing.  Instead  of  looking  to 
God  for  the  bread  of  life,  they  look  to  His  servants  as  though  it  was  in 
their  power  to  supply  their  wants.  Yes,  the  people  are  discontented, 
hungry,  and  thirsty,  and  poor  Moses  and  Aaron  must  stand  in  the  place 
of  God  and  be  accountable  for  everything.  They  look  to  the  servant 
before  they  look  to  the  Master.  God  sent  down  t^e  manna  in  the  very 
face  of  the  people's  rebellion;  and  Christ  generally  comes  when  the 
soul  is  all  conftusion,  and  while  fretting  and  murmuring  against  God ; 
yea,  Christ  comes  and  makes  peace  in  the  midst  of  war,  he  stills  the 
tempest  within,  makes  a  calm,  and  settles  the  soul  in  peace. 

{To  be  eorUtnued.) 


THE  GOSPEL. 
MMB9  WRnmr  after  hsakino  a  sermon  preached  nr  TRnfirr  chafel,  FLTMorm, 

ON  THE  GOaFBL  OF  CHRIBT|   BT  THE  BbV.  B.  B.  WaLE. 


**  Qod*8  spell— the  thriUing  leason 

The  flcholaxs  leam  ftbove, 
Taught  in  the  Holy  Bible 

In  simple  words  of  love ; 
The  alphabet  of  heaven 

And  grammar  of  the  skies, 
Wherain  Christ's  little  children 

Ponder  with  earnest  eyes. 

"  Qod^B  spell"— 4he  charm  of  Jesus 
To  strengthen  trembling  feet, 

And  guide  them  in  the  pathway 
Beside  the  mercy  seat : 
Westoa-enper-Mare. 


The  amulet  of  beauty 

We  carelessly  possess, 
Foigetful  of  its  giory, 

Bund  to  its  loveliness. 

*«Ood's  speir-^the  book  of  wisdom, 

The  poems  suns  by  saiata. 
Psalms  bright  with  hallelujahs 

Or  mingled  with  oomplamts ; 
The  life  of  our  Bedeemer 

Spelt  out  our  charm  to  be ; — 
Qod  grant  its  angel  authors 

At  nome  our  eyes  may  see ! 

Edwasd  Bbownk. 

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PeK  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  41 


GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BY     MB.      ALFRED     PEET,    OF     SHARKBROOK. 

**  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  renuun,  that  nothing  be  lost**— John  yi.  12. 

1. — We  cannot  expect  too  much  from  Ood,  nor  too  little  from  man. 

2. — The  more  grace  we  have,  the  more  sin  we  feel ;  and  the  more 
fidn  is  felt,  the  closer  we  cleave  to  Christ,  and  the  more  predoos  is  Chiist 
and  His  grace  unto  U8« 

3. — Afflictions  are  blfwngs,  when  we  can  bless  Qod  for  afflictions. 

4. — ^The  everlasting  covenant  made  between  the  ever  blessed  Trinity 
is  full  of  shalls  and  wills.  It  is  well  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure.  For 
a  man  then  to  throw  his  ifs  and  buts  against  it,  is  folly  in  the  extreme. 

6. — Some  cannot  say  much  for  Christ ;  yet,  through  the  sufficiency 
of  His  grace,  they  are  enabled  to  do  much  for  Him. 

6. — He  is  no  man  who  needs  no  mending. 

7. — We  may  know  what  God  intends  for  us,  by  what  He  hath 
wrought  in  us. 

8. — I  would  rather  hear  an  uneducated  man  preach  the  truth,  than 
an  educated  one  error. 

9. — Better  is  a  little  light  from  God,  with  much  inward  and  spirit- 
ual power,  than  great  knowledge  of  Gospel  doctrines,  with  a  soul  un- 
sanctified  and  a  lifeless  heart. 

10. — Fear  God  for  His  power,  trust  Him  for  His  wisdom,  love  Him 
for  His  goodness,  praise  Him  for  His  greatness,  believe  Him  for  His 
faithfulness,  and  adore  Him  for  His  holiness. 

1 1. — If  thou  canst  sit  at  home  quiet  and  contented,  when  there  is 
an  opportunity  of  going  to  the  house  of  God,  it  is  a  sure  mark  of  a  sickly 
soul,  nor  will  thy  Father  spare  the  rod. 

12. — If  the  love  of  God  sets  us  on  to  work,  the  God  of  love  will 
pay  us  our  wages. 

13. — ^Unbelief  brings  in  discontent;  but  soon  as  confidence  grows 
strong,  and  Christ  is  again  enjoyed,  contentment  takes  its  place. 

14. — As  whole  sinners  we  need  a  whole  Saviour,  and  a  whole 
Saviour  will  have  a  whole  heart. 

15. — We  hated  God  without  a  cause,  and  He  loved  us  without  a 
cause. 

16. — ^They  that  deny  themselves  for  Christ,  shall  enjoy  themselves 
in  Christ. 

1 7. — Christ  was  the  great  promise  of  the  Old  Testament,  the  Spirit 
is  the  great  promise  of  the  New. 

13. — Ct^ess  walkers  are  in  the  general  complaining  souls. 

19. — He  that  is  most  conscious  of  his  own  weakness,  will  lean  most 
on  his  blessed  Lord. 

20. — He  that  gets  nearest  to  the  Lord  is  farthest  from  the  world, 
Satan,  and  self. 


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42  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1, 1866. 


[THE  LATE  JOHN  WABBUBTOITS  OLD  TEXT.] 

[The  following  be&ntifiil  memorial  has  long  been  in  onr  hands.  We  tnist  its  insertion 
will  prove  useful  and  trolj  comforting  to  many.  It  proceeds  from  a  mind  puiely 
desirous  of  oommemoiatrng  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  one  most  near  and  dear  to 
the  writer.— Ed.] 

Dbab  Sib, — ^A  long  time  has  passed  away  sinoe  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  you  preach,  and  of  speaking  to  you  in  the  vestry  at  Unicom 
Tard  Chapel ;  doubtless  you  have  foigotten  me,  but  I  have  not  forgotten 
you,  nor  do  I  think  I  ever  can,  for  I  trust  the  precious  truths  which 
I  have  been  privileged  to  hear  you  preach  have  been  blest  to  my  soul ; 
and  I  have  ever  felt  a  deep  and  sincere  attachment  to  you  for  your  work's 
sake,  from  the  first  time  I  heard  you  when  you  came  into  this  part  of 
the  country  many  years  ago,  when  I  was  a  child. 

My  object  in  writing  to  you  now,  is  to  give  you  a  short  account  of 
my  dear  and  much  beloved  mother,  whom  God,  in  His  infinite  wisdom, 
saw  fit  to  remove  from  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow  to  be  for  ever  with 
Himself:  her  happy  spirit  winged  its  way  to  the  mansions  before  pre- 
pared for  her  early  on  Wednesday  morning,  December  the  9th,  1863,  in. 
the  73rd  year  of  her  age. 

Her  name  was  Ann  Smith.  Perhaps  you  may  remember  speaking 
to  her  when  at  Sherborne,  at  the  late  Mr.  Minifie's  house. 

She  was  called  by  grace  in  early  life  under  the  ministry  of  the 
Bev.  Mr.  Evans,  in  the  Church  of  England.  She  had  many  serious 
impressions  before ;  and  more  especially  when  it  pleased  Qod  to  remove 
from  her  her  beloved  mother.  I  have  heard  her  tell  how  many  precious 
promises  were  brought  to  her  mind  when  she  was  cast  down,  though  she 
did  not  understand  their  meaning.  These  impressions  wore  away  by 
degrees,  and  she  again  joined  her  companions  as  before.  But  Ood  was 
watching  over  her,  and  mercifully  prevented  her  ^-om  falling  into  out- 
ward transgression. 

In  this  way  she  continued,  until  she  was  led  to  hear  Mr.  Evans ; 
then  her  eyes  were  opened  to  see  what  a  sinner  she  was  in  the  sight  of  a 
holy  and  just  God,  and  to  feel  her  need  of  a  Saviour^s  cleansing  blood. 
She  heard  the  good  clergyman  before  named  as  often  as  opportunity 
offered  :  and  sometimes  she  was  encouraged  to  hope — at  others  she  was 
much  disfcressed  by  reason  of  what  she  felt  within. 

Cn  the  order  of  a  kind  Providence,  the  late  Mr.  Warburton  went  to 
Yeovil ;  she  with  others,  went  to  hear  him,  and  did  hear  him  to  the 
satisfaction  of  her  soul.  Mr.  W,  took  for  his  text,  '^  Fear  not,  worm 
Jacob,"  &c,  I  have  many  times  heard  her  tell  of  the  happiness  she  then 
enjoyed  ^though  this  took  place  before  I  was  bom).  But  douds  appeared 
afterwaras ;  ^e  was  led  to  doubt  the  reality  of  what  she  had  felt.  I 
have  heard  her  relate  the  pleasure  she  experienced  in  hearing  the  late 
Bev.  David  Denham  preach  one  sermon  from  these  words,  ''Feed  the  flock 
-of  slaughter." 

She  had  a  large  family— eight  in  number,  and  had  to  wade  through 


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Feb.  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  48 

%  series  of  afflictions.  Affliction  has  scarcely  left  my  home  since  I  can 
remember ;  but  Crod  performed  His  promise,  and  gave  her  strength  eqnal 
to  her  day,  and  brought  her  through  them  all.  For  many  years  she  sat 
under  the  word  preached  at  Providence  Chapel,  Sherborne  ;  and  it  was 
there  that  my  dear  parents  heard  you,  also  at  YeoviL  I  believe  that  she 
felt  more  under  the  sermons  so  faithiuUy  preached  by  you  than  any  other 
mioistery  except  Mr.  W.  She  never  forgot  you ;  and  many  times  did  she 
wish  to  see  you ;  that,  however,  she  was  denied,  which  I  regret.  Your- 
self and  Dr.  Bell  were  talked  about  many  times  on  her  dying  bed  also 
Mr.  S.  Cozens,  and  when  the  December  Number  of  The  EARTflEir 
Vessel  appeared,  I  sat  by  her  bed-side  reading  it,  and  I  saw  the 
advertisement  of  Mr.  C.'s  intended  visit  to  Sherborne  at  Christmas.  I 
said,  ''  Dear  mother,  fiir.  Cozens  is  coming  to  Sherborne.'*  She  replied, 
^  I  should  like  to  have  seen  him,  but  I  shall  be  in  heaven  before  tiien," 
and  repeated  those  lines — 

**  Ho  more  I  need  the  Goepel  Bounds, 

Ky  feet  b* ve  reached  tne  heavenly  shore : 
I  know  no  imperfections  there.** 

She  said,  '^  My  dear  Jane,  you  will  have  your  liberty  then  to  go 
and  hear  him ;  dear  Charity  (meaning  my  youngest  sister,  who  has  been 
afflicted  more  than  niue  years),  won't  mind  you  leaving  her  on  that  occa- 
sion." 

I  heard  Mr.  Cozens.  I  cannot  describe  my  feelings  when  I  entered 
the  chapel,  and  saw  Mr.  C.  in  the  pulpit.  Memory  reoeJls  by-gone  days ; 
how  many  death  had  snatched  from  me  since  Mr.  C.  had  left  Sherborne, 
who  heard  him  there.  I  looked  around,  and  those  words  caiije  forcibly 
to  my  mind,  "  The  place  that  knew  them,  knoweth  them  no  more  for 
ever." 

In  the  course  of  time,  my  dear  parents  were  led  to  see  believers' 
baptism  to  be  a  right  and  scriptural  ordinance ;  and  my  dear  father  and 
mother  were  baptized  at  Langport  Declining  health  and  infirmities  of 
age  prevented  them  from  walking  so  fiBu:  to  hear  the  word  preached ;  so 
they  opened  their  house  for  the  preaching  of  the  ever  blessed  Gospel.  A 
Church  was  formed,  and  the  truth  was  preached  for  many  yearR  ;  and 
God  has  blessed  it  to  the  ingathering  of  many  precious  soids,  some  of 
whom  have  gone  home.  My  parents  met  with  much  opposition ;  but 
they  were  kept  steadfiist  in  the  truth. 

In  Janmary,  1857,  it  pleased  God  to  take  my  dear  &ther  to  Himself, 
which  was  a  great  trial  to  us  all,  especially  to  my  dear  mother.  Bis  end 
was  peace.  I  may  some  day  send  you  an  account  of  his  life  emd  depar- 
ture.    Of  him  it  may  be  said,  **  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

I  now  come  to  my  mother's  last  years.  In  April,  1860,  she  was 
aeized  with  a  fit,  from  which  she  never  recovered,  unable  to  attend  to  her 
domestic  affairs,  which  obliged  me  to  return  home  from  London.  She 
was  afflicted  with  a  combination  of  deseases,  which  caused  her  much 
suffering ;  she  was  often  depressed  in  spirit,  fearing  how  it  would  be 
with  her  at  the  last ;  yet  those  words  were  truly  verified  in  her,  "  At 
evening  it  shall  be  l^ht.''  For  some  months  before  her  end,  her  im- 
pressions were  that  she  would  shortly  have  to  quit  this  world ;  and 
earnest  were  her  entreaties  to  Almighty  God  that  He  would  merdfully 
fpre  her  a  token  of  her  interest  in  Christ.     She  said  she  would  not  be 

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44  THE  BARTHBN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1, 186&. 

deceived  for  a  thousand  worlds.       She  would  saj,  **  Hy  only  hope  is 

Jesus'  blood  and  unchanging  love.''    She  would  sing, — 

^  And  would  He  hftye  taught  me  to  tnist  in  His  name, 
And  thos  far  have  brought  me  to  pat  me  to  ahame  ?  ** 

Also  another  by  Charles  Wesley,*— 

**  In  age  And  feeUeneas  extreme, 
who  shall  a  einf ill  worm  redeem  ? 
JesTia,  my  only  hope  thon  art, 
StrengUi  of  my  miUng  fleah  and  heart 
O !  could  I  catch  one  glimpee  from  thee, 
And  drop  into  etemi^.** 

She  said  if  the  Lord  would  but  speak  to  her  soul  with  some  word 
of  assurance,  she  should  be  able  to  meet  death  without  fear.  The  Lord 
graciously  answered  her  cries.  Six  weeks  before  her  death  her  breathing 
became  very  bad,  so  much  so  that  she  was  compelled  to  sit  up  in  a  chair, 
and  it  was  then  for  the  first  time  that  she  informed  us  that  the  fear  of 
death  was  gone.     She  said, — 

''  My  dear  children,  I  believe  I  must  vexy  shortly  leave  you ;  I  now 
believe  that  He  will  give  ine  dying  grace  for  dying  moments.  I  hope 
you  will  not  grieve  for  me ;  but  rather  rejoice  that  I  am  gone  to  be  for 
ever  with  the  Lord.  Those  precious  promises  which  were  brought  to 
my  mind  many  years  ago,  are  now  brought  with  fresh  power  and  sweet- 
ness for  my  comfort  and  consolation  on  my  dying  bed.  I  know  I  must 
put  on  those  prison  garments ;  [  must  enter  that  prison  house ;  but  I 
can  say, — 

*  He  has  tasted  death  for  me, 
Now  in  the  grave  no  dread  I  see.* 

"  He  has  said  to  me  as  He  said  to  the  thief^  ^  Thou  shalt  be  with  me 
in  Paradise.'  I  have  been  wondering  all  my  life  how  it  would  be  with, 
nie  iu  the  end ;  now  I  can  truly  say  I  am  &lm,  happy,  and  peaceful  I 
can  truly  say  to  the  honour  of  His  name,  my  last  days  are  my  best." 

I  diall  not  soon  forget  with  what  power  she  ^repeated  that  text„ 
''  We  believe  and  are  sure  Thou  art  that  Christ  the  Son  of  God."  Mr. 
Bell  (son  of  Dr.  Bell)  came  to  see  her  several  times,  and  she  was  pleased 
with  his  visits. 

One  night  she  was  taken  worse,  and  she  repeated  that  hymn  of 
Newton's, 

*^My  soul  this  curious  house  of  clay," 

and  when  she  came  to  the  second  verse,  which  begins. 
Canst  thou  with  faith  surrey  with  joy  ?  "  Ac. 
she  said,  "  Yes,  I  can  say,  I  have  a  heavenly  house.'' 
She  said  one  evening  as  I  was  watching  over  her, 
"  Tell  dear  Harry  (meaning  one  of  my  sister's  little  boys)  that  aU 
my  mortal  powers  are  fedling  now. 

'Oh!  may  my  last  expiring  breath. 
His  lovingkindness  sing  in  death.*" 

Little  Harry  used  to  sing  this  hymn  to  her  when  down  with  us  for 
a  change  of  air. 

She  was  perfectly  consdbus  the  last  day  she  was  alive,  and  able  to 
lie  in  her  bed.  In  the  evening  I  carried  my  dear  afflicted  sister  to  her 
bedside  to  take  her  &rewdl  of  our  only  parent.  She  stretched  forth  her 
hand  to  take  dear  O.'s,  and  tried  to  kiss  her,  but  she  scarcely  could  do  so,, 
lier  strength  being  nearly  gone.     She  said, — 


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Feb  1,  im.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  45 

"  M7  dear  C,  you  bave  been  the  last  I  oould  give  np,  but  I  have 
given  you  up  to  your  heavenly  Father,  and  I  cannot  leave  you  in  better 
keeping." 

Speaking  to  me  she  said,  "  Do  not  grieve  for  me;  I  am  going  home." 

Words  cannot  express  my  feelings  at  this  time.  The  parting  scene 
of  my  mother  and  sister  was  indescribably  painful. 

After  this,  my  beloved  mother  went  into  a  sleep.  When  she  awoke 
I  gave  her  some  wine,  and  said, 

"  Dear  mother,  do  you  know  me  I " 

She  replied,  "  Yes  !  you  are  my  dear  Jane." 

I  asked  her  if  she  were  happy  in  the  prospect  of  death.     She  replied| 

"  Yps,  happy !  happy  I    I  am  on  the  Rock  of  eternal  ages." 

My  dear  mother  then  begged  Almighty  God  to  bless  my  dear  sister 
in  North  America.  And,  after  she  had  spoken  affectionately  of  all  her 
children,  she  lay  down  in  bed.  Although  she  tried  to  speak,  Icouldnot 
'understand  her ;  in  &ct  her  speech  was  gone.  She  lay  quiet  till  the  last 
breath  was  drawn,  and  her  happy  spirit  returned  to  God  who  gave  it. 

I  may  just  add  that  she  was  a  reader  of  the  Ybssel  from  the  com- 
mencement, and  deeply  83rmpathised  with  you  in  your  trials. 

May  heaven's  choicest  blessings  rest  upon  you,  and  success  attend 
your  many  labours,  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  Christ, 

Higher  Sandford.  J.  M.  Smith. 


^hi  dwat  gi|ai[  of  Jii0jjIung* 

ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-SIX. 
WHAT  DO  THE  PROPHETS  SAY  OF  IT? 


IKTBODUCTOBY  PAPER  IT. 

Tbs  experimental  position  in  which  Jude  places  the  Ghurchis  very 
expressive  :— expressive  of  a  fiuth  which  is  idive ;  and  anxiously  antici- 
pating something  yet  to  be  realized: — "lookuiq"  he  says,  ''for  the 
mercy  of  our  Lord  Jbbus  Ohrist,  unto  Eternal  life." 

Jude  exhorteth  the  saints  to  four  things,  which  no  man  can  ever 
attain  unto  without  the  special  aid  of  the  Eternal  Spirit:  Turning 
from  ungodly  professors,  and  addressing  himself  directly  to  the  devout 
believers  in  Jesus,  he  says,  "  But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  yourselves 
on  your  most  holy  £ftith."  This  is  the  first  part  of  the  work  the 
Chnstiaa  is  called  unto ;  and  there  are  three  ways  in  which  this  is  done — 

(Firstly)  by  afaithM  ministry.  Itis  said  Paul  preached  the  fidth  which 
onoe  he  destroyed-^that  is,  Paul  preached  the  glorious  Object  of  faith, 
the  Lord  Jesus ;  and  he  preached  clearly  the  doctrines  of  fidth,  and  the 
experience  of  fidth,  and  the  fruit  of  that  fidth,  and  as  the  Lozd  blessed 
his  preaching  to  the  churches,  and  saints  and  sinners  were  built  up ; 
they  were  united,  strengthened,  and  made  progress  in  the  knowledge 
of  the  Lord  and  of  His  ways. 

They  build  up  themselves  (Secondly),  under  Ood's  blessing,  by  testify- 
ix^  one  to  another  of  the  Lord's  goodness  toward  them.  The  journey 
to  Emmaus,  and  the  Lord  opening  to  them  the  Scriptures,  was  a  won- 


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4a  TEE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1,  ia65w 

deojol  building  up  time.  And  so  when  ChiistiaBS  meet  and  open  to  one 
another  their  hearts,  and  relate  their  experiences  of  the  Lord's  good- 
ness toward  them,  they  become  built  up,  established,  and  confirm^  And» 

(Thirdly) — Private^meditation  on  the  Word  and  ways  of  God,  with 
secret  and  constant  prayer,  will  greatly  buUd  up  the  soul  of  the  child  of 
God,  and  make  him  strong  in  the  strength  of  iSie  Lord  his  God.  These 
things  are  certainly  worthy  of  our  most  sincere  attention.  God  help  us 
to  preach  the  pure  faith ;  to  speak  one  to  another  of  the  goodness  of 
God  unto  our  souls ;  and,  withal,  may  we  meditate  much,  and  be  helped 
to  call  frequently  and  fervently  upon  His  name  ;  and  we  shall  be  built 
up  in,  and  own  the  fiuth,  and  prove  the  Saviour^s  words  to  be  true. 
''  Upon  this  BOOK  will  I  build  my  Church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall 
not  prevail  againat  it." 

"  Praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,"  is  the  second  feature— the  next  word 
oi  exhortation  Jude  gives  us.  The  Saviour  promised  the  Spibit,  under 
one  significant  chan^ter,  that  is,  thb  COMFORTER ;  or,  the  Anvo-  * 
GATE,  as  it  may  be  rendered.  The  Holy  Spirit  prompts  the  living  soul 
to  cry  out  unto  God.  The  Spibit  is  an  internal  pleader.  Paul  says 
three  things  beautifully  oonsoling  to  the  tried  children.  (1.)  He  says, 
<<  The  Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities.''  (2.)  "  The  Spirit  itself  maketh 
intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered."  And 
(3.)  ^'  Hjo  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of 
God."  Take  these  sentences  together,  and  you  may  see  that  true  prayer 
comes  forth  from  that  heart  where  the  Holy  Spirit  doth  dwell — that 
true  prayer  is  the  Spirit  Himself  making  intercession — that  true  prayer 
is  according  to  the  will  of  God — and  that  true  prayer  is  often  con- 
nected with  many  of  our  infiimities,  and  is  expressed  frequently  in 
groans  and  sighs,  and  heavy  sorrows.  Jude  would  mean,  then,  ''  Just 
as  the  Holy  Ghost  doth  prompt  and  lead  thee,  so  pour  out  thy  heart  to 
God,  praying  for,  and  relying  upon  the  unction  and  teaching,  grace,  and 
guidance  of  Gkni  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"  Keep  yourselves  in  the  Love  of  God ; "  or.  Preserved  in  the  Love 
of  God,  as  all  the  quickened  saints  are.  As  an  antidote  against  unbe- 
lief, carnality,  and  despair,  Jude  would  stir  up  the  saints  to  such  a  per- 
severance in  and  contemplation  upon  the  Love  of  God,  as  should  lead 
them  into  that  happy  persuasion  Pkul  so  nobly  expresses,  "We  are  per- 
suaded that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor 
powers,nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height^  nor  depth,  nor 
any  other  creature^  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

I  ask  special  notice  of  one  thing — 'Hhe  Love  of  Gh)d  is  IN 
CHRIST  JESUS  our  Lord : "  the  espoused  church  is  in  Him  too— it  is 
through  Him  and  by  Him  we  go  to  the  Paxhxb.  The  Holt  Spibit 
reveals  Him  to  the  soul,  this  draws  forth  a  flame  of  love  to  the  Redeemer* 
By  Hia  One  OfiSdring — ^when  viewed  and  applied  l^  fedth — we  obtain 
peace  and  pardon,  and  enjoy  friendship  and  feUowahip  with  God.  All 
the  ordinances  are  so  many  doors,  instrumental  doors  by  which  we 
enter  into  nearness  and  get  fresh  views  of  our  Lord  Jesua  Christ  So 
that,  God  having  'Revised  means,"  having  instituted  ordinances  whereby 
and  wherein  He  is  to  be  sought  and  fouml,  and  seen,  and  known,  and 
enjoyed;  it  is  the  very  burden  of  grace  to  lead  us  into  the  use  of  these 
means ;  such  are  reading  His  WoinJ,  thinking  upon  His  name^  waiting 


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PeK  1,  im.  AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD.  47 

and  calling  upon  Him  in  pmyer,  following  Him  in  baptism  and  break- 
ing of  bread,  unting  with  His  people  in  singing,  supplicating,  and  hear- 
ing :  thus  keeping  onraelves  in  tiM  love  of  God,  which  seems  to  me  to 
be  the  Savioai^s  intention  in  that  33rd  Terse  of  the  fourteenth  of  John, 
If  a  man  love  Me,  he  will  keep  my  words,  and  n^  Father  will  love 
him,  and  we  will  oome  nnto  him,  and  make  oar  abode  wil^  him/' 
This  is  grace  for  grace.  Grace  in  its  working  toward  God,  and  grace 
in  its  reward  coming  from  God. 

In  such  a  safe  and  happy  posture  stands  the  true  belieyer  in  Jisua. 
He  is  bmlt  up  in  the  most  holy  fsath  <^  divine  revelation,  he  prays  in 
the  Holy  Ghost^  he  is  preserved  in  the  love  of  God,  and  is — 

<'  Looking  for  the  Mercy  qf  our  Lord  Jesus  Chbist  unto  Eternal 
Life." 

There  is  a  threefold  view  to  be  taken  of  this. 

Eirst.-^The  believer,  while  in  the  world  and  in  the  fledi,  is  always 
subjected  to  the  distressing  influences  of  sin,  and  is,  therefove,  daily 
looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesua  Christ,  which  seoores,  carries 
unto,  and  prepves  for  JBtxbnal  Lira, 

Secondly.— The  lively,  and  zealous,"  and  sympathising  Christian,  is 
loddng  for  tiie  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jeoos  Christ  to  be  revealed  in,  and 
to  be  realised  by  others — by  our  children  and  friends,  by  our  foes  and 
strsngers,  and  by  millions  yet  uncalled  and  unknown.    And-— 

Thirdly  (and  chiefly),  the  whcde  body  of  the  saints,  who  are  joined 
to  the  Lord  by  life  and  fieLith,  am  looking  flnr  that  petfect  and  glorious 
maniUBstation  of  mercy,  that  bodily  and  practically  coming  forth  of 
mercy,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  come  the  second  time,  without  sin 
unto  aedvatian.  Then  will  mercy  and  nuyesty  in  union  appear,  and  by 
calling  the  dead  bodies  of  the  saints  from  their  silent  dust,,  by  marrying 
redeemed  bodies  and  souls  together,  by  sepomting  them  frt>m  all  the 
consequenoes  of  the  flill,  by  talang  them  up  to  be  with  Him,  by  making 
them  to  be  in  gloiy  like  Him,  they  will  behold  the  meroy  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  as  they  have  never  beheld  it  before. 

Here  then  is  the  Grand  Ultimatum  of  the  New  Covenant — it  is 
the  mercy  of  onr  Lord  Jesus  CSbrist  unto  Eternal  Idfe.  And  here  is 
the  essential  and  eflkient  AclAng  of  Faith — it  is  ^  LooKiva  von  teat 
Mbbct." 

This  act  of  mercy  is  ezerdsed  mainly  in  our  warship.  Every  time 
of  prayer  is  a  time  of  looking.  Every  season  of  hearing  is  a  season  of 
looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  Every|hour  of  commemo- 
rating the  dying  and  doing  of  the  Lord  Jesus  is  one  of  looking  after  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord ;  sad  to  the  diligent  use  of  all  these  means  Paul 
exhorteth  the  Hebraws,  when  to  tbun  he  says,  <<  Not  forsaking  the 
assembling  of  yourselves  tqgeth^,  as  the  manner  of  some  is,  but 
exhorting  one  another,  Avn  so  much  thb  mokb  as  tx  sxe  tbs  day 

APPftOAGHIHO. 

This  word  means  three  things : — 

1.  There  is  a  day  of  weighty  buainesB  and  of  solemn  import,  called 

2.  It  implies,  that  tkesaints  do  tee  this  day  approaehmg. 

.3.  It  moves  us  to  a  more  earnest  and  constant  afiserobling  of  oar- 
selves  together. 

There  is  a  day  of  great  business  coming  on,  and  I  haTe  noticed 

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48  THS  EABTHBN  VB88BL,  Febi  1, 1M& 

how  the  prophetic  index  finger  ((B^)  pointeth,  in  every  part  of  Scrip* 
ture  to  some  great  day  that  ahonld  come.  For  instance^  when  Moses 
came  down  fix>m  the  Mounts  he  gathered  Israel  together,  and  he  said, 
"  Six  days  shall  work  be  done,  but  on  the  serenth  day  tbbrk  shall  bb 
to  you  AN  HOLT  DAT,  a  sabbath  of  rest."  This,  in  the  highest  sense, 
pointeth  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  is  our  holiness,  He  is  our  holy 
day,  our  day  of  rest. 

^  There  is  sweet  rest  in  heftyen,'* 

because  there  is  Jesus,  there  is  holiness,  there  is  no  sin  nor  temptation, 
nor  death,  nor  sickness,  nor  sorrow  there. 

"  There  everUstixur  spring  abides, 
And  nerer  withering  ilowen, 
Death,  like  a  nanow  sea,  divides 
This  heayenlj  land  from  ours.** 

Christ  is  our  day  of  holiness  and  rest,  and  in  Leyiticus  xxiii.,  you  get 
this  index  finger  pointing  again  {ffSDt  *^^^  ^^®  tenth  day  of  the 
seventh  month  there  shall  bb  a  day  of  atonement^  it  shall  be  an  holy 
couYOcation  unto  you ;  ye  shall  afflict  your  souIb,  and  offer  an  offering 
made  by  fire  unto  the  Lord."  This  is  the  day  when  the  sinner  looln 
with  fiuth  to  the  crucified  Eedeemer,  sorrows  for  sin,  and  laying  the 
hand  of  her  fiuth  upon  the  head  of  the  paschal  lamb,  and  offering  this 
''whole  bumt-ofiering,"  denotes  her  acceptance  in  the  Beloved,  and 
secures  the  pardon  of  all  his  sin.  Again  in  the  thirty-first  of  Jeremiah, 
yon  have  the  prophetic  index  again  ((ST).  ''There  shall  be  a  day 
that  the  watchman  on  the  Mount  Ephraim  shall  cry.  Arise  ye,  and  let 
us  go  up  to  Zion,  unto  the  Lord  our  Qod*'  And  this  Gospel  ciy 
Cometh  from  the  comforting  counsel  of  heaven.  "  For  thus  saith  the 
Lord,  Sing  with  gladness  for  Jacob,  and  shout  among  the  chief  of  the 
nations!  Publish  ye,  praise  ye,  and  say,  O  Lord,  save  thy  people,  the 
remnant  <^  Ltrael."  Tins  is  the  Gh)spel  day.  Ministers  are  watchmen, 
keepers  of  vineyards — ^they  cry,  expressing  thdr  zeal  and  earnestness, 
concerned  to  lead  the  people  to  Zion,  and  not  to  Zion  only,  but  untO' 
the  Lord  their  Ood,  where  salvation  is. 

There  is  the  day  of  the  Lord,  whidi  Malachi  sajrs,  ''  shall  bum  like 
an  oven,  and  all  the  wicked  shall  be  as  stubble."  Oif  ^this  day  I  cannot 
write  now ;  but — 

The  second  thing  is  this — it  is  said  of  believers,  they  shall  see  the 
day  approaching. 

Idsjxj  writers,  and  preachers,  and  believers  think  they  see  this  day 
approaching. 

I  am  not  at  all  disposed  to  sneer  at,  nor  to  think  lightly  of  the  in- 
terpretation of  prophecy  which  some  good  and  godly  men  have  given. 
Let  me  carefully  say — some  see  the  day  approacbing.- 

Fiist.  In  the  predicted  and  expected  overthrow  of  Anti-Christian 
Powers.  Anti-Chnst  had  three  progressive  ascensions — she  has  three, 
gradual  overthrows.  When  the  Reformation  came  in,  she  received  her 
first  blow.  At  the  French  Revolution  came  her  second  wound ;  and 
now  when  France  shall  desert  her,  her  tremblii^  will  be  great. 

The  writer  of  «  Two  Years  After  and  Onwards,*' 


The  birth  of  Antichrist,  in  its  finAl  and  complete  fonn,  took  plftoe  prohably  in  the 
.  yeer  312,  when  Conetantine  wm  bom— he  who  destroyed  the  Pagan  empire,  and  estab- 
liflhed  the  nnSon  of  ciTil  and  eodetiaetical  power. 

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FeK  1,  im.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  49 

The  next  notable  change  in  the  riae  of  Antichriat  was  about  the  year  529,  when  the 
Juatinian  code  waa  publiahed,  which  gare  dvil  power  to  Antichrist 

And  the  third  and  last  atage  in  its  development  waa  in  606,  when  the  Emperor 
Fhocaamade  the  Pope  Univenal  Biahop,  and  when  the  latter  anthorised  the  idolatry  of 
the  Virgin  Mary  ana  the  aainta. 

Now,  as  the  rise  of  Antichriat  aeema  to  hare  consisted  of  three  chief  stagefl,  so  his  fall 
will  take  place  at  three  great  epochs,  each  1260  years  from  the  date  of  the  rise.  Now 
1260  years  after  812  brings  ns  to  the  Befonnation.  when  the  first  fall  of  Antichrist  took 
place.  Then  1260  years  after  529  we  come  to  the  French  Berolntion,  the  next  great  and 
aignal  fall  of  Antichrist  And  laaUy,  1260  years  after  606  reaches  to  1666,  at  wh^h  period 
the  final  overthrow  of  Antichrist  may  be  expected. 

Secondly.  We  see  the  day  approaching  in  the  past  and  the  pre- 
vent  publication  of  the  Gospel.  This  was  Christ's  emphatic  word, 
"  This  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom  musfc  first  be  preached  in  all  the  world, 
for  a  witness  unto  all  nations,  and  then  shall  the  end  come.' ' 

Surely,  if  we  take  in  apostolic  preaching,  missionary  efforts,  and 
the  spread  of  the  Bible  in  all  languages,  this  work  must  nearly  be  done. 

And  does  it  not  look  like  the  coming  on  of  harvest  time  now  ? 
Are  not  men  busy  in  building  churches  and  schools,  chapels  and  halls, 
mission  houses  and  tabernacles  9  Are  they  not  busy  in  preaching  in 
cathedrals  and  in  theatres,  in-doors  and  out-of-doors,  running  hither  and 
thither,  as  though  a  mighty  work  was  to  be  done,  and  but  a  little  time 
to  do  it  inl    Do  we  not  see  the  day  approaching 

Thirdly.  We  see  the  day  approaching  in  the  existence  of  Mockers. 
Jude  says,  the  Apostles  told  you  there  should  be  mockers  in  the  last 
times. 

Mockers  are  of  two  classes,  or  more.  First,  those  who  sneer  at, 
revile,  and  condemn  that  which  is  good.  If  a  man  professing  the 
O^Mpel  sneer  at  the  fundamental  doctrines — is  not  that  man  a  mocker  ? 
go  through  the  ranks  of  the  ministry,  and  amongst  the  thousands  of  the 
mighty  in  a  profession,  and  you  may  expect  to  hear  God's  sovereignty, 
€k>d's  holy  election  of  His  people,  and  His  people's  safety  in  Jesus 
-derided  and  denied. 

It  is  the  faith  of  some,  that  the  Arminian  heresy  and  a  false  charity 
will  be  the  great  Antichrist  of  the  last  times. 

There  is  another  class  of  mockers — ^men  who  '^deceive  with  enticing 
words."  What  are  the  fathers  Ignatius'  the  Drs.  Pusey,  and  all  their 
idolatrous  hosts,  but  deceivers  with  enticing  words  %  What  are  their 
candles  and  crosses,  their  images  and  Virgin  worship,  but  mocking  God 
-and  deluding  souls.     Is  not  the  day  approaching  1 

Lastly,  do  we  not  see  the  day  approaching  in  the  weakness  and  want 
of  spiritual  power  in  the  Churches,  and  with  multitudes  of  the  saints  % 
Iniquity  abounds :  "  The  love  of  many  waxeth  cold," 

This  calleth  for  two  things ;  an  united  cleaving  to  the  Lord  in  the 
ordinances  of  His  house,  and  an  a^ectionate  expression  of  sympathy  and 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  each  other.  The  Church  on  earth  is  God's 
school  of  training  for  glory.  Here  let  us  be  found ;  and  let  us  not  be 
backward  in  provoking  one  another  to  love  and  to  good  works. 


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50  THB  BABTHBN  VB8SBL,  VeK  1, 1866. 


OB,     A     PORTION     FOR     EVERY      SABBATH. 

BT      OIDBOK. 

StrNBAY,  FEB.  5th.— SPIRITUAL  FOOD. 

"  Evexy  Sabbi^  he  shall  let  it  in  order  before  the  Lord  centiniudly.'*— Leviticii8  zziy.  8. 
Is  thy  soul  quickened  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost?      If  so,  thou 
canst  not  do  without  spiritual  food.     But  ihou  art  not  left  to  oater  for 
thyself.     Grod  is  thy  Father,  and  provides  for  the  life  he  hath  given^  His 
table  is  never  empty :  "  Blessed  are  they  who  hunger,  they  shall  bk 

PILLKD." 

The  shewbread  points  to  Jesus.  It  preached  Him  to  the  Jews.  In 
that  it  was  bread — '*  the  staff  of  life" — ^it  shewed  that  the  soul  must  find 
its  sustenance  in  Hith  ;  and  in  being  set  out  every  Sabbath  is  shown  that 
the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  are  always  to  preach  Him.  See  then  how 
this  Table  of  Shewbread  teaches  us, 

1.  What  an  abiding  fulness  there  is  in  Him.  A  cake  for  every  tribe^ 
and  a  suj^ly  every  Sabbath.  Dost  thou  sometimes  unbelievingly  ask, 
*^Can  Ood  furnish  a  table  in  the  toUdemets  f" — ^Pisalm  Ixxviii  19. 
See  what  He  did  for  forty  years.  Though  Israel  neither  ploughed, 
sowed,  nor  reaped,  the  table  was  spread  every  day  with  mannas  andeveiy 
Sabbath  with  shewbread.     While  Jesus  lives  we  cannot  want. 

IL  See  here  the  abiding  freshness  of  Chnst ;  always  the  same  yet 
ever  new.  He  is  as  old  as  eternity,  but  to  the  really  hungry  soul  He  is 
as  new  as  the  morning.  We  preach  the  same  Christ  every  Sabbath  ; 
but  there  is  no  need  for  a  sameness  in  our  preaching.  In  Him  is  an  infinite 
variety ;  an  ever  opening  freshness  of  beJEiuty.  Men  never  get  tired  of 
bread,  although  they  eat  it  every  day.  And  if,  reader,  you  are  a  real 
Christian,  you  will  never  get  tired  of  Christ.  When  many  are  turning 
away  from  the  truth  and  forsaking  Jesus,  if  He  say  to  you,  "  Will  ye  also 
go  away?"  would  you  not  reply,  '^Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go  f  Thou  hast 
the  words  of  eternal  life ; "  and  therein  He  is  "  the  Bread  of  Life."  But 
see, 

III.  In  this  type  the  sweetness  of  Christ.  '^  Fine  flour/'  no  bxan. 
Beware  of  creature  doings,  and  free-will  mixtures.  Alas  !  how  few  there 
are,  comparatively,  who  do  not  mingle  some  leaven  of  the  Pharisees  in 
what  they  give.  And  that  is  not  all,  they  omit  the  "  pure  frankincense/^ 
that  is  the  perfect  merit,  the  all-sufficiency  of  His  blood.  Go  then,  hungry 
soul,  where  a  full  Christ  is  preached.  And  may  the  Holy  Ghost  shew 
thee  thy  welcome  to  Him.     Amen. 

SUNDAY,  FEB.  12th.— THE  TRUE    LIGHT. 

"  HiB  going  forth  is  prepaaned  m  the  morning." — Hosea  vi  8. 

All  is  night  till  Jesus  appear,  but  when  He  arises  the  people  who  sat  in 
darkness  see  a  great  light.  "  His  going  forth  is  prepared  as  the  morn- 
ing." 

I.  Because  He  is  ''the  True  Light."     Mark  you,  not  only  lights  but. 

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Feb.  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BECOBD.  61 

the  trae  (Jobn  L  9):  We  never  see  clearly  what  sin  is  till  we  know 
Christ.  Hast  thon,  poor  sinner,  discovered  thj  vileness,  clothed  thee  in 
sadLcloth,  covered  thy  lip,  and,  like  the  leper,  dost  thon  cry,  "  TJndean, 
Qndean ; "  or,  like  Job,  "  I  abhor  myself? ''  Whence  came  these  con- 
victions ?  Why,  Jesns  the  glorious  Sun  of  Righteousness  has  arisen  npon 
thee :  ''  God,  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath 
shined  in  thy  heart." — 2  Cor.  iv.  6.  The  light  did  not  make  all  the 
sin  and  filth  thou  now  seest,  but  revealed  it :  this  is  the  property  of  Hght^ 
to  make  objects  visible.     And  blessed  are  they  who  see. 

II.  <*His  going  forth  is  ordained  as  the  morning,"  because  He  alone 
shews  the  way  of  escape  from  all  the  penal  consequences  of  sin,  and 
thereby  He  leads  the  poor  sinner  into  joy.  Poor  soul  I  art  thou 
mourning  thy  sad  state  ?  Well,  as  sure  as  thou  hast  seen  what  a  guilty 
and  helpless  wretch  thou  art,  so  sure  shall  the  Day  Spring  from  on  high 
visit  thee,  and  the  I>ay  Star  arise  in  thy  heart.  "  Weeping  may  endure 
for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in  the  morning."  Tes !  take  heart,  and  thou 
shalt  say  unto  ihe  Lord,  "  Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourning  into 
dancing,  thou  hast  put  o<f  my  sackcloth,  and  girded  me  with  gladness." — 
Psalm  xacx.  5,  11.     For, 

III.  His  going  forth  is  ordained  as  the  morning,  because  of  the 
punctualiiy  with  which  He  fulfils  the  decrees  of  grace.  The  morning 
is  never  before  nor  after  the  time.  The  decree  is  fixed  !  We  cannot 
bring  it,  and,  bless  God,  our  foes  cannot  stay  it.  Poor  soul,  art  thou  as 
they  '*  that  watch  for  the  morning)  "  (Psedm  cxxx.  vL)  thou  shalt  not 
watch  in  vain.  The  night  may  be  long,  dark,  and  cold,  but  *'  the  morn- 
ing cometh."  And  by  and  bye  thou  shalt  see  a  morning  never  to  be 
followed  by  night ;  for  at  best  it  is  dark  here,  but  the  Holy  Ghost  saith 
(Romans  xiii.  12),  ''  The  night  is  for  spent,  the  day  ia  at  hand  ;"  then 
"  Thy  sun  shall  no  more  go  down"  (Isaiah  Ix.  20),  and  thou  shalt  dwell 
in  '^the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light."  "Hope  to  the  end.'' 
Amen. 


SUNDAY,  FEB.  17th.— PAITHPULNESa 

**  Lo,  I  see  four  men  loose,  waUdng  in  the  midst  of  the  flre,  and  fhev  have  no  hurt" 
Dwiiel  lii  26. 

What  a  sight !  Moses  thought  he  saw  a  wonder  when  the  fire  was  in 
the  bush  and  consumed  it  not  (Exodus  iii.  1,  2) ;  but  here  are  men  in  the 
fire  and  have  no  hiirt !     Come,  Chiistian,  then,  and  look  and  learn, 

1.  To  be  faithful  to  thy  principles.  Here  is  an  example  for  thee ! 
The  world — ^what  is  called  the  *'  Christian  World" — ^the  most  dangerous 
of  any,  they  wUl  call  upon  thee  to  fall  down  and  worship  the  image 
which  they  have  set  up.  Tes,  if  thou  wilt  not  worship  the  ''  spirit  of 
the  age,"  or  bow  down  before  false  charity,  or  join  the  popular  cry  of 
hosanna  to  modem  ^  liberaliiy,"  then  thou  shalt  be  cast  into  the  burning 
fiery  furnace  of  popular  disfavour.  They  will  heat  it  as  hot  as  they  can 
with  the  fuel  of  <<hasd  speeches  (Jude  15).  Their  *' coals  of  fire"  are 
plentiful  and  cheap,  and  so  they  shall  come  upon  thee  burning-hot, 
"  Hyper — Bigot — ^Antinomian,"  and  a  thousand  other  fiery  words  shall 
be  heaped  upon  thee.  What  then  9  Why  go  into  it  all  rather  than  deny 
the  Lord  who  bought  thee.  And  He  shall  walk  with  thee  there ;  thou 
shalt  have  no  hurt.     Here  were  three  men  who  stood  alone,  btit  stood 


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52  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1, 1866. 

firm.      If  thou  be  tempted  to  dishonour   the  Lord,  think  of  them. 
And, 

II.  Learn  how  fidelity  is  rewarded.  Who  would  not  go  into  the 
hottest  fire  to  be  with  Jesus  1  God  may  suffer  us  to  be  sorely  tempted, 
but  it  is  to  prove  the  reality  and  power  of  our  principles ;  and  all  that 
the  enemy  is  permitted  to  do  unto  us,  shall  be  for  good.  Tou  see  the 
fire  burnt  their  "  fetters.'*  The  King  saw  them  "  loose"  and  "  walking," 
and  they  came  forth  the  living  monuments  of  Jehovah's  faithfulness.  He 
had  said,  "  When  thou  walkest  through  the  fire  thou  shalt  not  be 
burned  (Isaiah  xliii.  2),  stud  He  is  as  g^  as  His  word.  The  Babylon 
ians  might  have  thought,  What  poor,  silly  things  these  men  ai-e  to  trust  to 
the  God  of  Israel,  who  hath  allowed  Jerusalem  to  be  laid  waste,  and  sent 
their  captives  here !  Ah,  our  God  may  allow  us  to  be  trampled  on  for  a 
while,  but  He  will  arise  and  have  mercy  in  the  set  time.  '^  Commit  thy 
way  unto  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in  Him,  and  He  shall  bring  it  to  pass.'* 
Amen. 

SUNDAY,  FEB.  26th.— UNEQUALLED  LOVE. 

"  Ab  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth.**— Isaiah  IxvL  13. 
Eeadeb,  art  thou  a  mother?  Then  I  need  not  attempt  to  tell  thee  what 
are  the  feelings  of  a  mother's  heart.  Is  not  the  little  helpless  creature  on 
thy  lap  the  most  beautiful  in  thine  eyes  1  And  wouldst  thou  not  at  any 
onoment  throw  thyself  between  the  babe  and  the  foe  ?  die  to  save  it  ?  starve 
to  feed  it  1  toil  to  provide  for  it  ?  and  wakefully  watch  through  dreary 
nights  to  procure  its  repose  ?  Its  feeble  cry  goes  to  the  heart  like  a  knife, 
and  its  snule  kindles  joy  which  only  mothers  are  blest  to  taste.  Arc  thou 
not  only  a  mother  but  a  child  of  God?  Then  how  canst  thou  doubt  His 
love  when  there  is  such  a  text  as  this  in  the  Bible  ?  Every  really  peni- 
tent soul  is  bom  again,  and  belongs  to  the  family  of  God ;  and  if  He  take 
more  care  of  one  than  another  it  is  the  weakest — jusfc  as  the  attention  of 
the  parent  is  directed  most  toward  the  infant  who  cannot  help  itself. 
Our  Jesus  takes  up  the  babes  in  His  arms,  puts  His  hands  upon  them,  and 
blesses  them.  Oh  for  faith  to  see  thyself  in  the  bosom  of  love  Divine, 
for  what  can  harm  thee  there  ? 

May  be  thou  art  not  a  mother ;  but  thou  hast  had  one.  No  love 
was  like  hers ;  it  never  changed  ;  it  always  manifested  itself  in  seasons 
of  sorrow  and  difficulty,  and  was  blind  to  a  thousand  faults,  and  foigave 
as  many  sins.  What  a  God  is  ours  to  compare  himself  to  a  tender 
mother  !  But  do  not  forget  His  power  combined  with  love.  An  earthly 
parent  sometimes  cannot  comfort.  Not  so  our  Jesus ;  He  has  a  balm  for 
every  wound,  a  cordial  for  every  disease.     Again,  He  is  wise  as  well  as 

Moving;  He  will  not  give  His  children  edge-tools,  or  fire  arms  to  play 
with  because  they  cry  to  have  them,  nor  poison  to  drink  though  it  taste 
sweet.  *'  No  good  will  He  withhold ; "  but  He  does  keep  back  much 
that  we  THiKK  GOOD,  and  gives  much  which  appears  to  us  evil ;  yet  all 
is  in  love ;  and  what  thou  knowest  not  now  thou  shalt  know  hereafter, 
and  join  in  the  confession,  that  "  Hehath  done  all  things  well."  "  As 
one  whom  his  mother  comforteth  so  will  He  comfort    thee."     Only- 

.  believe.      Amen, 


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Feb.  1, 1066.  AND  CHEISTIAN  BBCOBD.  63 


EXPOSITION   OF  REVELATION   XL  4— 11; 
By  Mb.  Jambs  Wells,  op  the  Subbby  Tabkbnacle,  Bobough  Road. 

"  These  are  the  two  olive  trees,  and  the  two  candlesticks,  standinir  before  the  God  of  the 
earth." 

These  two  olive  trees  represent  in  the  first  place,  evidentlj  so,  ministern 
of  the  Gospel ;  and  then  secondly  thej  represent  all  the  people  of  God. 
They  are  said  to  stand  before  the  Lord,  and  so  the  people  of  God  abide 
by  the  Lord,  because  the  Lord  abides  by  them ;  called  olive  trees  because 
they  are  children  of  peace,  and  because,  also,  they  are  evergreens;  they 
have  a  life  that  can  never  die.  Hence,  saith  David,  <<  I  am  like  a  green 
olive  in  the  house  of  God ;  because  I  trust  in  the  mercy  of  God  for  ever 
and  ever." 

"And  the  two  candlesticks  standing  before  the  God  of  the  earth." 

Another  characteristic  of  the  Church  ;  the  seven  churches  are  spoken 
of  as  the  seven  golden  candlesticks.  While  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
great  representative  of  all  His  people,  yet  He  hath  given  us  many  other 
representations  descriptive  of  the  character  and  privileges  of  His  people. 

^*  And  if  any  man  will  hurt  them,  fh^  proceedeth  out  of  their  mouth,  and  devoureth  their 
enemies :  and  if  any  man  will  hurt  them,  he  must  in  this  manner  be  killed." 

Now  this  belongs  to  all  the  people  of  God  ;  that  all  those  that  are 
their  enemies  must  be  dealt  with  in  this  way.  But  what  are  we  to 
understand  by  fire  proceeding  out  of  their  mouth  ?  This  fire  proceeding 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  people  of  God  means  the  testimony  they  bear 
against  error ;  and  when  they  bear  testimony  against  that  error  which 
the  natural  mind  advocates,  and  thereby  bear  testimony  against  the  con- 
duct of  those  that  would  injure  the  cause  or  the  people  of  God,  this  theii* 
testimony  is  that  fire  that  God  will  give  vitality  to,  to  the  destruction  of 
their  enemies,  and  to  their  own  defence.  The  meaning  is  the  same  in 
substance  as  where  the  Lord  saith  He  will  be  a  wall  of  fire  round  about 
His  people,  and  the  glory  in  the  midst.  Think  not,  then,  that  this 
description  here  given  belongs  to  any  one  class  of  Christians ;  to  minis- 
ters any  more  than  to  private  Christians,  or  to  private  Christians  any 
more  than  to  ministers ;  for  what  are  ministers  but  Christians  that  the 
people  of  God  choose  to  speak  unto  them  in  the  name  of  the  Loixl?  We 
must  therefore  take  this  imagery  to  represent  the  people  of  God,  and  the 
fire  proceeding  out  of  their  mouth  the  solemn  testimony  they  bear  for 
God,  and  for  His  truth,  against  everything  that  is  contraiy  to  that  truth  ; 
and  those  that  will  be  their  enemies  must  thereby  be  subjected  to  the 
judgments  of  God.  Let  us,  then,  the  Lord  enabling  us,  bless  His  holy 
name,  that  while  we  are  in  no  wise  better  than  others  by  nature,  He 
hath  by  the  death  of  His  dear  Son  brought  us  out  of  that  enmity,  and 
brought  us  into  reconciliation  unto  his  blessed  sel^  and  made  us  love 
His  name,  His  truth.  His  people,  and  His  ways: 
**  These  have  power  to  shut  heaven,  that  it  rain  not  in  the  days  of  their  prophecy ;" 


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54  TH£  BABTHSN  VBSSBL,  Felx  l,  1866. 

Take  prophecy  here  to  mean  testiinonj, — ^bearing  testimony ; 

**  And  haye  power  oyer  waters  to  tum  them  to  blood,  and  to  smite  the  earth  with  aU 
plag^ea,  aa  often  aa  they  wilL" 

So,  then,  according  to  this,  the  people  of  God  govern  the  world ; 
not  by  meddling  with  politics,  not  by  inteifering  with  dvil  laws,  not  by 
trying  to  rob  any  of  their  liberty ;  but  they  do  govern  the  world  by  their 
decision  for  the  tnith,  and  by  solemn  prayer  to  Ood.  And  when  it  is 
here  said  that  they  shut  up  the  heaven,  and  that  they  smite  the  earth 
with  plagues^  the  meaning  is  just  the  same  as  where  ^e  Saviour  saith, 
''  If  two  of  you  shall  agree  on  earth  as  touching  anything  that  they  shall 
ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Ask 
what  ye  will,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you/'  Of  course,  we  are  to 
understand  that  their  will  here  in  bringing  these  plagues  about,  is  to  be 
in  submission  to  the  will  of  God ;  but  it  does  shew  the  high  vantage 
ground  upon  which  the  people  of  Cfod  stand.  And  thus,  then,  they  shut 
heaven  testimonially ;  you  bear  testimony  that  heaven  is  shut  against 
that  man  that  does  not  feel  his  state  as  a  sinner,  but  is  in  a  state  of 
enmity  against  God;  if  you  testimonially  shut  heaven,  and  you  also  bear 
testimony  that  that  carnal,  ungodly  man's  pleasures,  must  by  and  bye  be 
turned  into  plagues,  and  that  his  prospects  and  hopes  must  all  die,  here 
indicated  by  being  turned  into  blood.  And  thus  then  the  Lord  governs 
the  world  in  a  way  that  is  most  conducive  to  the  good  and  the  welfieore 
of  His  people.  No  wonder  the  saints  should  be  thus  privileged,  even  in 
governing  the  world,  without  meddling  with  it,  yet  in  this  sense  of  the 
word  they  govern ;  no  wonder,  I  say,  that  it  should  be  so,  for  they  are 
at  last  to  judge  the  world ;  "  this  honour  have  all  His  saints."  Now 
remember,  this  then  is  a  description,  not  of  something  that  is  to  take 
place  in  one  age  of  the  Church,  and  not  in  another;  it  is  a  description, 
not  of  one  class  of  Christians,  but  a  description  of  all  the  people  of  God 
and  of  their  privil^;es: 

"  And  when  they  shall  hare  finished  their  testimony,  the  beast  that  sacendeth  ont  of  the 
bottomless  pit  ;** 

Or  out  of  the  abyss  : 

**  ShaU  make  war  against  them,  and  shall  overoome  them,  and  Un  them.** 

He  does  that  a  great  many  times.  You  finish  your  testimony  up 
to  a  certain  point,  and  then  the  enemy  ascends — slays  you;  that  is, 
brings  you  into  a  dead,  dark,  cold,  miserable  state,  and  there  you  lie  like 
a  d^  thing.  Now  you  that  are  Christians  cannot  be  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  tins  is ;  you  know  that  much  of  your  time  is  spent  in  this  way; 
and  what  is  this  but  the  man  of  sin  slaying  you  f  not  &tally,  not  in  tiie 
bodily  sense,  but  slaying  you  as  to  your  feelings,  and  making  you  aa 
dead,  and  as  dark,  and  as  indifferent  to  eternal  things,  as  though  they 
were  hardly  worth  looking  after.  The  beast,  therefore,  means  a  wild 
beast,  and  it  includes  sin,  or  the  enemy,  or  Popery,  or  whatever  the 
adverse  power  may  be ; — ^the  beast  that  ascendeth  out  of  the  pit. 

''And  their  dead  bodies  shall  lie  in  the  street  of  the  ^reat  city,  which  is  splxitiiaily  asHed 
Sodom  and  Egypt,  where  also  our  Lord  waa  crucified.*' 

Dead  bodies — they  are  compared  to  dead  bodies,  oharacterifltic  of 
the  dead  state  ihey  are  in; 


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FeU  1, 186&  AND  CHRI^IAN  REOOKD.  65 

'^Andthey  of  the  people,  and  Icmdredfli  andtongix^  and  iuiiUo]i&  ehaU  eee  their  dead 
bodies  three  oays  and  a  half,  and  shall  not  suffer  their  dead  bodies  to  be  put  in 
gnbyee.** 

The  meaning  of  this  is,  that  the  Lord,  though  His  people  in  one 
sense  be  slain,  and  their  enemies  rejoice  to  see  them  down,  their  enemies 
send  gifts  one  to  the  other ; — ah,  there  will  soon  be  an  end  to  these 
hypers  now ;  they  will  soon  give  up  the  ghost  now;  they  are  Tery  few 
now,  and  the  few  there  are  are  like  dead  ;  yet,  though  this  be  the  case, 
there  is  sure  to  be  something  to  limit  their  troubles.  Joseph  is  slain, 
apparently,  and  he  is  dead  for  three  days  and  a  half — ^that  is,  for  a  mystic 
three  days  and  a  half — ^yet  the  Lord  limited  his  troubles,  and  wouldn't 
let  him  be  killed  really,  and  therefore  wouldn't  let  him  be  buried  really; 
Ay,  you  might  imagine  Joseph's  brethren  dreaming  he  was  dead,  and 
buried,  and  gone ;  but  no,  he  found  friends  in  Egypt,  he  found  friends 
in  prisoni  and  the  Lord  turned  Pharaoh  into  his  friend.  And  so  Joseph 
was  dead,  but  they  wouldn't  suffer  him  to  be  buried ;  though  he  was  a 
dead  man  in  one  sense,  still  Joseph  lay  unburied ;  there  he  was,  to  rise 
at  the  appointed  moment.  And  so,  here  is  Moses ;  he  leaves  Egypt,  and 
is  dead  to  the  Israelites  for  forty  years ;  they  thought  they  should  hear 
no  more  of  Moses.  Why,  says  the  enemy,  I  have  slain  him  now ;  what 
will  become  of  the  salvation  from  Egypt  now?  what  will  become  of  this 
fair  child  I  Why,  when  this  child  was  bom,  the  parents  boasted  that  he 
was  to  be  the  ddUverer,  and  now  he  is  dead  to  Egypt — ^he  is  fled.  But 
'  yet  Moses  found  Mends  in  the  wilderness,  among  the  wild  people  there, 
for  the  Lord  was  with  him ;  so  they  would  not  suffer  him  to  be  buried, 
but  employed  him  as  a  shepherd ;  and  so  he  went  on  for  forty  years ;  by 
and  bye  he  rose  from  the  dead,  returned,  and  accomplished  the  mission 
divinely  appointed  for  him.  And  so  of  David.  David  was  driven  out, 
and  apparently  dead ;  it  looked  as  though  he  never  could  come  back 
again ;  but  still  there  was  Jonathan  his  friend,  and  others  were  David's 
fnoids.  so  they  didn't  suffer  him  to  be  buried ;  and  thus  you  see  how 
his  troubles  were  limited.  So  of  Daniel  in  Babylon.  He  was  appar- 
ently dead,  he  was  ecclesiastically  dead ;  but  the  Lord  knew  how  to  turn 
Nebachadnezzar  into  a  friend  to  Daniel,  and  thus  not  suffer  him  to  be 
put  to  death.  Just  so  with  you  Christians,  some  of  you ;  you  may  be 
slain  spiritually,  and  slain  circumstantially,  and  think  it  is  all  over  with 
you ;  bat  you  have  a  friend,  the  Lord  will  find  a  friend  for  you,  and  will 
give  some  one  a  good  feeling  towards  you ;  He  will  send  some  one  in 
some  way  or  another  to  minister  to  you  just  what  you  need.  And  thus 
He  will  not  suffer  them  to  be  buried,  and  put  a  final  end  to.  I  think 
we  should  understand  it,  ftiends,  in  this  familiar  sense  in  which  I  am 
now  stating  it. 
**  And  after  three  days  and  a  half^" 
The  appointed  time, 

^  The  Spirit  of  life  from  God  entet«d  into  them,  and  they  stood  npon  their  feet,  and  great 
fear  fell  npon  them  which  saw  them." 

Great  fear  fell  upon  Joseph's  brethren  when  they  saw  him  standing, 
as  it  were,  upon  his  feet ;  and  great  fear  fell  upon  king  8aul  when  he 
saw  David  was  likely  to  prevail ;  and  great  fear  fell  upon  Nebuchadnezzar 
when  Daniel  was  risen,  and  stood  upon  his  feet  by  the  revelation  Gkxi 
granted  onto  him.    And  in  the  days  of  the  aposUes,  the  disciples^  ihey 


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66  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1, 186& 

had  been  slain,  but  they  were  not  buried  j  and  at  the  day  of  Penteooet, 
and  when  God  ministered  judgment  to  Ananias  and  to  Bapphira^  great 
fear  fell  upon  the  people.  Thus,  then,  the  people  of  God  may  in  this 
mystical  sense  of  the  word  be  slain  many  times  during  their  pilgrimage ; 
but  there  wHl  be  always  something  to  keep  that  death  from  being  fieital ; 
there  will  be  a  friend  raised  up, — a  Jonatahan,  or  a  Mordecai,  or  in  some 
way  or  another,  to  &TOur  them ;  and  the  time  of  their  slayiog  is  also 
limited,  and  when  the  time  shall  arrive  for  them  again,  and  the  Lord 
undertakes  to  revive,  if  he  undertake  to  revive,  if  that  be  his  work, 
who  then  can  hinder  Him  f 


How  great  the  love,  how  free  the  grace,  how  full  the  pardon  given, 
how  mighty  and  efficacious  the  change  wrought,  when  Jehovah  calls  a 
sinner  to  himself.  Great,  because  it  knows  no  bounds.  Is  higher  than 
the  heavens,  deeper  than  hell ;  a  mighty  ocean  that  knows  neither  bottom 
nor  shore,  and  every  grace-called  soul,  every  mourner  in  Zion,  shall  yet 
say,  *^  Thou  hast  in  love  to  my  soul  cast  idl  my  sins  behind  thy  bade." 
Free,  inasmuch  as  it  oometh  leaping  and  skipping  over  all  the  hills 
and  mountains  of  a  poor  sinner's  transgressions,  openeth  the  prison  dooiB 
of  legal  bondage  and  unbelief^  look^  for  nothing  holy,  amiable,  or  pleas- 
ing in  the  creature,  and,  rejecting  with  infinite  and  eternal  contempt  all 
the  "  ifs,''  "  buts,"  "  may  be*s,"  '^  ought  to  he's,"  and  conditions  so  often 
held  forUi  in  this  Sardian  state,  by  ^ose  who  know  not  that  what  our 
God  hath  done  is  done  for  ever,  and  all  conditions  laid  upon,  and  fulfilled 
by.  Him  who  is  Zion's  Priest  and  Zion's  King,  and  comethin  all  its  glorious 
fulness,  freeness,  and  all-sufficiency,  to  that  poor  soul  (and  to  him  only) 
who  knows  what  it  is  experimentally  to  be  without  hope,  without  God 
in  the  world,  and  thus  embraces  the  Bock  for  want  of  a  shelter ;  and  as 
in  deep  but  righteous  sovereignty.  He  hath  mercy  on  whom  He  will,  so, 
in  the  exercise  thereof.  He  asketh  counsel  of  no  man  as  to  the  means 
employed  in  bringing  His  hidden  ones  unto  HimseUl  The  divine  decree 
is,  "  The  dead  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  they  that  hear 
shall  Uve." 

In  describing  the  way  and  manner  ia  which  the  Lord  was  pleased 
in  mercy  to  meet  with  me,  I  must  beg  the  reader  to  follow  me — not  to 
the  coast  of  Ireland,  where  the  lash  was  pronounced  on  board  the  Birken- 
head,— but  to  the  East  Indies,  and  if  he  can,  to  picture  to  himself  your 
humble  servant  doing  his  thirty  days  in  the  common  gaol  of  Calcutta, 
the  crime  simply  that  of  attempting  to  take  the  captain's  life,  and  which 
would  have  been  accomplished  had  grace  prevented  not.     But 

**8ee  how  heaTeii^s  indulgent  care 
PreserveB  their  wanderings  here  »nd  there.** 

I  was  pretty  comfortable  in  my  large  establishment ;  but  on  being  brought 
aboard  at  the  expiration  of  my  time,  somewhat  solemn  circumstances 
presented  themselves.  Several  of  my  shipmates  had  died,  others  had 
been  shipped  in  their  stead.     The  dysentery  was  furiously  raging  on 


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Felx  1, 1M&  AND  CHBISTIAN  BBCORD.  67 

board,  to  snch  an  extent  that  in  twelve  days  after  leaving  Calcutta,  eleven 
poor  fellows  (brave  fellows  as  natural  men)  were  buried  in  the  mighty 
deep,  while  my  choioe  companion  lay  in  his  hammock  at  the  very  point 
of  death.  Oh  the  feelings  of  my  heart  at  this  time !  who  might  be  next 
called  1  was  the  all  important  point.  From  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  widowed  mother  and  sister  of  my  companion,  the  question  was 
put,  '*  Wouldn't  he  like  to  send  any  message  home  V*  The  reply  was, 
''  Tell  my  mother  and  sister  not  to  weep.  My  poor  body  will  soon  be 
sown  up  in  my  hammock  ;  but  I  am  happy,  I  have  made  my  peace  with 
Qod"  The  nature  of  this  happiness  I  leave  in  the  hands  of  that  God 
who  seeth  not  as  man  seeth.  He  died  the  same  day.  But  to  return : 
this  peace-making  was  a  solemn  mystery  to  a  poor  blind  worm  like  my- 
self; all  past  scenes  were  carefully  surveyed  that  had  transpired  with  us 
both  :  here  was  one  of  midnight  revelry  and  debauchery,  there  another 
of  shocking  impiety,  and  yonder  one  of  unspeakable  guilt.  Oh  how  could 
these  things  be,  and  him  have  peace  f  was  the  wonder  of  all  wonders  to 
my  poor  soul.  Here  a  fruit  land  was  turned  into  barrenness ;  here  was 
staggering,  reeling  to  and  fro,  and  coming  to  the  wits'  end.  This  was  a 
day  of  mourning  indeed, — no  hope,  no  Qod,  hell  waiting,  and  certain  I 
was  next  to  die,  no  Bible,  and  not  a  soul  on  board  to  solve  the  all-im- 
portant question,  *<  How  can  man  be  just  with  God  V*  Satan,  the  &ther 
of  lies,  says, — Beform,  read  books,  try  and  educate  yourself  turn  over  a 
new  leaf,  and  all  will  be  well,  especially  say  a  prayer  every  time  you  turn 
in.  The  plan  was  adopted  for  three  week^  and  so  &r  so  good ;  old  com- 
panions in  open  sin  were  shiumed,  the  practice  of  singing  immoral  songs 
abandoned,  not  an  oath  uttered,  the  Lord's  Prayer  said,  and  many  were 
the  vows  made  as  to  the  future  conduct ;  with  this  conscience  became 
somewhat  easy,  and  like  the  Pharisee  of  old,  I  vainly  dreamt,  with  my 
poor  bits  of  morality,  I  belonged  to  the  bett^  sort.  But  oh,  the  gaUing, 
l^al  yoke,  what  bondage  did  it  engender,  what  curses  did  a  righteous 
law  denounce,  while  a  voice  within,  louder  than  all  tropical  thunder  that 
I  ever  heard,  proclaimed  in  the  most  solemn  and  emphatic  manner^ 
'*  There  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked,  saith  my  Gbd."  This,  beloved  reader, 
was  the  effect  produced  by  arrow  No.  1.  How  is  it  with  thee  and 
heaven's  God  t  Art  thou  neglecting  His  house,  desecrating  His  Sabbath, 
despising  His  blessed  truth,  trampling  under  foot  the  blood  of  the  ever- 
lasting  covenant,  and  counting  it  an  unholy  thing,  too  proud  and 
haughty  to  live  on  sovereign  grace  alone  ?  If  so,  be  not  surprised  that 
living  and  dying  so,  hell  must  be  thy  doom.  Or  art  thou  one  of  those 
poor  mourners  in  ^on  that,  like  NcAh's  dove,  could  find  no  place  for  the 
sole  of  her  foot  to  rest  upon  untQ  she  foimd  the  ark  1  K  so,  blessed  are 
thine  eyes^  for  they  see,  and'thine  ears,  for  they  hear,  and  they  that  hear 
shall  live.  Thou  majest  not  have  had  all  this  downward  work ;  but 
thou  hast  the  fear  of  God  implanted  in  a  tender  conscience,  and  feelest 
thy  need  of  a  frdl  and  precious  Christ. 

Arrow  the  second  next  month  (D.Y. )    God  bless  you,  and  believe  me 
to  be  your  unworthy  brother  in  the  grace  of  Christ  Jesus, 

Wallingford.  Nemo. 


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68  THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL,  Feb.  1,  lasSw 


WHICH     LEAD     TO    THE    ETEBNAL    WORLD. 

Fbok  a  Yolome  ''  Steps  and  Stages  on  the  Road  to  Glorj/'  the  follow- 
ing few  paragraphs  are  taken.  The  work  is  published  by  Yirtue 
Brothers,  in  Amen  Comer,  and  is  by  the  author  of  "  God  is  Love,"  &c. 
We  believe  it  is  now  no  secret  that  James  Grant,  Esq.,  is  the  penman 
of  this  excellent  work,  as  well  as  "  God  is  Love,"  "The  Comforter,"  "The 
Brother  Born  for  Adversity,"  and  others  of  a  kindred  character ;  and 
to  us  it  is  astonishing  how  a  gentlemen  incessantly  occupied,  as  Mr. 
Grant  is,  on  the  daily  press,  can  find  the  time  to  produce  a  succession  of 
books,  which  are  of  the  purest  kind  as  regards  their  Biblical  tendencies^ 
and  which  have  been  attended  with  such  a  blessing  that  thousands  praise 
God  for  the  spiritual  good  they  have  derived  from  them.  This  is  not  an 
empty  or  vain  assertion.  Many  of  the  Lord's  children  have  publicly 
testified  their  gratitude  to  the  God  of  all  grace,  for  enabling  Mr.  Grant 
to  issue  these  Expositions  of  the  Divine  Word,  these  instrumental 
remembrances  of  almost  every  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord." 

Mr.  Grant  takes  his  stand  in  no  particular  section  of  the  Church. 
He  pleads  for  no  peculiar  dogma ;  "The  Bible,  the  whole  of  the  Bible,  and 
nothing  but  the  Bible"  is  his  rule,  as  well  as  his  resource.  Whatever  be 
his  theme,  he  finds  it  in  the  Word  of  God ;  and  running  through  that 
river  of  revelation,  he  fills  his  every  vessel  frx)m  its  pure  and  holy 
streams  alone.  This  one  great  feature  God  honours ;  hence  their  useful- 
ness— ^henoe  their  good  success. 

Mr.  Grant,  in  this  volume,  has  entered  upon  a  critical,  much  con- 
troverted, and  varied  field  of  godly  literature.  We  will  examine  some 
of  the  "  Steps ; "  but  tiiis  month  we  only  look  at  the  foundation  principle 
with  which  he  set  out ;  and  at  the  commencement  of  which  he  says  : — 

"  Every  human  being  is  on  a  journey  to  the  eternal  world.  No  one 
will  remain  on  earth  for  ever.  Neither  will  annihilation  be  the  destiny 
of  any.  To  another  state  of  being  all  are  on  their  way,  and  that  state 
of  being  all  will  inevitably  reach.  But  how  dififerent  will  be  the  kind 
of  existence  between  the  two  classes  into  which  all  mankind  are  now 
divided.  And  the  moment  the  threshold  of  eternity  has  been  passed,  it 
will  be  seen  with  unerring  certainty  to  which  of  the  two  great  danes 
every  individual  belongs.  Here  there  are  of^n  doubts  and  erroneous 
conclusions  on  the  point,  but  at  the  judgment  day  there  will  be  none. 
Each  individual  shall  on  that  solemn  day  not  only  be  found  in  the 
category  to  which  he  belongs,  but  that  categ<yy  will  be  made  manifest  to 
the  whole  universe  of  God.  Not  one  sheep  will  be  found  among  the 
goats;  not  one  goat  will  be  found  among  the  sheep.  Not  one  wicked 
person  will,  by  mistake  or  otherwise,  have  found  a  place  among  the 
righteous  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Judge  when  seated  on  his  great  white 
throne ;  not  one  righteous  person  will  be  included  in  the  innumerable 
assemblage  of  wicked  men  who  shall  there  be  seen  standing  on  the  left 
hand  of  the  great  Assessor.  As  all  lived  and  died,  so  will  dl  find  them- 
selves placed  on  chat  great  and  awful  day. 

It  is  a  solemn  thought^  that  either  of  these  destinies — an  eternal 
possession  of  perfect  bliss,  or  an  eternal  doom  of  unutterable  miaeiy — 
awaits  all  who  are  now  alive.     It  is  impossible  not  to  have  entered  on 


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reb.  1, 1865. 


AND  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD. 


one  of  the  two  roads  which  lead  to  the  eternal  world,  and  it  is  equally 
impossible  to  halt  on  the  way.  Every  son  and  daughter  of  our  first 
parents  is  now  proceeding  at  a  rapid  pace  either  to  the  abodes  of  eternal 
bliss  or  to  the  pit  of  eternal  perdition.  There  is  no  other  termination  to 
the  journey  of  life.  All  must  come  to  a  happy  end  or  to  a  miserable 
doom.  This  is  a  fact  which  ought  to  weigh  on  the  mind  of  eveiy 
rational  and  reflecting  person  with  a  pressure  too  great  to  be  described. 

Solemn,  too,  beyond  the  powers  of  the  mind  to  conceive,  is  that 
other  truth,  that  the  moment  we  enter  this  world,  all  not  only  commence 
a  journey  to  another  state  of  existence  than  the  present,  but  that  all, 
without  exception,  commence  traversing  the  downward  road  to  everlast- 
ing woe.  Even  the  recipient  of  the  worse  than  fanciful  doctrine  of 
bn^tismal  regeneration  will  admit  that  the  child,  the  moment  it  is  ush- 
ered into  the  world,  enters  on  the  way  which  leads  to  the  abodes  of 
blackness  and  darkneHs  for  ever.  But  as  I  earnestly  hope  none  of  my 
readers  have  ever  embraced  the  doctrine  of  baptismal  regeneration,  they 
will  concur  with  me  when  I  say,  not  only  that  «11  who  are  bom,  and  as 
soon  as  bom,  commence  the  journey  which  leadeth  to  destruction,  but 
that  they  continue  in  that  course  until  their  conversion.  It  is  only  then 
that  they  are  transferred  by  Divine  grace  from  the  broad  road,  and  placed 
in  the  strait  and  narrow  way.  David  is  sufficiently  explicit  on  the  point 
when  he  says,  '  I  was  conceived  in  sin,  and  brought  forth  in  iniquity.' 
He  elsewhere  says  of  all  mankind  that  from  the  womb  they  go  astray, 
speaking  lies  and  doing  all  manner  of  iniquity.  In  both  respects  he  was 
a  faithful  representative  of  the  human  race.  But,  thajiks  be  to  €k>d, 
though  such  be  the  condition  of  all  Adam's  posterity  on  their  entrance 
into  this  world,  a  goodly  number  have  been  arrested  by  sovereign  grace, 
while  rushing  on  with  breathless  haste  along  the  road  which  leadeth  to 
destruction,  and  been  put  into  the  strait  and  narrow  way  which  leadeth 
into  life  eternal." 


SOME  KKW  BOOKS. 

The  BrUuh  Workman  voL  for  1864,  and 
The  Band  of  Hope  yoL  for  same  year,  are 
bound  in  beautiful  and  attraoiing  coven : 
the  illustrationB  are  of  the  highest  charac- 
ter, and  the  artkleB  ace  likely  to  produce 
the  best  influence  upon  all  fsjnilies  where 
these  treasuxQS  of  benevolent  enterprise  are 
fouad.  The  BriM  Workman  is  a  monthly 
for  the  cottages  and  comfortable  homes  of 
the  labouring  and  middling  claasea.  The 
object  of  the  proprietor  is  to  raise  the  fe- 
male population  out  of  sin  and  ignocance 
into  an  fntelligent|  mozal,  and  happy  posi- 
tion. We  wish  him  neat  success.  If 
English  wives  and  mothersi  with  our  fa- 
ther and  working  men,  could  be  established 
in  a  course  of  inte^ty  and  morals,  how 
the  homes  of  our  twiiK^T'",  where  now  the 
cunie  is  foimd,  would  abound  with  hap- 
piness and  joy.  We  bail  ev«i7  «nch  effort 
with  deep  sympathy. 

The  Londtm  Mfgrnn  Book  fir  Special  Ser^ 
vioee  (published  by  W.  HolmeB»  48,  Pater- 
noster-row, price  2d.),  contains  over  200 
hymns;  and  some  of  these  are  the  richest 
and  purest  Christian  poems  extant  In 
the  wsutooat  pooket  this  neat  Uttle  book 


may  be  oarriec^  and  as  if  companion  for 
private  meditation  or  public  worship  will 
beusefuL 

The  Purmmte  of  ChOdrm:  How  to  Direct 
them  m  School  and  Play  Houre:  HinHto  Mo- 
thers, Ac.  Published  by  8.  W.  Partridge, 
9,  Patemoster-row.  Truly  handsome  in 
its  style  and  elegantly  eloquent  in  its  con- 
tents. As  a  present  to  young  mothers, 
whose  minds  often  require  instruction, 
whose  passions  of  eveir  kind  need  both 
check  and  incentive,  this  is  the  veiy  booki 
Giandmothers,  read  it  yourselves ;  it  will 
please  yom :  then,  in  faith  and  with  prayer, 
present  it  to  your  newly-manied  daugh- 
texB ;  it  may  be  to  them  and  to  their  chil- 
dren an  unspeakable  blessing. 

Our  Own  Firemde,  This  is  a  large  che^ 
sixnenny  monthly,  edited  by  Bev.  Chailes 
BuUock,  the  author  of  many  works  aiming 
to  do  good.  We  have  such  strong  pre- 
iudioes  in  favour  of  sterling  experimental 
Truth,  that  nothing  to  us  can  compare  with 
it;  but  the  people  of  these  times  are  for 
more  amusing  tales,  narratives,  and  inter- 
esting hiBtorie&  and,  in  Our  Own  Fumde, 
they  will  find  a  choice  aad  cheap  col- 
leotion. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Felx  1, 186&. 


d^ur  (!(hui[i;h4»,  tm  |aat(rra,  and  m\  ^tai^hi. 


OUB  LONDON  CHURCHES. 
Our  beautiful  motto  for  the  New  Tear  was 
that  sweet  promise  in  Isaiah,  ^*  And  thou 
sh^ltknow  that  I,  the  Lord,  am  thy  Saviour, 
and-  thy  Redeemer,  the  Mighty  One  of 
JaooU"  Certainly  there  are  none  of  us  in 
this  pilgrimage  state  that  can  possibly  be 
above  the  want  of  this  promise.  High  and 
holy,  good  and  ^preat,  as  some  of  the 
brethren  may  consider  themselves  to  be, 
when  compared  with  their  more  afflicted 
brethren;  yet  none  of  them  can  do  well, 
either  here  or  hereafter,  without  this  pro- 
mise in  powerful  realiation.  It  is  a  pro- 
mise, too,  that  reaches  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  to  die  lowest  depths  of  misery,  to  the 
darkest  despondency  into  which  any  vessel 
of  mercy  can  be  huned  or  driven  by  temp- 
tation, or  the  trial  of  their  faith.  We  have 
printed  this  promise  on  a  sheet,  it  can  be 
had  from  the  office  of  the  Gospel  Guide, 
4,  Crane-court,  Fleet-street,  for  two  pence; 
and  will  be  a  useful  and  pretty  remem- 
brancer for  the  bedroom,  or  study,  of  the 
real  Christian.  It  is  a  precious  promise ; 
but  its  full  value  we  snail  not  perfectly 
know  until  around  the  throne  of  God  and 
the  Lamb  we  are  found. — Let  us  now  re- 
sume a  brief  review  of  the  position  and 
prospects  of  our  London  churches,  and 
their  nunisters. — ^We  understand  the  me- 
dical adviser  of  brother  Samuel  Cozens, 
insists  upon  his  taking  a  sea  voyage :  he 
contemplates  speedily  sailing  for  Australia 
This  may  be  overruled  for  the  good  of  the 
churches  in  the  Australian  coloniefl(;  and, 
with  the  Divine  blessing,  may  make  a  strong 
man  of  our  now  afflicted  brother  Cozens. 
John  Bunyan  H*Cure,  and  the  other  hard- 
working brethren  out  yonder,  will  greatlj 
welcome  this  over-wrought  English  mi- 
nister and  author,  and  his  talents  there  will 
be  an  addition  of  no  mean  merit,  if  his  life 
and  strength  be  renewed  and  continued. 
New  Year  meetings  in  our  London  churches 
have  been  numerous  and  well  sustained. 
Mr.Chiven*s  twelfth  ordination  anniversary 
was  celebrated  on  boxing-day  by  addresses 
on  *The  Authorised  Ministry/*  in  which  the 
brethren  Aldenon,  Green,  Thomas  Jones, 
Gaunt,  Meerea,  Wyards  (father  and  son), 
took  a  leading  part  Mr.  Chivera's  opening 
address  was  rail  of  anxiety,  sympathy,  and 
earnest  desire  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  innthering  of  souls  to  Chnst*s 
vineyard.  We  heartily  pray  he  and  his 
brethren  may  see  sreater  prosperity  in  the 
accomplishment  of  these  desirable  results 
of  their  incDsnant  toils. — ^On  the  second  of 
Januaiy,  Mr.  Anderson's  first  anniversary 
of  his  settlement  in  Zion  chapel,  Deptford, 
was  celebrated  by  a  sennon  from  Mr.  James 
WeUs,  and  anumerous  meeting  to  tea,  and 
for  Christian  feUowship.  Mr.  Anderson's 
ifast  year  has  been  one  of  progressive  pros- 
perity, and  we  hardly  thmk  the  Deptford 


Zionites  ever  were  more  united  and  happy. 
The  brethren  Milner  and  Moyle  were  not 
present  at  the  meeting,  being  unwell;  bat 
the  pastors  Alderaon,  Chivers,  Wyaid,  and 
Griffiths,  spoke  on  '•  the  Fruit  of  the  Spirit," 
much  to  the  edification  of  the  meeting. — On 
the  same  day,  Thomas  Stringer  preached  in 
Squirrie's-street  chapel,  Bethnal-green ; 
after  which  tea  and  public  meetiiig  was 
holden;  C.  W.  Banks  presided,  and  a 
number  of  ministers  rendered  the  meeting- 
useful  in  everv  sense.  Among  them  were 
brethren  Stanfe;^,  Maycock,  Steed.  Com- 
Rell,  Dixon.  Stringer,  George  Webo^  John 
Harris,  Gill,  Aa  Mr.  John  Mumford,  on 
behalf  of  the  friends,  presented  the  pastcM' 
with  a  token  of  esteem  for  him;  in  ac- 
knowledging which  he  expressed  the  ut- 
most conldmice  in  his  deacons  and  friends^ 
and  hoped  large  success  misht  still  attend 
their  united  efforts.  Mr.  Allsop,  who  has 
recently  been  baptised  by  C.W.BiankB,  and 
has  been  brought  out  of  the  Primitive  Me- 
thodist churches,  is  preaching  in  the  Lec- 
ture-hall at  Stratford.    This  is  the  second 


Primitive  Methodist  preacher  C.  W.  1 
has  had  the  honour  of  baptising.  Brethren 
Maycock  and  Alsopp  are  men  of  no  mean 
ordier  of  mind.  Both  of  them,  Mayoock  at 
Old  Ford;  and  Alsopp,  at  Stratford,  will, 
wehope^lie  instrumental  in  effecting  much 
good.  We  rejoice  in  their  accession  to  our 
chureh,  praying  God  AimighJ^  to  fill 
them  witn  a  burning  love  to  His  name, 
His  truth,  His  ordinances,  and  to  the 
souls  of  their  fellow-men.  So  shall  their 
work  be  honoured,  and  the  Gospel  spread. 
The  annual  Sunday  School  meeting  at 
Zion,  in  Goldington-crescent,  Old  St  nn- 
cras,  looked  cheerful,  and  indicated  perse- 
verance and  well-doing.  The  pastor,  Geo. 
Webb^  looked  happy,  spoke  well,  ai^  was 
encouraged  by  brethren  and  friends  around 
him.  The  report  was.  we  think,  the  best 
we  ever  heard.  It  will  be  printed  either  in 
Gotpd  Guide  or  Earthen  Veml^  but,  as  we 
write  this  in  Manchester,  we  cannot  tell  in 
which  it  will  appear  at  present  *  It  is 
worthy  of  universal  perusaL  At  the  meet- 
ing, Mr.  Flack,  Mr.  Hawkins,  Mr.  Stringer, 
and  C.  W.  Banks,  delivered  addresses :  and 
the  children — a  gallery  full  of  them  sang 
delightfully.— Hope  ChapeL  in  Green- 
street,  Bethnal-green,  had  its  annual 
gathering  last  month.  Mr.  Wells  preadied. 
The  pastor,  C.  E.  Merrett,  presided.  Messrs. 
Felton,  Blske,  Woodward^  and  Myerson, 
described  different  kinds  of  trees  in  such  an 
interesting  manner,  as  to  render  these  ser- 
vices quite  delightful  We  give  a  notice 
of  Mr.  Myerson's  meeting  at  the  OvaJ, 
Hackney-road,  in  another  place.  Mr.  In- 
ward, of  Zoar  chapel,  Po; 


his  resignation,  and  removal  this  month. 
It  has  long  been  to  us  a  painful  oonsideim- 
tiott,  that  in  a  chapel  so  surrounded  by 


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AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD. 


61 


Irandreds  and  thouaiids  as  the  Eut  India 
Toad  is,  alionld  not  be  the  aoene  of  mat 
BuooeaB.  Brother  Inward  leavea  it,  and  de- 
airee  another  sphere  of  labour :  which,  we 
hope,  he  soon  will  find ;  while  the  church 
at  Zoar,  Poplar,  will  want  another  minister 
and  pastor ;  and  this  the  Lord  alone  can  send 
unto  them.  To  Him  their  prayers  must  be  di- 
rected, and  on  the  Lord  alone  should  they 
wait — In  Bromley-by-Bow,  the  brethren 
Took  and  Stanley,  and  their  friends,  have 
just  holden  their  first  anniversary  meeting 
in  Jireh,  Willis-street,  St  Leonard's  road. 
H.  Stanley  ably  presided;  the  friends 
Tooke,  Clmch,  and  C.  W.  Banks,  spoke  to 
the  people;  and  the  result  of  the  meeting, 
and  the  previous  veer's  labour,  proved  that 
the  germ  of  a  good  cause  was  being  formed, 
which,  if  watered  with  heavy  dews,  and  if 
the  brethren  are  continued  in  devoted  faith- 
fulness, will  grow  into  an  established 
church.  But  in  these  timee,  where  causes 
are  to  be  raised,  or  increased,  there  must  be 
much  of  three  things^-powerful  preach- 
ing, private  prayer  and  meditation,  and  a 
Buooeesion  ox  meetings,  gathering  together 
the  people ;  at  which  efforts  to  benefit  them 
must  be  well  conducted.  To  all  the  friends 
who  areaiming  to  raise  causes  at  Hammer- 
smith, at  Stratford,  in  ICanchester,  and  all 
the  world  over,  these  suggestions  are  ten- 
dered with  the  purest  of  motives. — The 
church  at  Islington,  left  bv  Mr.  Olaskin. 
has  been  well  supplied  by  Mr.  Comfort,  of 
Bamsgate,  Mr.  Felton,  and  others.  A  good 
pastor  and  preacher  is  much  wanted  there. 
— ^Leaving  London  for  a  moment,  we  have 
one  word  to  say  of  Manchester.  Within 
the  last  few  months,  an  attempt  has  been 
made  to  raise  a  Strict  Baptist  Church  in 
Hulme,  -a  mightil^r  populalated  part  of 
Manchester.  A  minister  came  to  them, 
whose  labour  appeared  destined  to  rapidly 
extend  their  boundaries.  Many  heard 
him  well.  Urge  audiences  were  gathered, 
but  suddenly  a  cloud  burst  upon  his  head, 
and  he  flew  away.  Another  blow  for  the 
dear  friends  of  Gospel  truth  in  Manchester. 
On  Sunday,  January  22nd,  C.  W.  Banks 
preached  three  times,  and  the  oongrega^ 
tionsand  services  were  encouxaging  beyond 
expectation.  There  isanopeningforareally 
lively,  honest,  faithful,  and  gifted  minister 
of  Christ  Nothing  short  will  do  here. 
We  believe  Mr.  John  Derbyshire,  of  11, 
Princes-street  Combrook,  Hulme,  Man- 
chester, would  gladly  co-opeiate  with  any 
honourable  man  of  Qod,  whose  heart  and 
head,  and  hands,  could  be  given  to  the 
work.  Mr.  Qoodfellow,  of  Manchester, 
with  many  others,  who  once  struggled  hard 
to  extend  Gospel  truth  in  this  immense 
city,  have  been  called  home.  We  must 
abruptly  close  these  notes. 

•  This  report  is  in  type,  and  will  appear  next 
month~PBX]rTXB. 


EUSTON-SQTJARE.— A  happy  meeting 
at  Euston-haU,  8,  George-street,  Euston- 
road.    This  place  was  opened  by  Mr.  W. 


Wait,  for  the  prodsmation  of  the  Gospel, 
on  the  9th  of  October,  1864.  The  first 
quarterly  tea  and  public  meeting  was  held 
Tuesday,  January  drd,  1866.  Alter  an  ex- 
cellent tea,  the  public  meeting  commenced 
by  singing.  Brother  Mogford  prayed; 
brother  Wait  gave  the  history  of  opening 
the  hall  for  the  proclamation  of  the  Gospel 
in  all  its  fulness  and  freeness,  shewmg 
this  step  was  not  taken  to  induce  persons 
to  leave  other  pUu»s  of  worship,  but  for 
those  who  do  not  attend  the  means  of  grace. 
Mr.  C.  W.  Banks  eave  a  very  encouraging 
address,  calculated  to  be  useful  to  brother 
Wait  as  a  young  man  just  commencing  in 
the  woriE  of  the  ministry.  Mr.  Attwood 
followed,  and  stated  what  young  ministers 
might  expect  in  the  way  ol  opposition,  Ac. 
After  repeating  the  foUoWm^  lines,  he 
closed  by  wishing  brother  Wait  the  bless- 
ings of  GKid's  presence. 


Always  keep  on  sowing ; 
Ood  may  cause  the  seed  to  grow. 

Faster  than  ye're  koowins. 
Good  seed  De*er  waa  sown  In  vain, 

Still  his  voice  obeylnff ; 
Yt  u  look  upwards  tor  the  rain. 

And  falter  not  in  praying. 

Piar,  pray,  pray, 

Alwava  keep  on  prayinff, 
In  ihe  brii^test,  darkest  di^. 

Still  his  voice  obeyioc . 
Kever  from  the  gates  ofprayer 

Turn  witti  doubting  sorrow ; 
For  thy  Lord  that  staiideth  there 

May  answer  you  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Webb,  of  Zion,  followed  by  addresing 
himself  more  particularly  to  brother  Wait 
respecting  the  qualifications  for  the  work 
of  the  ministiy.  Mr.  Osmonds  spoke 
sweetly  of  the  faithfukiess  of  God,  taxing 
for  his  motto  the  great  and  glorious  name, 
Jehovah  Jireh,  which  signifies,  1st,  the 
Lord  has  seen  all  his  chosen  from  eternity. 
2nd.  the  Lord  doth  see  them  in  all  their 
trials,  temptations,  and  afflictions.  8rd, 
the  Lord  will  see  that  every  one  shall  arrive 
safe  in  the  haven  of  eternal  rest  4th, 
the  Lord  will  provide — 

A  refuge  here, 
▲  home  hereafter. 

After  singing,  brother  Wait  closed  the 
meeting  by  prayen  The  spirit  of  true 
Christian  foUowship,  and  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  was  sweetly  realised  and  enjoyed. 
God  grant  us  many  such  meetings. 


HOMERTON.  — Lord's-day,  December 
18th,  Mr.  Archer  preached  morning  and 
evening.  Mr.  Stringer  in  afternoon.  Many 
found  it  venr  good ;  it  was  to  all  an  en- 
couraging day.  This  cause  has  had  its 
troublea,  out  by  the  help  of  the  Lord  the^ 
continue  to  this  day.  He  is  blessing  His 
word  there;  our  numbers  increase;  reiv- 
ing upon  the  Lord  for  His  promised  hefp^ 
we  go  forward.      Omb  that  was  thbbb. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


FeK  1,  IMS. 


A  LETTER  FBOM  MB.  SAMUEL 
COZENS. 
[Wb   give    the    following   without  any 
abridgment   We  call  special  attention  to 
it] 

Mb.  Editob.— My  deab  Bib, — Thanka 
many  for  your  expreasiona  of  ayoHMithy 
and  good  wiahes  for  my  welfare.  I  have 
indeed  been  afflicted  with  wave  upon 
wave,  and  I  have  indulged  the  dark 
thought  that  possessed  the  Psalmist,  when 
he  said,  ^^  No  man  oanih  ica  my  sool;**  but 
*'  It  is  decreed  that  most  must  pa8s» 
The  darkest  paths  ALOITE." 

In.  the  writings  of  men,  I  h»ve  met  with 
nothing  that  at  all  represents  the  conflicts 
of  my  soul  like  Bunyan's  description  of  the 
dreadful  combat  between  Christian  and 
Apollyon.  I  lost  my  sword;  I  could  not 
take  hold  of  a  single  promise — of  one  word 
to  strike  the  foe  with ;  but  he  belaboured 
me  with  a  thousand  infirmities,  and  damned 
me  to  the  lowest  hell,  and  neariy  the  whole 
of  one  niffht  I  was  groaning,  ^*l<08t !  lost! 
lost!  lostr  Bunyan  sa^rs  trulv,  "In  this 
combat  no  man  can  imagine  unless  he  had 
BEEN  and  HEABD  as  I  did  what  yeffin^ 
and  hideous  roaring  ApoUyon  made  all  the 
time  of  the  fight ;  and  on  the  other  side, 
what  tight  Bsiagroant  burst  from  Christian's 
heart,"  Ac.  Some  people  tell  us  we  ought 
not  to  doubt  after  such  signal  interpositions 
of  Divine  goodness  and  grace.  The  fact 
is,  I  believe  that  our  darkest  nights  come 
aftei  our  brightest  days.  Abraham  fell 
into  "an  horror  of  great  darkness*'  imme- 
diately after  the  bright  visions  of  Divine 
flavour.  The  Inaelites  despaired  of  salva- 
tion soon  after  their  deuveranoe  from 
Egypt  Job  left  the'  altar  of  worship  to 
meet  the  very  troubles  his  sacrifices  were 
offered  to  avert  Peter  denies  Christ  after 
enjoying  the  felicities  of  the  Mount  of 
Transfiguration.  Paul  drops  from  the  third 
heaven  by  a  devilish  assault  of  Satan.  Be- 
fore this  terrible  conflict  came  on,  I  had 
been  carried  up  into  \he  heavodg  plaees  in 
Christ  (Eph.  C);  and  no  place  on  earth 
seemed  more  diirable  to  me  than  the  con- 
gregation of  the  dead;  the  grave-yard 
seemed  attractive,  and  the  tomb-stones 
looked  beautiful ;  like  a  weary  traveller,  I 
wished  to  be  at  rest;  and,  like  a  child  at 
school,  I  longed  for  the  vacation  to  go 
home.  But  when  the  sun  went  down, 
everything  was  wrapped  in  thick  darkness. 
I  could  not  see  my  si^s  nor  read  my  evi- 
dences, and  death,  which  before  looked  like 
an  angel  of  mercy,  now  appeared  as  a  king 
of  terrors,  and  1  dreaded  with  awful  fear 
his  terrible  approach.  Death  is  a  very 
diiferent  thing  to  those  who  enjoy  robust 
health  from  what  it  is  to  those  who,  like 
myself,  are  brought  in  their  feelings  to  die 
duly.  My  affliction  ia  very  peculiar;  from 
the  feeble  action  of  the  heart,  I  h»ve  only 
the  pulse  of  a  babe,  and  sometimes  for  a 
few  seconds  the  action  of  the  heart  ceases 
altogether.  Many  times  in  the  course  of  » 
night  after  a  heavy  day's  work  this  will 


occur;  besides  which,  or  as  an  effect  of 
which,  I  occasionally  suffer  from  paralysifl 
in  the  mouth,  so  that  I  cannot  bring  up  the 
under  Jaw  to  articulate  a  word.  The  first 
time  I  lost  my  speech  in  preaching,  the 
enemy  suggested, — ^Tou  have  been  pray' 
God  to  stop  the  mouths  of  hirelings, 
now  your  mouth  is  stopped  in  answer  to 
VDur  own  prayer;  but  I  said,  I  am  no  hire- 
ling. For  a  long  time  after  I  was  called  to 
spdak  I  preached  the  Gospel  freely  with* 
out  fee  or  reward.  On  another  oocasioii, 
when  my  speech  failed  me.  something  said. 
That  deacon  ikere — (and  the  n^  warn 
pointed  out  to  me)— has  been  praying  to 
Uod  to  shut  your  mouth,  and  your  mouth 
is  shut  in  answer  to  his  prayer;  bnt| 
strange  to  say,  when  I  thougnt  my  mouth 
waa  dosed  for  ever,  the  power  of  speech 
was  restored,  and  I  finished  my  discourse. 
I  don't  know  how  it  is  with  vou,  but,  ai 
times,  I  feel  so  doubtful  that  all  the  people 
in  the  world  could  not  make  me  believe 
that  I  am  a  child  of  Gk>d;  then,  like  a  gos- 
samer, I  am  blown  about  with  every  wind 
of  temptation ;  and,  then,  again,  I  feel  so 
bdieving,  that,— 

^  1  can  smile  at  Satan^  ngfi. 
And  jkoe  a  frowning  mAA,** 
It  is  thought  bv  some  that  my  health 
would  be  better  if  I  were  to  emigrate  to  a 
wanner  climate,  or  if  I  were  to  take  a  trip 
to  Egypt;  but  that  supposes  a  purse  of  no 
small  capacity,  with  rich  linings  of  gold; 
but  I  have  neither  purse  nor  linings :  but» 
thanks  be  unto  God  for  dailg  brma,  tnat  is 
a  dailg  mercy.  He  knows  when  there  is 
no  oil  in  the  cruse,  and  when  the  last  cake 
is  made  from  the  spent  barreL  The  meal 
of  His  Providence  keeps  us  alive,  and 
when  we  want  a  little  exfno,  why,  then, — 
bless  His  holy  name!— He  filub  the  ves- 
sels with  the  larger  communications  of  His 
goodness.  What  a  wonder-working  God 
He  is !  Sometimes  I  am  brought  verw  lom^ 
to  teach  me  how  deoendent  I  am ;  ana  then 
He  opens  His  han^  so  g^erously,  that  I 
am  melted  into  wonder,  love,  and  pnise  at 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  and  the  loving^ 
kindnesses  of  the  Lord.  How  hard  it  is 
for  us  to  carry  some  of  our  temporal 
burdens ;  but  how  sweet  it  is  to  be  enabled, 
by  the  faith  of  prayer,  to  cast  them  on  the 
Lord.  I  can  say,  to  the  honour  of  His 
name,  that  I  never  sought  Him  for  the 
supply  of  a  real  necessity  without  obtain- 
ing it 

I  have  preached  but  very  little  of  late, 
and  I  fear  I  shall  be  obliged  to  give  u^  the 
ministry  altogether.  My  last  physician 
told  me  I  must  also  give  up  writing^  but,  as 
long  as  I  have  strength,  I  must  work  far 
my  children.  I  often  want  faith  to  leave 
my  family  in  God's  hands.  I  think  about 
them  sometimes  till  mv  heart  is  over- 
whelmed within  me.  I  don't  know  why  I 
should  write  thus  to  you ;  but  perhaps  it  is 
for  your  own  comfort 

I  do  pray  that  you  will  be  careful  to  fill 
your  VESSEL,  with  pure  Gospel  truth. 
These  are  not  times  for  small  talk,  but  for 


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Fek  1,  1865. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


63 


a  bold,  oatopoken,  fearless  ezbibition  of  the 
whole  trath. 

»  0  far  a  eloMr  walk  with  CkxL'* 

With  best  wishes,  I  remain,  yours  in  the 
GrospeL  B.  GozK!is. 

18,  Lincoln-street,  Bow-road. 

THE  GREAT  KORAL  AKD  EVAN* 
OBLICAL  PIULANTHBOPIST  IN 
SCOTLAND. 

Som  few  men  in  every  age  have  stood 
out,  as  it  were,  in  bold  rehef  by  them- 
selves ; — that  is,  in  their  particular  lino  of 
things;  there  was  not  another  like  them. 
Such  a  man  was  Paul ;  and,  after  him,  in 
eveiy  period  of  the  world^s  histoiy,  there 
have  been  singular  men.  Bushing  over 
the  heads  of  thousands,  and  leaving  cen- 
turies behind,  in  sflent  review,  we  boldly 
say,  such  a  man  is  the  Reverend  Thomas 
Jamsb  Mbssbb.  Take  him  altogether,,  we 
know  not  his  equal  anywhere.  He  is  a 
^ood  writer,  an  author  of  no  mean  calibre, 
and  yet  who  hears  much  of  Messer's  books  ? 
He  is  a  most  ingenious  mechanic,  sur- 
veyor, architect,  and  dentist  We  have 
seen  buildings  of  his  erection,  chaste  and 
pretty,  convenient  and  complete:  he  is  a 
preacher  of  the  Gospel ;  of  a  much  higher 
order  than  well  suits  the  order  of  minds 
amongst  whom  he  frequently  laboured  in 
this  country ;  but,  above  all,  peering  high 
into  a  most  exalted  standing,  he  is  a  tem- 
perance advocate.  He  needs,  however,  no 
feathers  from  us  to  make  him  fly :  he  is 
winging  his  way  through  Scotland  this 
winter  with  rapidity  and  success.  From 
the  postscript  to  a  letter  we  have  just  re- 
ceived, the  following  interesting  paragraphs 
we  found : — 

Hitherto  we  have  been  greatly  flavoured 
in  connection  with  our  second  tour  through 
this  romantic  part  of  our  island  home. 
Besides  preadiing  in  free  churches,  U.  P. 
churches,  E.  U.  dJiurches,  Independent 
and  Baptist  chapels  to  many  thousands,  we 
have  had  the  opportunitv  of  addressing  be- 
twixt twenty  and  thirty  thousand  persons,  at 
the  lowest  calculation,  on  that  subject,  which 
has  for  so  mary  years  engaged  my  attention. 
Wherever  we  have  gone,  we  have  received 
the  greatest  possiUe  kindness,  and  have 
had  abundant  cause  to  believe  that  our 
labours,  both  in  the  North  and  South  of 
Scotland,  have  been  greatly  blewed. 

Yon  will  see  that  there  is  rather  more 
liberality  amongst  the  Scotch  clergy  than 
we  witness  in  England.  I  have  accepted 
pulpits  belonging  to  all  denominations  in 
Scotland,  except  those  of  the  Established 
Church  and  the  Weslevans. 

The  Scotch  are  a  church-going  people; 
they  love  to  hear,  and  to  criticise  sermons. 
There  are  many  good  people  scattered  aU 
over  the  land,  but  there  is  much  required 
to  be  done  everywhere.  Whisky  drmking 
is  Sootland*s  curse,  and  too  many  ministers 
neglect  to  bear  their  testimony  against  the 
drinking  habits  of  the  people. 


I  found  a  very  interesting  Baptist  church 
at  Petertiead.  1  preached  twice  there  one 
Sabbath,  and  ministered  the  Lord's  supper 
to  the  members  of  the  church.  I  also 
preached  and  broke  bread  with  another 
small  church  at  Forres.  The  Baptists  in 
Scotland  have  weeUy  communion.  The 
number  of  Baptists  is  but  smaU.  There  is 
a  fine  opening  in  this  country  for  a  truth- 
proclaiming  Evangelist  or  two.  There  is 
more  Anmnianism  in  Scotland  than  you 
would  imagine.  There  was  more  genuine 
truth  preached  in  the  days  of  John  Knox 
than  there  is  now.  The  ministry  of  the 
present  day  is  learned,  but  there  seems  to 
be  a  want  of  power— that  power  which 
accompanied  the  labours  of  those  men  who 
in  dajTS  gone  by  laid  down  their  lives  for 
the  truth's  sake.  I  have,  however,  come 
into  contact  with  many  truly  excellent  men 
during  mv  wanderings:  with  men  who  love 
and  proclaim  ti^e  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus; 
and  their  labour  is  not  in  vain.  Perhaps, 
on  some  future  day,  if  spared,  and  should 
the  Guidt  continue  to  live  (and  I  hope  it 
willX  I  may  find  time  to  write  a  paper 
descriptive  of  what  I  have  seen  during  our 
second  interesting  tour  in  this  beautiful 
country.  When  your  stock  of  contributions 
hapi>ens  to  be  rather  low,  give  me  a  hint, 
and  it  shall  be  done. 

The  weather  here  is  now  fine,  but  cold. 
During  the  last  four  months,  we  have  had  to 
face  many  a  storm  among  the  snow  clad 
mountains  of  the  highlands ;  but  though  I 
have  suffered  a  uttle  annoyance  from 
rheumatic  twichings  in  the  joints  andmua- 
cles,  I  have  been  physically  equal  to  my 
work.  Some  weeks  I  have  addressed  meet- 
ings every  evening,  not  excepting  Saturday, 
and  preached  twice  to  large  audiences  on 
the  Sabbath.  I  had  Dr.  McGelvray's  free 
church  at  Aberdeen  crowded  when  I  preach- 
ed in  it ;  it  is  a  spacious  building,  and  its 
minister,  the  doctor,  is  a  splendid  man. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  has  been  here  since  we 
came,  and  his  labours  were  not  in  vain. 
When  I  read  the  Scotchman's  review  of  his 
labours  in  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  in  the 
GMe  of  Dec  18th,  1  thought  of  a  little 
episode  in  the  life  of  the  village  Uaoksmith, 
Samuel  Hick.  On  a  certain  occasion  when 
pusing  up  to  the  platform,  a  puritanical 
looking  brother  said  to  the  good,  kind  old 
man,  "Now  Sammy,  don't  be  facetious  to- 
day." Samuel,  on  rising  to  address  the 
meeting,  said,  "  Mr.  Chairman,  that  brother 
who  is  sitting  there"  (pointing  to  him),  said^ 
**  ^ Don't  be  facetiouB  to-day'— poor  thing! 
he  never  made  anybody  either  cry  or  laugh 
in  all  his  bom  daya"  I  wish  you  would 
keep  the  (raufe  free  from  the  peppery,  in- 
vidious lucubrations  of  fault-nnding  men. 
One  mend-fault  is  worth  twentv  find-faults. 
Though  I  may  differ  with  C.  H.  S.  on  some 
points,  I  honour  him  for  his  fearless  advo- 
cacy of  truth,  and  rejoice  in  the  success 
that  follows  in  the  wake  of  his  herculean 
toil  Where  can  you  find  a  young  minister 
who  has  laboured  harder,  or  with  greater 
success  ?    All  honour  to  him  for  what  he 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Feb.  1, 1M& 


has  said  on  the  subject  of  B*ptismsl  rege- 
iiexation!  Mjty  stiU  greater  clearness  of 
hpiritual  vision  be  given  to  him,  and  still 
greater  suocess  crown  his  labours  of  love. 

I  do  so  much  admire  those  writers  who 
break  a  man's  head,  and  then  apply  a  plaster 
to  the  wound  they  have  inflicted. 

The  Scotchman  cannot  do  the  work 
O.  H.  S.  is  doin^,  any  more  than  I  can  do 
yours,  or  you  mine. 

But  my  postcript  is  growing  too  fast  I 
therefore  lay  down  my  pen,  under  the  in- 
tiuenoe  of  an  intense  desire,  that  for  many 
long  yean,  if  it  be  the  will  of  the  Father 
in  heaven,  you  may 

**  Labour  on  at  his  command. 
And  offer  all  3*ottr  works  to  him.** 
And  after  that,  when  you  shall  have  aooom- 
]ilished  as  an  **  hireling  his  day,"  you  may. 
through  sovereirtf,  undeserved  grsce  ana 
love,  be  honoured  with  a  place  in  that  gor- 
(;eou8,  glorious  city  of  mimortals,  where 
till  the  members  of  the  ransomed  family 
Hhall  join  together  in  singing  that  song 
which  John  heard  when  in  the  isle  called 
I'atmos— "Unto  him  that  loved  us,"  Ac 
Amen.    Vale !    So  prays   T.  J.  Mbssbb. 

MB.   HYERSON'S  MEETI19Q. 

Mb.  Edror,  —  Being  present  at  Mr. 
Myerson's  presentation  meeting,  I  send  you 
Hcoount  of  same.  Truly,  Mr.  Myerson's 
I)osition  is  an  enviable  one ;  he  has  a  vine- 
yard of  pleasant  vines :  he  is  highly  esteemed 
forhis  work's  sake.  Aoout  150  took  tea.  The 
ministerial  brethren  present  were  brethren 
lUitterfield,  Inward,  Wise,  Felton,  and  G. 
Webb.  I  felt  trulv  jrlad  to  see  the  pastor 
i>f  Shalom  surrounded  with  so  good  a  staff, 
ull  of  them  valiant  for  the'  tnith.  I  cer- 
tainly felt  God  was  present  At  half -past 
hix,  the  evening  meeting  commenced.  Mr. 
^fyerson  took  tne  chair;  on  his  rif  ht  and 
left  were  arranged  the  speakers.  Mr.  Fel- 
ton prayed  in  a  fervent  manner  for  God^s 
Messing.  The  chapel  was  fulL  Mr.  My- 
f  rson  said  he  felt  much  enoouiaffed  in  see- 
ing so  many  present ;  thev  had  much  to 
t  liank  God  for.  Five  years  had  now  nearly 
)ia8sed  away  since  he  first  preached  in  that 
place ;  he  was  astonished  at  the  wonderful 
success  that  had  attended  his  labours. 
Truly,  God  had  greatly  honoured  him,  and 
to  him  was  the  glory  due,  for  he  was  most 
unworthy.  This  meeting  was  his  birth- 
<lay  meeting,  and,  perhaps,  they  would  like 
to  know  his  age?  Some  people  had 
thought  him  twenty;  some  had  guessed 
him  younger.  Brother  Butterfleld  said 
Hixty.  Mr.  Myerson  not  quite  so  old.  If 
<  iod  spared  his  life  to  reach  that  age,  he 
hoped  he  would  be  as  determined  for  truth 
.IS  now:  he  would  be  thirty-eight  on 
Thursday. 

Brother  Butterfteld  said, — I  wish  you 
many  happy  returns  of  the  day.  May  God 
Ml  ill  continue  to  bless  you  in  your  im- 
]>ortant  work.  I  have  something  more  to 
HAy.  VThen  I  left  home,  I  thought  what 
Kliall  I  say  to  the  people  ?— a  presentation 
meeting  — a   birth-day   meeting!   and   I 


thought  of  Boas  and  his  reapers.  Boas 
came  from  Bethlehem,  and  ssid  to  his 
reapers,  *'  The  Lord  be  with  you."  Be- 
mancaUe  that  this  should  be  the  portion  so 
very  appropriate.  Boax  came  from  Beth- 
lehem and  Butteifleld  came  from  Bethle- 
hem, and  said  as  Boax  did,  "  The  Lord  be 
with  you  at  Shalom."  So  Mr.  Butterfield 
brought  a  plate  of  P.*s,  and  wished  the 
people  an  appetite  to  enjoy  them  as  they 
would  a  plate  of  peas  in  the  summer  time. 
The  first  P.  would  be  Providence,  the  se- 
cond P.  prosperity,  the  third  to  prevent 
you,  the  last  to  present  you.  H  is  speech 
was  admirable,  instructive,  and  full  of  affec- 
tion. 

Brother  Wise  then  requested  to  speak, 
as  a  most  important  matter  was  committed 
to  his  charge.  This  meeting,  he  said,  you 
are  aware,  is  a  presentation  meeting,  and. 
if  I  mistake  not,  brother  Butterfield  will 
present  to  brother  Myerson  the  proceeds  of 
this  meeting.  I  should  have  no  objection 
to  such  a  meeting  myself  if  you  would  all 
agree  to  oome  and  serve  me  the  same ;  but, 
however,  though  Mr.  Butterfield  is  to  pre- 
sent the  money,  I  am  to  introduce  a  pre- 
sentation before  his.  My  dear  Mr.  Myerson 
will  be  presented  with  something  of  ^^reater 
importance,  andj  after  keeping  him  in  sus- 
pense, he  said,  it  is  a  Bible,  and  would  be 
presented  by  Mr.  Mobbs,  the  senior  scholar 
of  the  Bible  class.  The  young  man  then 
advanced  towards  the  platform,  and  pre- 
sented his  pastor  with  the  Word  of  God.  I 
never  witnessed  a  more  affecting  sight; 
the  pastor  hung  down  his  head,  and  the 
big  tears  stole  down  his  cheeks,  which  told 
more  than  words  can  express ;  and  looking 
on  that  platform,  a  sight  presented  itself 
that  angels  might  stay  to  behold.  That 
precious  book,  held  in  the  hand  of  a  living 
young  Christian,  brought  to  a  knowledge 
of  the  truth  under  the  ministrations  of  his 
pastor,  before  a  devoted  people,  and  to  see 
those  men  of  God — those  ministers  of 
Christ — with  sympathising  hearts  weeping 
for  very  joy,  was  a  glorious  sight  indeed. 
The  feeling  passed  hke  lightning  through 
the  place,  and  men,  women,  and  children 
were  seen  bathed  in  tears. 

Mr.  Mobbs  addressed  the  people  in  a 
most  fervent  manner,  and,  indeed,  no  one 
could  have  spoken  mora  to  the  point,  and 
presented  the  Bible  most  affectionately  in 
the  name  of  the  Bible-class.  The  Bible  is 
a  most  valuable  one,  being  Bagster's  Com- 
prehensive. It  was  received  by  the  pastor 
with  evident  emotion,  and  he  managed  to 
get  out  a  word  or  two  in  expression  of  his 
gratitude. 

Mr.  G.  Webb  next  addressed  the  meet- 
ing in  a  warm  and  affectionate  manner. 
After  him  Mr.  Inward,  in  his  usual  fer- 
vour, spoke ;  then  Mr.  Wise  and  Mr.  Blake, 
but  was  compelled  to  be  brief.  All  spoke 
well,  and,  best  of  all,  not  one  jarring 
note. 

Mr.  J.  Butterfield  presented  the  money, 
and  said  he  felt  almost  as  much  pleasure 
in  doing  so  as  if  it  was  for  himself ;  and  he 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


65 


did  not  know  why  eveiy  mimster  should 
not  have  a  presentation  meeting,  and,  dear 
Hr.  Editor,  if  you  will  allow  me,  I  think 
the  same.  The  Doxology  was  snng,  and 
the  meeting  closed  with  prayer,      a.  C. 

SUFFOLK.— Old  Baptist  Chapel,  Aid- 
boroi»h.  This  is  a  branch  of  the  church 
at  Aldringham,  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Henry  T.  Pawson.  On  Thursday,  the  12th 
of  January,  a  tea  meeting  was  held.  By 
the  activity  of  friends,  the  provision  was 
paid  for  beforehand,  and  the  number  who 
partook  quite  filled  the  chapeL  In  the 
evening,  a  public  meeting  took  place,  when 
the  chapel  was  crowded  to  excess.  After 
the  opening  hymn,  brother  Wilson,  son  of 
the  niBt  beloved  and  honoured  pastor  (by 
whose  instrumentality  the  church  was 
planted)^  and  an  honourable  and  useful 
deacon  of  the  church,  offered  praver.  After 
a  few  remarks  by  the  chainnan  (Mr.  Paw- 
son),  brother  Brown,  of  Friston,  made  a 
short  but  appropriate  speech,  expressive  of 
affection  torards  the  minister  and  people, 
and  the  interest  he  felt  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  cause.  He  then  presented  to  the  pastor 
a  purse  containing  the  proceeds  of  tea 
ticKets,  Ac.,  as  a  token  of  love  from  his 
people^  which,  with  deep  emotion,  was 
briefly  acknowledged.  Addresses  were  de- 
livered by  the  brethren  Baldwin,  of  Sax- 
mundham.  Baker,  of  Tunstall,  and  Brown, 
of  Triston.  The  speakers  were  peculiarly 
happy.  The  singing  was  most  animating, 
and  the  harmony  and  good-will  which  per- 
vaded the  meetings  was  truly  encouiagmg. 
The  presence  of  our  living  ijosd  appeared 
to  be  sweetly  realized,  and  after  singing 
part  of  the  sweet  hymn  beg^inning,  ^Je- 
rusalem, my  happy  home,"  a  short  prayer, 
and  the  benediction,  the  friends  separated, 
with,  we  believe,  but  one  feeling,  this 
has  been  a  happy  meeting ;  we  must  soon 
have  another.  To  our  covenant  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  be  all  the  glory.  We  regret 
that  the  brethren  Large,  of  Sudboum, 
and  Bridge,  of  Aldborough,  were  unable  to 
attend. 

CLAPHAM.— Ebksiezeb  Chapbl.  New 
Year's  services  were  held  on  January  the 
4th.  Mr.  Bloomfield  preached  in  the  after- 
noon with  his  usual  eneigy,  and  in  the 
evening  a  public  meeting  was  held.  G.  T. 
Gongreve,  Esq^  in  the  cnair.  Mr.  Bloom- 
field  sought  the  Divine  blessing.  The 
chairman's  opening  address  was  very  suita- 
ble, full  of  Cnristian  sympathy,  and,  at  its 
dose,  gave  a  practical  proof  that  his  sym- 
pathy extended  beyond  words.  The  mi- 
nister read  a  statement  showing  the  state  of 
the  cause,  by  which  it  appeared  that  eighty- 
eight  penons  had  been  received  into  full 
communion  during  his  six  years'  stay  at 
Glapham ;  a  statement  of  the  receipts  and 
expenditure  was  also  read,  which  showed 
that  £596  Ss.  11^  had  been  paid  off  the 
chapel  debt  during  the  three  years  and  a 
half  the  chapel  had  been  erected,  leaving  a 
balance  of  ^10  8s.  8d.    The  nunister  spoke 


most  highly  of  the  conduct  of  the  ohurbh 
and  congregation  towards  him,  expressed 
his  deep  gratitude  to  God,  and  his  thanks 
to  the  chainnan  and  ministers  for  their 
presence  and  support,  and  he  hoped  his 
conduct  and  that  of  his  friends  would  be 
such  as  to  ensure  their  continued  counte- 
nance, the  approbation  of  heaven,  and  that 
they  all  mig^t  be  enabled,  by  the  gnce  of 
God,  to  preserve  a  conscience  void  of  of- 
fence both  towards  Gtod  and  man.  Mr. 
Gaunt  spoke  exceedingly  well  on  *^The 
Good  Exchange."  Mr.  Bloomfield  gloriously 
on  '*The  Boyal  Feast"  Mr.  Hawkins 
equally  so  on  ^^  Holy  Ambition,"  as  did  Mr. 
Bracher  (in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Alderson, 
through  illness),  on  "Glorious  Anticipa- 
tion." The  services  were  thoroughly  en- 
joyed, and  the  friends  were  reluctant  to 
disperse. 

*•  BeloctanUy  they  said  ftrewell, 

Their  pleasure  mixed  with  pain  ; 
Still  in  each  other's  heart  they  dwell. 

And  loog  to  meet  again." 
The  proceeds  of  the  day  amounted  to 
£10  ds.  4d.  The  minister  thanked  the 
friends  for  their  presence,  and  a  cordial 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  closed  the 
services.  Mr.  Ballard  and  Mr.  Whitteridge 
also  favoured  us  with  their  presence.  Two 
brethren  and  one  sister  were  baptized  in 
December,  and  five  received  into  full  com- 
munion in  January. 

BICHMOND  —  Salbm  Chapkl.  On 
Thursday,  Jan.  19th,  the  Kew  Year*s  Meet- 
ing took  place.  In  the  afternoon,  prayer 
was  offered  up  by  Mr.  John  Bloomfield ; 
who  also  read  the  84th  Psalm ;  and  then 
Mr.  J.  Foreman  preached  the  sermon  from 
Psahn  cxix  180:  "The  entrance  of  Thy 
words  giveth  light;  it  giveth  nndentancU* 
ing  to  the  simple."  The  preacher  said, 
that  the  words  of  the  Lord  may  be  summed 
up  in  two,  namely,  the  Law  and  the  Gos- 
pel, the  Old  Testament  and  the  Kew; 
the  one  condemnation,  the  other  salvatioD. 
He  would  never  believe  in  a  damning  Gos- 
pel; but  on  the  contrary,  it  is  a  standard 
of  grace  and  joy  to  thoee,  who  by  His 
grace  are  to  be  saved.  The  Gospel  is  the 
word  of  grace,  which  means  a  peculiar 
and  uncommon  favour ;  such  as  a  king's 
favour.  Words  of  gp:ace  are  words  ofme, 
even  to  them  that  have  none  in  themselves. 
The  Jews  wanted  to  make  Jesus  Ctuist  a 
king,  when  he  fed  the  multitude  in  the  wil- 
derness, because  they  thought  he  would 
always  feed  them ;  but  when  He  said  to 
them,  *^  Except  ye  drink  my  blood,  and  eat 
of  my  flesh,  yo  cannot  have  life,"  they 
found  that  saying  too  hard  for  them,  and 
left  Him.  They  did  not  believe :  but  to 
the  true  believer  Christ  is  all  in  all  No 
doubt  the  believer  continued  to  sin^ut  he 
was  always  an  honest  sinner.  Witness 
Peter,  the  most  honest  of  them  all,'— in  the 
hour  of  trial  he  denied  his  Master,  but  still 
he  loved  Him  as  deariy  as  ever.  In  fact, 
without  Him,  what  shall  we  do  ?  without 
Him,  whither  shall  we  go?  The  Gospel 
IS  the  word  of  comfort,  as  it  is  written. 


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66 


THE  EAETHSN  VESSEL, 


Feb.  1, 1865u 


"We  through  paftienoe  and  eomfoii  of  Thy 
irord,"  Ac.;  it  is  the  word  of  flalTation; 
being  the  word  of  Ood  the  Father,  Ood  the 
Son,  and  Ood  the  HoW  Ghost  As  to  the 
^  entrance  of  Thy  word,"  the  word  without 
and  the  word  within  is  ▼ery  different.  The 
one  consists  in  mere  doctrines,  the  other  in 
experience,  or  pnctical  religion.  Boman 
Gatholicisni,  the  State  ChnicE,  are  aU  out- 
sde,  like  the  statne  of  stone  and  wood, 
oold  and  without  feeling.  The  real  thing 
is  the  inside.  As  to  **  Thy  word  givetn 
light,"  it  is  a  sovereign  power  which  none 
can  feel,  except  those  wno  have  been  con- 
yerted.  It  has  asovereign  entry ;  it  enters 
with  power,  as  the  word  of  a  king,  into  the 
very  heart ;  it  is  altogether  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  Through  Christ  we  can  do  all 
things,  suffer  all  things.  The  great  men 
of  Rome  even  were  brought  to  believe  in 
Bim.  In  almost  all  the  households  of  the 
nobility'  of  Imperial  Borne  they  learned  to 

Say  to  God ;  because  while  Paul  was  there 
ey  would  always  ask  him  whv  be  was 
there  placed  before  the  tribunal  without 
any  apparent  cause ;  and  he  would  then  al- 
ways reply,  I  am  here  for  the  love  of  my 
.  ]Ca8ter,theLord  Jesus  Christ    This  would 
'  lead  them  to  reflect,  to  believe,  to  pray; 
and  thus  the  word  had  an  entry  there. 
But  it  is  all  by  the  power  of   the   Holy 
Ghost    The  Gospel  teaches  free  ppiace  and 
free  salvation;  and  the  true  minister  of 
God  is  the  honest  free  grace,  free  aalvation 
preacher.    May   God   give  us   more  and 
more  the  spirit  of  prayer. — After  the  ser- 
mon, of  which  the  foregoing  is,  of  course, 
only  a   feeble  abstract,   and   which   was 
listened  to  with  profound  attention  by  a  full 
congregation,  the  920th  hymn  -  ^  Dismiss 
us  with  thy  blessing.  Lord  "—was  sung, 
and  the  benediction  pronounced. — Tea  was 
served  at  flve  o'clock,  in  the  chapel,  to  a 
crowded  company;   and  we  cannot   but 
mention  the  untinng  suavity  and  attention 
of  the  friends  who  took  the  management — 
The    public  meeting   commenced  at  six 
oVloclc    Mr.  Bloomfleld  occupied  the  chair, 
and  was  surrounded  by  the  following  min- 
Istera : — Messrs.  John  Foreman,  W.  Palmer, 
J.  L.  Meeres,  J.  Anderson,  and  W.  Flack. 
The  meeting  was  opened  with  the  singing 
M  Kindred  in  Christ,   for  His  dear  sake,^* 
and  the  reading  by  the  Chairman  of  the 
67th  Psalm.    The  Chairman  then  called 
upon  Mr.  Cosens  to  prav,  who  begged  to 
be  excused  on  account  of  ill  health.    The 
Chairman  then   offered   prayer.     In  his 
opening  address,  he  said,  thev  would  this 
evening  have  the  privilege  oi  listening  to 
subjects  of  vital  importance,  treated  by  most 
able  brethren.    What  could  be  of   more 
vital  importance  than  regeneration  ?    The 
Baviour  taught  numv  truths ;  but  none  of 
more  importance.    Ecclesiastical  Bep^enera- 
tion  ho  did  not  know  much  about ;  it  is  the 
regenerationas  taught  by  the  State  Church ; 
but  on  that  subject  Mr.  W.  Palmer  would, 
no  doubt,   give  them  ample  information. 
Principles  don't  die  when  men  die :  it  is 
therefore  a  mistake  when  people  say  at  the 


decease  of  some  able  and  leaned  man, 
what  will  become  of  us  now  ?  New  men 
are  sure  to  spring  up  in  the  advocacy  <A 
truth.  Truth  wants  no  favour.  On  the 
other  hand,  no  system  based  on  error  can 
stand  for  any  length  of  time.  Truth  is 
like  the  sun,  and  truth  will  oome  in  glori- 
ous colours  yet  He  then  called  on  Mr. 
W.  Palmer,  who  gave  a  long  and  aUe  lec- 
ture on  Ecdeoastical  BegeneratiMi,  aooord- 
ing  to  the  chart  of  the  Bev.  Bichard  Glover, 
M.  A^  Incumbent  of  Christchurch,  Dover. — 
MrTj.  Foreman  spoke  on  **  Begeneration 
according  to  Jesus  Christ"  John  iil  8 ;  Mr. 
J.  L.  Meeres,  on  the  "^New  Name,"  Bev. 
ilL  12;  Mr.  J.  Anderson,  on  the  ""White 
Stone,^  Bev.  ii  17;  and  Mr.  Wm.  Flack,  on 
the  "Crystal  Biver,"  Bev.  xxii.  1.— <Our 
reporter  took  full  notes  of  the  whole  of 
these  addresses;  and  we  may  in  future 
numbers,  give  them  to  our  readeia.)  At 
the  contusion,  the  Chairman  made  a  few 
more  appropriate  remarks,  and  after  the 
Doxology  and  Benediction,  the  meeting 
broke  up,  well  pleased  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  evening. 

BEBMONDSET  NEW  EOAD.— Ebdi- 
BZBB,    Webb-stbext. — On  Monday,  Dec. 
26th.  the  twelfth  anniversary  of  Mr.  Chi- 
ven*  pastorate  was  holden.    In  the  after- 
noon a  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Bloom- 
field,  from  the  words,  "'We  have  seen  his 
star  in  the  East,"  Ac.    In  the  evening  a 
public  meetine  was  held,    at  which   the 
pastor  presided.    On  opening  the  meeting, 
he  said  he  had  noset  speech  or  formal  de- 
livery to  make.    It   afforded   him  much 
pleasure  to  meet  his  friends  on  thai  occa- 
sion, met  as  they  were  in  the  great  prin- 
ciple of  truth,  to  honour  God  and  promote 
His  cause.    As  a  church  and  peonle  thev 
should  share  in  each  other's  trials;  and, 
thank  God,  they  should  also  in  each  other's 
joys.    They  had  seen  God's  hand  many 
times  outstretched  on  their  behalf;  and  be 
it  said  to  His  honour  and  glory,  that  for 
twelve  years  amon^  them  as  a  church,  there 
had  been  no  declension  from  the  truth,  no  de- 
parture from  the  Gospel  order  of  thinjn;  but 
ne  believed  their  Christian  walk  and  prac- 
tice had  been  such  as  becometh  those  pro- 
fessing i^odliness.  These  were  no  small  mer- 
oiee.  His  anxiety  as  a  pastor  was  great;  his 
position  as  aminister  pressed  upon  him  with 
mcreasine  weight,  at  times  tending  almost 
to  press  the  body  down.    Still  God  helped 
and  sustained  him,  and  at  times  comforted 
him.   His  prayer  was  that  God  would  keep 
him  watchful  and  direct  his  steps  through 
tiie  ^et  untrodden  paths  of  life,  while  his 
anxieiv  increased  for  the  honour  of  the 
Gospel  of  truth,  and  the  love  of  his  heart 
for  never  dying  souls.    God  knew  these 
things  lay  near  his  heart,  and  he  would 
not  give  much  for  the  minister  whose  heart 
was  not  moved  for  the  souls  of  hisfdlow 
men.    He  thanked  God  for  all  the  mereies 
past,  and  desired  to  commit  into  His  hsads 
all  events  of  the  future.    All  the  institu- 
tions in  connection  with  the  chvnh  were 


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AND  CHBI8TIAN  EECOED. 


in  a  praeperoiis  steto ;  unoDg  tlieinaelTes 
they  were  in  peace,  minuter,  oeeconH,  and 
people.  These  things  were  no  snaU  mer- 
dee,  and  for  which  he  desired  to  render 
unto  God  his  heartfelt  thanks.  The  subject 
lor  the  evening's  discnaeian,  was  **The 
Anthozized  ICixdstry/*  which  was  spoken 
to  \rj  MesszB.  Alderson,  Green,  Wyard. 
Gann^  Thomas^  Jones,  and  J.  L.  Keeres, 
Hr.  Wyard,  inn^  and  the  brethren  in  oflELce, 
assisting  in  tne  proceedings.  A  good  spirit 
perraded  the  speakers,  and  Hr.  Chiven 
said,  in  conclnsion,  it  was  one  of  the  best 
meetings  they  had  ever  had  at  Ebeneiser. 

SHEFFIELD.— A  correspondent  says 
>*  There  is  a  Mr.  Quick,  a  man  of  truth 
among  the  Independents,  and  there  is  Mr. 
Battersby  in  the  church,  the  only  two  we 
have  in  this  large  town.  I  see  from  the 
Vksbkl  you  have  been  to  Hxdl  and  Hey- 
wood ;  1  have  had  a  desire  to  hear  you  for 
a  lon^  time,  and,  God  willing,  hope  to  re- 
alize it  We  are  one  in  soul  matters,  and  I 
have  had  my  soul  refreshed  by  reading 
your  writings  in  the  Vessel^  because  you 
lift  up  my  Master,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
as  the  all  and  in  all  in  the  salvation  of  a 
poor  sinner.  Tou  have  had  a  deal  to  pass 
through ;  but  the  Lord  has  been  with  you, 
and  the  God  of  Jacob  has  been  vour  help. 
Yea,  and  He  will  be  to  the  end  of  time ;  for 
He  has  said,  '  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor 
forsake  thee.'  0  for  grace  to  be  enabled  to 
live  unto  Kim  who  has  loved  us.  and  given 
Himself  for  us;  who  died,  the  *■  just  for  the 
unjust,  that  He  might  bnng  us  unto  God.' 
We  want  more  of  this  love  in  our  churches. 
I  am  sure  where  the  love  of  Christ  is  en- 
joyed, by  the  Holy  Ghost  envy  and  evil 
speaking  cannot  five.  *ChariW  thinketh 
no  eviL' " — TWe  thank  the  Lord  for  every 
good  word  fike  this.  Our  work  has  cost 
ns  ten  thousand  sorrows,  and  has  been 
very,  very  imperfect ;  but  how  far  it  has 
been  useful  God  only  can  know.  The  fiery 
darts  of  Satan,  the  dark  douda  of  cross 
Providences,  the  unkindnessof  mischievous 
spirits,  and  the  conflicts  between  the  flesh 
and  the  spirit,  have  all  but  sunk  us  into 
despair  and  death.  But  surely  underneath 
have  been  the  everlasting  aims ;  therefore 
we  live  and  labour  still  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  and  in  the  faith  of  the  GospeL  When 
our  next  Journey  northward  is  arranged, 
we  shall  be  willing  to  tell  the  friends  of 
Truth  in  Sheflleld  all  we  know  of  Jesus 
and  His  great  salvation.— Ed.] 

WABK—ZoAB  Baptist  Chafbl.  On 
2nd  of  January,  the  annual  tea  meeting  was 
held :  the  best  we  ever  had.  Our  brother 
Sampford  does  not  receive  anything  for  his 
laborious  woik.  Bless  the  Lord,  there  are 
a  few  that  love  the  truth,  and  love  their 
pastor  for  his  work's  sake ;  and  they  endea- 
vour to  show  their  love  by  their  deeds. 
This  was  done  by  msJdng  him  a  small  pre- 
sent at  this  meeting.  I  say  small,  for  some 
have  a  full  heart  but  an  empty  purse.  I 
am  glad  to  say,  there  has  been  an  increase 


every  year,  and  this  was  the  best  We 
had  to  tea  over  150,  and  the  friends  en- 
ioyed  themselves.  It  will  not  be  forgotten 
by  some  as  long  as  they  live.  I  felt  much 
delighted  with  .your  introductory  remarks 
for  the  present  year;  and  I  know  if  we 
could  be  kept  looking  more  and  more  for 
thai  blessed  hope,  it  would  buoy  up  our 
spirits^  and  we  should  be  living  more  and 
more  m  anticipation  of  what  the  apostie 
says, — ^^  We  know  that  when  He  shall  ap- 
pear, we  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall 
see  Uim  as  He  is."  0  that  we  may  be 
looking  and  hoping  for  the  glorious  ap- 
pearing of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ  When  He  comes,  their 
owner  will  comcL  who  gave  Himself  for 
them.  The  Lora  continue  to  bless  your 
Eabthkh  Vxbsku    William  BouNBOir. 

BEXLET  HEATH.— Bafiist  Chapel. 
Jubilee  services  were  held  in  this  place  on 
Tuesday  the  10th  instant,  to  celebrate  the 
fiftieth  year  of  the  pastor's  ministry.  A 
very  appropriate  sermon  was  preached  in 
the  afternoon  by  Mr.  Camp^  of  Eynesford, 
from  Acts  xzi.  16:  "An  old  dhMBiple." 
About  120  sat  down  to  a  very  comfortable 
tea,  and  at  six  o'clock,  a  public  meeting 
was  held,  when  the  following  friends  of 
the  '*Oid  Disciple"  delivered  suitable  ad- 
dresses, viz.:  Messn.  Webb^  Wilson, 
Blake,  Smallwood,  Gibson,  Holland,  Piene, 
Slim,  Whittie,  and  Skelt  The  pastor 
spoke  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  all  these 
fifty  years.  The  meeting  was  a  good  one, 
and  we  are  thankful  to  the  friends  who  so 
kindly  came  to  hel^  us  on  this  occasion. 
Subscriptions  are  still  thankfully  received 
by  Mr.  l^ew.  Church-road,  Bexley  Heath, 
secretary  to  the  Jubilee  fund. 

BAORE  PARK,  BLACKHEATH.— A 
New  Tear's  tea  meeting  was  held  in  this 
place  on  Friday,  January  18th.  About  100 
sat  down  to  tea,  the  arrangements  of  which 
were  carried  out  with  the  comfort  and  suc- 
cess of  former  years.  A  public  meeting 
commenced  at  6.80;  Mr.  Cozens  in  the 
chair.  After  singing  and  prayer,  Mr. 
Oracknell,  the  late  pastor,  who  was  on  a 
visit  to  Blackheath,  in  a  neat  speech,  wished 
the  friends  a  happy  new  year,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  Mr.  Thomas  Jones,  who  save  an 
eloquent  and  powerful  address  on  we  new 
covenant  After  a  few  pithy  remarks  }aj 
the  Chairman.  Mr.  W.  Leach,  of  Plum- 
stead,  acquitted  himself  well  in  an  address 
on  a  new  heart,  and  the  new  name.  Mr. 
W.  Alderson,  who  was  to  have  spoken 
on  *^A11  things  Kew,"  having  been  pre- 
vented by  illness  from  fulfilling  his  engage- 
ment, Mr.  Jones  kindly  suppbed  the  want 
by  some  telling  and  soul-elevating  remarks. 
James  Mote,  ^q..  introduced  the  collection, 
and  Mr.  W.  Poplar,  also  a  member  of  the 
Church,  concluded  by  prayer,  a  happy,  and 
it  is  hoped,  a  profitable  meefting. 

BRIGHTON.  —  Dear  Sib,— Upon  the 
threshold  of  another  year,  my  soul  is  con- 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Feb.  1,1865. 


Btmined  to  tell  yon  wbftt  the  Lord  lias  done 
lor  His  cause  and  people  in  this  town, 
where  the  privileffee  of  Gospel  Truth  are 
felt  and  enjoyed  by  very  many.  Salem, 
Bond-street,  is  now  a  Bethel  to  many  souls. 
For  some  time  it  was  in  trial  and  per- 
plexities; but  faToured  were  they  eyen 
then  in  their  supplies.  Many  of  these  dear 
sent  messengers,  with  their  messafes  of 
love  and  mercy,  will  long  be  remembered, 
and  borne  upon  hearts  for  the  truth's  sake. 
Mr.  John  Glssldn,  the  present  pastor,  is, 
indeed,  choice,  deeply  experimental,  and 
filled  with  holy  seal  and  Divine  anointing. 
What  rejoicing  for  members;  what  cause 
for  thankfulness  and  pxaise ;  many  a  Qod- 
glorifying,  soul-comfortiDg,  season  is  en- 
joyed witnin  its  walls ;  and  in  prayer,  such 
wrestling,  such  beseeching  the  throne ;  how 
often  has  the  cry  been,  "  Lord,  it  is  good 
to  be  here."  May  Qod  richly  Uess  him  in 
Divine  things  and  peace,  unity,  and  love 
live  and  reign  long  amongst  them.  Friends 
and  others  interested  in  this  cause  will 
greatly  rejoice  to  leam  of  its  continuing 
prosperity. 

SAXMUNDHAlEIiTew  Year's  meet- 
ing. The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to 
cmtiyate  a  spirit  of  friendship  with  the 
brethren  in  tne  ministry,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  the  churches  of  the  same  faith  and 
order  in  this  locality.  In  this  we  were  not 
disappointed.  We  had  seyen  brethren  in 
the  ministry,  with  seyeral  of  their  friends, 
who  all  expressed  themselves  highly  gra- 
tified. On  Tuesday,  January  10th,  our 
brother  Hoddy  preached  a  good  sermon 
from  Eph.  iii.  17,  ''  That  Christ  may  dwell 
in  your  hearts  by  faith."  A  goodly  num- 
ber sat  down  to  tea  at  five  o'clock.  In  the 
evening  we  had  a  full  house.  We  sang, 
«' Kindred  in  Christ,"  Ac.  Brother  Kew- 
man,  a  deacon  of  the  church  at  TunstaU, 
praved.  Our  brother  Sears,  of  Laxfield, 
spoke  upon  the  Constitution  and  Character 
ol  the  Christian;  Brown,  of  Triston,  the 
Christian's  Privileges;  Pawson,  of  Aldiing- 
ham.  Duties ;  Baker,  of  Tunstall,  Sorrows ; 
Laii^^e,  of  Sudbome,  Joys ;  and  Hoddy,  the 
Christian's  Home.  Between  each  address 
our  fingers  sang  an  anthem,  which  had  a 
very  pleasing  effect.  The  si>eaker8  were 
all  at  home  in  their  work,  and  we  hope 
good  was  done  in  the  name  of  the  holy 
child  Jesus.  After  singing  **  Home,  sweet 
home,"  from  the  selection,  the  Benediction 
was  pronounced.  The  meeting  was  closed 
very  happily  about  nine  o'docIL 

J.  Baldwdt. 

ST0NEH0U8E,  DEVONSHIRE.  — 
Ebkmxzbr  Baptist  Chapel.— Mr.  J.  Flory 


(late  of  London)  having  aocei>ied  the  al- 
most unanimous  call  of  tne  Baptist  church, 
meeting  in  the  above  place,  commenced  his 
laboun  Lord's-day,  January  Ist  Being 
for  some  time  without  a  pastor,  the  cause 
was  low.  I  believe  the  Lord  will  bless 
hislabouxB.  We  have  an  increasing  con- 
gregation; many  are  led  to  rejoice  under 
the  sound  of  the  Word.  Mr.  Flory  is  full 
of  zeal  for  God  and  Truth.  We  anticipate 
having  a  public  tea  next  month  to  weksome 
our  newly-chosen  pastor. 

A  Vbbt  LirnLE  Oax. 

MANCHESTER— At  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  church  and  friends  in  Baptist 
chapel,  Higher  Temple-street,  last  Monday 
week,  a  happv  Christian  spirit  was  mani- 
fested. Mr.  Smith  has  for  many  years  la- 
boured there  with  comfort  and  peace ;  his 
honourable  position,  and  his  grace-sua- 
tained  Christian  character  have  set  him  high 
in  the  estimation  of  all  who  can  appreciate  a 
liberal-minded  yet  firm  and  faithful  Gospel 
minister.  We  should  be  rejoiced  to  know 
his  health  was  established—Jan.  5^  1865. 


NOTES,  QUEBIES,  AND  BEPLIES. 

iM  our  BoBtiat  JMmaiiaek  list  we  omitted  the 
name  aiid  aadreM  of  our  brother  Mayeodi;  it 
is  Mo.  9.  Portland-place,  St.  MarkVRMul,  Cam- 
berwell  New-road.    During  the  lait  month,  be 


has  been  preaohing  with  ranch  aooeptanea  to 
churon  meeting  in  Bethel,  at  Old  Ford. 


the  i 


The  Honnslow  church  hav«^  we  nndentand. 
been  fiivoured  to  hear  him  with  eoosideimble 
blessedness.  We  shall  much  rqjoice  to  see  him 
happily  and  suooessftiUy  Mettled  over  a  large 
and  truth-lnring  people.  We  had  the  bonoar 
of  baptizing  him ;  and  the  more  we  have  seen 
and  known  of  him,  the  more  highly  we  estoem 
him.  After  long  struggles,  he  was  brought 
from  the  Primitire  MethodisU ;  he  now  elands 
firm  in  the  Truth.  Very  recently,  we  here  been 
favoured  to  baptize  another  or  the  Primitive 
Methodist  preachers,  Mr.  AIsop,  of  the  Hack- 
ney-road, a  brother  of  good  experience^  and  of 
an  earnest  spirit  We  heartily  pray  that  he 
may  be  a  blessing  to  many  of  our  oiurc  hes  who 
are  oold  and  languishing,  and  seriously  lack 
•*  a  live  ooal  from  off  the  altar*  to  re-kindle  in 
their  midst  the  flames  of  **  never-dying  love.** 
Over  the  brethren  to  whom  we  have  lefeiied 
we  watch  with  much  anxiety,  and  fierrently 
hope  they  will  be  burning  and  shining  lights 
in  our  ohurehes,  and  that  manv  more  like  them 
may  be  given  unto  us  ttom  toe  ranks  .of  the 
f^ee-wlll  armies. 

Mr.  J.  FiLXWOOD,  deacon  of  Betbeeda  chapel, 
Clapham  rise^  departed  this  life  Jannanr  SOth, 
I8it5,  aged  69.  Tbns,  within  four  years,  has  the 
pastor  and  two  deacons  been  called  home.  May 
the  Lord  soon  send  ftlthfbl  men  to  take  thenr 
plaoee. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


XOriSTU'S  VAMX. 


VAMK  AMD  8ITUATX0V  OF  CBAPZL. 


KUM 
BAPTIUCO. 


Blake,  J 

Foeeman,  John  , 


.  I  Artniery  lane,  Blsckheath 

.  I  Mount  Zlon,  Hill  street,  Dorset  sq.... 


1864— Dec  95. 
Kov.  ST. 


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MKcb  1,  IMS.  AND  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD. 


DUBDfO  TBI 

GREAT    FLOOD    IN    SHEFFIELD, 

MABCH  12tH,  imi. 

To  THE  Editor  of  "  Th«  Eabthen  Vessel." 

Deab  Sib, — According  to  my  promise,  I  send  a  short  account  of  the 

Lord's  goodness  and  mercj  to  mjself  and  fanulj  on  the  12th  of  March, 

1864. 

Manj  papers  have  been  written  on  that  sad  catastrophe  which  befel 

Sheffield ;  but  I  find  none  who  have  written  anything  expressive  of  the 

special  care  and  protecting  hand  of  Jehovah  over  His  own  people. , 

Writers  have  contented  themselves  with  calling  upon  carnal  men  to  get 

their  souls  saved  before  it  is  too  late :  that  is  the  divinity  we,  for  the  most 

part,  have  in  Sheffield.     I  believe  it  is  nothing  else  but  robbing  our  Lord 

of  the  glory  due  to  Him  alone,  and  giving  it  to  the  creature  ;  and  as  I 

have  not  so  learned  Chbist,  I  think  it  is  incumbent  upon  all  the  Lord's 

people  to  show  to  the  world  that 

"  True  re1igion*8  more  tban  notion, 

Sometning  must  be  known  and  felt.** 

And  that  blessed  reality  can  only  be  known  as  the  soul  is  taught  by  the 

Holy  Ghost ;  and  blessed  be  His  holy  name,  there  were  two  or  three  in 

the  midst  of  that  flood  who  could  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment. 

Absolute  sovereignty  is  stamped  on  eveiy  act  of  Jehovah  both  in 

providence  and  in  grace ;  and  He  teaches  all  His  people  experimentally ; 

they  know  "  He  doeth,  according  to  his  will  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and 

amongst  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  none  can  stay  His  hand,  or  say  ' 

unto  Him,  What  doest  Thou  1 "     These  thing,  I  trust,  I  have  by  grace 

been  taught ;  and,  therefore,  as  one  year  has  well  nigh  run  its  race  since 

the  Sheffield  flood,  I  desire,  like  Moses,  to  '^  remember  all    the  way 

which  the  Lord  our  God  has  led  us."     And  here  let  me  say,  if  the  Lord 

speaks  home  a  promise  to  the  soul,  He  will  enable  that  soul  to  lay  hold 

of  it  by  precious  faith ;  and  as  soon  would  He  lose  His  throne,  as  fietlsify 

His  word.     The  Lord's  people  are  all  brought  sooner  or  later  to  declare, 

*'  Not  one  word  has  failed  of  all  that  He  has  spoken."    I  come  now  to 

speak  of 

THE  NiaHT  OF  THE  FLOOD. 

Having,  after  a  sweet  time  at  the  throne  of  grace,  retired  to  rest  at 
Imlf-past  eleven  on  the  night  of  the  11th  of  Maroh  last,  I  dropped  into 
a  doze  for  about  half  an  hour,  when  I  awoke  with  the  words  in  Psalm 
cziv.  9,  10,  on  my  lips,  "  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell 
in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea,  even  there  shall  Thy  hand  lead  me, 
and  Thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me."  While  I  lay  silently  thinking  how 
safe  the  Lord's  people  were — 

**  In  every  state  secwei** 
in  a  moment — ^without  the  least  warning,  the  mighiy  waters  came  rolling 


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7<l  THE  RABTSBN  VXSSBLy  Maibh  1,  IMS. 

down  into  the  vallej  where  our  houses  stood,  sweeping  nearly  all  before 
them — making  the  most  dreadful  roar  imaginable.  I,  in  an  instant 
awoke  my  dear  wife ;  I  told  her  I  thought  something  was  wrong,  but  could 
not  tell  what.  We  then  heard  screams  and  crieB  for  help.  Our  house  was 
terribly  shaken  from  the  foundacion  to  the  top.  At  that  moment^  our 
next  door  neighbour  called  out  in  distress, 

"  Oh  ]  Mr.  Johnson,  what  shall  we  do  I  "^ 

I  said,  "  What  is  the  matter  r* 

She  replied,  "  Look  <yiU  of  the  uindowJ* 

This  was  all  the  work  of  two  or  three  moments.  But  when  I 
went  to  the  window,  what  a  sight  was  there  !  "No  tongue  or  pen  can 
describe  the  scene  I  then  beheld.  The  waters  were  foaming  with  ra^ 
and  white  with  agitation.  Large  oak  and  ash  trees  were  torn  up  by  the 
roots,  which  coming  into  contact  with  the  houses,^  brought  them  down^ 
and  their  inmates  were  hurried  into  eternity. 

A  friend  who  Hved  a  short  distance  from  us,  saw  a  mother  and  four 
children  floating  down  the  stream  on  a  bed,  having  been  washed  out  of 
their  chamber ;  they  were  calling  aloud  for  help,  but  none  could  be  given^ 
and  soon  they  sank  to  rise  no  more.  Tery  many  such  awful  sights  were 
witnessed  that  night,  the  remembrance  of  which  makes  me  shudder^ 
Yet,  amidst  it  all,  what  an  unspeakable  mercy  to  trace  the  Lord's  hand 
in  preserving,  strengthening,  comforting,  and  delivering,  when  no  arm 
but  His  could  help— no  power  but  His  could  save !  With  what  blessed 
sweetness  did  the  Lord  apply  to  my  soul  again  and  again  the  words  of 
the  Psalm  above  quoted ;  and  how  firm  was  the  foundation  upon  which, 
we  stood,  being  upheld  by  His  omnipotent  arm;  for  after  the  first  shock 
was  over,  we  were  both  enabled  to  cast  ourselves,  and  our  dear  children 
into  His  hands,  which  we  did  with  much  liberty.  While  death  and  de- 
struction were  sweeping  hiuidreds  away,  we  could  feelingly  adopt  the 
language  of  the  poet  and  say — 

"  Flakes  and  death  ftronnd  me  fly, 
Tm  he  bidfl  I  cannot  die ! 
Kot  a  single  shaft  can  hit. 
Tin  the  God  of  love  see  fit.'*^ 

Then  we  found,  if  ever  we  did,  what  it  was  to  have  the  God  of  Jacob  for 
our  Hefuge.  How  different  to  a  poor  unawakened  sinner !  One  neighbour, 
of  whom  I  have  spoken  (a  very  worldly  woman),  cried  out  for  me  to  save 
her.  What  a  thought !  I  had  no  power  to  help  myselt  I  said  to 
her, 

*'  You  are  out  of  the  power  of  all  human  help.  None  can  help  bat 
the  Lord,  whom  you  have  despised  all  your  life." 

To  which  she  replied, 

"If  He  will  but  help  me  now,  I  will  not  despise  Him  again." 

But,  alas !  how  falsely  the  promise  was  kept ;  it  was  like  everything 
else  the  flesh  has  to  do  with  :  she  forgot  it  all  by  noon.  It  is,  as  David 
said  of  Israel,  "  They  soon  forget  His  works ; "  and  so  do  we,  at  least,  I 
do ;  and  to  my  shame  I  confess  it,  that  I  am  prone  to  murmur  at  the 
Lord's  dealings  with  me ;  yet  when  He  is  graciously  pleased  to  whisper, 
"  Lacked  ye  anything  $  "  I  am  compelled  to  reply,  "  Nothing,  Lord." 


"  I  chide  my  unbelieving  heart, 
And  blush  thiit  I  should  ever  be 
So  prone  to  act  so  base  a  part, 
As  harbour  one  hard  thought  of  thee.*' 


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Ifaroh  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EECORD.  71 

But  to  return ;  after  we  bad  risen  from  our  knees,  I  began  to  aak 
myself  a  few  questions,  sncb  as  these,  Well,  now,  we  are  to  all  appearance 
just  upon  the  brink  of  a  watery  grave ;  and  will  my  religion  do  to  die 
with  ?  This  was  a  solemn  question,  and  produced  some  self-examination. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord.  I  was  enabled  to  say, 

^  On  Christ  the  solid  rock  I  staod, 
All  other  groand  is  smking  aand.^ 

And  I  was  enabled  to  say,  ''Whom  bave^^I  in  heaven  but  Thee?  and  there 
is  none  on  earth  I  desire  beside  Thee.'^  How  little  everything  else  ap- 
peared THEN  !  How  precious  was  the  Lord  Jesus  then  !  How  did  I 
pity  those  who  had  only  an  arm  of  flesh  to  lean  upon.  Such  a  time  as 
that  will  prove  us,  I  am  confident ;  let  men  say  what  they  may — ^nothing 
else  will  stand  the  test  but  a  vital  faith  in  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
wrought  in  the  soul  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  Only  that  will  enable  the  reci- 
pient thereof  to  rest  his  all  upon  the  fedthfulness  of  a  covenant  God  in 
Christ,  to  whom  he  looks  for  supplies  in  providence  and  grace. 

I  met  with  a  friend  the  next  morning  who  had  been  in  similar  cir- 
cumstances with  us ;  he  told  me  the  Lord  was  more  than  ever  precious 
to  him  that  night.  Thus  we  see  He  made  His  promise  good,  '*  As  thy 
day  so  shall  thy  strength  be."  Afber  the  danger  had  passed  away  frx>m 
us,  we  were  enabled  to  raise  our  Ebenezer  to  the  God  of  our  help,  who 
had  not  only  delivered  us  frt>m  death,  but  had  given  us  such  a  man^esta- 
tiou  of  His  love  to  us,  who  felt  ourselves  to  be  unworthy  of  the  least  of 
His  mercies. 

We  can  down  stairs,  we  found  everything  upside  down;  all  ourpro- 
visons  were  gone,  and  but  one  pair  of  boots  could  be  worn ;  they  were 
my  son's.  I  had  to  put  on  an  old  worn  out  pair,  and  to  wade  through 
the  mud  which  was  a  foot  thick  in  the  house.  I  went  out  as  soon  as  I 
could  to  b^  something  for  breakfast ;  for  none  could  be  bought.  All  was 
destroyed  for  eight  miles  along  the  course  of  the  flood.  When  I  went 
out,  men  were  finding  the  bodies  of  the  poor  creatures  who  had  perished. 
I  could  then  see  more  plainly  from  what  we  had  been  delivered,  and  tears 
of  gratitude  flowed  down  in  contemplation  of  the  Lord's  goodness  to  ua 
Our  wants  were  supplied  fr^m  the  house  and  hands  of  my  dear  wife's 
sister,  who  is,  also,  I  trust,  one  of  the  Lord's  family  j  and  who  was  veiy 
kind  to  us,  for  which  the  Lord  will  reward  her  and  her  dear  husband 
too  an  hundred  fold. 

Thus,  my  brother,  I  have  given  you  a  short  account  of  what  wo  ex- 
perienced when  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  were  abroad  in  the  earth.  Be- 
fore I  close,  I  would  say  one  word  to  those  who  profess  to  believe  in  the 
doctrines  of  grace,  yet  either  actually  deny  the  providence  of  God,  or  hold 
it  with  a  very  slack  hand.  Kemember,  friends,  the  word  of  our  God  de- 
clares, "  All  our  times  are  in  His  hand ; "  and  our  Lord  tells  us  the  very 
hairs  of  our  head  are  numbered.  I  do  not  envy  that  man  who  does  not 
acknowledge  the  Lord  in  ALL  his  ways — ^not  a  part  of  them,  bht  all  of 
them.  And  to  those  who  have  experienced  the  Lord's  faithfulness  in 
providence  as  well  as  grace,  I  would  say  in  the  language  of  the  Psalmist, 
"  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord,  trust  also  in  him ;  and  He  will  bring 
it  to  pass."  And,  if  by  grace,  we  are  enabled  to  do  so,  we  shall  know 
that  come  life  or  death,  all  will  be  well 

Dear  Mr.  Editor,  may  the  Lord  cause  you.  continually  to  cast  Jail 
your  care  upon  Him  who  careth  for  you ;  and  as  you  have  found  Him 

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72  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Uuch  1,  IWS. 

to  be  a  very  present  help  in  every  time  of  trouble,  so  may  you  enjoy  the 
smiles  of  His  face,  the  power  of  His  arm,  and  the  influences  of  His 
Spibit,  that  He  may  make  you  a  blessing  to  His  Church  over  which  He 
has  placed  you ;  and  to  thode  who  read  the  pages  of  The  £arth£h 
Vessel.  May  you  enjoy  Him  through  life,  prove  Him  faithful  in  death, 
and  praise  Him  in  glory  everlasting,  is  the  prayer  of  yours  in  the  bonds 
of  the  Gospel, 

Sheffield,  James  Johkson. 

Pebruaiy  15th,  1865. 

P.S, — ^The  number  who  perished  is  about 300 

The  bodies  recovered  are 280 

[Our  friend  and  minigtering  brother,  Mr.  James  Johnson,  has  but  briefly  described  the 
eyents  of  that  fearful  night  when,  at  least,  800  persons  were  carried  away  by  the  flood, 
out  of  whom  only  about  280  bodies  were  found.  We  have  stood  on  the  walls  which 
overlook  the  valley  wherein  Mr.  Johnson's  house  and  others  stood ;  and,  seeing  that  the 
flood  poured  through  Uut  valley  with  such  awful  force,  the  preservation  of  nis  house 
and  family  seems  astonishing  to  contemplate.  It  will  throw  a  beam  of  gratitude  into 
his  soul,  and  give  a  force  to  his  ministry  as  long  as  he  lives. — Ed.] 


By  Benjamin  Tatlob,  of  Pdlham  St.  Mabt,  Nobfolk. 

[CONCLUDKD  FBOM  PAGB  32.] 

<(  And  the  house  of  Israel  called  the  name  thereof  manna ;  and  it  was  like  coriander  seed,- 
white ;  and  the  taste  of  it  was  like  wafers  made  with  honey. — ^Exodus  xvi  8L 

Secondly.  Let  us  now  consider  where  this  manna  came.  We  are  told 
that  it  came  "  round  about  the  host."  It  came  with  dew ;  and  when  the 
dew  went  up,  then  it  appeared  as  a  small  round  thing,  like  the  hoar 
frost.  Christ  dopoies  where  His  people  are,  and  surrounds  them  with 
His  presence ;  they  behold  Him  with  joy  as  the  heavenly  manna,  and 
feed  on  Him  to  their  satisfaction. 

Look  at  that  little  Israelitish  camp  yonder,  and  you  will  see  the  dew 
on  it.  There,  also,  you  will  see  the  manna.  Let  the  dew  of  earnest 
supplication  ascend  to  God,  and  you  may  see  Christ  the  heavenly  manna 
among  the  hosts  of  God,  There  is  the  Spirit's  dew,  and  there  is  the 
saints'  dew;  the  Spirit's  dew  leaves  the  blessings  of  heaven  upon  our  souls ; 
and  our  dew  discovers  Christ  as  the  choice  food  of  our  souls.  Wherever 
you  can  find  a  little  camp,  there  you  will  be  sure  to  find  the  dew  and  the 
manna,  Christ  and  the  Spirit :  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together 
in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them."  We  tell  you  what 
Moses  told  the  children  of  Israel,  '^  This  is  the  bread  which  the  Lord  hath 
given  you."  Yea,  the  Lord  gives  it,  the  Lord  sends  it,  and  hungry  souls 
have  nothing  to  do  only  just  to  receive  it  gladly  and  gratefully. 

A  word  or  two  more  on  this  sweet  part  of  my  subject,  and  I  have 
done.  There  is  the  dew  descending  with  the  manna,  and  here 
is  the  dew  ascending.  Let  the  Spirit's  divine  influence  descend  upon  the 
Church  of  God,  and  then  we  shall  see  the  dew  of  meditation  ascending 
to  heaven  from  Zion's  hill,  leaving  Christ  among  His  people  the  *'  chief 


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Maroh  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  73 

among  ten  thousand  and  the  altogether  lovely."  The  manna  did  not  fall 
only  where  the  children  of  Israel  hi^  pitched  their  tents.  Even  so 
Christ  comes  to  ns  when  in  His  grace,  mercy,  and  love,  only  where 
hungry  souls  are  found.  If  any  are  seeking  Christ,  the  brc»d  of  life,  the 
manna  is  sure  to  fall  upon  the  spot  where  they  are,  for  the  Lord  says, 
"  My  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain,  and  my  speech  shall  distil  as  the 
dew." 

Thirdly.  Let  us  proceed  to  give  a  description  of  the  manna  here 
spoken  of.  It  is  calle(^  '^  a  small  round  thing/'  If  we  look  at  the  ground 
of  Bethlehem,  we  shall  see  that  Christ  was  small  as  to  the  outward  appear- 
ance of  things  :  "  But  thou,  Bethlehem-Ephratah,  though  thou  be  little 
among  the  l^ousands  of  Judah,  yet  out  of  thee  shall  He  come  forth  unto 
Me,  that  is  to  be  Ruler  in  Israel,  whose  goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old, 
from  everlasting."  The  question  may  stSl  be,  "Can  there  any  good 
thing  come  out  of  Nazareth  1 "  The  same  answer  is  at  hand,  "  Come 
and  see."  If  Christ  was  small  as  to  His  outward  appearance,  yet  He  was 
at  the  same  time  that  holy  thing  which  was  begotten  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
He  was  verj*  small  in  the  eyes  of  the  Jews,  as  appears  from  the  words  of 
Isaiah,  "  He  hath  no  form  nor  comeliness ;  and  when  we  shall  see  Him, 
there  is  no  beauty  that  we  should  desire  Him."  Yet,  blessed  be  God, 
He  is  ROUND,  even  like  a  wheel  or  a  ring,  without  beginning  and  without 
end,  "  The  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever."  He  is  a  glorious  High 
Priest —  a  Priest  fpr  ever,  affcer  the  order  of  Melchisedec. 

Consider  this  manna  as  to  its  appearance  and  properties : 

1st,  In  its  appearance  it  was  white.  This  represented  the  perfect 
and  spotless  purity  of  the  human  nature  of  Christ.  He  was  holy, 
in  thought,  word,  and  deed ;  harmless,  undefiled,  and  separate  from  sin- 
ners ;  in  purity,  fisu:  excelling  the  angels ;  and  in  holiness,  equal  with 
God    himself. 

2nd.  Look  at  this  manna  with  respect  to  its  properties.  It  was 
sweet.  It  represented  the  preciousness  of  Christ  to  His  people  in  His 
offices.  His  Prophetical  office  is  a  waver  made  with  honey;  His 
Priesthood  office  is  a  wafer  made  with  honey;  His  Kingly  office  is  a  wafer 
made  with  honey.  Christ  is  most  sweet ;  sweet  in  His  person,  sweet  in 
His  work,  and  sweet  in  His  word.  He  is  sweet  in  the  life  of  His  saints, 
and  sweet  in  their  death.  He  is  sweet  in  their  correspondence,  sweet  ia 
their  experience,  sweet  in  theii*  prayers,  sweet  in  their  meditation,  and 
sweet  in  their  conversation. 

Again,  the  taste  of  every  promise  is  like  a  wafer  made  with  honey. 
And  what  makes  it  so,  is  Christ  coming  down  from  heaven,  and  making 
the  promises  spirit  and  life  to  all  hungry  sinners.  Consider,  poor  soul, 
and  let  this  be  an  everlasting  consolation  to  thee  :  God  kept  His  children 
upon  manna  forty  years  in  the  wilderness,  and  when  they  came  to  the 
lajid  of  Canaan,  they  had  the  bread  of  that  land  to  subsist  on.  Two 
things,  then,  are  insured  to  all  that  fear  God,  and  love  Christ.  The  first 
is,  tibey  shall  have  the  bread  of  grace  so  long  as  they  are  travelling 
through  the  wilderness  here  below.  The  second  is,  when  they  arrive  at 
the  blissful  borders  of  the  Canaan  above,  they  will  there  enjoy  Christ  as 
the  bread  of  glory,  and  thcii*  eternal  life  and  happiness. 


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74  THE  BARTSEN  VESSEL,  Huch  1,  186Sl 


Brethren  beloved  in  the  Lord, — Surely  the  above  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture should  be  sounded  abroad,  and  put  in  practice  among  the  Churches 
as  much  now  as  ever.  We  do  well  to  bless  Grod  that  ever  the  spirit  of  grace 
and  supplication  was  poured  out  upon  lost  and  ruined  man.  And  more 
especially  that  it  has  been  poured  out  upon  us  to  whom  He  has  given 
spiritual  life,  so  that  of  each  true  believer,  there  was  a  time  when  first 
it  could  be  truly  said,  "  Behold,  he  prayeth." 

Once  we  were  strangers,  having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the 
world :  but  now,  O  !  rich  grace,  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ.  Yes ! 
HADE  NiQH,  beloved,  so  nigh  to  God  that  we  cannot  be  nearer  and  dearer 
to  Him  than  we  are  in  Jesus  noii^.  And  if  God  make  nigh,  who  can 
separate  ?  O !  how  sweet  and  true  it  is,  that  we  shall  no  more  be 
strangers,  but  ever  be  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  the  beloved  city  of 
€k)d,  Jerusalem.  Glorious  things  are  spoken  of  this  city ;  it  is  the  city 
which  our  God  hath  desired  to  dwell  in ;  it  is  His  rest  for  ever ;  and  it 
is  the  privilege  of  every  new  bom  soul  to  say  as  Paul  said  on  anoth^ 
occasion,  '^  I  was  free  bom."  Made  free  men  by  the  Son  of  God,  and 
He  makes  free  indeed.  O  !  that  they  all  could  rejoice  in  their  freedom ; 
but  many  a  poor  soul  is  continually  tossed  to  and  fro,  tend  feels  and  fears 
that  he  has  no  part  or  lot  in  the  matter.  O,  my  brethren,  ye  that  can 
make  your  boast  in  the  Lord,  forget  not  the  many  mourning  citizens  in 
Jerusalem ;  remember  the  many  different  circumstances  in  which  all  are 
placed ;  remember  the  varied  trials  of  each  citizen ;  and,  seeking  ever 
the  Spirit's  help,  never,  never  forget  to  "  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jeru- 
salem." 

Pray  that  God's  ministering  servants  may  preach  forth  truly,  fully, 
firmly,  and  affectionately  the  precious  Gospel  of  peace.  And  pray  that 
poor  trembling  ones  may  have  increase  of  Mth  to  claim  its  peaceful  por- 
tions as  their  own.  Pray,  as  Paul  exhorts,  for  those  in  authority,  that 
we  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty.  Pray 
for  the  peace  of  our  land  and  nation,  (surely  these  are  troublous  times,  and 
do  not  heavier  troubles  seem  preparing  for  us  1)  meekly  submitting  it 
to  the  Lord's  pleasure,  forgetting  not  what  Jesus  said,  ''  Li  the  world  ye 
shall  have  tribulation."  But,  O  !  pray  that  we  may  ever  realize  the 
fulfilment  of  His  own  sweet  words,  "  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto 
you,  that  in  Me  ye  might  have  peace."  And  truly,  brethren,  if  all  be 
peace  within,  let  tribulation  come,  still  be  of  cheer,  for  if  our  '^  God  give 
quietness,  who  can  cause  trouble  )  " 

Play  that  the  Lord's  people  may  take  heed  to  their  ways,  by  keep- 
ing the  loving  commands  of  our  loving  Lord,  for  "  in  keeping  His  com- 
mandments, there  is  great  reward"  And  did  not  the  Lord  say  of  old, 
''  Oh,  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  commandments,  then  should 
thy  peace  have  been  as  a  river."  O,  pray  that  Jerusalem  may  not  only  be 
able  to  say,  "Whose  I  am,"  but  also  "Whom  I  serve." 

And  are[there  not  many  in  Jerusalem  that  mournfully  sigh  out  9  "  My 
heart  is  disquieted  within  me;"  so  oppressed,  so  distressed,  so  tempted,  and 
the  voice  of  the  enemy  sounds  again  and  again  :   "  Wliere  is  now  thy 


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Haxohl,  1366. 


AND  CHBiariAN  JfBCORD. 


75 


God %"  O  !  praj  for  all  sucH,  that  thej  may  encourage  themselves  in 
the  Lord  their  Grod  :  "  Hope  thou  in  God,  for  I  shall  yet  praise  Him, 
who  is  the  health  ci  my  countenanoe,  and  my  God."  And  remember  the 
sweet  promise  connected  with  our  text,  '^  They  shall  prosper  that  love 
Thee." 

^'Pray  for  the  peaoe  of  Jerasalem,"  and  practise  as  well  as  pray. 
Let  us  each  be  peaoe-makers.  O  !  let  us  strive  to  be  more  like  the 
Apostles,  breaking  forth  ever  toward  each  other,  aad  towards  the  Lord 
in  each  other's  behalf  '^Qcaoe,  mercy,  and  peaoe  be  multiplied  unto  you." 
How  many  vexations  arise^  how  many  grie&  abound  1  O,  let  each  us  seek 
«ach  others  welfare ;  let  us  seek  peace,  and  pursueit.  It  will  cost  many 
an  effort  to  hold  it  &st  in  this  our  day.  Errors  abound,  friends  may 
prove  fedse ;  triaLs  peculiar  each  in  the  family  have.  O,  pray  that  amid 
all,  that  each  trusting  firmly  in  the  Lord,  may  be  k^  in  perfect  peace 
in  their  souls,  and  their  minds  stayed  on  Him.  Pray,  pray,  for  dealing  in 
prayer  with  our  Almighty  helper  sondiy  makes  Satan  tremble.  Pray, 
<<  continuing  instant  in  prayer."  Pray  but  a  little  longer;  soon  there  will 
be  no  more  need  of  prayer,  iot  each  one  will  have  entered  into  the  haven 
of  rest  and  peace.  Aad  ever  rem^odber  Him  who  ever  liveth  to  plead  our 
causes ;  remember  what  He  can  most  truly  say,  ^  If  I  lc»get  thee,  O 
Jerusalem  .  .  •  If  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let  my  tongue  cleave 
to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy." 
And,  0  I  may  the  like  spirit  be  more  abundantly  given  unto  us,  so  that 
we  may  never  forget  to  '^  Pray  for  the  peaoe  of  JemsaienL" 

Sturry.  OiTB  whosb  bofb  is  ih  teos  Lord. 


TRIBULATION     AND     TBIUMPH. 


'  Weeping  mftj  endue  for  a  night,  bat  joy  oomefch  in  the  inDniiDg."^Pfl.  xxz.  & 


Look !  the  tempest's  bunting  near  me ! 
I^either  sun,  nor  stan,  to  cheer  me ! 
Q^hzongh  its  fniy  who  shall  steer  me  ? 

Jesus! 

But  the  whirlwind  fiercely  rages  I 
^tan,  too,  my  soul  engages — 
And  his  loaiing  who  assuages  ? 

Only  Jesus! 

Filled  with  terror,  trembling,  shrinking ! 
Deepest  anguish,  daily  drinking  I 
Who  can  keep  my  soul  from  sinking? 

ITone  but  Jesus  I 

Gs&  I,  in  His  naviliim  hide  ? 
£ayi  will  He  tnere  a  place  provide? 
Then  name  again  the  crucified ! 

Jesus!  Jesus! 

Oh!  I  feel  a  strange  foansition  I 
Xiffhi  is  dawning  on  my  rision! 
Who  can  clear  my  soul's  condition  ? 

Jesus  only  I 

Ten  me  is  that  He  presiding 

In  that  wondrous  pole-etar-guiding, 

Jloiig^t  of  all  His  gloiy  hi<fing? 

Yea,  Jesus  Himself  I 


Boldly  then  my  faith  unbroken, 
Bising  midst  each  tempest-token, 
Grips  thai  name  so  wr  qx>ken — 

My  LoixL  and  my  God. 

Come  thou  south  wind,  softly  blowing, 
Still  the  waves,  vehement  flowing, 
Ctod  my  refuge  now  is  shewing. 

JeeusI  Jesus! 

There  at  anchor  safe  arriving. 
Not  W  wisdomjmight,  or  striving. 
Oh !  'tis  all  of  Thy  contriving. 

Biassed  JesosI 

Strong  the  cords  of  my  lovers  tracing. 
Drawing  doser,  and  embracing, 
From  my  soul  all  teivor  chasing. 

My  Lord  Jesus. 

When  the  wild  waste  hence  contesting, 
Everv  wave  and  storm-cloud  breasting, 
On  Thy  bosom  safely  resting-^ 

Blessed  Jesus. 

Faithful  thou  in  tribuktion. 
Giving  breasts  of  consolation. 
And  confirming  thy  salvation, — 

Jesus!  Jesus! 

Plymouth.  Ch4Iu.m  F.  Cbcwbl 


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76  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Hucfa  1, 1865. 

GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BT     MB.     ALFRED     PEET,    OF     SHABNBBOOK. 

"  Gather  up  the  fngmente  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  losL**— John  vi  12. 

21. — Many  liave  lost  fob  God,  but  none  liaye  ever  lost  by  God.     If 
they  have  been  temporal  losers,  they  have  been  eternal  gamers. 

22. — God  loveth  His  people  to  the  end,  therefore  they  shall  endnre 
to  the  end. 

23. — Tears  of  joy  are  the  dew  in  which  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
is  mirrored. 

24. — Riches  are  called  thorns ;  such  thorns  may  be  touched,  but  noi 
rested  upon.  Canst  thou  set  thine  heart  upon  a  thorn,  without  piercing 
thyself  through  with  many  sorrows  % 

25 — Christ  made  himself  like  to  us,  that  He  might  make  us  like  to 
himsel£ 

26. — Sinners  are  too  proud  to  beg  God's  mercy  of  Him  before  He 
makes  them  feel  their  absolute  need  of  it,  by  enlightening  their  under- 
tanding  to  read  their  condemnation  in  His  holy  law.  Tlmi  being  done, 
they  become  b^;gars  indeed ;  nor  do  they  beg  in  vain. 

27. — Glow-worms  shine  brightest  in  darkest  nights ;  so  ChiistianB 
when  in  the  darkest  seasons,  while  fidth  is  in  lively  exercise,  shine 
brightest  in  the  eyes  of  others. 

.28. — To  behold  the  cross  at  a  distance  is  one  thing,  to  bear  it  is 
another.  The  former  hath  a  tendency  to  frighten  us,  the  latter  to  im- 
prove us. 

29. — In  public  assemblies  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  creature  is  often 
worshipped  instead  of  God. 

30. — ^The  love  of  God  and  the  love  of  the  world  cannot  reign  in 
the  same  heart  at  one  and  the  same  time.  The  love  of  the  world  must 
vanish  before  the  love  of  God,  as  a  little  star  vanisheth  before  the  rising 
sun. 

31. — ^We  shall  not  cease  complaining  until  we  cease  sinning,  whioh 
cannot  be  till  we  enter  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  where  sin,  sorrow,  and 
complaints  are  no  more  known. 

32. — He  that  hath  a  right  knowledge  of  Divine  truth,  desires  greater 
and  clearer  views  of  it,  a  stronger  attachment  to  it^  and  strength  to 
practise  it. 

33. — Natural  bodily  defects  are  not  the  creature's  fault,  but  the 
Creator's  pleasure ;  and,  therefore,  he  that  finds  fault  with  them,  finds 
fault  with  God. 

34. — ^There  is  a  time  when  nothing — a  time  when  something — ^but. 
no  time  when  all  things  are  to  be  spoken. 

35. — The  greatest  talkers  are  not  always  the  greatest  saints. 

36. — Prejudice  is  that  cankerworm  which  eats  out  the  peace  arising; 
from  Church  fellowship,  and  destroys  that  imity  and  concord  which  should^ 
always  abound  among  Christians. 

37. — The  humblest  soul  certainly  is  the  happiest,  and  the  most  like 
Christ. 

38. — ^I  find  it  good  to  be  in  company  with  warm,  lively,  zealous^ 
experimental  Christians.    Fire  communicates  heat. 


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March  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  77 

TO       THE        DESPONDING       ONES. 

"Who  shall  also  confirm  you  unto  the  end,  that  ye  may  be  blameless  in  the  day  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"    1  Cor.  L  8. 

First,  the  word  "  who  "  in  the  text  is  a  relative  term,  and  relates  to  the 
person  of  the  Father,  of  whom  the  Apostle  had  so  beautifnlly  spoken 
in  the  third  and  fourth  verses  of  this  chapter ;  or  in  other  words  it  doth 
indicate  that  the  same  covenant  God  spoken  of  in  the  fourth  verse,  who  had 
conferred  so  many  precioiis  benefits  upon  the  Corinthians,  had  ho  intention 
inanj  way  to  leave  ofif  bestowing! ;  nor  had  He  by  his  ample  gifts,  exhaust- 
ed His  inexhaustible  stores,  but  had  an  abundance  of  blessings  yet  behind 
in  the  good  old  granaries  of  the  kingdom,  which  should  be  given  unto 
them  as  they  severally  stood  in  need  while  passing  through  this  mundane 
state. 

Secondly.  The  word  "  also "  is  a  word  of  addition,  which  implies 
that  as  well  as  the  gifts  spoken  of  in  the  preceding  verses,  there  should 
be  conferred  upon  them  the  sealing,  keeping,  persevering,  upholding,  sus- 
taining, directing,  supporting,  enabling,  confirming,  perpetuating  graces 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Now  any  man  that  feels  himself  in  the  possession 
of  the  above-named  blessings,  cannot  but  at  times  burst  out  in  holy 
acclamation  to  his  God  for  being  so  distinguished,  and  for  being  so  firmly 
positioned  upon  the  Rock  of  ages,  and  broad  basis  of  blood  safety. 

Thirdly.  The  next  thing  we  will  notice  in  the  words  before  us  is  the 
pronoun,  "  you,"  which  has  reference  to  a  second  person  or  i)ersons ;  and 
is  SA  if  tiie  Apostle  had  said.  Yon  think  that  I,  Paul,  shall  be  kept  to* 
the  end,  why  so  will  you,  yes,  even  you  poor,  feeble,  fainting,  drooping, 
sighing,  crying,  weary,  way-worn  one;  although  you  may  find  a  thousand 
ol^tades,  hindrances,  and  impediments,  in  the  way,  and  often  stumble 
and  get  your  poor  heart  grieved,  yet  be  assured  that  through  thorns, 
briars,  conflicts,  and  fears,  my  God  will  safely  convey  you  home.  Yes, 
and  even  should  you  be  called,  for  Grod's  glory,  to  pass  through  the  whole 
POSSE  of  earth  and  hell ;  even  then  He  would  not  leave  you,  nor  would 
He  forsake  you ;  for  our  God  is  too  liberal,  and  in  heart  too  sympathising, 
in  purpose  too  unchangeable,  to  be  satisfied  with  anything  short  of  having 
you  in  His  own  immediate  pi'esence  in  His  glory  house  above ;  there- 
fore, dear  brethren,  you  may  fairly  sing, — 

^*  Yes !  I  to  the  end  shall  endure^ 
As  sure  as  the  earnest  is  given ; 
More  happy,  but  not  more  secure, 
The  gloniied  spiiits  in  heaven.'* 

Fourthly.  The  next  thing,  beloved,  we  might  consider,  is  the  period 
of  the  text,  "  that  day."  Now  the  time  referred  to  is  the  return  of  our 
beloved  Bridegroom.  He  now  is  gone  into  a  far  country :  "  I  go,"  saith 
He  "  to  prepare  a  place  for  you."  During  His  absence  He  has  lefl  His 
vineyard,  or  Church,  in  the  care  of  others;  and,  acording  to  Solomon,  there 
is  a  certain  clan  extant  who,  in  connection  with  the  devil,  are  taking  every 
advantage  of  it,  saying,  The  good  man  is  not  at  home,  He  is  gone  a  long 
journey ;  and  I  think  if  ever  there  was  a  time  when  these  despisers  of 
Christ  and  His  people  had  cause  to  tremble,  it  is  now,  for  the  triumph 
of  the  wicked  is  short     Some  are  trying  to  fill  the  Church  with  nauseous 

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78  THB  EAETSEN  VESSEL,  Mttch  1,  vm, 

'vreeds,  or  error ;  others  not  only  to  halve,  but  to  quarter  it ;  others  to 
fill  it  with  ill-will,  strife,  and  contention;. but  woe  unto  the  agents  of 
darkness,  for  the  day  of  retribution  is  coming,  when  they  shall  feel  the 
wrath  of  our  God  !  And  how  ahaU  they  be  able  to  stand  in  the  day  of 
the  fierceness  of  His  anger,  when  He  shall  return  unto  Zion,  not  as  the 
meek  and  lowly,  or  despised  Nazarene,  but  the  triumphant^  victorious, 
and  all-glorious  King  of  Zion,  to  take  vengeance  upon  the  wicked,  and 
to  give  deliverance  to  His  saints  1 

Fifthly  and  lastly,  we  have  the  state  andcanditton  of  the  saints  por- 
trayed as  iJiey  shall  stand  when  the  blessed  Jesus  shall  come  in  His  gloiy ; 
<<  blameless,"  not  in  themselves,  but  in  the  Lord. 

^^  Jesus,  Thy  blood  and  righteousness, 
My  beauty  are,  my  glorious  dress ; 
'Midst  flaming  worids  in  these  anuyed, 
With  joy  shall  I  lift  up  my  head." 

All  God's  children  are  judicially  blameless :  '^  Who  can  lay  anything  to 
the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  for  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for 
us ;  "  but  if  a  child  offend  his  father,  and  the  father  thought  proper  not- 
withstanding to  forgive  the  child,  even  then  he  would  not  be  blameless, 
only  forgiven.  Well,  we  have  often  offended  our  F&ther  who  is  in 
heaven,  and  that  times  without  number ;  yet  we  shall  not  only  be  for- 
given, but  as  it  is  in  the  teict,  ^'  blameless."  The  question  may  be  aaked, 
How  1  Answer,  Because  God's  believing  family  are  perfect  in  the  new 
man  now,  and  our  flesh  it  is  that  offends  in  this  present  state;  but  when 
our  Lord  Jesus  shall  come  we  shall  put  off  not  only  the  old  man  in  his 
sinful  propensities,  but  ''  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immortality,"  so  that 
like  our  all  glorious  Eedeemer  we  shall  be  perfect  in  body,  soul,  and 
spirit ;  or  in  other  words,  we  shall  be  blameless. 

tt  'Tis  He  adorned  m^  naked  soul, 

And  made  salvation  mine ; 
Upon  a  poor  jwlluted  worm, 

lie  makes  His  graces  shine. 
How  far  this  heavenly  robe  exceeds 

What  earthly  princes  wear ; 
These  ornaments  how  bright  they  shine, 

How  white  the  garments  are." 

Here  the  child  of  God  is  subject  to  many  imperfections,  yet  in  his  right 
mind  he  doth  not  acquiesce  with  them,  but  rejoices  in  that  grace  that 
helps  him  to  hate  sin,  and  glory  in  the  testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
that  when  "the  Lord  shall  appear,  then  shall  we  be  blameless  before 
Him." 

Cottenham.  George  Puko. 


True  Gain. — The  imgodly  irian's  gains  are  losses,  but  the  godly 
man's  losses  are  gains. 

Ob  I  that  we  were  half  as  faithful  to  God  as  the  devil's  servants  are 
to  Him.  The  heart  is  well  called  Apollyon's  palace,  for  he  reigns  with 
absolute  dominion  therein.     O,  eternal  God,  drive  him  out  I 

A  present  God,  makes  a  present  cross  light  j  and  a  preseoit  cross, 
makes  a  present  God  precious. 


^  How  sweet  when  in  the  dying  hour. 
To  enjoy  the  presence  of  the  Lord ; 
Then  we  rejoice,  though  creature  power 
Cannot  the  least  support  afford.^ 


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Mtith  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EBOORD.  79 

OR,     A     PORTION     FOR     EVERY      SABBATH. 

BY      OIDEOK. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  6th.— THE  CHURCH'S  SURE  REFUGE. 
"When  I  Bee  the  Uood  I  will  pMi  over  yon."— Exodus  ziL  la 

Reader,  how  do  jon  expect  to  escape  the  wrath  to  come  ?  Come  it 
will,  because  it  is  written  that  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from 
heaven  with  His  mighty  angels  in  flaming  fire,  taking  vengeance  on  them 
that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  G^peL  And  again,  "  Eveiy 
eye  shall  see  Him."  Your  eye  and  mine ;  there  will  be  no  concealment 
in  that  day — "  the  great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord."  Yet  there  is  a 
Refuge  from  wrath ;  that  is  '^  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb 
without  blemish  and  without  spot."  Hast  thou,  then,  as  a  guilty  sinner, 
fled  for  refuge  to  His  blood  1  If  so,  thou  needest  not  fear,  idthough  thou 
mayest  never  yet  have  felt  ajssured  of  thine  interest  in  salvation — ^it  is  sure. 
The  Holy  Ghost  never  convinces  any  of  sin  but  He  will  in  the  end  lead 
to  Christ.     See  here,  in  the  twelfth  of  Exodus,  how  the  people  were 

1.  Forewarned  of  what  was  coming.  The  Egyptians  were  left  in 
ignorance  ;  sudden  destruction  came  upon  them,  and  no  lamb  was  pro- 
vided ;  but  the  Lord  revealed  His  secret  to  Israel,  and  they  believed.  If 
they  had  not  faith  enough  at  first  to  believe  themselves  »Bife,  they  had 
faith  enough  to  lead  them  to  obedience  in  killing  the  Passover.  Have 
you  enough  faith  to  go  to  Christ  with  groans,  and  sighs,  and  tears? 
Then  the  Lord  says  to  thee,  yes  !  even  to  thee,  poor  soul,  "  Fear  not,  I 
have    redeemed    thee,  I  have    called  thee  by  thy  name;    thou    art 

MINE." 

2.  Grace,  which  shewed  the  danger,  pointed  to  a  substitute,  ''  They 
shall  take  to  them  every  man  a  lamb."  They  were  not  better  than  the 
Egyptians.  But  a  Ranisom  was  found ;  Grod  appointed,  and  He  accepted 
the  death  of  the  Lamb  :  the  Clean  for  the  unclean ;  the  Innocent  for  the 
guilty ',  the  Just  for  the  unjust ;  the  One  for  many  :  a  lamb  for  a  house, 
Here  was  life  springing  from  death.  The  blood  shall  be  a  token,  a 
covering  over  and  a  wall  on  either  side  of  the  door,  but  not  a  drop  on 
the  ground,  to  be  trodden  under  foot.  Such  precious  blood  may  not  be 
wasted. 

3.  There  was  salvation;  None  were  so  good  as  not  to  need  the 
blood ;  and  none  were  so  bad  that  it  could  not  save.  Bless  the  Lord, 
the  greatest  sinner  need  not  fear  who  has  fled  to  the  blood ;  the  greatest 
Pharisee  cannot  be  saved  without  it.  Every  mouth  must  be  stopped,  all 
boasting  excluded,  the  sinner  humbled,  and  Christ  exalted. 

"  Crown  Him  Lord  of  alL" 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  12th.— THE  CHURCH'S  FAIRNESS. 

"  Thou  art  all  fair,  my  love  ;  there  ie  no  Bpot  in  thee." — Solomon's  Song  iv.  7. 
Whose  words  are  these?    To  whom  are  they  spoken?    It  is  the  voice 
of  Him  who  spake  as  never  man  did  or  could  speak,  but  Himself  Here 

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dD  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  U«Ix^h  l,  1M& 

He  addressee  the  Cliiirch — ^the  object  of  His  love.  He  gave  bimself  for 
her,  and  therefore  she  is  very  dear  to  Him.  What  Christ  says  to  the 
whole  of  the  elect,  He  says  to  each.  ''  He  loved  me,**  says  Paul,  *'  and 
.gave  himself  forme."  Hast  thou,  like  Job,  felt  thy  sin,  so  as  to  cry  out, 
'*  Behold,  I  am  vile/'  ''  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  iu  dust  and  ashes  f " 
Well,  no  man  ever  saw,  felt,  loathed,  and  lamented  his  own  defilement 
but  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  There  may  be  alarms  of  natural  conscience,  and 
dread  of  hell,  where  there  is  no  grace.  But  without  grace  it  is  impossible 
to  loathe  sin^  and  to  sigh  for  deliverance  from  it  from  a  dislike  to  it. 
Yet  the  Adam  nature  gets  no  better ;  many  poor  souls  are  dreadfully 
cast  down,  because  they  think  they  are  getting  worse.  Satan  will  oft- 
times  tempt  them  to  sin,  and  then  tell  them  there  is  no  mercy,  they 
might  as  well  give  up.  But  they  cannot,  as  once  they  did,  roll  sin  under 
their  tongue  as  a  sweet  morsel,  nor  can  they  spit  it  out ;  but,  like  Paul, 
confess,  ^'  The  good  that  I  would,  I  do  not ;  and  the  evil  that  I  would 
not,  I  do."  Is  this  thy  case,  reader  ?  Cease  to  expect  any  amendment 
in  old  Adam ;  have  done  with  all  thy  legal  patchwork  and  duty-faith. 
Look  to  Jesus,  and  learn  to  distinguish  between  what  thou  art  in  thyself 
and  what  thou  art  in  Him.  Hear  His  voice  in  the  words  at  the  head  of 
this  paper,  calling  thee  His  "  love."  He  says,  "  Thou  art  all  feir, 
there  is  no  spot  in  thee."     O,  my  soul,  he  astonished  at  this ! 

**  And  can  it  be  thai  I  should  ndn 

An  interest  iu  the  Sayiouria  blood  ? 
Died  He  for  me,  who  caused  His  pain ; 

For  UK,  who  Him  to  death  pursued? 
Amazing  love  I    And  can  it  be 
That  Thou,  my  God,  should'st  die  for  me  ?  " 

Yes ;  and  was  raised  again  for  our  justification.  In  His  righteousness 
we  are  '*  all  fair."  Not  a  debt  left  unpaid,  not  a  fault  unpardoned,  not 
a  demand  of  Justice  imsatisfied.  He  was  made  sin  for  us  that  we  might 
be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Him.  Poor  sinner !  then  dry  diy 
tears.  Though  these  truths  vex  many  people,  they  please  €rod  and 
CQirist.  No  manner  who  says  thou  art  foul  if  Jesus  call  thee  His  love 
and  His  &ir  one. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  19th.— THE  CHURCH'S  SECURITY. 

an  Christ"— Bomans  zii  5. 

The  ungodly  are  without  Christ  (Eph.  ii.  12) ;  the  departed  spirits  of 
the  saints  are  with  Him  (Phil.  i.  23).  To  be  absent  from  the  Ix^y  is  to 
be  present  with  the  Lord;  Believers  are  said  to  be  in  Him.  It  is  a  fiivorite 
expression  of  the  Apostle  Paul's,  and  full  of  meaning.  There  is  one 
sense  in  which  the  children  of  God  nev^r  were  and  never  can  be  out  of 
Christ  The  elect  fell  into  sin  aa  well  as  others,  but  they  did  not  fall  out 
of  Christ ;  they  were  involved  in  the  common  ruin,  and  are,  by  nature, 
the  children  of  wrath ;  but,  by  grace,  the  children  of  God.  "  Predesti- 
nated unto  the  adoption  of  children  by  Christ,"  in  the  purpose  of  God  ; 
^'  blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Him"  (Eph.  i.).  Then,  beside 
this  covenant  mystic-union,  from  whence  springs  all  efficacious  grace,  the 
sinner  in  need  flees  to  Jesus  as  the  Mamslayer  to  the  City  of  Refuge— as 
Noah  to  the  ark — and  as  a  culprit  to  the  horns  of  the  altar.  And,  hence, 
there  is  a  being  in  Christ  by  faith.  All  who  flee  to  Him,  are  in  Him  by 
covenant :  the  one  is  the  evidence  of  the  other. 


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Xaich  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  81 

To  be  "in  Christ,"  is  to  be  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High 
(Psalm  xci.  1.)  Here  the  wicked  one  toucheth  us  not;  our  life  is  hid ;  nor 
can  sin,  Satan,  death,  nor  hell,  find  us.  There  is  a  place,  as  well  as  "  a 
path  which  no  fowl  knoweth,  and  which  the  vulture's  eye  hath  not  seen." 
Hence,  we  who  are  in  Christ  are  safe  !  And  it  is  better  to  be  safe  than 
happ7 ;  yet,  who  can  help  rejoicing  that  believes  in  Jesus  9  for  in  spite  of 
every  foe  and  difficulty,  we  stand  secure.  Not  to  prolong  these  remarks,  we 
affectionately  ask  in  the  language  of  heaven,  "  Where  art  thou ) "  It  is 
of  little  consequence  what,  thou  art — ^whether  poor  or  rich — ^learned  or 
unlearned — black  or  white.  Death  will  soon  reduce  all  the  proud  in- 
habitants of  earth  to  "  a  dead  level ! "  and  then  the  grand  point  will 
be,  not  what  we  are,  but  where  :  hence,  the  Apostle's  prayer,  "That  I 
may  win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  Him" — that  is,  to  be  found  in  the  love, 
life,  light,  and  likeness  of  God  ;  away  from,  and  out  of  sin,  self^  sorrow, 
and  all  that  is  evil,  for  Christ  is  all ! 


SUNDAY,  MARCH  26th.— THE  CHURCH'S  TREASURE. 

^^  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  treasure."— Matthew  xiii.  44. 
What  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ?      The  Church,  the  chosen  of  God. 
There  cannot  be  two  opinions  on  this  point.     Then,  how  say  some  Christ 
is  the  treasure  1     Dr.  Watts  misguides  us  when  he  sings  of  the  Bible— 

"This  is  the  field  where  hidden  lies,"  «Scc 
The  Church,  the  bride  of  Jesus,  the  elect,  eternally  beloved  soul ;  that  is 
the  treasure  (see  Matt.  iii.  17,  and  Zech.  ix.  16).  But  this  treasure  lay 
hidden,  covered  over  with  mountains  of  sin,  and  besmeared  with  the 
slime  and  dirt  thereof.  Jesus  found  it  and  bought  the  field,  for  its  sake. 
'  Is  not  the  world  and  all  in  it  His  ?  and  that  not  merely  as  Ood ; 
but  as  Mediator  He  made  it  His  at  a  great  sacrifice.  He  was  rich,  yet  for 
your  sakes  became  poor ;  gave  up  all  He  had — so  &r  as  the  enjoyment 
was  concerned — and  was  a  *^  Man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief. '* 
Kow,  surely  He  had  a  motive — and  one  worthy,  at  least  in  His  own 
esteem— of  the  sacrifice.  What  was  it  9  Why,  to  possess  the  treasure  : 
^' All  things  are  for  your  sakes."  £n  our  blessed  Lord's  estimation  His 
people  was  worth  all  He  did  and  suffered  for  them.  He  knows  where 
veiy  part  of  His  treasuere  lies ;  and  when  He  wants  it.  His  servants  shall 
be  sent  to  bring  it  to  light :  when  all  have  been  gathered  in  He  shall  be 
satisfied  (Isaiah  liii.  11). 

O,  my  soul,  art  thou  part  of  the  hidden  treasure  of  Christ  1  Yes. 
How  do  I  know  this  7  Because  ''  He  inclined  unto  me  and  heard  my 
cry ;  He  brought  me  up  also  out  of  the  horrible  pit  and  miry  clay,  and 
set  my  feet  upon  a  rock."  Had  I  not  been  a  treasure  unto  Him  he 
would  not  thus  have  dug  me  out  of  the  field.  Ah,  says  the  devil,  a 
pretty  treasure  you  are — a  guilty,  unworthy  wretch  like  you.  Well,  Sa- 
tan, this  I  know,  I  fear  the  Lord,  and  think  on  His  name,  and  often 
speak  to  others  of  a  similar  mind :  and  say  what  thou  wilt,  Jesus  sa3rs 
of  such.  They  shall  be  mine  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  special 
treasures.     Take  that,  Satan,  and  get  thee  behind  me. 

Wb  naturally  love  greatness,  and  when  the  glorious  beauty  of  the 
^^g  of  glory  shall  be  manifest  to  us,  and  we  shsdl  behold  it,  we  shaill 
say  as  Joshua  did,  <<  Let  all  men  do  as  seems  them  good ;  but  I  and  my 
house  will  serve  the  Lord." — BxnnrAN. 


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82  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL^  Hanh  1, 1865. 

EXPOSITION   OF   EETELATION    XL  14—18; 
Bt  Mb.  James  Wells,  of  the  Surrey  Tabebkacle,  Borough  Road. 

**  The  second  woe  is  past ;  and,  behold,  the  third  woe  oometh  anlcklv.  And  the  seventh 
angel  sounded,  and  there  were  great  Toicee  in  heaven,  saving,  The  kingdoms  of  this 
world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His  Chnst ;  and  He  shall  reigA 
for  ever  and  ever." 

I  HOLD  that  the  seventh  trumpet  in  this  book  means  the  Gospel ;  called 
the  seventh  trumpet  because  it  sounds  out  the  completeness  of  the  work 
of  Christy  and  because  it  sounds  out  the  completeness  of  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spixity  for  he  that  hath  begun  the  good  work  will  carry  it  on ;  and 
because  it  sounds  out  the  ultimate  completeness  of  all  the  saved ;  all 
being  ultimately  presented  before  Gfod  in  all  that  perfection  whidi  He 
in  eternity  contrived,  which  He  in  time  revealed,  and  by  the  operations 
of  His  power  brings  us  into  conformity  to,  into  possession  and  eternal 
enjoyment  of.  Now  it  is  said  that  this  third  woe  trumpet,  this  seventK 
trumpet^  follows  quickly  upon  the  other.  We  are  not  to  understand 
hat  the  events  sounded  out  in  the  trumpets  take  place  successively,  one 
after  the  other,  as  here  stated ;  but  we  are  to  understand  that  they  are 
gynchronical  ^  that  is,  that  the  judgments  and  the  mercies  of  the  blessed 
God  travel  side  by  side.  Hence,  at  the  veiy  moment  that  the  Israelites 
were  enjoying  freedom,  at  that  very  moment  the  judgment  of  God  was 
overwhelming  the  Egyptians.  Thus  you  see  that  jud^ents  and  mercies 
were  in  that  case,  as  they  have  been  in  many  others,  synchronical.  Then 
the  question  arises,  if  this  seventh  trumpet  be  the  Gospel,  why  is  it 
called  a  woe  trumpet  ?  Why,  friends,  because  it  sounds  out  a  woe  to  all 
its  enemies.  Its  language  is,  "  He  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.** 
The  Gospel  is  not  law,  to  curse  men,  'tis  true :  but  it  is  a  witness 
against  its  enemies.  ''  This  Gospel  shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world 
for  a  witness  unto  all  nations."  And  it  is  a  solemn  truth  that  at  the 
last  day  some  will  come  £>rward  supposing  they  shall  be  recognised  as 
friends,  but  the  Grospel  will  answer,  "  I  know  ye  not."  They  will  boast 
of  their  works  then,  saying,  "  We  have  prophesied  in  thy  name,  cast  out 
devils,  and  done  many  wonderful  works ;"  but  the  Gospel  will  say,  "  I 
know  ye  not."  And  was  not  the  Saviour's  testimony  a  kind  of  woe 
trumpet  to  the  Jewish  nation ;  a  woe  founded  upon  the  ground  of  their 
treating  him  as  they  did  %  So  the  apostles  were  commanded  to  shake 
off  the  very  dust  of  their  feet  against  their  enemies.  Thus  the  Gospel 
to  its  enemies  is  testimonially  a  woe  trumpet ;  that  is,  it  pronounces  a 
woe  upon  those  who  are  its  enemies,  and  thus  bears  testimony  against 
them.  And  I  am  sure  this  is  a  subject  enough  to  make  any  minister  at 
a  loss  to  know  what  to  say  when  he  looks  at  the  infinity  of  the  mercy 
of  being  called,  as  jao.  have  been  singing  this  morning,  I  thought  the 
words  were  very  sweet— called  by  the  Lord's  grace.  He  called  our  at- 
tention to  our  souls,  called  our  attention  to  eternity,  called  our  attention 
to  our  state,  called  onr  attention  to  Himself,  and  has  now  reconciled  us 
unto  Himself  by  the  death  of  His  dear  Son;  so  that  the  Gospel  now  to 
us  is  not  a  woe  trumpet  j  the  Gospel  to  ns  now  is  a  joyful  sound,  the 


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Uueh  1, 1865.  AND  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD.  83 

Gospel  to  us  now  is  tho  trumpet  of  jubHee ;  the  Gospel  to  us  now  is 
good  tidings  and  good  news.  Thus  then  the  woe  is  not  to  those  who 
are  reoonciled,  but  to  those  who  are  not  reconciled. 

And  then  it  is  said  that, 
"  The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  IdngdomB  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His  Christ^ 

Of  course,  those  who  believe  in  a  coming  earthly  millennium,  be- 
lieve that  the  time  will  come  when  all  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  will 
be  converted,  savingly  converted.  I,  not  having  the  happiness  of  being 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  millennarian  doctrine,  must  therefore  do 
without  it  until  I  am  convinced  of  the  truth  of  it.  I  therefore  take  the 
words  thus ;  that  when  Jesus  Christ  ascended  upon  high,  He  ascended 
into  universal  power,  that  He  ascended  into  power  over  all  flesh ;  and 
that  all  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  did  then  and  there  become,  subjec- 
tively, the  kingdoms  of  our  God,  and  of  His  Christ.  Hitherto  He  had 
but  one  nation — just  mark  this  one  thing,  friends — hitherto  He  had  but 
one  nation  that  He  could  call  His  own ;  that  is,  the  Jewish  nation. 
Now  I  will  ask  this  one  question,  that  while  the  Jewish  nation,  and 
only  that  nation,  as  a  nation,  was  His,  yet  we  do  not  find  that  all  the 
individuals  of  that  nation  were  His  savingly.  They  were  all  His  subjec- 
tively, put  under  that  dispensation  He  gave  them ;  but  not  all  His 
savingly.  So  Jesus  Christ  hath  power  over  all  flesh  ;  all  the  kingdoms 
of  this  world,  therefore,  are  under  the  power  of  Jesus  Christ,  are  under 
the  power  of  God  in  His  new  covenant  counsel.  This  ought  to  be,  and 
indeed  is  when  rightiy  understood  a  source  of  great  comfort  to  the 
Christian ;  that  Jesus  Christ  stands  at  the  head  of  everything  in  provi- 
dence as  weU  as  in  grace.  Thus  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  did  then  and 
there,  in  the  subjective,  but  not  in  the  saving  sense,  in  the  subjective 
sense  of  the  word,  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  God  and  of  His  Christ. 
*' And  Ho  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever." 

It  does  not  say  He  shall  reign  a  limited  time,  as  though  it  meant 

some  limited  millennium  that  men  talk  about ;  but,  "  He  shall  reign  for 

ever  and  ever." 

"  And  the  fonr  and  twenty  elders,  which  sat  hefore  God  on  their  seats,  fell  upon  their 
faces,  and  worshipped  God." 

These  elders  represent  the  church,  whole  church  of  God:  You 
recollect  under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  David  divided  the  priestly 
service  into  twenty-four  orders,  and  there  was  a  chief  priest  to  every  one 
of  those  orders ;  these  were  called  twenty-four  elders,  that  led  the  ser- 
vices ;  and  then  over  these  twenty-four  priests  there  was  one  high  priest ; 
that  high  priest  represents  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  Jesus  Chiist  repre- 
sents the  people.  At  the  same  time,  the  elders  also  are  made  to  represent 
the  people  of  God  j  and  just  what  the  eldera  do  here,  all  the  people  of 
God  do ;  namely,  worship  the  Lord. 

'*  Saying,  We  give  thee  thanks,  0  Lord  God  Almighty,  which  art,  and  wast,  and  art  to 
come;" 

Here  is  God  in  His  omnipotence,  God  in  His  eternity.  And  where 
is  omnipotence  on  our  side  ?  In  Christ.  Where  is  eternity  delightful 
to  us  1  In  Christ.  Christ  by  the  eternity  of  His  priesthood  has  lighted 
up  eternity  with  glory ; 

**  Because  thou  hast  taken  to  thee  thy  great  power,  and  hast  reigned.    And  tho  nations 
were  angry.'* 

Is  not  this  a  truth?    Wherever  the  apostles  went,  were  not  men 


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84  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Mareh  1, 1865. 

angry  ?  did  they  not  lay  hands  upon  them  %  Oh,  besotted,  blinded  men ! 
And  with  what  were  they  angry  1  Ah,  simply  because  Grod's  love  to 
man  was  preached ;  because  the  Christ  of  God  was  preached ;  because 
the  grace  of  God  was  preached ;  because  eternal  life  was  preached.  My 
hearers,  is  there  any  term  too  degrading  to  describe  what  we  are  by- 
nature,  that  men  in  a  state  of  nature  then  should  be  so  besotted  as  to  be 
enraged  at  the  love  of  God  to  man,  to  be  enraged  at  the  work  of  Christ 
to  save  poor  sinners,  to  be  enraged  at  the  freeness  of  His  grace,  to  be 
enraged  at  the  eternity  of  His  mercy  ?  But  alas,  alas  !  human  nature 
is  not  at  all  improved.  Let  a  minister  now,  with  any  degree  of  success, 
so  as  to  be  at  all  noticed,  preach  the  same  things,  and  the  people  that 
know  not  their  need  will  be  wroth  with  the  same  kind  of  wrath  as  were 
the  people  of  old.  Thus  then  there  is  no  difficulty,  I  think,  in  under- 
standing this. 
"  And  thy  wrath  is  come." 

Now  apply  this  to  the  Jewish  nation.  Never  foi-get,  friends,  that  the 
Gospel  set  out  in  the  Jewish  nation,  that  the  Gospel  commenced  its  pro- 
gress at  the  earthly,  Jewish  Jerusalem  ;  that  the  Gospel  oommenoed  its 
course  among  the  nations  of  the  Jews ;  '*  to  the  Jew  first,  and  then  to 
the  Gentile ;"  and  if  you  take  John  as  meaning  the  Jews  here,  then 
what  I  am  about  to  read  will  appear  to  you  very  clear. 
i*  And  the  nations  were  angry,  and  thy  wrath  is  come.** 

To  the  Jewish  nation,  as  a  figure  of  that  judgment  that  shall 
ultimately  come  upon  all  that  are  of  that  character. 
^'  And  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should  be  judged.** 

Now  mind,  not  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should  be  raised ; 
mind  that ;  it  does  not  say  that ;  but,  '*  The  time  of  the  dead,  that  they 
should  be  judged."  And  you  know  the  Saviour  calls  the  Jewish  nation 
a  carcase  j  Ue  says,  '^  Where  the  carcase  is,  there  will  the  eagles  be 
gathered  together."  The  Jewish  nation  was  spiiitually  dead — ^that  is 
the  carcase  ;  the  eagles  were  the  Roman  soldiers,  that  preyed  upon  that 
carcase.  Thus,  the  time  of  the  dead ;  not  the  time  that  they  should  be 
raised,  but  the  time  that  they  should  be  judged  ;  that  is,  the  time  that  the 
judgments  of  God  should  fall  upon  that  nation,  as  the  Saviour  himself 
predicted,  and  as  Josephus  has,  in  wonderfully  minute  detail,  witneaaed 
the  truth  of  the  fulfilment  of  every  clause,  I  was  going  to  say,  contidned 
in  the  Saviour's  testimony  of  what  should  take  place. 

*•*■  And  that  thou  shouldst  g^ye  reward  unto  thy  senrants  the  prophets,  and  to  the  saints, 
and  them  that  fear  thy  name,  small  and  great,  and  shouldst  destroy  them  which 
destroy  the  earth.** 

Now  this  does  not  mean  the  final  reward  of  the  prophets :  I  say, 
this  does  not  mean  their  final  reward ;  this  means  theii*  present  rewaid. 
So  the  Christian  has  his  present  reward  now ;  when  your  enemies  are 
cast  down,  and  you  have  deliverance ;  when  you  escape  some  of  the 
things  they  seek  to  bring  upon  you  j  while  they  curse  you,  the  Lord  is 
blessing  you ;  and  you  will,  if  you  wait  for  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
very  often  see  His  hand  toward  you ;  and  you  will,  while  you  have 
your  troubles,  escape  a  thousand  calamities  that  the  ungodly  fJEdl  into. 
So  that  even  in  this  life  the  righteous  have  theii*  reward ;  their  final  re- 
ward, we  know,  is  in  another  world ;  but  even  in  this  life  they  have 
their  reward.    Did  not  Noah  receive  a  present  reward  when  he  eaoi^ped 


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Kaich  1, 1865.  AND  CHEI8TIAN  RECORD.  86 

the  flood  1  Did  not  the  8aint8  enjoy  a  present  reward  when  they  escaped 
the  destniction  of  Jerusalem,  when  the  Lord  preserved  them  as  the 
apple  of  His  eye  1  and  a  great  many  instances  I  could  quote  of  this ;  in- 
deed, you  yourselves  as  Christians  well  know  that  there  is  a  present  as 
well  as  a  final  reward.  Doth  not  the  Lord  watch  over  His  children  in 
a  way  that  He  doth  not  those  that  hate  Him  ?  Doth  He  not  hear 
our  prayers  ?  Doth  He  not  interpose  for  us  ?  Ls  He  nofc  merciful  unto 
us  ?  Is  He  not  kind  unto  us  ?  And  while  enemies  may  have  dominion 
over  us,  that  dominion  is  limited ;  the  time  will  come  when  God's  wrath 
will  fall  upon  them,  and  we  shall  be  rewarded  for  our  patience,  we  shall 
be  rewarded  for  our  faith,  we  shall  be  regarded  for  our  decision ;  for  all 
those  who  are  thus  kept  stedfast  in  the  £uth  shall  have  to  say  in  many 
respects  in  this  world,  "  Verily,  there  is  a  reward  ;  verily,  there  is  a  God 
that  judgeth  in  the  earth." 

May  the  Lord  help  us  more  and  more  to  understand  these  things, 
and  to  glory  in  Him  that  hath  done  such  great  things  for  us. 


dwal  §m  4  Iwh^S- 


ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-SIX. 
WHAT  DO  THE  PROPHETS  SAY  OF  IT? 

"  With  eternal  glory P — These  words,  "  With  eternal  glory,"  came  softly 
into  my  soul  on  Saturday  morning,  February  18th,  1865,  and  they  in- 
dicated a  kind  of  climax — a  height  of  honour  and  dignity,  to  which  the 
saints  are  really  to  be  canied  into  when  the  Lord  shall  finally  make  up 
His  jewels ;  and  as  I  mused  silently  upon  the  words,  two  verses  of  a 
well-known  hymn  dropped,  like  gentle  dew,  into  my  mind, — 

^*  How  sweet  the  name  of  JesuB  sounds 
In  a  believer's  ear, 
It  soothes  his  sorrow,  heals  his  wounds 
And  drives  away  his  fear. 
"  Dear  name  I  the  rock  on  which  I  build, 
My  shield  and  hiding  place ; 
My  never-failing  treasury  fiU'd 
With  boundless  stores  of  grace/* 

To  realize  the  substance  of  these  beautiful  lines  is  the  foretaste  of  glory  ; 
but  that  '^iar  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory,"  which  is 
prepared  for,  and  promised  unto,  the  redeemed  saints,  cannot  be  de- 
scribed by  one  so  weak  as  I  feel  myself  to  be  in  these  immensely  mighty 
things.  Nevertheless,  I  have  a  strong  inwrought  persuasion  of  four 
things,  which  I  shall  not  be  either  ashamed  or  afraid  to  declare ;  and 
they  are  these  . — 

I.  That  the  world,  the  church,  and  even  anti-Christ  herself,  are  all 
ripening  and  preparing  for  some  great  revolution — some  mighty  change — 
some  ooming  and  culminating  climax, — although  its  exact  time  and 
character  none  can  venture  positively  to  define.  Look  around !  See 
how  full  of  activity,  how  full  of  energy  and  effort,  how  incessantly  busy, 
is  every  branch,  every  section,  every  part  of  the  great  family  of  man- 
kind. The  Itterary  world  is  setting  all  the  printing  presses  and  steam- 
engines  to  work  with  the  utmost  speed,  filling  the  country,  the  con- 
tinent, the  colonies,  the  cities,  the  provinces,  and  even  the  villages,  as 


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86  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Uaick  1,  m. 

fall  of  books  and  papero  an  they  can  hold ;  yea,  there  is  more  than  the 
people  can  possibly  read,  or  ever  think  of  purchasing.  Think  of  the 
millions  of  publications  always  issuing,  and  you  may  well  ask,  What 
does  it  all  mean  2 

The  specidating  world  exceeds  all  comprehension.  It  is  puxchasiDg 
lands,  houses,  and  estates;  it  is  pulling  down  and  building  up;  it  is 
pushing  railways  in  all  directions,  and  its  companies  and  oontrivances 
are  so  perpetually  numerous  and  gigantic,  that  every  serious  and  think- 
ing man  stands  amazed, — ''  wonders  where  the  scene  will  end." 

**  The  reliffums  world,'*  as  it  is  termed,  was  never  so  hard  at  work 
before.  Everybody  says,  "  Spurgeon  is  accomplishing  a  mighty  work !" 
He  is  gathering  under  his  wing  our  young  men ;  he  is  getting  possesfdon 
of  our  chapels ;  and  he  is  planting  his  disciplined  disciples  in  every  nook 
and  comer  where  an  entrance  for  them  can  be  found.  Before  his  name 
was  heard  of,  I  laboured  to  arouse  our  churches  and  people  to  united 
effort  and  action ;  but  I  sank  beneath  the  burden  and  the  load :  a 
stripling  comes  in,  and  carries  all  before  him.  I  am  free  from  envy, 
jealousy,  or  bitter  suspicion ;  but  I  grieve  over  the  loss  of  many  of  our 
churches,  and  the  declension  of  many  of  our  ministers.  The  Bishop  of 
London,  and  all  the  other  bishops,  are  building  churches  and  schools  in 
all  directions;  the  Congregationalists  and  Arminians  are  running  a 
mighty  race ;  while  Bomanism  and  Puseyism  double  and  treble  their 
ranks  and  numbers.     I  had  almost  said,  '^  Truth  is  the  only  power 

WHICH  NOW   DOES  NOT  STAND   IN   A   PREVAILINO  ACTIVITY  :"   but  shc  Cau 

afford  to  be  quiet.  She  is  the  representative  of  a  covenant  which  is 
"ordered  in  all  thin^  and  sure;"  and,  "although,"  as  David  said 
(seemingly),  "  He  make  it  not  to  grow,"  still,  Truth,  in  some  measure, 
and  in  some  form,  is  found  in  every  section  of  the  Protestant  Church, 
and  not  one  particle  of  Divine  Truth  can  ever  fall  to  the  ground.  It  is 
that  "  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the 
throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,"  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city 
of  God;  and  although  ministers  and  peoples,  churches  and  congrega- 
tions, strive  to  hide  and  liinder  it,  it  marches  onward ;  and  neither 
"  strong  delusions"  on  the  one  hand,  nor  defiling  or  declining  professors 
on  the  other,  will  ever  alter  the  counsels  or  stay  the  progression  of  God's 
most  holy  Ti-uth.  The  church  and  the  world  are  busy  and  full  of 
labour.  Sir  Robert  Peel  said,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  "  Every 
aspect  of  the  present  times,  viewed  in  the  light  of  the  past,  warrants  the 
belief  that  we  are  on  the  kve  op  a  jonivbrsal  change."  This  universal 
change  is  literally  turning  the  world  upside  down ;  and  the  course  pui^ 
sued  by  the  vast  bodies  of  professing  Christians  is  as  different  as  possibly 
can  be  from  the  course  pursued  by  the  good  old  fia.thers  who  studied  hard 
the  Word  of  God,  prayed  mightily  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  preached 
the  Grospel  in  its  ancient  and  God-taught  purity.  What  to  say  of  the 
system  of  playing  with  candles,  lectures,  penny  readings,  and  all  the 
new  trades  connected  with  the  Gkjspel  ministry,  I  know  not.  If  Dr. 
Owen  had  adopted  the  plan  now  so  patent,  if  Dr.  Gill  had  turned 
lecturer,  if  Huntington  and  Joseph  Inns  had  left  the  pulpit  to  mount 
the  platform,  what  would  tfieir  people  have  said  ?  Tndy,  not  only  the 
&shion  of  the  world  passeth  away,  but  the  good  old  fdishioned  way  of 
Gospel  ministers  pursuing  their  mimstry  seems  passing  away  too.  I 
would  not  (like  the  Pope's  Encyclical)  oppose  profession.     Nay,  let  the 


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ITtfch  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  *         87 

geologist  dive  deep  as  he  can ;  let  the  astronomer  stretch  bis  wings,  and 
fly  into  the  heavens  and  tell  ns  the  name  and  nature,  the  size  and  sub- 
stance, of  every  planet,  of  every  star ;  let  scientific  men  pursue  their 
studies,  and  philosophers  develope  the  beauties  of  every  moral  principle ; 
but>  Paul's  advice  to  Timothy  is  applicable  to  every  holy  minister  of  the 
GkMpel  of  Christ, — <^  Meditate  upon  thiesb  things  :  give  thyself  wholly 
to  them,  that  thy  profiting  may  appear  to  all :  take  heed  unto  thyself, 
and  unto  the  doctrine  ;  continus  in  theh  :  for  in  doing  this,  thou  shalt 
both  save  thyself  and  them  that  hear  thee."  My  fear  is  that  the  mono- 
polising and  amalgamating  spirit  now  so  mightily  at  work  in  the  minds 
and  in  the  midst  of  all  the  professed  Protestant  churches  is  of  a  truth- 
denying  character,  and  that,  while  the  Utter  of  the  Gospel  is,  in  some 
measure,  advocated,  the  bpibit  of  it  is  gradually  denied,  and  almost  any- 
thing is  substituted  for  '^  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  I  fear  to  express 
my  conviction;  yet  I  dare  not  withhold  it.  Satan,  as  an  angel  of 
light,  is  now  deceiving  millions : — ^this  is  the  deep,  the  trembling,  the  secret 
thought  of  my  heart.  And  hence  changes  upon  changes  wiU  pass  before 
us,  until  the  destined  climax  shall  arrive,  which  thousands  with  myself 
believe  is  not  so  veiy  remote. 

Dr.  Gumming,  in  his  Redemption  Draweth  Nigh  : — ^and  in  referring 
to  this  learned  and  busy  prophetic  writer,  I  beseech  my  readeis  not  to 
allow  themselves  to  be  carried  away  by  the  sneers  and  blind  contempt  of 
their  leaders  : — for  many  [solemn  things  the  doctor  has  given  to  the 
world  j  and  &om  The  Edinbwryh  Review  he  quotes  as  follows  : — 

^  Never  was  there  a  time  when  events  so  developed  themselves  with  such  rapidity. 
As  the  world  moves  on,  it  seems  to  accelerate  its  speed,  and  precipitate  itself  with  head- 
long haste.  Events  seem  to  ripen  before  their  time.  The  orisia  comes  ere  we  wero 
aware  of  the  commencement    Speed, — ^whirlwind  speed, — is  the  order  of  the  day." 

My  blessed  old  brother,  Dr.  Thomas  Goodwin,  prophesying  as  it 
were  of  the  future,  says, — 

"It  hasteth  greatly.  And  although  we  may  think  this  dismal  and  black  honr  of 
temi^tation  not  likely  to  come  so  soon  (seeing  the  clouds  rise  not  fast  enough  as  suddenly 
to  overcast  the  lace  of  the  sky  with  darkness) ;  yet  we  are  to  consider  that  we  live  now  in 
the  extremity  of  times,  when  motions  and  alterations  being  so  near  the  centre,  become 
quickest  and  speediest ;  and  we  are  at  the  verge,  and,  as  it  were,  within  the  whirl  of  thai 
great  mystery  of  Christ's  kingdom,  which  wul,  as  a  gulf,  swaUow  up  all  time ;  and  so, 
toe  nearer  we  are  unto  it,  the  greater  and  more  sudden  changes  will  Christ  make,  now 
hasting  to  make  a  fuU  end  of  afi.** 

My  second  conviction  is,  that  the  CHBiST-like  '^saints  on  earth  and 

the  justified  spirits  in  heaven,    are   EXPEcrriNG  and  looking  for  some 

further  fulfilment  of  prophecy  than  has  yet  been  accomplished. 

"It  seems  to  me,"  remarks  William  Cuninehame,  "we  have  entered  into  that  last 
period  of  awful  expectation  during  which  the  cnurch  is  likened  unto  vii-gins." 

How  much  I  sympathize  with  good  old  Joshua  Spalding,  when  he 
wrote  the  following  words  : — 

"  I  have  written  these  things  with  great  trembling,  not  so  much  because  I  know  they 
must  be  unpopular,  and  must  be  considered  by  this  earthly-minded  generation  as  the 
height  of  fanaticism,  and  the  most  consummate  folly ;  and  that  to  all  careless  unbelieving 
lazy  worldlings,  I  must  seem  like  Lot  to  his  sons-in-law,  as  one  that  mocketh ;  but  fear- 
ing most  of  idl  lest  I  should  add  unto,  or  Uke  from  the  word  of  prophecy:  yet  I  dared 
not  be  silent** 

Thirdly,  there  will  be  a  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  till  then  will  ever  the  anti-Christian 
thrones  and  powers  be  cast  down.  Dream  not  so  sweetly  of  the  French 
Emperor  br^iking  up  the  Bomish  territories.  In  1866  or  1867,  or  there- 


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88  •  J^HE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Mawh  1, 1865. 

abouts,  many  mighty  revolutions  may  be  witnessed ;   but  never  until 
Jesus  comes  the  second  time  will  papal  powers  see  their  doom. 

My  fourth  conviction  is  sanctioned  by  Milton.  Dr.  Channing 
says, — 

»*  That  Christ  is  to  appear  visibly  for  the  judgment  of  the  world,  and  that  He  will 
reign  a  thousand  years  on  earth,  at  the  end  of  which  period  Satan  will  aasall  the  church 
with  an  innumexable  confederacy  and  be  overwhelmed  with  everlasting  ruin.  He  speaks 
of  the  judgment  as  beginning  with  Christ's  second  advent,  and  as  isomprehending  his 
own  government  througn  the  millennium  as  well  as  the  closing  scene,  when  sentence  wiU 
be  pronounced  on  evil  angels  and  on  the  whole  human  race." 

Let  us  make  our  calling  and  our  election  sure  ;  let  us  labour  for  a 
pure  freedom  in,  and  a  holy  fellowship  with  Christ,  and  then  Paul's  words 
in  us  will  be  realized  : — **  Therefore  I  suffer  all  things  for  the  elect's  sakes, 
that  they  also  may  obtain  the  salvation  which  is  in  Jesus  Christ  with 

ETERNAL  OLORT." 

My  thoughts  on  this  **  eternal  glory"  I  will  condense  in  a  few  lines 
in  Cheering  Words  for  March,  as  I  have  no  more  room  here ;  but  with 
1866  I  have  not  done  yet. 


THE     LATE     HENRY     STRICKETT. 

Since  our  last,  this  young  minister  has  been  called  home  to  his  heavenly 
Father's  closer  embrace.  He  died  on  Tuesday  morning,  February  7th, 
and  was  interred  in  the  Brockley  Cemetery,  on  Wednesday,  February 
15th.  Mr.  Anderson  read  the  Scriptures,  and  gave  an  address  in  the 
cemetery  chapel,  and  a  few  words  were  8jK>ken  over  the  grave  by  C.  W. 
Banks.     The  following  inscription  is  taken  from  the  mourning  card : — 

"  In  affectionate  i*emembrance  of  Mr.  Henry  Strickett,  minister  of 
the  €k)spel,  who  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  February  7th,  1865,  aged  twenty- 
four  years." 

The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  &om  TIte  Gospel  Quide,  and 
express  sufficient  to  shew  his  end  was  peace  : — 

"A  VISIT  TO  MR.    HENRY   STRTCKETT's  DYING   CHAMBER. 

"  Last  Tuesday,  by  special  request,  we  visited  that  young  minister- 
ing brother,  Mr.  Henry  Strickett,  whose  preaching  in  many  places 
has  been  so  much  approved.  He  is  now  deep  in  the  waters  of  affliction. 
He  cannot  long  survive.  We  found  his  tender-hearted  wife,  his  widowed 
mother,  and  his  sweet  little  babe,  all  close  around  his  bed.  They  need 
the  sympathy  and  kind  aid  of  Christian  friends.  The  following  lines 
were  the  last  effusion  of  his  then  trembling  spirit : — 

LINES  WBITTEN  IN  DEEP  AFFLICTION. 

Whkk  the  gloom  of  aorrow  ■hroudiiix 

Thia  poor  loaesome  heart  of  mine ; 
When  griefi  rending  bands  are  tearing 
.  Toys  away,  my  haul  entwine. 

Then,  O I  then,  above  all  others^ 
Eatber,  I  look  to  Thee. 

When  the  thorny  vale  I'm  treading, 
Wb«rB  the  tempter  lurica  to  barm ; 
When  in  darkneas  Fm  benighted, 
Seeking  for  a  guiding  arm. 

Then.  01  then,  above  all  others. 
Father,  I  look  to' Thee. 


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March  1, 186&  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  ^  89 

When  the  eross  my  weak  form  bowing 

Down  to  earth  with  heavy  load ; 
When  my  wandering  feet  are  straying 
.  From  the  pilgrim's  heaven-bound  road : 
Then,  O  t  then,  above  all  others, 
Fkther,  I  look  to  Thee. 

When  my  weary  soul  is  pining 
For  the  rest  it  lonn  to  gain ; 
When  m  V  feeble  booy'a  wasting, 
Baokea  with  ag<»y  and  pain ; 

Then,  O !  then,  above  all  others^ 
Father,  I  look  to  Thee. 

When  all  earthly  friends  forsake  me. 

Faithless  prove  and  turn  to  foes; 
When  stem  providences  frowning 
On  me-Hftdd  unto  my  woes ; 

Then,  O !  then,  above  all  others. 
Father,  I  look  to  thee. 

When  all  nature's  stream's  exhausted. 

And  all  earth's  resources  dried ; 
When  no  help  for  me  appearing. 
When  with  sore  afflictions  tried ; 

Then,  O  .'  then  above  all  others, 
Father,  I  look  to  Thee. 
When  at  last  my  eyes  are  closing, 

On  this  strange  and  chequered  scene ; 
And  death's  cold  and  icy  finger, 
On  my  pale  set  brow  is  seen ; 

Then,  O  t  then,  above  all  others, 
Father,  I  look  to  Thee. 

When  cold  Jordan's  stream  I'm  fording, 

And  its  billows  round  me  roll ; 
When  my  eager  sonl  expectant, 
Keais  at  last  the  longed  for  goal ; 

Then,  O  I  then,  above  all  others, 
Father,  I  look  to  Thee. 

H.  Stbickstt. 

Brother  Strickett,  with  his  cold  hand,  presented  the  above  lines  to 
ns,  requesting  that  by  their  publication  the  churches  might  see  his  ^edth 
in  the  Gospel  and  his  hope  in  the  Lord  was  firm  imto  the  end.  The 
next  week,  Tlie  Gospel  Guide  gave  the  following  note  : — 

"  Wednesday,  Feb.  8th. — ^We  have  this  morning  a  note  from  the 
young  and  sorrowing  widow,  informing  us  that  her  husband,  Mr.  Henry 
Strickett,  died  at  nine  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  in  the  same  perfect 
peace  in  which  he  has  so  long  been  lying.  We  ask  for  help  in  this 
hour  of  need." 

Some  contributions  have  been  forwarded,  and  we  hope  others  will 
follow.  We  can  only  now  give  a  few  lines  from  a  note  just  received 
from  the  bereaved  widow. 

"  Mr,  Banks. — Deab  Sir, — Kindly  insert  in  Vessel  for  March 
that  my  future  address  will  be  '  Mrs«  Strickett,  at  Mr.  Blackburn's, 
Spital-street,  Dartford,  Kent/  Many  friends  might  wish  to  write  to 
me,  but  would  not  know  my  new  address.  I  leave  here  on  Saturday  for 
Dartford.  It  is  a  heavy  trial  to  me  to  break  up  my  dear  little  home ; 
but  it  must  be  done,  and  without  murmuring ;  for  my  heavenly  Father 
knows  what  is  best  for  his  wayward  child,  even  to  the  tearing  away  of 
my  heart's  delight  from  my  side.  Wishing  you  every  blessing  the  Lord 
can  bestow  both  on  your  literary  and  ministerial  labours,  and  with  many 
thanks  for  your  kindness  to  a  poor,  lonely,  bereaved,  and  desolate 
widow,  with  kind  Christian  love  I  remain, 

^<  Yours  in  the  deep  waters  of  affliction, 

"  Susannah  Strickett" 

[We  shall  announce  the  subscriptions  received  on  our  wrapper.] 


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90 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Utfeh  1,  IBtt. 


<$]tr  (!(hui{(hi|a,  our  faators,  and  m\  ^to^jil^. 


OXJB  LONDON  CHURCHES. 
IJpoK  the  whole  the  annaal  mc 
haye  been  well  sostftined ;  and  our  minis- 
ten  and  their  people  are  working  on  in 
some  peace,  if  there  are  no  great  external 
displays  of  prosperity.  At  Poplar,  the 
church  meeting  in  Zoar  chapel,  Manor- 
street,  has  been  bereft  of  its  pastor,  Mr. 
J.  Inward;  and  fears  have  been  enter- 
tained that  the  chnrch  would  be  broken 
up,  and  the  chapel  go  into  other  hands. 
Bomnej-street,  Westminster,  is  gone  from 
ns;  and  there  are  other  places  where  sad 
declension  threatens  dissolution.  We 
often  wonder  how  some  of  our  rich  and 
high-standing  professors  will  look  in  the 
great  day  of  account.  They  talk  highly 
of  their  principles ;  but  when  the  cause  of 
truth  demands  of  them  a  sacrifice,  they  fly 
oSL  You  may  sometimes  see  wealthy 
men  building  grand  mansions  for  them- 
selves to  live  in ;  while  they  worship  God. 
— if  worship  it  may  be  caUed — ^in  worse 
than  a  bam:  sometimes,  we  think,  the 
voice  from  heaven  thunders  loudly  a^nst 
such,  when  one  and  another  is  suadenlv 
taken  awa^r.  <*  The  Lord's  voice  crieth 
unto  the  city ;"  but  very  few  either  hear 
or  heed  it :  on  the  other  side  of  Jordan 
some  fearful  reckonings  haye  to  be  made. 
Header,  if  thine  heart  is  not  cased  in  iron, 
think  of  these  thinffs.  Correspondents 
say  Mr.  Inward  will  still  preach  in 
Poplar,  in  another  place.  We  hope  this 
is  not  true.  Let  us  briefly  notice  the 
meetings  holden  in  London  during  the 
past  month. 

The  twenty-seventh  of  the  Infiints* 
Friend  in  Mount  Zion,  Dorset-square,  was 
quite  a  noble  meetinff.  The  Chairman, 
Mr.  John  Foreman,  in  his  opening  address, 
intimated  that  on  the  17tli  of  this  March 
he  will  have  been  fifty  years  in  the 
ministry. 

Ml.  John  FossicAir^s  JuniLn, 
if  he  is  spared  a  little  lo  jger,  will  be  an 
event  of  no  small  interest  in  our  churches. 
We  know  thousands  in  this  country  hail 
Mr.  Foreman's  visits  to  them,  and  his 
labours  among  them,  with  fireat  pleasure ; 
and  that  he  may  live  to  labour  yet  for 
many  years  is  the  prayer  of  multutudes 
of  honest,  Ood-iearing  saints  in  this  land. 
At  the  meeting  referred  to,  Mr.  Foreman 
was  surround^  by  his  brethren  Dicker- 
son,  Milner,  James  Wells,  John  Bloom- 
field,  Alderson,  Geo.  Webb,  and  others : 
Tiumy  nice  little  sermons  were  delivered. 

Mk.  Thomas  Stbisghr's  re-openiug 
services  at  Bethel  chapel,  in  Wdlesley- 
street.  Stepney,  were  holden  on  January 


29th  and  30th.  On  the  Sunday,  Thmnas 
Stringer  and  J(^  Bloomfidd  preached 
the  sermons ;  and  on  Monday  afternoon, 
James  Wells  delivered  an  original  dis- 
course to  a  large  congregation.  After 
tea,  the  brethren  George  Webb,  Blake* 
Brunt,  Inward,  Cozens,  Nichols,  and 
others  testified  to  the  truth.  Brother 
Thomas  Stringer  looked  happy,  and  told 
us  of  the  great  things  Ged  is  doing  for 
them  there. 

The  next  day,  January  31st,  Behoboth 
chapel,  Shadwell,  was  enlivened  by  a 
meeting,  when  Mr.  Blake,  of  Artillezy- 
lane,  preached;  and  in  the  evening,  the 
old  minister,  Samuel  Milner,  presided, 
and  by  the  help  of  such  good  men  as 
George  Wvard,  J.  Bloomfield,  Meeres, 
Inward,  Flack,  and  others,  conducted  a 
meeting  much  to  the  spiritual  edification 
of  the  friends  who  assembled.  It  is  said 
Mr.  Milner^s  speeches  of  late  have  been 
mellow  and  full  of  good  Gospel  matter. 
Is  he  ripening  for  glory  ? 

Mr.  Bloomleld's  thirteenth  anniversary 
of  his  pastorate  at  Salem,  in  Meard*s- 
court,  ooho,  was  on  the  7th  of  February. 
We  gave  a  long  report  of  it  in  the  Gospsl 
GuiDB,  No.  35,  and  will  only  here  notice 
the  fact,  that  as  heretofore,  he  appeared 
as  one  of  the  happiest  men  in  all  the 
world.  His  deacons  are  in  harmony,  his 
church  is  peace,  his  ministry  in  good 
success,  his  health  perhaps  never  better, 
his  ministerial  brethren  around  him  ex- 
pressing their  warmest  sympathy,  and, 
more  than  all,  it  is  hopea,  the  Lobd  is 
with  him.  His  rnference  to  Mr.  Thwaites, 
and  the  church  he  had  left,  was,  to  us, 
imnecessary  and  unseemly;  but,  in  this 
imperfect  state,  nothing  perfect  can  be 
found.  Mr.  Bloomfield  gave  his  brethren 
good  subjects ;  and  they  were  well  deli- 
vered by  Messrs.  AldersoUy  Foreman, 
Milner,  Wyard  and  others. 

The  Surrey  Tabernacle,  on  the  same 
evening,  was  fiiU  of  warm-hearted  finends, 
who  assembled  to  hear  from  the  Annual 
Beport,  read  hj  that  excellent  servant  of 
the  Church,  Mx,  £.  Butt,  what  had  been 
done.  Several  hundreds  took  tea;  aftsr 
that,  the  deacons,  Mr.  WeUs,  and  the 
brethren  Anderson,  Stringer,  C.  W. 
Banks,  &&,  edified  the  crowded  meeting 
by  speaking  of  those  things  which  tend 
to  comfort  and  confirm  the  hearts  of  all 
true  believers.  It  is  truly  astonishing  to 
see  what  a  spirit  of  liberality  and  be- 
nevolence is  continually  and  increasingly 
manifested  by  the  church  and  oongrega- 
tioa  in  tho  Surrey  Tabeniade.      !nie 


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Iflaich  1, 186S. 


jUn>  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD. 


91 


€h9p€l  OwU,  in  its  repent  of  this  large 
meeting,  says : — 

Mr.  Edward  Bntt,  tbe  devoted  seere- 
taxT  of  the  Bnilding  Committee,  rose  and 
saia,  that  they  did  not  think  itwaa  neces- 
aaiy  to  prepare  any  kind  of  report ;  the 
meeting  was  more  for  thankagivinff  to 
Almighty  God,  for  Hie  goodness  to  tnem 
as  a  people  dnzing  the  year  1864.  He 
said,  when  we  look  at  the  past,  it  is  tmly 
wonderftiL  None  of  the  societies  in  oon  • 
section  with  the  Surrey  Tabemade  have 
"been  ixnnred  by  onr  new  undertaking. 
The  ordinance  nmd,  which  is  distributed 
amongst  the  poor  of  the  church ;  the  sick 
fund,  a  tmly  useful  society,  from  which 
many  are  helped  in  seasons  of  a£Biiction, 
and  all  other  societies  were  workins  well. 
During  the  past  year  the  Chunm  and 
frien£  had  nobly  contributed,  as  under — 
Ladies'  Society  -  -  -  £  65  8  1 
Poors*  Fund  -  -  -  -  78  6  0 
Aged     Pilgrims'     Friendly 

Society  -  -  -  151  12  8 
For  the  widow  of  the  late  Sir. 

PeUs        -        -        -         -    60    0    0 

The  Beneyolent  Societies  have  all  been 
maintained  in  their  ftill  tide  of  doing 
practical  good.  Mr.  Butt  said,  dnrinff  one 
year  our  Bnilding  Fund  has  reuized 
^,000  2b.  Total  amount  in  hand  since 
the  commencement,  which  is  about 
eighteen  months,  is  £4,968  19s.  Pro- 
mises, which  we  consider  will  be  fiilly 
met,  amounts  to  £700.  Sometimes  Satan 
has  set  in,  and  said,  *'  How  will  you  get 
the  rest?"  Well,  when  this  unbeUef 
comes  in,  he  could  only  say,  that  which 
had  been  done  was  a  guarantee  from  the 
Lord  that  He  would  enable  them  to  finish 
the  work ;  and  hence  they  often  sang— 

**  Begone,  unbelief,  mj  Saviour  is  near, 
And  for  my  relief  will  sorely  appear.** 

Next  Good  Friday,  a  Public  Meeting 
will  be  holden  in  the  same  place,  in  be- 
half of  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle ;  which 
we  are  happy  to  hear  is  fast  going  on  to 
oonmletion. 

Mr.  Williamson's  fourteenth  anniver- 
sary, at  Johnson  street,  Notting  HUl,  was 
celebrated  February  14th,  in  the  usual 
highly  resnectable  and  happy  spirit  Mr. 
James  Weils  was  preyented  from  being 
present  to  preach  tne  sermon— being  de- 
tained at  the  funeral  of  the  late  Mr.  Lee ; 
but  Mr.  Williamson  gave  the  waiting  audi- 
ence a  most  interesting  oommentazy  on 
the  one  portion  of  Israel's  prophecy, 
which  was  found,  perhaps,  quite  as  accept- 
able as  any  discourse  Mr.  Wells  could 
haye  deliyered.  This  sweet  interposi- 
tion of  the  Lord's  blessing  in  an  unexpec- 
ted channel  should  ^uite  silence  all  the 
little  murmnrings  which  disappointments 
mmetimes  prodnoe.     As  predestinarians 


why  not  belieye  that  Mr.  Wells  was  vot 
to  come  that  afternoon,  and  that  Mr. 
Williamson  was  to  bb  the  Aaron  for  the 
people,  and  that  through  him  the  Lord 
designed  to  bless  them ;  and  there  end 
all  tothercontroyersy.  Mr.  Williamson's 
meeting  was  fUil,  and  the  causa  still 
prospers.  

THE  BAPTISTS  IN  SCOTLAND. 

Mt  Dear  Sir, — In  the  February  Ybs- 
SBL,  you  made  some  remarks  on  the  tour 
and  labours  in  Scotland,  of  the  well-known 
seryant  of  Christ,  Mr.  T.  J.  Messer. 

Ton  also  fayoured  your  readers  with  an 
extract  from  a  letter  you  had  receiyed  from 
him,  in  which  he  stated,  ^  There  is  a  fine 
opening  in  this  country  for  a  truth  pro- 
Aiming  eyan^elist  or  two.  There  is  more 
ArmimATiimn  m  Scotland  than  you  would 
imagine." 

Now  I  do  not  belieye  that  Mr.  Messer 
intended  by  that  to  insinuate  that  the 
Baptist  Churchee  in  Scotland  hold  Armi- 
nian  yiews,  but  referred  to  the  aspect  and 
tendencies  of  religious  teaching  generally 
throughout  Scotland. 

Boweyer,  I  feel  sure  that  you,  Mr. 
Editor,  and  the  readers  of  the  Yesbel^  will 
be  glad  to  know  there  are  some  Baptist 
Churchee  in  Scotland  who  maintain  fear- 
lessly the  doctrine  of  salyation  only  by  the 
free  distinguishing  and  soyereigu  grace  of 
God,  and  who  also  maintain  the  practice  of 
Strict  Communion. 

Unquestionably  like  most  churches  who 
hold  tne  truth  of  Christ  in  its  simplicity, 
and  proclaim  the  Gospel  as  the  power  of 
God  unto  salyation  to  eyery  one  that  be- 
lieyeth,  without  fear  or  fayor,  they  are 
few  in  number,  and  haye  not  succeeded 
much  in  making  known  their  distinctiya 
yiews  and  practices  throughout  Scotland. 

A  meeting  howeyer  was  held  at  Edin- 
burgh last  summer,  attended  by  delegates 
from  kindred  churches  in  Wales  and  Eng- 
land ;  at  which  it  was  resolyed  to  appoint 
an  eyangelist  to  declare  the  Gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God  whereyer  an  opportunity  was 
afforded  of  doing  so. 

The  indiyidual  appointed  (who  by  the 
yray  is  an  Englishman)  has  been  engaged 
during  the  last  few  months  preaching  the 
Gospel  in  Scotland,  and  you  will  be  glad 
to  know  that  his  ministrations  haye  been 
receiyed  with  fayour  amon^  the  people, 
and  blessed  by  the  Spirit  of  God  to  the 
conyersion  of  some, — ^four  persons  haying 
been  baptized  at  Newinbuigfa,  Fifeshire, 
a  short  time  ago. 

We  may  sincerely  hoi>e  that  this  effort 
made  by  the  Scotch  Baptist  churches,  is  in 
harmony  with  the  will  of  Christ,  and  de- 
youtly  pray  that  it  wOl  be  fayoured  and 
bleesed  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

I  purposed  making  some  remarks  on  the 

Entice  of  weekly  communion  maintained 
the  aboye  churches,  and  referred  to  by 
.  Messer,  but  am  afraid  of  intruding  too 
much  upon  your  space ;  so  we  will  defer 
doing  so  till  next  month.— S.  B. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


M^h  1, 1866. 


CUB  CHX7BCHES   IK   LANCA8HIBE 
YORKSHIEB,   JAN.  26,  1866. 

I  AX  leaving  Sheffield  this  morning  for 
London.  It  ib  a  cold  winter  morning — 
snowingf  and  blowing,  and  freezing;  out 
being  packed  in  a  comer  of  a  Great  North- 
ern, I  will  endeavour  to  obej  the  orders 
^ven  me  by  some  good  Christian  people 
.  m  these  parts,  to  write  the  experiences  of 
my  journey,  and  put  them  in  an  Earthbn 
Vessel.  vVhen  i  left  London  last  Satur- 
day afternoon,  that  mighty  metropolis  was 
enveloped  in  one  of  the  thickest  fogs  that 
any  can  remember— it  was  dense  and  fear- 
fuL  I  was  very  ill-fitted  to  take  such  a 
journey ;  but  I  had  engaged  to  preach  on 
Sunday  three  times  in  Manchester;  and 
throvring  mvself  as  well  as  I  could  into  the 
arms  of  an  Almighty  preserver,  I  set  out  at 
three  o^clock  in  the  afternoon;  and  found 
myself  beside  Mr.  John  Derbyshire's  fire, 
in  Colnbrook,  Manchester,  between  ten  and 
eleven  that  same  Saturdav  night  Six  or 
seven  gentlemen  travellea  with  me,  and 
being  well  jammed  in,  I  could  hardly  get 
room  to  write,  but  write  I  did,  and  then 
my  mind  was  well  employed,  and  thereby 
the  tediousness  of  the  journey  was  some- 
what relieved.  To  be  enabled,  while 
travelling,  to  lift  one's  thoughts  above  this 
eejrthly  clod,  is  a  mercy  of  mercies;  and 
seeing  there  is  a  promise  left  for  "them 
that  thought  upon  His  name,"  I  would 
hope  that  I  shall  not  be  found  at  last  "  a 
cast^a-way."  It  matters  nothing  to  me 
whether  I  am  at  home  in  the  study,  or 
walking  the  busy  streets  of  London— 
whether  lyin^  in  the  sleepless  hours  of 
the  darkest  night,  or  tntvelling  on  the  line, 
I  am  never  more  quietly  conm)rtable  than 
when  I  can  think  upon  His  name,  penetrate 
into  the  holy  mysteries  of  His  word,  and 
draw  out  therefrom  soul-saving  trutiiB,  and 
thus,  sometimes  behold  the  King  in  His 
beauty,  and  have  a  glimpse  of  the  land 
which  is  yet  afar  off.  Mentation  on  things 
diyin&  is,  to  me,  like  a  chariot,  canying  me 
away  from  the  sorrows  of  the  desert  As 
I  walked  from  poor  Charley  Chapman's 
grave  last  Monday  week,  I  said  withm  my- 
self, "  Certainly,  Satan  has  tried  hard  to  do 
three  things— to  stop  my  mouth;  to  destroy 
my  position;  and  to  sink  my  soul  into 
black  despair."  As  yet,  he  has  not  com- 
pletely perfected  either  one  of  these  deeds. 
As  in  Job's  case,  the  enemy  has  done  much; 
prayer,  in  my  experience,  lias  been  almost 
dried  up  at  times;  the  word  has  appeared 
closed;  providential  dispensations  have 
looked  painful;  the  pious  and  the  proud, 
the  mockers  and  the  mischief-makers ;  and 
even  some  of  the  dariing  saints  of  Qod 
have  conspired  to  hurl  me  to  destruction, 
and  to  leave  me  there ;  and  it  is  no  part  of 
my  work  to  condemn  them  for  this.  It  is 
so  easy  to  a  man  who  never  fell  down  and 
broke  his  leg,  to  censure  the  poor  fellow 
who  has,  and  to  show  how  with  care  he 
might  have  corrected  it ;  but  this  world  is 


one  of  pits  and  snares;  and  like  myself, 
some  fall  therein. 

Sympathy  with  an  afflicted  little  flock 
drew  me  last  Saturday  to  Manchester.    I 

S reached  to  them  three  times  on  the  Bun- 
ay  ;  and  some  hoped  good  was  done ;  but 
the  minister  had  brought  a  cloud  over  them, 
and  we  all  felt  the  sorrows  which  spring 
from  a  want  of  parity  and  uprightness  in 
the  worship  of  God.  Pauls  words  are 
verily  true—'*  If  any  man  defile  the  tempfe 
of  God,  him  will  God  destroy.**  It  is  a 
fact  full  of  the  heaviest  solemnity,  that  no 
man  can  successfully  stand  in  the  holy 
worship  of  God,  unless  his  garments  are 
clean,  and  his  heart  sincere. 

The  church  of  the  living  God  is  a  sacred 
enclosure ;  and  if,  at  any  time,  ungodliness 
creeps  in  unawares,  it  is  not  Jong  ere  it  is 
hurled  out  with  oonteinpt  and  dismay. 

The  history  of  the  efforts  made  by  good 
men  to  extend  the  Gospel  in  Manchester 
during  the  Isat  five-and-twenty  yeaiv,  is 
written  by  a  sealous  citizen  of  that  im- 
mense community ;  that  history  baa  been 
committed  to  my  care ;  and  finom  its  large 
folios  I  may  draw  out  not  a  few  chapters  of 
instruction,  caution,  and,  perhaps,  a  little 
comfort  too. 

There  is  no  reason  why  the  EAsmcr 
Vessel  should  not  contain  a  concise  history 
of  the  rise  and  reign  of  the  Gospel  in  Man- 
chester, from  the  period  when  God  raised 
up  William  Gadsby,  and  made  of  him  a 
polished  shaft,  a  piercing  quiver,  yea,  a 
burning^  and  shining  light,  in  that  dax^ 
populaUoii,  where  sin  did,  where  Satan 
doth,  so  effectually  work. 

After  William  Huntingdon,  dear  Gadsby 
was  the  next  man  specially  raised  up  by 
God  in  England  to  feed  the  flock  of  slaugh- 
ter; and  a  faithful,  a  fruitful,  a  loving  and 
laborious  under  shepherd  was  he  ;  and  with 
all  the  good  men,  and  great  men,  Manches- 
ter has  had  sent  into  her  during  the  last 
flfty  yean,  my  conviction  is,  thai  for 
spiritual  power,  for  the  unction  of  the 
Holy  One,  for  a  pure  and  precious  experi- 
mental ministry,  William  Gadsby  has  never 
been  excelled.  Without  the  least  desire  to 
serve  ourselves,  or  offend  others,  we  believe 
the  Manchester  Strict  Baptist  pastor  was 
a  man  of  more  spiritual  weight  and  value 
than  ever  was  permanently  settled  in  that 
large  cotton  community;  and  this,  as  we 
proceed  with  our  Manchester  histoiy,  may 
be  proved  more  clearly. 

*' Ah!  to  be  sure,"  said  a  venerable  friend 
of  Mr.  Gadsby's,  to  us  (on  this  last  visit  we 
made),  '*  we  thought  tor  years  that  there 
was  not  such  another  man  in  all  this  worid 
as  Mr.  Gadsby ;  and  when  he  came  before 
the  church  one  day,  and  wanted  us  to  let 
him  go  to  London,  we  did  not  like  to  spare 
him  at  all ;  but,  thinking  the  poor  Londoners 
were  starving,  and  feeling  it  was  not  right 
to  be  so  selfish,  we  at  last  agreed  to  let  him 
go,  and  to  make  thift  with  one  James  Wells, 
who  was  to  oome  to  us  during  Mr.  Gadsby^s 
absence.  We  knew  nothing  about  Master 
Wells,"  said  the  good  matron,  **but  we 


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3Iuclil,186& 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


93 


were  wiUinff  to  pat  npwitli  him,  wbile  our 
Master  Gaosby  went  to  feed  the  poor 
starving  sheep  in  London.** 

Ah !  it  wae  thrilling  to  hear  this  mother 
in  Israel  deecribe  Mr.  Wells*  first  visit  to 
Mr.  Gadsby*s  finlpit  in  Manchester.  The 
Sunday  morning  came:  to  chapel  the 
people  went ;  James  Wells  was  in  tiie  pul- 
pit ;  the  service  began ;  the  minister  read, 
expounded,  prayed  and  preached ;  but  be- 
fore half  this  was  over,  the  congregation 
was  amazed,  they  were  all  taken  up  with  a 
kind  of  electric  power,  and  they  hardly 
knew  where  they  were.  Could  you  have 
seen  the  eves  of  that  immense  congregation 
that  Sunoay  morning  all  rivetted  to  the 
preacher,  you  would  not  fail  to  remember 

"When  service  was  over,**  said  my 
friend,  ^*you  mig;ht  have  seen  the  people 
all  in  groups,  telling  with  astonishment  of 
the  things  they  had  heard.**  Said  she, 
^  We  called  ourselves  a  thousand  fools,  be- 
cause we  had  never  thought  that  there 
were  any  ministers  in  London ;  but  when 
we  saw.  and  heard,  and  received  this  Mas- 
ter James  Wells,  we  were  like  electrified 
and  astonished  not  a  little.'* 

This  first  advent  of  Mr.  Wells  to  Man- 
chester opened  up  the  wav  for  another 
cause  in  that  cit^,  whose  history  I  ma^ 
give  from  the  fohos  now  in  possession ;  it 
has  the  diary  of  Oldham-street,  and  all  the 
subsequent  places  arising  therefrom;  it 
describes  the  ministration  of  the  CorUtts, 
the  Bidders,  the  Palmers,  the  HankB*s,  the 
Stringera,  the  Wyaids,  the  Banks's,  the 
Samuels,  and  a  host  beside;  but  I  cannot 
stop  longer  in  Manchester  now,  only  I  must 
say,  that  Mr.  John  Derbyshire,  his  brother, 
and  a  few  good  folk  who  reside  in  the 
Hulme  disUict  have  a  little  chapel  in 
Bold-street,  Choilton-road ;  and  if  the 
Lord  will  send  them  a  blessed,  and  holy, 
and  wise,  and  useful  servant,  of  His  own 
calling  and  making,  there  may  yet  be,  in 
that  part  of  Manchester,  a  happy  and  ex- 
tensive church. 

I  left  Manchester  last  Monday  for  Shef- 
field. I  had  never  been  into  Sheffield  be-: 
fore ;  had  often  passed  the  great  cutlery 
capital:  but  its  hills  before  I  had  never 
climbed,  its  streets  I  had  never  trodden; 
and  when  I  write  down  two  facts — ^first, 
that  there  is  not  one  Strict  BapUst  Cause  in 
all  Sheffield:  and  secondly,  that  when  Mr. 
Gadsby  trieo,  some  years  since,  to  preach 
in  Sheffield,  and  none  of  the  open  com- 
munion would  admit  him  into  their  pulpit, 
it  may  well  be  asked  how,  and  by  what 
means  could  such  a  little  thing  as  myself 
get  to  preach  in  this  Yorkshire  borough  ? 

We  may  still  sing 
**  Ood  movei  in  a  mysterious  way,**  fra 
It  is  not  unlikely  but  our  heavenly  Father 
may  yet  plant  a  Strict  Baptist  cause  of  truth 
in  Sheffield.  There  is  not  one  now,  but  in 
the  midst  of  between  two  and  three  hun- 
dred thousand  inhabitants,  there  doubtless 
are  some^  I  believe  many,  who  are  decided 
loveiB  of  Gospel  order  and  of  New  C<rve- 


nant  truth  ;  but  they  have  no  shepherd, 
no  leader,  no  tent,  no  tabernacle  there, 
consequently,  they  ^^go  about,**  often  say- 
ing one  to  another,  ^^Saw  ye  him  whom 
my  soul  loveth  ?**  What  answer  they  get, 
I  cannot  here  decide ;  but  after  mv  preach- 
ing there,  I  found  there  were  gathered  to- 
gether some  of  the  old  London  hearers  of 
Mr.  Dickeraon,  Mr.  StensoiL  Mr.  Wells, 
Mr.  Stringer,  Mr.  Cosens,  lu*.  Carpenter, 
and  others.  Such  groups  together  met, 
and  for  old  friends  enquired  I 

Some  years  ago,  a  member  of  Mr.  Dicker- 
son's  married  a  very  honourable  quarter- 
master sergeant,  who  was  subseanently 
made  *^  barrack-sergeant**  of  the  Sheffield 
barracks,  which  oface  he  filled  for  a  long 
period  with  such  seal  and  strict  integrity, 
that  when  an  over- worked  brain  compelled 
him  to  resign  an  appointment  so  responsible 
and  important,  the  governor  awarded  him 
a  well-merited  annuity^  with  honorary 
medals,  and  substantial  rewards,  as  expres- 
sive of  their  esteem  for  service  so  long  and 
usefully  rendered.  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
spending  a  few  days  at  Mr.  Bryhurst's 
house, — the  retired  barrack-sergeant's  name 
— and  a  more  pleasant  and  agreeable  gentle- 
man I  have  not  lately  met  with.  His 
good  ladv  is  a  Baptist,  and  they  were  the 
means  of  bringing  from  London  to  Shef- 
field, one  James  Johnson  and  his  wife,  both 
of  whom  were  members  of  the  cnurch 
under  the  pastoral  cars  of  John  Stenson, 
late  of  Chelsea. 

James  Johnson  and  his  wife  were  of  one 
heart  and  mind  as  regards  Gospel  truth, 
and  Strict  Communion,  neither  of  which 
could  they  find  in  that  immense  district 
called  the  borough  of  Sheffield. 

For  a  godly  man  and  his  wife  to  leave 
London  mends,  London  privileges,  and  a 
happy  London  church,  ana  to  go  and  settle 
down  in  a  lar^  manufacturing  town  in  the 
north  of  England,  is  a  transition  anything 
but  profitable  to  the  souL 

In  London,  we  are  not  so  aristocratic  aa 
they  are  in  the  north  about  ministers.  In 
London,  we  allow  farmer's  labourers, 
carriers,  tailors,  blacksmiths,  printers,  shoe- 
makers, or  any  Wy  (if  we  believe  the  Lord 
has  need  of  them)  to  be  our  preachers  and 
our  pastors,  and  we  sit  down  at  their  feet 
with  confidence  and  comfort;  and  in  all 
parts  of  England,  and  in  all  ages  of  the 
church,  we  must  confess  that  God  has 
chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world,  to 
confound  the  mighty  monarchs  of  the 
philosophical  and  scientific  schools. 

Who  can  dare  to  despise  such  men  as  the 
tinker  Bunyan,  the  cojuheaver  Huntington, 
the  stocking-weavers  Gadsby,  Warburton, 
and  Benshaw?  We  ask,  what  man— in 
his  right  mind— could  dajre  to  despise,  to 
cast  contempt  on  thousands  of  those  most 
gracious  men,  whom  the  Lord  hath  called 
from  the  army,  the  navy,  the  ploughtaiL 
and  the  bencli,  and  hath  Himseu  qualified 
and  honoured  them  for  and  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry  ? 

Do  I  ask,  who  could  despise  them  ?  Why 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL^ 


ItoBh  1,  laos. 


these  Sheffield  cutlen  would.  They  ue  eo 
highly  educated  themflelves,  thev  have 
powere  of  mind  so  full  of  the  higuest  in- 
telligence, that  no  man  shall  ever  enter 
their  pulpits  but  the  sons  of  the  academy^ 
and  the  readers  of  the  rlaiwica  Certainly, 
every  minister  ought  to  well  guard  ms 
pulpit ;  but  we  may  go  to  extremes  either 
way.  There  are  thousands  heaped  upon 
thousands  in  these  manufacturing  towns, 
who  reail^  have  not  their  intellects  suffi- 
ciently bnghtened  to  comprehend  the  re- 
fined oratory  of  the  schools.  They  would 
gladly  listen  to  the  warm-hearted,  out- 
spoken preaching  of  a  man  whose  soul  is 
all  on  fire  to  do  them  good ;  but  the  cold 
collation  which  the  refined  academic  pre- 
pares for  his  "first-okss"  seat^holders,  is 
so  little  understood  by  those  dear  souls  who 
toil  from  Monday  until  Saturday  in  the 
factory  dens,  that  they  care  but  little  about 
it ;  consequently,  they  either  drop  into  the 
snares  of  the  world,  or  the  ^^Qlory  band," 
"the  Hallelujah  band,'*  or  James  Caugher's 
revival  baD((  or  the  Primitive  Methodist 
band,  or  some  of  the  Aiminian  companies 
entertain  them  for  a  time ;  and  the  final  re- 
sult is,  that  hosts  of  these  people  getting 
neither  an  intelligible  nor  a  poweriul  Gos- 
pel, their  hearts  get  cold,  their  consciences 
get  seared,  their  minds  become  more  and 
more  beclouded,  and  their  hopes  and  ex- 
pectations constantly  blighted,  and  like 
unripe  fruit  they  fall  oflf  m>m  the  tree  of 
profession;  if  they  are  only  vessels  erf 
wrath,  they  fill  up  their  measure  in  some 
carnal  and  sinful  pursuit;  or  if  they  are 
vessels  of  mercy,  they  are  by  these  Armi- 
nian  and  compromising  parsons  literally 
sentenced  to  a  life  of  penal  servitude ;  and 
instead  of  enjoying  Gospel  peace,  Gospel 
freedom,  and  Gospel  feUowship,  they,  are 
threshed  to  labour  all  the  year  round,  and 
if  they  cannot  work  well,  dress  well,  and 
pay  well,  they  must  not  expect  much  sym- 
pathy from  those  who  profess  to  be  the 
faithful  followers  of  Hun  who  said,  *'I 
am  the  good  Shepherd;  and  the  good 
shepherd  giveth  his  life  for  the  sheep.^ 

Two  Qussnoirs  I  would  ask  at  the  feet 
of  the  Clebgt  and  Minibtiiy  of  Sheffield. 
It  is  quite  notorious  that  in  Sheffield  there 
are  six  or  eight  laige  Independent  chapels, 
many  churches,  some  Open  Communion 
Baptists,  lots  of  MethodistB,  Primitives, 
Banters,  and  Glonr  band  people,  and  yet 
Sheffield  is  declared  to  be  dreadfully  sunken 
in  wickedness ;  except  on  a  Sunday  even- 
ing, they  oanno^  get  congregations  of  any 
large  amount  to  preach  to : — how  is  this  ? 
Is  It  because  there  is  not  a  vitalizing  power 
in  the  ministry  ?  Is  it  because  the  minis- 
tera  spend  so  much  time  in  dressing  up 
their  idol,  their  painted  and  enrobed  idol 
natural  intellect,  Uiat  they  cannot  give  any 
time  to  woric  pnustically  among  the  people  ? 
I  fear,  we  an  nearly  all  of  us  guilty  of 
two  great  evils-~izisuL.TiMO  tue  Smuit, 
and  vfiGLBcmio  xm  pboplb. 


▲    MODEL    SUNDAY    8GHOOX1 
BEPOBT. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Sunday 
Schools,  in  Ziou,  Goldington-crewent,  St. 
Pancras,  holden  last  January,  Mr.  Qeoige 
Webb,  the  pastor,  in  the  chair,  the  follow- 
ing able  report  was  read.  We  were  so  in- 
terested in  itf  we  begged  permission  to  give 
it  the  churches,  believing  it  would  do  ffood. 
The  minister  and  deacons  conflenting,  hme 
itis:— 

Mb.  PBBaamiT  axd  Chbdixaii  FBODros. 
— ^Fourteen  years  have  rolled  awaj  stnce 
we  first  op^ed  a  Sunday  School  in  oon- 
nectionwith  this  our  beloved  church  of 
Zion.  Some  who  were  with  us  then  either 
as  teachers  or  scholars,  are  still  connected 
with  the  school  or  chuxuh,  but  most  of 
them  have  been  removed  in  the  providence 
of  our  God,  while  we  know  that  manj 
have  been  taken  from  this  mortal  state  to 
put  on  incorruptible  bodies  and  wave  the 
pa^  branch  of  victoiy  to  the  honour  of 
Him  who  loved  them  and  laid  down  His 
life  for  their  sakes.  During  this  fonxteen 
years  there  have  been  1,662  children  en- 
tered on  the  books ;  of  these^  during  the 
last  year,  there  have  been  62  added,  the 
number  at  the  present  on  the  books  bein§^ 
244,  of  which  the  avenge  attendance  hsa 
been  about  180.  These  are  great  numbeni 
for  a  small  school  like  our%  and  when  we 
think  of  an  eternity  either  of  happinses  or 
misery  being  certain  to  each  one  of  them, 
we  feel  that  we  are  unaUe  to  do  any  good 
amouf  them,  and  whatever  blessing  may 
attenaour  labours  that  Messing  must  hb 
entirely  and  alcme  the  work  of  God,  the 
Holy  Spirit  ^dio,  we  believe,  has  been  onr 
teacher,  and  the  revealer  to  us  of  whatever 
we  know  of  Christ  the  Lord.  As  teacheis 
we  take  our  stsnd  upon  the  Bibleu  as  the 
revealed  will  of  Goa  to  man.  The  only 
teacher  whom  we  believe  can  make  us  U> 
understand  it  is  the  Spirit  of  the  living 
God.  To  Him  we  looi^  and  His  aid  we 
wish  to  rely  on  whenever  we  take  our 
Bibles  in  hand,  either  for  our  own  oomfoit 
and  edification,  or  for  the  purpose  of  teach- 
*ing  the  children.  We  beheve  the  Bible  to 
be  written  under  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  except  the  Preface,  which  is 
usually  put  in  Bibles,  which  reads  thns^ 
*'  To  the  Most  High  and  Mighty  Prince 
James,  kc  Great  and  manifold  were  the 
UeasingB,  most  dread  Sovereign,**  Ac^  This 
preface  we  believe  to  be  the  work  ol  man, 
especially  as  it  glorifies  man  and  his  works;, 
while  the  rest  of  the  Bible  ponzs  contempt 
on  humanpride,  and  exalts  our  I<ord  Jeans 
Christ  as  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  loida. 
We  find  Christ  all  through  the  Bible,  from 
the  first  verse  unto  the  last  verse  of  it,  and 
we  find  in  Christ  all  that  our  souls  <aui  de- 
sire, either  for  time  or  eternity :  and  what 
we  find  our  Bedeemer  to  be  to  lu,  we  tzy 
to  explain  and  iUustrate  to  our  young  ones. 
But,  while  Christ  is  the  great  Alpha  and 
Omega,  the  first  and  the  last,  we  find  many 
things  in  the  Scriptures  which  are  conk- 


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nected  with  Him,  aad  whioh  we  haye  to 
explain  in  onr  teachings.    We  find  all  the 
world  is  guilty  before  God,  and  all  would 
have  been  eternally  lost,  but  for  the  cove- 
nant made  in  eternity  between  the  three 
persons  of  the  Oodhead,  by  which  covenant 
the  Father  foigivea  those  on  whose  account 
the  Son  obeys  the  broken  law,  and  who 
are  brought  bv  the  Spirit  to  feel  the  in- 
fluence of  the  doing  and  dying  of  the  Son. 
We  do  not  understand  from  the  Scripturos 
that  all  mankind  are  interested  in  this  co- 
venant,   but  we  believe  that  the  number 
is   limited  (although   that    limit  is   be- 
yond     human  power  of  conception\  but 
that  none  but  the  chosen  of  God  will  ever 
enter  heaven,  and  that  the  only  reason  why 
any  are  forgiven   is  the  electing  love  of 
God,  so  that  none  can  enter  heaven  by  their 
own  doinga  however  moral  or  right  they 
may  be  in  tlieir  fellow  mortals'  sight — ^We 
find,  also,  that  the  providential  dealings  of 
God  in  the  world  are  past  finding  out.  "  He 
lifteth  the  beggar  from  the  dunghill,  and 
setteth  him  among  princes,  while  ne  bring«- 
eth  the  rich  to  poverty ;"  so  that  worldly 
prosperity  or  adversity  are  not  proofs  that 
spiritual  blessings  are  given  or  withheld. 
We  believe  that  national  sins  bring  natioual 
punishment,  and  that  individual  fpv^  bring 
individual  punishment,  and  that  no  one  is 
exempt  from  the  consequence  of  his  sins ; 
but  that  the  difference  between  the  rejected 
and  the  chosen  is  this— that  the  loet  sinner 
will  feel  his  punishment  to  all  eternity, 
while  the  saved  sinner  will  not  be  punished 
After  death ;  in  fact,  he  will  not  after  death 
even  hear  of  his  sins,  because  all  are  already 
laid  upon  Christ  and  forgiven.    These  are 
onlv  a  few  of  the  flpreat  truths  which  we 
find  in  the  Bible,  ana  we  try  to  teach  them 
to  the  children,  as  we  believe  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  will  bless  His  own  truth, 
even  when  published  by  His  humblest  ser- 
vants,       xou   will  remember   that   the 
teachers  this  year  took  the  children   to 
Homsey  Woo^  on  which  occasion  provi- 
dence was  favourable  in  giving  us  a  fine 
day,  and  the  children  were   highly  de- 
lighted.   We  thank  you  for  your  uberality 
on  that  occasion,  and  hope  you  will  support 
us  again  if  this  year  we  take  the  cmlaren 
out    During  the  past  year  we  have  joined 
the  Baptist    Sunday  School  Union;    an 
association  which  has  just  been  started  for 
the  purpose  of  upholding  the  truths  which 
we  proieas  and  tanch.    We  have  also  intro- 
duced their  publications  and  their  hymn 
book,  which  we  find  contains  hymns  more 
suitable  to  our  views  than  many  of  those 
in  the  Sunday  School  Union  hymn  book. 
Our  school  costs  us  a  few  pounds  only  a 
year,    and  being  supported  by  voluntary 
eontributionsj  we  look  to  you  this  night  to 
furnish  us  with  funds  to  assist  in  carrying 
on  our  work.    We  received  last  year  (in- 
cluding excursion)  £18   6s.;   and   spent 
£18  6s.   21d.;    leaving  amount    due   to 
treasurer  o!  2^    We  thank  our  teachexs 
for  the  continued  attention  which  most  of 
them  have  given  to  the  school;  but  at  the 


same  time,  we  should  be  very  glad  to  see 
some  others  of  the  male  portion  of  the 
church  coming  forward  ana  volunteering 
to  help  us,  as  we  often  find  a  difficulty  in 
filling  the  places  of  some  teachers  who  are 
often  absent  We  know  that  some  cannot 
always  come;  but  we  believe  there  are 
others  who  might  attend  regularly.  And 
now,  dear  friends,  in  taking  leave  of  you, 
we  ask  of  you  to  be  urgent  at  the  throne 
of  grace,  that  your  tnune  God  may  be 
pleased  to  bless  us,  and  ourlaboura,  so  that 
if  it  is  our  happy  lot  at  last  to  surround 
the  throne,  we  may  meet  many  whom  we 
have  taught  in  our  classes ;  that  we  may 
all  join  in  singing,  ^^Unto  Him  that  hatn 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  in  His  blood,  and 
hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  to  God  and 
His  Father ;  to  Him  be  glory  and  dominion, 
for  ever  and  evei; — Amen.^ 


HOW  THE  "GOZBNSES"   CAME  TO 
THIS    COUNTEY. 

la,  Lincoln-street,  Bow-road,  K,  Feb.  8; 
1866.—  My  Dearest  CotiBnr,  —  I  have, 
agreeably  with  your  request,  enclosed  for 
your  approval  a  note  to  your  esteemed 
friend,  Mrs.  Cobbe*  brother-in-law,  J.  P. 
Faulkner,  Esq.,  Melbourne,  Australia, 
which  I  think  will  convey  to  him  all  that 
you  wished.  Of  course,  you  were  both 
surprised  and  annoyed  at  reading  an  an- 
nouncement in  the  Eabthbn  Vessel  of 
my  intended  departure  for  Australia,  after 
giving  you  my  word  that  I  would  not  go. 
The  fact  is,  I  had  an  interview  with  the 
editor  before  I  saw  you,  and  told  him  that 
I  had  seen  my  respected  friend  and  brother 
Captain  Mowatt,  whom  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  baptizing  two  or  three  years  ago,  and 
who  IS  bound  for  Adelaide,  and  who  very 
kindly  promised  me  if  I  would  accom- 
pany him,  the  best  accommodation  his 
vessel  could  afford ;  and  that  it  was  mv  de- 
cided intention  of  goin^  out  if  I  could  dis- 
pose of  ail  my  puhiicatiODs,  and  leave  my 
fiunily  provided  for  during  my  absence; 
but  I  had  no  idea  of  his  putting  my  remarks 
into  the  Vessel.  After  I  left  him,  I 
ran  down  to  see  you ;  and  your  kind  words 
and  rational  reflections,  quite  revolution- 
ized my  feelings  and  intentions ;  and  there- 
fore I  abandoned  the  thought  of  leaving 
dear  old  England,  the  land  of  my  nativity, 
and  the  country  ot  our  fotefatherr  adoption, 
who  as  political  exiles  found  in  it  a  city  of 
refuge  aom  the  avengers  of  blood;  and 
who  cozened*  the  fierce  persecutors  of  the 
French  court  bv  assuming  the  g^ise,  and 
joining  themselves  to  a  band  of  gipsies; 
and  in  onr  family  traditions  we  are,  as  you 
know,  informed  that  they  assisted  the  gip- 
sies in  making  their  wooden  wares,  ^such 
as  wooden  plates,  platters,  bowls,  forks,  and 
spoons, — and  that  for  many  yean  they  were 

•  This  is  no  doubt  the  origin  of  onrBngUsh 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Match  1,196S, 


located  on  the  SaliBbnry  plftms  ;*  and  His  a 
remarkable  fact  that  our  name  prevails 
more  a  few  nules  from  Saliabury  than  in 
any  other  part  of  Bngland.  Tea,  and  the 
platteiB  are  more  need  in  thoee  parts  than 
in  any  other.  It  must  haye  been  a  g^reat 
change  from  the  luxurious  court  of  France 
to  the  company  of  gipsies;  but  ss  there 
were  in  this  country  tnose  who  would  hare 
deliyered  them  into  the  hands  of  their 
enemies,  their  only  safety  was  in  avoiding 
domiciled  society  altogether.f  Some  would 
call  this  "a  freak  of  fortune,"*  but  we  be- 
lieve it  was  one  of  the  events  of  providence 
on  which  others  depended.  Well,  never 
mind,  my  cousin,  if  we  have  lost  the  coronet 
of  our  forefathers,  we  have  been  crowned 
with  a  nobler  crown — even  the  crown  of 
loving  kindness,  and  tender  mercy.  Albeit 
I  am  proud  of  my  forefathers,  who  would 
rather  become  gipsies  with  a  free  con- 
science, than  sell  tnat  divine  birthright  for 
the  smiles  of  a  despot,  and  the  pleasures  of 
court  life.  No  doubt  many  of  my  circum- 
stantial afflictions  have  grown  out  of  my 
inheriting  from  them  the  same  gnmd  prin- 
ciple of  freedom  of  thought  I  could  never 
bow  the  neck  of  my  opmion  to  any  man's 
dictum.  The  right  of  private  judgment  is 
a  birthright  in  the  civil  world ;  ay,  and  it 
is  a  birthright  in  the  spiritual  world;  a 
right  which  by  God*s  grace  I  will  never 
sell  for  the  worid's  pottage  of  favour.  Let 
us  bear  the  cross  with  a  conscience  free, 
rather  than  sit  next  to  the  throne  with  a 
conscience  fettered.  I  hold  in  unmitigated 
contempt  the  sycophant  who  flatters  the 
power  that  binds  him,  that  chains  the  in- 
tellect, and  fetters  the  ton^e.  That  is  not 
only  done  in  France,  but  m  England ;  not 
in  civil  England,  but  in  reli^ous  England, 
in  our  Dissenting  congregations.  In  nine 
cases  out  of  ten,  the  man  in  the  pulpit  is 
the  slave  of  some  despotic  lord  over  Qod^s 
heritage.  What  contemptible  things  they 
are,  to  shape  their  motOh  to  the  ear  of  the 
man  whose  favour  they  fear  more  than  they 
fear  the  loss  of  their  conscience— of  their 
souls.  Yes,  cousin,  it  is  true  as  von  say. 
^*  Ifany  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous.^ 
Many  more  are  the  afflictions  of  the  vine 
than  of  the  bramble.  The  vine  is  often  prun- 
ed, the  bramble  never.  Many  more  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  gold,  than  of  the  base 
metaL    We  read  of  gold  seven  times  puri- 

*  It  Is  a  moat  singular  ooinddeoce  that  I  and 
my  dear  mother  should  have  been  literally  lost 
on  the  same  Downs  about  two  hundred  j-ears 
after  the  fugitive  wanderinn  of  our  ancestors. 
Did  history  repeat  their  suffering,  in  the  agonies 
of  my  forlorn  mother  and  the  babe  that  nettled 
for  oomfort  in  her  bosom  f    See  my  life. 

t  Orand&ther  (the  likeness  of  whom  you 
have,  and  whioh  was  taken,  I  twlieve.  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year,  indioates  no  sign  of  decay) 
lived  to  a  great  age,  and  could,  if  I  remember 
right,  give  a  verbal  history  of  our  family  for 


nearlv  two  hundred  yean.  From  the  longevity 
of  his  grandfather  he  leaned  much  when  a 
child  of  the  strange  vicissitudes  of  his  noble 


.  who  snflSred  much  and  long  (h)m 
their  untiring  persecutors. 


fled.  **Bepn>bate  silver"  may  escape  the 
furnace,  but  the  sons  of  Zion,  comparable  to 
the  moat  fine  gold,  pass  from  one  ramace  of 
affliction  to  another.  This  purifying  ordeal 
is  a  life-long  process.  "  i  will  brmg  the 
third  part  through  the  fire."  Many  more 
are  the  afflictions  of  the  field,  than  of  the 
desert  ^*  Te  are  God^s  husbandry,"  ye  shaD 
be  tilled  and  sown.  Manv  more  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  warrior  In  the  field  of 
blood,  than  of  the  man  who  was  never 
called  to  measure  swords  with  a  powerful 
and  determined  foe.  Many  more  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  mariner,  than  of  the  ^*  land- 
lubber" who  never  staggered  to  and  fro  in 
the  threatening  tempest  Many  more  are 
the  afflictions  of  the  pUgpim  travelling  to  a 
far  country,  than  of  the  gentleman  in- 
dulging in  the  ease  and  conuort  of  his  old 
■in-chair.  Many  more  are  the  afflictions 
of  the  living  than  of  the  dead :  for  the  dead 
know  noUiing  of  the  afflictions  of  life.  I 
thought  this  morning  that  my  trials  would 
never  cease,  and  I  got  a  little  comfort  from 
these  words,  ^^Beprobate  silver."  ^y, 
methought,  the  real  coin  may  be  chinked 
upon  a  thousand  counters,  and  tried  by  a 
thousand  hands,  but  it  rings  right,  and 
triumphs  over  every  .test;  but  we  chink 
the  counterfeit,  detect  its  deception,  and  re- 
probate its  existence,  ^and^there*s  an  end  to 
It;  but  tho  real  goes  on'  to  be'  knocked 
about  and  tried  ail  over  the  world.  WeU, 
if  we  are  rigkt,  we  shall  be  tried,  for  ''  The 
Lord  trieth  the  righteous."  Since  I  heard 
from  you  I  have  received  letters  from  all 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  from  east  and  west, 
north  and  south,  begging  me  not  to  go 
abroad,  and  expressing  deep  solicitude  for 
my  health  and  welfare ;  and  I  believe  their 
prayers  have  been  heard,  for  I  feel  very 
much  better,  both  in  health  and  spirits— 
this  is  "  The  bright  light  in  the  cloud ;" 
**  Praise  Ood  from  whom  all  blesaings  flow.** 
You  seeu  my  dearest  cousin,  providence  is 
like  a  picture,  the  shadows  m  the  back- 
ground give  effect  to  the  brighter  colour- 
ings of  the  divine  artist  There  would  be 
no  art  in  a  picture  without  shadows.  Why» 
the  very  heavens  to  us  in  our  economy  of 
things  would  be  unbearable  without  clouds. 
The  day  without  a  m'^ht  would  soon  blind 
us  in  everlasting  darkness.  The  summer 
without  a  winter  would  soon  strip  nature 
of  her  verdure,  and  depopulate  the  whole 
world.  God's  associations  in  nature,  are  the 
emblems  of  his  associations  in  providence. 
The  picture  of  His  providence  must  be 
made  perfect  by  the  lights  and  shades  of 
prosperity  and  adversity.  The  moral 
health  of  His  people  is  promoted  by  cloud 
and  sunshine,  by  light  and  darkness,  by  the 
summer  of  plenty,  and  the  winter  of 
scarcity.  True,  some  seem  to  live  in  the 
arctic  regions  of  a  cold  miserable  world, 
and  othera  bask  in  the  sunny  land  of  a 
cloudless  prosperity,  without  the  wintry 
days  of  cold,  bleak,  dank  adversity  *j  but 
the  inhabitants  of  either  extreme  Ppmt  of 
the  dispensational  compass,  are  not  like  the 
people  that  are  led  through  the  wildemesv 


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AND  CHBiariAN  BECOBD. 


W 


by  CLOUD  and  FIBE.  ProTidenoe  was 
pnotog^phed  by  a  master  hand  in  ihs 
cbnrch  in  the  wildexness.  Bless  the  Lord, 
I  haye  neyer  honeered  but  to  find  bread  on 
the  manna  table  of  His  proyidence ;  I  haye 
neyer  thiisted,  but  to  drink  out  of  the  cup 
of  salyation;  1  haye  neyer  wanted,  but  to 
learn  a  lesson  that  driyes  infidel  diyiners 
mad,  yiz.,  that  there  is  no  wuU  to  them 
that  fear  Him;  I  have  neyer  cried  unto 
Bim  in  trouble,  but  to  be  deliyered  out  of 
my  distresses ;  I  haye  neyer  done  business 
in  deep  waters,  but  to  sing  with  Jonah, 
*^ Salyation  is  olf  the  Lord;"  I  haye  neyer 
had  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  but  to  glory  in 
that  ^race  which  is  sufficient  for  mine  in- 
firmities ;  I  haye  neyer  sunk  in  the  waters 
of  tribulation,  but  to  swim  in  the  riyers  of 
His  pleasure ;    I  haye  neyer  been  put  into 

Srison,  but  to  be  introduced  at  court;  I 
aye  neyer  been  smitten  with  a  Father's 
Tod,  but  to  be  kissed  with  a  Father's  loye; 
I  haye  neyer  been  insulted  by  the  world, 
but  to  find  a  friend  in  Jesus;  I  haye  neyer 
been  black-balled  by  the  deyil,  but  to  find 
the  white  stone  (ball)  of  acceptance  with 
God.  Wishing  you,  dearest  cousin,  eyery 
blessing,  I  remain,  yours  affectionately, 
8.  CozE2(3. — To   Hiss  Cozens. 


CLABE,  SUFFOLK— On  Lord's-day, 
Jan.  1st,  1865,  our  beloyed  pastor,  Mr.  i>, 
Wilson,  baptized  Mr.  WUlis,  of  Clare;  a 
young  man  whom  the  Lord  in  gpreat  mercy 
nas  brought  out  of  the  darkness  and  bond- 
Sjge  of  Arminianism,  into  the  glorious 
light  and  liberty  of  free  grace  truth.  For 
fiye  years  he  had  been  wandering  upon  the 
mountains  of  error,  tossed  to  and  fro  by  hu- 
man systems,  when  it  pleased  our  gracious 
God  by  His  soyereig^  will  and  proyidence 
to  lead  him  to  the  Baptist  chapel,  Clare. 
Preyions  to  that  time,  his  mind  had  be- 
come much  confused,  and  he  had  been  led 
with  an  anxious  and  prayerful  mind  to 
search  more  into  the  scriptures  of  truth. 
The  doctrines  of  truth  which  he  now  heard 
so  clearly  and  poweriully  preached  by  Mr. 
Wilson,  came  home  with  power  to  his  souL 
and  although  his  carnal  mind  disrelishea 
those  glorious  truths,  yet  he  felt  them  to 
be  spirit  and  life.  His  mind  loaded  what 
is  generally  termed  Hyper-Calyinism,  yet 
a  power  stronger  than  his  own  free  will  | 
constrained  him  to  attend  the  ministiy  of 
Mr.  Wilson.    One  Sabbath  eyening,  he  was 

8 resent  at  the  prayer  meeting,  and  there 
le  Lord  spake  to  him  in  words  of  thunder, 
**  Our  God  is  a  consuming  fire."  In  deep 
distress  of  mind  he  hastened  from  the  meet- 
ing, despoiled  of  boasted  free  will,  stripped 
of  all  his  creature  doings,  helpless,  nJULcd, 
and  wretched.  He  was  distracted  for  some 
days  by  the  terrors  of  God's  fiery  law.  His 
soul  was  shaken  to  the  yery  centre.  The 
seyenth  chapter  of  Bomans  giyes  a  true  ac- 
count of  the  exercises  of  hu  mind  at  the 
time.  But  God  who  is  rich  in  mercy  saw 
fit  to  hasten  the  time  of  his  deliyerance,  and 
lo  make  known  to  this  poor,  helpless,  con- 


quered, condemned  sinner,  that  it  is  of  the 
Lord's  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed^ 
The  Lord  again  spoke  in  words  of  power, 
life,  light,  loyfl^  comfort,  and  peace.  ^*But 
of  nim  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God 
is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness, 
and  sanctiflcation,  and  redemption,"  1  Cor. 
i  80.  The  captiye  soul  was  at  once  freed. 
When  he  had  nothing  to  pay,  the  Lord 
freely  forgaye  him  alL  Lignt  shone  upon 
his  mind,  whilst  by  faith  he  was  enablea  to 
grasp  the  glorious  doctrines  of  grace,  and 
rejoice  with  that  joy  which  is  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory;  he  had  such  a  clear 
manifestation  of  the  Christ  of  God.  as  to 
most  blessedly  realize  that  Christ  is  the  end 
of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  eyeryone 
that  belieyeth.  He  now  rejoices  in  the 
Bayiour's  righteousness  alone,  and  exults 
in  free,  soyereign,  electing  grace.  Being 
thus  far  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  into  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  he  was  farther  led  to 
see  and  feel  the  importance  of  attending  to 
the  Lord's  ordinances;  he  saw  that  both 
are  inseparably  joined  together :  that  both 
are  of  equal  importance^  that  the  only  way 
to  the  Lord's  Supper  is  by  baptism,  and 
that  the  only  scriptural  mode  of  baptism  is 
by  immersion.  On  Sabbath  morning  he 
publicly  gaye  his  reasons  why  he  had  be- 
come a  Baptist,  ascribing  all  to  the  grace  of 
God,  in  the  apostis's  words,  **  By  the  grace 
of  Ghod  I  am  what  I  am.'*  After  which  he 
was  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  glorious 
Three-one  God.  His  people  shall  be  willing 
in  the  day  of  His  power;  we  who  were 
present  can  truly  say  that  the  Lord  was 
present  to  help  our  brother,  to  declare  fear- 
lessly, sweetly,  lucidly,  and  scripturally, 
the  great  truthiB  which  he  had  tasted,  and 
found  so  precious  to  his  own  soul.  May 
the  Holy  Spirit  lead,  preserye,  and  make 
him  a  great  blessing.  In  the  afternoon  of 
this  happy  day.  our  brother  receiyed  the 
right  hand  of  /ellowahip,  and  sat  down  with 
us  at  the  Lord's  table ;  thus  following  the 
example  of  Zion's  King,  passing  from  bap- 
tism to  the  Lord's  Supper,  ^th  many  it 
was  a  day  of  gladness,  the  hours  passea  in 
the  sanctuary  of  our  God  were  rich  in 
blessing.  The  Lord  was  in  our  midst ;  the 
kingdom  of  God  was  not  in  word  but  in 
power.  Many  gladdened  hearts  could  sing, 
with  the  poet — 

**  The  King  himsdf  oomes  near, 
And  fteasta  His  ralnts  to-day  ;** 
"  The  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth.'*  The 
oonffregations  during  the  day  were  very 
good;  and  it  is  hoped  that  many  more 
are  anxiously  waiting  and  longing  to  know 
their  interest  in  a  Sayiour's  blood ;  so  that 
they  may  be  enabled  to  follow  their  Lord 
in  baptinn.— On  Wednesday  eyening,  Jan. 
11th,  we  held  a  public  tea  meeting,  when 
upwards  of  70  partook  of  the  good  things 
proyided ;  after  which,  hymns  were  sung, 
prayers  offered,  and  addresses  giyen  by 
our  beloyed  pastor.  The  eyening  passed 
yery  pleasantiy,  and  we  trust  profitably. 
We  are  expecting  to  haye  another  bap* 
tizing  the  mat  Sunday  in  March.— John. 


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TEE  EARTHEN  VESSELy 


[Jiaardk  1,  186& 


.  WHY  DID  MR  BTEINQEB  LEAVB 
BBIGHTON?— This  qaeetion  oomes  be- 
fore US  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Our  answer 
10 — ^because  his  work  there  was  done ;  be- 
oanse  in  London  the  Lord  had,  as 'many 
think,  a  great  work  for  him  to  do.  He  left 
Brighton  honourably,  he  has  oome  to 
London  happily,  and  he  is  stirring  the 
churches  at  the  east  end  to  their  Yery 
centre.  We  thought  Bzi^hton  required 
Buoh  a  Boanerges,  but  the  Loid  has  a  won- 
derful many  people  in  London,  and  there- 
fore nearly  all  the  best  and  boldest  preachers 
of  the  Gkwpel  he  sends  here.  Some  other 
good  bretluren  the  Lord  plants  in  the  pro- 
vinces; but  bumingand  shining  lights  are 
predons  few,  and  very  far  between.  A 
mend  sends  ns  the  following  from  a  Brigh- 
ton paper -.—Bethesda  Haa— At  this  Bap- 
tist place  of  worship,  on  Sunday  evening 
last,  a  farewell  sermon  was  defiverod  l^ 
the  Bey.  Thomas  Stringer,  who,  after  a 
ministry  of  more  than  four  years  in  that 
spot,  has  accepted  an  invitation  to  under- 
take a  like  duty  at  a  chapel  in  Stepney. 
His  sermon,  which  concluded  with  a  cordial 
expression  of  his  valedictoir  sentiments, 
explained  also  the  reasons  for  his  departure, 
and  was  marked  throughout  by  that  pro- 
digious fluency,  and  that  intensity  of  man- 
ner of  which  the  readers  of  this  Journal 
have  had  some  intimation,  in  one  of  the 
descriptive  sketches  bv  ^  Circumspector.** 
Hr.  Stringer  showed  himself  true  to  the 
last,  to  his  antipathies  against  those  two 

?9wers  which  he  denominates  the  lion, 
opery,  and  the  bear,  Fuseyism,  for  he  dia 
not  omit  a  special  deprecation  ot  both ;  nor 
did  he  fail  to  ui^e  upon  his  hearers  the 
importance  of  making  the  best  use  of  their 
Bibles,  on  the  stated  ground  of  a  likelihood 
that  tney  would,  within  a  few  yeara  be 
deprived  of  them.  It  would  seem  from 
the  tenor  of  a  part  of  his  statement,  that 
the  little  flock  which  he  quits  is  not  pro- 
vided with  an  immediate  successor  to  mm- 
self,  and  also  that  the  funds  for  the  susten- 
tation  of  the  Bethesda  Hall  Ministry  have 
not  been  raised  without  considerate  diffi- 
culty. Whether  the  issue  of  these  cireum- 
stances  will  be  the  dbperrion  of  this  little 
flock,   or  how  otherwise,  remains  to  be 


BALFOBD  — 97,  St  Stephen-street— 
Mb.  Edftor,  Dear  Sir,— According  to 
promise  I  will  endeavour  to  give  you  a 
short  account  of  the  little  Baptist  cause  in 
Wilmot-fitreet,  Hulme,  Manchester,  almost 
unnoticed  and  unknown  beyond  its  own 
locality,  and  by  those  connected  with  it 
The  schools  were  built  in  1836,  at  a  cost  of 
£700,  but  until  now  a  debt  of  £84  has  re- 
mained; which  by  the  active  exertions  of 
a  few  earnest  aouls,  during  the  past  twelve- 
months, is  on  the  point  of  being  removed : 
and  we  hope  by  the  blessing  of  God  on  our 
labours,  to  become  more  useful  to  the 
densely  populated  neighbourhood.  The 
church  was  formed  about  the  year  1844,  on 
Strict  Baptist  principles,  and  has  maintained 


its  position  against  all  opposition ;  and  we 
trust  will  maintain  holy  princples  ss  lon^ 
as  Oospel  truth  has  to  be  proclaimed.  Our 
worthy  minister's  name  is  GJatenby,  and 
though  not  what  the  worid  calls  a  talented, 
or  eloquent  preacher,  yet  in  a  plain,  honest, 
straight-forward,  simple  way,  he  preaches 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  according  to  the 
principles  and  doctrines  of  the  Tew  Testa- 
ment We  are  but  a  few  poor  people ;  but 
there  is  a  kind  and  loving  spirit  manifest 
amongst  us,  and  we  hope  and  trust  we 
have  the  i>resenoe  of  the  Lord  with  us.  Our 
meetings  at  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord^s 
,  Supper  are  truly  sweet  and  precious  sea- 
'lAsns.  May  the  Lord  bless  us,  and  pour 
out  upon  us  more  of  His  loving  Spirit,  and 
add  to  our  numbers  such  as  shall  be  saved, 
is  our  constant,  earnest,  and  humble  prayer. 
In  the  bonds  of  Christian  love,— T.  €L 
Brown.  [We  have  heaid  well  of  Mr. 
Gatenby,  and  from  the  testimony  of  some 
of  his  friends,  we  believe  he  stands  in  God^s 
truth,  as  such  we  pray  for  his  further  sue^ 
cess  and  happiness  in  the  work.  Shall  be 
glad  to  hear  again.— Ed.] 

MOUKT  BUBES  —  At  Mount  Bures, 
Essex,  stands  a  very  neat  little  chapel,  in 
one  of  the  most  picturesque  spots  anywhere 
to  be  found  in  that  county ;  where  brother 
Bathurst  has  been  preaching  for  neariy 
twenty  years;  but  who  is  now  laid  aside 
through  a  very  painful  affliction.  He  has 
been  a  faithful,  affectionate,  and  zealous 
labourer.  Durin|f  that  period  he  haa 
walked  every  Lord's-day  betwe«i  fourteen 
and  twenty  miles,  in  the  hot  sultry  days  of 
July,  and  me  cold  nipping  davs  of  Januaiv. 
And  now  that  he  is  absent  hom  his  litue 
flock,  there  is  a  bleating  after  him.  This  is 
as  it  should  be ;  I  love  to  see  a  strong  affec- 
tion of  the  flocks  for  their  under  shepherdsL 
The  pulpit  has  been  supplied  by  kind 
ministerial  brethren ;  and  from  the  solicita- 
tion of  the  friends,  I  have  rendered  them 
my  humble  services  in  preaching  for  them 
occasionally;  last  Lora*s-day,  12th  Feb., 
was  a  happy  day  to  many.  I  had  the 
honour  of  baptizing  two  sisters,  and  one 
brother,  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity.  It 
was  a  cold  day ;  but  the  administrator  and 
candidates  did  not  heed  that,  being  the  way 
of  the  Lord*8  appointment  Our  hearts 
were  rejoiced  to  see  the  calm  and  attentive 
audience  listening  to  the  sermon  upon 
Matthew  iiL  13,  also,  in  witnessing  the  or- 
dinance. One  very  aged  friend,  the  mother 
of  one  of  the  candidates,  came  to  me  and 
said,    "My  mind  is  so  affected  by  the  ex- 


ample set  me  by  my  daughter,  that  I  must 
come  forward."  We  do  not  see  such  happy 
results    attend   infant   sprinkling.      The 


Lord  will  honour  his  own  instituted  or- 
dinances. We  have  His  own  word  for  it, 
"  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  imto  the 
end  of  the  world."  We  would  not  substitute 
baptism  for  the  Gospel,  but  may  we  never 
separate  what  God  has  joined  together. 
This  is  forwarded  with  a  view  to  soUcit 
the  prayers  and  isympathy  of  the  friends  of 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


Zkm  on  behalf  of  {he  chveh  aid  their  afflio- 
ted  poetor;  and  a^so  to  oall  forth  their 
giatitnde  to  the  God  of  Zion  for  what  he 
hath  wrought.  G.  G.  Whorlow. 

MAN0HE8TEB  ~  Pbas  Bboiher 
Barks,—  At  onr  meeting  in  Bold-street, 
Chorlton-road,  we  had  a  most  excellent, 
sonnd,  and  blessed  disoonrae  last  night, 
from  the  text,  **  Beine  oonfldent  of  this  Teiy 
thing,  that  he  which  hath  began  a  good 
work  in  yon.  wiD  perform  it  nntU  the  day 
of  Jesus  Chnst**  After  haying  wandered 
abont  for  some  oonsideiable  time  with  a 
Christian  brother  on  Saturday  erening,  in 
seareh  of  a  SQjyply,  and  after  eveiy  other 
known  aonroe  nad  been  tried  in  -vain,  we 
were  recommended  by  a  friend  to  tiy  to  get 
Mr.  ETwns,  who  lives  not  far  from  ns.  We 
went  to  his  house,  and  found  him  very  iU, 
and  suffering  froan  much  bodily  pain ;  but 
directly  he  knew  our  object,  he  promised 
mlting^  to  come  and  help  us,  so  far  as  the 
Lord  might  enaUe  him ;  and  the  Lord  was 
indeed  gradous  to  him  and  to  us ;  it  was  a 
refreshing  and  encouraging  time  to  our 
souls ;  and  what  is  more,  Mr.  Evans  him- 
self  was  so  blessed  and  sustained  that  he 
voluntarily  offered  to  serve  us  in  any  man- 
ner he  possibly  could.  May  the  Lord  make 
US  truly  thanlmil  for  all  His  mercies  toward 
US,  and  continue  to  blesB^  guide,  and  in- 
crease us  as  a  churoh  and  people, — John 
DsBBTBHiBB. — [OuT  Loudou  friouds  who 
luxuriate  so  abundantly  in  ministers  and 
churehes,  may  here  see  how  driven  the 
country  ehurohes  sometimee  are,  but  how 
the  Lord  appears.  We  often,  even  now, 
find  it  hard  work  to  supply  provincial 
churches  with  useful  men.--^J 

OOGGESHALL^^.  R.  FoweU  has  left 
the  new  chapel  here;  and  is  expected  to 
settle  at  Heywood,  in  Lancaslui^  where 
his  labours  have  been  instrumental  in 
gathering  and  comforting  the  Lord's  people. 
We  can  never  cease  to  sorrow  over  the  di- 
Tision  of  Beuben.  Oog^eshall  churoh  is 
again  divided.  Mr.  CoUis  is  now  supply- 
ing at  the  newchapeL  Some  have  left, 
and  meet  in  a  room.  Mr.  Samuel  Jones, 
of  London,  and  others  are  preaching  to 
them.  Every  day  doth  more  deeply  con- 
vince us  there  is  much  radically  wrong  in 
the  management  of  our  churehes.  Brother 
Bowland  has  laboured  hard  for  Zion's  pros- 
perity here ;  we  hope  he  will  see  us  united 
and  happy  yet  The  canvassing  report  is 
not  worth  our  notice. 

SUTTON  COUETNEY— Dear  Bro- 
ther,—The  Lord  in  mercy  (yes,  that  is 
how  I  feel  it,  not  in  wrath,  but  m  love)  has 
been  pleased  to  lay  us  both  aside  by  afflic- 
tion :  first,  myself,  and  I  only  left  my  room 
three  days,  when  my  husband  was  taken 
and  laid  prostrate.  '  The  first  Lord's- 
day  in  the  year  he-  preached  three 
times,  and  administered  iihe  Lord's  Sup- 

ir;  he  felt  so  happy  in  mind,  and  so 
of  matter,  he  aid  not  know  how  to 


fSl 


leave  off;  the  next  day  he  had  a  bad  attack 
of  bronchitis,  and  inflammatory  rheumatism. 
He  has  something  wrong  in  the  left  side. 
He  is  exceedingly  weak :  has  been  hitherto 
kept  peaoefnl  and  happy  in  mind,  feeling 
persuaded  the  Lord  wiU  order  all  things 
right  concerning  him.  It  is  a  ^reat  trial  to 
the  people  who  sit  under  his  ministry,  and 
fear  they  shall  lose  him.  The  Lord  has 
owned  and  blessed  the  word  preached  by 
him  to  many,  especially  the  last  two  yean; 
and  many  prayers,  with  tears,  have  been 
offered  at  a  throne  of  grace  on  his  behalf. 
That  God  whom  he  serves  and  loves,  Imow- 
ing  how  desirous  he  has  been  to  leave  the 
little  diapel  free  of  debt,  so  that  if  he  was 
called  away,  they  might  have  a  place  to 
worship  in  free^  This  he  has  laboured  hard 
to  accomplish,  and  God  has  blessed  the 
effort  made ;  so  that  he,  through  a  brother 
who  came  to  speak  to  them  since  he  has 
been  laid  on  his  sick  bed,  communicated  to 
them,  it  is  accomplished.  How  sweet  it  is 
to  know  that  all  tnese  things  are  under  the 
guidance  of  Him  that  cannot  err !  He  will 
order  all  things  right  for  His  dear  people. 
Oh,  what  abundant  cause  have  I  to  trust  in 
Him,  when  I  look  back  on  aU  the  way  in 
which  He  has  graciously  led  me  these  forty- 
yeare  through  the  wilderness ;  for  it  is  now 
just  forty  years  since  He  called  me  1^  His 
grace  to  a  feeling  sense  of  my  lost  state  as 
a  sinner,  and  to  seek  for  mercy  through  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of   the  dear  Re^ 


deemer,  and  thereby  preserving  me  from 
the  many  snares  and  dangers  of  the  young 
to  which  they  are  exposed.  I  am  per- 
suaded He  who  has  so  g^raciously  brought 
me  through  many  trials  and  afflictions,  will 
yet  support. 

**  Each  sweet  Ebenezer  I  have  in  renew, 
Confirms  His  good  pleamue  to  help  me  quite 
through.*' 

Fray  for  us;  my  husband  unites  in  love; 
praying  every  blessing  may  rest  on  you 
and  yours,— Mart  Handle.  —  [Richard 
Handle,  in  America,  and  in  England,  has 
for  years  preached  the  GospeL  May  the 
Lord  yet  spare  him  to  his  very  beloved 
church. — ^dJ} 

WOOLWICH—On  Tuesday,  Jan.  24th, 
the  church  and  congregation  mooting  at 
the  Albert  Booms,  £  leaner-road,  Powis- 
street,  presented  to  our  esteemed  pastor 
Mr.  H.  Hanks,  a  purse  containing  nineteen 
sovereigns,  to  which  some  substantial  ad- 
ditions have  since  been  made,  as  a  renewed 
expression  of  their  Christian  affection  and 
esteem.  Mr.  Hanks,  in  acknowledging  the 
gift,  which  he  was  pleased  to  call  *^  a  noble 
expression  of  kindness,"  assured  his  friends 
that  the  last  two  years  had  been  the 
happiest  of  his  pastoml  life  in  Woolwich, 
and  that  so  far  was  he  from  thinking  of 
leaving  his  friends,  that  he  was  determmed 
(God  willing)  to  live  and  die  amongst  them. 
We  are  hitppy  to  add,  that  they  have  not 
only  been  the  two  happiest  years  of  his  life 
in  Woolwich— but  two  of  the  most  success- 


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THJB  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Huch  1, 1S65. 


iul  of  his  nsefttl  and  faithful  minisby,— At 
the  table  of  the  Lord,  on  Lord'g-dayf  Feb 
5th,  Mr.  Hanks  gave  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  to  seyenteen  new  members. 
"  The  day  will  declare  it."  Yours  in  the 
Lord,  JosBPH  Bkain. 

COTTENHAM.-We  are  glad  to  find 
our  brother  Pring  is  greatly  helped  in  the 
€k»pel  here.  His  removal  from  Glemsf ord 
was  a  great  grief  to  many  of  his  real  friends 
there;  and  the  church,  the  deacons,  and 
the  peojkle  would  most  gladly  have  re- 
tained him;  but  when  a  cause  is  divided 
in  a  thin  population  like  that  part  of  Suf- 
folk, it  often  happens  that  neither  can 
reallv  support  a  niinister.  It  will  be  seen 
by  the  letter  from  the  Glemsford  deacons, 
that  brother  Fringes  removalfrom  CNemsford 
was  on  both  sides  an  honourable  and  truly 
Christian  event  We  trust  his  usefulness 
at  (Tottenham  will  be  increasing  and  per- 
manent. 

BUSHT.~We  are  at  all  timee  pained  to 
hear  the  complaints  of  the  Lonrs  people 
who  cannot  find  in  their  locality  the  pure 
Gospel  of  Christ  This  seems  to  be  the 
case  at  Bushv.  A  nice  chapel,  but  **the 
right  man"  is  wanting.  Who  is  it  that 
mnders  the  effort  from  being  made  to  ob- 
tain a  really  faithful  preacher?  C^not 
the  friends  of  truth  invite  a  man  to  come 
and  preach  the  Gospel  at  Bushv  ?  We 
should  be  glad  to  near  more  nom  our 
friend. 

HIGH  WYCOMBE.— Mr.  Stembridge 
has  resigned  his  pastorate  at  the  New  Bap- 
tist chapel  here ;  the  Church  has  also  lost 
by  death  one  of  its  deacons,  broker  Youens 
having  been  called  to  his  rest 

;0oU0  anti  (Suerirs. 

The  TanriTV.  Dear  Brother  Banks, — 
Though  unknown  in  the  flesh,  yet  well  known 
t^  the  Ybssel,  would  yon  be  so  kind  to  give 
your  opinion  in  next  month's  Yesskl  upon  the 
following  :  there  is  a  Strict  Baptist  cause  bene 
holding  all  the  truths  of  the  Oospel  except  one 
very,  very  important  doctrine,  that  is  they  deny 
the  Personality  of  the  Holy  Ohoat  which,  to 
me  is  an  awful  error.  Should  I  be  right  in 
meeting  with  them  ?  I  am  much  afhJd  this 
error  Is  upon  the  increase.  May  God  in  His 
ioflnite  mercy  guide  and  proteot  you,  that 
your  Vessu.  may  still  be  a  blessing  to  many 
poor  aoula,  as  it  haa  been  to  mine.  I  remain, 
yours  lor  Christ's  sake^  and  a  reader  of  the 
VKSSXL  for  eighteen  years.  [We  fear  this 
error  is  on  the  increase.  We  have  lately  had 
some  painful  experience  of  its  insidious  and 


nainftil  working;  ws  oonld  say  rniub  here, 
bnt  one  word  mu#t  snflloe.  It  is  t«iis:  with  no 
minister,  no  deacon,  nor  with'any  Churdi,  have 
communion,  nor  give  any  countenance,  where 
the  Trinity-in-tTnity,  the  three  Persons  in  the 
Gkxlhead,  are  in  any  measure  denied,  no»  not 
for  anv  hour.  The  time  is  eome  whan  all  who 
value  the  truth,  must  more  than  erer,  abide 
fast  by  it  or  their  sorrows  will  be  Inatased.— 
Bd.] 

FiSBT  Tbuu.  a  Christian  says:  •^We 
have  one  poor  thing  meeting  with  us  who  is  on 
the  borders  of  despair,  with  bl«q>hemoiis 
thoughts  from  morning  till  night ;  yet  I  trust 
she  was  brought  about  twelve  montns  ainoe  to 
taste  in  a  measure  a  Saviour's  love.  She  was 
mightily  helped  when  you  were  with  us.  It 
is  nothing  but  lamentMion  and  woe  with  her. 
When  the  time  of  love  will  eome  to  her  Ood 
only  knows."  [We  do  believe,  in  such  oasea, 
real  Christians  (who  have  faith  m  Ood.  and 
know  their  sins  forgiven,  and  have  in  pnxet 
prevailed,)  should  unite  to  ask  the  Lord  to  de- 
liver her  soul,  according  to  His  inatmction  and 
promise.— Bn.] 

Mb.  B.  Tatlob*s  new  work  on  the  **  Tisiaos 
in  Zechariah,"  is  fast  preparing  for  the  press. 
We  understand  great  interest  is  taken  in  thia 
his  last  production ;  many  are  subscribing  fbr 
it ;  and  printed  subscription  lists  may  be  had 
at  our  oflloe  by  any  friend  who  might  be  willing 
to  aid  Mr.  Taylor  in  his  efforts  to  fhraish  the 
Churoh  and  the  worid  with  good  booksi  sad 
with  the  unfolding  of  Divine  truth. 

DXATHB.  December  5th,  1864,  at  Kewtown- 
ards,  Peter  Montgomery,  in  the  SOlh  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Mnlhem,  on  the 
81st  of  May,  and  ever  since  has  been  a  consis- 
tent member  of  the  Baptist  Churoh  at  Conlig, 
Ireland.  He  was  one  of  the  **poor  of  this 
world;  but  rich  in  fitith  and  an  heir  of  the 
kingdom  which  God  bath  promised  to  them 
that  love  Bim.**  Januaiy  16th,  1862L  at 
Dundonald,  aged  S'S  years,  Agnes  lindsey. 
She  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Brown*  on  the  5th  of 
July.  Ib67,  and  added  to  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Conllff,  Newtownards.  Ireland.  During  the 
period  of  her  connection  with  the  church  she 

give  uniform  and  steady  erideooe  of  love  to 
hrist 

On  the  1st  of  February,  at  her  residaice,  MBe 
Bnd  road,  Elizabbtb,  Oie  beloved  wife  of  J.  J. 
Habbis,  Esq.,  (late  of  East  Smithfleld.)  at  the 
age  of  82 ;  a  member  for  many  years  of  the  Ista 
Messrs.  Cartwright  and  Silrer'li  chnrehes. 

William  Lkx,  Esq^  of  Bbeneaer  house,  Tic- 
toria  Park  road,  died  F^.  9, 1865.  He  married 
the  only  daughter  of  the  kte  Mr.  J.  OarCwrigbt 
(of  Orpington,  late  of  Devenport :  and  lasUy  of 
London,)  he  tearing  a  widow  and  her  widowed 
mother  to  bow  with  submission  to  the  sovereisn 
will  of  Almighty  Ood. 

Becentiy,  Mr.  Bulcuhaw.  a  deacon  of  Mr. 
Myerson's  Church,  and  for  some  years  an  oo- 
onrional  preacher  of  the  free  grace  of  God. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


xnrxsTXB'B  kamz. 


navenL  Jotui    ...    ... 

Hall,  Henry       

Sears,  Robert  Bdward 

Wlverton,  B.  J.   

Medhur*t,T.J.  ^    ... 


SAMS  Aim  SITUATIOV  OF  CHAPIL. 


Down.  Kent    

Bbeneser,  Clapham 
lAxileld,  SmfFblk 


(of  Chatteris,)  at  Woodford      ...    ... 

North  Frederick  street,  OUsgow     ... 


1864-irov.  leT" 
18«5-DeoJkXW> 

Feb.  8. 
n    14. 

Jan.  1. 


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April  1, 186S.  AND  C^BISriAN  BBCOBD.  101 


Mn  ^\,  (|0htt  ^r^, 


(OF  BRIOHTOlir,) 

HIS  MINISTRY :  HIS  DEATH :  HIS  FUNERAL :  AND  FUNERAL 
SERMONS  BT  MR.  GEORGE  ABRAHAMS. 

It  seems  but  the  otker  evening  we  sat  in  Mr.  Grace's  '<  Tabernacle  "  at 
Brighton,  and  tried  hard  to  hear  him  deliyer  one  of  his  week-eyening 
discourses.  That  was  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  year ;  and  he  then 
appeared  in  health  of  body,  fall  of  vigour,  empowered  by  the  SpnuT,  and 
truly  happy  in  feeding  the  flock  he  so  dearly  loved.  '^  Sacred  spot !" 
we  ffllently  whispered  to  ourselves.  *^  Happy  man  of  God  !  Preserved, 
honoured,  and  rich  in  his  anticipations  of  eternal  glory  T'  It  never  once 
entered  our  mind  that  in  a  few  weeks  from  that  time  his  fine-made 
frame  would  be  silent  in  the  grave,  and  his  spirit  amid  the  millions  in 
glory.  But  so  it  is.  Even  the  most  devoted  and  the  most  spiritual  of 
the  Lord's  servants  are  not  unfrequently  somewhat  suddenly  called  home, 
and  the  churches  are  left  to  weep  over  a  loss  which,  perhaps,  in  their 
estimation,  can  never  be  made  up.  Hundreds  in  Brighton  feel,  at  this 
moment,  that  another  John  Gbagb  will  never  occupy  that  pulpit : — ^his 
like  again  wHl  never  be  found.  There  has  never  been  a  second 
William  Huntington ;  Cranbrook  has  never  found  another  Isaac  Beeman ; 
nor  has  Leicester  seen  Chamberlain's  successor.  The  Lord  does  some- 
times greatly  endear  his  servants  to  his  saints,  and  then  suddenly  remove 
them,  to  mstke  his  people  know  that  their  salvation  is  only  in  Him,  who 
is  "  Head  over  all  things  to  the  Church,  which  is  His  body,  the  fulness 
of  Him  that  filleth  all  in  all." 

Thousands  of  the  Lord's  people  have,  in  their  visits  to  Brighton  during 
the  last  twenty  years,  sat  with  much  soul-profit  under  the  ministrations 
of  that  favoured  minister  of  the  *^  Tabernacle  Chapel,''  whose  death  we, 
this  month,  record.  We  have  heard  many  believers  in  all  parts  of  the 
country  speak  of  the  good  they  received  under  him ;  in  fiict^  it  is  evident, 
from  the  crowded  congregation  he  always  had,  and  from  the  urgent  call 
he  had  from  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  that  the  Lord  was  with  him,  and 
made  him  a  successful  preacher  of  the  Gospel  in  all  its  simplicity  and 
experimental  predousness.  We  never  had  any  intercourse  with  him, 
either  personally  or  correspondingly.  It  is  not  at  all  unlikely  but  that  he 
considered  us  as  belonging  to  the  congregation  of  the  dead.  like  a  dead 
dog  in  the  streets,  it  may  be,  he  would  have  passed  us  by  with  silent 
contempt ;  but  this  persuasion  lessens  not  our  esteem  for  him.  We  have 
read  but  Httle  of  his  preaching ;  we  have  heard  still  less ;  enough,  how- 
ever, to  fix  it  deep  in  our  h»urts  that  the  Lobd  loved  him,  that  the 
Lord  honoured  him,  and  that  JoHir  Gbacs  most  devotedly  loved  the 
Lord  Jesus  Ohbibt  ;  and  toward  him  and  his  memory,  a  spiritual  and 
saving  union  has  existed,  and  will  continue,  as  long  as  w6  can  remember 
him.  He  was  not  altogether  a  sectarian.  He  could  not  be  said  to 
belong  either  to  the  OospBl  Standard  part,  or  to  the  EABTHBir  Vessel 
section  of  our  Churches.  In  &ith,  and  in  prindole,  he  was  a  Baptist, 
but  in  practice  he  was  not  a  Baptist.    He  closea  the  baptistry  in  his 


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1Q2  THE  BABTHBUr  VSaSBL^  Aprill,  186& 

cliapely  and  FecdvecL  members  into  the  Ghtuch  simply  npon  the  ground 
of  their  Christiaa  experienoe^  irrespectiye  of.  those  views  touching  that 
ordinance  which,  for  many  centuries,  has  been  so  much  opposed. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning  of  March  3rd,  1865,  that  this  beloved 
disciple  of  Jesus  literally  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  his  Lord  and  Master. 
The  JBrightan  Obaerver  said  :— 

"  Since  our  last  publication  the  hand  of  death  has  been  laid  upon, 
one  who  was  an  earnest  labourer  in  the  Christian  cause,  and  whose  loss 
will  be  deeply  felt  by  a  lorga  circle  of  dsvotedfinends. 

''  Mr.  John  Grace,  for  nearly  thirty  jrean,  has  been  a  preacher  in 
this  town,  and  elservdiere,  but  Brig^xtim  was  the  principal  sphere  of  his 
nunistcations.  He  commenced  hia  ministry  at  Fkrovidence  Chi^iely 
Church  Street,  preaching  there  on  the  Sunday  morning,  aaid  in  the 
evening  at  Bolney,  Mve  Ashdown,  dKs.,  making  monthly  visite.  He  waa 
well  known  in  London,  York,  Louthboroi:^  Cambridge,  Leioeatav 
Cranbrook,  Maidstone,  and  Eastbourne,  ndiere  he  occasionally  preadied. 

^'Nearly  eighteen  years  since,  he  ceased  his  ministry  at  Providanos 
Chapd,  and  his  Mends  purchased  the  chapel  in  West  Street^  known  as 
the  Tabernacle  Baptist  Clu^ieL  The  accommodation  was  soon  found 
inadequate  to  the  increasing  congregation,  and  galleries  were  added. 
GThe  deceased  gentleman  refused  to  secure  to  himself  vested  interest  intJie 
same,  vduoh  he  could  hsve  done,  and  consequently  his  relations  have  no 
daim  upon  it.  He  sought  rather  to  labour  from  love,  than  to  secure 
pecuniary  advantages.  His  congregation  was  very  large,  by  whom  he 
was  greatly  beloved,  and  between  whom  there  existed  the  strongest 
bonds  of  unity,  and  asinoere  devotedness  to  the  cause  they  eefraused. 

^*The  dec^ised  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  doctrines  of  Calvin, 
which  he  advocated  with  zeal  and  fervour.  The  last  sermon  he  preached 
was  on  the  29th  of  January,  having  on  the  23rd  of  that  month  attained 
his  66th  year.  Inflammation  of  the  lungs  confined  him  to  his  house,  and 
he  reoeiveii  the  attendance  of  Dr.  Fhilbiick  and  Dr.  Moon.  He  continued 
to  get  worse,  and  the  disease  was  followed  with  fainting  fits,  in  one  o£ 
which  he  died  on  Friday  last  (March  3rd,)  having  in  his  life  served  his 
Master  faithfully,  rqiening  him  for  hia  heavenly  rest. 

<*  We  may  add,  that  he  was  a  man  possened  of  a  most  oharitaUe 
disposition,  as  many  of  his  congregation  can  testify.  He  leaves  a  widoir 
and  eight  surviving  children,  five  of  the  first  fiunUy,  and  three  of  the  last.** 

Mr.  Charles  E.  Yerrall,  of  the  '<  Brighton  Pulpit"  office,  has  issued 
a  shilling  book,  containing  a  memoir  by  the  widow ;  the  funeral  service 
and  the  funeral  sermon  by  George  Abrahama  We  have  read  this  little 
memorial  of  a  good  man  with  some  profit,  with  strong  cfympathy,  and^ 
certainly,  with  sorrow  for  the  fiunily  and  the  large  congregation  so 
painfully  bereaved. 

Not  many  years  since  Brighton  had  its  Yinalls,  Sedgewicka^ 
Savoury,  and  Grace.  AU  decided  men  of  God,  ministerB  of  truth,  and 
faithful  pastors.  Not  one  is  now  lefb«  Brighton  is  not  forsaken,  bat 
the  men  who  certainly  were  instrumental  in  carrying  on  the  great  work 
so  powerfully  begun  by  James  Brook,  who  left  the  Church ;  by  William 
Huntington,  who  was  never  in  the  Church ;  and  by  some  others  we  could 
narne^ — ah,  these  blessed  men  are  caUed  home,  leaving  the  work,  under 
God,  in  the  hands  of  the  brethren  Atkinson,  WaDinger,  Glaskin,  Bftyfidd, 


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April  1, 1865.  AND  CHBI8TJAN  BBOOBD.  108 

Yinall,  and  some  others.  Qod  grant  thai  on  tliese  yet  Irving  mes- 
sengers of  heaven  the  mantle  of  the  proeions  Blijalm  may  descend ;  for 
experimental  and  earnest  preachers  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  hearts  of  the 
saved  ones  in  these  days  are  few  and  far  hetween.  We  shall  endeavour 
to  furnish  a  very  brief  review  of  the  deceased^  Mr.  John  Grace,  xmder  four 
heads;  1,  his  death;  2,  his  funeral;  3^  the  sermons  by  Mr«  George 
Abrahams ;  4,  the  general  tenor  of  Mr;  Grace's  ministry. 

I.  Kis  Death. — It  is  not  easy  to  declare  what  may  exactly  be 
be  termed,  **  dying  in  a  good  old  age."  Some  friends  remember  when  a 
brother  wished,  at  George  Murrell's  jubilee,  that  he  might  live  to  see 
another  jubilee,  the  dear  old  patriarch  cried  out,  '^  Stop,  brother ;  Heaven 
must  be  better  than  earth  !"  Evidently  implying  that  he  would,  like 
Paul,  rather  be  absent  from  the  body,  and  present  with  the  Lord.''  We 
believe  it  is  ten  times  happier  to  drop  dovm  ripe  and  ready,  as  John 
Grace  did  in  the  veiy  prime  of  his  ministry,  as  one  may  say,  than  to  live 
on,  to  linger  on,  until  all  the  physical  powers  are  exhausted,  and  the  old 
man  becomes  weary  of  himself  and  abnost  everybody  is  weary  of  him. 
The  Scriptures,  in  this  sense,  are  verily  true.  The  days  of  our  years  are 
**  three-score  years  and  ten ;  and  if,  by  reason  of  str^igth,  they  be  fourscore 
years,  yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sorrow ;  for  it  is  soon  cut  off,  and 
we  fly  away."  Ask  Jolm  Andrews  Jones  now,  although  he  is  wonderfully 
fiivomred,  still  to  pull  himself  np  into  the  pulpit,  and  still  to  preach  the 
glorious  €U)spel ;  yet,  ask  him,  is  it  not  often  with  labour  and  sorrow 
his  days  now  pass  away?  Tea,  with  all  men,  or  with  few  exceptions, 
very  old  ag»  is  by  no  means  a  heairen  upon  earth.  Human  nature  must 
wear  out.  John  Grace  was  sweetly,  gently,  happily  removed  in  the 
days  when  thousands  (in  Brighton  azid  cihor  places)  rejoiced  to  hear  him. 

Happy  soul !  his  earthly  toil  is  over.  Mr.  Yerrall's  '^  Memoir^'  con- 
tains a  beautiful  account  of  Mr.  John's  Grace's'  last  days,  written  by  his 
now  bereaved  widow.     We  only  quote  a  word  or  two.    She  says : — 

*^  Some  time  afterwards  he  said,  *  Throughout  this  affliction  I  have 
not  had  one  murmuring  thought ;  I  have  been  enabled  to  lie  passive  in 
the  Lord's  hands ;  and  the  words  that  were  so  sweet  to  me  in  my  last 
aMction,  have  been  equally  sweet  in  this  :  '^  Whether  I  live^  I  live  unto 
the  Lord  ;  and  whether  I  die,  I  die  imto  the  Lord :  whetiher  we  live 
therefore,  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's."  I  have  had  no  trouble,  and  Satan 
has  never  been  permitted  to  harass  me,  but  no  great  joy.  The  Lord  has 
graciously  dealt  with  me,  in  supporting  my  mind,  well-knowing  I  could 
not  bear  much  trouble  or  much  joy  in  my  state  of  extreme  weakness. 
Sometimes  cast  down,  but  then  lifted  up  with  the  light  of  God!s  coun- 
tenance. I  do  not  feel  that  the  passiveness  and  quietness  arose  from  a 
state  of  carnal  security,  for  these  "^ords  are  often  sweet  to  me,  "In 
qnietness  and  confidence  shall  be  yonr  strength."  "  Their  stren^;^  is  to 
mt  still."  This  has  been  attended  with  the  drawing  of  the  affections 
heavenward,  and  sweet  fellowship  with  the  father  and  His  Son  Jesus 
Christ.'" 

After  this  he  appeared  likely  to  recov^,  and  was  mueh  better. 
But  the  appointed  time  drew  neax.  Of  the  evening  pnyvions  to  his 
death,  Mrs.  Grace  sayB : — 

^  About  nine  o'dock,  the  dear  departed  said,  *  Let  ns  thank  God  for 
hearing  and  an0werixig  prayer  on  my  behalf^  and  Uesflingth^  means.' 

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104  .  THE  EAETHEN  VESSEL,  April  1, 186ft. 

He  then  prayed  most  affectionately  for  his  fisimily,  his  Mends,  and  his 
people  (those  especially  who  were  in  any  trouble  or  affliction,)  begged  of 
God  to  give  him  a  comfortable  night's  rest,  and  felt  that,  a  blessing  having 
attended  the  administering  of  the  medicine,  was  a  token  that  the  dear 
Lord  was  about  to  raise  hm  up  again. 

''  He  retired  to  rest ;  but  at  half-past  eleven  o'clock  he  awoke  me  by 
complaining  that  his  supper  (a  little  arrowroot  and  brandy)  made  kun  fed 
tmcon^fariahle.  Brandy  and  water  (both  hot  and  cold)  was  given  to  him« 
Afterwards  hot  fUmnels  were  applied,  but  nothing  relieved  him,  although 
he  said  he  had  no  pain,  but  fatulency  made  him  feel  ill. 

'*  Various  remedies  were  resorted  to,  but  without  success.  About 
seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  (Friday,)  he  had  a  little  essence  of  beef; 
and  as  soon  as  he  had  taken  it,  his  breath  seemed  very  short,  and  the 
difficulty  of  breathing  increased.  The  doctors  were  sent  for,  but  before 
they  arrived,  his  happy  spirit  had  fled, — ^his  soul  had  returned  to  the  God 
who  gave  it^ — ^without  a  sigh,  groan,  or  struggle  1" 

Thus  departed  the  ransomed  spirit  of  this  useful  minister  of  Christ 
What  will  his  children  (in  the  distant  islands  of  the  seas)  think,  and  feel, 
when  of  their  tender-hearted  father's  decease  they  hear?  We  can  but 
hope  the  stroke  to  them  may  be  sanctified ;  and,  through  Soverdgn  grace, 
made  a  real  blessing.  How  solemn  to  the  widow's  heart  the  si^t  must 
have  been  !  In  the  evening  hopes  were  strong  and  lively  that  he  would 
recover  from  this  "  sweet  affliction ;"  but  in  the  morning  those  hopes 
were  swept  away,  and  all  that  remained  was  the  cold  corpse  of  a  husband 
tender  and  dear — a  father  ever  fond — a  minister  faithful,  if  possible, 
almost  to  the  extreme: 

Think>  ye  wives  and  mothers,  whose  partners  and  parents  yet  are 
spared,  how  trying  must  such  snnderings  be !  May  God  prepare  us  all 
'for  such  most  painful  hours ;  and  in  those  seasons  may  the  heavenly 
whisper  in  real  truthfulness  be  heard,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  you." 

II.  At  the  funeral  some  three  thousand  persons  were  present* 
Oeorge  Abrahams  and  B.  Tatham  officiated,  while  many  brethren  silently 
witnessed  the  last  ceremony  sacredly  performed  over  the  interment  €/£ 
one  whose  memory  and  ministiy  will  long  be  cherished.  The  funeral 
was  marked  with  every  feature  of  respect  and  religious  sanctity.  Mr. 
Tatham's  prayer  and  address  were  well  suited  to  the  occasion.  The  Lord 
gave  His  blessix^  and  the  whole  expense  was  borne  by  that  house  under 
whose  special  patronage  Mr.  Grace  lived  and  laboured  so  many  years. 

We  come,  thirdly,  to  notice  particularly  the  funeral  sermons  preached 
by  Mr.  Abrahams,  which  were  delivered  to  very  crowded  audiences  on 
the  following  Sunday  morning  and  evening ;  and  on  the  Tuesday  evening. 
There  is  in  each,  and  every  one  of  them,  a  peculiarity  of  interchange 
between  things  heavenly  and  earthly,  that  only  preachers  like  Mr. 
Abrahams  can  produce.  His  mind  is  full  of  wings  and  as  full  of  eyes.  He 
flies  in  thought  and  expression  to  the  highest  heavens,  confidently  com- 
munes with  the  Lord  his  God,  and  in  a  moment  he  is  down  in  anecdotal 
illustration  of  the  weakest  character.  Withal,  however,  there  is  a 
delightiul  vein  of  true  and  vital  Christianity,  which  causes  the  souls  of 
manyof  Gkxi's  Israel  to  be  thankful  that  ever  such  a  Jew  was  converted ; 
and  has  been  for  so  many  years  upheld  in  the  miniatry,  although,  in  some 
things,  they  wish  he  was  different  We  hope,  next  month,  to  rsview 
these  sermons,  and  Mr.  Grace's  ministry  gena:ally.  ^  r 

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Aprfl  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  105 


AND     HOW     TO      OBTAIN     IT. 

Eablt  the  other  morning,  we  found  hidden  in  a  drawer,  in  our  bedroonii 
two  most  handsome  and  substantial  Tolumes,  which  had  been  carefully 
laid  there,  for  occasional  closet  communion,  bj  the  partner  of  one's 
natural  life.  We  were  a  little  under  the  influence  of  a  silent  panting  after 
€k)d ;  and  after  kneeling  for  a  few  moments  at  the  Mercy  S^t,  we  rather 
stealthily  took  the  two  volumes  referred  to  down  into  our  own  study,, 
and  sweetly  glanced  over  their  contents.  They  are  both  bound  in  scarlet 
doth  and  gold,  both  printed  in  a  bold  type,  on  toned  paper;  and  for 
Christian  presentation,  or  for  prayerfid  perusal,  they  are  all  the  true- 
belieTer  could  desire.  We  will  write  down  their  titles  very  plainly. 
The  first  reads  as  follows  : — ''  TnUhs/ar  the  Day  of  Life  and  the  Howr 
of  Death:' 

The  second  is  this — '' Steps  aryd  Stages  on  the  Road  to  Glory**'-' 
They  are  both  of  them  published  by  Virtue,  Brothers,  in  Amen-comer, 
Paternoster-row :  both  proceed  from  the  pen  of  that  unprejudiced  and 
thoroughly  Biblical  writer,  the  Author  of  "God  is  Love;"  "Our 
Heavenly  Home,"  &c.,  dsc.,  and  (most  decidedly  we  write  *this  sentence 
honestly)  to  anxious  and  adbing  hearts  we  say,  if  you  desire  to  be  pre- 
served from  settling  down  in  an  artificial,  or  formal  profession  :  if  you 
would  not  willingly  be  carried  away  by  any  hyper-fanatical  or  delusive 
system ;  if  you  fully  believe  that  sound  wisdom,  vital  experience,  and  a 
safe  standing  for  eternity,  are  divinely  traced  out  in  Grod's  most  holy 
word ;  and  if  you  need  the  help  of  a  chosen  and  truly  sanctified  witness 
for  truth  in  all  matters  essential  to  your  establishment  in  the  faith  ;■ 
then  side  by  side  with  the  Bible  yon  may,  with  the  hope  of  good  success, 
read  the  works,  whose  beautiful  titles  we  have  given. 

In  that  volume,  called  "  Truths  for  the  Day  of  lAfe,**  &a,  we  have 
several  chapters  on  "2%«  Assurance  of  Faith;  and  how  to  obtain  it.** 
This  is  as  difficult  a  subject  as  it  is  possible  for  a  spiritual  theologian  to 
handle.  It  carried  us  hack  in  reflection  to  Joseph  OaTyl's  commentary 
on  Job's  words  :  "  I  know  I  shall  be  satisfied."  And  before  we  further 
read,  or  reflect  upon  the  ability  with  which  the  author  of  "  God  is  Love" 
has  handled  this  great  question,  we  give,  as  a  sort  of  preface,  the  fol- 
lowing brilliant  exposition  from  Joseph  Caryl.     He  says : — 

"  It  is  good  to  be  justified,  but  it  is  better  to  know  that  we  shall  be 
justified.  There  are  three  great  graces  spoken  of  by  the  apostle  (1  Cor. 
.  xiii.  13),  <  Faith,  hope,  and  love.'  And  the  Scripture  holds  out  an 
assurance  in  reference  to  every  one  of  these.  First,  the  assurance 
of  faith  (Heb.  x.  22),  'Let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart,  in 
full  assurance  of  faith.'  This  assurance  of  faith  hath  a  double  respect  ;- 
first,  to  our  persons ;  secondly,  to  our  services ;  that  in  both  we  are- 
pleasing  unto  God.  Secondly,  there  is  an  assurance  of  hope  (Heb.  vi. 
11),  '  We  desire  that  every  one  of  you  do  show  the  same  diligence,  to 
the  full  assurance  of  hope  unto  the  end.'  Faith  hath  an  eye  to  the  truth  of 
the  promise ;  hope  to  the  good  of  the  promise,  and  the  assurance  of  hope  is, 
that  we  shall  certainly  receive  that  good.     Thirdly,  there  is  also  an  a&- 

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106  THB  EJLBTHEN  VESSEL,  Aptil  l,  186& 

surance  of  love  (1  Jolrn  It.  18),  '  Perfect  love  casteth  out  fear.'    How  is 
love  made  perfect,  and  how  doth  it  cast  out  fear  f     *  Herein'  (says  the 
17th  verse)  '  is  love  made  perfect,  that  we  may  have  boldness  in  the  daj 
of  judgment,  because  as  He  is  so  are  we  in  this  world ;  that  is,  as  His  love 
is  sincere  to  us,  so  is  ours  to  Him  (according  to  our  measure),  even  in 
this  life ;  and  this  gives  us  boldness  or  assurance  that  all  shall  go  well 
with  us  in  the  daj  of  judgmient,  or  in  the  next  life ;  and  so  tins  love 
oasteth  out  all  fear  of  condemnation  in  that  day,  which  fear,  where  it 
remains,  (as  the  apostle  concludes)  hath  torment,  than  which  nothing  is 
more  contEary  to  aasuianoe.     In  perfect  love  there  is  no  torment,  beoanae 
there  is  no  fear,  and  there  is  no  fear,  because  there  is  an  aasuxance  of  the 
love  of  Ood.     In  this  leve  the  soul  doth  repose,  rest  and  delight  itfiel£ 
There  is  a  fourth  thing  spoken  o(  to  which  also  assurance  is  annexed 
(Col.  iL  2),  '  The  full  assurance  of  understanding.'    This  is  the  deamesB 
of  our  i^rehensions  about  the  things  which  we  bdieve^  and  upon  which 
we  &tten  by  £iith  and  love.     The  light  of  the  undeiatanding  shining 
upon  the  mysteriefl  of  the  Ocspeli  and  mixing  with  our  other  graces^ 
bottoms  the  soul  upon  the  strongest  foundation,  and  raiseth  it  up  to  the 
hi^est  pinnade  of  assurance.     We  may  say  of  assurance,  in  r^erence 
unto  theiBe  four  graces,  as  philosophas  do  of  the  heavens,  in  reference  to 
the  £9ur  elements;  they  tell  us  the  heavens  are  neither  earth  nor  air, 
neither  fire  nor  water,  but  they  are  a  quintessence,  or  a  fifth  essence. 
So  we  may  saf ,  assurance  is  neither  £uth,  nor  hope,  nor  love,  nor  know- 
ledge, but  it  is  a  fifth  thing,  sublimated  and  laised,  either  out  of  or  above 
all  these  :  it  is  somewhat  of  each  of  these,  but  more  than  all  these,  I 
know  that  I  shall  be  justified,  is  more  than  knowledge,  or  love,  or  hope^ 
or  faith,  even  the  result  of  them  all  in  their  best  peifections.     Knowle^ 
above  knowledge  is  the  assurance  of  understanding.    Hope  and  love  above 
hope  and  love  are  the  full  assurance  of  hope  and  love  made  perfect    This 
is  called  by  the  apostle  (Rom.  iv.),  'a  full  persuaidon.'     'Abraham' 
(aaith  the  text)  verse  21)  'being  fully  persuaded.'    It  is  a  metaphor 
taken  from  ships  that  come  into  a  harbour  with  full  sail ;  so  does  the 
soul  sometimes ;  it  comes  into  the  port  of  a  heavenly  peace,  with  full  sail, 
with  top  and  top-gallant  (as  we  use  to  say)  with  all  the  aaik  spread  and 
colours  flying.    So  it  was  with  Abraham,  there  was  not  any  sail  of  his 
soul  but  was  filled  with  the  wind  of  assurance.     This  is  called  (John, 
xiv.  21)  the  manifestation  of  Christ  to  the  soul;  'He  that  hath  my 
commandments,  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me,  and  he  that 
loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him,  and  mani- 
fest myself  to  him.'     Christ  is  manifested  to  many  by  the  reading  and 
preaching  of  His  word,  but  He  manifests  himself  only  unto  some  by  the 
light  and  influences  of  His  Spirit.     The  former  is  common  to  all  who 
live  within  the  sound  of  the  Gk)spel,  the  latter  is  the  s<de  privilege  of 
those  who  obey  the  Gospel ;  nor  do  all  these  receive  this  privilege  now, 
very  few  enjoy  it  at  all  times.     Christ  loves  many  a  soul  to  whom  he 
dotili  not  presently  manifest  his  love.     Qod  hath  love  laid  up  in  His  heart 
for  ajlfiis,  but  he  does  not  shed  His  love  abroad  into  all  tiieir  hearts  by 
the  Holy  Ghost.     (Bom.  v;  8.)     'The  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit'  (Bom. 
Tiii.  23), '  The  witneas  of  the  Spirit'  (verse  16  of  that  chapter),  '  The 
sealing  of  the  Spirit'  (E^.  L  14),  '  The  earnnft  of  the  Spirit'  (2  Cor.  r. 
5)  are  not  bestowed  upon  evecy  believer  at  all  times,  and  not  sensibly 
upon  some  at  all  in  this  life.    And  all  these  are  but  seven!  ezpressioiia 


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April  1, 1M6.  AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD.  107 

of  this  one  thing,  our  knowing  that  we  shall  be  jnatifiecL  Yet  in  this 
many  of  the  saints  hare  gloried  before  they  oame  to  glory.  Habakkuk 
had  it  in  the  height,  so  had  many  of  the  old  worthies.  (Heb.  zi. 
13 — 85.)  Hioogh  their  CkMpel-light  was  not  so  dear'as  the  (Gospel- 
light  after  Christ  came,  yet  they  saw  the  promises  afar  off,  i^ej  embraced 
them,  and  were  persuaded  of  them ;  by  these  three  steps  of  seeing,  em- 
bnuang,  and  persuasion,  they  ascended  to  an  aasoranoe,  or  knowledge, 
ihat  they  should  be  justified." 


ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY^IX. 
WHAT  DO  THE  PBOPHETS  SAY  OF  IT? 

Whoxvsb  may  smile,  one  thing  I  know,  my  mind  has  been,  for  some 
years,  much  exercised  respecting  the  coming  errents,  and  the  future 
glorious  advent  of  our  LoBn  Jssus  OHnisr*  I  hare  thought  of  the  con- 
flicting views  and  theories  of  many  great  and  good  men ;  but  I  am  the 
disciple  of  some  of  them.  Still,  I  do  not  despise  any  of  them,  although  I 
frequently  think  I  see  many  of  them  endeavouring  to  limit  the  prophecies 
and  promises  respecting  those  things  which  are  to  oome  to  pass,  and  at- 
tempting to  tie  down  the  meaning  of  Scripture  to  their  own  peenliar 
and  particular  views  and  opinions.  Satan  is  certainly  now  pla3ring  one 
of  his  characteiB  with  skdlM  success ;  that  is  '^fAe  acevMer  of  ^  bre- 
ikren,**  You  can  soaroely  speak  to  a  Christian  brother  now  but  Idiere  is 
a  spirit  of  severe  critidsm,  and  a  spirit  of  fault-finding,  and  reproaching 
other  brediren  whoee  views  and  utterances — ^whoee  Mth  and  conversa- 
tion— does  not  please  or  harmonize  with  those  who  are  so  ready  to  con- 
demn. This  is  an  evil  sign  of  the  times  in  which  we  live  :  Ohristian 
love  seems  to  have  but  litUe  lifs  in  it ;  it  is  weak,  and  fearfully  on  the 
decline,  especially  where  Tbuth  is  maintained  in  the  doctrine  and  e/xprm- 
aion  of  it.  This  lack  of  warm-hearted  and  active-handed  love  works 
badly  in  our  dhurehea— in  some  of  them ;  althou^,  I  hope,  not  in  alL 
We  have  certainly  too  numy  of  that  dasB  of  whom  the  Psalmist  says, 
*^  Neither  do  they  which  go  by  say.  The  blessing  of  Idle  Lord  be  upon 
jou :  we  bless  you  in  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Eashion  and  foimalism ; 
ooldnees,  with  a  rigid  external  consistenqy ;  a  distance,  a  darkness,  and  a 
deadness  of  sioae,  is  too  prevalent;  the  Laodicean  delusJon  is  fiist  cover- 
ing us ;  for,  in  appearance,  we  say,  *'  We  are  rich,  and  increased  with 
goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing,"  not  knowing  how  poor,  and  blind,  and 
miserable,  and  naked  we  really  are. 

iBasshig,  however,  from  all  tiiis,  it  is  quite  clear  there  are  too  great 
harvests  yet  to  come  :  idiere  is,first^  Tbe  BEDBxraoir  Ha&test,  or  Lir- 
eATBxstnM  of  TBB  WHOxa  EuBcnoN  of  GhiACB,  both  from  Jewish  and 
d&om  Oentile  tribes ;  and,  than,  secondly,  there  is  Tax  Haxvebt  of  Re- 
TaammaSf  or  the  taking  vengeance  on  aJl  the  anti-CSizistian  powers— 
on  all  who  obey  not  the  Gh>spel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  JesusCHiriat* 
Both  these  harrestssiBinckuUd  in  that  last  verse  of  the  thirty-eighth  of 


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106  THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL,  April  1,186& 

Ezekid's  prophecy,  wherem  the  Lord  8ajB»  **  Thus  will  I  jcaoiuft  my- 
BeMf  and  SAjrcTiFT  myself;  and  I  will  be  known  in  the  eyes  of  maiky 
nations ;  and  they  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lobd." 

In  the  proTisionary  and  promissory  dispensations  of  grace,  God  has 
magnified  Himself;  in  the  obedience  and  triumphs  of  Bis  life,  in  the 
subetitationary  conquests  of  his  death,  and  in  His  resurrection  power. 
Jesus  Chbist  did  magnify  Himself;  in  the  conyersion  of  sinners,  and 
the  ingathering  of  the  saints,  the  Holt  Ohost  doth  now  magnify  the 
name  of  the  Lord ;  but  in  the  perfecting  climax  and  finishing  up  of  the 
mysteries  of  redemption,  our  Lord  will  more  openly,  and  visibly,  and 
completely  magnify  Himself;  while,  in  the  ultimate  separation  of  Him- 
self, and  of  His  people,  from  all  the  &llen  and  deadly  hosts  of  hostile 
armies,  He  will  sanctify  Himself,  and  thus,  in  the  eyes  of  many  nar 
tions,  will  He  be  known ;  and  as  a  Judge  to  pass  final  sentence,  or  as  a 
royal  Brideoboom,  to  welcome  home  His  bride,  shall  all ''  know  that  He 
is  the  Lord." 

I  haye  lately  read  in  dose  and  careful  meditation  the  prophets  who 
were  inspired  by  God ;  aud  I  am  justified  in  asserting  that,  in  a  general 
way,  no  part  of  the  Bible  is  less  understood,  or  more  despised  and  per- 
verted, than  are  its  prophetic  portions ;  nevertheless,  let  my  read^is  be 
assured  of  three  things : — ^L  All  the  prophecies  i^erring  to  ancient 
Israel,  to  the  uprising  and  spreading  of  anti-Christ,  and  all  the  pro- 
phecies referring  to  the  first  advent  of  the  Redeemer,  have  been  fulMed 
to  the  very  letter.  II.  All  the  prophecies  which  looked  forward  to,  and 
spoke  of,  the  second  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Sa- 
viour, will  have  their  fulfilment  to  the  very  letter  also.  Not  one  word 
shall  &11  to  the  ground.  These  prophecies  may  be  rendered  spiritually, 
and  they  may  be  applied  to  the  every-day  experience  of  the  Lord's  living 
family ;  but  this  is  not  to  ignore  or  destroy  the  actual  fulfilment  of  those 
solemn  declarations  which  Jehovah  hath  spoken  by  the  mouths  of  all 
His  holy  prophets  and  apostles.  Oh  I  no.  Much  as  I  love  and  am 
thankful  for  an  experimental  ministry — and  it  is  exceedingly  scarce  in 
these  days — still,  to  bury  all  the  grand  and  awful  prophecies  in  the 
hearts  of  the  Lord's  people,  or  to  limit  their  operation  to  the  days  and 
times  of  Christ's  incarnation  and  the  ministry  of  the  apostles,  is  a  course 
of  exposition  I  never  can  consent  to.  In  Providence,  in  nations,  in  the 
overthrow  of  anti-Christ  of  every  shade  and  shape^  in  the  fiiUades  of  the 
Gentiles,  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  new  covenant  promises  to  the  Jews,  in 
the  second  advent  of  the  Bedeemer,  in  the  universal  resurrection,  and  in 
the  final  judgment,  every  letter  of  God's  word  shall  stand  out  in  a  living 
demonstration,  and  then  will  the  Etsbnal  Jehovah  proclaim,  as 
Esekiel  predicts  (xxxix.  8.),  '<  Behold  !  it  is  cohe  and  it  is  done, 
saith  the  Lord  God  :  THIS  IS  THE  DAY  whereof  I  have  spoken." 

There  is  a  third  fiict  I  will  briefly  notice.  Not  only  have  some  of 
the  most  eminent  servants  of  God,  in  all  ages,  been  led  to  testify  of  the 
actual,  visible,  and  literal  verification  of  God's  revealed  purposes  and 
declared  predictions ;  but^  even  now,  many  hearts  are  deep  in  contem- 
plation, and,  from  the  press^  many  productions  on  the  fulfilment  of 
prophecy  are  issuing,  whereby  the  warning  voice  is  still  uplifted ;  and  I 
dare  not  be  quiet  or  silent^  in  these  days  of  most  mysterious  progression^ 
when  all  are  pushing  on  to  a  crisis  which  is  ordained  soon  to  anive. 

I  had  thought  to  give  my  readers  this  month  a  review  of  seveial 


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April  1, 186&  AlH)  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  109 

works  which  I  have  read  on  the  fatnre  fulfilment  of  propheoy ;  but  a 
Christian  gentleman  has  sent  me  the  following 

PREDICTIONS  OF  THE  PROGRESS  AND  PERISHING 

OF  POPERY, 

By  the  late  William  Huntihotov. 

''  It  appears  that  Popeiy  is  spreading  and  will  spread,  that  the 
hypocrites  in  Zion  may  be  gained  over  to  the  Papists.  Then  shall  the 
power  of  the  holy  city  be  scattered.  ^  The  son  shall  go  down  at  noon, 
and  the  earth  sluJl  be  darkened  in  the  clear  day/  Then  shall  the  holy 
of  holies  be  ransacked  the  third  time,  and  the  witnesses  for  Truth  be 
shun.  This  wUl  be  the  day  of  the  great  and  last  slaughter,  when  the 
towers  fall.  Alas!  'who  shall  live  when  the  Lord  doth  this?'  But, 
after  a  time,  the  Spirit  of  Life  from  God  descends,  and  a  doud  of  wit- 
nesses once  more  appears  for  the  God  of  Jacob  to  raise  up  the  city, 
which,  till  then,  will  be  low  in  a  low  place ;  and  blessed  will  those  wit- 
nesses be  '  which  shall  sow  beside  all  waters,  and  send  forth  thither  the 
feet  of  the  ox  and  the  ass.' 

"  For  near  seventy  years  will  this  present  work  be  carrying  on ;  but, 
before  1870,  it  will  be  completed.  The  Golden  City  will  cease  when  the 
Papal  sun  shall  be  turned  into  darkness,  and  be  confounded  before  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  who  will  rise  to  reign  in  Mount  i^on,  'when  He  will 
collect  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles,  restore  the  preserved  of  Israel,  and 
gather  the  dispersed  of  Judah  from  the  ends  of  the  earth.'  Daniel  wanted 
to  know,  ^  How  long  shall  it  be  to  the  end  of  these  wondera  V  The 
answer  given  follows :  '  And  the  man  clothed  in  linen  lift  up  his  right 
hand  and  left  hand  to  heaven,  and  swear  by  Him  that  liveth  for  ever, 
That  it  shall  be  for  a  time^  timea^  and  a  half  J  Daniel  xii.  7.  Before  the  ' 
expiration  of  this  mysterious  term,  there  is  to  be  a  time  of  trouble,  such 
as  never  was  siuce  there  was  a  nation  to  that  same  time.'  Dan.  xii.  7. 
But  what  appears  the  most  astonishing  is,  that  some  simple  souls,  real 
partakers  of  grace,  shall  be  so  far  influenced  and  blinded  by  the  universal 
apostasy  of  professing  hypocrites,  that  even  they  shall  contribute  not  a 
little  towards  this  of  Jacob's  trouble.  This  is  confirmed  both  by  the  Old 
Testament  and  the  New.  But  the  hppocrites  in  Zion  shall  be  the 
greatest  promoters  of  this  last  calamity;  nevertheless,  4ihe  people  that 
know  their  God  <  shall  be  strong  and  do  exploits.' 

"  The  son  of  perdition  was  revealed  in  the  year  606,  according  to  the 
best  accounts,  and  1,260  years,  or  forfy-two  months,  is  all  the  time  that 
he  is  to  contbxne ;  which  makes  it  plain  that  the  longest  time  that  this 
hireHng  hath  to  accomplish  his  days  cannot  exceed  1866  or  1870 ;  and 
if  the  eastern  way  of  reckoning  years  (which  was  shorter  than  ours)  is 
meant,  then  the  account  may  be  shorter ;  but  that  I  leave  to  the  great 
Calculator.  Let  us,  however,  look  at  what  is  going  on  now,  and  be 
upon  our  guard.  All  but  the  elect  shall  worship  the  beast ;  therefore 
let  us  not  be  startled  at  the  general  apostasy  of  the  members  of^the 
outer  court,  for  that  is  given  to  the  G^tiles,  and  they  must  and  shall 
have  it;  and  it  is  now  going  over  and  submitting  to  the  Papists,  that 
they  may  worship  him,  for  fdl  shall  worship  him  but  those  whose  names 
are  in  the  book  of  lifer    The  man  of  sin  is  now  collecting  what  is  given 

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110  .  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  April  1, 180& 

to  him,  and  when  all  his  members  are  united,  his  mystical  body  will  be 
complete.  '  Then  shall  the  beast  be  taken,  and  his  body  destroyed  and 
given  to  the  burning  flame/  The  whole  shall  be  utterly  burnt  with 
fire ;  for  strong  is  the  Lord  God  that  judgeth  her.  But  to  strengthen 
our  hands,  let  us  consider  Michael,  for  he  shall  stand  up  when  this 
perilous  time  comes  on,  and  shall  strengthen  and  deliver  every  one  that 
shall  be  found  written  in  the  book  of  life.  Dan.  xiL  1. 

'^  Thus  I  have  given  thee  a  sign  of  the  times,  and  a  true  account  of 
the  work  now  on  the  wheels ;  nor  shall  all  the  hypocrites  in  Zion,  nor 
all  the  enemies  that  I  have  in  Britain — ^no,  nor  even  time  itself,  prove 
me  a  &]se  prophet  in  this,  or  make  the  predicton  a  lie. 

"  William  Huhtihgton." 

I  can  only  add,  this  month,  one  word.  The  Editor  of  The  Armourer^ 
John  Hampden,  Esq.,  has  given  in  his  March  number  a  most  astonish- 
ing paper  on  "Unfulfilled  Prophecies.^'  I  beseech  every  good  Pro- 
testant to  read  it  himself,  and  aim  to  get  it  read.  The  Armowrer  can  be 
had  for  one  penny  at  4,  Crane-court,  Fleet-street,  and  it  is  reaUy  most 
valuable. 

What 'solid  antidote  has  the  true  Church  of  Christ  for  all  thisf 
If  I  be  considered  by  some  an  enthusiast,  an  alarmist,  or  a  deluded  be- 
liever in  the  frightfiil  theories  of  some  authors,  I  boldly,  affectionately^ 
prayerfully  affirm  I  am  neither.  I  see  and  know,  and  confidently  be- 
lieve, that  there  is  a  fourfold  secresy  wherein  the  Church  of  Christ  ia 
hidden.  From  everlasting  she  lay  in  the  heart,  and  eternal  love  of  God, 
and  in  a  vital  nnion  with  the  Son  of  Cod,  and  in  the  hands  and  grace  of 
the  Holy  Ohost ;  and,  in  time,  every  true  ransomed  soul  is  laid  in  the 
fulness  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  the  souls  of  the  sent  servants  of  Cod. 
Herein  is  his  fourfold  safety,  and  every  secret  place  of  indwelling  fur- 
nishes an  earnest  and  pledge  of  his  salvation.  The  true  believer  must  be 
one  who  loves  God — ^who  is  joined  to  Jesus — ^who  has  the  Holy  Ghost 
in  him,  and  who  is,  more  or  leas,  beloved  by  the  saints  .and  servants  of 
€k)d  j  and  out  of  iJiese  hiding  places  neither  Satan  nor  sin,  Popes  nor 
plagues,  can  ever  remove  them. 

May  the  Alwosty  Lobd  God  keep  us  watching  and  working; 
honest  and  humble,  in  union  to^  and  communion  with,  the  Son  of  this 
love — ^then  shall  we  see  His  face  with  joy.    So  prays.      The  Editob. 


THE    LATE    MR    WILLIAM    LEE. 

Mb.  Edftob, — I  have  been  privil^(ed  to  stand  almost  at  the  same  time 
by  the  death-bed  of  two  relatives;  and  to  witness,  in  their  departoze, 
the  strength  and  reality  of  the  religion  th^  professed. 

One  oi  them  was  mj  cousin,  Mr.  Heniy  Strickett,  whose  ilhieas 
and  death  ha^e  already  been  recorded  in  your  pages.  I  was  with  luxa 
olltei^and  can  bear  testimony  to  the  peace  and  joy  he  had  in  believiii|^ 
and  to  the  aMuranoe  he  had  of  his  safefy.  Almost  his  fiist  words  ta 
me,  when  for  the  first  tive  I  saw  hdm  entirel j  confined  to  his  bed,  were. 


»(^  Ohvfai  the  solid  rook,  I  iteiLd, 
All  otbor  gnwid  is  abiUng  ssncT  * 

Mr.  Other  relative  wB»mju]iQle»  Mr.  William  Lee  ^  who^  to  within 

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April  1, 1865.  AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD.  Ul 

a  few  weeks  of  his  death,  was  a  constant  hearer  of  Mr.  James  Wells,  of 
the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  who  has  already  spoken  in  one  of  his  sermons  of 
the  visit  he  paid  Mr.  Lee,  and  of  the  joy  he  had  in  seeing  that  between 
his  soul  and  the  new  coyenant  a  glorious  union  existed. 

On  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  February  last,  I  visited  him,  as  nsuai, 
and  found  on  entering  his  room,  that  his  end  was  rapidly  approaching. 
Mr.  Myerson,  of  Hackney,  was  present,  and  after  questioning  him  as 
to  his  experience  of  the  Divine  presence,  and  realization  of  the  all- 
sufficiency  of  the  blood  of  Christ  ]  The  dying  man,  in  a  broken  voiooi 
replied  by  repeating  the  whole  of  that  hymn — 

"Jesus,  loyer  of  my  soni, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly.'* 

Mr.  Myerson  then  engaged  in  earnest  prayer,  and  left ;  after  which  I 
read,  by  request,  the  23rd  Psalm,  of  which  Mr.  Lee  {was  very  fond, 
and  from  which  he  derived  much  com£:>rt.  Soon  after  midnight,  he 
commenced  singing  the  hymn  which  he  had  before  repeated.  It  was 
indeed  a  solemn  and  impressive  scene,  but  one  calculated  to  make  a 
deep  and  lasting  impression  on  the  mind.  There  lay  the  body  racked 
with  pain  and  disease,  while  the  soul  within  seemed  ftdl  of  calm  and 
heavenly  joy.  Though  the  voice  was  broken  and  discordant,  there  was 
melody  in  the  heart :  the  eye  of  faith  was  opened  to  see  tibe  King  in 
His  beauty ;  and  the  ear  to  hear  the  sound  of  a  Savioui's  voice,  saying, 
*'  This  ni^t  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  paradise."  Suddenly  lifting  up 
his  eyes  he  said, 

*^  There  evetlastiiig  spring  abidsA) 
And  never  withering  floweis." 

Turning  to  his  wife,  he  said,  '<I  shall  soon  see  your  dear  father  (meaning 
my  grand&thery  the  late  Bev.  Joseph  Gartwrig|it,)  he  is  one  of  the  cloud 
of  witnesses !"  He  then  exhorted  me  to  keep  near  the  Lord,  and  to 
be  jGuthfol  to  the  end.  Soon  after  I  left  him.  Near  one  o'dock  on  that 
day  his  aoul  took  its  flight. 

He  was  interred  at  Bow  Cemetery  on  Tuesday,  February  14th, 
when  the  following  ministers  attended :  Messrs.  James  WeUs,  Bloom- 
field,  Myerson,  and  Attwood,     I  am,  dear  Sir,  yours  faithfully, 

Hackney,  March  21^  1865.  Josefs  CABTWBiOBT,  Jun. 


GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN,  BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BT     ME.      ALFRED     PEET,    OF     SHARNBROOK. 

"  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  loet**— John  yi  12. 

39. — ^Tbue  goodness  is  like  the  ^owworm  in  this,  that  it.8hineB 
most  when  no  eyes  except  those  of  heaven  are  upon  it. 

40. — ^All  the  doabts  and  fears  that  evw  haanueed  a  child  of  God 
cannot  erase  his  name  from  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  nor  take  him  out 
of  the  heart  of  God,  hor  shut  him  out  of  glory.  ^ 

41. — The  doabts  and  fears  of  the  dect  are  overruled  by  almighty 
grace  to  their  present  and  eternal  good  as  condndng  ta  keep  ua  humble 
at  Grod's  footstool,  to  endear  the  merits  of  Jesua,  and  to  make  us 
feel  oar  weakness  and  dependence,  and  to  make  as  watchful  onto  pxayer. 

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112 


THE  BABTHEN  VESSEL, 


Apia  1,1865. 


42. — There  is  no  sweeter  way  to  heaTen  than  along  the  path  of 
free  graoe,  paved  with  hard  trials.  It  was  the  waj  he  trod  who  was 
full  of  grace. 

43. — ^Painted  fire  needs  no  fuel ;  a  dead  formal  profession  is  easily 
kept  up. 

44.-*Good  words  do  more  than  hard  speeches,  as  the  sonheams 
without  any  noise  will  make  the  traveller  cast  off  his  doak  which  all 
the  blustering  winds  could  not  do,  but  only  make  him  bind  it  the  closer 
to  him. 

45. — The  incense  of  the  temple  was  to  be  beaten  to  typify  the 
breaking  of  the  heart  in  prayer. 

46. — Most  of  the  common  people  like  glitter  and  show  in  dress, 
buildings,  pictures,  furniture,  &c.,  so  they  do  in  preaching.  Fine,  dazz- 
ling, glittering,  out-of-the  way  words  strung  together  in  a  rapid  utterance, 
and  a  bombastical  manner,  is  sure  to  be  popular  with  a  great  proportion 
of  the  masses  of  the  people. 

47. — ^Pride  had  her  beginning  among  the  angels  that  fell,  her  con- 
tinuance on  earth,  her  end  in  hell. 

48. — ^They  that  walk  closest  with  Ood,  enjoy  the  most  spuitoal 
summer  within. 

49. — ^The  Lord  found  me  very  ignorant,  and  since  that  period, 
the  more  wise  he  makes  me,  the  more  conscious  am  I  of  mine  own 
ignorance. 

60. — ^The  Lord  doth  sometimes  sink  his  children  very  low  that 
afterwards  he  might  raise  them  very  high ;  without  this  dealing,  heights 
and  depths  in  experience  would  not  be  known. 

51.— The  only  thorn  we  should  dread  is  the  thorn  of  iniquity. 
52. — Eveiy  grain  of  the  most  bitter  portion  in  our  cup  of  sorrow  is 
carefully  weighed  and  mixed  by  the  hand  of  love. 

53. — ^BeSiever,  art  thou  distressed  in  mind,  fear  not,  thou  art  pos- 
sessed by  Christ  who  hath  bought  thee  at  too  dear  a  rate  to  lose  thee. 


PABDON    AND    PEACR 


Whkn  the  Spirit  gives  peace  'tis  the  witness 
of  pMrdon, 
And  proyes  that  our  sins  are  all  ffone ; 
Heirs  of  God  and  of  Jesns  are  joint  nein  of 
heaven, 
Believers  in  Christ  are  all  on& 
This  softens  the  trials  we  meet  with  in 
pMsing, 
The  thorns  and  the  briars  of  the  way, 
And  makes  ns  less  anxious  the  world  to  be 

pleasing, 
AVho  count  lis  not  children  of  day. 
Yet  some  there  are  saying,  Peace^  peaoe^ 
when  there  is  none, 
They're  dauUnf  with  tintempered  lime ; 
And  certain  it  is  the  foundation  they  build 

on, 
Will  crumble  with  crumbling  time. 
Tjjit  that  hud  in  Zion  Is  from  everlasting, 

(The  Lord  knoweth  them  that  are  His) ; 
Though  the  world  are  unceasingly  stones 
at  it  casting. 
Each  stone  may  but  brighten  its  Uisa 
Sheffield. 


How  foolish  for  potsherds  to  strive  with 
their  Maker, 
Can  finite  with  Infinite  contend  ? 
As  soon  might  a  man  be  his  own  le- 
gen*rator. 
Eternity  come  to  an  end. 
Then  cease,  sinful  mortals,  and  listen  to 
Jesus, 
His  voice  is  as  sweet  now  as  ever ; 
He  binds  not  with  fetters,  but  from  them  He 
frees  ua 
And  nothing  from  him  can  e*er  sever. 
He  sits  in  the  heavens  our  Bedeemer  and 
Daysman, 
Our  Advocate  pleading  our  causa ;  [donir 
And  surely  no  esse  is  too  hard  for  His  wis- 
In  heaven  there's  no  failings  or  flaws. 

Then  trust  Hixn,  and  thank  Him,  and  praise 
and  adore  Him, 
Kor  doubt  for  one  moment  His  low , 
Whero  the   Spirit  gives  peace   'tis   the 
witness  of  nardon. 
And  pardonea  ones  aU  reign  above. 


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April  1,  im.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  113 


OR,     A     PORTION     FOR     EVERY      SABBATH. 

BT      GIDEON. 


SUNDAY,  APRIL  2hd.— THE  OLD  ADAM. 

*^The  Cana&mtes  would  dwell  in  the  land.**— Josh,  xvii  12. 

O,  THESE  Canaanites !  what  a  plague  they  are  !  How  shall  we  get  rid 
of  them  ?  For  they  do  not  only  dwell  in  almost  every  church,  in  the  shape 
of  dead  professors,  but  in  the  heart  of  every  true  Israelite.  It  is  sad  to 
iiave  a  number  of  external  foes,  who  are  ever  ready  to  do  one  harm,  but 
worse  to  have  them  in  one's  own  house;  and  although  these  indwelling  sins, 
imd  oppositions  of  the  flesh,  form  no  part  of  true  religion,  yet  I  cannot 
believe  there  is  any  real  godliness  without  them.  The  Adam  nature  of 
every  man  is  the  same  now  as  it  ever  was,  and  therefore  in  some  form 
or  other  it  will ''  lust  against  the  Spirit."  There  must  be  a  new  heart ; 
old  things  pass  away,  and  all  things  Ibecome  new. 

''  Ah !"  you  exclaim,  '^  that  is  what  distresses  me.  Some  people 
CQSk  tell  the  day,  hour,  text,  and  sermon,  and  give  clear  proof  that  they 
were  called  of  the  Spirit.  But  I  have  no  such  experience  to  relate,  and 
therefore  am  afraid  that  I  am  but  a  hypocrite  after  all."  Do  not  be  too 
hasly  in  condemning  yourself.  God  forbid  that  we  should  say,  Peace, 
peace,  when  there  is  no  peace,  or  heal  the  wound  of  the  daughter  of 
^ion  slightly,  but  on  the  other  hand  we  would  not  make  their  heart 
J8ad  whom  the  Lord  would  have  us  to  comfort.  Do  you  see  in  Jesus  a 
beauty,  a  fidness,  a  predousness  1  Do  you  love  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Him,  and  prove  your  love  thereto  by  a  constant  attendance  on  the 
ministry  of  some  one  who  preaches  a  free,  full,  and  finished  salvation  by 
sovereign  grace  %  Do  you  view  the  £ree  grace  Grospel  of  Gk>d  as  the  land 
where  alone  milk  and  honey,  com  and  wine,  can  be  found  for  the  soul  % 
Then  I  am  sure  you  will  be  plagued  with  a  thousand  evils  ever  rising  out 
of  your  own  fleshly  Adam  nature.  These  are  the  ''  Canaanites"  who  will 
DWELL  with  yoa.  There  is  no  killing  them,  or  if  you  do,  they  will  rise 
again,  and  you  will  have  to  cry  out,  *'  O,  wretched  man  that  I  am,  who 
shall  deliver  me  V  Grace,  mighty  grace,  shall  bring  all  these  inward 
foes  under  tribute  through  faith  in  Christ,  for  greater  is  he  that  is  in  you 
than  he  that  is  in  the  world. 


SUNDAY,  APRIL  9th.— JACOB'S  LADDER. 

''Behold,  a  ladder  set  up  on  the  earth,  and  the  top  ol  it  reached  to  hteven.— 
•Oenenfl  xzviii.  U 

fisAVSK  seems  a  long  way  off  from  this  earth ;  it  is  &r  up,  too,  above 
«is,  and  we  have  no  wings  wherewith  to  asceoid.  How  shall  a  poor 
hdplesB  sinner,  defiled,  deformed,  and  decrepit  by  the  fidl,  escape  to  the 
mountain  of  safety  when  the  earth  shall  melt  by  fervent  heatt  Blessed 
h^  the  Gk)d  of  all  grace,  He  deyiseth  means  whereby  His  banished  be  not 

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114  TBE  EABTHEN  VESSEL,  April  1, 186& 

expelled  from  Him.  (2  Sam.  sdv.  14.^  Behold  a  ladder  with  its  foot 
on  the  earth,  where  the  edmier  is,  and  its  top  in  heaven,  where  he  wants 
to  be,  it  ia  both  long  enough  to  reacli  and  strong  enough  to  bear.  Only 
fiedth's  eye  can  see  it,  and  none  can  ascend  bj  it  to  heaven  but  sach  as 
are  willing  to  leave  the  world  at  its  foot ;  thousands  would  go  to  heaven 
if  thej  might  take  their  sins,  riches,  pleasures  with  them ;  but  all  these 
must  be  left  at  the  foot  of  the  mount  where  we  go  to  worship.  But 
what,  you  ask,  is  the  ladder?  Jesus  :  by  Him  the  distance  between  us 
and  God  is  filled  up ;  the  gulf  bridged  over;  the  curse  done  away.  In 
Jesus  God  comes  to  us,  and  we  go  to  Him ;  the  widest  extremes  meet  in 
the  glorious  Gk)d-man ;  with  the  hand  of  manhood  he  reaches  down  to  us 
in  our  low  estate ;  by  "Bin  Godhead  He  lifts  us  up  to  all  heights  of  heaven. 
But  you  are  not  to  wait  till  the  day  of  your  death  before  you  go  up. 
Look  and  you  will  see  the  angels  ascending  and  descending ;  that  is  the 
ministers  of  the  Gospel ;  they  go  up  by  faith  and  prayer,  and  hold  con- 
verse with  heaven,  and  receive  precious  messages  for  the  saints,  and  they 
come  down  and  deliver  them.  Every  sweet  which  you  suck  out  of  & 
preached  Gospel  comes  to  you  in  this  way.  By  Jesus  there  is  then  not  only 
a  way  to  heaven  as  our  final  home,  but  a  way  of  intercourse  and  com- 
munion now.  Ministers  are  not  alone  privileged  to  nse  to  God,  but  the 
faithful  of  all  ranks.  Dear  reader,  be  much,  then,  at  Bethel — ^tbe  house 
of  God  where  the  sweet  dream  was  given.  •  You  may  sometimes  have 
Jacob's  sorrows ;  but  never  mind  the  hard  pillow  if  the  Lord  give  you 
the  happy  dream ;  when  you  awake  with  lus  likeness  you  will  be  satisfied. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  IGth.— A  HEAVENLY  LIGHT. 

**  When  they  saw  the  star  they  rejoiced. — ^Mati  ii.  10. 

BoRBOW  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in  the  morning,  and  tbe 
joy  of  the  Christian  is  in  heavenly  things  that  wither  not  in  tiie  day  or 
die  in  the  night.  Through  the  darkness  of  long  disappointment  the  star 
of  hope  shines  all  the  more  brightly.  The  Magi  had  long  expected  the 
fulfilment  of  Balaam's  prophecy  that  a  star  should  come  out  of  Jacob ; 
therefore,  when  the  news  of  the  Saviour's  birth  reached  them,  and  thb 
wonderful  light  from  heaven  guided  them  to  Him,  they  rejoiced  with 
exceeding  great  joy.  And  what  did  that  star  mean  but  the  Gkispd,  for 
the  people  who  sat  in  darkness,  when  they  heard  the  truth  and  felt  its 
power,  and  tasted  its  predousness  in  leading  them  to  Christ ;  then  they 
were  enabled  to  say,  '^  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light 
unto  my  path."  Yes,  it  is  then  we  can  say,  "  The  commandment  of  the 
Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the  eyes.*' 

Now  observe  that  the  Gospel  is  a  heavenly  light ;  'tis  none  of  man's 
kindling ;  it  is  not  in  man  that  ^^keth  to  direct  his  own  steps,  much 
less  those  of  another.  "  But  the  entrance  of  thy  words  giveth  light" 
The  Gospel,  too,  is  a  peculiar  light  amongst  many  others.  There  are 
many  stars,  none  but  this  guides  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace  by 
bringing  us  to  the  holy  Saviour,  and  teaching  us  to  worship  Him.  Tkef 
wordiipped  Him — -what !  The  Babe  who  lay  on  Mary!fi  lap  in  sudi 
poverty  f  Yes,  the  star  enaUed  them  to  see  God  in  that  Babe,  and 
gave  them  ^*  the  full  aasiuance  of  understanding  to  the  aoknowled^ent 
of  the  mystery  of  God,  and  of  the  Father,  and  of  ChxLat,  in  whom  are 
HID  ALL  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge."    (CoL  ii  2,  3.)    Blessed 

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April  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EBOOBD,  115 

€k>spel ;  and  thrice  Ueased  are  they  who  have  eyes  to  see.  Every  one 
saw  not  this  star :  the  moles,  bats,  and  owls  who  have  no  eyes  of  their 
own  may  think  us  blind  in  following  the  star;  because  they  can  see 
nothing  revealed  by  the  word,  they  think  we  do  not.  Bat  we  see  in 
Jesus  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge,  though  once  they  were 
hid  to  us.  Follow,  then,  the  GospeL  But  mind  it  is  the  Qospel ;  and 
if  it  lead  you  not  to  Jesus,  and  Jesus  only^  as  the  sinner's  All,  have 
nothing  to  do  with  it. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  23bd.— TAKING  POSSESSION. 

"  There  remaineth  yet  very  much  kind  to  be  poBBessecL** — Joshua  ziiL  1. 
SoHE  people  seem  to  have  as  much  religion  as  they  want,  and  hence 
they  make  no  progress  in  the  knowledge  of  divine  things ;  they  have  got, 
we  hope,  over  Jordan  into  the  land  a£  Gospel  freedom ;  but  they  have 
not  gone  through  its  length  and  breadth,  and  descended  its  wells  and 
mines,  nor  ascended  its  hiUs.  How  sad  is  it  for  a  minister  never  to  have 
a  new  idea,  and  the  people  to  be  quite  satisfied  with  the  old  ding-dong, 
jog-trot  things  when  "  there  remaineth  yet  very  much  land  to  be  possessed." 
It  belonged  to  Israel  by  right — not  that  they  deserved  it  any  more  than 
the  Canaanites,  but  their  God  had  given  it  to  them,  and,  therefore,  it 
was  theirs — ''  a  land  of  hills  and  valleys,  fountains  and  deeps,  a  land  of 
wheat  and  barley,  and  vines,  and  fig-trees,  and  pomegranates,  oil  olive, 
uulk  and  honey."  Arise,  then,  O  Israel,  and  possess  the  land !  Let 
this  scripture  teach  us  the  vast  extent  of  our  privileges.  In  one  sense 
we  have  obtained  much,  but  there  is  more  in  prospect ;  there  is  nothing 
like  godliness ;  its  voice  ever  is,  ^'  Thou  shalt  see  greater  things."  There 
are  duties  in  Christ  we  have  not  yet  discovered ;  there  are  glories  in 
the  plan  of  salvation  we  have  not  yet  seen,  and  in  the  word  of  truth  are 
treasures  yet  undiscovered,  and  fruits  in  abundance  to  feast  the  soul ! 
Many  a  battle  has  yet  to  be  fought  and  victory  won,  and  it  may  be 
many  a  woimd  to  be  received,  but  the  future  possessions  of  the  soul  will 
more  than  compensate  for  all. 

The  subject  should  lead  us  to  a  diligent  and  prayerful  search  of  the 
Bible.  There  and  there  only  can  we  hope  to  find  our  possession.  God's 
ancient  worthies  were  "  mighty  in  the  Scriptures."  But  then  we  need 
the  Spirit's  teaching.  He  ia  the  great  Author  of  divine  revelation,  and 
He  alone  can  cause  us  to  understand  what  is  written ;  that  is,  spiritually  .- 
Header,  may  the  Holy  Ghost  make  thee  to  possess  the  land.    Amen. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  30th.— POOR  OLD  BETSEY. 
''  The  love  of  the  Spirit^BonL  xt.  80. 
A  MINISTER  once  said  to  a  poor  member  of  his  fiock,  "  I  understand  you 
do  not  approve  of  my  ministry."  "  I  do  not  profit  by  it,  sir,"  said  the  poor 
woman.  And  the  pa«tor,  to  test  her  knowledge  of  divine  things,  aeked, 
"How  many  persons  are  there  in  the  Trinity  1"  "Two,"  was  the 
reply.  "There,"  exclaimed  the  indignant  shepherd,  '^a  pretty  thing 
for  you  to  find  fault  with  my  preaching,  and  you  do  not  know 
how  many  persons  there  are  in  the  Godhead."  "There  used  to 
be  three,  sir,"  said  poor  old  Betty,  "but  since  you  have  been  with 
us  I  have  heard  so  little  about  the  third,  that  I  thought  may  be 
there  are  but  two."     Would  that  the  above  were  an  isolated  oase  I 


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116 


THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL, 


April  1,186& 


Much  may  be  said  about  spiritual  influenoe,  and  the  Spirit  of  God 
as  an  agent,  and  yet  no  dear  idea  given  of  Him  as  a  Person.  We  hear 
of  the  love  of  the  Father  and  of  Christ  the  Son,  and  ri^t  that  we 
should,  but  at  the  same  time  remember  all  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ohoat 
is  a  work  of  love,  and  He  must  be  a  person  to  be  capaUe  of  love. 
Eeader,  art  thou  a  Christian  Y  Then  thou  owest  very  much  to  "  the  love  of 
the  Spirit  r  In  love  He  quickened  thy  dead  soul,  opened  thy  blind  eyes, 
led  thee  to  the  feet  of  Jesus,  helped  thee  to  believe,  and  took  up  his  abode^ 
not  only  with  thee,  but  in  ^ne  heart.  Tes,  every  believer  is  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  How  dark,  and  dead,  and  dirty  He  found 
the  house — ^little  like  a  fit  dwelling  for  so  holy  a  Being.  0  what  love 
of  the  Spirit.  How  hateful  to  Him  is  every  sin,  and  sinful  propensity. 
Yet  he  never  leaves  those  whom  He  loves;  but  is  the  Comforter, 
Teacher,  and  Remembrancer,  guiding  them  into  all  truth,  and  bring  to 
their  mind  the  words  of  Jesus :  "  He  also  helpeth  our  infirmities,  and 
maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered." 
Beloved,  think,  then,  on  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  and  forget  not  that  of 
the  Father  and  Son,  and  may  the  blessing  of  the.  Three  One  God  be 
thine.     Amen. 


UNDER     THE     CROSS. 


Dkar  Chbibtean  Bbotreb,— The  en- 
closed Uses  were  written  at  the  cloee  of  a 
severe  conflict,  in  which  my  feet  had  well 
nigh  slipped.  I  thought  that  their  publi- 
cation in  the  Eabthen  Vessel  might, 
through  the  Spirit,  encourage  at  least  one 
of  the  many  oonscience-striclcen  ones,  who 
scan  so  eagerly  its  pages  every  month  for 
**  a  scrap^  of  comfort,"  as  I  hare  heard  them 
express  it,  and  help  them  to  realize  the  per- 
fect safety  there  is  around  them,  when,  all 
frighted  and  guilty  as  they  are,  they  crouch 
in  abject  poverty  and  shame-Mcedness 
**  Under  the  Cross.**  'Tis  not  only  at  the 
flrat  that  we  need  the  screening  blood  ;~it 
seems  to  me  that  guilt  ia  more  burdensome 
and  aggravated  after  having  been  once  for- 
given ;  nor  is  the  grief  for  the  sin  itself  at 
all  lightened  b^  the  knowledge  that  God 
has  pledged  Himself  to  forgive  us  anin. 
I  am  young,  but  it  is  so,  is  it  not?  it  is 
eight  years  since  I  first  knew  **my  election 
of  Ood,"  fnnn  the  fact,  that  the  Gospel  came 
to  me  **  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power," 
and,  from  bitter  experience,  I  aflirmed  that 
there  is  no  ans^ish  so  deep  as  that  whidi 
goes  with  the  broken  cry  for  the  fresh  ap- 
plication of  the  blood  of  our  wounded  Loid, 
knowing  that  He  will  pardon. 

M.  A. 
Strong  was  the  fearful  temptation  that  tried 

me, 
Power  from  the  strong  one  nnaaked  was 

denied  me, 
Tet  in  the  strength  of  the  promise  I  hide  me, 

Under  the  cross. 
There  shall  the  sweet  words  of  pardon  be 

spoken. 
Thero  shall  Jthe  oords  of  my  anguish  be 

tarokeDi 


I  of  heaven*s  favour  shall  get  a  fresh  token, 

Under  the  cross. 
Justice  e*en  now  for  my  doom  is  appealing, 
Hark  from  the  white  tmt>ne  the  sentence  is 

it  Strike  if  you  dare  while  the  sinner  is 
kneeling, 

Under  the  < 


Tears  of  contrition  that  sentence  is  bringing^ 
Tet  the  full  life-tide  of  joy  is  upspringing; 
Oh,  can  ye  wonder  that  now  I  am  singing, 

Under  the  cross  ? 
True  when  the  light  of  the  moirow  is 

dawning. 
Tears  may  return  and   the   foe's  subtle 

fawning, 
Tet  I  shall  ever  be  safe  as  this  morning^ 
Under  the  < 


Keep  me  from  sinning,  0  God,  I  implore 

Thee, 
Give  of  Thy  strength  to  the  weak  one 

before  Thee, 
Jesus,  my  Jesus,  I  love,  I  adore  Thee, 
Under  the  cross. 
There  would  I  be  while  the  love-light  is 

gleaming 
Out  of  Thine  eyes,  and  the  life-blood  b 

streaming 
Over  my  conscience.    Oh!  who  could  be 

diSMning 

Under  the  cross  ? 
There  would  I  be  when  earth's  comforts  are 

There,  when  the  young  heart  ioigets  all  its 

sighing. 
Keep  me,  O  holy  One!  living  or  dyings 
Under  the  orosa 

ILA-Kbabi. 


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April  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  117 

EXPOSITION    OP    KEY.  XL    19,  and  XII.   1—5. 
Bt  Mb.  James  Wells,  or  the  Subbey  Tabebnacle,  Bobouoh  Eoad. 


As  what  I  have  to  say  on  the  first  Sunday  morning  in  every  month  in 

a  way  of  explaining  the  chapter  we  read,  is  at  present  printed  in  The 

Eabthen  Vessel,  I  feel  disposed  to  continue  a  little  longer  perusing  this 

Book  of  the    Bevelation,  reading  a  portion  from  time  to  time,  hoping 

that  it  may  draw  the  attention  of  some  good  men  to  it,  that  we  may  be 

more  familiar  with  the  contents  of  this  Book. 

As  I  omitted  the  last  verse  of  the  preceding  chapter  on  the  last 

occasion,  I  will  just  notice  that  as  I  go  along.     It  reads  thus  :— 

"And  the  temple  of  God  wu  opened  in  heAven ;  and  there  was  seen  in  his  temple  the 
ark  of  his  testament ;  and  there  were  lightnings  and  voices,  and  thunderings,  and  an 
earthquake,  and  great  haiL'* 

Now  by  the  temple  here,  I  understand  the  true  Church  of  the 
blessed  God  j  that  Church  is  the  Lord's  dwelling  place  j  and  this  temple, 
the  true  Church  of  God,  had  been  closed  ;  the  Pharisees  had  closed  it ; 
they  shut  up  the  true  Church  of  God  against  men,  entered  not  in  them- 
selves, and  hindered  those  that  were  entering.  There  were  plenty  of 
ways  then,  as  there  are  now,  and  ways,  too,  very  easy,  to  get  into  the 
false  church  :  but  the  true  Church,  the  true  spiritual  character  of  the 
Old  Testament  Church  was  closed.  John  saw  that  the  Saviour,  that  the 
New  Testament  dispensation,  would  open  this  temple  again ;  and  so  John 
the  Baptist  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  they  opened  the  true  Church  of 
God.  Hence  John  the  Baptist  said,  "Think  not  to  say  within  your- 
selves, We  have  Abraham  to  our  father,"  and  so  on.  So,  as  you  are 
aware,  he  goes  on  in  that  chapter  laying  the  axe  of  truth  at  the  root 
of  every  false  confidence,  and  showing  that  the  temple  of  the  Lord  is  a 
spiritual  temple.  So  that  here  John  saw  the  temple,  that  is  the  true 
Church,  that  had  been  closed —  opened.  .  And  he  says  : 
'^  And  there  was  seen  in  his  temple  the  ark  of  his  testament," 

This  ark  is  a  symbol  of  the  covenant  of  God,  and  must  be  under- 
stood here  not  in  the  Jewish  but  in  the  Christian  sense,  and  then  it  will 
mean  the  everlasting  covenant.  And  that  Church  that  hath  not  in  it 
God  in  covenant,  that  Church  that  hath  not  in  it  the  new  covenant, 
that  Church  is  not  the  Church  of  God ;  for  the  true  temple  of  God  was 
thus  marked  by  having  in  it  this  everlasting  covenant.  And  this  in- 
cludes a  great  deal  more  than  at  first  sight  appears.  To  have  the  ark  of 
the  covenant,  was  to  have  the  mercy-seat;  and  so  to  have  the  new  cove- 
nant, is  to  have  the  mercy  of  God.  To  have  the  ark  of  the  covenant, 
was  to  have  the  high  priest ;  so,  to  have  the  new  covenant  is  to  have 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Mediator  of  that  covenant.  To  have  the  ark  of  the 
covenant  was  to  have  the  sacrificial  service ;  so,  to  have  the  new  cove- 
nant is  to  have  the  sacrificial,  the  substitutional  woric  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  To  have  the  ark  was  to  have  the  pot  of  manna;  so,  to  have 
the  new  covenant  is  to  have  bread  of  everlasting  life.  To  have  the  ark  of  the 
covenant  was  to  have  Aaron's  rod  that  budd^ ;  so,  to  have  the  new  oove- 


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118  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Aptfl  1, 186& 

nant,  is  to'have  the  priestly  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  And  to  have 
the  ark  of  the  covenanty  was  to  have  the  tables  of  the  law  reatixig  in  perfect 
quietude  in  that  ark ;  and  so,  to  have  the  new  covenant,  in  to  have  Jesos 
Christ  the  end  of  the  law,  the  law  for  ever  silenced  as  to  its  haying  any 
penalties  against  the  people  of  God.  Thus,  then,  this  true  temple  of 
God  is  distinguished  by  what  it  contains.  And  if  you  bring  this  home 
to  individual  experience,  it  will  still  stand  good  ;  that  every  Christian 
is  led  into  the  new  covenant,  that  eveiy  Christian  is  led  into  the  priest- 
hood of  Christ,  that  every  one  taught  of  God  ia  led  into  that  eternal 
mercy  that  is  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Chnst. 
And  then  it  is  said, 

^*  And  there  were  lightningB." 
This  seems  to  some  very  mysterious;  but  the  Old  Testament, 
together  with  other  parts  of  the  New  Testament,  will  explain  the  mean- 
ing. What  is  the  meaning  of  that  Scripture  in  the  ninth  of  Zeekariah, 
"  That  his  arrow  shall  go  forth  as  the  lightning  %  "  What  is  the  arrow 
there  but  his  truth,  that  goes  forth  as  the  lightning,  that  convinces  one 
sinner  and  another  sinner  of  his  condition  as  a  sinner?  These  are  tiie 
lightnings  that  proceed  from  the  ark  of  the  covenant. 

"  And  there  were  voices" 
in  this  temple.  What  voices  ?  The  voices  of  the  Prophets  had  been 
silenced,  and  the  voices  of  himian  tradition  had  been  put  in  their  place. 
So  the  Apostle  Paul,  in  the  thirteenth  of  the  Acts,  saith,  "  They  knew 
not  the  voices  of  the  Prophets,"  and  '^  they  fulfilled  them  in  condemning 
him,**  that  is,  the  Saviour.  In  the  true  Church  of  God  there  are  heard 
the  voices  of  the  Prophets — not  the  voices  of  uninspired  men — ^but  the 
voices  of  the  Prophets,  from  the  first  to  the  last,  and  the  voices  of  the 
Apostles  as  well.     But  then  there  were 

"  Thunderings." 
Certainly.  Does  not  the  Lord  say  of  his  ministers  that  they  are  to  be 
sons  of  thunder  ^  And  does  not  the  minister  sometimes  so  speak  as  to 
bring  a  dreadful  sound  into  the  soul,  and  conscience,  and  heart  of  the  sin- 
ner, and  that  his  testimony  is  like  thunder ;  the  man  is  awakened,  he 
feels  that  in  God's  eternal  truth  there  is  a  tremendous  power,  a  majesty^ 
and  an  awfulness. 

*^And  an  earthquake." 

Well,  what  of  that  ?  An  earthquake,  figuratively,  means  a  revolu- 
tion :  and  what  greater  revolution  can  any  man  under  the  heavens 
undergo  than  that  of  transition  from  death  to  life  ?  When  a  sinner  ia 
convinced  of  his  state,  and  God  is  about  to  sweep  all  his  false  confidence 
away,  first  his  soul  undergoes  a  revolution  like  an  earthquake.  An 
earthquake  is  alarming :  and  so  the  sinner,  when  his  false  hopes  are 
swallowed  up,  and  he  fears  he  shall  be  swallowed  up,  there  is  something 
alarming.  So  saith  one  of  old,  "  Let  not  the  pit  shut  her  mouth  upon 
me."  I  can  see  nothing  so  difficult  in  these  Scriptures  mysell  But 
here  is 

'^Agreathaai" 
Certainly.      If  you  are  brought  into  the  true  temple,  farooght  i» 
receive  the  everlasting  covenant^  and  know  something  of  real  conviction^ 
something  of  the  majesty  of  truth,  something  of  the  voices  of  the  Pro- 
phets, then  there  will  come  the  great  hail.     What  ia  the  great  hailt 


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April  1, 186*.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BECOBD.  119 

Bometimes  the  hail  in  this  Book  meaiiB  the  judgments  of  God  ;  but  here 

I  apprehend  the  hail  to  mean  the  tribulations  of  the  people  of  God ; 

great  hail — ^great   tribulation.        Bo  you  read  in  the  seventh  chapter, 

"  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation."     It  is  true  we 

know  comparatively  little  of  this ;  but  had  you  have  lived  in  the  time 

of  Pagan  Rome,  or  in  the  time  of  Papal  domination,  you  would  not 

)iave  been  at  a  loss  to  know  what  is  meant  by  this  great  hail.       You 

would  have  known  then  what  this  storm  meant  j  you  would  have  known 

then  what  these  tribulations  meant ;    and  when  your  soul  arrived  at 

heaven,   you  would  well  have  known  what  is  meant  when  it  is  said, 

''  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation."      That  is  the 

way  I  take  that  verse. 

We  now  come  to  the  twelfth  chapter. 

**  And  there  appeared  a  great  wonder  in  heaven :  a  woman  olothed  with  the  sus,  and 
the  moon  under  her  feet,  and  upon  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars." 

The  heaven  here  spoken  of,  in  which  the  woman  appeared,  can  be, 
I  think,  nothing  else  but  the  Christian  dispensation,  called  the  kingdom 
of  heaven.  Some  have  supposed  it  means  heaven — the  heaven  of  gloiy  ; 
but  if  it  mean  the  heaven  of  glory,  then  how  does  that  accord  with  the 
same  woman  a  little  farther  on  in  this  chapter,  being  found  in  the  wilder- 
ness 1  If,  therefore,  we  take  the  heaven  to  mean  the  Gospel  dispensa- 
tion, then  the  two  will  stand  together  j  as  it  is  perfectly  dear  that  these 
two  things  must  be  understood  spiritually. 

Then  where  does  the  great  hail,  spoken  of  in  the  last  chapter,  drive 
the  woman  to  1  This  great  hail,  you  observe,  is  connected  with  the 
temple  of  God,  with  the  Church  of  God,  with  the  people  of  God ;  and 
where  would  you  expect  to  find  the  Church  after  this?  Why, 
says  the  devil,  I  hope  in  hell,  or  on  her  way  to  it ;  I  hope  I  shall  find 
her  turning  her  back  upon  what  she  has  professed.  So  far  from  this, 
the  storm  drove  her  just  where  she  likes  to  be.  The  very  next  thing  we 
hear  is,  she  is  clothed  with  the  sun,  walking  in  the  moonlight  of  the 
Gospel,  crowned  with  twelve  stars.  That  is  where  our  tribulation  will 
drive  us  to.  Those  storms  of  hail,  those  tribulations  that  blast  your 
gourds,  take  away  your  earthly  hopes,  and  earthly  props,  and  earthly 
sympathies,  and  earthly  comforts,  what  do  they  do  ?  Why  they  make 
you  feel  that  there  is  nothing,  after  all,  that  can  really  stand  by  you  but 
vital  godliness,  and  you  will  have  to  say — 

"  Blest  be  the  storm  that  drives  me'nearer  home." 

Happy  for  us,  let  our  troubles  be  what  they  may,  if  the  Lord  so 
overrule  them  that  they  have  this  efieot — to  drive  us  into  the  sunlight 
of  God's  presence,  into  the  moonlight  of  the  Gospel  aud  into  the 
star-light  of  prophetic  testimony ;  there  shall  we  rejoice,  and  bless  the 
Lord  that  He  would  not  suffer  us  to  settle  down  in  that  which  was  delu- 
sive, but  brought  us  thus  into  the  light  of  His  presence. 

*^  And  she,  being  with  child,  cried,  tiavaiUng  in  birth,  and  pained  to  be  delivered," 
which,  of  course  must  be  understood  spiritually.  Would  you  not  under- 
stand the  Apostle  spiritually,  when  in  the  fourth  chapter  of  Galatians 
he  says,  '^  My  little  chilcben,  of  whom  I  travail  in  birth  again,  until 
Christ  be  formed  in  you,"  a  figure  of  speech  to  denote  the  earnestness  of 
the  Churdi  in  bringing  forUi  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  ?  What  is  our 
labour  from  time  to  time,  but  to  bring  forth  Christ  Jesus?    That  is  my 


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120  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  April  1, 1865. 

object  to-dajy  and  it  is  your  object  to-day — ^to  see  Christ  Jesus,  and  to 
enjoy  His  presence,  and  to  know  that  you  are  His. 

**  And  there  appeared  another  wonder  in  heaven," 
in  this  dispensation; 

**  And,  behold,  a  great  red  dragon,** 
the  embodiment  of  persecuting  power — Satan  in  reality  !  But  then  it 
appeared  first  in  a  Jewish  form.  What  was  the  Jewish  nation  to  Christ 
and  the  Apostles  ?  A  great  red  dragon !  What  was  Rome-Pagan  to 
the  early  Christians  ?  A  great  red  dragon !  What  was  Rome-Papal  f  A 
great  red  dragoni  And  what  would  Rome  be  NOW  if  it  could?  The  same! 
Do  you  not  read,  "  The  beast  that  was,  is  not — ^yet  is  1"  So  this  great 
persecuting  power  that  was — and  yet  is  not — that  is,  not  now  in  its 
zenith,  it  is  not  now  in  power ;  yet  is,  that  is,  it  still  exists  in  spirit. 
I  think  that  is  clear  enough. 

"  Having  seven  heads  and  ten  home,  and  seven  crowns  upon  his  heads.** 

Which  they  tell  us  mean  the  seven  hills  of  Rome.  They  might  as 
well  tell  us  it  means  seven  islands  in  the  Pacific  Ocean.  You  must  not 
limit  such  language  to  any  place  whatever ;  it  must  be  all  understood 
mystically.  The  seven  mountains,  therefore,  mean  the  several  kingdoms 
which  are  obedient  to  Satan  ;  and  the  several  horns,  mean  that  variety 
of  power  by  which  he  carries  on  his  work ;  it  matters  not  where 
they  are,  at  Rome  or  elsewhere.  Hence,  when  men  tie  these 
Scriptures  down  to  one  locality,  they  thereby  spoil  the  meaning. 

*^  And  his  tail  drew  the  third  part  of  the  stars  of  heaven,  snd  did  cast  them  to  the 
earth ;  and  the  dragon  stood  before  the  woman  which  was  ready  to  be  delivered,  for  to 
devour  her  child  as  soon  as  it  was  bom.** 

Now  here  is  a  clauf«e  which  I  confess,  to  my  mind,  is  a  little  diffi- 
cult, namely,  that  "  his  tail  drew  the  third  part  of  the  stars  of  heaven." 
The  difficulty  in  my  mind  is  this :  the  tail  of  course  means  the  followers 
of  the  dragon.  Whether  the  tail,  or  these  followers,  drawing  the  third 
part  of  the  stars  of  heaven,  whether  this  means  that  they  prevailed  upon 
some  professors  to  apostatize,  whether  this  be  the  meaning  I  am  not  sure; 
but  I  am  rather  inclined  to  think  that  the  meaning  is  that  the  followers, 
the  tail,  that  they  persecuted  the  people  of  God ;  that  they  cast  them 
down  and  put  them  to  death.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  this  is  the 
meaning  here ;  and  if  this  be  the  meaning,  then  it  has  been  fulfilled, 
and  I  hope  and  trust  that  it  never  has  to  be  repeated ;  I  hope  and  trust 
not,  but  that^  of  course,  I  must  leave. 

*^  And  she  brought  forth  a  man  child,  who  was  to  rule  all  nations  with  a  rod  of  iron ; 
and  her  child  was  caught  up  to  €K>d,  and  to  his  throne.** 

This  must  be  understood  mystically.     Suppose  you  understand  it 

literally ;  well,  was  Jesus  Christ  caught  up  as  soon  as  he  was  bom  ?   He 

was  not.     And  if  you  understand  it  in  relation  to  some  future  event,  is 

there  another  Jesus  Christ  to  be  bom  at  some  future  age,  and  He  is  to 

be  caught  up  as  here  described  ?      What  would  that  get  us  into  %      But 

take  it  spiritually,  figuratively,  that  the  Lord  took  care  of  the  Gospel; 

that  when  Christ  was  brought  forward  €k>d  Himself  took  such  care  of 

that  Gospel,  which  is  the  embodiment  of  Christ,  which  is  the  revelation 

of  Christ,  as  though  it  was  caught  up  to  heaven.     Why,  the  storms 

which  the  Bible  has  undeigone,  is  it  not  a  wonderful  thmg  after  1800 

years  that  we  should  have  the  Bible  with  us  in  its  perbctiony  that  we 


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April  1, 186&  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  121 

should  have  the  l^ble  with  os  in  its  completeness  f  It  is  a  wonderful 
thing ;  it  is  as  though  the  very  Gospel  had  been  cau^t  up  to  heaven. 
It  just  shews  the  care  that  the  Lord  will  take  of  His  truth,  of  His 
people,  aad  of  all  that  pertains  to  the  honour  of  His  name. 


LETTER  TO  MR.  JAMES  WELLS,  ON  HIS  EXPOSITIONS 
OF  THE  REVELATION. 

Mr.  Jakes  Wells  has  lately  presented  in  your  pages  a  series  of  exposi- 
tions  of  portioDH  of  the  Apocalypse,  or  Revelation.  It  is  indeed  a  book 
worthy  of  being  studied,  and  one  that  may  as  easily  be  understood  as 
the  Psalms  or  the  Gospels.  But  all  depends  on  whether  we  enter 
upon  its  explanation  with  right  principles  in  our  minds.  Mr.  W. 
says  very  truly,  that  foes,  and  false  doctrines,  and  afflictions,  can  smite 
God's  people  only  so  &r  as  permitted  j  and  that  it  is  well  in  trouble  to 
leave  one's  self  in  the  Lord's  hands.  But,  I  ask,  are  these  the  truths 
designed  to  be  taught  to  Christians  in  the  seven  trumpets  ?  Should 
not  Mr.  W.  give  proofs  from  Scripture  ? 

With  your  permission,  I  thmk  to  make  some  remarks  on  his  ex- 
position ;  and  I  hope  he  will  take  them  kindly,  as  my  desire  is  to  ''  speak 
the  truth  in  love." 

I. — His  general  idea  of  the  trumpets  is  contained  in  these  words. 
^  The  learned  tell  us,  that  one  trumpet  belongs  to  one  age,  and  another 
to  another  age ;  while  they  all  heUmg  to  all  ages,  and  are,  like  all  other 
parts  of  Scripture,  to  be  understood  in  their  proper  and  practical  sense." 
Now  this  assertion  needs  proof.  Does  it  not  run  counter  to  many  state- 
ments of  this  book?  "  The  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ  which  God  gave 
unto  Him,  to  show  unto  His  servants  things  which  must  shortly  come  to 
pass,"  Not  which  have  already  come  to  pass.  ''  The  time  is  at  harvdP 
Not,  this  refers  alike  to  past  ages,  to  present  times,  and  to  the  future. 

It  seems  to  me  a  mistake  to  suppose,  that  any  part  of  '^  the  ^prophecy 
of  this  book,"  xxiL  10,  has  yet  come  to  pass ;  and  I  wiQ  proceed  to  state 
my  proofs. 

Jesus,  in  giving  John  coi^mission  to  write  this  book,  divides  it  into 
three  parts.  '^  Write  the  things  which  thou  hast  seen ;" — the  vision  of 
the  Son  of  Man  amidst  the  seven  golden  candJesticks ; — ''And  the 
things  which  are." — the  seven  churches,  with  the  Saviour's  message  to 
them — "And  the  things  which  shall  be  after  these  things"  So  it  would 
be,  if  more  exactly  translated. 

Now  is  God  recognizing  the  churches  still?  I  suppose  all  will  say, 
Yes !  Then  we  have  never  yet  got  beyond  the  second  of  the  three 
divisions — "  The  things  which  areJ*  The  prophetic  part  of  the  book, 
which  begins  with  chapter  four,  cannot  commence  till  the  churches  are 
no  longer  owned  before  God ;  till  all  of  the  candlesticks  are  removed, 
and  Hke  priest  has  departed  out  of  the  sanctuary. 

This  change  of  scene  occurs  in  chapter  iv.  1.  A  voice  bids  John 
mount  up  £n>m  eardi,  and  he  should  see  "  things  which  must  be  cifter 
thise  things"  Before  he  stood  in  the  holy  place ;  now  a  door  opens, 
and  he  is  admitted  into  the  holiest  of  alL    Aa  he  enters,  a  throne  is 


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122  TEE  BARTHEN  VSaSEL,  A{d  1,  1865. 

bdng  set :  'tis  not  the  throne  of  grace ;  'tia  like  Mount  Sinai,  the  place 
of  judgment  and  terror ;  for  out  of  it  proceed  lightnings,  thunders,  voices. 
Ours  is  the  throne  of  grace;  (Heb.  iv.  16)  but  £n>m  this  fJirone  judg- 
ments and  plagues  go  forth,  one  after  another: 

During  the  time  of  the  churches,  the  saints  of  Grod  were  troubled 
and  slain;  but  no  word  of  wrath  against  the  persecution  is  uttered; 
only  the  saints  are  encouraged  bj  hopes  in  resurrection  (iL  10.  13). 
After  chapter  four,  'w^th  openly  comes  upon  the  saints'  murderers,  (xL 
7,  1 3 ;  xvi.  4,  7).  The  pUoe  and  the  appearance  of  our  Lord  Jesas  alter. 
He  is  no  longer  seen  as  the  Priest  amidst  the  lamps;  but  he  goes  forth 
as  the  messenger  of  the  throne,  and  at  length  appears  as  King  of  Idngs^ 
sla/ying  his  ervemieSj  (xix.  11,  21).  When  he  op^ia  the  seals,  difierent 
strokes  of  justice  are  dealt  on  the  world ;  peace  is  taken  away  from 
earth,  and  men  slay  one  another ;  finmine,  pestilence,  and  wild  beasts^ 
desolate  the  earth,  (vi.  8).  Then,  from  souls  under  the  altar  goes  up  a 
call  for  justice  against  men ;  and  the  petitioners  are  told,  that  after  a 
little  patience,  during  which  men  will  day  others  of  their  brethren,  the 
justice  they  demand  will  be  executed.  Does  that  look  like  Crospel  times! 
Is  not  this  the  day  of  mercy,  in  which  €k>d  is  not  recompensing  the 
world  after  its  deserts,  but,  is  "  not  imputing  to  m^i  their  trespasses  f* 
(2  Cor.  V.  18,  20 ;  v.  1,  2.)  Are  not  Christians  to  pray  for  meit^  to 
their  foes,  not  to  ask  justice  upon  them?  (Matt.  v.  44.) 

At  the  sixth  seal  the  whole  earth  is  shiEtken,  and  all,  frt>m  kings  down 
to  the  meanest  slave,  are  struck  with  terror,  for  they  belieye  that  the  great 
day  of  wrath  is  upon  them.  Why  should  not  the  earthquake  be  literal  T 
"There  shall  be  earthquakes  in  divers  places,"  (Matt.  xxiv.  7.)  If 
words  are  to  be  taken  in  their  "  proper  "  sense,  as  often  as  we  can  with- 
out absurdity,  should  we  not  do  so  here  ?  During  the  pause  induced  by 
this  earthquake,  12,000  of  every  tribe  of  the  Jews  are  sealed.  Has  that 
taken  place  yet?  Are  there  144,000  converted  Jews  of  every  tribe  on 
earth  now? 

When  the  seventh  seal  is  opened,  there  is  silence  in  heaven  for 
about  half-an-hour.  Brother  Wells  interprets  that  of  a  mystic  half- 
hour's  silence  experienced  by  every  awakened  sinner,  ere  he  receives 
pardon.  The  heaven  is  not  heaven ;  it  is  "the  Gospel  dispensation.*'  Is 
then  the  Gospel  dispensation  put  to  silence,  every  time  a  sinner  is  con- 
founded by  a  sense  of  his  sins  ?  Does  the  Gospel  not  speak,  because  one 
sinner  is  mute?  Is  the  heaven  silent,  because  one  on  earth  is  so!  Is 
the  seventh  seal  opened  eveiy  time  a  sinner  is  aroused  ?  Is  the  sinner  in 
heaven  before  he  is  pardoned? 

Mr.  W.  applies  it,  secondly,  to  God's  people  in  trouble;  they  are  pot 
to  sUence  awhile,  and  then  follow  deliverance  and  joy.  But  methinks 
God's  people,  in  trial,  call  upon  God — as  did  our  Lord  in  Gethsemane — 
more  earnestly.  And  where  do  we  read  of  deliverance  and  joy  as  Idie 
results  of  this  opened  seal?    Do  not  the  plagues  of  the  trumpets  follow  f 

Brother  Wells  applies  the  passage  yet  further  in  thrde  ways.  ^Toa 
have  personal  foes ;  you  are  put  to  sOence  before  them ;  but,  mark,  they 
can  go  only  so  far  as  permitted,  and  then  God  breaks  their  planfi,  and 
pours  out  judgments  on  them." 

If  I  have  stated  ari^  the  principle  of  the  Gospel,  and  of  thn  hookf 
we  ought  not  to  be  looking  for  God's  judgments  on  our  eofliiiieB,  but 
praying  for  good  to  them: 


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April  1,  1860^  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  123 

n. — ^What  measa  the  second  trumpet)  Oar  brother  refers  us  to 
G  od's  past  wrath  on  Babylon.  The  Lord  foretells  by  Jeremiah,  that  Baby- 
lon shall  become  a  burnt  mountain*  Brother  W.  then  interprets  the  "burn- 
ing'' mountain  here  of  the  Persians  under  Cyrus  hurled  on  Babylon, 
which  is  represented  as  a  sea*  But  the  burning  mountain  of  Persia 
cast  into  the  sea,  does  not  make  Babylon  a  burnt  mountain.  The  effect 
of  this  plague  is  to  turn  a  thii*d  of  the  sea  into  blood.  But  are  we  to 
suppose  this  prophecy  written  so  many  ages  after  Cyrus,  to  refer  to  his 
desolation  of  Babylon  ?  That  Cyrus  came  with  delireranoe  for  Israel.  Are 
the  Jews  supposed  to  be  delivered  by  this  trump?  If  so,  where  is  it 
stated?  There  is  Afuiwre  desolation  of  Babylon  described  in  this  book, 
and  the  Exodus  of  the  day  to  come  is  to  be  fulfilled  to  the  Jew  in  the 
kingdom  of  God.     Rev.  xviL  xviii;  Luke  xjdi.  15,  16. 

Ill, — ^In  the  third  trump,  brother  Wells  expounds  the  star  to  signify 
a  ruler  of  Babylon,  who  smites  it  and  weakens  its  power. .  "  Let  us  not  fear, 
however  I  G<)d  will  direct  the  burning  star,  not  on  us,  but  on  our 
enemies.  The  Uttemess  of  the  waters  is  oppression  from  some  despotic 
ruler."  Are  Qod'a  people  then  never  to  be  oppressed  by  kings?  Will 
God  always  deliver  them  from  prison  and  from  death  ?  Does  not  the 
Lord  teach  the  very  contrary  ?  If  we  would  be  His  disciples,  must  we 
not  bid  adieu,  if  need  be,  to  life  itself?  Does  ^ot  Jesus  say,  that  the 
world  would  put  his  people  to  death,  because  they  knew  neither  His 
Father  nor  Himself?  Does  He  not  foretell  that  they  should  be  delivered 
up  to  kings,  and  put  to  death  ?     (Matt.  x.  24.) 

rV, — ^The  fourth  trump  he  thus  interprets — "  The  sun,  moon,  and 
stars  are  the  governors  of  Babylon,  who  seek  to  injure  God's  people ;  but, 
lofty  though  they  be  as  the  stars,  Gtod  can  smite  them.''  He  speaks  of 
the  sun  as  scorchmg  and  trying  to  injure.  Is  that  its  character  ?  Does 
not  Jesus  describe  its  effects  as  full  of  blessing,  and  a  pattern  of  benefi- 
cence to  us  ?  God  ^*  maketh  ffis  sim  to  rise  on  the  evO  and  the  good.'* 
Mr.  W.  observes,  that  the  Gospel  moon  is  to  shine  for  ever.  Is  it  so  ?  Is 
not  this  day  of  grace  to  end  ?  Does  not  this  very  book  of  Bevelation 
tell  us  of  a  time,  when  an  angel  shall  cry  ^.The  hour  of  His  judgmeni 
is  come  1"  No  longer  grace— but  "  Pour  out  the  viola  of  th$  wrtxth  qf 
God  on  the  earth  r 

An  announcement  follows  on  the  fourth  trumpet,  that  especial  woe 
is  destined  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  from  the  infiictions  of  the 
three  succeeding  trumpets. 

Qf  these,  Mr.  W.  says,  that  two  out  of  the  three  are  judicial ;  the 
third  is  of  the  €U)spel.  Is  it  so?  Are  not  all  judicial,  or  none  ?  Da 
they  not  all  proceed  from  the  throne  of  ^'«<^pm«n^f  ^s.  ix.  7,  8,)  Are 
thej  not  strokes  of  wrath  still  advancing  in  awfulness,  in  extent  of 
sweeps  and  in  destruction?  How  are  they  introduced  ?  At  the  sixth 
seal,  a  pause  of  terror  comes  over  the  world.  Will  men  repent  at  that 
terrible  earthquake-summons ?  God  stays  His  hand  awhile;  but  then 
offences  return — ^men  b^in  again  to  trouble  His  saints.  And  their 
prayers  ascend — after  the  Church  of  Christ  is  removed,  and  the  dis- 
pensatian  of  justice  is  commenced — for  torcUh  on  their  /oes.  Their 
petitions  areofthediaraoterfoimd  in  Psalm Ixix.  24;  Ixxix.  6.  Wrath 
from  God  therefore  must  move  on  still.  The  trumpets  of  the  war  of 
heaven  against  the  earth  are  put  into  the  trumpeters'  hands,  to  sound 
against  the  gui%.  The  angd  at  the  altar  presents  the  saints' prayers;  they 


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124 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


April  1,186& 


are  accepted  by  Qod.  The  angel  casts  fire  into  the  earih,  and  the  sights  and 
sounds  of  Cknl's  wrath  follow.  That  is  not  mercy,  or  the  day  of  grace. 
'Tis  a  day  like  that  of  £^;ypt,  when  Moses  sammoned  Pharaoh  to  let 
Israel  go.  But  he  would  not  hearken,  and  laid  fresh  trouble  on  God*s 
people.  Then  began  the  plagues ;  which  tarried  not  till  he  and  his  hosts, 
were  overthrown  in  the  depths  of  the  Bed  Sea. 

Is  the  last  trump  the  Gospel  trump  9  Is  it  not  the  trump  of  returree  - 
tionf  (1  Cor.  xv.  52.)  What  says  the  Scripture  about  iti  "The 
nations  were  angiy,  and  Thy  torcUh  came,  and  the  time  of  the  dead  that 
they  should  be  judged,  and  that  thou  shouldst  give  reward  unto  thy  ser- 
vants, the  prophets,  and  to  the  saints,  and  to  them  that  fear  thy  name, 
small  and  great,  and  shouldst  destroy  them  which  destroy  the  earth." 
(xi.  18.)  This  is  not  Gospel  grace,  but  destructive  judgment  on  the 
wicked,  and  joyous  recompense  to  the  saved  in  the  kingdom  of  God  (15). 

Ought  we  not  to  be  careful  not  to  confound  together  things  so  ^ 
apart  as  "  the  ncceptahU  year  "  of  Gkwpel  merqy,  and  "  the  day  of  ven- 
yeance  of  our  God }"  the  "  great  and  vert  tebrible  day  of  the  Lord  1** 
Joel  ii.  11. 


LETTERS    FROM    THE    HEART. 


TO  MB.   S.   BOWLIS. 

Ht  Dsab  Sib, — ^As  jou  were  so  kind 
as  to  eiye  me  leave  to  write  a  few  lines  to 
you  when  I  felt  disposed,  I  will  tiy  to  do 
80  this  eyening,  although  I  feel  far  from 
able  to  express  to  you  what  I  should  like. 
I  had  a  line  from  Jewin  this  momine,  in- 
jbrming  me  of  your  yisit  there.     I  nope 

indeed  that  your  yisit  to  Mr.  F ma^ 

be  attended  with  good.  If  the  Lord  is 
pleased  to  seal  home  pardon  to  hia  soul, 
what  a  monument  of  mercy  he  will  be ; 
and  surely  there  is  hope  while  the  foun- 
tain is  open  for  sin  and  for  uncleannesa. 
As  soon  as  I  heard  the  desponding  state 
he  was  in,  I  felt  a  belief  ^t  it  was  the 
Spirit's  work.  I  daresay,  dear  sir,  you 
litile  thought  when  you  were  with  me 
here,  what  was  going  on  within  me.  But 
it  generally  happens  with  me,  that  when 
in  the  company  of  the  Lord's  people,  I 
feel  afraid  to  speak  until  I  get  warmed 
with  their  oonyersation,  then  I  find  it 
good  to  join  in.  I  trust  that  my  con- 
science is  so  tender  that  I  dare  not  say 
ou^ht  of  what  I  have  not  seen  and  felt ; 
neither  have  I  eyer  written  what  I  haye 
not  experienced,  and  I  have  felt  it  sweet 
at  times  to  testify  of  what  I  have  tasted 
and  felt  in  my  poor  souL  This  I  can 
say,  that  the  one  half  has  not  been 
told  of  the  yariouB  changes,  oonflicta, 
joys,  and  sorrows  that  haye  passed  within 
me  of  late.  Some  time  ago  I  heard  you 
so  well,  from  the  words,  '*  The  steps  of 
a  good  man  are  ordered  of  the  Lord," 


&e.,  that  I  said  to  seyeial,  "  I  feel  8a£^'* 
and  for  the  space  of  three  weeks,  if  I  am 
not  greatly  decayed,  I  enjoyed  the  Lord'a 
presence  in  my  soul,  feeling  then  as  I 
neyer  did  before,  or  haye  since,  and  hav- 
ing been  confirmed  in  those  feelings  from 
the  written  testimonies  of  many  dear 
saints,  I  fell  off  from  seeking  so  ear- 
nestly as  I  did  before  this,  that  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ  might 
be  applied,  until  in  compan^r  and  oonyer- 
sation with   Mr.   F ,    in   retnmixig 

home  from  hearing  you  at  Hertford,  in 
comparing  spiritual  things  with  spirxtual, 
I  was  again  stirred  up  to  pray  for  a  per- 
sonal application.  And.  that  very  night, 
if  eyar  I  put  up  a  czy  in  nnr  life,  it  wa» 
then,  that  I  mig^t  not  be  aeceiyed,  that 
if  wrong  the  Lord  would  put  me  ri^t» 
teach  me  and  lead  me  in  the  only  right 
way.  I  was  led  in  secret  that  night  U> 
ses^rch  deeply  my  state  and  standing,  and 
though  I  haye  the  eyidences  that  satisfy' 
others,  I  myself  am  not  satisfied.  Again 
and  again  in  hearinff  the  preached  word 
at  Eb^eser,  I  hayebeen  melted  down  in 
soul,  and  made  to  praise  the  dear  Re- 
deemer for  His  loyinff  kindness  to  such  a 
worm.  And  though  thus  often  and  highly 
fayored,  I  am  come  to  the  place  that 
nothing  less  than  pardon  applied  in  terms 
that  cannot  be  mistaken  will  do  for  me. 
Mingled  with  this  I  haye  asked  the  Lord 
to  lead  me  deeper  and  deeper  into  tha 
knowledge  of  my  real  state,  and  sttrely 
the  petition  has  been  aunrsred;  for  what 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


125 


has  been  shewn  me  of  my  deoeitfiil 
Ireart)  iluste,  pride,  and  yile  coiraptions 
boiling  up  within,  is  indeed  bejond  ex- 
preedon.  O,  the  criei  from  morning  to 
ni^ht,  that  the  power  of  in-dw^ing  gin 
mi^ht  be  destroyed,  a  ciremnspect  walk 
maintained,  oommnnion  with  God  en- 
joyed, and  that  I  might  be  kept  from  eril, 
that  it  mi^t  not  grieve  me.  For  when, 
by  some  shp  of  the  tongue,  I  have  spoken 
mmiss,  or  haye  been  dnwn  aside,  I  have 
felt  the  sting  within,  and  fresh  guilt  upon 
the  oonaeience,  whidi  makes  me  banc  the 
head,  become  soRowful  in  spirit,  ana  b^ 
aoain  to  be  washed  clean,  and  kept  by 
His  almighty  power  from  sinning  against 
Him,  for  the  more  I  stroye  M^inst  its 
power,  I  sinned  and  stumbled  yet  the 
more.  But  amidst  it  all  I  am  kept  call- 
ing upon  Him  in  real  earnest^  and  can 
find  rest  and  refuge  nowhere  else.  I  find 
both  in  the  written  and  in  the  preached 
word  eyeiT  enoonragement,  still  I  want 
the  Lord  himself  to  say  unto  my  soul, 
"  I  am  thy  salvation."  The  way,  sir, 
is  full  of  briars  and  thorns,  tribulation 
and  soul  mourning,  a  little  Ug^t,  then 
great  darkness, — 

"My  hopes  and  fean  alternate  riae, 
And  comforts  mingle  with  my  aigba." 
It  is  a  narrow  way  indeed,  and  the  fur- 
ther I  am  led,  the  narrower  it  appears. 
Yet  in  looking  back,  I  am  conyincea  that 
it  is  theziffht  way ;  in  evecy  trial  the  Lord 
has  been  better  to  me  than  all  my  fears. 
O,  how  Spreat  is  His  goodness,  and  how 
great  is  Hia  beauty,  in  my  soul's  esteem. 
If  oyer  wretch  was  heU-deserring,  I  am ; 
if  ever  any  little  deserved  blessing  I 
less;  yet  I  feel  at  times  filled  with 
gratitude  for  the  numberless  blessings 
and  benefits  bestowed  upon  me.  To  say 
more  perhaps  will  tire  you,  so  I  wm 
hasten  to  conclude  these  remarks.  What 
I  have  said  is  truth,  not  floating  in  the 
head,  but  daily  experienced  in  the  soul, 
and  that  but  a  smiul  portion.  One  taste 
of  the  Sayiour*s  love,  one  smile  from  His 
face,  one  word  coming  home  with  sweet 
and  sacred  power,  w3l  make  us  for  a 
while  foiget  all  the  trials  of  the  way. 
And  if  this  way  leads  us  to  that  **Ci^  of 
Habitation,'*  where  sin  and  sorrow  can 
never  enter,  where  we  shall  see  Him 
whom  our  souls  love,  face  to  face,  O  what 
a  ftiU  and  glorious  recompence  for  all  the 
tossing  to  and  fro  in  this  vale  of  tears! 
O  that  alter  a  few  more  days,  or  months, 
or  years,  we  ma^  with  many  more,  who 
are  now  walking  in  darkness  and  sorrow, 
arrive  safe  to  heaven's  eternal  home, 

*<T]MD  loudeatof  theerowd  111  sing, 
while  heaven*a  vBKHinding  manaioaa  ring: 
^ith  shouts  of  soreieign  cnwe." 

What  baa  been  said  amiss,  pleaae  im- 


pute to  my  weakness  and  deficienirr.  My 
desire  in  writing,  is  that  if  you  and  others 
can  discern  in  me  the  Lord's  work,  it  may 
not  be  hid,  but  spoken  of  to  His  glory. 
Humbly  begging  that  when  you  have  li- 
berty at  the  throne  of  grace,  I  may  have 
an  mterest  in  your  petitions.  May  God 
Almighty  bless  you  abundantly  in  provi- 
dence and  in  mce,  and  enable  you  still 
to  advance  to  His  tried  and  afflicted  peo- 
ple the  pure  Gospel  of  Christ.  That 
the  little  spot  of  Zion  where  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  placed  you,  may  be  increased 
indeed,  is  the  feeble  err  and  desire  of 
your  humble  friend,       G.  Goldsmith. 

Frogmore  Lodge,  Watton,  Herts, 
October,  1864. 


THE    CHBISTLLITS  STRONGHOLD. 


Christian  I  thy  God  thine   every  need 
supplies. 
His  hstening  ear  doth  gladly  catch  thy 
prayer: 
He  knows  thy  wants  ere  thy  petitions  rise, 
He  feels  for  thee  in  trouble  and  in  care. 

Art  thou  so  poor,  thai  as  from  day  to  day, 
With  fainting  hearts  thou  look^st  to  Him 
for  bread  ? 

Yet  trust  in  Him,  He  leads  thee  on  thv  way. 
Depending  upon  Him  thou  shalt  be  fed. 

Art  thou  bowed  down  with  overwhelming 
grief? 
And  threatning  clouds  seem  o'er  thy  head 
to  burst? 
Look  up  to  Him,  for  He  will  give  relief, 
And  help  will  send,  when  tilings  are  at 
their  worat 

Out  of  His  glorious  riches,  He  bestows 
Not  what  we  want,  but  what  He  sees  we 
need; 
Through  thorny  paths  beset  with  hellish 
foes, 
Or  over  peaceful  plains  He  us  may  lead. 

His  loving  hand  doth  our  afflictions  send ; 

He  soothes  the  troubled,  gives  the  weaxy 
rest; 
What  we  receive  doth  altogether  blend 

To  work  for  good  to  those  in  Jesus  blest 

Then,  Christian,  cast  thy  every  fear  away 
For  treasured  up  in  Jesus  Christ  hast  thou 

All  that  thou  needest  while  on  earth  we  stay. 
So  with  glad  heart  bef oro  His  altar  bow : 

And,  bless  His  name,  for  soon  thoult  take 
thv  flight 
To  that  bright  house  prepared  for  thee 
above; 
And  when   thou  gazest   on  His  glories 
bright, 
Thou  shalt  proclaim  His  praise  whose 
name  ia  Love. 


New  Cross, 
Maxchlat,186& 


T.  G.  C.  A. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


▲pdl  1,  IMS. 


<^r  $ki[f^8,  0ttr 


OUB   LONDON    OHUBOHES. 

We  flhaU,  in  the  fint  place,  call  the  atten- 
tion of  OUT  readera  to  the  great  meeting 
to  be  holden,  if  the  Lord  will,  on  Gk>oa 
Friday  evening,  in  the  Sorrey  Tabemade, 
Borough-road,  on  behalf  of  the  New 
Tabernacle,  now  fast  rising  np  in  the  Wal- 
worth-road.  We  are  not  the  worshipper 
of  any  man,  as  some  of  the  seemingly  un- 
successful brethren  term  us;  nor  are  we 
the  slave  or  servant  of  any  man.  With  all 
our  afiUctaonSt  we  gloiy  in  tiie  indepen- 
dence, and  anticipate  the  d^^,  whan  a  faith- 
ful God  shall  turn  our  captivity,  and  when 
every  atom  of  circumstantial  reproach  shall 
be  inped  away.  While  we  idouce  no  man, 
we  love  most  deeplv,  and  esteem  very  sin- 
cerely, the  pastor  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle. 
We  never  oelieve  him  when  he  tries  to 
beat  down  our  Millennial  viewsof  the  com- 
ing glory  of  onr  Lord ;  but,  in  his  earnest, 
experimental,  and  truth-unfolding  ministry, 
we  rejoice ;  and  without  one  feeling  of 
envy,  can  ardently  pray  that  his  New  Ta- 
bernacle may  be  as  much  too  small  as  the 
old  one  has  been :  more  than  that,  that  a 
Pentecostal  shower  may  descend  upon 
preacher  and  people  in  their  new  house  of 
prayer:  and  that  God  Almighty  mav  grant 
nnto  them  the  blessedness  of  beholding 
and  hearing  many  saved  sinners  coming  in 
to  declare  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  their 
souls  through  the  instrumentality  of  our  bro- 
ther, James  Wells ;  and  we  also  pray,  that 
none  of  the  happv  saints~none  of  the 
living  Israelites,  wno,  for  so  many  years, 
have  realized  the  Lord's  presence  in  the 
old  Tabernacle,— may  ever  have  one  ling- 
ering wish  backward ;  but,  in  all  the  ful- 
ness and  joy  of  their  hearts,  may  they  often 
honestly,  soberly,  and  piactically  exclaim, 
"The  glory  of  this  latter  home  is  greater 
than  the  former  home,**  although  the 
fflory  of  that  house  has  been  great  mdeed. 
xes,  fearlessly,  we  affirm,  that  no  living 
minister  of  Christ's  Gospel,  no  church, 
abiding  fast  by  New  Testament  practices 
and  principles,  were  ever  more  favoured 
and  honoured  than  the  Surrey  Tabernacle 
people  have  been:  still,  as  proorbssiok 
nas  ahoojfM  been  tneir  triumphant  watch- 
word hitherto,  why  mayit  not  be  much 
more  so  for  the  future  ?  With  all  the  holy 
and  good-tempered  feelings  and  desires  of 
our  heart,  we  say,  "  The  Lord  increase  and 
bless  them  more  and  more.  Amen." 

There  is  one  thing  we  must  meddle  with. 
Ifr.  James  Wells  preached  a  sermon  on  the 
19th  of  March,  which  contained  a  spiritual 
mnniiig  commentary  on  what  is  termed 
"The  Lord's  Prayer."  Now,  we  wish  to 
ask  one  thing,  Should  not  the  chuxch  in 
the  Surrey  Taberaacle  ere  this  quite  for- 
sake thai  house  of  clay — ^hold.a  solemn  oon- 
▼ocation— a  gathering  together  expressly 


md  m{  |eo^ 


to  thank  and  Uem  the  Lovd  for  all  the 
mercies  He  has  showered  down  upon  thsi 
these  thirty  yean  and  more  ?  Assuxedly, 
we  think,  it  would  be  well  for  them  to 
meet  And  then  another  meeting — or 
series  of  meetings — ^for  united  '  pniyer  to 
God,  as  Soloman  praved,  that  the  God  of 
grace  and  glory  might  bless  them  in  their 
advancements  further  towsrd  the  South. 
We  hope  in  this  suggestion  we  commit  no 
sin. 

During  the  month  ol  Maich,  onz  Tjondon 
churches  have  still  been  holding  their  an- 
nual meetings:  oneof  the  most  lematkable 
was  on  the  Uth  of  March,  in  Mr.  Cowdrv's 
"Beulah  Bantist  Meeting,"  in  the  Mile 
End-road.  Mr.  Cowdry,  in  the  face  of 
many  discouragements,  has  persevered, 
and  is  now  domg  his  Master's  woik.  He 
is  a  man  of  stem  Gospel  metal ;  feaiB  God 
above  many ;  and  gathers  voond  him  some 
sinceie  friends.  At  his  recent  meeting, 
JamsB  Mote,  fiaq^  pnaided;  and  the  bva- 
thren  Attwood,  Cozens,  Flaok,  Ball,  In- 
wards, Meeres,  Palmer,  and  Stringer,  with 
a  good  company,  assembled  to  enoonnige 
him.  On  or  near  Islington  Green,  in  the 
Upper  Street,  stands  f^vidence  Chapel, 
wnere  Mr.  Glaskln  laboured  with  a  veiy 
devoted  people;  and  his  removal  to 
Brighton  was,  to  some,  a  painful  event 
Still,  the  churdtstruggleB  on ;  in  faet^  they 
have  increased  their  aooommodation,  and 
at  their  meethig  early  in  Mazeh,  J.  C. 
Kemp^  Ssqn  pnsided,  and  miniateiw  Haw- 
kins, Meeres,  Brunt,  and  Inwards  gave 
good  oonnsel,  and  Mr.  Waite,  the  maum 
deacon,  laid  before  the  poop^  «^  cheeriog 
and  prosperous  report  We  shall  rejoice  if 
soon  we  may  announce  the  settlement  of  a 
good  pastor.' 

OTJB   OHXmOHEB   IN   LANOASHlfiE 
AND  T0BK8HIBE. 
CContinoed  from  pige  9S.) 

If  I  have  gone  too  far.  I  ask  foiigive- 
ness;  but  the  letter  which  onr  esteemed 
brother  Kershaw  wrote  last  month  on  the 
Gospel  ministry  in  Manoheirtar,  deai^ 
shews  there  is  oanse  lor  explanation ;  and 
as  I  have  abnndanoe  of  papeiBi  letten^ 
books,  Ao.,  illnatratlng  the  purity  of  action 
in  the  ministen  who  worked  in  Manches- 
ter, let  us  in  time  examine  theuL  But  I 
come  on  now  to  Sheffield. 

When  I  reached  the  station.  laaw  a  man 
standing  with  an  Eabtrkn  V  bsbel  in  his 
handTl  said,  "  Is  it  Mr.  Johnson?"  He 
said,  "It  is."  So  we  entered  SheOeld; 
and  in  the  house  of  Mr,.WMi  Mie.  BvyhnMt» 
I  found  a  kind  and  hearty  waiecanew  I  was 
not  well;  but  (hey  cheered  me,  led  m^ 
nnased  me,4md  did  aU  tiiejoonld  lor  my 
comfort,  and  I  believe  the  Lord  has  greatly 
Ueoed  them.     Ax^noMBants  hM  heen 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  REGOKD. 


127 


made  for  me  that  eveniDg  to  pieech  in  an 
Independent  ohapelj  where  an  excellent 
gentleman,  Mr.  Quick,  praachee  the  Gos- 
pel; and,  at  the  ajmointed  hour,  we  walked 
to  the  place,  and,  alter  amging  and  prayer, 
I  spoke  from  Paul's  words,  "He  that  is 
dead  is  free  from  sin.^*  There  was  a  gather- 
ine,  and  friends  appeared  glad  to  hear. 

The  next  eyening,  I  was  to  preach  at 
Mssborougfa,  near  jBotherham,  where  a 
little  church  is  formed,  and  is  really  the 
only  Strict  Baptist  Ohmch  in  those  parts. 
One  of  Mr.  Bporgeon's  students  is  at  Has- 
borough,  and  the  little  church  sent  him  a 
bill,  inriting  him  to  announce  and  come ; 
but,  as  the  Jew  says,  **  I  add  no  more."  1 
had,  in  that  little  Hasborough  chapel,  a 
rare  time ;  grace,  mercy,  and  truth  nowed 
In,  andas  it  aetmy  heart  an  fire,  my  stam- 
ttering  tongue  was  loosed.  Oi  the  early 
nunrni&g  preeeding  that  evening  serrioe,  1 
the  following  note  some  time 
r: — 

I  was  aitting  in  my  bed  last  Tuesday 
morning,  in  tte  barrack-^flrjeant's  cottage 
in  Bhemald,  with  a  tittle  feeling  in  my  sou), 
which  almost  said^  I  would  not  more  until 
something  was  given  to  me  of  the  Lord 
for  meditation,  as  I  had  that  evening  to 
praaoh  to  a  little  church  in  MBsborongh. 
One  thing  is  certain,  when  I  am  out  on 
pceaohing  tonn,  I  can  enioy  notlung,  nor 
go  about  anything,  xmtil  the  Spirit  whis- 
pers some  good  word  in  my  soul:  then, 
when  the  word  is  given,  I  can  go  about  my 
hosineas,  inwardly  thinking  all  the  time 
upon  the  words  written  in  my  heart  The 
atone,  which  the  Lord  spake  of  by  Ze- 
chariah.  esme  to  my  mind,  "Upoii  one 
lAone  ahall  be  seven  eyea;"  and  sOently 
and  involuntarily  I  ssid  to  myself,  "T^ftoas 

The  text  comes  in  with  the  word  "/<»•»" 
as  though  this  is  the  cause  and  reason  of 
the  whole  of  that  which  came  befoie. 
*^For,  behold  the  stone  that  I  have  laid  be- 
fore Joshua;  upon  one  stone  shall  be 
oeven  eyes.*^  And  then  comes  another 
^'behMT  ''Sehold  I  will  engmve  the 
graving  theieof,  ssith  the  Lend  of  hosts: 
and  I  will  remove  the  iniquity  of  the  land 
in  one  day.**  *'Li  that  day,  saith  the  Lord 
of  Hosts,  shall  ye  call  every  man  his 
neighbour  under  the  vine  and  under  the 
fig-tree."  These  words  contain  the  foun- 
dation and  strength  of  Gbaok;  and  on  this 
foundation  stands  the  representation  of 
fourthin^:~Tiie  necessity  of  grace;  tiie 
dinwnsatum  of  gnMse;  the  trial  of  grace, 
and  the  coronation  or  conquest  of  grace.** 

Bee  L~>The  NeoemUy  of  grace.  **He 
shewed  me  Joshua.**  This  Joshua  is  a 
type  of  the  ohuroh,  and  of  every  vessel  of 
men^  in  its  ftdlen  condition.  TaiB  Joshua 
is  like  that  declaration  in  Isaiah  Ixv., 
where  the  Lord  is  i^ewlng  you  how  He 
will  call  in  the  Gentiles,  fie  says,  ''As 
the  new  wine  is  found  in  the  olurter,  and 
on^  tnith,  Destroy  it  not,  for  a  iMw  w  M 
si,  so  wul  I  do  for  asy  servants  sake7 

XveiyTtawaof  menyiias  a.UswIiig  in 


him,  because  he  is  in  the  gift  of  God,  and 
is  in  the  hands  of  Jesus.  So  Joshua  means 
one  who  has  salvation.  We  have  saWa- 
tion  in  the  covenant  and  in  Christ;  there- 
fore we  really  have  it  in  our  souls  by  the 
grace  of  the  Spirit  I  remember  the  little 
Bethel  at  Masborough  with  grateful  emo- 
tions ;  and  of  it  and  Sheffield,  I  hope  more 
may  yet  be  said. 

PLYMOUTH.— Ebeneser  Baptist  Cha- 
pel, Union  Street^  Stonehouse,  Devon* — On 
Tuesday,  2l6t  Feh^  a  public  tea  meeting 
was  hdden  (about  150  sat  down),  to  con- 
gratulate their  newly-chosen  pastor,  Mr.  J. 
rloryj  late  of  London,  who  having  accepted 
their  mvitation,  they  were  anxious  to  wel- 
come him,  his  labours  being  appreciated  by^ 
an  increasing  coxvgregation.  /The  pnbhc 
meetiDg  was  presided  over  by  Mr.  Flory. 
Mr.  J.  C.  Page,  of  Geone-street  chapel, 
said  he  was  there  to  manifest  his  good  feel- 
ing for  the  pastor  and  the  people.  He  de- 
sired the  best  of  bleswngs'to  rest  on  the 
labours  of  Mr.  Flory.  Mr.  F.  Collins,  of 
How-street  chapel,  spoke  on  the  Churcn  of 
God  most  kindly.  Mr.  John  Stock,  of 
Devonport,  ^ve  a  veiy  interesting  speech 
on  the  constitution  of  the  Church  of  Cnrist 
He  felt  much  confidence  in  his  brother, 
and  though  he  might  differ  from  him  in 
a  point  or  two,  he  was  sure  he  would 

S reach  the  Gospel  to  saint  and  sinner.  He 
eeired  for  him  great  good,  and  the  people 
of  lus  charge.  The  excellent  choir  en- 
livened the  meeting  with  their  services; 
and  after  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  ladies  of 
the  committee  and  friends  who  gave  the 
trays  for  the  tea  and  to  the  ministers,  one 
of  the  best  meetings  here  dosed. 

ST.  LUKE*S.— Mr.  Geo.  Wyard,  and 
his  friends  at  Bethesda,  in  Lever-etreet.  St 
Luke's,  held  the  24th  anniversury  of  their 
schools  on  the  21st  Feb.  Mr.  Evans  de- 
livered a  thoroughly  evangelical  speech. 
Mr.  Cooper,  and  the  pastors  Palmer,  An- 
derson, Bloomfleld,  Meeres,  and  G.  Webb^ 
edified  the  people,  and  enoouraged  the  ex- 
ecutive of  the  schools.  Mr.  George  Wyard 
appears  auite  happy  here,  and  the  exchange 
between  him  ana  Mr.  Anderson  has  worked 
welL 

MILE  EKD^— Mr.  Christmas,  and  the 
church  under  his  ministry,  have  removed 
to  Zoar  Chapel,  EnestHitreet,  Bancroft- 
road  Mile  End,  where  they  held  a  pleasant 
andpofiUbleaddreesonthe  IdthMarch.  Hte 
brethren  Smtth,  Lodge,  and  Taylor,  de- 
livered some  short  but  sound  sermons  on 
the  woric  of  God.  Mr.  Christmas  has  now 
for  vean  persevered  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry;  almost standingretired  from  his 
ministerinff  brethren.  Why,  we  know 
not  We  hope  that  in  their  new  meeting 
place,  they  mav  realise  a  lane  share 
of  the  outpourmg  of  the  Spirit,  that 
saints  may  be  comforted,  and  saints  ga* 
theredin. 


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THB  BABTHBN  VESSEL, 


April  1,  18S6L 


IPS  WICH.— On  Wednesday,  Feb  22xid, 
18d&,  the  twentieth  anniYexwxy  of  Mr. 
Foock^t  ministiy  at  Betheedft  chapel,  and 
sixty-eighth  year  of  his  birthday,  was  held. 
Between  four  and  five  hundred  nersons  sat 
down  to  tea ;  after  which  %  pnbuc  meeting 
was  held,  when  more  than  800  assembled 
in  the  chapeL  Mr.  Poock  took  the  chair. 
The  following  verses  were  snog : — 

We  hail,  once  mora  tiie  glad  return 

Of  this  your  natal  dar ; 
0  may  onr  hearts  together  bnm, 
That  we  may  praise  and  pray. 
Bethesda  is  a  favoni'd  place, 

Which  many  pilgrims  reach. 
To  listen  to  the  Qospel  grace, 

Which  yon,  dear  uriend,  do  preach. 
For  twen^  yean  yon  have  been  here, 

Oontenoing  for  the  &ith ; 
And  still  we  nope  your  voice  to  hear, 

Declaring  what  God  saith. 
We  watch  and  listen  for  Christ^s  fame, 

As  sentinels  on  guard : 
And  pray  that  you  in  His  great  name, 

May  wield  the  Spirit^s  sword. 
Come,  Lord,  and  bless  us,  one  and  all, 

Let  faith  and  love  increase; 
Mav  many  souls  be  bom  again. 

To  magnify  thy  grace. 
Our  singers  kind  do  raise  their  voice, 

We  gladly  hear  the  sound, 
0  may  they  all  with  us  rejoice. 
And  each  in  Christ  be  found. 
Lord,  help  us  to  obey  Thy  will. 

Since  Christ  for  us  was  given ; 
And  our  appointed  time  fuml, 

Then  take  us  home  to  heaven. 
But  we  can  go  no  further  now. 

The  thought  is  too  profound ; 
Here  at  thy  feet  we  humUy  bow. 
Before  the  Lamb  that's  crown'd. 
Mr.  Wilkins,  of  Zoar  chapel,  engaged  in 
nrayer.  The  chairman  expressed  himself 
iiappv  in  being  spared  to  meet  so  many 
friends  once  more  this  side  Jordan,  and 
honoured  with  the  presence  of  so  many  of 
the  servants  of  the  living  Ood  as  bretmen 
Collins,  SeetB,  Whorlow,  Wilkins,  Dear- 
ing.  Last,  Brown,  and  Dyer,  with  his  sons, 
their  wives,  and  children.  Bethesda  was 
the  mother  of  a  large  family ;  for  she  was 
well  known  by  brother  Bloomfleld  and  the 
late  brother  Fells,  and  one  of  her  children 
was  now  truly  blessed  in  labouring  among 
%  people  at  Crowfield,  and  another  in  East 
Bergholt,  the  hot-bed  of  Fopeiy.  The 
financial  state  of  the  cause  was  good;  soon 
they  hoped  to  be  quite  dear.  Their  re- 
newed tokens  of  love  were  many  and  gp»te- 
fuUy  received.  Several  deaths  had  taken 
I^aoe,  but  more  were  coming  to  fill  up  the 
number.  He  hoped  to  be  kept  fast  by  the 
yea  and  amen  truths  of  the  blessed  Qospel, 
which  the  Holy  Spirit  had  made  dear  to 
his  souL  He  was  happy  to  say  the  cause 
was  in  peace :  he  and  his  deacons  were  in 
a  good  understanding,  and  the  Sabbath- 
scEool  never  in  a  more  blessed  condition. 
Each  of  the  brethvan  in  the  ministry  oon- 


giatolated  the  pastor  and  his  ilock;  qmke 
on  subjects  ovot  wa^  suitable,  seasonable^ 
and  savoury.  ThB  singers  entertained  ua 
with  very  choice  anthems;  and  brother 
Wilkins  spoke  by  giving  us  a  splendid 
motto,  ^^Xbsus  onlv.**  The  elder  son, 
Thomas,  addressed  his  father  with  evident 
feelings  of  love  and  delight,  praising  God 
for  life  spared,  and  hoped  it  would  be  long 
continued,  and  be  a  larger  hUwiBng  made  to 
his  people  there  and  they  to  him.  Thanks 
were  given  to  tiie  rhairman,  to  the  ladisa 
for  their  kindness  in  providing  such  an  ex- 
cellent tea,  to  the  singers  for  their  willing 
and  respectful  performances.  Thedoxo- 
logy  was  pronounced,  and  the  happiest 
meeting  we  ever  had  concluded.      T.  r. 

PLUMSTEAD  T ABEBNAGLS.  —  On 
Febk  Uth,  T.  H.  Baker,  of  Plumstead,  feU 
asleep  in  Jesus.  In  eariy  life  he  enterad 
the  navy,  and  continued  in  it  for  twenhr- 
six  years.  Upon  quitting  the  service,  he 
formed  a  connection  with  a  female  who  had 
been  called  under  the  ministry  of  the  late 
J.  Jones.  Up  to  this  period,  he  had  lived 
without  Qoa  and  without  hope  in  the 
world;  but  being  induced,  through  hia 
wife,  to  come  under  the  sound  of  the  Gos- 
pel at  the  Tabemade,  the  Word  was  made 
spirit  and  life  unto  him.  In  September 
last  his  wife  was  baptized,  iriiich  circum- 
stance was  the  means  of  a  fuller  develop- 
ment of  the  grace  of  God  in  him.  Several 
discourses  having  been  made  a  spedsl 
blessing  to  him,  he  had  purposed  showing 
his  love  to  the  Saviour  by  obeying  His 
commsnds;  but  from  this  he  was  prevented 
through  the  alBicting  hand  of  God.  For  a 
few  weeks  his  mind  was  tranquil  through 
a  confiding  faith,  though  not  joyful  from,  a 
triumphing  faith.  On  the  moming  of 
January  2lst,  the  Lord  broke  in  upon  his 
soul  so  gloriously,  that  he  appeared  to  be 
caught  up  to  the  third  heaven.  It  was  de- 
lightful to  see  and  hear  him.  For  three 
weeks  after  this  he  continued  with  increas- 
ing bodily  suffering;  but  not  a  doud  came 
over  his  nund,  and  with  an  unwavering 
faith  he  breathed  his  last  On  Lord's-day, 
Febk  19th,  Mr.  Leach  preached  from  Job 
xiz.  26,  26,  and.  at  the  close  of  his  dis- 
course, pointed  out  how  the  deceased  had 
been  inade  a  partaker  of  like  predous  faith 
with  the  patriarch.  The  baptistry  was 
again  opened  on  Febw  26th,  when  a  man 
and  his  wife  were  immersed  according  to 
the  New  Testament  order,  making  four- 
teen persons  who  have  thus  followed  the 
Lord  in  five  months.  There  having  been 
a  balance  of  £26  16s.  lO^d.  due  to  the 
treasurer,  the  friends,  by  their  generous 
contributions,  have  dearod  it  oil.  Love, 
peace,  and  harmony  reign  in  our  midst. 
Blessed  be  God. 

PLYMOUTH.— A  Correspondent  savs  r 
"Trinity  Chapel  has  lost  Mr.  Wale;  Uiis 


causes  great  regret,  as  he  was  much  I*to«<i 
by  every  one.'*  Why,  then,  did  theyliA 
him  leave?      Surely  if  th#  Church  and 

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April  1,  1866. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD, 


129 


congregation  had  held  him  fut  by  their 
prayers,  attendance,  and  support;  and  if 
the  Lord  had  showered  down  His  blessings 
on  him,  he  could  not  have  left !  The  his- 
tory of  "  Trini^  Chapel,"  in  Plymouth,  has 
been  much  like  the  Christian's  path,  during 
the  last  twenty  years.  For  several  years 
while  good  Arthur  Triggs  went  regularly 
up  and  down  its  pulpit  stuis,  and  preached 
Cnrist's  Gospel  so  fully  and  cheerfully— it 
prospered  f^eatly.  To  many  souls  it  was 
a  banquettmg  house  indeed.  London  be- 
came a  temptation  to  that  once  energetic 
man ;  he  left  his  happy  Trinibr,  and  then, 
as  many  think,  he  left  his  home.  The 
Londoners  almost  worshipped  him  at  first 
We  have  gone  into  his  chapel  in  the  Water- 
loo road,  in  1841,  when  within  and  without 
crowds  flocked  to  hear.  He  removed  to 
Gower  street ;  he  returned  to  Plymouth ; 
he  was  disappointed;  again  he  came  to 
London,  and  "  Crosby  Bow"  was  nearly  his 
last  scene  of  labour.  With  a  heart  not  so 
full  of  unmineled  joy  as  it  had  been,  he 
lay  down  to  die;  yes,  he  has  gone!  We 
loved  him  as  thousands  did,  because  he 
loved  and  laboured  hard  to  lift  the  Saviour's 
name  on  high.  Trinity  Chapel,  Plymouth, 
was  again  the  high,  the  holy,  and  the  happy 
house  of  God  in  Budman's  da^  Extraor- 
dinary mercies  followed  his  ministry.  Mul- 
titudes were  gathered,  and  good  was  done ; 
but  soon,  like  a  shock  of  com,  as  fully  ripe 
for  glory  ss  he  could  hold — ^he  fell,  even 
while  lifting  the  banner  of  truth  so  high  that 
the  weakest  babe  in  Zion  could  see  and  re- 
joice. In  his  earliest  days,  Joseph  Budman 
was  our  brother  beloved,  our  fellow-labourer 
in  the  work ;  and  his  memory  is  sweet  and 
^pleasant  stilL  We  shall  greatly  rejoice 
indeed,  if  we  live  to  hear  his  fatherless  boy 
is  led  W  grace  Divine  to  tread  in  the  steps 
of  his  hXb.%x — a  man  si^^nally  honoured  of 
God.  When  fhttv  earned  poor  Joseph  to 
his  gnTBi  Trinity^sdays  of  trial  commenced 
agaUL  Many  good  men  went  to  help  them. 
William  AUen  was  n^rly  settled  over 
them— but  not  quite.  We  have  spent 
faajppy  days  there,  and  many  others  have 
rejoiced  in  God  within  those  sacred  ^ndls. 
But  see  how  fast  death  carries  our  ministers 
away  I  Brethren  Triggs,  Budman,  Allen, 
Southall,  and  many  more,  are  gone  to  rest 
Good  Gartwrighl;  once  the  prosperous 
minister  of  Mount  Zion,  Devonport,  gone 
to  rest;  snd  our  London  friends  do  not 
hesitate  to  declare  their  conviction  that 
««The  Cottage  Lecturer  "  the  Bev.  George 
I).  Doudney  (of  whose  last  visit  to  London 
an  excellent  account  appears  in  Ko.  40  of 
Tht  Gotpd  Guide)  who  has  been  preaching 
in  Horselydown,  will  soon  go  to  his  rest 
too:  yea,  ere  long,  death  will  sweep  our 
pulpits  of  many  who  yet  stand  in  them. 
May  God  give  them  better  men  I  Trinity 
Chapel,  Plymouth,  presents  a  door  of  much 
nsefuhiess ;  and  we  would  advise  all  parties 
y>  oease  making  strif e— io  commence  mak- 
™^peace ;  andeamestly  pleadin|r  with  the 
Lord  i«r  a  maa  after  his  own  heart  to  xtise 


DEATH  AND  PUNEBAL  OP  THE 
LATE  MR  EDGCOMBE. 

AnsR  a  long  and  painful  affliction,  our 
brother  entered  his  heavenly  rest  on 
Tuesday,  March  7th,  186&  His  remains 
were  buried  at  Ilford  Cemetery  on  Wednes- 
day, March  15th,  in  his  private  gpnve, 
where  sleeps  the  partner  of  his  earthly  afiFec- 
tion.  His  body  was  taken  from  his  late 
residence.  88,  Culf ord-road,  Kingsland  to 
brother  Flack*s chapel,  Wilton-square,  new 
North-road,  the  pulpit  and  desk  being  hung 
with  black  for  the  occasion,  where  a  large 
congregation  had  assembled  to  pay  their 
last  tribute  of  esteem  for  this  servant  of 
our  Lord.  The  solemn  service  commenced 
by  brother  Flack  giving  out  an  appropriate 
hymn.  Brother  Wyard,  sen.,  tlien  rose, 
and  engaged  in  prayer  with  much  earnest- 
ness of  spirit  that  this  bereaving  dispen- 
sation might  be  blessed  of  the  Lord  to  the 
^ood  of  souls.  Mr.  Butterfleld  read  most 
impressively  another  hymn,  and  brother 
Dickerson  delivered  a  very  suited  and  en- 
couraging address,  who  from  his  long  ac- 
quaintance with  our  departed  brother  re- 
lated some  striking  interpositions  of  the 
Divine  favour  toward  him  in  his  call  by 
grace  and  maintenance  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  He  said  our  brother  Edg^ecombe 
had  beaten  us  all,  having  finished  His  work, 
and  gone  home  to  rest  Brother  Dickerson 
concluded  with  prayer.  Having  terminated 
the  service  in  the  chapel,  we  then  proceeded , 
to  convey  the  body  to  the  clay-cmd  grave, 
the  members  of  the  family  occupying  the 
first  mourning  coach,  Drs.  ELawthome  and 
Whittaker,  brothers  Dickerson,  Flack, 
Alderaon,  and  Chivers  the  second.  Brother 
Stringer,  Butterfleld,  Gordelier,  and  Ireson 
the  third.  Brother  Chivers  eave  a  short 
address  at  the  grave,  and  brother  Aldenon 
concluded  the  solemn  services  with  prayer. 
It  won*t  be  long  ere  we  shall  require  others 
to  do  the  same  for  us.  May  we  be  found 
ready  at  the  Master's  bidding,  so  shall  we 
be  for  ever  with  the  Lord.  1  feel  it  only 
just  to  say  that  in  our  brother's  pecuniary 
trials,  brother  Dickerson  ^has  been  instru- 
mental in  raising  for  our  brother  Edgecombe 
the  noble  sum  of  jS60  8s.  God  be  thanked. 
Also  our  Christian  thanks  are  due  to  Drs. 
Hawthorne  and  Whittaker  for  their  gra- 
tuitous advice  during  our  brother's  long 
illness,  together  with  the  unremitting  care, 
and  benevolence  of  Dr.  Hawthorne's  kdy, 
who  was  constant  in  her  kind  attention  to 
the  wants  of  our  brother.  May  the  Lord 
reward  them.  Faithfully  and  affectionately 
the  Church's  servant,  for  the  LordVi 
saka  Thosw  Chivxbs. 

"  Mrs.  Kemp,  the  youngest  daughter  of 
our  late  brother  Edgcombe,  desires  publicly 
to  express  her  sincere  thanks  to  all  those 
ministers  and  their  churches  who  so  wil- 
lingly contributed  to  the  fund  raised  by 
brother  Chivers  to  pay  the  rent,  together 
with  all  friends  that  so  Uberally  ministered 
to  the  earthly  comforts,  and  aided  in  defray- 
ing the  fnnenJ  expenwi  of  her  Iftte.hlghly- 


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THE  BABTHBN  VBaSBL, 


.^pnl  1,U6& 


Mtoemed  f aUiMf^  and  wovld  exprow  ber 
high  sense  of  gniitude  felt  for  the  marked 
nuijiifestetion  of  GhiistisD  lore  shown  by 
Uie  preseuse  of  so  many  ministeis  and 
Christians  friends  at  the  funeral  of  her  dear 
parent,  and  begs  that  all  will  accept  of  her 
heart-feh  thanks.** 

FUNERAL  SESMON 
FOB  MIL  KDGGOHBE  ft  MBS.  HILL, 

Br  Mb.  Whjxuc  Flack. 

NEW  NOBTH  BO  AD,  Sauoi  crafsl, 
Wilton  Squakb.  —  On  Sunday  evening 
19ih  inst,  the  service  at  this  chapel  was 
one  of  more  than  ordinary  solemmty  and 
interest  Mr.  Flack,  the  respected  pastor 
of  the  church,  preached  a  funeral  sermon, 
or  rather  a  twofold  funeial  sermon,  to  the 
memory  of  Mrs.  Hill,  a  departed  member  of 
the  churdi ;  and  of  Mr.  £agcombe. 

The  preacher  taking  for  his  text  1  Tim. 
i  16.  "  This  is  a  faithful  saving,  and  w(»rthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came 
into  the  world  to  save  sinners ;  of  whom  I 
am  chief,**  premised  that  he  had  chosen 
this  text  by  desire  of  the  late  Mr.  Edgcombe, 
as  it  were ;  for  shortly  before  his  death  he 
had  said,  "U  I  were  to  preach  my  own 
funeral  sermon  I  should  preach  from  that 
text**  After  having  enlaced  on  the  text, 
Mr.  Flack  said,  that  during  the  last  three 
weeks  he  had  witnessed  no  less  than  four 
death  scenes.  With  regard  to  the  late  Mrs. 
Hin  he  had  to  say  that  he  knew  not  even  of 
•  her  illness  until  her  spirit  had  departed ; 
for  her  death  had  been  very  sudden ;  but 
<the  other  four  he  had  visited  frequently 
for  weeks.  Some  of  these  had  suffered 
mentally,  others  physicallv ;  and  this  led 
him  to  speak  in  strong  oonoemnatory  terms 
of  the  folly  of  people  relying  on  a  death- 
bed repentance.  *^As  the  tree  falls  so  it 
will  lie,**  and  frequently  the  suddenness  of 
death  gives  no  tmie  for  repentance.  Now 
a  word  or  two  about  the  departed. 

Mrs.  Hill  was  brought  up  morally  and 
respeotahly  by  her  parents.  She  married 
a  husband  who  would  never  allow  her  to 
go  to  a  place  of  worship ;  he  wished  her  to 
stay  at  nome  and  keep  him  company.  This 
husband  died  in  1859,  and  after  his  death 
she  attended  the  Lower  street  ChapeL  One 
night  she  thought  she  saw  a  light,  and 
heard  a  voice  ^*  1  am  thy  salvation  ;**  and  in 
I860  she  became  a  member  of  the  Church. 

Mrs.  Hin  did  not  like  "works,**  and  in 
July  1863  she  complained  that  the  doctrine 
of  works  was  being  too  much  preached  at 
the  chapel,  which  she  attended;  she  heard 
of  **  Salem**  went  there ;  and  was  baptised 
in  November  1864.  Some  three  weeks 
previous  she  married  a  second  husband, 
who  now,  with  her  UtUe  boy  by  the  first 
marriage,  mourns  her  loss.  She  was  very 
regular  in  attendance  at  chapel,  not  simply 
at  the  Communion  table;  not  only  at 
the  preaching  of  the  Qoqpel:  but  also 
at  the  prayer  meetings,  and  ordinances  and 
divine  appointments  of  every  form.  Truly 
may  it  be  ssid,  ''Qo  ye,  and  do  likewise.'^' 


She  was  taken,  ill  suddenly.  Bmins  the 
winterdie  complained  of  faise  ache,  wnich, 
however,  provM.  to  be  tumous;  during  one 
week  she  has  had  as  many  as  eigh^  fits. 
Her  end  was  peace!  After  the  recital  of 
these  particularB  Mr.  Flack,  in  a  manner  so 
eazne^  so  touching,  as  to  move  many  to 
tears,  addressed  the  widower,  and  the 
motherless  boy,  telling  them  to  look  up  to 
Jesus  for  comfort  and  support  in  the  time  of 
trial  and  affliction. 

Then,  speaking  of  the  late  Mr.  Edffoombe, 
he  said,  he  was  an  old  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  was  called  by  grace  under  pecu- 
liar circumstances  when  young.    He  was  a 
very  thoughtless  young  man.    He  paid  his 
attentions  to  a  young  woman,  who  became 
his  wife.    She  led  hun  not  to  theatres  and 
parties,  but  to  the  chapel  and  the  throne  of 
grace ;  and  young  in  yean  he  was  called 
tc  the  ministry,  and  in  course  of  time  ob- 
tained a  psatorate.    His  first  pastorate  was 
at  Dockhead.    Our  friend  Mr.    Lnddn  of 
Clerkenwell  knew  him  fbrtv  or  fifty  years 
ago,  and  then  frequentlv  chang^  piiupits 
with  him.    He  afterwanu  became  pastorat 
Hertford.    This  would  be  about  the  time 
that  I  was  in  the  habit  of  daily  walking  to 
Hertford  to  school  with  my  basket  slung  on 
my  back;  and  Uttle  did  I  then  think  that  I 
slionld  preach  that  g^ood  man*s  funeral  ser- 
mon I    Later  he  became  pastor  at  ]>over. 
and  lastly  for  one  year  at  Hitchin.    He  ton 
ua  a  short  time  ago  in  this  vestzr  that  he 
might  have  been  there  still,  if  ne  could 
have  given  way  in  the  Gospel,  and  thrown 
U&e  church  open ;  but  he  hved  and  died  a 
strict  oommunionist,  and  a  stringent  sup- 
porter  of    the   doctrines  of    grace.     He 
preached  and  lived  the  OospeL    His  end 
was  not  so  bright  as  we  should  like  to  have 
seen  it;  I  should  not  name  this,  bvt  truth 
is  truth  in  all  things,  and  he  woiudnothave 
had  me  suppress  anything.     There  were 
reasons  for  this:  hia  afflictions  were  great; 
yet  these  were  more  mental  than  physical; 
he  had  domeetio  afflictions  ;  yet  he  lacked 
in  nothing.    To  the  honour  of  the  chnzch 
be  it  said,  his  wants  were  amply  supplied, 
and  during  his  illness  he  was  attended  as 
if  he   had  been  a  prince.    The   Wood- 
bridge  TTi^ffi>«»»lAnt  Chanel  and  the  Butist 
churches  in  London  nobly  contributed  to 
his  support ;  and  our  eeteoned  frMnda  Dr. 
Hawthomeu  hia  Surgeon,  and  Dr.  Whittaka^ 
his  Physician,  gave  him  their  most  unre- 
mitting attention  gsatuitously.     Thoogh 
thus  amply  and  kindly  cared  for  his  afflM- 
ions  were  great :  and  Satan  took  advantage 
of  this.    Ii  Ooa  shine  not  on  our  path  it 
will  be  dark  indeedl     But  his  end  was 
peaces    If  he  was  thrust  hard  at  by  Sstaa. 
did  he  thrust  him  away  from  Christ?   No! 
Incessantly  as  he  agonised  in  daikneasand 
affliction  he  cried,   ''Christ,  on  this  solid 
rock  I  stand;  all  other  ground  is  sinking 
sand.*'    *'  Truth  and  nothing  but  the  truth 
will  do    for  me;**   YAb  last   words   wei« 
''Welcome  death!**    During  my  last  vMta 
few  hours  before  hia  death  he  trie^  to  s^ 
something  about  another  yisij  «w  ^  >Md 


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AND  CREIBTIAN  SEOORD. 


131 


"I  hope  your  BofEariupffwin  be  oyer  betoe  I 
oome  agein,"  and  bo  tnej  werei 

Like  Abxttbun  he  bought  his  own  gmve 
there  to  bury  his  wife ;  and  now  he  is  there 
himself  at  her  side.  From  the  pecuniary 
•ssifltanmi  he  Teoeired  from  his  friends, 
though  small,  he  saved  alittle  money  to  pay 
for  ms  funenJL  And  no^  devout  men 
canied  him  to  his  own  resting  place:  and 
there  we  leave  him  till  the  day  when  the 
last  trump  shall  sound. 

On  the  conoluainn  of  this  addraeS)  ICr. 
Hack  turned  to  the  daughter  of  thd  de- 
ceased, rthe  only  one  of  a  numerous  fiunily 
left  behind  to  cheer  the  father's  last  mo- 
ments, the  other  children  having  at  various 
times  emigrated,)  and  made  to  her  a  few 


I  full  of  deep  feeling  and  sympathy. 
He  also  amionnoea  that  on  the  following 
Sunday  another  funeral  aennou  would  be 
presohed  for  one  or  two  membera  of  the 
church ;  the  one  having  already  departed 
this  life,  and  the  other  being  almostsnre  to 
be  called  hence  ere  then. 

H«    iLm   Ha 

0H0BHA3C,  WEST  END.— Uansh  17, 
1860.  We  had  a  pleasant  day  yesterday  in 
the  new  Baptist  chapel  at  West  End.  A 
good  company  assembled  both  afternoon 
and  evening.  I  enjoyed  an  inward  sense 
of  the  spirit  of  adoption  in  prayer  in  the 
sftemoon.  Hy  heart  was  oxawn  out  in 
love  to  Qod,  and  in  gladness  and  thankful- 
ness to  think;  after  all  my  sorrows  and 
spirit-rending  trials,  I  was  favoured  to 
stand  up  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  plead 
for  the  convenrionof  sinners,  the  comfort 
of  saints,  and  the  unfolding  of  the  mys- 
teries of  the  kingdom.  It  is  a  precious 
privilege  to  me  to  be  softened  in  heart,  and 
to  fecA  the  warm-movings  of  Divine  love, 
carrying  up  the  soul  in  sacred  affection, 
and  in  nolyooBAdenee  to  the  feet  of  the 
great  God  and  our  Bwviour  Jesus  Christ 
This  is  to  me  a  pledge  and  earnest  of  real 
good,  and  it  is  remarkable  how  it  germi- 
nates in  other  souls  the  same  uniting  and 
Ohrist^adoriujg  passions.  *^It  is,  indeed, 
like  the  preoious  ointment  upon  the  head 
of  Aaion  wMch  runs  down  even  to  the 
skirts  of  nis  garments,**  and  flUs  the  place 
with  a  heavenly  perfume,  endearing  the 
saints  to  each  other  because  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  is  there,  and  there  is  liberty.  As 
we  began  the  services  well  in  pmyer,  so  I 
believe  they  were  continued  and  ended  in 
the  same  blessed  mercy ;  for  when  brother 
BUveni^  of  Mayford,  opened  the  evening 
service  m  pmyer,  I  felt  he  had  strong  sym- 
pathy, and  a  full  tide  of  freedom;  but 
when  all  the  services  were  over,  when  we 
had  retired  to  Mr.  Leek's  farm  to  rest. 
when  MXm.  Ijamboume  most  distinotb^  read 
Paul  to  the  Ck>rinthians,  and  when  we  all 
bowed  down  around  the  meroy-seat,  I  did 
lealiBe  in  Mr.  Lamboume's  earnest  peti- 
tion a  humblinff  oi  soul,  and  an  inward 
^l^tude  to  QA  for  constraining  and  en- 
•WinB  op  brother  to  adE  our  Fathsb  for 
many  br»»{iigB  as  In  that  evening  sacrifice 


was  pfossnted.  It  may  be  thought  weak 
to  notice  one  minister  s  payeri  for  ano* 
ther ;  but  twioe  in  my  life  I  have  found 
pmyer  in  the  heart  and  mouth  of  another 
/or  sM  to  be  a  very  spedal  Uessmg.  Once 
was  from  brother  John  Inward  one  Sunday 
evening,  in  the  late  William  Allen's  pulpi^ 
at  the  Oave— A  pmyer  I  shall  never  roxget ; 
it  was  just  as  the  thunder-doud  was  break- 
ing over  my  head;  and  the  second  was 
last  evening,  when  brother  Lamboume,  in 
Mr.  Leek's  parlour,  did  so  thovouAly  take 
hold  of  the  promised  strength  of  Jehovdb, 
and  supplicatingly  laid  me  in  the  arms  of 
our  FArrmnTLand  our  all-sufficient  Ffimni. 
The  blessedness  of  such  may ers  only  Gknl's 
dear  saints  can  know.  I  am  truly  glad  Mr. 
Lamboume,  as  pastor  of  the  church  at 
West  End,  Ohobham.  is  staniiiTigr  with  his 
church  in  peace,  and  living  and  labouring 
in  the  Truth.  There  are  several  little 
causes  round  this  part  of  Surrey  where  the 
Truth  is  preached.  Mr.  Oomenus  Slim,  at 
Guildford,  and  Mr.  Hillman,  in  the  same 
town;  Mr.  Joy,  at  Hoxsell  and  Knap-hill, 
and  others  whom  I  have  known  for  msny 
years,  are  holding  on  in  the  good  old  ex- 
perimental pathway  of  faith,  hope,  and 
charity. 

MENDLESHAM,  Mabch  2l8r,  1866.— 
Dkab  Brothkr  Banks, — I  am  happy  to 
say  the  Lord  favoured  us  with  the  means 
to  pay  our  newly-contraoted  debt  for  en- 
laiinng  the  chapel  this  last  year ;  and  we 
haa  some  happy  services  in  the  Christmas 
week  to  celebrate  the  same,  as  well  as  it 
being  the  termination  of  my  fifth  year's 
ministration.  I  trust  the  Lord  has  mads 
us  and  kept  us  truthful  and  uncompromis- 
ing, and  I  do  rejoice  we  have  the  sympa- 
thies of  heaven,  and  that  we  can  point  to 
the  signal  blessing^  that  have  attended  us. 
Peaoe,  pro^sa^  and  prosperity  we  are  fa- 
voured With.  During  my  humble  ser- 
vices, the  church  has  more  than  doubled. 
Upwards  of  £200  has  been  subscribed  and 
oolldcted  by  us  the  last  ysac  I  had  the 
happiness  of  baptiaing  and  receiving  into 
the  church  one  of  my  own  dear  boys.  On 
the  fimt  Lord's-day  m  February,  tax.  were 
added  to  our  community ;  five  by  baptism. 
Since  then,  two  or  three  strayed  sneep  have 
found  their  way  home  again.  Other  sheep 
and  lambs  are  Ueeting  around;  so  we  can 
take  courage,  and  g^  forward,  praising  Him 
from  whom  all  blessinss  fiow.  I  am,  dear 
Sir,  yours  truly.         H.  Babtholoxew. 

STEPNEY,  Oavk  ADUiiLAX.— In  many 
parts  of  Englsnd  our  honourable  brother, 
John  Webeter,  is  weU  known.  AU  his 
friends  (and  foes  he  has  none)  will  rejoice 
to  read  the  following  from  a  private  note. 
He  ssys: — ^^It  is  just  four  months  since 
my  affliction  oommenoed ;  and  now  I  cannot 
cross  the  room  without  pain,  yet  the  Lord 
has  been  vezy  gracious  m  keeping  my  mind 
in  peace,  ana  preventing  a  mnmniring 
thought:  it  occurred  on  board  the  *  Indus/ 
London  Docks,  at  ten,  a.m.    The  gangwsj 


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132 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


April  1,  IMSu  ! 


Udder  not  being  secured,  gave  way,  and 
falling  heavily  on  the  deck,  my  left  leg  was 
one  maasof  bmiaes,  from  the  hip  to  the 
instep ;  yet,  through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord, 
not  a  bone  broken  or  dislocated.  We  were 
there  to  apprentice  a  gp»ndson  who  pre- 
ferred the  sea  to  land  seryica  My  dear 
wife  has  aJso  been  much  afflicted,  bnt 
through  the  men^  of  the  Lord,  is  better." 

KENT,  EoEBTOX  FoRSTAi* — Our  dear 
brother  Banks  is  still  labouring  here  in  the 
Gospel,  where  for  five  years  he  has  spoken 
in  the  name  of  the  Xord.  His  brother 
Samuel  once  ministered  here ;  he  is  fled  to 
Ireland;  his  brother-in-law,  John  Kings- 
ford,  was  once  very  popular  and  useful  here ; 
he  is  fled  to  Australia ;  but  Bobert  abides 
in  the  field,  holds  on  in  the  harness,  and 
the  Lord  blesses  him.    God  be  thanked. 

TROWBMDGE,  WILTS.— Mr.  Jones 
has  left  the  church  at  Bethesda.  Mr. 
Gwinnell  laboured  here  once  with  good 
success.  Mr.  Webster,  now  of  Gave  Adul- 
1am,  was  a  great  blessing  in  his  time ;  he 
helped  us  to  remove  our  debL  Mr.  Jones 
has  felt  discouraged,  and  now  we  are  pray- 
ing for  a  pastor  and  a  preacher— one  who 
can  really  and  truly  oany  out  the  threefold 
commission  given  l^  Christ  to  Peter: — 
1.  "Strengthen  the  brethren;"  2.  "Feed 
my  sheep  f  8.  "  Feed  mv  lambs."  Where 
sfaiaU  we  such  an  under  shepherd  find  ? 


NEW  BOOKS. 

ThA  Church  of  ike  lAvwg  God.     Also  the 
.  Swiss  and  Belg^  Confessions  and  Ex- 
positions of  the  Faith.    By  Owkn  JoMiEa. 
London  :   "  The  Caryl  Book  Society,"  4, 
Crane-court,  Fleet-street    Pp.  2M. 
The  getting  up  and  finish  of  this  volume 
do  honour  to  the  "Caryl  Book  Socie^," 
and  may  be  considered,  we  hope,  a  pledge 
that  it  will  become  a  useful  addition  to  the 
publishing  firms  of  mighty  London.  There 
IS  ample  room  for  tnx&.  an  institution,  and 
we  wish  it  great  success: 

Few  penons  can  carefully  -pemae  this 
volume  without  both  interest  and  profit, 
since  it  deals  with  matters  of  the  highest 
moment  to  the  Christian  world.  Tet  we 
could  have  wished  that  Mr.  Jones  had  paid 
mora  attention  to  method  and  anangement 
in  his  essay  on  '^  The  Church  of  the  Living 
God."  None  of  us  like,  nor  is  it  natural, 
to  be  hurried  along  for  more  than  twenty 
pages  without  a  single  break,  or  pause,  or 
one    solitajry   breathing    place.      Besides 


which,  the  want  of  definite  points  fails  to 
produce  any  distinct  impresnon,  and  so  far 
tends  to  leave  the  reader  in  a  maxe.  Other- 
wise, the  essay  is  highly  scriptuial,  and 
will  repay  a  careful  reading. 

The  two  "  Confessions"  are  also  valuable, 
with  one  exception,  and  that  is,  that  both 
aUke  find  innnt  baptism  mmewhen,  but 
we  are  not  told  distinctly  where.  The 
Swiss  will  have  it  "  reasonably  supposed," 
and  the  Belgian  borrows  it  from  the  cir- 
cumcision of  Moses;  but  neither  of  them 
ventures  to  find  it  in  any  known  oommand  of 
Christ  Ab  we  believe  that  the  Lord  of 
the  Church  has  not  left  so  gnve  a  matter 
to  be  "  reasonably  supposed,"  nor  boirowed 
anything  whatever  from  his  servant  Moeei, 
we  must,  in  this  particular,  take  exceptioa 
to  these  two  excellent  expositions.  Mot- 
withstanding  this,  we  earnestly  commend 
the  book  to  the  reading  of  all  who  value 
"  The  Church  of  the  Living  God." 
A  Birthday  Epittie.    J.  PauL    One  penny. 

That  chaste  and  intelligent  gentleman 
and  writer,  Mr.  K  J.  Carver,  of  Ohesham 
Boifl^  has  introduced  in  this  neat  little  tract 
a  spiritual  letter,  the  fruit  of  a  loving  and 
truthful  heart    It  is  a  nice  little  gem. 

fiatn  anil  (Qnerfiff. 

A  xmSTSB  himaalf  aays,  **  He  has  been 
preaching  to  a  ohnroh  and  people  for  twelv* 
monthsTdnring  whioh  then  naa  been  no  eow 
versiona,  and  not  a  aiogle  addition  to  the 
church ;"  on  aoooimt  of  which  he  gives  up  the 
pastorate,  and  preadiea  to  another  church  and 
fntion  for  about  eighteen  months,  and 
alio  for  the  aame  reason.    Ought 


not  audia  man  to  leave  the  ministiy  altogeUMr, 
and  seek  some  hooeat  and  honourable  employ- 
ment for  a  living  ?  IVQirXBEB. 

[Thia  ia  a  atrong  queetion :  we  must  leawit  to 
be  answered  in  the  conadence  of  the  mi- 

niater.l 

On  Monday,  March  tOlh,  at  half-paat  eight 
Henry,  the  joungeat  aon  of  Mr.  John  Filler,  of 
Lonfl  lan&  Southwark,  in  the  96th  year  of  hia 
aoe.  In  a  private  noto  from  Mr.  Fuller,  (dated 
Zvoh  ISnd)  heaaya— **  My  aon  Henry  died  last 
evening  without  a  atmggle  or  a  ai^  after 
lingering  aeven  months'  with  that  awful  oom- 
pUln.oonaumption.  It  ia  aix  yean  thia  day 
dnoe  I  loet  my  dear  wife ;  and  alnoe  that  three 
lona  have  been  taken  flrom  me;  'The  Irfvd 
gave,  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  bleaaed  be  the 
Same  of  the  Lord.'  I  deaire  to  lay  paiaive  in 
hia  handa,  and  know  no  will  but  hia.* 

On  the  l«h  inai.,aged  18,  of  eooMmption,  to 


BAPTIZINGS. 


1CDIIHTBB*8  HAKB. 


VAXB  Aim  SITUATXOX  OF  CHAPXL. 


AATX. 


Howard,  A     •••       m« 

Fawaom,  H.  T 

Hall,  Henry    ... 
Bowland,T.byKr.BaU 


Birmingham 
Aldrin^iam,  Sollblk 

Xbeneaer,  Olwham     ^  ••• 

(for  choroh  i^Bdiobolh,  Clapbam 


^       ^I1M»-VM». 


i 

16 
U 


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aifty  1, 1865.  AND  CHBISTIAN  EEOORD.  l33 

Ji|»ttJi  in  ih  (P:ii«i 

BY  MR.  D.  WILSON,  OF  CLARE,  SUFFOLK. 

^^  And  as  they  thns  spake,  Jesus  himself  stood  in  the  midst  of  them."— Luke  xx!  v.  3G. 
What  an  important  position  1    Jesns  Himself  standing  in  the  midst. 
None  with  Him  ;  none  bnt  He  could  stand  in  such  a  position.  * 

In  this  place  He  has  ever  been,  and  for  ever  will  be.  Whether  we 
contemplate  His  original  glory,  before  time,  His  deep  debasement,  or 
His  high  exaltation,  it  is  still  Jesus  Himself  standing  in  the  midst. 
He  is  the  centre  of  all  attraction.  Every  eye  is  fixed  on  Him,  The 
Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit  look  upon  Him  with  perfect  and  everlasting 
delight.  His  loved,  chosen,  redeemed  and  regenerated  people  look  to 
Him  as  their  all  in  all.  His  enemies  view  Him  with  hatred  and  con- 
tempt ;  but  they  are  compelled  to  submit  to  Him  as  their  conqueror,  and 
who  will  remain  the  eternal  monuments  of  His  justice,  power,  and 
glory.  The  words  of  the  text,  you  will  perceive,  refer  particularly  to  the 
appearance  of  Jesus  to  His  disciples  after  his  resurrection  from  the  dead. 

But  we  shall  not  dwell  on  that  most  glorious  transaction  at  this 
time.  But' in  dependence  on  Divine  aid,  we  shall  consider  the  words  as 
connected  .with  the  whole  of  the  mediatorial  work  of  Jesus  for  the 
Church.     Jesus  Himself  stood  in  the  midst — 

1.  Of  the  divine  counsels  in  eternity.  Here  He  stood  engaging  with 
the  Father  $nd  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in 
all  things,  and  sure,  for  the  salvation  of  His  belov^  bride.  Here  it  was 
as  the  surety  of  the  Church  he  said,  "Sacrifice  and  offering,''  <&c. 
(Psalm  xl.  6—8  ;  Heb.  x.  5—  10.)  Here  he  engaged  to  fulfil  God's  holy 
law,  to  vindicate  the  legislative  honours  of  Jehovah,  to  satisfy  divine 
justice,  to  be  made  sin  for  us,  <kc.  (Bom.  iii.  19 — 31 ;  2  Cor.  v.  21.) 
So  that  between  the  righteous  decree  in  eternity  and  the  glorification  of 
the  Tressels  of  mercy — ^which  he  had  before  prepared  unto  glory — stood 
the  ever  glorious  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  Himself 
alone.  "  In  whom  the  whole  election  of  grace  are  complete.  (Col.  ii. 
10 ;  Heb.  ii.  10— 18.) 

I  have  sometimes  thought  that  one  of  the  first  subjects  that  engaged 
the  attention  of  the  angels  was  that  most  stupendous  of  all  God's  ways, 
the  perfect  plan  for  the  complete  salvation  of  the  Church ;  and  that  here 
they  found  Jesus  in  the  midst  as  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  God's  most 
wonderful  design.  If  this  opinion — ^I  only  give  it  as  an  opinion — ^be 
correct,  then  Jesus  Himself  standing  in  the  midst,  was  the  Jiret^  and  will 
be  the  everlasting  song  and  triumph  of  His  glorified  subjects — a  song  for 
ever  new. 

If  we  contemplate  the  covenant  of  grace  as  developed  in  lime,  we 
meet  with  the  same  truth  at  every  step—Jesus  Himself  in  the  midst. 

When  our  first  parents  had  sinned,  and  were  under  a  dark  cloud  of 
fearful  apprehension  of  the  divine  displeasure,  even  then  there  was  a 
promise  of  mercy  given ;  and  Jesus  Himself  was  found  in  the  midst  of  it. 
(Gen.  iiL  15.)  By  this  discovery  the  dense  darkness  was  dispelled,  and 
Jesas  set  up  as  the  only  object  of  faith  for  God's  elect,  when  that  fisdth 
was  first  needed,  and  which  was  fireely  given  to  the  lost.  ^  I 

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184  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  JUj  \mk 

Now,  as  Jesus  Himself  was  in  this  first  promise^  so  is  He  in  eveiy 
subsequent  one— concerning  salvation — ^in  the  word  of  God.  (2  Cor. 
i.  20.)     What  a  firm  foundation  for  poor  sensBble  sinners  to  rest  upon ! 

gsaiah  xxviiL  16.)     On  this  foundation  the  fisdth  of  Abel,  Enoch,  and 
oah  rested.     Here  they  found  salvation. 

But  let  us  pass  on  to  Abraham,  and  we  shall  find  the  same  truth ; 
see  Gen.  xzii.  15 — 18 ;  Gal.  iii.  16.  This  was  the  j^nimAfcitig  cause  of 
the  patriarch's  joy,  for  he  saw  the  day  of  Christ  afar  off  and  was  glad. 
(John  viiL  56.)  £.  Erskine  says,  ''  We  have  the  height  of  Abraluuoa's 
ambition  and  desire  expressed  in  these  words,  Abraham  rejoiced  to  see 
my  day.  The  word  «^a^«a«toto  signifies^  he  leaped  at  it  Though  the  word 
commonly  is  put  for  rejoicing,  yet  here  it  must  rather  signify  a  transport 
of  desire  than  of  joy  ;  otherwise  there  would  be  a  tautology  in  the  latter 
clause  of  the  verse,  where  it  is  said  affain^  He  saw  it^  and  was  glad. 
The  notice  he  had  received  of  the  MessiiSi  to  come,  had  raised  in  him  an 
expectation  of  something  that  was  so  exceeding  great,  that  he  reached 
out  and  stretched  himself  forth  to  see  it.  He  never  rejoiced  so  much  at 
seeing  the  promised  land  as  he  did  at  seeing  the  day  of  Christ." 

What  was  it  that  supported  the  Israelites  in  Egypt  under  all  their 
oppressions,  persecutions,  and  sufferings  ?  It  was  Jesus  Himself  being 
in  the  midst  of  them,  as  he  said  unto  Jacob.  (Gen.  xlvi.  2 — 4.)  This 
truth  was  clearly  revealed  unto  Moses  at  the  burning  bush,  (Exodus, 
iii.  1 — 6.)  If  we  look  at  Israel  in  the  wilderness  we  shall  behold  the 
same  truth  shining  with  undiminished  splendour  j  for  notwithstanding 
all  their  rebellion^  murmurings^  &a,  they  were  preserved  from  utter 
destruction:  But  why  1  Because  Jesus  Himself  was  in  the  midst  of 
them;  see  Num.  ii.  17;  v.  2,  3;  Deut.  xxiii  14.  When  the  LonTs 
people  passed  over  Jordan,  we  have  still  a  view  of  Jesus  Himself  being 
in  the  midst.  Bead  the  heart-cheering  account  thereof  as  recorded  in 
Joshua  iiL,  especially  the  17th  verse.  If  we  go  with  Israel  into  Canaan, 
at  every  step  we  meet  with  Jesus  in  the  nudst  as  the  Captain  of  the 
Lord's  host,  dwelling  between  the  cherubim  in  the  most  holy  place, 
exhibited  in  the  types  and  sacrifices,  and  as  proclaimed  by  all  the  divine^ 
inspired  penmen  of  the  Old  Testament.  In  a  word,  he  was  e  Asl'enoe 
round  about  them,  and  the  glory  in  their  midst  {Ze^-  tA,  14 — ^20. 
If  we  look  at  the  Church  in  the  time  of  her  captivity,  we  have  still  the 
same  truth  shining  forth ;  see  Dan.  iii.  24,  25 ;  Jer,  xiv:  9.  Also, 
when  He  brought  back  their  captivity.  He  was  in  their  midst,  as  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel;  see  ZecL  ii.  5.  10,  11 ;  Neh.  yi.  15,  16.  But  the 
time  would  fiul  us  to  enumerate  all  the  ways  in  which  Gk>d  showed  that 
He  was  in  the  midst  of  Israel  of  old.  Let  us  now  turn  our  attention 
for  a  moment  or  two  to  Jesus  manifested  in  the  flesh,  where  we  still 
meet  with  TTim  in  the  midst,  as  the  object  of  angelic  announcement, 
"The  shepherd's  song  of  praise,  Simeon's  transport,  and  Anna's  joy." 
(Luke  ii.)  The  centre  and  consummation  of  the  appearance  of  l^e 
eastern  star,  and  of  the  journey,  inquiry,  worship,  and  gifts  of  the  wise 
men.  (Matt:  ii  1 — 12.)  In  all  these  circumstances  we  behold  our 
blessed  Emmanuel  in  the  midst  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  as  the  All  in  alL 
Glory  to  His  precious  name,  who  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega. 

We  cannot  explore  this  wide  and  beautiful  field  at  present.  May  the 
Lord  bless  what  has  been  advanced  according  to  His  wilL 


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May  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EECOED.  135 


A  BRIEF  ACOOTJNT  OF  THE  LORD'S  GRACIOUS  DEALINGS 
WITH  MARY  ANN  TAYLOR,  OF  GLOUCESTER. 

SnL — I  became  acqtudnted  with  the  sabject  of  the  foUowtng  aocoimt  about  the  year 
1840.  She  had  then  been  the  subject  of  affliction,  and  other  triala,  for  many  years;  and  she 
continued  so,  more  or  leas,  tiU  the  time  of  her  departure  to  her  heavenly  rest,  which  took 
place  in  1868.  Finding,  ^  her  oon-versation,  that  she  was  one  of  the  highly  layoured 
objects  of  Ood's  soyereign  love  and  saving  gxaoe,  I  expeaaed  a  dedxe  that  she  wonld 
give  me  a  written  detail  of  her  experience.  She  complied  with  my  request,  and  in  the 
year  1844  she  sent  me  the  following  sketch,  which  I  have  much  condensed.  Hoping  it  may 
prove  profitable  to  your  readers,  and  promote  the  glory  of  God, — ^I  remain,  yonjs  sin- 
cerely, in  the  bonds  of  truth,  B.  Cobdwelu 

3,  Kussell  Terrace,  Gloucester,  April  5,  1865. 

The  first  convictions  that  I  remember  took  place  about  the  age  of  five 
years.  I  felt  a  -wish  to  do  some  work  on  a  Sunday,  but  my  mother  for- 
bid me,  and  said  it  was  wicked.  Although  I  knew  that  it  was  wrong 
yet  I  still  desired  to  do  it ;  and  it  seemed  to  me  then  that,  if  there  was 
one  thing  more  than  another  that  I  was  tempted  to  do  it  was  this ;  and 
often  did  it  to  my  sorrow. 

My  mother,  on  one  occasion^  telling  me  of  the  death  of  my  infant 
sister,  who  had  recently  died,  said  she  was  now  in  heaven  singing 
praises  to  God. — "  Oh  !  that  is  where  I  want  to  go." — I  asked  her  if  I 
could  go  to  heaven,  and  if  God  would  have  me  ?  If  he  would  I  would 
soon  die.  8he  told  me  that  God  only  loves  good  children.  Here  I  felt 
condemned,  for  I  knew  that  I  was  sinful.  I  was  told  that  God's  children 
did  say  their  prayers.  I  tried  hard  to  do  so,  but  could  never  say  my 
prayers  correctly;  and  Satan  tempted  me  to  pray  no  more;  but  he  did 
not  succeed,  for  I  continued  trying  to  pray,  because  I  thought  if  I  could 
say  my  prayers  correctly  God  would  love  me,  and  I  should  go  to  heaven. 
About  this  time  I  was  told  about  the  Evil  One.  I  directly  thought  that 
it  was  thia  wicked  man  that  teased  me  in  my  prayers,  and  tempted  me 
to  every  thing  that  was  wrong.  Thus  I  went  on,  perplexed  and  plagued 
from  day  to  day,  destitute  of  any  real  comfort;  and  felfc  my  life  a  great 
burden. 

I  now  went  to  a  Sunday  school.  Here  I  had  many  troubles,  owing 
to  my  dulness  in  learning,  and  other  things.  This  produced  great 
wretchedness  of  mind ;  and  the  fear  of  my  going  to  eternal  misery  laid 
fest  hold  upon  me,  and  I  cried  with  sorrow  and  shame,  wishing  that  I 
had  not  got  a  soul  that  must  live  for  ever. 

My  teacher  would  talk  to  me  about  the  love  of  God  in  sending  His 
dear  Son  to  die  for  sinners.  My  heart,  at  times,  while  listening  to  my 
teacher  on  this  delightful  subject,  seemed  to  melt,  and  I  wondered  that 
God  should  so  love  sinners  like  this. 

The  first  portion  of  God's  word  that  I  ever  recollect  coming  to  my 
mind  was  this  :  "  He  that  breaketh  the  least  of  these  commandments  is 
guilty  of  all."  I  felt  it  to  be  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  quick  and  power- 
ful, for  I  trembled  all  over  me,  and  confessed  that  I  deserved  to  be  sent 
to  hell.  After  a  time  I  felt  a  little  hope  spring  up  within  me,  thinking 
that,  perhapef,  I  should  some  time  be  able  to  pray  with  all  my^^heart,  and 

^     ^  Digitized  by  t^-pOQle 


136  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  May  1,  186& 

then  God  would  forgive  me ;  for  I  was  still  harping  upon  this  string.  A 
holy  God  and  a  broken  law  were  still  presented  to  me.  I  tried  to  repair 
the  breaches  that  my  sin  bad  made  ;  but  I  felt  that  I  only  made  the 
breaches  more  so.  Trouble  and  anguish  made  me  afraid.  I  saw  no  Days- 
man between  a  holy  God  and  my  sinful  soul,  that  might  lay  his  hands 
npon  both  paities. 

One  day  I  did  something  wrong,  and  when  asked  about  it  I  told  an 
untruth.  In  a  moment  I  felt  such  an  agony  of  soul  that  can  only  be 
known  by  those  who  have  felt  what  an  evil  and  bitter  thing  sin  is.  I 
thought  I  saw  heU^  and  said  I  shotild  soon  go  there.  All  my  sins  seemed 
to  come  before  me ;  and  I  again  blamed  myself  for  not  praying  with 
all  my  heart  that  the  Saviour,  who  died  for  sinners,  might  forgive  me. 
I  now  determined  that  I  would  kneel  down  and  pray  to  the  Lord  with 
all  my  heart,  and  would  then  drown  myself;  but  my  heart  was  so  hard 
when  I  tried  to  pray  that  I  could  not  utter  a  word.  At  this  moment 
these  words  came  to  me  :<*-*'  Jesus  said,  Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not."  My  heart  softened,  aiui  I  thought  I  saw 
Jesus,  and  felt  his  arms  around  me  drawing.me  into  his  bosom.  The  vision 
lasted  but  for  a  moment ;  but  it  left  a  hope  that  I  should  go  to  lieaven. 

I  must  here  mention  an  awful  incident  that  occurred  about  this 
time  in  Gloucester.  I  was  passing  near  the  house  where  a  wretched 
man  had  recently  hanged  himself,  when  I  met  a  girl  I  knew.  She  asked 
me  if  I  it^as  going  to  be  confirmed  f  as  the  ceremony  was  to  take  place 
next  week.  She  said  that  confirmation  meant  that  the  persons  confiirmed 
took  upon  themselves  to  answer  before  God  for  their  own  sins ;  but  if 
they  died  before  that  performance  that  their  godfathers  and  godmothers 
would  have  to  aaiswer'  for  the  non-confirmed  persons ! !  Aind  the  girl 
declared  that  she  had  a  great  mind  to  drown  herself  before  it  took  place, 
and  then  she  shotild  not  have  to  answer  for  her  sin^  In  the  evening  of 
the  same  day  she  actually  drowned  herself!  !  !  Thus  giving  ocular 
demonstration  of  the  awful  effects  of  irum-imposed  and  Popish  ceremanieSy 
and  innovations  in  the  professed  religion  of  Christ. 

I  went  on  several  years,  experiencing  many  providential  mercies  »»j[ 
narrow  escapes  from  daoaiger  ancl  death,  still  longing  for  the  swe»«  enjoy- 
ment of  the  Lord,  until  I  was  about  twenty-one  years,  of  age,  and  then 
living  at  Cheltenham,  when  that  blessed  portion  of  God's  word  was 
brought  to  mind,  "  There  is  therefoi'e  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  aftw  the  flesh,  but  after  the 
Spirit."  This  Sunday  morning  I  went  to  the  old  church  to  hear  Mr. 
Francis  Close ;  and  this  was  ih»  text  which  he  took  to  found  his  sermon 
upon.  Every  word  seemed  to  unlock  my  understanding.  I  Ustened  to 
hear  who  the  persons  were ;  and  what  it  was  to  be  in  Christ,  and  to 
walk  in  the  Spirit.  He  said  it  is  to  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  you — 
groaning  that  which  yon  cannot  give  utterance  to.  It  appeared  to  me  all 
at  once  that  it  was  just  what  I  had  experienced.  I  was  taken  back  to 
every  place  and  time,  where,  and  when  I  had  tried  to  pray.  It  seemed 
as  so  many  marks  set  up,  to  ev^ry  one  of  which  I  was  pointed  to  as  so 
many  times  in  which  the  Spirit  was  groaning  in  me  that  which  I  could 
not  utter.  Thus  did  the  blessed  Spirit  bear  testimony  to  his  own  work  in 
my  heart,  I  then  thought  that  if  what  I  had  experienced  in  my  mind, 
from  so  early  a  period,  was  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  I  had  been  in  Christ 
almost  from  the  time  I  w&«i  bom.   But  blessed  for  ever  be  my  dear  God^ 

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May  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  137 

He  soon  showed  me  tbat  I  was  in  Him  from  everlasting  to  everlasting, 
as  it  regarded  His  eternal  purposes  of  love  and  mercy  in  Christ. 

I  soon  began  to  reason  with  myself  whether  what  I  heard  was  true ; 
for  I  greatly  feared  a  delusion.  I  knew  what  had  been  said  of  being  in 
Christ  answered  to  my  experience ;  and  if  that  was  really  true  I  must 
be  in  Christ.  My  sins  were  gone,  and  I  felt  something  like  what  I  ex- 
pected to  feel  when  my  sins  were  forgiven  me.  I  sought  for  my  sins, 
but  could  not  find  them.  I  tried  to  make  my&elf  unhappy,  but  could 
not ;  yet  I  was  not  satisfied.  I  wanted  to  feel  a  love  and  nearness  to 
God,  and  then  I  should  know  that  I  was  right ;  but  instead  of  feeling 
near  to  God  I  seemed  to  be  afar  oS,  The  mist  of  confusion  seemed  to  be 
somewhat  taken  away;  yet  I  could  not  take  hold  of  the  hope  set  before 
me. 

Thus  I  went  on  for  a  little  tim^  encouraged  in  reading  God's 
word.  I  could  now  see  my  experience  in  it  whidi  I  could  not  before. 
I  panted  for  intercourse  with  God,  and  fiill  aflsuianoe  that  I  was  one 
of  his  chosen  people ;  for  nothing  less  than  full  assurance  appeared  to  be 
real  religion  in  my  view  then.  '*  The  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature 
waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God  /' — and  so  did  I. 

While  meditating  on  the  condescennon  and  goodness  of  God  in 
olden  times,  in  walking  and  talking  with  Abraham,  ko.y  I  looked  up 
and  saw  Jesus  on  the  cross.  I  said,  **  O,  that  is  what  I  have  been, 
longing  for — Jesus  crucified  for  my  sins."  My  heart  overflowed  with 
love ;  and  blessing,  and  adoring,  and  praifling  Him,  I  felt  in  my  soul  that 
there  never  was  love  like  this  !  Jesus  is  my  brother,  my  &ther,  and 
my  Saviour.  My  precious  Lord  !  hold  me  fast,  and  never  let  'me  go 
from  Thee.  Before  I  saw  Thee  I  was  sick  of  love  ;  but  now  I  have  seen 
Thee  I  cannot  live  without  Thee  T*  "  My  Beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am 
His."  <*  Thou  art  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  the  altogether 
lovely."  In  this  manner  I  continued,  blessing  and  adoring  my  Jesus, 
while  His  lovely,  kind,  and  gentle  looks  seemed  to  approve  of  all  I  said. 
My  soTil  was  overcome,  and  my  body  was  so  affected  by  it  that  I  was 
near  falling  to  the  ground.  When  I  recovered  my  soul  was  full  of  love, 
and  I  was  enabled  to  lay  fest  hold  of  Him  as  my  brother  in  the  flesh, 
only  without  sin.  I  saw  so  much  of  the  love  and  beauty  of  Jesus  as  the 
God-man,  that  I  really  felt  and  thought  that  all  the  Deity  was  come 
down  to  me !  Under  the  sweet  effects  of  this  wonderful  love  of  the 
Lord  to  my  soid  I  was  led,  from  time  to  time,  walking,  and  talking  with 
my  God,  as  one  would  talk  with  his  friend.  "  Let  Him  kiss  me  with 
the  kisses  of  His  mouth,  for  Thy  love  is  better  than  wine."  When  any 
one  hinted  to  m^  that  I  should  not  always  be  thus  indulged  I  would  fly 
again  to  Jesus ;  and  on  one  of  these  occasions  he  said  unto  me,  '^  I  will 
never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee." 

It  struck  me  one  day  that  I  made  too  free  with  the  Lord,  which 
immediately  caused  a  great  trembling.  I  went  to  the  Bible  to  see  if  it 
was  wrong ;  and  after  turning  over  a  leaf  or  two  I  saw  these  words  : — 
"  Thy  Ma^er  is  thy  husband ;  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  His  name."  I  then 
thanked  my  dear  God  that  He  had  called  Himself  by  that  and  many 
other  names  that  are  near  and  dear  to  natura  I  then  desired,  with  all 
my  heart,  that  my  Father  would  take  me  home  to  his  kingdom. 

On  another  occasion  I  felt  a  fear  whether  the  Lord  would  love  me 
for  ever.    I  went  to  the  Bible,  where  I  soon  saw  these  blessed  words :— * 


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138  THE  BABTHBN  VESSEL,  Maj  l,  186& 

'^  I  have  loved  thee  wiUi  an.  everlAstmg  love ;  therefore  with  loving- 
kindness  have  I  drawn  thee/'  My  soul  then  blessed  and  praised  the 
Lord  for  thus  leading  me  to  this  precious  word,  which  I  did  not  know 
till  then  was  in  His  Word.  I  felt  such  a  great  love  to  the  Bible 
that  the  very  sight  of  it  would  cause  my  heart  to  glow  with  love 
to  my  God. 

^^  The  day  that  I  had  so  longed  for  was  now  come,  and  I  was 
brought  into  the  blessed  enjoyment  of  the  great  and  precious  doctrines 
and  promises  of  the  Bible.  I  believed  that  the  Father  loved  me,  and 
chose  me  in  eternity ;  that  the  Son  loved  me,  and  redeemed  me  to  life 
eternal ;  and  that  the  Holy  Ghost  loved  me  and  quickened  me,  and 
brought  me  into  the  enjoyment  of  my  eternal  safety  for  the  alone  sake 
of  my  dear  B«deemer — ^in  whom  I  am  complete. 

Some  time  after  I  was  brought  into  the  sweet  liberty  of  the  Gospel 
Satan  attacked  me  with  this  temptation : — "  How  do  you  know  that 
Jesus  is  GodT'  I  replied,  *'  Because  Ue  had  forgiven  me  all  my  sins ; 
and  none  but  Qod  coiild  do  that."  Still  1  felt  my  mind  exercued  on 
this  subject,  and  therefore  I  went  to  the  Bible  that  I  might  be  satisfied 
upon  this  all-important  truth.  I  searched  for  a  long  time,  and  b^^  to 
fear  that  I  should  not  find  a  portion  of  God's  Word  sufficiently  simple 
and  clear  to  satisfy  my  mind  on  this  subject;  but  at  last  I  found  this 
plain  and  undenitJ^le  proof  of  this  truth  in  these  words :  '^  But  unto  the 
Son  He  saith.  Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever."  This  estab- 
lished my  soul  in  the  trul^  of  the  Godhead  of  Christ,  to  the  glory  of  God 
and  my  own  happiness. 

It  is  now  more  than  twelve  years  since  I  was  brought  to  know  Jesus 
as  my  portion.  During  that  time  the  good  hand  of  my  God  hath  brought 
me  through  many  painful  things  ;  but  to  the  honour  of  His  dear  name 
be  it  spoken.  He  hath  proved  Himself  the  faithful  God,  that  keepeth 
covenant  and  mercy  towards  His  children;  for  not  one  thing  bath 
&iled  of  the  good  things  that  He  hath  promised.  ''  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  His  benefits ;  who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniqui- 
ties ;  who  healeth  ail  thy  diseases ;  who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruc- 
tion ;  who  crowneth  thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies-" 
<<  To  Him  be  glory  and  dominion,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

Maby  Anh  Taylob. 

42,  Brother's  Place,  March  28, 1844. 

February  11, 1863. — ^Thia  day,  at  about  half-past  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  the  subject  of  the  above  sketch  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-three  year&  She  had  been  called  to  endure  affliction,  more  or 
less,  for  upwards  of  thirty  years,  during  which  period,  especially,  she  had 
realised  so  extensively  and  blessedly  the  providential  care  and  love  of  her 
covenant  Qod,  in  providing  for  her  bodily  wants,  and  in  comforting  and 
supporting  her  soul,  amidst  all  the  temptations  and  trials  she  was  called 
to  endure,  by  the  gracious  supplies  of  His  grace  and  the  visits  of  His 
love,  that  she  was  enabled  to  leave  all  her  concerns  in  His  hand  with 
child-like  confidence,  so  that  whatever  might  be  her  strained  circum- 
stances she  would  scarce  mention  it  even  to  her  Christian  friends. 

For  the  last  two  or  three  months  she  was  afflicted  with  the  dropsy ; 
this  so  weakened  her  body,  and  appeared  to  afieot  her  intellectual  poweis 
that  she  could  scarcely  think  on,  or  speak  much  about  spiritual  things. 


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lay  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  139 

She  compkined  often  of  her  dulness,  and  seemed  genendlj  yery  sleepy ; 
bat  at  times  she  would  say  that  perhaps  this  illness  was  sent  that  her 
happy  spirit  might  soon  fly  away  and  be  at  rest.  I  was  with  her  about 
two  hours  before  her  departure,  when  she  endeavoured  to  express  (so 
&r  as  I  oould  make  out)  i^ese  words : — ^  More  happy  but  not  more 
secure,  the  glorified  spirits  in  heaven  f  with  other  words  scaroely  dis- 
cernible. Just  before  she  breathed  hat  last  she  said,  '^  an  heir  of  glory," 
^.,  and  then  left  this  Yale  of  tears  so  gently,  that  it  was  difficult  to  say 
at  what  moment  she  fled  to  the  everlacrdng  embraces  of  her  Qod  and 
Saviour.  E.  C. 


BEVELATION  XII.  6—11. 
Bt  Mb.  Jambs  Wells,  of  thb  Subbbit  Tabbbitaclb,  Bcaouoh  Boad. 

"And  the  woman  fled  into  the  wfldemess,  where  she  hath  a  place  nrepared  of  Qod, 
that  they  should  feed  her  there  a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days." 

Thb  woman,  of  course,  is  the  Chnrch  in  her  corporate  capacity ;  but  it 
will  bear  reducing  to  individual  experience;  for  when  a  soul  is  called 
by  grace,  the  profane  world  begins  to  persecute  that  man,  and  perhaps 
the  professing  world  too.  He  then  flies  from  them,  stands  out  separate 
fit>m  them,  and  this  world  to  such  a  man  becomes  a  wilderness.  Then 
the  flesh  says,  What  will  you  do  now  ?  Here  is  the  world  against  you, 
and  professors  against  you ;  what  is  to  be  done  now?  Why,  what  this 
Scripture  saith,  that  there  is  a  place  prepared  of  God.  When  man  shall 
forsake  us,  God  will  take  us  up ;  and  though  our  vety  friends  may  turn 
against  us,  the  Lord  will  still  care  of  us  and  preserve  us.  And  so 
it  is  a  wilderness  state  for  the  Christian,  where  he  is  to  be  nourished  for 
so  long  a  time,  but  only  so  long  a  time.  And  has  it  not  been  so  since 
we  left  the  world ?  Has  not  the  Lord  taken  care  of  us?  Has  He  not 
gone  before  us  1  Does  He  not  make  ravens  feed  us,  when  it  ia  needful  it 
should  he  so  ?  Does  He  not  bring  supplies  out  of  flinty  rocks  ?  Does 
He  not  bring  manna  from  mysterious  and  hidden  places?  Is  there 
anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?  That  is  what  I  understand  by  this 
Scripture,  that  the  Church  of  God  has  in  all  ages,  does  now,  and  will  to 
the  end  of  time,  fly  into  the  wilderness — ^the  world  becomes  a  -wilderness 
xmto  her.  But  let  me  speak,  if  possible,  yet  plainer.  The  man  taught 
of  God  flies  to  that  part  of  the  world  where  there  are  not  vain  and 
woixily  pleasures ;  that  he  flies  to  that  wOdemess  where  the  cloud  o\ 
truth,  the  manna,  the  Bock,  the  mercy-seat,  the  sacriflcial  service,  and 
the  presence  of  God  are.  This  is  the  wilderness  to  which  the  Church 
has  ever  fled ;  and  she  needs  the  mighty  wings  of  faith  and  love  to  enable 
her  to  fly  from  Egypt,  the  house  of  bondage,  and  dwell  as  in  a  wilder- 
ness. But,  then,  in  this  wilderness  and  solitary  place  she  beholds  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  excellency  of  her  God,  and  so  is  nourished 
nntil  wilderness  work  shall  end. 

"  A  thounad  two  hundred  and  threescore  days," 

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140  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  May  1,  1866l 

is  a  period  known  only  to  the  Lord,  as  to  the  exact  length  of  the  time. 
It  shews  that  tribulation  is  limited,  that  ihe  time  will  come  when  they 
shall  leave  the  wilderness  for  a  palace  of  glory. 

A  very  kind  friend  that  stood  a  member  with  me  many  yean 
ago,  writes  to  me  upon  what  I  have  said  about  this  Book;  and 
he  tells  me  that  he  thinks  my  reducing  these  mattem  to  individual 
experience  and  to  personalities  detracts  from  the  grandeur  of  this  Book ; 
thus  is  my  friend's  idea.  But  I  myself  never  yet  thou^t,  and  I  do  not 
think  I  could  easily  be  persuaded  to  believe  that  xegener»ti<m  being  a 
personal  thing  at  all  detracts  from  the  glory  of  it ;  I  cannot  think  that 
justification,  being  a  personal  thing  at  aU  detracts  from  the  glory  of  it ; 
I  cannot  think  that  the  resurrection  at  the  last  great  day  being  a  peraonal 
and  a  sweet  experimental  reality,  which  it  will  be,  to  each  izidividual ;  I 
cannot  think  that  that  detracts  from  the  glory  g£  it ;  and  the  saints  of 
God  being  individually  glorified,  I  cannot  think  that  that  detracts  from  the 
glory  of  it.  So  far  from  that,  I  have  always  thought  that  the  very  glocy 
consisted  therein  ;  for  if  it  be  not  a  personal  matter,  if  these  things  were 
a  sort  of  pell-mell  matter,  without  order  and  in  confusion,  thai  what 
glory  would  there  be?  Is  not  the  glory  made  up  of  individual  realisation  f 
Is  not  the  glory  of  religion  in  this  veiy  thing,  that  it  is  a  personal  matto*, 
and  that  each  Christian  has  a  whole  salvation  to  hiinself ;  that  each 
Christian  has  the  blessed  God  to  himself ;  that  each  can  have  all  without 
the  other  having  any  the  less  9  Thus,  then,  I  think  my  friend,  perhaps^ 
when  he  reads  diese  words,  will  change  his  tone, 
i*  And  there  wu  war  in  heaven;" 

not  in  heaven  literally ;  not  in  the  heaven  of  glory,  certainly  not ;  but  in 
the  Christian  dispensational  heaven. 

"  Michael  and  his  angele," 
which  I  take  to  mean  Jesus  Christ  and  His  ministers ; 

*^  Fought  against  the  dragon ;  and  the  dmgon  fought,  and  his  angels ;  ** 

that  is,  by  all  the  political,  and  ecclesiastical,  and  fraudulent  means  that 
they  could  command  to  fight  against  God's  truth  with  ; 

*^  And  prevailed  not,  neither  ims  their  place  found  any  more  in  heaven.** 
What  a  mercy  that  we  have  a  heaven  into  which  the  adversary  can- 
not enter ;  our  heaven  is  in  Christ,  our  heaven  is  in  God,  our  heaven  is 
that  into  which  Satan  cannot  enter.  But  then,  say  you,  it  here  says, 
**  Neither  was  their  place  found  Asrr  mors  in  heaven.** 
That  implies  that  Satan,  and  the  dragon,  had  been  in  heaven. 
Certainly  he  had,  that  is,  he  had  been  in  the  Jewish  heaven.  The  Jewish 
dispensation  is  called  the  kingdom  of  God :  "  the  kingdom  of  God  shall 
be  taken  from  you ;''  there  you  see  the  JewL^h  dispensation  is  called  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Satan  was  in  that  kingdom,  and  he  destroyed  that 
kingdom,  and  hath  left  the  Jews  now  for  1800  years  without  a  heaven ; 
that  is,  without  that  kind  of  heaven  which  they  had.  But  the  Christian 
heaven  is  that  which  Satan  cannot  destroy ;  here,  when  he  attempts  to 
destroy  the  Christian  heaven,  he  is  cast  down.  He  attempted  to  destroy 
the  Son  of  God  ;  there  he  was  defeated :  he  has  attempted  to  destroy  the 
truths  of  the  Gospel ;  there  he  is  defeated  :  he  has  attempted  to  destroy 
and  has  put  to  death  thousands  of  the  saints,  as  to  the  poor  body  ;  but 
he  has  never  put  one  to  death  spiritually,  beoiuse  they  have  a  life  that 


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May  1,  I860.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD,  141 

can  never  die.     And  thus,  then,  it  is  that  "  they  prevailed  not,  neither 

was  their  place  found  anymore  in  heaven." 

"  And  the  great  draeon  was  cast  out,  that  old  serpent,  called  the  devil,  and  Satan, 
which  deoeiveth  the  whole  world ;  he  was  cast  out  into  the  earth,  and  his  angels  were 
cast  out  with  him." 

Let  US  have  one  Scripture  to  explain  this,  and  only  one  Scripture  will 
I  name;  but  through  the  Lord's  mercy  you  so  well  know  the  truth,  most  of 
you,  that  a  hint  is  enough.  Now  "He  was  cast  out,  and  his  angels,"  that  is 
**  His  ministers,  "  with  him."  Take  the  Apostle's  words,  "  Though  we,  or 
an  angel  from  heaven,  preach  any  other  Gospel  unto  you  than  that  which 
we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed."  I  think  that  Scrip- 
ture casts  out  all  false  ministers,  casts  out  Satan,  casts  out  the  whole. 
But  bless,  for  ever  and  ever  bless  the  holy  name  of  the  Lord,  no  poor, 
needy  sinner,  will  be  cast  out ;  no  poor,  seeking  soul  will  be  past  out ;  no 
trembling  creature  before  God  will  be  cast  out.  "  Him  that  cometh 
unto  ME,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out,"  saith  Jesus. 

*^  And  I  heard  a  loud  voice.** 
At  the  day  of  Pentecost,  then  this  loud  voice  commenced ;  and 
afterwards  this  voice  began  to  be  not  so  loud ;  but  still  there  has  been 
the  same  voice  ever  since  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  will  continue  on 
earth  down  to  the  end  of  time,  the  same  voice 

**  Saying  in  heaven," 

that  is,  in  this  spiritual.  Christian  heaven  ; 

"Now  is  come," 
What  1  why,  just  what  poor  sinners  need, 

**  Salvation,  and  strength," 
just  what  we  need  ; 

**  And  the  kingdom  of  our  God  ? " 
to  the  poor  in  spirit ; 

**  And  the  power  of  his  Christ ; " 

all  exactly  suited  to  those  who  are  seekers  after  the  Lord  ; 

^  For  the  accuser  of  the  brethren  is  cast  down,  which  accused  them  before  onr  God, 
day  and  night** 

God  make  us  as  diligent  to  speak  for  God  as  Satan  is  to  s^ak  against 
God  and  to  speak  against  us. 

"  And  they  overcame  him  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the  word  of  their  testi- 
mony ;  and  they  loved  not  their  lives  unto  the  death.'* 

I  should  wonder  if  they  did  not  in  this  way  overcome.  If  I  have 
the  blood  of  Emmanuel  on  my  side ;  and  if  I  have  the  word  of  His  tes- 
timony on  my  side ;  and  if  I  have  in  my  soul  supreme  love  to  Him  ;  so 
that  much  as  I  may  love  those  near  to  me  in  the  ties  of  nature,  and  muc^  as 
I  may  love  mortal  life  (which  is  natural,  to  love  life), ''  All  that  a  man  hath 
will  he  give  for  his  life,"  yet  there  is  something  more  than  these,  namely, 
Jesus  C%irist ;  if  I  thus  have  the  blood  of  Emmanuel  on  my  side,  and  if 
I  have  the  word  of  His  testimony  on  my  side,  and  if  I  thus  love  His 
name,  then  I  am  more  than  conqueror.  But  take  away  one  of  these 
three,  and  you  are  not  a  conqueror.  Take  away  the  blood  of  the  Lamb^ 
then  your  sins  bind  you  fast  to  eternity ;  take  away  the  sure  testimony 
of  His  word,  then  you  have  no  promise  to  look  to ;  take  away  this 
mipreme  and  earnest  love  to  Jesus  Christ ;  then,  if  you  do  not  love  Him 

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142  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Hay  1,  im. 

supremely  and  earnestly,  you  will  not  abide  by  Him.  The  reason  that 
Demajs  forsook  the  truth  was  because  he  loved  something  else  better, 
namely,  this  present  world ;  but  the  language  of  the  living  soul  will  be, 
"  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go  ?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life." 


LETTER  FROM  MR.  JAMES  WELLS. 

Deab  Mr.  Editor, — ^There  is  in  this  month's  Vessel  a  letter  (Ano- 
nymous) addressed  to  myself,  upon  what  I  have  said  upon  the  Book  of 
the  Revelation.  Your  correspondent  seems  to  me  to  misunderstand  some 
things  I  have  said ;  but  these  1  will  for  the  present  omit  to  notice,  and  try 
all  I  can  to  avoid  misunderstanding  your  correspondent,  my  friendly  oppo- 
nent. If,  then,  I  rightly  understand  him,  no  part  from  the  4th  chapter  to 
the  end  of  the  Revelation  has  been  yet  fulfilled ;  and  for  one  proof  of 
this  he  refers  to  the  10th  verse  of  chapter  22nd,  where  it  declares  that  the 
time  is  at  hand.  Eighteen  hundred  years  ago  the  time  was  at  hand,  and 
not  (according  to  your  correspondent)  yet  commenced  even  to  this  day, 
so  that  the  book  to  this  day  has  neither  been  fulfilled  nor  shown  its  mean- 
ing to  any  one,  so  that  no  Jews  have  been  sealed  or  Gentiles  saved,  nor 
water  of  life  realised,  nor  the  New  Jerusalem  established  and  made  a 
praise  in  the  earth ;  so  that  the  Apostle  Paul  ought  not  to  have  told  the 
Hebrews  that  they  were  come  to  Mount  Zion  and  to  the  heavenly  Jerusa- 
lem, so  that  Zion's  God  hath  never  yet  created  Jerusalem  a  joy,  or  her 
people  a  rejoicing,  and  none  have  ever  yet  overcome  by  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb.  Now,  your  correspondent  doth  not,  of  course,  mean  this.  Tet 
these  are  t?ie  cAt^/*  things  taught  in  this  Book  of  the  Revelation.  Your  cor- 
respondent sa3rs  the  book  is  divided  into  three  parts — ^the  past»  the  pre- 
sent, and  the  future.  Yery  true  this ;  and  where  in  all  the  Bible  is  there 
a  prophetic  book  which  is  not  so  divided  ?  Is  not  Jesus  Christ  the  same 
yesterday — ^here  is  the  past ;  and  to-day — ^here  is  the  present ;  and  for 
ever,  here  is  the  future,  and  in  spirituals  the  past  ?  The  present  and  the 
future  are  one  and  the  same,  with  simply  a  difference,  not  of  principle 
but  of  position.  These  eternal  things  fii^  lay  in  purpose,  promise,  and 
prediction ;  second,  in  mediatorial  performance,  as  when  the  Saviour  said 
*^  It  is  finished ;''  thirdly,  in  their  ultimate  development,  in  perfection, 
and  possession  ;  and  the  laat  believer  on  the  earth  will  be  just  such  a 
man  as  "v^as  the  first  believer.  And  so  with  John ;  the  things  that  had 
been,  and  things  that  were,  and  the  things  which  were  to  be  thereafter, 
were  in  principle  the  same,  because  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same,  and  a  faith- 
ful and  unchanging  God  is  the  same.  But  your  correspondent's  division 
of  the  Book  of  the  Revelation  is  arbitrary  and  unnatural,  and  he  gives 
not  the  slightest  proof  that  the  seven  churches  are  meant  by  things  that 
were  then  present,  any  further  than  the  principles  of  the  Gk»pel  included 
these  churches. 

Nor  can  I  at  all  see  with  your  correspondent  in  what  he  says  of 
the  4th  chapter — "  1  will  show  thee  things  which  must  be  after  these 
things."  And  whatwerethe  thingsafier  thesetlungs?  Whatbuta  r^^ 
tUion  of  the  same  principles  under,  perhaps,  many  new  circumstances  f 
Truth  and  error,  mercy  and  judgment,  have  all  been,  though  in  a  great 


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Hfty  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  143 

Tariety  of  fonns  in  repetitional  operation  ever  since  the  foundation  of  the 
D^orld ;  and  will  to  the  end  of  time. 

This  throne  of  the  4th  chapter,  saith  your  correspondent,  is  not  the 
throne  of  grace.  No ;  a  rainbow  before  it  and  the  redeemed — ^for  the 
living  creatures  are  the  redeemed,  as  we  see  by  the  8th  and  9th  verses  of 
chapter  the  5th.  Well,  I  believe  to  all  true  Mends  to  Grod  it  is  a  throne 
of  grace,  but  to  his  enemies  a  throne  of  judgment.  The  same  Judge  who 
shall  say  to  the  one  '^  Come,  ye  blessed,''  the  same  Judge  shall  say  to  the 
other,  "  Go,  ye  cursed." 

<'  During  the  time  of  the  churches  the  saints  of  God  were  troubled 
and  slain;  but  no  word  of  wrath  against  persecution."  Nol  Why 
were  not  the  persecutors  of  Christ  and  of  his  apostles  and  people  deatroi/ed 
by  the  judgments  of  God  upon  the  Jews  during  the  time  of  these  Asiatic 
churches  ?  And  were  there  not  threatenings  to  the  enemies  contained  in 
the  addresses  to  these  churches  ?  And  what  can  be  more  clear  than  that 
heavy  judgments  came  upon  Jerusalem  as  well  as  upon  Kome,  both  Pagan 
and  Papal  1  I  believe  that  the  Book  of  the  Bevelation  differs  not  in  the 
least  whatever  in  principle  from  any  other  prophetic  Book,  or  why  are 
we  in  this  same  Book  referred  to  the  prophets  (x.  7)  ?  and  is  a  represen- 
tation of  the  Gospel  dispensation,  terminating  only  in  eternal  gloTy. 
"  They  shall  see  his  face,  and  reign  for  ever  and  ever." 

Are  there  144,000  converted  Jews  on  the  earth  nowt  asks  your  cor- 
respondent. Well,  I  fear  not ;  but  should  not  this  definite  number  be 
taken  for  an  indefinite  number  1  And  did  not  the  Apostolic  age  realise 
what  is  here  meant,  as  well  as  a  stiQ  larger  number  of  Gentiles.  Accord- 
ing to  the  holy  prophets  there  were  to  be  more  Gentiles  than  Jews.  Is 
heaven  silent  because  one  on  earth  is  so  ?  No ;  I  have  not  said  this.  I 
take  the  heaven  to  be  the  kingdom  of  heaven  on  earth ;  and  that  there  is 
silence  in  this  heaven  with  every  one  under  conviction  of  their  state.  Was 
not  Saul  of  Tarsus  put  to  silence  1  Did  not  Job,  when  i7i  trouble,  sit  in 
silence  seven  days? 

And  as  to  the  seven  trumpets,  I  see  no  reason  to  alter  my  views 
thereon.  I  take  the  destruction  both  of  Babylon  and  Jerusalem  to  enable 
me  to  understand  the  meaning  of  the  seven  trumpets,  as  I  believe  the 
judgments  of  God  upon  ancient  Babylon  to  be  a  type  of  the  judgments  of 
God  which  shall  come  upon  mystic  Babylon  at  large,  namely,  upon  all 
enemies  of  God  and  godliness.  And  as  to  praying  for  our  enemies  that 
is  the  general  rule.  But  did  the  Saviour  pray  for  Judas  ?  Did  Peter 
pray  for  Ananias  and  Sapphira  ]  Did  Paul  pray  for  Elymas  the  sorcerer, 
or  for  Alexander  the  coppersmith  1 

Thus,  I  believe,  that  this  Book  of  the  Bevelation,  in  aU  its  parts,  has 
been  realising  its  fulfilment  ever  since  it  was  written ;  that  the  seals  and 
trumpets  open  and  proclaim  thesuTne  blessings  and  the  «ame  judgments  that 
prophets,  in  similar  language,  opened  and  proclaimed.  We  read,  again 
and  again,  in  the  Old  Testament,  of  the  book  of  God  being  sealed  as  well 
as  its  being  open,  and  of  the  trumpets  of  judgment  and  of  mercy.  And 
the  same  seven  trumpets  which  were  woe  trumpets  to  theCanaanites  were 
joyful  trumpets  to  the  Israelites  (Josh,  vi.) ;  and  so  mercy  and  judgment 
travelled  side  by  side.  And  I  do  willingly  confeas  that  I  have  yet  to 
learn  that  the  Millennarian  scheme  has  the  least  foundation  whatever  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  I  believe  the  present  dispensation  will  terminate 
only  in  eternal  glory. 

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144 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Mfty  1,1865l 


I  respect  the  kindly  spint  in  whkli  my  learned  c^yponent  bas 
written,  and  hope  he  will  kindly  take  my,  perhaps,  niher  rongh  reply 
in  the  same  kindly  spirit  in  which  I  hope  I  have  written.  I  am 
folly  aware  of  what  an  array  of  learned,  able,  great,  and  industrious  men 
I  have  against  me  in  the  views  I  take  of  this  Book  of  the  KevelatLon; 
nor  do  I  think,  differ  as  I  do,  that  any  one  can  read  carefiiUy  Bishop 
Newton,  Dr.  Keith,  Elliot,  Winslow,  Dr.  Cumming,  Ac.,  Ac,  without 
feeling  instructed,  and  agi-eeing  with  them  in  many  things,  nor  fed 
otherwise  than  due  and  proper  respect  for  their  opinions ;  and,  above  all, 
for  their  motives  and  great  devotedness  to  the  Holy  Scriptures: — ^I  am, 
dear  Mr.  Editor,  yours  sincerely,  in  the  God  of  all  grace, 

April,  1865.  Jambs  Welui. 


*«MY  EBENEZER." 

On  the  mount  with  Ohriflt,  oommtining, 

I  would  Bpeod  ao  hallowed  day  \ 
And  in  holj  triumph  own  it. 

All  my  sins  are  pjit  away. 
Sixty  years  in  nature  finds  me. 

Still  a  poor  and  hehiless  soful; 
Feeling  quite  as  much  as  ever, 

God  most  be  my  All  in  alL 
All  to  make  me  what  He  wiUs  me, 

Giving  me  both  will  and  pow^r ; 
InsofficieDcy— I  prove  it 

Every  day  and  every  hour. 
But  how  fondly  do  I  own  it, 

Underneath  the  whole  I  see ; 
There's  a  Uving,  running  current 

Bearing  me  to  ecsteajy. 
^^  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  roirit ;" 

These  are  words  beyond  all  price  ; 
What  the  Saviour  says,  I  credit ; 

What  he  did  does  quite  suffice. 
On  Him  I  can  lean  and  own  it, 

Other  helpers,  there  are  none ; 
All  who  seek  for  aught  beside  Him, 

Finally  wiU  prove  ondonew 
See  his  arms  of  love  and  mercy, 

Low  be£ore  Him,  I  will  fall ; 
None  but  Jesus  can  sustain  mt. 

He  for  me  is  AU  in  all. 
Such  as  prove  an  holy  freedom. 

And  through  Him  access  do  lam ; 
Every  loss  that  they  experience 

Turns  to  profit,  tho'  it  pain. 
Out  of  weakness  he  does  strengthen. 

None  can  turn  His  love  away ; 
If  the  sun  has  dawned  uoOn  you. 

It  will  rise  to  perfect  oay. 
No  foimking,— no  relenting,— 

With  our  God ;— in  Christ  His  Son j 
When  He  cried  aloud,  "  *Tis  finish'd,'* 

We  and  He  were  reckoned  one. 
On  this  base  my  soul  is  founded, 

He  atonement  made  for  sin ; 
Thus  His  bride  beholds  her  cleansing, 

Thus  she  is  brought  spotless  in. 
Shout,  ye  objects  of  His  power, 
Echo  back  the  solemn  sound; 
(t  It  is  finished ;"  let  its  virtues 
Beach  to  earth's  remotest  bound. 


Thus  my  Ebenesser  raising, 

Hitherto  111  own,  VtL  come ; 
And  unto  the  mark  before  md, 

Seek  while  life  shall  last  to  run. 

W.  Wbst^akk,  Plymouth. 

[Our  brother  weatlake  has  long  blows  the 
Gospel  Trumpet  in  Plymouth;  and  we 
toe  glad  to  learn  he  is  willing  to  preach  to 
any  people  who  know  and  love  God's 
new  covenant  tmCh»~>--£ix] 

MY  BEFUGE. 
Br    Samuel    Cozens, 

0,  my  God !  what  sadness  darkening 

All  my  soul  in  blank  des^Miir  : 
While  my  heart-strings  now  «r»  breaking 

For  the  love  that  casts  out  fear 
To  Calvary, 

Lead  me  to  the  Kefuge  ther^. 
Now  my  soul  is  Vhelm'd  in  darkness, 

And  my  heart  is  Ug  with  grief ; 
^t  me  not  in  God  be  faithless, 

Lest  I  die  in  unbelief ; 
O,  to  Jesus! 

Lead  me  now  for  sweet  relieL 
O,  my  God !  let  not  my  sorrows 

Quench  the  smoking  flax  in  me  ; 
Let  not  Satan'  s  poSson'd  arrows 

Kill  my  little  hope  ia  the^ 
O,  mv  Father ! 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  flee. 
Should  I  find  no  access  thithdr, 

And  the  skies  send  back  my  moon ; 
Still  at  mercy's  footstool  hither, 

I  wUl  kneel  to  reach  thy  throne : 
0,  for  mercy ! 

In  tho  name  of  Christ  alone. 
Should  I  seek  and  find  no  mercy, 

And  my  heart  grows  faint  and  drear ; 
Yet  still  thy  throne  of  equity 

Shall  from  charge  of  wroug  be  cUarj 
And  of  justice 

X  wiU  sing,  and  hell  shall  hear.     ; 
But  canst — wilt  Thou  a  soul  deny. 

Groaning  'ueath  infirmity. 
Which  on  the  bleeding  Ijamb  re}y> 

And  in  Him  for  mercy  cry: 
Pmyer  hearer, 

Hast  Thou  not  a  kind  reply  ?  ' 


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May  1, 1865.  AND  C3BI3TIAN  RECORD.  145 

GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BY     MR.      ALFRED   PEE  T,     OF     SHABNBROOK. 

"  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain  that  nothing  be  lost."  -  John  vi.  12. 
54. — Sin  is  the  object  of  God's  liatred,  and  the  source  of  man's  misery ; 
it  overturned  the  world  and  spoiled  the  works  of  God ;  nothing  but  tiie 
Uood  of  Christ  can  cancel  its  guilt;  nothing  but  the  Spirit  of  Christ  can 
subdue  its  power. 

bb. — That  which,  without  rashness,  is  undertaken  in  Christian  wis- 
dom, and  conducted  in  Christian  love  may  be  performed  wilihout  fear. 
With  proper  ballast  the  vessel  will  float  steadily  in  the  midst  of  stbrma. 

66.— Jesus,  in  passing  through  this  world  in  our  nature,  resembled 
that  light  of  which  He  is  the  creator,  which  passes  through  all  things, 
losing  none  of  its  punty. 

57. — The  heart  of  the  believer  is  the  temple  of  God ;  the  sins  of  his 
heart  are  the  ihieves  by  which  the  temple  is  infested ;  and  l^e  scourge  of 
small  cords  are  the  aflictions  by  wkLch  the  temple  is  cleansed  and 
poirifted. 

58. — ^Many  are  for  &ith  without  works  say  some;  grant  it.  But  I 
am  bold  to  say  that,  where  the  feuth  of  God's  elect  is,  good  works  will 
also  be.     It  is  ri^t  to  place  the  cart  behind  the  horse. 

59. — ^While  danger  is  at  a  distance  we  m&y,  inthe  warmth  of  aJTection, 
speak  as  though  we  would  do  wondrous  feats ;  but,  ab^  saying  and 
doing  are  two  different  things ;  and  so  we  find  when  brought  into  the 
trial ;  witness  poor  Peter  of  okL     Luke  xxii.  ^3,  57. 

60. — ^Education  is  veiy  good  in  its  place,  ei^)eoially  to  such  as  are 
luider  the  t«ign  of  saving  grace ;  howbeit,  it  is  often  seen  that  a  poor 
illiterate  man,  whom  Jesus  sends  into  his  vineyard  is  made  instrumental 
of  doing  the  most  good,  that  men  might  know  the  power  is  wholly  of  God 
and  not  of  the  creature. 

61. — No  works  are  worthy  of  being  called  good  but  such  as  are 
wrought  by  the  good  Spirit  of  our  God,  &e  only  source  of  all  goodness. 

62. — To  ta£k  of  Christian  suffering  is  a  very  easy  matter ;  but  to 
suffer  as  a  Christian  that,  indeed,  is  hard. 

63. — ^I  am  more  afraid  of  a  dead  formal  professor  than  I  am  of  an 
open  enemy  of  the  cross  of  CSirist ;  because,  the  farmer  may  deceive  me, 
whereas  the  conduct  of  the  latter  sets  me  upon  my  guard. 

64. — ^A  proud  Pharisee  may  feel  satisfied  with  the  bare  performance 
of  a  few  cold,  dry,  legal  duties ; — not  so  a  sound  believer;  he  must  find 
and  enjoy  his  Lord  Jesus,  the  supreme  beloved  of  his  soul  in  ordinances, 
or  satisfied  he  cannot  be.  A  stinking  bone  may  please  a  hungry  dog,  but 
it  cannot  please  a  hungry  child. 

65. — ^When  ma&y  professing  people  meet  together,  alas,  how  shame- 
ful is  their  conduct  and  conversation.  Lustead  cxf  seeking  the  edification 
of  eadi  others'  souls  they  seek  the  gratification  of  carnal  self,  insomuch  that 
it  may  with  propriety  be  asked.  Who  reigns  here— ^Christ  or  the  devil  % 

66. — ^Persecutors  may  drive  us  from  one  place  to  another,  but  they 
cannot  drive  us  into  hell ;  nay,  in  attempting  to  drive  us  from  God  they 
often  are  instrumental  in  driving  us  nearer  to  Him. 

67.*— 8atan  is  most  active  against  those  that  are  most  active  for  God: 
He  hates  fiiithful  ministers. 


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146  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Hsy  1,  1M& 


ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-SIX. 
WHAT  DO  THE  PKOPHETS  SAY  OF  IT  ? 

Having  a  brother — my  own  beloved  brother  Samuel — ^labouring  for  the 
Irish  Baptist  Mission  in  Ireland,  I  felt  moved  with  a  desire  to  hear  the 
annual  sermon  in  behalf  of  that  society,  which  was  preached  by  O.  H. 
Spurgeon  in  his  own  Tabernacle.  He  took  Joshua's  anny  compassing 
the  wails  of  Jericho  for  his  subject.  He  thought  Romanism  was  the 
modem  Jericho  of  our  day,  and  that  ultLcoately  her  walls  must  come 
down  j  and  when  they  fidl  then  will  the  glory  of  Christ  more  req>leii- 
dently  shine  forth.  The  divisions  of  Mr.  Spurgeon's  sermon  were  three 
—**  Wmk  1  Wait  1 1  and  Win  111"  It  was  well  calculated  to  stimu- 
late zealous  souls  to  action ;  and  there  is  no  immediate  necessity  for  find- 
ing fault  with  Christian  people  for  ovar-much  working ;  there  has  been 
so  little  done  by  Protestants,  and  so  much  done  by  Papists,  and  all  the 
dark  and  death-like  forces,  that  reaUy  we  seem  to  need  some  stimulant& 
to  set  us  going.  There  was  one  point  in  Mr.  ^uigeon's  sermon  I  dis- 
tinctly noticed.  Beferring  to  the  ''  signs  of  ihe  times*'  he  said,  there 
always  had  been  **  signs  of  the  times,"  which  remark  was  quite-true;  but 
the  sweeping  sentence  was  this — Mr.  Spurgeon  did  not  believe  in  the 
near  approach  of  any  remarkable  crisis,  for  many  reasons ;  one  was, 
because  all  the  prophets  said,  we  were  &st  approaching  the  end  ;  ^  but,"^ 
said  he,  "  all  the  prophets  are  liars ;"  of  counie,  he  meant  those  prophets 
who  made  a  profit  out  of  their  pitiphesying.  As  I  do  not  kziow  whey 
these  prophets  are  I  will  not  say  mucL  Dr.  Cimiming  has,  doubtless, 
made  large  sums  by  his  literaiy  productions ;  but,  having  carefully  read 
some  of  his  works,  I  am  not  prepared  to  pronounce  all  his  iwedictions 
false.  The  fact  is,  Dr.  Cumming  in  England  and  Mr.  Baxter  in  Ame- 
rica, are  two  great  collectors  of  ti^e  testimonies  and  predictions  of  all  the 
students  of  prophecy  for  many  centuries ;  and  it  is  remarkable  that  mul- 
titudes of  grave,  gracious,  and  intelligent  writers  have  all  thmtghi^  that 
ere  1875  has  come  solemn  changes  would  be  seen,  and  that  1866  did 
stand  in  their  eye  as  a  great  culminating  period.  I  am  afraid  of  that 
spirit — **  WTiere  is  the  promise  of  Hii  coming  f*  Ac,  &a  And  to  pro» 
nounce  ^'  all  the  prophets  as  liars"  came  to  me  exceedingly  harsh ;  yea, 
more  than  that,  it  was  calculated,  I  feared,  to  influence  thousands  of 
minds,  and  lead  them  in  a  wrong  direction. 

It  may  be  C.  H.  Spurgeon  has  read  some  of  the  recent  numbers  of 
"  The  Last  Vials"  The  editor  of  that  serial  is  veiy  decided  in  his  cen- 
sures upon  Dr.  Cumming,  while  he  carefully  introduces  some  calcuhu 
taons  of  his  own  making.  I  am  convinced  there  are  two  great  positions' 
to  be  occupied  by  eveiy  real  Christian.  The  first  w,  "  Giving  all  dili- 
gence to  make  his  calling  and  election  sure."  The  second  is  a  constant 
and  happy  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  ''  Chbist  CoiUNa 
Again  I"  is  the  title  of  two  sermons  I  recently  preached  to  my  own 
people,  and  which  I  will  publish,  if  the  Lord  miable  me.  If  any  of  his 
people  will  furnish  the  means,  I  would  put  a  large  number  of  them 
into  circulation,  because  I  firmly  believe  in  studying  those  discourses  I 

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34*7 1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  147 

liad  the  light  and  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit  with  me  ;  and  the  whole 
Truth  was  rendered  sabstantiallj  precious  and  useful  to  my  own  bouI. 
In  delivering  those  discourses  I  was  not  sensibly  free  ;  nor  do  I  know 
how  fer  they  were  acceptable.  That  I  leave;  but,  in  my  private 
meditations,  I  was  honoured,  helped,  and  exceedingly  comforted ;  and  I 
believe  if  I  can  write,  print,  and  issue  them,  they  will  be  attended  with 
good  results  to  thousands.  I  will  wait  and  watch  the  Lord's  hand  in 
this  matter.  Meanwhile,  I  shall  only  this  month  introduce  the  follow- 
ing note.     Will  any  good  brother  reply  to  it  ? 

''  Dbar  Sm, — ^In  perusing  your  valuable  publication  of  this  month 
relative  to  the  times  and  seasons  of  the  fulfilment  of  prophecy,  I  should 
thank  you,  for  the  purpose  of  edification,  to  propose,  through  the  medium 
of  The  Earthen  Ybsbel,  two  questions,  for  some  Christian  brother  to  give 
a  reply.  The  first  is  the  restrictive  limitation  of  Daniel's  prophecy,  when 
he  inquired,  ^  How  loojg  shall  it  be  to  the  end  of  these  wonders  %*  (Dan. 
xii.  6.)  '  And  I  heard  the  man  clothed  in  linen,  which  was  upon  the 
waters  of  the  river,  when  he  held  up  his  right  hand  and  his  left  hand  unto 
heaven,  and  sware  by  him  that  liveth  for  ever,  that  it  shall  be  for  a  time, 
times,  and  a  half^  and  when  he  shall  have  accomplished  to  scatter  the 
power  of  the  holy  people,  all  these  things  shall  be  finished.' 

^  Now  as  the  apostles  propheded  in  part,  my  next  question  is  the  re- 
strictive limitation  of  Peter's  declaration,  when  he  saith  (1  Pet.  iv.  7) 
'  The  end  of  aU  things  is  at  hand.  Be  ye  therefore  sober,  and  watch 
unto  prayer.' 

''My  object,  then,  by  these  two  simple  questions,  is  to  inquire  whether 
any  Christian  brother  can  furnish  me  with  any  other  exposition  of  these 
two  prophecieB  than  that  of  their  being  fulfilled  by  the  dissolving  event 
of  the  Jewish  polity. — ^I  remain,  dear  Sir,  yours  respectfully, 

W.  Wakshak. 
''  ]  6,  Mount-street,  Plymouth. 

"April  4th,  1865." 

I  am  reading  *«  The  Last  ViaUy"  and  shall  shortly  try  to  write  an 
epitome  of  some  of  the  Editor's  comments  and  calculations. 


THE  LATE  MR.  JOHN  GRACE,   OF  BRIGHTON, 

AND   NOTICE   OF   SSRMOSS   BT   HB.    GEORGE  A6EAHAMS. 


In  our  notices  of  the  funeral  sermons  we  will  not  be  critical ;  and  yet 
how  to  p8U9S  over  some  things,  in  even  some  of  the  best  of  men,  we  know 
not.  We  often  think  that  no  public  office  is  so  subjected  to  the  pre- 
sumptions of  finite  man  as  is  the  sacred  ofiice  of  the  preacher.  There  is 
a  wider  license  given  and  taken  by  thousands  of  ministers  than  by  any 
other  class  of  public  men  on  the  &kce  of  the  earth.  And  this  could  be 
easily  shown,  i£  we  thought  any  real  benefit  could  flow  therefrom  ;  but 
ministers  frequently  are  self-cond&dent,  and  to  question  their  correctness 
in  any  point  is  considered  a  grave  offence.  We  know  not,  nevertheless, 
that  we  ought  to  shrink  from  carefully  and  kindly  directing  attention  to 
ministerial  errors  when  they  are  given  broadcast  to  the  world. 
To  mnch  pleasanter  work  than  that  we  turn  now  for  one  moment.    It. 


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148  THE   EARTHEN   VEaSBL,  May  1, 18C6. 

is  to  give  Mr.  Abrahams*  testimony  to  the  genoiaeness  of  Mr,  Giaoe's 
religion.  Mr.  George  Abrahams  is  not  a  believer  in  the  genninencBs  of 
every  minister's  &ith ;  but  John  Graoe  vrBa  well-known  to  him ;  and  of 
him  he  speaks  with  great  assaranee.  Here  is  the  first  item.  It  is  drawn 
from  the  first  funend  sermon.  After  representing  the  Person  and  work 
ci  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Mr.  Abrahams  gave  the  following  :-^ 

''  Now  then  comes  in  our  dear  departed  brother  Grace.  He  is  in 
tmion  with  Christ,  do  not  forget  it,  for  if  he  were  not,  I  repeat,  any  one 
bishop  of  Israel  might  preach  kb  funeral  sermon,  for  I  would  not  Uiank 
any  man  to  ask  me  to  do  it.  I  have  known  my  beloved  brother,  as  a 
Mend,  more  than  thirty  years ;  and,  as  a  preacher,  v^ry  nearly  the  same 
time.  When  I  first  came  to  Brighton,  he  was  not  a  minister,  but  greatly 
troubled  conoeming  the  ministry ;  and  we  had  many,  many  talks  con- 
cerning tibe  matter;  and  especially  one  night  after  I  had  be^  preadiing. 
He  seemed  very  much  cast  down  and  in  trouble,  and  being  next  door,  I 
said,  '  I  will  go  in  and  talk  to  Mr.  Grace  a  little.'  When  I  entered  the 
room  he  was  sitting  by  the  fireside,  veiy  much  cast  down.  I  to<^  a 
diair  (he  was  glad  to  see  me),  and  we  both  eat  down  by  the  fireside. 
'  WelV  I  said,  'you  seem  very  much  troubled,  firiend  Grace.'  '  O  yes^' 
said  he,  '  I  am  fiill  of  anxiety  and  trouble.  I  do  not  know  what  the 
Lord  means  to  do  with  me.'  I  said  to  Him,  '  Ha.ve  you  never  received  a 
penny  of  God's  everlasting  love  Y  I  had  no  sooner  said  this  than  he 
snatdied  at  the  subject,  and  spoke  of  1^he  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  his 
soul ;  insomuoh  that  I  could  not  get  in  a  word  sideways ;  he  had  it  all 
to  himself;  except  when  I  went  away,  I  said,  *lfow,  friend  Grace,  if  I 
had  sat  down  moping  like  yourself,  and  we  had  both  begun  to  demur 
whether  God  had  ever  done  anything  for  us,  which  is  the  fashion  with 
some  professors,  the  devil  would  have  stood  laughing  in  his  sleeve  behind, 
and  said,  *'  Here  is  a  couple  of  fools  f  But  here,  through  mercy  and 
goodness,  we  ihave  got  the  start  of  him.  Ton  can  talk  of  the  loving- 
kindness  of  liie  Lord,  and  so  can  the  poor  Jew ;'  and  our  union  was 
made  in  such  a  manner  as  never  to  be  separated  again." 


OR,     A     PORTION     FOB     EVERY      SABBATH. 

BT     GinEOK.    ' 

SUNDAY,  MAY  7th.—"  YET  THERE  IS  ROOM." 
''  r«t  than  is  n>oW*^Likke  xir.  22. 
How  often  have  people,  who  have  been  a  little  late,  heard  the  mortify- 
ing remark  <<  No  room<'*-4iot  even  atandii^  room,"  and  they  have  turned 
away  calling  themadves-  a  thousand  foola  for  not  having  started  earlier, 
•or  made  more  haste.  Bat  I  have  heard  the  cry  ^^No  room"^  when  there 
was  plenty,  and  alter  a  little  pushing  and  aqueaang  have  not  only  got  in 
but  found  a  seat.  Now,  whan  Satan  sees  a  poor  soul  pareasing  toward 
merpjr's  door,  to  partakeof  the  Gobpel  feast^  he  raises  the ery — "  There 
is  no  room — you  are  too  late."    Aiul  if  you  meet  him  withaome  ptomiae 


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Mmj  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  149 

lie  replies,  *^  There  is  xu>  xoom.  for  yoUf  you  are  so  old  in  sin,  so  unwor- 
thy in  pei^son,  and  so  ragged  in  appeara«C9  that  the  Lord  of  the  foast 
will  have  nothing  to  do  with  such  a  wretch  as  you/'  And*  alas !  .unbe- 
lief is  too  ready  to  listeaa  to  these  suggestiovMs.  But  in  clear  letters,  as 
of  gcdd,  the  inscription  stands  written  right,  over  mercy's  gate^  '*  ITbt 
THERE  IS  BOOM/'  Where  9  In  the  Sikviour's  hea^rt,  at  ishe  thponeof 
grace,  at  the  Master's  table,  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock,  in  the  ark,  in  the 
city  of  refuge,  and  in  heaven.  The  beats  in  yonder  mansions  are  all 
reserved,  and  the  names  of  the  persons  for  whom  they  were  prepared 
are  on  them ;  and  they  are  "  kq)t  by  the  power  of  (>od  through  faith 
unto  sslration,  reidy  to  be  reVealed  in  the  last  time  *     ' 

"  Ah  I "  you  say,  "  I  believe  all  that ;  but  fbr  whom  is  there  room  t" 
There  is  none  for  the  Pharisee,  the  work-monger,  the  formalist ;  mercy 
is  for  the  miserable,  pardon  fbr  the  guilty,  food  for  the  hungry,  clothing 
for  the  naked ;  and  the  refuge  is  for  the  destitute.  Hence  you  see  the 
poor,  the  halt,  the  maimed,  and  the  blind  come ;  aAd  for  such  **  yet 
thei-e  is  room'."  ' 

There  is  no  room  for  sin  in  heaven  or  in  the  heart  of  Olirist.'  But 
blessed  be  God,  He  can  hate  sin  and  love  the  sinner ;  he  can  punish  sin 
and  save  the  sinner ;  he  can  let  the  sinner  in  and  shut  out  the  sin«  All 
this  IS  done  by  Jesus  Ohi-ist.  Come  then  to  the  Temple  by  way  of  the 
Cross,  and  thou  shalt  find  that  «  yet  thisre  is  room.**    ' 


SUNDAY,  MAY  14th.— i^O  CONDElVLlffATION, 

*^  Tberd  is  therefore  ziow  no  condesmfttioiL"—- Bonu  yiiu  1. 

Wht  1  How  can  God  be  just  and  not  condemn  the  guilty  1  I  am'  guilty, 
snd  feel  and  confess  and  deplore  that  guilt,  the  law  condemns  me,  and 
that  justly.  And  where  is  there  a  way  of  escape  of  which  justice  will 
approve  1  By  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ.  He  was 
condemned  and  'punishe4  as  the  accepted  surety,  being  delivered  into 
the  hands  of  law  and  justice  for  our  offences,  and  was  raised  again  for 
justification.  "  There  is,  therefore,  no  condemnation."  Mark  the 
therefore,  on  the  ground  of  what  Jesus  did  as  shown  in  the  former 
arguments  of  the  apostle. 

There  may  b^  (Kwaadum — the  ^mrld,  the  devil^  atid  thine  own  con- 
science will  accuse  thee ;  but  there  is  an  Advocate  with  the  Father  who 
pleads  thy  cause,  if  tliou  art  a  true  believer  in  Jesus ;  and  He  can  put  in 
a  plea  on  thy  behalf,  and  show  why  thou  shouldst  not  be  condemned. 
Thy  sins  are  buried  in  the  ocean  of  His  blood,  thy  person  covered  in 
His  obedience ;  and  therefore  there  is  now  no  condemnation.  Observe 
-then — 

1.  This  is  a  present  blessing.  ^<  Now,''  what  a  blessed  reward  is 
that  I  It  was  now  in  Paurs  day  ;  with  the  Church  it  has  been  iiow 
ever  since.  It  is  still  not9,  and  it  will  be  down  to  the  end  of  time, 
and  for  ever.     Now,  there  id  therefore  J^m^)  no  condemnation. 

2.  It  is  a  perfect  blessings  Here  is  another  little  word-r-iTo-^r-niark 
that.  Qod  does  all  things  well-*^**  He  is  theRock;  Hisworkis  perfect." 
Hot  a  fldn  unpardoned ;  not  a  thought  in  His  heart  toward  us  but  it  is 
love.  No  reeerre^  no  shyness  or  coolness  toward  us  for  sin.  Not  that 
J»e  justifies  our  daily  sins,  or  loves  these  sins ;  but  he  justifies  our  per- 


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loO  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL^  ilky  1, 1M& 

wsmy  and  tliat  perfectly.  Wliat  irondeTfial  lore!  Mi^ty  gnoe! 
Glory  for  ever  be  to  God  !     For, 

3.  This  is  a  public  blessiiig— 4hat  is,  it  briongB  toall  tiie  elect  alike. 
Tme,  they  do  not  all  alike  enjoy  it  by  faith ;  but  it  is  theira  not- 
withstanding. No  matter  whether  yon  have  one  talent  or  ten; 
wbether  a  mere  babe  in  Christ  or  a  strong  man,  if  yoa  are  a  true 
penitent,  and  have  got  no  fvrther  than  **  God  he  merei/td  to  me  a  turner^ 
we  teO  yoa  that  yon  are  not,  and  never  shall  be  condemned  to  hdL 

SUNDAY,  MAY  21st— "OUR  STRENGTH  IN    DEATH." 

"When  thou  pMsest  throngli  the  waten  I  wiD  he  with  thee."~Iaufth  xInL  2L 

All  the  promises  of  God  are  yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesos ;  but  to 
realize  them  we  mast  be  broaght  into  the  circumstances  to  which  th^ 
refer ;  for  instance,  it  is  here  implied  that  the  people  sboold  pass  throo^ 
floods  and  flames.  And  why  does  the  Lord  allow  his  children  to  walk 
in  such  paths  %  He  could  dry  the  river  ap,  or  bridge  it  over,  and  with 
one  breath  put  the  fires  oat.  But  no,  these  rivers  and  flames  lie  directly 
in  our  path  to  heaven  ;  and  though  the  Lord  could  remove  them,  he  will 
not.  "  The  Lord  trieth  the  righteous,"  and  that  in  many  ways ;  He 
tests  their  principles.  There  is  a  way  that  seemeth  right  unto  man. 
Yes,  a  way  of  religion  that  appears  right  to  the  carnal  mind,  and  the 
"  religious  world"  are  going  in  it.  The  number  and  influence  of  the 
people  resemble  a  mighty  flood ;  just  now  the  stream  of  religious  zeal 
has  overflowed  its  banks — ^is  sweeping  all  before  it.  Step  into  the  boat 
of  popular  and  fiashionable  theology,  and  it  will  gently  carry  you  along  ; 
but  where  ?  Ah  !  where  will  free  will  and  creature  doings  end  f 
Not  in  heaven  !  Then  the  Lord's  people  must  go  against  the  stoeam^ 
and  bear  the  fire  of  man's  displeasure.  Again,  there  are  the  afflictions 
of  this  life — difiiculties,  sickness,  and  sorrows ;  and  add  to  tiiese,  the 
temptations  of  the  devil  and  oppositions  of  tKe  flesh.  Truly  may  it 
be  said  that  '^  many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous." 

But  what  a  promise  is  this :  ''  I  will  be  with  thee."  Blessed  com> 
panion  •  "  The  angel  of  thy  presence  shall  save  me,"  and  the  flood  shall 
only  wash  away  my  pride,  and  sin,  and  self-conceit ;  the  flame  shall  con- 
sume the  fetters  that  bind  mj  heart  to  earth,  but  refine  the  gold.  Poor 
soul,  do  not  conclude  tliat  the  Lord  is  not  with  thee  because  thou  canst 
not  see,  or  hear,  or  feel  Him  near:  The  fact  that  ^hou  art  holding  on 
thy  way  in  spite  of  these  rivers  and  fires  is  proof  that  He  is  with  thee  ; 
and  though  thou  forget  Him,  he  thinks  of  thee ;  if  all  be  dark  with 
thee.  His  eye  looks  through  the  cloud,  and  by  and  bye  thou  shalt  come 
forth  as  gold  and  say,  "We  went  through  fire  and  thix)ugb  water;  but 
thou  broughtest  us  out  into  a  wealthy  place." — Psalm  Ixvi.  12. 


SUNDAY,  MAY  28th.— ''BOUNDLESS  SYMPATHY." 

"  He  that  toucheth'you  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye." — ^Zech.  ii  & 
Wonderful  is  the  union  of  Christ  and  His  Church.  We  are  members. 
of  His  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  His  bones.  Everything  in  salvation 
springs  from  this  oneness ;  break  that,  and  you  beggar  l^e  church,  and 
consign  her  to  perdition.  But,  bless  the  Lord,  neither  sin  nor  Satan 
can  separate  us  from  Christ.     One  of  the  sweet  privileges  arising  from 


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aifty  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD,  151 

this  nnion  is  the  S3anpaihy  of  Cluut :  what  touches  you  touches  Him. 
"  Saul,  Saul,"  said  He,  "why  persecutest  thou  me?"  One  writer  says, 
'^  Saul  trod  on  the  toes  on  eaith,  and  the  head  felt  it,  and  cried  out  in 
heaven.**  Again  Jesus  says,  "  Forasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  one  of  these 
my  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  me."  "  He  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of 
our  infirmities."  Tes,  when  &ith  crawls  up  to  him  through  a  crowd, 
whose  presence  he  regards  not,  and  touches  the  hem  of  his  robe,  he  says, 
"  Somebody  has  touched  me." — ^Luke  viii.  46.  He  felt  thst  touch. 
She  was  nobody  before  ;  they  were  nobodies  who  made  the  press  upon 
him,  but  now  the  poor  woman  is  "somebody."  And  though  thou 
mayst  be'  poor,  unknown,  and  neglected,  not  only  by  the  world,  but 
the  church,  if  united  to  Jesus  by  covenant  bonds  and  living  faith,  thou 
art  "  somebody"  in  his  esteem,  for  of  such  he  says,  "  They  shall  be 
mine  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels."  In  the  margin  it 
is  "  special  treasures''. — Mai.  iii.  1 7.  Thinkest  thou  then  that  He  will 
foi^t,  or  neglect,  or  be  indifferent  to  thee,  believer?  No,  whatever 
toucheth  thee  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye.  "Why,  then,"  sayest 
thou,  "  does  He  not  deliver  me  &om  this  rough  path  ]"  Because  it  is 
the  right  one,  and  not  half  so  rough  as  that  he  trod,  and  thou  hast 
forgotten  that — 

"  The  path  of  sorrow,  and  that  path  alone, 
Leaas  to  the  regions  where  sorrow  is  unknown.'* 

Then  look  up  to  Him  in  all  thy  trials,  and  "  fret  not  thyself  because  of 
evil  doers :  they  shall  soon  be  cut  off  as  the  grass." — Psalm  xxxvii,  1. 
"  But  they  that  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  as  Mount  Zion  that  abideth 
for  ever,"  and  cannot  be  moved. 


A  VISIT  TO  THE  TOMB  OP  THE  LATE  MR.     JOHN 
WARBURTON, 

OF  TRO«rBRn>6B,   WILTS. 

My  Deab  BaOTHKB,— Last  week  I  came  up  fix)m  Plymouth, 
having  been  preaching  in  Stonehouse  the  Word  of  Life  for  upwards  of 
three  months,  not,  I  trust,  without  signs  of  a  Divine  blessing. 

On  Tuesday  April  the  4th  I  left  for  Exeter,  where  my  dear  brother 
in  Christ,  Z.  Turner,  met  me.  I  preached  for  him  that  evening  with 
some  liberty,  and  the  souls  of  the  disciples  were  encouraged.  The  cause 
is  prospering.     Our  brother  baptized  four  sisters  in  Jesus,  March  26th. 

On  W^nesday  I  preached  at  South  Chard,  where  brother  Shep- 
herd, of  Exeter,  labours,  and  is  made  a  blessing.  The  Lord  was  with 
me  here.  Deacon  Bennett  I  found  to  be  a  true  lover  of  Zion.  They 
would  like  the  Editor  of  The  Earthen  Vessel  again. 

Thursday  I  spent  at  Yeovil  with  good  brother  Day,  whose  soul  is  in 
his  Lord's  work,  and  is  being  made  a  blessing  thei«  and  elsewhere  :  the  • 
Lord  bless  and  spare  him  long. 

On  Saturday  I  went  to  and  saw  the  last  resting-place  of  that  man  of 
Ood,  Mr.  Warburton,  whose  testimony  the  Lord  bl^ed  to  my  soul  twenty- 
five  years  ago  in  Norfolk.  The  last  time  I  heard  him  was  at  Wrening- 
ham,  by  Norwich,  where  he  had  been  preaching  the  first  Lord's  Day. 
Never  shall  I  forget  the  text  and  sermon :  the  one  was,  "  Is  not  the 


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152  .  THE  EARTHEN  VESSELy  May  1, 1865. 

Lord  gone  out  before  thee  V  The  sennon  was  full  of  the  goings  out  and 
before  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  work  of  aaIvatioa«  Never 
can  I  forget  what  I  enjoyed  under  that  sermon.  Hundreds  of  times  in 
passing  through  the  deep  path  of  tribulation  the  Holy  Ghos^  has  brou^t 
home  the  truth  into  my  souL 

When  I  stood  over  his  tomb  I  breathed  a  prayer  for  a  i^nrit  of 
prayer  to  come  upon  me  that  I  might  follow  him  more  where  he  followed 
Christ,  and'thwt  He  would  bless  the. cause  at  Zion  and  Bethesda.and  His 
Zion  uniyeraally.  It  was  a  solemn  blessed  time  to  my  souL  I  have 
transcribed  the  inscription  on  his  tomb,  which  is  .as  follows  on.  the  right 
sddeoffit:- — 

"  Underneath  He  the  remains  of  John  Warburton,  minister  of  the 
Gospel ;  for  forty-two  yefats  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Chri^  meeting  fiwr 
the  worship  of  God  at  Zion  Chapel,  Trowbridge,  who  died  April  2nd, 
1857,  aged  80  years.  In  token  of  esteem  and  affection  for  a  beloved 
servant  of  God,  the  Chilich  and  congregation  have  erected  this  monii- 
ment."     At  the  end  of  the  tomb  is  the  following  inscription : — 

"  In  his  ministry  he  contended  for  the  *  teaching  and  testimony  of 

the  blessed  Spirit  in  the  heart,  and.  supported  in  a  long  illness  by  His 

consolations.     He  died  triumphantly  in  Jesus.     In  his  last  illness  the 

following  verse  was  often  on  his  lips : — 

^*But  when  this  lisping,  stammerixig  tongue 
Lies  silent  in  the  grave, 
Then  in  a  nobler,  sweeter  song 
VU  sing  thy  power  to  save." 

The  beloved  wife  of  Mr.  Warburton  is  .interred  in  the  same  tomb, 
who  departed  to  be  with  Jesus  about  four  years  since.  The  spot  where 
the  tomb  is,  is  consecrated  by  a  cluster  of  godly  ones  lying  here  till  the 
resurrection  of  the  just — ^viz.,  Mr.  Banister,  Miss  Oram,  Mr.  England, 
Mi's^  Dererill,  and  the  Singers^  &ther  and  son,  4kc.,  till,  as  Swain  puts  it, 
they  shall  rise — 

"Hark!  ten  thousand  harps  resounding, 
Form*d  in  bright  and  grand  array : 
See  the  glorious  armies  rising, 
While  their  Captain  leads  the  way — 

Heaven  before  them 
Opens  an  eternal  day,'* 

May  we  be  followers  of  them  who,  through  faith  and  patience,  now 
inherit  the  promises. 

I  was  preaching  at  Bethesda,  with  the  Lord's  blessing  on  the  souls  of 
the  people,  my  text  on  Wednesday  evening  "  Who  can  ted  f "  in  the  form 
of  hope  that  the  set  time  is  come  to  fekvour  the  cause  here  more  than 
ever.  They  appear  a  kind,  spiritual  people.  Brethren  Nash,  BolliDS, 
Dyer,  Griffin,  dns.,  appear  to  have  the  good  of  souls  at  heart — ^Youvs  in 

Jesus,  JoflBPH  FltOBT. 

Trowbridge,  April  15,  1865. 

Db.  Chablbs  J.  ZiMPBL  has  sent  us  two  books,  both  of  which  are 
issued  to  promote  the  construction  of  railways  in  Palestine*  The.pn^K>- 
sition  is  most  startling ;  but  it  is  so  closely  identified,  we  think,  with 
the  fulfilment  of  prophecy,  and  Dr.  Zimpel  appears  an  old  pstriarch  of 
such  sterling  fiuih  and  confidence  in  G<Ki,  that  we  cannot  look  lightly 
upon  his  efforts.  His  works  are  reviewed  at  length  in  The  Govpd 
Guide. 


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lUy  1, 1865.  AND  CHEI8TIAN  RECORD.  168 

AND    HOW    TO    OBTAIN    IT. 

oo:<TU7uap  faosc  paqjb  105. 

Wb  hftve  referred  to  the  issue  of  that  handaomo  vrixune  of  Mn..Qniit'8, 
<«  Troths  for  the  Day  of  lAfe^  md  the  Hawr  of  Deaih,"  <bQ^  in  lehieh.aos 
many  chapters  on  Christian  Assisitanoe.  The  Mudent  fathers  labonsed 
hard  to  lead  believers  on  to  this  firm  and  happy  standing ;  and  their 
argaiiie«tfl  and  exhoirtations  were<  good.  Hof  ^  th^y  sqcipeeded  in 
establishing  t^  people  in ,  their  day,  we  cannot  dcKside ;  but  to  us  tit 
is  deal*,  that  in  o^u:  day,  the  people .  who  f<  knoyr  tthe  joyful  sound"  ai>e 
so  -exercised  -and .  toased  about  between  the  flesh  and  the  spirit,  tibat 
nothing  suiita  them  bettei^— aiothing  can  more  fully  represent  th^i^ 
desires — nothing  caa  more  correctly  express  the  tuh^i/^  of  their  h^rts 
ihaa  doth  the  iMUguagie  of  Watts^-r 

^Al»i2fe]»yd<»seiMiceof  berpaiiy  

In  the  SeiieemerV  Wood  i 

And  bear  thy  witness  with  my  heart, 
That  I  am  bom  of  God."   '    ' 

We  quote  these  words,  not  to  stifle  the  strugglings  of  lonffing  souls  for 
assurance,  but  rather  with  the  hope  that  as  they  present  this  petition  at 
the  throne  of  grace,  they  may  obtain  the  sealing  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
and  like  the  Church,  Exclaim,  ^^  My  beloved  u  ininey  and  I  am  His." 

There  is  a  large  body  o{  profetoing  Ohristians  in  this  day,  whose 
laugiiflqge  and  spirit,  and  faith,  and  love,  appear  good,  and  in  some 
measure  Scriptural,  but  they  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  doubts  and 
fears  about  individual  and  present  saltation,  and  they  speak  as  though 
the  believer  had  only  to  look  and  live,  and  be  assured,  cmd  be  happy, 
and  never  fear  again.  This  is  the  point  to  which  thousands  are  hoping 
to  come,  but  they  cannot  reach  it. 

How  u  this  f  Let  us  oarefolly,  from  time  to  time,  examine  this 
question.  Mr.  Grant  is,  we  believe,  a  happy  Christian — a  strong,  firm 
believer.  Let  us  listen  to  him.  Without  note  or  comment,  this  month, 
we  give  the  opening  lines  on  this  most  blessed  theme.  Our  author 
begins  as  fojlows : — 

^^Theassahmoe  of  ifsith  ist  a  profoundly  interesting  and  most  im- 
pofftant  snbjeot.  li  is  so,  oe< at  least  ought  to  be^  alike  to  those  Chri^tians 
who  possess  tiiiseoaixranoe,  aiid  thosewhodo  notJ  Snob  a«  do  posses  it 
wouid  not  part  with  it  for  all  that  this  workl  could  oSer  in  return^  Itis 
to  them  the'sonree  of  a  joy  too  great  to  them  to  be  conceived.  Con^ 
trasted  with  the  pleasures  which  spring  hxmi  oth^r' sources,  they  regard 
the  latter  as  unworthy  the  name.  And  no  wonder,  though  the  believer's 
blies  be  so  great^  in  the  oonsdonsness  that  hei»  one  of  the- sons  of  Ood ; 
that  he  has  been  made  a  new* creature  in  Ohiiist  Jesus;  that  all  the 
bleasingB  ^hi(&  (}od  has  covenanted  to  impart  to.  His  peopleare  his  either 
inposMdon  or  introspect;  that  even  God  himself 'is  hispeirtidh,  and 
that  as  snre  as  €k)d  is  tme,  and  has  power  to  carry  his  purfkMies  into 
effect,  so  sorely  will  hdaven  at  last  be  his  etermd  home.  It  were  strange 
indeed  if  the  believer,  possessing  these  and  other  sources  of  joy,  were  not 

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364     •  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Kay  1,  IMS. 

in  a  state  of  transcendent  happiness.  And  having  such  sources  of  bliss 
always  within  his  reach,  it  would  certainlv  be  amazing,  and  something 
more  than  amazing,  did  he  not  regard  them  as  of  unutterable  importance, 
and  feel  that  he  would  rather  relinquish  ten  thousand  worlds,  were  he 
owner  of  as  many,  than  be  deprived  of  the  happiness  which  he  derives 
from  such  sources  of  bliss. 

"  But  it  is  not  onlj  by  the  possessor  of  the  a^urance  of  fiuth  that 
that  assurance  ought  to  be  regarded  as  of  inexpressible  importance. 
Those  who  do  not  enjoy  this  assurance,  and  yet  are  the  children  of  God, 
made  so  by  &ith  in  Christ  Jesus,  ought  to  look  upon  its  possession  as  a 
matter  of  the  very  greatest  importance ;  as  a  thing  which  they  should 
most  earnestly  and  unceasingly  desire  to  obtain.  God's  glory  is  involved 
in  the  question  as  to  whether  or  not  believers  enjoy  this  assurance  of 
faith.  If  God  has  in  His  sovereign  grace  translated  them  firom  the 
kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of  His  dear  Son,  it  surely  must, 
in  the  highest  degree,  be  desirable  that  they  should  be  conscious  of  the 
mighty  and  momentous  change  which  they  have  undergone.  In  the  very 
nature  of  things  it  must  be  the  will  of  God  that  His  people  themselvea, 
as  well  as  those  around  them,  should  know  the  wonderful  things  which 
He  has  done  for  their  souls  :  and  surely,  as  the  matter  is  one  which  so 
nearly  concerns  ourselves,  we  are  bound  by  every  moral  consideration 
which  can  suggest  itself  to  our  minds  to  make  sure  of  a  fact  thus  inti- 
mately  bound  up  with  our  own  individual  happiness.  I  can  conceive 
nothing  more  deeply  to  be  lamented  than  that  any  of  God's  saints,  dear 
to  Him,  as  we  know  them  to  be  as  the  apple  of  His  eye,  should  remain 
in  a  state  of  misery,  arising  from  groundless  doubts,  and  from  conclu- 
sions for  which  there  is  no  foundation  whatever.  It  is  in  the  hope  that 
I  may  be  the  means,  in  the  hands  of  God,  of  removing  from  the  minds 
of  some  believers  in  Jesus, — ^would  it  were  in  the  case  of  all  believers  ! 
— such  groundless  doubts  as  to  their  adoption  that  I  have  tiuned  my 
attention  to  the  subject  of  the  assurance  of  faith." 


NEW  BOOKS. 


"  Visions  of  Zechariah,"  by  B.  Taylor,  of  Pulham,  Norfolk,  is  a 
volimie  of  great  mental  labour.  We  fear  our  brother  has  studied  too 
closely  of  late  for  his  own  health  ;  but  certainly  the  Church  of  God  will 
reap  the  advantages  of  his  immense  toil.  We  have  ail  read  notes  on 
the  visions  of  £zekiel  and  Zechariah,  but  those  of  Mr.  Taylor's  are 
neither  borrowed  or  stolen ;  nor  are  they  old  children  dressed  in  new 
clothes — ^they  are  original  and  good. 

''The  Sure  Foundation;  A  Discourse  on  Matt  viiL  24/  By 
William  Cole.  A  pamphlet  worthy  to  be  laid  on  the  drawing-room 
or  study  table  of  either  the  wealthy  or  the  wise.  The  battle  beibween 
faith  and  works  is  fought  with  skill  and  success.  Both  the  above 
may  be  had  at  the  office  of  the  Caiyl  Book  Society,  4,  Crane  Court, 
Fleet  street. 

"  Travelling  to  Eternity."  A  Tract.  By  B.  CordweU,  of  Oloaoes. 
ter.     Suited  to  send  forth  into  all  the  world. 


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May  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BEGGED.  155 

"  Gospel  Light  in  a  Dark  Lantern,"  by  Thomas  Whittle.  Every- 
body in  the  Churches  of  Truth  knows  Thomas  Whittle  to  be  an  eloquent, 
pleasant,  faithftil  and  upright  preacher  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  one  who  is  much  beloved  for  his  works'  sake  by  many  established 
Christians.  He  is  now  preaching  to  the  good  people  who  were  gathered 
by  the  late  Gad  Southall,  in  Taylor's  Depository,  near  the  Elephant  and 
Castle.  He  i9  also  the  editor  of  a  new  poetical  periodical,  called  ^^  Gos- 
pel Light,"  <&c.,  which  contains  sweet  and  wholesome  pieces.  But  surely 
Thomas  Whittle  does  not  call  himself  a  dark  lantern  1 

"Popeiy:  Its  Origin,  Nature,  and  Productions."  By  R.  Cord- 
well,  of  Gloucester.     Concise  and  faithful ;  clear  and  instructing. 

"  Nothing  to  be  Sorry  for."  This  is  the  title  of  No.  332,  of 
**  Surrey  Tabernacle  Pulpit."  A  Sermon.  By  Mr.  James  Wells. 
When  we  read  it  we  said  "  it  is  too  good  to  be  true."  Yet  it  must 
be  true,  because  it  is  based  on  scriptural  doctrines,  and  evidenced  by 
all  the  experiences  of  good  people  in  all  ages. 

"  Boaz  and  Ruth,"  and  "  Divine  Sovereignty."  These  two  tracts, 
by  Mr.  Dickins,  are  poetic  letters  in  the  rough  :  truth  without  any  polish. 
Salvation  and  Christian  experience,  without  any  creative  gloss.  They 
can  both  be  had  at  our  office. 

Mr.  R.  Govett's  works  "  On  the  Righteousness  of  God,"  and  other 
productions,  can  in  future  be  had  by  order  from  our  office.  A  list  of 
them,  with  reviews,  we  hope  soon  to  give. 


MR;  JAMES  WELLS'S  NEW  SURREY  TABERNACLE. 


A  VERY  fine  and  beautiful  picture,  representing  the  elevation  and  ex- 
terior of  the  above  building,  has  been  prepared,  and  can  now  be  had  as 
per  advertisment.  From  the  circular  issued  we  quote  the  following  : — 
"  The  building  now  in  course  of  erection  in  Wansey-street,  Walworth- 
road,  five  minutes'  walk  from  the  "  Elephant  and  Castle,"  is  in  the  Italian 
style,  and  will  have  a  portico  of  six  Ionic  columns.  There  will  be  a 
large  vestry  at  the  side,  with  convenient  vestries  for  the  minister  and 
deacons ;  accommodation  will  be  provided  for  about  two  thousand  per- 
sons ;  the  walls  will  be  of  white  brick  and  solid  stone  dressing.  The 
building  internally  will  be  89  feet  by  64  feet ;  the  total  outside  length, 
including  vestries,  wiU  be  135  feet.  The  cost  is  estimated  at  over 
jS9,000,  and  it  is  expected  to  be  opened  in  September.  The  sum  col- 
lected by  donations  and  weekly  subscriptions  for  the  new  building  is  now 
£5,125,  besides  various  promises,  amounting  to  £800,  payable  as  it  pro- 
gresses. These  funds  have  been  derived  pidncipally  from  the  congrega- 
tion who  have  supported  the  cause  for  many  years,  during  which  time, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  ministry,  £7,500  has  been  collected 
and  distributed  among  the  poor  and  various  benevolent  societies.  The 
assistance  of  friends  who  have  shared  in  the  occasional  labours  of  our 
beloved  minister,  as  well  as  of  all  who  are  willing  to  aid  in  the  erection 
of  a  house  for  the  worship  of  God,  is  earnestly  solicited,  that  the  building 
may  be  opened  unencumbered  by  any  debt," 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Va^y  l,18$5w 


($ttr  (l(Imii(hi|8,  0ur  jj^uian,  and  m\  $ioifi^. 


OUR  LONDON  CHURCHES. 
At  the  moment  of  writing  these  few  linet, 
the  uA^gnma  annoimce  four  events  of 
some  note.  1.  The  Confederate  Lee.  the 
great  Southern  General  in  America  has 
surrendered:  It  is  hoped  America  will  cease 
to  be  the  horrible  sJaughter-honse  it  haa 
been  now  for  some  few  years.-  Oh !  how 
one's  aonl  grieToa  over  such  imhohrhlood- 
shed  and  cruelty.  If  it  has  really  coma 
to  an  end,  anrely  all  England  must  lift  up 
her  heart  to  Ood  in  thanksgiving^.  As  to 
America  herself,  w;e  fear  she  &  such  a 
thoroughly  nligious  hypocrite,  we  can 
haidly  take  any  notice  of  what  she  may 
do. 

The  second  event  is,  the  Russian 
epidemic;  which  it  is  feared  will  soon 
reach  theiBe  shoKs*  The  ptupen  are*  teem- 
ing with  letters  and  warnings,  and  pre- 
scriptions ;  but,  we  pray  the  Lord  to  S{>are 
us,  guilty  though  we  be,  from  such  a  visit- 
ation. 

Another  note,  is  the  opening  of  West- 
minster Abbey  for  Sundav  evemng  services. 
The  Bean  preached  on  the  "  Vafley  of  dijr 
bones."  it  was  a  philosophical,  general, 
and  national  discourse.  Such  a  scene  it  is 
said  was  never  seen  before.  Thousands 
upon  thousands  of  persons  could  not  get 
neflv  tbedoors.  The  Dean  of  Vf  estminster 
is  exceedingly  popular ;  how  far  he  is  op- 
posed to  the  Gospel  we  stop  not  here  to 
enquire;  but  were  we  to  review,  with 
care,  the  works,  the  sermons,  the  writings, 
&c,  of  all  theaeareai  men,  whether  in  Uie 
Chpxch  or  out  of  it,  whether  openly  or  not 
Arminian,  we  should  find  history,  reason, 
philosophy,  and  a  qpecious  charity,  per- 
vade  the  whole  body  of  theologians,  more 
or  less,  and  that  their  preadiing  is  of  an 
outside  character,  and  being  destitute  of 
the  SputiT,  it  never  attempts  to  enter  into 
Man-Stnd;  the  revelation  of  Jbsus  Chaist, 
in  a  sinner's  heart,  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spibit;  which  \b  the  root,  ^the  s»- 
jperiinental  root  of  all  real,  vital  religion^ 
IS  not  only  l^ft  ont,  but  treated  with  con- 
tempt. The  key-note  of  the  Gospel, 
seems  nearly' lost  in  the  publie  miniscry; 
but  it  is  as  safe  as  ever  in  the  Book  and 
blessing  of  Heaven :  it  reads  thus,  "  Go  to 
UY  BBBTnuEN ;  and  say  unto  them. .  I 
ascend  unto  my  Father,  and  your  Fatner ; 
and  to  mv  God,  and  your  God.'* 

The  relationship  stands  the  same,  much 
as  by  our  modem  divines  the  secret 
may  be  ignored. 


Another  event— notes  from  the  oountrj 
inform  us — Mr.  Bloomfield  is  ill,  and 
cannot  fulfil  all  his  engagements.  It  is 
hopod  this  is  but  temporary.  We  ane 
often  ill ;  and  soon,  like  many  more,  most 

§as8  away,  and  leave  our  wore  to  be  better 
one  by  others.  May  the  Lord  Himself 
light  up  our  way,  when  over -Jordan's 
narrow  sea  we  cross ;  and  nu^  Mr.  Bh)orat> 
field  and  all  the  .ministers  be  st^ng  to 
labour  while  in  the  world  they  stay. 

An  effort  is  making  to  establish  a  good 
truthful  Baptist  cause  at  Stratford  in  the 
Lecture  Hall,  where  Thomaa  Stringer 
preaches  every  Wednesday  evening;  and 
the  brethren  AIsop,  Bradley,  Smithersi 
Steed,  and  others  preach  on  Sundays.  On 
the  28th  of  March,  a  large  tea  meeting 
was  holden ;  brother  Thomas  Strixueer  was 
in  the  chair ;  and  a  cheerfal  presiaent  he 
made.  He  called  upon  his  helpers  Steed, 
Maycock,  Stanley,  C.  W.  Banks,  (Arist- 
mas,  and  others,  to  i^>eak  to  the  people. 
It  was  a  pleasant  and  encouraging  evening. 
We  hojpe  Mr.  Fowler  will  be  the  raeaaa 
of  raismg  a  church  in  that  plaee.  He  is 
both  fighting  and  fearing  daily;— may 
many  run  to  his  aid. 

Mr.  Samuel  Milner*s  tenth  pastorate 
at  Keppel-etreet,  in  Russell-SQuare,  was 
holden  on  the  28th  March,  1865,  when 
a  plensant  evening  was  spent  After  many 
fnends  had  taken  tea,  Mr.  Milner,  ana 
his  brethren  Aldersoa,  Bloomfield,  Fobs* 
man,  Haselton,  Wyard,  H)gfaam#  Green, 
and  othecst  conducted  the  meeting.  Mr. 
Milner  was  cheerful,  and  satisfied  with 
his  position.  All  iras  peace  and  good 
prosperity.  It  must  be  grateAil  and  ioy* 
M  to  Samuel  Milner  thus  to  stand  In 
honour  and  in  truth. 

Mr.  Hisham*s  anniversary  at  Camden- 
town  exhibited  much  erowth  in  the  cause ; 
in  both  his  own  chunm  and  in  his  bcother 
Geo.  Webb's,  at  Zion  (the  late  Mr.  Nuna's) 
increase  ia  n^en. 

The  Cave  Adullam  Building  Societv 
held  thfiir  third  anniversary  on  the  11th 
of  April.  Mr.  Webster,  the  pastor,  pre- 
sided. He  is  better.  We  hope  he  will 
soon  return  to  the  d^s  of  his  youth. 
Mr.  Culyer's  reoort  of  the  Society's  pro- 
gress came  too  late ;  but  it  will  be  useful 
another  month. 

On  Easter  Monday  Mr.  Ghiveie*s 
Siok  Society  meeting  was  holden. 
The  report  read  showed  that  the  funds 
were  still  well  maintained,  X37  Ss.  6d. 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


167 


httvioff  been  labaeribed  during  the  joar. 
Uwfal  and   interestmg   addrenee  were 

g'iren  bj  the  brethren  Meeres,  Cannt^ 
utterfield,  and  Aldurson;  the  deaoons 
Wood,  Stringer,  Knott,  Laurence,  and 
friend  Garrett,  also  assiated  in  the  aer- 
vioes.  Aj  lunial,  it  was  all  that  could  be 
deaired.  It  ia  aaid  Mr.  Ohivera  will  preach 
in  Trinity  chapel,  in  the  Bcnough,  during 
May,  but  we  are  not  yet  authoriaed  to 
announce  it.  Mr.  Hawidna  has  rvasigned, 
and  Trinitv  ia  open ;  but  whether  brother 
Thomas  Ghirera  ia  the  aucceeaor  or  not, 
we  leareu 

On  Easter  Tuesday,  at  Mount  Zion 
Chapel,  in  the  Barltin^-road,  was  cele- 
beated  anniTeisarjr  aemcea.  Mr.  James 
Wells,  Mr.  Thoinas  Stringer,  and  the 
pastofT,  Mr.  William  Palmer,  preached 
Gospel  sermoaa.'  Xntheevenlngmeeting, 
W.  Palmer,  J.  Stringer,  C.  W.  Banks,  J. 
Inwards,  8.  Gosens,  F.  Dickeison,  J.  Wise. 
G.  Webb,  W.  Cowdrv,  and  others,  assisted 
in  carTTing  on  a  truly  comfortable  season. 

HALESWORTBL— The  Loid  is  wotk- 
Ing.  This  rejoices  our  hearts,  gives  us 
fresh  courage,  and  stronger  desires  to  press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  As  a 
church  we  are  under  deep  obligation  to  Al- 
mighty God  for  His  leviring  and  saving 
grace.  The  ministry  of  our  beloved  pas- 
tor, Mr.  W.  Gooding,  is  blessed  to  the 
Church  and  people.  Those  who  have  be- 
lieved through  the  miffhty  power  of  God's 
grace  are  comforted  and  eatauished  in  their 
most  holy  laith;  others,  who  were  dead  in 
their  sins,  are  brought  to  life  through  the 
power  of  Christ's  resurrection.  Thus,  we 
nave  good  reasons  to  rejoice,  and  to  take 
fresh  courage.  March  oth.--Our  pastor, 
after  discoursing  from  Acts  viii.  jfr,  de- 
scended from  the  pulpit,  and  after  a  few 
solemn  remariu,  had  the  pleasure  of  im> 
meninf^  two  brethren  upon  a  confession  of 
their  futh  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity. 
One  of  the  candidates  is  but  a  youth,  and' 
teacher  in  the  Sabbath  achool,  but,  like 
youthful  Samuel,  brought  from  the  drud- 
geiy  of  sin  to  hold  communion  with  the  Sa- 
cred Three; — ^may  he  thrive  and  flourish  as  a 
tree  planted  by  the  river's  brink.  The  other 
brother,  a  member  of  the  Independents,  but 
since  he  has  put  on  Christ,  or  has  given  a 
pubtio  proof  of  his  unfeigned  attachment 
to  Christ  and  His  cause,  he  has  felt  con- 
strained to  come  and  cast  in  his  lot  with  us. 
April  2nd. — Our  pastor  again  had  the  plea- 
sura  of  administerinfi^  the  ordinance  of  be- 
lievers' baptism.  He  immeised  four  be- 
lieven  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost  The  same  day,  after  an  ad- 
dress was  Riven,  theywere  received  into 
church  fellowBhipk  We  are  happy  to  aay 
others  are  coming  forwasd  to  teU  what 
great  thinga  God  hath  wrought  for  them. 
Charlbs  MASiCRson,  Lowe«toft 


FBESSINGFIELD.— Good  Friday  being 
a  general  holiday,  the  friends  of  the  Baptist 
interest  in  this  place  felt  they  could  not 
spend  it  better  than  in  the  service  of  the 
King  of  saints.  The  members,  therefore, 
met  at  aSO  p.nL^  and  held  a  special  churoh 
meeting  to  consider  the  spiritual  and  flnan- 
cial  prospects  of  this  branch  of  Christ's 
Zion,  which  were  exceedingly  satisfactory ; 
and  also  to  hear  an  address  read,  composed 
for  the  occasion  by  the  pastor,  Mr.  Pegg< 
The  friends,  in  number  about  75,  then  sat 
down  to  a  well-provided  tea^  which  was 
enjoyed  hr  more  than  such  gatherings 
uaiukUy  are.  In  the  evening  we  met  for 
laayer,  when  our  number  was  increased  to 
afanit  350.  Six  of  the  bretiiren  interoeded 
for  us  a4  the  throne  of  mercy  y  and  we  felt 
they  ^  ao  under  the  influence  and  direction 
of  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God;  and  it  ia, 
THBRKFORB,  that  WO  believe  the  answer  of 
the  Lord  in  a  meroy-way  will  be  given 
thereto.  Tbophuiub. 

READING.^We  are  going  on  happily 
at  Providence  Chapel,  Beading,  and  pros- 
pering, Mr.  Wyard  has  been  down  into 
the  water  three  times  since  he  has  been 
here.  On  Good  Friday  we  had  one  of  our 
best  meetings ;  near  aOO  sat  down  to  tea; 
after  whichTa  public  meeting.  Mr.  Wyaid 
presided.  Parron  AUdis  gave  an  address; 
and  a  vny  young  brother  spoke  aome  nice 
things  upon  the  willing  sacrifice  of  Christ, 
and  of  His  love  to  His  people.  He  said  h» 
desired  to  exalt  Christ  and  abase  the  crea- 
ture lift  the  glorious  Christ-man  hleh !  The 
choir  sang  some  pieces,  for  which  thankB 
are  due.  David  says,  ^  I  will  sing  with 
the  heart,  and  with  the  underalaiiding  alsa" 
Praying  that  providence  may  prosper,  and 
spread  out  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  lefL 

ALDBINGHAM.— We  always  feel  a 
pleasure  in  thinkinff  upon  that  sacred  spot, 
the  old  Baptist  cbapol  on  Aldringham 
Common.  We  visited  it  many  yeare  since, 
and  can  never  foiget  the  time.  Since  then, 
dear  Skelton,  Brand,  and  others,  have 
stood  there  in  usefulnessk  Now,  our  brother 
Hemy  Pawson  is  the  nastor ;  and  the  Lord 
is  honouring  him.  Our  prvrer  shall  cer-> 
tainly  be  that  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church  may  there  keep  and  bless  him  for 
many  years. 

PLYMOUTH.—"  We  have  Mr.  Edwards 
from  Tunbridge  Wells,  at  Trinity.  He  is 
a  pleasant,  happy,  and  good  preacher;  it 
comes  out  of  his  heart ;  and  we  are  anxious 
to  have  him  for  our  pastor ;  but  whether  he 
will  leave  the  Wells,  and  his  many  frienda 
there,  for  us,  is  not  known,  as  yet,  to  those 
who  are  not  in  the  cabinet" 

CBANBBOOE.— I  am  not  far  from  Cran- 
brook,  and  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Smart  is  the 
most  faithful  and  searching  I  ever  had  the 
privilege  of  sitting  under;  he  is  gathering- 
a  goodly  number  of  hearers  at  the  late  Mr. 
Beeman's  chapeL 


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THB  EARTHEN  VEaSEL, 


]%i,iatt. 


MEETING  AT  THB  SUEREY 
TABERNACLE   ON    GOOD    FRIDAY. 

Beloved  Bbothes  in  Christ. — Iir  your 
last  letter  you  refer  to  the  building  of 
the  new  Surrey  Tabernacle,  and  as  I  vns 
invited  to  attend  the  meeting  on  GkxMi 
Friday,  the  14th  of  this  April,  1866,  I  will 
give  yon  a  few  descriptive  words.  In  the 
Irst  place,  let  me  tell  you  I  occupied  part  of 
Uie  morning  on  Good  Friday  in  careful 
searching  into  the  history  of  **  The  Surrey 
Tabernacle;'*  and  I  clearly  discovered  that 
a  church  has  had  aa  existence  here  for  more 
than  fifty  years,  and  that  the  pastorate-— so 
far  as  I  could  discover — ^bad  been  holdsn 
by  three  ministers;  fiisty  the  original 
builder,  Mr.  '  ;  and^seoondly, 

the  present  pastor,  Mr.  James  Wells.  As 
regards  the  first  pastor,  Mr.  '■ 

I  know  nothing  beyond  what  I  ha>ve  read 

and   heard.     I  have  read  ^"s 

letters,  aennons,  experiences,  expositions, 
icCy  and  from  them  I  am  constrained  to  be- 
lieve he  was  a  child  of  God,  a  minister  of 
Christ,  an  heir  of  glory,  and  a  deeply  exex^ 
dsed  saint  and  sorrowing  believer  in  this 
vale  of  tears.  I  quietly  and  confidently  be- 
lieve his  ransomed  spirit  is  now  before  the 
throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb.  That 
■  was  charged  with  some  unhappy 
fault  I  kihow  very  welL  What  it  was  I 
know  not;  nor  will  I  ever  care  to  know. 
His  life  and  letttts,  with  critical  notes,  I 
hope  to  give  entire  in  The  G<upel  Giiiddf 
because  I  am  persuaded  there  are  thousands 
of  afflicted  souls  now  in  Christendom  to 
whom  these  heart-bleeding,  but  Saviour- 
honouring  testimonies  will  be  a  great  bless- 
ing. Good  old  William  Allen  said  to  me, 
before  he  died,  ^'  I  onoe  went  to  Crosby- 
row  Chapel  to  hear ._- ;  it  was  on 
&  week-day  evening.  I  could  scarcely  get 
into  the  place;  but  I  was  blessedly  con- 
vinced that,  had  there  not  been  strong  pre- 
judices against  him,  no  chapel  in  London 
would  have  been  large  enough  to  hold  the 
people  who  would  flock  to  hear  him." 

I  have  never  forgotten  that  testimony 
from  that  dear  man  of  Gtod,  William  AQen. 
and  I  honestly  hope  that  this  reference,  ana 
my  tracing  up  the  history  of  the  Surrey 
Tabernacle  to  its  commencement,  will  not 
be  offensive  to  any,  but  rather  tend  to 
strengthen  our  faith  in  the  fact,  that  **  Jesus 
Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners, 
even  the  chief." 

I  was  much  comforted  in  my  retired  re- 
flections and  researches  into  the  history  of 
that  noble  cause — Thb  Bub&et  Tabbii- 
NACUE — ^most  decidedly  it  is  the  gmndest 
demonstration  of  Gkxi's  mercy  and  favour 
toward  His  people  that  England  has.  There 
is  not  another  in  all  the  world  to  equal  it ; 
and  if  James  Wells  could  have  practically 
and  ^tematioally  worked  up  a  variety  of 
auxiliariea,  as  Mr.  Spurgeon  has  done;  if 
the  Surrey  Tabernacle  pastor  and  people 
had  established  schools,  colleges,  lectnres, 
ladies*  classes,  elders'  communities,  dissolv- 
ing views  and  diagram  exhibitions,  with 


all  their  attendant  and  oomeq^ent  pna- 
phemalia^  no  one  can  estiinata  the  ex- 
tent to  which  the  Suirey  Taberaade  causa 
would  long  since  have  reached;  but  the 
fact  is  here.  James  Wells  was  designed  by 
God  (and  has  been  used  and  honouredX 
instrumentally  to  lead  thousands  d  the 
election  of  grace  into  the  truth;  and  in 
ministerially  building  them  up  in  their 
most  holy  faith.  Thib— even  this— hsi 
been  the  work  hib  God  has  given  him  to 
do ;  he  has  stuck  fast  unto  it  He  is  one  of 
the  safest  ministerial  lines  you  can  tmval 
by ;  he  never  runs  off  the  new  ooveoHt 
line;  he  is  always  sure  to  start  fromths 
junction  formed  by  a  Thbes-Onk  Jkboyah, 
and  keeping  close  by  the  river  of  electing 
love,  runs  so  close  to  the  fountain  of  atoning 
blood,  that  every  sin-Utten  sad  Snirit- 
taught  Israelite  may  look  to  the  onoe  Used- 
ing  Sacrifice  and  be  healed;  and  being  thas 
healed,  brother  James  (under  speeial  sad 
spiritual  dirsction)  wiU  lead  3rou  thiongh 
some  such  portions  of  ImmanueTs 
and  open  up  suoh  beauties  in  the  "^ 
and  longdom  of  Jbscs  Chbibt,  as 
times  to  fill  your  souls  with  delight ;  and 
stop  he  never  will  tmtil  he  has  run  yon 
right  into  the  desired  haven— the  haven  of 
eternal  glory.  I  do  not  think  he  has  any 
sympathy  with  Br.  Zimpel*s  aahene  for 
laying  down  a  railway  from  Jaffa  to  Jen- 
sslem; — as  regacds  the  thoosaad  ywn^ 
nrillennial  reign,  he  caniss  a  high  vadoet 
over  it,  and  looks  only  with  oonteinpt  od 
those  who  fully  believe  that  jBsm  will  take 
his  biide  through  that  lovelv  vallev  ftt- 
vionaly  to  the  final  and  feaaull]f:-glonoi0 
consummation  of  all  thinga 

Dear  brother  Collins,  pardon  this  di- 
gression 1  —  I  have  lately  not  only  read 

^"s  experience,  but  I  have  also  ca»- 

fullv  perused  Mr.  James  Wells's  testimony 
of  the  way  and  manner  in  which  the  Loid 
led  him,  and  in  a  spiritual  point  of  view, 
it  has  knit  my  soul  closer  to  mm  than  ever; 
and  as  my  motive  is  pure  in  this  refannoe, 
so  my  mind  is  free  £rom  all  anxiety  as  re- 
gards any  influenoe  it  may  have  upon 
weaker  intellects,  and  jealously  affected 
spirits,  and  in  my  fifty  yeacs^  review  of  the 
churches  historv,  I  quite  mean  to  include 
James  Wells's  Ufe  with  others,  and  which 
the  succeeding  Gumas  will  contain 

I  reached  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  on  Good 
Friday  afternoon  just  as  Mr.  WeUe  was 
closing  his  discourse.  The  following  hyna 
which  Mr.  Wells  rsad  at  the  end  of  his  ser- 
mon, and  which  the  people  sang  moA 
blessedly,  made  a  deep  impression  on  my 
mind.  These  are  the  words : — 
[Not  being  able  to  get  the  book,  I  muA 

give  the  hymn  next  month.] 

About  1,200  tooktea  in  the  chajpeL  There 
was  a  nxe  gathering  of  the  anoient  men  of 
Israel  there ;  and  considering  servioee  weie 
being  holden  in  nearly  all  the  chapels  in  Lon- 
don, it  wasmarvelloneto  seesocheiDwds  up 
stairs  and  down,  and  so  many  ministwa 
present.  There  was  a  sprinkung  of  the 
sterling  young  men  who.  are  to  p«petuat« 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


159 


the  work  when  we  wom-out  oubb  are  laid 
aside.  For  instance,  there  was  brother 
Dyer,  now  the  pastor  of  the  Harwich 
Chuich;  ah,  he  looked  so  happy;  and  at 
Becfrholt,  he  told  me^  the  speech  made  by 
brouer  Wells  did  him  much  good.  There 
was  brother  Alaop  there.  Ue  has  been 
brought  from  the  Irimitiye  Methodists  over 
to  us  Particolar  Baptists ;  and  is  a  kind  of 
twin-brother  to  B.  G.  Maycook.  I  hare 
had  the  honour  to  baptize  them  both ;  and 
I  beUere  both  Maycock  and  AJsop  will  be 
useful  ministen  in  our  churches  for  years 
to  come.  Elijah  Packer  was  there,  too; 
and  I  never  heard  him  sing  with  greater 
power. 

On  opening  the  meeting,  Mr.  Wells 
deHvered  an  address  full  of  old  Testament 
truth.  Mr.  Edwaid  Bute  read  the  report 
ol  the  Building  Committee.  Mr.  Carr  spoke 
exceedingly  well  of  the  happy  state  oT  the 
chuich,  of  the  unity  and  sympathy  existing 
between  deacons  and  minister,  and  of  their 
fervent  prayers  that  God  our  Father  would 
long  spare  Mr.  Wells's  life.  Mr.  William 
Pabner,  of  Homerton,  then  gave  the  people 
some  really  good  WDTds.  He  clearly  showed 
that  unlesi  we  were  hyper-Calvinists,  we 
could  not  be  really  in  the  truth  of  the  Gos- 
peL  He  declared  that  John  Calvin's 
writings  contained  a  contradictory  mixture 
of  fre»-wUl  with  free  grace;  and  that 
Andrew  Fuller  drew  bos  system  from 
Calvin;  in  fact^  that  all  the  yea  and  nay 
systems  of  the  day  are  only  so  manv  dege- 
nerating deductions  from  the  theology  of 
Calvin.  As  Mr.  Pafauer  was  discoursing 
upon  the  great  theme,  I  silently  reflected 
upon  two  things. 

L  I  thought  how  imperfect  in  some 
things  many  of  the  most  eminent  servants 
of  Christ  have  been  \ 

II.  What  great  use  the  Lord  has  made 
of  them,  although  in  many  things  they 
knew  not  His  mind. 

Was  I  to  work  out  these  thoughts  by 
prsctical  illustrations,  where  should  I  stop  ? 
Ah!  where? 

Father  J.  A.  Jones  then  ascended  the 
pulpit;  and  spoke  at  some  length,  which 
the  people  heard  gladly.  My  turn  came 
next  I  had  thought  enough  of  the 
PsBivruiTY  OF  THE  MianBTRY~-the  pro-' 
gress  of  the  cause  at  the  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle, of  Christ's  Church  at  large,  and  of 
the  ultimate  periection  of  Zion,  to  occupy 
at  kest  an  hour;  but  I  was  to  occupy  only 
fifteen  minutes ;  it  was  nearly  nine  o'clock ; 
the  people  had  heard  enougL  Many  were 
leaving  and  in  a  few  hurried  and  confused 
wordi  I  scrambled  oYvt  my  thoughts,  and 
instead  of  clearly  and  consecutively  opening 
my  mind,  I  only  tore  in  shreds  the  thoughts 
of  my  heart,  and  sat  down  ashamed,  while 
the  people  wondered  what  I  was  aiming  aL 
At  least,  so  it  appeared  to  me.  Brother 
Wall,  of  Gravesend,  gave  the  final  address, 
■and  soon  all  was  over.  If  we  live  a  few 
months  longer,  the  opening  services  of  the 
new  Tabernacle  will  be  recorded  by  us,  or 
some  one  for  us;  meantime  in  Giosfel 
OtTTOB  some  historical  papers  may  be  given, 


leading  up  to,  and  preparing  for,  the  open- 
ing of  the  most  magnificent  chapel  ever 
erected  for  the  proclamation  of  a  free  g^nce- 
Gospel 

EAST  BEBGHOLT.-.I  have  written 
the  previous  notes  of  Mr.  WeUs's  meeting 
in  a  Great  Eastern,  going  to,  and  returning 
from  that  aristocratic  and  Popish  village, 
called  East  Bergholt,  about  three  mues 
from  Manningtree  Station,  and  beautifully 
planted  on  an  eminence  between  Colchester 
and  Harwich,  neariy  approximating  to  the 
suburbs  of  Ipswich.  I  have  preached  in 
East  Beigholt  in  the  Methodist  Chapel 
^ean  ago»  and  sometimes  in  a  waggon  out 
in  meadows;  at  other  times  in  cottage 
kitchens.  Mrs.  Eliza  Baldwin  has  prayed 
in  East  Bergholt  for  years  that  God  would 
enable  her  to  set  up  a  taberoade  for 
His  truth  and  worship  in  the  midst  of 
a  peoi^e  so  bitteriy  opposed  to  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  Gk>»eL  For  a  long  time 
it  seemed  impossible;  but  now  about 
one  mile  from  the  Wh^  Hone  (an  excel- 
lent inn,  whero  Mr.  and  Mm.  Bichuds 
make  Christian  people  qpedally  comfortable) 
stands  **JmBU"  chapel,  a  most  unique 
square,  genteel,  and  truly  comfortable  houae 
for  prayer  and  praise,  and  preaching  Christ's 
GUm^L  It  is  a  bnnch  of  Mr.  Poook's 
churoh  in  Ipswich ;  and  the  friends  there 
have  done  much  to  help  on  the  work,  but 
at  this  time  thero  is  a  balance  due  to  the 
builder,  and  a  sum  to  be  paid  to  the  gentle- 
man of  whom  the  land  was  purohased;  be- 
sides this,  there  is  a  sum  of  nearly  £150  to 
be  paid  punctually,  in  monthly  instalments, 
"  theoo  " 


to  the  building  society ;  and  \ 
Ue  heavy  on  the  heart  and  hands  of  that 
mother  m  Israel,  Mra  Baldwin ;  and  the 
dear  people  are  struggling  hard  to  set  the 
house  free  from  all  encumbmnces,  and  to 
add  unto  it  a  vestry,  so  essentisUy  neces- 
sary; abaptistrv,  and  other  occasions.  I 
would  be  thankful  if  means  could  be  raised 
to  set  this  sweet  little  Jireh  free.  During 
the  summer  many  thousands  of  the  Lord's 
family  will  be  visiting  Harwich,  Dover- 
court,  WaUon-on'the-Naae,  Ac.  I  would 
invite  them  to  drive  one  day  to  East  Berg- 
holt, and  thero  survey  the  sacred  spot ;  and 
during  the  season  special  services  might  be 
holden,  and  the  visitors  around  united. 
Brother  Dyer,  of  BArwich,  will  be  preach- 
ing on  Sunday  afternoons  during  tne  sea- 
son, in  the  Assembly  Rooms,  at  Dover- 
court  I  hope  the  Lord  will  bless  his 
efforts.  He  was  with  us  yesterday  at  Beig- 
holtf  and  many  friends  from  different  cor- 
ners came  to  give  us  a  kind  and  encouraging 
word,  among  them  was  Mr.  French,  Isieof 
Cheltenham,  who  is  chosen  pastor  at  Thorp- 
le-Soken,  whero  a  cause  has  long  existed. 
Hadleigh  chuich  has  lost  its  pastor,  Mat- 
thews, and  Mr.  Chariea  Smith  is  now  the 
minister ;  but  the  people  sie  praying  for  a 
peace  and  prosperity  not  yet  fully  realised. 
The  church  at  Oadleigh-heath  is  consi- 
dered by  some  as  lost  to  u&  '*  A  Farmeir's 
Son"  (said  a  Hadleigh  friend  to  me\  under 
the  auspices  of   Mr.  SpurgeoQ,  has   got 

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16Q 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


MAyl,186& 


Hadleigh-heftth  chapeL  It  has  been  en- 
larged, and  its  oongp:«gation  has  much  in- 
creaeed.  I  will  add  nothing  lo  thia.  Onr 
Lord  only  knoweth  what  further  changes 
the  churches  of  truth  will  undergo ;— uie 
lack  of  a  powerful  ministry  has  been  to  us 
a  great  affliction.  The  dews  of  hearen 
descend  on  thee,  piays,  thine  for  ever, 
C.  W.  B. 

GOOD  FRIDAY.— Ever  since  the  time 
when  the  Saviour  of  the  world  was  nailed 
to  the  tree,  until  the  beginning  of  this 
century,  this  day  has  been  throughout  all 
Christendom  regarded  as  the  most  solemn 
of  all  days  in  the  year.  It  is  still  celebrated 
with  the  most  profound  solemnity  in  all 
countries  professing  the  Christian  faith, 
excepting  in  this  island,  which  we  love  to 
call  the  most  Christian  country  in  the 
world.  We  will  not  mention  the  peculiar 
ecclesiastical  pomp  and  circumstance  with 
which  on  that  day  divine  service  is  per- 
formed in  the  Bomau  Catholic  and  Groek 
churches ;  but  we  may  state  that  in  the  Pro- 
testant countries  of  Korthem  Germany, 
where  Bationalism  abounds,  and  in  Swe- 
den, Norway,  sad  Denmark,  where  the 
teachings  of  Luther  are  most  scrupulouslv 
and  rehffiously  followed,  this  day  is  stiU 
held  in  the  highest  degree  of  veneration  as 
the  aanivemury  of  the  death  of  the  Be- 
deemer,  and  the  dawning  of  the  day  of  sal- 
vation. In  Germany  this  day  is  called  the 
still  Friday;  in  Sweden  and  throughout 
Scandinavia  the  low  Friday;  both  terms 
sni&ciently  expressive  of  the  manner  in 
which  it  is  kept  holy.  In  the  Established 
Church  of  this  eountry,  tooi,  where  bv  a 
singular  contrast  it  is  called  Good  Friday, 
it  18  kept  as  one  of  the  holidays  of  the 
churoh.  The  Nonconformists  alone,  con- 
sidering that  no  day  is  more  holy  than 
another,  excepting  the  Lord*s  Sabbath  day, 
pass  it  over  in  silence,  or  at  most,  treat  it 
only  as  a  holiday,  a  day  of  recreation  and 
amusement;  though  not  entirely  so  either, 
for  the  great  majority  of  our  Baptist 
churches  in  London  on  that  day  hold  reli- 
gious gatherings,  some  of  which  are  of  more 
than  ordinary  interest.  At  Mount  Zion, 
Mr.  John  Foreman's  three  sermons  were 
preached  to  numerous  and  attentive  con- 
gregations, and  this  being  the  thirty-eighth 
anniversary  of  the  pastorate  of  this  venere- 
ble  Foreman  of  the  Particular  Baptist 
churches  (our  readers  will  pardon  the  pun), 
many,  doubtless,  expected  some  allusions 
to  be  made  to  this  fact ;  but,  if  so,  they  were 
disappointed,  for  it  was  not  even  once 
named.  The  morning  service  was  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  James  Wells,  of  the  Surrey 
Tabernacle,  who  preached  from  Zech.  xii.  8. 
We  shall  not  attempt  here  to  roproduoe  any 
of  the  sermons  preached  here  this  day,  but 
will  only  mention  mention  in  pamm.  that 
Mr.  Wells  exphdned  as  his  beliefTthat  David 
and  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  spoken  of  in  the 
text,  signify  Jesus  Christ;  that  **anger 
means  messenger—God's  messenger;  that 
*'£vangelia"  means  joyful  message,  trans- 


rable  preacher  styled,  **  A  ramble  ove 
these  things,"  he  toucned  on  election,  i 


lated ''Gospel;**  and  that  the  menenger is 
fourfold  in  his  chancier,  devoted  to  his 
God,  intercessory,  a  messenger  of  the  cove- 
nant, and  of  universal  dominion.  **  Satan** 
he  explained  as  meaning  simplv  *'the  ad- 
versary.'*  He  also  condemned  uie  opinion 
entertained  of  the  millennium,  that  Christ 
will  roign  a  thousand  yean  on  earth ;  his 
saints  will  roign,  but  not  ChrisL  The 
afternoon  service  was  conducted  by  Mr. 
Foreman  himself,  who  preached  from  Acts 
xxviiL  8L    In  his  sermop,  which  the  vene- 

over  an 

nal  redemption,  and  regenentioa ;  and  ex- 
plained the  ''  Kingdom  of  God"  to  m«an  the 
Christian  church  and  dispensation.  Spesk- 
ing  of  the  Shepherd  and  the  sheen,  he 
thought  that  the  beasts  of  proy  now  tnnat- 
ening  the  flock  were  error,  hypocrisy,  and 
the  lusts  of  the  worid.  Baptiam  and  the 
Lord's  Supper  he  approved  of  as  being  or- 
dained by  Christ,  whom  he  called  the  re- 
finer of  prayers,  but  condemned  them  as 
sacnments.  Lastly,  the  evening  service 
was  conducted  by  Mr.  Collins,  of  Gnindis- 
buigh.  He  took  for  his  text  the  first  portion 
of  Isaiah  xiL  2 :  *'  Behold,  God  is  my  sal- 
vation.'* Of  all  the  preachen  of  the  dav, 
Mr.  Collins  was  the  only  one  who  maoe 
even  the  slightest  allusion  to  the  chancier 
of  the  day.  We  honour  him  (or  this.  In 
the  course  of  his  excellent  sermon,  full  of 
truth,  he  said  that  he  was  almost  afraid  of 
being  in  the  pulpit,  which  had  been  occu- 
pied bv  such  **big  guns;**  but  we  can 
aasuro  Mr.  Collins,  if  tnis  should  meet  his 
eye,  that  we  could  be  quite  content  if  wo 
were  permitted  to  sit  under  his  miniitiT. 
Collections  were  made  after  each  service, 
which,  we  trust,  proved  satisfactory. 


MB.     BLOOMFrBLD«S     SUNDAY 
SCHOOL. 

Halkh  Chapel  Mkard's  Court,  SoHa 
»0n  Wednesday,  19th  April,  the  teachers 
and  friends  of  the  Sabbatn  school  in  con- 
nection with  this  church,  held  their  ninth 
anniversary.  Tea  was  provided.  At  the 
meeting  Mr.  Bloomfleld  presided;  Mr. 
Hyde  prayed.  The  Chairman,  in  the  oonne 
of  his  opening  address,  made  some  nice  re- 
marks: he  was  thankful  for  all  that  had 
been  done  during  the  past  few  yean^  and 
even  amazed  at  the  results  produced.  This 
place  has  stood  well  for  all  the  purpoees  of 
good,  and  during  the  few  yean  of  its  exist- 
ence it  had  ever  been  more  or  less  a  work- 
ing churoh.  Though  the  chapel  was  only 
capable  of  seating  800  perM>ns,  there  were, 
nevertheless,  upwards  of  400  actual  church 
members.  Some  few  yean  ago  they  had 
no  school;  no  Dorcss  Society;  but  now 
they  had  all  these ;  and  the  church  had  dis- 
chaJrged  its  obligations  beyond  all  othera 
There  certainly  had  been  ttmes  of  depres- 
sion; but  there  had  also  been  times  of 
prosperity.  Winter  and  rain  will  come,  as 
well  as  summer  and  sunshine.  He  refoioed 
that  the  school  now  enjoyed  a  state  of  pros- 


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Jiay  1,  1865. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


161 


periiy  nerer  before  attained,  and  ezpreMed 
Lis  contentment  and  satisfaction  with  the 
superintendent  and  teachers.  Many  had 
been  their  difficulties  for  want  of  a  proper 
schoolroom,  which  is  dtuated  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  chapel;  nor  were  they  likely 
as  yet  to  have  one  to  suit  their  increasing 
wants.  Every  teacher,  with  the  exception 
of  one,  was  a  member  of  the  church,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  among  them  a  growing 
love  to  the  word  of  God.  and  a  growing 
impression  that  their  laiwurs  are  being 
blessed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  When  men 
forget  the  power  of  the  Holy  Qhost,  or  cease 
to. feel  their  entire  dependence  on  the 
Spirit  of  God,  all  their  works  crumble  and 
/all  to  naught  He  said  that  Sabbath 
schools  had  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most 
powerful  institutions  of  this  country,  and 
where  has  been  the  secret  of  this?— the 
Uesslng  of  God«  If  schools  are  to  be  made 
to  prosper,  the  promoters  must  feel  their 
entire  dependence  on  the  HoK*  Spirit ;  and 
this  should  be  awakened  in  the  hearts  and 
minds  of  themselves  and  of  the  x>eople.  It 
was  this  alona  that  supported  the  reformeiB 
oi  old  and  all  administrative  men  of  any  im- 
portance. Without  this  Luther  and  Cfalvin 
would  have  been  feeble  men  indeied.  Whai 
but  the  Spirit  of  God  could  have  made  these 
jnen  of  such  penetration  and  power!  IVe 
must  ever  realize  the  truth  of  the  word, 
and  bear  in  mind  that  God  has  said,  ^*  Them 
that  honout  me  I  will  honour.** 

The  Secretary,  Mr.  Beam,  read  the  re- 

irt,  which  showed  that  the  sohool  haa 

[jeen  in  existence  nearly  ten  years;  that 


DO] 

i)e< 


there  is  at  present  a  total  of  169  scholars. 
of  whom  there  are  67  boys,  93  girls,  and 
19  infants;  and  19  teachem  of  both  sexes. 
The  teachers  in  conjunction  with  the  Tract 
Society,  meet  every  second  Lord*s-day.  Mr. 
Henneker,  the  late  superintendent,  was  in 
October  last,  on  his  retirement,  presented 
by  the  postcff  and  teachers  with  a  memorial 
and  address,  and  Mr.  Foreman  had  been 
elected  his  successor.  The  school  still 
meets  at  the  *' Eclectic"  Hall  in  Denmark- 
street,  but  cannot  get  the  desired  attend- 
ance of  children ;  hence  the  school  has  as 
yet  proved  to  be  of  little  usefulness  as  re- 
gards the  immediate  district  The  Secre- 
tary, therefore,  proposed  that  a  fund  be 
established  for  the  erection  of  a  school  near 
the  chapeL  He  also  named  that  the  teachers 
and  scholars  some  time  ago  had  contributed 
freely  X80  to  a  neighbouring  church  for 
sending  missionaries  to  India.  The  library 
of  the  school  consists  of  some  200  volumes, 
.but  many  of  these  are  old  and  torn ;  gifts 
of  appropriate  new  books  would  therefore 
be  thannully  received. 

Mr.  Tibbets  (a  deacon  of  the  church), 
moved  the  adoption  of  the  report,  and 
closed  a  -very  neat  and  acceptable  ad- 
dress with  expressing  his  fervent  hope  that 
all  Christians  may  study  closely  the  Bible, 
and  be  guided  entirely  by  the  word  of  God. 

Mr.  Fowler  followed.  The  report  was 
ananimouslv  adopted. 

Mr.  Hoddy  (deacon),  in  a  few  remarks 


expressed  his  great  satisfaction  with  the 
report 

Mr.  Soott,  among  other  things,  said  that 
it  was  good  for  men  of  all  degrees  to  work ; 
that  the  greatest  men  had  been  promoters 
of  Sunday  schools,  such  as  Cowper,  Ne^vton, 
Hill,  and  others,  who  have  left  us  exam- 
ples worthy  of  imitation. 

Mr.  Bairns  appeared  on  behalf  of  the 
Sunday  school  union;  he  had  been  brought 
up  in  a  Sunday  school ;  he  found  that  in 
*•  Salem**  there  were  some  400  church  mem- 
bersL  and  thought  this  ought  to  be  a  good 
stocK  to  produce  plenty  of  teachers.  Within 
one  square  mile,  taking  this  chapel  as  the 
centre,  there  are  2,000  children  under 
fifteen  years  of  age  not  under  Sabbath 
school  influence.  Wfrjr  might  not  the 
chapel  itself  be  used  as  a  schoolroom? 
Places  of  worship  ought  not  to  lie  waste  on 
Sabbath  afternoons.  The  people  of  *^  Salem** 
ought  to  endeavour  to  add  to  their  chapel 
a  school  with  class-rooms. 

Mr.  Smith  (deacon),  gave  ia  few  good 
words;  and  the  meeting  was  useful,  cheer- 
ful, and  expressive  of  a  good  work  pro- 
gtessing. 

KEDINGTOl?.  — Mit  £onx»ty-^ome 
time  previous  to  Good  Friday,  the  fecials 
portion  of  th6  church  and  ooogregation  at 
Kedington  chapel,  resolved  upoan  the  plan 
o£  providing  and  giving  th»  neoeesaiTiies  lor 
a  pdhlio  tea*  the  prooeeua  ol  the  sat^e  to  go 
to  the  bnilding  fund ;  and  they  did  ii  eheeur- 
fuUy,  and  plentifully ;  no  that  by  the  day 
all  things  were  ready,  lor  whioh  they  have 
the  thanks  of  friends.  Brother  Wilson,  Uom 
Glare,  and  irienda  with  him,  paid  ua  a 
kindly  visit  Mr.  Wilson  preached  in  the 
altemoon  and  evening  two  excellent^  estab- 
lishing, cheering,  and  comforting  disoourses. 
I  never  heard  ham  better ;  and  I  hope  many 
can  tastily  the  same;  ha  exmrep»ed  and 
manifested  a  spirit  of  sympatny  with  us 
and  our  pastor.  It  ia  comforting  amidst 
all  things  in  this  sin-blighted  world  for 
brethren  so  to  dwell  in  unity.  The  carda 
brought,  in  realized  X18  9s.  Id.  Seversl 
more  to  oome  yet ;  and  others  gone  out  on 
the  seoond  voyage,  which  we  hope  will  all 
oome  home  richly  laden.  With  the  tea  and 
a  oolleotion  we  found,  at  the  close,  more 
than  j£23  to  put  to  the  fund,  most  of  wl^ch 
has  been  paid  over  to  our  tr^asurei^  and  we 
are  aa  oiganized  body,  with  building  com*, 
mittee,  treasurer,  survevorof  works,  «c.  We 
expect  almost  to  rebuild  the  chapel ;  make 
it  longer,  with  a  vestry  and  gallery,  ^  as 
we  want  the  room,  li  you  are  spared  to 
come  to  see  us  the  sixteenth  time,  I  hope 
all  the  above  will  be  accomplished.  It  was 
Good  Friday  to  us  in  every  sense:  the 
Lord  be  pmised.  Now  if  any  friend,  seeing 
this,  wiU  kindlv  send  us  a  little  help,  or 
give  it  to  you ;  if  there  is  any  in  London,  or 
anywhere  else»  that  will  help,  any  aom  in 
stamps,  or  any  other  wav,  will  bo  thank- 
fully received,  as  it  will  be  a  large  under- 
takug  for  us  considering  our  position  in 
life  and  locality ;  but  we  feel  the  needs  be 


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for  it ;  and  by  the  Lord's  help  we  trill  mm 
on,  and  we  hope  press  through.— Johk 
DnuiROHB,  Woodland-green,  near  Harer- 
faiU,  Suffolk. 

[We  heartily  wish  our  words  conld  be  as 
powerful  as  are  the  feelings  of  our  heart 
toward  Keding^ton ;  we  would  help  them, 
and  no  mistake.  We  have  offended  the 
friend  who  gave  us  6s.,  because  we  called 
it  a  poor  pittance.  We  did  not  mean  it 
so  of  her,  but  of  ourselves ;  a  poor  sum 
for  us  to  raise ;  but  she  must  f oiigive  our 
blunder ;  and  pray  God  to  help  the  blessed 
little  church  at  Kedington.— Eix] 

WEEKLY    OBSEBVANCE    OP    THE 

LORD'S  BUPPEB. 
To  WBK  EDrroB. — Mr  dbab  Sm, — ^In  re- 
ferenoe  to  Mr.  Hesser's  remark,  that  the 
Baptist  churohes  in  Scotland  have  weekly 
oommnnion  in  the  Lord's  supper,  my  mind 
has  been  exercised  in  considiering  that,  if 
they  are  light  in  that  observance,  the  Strict 
Baptists  in  Engknd  are  wrong  in  attend- 
ing to  it  only  once  a  month.  As  there  is  no 
reason  to  believe  that  the  English  Baptists 
are  less  sincere  in  their  desire  to  maintain 
the  Lord's  authority,  and  to  walk  in  all  his 
ordinances  and  commandments  blameless, 
than  their  Baptist  brethren  in  Scotland, 
permit  me  to  make  one  or  two  observstions 
on  the  matter,  tmsting  that  it  may  lead  to 
farther  in<rDiiT  and  examination  of  the 
subject,  and  that  the  Ohurches  of  Christ 
may  be  guided  in  all  things  by ''  What  saith 
the  Lord?*'  and  hate  every  false  way. 

It  isphun  to  the  mind  of  every  unpreju- 
diced Oniistisn  who  reads  the  book  of  Acts 
and  the  letten  of  the  Apostles  to  the 
ciiuiehes,  that  the  first  Christians  came 
together  every  first  day  of  the  week  for  di- 
vine worship ;  in  other  words,  to  express 
their  faitlt  and  hope  in,  and  their  love  to 
their  crucified,  risen,  and  glorified  Re- 
deemer. Their  worship  consisted  of  praise, 
prayer,  reading,  and  expounding  the  Scrip- 
tures, ahnsgiving,  and  breaking  bread ;  i.e^ 
the  observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
Now  surely  it  will  be  conceded  ly  all 
Ohrisf  s  true  people,  that  the  observance 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  as  intelligent, 
as  solemn,  as  edifying,  and  as  Christ- 
honouring  an  act  of  spiritual  worship,  as 
any  other  which  they  can  observe ;  espe- 
cially when  we  remember  his  own  words. 
**  If  ye  keep  my  commandments,  ve  shall 
abide  in  my  love."  ^  If  any  man  hear  my 
voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  unto 
him,  and  will  sup  with  him  and  he  with 
me."  From  an  examination  of  these  and 
kindred  promises,  there  is  the  evidence  of 
Scripture  to  prove  that  Christ's  special 
blessing  and  presence  and  the  comforts  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  are  connected  with  keeping 
the  divine  word  and  ordinances  in  the  way 
which  they  have  been  delivered  unto  us. 

This  brings  to  view  another  question 
which  of  all  others  is  the  most  solemn  and 
trying  to  my  mind ;  vis.,  Christ's  authority 
ia  his  own  church,  and  in  the  order  of  Uls 


wonhip^  from  which  authority  there  ean 
be  no  appeaL  Therefore,  as  the  first 
Christian  churches-were  commanded  by  the 
apostles  to  observe  the  Lord's  Supper  every 
first  day  of  the  week,  can  it  be  right  to  ob- 
serve it  only  once  a  month  ?  Is  not  this 
disregarding  the  Lord's  authority,  and 
dishonouring  to  his  wisdom,  who  hath 
appointed  his  ordinances  as  much  for  his 
people's  happiness,  as  for  the  g^oiy  of  his 
own  name  ?  What  reasons  or  gproonds  of 
expediency  on  our  part  can  stand  against 
his  authority,  in  the  face  of  his  positive 
precept,  ^^Tnis  do  in  remembnaoe  of  me?* 
Just  as  much  reason  is  there  to  assume  that 
we  sre  to  assemble  together  only  onoe  » 
month  for  prayer  and  praue,  and  hearing 
the  word,  as  to  assume  that  we  are  to  ob- 
serve the  Lord's  Supper  monthly. 

Further,  the  wisdom  and  authority  of 
Christ  unaer  the  new  covenant  dispensation 
can  no  more  be  called  in  question  than  the 
authority  of  Jehovah  when  he  commanded 
Moses:  "See  that  thou  make  everything 
according  to  the  pattern  which  I  snowea 
thee  in  the  mount"  Can  it  be  proved  that 
the  Lord  who  was  jealous  over  the  purity 
of  his  worship  under  the  old  covenant  dis- 
pensation is  lees  so  now  ?  Is  not  **to  obey 
better  than  sacrifice  and  to  hearken  than 
the  fat  of  rams,"  and  better  to  remember  the 
words  of  the  prophet :  "'  Them  that  honour 
me  I  will  honour,  but  they  who  despise  me 
shall  be  lighUy  esteemed,^  than  the  tradi- 
tions and  customs  of  men  ? 

It  is  a  difficult  thing  to  remove  pre|udiDes 
already  formed,  or  to  change  the  existence 
of  things  which  have  been  sanctioned  by 
long  usage  and  the  approbatiasi  of  good 
men,  but  touching  a  matter  affecting  the 
Lord's  authority  and  the  prayerful  desue  of 
Christ's  people  to  do  his  will  in  all  things, 
to  remain  silent,  or  to  continue  indiffsrent 
to  these  things,  must  be  wrong.  I  trusty 
however,  your  readers,  and  more  eq>ecia]hv 
Mr.  Editor,  your  ministerial  brethren,  wm 
give  the  subject  of  my  letter  their  serious 
consideration,  for  I  have  no  other  desire 
than  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  should  be 
honoured,  and  his  dying  love  for  his  people 
set  forth  as  he  himself  has  ^vpointed. 
Therefore,  may  the  Divine  Spirit  of  grace 

gve  us  wisdom  and  understanding  to  do 
e  will  of  Christ  in  all  things,  and  his 
name  shall  have  the  glqr^.    Amen. 
Cambridge  Heath,  N.&  B.  B. 

STEPNEY — Cave  ABULUUL  —  The 
third  anniveraeuy  of  the  chapel  and  school 
building  fund  was  celebrated  by  a  tea  and 
public  meeting  on  Tuesday,  April  11th. 
After  tea  a  public  meeting  was  holden; 
Mr.  Webster,  the  pastor,  mdded.  Mr. 
Brunt  offered  prayer.  The  Chairman,  in  a 
short  opening  speech,  mentioned  the  origin 
of  the  Cave  AduUam  Building  Society, 
which  was  commenced  some  four  or  five 
years  ago  by  the  teachers  aad  scholsn  in 
the  Sunday  school  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  fund  for  building  a  new  chapel 
and  school,   the   lease  of  the  old  Cave 


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Adiillftm  twrmiTrnting  in  a  lew  yean.  He 
then  oaDed  on  Mr.  Ovlyer,  the  Hon.  Sec^ 
to  read  the  finftncial  report,  which  showed 
that  at  the  end  of  1861  the  amount  in  hand 
was  £22  14&  7d.,  which  was  deposited  in 
ttie  Gommetoial-road  Barings*  Bank,  but 
was  sohsaqnently  transfened  to  the 
Bloomsbnry  Bank  The  net  hslance 
now  deposited  in  that  bank  amounts  to 
£86  lis.  6d.  The  Secretary  in  his  re- 
port also  announced  that  a  system  of 
weekly  subsor^tions  would  be  begun,  for 
which  purpose  printed  envelopes  would  be 
distribute^  to  be  on  every  Lord*s-day  de- 
posited in  the  oolleoting  boxes.  The 
Chairman  then  called  on  Mr.  Pahner,  of 
Homerton,  who,  in  moving  the  adoption  of 
the  report,  made  a  speech  rail  of  good  sense 
and  business-like  advice.  He  spoke  on 
building  in  various  senses,  on  the  voluntary 
nrincliue,  and  concluded  with  the  hope  th«b 
uiere  would  be  more  spiritual  worshippers, 
wiUi  full  hearts  and  full  hands,  and  that 
the  work  would  be  carried  on  with  much 
earnestness,  Christian  feeling,  and  success. 
Mr.  Williamson,  of  Notting-hill  in  second- 
ing the  adoption  of  the  report,  addressed 
himself  more  particularly  to  the  young 
Mends,  scholars,  and  teachers,  strongly  con- 
demning the  vice  of  avarice  and  covetous- 
ness,  congratulating  them  on  the  commence- 
mence  of  the  movement  in  the  school, 
counselling  them  to  work  well  and  harmo- 
niously in  the  cause  of  God,  and  concluding 
his  address  somewhat  in  these  words,  *^  Ye 
young  ones,  work  with  the  elder,  and  you 
elder  ones,  take  the  young  into  your  coun- 
sel, and  may  Ood  grant  that  you  may  all  be 
ready  to  do  the  work."  Mr.  Hawkins  made 
an  able  address  on  the  **  Authority  on  which 
to  build  the  House."  as  founded  on  Exodus 
XXV.  2,  31,  and  inciaentallv  named  that  one 
of  the  Sunday  scholars  had  contributed  a 
bag  containing  6s.  6d.  in  farthings,  thereby 
showing  that  much  may  be  done  by  smaU 
means.  Mr.  Brunt  spoke  on  the  voluntary 
principle  as  acceptable  to  our  God,  who  dis- 
poaea  our  people  to  give  freely.  He  said 
that  he  knew  the  Cave  Adullam  thirty 
years  ago ;  and  advised  friends  not  to  give 
too  freely  at  first,  and  then  to  decline  in 
their  offering^ ;  but  to  continue  steadily  to 
g^ve  their  share ;  and  to  suuport  the  pastor 
and  the  present  house.  Mr.  Higham,  of 
Camden-town,  moved,  that  the  names  of 
the  officers  and  committee,  as  read,  be 
adopted;  and  in  a  very  interesting  address, 
gave  an  account  of  the  origin  of  the  church 
where  he  officiated  as  pastor.  He  said  that 
he  began  five  years  ago  with  a  congregation 
of  nine  persons ;  that  two  years  later  they 
had  increased  to  120 ;  and  uien  requiring  a 
chapel  of  their  own,  they  borrowed  ttie 
money,  bought  a  site,  and  built  a  chapel, 
the  deot  on  which  they  have  already  re- 
duced by  £120.  He  advised  the  friends  of 
Cave  Adullam  not  to  wait  till  the  expiry  of 
the  lease,  but  to  follow  the  example  of  his 
church,  and  to  begin  at  once.  Mr.  Wood- 
ward, of  Hford,  was  to  have  followed  the 
above  speaker,  but  was  forced  to  leave  on 


aooount  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour.  The 
collection,  to  judge  from  the  jingling  of  the 
coin  in  the  boxes,  was  quite  satinaotory. 
Mr.  Webstar  pronounced  the  benediction, 
and  the  meetmg,  a  very  excellent  one, 
sepasated. 

8HABNBB00K.  ~  Bkdfobdshibs.  — 
The  laying  of  the  foundation-stones  for 
the  enliffgement  of  the  old  Baptist  chapel, 
for  the  ministry  of  the  pastor,  Alfred  Peet, 
took  place  on  Good  Fricbiy,  April  14th.  The 
service  commenced  at  two  o'clock  by  the 
pastor  giving  out  a  hymn.  A  fervent 
prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing  to  rest  upon 
the  pastor  and  people  was  offered  up  by 
Mr.  BuIl,ofWe]lingboro'.  Addresses  were 
delivered bypastoTB Bobinson,  of  Staugh- 
ton,  and  J.  Wyard,  of  St  Neots;  Mr.  Peet 
then  gave  a  short  account  of  the  history, 
faith  and  piactice  of  the  Church ;  after 
which,  he  presented  Mr.  James  Ward,  of 
Souldrop,  with  a  silver  trowel,  in  the  names 
of  the  church,  congregation,  and  friends,  as 
a  token  of  gratituae  for  what  he  had  done, 
and  is  still  doing,  for  this  cause ;  also,  a 
French  polished  mallet,  a  gift  of  the  archi- 
tect The  stones  were  then  laid  by  Mr. 
Ward,  and  his  sisters,  Mrs.  Deacon  and 
Miss  Ward,  who  placed  thereon  £200  to- 
wards the  expenses  of  the  building.  The 
following  ministers  were  present  on  thw 
interesting  occasion,  viz. :  Parsons  Willis, 
of  Baunds;  W.  Ward,  of  Irthlingboro*, 
W.  Dexter,  of  Thurleigh ;  W.  Wilson,  of 
Bisely.  About  870  sat  down  to  tea.  Mr. 
Bull,  of  the  Tabemade,  WeUingboro', 
preached  in  the  evening.  The  old  chapel 
was  crowded;  the  collections  of  the  day 
amounted  to  £82  ds.  6d,  The  chapel  wiH 
be  re-opened  July  11th,  by  Mr.  James 
Wells  and  Mr.  John  Foreman.  The  alte- 
rations will  cost  about  £600.  There  was  a 
large  influx  of  the  friends  of  Mr.  Peet*s, 
from  St  Neots,  Bedford,  Irthlingboro* 
Bisely,  Thurleigh,  Ac,  who  came  to  assist 
in  the  laudable  object  the  Church  and  con- 
gregation had  in  view,  some  of  whom  came 
nom  a  distance  of  thirtjr  miles,  among  whom 
was  J.  Mote,  Esq.,  Hon.  Solicitor  to  Strict 
Communion  Baptist  Society.  The  whole 
proceedings  of  the  day  were  marked  by  a 
true  spirit  of  Christian  svmpathy  and  love 
for  this  young  pastor  and  his  people. 

CLABE,  SnFFOLE.~We  have  again 
to  record  some  tokens  of  the  Lord's  favour 
towards  us.  Zion*s  immortal  King  and  glo- 
rious Head  continues  to  bestow  upon  us 
his  royal  bounties,  and  to  enrich  us  with  a 
continual  flow  of  Gospel  blessings.  On  the 
Sabbath  of  March  5th,  1866,  two  brethren 
were  added  to  the  church  after  being  bap- 
tized by  our  beloved  pastor,  Mr.  Wilson, 
whose  ministry  has  been  made  a  great  Ueaa- 
ing  unto  them.  We  trust  this  addition  to 
our  numbers  may  be  approved  of  by  the 
Lord  to  the  increase  of  spiritual  strength 
and  prosperity,  and  the  furtherance  of  the 
Gospel  of  Chnst  It  was  truly  a  holy  day 
to  many  of  the  Lord's  people,  a  reviving, 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Miyl,  1865. 


cheering,  deligfatfal  Sabbath.  The  attend- 
ance upon  the  means  of  grace  throughout 
the  day  was  large,  especially  in  the  after> 
noon,  when  our  young  friend,  Willis, 
preached  a  sound,  good,  experimental  ser- 
mon, founded  upon  the  Tlst  Fsalm,  and  the 
first  verse ;  ana  although  we  are  often  ner- 
vously anxious  as  to  our  soul's  prosperitv 
and  spiritual  health,  yet  we  have  much 
cause  for  gratitude,  and  a  good  hope  that 
the  mighty  Spirit  of  Gk>d  is  working  yet 
more  extensively  amongst  us,  although  hke 
the  unseen  wind,  "  He  blqweth  where  he 
listeth,"  and  now  and  then  we  are  favoured 
to  see  his  gracious  operations  made  mani- 
fest. *^Come,  thou  south  wind,  blow  as 
upon  the  garden  of  the  Lord  that  the 
spices  thereof  may  flow  out" 

London  Particvijib  Baptist  Itins- 
RANT  Association. — The  ouarterly  meet- 
ing of  this  Society  was  held  as  {proposed. 
The  chair  was  taken  by  Mr.  Dickerson, 
who  implored  the  Divine  blessing  for  the 
continued  usefulness  and  objects  of  the 
Society  in  supplying  destitute  churches, 
and  opening  causes  in  neighbourhoods 
where  desirable  and  opportunity  offers. 
The  lecture  was  1^  Mr.  Palmer,  who  not- 
withstanding labouring  under  bodily  indis- 
position discharged  his  engagement  with 
great  ability.  T  ne  subject  may  be  regarded 
as  preliminary  to  others  we  may  expect  to 
hear  from  him,  and  as  embodjring  many 
excellent  and  useful  topics.  After  an  en- 
couraging address  by  Mr.  Dickerson,  a  warm 
and  cordial  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to 
Mr.  D.  and  Mr.  P.,  for  theii;  kind  and  able 
services,  and  as  expressive  of  the  unanimity 
and  pleasure  participated  in  by  the  members 
and  friends,  Mr.  Wyard  has  kindly  en- 
gaged to  deliver  the  lecture  at  the  quarterly 
meeting  in  July.  The  members  (and 
brethren  wishing  to  imite)  are  reminded 
that  the  usual  monthly  meeting  is  held  the 
first  Tuesday  in  the  month. — K  Dowdall, 
Secretary. — 1,  Brecknock-crescent,  N.W. 

BYEFORD,  GLO'STERSHIBE.  —  On 
Qood  Friday,  the  anniversary  sermons  were 
preached  l^  Mr.  S.  Cozens,  Lincoln  street, 
London.  The  morning  subject  was  *'  The 
death  of  Christ,"  which  was  discoursed 
upon  with  great  solemnity  and  deep  feel- 
ing. After  which  the  preacher  made  an 
earnest  appeal  to  the  imnpathy  of  the 
people  to  make  some  sacrifice  for  Him  who 
sacrificed  Himself  for  them.  To  which  the 
people  responded  in  a  noble  collection.  The 
evening  subject — "'  The  H/eolihB  Church," 
— ^to  which,  for  an  hour  and  a-half,  the 


people  listened  with  breathlesB  silence,  ancl 
after  which  the  preacher  was  so  exhausted 
that  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  pulpit,  and 
the  pastor  concluded  the  service.  In  the 
afternoon  Mr.  Telley  entertained  the  friends 
by  delivering  an  intelligent  and  thoughtful 
lecture  on  Nonconformity;  after  whidi  858 
persons  partook  of  tea ;  and  to  the  oomf ort 
and  encouragement  of  the  friends  the  day's 
collections  exceeded  by  some  pounds  those 
of  last  year.  The  morning  oongregatioii 
was  good,  but  in  the  evening  the  chapel 
and  vestries  were  filled  to  ove^owing ;  and 
while  some  could  not  receive  the  diKrimi- 
nating  truths  advanced,  many  received  the 
Word  with  gladness. 

BBAINTBEK  ~  Salbm  Baptist 
Chapsl, — Commemoration  services  were 
held  on  Tuesday,  March  2l8t,  to  celebrate 
the  first  anniversary  of  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  O.  Cook,  when  three  sermons  were 
preached;  that  in  the  morning  by  Mr. 
Cook  (pastor  of  the  place) ;  and  those  in 
the  afternoon  and  evening  by  Mr.  W.  Al* 
derson,  of  East -lane,  Walworth,  who, 
in  the  afternoon,  selected  for  his  text 
1  Peter  i  19,  "  Precious  blood."  We  have 
not  had  the  pleasure  to  listen  to  such  a  mas- 
terly address  for  a  long  time.  After  tea 
two  very  handsomely  bound  volumes  were 
presented  to  Mr.  Cook  bv  the  Bible-class, 
through  Mr.  Alderson,  who  gave  an  efFec- 
ti  ve  and  encouraging  address.  We  pray  that 
so  youthful  a  minister  as  Mr.  Cook  may 
have  his  hands  strengthened  by  many  of 
the  ''  fathers  in  Israel"  The  Lord  bless 
him.  He  prays  earnestly,  preaches  boldly, 
and  labours  incessantly.  That  he  may  be 
favoured  with  much  of  the  Master's  pre- 
sence is  the  prayer  of  E.  xU 


States. 

On  Thursday,  April  20th,  aged  66  years, 
Mary  Slizabetn,  the  beloved  wife  of  Thomaa 
Forrest  Bhe  was  a  member  of  the  old  Baptist 
Church,  Wandsworth,  upwards  of  forty-foor 
vears,  beinff  baptised  Deo.  11th,  IStl,  and 
transplantea  from  the  Independent  ohurch  in 
the  some  village.  Burins  the  whole  of  her 
life  she  had  been  subject  to  bondage  through  fear 
of  death ;  but  this  fear  was  entirely  removed 
fDr  three  weeks  prior  to  her  decease ;  and  her 
end  Wis  pes^se. 

Thx  late  Mr.  John  FelU^.  only  sister,  Mn. 
CuUingford,  of  Saxmundhiun,  cepaited  in 
peace,  on  Wednesday,  ICaroh  a3nd,  1665.  Her 
bereaved  and  sorrowing  hniiband  has  fur- 
nished a  veiy  predons  testimony  of  her  faith, 
lifs,  and  last  days ;  but  it  cannot  appear  before 
June. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


Anderson,  J.  8. 
Pawson,  H.  T. ... 
Peet,  Alfred 
Turner,  C.  Z. 


Zion,  New  Cross  road,  Deptford 

Aldringham,  Suffolk    

Old  Baptist  Chapel,  Shambrook 
Axeter      ■•«       ...       •••       ... 


186A— March  36 
April  3 
March  26 


10 

S 
7 

4 


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JOM 1, 186&  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  166 


%  *iEh0t(t  (#m%  Jaj^ieied  In  ilt^  ^it|  ^o0it, 

THE  HAPPY  DEPARTURE  OF  JUUA  HUNTLEY. 


[We  give  the  foUowing  letter  with  sacred  feelings  of  gratitnde.  The  venerable  and 
honoured  pastor  of  Ijimpley-Sioke  we  have  known  for  some  years :  with  his  sons  we 
h&ve  laboured  in  the  Gtospel ;  and  deejdy  sympathiEe  with  them  all  in  the  berearing 
dispensation  they  have  experienced. "  The  writer  says :] — 

Dear  Brother  Banks,— ^ome  time  ago,  you  recorded  the  death  of  my 
beloved  brother,  Henry,  the  eldest  son  of  my  dear  parent,  Mr.  W. 
Huntley,  Baptist  minister,  limpley-Stoke ;  and  now,  with  painful  feel- 
ings, I  send  you  a  brief  account  of  the  death  of  my  dear  sister,  Julia, 
who  died  about  six  months  after.  Hoping  it  maybe  encouraging  to 
pious  parents  still  to  supplicate  the  throne  of  heavenly  grace  for  the 
salvation  of  their  children,  for  I  may  say  the  Lord  heard  and  answered 
the  prayers  of  my  beloved  parents  in  the  salvation  of  their  whole  family, 
being  eight  in  number,  and  that  my  father  has  had  the  unspeakable 
pleasure  of  baptizing  all  of  us  in  the  river  Avon  in  the  sacred  name  of 
the  Triune  Jehovah.  My  sister  was  baptissed  September  30th,  1860; 
died  February  1st,  1865,  aged  twenty-five  years,  after  a  short  illness. 
Being  from  home  when  the  Lord  first  afflicted  her,  we  knew  nothing  of 
it,  as  she  kept  it  to  herself,  except  to  one  of  her  sisters,  whom  she  strictly 
charged  not  to  let  her  parents  know,  that  it  might  not  grieve  them. 
But,  finding  the  disease  was  making  rapid  progress  upon  her,  she  wsh 
obliged  to  return  home ;  and  when  approaching  her  home,  a  faiJier^s  eye 
caught  his  beloved  child,  and,  with  surprise,  saw  the  ruddy  colour  of  her 
cheeks  were  faded  away,  her  body  wasted,  her  active  limbs  had  become 
feeble,  and  her  language  faltering  with  shortness  of  breath ;  yet  he  little 
thought  it  would  prove  fettal  in  bringing  her  to  such  an  early  grave — a 
lovely  flower  so  quickly  withered  by  the  cold  blast  of  death.  Medical 
aid  was  called  in,  whidi  said,  '<  Better  in  a  few  days.''  Day  after  day 
paased  away,  weakness  still  increasing;  but  her  soul  rejoicing  in  her 
glorious  Bedeemer,  blessed  language  was  flowing  forth  from  her  inmost 
soul,  causing  her  parents'  eyes  to  weep  for  joy  whilst  listening  to  their 
darling  child  speaking  with  ))erfect  composure  of  the  mercies  of  Him 
who  had  an  undisputed  right  to  do  as  seemeth  Him  good ;  not  a  word  of 
murmuring  was  uttered,  but  rejoicing  in  the  sweet  prospect  of  soon 
meeting  with  Him,  which  she  lov^  to  speak  of.  This,  won  the  affections 
of  the  Lord's  jieople  toward  her ;  she  always  had  a  word  of  comfort  if 
any  of  us  were  cast  down;  eveiy  one  that  knew  her  was  attracted  by  her 
as  an  humble  follower  of  that  meek  and  lovely  Lord.  A  week  passed  ; 
I  saw  her  again  ;  no  change  for  the  better.  I  said  to  her,  *'  Cheer  up, 
Julia,  look  up ;  praying  breath  shall  ne'er  be  spent  in  vain ;  you  may 
soon  be  better."  To  which  she  responded,  "  I  don't  wish  to  live.  I 
shall  soon  be  with  Henry ;  there's  nothing  here  worth  living  for."  She 
was  looking  forward  to  that  bright  and  never-fading  crown,  and  a  share 
in  that  dominion,  which  is  reserved  for  every  humble  follower  of  the  Son 
of  Qod.     Being  in  much  pain,  she  requested  to  return  to  her  chamber^ 

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IM  THR  BAETHBN  VB8SBL,  Jime  1, 1M& 

with  her  mother's  help,  when  her  mother  said,  ''  Then  you  are  not  afiraid 
to  die,  Julia?"  "  No,  mother."  "You  have  not  been  afraid  of  death  for  a 
longtime,  have  you?'*  "No,  mother!"  "Then  our  loss  will  be  your 
gaifiu!'     "  Yes,  that  is  it,  mother." 

Standing  upon  the  rock  of  eternal  ages,  with  strong  faith  in  her 
Saviour,  with  a  hope  blooming  witii  immortality  and  glory,  it  was  in- 
structive^ strengthening,  anil  soid-inspiring  to  oonveise  with  hm.  Three 
weeks  passed  away ;  no  change  for  the  letter.  I  thought  it  better  to 
send  for  her  sister,  who  was  then  at  Bristol.  She  arrived  on  Monday 
evening ;  found  her  sister  still  worse ;  but  the  Loird  had  removed  all  her 
pain,  iddoh  bad  been  great  She  said  to  her  sister  on  approaching, 
"What  a  very  easy  death-bed  the  dear  Lord  is  giving  me.  I  did. 
not  think  dea^  could  bo  so  eaay ;  I  have  very  lit^e  pain."  Then  re- 
peated,— 

**  Jeans  can  make  a  dymg  bed, 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are/' 

"  I  have  no  fear  of  death.     I  know — I  am  sure,"  she  repeated  again, 

"  I  am  going  to  heaven."     Her  sister  said,  "  You  know  in  whom  you 

have  believed."     "  Yes,  I  do."     She  seemed  to  enjoy  that  verse, — 

^*  I  long  to  be  with  Jesus,  amid  the  heavenly  tfaroag; 
To  sing  with  saints  Uis  praises,  and  learn  the  angels*  song.** 

Tuesday  morning  came  :  we  were  all  summoned  to  look  upon  our 
beloved  sister :  mysdf  for  the  last  time,  which  I  shall  never  forget :  so 
transporting  a  ai^t  I  never  b^eld  this  side  of  the  grave ;  full  of  joy 
beyond  my  powers  to  tell  one  half :  her  voice  was  as  it  were  immortal — 
so  soft  and  lovely,  yet  distinct  and  clear ;  we  could  hear  her  almost  in 
eveiy  part  oi  the  house.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  she  asked  for 
fitther.  He  came  :  she  talked  to  him  much  :  told  him  not  to  grieve  for 
her.  "  Only  think,  £ftther,  the  privilege  of  dying  at  twenty-five,  what 
I'm  delivered  from !  I  have  prayed  to  die  yonng ;  and  you  know, 
fiiiher,  it  will  not  be  long."  And  then  asked  him  iu&  age,  when  he  told 
her  sixty-five.  ^'  O,  then,  it  won't  be  long,  £ftthw;  and  what  a  blessing 
to  have  three  children  in  heaven  (referring  to  a  brother  who  died  in 
infiuioy) ;  and  will  not  Henry  be  surprised  to  see  me  so  soonf  O  what 
^ireeting  in  heaven  there  will  be!"  ^e  tiien  said,  "  Death  is  very  cold ; 
but  the  journey  very  joyfuL"  The  great  enemy  of  souls  was  not  per- 
mitted to  assail  her  once.  Her  aunt  was  standing  at  her  bed-side. 
<<  Annt»"  she  said,  "  what  makes  you  look  sad  %  I'm  sure  there's  no 
room  for  sadness ;  for  I  am  happy."  Her  mother  withdrew  from  the 
room  for  a  moment  or  two ;  then  came  in.  She  Mid,  "  Mother,  where 
have  you  been )"  "  Only  just  outside,  my  dear."  "  Mother,  don't  you 
leave  me.  Surely  a  mother  won't  leave  me."  The  time  came  for  us  to 
leave  her  that  evening :  so  my  brother  John  asked  her  if  he  should  pray  % 
"  Yea,"  she  said.  He  then  eamestiy  implored  the  same  presence  of  H^ 
who  was  so  Uessedly  felt  then  to  be  with  her,  to  her  journey's  end ;  her 
lips  moving,  for  her  soul  was  in  prayer  with  Qun.  Bhe  was  so  grateftil, 
she  spoke  of  it  after  to  ua.  "  How  kind  of  John  ;  he  is  very  kind." 
The  same  evening  she  went  through  that  beautiful  hymn  in  Rippon's 
Selection,  583,  part  3rd,— 

**  For  ever  to  behold  Him  shine, 
For  evennoie  to  call  Him  niine^** 

witli  80  mxiGh  eameatness  as  though  she  realised  the  jojfiil  reception. 

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June  tf  1M0. 


AND  CMBI8TIAN  EECORD. 


ler 


Wednesday  morning  came,  still  rejoicing  in  her  Saviour.  When  the 
doctor  came,  she  said,  "  How  long  do  you  think  I  shall  live?"  "  Well," 
he  said,  ''  I  nxist  be  carefol  how  I  answer  you,"  ae  she  rebuked  him  the 
day  before.  He  said,  "  I  think  about  two  hours."  ThiH  seemed  to  in- 
crease her  joy ;  she  looked  up  and  said,  ''  Then  it  won't  be  long  before  I 
shall  be  in  heaven.**    Her  mother  said, — 

"  Then  will  you  bathe  your  weary  soul, 
In  seas  of  heavenly  rest" 

She  repeated  the  last  two  lines  herself, — 

'*  And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roU, 
Aerosa  my  peaceful  breast" 


she  died,  she  went  through  that 


About  twenty  minutes  before 

beautiful  hymn, — 

^  Je•lu^  I  love  Thy  channing  name, 
'Tis  music  to  mine  ear/' 

Then  continued,  saying,  '< Charming  name !  channing  name!"  till  her 

dear  voice  was  gone.     There  was  only  one  grasp  by  the  great  enemy 

death,  which  proved  enough  to  separate  the  soul  from  her  body.     Her 

father   offering  up  his  fervent  prayer,  "  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the 

righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  hers."     For  when  her  feet  were 

dipt  in  Jordan,  the  waters  of  death  rising  higher  and  higher,  she  felt 

firm — more  solid  than  the  everlasting  hilkn— finn  as  the  rock  of  ages — 

aecure  as  the  pillars  of  the  eternal  throne,  and  calmly  gazed  on,  unmoved, 

upon  the  aw^  form  of  death,  as  the  Divine  light  shone  in  her  soul, 

enabled  her  to  see  its  bitterness  removed  by  the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of 

€k>d,  and  felt  that  her  sins  had  been  washed  away  in  the  blood  of  Christ. 

Her  soul  ia  now  in  glory  unspeakable,  receiving  the  caresses,  honours, 

and  glories  of  the  redeemed  before  the  throne, — 

**  Far  from  a  world  of  grief  and  sin, 
With  God  eternally  shut  in." 

On  the  first  Lord's^y  in  March,  my  dear  fiither,  under  painful 
feelings,  improved  the  death  of  my  dear  brother  and  sister,  takmg  for 
my  brother  Ist  chapter  Nahum,  7th  versa  This  he  gave  him  on  hia 
dying  bed.     For  my  sister,  "  She  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth." 

Arthur  Hithtlbt. 

Bath,  May  5th,  1865. 


A   HTMH    OP   PKAIBB   TO    JEHOVAH. 

BT  WILUAM  STOKES,   OP  MANCHESTEB. 


Jbhovah,  Qod — tbine  awf nl  name, 
RemaniB  from  age  to  as  e  the  eame ; 
The  daicimg  glories  ol  Thy  throne, 
Pn)cUdm  Thee  Ood,  and  Thee  alone. 

Through  the  wide  eairth  no  name  but  Thine 
Displays  magnificence  Divine ; 
Ana  a^el  hoeta,  with  men,  adore 
Thee,  inther,  (3od,  for  evefmoro^ 

Bnt  what  can  dnat  and  ashes  bring 
In  pnise  of  heaven's  Rtsnal  King  ? 
Worms  of  the  eaith,  we  prostrate  fall, 
Before  Thy  feet,  great  All  in  AIL 


Yet  Thou  dost  stoop  to  hear  our  praise, 
Father  of  everiasting  days ; 
Nor  wilt  Thou  spurn  the  faeUe  songs 
That  rise  from  trembling,  human  tongues. 

O,  HoIt,  Holy.  Holy  God! 
Where  er  the  foot  of  man  hath  trod, 
There  let  Thy  sacred  pmise  ascend. 
Through  eT'iy  age,  world  without  end. 

From  mom  to  eve,  from  day  to  nighti 
Be  it  our  serriea  and  delight 
To  PBAI8B.  with  all  the  hearenly  host, 
God,~Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost 


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168  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  June  1,  186Gw 


Ws  have  giyen  a  few  words  from  the  published  sennons  preached  by 
Mr.  dreorge  Abrahams  for  the  late  John  Grace,  of  Brighton.  Mr.  Phil- 
pot  has  noticed  his  death,  and  has  recorded  a  most  del^htful  histoiy  of 
the  happ7  fellowship  existing  between  Mr.  Grace  and  himself  for  years, 
in  The  Standard  for  May.  When  we  read  it  we  inwardly  realized  the 
truth  of  the  Psalmist's  words,  ''  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it 
is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity !  **  Where  was  the  dwelling- 
place  where  these  good  brethren,  Philpotand  Grace,  did  so  happily  dwell 
together?  Most  assuredly  it  was  by  faith  in  the  Chbibt  of  God  :  and 
the  '^  unity"  or  spiritual  bond  which  bound  them  together  was  the  work, 
the  saving  work,  the  teaching,  and  mysterious  anointings  of  God  the 
Holt  Ghost.  They  knew  not  each  other  after  the  flesh ;  they  did  not 
admire  or  exalt  each  other  as  preachers ;  but  as  one  m  Christ,  as  one 
in  the  love  of  God,  as  one  in  the  experience  of  the  truth,  they  could 
and  did  commune  and  rejoice  together.  Dr.  McNeile,  of  Southport,  the 
other  day,  gave  a  fine  exposition  of  the  genuine  cause  of  all  Christian  fellow- 
ship. He  was  speaking  of  "  Earnestness  and  Religious  Life**  He  said,  "  He 
assumed  that  in  both  clauses  of  his  subject  the  word  religious  would  be 
understood  to  signify  '  truly  religious ;'  that  it  was  to  be  taken  in  its 
real  Christian  sense,  as  meaning  fellowship  with  the  true  God,  with  the 
Father,  with  the  Son,  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  that  it  was  not 
intended  to  signify  that  vague  and  indefinite  religiousness  which  might 
be  predicated  generally  of  human  nature.  Beal  rdigion  was  earnest.  It 
could  not  but  be  so.  It  was  life — life  within  and  life  without ;  life  in  feel- 
ing and  life  in  action ;  and  nothing  could  be  more  earnest  than  life.  St. 
PauFs  description  of  true  Christianity  contained  the  climax  of  earnest- 
ness in  one  word,  '  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,*  The  word 
trvvtxti,  rendered  '  constndneth,'  means  *  carries  us  away  with  it,'  as 
the  flow  of  a  great  river  carried  eveiy  floating  substance  that  fell  \ipon 
its  floating  bosom  away  with  it.  Every  leaf,  eveiy  straw,  every  particle 
of  dust,  however  tossed  to  and  fro  in  the  breeze  before,  it  no  sooner 
touched  the  bosom  of  the  waves  than  it  partook  at  once  of  the  movements 
and  direction  of  the  river  itself;  so  the  human  heart,  by  whatever  irre- 
gularities and  inaccuracies  it  may  have  been  agitated,  by  whatever  winds 
of  doctrine  it  may  have  been  tossed,  as  soon  as  it  came  in  contact  with 
the  love  of  the  Saviour  it  took  direction  and  movement  from  the  cur- 
rent ;  it  owned  the  magnetic  attraction  of  that  river  of  love  which  made 
glad  the  city  of  God." 

'^  That  river  of  lave"  is  the  secret  spring  of  all  salvation;  audit 
must  be  the  secret  spring  of  all  true  Christian  fellowship.  We  moum 
and  sigh  over  the  want  of  this  one  great  constraining  and  cementing 
power  in  the  midst  of  our  churches,  and  amongst  the  brethren.  Much 
as  we  sorrow  over  the  coldness  of  believing  people,  one  thing  revives  our 
hope :  It  is  this — ^truth — ^the  truth  of  God  is  not  dead ;  neither  are  all  the 
men  who  know,  and  love,  and  live^  and  labour  for  the  truth,  yet  gone 
out  of  this  world.  Some  are  left ;  and  when  we  meet  with  their  plain, 
out-spoken  testimonies  of  truth,  we  feel  bound  to  do,  as  we  have  tried 


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Jime  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BEOORD.  169 

hard  to  do  for  many  years,  ''  proclaiin  upon  the  hooae-tops  "  these  testi- 
monies which  in  our  secret  studies  we  have  found. 

We  return,  then,  to  the  sermons  by  Mr.  Abrahams,  at  Brighton, 
and  which  are  published  by  C.  E.  Vernill.  Mr.  Abrahams,  on  "  the 
perfect  man,"  has  been  considered  wide  of  the  mark,  in  one  sense  ;  but 
in  speaking  of  the  perfection  of  the  Church  in  Christ  he  declared  the 
truUi.     He  said : — 

"  John  Grace  stood  here  as  perfect  in  the  justification  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ,  as  he  does  now  in  glory.  Look  at  him  as  such,  and  do 
not  forget  him,  for  you  are  sure  to  forget  him  if  you  do  not.  Mark  him, 
as  you  go  along  in  your  journey ;  mark  him  as  you  go  in  and  out  of  this 
chapel  Remember  him,  and  do  not  forget  that  you  had  a  pastor  who 
stood  before  God  perfect.  What  good  should  I  be  in  preaching  to  you 
this  morning,  if  I  did  not  stand  in  Christ,  in  all  His  perfection  ?  For  it 
is  written,  *  Ye  are  complete  in  Him,  who  is  the  Head  of  all  princi- 
palities and  powers.* 

''Furthermore,  mark  his  perfect  life,  '  As  ye  have  us  for  an  ensample .' 
You  have  heard  him  preach  the  everlasting  Gospel  with  all  his  might 
and  power ;  and  when,  like  myself,  he  could  scarcely  stand  upon  his  feet, 
at  times.  Mark  him  well,  and  forget  not  that  he  stood  before  you  as  a 
perfect  pastor,  and  a  perfect  saint  of  God. 

"  Mark  him  in  his  perfection.  0  what  a  perfection  this  is  that  I  am 
going  to  talk  about.  What  a  plight  God's  people  are  in  sometimes 
about  it.  You  shrink  back  more  over  this,  than  over  the  former  ones 
I  named  to  you.  It  is  ordained  from  heaven  that  it  should  be  so :  'Be 
ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy,  saith  the  Lord.*  'Without  holiness,  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord.*  What  is  holiness  1  Holiness  is  purity  in  the  sight 
of  God,  in  thought,  in  word,  and  in  deed.  '  Lord,*  says  the  poor  soul, 
'  then  I  am  lost  for  ever.  I  think  it  suits  me  better  to  sing  with  one  of 
old, 

^0  what  a  heart  is  mine, 
Can  ever  God  dwell  here  ?' 

It  is  a  mass  of  corruption.  Lord,  I  am  imholy.  If  I  am  to  go  to 
heaven,  because  I  am  to  be  holy,  surely  I  shall  never  get  there.'  Well, 
my  dear  fiiend,  what  is  to  be  done  ?  Mark  the  glorious  Christ  of  God, 
as  your  departed  pastor  did.  I  must  do  so,  for  I  would  not  accept  of 
anything  else.  '  For  their  sakes  have  I  sanctified  myself,  that  they  also 
might  be  sanctified  through  the  truth.  Thy  word  is  truth.*  '  He  that 
sanctifieth,  and  they  that  are  sanctified,  are  all  of  one ;  for  which  cause 
He  is  not  ashamed  to  call  them  brethren.' 

"  Now  then,  if  there  be  a  '  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see 
the  Lord,*  it  must  absolutely  be  the  holiness  that  you  must  have  from 
Christ.  This  is  a  great  point  of  Gospel  truth,  about  which  a  great  many 
godly  men  have  very  much  miscarried  I  once  heard  a  man  preach, 
whom  I  have  often  heard  with  much  pleasure  ;  but  the  poor  man  had 
that  morning  a  discourse  on  sanctification ;  and  he  so  sadly  missed  the 
mark  as  to  insist  upon  it,  that  to  talk  about  imputed  holiness  was  to  be 
in  error.  1  longed  to  go  to  him,  and  speak  upon  it  to  him ;  but  modesty, 
I  thought,  would  not  let  me.  A  man  of  eighty-three  or  four,  and  a 
stripling  in  Zion,  must  not  face  each  other.  Or  else,  I  was  going  to  tell 
the  poor  man,  '  Sir,  did  you  ever  read  about  the  high  priest  of  old,  who 
bore  a  golden  plate  upon  his  forehead,  and  the  engraving;  was,  '<  Holiness 

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170  THE  BABTHEN  VMSSBL,  Jum  i,  1B6S. 

TO  THE  LoBD?"  And  the  reason  given  hj  God  the  Holj  G&ost,  in 
Moses's  ministry,  was  "  that  he  might  bear  all  the  iniqmty  of  the  holy 
things  of  Israel'' '  (Exodus  zxviii.  36—38.)  What  a  singular  *text ! 
Kot  of  their  sins,  but  of  their  hdy  things,  that  he  might  present  them 
perfect.  And  I  should  have  said,  ^  My  dear  sir,  did  you  ever  read  in  the 
New  Testament,  "  For  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  Qod  the 
Holy  Ghost  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctificatian, 
and  redemption  t"  Are  you  going  to  snip  off  the  sanctification  out 
of  the  text,  and  put  it  somewhere  else  V  Never !  Then  if  redemption 
is  imputed,  and  brought  home  by  power,  lighteousness  is  imputed ;  and 
sanctification  is  imputed.  But  who  was  I,  to  go  and  quarrel  with,  the 
good  man  for  that  T 

We  shall  leave  our  readers  time  to  think  upon  this  ere  we  proceed 
further. 


WILLIAM    FLETCHER. 


Such  is  the  name  of  a  "  soldier  preacher,"  who  fought  for  his  Queen 
and  his  country  in  the  Crimean  war,  lost  his  arm,  but  found  salvation 
in  the  Saviour  of  sinners;  and  has,  for  years,  been  a  bold  preacher  to 
the  masses,  some  of  whom  have  rejoiced  in  hope  of  eternal  life.  *^  The 
life  of  William  Fletcher,  the  converted  soldier,"  is  published  by  Messrs. 
Figg  <k  Co.,  98,  Lower  Thames  street,  and  is  a  life  fidl  of  incident  on 
both  sides  of  the  great  question,  ^^  What  must  I  do  to  he  tav&dT*  Mr. 
Bawlinson,  of  Halifax,  writing  of  the  character  of  Fletcher's  work, 
says ; — 

"  I  candidly  believe  that  our  brother  Fletcher  is  one  of  those 
<  ram's  horns'  which  Gk>d  in  His  wisdom  is  making  choice  of  in  these 
days  to  do  the  work  (God  helping  him)  which  many  others  have  failed 
to  accomplish,  1  Cor.  i.  26  —  28,  Because  the  foolishness  of  God  is 
wiser  than  men ;  and  the  weakness  of  God  is  stronger  than  men.  For 
ye  see  your  calling,  brethren,  how  that  not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh, 
not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called  ;  but  Qod  hath  chosen  the 
foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise :  and  GM 
hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  -dungs  which 
are  mighly ;  and  base  things  of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  despiaed, 
hath  God  chosen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nan^t 
things  that  are :  that  no  flesh  should  ^ory  in  his  prosenoe." 

We  have  conversed  with  serious  Christians  who  have  heard 
men  of  the  class  called  "  revival  preachers,"  and  the  conviction  is,  Qod 
is  using  them  as  hunters  and  fishers  to  <' pluck  brands  from  the  burning,** 
and  who  are  afterwards  gathered  into  the  fold  of  Jesus.  Most  of  them 
flock  to,  and  settle  down  in  the  Metro2K>litan  Tabernacle;  but  some  few 
are  led  under  other  ministers,  and  receive  the  truth  with  gladness. 
These  pioneers  have  their  work  to  do ;  like  Saul  of  Tarsus,  when  first 
converted,  they  confer  not  with  flesh  and  blood ;  but  go  and  preach  all 
the  Gospel  they  have  learned  unto  the  heathen.  May  our  God  increase 
and  prosper  them. 


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AND  CEM8IIAN  BMCCBD. 


171 


This  much  aaointed  and  favoured  servant  of  Qod  finislied  his  earthly 
course.  May  19tli,  1865,  in  his  55tli  year,  at  his  residence  in  Plymouth. 
All  peoples  who  know  the  Lord  experimentally,  and  who  ever  heard  or 
read  the  writings  of  Mr.  G.  D.  Doudney,  of  Charles  Chapel,  Plymouth, 
most  sincerely  praised  God  for  a  minister  so  Ohrist-like  and  useful.  Mr. 
Joseph  Flory,  in  his  letter  to  us,  says  :  '*  Our  departed  brother  in  Jesus 
was  an  encouraging  preacher ;  and  after  being  oocupied  in  the  Master's 
vineyard  for  about  fourteen  years,  with  tokens  of  the  Divine  blessing  to 
many,  the  Lord  said  to  his  servant  last  Friday  at  noon,  '  Come  up 
higher.'  I  believe  his  last  expressions  on  his  dying  bed  were  full  of 
confidence  and  joy.  Mr.  Doudney  preached  May  7th,  both  molming 
and  evening,  from  1  Peter  L  1 — 9  ;  dwelling  particularly  on  the  words, 
'  To  an  inheritance  incorruptible ;'  indeed,  there  was  an  evident  unction 
resting  upon  his  soul :  and  this  was  especially  felt  when  he  administered 
the  Lord's  supper  on  the  same  day.  From  the  pulpit  that  evening,  he 
said,  some  personQ  thought  him  consumptive,  but  (he  added)  I  may  live 
for  years,  ajid  preach  to  you,  which  I  trust  I  shall,  for  Christ's  sake. 
But  when  he  had  said  this,  he  remarked  to  a  friend  at  the  foot  of  the 
pulpit  stairs,  '  I  heard  as  if  a  person  spoke  into  my  ear,  '^  What  if  this 
should  be  the  last  time  f '  On  retiring  to  the  vestry,  he  said  to  Mrs. 
Doudney,  '  I  feel  so  weak,  I  shall  never  go  into  the  pulpit,  or  preach 
again.'  From  that  time  to  his  death,  he  suffered  much  ;  but  his  end  was 
peace.  His  remains  were  interred  on  Tuesday,  May  23rd,  at  the  rural 
Parish  Church,  Eggbuckland,  about  two  miles  beyond  the  deceased's  re- 
sidence ;  the  service  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Greaves,  rector  of  Charles 
Church.  Between  twenty  and  thirty  coaches,  &a,  followed  the  hearse ; 
and  a  large  concourse  of  friends  on  foot,  shewed  their  attachment  to  the 
departed.     He  was  a  loving  man,  and  was  warmly  loved  in  return." 


LINES. 

On  Hearing  the  Bofl  ThUftxr  the  lt»UrmtiU  (^Mr. 
Lkrtulney,  late  of  Charltt  Chafdy  FJynumth,  my 
tfumgkU  ran  Ma».*~ 

MA*  of  Ood,  thy  earCUv  bnitdinff 

Is  awhile  foiiook  h9  tob  ; 
But  the  toll  for  Itt  interment 

Ooee  awake  the  thongbt  in  ne. 
God  to  cany  out  His  purpose, 

Known  to  Hin).  for  what  and  why» 
Has  tJie  cords  ana  stakes  removed 

Of  thy  tenty  to  give  thee  Joy. 
Now,  thy  spirit  unsneumbeivd, 

Basks  in  everlasting  bliss ; 
Myriads  there  in  triumph  join  tbee, 

who  once  trod  this  wilderness. 
Thzoog*  which  now  a  host  is  wadhig, 

». ^  with  anxious  fears  aad  care 

t  ilerce  and  huae  temptations. 


Plamd  with  anxious  fears  aad  care; 
nowina  ilerce  and  huge  temp 
That  tt  times  hegeU  despair. 


Know! 


YoiR  ia  ended ;  all  thy  aocrows 

Thongn  on  earth  it  purified ; 
As  It  wories  in  God's  dear  chitdRoi 

To  bring  down  their  pomp  and  pirida. 
Oottid  we  draw  aside  the  oaftain 

Afld  with  tlies  awhile  partake. 
We  shanld  not*  sini^e  nenimt 

Wish  to  leave^  or  thee  Ibrsaka. 
But  with  thee  alike  triumphant, 

An  etami^  could  spend ; 


Tn  the  presence  and  the  fulness 

Of  our  Saviour.  God,  and  Friend. 
Ton  whoBonm  to  IM  hjs  abatnce 

From  a  feeble  house  of  clay ; 
Bow  before  J^hovah^  dealings. 

And  as  iaoenae,  forthwith  say— 
I^her,  piaisM,  honour,  glory 

To  Thy  holy  name,  we  give ; 
Thro'  the  pipe  we  found  mueh  sweetness, 

Diank,  and  proved  by  thee  we  live. 
While  he  spake  of  Jesus*  fhllness, 

Suited  to  the  sinner's  case^ 
'AS  with  giant-strength  proclaimed, 

That  salvation  was  of  grace. 
Then  the  car  and  heart  received  it, 

And  an  incnaae  did  bring  forth  ; 
Pelt  the  secret  truly  precious, 

Proved  and  knew  its  real  woi«h. 
Should  you  mourn;  or,  in  repining. 

Aim  to  raise  a  silent  nay— 
Wish  him  back,  Ibr  OMature  comfort ; 

liet  such  thought  be  far  away. 
Oathered  home^  he  lives  for  ever, 

In  theambsaoesof  his  i  ord; 
And  for  ail  his  toil  and  labours, 

Beaps  a  fall  and  rich  reward. 
Wipe  the  toaa;  then,  sUent  ftioiinier, 

mm  thy  saokdoth  rise  and  say— 
nis  the  will  of  God,  His  servant 

Shonld  ftota  heaee  he  borne  awi^. 
Plymouth,  W.  Wk8Ti.AKX. 

liay  23rd,  1866. 
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172  THE  BARTHBN  VBSSBL,  June  1,  im 

OE,     A    PORTION     FOE    BVBEY     SABBATH. 

BY    OIDEOK. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  4th.— A  DOUBLE  PROMISE. 

"  Gut  thy  bTirdcn  upon  the  Lord,  and  He  shall  sustain  thee." — Psalma  Ir.  22. 
•  These  words  suppose  thee  to  have  a  burden — a  load  to  carry — ^under  the 
weight  of  which  thy  soul  is  bowed  down,  and  yet  they  reveal  to  such, 
1.  A  privilege — cast  tht  burden ;  it  is  thine  in  particular — "  every 
heart  kn9weth  its  own  bitterness.''  That  burden  is  a  special  "gift" 
(see  margin).  There  was  given  me,  says  Paul,  a  thorn  in  i5ie  flesh.  Yes, 
it  is  given  God's  people  to  feel  sin ;  and  it  is  given  them  to  have  sorrow, 
and  every  man  his  own  load  just  as  he  can  bear  and  as  he  needs,  accord- 
ing to  the  gift  of  the  measure  of  Christ.  But,  then,  it  is  our  precioufl 
privilege  to  come  by  faith  and  cast  ail  upon  Jesus  Christ :  Ood  laid  all 
on  Him.  He  bare  our  sins  in  His  own  body  on  the  tree.  Faith  does, 
as  it  were,  in  us,  what  God  did  for  us ;  we  come  thereby  to  Christ  and 
say,  "  Lord,  this  burden  id  so  heavy  I  cannot  bear  it ;  undertake  for 
me — manage  matters  for  me."  The  words  are  not  so  much  a  command 
as  a  direction.  David  was  brooding  over  the  dreadful  wickedness  of 
Absalom  and  Ahithophel — the  one  his  son,  the  other  his  friend  and 
adviser,  but  both  in  bitterest  cruelty,  and  without  cause,  sought  his  life ! 
As  the  Psalmist  thought  on  their  conduct  the  Holy  Ghost  came  in  and 
said,  **  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord."  And  so  he  sajrs  to  the  poor- 
burdened  soul.  And,  2.  Gives  a  promise — "  He  shall  sustain  thek." 
He  is  pledged  to  this  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  will  never  forego  His 
word.  He  is  pleajsed  to  do  it.  Yes,  thou  art  not  so  willing  to  put  thj 
case  into  the  hands  of  Jesus  as  He  is  to  manage  it  for  thee.  He  knows 
what  sore  temptation  means ;  He  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our 
infirmities. 

Hence,  when  we  are  weak  then  are  we  strong ;  when  we  see  our 
danger  then  it  is  we  are  safe,  because  we  flee  to  the  Lord,  who  is  the 
refiige  and  strength  of  His  people — a  very  present  help  in  trouble. 
Dear  soul,  may  the  Spirit  help  thee  to  bring  THY  BURDEN.  Yes, 
thine ;  and  be  it  what  it  may,  sin,  suflering,  or  sorrow,  and  cast  it  on 
the  Lord,  and  He  shall  sustain  thee.     Amen. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  11th.— OUR  ONLY  SURETY. 

«*  I  will  be  Boretj  for  hinu'^-^en.  zliii  9. 

So  said  Judah  to  his  father  to  induce  him  to  let  his  beloved  Benjamin  go 
into  Egypt ;  and  Jacob  allowed  the  lad  to  go  down.  How  was  it  that 
God,  the  Father  of  His  elect,  the  Church,  His  Benjamin,  allowed  her  to 
fall  1  For  we  could  have  been  brought  into  the  guilt,  bondage,  and  rain 
that  sin  brought  upon  ns  but  by  His  permission.  And  often  has  it 
puzzled  the  child  of  God  why  He  should  have  allowed  the  objects  of  His 
love  to  have  been  brought  into  such  a  plight.  And  He  never  wanted, 
unless  our  Elder  Brother  had  stood  up  and  said,  "  1  will  be  soietj  fnr 
them ;  of  my  hand  shalt  thou  require  them ;  if  I  bring  them  not  to  thee 


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Jvne  1, 1B6&  AND  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD.  173 

and  set  them  before  thee,  then  let  me  bear  the  blame  for  ever."  Thus 
were  the  sheep  given  to  the  chief  Shepherd,  in  the  counsel  of  grace, 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  their  numbers  told  and  their  names 
entered  in  the  book  of  life ;  their  foreseen  sins  and  shortcomings  all 
placed  to  the  account  of  the  Shepherd  and  Surety,  who  cheerfully  under- 
took the  whole  for  them,  and  for  them  only.  Ah  !  you  say  that  word 
for  them  only.  How  shall  I  know  if  I  am  one  of  them  ?  O  the  groans, 
and  sighs,  and  tears,  the  tormenting  days  and  sleepless  nights,  that  some 
have  had  on  this  one  question, 

^  What  if  my  natm  shotdd  be  left  out, 
When  thou  for  them  shalt  call  !*" 

Well,  have  you  come  to  Him  ?  Come  of  necessity,  as  ready  to  perish 
with  a  rope  round  your  neck  and  a  "  God  be  merciful "  in  your  mouth  ! 
Do  you  so  come  every  day  %  Then  He  is  your  surety,  for  he  said,  "  All 
that  the  Father  give^  me  shall  come  to  me ;  and  him  that  cometh  to 
me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."     Blessed  "  no  wise"— on  no  account. 

See,  then,  poor  soul,  in  thy  Surety— thy  debt  paid,  thy  penalty 
endured,  thy  league  responsibilities  taken  from  thee,  and  thy  ssdvation 
made  as  sure  as  infinite  love  and  wisdom  and  power  could  make  it ;  and 
a]l  in  harmony  with  justice.     Praise  God.     Amen. 


SUNDAY,  JUNE  18th.— A  SUCCESSFUL  PLEADER. 

"  Now  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us." — Heh.  ix.  24. 

We  glory  in  the  death  of  Christ,  but  not  in  a  dead  Christ ;  He  liveth, 
and,  though  He  be  now  exalted  to  the  glory  He  had  with  the  Father 
before  the  world  was.  He  is  not  unmindful  of  His  poor  brethren  on  earth. 
Sometimes  when  our  natural  relations  get  up  a  little  in  the  world,  they 
forget  those  who  still  remain  in  poverty  and  difficulty,  and  would  if  they 
could  deny  that  any  relationship  exists.  Ah  !  there  is'a  deal  of  what  may 
be  called  the  pride  of  £eunily ;  we  should  all  be  pleased  to  claim  kindred 
with  some  great  one.  And  what  if  we  could  ?  Death  will  soon  come, 
and  then  what  advantage  is  it  to  have  been  the  son  of  a  prince  f  Only 
that  of  being  laid  in  a  more  splendid  grave.  Not  so  with  the  dignity 
arising  from  kindred  to  Jesus.  Nothing  can  break  the  relationship,  or 
alienate  His  affections  from  us.  (See  Kom.  viii.  38,  39.)  He  ascended 
to  His  God  and  ours,  to  His  Father  and  our  Father,  and  '^  now  appearj 
for  ITS  "  who  believe. 

O  believer,  remember  what  a  Friend  thou  hast  on  high  I  He  is  not 
ashamed  to  call  thee  His  brother,  and  He  pleads  thy  cause,  His  blood  speaks 
for  thee  in  heaven.  His  eye  sees  thee,  £[is  hand  defends  thee,  and  having 
the  keys  of  the  kingdom  and  all  the  fulness  of  truth  and  grace  in  himself^ 
He  will  supply  all  thy  need.  While  He  is  there  thou  canst  not  be  shut 
outy  every  member  must  be  with  the  head.  While  He  is  rich  thou  canst 
not  be  poor,  for  if  a  child,  then  an  heir  of  Crod  and  joint  heir  with 
Christ.  As  long  as  He  lives  thou  canst  not  die,  for  the  life  of  eveiy 
believer  is  hid  with  God  in  him  (see  Col.  iiL).  Then  be  of  good  cheer, 
the  forerunner  hath  for  thee  entered,  His  dear  hands  are  busy  preparing 
thy  home  for  thee,  and  soon  thou  shalt  see  His  face  and  hear  Him  call, 
''  Friend,  come  up  higher,"  and  then  thou  shalt  be  like  Him,  and  for  ever 
with  Himjyesy — 

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174 


THB   EABTHEN  VJB88XL, 


^^  There  we  shell  see  Hie  faoe^ 
And  never,  never  ein ; 
And  from  the  liven  of  His  grace, 
Diink  endlen  plo 


SUNDAY,  JUNE  25th.— REFRESHING  SHOWERS. 

**  Mj  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain,**  Ac.— Dent  Trrti.  2. 

Soke  people  say  doctrine  is  dry,  but  that  must  be  a  mistake ;  true, 
the  doctrine  of  grace  is  not  to  be  confounded  ydHi  the  grace  of  the 
doctrine.  But  we  cannot  have  the  one  without  the  other,  any  more  than 
we  can  obtain  water  from  the  well  without  something  to  draw  it  with. 
Anyhow,  Moses,  the  man  of  Grod,  says  his.  doctrines  were  not  dry,  for  hia 
speech  was  to  distil  as  the  dew. 

My  reader,  art  thou  a  trae  believer  in  Jesus  7  then  thou  art  a  plant 
in  God's  garden,  and  the  vegetable  tribes  could  just  as  well  live  and  flourish 
without  dew  and  shower,  as  thy  soul  without  the  truth.  The  doctrines 
of  the  Gospel  are  the  meat  and  drink  of  the  Lord's  people,  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

But  still,  we  are  ever  kept  mindful  of  our  dependence,  we  cannot 
cause  it  to  rain  when  we  please,  no  more  can  we  enjoy  the  truth  when  we 
please.  The  felt  dependence  makes  the  mercy  sweeter  when  it  comes,  and 
awakens  thankfulness  to  Him  from  whom  it  comes. 

1.  The  dew  comes  gently.  How  gentle  are  the  secret  whispers  of 
the  Spirit  to  the  ear  of  faith.  2.  The  dew  revives  and  refreshes  the 
drooping  plant.  When  the  truth  enters  the  soul  by  the  Spirit,  how  we 
are  lifted  up  and  comforted.  3.  The  dew  or  shower  causes  fragrance  and 
fruitfulness,  often  have  I  realized  a  delightful  perfume  after  an  hour's 
rain.  And  O  how  the  Gospel  causes  the  souls  of  the  saints  to  give  oat 
the  fragrance  of  prayer  and  praise,  to  bring  forth  frrdt  unto  God.  Space 
forbids  enlargement.  But  be  much  in  the  doctrines,  wait  and  look 
toward  the  sea  of  God's  love,  and  though  the  little  cloud  like  a  man's  hand 
seem  so  small,  it  shall  drop  upon  the  *^  showers  of  blessings."  Adieu  for 
another  montJu 


NEABEB     TO     THEE. 


NBAim  to  Thee.  Ahnighty  God, 

In  the  dark  and  cloudy  day ; 
Grace  to  kiss  the  chastening  rod ; 

Faith  to  chase  our  doubte  away ; 
0 !  hear  our  oft  repeated  plea^ 
We  would  be  nearer  still  to  Thee. 

NesMT  to  Thee—Thou  Prince  of  Peace ! 

When  by  the  waves  of  sorrow  tried ; 
Content  to  wait  for  Thy  release. 

And  with  Thy  will  rest  satisfied. 
We  would  not  murmur,  nor  repine, 
But  in  the  *^ furnace**  Indghter  shine. 

Neanr  to  The%— we  pant  for  more 
Communion  with  our  mighty  King : 

The  banquet-house  hath  goodlv  store, 
And  thtfsre  we  would  men  often  sing. 

Unfurl  Thj.  banner,  Lord,  and  free 

Our  unny  souls  to  sing  of  Thee. 


Nearer  to  Thee !  *  Spirit  divine, 
Thou  Guide  to  all  the  chosen  few-~ 

Teach  us  earth's  baubles  to  resign, 
And  seal  the  promise  home  anew: 

Point  out  the  treasures  of  Thy  gnee; 

Beveal  the  loving  Saviour's  faoe. 

If  eaier  to  Thse  I— UneixiQg  Guide 
To  allthe  chi]dren  Uught  by  Thee; 

Though  Satan  and  the  worid  deride, 
The  heirs  of  gloxy  shall  be  free. 

Eternal  Thou!  Thy  woik  tha«Bm^ 

To  comfort  and  maintain  the  flame. 


Hearer  to  Thee  I-^Thou  gxeat  1 1 
Three  Parsons  in  One  Mlghtiy  Loid; 

Bedeemed  bv  the  precious  Lamhi 
We  would  liw  neanr  our  adoc'd.  . 

Ql  hear  our  oft  repeated  ple»^ 

Nearer— still  nearer— Lord,  to  Thee^ 
F.  D.  Bmob. 


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EXPOSITION    OF    KEVELATION    XIII.     1—8. 
Bt  Mb.  James  Welcs,  of  thb  Subbby  Tabbbnacle,  Borough  Road. 

**  And  I  stood  apon  the  sand  of  the  seft,  and  saw  a  beaat  rise  np  out  the  sea,  haying  seyen 
heads  and  ten  homs^  and  upon  his  honw  ten  orowns,  and  upon  his  heads  the  name  ol 
UMphemy." 

The  aea  here  we  are  to  nndeniand  to  mean  the  world,  and  the  beaert 
meaitt  an  organised  tyrannical  power ;  and  no  doubt  Rome  Pagan  i8  here 
especially  x^erred  to,  bat  not  Rome  Pagan  only ;  and  that  the  many 
holds  and  horns  represent  the  extensive  and  many  powers  which  that  one 
power  had  at  command.  There  can  be  no  qnestion  about  this.  But 
why  is  thifl  recorded  in  the  Bible  ?  Why,  finends,  for  this  reason,  that 
this  great  wild  beast  made  it  its  butdnesB,  this  organised  power,  to  shed 
the  blood  of  the  saints.  John,  therefore,  saw  what  mighty  powers  would 
rise  against  the  saints ;  and  the  saints  were  made  to  feel  it ;  but  at  the 
same  time  the  Lord  was  on  their  side ;  and  by  the  Lord  being  on  their 
side^  and  their  being  blessed  with  &ith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  in 
the  strength  of  the  Saviour's  name  they  overcame  the  beast;  and 
though  they  sailed  home  to  heaven  as  in  seas  of  blood,  yet  at  the  same 
time  they  wero  at  the  last  more  than  conquerors.  And  the  reason 
you  and  I  cannot  tinderstand  such  a  chapter  as  this  very  clearly  is, 
that  we  are  strangers  to  those  afflictions  which  the  people  of  God  in 
those  times  endured.  Now,  friends,  you  all  know  that  by  personal 
afflictions,  and  circumstantial  afflictions,  and  castings  down,  and  troubles, 
you  do  thereby  understand  a  great  many  sciiptures  which,  without 
those  afflictions,  you  would  not  understand.  There  are  more  scriptures, 
very  many  more  scriptxires,  understood  by  afflictions  than  by  prosperity. 
When  eveiything  is  easy,  everything  is  smooth,  we  are  then  compant- 
tively  unconcerned;  but  when  brought  into  these  afflictions  then  we 
seek  for  those  suited  to  our  neceanities ;  and  the  deeper  our  necessities 
then  the  dearer  to  us  are  those  scriptures  that  come  in  in  a  timely  way 
to  support  our  minds.  This,  then,  is  what  I  understand  by  this  ten- 
homed  beast. 

'*  And  the  heast  which  I  saw  was  like  nnto  a  leopMd,  and  his  feet  were  as  the  feet  of  a 
hear,  his  mouth  as  the  mouth  of  a  lion ;  and  the  dragon  gaye  him  his  power,  and  his 
seal,  and  great  authority." 

You  observe  this  one  beast  embodied  all  the  savage  qualities  of 

several  beasts  put  together,  so  that  the  lion  and  the  bear  alone  are  not 

sufficient     Here's  a  collection  of  beasts,  and  that  one  beast  seems  to 

embody  the  ferocity  of  the  whole.     The  dragon  here,  of  course,  is  Satan, 

that  helped  that  perseouting  power  all  he  could.     And  it's  nothing  more 

than  right  that  we  should  look  a  little  into  these  things,  just  to  see  what 

our  brethren  thai  have  gone  before  us  have  had  to  endure ;  how  they 

were  supported,  and  how,  if  peraeoution  should  ever  arise  again,  those 

who  are  living  in  such  times  will  be  aappoi'ted  as  the  ancients  were. 

«*  And  Isaw  one  d  hia heads,  as  iiwere,  wounded  to  death;  and  his  deadly  wound  ww 
healed:  and  all  the  woiUi  wondextsd  after  the  heast*' 

The  headhere  means  a  ruling  power;  and  this  ruling  power  was 

run         T 

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176  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Jimo  i,  laSK. 

wounded,  but  afcerwards  healed.  The  llOth  Psalm  says,  ''  He  shall 
wound  the  heftds  over  many  countries."  The  ruling  power  that  perse- 
cuted the  saints  was  wounded  in  nearly  every  country  now  embodied  in 
the  Turkish  Empire ;  but  there  is  no  one  country  now  of  the  Turkish 
Empire  in  which  this  deadly  wound  is  not  healed.  The  beast  is  a  ruling 
power,  the  dragon  is  a  iTiling  poflrer,  in  every  one  of  the  line  beautiful 
countries  which  Turkey  has  under  its  pestilential  and  deadly  sway ;  and 
God  alone  can  open  the  eyes  of  the  people,  and  make  any  alteration. 
Then,  again,  happily  one  of  his  ruling  powers — ^in  England — ^that  rule  in 
England  was  300  years  ago  woimded  to  death  ;  but  whether  that  deadly 
wound  in  England  will  ever  be  healed  again  I  cannot  say  ;  I  only  say 
this,  that  the  devil's  doctors,  that  Satan's  physicians,  are  running  to  and 
fro  in  the  land,  and  if  report  be  true,  have  already  so  crept  into  houses  as 
to  have  led  captive  ten  thousand  women  who  are  now  shut  up  in  con- 
vents. Now  these  priests  are  Satan's  doctors,  trying  to  heal  the  deadly 
wound,  trying  to  recover  their  ancient  dominion  and  tyranny.  Whether 
they  ever  will  is  not  for  me  to  say.  But  we  do,  nevertheless,  live  in 
that  respect  perhaps  in  rather  solemn  times.  We  see  young  women  tnni- 
ing  Catholics  for  the  sake  of  a  husband ;  we  see  young  ninnies— call 
themselves  young  men,  they  are  ninnies — ^will  marry  a  Catholic  for  the 
sake  of  a  little  money,  and  turn  Catholics ;  we  see  plenty  of  this.  Now, 
air  this  is  nothing  else  but  the  progress  of  Satan's  physicians  trying  to 
heal  the  deadly  wound.  But  may  Old  England  never  see  that  day ! 
May  the  swoid  of  the  Spirit  be  so  wielded  by  all  the  servants  of  Crod  as 
to  cut  the  enemy  off,  and  keep  him  down,  and  that  he  may  never  again 
regain  his  hateful  power  in  this,  at  present^  happy  land. 
"All  the  world  wondered  after  the  beast    And  they  worshipped  the  dragon ;" 

not  knowing  what  they  were  worshipping ;  as  the  Lord  said  to  the 
woman  of  Samaria,  "  Ye  worship  ye  know  not  what."  But  if  they  knew 
it  was  the  dragon  they  would  not  worship  him  ;  they  think  it  is  God, 
while  it  is  the  devil  all  the  time.  That  is  a  very  solemn  thing,  friends, 
that  we  may  be  sincere  unto  teai-s,  as  Saul  of  Tarsus  was,  and  think  that 
we  are  worshippers  of  God,  when  at  the  same  time  we  are  worshippers 
only  of  Satan,  though  we  know  it  not. 

^^They  worshipped  the  dragon,  whioh  gave  power  nnto  the  beast;  and  they  wor- 
shipped the  beast,  saying,  Who  is  like  unto  the  beast  ?" 

Who  has  such  a  large  ohiurch  as  ours  f — ^thirty-two  millions  we  have ; 
why,  there  is  no  church  like  ours. 
*'  Who  is  Uke  unto  the  beast  r 

Tliey  do  not  think  it  is  the  beasty  mind,  they  do  not  think  it  is  the 
beast ;  but  the  Bible  calls  things  by  their  right  names. 

*^Who  is  able  to  make  war  with  him?  And  there  was  given  nnto  him  a  mouth 
speaking  great  things  and  blasphemies;  and  power  was  giyen  nnto  him  to  oontinae 
forty  and  two  months." 

How  long  that  is,  the  Lord  alone  knows.  You  must  understand, 
as  I  have  said  before,  these  dates  not  literally,  but  mystically.  What  a 
mercy  for  us  it  is  limited ;  the  forty-two  months,  the  mystic  period,  must 
end ;  and  the  very  moment  that  the  period  is  at  an  end,  down  go 
Pharoah  and  his  hosts,  out  will  come  the  Israelites  into  liberty,  turn 
round  and  see  the  victory  the  great  God  hath  wrought^  and  rejoice  that 


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June  1,  IBM.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBCORD.  l^T 

the  language  and  the  decree  are,  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no 
farther." 

**  And  he  opened  hie  month  in  hlasphemy  against  Qod," 

not  intentionally,  mind  ;  they  do  not  call  it  blasphemy ;  they  do  not  call 
their  telling  ns  they  have  a  feather  from  the  dove  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
that  descended  at  Jordan,  and  various  other  blasphemous  things — ^tran- 
substantiation,  and  a  thousand  other  things — ^mind,  they  don't  call  it 
blasphemy ;  mind  that ;  no,  no,  they  call  it  worship ;  here's  the  Bible 
calling  it  by  its  right  name.  Does  not  this  accord  with  Saul  of  Tarsus, 
or  rather  Paul  f  What  was  his  former  religion  f  Why,  he  says,  blasphemy, 
"  I  was  a  blasphemer.'*  Why,  if  you  had  gone  to  him  before  his  eyes 
were  opened,  he  would  have  regarded  himself  as  one  of  the  most  pious 
men  in  the  world.  But  after  his  eyes  were  opened  to  see  what  he  was 
as  a  sinner,  and  what  true  religion  was,  he  calls  all  his  religion 
blasphemy. 

**  Blaapheme  his  name,  and  his  tabeniacle,  and  them  that  dwell  in  heaven." 

So  they  all  go  together,  you  see.  To  blaspheme  is  to  blast  the 
&me  of  a  person  ;  thkt  is  the  proper  meaning  of  the  word.  Now  the 
blessed  God  has  a  certain  fame  in  the  church ;  error  tries  to  blast  that 
fame.  The  people  of  God  have  a  certain  fame  in  Christ,  and  error  tries 
to  blast  that  £une.  This  has  been  the  work  of  Satan  since  the  fall  took 
place. 

"•  And  it  was  given  nnto  him  to  make  war  with  the  saints,  and  to  overcome  them ;" 

that  is,  as  to  their  bodies ; 

^*  and  power  was  given  unto  him  over  all  Idndred,  and  tongues,  and  nations.'* 

And  what  nation  or  country  is  there  over  which  tyrannical  powers, 
in  opposition  to  God's  truth,  has  not  more  or  less  reigned  ?  May  the 
Lord  keep  us  in  a  spirit  of  solemn  prayer  for  our  beloved  country.  "  Pray 
for  the  city  in  which  ye  dwell,  for  in  the  peace  thereof  shall  ye  have 
peace."  What  land  for  300  years  has  been  more  favoured  ?  The  Lord 
help  us  to  understand  our  mercies  before  we  lose  them ;  to  understand 
our  privileges ;  and  to  look  at  the  God  of  mercy  and  salvation  to  con- 
tinue to  us  that  sweet  and  blessed  liberty  which  we  now  enjoy,  thus  to 
assemble  from  time  to  time  for  the  noblest  of  all  purposes — to  realize  the 
mercy  of  God,  to  glorify  him  that  hath  done  such  great  things  foV  us, 
and  to  be  the  means  of  bringing  others  to  know  the  same  blessed 
things. 

**  And  all  that  dwell  upon  the  earth  shall  worship  him,  whose  names  are  not  written  in 
the  book  of  Ufe  of^the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 

Just  remark  that.  When  a  sinner  is  taught  his  need  of  eternal 
election,  and  led  to  embrace  that  great  truth,  &.rewell,  then,  to  human 
tradition ;  £y:!0well,  then,  to  human  ceremony ;  farewell,  then,  to  all 
human  confidence.  Such  an  one  is,  by  a  discovery  of  the  discriminating 
grace  of  God,  cut  off  from  every  other  refuge ;  God  becomes  his  all  in 
alL  And  none  but  those  thus  brought  to  know  something  of  the 
eternal  registration  of  the  saints  in  heaven  before  the  world  was — ^none 
but  such  are  free  from  Satan's  religion,  delivered  from  the  whole,  and 
made  to  worship  him  who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore. 


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178  THE  EARTSBN  VBaSML,  ^nm  1,  vmk 

SECOND  LETTER  TO  MR.  JAMES  WELLS  ON  HIS  EXPO- 
SITION OF  THE  REVELATION. 

I  wotTLD  now  consider  brother  Wells'  inteipretation  of  tlie  fifth  tminpoL 
He  understands  by  the  trumpets  God's  testimonj  of  judgments  on 
nations  His  enemies.  The  fifth  trumpet  is  to  take  effect  bj  means 
of  some  mighty  ruler  who  would  destroy  liberty,  and  oppress  and  ilay 
Christians. 

And  is  that  really  the  meaning  1  Is  all  the  Spirit's  solemnity  in 
His  introduction  of  the  book  to  the  notice  of  the  churches  of  Christ  to 
go  for  nothing?  The  book  is  described  as  a  reveUUion;  the  wondrous 
gift  of  the  Father  to  the  Son  to  make  known  to  His  people  (L  1).  John 
wept  when  he  found  that  the  book  in  the  hand  of  God  was  sealed  up ; 
and  none  could  even  see  it,  much  less  open  it.  But,  when  at  length  it 
is  given  of  God  imsealed,  and  presented  to  us,  does  it  only  teadi  eiqp«ri- 
mental  truths  which  John,  and  thousands  of  other  belieTers,  knew  long 
before  f  Does  it  only  tell  us  that  kings  would  oppress  Ghristians,  and 
slay  some  of  them,  while,  nevertheless,  their  life  would  be  safely  hid 
with  Christ  in  God,  and  that  the  weight  and  measure  of  their  afflictions 
would  be  still  under  the  control  and  hand  of  Gkxi  ? 

In  order  to  understand  a  book,  is  it  not  neoessaiy  to  keep  to  those 
divisions  in  it  which  are  marked  by  the  author  %  And  does  not  Jesos 
distinguish  between  the  time  of  the  diiirdies  and  the  times  idddi  were 
to  come  after  them  ?  (i.  19,  iv.  1.)  If,  then,  we  confuse  this  distinction, 
and  attempt  to  make  out  that  things  which  are  to  take  place  after  iJie 
churches  are  removed  are  fulfilled  now  in  the  days  of  the  chnrdies, 
shall  we  not  of  necessity  &11  into  error)  In  our  day  of  grace  God  is 
not  acting  in  miracles  ;  and  no  minuses  of  judgment  are  fiwetcM  in  ike 
messages  to  the  churches.  But  in  the  day  of  wrath  to  oome  will  there  be 
no  miracle  ?  Yes  :  'tis  clearly  predicted.  Those,  then,  who  labour  to 
prove  that  the  viols  and  trumpets  are  fulfilled  in  our  day  of  graoe  sure 
obliged  to  cniih  out  all  the  miraehf  which  lies  on  the  very  snxfiMse  of  the 
description  of  the  trumpets  and  vials.  We  are  living  in  the  day  of 
«  the  things  which  are,^*  and  now  we  come  to  *'  the  throne  of  gracB." 
But  the  day  of  the  Loi*d  yet  to  oome  springs  out  of  the  thiooe  of  judg- 
mefU ;  and  its  blows  descend  on  earth  from  the  fierce  aaig^  of  tibe  Loml. 

Which  view  is  most  easily  understood  ?  That  which  supposes  tibftt 
the  judgments  described  are  literally  to  be  taken;  or  that  whicb  is 
obliged  to  thrust  aside  the  greater  part  of  the  description  as  merely 
*^  drapeiy,"  or  something  not  meant  to  be  understood  1  Are  we  to  take 
the  minute  account  of  the  locusts  as  describing  real  creatures  1  or  shaU 
we  say  that  it  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  anything  more  than  «n  imaginative 
view  of  infiiddons  in  general  t 

Shall  we  understand  by  the  trumpets  only  a  notioe  from  Qod  tliat 
vengeance  is  about  to  come  on  the  wicked  ?  Or  shall  we  not  say  tftiKt  it 
is  to  be  regaitded  as  literal  t  How  do  we  deal  with  tlie  pasti  What 
was  the  trumpet  of  God  whiok  sounded  on  Sinaif  Was  thai  a  mere 
figurative  dedamtion  of  judgment  to  comel  Or  was  it  not  n  real  tramp 
of  thrilling  sound  t  And  if  that  were  real,  why  may  not  this  be  f  Shall 
not  the  Boal  tramp  really  boom  thrang^  ereataoni  Sot  if  tiie  laifttramp 


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Jtaa  1,  IMS.  ASB  OHRiaTtAN  RECORD.  m 

flhail  be  *  vaal  one  of  tenible  note,  how  Ib  it  reasonable  to  rappoae  that 
•fl  the  six  previous  ones  are  figurative,  vhooe  blast  no  ear  of  man  AaXL 


I  proceed  to  confdder  spedallj  the  fifUi  trumpet. 

What  is  this  fallen  star  to  whom  is  given  the  key  of  the  bottomless 
piti  I  agree  with  Mr.  Wells  that  it  supposes  a  great  prince,  to  whom 
authority  of  a  special  land  is  given.  *  But  why  not  take  the  star  as 
Uteral  ? '  Because  a  literal  star  could  not  hold  a  key,  and  could  not  by 
its  &11  turn  a  lock.  Besides,  the  key  here  is  given  to  the  star  after  it  is 
/alien  to  the  earth.  (See  Greek.)  May  not  this  fallen  one  be  Satan, 
who  is  so  described  in  chap,  xii  9  )  Then  heaven  cries — "  Woe  to 
earth  !"  y.  12.  And  just  before  this  trump  the  like  cry  of  "  Woe  to 
earth!"  is  raised.  (viiL  13.) 

Mr.  W.  does  not  like  the  translation  "  bottomless  pit."  I  do  not 
agree  with  him.  The  word  is  derived  from  two  Greek  words^  which 
signify  "no"  "bottom."  He  thinks  it  at  times  signifies  the  sea.  He 
would  no  doubt  point  for  proof  to  Luke  viii.  31,  where  it  is  translated 
in  our  version  "  ihe  deep."  But  it  means  there,  I  suppose,  just  what  it 
does  here — the  bottomless  pit.  .  That  it  does  not  there  mean  the  sea  is 
dear  £ix)m  this,  that  as  soon  as  the  Lord  gave  the  demons  leave,  they 
rushed  into  the  Sea  of  Galilee. 

Can  it  mean  the  sea  here?  Is  there  any  key  to  the  sea?  The 
original  is  veiy  remarkable  in  this  place,  and  our  translators  have  not 
given  its  fulness.  It  is  really,  "  To  him  was  given  the  key  of  the  well  of 
the  bottomless  pit.  And  he  opened  the  well  qfihe  bottomless  pit."* 
TLe  Evangelist  saw  a  deep  shaft  like  that  of  a  coal-mine,  bored  into  the 
depths  of  the  earth,  and  at  the  bottom  was  a  door  which  was  locked; 
this  the  &llen  ruler  opened,  Job  xxxviiL  17.  Then  out  of  the  open 
door  came  the  smoke  of  the  fires  which  bum  within  our  world's  great 
interior. 

Our  Mend  says,  "  Irom  age  to  age  for  a  thotisand  yeara^  just  such 
adversaries,  jtc5<  such  locusts  as  are  here  described,  feU  upon  the  Christian 
Church,  and  thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  Lord's  people  were  by 
these  adversaries  put  to  decUh.'* 

How  shall  we  reconcile  such  an  interpretation  with  the  description 
l^venl  Was  this  locust-plague  to  go  on  for  a  thousand  years  during  the 
day  of  salvation  and  the  time  of  grace  ?  Was  it  to  come  without  preced- 
ing sound  of  trumpet  ?  Had  it  already  been  fulfilled  before  John  wrote  ? 
Could  the  power  of  the  locusts  be  restricted  to  five  months  and  yet  last 
for  thousands  of  years  ?  This  plague  was  to  smite  the  dwellers  on  the 
earth.  And  did  not  our  brother  say  that  Christians  are  not  such,  sinoe 
th^  are  pilgrims  onward  to  the  heavenly  country  ?  How  have  the  per- 
secutors of  Christ's  people  answered  to  these  locusts  ?  Have  they  had 
hair  like  women,  wings  like  locusts,  and  tails  like  scorpions  ?  How  can 
we  believe  that  tibese  locusts  are  to  attack  ChristianB  ?  Is  it  not  expressly 
aaid^  that  they  were  only  to  hurt  those  men  who  had  not  God's  seal  in 
liieir  foreheads?  (4.)  How  can  it  signify  persecutors  slaying  Christianfl^ 
wben  even  those  whom  they  attack  they  are  forbidden  to  slay?  They 
axe  commanded  only  to  torment;  it  is  part  of  the  veiy  character  of 
QoB  plague  that  men  may  not  die,  but  suffer  torture  only. 


•  D6Mi  Alford  gives  it,  "  the  pit  of  the  abyss." 

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180  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  June  1, 1866. 

How  does  it  appear  that  *'  the  grass  of  the  earthy  the  green  things, 
and  the  trees,"  sigmfy  God's  people )  Are  not  Christians  not  of  &e 
earth,  but  heavenly  rather  1  Are  not  many  of  the  green  things  and  trees 
always  barren,  while  Christians  are  by  their  very  calling  to  be  frnit- 
bearers  ?  When  "  grass"  is  not  to  be  touched,  but  "  men"  are,  is  it  not 
evident  that  *'  grass"  cannot  mean  men  1  The  wicked  and  the  holy  stand 
already  distinguished  as  men.  The  wicked  are  those  unsealed :  the 
sealed  are  God's  servants.  And  how  can  we  rightly  believe  that  any  of 
the  Church  of  Christ  are  prefigured  here,  when  the  sealed  are  expr^ely 
said  to  be  144,000  Jews  out  of  every  tribe  specified  by  namel  (ch.  viL) 

Are  not  the  results  of  this  plague  as  unlike  the  usual  state  of 
things  as  possible  ?  These  locusts  sting  like  a  scorpion ;  and  the  tor- 
ment is  so  intense  that  aU  the  wicked  desire  to  die.  (5,  6.)  Has  that 
ever  been  the  case  yet  ?  Mr.  W.  applies  it  to  the  desire  which  a  Chrit- 
tian,  grievously  oppressed  by  calamity,  feels  for  death.  But  we  have 
seen  it  is  not  Chnstians  who  are  so  tormented :  it  is  not  any  of  God's 
people,  not  even  godly  men  of  Israel.  It  is  God's  foes  whom  He  thus 
plagues.  Besides,  when  Job  was  so  tried  as  to  desire  death,  was  all  the 
world  around  him  as  oppressed  and  desirous  to  die  as  himself?  But 
here  all  the  wicked  are  alike  tormented,  and  alike  desirous  to  die. 

Again,  under  these  afflictions,  they  attempt  to  commit  suicide  (v.  6). 
Do  Christians  under  calamity  do  so  ?  Did  Job  attempt  it  ?  But  the 
wicked  do.  EEas  there  been  ever  such  a  scene  as  that  yet?  In  our  day 
here  and  there  a  sinner,  full  of  crime  and  careless  of  the  future,  destroys 
himself.     But  never  has  this  been  attempted  by  all  the  wicked. 

Moreover,  hei-e  is  the  marvellous  part :  tlieir  cUtempts  at  suicide  are 
all  defeated^  (v.  6.)  Strong  as  is  their  desire  for  death,  resolute  as  are 
their  efforts  to  kill  themselves  in  order  to  escape  this  insufferable  torture, 
they  are  unable  to  die.  '^  Death  shall  fiee  from  them ;"  and  ardent  as 
is  their  pursuit,  they  shall  not  overtake  him.  Has  anything  like  this 
ever  been  the  case  among  Christians  or  the  wicked  ?  How  their  criminal 
designs  will  be  baffled  is  not  said ;  but  the  points  stated  are  enough  for 
us.  The  whole  world  of  sinners  will  seek  death,  and  be  unable  to  find 
it.  Now,  the  suicide  has  fifty  ways  open  to  him  to  depart  out  of  life ; 
and  if  he  be  but  secret  and  resolute,  he  can  die  when  and  where  he 
wills.  Here  is  described  a  scene  such  as  never  yet  was  beheld  on  the 
face  of  the  .  earth,  and  never  wiU  be  again,  after  that  day  of  woe  and 
wrath  is  past. 

Its  limit  is  ^\q  months ;  and  why  should  we  not  take  that  period 
as  literally  as  the  three  days'  darkness  in  Eg3rpt  1  Why  should  these  be 
five  "  mystic  "  months  ?  Why  should  we  not  look  back  to  God's  past 
dealings,  and  see  in  the  plagues  on  Pharaoh  and  his  land  the  types  of 
these  more  fearful  woes  ?  The  sun  was  darkened  then  j  why  may  not 
the  sun  and  air  again  be  darkened  by  the  smoke  of  a  feaiful  volcanic 
eruption  ?  Only  there  is  this  peculiarity  about  the  calamity  before  u% 
that  out  of  the  smoke  come  creatures  never  yet  seen  in  an  eruption.  For 
•  as  yet,  during  our  day  of  mercy,  the  key  of  the  bot^mless  pit  has  never 
been  handed  over  to  Satan.  And,  indeed,  our  days,  evil  as  they  are, 
have  scarcely  yet  come  up  to  the  wickedness  of  that  day.  It  is  for  such 
wickedness  as  that  described  in  ch.  ix.  20,  21,  that  this  supernatural  visi- 
tation is  sent  What  say  those  verses  ?  *'  And  the  rest  of  the  men  which 
were  not  killed  by  these  plagues  yet  repented  not  of  the  works  of  their 


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Jim«  1, 1M&.  AND  0JSBJ8TIAN  RECORD.  181 

iands,  iliattliey  should  not  worship  devils,  and  idols  of  gold,  and  silver, 
and  brass,  and  stone,  and  of  wood ;  which  neither  can  see,  nor  hear, 
nor  walk ;  neither  repented  they  of  their  murders,  nor  of  their  sorceries, 
nor  of  their  fornication,  nor  of  their  thefts."  It  is  only  after  Crod  has 
sent  on  men  the  wild  beasts  of  the  earth  as  his  plagues  (vi  8),  and  they 
have  £Eiiled  to  amend  men,  tibat  these  unld  beasts  from  the  infernal  pit 
are  commissioned  to  torment. 

Has  the  Destroyer,  the  angel  of  the  bottomless  pit,  as  yet  been 
sent  forth  f  I  suppose  not.  How  could  it  be,  when  Christ  promises  to 
his  watchful  people  that  they  shotdd  be  kept  ot(t  of  the  hour  of  temp- 
tation which  is  to  come  on  all  the  world  to  try  the  dweUers  on  earth  ? 
(iii:  10.)     I  am,  brother,  yours  in  Christy  R.  Gk>VETT. 

Surrey  Boad,  Norwich. 


ONE  THOUSAND  EIGHT  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-SIX. 
WHAT  DO  THE  PROPHETS  SAY  OF  IT? 

THE  LATE  WILLIAM  HUNTINGTON  ON  THE  YEAR  1866. 

While  many  are  smiling  upon  my  few  notes,  designed  to  call  quiet  atten- 
tion to  the  testimonies  of  both  ancient  and  modem  prophetic  writers,  I 
am  increasing  in  the  persuasion  that  God  has  given  unto  some  of  His 
servants  the  spirit  of  discernment  and  understanding,  to  know  something 
of  the  times,  and  to  sound  the  alarm,  so  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  may 
not  come  upon  His  Church  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  I  pretend  to  no 
prophetic  spirit  myself.  I  see,  and  hear,  and  read,  and  watch  many 
great  men  who  look  with  much  pitiful  contempt  upon  my  efforts  to 
arouse  the  slumbering  elements  of  life  and  fiedth  in  Zion.  It  is  marvel- 
lous to  me,  and  often  fills  my  soul  with  much  amazement,  when  I  behold 
the  self-importance,  the  daring  boldness,  the  fleshly  presumption,  and  the 
vain  arrogance  of  many  who,  because  the  people  carry  them  up  into  some 
little  mea.8ure  of  supposed  greatness,  they  really  b^eve  that  wisdom  is 
only  found  with  themselves,  and  that  when  they  die  the  World  and  the 
Church  too  wiU  be  left  in  the  dark.*  Every  man's  work  is  to  be  tried 
as  if  by  fire ;  and  there  will  be  heaps  of  dross  consumed  by  this  fire, 

*  Old  Thomas  Adama  onoe  said,  "  Seenrity  is  the  very  suburbs  of  hell;  there  is 
nothing  but  a  dead  wall  between  them.  Hope  and  Life  would  once  take  a  journey 
together.  Each  chose  an  attendant :  Hope,  Security ;  and  Life,  Jealousy.  When 
Hope  would  take  rest  Seenrity  sleeps  by  her.  Life  is  fearftil  of  dangers ;  therefore 
sets  Jealousy  to  watch  by  her.  Thus  guarded  they  are  all  safe.  But  one  night  the 
two  handmiuds  mistook  their  mistresses.  Jealousy  watcheth  by  Hope ;  hereaoon  she 
starts  and  trembles,  and  slumbered  so  unquietly  as  if  Doubt,  her  old  enemy,  had  seized 
On  her.  life,  trusting  to  the  rigilancy  of  her  sentinel  Jealousyi  and  haring  (in  her 
stead)  so  poor  a  guard  as  drowsy  Security,  was  surprised  ^  her  old  enemy  Danger. 
In  this  conflict  Life  calls  tp  Hope  for  succour ;  but,  alas !  Hope  had  enough  to  do  to 
help  herself.  In  this  ext^taiity  steps  in  Wisdom,  who  discorers  the  error,  at  whose 
ai>proach  Doubt  and  Danger  fled ;  Hope  and  Life  recovered.  But  to  prevent  the  like 
mistaking  hereafter  Wisdom  bound  Security  to  Hope,  Jealousy  to  life ;  and  in  every 
wise  man  they  still  so  continue.  If  mortal  man  had  any  immuni^  or  exemption  from 
sin,  where  was  it  to  be  expected?  In  solitariness  ?  19o ;  Lot  fell  in  the  mountain.  In 
the  wilderness T    No;  for  there  Christ  Himself  was  tempted^   In  paradise?    No; 


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before  nuuij  of  ihese  mi^^  ones  inll  «ater  into  the  haljr  Jdngdom  Mtd 

presence  of  our  most  glorious  Lobd.    Ab  John  Wigmore  aajs  of  Job,  ao 

we  may  saj  of  all  the  tme  heayeii«b<nxi  oodb  and  daiigbteca^  wken  in  tlia 

fuznaoe  ihej  shall  be  fomid : 

"  Job  WM  tri«d  ia  Zm's  Ivnacii, 
For  to  puige  him  from  his  dross; 
Tho*  he  here  was  tried  by  fire, 
Yet  ^e  gold  sustained  no  losi; 
Job's  affliction  was  to  him  a  paiaful  cro«.** 

Through  this  fire  all  the  redeemed  have  to  pass.  I  think  I  am  in  it  still : 
and  often  righ  for  delivoianoe.  In  these  fieiy  trials  I  sometimeB  turn  to 
the  throne  of  graoe,  scHnetimes  to  God's  Holy  Word;  althonf^  to  mf 
shame  be  it  said,  not  so  often  nor  no  long  as  I  should  do ;  and  sometimeB  I 
turn  to  William  Huntington's  letters,  where  are  so  many  precions  thing? 
that  I  have  resolved,  if  God  will,  to  issue  them  in  little  tracts,  for  (exoept 
the  Holy  Bible — our  Father^s  own  dear  book)  there  is  nothing  more 
genuine  in  real  Christian  experience,  in  existence,  than  these  letters  of 
the  divinely-learned  ooalheaver. 

On  Sunday  morning,  May  2 1,  1865, 1  was  as  low  in  faith,  and  as  much 
tempted  in  feeling  as  regards  my  state,  as  I  have  been  lately,  when,  acci- 
dentally,  as  we  say,  I  took  up  Williams's  Yol.  I.  of  Letters.  I  read 
No.  163,  and  I  was  led  to  decide  upon  giving  it^  instead  of  thia  m<mth 
presenting  my  readers  with  "  The  Vials"  remarks  upon  "  1866,  The 
JuBiLBB  OF  JimiLEas."  An  epitome  and  review  of  that  aeriea  is  so  long, 
perhaps,  it  must  be  a  supplementaiy  number ;  but  before  I  decide  I  will 
take  advice  and  seek  for  oounaeL  Here,  then,  is  William  Huirrnio- 
ixw's  Letter  on  ths  Houb  of  Tekftatiov.  I  think  it  of  more  value 
than  anything  I  have  given  for  a  long  time.  This  letter  was  written  a 
veiy  little  time  before  his  death,  fif^-two  yeaiB  ago  the  lOih  of  this 
month  of  May,  at  Pentonville ;  and  these  are  his  own  words.  Read  thenif 
dear  Christian  people,  and  tell  me  if  then  is  not  abundant  evidence  ^at 
William  Huntington  was  indeed  a  man  in  whom  the  spirit  of  God  did 
dwelL     He  says, — 

*«  My  Dear  Fribkd, 
"I  now  send  you  a  short  account  of  my  views  upon  the  times.  Some 
few  years  ago,  on  going  to  bed,  I  was  much  concerned  about  the  present 
war.  It  being  a  judgment  of  such  magnitude,  I  wondered  whereabouts 
in  scripture  the  account  stood,  knowing  that  all  things  were  to  be  finished, 
as  he  hath  declared  by  his  servants  the  prophets  :  and  I  was  much  grieved 
that  there  were  none  in  our  day  who  were  intrusted  with  the  secret. 
When  I  awoke  in  tiie  morning  tibese  words  were  spoken  to  me,  '  This  is 
the  hour  of  temptation.'  I  then  knew  where  the  words  stood,  as  thef 
are  three  times  recorded  in  scitpture.  I  considered  the  seven  churches, 
and  the  seven  epistles  written  to  them,  to  be  prophetic  of  the  sevenfold 
state  of  the  church,  which  will  bring  us  to  the  world's  end.  The  Sardisn 
churdi  represents  our  present  state,  under  which  we  now  aro.  The  fii*^ 
account  <^  the  hour  of  temptation  stands  in  Hev.  ivL  3.  The  next  churdi« 
the  Philadelphian,  is  to  be  kept  from  this  hour ;  Rev.  iiL  and  10.  The 
world  means  all  the  Boman  empire,  or  that  part  called  christian.    It  ap- 

there  man  fdl.  In  heaven?  No ;  there  angelsfelL  In  Christ's  college  ?  9d  ;  then 
^dasfeU.  fio  we  stand  as  not  without  fax  to  fidl;  so  bdng  ftJlen  lA  ns  look  np  ii 
not  widumt  kopeto  rise.  The  thild  la  not  safe  hot  in  the  lap  of  its  mother;  nor  w« 
Mtt  in  the  bosom  of  onr  flcdonr." 


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Jm  1, 1M6.  AND  OBBLSTLIN  BECORD.  183 

pean  to  me  that  the  hoar  of  temptation  began  when  Tom  Paine  paUished 
hia  rebellion,  by  which  thooaands  were  tempted  and  aednoed  toresiat  "tiie 
powera  orda^ed  of  Gk>d;  and  thia  inadrertantlj  haa  enanared  tiiem  in 
Mkotiier  temptation ;  namely,  that  of  &voaring  the  Catholic  oauae.  The 
Pope  haa  three  aorta  of  adherents  :  tiie  fiiat  receive  a  mark  in  their  fore- 
iMada,  bj  an  open  profession  of  popeiy ;  the  aeoond  reoeiTe  a  mark 
in  their  right  hand,  swearing  to  exert  their  power  in  defence  of  popeiy ; 
the  third  receive  the  number  of  his  name,  and  therefore  are  reckoned 
among  his  Mends.  And  Gk>d  declares,  that  *all  who  dwell  upon  the  earth 
shall  worship  him,  whose  names  are  not  written  in  the  book  of  life  of 
the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundatioa  <^  the  world,'  Rev.  xiii.  8. 

^  And  this  honr  of  temptation,  in  which  trap  thonsands  are  caught, 
will  lead  on  to  this  perish  worship,  whereby  their  destruction  will  be 
■lade  sure.  You  have  an  account  of  what  passed  during  ^lis  hour  of 
temptation  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  the  Bevelation,  where  you  have 
an  account  of  the  Sardian  church  and  her  ministers,  called  two  witnesses, 
two  olive  branches,  and  two  golden  candlesticks,  standing  before  the  Qod 
of  the  earth.  A  little  before  this  hour  comes  on  orders  are  given  to 
measure  the  temple,  and  the  altar,  and  the  worshippers  ;  and  to  leave  the 
outer  court  out  of  the  measurement,  that  her  ministers,  tiiat  is  empty  pro- 
fessors, may  be  given  to  the  Gentiles,  which  are  the  pi^ists,  as  these, 
not  being  elected,  are  to  worship  the  beast  When  tilie  papists  have 
gained  these,  which  are  going  &8t  over,  then  Uiey  will  deprive  us  of 
&e  toleration  act,  which  is  called  scatteiing  the  power  of  the  holy 
people,  Daniel  xii.  7.  Then  there  will  be  an  opening  for  thi^n  to 
^oome  at  the  witnesses,  which  are  in  the  inner  temple ;  many  of  whom, 
no  doubt,  will  be  slain  ;  but  some  will  be  silenced,  and  not  miwdered  ; 
slain  as  witnesses,  but  not  as  men ;  send  therefore  they  are  said  to  lie  in 
tiie  street,  but  not  to  be  put  into  graves.  This  daughter  and  silence  are 
to  last  three  years  and  a  half^  pro^etically  called  three  days  and  a  half. 
Nor  IB  the  present  war  to  cease  till  this  war  with  ^e  saints  begins,  for 
•during  the  same  hour  (alluded  to  before)  there  was  a  great  earthquake. 
Rev.  xi.  13.  This  earthquake  is  the  present  war,  in  whidi  the  tenth 
part  of  the  Komish  jurisdiction  fell.  France  fell  from  its  old  royal  &mily 
into  slavery,  in  which  seven  thousand  renowned  men  of  name  (meaning 
chief  commanders)  fell.  And,  if  no  many  field  marshals  fell,  we  have 
had  accounts  enough  of  the  slaughter  of  common  soldiers.  After  three 
days  and  a  half  the  Holy  Ghost  will  be  poured  out  upon  these  silenced 
witnesses,  and  they  will  ascend  to  heaven  in  a  cloud ;  that  is,  into  a 
heavenly  state  when  compared  with  this  present  one ;  and  they  will  appear 
agacin  as  a  cloud  of  witnesses  for  God. 

*^  It  was  the  sixt&  trumpet  that  brought  the  Turks  into  the  eastern 
peat  of  the  Roman  empire ;  under  which  trumpet  we  now  are,  and  shall 
be  until  the  destruction  of  the  Turks  comes  on.  But,  as  soon  as  the 
-witnesses  are  raised,  and  popery  is  discovered  by  the  brightness  of  Christ's 
nring,  t^ien  pc^yish  darkness  will  begin  to  be  destroyed  by  the  breath  of 
ham  lips;  and  thispcweifulpreachingoftheGospel will  convert  thetenkingB 
^  Europe,  who  have  all  in  turn  been  papists;  but  God  will  now  turn 
their  Imrts  to  hate  the  where  :  and,  as  soon  as  these  begin  their  war 
with  the  pope  and  Turk,  the  seventh  and  last  trumpet  w31  be  sounded ; 
^>r  under  this  trumpet  the  mystery  of  €k>d  is  to  be  finished,  as  he  tes 
^lecuured  by  his  aervairts  the  prophets^-'the  mysleiiy  !«•  espcunng  'ttB 


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184  THE  BABTHBN  VSaSBL,  June  l,  18(& 

Jews,  and  the  fulness  of  the  QentUes  being  brought  in  all  on  a  saddeQ  ; 
hence  this  angel  proclaims,  '  Babylon  is  fiedlen,  is  fidlen.'  Under  this 
trumpet  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  to  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
God  and  of,  his  Christ.  The  work  now  in  hand  is  the  papists'  stmgi^liiig 
to  get  into  power,  that  they  may  gain  over  the  established  church,  and 
aU  dead  and  dry  dissenters  with  them.  By  this  fiin  the  Lord  will 
thoroughly  purge  his  floor,  and  make  manifest  who  are  his  ana  who  are 
not ;  and  it  is  plain  that  most  of  these  are  already  favourable  to  the 
catholics — the  Arminians,  the  ministers  of  the  letter,  and  graceless  pro- 
fessors in  general ;  even  many,  who  hold  the  truth  in  their  heads,  are 
already  caught  by  this  hour  of  temptation. 

"It  might  be  easily  known  when  Antichrist  would  &11  could  the  year 
be  ascertained  in  which  he  rose ;  for  he  is  to  continue  1260  yean  and  no 
longer.  Some,  calculating  it,  have  fixed  his  fall  in  1666 ;  but  time  has 
shewn  that  they  were  mistaken ;  while  others  have  fixed  his  fall  in  1866. 
But  it  is  evident  that  his  last  struggle  for  power  is  b^un :  and  when  he 
comes  into  power  I  expect  we  shall  be  deprived  of  our  toleration  act,  and 
that  then  he  will  fill  the  Protestant  churohes  with  popish  priests ;  and, 
when  he  has  gained  these  over,  then  the  church  of  God  will  &11  under 
the  weight  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  power,  both  at  onoe ;  and  this  will 
be  the  slaughter  of  the  witnesses.  Daniel's  little  horn  is  the  pope,  and 
he  spi-ung  up  with  the  other  ten  upon  the  Roman  beast.  Theae  ten 
kings,  sajTS  John,  receive  power  one  hour  with  the  beast.  When  the 
Gotibs,  Huns,  and  Vandals,  broke  into  the  western  empire,  they  set 
up  ten  kingdoms  in  it.  And  these  kings  were  to  be  of  one  mind 
with  the  beast ;  that  is,  of  one  religion,  as  they  all  have  been.  And 
all  these  kingdoms  were  set  up  before  the  year  500,  which  is  the  best 
rule  for  us  to  go  by;  and,  according  to  this  account,  the  pope's  end 
draws  on  apace,  and  his  war  with  &e  saints  is  to  be  while  this  war 
is  in  existence,  or  during  the  same  hour,  as  you  read  in  the  eleventh 
chapter  of  the  Revelation. 

"  These  hints,  with  what  you  yourself  understand  by  the  scriptures, 
are  sufficient  for  you. — Ever  yours,  "W.  H.,  S.S." 


BY  W.  FBITHy  PA8T0B  OF  THE  CHimCH  AT  BOBOUQH  GBEEV,  KENT. 

"  A  GOOD  hope  through  grace  ! "  Who  would  not  desire  this)  And 
yet^  alas,  it  is  the  desire  but  of  few.  Their  desires  are  **  the  desires 
of  the  flesh  and  of  the  mind."  But  this  is  the  desire  and  the  privilege  of 
every  '*  contrite  spirit**  For  while  "  the  world  that  lieth  in  the  wicked 
one"  have  "  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite  that  perisheth,*'  are  ever  and  anon 
having  their  hopes,  prospects,  and  expectations  cut  o£^  cursed,  and 
blasted,  the  redeemed  people  of  God  can  well  afford  to  indulge  a  good 
hope.  The  future  does  not  hang  with  portentous  clouds,  because  they 
have  heard  the  voice  of  mercy  speaking  in  accents  of  sympathy  and 
tenderness — '*  Say  ye  to  the  righteous  it  shall  be  weU  with  him." 
And  if  we  can  realise  that  Jesus  is  ''  the  Lord  our  Righteousness," 
and  that  He  is  *'  of  God  made  unto  us  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctifica* 
tion,  and  redemption,"  then  can  we  also  feel  an  undoubted 


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Jimel,  1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBCOBD.  185 

that  <'  ii  shall  be  well  toith  ns"  and  sing  in  the  pions  magnanimity  of 
the  poet, — 

(^  Tis  well  when  on  the  mount 

We  feast  on  dying  love ; 

And  *ti8  as  well  in  God's  aocoont, 

When  we  the  furnace  prove." 

O  yes,  this  hope  of  the  Christian  is  a  '<  good  hope."  It  essentially 
differs  from  all  the  hopes  of  carnal  men.  Their  hopes  are  '^  of  the 
earth,  earthy."  They  are  centred  in  some  earthly,  fftding,  and  fail- 
ing objects ;  whereas  the  hope  of  "  the  disciples  of  Emmanuel "  is 
based  upon  those  "  things  that  remain,"  upon  ''  the  covenant  ordered 
in  all  things  and  sure,"  and  all  its  eternal  and  inalienable  blessing?. 
This  renders  the  Christian's  hope  a  "  good  hope,"  because  it  cannot 
deceive  orfaU,  And  "  this  is  the  heritage  of  the  servants  of  the  Lord, 
and  their  righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the  Lord."  This  is  the  founda- 
tion of  the  good  hope.  Its  solid  foundation  is  "  the  Bock  of  Ages.  Its 
centre  is  a  Divine  Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit.  Its  warrant 
is  the  revealed  oath  and  promise,  which  constitute  *'  two  immutable 
things  in  which  it  is  impossible  for  GKxl  to  lie,"  and,  therefore,  affords  '^  a 
strong  consolation  to  all  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  the  hope  set  before 
them  in  the  Gospel"  O,  this  makes  it,  indeed,  a  good  hope.  What 
could  be  better  1  It  is  not  a  hope  of  good  here,  but  hereafter.  It  is  not 
a  hope  of  being  able  ''  to  pull  down  our  bams  and  to  build  greater ;"  to 
"  buy,  sell,  and  get  gain ;"  to  possess  some  well-watered  plains  in  the 
valley  of  the  Jordan — some  fertile  Goshen  in  the  Egypt  of  this  world — 
some  fruitful  Gilead  or  "  upper  and  nether  springs :'  No ;  but  "  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord  that  maketh  rich,  and  addeth  no  sorrow  with  it."  O 
yes,  this  hope  builds  '*  on  all  high  places,"  knowing  that ''  he  builds  too 
low  who  builds  beneath  the  skies."  And  this  is  the  hope  of  '^  all  the 
Israel  of  God."  They  have  all  one  hope,  as  well  as  one  *'  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism."  This  hope  has  been  the  life-buoy  of  the  saints  in 
all  ages.  It  was  so  with  the  pious  David,  when  in  a  season  of  deep 
spiritual  darkness  "  he  groaned,  being  burdened,"  saying,  "  Why  art 
thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  f  And  why  art  thou  disquieted  in  thee  1 
Hops  thou  in  €U)d,  for  I  shall  yet  praise  £Um,  who  is  the  health  of  my 
countenance  and  my  God."  And  it  is  so  with  thee,  my  reader?  Art 
thou  '*  cast  down  T  O,  look  again  toward  God's  *'holy  temple."  Remem- 
ber Him.  Think  of  His  covenant,  of  His  merof,  of  His  love,  of  His 
vnchangeableness,  and  then  hope  thou  in  God.  He  is  thine  for  ever — 
thine  to  live  tvith  here,  and  thine  to  live  with  hereafter. 


The  Bible  is  not  only  a  book  to  read  for  our  comfort  and  instruction,  but 
it  is  also  a  book  to  walk  by.  Real  saints  do  feel  it  a  duty  incumbent  upon 
them  to  "  observe  to  do  according  to  all  that  is  written  therein."  It  is 
said  of  Jesus  that  He  ''  b^;an  both  to  do  and  teach  ;"  and  this  should 
be  the  model  of  all  that  name  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  b^;in- 
ning  of  religion  is  life,  divine  life  in  the  sotd  ;  and  the  first  evidence  of 
this  life  is  action.  When  €U>d  begins  to  do  with  the  sinner,  the  sinner 
begins  to  do  with  God.  All  Cliristians,  by  making  it  a  point  to  do  as 
the  Bible  tells  them,  shall  surely  prosper  in  all  their  ways ;  but  such  as 
walk  contrary  to  God's  revealed  will  shall  have  sorrow  and  leanness 
enoo^i    Who  can  be  safe  and  happy  while  walking  in  a  wrong  way  ? 


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THE  SABTHEN  YSaaEL, 


Join  l^Utft. 


A    CHRISTIAN'S    LIFE    AND   A  CHRISTIAN'S    DEATH. 


Bbar  Editob, — It  ia  now  about  nine  monthB 
ago  nnce  your  valuable  periodical  gave 
mifaliotty  to  the  sudden  depariore  of  John 
Pelk,  late  pastor  of  Boho  Chapel,  Oxford 
■faneet,  to  the  Father^  house  above.  It  was 
also  steted  that  he  had,  besides  his  dear 
oompanion  and  childran,  left  an  only  siaier 
and  aged  mother  to  mourn  his  loss.  I  have 
nowtoeommiinieste  the  sad  tidings  that  this 
onlv  sister,  Mn.  Oullingford,  my  beloved 
wif&  has  been  called  to  loin  her  dear 
brother  in  that  glorious  world  which  mor- 
tals esnnot  conoei  ve,  but  which  is  described 
as  a  place  perfectly  free  from  all  the  sins, 
sorrows,  and  pains  of  this  sin-polluted  world, 
and  the  soul  filled  with  loy  unspeakable  for 
•vennorsL  But  how  shul  I  write  the  name 
which  has  been  bound  up  in  the  tenderesi 
fibres  of  my  heart,  while  the  dear  beloved 
object  that  bore  it  is  no  more  on  earth !  Tet 
I  feeL  on  account  of  her  man^  friends,  I 
should  be  glad  through  this  medium  to  give 
some  account  of  the  closing  part  of  her  short 
pilgrimage,  entreating  for  myself  and  her 
bereaved  and  now  childless  mother  their 
prayers  and  sympathy ;  while  for  her  they 
may  rejoice  to  hear  of  her  safe  arrival  on 
that  blissful  shore  where  the  parting  sound 
and  tear  are  known  no  more ;  but  where  all 
the  favoured  inhabitants  are  cemented  in 
the  most  endearing  and  everlasting  bands, 
in  the  presence  of  that  Jesus  who  is  all  and 
in  all.  I  feel  it  a  difilculttaak,  both  on  ac- 
count of  the  wound  this  stroke  has  made 
upon  my  feelings,  and  alao  for  fear  my 
communication  might  appear  like  praise  to 
the  creature  instead  of  the  grace  of  God, 
which  alone  made  her  what  she  was. 
•  •  •  • 

Tbe  dear  departed  was  bom  at  Becdes, 
December  9th,  1828,  her  parents  being  both 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  She  was 
brought  up  from  infancy  to  attend  the 
house  of  God,  and  as  soon  as  age  admitted 
became  a  devoted  scholar  in  tne  Sabbath 
BohooL  But  although  thus  izLStnicted  in  the 
prindplas  of  truth  she  seemed  to  have 
passed  several  yean  without  any  real  con- 
cern about  the  all-important  matter  of  sal- 
vation, but  was  nevertheless  a  constant 
hearer  of  the  esteemed  and  now  aged  pastor 
of  the  Baiitist  chuich,  Mr.  George  Wright. 
But  though  thus  wandering,  seeking  to 
find  happiness  in  the  pleasures  of  this  world, 
glory  to  God,  die  could  not  rove  beyond 
the  umits  of  His  love ;  for  the  appointed 
time  rolled  on  apace  not  to  elect  but  call  by 
grace.  It  pleased  the  Lord  by  His  Spirit, 
while  listening  to  a  sennon  by  the  above- 
mentioned  servant  of  the  Lord  from  the 
worda,  '•Seek  ye firrt  the  kingdom  of  God," 
te,  to  send  the  snow  of  conviction  to  her 
heart  and  to  effect  a  wound  which  nothing 
but  the  balm  of  r^Mirning  meroy  and  for- 
giving love,  through  the  Saviour's  blood, 


could  heal.  But  He  works  sovereignly  and 
variously.  For  two  years  she  was  permit- 
ted to  wrestle  with  many  fean  for  a  eiesr 
manifestation  of  pardon. 

But  the  time  of  lore  moat  eome, 
When  the  vhoald  oltariy  aee, 
Kot  only  that  he  shad  hU  blood. 
But  aSe  could  ny,  for  me. 

Although  during  this  period  the  change 
had  been  most  evident  to  Ghriatian  obaer- 
vera,  her  becoming  a  devoted  teachM'  in  the 
Sabbath  school,  her  manifest  attachment  to 
Christian  societv  and  love  to  the  prayer 
meeting,  and  public  ordinance  of  thelxtnfa 
house,  were  satisfactory  evidences  to  othevs; 
but  He  who  had  made  the  wound  mut 
Himself  speak  the  healing  word.  This  He 
did  bv  the  same  instrumentality ;  for  while 
Mr.  Wright  was  preaching  a  sermon  adap- 
ted to  the  awakened  but  not  liberated  child 
of  God,  the  fetters  were  loosened  and  tlw 
captive  set  free.  This  was  indeed  a  time 
of  rich  enjoyment  of  the  blessed  realities  <^ 
true  religion.  Soon  after  this  she  was  en- 
abled to  give  herself  up  to  the  Lord  in  His 
own  appointed  way.  in  November,  185^ 
she,  with  several  othexu,  were  baptised,  and 
became  members  of  the  church  at  Beodea, 
where  ahe  found  sweet  fellowship  with  the 
saints,  and  carrying  with  her  wherever  she 
went  that  cheerful  Christian  kindness  eo 
desirable,  she  had  drawn  forth  the  special 
attachment  of  many  of  herfellow-traTeUam 
to  Zion,  and  which  have  been  largely  maoi- 
fested  by  the  many  letters  I  have  received 
bearing  this  testimonv,  sinee  her  dceeaee, 
"  she  being  now  numbered  with  the  aaintn 
in  the  Church  of  Christ**  She  with  sevenl 
other  young  Christians  became  truly  devoted 
to  his  cause  by  visiting  the  sick,  distributiii^ 
tracts.  Ac  ICany  dear  old  saints,  unable  to 
attend  the  house  of  God,  hailed  those  visite 
with  delight  In  this  way  she  spent  about 
five  years  in  happv  communion  with  tke 
saints  at  Becdes,  during  which  time  she 
had  indeed  to  find  that  the  Christian's  is  a 
tribulated  path.  Painful  family  aflliction 
of  long  continuance,  losing  by  death  an  onlj 
and  beloved  aister  (who  also  departed  in  the 
faith) ;  her  aged  mother  becoming  afllicted 
in  her  mind ;  her  father  failing  in  buaineaB» 
were  trials  which  she  bore  lue  one  sup- 

e)rted  and  upheld  by  the  power  of  God. 
ut  although  her  soixows  were  deep  her  Joys 
wereoftenhigh.  Man  v  times  has  she  referred 
to  those  times,  especudly  to  the  hi^j  Ma- 
sons she  enjoyed  while  sitting  under  the 
preached  word  by  her  never- forgotten 
spiritual  father,  Kr.  Wright  But  she  was 
not  to  end  her  short  pilgrimage  at  Bscwlss, 
in  the  midst  of  confusion  in  her  fiUher's  af- 
fiiirs.  She  came,  in  the  order  of  piovi* 
denoe,  on  a  visit  to  a  relation  at  Sazmond* 
ham,  and  in  a  most  xeaaikahle  wsf^  it  wsv 
brought  about  that  in  six  months  fxxm  that 


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Aim  GBRISriAN  BMOOSD. 


m 


tfaM  bar  balovwd  bralUr  OMXM  down  «ul 
made  hor  ibe  bdoved  wife  of  the  luirorthy 
writer,  who  bad  be»  m  widoirar  sbont 
tbiee  jmn  and  a-balf  linoe  tbe  loss  of  my 
fint  belored  oompoirion,  n^  also  denurted 
triompfaant  in  tbe  faith.  I  felt  tralv  thank- 
ful to  the  all-wise  Dimser  of  aU  eirenta 
that  He  bad  provided  for  me  snob  a  suit- 
able oompamoii,  for  both  in  sfiiritnal  and 
domestic  matters  she  was  all  I  oomld  deaire. 
But  all  earthly  oomforta  are  short-lired ; 
God's  ways  are  not  our  yrmyn ;  He  giyes  us 
life  and  health  and  friends,  and  takes  them 
all  away  at  Bis  own  appomted  time,  and 
gives  to  mortals  none  aooount  of  His  mat- 
ters; for  it  was  only  about  fifteen  months 
and  the  one  so  valued  was  prostrated  on  a 
bed  of  affliction,  and  almost  all  hope  of  re- 
covery was  gone;  but  the  Lord  deferred 
the  stroke  again  and  again,  for  on  three  oc- 
casions, previous  to  the  dosing  scene,  was 
she  brought  to  the  borderB  of  the  grave 
aftor  becoming  mother  of  children,  which 
lived  at  most  a  few  day&  At  such  times 
her  mind  was  generally  stayed  and  fixed  on 
the  Bock  of  A^;  but  the  JLord  gradoualy 
nised  her  up  again,  and  we  thought  her 
health  was  being  better  established,  and  for 
some  time  she  was  able  to  resume  her  much 
loved  plaoe  in  taking  the  leading  part  of 
the  sin^g  in  our  little  sanctuary.  During 
her  union  with  the  church  at  Baaunundham 
she  earnestly  sought  its  prosperity,  and  was 
highly  esteemed  by  its  different  pastors  and 
members.  Many  of  its  female  members 
sought  her  advice  and  sympathy  in  times 
of  trouble,  and  now  greatly  biment  their 
losa.  Such  was  the  overwhelming  joy  she 
felt  in  the  ingathering  of  souls  thai  she  was 
soaroel^  able  to  bear  witness  to  the  ordinance 
of  baptism.  Yet  the  ordinances  of  the  sanc- 
tnary  were  moot  dear  to  her,  and  nothing 
of  a  trivial  nature  would  ever  prevent  her 
attending  the  prayer  meeting  or  preaching 
service.  She  was  favoured  to  feed  richly 
on  tbe  pure  word,  and  to  retain  the  savour 
of  what  ahe  heard ;  and  in  her  last  affliction 
referred  to  many  ssnnons  she  bad  still  in 
memory,  both  \rr  Mr.  Wright  and  by  our 
present  pastor,  lir.  Baldwin. 

It  is  now  still  in  the  memory  of  very 
many,  that  about  nine  months  previous  to 
her  death,  her  beloved  brother  was  sud- 
denly called  to  bis  eternal  home:  thia  was 
indeed  a  heavy  stroke ;  but  in  the  midst  of 
her  sorrow  she  would  say,  "  I  know  it*s  all 
right,  although  we  cannot  comprehend  it" 
Little  did  we  then  think  that  she  was  so 
soon  to  follow  after.  Only  about  three 
months  psnsfrt,  when  she  began  to  feel  pain- 
ful and  mysterious  symptoms:  these  in- 
creased as  time  rolled  on.  At  times  she 
suffered  much,  but  her  patience  and  cheer- 
fulness often  deceived  us  as  to  the  real 
state  of  her  health;  but  for  the  U^t  three 
months  she  beoame  much  worsen  and  she 
would  sometimes  say,  **I  dont  know  what 
the  Lord  ia  about  to  do  with  mo,  but  it'a  all 
rightt  I  know,  and  I  wish  to  leave  myself 
in  his  hands)''  but  shout  a  month  previous 


to  her  death  a 


I  for 


ttia  woBa&  sflsd  her  Modlfltl  stNislsiil  gav>e 
bat  Kttla  hopes  of  her  recovery :  this  waa 
tbe  first  tfane  I  f eR  any  r«al  fsanof  her 
beaDg- again  restond,  as  I  bad  soon  th» 

kind  Interposition  oi  Ekm  who  ia  able  to 
miae  from  the  deepest  aiBiction.  I  praved 
and  hoped  thai  he  would  again  appear ;  Dvt 
now  I  became  most  anzioua,  feeliag  as  I 
did  that  she  was  my  dearest  earthly  niend. 
A  day  or  two  after  die  became  so  mucb 
worse  I  spoke  to  her  of  the  dangeroua 
state  the  doctor  considered  her  in ;  but  I 
found  she  had  already  became  familiar  with 
death,  and  ssid,  ''AO  will  be  well,  I  know, 
let  the  end  be  what  it  may."  I  said,  "  Yon 
have  stnmg  faith."  She  said,  ''Yes,  my 
mind  is  sweetly  stmd  on  Jesus."  On  the 
Sunday  evening  I  stayed  from  chapel  to 
spend  the  time  with  her.  She  reouested 
me  to  read  to  her  a  piece  on  the  Christian's 
Best  and  Home,  adding,  **  Since  I  bava 
been  thus  confined  to  my  bed  I  have  had 
such  blessed  thoughts  about  heaven."  We 
i^ent  a  very  profitable  evening,  although 
it  was  sometimes  to  me  almost  overwhelm- 
ing; for  I  saw  the  Lord  was  fitting  her 
for  the  heavenly  world.  The  kind  Chri»> 
tian  friend  who  waited  upon  her  held  much 
spiritual  convene  with  her,  and  found  her 
generally  in  this  happy  firame  of  mind, 
resting  entirely  on  tne  finished  work  of 
Christ,  and  the  faithfulness  of  a  covenant- 
keeping  Qod.  When  I  returned  from  my 
dailv  avocation  she  had  frequently  some 
fresh  promise  or  portion  she  said  the  Lord 
had  given  her  for  thai  day.  She  having 
had  another  return  of  the  duigerous  symp- 
toms, and  feeling  extremely  weak,  ahe  said, 
*'  0  what  a  mercy  that  I  have  such  a  good 
hope  through  gnce.  Surely  the  Lord  is 
very  kind ;  my  mind  is  not  at  all  troubled 
about  my  safety."  A  few  days  after  she 
ssid, ''  It  waea  great  mystery  to  me  bow  my 
dear  brother  could  give  us  all  up  without 
the  least  concern  whatever,  as  I  knew  be 
loved  us  so  much,  but  I  kimw  now.  Oh," 
she  added,  ^  the  blessed  liberty  I  have  en- 
joyed since  I  have  been  laid  bv;  never  did 
I  enjoy  such  before."  On  another  oooasion, 
feeling  great  weakness  and  pain,  the  worda 
came  to  her  so  sweetl^r,  "  It  is  good  to  wait 
patiently  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord ;"  but 
the  enemy  seemed  determined  to  make  one 
more  attempt  to  disturb  her  peace,  and  he 
appeared  to  come  with  all  his  force,  and  for 
nearly  one  day  her  mind  seemed  troubled 
about  many  things  till  the  prayer  of 
Heaekiah  was  given  her :  ''  0  Lord,  under- 
take for  me;  I  am  opprest:"  and  with  that 
he lef t^and  her  mind waa  peaceful  to  the 
end.  The  night  before  she  died  she  felt 
very  restless  and  worn  out,  and  after  ex- 
pressing gratitude  to  the  kind  friends  who 
had  given  her  their  best  attention,  ahe  said, 
*'I  am  quite  satisfied  thai  all  hss  been 
done  that  oouM  be  done^  and  I  feel  that 
this  week  will  decide  tbe  esse  with  me," 
meaning,  no  doubt,  thai  she  felt  her  md 
was  approaching.  On  my  inquiring  the 
state  oi  her  mind  she  rephed,  "  Very  oom- 
f OKtaUei  sweeUy  stayed.^    Sbrly  the  nasi 


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188 


THB  BARTHBN  VBSSBL, 


June  1,  1888u 


mominff,  she  being  taken  mnoli  woise^  the  i 
doctor  being  sent  for,  and  it  being  found 
that  the  hour  of  nature's  sonrows  was  oomsL 
she  said,  "  Now  all  be  quiet,"  and  she  closed 
her  eyes,  and  it  was  thought  her  spirit  had 
fled :  but  some  stimulants  being  adminis-  , 
tered  to  her,  she  again  reyiyed  and  smiling, 
said,  *'I  thought  I  had  been  going;"  but  ! 
she  only  reviyed  to  pass  through  the  trials  | 
of  nature's  sorrows  for  about  half  an  hour  I 
after  giving  birth  to  a  son  (which  died  about 
the  same  time  as  its  mother).  She  breathed 
her  spirit  into  the  hands  of  the  Redeemer 
with  a  sweet  smile  on  her  countenance  on 
Wednesday,  Karch  22nd,  1865.  About  an 
hour  before  she  died  she  sent  this  message 
to  me :  "  Tell  mv  dear  husband  not  to  weep ; 
tdl  is  well.  I  feel  I  have  not  believed  in 
vain ;"  and  when  I  was  called  to  witness 
the  closing  scene,  being  unable  to  speak, 
she  held  out  her  hand  to  say  farewelL  Our 
union  had  been  most  happy,  and  the  stroke 
of  separation  was  the  most  painful  to  me 
of  anything  I  ever  felt  before ;  but  conso- 
lation from  on  high  has  been  imparted. 
My  Father  has  drawn  me  by  the  heavy 
stroke  of  his  hand  near  to  himself,  and 
manifested  such  sweet  tokens  of  his  love 
as  have  greatly  cheered  my  wounded  spirit 
While  feeling  the  stroke  in  all  its  weight, 
the  following  note  from  her  former  pastor, 
Mr.  Wright,  was  greatly  blessed  in  leading 
me  to  look  at  things  in  the  light  of  truth : — 
**Mt  dear  Brother  ik  the  Lord^ — 
I  have  heard  of  your  sad  bereavement,  and 
have  commended  you  to  the  Lord  that  he 
may  support  and  comfort  you  under  your 
loss,  and  sanctify  the  dispensation  to  your 
spiritual  profit,  and  to  your  more  earnest 
waiting  for  the  Lord's  coming.  The  hand, 
of  the  Lord  hath  done  it  May  this  satisfy 
you  and  g^ve  you  ouiet  submission  to  His 
wilL  His  wisdom  directed  the  stroke  that 
has  brought  the  desire  of  your  eyes  to  the 
grave.  For  her  you  cannot  mourn.  The 
numW  of  her  days  was  completed,  and  she 
must  not  stay  a  day  longer  amidst  the  sins 
and  soiTOws  of  this  world.  The  owner  of 
his  church  came  into  his  garden  and 
gathered  the  Uly  he  loved,  it  was  his 
own;  he  planted  it;  it  grew  up  under  his 
care ;  and  having  fitted  it  for  himself,  he 
has  taken  it  to  be  near  him  in  the  heavenly 
Canaan,  where  he  is  seen  in  all  the  beauty 
and  enjoyed  in  all  the  sweetness  of  the  Boss 
of  Sharon.  She  was  one  whom  I  loved  as 
one  of  my  spiritual  children  who  while  she 
was  with  us  loved  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 
and  walked  in  them  looking  unto  Jesus. 
Her  fellowship  with  us  was  pleasant,  both 
to  her  and  her  fellow  traveUen  to  Zion.  I 
should  like  to  know  something  about  the 
close  of  her  pilgrimage  when  you  can  write 
me  a  few  lines.  Excuse  the  shortness  of  this 
note.  The  infirmities  of  age  and  manifold 
temptations  oppress  me  and  unfit  me  for 
letter  writing,  but  I  was  not  willing  to  let 
the  mournful  ooocasion  pass  without  assur- 
ing you  of  my  sympathy  with  you  and  my 
ai^tionate  regard  for  the  beloved  one  who 
is  removed  to  ner  mansion  in  her  Father's 


house. — I  am,  my  dear  brothei^yoiirB  tin- 
oerdy  in  Jesus,  Gaa  Wbiobt.'' 

*«Beocles,  March  28th,  1866." 

This,  with  many  other  sympathisiiig 
letters  from  friends  at  Beodes  anddsewfaere 
have  proved  words  in  season,  and  as  I 
have  been  unable  to  answer  them  aB,  I  take 
this  opportunity  to  express  my  gratitude  for 
their  kindness.  Our  pastor  officiated  at 
the  funeral  the  following  week,  and 
preached  a  sermon  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
next  Sabbath  from  the  words,  ^^Predons  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his 
saints^  He  also  gave  many  interesting 
statements  of  the  kind  and  affable  reception 
she  had  always  given  him  from  the  first 
visit  to  Saxmundham  to  preach  to  na,  and 
how  interested  he  had  been  in  his  visits  to 
her  in  her  various  afflictions,  and  how  he 
had  been  encouraged  bv  her  referrin|^  to 
many  sermons  that  had  been  esjpeciaUy 
blessed  to  her,  but  space  will  not  allow  me 
to  say  more  upon  this  solemn  service.  Her 
aged  spiritual  father  gave  notice  that  he 
should  refer  to  her  death  on  Sunday,  April 
9th,  but  was  prevented  by  severe  indispo- 
sition. Mr.  Bland,  the  co-pastor,  took  nis 
place,  and  I  have  been  informed,  spoke  very 
impressively  on  the  solemn  subject  oi 
death ;  also  pave  statements  which  bad  been 
sent  respecting  her  happy  end.  Thus,  dear 
Editor,  in  this  imperfect  way  I  have  given 
some  account  of  how  mighty  grace  brought 
this  beloved  one  into  the  way,  kept  her  in 
it,  and  after  a  short  pilgrimage  of  about 
twelve  years  landed  her  safe  in  the  aaaa- 
sion  prepared  above.  Thus  in  nine  months 
brother  and  sister  strongly  attached  in  their 
lives  have  been  taken  to  be  reunited  in  that 
worid  where  affliction  and  death  can  never 
enter. 

P.8.  I  have  given  the  above  outline  at 
the  special  request  of  friends  of  her  de- 
ceased brother.  Hoping  you  may  be  able 
to  give  them  a  place  in  your  periodical  for 
May,  I  am,  dear  Editor,  yours  in  sorrow's 
vale,  Jbru  Culunoforik 

^  Chantry-plaoe,  Saxmundham. 

NO    CONTINUINQ    CITY. 


PiLORiiiB  on  the  road  to  glory ! 
yhyday; 
\ng  and  hoary : 
Blessed  Trut£[,  and  Life,  and  Way. 


Onward !  onward !  day  dv  d 
Jesus  waits  for  younff  and  hoary : 


Whv  look  back?  The  past  has  pie 
Yes ;  but  with  them  mingles  sigha. 

What's  become  of  all  its  treasures  ? 
Where  are  now  its  many  ties  ? 

Boses  once  so  fresh  and  blooming, 
Faded,  dead,  neglected,  lie :  png; 

Things  tnat  charm  us  whilst  they*re  loom- 
Cease  to  captivate  when  nigh. 

0!  to  see  the  sinless  city, 
Listen ! — ^Hear  the  oeaaeless  song ! 

Lord,  we're  blind,  deaf,  dumK  Have  pity. 
Make  us  fit  for  what  we  long. 

Let  us  feel  we're  getting  nearer 
To  our  Home— the  f  nends  we  love  ; 

Jesus,  be  Thou  dearer,  dearer — 
Give  the  wearied  lett  above.         N. 


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189 


MR   MOYLFS  SEVENTEENTH   ANNIVEBSARY   AT    PECKHAM. 


Oh  Monday,  May  15,  the  seyenteenth  an- 
niTonary  of  Mr.  0.  Moyle*B  pastorate,  at 
Bye  lane,  Feekham,  waa  oommemozated 
by  a  pnblic  meeting. 

This  beantifiil  new  chapel  is  capable  of 
seating  about  500  penons,  has  a  commo- 
dioQs  ffallezy,  which  can,  if  needed,  be  ex- 
tended; has  a  centre  gaselier,  and  a  good 
harmoninm,  which  wasbeantifolly  played 
by  Miss  Congrere.  Tea  was  served  in  the 
school  preTions  to  the  pnblic  meeting, 
which  commenced  at  hiuf-past  six,  the 
pastor  presiding,  and  Mr.  J.  L.  Meeres 

The  Chaiijiak,  in  his  opening  address, 
said.  It  is  now  seventeen  and  a  half 
years  since  we  first  met,  and  since  then 
we  have  experienced  rarions  changes  in 
mind,  body,  and  circumstances.  We  have 
in  that  period  seen  each  others*  infirmi- 
ties and  weaknesses ;  and,  notwithstand- 
ing aU  these  things,  X  have  no  question 
but  that  we  are  now  as  happy  to  meet 
together  as  ever  we  were.  There  is  uo 
indination  on  the  part  of  the  people  to 
see  the  back  of  their  pastor.  This  is 
something  to  say,  and  to  be  grateful  for. 
"  Not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  but  to  thy 
name  be  all  the  ^lory.'*  I^  is  simply  the 
truth  of  God  which  makes  us  happy  in 
the  enjoyment  of  all  the  sacred  paths  of 
righteousness;  and  we  acknowledge  the 
grace  of  Qod  for  preserving  us  during 
this  term  without  any  sacrifice  of  prin- 
ciple. Our  process  has  not  been  rapid, 
'Us  true,  but  it  has  been  steady ;  we 
J^M  increased.  Death  has  taken  some; 
providence  has  removed  others  to  distant 
churches;  and  from  a  very  few— I  am 
happy  to  say,  very  few — we  have  been 
constrained  to  withdraw ;  but  with  these 
three  outlets,  and  only  one  t'nlet,  we  are 
now  more  numerous,  both  church  and 
coiigregation ;  and  in  a  gradual  quiet 
way  we  are  still  goinff  on.  All  future 
events  we  leave  in  His  nands ;  but  let  us 
pray  that  we  may  continue  to  know  how 
pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  toge- 
ther in  unity.  I  thank  my  ministenal 
brethren  for  their  kindness  in  coming  to 
assist  ns,  because  through  my  bodily  in- 
firmities I  am  unable  to  return  their  ser- 
▼ioes.  I  also  thank  our  brethren  from 
neighbouring  churches  who  have  come  to 
sympathise  with  us,  and  wish  them  all 
temporal  and  spiritual  proBperity.     The 


chairman  then  called  on  the  seeretazy  to 
make  some  statement  as  to  the  churches 
financial  progress  during  the  past  year, 
and  their  present  position. 

Mr.  Okorgx  Thomas  Comgbsvb  (the 
secretary),  then  rose  and  addressed  a  few 
heartfelt  words  of  sympathy  and  con- 
gratulation to  the  venerable  chairman, 
expressing  a  sincere  hope  that  God  might 
vet  for  many  years  to  come  spare  him  in 
health,  and  strength,  and  the  enjoyment 
of  every  covenant  blessing,  and  reminded 
him  he  was  "  immortal  till  his  work  was 
done."  He  then  said,  **  I  am  sure  it  will 
be  gratifying  to  all  present  to  hear  that, 
although  our  new  chapel  will  accommo- 
date one  hundred  more  than  the  old,  yet 
it  is  as  well,  if  not  better,  filled,  and  we 
have  now  scarcely  any  sitting  to  let,  and 
that  will  give  some  practical  idea  of  a  mi- 
nister's Dsefulness  in  feeding  the  fiock  if 
not  in  gathering  them  in.  I  have  often 
noticed  in  a  meadow  where  there  has 
been  a  bit  of  ffood  grass,  perhaps  up  in 
some  comer,  me  sheep  will  find  it  out, 
and  lie  down,  and  feed,  and  rest  So  it 
is  with  the  fiock  of  Christ.  But  what  I 
have  most  to  do  with  is  the  financial 
business  of  the  evening,  or,  in  one  word, 
money.  As  Charles  lAinb  says,  '  Money 
is  not  dirt  :*  it  is  in  some  places  hospitals 
for  the  sick,  and  houses  for  the  desolate ; 
and  with  us  it  means  a  comfortable  cha- 
pel, a  commodious  gallenr,  and  school. 
The  debt  (ss  yon  all  know),  was  incurred 
in  yonder  sdiool-room,  the  ground  it 
stands  upon,  and  that  eallery  for  children 
of  our  school.  I  shall  not  occupy  jomx 
time  by  going  into  details  I  have  given 
before,  and  will  only  state  that,  at  last 
May  meeting,  our  deficiency  was  £484. 
This  has  been  aumented  by  various 
items  to  £519.  By  Divine  ^[oodness,  we 
have  raised  in  the  year  (with  donations 
and  penny  a-week  cards),  £112,  iMtvimr 
now  a  deficiency  of  £407,  of  which  £400 
has  been  borrowed  by  mortgage.  Our 
penny  a-week  cards  are  realizing  at  the 
rate  of  £60  a-year,  and  if  they  keen  np 
(as,  doubtless,  they  will  in  the  hanos  of 
our  lady  colleetors),  and  we  get  a  good 
handfrd  of  donations  to-niffht,  we  shall 
make  a  respectable  hole  in  mX  £407  this 
year.  The  sooner  we  remove  that  debt 
the  better,  to  get  rid  of  interost ;  and,  be- 
fore long,  I  anticipate,  we  shsll  want  to 


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THE  EAETHBN  VBSSEL, 


extend  oar  gallery  all  round,  and  to  en- 
large our  school.  X  belieye  Uiat  what  we 
do  for  the  cause  of  Qtod  we  shall  never 
lose  ;  on  the  oontraij,  it  shall  be  retumad 
to  ufl  many-fold.*  Mr.  Congreve  oon- 
cluded  by  relatins  a  humorous  anecdote, 
and  made  a  forcible  appeal  to  the  liberality 
of  the  meeting,  adding  that  preachine 
without  practice  was  a  sentiment  he  did 
not  hold.  Mr.  Congrcrre  then  handed  the 
ehaizman  a  slip  of  paper,  wfaidi  Mr. 
Moyle  announced  aa  a  eheqne  for  £10^ 
towards  the  deht. 

The  pastor  again  contributed  £5,  and 
there  was  a  donation  of  one  guinea  an- 
nounced from  Mn.  P. ;  then  J&  from  Mr. 
M. ;  £5  from  Bir.  R. ;  various  donations  of 
£1,  ten  shillings,  and  many  smaller  sunn. 
Mr.  Gongrere  announced  that  a  total  of 
j640  78.  had  been  obtained  towaxds  the 
school  debt 

Mr.  BLOOxriBLn  then  rooke  on  "  The 
Christian  a  Soldier."  The  sul^ject  Mr. 
Bloomfiftid  treated  in  his  wanted  hj^|iy 
manner ;  and  in  the  oonrae  of  his  interrafr- 
ing  address  said,  that  in  Scripture  a  variety 
of  metaphors  were  used  to  set  forth  the 
religion  of  Christ,  and  one  of  these  was 
that  of  a  soldier.  All  who  are  brought 
into  the  army  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Chmt 
are  enlisted  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Most 
High ;  and  whatever  work  there  is  done 
in  this  soldiership,  it  is  tlie  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  by  regaDeration.  A  soldier 
must  not  only  go  tluough  hia  regular  ezer- 
daes,  but  he  must  auo  be  eUd  in  good 
aonour ;  and  so  has  God  prepared  a  good 
armour  for  his  people,  and  given  them  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit.  He  then  narrated 
two  or  three  appropriate  anecdotes*  and 
said  further,  that  if  we  have  Qod*s  word, 
we  are  strooff  with  a  sword  which  is 
strong  throu^ut  all  time.  A  soldi^ 
must  have  the  power  of  endurance,  and 
manly  bearing^  and  discipline,  to  prepare 
him  for  the  warfare  in  which  he  is  en- 
gaged; and  so  must  the  Christian;  for 
religion  is  a  wacfive,  and  so  soon  as  we 
become  religious  we  must  fight,  and  our 
worst  enemies  are  those  of  our  own  hearts. 
What  evils  and  vices  are  there  in  the 
world,  the  seed  of  which  is  not  in  our 
hearts  ?  The  enemies  are  numerous  aad 
powerful,  but  they  must  oome  to  an  end. 
We  have  a  great  Commander,  the  liord 
Jesus  Christy  greater  l«r  than  any  Wal- 
lin^ons,  Napoleons,  or  Lees;  and  he  has 
entire  oontrol  of  the  hearts  of  his  £ol- 
lowers,  and  of  future  events.  Oar  weapons 
are  spiritual,  and  our  cause  too  good,  too 
holv,  to  be  fought  with  carnal  weapona; 
and  the  viotoiy  is  surs  because  of  Hm 
riphtsouaneas  oc  the  caasew  He  condadsd 
witk  *  beaotifulaompaasoa  of  tha  aa? 


and  desolations  of  a  carnal  war,  and  the 
sublimity  of  the  spiritual  warfure. 

Mr.  Wtabd  then  spoke  on  "  The  Chria- 
tian  a  PilgrioL"  As  Christ  is  described 
by  various  figures,  so  are  we  has  people. 
His  disciples  set  out  on  a  pilgrimage,  not 
to  Mecca,  not  to  Rome,  but  on  a  godlj 
pilgrimage  for  heaven,  God,  and  glory. 
He  then  spoke  at  some  length  on  Chris- 
tian pilgrims  confessing  their  sins  to  each 
other  and  to  God ;  and  the  cood  dEaets 
which  «  genuine  oonfeasion  ^muees ;  that 
our  best  confession  consista  in  proving  bj 
our  aeta  that  hare  we  are  atraagen  and 
pilgrims,  and  that  onr  faith,  hope,  and 
depeadance  is  on  the  Son  of  God.  He 
eonduded  his  speech  by  readiag  some  niea 
verses  of  his  own  on  the  Chiistiaa 
pilgrim. 

The  Ciuiuujs  then  read  anotefiroaa 
Mr.  Attwood,  apologizing  for  his  abeenoe 
on  aeoount  of  the  affliction  of  his  wife,  and 
praying  for  the  prayers  of  the  brethren. 

Mr.  ALiniBsow  on  account  of  the  late- 
ness of  the  hour  declined  mtering  on  hia 
Bubiect,  *'  The  Christian  a  Priest,"  stiU  he 
made  a  rery  happy  address,  in  which  he 
congratulated  mr,  Moyle  and  his  fio^  on 
the  length  of  his  pastorate,  and  the  ac- 
quisition of  a  new  and  healthful  place  of 
worship,  in  whidi  as  priests  to  offer  up 
their  prayers  and  praises  to  the  great 
High  Priest. 

The  last  speaker  was  Mr.  Anderson, 
who  spoke  on  '*  the  salt  of  the  earth."  He 
said  tnat  the  teachings  of  Christ  were  so 
plain  and  simple  as  to  come  down  to  the 
understanding  of  his  Church.  Salt  is  now 
in  common  use,  and  not  sufficientlv  valued 
on  account  of  its  cheapnesa ;  but  he  could 
well  remember  the  time  when  it  used  to 
be  brought  on  packhorses  through  the 
wilds  of  Northumberland ;  and  if  we  could 
not  get  it  we  should  soon  learn  to  estimate 
its  ^ue.  TMs  figure  means  that  the 
Church  is  the  conserver  of  the  world. 
God  is  pleased  to  infiaence  one  person  by 
means  of  another ;  and  in  illustration  of 
this  Mr.  Anderson  related  two  striking 
instances  of  the  influence  of  religion,  even 
on  the  most  hardened,  as  having  occured 
whilst  he  acted  as  Scripture-reader  to  a 
large  number  of  Railwav  excavators  near 
Brighton;  and  concluded  by  showing  that, 
however  feeble  and  insignificant  we  may 
consider  ourselves,  we  can  always  exerdsa 
a  great  influence  by  our  example  for  evil 
or  good. 


«<AUIiiilthe 

was  than  beautifully  suns  to  lEUs  Lomm; 
and  the  chairman  closed  the  meat' 
ig  the  blessing. 


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AND  VHEI8TIAN  BEOORD. 


101 


A  LBTTEB  FROM  MB.   THOMAS  EDWABDS,  OF   TXTNBRIDaE  WELLS; 

AJTD 

THE  EDITOB'S  WAY  FROM  THE  NATIONAL  TO   THE   NEW 
TESTAMENT  CHURCH. 


HiL  Edetob, — I  was  aomewlukt  snrpriaed 
to  see  my  zuLme  m  beixig  at  Plymouth  even 
ref  eired  to  in  thu  month's  YsbssLi  partiotb- 
larly  tm  you  refused  to  take  any  notice  of 
my  answer  to  lir.  J.  Corbitt's  questions  to 
me  in  the  June  number  of  the  VesssLi, 
1868 :  however,  by  your  short  notice  this 
month,  my  Strict  Baptist  brethren  will 
olearly  see  I  hare  not  as  yet  expired  be- 
neath their  lash.  You  have  done  with  me 
M  A  foolish  and  fond  mother  often  does 
with  her  child ;  fintt  give  it  a  smart  whip- 
nine,  and  then  sffain  embracing  it,  eyclaims, 
^' Never  mind,  iterling." 

I  must  inform  you  I  shall  never  be 
whipped  out  of  the  course  I  have  taken; 
neither  shall  I  be  kissed  into  a  confession 
that  I  have  taken  a  wrong  step.  A  person, 
some  time  ago,  called  on  me  to  know  if  my 
mind  had  undergone  any  retrograde  change 
since  the  adoption  of  free  conmiunion  with 
all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sin- 
osritv.  I  assured  him  when  I  UmA  gave  up 
baptizing  I  was  like  a  tree  fresh  planted ; 
while,  from  that  moment,  without  an  bourns 
relapsB,  I  have  found  my  judgment,  my 
faith,  and  my  love,  deepemng  in  the  solemn 
conviction  that  water  baptism,  in  any 
shape,  is  obntraxy  to  the  Word  of  Qod ;  and 
although  I  have  been  hotly  pursued  and 
persecuted  since  1  gave  up  this  church- 
dividing  ceremony,  yet  I  ao  rejoice,  vea^ 
and  wiU  rejoice,  that  the  Lord  has  en&blea 
me  openly  and  avowedly  to  relinquish  it  en- 
tirely; and  if  you  ever  hear  of  my  return 
to  it,  you  may  conclude  in  connection  with 
it  that  I  circumcise  also.  (CoL  ii.  10, 11,  12, 
ISw)  It  is  enough  for  me  to  be  privileged 
to  draw  nigh  unto  the  Lord,  with  a  true 
heart  in  the  full  assurance  of  faith  (in  the 
finished  work  of  the  Bon  of  Ood),  having 
my  heart  sprinkled  from  an  evil  consdenoe, 
and  my  soul  and  body  washed  with  pure 
water,  even  the  purest  of  all  waters—the 
waters  of  everlasting  life  and  love.  (Heb. 
X.  22;  2  Cor.  vii.  2).  There  is  now  no 
washing  that  is  of  any  account  with  me. 
8av»  the  washing  ol  water  by  the  Wora 
(E^h.  V.  26) ;  and  my  Divine  Lord  assures 
me  I  am  clean  through  the  word  which  he 
has  spoken  unto  me.  (John  xv.  3.)  I  daily 
feel  my  need  of  this  sort  of  cleansing,  and 
am  thankful  to  say,  seldom  go  long  without 
iti  wfaUe  every  fresh  unfolding  of  a  praciouB 
Christ  .to  my  soul  confirms  my  faith  in  the 
fbrious  fact  that  I  am  by  such  a  ministn^ 
tion  baptized  into  one  oodj,  and  so  learn 
that  I  am  an  heir  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and 
Jafiob|.ctf  the  same  slorious  promises  and 
f utass  inheritance,  for  th^  which  are  of 
laith  (bah>ng  to  whatever  sect  they  msy) 
■M  UflMMd  with  faithf  Bl  Abocaham  (QaL  m. 


9)^  and  where  the  Spirit  of  the  I^ord  is  there 
is  liberty. 

When  I  was  first  called  by  Divine  nuce, 
and  sat  under  the  ministry  of  the  W  ord, 
and  heard  anything  advanced  that  did  not 
seem  to  lie  straight  with  the  Word  of  God, 
yet  feeling  in  mv  soul  that  the  minister  wan 
one  of  the  Lord's  own  sending,  and  taught 
bv  his  Spirit,  I  concluded  he  could  not  err. 
Consequently,  I  dared  my  inquiring  con- 
science  to  differ  from  him.  Now,  sir,  the 
scene  is  ohanged,  and  I  dare  to  hear,  to 
search,  to  believe,  and  judge  (by  God's  Word 
and  Spirit}  for  myself,  and  1  stand  in  doubt 
of  that  minister  who  does  not  commend 
his  testimony  to  every  man's  oonscienoe  in 
the  sight  of  Qod,  whether  these  things 
are  so  or  not ;  neither  can  I  allow  any  to 
lord  it  over  my  faith,  but  am  glad  when 
they-  prove  helpers  of  my  joy,  while  all  I 
desire  is  that  all  I  believe  with  every 
thought  may  be  brought  into  captivity  to 
Christ  alone. 

If  ministera  wore  more  honest  to  God,  to 
their  own  consciences,  and  their  people, 
they  would,  like  their  Lord  and  Master, 
of  tener  fan  the  floor  than  they  do,  whUe 
the  real  wheat  would  more  clearly  be  dis- 
covered, and  the  Lord  be  more  glorified. 
But,  sir,  you  live  in  a  locality  where  there 
are  some  professed  giants  in  divinity,  but  I 
mourn  to  read  their  nighly  fanoifiod,  but  not 
spiritual  interpretations  of  God's  Word,  and 
as  a  proof  they  are  not  spiritual,  they  are 
dewlees  as  the  mountains  of  Gilboa,  and 
you  can  no  more  make  out  their  meaning 
than  an  illiterate  heir  to  an  estate  can 
understand  the  reading  of  a  mystified  and 
cunningly-concocted  wilL  God's  people  are 
a  plain  people,  even  as  Jacob  was  a  plain 
man  dwelling  in  tents,  and  they  require  the 
precious  food  of  the  Gospel  spread  before 
them  in  a  simple,  plain,  Scriptunl  way,  so 
that  he  that  runs  may,  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  both  feed  and  run  at  the 
same  time.  Again,  they  like  clean  pro- 
vender well  winnowed  with  the  shovel  and 
the  fan,  for  they  like  it  well  sorted  and  well 
sifted ;  neither  can  they  dig^  dirt,  chai!^ 
and  wheat  all  promiscuously  jumbled 
together.  But  most  have  the  word  of  truth 
rightiy  divided,  and  the  more  their  faith 
grows,  and  their  spiritual  senses  are  exer- 
cised to  discern  things  which  differ,  so 
much  the  more  they  require  the  right 
sense  of  law  and  Goepel  opened  up  each  in 
their  proper  place,  so  also  they  will  require 
water  baptism  to  be  kept  back  in  John  the 
Baptist's  dispensation,  while  they  contend 
only  for  one  Lord,  one  faith,  and  one 
(spiritual)  baptism  in  the  spiritual  kingdom 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 


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THB  BABTHBN  VBaSBL, 


June  1,  IMS. 


And  here  I  would  remind  my  Strict  Bap- 
tist brethren  that  for  want  of  a  clearer  in- 
sight into  that  which  is  aboliahed,  they 
stop  too  long  in  the  water  dispensation 
(hence  the  confusion).  Let  them  ponder 
the  following  hints : — When  the  end  which 
God  had  designed  to  answer  by  the  lifting 
up  the  brazen  serpent  had  had  its  accomplish- 
ment, then  the  children  of  Israel  worshipped 
it:  no  doubt  they  thought  they  did  right; 
but,  alas !  they  did  wrong.  When  Gyrus 
proclaimed  liberty  to  the  captiye  Jews  to 
return  to  their  own  land,  many  of  them 

S referred  sta^in^  where  they  were.  No 
oubt  they  did  right ;  so  also  Strict  Bap- 
tists prefer  a  dispensation  of  water  (which 
is  one  of  captiyi^  and  genders  to  bondage) 
to  a  spiritual  dispensation;  for  Ood  is  a 
Spirit,  and  must  be  wonhipped  in  spirit 
and  truth.  (Acta,  xi  15,  16;  GaL  v.  1.) 
Many  years  after  the  veil  of  the  temple 
was  rent  in  twain  from  the  top  to  the 
bottom,  through  the  precious  offering  of  the 
Son  of  God  once  for  all,  the  Jews  soil  con- 
tinued their  sacrifices,  and  no  doubt  they 
thought  they  did  right,  but  the  Lord  gives 
us  his  thoughts  about  it  in  Is.  Ixvi  8. 
And  false  teachers  enforoed  the  rite  of  cir- 
cumcision upon  legal  hearts,  long  after 
it  was  done  away  in  Christ,  who  was 
circumcised  for  the  whole  spiritual  Israel 
of  God,  and  obeyed  the  whole  law  for  them ; 
however,  they  thought  they  did  ri^ht.  no 
doubt  Tet  it  is  clear  these  mistaken 
zealots  robbed  God  of  his  honour,  notwith- 
standing all  their  outward  zeal  for  his  glory, 
for  they  understood  not  the  new  tanif  of 
the  Gospel,  therefore  feU  back  upon  their 
old  stock  of  new  moons,  feast  days,  and 
Jewish  rites,  not  seeing  to  the  end  of  all  as 
being  abolished  in  and  by  Christ  I  would 
admonish  mv  Strict  Baptist  brethren  to  be 
careful  lest  they  in  their  zeal,  which  is  not 
according  to  knowledge,  be  found  doin^the 
same  thing,  for  there  is  much  of  an  infe- 
rential character  in  the  New  Testament  to 
lead  spiritual  minds  to  conclude  that  water 
baptism  did  virtually  cease  with  the  days 
of  the  apostles,  and  although  thousands  still 
cleave  to  it,  yet  I  should  rejoice  in  being 
a  means  in  Uie  hand  of  the  Lord,  shewing 
unto  them  in  all  affection  a  more  excellent 
way.  I  am,  sir,  your  Ejected  Noncon- 
formist CorreBpondent 

Thomas  Edwards. 

EDrrOR*8  RBMARKS  ON  THB  ABOVE. 

Wk  have  allowed  Thomas  Edwards  to 
speak  his  mind  freelv ;  although  where  he 
finds  his  authority  for  putting  a  negative 
upon  the  commandments  of  our  Lord  and 
Master,  we  cannot  telL  This  is  surely  a 
day  of  sinffular  signs,  of  mysterious 
changes,  and  of  ominous  events.  Brother 
Thomas  Edwuds  wu a  Particular  Baptist; 
we  assisted  to  ordain  him  as  the  pastor  of  a 
New  Testament  Baptist  Church;  he  pro- 
fessed his  faith  in  those  ordinances  unflinch- 
ingly :  good,  genuine,  honest,  and  spiritual 
believers  gathered  round  him  as  such ;  his 
new  chapel  was  erected  as  a  Particular 
Baptist  chapel;    and  in  all  this— in  Mr. 


Edwards's  progress  as  a  Baptist  miniita'. 
the  Lord  honoured  him — ^the  people  bvea 
and  esteemed  him— the  chuich  increased 
under  him.  By  and  bye  he  renounces  tlie 
ordinance  of  baptism  altogether :  he  oklls 
it  ^*a  church-dividing  ormnanoe:"  thiiis 
the  name  Mr.  Abrahams  has  given  it :  tad 
we  have  no  doubt  but  from  such  quaiten 
great   influence   has    reached   that  moat 

?leasant  and  happy-looking  little  man— 
'homas  Edwards,  of  Tunbridge  Wells ;  and 
if  he  is  more  happy  now  than  he  was  when 
a  Baptist ;  if  he  has  clearer  views  of  Gospel 
truth  now  than  he  had  then— if  Ood  the 
Holt  Ghost  dwells  in  him  now  more 
richly  and  powerfully;  if  He  reveals  the 
glories  of  Chbist  to  him  more  Uessedly; 
if  he  gathes  in  sinners  bv  his  ministovmore 
numerously;  and  if,  altogether,  'thoani 
Edwards  is  a  more  holy,  nappy,  deyoted, 
useful,  and  God-glorifying  disciple  of  Jescb 
Christ  than  he  was  tieforei  then  who  ehaU 
dare  to  be  angpry  ?  We  are  not  We  hsTe 
neither  **  whipped"  him,  nor  ^*  kissed"  him, 
with  any  design  short  of  a  pure  desire  to 
promote  truth.  It  is  not  for  us  to  say  what 
God  the  Holy  Ghost  may  have  led  him 
into.  For  ourselves  we  can  only  say  three 
things : — 1st  We  were  brought  up  is  the 
Church  of  England ;  we  found  no  rest  nor 
peace  there :  we  went  to  the  Geneial  Bap- 
tists ;  we  found  nothing  but  death  in  thei^t 
there  :^we  travelled  on  to  the  Wesleyans; 
we  were  cut  to  the  heart,  and  cut  up  root 
and  branch  there;  but  not  one  moment's 
I>eace,  nor  hope  of  salvation :  after  tnreUing 
through  pouring  rains,  dark  nighti,  dan- 
gerous woods,  dreadful  snares,  deep  m^ 
teries,  and  almost  soul-damning  despaiiBi 
the  glorious  Lord  Jbbus  Chribt  came  nim- 
self  into  our  very  souL  He  sent  no  angel- 
he  employed  no  minister — ^he  made  use  of 
no  sister  of  mercy ;  but  when  in  natnre'i 
heavv  sleep  we  lay,  he  came;— earij  om 
Lord  s-day  momins^  he  came  : — ^he  spaika 
loudly  in  our  soul— "Awake,  thou  that 
sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  and 
GHRorr  shall  nve  thee  li^ht"  We  did 
awake:  we  did  arise;  at  his  glorious  feet 
we  did  fall :  we  found  a  happy  needono,  and 
a  sacred  nearness  in  prayer : — ^we  walked  In 
the  light  and  joy  of  it  for  some  time;  and 
then  to  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon's  chapel 
we  repaired;  and  twice  there  the  ivne 
blessed  Lord  Jbsus  Christ  revealed  him- 
self; comforting  and  conflnning  us  in  him- 
self ;  and  most  exceedingly  happy  we  were. 
He  never  said  a  word  about  baptism;  and 
we  are  compelled  to  believe  tnat  had  he 
called  us  home  ihen — straight  into  gloiy  we 
must  have  g^one;  although  of  the  greirf 
doctrines  of  grace,  and  of  the  ordinaooes  of 
the  New  Testament  ChuTxsh,  then,  we  knew 
nothing.  We  did,  cextainly,  at  that  time, 
live  in  the  love  of  Qoix  and  in  the  ha^ 
piest  and  clearest  meditation  upon  hit 
Person  and  work  we  then  lived.  GnduiUy 
the  doctrines  of  grace  were  opened:  we 
were  led  silently  into  the  truth.  KoHrin^ 
ministxy  could  we  then  find.  The  din 
cathedral  city  of  Gaaterbory  appeared  oiM^ 


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AND  cHmariAN  rboobd. 


193 


'withoHi  a  Bound  and  faithful  minutiy.  Bat 
iat  four  yean  we  travelled  on  in  prayer,  in 
reading,  and  in  study ;  and  all  we  then  re- 
ceived tjom  the  word  of  God  has  continued 
wiUi  us  until  now.  The  Ordinance  of  Be- 
Ueven'  baptism  was  also  opened  up  to  us, 
in  secret)  uom  the  words  of  Christ  to  John 
— "  Thus  it  becometh  %u  to  fulfil  all  righte- 
ousness." After  a  long  time  we  were  led 
into  the  practice  of  that  ordinance.  William 
Matthews,  a  man  of  Qod,  and  of  much 
prayer,  took  us  into  the  water.  We  believed 
we  were  following  Christ;  we  never 
dreamed  of  anything  more  than  it 
^*  an  outward  and  visiUe  sig^  of  an  in' 
and  spiritual  giace."  We  have  baptized 
hundxvds  since  then ;  and  never  ^et  could 
see  how  any  man  could  be  practically  and 
faithfully  a  New  Testament  minister  or 
believer  unless  he  attended  to  this  one  most 
despised  ordinance.  Such — Thomas  Ed- 
waras  may  say— is  our  blindness  ;  such — 
George  Aorahams  mav  say—is  our  hypo- 
crisy ;  such — ^friend  Wilcockson  may  say—is 
our  oamalitv;  but,  such  we  say,  is  the 
truth.  We  have  never  changed ;  William 
Hunting^n  in  the  matter  did;  George 
Abrahams  and  Thomas  Edwards  have 
clumged ;  but  we  have  not,  cannot,  we  had 
almost  said,  shall  not  These  more  en- 
lightened brethren  must  pi^  us  if  they  can ; 
if  they  cannot,  they  must  leave  us  to  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord.  We  add  one  word 
more.  We  have  seen  strange  antics  in 
ministers  about  this  baptism  ordinance. 
We  have  baptized  men  who  have  declared 
Uiemselves  as  being  deepljr  and  solemnly 
convinced  of  the  Lord's  design  in  the  ordi- 
nance ;  but  when  they  found  the  Strict  Bap- 
tists could  not  make  gentlemen-ministers 
of  them ;  and  when  a  richeiy  a  wider,  and 
a  much  larger  place  and  people  would  have 
them,  if  they  would  dispense  with  this  one 
ordinance,  we  have  seen  them  turn  traitors : 
we  have  known  them  to  seU  the  truth ;  ana 
off  with  flying  colours  they  have  gone, 
leaving  us  poor  Baptists  to  think  of  them 
as  we  mights  Certain  it  is,  that  these  de- 
spisen  of  baptism  and  of  Strict  Communion 
get  more  people,  and  more  pay,  than  us 
stickers  to  what  we  believe  to  be  right, 
ever  can  expect  to  receive;  and  most  un- 
hesitatingly we  affirm,  that  if  they  sell  the 
ordinance  of  baptism  for  the  sake  of  the  people 
and  the  pelf,  then  woe-betide  them  some  day 
or  other.  We  do  not  believe  this  of  Thomas 
Edwards.  No.  We  must  believe  him  to 
be  an  honest  man  at  heart ;  and  a  most  in- 
dustrious ^d  fellow  we  believe  he  is. 
Whatever  it  is  has  carried  him  up  into  this 
high  state  of  things,  we  cannot  opine.  We 
cannot  get  there;  neither  does  Thomas 
ever  come  to  help  u&  So  here  we  must 
remain — with  the  only  people  we  believe 
to  be  PBAcmcAiXT  right  — the  Strict 
Baptists;  and  we  do  not  abide  by 
them  because  they  are,  to  us,  a  loving 
people*,  but  we  here  continue  simply  be- 
cause we  are  conscientiously  and  Scrip- 
turally  and  experimentally  bound.  One 
word  more,  and  wo  must  leave  the  subject, 


We  fear  this  is  the  day  when  Satan  is 
"transformed  into  an  angel  of  lisht;**  and 
as  such  he  is  deceiving  people  oy  whole- 
sale. It  is  a  solemn  day,  Mr.  Edwards,  say 
what  you  will ;  for  while  some  men  will 
have  nothing  to  do  with  baptism,  otfa  era  bai>- 
tize  little  boys  and  girls  by  wholesale ;  and  we 
can  give  the  minister's  name,  who  declares 
one  young  lady  (how  many  more  we  know 
notj  but  certainly  one  young  lady)  has  gone 
no  less  than  six  times  to  one  very  popular 
minister,  and  by  him  has  been  immersed 
six  times ;  but  every  time  under  a  different 
name.  What  new  phase  will  turn  up  next, 
we  wait  to  see. — Ed. 

WALTHAM  ABBET.—The  day  of  our 
annual  meeting  has  again  come  round.  At 
the  eariy  dawn  of  the  day  the  sun  broke 
forth  with  magnificent  splendour.  Our 
much  esteemed  brother,  J.  Wells,  at  eleven 
o'clock,  ascended  the  pulpit,  and  deli- 
vered a  discourse  full  of  weight  and  pith 
(passing  by  those  analytical  disquisitions 
of  bis  anti-millennial  theory).  He  was  led 
out  Inr  the  Spirit  blessedhr  upon  the  words 
found  in  Dan.  viL  10,  '^  The  judgment  was 
set,  and  the  books  were  opened."  Some  of 
his  leading  heads  were  taken  from  the  con- 
text, namely,  the  Ancient  of  Days  in  the 
eternity  and  attributes  of  Christ  In  His 
everlasting  priesthood  sworn  for  ever  after 
the  new  covenant  order.  2Ddly.  The 
streaminff  fire,  representing  the  livmg  ser- 
vants of  the  Most  High,  sent  to  blaze  forth  the 
eternal  verities  of  me  Godhead,  and  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  drop  sparks  of  fire  into  the 
hearts  of  them  who  were  ordained  to  eter- 
nal life ;  to  bum  up  sin,  corruption,  and  evil 
prejudices  against  King  Jesus;  then  the 
judgment  given  to  these  servants  to  pass 
sentence  upon  all,  according  to  John  xx. 
23.  Though  the  literal  power  of  this  died 
out  with  the  apostles,  still  the  spiritual  pre- 
rogative is  exclusively  retained  by  the 
God-sent  men.  Srdly.  The  books  opened, 
according  to  John,  were  five  books ;  Ist  Of 
the  federal  laws ;  2nd.  The  Mosaic  laws — 
the  Ten  Commandments,  which  involves 
the  whole  world ;  8rd.  Tne  national  sins  of 
the  Jews  in  attempting  to  nullify  the  truth 
in  rejecting  the  Messiah ;  4th.  The  book  of 
profession  of  those  that  have  a  name  to  live 
and  are  dead ;  the  5th.  Is  the  book  of  de- 
crees of  God,  or  the  word  of  life,  contain- 
ing the  life  of  the  saints  and  the  death  of 
the  wicked,  whereby  all  nations  of  the  eurth 
shall  finally  be  judged.  Lastly :  The  uni- 
vei-sal  dominion  oi  Christ,  when  the  angel 
shall  set  his  riffht  foot  upon  the  sea  and  his 
left  upon  the  land,  and  declare  time  shall 
be  no  longer.  After  this  spiritual  feast 
about  eighty  of  the  friends  resorted  to  the 
place  comfortably  fitted  out  for  the  occasion 
by  the  kind  benevolence  of  our  much  re- 
spected friends.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  Webster, 
and  refreshed  ttiemselves  with  a  good  sa- 
voury repast.  After  this,  at  three  o'clock,  the 
friends  met  again  for  public  worship;  brother 
Blake,  of  Artillery-lane,  read  Pnlm  xlii, 
and  sweetly  dilated  upon  it ;  after  which 


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THB  EABTHBN  VSaSSL, 


our  IxrotLer  J.  BaHnrd  (who  !•  now  toilfuff 
Among  ua)  took  for  his  text  Heh.  ▼.  11,  uid 
preaohed  an  excellent^  homely,  gospel  ser- 
mon, full  of  the  first  ripefniite,  of  irhichhe 
had  many  things  to  say.  AtfiTS  o'clock 
ahont  140  friends  sat  down  to  tea;  our 
brother,  T.  J.  Messer,  the  modem  GhxTsos- 
tom  of  the  age,  a  profound  genius,  with  full 
force  of  mental  power,  and  his  soul  elated, 
tempered  by  the  mellifluous  bedewings  of 
the  saored  Spirit  deliTered  an  elaborate 
discourse  founded  upon  2  Gor.  ilL  ISfbi 
which  he  exalted  the  person  of  Jesus  in  His 
mediatorship,  atonement,  and  exceeding 
glorr  of  His  kingly  reign  and  power.  The 
Lord's  presence  was  in  our  miost  the  whole 
of  the  day,  to  cheer,  comfort,  feed,  and 
build  up  His  ndnis.  Brethren  T.  W.  Dyer, 
of  Harwich,  Kake,  and  Alsop,  took  part  io 
the  serricea  Beyeial  other  ministerial 
brethren  favoured  us  with  their  prssenoe. 
After  singing  the  old  favourite,  "Day's 
march  nearer  home,"  brother  Messer  dosed 
with  the  benediction.  Bethel  has  not  for 
many  years  been  so  f%ynmed.  To  Qod  be 
sU  the  ^ory.    Amen.— W.  W. 

BIBLE  HBDINGHAM,  ES8EX.—The 
first  annirersaiy  of  the  laying  of  the  foun- 
dation stone  of  Behoboth  Baptist  chapel  was 
holden  on  Wednesday,  May  Srd,  1865. 
There  was  some  disappointment  at  Mr. 
Bloomfield  not  being  able  to  fulfil  his 
engagement,  but  through  God's  proyi- 
dence  and  mercy,  our  friends  Xemp 
and  Aldenon  were  enabled  to  tell  out  some 
most  glorious  troths  of  the  ever-blessed 
GospeL  Our  people  appeared  to  enjoy  the 
day  much,  as  did  also  the  many  friends  that 
came  witn  us  from  a  distance.  In  the 
morning  Mr.  Kemp  preached  from  Bey. 
xix.  12 :  **  His  eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire, 
and  on  his  head  were  many  crowns,  and  he 
had  a  name  written,  that  no  man  knew,  but 
he  himself."  He  spoke  very  beautifully  of  his 
incomprehensible  name,  and  the  precious- 
nees  of  that  name  aboye  all  otheri.  In  the 
afternoon  Mr.  W.  Alderw>n  took  for  his 
text  Habakkuk  iii.,  and  the  last  clause  of 
the  4th  yerse :  **  And  there  was  the  hiding 
of  his  power.**  He  said  much  upon  that 
beautiful  chapter,  and  then  spoke  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  hiding  of  Jehovah's 
harmonizing  power,  his  destructiye  power, 
his  conquenng  or  saving  power,  his  sustain- 
ing powen  and  his  crowning  power.  In  the 
eyening  Mr.  Alderwn  preached  from — 
"Waiting  upon  the  Lord,**  founded  on 
Isaiah  xl,  last  verse.  It  was  a  practiotl 
and  encouraging  eermon,  and  well  adapted 
to  a  country  evening  congregation.  There 
were  many  of  the  poor  of  this  worid,  but 
rich  in  faith,  who  listened  rejoicingly  as 
the  minister  touched  their  varied  cases 
in  a  plain  and  simple  manner.  He  noticed 
first  the'  dignity,  and  secondly  the  priyi- 
leges.  He  very  suitably  oontrastea  the 
l^etting  to  the  Queen,  or  any  high  authority 
n  this  world,  and  getting  to  the  T^ing  df 
heaven.  He  then  spoke  of  God  as  the 
burden-bearer  of  his  people,  and  of  his 


S 


throne  as  a  throne  of  gneo,  imH  juslf<ji\  oa 
which  is  written,  "  Come  and  wefeona^  jm 
weaiy.**  He  then  alluded  to  the  payer  of 
the  mdtute,  and  of  faith  in  pn^vr;  hatoU 
us,  too,  that  in  coming  to  the  housa  of  God 
we  were  to  wait  on  the  Lord,  not  on  the 
minister,  nor  the  deaoouB^  nor  tho  ehmdi. 
In  speaking  of  the  esQ^e,  he  said  tfia  SMde 
was  a  high  flying  bird,  and  delighted  in  tta 
brightness  of  the  sun ;  it  built  its  nsstin  tbs 
rock;  and  if  our  hopes  are  built  in  tlia 
Bock  Christ  Jesus,  we  shall  be  secure :  no 
thorns  in  a  rock;  it  is  when  we  get  down 
on  the  earth  that  the  thorns  grow.  The 
slnrlark  can  never  sing  on  the  earth;  it  ie 
when  it  soars  that  it  sings,  and  the  higher 
it  'geta,  the  louder  it  sings.  It  is  just  the 
same  with  (3od's  people.  He  concluded  by 
saying  tiiat  we  should  never  be  leallj 
weary  of  the  service  of  God.  These  are  a 
few  of  the  recollections  of  that  day.  Mr. 
Aldenon  announced  subecripCion^  £8  14&. 
towards  vestry  and  schools,  collected  bj  the 
Messrs  Bowtell,  without  the  knowledge  of 
any  of  the  friends  of  the  caustf.  The 
profits  amounted  to  £8,  and  about  180  sat 
down  to  tea. 

ANNITEBSABIES.  —  Tuesday,  May 
9th,  was  a  happy  day  in  some  little  coraesB 
of  this  country.  At  New  Mill,  Titsg; 
Bobert  Shindler  was  recognised  ae  the 
pastor  of  this  rather  ancient  church.  We 
knew  Bobert  Shindler  before  he  entered 
upon  ministerial  work;  and  his  iadnakxy 
and  perseverance  in  pursuing  hiestndie% 
and  in  fulfilling  his  mmistry  must  be  eon- 
sidered  commendable.  Where^-in  Gospel 
principle,  or  where,  in  Christian  experi- 
ence—-he  sta^s,  we  know  not  Aa  the 
minister  of  Matfield-green,  and  some  other 
churches,  he  has  been  useful  in  his  measue; 
but  how  far  he  may  be  instrumental  in 
laising  and  nourishing  the  church  at  New 
Mill,  must  be  left  for  future  days  to  dedare. 
On  the  same  day,  at  West-end,  Tring,  the 
anniversary  sermons  were  preached  by  Mr. 
Thomae  Stringer,  whose  serviosa  in  the 
churches  now  are  acoeptaUs^  and  ^uite  le- 
viving.  Prestwood-oommon  anmveiaary 
was  holden  the  same  day.  Mr.  Free» 
late  of  Speen,  now  of  Cnertham»  vsed 
the  flirrt  hymn.  Mr.  H.  T.  Griffin^a 
young  man  now  supplying  at  Woobwm- 
green — read  a  Psalm,  and  offered  pi^er; 
the  sermon  wae  preaohed  by  C  W.  Banfa. 
A  veiy  happy  party  took  tea;  arveral 
ministering  barethren  were  pvasent  In  the 
evening,  Mr.  James  Clark,  of  Stowvaitet, 
read  anid  prayed ;  C.  W.  Banks  praached 
again:  it  was  a  solemn  time  to  man]^  This 
cause  at  Preetwood-common  is. one  of  anni 
interest  For  many  veers  the  Goradf  has 
been  faithfully  preached  hers;  and  laive 
congregations  are  gathered.  Itis  the  biith- 
tdace  of  good  old  Benjsmin  Maeoo,  of 
Knowl-hill,  near  Twyfonl,  who  is  nov  on 
his  bed  patiently  wabittg  until  hie  long- 
loved  Master  shall  take  him  home.  KbowU 
hill  is  a  swset  little  garden.  OurvenemUe 
brother  Mason,  and  his  oo- worker,  brother 


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196 


Webb,  ha^re  for  niAiiy  yean  preaehed  th« 
Gospel  in  ibaiefaape).  It  would,  irabelievef 
be  a  real  Christian  servioe  for  any  brother 
in  the  faith,  who  could  visit  the  chapd 
cottage  at  Knowl-hill  find  in  the  ohamber 
whare  good  old  Benjamin  lies,  to  spend  an 
hour  in  fellowship  and  prayer.  Master 
Bryant,  of  Prestwood.  anoOier  aged  minis- 
ter of  Jesus  Christ  in  these  parts,  gave  us 
flome  lines,  ezpressiTe  of  the  dscizes  of  his 
own  soul  before  the  Lord— we  h(^  to  give 
them  some  day. 


MB.  C0ZKN8'  VISIT  TO  THEBOYAL 
FOBEST  OF  DEAN.— At  Cinderford,  on 
Easter  Sunday,  we  were  favoured  with  a 
visit  from  Mr.  8.  Cozens:  he  had  been 
preaching  anniversarv  sermons  for  Mr.  B. 
Stephens,  of  Byeford,  Herefordshire,  and 
on  the  following  Sunday  preached  in  the 
Strict  Baptist  meeting  room,  Cinderford. 
We  had  the  room  filled  to  overflowing ;  he 
preached  from  the  same  text  morning  and 
evening,  Oen.  zHx.  25,  and  truly  Jacob*s 
€k>d  was  wiUi  him.  The  word  was  blessed 
to  many  souls;  his  visit  will  be  long  re- 
membered and  cherished  by  manv  who 
were  privileged  to  hear  him.  We  hope  to 
have  him  amongst  us  again  in  August  next, 
God  willing.  This  little  cause  was  com- 
menced in  August,  1862.  The  Church 
was  formed  on  the  Christmas  day  following. 
We  have  eighteen  members;  seven  have 
been  added  since  the  commencement  by 
baptism ;  this  is  the  only  cause  of  truth  on 
the  Forest,  a  district  containing  20,000 
inhabitantfti  We  have  great  opposition 
from  aU  quarters  in  endeavouring  to  main- 
tain the  truth ;  but  we  have  ofttimes  felt 
our  blessed  Master  with  us.  *We  hold  our 
servioas  in  a  room  at  present.  We  are 
making  an  attempt  to  build  a  chapel ;  we 
have  procured  a  site  of  land  for  the  purpose ; 
and  hope  (God  willing)  to  get  a  place  of 
wonhip  put  up.  Dear  Mr.  Editor,  do  you 
think  the  readeni  of  the  YsassL  would 
help  us  a  UtUe  if  our  case  was  deariy  put 
before  them?  Mr.  Cosens  would  represent 
us,  and  also  has  kindly  promised  to  preach  in 
anv  chapel  where  the  friends  would  be 
willing  to  help  us  with  a  collection. 
Perhaps  you  would  give  us  a  help  in  this 
matter  if  we  should  send  our  beggmg  case. 

B.  S. 
[We  should  think  it  an  honour  to  do  so.] 

HAB6EBTONFOBD,  NEABTOT27ES. 
— ^Bbothxb  Banks, — ^On  Sunday.  May  7th, 
brother  Huzham  had  seven  candidates  for 
baptism;  five  males,  and  two  femaiea. 
Being  one  of  the  number,  I  send  you  a  word 
of  the  happv  season.  The  Lord*s-day  com- 
menced with  prayer.  After  prayer,  brother 
Williams,  of  Denbury,  spoke  from  Acts 
viii  Brother  Huxham  addressed  the  can- 
didates -,  it  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Manv 
teurs  were  shed ;  and  hearts  bursting  with 
love  to  their  Lord.  Brother  Huxham  was 
overcomt  with  joy  to  think  of  the  goodness 
of  God  towards  him.  One  brother  told  me 
he  had  been  to  the  same  chapel  many  a 


time  at  a  pnyer  meeting,  and  no  one  at- 
tended but  him,  some  few  years  since;  and 
now  it  is  in  a  flourishing  state.  We  return 
our  humble  l^anka  to  our  God  for  his  good- 
ness towards  them.  There  are  now  abov« 
thirty  membera  belonging  to  the  chutch. 
Alter  baptizing  was  o  ver,  broUier  Ruidumi 
had  to  buiy  one  of  his  Sunday  scholais  who 
died  hapi^yia  Jesus.  Then  followed  the 
afternoon  service  and  the  ordinanoe  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  on  the  whole  it 
was  almost  a  solemn  day  qwnt,  which 
win  not  be  quickly  forgotten.  The  sermon 
in  the  evening  was  preaohed  by  biother 
Varder^hich  oonclnded  tha  servioe  of  the 
day.  Tours  in  Jesus,  T.  Pabs.  May 
9th,186& 

PLYMOUTH.— HowB  Strbrt  BAmar 
Chapel. — On  Lord*s-day,  April  SOtib,  the 
eleventh  anniversary  of  our  Sabbath  school 
was  held.  Mr.  Collins  preached  in  the 
morning  and  evening,  in  the  afternoon 
the  children  recited  ^in  the  most  satisfactory 
manner)  portions  of  Scripture  and  hymns 
which  they  had  learned  for  the  occasion ; 
afterwards,  Mr.  Collins  gave  a  very  inter- 
esting address  to  the  parents  and  friends 
present  The  singing^  of  the  children, 
accompanied  by  a  powerful  harmonium, 
afforded  much  pleasure.  The  collections 
exceeded  that  of  all  previous  anniversaries, 
for  which  we  desire  to  thank  our  gracious 
God.  The  superintendent  and  teachers 
have  great  pleasure  in  stating  there  has 
been  a  consiaerable  increase  in  the  number 
of  scholars  during  the  past  six  months; 
they  trust,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  whom 
they  look,  and  on  whom  they  depend,  for 
grace  and  strength  to  aid  them  in  their 
labours,  that  the  school  will  in  days  to  come 
be  made  increasingly  useful,  and  that  many 
of  the  ohildren  mav,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
be  raised  up  to  call  the  name  of  the  dear 
Bedeemer  blessed,  and  tread  in  the  paths 
of  righteousness  and  peace. 

BIEBTON,  ukar  Atijesbubt.  —  On 
Wednesday  evening.  May  Srd,  186S,  we 
enjoyed  solemn  servioes  in  the  Baptist 
chapel  here.  Brother  North  baptised 
several  believers  here ;  some  of  them  very 
aged;  they  hav«  bcten  united  to  the 
churoh  at  Long  Marsden,  and  will  help  to 
strengthen  that  newly-established,  but 
prospering  littie  cause.  The  brethren, 
John  Plaw,  of  Cambridga-street  chapel, 
Aylesbury ;  James  Smith,  of  Winchendon ; 
North,  and  others.  On  the  following  day 
the  anniversary  of  Cambridg^e-strset  chapel 
in  Aylesbury,  was  holdea,  when  two  ser- 
mons were  preached  by  0.  W.  Banks,  of 
London.  Walton-street  in  Aylesbury  is 
stiU  without  a  pastor ; — it  can  hardly  be 
said  that  the  sunshine  of  prosperity  is  to 
be  seen  anywhere  here,  but  in  the  church 
where  Puseyism  is  industrious,  attractive, 
and  influential;  but,  alas!  at  Aylesbunr, 
there  must  be  thousands,  many  thousands 
who  go  neither  to  church  nor  to  chapei. 
What  can  be  dbne  either  in  town  or  cotmtry 


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THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Jiiiietl86& 


to  Mng  the  people  under  the  eonnd  of  the 
Goepel  ?  The  infidelity  of  the  maases ;  the 
cold  formality  of  the  jprofeasing^  chuichea, 
and  the  riaing  up  of  Puaeyite  and  picture 
worship  ia  very  painful  to  contemplate. 

DUNSTABLE.  — "Mr.  Carpenter  haa 
left  the  Baptist  church  here;  and  after 
haying  tamed  a  short  time  at  Carlton, 
Beds,  haa  removed  to  Warboys ;  it  is  hoped 
by  some  that  his  ministry  there  may  be 
successful  and  permanently  so,  until  the 
endof  hiada3rs.  At  Dunstable,  brother  John 
Inward  is  well  received ;  whether  he  will  be 
our  future  pastor,  I  cannot  say;  but  the 
Town  Hall  church  haa  dissolved  its  separate 
existence ;  and  although  it  has  not  united 
with  ua,  it  helps  to  fill  our  chapel,  to  in- 
crease our  financea,  and  to  enable  us  to  do 
more  for  our  minister  than  before.  To  see 
good  brother  Buth  and  his  friends  again  in 
our  midst  is  cheering  and  pleasant.  We 
consider  brother  John  Inwaitl  to  be  a  stu- 
dious, an  able,  and  truly  honest  minister  of 
the  Qospel ;  and  if  our  Heavenly  Father  will 
plant  hun  hei<e ;  if  our  blessed  Jesus  will 
smile  upon  him  here ;  if  the  Holy  Spirit 
will  water  him  and  the  souls  of  the  people 
under  his  ministry  hercL  we  may  yet  be  a 
very  happy  people.  The  Lord  grant  it  for 
his  name  8  sake. 

CARLTON,  BEDFORDSHIRE.  —  On 
Sabbath  day,  April  23rd,  Mr.  Feet,  of 
Shambrook,  preached  three  sermons  to 
large  and  attentive  congregations.  A  col- 
lection was  given  each  time  by  the 
Church  to  Mr.  Feet  for  the  enlargement 
and  restoration  of  the  old  Baptist  chapel, 
Shambrook.  The  collections  wero  excel- 
lent :  the  friends  gave  liberally,  and  wished 
Mr.  Feet  great  success  in  this  undertaking, 
many  promising  to  be  at  the  opening,  when 
Mr.  Wells  and  Mr.  Foreman  will  preach. 

BIERTON,  BUCKS.— Mr.  Bajckk,— 
Our  anniversary  took  place  on  the  lltb  day 
of  May,  1865.  Mr.  Gwinnell  preached,  on 
this  his  second  visit  to  Bierton  ;  some  came 
eight  or  nine  miles;  and  Uie  Lord  made 
good  his  promise,  for  be  did  come  into  our 
Uttle  midst,  even  amongst  the  little  myrtle 
trees  at  the  bottom :  his  servant  was  helped 
to  preach  the  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God ; 
things  he  has  tasted  and  felt  for  many 
years;  it  was  food  for  the  hungry  at 
Bierton.  The  Lord  is  blessing  the  labour 
of  the  itinerant  preachers,  both  at  Bierton 
and  Long  Marston,  by  giving  some  seals  to 
their  ministry.  At  Bierton  we  have  just 
attended  to  the  ordinance ;  it  was  a  blessed 
time.    Mr.  Flaw,  from  Aylesbury,  opened 


the  meeting  with  reading  and  piayer:  we 
had  five  brethren  who  addreosed  theaasem- 
bly  in  a  very  feeling  way.  It  is  thougbt 
these  little  cansea  will  have  a  quarterly 
tea  meeting,  when  friends  may  unite  and 
spealL  T.  A.  Wuciucidox. 

MALDON.— Maldon  Baftuvf  Chapkl. 
— Dear  Brothbr  Banks,— We  held  the 
fourth  commemoration  service  of  the  open- 
ing of  this  little  oauae  of  truth  on  Good 
Friday,  when  one  sermon  was  preached  by 
Mr.  G.  Cook,  of  Braintree,  and  in  the  even- 
ing a  public  meeting  was  held.  Addresses 
were  delivered  by  brother  Wheeler,  and 
other  friends:  we  had  a  good  day:  the 
Lord  was  with  us.  Bless  the  Lord,  he  is 
with  our  minister,  Mr.  £.  Debenham.  We 
pray  the  Lord  will  uphold  him  and  strengthen 
him  in  his  great  work.  We  had  a  baptizing 
on  May  7th :  more  ara  waiting  around  ns. 

STOWMARKET,  Mat  14th,  1866.-lfr. 
G.  G.  Whorlow,  with  his  excellent  wife, 
drove  over  and  spent  the  day  with  us  here. 
Mr.  W.  preached  three  sermons,  full  of  the 
preciousness  and  all-sufl&ciency  of  Jesus; 
he  was  happy  In  his  work ;  the  people  vere 
delighted,  and  the  collections  for  the  school 
were  good.  There  were  seventy-fonr 
children  and  sixteen  teachers  in  the  school; 
the  school  is  not  indebted  to  the  treasarer: 
our  teachers  adopt  a  good  plan ;  they  get 
the  money  before  they  spend  it,  Brother 
Whorlow  is  a  useful  man  among  the 
Churches.  May  the  Lord  abundanUy  re- 
ward his  labours  of  love  with  his  appro- 
bation. A  Wkll-wisukr  to  Sabbath 
ScuooiA 

GLEMSFORD  — Frovidencb  Chaps. 
On  Tuesday,  April  18th,  services  were  held 
to  commemorate  the  opening  of  the  nev 
gallery.  The  afternoon  service  was  com- 
menced by  Mr.  Kemp  giving  out  a  hynm ; 
Mr.  Houghton,  of  Bury  St  cldmunds,  read 
a  portion  of  scripture  and  prayed ;  Mr.  Wil- 
son, of  Clare,  preached  to  an  attmitive  con- 
gregation, and  many  were  favoured.  Tea 
was  served  to  nearly  200.  In  the  evening, 
there  was  a  large  gathering  of  friends:  the 
teachers  and  children  of  the  Sabbath  school 
occupied  the  new  gallery,  and  the  chapel 
was  quite  filled.  A  hymn  being  sung,  bro- 
ther Mirrington  and  Ford  stated  the  object 
of  the  meeting.  Mr.  Wilson  presided,  and 
suitable  addresses  were  delivered  by  breth- 
ren Whorlow,  Kerridge,  and  Kemp,  (pas- 
tor), who  Uvea  in  the  affections  of  the 
people ;  and  the  Lord  is  blessing  his  labours 
to  the  ingathering,  of  many;  we  hope  to 
baptize  the  first  Sunday  in  June.    W.  11 


BAPTIZINGS. 


MlHiaTXR*S  HAMK. 

HAXX  AXD  nTDATIOX  OF  GSIAPXZ^ 

DATE. 

KUXBKB 
BAPIIZCD. 

iAilliuB.  F.  ...             ...  1 

Davia.  T .,  | 

Howe  Street^  Fly  mouth         

Bethel,  High  abeet,  Poplar  ....       ^. 

iWft—Jiarcti  M 
AprU2« 

4 
f 

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BSINQ      AN      ACCOUNT      OF 

THE    LATE    MRS.    WAI/L,    OF    GRAVESEND; 

BY   H£B  HUSBAND. 


[For  the  benefit  of  those  faithful  servants  of  God  who  are  yet  living  and  labouring  in 
the  churches  of  Ohrist,  we  wish  a  full  and  faithful  memoir  of  the  late  Mrs.  Wall 
oould  be  compiled,  and  given  to  the  churches ;  because  we  believe  a  most  precious 
model  of  a  pastor^s  wife  would  be  found  in  such  a  memoir.  A  faithful  pastor  needs  a 
peculiar  kind  of  wife ;  and  with  us  it  is  a  certain  and  solemn  fact  that  but  few  young 
ministers  sufficiently  consider  either  the  necessity  or  the  value  of  this  great  desider- 
atum. Where  a  minister  has  a  graceless,  Christlesa,  careless,  and  unwise  partner,  his 
home  is  a  most  unhappy  one.  Where  a  minister  has  a  believing  partner,  if  her 
temperament  is  cool,  distant,  unfriendly ;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  if  she  throw  herself 
too  freely  and  unguardedly  into  the  associations  of  the  people ;  much  injury  is  often 
sustained.  We  Imow  right  well,  many  dear  sisters  in  the  Ijord,  who  are  married  to 
ministers  and  pastors,  are  so  oppressed  with  the  cares  of  home,  the  trials  of  a 
large  family,  the  pinchings  of  poverty,  and  the  deep  sympathies  they  feel  in  their 
husband^s  sorrows  and  tn«Ja,  that  their  spirits  are  often  broken ;  and  their  souls  are  so 
deeply  exercised,  that  they  can  scarcely  ever  stand  forward  in  the  church  as  leadersin 
those  auxiliaries  and  efforts  which  greatly  help,  (under  God,)  to  carry  the  cause  they 
are  connected  with  into  prosperity  and  enlargement  Where  such  is  the  case,  female 
members  in  the  church  should  unite  to  aid  the  pastor's  wife :  to  endeavour  to  smooth  her 
paU)  a  Uttle,  to  sooth  her  sorrows,  to  help  her  to  bear  her  burdens,  and  to  enable  her 
to  maintain  a  prominent  position  in  the  midst  of  the  people  ;  and  there,  by  imitcd 
prayer,  by  combined  and  continued  efforts,  to  strengthen,  and  hold  up,  the  pastor's 
hands.  A  careful,  economical,  loving,  devoted,  Spirit-taught  wife  at  home  ;  and  a 
tender-hearted,  intelligent,  and  charitable  mother  and  matron  in  the  church,  is  a  jewel 
of  immense  value ;  and  to  all  the  good  brethren  to  whom  God  has  given  faithful, 
honourable,  and  useful  help-meets,  we  would  say,  consider  well  your  mercy,  use 
kindly,  and  tenderly,  the  great  gift  heaven  has  presented  unto  you ;  for,  in  finding  a 
wife  who  can  correct  as  well  as  comfort  you,  who  can  advise  as  well  as  sympathise 
with  you,  a  wife  who  can  take  care  of  herself,  her  home,  her  husband's  character 
and  requirements ;  a  wife  who  can  govern  her  children  in-doors,  and  in  her  more 
public  walks  before  the  people,  can  furnish  patterns  of  consistency  and  benevolence, 
zeal  and  prudence,  such  a  wife  is  a  treasure  rich  bevond  description.  How  far  the 
late  Mrs.  Wall  approached  to  this  high  standing  we  leave  those  to  judge  who  knew 
her  best  Here  is  the  testimony  of  her  deeply  sorrowing  and  bereaved  husband ;  and 
his  tears  for  her  loss  are  flowing  stilL  May  God  Almighty  support  him,  so  prays  the 
Editor.] 

Mr.  Editor, — Many  of  the  Lord's  people  in  various  places,  are 
anxious  to  know  a  little  of  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  my  dear 
departed  wife,  whom  he  took  unto  himself  on  the  22nd  of  April,  1865. 
She  was  bom  at  Haddenham,  in  the  year  1791 ;  and  from  quite  a  child 
she  was  fond  of  the  Lord's  people  ;  as  she  often  told  me,  she  would  walk 
behind  them,  if  possible,  to  catch  a  word  in  their  conversation.  The 
Lord  began  the  work  of  grace  in  her  heart  very  early,  and  the  time  and 
place  in  which  her  first  impressions  were  received  were  always  deeply 
interesting  to  her.  It  was  customary  for  the  friends  who  attended  the 
ministiy  of  the  Ven.  Thomas  Scott,  to  meet  the  children  of  the  village 
of  Haddenham,  on  the  evening  of  a  Lord's^ay  in  a  cottage  ;  and  at  one 
of  the  meetings,  a  young  man,  who  very  soon  after  became  the  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  Churcl^  was  speaking  to  the  children  on  the  hymn  of  Dr. 
Watts,— 

**  I  would  not  change  my  native  land, 

For  rich  Peru,  with  all  its  gold ; 
A  nobler  prize  lies  in  my  hand, 

Then  East  or  Western  Indies  hold.** 


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196  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL^  July  1,  IKS. 

This  was  the  beginiuDg  of  that  blessed  work  which  Almighty  God 
carried  on,  and  has  now  perfected  in  taking  her  to  himself  in  gloiy. 
8he  became  a  constant  hearer  of  Mr.  Scott  from  the  time  of  her  fint 
impression ;  and  to  the  end  of  her  days  on  earth  she  entertained  tke 
deepest  respect  for  his  memory. 

In  the  year  1809,  the  Baptist  Church  was  formed  in  Haddenhun, 

and  the  Lord  leading  her  to  see  the  ordinance  of  believers'  baptism,  ^ 

was  baptized,  and  united  with  the  Church  in  the  year  18 10.     Thus  she 

was  enabled  to  walk  in  holy  consistency  of  life  with  the  Lord's  people 

for  the  period  of  fifty-five  years — ^in  the  review  of  which  she  would 

often  repeat  the  lines — 

"  Tet  have  been  upheld  till  now, 

Who  oould  hold  me  up  but  Tbon?" 

My  dear  partner  always  wanted  more  than  she  oould  obtain  under 
the  ministry  <k  her  first  pastor ;  and  thus  when  she  was  brought  under 
a  full  free-grace  ministry,  she  was  introduced  into  a  new  world ;  and  her 
soul  often  luxuriated  under  the  sound  of  the  blessed  (xospel.  She  was 
enabled  to  drink  of  the  streams  of  the  river  that  make  glad  the  dty  of 
God.  The  means  of  grace  from  the  time  of  her  union  with  the  people 
of  God  to  the  last  few  weeks  of  her  life  were  highly  estimated.  Hence, 
it  might  be  said  with  truth,  "  she  loved  the  place  where  His  hononr 
dwelleth." 

The  Lord's  house.  His  fpeople.  His  cause,  and  His  ministos 
especially,  shared  in  her  deepest  sympathies ;  she  would  give  up  any 
personal  gratification  to  serve  the  cause  ;  and  her  house  and  heart  weie 
open  to  receive  those  who  loved  the  Lonl.  Yes  !  her  love  was  strong 
and  sincere ;  and  the  poor  of  the  Lord's  flock  had  her  deejiest  concern. 
She  was  determined  that  they  should  share  the  last  shilling  sshe 
possessed  ;  and  then  she  was  enabled  to  cast  herself  at  the  feet  of  her 
loving  Lord,  as  altogether  unworthy  of  His  notice  or  regard.  She 
walked  humbly  with  her  €rod. 

Hers  might  be  n^garded  as  a  medium  experience.      Blessed  he  the 

Lord,  she  had  a  religion  of  experience  :  it  was  more  than  form  or  notioo. 

She  was  never  very  much  elevated,  neither  was  she  ever  very  gloomy ; 

her  hope  was  well  founded  :  the  great  and  finished  work  of  the  Lord  was 

the  delight  of  her  soul, — 

"  Nothing  in  my  hands  I  bring. 
(Simply  to  thy  cross  I  cling.** 

This  was  to  the  last  the  foundation  of  her  hope. 

It  may  be  difficult  for  me  to  write  without  partiality ;  but  I  fe^ 
that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  say  more  than  is  true  in  reference  to  the 
interest  she  took  in  the  ministry  of  her  bereaved  husband.  He  always 
had  her  blessing  when  we  parted  at  the  chapel  door ;  her  expression  ^ws 
invariably, 

"  The  Lord  bless  you,  my  dear,  and  make  you  a  blessing." 
And  she  never  wanted  a  chaii^e.     What  a  loss  !     She  was  always  ready 
with  a  kind  word  when  his  mind  was  cast  down. 

Through  life,  her  mind  was  exercised  about  the  last  conflict; 
and  she  would  often  revert  to  it ;  but  she  was  never  left  to  doubt  as  to 
the  future.  Thus  she  went  on  in  what  might  be  called,  "  the  even  teuor 
of  her  way." 

For  the  last  two  or  three  years,  the  dear  departed  experieDced 


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July  1,  im.  AND  CHBI8TIAN  BECORD.  IW 

growing  weakness,  and  decay  of  nature's  powers;  but  she  evidently 
grew  in  ripeness  for  glory,  so  that  all  fear  of  death  was  removed,  and 
she  said  to  her  granddaughter, 

"  Ah,  Annie,  dying  is  but  going  home." 

Her  disease  was  softening  of  the  brain,  and  there  was  plain  indica- 
tion for  some  time  past  that  it  was  more  fully  developing  itself.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  year,  her  kind  medical  attendant  gave  no  hope  of 
recovery  ;  he  thought  she  might  continue  some  time,  and  under  proper 
treatment  she  was  somewhat  better  for  a  time ;  but  soon  relapsed,  and 
it  became  evident  the  period  of  her  departure  was  approaching.  Daring 
her  confinement  she  enjoyed  the  company  of  her  Christian  friends  ;  and 
sweetly  conversed  of  Hu^she  so  much  loved.  No  theme  was  so  sweet 
nor  so  much  desired,  as  the  love  of  her  aU  pre/notis  JESUS.  I  cannot 
tell  the  number  of  times  dimng  the  last  affliction  she  repeated  the  verses 
of  her  &vourite  hymn — 

"  Weak  is  the  effort  of  my  heart, 
And  cold  my  wannest  thonght; 
But  when  I  see  Thee  as  Thon  ait, 
ni  praise  Thee  as  I  ought 
"  Till  then  I  would  thy  love  proclaim. 
With  every  fleeting  breath ; 
And  may  the  music  of  thy  name, 
Befresh  my  soul  in  death." 

And  it  did  refresh  her  as  heart  and  flesh  failed  ;  she  was  sustained,  and 
on  the  morning  that  she  died  in  the  night  following,  she  looked  beam- 
ingly into  my  face,  and  said, 

'^  I  HAVE  ALL  THINGS  IK  Chbist  :  wisdom,  righteousness,  sano* 
tification,  and  redemption  :  ALL  IN  CHRIST  !     And, 

"  *  Since  He  is  rich,  can  I  be  poor? 
What  can  I  want  beside  ?  *  " 

Thus  her  days  and  her  nights  passed  away ;  and  only  a  short  time 
before  she  died,  I  said, 

"  How  do  you  feel  now  in  reference  to  your  hope^" 
"  Alt,  right,"  she  said. 

*'  *  My  hope  is  built  on  nothing  less, 
Than  Jesu's  blood  and  righteousness.'  ** 

And  shortly,  she  sweetly  breathed  out  her  mortal  life,  and  we  could  scarce- 
ly say  she  was  gone,  before  the  spirit  had  taken  its  seat  before  the  throne. 

She  was  a  mother  in  Israel,  and  our  loss  is  her  eternal  gain.  I 
trust  the  Lord  may  sanctify  the  bereavement,  and  that  instead  of  the 
fathers,  the  children  may  be  enabled  to  show  forth  the  praises  of  the 
Lord. 

I  would  record  it,  that  the  sympathy  and  regard  of  the  Church  and 
friends  at  Gravesend  were  manifested  on  the  sorrowful  occasion  in  a 
most  Christian  and  benevolent  manner.  The  deacons  making  known  to 
the  friends  that  it  was  their  wish  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  funeral, 
their  desire  was  responded  to  in  a  very  feeling  manner.  My  prayer  is 
that  the  best  blessing  of  a  covenant  God  may  rest  and  abide  with  them, 
and  all  the  lovers  of  truth.     Yours  in  love,  Thomas  Wall. 

Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Gravesend. 

[We  are  persuaded  the  perusal  of  this  modest  and  affectionate  testimony 
will  be  a  sweet  comfort  to  many.] 

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200  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  JTolr  1, 1865. 

BY  JOHN   BRUNT. 

^^  And  when  they  saw  the  star,  they  rejoiced  with  exceeding  great  joy/' — 'iisiL  iL  10. 
*^  He  leadeth  the  blind  by  a  way  which  they  knew  not" 

Who  those  men  were  is  not  revealed ;  but  they  are  described  by  what  they 
possessed  and  by  what  they  sought.  They  were  wise,  yet  they  sought 
Him  who  is  the  wisdom  of  God.  Happy  they,  who,  though  they  pomes 
much,  are  uot  satisfied,  except  they  may  posseia  Him  who  is  the  Peurl  of 
Great  Price ;  who  is  the  unspeakable  gift  of  the  ever  blessed  God.  The 
Father  knoweth  the  Son ;  and  they  who  are  taught  of  Grod  desire  to  know 
Jesus  as  the  salvation  of  God  ;  therefore,  whatever  leads  to  Jesus  will 
occasion  joy  to  those  so  led. 

They  who  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  are  the  sons  of  God.  If  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  lead  a  jKwr  sinner,  that  poor  sinner  shall  become  wise  unto 
salvation,  shall  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  The  Bible  is  the  cradle  where  Jesus  shall  be  seen ;  its  sacred 
pages  unfold  Him,  its  dimensions  hold  Him,  who  is  the  IncamprehensihU. 
To  make  Jesus  known,  the  patriarchs  lived.  To  hold  Him  forth,  the  Old 
Dispensation  was  ordained.  That  they  might  speak  of  Him,  prophets 
were  instructed.  To  melodiously  make  Him  known,  the  sweet  singen  of 
the  Temple  were  set  in  their  various  orders.  That  Jesus  should  be  & 
man  was  the  substance  of  the  first  promise  ;  that  He  should  be  a  Jev 
wab  the  next ;  then,  that  He  should  be  of  the  family  of  Abraham,  of  the 
tribe  of  Jndah,  of  the  house  of  David,  were  matters  which  filled  up  those 
further  promises  which  were  given  respecting  Him.  Just  as  it  is  in 
nature ;  there  is  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  and  finally,  the  full  com  in 
the  ear.  So  was  it  in  promise  and  prophecy.  The  seed  of  the  woman 
and  the  seed  of  Abraham.  Shiloh ;  the  law  maker  for  the  people  and  the 
ruler  of  the  people  ;  the  antitypical  serpent  to  which  the  people  should 
look,  and  the  prophet  to  whom  men  would  hearken.  Death's  plagues  and 
death's  conqueror.  The  hind  of  the  morning,  starting  from  the  vale, 
climbing  the  mountain  side,  and  gazing  from  the  mountain  top  of  labour, 
taking  in  the  whole  horizon  of  blessedness  before  Him  (see  Psalm  xzii). 
The  King  of  Israel ;  Immanuel ;  the  Wonderful ;  Councillor ;  the  Mighty 
God ;  the  Everlasting  Father ;  the  Prince  of  P^ce.  The  Lord  God 
with  strong  hand ;  his  work  before  Him,  His  reward  following  Him. 
The  shepherd — feeding,  gathering,  canying,  and  leading  His  flock. 

The  passive  victim,  giving  His  back  to  the  smiters.  His  cheek  to 
them  that  plucked  off  the  hair.  His  face  as  the  target  of  shame  and  spitr 
ting.  The  mighty  victor,  setting  His  face  like  a  flint,  nor  ever  feelmg 
shajne.  The  arm  of  the  Lord,  and  the  sin-bearer  of  the  people ;  the 
bruised  of  the  Lord,  and  yet  the  bruiser  of  His  enemies.  Jehovah  Tsid- 
kenu  ;  in  whose  days  Judah  should  be  saved,  and  who,  as  the  branch  of 
David  and  King  of  saints,  should  reign  and  prosper,  executing  judgment 
and  justice  in  the  earth .  The  Most  Holy,  Messiah,  the  Prince,  and  at 
length  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  with  healing  in  his  beams.  Thus  was 
the  root  of  David  raised  up  in  promise,  that  He  might  reign  over  the 
house  of  Jacob  for  ever.     It  was  heaven's  work  to  make  Jesus  known. 


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Jiily  1,  im.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  201 

It  was,  and  ifi,  a  heavenly  work  to  lead  a  soul  to  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord« 
BlesKed  is  he  who  is  so  led. 

Satan  never  has  had  the  power  to  bring  any  to  Jesus,  but  he  has 
always  had  the  disposition  to  draw  away  any  who  were  coming  to  Christ ; 
and,  in  accordance  with  that  disposition,  he  has  always  acted ;  yet  he 
must  know  that  Jesus  must  ultimately  triumph.  .  In  Macgowan's 
"  Dialogues  of  Devils,"  Satan  is  represented  as  saying,  '*  It  surprises 
me  much,  that  once  when  we  refused  to  honour  this  Christ  we  were  cast 
out  of  heaven ;  now,  men  repeatedly  insult  Him,  and  utterly  reject 
Him ;  yet  is  He  merciful  to  men  and  not  to  devils."  Well  might  Satan 
be  surprised  1  Wonder,  O  heavens,  and  be  astonished,  O  earth,  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  even  of  the  chief.  Brooks,  in  his 
"  Precious  Bemedies  against  Satan's  Devices,"  says,  "  *  Put  on  the  whole 
armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the 
devil.'  Eph,  vi  11.  The  Greek  word  that  is  there  rendered  wiles, 
is  a  notable  emphatical  word  :  1st.  It  signifies  such  treacheries  as  come 
upon  us  unawares  ;  it  notes  the  method,  or  waylaying,  of  that  old  subtOe 
servant,  who,  like  Dan's  adder  in  the  path,  bites  the  heels  of  passengers, 
and  thereby  transfuses  his  venom  to  the  head  and  heart.  The  word  sig- 
nifies an  ambushment,  or  stratagem  of  war,  whereby  the  enemy  sets  upon 
a  man  at  unawares.  2nd.  It  signifies  such  snares  as  are  set  to  catch  us 
in  our  road.  A  man  walks  in  his  road  and  thinks  not  of  it ;  but,  suddenly 
he  is  taken  by  thieves,  or  falls  into  a  pit,  &c,  3rd.  It  signifies  such  as 
are  set  purposely  and  craftily  for  the  taking  of  the  prey,  at  the  greatest 
advantage  that  can  be.  The  Greek  word  .signifies,  properly,  *  a  waylay- 
ing, circiimvention,  or  going  about,  as  they  do  which  seek  after  their 
prey.'  "  Yet,  although  Satan  seeks  to  hinder,  God  will  work ;  and  who 
shall  let  it  ?  Why  those  wise  men  of  the  East  were  first  of  all  moved 
to  go  in  search  of  Jesus,  does  not  appear.  Doubtless,  they  had  seen  that 
wonderful  translation  of  the  ancient  Scriptures  into  the  Greek,  called  the 
Septuagint ;  for  that  book  had  obtained  a  wide  circulation  through  those 
countries  where  Greece  had  become  mistress.  Rollin,  in  his  "  Ancient 
History,"  says,  "  This  version,  therefore,  which  renders  the  Scriptures  of 
the  Old  Testament  intelligible  to  a  vast  number  of  i)eople,  became  one  of 
the  most  considerable  fruits  of  the  Grecian  conquests."  What  that  star 
could  be,  by  which  these  eastern  sages  were  led  or  guided,  has  been  a 
matter  of  controversy.  Jeremy  Taylor  thus  speaks  on  the  subject: 
"  The  Greeks  suppose  this  which  waa  called  a  star,  to  have  been  indeed 
*  an  angel  in  a  pillar  of  fire ^  in  the  semblance  of  a  star  ;  and  this  is 
made  the  more  likely  by  its  coming  and  standing  directly  over  the  humble 
roof  of  His  nativity."  Jesus  was  to  be  known  by  Gentiles  and  Jews; 
therefore,  a  star  appears  to  the  Arabians,  and  an  angel  to  the  Jewish 
shepherds  in  the  plains  of  Bethlehem.  To  know  Christ  is  to  be  wise 
indeed  ;  and  to  have  been  led  to  Him,  to  have  gazed  upon  Him,  to  have 
come  into  personal  acquaintance  with  Him,  to  be  able  to  say,  as  Simeon 
said,  "  Mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation,"  is,  without  exception,  an 
astonishing  favour.  The  writer  just  now  quoted,  adds,  "  Thus,  also, 
God  deals  with  us.  He  gives  us  the  first  grace,  and  adds  the  second  ; 
He  enlightens  our  understandings,  and  actuates  our  facidties,  and 
sweetly  allures  us  by  the  proposition  of  rewards ;  He  wounds  us  with  the 
arrows  of  His  love,  and  influences  us  with  fire  from  heaven ;  ever  giving 
us  new  assistances,  or  increasing  the  old;  refreshing  us  with  comforts, 


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202 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


July  1, 1865. 


or  arming  us  with  patience ;  sometimes  stirring  our  affections  by  tbe 
lights  held  out  to  our  understanding ;  sometimes  bringing  oonfirmatbn 
to  our  understanding  by  the  motion  of  our  alfections,  till,  by  a  variety  of 
means,  we  at  length  arrive  at  Bethlehem  in  the  service  and  entertoin- 
ments  of  the  Holy  Jesus/' 

In  conclusion,  we  add,  that  it  is  still  heaven's  work  to  make  Jesus 
known ;  and,  as  in  the  case  before  us,  the  objects  of  persons  were  selected 
by  Jehovah  Himself,  so  is  it  now.  As  the  method  ofrevdaiion  was  ac- 
cording to  the  Divine  will  then,  so  is  it  now ;  as  the  manner  of  revelation 
was  then,  so  is  it  now.  It  was  by  light,  then  ;  and  it  is,  and  always  must 
be,  by  light  from  heaven,  that  souls  shall  be  led  to  Jesus.  Light  is 
a  heavenly  body ;  nothing  bom  of  earth  can  ever  direct  to  or  lead  to 
Jesus,  ONLY  as  it  may  be  used  by  a  heavenly  agent. 

Finally :  As  in  the  end,  those  Wise  Men  were  led  to  Jesus  for  theu: 
present  and  everlasting  welfare,  so  shall  all  the  Election  of  God  see 
and  perceive,  hear  and  understand ;  be  converted — all  theii*  sins  being 
forgiven  them. 

'*  The  work  which  wisdom  andeitakes, 
Eternal  mercy  ne'er  forsakes." 


As  o*er  life's  desert  path  we  stray, 
A  dubioxis  and  a  doubtful  way ; 
Bow  sweet  to  hear  the  Saviour  say, 

"  Poor  soul,  I  live  for  thee." 
Those  Maffi  from  an  eastern  land— 
A  holy  and  a  noble  band — 
Were  led  to  Judah's  pleasant  land, 

The  Christ  of  God  to  see. 
A  star  lit  up  the  darksome  way, 
And  they  directed  could  not  stray ; 
In  sweetest  tones  it  seemed  to  say, 

*'  Poor  soul,  I  shine  for  thee." 


So,  when  the  Scriptures  speaJc  to  me. 
And  Jesus  I  can  plainly  see — 
No  longer  in  a  mystery — 

Best  Book,  I  value  thee. 
Spirit  Divine,  'tis  thine  to  dear 
The  mental  eye,  the  heart  to  cbeer ; 
To  lead  to  Christ — relieve  from  fear- 
Make  Jesus  all  to  me. 
Soon  shall  I  pass  the  desert  o'er, 
Nor  sin  distress  me  any  more ; 
I  soon  shall  stand  on  Canaan*8  shore, 
And  Christ  be  all  to  me. 


IT     IS      WELL. 

(2  ElXOS  IV.  28.) 


WiiEN  there  deepens  oft  around  thee 
Sorrow's  clouds  thy  jwith  to  dim. 

When  new  trials  oft  are  found  thee, 
And  thou  f  eeFst  thy  cup  to  brim. 

Canst  thou  murmuring  thoughts  repel, 

And  still  answer,  "  It  is  well  ?" 

And  when  adverse  winds  beset  thee, 
Chill  thy  heart  with  blast  so  keen, 

Causing  many  to  forget  thee, 
Those  who  once  thy  friends  had  been : 

Canst  thou  all  thy  fears  dispel, 

And  still  answer,  "It  is  well?" 

When  the  lov'd  from  earth  have  foded- 
Those  who  claimed  thy  teuderest 

Canst  thou,  by  thy  Savioui*  aided, 
Deem  thy  cross  not  hard  to  bear  ? 

Canst  thou  every  murmur  quell, 

And  still  answer,  "It  is  well  ?" 

Yes  I  if  Jesu's  love  doth  win  thee 
From  the  transient  things  of  earth ; 

If  His  Spirit  hath  within  thee 
Planted  joys  of  priceless  worth, 


Though  on  thee  His  rod  hath  fell, 
Thou  canst  answer,  "  It  is  welL" 

With  the  trials  he  may  send  thee 
He  will  grant  thee  couraee  too ; 

Ever  will  U  is  arm  attend  thee, 
And  will  lead  thee  safely  througlu 

Trusting  Him,  who  peace  doth  teU, 

Thou  canst  answer,  "  It  is  well." 

Though  the  tempter  will  assail  thee, 
As  thou  passest  on  thy  way ; 

Jesus'  help  will  never  fail  thee. 
He  will  be  thy  shield  and  stay : 

Through  Him  who  doth  in  love  excel, 

Thou  canst  answer,  "  It  is  well !" 

Then  how  bright  the  day  thou  laavcst 
Earth,  no  more  to  meet  its  frown : 

0,  the  bliss  when  thou  receivest 
For  thy  cross  a  radiant  crown — 

While  around  thee  angels  swell 

Heaven's  anthem,  "  It  is  well !" 

L.B.A. 

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J«l7 1,  im.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  208 

GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 

BT  MB.  ALFBED  PKET,  OF  SHABKBBOOK. 

68. — ^The  light  of  Christians  appears  in  good  works ;  but  it  is  the 
oil  of  grace  that  keeps  this  light  burning. 

69. — True  religion  arrays  death  and  judgment  with  light,  and 
sdoms  them  with  all  the  beauties  of  a  glorious  eternity. 

70. — ^The  loTO  which  true  religion  inculcates  teaches  us  to  cover 
the  defiacts  of  others  with  that  mantle  of  charity  which  is  the  bond  of 
peifectnessy  and  to  magnify  their  virtues. 

71. — There  is  no  wickedness  so  desperate  as  deception, — we  caa 
never  foresee  its  consequences. 

72. — Presumptuous  ignorance,  and  wilful  prejudice,  equally  mis- 
take  and  equally  misrepresent. 

73. — Be  not  washed  without  and  foul  within :  hypocrites  are  but 
painted  tombs ;  look  on  them  they  please  your  eyes,  look  into  them  they 
offend  your  nostrils. 

74. — He  that  yields  himself  a  servuit  to  one  sin,  shall  soon  find 
himself  a  slave  to  many. 

75. — ^Eveiy  one  can  be  rich  in  promising,  though  he  be  poor  and 
beggarly  in  performing. 

76. — Men  are  dull  to  conceive,  hard  to  believe,  apt  to  foiget,  and 
alow  to  practiae  heavenly  truths. 

77. — Solomon's  bed  was  not  so  well  guarded  with  his  threescore 
valiant  men,  all  holding  swords,  as  eadi  good  Christian  is  by  the  power 
of  God  without  him  and  the  peace  of  God  within  him. 

78. — ^lie  not  one  to  another,  no,  not  in  jest,  lest  ye  go  to  hdl  in 
earnest. 

79. — Corrections  are  pledges  of  our  adoption  and  badges  of  our  son- 
ahip ;  one  Son  God  had  vdthout  sin,  but  none  without  sorrow. 

SO. — Eveiy  promise  travels  from  the  throne  of  the  Eternal  to  the 
heart  of  the  Christian  by  the  cross. 

81. — ^A  true  Christian  indeed  doth  as  earnestly  desire  to  have  his 
sin  purged  as  pardoned,  and  himself  fitted  to  do  or  suffer  for  the  name  of 
Christ. 

82. — ^If  you  say  that  you  do  live  in  His  will,  let  us  know  it  by 
jour  doiog  His  wilL 

83. — ^We  should  leam  to  keep  the  people  of  this  world  at  a  proper 
dirtance ;  for  if  we  suffer  too  great  a  nearness,  they  may  prove  a  snare 
in  keeping  us  at  a  distance  from  God. 

84. — Sin  may  distress,  but  it  cannot  destroy,  a  believer.  Sin  does 
not  distress  a  dead  sinner.  Surely,  then,  we  may  believe  that  distressing 
flins  are  pardoned  sins. 

85. — Free  willers  may  be  compared  to  a  man  that  has  lost  his 
purse,  but  does  not  find  it  wanting  till  he  comes  to  pay  his  debts. 

*Ti8  certain  such  who  of  their  free-will  boast, 
Wu  ne^er  convinced  their  will  to  good  \b  lost ; 
Their  wretched,  helpless  state  lies  close  concealed, 
Kor  is  their  danger  nor  their  pride  revealed. 
Bonis  tanght  of  Ood  their  corrupt  nature  monm, 


On  grace  relying  from  all  ain  they  turn ; 
They  trust  in  Jesua,  and  His  will  they  do, 
Grace  is  restraining  and  constraining  too 


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204  THE  EARTHEN  VEaSBL,  Jaly  i,  ISCS. 

i^h0iijgW»  on  Jisu's  Jfentt. 

(enjoyed     SUNDAY     MORNING,     JUNE     18,      1865.) 

I  WAS  riding  in  an  omnibus  on  Saturday  morning,  reading  one  of  brother 
Wells'  sermons,  when  the  words  in  the  first  of  Hebrews  were  applied 
most  comfortably  to  my  soul :  "  He  hath  by  inheritance  obtained  a  more 
excellent  name  than  they."  The  anxiety  and  bustle  of  the  Saturday  in 
the  city  did  not  knock  it  out  of  me ;  but  it  was  Sunday  morning  before 
I  could  get  to  sit  down  to  think  on  that  most  precious  name.  His  name 
was,  indeed,  "  as  ointment  poured  forth  f  and  my  soul  did  feel  an 
inward  love  to  Him,  whom  I  have  for  so  many  years  tried  to  make 
known. 

Some  of  the  ancient  Jews  had  very  exalted  views  of  the  Son  of  Grod 
— their  expected  Messiah.  There  are  some  beautiful  names  they  have 
fetched  out  <^  the  deep  places,  and  in  parts  of  their  Talmud  you  may  see 
them.     As, — 

1.  "  The  Prince  of  the  Lord's  Presence."  This  is  one  beautiful 
name  they  use  for  the  Messiah,  and  in  this  name  three  things  are  said  to  be 
couched,  «. «.,  Lord,  Messenger,  and  Keeper  : — He  is  Lord  of  All ;  He  is 
the  Great  Messenger  between  God  and  His  people ;  and  He  is  the  Keeper 
of  all  Israel. 

How  beautiful  these  names  and  offices  appear  to  poor  souls,  who 
really  feel  their  need  of  such  a  true  friend,  and  have  faith  in  Him  !  I 
feel  God  is  too  holy,  and  pure,  and  good,  and  high ;  and  I  am  too  vile, 
sunken,  condemned,  and  weak,  ever  to  come  near  of  myself;  conse- 
quently, the  revelation  that  there  is  One  who  can  stand  in  the  presence 
of  God  for  prior  fiiUen  men,  is  a  great  comfort  indeed.  And  that  He  i» 
especially  The  Fringe  in  God's  Presence,  standing  there  specially  for 
us,  is  a  fact  full  of  comfort.  But  this  is  not  all — He  is  Messenger^  or 
Ambassador.  He  sends  us  messages  from  the  Throne,  and  He  carries 
our  messages  to  the  Throne.  Hence,  we  receive  promises  from  Him, 
and  our  poor  prayers  prevail  through  Him.  Again,  He  is  Keeper — 
"  He  that  keepeth  Israel,"  <kc.  Ah  !  how  is  it  we  are  so  well  pre- 
served 1  Christ  used  that  word  in  His  prayer :  "  I  pray  not  that  thou 
shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them 
from  the  evil."  In  this  keeping  He  employs,  or  works  with,  the  glorious- 
Third  Person — the  Holy  Spirit— of  whom  He  said,  "  He  shall  take  of 
mine  and  show  it  unto  you."  Also,  He  employs  angels.  How  busy 
they  are  in  doing  His  will,  in  ministering  to  His  people,  we  little  know. 
But  as  they  had  a  charge  to  hold  Him  up  in  His  Incarnation  days,  so 
have  they  a  charge  from  Him  to  hold  us  up  in  our  days  of  darkness,  and 
in  all  times  of  temptation  and  sorrow.  So  in  all  these  senses  He  is  Tka 
Prince  of  the  Lord's  Presence. 

Another  name  the  ancient  Jews  have  given  the  Messiah  is,  "  The 
Chancellor  of  Heaven."  Chancel  is  the  place  approaching,  or  taearest 
to,  the  altar ;  so  Christ  stands  close  to,  and  opens  up  the  way  to  the 
altar— or  rather  to  the  Throne — for  the  altar  may  be  said  to  stand 
between  the  Holy  God  and  the  people ;  and  close  to  that  altar  stands. 


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July  1, 186& 


AND  CHBISTIAN  EECOBD. 


206 


Chbibt.  His  Atoning  Sacrifice  on  the  altar,  bears  away  the  people's 
sin ;  and  the  altar  of  His  Intercession  obtains  for  them  the  blessings 
of  the  New  Covenant. 

The  Lord  High  Chancellor  is  made  by  the  king  giving  to  him  the 
Great  Sealj  and  by  his  taking  oath.  In  a  higher  sense  hath  God  the 
Father  given  to  Jesus  a  great  seal ;  and  He  hath  sworn  to  be  fidthfiil. 
The  Jews  call  Him  the  Chancellor  of  Heaven,  because  He  can  forgive 
sins,  and  provide  for  all  the  Father  gave  unto  Him. 

There  is  a  third  name  the  Jews  have  given  the  Messiah,  that  is, 
"  Thelnereated  Prince  ofOlory"  He  is  the  Prince  of  Glory;  the  ful- 
ness of  the  Deity  flows  throu^  him  to  the  enriching  of  all  the  inhabi- 
tants and  territories  of  that  high  kingdom.  But  that  word,  "  The  In- 
created  Prince  of  Glory,*"  is  so  wonder&l  to  me.  Created  as  the  Son  of 
God  IN  the  bosom  of  God — and  coming  forth  from  the  bosom  of  God  to  be 
the  Creator,  and  Maker,  and  Bedeemer,  and  Saviour  of  all  worlds; 
although,  in  senses  and  wajs,  I  stop  not  to  define.  Chkist  is  this 
IMCREATED  Pbince  OF  Globy  in  the  higher  heavens,  in  the  New  Cove- 
nant, in  the  hearts  of  all  His  regenerated  children ;  and  it  is  His 
mbeing  in  ministrations  and  ordinances  which  fills  t^em  with  light, 
and  power,  and  mercy,  so  surely  realised  in  the  souls  of  the  saints  where 
Jesus  is  known  and  found. 

Paul's  words  in  Hebrews  i.  4,  furnish  a  three-fold  subject  for  thought. 

I.  There '  is  the  ministration  of  angels,  or  their  name  and  office 
implied. 

II.  There  is  the  more  excellent  name  of  Jesus — "  Obtained  a  more 
excellent  name  than  they." 

III.  The  order  or  method  of  this  superiority — "  He  hath,  by  Inhe- 
BITANCE,  obtained  a  more  excellent  name  than  they." 

Deep  down  in  my  soul  this  morning  was  a  little  taste  of  the  great 
motive  which  moved  Paul  in  his  ministrations.  That  motive  had  two 
ends  to  it :  One  end — ^the  first  end — ^was  pure  and  holy  love  to  Christ ; 
the  other  end  was  a  deep  love  to  the  souls  of  his  brethren,  aiming  to  win 
them  over,  and  to  lead  them  into  a  knowledge  of  Jesus  as  their  Saviour, 
Brother.  Bedeemer,  and  Friend.  Oh  I  how  secretly  precious  are  those 
times  when,  by  £Bbithand  holy  fellowship,  we  eat  and  drink  the  body  and 
blood  of  the  Exalted  Lamb !  C.  W.  B. 


FAITH. 


Faitb  is  a  gift  bestow'd  by  God 
On  thoBe  who  in  a  8aviour*8  blood, 
Have  once  been  wash'd  from  sin's  dark  stain, 
And  of  His  Spirit  bom  again. 

Faith  looks  to  Christ,  and  sees  in  Him 
Atonement  f nil  for  every  sin ; 
Sees  how  the  Father  can  forgive, 
And  by  His  death  bid  sinners  live. 

F%ith  takes  Jehovah  at  His  word, 
Cries,  **  Thon  alone  canst  save  me,  Lord, 
u  Hy  trust  alone  in  Christ  I  place, 
**  And  plead  flis  vondrons,  matchless  grace.** 


Faith  sees  on  Jesn^s  face  no  frown, 
Bnt  on  His  head  a  glorious  crown ; 
For  by  His  death  and  suffering  He 
Became  a  King  right  royally. 

Faith  sees  around  the  Saviour  stand 
A  holy,  pure,  and  ransomed  band, , 
(Htherd  from  every  nation,  all 
Whom  God  doth  in  His  meroy  calL 

Faith  hears  the  aogelB  raise  their  songs 
To  Him  to  whom  all  praise  belongs ; 
And  hopes  ere  long  to  stand  above. 
And  be  wich  Him  whose  name  is  Love. 
T.  G.  C.  A. 


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2»  THE  EARTHEir  VESSBL,  Jidy  i,  lafis. 

OE.     A    POETION     FOE     EVKEY     SABBATH. 
BY   aiDvoir. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  2in).— CONSOLATION  AND  CAUTION. 

u  Thou  telleat  my  waaderings."— Paalm  Ivi  8. 

Here  we  have  no  continuiiig  city.  We  are  strangers  and  pilgrims 
as  were  our  fathers,  wanderers  in  the  wilderness,  and  often  does  the 
Christian  come  to  a  place  where  "  two  ways  meet"  and  he  kno¥rs  not 
which  to  take.  He  stands  perplexed  and  says,  '*  My  way  is  hid  from 
the  Lord,  and  my  judgment  is  passed  over  from  my  God."  Again,  a  thorn 
hedge,  and  a  stone  widl,  is  before  him,  Hosea  ii.  6.,  and  he  is  brought  to 
a  stand-still ;  instead  of  being  puzzled  by  several  ways,  he  cannot  see  any, 
and  in  this  state,  too,  night  comes  on,  and  so  we  h&re  to  wandei*  in  the 
trackless  desert  in  darkness  and  have  no  light.  At  such  times  how 
terrible  is  the  roar  of  the  lion  1  Yes,  it  makes  the  soul  tremble  for  very 
fear,  and  cry  out,  '^I  shall  one  day  perish,  there  seems  but  a  step  betwixt 
me  and  eternal  death."  Poor  soul  1  is  this  thy  experience  f  Then  we 
have  glad  news  for  thee.  The  Lord,  the  sinner's  Friend,  counts  thy  every 
step,  he  teUeth  thy  wanderings. 

1.  Let  this  be  thy  consolation.  There  is  no  place  to  which  thou 
canst  stray  which  is  not  before  his  eye,  aud  no  snare  laid  for  thy  feet  but 
he  will  remove,  or  break,  or  help  thee  out  of.  If  he  suffer  thee  to  fisJl 
into  the  pit,  it  is  to  make  thee  take  more  heed  to  thy  steps ;  and  if  he 
allows  thee  to  get  &tr  fi*om  home,  it  is  that  thy  Father's  house  and  table 
may  be  the  more  welcome  to  thee.  Ho  knows  that  the  loss  of  our 
privileges  for  a  time  is  the  only  way  to  make  us  value  them. 

2.  Let  the  truth  of  this  scripture  be  a  caution.  He  telleth  my 
wanderings.  Then  let  me  keep  from  forbidden  paths,  avoid  the  enemies' 
ranks,  rather  have  no  companions  than  those  who  are  likely  to  lead  me 
astray.  Look  at  the  following  scriptures,  and  there  thou  shalt  find  God's 
very  important  **  bewares,"  Gen.  xxiv.  5  and  6,  Deut.  vi.  12,  Matt.  viL 
15,  Col.  ii,  8,  2  Peter  iii.  17.  These  are  all  important  "bewares,"  or 
cautions.      Lord  help  thee  to  observe  them. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  9th.— THE  CHRISTIAN'S  TEARS. 

"Put  thou  my  tears  into  thy  bottle."— Psahn  Ivi  & 
The  Christian  is  the  most  truly  happy  man  on  earth,  yet  he  weeps,  not 
merely  as  a  man  but  as  a  Christian ;  his  tears  are  not  common  as  thoae 
shed  by  the  worldling  in  that  sorrow  which  only  worketh  death.  The 
man  of  God  "  sorrows  after  a  godly  sort,"  and  with  it  there  is  mingled  a 
joy  which  none  but  thoae  who  have  felt  it  knows.  The  precioiiB 
Saviour  himself  wept,  was  "  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief.** 
For  every  drop  of  sorrow  there  was  in  his  cup  so  much  joy  is  put  into 
ours,  "with  his  stripes  we  are  healed."  He  can  sympathize  witi 
weepers,  and  the  text  for  to-day  shows  how  precious  their  tears  are  in 
his  sight.     He  puts  them  into  his  bottle.     Poor  soul,  didst  thou  ever 


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J^l^y  1, 1865.  AND  CHBiaTIAN  BEGOBD.  aOT 

weep  ov^  thy  sin  as  a  penitent  seeking  mercy  1  Thy  face  was  then  most 
beautiful  in  the  Lord's  eyes,  and  the  big  tears  that  rolled  down  thy  cheeks 
he  put  into  his  bottle,  as  so  many  proofs  of  the  work  of  his  grace. 
Hast  thou  mourned  over  the  many  wanderings  of  thy  heart  from  God 
since  thou  first  knew  him  ?  Sins  after  conversion  are  more  distressing 
than  those  before.  When  in  a  state  of  nature  we  did  it  "  ignorantly  in 
unbelief,"  but  after  grace  it  was  with  our  eyes  open.  Therefore  the 
thought  of  so  much  sin  against  so  much  love  breaks  the  heart,  and  the 
man  of  God  weeps.  Tes,  and  they  who  know  the  plague  of  their  own 
heart  will  often  weep  because  they  cannot  as  it  were  !  O  this  cold,  dull, 
dead,  hard,  and  withered  heart  of  mine.  And  yet  my  indifference,  if  I 
only  lament  my  deadness,  but  I  cannot  I  Satan  too  will  accuse  the 
brethren  and  boast  how  he  has  made  them  sin.  But  the  Lord  will  pro- 
duce their  tears  in  his  bottle  to  show  that  they  hated  sin  and  wept  over 
it. 

Be  assured  of  thin,  if  there  be  no  grieying  and  groaning  over  the 
plague  of  the  heart,  and  a  panting  for  communion  with  the  Lord,  there  is 
no  graoe  in  the  soul.  But  be  as  much  assured,  O  thou  sorrower,  that  the 
Saviour  saith  to  thee,  yes,  to  thee,  "  I  have  heard  thy  prayer,  I  have  seen 
thy  tears,"  and  bye  and  bye  he  will  say,  '^  Weep  not^''  and  thou  shalt 
aarrow  no  more.  See  Jer.  xxzi.  12. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  16th.— THE  BOOK  OF  REMEMBRANCE. 

"  Are  they  not  all  in  Thy  book  ?"— Psalm  Ivi.  8. 
The  Lord  needs  no  book.  He  can  never  forget  anything,  because 
with  Him  it  is  one  eternal  Now !  The  past,  present,  and  future  stand  up 
before  BUm  at  one  view.  Why  then  are  books  spoken  of  in  the  word  ? 
For  our  sakes,  not  His.  He  will  comfort  his  friends  and  confound  his 
foes,  therefore  everything  shall  be  written  and  put  in  as  evidence  at  the 
^freat  assize.     The  tears  and  wandeiings  of  the  Lord's  people  are, 

1.  In  the  book  of  appointment.  There  is  not  only  an  "  appointed  time 
for  man  upon  earth,"  but  it  is  also  fixed  what  he  should  be,  where  he  shall 
go,  and  all  his  joys  and  sorrows  are  measured,  for  '4n  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
there  is  a  cup,  it  is  fiill  of  mixture;  and  He  poureth  out  of  the  same.''  Psa. 
Ixxv.  8.  "My  times,"  said  David,"  are  in  thy  hand,"  Psalm  xxxi.  15, 
and  the  "  wearisome  nights"  of  Job  were  appointed,  Job  vii.  3.  Yes,  in 
this  respect  the  Lord  hath  fixed  our  bounds  so  that  we  cannot  pass. 
Therefore  every  event,  pleasing  or  painful,  is  bringing  to  pass  the  divine 
settlements,  they  are  written  in  his  book.  "  Thine  eyes  did  see  my 
substance,  being  yet  imperfect,  and  in  thy  book  all  my  members  were 
written^"  Psalm  cxxxix.  1 6.  David  doubtless  here  spake  the  words  of 
Christ  concerning  the  church,  his  body,  whose  names  were  in  the  book  of 
life,  but  it  is  true  also  of  every  one  of  us  as  to  our  days  on  earth. 

2.  "The  book  of  remembrance."  "They  that  feared  the  Lord 
spake  offcen  one  to  another."  They  told  of  his  dealings  with  them,  and 
how  they  were  plagued  with  sins  and  doubts  and  fears,  how  at  times  they 
had  sung  and  at  other  seasons  wept.  No  doubt  the  ungodly  in  those  evil 
times  mocked  them,  and  added  much  to  their  sorrow.  But  *^  a  book  of 
remembrance  was  written  before  Him,"  and  a  mark  set  upon  the  men 
who  sighed  and  cried  over  the  abominations  of  Jerusalem,  and  they 
shall  be  the  Lord's  in  the  day  that  he  gathers  his  special  treasures,  and 
He  wiD  say,  "  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  I  was  hungry  and  ye  fed 

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20a  THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL,  July  i,  I86& 

me,  naked  and  ye  clothed  me,"  <kc.,  <kc.,  see  Matt.  xxy.  34 — 40.  The 
slighteet  act  of  love  you  see  ia  remembered.  Our  names  are  in  the  Book 
of  Life.  All  our  way  is  marked  for  us  in  the  book  of  appointment^  as 
we  go  on  the  book  of  remembrance  is  filled  up,  and  when  all  ia  accom- 
plished the  Father  will  say,  *'  Child,  come  home." 

SUNDAY,  JULY  23rd.— UNITY. 

**  We  are  members  of  his  body,  of  his  fleeh,  and  of  hie  bones.** — ^Eph#  ▼.  80. 
The  Creator  says  that  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,  and  made  for 
him  a  companion.  But  she  must  be  part  of  himself,  taken  from  under 
his  arm,  near  his  heart,  bone  of  his  bone,  and  flesh  of  his  flesh.  Gen.  ii.  22. 
What  a  beautiful  figure  of  the  oneness  of  the  church  with  her  glorious 
Husband  and  Head,  and  not  only  the  church  as  a  whole,  but  every  member 
as  part  of  that  whole.  Observe, 

1.  Thy  safety  depends  on  this  union.  He  lived  and  laboured  and 
suflered  and  died  for  his  bride.  He  loved  her,  and  gave  himself  for  her, 
(verse  25,)  and  she  was  interested  in  all  he  did.  She  shall  surely  then  be 
safe  if  he  can  save  her,  and  who  dare  say  that  he  cannot  f  And  if  the 
church  be  saved  every  believer  must,  as  forming  part  of  that  church. 
The  body  is  not  perfect  if  but  a  little  finger  be  wanting.  The  temple 
is  not  complete  without  every  little  stone  as  well  as  the  k^ge  ones.  The 
&mily  are  not  all  at  home  if  the  baby  be  not  there !  Poor  soul,  the 
mystic    body   of    Christ  would  be    marred  without  thee,  fear  noil 

2.  His  sympathy  flows  to  us  by  virtue  of  this  union — members  of 
his  body.  Then  the  head  feels  if  anything  hui-t  the  most  distant  member 
— *'  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  f  inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
imto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me." 
Do  not  suppose  that  He  feels  not  for  thee  because  He  does  not  deliver 
thee  from  all  sorrow.  He  loves  the  members  of  His  body,  and  ds  they 
are  all  diseased,  He  will  subject  them  to  any  and  every  painful  process 
to  rid  them  of  the  disease,  and  then  they  shall  sufier  no  more,  but  form 
one  glorious  man,  as  it  wei^,  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing.  See  verse  27.  And  while  he  saves  the  body.  He  will  take  vow 
geanoe  on  all  that  hurt  it.     Amen. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  30th.— HOPE. 

"  We  are  saved  by  hope."— Bom.  viii.  24. 

I  KNEW  a  poor  old  Christian  who  went  by  the  name  of  '^  Biddy  Hall,'' 
and  who  was  a  true  daughter  of  "  Mr.  Fearing."  I  visited  her  about 
once  a  week,  and  her  story  was  always  the  same — "  I  am  a  poor  thing ; 
such  a  sinner  ;  so  unworthy ;  how  can  the  precious  and  holy  Saviour 
have  anything  to  do  with  me  T  And  so  she  went  on  in  spite  of  all  I 
could  say.  One  day  I  thought  I  would  try  her,  and  therefore  drew  her 
out  to  say  all  manner  of  hard  things  of  herself,  and  then  said,  ^^  Well, 
Mrs.  Hall,  you  say  you  are  no  Christian ;  therefore,  shut  your  Bible, 
and  open  it  no  more ;  forsake  the  house  of  God,  and  tell  the  Lord 
Jesus  that  you  will  have  no  more  to  do  with  Him."  The  poor  old  creature 
looked  at  me  for  a  moment  in  utter  amazement,  and  then  with  a  flood 
of  tears,  said,  "  O  !  sir,  I  could  not  give  up  hoping  !  No,  I  would  not 
part  with  my  little  hope  for  all  the  world  !"     Of  course  she  would  not. 


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July  X,  1866.  AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD.  209 

for  she  could  not.  She  was  saved  bj  hope ;  not  meritoriously ;  the  merit 
in  the  ^lood  of  Christ,  which  blood  puts  away  the  guilt  of  the  soul ;  neither 
does  hope  save  by  way  of  justification.  Our  persons  are  justified  by  the 
placing  of  Christ's  righteousness  to  our  account.  He  is  made  unto  us 
righteousness ;  and  hope  does  not  save  us  perceptively.  She  never  has 
anything.  A^  soon  as  the  blessing  is  received — ^perceived  to  be  mine- 
then  hope  has  done  with  it,  and  peers  into  the  future,  and  looks  for 
something  else.  How,  then,  does  hope  save  %  Why,  by  shutting  the 
gates  of  despair,  and  holding  on  to  the  promise  in  spite  of  every  oppo- 
sition. As  the  anchor  of  the  soul,  hope  prevents  the  vessel  becoming  a 
^tal  wreck  on  the  rocks  of  unbelief. 

JEleader,  may  Gk)d  the  Holy  Ohost  fill  thee  with  hope.    Amen. 


THE    SIXTH    OF     HEBREWS.* 

Tflsas  is  no  possession  in  the  world  so  rich,  there  is  no  position  so 
•exalting  and  side,  as  that  of  real,  genuine,  heaven-bom.  Spirit-wrought, 
:and  grace-producing  belioion  !  It  is  set  forth  in  Scripture  by  various 
expressions  : — ^it  is  called  '<  believing  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness  f 
it  is  called  ^^etemal  life ;"  Paul  writes  it  out  in  these  words — "  By  grace 
JLBE  YE  SAVED — thfirovjgh  foMh ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves  :  it  is  the  gift 
of  God:  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast  For  we  are  his 
workmanship;  created  in  Chbist  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God 
hath  before  ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them."  But,  perhaps,  the 
most  comprehensive  and  expressive  account  of  true  and  vital  godliness 
in  all  the  Bible,  is  the  quotation  given  by  the  writer  of  the  Epistle  to 
the  Hebrews,  where  in  chapter  x.  (speaking  of  the  priestly  office  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Chbist),  he  says :  "  For  by  one  offering  he  hath  perfected 
for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified,  whereof  the  Holy  Ghost  also  is  a 
witness  unto  \\a ;  for  after  that  he  had  said  before.  This  is  the  covenant 
that  I  will  make  with  them  after  those  days,  saith  the  Lobd,  I  will  put 
my  laws  into  their  hearts,  and  in  their  minds  will  I  write  them,  and 
their  sins  and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more."  This  quo- 
tation is  from  Jeremiah  xxxi.  33,  &c.  The  whole  of  that  chapter  looks 
prophetically  to  Gospel  times — ^to  the  latter  days ;  and  it  discovers  the 
source  of  all  true  religion,  which  is  God*s  everlasting  love :  *^  1  have 
loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love ,"  this  is  the  great  river,  the  streams 
whereof  make  glad  the  city  of  God : — ^this  is  called  •*  a  pure  river  of 
'Water  of  life,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb." 

The  source  of  all  godliness,  of  all  grace,  of  all  religion,  of  all 
salvation,  is  God's  eteblastino  love.  The  Holy  Ghost  (we  are 
iconstrained  to  write  this  reverently)  puts  a  higher  price  upon  "LOVE" 
than  upon  any  other  principle,  or  power,  in  heaven,  in  the  church,  or 
won  the  earth ;  and  to  confirm  this,  the  Lord  showed  Ezekiel  this  glorious 
river.  The  strongest  expression  of  all,  connected  with  that  revelation, 
seems  to  be  this :  "  Etebtthino  shall  lhte  whitheb  the  biveb  cometh  :" 
4yat  where  the  river  cometh  not,  ultimate  destruction  is  irretrievable. 

"  A  sennon  by  Mr.  Jarnds  Wells;  being  No.  886  of  <^ Surrey  T&beiDAcIe  Fnlpit  ;**  pub- 
.Jished  by  O.  J.  BtevenBon. 


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210  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  July  l,  ises. 

There  may  be  all  the  adommentB  of  natare ;  all  the  acoompliafamentB 

which  art,  ficienoe,  education,  mental,  moral,  and  evangelictd  liktdning 

can  give ;  yea,  all  knowledge,  and  fiedth,  and  benevolence ;  "bo,"  as  Paul 

says,  "  that  I  coidd  remove  mountains  f  and  the&ith  whidi  many  men 

have,   and  the  benevolence  of  their  hearts  and  hands,    doth  remove 

mountains  ;  still,  if  as  the  gigantic  apostle  adds,  "  and  have  not  charity, 

I  am  nothing/'    This  river  of  love,  then,  is  the  grand  essential : — **  If 

any  man  love  not  the   Lord  Jeens   Christ,   let    him    be  Anathema 

Maranatlia,"  is  almost  Paul's  dosing  sentence  to  the  Cbiinthians  ;  and 

its  fearful  verification  will  be  in  that  dread  hour  when  all  who  have 

died,  or  may  die  as  enemies  to  God's  dear  Son,  will  be  cast  into  the 

lake  of  fire.     This  river  of  love  brought  down  in  its  bosom  the  covenant 

Head  to  redeem  the  covenant  members ;  and  this  river  of  love  will  carry 

home  to  glory  all  who  were  then  and  there  by  Jbbus  Christ  redeemed  ; 

but  the  trial  with  God's  people  is  this,  "  Am  I  in  that  covenant  %  am  I 

redeemed  by  that  great  Redeemer f     Many  are  tried  here;  and  the 

Sixth  of  the  Hebrews  is  a  chapter  over  which  many  have  stumbled  ;  and 

have  been  sorely  afflicted.     We  were  inwardly  rejoiced  to  find  Mr.  James 

Wells  had  preebched,  printed,  and  published,  a  sermon  expressly  on  one 

side  of  the  diapter ;  a  sermon  we  cordially  commend  to  the  attention  of 

the  many  thousands  who  read  The  Eabthen  Vessel.    All  the  people 

in  Christendom  know  right  well  that  brother  James  Wells  has  same 

peculiar  views  of  his  own  upon  some  points  wherein  we  differ ;  hut — and 

in  giving  our  heart  full  vent  here,  we  say,  Stand  off,  Satan ;  stand  bade, 

presumptuous  sinner;    stand  away,  sneering,    hypocriticaJ,   profiaasing 

saint ;  stand  aside,  ye  holy  elder  brethren ;  let  us  tiy  to  benefit  the 

afflicted  and  scattered  tribes  of  God's  elect  all  over  the  world,  by  a 

conscientious  declaration  that  we  do  not  believe,  upon  the  whole,  there 

is  any  one  weekly  issue  for  one  penny  in  all  the  known  world,  whidi 

contains  so  much  vital  godliness,  and  Biblical  exposition,  as  doth  *'  The 

Surrey  Tabernacle  Pulpit"     One  hundred  thousand  every  week  ought  to 

be  circulated ;  that  its  circulation  is  comparatively  small  is  only  a  dreadfol 

proof  of  the  cold  lethaigy,  and  vain  philosophy,  so  awfully  fioezing  up 

the  souls  and  deceiving  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

<<  The  Sixth-  of  Hebrews,"  as  expounded  by  Mr.  Wells,  in  the 
sermon  referred  to,  is  stripped  of  some  of  its  terrors  to  God's  tried  people. 
We  should  much  like  to  review  every  section  of  this  sermon ;  but  we  wiH 
wait  till  it  is  clean  out  of  print,  and,  as  is  now  commonly  the  case,  there 
is  not  one  copy  to  be  had ;  then  will  be  oui*  time.  Meanwhile,  besidB 
Mr.  Wells  has  said — and  said,  too,  so  well,  there  are  three  things  in 
this  Sixth  of  Hebrews  which  belong  only  to  true  believers  in  Jemis,  and 
each  of  these  three  are  evidences  of  their  pure  love  to  Jesus.  Look 
well  at  them. 

First.  As  the  heirs  of  promise.  God  willingly  shows  unto  them 
the  immutability  of  his  counsel. 

Secondly.  They  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set 
before  them. 

Thirdly.  They  axe  loving  labourers  in  ministering  unto  the  saints — 
their  work  and  labour  of  love  distinguisheth  them  from  all  the  oovetons 
and  crafty  Balaams  and  Judases  in  the  world.  Think  of  these,  until  we 
come  again  with  the  Sixth  of  Hebrews. 


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ivtjhim.  .  AND  OSBIBIIAir  BEOORD,  2U 


We  have  before  notioed  Mr.  James  Granl/B  volume,  called  "  Truths  for  the 
Day  of  life  and  the  Hour  of  Death/'  in  which  are  several  chapters  on 
''  the  aasuiance  of  fiaith,  and  how  to  obtain  it."  We  have  thought,  on 
reading  this  volume,  Mr.  Grant  has  entered  more  into  the  soul-expe- 
riences of  Ckxi's  dearly  beloved  people  than  in  any  other  book  he  has 
written ;  and  we  are  thankful  for  it.  If  we  have  any  experience  of  the 
grace  of  God  within ;  if  we  have  any  saving  knowledge  of  the  exceeding 
preciousness  of  the  Savioub,  and  of  His  salvation,  it  has  come  to  us 
through  the  revelation  of  the  person  and  work  of  Jesus,  by  the  power  of 
the  HoxY  Ghost  ;  and  it  has  been,  for  more  than  thirty  years,  veiy 
sharply  triad ;  but  even  to  this  moment 

The  Yeiy  mention  of  Bob  name, 
Our  fainting  heart  revives. 

If  we  have  been  of  any  use  to  the  churches  of  JESua  Christ  in  this  land 
for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  it  has  been  by  earnestly  contending  for, 
and  wituesfdng  to,  that  travail,  trial,  and  triumph  of  soul,  which  is  the 
certain  result  of  tJie  Divine  life  of  God  in  the  soul ;  if  we  have  had,  or 
still  have,  any  sincere  Mends  in  Zion,  they  are  among  the  most  severely 
tried  and  exerdaed  people  in  all  the  world.  We  Imow  they  long  and 
pray  for  the  assurance  of  £Euth,  and  for  their  especial  comfort  we  shall 
further  notice  Mr.  Grant's  excellent  work,  and  continue  our  introduc- 
tory remarks  by  giving  the  following  from  his  prefatory  chapter,  on  a 
subject  which  is  to  many  more  weighty  than  millions  of  gold  and  silver. 
Mr.  Grant  says  : — 

"  It  i&  important  that  it  should  be  distinctly  understood  that  in  all 
my  remarks  on  this  subject  I  shall  speak  of  and  deal  with  those  only 
who  are  the  real  people  of  God.  My  observations  will  not  apply  in  any 
one  instance  to  the  manifestly  unconverted  sinner,  or  to  the  mere  profes- 
sor of  religion.  The  thing  to  be  first  of  all  desired,  for  the  avowed  sin- 
ner or  the  mere  formalist,  is  his  conversion.  My  remarks  will  apply 
exdufiively  to  those  who  are  the  true  saints  of  God,  though  they  them- 
selves are  not  habitually — ^and  some  of  them,  perhaps,  have  hardly  ever 
been — fiilly  conscious  of  the  fact.  That  there  are  many  such  in  the 
Church  of  Christ  at  the  present  time,  as  there  always  have  been,  no 
one  who  attentively  considers  what  is  often  brought  before  his  notice  can 
doubt.  And  oft-times  it  happens  that  even  the  most  eminent  believers 
are  the  most  fiercely  assailed  by  doubts  and  fears  regarding  their  adop- 
tion into  the  &mily  of  God,  and  their  ultimately  reaching  the  rest  which 
remaineth  for  the  people  of  God  in  glory.  There  are  many  exemplifi- 
cations of  this  in  both  the  Old  and  New  Testaments.  There  can  be  no 
question  that  Job,  at  particular  periods'  of  his  life,  lost  all  sense  of  his 
acceptance  with  God.  ''  Oh,  that  it  were  with  me  as  in  months  past, 
when  the  candle  of  the  Lord  ^one  upon  me,''  was  an  exclamation  which 
could  only  have  been  uttered  by  him  at  a  tune  when  he  was  a  stranger 
to  the  assurance  of  faith.  In  many  parts  of  the  Psalms,  too,  we  cannot 
satisfactorily  explain  the  language  which  we  meet  with  there  on  any  other 
ground  than  that  the  Psalmist  had,  for  a  season,  however  brief  it  may 
have  been,  lost  his  sense  of  the  friendship  and  favour  of  God.     Modem 


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212  .  THE  BABTHEN  VESSEL,  July  1,  1M& 

biography  presents  us  with  a  great  nnmber  of  such  cases.  Some  of 
these  are  so  well  known  that  a  special  reference  to  them  is  not  neces- 
sary. And  where  shall  we  find  a  Christian  of  the  present  day  who 
cannot  point  to  one  or  more  instances  of  the  same  nature,  as  having 
come  within  the  range  of  his  individual  observation  ?  I  could  name  no 
inconsiderable  number  of  such  cases  which  have  been  specially  brou^t 
under  my  personal  notice.  To  some  recent,  as  well  as  scriptural  in- 
stances, illustrative  of  the  fact  that  persons  who  were  at  the  time  of  their 
darkness  and  their  doubts,  as  manifestly  converted  persons  as  if  an 
audible  voice  from  the  regions  above  had  proclaimed  the  fact,  and  who 
yet  were  in  a  state  of  deep  despondency  because  they  could  not  regard 
themselves  as  believers  —  I  shall  have  to  advert  hereafter.  In  tiie 
meantime,  therefore,  I  will  content  myself  by  assuming  the  fact,  that 
many  real  Christians  are  habitually  or  frequently  strangers  to  the  assu- 
ranee  of  faith,  to  be  one  which  no  one  into  whose  hands  this  work  wiU 
come,  will  dispute.  And  it  is,  as  I  have  already  said,  with  this  class 
alone  that  I  have  to  do  on  the  present  occasion.  As  they  are  real 
Christians,  true  believers  in  the  Loni  Jesus  Christ,  and  as  such  are  saved, 
and  will,  as  sure  as  God  exists,  be  received  at  last  into  eternal  glory,  my 
earnest  desire  is  that  they  may,  one  and  all,  be  made  to  discern  with 
metidian  clearness  their  personal  interest  in  the  finished  work  of  Christ, 
and  to  rejoice  all  the  remainder  of  their  journey  along  the  pathway  of 
life,  in  the  witnessings  of  the  Holy  Spiiit  with  their  spirits  that  they  are 
the  children  of  God." 


By  Mr.  James  Wells,  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  Bobouoh  Roaj). 
REVELATION   XIII.    10  TO    END. 

^^  He  that  leadetb  into  captivity,  shall  go  into  captivity ;  he  that  kiUeth  with  the  swoid 
must  be  killed  with  the  sword.    Here  is  the  patience  and  the  faith  of  the  asinta.** 

Of  course  the  meaning  of  this  verse  is  this,  that  in  different  ages  there 

have  been  people  who  have  had  it  in  their  power  to  bring  the  people  of 

€rod  into  captivity,  to  put  them  into  piison,  and  to  kill  them,  this  is  a 

self-evident  truth.     Then  this  same  verse  declares  the  destiny  of  snch 

persons ;  that  while  they  have  brought  the  people  of  Ood  into  prison  for 

a  time,  they  themselves,  the  enemy,  dying  in  that  state,  shall  be  Inroaght 

into  the  prison  of  hell  for  ever ;  and  that  while  these  persons  have  cat 

off  with  the  sword  the  mortal  lives  of  the  people  of  God,  the  sword  of 

justice  shall  cut  such  persons  off,  dying  in  that  state,  from  all  hope  and 

help  for  ever.     And  here  lay  the  faith  of  the  saints,   in  bearing  this 

rather  than  give  up  the  truth ;  here  was  the  patience  of  the  saints,  in 

holding  out  even  unto  the  end. 

*^  And  I  beheld  another  beast  coming  tip  out  of  the  earth ;  and  he  had  two  horns  like  a 
lamb,  and  he  spake  as  a  dragon." 

Most  divines,  I  believe,  hold  this  beast  to  be  Popeiy,  said  to  have 
two  horns  to  denote  its  eeclesiastical  and  its  civil  power ;  and  I  have 
no  objection  whatever  to  that  interpretation,  but  I  think  that  is  only  a 


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J«ly  1, 1866.  AND  0HJRI8TIAN  EECOBD.  213 

part  of  the  meaniBg.  We  find  &rdier  back  that  this  beast  had  ten  horns, 
and  those  ten  horns  are  now  narrowed  to  two ;  but  he  has  all  the  malice 
and  rage  of  the  first  beast.  Now,  Mends,  you  must  understand  that 
though  this  is  another  beast,  another  power,  yet  it  is  the  same  in  spirit ; 
it  is  another  in  form,  but  it  is  the  same  in  spirit ;  you  must  understand 
this ;  for  thej  are  all  the  same,  you  will  find  Satan  run  through  the 
whole.  Now  we  observed  further  back  that  this  beast  had  ten  horns; 
now  it  has  only  two  horns.  So  you  may  have  a  sort  of  ten  horned  power 
to  encounter  now ;  but  bye  and  bye  one  horn  of  the  enemy  is  plucked 
up  by  the  roots,  and  then  another,  and  then  another,  until  bye  and  bye 
there  are  only  two  left ;  and  at  last  there  are  none  at  all  lefb ;  and  you 
shall  stand  on  the  vantage  ground  of  entire  victory.  "  A  thousand  shall 
&11  at  thy  side,  and  ten  tho^isandat  thy  right  hand,  but  it  shall  not  come 
nigh  thee."  I  believe  that  to  be  the  way  in  which  these  words  apply  to 
the  people  of  God  in  all  ages.  We  feel  obliged  to  the  learned  for  their 
investigations  and  illustrations,  but  we  want  something  practical,  some- 
thing that  speaks  to  us  in  our  every  day  experience. 

And  then  mark,  this  second  beast  did  not  come  like  the  first.  The 
first  beast  rose  up  out  of  the  sea,  with  a  tremendous  noise,  but  this  one 
comes  up  very  quietly  out  of  the  earth.  And  so,  just  when  and  where 
you  think  it's  all  right,  there's  the  beast  secretly  at  work.  They  come  up 
quietly,  snakes  in  the  grass ;  as  quiet  and  as  pious  as  can  be ;  they  seem 
to  be  planted  in  the  earth,  and  as  quiet  as  possible,  until  they  can  get  you 
into  their  fangs,  and  then  they  will  throw  off*  the  mask,  and  let  you 
know  what  they  are,  but  your  security  must  be  the  Lord  himself.  He 
sees  them  in  the  root  before  they  come  up  out  of  the  earth  at  all ;  He 
sees  them  before  you  can ;  He  knows  what  they  intend  to  do,  and  He 
knows  how  He  intends  to  stop  them.  He  knows  how  He  intends  to 
deliver  you;  He  knows  how  He  intends  to  set  you,  that  love  a 
Saviour's  name,  in  the  heavens,  and  make  you  laugh  at  all  the  attempts 
of  your  mightiest  foes.  See  the  variety.  The  child  of  God  sometimes 
sufiers  from  open  enemies,  sometimes  from  creeping  ones,  that  come  up 
out  of  the  earth.  So  it  should  remind  you  of  one  thing,  friends  ;  that 
when  things  are  pretty  quiet  you  should  not  think  that  you  are  always 
safe  then ;  but  rather  feel,  as  the  poet  says, 

^'More  the  treaehexoiu  calm  we  dread, 
Than  tempeeU  bursting  o*er  onr  head.** 

So,  while  we  are  glad  when  we  are  quiet,  yet  we  do  not  wish  to  be  too 
quiet.  When  there  is  nothing  moving  it  is  a  bad  sign.  So  that  let  me 
say,  and  forgive  me  for  saying  it,  you  ought  to  be  suspicious  and  jealous 
of  yourselves  as  long  as  you  live ;  and  that  won't  be  long,  you  know. 
The  enemy  is  always  at  work ;  sometimes  in  one  form,  sometimes  in  an- 
other ;  our  mercy  is  that  the  Lord  perceiveth  his  craftiness. 

**He  exercieeth  aD  the  power  of  the  first  beast  before  him,  and  canseth  the  earth  and 
them  which  dwell  therein  to  worship  the  first  beast,  whose  deadly  wound  was  healed  ;** 

that  is,  the  ruling  power  that  was  wounded  has  now  acquired  power  in 

another  form.     Apply  this  personally,  and  the  enemy  will  torment  you 

in  one  form ;  the  Lord  sLall  step  in  and  wound  him,  then  he  shall  rise 

up  by  some  other  circumstance,  and  torment  you  in  another  way ;  that's 

what  I  understand  by  this  when  thus  applied  to  the  daily  experience  of 

the  people  of  God.     But  while  we  thus  speak,  we  must  not  take  away 

the  publicity  of  the  character  of  this  beast     There  is  no  question  but 


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2U  THE   EARTHEN  VE88EL,  July  i,  1889. 

that  the  beast  here  does  mean  a  pnblic,  organized  porvrer,  to  advocate 

error  in  opposition  to  God*s  truth.     Hence  it  goes  on, 

"And  he  doeth  great  wonders,  so  that  he  maketh  fire  oome  down  from  heaTen  on  the 
earth  in  the  sight  of  men." 

We  must  not  understand  this  fire  to  be  literal ;  we  must  under- 
stand this  fire  figuratively.  And  yon  that  have  the  slightest  acquaint- 
ance  with  the  history  of  your  own  country  know  that  there  was  a  time 
wheu  the  Pope  laid  England  under  an  interdiet,  churches  shut  up,  and 
a  fimeral  pell  seemed  to  be  spread  over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land ;  because  in  the  eyes  of  men  the  voice  of  the  Pope  was  the  voice  of 
Qod.  We  have  leamt  now  that  the  people  made  a  mistake ;  that  it 
was  the  voice  of  the  devil  all  the  time ;  and  if  the  people  had  known 
this,  they  would  not  have  cared.  Now  mark,  this  fire  came  down  from 
heaven  not  m  the  sight  of  God;  there  was  no  fire  in  his  sight ;  but  in  the 
sight  of  men.  Men  thought  it  was  of  Grod,  and  they  dealt  vriih.  it  as 
though  it  was  of  God,  believing  the  Pope  to  be  Christ's  vicar ;  they 
trembled  at  his  threatenings  as  the  threatenings  of  the  blessed  GkxL 
This  is  what  I  understand  by  this  verse — 

"  And  he  deceiveth  them ;" 
he  is  behind  the  scene  ;  he  knows  he  has  no  commission  from  Qod ;  but 
if  he  can  get  the  people  to  believe  it,  his  end  is  answered — 

"He  deceiyeth  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth  hy  the  means  of  those  miracles,  which  he 
had  power  to  do  in  the  sight  of  the  beast  ;*' 

the  beast ;  that  is,  the  main  body  of  the  people,  the  oi^ganised  power, — 

"  Saying  to  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  that  they  should  make  an  image  to  the  beast^ 
which  had  the  wound  by  a  sword,  and  did  live." 

We  shall  see  a  little  further  on  what  this  image  is.  The  image,  of 
course,  is  the  Pope,  or  the  Czar,  or  the  Sultan,  or  any  person  that  is 
made  the  representative  of  this  organized  power.  Well  now,  there  is  a 
great  deal  said  in  magazines  and  sermons  about  the  Boman  Catholics,  and 
the  editors  tell  us  they  want  to  stir  up  the  Churches,  and  to  guard 
against  the  inroads  of  this  beast.  Bat  not  one  of  these  magazines  or 
sermons  that  I  have  seen  tells  ns  what  we  are  to  do.  If  there  is  danger, 
what  am  I  to  do  ?  that  is  the  question.  It  is  no  use  constantly  harping 
upon  the  danger ;  tell  me  what  to  do,  and  I  will  be  at  it,  if  it  is  anything 
I  can  do ;  and  if  it  is  something  I  cannot  do,  then  I  won't  attempt  to 
undertake  it.  Now  what  is  the  remedy?  The  remedy  is  this: — If 
some  of  you  can  get  the  Boman  Catholics  to  listen  to  llie  Qospel, 
and  be  the  means  of  enlightening  the  Boman  C&>tholics,  and  of  showing 
to  them  that  their  religion  is  one  huge  delusion ; — ^if  you  can  do  that, 
they  will  all  turn  Protestants,  become  Christians,  the  beast  and  the 
image  will  lose  their  power ;  and  that  is  the  only  remedy.  But  it  is  a 
remedy  Cod  alone  can  apply.  When  He  gave  their  commission  to  the 
disciples,  he  said,  ''  Tarry  ye  in  Jemsalem,  until  ye  be  endued  with 
power  from  on  high."  That  is  the  only  remedy  that  I  have  stated. 
Christ  consumes  this  beast  in  his  bad  qualities  by  the  Spirit  of  £Us 
mouth,  and  by  the  brightness  of  His  coming.  Will  the  day  ever  oome; 
will  that  time  arrive  within  a  few  generations?  I  hope  not;  but 
I  am  sometimes,  when  I  look  at  things,  I  must  confess,  a  little  exer- 
cised in  mind, — when  the  Boman  Catholics  of  France,  perhaps  of  Italy, 
perhaps  of  some  other  coimtry,  as  in  the  days  of  Lu^er,  will  ^adfy 
listen  to  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God,  those  countries  shall 


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JiOy  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBCORD.  215 

be  Protestantised  and  OhriBtianiEed,  while  the  Catholics  of  England  shall 

keep  oat  of  the  way  of  the  €k>spel,  Protestants  shall  decrease,  Catholics 

shall  increase,  and  the  time  come  when  this  shall  be  as  rank  a  Catholic 

country  as  Spain,  Portugal,  or  Austria^  or  Central  America,  at  this  day. 

I  hope  that  time  may  never  come.     But  things  do  look  serious ;  I  do 

not  mean  as  to  any  immediate  danger  as  to  our  civil  privileges.     But, 

as  I  have  said  before,  the  only  remedy  is  that  which  the  Lord  alone  can 

i^yply.     Unless  the  Lord  send  the  man,  vain  is  the  hdp  of  man. 

Now  then,  they  made  an  image  to  this  beast. 

u  And  he  had  power  to  give  life  onto  the  image  of  the  heest,  thst  the  image  of  the 
beast  ahould  both  apeak,  and  cauae  that  as  many  as  would  not  wonhip  the  image  of 
the  beast  Bhould  be  killed." 

The  image  here  means  a  representation ;  the  Popes  represent  their 

whole   system ;  the    same  as  the   Czar    represents    his    sfystem ;   the 

same  as    the   Sultan   represents  his    system.     Li  all  these  you  have 

the  image;  that  image  has  political  and  ecclesiastical  life  in  it;  that 

image   is  the  executor  of  the  laws  of  the  system,  and  would   carry 

them  all  into  effect  if  it  dared.     This  is  what  I  imderstand  by  the 

image ;  the  governor ;  the  person  who  represents ;  and  if  he  has  it  in  his 

power,  whidi  he  has  had  in  times  past,  to  do  what  is  here  said ;  but 

that  power  at  present  he  doth  not  possess,  and  we  pray  he  may  never 

possess  it  again. 


^*  And  he  caiueth  all,  both  small  and  graati  rich  and  poor,  free  and  bond,  to  receive  a. 
mark  in  their  ri^ht  hand,  or  in  their  foreheads ;  and  that  no  man  might  buy  or  seU, 
save  he  that  had  the  mark,  or  the  name  of  the  beast,  or  the  number  of  his  name." 


The  learned  turn  over  the  musty  leaves  of  history  to  find  out  when 
this  law  was  passed  that  men  should  not  buy  or  sell  except  they  con- 
sented to  Romanism,  and  professed  it ;  and  the  learned  find  out  some 
instances  when  such  a  law  has  been  carried.  But  we,  as  Christians, 
must  take  another  view  of  it ;  we  must  take  the  buying  and  the  selling 
here  in  the  spiritual  sense.  What  is  one  of  the  cardinal  sentiments  of  the 
Homan  Catholic  Church  1  Why,  that  there  is  no  salvation  out  of  it ; 
consequently,  it  forbids  you  to  trade  with  heaven  out  of  its  pale ;  it 
forbids  you  to  buy  the  truth  at  any  price  whatever  out  of  its  pale ;  it 
forbids  you  to  sell  all  th&t  you  have,  and  buy  the  pearl  of  great  price. 
It  forbids  you  all  trading ;  it  forbids  you  all  heavenly  occupation,  and 
pronounces  that  there  is  no  trade  to  be  carried  on  spiritually,  but  with 
its  permission,  and  under  its  authority.  Is  not  this  a  self-evident  truth? 
It  is  the  language  of  the  Pope  to  this  day.  Do  not  be  angry  with  me 
if  I  try  your  patience  a  little.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  understand  the 
Scriptures.  Why,  all  the  errors — yea,  I  will  go  farther — all  the  national 
calamities  that  have  ever  come  upon  nations,  from  the  first  day  to  the 
present,  have  all  been,  because  they  did  not  understand  the  Scriptures. 
If  the  Israelites  had  understood  the  salvation  from  Egypt,  would  they 
have  rebelled  as  they  did  in  the  desert  ?  And  when  they  reached  the 
promised  land,  and  were  settled  there,  if  they  had  understood  the 
Scriptures,  would  they  have  embraced  idolatry  as  they  did  ?  If  the 
Jews  had  understood  the  Scriptures,  would  they  have  crucified  Christ  ? 
If  the  Roman  Catholics  understood  the  Scriptures,  would  they  remain 
Roman  Catholics  another  moment  1  If  the  imgodly  world  imderstood 
the  Scriptures,  would  they  commit  the  fearful  crimes  that  we  constantly 
read  of?  Oh,  my  hearer,  all  other  things  are  as  chaff  in  comparison 
with  the  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures.     So,  then,  do  not  let  us  make 


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216  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL^  Jnly  1,  U6& 

light  of  a  little  labour  and  patience  to  understand  tlie  Scriptoresy  remem- 
bering they  all  testify  of  Christ,  of  His  salvationy  the  oonquest  of  His 
foes,  and  the  privileges  of  His  Mends. 

Well  now,  the  last  verse. 
"  Here  is  wiadom.** 

Now  if  the  wisdom  here  means  the  wisdom  of  the  man  of  sin,  then 
it  means  the  wisdom  of  the  beast.  And  what  a  cunningly-devised  &ble  is 
Catholicism ;  what  a  cunningly-devised  fable  is  eveiy  man-made  religion 
under  the  sun.  "  Wisdom' ' — ^wonderfully  wise ;  wiser  in  their  generation 
than  the  children  of  light.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  a  word  to  reproach 
the  children  of  Cod ;  I  would  not ;  but  I  will  make  this  remark.  We 
speak  of  our  fellow  citizens  and  neighbours  of  Ireland  as  ignorant 
people ;  but  if  you  were  thrown  among  some  of  the  most  ignorant,  you 
woidd  find  that  they  know  a  great  deal  more  about  their  religion  than 
some  Protestants  do  about  their  religion.  I  have  conversed  witJi  learned 
Catholics ;  I  have  conversed  with  unlearned  and  ignorant  Catholics ; 
and  even  some  of  the  most  ignorant,  there  is  hardly  an  argument  you 
can  use  that  they  have  not  a  sophistry  for.  A  man  can  learn  a  lie  as 
quick  again  as  he  can  learn  the  truth ;  a  man  can  become  versed  in 
delusion  as  soon  again  as  he  will  become  versed  in  the  truth,  because 
human  nature  is  all  on  the  side  of  that  which  is  delusive.  It  is 
astonishing,  I  say,  even  the  most  ignorant  among  them,  what  sophistries 
they  have  at  command ;  and  no  credit  to  us  that  our  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures  is  so  slight.  May  the  Lord  increase  us  in  the  knowledge  of 
His  dear  and  bless^  truth. 

Now  just  a  word  upon  this  verse  before  I  leave  it — 

"Let  him  that  hAth  imdemUnding"^ 

80  if  we  understand  this  matter,  we  are  to  do  as  is  here  stated — 

^*-  count  the  number  of  the  beast ;  for  it  is  the  number  of  a  man ;  and  his  number  is  six 
hundred  three  score  and  six." 

Now,  I  hardly  dare  trouble  you  with  the  learned  interpretation. 
The  late  Cardinal  Wiseman  used  to  laugh  at  us  when  our  learned  men 
told  the  Catholics  that  the  Hebrew  word  RomiUh  contained  exactly  the 
numericals  of  666,  showing  that  Bome  was  the  seat  of  the  beast.  The 
cardinal  laughed  at  that  interpretation.  And  so,  when  they  said  also, 
that  the  Greek  word  Lateins  embodied  in  it  the  exact  numerical 
letters  that  represent  the  number  666,  the  Cardinal  laughed  at  that ; 
because,  as  he  justly  said,  ''  I  could  find  other  words  that  would  bring 
jou  Protestants  in  guilty ;  because,  I  could  easily  quote  other  words 
that  contain  the  same  numerical  letters  that  should  apply  to  you."  Well, 
then,  say  some,  what  do  you  say  to  it  1  Say  ?  why,  say  what  the  Bible 
does!  "  It  is  the  number  of  a  man."  And  what  man?  Not  any  one 
particular  man ;  it  must  be  understood  of  some  man  officially.  The 
number  of  the  Pope,  that  is  to  say,  the  Pope  represents  a  certain  number 
of  persons  here  called  666.  I  see  no  difficulty  in  this  myself.  666 
what  %  It  may  be  thousands,  it  may  be  millions,  it  may  be  bilUons,  it 
may  be  trillions ;  as  high  as  you  like.  So  that  we  are  to  look  here  at 
this  number  as  the  persons  represented  by  the  man  that  stands  at  the 
head  of  them ; — *'  it  is  the  number  of  a  man."  Now,  it  here  says, 
*^  His  number  is  six  hundred  three  score  and  six.*' 

Why  our  translators  have  given  the  words  "  three  score  "   I  know 


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July  1,  1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD,  217 

not.  This  namber,  666,  stands  in  the  original  expressed,  not  by  words, 
but  by  three  Greek  letters,  by  three  numerical  letters,  so  that  in  the 
original  you  have  three  sixes ;  and  that  is  a  number  capable  of  any 
extent  whatever.  Therefore,  the  meaning  is,  that  the  head  of  the  man 
of  sin  is  the  representative  of  a  certain  number ;  and  we  are  to  despise 
his  headship,  and  reject  the  whole.  I  was  going  to  make  one  remark, 
which  may  appear  fanciful,  and  it  is  this.  Now,  here  is  the  number  of 
this  man  of  sin — three  sixes.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  never  nominated, 
that  I  am  aware  of,  by  a  mystic  number ;  but  if  He  were  His  would  be 
three  sevens  and  not  three  sixes ;  all  confining  us  to  the  working  days — 
the  six  working  days.  And  so  Catholicism  is  all  works ;  aU  &lse  reli- 
gions are  tJl  works.  Now,  if  the  Saviour  were  nominated  by  a  number. 
His  would  be  three  sevens.  For  there  was  a  seventh  day  Sabbath,  a  seventh 
year  Sabbath,  and  a  seven  times  seven  years  Sabbath ;  the  first  denoting 
the  completeness  of  creation,  and  the  rest ;  the  second  denoting  plenty, 
from  the  spontaneous  growth  of  the  fields ;  and  the  third  denoting  free- 
dom. So  that  the  man  of  sin  with  the  three  sixes,  and  the  Saviour  with 
the  three  sevens,  they  stand,  as  it  were,  in  contrast  to  one  another. 

Well  now,  there  is  one  more  observation  I  must  make,  and  that  is 
this ;  when  I  look  thus,  then,  at  the  number,  I  take  it  to  mean,  whether 
it  be  the  Pope,  or  the  Czar,  or  any  man  that  is  the  representative  of  a 
vast  body  of  people  that  stand  against  God's  truth.  That  is  what  I 
understand  by  the  number  of  the  man,  because  he  embodies  the  power 
of  all  these  people  in  himself.  And  I  cannot  close  now  without  saying 
that  I  do,  without  any  unkind  feeling  towards  the  Pope  personally,  or 
towards  any  Roman  Catholic  priest,  or  any  Roman  Catiiolic  personally ; 
but  when  I  look  at  the  almost  endless  list  of  deadly  antagonisms  between 
Popery  and  the  apostle  Peter,  for  they  take  the  apostle  Peter  as  their 
head,  and  we  have  a  right  to  consult  the  New  Testament,  and  find  out 
what  was  his  religion  and  character ;  when  I  look  at  the  almost  endless 
list  of  antagonisms  between  Popeiy  and  the  apostle  Peter,  (and  the  truth 
of  this  observation  may  be  seen  in  the  late  Encyclical  letter ;)  I  do  in  all 
solemnity,  and  I  believe  I  could  say  the  same  if  the  sword  was  at  my 
breast,  or  if  I  were  just  going  to  be  thrown  into  the  fiames  of  martjrr- 
dom,  I  do  with  all  my  soul,  in  the  sight  of  the  great  God,  believe,  and 
that,  as  I  have  said,  without  any  unkind  feeling  towards  Uie  man,  that 
so  £Eir  from  the  Pope  being  Christ's  vicar,  the  Pope  is  actually  and  really 
the  right  hand  man  of  the  devil.  I  solemnly  believe  that  his  religion  is 
of  the  devil ;  I  solemnly  believe  he  is  of  the  devil.  And  though  they 
have  the  world  on  their  side,  I  do,  as  in  the  sight  of  God,  as  I  have  said, 
without  any  partiality  or  prejudice,  most  solemnly  believe  that  the 
Pope  is  the  right  hand  man  of  the  devil.  May  the  Lord  open  the 
eyes,  if  it  were  his  will,  of  the  millions  that  follow  that  or  any  other 
deadly  delusion. 

There  seems  to  be  four  reasons  why  he  that  '^  hath  imderstanding," 
should  count  the  ntmiber  of  the  beast. 

1st.  Because,  as  it  is  the  number  of  a  representative  man ;  and  that 
this  representative  man  doth  more  or  less  set  aside  the  representative 
character  of  the  Saviour ;  for  it  is  the  work  of  the  Saviour,  and  of  the 
Saviour  only,  to  bring  the  sheep  to  God,  and  to  present  them  indepen- 
dent of  man,  and  call  all  the  household  of  heaven  to  rejoice,  saying. 


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218  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  July  1,  1M5l 

^*  Rejoice  ^th  me,  for  I  have  found  the  aheep  that  were  losL"  But  the 
man  of  sin  interferes  with  this  order  of  things,  and  thus  proves  that  he  is 
the  man  of  sin — sinfully  taking  upon  himself  the  prerogatives  of  ImmanueL 

2nd.  We  are  to  count  the  number  of  the  beast  because  he  repre- 
sents the  people  not  in  iheJidneM  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  in  Christ. 
For  these  sixes  are  not  the  number  of  fiilness.  The  Saviour  presents  the 
people  in  the  fulness  of  the  Crospel,  not  in  sizes,  or  in  sixes  and  seveos^ 
but  in  sevens  only ;  and  so  it  is  written,  that  *^  the  light  of  the  moon 
shall  be  as  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  the  light  of  the  sun  seven/oid^  as 
the  light  of  seoen  days,  when  the  Lord  maketh  up  the  breach  of  his 
people,  and  healeth  the  stroke  of  their  wound." 

3rd.  \^e  are  to  count  the  number  of  the  beast  because  it  is  the 
number  of  a  man;  that  is,  something  devised,  not  by  the  living  Giod  but 
by  mortal  man :  all  errors  are  the  devices  of  men ;  their  Gospds  are  not 
after  God  but  after  men«  devised  and  taught  by  men ;  and  they  are 
much  like  unto  men — flying,  uncertain,  self-contradictory,  confused, 
corrupt,  earthy,  delusive,  opposed  to  the  New  Covenant,  and  to  ihe 
sovereignty  of  God ;  usurping  the  place  of  God,  denouncing  His  truth, 
and  casting  His  people  out. 

4th.  We  are  to  count  the  number  of  the  beast  that  we  may  see 
the  greatness  of  the  victory  the  Lord  giveth  to  them  that  believe  through 
grace,  for  the  name  of  the  beast  is  indeed  legion.  Nevertheless,  the 
true  Israelite  shall  overcome  Pharoah  and  all  his  hosts ;  Canaan,  and  its 
hosts ;  the  world,  and  all  its  hosts ;  hence^  says  David,  *'  I  will  not 
be  a&aid  of  ten  thousands  of  people^  that  have  set  themselves  against 
me  round  about."  To  overcome  these  is  to  overcome  the  niunber  of  the 
enemy's  name.  Thus,  if  you  rightly  count  the  mystic  number  of  his 
name  you  will  see  that  this  man  of  sin  intrudes  upon  the  suretyship 
responsibility  of  the  Saviour;  presents  the  people  not  in  the  Saviour's 
peifection,  but  in  the  defsrultiness  of  a  come-short  religion.  That  such 
a  religion  is  the  device  of  man  and  not  of  God — ^it  is,  indeed,  the  number  of 
a  man.  Also,  that  the  people  of  €k>d,  in  counting  the  number  of  the 
beast,  will  see  the  necessity  of  the  Lord  being  on  their  side,  seeing  tiiey 
have  so  many  against  them. 


FRUITS  OF  THE  PRINTING  PRESS. 

Fbom  Scotland,  and  different  parts  of  England,  we  have  new  books  and 
pamphlets  of  various  themes.  Some  have  been  long  waiting  review, 
and  our  time  for  honest  reviewing  is  too  little.  Besides,  we  are  not  £^nd 
of  filling  our  fev  pages  with  criticisms,  which  interest  nobody  but  the 
authors  of  the  books  themselves.  Nevertheless,  among  the  many  sur- 
roimding  us  we  simply  refer  to  the  following : — 

'^  Supplement  to  the  Beresford  Hymn  Book,"  collected  by  William 
Lincoln,  minister,  and  published  by  J.  B.  Bateman,  is  a  cheap  and  sweet 
little  hymnaL  It  is  full  of  the  most  lovely  and  precious  pieces,  such, 
indeed,  as  only  saints  can  sing,  or  inwardly  enjoy. 

We  beg  Robert  Plues'  pardon  for  never  fully  reviewing  his  "  Part 
II.,  of  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon  in  the  Crucible ;''  but  the  fact  is,  between 
Robert  Flues  and  ourselves  there  is  a  great  golf  fixed.   We  know  nothing 


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July  1, 186&  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  219 

of  the  Qo8fpel  but  as  it  is  opened  in  us,  and  applied  ivith  power  to  our 
hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost  himself.  We  are  exactly  all  that  the  just  and 
holy  God  says  of  fsdlen,  helpless,  ruined  sinners ;  without  the  work  and 
invincible  energy  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  revealing  and  applying  the  person 
and  grace  of  Jesus  Christ  to  our  souls,  we  are  blind,  naked,  miserable, 
wretched,  foolish,  afar  o%  and  deep  down  in  the  valley  of  diy  bones, 
without  either  life,  strength,  or  desire  after  God  s  salvation.  But  Robert 
Plues,  and  the  people  he  represents,  would  make  us  believe  man  to  be 
very  different  from  all  this,  and  that  he  is  capable  of  doing  such  things 
as  we  are  persuaded,  without  the  special  giuc£  of  God,  he  never 
can  do. 

Heal  religion  comes  from  righteousness,  and  is  productive  of  righ- 
teousness. Whether  a  man  be  what  \a  termed  a  Galvinist,  or  an  Armi- 
nian,  in  creed,  in  his  conscience  he  will  bear  probing,  and  in  his  character 
he  will  bear  measuring y  by  the  Word  of  Crod ;  and  by  that  unerring  stan- 
dard of  TRUTH  he  is  sanctified  within  and  justified  without. 

But  Eobert  Plues  has  been  knocking  his  hard  iron-like  brains 
against  the  muddling  theories  of  such  men  as  Thomas  Scott  (a  blessed 
good  man,  by  the  bye),  Paine,  Edwards,  Fletcher,  Chalmers,  and  many 
of  that  kind,  and  getting  himself  into  confusion,  turns  round  to  thrust 
all  the  Calvinists  ;  and,  in  order  to  try  and  make  his  book  sell,  mounts 
himself  upon  the  back  of  the  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon,  and  off  he  goes. 
Poor  C.  n.  S.  has  been  a  fine  hack  for  thousands  in  this  country.  Seeing 
his  name  was  up,  knowing  the  people  would  fiock  by  thousands  to 
hear  him,  and  proving  his  power  to  make  them  give,  multitudes  who 
hate  the  doctrines  of  grace  have  invited  the  great  preacher  to  help 
them  in  their  difficulties;  and  being  a  thoroughly  good-natured  man 
he  has  run  such  a  race  at  this  kind  of  work  that  he  has  been  compeUed 
to  run  on  the  continent  to  replenish  his  health ;  and  thousands  are  pray- 
ing that  he  may  return  like  a  giant,  refreshed  with  new  wine ;  and  we 
hope  his  visit  to  the  Holy  Land  may,  in  the  hands  of  Grod,  be  the  means 
of  more  deeply  fixing  his  whole  soul  in  the  wondrous  acts  of  the 
sovereign  grace  of  God,  and  of  filling  his  soul  to  overflowing  with  pure 
love  to  Christ,  and  His  New  Covenant  Plan  of  Salvation.  As  regards 
Eobert  Plues  and  his  crucible  we  can  only  say,  our  God  has  a  furnace  in 
Zion  into  which  He  carefully  puts  all  His  children ;  and  woe  be  to  the 
man  who  never  knew  the  chastening  hand  of  God  \  for  "  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  He  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  He  reoeiveth.^' 

This  system  of  controversial  cutting  at  creeds  is  so  expressive  of 
"  death  in  the  jwt,"  that  we  are  only  grieved  whenever  we  notice  any 
of  its  fruits.  The  fact  is,  if  we  are  not  "  created  in  Christ  Jesus'' 
unto  good  works,  which  €k>d  hath  before  ordained  that  we  should 
walk  in  them,  it  is  of  little  consequence  what  creed  we  take  up,  and 
whose  custom  we  follow. 

Everybody  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  brother  Jabez  Whitteridge  has 
issued  two  pamphlets.  Yeiy  few  people  have  heaid  that  dogs  have 
growled,  and  shflurp-shaving  critics  have  covered  their  sly  sneers  up  very 
neatly ;  but  when  we  read,  as  we  have  read,  that  his  words  to  "  Comfort 
those  who  Mourn,''  have  been  made  a  blessing  to  some  sorrowing  ones 
in  Zion,  we  feel  bound  to  acknowledge  our  persuasion  that  even  such 
humble  efforts  to  feed  the  weaklings  in  faith,  ought  never  to  be  looked 
upon  with  contempt.     For  many  years  Mr.  Whitteridge  has  given  his 


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220  THB  EABTHEN  VESSBL,  Jiilj  1,  iaS6w 

time  and  the  talent  Grod  gave  him,  to  defend  Divine  Truth.  He  wiD  yet 
rise  and  see  happier  days  in  the  future.  His  works  can  be  had  at 
Stevenson's. 

"  The  Believer's  Great  Desire'*  is  ihe  title  of  a  penny  octavo,  by 
Daniel  Smither,  being  the  substance  of  two  sermons  preached  by  him  at 
Stratford,  and  published  by  J.  Paul,  Chapter  House  Court.  Daniel 
Smither  is  the  son  of  the  late  minister  of  Squirries  street  chapel,  in  Beth- 
nal  Green  road.  From  this  production  we  may  hope  the  son  may  yet 
be  more  extensively  useful  than  was  the  &ther,  who  was  a  minister  of 
truth,  and  a  man  much  beloved  by  his  church  and  people ;  and  his 
memoiy  is  dear  to  many  still.  We  pray  that  young  Daniel  may  grow 
deeper  and  stronger  in  the  true  grace — ^the  saving  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 


NOTES  OF  THE  MONTH. 


East  Lane. — Mr.  Alderson,  and  the  Church  with  him,  are  looking 
forward  to  still  better  days.  They  have  enjoyed  some  years  of  pro6> 
perity;  but  still  they  are  growing.  Mr.  Alderson  baptised  nearly  a 
dozen  believers  the  last  Lord's-day  in  June ;  some  of  them  the  chil<ken 
of  many  prayers.  East  Lane  chapel  is  to  have  a  new  and  more  modern 
interior,  whereby  room  will  be  made  for  friends  who  are  constantly 
coming. 

The  New  Surrey  Taberkacls  is  progressing  so  &vonrably  that 
no  fears  exist  as  regards  its  being  opened  in  September  next.  As  the 
building  has  advanced  the  strong  tide  of  zeal  among  the  people  has 
increased ;  and  the  noble-minded  firiends  of  truth  in  the  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle are  determined  there  shall  be  little  or  no  debt  on  the  place  long 
after  they  are  worshippers  within  its  walls.  They  have  spared  Mr. 
Wells  the  labour  of  extra  preaching  for  it ;  they  have  lightened  the 
burden  the  committee  had  at  first  to  bear ;  in  &ct,  they  have  shown 
their  faith  to  be  a  living  and  industrious  one  by  the  fruit  it  has  pro- 
duced, and  the  work  it  has  done.    Their  pleasure  and  reward  is  certain. 

The  venerable  brother  Bewick  has  been  preaching  in  Trinity  chapel, 
Borough,  with  great  advantage  and  acceptance  to  the  people ;  but  who 
is  to  be  the  next  settled  pastor  there  we  know  not. 

At  Old  Ford,  brother  H.  G,  Maycock  was  publicly  recognised  on 
Whit- Tuesday,  when  an  immense  number  of  warm-hearted  friends  wel- 
comed him  there  as  their  minister.  Brother  Maycock  is  the  type  of  a  new 
class  of  ministers  in  our  denomination.  With  the  soundness  of  John 
Gill,  he  has  much  of  the  fire  of  John  Knox,  and  some  of  Richard  Bax- 
ter's deep  earnestness  after  the  salvation  of  sinners.  We  enjoy  the  per- 
suasion that  Mr.  Mayoock's  ministiy  will  be  permanently  and  extensively 
honoured.  He  is  pure  in  motive,  powerful  in  harness,  and  persevering 
in  study  and  in  his  prayers  to  God  for  His  blessing.  With  these  elements 
the  man  must  succeed. 

Mr.  Pbilpot  has  been  preaching  at  Zoar,  and  continues  to  labour 
there  during  July.  A  faithful  sketch  of  his  first  appearance  after  his 
illness  appeared  in  The  Oospel  Qvidey  to  which  we  refer  our  readersL 


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July  1, 1865. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD, 


321 


(Sur  ({hui[fhn2,  0ur  faBtora,  and  m\  |wp^. 


OUR  ASSOCIATIONS  AND    THEIR 

CIRCULAR  LETTERS. 
We  know  but  little  of  aBsociations,  or  of 
eircular  letters,  in  London.  We  have  quite 
enough  htrict  Baptist  Churches  in  London 
to  form  a  rather  strong  <i9BOciation,  if  the 
ministers  and  members  of  our  denomina- 
tion thought  well  thus  to  band  together ;  but 
we  are  not  aware  that  there  is  any  prao 
tieal  desire  for  such  a  union.  In  the 
different  counties  of  our  countiy,  asso- 
ciations have  lone  existed ;  many  of  them 
have  recently  holden  their  annual  meet- 
ings ;  and  have  issued  their  *' circular  let- 
ters ;"  some  of  them  may  be  noticed  in  our 
different  numbers.  The  first  note  we  have 
received  is  of  THE  SUFFOLK  MEET- 
ING;  of  which  a  Christian  minister  writes 
as  follows : — 

<*  Our  spacious  tent  was  erected  in  a  large 
{)ark  in  Grundisburgh,  very  pleasantly 
situated,  and  delightfully  shaded  by  large 
oak  trees  of  manv  years'  standing. 
Weather  fine,  sun  shining  bright,  and 
occasional  douds  passing  over,  uffording 
the  multitude  much  comfort.  Must  be,  1 
should  think,  d,OUO  persons  present.  On 
the  first  day,  the  meeting  was  opened  by 
an  eame->t  prayer,  offer^  up  by  one  of 
the  meiiBent£er8  of  the  Churches.  Mr. 
Cooper,  of  Wattisham,  then  gave  an  in- 
troduction, in  which  yenr  appropriate  re- 
marks were  made  upon  God's  sovereignty, 
showing  that  all  the  doctrines  of  grace 
were  to  be  reduced  to  practice,  that  the 
creatures  of  God  were  made  for  work,  and 
that  all  Christians  should  labour  to  mro- 
mote  Gt>d's  good  cause  in  the  world.  The 
letters  were  then  read,  which  bore  rather 
a  gloomy  character.  Very  many  deaths 
occurred  during  the  past  vear;  several 
separations,  and  but  few  additions,  com- 
pared with  what  they  had  been  in  past 
years.  It  was  observed  that  among  those 
churches  where  the  quarterly  prayer  meet- 
ings, and  other  prayer  meetings,  had  been 
kept  up,  things  wore  quite  a  different 
aspect,  showing  that  our  God  delights  to 
be  honoured,  and  will  honour  those  that 
honour  him.  In  the  afternoon,  while  the 
ministers  and  messengers  were  engaged 
in  traosactine  their  business,  Mr.  Austin 
preached,  and  in  the  evening  Mr.Wyard,of 
London.  The  attendance  was  large,  the 
services  cheering,  and  never  better  col- 
lections were  mt^e.  Brother  Wright,  of 
Beccles,  resigned  his  office  as  secretary, 
through  infirmities    and   old   age,  after 


serving  the  association  thirty-six  years. 
Next  year  the  association  is  to  be  held  at 
Norton.  On  the  second  day  the  mes. 
sengers  met  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning 
for  prayer.  The  meeting  was  conducted 
by  brother  Brown,  of  Friston.  After 
breakfast,  another  prayer  meetins  was 
held  by  the  ministers.  Brethren  Hill  and 
Sears  preached  annual  sermons.  Hill  in 
the  morning  from  Heb.  ix.  24.  Quite  a 
floweiy  sermon,  intellectual;  some  good 
ideas  in  it,  and  some  great  and  precious 
truths.  In  the  afternoon,  brother  Sears 
of  Laxfield  preached  from  Matt.  xxvi. 
38 :  "My  soul  is  exceeding  sorrowful 
unto  death."  Plain,  useful,  experimental, 
and  practical  sermon,  commending  itself 
to  tne  conscience  of  every  man.  Mr. 
Hawkins,  from  London,  was  present,  as 
also  Mr.  Higham,  both  ministers. 

WHOM   SHALL    WE   FOLLOW? 

By  John    Corbitt,   Minister  of  Orford  Bill, 
Norwich. 

Mr.  Tiioxas  EowARna,  of  Tunbridge 
Wells,  in  The  Earthen  Vkssel  for  June, 
1865,  complains  that  the  Editor  did  not 
allow  him  to  answer  certain  questions  put 
to  him  by  John  Corbitt,  of  Norwich,  in 
1863,  when  he  first  denounced  water  bap- 
tism. H  e  also  complains  that  some  of  his 
Baptist  brethren  have  whipped  him  rather 
severely  for  what  they^  think  his  folly ;  but 
he  supposes  very  charitably  that  it  is  their 
want  of  a  clearer  insight  into  what  is 
ABOLISHED,  and  so  they  stop  too  long 
in  the  watery  dispensation,  which  he  posi- 
tively declares  is  ABOLISHED;  for  he 
says  that  he  is  tolemnly  convinced  that  mooter 
bafHsrri,  in  anp  shape,  is  contrary  to  the  toord 
of  God*  This  declaration  takes  the  whole 
matter  and  responsibility  out  of  the  hands 
of  men,  and  charges  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  his  disciples,  with  command- 
ing and  practising  what  is  contmrv  to 
Scripture,  and  not  John  Corbitt^  but  Christ 
and  his  disciples  shall  speak  for  themselves, 
and  then  let  the  reader  judge  which  is  the 
safest  to  follow,  Thomas  Edwards  or  Christ 
and  his  Apostles.  Thomas  Edwards  is 
clearlv  at  variance  with  them,  and  I  assure 
him  that  I  will  neither  fall  out  with  him  nor 
whip  him ;  for  it  is  to  his  own  Master  he 
must  stand  or  fall,  but  let  him  remember  that 
the  Master  said,  "  He  who  breaketh  one  of 
the  least  of  my  commandments  and  teacheth 
men  so  to  do,  the  same  shall  be  counted  the 
least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.*'  Thomas 
Edwards  declares  he  is  conscientious  in  all 
he  now  sa;^  and  does,  in  denouncing 
beUever^s  btqmsm,    I  would  remind  him  that 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


July  1, 18tt. 


what  I  am  about  to  advance  is  g^ven  by 
the  inspiration  of  God,  and  ought  tu  stand 
before  the  meet  conscientious  feelings  of 
any  man,  for  the  word  of  God  must  be 
true,  and  all  men  are  liable  to  error. 

Jesus  Christ  was  baptised  to  fulfil  aU 
righteousness;  but  this  did  not  ABOLISH 
it,  as  Thomag  Edwardi  cuserttj  for  during 
his  sojourn  on  earth,  he  witnessed  and 
encouraged  his  disciples  in  administering 
it  several  times  TJohn  iv.  1,  2>  and  after 
his  resurrection,  ne  commanded  his  disci- 
ples to  ''''  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  teaching  them  to 
OBSERVE  all  things  whatsoever  I  command 
you,  and  lo  I  am  with  you  always,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world."  (Matt  xxviii. 
19,  20.)  But  Thomas  Edwaras  has,  as  he 
thinloi,  found  out  a  better  way,  and  de- 
clares that  water  baptitm  in  any  shape  it 
contrary  to  the  roord  of  God;  if  so,  what 
Christ  did  and  commanded  cannot  be  the 
word  of  God.  Again,  he  calls  baptism  a 
ckuxch-^UvitUng  ooremany ;  if  so,  what  Christ 
enjoined  is  a  church-mvider ;  if  I  was  to 
say  this,  I  am  sure  I  should  soon  find  my- 
self kicking  against  the  pricks :  and  if  Thos. 
Edwards  never  finds  his  conscience  prick- 
ing him,  I  sh^  have  to  entertain  a  worse 
opinion  of  him  than  I  have  yet  done ;  for  I 
suppose  he  is  a  devout  man,  and  one  that 
feareth  Ck)d  (if  not  with  all  his  house),  and 
he  may  give  much  alms  unto  the  people, 
and  pray  to  God  always ;  but  he  doth  not 
say  that  an  angel  has  appeared  unto  him, 
and  told  him  what  he  ought  to  do.  Corne- 
lius had  an  angel  sent  from  Gk)d  to  tell  him 
to  send  for  Peter,  and  that  he  should  tell 
him  what  he  ought  to  do.  (Acts  z.  €.) 
And  when  Peter  had  preached,  and  then 
had  received  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  enquires, 
**Can  any  man  forbid  water,  that  these 
•hould  not  be  baptized  which  have  received 
the  Holy  Ghost  as  well  as  we  ?  And  he 
commanded  them  to  be  baptized  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord."  (Acts  x.  47,  48.)  Yet 
Thomas  Edwards  tells  us  that  he  is  "  con- 
vinced  thai  water  baptism  in  any  shape  is  con- 
trary to  the  toord  of  God:'  This  man  accepts 
of  Peter's  challenge,  and  forbids  water  in 
•any  shape.  But  Peter  spoke  under  inspi- 
nttion.  Thomas  Edwards  speaks  under  his 
solemn  conviction.  Let  my  readers  follow 
which  they  please;  as  for  me  and  my 
house,  we  will  follow  the  Lord  and  his 
Apostles. 

Again,  the  angel  of  the  Lord  commanded 
Philip  to  go  down  to  the  south ;  he  did  s(k 
■and  tneiv  he  met  the  eunuch ;  conversea 
with  him ;  went  down  with  him  into  the 
water;  baptized  him  on  the  ground  ol  his 
faith  on  the  Son  of  God;  came  up  out  of 
the  water;  the  eunuch  went  on  his  way 
rejoicing;  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  oanght 
away  Philip,  and  the  ennnch  saw  him  no 
more.  (Acts  viii  38»  89.)  Again,  Philip 
went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria,  ana 
pwaohed  Christ  unto  them ;  and  when  they 
beUeved  Philip  preachine  the  things  con- 
ceming  the  kingdom  of  Qod,  and  the ; 


of  Jesus  Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men 
and  women.  (Acts  viiL  5  and  12.)  Tet  Tho9. 
Edwards  he&eves  that  water  bapitiem  in  angf 
shape  is  oontrary  to  the  word  of  God.  Now 
we  that  follow  after  Christ  cannot  follow 
Thomas  Edwards  and  the  disciples  both  at 
once ;  therefore  my  reader  must  choose  for 
himself  which  he  will  follow.  But  Thomas 
Edwards  speaks  of  spiritual  baptism,  or 
being  baptized  of  the  Spirit^  and  ignoreB 
water  on  that  ground.  I  wish  he  would 
tell  me  where  in  the  New  Testament  he 
finds  either  Christ  or  his  disciples  comuMMtf- 
ing  men  to  administer  that  btgftism  to  eack 
other,  or  where  they  say  that  water  baptism 
is  not  necessary,  after  reoeiving  the  Spirit; 
or  if  he  pleads  the  particular  baptism  of 
fire,  as  I  have  heard  that  others  doi,  then 
he  has  only  to  come  forth,  and  heal  the  siei, 
cast  out  danU,  speak  with  tonauesj  and  raisd 
the  dead ;  and  I  for  one  shall  be  converted 
to  his  fiery  baptism ;  though  I  might  never 
preteud  to  it  myself.  I  have  met  with  some 
who  plead  for  this  fiery  baptism,  very  full 
of  fire,  even  so  full  as  to  belch  out  burning^ 
words  against  water  baptism,  and  them  thai 
practise  it,  and  declare  it  is  unscriptunJ, 
and  gendereth  to  bondage ;  and  as  they  let 
these  words  fall  with  vehemence  out  of 
their  mouth,  I  could  not  help  remembering 
the  words  of  James  ill  &  6 :  ^  The  tongue 
is  a  little  member,  ana  boasteth  great 
things ;  behold !  how  great  a  matter  a  litUe 
fire  kindleth.  The  tongue  is  a  firs^  a 
world  of  iniquity;  so  is  the  tongue  amongst 
the  members ;  it  defileth  the  whole  body, 
and  setteth  on  fire  the  course  of  nature,  and 
is  set  on  fire  o^ helL'*  Thus,  then,  whether  it 
is  water  baptism  that  divides  the  Church  (as 
Thomas  Edwards  declares),  or  the  tongue 
of  slander  (as  James  declares),  I  shall  leave 
those  that  read  to  decide  for  themselves, 
and  shall  conclude  by  saying,  if  it  is  of 
Gtod,  ye  caqnot  overthrow  it ;  and  if  of  men. 
it  will  come  to  nought,  and  no  one  will 
be  finally  injurod  by  any  error  but  them 
that  embmoe  it  That  the  Lord  may 
pardon  all  our  faults,  and  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation,  is  the  earnest  desire  of  youis 
in  the  Lord,  John  CoRBirr. 

CONSIDEBr-EEB  YOU  CHANGE. 

TO  THE  KDirOR. 

Dear  Sir, — ^I  have  just  read  Ur.  Thomas 
Edwards's  letter  addrassed  to  you  in  the 
June  number  of  The  Earthen  Vessel; 
and  if  you  will  grant  me  a  little  space,  I 
will  attempt  a  reply  to  some  of  the  saser- 
tions  made  therein,  for  I  presume  this 
epistle  is  not  only  intended  for  younell,  but 
all  those  who  will  not  allow  the  ancient 
landmarks  to  be  removed. 

Now,  sir,  Hr.  Edwards,  like  others 
who  change  their  sentiments  of  religion,  is 
ver^  violent  ajgainst  those  doctrines  and 
ordinances  which  he  held  to  be  from  on 
high,  as  well  as  those  who  still  adhero  to 
them;  and  should  individuals  endeavour 
to  raprobate  or  argue  the  subject  they  wHl 
be  looked  upon  as  ^^whipptng"  or  *^lssii- 


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AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD. 


223 


ing ; "  while  others  who^  on  the  other  hftnd, 
use  means  to  persuade,  are  unhappily  dedg- 
nated  as  after  Judas,  kissing.  Now,  surelv, 
if  Mr.  Edwards  has  been  led  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  into  his  present  position,  and  has  at- 
tained such  peace  and  joy  since  he  has  put 
a  spiritual  meaning  to  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism, which  he  does  not  deny  that  Chnst 
instituted  and  the  Apostles  taught,  are  we 
not  to  be  pitied?  Ought  he  not  to  use 
means  that  we  Strict  Baptists  might  attain 
such  spirituality,  and  reacn  such  blessedness 
as  he  IS  in  pcwsession  of?  instead  of  which 
I  am  soriy  to  find  he  does  nothing  but  rail 
against  those  who  once  were  his  friends, 
and  who,  believing  the  ordinance  of  be- 
lievers' baptism  is  to  be  observed  as  much 
as  the  Lord's  supper,  that  it  was  ordained 
to  be  continued  to  the  end  of  the  world  as 
well  as  the  Lord's  supper ;  that  one  is  not 
more  or  less  spiritual  than  the  other;  and 
if  a  believer,  who  loves  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  should  observe  one  as  well  as  the 
other, — for  one  command  of  the  blessed  Lord 
is  equal  to  another — cannot  sanction  a 
departure  from  Divine  truth  to  please  any 
section,  however  spiritual  they  may  profess 
to  be.  If  the  blessed  word  puts  the  mean- 
ing on  baptism  as  Mr.  Edwards  believes, 
surely  it  cannot  be  difficult  for  him  to  prove 
what  he  has  said  and  done  from  it.  Now 
this  he  has  still  got  to  do ;  for  in  the  whole 
of  his  letters  and  pamphlets  be  does  not 
attempt  to  disprove  but  what  the  Lord  waa 
baptized  in  water,  did  also  preach  it,  taught 
the  Apostles  to  observe  it  till  the  end  of 
the  world.  And  until  he  can  come  to  God's 
word  and  prove  his  standing,  I  cannot  be- 
lieve he  has  been  led  by  the  Divine  Spirit 
into  his  present  position ;  for  God's  work  is 
a  work  of  harmony  and  not  of  confusion. 
Now,  sir,  Mr.  Edwards  puts  it  in  his  letter, 
"  If  ministers  were  more  honest  to  God,  to 
their  own  consciences,  and  their  people, 
they  would,  like  their  Lord  and  Master, 
oftener  fan  the  floor  than  they  do."  Well, 
we  will  see  how  far  he  has  been  honest.  If 
you  will  look  at  the  back  numbers  of  the 
Earthen  Vbssel  for  a  few  years,  you  will 
find,  in  reports  of  baptizing  sent  you  by  Mr. 
Edwards,  passages  in  which  he  says,  the 
Lord  was  pleased  to  bless  him  in  especial 
ways,  as  well  as  others,  in  the  observance 
of  this  ordinance ;  how  he  was  sure  it  was 
the  hand  of  the  Lord ;  how  the  Holy  Spirit 
was  present  with  him;  and  the  times  of 
refreshing  to  his  soul  he  has  had  in  the  ob- 
servance of  it ;  how  he  had  been  lifted  up 
by  the  blessed  Spirit;  and  in  many  letters 
addressed  to  his  old  members  he  has  spoken 
of  spiritual  enjoyment  in  the  observance  of 
this  divine  command,  and,  specially,  as 
happy  seasons  to  his  eouL  Now,  does  the 
Holy  Spirit  first  teach  a  man  to  observe 
baptism,  and  give  him  blessed  enjoyment 
in  it,  and  then  teach  him  not  to  observe  it, 
and  give  him  enjoyment  in  speaking  against 
it  For  my  part,  I  think  the  foregoing 
.sadly  against  tne  following  paragraph  from 
Hr.  Edwards'  letter.    He  says  :— 

^I  have  found  my  judgment,  my  faith, 


and  my  love,  deepening  in  the  solemn  con- 
viction that  water  baptism,  in  any  shape,  is 
contrary  to  the  word  of  God ;  and  although 
I  have  been  hotly  pursued  and  persecuted 
since  I  gave  up  this  church-dividing  cere- 
mony, yet  I  do  rejoice,  yea,  and  will  rejoice, 
that  the  Lord  has  enabled  me  openly  and 
avowedly  to  relinquish  it  entirely.**  Now, 
sir,  I  ask  you  to  put  these  statements  to- 

Sither ;  is  it  possible  the  Lord  can  by  His 
oly  Spirit  give  an^r  soul  such  assurance 
that  he  is  following  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
Master,  and  then  in  the  same  Spirit  to  teach 
a  soul  the  opposite,  that  what  he  has  done 
is  entirely  wrong?  I  am  sure  you  will  say 
the  Lord  is  not  the  author  of  coufusioiL  Mr. 
Edwards  is  certainly  a  zealous  man,  but  I 
fear  he  is  handling  the  Word  of  God  too 
lightly.  He  says,  '*  If  you  ever  hear  of  my 
return  to  it  you  may  conclude,  in  connection 
with  it,  I  circumcise  also."  Now,  I  do  not 
expect  him  to  return;  he  may  drift 
elsewhere,  perhaps  to  universaliam.  The 
Lord  keep  him  tightly,  is  my  prayer. 

W. 

A  LETTER  TO  MB.  JAMES  WELLS 
ON  THE  HAPPY  DEATH  OF  MR. 
CHARLES  HUNT,  OF  BEBMOND- 
SEY. 

[Wb  believe  many  good  people  have 
no  desire  to  read  records  of  the 
deaths  of  the  Lord's  children;  but  we 
believe  they  should  read  them.  There 
is,  generally,  much  oenuine  REALrrr — 
much  pure  and  undeflled  religion — much 
deep  and  painful,  as  well  as  much  most 
blessed  experience,  then  and  there  dis- 
covered. Ah !  reader,  the  dying  bed,  the 
dying  pains,  the  dying  hours,  the  dying 
expressions,  and  sometimes  the  dying 
joys  of  believers  in  Jssua,  are  among  the 
most  powerful  testimonies  to  the  inex- 
pressible value  of  the  precious  Pebsok, 

BIXX)D,  RIOHTEOUHXESa,  and  INTERCESSION 

of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Our  wi- 
dowed friend,  Mrs.  Hunt,  has  given 
a  most  genuine  record  of  her  de- 
parted husband's  conflicts  and  deliver- 
ances. We  have  read  it ;  and  we  beseech 
our  readers  to  ^eigh  well  its  solemn 
contents. — Ed.] 

Dear  Sir, — The  following  are  the  last 
words  of  Charles  Hunt,  to  his  wife,  in 
conversation  during  the  preceding  fort- 
night of  his  death,  which  word  she  wishes 
to  be  inserted  in  the  Earthen  Vessel,  for 
the  consolation  of  the  people  of  God : — 

^*I  write  of  the  happv  death  of  my  dear 
husband  in  the  Lord.  It  is  well  known  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle, 
in  the  Borough-road,  about  twenb^-five 
yean ;  during  which  time  he  attended  very 
regularly,  when  he  was  able ;  but  these  last 
few  years  he  has  been  suffering  much  with 
his  breath ;  and  this  last  winter  it  has  been 
so  cold  he  has  not  been  able  to  attend :  he 
has  not  been  to  chapel  since  last  Christmas. 
I  am  happy  to  say  that  our  experience  has 
taught  us  to  know  the  unoertamty  of  any- 


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224 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


July  t,  1805. 


thing  in  this  life ;  so  that  when  the  doctor 
said,  *  There  is  no  hope  of  your  getting 
better  *  he  raid,  ^  Bless  the  Lord,  I  have  a 
good  hope  through  Christ,  in  that  which  is 
to  come/  In  the  latter  end  of  March,  I 
asked  him  if  he  should  like  to  see  Mr. 
Wells?  He  said,  *I  should  very  much ;  it* 
is  troubling  him;  or  else  I  haye  several 
things  I  should  like  to  ask  him ;  but  he  has 
so  much  to  do.'  I  did  not  tell  him  that  I 
had  sent,  as  I  thought  if  he  did  not  come, 
he  would  not  be  disappointed.  When  Mr. 
Wells  came,  on  the  4tn  of  April,  he  was 
very  glad  to  see  him ;  and  when  Mr.  Wells 
was  gone,  my  husband  said,  *I  am  very 

glad  Mr.  Wells  has  been ;  for  he  has  set- 
ed  those  points  in  my  mind  that  I  wanted 
to  know.'  I  was  not  able  to  be  with  my 
husband  just  then,  as  I  had  the  shop  to 
attend  to,  but  Mr.  Francis  was  very  kind 
to  come  in  of  an  evening  and  sit  with  him, 
as  he  knew  how  I  was  situated ;  but  on  the 
4th  of  April  my  husband  was  much  worse, 
and  my  son  was  obliged  to  leave  his  situ- 
ation and  come  home,  and  attend  the  shop; 
so  that  I  was  able  to  spend  all  my  time  m 
.attending  to  him.  My  husband  was  that 
kind  of  man  that  he  wanted  no  one's  com- 
pany, only  those  that  could  talk  to  him 
about  the  JLord  Jesus  Christ  dying  for  poor 
lost  sinners ;  such  he  felt  himself  to  be.  fie 
would  often  say,  *  0  this  evil  heart  of  mine  1 
I  think  it  will  sink  me  down  to  helL'  The 
enemy  set  in,  and  told  him  his  end  was 
near.  I  shall  never  foiiget  one  night :  the 
enemy  set  God's  holy  law  before  him :  he  did 
not  sleep;  nor  did  I ;  and  if  I  spoke  to  hiiiL 
he  would  say,  '  Now  you  be  quiet'  I  did 
not  know  what  was  goin^  on  in  his  mind, 
until  I  heard  him  say,  *  This  is  truly  work- 
ing out  my  own  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling.  1  can  now  see  this  is  making  way 
for  the  righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.'  Then  he  said,  'Hannah,  I  am 
very  bad.  I  do  not  think  I  shall  live  vmsij 
days  before  you  will  have  to  lay  this  poor 
body  with  that  dear  girl  of  ours.'  I  must 
just  say  this  dear  girl  was  the  only  daughter 
and  the  only  bit  of  earthly  comfort  we 
seemed  to  have ;  and  we  used  to  fondle  the 
thought *of  the  blessing  she  would  be  to  us 
in  our  old  age ;  but  the  Lord's  ways  are 
not  our  ways :  He  was  pleased  to  convince 
her  of  her  state  as  a  sinner,  and  show  her 
if  she  went  to  heaven  it  was  by  what  Jesus 
Christ  had  done.  ThU  way  of  salvation 
was  shown  to  her,  and  then  He  took  her 
home  to  glory,  aged  twelve  years. 

*'  Again  he  sai(^  '1  cannot  out  feel  deeply 
for  you ;  for  when  you  see  her  coffin,  you 
will  not  be  able  to  bear  it :  will  you  pro- 
mise me  you  will  not  follow  me  to  the 
grave  ?  as  I  fear  it  will  be  too  much  for 
you  ;  but  you  shall  follow  me  through  pre- 
cious faith  in  (  hrist  hereafter.'  I  said,  *•  I 
cannot  promise  you  that ;  but  I  will  pro- 
mise you  I  will  bear  with  this  great  trial 
so  far  as  the  Lord  shall  enable  me.'  *  But 
Mr.  Fmncis  will  manage  the  funeral  for 
you;  I  have  told  him  all  about  it,  and  he 
has  promised  to  do  so.'    He  then  wished  to 


see  his  son  about  managing  the  1 
and  taking  care  of  me  and  the  younger 
son :  he  was  that  kind  of  man  that  always 
kept  his  temporal  affairs  straight;  so  tbrt 
I  can  say  he  has  kept  his  house  in  order, 
as  we  do  not  know  what  a  day  or  an  hour 
may  bring  forth ;  all  this  was  settled  in  his 
mind  on  tne  6th  of  April ;  in  the  evening  a 
number  of  friends  called  to  see  him,  among 

them  a  Mr.  T .  He  said,  'Well,  Mr.  T ^ 

I  am  very  glad  you  have  come,  for  I  have 
often  felt  very  anxious  about  you:  as  I 
know  vou  go  so  very  regular  to  church  ;  but 
what  do  you  know  about  your  never-dying 

soul  ?*  lir.  T began  to  talk  about  what 

we  must  do,  but  my  husband  said,  ^Stop; 
if  you  have  no  better  religion  thim  that, 
when  you  come  to  where  I  now  am,  it  will 
leave  you ;  and  you  will  be  a  lost  man. 
May  the  Lord  open  your  eyes,  and  see 
what  a  wretched  state  we  ail  stand  in  by 
the  fall  of  man.*  Then  he,  as  the  Lord 
enabled  him,  endeavoured  to  show  him  the 
way  of  salvation  through  what  Jesus 
Christ  had  done  for  poor  lost  sinners.  I 
bless  the  Lord  I  feel  it  deeply  rojseU, 
but  I  am  not  able  to  repeat  the  blessed 
language  that  my  dear  husband  was 
enabled  by  the  teaching  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  say  to  him,  and  he  told  him, 
*lf  you  love  this  Jesus  Christ,  and  this 
way  of  salvation,  go  to  that  man  of 
God,  James  Wells,  and  he  will  tell  yon 
about  them.'  My  husband  did  not  care  to 
see  any  one  but  those  who  could  talk  to 
him  about  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified. 
I  think  the  few  days  he  lay  ill,  he  was 
enabled  to  go  through  the  whole  of  the 
Bible ;  and  pick  out  his  favourite  chapters 
for  me  to  read  to  him ;  and  he  would  ex- 
plain them  most  blessedly.  Then  would 
he  aa^,  *■  Hannah,  I  wish  you  would  help 
me  smg.'  When  I  would  answer,  *  Why, 
Charles,  I  cannot  I  wish  I  could  in  the 
sense  you  mean.'  Mr.  Elijah  Packer  came 
to  see  him  on  the  9th  of  April,  and  enjoyed 
his  company  very  much.  Mr.  Francis 
came  on  the  11th,  and  ho  said,  *■  Francis,  I 
shall  want  you  before  this  week  is  out  to 
lay  me  out ;  you  will  not  disappoint  us,  will 
you?'  Francis  replied,  *No,  my  friend,  I 
will  not'  He  had  a  better  night,  and 
seemed  more  composed,  and  dosing;  but  I 
saw  him  sinking  very  fast,  yet  perfectly 
sensible ;  and  in  the  afternoon  he  got  out  of 
bed,  and  offered  up  a  prayer  for  his  family, 
especially  the  son  that  is  abroad ;  such  ]an> 
guage  as  I  am  not  able  to  utter ;  a-king  of 
the  Lord  to  show  them  the  evils  of  their 
hearts,  and  to  be  pleased  to  favour  them 
with  tne  same  grace  as  he  had  showed  to 
him.  Then  he  raid,  *  Hannah,  I  wish  yon 
would  help  me  in  bed,'  which  I  did ;  and 
he  then  laid  down  and  said,  *•  I  do  not  think 
I  shall  live  the  day  out  I  wish  you  would 
leave  me  for  two  hours.'  I  went  outside 
the  door;  and  stopped  there ;  and  when  I 
went  in  again,  I  said,  *How  do  you  feel 
now?'  He  was  then  sitting  upright  in 
bed.  He  said,  'O.  my  dear,  I  am  going- 
fast!'  and  he  eaio,  *Come,  Lord  Jebcs^ 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


22S 


come  quickly/  I  sud,  ^Well,  Charlet,  I 
shall  have  to  come  to  the  8%rae  trring  hooTf 
which  is  to  leave  this  world,  ana  to  go  to 
another ;  and  I  want  you  to  tell  me  if  our 
religion  is  true ;  or  have  we  been  deceived 
by  it?  or  by  Mr.  Welhh  or  by  the  Bible?' 
and  he  answered,  *  No,  we  have  not  been 
deceived;  it  is  all  true:  and  will  you  give 
my  love  to  brother  Wells,  and  tell  him  to 
go  on  (as  the  Lord  shall  enable  him),  to 
tell  out  those  everlasting  truths  of  that 
everiasting  covenant,  and  tell  him  it  is  all 
true,  and  tell  him  not  to  give  way  to  no 
man ;  tell  him  to  go  deeper  than  ever,  and 
tell  him  nothing  else  will  do  in  a  dying 
hour/  He  said,  ^I  wish  he  was  here;  I 
could  tell  him  what  he  has  never  seen,  as 
he  has  not  b?en  so  near  Jordan  as  I  now 
am  ;*  and  I  then  said,  *  Is  heaven  the  beau- 
tiful and  happy  place  as  we  suppose  it  is  ?' 
and  he  saia,  *0,  you  don*t  know,  neither 
can  I  tell  you,  the  glory  that  I  see/  I  now 
begged  him  to  lay  down,  as  his  strength 
was  exhausted:  this  was  eleven  o^dock, 
Thursday  morning ;  he  then  lay  very  still ; 
and  in  about  half  an  hour,  I  said,  *  How  do 
you  feel  now?'  He  said,  *  Happy  in 
Ghbist,  through  precious  faith,*  and  he 
said,  *■  Will  you  help  me  sing,'  and  I  aaid, 
'  I  cannot ;'  then  he  said,  *Have  this  hymn 
sung  over  my  grave — 

**  Jesua!  thy  blood  and  riffbteouBDess." 
'And  tell  Francis  to  give  it  plenty  of 
mouth,  and  if  I  could  hear  him  I  would 
help  him  sing  too,  and  tell  brother  Wells 
to  sing  too;  it  will  not  hurt  him,  as 
my  very  soul  is  in  it'  He  said  no  more  to 
me ;  but  about  twelve  o'clock  I  saw  both 
hands  lifted  up  ;  and  he  said  in  a  low  tone, 
'  Not  unto  me ;  not  unto  me,  0  Lord !  but 
unto  Thy  name'— and,  as  Mr.  Wells  rightly 
observes,  went  home  to  finish  the  sentence, 
at  ten  minutes  past  twelve,  p.m.,  April 
13th,  1865."  Yours  truly  in  the  faith, 
Geoboe  Hunt. 

THAME,  OXON.— Opkniho  New  Bap- 
•narr  Chapsi.  The  Baptist  Church  and 
congregation,  who  have  for  some  years 
past  met  in  an  old  chapel,  situated  up  a 
long  narrow  passage,  bemg  anxious  to  ob- 
tain a  more  commodious  building  in  a 
better  situation,  were  moved  to  nuuce  the 
attempt ;  the  first  meeting  for  the  purpose 
was  held  in  the  Market  Hall  on  the  last 
dav  of  August,  at  which  Mr.  Wale  pre- 
sided ;  upwards  of  £125  was  then  promised ; 
contributions  have  continued  to  come  in 
till,  by  the  day  of  the  opening,  neariy  £260 
has  been  nised.  The  chapel  is  situated  in 
Park-street,  the  main  thoroughfare  from 
the  station,  and  is  a  prominent  object 
as  you  enter  the  town.  There  is  a  small 
porch,  an  iron  palisading  in  front,  facing 
you  as  vou  enter  is  the  gallerv  behind  the 
pulpit,  backed  with  two  circular  windows, 
bordered  with  stained  gUus,  and  beautifully 
shaded  behind  with  a  cluster  of  fine  old 
trees,  through  which  the  light  falls  with 
mellowed  softness  on  the  interior:  under- 
neath the  gallery  is  the  schoolroom  and 


vestr^r,  capable  of  holding  a  goodly  number 
of  children.     There  is  a  capacious  plat- 
form.   The  sittings  are  aU  open,  and  oak- 
stained  ;  will  accommodate  about  350  per- 
sons ;  it  has  been  built  at  a  cost  of  about 
£550.    The  weather  on  the  day  of  the  open- 
ing was  beautiful;  friends  came  in  from 
Oxford,  Ickford,  Crendon,  Asket,  Syden- 
ham, Oolnbrook,  Wycombe,  and  the  ser- 
vices of  the  day  commenced  with  a  prayer 
meeting,  from  nine  till  ten.    Mr.  Wale  pre- 
sided ;  the  brethren  Howse,  Waters,  Elton, 
and  Pearce,  fervently  invoked  the  Divine 
blessing.      At   half-past   ten   the  service 
began.    The  chapel  was  comfortablv  filled ; 
Mr.  Smith,  of  Oxford,  gave  out  the  hymns; 
and    Mr.   Wale  preached  a  sermon  from 
Matt.  iL  11;  it  was  truthful  and  eloquent. 
Dinner  was  given  bv  one  of  the  friends, 
provided  in  the  BritLsh  schoolroom,  kindly 
lent  for  the  occasion;  about  seventy  sat 
down.      In    the    afternoon    Mr.    Cozens 
preached  from  Prov.  xviii.  2 ;  after  which, 
nearly  400  took  tea  in  the  British  school : 
the  provisions  for  the  tea  was  ^ven  by  the 
Church :  a  large  number  of  ministers  from 
the  other  causes  were  present  during  the 
services.    Messrs.  Hardie  and  Brown,  the 
Independent  and  Wesleyan  ministers  of  the 
town ;  Smith,  of  Oxford;  Allen,  of  Ickford ; 
Thompson,  of  Asket;  not  forgetting  our 
warm-hearted   and   devoted    pastor,    Mr. 
Joseph  Clarke,  who  had  every  reason  to 
regard  the  past  with  gpratitude,  the  pre- 
sent with  joy,  and  the  future  with  hope. 
The  evening  service  was  held  in  a  beau- 
tiful close,  surrounded  by  green  trees,  as 
the  congregation  was  far  too  large  to  get 
in  the  chapel;   there  being  from  800  to 
1,000  present    Mr.  Cozens  gave  out  the 
hvmna.    Mr.  Wale,  at  the  wish  of  many 
of  the  friends  who  liad  to  leave  by  the 
seven  o'clock  train,  preached  a  short  ser- 
mon just  immediat^y  after  singing  and 
prayer.    The  text  was  Leviticus  xxiii  8: 
this  part  of  the  evening  service  closed  at  a 
quarter  before  seven ;  but  as  600  or  700 
persons  remained,  Mr.  Wale,  at  the  request 
of  the  friends,  preached  a  second  sermon  on 
Bev.  XL  1.    The  services  of  the  day  closed 
at  quarter  before  eight    The  gross  pro- 
ceeds of  the  day  amounted  to  nearly  £36 ; 
the  whole  of  which  went  to  the  liquidation 
of  the  debt     The  feelings  of  our  hearts 
were,  **Not  unto  us,  0  Lord,  not  unto  us, 
but  unto  thy  name  give  glory,   for  thy 
mercy  and  for  thy  truth's  sake." 

£.  C.  Bird. 

MR  HANKS  AT  CHATHAM.— An- 
niversary of  Enon  Chapel  was  held  Lord's- 
day,  June  11th.  Such  a  solemn  and  alfect- 
ing  season  was  never  before  known  at 
similar  services.  A  week  previously,  the 
great  ''  Head  of  the  Church,"  who  ofttimes 
works  ^^  in  a  mysterious  way,  His  wonders 
to  perform,"  wss  pleased  to  remove  from 
our  midst  a  brother  (and  deacon),  who  had 
endeared  himself  to  all  who  knew  him,  by 
the  uniform  affability  and  Christian  kindness 
with  which  his  ^*  precious  Jesus'*  (as  he 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


July  1,  1865. 


-WB0  wont  to  can  him)  enabled  him  to  con- ' 
duct  himeelf  .    Brother  Hanks,  of  Woolwich, 

F reached  in  the  morning  from  Isa.  lii  18. 
think  BB  the  ^*  minifitering  spiritfl"  around 
the  throne  desire  to  look  into  these  things ; 
and  if  the  souls  of  the  glorified  who  **  rest 
in  their  beds"  (Isa.  IviL  2)  in  the  upright- 
ness of  Christ,  aro  transported  with  joy  as 
they  listen  to  the  tidings  these  heavenly 
messengers  bring  from  the  courts  of  the 
Lord's  house  on  earth,  there  must  have 
been  rejoicing  on  account  of  Christ  alone 
being  exalted.  The  overcoming  charms 
of  dear  Emmanuel's  love  were  blessedly 
experienced  that  morning.  As  God's  ser- 
vant, in  an  ecstasy,  exclaimed,  in  the 
course  of  the  sermon,  **  Lift  him  up,  higher, 
higher,  higher,"  the  heart-feelings  of  many 
were,  ^^  Higher  than  all  the  heights  of 
heaven,  sound  Jesus^  endless  praise."  Bee 
Ps.  xL  1—3;  and  cxvi.  1—9 ;  Isa,  xii.  Ah ! 
beloved,  there  is  a  divine  reality  in  such  a 
religion  as  this,  because  "  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  also  a  witness  to  us."  The  Lord  give  his 
desponding  ones  the  blessedness  of  this  wit- 
ness in  their  hearts.  In  the  afternoon, 
brother  Wall,  of  Gravescnd,  preached  from 
Jer.  xxxi.  14.  The  goodness  of  the  Lord 
was  a  sweet  theme.  Our  brother  gave  a 
touching  rotation  of  his  feelings  regarding 
the  loss  he  has  sustained  in  dear  Mrs. 
Wall.  He  knows  now  the  force  of  the 
words,  "They  two  shall  be  one  flesh," 
(Eph.  V.  31,  32.)  One  bereaved  heart,  at 
least,  in  that  assembly  had  sympathy  and 
feUowship  with  him.  In  the  evening,  the 
death  of  our  dear  brother  (peculiar  circum- 
stances forbidding  it  being  postponed)  was 
improved  by  brother  Hanks,  from  the  text 
in  Acts  xi.  24 :  "He  was  a  good  man" —  de- 
scribing the  goodness  of  the  God-Man- 
Hediator,  wliich  extendeth  to  the  saints,  to 
the  excellent  of  the  earth,  in  whom  is  all 
his  delight.  Then  stated  the  naturo  oi 
man,  not  one  being  good  until  made  so  by 
the  regenerating  gnce  of  the  Holy  Ghost: 
the  end  of  this  good  man,  peace.  He  then 
read  a  paper  containing  an  account  of  the 
dying  experience  of  the  good  man  in  Christ, 
whose  presence  we  miss  in  the  sanctuary 
below ;  after  which  our  brother  H.  gave  out 
the  following  hymn,  which  was  sung, — 
*'  In  vain  my  fnncy  stirives  tu  paint 

The  moment  after  death, 
The  glories  which  surround  the  saint 

When  yielding  up  his  breath,"  fto. 

The  solemn  and  afPecting  service  con- 
cluded in  prayer.  The  anniversary  ser- 
vices were  brought  to  a  close  on  Tuesday, 
after  a  public  tea  meeting,  and  a  sermon  in 
the  evening  by  brother  Wall,  from  1  Peter 
L  6.  The  above  services  will  be  long  re- 
membered with  peculiar  feelings.  The 
Lord  give  testimony  to  the  word  of  his 


*  Wheu  Christ  is  crown'd,  saints  victors  found 
O'er  Bin,  and  death,  and  demon, 
To  join  the  song,  may  numbers  throng, 
Who  were  new-born  at  Enon.*» 

J.  C. 
(Tke  iin€$  on  tome  future  oecation,) 


SOUTHBRY  &  BRANDON  CBEEK.— 
On  Wednesday,  June  7th,  three  sermoiw 
were  preached  in  these  parts,  by  C.  W. 
Banks.  The  morning  sermon  was  in  the 
chapel  at  Southery ;  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing, at  Brandon  Creek,  in  a  large  t«nt 
erected  by  Mr.  John  Porter,  on  his  own 

S remises.  A  laige  party  of  friends  from 
outhery,  LitHeport,  and  from  the  sur- 
rounding fen  districts  assembled  together, 
and  filled  the  tent :  tea  was  provided  be- 
tween the  services,  and  about  120  sat  down 
to  tea,  while  anumerousarmy  of  waiters,  ftc^ 
served  them  with  things  needful  and  nice. 
We  believe  the  services  were  accompanied 
by  a  blessing  from  the  Lord ;  and  we  pray  for 
prosperity  to  attend  the  zealous  efforts  of  Kr. 
John  Porter,  his  father,  brother,  and  friends, 
who  certainly  unite  and  labour  most  stren- 
uously for  the  well-being  of  those  who 
favour  the  cause  of  truth ;  and  it  would  be 
I  to  us  a  real  pleasure  to  help  in  any  wmv 
the  formation  of  a  New  Testament  Chunm 
in  those  parts.  We  believe  the  day  is  not 
very  far  distant  The  venerable  John 
Clark,  once  of  Hull  and  since  of  Down- 
ham  Market,  is  now  labouring  with  pleasing 
acceptance  at  Ely,  Mr.  Newborn  having 
removed  to  the  Tabernacle,  at  Hastings. 
The  Ely  friends  have  thus  had  the  benflfit 
of  the  ministry  of  two  most  aged  and  hon- 
ourable men  of  God ;  Mr.  Newborn  being, 
we  understand,  eighty  five,  or  more ;  and 
Mr.  Clark  travelling  on  between  seventy  and 
eighty.  Of  both  it  may^  be  said,  "  they 
stiU  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age."  At 
Littleport,  the  Baptist  cause  is  still  without 
a  pastor;  but  they  are  nrogressing;  and 
good  men  supply  their  pulpit.  At  Lakoi- 
heath,  Mr.  De  Frane  has  been  preaching^ 
in  the  chapeL  Mr.  Daniel  Smart  has  left ; 
and  in  the  Baptist  chapel,  Mr.  Geor|^ 
Wright  (not  the  Beccles  bishop)  stands  in 
ministerial  honour,  but  in  domestic  sorrow, 
having  lost  his  much  valued  partner  in  life. 
At  Norwich,  Mr.  John  Gowing  has  retired 
from  the  ministry;  and  has  quietly  sat 
down,  watting  for  his  good  Master  to  call 
him  to  a  higher  seat  in  a  holier  kingdom. 
May  our  aged  and  beloved  brother  often 
enjoy  real  and  soul-contenting  feUowship 
with  his  heavenly  Father.  Mr.  John  Cor^ 
bitt,  (savs  friend  Bormond,)  has  returned  . 
&om  Plymouth  to  Orford-hill,  looking 
strong  and  happ^ ;  his  people  gladly  ra* 
ceiving  him  agam  in  every  sense  '^safie 
and  sound:"  and,  truly,  in  these  days  of 
most  awful  railwav  slaughters,  it  is  no  little 
mercv  to  be  carried  thousands  of  miles  with- 
out shock  or  sacrifice.  The  dronlar  lettere 
of  the  AflsociationB,  we  hope  to  receive  in 
due  ooune. 

OREBRFrL  NOTES  FROM  HOUN- 
SLOW.-  [The  following  is  like  a  little 
nosegay  from  off  the  Bounslow  hilla] — 
Dkar  Brother  Banks, — ^Eighteen  months 
have  rolled  round  since  you  first  inserted 
our  preaching  appointments.  We  send  ^on 
our  sincere  thanks  for  so  doing ;  and  wish 
also  to  thank  those  ministers  that  hare  ao 


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Jii]7l,186& 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


kmdiy  oome  forward  sad  helped  us  in  oar- 
nring  on  the  worship  of  God ;  snd,  above 
aU,  we  desire  to  feel  trulr  grateful  to  the 
Qod  of  all  our  mercies,  tnat  he  has  benn 
mindful  of  us  in  onr  low  estate,  and  that  he 
has  not  given  us  over  to  the  will  of  the 
mat  enem^  of  souls.  We  have  been 
favoured  with  the  Church  at  large,  where 
she  Bays  in  the  Songs  of  Solomon  ii.  8 : — 
'*  As  the  apple  tree  among  the  trees  of  the 
wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among  the  sons.  I 
sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  de- 
light«  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste.** 
Thus  we  have  found  it  g^ood  to  wait  upon 
the  Lord;  and  have  had  our  spiritual 
strength  renewed ;  and  although  the  enemy 
has  come  in  times  without  number  like  a 
flood,  the  Lord  has  been  our  rock  and 
present  help  in  time  of  trouble  When 
the  way  has  been  edged  up,  the  dear  Lord 
has  made  a  way,  so  that  we  have  passed 
over.  I  trust  he  is  now  about  to  answer 
our  many  prayers  that  he  would  be  grur- 
cious  unto  us  by  sending  one  statedly  in 
our  midst  Brother  Evans  has  accepted  the 
unanimous  call  of  the  Church  to  supply  us 
for  six  months ;  and  we  think  we  can  ob- 
serve the  clouds  going  before  us  in  the 
matter,  and  also  the  cloud,  if  it  be  only  as  a 
man's  nand,  rising  out  of  the  sea.  We  are 
increasing  in  our  congregation,  and  we 
have  had  some  little  increase  in  the  Church ; 
and  we  believe  the  word  has  been  faithfully 
sown ;  and  we  are  looking  for  the  blade  to 
again  appear ; — the  dews  of  heaven  to  de- 
scend, and  the  sun  to  shine,  and  the  wind 
to  blow  upon  our  little  garden,  that  the 
smell  thereof  may  be  as  "  a  bed  of  spices.** 
Hay  the  dear  Lord  bless  you  also  in  your 
labours  in  his  vineyard,  and  give  you  an 
abundant  entrance  into  his  eternal  rest  at 
the  end  of  your  days,  is  the  sincere  desire 
of,  yours  truly,  Alfred  Jefps. 

SURREY.— Mb.  Vessel,  Having  known 
you  for  many  years,  I  wish  to  give  you  a 
word  of  encouragement,  and  voiur  readers 
a  little  information.  I  am  an  old  Londoneiv 
but  as  I  am  getting  near  the  ^*  terminus,*'  1 
have  turned  ofiF  the  main  line  on  to  a  village 
sideing ;  and  I  go  about  to  different  places 
to  hear  the  Gospel,  which  is  to  me  more 
than  all  the  world  beside.  I  have  been 
looking  and  listening  a  little ;  and  I  will 
tell  you  I  have  discovered  a  ffood  deal  of 
strong  Protestant  feeling  in  the  minds  of 
our  country  Christian  people ;  and  I  hope 
the  day  is  far  distant  when  the  powers  of 
darkness  will  be  permitted  to  cover  our 
land.  At  Guildford,  I  sometimes  hear 
Cornelius  Slim ;  he  is  a  serious  and  sound 
preacher ;  at  other  times  I  hear  his  neigh- 
bour Hillman,  who  has  a  secured  incum- 
bency there,  and  preaches  the  Gospel; 
there  is  a  smart  little  man  bv  the  name  of 
Joy  at  Homell,  who  is  faithful;  but  I  am 
frequently  at  the  new  chapel,  at  West  End, 
Ohobhuni,  where  Mr.  Lamboum  ministers. 
I  hear  him  with  confidence  and  soul-satis- 
factiou,  although  no  one  knows  me.  On 
Sunday,  June  18tb,  on  seating  myself  in 


Mr.  Lamboum*s  chapel,  I  fomd  he  was 
gone  out  seeking  for  health,  and  a  very 
pleasant  and  happy-looking  preacher  gave 
us  that  day  three  good  sermons,  assisted  in 
prayer  by  that  smiling  brother  they  call 
"hearty  Meadows.**  "We  had  a  good  day, 
and  I  was  told  the  preacher's  name  was 
Charles  Turner,  pastor  of  the  Bspdst 
church  at  Bipley ;  and  I  was  invited  by  a 
friend  to  go  the  next  day  to  Mr.  Turner's 
chapel,  at  Ripley,  where  a  sermon  was  to 
be  preached  by  Mr.  Stevens,  of  Mayford ; 
and  a  lecture  was  to  be  delivered  on  ^^  The 
Watch-words  and  Warnings  of  Prophecy,** 

S^  0.  W.  Banks.  Accordingly  we  went 
r.  Stevens  gave  us  a  neat  Gospel  sermon 
— ^the  people  heard  him  gladly ;  and,  after 
tea,  Mr.  Turner  read  and  expounded  Matt 
xxiii.,  and  then  came  the  lecture.  The 
chapel  was  well  crowded,  and  the  people 
were  much  interested  in  the  different 
features  of  the  address.  I  really  wished 
the  Lecturer  could  stand  amidst  thousands 
in  every  village  in  the  country.  I  do 
honestly  beb'eve  good  would  be  effected. 
May  our  God  arise  and  have  mercy  upon 
Zion.    So  prays, 

A  CmzEx  nr  tiib  Country. 

THE  LATE  W.  TITES*  DAUGHTER. 
— Chesterton,  Cambs.  I  forward  you  the 
account  of  the  death  of  Mrs.Sarah  Northfield, 
aged  32,  died  SOth  April,  1866,  daughter  of 
the  late  Mr.  Tile,  Baptist  minister  of  Potton, 
Beds.  Mrs.  N.  had  for  months  previous  to 
her  death  suffered  from  decline,  but  as  her 
end  drew  near,  the  weight  of  soul  matters 
was  more  and  more  felt,  until  from  pressure 
from  within  that  weight  could  be  i>lainly 
seen  by  all  who  vistted  her  for  spiritual 
intercourse.  She  suffered  much  under  the 
condemning  power  of  the  law ;  but,  shortly 
before  her  end,  her  soul  was  blessed,  liber- 
ated ;  and  entered  into  some  of  the  sweets  of 
that  rest  which  remain  to  the  people  of  God 
here.  For  some  time  past  her  husbaod  and 
small  family  hung  much  upon  her  mind, 
but  now  she  could  sweetly  leave  them  all 
in  the  hands  of  the  Lord.  On  one  occasion 
brother  Cook  was  called  up  in  the  night  to 
spend  a  little  time  in  prayer  by  her,  as  she 
was  suffering  from  great  darkness  of  mind; 
after  which  she  appeared  much  com- 
forted. On  the  Lord's  day  before  her 
death,  I  saw  her,  and  had  many  precious 
words  from  her  lips,  and  such  was  the 
strength  of  her  faith,  she  said,  was  it  the 
Lord's  will  the  next  Lord's-day  she  hoped 
I  should  bury  her;  at  another  time  she 
said,  "  I  am  sure  I  love  the  Lord ;  and  if  I 
had  strength  how  I  could  sing."  We  hope 
she  is  now  singing  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb.  Joseph  Levxtt. 

GLEM8F0RD.— Pro^tde5CE  Chapel. 
The  anniversary  of  our  Sabbath  school  was 
holden  Sunday,  May  28th.  Mr.  D.  Wilson, 
of  Clare,  preached  morning  and  evening. 
Mr.  S.  Willis  (a  member  of  the  Clare 
Church),  in  afternoon,  from  Solomon's 
Song  L  4  ;  congregations  were  large ;  col* 


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228 


THE   EARTHEN   VESSEL, 


July  1,  1866. 


lections  good.  On  the  following  Monday 
^tamooD,  teachers  and  children,  133  in 
number,  met  in  the  chapel,  where  a  good 
tea  was  provided.  Pablic  service  in  the 
evening  was  commenced  by  prayer  by 
brother  Cook,  a  Sabbath  school  teacher. 
Mr.  Kemp  (our  pastor)  delivered  opening 
address,  urging  the  necessity  of  Sabbath 
school  instruction,  and  the  benefits  arising 
therefrom:  he  also  referred  to  the  happy 
death  of  two  girls  who  were  coimected 
with  the  schooL  The  prayer  offered  at  the 
funeral  of  one  was  the  means  of  causing 
the  mother  to  seek  earnestly  for  her  sours 
salvation :  she  has  since  been  baptized,  and 
is  an  honourable  member  of  the  church. 
Brethren  Deeks,  Kerridge,  and  Whorlow 
made  warm-hearted  speeches,  and  our 
prayer  is  for  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  the 
services.  Sabbath  day,  June  2nd,  Mr. 
Whorlow  baptized  for  Mr.  Kemp  two 
males.  W.  Merkixgton. 

NEWBUEY  HOUSE,  HORNSEY  RISE. 
At  a  meeting  held  at  the  Chapel  House, 
Homsey  Rise,  on  Friday,  May  26th,  1865, 
convened  by  Mr.  Waterer  and  his  friends, 
and  which  was  attended  by  brethren  Wyard 
and  Son,  Anderson,  and  Hazleton,  the 
following  resolution,  moved  by  Mr.  Hazle- 
ton, and  seconded  by  Mr.  Anderson,  was 
adopted  unanimously,  after  which  it  was 
signed  by  Mr.  Wyard,  who  presided 
on  the  occasion : — ^Resolved — That  having 
heard  the  statements  made  by  Mr.  Waterer 
and  his  friends,  amone  whom  are  members 
of  the  churches  presided  over  by  brethren 
Foreman,  Milner,  Bloom  field.  Green,  and 
others,  in  relation  to  the  formation  of  a 
Strict  Baptist  Church  in  Hornsey  Rise,  we 
arc  of  opinion  that  they  are  perfectly  justi- 
fied in  their  proceedings  hitherto,  and  are 
deserving  the  support  of  the  friends  of 
truth."  "Signed,  Geouge  Wyard." 

BOTTISHAM  LODE,  CAMBS.— Ser- 
Wces  wore  held  here  on  Thursday,  June 
22nd,  in  anticipation  of  repairs  and  im- 
provements of  the  Baptist  cbapeL  In  the 
morning,  our  good  brother  Marks,  of  Cam- 
bridge, gave  us  a  luminous  description  of 
the  new  covenant  in  its  true  features  and 
distinction  from  the  old  covenant  of  works. 
Jeremiah  xxxi.  31.  In  the  afternoon  and 
evening,  our  long-tried  friend,  brother  Fore- 
man, was  quite  at  home  in  illustrating  the 
doctrine  of  reconciliation  to  God  by  the 
death  of  his  Son,  as  the  effect  of  the  Holy 


Spirit*s  operations  on  the  heart,  froin  Bom. 
V.  10 ;  ana  also  on  the  subject  of  the  be- 
liever's meetness  for  the  inheritance  above, 
from  CoL  i  12.  The  services  were  truly 
seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord.  The  proceeds  amounted  to  neaxlj 
£11 ;  and  £85  more  is  promised ;  a  fev 
pounds  more  are  still  needed  to  complete 
the  object  J.  Howell. 

KEDDINGTON.^^e  have  tidingsfrom 
that  industrious  hive  of  bees  in  Kedding- 
ton ;  and  we  find  they  are  re-building  and 
enlarging  their  chapel,  schoolrooms,  ^ 
Ac ;  -and  they  hope  to  open  soon  after 
harvest.  They  have  been  wonderfullj 
helped  by  that  God  who  has  ever  been 
their  friend;  but  the  great  work  which 
they  have  been  compelled  to  commence  in 
order  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  people 
and  the  neighbourhood,  lays  heavy  on  some. 
We  should  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  worthy 
minister,  Mr.  Murkin;  or  our  esteemed 
brother,  Mr.  John  Dillostone,  of  Woodland 
Green  and  Stunner  Nurseries,  had  re- 
ceived some  handsome  donations. 

DACBE  PARK.— The  anniversary  ser- 
vices were  held  on  Whit-Monday.  Mr. 
Wale  preached  in  the  afternoon.  Tbeiv 
was  a  goodly  congregation,  among  whom 
were  several  ministers.  After  tea,  a  public 
meeting  was  held,  at  which  the  brethren 
Banks,  Brunt,  Wall,  of  Gravesend,  and 
Woolliicott,  of  London,  spoke  on  the 
work  and  symbols  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  it 
was  a  time  of  refreshing  from  on  high. 

WALWORTH— EAST  LANK— It  u 
in  contemplation  entirely  to  modemiae  the 
interior  of  ttiis  chapel,  and  to  improve  the 
ventilation.  We  strongly  recommend  the 
church  to  do  so  efficiently  and  at  once. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  Mr.  George  Ince, 
preacher  of  the  Gospel  at  Winchmore- 
niU,  Middlesex,  was  suddenly  called  to 
his  heavenly  rest:  his  removal  is  deeply 
lamented  bv  a  lar^e  circle  of  beloved  friends. 
His  mortal  remains  were  interred  in  the 
cemetery  at  Ilford  on  the  24th.  Kr. 
Dickersou,  of  London,  conducted  the  ser- 
vice, and  also  preached  a  funeral  sermon 
on  the  7th  June,  to  a  numerous  congrega- 
tion, at  the  Independent  chapel,  kindly  lent 
for  the  occasion.  **  Blessed  are  thev  who 
die  in  the  Lord."  C.  G. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


ICnrXSTBB'B  VAMX. 


NA3CB  AXl>  8ITUATI0R  OF  CUAPXL. 


Audenioii,  J.  a. 
Foreman,  John 
Harrison,  J.... 
Pung,  O.  ... 
f«ilverton,  B.  J. 
Btlverton.  £.  J. 
Webb.  George 
Whorlow,  Mrn  for  Ur. 


DATE. 

SVMBEB 

18<»— May  S8 
MayS8 
June  4 
June  13 
May7 
M^18 
M^S 
June  3 

IS 

Digitized  by  LjOC 

.Qle 

Ziuii,  New  CrOflB  road,  Ueplfonl 
Mount  Zion,  Hill  street.  Domet  sq... 

liethel,  Sharnbrook,  Beda 

Bbeneser,  Ck>ttenhain ,« 

Chatteris,  Cambs 

Oarlton  Beds 

Zion,€h>ldiufflon  omcnit^  St  Faooras 
Kemp,Frovidenoe^01emsford,8uflblk 


Augast  1, 18C&  AND  OHBISTIAN  RECORD.  a» 

f  h4  'gmMon  of  (Jhriat  thi{  ^mmtiiow 
4  M  ^httrnli. 


I  HAVE  often  thought  of  that  singular  double  petition  and  question  of 
Amos,  the  rural  prophet — "  O  Lord  Qod,  forgive,  I  beseech  thee :  by  whom 
shall  Jacob  arise  1  for  he  is  small."  I  have  seen  myself  small  indeed.  I 
have  ever  seen  the  Church  of  Qod  comparatively  small :  a  weakly  and 
low  estate,  for  the  most  part,  has  been  the  state  of  Zion  as  yet ;  and 
sometimes  I  have  asked  myself — sometimes  I  have  asked  the  Lord — 
^' What  can  be  done?"  And  still,  again  the -question  comes — ''How 
can  the  Church  arise  V* 

All  was  made  plain  to  me  this  morning  in  one  line  of  good  old 
Sibbes.  He  says,  "  Wherever  there  has  been  the  greatest  dis«)very  of 
Chbist  there  has  been  most  of  God's  elect  brought  forth."  And  this,  in 
meditation,  was  confirmed  by  the  New  Testament,  where  it  is  said  when 
Philip  preached  Christ  great  miracles  were  wrought^  unclean  spirits 
were  cast  out,  and  there  was  great  joy  in  that  city.  So,  when  Paul 
preached  Christ  the  churches  had  rest,  and  the  saints  were  multiplied. 

Bnt^  more  than  all  to  my  soul  was  that  most  excellent  word  in 
Isaiah  Ix.  1,  ''  Arise,  shine,  fob  tht  light  is  comb,  and  the  glory  of 
THB  LORD  IS  RISXN  UPON  THEB."  Never  did — never  can  the  Chui-ch 
of  Christ  arise  and  shine ;  never  will  she  stand  in  her  New  Covenant 
beauty  and  gloiy,  until  the  glory  of  God  and  her  heavenly  light 
is  come. 

While,  then,  the  world  is  in  confusion,  and  the  Church  is  antici- 
pating gloomy  things,  let  us — ^let  the  ministers  of  the  Grospel — ^let  all 
the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  take — and  God  help  them  to  act  upon-^the 
advice  of  the  apostle,  '^  for  consider  him,  who  endured  such  contradic- 
tion of  sinners  against  Himself." 

Consider  and  discover,  and  then  to  all  the  world  declare  what  Christ 
is  unto  Almighty  God  the  Father,  what  Christ  is  in  Himself,  what 
He  is  in  the  power  of  the  Eternal  Spntrr,  what  He  is  in  the  Gospel, 
what  He  is  in  the  souls  of  His  own  espoused  saints,  what  He  will  be  in 
the  last  Great  Day.  This  is  the  subject — ^this  the  remedy — ^this  the 
glorious  cn>wning,  conquering  King  and  Priest ;  our  brother.  Saviour, 
fiiend,  and  helper ;  our  all,  and  in  all,  and  for  ever  and  ever !     Amen. 

I  would  gladly  spend  the  few  remaining  days  I  have,  and  devote  all 
the  strength  I  have,  to  the  contemplation  of  this  most  glorious  Person — 
the  Lord  Jssus  Christ.  Liefiably  precious  to  me  has  that  woi*d  in 
Prov.  viii.  been,  **  Then  I  was  by  Him,  as  one  brought  up  with  Him  ; 
and  I  was  daily  His  delight,  rejoicing  always  before  Him." 

A  witness  of^  and  acquainted  with  all  the  secret  springs  and  myste- 
rious workings  of  our  salvation,  we  may  well  confide  in  Him ;  and  as  he 
opens  up  these  secrets  in  our  souls,  so  do  we  realise  our  oneness  with 
Him ;  and  the  union  is  sweet  indeed.  I  here  give  a  few  words  on  quo 
spedal  character,  which  to  our  Jesus  doth  belong. 


Digitized  by 


Googk 


no  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 

Thb  Soh  of  Qod  is  the  Eternal  Wisdom  of  God. 

This  fundamental  article  of  &ith  is  discoursed  of  and  asserted  by 
Solomon  at  lai^  in  the  8th  chapter  of  the  Prorerhs  frsm  the  2^d  to 
the  32nd  verse.  There  he  declares,  first,  the  eternity  of  his  Being,  to  the 
30th  verse ;  secondly,  the  happiness  of  His  Being  (v.  31,  32),  and  be 
doth  it  very  near  in  the  language  of  Job.  Solomon  brings  in  wisdom, 
personal  wisdom  speaking  thus  :  "  The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  begin- 
ning of  His  way."  A  way  is  that  whereby  we  go  forth,  and  in  which 
we  appear  openly  to  the  view  of  others.  And  so  the  beginning  of 
Qod's  way  was  the  creation ;  for  in  and  by  that  Qod  did  (as  it  vrare) 
show  Himself  openly,  or  made  Himself  visible,  who  is  in  Himself  alto- 
gether invisible.  This  is  the  apostle's  express  doctrine  (Rem.  i.  20) : 
"The  invisible  things  of  Him  ^rom  the  creation  of  the  world  ars 
dearly  seen,  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made,  even  His 
eternal  power  and  Ckxlhead."  Thus,  the  creation  was  the  first  dis- 
ooveiy  of  God;  and  then,  in  the  beginning,  God  possessed  that  wi»- 
dom  which  is  without  b^inning,  and  which  was  (as  the  text  in  the 
Proverbs  saith  iurther)  **  before  His  works  of  old,*'  that  is,  befece 
His  oldest  works,  or  before  ever  He  had  set  any  impression  or  8tMB|> 
of  His  power  and  Godhead  upon  any  of  His  works.  Wisdom  was  «t 
home  with  God,  or  (as  the  Gfospel  speaks)  in  His  bosom,  before  God 
w«nt  abroad,  as  being  one  with  Him.  lliis  eternal  being  of  wisdom 
is  asserted  further  (v.  23)  :  "  I  was  set  up  from  everlasting,  finm 
the  beginning,  or  ever  the  earth  was ;"  that  is^  before  that  lump 
or  chaos  was,  of  which  Moses  saith  it  was  '^  without  f<»m  axkd 
void"  (Gen.  i.  1).  It  was  in  the  last  times  that  the  Son  of  God, 
the  eternal  wisdom,  was  sent  out  to  us,  but  He  was  set  up  from 
everlasting.  Christ  hath  now  set  up  an  everlasting  kingdom,  bori 
He  was  set  up  as  King  from  everlasting.  Hear  wisdom  affirming 
this  eternity.  Solomon,  to  prove  the  eternity  of  wisdom,  or  of  the 
Son  of  God,  having  said  that  He  was  before  the  earth,  as  at  firfct  a 
rude  heap,  proceeds  to  prove  the  same  point  by  an  induction  of  those 
several  parts  into  which  the  earth  was  divided,  and  the  forms  into  whkA 
it  was  shapen,  to  aJl  which  wisdom  challenges  precedency  in  tiraeL  And 
those  particulars  are  very  worthy  to  be  touched  upon  f<Mr  the  illustration 
as  well  as  confirmation  of  this  great  point  of  fidth.  And  first  he  begins 
with  depths  and  fountains  (v.  24) :  ''  When  there  were  no  depths,  I  was 
brought  forth,  when  there  were  no  fountains  abounding  with  water  f* 
depths  are  those  channels,  those  vast  vessels  or  cisterns  wherein  tlie 
wators  are  conveyed  or  contained  which  otherwise  would  overflow  the 
earth,  and  make  it  unuseful  both  for  man  and  beast  Fountains  (as  tbe 
Hebrew  word  elegantly  implies)  are  those  eyes  by  whidi  the  seas  look 
out  here  and  there  among  the  hills.  And  such  is  the  fitthomless  deptii  of 
many  waters,  such  the  continual  flowing  of  some  firantains)  tiiai  they  may 
seem  to  have  flowed  continually,  even  from  everlasting.  Tet  there  was 
a  time  when  there  were  no  depths,  all  things  being  wrapt  up  in  thai 
unconceivable  deep  of  God's  infinity.  There  was  a  time  when  there  were 
no  fountains,  the  will  of  Gk)d  having  sealed  up  Himself  to  Himself  w^o 
is  the  fountain  of  all  things ;  yet  even  before  the  Inrth  either  of  depCiis 
or  fountains  by  the  wisdom  of  God,  was  the  wisdom,  the  eternal  wia- 
dom  of  God  brought  forth.     From  the  depths  and  foantains  he  pn>> 


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Avfvstl,  1865.       •     AND  OSB^StriAN  BBCOiBD.  SgJ 

oeeds  to  the  hills  and  mountains  (v.  25)  :  '^  beibre  the  mountains  were 
settled  ;  before  the  hills,  was  I  brou^t  forth/'  Of  which  he  saith  that  they 
were  settled,  or  (as  the  Hebrew  elegantly  hath  it)  drowned,  becaoae  the 
roots  and  bottoms  of  them  vf&ce  laid  so  deep  out  of  sight  that  they  can- 
not be  discovered,  as  a  drowned  land  cannot.  Having  spoken  of  the 
earth  in  its  rude  imformed  mass  (v.  23),  he  mentions  the  earth  again  as 
separated  and  formed  (v.  26)  :  *'  WhUe  as  yet  He  had  not  made  the 
eaiih,  nor  the  fields,  nor  the  highest  part  of  the  dust  of  the  world ;" 
that  is,  the  open  fields,  plains,  and  champions,  which  are  fitted  for 
com  and  grass,  for  tillage,  or  for  travel ;  these  he  calleth  the  highest 
part  (or  h^)  of  the  dust  of  the  world,  where,  indeed,  all  the  dust  is 
raised,  and  most  of  the  businesses  which  conc^n  man's  life  are  trans- 
acted and  done.  Kow,  as  in  these  former  passages.  Wisdom,  or  the  S<»i 
of  God,  showed  the  existraioe  of  His  person  eternally  before  the  oration ; 
so  in  the  27th,  28th,  and  29th  verses  following.  He  declares  his  pre- 
sence at,  yea,  and  efficiency  in  the  whole  work  of  creation  ;  and  He  in 
them  makes  mention  of  four  parts  of  that  mighty  work — firsti  of  the 
heavens ;  secondly,  of  the  air ;  thirdly,  of  the  waters ;  fourthly,  of  the 
earth  :  When  He  prepared  the  heavens,  I  was  there :  when  He  set  a 
compass  on  the  face  of  the  depth  "  (the  heavens  compass  about  all  the 
inferior  bodies  both  of  water  and  earth)  :  "  when  He  established  the 
olouds  above"  (that  they  should  not  break  nor  dissolve  into  rain, 
but  by  His  order)  :  '*  when  He  strengthened  the  fountains  of  the 
deep  "  (that  ia,  when  he  gave  a  law  to  the  waters  underground,  not  to 
issue  themselves  immoderately,  but  only  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  man)  : 
'*  when  He  gave  to  the  sea  His  decree,  that  the  waters  should  not  pass 
His  commandment." 

(To  be  concluded  in  ow  next,) 


**  By  faitb,  Enoch  was  tntnaUted  that  he  should  not  see  death,  and  was  not  ibvnd, 
beOMise  Qod  had  translated  him ;  for  before  his  imitation  he  had  this  testtmony,  tkat  he 
pleased  God." — ^Hebrews  xi  5. 

Thkse  words,  for  some  few  days,  have  occasionally  been  in  my  spirit, 
particularly  the  last  clause.  Th&ce  is  a  depth  in  them  we  cannot  dive 
into  even  in  a  small  measure,  without  the  Holy  Spirit  \&  pleased  to  give 
light  and  understanding,  nor  should  I  have  even  attempted  to  make  any 
remarks  thereon.  But  the  last  clause  of  the  verse  seemed  to  me  to  con- 
tain a  very  testing  statement  of  vital  experience :  "  For  before  his 
translation  he  had  this  testimony,  that  he  pleased  God."  Now,  what 
are  we  to  understand  by  the  words  '<  By  faith,"  which  commenoes  many 
of  the  verses  in  this  chapter  1  I  conceive  its  meaning  to  be  this :  fiiith  in 
the  sacrifice  of  our  Lord  Jesus  (%rist,  "  Thst  one  ofiering  by  whieh  fie 
hath  perfected  for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified,  whereof  ^e  Holy  Ghost 
also  is  a  witness  to  us." 

Now,  I  can  only  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  translation  as  the  word 
of  truth  giveth  li^t  upon  it.  The  word  implies  change  or  remove. 
Now,  if  the  translation  from  darkneas  to  light,  from  the  kingdom  of 
Satan  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  be  marveUoos,  and,  blessed  be  his  holy 

Q  2 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


838  TEB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,      *     Augiirt  l,  1865. 

name,  we  know  it  is — how  much  more  the  translation  from  the  kingdom 
of  grace  to  the  kingdom  of  eternal  gloiy — ^though  grace  is  glorj  in  the 
bud,  and  an  earnest  of  the  inheritance.  This  translation  was  what  Paul 
desired :  *'  That  mortality  might  be  swallowed  up  of  life,"  and  most  haye 
borne  some  resemblance  to  what  he  speaks  of  in  another  place,  "  That 
they  which  are  alive  on  earth  (spiritually),  when  our  Lord  shall  come, 
shall  be  changed  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  be  caught  up  to  meet 
the  Lord  in  the  air." 

The  idea  appears  to  be  this,  the  transition  was  so  instantaneous 
that  Enoch  could  not  see  that  which  is  appalling  'to  human  nature, 
namely,  death.  This  was  a  manifestation  of  that  mighty  power  whereby 
our  glorious  Lord  is  able  to  subdue  all  things  to  Himself.  For,  as  a 
gardener  naturally  often  transplants  a  root  in  a  few  seconds  to  a  more 
congenial  soil,  so  the  heavenly  husbandman  translated  his  plant  to  the 
paradise  above,  there  to  abide  for  ever ;  "  Absent  from  the  hod/*  he  was 
"  present  with  the  Lord." 

The  faith  of  God's  elect  is  founded  on  the  Holy  Spirit's  revelatioDis 
in  the  souls  of  God's  people.  *Tia  one  of  the  blessings  of  the  everlasting 
covenant  to  have  Christ  revealed  in  the  heart,  the  hope  of  glory,  and  &ith 
given  to  embrace  Him  with  all  our  heart  and  soul :  and  every  elect  vessel 
is  sooner  or  later  brought  to  this  spot. 

But  we  have  now  to  speak  on  the  last  clause  of  the  verse  :  '*  For 
before  his  translation  he  had  this  testimony,  that  he  pleased  God."  Now,  I 
believe  this  to  be  a  very  testing  point  of  experience.  Of  Abel  it  L^ 
written,  "  He  obtained  witness  that  he  was  righteous,"  shewing  us  the 
perfection  of  the  atonement ;  and  this  is  vezy  remarkable  that,  through- 
out the  word,  the  children  of  God  are  designated,  "  The  righteous,"  and 
"  the  just."  For  instance,  '^  The  righteous  shall  hold  on  his  way,"  and 
"  the  just  shall  live  by  &ith."  Bighteous  and  just,  in  God's  sight,  by 
virtue  of  the  sacrifice  accepted  on  their  behalf.  And  of  this  substitution 
it  is  written,  "  In  the  mount  of  the  Lord  (that  is  Mount  Zion)  it  shall  be 
seen  to  this  day.  And,  blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  it  is  of  a  truth. 

And  here,  of  Enoch,  it  is  said,  "  He  had  this  testimony,  that  he 
fdeased  God."  Now  these  two  things  are  analogous,  and  must,  in  meas- 
ure, however  small  that  may  be,  be  realized  in  every  child  of  God.  Now, 
the  question  may  be  asked,  how  this  witness  and  this  testimony  was  ob- 
tained 1  I  answer,  by  God  the  Holy  Spirit.  In  the  everlasting  covenant 
of  grace,  the  Holy  Spirit  was  given  in  measure  to  [every  member  of  the 
body  of  Christ,  and  without  any  measure  to  the  covenant  Head,  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord  ;  and  the  power  and  grace  and  fruits  of  the  Spirit  were 
made  manifest  in  the  life  and  holy  walk  of  these  eminent  men  of  God; 
and  eveiy  word  of  God,  and  every  holy  promise  sealed  on  the  head  of 
God's  children  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  a  witness  and  a  testimony  to  them. 
So  that  most  precious  declaration,  '  For  by  one  offering  he  hath  perfSected 
for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified  (set  apart),  whereof  the  Holy  Ghost 
also  is  a  witness  to  us."  The  same  blessed  Spirit  that  witnessed  to  Abel 
that  he  was  righteous,  also  testified  to  Enoch  that  he  pleased  God.  The 
Holy  Spirit  never  witnesses  to  any  but  "  the  i*edeemed  of  the  Lord." 
No ;  he  is  the  faithful  and  true  Witness.  As  Annie  Dutton  sweetly 
wrote  : — 

"  The  Holy  Spirit  keeps  election  in  Hie  eye, 
And  knows  exMtly  who  for  our  Ueaeed  Loid  did  die." 


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August  1, 186&  AND  CHBISTIAN  RECORD.  2tZ 

Henoe  David  wrote,  "  Thy  testimonies  are  very  sure."  Yes,  his  n^ighty 
]}Ower  will  overcome  all  the  unbelief  of  our  own  heart,  and  leave  an  im- 
prebsion  never  to  be  forgotten,  though  sin  and  Satan  may  strive  with  all 
their  power,  from  time  to  time,  this  is  *'  the  secret  of  the  Lord  that  is  with 
them  that  fear  Him ;  and  he  will  shew  them  His  covenant."  Now,  the  sight 
of  a  covenant  will  give  me  no  satisfiu^tion  unless  I  know  my  name  is 
there ;  and  I  am  interested  in  all  its  provisions.  Now,  so  demonstrative 
was  the  witness  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  David's  soul  that  he  sealed  it  with 
his  dying  breath :  <'  Although  my  house  be  not  right  with  God,  yet  He 
hath  made  with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure ; 
and  thia  (mark  that)  is  all  my  salvation  and  all  my  desire,  although  He 
make  it  not  to  gi*ow/'  And  Paul — *<  He  loved  me,  and  gave  Himself  for 
me"    Amen. 

This  ooveiiAnt,  in  the  darkest  day, 

Shall  heavenly  lisht  impart ; 
And  be  over  theme  of  endless  praise, 

When  all  things  else  depart. 

Camberwell.  Johk  Taylor^ 


Wa^  Jitd|mi|nts  4  ^^^ 


To  William  Wakeham. 

Dear  Brother  in  the  Lord, — ^In  replying  to  your  question  in  the- 
Earthen  Vessel  for  May,  I  would  briefly  remark,  that  wherever  the 
Scriptures  declare  the  judgments  of  God  against  Israel  and  Jerusalem  there 
is  a  limitation  to  those  denunciations,  and  a  promise  of  final  and  eternal 
restoration  to  blessing  &r  surpassing  anything  previously  enjoyed — ^not 
so  with  the  Gkntile  nations  and  kingdoms,  at  present  ot  hereto/are  set  up. 
God  will  make  a  final  end  with  them,  and  with  Babylon  or  the  As83rrian 
of  the  last  day.  But  God,  in  declaring  His  wrath,  and  threatening 
judgments  upon  Israel  for  their  sins,  has  always  limited  His  wrath ;: 
thus — *'  The  whole  land  shall  be  desolate ;  yet  will  I  not  make  a  fuU 
end."  ''  Go  ye  up  upon  the  walls  and  destroy,  but  make  not  a  full  end.'' 
'^  Though  I  make  a  full  end  of  all  nations  whither  I  have  scattered  thee, 
yet  win  I  not  make  a  full  end  of  thee,  Jer.  iv.  27,  v.  10,  xxx.  11 ;  Matt, 
xxiii.  38,  39 ;  Luke  xxi.  24. 

Moreover,  whei-ever  the  Scriptures  describe  Israel  or  Jerusalem  ii^ 
their  great  tribulation  under  the  judgments  of  God,  by  the  hand  of  the  - 
last  great  Gentile  power,  and  God  sends  deliverance,  it  is  thm  Jinal  deH- 
vercmce.  A  setting  up  of  their  kingdom  and  glory  in  the  earth  for  ever, 
with  the  eternal  destruction  of  the  enemy,  whetiier  he  be  described  as  - 
the  King  of  Babylon,  or  the  last  great  Assyrian,  or  the  blasphemous 
littie  horn,  or  the  idol  shepherd,  or  the  beast  in  the  Revelation,  who, 
subduing  three  of  the  ten  kings  obtains  the  power  of  the  whole  ten ;  or 
the  man  of  sin,  in  2nd  Thessalonians ;  or  the  wicked  one  in  Isaiah  xi., 
all  describe  his  endy  with  Israers  and  Jerusalem's  deliverance,  as  broiight 
about  by  the  return  of  Christ  to  set  up  His  kingdom,  and  reign  in  Mount 
Zion  among  his  ancients  gloriously,  and  of  whose  kingdom  over  all 

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tSi  THE  MAETHBN  YBSaSL,  Aoguit  1,  UGBl 

peoflB^  aatMniB,  and  languages,  there  ahall  be  no  end.  Let  any  penon 
peruae  carefully  the  following  Scriptures,  Isaiah  i.,  ii,  ix.,  xi.,  xiL  See 
the  final  doom  of  Babylon,  succeeded  by  the  choosing  and  rest<M«lMA 
of  Israel  in  triumph  and  blessing,  sudi  as  th^  never  have  known  yet ; 
marting  the  coming  terrible  day  of  the  Lord,  as  set  forth  in  Isaiah  zziT^ 
XXV.,  xxvi,  xxvii.,  xxxir.,  xxxv.,  ushering  in  the  glorious  kingdom  of 
Christy  including  the  final  fesurrectwn  (compare  xxv.  8  with  1  Cor.  xv. 
51 — 54)  ;  the  city  of  the  terrible  ones  to  be  built  no  more ;  making  a  fcaat 
of  fat  th^gs  for  all  people ;  removing  the  veil  that  is  spread  over  aB 
na^wiB ;  taking  away  the  rebuke  of  His  people,  and  wiping  the  teare 
fi[t>m  all  their  fiices ;  punishing  the  dragon  or  piercing  serpent ;  punislk- 
ing  tiie  host  of  high  ones,  or  wicked  demons  in  the  heavenlies^  the 
kings  of  earth  upon  the  earth,  causing  the  moon  to  be  confounded 
and  the  sun  ashamed,  when  the  Lord  of  Hosts  shall  reign  in  Mount 
Zion  and  among  His  ancients  gloriously. 

Well,  then,  dear  brother,  Daniel's  prophecy  in  the  2nd  chapter  and 
7th  sets  before  us,  in  Nebuchadnezzar's  dream  and  Daniel's  vision,  the 
whole  time  of  the  Grentile  dominion  in  the  earth,  until  the  Lord  Christ 
shall  return  with  the  clouds  of  heaven  to  take  the  kingdom  and  dominion 
over  the  whole  earth.  But  the  9th  chapter  will  be  the  key  to  y^ur  par- 
ticular question  concerning  the  time,  times,  and  half-a-time.  The  angel 
Gktbriel  reached  Daniel  about  the  time  of  the  evening  sacrifice,  just  as 
he  was  concluding  his  confession  and  prayer  to  God,  conceriiing  the  end 
of  the  seventy  years'  captivity,  the  period  foretold  by  Jeremiah.  Daniel 
seemed  to  have  thought  the  end  of  their  troubles  was  come,  and  their 
sins  would  be  put  away  by  their  coming  Messiah.  "  The  seventy  years," 
said  he,  **  had  now  expired  since  the  desolation  of  Jerusalem.  Put 
away  oar  sins,  shine  upon  thy  sanctuary,  remember  Thy  holy  mcMin- 
tain." 

Gabriel  replied  thus,  as  the  Messenger  of  God  to  the  greatly  beloved 
Daniel :  ^  Seventy  sevens  are  determined  upon  thy  people,  and  upon  thy 
holy  eity,  to  finish  the  transgression,  to  make  an  end  of  sins,  and  make 
reoonetliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,  and 
to  aeal  up  the  viaion  and  prophecy,  and  to  anoint  the  Holy  of  Holies.*' 
Know,  therefore,  and  understand,  from  the  going  forth  of  the  command- 
ment, to  restore  and  build  Jerusalem  unto  Messiah  the  Prince,  shall  be 
seven  sevens,  and  threescore  and  two  sevens.  The  street  shall  be  built 
again,  and  the  wall  in  troublous  times ;  and  alter  threescore  and  two 
sevens  ahall  Messiali  be  cut  off  and  have  nothing ;  and  the  people  of  tiie 
prince  that  shcUl  come  shall  destroy  the  city  and  the  sanctuaiy ;  and  the 
end  thereof  shall  be  with  a  flood,  or  it  shall  be  cut  off  by  desola- 
tion. And  He  (the  Prince  that  shall  come)  shall  confirm  a  covenant 
with  many  for  one  sevens  ;  and  in  the  midst  of  the  sevens  he  ahall  camw 
the  sacrifice  and  the  oblation  to  cease ;  and  upon  the  battlements  ahall 
be  the  idols  of  the  desolator,  even  until  the  consummation,  and  tiiat 
determiBed,  be  poured  upon  the  desolator. 

Sevang  years,  pleaded  Daniel  in  his  supplication,  have  expired, 
aoootding  to  tferemiaii's  prophecy  ;  now  have  mercy,  and  wash  away  our 
8in%  and  bring  in  the  kingdom  of  Messiah. 

Seventy-sevens  e/  tfearSj  replied  Gabriel,  are  determined  npon  1% 
people  ere  their  sins  are  washed  away,  and  they  are  restored  in  everiaal- 
ing  rigkteoaiaeBB,  and  the  true  sanckuuy  pitched  and  anointed  fiorlsradl; 


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,m$.  AJSB  eSEISriAN  BBOQBD.  SSi 

and  tkcis  riiall  the  sereBfy-aeyens  of  yean  be  pasMd.  Seven  aevens  ahall 
the  temple  and  dty  be  rebuilding  in  troublous  timett ;  then  ahall  aizty-two 
sevens  more  be  completed  with  these  events.  Messiah  shall  come  and 
be  cut  off  and  have  nothing ;  and  the  people  of  the  Prince  that  shsli 
come  (he  who  has  been  prefigured  in  Nd[>uchadnez2ar^s  dream  as  the 
Gentile  monarch  standing  on  the  power  of  the  ten  kings,  and  by  the 
little  horn  in  DanieFs  vision,)  shall  destroy  this  city  and  sanctuary  which 
ahall  have  been  built  as  aforesaid ;  and  it  shall  lie  in  desolations  until  the 
end,  when  the  prince  foretold  shaJl  come  as  the  last  great  Caesar  of  the 
Gentiles  (the  beast  of  Bevelation  xiii.,  combining  the  characters  of  each 
Ibreranner,  namely,  the  mouth  of  the  Hon,  feet  of  the  bear,  skin  of  the 
kopavdy  with  the  power  of  the  tea  subordinate  kings),  bhsli  make  a 
covesant  with  the  Jews,  or  Daniel's  people,  for  seven  yeais,  or  one  a^mii, 
to  sui^rt  them  in  their  land,  sanctioning  their  city  and  temple  worship. 
But  in  the  micbt  of  tins  seven,  leaving  three  and  arhalf  years  of  the  seven, 
or  time,  times  and  a-half  to  run,  shall  he  take  away  their  daily  sacrifice, 
cause  their  worship  of  Jehovah  to  cease,  set  up  his  image  or  idol  on  their 
temple,  and  bitterly  persecute  all  who  will  not  worship  it  and  him.  This 
shall  go  on  to  the  consummation  of  the  times  of  the  Gentile  dominion 
and  period  of  Israel's  scattering  and  judgment,  when  the  Christ,  who  has 
been  sitting  ou  the  right  hand  of  God,  expecting  until  his  enemies  should 
be  made  his  footstool,  shall  come  forth  to  tread  the  wine-press  of  His 
wrath,  rule  in  the  midst  of  His  enemies,  strike  three  kings,  wounding  the 
heads  over  many  countries,  and  sending  the  desolator,  with  his  false 
prophet,  alive  into  the  lake  of  fire ;  Psidm  ex..  Rev.  xix.,  Isaiah  ix.,  xL 
Now  tracing  out  this  prophecy,  we  find  that  from  the  decree  of 
Gyros  to  restore  Jerusalem  until  the  temj^e  and  city  were  built,  was 
about  49  years,  or  seven  sevens;  firom  thence  until  our  Lord  was 
crucified,  and  Jerusalem  with  its  temple  again  destroyed,  was  62  sevens, 
making  in  aU  483  years,  or  69  sevens,  leaving  exactly  seven  years,  or 
cne  seven,  to  make  up  70  sevens^  or  490  years.  According  to  our  own 
Lord's  words  ia  Luke  xxi.,  the  Boman  armies,  or  army  oi  the  fourth 
beast,  oompasHed  Jerusalem  about^  and  the  days  of  vengeance  for  r^|eetuig 
Gfarist  beg^uDL  They  £b11  by  the  edge  of  the  sword,  were  led  away  captive 
among  the  nations,  and  Jerusalem  has  been  trodden  down  of  the 
Gentiles,  and  the  times  of  Gentile  dominion  have  not  yet  been  fulfilled. 
1,800  years  and  no  deliverance !  But  more !  Their  great  and  last 
tribulation  has  not  yet  begun ;  therefore,  their  sudden  and  fimil  deliver- 
ance cannot  be.  They  must  be  in  Jerusalem  again,  and  set  up  their 
worship  again  there  to  meet  this  last  trouble.  In  the  first  of  Isaiah, 
ihey  are  redeemed  with  judgment,  the  Lord  avenging  Himself  of  His 
adversaries,  purging  away  their  tin,  and  causing  them  to  become  a 
righteous  and  a  fiuthful  nation.  See  also  Jeremiah  xxx.  7.  Speaking 
of  that  day,  alas  I  for  that  day  is  great,  so  that  none  is  like  it ;  it  is  even 
the  time  of  Jacob's  trouble,  but  he  shaJl  be  delivered  out  of  it.  "  For  it 
shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts ;  I  wUl  break  his 
yoke  from  off  thy  neck,  and  will  burst  thy  bonds,  and  strangers  shall  no 
more  serve  themselves  of  him,  but  they  shall  serve  the  Lord  their  God,  and 
David  their  king  whom  I  will  raise  up  unto  them."  See  also  Eaekiel 
xxiL  17 — 23.  So  ia  Matthew  xxiv.  15.  The  scene  is  Jerusalem  ;  not 
aa  in  Luke  xxL,  compassed  with  armies,  but  the  abomination  of  desolation 
mentionMl  m  the  ^ophet  Daniel,  standing  in  the  holy  place.    See 


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236  THE   EABTMEN   VSSSBL,  Au^nft  1,  latt. 

Daniel  xi.  30,  describing  the'acts  of  the  vile,  wilful  king,  how  he  shall 
have  indignation  against  the  holy  covenant  he  had  made  with  lamel  £br 
seven  years,  how  he  shall  communicate  with  them  who  forsake  it,  how 
by  flatteries  corrupting  them,  through  the  power  of  arms  he  will  take  away 
the  daily  sacrifice,  and  place  the  abomination  that  maketh  desolate^ 
according  to  the  statement  of  the  angel  (Daniel  ix.  27)  in  the  midst  of 
the  seven,  and  will  prosper  in  this  to  the  end  of  the  seven  years ;  that  ia, 
three  years  and  a  half,  or  time,  times,  and  a  half-time.  Thus  in 
Eevelation,  the  beast  has  power  over  them  forty -two  months.  The 
holy  city  is  trodden  down  imder  feet  forty-two  months.  The  two  wit- 
nesses prophesy  the  whole  of  that  time,  1,260  days.  The  woman  is 
helped  and  nourished  apart  from  the  dragon's  power,  time,  times  amd  a 
haf/y  and  this  is  the  hour  of  great  tribidation  mentioned  by  our  Lord  as 
never  to  be  any  more ;  and  out  of  which  His  elect  Israel  will  be  saved 
by  His  coming  in  the  heavens  as  the  lightning  shining  from  the  east  to 
the  west  in  the  clouds  of  heaven,  with  a  sound  of  a  trumpet.  Yes^ 
there  shall  be  a  time  of  trouble  such  as  never  was  before  for  that  nation, 
but  the  elect  shall  be  delivered.  The  question  being  asked,  "  How  loi^ 
now  to  the  end  of  these  wonders  ?*'  the  answer  is,  "  It  shall  be  /'  that 
is,  the  tribulation  shall  be,  and  the  power  of  the  enemy  shall  be  for  a 
time,  times  and  a  half,  when  he  shall  have  accomplished  the  scattering 
of  the  holy  people ;  and  in  answer  to  another  question,  the  angel  adda> 
that  from  the  time  of  taking  away  the  daily  sacrifice,  and  planting  the 
abomination  that  maketh  desolate,  there  shall  be  1,290  days.  He  then 
adds  six  days  more  for  the  period  of  blessedness.  This  time  also  shall 
be  accompanied  by  the  resuirection  of  many  from  the  dead  to  shine  as 
the  stars,  or  lights,  in  the  firmament,  or  air,  evidently  the  first  resur^ 
rection  and  rising  of  the  saints,  the  members  of  Christ's  body.  His  Bride, 
to  reign  over  the  earth  with  the  Lord. 

I  think,  therefore,  dear  brother,  it  is  quite  clear  that  the  twelfUi  of 
Daniel  and  the  time,  times  and  a  half  have  no  reference  whatever  to  the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  the  armies  of  the  Emperor  Vespasian  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord,  70 ;  seeing  there  is  no  deliverance  yet,  and  their 
great  tribulation,  as  well  as  deliverance,  must  take  place  in  their  land 
and  in  their  city. 

Moreover,  these  times'  have  no  reference  whatever  to  us,  who  are 
called  to  be  members  of  Christ's  body ;  they  refer  entirely  to  Israel 
and  the  nations.  The  Lord  will  come  to  receive  us  up  into  the  air ;  not 
to  deliver  us  for  a  place  in  the  earth.  But  Israel,  the  Jews,  who  ars 
still  under  wrath  as  a  nation,  will  in  that  day  sing  the  twelfth  of 
Isaiah,  and  declare  the  wonders  and  gracious  doings  of  the  Lord  over  all 
the  earth. 

Yours  in  the  love  of  Christ,  Leonard  Strong. 


A  FEW  THOUGHTS  ON  RAHAB  THE  HARLOT. 

What  !  only  one  house  in  the  city  of  Jericho  marked  out  by  aovereigs 
fiivour,  and  exempted  from  ruin  !  How  small  has  been  the  number  of 
God-fearing  people  in  all  ages  of  the  world  !  Who  was  Rahab  f  Why^ 
she  was  a  harlot     God,  then,  didnot  bestow  His  grace  upon  her  because 


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August  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  291 

she  deserved  it,  because  she  was  better  than  others ;  yet  in  the  salvation 
of  the  soul,  grace  and  faith  operate  together.  Her  salvation  was  entirely 
of  God ;  but  binding  the  scarlet  line  in  the  window  was  her  own  act  and 
deed,  being  a  work  of  that  &ith  which  is  divine.  The  harlot  we  may 
take  as  a  type  of  the  Church  in  her  fidlen  state.  She  has  gone  a  whoring 
from  God ;  and  there  is  nothing  in  her  but  what  merits  wrath  and  oon- 
demnation.  Though  by  sin  the  Church  made  herself  a  harlot,  and  put 
herself  fax  from  God  by  her  whoredoms,  yet  she  is  drawn  by  the  cords 
of  love,  and  won  over  to 'God  by  the  affections  of  Christ's  heart  towards 
her.  She  is  made  to  confess  the  power  of  God  as  did  Bahab  ;  and  also 
His  sovereign  right  to  kill  and  destroy  the  inhabitants  of  Jericho.  How 
earnestly  does  Eahab  plead  for  herself  and  family !  So  does  the  Church 
of  Christ  plead  for  herself,  and  all  her  children.  That  which  effected 
the  deliverance  of  the  spies  was  the  same  means  of  deliverance  to  the 
harlot  In  the  one  case,  the  scarlet  line  was  let  down  by  the  wall ;  and 
in  the  other  case,  it  was  bound  in  the  window  of  the  harlot's  house.  I 
take  the  scarlet  line  aa  setting  forth  the  doctrine  of  the  bloodshedding  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Now  this  doctrine  of  the  bloodshedding  of  Jesus  Chnst, 
this  blood-line  doctrine,  may  be  employed  in  different  means.  It  is  not 
the  means,  however,  which  save  us ;  it  is  the  line  only  to  which  our 
salvation  must  be  ascribed.  As  God  brings  about  the  greatest  things  by 
human  means,  let  us  be  careful  that  we  do  not  despise  such  means.  O 
that  the  scarlet  line  may  be  exhibited  continually  in  the  window  of  the 
Church  wherever  Christ  is  preached  !  I  mean  by  the  Church's  window 
the  ministry  of  the  word.  Every  house  that  hiaa  got  this  scarlet  line 
in  the  window  is  safe ;  yes,  every  soul  that  has  got  the  doctrine-line  of 
redemption  by  Christ  bound  in  the  understanding  of  the  heart,  is 
exonerated  from  the  law's  tremendous  curse.  All  those  houses  in  Egypt 
whose  door-posts  were  sprinkled  with  blood,  were  not  in  the  least 
injured.  So  all  those  souk  who  depend  on  the  scarlet  line,  the  blood- 
shedding of  Jesus  Christ,  for  their  acceptance  with  God,  shall  never  be 
put  to  shame. 


OB,  A  POETION  FOB  BVEBT  SABBATH. 

BT    GIDEON. 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST,  6th.— THE  I  AM. 

"lAm."— Ex.  m.14. 
Reader,  hast  thou  ever  considered  the  meaning  of  these  words  as  the 
name  of  the  great  Creator  1  They  are  expressive  of  the  sd/'eanstenee, 
eternity  and  immortality  of  Jehovah.  He  did  not  say  to  Moses  "  I  was" 
or  will  be,  but  "  I  am."  What  a  wonderful  God  is  ours  !  Without 
beginning  or  end,  and  always  the  same,  ruling  all  changes  but  without 
variableness  or  shadow  of  a  turn  in  himself !  But  there  is  no  comfort 
for  us  in  this  title  till  we  find  the  great  *'  lam**  in  Jesus,  the  God-man, 
and  he  uses  the  very  words  of  himself.  (John  viii.  24,  58.)  In  the  first 
of  these  verses  he  says,  **  I/ye  believe  not  tluU  I  am,  ye  shall  die  in  your 


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TITS  BABTHSN  VESSBL,  Avgart  1, 186S. 

The  word  ''  be*'  is  in  Ualies  and  sbould  not  be  there.  Ko,  there 
is  no  aalvatiMi,  for  those  wbo  denj  the  God-head  of  our  precious  Christ. 
Then  again  He  says,  **  Before  Abraham  was,  I  am."  lliereby  shewing 
tiiiai  it  was  He  who  ^Mtke  to  Moses,  who  counted  reproach  for  His  sake 
gooMier  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt.  Would  that  we  had  more  like 
Mmsb  I  The  great  aim  of  most  professing  people  now  is  to  esci4»e 
reproadi  for  Chrisc  Hence,  anything  and  everything  is  preadied,  rather 
tiuni  the  soul-humbling  truths  of  the  cross.  Be  assured,  my  reader,  if  thou 
stick  kard  and  fast  to  the  truth,  thou  shalt  be  reproached  for  it ;  carnal 
BMn,  howevet  religious  they  may  profess  to  be,  hate  the  great  truths  of 
Cteist  as  naturally  as  the  devil  hates  holiness. 

Jesus,  then,  the  husband,  brother,  and  friend  of  the  church,  is  the 
graai''  I  Am."  Ah !  but  what  is  He,  my  soul  asks,  Lord,  what  art  thoat 
fin  «f>  the  blank.  Well,  He  has  filled  it  up,  and  said,  <<  I  am  the  life.*" 
(See  John  xiv.  6,  9.  Col.  iii.  3,  4.)  O  believer,  while  He  lives  thou  canst 
not  die!  He  is  thy  life.  Again,  says  he,  ''I  am  the  door."  (John  x.  9.)  Not 
a  door,  but  the  only  appointed  way  of  escape  from  the  world  and  sin, 
asd  death  and  hell,  to  Cod  and  heaven.  When  we  enter  the  door  we 
take  the  last  step  from  without,  and  the  first  within.  ''  I  am  the  light.*' 
aikd  once  more,  He  is  "  the  way."  It  will  take  an  eternity  to  tell  all 
He  is,  but  these  few  lines  may  help  thee  to  see  that  He  is  life,  to  make 
thee  loathe  death,  a  door  of  escape  from  it,  a  light  to  reveal  salvation,  full 
and  free,  and  the  way  to  obtain  what  is  revealed.  May  the  Holy  Ghost 
he^  thee  ti>  realise  Him  as  all  this.  Amen. 


SUNDAY,  AUGUST,  13th.   THE  GREATEST  ORATOR. 

**  Never  man  spake  like  this  man.**— John  vii  46. 

Jbsob  is  the  Alpha,  He  stands  at  the  head  of  all  things,  the  beginning  of 
the  creation  of  God,  the  first-bom  of  every  creature.  Blessed  are  they 
who  make  him  such  in  the  affection  of  their  hearts.     Yes, — 

"What  think  ye  of  Christ,  is  the  text, 
Both  of  your  state  and  your  scl 
You  cannot  he  right  in  the  rest, 


Both  of  your  state  and  your  scheme 
You  cannot  he  right  in  the  rest. 
Unless  you  think  rightly  of  Him/' 


Whatever  we  think,  no  matter  to  Him,  He  is  the  prince,  and  chief^  and 
as  a  speaker  he  stands  fast.  His  very  name  is  the  Word,  His  character 
answeiB  thereto,  "  Never  man  spake  like  this  man."  Mark  you  He  is  a 
man,  the  husband,  brother  and  friend  of  poor  sinners.  And,  as  a  man, 
His  Father  gave  Him  the  tongue  of  the  learned  that  He  miglit  know  how 
to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  the  weary  (Isa.  1.  4.)  How  blessed  then 
are  they  who  hear  him  !  If  the  Queen  of  Sheba  could  say  of  the  servants 
of  Solomon  (Kings  x.  8,)  "  Happy  are  thy  men,  which  stand  before 
thee  and  hear  thy  wisdom,"  what  may  be  said  of  such  as  hold  converse 
with  Jesus  1  None  ever  spake  with  such  authority,  power,  and  sweetness. 
His  voice  calms  the  sea ;  winds  and  storms  obey  him ;  His  words  are 
sweeter  than  honey,  and  more  to  be  desired  than  gold,  yea,  than  much 
fi&e  gold.  O  that  we  may  ever  be  ready  to  say,  **  Sj)^,  Lord,  thy  servant 
heareth." 

Again,  how  blessed  to  be  spoken  for  by  Him,  "He  ever  liveth  to  make 
laAeroession  for  us,"  we  have  in  Him  a  Wandeifid  Counsellor ^  an  advocate 
wilh  the  Father,  He  can  oat-plead  the  devil,  and  meet  all  his  chaigea. 


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ABgnstl^lMS.  AND  CMRI8TIAN  ESOOMD.  339 

He  has  power  with  Qod.  Howeyer  bad  thy  case,  if  He  hath  imdertaken 
for  thee  it  is  all  right,  thoa  need'stnot  fear,  he  will  confess  thy  guilt,  «aid 
yet  thoushalt  be  justified.  But  canst  thou  understand  His  words?  If  not, 
go  to  the  Blessed  Interpreter,  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  humble  prayer,  and 
He  will  guide  thee  into  the  truth,  and  bring  to  thy|remembrance  what 
Jesus  hath  spoken  to  thee,  and  for  thee,  in  His  holy  word,  and  thus  shah 
thou  be  able  to  say,  **  I  have  more  understanding  than  all  my  teachers ; 
for  thy  testimooies  are  my  meditation,"  &c,  (Psalm  cxix.  d9.) 


SUNDAY,  AUGUST,  20th.     CHOICE  PLANTING. 

**  Planted  in  the  houae  of  tbe  Lord.**— Psalm  xcii.  13. 

The  wicked  spring  as  the  grass,  how  is  that  ?  Why  the  grass  grows 
naturally  in  the  open  field,  and  it  is  eaten  up,  or  cut  down,  by  the  scythe. 
So  when  the  ungodly  have  flourished  for  a  while  *'  they  shall  be  destroyed 
for  ever"  (verse  7. )  Not  so  the  righteous,  the  people  who  have  felt 
their  sin,  seen  the  evil  thereof,  and  fled  for  refuge  to  the  blood  and 
righteousness  of  Jesus,  ^'  They  shall  be  called  trees  of  righteousness,  the 
planting  of  the  Lord.''  And  He  hath  set  them  in  His  house  that  b  in 
Christ,  the  true  temple.  They  are  rooted  and  grounded  in  his  love, 
(Eph.  iii.  17,)  and  grow  in  grace,  free,  sovereign  immutable  graoe,thi8  is 
the  soil,  you  can  grow  nowhere  else.     Observe  then, 

1.  To  be  planted  in  God's  house  is  a  mark  of  great  favour,  people 
do  not  put  weeds  in  their  windows  but  choice  plants,  such  as  are  of  a  rare 
kind,  or  great  beauty.  There  may  be  no  beauty  in  them  to  other  eyes, 
yet  they  are  admired  by  those  to  whom  they  belong.  So  the  saints,  poor 
things  in  themselves.  But  God  loves  them  so  well,  that  he  has  given 
them  a  name  and  a  place  in  His  house,  in  His  eye  they  are  all  fair,  with- 
out spot ! 

2.  This  shows  great  care,  why  plant  them  in  liis  house  ?  Because 
they  shall  live.  No  frost  shall  nip  the  root,  nor  storm  break  the  stem, 
nor  stranger  pluck  the  fruit,  nor  alien  see  the  beauty.  The  King  walks 
there  himself  and  watches  their  growth,  he  regulates  the  light  and  heat 
and  air.  Sometimes  it  is  needful  to  use  the  knife  and  cut  off  a  bough 
here,  and  another  there,  then  they  have  to  be  bent,  and  trained,  nature 
must  not  have  all  her  own  way,  but  bow  to  the  hand  of  the  '*  vinedresser.*' 
Sometimes  the  plant  is  put  into  the  dark,  and  then  again  brought  to  the 
light.  Now  all  this  is  painful,  nature  would  say.  Let  me  alone.  Ah  !  but 
the  Lord  says,  "  They  shall  flourish,"  and,  even  in  all  age,  be  fruitful. 
Woe  is  me,  say  you,  I  grow  little  if  at  all,  and  as  to  flourishing  I  cannot 
see  it.  The  wonder  is  not  that  we  grow  so  little,  but  that  we  grow  at  all, 
nay,  that  we  live.  But  for  this  divine  care  we  should  die,  as  no  man  can 
make  lus  own  soul  alive,  neither  can  any  keep  it  so.  But  God  can  and 
will,  for  while  Jesus  Uvea  those  planted  in  him  can  never  die  ! 

The  Lord  has  a  purpose  in  taking  such  pains  with  us.  That  is  His 
own  glory,  evety  saint  is  a  witness  for  Him  that  He  is  upright.  Eeader, 
can  you  not  set  to  your  seal  that  Jehovah  is  faithful  ?  He  has  never  failed 
you,  never  forfeited  his  word. 

•<  OfBoe  hfts  Icept  yt)n  till  tUs  d&y, 
And  will  Bot  let  you  g«k" 

Wait  awlkile^9»iid  you  will  bloom  in  iaimortal  beauty.  Amen. 

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240  THB  EABTHBN  VESSBL,  Angnit  1, 1865u 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST,  27th.— THE  BEST  POSITION. 

*^  l^e  had  a  sister  called  Mary,  which  also  nt  at  Jeaiu*  feet  and  heard  his  word.**^ 
Luke  z.  89. 

A  FINE  scene  here  for  the  painter,  Jeaus  and  the  sisters  of  Bethany,  in 

the  viUa^e  parlor,  for  they  would  not  ask  Him,  whom  they  called  Lord, 

into  the  kitchen.     They  were  both  good  women,  and  Jesns  loved  them  ; 

but  how  vastly  different  their  disposition !     Martha  was  all  care  about 

domestic  matters,  she  must  have  eveiything  "  in  apple-pie  order."     Her 

over-anxiety  about  such  things  grieved  Maiy,  ''  0  Martha,"  she  would 

say,  *'  that  I  could  see  you  more  in  earnest  about  soul  matters  !''     And 

on  the  other  hand  Mary  tried  her  sister  by  indifference  to  household 

duties.  It  wouldhave  been  well  if  each  had  possessed  a  little  of  the  other's 

temperament.     However,  let  the  beautiful  scene  pictured  to  us  in  this 

bri^  narrative  teach  us  these  two  things. 

1.  To  heair  with  each  other's  infirmiHes,  We  all  have  our  weak 
points  and  need  the  forbearance  of  others,  therefore  let  us  make  every 
allowance  for  their  short<K)ming8.  Happy  is  the  household  where  there 
is  mutual  love,  let  affection  reign  and  it  will  cover  a  multitude  of  little 
faults,  but  if  there  be  a  want  of  love,  and  a  disposition  to  carp  at  every 
little  thing,  there  will  be  perpetual  unhappiness  about  trifles.  Had  Martha 
been  a  little  less  anxious  for  unnecessary  matters,  and  Mary  a  little  more 
willing  to  lend  a  hand,  they  might  both  have  been  spared  much  pain  of 
mind,  for  you  may  be  sure  that  the  instance  here  recorded  was  not  the 
only  one  of  the  kind  between  them,  no,  not  by  many. 

2.  Let  us  learn  from  the  narrative  to  make  all  things  secondary  to  the 
soul's  interests.  What  trifles  people  allow  to  keep  them  frt>m  Jesus  I 
Reader,  let  conscience  speak,  hearken  to  its  voice,  does  it  not  say  that 
you  have  let  many  opportunities  slip  )  Martha-like,  you  were  all  care, 
and  bustle  and  hurry,  while  others  were  with  the  Lord.  A  little  more 
calm  forethought  and  contrivance,  and  you  might  have  been  there  too. 
What  minister  of  truth  is  there,  who  knows  the  state  of  his  flock,  bat 
has  to  lament  the  irregularity  of  many  at  the  appointed  season  of  worship  t 
Yes,  and  he  has  to  weep  over  their  lack  of  spirituality  as  the  consequence 
of  their  conduct.  They  live,  but  are  sickly  plants  in  the  vineyard, 
whose  seasons  of  fruit  are  few  and  far  between. 

May  God  the  Spirit  shew  us  more  and  more  that  the  one  thing  need- 
ful is  a  personal  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  the  way  to  obtain  it  is  to  sit 
at  his  feet  as  a  learner.  This  you  see  he  approved  in  Mary,  hers  was  the 
good  part,  may  it  be  thine  !  Amen. 


* 


By  Mr.  James  Wklls,  of  the  Subret  Tabebnagle,  Bobough  Roap. 

REVELATION   XIV.    1—6. 

"  And  I  looked,  and  lo,  a  Lamb  stood  on  the  monnt  Zion,  and  with  him  an  hundred 
forty  and  four  thouaand,  having  His  Father's  name  written  in  their  foreheads." 

There  can,  I  think,  be  very  little  if  any  doubt  that  theae  hundred  forty 

and  four  thousand  are  intended  aa  a  r^resentation  of  all  the  people  of 

God,  and  that  what  is  said  of  these  hundred  forty  and  four  thouauid  is 


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Angut  1,  1866.  AtfD  CHRISTIAN  BBOOBD.  241 

true  of  all  that  shall  be  savecL  And  although  ther  are  spoken  of  here 
nnmerically,  according  to  the  number  sealed  in  thatchapter,  I  very  much 
question  whether  the  number  should  not  be  understood  myBtically; 
tiiat  is  a  definite  for  an  indefinite  number.  And  the  question  of  course 
is,  has  this  been  fulfilled  )  The  answer  is  it  certainly  has  been  fulfilled ; 
for  it  was  in  the  apostolic  age  thatalargenumberof  the  Jews  were  brought 
to  know  the  Lord ;  there  the  Oospel  began.  And  whether  they  will 
ever  very  many  of  them  again  be  partakers  of  the  Gospel,  those  who 
are  concerned  in  that  question  must  consult  the  New  Testament ;  and 
there  is  no  part  of  the  New  Testament  throws  so  much  light  upon  the 
future  destiny  of  the  Jews  as  the  eleventh  chapter  of  Ilomans.  And 
besides,  you  must  divest  your  minds  of  the  idea  of  the  New  Covenant  as 
the  Gospel  of  God  knowing  anything  whatever  of  Jew,  Gentile,  male, 
female,  civilized,  savage ;  the  New  Covenant  knows  nothing  whatever 
of  these  distinctions.  The  Gospel  comes  to  us  as  sinners,  with  this  lan- 
guage, that  *<He  that  beHeveth  shall  be  saved.''  That  is  what  the 
New  Covenant  recognizes,  that  is  what  the  Gospel  recognizes ;  that  is 
the  distinction  that  tihe  New  Covenant  recognizes ;  and  that  he  that  be- 
lieveth  hath  by  that  &ith  a  distinction  from  what  he  was,  and  a  dis- 
tinction from  all  others.  That  is  the  only  distinction  that  the  Gospel 
recognizes,  the  distinction  of  the  saved  and  of  the  lost.  Keep  this  in 
view,  and  then  you  will  keep  in  harmony  and  in  order  with  the 
spiritual  design  of  the  GospeL  Now  these  representatives,  then,  of  all 
the  people  of  God  are  said  in  the  seventh  chapter  to  be  servants  of  the 
Lord.  The  idea  is  this ;  they  were  brought  to  see  that  there  was  no 
master  so  noble  to  serve  as  the  Lord ;  that  there  was  no  service  so  good 
as  the  service  of  the  Lord  ;  that  there  was  no  reward  in  the  whole  range 
of  existence  to  equal  that  reward  to  which  the  servants  of  God  shall 
come.  These  were  led  to  see  this,  and  therefore  were  content  to  be  the 
Lord's  for  ever ;  and  the  language  of  each  was  this  ;  *^  Let  me  be  Thine 
for  ever  in  Thy  love  ;  let  me  be  Thine  for  ever  in  Thy  choice  ;  let  me  be 
Thine  for  ever  in  Thy  salvation ;  let  me  be  Thine  for  ever  in  Thy  house  ; 
let  me  be  Thine  for  ever  in  thy  presence."  These  were  sealed,  and  under 
the  Old  Testament  age,  when  a  man  so  spake  relative  to  his  earthly 
master,  upon  the  duration  of  His  mortal  life,  that  man,  as  you  are 
Aware,  was  to  be  taken  to  the  judges,  and  his  ear  was  to  be  opened  with 
jui  awl,  and  he  was  to  be  his  master's  for  ever.  Now  that  was  the  man's 
sealing.  But  the  sealing  here  is  said  to  be  the  Father's  name  in  their 
foreh^s ;  that  is,  they  were  sealed,  as  the  apostle  says,  with  the  yea  and 
amen  promise  of  the  blessed  €k>d.  And  what  can  be  more  encouraging 
than  the  thoughtthatif  you  have  no  desire  to  forsake  the  Lord,  if  you  have 
no  desire  to  give  up  His  truth,  if  you  have  no  desire  to  go  away  from 
Him,  that  feeling  in  your  soul  is  a  standing  evidence  that  you  are  one  of 
those  from  whom  the  Lord  has  no  desire  to  depart,  and  firom  whom  the 
Lord  never  will  depart.  To  be  sealed,  therefore,  is  thus,  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  receive  the  yea  and  amen  promise  of  the  Gospel 
by  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord.  And  thijs  name  is  said  to  be  in  the  forehead, 
to  denote  their  public  acknowledgment  of  their  God,  and  that  they 
ATe   not  ashamed  of  that  Oospel  which  they  receive. 

^*  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  as  the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  a 
gnat  thvnder ;  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  harpen  harping  with  their  haips." 

All   this    also   of  course   musfc   be  understood   spiritually;   the 

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2i2  THB  EABTHBN  VBaSBL,  hMgoAU  IMH 

thimder  and  the  voice  here  denote  thd  power  of  the  Goapdi ;  and  tke 
harpers  harping  vith  their  harps  will  mean  all  these  people.  John  aaw 
them  in  their  glorified  state,  and  they  did  not  speak  in  whispers,  as  we 
do  now  but  they  spoke  in  heaven,  and  do  speak  in  heaven,  and 
will  speak  in  heaven  to  all  eternity,  with  all  the  eloquence  and 
majesty  which  is  here  intended  by  the  thunder  and  the  many  waters. 
**  And  thev  Bang  as  it  were  a  new  aong ;  ** 

because  they  were  new  creatures,  'and  were  brought  into  the  new 
heaven,  and  into  the  new  earth,  and  all  things  were  new.  It  was  a 
song  which  Christ  alone  could  give  existence  to.  Take  Jesus  Christ 
away,  then  there  is  nothing  for  a  sinner  to  sing  of,  but  have  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  said,  ^'  Behold,  I  make  all  things  new,"  this  shews  who 
they  were,  that  they  were  a  New  Covenant  people. 

^  They  sung  as  it  were  a  new  song  before  the  tfaoionei  and  before  the  four  beasts.**  or 
living  creatures,**  and  the  eldera,  and  no  mancoald  learn  that  song  bat  the  honored 
and  forty  and  four  thousand,  which  were  redeemed  fimn  the  earth.'* 

We  are  not  to  suppose,  friends,  that  here  are  a  hundred  and  forty- 
four  thousand  persons,  and  that  none  are  ever  to  learn  the  song  of 
redemption  but  those  himdred  and  forty-four  thousand;  that  would 
shut  the  whole  Gentile  world  out,  that  would  shut  the  major  part  of  the 
Church  out.  But  if  you  take,  as  I  just  now  stated,  these  hundred  and 
forty.four  thousand  as  the  representatives  of  the  Church,  then  the 
meaning  is  that  none  can  learn  that  song  but  them  that  are  redeemed  ; 
because  none  can  know  the  virtue  of  Emmanuel's  blood  but  those  that 
are  redeemed  by  it,  those  that  are  cleansed  by  it,  those  that  are  forgiv<ai 
by  it,  and  those  that  have  the  victoiy  by  it,  and  those  that  have  access 
to  God  by  it,  and  those  that  go  to  heaven  by  it ;  none  others  can  sing 
of  the  same.  I  was  going  to  say,  tested  by  this  rule,  what  a  scene,  if 
our  Grod  were  to  descend  to  judgment  to-day,  call  the  world  to  EKa 
feet !  Oh,  how  few  among  the  vast  bulk  of  professors,  whose  religion 
consisteth  in  the  essence  and  substance  of  it  in  the  person  and  substir 
tutional  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  are  but  few  that  can 
sing  this  song ;  and  those  that  are  taught  of  God,  they  know  there  is 
nothing  worth  naming  in  comparison  of  the  Person,  and  the  work,  and 
the  perfection  of  Jesus  Christ.  They  shall  well  understand  the  song ; 
they  shall  reject  everything  else,  and  not  in  the  mere  half-way,  hypo- 
critical, but  in  the  full  and  proper  sense  of  the  word,  ascribe  thdr  con- 
quest to  the  Kedeemer,  their  victory  to  £[is  name. 
«i  These  are  they  which  were  not  defiled  with  women.** 

Here  you  see  we  are  forced  again,  hedged  up  into  the  light  path. 
Women  here  of  necessity  mean  &l8e  churobes ;  and  those  who  are  saved 
are  not  defiled  with  those  &lse  churohes ;  they  stand  out  in  the  boada 
of  the  new  covenant ;  and  where  that  covenant  is  not,  where  that  main- 
monial  covenant  is  not,  where  that  true  Husband  of  (he  Chnreh,  de- 
scribed in  the  54th  of  Issiah,  is  not,  there  these  persons  will  not  be  ; 
they  will  not  be  defiled  with  fiilse  ohnidies.  We  live  in  a  day  ^en. 
we  have  thousands  of  loose  professors,  that  it  matters  not  a  straw  to 
them  what  representation  is  given  of  the  Saviour ;  whether  what  thej 
hear  be  from  hell  or  heaven,  they  care  but  very  little ;  and  the  reeaon 
is  because  they  know  not  their  own  hearts^  they  know  not  the  condemn- 
ing power  of  God's  eternal  law ;  or  else  th^  own  experienoe  would  force 


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Aiiffiei  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBOCm>.  2Md 

them  out  of  all  such  deluaioos,  and  bring  them  into  closer  and  closer 
association  with  that  order  of  things  described,  as  I  have  said,  in  the 
54  th  of  Isaiah,  where  is  that  order  of  things  in  which  the  people  of  God 
stand  free  from  fault,  free  from  blame,  not  defiled  with  false  churches. 
Hence  the  universal  false  church  is  called  a  harlot,  and  the  other 
churches  ai*e  called  her  daughters;  she  is  the  mother  of  karlot«. 
It  matters  not  to  them — ^they  may  be  married  to  as  many  religisiUB.  as 
there  are  days  in  the  year  pretty  welL  And  you  are  reckoned  a  bigiot, 
and  behind  the  age ;  and  while  thiee  or  four  hundred  years  ago  it  would 
have  been  very  well  to  stand  out  for  the  truth,  yet  now  that  mfl%  that 
man  does  not  keep  pace  with  the  march  of  intellect ;  he  does  not  shave 
in  the  enlightenment^  of  modem  times ;  he  has  got  those  old-faahioned 
stereotyed  notions;  it  is  a  pity  he  had  not  been  bom  and  died  out  of  the 
way  three  or  four  hundi-ed  years  ago.  And  so  it  is,  and  so  thej  may 
reason ;  but  notwithstanding  all  their  reasoning,  there  will  be  tv  lew 
preachers  of  truth  to  trouble  the  enemy  down  to  the  end  of  time ',  for 
God  never  did,  and  never  will,  leave  Himself  without  witnesses ; 
^^  For  tbey  ara  virgiBs," 

as  they  stand  in  Christ,  married  to  Christ,  and  Christ  alone.     ^  Odier 
lords  have  had  dominion  over  us;  but  by  Thee  only  will  we  make 
mention  of  Thy  name." 
"  These  are  tliey  which  follow  the  Lamb  withersoever  He  goeth."  . 

If  he  go  down  in  public  opinion,  they  go  down  with  him ;  amdl  if  he 
go  up^  they  go  with  him ;  and  if  his  truth  be  cast  out,  they  are  cast  oat 
witii  it.  Wherever  he  goes,  whatever  may  be  the  external  eircumstantfes, 
they  cleave  to  him  under  all  circumstances,  following  the  Lamb  whibker- 
soever  He  goeth. 

**  These  were  redeemed  from  among  men,  being  the  firstfmits  unto  Ood  and  to  the 
Lamb.  And  in  their  mouth  was  found  no  gwle ;  for  they  are  without  fault  bafoi»|h* 
throne  of  God.** 

In  reading  this  chapter  this  morning  in  another  translation^  this 
passage  read  thus :  '^  For  they  are  without  fidsehood  and  blameles^belbre 
the  throne  of  God."  I  do  not  know  that  it  is  an  improvement  exnetljy, 
bat  I  rather  like  the  reading  that  "  they  are  without  fakehood."  They 
are  brought  into  the  truth,  and  they  hold  the  trutii,  and  the  truth  eofy^ 
and  they  are  blameless  as  they  stand  in  Christ  before  God.  And  if  yeu 
are  blameless  before  God,  that  is  enough  to  encourage  any  one. 
"  Fear  not,  thou  worm."  Well  but.  Lord,  I  am  a  worm,  and  nO'  man ; 
I  am  a  poor  piece  of  stubble  of  straw,  worthless  and  helpless.  But 
never  nund,  I  approve  thee.  "  Fear  not^  thou  worm  Jacob ;  I  wiH 
he^  thee ;"  and  what  matters  what  may  stand  against  yon  in  heHf  or 
earth,  if  I  help  you  ?  Therefore,  it  is,  if  we  are  blameless  before  Him, 
we  have  confidence  in  Him ;  and  if  we  have  confidence  in  Him,  we  want 
ne  confidenoe  anywhere  dse. 

'^Axid  I  saw  another  angel  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting^  Gospel  to 
preach  unto  l^em  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  UndMl^  end 


But  as  your  time  is  going  on,  I  must  say  no  more  this  momsng* 


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844  THB  BABTHEN  VB8SBL,  Avguil  1,  IMSu 

THIRD  LETTER  TO  MR.  JAlMES  WELLS,  ON  HIS 
EXPOSITION  OF  THE  REVELATION. 

BY  B.    GOVETT,   OF  NORWICH. 

In  his  observations  on  Rev.  ix.l3  — ^1,  Mr.  Wells  has  announced  seTond 
important  truths :  That  God's  believing  people  stand  encircled  with  the 
salvation  of  Jesus ;  that  all  enemies  are  limited  in  their  mischief  by  God's 
power  ',  that  in  all  ages  Satan  has  his  servants ;  and  that  all  calamitieay 
how  tmible  soever,  are  unavailing  to  change  the  hearts  of  natural  men 
left  to  themselves. 

But  from  his  interpretation  of  this  sixth  trumpet  I  must  utterlj 
dissent:    Will  you  allow  me  to  state  some  of  the  reasons  1 

It  is  supposed  by  Mr.  Wells  that  this  trumpet  applies  to  all  wars 
and  calamities,  pavt  and /u^ure  alike.  He  can  see  in  it  Satan's  acting 
against  God's  people  and  Church,  in  various  ages  and  times.  *'  No  one, 
I  am  sure,  can  have  only  a  slight  acquaintance  with  Roman  histoiy, 
English  history,  or  other  histories,  without  seeing  how  ikese  terrible  jvdg- 
meiiU  have  beenfuffiUed"  He  supposes  that  this  woe-trumpet  has  be^ 
sounded  during  the  blessed  Gospel  day ;  and  while  the  Church  of  God 
has  been  enjoying  many  temporal  mercies  on  earth.  Now,  to  me  it 
aeems  clear,  that  during  the  time  of  Gospel  mercy,  and  while  God's 
churches  are  testifying  to  men  that  God  is  not  imputing  to  the  world  its 
trespasses^  these  terrible  judgments  of  the  Dc^  of  Wrath  cannot  be  going 
on.  While  the  churches  last,  or  rather,  are  recognised  before  Christ  on 
high,  is  the  time  of  the  things  which  ttre,  and  the  warnings  and  encour- 
agements given  in  the  seven  Epistles  by  our  Lord  (chape,  ii.,  iiL)  are  in 
full  force.  But  a  time  comes  when  we  hear  no  more  of  the  churches  and 
their  lamps ;  and  John  is  caught  away  from  earth  to  heaven,  even  as  it 
is  promised  by  the  Lord.     1  Thess.  iv. 

Then  b^ins  the  day  of  judgment ;  and  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh 
trumpets  are  sounded  when  that  day  of  terror  is  at  its  height.  Can  we 
be  in  that  day  ?  No  ;  for  no  trumpet  has  ever  been  heard  to  sound  from 
the  sky.  No ;  for  it  is  promised  that  those  who  keep  the  word  of  Christ's 
patience  shall  be  kept  out  of  that  day  of  trouble  (iii.  10).  And  long 
before  this  trumpet  sounds,  a  vast,  an  innumerable  multitude  of  the  risen 
stand  before  the  throne  of  God  victorious,  with  palms  in  their  hands, 
and  ascribe  the  salvation  which  they  enjoy  to  the  Father  and  the  Son. 
Rev.  viL 

Aft^  the  locust-plague  is  ended  it  is  said,  '*  One  woe  is  ended ; 
behold  there  come  two  woes  more "  after  them.  Now,  if  Mr.  Wells' 
theory  be  adopted,  this  may  as  well  be  called  the  100th  woe,  or  the  200tht 
as  the  second. 

After  the  sixthangel  has  blown,  a  voice  is  heard  out  of  the  goldsn 
altar's  four  horns.  The  golden  altar,  Mr.  Wells  says,  is  Christ,  as  interces- 
sor.. If  he  be  the  altar,  who  is  the  angel-priest  that  offers  the  prayers  of 
the  saints  on  the  golden  altar)  (viii.  3).  Why  may  not  the  altar  be 
taken  literally  f  Did  not  Moses  make  for  the  tabernacle  below  copies  of 
the  altars  which  he  saw  in  heaven  ?  May  not  this  altar  be  one  of  the 
two  which  Moses  saw  ? 

**  The  four  horns  represent  a  fourfold  or  universal  power,  to  show 
thattheLordisroundaboutHispeople,  and  that  on  every  side    •     ;    . 


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Angiut  1, 1865.  AND  OHRISTIAN  RECORD.  245 

so  that  neither  from  east,  west,  north,  or  south,  can  any  thing  smite  that 
shall  &tally  or  finally  injure  them."  But  how  is  this  taught  by  the  four 
horns  of  the  altar  1  The  four  horns  encompassed  the  attar,  but  not  the 
worshippers.  If  they  signify  anything,  according  to  Mr.  WeUs's  views, 
they  would  mean  that  nought  from  any  quarter  could  smite  Christ  the 
aliar. 

*'  The  voice  from  the  altar  is  Christ's,  denoting  that  He  has  all 
power  in  heaven  and  earth.'*  That  Jesus  has  all  power  is  true,  indeed ; 
but  how  a  voice  of  command  from  the  altar  to  four  angels  shoidd  prove 
thai,  needs  proof  itself. 

The  voice  commands,  that  the  four  angels  which  are  bound  in  the 
great  river  Euphrates,  be  loosed.  '*  These  must  not  be  regarded  as  four 
angels,  but  as  four  agencies  or  enemies."  If  we  explain  away  the  word 
of  God,  may  not  anything  be  made  out  of  it  ?  It  is  easy  to  explain,  if 
we  may  push  aside  what  does  not  square  with  our  views.  But  will 
Christ  be  satisfied  ?  If  I  had  written  a  book,  I  should  feel  indignant  at 
hearing  one  who  professed  to  expound,  it  declaring,  that  I  did  not  mean 
what  I  said. 

The  river  Euphrates,  Mr.  Wells  thinks,  means  mystically  Babylon  ; 
and  Babylon,  mystically  taken,  means  the  world.  If  we  so  shifb  Scrip- 
ture, to  what  lengths  may  we  not  arrive  !  '*  Behold,  a  virgin  shall  con- 
ceive and  bear  a  son,  and  they  shall  call  his  name  Emmanuel."  Here  a 
virgin,  taken  mystioilly,  means  a  nation ;  and  a  nisition,  taken  mysti- 
cally, means  a  city ;  and  its  bringing  forth  a  son  means,  that  a  colony 
will  arise  out  of  the  city.  Is  this  allowable  ?  Or  mnst  we  not  interpret 
literally  where  we  can  1  Is  there  anything  to  forbid  our  regarding  '*  the 
great  river  Eu]^rates  "  as  the  same  river  which  is  spoken  of  as  one  of  the 
four  of  Eden? 

Mr.  Wells  thinks,  that  the  four  angels  are  agencies  from  the  four 
winds  which  assail  God's  truth,  people,  and  Church,  And  yet  he  says,  a 
little  furtiher  on,  **  All  descriptive,  you  see,  of  the  judgments  of  Gk>d  that 
should  come  on  the  ungodly."  These  two  explanations  cannot  accord. 
The  latter  is  much  nearer  the  truth.  The  Church  of  Christ  ceases  to  be 
recognised  before  Gkxl ;  and  the  day  of  patience  is  long  past  before  these 
evils  and  judgments  begin.  And  if  we  will  listen  to  the  Holy  Spirit's 
own  account  of  the  matter,  we  can  be  in  no*  doubt  Do  these  angels 
come  as  Satan's  ministers  to  corrupt  the  truth,  or  to  trouble  the  churches 
of  Ood?  No;  they  are  wrath  against  '^the  inhabiters  of  earth" 
(viiL  13).  They  come  "  to  $k^  the  third  part  of  men'* — of  unrepentant, 
ungodly  men,  as  verse  20  tells  us. 

How  can  any  one  speak  of  these  four  angels  as  coming  from  the  four 
quarters  of  the  world  t  They  are  bound  in  one  spot ;  they  may  go  forth 
from  that  spot  north,  south,  east,  and  west ;  and  I  suppose  they  do  after 
they  are  loosed.     But  till  then  they  are  confined  there  in  chains. 

John  hears  that  the  horsemen,  whom  the  four  angels  command,  are 
200  millions  in  number.  Mr.  Wells  thinks  that  this  is  not  to  be  taken 
literally;  we  are  to  thrust  back  this  definite  number  into  indefinite- 
ness  again.  I  dare  not.  Why  was  the  express  number  named  to  John,  if 
it  liad  no  meaning?  John  could  not  count  so  many  ;  why  could  he  not 
have  said — *^  'Twas  countless  as  the  sands  V  Pare  away  in  any  problem  the 
parts  of  it  which  do  not  suit  our  theory,  and  explanation  is  easy  enough. 
Let  us  move  our  adversary's  pieces  on  the  chessboard  where  we  please, 


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J 


aM  THE  mahthbn  rmssBL,        Ai^uti^utt. 

and  'tk  easy  to  beat  Lim.     Would  not  many  millions  be  needed  to  slay 
tli0  third  of  men  ? 

Mr.  Wclla  would  apply  this  pla^e  to  the  Eoman  invasion  of  Jiidea, 
to  the  pagan  armies  assaulting  pagan  Uome,  and  to  wars  generally,  both 
past  and  future.  If  so,  this  book  must  be  of  very  small  value  :  it  can 
be  made  to  mean  any  thing.  How,  then,  shall  we  believe  this,  and 
yet  assure  ourselves  that  Jesus  said  truth  when  He  declared,  that  it 
waa  to  teach  His  disciples  about  "  things  which  must  shortly  oome  to 
pass,"  *'  for  the  time  is  at  band  V*  It  is  no  more  prophecy  than  it 
is  history. 

This  plague  corresponds^  generally  (Mr.  Welk  believes),  ¥dth  the 
2nd  of  Joel.  I  doubt  that.  Joel  ii.  speaks  of  the  k)cust-plague,  but 
hardly,  or  at  all,  of  the  sjHrit-horsemen.  "  The  latter  part  of  thai  Sod 
of  Joel  contains  an  account  of  the  Day  of  Penteeost."  That  is  not 
quite  accurate.  Peter,  in  Acts  ii,  says,  that  the  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  which  they  then  saw  and  heard,  waa  a  thing  foretold  by 
Jod. 

Mr.  Wells  does  not  believe  that  the  cheering  words,  "  They  shall 
leam  war  no  more  '*  are  to  be  literally  taken.  Why  not!  If  we  look 
indeed  at  circumstances  around,  we  shall  be  slow  to  credit  it ;  but  why 
cannot  God  bring  it  to  pass)  He  will  not,  indeed,  stay  war  by  the 
Gk>spel;  but  He  will,  by  hia  last  stroke  of  judgoienti  destroy  the  peq»le 
that  delight  in  war ;  and  shut  up  the  Wicked  One,  that  he  may  not  for 
1,000  years  deceive  the  nations  into  war.  How  do  you  take  that  pro- 
phecy of  Zechariah  ix,  brother  f  "  Behold,  thy  King  oometh  unto  thee, 
.  .  .  •  riding  upon  an  aas."  It  waa  literal,  was  it  not  ?  What  bat 
a  literal  fulfilment,  then,  will  be  given  to  the  words  whidi  follow  t — <*  I 
will  cut  off  the  chariot  from  Ephraim,  and  the  horse  from  Jerusalem ; 
and  the  bcUile-baw  shall  be  cut  qff\  and  He  shall  speak  f«9ce  to  the 
heathen''  (Gentiles).     And  what  says  Ps.  xlvL  9—1 1  % 

Was  there  ever  an  army  of  riders  and  horses  sudi  as  theaef  Theur 
horses  have  lion's  heads,  out  of  which  pour  smoke,  fire,  and  brimstoue  ; 
behind,  in  place  c^  tails,  they  have  bundles  of  Uving  serpents,  which  stiDg 
all  who  would  assault  them  in  their  rear.  '  But  you  don't  take  sock 
things  literally!'  Indeed,  I  do  I  If  God  means  to  hurl  upon  this 
wicked  world,  in  the  day  of  wrath,  his  very  terrible  judgments^  I  imagine 
that  they  will  be  rather  more  frightful  thui  common  wan  have  been.  If 
angels  are  to  be  loosed  out  of  the  Euphrates  to  destroy,  I  do  not  expect 
only  Hussars  and  Lancers,  with  ArmateroEig  guns,  and  a  battery  of  Con- 
greve  rockets. 

Mr.  Wells  says,  "  Truly  tmre  is  hitherto,  and  hm  been  now  for 
hundreds  of  years,  a  happy  country ;"  I  ask  humbly,  Should  a  Chnatian 
apeak  of  an  earthly  shore  as  his  oountry  )  Should  he  not  regard  himself 
here  as  a  stranger  and  pilgrim  1  "  For  they  that  say  such  things  dedaie 
jdainly  that  they  are  seeking  a  oountry."  '<  Now,  they  desire  a  better 
oountry,  that  is,  an  heavenly,  wherefore  God  is  not  oi^med  $o  be  eeMei 
their  Uod :  for  he  hath  prepared  for  them  a  eity."    Heb.  xi.  14,  16* 

Mr.  Wells  thinks,  that  by  the  "^  mouth,"  in  verse  19,  is  meant  the 
nder  who  gives  orders.  But  the  moutli  ia  the  harse^e  mouth,  not  the 
rider'e.  And,  not  words,  but  fire^  smoke,  and  brimstone,  proceed  oat  of 
eadi.  mouth  of  aU  the  200  million  haraes^  Sa  that  it  is  not  the  month 
of  the  fonr  leaders  that  is  spoken  of,  but  of  e&sik  at  the  8purit4M»0i. 


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Assort  1^  IW.  AND  CSRIBTIAN  RBOORD,  247 

What  does  he  make  of  the  tail?  He  thinks  it  may  mean  vnHiarif 
folkrwer^  or  Mahometan  priests^  or  Romish  priests.  But  these  are  the 
tails  of  the  horses  !  And  each  taO  is  a  hundle  of  serpents,  having  the 
heads  of  serpents,  whereby  they  injure  and  slay. 

"  Preachers,  by  human  authority,  or  by  the  Pope's  command,  ajre» 
he  thinks,  the  devil's  tail."  Let  us  be  careful  what  we  say.  Many 
preachers,  recognised  by  Acts  of  Parliament,  are  Christ's  servants,  and 
will  be  owned  by  Him  in  that  day.  May  we.  be  as  wise  and  gracious  as 
some  of  them ! 

These  seven  plagues  work  no  repentance,  we  are  told,  among  the 
remainder  of  mankind.  Though,  perhaps  200  millions  are  slain  by 
these  horsemen  in  little  more  than  a  year,  yet  the  rest  regard  not  the 
€k>d  who  sends  these  plagues.  They  worship  demons,  and  idols  which 
their  hands  have  mada  At  this  point  Mr.  Wells  speaks  of  the  simplicity 
of  the  Grospel,  and  of  what  Christ  and  Augustine  effected  by  the  simpli- 
city ci  the  Qospel.  I  do  not  see  what  is  the  connexion  between  these 
two  things.  But  I  think  if  Mr.  Wells  knew  more  of  Augustine's  views 
he  would  not  r^ard  him  as  having  exhibited  the  Gospel  in  its  simplicity. 
Would  he  think  the  following  passage  to  exhibit  '^  the  Gospel  in  its 
simplicity  f 

"  The  martyrs'  righteousness  is  perfect ;  for  they  have  been  perfected 
IB  the  act  of  martyrdom.  Therefore,  the  Church  prays  not  for  them. 
It  prays  for  other  dead  believers  j  for  the  martyrs  it  prays  not,  for  they 
have  departed  so  perfect  that  they  ni^ed  not  our  aid,  but  are  our  advocates 
(with  God)."     AneiaU  ChristianiPsfy  ii.  256. 

Would  Mr.  Wells  think  it  the  simplicity  c^  the  Gospel  if  one  should 
carry  a  sacred  bone  or  two  in  his  bosom,  and  chant,  to  the  glory  of  the 
mari^r  to  whcnn  it  belonged, — '^  Blessed  is  he  who  cometh  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  T  Or  would  he  think  so,  if  Augustine  should  teach  men  to 
praj  to  St.  Stq>hen,  and  declare  him  to  he  "  the  hearer  of  prayer  ?  " 
p^  322.     Yet  such  things  did  Augustine.     The  Lord  keep  us  ! 


CONSTANT   SUPPLIES   IN  A   BARREN   WILDERNESS, 
AND  GOOD  LIVING  FOR  HUNGRY  SOULS. 

By  Williak  Hehbt  Evans. 

Dear  Rkadwb, — ^It  was  my  lot  last  Friday  very  early  in  the  mom- 
in|^  to  pass  through  that  country  between  Auxemier  and  Yevay,  and 
looking  at  some  vineyards,  I  made  the  remark  to  a  fellow  traveller  that 
the  grapes  appeared  rather  backward ;  his  reply  was,  it  is  too  early ;  and 
as  I  pondered  over  the  first  idea  of  a  late  harvest,  or  even  none  at  all, 
and  thinking  what  a  difference  it  would  present  in  the  aspect  of  the 
eountzy,  and  the  fearful  effect  it  would  have  upon  the  happiness  of  these 
people,  those  very  precious  words  of  Habakkuk's  came  with  much  power 
and  sweetness  to  my  mind, — **  Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom, 
neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vine,  the  labour  of  the  olive  fail,  and  the 
field  shall  yield  no  meat,  the  ffock  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and 
there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stall,  yet  will  I  rejoice  in  the  Lord  and  joy 
in  the  God  of  my  salvation."     This  may,  indeed,  be  called  high  living  ; 


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348  THE  BAUTHEN  VESSEL,  Angastl,  IStt. 

and  that  soul  who  can  keep  on  such  high  and  holy  tenns  of  freedom  with 
Gk>d,  looks  backward  only  to  have  a  frirther  enjoyment  on  the  Ueaaed 
remembrance  of  past  favours  and  help ;  and  looks  forward  with  peace 
and  compoBurei;  sach  souls  breast  the  waves  of  tribulation,  knowing 
and  feeling  that  their  Father's  love  is  fixed  and  certain,  that  He  is 

"       •       •       •       good  when  He  bestows 
Nor  less  when  he  withholds. 

Now,  it  does  not  strike  me  either  from  experience  or  observation 
that  we  dwell  here  perpetually.  John  may  lay  his  weary  head  upon  the 
Eedeemer's  bosom,  but  he  must  also  be  baptized  in  boiling  oil ;  he  may 
be  indulgent  with  much  liberty  and  freedom  with  his  Master,  but  he 
must  also  be  exiled  to  a  solitary  Patmos.  So  with  all  the  Lord* s  fitmily ; 
this  is  a  changeable  state ;  let  none  suppose  that  they  shall  escape  tribu- 
lation and  trial,  for  the  express  declaration  of  Scripture  is  this,  in  the 
world  ye  shall  haye  tribulation ;  but  though  this  be  so,  still  our  God 
does  give  songs  in  the  night,  which  can  only  be  uttered  as  we  are  brought 
to  live  and  hang  upon  Him  who  is  the  first  and  the  last,  the  beginning 
and  the  end,  the  Almighty ;  and  that  this  may  be  your  happy  lot  we 
pray  for  God's,  the  Spirit's  guidance,  and  help  in  writing  and  reading. 

And  here  is  first,  Habakkuk's  prospect : 

The  man  of  God  was  anticipating  trouble,  first,  upon  Israel,  wbidi 
should  fall  upon  them  for  their  sin  and  iniquity ;  and  secondly,  as  it 
came  back  again,  like  an  ebb  tide  \i\Km  their  enemies,  who  having  been  used 
as  a  chastening  rod  in  the  hands  of  God  for  the  correction  of  his  people, 
would  afterwards  attribute  their  victory  to  the  power  of  idol  deities ;  and 
for  this  they  also  were  to  have  the  devouring  sword  of  God's  wrath 
descend  upon  them ;  and  as  this  would  be  accomplished  by  war,  with  all 
its  fearful  consequences,  the  prophet  saw  nothing  but  desolation  and  ruin 
before  him ;  for  while  God  does  at  times  provide  a  brook  Cherith,  and 
the  widow's  cruse  where  He  hides  His  people,  so  that  while  they  see 
they  do  not  feel  the  storm,  yet  it  does  appear  to  us,  that  the  righteous 
and  unrighteous  have  often  to  feel  the  bitter  consequences  of  national 
sins,  with  this  difference,  that  to  the  former,  it  is  as  healing,  cleansing 
medicine,  while  to  the  latter  it  is  death. 

But,  again,  there  is  a  more  general  view  we  may  take.  All  these 
things  which  the  prophet  saw  wotild  fail  were  of  a  temporal  character ; 
and  here  the  Lord  the  Spirit  would  teach  us  that  these  temporal 
mercies  are  not  blessings  held  in  perpetuity;  they  are  only  loans. 
Does  not  our  dear  Lord  at  times  take  away  oar  most  cherished  blessings, 
the  wife  from  the  husband,  the  husband  fh>m  wife,  children  from  parents, 
parents  from  children?  does  he  not  take  away  honours,  position,  weiUth,  and 
health  %  look  round,  poor  tired  soul,  and  see  if  thou  canst  not  find  another 
brother  or  sister  like  thee ;  are  there  none  living  now  ?  Has  there  never 
been  ?  What  1  wilt  thou  say  that  none  have  ever  been  dealt  with  as 
thou  art  ?  Was  there  not  one  whose  name  was  Job  ?  and  did  not  God 
remove  from  him  piece  by  piece  all  that  was  dear,  and  cut  down  stroke 
after  stroke  until  his  hiurvest,  flocks,  family,  and  all  was  gone ;  till  at 
last  he  longs  for  death,  and  called  the  grave  his  home,  and  the  worm  a 
sister?  Nay,  further,  if  thine  whole  life  has  been  one  of  trial  and  dis- 
tress, even  then  thou  art  not  alone ;  for  there  was  one  Lazanis  who  lived 
and  died  in  poverty,  but,  nevertheless,  found  joy  and  peace  in  heaven  at 
last 

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August  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BEOORD.  2419 

And  now,  let  us  take  another  view  of  the  words.  Do  thej  not  bear 
a  spiritual  meaning?  Are  there  not  seasons  when,  according  to  your 
own  feelings,  there  is  no  grape  on  the  vine  ;  that  is,  no  prospect  that 
you  will  ever  diink  of  the  new  wine  of  the  kingdom,  in  the  sweet  per- 
suasion that  the  blood  of  Christ  was  shed  for  you ;  times,  when  you  can 
see  that  there  is  groimd  for  every  thirsty  s^iil  to  hope  but  yours,  and 
how  frequently  is  there  a  lack  of  that  pure  olive  oil  which  makes  tke 
face  to  shine,  when  there  is  no  sensible  application  of  the  grace  of  Christ 
by  the  ministry  of  the  Spirit  of  God  softening  the  heart,  melting  the 
soul,  and  working  in  it  a  repentance  which  needs  not  to  be  repented 
of ;  when  the  wounds  which  sin  and  guilt  has  made  some  to  fester  in 
the  sun  of  Divine  anger  ?  and  if  you  try  to  look  back  upon  past  deliver- 
ances, it  is  but  to  fbel  more  keenly  the  aching  void  you  now  have  in 
your  soul.  Tou  say  the  summer  is  past,  the  harvest  is  ended,  and  I  am 
not  saved.  Ah !  says  unbelief  and  the  devil ;  and  you  never  will :  let 
us,  therefore,  look — 

2.  At  Habakkuk's  determination. 

I  joy  in  the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation.  Now  this 
determination  sprang  from  something  more  than  nature.  Creature 
religion  never  brought  a  sinner  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  never  will,  for  this 
simple  reason,  that  nature  can  never  rise  above  its  own  level,  and  the 
Holy  Spii-it  has  settled  once  and  for  ever  the  vexed  question,  "  Has 
man  power  of  himself  to  perform  spiiitual  actions,"  by  declaring  through 
the  ministry  of  his  servant  Paul ;  first,  that  the  natural  man  receiveth 
not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  neither  can  he  know  them,  for 
they  are  spiritually  discerned.  And  again ;  no  man  can  call  Jesus 
Lord  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  (See  1  Cor.  ii.  14;  xii.  3.)  Therefore, 
we  conclude  that  until  such  time  as  a  man  is  taken  into  the  school 
of  Christ,  he  will  not  see  the  necessity  for  a  Divine  protector,  nor  the  desi- 
rability of  an  inexhaustible  and  all-sufficient  sotirce  and  supply  of 
happiness ;  but  the  prophet  saw  both  of  these,  and  saw,  moi*eover,  that 
they  were  found  in  his  God,  and  he  triumphed  in  him  as  the  one  thing 
needful :  this,  then,  proved  him  to  be  one  of  those  children  who  are 
taught  of  the  Lord  ;  for  let  us  look  into  any  age  or  under  any  dispen- 
sation, and  we  see  this  uniform  feature ;  trusting,  hoping,  looking,  and 
crying  unto  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  as  He  has  been  pleased  to  reveal 
Himself  in  the  person  of  Christ,  as  the  God  of  salvation. 

Therefore,  my  reader,  I  would  say  to  you,  that  you  can  have  no 
more  Scriptural  evidence  of  your  intei*est  in  Divine  realities  than  an 
entire  feeling  out  of  yourself,  and  cleaving  close  to  Jesus  Christ.  Depend 
upon  it,  we  are  never  so  safe  as  when  we  lay  hold  of  a  precious  Christ 
without  any  gloves  on  our  hands ;  or,  in  other  words,  without  any 
attempt  on  our  part  to  cover  our  natural  imperfections  with  creature 
works;  it  is  when  we  ciy  from  feeling  experience — 

"  Black  I  to  the  fonntain  fly, 
Wash  me,  Savioor,  or  I  die," 

that  we  give  good  evidence  that  we  are  in  the  good  old  way,  and 
being  led  of  the  Spirit  of  God  :  for  my  own  part,  I  frankly  confess 
that  those  are  my  happiest  seasons  when  my  soul  feels  most  of  its 
own  weakness,  and  the  strength  of  the  Almighty  arm. 


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360  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Augut  1, 1M& 

KOTICES  OF  NEW  WORKS. 


"  GiLBAD,"  Nos.  1  and  2,  a  neat  penny  monthly,  edited  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Huband  Gregg,  B.A.  London:  W.  Freeman.  Mr.  Gregg  is 
another  Toplady  for  sound  and  solid  New  Covenant  Truth.  His  new 
monthly  magazine,  called  "  GileouL^*  is  most  uncompromising.  The 
prospectus  says : — 

"Gilead"  does  Not  teach  or  admit  Tractarianism,  Arminianism,  or 
Rationalism,  and  is  Decidedly  Opposed  to  the  "  Broad"  principles  so  generally 
advocated  in  the  present  day.  "  Gilead*'  teaches  and  upholds  Free  Grace — & 
people  "  Ohosen"  in  Christ  Unconditionally  by  God  the  Father  "  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world" — ^that  same  people  "  Redeemed"  with  the  precious 
blood  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, — and  that  All  of  Them  muHt  and  shall,  at 
the  "set  time"  of  favour,  be  "  Born  again"  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
preserved  finally  unto  the  heavenly  kingdom. 

The  Armourer,  This  first-class  penny  monthly  has  now  become  an 
established  and  intelligent  witness  for  Truth,  as  regards  the  state  of 
things  surrounding  and  approaching  us.  We  believe  Tlie  Armowrtr  will 
be  the  means  of  drawing  forth  the  judgment  and  thoughts  of  many 
strong  minds  ;  minds,  which  have  for  years,  been  exercised  in  the  study 
both  of  Prophecy  and  Providence,  but  they  have  had  no  medium  of 
expression.  The  Armourer  will  bring  them  out ;  and  their  testimony, 
though  diverse  in  some  parts,  will  be  useful.  In  the  August  number, 
there  is  a  letter  from  Dr.  Tresham  Gregg,  which  no  uerious  man  can 
carelessly  throw  aside.  The  editor  of  The  Armourer,  John  Hampden, 
Esq.,  is,  in  every  sense  an  independent  Christian  gentleman.  He  has 
but  one  object  in  view,  that  is,  to  call  the  church  of  Christ  to  a  sense  of 
her  position,  her  responsibility  as  regards  her  time  state,  and  her 
privileges  in  the  covenant  of  grace.  Unreservedly,  faithfully,  and  man- 
fully, without  fear,  or  courting  favour,  Mr.  Hampden  spei^  his  mind, 
and  allows  other  kindred  and  enlightened  spirits  to  do  the  same.  The 
Armourer,  therefore,  is  sure  to  make  its  way ;  and  its  voice  must  be 
heard.  The  August  number  contains  a  letter  from  the  Secr^iary  of  the 
Ladies'  Protestant  Protection  Society,  descriptive  of  the  sufferings  of  Ann 
CuUen,  the  escaped  New  Hall  Convent,  which  millions  in  Europe  oi^ht 
to  read  and  circulate.  The  Armourer  may  be  had  at  any  of  our  offices, 
or  of  our  agents. 

Tales  for  the  Train — Overton's  Question.  Whether  it  is  right  to 
read  as  we  ride  in  railway  carriages  is  a  physical  question.  We  write 
and  read  too  as  we  travel  over  some  thousands  of  miles  of  English  ground, 
because  we  cannot  afford  to  be  idle :  work  we  must,  as  long  as  oar 
Heavenly  Father  will  spare  and  strengthen  us  for  the  mission  He  has 
so  mercifully  given  us.  If  reading  on  the  line  is  good,  then,  we  advise  our 
friends  to  read  such  books  as  this  "  Overton's  Question,"  published  by  8. 
W.  Partridge,  at  9,  Paternoster  row.  The  type  is  large  and  clear ;  the 
subjects  are  of  great  value ;  and  the  method  and  manner  of  the  writing 
is  pleasant  and  useful.  As  we  rushed  into  a  tunnel,  the  other  day,  down 
in  Devon,  we  heard  a  minister,  call  out,  "  Shut  your  eyes  and  say  your 
prayers."  We  trust  we  never  sit  down  in  a  railway  carriage,  or  start  on 
any  journey,  without  secretly  asking  the  protection  of  heaven,  the 
guardianship  of  God ;  and  the  solemn  shout  of  the  minister  referred  to, 
certainly  set  our  heart  in  prayer ;  and  we  were  preserved.     Danger  and 


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Answi  1, 1885.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EBGORD.  SKI 

dealh  is  near  you  evefywhere,  speoiAlly  on  tke  line.  Thene  tnkn  for  ibe 
railway  issued  by  Mr.  Pai-tridge,  are  well  suited  for  serious  oontempls^ 
toton. 

The  Song  of  Songs,  an  A  Uegory  and  Us  Interpretation,  London  :  S. 
W.  Partridge.  A  lovely  little  eighteenpenny  volume,  opening  up  very 
carefully  and  briefly  the  happy  and  holy  communion  of  the  betrothed 
and  espoused  church  with  her  royal  Bridegroom.  We  admire  this  book ; 
and  wish  the  author  had  been  led  to  much  larger  and  fdller  exposi- 
tions. 

The  Seal  and  Token  of  Church  Memherahip,  A  penny  pamphlet 
has  been  sent  us,  entitled,  "  The  Methodist  Class  Meeting,"  by  J.  H.  Bigg, 
(published  by  Elliot  Stock,)  at  the  end  of  which  is  found  some  thoughts 
upon  "  The  test  of  membership, **  which  is,  indeed,  a  subject  of  vital  im- 
port at  all  times  ;  most  especially  in  these  times,  when  revivals,  general 
invitations,  and  a  ministerial  desire  to  gather  in  large  numbers,  renders 
it  a  much  easier  matter  to  enter  a  Christian  church  than  it  was  in  ages 
gone  by.  We  seriously  think  our  own  churches  might  be  benefited  by 
having  their  minds  carefully  directed  to  the  Scriptural  doctrine,  or  Bible 
test  of  fitness,  for  communion  with  the  church  of  the  living  God.  Every 
chui'ch  has  its  own  law  for  regulating  this  great  event.  But  the  question 
is,  does  the  Bible  furnish  a  t€»t  ?  Did  Jesus,  our  Lobd,  define  this  test 
and  insist  upon  it  %  Did  the  Apostles  understand  it  ?  Did  they  practise 
it  ?  Did  they  abide  by  it  1  To  all  these  queries  every  well-instructed 
scribe  will  positively  answer  in  the  affirmative.  What,  then  is  that  test? 
In  many  forms  the  Saviour  put  it,  but  His  last  expression  was  brief, 
conclusive,  and  most  intelligent,  "  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized, 
shall  be  saved."  Some  sterling  papers,  expounding  every  word  of  this 
text,  would  be  acceptable ;  perhaps  we  may  have  some.  "  The  Metho- 
dist Class  Meeting"  shows  how  essential  to  Methodism  is  this  one  branch 
of  its  system. 

The  JJfe  of  James  Keyworthy  published  by  Morgan  and  Chase. 
Thousands  of  our  readers  knew  and  loved  James  Key  worth.  His  prayers 
and  his  itinerant  preachings,  in  many  of  our  churches,  were  rendered 
useful.  All  godly  peq[>le  who  knew  this  miracle  of  mercy  knew  him  to 
be  a  genuine  Christian.  We  had  special  communion  with  this  beloved 
brother  for  years,  and  shall  take  an  early  opportunity  of  noticing  this 
volume  at  some  length. 


NOTES  OF  THE  MONTH. 


Our  Londok  Churches. — ^We  have  pleasure  in  calling  attention  to 
a  letter  from  brother  James  Wells,  which  will  famish  the  information 
many  require.  We  know  our  countiy  friends  are  anxious  to  know  when 
the  opening  will  take  place.  This  month's  Vessel  will  set  their  minds 
at  rest  on  this  subject.  It  will  be  such  a  season,  we  hope,  as  the  Churches 
of  Christ,  will  never  forget.  May  it  be  the  beginning  of  a  revival 
indeed. 

The  church  at  Trinity,  in  the  Borough,  is  full  of  expectation  now. 
Mr.  £.  J.  Silverton  has  preached  there  with  much  pleasure  and  profit  to 


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2Qj2  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Aogust  1, 186&. 

the  people,  and  is  engaged  on  a  probationary  term.  We  have  never 
hea^  Mr.  Silveiton  preach ;  but  we  have  heard  good  reports  of  him ; 
and  his  two  books  now  before  us  (*'  Sparks  from  the  Holy  Fire,''  and 
"  Kays  from  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,")  both  indicate  a  mind  fond  of 
study  j  and  a  heart  power^illy  influenced  by  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

The  Church  at  Old  Ford,  under  Mr.  Maycock's  ministry,  is  pros- 
pering and  enjojring  happy  days.  His  ordination  is  fixed  for  tlds  month, 
as  will  be  seen  by  the  notice  on  wrapper. 

The  Stepney  church,  with  Mr.  Stringer,  is  growing  fast.  Bethel 
diapel,  in  Stepney,  never  saw  such  days  b^ore. 

Brother  Thomas  Chivers  reached  his  fiftieth  year  on  the  28th 
July,  1865.  His  jubilee  was  celebrated  by  a  money  testimonial,  which 
we  hope  will  be  followed  by  many  supplements,  as  the  notice  wa^  too 
short  for  friends  to  do  as  they  wish.  We  pray  our  brother  may  have 
many  happy  years  yet  in  the  ministry  here. 

The  Afflicted  PastorDeliversd. — Dear  Brother  Banks, — Aletter 
from  brother  Jeffs,  in  this  month's  Yessel,  tells  you  I  have  left  Bexley, 
and  though  my  stay  there  was  one  of  frequent  disappointment,  still  my 
departure  was  not  unmixed  with  sorrow  and  regret ; — ^it  was  my  first 
sphere  of  usefulness  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  I  served  the  cause  as  a 
supply  and  settled  pastor  between  three  and  four  years,  and,  like  most 
men  when  setting  out  upon  a  new  enterprise,  started  on  my  work  with 
hope ;  the  prospect  was  fair  for  a  country  village.  I  saw  there  were 
things  in  the  way  inimical  to  the  full  development  of  that  fraternal  feel> 
ing  which  is  so  desirable  and  important  in  the  Church  of  the  living 
Ck)d;  but  while  I  foresaw  these  obstructions  I  still  hoped  to  remove 
them  Httle  by  little ;  not  by  violent  means,  lest  I  should  break  down 
more  than  build  up.  But  I  found  old  customs  and  prejudices  hard 
to  remove,  and  the  consequence  was  I  broke  down,  from  repeated  dis- 
appointment. Open  opposition  from  some  who  continued  their 
attendance,  only  to  mock  and  manifest  open  contempt  to  the  preacher, 
and  the  truth  preached,  broke  my  heart,  and  but  for  the  true  and  fiiith- 
ful  word,  "He  healeth  the  broken  in  heart,"  I  should  have  died. 
But  those  words  are  still  in  force,  "  He  stayeth  His  rough  wind  in  the 
day  of  His  east  wind;"  for  the  Lord  did  temper  the  wind,  and 
helped  me  to  wrestle  with  him,  though  at  times  I  felt  as  a  man  most 
desperate ;  other  doors  opened,  and  amongst  them  the  friends  on  Bezley 
Heath  (Brother  Wallis's)  gave  me  a  warm  reception.  Their  kindness 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten  ;  and  I  pray  the  Great  Head  of  Zion,  in  His 
own  time,  to  send  them  a  pastor  after  His  own  heart,  a  man  with  firm 
will,  sterling  principles,  and  above  all  a  loving  disposition.  The  friends 
at  Hounslow  gave  me  a  six  months'  invitation ;  very  many  difficulties 
stood  in  the  way.  I  took  the  matter  to  the  Loni  and  left  it  with  Him; 
He  removed  all  obstacles.  The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  I  have 
moved  down  to  Hounslow  to  the  annexed  address.     FaithfuUyin  Jesus, 

William  Henrt  Evaxs. 

Change  of  Residence. — Prom  Church  Road,  Bexley  Heath,  to 
1,  Claremont  Tillas,  Batli  Boad,  Hounslow. 

[How  we  should  rejoice  if  that  spirit  of  bitter  prejudice  could  be 
removed  fix)m  some  of  our  churches. — Ed.] 


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AngiifltJt  U66. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  EECORD. 


258 


(ftttit  (Iflmrrluis,  mii[  Jaatoiia,  ani  ani{  J^oplj^. 


OPENING  OF   THE   NEW 
SURBEY  TABEJE^IAOLE. 

Dear  Ms.  Editob, — ^Wonld  yoa  kindly 
allow  me  to  say  a  few  words  in  the 
August  number  of  the  Vbssel,  relative  to 
the  opening  of  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle, 
Wan«ey-Btreet»  Walworth-road. 

First  I  need  not  say  how  pleased  I 
shall  be,  as  will  also  the  deacons,  building 
committees,  and  the  people  of  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle  in  general,  to  see  a 
goodhr  number  of  ministers,  and  Christian 
mends  of  other  churches,  honouring  us 
with  their  presence  on  that  occasion ;  but 
my  chief  obiect  in  these  few  lines,  is  to 
express  my  hope  that,  as  according  to  the 
anangement  of  the  opening  services,  the 
ordinance^  of  the  Lord's  Sapper  is  to  be 
held  on  Thursday  evening,  the  21st  of 
September,  that  we  shall  have  a  goodly 
number  of  Strict  Baptist  ministers,  and  a 
goodly  number  of  members  of  Strict  Com- 
munion churches  to  join  that  evening  in 
the  Lord's  Supper  with  us. 

The  proceeds  of  the  collections  at  the 
ordinance  tc  be  given  to  the  Aged  Pil- 
iprim's  Friend  Society  towards  the  build- 
ing of  the  new  asylum. 

I  have  laboured  to  my  uttermost  among 
the  churches;  oonsidenog  that  I  have 
very  heavy  responsibilities  in  my  stated 
place  of  labour,  I  have  not  just  lately 
been  able  so  much  to  preach  among  other 
churches ;  but  I  hope  when  I  get  some- 
what settled  in  my  new  position,  to  still 
flo  on,  as  much  as  lies  in  me,  to  labour 
Ifir  alL  And  as  both  myself  and.  the 
people  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle  do  love, 
and  esteem,  and  pray,  for  the  prosperity 
of  Zion  at  large,  we  can  in  all  Chris- 
dan  sincerity  hope  ministers  of  Strict 
Communion  churches  will  not  only  honour 
us  with  their  presence,  but  will  take  part 
in  the  service  of  the  evening.  We  will 
welcome  them,  and  the  friends,  with  all 
our  heart  and  mind,  and  we  pray  also 
that  it  may  be  a  great  and  a  solemn  occa- 
sion. We  cannot,  of  course,  in  honesty 
or  in  fiuthfiilness  to  our  prindples,  invite 
any  but  Strict  Baptists  to  join  with  us  in 
the  Lord's  Supper ;  for  however  painful  it 
is  to  refuse  a  brother,  yet  it  woula  be  more 
painlul  still  to  set  aside  the  command- 
ment of  the  Lord,  and  sanction  a  way  to 
the  table,  not  authorized  by  him ;  never- 
theless, we  ihsll  be  glad  to  see  our  Open 
Commnnion,     aod    Independent,     and 


Church  of  England  brethren  among  us, 
on  the  opening  service  of  the  New  Surrey 
Tabernacle,  receiving  them  as  brethren, 
conceding  most  willingly  to  them  their 
right  of  conscientiously  differing  in  mat- 
ters of  order  and  discipline  from  us. 
Come,  then,  brethren  all,  and  welcome 
the  fdrthetance  of  the  Qoepd,  the  good  of 
the  nation,  and  prosperity  ot  Ziou.  Also, 
dear  Mr.  Editor,  I  feel  it  right  here  to 
acknowledge  your  great  kindness  in  the 
trouble  you  have  taken,  and  the  interest 
you  have  shown  in  the  welfare,  both  of  the 
old,  and  of  the  New  Surrey  Tabemade. 
Yours  very  sincerely  in  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus,  J.  Wblls.   . 

2,    Ampthill-place,  Vaasall-road.  North 
Brixton,  London,  July  25th,  1865. 
(See  advertisemerU  page,) 

BRISTOL,  Saturday.  July  9th,  1866. 
— By  sing^ilar  circumstances  I  was  engaged 
to  give  a  lecture  in  Wycliffe  chapel, 
Bristol,  last  evening.  I  left  at  two  in  the 
afternoon,  reached^  Bristol  at  six ,  rain 
pouring  down.  Nothing  seemed  with  me 
but  unbelief ;  but  I  walked  in  the  wet;  in- 
quired for  Wycliffe  chapel ;  was  met  by  the 
brother  of  Mr.  Hazleton's  deacon,  the  sweet 
poet  Bnrrell,  who  kindly  gave  me  welcome. 
Of  course,  the  chapel  was  empty,  the 
elouds  were  still  washing  the  streets,  and 
all  looked  gloomy  enough.  I  was  ushered 
into  the  schoolrooms  behind  the  chapel; 
Mr.  JenkyxL,  the  pastor,  received  me  plea- 
santly ;  took  me  to  his  vestx^r ;  told  me  I 
might  sit  down  and  rest  while  he  com- 
menced the  service.  I  a&ked  the  Lord  to 
help  me;  and  to  my  work  I  went  Mr. 
Jenkvn  opened  the  meeting  intelligently ; 
I  spoke  for  one  hour  and  a  quarter  witheood 
feeling  and  freedom ;  after  which  the  Kev.. 
D.  A.  Doudney  gave  expression  to  hia 
sympathy  with  us  in  the  work  of  the  even- 
ing. I  heartily  wish  the  Church  of 
England  was  filled  with  such  men  as  Mr. 
Doudney.  Puseyism  then  would  soon 
either  go  into  a  decline,  or  have  to  hide 
her  head  in  regions  far  away.  Several 
good  friends  who  know  the  truth,  and 
whose  lot  is  now  cast  in  Bristol,  came 
round  me ;  and  the  end  was  much  better 
than  the  beginning.  About  70  or  80  people 
were  present,  and  I  hope  some  seed  sown 
may  do  good.  The  ''Qospel  Standard'* 
friends  have  a  room  where  they  meet  to 
worship ;  beside  this,  it  is  said,  the  fiap> 
tists  have  no  standing  in  Bristol,  except 
where  free-will  and  open  communion  prin- 
ciples are  sanctioned ;  out  of  Bristol  I  know 
very  litUe  as  yet    This  morning  I  climbed 


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364 


THB  BARTHMN  VBSaSL, 


Almoin, 


the  Bedmead  hillii — ^fonnd  the  mansion  of 
John  Hampden,  Eaq^  the  Editor  and  propri- 
etor of  The  Armourer;  and  found  in  him  a 
man  of  might,  full  of  sound  Protestant  metal, 
a  thonniffh  gentleman,  and  whose  work  I 
would  advise  all  the  people  in  Europe  to 
read  and  circulate.  I  am  now  on  my  way  to 
Bilston.  May  the  Lordpreserve  and  pros- 
per me,  and  all  who  in  His  Son  believe. 

Mondagf,  Jtdy  10£4,  1865.— Cutting  and 
jolting  through  Warwickshire,  I  wish 
to  note  down  a  few  little  things.  The 
journey  from  Bristol  to  Birmingham  on 
Saturditty  was  so  long,  and  terminated  so 
late,  I  could  get  no  farther  that  night 
Testorday  morning  I  found  Bilston ;  and  I 
hardly  think  I  ever  spent  a  happier  day  in 
the  Lord's  service.  The  friends  who  stand 
out  boldly  for  good  old  Protestant  truth  in 
Bilston  have  not  long  erected  their  new 
chapel ;  but  in  it  they  have  nearly  every- 
thing to  render  them  comfortable.  Their 
pulpit  is  well  supplied  by  Mr.  Lodge ;  their 
organ  and  singing  are  well  conducted ;  and 
as  to  their  schools,  if  I  might  judge  from 
the  appearance  and  melody  of  the  children 
yesterday,  I  should  conclude  that  the  best 
attention  is  paid  to  them.  I  did  wish  some 
of  our  Metropolitan  choristers  and  leaders 
could  have  heard  the  singing  in  the  new 
Baptist  chapel,  Bilston,  yesterday.  I  think 
they  would  have  been  much  edified  and 
pleased.  The  chimel  was  filled  up  with 
people ;  and  towara  the  school  fund,  over 
twelve  pounds  were  contributed.  The 
little  girls  belonging  to  the  Sunday  schools 
were  all  in  white;  seats  in  front  of  the 
pulpit,  facing  the  people,  were  prepared  for 
them ;  and  in  their  quiet  and  pretty  beha- 
viour, in  their  correct  and  harmonious 
singing,  I  felt  the  deepest  interest ;  and  I 
realiaed  a  happy  hope  that  the  Lord's 
bleadng  rested  on  our  services.  My  friends, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Attwood,  were 
kind  to  me,  and  I  left  Bilston  this  morning, 
thankful  for  both  the  help  and  the  honour 
oonfennsd  upon  me. 

Tiiswfay,  July  11(A.— Last  evening,  a  tea 
and  public  meeting  was  holden  in  Squirries 
Street  Baptist  ChapeL  Our  friend  and 
brother,  Elijah  Packer,  snug  and  prayed  for 
OS.  Our  deacon  John  Mumford  explained 
the  object  of  the  meeting — ^to  dear  off  our 
rspainng  debt— and  brethren  Messer,  Mav- 
cock,  and  William  Palmer,  interested  the 
meeting  by  their  expositions  of  truth,  and 
expressions  of  sympathv  and  brotheriy 
love.  Brother  Messer  wiU  be  supplying  at 
Trinity  ch^wl,  Plymouth,  for  some  month 
or  two,  where,  we  hope,  he  will  be  under 
the  favour  and  blessing  of  his  Lord. 

BIRiaNOHAM.~0N  Sabbath  July  2nd, 
a  new  chapel  was  opened  in  the  above 
densely  populated  and  very  important  town. 
For  some  time  past  the  friends  of  this  cause 
have  met  together  in  a  nicely  fitted  up 
room,  but  finding  the  place  too  small  for 
those  who  waro  dosiroos  to  attend  the  ser- 
vioes  thera,  about  six  or  seven  weeks  ago, 
the  deaisona  sought  out  for  a  krger  plaoe 


and  succeeded  in  procuring  one.  Having 
obtained  a  lease  of  the  building  with  the 
right  of  purchase  at  any  time  before  the 
expiration  of  the  lease,  they  found  that  at 
least  £150  would  be  needed  to  fil  it  np(as  a 
chapeL  Trusting  in  Him  who  never  fauls 
to  aid  His  people,  the  friends  set  to  woi^ 
and  after  some  five  weeks'  labour  in  ooUeot- 
ing,  they  were  enabled  to  authorise  Mr. 
Thomas  Drew  to  state  just  before  the  fouth 
meeting  in  connection  with  the  opening 
services  terminated  that  the  money  collected 
by  cards  and  at  the  opening  of  the  chapri 
amounted  to  £116  d&  It  was  truly  gratify- 
ing to  witness  the  enthusiastic  outburst  of 
grateful  affection  on  the  part  of  the  people 
when  this  aanounoement  was  made. 

The  chapel  will  hold  about  300  peaoas^ 
and  is  well  adapted  for  hearing:  it  faasa 
neat  platform  facing  the  entmooe,  sad  a 
p^ery  that  will  accommodate  about  eighty 
individuals. 

The  opening  services  began  with  a^my- 
er-meeting,  during  the  holding  of  which  a 
rich  influence  rested  upon  those  who  ware 
present  At  11  o'clock  Mr.  Abraham  How- 
aid  delivered  a  most  impressive  diseomaev 
with  great  earnestness  and  apparent  free 
dom,  from  2.  Timothy  i ;  16.  lu  the  aftar- 
noon  and  evening  T.  J.  Messer,  of  London, 
delivered  powerful  discourses.  In  the 
evening  of  the  day  Mr.  Messer,  after  soma 
remarks  touching  the  value  and  importance 
of  the  epistle  to  the  Bomans,  enlargsd 
upon,  first,  the  points  of  resemblanoe 
betwixt  type  and  the  Antitype,  and  then, 
secondly,  pointed  out  the  zreat  leasoos 
taught  by  the  resemblance.  Under  the  fint 
head  of  his  discouree  ha  noticed  the  points  of 
Bonship,  purity,  paternity,  kingly  author- 
ity, life-giving  sacrifice,  Ac,  Sa^  and  im 
speaking  of  the  lessons  taught  aasssd, 
amongst  others.  1.  The  promptitude  and 
condescension  of  God's  mercy.  2.  That  th» 
plan  of  redemption  was  all  arranged  prior 
to  its  development  8.  That  ue  grsat 
doctrine  of  su  wtitutionar]^  offering  is  thai 
to  which  all  genuine  beuevers  ding.  C 
That  the  efficaciousness  of  God's  pUui  was 
proved,  in  the  salvation  of  millions  baftiiv 
the  incanation  of  Christ  6.  That  Chriii 
is  Alpha  and  Omega  in  the  salvatiaa  of  a 
sinner.  6.  That  the  final  glorifisatioa  of 
the  objects  of  unchanging  love  is  certain 
Though  the  service  in  the  evening  lasted 
two  hours,  the  attention  of  the  people  was 
kept  up  to  the  close.  On  Monday  there 
was  a  comfortable  tea  meeting  held,  and 
after  the  tea  a  public  meeting,  over  wfaieh 
Mr.  Howard  ably  presided;  uid  impressive 
addresses  were  delivered  by  Measn  T.a^ 
H.  Drew,  by  brother  VaUis,  and  an  sat- 
cellent  minister  called  Whiting.  The  iMt 
and  longest  address  was  delivered  by  T.  J. 
Messer,  and  we  shall  not  soon  foiget  the 
excitement  that  address  produced.  The 
meeting  was  closed  by  the  singing  of  that 
fine  hymn,  every  stanza  of  which  cIokb 
with  **  Crown  Him  Lord  of  aH,"  and  aflar 
the  benediction  had  been  prononnoed,  the 
people^  some  of  whom  had  bean  nassly  flv<s 


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Aagnit  1,  IMS. 


Aim  OHBMTIAN  BBOORD. 


haian  in  the  ohi^el  flMmed  Ttrj  vduelHit 
to  retira.  This  fovgoing  acoovni  of  tbe 
opening  of  this  Christian  nactauorj,  has 
liefliii  got  up^  from  brief  notM  harriaily 
fnmishad  to  the  writer,  by  our  actiTe  aeaT- 
ooa^  large-hearted,  tratn>u>ving  brother  Mr. 
T.  Drew,  one  of  the  deecona.  The  nn- 
wroidable  abeence  of  Mr.  G.  W.  Banka,  who 
had  been  invited,  was  much  regretted,  but 
he  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  the  pleasing  re- 
mit of  the  self-denying  labour  of  the  friends 
at  Birmingham.  It  is  hoped  that  the  whole 
of  the  expenses  incnrred  in  fitting  np  this 
oomf ortable  honse  of  pxsyer  will  be  paid  off 
in  a  few  months.  The  cliapel  is  situated  on 
Oonstitution-hill,  an  excellent  position  in- 
deed, and  is  just  fscing  the  end  of  Bond 
vfcreet  Friends  of  troth  visiting  Birming- 
laun,  will  now  know  where  to  find  a  place. 
in  which  the^  may  hear  the  whole  QosxmI 
proclaimed  with  coosideiaUe  ability,  by  a 
voong  brother,  whose  labours  in  Birming- 
bam,  we  rejoice  to  add  have  been  greatly 
blessed,  and  to  whom  the  memben  of  the 
church  and  congregation  appear  to  be  much 
attached.  Of  this  cause  we  have  only  to 
mkj  in  condnsion,  Etto  perpdma! 

SUDDEN  DEATeToF  W.  H.  PECK. 
*^  Wb  much  regret  to  learn  from  elder  8. 
Jackson,  that  brother  W.  H.  Peck,  of  Hal- 
loway  was  killed,  bv  being  thrown  out  of  a 
waggon  on  the  Snd  inst,  a  few  yards  from 
his  own  door,  in  sight  of  his  wtfe  and 
children,  who  are  now  left  sorrowing,  yet 
not  without  hope.  The  churoh  at  Sidney 
has  lost  one  of  its  most  valued  members; 
he  being  foremost  in  every  good  work,  and 
liberal  towards  every  good  oMect."  He 
was  bom  at  WresUingworth,  Beds,  FeK 
lGthl829.  When  five  years  old  he  lost  his 
father  by  apoplexy.  His  mother  was  a 
woman  of  sterling  worth  and  godliness. 
He  speaks  in  his  diary  of  her  earnest 
pleading  at  a  thone  of  grace  on  be- 
half of  himself  and  brother.  In  1840 
his  mother  sickened  ajid  died,  leaving  him- 
self and  brother  orphans:  but  the  Loid 
pceerved  the  fatherless.  Between  1848-9 
he  experienced  a  change  of  heart  He  left 
his  earnal  assodatea,  and  joined  himself  to 
one  that  had  begun  to  seek  the  Lord.  In  Aug- 
ust 1862  he  joined  the  churoh  at  Hill  street, 
and  was  bapficed  by  John  Foreman,  a  noble 
champion  for  free  giace  doctrine,  and  Bible 
ctfdiuancea,  a  man  whose  ministry  has 
never  varied  with  the  times ;  whose  only 
theme  is  "a  full  Christ  for  empty  sinners/* 
In  1868  he  went  to  Amerioi,  and  stood 
in  fettowship  with  thechuroh  in  Cleveland. 
Ohiow  In  1855  he  went  to  Canada,  and 
settled  at  BeUevile.  Inl858hecametoHal- 
loway  and  oontittued  till  the  Master  called 
him  home.  His  sudden  removal  caused  a  pro- 
found sensation,  andformilesthey  cametobo 
present  at  his  funeral  His  pastor,  A.  Ander^ 
•on,  preaehed  from  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  4.  A 
lacge  ooneouTBe  attended  at  the  gniT0  in 
Ifao  old  Baptist  butyiag  ground,  Thurh>w. 
B,  Jackson  preached  from  Bev.  vii  14>  IS, 
in  the  momkig,  and  from  Bev.  xiv.  18^  in 


the  evening  of  May  18th  to  the  chndi  at 
BidnsT.  As  a  fathei;  he  was  excalienl;  as 
a  Christian,  few  would  surpass  him;  as  a 
citiaen,  his  manliness  and  integrity  is  testi- 
fied to  by  many  around ;  asa  merahant,  men 
of  business  loved  him  for  his  excellent  ch»» 
meter.  Godliness  was  the  rule  of  his  life ; 
God-likaneas  is  the  full  fruition  of  the  life  he 
now  Hves.  A  wife  and  three  children  monm 
his  less.  Mav  the  great  Head  of  the  efaflSBoh 
be  their  kind  p^uardian  through  this  vale  of 
tears,  and  their  everisstiag  portion  above. 
S.  Jacebos. 
Dbab  Mr.  EnnoB. — ^Thus  far  I  have 
eopied  from  the  Canadian  Papei^  and  now 
I  copy  from  dear  Pec^s  last  letter  to  me 
dated  Dec  8th,  1864.  ''I  know  nothiiMr 
here  of  that  sweet  enjoyment  I  had  wheotl 
became  a  member  at  *  Mount  Zion,*  how  it 
is,  or  why  I  cannot  tell,  but  I  seemed  to 
live  by  love  in  those  days ;  and  now  it  ap- 
pears that  I  have  to  walk  mora  by  iaith 
without  much  present  efiioyment ;  except- 
ing what  springs  from  hope  of  future  pto» 
speots.  I  do  not  feel  very  livriy  in  spirit- 
ual things ;  and  yet  I  have  no  desires  after 
the  woriidling's  portion,  but  I  often  know 
what  it  is  to  be  m  the  7th  chapter  of  Bom- 
sna,  yet  I  seldom  get  to  thelast  verse.  The 
poet  seems  to  describe  my  position 
*'See  a  stone  that  hangs  in  air. 
See  a  spark  in  ocean  live;** 

and  if  such  be  the  case,  surely  I  have  mudi 
to  praise  the  Lord  for,  and  yet  I  can  hard- 
ly ever  find  my  harp  keyed  up  to  so  high  a 
tone  as  praise.  But  I  hope  vet  to  praise 
Him  who  was  the  health  of  the  Psalmisfis 
countenance,  and  his  Ood.**  He  has  got, 
and  is  now  enjoying  what  he  hoped  for,  as 
above  expressed:  and  may  we  soon  share 
the  same  perfection  of  bliss.  Yours  in  the 
Lord,  W.  HoLMUk 

CLAPHAM  ^  Ebekszkb     CnAPBL.— 
•'Oh  my  dJatrastful  heart. 

How  small  thy  faith  appears ; 
But  greaisr.  Lord,  thou  art 
Than  all  my  doubts  and  feara,'* 
might,  with  the  greatest  propriety,  be  sung 
as  our  fourth  anniversary  was  gliding  away 
and  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past;  for  as 
some  of  our  friends  were  absert  from 
town,  end  others  so  entangled  with  tke 
caree  of  this  life  as  to  render  aday^s  relssce 
therefrom  almost  an  impossibility,  our 
hope  of  a  good  anniveiuarv  was  not  at  all 
bruKant ;  but  in  this  we  looked  more  at  the 
things  seen  than  the  things  unseen,  for- 
getting tiie  truth  contained  in  the  sentence, 
**God  is  able  of  these  stones  to  raise  up 
children  unto  Abraham."  The  mom  whion 
ushered  in  the  day  found  not  a  Mary  at  tbe 
sepulchre,  but  it  found  a  cluster  oi  dini- 
ples  seeking  Jesus  within  the  walls  of 
Bbeneaer  chapel ;  and  as  Mary  sought  net 
in  vain,  neither  did  these  disciplee,  for  in 
drawing  near  to  Jesus  in  earnest  prnyei^ 
He  drew  near  to  them  in  gracious  maoi- 
feslBtion,  which  after  breakfast  had  been 
enjoyed,  was  resumed,  in  which  we  wsse 
assisted  by  several  dear  Mends  from  c4ker 


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THE  EABTHBN  VBBSBL, 


Augnsll,  1M6. 


seettoiiB  of  the  one  chureh  of  the  flntborn, 
whose  names  are  written  in  heaven.  At 
eleven  o'clock  Mr.  Wells  preached  from 
Zech.  X.  12 :  "  I  will  strengthen  them  in 
Lord,  and  they  shall  walk  up  and  down  in 
his  name,  saith  the  Lord."  Our  hrother 
was  listened  to  with  sacred  delight,  as  well 
he  might  be,  for  a  more  instnictive  and 
blessed  discourse  could  not  well  be  de- 
livered— a  discourse  which  exalted  the  Son 
of  Qod  in  his  glorious  work,  and  was  com- 
forting in  the  highest  degree  to  the  oft  sor- 
rowing Church  of  Chnst  Our  brother, 
Mr.  AJderson,  followed  in  the  same  strain, 
on  Uie  words,  "  The  j  shall  walk  with  me 
in  white,  for  they  are  worthy,"  dwelling  on 
the  privileges  of  the  godly,  walk  with  me, 
and  the  progressiveness  thereof,  tDtJk.  In 
the  evening,  Mr.  Bloomfield  stood  forth 
with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  using  as  the 
basis  of  his  sermon,  ^^Gkxlliness  isprofit- 
aUe  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is,  si  well  as  that  which  is  to 
come."  And  a  most  profitable  sermon  was 
our  brother  enabled  to  deliver,  entering 
very  ably  and  blessedly  into  the  godly  Ufe, 
much  to  the  edification  of  the  Churched 
Christ.  A  short  prayer-meeting  ended  the 
day,  which  through  the  good  hand  of  our 
God,  was  in  all  respects  a  good  one.  The 
weather  was  fine.  The  power  of  the  Lord 
was  felt  to  be  in  our  midst  The  attend- 
ance was  all  that  we  could  desire,  and  the 
proceeds  of  the  day  amounted  to  £15.  To 
our  Qod  as  the  great  first  cause,  and  to  our 
friends  as  instruments  in  his  hand,  be 
thanks  ascribed. 

**  Ten  thousand  thousand  precious  gifts, 
My  daily  thanks  emplov ; 
Nor  IS  the  least  a  cheerful  heart 


That  tastes  these  gifts  with  Joy." 
Brethren,  pray  for  us.— July  4th,  1865. 

EAST  LANK— Dkar  Mr.  EDrroB,— 
Knowing  you  always  take  a  lively  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  Zion,  I  thought  a  short 
account  of  East-street  chapel  would  interest 
you,  and  also  many  of  your  readers.  The 
Church  at  EastpStreet  has  been  formed 
over  90  years :  since  that  time  some  very 
eminent  ministers  have  occupied  the  pulpit 
Among  them,  and  I  think  the  first,  was  the 
seraphic  swain  who  being  dead  yet  speaketh. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus  has  been  maintained,  and 
thousands  now  in  glory,  doubtless,  are 
looking  back  to  Old  East-street  chapel  as 
being  the  place  where  the  Lord  first  oroke 
into  their  souls,  and  whero  thev  were  first 
brought  to  cry  for  mercy.  The  Church 
has  had  in  her  time  sevexal  daughters,  but 
I  regret  to  say  all  that  have  gone  out  of  her 
have  departed  from  the  truth.  She  has  had 
her  trials,  she  has  gone  through  fire  and 
water,  but  the  Lord  has  brougnt  her  into 
a  wealthy  place.  The  Church  is  being 
greatly  blessed  under  the  ministiy  of  our 
pastor,  Mr.  W.  Alderson.  I  think  since  he 
has  been  with  us  more  than  one  hundred 
and  thirty  have  been  received  into  Church 
fellowship.    On  Sunday,  June  2dth,  after  a 


very  impressive  sermon  from  the  words  of 
Peter  (Acts  x.)  "  Can  any  man  forbid  water 
that  these  should  not  be  baptized  who  have 
rsoeived  the  Holy  Ohost?"  our  pastor  bap- 
tized twelve  betievers  in  the  presence  of  a 
crowded  audience ;  it  was  a  very  solemn 
service;  there  are  sevenl  more  lingering 
round  longing  to  put  on  the  Lord  Jeana 
Christ  As  a  churoh,  we  are  at  peace  among 
ourselves :  our  pastor  appears  veiy  h^jfiy 
with  the  deaoona,  and  they  with  him,  and 
so  we  are  all  happy  together.  We  had,  aa 
you  are  aware,  to  sustain  a  heairy  blow 
in  the  loss  of  our  dear  brother  Strsdley ;  it 
was  only  to  know  him,  and  you  could  not  bat 
love  him.  I  would  just  say  that  our  dear 
brother  Stradley  during  his  life  composed 
some  very  precious  hymns ;  I  believe  they 
are  in  print,  and  no  Christian  should  be 
without  a  copy;  the  price,  I  think,  will  bo 
sixpence  or  eightpence,  to  be  had  of  his 
widow,  9,  Liverpool-street,  Walworth.  And 
may  the  Lord  abundantly  bless  you,  and 
nu^e  you  a  blessing,  so  prays 
A  MmcBBB  OF  EIast  Stbxvt  Chubcb. 

STOWMARKET.— Mr.  James  Cbrk  has 
preached  his  farewell  sermon,  and  has 
finished  his  ministerial  career  in  this  town. 
We  cannot  tell  why  he  has  left  Hismini«- 
try  has  been  useful  and  acceptable;  his 
conduct  and  conversation  has  been  strictly 
honourable;  and  the  only  conclusion  we 
can  arrive  at  is,  the  Lord  requires  him  in 
some  other  part  of  the  vineyard.  Young- 
ministen  often  derive  great  good  by  occar- 
sional  removals.  Not  that  he  would  en- 
courage a  fickle  and  changeable  desire  for 
something  new.  By  no  means.  To  walk 
on,  year  after  year,  in  fellowship  with  a 
happy  and  united  churoh,  and  to  give  the 
people  who  have  nursed  us  with  their 
prayers  in  our  youth,  the  benefit  of  our 
growth  and  advancement  in  the  ministerial 
life,  is  both  pleasant  and  right;  only  some- 
times it  cannot  be.  Wherever  James  Claris 
may  be  next  settled,  we  hope  God's  rich 
blessing  will  rest  upon  him.  There  are  veiy 
few  in  our  churohes  who  care  to  understand 
the  trying  position  of  many  of  our  beloved 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  especially  where 
there  is  a  gprowing  family ;  and  every  day 
new  demands  upon  the  minister's  purse  are 
made.  During  the  thirty  years  we  have 
been  in  the  ministry  we  have  seen  and  suf- 
fered much ;  and  we  do  feel  for  our  breth- 
ren, who  are  expected  to  live,  and  dwell, 
and  appear,  like  gentlemen,  and  yet  have 
scarcely  sufficient  for  the  common  necessa- 
ries of  life.  We  refer  not  to  Stowmarket, 
nor  to  Mr.  Clarke's  removaL  Neither  the 
parson  nor  the  people  complain ;  but  we  do 
pray  that  our  churohes  might  become  more 
spiritual,  more  charitable,  and  more  devoted 
to  the  Lord. 

ISLINGTON.— Providencs  Chapbl. 
Public  services  were  held  here  on  Lord's- 
day,  July  9th,  with  veiy  cheering  results: 
two  excellent  sermons  were  preached  morn- 
ing and  evening  by  Mr.  Giaskin  (the  late 


Digitized  by 


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Augurt  1,1806. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RBCOBD. 


m 


pMtor),  whieh  went  to  the  hMrts  of  the 
peoj^e,  who  were  truly  fflad  once  mora  to 
see  him  in  the  old  spot,  for  they  reeponded 
nobly  to  the  appeal  made  to  them  for  good 
coUectionii :  it  proved  a  good  season  to 
many  of  tne  Lord's  dear  people,  whose 
flonls  were  fed  with  the  rich  and  savonry 
truths  deli  vered  on  the  occasion.  Some  good 
and  wholesome' adyice  was  also  given  to 
the  Church  and  peo|>le  under  the  present 
circumstances  to  continue  to  keep  together 
in  love  and  peace  till  the  Lord  shall  appear 
for  us  in  sending  a  pastor,  for  whieh  we  are 
anxiously  pnying.  We  are  haying  excel- 
lent supplies,  and  hope  the  time  is  not  far 
distant  when  we  shall  be  settled;  we  are 
Yexy  thankful  to  the  Lord  for  the  peace 
and  unanimity  of  feeling  among  the  friends. 
Mr.  Stringer  gave  us  a  good  sermon  in  the 
aftoiuoon :  on  the  Tuesday  following  Mr. 
Wall,  of  Gniyeeend,  dwelt  most  sweetly  on 
the  first  yerse  of  the  23rd  Psalm.  A  good 
company  sat  down  to  tea,  after  which  we 
had  a  most  cheering  meeting,  at  which 
HessTB.  Flack,  WaU,  Heeres,  Pahner, 
Webb,  Frith,  Bilyorton,  and  Griffiths,  were 
present,  and  spoke  well  upon  their  subjects, 
iieing  the  yarious  names  belonging  to 
Jehoyah.  Collecting  cards  were  called  in 
during  the  evening  towards  the  small  debt 
remaining  (for  the  improvement  of  the 
place),  wnicn  together  with  the  collections, 
amounted  to  thirty  pounds,  for  which  we 
think  we  ought  to  be  abundantly  thankful 
to  the  friends  who  were  present  on  the 
occasion,  and  seeing  there  is  no  pastor  at 
present,  may  the  dear  Lord  very  soon 
answer  our  cries  in  this  respect,  and  more 
abundantly  bless  the  Church  here,  and  not 
only  here,  but  every  Church  throughout 
the  world,  whose  aim  and  object  are  to 
exalt  the  name  of  our  dear  Lord  and 
Saviour.  £.  Willet. 

KNOWL  HILl""cHAPBL,— Revival 
Tba  Mektcco.  Dear  Mr.  Banks,— For 
the  love  we  aU  bear  to  our  highly  esteemed 
brother  Mason.  I  send  you  this.  He  has 
been  laid  on  a  bed  of  affliction  for  eighteen 
months.  We  unitedly  hope  this  wiU  meet 
the  eye  and  rejoice  the  neart  of  all  who 
love  to  promote  our  great  and  glorious 
Bedeemers  kingdom.  We  met  recently  at 
8  p.m.,  and  found  our  lm>ther  Mason  rather 
in  the  lowlands;  but  he  gave  out  two 
favourite  hymns,  which  we  sung,  and 
assistant  pastor,  brother  Webb,  offered 
prayer,  at  the  close  of  which  our  aged 
brother  Mason  feelingly  acknowledged 
our  great  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  give 
him  a  sip  of  the  brook  by  the  way.  Tea 
being  announced,  we  were  agreeably  sur- 
prised to  find  the  chapel  neariy  nill  of 
smilinff  faces.  After  tea  brother  Webb  ad- 
dressed the  meeting  on  the  great  import- 
ance of  the  unity  of  the  brethren:  the 
assistant  supplies  from  Providence  chapel, 
Orchard-road,  Beading,  brother  Uasker,  on 
true  wisdom  to  be  found  only  in  Christ; 
and  deaoon  brother  Vige,  on  fove  to  Ohri^ 
He  read  some  verMshebad  oompoMd,  very 


suitable  to  the  oocasfon,  which  were  sung 
in  good  earnest  Brother  Brown  on  exhorta- 
tfon  to  the  diligent  use  of  aU  the  means 
God  of  his  sovereign  grace  and  mercy  has 
so  bountifully  bestowed,  and  for  unceasing 
prayer  on  our  brothers  Mason*s  and  Webb's 
labours  in  this  place,  and  for  Zion  univer- 
sally. It  was  a  joyful  day.  On  the  4th  of 
July,  our  anniversary  was  holden,  when 
brethren  C.  W.  Banks  and  G.  Wyurd 
preached  Gospel  sermons. 

OXFOBD  STEEET.— SoHO  Chapel. 
On  Wednesday,  July  5th,  I  had  pleasure  in 
accompanying  iny  Christian  friends,  and 
our  school  to  Erith  Gardens,  it  heipg 
our  nineteenth  annual  excursion,  on  which 
occasion  a  goodly  number  of  the  friends  went 
with  the  schooL  We  had  four  or  five  minis- 
ters with  us ;  we  love  them  for  their  work's 
sake;  it  had  a  tendency  to  remind  us  of 
olden  times,  when  we  saw  our  aged  pastors. 
But  oh !  my  brother,  to  tell  you  my  feelings 
whilst  on  the  journey  and  in  the  gardens  I 
cannot;  there  was  one  that  usually  went 
with  us  that  was  missing.  I  felt  we  were 
going  alone,  like  children  without  their 
parents,  if  I  mav  so  explain  myself;  al- 
although  we  had  the  eye  of  our  gpmcious  hea- 
venly Father  over  us.  We  had  a  ver^- 
happy  day.  That  dear  saint  of  the  most 
high  God,  John  Peter,  was  with  us  last 
time.  Where  is  he  ?  I  answer,  his  im- 
mortal spirit  has  Ish  the  body,  and  taken  its 
flight  into  the  realms  of  the  blessed  on  high. 
There  he  is,  with  that  ereat  multitude  who 
have  washed  their  robes  and  made  them 
white  in  the  precious  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
He  knoweth  now  in  ite  perfection,  some- 
thing of  those  lines  he  oft  used  to  quote : 
**  U  miofa  the  iweetness  of  the  stream, 
What  must  the  fountain  bet" 
I  cannot  wish  him  back;  nor  sorrow  like 
those  that  have  no  hope  over  my  dear  de- 
parted pastor^  knowing  that  our  loss  is  his 
eternal  gain ;  be  it  our  eternal  mercy  to  he 
amongst  that  glorious  number.  So  prays, 
yours  in  Christ,  A  Mebiber. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  sermon  Mr.  Pells 
preached  at  Mr.  Alderson's,  Walworth ;  all 
who  heard  him  that  night  concluded  that  he 
was  "ripening  for  gloiy;  if  you  can  allow 
space  in  the  Vessel,  I  will  give  you  the 
substance  of  it,  it  being  the  last  sermon 
but  one ;  he  preached  it  on  Sunday  evening. 
fWe  have  been  obliged  to  abridge  this  for 

want  of  room : — ^the  sermon  we  shall  be 

thankful  for.    Ed.] 

BOBOUGH  GsiiN.— Mr.  W.  Frith 
having  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  In  this  place,  at  a  meeting  con- 
vened July  3rd,  for  devotional  exercises, 
he  was  presented  with  a  verr  handsome 
copy  of  Mf^r's  Comprehensive  Bible  in 
morocco,  with  philological  and  explanatory' 
notes.  Mr.  Foltick.  one  of  the  deacons, 
made  the  presentation  in  the  name  of  the 
subscribers,  which  was  duly  acknowledged 
by  the  late  pastor.  A  very  handsome  work- 
box  was  abo  presented  to  Mn.  Frith  by  a 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THB  BARTHBN  VBOaSL, 


fMr  of  tbelaiiM  of  tlie  ohiiicb  and  oo&m- 
niion.  In  additioii  to  fhe  abov^  Mr. 
Frith  luui  reoeiTod,  throvgli  the  kixMUicn 
of  the  friends,  a  fine  elpeca  baptizing  gown. 
Dr.  Hftwker'a  Commentary  on  the  New 
Teatament»  in  ealf,  gilt;  a  Hebrew  Bible, 
Bridge*!  Oomroentarv  on  the  il9th  Psalm, 
OydopodiA  of  monu  and  religions  trutha, 
by  John  Bate,  price  15a.;  Bishop  Ck>w- 
par's  work,  besides  many   other   smaller 

})resent8  in  money  and  books.  Tbns  he 
eares  his  late  charge  with  the  best  wishes 
of  an  ailectionate  and  dsToted  people. 

HOBKSEY.— AtNewbvxy  Honse,  Hom- 
sey  Bise,  London,  N.,  on  Thnraday  even- 
ingp,  June  29th,  1866,  our  friend,  Mr.  G. 
Wyard,  came  over  exjpressly  to  recogxiise 
nsas  a  Strict  Baptist  Church.  The  meeting 
commenced  by  amging  761st  hymn  (Den.) ; 
after  which  was  read  %»h.  iy.  Then  449tii 
hymn:  "Union  with  Cfhriat"  Mr.  Wyard 
addressed  us  from  1  Tim.  iiL  16:  ^*Tbe 
Church  of  the  living  God  ;**  giving  each  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  Mr.  Waterer 
aa  their  pastor,  acknowledged  us  as  a 
Church  of  Christ  according  to  New  Testa- 
ment order.  The  601st  hymn,  "Jesus 
Sovereign  Lord  of  all,**  was  then  sung; 
after  which  Mr.  G.  Wyard  committed  the 
little  Church  and  its  pastor  to  the  great 
Shepherd's  care,  concluding  with  the  bene- 
diction. Seven  of  us  united :  three  more 
stand  for  membership.    W.  S.  Watbbkb. 

STOKE  ASH,  "bUFPOLK.— Baptot 
Cbafru  The  Sunday  school  children's 
treat,  in  connection  with  the  above  cause 
took  place  on  Wednesday,  July  12th.  The 
children,  numbering  upwards  of  1501,  toge- 
ther with  the  teachers  and  friends,  congre- 
gated in  the  meadows  of  Mr.  Matthews,  of 
Wickham,  Skeith  (which  were  kindly  lent 
by  that  gentleman  on  the  occasion),  where 
during  the  aftomoon  they  enjoyed  them- 
selves according  to  their  various  tastes  in 
almoat  every  species  of  out-door  sports, 
from  cricket  to  football ;  after  which,  they, 
and  then  many  of  the  friends  present^  sat 
down  to  a  sumptuously  provided  tea.  In 
the  evening,  we  should  judge,  from  900  to 
1,000  of  the  friends  met  in  the  large 


cialion  tent:  the  pastor,  Mr.  Hill,  opened 
the  meeting ;  and  Mr.  I'egg,  of  Fressing- 
field ;  and  after  him  Mr.  Harris^  of  Rish- 
angles,  addressed  the  people ;  after  which 
the  friends  dispersed  much  delighted  with 
the  proceedings. 

KNOWL  hill Anniversaiy  services 

were  holden  July  4th.    In  afternoon,  Mr. 


Webb,  one  of  the  pastora,  read  the  hymns; 
Mr.  Griffith  offered  prayer ;  C.  W.  Banks 
preached ;  Mr.  Wyard,  of  Beading,  preached. 


in  evening.  A  pvty  of  kind  fnends  came 
from  Reading,  Wokingham,  Woobum- 
green,  Ac,  and  the  sea  son  was  both  plea- 
sant and  edifying.  Brother  Benj 
Mason  lias  in  his  bed  dose 
pulpit  2  many  were  glad  to  visit  him,  and 
to  and  him  happy  In  the  Loid;  and  we 


r    Benjamin 
behind  the 


were  aU  glad  to  hear  that  th«  cavse  ai 
Reading,  under  Mr.  Wyard's  ministry,  m 
doing  welL  Unity  and  peace  are  Mfiiign 
there  enjoyed. 

FBBSSINGFIELD,  STJFrOLK.  — 
BAPnar  ChapbLi.  The  c^bmtaon  of 
the  thiiiieth  anniveraary  of  this  plaea 
of  worship  took  place  on  Tuesday, 
June  20th.  Mr.  Collins,  of  Gmndiaburig^ 
assisted  by  Mr.  Austin  (late  of  TringX 
conducted  the  afternoon  and  evening  aar- 
vioBS,  which  were  Ueased  of  God,  the  Holy 
Spirit,  to  the  comforting  seveial  friendsL 
A  public  tea  was  enjoyed  by  iuany.  On 
the  26th,  two  believers  were  immeraad  io 
the  name  of  a  Triune  Jehovah,  by  the  pas- 
tor, Mr.  Pegg,  making  the  Seth  member 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  (^vch 
during  his  pastorate  of  two  yean. 

IPSWICH.— On  Lord*s-day,  July  2nd, 
seven  penons  were  baptised  by  T.  Poock 
in  Betheada  chapel,  Ipswich.  We  had  l^a 
witness  of  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  the  hcarL 
the  ezampla,  and  command  of  Zion%  Hens 
in  the  word,  and  the  presence  of  a  thoaaaDd 
spectators  to  behold  ua.  "  And  after  tbaaa 
thinga  1  heai^  a  great  noise  of  much  peojpla 
in  heaven,  saying.  Hallelujah,  salvation, 
'nonon 


and  glory, 


and  honour,  and  power,  onto  the 


our  God.** 


SHOKBDITCH.— PBovmsiioB  Bapist 

CUAPXL.   CuMBER1«A:«D    StRBBT,   OUBTAIlf 

BoAD.  Onr  pastor,  Mr.  W.  Lodge,  bsp- 
tised  five  persons  on  Lord's-day,  May  28th : 
one,  our  pastor's  dear  partner.  She  oovld 
not  stay  out  any  longer;  so  sAer  a  |food 
testimony,  she  put  on  Christ  by  baptism; 
also  a  man  and  nis  dear  partner.  The  dear 
Lord  has  blessed,  and  is  still  blessing,  oar 
pastor's  testimony  to  the  souls  of  the  peopleL 
We  were  like  a  tree  cut  down,  but  the  dew 
of  heaven  has  fallen  upon  our  pardiad 
ground.  We  have  begun  to  shoot  forth. 
Come  and  see  the  works  of  the  Lord. 

A8HILL,  DBVONT^The  puUio  i 
nition  of  the  Church,  end  the  pastor,  '. 
Thomas  Jones,  look  place  on  Tuesday, 
July  18th,  1865.  Mr.  Shepherd,  of  South 
Chard,  opened  the  morning  servioe.  C.  W. 
Bcmks  gave  a  short  address.  In  afternoon, 
Mr.  C.  W.  Banks  asked  the  questions.  Mr. 
Jones  save  intelligent  and  satisfactory  re- 
plies :  he  is  a  brotW  of  strong  principle,  of 
soundness  in  the  faith;  and  highly  ea- 
teemed  by  all  who  know  him.  Mr.  Tumor, 
of  Exeter,  mamed  paetor  and  people.  Mr. 
a  W.  Banks  described  the  wurit  of  tha 
ministry ;  sad  Mr.  Turner  aaked  the  chuob 
to  **encourage  him"  in  a  very  hapvj 
address.  We  hope  soon  to  recmd  fiuMr 
and  further  particulan  of  the  lather  nuai 
like  hill  of  Zion. 

FABSWELL  ToToLD  ENGLAND.-* 
Dbak  Bdrob^^A  very  interestiag  vale- 
dietory,  or  larewell  mestmg^  was  holden  si 
Bethel  ofaapel,   Wnie-straat, 


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l«18ttu 


AND  CHBI8TIAN  MBCOBD. 


309 


im4,  lindM,  J«1y  VHh,  when   friends 
Mine  oi  f  .        —     -    • 


the  cepflee  where  Mr.  Beet 
hee  preeohed  the  word,  met  to  bid  him 
faraweU,  prenous  to  leaying  Englftnd  for 
the  Cape  of  Qood  Hope;  eleo  to  eupplioete 
the  throne  of  grace  for  hie  safe  urival,  and 


fninre  prooperity  in  the  land  of  hie  adop- 
tion. Mr.  Whitteridge  was  aaked  U>  pre- 
side: he  read  the  lofth  and  12l0t  Psalms; 


Mr.  Dixon  engaged  in  prayeiv  followed  b^ 
friend  King,  from  the  cause  at  Ilford,  testi- 
fying how  the  Lord  had  blosnod  brother 
Best°8  ministry  to  his  sonL  After  appro- 
priate hvmps,  Mr.  Eelsey,  from  Bexley, 
ptnyed  for  onr  brother,  and  all  faithfnl 
ininisterB  of  tmth,  and  for  the  minister  of 
BeCheL  Mr.  Whitteridge  roee  and  said,  he 
felt  it  to  be  a  sokmn  yet  blessed  meet- 
ing: he  felt  a  deep  Christian  regard  for 
brother  Best;  he  had  fonnd  him  to  be  a 
man  of  sonnd  principle,  nnd  a  steiiing 
Ohristian;  he  felt  sorrow  when  ho  fiist 
heard  of  his  leaTing  England,  bat  after  hear- 
ing of  how  it  was  brought  nbont,  he  said, 
**  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done,"  and  he 
said  we  are  not  all  intended  to  be  of  the  stay- 
at-home  disposition,  or  we  Should  have  no 
sailors  to  bnng  us  the  treasnres  of  foreign 
lands;  bat  in  going  to  the  Cape  of  Oood 
Hope«  he  was  sure  a  man  of  brother  Best^s 
good  common  sense  would  not  look  for  a 
paradise  on  any  part  of  this  earth.  We  some- 
times want  a  change,  even  if  it  were  only  a 
change  of  sorrows,  bnt  as  brother  Best^s 
mind  was  not  in  old  England,  whr  let  his 
body  go ;  for  where  the  mind  is,  there  we 
are  sure  to  be  most  at  home.  Brother 
Best  being  called  upon,  made  a  statement 
of  how  his  mind  had  been  exercised  to  get 
out  of  England,  from  his  present  position 
and  calling ;  he  made  it  a  matter  of  prayer 
for  a  lon^  time,  and  the  Lord  had  by  con- 
necting hnks  given  him  the  means,  so  tfaat 
all  seemed  bound  to  say,  it  appeared  to  be 
the  Lord*s  doing.  The  Chairman  said, 
praying  breath  is  never  spent  in  vain ;  Ooa 
is  iaithful  to  his  tried  peo^e,  to  deliver 
them  ;  he  then  read  the  blessing  Aaron  was 
to  pronounce  on  the  typical  people  of  God 
(Numbers  vi  24) ;  and  asked  the  friends  if 
they  wished  tliat  to  be  experienced  by 
brother  Best  and  his  good  wife,  to  hold  up 
their  hands,  which  they  cheerfully  dio. 
Then  the  Chairman  proposed,  and  com- 
menced a  collection,  as  some  tangible  ex- 
pression of  Christian  respect  for  our  brother 
and  wife.  The  friends  cheerfully  responded. 
Brother  Best  acknowledged  the  kind  feel- 
ing ;  after  which,  brethiren  Bereaford  and 
Mubourne  addressed  the  meeting,  and  Mr. 
Vrlth  preyed;  Mr.  Whitteridee  asked  the 
Lord  to  preserve  the  mortal  life  of  our 
brother  and  wife,  and  family,  crossing  the 
mighty  deep,  and  that  the  Lord  would 
prosper  in  basket  and  store,  and  make  them 
a  blessing  to  his  people  in  that  far-ofiF  land. 
So  dosed  one  of  the  most  happy,  fraternal, 
and  solemnly  pleasant -meetings  we  have 
attended.  Onb  that  was  thkbs. 

OLD   FOBD.^BsniKL  Chafbu    The 


Striflt  Baptist  cause  in  this  n«w  and  rising 
locality,  where  Mr.  0.  W.  Banks  laboured 
with  acceptance  and  sunoess  for  several 
years,  is  steadily  progressing.  God  has 
blessed  the  laboun  of  the  present  pastor, 
H.  £.  Maycock,  8i)ecially  to  tne  rising  race, 
and  an  expression  of  their  Christian  love 
was  given  on  July  5ih,  by  a  social  tea; 
after  which  a  meean|f  was  convened,  Mr. 
H.  G.  Maycock  presiding,  who  gave  an 
address  on  ''  The  Bible  better  than  gold," 
founded  on  the  passage,  ^*  The  law  of  thy 
mouth  is  better  unto  me  than  thousands  of 
gold  and  silver;  after  which  the  Secretaiy. 
Mr.  BeecliS,  gave  a  report  of  the  rise  ana 
progress  of  the  Sabbath  school,  referring 
especially  to  the  encouragement  the  late 
pastor,  Mr.  Banks,  had  given  to  its  forma- 
tion. After  a  piece  being  sune,  Mr.  Cruise, 
in  the  name  of  the  teachera  and  members  of 
the  Bible-class,  presented  Mr.  Maycock 
with  an  elegant  copy  of  the  Scriptures  and 
Denham^s  hymn  book,  bound  in  morocco, 
as  a  memento  of  their  Christian  love ;  after 
which  Mr.  Egerton  in  a  manner  that  excited 
the  admiration  of  all  present,  by  the  unaa- 
Burning  and  Christian  spirit  in  which  he 
delivered  himself,  placed  in  the  books  some 
beautiful  book  marks,  worked  by  tiie  female 
membera  of  the  class;  after  which  Mr. 
Boyton,  the  clerk,  was  presented  with  a 
copy  of  Denham's  selection,  and  Mr.  Kemp- 
son,  in  a  neat  speech,  having  presented  Mr. 
Beediff  with  a  purse  containing  some  gold, 
as  an  expression  of  their  appreciation  of 
his  services  in  conducting  the  singing 
class,  the  meeting  was  brought  to  a  close 
by  a  soul  stirring  addrees  from  brother 
Alsop,  and  thus  ended  one  of  the  happiest 
meetings  ever  held  in  Bethet 

WILLENHALL,  nkar  Wolvkbhamp- 
TOK.--We  must  not  touch  the  letter  of  *^  A 
Sparrow  alone  under  the  house-top,  and  in 
an  empty  bam."  We  weep  sorely  over 
such  a  state  of  things ;  and  fear  the  conse- 
quencea  Among  our  correspondents,  one 
brother  says: — "Brother Banks;  thinssin 
general  are  in  a  dreadful  state.  Where 
will  this  end?  Truth  is  fallen  in  the 
street,  and  error  prevails;  where  is  the 
power  of  the  Spirit?  men  turning  about; 
all  the  religion  of  the  day  is  tending  to 
Popery.  I  stand  at  times  like  one  amased, 
and  wonder  where  the  scene  will  end.  I 
often  think  if  there  was  not  a  spark  of 
heavenly  fire  left  in  my  soul,  where  should 
I  go  to?  but  that  spark  holds  me  in 
the  storm ;  preserves  me  in  the  fire ;  and 
comforts  me  in  all  my  affliction.  I  cannot 
feed  on  husks.  I  can  feed  on  nothing  but 
dean  provender;  so  striped,  and  so  mthy, 
I  can  pe  satisfied  only  with  the  best  of  gar- 
ments, the  best  robe.  I  want  to  wear  the 
garment  of  praise  more.  My  betoved 
deserves  all  pruse.  My  beloved  is  faivsr 
than  the  sons;  0  when  will  he  appear?  he 
is  all  my  comfort.  Well,  he  that  shall  oome, 
will  oome ;  he  is  now,  and  will  be,  more 
than  a  maidh  for  all  the  bubhUngs  up  of 
this  lioubled  sea  which  continually  oaateth 


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260 


THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Angnsfc  1,  ia6& 


up  mire  and  dirt.    Ab,  the  time  is  hasten- 
ing, when  there  wHl  be  no  more  sea;  no 
more  mire  and  dirt  to  bubble  up  ^ 
"Then  will  we  sing  more  sweet,  more  lond» 
And  Christ  be  all  the  song.** 

July  13th,  1865. 

SHABNEBOOK,  BEDFOBDSHIBE.— 
On  Tuesday,  July  11th,  1865,  the  old  Bap- 
tist chapel  held  its  preliminary  re-opening 
services.  The  old  chapel  has  now  disap- 
peared, and  an  enlarged  one  taken  its  place. 
The  enlargement  and  restoration  has  been 
effected  in  a  veir  pleasing  and  judicious 
manner  by  the  following  building^  com- 
mittee :— Messrs.  A.  Peet,  B.  Pickering,  R 
Allen,  J.  Ward,  J.  Archer,  T.  FoimUin,  J 
Pacey,  G.  Stuiigess,  F.  Fountain,  W.  Nor- 
man, and  D.  Brocket.  The  style  of  archi- 
tecture is  of  Venetian  character ;  the  exte- 
rior front  is  of  white  brick,  with  coloured 
arches  and  cornice;  the  side  walls  have 
been  lengthened  with  native  stone ;  the  in- 
terior is  fitted  up  with  open  seats,  platform, 
and  open  roof ;  the  gallery  fronts  of  chaste 
open  iron  work ;  in  the  rear  is  a  school- 
room and  vestry ;  the  baptistry  is  on  part 
of  theplatfonn.  On  the  right  of  school- 
room there  is  to  be  built  a  place  fitted  with 
copper  for  tea  meetings;  also  for  coal, 
wood,  oil,  candles.  The  chapel  burial- 
ground  will  be  enclosed  with  suitable  walla, 
and  frontage  to  the  street  will  have  iron 
palisades  and  entrance  g&tes.  The  total 
cost  will  be  about  £650.  The  service  com- 
menced in  the  morning  at  eleven  by  the 
pastor,  Mr.  A.  Peet,  offering  up  prayer. 
The  hymns  were  road  by  the  pastor,  and 
Mr.  G.  Wyard,  of  London;  and  Mr.  J.  S. 
Wyard,  of  St  Neot's.  The  sermon  was 
delivered  by  Mr.  James  Wells,  of  London : 
afternoon  service  commenced  at  two.  Mr. 
Wells  was  again  the  preacher.  Mr.  Wyard, 
sen.,  piayetl,  and  Mr.  Willea,  of  Baunds; 
and  Ward,  of  Irthlingborough,  assisted  in 
reading' the  hymns.  The  evening  service 
commenced  at  quarter-past  six  o'clock. 
Mr.  J.  Foreman  was  the  preacher.  Mr. 
Wyard,  of  St.  Neot's,  read  and  pmyed ;  Mr. 
Kitchen,  of  Bingstead ;  and  Mr.  Wilson,  of 
Biselv,  assisted  in  reading  the  hymns. 
The  following  ministers  were  also  nresent : 
—Mr.  Dexter,  of  Thurleigh ;  Mr.  Short,  of 
Finedon ;  Mr.  Corbjr,  of  Badwell.  A  goodly 
number  partook  of  dinner,  and  nearly  500 


day  ami 
to  £178  5e. :  also  a  fire-proof  mfe  to  deposit 
the  deeds  of  the  chapel  is  given  by  Mr.  J. 
Ward,  one  of  Mr.  Feet's  congregation,  who 
gave  a  gift  of  £75  during  the  dav,  and  pro- 
mised £200  towards  the  £250  still  required 
by  the  Church ;  so  that  no  debt  remains ; 
tSao  pulpit  BiUe  was  given  by  Miss  Ward, 
and  hymn  books,  costhig  17s.,  collected  by 
Mrs.  J.  Fountain.  The  chapel  is  not  vet 
finished,  but  the  congregation  will  worship 
in  it  on  the  Sabbath. 


SOUTH  CHABD.— This  ninl  church 
is  rising  happily  under  brother  Shepherd's 
ministry.  South  Chard  has  had  many 
pastors ;  during  the  last  few  yeara,  MesoiB. 
£}dwards,  Benjamin  Davis,  Cresswell,  and 
others,  have  laboured  here.  God  is  in  the 
midst  of  us.  Sometimes  in  him  we  can  re- 
joice. I  am  only  a  little  singing  bird  in 
this  Zion ;  but  I  love  God's  precious  tmd:i. 
On  Monday,  July  17th,  our  Sunday  school 
anniveraary  was  holden.  The  Exeter 
bishop,  Zechariah  Turner^  minister  of 
Zoar  chapel ;  and  many  of  his  friends,  came 
over.  Our  pastor,  brother  Shepherd ;  and 
our  neighbour,  brother  Walters,  of  Ghazd, 
came  alao  to  cheer  us ;  and  in  the  evening; 
Mr.  C.  W.  Banks  came  from  London,  and 
preached  to  us,  as  lively,  as  zealously,  and 
profitably  as  ever.—A  Somkbsetsuirk  Cot- 
tager. 


CONLIG,  NEWTOWNABDS,  IRE- 
LAND.—On  T*ord'8-day,  July  2nd,  Mr. 
Brown  baptized  a  young  man  who  had  for- 
merly been  connected  with  the  Presbyte- 
rians, in  the  presence  of  a  large  and  atten- 
tive congregation. 


To  our  Churches, — A  Christian  brother 
(J.  W.Ypastor  for  many  years,  in  the  ex- 
treme West  of  England,  says :  "  I  hope  to 
visit  London  some  time  in  August^ 
or  in  September ;  and  if  my  services  would 
be  serviceable  (by  the  Lord's  blessinff),  I 
shall  feel  willing:  the  second  or  third 
week  in  August  will  suit  me  best  to  leavf* 
home.**    —      .-  — 

need  a 


care  ( 

bridge-terrace.  Hackney.] 


BAPTIZINGS. 


XIHXBTBB*B  KAMB. 


FAXX  AKD  BtTUATIOV  OF  CHAPXL. 


ArtUlery  street,  Bishopegate 

Newport  Fsgnell         

Cuflkfleld,  Sussex         

Providence,  Cumberland  st,  Shdtoh. 

BetheM]a,  Ipewich        ...       

Otaatteris 

Pidham,  St.  Ibij        

little  Wild  St,  aneoln*B  Ion  Field... 


Blake,  J. 
OoMnfl,8. 
Bveimrd,  B.     ... 
LodM,  W.       ... 
Pooek,T. 
Silverton,  E.  J. 
Taylor,  BenJ.  ... 
l^bD^Georse 


1866— Mayias 
JuiytS 

JiUMtt 

May  28 

July* 
Jnlyl 
July  18 
MayftTftJulySS 


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S«pt  1,  im.  AND  CSBS3TIAN  BE(X>RD.  261 


By  Jephtha.    . 

I. — Outward  Boukd. 

H  I  AM  sore  you  ought  not  to  venture  on  nuch  a  night  as  this ;  it  really 
is  not  fit  for  any  human  being  to  be  out,''  exclaimed  Mio  Cara  Spasa, 
breaking  the  silence  which  had  reigned  for  some  time. 

**  Does  it  snow  now  V*  I  inquired,  laying  down  the  book  I  had  been 
perusing. 

"  Snow  I  Why,  just  look  out  and  see  for  yourself."  I  turned  my 
head  and  saw  the  large  fiakes  driving  past  the  window,  while  1  heard 
the  cold  bleak  wind  howling  fiercely  round  the  house.  Bising  from  the 
fireside  I  walked  to  the  window ;  cheerless,  indeed,  was  the  prospect 
without.  The  snow  lay  on  the  ground  to  a  considerable  depth,  and, 
mingling  with  the  rain,  firoze  as  it  accumulated  upon  the  branches  of  the 
trees,  the  sturdy  branches  of  which  snapped  off  frequently  with  the  con- 
tinually increasing  bui'den.  The  atmosphere  was  darkened  by  the  raging 
storm,  and  the  water  from  the  hills  surged  rapidly  down  the  narrow 
lanes  with  a  dull  roar,  while  a  fierce  north-easter  swept  furioiLsly  over 
the  open  country. 

"  You  cannot  go,  can  you  1"  was  queried  again. 

'^  I  scarcely  know,"  I  replied ;  ''  a  little  thing  should  not  set  aside 
an  engagement." 

"  A  little  thing,  Jephtha  !  "Why,  you  will  be  wet  through  before  you 
get  to  the  water  (a  place  I  had  to  cross) ;  and  I  do  not  beheve  you  wiD 
have  any  one  to  the  meeting  on  such  a  night  as  it  is ;  I  cannot  think 
any  one  would  venture  out  unless  obliged." 

I  thought  of  wet  garments,  of  which  I  had  lately  obtained  consider- 
able practical  knowledge ;  I  thought  of  ploughing  my  way  homeward  in 
the  dELrk  night,  in  danger  from  the  &lling  boughs  of  the  trees'  which 
over-hung  Uie  narrow  lanes ;  looked  upon  my  boots,  all  of  which  were 
perfectly  soddened  with  travelling  in  the  snow;  thought  of  walking 
several  miles  through  the  slough  of  mingled  snow  and  rain ;  the  lonely 
country  and  the  piercing  cold ;  and  the  expedition  was  invested  with 
anything  but  a  romantic  aspect ;  and  flesh  and  blood  was  nearly  carrying 
the  motion. 

"  There,  now,  you  had  better'sit  down  and  take  tea  at  home  to-day ; 
I  am  sure  they  will  not  expect  you ;  and,  besides,  you  have  been  so  wet 
lately  that  I  expect  I  shall  have  you  laid  up,  and  then  I  do  not  know 
what  I  should  do  in  this  out-landish  place  ;  and  then  there  would  be  no 
meetings,  perhaps,  for  weeks." 

"  Forcible  reasoning,  ma'am,  certainly." 

I  sat  down  again  and  looked  at  the  fire,  and  endeavoured  to  weigh 
possibilities.  My  little  wife  certaiidy  had  the  advantage  of  me  in  point 
of  reason ;  flesh  and  blood  argued  powerfully ;  and  old  unbelief  said  flatly 
and  positively,  there  will  be  no  one  there ;  it  will  only  be  a  fool's  errand 
if  you  go.     O,  sweet,  sweet  words — 

**  His  wftj  wM  mach  ronglier  and  darker  thaa  mine.^' 

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362  THE  EARTHEN  VBSSBLy  Sept  1, 18C& 

I  rose,  went  into  my  little  stady,  and  aaked  the  Lord  to  guide  His  lonely 
one.  But  ah!  cold  without,  cold  within ;  no  bright  gleam  of  the  sun. 
light  of  His  countenance  broke  into  my  soul ;  no  sweet  word  of  promise 
or  consolation.  There  were  the  utterances  of  prayer  but  not  the  sweet 
nearness,  not  the  blessed  communion,  which  cheers  the  heart  and 
strengtheiy}  the  soul,  and  invigorates  the  whole  man  for  the  struggle  ;  it 
was  winter  within  and  winter  without;  &gged  with  successive  journ^ 
through  darkness  and  storm ;  no  text,  no  subject  if  I  went  The  outer 
man  worn  down,  the  mind  jaded,  and  the  soul  mourning  its  own  daik- 
ness.  I  stood  irresolute  and  undecided ;  walked  into  the  little  kitdien  ; 
took  up  one  boot,  and  then  another ;  all  alike— cold  damp,  flabby. 

'<  You  are  not  goingl"  was  queried  again.  One  boot  was  slowly 
pulled  on.  "  WeU,  really ! "  was  uttered  again.  The  other  boot  slowly 
followed ;  then  the  cape,  the  muffler,  the  l^t,  the  kiss  of  peace,  and  out 
I  sallied  to  battle  with  the  elements  without. 


n.— The  Tempbbt. 

Dark  were  the  lowering  clouds,  loud  the  hoarse  roar  of  the 
stonn;  but  as  dark,  as  wild,  as  fierce,  was  the  conflict  within; — 
truly  it  was  the  hour  of  the  tempter  and  of  the  powers  of  darkness. 
Bending  beneath  the  wild  blast  slowly  I  struggled  onwards ;  and  now 
before  the  soul  passed  the  images  of  bygone  days-^the  snug  Uttle  work- 
shop, the  ample  salaiy,  the  professionaJ  fietme,  the  circle  of  friends,  the 
domestic  comforts,  the  lit(;le  deposit  in  the  bank — the  prospect  for  old  age 
and  sickness.  All  gone !  all  gone !  And  how  f  Ah,  the  old  Adm 
rose,  the  heart  felt  sick,  the  spirit  rebelled,  the  enemy  came  in  like  a 
flood ;  his  cursed  insinuations  injected  in  the  mind  produced  a  perfect 
chaos  in  my  breast ;  1  was  enveloped  in  thick  darkness  of  soul.  See, 
see,  said  he,  what  your  preachings  have  come  too  !  You  cannot  say  that 
God  took  away  yourposition  in  society,  for  that  was  your  own  act — ^yon 
voluntarily  gave  it  up.  Is  this,  exclaimed  the  enemy,  your  Cluis- 
tianity  1  Is  this  providing  for  your  own  household  ?  Where  will  you 
be  when  sickness  overtakes  you  ?  Where  would  the  wife  yon  love  be 
if  you  should  leave  her  behind  in  this  world  ?  You  had  an  opportunity 
to  have  provided  against  all  this ;  God  placed  you  in  a  position  to  have 
anticipated  it  all ;  but  you  have  thrown  it  all  away  be<»iuse  you  fancied 
He  had  caUed  you  to  preach  the  Gospel.  My  poor  heart  sank,  the  storm 
howled  around  me,  my  feet  were  soddened  with  the  soft  wet  snow  ;  it  lay 
on  my  cape,  it  b^t  in  my  face,  the  keen  blast  seemed  to  pierce  me ;  but 
keener  still  o'er  my  soul  swept  the  sharp  taunt^  '*  If  any  man  provide  not 
for  his  own  household  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  than  an  infi- 
del ! "  Where  is  your  religion  f  Give  it  up,  give  it  up ;  you  know  nothing 
about  it ;  God  has  permitted  you  to  come  out  as  a  pr^icher  to  make  an 
example  of  you,  and  a  terror  to  all  who  presume ;  He  has  suflered  you 
to  leave  all  your  temporal  prospects ;  He  surrounded  you  with  earUily 
comforts,  and  you  have  ungratefully  thrown  them  all  away ;  and  now 
He  will  leave  you  to  accomplish  your  own  ruin.  Your  trade,  friends, 
and  savings,  all  gone ;  you  have  thrown  them  away  by  your  own  act, 
and  the  trifle  you  now  receive  is  all  ordered  to  bring  you  to  beggaiy 
and  ruin.  You  see  that  the  majority  of  the  people  will  not  receive 
your  testimony;  your  Calvinism  is  canvassed  among  t&em,  and  they 

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8«gL  1, 186&  A2n>  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  90S 

hsAe  it  j  many  do  not  scrapie  to  declare  that  you  do  not  preach  the 
Goepel.  Look  at  all  the  preachers  aroimd,  yea,  through  the  country; 
see  what  congregatioDs  they  draw^  what  kindness  they  meet  with  from  the 
people.  Can  they  be  all  wrong  ?  Can  what  you  call  a  mixed  Gospel 
be  wrong,  when  its  praise  is  sounded  in  pulpit  and  pew,  and  you, 
just  come  out,  to  set  your  own  notions  up  in  opposition  to  the  whole ! 
Is  there  no  presumption  in  you  ?  Giye  it  up,  give  it  up.  Ah  !  thought 
I,  what  the  end  will  be  the  Lord  only  knows  !  I  tried  to  lift  my  heart 
to  God ;  but  the  heavens  seemed  as  brass  and  the  earth  iron.  There, 
said  the  enemy,  God  will  not  hear  you ;  you  cannot  pray ;  God  hides 
Himself  from  you ;  you  are  like  King  Said — the  Lord  will  answer  you 
no  more.  You  go  and  talk  to  the  people  about  religion  I !  Where  is 
thy  God  ?  This  is  only  the  beginning  of  sorrows ;  this  is  nothing  to  what 
yon  will  experience,  when  it  is  made  manifest  that  your  religion  is  like 
your  fancied  call  to  preach  the  Gk)spel,  self-deception  and  delusion  alto- 
gether. Truly,  this  was  the  blast  of  the  terrible  ones  against  the  walL 
Weary,  faint,  and  cast  down,  I  reached*  my  destination,  "  Dear !  dear ! 
dear  I "  was  the  salutation  which  greeted  me  as  I  entered  the  farm-yard. 
*^  Well  done ! "  was  uttered  again  by  lips  shrouded  beneath  a  sou'- 
wester; "  well,  I  am  sorry  to  see  you ;  I  was  hoping  you  would  not 
come,  for  it  is  not  fit  for  a  dog  to  go  out.  Glad  to  see  you,  though,'' 
exclaimed  sou'-wester,  shaking  my  hand  rather  demonstratively ;  '^  glad 
to  see  you ;  go  in,  you  must  be  very  wet." 

"  Ah,  it  is  rather  rough,"  I  replied. 

^^  Bather  !  1 1 "  exclaimed  sou'- wester,  increasing  in  tone,  "  I  hardly 
know  how  you  could  face  it." 

"  Well,"  I  replied,  "  I  thought  it  should  not  be  my  fault  if  there 
were  no  meeting." 

"  Well,"  replied  my  friend,  "  I  do  not  for  a  moment  expect  any 
one  will  come  out  to-night ;  but  dry  yourself,  and  we'll  have  tea."  A 
little  chat,  a  little  tea,  a  few  smiles,  a  good  fire,  and  one  began  to  feel 
comfortable. 

''  Dear  I  what  a  night,"  exclaimed  sou'-wester,  as  the  wild  blast 
howled  round  the  fjaimstead,  rattling  the  windows  and  doors,  and  send* 
ing  the  smoke  from  the  chimney  out  into  the  room. 

*'  Ah,  we  shall  have  no  one  to-night,  I  am  sure,"  replied  the  lady 
president  at  the  table,  <^  so  Mr.  J.  wUl  have  a  rest  to-night;  he  will  be 
better  here  than  in  that  cold  chapel ;  not  but  what  we  should  be  glad  to 
hear  him,  but  it  is  so  miserably  cold  in  there  one  cannot  listen  to  profit." 

''  Well,  there,  we  shall  see  if  anybody  comes,"  replied  sou'-wester; 
^*  when  it  is  time  I  will  go  and  light  one  of  the  lamps,  and  if  anybody 
comes  I  will  let  him  know." 

"  You  will  stay  here  to-night,"  queried  the  lady. 

'^  Much  obliged,  indeed,"  I  replied;  ^'  but  what  will  my  little  wife 
dor 

<<  What  a  pity  it  is.  I  do  not  know  how  you  will  find  your  way  in 
the  dark,"  soliloquised  the  lady ;  "  it  is  bad  enough  in  the  daylight." 

I  thought  of  the  journey  on  the  stormy  dark  night,  when  the  road 
could  only  be  found  by  feeling  for  the  hedge^de  with  my  stick;  I 
thought  of  the  comforts  of  the  town  we  had  left-;  I  thought  of  my  little 
wife^s  loneliness,  in  a  small  detached  house  in  a  wild  place  all  al<me^ 
with  no-  JMBghboor  or  friend^and  was  just  concluding,  as  I  watehed  the 

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264  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Be^  1,  1M6l 

hands  of  the  old  dock  escaping  over  the  dial-plate,  that  my  services  woold 
be  dispensed  with,  and  anticipating  an  early  airival  home,  when  sou'- 
wester looked  in  at  the  door,  exclaiming,  "  One  come." 


III.— Onb  Come. 

"  Where  are  you,"  I  enquired,  as  I  left  the  door  of  the  house. 

"  Here  I  am,"  exclaimed  a  voice,  which  I  recognised  as  that  of  mj 
worthy  friend  of  the  sou*  wester.  "  Here,  give  me  your  hand,  sir."  I 
reached  out  my  hand  in  the  direction  of  the  voice,  for  I  could  distinguish 
nothing,  and  felt  it  grasped  in  a  broad  palm,  and  myself  drawn  idong. 
"  This  way,  sir,  please  ;"  and  emerging  from  the  large  wooden  gateway  I 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  lights  of  the  little  chapel.  Slush  !  slush  !  as  near 
as  I  could  guess,  in  the  middle  of  the  road  for  a  little  distance,  and  I  was 
at  the  rural  Bethel.  Splash  ! ! !  into  a  pool  of  water  lying  near  the  little 
gateway  and  I  was  in  the  sanctuary.  The  walls  humid,  the  atmosphere 
damp  and  cheerless,  and  one  had  come  Iff  O  ye  who  issue  from  snug 
vestries  to  appear  before  an  admiring  audience,  what  think  ye  of  this  ? 
The  heart,  torn  with  conflicting  emotions,  sighing  iii  plaintive  wail,  '*  O 
that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him.  O  that  I  had  iJie  wings  of  a  dove, 
then  would  I  flee  away  and  be  at  rest."  No  light,  no  comfort,  no  text. 
Was  it  not  presumption  ?  But  the  Lord  never  had  failed  me.  ONE  had 
come,  and  I  ascended  the  little  rostrum,  glanced  round,  and  there  was 
one  !  who,  although  invited  to  our  little  meeting,  had  never  appeared 
among  us  when  the  weather  had  been  favourable ;  but  now,  upon  this 
wild  night  had  suddenly  come  in,  and  as  yet  was  the  only  one.  I  took 
up  the  hynm  book  with  a — ^Who  can  tell  ?  And  from  our  voices  rose  the 
sound  of  devotion — 

^'  Our  God,  our  help  in  ages  past. 
Our  hope  for  yean  to  come : 
Our  shelter  from  the  stormy  bkst, 
And  our  eternal. home." 

Then  a  stamping  of  feet  at  the  door,  knocking  off  the  wet  snow  fix)m  the 
boots,  then  an  addition  to  our  number ;  another,  and  another,  until 
nearly  a  score  were  scattered  about  the  chapel.  The  sweet  and  solemn 
words  of  SACRED  truth,  a  little  liberty  in  prayer,  the  second  hymn  sing- 
ing— ^but  no'  text,  no  portion ;  a  cold  damp  upon  the  forehead ;  and  how 
the  heart  went  up  to  God  for  a  portion  for  myself  as  well  as  ^e  people. 
The  hymn  finished — ^now  for  the  text.  I  opened  the  Bible  mechanically 
— I  could  think  of  nothing.  In  a  state  of  abstraction  I  gave  out  the  92nd 
Psalm  j  but  which  was  the  text?  A  pause !  My  eye  caught  the  13th 
verse ;  I  read,  "  Those  that  be  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall 
flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God."  While  I  was  musing  the  fii*e  burned ; 
a  thought  flitted  through  my  mind  :  Where  did  they  grow  before  they 
were  planted  in  the  Lord's  house  ?  Where  were  they  taken  from  to  be 
planted  there)  Then  slowly  before  my  mind  passed  the  wild  field  of 
nature,  in  which  all  are  found  in  their  imregenerate  state  of  condemna- 
tion and  death,  out  of  which  no  human  power  could  take  them,  but  only 
the  hand  of  the  Omnipotent  could  pluck  them  thence^  and  according  to 
the  sovereign  will  of  Him,  "  who  hath  mercy  on  whom  He  will  have 
mercy,"  plant  them  in  the  sacred  enclosures  of  His  grace,  by  the  regene- 
rating power  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  each  plant  tiros  traziBlated  pur- 

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Sept  1, 186&.  ^i^J>  CHRISTIAN  EBCOBD.  266 

chased  with  the  blood  of  Him  who  delighted,  to  walk  in  their  midst. 
Then  the  pruning  time.  Ah,  I  could  speak  feelinglj'here ;  that  sharp 
pruning  knife  seemed  to  be  busy  about  me,  even  searching  to  mj  very 
roots.  I  could  speak  a  little  of  the  operations  of  his  pruning  in  provi- 
dence and  grace.  Then  the  watering  time;  and  my  heart  yearned  as  I 
spoke  of  the  precious  bedewings,  of  the  distilling  showers,  and  the  sweet 
influences  of  the  blessed  Spirit's  operations.  I  longed  to  feel  those 
showers  descending  into  my  soul  once  again ;  then  the  north  wind  keenly 
sweeping  over  the  garden,  purifying  and  cleansing,  and  bringing  forth  the 
firagrance  of  many  a  plant  by  crushing  and  bruising  the  leaves ;  of  the 
evidence  of  a  work  of  grace  by  enduring  the  storm,  thus  proving  God 
working  in  the  soul.  Then  of  the  transplanting  to  the  courts  of  glory, 
to  flounsh  in  the  sunlight  of  holiness  for  ever ;  to  have  done  with  sorrow 
and  sin ;  where  God's  own  hand  shall  wipe  the  tears  &om  off  all  faces,  to 
see  the  face  which  was  marred  more  than  that  of  any  man,  that  ours 
might  be  adorned  with  beauty  and  holiness;  to  kiss  those  sacred  feet^  which, 
while  they  were  pierced  for  us,  trod  down  and  destroyed  all  the  enemies 
of  the  Lord's  little  plants  of  righteousness,  and  gave  a  place  for  our  feet 
to  stand  in  His  presence  as  long  as  eternal  ages  roll ;  and  then,  turning 
round,  pushed  home  the  question,  where  are  you  growing  ?  In  the  wil- 
derness of  nature,  marked  for  the  cutting  down  to  destruction )  Or  has 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  planted  you  in  the  garden  of  his  grace  ?  Which  is 
iti  It  is  of  His  free  sovereign  mercy  t£at  any  are  the  subjects  of  His 
love — ^for  all  alike  have  merited  condemnation.  And  which  are  you  1 
May  the  Holy  Ghost  seal  this  upon  thy  heart,  that  thy  roots  may  be 
loosened  from  the  rank  soil  of  nature's  condemnation,  and  that  His  own 
light  hand  may  plant  thee  amongst  the  living  in  Jerusalem.     Amen. 

The  doxology,  the  benediction,  out  into  the  wild  night  again,  the 
lights  extinguished,  the  chapel  closed ; — ^but  that  night  there  was  joy  in 
the  presence  of  the  angels  in  heaven. 

{To  be  continued.) 


THE   8TEUGGLB. 
**  Ye  miut  be  born  agidn.**— John  iii.  7. 


Hy  sins  rose  np  in  bold  amy, 

I  trembled  at  the  sight ; 
I  looked  in  vain  for  bright  noon-day, 

Alas!  'twaa  darksome  night 
I  strove  and  prayed,  but  oh !  how  hard 

The  treochTOns  heart  within, 
The  fearJhil  wound  whieh  guilt  had  made, 

Be-echoed  nought  but  **8in." 
"  m  mend  my  ways,"  vain  self  replied, 

Some  hope  my  som  to  give. 
When  up  rose  law  with  seeming  smile, 

"  Do  this  and  thou  shalt  Uve.^ 
I  struggled  on  with  earnest  zeal, 

And  knowledge  far  away, 
'*  Stone  tables  suit  a  stony  heart,** 

I  was  constrained  to  say. 
Despair  came  on  with  quickened  stride, 

On  nought  could  I  reiy, 
Hy  efforts  failed  me  in  that  hour, 

And  justice  cried  out  ^*  die," 


Now  tempest-tossed  by  night,  by  day, 

A  Yoice  rose  In  that  storm, 
**  Weeping  may  endure  the  night, 

But  joy  comes  in  the  mom.*^ 
That  mom  arrived  with  eleam  of  light,. 

The  first  my  soul  had  known, 
A  heavenly  halo  seemed  around, 

So  bright  its  glories  shone. 
*  Twas  then  I  saw  my  guilt  was  laid, 

On  the  sinner's  only  Friend, 
Who  lived,  and  died,  and  rose  again. 

The  Coxnforter  to  send. 
Then  sing  aloud,  ye  angel  throng, 

Another  soul  relents, 
We  know  all  heaven  is  astir, 

As  oft  as  man  repent& 
And  blessed  be  dear  Jesus ! 

How  I  long  to  see  His  face, 
To  praise  Him  as  He's  worthy, 

In  the  strains  of  sovereign  fpwe  I 


Bamsbory.  John  Habvbt* 

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THE  EARTHEN  VEaSBL,  S^pt  1,  mi. 


OB,  A  PORTION  rOE  EVEBY  SABBATH. 

BY    GIDEON. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  3rd.— "THE  HOLY  OF  HOLIES." 

"  The  aeorot  pkce  of  tlie  Most  High."— Psalm  xci.  1. 
Where  is  tlie  secret  plaoe  of  the  Most  High  1  Header,  do  jou  know  of 
iti  It  is  the  "holy  of  holieB" — "the  sanctum  sanctonun"—- <xf  the 
temple,  into  which  the  high  priest,  alone,  went  every  year.  There  was 
the  mercy-seat,  and  there  Gk>d  met  the  people,  throu^  the  priest,  and 
communed  with  them;  Now  the  veil  is  rent  in  twain,  the  new  and 
living  way  opened,  and  every  poor  sinner  who  feels  his  need  of  men^ 
may  go  in  and  worship  at  Jehovah's  feet.  Here  is  the  only  refuge  fiom 
the  wind  and  covert  from  the  tempest.  Hence  the  true  believer  dwelk 
in  the  secret  place. 

1.  We  have  a  secret  imion  with  Christ  in  the  myntery  of  grace  whidi 
was  hid  from  ages  and  generations,  but  is  now  made  mauifest  to  the  eye  of 
Ifuth.  Hence,  "  the  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  Him,  and 
He  will  show  them  His  covenant.''  (Psalm  xxv.  14.)  Yea,  all  who 
are  in  Christ  shall,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  led  to  see  it,  therefore — 

2.  We  have  a  secret  hiding  place  in  Him  where  the  enemies  of  our 
flonls  seek  for  us  in  vain,  as  saith  the  prophet  (Isaiah  xxziL  2)  :  ^  And 
a  man  shall  be  as  an  hiding  plaoe  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  &om  the 
tempest."  Mark,  "  an  hiding  place.''  Our  heaven-bom  lifia — "  the  new 
man" — ia,  there  hid.  (See  Cg4.  iiL  8)  :  For  ye  aie  dead,  and  your  life  is 
hid  with  Christ  in  God,  and  when  Christ,  w^o  is  our  life,  shall  appear, 
then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory." 

3.  We  have  a  secret  source  of  all  needful  supplies ;  in  that  blessed 
place  are  laid  up  all  the  treasures  of  heaVen,  and  the  believer  has  "  access 
by  £uth  into  this  grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God."  (Bom.  v.  2.)  Here  is  food  for  the  hungiy,  rest  for  the 
weaiy,  medicine  for  the  sick,  clothing  for  the  naked,  pardon  for  the 
guilty,  life  for  the  dead,  liberty  for  the  slave — yea,  everything — an  infi- 
nite fulness  of  grace  and  truth.  How  blessed  are  they,  then,  who  dwell 
in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High  !  Tried,  tempted,  afflicted  soul, 
let  this  comfort  thee,  that  thy  eternal  concerns  are  secure,  and  soon  the 
Lord  will  come  and  relieve  thee  from  all  thy  present  woes,  and  then 
thou  shalt  fully  know  what  is  meant  by  dwelling  in  this  blessed  secret 
place.     Amen. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBEB  10th.— A  SUBE  SUPPLY. 

*'  And  the  barrel  of  meal  wasted  not  neither  did  the  cmse  of  oil  fail,  aooording  to  tltf 
word  of  the  Lord,  which  he  spake  by  Elijah." — ^Kings  xvii.  16. 

How  could  we  know  the  worth  of  an  interest  in  covenant  love  but  for 

trials  ?     Beligion  is  not  a  mere  Sunday  matter — something  to  be  taken 

up  at  the  close  of  the  week's  labours,  and  laid  aside  again  on  Monday 

morning.     Ko,  it  is  a  living  principle,  not  only  designed  to  fit  us  for 

heaven,  but  to  sustain  and  comfort  us  amid  the  trials  and  cares  of  this 


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8<pt.  1, 1S66.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  267 

life.  The  Bible  sapplies  us  with  many  proofs  of  the  power,  faith,  and 
the  faithfuhiess  of  God  in  connection  with  temporal  afflictions.  Here 
was  a  poor  widow  with  one  child.  She  had  no  credit ;  no,  not  a  trades- 
man in  all  the  town  would  trust  her  a  farthing.  She  had  no  money, 
and  only  a  small  portion  of  food ;  hence  there  seemed  nothing  but  a 
lingering  death  before  her.  Ah  !  and  the  boy  too.  Perhaps  your 
mothers  can  tell  how  she  felt  as  she  thought  of  his  pining  away  before 
her  eyes.  Well,  there  is  nothing  too  hard  for  the  Lord ;  you  see,  He 
«ent  her  fibrst  a  promise  ^rerse  14) ;  now  have  you  not  many  great  and 
exceeding  precious  promises  %  yea,  there  is  not  anything  you  need,  either 
for  the  body  or  soul,  that  he  has  not  promised  to  supply.  She  had  £uth. 
''  She  went  and  did  according  to  the  saying  of  Elijah ;"  that  showed 
she  believed,  trusted  in,  relied  on  the  word  spoken,  as  God's  word ;  and 
the  Lord  fulfilled  it ;  '*  ^  hcarrel  of  meal  wasted  not"  ''.And  she,  and 
he,  and  her  house  did  eat  many  days;"  in  the  margin,  *' a  /uU  year,*' 
Did  you,  dear  soul,  begin  last  year  with  only  a  ''  handful  f*  Tou  have 
got  through,  but  you  cannot  teU  how ;  no,  the  widow  could  not  tell  how 
her  small  share  lasted  out.  God  knew.  He  still  lives,  and  can  bring 
thee  through  the  future,  as  well  as  the  past.  Look  not,  then,  into  thy 
empty  cupboard,  but  at  God's  faithful  word ;  for — 

"Hi«  every  word  of  ^race  is  Btrong 
As  that  wbicli  built  the  skies ; 
The  voice  that  rolls  the  stars  along, 
Speaks  aU  the  promises," 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17th.— THE  BEST  SIGHT. 

"  Then  took  he  him  up  in  his  anna." — ^Luke  iL  28. 

Bbhold  in  the  temple  of  Qod  a  grand  sight !  A  young  mother,  modest 
and  beautiful,  with  her  infant  o&pring  in  her  arms :  attendant  friends, 
full  of  love  and  congratulations ;  an  officiating  priest,  going  solemnly 
through  the  appointed  ceremonies  of  the  law ;  an  old  man,  with  snow- 
white  head,  flowing  beard,  and  bent  frame,  totters  feebly  across  the  floor 
of  the  building,  when  the  ceremonies  were  over,  and  takes  the  infant  in 
his  arms,  and  with  tearful  eyes  and  faltering  voice,  he  blessed  the  God 
ef  Israel  for  a  sight  he  had  for  years  wanted  to  see.  Consider,  then — 
1.  What  he  Saw.  Whatallwhofeel  their  sins  would  like  to  see;  what 
aome  would  give  all  the  world  to  see ;  that  is,  salvation.  "  Mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation."  Carnal  eyes  only  saw  a  babe.  Jesus  had 
no  halo  round  his  head ;  nothing  was  there  to  attract  attention ;  yet 
Simeon's  £uth  could  see  in  Him  the  end  of  the  law,  the  end  of  sin,  and  a 
full  and  finished  salvation  in  His  person  and  work.     Consider, — 

2.  What  he  Did — "  took  Him  up  in  his  arms.''  He  was  not  satisfied 
to  see ;  he  must  possess — ^take  hold — clasp  in  his  arms.  Yes,  true  faith 
will  put  her  arms  round  the  Saviour,  and  cling  to  Him,  and,  like  Jacob, 
will  not  let  Him  go  (Gen.  xxxii.  26)  without  a  blessing.  Thus  man 
lays  hold  of  €k>d ;  the  feeble  sinner  and  the  mighty  Saviour  become  one. 
But  consider — 

3.  What  the  old  man  felt.  Thankfulness  filled  his  soul ;  the  sting  of 
ein,  fear  of  death,  and  love  of  the  world  were  taken  away,  and  he  was 
xeady — ^willing — ^yea,  desirous  to  die.  Hast  thou,  poor  soul,  put  thine 
arms  thus  round  the  dear  Son  of  God  9  Then  be  assured  He  has  His  anus 
around  thee.     If  Christ  had  not  first  loved  Simeon,  and  embraced  him 


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266  TSS  EAUTHBN  VESSEL,  BepLl^mL 

in  covenant  love,  and  put  Iiis  bands  upon  liim,  and  bleaaed  him,  Simeon 
could  not  have  seen,  loved,  and  taken  hold  of  Him.  The  Lord  help  thee^ 
then,  to  see  thyself  in  Jesus,  for  there,  and  there  only,  is  light,  liberty^ 
joy,  and  peace, 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  24th.— A  GOOD  SHEPHERD. 

"  The  Lozd  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want"— Psalm  x xiiL  L 

Ood's  people  are  often  oompared  in  the  sacred  word  to  sheep;  and 
He  has  not,  like  the  owners  of  huge  flocks  in  general,  committed  them 
entirely  to  the  care  of  servants.  He  has  appointed  under  sh^f^erds, 
and  all  the  members  of  the  flock  should  be  thankful  for  such  as  feed 
them  with  knowledge  and  understanding.  But  Jesus  himself  takes  care 
of  His  own  dear  flo<^     Now  the  office  of  the  shepherd  is — 

1.  To  prevent  the  flock  from  going  astray.     This  they  are  very  apt 

to  do,  and  would  if  left  to  themselves,  soon  all  be  lost.     Henoe  the 

shepherd  puts  up  fences  such  as  they  can  neither  find  a  hole  in,  <^ 

get  through.     Bless  the  Lord,  He  will  sufier  us — 

"  Only  to  be  led,  or  driven  where, 
We  best  and  safest  may  abide." 

2.  The  work  of  the  shepherd  is  to  find  pasturage  for  his  flock. 
But  none  are  like  our  Jesus.  He  is  both  the  Shepherd  and  pasture; 
where  He  is  there's  plenty.  His  flesh  is  meat,  his  blood  drmk,  Hi& 
word  life,  and  His  presence  joy  and  peace — ^yea,  ^'  Christ  is  all" 

3.  The  work  of  the  shepherd  is  to  save  the  flock  from  every  foe. 

David  took  his  father's  lamb  out  of  the  paw  of  the  lion  and  the  bear ;  and 

think  you  that  Jesus  will  not  deliver  every  one  given  to  Him  by  His 

Father  from  the  roaring  lion,  who  walketh  about  seeking  whom  he  may 

devour  f    Tes,  "  they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck  them 

out  of  his  hand."    More  happy,  but  not  more  secure,  are  the  glorified 

spirits  in  heaven.     When  the  great  reckoning  day  shall  have  come,  He 

will  set  them  all  before  His  faoe-- 

**  He  will  present  onr  aonlSi 
Unblemished  and  completei 
Before  his  Heavenly  Father  s  face, 
With  joys  divinely  great** 

O,  my  spill,  canst  thou  say  the  Lord  is  thy  Shepherd  ?  Then  listen 
to  His  voice ;  wateh  His  hand ;  lean  on  His  arm ;  give  thyself  up  to  His 
care,  and  thou  shalt  never  perish.     Amen. 


God  promised  to  be  with  Joshua,  saying,  ''  I  will  not  &il  thee  nor  for- 
sake tiiee."  Even  so,  the  Lord  Jehovah  was  with  His  Son  in  the  execu- 
tion of  His  mediatorial  office ;  and  the  same  promise  that  was  made  and 
verified  in  the  Head  will  be  accomplished  in  all  the  members.  The  body 
can  no  more  be  forsaken  than  the  Head. 

It  devolved  upon  Joshua  to  divide  the  land  of  Caanan  for  an  inhe- 
ritance amongthe  children  of  Israel.  Even  so,  mansions  in  glory  are 
prepared  by  Christ  for  all  the  godly.  There  are  countless  numbers  of 
saints,  and  there  are  countless  numbers  of  inheritances ;  and  to  every 
saint  there  is  an  inheritance,  incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  thatfiuieth  not 
away.  Heaven  must  be  an  unmeasurably  large  place ;  but  as  lai|^  as  ii 
is  I  shall  never  be  there  unless  saved  by  great  and  abundant  grace. 


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S«>ptl,186&  AND  CHBI8TIAN  RECORD.  289 

Bt  John  Brown,  A.M.y  Conlig,  Newtowhards,  Ireland. 

Thb  histoxy  of  the  Church  in  all  ages  proyes  that  mixed  marriageB 
necessarily  lead  to  ooiruption.  The  unnatural  union  between  '*  the  sons 
of  God"  and  the  **  daughters  of  men''  was  the  first  step  towards  the 
general  apostasy,  which  prepared  the  way  for  the  flood ;  and  the  tendency 
of  such  unhallowed  unions  in  eveiy  age  has  been  the  same.  For  this 
reason  the  children  of  Israel  were  strictly  forbidden  to  join  in  affinity 
with  the  heathen :  '^Take  heed  to  thyself,  lest  thou  make  a  covenant 
with  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  whither  thou  goest,  lest  it  be  for  a  snare 
in  the  midst  of  thee.  *  *  •  And  thou  take  of  their  daughters  unto 
thy  sons,  and  their  daughters  go  a  whoring  after  their  gods,  and  make 
thy  9on8  go  a  whoring  aJUr  their  godsj*  "  Neither  shalt  thou  make 
marriages  with  them ;  thy  daughter  thou  shalt  not  give  unto  his  son,  nor 
his  daughter  shalt  thou  take  unto  thy  son.  For  they  wiU  turn  away  thy 
sona/rom  me,  that  they  may[8erve  their  gods,**  **  Did  not  Solomon,  king 
of  lorael,  sin  by  these  things  ?  Tet  among  many  nations  was  there  no 
king  like  him,  who  was  beloved  by  his  Crod,  and  God  made  him  king 
over  all  Israel.  Neverthdeee^  even  him  did  otUlandish  women  cause  t^ 
m."  (Exodus  xxxiv.  16 ;  Deut  vii  3,  4 ;  Nehemiah  xiiL  26,  27.)  In 
these  passages  maxiiage  is  prohibited  between  the  children  of  Israel  and 
the  heathen ;  and  not  only  so,  but  the  reason  of  the  prohibition  is  given ; 
viz.,  its  tendency  to  withdraw  the  people  of  God  from  His  service.  And 
if  this  was  a  good  reason  then^  it  is  equally  a  good  reason  wnw  ;  for  every 
day's  experience  proves  that  the  same  danger  attends  mixed  marriages 
stQl ;  it  is  still  true  that  '<  evil  communications  corrupt  good  manners,'' 
and  the  Lord,  therefore,  guards  His  people  against  the  effect  by  disallow- 
ing the  eauee. 

In  2  Cor.  vL  14,  Paul  delivers  a  very  solemn  injunction  to  Chris- 
tians to  separate  themselves  from  all  worldly  connections  :  *'  Be  ye  not 
unequally  yoked  together  with  unbelievers:  for  what  fellowship  hath 
righteousness  with  unrighteousness  ?  and  what  communion  hath  light 
with  darkness  ?  and  what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  1  or  what  part 
hath  he  that  believeth  with  an  unbeliever  f*  It  is  admitted  that  the 
apostle  here  speaks  of  church-communion  rather  than  marriage ;  but  all 
unneoessaiy  communion  with  the  world  is  implied.  The  Lord's  table  i» 
not  surely  the  only  place  where  we  should  separate  ourselves  firom  the 
world*  If  we  ou^t  to  shun  evil  company  in  general,  it  cannot  certainly 
be  lawful  to  enter  into  the  most  intimate  relation  on  earth  with  thoea 
who  love  not  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  A  child  of  God,  and  a  child  of  th» 
devil,  voluntarily  becoming  '*  one  flesh,"  is  incongruous  in  the  extreme. 
This  language  may  be  conmdered  harsh ;  but  it  is  only  calling  things  by 
their  right  names; — between  a  child  of  God  and  a  child  of  the  devil 
there  is  no  medium. 

But  in  1  Cor.  vii.  12—16,  39,  Paul  lays  down  the  Christian  law  of 
maniage  with  such  precision,  that  it  cannot  be  innocently  mistaken :  ^*  If 
any  brother  hath  a  wife  that  believeth  not^  and  she  be  pleased  to  dwell 


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Sro  THE  EABTHEN  VBaaBL,  Sept  1,  UK. 

with  him,  let  him  not  put  her  away.  And  the  woman  which  haih  an 
husband  that  believeth  not,  and  if  he  be  pleased  to  dwell  with  her,  let 
her  not  leave  him.  For  the  unbelieving  husband  ia  sanctified  bj  the 
wife,  and  the  imbelieving  wife  is  sanctified  by  the  husband ;  else  were 
your  children  unclean ;  but  noi^  are  they  holy.  But  if  the  unbelieyiiig 
depart^  let  him  depart.  A  brother  or  a  sister  is  not  under  bondage  in 
such  cases ;  but  Gk>d  hath  called  us  to  peace.  For  what  knowest  thou, 
O  wife,  whether  thou  shalt  save  thy  husband,  or  how  knowest  thou, 
O  man,  whether  thou  shalt  save  thy  mfe  1         •  #  #  » 

*  *  The  wife  is  bound  by  the  law  as  long  as  her  husband  liveih;  bat 
a  her  husband  be  dead,  she  is  at  liberty  to  be  manned  to  whom  ske 
will ;  cnly  in  the  Lord."     In  these  words  the  apostle  teaches  us — 

First,  That  the  mairtiage  of  unbelievers  is  lawful,  marriage  being  tke 
appointment  of  God  for  the  benefit  c£  man,  '^  Marriage  is  honon^le 
in  aU," — ^in  all  men  and  in  all  lespeets.     (Hebw  xiii*  4.) 

Secondly.  Thai  in  thecsse  of  those  who  have  been  married  in  unbe- 
lief^ the  subsequent  conversion  of  one  of  the  parties  does  not  diswlve 
the  maniage  contract:  Should  one  of  the  parties  afterwards  belidTe  in 
Jesus,  the  maniage  is  not  thereby  rendered  of  none  efiect.  The  belisring 
Corinthians  appear  to  have  had  some  doubt  on  this  subject.  As  £&& 
commanded  those  who  had  married  heathen  wives  in  his  day  to  pat 
them  away  (Ezra  x.  13) ;  aa  the  apostle  taught  that  Chiistiaaa  shoold 
have  no  familiar  intercourse  with  the  heathen  (2  Cor.  vL  14 — 18); 
and  as  the  CorinthiaDS,  probably,  well  knew,  that  he  dise^proved  of 
mixed  ntamages,  it  was  natural  for  ihem  to  ioquire  whether  they  coold 
lawfully  live  with  their  imbelieving  partners  Paul,  therefore,  lemeveB 
their  scruples,  by  showing  that  those  who  are  aireiad^  married  at  to 
abide  in  this  relation ;  and  that,  as  the  believing  party  could  not  be 
said  to  violate  the  ChristiKn  precept  in  entering  the  relatooBy  both  being 
then  in  unbelief^  so  he  is  not  guilty  of  ain  by  remaining  in  it  affcsr 
conversion.  The  marriage  unicA  is  '' sanctified"  to  the  beliover  in 
snch  a  sense  as  to  render  his  offspring  Intimate,  and  prevent  tke 
necessity  of  a  separation  between  the  husband  and  the  wife,  (v:  10— 14>) 
The  apostle  teaches — 

Thirdly.  That  in  such  oaees  the  beUeving  party  ouf^  to  laboor 
for  the  conversion  of  the  unb^iever.  ''  For  what  knowest  thou,  O  wife, 
whether  thou  shalt  save  thy  husband  %  or  how  knowest  thou,  O  mtn, 
whether  thou  shalt  save  thy  wife  ?  (v.  16..)  Peter  gives  an  exhortation 
to  Ckrifltian  women  to  the  same  effect :  ^'  Likewise,  ye  wives^  be  in 
subjection  to  your  own  husbands ;  that,  if  any  obey  not  the  word,  th^ 
also  may,  without  the  word,  be  won  by  the  conversation  of  the  wives: 
(1  Peter  iii.  1.)  These  wholesome  exhortations,  we  are  aware,  ha^^ 
semetimes  been  sadly  perverted*  Not  only  have  been  construed  into  a 
pennission  to  a  Christian  woman  voluntarily  to  place  herself  in  marriagB 
sabtioa  to  one  who  does  not  obey  the  word ;  but  we  have  known  some 
to  make  a  virtue  of  entering  into  such  a  union  with  the  view  of  beooxaing 
instrumental  in  the  regeneration'  of  the  unconverted  party,  as  if  the  sod 
c«Nild  justify  the  means,  so  as  to  render  it  proper  for  us  to  do  evil  tiiat 
good  might  come.  But  in  such  cases,  as  might  be  expected,  the  coiifls- 
qiienoe  is  generally  the  reverse;  viz.,  the  iqxwtaay  of  the  prolfiBSor. 
l^otfu^  bei^ev  could  be  expected  to  come  of  such  a  gross  peivendon  d 
tie  word  of  Qod    To  put  such  a  construction  on  the  apostotie  precept 


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Bept  1,  lB6ft.  AJiTD  CHRISTIAN  BBCORD.  271 

18  a  perfect  abuse  of  language.  Is  an  exhortation  to  a  mamtd  woman 
to  sedc  the  conyersion  of  her  ungodlj  husband  to  be  understood  as  a 
permission  to  an  wnmofrried  woman  to  many  an  ungodly  man  9  Oer- 
tainly  not.  Peter^s  exhortation  implies  the  possibility  of  those  who  aro 
olfnadfy  married  so  walking  together,  that  the  one  may  become  the  means 
of  the  other's  coniTersion ;  but  it  gives  no  license,  £eur  less  encooragement, 
to  a  child  of  Qod  to  become  "  one  flesh''  with  a  child  of  the  devil !  In 
such  a  case  were  the  bands  of  matrimony  proclaimed  in  plain  tenos, 
all  heaven  would  blush,  and  all  hell  woxdd  triumph.  ,Ko — ^the 
a|K)Btle's  argument  leads  to  an  opposite  conclusion,  and  that  is — 

Fourthly.  That  while  a  Christian  woman  may  lawfully  dwell  with 
a(Q  unconverted  husband,  ''  as  long  as  her  husband  liveth ;"  and  that 
while  in  the  event  of  his  death^ ''  ^e  is  at  liberty  to  be  married  to  whom 
she  will  f  yet  there  is  one  indispensable  limitation  :  he  must  be  '^  only  in 
the  Lord"  (verse  39)  :  t.e.,  he  must  be  a  converted  character,  for  sudi  is 
the  meaning  of  the  phrase,  ^'in  the  Lord,"  ''in  Jesus,"  or  ''in  Christ" 
Of  this  take  the  following  examples : — "  I  commend  unto  you  Phebe^  our 
sister,  which  is  a  servant  of  the  Church  which  k  at  Cenchrea ;  that  ye 
receive  her  m  tha  Lord  as  becometh  saints."  "Greet  Prisdlla  and 
Aquila,  my  helpers  in  Christ  JesusP  "  Greet  Amplias,  my  beloved  in 
the  Lord:'  "  Salute  Urbane,  our  helper  in  Christ:'  "  Salute  Apelles, 
approved  in  Christ,'*  "  Receive  (Epaphroditns)  in  the  Lord  with  glad- 
ness; and  hold  such  in  reputation."  (Romans  xvi.  throughout,  and 
Philip,  ii.  29.)  In  all  these  instances,  to  be  "  in  the  Lord,"  or  "  in 
Christ,"  is  equivalent  to  being  a  true  Christian,  for  the  apostle  says,  "  If 
any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature."  Such  is  the  character  of 
the  party  whom  Paul  allows  a  Christian  to  seek  in  marriage ;  and  he 
considers  himself  bound  by  the  same  rule,  "  Bave  we  not  power,"  says 
he,  '*  to  lead  about  a  sister,  a  wife?"  (1  Cor.  ix.  5.)  As  he  leaves  the 
woman  at  liberty  to  be  married  to  whom  she  will,  provided  she  choose  a 
husband  "  in  the  Lord  /'  so  he  claims  "  authority  to  lead  about  a  wife," 
jirovided  she  be  ** a  sister;"  but  as  1  Cor.  iv.  5,  implies,  that  he  had  no 
**  authority  to  lead  about  a  wife,"  unless  she  were  *'  a  sister  ;"  so  1  Cor. 
vii.  39,  implies,  that  she  was  not  "  at  liberty  to  be  married,"  unless  to  a 
man  "in  the  Lord."  But  the  apostle's  language,  we  think,  also 
implies — 

]Rfthly.  That  where  the  case  is  clear,  no  Christian  Church  ought  to 
tolerate  such  a  gross  violation  of  the  law  of  God.  If  the  apostle  grants 
no  liberty  to  a  Christian  professor  to  be  married  out  of  the  Lord,  neither 
should  we.  The  duty  of  a  Christian  Church  in  relation  to  those  that 
openly  ti^ansgress  this  commandment,  appears  to  us  to  be  sufficiently 
clear ;  and  if  a  Church  neglect  to  exercise  discipline  in  such  a  case,  she 
is  chargeable  with  suffering  sin  upon  a  brother.  It  is  perfectly  possible, 
however,  that  a  man  may  marry  in  the  chu/rch,  and  yet  not  many  "  in 
the  Lord  y"  for  tbough  none  but  regenerate  persons  ought  to  enter  the 
Church  of  Grod,  yet  we  too  often  have  painful  evidence,  that  persons 
whose  hearts  are  not  right  with  God,  find  their  way  into  the  purest 
churches  on  earth:  In  such  a  case,  however,  as  the  Church  must  regard 
both  parties  as  being  "  in  the  Lord"  so  long  as  the  character  of  the 
believer  has  not  become  publicly  manifest,  she  cannot  consistently  object ; 
the  matter  must  be  left  with  their  own  conscience.  But  in  the  event  of 
a  ehurch  member  marrying  out  of  the  ehwreh^  we  think  the  Church  ous^t 


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272  THE  EARTHEN   VESSEL,  Sept  1,1865. 

to  afloertaixL  the  Ch]iBtianit7  of  the  other  party,  and  retain  the  member 
in  fellowship  only  on  finding  evidence,  that  the  professed  brother 
or  sister  is  manying  '<  in  the  Lord."  It  is  desirable  that  Baptists  should 
unite  in  marriage  only  with  Baptists ;  but  this  ought  not  to  be  made  im- 
perative.  A  Christian  is  at  liberty  to  be  married  to  whom  he  tmllf  only 
"  in  the  Lord ;"  and  we  have  no  right  to  abridge  this  '^  liberty."  The 
only  thing  that  God  makes  indispensable  is  grace ;  all  other  thingB  must 
be  left  to  the  prudence  of  the  parties  concerned. 

Werf  ihe  attention  of  Chxistiaii Churches  moredirected  to  this  Subject, 
we  believe  we  should  see  a  more  marked  separation  between  the  Churdi 
and  the  world,  and  we  doubt  not  the  discipline  might  be  bleased  in  this 
case,  as  well  as  in  others,  to  the  souls  of  such  as  might  incur  censure. 
We  once  knew  of  a  woman  being  excluded  from  a  Church  for  committing 
this  sin,  and  we  are  glad  to  state  that  her  exclusion  was  the  means  of 
her  hui^Hmd's  canvenum.  We  need  not  say  that  the  Church  was  over- 
joyed to  receive  both  into  her  fellowship,  on  a  profession  of  repentance 
towards  God,  and  fidth  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  the  woman 
being  restored  on  acknowledging  her  sin,  and  her  husband  being  received 
as  a  new  convert. 


EXPOSITION    OF    BEVELATION    XIV.  6— 14. 
Bt  Mb.  James  Wells,  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  Borough  Road. 

**  And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everiaatin^  Qoapel  to 
preach  onto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  eyeiy  nation,  and  kindred,  aad 
tongue,  and  people.** 

I  HAVE  often  said  that  this  Book  of  the  Bevelation  is  an  embodimoit 
and  representation  of  the  New  Testament  Dispensation,  stretching,  of 
course,  into  everlasting  gloiy.  Now,  here  is  an  angel,  that  is,  not  & 
literal  angel,  but  a  messenger.  You  are  aware  that,  in  the  beginning  of 
this  book,  ministers  are  ciJled  angels  because  they  are  messengers,  and 
also  because  they  work  as  spirits.  Angels  are  spirits,  and  those  whom 
the  Lord  sends  are  S{»rits.  Now,  observe,  here  is  a  oomnussion  to  preach 
the  Oospel  to  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue,  and  people.  And  will  any 
one  try  to  persuade  me  that  this  is  something  yet  unfulfilled ;  that  this 
is  something  that  lies  yet  in  the  future  f  Is  it  anything  else  but  a  repe- 
tition of  the  mission  the  Saviour  gave  to  the  apostles,  *'  Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature."  Here  then,  is,  in 
vision,  a  repetition  of  the  same  thing.  Let  us  remember,  friendis,  that 
the  Lord  blesseth  His  people  with  aJl  spiritual  blessings ;  and  that  the 
object  of  the  Bible  is  to  bring  us  into  possession  of  those  spiritual  bless- 
ings, and  to  make  us  spiritual ;  and  even  the  very  body  its^  will,  in  the 
resurrection,  be  spirituaL  Here,  then,  is  an  everlasting  Goq>el,  in 
contrast  to  those  gospels  that^  like  Jonah's  gourd,  come  up  in  a  night 
and  perish  in  a  night 

'*  Saying,  with  a  lond  voice,  Fear  Ood,  and  give  glory  to  Him ;  for  the  hour  of  Hk 
judgment  ia  come:  and  worship  Him  that  made  heaven,  and  earth,  and  the  tea, 
and  the  fonntaina  of  waten.** 

"  The  hour  of  His  judgment  is  come."    When  did  it  come  t    Why, 


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Sept  1,  ia6&  ^JVD  CHRISTIAN  BBCORD,  273 

especially  at  the  Savioor^s  resurrection ;  then  the  judgment,  a  judgment . 
day,  commenced ;  for  we  are  not  always  to  understand  judgmerU  in  the 
same  sense.  And  what  was  the  judgment  that  then  commenced,  and 
that  has  been  going  on  £rom  that  day  to  this,  and  will  go  on  to  the 
final  judgment?  Why,  it  is  this, — the  judgment  that  came  then  was 
this ;  and  that  same  judgment  continues  now,  and  will  to  the  end  of 
time ;  '<  He  that  beHeveth  shall  be  saved ;  he  that  believeth  not  shall 
he  damned,"  That's  the  judgment  with  which  the  dispensation  of 
the  Gospel  commenced ;  and  thousands  have  been  brought  by. the  grace 
of  God  to  believe,  and,  consequently,  have  escaped  the  condemnation 
threatened  in  the  other  part  of  that  verse.  And  what  was  it  when  you 
who  know  the  Lord  were  first  brought  into  soul  trouble  ?  It  was  then 
the  day  of  judgment ;  God  brought  you  into  judgment,  and  He  so 
chastened  you  as  to  )>ut  a  negative  upon  you  and  upon  all  your  doings ; 
and  you  felt  that  you  were  a  poor  condemned  sinner,  and  you  b^gan  to 
exalt  the  Lord  in  judgment ;  you  began  to  confess  that  He  was  right  in 
His  judgment.  Presently,  the  Lord  takes  another  position,  comes  in, 
and  by  His  mercy  releases  you  from  the  judgment  of  condemnation, 
and  brings  you  into  the  judgment  of  justification.  Thus,  then,  this 
Gospel  is  that  by  which  men  are  brought  away  from  all  creatures  to 
worship  Him  that  made  the  earth,  the  sea,  and  so  on ;  that  is,  we  are 
to  pass  by  all  creatui'es ;  and  God  in  His  eternity,  G<>d  iu  His  supre- 
macy ;  God,  in  the  order  of  this  Gospel,  He  alone  is  to  be  the  object  of 
worship. 

^*  And  there  followed  another  angel  saying,  Babylon  is  fallen,  is  fallen,  that  great  city, 
because  she  made  all  nations  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  her  jfomication." 

This  does  not  mean  literal  Babylon ;  nor  does  it  mean  any  city  at 
all  literally;  but  it  means  the  whole  body  of  £alse  professors  who 
possess  a  spirit  of  enmity  against  the  truth  of  God.  Thafs  what  is 
meant  by  Babylon ;  made  up  of  all  sorts  and  shades  of  professors,  and 
the  only  oneness  among  them  is,  that  they  agree  all  of  them  to  hate 
the  truth.  Well  now,  this  Babylon,  this  mystic,  multitudinous  Baby- 
lon, is  fallen.  There  is  a  fourfold  sense  in  which  it  is  fjedlen.  If 
you  go  to  the  2nd  verse  of  the  18th  chapter,  you  read,  ''Babylon 
the  great  is  fallen,  is  fidlen,  and  is  become  the  habitation  of  devils." 
The  original  word  there  translated  devils  might  be  better  trans- 
lated mediatGry  godsj  **  become  the  habitation  of  mediatory  gods."  So 
you  have  notlung  to  do  but  just  look  at  Popery  and  Puseyism,  and  there 
yon  have  at  least  a  part  of  Betbylon  pointed  out,  "  It  is  become  the  hold 
of  every  foul  spirit,"  every  spirit  of  foul  enmity  against  the  truth  of 
God ;  ''  and  a  cage  of  every  unclean  and  hateful  bird."  Such  is  the 
state  of  the  professing  world,  that  thus  embody  human  inventions  and 
hate  the  truth  of  €k>d.  That's  one  sense,  then,  in  which  Babylon,  the  pro- 
fessing world,  is  fallen.  The  second  sense  in  which  it  is  &llen  is,  that 
it  is  fallen  in  God's  purpose.  He  intends  its  ruin,  He  intends  its 
destruction*  ''  He  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned ;"  **  that  all 
might  be  damned  that  received  not  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it."  The 
third  sense  in  which  this  Babylon  13  fallen  is  in  the  estimation  of  the 
people  of  €k>d.  When  we  were  in  a  state  of  nature,  peradventure,  with 
us  tilien  one  religion  was  the  same  as  another ;  but  it  is  not  so.  The  world 
is  fidlen  in  our  estimation  now ;  error  is  fallen  in  our  estimation  now ; 
the  &l8e  church  is  fallen  in  our  estimation  now,  to  rise  into  our  appro- 


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274  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Sept  1, 

batum  no  more  for  ever.  And  then  the  fourth  aenae  in  which  Babykn 
is  £Edlen  is,  that  the  Lord  calleth  things  that  are  not  as  tiioa^  th^ 
were,  so  that  the  time  shall  oome  -when  the  eternal  destractaon  of  aU 
that  are  not  found  in  Christ  mnst  he  brought  ahoat ;  i<ac  He  shall  oome 
at  the  final  judgment  in  flaming  fire,  taking  vengoanoe  on  all  them  that 
know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  QospeL  Thus,  then,  you  can 
understand  the  miswion  of  the  Gospel  to  all  natums ;  you  can  understand 
the  discriminating  judgment,  and  you  can  undefstand  what  this  Babylon 
is,  and  the  respects  in  which  this  Babylon  is  fidien. 
'*  Made  all  natioiu  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wnth  of  her  ionucation." 

That  is,  Popeiy  is  a  system  that  unites  the  soul  to  all  sorts  of  godi^ 
different  systems,  and  therefore  it  is  called  harlotism ;  that  Church  is 
spoken  of,  and  very  properly  too,  as  a  harlot  or  a  prostitute,  because  they 
are  united  to  all  sorts  of  gods  and  systems.  And  the  wine  means  their 
doctrine,  which  intoxicates  the  people.  It  is  astcmishing  how  superati- 
tion  will  intoxicate  the  mind ;  how  it  will  infuriate  its  followers  with 
29eal,  though,  like  drunken  persons  literally,  they  know  not  what  they  ai» 
talldng  about.  Now,  can  there  be  any  difficulty  about  the  understand- 
ing  of  this  ?  What  a  mercy  it  is  to  be  delivered  from  it  all,  and  to  be 
made  a  citizen  of  that  pure  city  where  God  and  the  Lamb  reign  and  shine 
for  ever. 

"  And  the  third  angers- 
message  after  message— 

*^  followed  them,  saying,  with  a  lond  voice,  If  any  man  worohip  the  heaat,** 
that  is,  the  main  body  of  error;  does  not  matter  by  what  name  it  goes 
at  all; 

<«  And  his  image  ;** 
that  k,  the  representation  of  it,  whether  it  is  Canterbuxy,  or  whether 
it  is  Home,  or  Constantinople,  or  St.  Petersburg,  for  all  these  places 
are  images,  representing  in  various  shapes  and  forms  human  tradition  ; 
— if  any  man  worship  the  beast,  the  main  body  of  error,  and  his  image^ 
the  representative  of  it ; 

'*  And  receive  hig  mark  in  his  forehead,  or  in  his  hand  ;** 

whether  he  openly  worship  it  or  secretly  £Ekvonr  it,  as  a  great  many  cf 
our  countrymen  do  now  amcmg  our  legislative  assembly ;  there  axe  men 
there  afiraid  to  speak  their  real  sentiments ;  and  henoe,  I  believe  some  of 
them  are  nothing  else  but  Pi^ists  and  Puseyites  in  disguise.  They  won't 
receive  the  mark  in  their  forehead,  they  will  not  op^y  profess  it,  hot 
they  will  secretly  encourage  it ;  so  you  can  keep  your  hand  shut,  and  not 
let  any  one  see  Uie  mark  <hat  is  there.  But  then  let  us  read  the  doom 
of  Budi:— 

'^  The  same  shall  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  Ood,  which  is  poured  out  wftboot 
mixture  into  the  cap  of  His  indignation;  and  he  shall  he  tormented  witib  ft»  sad 
brimstone  in  the  presence  of  the  holy  angels,  and  in  the  presenoe  ol  the  Lamh." 


80  much  for  that  infamous  sentimoit  that  tells  us  it  does  not  1 
ter  what  we  believe ;  that  all  religions  are  alike.  They  are  not  all  alike: 
there  are  but  two  religions  in  the  world,  in  reality — ^the  one  from  the 
devil,  and  the  other  from  God ;  the  one  is  made  up  in  great  partof  fthe 
hood,  and  the  other  is  entirely  composed  of  the  pure  truth  of  God.  See 
the  awful  destiny  of  the  man  that  misses  the  truth,  lays  hold  of  error,  and 
is  governed  by  the  same. 


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fi«pt  1, 1808.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  2f5 

"  Ajid  the  smoke  of  their  torment  aeoendeih  up  for  ever  and  oyer ;  and  they  haye  119 
rest  day  or  night,  who  worship  the  beast  and  his  image,  and  whosoever  receiveth 
the  mark  of  his  name.    Here  is  the  patience  of  the  samli.** 

To  l)ear  the  opposition,  and  to  see  and  witness  the  prosperity  of  the 

adversaries  of  the  truth  in  the  world,  for  here's  their  prosperity  indicated, 

making  all  nations  drink  of  their  doctrine,  and  drmk  into  their  spirit ; 

and  the  saints  must  bear  this  patiently. 

"flereis  the  patience  of  thesaints^  here 'are  they  that  keap  the  commandments  of 
God," 

In  contrast  to  the  traditions  of  men, — 

<•  And  the  faith  of  Jeans ;" 

that  is,  they  keep  the  Mth  of  Jesus  by  the  commandments  of  God,  if 

you  can  understand  that.     A  good  many  in  our  day  have  a  &ith  in 

Jesus  Christ,  but  that  faith  in  Jesus  Chriiat  \b  held  by  the  doctrines  of 

men.     Now  it  is  one  thing  for  you  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  by  the 

doctrines  of  men,  and  another  thing  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  by  the 

doctrines  of  God,  by  the  commandments  of  the  blessed  God.     All  the 

Jews  had  a  belief  in  the  coming  Messiah  ;  but  when  the  Saviour  came, 

and  preached  the  doctrines  of  God,  they  all  with  one  voice  said,,  *'  Away 

with  Him,  away  with  Him."     Now  if  they  had  believed  in  the  coming 

Messiah  by  the  oommandments  of  God  instead  of  the  traditions  of  men, 

the  would  have  received  Him.     See  then  how  great  the  mercy  of  being 

delivered  from  error,  and  brot^ht  into  the  trutib. 

**  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto  me,  Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth ;  y esj  saith  the  Bpirit,  that  they  may  lesfc  fcom  their 
laJbonn ;  and  their  works  do  follow  tnem.** 

I  shall  once  more  say  it,  and  some  of  you  love  the  doctrine ;  if  any 

of  you  are  Pharisaic  enoa^  to  hate  it,  God  have  mercy  upon  you  for 

it,  namely,  that  the  good  works  of  the  saints  of  God  shall  follow  them^ 

but  not  one  of  their  evil  works ;  for  he  shall  present  them  at  the  last 

without  spot,  fault,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.     And  there's  one 

good  work  that  will  follow  them  all,  infants  and  all,  and  that's  their 

right  reception  of  Jesus  Christ.     If  an  infant  dies,  it  dies  by  the  will  of 

God,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  brings  into  the  soul  of  that  infant  the  grace  of 

God,  and  that  infant  receives  into  its  soul  a  life  that  is  eternal^ 

embodying  in  that  life  the  Son  of  God,  and  God  iiimself,  the  new 

covenant,  and  all    that  pertains  to    eternity ;  and  when  that  infant's 

soul  departsi,  it  finds  itself  in  the  sweet  order  of  the  new  covenant. 

And    dat     good    work     of    rightly    receiving    Jesus    Christ     shall 

follow    all  the  saints.     But  we  hope  that  will  not  be  the  only  good 

work  that  will  follow  us  ;  we  hope  and  trust  that  the  Lord  will  enable 

us  to  show  a  great  deal  of  sympathy  and  kindness  to  his  people,  and  to 

the  poor  of  his  flock,  and  to  the  world  at  large,  and  these  works  shall 

follow  08  not  as  in  any  way  forming  pert  of  our  salvation,  but  as  evidences 

and  testimonies  that  we  were  sincere  in  our  profession,  that  our  faith  was  . 

not  a  faith  without  workcf,  but  a  faith  with  works. 

**  And  I  looked,  and  behind,  a  white  cloud,  and  npon  the  doud  one  sat  like  unto  the  Son 
of  man,  having  on  His  head  a  golden  crown,  and  in  His  hand  a  sharp  sickle.** 

All    the   remaining    part    of   this    chapter    refers  literally  and 

historically  to  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem ;  but  while  it  refers  to  the 

destruction  of  Jerusalem  and  the  desolation  of  the  land  of  Canaan  at 

large,  it  does  not  refer  to  that  only,  for  one  judgment  represents  another 

judgment,  and  the  judgment  that  follows  is  always  more  tremendous  than 


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376  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Sept  1,  laSL 

the  judgment  that  preceded  it ;  just  the  same  as  the  glory  that  will  foUov 
wiih  you  will  be  greater  than  that  you  have  yet  seen.  The  state 
of  the  sinner  gets  worse  and  worse,  the  state  of  the  saint  gets  better  and 
better  j  the  path  of  the  one  gets  lighter  and  lighter,  the  path  of  the 
other  gets  darker  and  darker.  The  one  goes  from  weakness  to  weakness, 
the  other  from  strength  to  strength ;  the  one  goes  from  unbelief  to 
unbelief,  the  other  from  £uth  to  faith.  Here  is  the  mighty  contrast 
between  the  two.  Therefore  He  that  sat  upon  the  white  cloud  here  is 
none  else  but  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  appearing  in  his  judicial  character, 
destroying  Jerusalem,  and  desolating  the  land  of  Canaan ;  but  this  is 
not  the  only  meaning,  he  will  come  by  and  bye  in  a  more  tremendous 
way. 


READY    TO    SAVE. 
Bt  Samuel  Cozens. 

Mt  Belotbd  Sisteb  iir  Christ, — ^As  you  are  a  prisoner  of  hop$^  shut 
up  in  affliction's  chamber,  and  cannot  come  forth  into  the  ways  and 
ordinances  of  Zion,  I  will  send  you  an  ex-prisoner's  testimony  to  the 
Lord  his  deliverer.  You  will  find  it  in  Isaiah  xzxviii :  "  The  Lord 
was  ready  to  save  me."  Thus  said  Hezekiah  when  he  was  recovered  of 
his  sickness.  He  talked  a  very  different  language  htfore  he  was  recovered 
The  fiimaoe  of  affliction  will  bring  out  the  awM  dross  of  our  depraved 
nature ;  but  as  the  refiner  is  ready  to  sav^  the  precious  metal  from  the 
furnace  at  the  proper  moment,  so  Christ  is  ready  to  save  the  precious 
sons  of  Zion,  comparable  to  the  most  fine  gold,  from  their  fiery  trials, 
when  those  fiery  dispensations  have  accomplished  the  end  designed. 
You  may  depend  upon  it  the  thermometer  of  God's  purpose  is  in  every 
furnace  regulating  Uie  heat,  and  when  the  dock  of  €k)d's  decree  strikes  the 
hour  of  our  deliverance,  we,  like  Israel  of  old,  shall  come  out  of  the 
iron  furnace.  Thus  we  are  enabled  to  glorify  Qod  in  the  fires  ;  when 
we  submit  to  the  cross  that  is  to  crucify  us ;  when  we  possess  our  soiUft 
in  the  fire  that  is  to  consume  our  wood,  hay,  and  stubble.  We  must 
have  a  vast  quantity  of  these  combustible  things  to  need  so  many  >fires ; 
the  fiM3t  is,  we  are  like  a  forest ;  if  the  wood  is  cut  down  and  consumed, 
the  roots  will  sprout  again  ;  and  we  are  like  the  grass  field,  if  mown 
this  season,  it  will  want  mowing  again  next. 

The  Church  is  compared  to  a  garden,  and  I  think  nothing  so  fully 
represents  our  need  of  constant  discipline.  Late  in  the  autumn,  after  the 
fruit  gleanings,  the  poor  garden  looks  only  prolific  in  v^eede  and  rubbish; 
well,  so  it  is ;  but  the  fruit-producing  roots  are  there  too ;  and  the 
gardener  will  come  and  cut  down,  and  dig  up  all  those  vile  things,  and 
hum  them  away,  and  that  is  generally  done  IN  the  garden.  Well,  I 
have  forgotten  my  text — "  The  Lord  was  ready  to  save  me."  I  must 
write  you  another  line  upon  that. 

Yours,  vexy  sincerely, 

Saxuxl  Oozbhb. 

13,  Lincoln  Street^  Bow  Road  E.,  Nov.  17th,  1864. 

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8ept  1,  IMS.  AND  CHBmPIAN  RECORD.  377 

GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BT     MR.     ALFRED     PEET,     OF      SHARKBROOK. 

**  Gmther  np  the  fngments  that  remaiii,  that  nothing  be  loet**— John  tL  12. 

86. — ^Hb  wlio  judges  and  condemns  himself  upon  Gkni's  footstool, 
shall  be  acquitted  and  absolved  from  God's  throne. 

87. — Self-denial  makes  a  man  consistent ;  therefore,  learn  to  take 
up  thy  cross. 

88. — Consolation  in  religion  does  not  depend  on  the  Christian  but 
on  Christ ;  not  on  the  members,  but  on  the  Head  ;  but  in  proportion  as 
we  walk  with  the  Saviour  will  be  our  peace. 

89. —  True  religion  is  doctrinal,  experimental,  and  practical;  if  we 
possessed  only  doctrinal  religion  it  would  lead  to  antinomiamsm ;  if 
onlj  experimental,  to  enthusiasm  ;  if  only  practical,  to  Pharisaism  ;  there- 
fore, if  we  would  be  partakers  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  all  three  must  be 
united — we  must  not  attempt  to  separate  them. 

90. — ^Were  we  free  from  the  in-being  of  sin  there  could  be  no  con* 
flict ;  and  if  no  conflict  there  could  be  no  victory ;  and  if  no  victory  there 
could  be  no  triumph ;  and  if  no  triumph  there  could  be  no  thanks  to  God, 
who  giveth  us  the  victoiy  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

91.*-A  man,  in  whom  dwdls  the  Holy  Ghost,  is,  if  God  send  him, 
qualified  to  preach  the  everlasting  Gospel,  although  he  hath  no  human 
learning.  But  a  learned  person  cannot  preach  the  Word  from  what  he 
himself  hath  experienced  without  Divine  teaching. 

92. — Hard  words  are  like  hailstones  in  summer — ^beating  down  and 
destroying  what  they  would  nourish  were  they  melted  into  drops. 

93. — To  &11  one  step  short  of  heaven  is  to  fall  into  hell. 

94. — ^A  wicked  man  is  at  peace  with  the  world  and  at  war  with 
God  j  a  righteous  man  is  at  peace  with  God  and  at  war  with  the  world. 
Easy  it  is  to  decide  who  will  conquer. 

95. — Zeal  should  not  be  too  hasty  either  to  censure  or  commend, 
where  knowledge  has  not  run  before  to  send  back  a  command. 

96. — Were  there  no  hell  to  be  delivered  from,  nor  any  heaven  to  be 
enjoyed  hereafter,  I  prefer  the  ways  of  God  to  the  ways  of  sin. 

97. — I  pray  for  humility,  but  cannot  always  approve  of  those  means 
which  the  Lord  makes  use  of  in  order  to  make  me  humble. 

98. — ^When  human  assistance  fails,  and  the  world  frowns  most,  then 
are  the  smiles  of  Jesus  most  precious. 

99. — ^Neglect  of  duties  cannot  thrust  us  out  of  the  covenant,  and 
dissolve  our  union  with  Christ.  Yet,  like  a  ghost,  it  .will  haunt  and 
terrify  us.    Secret  neglects  are  like  to  produce  public  defects. 

100. — Sin,  though  it  cannot  dtom  a  justified  sinner,  yet  the  com- 
mission thereof  doth  strike  a  spark  of  damnation  in  the  conscience.    * 

When  ChristianB  stiay  they  feel  the  rod ; 

Bnt  Jeans  nutkeg  each  sndden  fall 
Ftodnotive  of  aome  real  ffood 

To  the  repenting  humoled  aoal. 
In  knowledge  and  experience,  too, 
The  tried  and  tempted  richer  grew. 


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m  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Sept  l,  UNl 

CONSTANT   SUPPLIES   IN   A   BARREN   WILDERNESS, 

AND  GOOD  LIVING  FOR  HUNGRY  SOULS. 

By  William  Hskry  Evans. 

(Cimdvdtd  from  last  month.) 

Secondly.  There  is  everyihing  conaiAtent  with  sound  reason  in  this 
determination,  afi  will  be  seen  when  we  think,  first,  upon  the  perfection  of 
€k)d's  wisdom.  He  has  a  very  intimate  knowledge  of  us.  How  this  cheered 
the  Psalmist — "  He  knoweth  our  frame  j  He  remembereth  we  are  but 
dust."  He  who  formed  us,  and  orders  our  path,  knoweth  full  well  the 
strength  of  every  bone,  the  capability  of  each  muscle,  and  the  tenderness  of 
each  nerve.  Surely  we  may  trust  His  word  more  than  Satan's  lies.  Art  thou 
ready  to  cry  out,  *'  I  shall  surely  perish  by  the  hand  of  this  Saul  f*  Well, 
then,  let  us  hear  what  were  the  last  words  of  David :  "  The  sorrows  <rf 
hell  compassed  me  about.  In  my  distress  I  called  upon  the  Lord,  and 
He  did  hear  me ;  and  my  cry  did  enter  into  His  ears,"  2  Sam.  xxii. 
Read  the  entire  chapter,  poor  doubting  soul,  and  then  see  if  Habakkuk's 
determination  was  not  agreeable  to  soimd  reason,  though  at  complete 
variance  with  carnal  reason.  But  this  is  not  all :  thmk  again  upon 
the  continuance  of  His  Omnipresence,  and  remember  that  His  eye  never 
slumbers  nor  sleeps,  he  wearies  not  in  His  watchfulness ;  it  is  not  limited 
to  place,  neither  does  it  vaory  with  time.  Is  it  not  declared  that  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place  i  Ah,  do  I  hear  some  tried  believer 
say,  my  way  is  hid  from  the  Lord.  Oh,  wait,  dear  brother,  tiU  the 
shadows  flee  away  ;  for  thou  hast  a  perfect  right  to  trust  in  the  shadow 
of  His  wings  till  the  calftmities  are  overpast ;  for  the  darkness  hideth 
not  from  our  God,  day  and  night  are  botii  alike  to  Him.  And  for  the 
further  strengthening  of  thy  confidence,  thou  wilt  find  a  very  suitable 
promise  Isaiah  1.  and  10th  verse ;  also,  Isaiah  zL  27th  and  28th  verses. 
Read  for  yourselves,  and  remember  that  the  Lord's  eyes  run  to  and  bo 
through  the  earth ;  first,  to  watch  thine  enemies — ^you  will  never  peridi 
from  this  quarter.  The  hairs  of  your  head  are  even  insured,  much  more 
your  entire  body,  and  very  much  more  your  soul.  Second,  He  watches 
you ;  and  'tis  a  mercy  'tis  so.  'Tis  only  because  His  eye  keeps  us  or  we 
should  ruin  ourselves.  Remember  how  it  rested  upon  Peter,  and  pre- 
served him  from  impenitency ;  while  the  reverse  ia  seen  in  the  case  of 
Judas — and  fearful  was  the  consequence.  And,  thirdly,  His  eye  rests 
upon  the  trouble  itself.  ''  He  sitteth  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver ;  and 
He  will  purify  the  sons  of  Levi,"  Malachi  ill  8.  Therefore,  thou  mayest 
adopt  the  sentiment  of  the  prophet,  saying  with  Job,  chap,  xyjii.  10, 
**  When  he  has  tried  me  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold,  for  He  Imoweth  the 
way  that  I  take. 

Thirdly.  Oonsider  His  love — this  is  where  I  want  to  rest.  Oh, 
there  is  nothiug  quiets  the  soul  so  much  as  the  thought,  the  feeling,  that 
it  is  a  Father's  hand  that  smites,  that  His  arm  rules,  and  Hia  heart  of 
love  guides ;  or  His  love  regulates  and  manages  all  our  affairs.  Tis 
resting  in  the  love  of  God  that  keeps  down  rebellion,  crucifies  the  flesh, 
and  enables  us  to  say,  ''  'Tis  the  Lord,  let  Him  do  as  seemeth  good  in 
His  sight."  Oh  think,  as  did  the  good  man  years  gone  by,  how  great 
that  love  was  which  made  thee  a  rational  creature  instead  of  a  toad ;  but 


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Sept  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  27d 

above  and  bejond,  think  of  that  love  which  has  made  thee  a  child  of  Crod, 
and  taught  thee  to  trust  in  His  name.  Haat  thou  no  l»t>iher  or  sister, 
child,  or  dear  relative,  still  in  nature's  darkness  1  Where  are  the  com- 
panions ef  thy  jouth  %  Have  not  some  filled  up  the  measure  of  their 
iniquities,  and  with  a  shattered  constitution  gone  to  an  early  grave,  and 
passed  to  their  last  account?  And  who  hath  made  thee  to  differ? 
Think  of  that  love  which  so  orders  all  events  for  thee,  that  they  tend  to 
thy  real  profit ;  and  as  thou  thinkest,  may  God  the  Spirit  strengthen  the 
pinions  of  thy  faith,  and  enable  thee  to  say — 

Though  dark  be  mv  ira^,  since  He  is  my  guide, 
'Tis  mine  to  obey,  'tis  ms  to  provide ; 
Though  cisterns  be  broken,  and  creataros  all  fall, 
The  word  He  hath  spoken  shall  surely  preraiL 

And  lastly,  consider  the  all-sufficiency  of  Jehovah  in  Himself  to 
make  thee  happy.  Oh,  what  tongue  can  tell  or  pen  write  of  that  inex-^ 
pressible  joy  there  is  realised  in  the  soul  as  it  is  raised  above  all  creature 
ties  and  earthly  things,  and  finds  its  borne,  its  joy,  peace,  and  all  in 
Jehovah  Jesus,  who  is  the  Qod  of  our  salvation.  Here  fidth  triumphs. 
'Twas  this  feeling  which  enabled  the  Christian  widow  to  triumph,  when 
her  best  furniture  was  a  broken  table  and  stool ;  her  only  companion  in 
the  wretched  hovel  a  dying  husband ;  and  her  richest  food  a  glass  of 
water  and  a  dry  crust ;  we  say  it  was  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ  which 
enabled  her  to  triumph  and  say,  looking  at  the  scanty  meal,  ^'  I  have  all 
this,  and  Jesus  Christ." 

Dear  tried  diild  of  God,  there  is  a  blessedness  in  hanging  upon  the 
Lord ;  we  have  sipped  from  its  fulness  ;  that  sip  at  times  has  been  as 
much  as  the  earthly  house  could  contain.  What  will  it  be  in  eternity, 
when  we  shall  gaze  upon  His  person,  and  for  ever  discover  fresh  glories 
in  himself  I    Yours  affectionately,  in  Jesus,  William  Hsnbt  Evaks. 


A    SONG    IN    THE    NIGHT. 

By  T.  Jonbs. 

PsAtor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  AbUU,  Devon. 

What  though  the  green  vine  and  the  nomegmuite  languish, 

And  what  though  the  herd  he  cut  on  from  the  stall, 
The  dark  page  ofProvidence  blotted  with  anguish 

Be  written  in  dark  lines  with  wormwood  and  gall. 
And  what  though  the  friend  round  whom  twined  thine  affection. 

Whose  voice  woke  an  echo  which  thiilled  in  thy  breast, 
Now  shuns  thee  as  one  with  some  deadly  infection, 

And  burdens  thy  spirit  and  troubles  thy  rest 
And  what  though  the  powers  of  the  dark  one  sMaal  thee, 

Keen  though  his  bright  falchion  and  flerv  his  dart ; 
The  arm  of  the  loving  One  never  can  fail  tnee, 

Who  quenched  the  fierce  flame  in  the  streams  of  his  heart 
And  what  though  the  foul  stream  of  Calumny's  chalice 

Bespatters  thjr  fame,  makes  thy  heart  sick  and  sad ; 
Bemember  the  sinless  One  branded  in  malice, 

Winebibber  and  glutton,  blasphemer  and  mad. 
0,  hush  the  low  murmur,  the  angels  are  listening ! 

Turn  not  from  the  cup  which  thy  Father  hath  blest ; 
Though  on  thy  pale  cheek  the  big  tear-drop  is  glist'ning, 

The  fruit  will  be  joy  in  the  regions  of  rest 
Thou  seest  not  the  face  beaming  tenderly  o'er  thee ; 

Thou  read'st  not  thy  name  on  his  bosom  above ; 
He  dnined  the  dark  portion  of  anguish  before  thee, 

And  left  in  the  cup  tiie  pexl[ume  of  His  love. 


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380  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  8<vt  I,  186tu 


COMING  TO  THE  LORD'S  TABLE.* 

How  many  thousands  are  perplexed  about  this  ordinance  !  How  Uiw 
seem  to  have  right  views  of  it !  Never  did  we  either  read,  or  hear,  a 
dear  and  satisfactory  exposition  of  that  one  word,  ^'  in  remembrance  of 
MeT  The  word  ^^  retnembrance*^  implies  a  previous  acquaintance,  a 
precious  soul-reviving  and  heart-comSforting  knowledge !  That  word 
^^  remembrance*  looks  back  upon  other  words  expressive  of  the  saving 
work  of  the  Spirit.  We  mean  regen^ation,  Bj  this  great  spiritual 
act  the  soul  is  "  created  in  Chbist  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God 
hath  before  ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them."  In  r^^eration, 
the  Holt  Spibit  mjrsteriously  communicates  a  divine  nature ; '  it  is 
called  "good  seed,"  "  incorruptible  seed,"  "the  root  of  the  matter,"  &c. 
ko.  From  this  implantation  of  the  life  and  light  of  God  in  the  aoul, 
springs  conviction  of  sin,  condemnation  for  sin,  a  mourning  over  sin, 
desires  to  fly  from  sin,  with  godly  fear,  holy  jealousy ;  and  cries  for 
mercy,  and  conflicts  of  spirit,  no  philosopher  can  describe,  no  merely 
natural  theologian  can  ever  enter  into. 

In  celebrating  the  Supper  of  the  Lord,  we  are  to  remember  this 
"  beginning  of  the  work  within  f  for  Jeremiah,  the  great  representatiire 
prophet  of  the  Old  Testament  Church,  speaks  the  feelings  of  all  the 
spiritual  family,  when  he  says,  "  Remembering  mine  affliction  and  my 
misery,  the  wormwood  and  the  gall,  my  soul  hath  it  still  in  remem- 
brance ;  and  is  humbled  in  me." 

This  is,  certainly,  a  good  beginning  of  the  soul's  preparation  for 
celebration  of  the  doing  and  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesu&  But  how  mudi 
is  this  forgotten  !  How  seldom  do  we  come  thus  humbled  in  us, 
remembering  the  wormwood  and  the  gall !  "  CaU  to  remembrance,"  saith 
the  Apostie  to  the  Hebrews,  ^'  the  former  days  in  which,  after  ye  were 
illuminated,  ye  endured  a  great  fight  of  affliction."  So,  Christian,  in 
coming  to  thy  Lord's  table,  call  up  in  recollection  those  days,  when 
clothed  in  sackcloth  and  ashes,  you  sat  down  almost  in  despair,  because 
the  weight  of  thy  sin  lay  heavy  on  thy  soul.  And  to  us,  how  suited 
for  the  commencement  of  the  commemoration,  seems  that  one  stanza  by 
Kent,— 

Ne*er  had  ye  felt  the  guilt  of  em, 

Nor  sweete  of  pardoning  love, 
Unless  your  worthless  names  had  been 
Enrolled  to  life  above. 

That  word  '<  remember**  looks  back  also  upon  the  reveiaium  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  which  the  Holy  Spirit  had  made  in  the  soul  of  the 
true  believer,  whereby  faith  in  Hm,  love  to  Him,  some  knowledge  of 
Him,  was  produced.  In  all  the  days  of  the  Saviour's  sojourn  here,  there 
was  but  one  transfiguration  scene.  After  His  resurrection,  there  were 
but  a  few  of  His  disciples  who  saw  Him  more  than  once,  (1  Cor.  zv.  6.) 
Christians  in  this  their  journey  homeward,  think  much  of  Him,  they 
hear  many  things  about  Him,  they  seek  continually  after  Him,  but  the 
revelation  of  Hun  to  the  soul  may  be  but  once.  The  poet  puts  it  in  the 
singular. 

*  **  Christian  Perfection,  a  Delusion/*  ftc.    A  Sermon  bj  W.  Pariai,  KA.  reetor  of 
Openshaw.    Publiahed  in  Manchester  by  Edwin  Slater.    One  penny. 


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Sept.  1, 186&  AND  CBBI8TIAN  RECORD.  381 

**  £*er  since  by  faith  I  saw  the  stream. 
Thy  flowing  wonnds  supply 
Bedeeming  love  has  been  my  ihemeu 
AndshaUbetiUIdie." 

"  This  do,**  then,  '^  in  remembrance  of  that  clear  shining  into  thy 
soul,  whereby  the  darkness  passed  away,  and  the  tme  light  lighted  up 
thy  mind  with  the  light  of  truth  for  ever. 

Bfr.  James  Nichol,  of  Edinburgh,  has  just  issued  the  fourth  volume 
of  Ghamock's  works,  in  which  there  are  several  discourses  on  the  *'  end 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,"  "  the  subjects  of  the  Lord's  Supper''  "  the  unworthy 
receiving  of  the  Lord's  Supper,"  '*  Self-examination,"  kc,  kc.^  wherein 
the  whole  of  this  gi'eat  subject  is  discovered;  and  presented  to  the 
view  of  men  in  a  most  holy  and  weighty  manner.  But  we  cannot 
review  them  now. 

In  the  introduction  to  Mr.  Parks's  last  tract  entitled  "  Christian 
Perfection,  a  Delusion,"  he  gives  some  thoughts  upon  "  Coming  to  the 
Lord's  Supper"  which  may  be  worthy  of  examination.  We  quote 
them  word  for  word.    He  says, — 

*'  I  have  often  been  asked  by  persons  wishing  to  come  to  the  Lord's 
Supper  whether  I  had  any  objection  to  their  coming,  and  I  have 
invariably  replied  —  ^'  Certainly  not :  you  have  been  long  enough 
under  my  teaching  to  understand  what  coming  to  the  Lord's  table  means, 
and  what  my  views  of  fitness  and  unfitness  for  the  ordinance  are,  but 
this  I  will  fiunkly  tell  you,  that  if  you  wait  until  you  are  better,  you  will 
never  come  at  all. 

''  I  say  the  same  to  you  all.  There  is  no  more  fitness  required  to 
come  to  the  Lord's  table  than  there  is  to  come  to  Christ  for  pardon  and 
salvation.  If  a  man  feels  fit  for  the  one  he  is  fit  for  the  other.  Only, 
mark  you,  there  must  be  no  hypocrisy — ^no  pretence — ^no  saying  with  the 
lip  what  the  heart  does  not  feel ;  but  if  any  man  can  conscientiously  say 
with  the  publican  in  the  parable,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  !" 
that  man  is  every  way  fit  to  come  to  the  Lord's  table. 

*^  Ah,  but,"  says  some  one,  ''  I  am  so  afraid  of  breaking  down,  and 
£Alling  into  sin  after  I  have  been  to  the  Lord's  table,  that  I  dare  not 
come. 

^'Then,  I  answer,  if  you  wait  till  you  are  not  afraid  of  such  things, 
you  will  never  come,  unlera  you  come  as  a  hypocrite  and  a  self-deceiver ! 

"  We  dU  break  down — ^we  M  sin  continually,  either  knowingly  or 
unknowingly,  and  the  only  way  to  obtain  pardon  is  by  coming  to  Christ 
again  and  again ;  and  if  we  come  to  Christ  for  swch  a  purpose,  we  are^ 
to  come  to  His  supper. 

<^  Ah,  but^"  objects  another,  has  not  Paul  written— 

<  Whosoever  dball  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord, 
unworthily,  shall  be  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord.  But  let 
a  man  examine  himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink  of 
that  cup.  For  he  that  eateth  and  drinketh  unworthily  eateth  and  drink- 
eth  damnation*  to  himself,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body.' " — 1  Cor. 
xi.  27—29. 

"  Tes,  I  reply,  all  this  is  Scripture;  but  let  us  see  that  we  under- 
stand it,  and  not  needlessly  terrify  ourselves.  The  explanation  of  the 
difiiculty  is  this,  viz.— Some  of  the  Corinthian  Christian  professors  had 
either  mistaken  or  forgotten  the  design  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  had 
inade  it  a  carnal  feast.    The  consequence  was,  the  Lord  showed  His 


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282  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  6epL  1, 1885w 

displeasure  by  chasteimig  them  with  sickmess  and  death.  Thej  did  not 
come  to  the  Lord's  table  as  poor,  self-condemned,  seeking  sinners, 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness;  but  as  giddj,  ignorant, 
aensoal  simpletons,  who  were  glad  of  any  excuse  to  assemble  for  a  meal 
and  a  meny-making.  But,  sorely,  you  are  veiy  different  to  them !  Tau 
know  the  design  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Tau  have  "  examined''  yoaxadf, 
and  desire  in  your  inmost  heart  to  eat  and  drink  toorC/^i^y— ^«.,  with  a 
becoming  sense  of  the  Lord's  work  upon  the  cross,  and  <^  your  own 
utter  worthlessness  of  His  fiivour  towards  miserable  sinnen,  of  which  you 
are  chief  in  your  own  esteem*  Is  not  this  your  view  of  the  matter! 
Well,  then,  my  good  friend,  be  assured  there  is  no  fear  of  the  Lord 
yisiting  ytm  with  His  displeasure.  You  eannat  eat  and  drink  unworthily. 
Tou  cannot  came  into  condemnation  on  this  account,  and  thon^  you 
were  the  vilest  sinner  on  earth,  you  are^  to  come  two  to  the  supper  of 
theLordI 

"  O  that  I  could  persuade  men  to  fling  to  the  moles  and  to  the  bats 
their  copies  of  <'  The  Week's  Preparation^"  <'  The  Whole  Ihtty  qf  Man^ 
and  all  the  beads,  baubles,  and  rosaries,  that  Protestant  Popery  so 
tenaciouBly  clings  to,  and  that  are  so  ruinously  working  upon  immortal 
•ouls !  I  would  tell  every  man  that  ail  that  is  neeotod  to^  him  for 
Ohrisf  s  company  and  Chrisf  s  feast  is  a  eenee  of  hie  teatU  of  Him^  a 
belief  that  if  Christ  does  not  oover  his  nakedness,  heal  his  mdmtm,  core 
his  wounds,  and  wash  out  his  sin,  he  must  perish  for  ever  I  Who  amongst 
you  believes  this  in  his  heart  ?  You  are  fit  to  come  to  the  Lord's  tMe, 
and  fit  now  I 

"  It  is  the  silly  and  unscriptural  notion  of  hoping  to  attain  to 
penfeetion^  or  something  near  it,  before  we  publicly  oonfess  the  Lord 
Jesus,  that  is  robbing  poor  sinners  of  their  r^ts  and  privileges  and 
peace." 


THE  EXPERIENCE  OF  MISS   MARY   TOGHILL,  ULTB   OF 

GLOUCESTER. 

Iv  appears  that  the  subject  of  this  very  brief  narmtive  was  severely 
afflicted  about  nine  years  before  her  death.  During  this  illnessy  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  convinced  her  of  sin,  righteouauess,  and  judgment  to 
oome ;  and  manifested  Christ  to  her  soid  ;  and  all  this  seemingly  without 
human  instrumentality.  She  then  received  the  spirituality  of  God's 
law,  and  was  convinced  of  the  sinfiilneHS  of  her  past  life,  altiiough  that 
was  moral  in  the  sight  of  the  world  She  would  often  say,  **  How  awful 
is  the  state  of  a  Pharisee,  vainly  imagining  himself  all  rigjht^  when,  in 
fiM^  on  the  brink  of  destruction."  She  then  saw  that  a  person  might 
be  moral  without  knowing  Qod  savingly ;  but  could  not  thus  know  Hun 
without  being  moral  indeed.  She  felt  herself^  by  nature  and  by  practioe, 
a  poor  lost  and  guilty  sinner.  In  shorty  she  began  to  see  flmd  fed  all 
things  new ;  and  thereby  manifested  that  she  was  a  new  cieatare  in 
Chrut  Jesus.  It  might  now  be  said  of  her,  *^  Behold  she  prayeth  f  for 
although  she  had  been  in  the  habit  from  her  childhood  of  daily  repeating 
a  form  of  words,  but,  till  then,  with  the  heart  untouched.  She  ftlt 
Christ  revealed  to  her  soul,  and  by  the  eye  of  fidth  saw  Him  bleeding 

*  Oandemnati(m,  t.e.,  judgment,  or  temporal  pvnblmifnt 


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Sept  1,  ia6&  AND  CHRISTIAN  EECORD.  963 

and  dying  on  the  oron  for  her  sina ;  and  therefore  rejoiced  in  her  personiil 
interest  in  those  sofferings;  and  realised  the  preeiooaneBs  of  that  blood 
which  deanaethfrom  aU  sin.  'By  this  bleeeed  experience,  she  waa  oon* 
strained  to  love  Him,  and  to  manifest  the  same,  by  her  walking  in  the 
ways  of  His  oommandmentB,  who  had  thos  broa|^t  her  out  of  the 
kingdom  of  Satan,  and  tranahited  her  into  the  kingdom  of  Ohzist. 

Her  first  desire,  after  her  recovery,  was  to  partake  of  the  Lord's 
Sapper:  this  she  did  in  the  Established  CSiurch,  as  at  that  time  she  did 
not  see  those  errors  and  human  inventionB  i^ich,  after  a  short  time, 
became  so  glaring,  that  it  compelled  her  to  leave  the  National  Establish- 
ment, though  she  was  so  much  attached  to  it  from  custom  and  education. 
She  had  many  trials,  on  this  account^  to  contend  with ;  but  at  lengtii  she 
was  enabled  to  say,  ''I  can  do  all  things,  through  Christ,  who 
strengtheneth  me  f  and  to  *'  rejoice  in  persecution." 

After  leaving  the  Church  cf  En^^d,  she  joined  the  Independent 
Church  at  Fainswiok,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr,  Martin,  wheie  she 
remained  for  some  time,  and  was  much  beloved  by  her  Christian 
brethren  and  sisters  in  Church  fdlowship. 

By  reading  a  tract  on  Believers'  Baptism,  she  was  convinced  of  its 
heavenly  origin,  and  soon  felt  it  her  duty  and  privilege,  as  a  believer,  to 
fi>llow  Christ  in  this  despised  ordinaaoe ;  and,  therefore,  she  was  bi^ptized, 
and  admitted  into  the  Baptist  Church  at  Fainswiok,  under  the  ministfy 
of  Mr.  Hawkins.  Being  now  somewhat  experimentally  established  in 
the  truths  and  ordinances  of  God's  word,  she  was  enabled  to  love  and 
walk  in  the  same,  and  to  manifest  her  Christian  love  to  the  people  and 
ministers  of  Christ,  esteeming  them  very  highly  for  their  work's  sake. 

During  her  last  illness  she  said  but  very  little,  being,  for  the  most 
part,  insensible ;  but  on  the  Sabbath  before  her  death,  she  exclaimed, 
with  great  feeling  and  earnestness,  '^I  have  put  all  things  into  the 
hands  of  Christ ;  he  does  all  things  well." 

Her  immortal  spirit  took  its  joyful  flight  to  the  realms  of  eternal 
blessedness  on  Saturday,  the  8th  of  May,  1841.  Chi  Sunday  evenings 
May  23rd,  her  funeral  sermon  was  pr^uihed  in  the  room  m  Oxford 
street,  where  she  was  in  the  habit  of  hearing  the  truth  proclaimed,  from 
the  71st  verse  of  the  119th  Pisalm :  <'  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have 
been  afflicted,  that  I  might  learn  Thy  statutes."  This  was  the  text  that 
die  had  chosen  for  this  occasion,  long  before  her  death,  and  which  was 
so  sweetly  verified  in  her  happy  experience,  as  we  have  before  related. 
May  we  "  show  the  same  diligence  to  the  full  assurance  of  hope  unto 
the  end ;  that  we  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them  who  through 
faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises.     Amen."  B.  C% 


THE  LATE  MR  JOHN  FULLER,  OF  LONG  LANE, 
BEBMONDSEY. 

Iv  the  erection  of  those  immense  buildings  which  are  everywhere  i 
up  in  London,  we  have  noticed  how  deep  they  dig  in  laying  their  foun- 
dations, and  what  huge  unpolished  stones  they  lay  in,  as  underground 
pillars  by  which  the  Inuldings  are  sustained ;  quite  hidden  out  of  sight 
they  beiu*  the  burden  welt. 

In  the  erection  of  His  temple  on  earth  Jesus  has  His  hidden  ones : 


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8ept],lM& 


some  of  them  are  unpoIiAhed,  as  regards  natoxal  aoqairementB ;  bat  tlief 
are  strong  men  in  times  of  trouble — ^in  seasons  of  danger — ^in  all  Zian'a 
sore  calamities  they,  instrumentally,  bear  her  up  in  their  prayers^  whidi 
in  secret  they  pour  out  before  the  LordL 

A  black-bordered  card  informs  us  that  ^'  Mr.  John  Fuller,  of  Long- 
lane,  Bermondsey,  dqMurted  this  life  on  Wednesday,  August  9th,  1865, 
aged  sixty-five  years ;''  and  his  mortal  remains  have  been  laid  to  rest  in 
Nunhead  Cemetery,  his  kst  minister,  Mr.  Thomas  Chivers,  speaking  in 
prayer  and  exhortation  over  the  grave,  while  the  bereaved  fiinuly  keenly 
mourned  over  the  loss  of  a  fikther  more  valuable  than  it  falls  to  Uie  lot  of 
all  people  here  to  enjoy. 

For  many  years  Mr.  John  Fuller  worshipped  in  Crosby  row  diapel» 
and  as  a  man  of  fidth,  of  charity  to  the  poor,  of  decision  for  the  trath^ 
and  of  a  sterling  experience  in  Divine  things,  he  was  highly  esteemed.  A 
native  of  Berk^iire,  and  living  originally  idear  to  Wantage,  he  knew 
good  Daniel  Smart,  in  his  early  days,  and  was  a  lover  of  all  such  minisEtera. 
In  raising  a  laige  hat  manufactory  Mr.  Fuller  evinced  great  businesa 
tact,  and  travelled  the  kingdom  over  and  over ;  but  now  from  all  hia 
toils  and  cares  he  rests  in  peace. 

Mr.  James  Cox,  of  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  has  written  the  follow- 
ing 83rmpathetic  lines,  which  we  insert^  in  memory  of  one  we  knew  and 
loved  in  our  happiest  days : 


Our  Ivother  is  gone,  bis  cajthlynoab  nm, 
His  tolls  are  o'er,  his  fixud  Yictory  won ; 
He*s  gone  to  meet  his  Father  on  His  throne, 
I  bo  "^ 


bear  Him  say,  "  Gome  hither,  soul, 

well  done." 
He's  safely  landed  on  thai  happy  shore, 
Where  fear  of  parting  can  tonnent  no  mors ; 
No  WETS  of  sorrow  now  can  cross  his  breast, 
Nor  Satan's  fiery  darts  bis  mind  molest 
No,  all  bis  doubta,  and  fears,  and  toils,  are 

o'er; 
He's  go/Did  to  be  with  Qod  for  evermore. 
We  monm  the  loss  of  father,  brother,  friend. 
And  up  to  heaven    our  sighs  and  tears 

ascend; 
Sonow  and  mourning  mingle  in  our  strain, 
Tet,  we  rejoice  in  his  eternal  gain. 
He  now  has  entered  where  all  sufferings 

cease. 
Where  all  is  rapture^  haimonT,  and  peace. 
While  we  are  weeping  o'er  nis  breathless 

clay, 
And  dread  to  bear  bis  last  remains  away, 
He's  with  his  Saviour,  heayen's  great  Lord 

ofsll, 
Without  whose  win  a  sparrow  cannot  fill. 
His  faith  is  turned  to  sight,  his  hope  and 

love 
Into  perfection  in  those  realms  above. 
No  more  diall  we,  dear  friends,  bisoonvene 

share, 
Nor  hear  the  dictates  of  a  father's  care. 
TeL  could  we  see  him  in  bis  present  state, 
And  hear  him  with  immortal  tongue  rslaie 
How  swift  he  croas'd  dread  Jordan's  narrow 


And  met  bis  heavenly  Father  face  to  face ; 
We  then  should  know  what  be  so  oft  did 

say, 
That  mercy  bad  directed  all  his  way. 

A«gU8t  10, 1865; 


Gould  we  but  pierce  the  donds  and  lower 

skies, 
And  see  what's  spread  before  bis  wond^rin^ 

Could  we  behold  him  as  be  now  appaaxai, 
The  robe  of  righteousness,  and  crown  he 


Gould  we  but  bear  the  notes  be  now  esn 

nng* 
While  chanting  forth  the  praises  of  his 


Should  we  complain  that  God  had  called 

him  home, 
To  take  his  seat  beside  him  on  bis  throne? 
Oh !  no,  we  should  rejoice  in  Jesu's  name, 
For  by  His  death  our  brothel's  victory  came. 
Ah!  when  our  little  race  on  earth  is  run, 
And  our  short  web  of  earthly  race  is  spun, 
Shall  we  appear  in  that  bright  worid  a!oove^ 
And  join  our  friend  to  sins  redeeming  love  ? 
Shall  we  be  with  our  brother  and  our  friend, 
A  long  eternity  vrltb  him  to  spend  ? 
Tes :  we've  a  hope  to  meet  no  more  to 

putt 
And  this  good  hope  delights  and  soothes  tba 

heart; 
No  hope  should  we  have  had  bad  not  our 

God, 
Saved  us  in  Christ,  and  washed  us  in  his 


Sweet  hope,  it  strengthens  usalong  the  road 
Of  life's  haid  way,  and  helps  to  bear  the 

load 
Of  our  bereavements,  and  gives  vs  glesns 

of  joy, 
And  seasons  with  our  God  without  alky, 
And  all  the  praise  snd  glory  must  be  given 
To  Him  who  took  our  friend  safe  home  to 

heaven. 

JuoB  Cox,  100^  Boroagh  Boad 


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(©tti[  (5kt[iiftf2,  ^nv  |aat0r»,  nnA  mx  $^]fiti. 


SHEFFIELD,  AUGUST,  1865. 

A  KOTE  TO  8AXUBL  F08IER,  IX  HI8  OWN 
LXTTLB  BOBFTTALf  AT  STURRT,  KSAB 
CAimSRBUBY. 

Dkarlt  BEiiOVED  Brother, — I  feel  my 
mind  led  this  morning  to  ftddress  a  few 
lines  to  you  once  more.  Many  years  now 
have  yon  been  mysteriously  bowed  down 
beneatn  that  heavy  affliction  of  body ;  yet 
the  Lord  hath  sustained  vou;  and  often- 
times I  think  of  you,  and  should  have  becoi 
down  to  sympathize  and  pra^  with  you  long 
ere  this,  but  I  have  had  neither  tune  nor 
means  at  my  command;  or  you  should  not 
havebeenforgottenorneglectedbyyourpoor, 
d^ised,  oppressed,  and  ofttimes  distressed 
original  pastor.  Ko  man  can  work  much 
more  constantly  than  myself ;  but  my  work 
is  not  reckoned  of  much  value,  con- 
sequently, you  may  g^ess  the  result  The 
other  evening,  when  deeply  groaning  be- 
neath the  weight  of  all  things  around  and 
within  me,  those  words  were  to  me  useful 
indeed :  "  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord, 
and  he  shall  sustain  the&"  &c. ;  and  sus- 
tained as  yet  I  certainly  have  been.  For 
all  His  mercies  I  desire  to  pxaise  His  name. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  month,  I  was 
favoured  to  oaptise  some  truly  Christian 
people  in  our  chapel  at  Squiiries  street; 
and  at  the  table  on  the  fint  Sunday,  seven 
were  added  to  our  number.  Sometimes  in 
preaching  X  have  great  spiritual  liberty; 
and  hope  I  am  where  the  Lord  will  bless 
my  labours ;  but  I  suffer  greatly  from  both 
external  and  internal  commotions. 

On  Saturday,  August  19th,  I  travelled 
down  to  this  great  cutlery  town,  where 
200,000  souls  and  more  dwell  together; 
and  yet  not  one  Strict  Baptist  Church  in 
the  whole  of  this  large  body  of  people^  On 
Sunday  morning,  August  20thl  I  had  no 
engagement ;  I  was  announced  to  preach 
in  the  afternoon  and  evening  at  Mas- 
borough  for  the  Sunday  school :  but  they 
held  no  service  on  Sunday  mominff.  This 
I  did  not  know  until  late  on  the  Saturday 
night ;  or  I  think  I  should  not  have  been 
idle.  It  is  many  a  long  year  since,  it  could 
be  said,  on  a  LcHrd*8-day  morning,  I  had  no 
pulpit  to  stand  in^-no  sermon  to  preach. 
You  may  guess  what  kind  of  Baptists 
they  are  here; — ^had  I  been  made  ao- 
qusinted  with  the  laot  that  no  service  wss 
to  be  holden  on  the  Sunday  morning,  I 
certainly  should  have  sought  for  some 
open-air  soene,  where,  by  Jesu*8  blessed 
helpu  I  would  have  lifted  up  my  voice  in 
podaiming  that  Gospel  which  I  know  to 
Be  the  power  of  God  unto  the  eternal  sal- 
vation of  every  one  who  doth  in  Him  most 
truly  beUeveu 

I  am  staying  at  the  house  of  a  very 
godly  and  reafiy  Ohiistian  man   by  the 


name  of  Mr.  Joseph  Elam:  and  kinder 
friends  than  himself  and  his  wife  I  could 
not  have,  as  far  as  provision,  prot^tion, 
spiritual  association,  and  fellowship^n  the 
faith,  is  concemeo.  It  so  happens,  my 
friend  Joseph  Elam  worships  God  in  the 
church  where  the  Bev.  James  Battersby  is 
the  minister;  and  my  friend,  assuring  me 
Mr.  Battersby  preached  Christ^s  GospeL 
and  inviting  me  to  go  with  him,  I  walked 
off  to  church,  and  sat  me  down  to  hear  the 
prayers  read,  and  a  sermon  preached.  The 
text  was  out  of  Leviticus — "  The  Are  on  the 
altar ;"  and  a  truly  Biblical  discourse  was 
delivered. 

Could  you  have  left  your  bed,  and  stepped 
into  our  large  hall,  or  British  schoolroom,  at 
Masborough,  in  the  afternoon  and  evening, 
you  would  have  seen  and  heard  something 
rather  unusual  for  us  plain  and  simple 
Kentish  clod-hoppers. 

Remember,  it  was  Sunday-school  anni- 
versary ;  and  on  such  occasions,  in  these 
parts,  great  preparations  are  made,  and 
friends  from  all  quarters  came  to  help. 
When  I  entered  the  room,  I  saw,  at  the 
long,  far-off  end  of  it,  a  gallery  full  of 
pretty  girls  and  boys^  and  an  orchestm 
full  of  singers,  musicians,  teachers,  and 
friends.  Tne  immense  room  soon  became 
filled,  hymns  were  sung,  anthems  were 
chanted,  pieces  were  recited.  Scriptures 
were  read,  prayers  were  offered,  sermons 
were  preached,  collections  were  made,  and 
all  appeared  pleased  and  happy.  I  stood 
in  the  midst  of  this  large  group;  and  in 
preaching,  my  very  heart  and  soul  went 
out  of  me  in  inwrought^  burning  desires  to 
do  good.  How  far  God%  blessing  might 
attend  their  labours,  I  must  leave  with 
Him  who  doeth  as  seemeth  flim  good,  both 
in  heaven  and  on  the  earth. 

The  littie  Strict  Baptist  cause  at  Mas- 
borough  is  subjected  to  most  malignant  and 
contemptible  persecution.  In  fact  a  neigh- 
bouring Baptist  Church,  who  professes  the 
same  mith  and  order,  and  is  under  the 
patronage  of  the  graat  English  bishops 
actually  fixed  their  Sunday-school  sermons 
on  the  same  day,  and  fetcned  in  two  Con- 
gregational ministers  from  other  towns  to 
preach  their  sermons. 

The  Masborough  Uttle  Strict  Baptist 
Church  asked  the  other  Baptist  Churcn  to 
lend  them  their  chapel  for  their  annivor- 
sary.  The  matter  came  regularly  before 
the  Church;  and  the  Church  (ii  such  a 
word  is  not  too  good  for  it)  actually  ob- 
tained a  majority,  not  only  to  refuse  our 
friends  the  use  of  their  chapel,  but  also  to 
have  their  own  anniversajyon  the  same  oc*- 
casion;  so  to  prevent,  if  possible,  their  owa 
peojple  from  coming  to  help  our  people  is. 
their  efforts  to  do  good. 


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TEE  EABTHEN  VESSEL, 


80ptl,l»6L 


I  can  tell  youj  my  dear  afflicted  brother, 
I  believe  there  is  more  imder-haad  oppo> 
sltion  a^inst  myself,  and  against  all  the 
chiurohes  who  dare  to  abide  by  New  Tes- 
tament principles,  than  against  any  other 
man  or  sect  in  all  the  world.  Neverthe- 
less, the  cause  of  Qod  and  truth  goes  on; 
and  although  we  are  a  sect  everywhere 
spoken  against ;  and  although  I  am  every- 
where opposed,  God  is  in  the  midst  of  us ; 
and  He  will  help  us,  when  the  morning 
ascendeth,  as  the  Old  Bible  renders  that 
beautiful  sentence,  "and  that  right  early.** 

JAMES  KEYWOETH 
was  a  Sheffield  man.  I  have  his  Life, 
which  has  been  published  by  Morjgan  and 
Chase ;  and  it  presents  a  dear  testimony  of 
the  real  e£fects  of  sovereign  g^nce  in  the 
heart  and  life  of  a  chosen  vessel  of  mercy. 
There  are  some  striking  features  in  it  At 
the  public  meeting  of  the 

MASBOROUGH  SUNDAY  SCHOOL, 
I  was  led  to  make  some  reference  to  the 
late  James  Kevworth*s  life.  He  was  a 
Sheffield  man:  he  was  a  piize-fighter :  he 
was  what  we  all  are,  a  sinner  in  the  sight 
of  God;  and  I  felt  I  ought  to  show  the 
Sheffield  people  something  of  the  amam'ng 
CfiBce  of  God  in  saving  such  a  sinner. 

In  fact,  it  was  laid  thoughtfully  upon  my 
mind  to  make  some  attempt  to  shew  forth 
clearly  wherein  the  Strict  Baptists  of  this 
kingdom  stand;  and  why  it  is  they  area  se- 
parated people  from  all  the  people  who  dwell 
on  the  face  of  the  earth.  In  doing  this, 
I  say  distinctly  we  are  not  Oalvinists;  we 
«re  not  Baxterians  we  are  not  Owenites; 
we  are  not  Gillites ;  yea,  we  follow  no  man, 
no  further  than  he  followed  Ohrist;  and 
we  follow,  or  wish  to  be  one,  with  every 
goodman,  so  far  as  his  faith,  and  ezperienoe, 
and  practice,  stand  in  harmony  with  the 
Word  of  God.  If  I  know  anything  cor- 
rectly of  the  real  faith  and  practice  of  the 
true  ohurch  of  Christ,  then  I  declare 
Toundly  and  fearlessly,  her  faith  and 
her  practice  stands. 

L  In  the  eternal  purposes  of  the  New 
Covenant 

II.  In  the  proclamation  of  Hm,  of  whom 
Paul  Baid,  He  was  "•  the  minister  of  the  true 
tabernacle  which  the  Lord  pitched ;  and  not 
man.'*    And, 

III.  In  the  privile^  and  powers  which 
the  Spmir  of  the  living  Ghxl  imparts  unto, 
and  implants  within  tiie  chosen  vessels  of 
mercy. 

We  stand,  in  the  eternal  purposes  of  the 
New  and  Everlasting  Covenant  Onrtezt 
is  this,  *^  God  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us, 
HOT  according  to  our  works,  but  according 
to  HJsown  purpose  and  gnice  which  He  hath 
given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  b»- 
gan.**  In  the  developments  of  the  divine 
sovereignty  there  ar&  atleast,  three  leading 
attributes  discoverabla  Infinite  wisdom, 
onlimited  power,  and  a  jierfeot  freedom,  to 
4o  in  aU  worlds,  in  all  kingdofna,  in  all  dis- 
pensations, and  withall  oraatursa,  as  seemeth 
Him  good. 

In  the  worlds  of  nature,  God  hath  done. 


and  still  doth  do,  and  will  do^  aa 
Him  good.  The  clouds,  the  winda^  the 
thunders,  the  lightnings,  the  atormsiy  the 
earthquakes,  and  alltheoonvnlsionsof  these 
lower  spheres  are  hurled  about  at  hia  oom- 
mand,  as  seemeth  Him  best!  "He  oom- 
mandeth,**  and  then  *<he  raiseth  the  atonny 
wind,**  and  when  he  pleaseth,  ha  aaith, 
"Peace!  be  stiU.**  And,  then,  there  is  a 
calm. 

Let  this  truth  be  spoken,  God  hath  no 
sympathy  with  sin,  nor  with  sinnerii  aa  is 
the  abstract  considered.  God  detenniBed 
to  take  out  of  the  fallen  lump,  a  people  for 
his  pmise ;  and  as  these  people  were  in  the 
fallen  mass,  and  could  be  saved  only  upon 
the  iprounds  and  merits  of  a  substitatioiury 
sacrifice,  therefore  the  Son  of  God  was  or- 
dained to  be  the  mediator  between  God 
and  man;  and  he,  that  is  Jeans  dariBt 
came  into  the  worid  to  save  sinners,  and  all 
he  came  to  save,  he  did  save,  and  they  aie 
saved ;  and  he  said,  no  man  should  pln^ 
them  out  of  his  hand.  Bivers  are  eood 
things  in  this  world ;  and  the  river  of  God's 
everlasting  love,  is  that  pure  rirer  of  the 
water  of  fife  from  whence  comes  oar  sal- 
vation. Every  thing  shall  live  vdteiesoever 
this  river  cometh.  Where  God's  electing 
love  does  not  come,  life  eternal  cannot  be 
found,  for  it  is  onlv  in  this  river  that  Hie 
divine  is  found  at  au.  Let  men  beware  hninr 
they  put  creature  power  in  the  plane  of 
divme  sovereignty. 

HOMEBTON  BOW.  On  Tveaby. 
Au^.  15th,  was  celebnted  the  foity-fifih 
anniversary  of  the  Church  of  Strict  Bap- 


tists worshipping  in  the  ch^peL  aiti 
Homerton  row,  Homeiton.  mx.  John 
Foreman  preached  in  the  afternoon;  and ai 
five,  there  was  a  tea  meetina.  The  pnUic 
meeting  commenced  at  hall-past  six,  lb. 
Wm.  Palmer,  the  paator,  presiding.  Atthe 
request  of   the  Ohahcinan,  Mr.  T 

pronounced  the  prayer.    In  his  _^ ^ 

address,  which  contained  leas  of  detul  tbaa 
is  usual  on  such  occasions,  but  which  wis 
full  of  good  sense  and  solid  instmction,  the 
Chairman  said  that  this  was  the  fosty- 
fifth  anniversa^  of  this  causa  and  that 
though  he  was  not  quite  sure  ot  the  tems 
on  which  the  place  was  engaged,  atiU  he 
supposed  that  about  one  half  of  the  lease 
had  expired.  For  upwards  of  forty  jma 
the  anniversary  had  been  held  on  the 
second  Tuesday  in  August;  and  sunwnid- 
ing  friends  had  been  used  to  that ;  hut  now 
it  was  being  held  this  day  with  a  tea  meet- 
ing and  usual  services.  Forty-ftve  yMues 
had  rolled  away  since  this  building  was 
first  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almtefaty 
God ;  andfew of  thememben nowrcasaned 
who  were  then  alive.  He  himself  had  oc- 
cupied his  present  position  aome  ten  or 
eleven  years,  and  during  that  time,  aoae 
two-thixds  of  the  members  had  left  thsm 
from  death  or  other  causes.    Thus  vwry 


few  of  those  who  were  present  at  the  ojdsb- 
ing  were  present  now.  How  marvellous 
are  the  changes  in  this  worid! 


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are  constoafly  going  on,  ezoent  in  Qod, 
'Who  reznAins  ever  uncliangeftble.  AH  his 
oreatnres  change,  all  creation  ohangea, 
perhaps  eyen  the  angels  may  change ;  but 
onr  God  rematos  erer  Die  same,  self -existent, 
for  he  never  changes.  The  Divine  sove- 
reignly  has  been  exercised ;  death  had  been 
busy  among  them.  God  is  the  Author  of 
onr  existence,  and. of  all  creatures;  all 
creatures  out  of  God  have  a  dependence  on 
God  for  the  continuance  of  their  being,  and 
He  alone  is  independent  by  the  exceUence 
of  His  bein^.  ICony  of  God^s  creatures 
expire  at  their  apiwinted  period :  some  of 
them  die,  but  only  in  order  to  exist  When 
man  diei^  he  does  not  cease  to  exist,  but  he 
continues  to  live  without  a  material  body. 
God  was  pleased  to  make  man  in  the  image 
of  Himsel)^  and  to  make  him  an  intellectual 
being:  but  man  fell,  and  great  was  that 
falL  The  image  was  marred;  man  was 
ehut  out  from  Paradise ;  but  still  God  was 
pleased  to  promise  him  the  Messiah,  to  set 
njm  up  over  his  people,  to  gather  his 
children  together.  The  Gtomel  of  GK>d  and 
of  his  Chnst  is  a  blessed  Gospel,  it  is  a 
CkMpel  of  grace,  and  the  preaching  of  that 
Gospel  is  an  important  tning.  Therefore 
the  preacher  of  the  GospNU  requires  a 
locality  where  he  may  exercise  his  calling. 
And  now  lir.  Palmer  touched  upon  the 
history  of  chapel  building:  how^t  the 
first  Christians  met  together  in  the  Syna- 
gogues: then  they  were  turned  out 
nom  these,  and  assembled  in  private 
houses,  and  so  thev  went  on  until  the  time 
of  Gonstantine,  wnen  thev  turned  heathen 
temples  into  places  of  Christian  worship, 
and  erected  splendid  churches.  Where  there 
had  been  least  vital  troth,  there  had  been 
the  most  sumptuous  edifices.  He  then  said 
that  the  Baptists  possessed  more  tmththan 
amy  other,  and  amcmg  them,  one  part  pos- 
acBsed  more  than  the  other.  He  regretted 
that  the  Chuioh  of  T^gland  was  tuning 
towards  Borne,  and  he  regretted  equally 
that  the  Dissenters  were  turning  towards 
the  Chuich  of  England.  It  mattered  not 
how  plain  a  place  of  worship  was,  if  there 
*were  but  an  invisible  agent  to  fill  it;  for 
without  €k>d,  it  was  a  thing  of  nought. 
The  great  necessity  is  the  Spirit  of  God : 
he  is  the  great  Teadier,  Bevealer,  and 
Testifier  of  Christ  He  inspired  men  of 
old  to  write  the  Scriptures ;  and  the  same 
Spirit  of  grace  and  supplication  is  now 
wanted  to  inspire  men  to  preach  the  truth. 
He  then  said  that  Messrs.  Brunt  and  Bloom- 
itold.  who  had  been  expected  to  take  port 
in  tne  proceedings  of  the  evening,  were, 
from  some  unknown  cause,  absent  The 
Chairman  then  called  on  Mr.  J.  Webster  to 
Address  the  meeting  ontho  "  Bod  of  Moses." 
<Bxodns  iv.  2.)  Mr.  Webster,  in  a  very 
able  and  sensible  speech,  recounted  the  hi»- 
tonr  of  Moses  as  the  man  of  God,  the  sage, 
aim  deliverer  and  lawgiver  of  his  people; 
suid  showed  him  to  be  the  prototype  of  the 
Mnsafah.  He  compared  the  mincles  of 
Moses  with  those  of  Christ,  the  great 
difference  between  them  being,  that  Moses 


With  his  rod  wiought  raindes,  which  won 
a  punishment;  wheteas,  those  of  the 
Saviour  were  such  as  conferred  blessings. 
The  last  miiade  which  Moses  wrought  was 
the  «triking  of  the  rock,  whence  gushed 
out  a  stream  of  water.  This  is  said  to  have 
been  Christ  himself :  and  it  was  typical  of 
his  being  rejected  by  the  Jews.  Mr.  Thos. 
Chivers  i^>oke  on  the  ^^Song  of  Moses." 
(Exodus  XV.  L)  Mr.  Flack  gave  a  short, 
edifying  address  on  the  '^Blessing  of 
Moses  (Deut  xTxiii.  1);  and  Mr.  Geo. 
Webb,  m  a  short  speech,  supplied  the 
place  of  the  absent  gentlemen  by  taking 
the  subjects  allotted  to  them;  vus»  the 
"Deathand  Burial  of  Moses."  The  Ghatr- 
man  then  made  a  few  concluding  remarts, 
Loonced  the  benediction,  and  the  meet- 
sepaiated.  H.  A.  H. 

CANADA,  WEST.— York  Biver,  Hast- 
ing Co. — Dear  Brother  Banks, — It  is  my 
munf 111  duty  .to  inform  you  of  the  sudden 
death  of  one  of  vour  most  esteemed  and 
valued  correspondents,  Mr.  W.  H.  Peck^  of 
Halloway,  C.  W.  Our  brother  was  leaving 
home  to  go  to  Belleville  when  his  horses 
took  fright,  at  what  we  know  not ;  he  was 
thrown  out  of  the  waggon,  and  died  in  fif- 
teen minutes ;  he  had  gone  but  a  few  yards 
from  his  own  door,  and  in  sight  of  wife  and 
children,  who  are  mourning  his  loss.  He 
was  bom  at  Wreslin^orth,  in  Beds,  Feb- 
ruaiy  16,  1829.  At  the  age  of  five  he  lost 
his  tether,  who  died  suddenly.  His  mother 
seems,  from  his  diary,  to  have  been  a 
"mother  in  IsiaeL"  He  notes  her  earnest 
pleadings  at  the  throne  of  grace,  on  behalf 
of  himself  and  little  brother  — 

"  How  can  I  bear  the  pierdnff  thouffht 
What  if  their  names  shoiud  be  teft  out ; 
When  thou  for  me  ahalt  oali  f ' 

She  ever  had  them  with  her  at  all  religious 
meetings,  and  trained  them  in  the  ways  of 
the  Lord.  In  1840  his  mother  died,  leavinar 
the  orphan  boys  in  the  Lord's  care ;  and  ww 
the  trust  was  kept.  He  was  happily  pre- 
served from  the  excess  of  riot  in  his  youth ; 
but  still  he  felt  a  sliding  down  the  incline 
to  the  gates  of  death.  In  1848  and  18i9  the 
Almighty  fiat  went  forth,  "Arrest  that 
man ;"'  the  law  entered ;  and  its  light  re- 
vealed the  deformity  of  his  nature.  He  with- 
drew from  his  companions,  and  went  with 
those  that  "  feared  the  Lord."  He  eat  for 
a  time  under  Thomas  Bowe,  Gkansden.  In 
1862  he  joined  himself  to  the  Lord  and  the 
church,  at  Mount  Zion,  Dorset  sonaie, 
where  he  profited  much  under  John  Fore- 
man, of  whom  he  ever  spoke  in  the  most 
affectionate  terms,  and  ofttimes  sighed  for 
an  opportunity  to  hear  him  again.  In  1858 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  was  in 
fellowship  with  the  Baptist  church,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio ;  but,  like  Moah*s  dove,  found 
no  resting-place  till  he  came  to  Canada. 
Whilst  in  the  United  States  he  lost  his  wile, 
leaving  one  daughter,  who  now  survives. 
He  came  to  Halloway  in  1868.  and  there 
eommenoed  basin ww,  in  whicn  the  I^ord 
prospered  him.    Here  he  married  again,  in 


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the  Lord,  a  help-meet  every  wty  worthy — 
who  can  disoem  between  we  dredoiiB  and 
the  vile  ?  When  I  waa  appointed  to  this 
mission  the  fixvt  letter  I  opened  was  from 
our  dear  brother,  and  from  that  moment 
we  were  like  David  and  Jonathan,  so  that  I 
feel  the  removal  acutely.  There  was  Uie 
largest  oonconise  of  people  at  the  f nnenl 
ever  seen  in  these  parts.  His  parson,  Mr. 
A.  Andexson,  preacned  from  Ps.  Ixxziv.  4, 
and  at  the  Old  Thnriow  Baptist  bmying 
ground  his  uncle,  J.  Cox,  Esq.,  of  Ottawa, 
made  some  excellent  remarks.  On  Lord's- 
day,  May  Idth,  I  preached  his  funeral  ser- 
mon from  Bev.  ziv.  13,  to  a  large  congre- 
gation. The  widow  and  three  little  ones 
are  left  to  mourn  his  premature  death. 
May  the  great  Head  of  the  Ohurch  be  their 
gtturdian  through  this  vale  of  tears,  and 
their  everlasting  portion  above.— Tours, 
affectionately,  Bamusl  Jaguok. 

MAPLE  HOUSE,  KELSALE,  SUF- 
FOLK.— On  Lord's-day  evening,  August 
Idth,  a  very  interesting  open  air  service 
was  held  on  the  lawn,  in  front  of  this 
pretty  country  residence.  Maple  House 
has  for  some  few  years,  been  occupied  liy 
our  beloved  brother  Hoots,  whom  the  Lord 
has  been  pleased  to  make  very  useful  as  a 
preacher  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  among 
the  churches.  We  have  always  found  our 
brother  ready  and  willing  to  serve  both 
the  churches  and  his  brethren  in  the  min- 
istnr,  which  he  has  done  wiUi  acceptance 
and  success,  the  Lord  .being  pleased  to 
own  his  ministry,  in  the  edification  of  His 
people,  and  the  conversion  of  sinners.  We 
regret  that  our  brother  Boots  is  leaving  this 
countiyj  and  the  service  in  which  we  liave 
been  privileged  to  unite,  is  the  last  of  the 
kind  with  which  we  may  be  favoured.  On 
this  occasion  a  veiy  laiige  assembly  of  dear 
friends,  connected  with  neighbouring 
churches  and  congregations  met  together, 
to  testify  their  high  appreciation  of  the 
character  and  services  of^Mr.  Boota  At 
six  o'clock  our  brother  commenced  the 
service,  with  much  trembling,  by  giving 
out  the  sweet  hymn, 

Now  to  the  Lord  a  noble  song. 
Having  read  the  soriptures  and  offered 
prayer,  we  were  again  favoured  to  hear 
him  preach  Jesus,  with  much  earnestness 
and  affection,  from  the  words  of  our  Lord, 
"  Peece  be  unto  you,"  John  xx,  19,  from 
which  the  preacher  dwelt  upon  the 
Ueseine  of  peace,  the  nature  of  this  peace, 
Jesus  the  peace-maker,  our  peace,  peace  a 
legacy  to  the  Lord's  people,  Jesus  the 
ffiver  of  this  peace,  peace  enjoyed  through 
nith  in  the  Redeemer,  peace  pexf ectedin 
heaven*  There  was  marked  attentkm,  deep 
feeling,  and  we  trust  the  Lord  was  indeed 
there.  Brother  Brown,  of  Friston,  foUowed 
with  a  short  address,  full  of  truth  and 
fmtemallove,  and  brother  Pawaon,  of  Mom- 
ingham,  after  a  few  remarks,  expreenve  of 
regret  that  our  brother  Boot  is  called  in 
providence  to  leave  us,  and  his  gratification 


at  seeinff  so  large  an  assembly  presBat,  aid 
among  them,  not  only  so  many  of  his  own 
beloved  people,  but  so  larse  a  number  from 
Friston,  and  other  churches  and  oongref^ 
tions,  gave  out  the  closing  hymn  and 
offered  the  closing  nrayer.  After  the  serriee 
the  friends  lingered  as  though  unwilling  to 
part  Again  the  dear  friends  who  most 
efficiently  led  the  singing,  raised  their 
voices  in  solenm  praise  to  God,  to  whoa 
we  desire  to  give  all  gloiy,  and  then  we 
were  obliged  to  say  farewell  to  our  dew 
brother,  and  his  beloved  wif e^  Mr.  Boots 
leaves  foUowed  by  the  good  wishes  and 
fervent  prayers  of  those  who  knew  hin 
best,  and  consequently  loved  him  moaL 

THQMa& 


TAXING  "SUPPLIES."— Faithful  are 
the  wounds  of  a  friend.  Believe  me,  dear 
sir,  I  love  you  for  the  sacred  truth  you 
proclaim,  from  both  pulpit  and  press.  I 
have  known  you,  and  frequently  heard  you 
ever  since  vou  preached  m  an  upper  iooid 
in  Windmill  street  I  only  menl»>n  thi*  to 
convince  ^ou  of  my  sincerity  in  writing  on 
the  following  subject,  which  has  been  as  a 
fire  in  my  bones  ever  since  I  heard  it  from 
a  friend  of  mine.  I  hardly  know  how  to 
approach  it,  but  I  must  The  thinf  I  have 
been  obliged  to  hear  laid  to  yourcharge  is 
that  you  supply  destitute  churches  with 
supphes  on  commission ;  receiving  so  much 
out  of  what  they  get  for  preaching; 
whereas,  if  they  preach  for  yon,  they  re- 
ceive a  mere  trifle,  say  "  eighteenpeoceu'* 
Dear  sir,  forgive  the  liberty  I  have  taken. 

FliOBA  FOSIBB. 

fThis  ^Aged  Pilgrim  "says  a  friend  of  ooxs 
has  announced  this  falsehood.  We  ask 
Flora  Foster,  of  fi.  Crown  street,  OU 
Street  road,  to  tell  us  who  the  friend  is? 
We  have  written  hundreds—perhaps 
thousands  of  letters^  and  have  &voled 
time  and  money  to  get  diurches  sup- 
plied, and  to  get  churches  for  faretlusa 
out  of  a  chai^  If  the  man  can  be 
found  of  whom  we  either  ever  asked  or  re- 
ceived a  commission;  or  to  whom  we 
have  given  eighteenpenoe  for  preaching 
we  should  be  glad  to  see  him.  Toward 
that  race  of  self-denying  men,  caBed 
*'  Itinerants"  we  have  ever  entertained  a 
deairo  to  help— not  hurt  them.  Om 
wild,  if  not  wicked  Irishman,  told  Mr. 
Myerson,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Jeffs, 
of  Bichmond,  that  we  received  com- 
mission  from  supplies.  When  this  IrMi 
gentleman  next  called  on  us,  we  chaised 
him  with  this  falsehood:  he  denied  it; 
and  fled  off.  We  have  never  seen  him 
since.  We  frequently  have  ^^-^'^m 
writing  to.  and  calling  on  us  now,  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  pulpits;  but  there 
are  very  few  we  have  either  tinw  or 
mind  to  attend  to.  We  would  glsdfy; 
but  we  oannet  serve  them.  Thu  m  a 
day  for  children  to  play  in  the  aCmete. 
The  old  men,  and  many  otheni  vmj  rast 
now.— Edw] 


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Bept  1,1866. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


BTE  LANE  PEOKHAH  SCHOOLS.— 
On  Sunday  afternoon,  July  8(Hh,  the  happy 
and  affectionate  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
chnrch  presented  Mr.  G.  T.  Congreve, 
snperintendent  of  the  school  for  seven 
Tears  past,  with  a  very  handsome  inkstand 
from  the  teachers  and  children,  as  a  token 
of  their  lonff-standing  love  and  esteem. 
The  inkstand  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tion, beanttfiilly  engraved :— **  Presented  to 
to  Geo.  Thos.  Oongreve,  Esq.,  by  the 
teachers  and  scholars  of  the  Rye  lane 
Sunday  school,  in  token  of  their  gp:«tefnl 
appreciation  of  his  valued  services  as  their 
snperintendent"  The  school  was  densely 
crowded.  The  pastor,  as  chairman  for  the 
occasion,  presented  the  g^  in  a  most  kind, 
hearlT]  and  telling  speech,  in  the  oonrse 
of  which  he  remarked  the  significance  of 
the  present,  and  the  great  thi^  that  had 
been  done  through  the  means  of  the  ink- 
stand. Mr.  OonRreve  was  deeply  aifected  as 
well  as  surprised.  Having  been  away  from 
London  for  five  Sabbaths,  the  matter  had 
been  kept  secret  With  much  emotion,  he 
acknowledged  the  gift,  saying  that,  **  what- 
ever advantages  his  time  and  services  had 
rendered  to  the  school, — to  GK>d  their 
thanks  were  due^  and  not  to  him.  It  was 
his  earnest  desire  that  they  all,  both 
teachers  and  scholars,  might  continue  lovine 
and  united  still:  he  should  always  looK 
upon  this  beautiful  present  with  feelings  of 
pieasuxe  as  a  memorial  of  manv  happv 
hours  spent  in  the  Bye  lane  schooL** — TsJB. 
On  Lord's-day  evening,  Aug.  18th,  six 
females  were  oaptized  1^  Mr.  Moyle ;  two 
of  them  teachers,  and  one  of  them  a  scholar 
of  the  schooL 

ME.  THOMAS  OHIVERS^S  JUBI- 
LEE.—Ebekezeb  Baptist  Chapkl,  Wkbb 
8TBEBT,  Bebmondset.— A  public  mectixig 
was  held  on  Monday  evening,  July  81, 
1866,  to  celebrate  our  pastor's  Jubilee,  but 
owing  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weAher  the 
altendanoe  was  rather  smalL  The  meeting 
was  opened  by  our  pastor  giving  out  that 
favounte  hymn, 

**  God  moves  in  a  myaterious  way,**  Beo., 
and  then  read  a  portion  of  God*s  Holy  Word. 
Brother  William  Stringy  offered  up  an  af- 
fectionate prayer.  Our  pastor  then  gave  an 
interesting  account  of  the  Lord's  leadings 
and  goodness  to  him  during  his  60  years* 
journey  in  this  wilderness.  Brother  Ken- 
nett,  after  a  short  address  to  our  pastor, 
wishing  him  every  blessing,  and  that  his 
last  days  might  prove  his  oest  days  and 
brightest  days,  both  in  providence  and 
grace,  then  presented  hmi  with  a  neat 
purse  containing  £21.  which  was  acknow- 
ledged by  a  short  aadrees.  A  hymn  was 
then  sung, 

**  The  year  of  jubilee  ia  come." 
Each  deacon  followed  by  an  address,  wish- 
ing our  pastor  every  prosperity  and  blessing 
mi^t  accompany  him  in  nis  hboun  and  in 
Ids  funily.  The  meeting  was  closed  br 
pmyar  1^  oar  pastor.— We  linoexely  thank 


those  friends  that  responded  to  our  oireolar, 
both  for  their  contributions  and  their  kind 
Obiistian  feeling  manifested  toward  our 
pastor.  Tonn,  faithfully,  on  behalf  of  the 
deaoons,  Jomr  Knott. 

198,  Beimondsey  street,  8.E. 

WABE,  HEBTS.— The  anniversary  was 
held  at  Zoar  Baptist  chapel,  July  16th, 
1866.  Mr.  Flack  and  Mr.  Bloomfield  ful- 
filled their  engagement  Mr.  Sampford, 
the  pastor,  op^ed  the  service  by  giving 
out  tne  well-ibiown  hymn — 

**  Amasing  grace,  how  sweet  the  aonnd  !** 

Mr.  Bloomfield,  in  the  morning,  spoke  from 
Hosea  zi.  4.  It  was  a  blessed  time.  In 
the  afternoon  Mr.  B.  gave  a  discourse  on 
1  Tim.  iv.  8.  The  niends  increased  to 
double  the  number;  those  that  came  with 
empty  vessels  were  not  disappointed ;  the 
oil  and  meal  had  so  increased  as  to  fill  their 
vessel  to  overflowing.  One  hundred  par- 
took of  tea,  and  the  friends  were  cheerful 
and  happy ;  and  well  might  those  be  who 
were  possessors  of  that  godliness  which  is 
profitable  unto  all  things,  having  the  pro- 
mise of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come.  Mr.  Flack  came  in  most 
seasonably  in  the  evening.  His  discourse 
was  Mark  v.  19.  Mr.  F.  preached  on  the 
Lord's-day  following.  In  the  morning. 
Psalm  czvi.  6 :  **  I  was  brought  low,  and 
he  helped  me."  In  the  evenmg.  Exodus 
iiL  14:  ^*I  am  that  I  am;"  and  we  have 
reason  to  bless  God  for  the  benefits  be- 
stowed upon  us  throuffh  the  instrumen- 
tality of  his  servant  We  thank  our  minis- 
terial brethren  for  their  work  of  faith  and 
labour  of  love,  and  our  kind  friends  who 
favoured  us  with  their  presence,  and  for  the 
aid  they  afforded  on  the  oooudon.  ^*Is 
anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord?" — I  hope 
in  the  bonds  of  the  everlasting  covenant, 
WiL  BoBiMsoir. 


BEABFIELD,  WILTS.^I>i;ar  Editor, 
Will  you  insert  the  following: — ^There 
is  at  Bearfield,  near  Bradford-on-Avon,  a 
small  and  very  poor  Baptist  cause,  who  are, 
I  believe,  truth-loving  and  error-hating 
people,  who  glory  in  tne  cross  of  Ohrist, 
honour  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  worship  the 
Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  A  short  time 
since,  they  found  it  necessary  to  erect  a 
schoolroom  adjoining  the  chapeL  and  also 
to  make  a  few  alterations  in  the  chapel 
itsislf,  but  had  no  funds,  and  were  unable, 
so  ftir  as  they  could  see,  to  find  them: 
nevertheless,  in  faith,  they  set  to  work^  and 
have  now  a  debt  of  £20  to  clear.  Should 
this  meet  the  eye  of  any  of  the  Lord*^ 
stewards  I  trust  the  Holj  Ghost  will  lay 
it  on  their  hearts,  that  it  is  Tsanired  in 
stewards,  that  they  be  found  faithful,  and 
that  if  thev  feel  led  of  the  Spirit,  they  will 
come  to  the  help  of  their  poor  brethren. 
Contributions  will  be  acknowledged  in  the 
YssBki^  and  may  be  sent  to  J.  H.  LVnn, 
864,  AlWy  roML 


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Sept  1,  1«& 


GDiDEBPOBD,  Fobbt  or  Dbam^-- 
On  Sunday,  Angiisfe  6ih,  we  celetaocttled  our 
third  annivenaiy.  Th«  serHcM  Trera  Md 
in  a  tent  on  the  green,  nMur  onr  room.  Mr. 
Gosena,  of  London,  preached  morning  and 
evening.  On  the  Monday  foUowiBfif,  np- 
-wards  of  one  hundred  took  teannderthe 
tent  In  the  evening  at  half-past  six,  Mr. 
Ooaens  preached  again.  On  each  oootdon 
there  was  a  goodly  number  came  together. 
This  is  the  beet  anniTeraary  we  have  had 
so  fur  as  numbers  go.  Mr.  Ooaens  preaohed 
three  of  his  best  sermons,  which,  we  hope, 
will  be  made  a  great  blessing ;  however,  we 
shall  ever  remember  this  his  seoond  visit 

R.S. 

MB.  EDITOB^  Deab  Snt,— The  Cin- 
derford  chapel  case  is  one  that  I  can  most' 
heaxtily  recommend.  I  believe  Mr.  Snaith 
to  be  a  good  man  and  a  eenuine  lover  of 
the  truth.  He  is  a  spedued  bird  among 
the  general  professors  in  the  Forest  who 
call  him  Antmomian.  I  always  think  it  a 
good  sign  when  the  men  of  Sibboleth  deno- 
minate the  men  of  Shibboleth  Antinomian. 
I  hope  the  raquired  number  of  shillinffs 
will  be  contributed  that  the  few  poor  people 
may  soon  have  a  convenient  place  in  which 
to  worship  the  God  of  all  GaACS. 
I  am,  my  dear  Sir,  youis  truly,  S.  Cozens^ 

[We  shall  be  exceedingly  pleased  to  learn 
that  this  deserving  cause  has  met  with 
that  sympathy  and  support  it  so  miioh 
stands  in  need  of.  Friends  of  truth 
cannot  but  help  so  urgent  a  oaU.    Six] 

MB.  SAMUEL  COZEKS'S  BEMOVAL 
TO  AUSTRALIA.— Our  readers  will  be 
Borprised  to  hear,  a  meeting  is  to  be  holden 
in  October,  in  London,  to  take  farewell  of 
Mr.  Samuel  Cozens  and  his  &mily,  who 
ace  emigrating  to  Australia.  This  step  is 
the  result  of  sound  medical  advice.  It  is 
hoped  the  voyage,  and  the  thorough  change 
of  air  and  atmosphere,  may  be  the  means 
of  restoring  Mr.  Oozens's  health,  while  his 
labours  in  those  immense  oolomes  may  be 
a  great  blessing.  Now,  there  is  a  double 
point  of  view  from  which  this  movement 
should  be  looked  at  First,  Ohrisllan 
Sympathy.  Brother  Oosens  has  laboured 
for  many  years  in  defenoe  of  truth  in  this 
country.  Can  we  send  him  awav  without 
such  a  substantial  testimonial  as  shall  prove 
our  gratitude  to  Ood  for  all  the  service  he 
has  rendered?  We  hope  not  indeed.  But 
the  higher  point  of  view  is  that  off  a 
missionary  enterprise.  Our  Strict  Baptist 
Churches  in  England  have  been  so  busy  at 
home,  they  have  had  no  time  to  do  any- 
thing for  the  colonies.  Brethren  John 
Bnnyan  MKhird,  Ward,  and  others,  have 


flone  out  $  they  have  laboured  suoosHfalhr. 
Let  us  now  put  our  hands  together  to  fit 
and  furnish  fliis  gifted  and  devoted  man 


for   Australia;   and   may  God  Almighty 
crown  the  effort  with  His  blessing. 

PLAIN   SPEAKING.— An    inteUigent 
minister,  in  the  Eastern  fftwitiffl^  ia  anoCa 


on  1^  afcaits  of  the  chnrahes  sionnd  him, 
says:— ^^ Suffolk  Calvinism  is  not  Bifala 
Calvinism.  We  have  a  great  deal  of 
Andrew  Fuller  and  Bichard  Baxter  in  the 
pulpits  around :  infect,  we  are  flooded  with 
Spnigeonistaotneologry.  The  man  who  does 
not  turn  pale  at  opposition,  and  wiB  abide 
lyy  the  truths  of  God  Gospel,  for  God*a 
people,  in  God*s  time,  will  be  the  noMn  to 
create  enemies.  And  as  you.  and  I  will, 
and  do  taUc  about  the  fulness  and  free- 
ness  of  covenant  meroies;  so  these  peepjb 
who  like  a  ereature-pleasinff  ministry,  wiU, 
and  do  let  us  know  how  full  and  free  oppo- 
sition is.  On  this  ground  I  am  detennined 
to  act  toward  those  who  dare  to  be  imhau 
upon  the  earth  for  God's  truth  as  thoaa  who 
are  enlisted  in  the  same  warfare,  have  the 
same  heln  hope,  and  end  as  I  have  ;  that 
is,  I  wiU  throw  all  my  enaigifls  loxth  t» 


TPgliTTTj  BDEIMPSTBAD. 

TO  THB  XDnOB. 

Dbab  Bbothbb.— I  just  drop  a  line  to 
say  my  dear  partner  Eliza  Hutchinson  de- 
parted this  lue  on  Friday  evening  Annsi 
llth.  about  a  quarter  to  nine  o^okick  m  a 
fit  of  apoplexy.  This  has  a  vmoe  to  us 
which  says,  *^  Be  ye  also  ready."  I  trust 
she  wasreadyf  though  unoonacions  her  end 
was  near ;  but  Intrust  she  was  res 
the  Spirit  of  grace,  redeemed  i 
of  Jesus.  She  was  a  believer  in  J 
humble  follower  of  the  Lamb.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Particular  Baptisi  Chuch, 
Bethesda  Chi^  Bedmond.  She  was  a 
kind  mother,  and  indulgent  wife,  bvt 
thero  is  a  parting  time  for  all  here  be- 
low. But  sne  haft  gone  where  the  wicked 
cease  from  troubling  and  where  the  weaiy 
are  at  rest  At  the  early  age  of  f orty-thrsey 
her  happy  spirit  leaves  the  clay  tenement, 
to  dwell  wiu  Him  she  loved,  and  idio  had 
manifested  His  love  to  her  many  times.  I 
take  this  opportunity  of  expressing'  my 
gratitude  to  those  brethren  who  haw 
written  so  very  sympathetically  to  me  on 
the  occasion.    I  remain  yours  in  the  truth, 

Om  HOTOIDBOB. 

BAPTIZING  IN  THE  RIVER 
THAMES.— Deab  Sk,  Would  von  kindly 
insert  the  following  notice  for  the  inform* 
ation  of  interests  friends  in  iR»p;W»>^^ 
India,  and  America  ?  On  Tueadav  t£e  8th 
inst,  the  small  section  of  the  Chuxeh  a< 
the  living  God,  formeriv  in  H.  M*s. 
14th  Li^bt  Dragoons,  haa  the  pleaaore 
of  receiving  into  Its  communion  four 
persons  according  to  the  ptac^  aat 
forth  in  the  person  of  Christ,  our  only 
authority  and  head:  baptized  by  im- 
mersion in  the  river  Thames,  at  XEamp- 
ton,  Middlesex.  W.  Oastle  went  into  the 
water  with  them,  in  the  name  off  the  Fatfaai^ 
Son  and  Holy  Ghost  The  eldaror  c* 
of  thisseotionof  the  church,  H. 
isstmhi  India,  at  Jelgawn,  Bombay.  J. 
BvAST,  16,  PerenD  (rtrasli  Dow  ] 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  EBOOBD. 


OL 


8TBI0T  OOlOfUNION  BAPTIST 
SOCIETY- 

Ta  TRB  XSTTOR. 

DsAR  Snt, — ^AUow  me  through  yonr 
ooltunns  to  inform  the  members  and  friends 
of  the  above  society,  that  it  is  intended  to 
hold  a  ceneral  meeting  of  its  supporters 
during  the  month  of  October,  the  particu- 
lars <3  which  will  be  given  as  early  as 
poesiUe. 

Although  the  action  of  the  sodeiy  has 
been  retarded  to  some  extent^  its  objects 
have  been  kept  steadily  in  view.  It  has 
however  done  the  important  work  of  plac- 
ing within  the  reach  of  the  Strict  Baptist 
Churches,  ft  model  tmst  deed,  that  will  go 
far  to  prevent  altogether  a  repetition  of  the 
unwoxthy  scenes  enacted  at  iTorwich  and 
Bamsgate.  The  nsefubness  of  this  has  been 
frit  in  various  directions,  by  convincing 
certain  parties  that  there  existed  a  body  of 
men  who  were  carefully  watching  over  the 
interests  of  the  Strict  Baptists. 

AJl  communications,  or  suggestions  as  to 
the  best  course  of  futiure  action,  should  be 
addressed  to  me,  71,  Bobert  street,  C.-on-K. 
Manchester,  and  will  receive  {unompt  at- 
tention.   I  remain,  yours  sincerely, 

William  Stokks. 
Honorary  Secretaiy. 

Uanehester,  August  17, 186& 

BIBMIKGHAH.— Sheffield  is  no  very 
fmitful  field  for  Galvinistic  or  Strict  Bap- 
tists: there 'is  not,  in  a  population  over 
200.000  souls,  one  church  of  that  order  to 
be  found.  One  young  gentleman  from  Mr. 
Spuigeon's  College  commenced  a  series  of 
services  in  some  of  the  halls ;  but  he  did 
not  succeed  in  j^anting  «  church.  After 
the  school  services  at  Masborough  were 
over,  I  gave  two  addresses  in  defence  of 
Protestantism;  one  in  the  Temperance 
BUI,  and  one  in  Wandsey  street  Keform 
church.  At  both  thesd  meetings,  Mr. 
Todd  (the  highly-esteemed  Protestant  lec- 
tux^r),  presided ;  and  he  was  a  great  help 
to  ma  and  to  the  meetings.  I  shall  ever 
gratenilly  remember  him:  he  encouraged 
me  in  my  work^  and  heartily  bid  me  God- 
speed. The  Chtpd  Chdde  gave  the  sub- 
stance of  the  first  lecture  in  Sheffield ;  and 
I  heard  »  whisper  that  both  lectures  would 
be  issued  in  a  cheap  pamphlet,  under  the 
title  of  "Ood*s  sevenfold  characteristio 
oontnst  between  Protestantism  and 
Popery."  On  Thuisday  morning,  August 
24tli,  I  left  Sheffield,  and  my  very  worthy 
friend,  Mr.  Joseph  £lam  fat  whose  house 
I  was  kindly  povided  for)  travelled  with 
me  io BfOthernam ;  there  we  parted;  but 
my  Christian  brother  Boper  (the  Sunday 
Bcnool  leader)  came  to  see  me  off.  I  had 
no  sooner  taken  my  seat  in  the  carriage 
that  morning  than  I  opened  the  Bible  for  a 
text  for  Birmingham  toait  evening.  Paul's 
beautiful  woids  met  my  eye.  my  neart,  my 
soul,  and  all  my  f eetings^  m  a  moment : 
**  So  being  aifectionatdy  desirous  of  you, 
'  we  were  willing  to  have  imparted  unto  you 
BOt  the  Qospel  of  God  only,  bat  even  our  own 


souls  also,  beoause  ye  were  dear  unto  usl" 
As  I  travelled  on  that  day  near  one  hundred 
miles,  through  Derby,  Burton,  Tamworth, 
Sso^  on  to  Birmingham,  I  thought  a  little 
on  those  words ;  and  in  the  evening,  in  the 
new  Baptist  chapel,  I  preadied  from  them 
with  freedom  and  comfort  That  chapel, 
which  stands  on  Constitution  hill,  opposito 
Bond  st,  is  a  most  pleasant  and  commodious 
pjaoeof  wonhipw  The  brethren,  Thomasaad 
Henry  Drew,  my  son  Yallis,  and  my  minis- 
tering brother  Abraham  Howard,  with  their 
friends,  have  certainly  made  a  noble  ad» 
vance;  with  all  my  heart  and  soul  I  wish 
them  abiding  peace,  a  long  and  a  large 
prosperity,  and  a  happy  realisation  of  all 
those  blessingB  promisea  to  flow  out  of  a 
faithful  ministration  of  the  Gospel,  and  the 
obedience  of  a  devoted  following  the  Lord 
in  the  ordinances  of  his  house.  Having  tUa 
week  travelled  about  500  miles^  and  spoken 
several  timesi,  am  now  returmng  home  to 
my  cares  and  labours  there.  Dear  brother 
Foster,  Abraham  and  I  talked  of  you  and 
of  Stnrry  this  morning:  but  I  must  say 
adieu.-C.  W.  B. 

OUB  LONDON  CHUBCHES. 
Ths  New  Subbet  Tabebnaclk  is  now 
nearly  ready  for  opening;  and,  we  believe^ 
any  uiends  can  enjoy  a  quiet  view  of  the 
interior  any  evenmg.  Those  who  have 
had  the  privilege  of  walking  through  it 
since  the  brilliant  mediums  of  light  nave 
been  completed,  express  themselves  highly 
delighted  and  satisfied.  There  will  not 
only  be  the  true  light,  of  truth  shining 
through  the  minis^  of  the  word,  should 
the  Lord  spore  Mr.  W  ells^s  life  and  stren^^ 
but  the  many  improvements  for  conveying 
the  gaslight  are  so  perfect  and  superior,  aa 
to  render  the  whole  place  one  of  real  com- 
fort and  pleasure.  Thousands  are  looking 
forward  to  the  opening  services  with  anti* 
cipations  of  ioy  and  gladness.  In  a  reoent 
tour  through  some  parts  of  Yorkahu*e^ 
Staffordshire,  Warwickshire,  Ac,  we  were 
thoroughly  interrogated  as  to  the  proba^ 
bnity  of  friends  finding  room  even  m  this 
large  Tabernacle,  as  all  the  truth-loving 
tribes  of  Israel  from  all  parts  of  the  king- 
dom have  deferred  their  holiday-making 
until  this  happy  period  shall  arrive;  ana 
as  the  opening  services  extend  over  so 
many  days,  no  doubt,  all  will  find  accom- 
modation during  some  parts  of  those  high, 
and,  we  hope,  useful  oays.  Every  church 
in  the  country  should  make  a  collection  for 
two  objects: — ^namely,  flnt,  to  pay  tiieir 
ministers*  fare  to  London  and  back;  and 
secondly,  to  enable  him  to  present  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle  Building  Committeo 
with  a  substantial  token  of  their  decision 
for  the  whole  Gospel  of  Christ,  as  it  has 
now  been  so  many  years  preached  by  Mr. 
James  WeUs,  and  others  of  his  brethren 
who  will  on  that  occasion  assen^ble  toge- 
ther. We  purpose  to  publish  a  memorial 
of  the  opening  services,  either  in  Tsn 
Eabthsn  Vbsbkl  for  October,  or  in  con- 
.nection  therewith;   orders  for  the  same 


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992 


THB  EARTHEN  VES^L, 


B9pt  1, 186& 


flbonld  be  sent  to  our  office  as  early  as 
possible. 

Mb.  Thomas  Stbinokb's  first  amuver- 
sanTf  m  Wellington  streetf  'was  oelebmied 
Jnty  80th  and  Slat  The  London  Strict 
Bftj^tist  brethren  gathered,  round  Hr. 
Stringer  and  his  friends,  rejoicing  greatly 
with  him  in  the  prosperitywith  wnich  the 
Lord  has  faroured  hun.  We  are  expecting 
soon  to  hear  that  a  much  larger  tabernacle 
is  to  be  erected.  Mr.  Stringer  has  laboured 
for  many  years  in  the  Gospel ;  but  happier 
smiles  of  heavenly  farour  perhaps  never 
rested  on  him  than  now.  Our  brother 
Thoihas  Chivers's  Jubilee  Meeting  has  been 
holden  in  his  "  Ebenbzeb,"  and  a  ^pateful 
token  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  his 
friends  hold  him  was  presented.  We  wish 
it  had  been  sufficient  to  erect  for  him  a  new 
.chapel  in  a  better  position ;  but  for  th&t  de- 
sirable object  we  wait  a  little  longer. 

Two  ministerial  brethren  from  America 
have  recently  v^ted  us ;  they  have  each 
of  them  preached  once  or  oftener  in  Lon- 
don, and  have  been  heard  welL  They  re- 
present America  as  really  in  need  of  sound 
ministers  of  the  Go^mI,  and  think  such  men 
would  be  acceptable.  But  both  the  brethren 
from  America  referred  to  are  men  of  good 
educational  and  natural  parts;  and  can 
hardly  understand  how  unlettered  brethren 
succeed  at  alL  The  English  Churches 
of  truth  have,  for  years,  been  fed,  instru- 
mentaUy,  by  good  men  of  small  scholastic 
powers ;  but  we  believe  the  day  for  such 
original  and  spiritual  teachers  is  passing 
away.  The  h'tUe  cause  at  Stratford,  under 
Mr.  Smithers's  ministiy,  has  come  to  an 
end ;  not  because  his  ministiy  was  not  ac- 
ceptable, but  funds  to  meet  expenses  were 
not  forthcoming ;  and  the  burden  lay  heavy 
on  Mr.  Fowler;  and  no  one  was  willing 
to  bear  it  with  him.  The  Gospel  was 
faithfully  preached  there  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Stringer,  and  others;  and  we  hope  the 
seed  will  yet  spring  up,  and  produce  fruit 
While  the  various  free-will  and  national 
churches  are  sprin^g  up  in  all  directions, 
it  is  painful  to  witness  the  indifference  of 
thousands  toward  planting  churches  of 
truth.  Mr.  MaycocFs  ordination  services 
at  Old  Ford,  we  hope  to  notice  fully  next 
month.  The  church,  and  the  school,  and 
the  cause  altogether  under  him,  is  progress- 
ing very  happily. 


We  have  ma&y  communieations  respect- 
ing Soho  chapel,  Oxford  street;  but  the 
fact  is,  when  a  brother,  a  mi^aister.  a  pastor, 
like  John  Pells,  is  removed  by  aeath,  the 
deacons  and  church  find  it  difficult  to  sup- 
plv  his  pUu^.  We  hope  presently  the  Lord 
wul  find  them  the  right  man — ^if  tne  present 
excellent  supply  is  not  the  heaven-ordained 
one. 

Our  hearts  have  ached  again  over  old 
Unicom.  Yard  chapel  We  were  instru- 
mental in  raising  the  old  buildug  in  1864 
to  a  substantial  and  comfortable  place  of 
worship.  *  Seven  hundreds  of  pounds  was 
exi)ended  on  the  building,  and  hopes  were 
entertained  that  a  prosperous  cause  would, 
once  more,  be  found  within  its  walls ;  and 
for  a  few  years  these  hopes  were  encour- 
aged. Durinff  the  last  three  or  four  years 
it  has  gradually  sunk.  We  undeistand  Mr. 
Chamberlain  lias  left,  and  that  the  chapel  is 
likely  to  go  into  other  hands.  Will  the 
Bermondsey  and  Horsleydown  friends  of 
Christ  allow  this? 

At  Trinity  chapel  Mr.  Silverton  is  gladly 
heard.  It  is  thought  by  some  he  will  settle 
there. 

Mr.  James  Wells^s  sermon  on  "Bahab 
the  harlot"  has  caused  no  little  commotion 
in  some  quarters ;  and  B.  King's  letter,  of 
Walworth,  leads  us  to  conclude  there  are 
some  things  in  it  we  have  not  noticed.  We 
will  endeavour  to  fi[et  a  copy  and  fairly  read 
it,  and  reply  to  B.  King. 

Frederick  Burrow,  Esq.,  of  Cullompton,  a 
talented  author  and  lecturer,  has  just  issued 
a  small  volume,  entitled,  ''The  bissenteis* 
Manual"— a  shilling  book  of  much  in- 
formation.   Can  be  had  at  PauVs. 

*'  Spiritualism  and  other  Signs,"  is  » 
volume  full  enoug^h  of  powder  and  shot  to 
blow  all  the  Spiritualists  further  into  the 
clouds  than  they  are  at  present  We  sav 
decidedly,  if  any  one  wishes  to  have  full 
proof  of  tne  nature  of  this  last  Satanic  effort 
to  uproot  the  Gospel,  let  them  read  this 
volume. 

DisD,  August  11, 186&,  in  her  22nd  year, 
Grace,  the  beloved  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Eliza  Butter,  of  36,  White  street, 
Borough. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


MIinSTXK'S  KAMI. 


KAMZ  Aim  8ITVATI0H  OF  CHAPEL. 


Baptist  Chapel,  aquirriea  Street 
Betheflda,Cntnmer  Ct.,  Clapham  Bise 
Baptist  Chapel,  Wellgtn.  at,  Beth.  gn. 

Winsor      

Farnborongh,  Kent      

Baptist  Chapel,  VauxbaU       

Bye  Lane,  Feckham      

Old  Baptist  Chapel ,  Shaxnbrook     . . . 
Chapel  Hoase^HomseyBi»e 


18<»— Aug.  S 
July  6 
Aoff.S 
Aug.  6 
AQg.M 
Aug.  6 
Ang.« 
July  SO 
Aug.n 


ittiiiks, C.  n. .... 
Beazl^,  Mr.  .., 
BnmcD,  Mr.  ... 
P»ke.T. 

Gill,  W 

Hearson.a.     ... 
Koyl&6. 
Peet,  Alfred    ... 
Watcrer,  W.  8. 


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Oct  S,  1865:  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  tXt 


**  Cut  thj  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  He  shall  Bustain  thee :  He  shall  nerer  suif er 
tlie  righteous  to  be  moved.^'— Psalm  Iv.  22. 

Thib  Psalm  famishes  a  full  view  of  the  inward  life  of  a  real  Christian, 
In  this  inward  life  there  is  a  deep  sense  of  the  working  of  iniquity  from 
without  and  from  within.  As  a  public  man — a  man  in  a  high  position 
— David  had  against  him  "  the  voice  of  the  enemy  and  the  oppression  of 
the  wicked."  In  his  nearest  friends  he  was  deceived,  and  by  some  of 
them  overthi-own.  Ahithophel  was  David's  counsellor,  and  he  is  said  to 
be  a  type  of  Judas,  and  David  a  type  of  Christ.  As  it  was  with  David 
and  Christ,  so  it  was  with  Paul;  there  was  Demas  and  Alexander 
the  coppersmith,  once  friends  of  Paul  and  then  his  greatest  foes.  Now, 
consider  this — sin  and  Satan  come  in  so  close  they  sometimes  separate 
you  from  those  who  may  be  nearest  to  you. 

This  leads  David  to  complain  bitterly.  How  full  of  meaning  is 
that  one  verse :  "  My  heart  is  sore  pained  within  me  :  and  the  terrors 
of  death  are  fallen  upon  me."  Who  can  fully  expound  these  two  sen- 
tences? 

But  all  these  lead  to  fervent  prayer :  "  Give  ear  to  my  prayer,  O 
Ood  ! "  "  Evening  and  morning,  and  at  noon,  will  I  pray,  and  cry 
aloud  :  and  He  shidl  hear  me."  Faith  and  gratitude  recount  the  mercies 
past,  and  anticipate  greater  still :  "  He  hath  delivered  my  soul  in 
peace  from  the  battle  that  was  against  me."  And  now,  mark  you, 
while  he  returns  to,  and  continues  in  his  complainings,  the  Spirit  of 
God  comes  in,  as  I  think,  to  stop  this  complaining,  and  to  turn  his  heart 
and  soul,  and  thoughts  and  feelings  into  another  channel,  and  says, 
*^  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lardy  and  He  sJiaU  sustain  thee  :  He  shall 

NEVER  SUFFER  THE  RIGHTEOUS  TO  BE  MOVED." 

There  is  a  direction.  This  is  followed  up  with  a  promise ;  both  are 
based  upon  a  solid  doctrine. 

The  word  burden  is  by  some  rendered  "  gift " — meaning  the  cup  \)f 
affiction  is  a  gift ;  a  useful  gift  from  the  Lord:  How  worthy  of  long 
thinking  over  is  that  word  of  Paul's  to  the  Philippians :  "  And  in 
nothing  terrified  by  your  adversaries :  which  is  to  them  an  evident  token 
of  perdition,  but  to  you  of  salvation,  and  that  of  God.  For  unto  you  it 
is  given  in  the  behtdf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  on  Him,  but  also 
to  suffer  for  His  sake."  Suffering  for  His  sake  is  as  much  given  as  is 
faith  in  His  name. 

The  word  buixlen  is  sometimes  rendered  hope ;  cast  the  anchor  of 
thy  soul  still  on  the  Rock  of  Ages,  whatever  winds  may  blow. 

But  "  burden"  implied  all  that  heavy  load  of  trouble  which  comes 
frt)m  sin,  self,  Satan,  and  all  the  outward  trials  of  the  way.  Gill  says, 
the  Arabs  knew  not  the  use  of  the  word  till  they  heard  in  Arabia  mer- 
chants say,  ^'  Take  thy  burden  and  cast  it  on  the  camel's  back."  So  saith 
the  Spirit — *^  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord." 

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2H  THE  EARTHEN  VE88BL,  Oct  2, 186& 


By  S.  Cozsns. 

*'  The  righteous  shall  see  it  and  rejoice."^PBaIm.  cyiL  4i. 

None  but  the  righteous  can  see  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to  us  of 
God ;  for  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds  of  them  that 
believe  not.  When  he  turned  the  eyes  of  our  first  mother  from  the 
tree  of  life,  and.  fascinated  her  into  sensualism  and  sin,  he  blinded  her 
mindy  and  all  her  children  are  bom  blind,  with  the  film  of  moral  dajdb- 
ness  on  their  minds.  Darkness  covers  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness — 
dense  darkness — ^the  people.  Before  we  were  called  by  grace,  we  had  no 
knowledge  of  God ;  we  were  dark  as  to  the  chamcter  of  God, — as  to  the 
character  of  Grod  in  His  covenants.  We  knew  neither  law  nor  Gospel ; 
neither  the  sin  that  the  one  condemned,  nor  the  salvation  that  the  other 
proclaimed. 

And  hence  our  first  business  will  be  to  look  at  the  sight  seers^  *'  the 
righteous ;"  then,  secondly,  at  the  sigkt  seen^  '*  They  shall  see  it ;"  and 
then  thirdly,  to  the  song  of  admiration,  that  concludes  the  drama,  '^  The 
righteous  shall  see  it  and  rejoice.'' 

I.  Character  is  not  always  to  be  found  in  a  good  reputation; 
a  man  may    have  a  good  reputation,  and  yet    be   an   infamous  cha- 
itkcter ;  vice  versa,  a  man  may  have  a  character  that  heaven  approves, 
and    the    vilest    reputation   that   the    devil    or  the   wicked  can    in- 
vent.    It  is  not  what  we  are  in  man's  opinion,  or  Job  would   have 
been  a  miscreant.     It  is  not  what  we  are  by  the  devil's  assertion,  or 
Job  would  have  been  a  consummate  hypocrite.     It  is  not  what  we  are 
in  our  own  estiioation,  or  poor  Job  would  have  come  short  of  the  kingdom, 
for  he  is  not  only  condemned  by  his  friends,  and  the  devil,  but  he  con- 
demns himself.     The  world  gave  him  a  bad  character — "  There  is  some 
secret  thing  Job,  which  you  have  been  guilty  of — ^something  very  bad, 
I  am  sure  of  it,  or  else  all  these  calamities  would  not  have  come  on 
you."     These  nasty  insinuations  (excuse  the  word)  of  Job's  friends  so 
embittered  the  heart  of  the  dear  man,  that  he  said,  "  Miserable  oom- 
forters  are  ye  all."     The  devil  said,  *'  Why  what  a  wretch  !  he  is  serving 
God  for  what  he  can  get ;  if  you  will  only  just  take  away  what  you  have 
given,  you  will  soon  see  what  kind  of  chancter  he  is ;  he  will  curse  you 
to  your  &ce."     He  gave  himself  a  veiy  bad  character :  "  Behold,  I  am 
vile.     I  have  heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  tiie  ear,  but  how  mine  eye 
seeth  thee.     Wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes." 
Tou  see  the  character  that  God  gave  to  Job ;  upheld  him  amidst  all  the 
rage  and  fierce  assaults  of  the  adversary — ^it  held  his  soul  alive  in  the  midst 
of  death.     '^  He  is  a  perfect  man,  one  that  escheweth  evil,"  saith  the 
Lord.     Was  it  trae  that  Job  was  perfect?    Yes.     In  himself?    No; 
but  in  God's  estimation,  in  CKmL's  purpose,  in  Gk>d's  provision,  in  that 
Redeemer  that  lived  for  him,  in  the  Day's-man  that  laid  lus  hand  on 
him  the  offender,  and  on  God  the  offended.    Toung  ChzistiaBB  give 
themselves  a  bad  character ;  they  repent  in  dust  and  ashes,  because  they 
have  been  so  rebellious  against  God,  becaose  they  have  sinned  against 


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Oct.  2,  186&  AND  CEBISTIAN  EBCORD.  295 

heaven,  aad  as  sure  as  ^ey  begin  to  publish  themselTes  as  rebels  against 
€h)d,  some  one  else  vill  join  issue  with  them^  and  try  to  make  them 
really  worse  than  they  are,  were  it  possible  :  oh,  it  is  no  use  your  praying 
— no  use  your  asking  Qod  to  have  mercy  on  such  a  wretch  as  you — 
look  here !  look  there  1  look  yonder !  see  this !  see  that !  They 
are  for  awhile  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  it  is  by  the  principle  of 
righteousness  and  true  holiness  that  they  seek  the  right,  whilst 
they  denounce  the  wrong.  Now  right  is  the  opposite  of  wrong;  by 
nature  we  are  wrong,  and  not  right;  by  grace  we  are  right,  and 
not  wrong.  Let  this  be  distinctly  tmderstood;  if  I  am  a  saint, 
I  am  not  a  sinner ;  and  if  I  am  a  sinner,  I  am  not  a  saint.  We  cannot 
be  both ;  that  is,  in  Grod's  estimation.  We  may  change  our  estimation  of 
ourselves ;  we  may  be,  according  to  poor  old  John  Wesley's  creed,  a 
saint  to-day,  and  a  sinner  to-morrow ;  but  it  is  not  so ;  if  I  am  a  sinner, 
then  I  am  not  a  saint ;  or,  in  other  words,  if  I  am  wrong  in  God's 
estimation,  I  am  not  right ;  and  if  I  am  righfc  in  God's  estimation,  then 
I  am  not  wrong.  I  may,  like  the  apostle,  feel  the  working  of  right 
and  wrong  (Bom.  yii ) ;  but  this  working  of  right  and  wrong  proves  that  I 
am  right  and  not  wrong.  The  wrong  is  weak,  the  ri^t  is  strong. 
You  may  think  it  is  not  so,  because  sin  ever  and  anon  seems  to  have 
the  mastery  over  you ;  but  then  has  it  always  the  mastery  over  you  % 
It  is  not  what  a  man  is  by  incident  or  accident,  it  is  what 
he  is  by  habit.  Swine  wallow  in  the  mire;  a  man  may  fall  into 
the  ditch;  but  he  will  not  like  his  position  there,  because  mire  is 
not  his  element.  The  sow  wallows  in  the  mire  because  it  is  her  habit ; 
it  is  not  the  habit  of  a  man  to  wallow  in  the  mire.  I  say  it  is  not 
what  a  man  is  by  incident,  but  what  he  is  by  habit.  To  illustrate 
this,  if  a  carpenter  were  to  go  into  a  smithy  and  work  a  work  in  iron, 
he  would  still  be  known  as  Joseph  the  carpenter;  he  would  not  be 
called  a  blacksmith  because  he  did  a  work  in  iron ;  no,  he  is  still  a 
carpenter,  that  is  his  profession.  K  a  godly  man  is  overtaken  in  a  fault, 
that  &tult  is  advertised  and  circulated  from  Dan  to  Beersheba ;  whilst 
the  imgodly  may  commit  the  same  sin  with  impunity,  day  after  day,  and 
year  after  year,  and  no  one  takes  the  trouble  to  taik  about  it.  Why  % 
Because  it  is  an  incident  in  the  one  case,  and  habit  in  the  other.  If 
Noah  fsdls,  if  he  takes  too  much  wine,  oh,  they  say,  have  you  heard 
about  that  old  Noah  1  he  was  seen  intoxicated,  so  they  talk  about  Noah 
being  overtaken  with  a  fault.  Why  ?  Because  it  is  not  the  habit  of 
his  life.  So  you  may  depend  upon  it,  that  when  a  man  is  branded  for 
some  fault,  that  he  is  a  good  man  in  the  main ;  in  the  habit  of  his 
life.  We  don't  say  much  about  the  ungodly  reprobates ;  but  let  those 
that  make  a  profession  of  religion  turn  aside  from  the  ri^t  way  ;  every 
one's  mouth  is  open,  and  the  poor  man's  transgression  is  bandied  about 
all  over  the  world. 

I  make  these  remarks  not  to  apologize  for  sin — Gbd  forbid — ^but  to 
show  you  that  it  is  not  the  habit  of  his  life.  Bead  the  word  of  God : 
we  are  told  ^*  there  is  not  a  just  man  on  the  earth  that  doeth  good  and 
sinneth  not*"  I  take  that  to  mean  there  is  not  a  just  man  on  the  earth 
that  doeth  good  universally  and  sinneth  not  occasionally.  *'  If  we  say 
that  we  have  no  sin  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us." 
Bbt  then,  if  we  confess  our  sins,  this  proves  that  we  do  so  from  another 
prineiple,  that  is  opposed  to  sin,  and  rises  superior  to  it:     ''  If  we 

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296  THB   BABTHEN  VESSEL,  Oct  2. 18«L 

confess  our  sins,  He  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness"  bj  His  precious  blood,  and  thus  ara 
we  righteous  even  as  He  is  righteous.    Furdiennore,  right  is  the  oppo- 
site   of   wrong:    by    nature     we    are    wronfl^    and     not    right;    we 
are  negatively  wrong :    '^  There  is   none    that    seeketh    after  God." 
We  are  positively  wrong:    "They  have    all  gone  out  of   the  way." 
We  are  wrong   by  birth;   we  are  shapen   in  iniquity,   and  bom  in 
sin.     Hence   the    necessity  of    the    new  birth.     We  are  wrong    by- 
practice.      ^'  We  go  astray  from    the     womb    speaking    lies."     Our 
character  is  wrong,  "  for  fdl  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
God."     Our  conceptions  are  wrong.    "  There  is  none  that  understandeth." 
Our  conduct  is  wrong.     ^'We  have  forsaken  the  fountain  of  living 
waters,  and  hewed  out  cisterns  that  can  hold  no  water."     Our  constitution 
IS  wrong.     There  is  no  soundness  in  it.     '^  In  me,  that  is  in  my  flesh, 
there  is  no  good  thing."     The  head  is  wrong.     For  '^  the  whole  head  is 
sick."  The  heart  is  wrong ;  it  is  *'  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately 
wicked."    The  eyes  are  wrong.     "  There  is  no  fear  of  Gk>d  before  their 
eyes."     Our  mouths  are  wrong.     "Cursing  and  bitterness  is  in  their 
mouths."     Our  feet  are  wrong,  for  they  are  "swift  to  shed  innocent 
blood.*'     Hence  we  are  all  wrong,  and  altogether  wrong,  and  always 
wrong  by  nature.     Now  just  as  we  are  wrong  by  nature,  so  are  we  made 
right  by  grace.     We  are  negatively  right.     "  Blessed  is  die  man  to  whom 
the  Lord  will  not  impute  sin."    This  man  is  one  whose  sins  were  imputed 
to  Christ ;  He  bare  them — He  carried  them  away — ^He  cast  them  into 
the  depths  of  the  sea — ^the  atoning  sea — ^indeed.  He  cast  them  behind 
His  back,  nailing  them  to  His  cross.     I  do  not  apprehend  that  Jesus 
Christ  (as  a  man)  could  see  the  hand-writing  on  the  cross — ^nailing  it  to 
His  cross — casting  it  behind  His  back.     It  is  a  figure  of  speech,  a  person 
takes  a  thing  he  does  not  approve  of,  and  he  throws  it  away  behind  bis 
back.     God  has  thrown  away  our  sins  behind  His  back.     That  they 
may  never  be  seen,  nor  found.  He  hath  cast  them  into  the  depths  of  the 
sea.     I  like  the  oceanic  idea,  they  are  not  cast  into  the  depths  of  a  river, 
or  of  a  lake ;  no,  but  into  the  depths  of  the  sea ;  so  that  "  when  they  are 
sought  for,  they  shall  never  be  found."    I  believe  that  as  it  would  be  im- 
possible after  dropping  a  drop  of  ink  from  the  point  of  a  pen  into  the 
mighty  ocean  to  gather  up  that  ink  again,  so  is  it  impossible  to  gather 
up  the  sins  that  God  hath  cast  into  the  depths  of  the  sea.     They  are 
positively  right,   by  the  imputation  of  righteousness  without  works. 
How  blessed  !  without  works  !    This  doctrine  was  preached  all  through 
the  Old  Testament  ages.     I  find  God  preaching  the  doctrine  of  justifi- 
cation without  works  again,  again,  and  again  in  figure.     In  the  garden, 
the  Lord  God  made  coats  of  ^ins,  and  clothed  our  first  parents.     What 
were  their  works  1     Flimsy  fig  leaves.     God's  clothing  was  sacrificial 
clothing — "  coats  of  skins ;"  a  life  had  been  sacrificed  in  order  to  clothe 
them.     "  In  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  die."     God  proclaimed 
the  law  of  substitution  in.  the  very  act  of  His  clothing  Adam  and  his 
beloved  Eve  in  coats  of  skims.     Was  it  for  his  good  works  f    O  no !     If 
God  had  dealt  with  him  after  his  transgression,  he  would  have  sent  him 
to  the  place  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.     My  belief  is,  that 
Adam  was  guilty  of  a  sin  that  was  greater  than  all  the  sins  that  ever  were, 
or  shall  be  committed  by  his  ofBspring.     Yes,  put  all  the  sins  of  all  his 
children  into  one  scale,  and  Adam's  sin  would  outweigh  the  whole. 


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OeL  2;  18e&  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBOOKD.  Tfft 

Why  9  BecauBe  it  ^was  tlie  sinful  cause  that  prodnoed  all  manner  of  sin— » 
onr  Sinn  are  the  effects  of  his  sin  as  a  cause ;  and  as  the  cause  is  greater 
than  the  effect,  so  Adam's  sin  was  reaUy  greater  than  all  the  sins  that 
grevr  out  of  his  sin.  But  Gkxi  clothed  them  in  coats  of  skins,  preaching 
the  doctrine  of  justification  by  grace  without  works. 

We  have  a  great  many  figures  of  this.  You  knowunder  the  law,  he 
sacrifice  must  be  peifect  to  be  accepted,  and  then  the  perfection  of  the 
victim  was  given  to  the  offerer,  and  the  offering  itself  was  consumed  on 
the  altar.  I  say  the  perfection  of  the  sacrifice  is  left  with  the  offerer,  whilst 
the  creature  offered  takes  away  the  imperfection  of  him  for  whom  it  is 
offered.  ^^  He  was  made  sin  for  us,"  aa  the  sacrifice  under  the  law,  "  that 
we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Him ;"  so  you  see  the 
offerer  had  two  things  in  las  sacrifice,  the  benefit  of  losing  his  sin  and 
the  benefit  of  having  the  perfection  of  his  substitute ;  so  whilst  we 
loee  our  sins  in  the  atoning  death  of  Christ,  we  are  also  justified 
from  all  things  by  the  perfect  life  of  Christ.  Again,  we  are  right  by 
birth;  we  are  bom  of  God,kine  begets  kine ;  thatwhichis  bom  of  Ood  cannot 
commit  sin.  Cod  does  not  commit  sin,  there  is  no  iniquity  in  Him,  that 
new  life  that  comes  from  God  is  as  incapable  of  sinning  as  God  Himself; 
That  which  is  bom  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin.  The  old  man  can- 
not do  anything  else  but  sin,  for  there  is  nothing  but  sin  in  him,  "  in 
my  flesh  dwelleth  no  good  thing."  The  new  man  which  after  God  is 
created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness  is  as  holy  and  righteous  as  God 
himself.  Did  you  ever  see  *'  Quarles'  Emblems  V  In  his  day  he  taught 
great  moral  lessons  and  some  very  blessed  spiritual  lessons.  I  was  very 
much  struck  some  time  ago  in  looking  at  the  personification  of  Rom.  viL 
There  was  a  living  man  with  a  skeleton  round  him,  and  I  suppose  the 
skeleton  was  the  old  man  of  death ;  there  was  the  living  man  within  this 
man  of  death ;  so  there  is  a  living,  new  man  of  grace  which  is  created 
after  €^  in  true  holiness  and  righteousness  in  this  body  of  sin  and 
death.  The  body  is  dead  because  of  sin,  but  the  spirit  ia  life  because  of 
righteousness ;  so  there  is  a  moral  death  in  the  old  man,  and  a  spiritual 
life  in  the  new  man.  I  wish  the  dear  children  of  God  would  pay  a  little 
more  attention  to  these  distinctions,  then  they  would  not  measure  them- 
selves by  themselves;  for  I  always  find  that  as  soon  as  ever  I  get 
measuring  myself  by  myself,  I  measure  the  wrong  way.  How  should 
we  measure  ourselves  %  By  Christ,  for  ^  as  He  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world." 
'<  He  of  God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  andsanctification," 
^  Measure  yourself  by  Hiia  who  is  our  wisdom  and  sanctification. 
''As  He  is,  so  are  we."  Then  we  are  right  by  practice,  we  were 
as  sheep  going  astray,  blessed  be  God  we  went  astray,  as  sheep, 
''  All  we  like  i^eep  have  gone  asti-ay."  Judas  went  astray  like  a  goat ; 
he  was  not  restored,  beouise  he  was  a  goat.  If  the  sheep  go  astray, 
the  great  Shepherd  will  go  after  them.  He  came  to  seek  and  to  save  Ifis 
lost  sheep,  we  went  astray  like  sheep,  but  we  have  returned  to  the 
shepherd  and  bishop  of  our  souk.  Bishop  is  a  beautiful  word,  it  means 
to  cure,  to  keep,  hence  we  say  a  bishop  has  the  cure  of  souls ;  literally,  it 
means  to  cure,  and  if  you  cure,  you  keep ;  that  is,  you  keep  the  person 
cured  from  the  effects  of  that  dis^use  that  was  consuming  him.  We  have 
returned  to  the  shepherd  and  bishop  of  our  souls.  Now  the  shepherd 
18  one  that  takes  care  of  the  flock,  and  the  bishop  is  the  doctor  or  phy- 
sician that  curesthe  diseases  among  the  flock.     We  haveretumed  to  the 


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396  THE  BABTHEK  VESSEL,  OcL%WK. 

shepherd  to  take  care  of  us,  audio  the  bishop,  doctor  orphjBiouui  to  cue  tul 
And  you  know  the  poor  sheep  often  wants  curing;  there  are  no  creatores  so 
liable  to  so  many  diseases  as  the  poor  sheep ;  but  the  shepherd  of  the 
sheep  understands  all  their  ailments.  He  saith,  I  will  heal  thai  whidi 
was  diseased  and  bind  up  that  which  was  brt^en.  We  axe  right  in  oiar 
oonception,  the  eyes  of  our  understanding  being  enlightiflfned .  We  are 
right  in  our  conduct,  we  follow  the  Lamb  withersoever  He  goet^  We 
are  right  in  our  constitution,  we  are  new  creatures,  created  in  Christ 
Jesus  unto  good  works.  The  eyes  are  tight ;  looking  unto  Jesus.  Qur 
mouths  are  right ;  our  mouth  shall  show  forth  thy  praise.  Our  feet  axe  ri^^ 
running  in  the  way  of  His  commandments.  So  I  say  just  as  we  aze 
wrong  by  nature,  so  are  we  right  by  grace,  as  we  are  Tmiversally  wrong 
by  nature  so  we  are  imi  versally  right  by  grace.  Hence  the  Lord  s  people 
have  vital  life,  a  life  from  Gkd,  a  life  that  can  never  die,  a  life  that  is 
hid  with  Christ  in  God  beyond  the  shafts  of  death.  He  that  believeth 
shall  never  die.  How  often  do  we  think  we  are  going  to  die?  What 
foolish  creatures  we  are.  He  that  liveth  and  believeth  shall  never  die. 
Tou  are  looking  for  that  you  will  never  see — death.  Why,  shall  we  not 
die  ?  No !  Jesus  died.  He  died  our  death.  He  died  that  sinnecB 
may  die  ?  No ;  that  they  may  live.  .  He  is  the  resurrection  and  the 
life.  Dying  is  but  going  home ;  it  is  not  death.  We  are  absent  from  the 
body  and  present  with  the  Lord.  It  is  not  death.  Why  the  diildren 
of  Israel  did  not  go  into  Jordan  ;  perhaps  some  of  them  thought  they 
should,  but  they  did  not.  The  priest  put  his  sacred  feet  in  the  riwr, 
and  back  went  Jordan  from  the  majesty  of  his  presence ;  and  the  x«n* 
somed  passed  over.  Why  the  swellings  of  Jordan  were  nothing  to  them ; 
they  knew  nothing  about  it.  We  shall  not  die,  my  brother.  This 
body  may  fall  asleep,  but  we  shall  not  die.  You  do  not  fear  to  go  to 
sleep,  then  you  may  not  fear  what  people  call  death.  '^I^inius 
sleepeth  j  I  go  to  awake  hi^n."  No  death !  The  wicked  die,  not  the 
righteous.  What  a  mercy ;  a  child  of  Gkxl,  when  he  comes  to  the 
verge  of  Jordan,  asks,  "Can  this  be  death f"  The  thing  that  I 
have  been  fearing  all  my  life  long.  "Is  this  death?"  **  Tell  me, 
my  soul,  can  this  be  death  1'*  Why  death  is  only  a  shadow  to 
the  child  of  Qod.  Death  throws  its  shadow  on  a  believer,  but  it  is  only 
a  shadow ;  it  passeth  away  into  the  sunshine  of  eternal  gloiy,  where 
God  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereot  I  have  been  going  to  die  so 
long  that  I  try  to  realize  my  standing  in  grace  ;  and  if  I  can  only  realize 
that,  then  I  can  contemplate  deal^  with  pleasure.  They  are  right, 
altogether  right,  right  IK  Christ,  right  with  God,  right  fob  heaven.  O 
what  a  mercy  to  have  nothing  between  God  and  the  soul,  to  stand  in 
that  blessed  position, "  There  is,  therefore,  now  no  condemnation."  How 
Paul  had  been  condemning  himself  in  Romans  vii,  "  But  there  is,  there- 
fore, now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesns."  No,  "  not 
one  damnation  to  them."  Dear  Dr.  Hawker  was  given  to  use  veiy 
strong  language  at  times :  in  one  of  his  beautiful  hynms,  speaking  of  the 
work  of  Christ,  he  saith,  "  He  drank  damnation  dry."  "  There  is,  there- 
fore, now  no  damnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk 
not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit."  Then  the  righteous  shall  see  it 
and  rejoice.  Do  you  belong  to  the  righteous,  to  those  whose  hearts  are 
right  with  God,  to  those  who  are  justified  fredy  from  all  things  f  Are 
you  one  in  the  Saviour's  fetmily  f    How  shidl  I  know  it)    J  will  give 


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Cot  S,  1865.  AND  0HEI8TIAK  BECOBD.  299 

you  a  very  sweet  evidence  of  your  being  in  the  fioaily :  "  TJnto  them 
that  believe  He  ia  precionu/'  Is  He  precious  ?  then  I  am  a  believer. 
Am  I  a  believer?  then  I  am  righteous.  Am  I  righteous  ?  then  it  is  well 
with  me.    For  it  is  well  with  the  righteous.     Amen. 


OE,  A  POBTION  FOE  EVBBY  SABBATH. 

BY    OIDBOV. 


SUNDAY,  OCTOBEK  Ist.-JTESUS  STILL  A  MAN. 

"  Je6ii8  wept** — John  xi  85. 
Weeping  is  a  very  common  thing,  for  there  is  the  *^  valley  of  teats;" 
bless  God  for  a  prospect  of  entering  that  land  where  the  inhabitants  shall 
xiot  say  they  are  sick,  and  where  all  tears  will  be  for  ever  banished.  But 
while  all  true  pilgrims  to  that  land  come  with  weeping  and  with  suppli- 
cations, none  ever  wept  as  the  God-man.  He,  beyond  all  others,  was 
the  Man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief ;  who,  in  the  days  of  His 
£esh,  offered  up  prayer  and  supplication  with  strong  crying  and  tears. 
He  weeps  not  now.  His  sorrows  are  all  at  an  end ;  but  He  is  the  same 
Jesus  who  did  weep,  and  can  be — ^yea,  is — ^touched  with  the  feeling  of 
our  infirmities.  Many  friends,  when  they  get  up  a  bit  in  the  world, 
forget  their  old  acquaintances,  who  still  remain  in  poverty ;  they'll  slip 
by  without  seeing  tiiem  in  the  street,  or  remove  away  fit)m  the  locality 
where  they  earned  their  wealth,  to  avoid  old  associations.  Not  so 
Jesus.  Although  He  weeps  no  more.  He  sympathises  as  deeply  as 
ever  with  His  sorrowing  people  on  earth.  Go  to  Him  in  eA\  thy 
troubles;  remind  Him  of  His  own  tears;  tell  out  to  Him  all  the 
feelings  of  thy  heart,  and  thou  shalt  not  go  in  vain.  He  is  still  a 
man,  to  come  in  the  hour  of  sorrow  and  pour  consolation  into  the 
broken  heart ;  and  He  is  still  God,  and  can  say  to  the  dead,  *^  Come 
forth,*'  and  they  obey.  Oh !  believer,  there  is  nothing  too  hard  for 
the  Lord.  If  He  deliver  thee  not  He  will  give  thee  strength  to  bear, 
and  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good.  "  The  mouth  of  the  Lord 
JuUh  spoken  iL^ 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  8th.— OUR  EXTREMITY. 

"  Weep  not"— Luke  viL  11— 1& 
It  is  easily  said — *^  O,  don't  cry.  You  must  not  look  at  the  dark 
side ;  come,  come,  cheer  up ;  it's  all  for  the  best"  U  you  cannot  give 
your  friend  better  comfort  than  such,  hold  your  tongue.  '*  Well,"  you 
say,  '<  what  am  I  to  do  f  Why,  the  Bible  tells  you,  and  Jesus  sets  you 
the  example.  Don't  strive  to  bung  up  the  soul's  safety-valves  by  stop- 
ping tears  by  force.  If  you  cannot  remove  the  cause  of  grief  then  say  to 
jour  friend,  "  Come,  lay  yowr  head  on  my  shoulder  a/nd  weep  there  ;"  and 
■as  you  do  it  weep  yourself ;  and  that  tear  of  sympathy  which  you  shed 
win  do  more  to  heal  l^e  wounded  soul  tiian  aU  your  ''  come,  comes,''  and 
'*'  cheer  ups^"  and  that  sort  of  cold-hearted  twaddle.     When  our  Blessed 


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aOO  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Oct  2.  186& 

Lord  said,  ''  Weep  not,''  He  did  not  do  violence  to  our  natore^  but  la 
love  took  away  the  cause  of  the  sorrow.  The  case  referred  to  above 
waa  an  extremely  touching  one.  The  young  man  was  dead — an  only  wn 
— and  his  mother  a  widow.  Ah,  poor  soul,  her  cup  was  now  full ;  tbs' 
last  drop  of  bitter  was  just  going  into  it.  But  One  saw  her  and  felt  for 
her,  though  she  saw  not  Him.  Her  extremity  was  His  opportunity;  a 
few  moments  more  and  it  would  have  been  too  late — the  body  buried, 
the  guests  returned,  and  the  widow  left  in  solitude  to  grieve.  But  Jesus 
19  never  too  late ;  no,  nor  yet  too  soon.  His  time  is  the  right  tin^e. 
Weeper  !  He  is  on  His  way,  and  thou  shalt  hear  His  sweet  voice  saying^ 
unto  thee,  "  Weep  not ;"  and  a  power  there  is  in  His  woixls  sufficient  to 
wipe  away  all  tears.     '^  Even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus." 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  15th.— HEAVEN'S  DESIGNS. 

''  My  times  are  in  thy  hand.'*— Pa.  xlxi  15. 

What  a  mercy  ;  were  our  times  in  the  hands  of  any  other  they  would 
be  hard  times  indeed.  Every  Christian  has  his  own  times,  or  events,  or 
circumstances.  In  the  battle  of  life  we  toil  on,  and  fight  with  all  sorts 
of  influences,  just  as  though  all  things  were  dependent  on  ourselves.  And 
on  looking  back  on  our  many  mistakes  and  failures  we  say,  ''  KI  had  done 
so  and  so,  this  and  that  and  the  other  would  not  have  happened."  And 
again,  when  success  has  crowned  our  labours  we  say,  *'  Ah  !  if  I  had  not. 
done  so  and  so  at  such  a  time,  things  would  have  gone  wrong."  Perhaps 
so,  very  likely,  for  God  is  daily  bringing  about  the  accomplishment  of 
His  own  eternal  purposes  by  human  agency.  There  is  not  a  good  done 
or  an  evil  permitted,  but  fulfils  some  grand  design  of  heaven.  Believer^ 
thy  tii)ies  are  in  the  hand  of  God.     Then, 

1.  Hast  thou  good  times  1  Does  providence  smile  upon  theet 
And,  above  all,  does  the  candle  of  the  Lord  shine  upon  thy  soul,  and 
art  thou  happy  in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  able  to  say,  temporally  and 
spiritually,  that  the  lines  have  fallen  to  thee  in  pleasant  places  %  Then. 
thank  the  Lord  for  it,  and  remember  that  He  can  soon  make  a  great 
change. 

2.  Are  thy  times  very  hard  1  A  hard  lot  in  providence,  a  hard 
heart  to  contend  with,  and  a  hard  world  to  live  in,  and  a  hard  fight  to 
live  at  all,  either  for  this  world  or  the  next  ?  Not  a  few  of  God's  dear 
people  know  what  all  these  hard  things  are.  But  they  are  in  the  hand 
of  Him  who  can  make  no  mistake.  Perfection  is  the  end  He  aims  at  ^ 
we  are  predestinated  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  Christ ;  when  firut 
dug  out  of  the  quarry,  we  are  very  unlike  Him,  but  then  He  began  a  good 
work,  and  He  will  not  cease  until  the  great  Worker  sees  His  own  perfect 
likeness  on  our  souls.  These  times,  seasons,  or  events,  we  experience^ 
are  the  tools  by  which  He  is  polishing  the  stoneH  of  the  house.  When 
the  work  is  done,  and  we  awake  with  His  likeness,  we  shall  be  fully 
satisfied,  and  say,  '*  He  hath  done  all  things  well."     Amen« 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  22nd.— A  SPECIAL  GIFT. 

"  I  have  given  them  thy  word." — John  xvii.  14. 

What  a  gift !     Header,  are  you  a  Christian  %    Then  surely  you  will  set 

a  high  value  upon  this  Divine  donation  presented  by  Jesus ;  the  word  or 

God  is  yours  in  a  special  sense.    And  what  is  that  word )    Why  we 


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Oct  2, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RBCOED.  301 

cannot  tell,  for  when  we  have  expended  all  our  powers  to  set  out  its 
many  qualities  and  glories,  you  might  exclaim,  like  the  *'  Queen  of  the 
SouU^"  *'  Behold,  the  half  has  not  been  told  me." 

1.  It  is  a  never-failing  light  to  guide  our  feet  into,  and  along,  the 
way  of  life  and  peaoe,  (Pwlm  cxix.  105.)  By  the  teaching  of  the 
Bpirit^  it  works  a  true  knowledge  of  divine  things  in  the  soul,  whereby 
we  are  made  wise  unto  salvation. 

2.  It  is  the  food  of  the  living  soul.  I  found  Thy  word,  said  one, 
and  did  eat  it.  Without  this  you  cannot  live— spiritually — any  more 
than  the  body  could  continue  to  exist  on  air — ^the  doctrines,  promises, 
revelations,  sacred  songs,  and  biographies  and  histories  of  the  Bible,  are 
precious  stores  of  food  for  hungry  souls. 

3.  The  word  ia  the  Christian's  title  deed  to  a  glorious  inheritance ; 
we  are  sons  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  and  His  word,  says 
Paul,  "  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  give  you  inheritance  among  aU  them 
who  are  sanctified."  Yes,  blessed  be  Ood,  faith's  far-seeing  eye  does  not 
merely  see  the  land,  but  that  same  eye  sees  a  good  title  to  it  in  the  sure 
word  of  covenant  and  promise.  'Tis  here  we  i*ead  our  title  clear  to 
mansions  in  the  sky.  And,  once  more,  the  word  is  the  Christian's 
armoury  whence  every  needful  weapon  may  be  found  for  the  good  fight 
of  fidth. 

0,  then,  let  us  value  this  gift,  and  not  only  read,  but  daily  search 
therein  for  firesh  siipplies  of  all  we  n^ ;  and  as  often  as  possible  go  to 
hear  the  Gospel  preached.  Some  profess  to  read  at  home,  and  forsake 
the  preaching  of  the  Gospel ;  others  hear  the  Gospel,  but  never  read  it  at 
home ;  both  parties  are  in  fault,  for  the  word  says,  on  the  one  hand, 
**  Search  the  Scriptures,"  and  on  the  other  **  Not  forsaking  the  assembling 
of  yourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is" — ^a  word  to  the  wise  is 
enough. 


SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  29th.— AN  ANCIENT  SALVATION. 
''  The  old  Ib  better.**- Luke  v.  89. 

All  old  things  are  not  best,  and  there  is  a  wide  spread  influence  of  the 
Athenian  spirit.  Many  people  *'  spend  their  time  in  nothing  else  but 
either  to  tell  or  to  hear  some  new  thing."  (Acts  xviL  21.)  Yet  many 
old  things  are  better  than  the  new,  and  in  every  case  old  wine  is  acknow- 
ledged to  be  the  best. 

Now  God's  way  of  saving  a  poor  sinner  is  very  old,  and  that  is,  in 
a  word,  by  grace, — **  By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  fiuth,  and  that  not  of 
yourselves ;  it  is  the  gift  of  God.**  And  it  is  of  &ith  that  it  might  be  by 
grace.  Now  what  is  grace  9  Favour,  free,  undeserved,  Sovereign  &vour 
— ^that  is  what  grace  is.  And  what  has  grace  done  9  Why,  eveiything 
that  law  and  justice  required  of  God's  people— salvation,  so  far  as  doing 
is  concerned,  is  '^finisJiedy^  and  therefore  sinners  are  not  saved  by  doing^ 
bat  r^oeivmg.  Now  have  you  received  ;  or,  in  other  words,  tasted  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious  f  Then  you  have  tasted  the  real  old  wine  which 
cheers  the  heart  and  strengthens  the  soul.  Then  beware  of  the  stuff  so 
generally  taken  as  a  new,  and  in  the  estimation  of  some — yea^  of  most — 
better  wine.  O  !  say  they,  we  must  go  with  the  times ;  we  cannot  receive 
these  old  and  worn-out  doctrines.  Poor  things,  they  do  not  know  their 
taste. 


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302  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Oct  %  186*. 

I  was  once  in  a  public  room,  when  a  man  ordered  a  glass  of 
**  black  beer."  He  was  served,  but  protested  that  thej  had  given  him 
wine.  A  third  party  waa  appealed  to.  He  said,  "  It's  wine."  A  judge 
waa  called,  and  O  !  how  he  laughed,  saying,  *  They  don't  know  spmoe 
from  port  wine  ! "  And  the  men  confessed  that  they  <&d  not  know  the  taste 
of  wine.  No  more  do  carnal  men  know  the  taste  of  free^gnce ;  there  is 
nothing  like  it.  Beware,  then,  of  drinking  any  other  doctrine  than 
that  which  exalts  Christ,  and  lays  the  sinner  low  in  the  dust;  for  of 
all  the  novel  things  called  Gospel,  we  say,  the  old  is  better. 


EXPOSITION    OF    REVELATION    XIV.   14.— 20. 
By  Mb.  Jakes  Wsllb,  of  thb  Subbet  Tabbbnaclb,  Walwobth  Eoad. 

*'  And  I  looked,  and  behold  a  white  cloud,  and  upon  the  cloud  one  nt  like  unto  the  Son 
of  man,  having  on  his  head  a  golden  crown,  and  in  hia  hand  a  sharp  sickle.** 

We  have  in  the  margin  of  our  Bibles  the  year  ninety-six  as  the  time  in 
which  the  book  of  the  Eevelation  was  written ;  but  we  must  take  no 
notice  whatever  of  that ;  it  is  of  no  authority  whatever.  There  is,  I 
thinky  very  little  doubt  that  the  book  of  the  Revelation  waa  written  be- 
fore the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  took  place ;  and  the  verses  I  am  about 
to  read  describe  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem ;  but  at  the  same  time, 
that  judgment  which  the  Lord  brought  upon  Canaan,  and  by  which  he 
destroyed  the  Jews,  as  a  nationality,  scattering  them  over  the  face  of  the 
earth,  represents  future  and  heavier  judgments  yet  to  come.  Hence  the 
Saviour  here  appears  upon  a  white  cloud,  to  denote  the  majesty  of  his 
appearance ;  having  on  his  head  a  golden  crown,  to  denote  that  he  had 
conquered  death,  that  he  had  conquered  Satan,  that  he  had  conquered  all 
adverse  powers,  and  appears  with  the  golden  crown  upon  his  head,  ac- 
cording to  the  prediction  in  one  of  the  Psalms,  '*  Thou  hast  set  a  crown 
of  pure  gold  upon  his  head ;"  to  denote  that  his  victory  was  a  victory  of 
purity,  a  victory  of  righteousness,  and  a  victory  of  preciousness, 
and  a  victory  more  than  golden,  even  of  eternal  value.  But 
tins  same  person  who  is  a  Saviour  is  also  a  judge,  and  as  such 
did,  by  agents  he  was  pleased  to  employ,  minister  judgment 
then  ;  so  he  has  done  since,  and  he  will  do  so  in  the  future,  making  uae 
of  both  saints  and  angels  at  the  last  great  day  in  ministering  the  final 
judgment  to  which  all  his  adversaries  shall  be  subjected. 

*^  And  another  angel,** 
that  is,  another  messenger,  another  minister ;  or  it  may  be  the  same  one 
with  another  message ;  for  the  same  minister  has  a  variety  of  messages ; 
sometimes  mercy,  sometimes  judgment ;  for  it  is  by  preaching  mercy  and 
judgment  side  by  side  that  the  Lord  doth  take  forth  the  precious  from 
the  vile ;  it  is  by  this  that  the  saints  of  the  Most  High  are  enaUed  to 
trace  out  the  distinguishing  grace  of  Crod  in  making  them  to  differ  from 
what  they  were  by  nature ; — 

"  Another  angel  came  ont  of  the  temple,  cxying  with  a  loud  ciy  to  hia  that  sat  on 
the  cloud,  Thrust  in  thy  sickle  and  reap,  for  the  time  is  come  for  thee  to  reap;  for 
the  hanrest  of  the  earth  is  ripe." 


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Oct  2, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  303 

Now  tlus  is  a  bad  ripening ;  they  were  ripened  for  destruction. 
The  Jews,  in  crucifying  Christ,  and  then  after  that  persecuting  His 
apostles,  they  were  herehj  ripened  unto  destruction.  Here  is  one  judg- 
ment, ^erefore,  compared  to  the  sickle  being  thrust  in  to  cut  them 
down.  Let  us  not  think,  friends,  for  one  moment  that  though  this 
judgment  took  phice  so  many  centuries  ago,  that  we  ourselves  shall  not 
be  subjected  to  a  very  much  heavier  judgment,  even  the  final  judgment, 
if  we  ourselves  are,  as  they  were,  crucifiers  of  Christ,  haters  of  Hia  truth, 
and  despisers  of  ]^  people.  But  if,  on  the  other  hand,  we  have  through 
mercy  transited,  or  been  translated,  over  from  what  we  are  by  nature  into 
reconciliation  to  God,  and  sweet  frioidship  with  the  dear  Redeemer, 
then  the  golden  crow%  the  crown  of  life,  belongeth  to  us,  and  not  the 
sickle  to  cut  it  down. 

"And  he  that  nt  on  the  cloud  thmst  in  his  sickle  on  the  earth,  and  the  earth 
was  reaped." 

The  Jewish  nation  cut  down. 

'*  And  another  angel  came  out  of  the  temple  which  is  heaven,  he  also  having  a  ahar^ 
BicUe;" 

messenger  after  messenger,  trouble  after  trouble.  And  those  who  have 
but  a  slight  acquaintance,  we  will  say  with  the  five  years'  histoiy  of  the 
Jews  previous  to  their  entire  destruction  as  a  nation,  will  see  how  this 
was  fulfilled ;  how  message  after  message — that  is,  how  judgment  after 
judgment — kept  failing  upon  them  until  their  ruin  was  complete.  So 
with  the  ungodly  man,  if  he  live  and  die  in  that  state,  calamity  after 
calamity,  and  loss  after  loss,  and  affliction  after  affliction,  will  follow  him 
up,  until  his  ruin  is  completed.  On  the  other  hand,  the  man  that  is  a 
lover  of  Jesus,  all  his  troubles,  aU  his  calamities,  shall  be  subservient 
to  the  furthering  of  lus  soul's  present  and  everlasting  welfare.  How 
infinitely  different,  then,  the  two  states — that  of  unbelief  and  enmity, 
and  that  of  &ith  in  and  love  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

>*  And  another  angel  came  out  from  the  alt^,  which  had  power  over  fire  ;** 
that  is,  the  fire  of  God's  judgment ; 

**  And  cried  with  a  lend  cry  to  him  that  had  the  sharp  siclde,  saying,  Thrust  in  thy 
sharp  sickle,  and  gather  the  clnstera  of  the  vine  of  the  earth ;  for  her  giapee  are 
fully  ripe." 

Now  here  is  the  harvest  first,  and  the  vintage  afterwards  j  but  this 
is  the  harvest  of  judgment,  and  the  vintage  of  judgment.  The  same 
similes  are  used  some^mes  to  set  forth  a  rapid  succession  of  mercies ;  but 
here  it  is  evident  that  these  same  similes  are  used  to  set  forth  a  rapid 
suooeHsion  of  judgments;  their  condemnation  neither  lingered  nor 
slumbered. 

^  And  the  angel  thmst  in  his  sicUe  into  the  earth,  and  gathered  the  vine  of  the  earth ;" 
that  is,  of  the  land  of  Canaan ;  let  us  look  to  the  historical  meaning  of 
this,  and  after  we  have  got  the  historical  meaning,  we  can  look  at  it  in 
its  further  application  to  the  judgments  which  are  yet  to  come  j  "  and 
cast  it  into  the  great  wine-press  of  the  wrath  of  God." 

And  who  trod  that  wine-press  ?  Why,  the  Roman  armies  rolled  in 
upon  that  nation  as  upon  a  wine-press.  And  I  must  make  one  more 
remark  here,  firiends ;  that  as  they  had  perverted  God's  truth,  that  which 
they  thought  would  have  been  their  shield  and  their  protection  became 
a  snare,  a  trap,  unto  them ;  for  there  were  thousands  upon  thousands 
from  different  parts  of  the  land,  and  firom  foreign  lands  too,  gathered 

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304  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Oci.  2, 1A6& 

together  at  the  pasBOver.  Titus  then,  the  Roman  general,  saw  that  was 
hifl  time  to  roll  his  armies  in  upon  the  people  while  they  were  shut 
up  in  that  dty  ;  so  that  the  dty  became  a  wine-press;  the  Roman  arnuea 
rolled  in  and  tttxL  that  wine-press,  and  most  frightful,  most  dreadful, 
were  the  consequences.  And  yet  this  judgment  was  but  temporal,  and 
was  as  nothing,  the  Jews  being  thus  shut  up  in  their  own  city.  Ah  !  wha^ 
was  that  to  our  being  shut  up  in  hell,  when  all  our  sins,  infinitely  more 
mighty  than  Roman  armies,  will  roll  in  upon  our  guilty  souls,  and  thai 
for  ever  and  everf  Oh,  those  of  us  that  know  a  Saviour's  name, 
and  have  a  hope  in  God's  mercy,  we  may  well  say  with  the  i^KMstle,  that 
'*  he  hath  delivei-ed  us  fix)m  so  great  a  death,  and  in  whom  we  trust 
that  he  will  yet  deliver  us."  You  will  thus  see  that  these  things  are 
not  so  difficult  to  understand  as  is  generally  supposed* 

it  And  the  wine-proos  w«a  trodden  without  the  city,  and  blood  cune  out  of  the  wiae- 
pra«8,  even  unto  the  horse  bridles,  by  the  space  of  a  thousand  and  six  hundred 
furlongpk** 

If  you  reckon  this  up,  a  furlong  being  the  eighth  of  a  mile,  you  will 
find  that  this  was  much  about  the  length  of  the  land  of  Canaan ;  so  that 
it  seems  so  expressive  thereof,  and  the  blood  coming  to  the  horse 
bridles,  of  course,  is  expressive  of  the  dreadful  destruction  of  human 
life,  the  dreadful  deluge  of  blood,  which  then  occurred.  Nevertheless, 
while  it  thus  refers  by  its  limitation  to  the  whole  land  of  Canaan,  there 
is  another  view  you  must  take  of  it.  You  observe  that  while  the  measure- 
ment here  spoken  of  seems  to  refer  to  the  whole  length  of  the  land  of 
Canaan,  in  order  to  direct  our  minds  to  where  this  has  been  fulfilled, 
not  but  what  it  has,  as  I  have  hinted,  another  fulfilment  yet  to  meet; — 
you  observe  that  here  is  a  limitation;  it  went  a  thousand  and  six 
hundred  furlongs,  but  it  could  go  no  further.  You  will  always  see, 
that  as  the  enemy  is  limited  in  his  power,  so  the  judgments  of  Qod  are 
limited.  The  flood  cannot  enter  the  ark ;  the  angel  will  not  enter  the 
house  where  the  blood  is  sprinkled  on  the  side  posts  and  on  the  lintels  ; 
and  the  judgment  of  God  will  not  enter  into  the  house  whera  believing 
Rahab  is,  where  faithful  j^hab  is,  where  highly-honoured  and  blessed 
Raliab  is  ;  judgment  would  not  come  there ;  she  perished  not,  doing  by 
faith  all  that  was  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  the  blessed  God.  And  so  when 
Nebuchadnezzar  rolled  in  upon  Jerusalem,  we  find  that  he  could  not 
touch  those  that  belonged  to  the  Lord.  Thus  you  will  find  many 
instances  in  the  Bible  of  the  limitation  of  judgment.  The  fire  shall 
not  hurt  the  three  worthies;  the  lions  shall  not  touch  DanieL  The 
Lord  knoweth  how  to  deliver  His  people,  to  take  care  of  them,  and  keep 
them  as  the  apple  of  His  eye. 

Thus,  then,  these  judgments  represent,  in  the  first  place,  the  de- 
struction of  the  land  of  Canaan,  according  to  prediction ;  and  that, 
secondly,  they  represent  heavier  judgments  that  are  yet  to  come  upon 
those  that  shall  live  and  die  unacquainted  with  Jesus  Christ ;  and  thirdly, 
you  observe  that  here  is  a  limitation ;  that  these  judgments  cannot  go 
beyond  their  bounds.  And  so  it  is  said  of  the  saints,  that  no  plague 
shall  come  nigh  their  dwelling  :  '^  Only  with  thine  eyes  shalt  tfaiou  behold 
and  see  the  reward  of  the  wicked."  A  thousand  may  fall  at  their  side, 
and  ten  thousand  at  their  right  hand,  but  no  fieital  evil  shall  ever  be&ll 
them. 


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OofcS,  Wi  AND  CHSI8TIAN  RECORD.  306 

By  Jephtha. 

rv. — Jot  Among  Angels. 
Ah,  that  night  was  the  turning  point  in  the  histoiy  of  a  soul.  Satan's 
empire  in  a  human  heart  was  assailed  and  overthrown.  The  kingdom 
of  God  came  not  with  observation — silently,  unostentatiously,  wi*ought 
the  power ;  and  that  night  angels  beheld  One  Come  to  Life,  from  the 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  !  Yes,  that  night  one  of  the  wildest  hearts 
that  ever  beat  to  the  sound  of  wordly  pleasures  was  touched  by  the  hand 
of  Omnipotence ;  one  of  the  most  iron  wills  that  ever  rebelled  against 
the  authority  of  a  holy  God  was  paralyzed  before  Him ;  one  of  the  most 
thirsty  spirits  that  ever  sought  to  satisfy  its  cravings  from  this  world's 
broken  cisterns,  found  the  draught  of  creature  pleasure  pall  upon  the 
palate ;  one  spirit  buoyantly  sailing  down  the  stream  of  worldly  delights, 
was  stranded  upon  the  rocks  of  conviction  ;  one  harp,  which  had  hitherto 
•discoui'sed  its  sweetest  melody  in  praise  of  the  worldling's  joy,  found  its 
joyous  cadences  turned  into  a  solemn  wail,  slowly  stealing  through  the 
heart's  lone  chambers,  and  sounding  a  wild  dirge  of  penitential  sorrow. 
That  one  came  to  our  little  meeting  confessedly  for  the  purpose  of  glean- 
ing substance  upon  which  to  vent  its  sarcasm ;  all  the  artillery  of  the 
•carnal  mind  was  in  position  to  storm  the  feeble  instrumentality  raised 
for  the  defence  of  the  Gk>spel ;  the  shafts  of  ridicule  lay  impatient  upon 
the  bow-strings  of  nature's  pride,  ready  to  assail  the  truth  with  their 
fierce  and  deadly  shower. 

And  why  was  the  assault  not  made  ?  why  was  the  attack  aban- 
•doned  ?  Let  the  tongues  of  angels  tell  the  tale  who  saw  the  issue.  Let 
the  sons  of  light  who  watched  the  contest  tell,  how  one  glance  of  His 
«ye  caused  the  proud  spirit  to  quail ;  one  touch  of  His  hand  rent  the 
•caul  of  that  heart,  and  tore  the  veil  from  that  tmderstanding.  Instead 
•of  the  shafts  of  carnal  enmity  flying  at  the  heart  of  truth,  and  searching 
out  its  vitals,  the  arrows  of  conviction  were  sharp  in  the  heart  of  the 
King's  enemy ;  instead  of  the  sparks  of  creature-kindling  burning  up  and 
•consuming  the  truth,  the  light  of  Leaven  gleamed  into  that  soul,  and, 
like  another  Saul,  it  arose  from  the  place  where  the  Lord  met  it,  and 
saw  no  man.  In  that  mind  all  was  darkness,  in  that  heart  aJl  was  con- 
fusion— ^the  stronger  than  the  strong  had  come  and  taken  away  all  his 
armour  in  which  he  trusted ;  it  was  the  hour  of  God's  power  and  of  the 
•creature's  mercy ;  it  was  th«^  time  of  removal,  out  of  the  wilderness  of 
nature  and  condemnation,  into  the  garden  of  adoption  and  grace ;  it  was 
tile  hour  of  angels  rejoicing  over  an  heir  of  glory  bom  ;  the  time  when 
they  witnessed  another  gem  taken  from  the  pit  of  nature  to  adorn  the 
•diadem  of  Jesus,  and  sang  of  another  trophy  of  his  sovereign  power  and 
•grace,  of  another  brand  plucked  from  the  everlasting  burning.  Ah,  had 
I  but  known  this  as  I  pursued  my  way  over  that  lonely  down  on  that 
dark  desolate  night,  I  shoidd  not  have  sighed,  I  have  laboured  in  vain 
and  spent  my  strength  for  nought.  Methinks  the  assaults  of  the  enemy, 
:gtriving  to  insinuate  hard  thoughts  of  God  into  my  mind,  as  I  almost 
staggered  homeward  on  that  wild  night,  would  have  been  ineffectual  to 
ihave  marred  my  joy ;  and  even  I  should  have  lost  the  sense  of  desolation 
which  brooded  in  my  breast.  Nay,  could  I  but  have  known  what  angels 
.isaw,  I  too  should  have  joined  their  song  of  praise  which  celebrated  the|^ 


306  TSB  BABTHBN  VBBSEL,  Oct  2.  ISSfc 

marvels  of  His  grace.  Ah,  ye  who  talk  of  calling  dead  sumera  to 
belieye,  to  arise  to  come  to  Ohrist,  here  was  proof  that  Christ  comes  to 
the  sinner's  soul,  comes  to  dead  souls,  and  spesJcs  with  resurrection  power 
to  the  spirit  Then,  and  not  till  then,  will  there  ever  be  a  broken  heart. 
Such  was  the  issue  of  this  night's  work ;  from  this  came  not  the 
sickly  sentimental  profession  but  a  coming  out  of  the  world;  old  habits 
broken  off,  old  acquaintances  and  partners  in  sin  and  folly  forsaken,  and 
old  debts  paid,  until  the  question  was  bandied  about.  From  whoioe  so 
great  a  change  )  And  the  children  of  Qod  rejoiced  when  they  disoovered 
a  love  manifested  to  themselves  for  the  truth's  sake ;  in  that  soul  the 
lesson  of  the  heart's  total  depravity  was  slowly  unfolded ;  the  silent 
watches  of  the  night  were  witness  to  the  bended  knee;  the  yeanunga^ 
the  strugglings,  the  lispings  of  the  new-bom  principle  of  grace  which 
wrought  in  that  soul,  and  over  which  there  was  joy  in  the  presenoe  of 
the  angels  in  heaven.  O  ye  toiling  servants  of  the  Modt  High;  often 
weary  and  cast  down,  could  ye  but  see  with  the  vision  of  those  bti^t 
beings  for  one  moment,  you  might  behold  that  which  would  vuike 
your  souls  thrill  with  delight,  and  make  ye  gird  yourselves  afresh,  to  be 
instrumental  for  other  conquests,  and  the  gathering  in  of  the  outouts  of 
Zion.  Let  this  little  episode  in  the  history  of  an  unworthy  brother 
encourage  you,  as  it  did  myself  when  I  became  acquainted  with  it  some 
time  afterward ;  while  it  laid  me  in  the  dust,  caused^my  heart  to  adore  the 
grace  which  used  me  as  the  instrument  to  gather  one  of  His  hidden  ones^ 
and  fold  it  in  the  Visible  Church. 


v.— Thb  Study. 
How  many  persons  visited,  how  many  hours  employed,  how  many  meet- 
ings held,  how  many  attendants,  how  many  times  read  Scripture  and 
prayed,  how  many  sermons  preached,  how  many  times  visited  sick,  how 
those  who  departed  this  life  died,  how  many  persons  induced  to  attend 
public  worship,  how  many  hopdful  conversions,  how  many  tracts  given 
away — such  were  the  items  I  had  to  enter  in  the  journal  which  was  sent 
for  me  to  keep.  The  place  and  date  of  every  meeting,  and  the  visits  to 
be  specified,  and  such  journal  to  be  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  the 
committee  once  in  each  month.  I  laid  down  the  pen ;  it  was  a  question 
with  me  whether  I  should  throw  it  (the  journal)  back  into  the  portfolio 
or  into  the  fire.  Could  I  ever  continue  to  bear  this  as  a  cross  f  Did  not 
the  fiUing  of  it  up  prove  me  to  be  one  of  the  most  abject  slaves  of  an 
associated  despotism  9  My  soul  revolted  against  it ;  my  liberty  was 
gone ;  I  was  the  tool  of  a  party  instead  of  the  Lord's  free  man.  I  cast 
it  back  into  the  portfolio.  A  letter  was  brought  to  me  i-equesting  me  to 
make  a  report  of  my  services  to  lay  before  ti^e  committee,  in  order  to 
show  how  I  spent  my  time  t  Bondage  !  bondage !  bitter  bondage !  I 
sat  down  and  covered  my  &ce ;  truly  I  felt  the  galling  fetters.  I  knelt 
down  and  told  the  Lord  all  about  it.  I  had  accepted  the  call  to  the  post 
of  labour  which  I  occupied  from  a  love  to  \he  work;  I  had  fondly 
expected  that  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  Qod  would  have 
gladdened  the  hearts  of  the  Churdi  to  whidb  I  was  called  to  minister, 
the  articles  of  which  were  as  clear  as  noonday,  instead  of  which  I  foond 
a  very  nest  of  Arminianiam,  covetous  formality,  and  downright  woridH- 
ness;  and  with  the  exception  of  three  or  four  poor  old  nobodies,  stowed 
away  in  odd  comers,  whom  few  knew  and  fewer  noticed,  none  reoaved 
my  testmiony.     But  those  few  unknowns  rejoiced  in  liberation  from 

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Oct  2,  1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BECORD.  d07 

fetters  in  which  they  had  ]ong  been  held,  by  the  inaLdious  Arminian  mix- 
ture which  had  been  dealt  out  as  Crospel,  and  which,  while  it  puffed  up 
the  genteel  professor  and  ignorant  fonnalist|  starved  the  children  of  the 
kingdom,  and  kept  them  in  legal  bondage. 

But  the  repnted  props  and  pillars  of  the  Church  rejected  the  counsel 
of  Grod  against  themselyes,  sneered  about  hyper-Calvinism,  and  pro- 
claiaied  unblushingly  that  I  did  not  preach  to  sinners,  although  I  never 
had  any  other  class  in  view,  and  to  which  dass  the  Lord  had  taught 
me  that  I  belonged.  Marvellous  !  I  did  not  preach  to  sinners  I  Yet 
these  &stidious  gentry,  who  were  among  the  righteous,  could  not  accept 
the  Word,  whidi  they  declared  was  only  fit  for  sucL  I  told  the  Lord 
all  about  it,  and  b^ged  Him  to  show  me  whether  He  had  yet  a  purpose 
of  mercy  toward  that  Church.  I  yearned  over  it ;  I  would  be  spent 
for  it ;  and  long  did  I  struggle  before  the  Lord  for  it ;  and  could  those 
four  walls  become  vocal,  they  could  bear  testimony  to  many  such  struggle. 
Before  God  I  cast  myself  on  the  ground,  and  lay  there  before  Him,  but 
I  could  not  feel  one  grain  of  £edth  work  iu  my  heart.  One  word  seemed 
to  express  the  impression  on  my  mind ;  and  that  word — I  shrink  as  I 
write  it — ^was  ICHABOD  ;  and  I  felt  as  I  arose  that  it  had  a  name  to 
live,  and  was  dead. 

Various  were  the  ways  in  which  feeling  was  expressed  toward  me. 
Those  who  had  conveyances,  and  formerly  carried  the  preacher  back  to 
the  station  nearest  their  residence,  several  miles  distance,  suddenly 
became  advocates  for  pedestrian  exercise,  and  manifested  more  sjrmpathy 
for  their  horses  than  the  poor  preacher.  One  exceedingly  great  pillar 
of  the  church  compelled  his  family  to  walk  to  chapel,  a  distance  of  three 
miles,  on  one  of  ^e  stormiest  Sabbaths  in  mid-winter,  when  I  had  to 
preach  at  the  station  near  his  house,  in  order,  as  he  expressed  himself  to 
a  friend  afier  his  own  heart,  not  to  begin  it  with  me — meaning,  that  ho 
would  walk,  and  I  must  do  the  same ;  and  after  which  exploit  he  had 
wife,  daughters,  and  himself  laid  up,  and  a  medical  man  quartered 
upon  his  household,  and  enjoyed,  no  doubt,  the  intelligence  that  his 
carefully  kept  horse  ate  his  hay  with  his  accustomed  relish.  All  this 
passed  before  my  mind  as  I  leaned  back  in  my  chair,  in  a  state  of  moody 
abstraction,  by  that  little  study  fire,  weary,  spent,  worn  down,  exhausted 
by  exposure  to  the  weather,  and  preaching  almost  every  night  in  the 
week.  Could  it  be  that  the  Lord  had  brought  me  here  ?  Would  He  not 
have  given  evidence  thereof  if  it  had  been  so  f  Ah,  poor  blind  humanity ; 
my  eyes  were  too  crooked  to  look  along  the  straight  lines  of  God's  pro- 
vidence. I  knew  myself  to  be  the  theme  of  the  professing  churches 
around ;  preached  against,  talked  against,  and  wrought  against.  I  stood 
a  mark  and  a  butt  for  the  Pharisee's  venom  and  the  Arminian's 
hatred;  the  doctrines  of  grace  which  were  dear  to  my  heart, 
which  I  had  felt  experimentally  to  be  true,  were  branded  as 
abominable  doctrines,  most  awful  teachings;  and  gentle  professors 
denounced  me  as  impostor,  Antimonian,  deceiver,  and  prophesied  that 
QoA  would  make  an  example  of  me.  Aye,  and  all  this  uttered  in  the 
hearing  and  silent  approval  of  a  minister  of  long  standing,  professing 
great  love  and  anxie^  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  little  church  of 
which  I  had  the  oversight.  Poor,  poor  heart,  how  it  heaved  I  Ah,  I 
was  as  a  sparrow  alone  upon  the  house  top.  But  this  would  not  do ;  I 
must  at  it.  Again,  another  meeting,  and  that  upon  the  scene  of  a  modem  . 
revival. 

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308  THE  EARTHEN  VBaSBL,  Oct  %  188& 


THE  HARVEST. 

By  Pastor  W«  Frith,  Bexlet  Hkath. 

The  inspired  penman  has  said,  **  Everything  is  beautiAil  in  its  season, '^ 
and  the  sanctified  observation  of  the  Christian  cannot  but  assent  to  the 
same.  The  season  of  harvest  presents  extensive  scope  for  pious  reflec- 
tion. In  it  we  observe  Divine  Sovereignty,  Divine  Mercy,  and  Divine 
Bounty. 

The  sovereignty  is  seen  in  the  fact,  that  the  covenant  of  Noah, 
which  insures  it,  was  made  by  Jehovah  as  the  Sovereign  of  the  unirerse. 
He  insured  a  perpetual  harvest  when  He  might  have  insured  a' perpetual 
desolation,  without  violating  the  sanctity  of  His  justice ;  and  ever  since 
the  declaration  of  that  covenant  sovereignty  has  ruled,  more  or  less,  in 
every  harvest  For,  although  the  industrious  husbandman  does  expect 
a  good  crop  after  his  toils,  and  in  general  has  one,  yet  we  see  that  he 
does  not  always  secure  it ;  because,  though  God  generally  "  reserves 
unto  us  the  appointed  weeks  of  harvest,"  yet  sometimes  ''  He  with- 
holdeth  the  rain  (as  Amos  says)  when  there  ai%  but  three  months  to 
the  harvest ;"  causes  it  to  rain  upon  one  city,  and  upon  one  field, 
and  not  upon  another;  and  "  withholdeth  the  rain  in  the  time  of 
the  latter  rain;"  and  makes  the  earth  like  the  summits  of  Gilboa, 
**  for  the  iniquity  of  them  that  dwell  therein,"  to  show  us  that  "  aU 
our  springs  are  in  Him." 

Divine  Mercy  is  also  seen  in  the  harvest.  All  that  any  man 
receives  this  side  "  the  blackness  and  darkness  for  ever,"  must  be  of 
the  nature  of  a  mercy.  Life  continued  and  life  sustained  is  a  mercy, 
for  "  His  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works."  Indeed,  it  is 
through  mercy  that  the  world  stands  at  all  afler  man's  apostasy.  Thus, 
the  cup  of  cold  water,  the  ciiist  of  bread,  the  cottage  home,  the  cmae 
of  oil,  the  flowing  brook,  the  vital  breath ; — all,  all  are  merdeB. 
But,  O  how  infinitely  better  are  those  "  sure  mercies  of  David,"  by 
which  we  **  eat  and  five  for  ever  ! "  O,  is  that  our  portion  ?  Do  we 
**  eat  of  ^the  finest  of  the  wheat"  produced  by  the  sufferings  of  a 
crucified  Redeemer  1  This  harvest  "truly  is  great."  "  The  bams  are 
filled  with  plenty,"  for  ''  it  hath  pleased  the  Father  that  in  Him 
should  all  fulness  dwell." 

Divine  Bounty  must  also  be  visible  in  the  harvest-home.  Qo  to 
the  fields  of  Boaz  in  Bethlehem,  and  there  you  see  "  enough  and  to 
spare."  There  is  "  barley  harvest  and  wheat  harvest ;"  there  are 
"  handfuls  of  purpose,"  and  '^  shocks  of  com  fully  ripe;"  reapers  busy, 
and  Ruths  gleaning,  and  all  indicating  a  plenitude  which  is  the  p&pring 
of  the  Divine  Bounty.  Not  an  ear  picked  up  by  the  industrious  fin- 
gers of  the  pious  and  dutiful  Ruth  but  is  the  gift  of  His  liberal  hand, 
who  **  giveth  us  rain  from  heaven  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  our  souls 
with  food  and  gladness." 

0,  who  will  not  "  praise  the  Lord  for  His  goodness,  and  for  His 
wonderful  works  to  the  diildren  of  men  f  Shall  we  not  say  for  these 
and  all  other  mercies,  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  kot 

ALL  HIS   BENEFITS  r 


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309 


(itti[  (Ihuimfoa,  (Bur  ^uim,  and  m  g^jlit- 


OPENING   OF   THE   NEW  SURREY  TABERNACLE. 


THE    OPENING    DAY. 
TuBSDAT,  Sbpt.  lOxn,  1865. 

Thb  19th  of  September,  1865,  will  ever 
be  a  memorable  deij  with  the  Strict  Bap- 
tistB  of  England.  It  was  the  openine 
day  of  the  largest  and  noblest  chapel 
connected  with  that  body ;  and  aa  such 
was  worthy  to  be  remembered.  Although 
the  time  for  commencing  the  serrice  was 
not  till  half-past  eleren,  yet  so  early  as 
nine  o'clock,  persons  began  to  gather 
round  the  building ;  and  by  the  courtesy 
of  Mr.  John  Carr,  one  of  the  deacons,  we 
were  shown  over  the  whole  of  the  building, 
a  description  of  which  will  be  found  in 
another  column. 

The  mornine  was  beautifully  fine  ;  the 
flky  was  cloudQess ;  the  sun  shone  forth 
with  brilliancy  and  warmth ;  and  every- 
thing in  nature  favoured  the  occasion. 
Just  as  we  had  finished  our  view  of  the 
building,  Mr.  Wall,  the  pastor  of  the 
Oravesend  chuseh  arrived,  and  expressed 
himself  much  gnitified  with  the  place. 
Next  came  Mr.  jButt,  the  Secretary ;  and 
afterwards,  durins  the  succeeding  ser- 
Tices,  we  noticed  the  following  breUirea : 


Mr.  Anderson,  of  Deptford ;  Mr.  William 
Palmer,  of  Plaistow ;  Mr.  Steed,  of  Shad- 
well  ;  Mr.  W.  Frith,  of  Bexley ;  Mr. 
Webster,  of  Stepney ;  Mr.  Silverton,  now 
at  Trinity  street ;  Mr.  Higham,  of  Cam- 
den Town  ;  Mr.  Parsons,  of  Brentford ; 
Mr.  .Tohn  Corbitt,  of  Norwich ;  Mr.  Geo. 
Webb,  of  Somers  Town,  and  his  brother 
William ;  Mr.  R.  G.  Edwards,  of  Sutton, 
Isle  of  Ely ;  Mr.  Heniy  Hanks,  of  Wool- 
wich ;  Mr.  Samuel  Cozens  ;  Mr.  Chivers, 
of  Bermondsey;  Dr.  Allen,  the  Rector  of 
St.  George's,  Southwark;  Mr.  Lamboum, 
of  West  End,  Chobham;  Mr.  Comfort,  of 
Ramsgate;  C.  W.  Banks,  the  Editor  of 
the  "E.  V.;"  Mr.  Benjamin  Davis, 
of  Greenwich ;  Mr.  J.  A.  Jones,  of  East 
road;  the  Venerable  Mr.  Henshaw,  of 
Watford ;  Mr.  C.  Drawbridge,  of  Welling- 
borough ;  Mr.  Rowe,  of  Mansion  House 
chapel,  Camberwell ;  Mr.  Harris,  of  Bunt- 
ingford ;  Mr.  Glaskin,  of  Brighton ;  Mr. 
C.  A»lop;  Mr.  W.  Wilson,  of  Risley; 
Mr.  Puntis,  of  Southampton;  Mr.  R. 
Searle,  of  Two  Waters;  Mr.  Nichols, 
Editor  of  2Ron'B  Trumpet;  Luke  Snow, 
of  Wimbledon ;  Thomas  Stringer,  of 
Stepney ;  Mr.  Baker,  of  ChelmondiBton ; 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Oct2,186& 


Mr.  Henry  Hall,  of  Clapham ;  Mr.  Lodge, 
of  Shoredit:^;  Mr,  Wise,  of  Fimlioo; 
Mr.  P.  W.  Willianuon,  of  Notting-hill ; 
Mr.  Drake,  of  SUunes ;  and  many  other 
ministers,  whom,  possibly,  we  have 
omitted.  Among  the  lay  friends  we  no- 
ticed :  Henry  Carr,  of  Brighton ;  Thomas 
Focoek,  sen. ;  Albert  Eoulden ;  Geo.  Thos. 
Congrere,  of  Peckham;  J.  C.  Johnson, 
Esq.,  Mayor  of  Gateshead-on-Tyne ;  Mr. 
Jens,  of  Richmond;  Mr.  Beach,  of 
Chelmsford ;  Mr.  Jackson,  of  Peckham ; 
Mr.  Fielding;  Elijah  Packer;  and 
deacons'  and  members  of  chnrcfaM  in 
nearly  every  part  of  England. 

At  half-hast  eleven,  Mr.  WelU  wait 
introduced  to  the  pnlpit  by  Mr.  Pooock ; 
and  the  platform  was  then  filled  with 
ministerial  brethren.  Mr.  Carr  gave  out 
the  154th  hymn,  after  which,  T&.  Weill 
read  and  expounded  the  127th  Ftalm. 
Mr.  £.  Butt  gave  out  the  second  hymn ; 
and  Mr.  WeUs  fbllowed  with  tha  first 
sermon  in  the  Hew  Tabemade.  Tha 
text  chosen  was  fimm  Mieah  iv.  8»  "  The 
kingdom  shall  coma  to  the  daughter 
of  .^msilem."  In  the  coune  of  the  ser- 
mon, the  preacher  stated  the  doetrines 
that  would  be  promulgated  in  that  plaee ; 
and  a  general  view  of  the  principles  held 
by  the  church  there.  The  discourse  was 
listened  to  with  much  attention  by  the 
vast  concourse  of  people  who  crowded  the 
building  from  end  to  end.  This  sermon 
will  be  printed  verbatim. 

After  the  morning  service,  about  four 
hundred  friends  dined  together  in  the 
larse  vestry,  and  other  rooms  connected 
wim  the  place.  In  the  sftemoon,  at 
three  o'clock,  the  place  was  again  filled 
to  hear  Mr.  John  Corbitt,  of  Norwich, 
deliver  a  discourse  from  the  words, 
"  And  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are 
reputed  as  nothing ;  and  he  doeth  accord- 
ing to  his  will  in  tne  army  of  heaven,  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  and 
none  can  stay  his  hand,  or  say  unto  him, 
What  doest  thou  ?"  (Dan.  iv.  35.J  Mr. 
Corbitt  appeared  to  enjoy  oonsiaerable 
liberty  in  showing  the  plan  of  salvation 
from  these  words.  And  many  eiy'oyed 
the  word  as  delivered  by  him. 

Tea  was  supplied  aa  well  as  it  was  pos- 
sible to  do  to  such  a  multitude  of  people, 
and  such  friends  as  could  not  get  proper 
attention  were  better  pleased  than  if  they 
had  recei7ed  every  consideration,  seeine 
they  were  happy  in  the  thought  that  such 
a  multitude  hiul  fathered  to  rejoice  with 
them  in  their  taking  possession  of  their 
new  house  of  praise. 

If,  as  we  said,  at  the  morning  service, 
the  place  was  crowded,  we  haraly  know 
what  words  we  are  to  use,  to  tell  the 
number   of  people    that   were    densely 


packed  in  the  place  at  the  evening  ser- 
vice. Hundreds  went  away  who  could 
not  get  near  the  doors.  After  the  silk- 
ing and  prayer,  Mr.  Wdls  enounced  hw 
text,  (Gen.  xv.  6),  "  And  he  believed  in 
the  Lord,  and  he  counted  it  to  him  for 
righteousness."  This  discourse  will  also 
be  published.  As  an  appropriate  dose  to 
the  first  day's  proceedings,  those  beautiful 
verses  ending — 

**  A  day's  mareb  nearer  home," 
were  sung  by  the  standing  multitude. 
Thus  closed  the  first  day ;  and  the  people 
seeoMd  loath  to  leave  the  courts  of  the 
Lord's  house,  fior  long  after  the  service, 
they  lingered  about,  oongratnlating  one 
another  upon  the  evident  manifest  good- 
ness with  whidi  the  Lord  had  crowned  the 
labours  of  the  Church  and  pastor  of  the 
New  Suziey  Tabemacie^ 

THE   PUBLIC   MEETING. 

WlDHMDAT,  SVT.  20rH. 

Ths  services  were  continued  on  Wed- 
nesday afternoon,  when  a  sermon  was  de- 
livered by  Mr.  C.  Dimwbsidge,  of  WeUing- 
boroueh,  from  (be  words,  *'  The  GloDons 
Gospel  of  the  blessed  God."  A  vis( 
concourse  of  friends  again  gaAend  t» 
tea ;  and  before  the  public  mffeting  com- 
raeneed  in  the  evening,  the  place  was  aa 
full  as  on  the  previous  day.  At  half-past 
six,  the  meeting  was  opened  by  singing 
the  well-known  hymn — 

**  God  moves  in  a  mysteriods  way. 

Hill  wondors  to  perform ; 
He  plants  bis  footsteps  io  the  ass. 

And  rides  upon  the  storm." 

Mr.  Thomas  STxuiaiB  offered  prayer. 

Mr.  Wells  then  introduced  the  Mayor 
of  Gateshead,  J.  C.  Jomfsoir,  Esq.,  who 
presided  over  the  meeting  in  a  most  aUe 
and  Christian  manner. 

The  Chauuiah  said  he  had  been  in- 
vited by  the  committee  and  Mr.  Wells,  not 
so  much  because  he  was  Mayor  of 
Gateshead,  but  because  he  belieted  and 
loved  the  same  truths  as  they  did.  He 
should  have  felt  it  an  honour  to  b» 
there  as  an  obscure  individual,  but  still  he 
appreciated  their  kindness  in  asking  him 
to  preside  over  such  a  large  audience  of 
God-fearing  persons.  More  than  thirty 
years  ago  he  went  to  the  Old  Snner 
Tabernacle  as  a  very  humble  individual 
He  was  seeking  for  something  he  could 
not  describe;  a  somethiuff  he  did  not 
possess ;  and  there  the  Lord  was  pleased 
to  supply  that  need ;  and  to  bum  mto  his 
soul  those  truths  which  the  preacher 
even  at  that  day  so  powei^Eully  delivered. 
For  this  reason,  he  always  took  a  lively 
interest  in  their  progress,  and  was  alwaya 
rejoiced  to  hear  of  their  prosperity.    He 


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au 


waa  also  b^idzed  in  the  Old  8uney 
Tabenuude;  joined  the  church  there,  and 
walked  for  some  yean  in  feUcwship  with 
the  saints;  and  those  truths  which  he 
heard  there  had  been  the  sheet  anchor  of 
his  soul:  they  had  kept  him  ficom  the 
temptations  and  the  snares  of  the  world; 
and  they  had  sustained  him  in  every  po- 
sition ;  and  he  beliered  they  had  laid  the 
foundation,  not  only  of  his  spiritual,  but 
also  of  his  temporal  prosperity.  He  might 
just  be  allowed  to  say,  respecting  the 
building,  theT  were  now  showing  a  bold 
front;  and  having  some  knowled^  of 
architecture,  ha  could  only  say,  that  in  bR 
his  travels,  he  had  never  seen  a  chapel 
that  came  so  near  his  idea  of  perfection 
as  the  place  in  whidi  they  were  met ;  and, 
in  conclusion,  he  trusted  the  minister 
would  be  spared  maov  years  yet,  and  that 
his  voice  mi^t  be  heard  by  thousands 
who  should  be  brought  to  know  and  re- 
ceive the  same  srace  that  they  had 
themselves  receivea  and  rejoiced  in. 

The  SacsKABT  was  then  called  upon  to 
read  the  report  of  the  Building  Commit- 
tee, from  which  we  gather  the  follow- 
ing:— 

*'  Erom  the  time  of  their  appointment, 
the  committee  have  held  upwaras  of  fifty 
meetings,  besides  six  of  their  number  act- 
ing as  a  sub-committee,  who  ha?e  devoted 
much  time  and  attention  in  looking  at  the 
materials  used,  and  steadily  watching  the 
progress  of  the  building  in  all  its  depart- 
ments. We  cannot  pass  over  our  fnend 
Mr.  J.  Beach,  who  may  be  said  to  have 
acted  as  an  overseer  of  the  works,  and  is 
well  deserving  the  thanks  of  the  whole 
eongregation.  We  cannot  at  present  state 
the  entire  cost  of  evervthing  connected 
vnth  the  erection,  but  all  has  been  done 
with  an  eye  to  economy,  as  wellas  to  the 
comfort  and  convenbnce  of  those  who  are 
to  occupy  it  The  seats  are  cushioned 
throughout,  without  any  additional  ex- 
pense to  the  seat-holders.  We  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  whole  will  not 
exceed  the  sum  first  estimated,  £10,000. 
The  stained  glass  window,  with  the  de- 
sign of  the  dove  returning  with  an  olive 
leaf,  is  the  giit  of  one  of  your  committee, 
with  his  earnest  desire  that  peace  and 
prosperity  may  long  reign  within  these 
walls.  The  dock  was  presented  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  who  has  received  much 
benefit  from  the  ministry.  The  Bible,  for 
the  pulpit,  is  the  present  of  another  mem- 
ber of  the  church.  When  this  enterprise 
was  first  started  it  was  thought,  as  our 
minister  had  been  the  means  of  assisting 
many  causes  in  town  and  countrv  by  his 
labours,  that  application  miobt  be  made 
to  them  to  allow  nim  to  preadi  and  make 
collections  for  the  olgect.  This  was  cheer- 


fully done  bjT  fourteen  churches ;  but  tho 
deacons  fearing  that  this  would  entail  a 
burden  and  an  amount  of  labour,  as  well 
as  lay  Mr.  Wells  under  obligations,  aban- 
doned the  idea;  while  at  the  same  time 
we  thank  those  churches  who  kindly  aided 
us,  the  amount  raised  being  ;£71  lOs.  lid. 
Our  ladies  undertook  to  collect  weekly ; 
thev  have  laboured  hard  and  efifectualiy 
and  though  some  times  discouraged  the^ 
have  persevered,  and  the  results  of  their 
twenty-four  monthly  payments  have  rea^ 
lised  the  sum  of  £2J»kk  Many  of  our 
voung  fHends  aided,  by  the  means  of  col- 
lecting  cards,  which  has  brought  in  £280. 
Other  friends  preferred  giving  donations 
at  specified  periods ;  and  some  have  acted 
as  in  olden  times,  bringing  the  results  of 
the  first-fmiU  of  their  catUe,  and  the  first- 
fruits  of  their  vineyards  and  fields,  as  their 
various  businesses  have  prospered,  to  the 
amount  of  £2,828  3s.  Id.  In  May  last, 
the  Worshipful  Company  of  Pishmongera 
voted  from  their  funds  the  sum  of  One 
Hundred  Guineas.  The  members  of  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle  Benefit  Society  have 
voluntarily  subscribed  in  caah  and  pro- 
nuses  the  sum  of  £116  8s.  8d.,  in  conside- 
ration of  their  having  had  the  use  of  the 
vestry,  fire,  and  obba,  for  so  many  years 
free  of  expense.  The  deacons  having  ac- 
cepted an  offer  from  the  Congregational 
Chapel  Building  Society,  for  tl^  purchaso 
of  the  remaindOT  of  the  lease  of  the  Old 
Tabernacle;  the  proceeds,  when  received, 
will  bepassed  to  the  BuildingFundaoceunt. 
The  whole  results  have  fiir  exceeded  our 
moet  sanguine  expectations.  The  com. 
mittee  considered  it  desirable  to  raise  by 
way  of  loan  the  sum  of  £2,000,  repayable 
at  12  months  £rom  the  25th  of  August, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  5  per  cent  per 
annum.  They  at  once  raised  among  them- 
selves  £1,000,  and  applied  to  a  few  of 
the  friends,  who  completed  the  loan  in 
less  than  a  week ;  more  being  freely  of- 
fered than  was  required.  Your  commit- 
tee feel  this  a  favourable,  opportunity  of 
sympathising  with  our  esteemed  minister, 
for  It  may  indeed  be  said  that  he  has 
borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day ; 
and  when  real  work  called  for  untiring 
workers,  he  sustained  the  brunt  of  the 
battle,  and  has  lived  to  see  the  accomplish- 
ment of  what  his  heart  was  set  upon— 
a  noble  structure  for  the  worship  of  God. 
This  Tabemade  is  erected  as  a  testimony 
of  love  and  esteem  for  the  pastor,  and 
stands  as  an  honour  to  the  people  with 
whom  he  is,  and  has  been  so  long  asso- 
ciated, and  who  has  thus  set  an  example 
to  the  whole  body  of  Strict  BapbsU 
throughout  the  metropolis,  and  is  a  prac- 
tical Ulustration  of  the  power  of  the  vo- 
luntary pnndple.    We  say  sincerely  and 


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THE  EAItTHBN  VES8BL, 


Oot2,lM& 


sffectionatelj  to  bim  who  has  thns  la- 
boured from  the  foncstion  of  the  chuTch 
of  twenty  indiridnals,  •  Though  thy  be- 
ginning wat  small,  yet  thy  latter  end  shall 
greatly  increase.'  And  on  looking  at  what 
Sie  Lord  has  done,  and  what  we  trust  He 
will  yet  do,  does  not  each  whose  heart  the 
Lord  hath  touched  say, '  I  beseech  thee,  0 
Lord,  send  now  prosperity,  and  long  may 
he  be  spared  to  proclaim  within  these  walls 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  We 
conclude  with  the  prayer  of  Solomon,  be- 
liering  it  to  be  the  humble  desire  of  the 
church,  of  the  congregation,  and  of  this 
meeting,  '  That  thine  eyes  may  be  open 
towards  this  house  night  and  day,  even 
toward  the  place  of  which  Thou  hast  said, 
Hy  name  shall  be  there,  that  thou  mayest 
hearken  unto  the  prayer  which  thy  servant 
shall  make  toward  this  place.    Amen.' " 

Mr.  Cabr,  the  treasurer,  then  gave  the 
financial  statement  of  the  Buildine  Fund ; 
remarking,  that,  with  the  jC2,000l)orrow- 
ed,  they  saw  their  way  quite  clear ;  they 
would  want  the  assistance  of  the  ladies 
for  one  or  two  years,  when  he  hoped 
they  would  be  able  to  write  the  debt  clear 
off.  He  was  sure  all  the  friends  who  had 
engaged  in  the  undertaking  must  be  highly 
pleased  at  the  result ;  and  he  felt;  confi- 
dent, had  the  work  been  double,  he,  and 
all  those  who  had  been  employed  in  it, 
would  have  been  adequate  to  the  task ; 
and  the  meetings  of  Tuesday  and  Wednes- 
day would  well  repay  them  for  any  amount 
of  toil  they  might  hare  spent  in  so  excel- 
lent a  cause.  They  now  were  in  possession 
of  a  building  that  was  an  honour  to  the 
land,  and  would  be,  he  hoped,  of  great 
use  to  them,  to  their  children,  and  their 
children's  children. 

Mr.  Sax'jbl  Conns  said  he  felt  thankful 
for  an  opportunity  of  expressing  his  sym- 
pathy with  the  morement.  He  had  known 
their  good  minister  for  twenty-three  years, 
and  had  been  much  blessed  under  the 
Word  as  delivered  by  him ;  and  he  cotdd 
rejoice  with  their  chairman  in  the  pros- 
perity that  had  attended  the  church.  He 
then  moved  the  following  resolution: 
'*  That  this  meeting  desires  to  express  its 
sympathy  on  this  occasion  with  the  pas- 
tor, the  church,  and  congregation  of  the 
Surrey  Tabernacle;  and  rejoices  at  the 
success  which  has  attended  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel  for  so  long  a  period ;  and 
earnestly  prays  that  the  Lora  ma^  still 
bless  the  Word  to  the  ingathering  of  many 
souls."  He  was  sure  such  a  resolution 
needed  no  comment  from  him.  Should  he 
«ver  return  ftfym  Australia,  he  hoped  to 
see  the  chapel  extended  and  enlarged. 
They  were  not  such  narrow-minded  souls 
«8  some  people  might  suppose,  and  they 
had  no  desire  to  be  shut  up  in  the  comeis 


and  out  of  the  way  places  of  the  land.  H« 
hoped  the  Lord  w^d  abundantly  bleM 
them  in  their  new  sphere  of  labour. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Joiras,  in  seconding  thenso- 
lution,  said  that,  notwithstanding  his 
great  age,  he  was  present  to  expreaa  his 
great  Christian  regard  for  the  pastor  and 
the  church  there.  He  was  present  at  the 
laying  of  the  foundation-stone,  and  after- 
wards addressed  a  large  meeting  in  the  old 
place.  They  had  his  most  hearty  sym- 
pathy; and  he  hoped  the  Lord  would 
abundantly  prosper  them  in  thor  new 
habitation. 

Mr.  JoHic  CoRBrrr  moved — "  That  this 
meeting  rpjoices  at  the  success  which  has 
attend^  the  erection  of  this  new  place  of 
worship,  and  earnestly  desires  that  it  may 
be  the  means  of  the  further  extension  of 
the  glorious  Gospel."  He  ftilly  and  heartily 
concurred  in  the  sentiments  expressed  in 
the  resolution,  and  sincerely  prayed  that 
the  Lord  would  help  them  in  every  sense ; 
and  should  thev  at  any  time  need  his  ser- 
vices, he  would  alwa;^s  be  wilUng  to  serve 
them  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 

Mr.  Charles  Drawbridok,  in  second- 
ing the  resolution,  made  a  few  impropriate 
remarks  on  the  occasion,  and  said  he  be- 
lieved that  this  was  only  the  beffinning  of 
greater  things  yet  to  follow.  They  had 
his  best  wishes  and  prayers  that  snch 
miffht  be  the  case. 

The  CnAiRXAn,  before  putting  the  reso- 
lution to  the  meetins,  saia  there  was  canes 
for  thankfulness  that  no  £ital  accident 
had  occurred  in  raising  the  building ;  an 
accident  happened,  but  the  person  he  was 
happy  to  say  had  recovered 

Mr.  Strinorr  moved  the  next  resolu- 
tion :  *'  That  the  thanks  of  this  meeting 
are  due,  and  are  hereby  presented  to  the 
ladies,  for  the  devoted  way  in  which  they 
have  laboured  in  the  present  undertaking." 
He  considered  it  a  great  credit  to  the  Bap- 
tist denomination  Siat  the  minister  who, 
he  might  say,  stood  at  their  head,  had  been 
enabled  with  his  people  to  erect  such  a 
building.  Whatever  place  the  Israelites 
had  for  the  ark  to  be  Drought  into  under 
the  Old  Testament  dispensation,  they 
never  brought  a  new  ark  in,  but  alwa;p 
the  old  one;  and  so  it  would  be  witii  ms 
brother  Wells;  althou^  he  had  a  new 
tabernacle  still  he  was  sure  it  would  be 
the  old  gospeL  For  the  very  excellent 
way  in  which  the  ladies  had  woriced,  he 
was  certain  the  meeting  would  heartily 
concur  irith  the  resolution  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  moving. 

C.  W.  Bakks,  in  seconding  tiie  resolu- 
tion, said  he  desired  to  congratulate  tiie 
pastor,  the  church,  and  the  ooogrcgation, 
upon  this  important  occasion,  an  ooea- 
sion  that  had  excited  interest  througfaost 


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AND  CHEI^IAN  RBOORD. 


31$ 


Eoglsnd.  After  the  semeee  of  Tneeday, 
nuinben  of  penona  from  all  parte  of  the 
country  had  shaken  him  heartily  by  the 
hand,  and  he  was  astonished  to  find  that 
hretluren  whom  he  had  met  in  nearly  every 
county  in  England  had  come  up  to  be 
present  at  these  senrioes.  Some  said  they 
bad  heard  of  it  in  the  Vxsssl,  and  had 
come  to  see  it  for  tbemselyes;  he  had 
spoken  with  friends  from  Lancashire, 
from  Lincolnshire,  from  Yorkshire,  from 
the  home  counties ;  and  when  they  came 
and  saw  for  themselre^,  like  the  Queen 
of  Sheba,  they  said,  **The  half  was  not 
told  us  ;*'  and  they  praised  God  for  his 
goodness.  He  was  to  second  a  resolution 
thankinff  the  ladies,  and  he  belieredwhat 
they  had  done  had  been  in  lore  to  Christ. 
When  Kahab  sent  out  the  spies  it  was  in 
love — in  lore  to  (xod,  to  his  people,  and 
to  his  cause*;  and  in  building  this  noble 
structure,  he  believed  the  same  love  had 
actuated  them  all.  They  had  done  it 
nobly ;  they  had  done  it  honourably ;  they 
had  done  it  successfullv;  and  the  Lord's 
blessiuji;  would  now  be  found.  After 
po'eaohing  in  Hertfordshire  a  few  days 
since,  a  poor  man  came  to  him  and  said, "  I 
love  James  Wells ;  I  love  his  work ;  and  I 
have  saved  a  half-sovereign,  as  I  want  to 
buy  a  slate  in  the  New  Tabernacle ;  so 
take  this  half-sovereign,  and  give  it  to 
him;  and  may  God  bless  him,  and 
strengthen  him  ;  and  tell  him  to  fear  not, 
for  God  will  brinff  it  to  pass."  He  called 
that  a  free-gracehalf-sovereign.  He  was 
sure  the  Lord  was  with  them  ;  and  would 
bless  the  ladies,  the  minister,  the  people, 
and  all  connected  therewith. 

Mr.  Jaxbs  Weu.8  said  they  were  h*ppy 
in  seeing  such  a  number  of  ministers 
there.  Se  was  glad  he  had  not  been  asked 
to  speak  that  eveniuff  as  the  meeting  had 
been  almost  too  much  for  him :  had  he  not 
witnessed  what  he  then  saw  he  could 
never  have  believed  that  by  the  simple  in- 
strumentality of  honestly  and  decidedly 
preaching  the  Gospel,  they  could  have 
arrived  at  what  they  bad.  Respecting  the 
**  Bahab"  sermon,  he  began  to  think  at 
one  time,  thej  should  not  have  many  at 
the  communion  service  on  the  following 
evening  from  other  churches ;  but  happily 
he  found  great  numbers  clearly  under- 
stood his  meaning,  and  that  meaning  was 
right ;  and  until  they  eould  convince  him 
from  the  Bible  that  he  was  wrong,  ha 
would  not  give  up  one  sentence  in  that 
sermon.  James,  the  Lord's  brother, 
says,  that  Rahab  sent  the  messengers  out 
"  another  way  ;'*  but  if  she  had  said  they 
were  there,  they  oertainlv  would  have  been 
slain.  She  saved  their  lives  by  thus  oon- 
eei&ling  them,  and  vsed  Uwiul  evasioo,  not 
criminal  falsehood ;  and  the  Holy  Ghoit 


declares  that  she  was  justified.  He  would 
just  mention  that  one  minister  who  stands 
strongly  against  him,  some  time  since  gave 
an  opinion  on  Sunday  travelling;  that 
note  was  in  Tu  Ea&thxk  Vsssbl,  and 
it  justified  Sunday  travelling  if  the  motive 
was  good.  Now  he  wanted  to  know  where 
the  difference  lav :— Is  not  the  command- 
ment to  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  a 
moral  commandment?  And  there  is  no 
Scripture  that  justifies  Sunday  travelling; 
but  James  Wells  has  a  scripture  to  tell 
him  that  Kahab  was  justified.  After  some 
remarks  on  the  new  baptistry,  which  he 
hoped  would  often  be  opened ;  and  some 
kind  words  to  the  chairman,  Mr.  Wells 
introduced  to  the  meeting — 

Mr.  SiLVKRTOir.  at  present  supplying 
at  Trinity  street,  Borough,  who  expressed 
the  pleasure  he  felt  in  being  associated 
with  his  brother  Wells,  snd  he  hoped  aa 
long  as  his  life  was  spared  to  preach  the 
same  truths  as  Mr.  Wells  haa  done  for 
many  years.  He  felt  happy  in  seeing 
such  a  house  raised  for  tlM  worship  dT 
God,  where  the  truth  would  be  preacned, 
and  in  whose  pulpit  there  would  be  no 
free-will  or  dury-frith  men.  He  had 
much  pleasure  in  moving  a  vote  of  thanka 
to  their  excellent  Chairman. 

Mr.  Butt  seconded  the  vote,  which  was 
carried  unanimously;  and  after  singing 
and  prayer,  was  brought  to  a  dose  one  <^ 
the  turgest,  most  eothusiasticj  and  sue- 
ceasfkd  meetings  ever  held  in  London 
connected  with  the  Strict  Baptist  demon- 
stration. 

The  oollectiotts  and  donations  on  Tues- 
day and  Wednesday  amounted  to  £750. 

At  the  close  of  that  most  glorious 
meeting  at  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle,  on 
Wednesday  evening.  Sept  20th,  Mr. 
James  Wells  said,  publicly,  the  Taber- 
nade  should  be  at  the  service  of  Mr. 
Coaens  in  which  to  hold  his  last  farewell 
meetinff  previous  to  his  departure  for 
Austvaua.  The  people  received  this  an- 
nouncement with  such  bursts  oi  appro- 
bation, that  we  believe  a  verj  large 
meeting  might  be  convened.  This,  how- 
ever, we  hope,  will  not  at  all  hinder  the 
attendance  of  the  friends  of  truth  on 
Monday,  Oct.  9th,  at  Exeter  HaU.  It 
appears  more  and  more  evident  that  Mr. 
VowoB  must  go ;  and  we  feel  assured,  we 
all  must  help  him,  and  his  heavy  fiimily, 
in  going. 

THE   COMMUNION   SERVICE. 

The  closing  service  connected  with  the 
opening  was  held  on  Thursday  evening. 
It  was  felt  to  be  a  kind  of  sacred  resting- 
place,  a  time  of  solemn  worship^  of  earnest 
pntyer,  of  soft  and  sacred  pniae:  a  time 
to  faring  to  remembraiice  toe  agony,  tile 

Digitized  by  LjOOQ IC 


914 


THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Oct  2,  IMS. 


nJftnngB,  and  death  of  Him  who  had 
done  sach  great  things  for  ns ;  a  time  of 
thankfolnofls ;  a  kind  of  halting-plaee 
while  on  the  jonmey  of  life ;  a  time  when 
for  a  few  moments  we  shnt  out  the  world 
from  onr  thoughts,  and  under  the  bedew- 
ing influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  realize 
in  some  small  measure  the  h<ny  and  blias- 
inl  joy  that  shall  one  day  break  in  upon 
onr  nappy  spirits,  when  we  shake  off  this 
house  of  clay,  and  enter  the  regions  of 
the  justified. 

At  half-past  six  Mr.  James  Wells, 
accompanied  by  many  ministerial  brethren, 
came  on  the  platform ;  and  the  setrice 
commenced  \>y  Mr.  P.  W.  WilUamson 
reading  Watts  s  sacred  hymn — 

'*  How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  pUoe,**  &c. 

G.  W.  Baxks  was  led  out  very  sweetly  in 
prayer,  in  which  a  blessing  was  sought  on 
the  service  especially ;  on  the  pastor,  on 
the  Church,  on  the  congregation,  and  on 
all  die  institutions  connected  with  the 
place;  but  especially  asking  that  more 
amity  might  exist  among  the  brethren  in 
the  ministry. 

Mr.  Wills  then  delivered  a  ver^  suit- 
able address ;  at  the  close  of  which  he 
expressed  himself  much  pleased  to  see 
such  a  large  number  gathered  on  this 
occasion,  and  he  felt  uankful  for  the 
union  and  happy  feeling^  that  was  mani- 
fested there  that  evening,  hoping  that 
this  would  only  be  the  first  of  many  such 
meetings  to  follow. 

The  elements  were  then  taken  zound  to 
the  communicants  by  the  following  minis- 
ters:— Messrs.  Wise  (Pimlico),  Parsons 
{Brentford),  Drake  (Staines),  Williamson 
Netting  hill),  C.  W.  Banks  (Squirries 
street),  Hanks  (Woolwich).  Mr.  Hall, 
and  Mr.  Drawbridge  also  assisted  in 
the  services.    At  the  close, 

Mr.  Glaskim  (of  Brighton)  said  he  had 
been  much  blessed  at  the  whole  of  the  ser- 
Tices,  and  the  words  that  hadbeenspeciaUy 
impressed  upon  his  mind,  and  more  especial- 
ly that  evening  were,  "  Behold  how  good 
and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity."  There  had  been 
a  unity  of  spirit  and  affection ;  and  he 
felt  thankful  for  such  mercies.  He  prayed 
God  very  abundantly  to  bless  them  in 
eveiy  sense,  and  to  shower  down  on  them, 
as  a  church,  much  prosperity. 

A  hymn  was  sung,  and  Mr.  WeUs 
closed  the  meeting  witn  prayer. 

The  body  of  tne  diapel  was  kept  for 
those  who  partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  was  quite  fnlL  Those  who  did  not 
oommnnicate  occupied  the  galleries,  which 
ware  neariy  full. 

Thus  doeed  the  opening  serricea  of  the 
Kew  Surrey  Tabernacle. 


THE  FBAYEB  MEETING. 

Trb  final  doflinf  service  at  the  Old 
Tabernacle  was  held  on  Monday  evening 
Sep.  19th.  There  was  a  lar^  attendaaee, 
the  body  of  the  chapel  beins  ^uite  full, 
and  many  were  in  the  ffalfenes.  Mr. 
John  Oorbitt  read  the  120th  Psalm,  « 
psalm  of  thanksgiving  for  special  and 
particular  mercies  received  at  the  Lord's 
hands.  Some  suitable  remarks  were 
oflbred  on  the  psalm;  and'  a  tona  of 
thankfulness  was  given  to  the  proceedings 
which  appeared  to  influence  the  brethron 
who  afkerwards  followed  in  prayer.  Mr. 
Glaskin,  of  Brighton,  and  Mr.  Comfort,  of 
Ramigate,  with  the  brethren  Smith, 
Mead,  Martin,  Fothergtll,  Butt,  and 
others,  assisted  at  this  service. 

VnoT  to  the  dose  of  the  meeting,  Mr. 
Wells,  offered  some  observations  on  &eir 
past  position  as  a  church,  on  the  influence 
the  church  had  exercised  not  only  in 
England,  but  also  in  many  parts  of  the 
wond:  members  from  that  church  had 
gone  to  India,  to  Australia,  to  Africa,  to 
New  2iealand,  and  in  manr  other  parti, 
and  they  had  carried  the  truth  vrith  them  to 
those  distant  parts,  and  had  been  the 
means  of  establishing  causes  in  some 
places.  The  penny  weekly  sermon,  in 
Its  quiet  way,  nad  also  been  the  meana 
of  convening  the  glorious  truths  of  the 
Gbspel  into  many  and  many  a  house 
where  otherwise  no  such  truth  would  per- 
haps have  beenread.  This  silent  messenger 
had  found  its  way  and  continued  to  do 
so,  in  many  parts  of  this  and  other  lands ; 
and  hopes  were  entertained  that  vet 
much  good  would  be  effected  thereby. 
After  some  further  remarks,  Mr.  WeUs  re- 
ferred to  the  breach  of  friendshipbetween 
himself  and  Mr.  John  Foreman.  He  deeply 
regretted  that  unhappy  circumstance; 
and  his  hand  and  his  heart  were  ready  at 
any  time  to  welcome  his  brother,  and  the 
sooner  the  breach  was  made  up,  the  bet- 
ter he  should  like  it  A  minister  had 
been  to  him  that  day,  and  asked  if  he 
should  write  to  Mr.  Foreman,  desiring 
him  to  come  to  the  meeting.  Mr.  Wella 
said,  he  should  be  glad  if  this  good 
brother  would;  for  nothing  could  give 
him  greater  pleasure  than  to  see  his 
brother  Foreman  at  the  public  meetiuff  in 
the  new  place  on  the  Wednesday.  Wiiat 
the  result  would  be,  he  must  leave ;  but 
in  thesedays  when  Aiminianism,  Puseyism, 
and  Popezy  were  making  such  rapid 
strides,  he  was  more  than  ever  anxious  to 
see  all  the  ministers  of  truth  banded  to- 
gether in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel,  so  that 
a  bold  front  might  bo  shewn  to  the 
enemy.  He  earnestly  prayed  that  such  a 
state  of  things  might  be  seen  before  long. 
Mr.  WeUs  then  rwened  to  the  new  place ; 


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Oct  2, 1865. 


AND  CHRISTIAN  BEOORD. 


815 


as  a  church  thej  hftd  done  wonderfully, 
they  had  songht  no  eztraneons  assiataoce ; 
the  friends  £id  taken  the  matter  up  with 
their  usual  seal,  and  thej  had  so  far  done 
▼aliantly. 

The  doxology  was  song;  and  Mr. 
Wells  offered  prayer  for  the  last  time  in 
the  Old  Surrey  Tabernacle,  Borough 
road. 

THE  LAST  SUNDAY  AT  THE  OLD 
TABERNACLE. 

Sunday.  Sep.  i7th  was  the  last  Sabbath, 
the  churon  and  congregation  under  Mr. 
Wells'  pastorate  met  in  the  old  place  of 
woiship  in  the  Borough  road.  After  meet- 
ing for  thirty-two  yean  there,  it  was  quite 
to  be  expected  that  some  feelings  of  attach- 
ment to  the  house  might  be  brought  out; 
and  recollections  of  the  prosperity  and 
success  that  had  there  been  given  to  the 
ohnroh  and  its  pastor  were  almost  sure  to 
be  reviewed  in  the  minds  of  the  friends. 
Not  that  the  attachment  for  the  old  place 
had  created  a  desire  to  tarry  there ;  but  a 
review  of  the  Lord's  goodness  for  so  length- 
ened a  period  was  not  only  profitable,  but  an 
absence  of  such  a  feeUng  would  have  been 
unworthy  a  body  of  Christians  who  had 
received  so  much  ^^  goodness  at  the  Lord's 
huids."  This  feeling  was  evidently  up- 
permoet  in  the  pastor's  mind.  In  prayer, 
he  was  led  very  sweetly  and  humbly  to  ac- 
knowledge the  great  work  the  Lord  hadbeen 
pleased  to  make  him  instrumental  in  doing 
there,  in  raising  the  dead,  satiatinff  the 
weary,  binding  up  the  broken-hearted,  and 
in  *^  casting  out  devils." 

The  subject  of  the  moming's  discourse 
was  particularly  appropriate  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  church.  The  text  was  from 
part  of  Moses's  address  to  the  children  of 
Israel  after  they  had  been  forty  yean  in  the 
wilderness;  *' Behold,  I  have  set  the  land 
before  you:  go  in  and  possess  the  land 
which  the  Lord  aware  unto  your  fathers, 
Abraham.  Isaac,  and  Jacobs  to  give  unto 
them,  ana  to  their  seed  after  them."  Dent 
1  8.  The  subject  was  divided  into  three 
parts :  first,  how  the  Lord  had  set  the  land 
before  them ;  secondly,  how  thev  were  to 
possess  the  land;  and,  lastly,  how  thev 
were  to  retain  possession  of  the  land. 
After  briefly  referring  to  the  circumstances 
of  their  removal,  the  preacher  proceeded  to 
take  a  spiritual  view  of  the  subject  under 
the  different  heads  named ;  and  although 
Httle  f  nriher  direct  reference  was  made  to 
the  removal,  it  was  plain  that  the  circum- 
stances under  which  Moses  spake  these 
words  to  the  children  of  Israel,  and  the 
position  of  the  ohurch  there,  were  in  a 
degree  somewhat  similar.  "^  x  e  have  dwelt 
long  enough  in  this  mount;"  "Behold,  I 
have  set  the  land  before  vou,  go  in  and 
possess  it."  The  pastor,  deacons,  church 
and  congregation,  feeling  confident  the  Lord 
has  bidden  them  to  do  tids  work,  and  hav- 
ing sustained  them  in  the  execution  there- 
of they  were  rejoiced  in  the  anticipation 


of  taking  possession  of  the  land.  The 
spacious  building  and  large  vestry  were 
quite  full  on  the  occasion. 


MB.  WELLS'  LAST  SERMON  AT  THE 
OLD  SUEREY  TABEENACLK 

On  Sunday  evening,  the  17th  Inst,  Mr. 
James  Wells  deHvered  his  last  discourse  at 
the  Old  Surrey  Tabernacle.  It  was  a 
solemn  and  a  memontUe  season.  The 
minister  who  entered  on  his  pastorate  in 
that  place  thirty-two  years  ago,  is  now 
removed  in  the  order  of  Ood's  providenoe 
to  a  wider  sphere  of  duty.  The  old  court 
in  tfa«  Borough  road  will  no  longer  resound 
with  the  footsteps  of  the  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle congpnegation.  There  was  something 
pecidiarly  solemn  in  the  gathering  on  Sun- 
day evening,  and  the  cha^l  was  densely 
crowded,  even  the  pulpit  stairs  being 
occupied:  and  hundreds  were  unable  to 
gain  admittance.  Mr.  WeUs  selected  for  Us 
text,  Psafan  bcxi  16.  ''I  will  g^  in  the 
stren^h  of  the  Lord  God;  I  will  make 
mention  of  Thy  righteousness,  even  of 
Thine  only,;"  from  which  he  delivered  an 
impressive  sermon,  which  is  to  be  published. 
Near  the  dose  Mr.  Wells  said — 

"  I,  weak  asl  am,  poor  and  needy  as  I  am, 
poor  trembling  creature  as  I  am,  ^I  will  go 
in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God.'  And  I 
shall  look  back  at  the  Old  Surrey  Taber- 
nacle for  the  thirty-two  years  we  have  been 
here,  with  feelings  very  different  from  any 
oiher  person  in  the  place ;  for  although  I  have 
had  innumerable  mercies,  my  sorrows  have 
exceeded  my  joys,  my  agonies  have  ex- 
ceeded my  mumpns.  I  look  back,  and  I 
see  a  long  season  of  hard  labour;  many, 
many  times  have  I  suffered  in  this  pulpit  a 
martyrdom;  and  yet  those  very  sermons 
have  been  wonderiully  owned,  and 
wonderfully  blest  Many  have  been 
the  cares,  the  labours;  and  were  it 
not  for  the  infinite  value  of  the  souls  of 
men,  and  a  hope  of  being  useful  not  all 
thr  New  Surrey  Tabernacles  in  the  world 
would  make  me  prefer  staying  in  this  world. 
I  have  lived  long  enough  to  know  its  emp- 
tiness, its  deceptiveness,  its  vanity,  its 
cruelty,  its  wretchedness  altogether;  it 
may  well  be  called  a  waste  howlmg  wilder- 
ness ;  and  if  we  attempt  to  lay  our  heads 
down,  and  think  we  nave  found  all  we 
need,  then  I  say  we  shall  soon  find  out  that 
we  are  dreadfully  deceived.  Nevertheless, 
while  I  thus  sp^Jc,  I  rejoice  in  the  thought 
of  abiding  in  the  flesh;  I  rejoice  in  the 
thought  3  going  on  a  few  years  loxiger.  I 
care  not  how  much  I  am  afflicted  if  it  bo 
for  vour  consolation;  I  care  not  for  dark 
shadows  in  me  if  light  but  work  in  you ; 
and  if  I  may  but  see  at  the  last  great  day 
that  God  has  granted,  as  he  has  granted 
alreadv,  some  seals  to  my  labour,  to  prove 
that  I  did  not  assume  the  ofiice  of  the 
miiustry,  that  I  did  not  come  into  it  by 
human  authority,  but  was  thrust  into 
it,  and  I  preached  the  Gospel  for  a  lon|; 


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THE  EAHTHEN  VESSEL^ 


Oct2,l«tt. 


time  'vdthont  the  slightest  idea  of   erer 
being  a  minister." 

THE  NEW~BUILDING. 
We  paid  our  first  visit  to  the  New  Surrey 
Tabernacle  early  in  the  forenoon  of  the 
day  of  ooening.  It  wanted  yet  some  two 
or  three  hours  ere  the  first  son^  should  be 
sung ;  but  yet  stiay  knots  and  groups  of 
personsi  evidently  interested  in  the  affair  of 
that  day,  came  ever  and  anon  to  view  the 
building.  An  aged  widow,  who,  no  doubt, 
had  subscribed  her  mite  to  the  cost,  stood 
there  leaning  upon  an  ancient  umbrella  of 
somewhat  extended  properties.  "  What  do 
you  think  of  the  New  Tabemade  ?"  asked 
the  writer.  ''  Well,"  said  she,  "  ifs  a  beau- 
tiful place;  but  still  I  like  our  old  place 
best"  Probably  that  is  the  kind  of  feeling 
with  which  many  at  first  will  enter  the 
new  chapel:  of  which  we  give  an  en- 
gmving,  which  very  correctly  conveys  to 
the  eye  a  notion  of  what  it  is.  But  walk 
with  us,  dear  reader,  while  we  count  its 
columns,  and  mark  well  its  construction. 
The  pedestrian,  or  the  eouestrian,  who  has 
passed,  within  the  last  few  months,  either 
up  or  down  the  Walworth  road,  cannot 
ful  to  have  noticed,  within  a  few  hundred 
ywrds  south  of  the  railwav  bridffe  that  spans 
the  road,  a  noble  red  brick  buUding  of  lanre 
proportions — ^the  new  vestry  hall  of  8t 
Jiary  Newington.  This  stands  at  the 
comer  of  one  of  the  new  streets  formed  out 
of  the  Fishmongers*  Company*8  estate, 
known  as  Wansey  street  A  little  way 
down  on  the  left,  and  fronting  the  street, 
stands  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle.  The 
main  front  consists  of  a  massive  portico  of 
stone,  having  six  columns  of  tne  Ionic 
order,  thirty  feet  high,  with  boldly-carved 
capitals  and  wreaths,  and  the  whole  is 
crowned  by  a  loft]r  entablature,  cornice  and 
pediment  The  sides  of  the  tmilding  are 
of  white  brick,  with  stonework  to  all  the 
dressings,  and  have  sunk  bands  and  panels, 
and  a  cornice  of  the  new  moulded  bricks. 
Access  is  afforded  to  the  chapel  by  five 
double  doors  at  the  front,  and  two  other  en- 
trances at  the  ends,  which  will  admit  of  the 
whole  of  a  very  large  congregation  effect- 
ing an  exit  in  a  very  few  minutes.  As- 
cending some  four  stone  steps,  we  entered 
the  house  that  day  to  be  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  Qod.  Our  good  brother  deacon 
Oarr,  doth  in  hand,  was  busily  engaged  in 
dusting  here  and  there.  The  thought  of 
the  opening  services  so  filled  his  mind  that 
he  could  not  sleep  the  previous  night,  so  he 
arose  early  and  made  his  way  for  the 
Tabernacle  in  order  that  he  might  assist 
in  the  completion  of  the  neoessarv  prepara- 
tions for  the  opening  services.  T  here  were 
in  addition  a  number  of  workmen  en- 
gaged in  the  operation  of  what  they  call 
'^imishing  up."  We  were  at  once  struck 
with  the  light  and  beautiful  appearance 
of  the  interior. 

Architecturally  speaking,  the  building 
consists  of  a  spacious  nave^  eighty-nine 
ieet  long  by  sixfy-«ight  feet  wide,  having 


a  double  row  of  light  ornamental  iron 
columns  to  support  the  side  gaUeries  and 
roof.  The  ceiling  is  boldly  coved  both  to 
the  nave  and  on  both  sides  over  the  gallery ; 
and  is  divided  into  panels  of  very  oriM- 
mented,  moulded,  and  enriched  ribs,  havix^ 
flowers  at  the  crossinea,  and  springing  from 
corbels  of  leaves  and  fiowen.  Attte  ex- 
treme end  or  back  wall  of  the  chapel  is  a 
laige  moulded  arch  filled  in  with  (^neek 
flowers^  and  forming  a  recess  for  the 
pulpit^  the  platform,  and  baptistry.  The 
space  above  is  filled  with  smaller  arches 
and  foliage,  and  a  bright  stained  window 
occupies  the  centre  exactly  over  the  pulpit 
The  pulpit  (so  called)  and  stairs,  are  of 
polished  oak.  It  is  of  a  hybrid  chaxacter, 
partaking  of  the  character  of  the  plat- 
form as  much  as  of  the  pulpit  The 
platform  upon  which  this  handsoaie 
structure  stands  is  ascended  by  three  slaps 
on  either  side,  and  is  also  of  oak  fiBed  m 
with  light  iron-work  balustrades.  Beneath 
the  platform  is  the  baptistry,  which  is  both 
spacious  and  elegant,  being  eiksy  of  de- 
scent, and  lined  with  glased  tilea.  The 
approaches  to  the  vestries  lot  the  male  and 
female  candidates  have  been  oarefuUy  and 
cleverly  arranged  with  a  view  to  the 
greatest  amount  of  convenience. 

The  main  floor  of  the  building  has  been 
formed  to  a  gentle  slope  o^indination,  in  or- 
der that  the  congregation  may  obtain  a  bet- 
ter view-  from  the  entranoe  end  of  the 
chapeL  The  seats  next  the  walla,  on  either 
side,  are  placed  diagonally,  sothattheooea- 
pant  may  face  the  pulpit  more  easily.  No 
more  ^  shall  pew-doors  zmttle"  in  the  Sur- 
rey Tabernacle.  Following  the  uiogiess  of 
the  age  in  the  way  of  chapel-building,  all  the 
seats  are  open  commodious  benches,  stained 
and  varnished.  Every  seat  throughout  the 
chapel  is  covered  with  scarlet  cusbiaas 
stuffed  with  horse-hair  (of  which  one  ton 
has  been  used  for  the  purpose)^  at  a  coat  of 
£400.  The  sittings  are  so  contrived  that 
every  occupant  can  both  see  and  hear  the 
preacher.  The  end  wall  has  been  boaidad 
to  prevent  an  echa  The  galleries  to  the 
staircases  are  of  stone,  easvof  ascent,  and 
without  any  of  the  olnecaonable  winding 
stain  and  open  wdl-hole,  so  danMona 
when  anjr  panic  occurs  in  a  crowded  build- 
ing. This  has  been  avoided  by  enclosiqg 
the  steps  by  an  inner  waU.  The  stsirrssns 
and  lobbies  are  entirely  without  the  gene- 
ral arra  of  the  building.  The  galleries  oe- 
cupy  three  sides  of  the  building,  the  front 
being  formed  of  light  open  iron-work,  veiy 
simihr  to  those  in  Hr.  8puxgeon*s  Taber- 
nade.  The  sitting  here  aro  verr  coomo- 
dious,  and  exceedingly  comfortablei 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  butnen  un- 
der the  galleries,  the  whole  of  the  spadova 
building  is  brilliantly  illuminated  by  two  of 
Strode's  paUnt  sun -lights  plaoed  in  the 
roof. 

In  the  rear  there  are  vestries,  and  sH 
necessary  appliances  for  the  miidster,  lor 
the  ladies,  and  for  baptismal  services;  and 
In  the  basement  below  these  there  we  lava- 


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317 


toriM,  closets,  tad  oUi«r  needful  aooommo- 
dation  for  the  general  congregation. 

Parallel  with  the  eastern  side  is  a  large 
public  vestry,  65ft  long  and  25ft.  wideu 
capable  of  accommodating  500  persons,  and 
is  so  constructed  that,  in  case  of  need,  it  can 
be  thrown  into  the  chapeL  Close  to  the 
front  entrance,  on  the  same  side,  is  a  spa- 
cious room  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the 
deacons. 

Within  the  chapel  seat  accommodation 
has  been  provided  for  about  1,650  persons, 
and  there  is  probably  standing  room  for 
about  300  others. 

Altogether,  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle 
is  all  that  could  be  desired;  indeed,  we 
might  adopt  the  words  of  our  poet  Watts, 
and  say  that  it — 

*<  Stands  Uke  a  tempIe.boUt  for  God.'* 
It  is  about  the  first  attempt  to  wash  from  off 
the  escutcheon  of  the  Strict  Baptist  body 
the  stain  of  building  their  places  of  worship 
in  holes  and  comers  in  the  plainest  possible 
manner,  while  some  of  them  have  orna- 
mented their  own  houses  in  the  highest 
degree.  Kay  the  honoured  pastor  lon^  live 
to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labour  there  is  our 
most  ardent  prayer. 

The  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  build- 
ing was  taken  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Sawyer, 
builder,  of  Dulwich,  for  the  sum  of  £7,771 ; 
and  the  whole  of  the  works  have  been  exe- 
cuted from  the  designs,  and  under  the  su- 
perintendence, of  Mr.  E.  P.  Loftus  Brock^ 
architect,  of  the  firm  of  K  Habershon, 
Spalding,  and  Broclc  87,  Bedford  place, 
Buasell  square.  We  have  to  acknow- 
ledge Mr.  Brock*s  kindness,  in  rendering  us 
every  assistance  in  giving  a  description  of 
the  building. 

We  were  permitted  to  view  the  new  and 
very  handsome  royal  4to  pulpit  Bible.  It 
has  been  presented  by  a  laav,  and  bears 
on  the  inside  of  the  cover  the  following  in- 
scription : — 

**  Preseoted  to  Mr.  James  Wells  on  the  opeo- 
iog  of  the  New  Surrey  TSberaade^  by  one  of  its 
members,  in  grateful  oommemoFauon  of  the 
Lord*i  mercy  to  her,  praying  that  the  word  of 
Divine  troth,  recorded  in  the  13th  chapter  of 
fkul's  B|>istle  to  the  Hebrewe,  verses  SO  and  8], 
may  be  richly  experienced  by  him. 

**  September  19, 1865." 

R. 

OUR  OCTOBER  MEETINGS. 

Scarcely  will  the  opening  serviees  of 
the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle  oe  ended,  ere 
other  meetings  of  a  stirring  and  pleasing 
nature  will  come  on.  We  refer  to  three 
of  them. 

Mb.  Samusl  Cosns 
is  desirous  of  emigrating  to  Australia,  and 
his  friends  in  England  are  preparing  to 
present  him  with  a  grateful  testunonialere 
ne  leaves,  which  is  to  be  made  at  a 
public  farewell  ^meeting,  to  be  holdsn  in 
Exeter  Hall,  on  Monday  evening,  Octo- 
ber 9th.  We  know  sdme  good  men  are  veir 
anxioiu  that  this  testimonial  shoold  speak 


loudly  and  elearly  (not  only  in  England^ 
but  in  Australia,  and  all  the  world  over), 
as  repaids  the  benevolence,  charity,  zeal» 
and  intelligenoe,  of  the  body  with  whom 
Samuel  Cosenshias  been  identified ;  whoso 
churches  aJl  OTer  this  country  he  has  mi- 
nistered unto ;  and  whose  heaven-taught 
principles  he  has  advocated  with  his  pen, 
perhaps  more  than  any  other  man  in  these 
modem  times.  We  are  gratified  to  find 
literary  gentlemen  of  all  sections,  and  mi- 
nisters and  friends  of  all  shades,  are  uni. 
ting  to  give  Mr.  Cozens  a  noble  and  boun* 
tifnl  memorial  of  their  esteem  for  him, 
and  of  their  gratitude  for  his  work.  But 
it  will  require  every  man  to  do  his  duty. 
The  expenses  of  canying  such  a  family  to 
Auatralia  will  be  immense;  and  a  long 
pull,  and  a  strong  pull,  and  by  our 
churches,  a  pull  altogether,  will  be  re- 
quired. 

Mr.  John  Fosbvah^s  Jubilkx 
comes  off  on  Tuesday,  October  the  10th, 
in  Mount  Zion  Chapel,  Hill  street,  when 
the  venerated  pastor  of  Rye  lane,  Mr. 
Moyle,  will  preach  in  the  afternoon ;  and 
Mr.  Collins,  of  Gruudisbuigh,  will  preside 
over  the  meeting  in  the  evening.  We 
would  hope  that  this  jubilee  meeting  will 
be  a  kind  of  turning  point  in  the  histoiy  of 
our  churches;  and  that  henceforthChristian 
unity.  Gospel  love,  spiritual  fellowship, 
and  a  hearty,  evangelical  co-operation  for 
the  defence  of  our  great  principles,  micht 
be  seen  powerfully  raisiDg  our  churches 
from  their  comparatively  low  estate.  Let 
our  Strict  Baptist  churches  look  around 
them,  and  behold  with  what  vigilance  and 
with  what  sacrifices  all  other  denomina- 
tions are  endeavouring  to  occupy  every 
inch  of  the  ground.  Are  they  not  pro- 
fessedly aiming  to  have  the  Gospel,  in 
their  way,  planted  everywhere  ?  Seeing 
we  have,  and  hold  thk  teutb — 

Shall  not  we  take  up  the  strain. 
And  send  ous  echo  back  again  F 

Oh !  Christian  brethren,  let  us  plead,  and 
may  our  churches,  our  principles,  and  our 
Gospel  practices  yet  prevail ! 
Thb  Jubilbc 

We  stop  for  one  moment  to  read  Hawker 
on  this  gnnd  subject.    He  says : — 

"  JuBiLKE  —  Or  Jobel  more  properly,, 
which  signifies  a  ram's  horn.  The  aay  of 
Jubilee  was  a  hi«h  feast  in  the  Jewish 
Church,  and  appointed  by  the  Lord  for  the 
great  year  of  release,  eve^  forty-ninth 
year,  or  seven  times  seven.  In  tho  twenty- 
fifth  of  Leviticus  we  have  the  whole  ac- 
count of  the  appointments  Some  have 
taken  for  grantM,  that  the  name  itself 
was  taken  unom  Jubal,  or  Jobel,  the  son 
of  Lamech,  because  he  was  the  father  or 
inventor  of  music :  but  others^  more  proba* 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


CcL% 


Hji  derive  it  £ram  the  yetb  Stbidf  to 
bniig  back,  became  it  was  the  jnear  of  ge- 
necalnetQEationy  or  bringing  back.  The 
imagination  cannot  conceive  the  effect  of 
the  morning  of  the  day  which  commenced 
the  Jubilee,  which  moat  hare  been 
wrought  npon  the  different  orders  of  the 
people  among  the  Jews.  It  began,  we  az« 
tok^  on  the  first  day  of  the  month  Tizri, 
the  first  month  of  the  civil  year,  and  the 
seventh  of  the  ecclesiastical  year,  and  cor- 
responded to  our  month  of  September; 
and  on  the  ninth  day  of  Tizri,  when  the 
trumpets  sounded,  at  that  instant,  evenr 
poor  captive  among  the  Jews  was  freed, 
and  eveiy  mortgaged  inheritance  returned 
to  its  original  owner.  I  leave  the  reader 
to  his  own  reflections,  what  feelings  must 
have  been  wrought  on  the  different  minds 
of  all  concerned,  both  of  the  master  and 
the  servant,  both  of  the  man  with  whom 
was  vested  bonded  land,  and  the  one  who 
received  back  his  mortgaged  inheritance. 
But  while  I  pass  over  the  Jewish  camp  on 
these  particulars,  I  cannot  help  observing 
how  infinitely  surpassing  must  be  the  ei^ 
feet  of  the  Jobel  trum^t  in  the  Christian 
Church,  when  the  captive  sinner,  and  the 
poor  Boul  who  hath  mortgaged  his  inheri- 
tance, first  hears  the  joyfal  sound  of  re- 
demption by  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  is 
brought  "  to  walk  in  the  light  of  the 
Lord's  countenance,'*  Ps.  Izxxix.  15.  And 
this  is  not  limited  to  every  forty-ninth 
year,  but  is  every  year,  and  every  day, 
yea,  every  hour  of  the  day  since  Christ 
wrought  salvation  for  His  people,  and  the 
type  of  the  Jubilee  trumpet  done  away 
by  the  thing  signified  being  come.  Con- 
cerning this  blessed  event  the  Lord  hath 
said,  '*  The  year  of  vengeance  is  in  mine 
heart,  and  the  year  of  my  redeemed  is 
come,"  Isa.  Iziii.  4.  It  is  said,  that  after 
the  Jews  returned  from  Babylon  the 
Jubilee  was  discontinued,  but  they  ob- 
served the  Sabbatical  year." 
We  may  notice  the  first  anniversary  of 
Tex  Bb-opsnino  or  Squisribs  stsext 
Chapel,  in  Bethnal-ereen-road,  is  fixed 
for  Monday,  October  16th.  It  will  be  the 
22nd  anniversanr  of  the  Editor^s  ministry 
in  London,  and  the  presence  of  firiends  will 
be  gratefully  welcomed.  Mr.  James  Wells 
has  kindly  promised  to  preach  in  the  afber- 
noon ;  and  after  tea  some  good  brethren 
will  speak  their  mind. 

On  the  following  day,  Tuesdav,  October 
17th  Mr.  Williamson's  annual  meeting 
will  be  holden  in  Johnson  street,  Notting- 
hill,  when  Mr.  Wells  and  many  ministers 
are  expected.  We  hope  the  pastor  and 
his  people  at  Notting-hiU  will  experience 
a  great  revival  on  that  day,  and  so  on 
prospering  more  than  ever.  Mr.  Wifiiam- 
son  has  stood  in  Notting-hill,  for  several 


yean,  as  alnoat  the  only  Strict  Baptist 
minister  of  Gospel  truth  in  that  immenBeH* 
large  and  influential  district.  All  friendb 
who  have  the  truth  near  their  hearts 
should  rally  round  this  intelligent,  mast 
unflinching,  and  laborious  servant  of  tbs 
Lord.  We  yearn  moat  deeply  for  oopious 
showers  of  the  heavaaly  rain,  to  feitili— 
and  unite  all  our  churches. 

EEDINGTON.— il  noie  to  Mr.  Boitri 
Pdwell,  minister  of  New  Baptist  Ckapei^ 
Heywood,  Bear  brother  in  the  same 
faith, — Kb  you  were  the  means  in  God^s 
handiiB  of  raising  the  church  of  Christ  At 
Kedington,  and  as  you  were  the  minister 
there  several  years,  I  have  found  in  mjr 
soul  a  desire  to  write  you  a  line  renpeot- 
ing  the  new  clumel  opened  thereon  Wed- 
nesday, Sen.  13th,  1865.  It  is  fifteen 
years  this  October,  ainoe  the  first  duqwl 
was  ereeted  there,  and  was  opened  by  my- 
self and  Mr.  Hanks,  now  of  Woohrieh; 
yourself  also  taking  part  in  the  servioea. 
From  that  time  until  the  present  I  famve 
always  been  invited ;  and  enabled  to  visit 
them.  A  kinder  people  I  never  knew; 
and  on  them,  and  on  the  services  of  His 
house,  the  Lord's  blessing  has  rested.  I 
left  London  on  Tuesday,  Sep.  12th,  and 
travelled  by  mil  to  Sturmer;  whidi  is 
quite  a  new  feature  in  that  Lovely  roxal 
district  I  preached  that  evening  in  tlie 
Baptist  chapel,  Haverhill;  which  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  is  now  unoccupied.  Surehr 
a  living  man  of  God  in  a  compact  ana 
quietly-endosed  sanctuary  like  tnat,  sop- 
rounc[ed  as  it  is  by  so  many  people,  might 
raise  a  good  cause !  Woodland  Green ;  its 
pretty  cottages;  its  gazdena,  nurseries* 
not-houses,  and  meadows  around,  a^iesc 
just  the  same  as  when  I  flxst  ksewtt. 
My  beloved  brodier  John  DtUoatone  is  sot 
a  hearty  man,  in  fact,  he  suffisrs  greatly. 
Ho  has  travelled  and  laboured  hard  for 
many  years ;  and  their  nursery  grounds 
look  splendid ;  beloved  John's  family  is 
growing  up ;  and  his  kind  wife  is  earnest- 
\y  seekuig  for  salvation.  I  hope  vou  wiU 
soon  hear  she  has  become  united  to  the 
church.  Many  old  faces  I  still  saw  there ; 
and  many  of  course  have  been  remowd. 
Mr.  Sergeant  Dillostone  andJiis  good  wi9» ; 
their  sons  and  friends  were  there ;  the  ven- 
erated and  devoted  Miss  WalHs,  now  over 
eighty,  as  cheerful  as  ever,  was  there. 
Our  old  friend,  Mrs.  Bowyer,  though  veiy 
unwell,  was  there,  the  pastor,  Mr.  Murkin, 
and  his  kindly  anxious  wife,  were  there ; 
far,  very  far  above  all,  the  Lord  was  there ; 
and  by  His  presence,  by  His  word,  by 
His  blessing,  the  place  was  oonseemted ; 
the  Saviour^  gloiy  shone  forth  in  mi^es^, 
beauty,  and  power.  Brethren  D.  Wilson  of 
Clare;  his  fellow  labourer,  Mr.  Willis; 


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AND  CHBJSSriAN  RECORD. 


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O.  Cook,  of  BniatvM ;  Wlieolo*,  of  filiblo 
HediDgliain ;  and  fifiends  from  ranoimd- 
ing  districts,  came  to  stmngthen  the  hands 
of  the  pastor  and  people  at  Kedington. 
And,  indeed,  -when  the  longfaness  of  the 
way  is  considered ;  Satan  erer  opposing, 
the  worid  eyer  tronbling,  the  flesh  always 
burdening,  the  heart  oeceiTing,  friends 
changing,  foes  nprising,  it  is  no  small 
merpy  to  behold  &  people  lika  those  at 
Kedington  not  only  holding  on;  but 
growing,  extending,  and  witluil,  MsoidiBg 
fMt  in  the  tnitfa,  and  by  the  ordinances  of 
the  Lord's  house!  I  desire  to  praise  Ood, 
I  found  the  pastor,  Mr.  Murun,  a  man 
mighty  in  prajrer,  devoted  to  his  work, 
nrospering  in  his  way ;  and  liring  in  the 
hearts  and  confidences  of  the  people. 
God  Almighty  bless  him  and  them ;  and 
you,  dear  brother,  in  all  your  labours, 
Amen.  One  feature  in  that  openinc  da^'s 
proeeedinffs  I  must  not  omit.  As  I  sat  in 
the  heated  and  crowded  chapel  in  the  after- 
noon,  listening  to  brother  D.  Wilson's  ser- 
mon, my  mind  was  stirred  in  me  with  the 
in-coming  of  this  Scripture  "  Bring  ye  all 
the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  that  there 
may  be  meat  in  mine  house,  and  prove  me 
now  herewith,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  if 
I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of  heayon, 
and  pour  you  out  a  blessing  that  there 
shaUnot  be  room  enoug|h  to  receive  it." 
Haviuff  obtained  permission  to  address 
the  audience  for  one  moment,  as  soon  as 
dear  Wilson  dosed  hi?  discourse,  I  mount- 
ed the  seat,  and  told  the  people  of  this 
text,  and  tried  to  move  those  who  had 
come  from  a  distance  to  come  forward  and 
«ngage  in  three  months  to  raise  the  bal- 
jmee  due  on  the  buildine.  I  engaged  to 
raise  one  sovereiffu;  and  I  ash  liberal 
Christians  to  enable  me  to  do  that,  and 
even  more;  I  think  Mr.  0.  Arwood,  of 
Brockley,  smiled  consent  to  do  something ; 
Mr.  Comwell  engaged  to  give  lOs.  and  I 
earnestly  beseech  the  lovers  of  Zion  to 
send  help  to  this  lovins  little  sister.  The 
statement  of  costs  and  balance  is  one  of 

Suit  interest.    It  reads  thus;  Kedington 
pUst  chapel  rebuilding, 

£    s.    d. 

Contract      99  12    0 

Extra  Expense      4  13    5 


IM    5    5 
..  78  18    3 


Collected  in  cash  ... 


je25    7    2 

This  £26  7s.  2d.  we  want  deared  off. 
1  paid  in  the  6b.  sent  by  the  dear  friend 
in  Gdden  lane;  and  hope  soon  to  know 
«11  is  finished.    Yours  truly, 

C.  W.  B. 


ORDINATION    SERVICES   AT    OLD 
FOBD. 

DsAB  Broheb  Bahks, — I  went  to  the 
ordination  of  brother  Maycock  at  Old  Foid, 
Aug.  27th.  The  service  commenced  at 
half-past  two:  Mr.  Higham,  of  Oamden 
Town,  read  Epheeians  iv.,  and  offered 
solemn  prayer;  after  which,  Mr.  G.  Wyard 
gave  a  short  outline  of  the  nature  of  a  Gos- 
pel church. 

Mr.  Maycoek  was  then  called,  upon  to 
give  in  as  concise  a  manner  as  possible  his 
oaU  by  grace,  which  he  did  in  a  most  be- 
coming way.  lie  said,  *^  My  dear  friends, 
I  feel  at  this  present  time  unprepared  to 
address  yon,  having  been  engaged  at  my 
business  almost  up  to  the  moment  of  my 
coming  here;  and  having  to  hurry  very 
much  this  morning  over  my  work,  I  may 
say  I  have  done  a  day's  work  in  half  a  day ; 
but  while  I  have  been  sitting  here,  my 
mind  has  been  thrown  back  upon  the  mys- 
terious and  extraordinary  way  that  God 
has  led  me  all  my  life  long.  I  was  bom  in 
Delhi;  my  father  was  an  officer  in  the 
army.  When  I  was  about  twelve  or  fifteen 
months  old  I  was  brought  by  my  parents 
to  England ;  my  father  took  a  tavern,  and 
commenced  in  the  public  line;  the  fixst 
thirteen  years  of  my  life  were  spent  in  a 
public-house;  and  you  may  imagine  for 
yourselves  what  my  eyes  saw,  and  my  ears 
heard  in  that  place  of  sin.  My  mother  died 
while  I  was  very  young.  I  had  not  those 
checks  and  kind  advice  that  a  mother  can 
only  give ;  my  father  was  a  High  Ohuroh- 
man,  and  would  not  have  me  neglect  going 
to  church  on  a  Sunday.  But  I  am  sorry 
to  say  that  instead  of  going  to  church 
I  would  play  truant,  and  waste  my  time 
in  all  manner  of  wickedness  and  sin. 
After  a  while,  I  was  apprenticed  to  a 
trade,  in  a  Roman  Catholic  family.  It  was 
my  custom  in  the  evening  to  go  to  theatres ; 
my  fond  and  foolish  fa&er  used  to  supply 
me  with  plenty  of  money,  which  I  would 

auander  away  in  company  and  theatres, 
y  passion  became  so  strong  for  theatres, 
that  I  would  sacrifice  almost  anything  to 
g^t  to  them.  After  the  play  was  over,  I 
would  stop  out  with  the  theatricals ;  I  was 
delighted  to  be  in  their  company.  At  the 
a^  of  nineteen  I  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  my  present  wife :  and  we  commenced 
business ;  but  in  leas  than  fifteen  months  it 
was  all  gone.  Then  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
send  a  burning  fever  upon  me ;  just  as  I 
was  recovering  one  night,  I  wgan  to 
wonder  what  would  become  of  me.  I  felt 
miserable  beyond  degree.  I  called  my  wife 
to  my  bed-side,  and  opened  my  mind  to  her, 
after  which  she  began  to  sing  one  of 
Wesley^s  hymns  to  me,  and  while  she  was 
singing,  the  Lord  broke  into  my  soul,  and 
what  I  felt  of  His  love,  no  tongue  con  telL 
I  promised  if  the  Lord  would  only  restore 
me,  what  I  would  do ;  but  when  the  Lord 
did  restore  me  again  to  health,  I  fell  into 
sin  worse  and  worse.  I  took  a  deeper 
plunge;  but  after  a  while  Qod  appeared 
and  opened  the  old  wound.    While  I  was 


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sitUng  in  a  clul)-room  amongst  my  wicked 
companions,  I  was  called  npon  to  sing  a 
song,  but  I  attempted  to  sing  a  hynm  in 
derision,  and  then  God  smote  me ;  so  terri* 
fled  wu  I  that  I  trembled  from  head  to 
foot,  which  sent  me  home  smitten  to  my 
▼ery  heart  But  something  suggested  to  me 
not  to  yield  to  these  impressions;  so  I  de- 
termined to  have  three  months*  longer  en- 
joyment in  sin ;  nmning  all  risk,  and  oh !  I 
wonder  God  did  not  cut  me  down,  but,  how- 
ever, God  met  me  again  after  a  few  months. 
One  Sabbath  night,  while  I  was  walking  in 
Cremome  Gaitlens,  I  was  attracted  by 
sounds  of  singing,  and  thither  I  bent  mv 
steps.  I  found  a  few  people  oongre^ted, 
and  a  man  give  out  his  text,  **  Be  thou  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord ;  for  surely  there  is  an  end.** 
First,  he  described  the  kind  of  fear; 
secondly,  surely  there  is  an  end :  he  said 
some  things  have  no  end,  and  he  showed 
how  there  was  no  end  to  the  punishment 
of  the  lost  The  words  struck  me  to  the 
heart ;  I  trembled  from  head  to  foot,  while 
I  lingered  at  the  post  of  the  door.  After  a 
while,  I  entered  in  with  a  faltering  step 
and  a  broken  heart;  here  I  began  to  cry, 
**God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner;'*  soon 
the  words  were  whispered  in  my  ears, 
''The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  God^s  Son, 
cleanseth  from  all  sin.**  The  words  were 
applied  to  my  wounded  soul,  and  light, 
liberty,  joy,  and  gladness  sprang  up  within, 
and  nlled  me  with  delight**  After  this, 
Mr.  Maycock  eave  his  call  to  the  ministry 
amongst  the  W  esleyans,  and  after,  how  he 
left  and  joined  the  Primitives,  with  whom 
he  had  laboured  twelve  or  fourteen  vears ; 
and  that  by  reading  TffE  Earthsm  Vessel 
he  began  to  see  things  in  a  different  light 
than  he  had  ever  done  before.  He  then 
gave  an  outline  of  his  faith,  and  the  doo- 
txines  in  which  he  believed,  and  which  he 
intended  to  preach.  Brother  Maycock 
behaved  himself  like  a  workman  that  need 
not  to  be  ashamed.  May  God  bless  him. 
Amen. 

Brother  Webster,  of  the  Cave,  then 
said  that  he  had  a  very  solemn  office  to 
perform:  he  then  took  hold  of  brother 
MayoocVs  hand,  and  joined  it  in  brother 
Edmbdrongh's  hand,  and  said,  ''  What  God 
hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder;**  after  which,  he  offered  up 
a  most  earnest  and  appropriate  prayer, 
which  concluded  the  afternoon  service. 

Aftnr  tea  brother  Benford  gave  out  a 
hymn;  Mr.  G.  Webb,  of  Camden  Town, 
read  the  27th  chapter  of  Numbers,  com- 
mencing at  the  Idth  verse^  and  offered  up 
prayer. 

NOTES  OP    MR  BLOOMFIELD*S 
OHABGE. 

He  said  that  on  this  occasion  he  was  there, 
not  so  much  to  address  the  oongre^tion,  as 
rather  to  direct  his  remarks  to  their  pastor. 
This  time,  they  ([the  congr^tion)  were 
there  as  solemn  witnesses,  and  he  humbly 
praved  that  he  might  be  prompted  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  say  that  which  would  be 


useful  and  inrtmctiye  to  their  psstor  and 
them,  and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God. 
He  said  that  the  ministry  in  all  its  aspects 
is  most  important  and  solemn ;  but  it  is 
doubly  solemn  when  one  man  must,  like 
himself,  this  evening  sneak  to  another  on 
the  duties  which  he  will  have  to  perform. 
There  aro  many  works  of  importance  in 
which  the  buman  mind  ma^  be  engaged, 
but  none  of  such  boundless  importance  as 
the  preaching  of  the  word.  A  man  that  is 
at  the  head  of  the  GK)vemment  of  a  state 
has  vast  duties  and  high  reeponsibilitieB ; 
but  the  duties  and  responsibiilities  of  the 
pastor  of  a  church  are  of  a  nature  infinitely 
more  exalted ;  and  of  all  work  in  which  the 
human  intellect  may  be  employe^  none 
can  be  compared  to  the  work  oi  the  ministry. 
From  Mr.  Maycock*s  own  confession  that 
afternoon,  it  must  be  inferred  that  he  was  a 
man  who  was  by  no  means  a  novice  to  the 
arduous  duties  of  his  office;  but,  on  the 
oontraiy,  that  he  had  had  much  experi- 
ence, and  was  fully  sensible  of  the  require- 
ments and  the  nature  of  the  ministerial 
work.  Ministxy  meant  service^  but  it  meant 
service  of  the  most  exalted  kind.  A  man, 
in  order  to  be  a  minister,  must  have  heartv 
head,  brains,  and  tongue :  without  these  he 
cannot  be  an  efficient  minister ;  but  with 
these  even  he  cannot  be  an  efficient  minis- 
ter without  the  Spirit  of  God.  We  have 
sometimes  complained  of  colleges,  because 
they  pretend  to  make  of  a  man  what  we 
hold  that  God  alone  can  do;  they  may  give 
him  an  education,  but  they  cannot  make  of 
him  an  efficient  minister.  We  hold  that 
none  but  God  can  make  a  Christian ;  and 
none  but  God  can  make  a  minister.  It 
is  a  work  which  requires  such  qualifications 
as  God  alone  can  give;  and  by  His  aid 
alone  can  it  be  productive  of  blessings. 
Truth,  he  said,  comes  to  us  in  different 
forms.  Some  men  preach  experience,  and 
some  doctrine.  He  counselled  Mr.  May- 
cock not  to  confine  himself  to  the  one,  but 
freely  to  preach  the  other ;  for  what  bone 
and  muscle  are  to  the  human  body,  such  is 
doctrine  to  the  preaching  of  God*s  truth. 
What  have  we  to  build  upon  as  a  founda- 
tion if  it  be  not  doctrine !  If  the  doctrines 
be  true,  why  should  they  receive  the  go- 
by? because  they  mav  not  be  popil- 
li^?  Beligion,  true  reli^on,  never  was 
popular;  and  Christ  Himself  was  the 
most  unpopular  Teacher.  All  great 
teachers  have  been  unpopular,  and  have 
been  called  heretics:  witness  Luther, 
Calvin,  Knox,  and  others.  If  Mr.  May- 
cock were  at  any  future  time  to  be  called  a 
heretic  by  the  world,  he  (Mr.  Bloomfleld> 
would  love  and  esteem  mm  all  the  mete 
for  it  Still  doctrine  alone  is  not  ever]f- 
thinz ;  it  ma^.  be  bone  and  muscle,  but  it  is 
not  life.  Life  and  soul  must  needs  be 
there,  and  that  may  be  supplied  by  expe- 
rience. Experience  is  knowledge  nined 
by  trial,  and  this  judidoualy  applied  may 
be  very  valuable.  It  is  a  great  woriE  that 
requires  such  qualifioationa,  which  God 
alone  can  impart   Furthermore,  he  cbsiged 


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AND  CHRiaTIAN  BECORD. 


S2I 


him,  while  preaching  the  Ooepel,  not  alto- 
gether to  omit  preaching  the  law.  The 
one  IB  Calyary,  the  other  Sinai:  though  of 
the  two  the  peaceful  majesty  of  the  one  is 
greater  eren  without  the  thunders  and 
Bghtnings  of  the  other.  If  you  preach  aU 
law,  he  said,  there  will  he  starvation  to 
your  people;  and  if  you  preach  not  the 
Gospel,  they  will  not  know  the  full  heanty 
of  the  atonement 

Ftomises  form  another  part  of  Divine 
truth ;  and  precept  again  another.  More- 
oyer,  the  preaching  of  the  Word  is  a  work 
where  there  must  he  a  continual  lifting  up 
of  Ohrist  Christ  is  the  great  Bridegroom, 
and  she  must  be  a  miserable  spouse  that 
loyes  not  to  hear  her  husband  praised !  He 
forms  an  all-sufficient  theme  to  fill  up^  every 
sermon!  It  must  ever  be  Christ  in  the 
|;arden,  on  the  cross,  on  the  throne,  Ohrist 
in  the  Church,  the  salvation,  the  glory  of 
the  Church !  The  ministry,  he  continued, 
is  not  an  easy  work ;  but  is  full  of  anxiety 
and  labour.  I  have  never  found  the  work 
of  the  ministiy  easr,  and  I  hope  I  never 
shall.  It  is  like  the  work  of  the  gold- 
digger  in  this  respect ;  but  unlike  him  whose 
work  is  frequently  unrequited,  the  work 
of  the  faithful  minister  is  sure  to  bring  a 
rich  rewwrd.  Though  it  is  a  work  of  im- 
mense solemnity,  however,  it  does  -  not 
follow  that  we  should  never  be  cheerful. 
We  may  be  cheerful  without  being  silly 
and  stupid.  Some  people  sav  that  Jesus 
never  smiled ;  but  on  the  other  hand,  we 
only  read  twice  that  he  wept  We  should 
mourn  with  the  sorrowful;  but  this  need 
not  preclude  us  from  occasionally  enjoying 
a  good  hearty  laugh.  We  have  not  only 
to  do  with  eternity,  but  we  have  also  to  do 
with  souls  that  are  present  with  us  on 
earth.  We  don't  want  you  to  be  always 
melancholy  and  unnatural;  such  is  the 
hypocrite;  there  is  no  wrong  either  in 
weeping  or  in  laughter.  He  must  be  a  bad 
man  who  cannot  sometimes  laugh  outright 
We  ministers  have  to  do  with  all  thin^is ; 
with  God  and  man,  with  time  and  eternity. 
All  things  should,  therefore,  be  done  in  a 
proper  spirit,  and  nothinsr  but  the  power 
of  God  can  enable  us  to  do  this.  On  that 
power  we  are  ever  dependent,  and  by  that 
power  the  dagon  of  error  must  faU.  Let 
your  studies  be  ever  carried  on  in  that  de- 
pendence, and  let  your  preaching  be  ever 
guided  by  it  Truth  is  composed  of  many 
parts;  each  nart  is  of  importance;  it  is  all 
80  much  gold-dust  Be  not  afraid  of 
preaching  the  truth,  though  sometimes  it 
may  be  wounding.  Christ  preached  many 
hara,  wounding  Aings,  but  he  did  it  always 
in  love;  so  you  must  ever  preach  the 
Gospel  in  a  loving  spirit,  and  fully,  freely, 
and  with  godly  affection.  Be  at  war  with 
all  that  is  opposed  to  the  Gospel,  and 
preach  ever  with  a  fuU  sympaihy  with 
mourning  and  tried  souls.  There  are  four 
ends  to  be  obtained  by  a  faithful  adminis- 
tration of  the  truth.  First.  Conversion  of 
sinners  to  Shiloh,  for  we  are  always  preach- 
ing to  sinners.    Secondly.  The   unity   of  | 


the  Church  by  a  faithful  adihinistration  of 
the  Church ;  and  by  never  trying  to  lower 
a  brother  minister,  but  rather  by  ufting  Mm 
up.  Thirdly.  The  edification  of  the  whole 
body  is  secured  by  the  faithful  administer- 
ing of  the  truth.  And  the  last  and  chief 
end  to  be  secured  is  the  glorifying  of  the 
Son.  Seek  ever  to  lift  up  Jesus  and  honour 
him,  and  then  (Sod  will  honour  you.  Such 
is  the  substance  of  this  excellent  charge, 
which  at  its  conclusion  was  greatly  ap- 
plauded. 

Hr.  Stringer  then  rose,  and  quoting 
FhUip.  iL  29:  "Beceive  hixn,  therefore,  in 
the  Lord  with  all  gladness,  and  hold  such 
in  reputation,**  gave  advice  and  admonition 
to  the  people,  as  the  preceding  speaker  had 
done  to  the  pastor.  He  told  them  that, 
since  they  had  chosen  him  to  minister  unto 
them  in  things  spiritual,  it  was  their  duty 
to  provide  amply  for  him  in  things  tem- 
poral, and  to  support  and  strengthen  him 
m  the  great  work.  Mr.  Stringer  spoke  at 
some  considerable  length  in  his  usual  warm 
impressive  manner;  and  concluded,  it  being 
nine  o*cIock,  with  pronouncing  the  parting 
prayer  and  benediction.  B^des  the  minis- 
ters already  named,  there  were  also  present 
Messrs.  Allsop  and  Benf  ord.  It  was  a  truly 
happy  meeting ;  and  we  hope  that  it  may 
be  greatly  blessed  in  its  results. 


N  OR  WI  C  H.  —  A  CORRKSFOXDENT.  — 

"  Made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ**  These 
words  came  to  me  the  other  day,  and  showed 
me  it  is  possible  to  rest  contented  with  being 
brought  nearer  to  Christ  in  our  feelings; 
but  there  is  a  being  made  nigh,  and  this 
is  by  the  blood  of  Christ  only.  I  can  see 
myself  in  the  poor  man  at  the  pool  I  say, 
here  will  I  lie,  but  there  is  nobody  to  put 
me  in ;  I  sit  thinking  of  these  things.  Yes- 
terday, Christ's  prayer  came  to  me  when 
He  said,  "  Now,  0  Father,  glorify  me  with 
thine  own  self,**  as  if  all  the  glory  besides 
were  nothing.  At  these  words  my  heart 
did  break;  I  could  see  what  I  wanted.  In 
the  same  prayer  He  said,  ^*  I  in  them,  and 
thou  in  me  ;*'^  and  unless  I  know  I  am  in 
Christ  the  Gospel  can  do  me  no  good.  O, 
dear  friend,  I  want  so  much  to  satisfy  me ; 
I  want  a  whole  Christ,  all  to  myself;  then 
I  know  I  have  all  things.  Sometimes  I 
think  I  want  too  much,  according  to 
other  people  ;  but  less  will  not  satisfy  me, 
a  bare  belief  of  the  truth  will  not  do ;  I  want 
to  feel  sanctified  through  the  truth.  0,that 
I  could  have  a  minister  to  open  up  these 
small  things,  as  some  would  call  them.  I 
often^think  of  you,  because  you  deal  in  the 
small  things.    Mr.  • 


small  things.    Mr. commenced  his 

labours  at to-day ;  he  will  be  no 

minister  to  me.  We  have  had  the  Murphy 
here  making  a  fine  stir ;  I  heard  him  preach 
last  Sunday.  He  seems  full  of  zeal  for  God 
and  His  honour,  and  it  seems  from  having 
His  love  let  into  his  heart ;  and  if  it  is  so 
God  will  ^ve  testimony  to  His  truth  in  His 
servants.  He  is  not  clear  in  the  faith.  He 
says  he  cannot  see  anywhere  in  the  Bible 


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THE  BABTHBN  VESSEL, 


OeL2,186fiL 


whore  it  18  aud,  **  Christ's  righteoi 
imputed  to  us ;"  he  says  it  is  God^s  rights* 
ousnesa.  It*8  a  stnnee  idea;  but  I  beueye 
there  axe  some  who  nave  the  love  of  Qod 
in  their  hearts,  and  haye  not  a  dear  know- 
ledge of  the  truth  in  their  head&  I  hope  he 
WW  be  made  to  see  things  dearer;  and  I 
am  sure  such  men  are  wanted.  The  Catho- 
lics are  increasing  wondarfully,  espedaily 
here;  this^is  a  dabk  corner  of  the  earth." 


8T0WMABEET.  —  Meetings  in  con- 
nexion with  third  anniversary  of  New  Bap- 
tist Chapd  were  held  on  Sunday  and  Mon- 
day, September  17th  and.  18th.  Mr.  6.  G. 
Whorlow,  of  Sudbury,  and  Mr.  K  F.  Grif- 
fin, preached  on  the  17th;  on  the  18th  a 
tea  meeting  was  held  in  the  open  air ; 
public  meeting  in  evening.  Mr.  William 
Houghton,  of  Bury  SL  Edmunds,  presided; 
Mr.  Smith,  of  Ipswich,  prayed.  Addresses 
were  given  by  Mr.  Lambert,  of  Oooold ;  Mr. 
GrifGui,  of  Beading;  Mr.  Whorlow,  of  Sud- 
bury; Mr.  Hoddy,  of  Horham;  and  Mr. 
Snell,  of  Ashfield.  Altogether  this  proved 
the  best  anniversary  we  have  had ;  it  was 
pleasant,  profitable,  and  successfuL  On  the 
same  afternoon,  a  sincere  friend  of  the 
cause,  a  judidous  and  useful  member  of  the 
Church,  Mr.  Samuel  Ormes,  was  buried  in 
Stowmarket  cemetery,  followed  by  many 
friends  of  the  town.  Mr.  Hoddy  officiated 
on  the  occasion  in  a  very  solemn  and  im- 
pressive manner.  Thus,  instances  are  con- 
stantly given  that  we  are  living  in  a  world 
of  changes.  This  is  not  our  rest,  because 
it  is  polluted.  The  Church  here  is  looking 
to  the  Lord  to  appear,  and  to  remember  His 
feeble  flock ;  to  send  them  one  of  His  own 
tried  servants,  who  is  able  to  sympathise 
with  them  in  their  trials  and  afflictions,  and 
whom  He  will  own  as  an  instrument  to 
raise  the  walls  of  Zion.  The  Stowmarket 
church  is  not  at  all  in  debt  The  remainin|r 
debt  on  the  diapel  'tis  hoped  the  people  wiU 
soon  set  to  work  in  right  good  earnest,  and 
dear  this  off  also.  Sena,  0  Lord,  send 
prosperity.  A  Looker-On. 

AYLESBUBT.—TheanniTerBary  of  the 
Walton  street  chapel  was  held  on  Thurs- 
day, Sept  7th,  when  Mr.  Wells  and  Mr. 
Foreman  of  London,  preached  with  thair 
usual  ability  to  a  numerous  auditory  con- 
vened from  the  town  and  from  the  churches 
in  the  surrounding  district  Mr.  Wells 
took  the  morning  service,  and  preadiedfrom 
Isaiah  48thchapter  and  8th  vena,  appearing 

auite  happy  and  at  home  in  his  siih]eet  In 
tie  afternoon  Mr.  Foreman  occupied  the 
pulpit,  and  preached  from  Psafan  xliv.  S, 
on  which,  in  his  familiar  style,  he  ssid  a 
good  deal  about  the  good  land,  the  inheri- 
tance of  God's  people,  and  how  they  got  it 
in  possession.  His  text  in  the  evening  was 
laaaah  1. 10.  from  which  he  deUverad  an  ex- 
cdlent  sermnn  full  of  encouragement  to  the 
tried  and  affiicted  of  God's  family.  After 
the  morning  service  a  numerous  company 
dined   together    at    the   Cock  Inn,   and 


after  that  in  the  afternoon  upwBjndfas 
of  two  hundred  persons  assembled  in  the 
Castle's  Lecture  B  all,  and  sat  down  to  an 
excellent  tea  supplied  by  the  ladies  of  ihm 
oongreeatioa.  The  ooUectiona  for  the  Sab- 
bath stmooL  made  after  each  of  the  searviees, 
were  libenl  and  encouraging.  Among  the 
ministaBBproBsnt.wege  Mr.  Meftkina  of  Wail- 
deadon,  tfr.  Colyer,  of  Ivinghoe,  Mr.  Gaugh- 
txy  of  Eaton  Bray,  Mr.  Coiby,  of  Badwell* 
and  several  others  resident  in  the  immediate 
neighbourhood.  The  weather  was  exceed- 
in^y  fine,  the  word  was  blessed,  and  it  w«» 
a  good  day. 


LANCA8HXBR— Mb.  EDnoB,— I  know 
you  take  interest  in  the  progress  of  truth. 
It  pleased  the  Lord  to  cause  me  to  conae 
here  in  November  in  the  last  ^ear.  I  fonnd 
a  few  Particular  Baptists  meeting  ina  room; 
they  were  building  a  chapel ;  they  opened 
it  last  month ;  but  the  Lord  was  not  at  the 
opening.  There  were  three  rev.  gendemen 
preached  at  the  openings— Association  men 
—men  that  oondemn  such  men  as  vp«r- 
self,  and  Mr.  James  WeUs,  my  beloved  pae- 
tor;  and  one  of  them  was  so  kind  as  to  re-> 
commend  that  they  took  no  hypers  into  their 
church.  It  so  happened  that  your  cone- 
spondent  fell  in  with  a  few  that  loved  the 
Lord,  dissatisfied  ones,  and  in  debt  They 
said  they  could  not  hear  at  the  chapeL  I 
invited  a  few  to  my  house:  we  held  a  meet- 
ing; acreed  to  take  a  place ;  by  the  good 
lumd  ot  the  Lord  we  succeeded  in  getting^ 
a  room;  opened  it  on  the  3rd  of  Septem- 
ber ;  twen^-five  persons  came  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  upwards  of  forty  in  the  evening. 
A  member  of  the  Surrey  Benefit  Society, 
F.  Low,  .then  preached  the  Word  to  us  sim- 
ply, but  sweetly.  We  hope  shortly  to  form 
a  church,  and  to  sit  at  the  Lord's  table.  We 
call  ourselves  **  The  Free  Grace  Particu- 
kr  Baptists."  Yours^  in  Gospel  bonds, 
Jambs  Bbti& 
Barxow-in-FumesB,  Lancashire, 
September  12, 186& 

HIGH  WYCOMBE.— The  anniversary 
of  the  laying  of  the  foundation-stone  <n 
Zion  chapel  was  held  on  Tuesday,  Septem- 
ber 12th,  when  two  sermons  were  preached 
by  Mr.  Wale,  of  Blackheath.  The  attend- 
ance was  not  so  good  as  usual,  being  chiefly 
those  who  attend  this  place  of  worship. 
But  the  collections  were  good,  and  the 
debt  reduced  by  £23  4s.,  this  bemg  the 
amount  left  after  all  expenses  were  paid. 

RISEL  Y.— Our  harvest  meeting  we  held 
on  Wednesday,  September  18th.  A  tea  was 
provided,  and  in  the  evening  a  sermon  wae 
delivered  by  Mr.  Peet,  of  Shaxnbfook,  from 
the  text,  *^  The  harvest  is  past,  the  sum- 
mer is  ended,  and  we  are  not  saved*'  Be* 
tweentea  and  service  Mr.  Peet  made  an  ef- 
fort to  obtain  promises  to  the  amount  of 
X1<S,  a  debt  we  have  on  our  chapel,  and  was 
sQocesifuL 


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4ND  CHBIBFIAN  RECORD. 


323 


BIPLEY.— Mb.  £DRO%~Enowingtluit 
you  are  at  all  timeB  glad  to  know  how  the 
dkUTches  are  going  on,  allow  me  a  small 
space  in  Eabzhxn  VBasEL.  In  the  order 
of  nrovidenoey  I  was  called  to  snp^^  the 

rulpit  at  the  old  Baptist  cause  at  Kaplev. 
lound  them  in  a  verjr  low  state— -a  people 


that  had  tasted  the  foTS  of  salvation,  bnt 
for  some  time  past  had  been  starved  almost 
to  death,  so  mnoh  so,  that  the^  thought 
of  shutting  up  the  place  in  despair,  bnt  the 
great  Head  of  the  Chureh  hsd  otherwise 
ordered  it  Brother  J.  Smallwood  has  la- 
bouied  among  them  for  the  past  three 
months  with  evident  signs  of  snooess;  but 
the  church  has  unanimously  invited  him 
to  take  the  oversight  of  the  church,  and  go 
in  and  out  among  them,  as  the  under 
shepherd,  with  every  sign  of  heaven's  best 
blessing  resting  upon  them.  August 
29th,  brother  HiJl  preached  three  excellent 
Gospel  sermons  at  the  Harvest  Home 
meeting,  brethren  Smallwood  and  Drake, 
of  Windsor,  taking  part  in  the  services. 
We  had  a  good  day  for  our  souls. 

FEESSINGFIBLDr  SUFFOLK.— The 
harvest  thanksgiving  meeting  was  celebra- 
ted in  this  place  by  the  Baptist  friends  on 
Tuesday,  Sep.  12th.  A  public  praver 
meeting  was  held  in  the  afternoon  of  that 
day,  when  five  of  the  members  connected 
with  the  Church  were  enabled  with  much 
fervour  to  wrestle  with  JaooVs  God, 
and  we  trust  with  Jacobus  success. 
About  100  members  and  friends  sat 
down  to  a  tea  which  reflected  creditably 
upon  the  provisioning  abilities  of  the 
females.  At  the  urgent  request  of  the 
friends  Mr.  Pegg,  the  pastor,  consented  to 
occupy  the  pu^it  in  the  evening.  The 
subject  of  the  discourse,  was  Isa.  iz.  8.,, 
and  we  trust  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God 
was  ministering  to  the  heirs  of  promise. 
On  the  following  day  seventy  children  and 
teachers  connected  with  the  Sunday  School 
were  grattdtuously  supplied  with  a  gpood  tea ; 
and  slter  a  distribution  of  small  presents  as 
rewards,  and  the  children  had  indulged  in 
ouMoor  sports  to  their  hearts*  content,  all 
returned  to  their  homes  highly  gratified. 

ENFIELD  HIGHWAY.— On  Wednes- 
day, Sept  18th,  this  people  thatfor  some  time 
sat  under  the  ministry  of  our  late  brother 
Strickett  was  formed  into  aBaptist  church 
on  New  Testament  principles.  Our  brother 
Dickenson  was  assisted  by  brother  J.  Small- 
wood,  of  Ripley,  and  brother  Alfrey,  who 
has  been  supplying  the  pu^t  with  much 
acceptance  for  the  last  six  or  seven  months. 
They  began  this  infant  cause  with  sixteen 
members.  Twelve  sat  down  at  the  table, 
after  they  had  given  each  other  the  right 
hand  of  feOowudp,  and  brother  Dickenson 

rke  in  the  evening  from  Psalm  Ixxxiv. 
It  was  indeed  a  tfane  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  a  day  long 
to  be  remembered.  They  Jiav«  been 
brought  through  deep  waters,  bnt  the 
Lord  of  Hosto  is  ivith  them:   the   God 


of  Israel  is  still  on  our  side.  Brother 
Alfrey  has  promised  to  stay  with  them 
for  some  time  to  oome.  If  the  Lord 
will,  our  brother  Fhick  was  to  take  a  part 
in  the  serviees  of  the  formation,  but  we 
were  sorry  to  hear  that  he  was  prevented 
by  indisposition.    - 

NOETHAMPTOnTI  On  Lord»8-day, 
September  17th,  Mr.  Leach  preached  in  this 
town  to  large  and  attentive  congregations. 
The  hearts  of  many  were  revived  and 
cheered  by  the  services  of  the  day,  and 
thanked  God  for  bringing  His  dear  ser- 
vant a^ain  among  them  to  preach  the 
everlasting  GospeL  Sweet  is  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  saints  on  earth,  while  it  is  a 
prelude  of  eternal  communion  with  each 
other  and  the  Lord  in  heaven.  Mav  the 
l^racious  power  of  Jehovah  be  manifested 
m  this  place  as  in  former  years,  in  the  con- 
version of  sinners,  the  edification  of  be- 
lievers, and  the  honour  of  a  Mune  God. 
T.  P.  Stboulgrb. 


HORHAM,  SUFFOLK.— The  harvest 
home  celebration  took  place  on  Thursday 
Sep.  8.  Mr.  J.  Wilkins  of  Ipswich,  preach- 
ed two  sermons  on  the  occasion.  Between 
the  interval  of  services,  about  200  friends 
were  regaled  with  an  excellently  provided 
tea.  Collections  made  on  the  occasion  to 
liquidate  a  debt  of  £100  for  stabling  built 
for  the  accommodation  of  friends  on  Lord's- 
days,  exceeded  (we  understand)  £10.  This 
cause  enjovs  a  wonderful  degree  of  pros- 
perity. The  chapel  (although  capable  of 
seating  800  people)  is  almost  invariably  filled 
on  Lord*s-cbys.  On  the  10th  Sept,  Mr. 
Pegg,  of  Fressingfield,  broke  to  the  people 
the  bread  of  life,  in  preaching  a  crudiied 
Christ)  designed  for  needy  sinners. 

HOXNE,  SUFFOLK.- a  meeting  to 
acknowledge  the  beneficence  of  Almighty 
God  in  favouring  us  with  the  blessings  of 
the  harvest  time  was  held  here  on  Thursday, 
Sep.14.  Mr.Collins,  of  Gmndisburg,  preach- 
ed a  sermon  in  the  afternoon.  We  should 
judge  from  100  to  120  then  sat  down  to  an 
excellent  tea.  In  the  evening  a  public 
meeting  was  held,  when  Mr.  Harris,  of 
Bishangles.  being  called  to  the  chair  at- 
tended to  tne  customary  preliminaries,  and 
was  followed  in  brief  speeches  by  Messrs. 
Hoddy,  of  Horham,  Pegg,  of  Fressingfield, 
Lambert,  of  Ocoold,  Masterson,  of  Hoxne, 
Thomelv,  of  Stowmarket,  and  Collins,  of 
Grundisburg;  and  we  conceive  all  the 
friends  present  were  g^tified  at  the  success 
of  the  arrangements. 

CBANSFOBD,  SUFFOLK.— The  ord- 
inance of  believer's  baptiftm  was  adminis- 
tered on  Sunday,  Aug.  27th  by  Mr.  Pegg, 
of  Fressingfield.  In  the  afternoon  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated,  when  the 
chuvsh  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  into 
fellowship  another  brother  in  heaven's 
family. 


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THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Oct  S,  IMS. 


ATLESBUHT.— A  friend  says,  Thomas 
Corby,  late  of  Shambrook,  preaches  in 
Walton  street  with  much  acceptance; 
which  we  are  fflad  to  hear.  As  the  author 
of  ''The  Golden  Candlestick,**  Thomas 
Corby  is  esteemed  by  many  who  never 
saw  him.  We  believe  him  to  be  a  golden 
pipe;  but  B.  Kins:,  o^  Walworth,  warns 
us  not  to  speak  well  of  any  man. 

STEPNEY  —  Ca>t£  Adullam.  —  On 
Wednesday  evening,  in  the  presence  of  a 
large  and  attentive  congregation,  our 
pastor,  Mr.  J.  Webster,  assisted  oy  our  bro- 
ther Lodge,  of  Cumberland  street,  baptized 
three  females,  who,  with  two  others,  were 
received  into  church  fellowship  on  the  fol- 
lowing Lord*8-day. 

THUBLEIGH,  BEDS.  —  Our  harvest 
sermon  was  preached  on  Tuesday  night, 
September  12th,  by  Mr.  A.  Feet,  of  Sham- 
brook.  We  had  an  excellent  cong^gation. 
Mr.  Dexter,  our  late  pastor,  gave  out  the 
hymns;  Mr.  Feet  had  for  his  text,  ''  Gather 
ins  wheat  into  my  bam.'* 

TAXING  8UFPLIES. 
Dear  Brothsr  Banks. — It  aooordanoe 
with  an  announcement  in  this  month's 
Vessel,  I  was  last  Lord's-day  preaching  to 
that  united  body  of  Christ's  foUowerB  at 
Providence  Chapel,  Winchmore-hilL  In  the 
afternoon  our  esteemed  friend  and  brother 
Blagdon  placed  in  my  hands  the  Earthen 
Yessbi^  which  at  that  early  period  of  the 
month  I  had  not  had  the  opportunity  of  read- 
ing, although  it  lay  on  my  table  at  home.  I 
was  somewhat  surprised  and  exceed- 
ingly grieved  to  read  the  aspersions  which 
had  been  cast  upon  jovl  in  the  matter  of 
taxing  supplies.  It  is  perhaps  not  gener- 
ally known  that  I  was  a  member  at  Old 
Ford  during  your  ministry  there,  and  that 
I  have  been  sent  by  you  to  supply  vacant 
pulpits.  In  consequence  of  this  it  must  be 
admitted  that  I  am  in  a  i>osition  to  know 
whether  there  is  any  truth  in  the  statement 
of  your  receiving  part  of  the  money  paid 
by  the  churches  to  the  supplies ;  and  I  at 
once  emphatically  deny  that  such  is  the 
case,  and  denounce  the  assertion  as  a  most 
foul  and  wicked  calumny,  which  is  as  base 
as  it  is  mischievous,  as  false  as  it  is  mean 
and  vile.  I  have  not  only  never  given 
one  fraction  to  you  of  any  thing  I  have  re- 
ceived, but  have  never  oeen  asked  for,  or 


paid  for,  the  postage  stamps  when  you  bavs 
written  me  on  the  subject  I  tmst  you  will 
favour  me  by  publishing  this  letter  in  next 
month's  VsasBL.    Tonn  in  Jesus, 

H.  Stanut. 


SUDBOUBN,  8UPP0LK.— BeKeviag 
several  readers  of  VnsBL  are  interested  in 
the  little  cause  at  Bndboum,  that  emeiged 
from  the  **  blacksmith's  shop,"  I  send  tdu 
the  following  information : — On  Lorfs-day, 
July  2nd,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  baptizing; 
three  pereons  on  a  profession  of  their  bith 
in  the  blessed  Saviour.  And  on  LordV 
day.  Sept  Srd,  one  who  was  brought  to 
know  himself  under  my  ministry  fifteen 
vearB  ago,  whilst  I  preached  at  Snttoa. 
Thus  we  are  encouraged  to  cast  our  bread, 
and  sow  our  seed  upon  all  waters;  it 
shall  be  seen  after  many  days.  There  are 
others  waiting :  we  hope  soon  to  hear  them 
say,  "Give  us  room  that  we  may  dwell 
with  you.**  Our  congregations  are  good; 
71  children  in  our  Sabbath  schooL  May 
the  Lord  incline  others  to  lend  us  a  helping 
hand ;  that  the  place  may  stand  free  m>m 
debt    Our  friends  are  working  welL 

William  Large,  Minister. 

BEXLET  heath.  — The  veneraUe 
Joseph  WaUis,  after  more  than  seventeen 
yeare'  labour  amonpp8tu8,has  brought  his  use- 
ful career  in  the  ministry  to  a  close.  Our  es- 
teemed brother  has  been  compelled  to  neigB 
through  the  infirmities  of  age  and  failure  of 
sight,  though  his  bodily  health  is  still 
pretty  good.  He  parts  with  his  flock  on 
the  liest  of  terms,  and  respected  by  a  lai^ 
circle  of  friends. 

Death.-^ Sarah  Bower,  aged  71,  widow 
of  the  late  Mr.  Charles  Bower,  twentr-six 
years  a  member  of  the  Church  at  lioufit 
Zion  Chapel,  Hill  street  She  was  bap- 
tized at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  hi&t 
through  grace,  held  on  her  way.  She  ww 
subjected  to  much  darkness  of  mind  through 
fear  of  death ;  but  at  even  time  it  was  light 
She  was  interred  at  Kensal  Green  Cemetery 
by  Mr.  James  Wells,  whose  ministiy  of 
late  has  much  refreshed  her  souL  Her  last 
words  were,  "Precious  blood,  pre»uons 
Jesus.*"  She  spent  her  last  earthly  Sabbath 
at  Mount  Zion  on  the  first  Lora*s-dayiii 
September,  and  departed  this  life  on  Thurs- 
day, Sept  7th. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


VIiri8TSR*S  HAMS.  KAMI  A2TD  BITUATIOV  Ot  CHAPKL. 


xinasB 

BAPTBXD. 


Mall,  H....        ~ 
Jonw,  Thomas 
Palmer,  W.     ... 
Tooke,  Mr. 
Webb,  Geo.     ... 
Wetwter,  J.     ... 


Bbenezer  Chapel,  Olapham 

AshlU,  near  UDculm,  Devon 

Mduit  Zion  Chapel,  Barking  road  ... 
Jireh  Chapel,  Bromley-by-Bow 
Uttle  Wild  St.  Iiaoofn*a Inn  Fields... 
Cave  Adullam,  Stepney 


May91*Aug.S 

Snit.  14 
June(18iEAug.97 
JuneU*Aag.i7 
Aug.« 
Sept  6        ] 


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Nor.  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


%  daffd  Stan's  lift  and  ii^ath. 

A  Bribf  MfeMoiR  OF  THE  Late  Mb.  Thomas  Favell,  of  Alookbubt 
Weston,  Hunts,  who  Depabted  this  Life  on  Tuesday  Mobnino 
Septembeb  10,  1865,  in  the  76th  Yeab  of  His  Age. 


"  How  blest  the  righteous  when  he  dies.*' 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  at  Alconbuiy  Weston,  of 
godly  parents,  in  the  year  1790.  He  was  a  weakly  child  from  his  birth, 
«jB  he  was  not  able  to  walk  without  some  assistance  until  he  was  three 
or  four  years  old ;  but  he  had  a  vigorous  mind  when  but  a  youth,  although 
of  a  weakly  frame,  and  alwajB  evinced  a  desire  for  books  and  learning ; 
find  to  get  with  men  of  intelligent  minds,  from  whom  he  could  learn 
-something,  was  always  his  study.  By  this  conduct  and  bearing  ho 
became  respected  generally,  but  especiaUy  by  those  who,  by  their  position 
and  influence,  moved  in  a  higher  sphere  of  society ;  and  if  anything  wa8 
to  be  done  that  wanted  a  litUe  more  intelligence  and  tact  than  ordinary, 
Thomas  was  the  lad  that  was  sent  for,  and  that  he  would  be  likely  to 
succeed.  Being  light,  and  of  slender  make,  he  was  naturally  quick  and 
nimble ;  and  many  are  the  hairbreadth  escapes  from  death  he  had  in  the 
days  of  his  unregeneracy ;  but  being  preserved  in  Christ  his  natural  life 
was  impervious  to  what,  in  our  simple  parlance,  we  call  accidents,  until 
the  hidden  purposes  of  God's  love  and  mercy  towards  him  were  developed. 
Through  the  tender  mercy  of  €k)d  upon  him,  whether  through  fear  oi* 
flhame,  he  was  preserved  from  running  into  those  outwaixl  lengths  of  sin 
and  transgression  that  many  are  left  to ;  but  being  no  doubt  8elf'<M>nfi- 
•dent  in  his  knowledge  and  attainments,  he  began  to  pride  himself  that 
he  knew  something  of  religious  matters,  and,  consequently,  began  tc 
think  that  his  dear  father  must  be  in  error,  bjs  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Particular  Baptist  church  at  Great  Gidding,  and  held  the  doctrines  of 
£ree  and  sovereign  grace  in  their  fiilness,  freeness,  and  efficiency  ;  and  be- 
cause these  doctrines  cut  at  the  root  of  all  natural  attainments,  and  tended 
to  stain  the  pride  of  man,  he  could  not  brook  them,  and  would  often  be 
found  arguing  the  point  with  his  dear  fiskther  on  the  side  of  free  will.  But 
before  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  His 
great  love  wherewiUi  He  loved  him,  even  when  he  was  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,  was  pleased  to  quicken  him  by  His  Spirit,  and  give  him 
to  feel  that  if  he  was  saved,  it  must  be  by  free  and  sovereign  grace. 
What  were  the  precise  means  used,  or  how  long  in  a  bondage  state  he 
lay  is  not  now  known ;  suffice  it  to  say  he  was  some  time  groaning 
beneath  the  rebukes  of  a  broken  law,  before  he  was  brought  into  the 
sweet  experience  of  the  blessedness  of  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  im- 
puteth  not  sin. 

It  was  somewhere  about  this  time  that  that  precious  promise  in 
Isaiah's  prophecy  was  made  exceeding  sweet  to  his  soul — "  When  the 
enemy  cometh  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  will  lifb  up  a 
standard  against  him."  This,  he  has  been  often  heard  to  say,  greatly 
cheered  his  soul  and  refreshed  his  spirit.     He  used  now  to  accompany 


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326  THB  EAETHMN  VBSSBL,  Bar.  1, 1M& 

his  dear  father  to  Gidding,  to  hear  a  Mr.  Whitney  proclaim  with  free- 
dom and  feeling  the  unseiurchable  riches  of  Christ.  His  sonl  drank  as 
from  a  rich  fountain  into  the  sweetness  of  the  truths  and  doctrines  which 
this  servant  of  the  Most  High  God  was  oommissiQned  to  deliver,  and 
grew  in  grace,  and  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  as  his  Saviour.  He 
has  been  heard  to  express  the  many  happy  seasons  he  enjoyed  under  his 
ministiy.;  and  thou^  he  had  to  travel  a  distance  of  six  miles,  he  has 
been  heard  to  remark  that  the  journey  appeared  as  nothini;  to  him, 
although  the  roads  at  that  time  were  something  fearful,  but  praising,  and 
blessing,  and  rejoicing  in  God,  removed  every  difficulty  and  overcame 
every  obstacle  met  with  in  the  way.  To  show  how  very  precious  the 
courts  of  the  Lord's  house  were  to  him  at  this  time,  he  onoe  remarked 
a  particnlar  place  while  coming  through  a  field,  where  the  woida  of  the 
Fisalmist  were  particularly  precious  to  him,  ^'  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell 
in  Thine  house,  they  will  be  stUl  praising  Thee." 

About  this  time  he  became  acquainted  with  her  with  whom,  he  was 
to  travel  nearly  the  remainder  of  his  journey  through  life,  and  was  to  be 
realfy  a  help-meet  for  him— one  to  whom  he  could  relate  feelixi^y  his 
joys,  and  to  whom  he  could  confide  all  his  sorrows,  the  buffetjngs  of 
Satem,  and  the  lifting  up  of  the  light  of  God's  countenance  upon  him ; 
one,  in  fiict,  with  whom  he  could  enjoy  sweet  conuaaunion,  and  who 
together  could  bow  at  the  mercy  throne  with  him,  to  sedc  the  aame 
favours,  to  ask  the  same  blessings,  and  who  could  each,  with  thankfial 
spirits,  take  up  the  sweet  exultation  of  the  apostle  and  say,  "  Hereiii  is 
love ;  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  He  loved  us,  and  gave  His  only 
Son  to  die  for  us."  In  the  year  1811  they  both  entered  through  the 
gate  of  beHever^s  baptism,  and  became  members  of  the  church  at  Great 
Gidding,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Whitney,  whose  ministiy  was 
indeed  a  rich  patrimony  unto  that  part  of  the  Lcnrd's  vineyard,  until  it 
pleased  the  Ixnrd  of  the  harvest  to  remove  him  to  the  heavenly  gamer 
in  the  year  1814,  as  a  shock  of  com  cometh  in  his  season.  Thae 
are  those  still  left  in  the  wilderness,  to  whom  the  ministry  of  this 
dear  servant  of  the  Lord  was  made  t^e  sweet  savour  of  life  unto  life. 
Afker  Mr.  Whitney  had  entered  the  joy  of  his  Lord,  the  church 
chose  a  Mr.  Crockford  for  their  pastor ;  but  it  does  not  ^^pear  tihat  they 
were  ananimous  in  their  choice ;  and  finding  that  the  ministry  was  not 
blessed  to  the  profit  of  his  soul,  nor  so  discriminating  as  formerly,  oar 
dear  brother  migrated,  and  became  a  member  of  the  church  at  Qodjauu^ 
Chester,  and  was  admitted  into  its  community  at  ihe  same  time  as  the 
late  Mrs.  Susannah  Harrison,  of  blessed  memory,  the  church  being  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  Bev.  Thomas  Freeman,  a  man  mighty  in  the 
tm^,  and  of  whom  it  might  be  said  he  was  a  Master  in  I  trad — ^the  sweet 
and  sacred  doctrines  of  Ghod's  eternal  forethought  in  the  chmee,  andever- 
lasting  love  towards  tibe  objects  of  Sovereign  mercy,  that  in  the  ages  to 
come  He  might  show  the  exceeding  riches  of  His  grace  in  His  kindneas 
toward  them,  through  Jesus  Christ,  was  the  theme  of  his  ministry,  and 
fell  in  eloquent  but  simple  strains  from  his  lips  in  demonstration  oif  the 
Spirit  and  with  power  Divine,  so  that  there  was  a  numerous  in-gatiiering 
of  the  remnant  according  to  the  election  of  grace  in  that  little  hill  of 
Zion.  Here  the  soul  of  our  dear  brother  was  sweetly  xe&eahed, 
strengthened,  and  supported,  while  he  had  to  do  battle  with  the  worid, 
the  fl.eeh,  and  the  deviL    He  was  no  strange  to  the  plague  of  his  own 


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heart,  but  often  had  to  groan  ont  in  the  bitterness  of  his  spirit,  ''  Who 

shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  T    Troly  he  felt  that  to  be 

carnally-minded  is  death  ;  but  he  also  knew  from  sweet  and  sacred  and 

blessed  experience,  that  to  be  spiritually-minded  is  life  and  peace.  Being 

faae  removed  from  affluence  in  his  circumstances,  his  temporal  means  were 

often  a  source  of  deep  thought  and  earnest  prayer,  that  the  Lord  would 

keep  him  upright  in  his  way,  make  him  a  living  epistle  of  the  grace  of 

Qod,  and  preserve  him  from  bringing  a  disgrace  upon  that  dear  name 

and  cause  that  lay  so  near  his   heart,  and  appeared  wrapped  up  in  his 

very  soul ;  and  he  would  cheerfrdly  suffer  any  privation  to  carry  out  in 

his  Hfe  that  sweet  exh<»rtation  of  the  apostle,  ^'  Owe  no  man  anything." 

Would  that  those  who  profess  the  name  of  Christ  were  more  carefiil  in 

this  respect,  it  would  sare  them  many  a  bitter  and  cutting  rebuke  frx>m 

the  ungodly,  and  the  Church  from  many  a  painful  reproach.     The  church 

of  the  living  God  is  composed  of  many  members ;  and  each  individual 

member  being  a  component  part  of  the  whole,  it  is  stigmatised  by  the 

loose  walk  and  conversation  of  an  individual  member,  or  stands  approved 

before  a  crooked  and  perverse  generation,  as  each  is  enabled  to  let  his 

light  shine  before  men.     In  this  respect  our  dear  brother  was  enabled 

through  life  to  maintain  an  honourable  reputation  ;  but, 

^^Tistothe  praiae  of  gnM^  we  sing, 
Though  of  a  dying  saint  we  teU." 

like  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  the  late  Mr.  Freeman,  of  God- 
manchester,  arose  upon  the  horizon  of  the  church,  endowed  with  rich 
grace  and  rare  gifts  and  abilities.  His  soul,  enflamed  with  zeal  in  his 
Master's  cause,  and  fiuthful  in  His  work,  above  .many,  but  withal 
possessing  a  weak  constitution  and  a  light  frame,  which  appeared  ill 
able  to  sustain  the  wear  and  tear  of  a  soid  so  full  of  spiritual  life,  and 
inspired  with  such  ardent  zeal  to  make  full  proof  of  lus  ministry,  the 
w(^  began  to  tell  upon  the  system,  and  in  a  few  brief  years  it  was 
evident  to  his  friends  that,  without  some  radical  change,  he  could  not 
long  abide  with  them  as  their  minister.  An  eminent  physician  was 
applied  to,  who  told  this  witness  for  truth  that  ''  except  he  forbore  to 
preach  for  twelve  months  he  could  him  no  hopes  whatever.''  Staunch  in 
the  cause  of  €kNl  uid  truth,  and  steady  in  his  purpose  to  the  great  work 
for  which  he  believed  himself  to  be  by  the  Eternal  Spirit  spec^dly  quali- 
fied and  sent,  he  said,  ^^  Well,  sir,  were  I  sure  that  I  should  die 
at  the  twelvemonths  end  I  shall,  Gkxi  helping  me,  continue  to  preach.*' 
About  1824  or  1825  this  distinguished  saint,  having  finished  the  work 
which  was  given  him  to  do,  was  removed  to  the  Church  triumphant. 
The  sul:ject  of  this  memoir  and  his  dear  partner  walked  six  miles,  on  a 
verj  wet  day  in  one  of  the  winter  months,  to  attend  his  funeral ;  and 
now  the  chturch  at  Godmanchester  was  broken  up  and  reformed. 

Mr.  Crockford  having  removed  from  Gidding,  and  a  Mr.  Tandy 
being  settled  there  the  deceased,  now  felt  a  deeper  attachment  to 
tiie  ministry  there;  his  attachment  to  the  church  had  never  abated; 
his  dear  wife,  Mr.  John  Lettioe,  her  aged  parent,  and  his  own  dear 
paanent,  still  continuing  among  its  members.  He  again  returned,  and 
was  with  them  mutually  edified,  until  it  pleased  God,  in  the  order  of 
His  providence,  in  the  year  1827  to  remove  him,  with  his  dear  wife  and 
two  children,  to  Tsleham  in  Cambridgo^ire,  a  distance  of  forty-two  miles. 
Here  he  fi>und  the  liviDg  waters  of  ^e  sanctoaiy,  fouled  and  poUuted  by 


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328  THB  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Mot.  1, 1865w 

legal  performanocs  and  moral  duties.  Moses,  the  servant^  was  often  put 
in  the  place  of  Christ  the  Son,  of  whom,  in  some  things,  he  was  but  a 
shadowy  type ;  and  as  there  were  a  few  others  that  were  dissatiafied,  also, 
with  such  a  mixture  of  law  and  Gospel,  of  grace  and  works,  a  room 
was  hired,  and  thus  a  door  was  opened  for  those  ministers  who  preached 
a  full,  free,  and  finished  salvation  flowing  from  etemal  love  aa  its 
source,  through  the  blood  of  Atonement,  and  applied  and  made  known 
to  the  election  of  grace,  who  are  the  heirs  of  salvation,  under  the  espe- 
cial teaching  and  blessed  unction  of  Crod  the  Etemal  Spirit.  Amongst 
the  first  of  these  who  preached  those  soul-establishing  doctrines  was  Mr. 
Thomas  Webb,  of  Great  Swaffham,  whose  ministry  was  mudi  blessed  to 
the  people.  Other  ministers  used  occasionally  to  minister  amongst  them ; 
and  when  they  were  without  a  minister  our  departed  brother  naed  to 
exercise  his  gifts  amongst  them  ;  and  many  times  has  the  dear  Lord  ful- 
filled His  precious  Word  in  that  little  assembly,  that  "  where  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  my  name  there  am  I  in  the  midst."  Tes,  many 
sweet  Bethel  visits  could  be  recorded,  while  this  little  few  w<»fi^ipped 
beneath  that  humble  roof;  with  heart  and  soul  they  could  sweetly  sing 
with  dear  Watts, 

<'  Not  the  fair  palaces, 

To  which  the  great  resort, 
Are  once  to  be  compared  with  this, 
Where  Jesus  hola  His  court" 

This  continued  about  seven  or  eight  years,  until  it  pleased  Him  who  hath 
fixed  the  bounds  of  our  habitation,  in  1837,  again  to  remove  him  to  his 
native  village  Alconbuiy  Weston,  again  to  join  in  the  assembly  his  soul 
had  so  often  longed  after,  and  again  to  tread  the  sacred  oourts  of  Zion, 
where  his  soul  first  drew  her  vital  air — ^as  he  always  considered  this  as 
his  birthplace. 

The  past  ten  years  often  passed  before  his  mind  as  a  dream,  while  he  and 
his  dear  partner  oft  conversed  respecting  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with 
them,  and  His  will  concerning  them.  When  returned  from  Isleham  ther 
occupied  the  very  same  house  in  which  he  was  bom,  and  which  his  dear 
father,  a  brief  memoir  of  whom  is  in  the  Gospel  Herald  for  1845, 
many  years  before  had  procured  a  license  for,  that  he  might  have  the 
Gospel  preached  in  his  own  house,  there  being  no  other  place  of  worship 
in  the  village.  Here  men  of  truth  were  invited  to  preach  Christ  onto 
the  people ;  and  who  can  tell  but  it  will  be  said,  when  God  maketh  up 
HIb  jewels,  that  this  or  that  man  was  bom  there  1 

Great  Gidding  (as  before  remarked)  is  a  distance  of  six  miles  from 
Weston.  This  journey  was  regularly  performed  on  a  Lord's-day  morn- 
ing. Nor  was  Uie  roughness  of  weather  or  roads  of  much  consideratioii 
by  either  himself  or  his  dear  partner.  Of  them  both  it  might  in 
tnith  be  said,  that  they  loved  the  habitation  of  God's  house,  and 
the  place  where  His  honour  dwelt.  When  they  reached  home  in  the 
evening  their  house  was  open  to  the  villagers  for  worship,  and  a  goodly 
number  generally  convened  beneath  their  roof  to  offer  with  them  solemn 
prayer  and  praise,  and  hear  our  dear  brother  read  the  Word  and  make  a 
few  remarks  thereon.  This  continued  until  the  year  1855,  when,  by  the 
united  efforts  of  the  villagers  and  friends,  a  neat  litUe  dbapel  was 
erected ;  and  in  the  April  of  that  year  Mr.  Foreman,  of  London,  and  Mr. 
Be  Frane,  of  Lutterworth,  came  to  open  it,  when  numbers  from  the  vil- 


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KoY.  1, 1866.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  329 

lages  TOimcly  caihe  to  aBsiiit  that  little  hill  of  Zion  by  their  presence  and 
their  purse,  where  there  is  now  a  church  walking  in  Gospel  order, 
althon^  now  destitute  of  a  pastor  to  go  in  and  out  before  them. 
The  Bey.  T.  Wilson,  now  minister  of  the  Gk)6pel  at  Swansea,  was  the 
last  to  break  the  bread  of  life  amongst  them.  With  this  minister  of  the 
New  Testament,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  one  in  heart,  and  should 
the  eye  of  Mr.  Wilson  meet  with  these  lines,  I  am  sure  he  will  pardon 
me  when  I  say,  in  cases  of  pecuHar  emergency  and  trial,  he  generally 
sought  the  counsel  and  prayers  of  his  departed  brother.  As  the  in- 
firmities of  age  now  b^;an  to  creep  on  apace,  it  was  but  seldom  they  could 
worship  at  Qidding,  except  to  commune  with  their  dear  brethren  and 
sisters  in  Christ  at  the  table  of  the  Lord ;  these  seasons  were  looked  for- 
ward to  with  pleasure  and  delight,  and  often  proved  to  be  seasons  of 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord ;  and  although  his  soul  often 
yearned  to  commune  with  them  more  frequently,  still  &e  little  cause  at 
Weston  lay  near  his  heart,  and  when  new  converts  were  added,  it  com- 
forted his  spirit  and  rejoiced  his  soul.  With  these  young  Christians  he 
was  an  especial  favourite,  as  he  had  a  peculiar  tact  in  drawing  out  their 
various  feelings,  and  (to  them  often)  perplexing  exercises,  and  was 
frequently  enabled  to  pour  into  their  broken  hearts  and  contrite  spirits 
the  precious  oil  and  wine  of  Qospel  truth.  He  had  always  a  word  of  com- 
fort for  the  downcast,  and  the  tried  and  tempted,  whose  name  is  L^on, 
in  the  living  family  of  heaven,  often  found  his  conversation  cheering  to 
their  wounded  spirits.  Prayer,  private  and  public,  was  the  especial  ele- 
ment of  his  soul,  and  in  this  precious  grace  and  gift  he  was  favoTOired  above 
many;  and  although  more  than  seventy  summers  and  winters  had 
whitened  his  brow,  and  enfeebled  his  frame,  he  would  often  be  first,  and 
with  a  deep  sigh,  he  has  sometimes  had  to  remark,  that  he  has  been  the 
only  one  at  the  seven  o'clock  prayer-meeting  on  a  Lord's-day  morning. 
Would  that  the  children  of  God  more  appreciated  the  privilege  of  those 
meetings  for  prayer.  The  Master  Himself  declares  that  he  will  be 
present ;  do  we  believe  His  word  9  and  shall  we  not  make  some  little 
sacrifice  of  ease  and  comfort  in  worldly  or  bodily  matters,  and  hasten  to> 
appreciate  the  blessing  ? 

(To  be  eondiided  next  month,  J 


EXPOSITION    OF    REVELATION    XV. 
Bt  Mb.  Jaxbs  Wells,  of  the  Subrey  Taberhacle,  Walworth  Roab. 

**  And  I  saw  another  sign  in  heaven,  great  and  nuurveUono,  seven  angels  haying  the 
seven  last  plaguesi  for  in  them  is  nued  up  the  wrath  of  Qod.** 

The  heaven  here,  as  we  have  before  said  upon  this  book,  does  not  mean 
heaven  itself  bnt  the  heavenly  or  the  Gospel  dispensation.  And  you 
observe  in  the  beginning  of  this  book  tiie  seven  ministers  of  the 
seven  churches  are  called  seven  angels  ;  and  one  part  of  their  work  was 
to  preach  mercy,  and  the  other  part  of  their  work  was  to  bear  testi- 
mony of  judgment    Hence  we  have  here  these  seven  angels  as  nunisters. 


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330  THB  EAETHBN   VESSEL,  Nor.  1, 188S. 

of  the  judgments  of  Qod.  Andtheyare  said  to  be  a  great  and  maird* 
loos  sigDy  because  those  ministers  stand  as  the  signs  on  the  one  hand 
of  great  salvation,  and  as  the  signs  on  the  other  hand  of  great  jndgment ; 
in  a  word,  there  is  nothing  little  about  our  destinf ;  we  must  eitiier  be 
saved  with  a  great  salvation,  or  else  we  must  be  condemned  with  a  great 
condemnation  ;  in  either  case,  th^efore,  the  matter  is  g^reat  How  solemn, 
then,  are  the  purposes  for  which  we  thus  assemble,  to  deal  with  the 
judgments  and  with  the  mercies  of  the  Moat  High  God. 

^' And  I  saw  as  it  were  a  sea  of  elaai  mmp^led  with  fire ;  and  them  that  had  gotten  the 
victory  over  the  beast,  and  over  hie  image,  and  over  his  mariCf  and  over  the 
number  of  his  name,  stand  on  the  sea  of  glass,  haying  the  harps  of  God.** 

There  is  an  allusion  here  to  the  Israelites  standing  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  Red  Sea  when  the  Lord  had  wrought  victory ;  and  the  sea 
mingled  with  fire  denotes  too  that  the  Bed  Sea  was  mm^ed  with  the 
judgments  of  God;  and  those  that  got  the  victoiy  stood  as  joa  are 
aware,  as  described  in  the  15th  of  Exodus,  upon  the  shore  ;  here  re|»e- 
sented  as  standing  upon  the  sea,  namely,  upon  the  sea  shore,  and  there 
they  rejoiced  in  the  victoiy  God  had  wrought ;  and  th^  were  in  this  a 
type  of  that  interposition  and  of  that  victory  that  should  be  achieved  hj 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Now  it  is  here  said  they  got  the  victoiy  over  the  beast,  over  his 
image,  over  his  mark,  and  over  the  number  of  his  name.  And  I  cannot  in 
order  to  make  this  clear,  do  better  than  we  have  done  before ;  the  four  acts 
of  £uth  recorded  of  Moses  in  the  1 1th  of  the  Hebrews  will  explain  unto 
us  all  that  is  here  meant.  By  the  beast  you  are  to  understand  sin  in 
general ;  whether  it  appears  in  an  irreligious  shape  or  in  a  religions 
shape;  in  whatever  shape  or  form  hos^ty  to  God's  truth  appears, 
that  is  the  wild  beast  of  sin,  that  hath  devoured  us  in  the  fint 
Adam.  Now  "Moses,  when  he  vras  come  to  years,  refused 
to  be  called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter ;  choosing  rather  to  suffer 
afliiction  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  t 
season ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the  treasures 
in  Egypt ;  for  he  had  respect  unto  the  recompence  of  the  reward."  Thus 
he  overcame  the  beast.  And  so  you,  by  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
oveixome  the  beast  of  sin  in  every  shape  and  form;  becao^ 
laying  hold  of  that  atonement  that  cleanseth  from  all  sin,  it  is  that  that 
giveth  us  the  victory.  Then  it  is  said  they  got  the  victory  over  his 
image.  Now  the  next  act  of  faith  of  Moses  was  to  forsake  Egypt,  not 
feaiing  the  wrath  of  the  king,  namely,  king  Pharaoh ;  and  king  Pharaoh 
is  spoken  of  as  a  dragon,  because  he  was  a  tjrrant,  and  therefore  repre- 
sents Satan,  or  any  other  person  who  embodies  in  himself  tyrannical 
powers  over  the  people  of  God.  Now  Moses  forsook  Egypt,  not  fearing 
the  wrath  of  the  king,  so  he  overcame  the  image  of  the  beast.  And  so 
any  of  you,  if  there  be  any  great  man  or  great  woman,  or  any  organization 
against  you  in  your  seeking  after  God's  truth,  you  must  not  fear  their 
wrath,  you  must  fear  Him  who  is  able  to  cast  both  body  and  soul  into 
hell ;  you  are  not  to  fear  the  wrath  of  any  human  opposer  whatever,  bot 
to  forsake  Egypt,  ''  Egypt,  where  our  Lord  was  crucified ;"  you  will 
not,  if  you  are  sincere  in  seeking  after  Him,  stay  where  He  ifl 
crucified,  but  you  wiU  seek  to  be  where  He  is  glorified ;  thus  yon  will 
overcome  everything.  And  then  the  third  act  of  iiiith  on  the  part  of 
Moses  was  that  he  kept  the  passover,  by  which  he  overoame  "  the  WMtk 


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Kov.  1»  1866.  AND  CHEiaTIAN  EEOOKD.  331 

of  the  l)east."  The  mark  of  the  beast  is  his  ci^eed.  For  instance,  if  I 
am  a  belierer  in  Catholicism,  then  I  have  that  creed,  or  that  belief,  as 
the  spot  or  mark  of  the  beast ;  but  if  I  believe  in  the  perfection  of 
Jesus  Christ,  then  I  overcome  that  mark  of  the  beast  And  also  "  the 
number  of  his  name  /'  and  so  the  fourth  act  of  £sdth  of  Moses  was 
passing  through  the  Bed  Sea,  and  in  passing  through  the  Red  Sea  he 
overcame  Pharaoh  and  all  his  host ;  that  is  called  the  number  of  his 
name.  I  need  not  enlarge  here  to  shev  how  easily  these  things  when 
taken  in  the  Christian  sense  can  be  bj  Christians  understood.  Thus  the 
powers  we  have  to  overcome  are  summed  up  in  this  four-fold  form. 
First,  the  body  of  sin  in  general,  denoted  by  the  wild  beast ;  this  we 
overcome  by  faith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Secondly,  the  embodiment 
of  tyranny  in  any  person  or  persons,  denoted  by  the  image ;  this  also  by 
fidth  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  we  are  to  overcome.  Third,  delusion ; 
by  which  people  stibscribe  to  error;  this  also,  this  part,  his  mark,  we 
overcome  in  the  same  way,  by  fiuth  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Then 
there  may  be  a  great  number  against  you  as  there  were  against  the 
Israelites,  Pharaoh  and  all  his  host,  and  those  numbers  may  appear  veiy 
powerful ;  but  these  will  be  also  overcome  in  the  same  way,  namely, 
by  faith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

And  those  that  stand  thus  are  said  to  have  ^'  the  harps  of  God," 
and  these  harps  of  Ghxi,  spiritually,  of  course,   are  the  truths  of  the 
Gospel. 
"  And  they  sing  the  song  of  Moms,  the  servsnt  of  GkxL  and  the  eong  of  the  Lamb, 

saying,  Qreat  and  marvellons  are  thy  worlm,  Lord  God  Almighty  5  just  and  true 

are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints.** 

Thus  you  see  that  the  salvation  from  Egypt  was  a  ty)^>e  of  our 
eternal  salvation,  and  the  two  are  here  united,  because  the  one  is  a  type 
of  the  other. 

*^  Who  shall  not  fear  Thee,  0  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name  ?  for  Thou  only  art  holy ; 

for  all  nations  shall  come  and  worship  Thee;  for  Thy  judgments  are  made 

manifest** 

Here  you  see  John,  though  living  in  the  very  beginning  of  the 
Gospel  dispensation,  saw  tiiat  the  Gospel  should  spread  into  all  nations,  and 
that  there  should  be  a  people  out  of  all  nations  that  should  thus  be 
brought  savingly  to  know  the  Lord. 

**  And  after  that  I  looked,  and,  behold,  the  temple  of  the    tabemade  of  the  testimony 
in  heaven  was  opened ;" 

that  is,  the  New  Testament  church  was  opened.  The  pharisees  had 
taken  away  the  key  of  knowledge,  and  the  true  church  of  God  was 
closed ;  they  entered  not  in  themselves,  and  they  hindered  those  that 
were  entering.  But  now  John  sees  that  the  true  church  is  opened  ;  and 
he  beholds  from  east  and  from  west,  from  north  and  from  south, 
thousands  rushing  into  that  church  by  the  grace  of  €k>d  to  augment 
its  numbers,  and  thus  demonstrate  the  £edthfiilness  of  the  blessed  Grod, 
that  his  glorious  truth  should  be  heard,  and  felt,  and  known,  to  earth's 
remotest  bounds. 
**  And  the  seven  angels  came  out  of  the  temple,  having  the  seyen  plagnes,  clothed  In 
pure  a&d  white  linen,  and  having  their  breasts  girded  with  golden  girdles  ;** 

clothed  in  pure  and  white  linen  to  denote  that  they  were  sanctified  and 
justified,  and  were  arrayed  in  the  habiliments  of  purity,  and  righteous- 
ness, and  acceptance  before  God ;  and  their  breasts  girded  with  golden 


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332  THE  EARTHBN  VESSEL,  Nor.  1,  IMS. 

girdles,  because  the  truth  is  their  girdle ;  their  loins  girt  about  with 
truth. 

"And  one  of  the  four  beasts  gave  unto  the  seven  angels  seven  golden  vials  foil  of  the 
wrath  of  God,  who  liveth  for  ever  and  ever." 

^  Now  there  are  two  classes  of  people  in  this  book  called  ^'  beasts  ;'* 
the  one  a  wild  beast,  denoting  enemies ;  the  other  a  tame  beast,  such  as 
the  ox,  laborious,  and  therefore  representing  the  people  of  God.  So  the 
"four  beasts"  spoken  of  around  the  throne  would  be  more 
properly  translated  "four  living  creatures."  Now  then,  here  is  one  of 
these  living  creatures  takes  these  vials  and  gives  them  into  the 
hands  of  the  angels.  That  is  just  what  eveiy  church  ought  to  do  with  its 
minister.  Every  church  ought  in  private  to  pray  for  its  minister,  and 
by  prayer  in  private  commit  to  him,  as  it  were,  the  judgments  and 
mercies  of  God;  and  on  your  knees  before  God  in  private  say, "  Lord,  guide 
our  minister  in  judgment ;  help  him  faithfully  to  %leclare  thy  judg- 
ment; and  above  all  l^elp  him  faithfully  to  declare  thy  mercy." 
For  the  people  of  God  have  a  great  deal  to  do  in  governing  their 
minister,  not  by  dictating  to  him,  but  by  praying  for  Mm;  and  aa  they 
pray  for  him  to  be  useful,  the  Lord  hears  their  prajers,  and 
puts  judgment  or  mercy  into  his  hands  from  time  to  time ;  so  that  the 
very  text  he  preaches  from  shall  come  from  the  people.  The  Holj 
Spirit  indites  those  prayers,  the  Lord  hears  and  answers  them ;  and 
so  the  people  put  into  the  hands  of  the  minister  the  very  subject  upon 
which  he  is  to  preach ;  and  in  turn  he  pastorally  and  paternally 
governs  them ;  and  then,  thirdly,  the  Lord  himself  governs  the  whole. 
There  is,  therefore,  a  sweet  unity  running  through  the  living  church  of 
the  blessed  God. 

"And  the  temple  was  filled  with  smoke  from  the  glory  of  God,  and  from  His  power* 
and  no  man  was  able  to  enter  into  the  temple,  till  the  seven  plagues  of  the  seven 
angels  were  folfilled." 

The  meaning  of  which  verse  I  will  notice  at  some  future  time, 
when  we  go  through  the  next  chapter  to  notice  these  seven  plagues. 


THE  PROPHETIC  YEAR  1866, 

Dear  Snt, — Now  that  we  are  advancing  so  near  the  great  year 
(1866)  of  prophetic  anticipation,  allow  me  to  send  you  a  few  remarks 
extracted  from  the  writings  of  one  who  wrote  on  the  subject  early  in  the 
present  century,  and  which,  to  say  the  leasts  coincide  very  remarkably  with 
our  views  of  the  fast  coming  future. 

On  Dan.  vii.  7,  he  thus  writes  :  '^  Some  expositors  have  explained 
this  fourth  beast  of  the  successors  of  Alexander,  and  have  endeavoured  to 
make  out  that  Antiochus  Epiphanes  was  ^  the  little  horn.'  But  were 
any  of  Alexander's  successors,  or  even  all  of  them  together,  more  power- 
ful and  dreadful  than  he  had  been  ?  Were  their  conquests  moire  extensive 
and  destructive  than  his  %  For  it  is  most  evident  that  those  of  this 
fourth  beast  were. 

^'  The  '  ten  horns'  were  '  kings,'  or  kingdoms  (according  to  the  Ian- 
guage  of  prophecy),  all  existing  at  once,  and  not  individual  princes  rising. 


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Not.  1, 1866.  AND  CHBISTIAN  BECOBD.  333 

in  sucoeasion.  '  The  little  hoi-n'  was  not  one  of  the  ten,  but  arose  among 
and  after  them ;  and  this  beast,  in  one  form  or  another,  was  to  subsist 
till  the  establishment  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ,  and  the  universal  preva- 
lence of  His  religion,  as  it  is  afterwards  predicted.  These  reasons  have 
induced  all  modem  Protestant  expositors  to  look  elsewhere  for  this 
'  fourth  beast ;'  and  the  emblems  are  so  apposite  that  there  can  be  little 
danger  of  mistake,  or  reason  for  hesitation  as  to  the  grand  outlines. 

''  This  '  fourth  beast'  evidently  accords  with  the  l^s  and  feet  of 
iron,  which  were  seen  by  Nebuchadnezzar  in  his  visionary  image,  and 
which  were  at  length  divided  into  ten  toes.  It  far  exceeded  in  ))ower, 
fierceness,  and  destructive  rage,  all  that  had  gone  before  it,  as  well  as  in 
the  extent  and  long  duration  of  its  dominions ;  and  no  animal  could  be 
found  so  terrible  and  furious  as  to  lend  it  a  suitable  name.  This  was, 
doubtless,  an  emblem  of  the  Roman  state,  the  invincible  fortitude,  har- 
diness, and  force  of  which,  perhaps,  were  never  equalled.  By  wars  and 
conquests  the  Romans  bore  down  all  opposition,  reduced  almost  every 
kingdom  or  state  in  the  known  world  into  some  kind  or  degree  of  depen- 
dence; drew  all  the  spoil  and  wealth  of  many  conquered  nations  to 
enrich  their  proud  capital;  and  tyrannized  over  all  that  did  not  quietly 
yield  obedience  to  their  authoiity. 

"  This  fourth  empire  was  governed  in  another  manner  and  by  other 
maxims  than  any  of  the  preceding;  and  in  process  of  time  it  was 
divided  into  ten  kingdoms.  These  are  indeed  reckoned  up  in  several 
ways  by  different  writers,  according  to  the  date  assigned  to  tiie  enumera- 
tion ;  but,  in  general,  it  is  clear  that  the  principal  kingdoms  in  Europe 
at  this  day  sprang  from  them,  and  comprise  them,  excepting  some  of  the 
more  northern  regions,  and  those  possessed  by  the  Turks.  The  various 
ways  in  which  these  ten  kingdoms  have  been  enumerated,  as  the  cata- 
logue has  been  formed  for  different  periods,  is  indeed  an  interesting  sub- 
ject to  a  student  of  history  and  of  prophecy.  Mr.  Faber's  remarks  on 
this  point  are  well  worthy  the  accurate  student's  attention,  and  his  con- 
clusion from  it  seems  well  grounded  :  '  The  historian  Machiavel,  little 
thinking  what  he  was  doing,  reckons  up  the  ten  primary  kingdoms  as 
follows  : — 1.  The  Ostrogoths,  in  Mesia;  2.  The  Visigoths,  in  Pannonia  ; 
3.  The  Sueves  and  Alans,  in  Grasgoine  and  Spain ;  4.  The  Vandals,  in 
Africa ;  5.  The  Franks,  in  France ;  6.  The  Burgundians,  in  Burgundy ; 
7.  The  Heruli  and  Turingi,  in  Italy ;  8.  The  Saxons  and  Angles,  in 
Britain ;  9.  The  Huns,  in  Hungary  ;  10.  The  Lombards,  at  first  upon  the 
Danube,  afterwards  in  Italy.'  The  same  catalogue  is  exhibited  by  that 
excellent  chronologer.  Bishop  Lloyd,  who  adds  the  dates  when  these  ten 
kingdoms  arose.  These,  then,  upon  the  concurring  testimony  of  an  his- 
torian and  chronologer,  are  the  '  ten  kingdoms'  into  which  the  Roman 
empire  was  originally  divided.  Thus,  it  is  certain,  that  the  Roman 
Empire  was  divided  into  *  ten  kingdoms ; '  and  though  they  might 
be  sometimes  more  and  sometimes  fewer,  yet  they  were  still  known  by 
the  name  of  the  ten  kingdoms  of  the  western  empire,  which  suffices  for 
our  general  purpose.  For  though  the  Romans  subdued  those  countries 
in  the  east,  which  had  successively  belonged  to  the  Chaldeans,  the  Per- 
sians, and  the  Macedonians,  yet  their  empire  (or  the  body,  head,  and 
horns  of  the  beast)  was  in  the  west.  '  All  the  four  beasts  are  still  alive, 
though  the  dominion  of  the  three  first  be  taken  away.  The  nations  of 
Chaldea  and  Assyria  are  still  the  first  beast ;  those  of  Media  and  Persia 

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334  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Not.  1, 186&. 

are  still  the  second  beast ;  those  of  Macedonia,  Greece,  Thnioe,  Aua 
Minor,  Syria,  and  Egypt  are  still  the  third;  and  those  of  Europe,  on  this 
side  Greece,  are  still  the  fourth.' 

"  While  the  prophet  was  considering  these  ten  horns  (v.  8)  he  saw 

*  another  little  horn*  springing  up  among  them.  This  evidently  points 
out  the  power  of  the  Churdi  and  Bishop  of  Rome,  which,  firom  snuJI 
beginnings,  long  before  it  became  a  temporal  dominion,  thrust  itself  up 
among  the  ten  kingdoms,  and  at  length  got  possession  of  three  of  them, 
haying  tiimed  out  those  who  held  them.  If  even  three  kingdoms  were 
'  plucJced  up '  before  a  little  kingdom,  which  arose  imperceptibly  among 
the  ten  primary  kingdoms,  they  must  be  three,  the  names  of  which 
occur  in  the  preceding  list  of  Machiavel  and  Bishop  Uoyd.  Accordingly, 
we  find  that  the  kingdom  of  the  Heruli,  the  kingdom  of  the  Ostrogoths, 
and  the  kingdom  of  Uie  Lombards,  were  successively  eradicated  before 
the  little  Papal  horn,  which  at  length  became  a  temporal,  no  less  tha^  a 
spiritual  power,  at  the  expense  of  those  three  depressed  primary  states. 

"  In  this  horn  were  *  eyes  lilre  the  eyes  of  a  man.'  This  denoted 
the  policy,  sAgadty,  and  watchfulness,  by  which  the  little  horn  would 
spy  out  occasions  of  extending  and  establishing  its  interests,  and  advanc- 
ing its  exorbitant  pretensions ;  and  the  court  of  Rome  has  ever  been 
remarkable  for  this,  above  all  the  states  in  the  world,  as  evpij  person 
at  all  acquainted  with  history  must  know.  It  had  also  *  a  mouth 
speaking  great  things ;'  and  we  shall  have  frequent  occasion  to  speak  of 
the  arrogant  claims,  blasphemous  titles,  and  great  swelling  words  of 
vanity  of  this  horn.  The  style  of  '  his  Holiness,'  *  our  Lord  Grod  the 
Pope,'  '  another  God  on  earth,'  and  the  claim  of  infallibility,  and  of  a 
power  to  dispense  with  God's  laws,  to  forgive  sins,  and  to  sell  admis- 
sion into  heaven,  may  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the  great  things  which  this 
mouth  has  spoken.  He  would  also  ^  wear  out  the  saints  of  the  Most 
High'  (and  we  all  know  what  dreadful  persecution  the  Church  of  God 
has  suffered  from  the  hands  of  the  Papal  Antichrist),  and  think  to 
change  times  and  laws.     And  they  shall  be  given  into  his  hands  until 

*  a  time,  and  times,  and  the  dividing  of  time.'  Thus  matter  would  be 
left  in  his  hands  *  till  a  time,  and  times,  and  the  dividing  of  time,'  thnt ' 
is,  for  three  years  and  a-half,  or  forty-two  months,  which,  reckoning 
thirty  days  to  a  month  (and  this  was  the  general  computation),  make 
lust  1,260  days ;  and  those  prophetical  days  signify  1,260  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  term  the  dominion  of  this  horn  will  cease  ;  he  will 
be  judged,  condemned,  and  consumed.  From  carefully  comparing  what 
different  writers  have  stated  concerning  this  '  little  horn,'  and  the  time 
at  which  the  predicted  term  of  1,260  years  began,  with  the  prophecies 
themselves,  I  am  led  to  conclude  that  the  *  little  horn'  was  in  exist- 
ence for  a  considerable  time  before  he  was  possessed  either  of  eccle- 
siastical or  temporal  dominion ;  that  he  sprang  up  soon  after  the  em- 
pire was  divided  into  ten  kingdoms ;  that,  though  the  Bishop  of  Rome 
even  then,  nay,  before,  made  arrogant  claims,  yet  the  '  little  horn*  was 
comparatively  harmless,  till,  by  the  decree  of  Phocas,  he  was  constituted 

'  universal  bishop,  and  supreme  head  of  the  church,*  A.D.  606. 

"  That  by  this  decree,  the  saints,  and  the  times  and  laws  were 
given  into  his  hand,  he  had  the  power  of  persecuting  and  domination ; 
and  that  the  1,260  years  are  to  be  dated  fi-om  his  being  thus  invested 
with  absolute  ecclesiastical  dominion.     From  the  obscurity,  however,  of 


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Not.  1, 1866.  A  ND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD,  335 

propliecy,  previous  to  its  fulfilment,  we  are  cautioned  not  confidently  to 
assign  the  date  of  future  events ;  but,  probably,  at  the  ^nd  of  1,260  years 
from  A.D.  606,  the  events  predicted  will  begin  to  receive  a  remarkable 
accomplishment." 

The  above  is  extracted  from  the  writings  of  Scott,  the  commentator, 
and  his  conclusions,  as  to  the  year  1866  are,  I  think,  worthy  of  notice  in 
these  times.     Yours,  faithfully,  C.  W. 


GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BY     MR.     ALFRED     PBET,      OP      S  H  A  R  N  B  R  0  0  K. 


**  Gather  up  the  finagments  that  remain  that  nothing  be  lost." — John  vi.  12. 

101. — The  worst  hearers  of  the  Gkuspel  are  not  sinnera,  but  crot- 
chety, cruel,  cimning,  careless,  conceited,  cross-grained,  pretended  saints ; 
woe  unto  such  hypocrites;  who  hath  warned  them  to  iiee  from  the  wrath 
to  come  ? 

102. — The  worst  livers  of  the  Gospel  are  haughty,  headstrong,  self- 
willed,  self-admired,  doctrinal  worldlings,  who  always  want  high  doc- 
trine, high  and  strong  meat ;  yes,  so  high  that  it  taints  their  very  words, 
and  causeth  their  walk  to  be  very  offensive  to  the  babe  in  Christ,  the 
young  man  of  God,  and  the  father  of  Israel. 

103. — ^The  worst  preachers  of  the  Gospel  are  such  as  would  rob 
Ohmt  of  the  glory  of  the  Crospel ;  this  the  Arminians  do  who  want  to 
be  saved  by  works ;  and  the  Antinomians,  who  want  to  be  saved  without 
works. 

104. — That  which  the  Lord  makes  his  children  afraid  of  He  will 
preserve  them  from. 

106. — Our  Lord  will  have  no  merit-mongers  in  his  flock ;  he  wants 
none  but  mercy-seekers ;  and  such  He  makes  mercy-receivers. 

106. — The  sincere  lover  of  Christ  will  break  through  all  to  get  at 
his  beloved,  in  which  heavenly  course  he  is  not  ashamed,  being  em- 
boldened by  the  exercise  of  a  good  hope  of  glory  to  come. 

107. — ^The  path  of  profession  abounds  with  so  many  impostors,  that 
the  real  saints  of  the  Most  High,  instead  of  improving  the  privilege  of 
communion,  seem  all  to  be  afiuid  of  one  another. 

108. — ^The  best  of  men  will  have  their  foes  as  well  as  friends ;  but 
as  the  eternal  God  is  their  friend,  and  they  fear  Him,  although  they  have 
many  inveterate  enemies  they  need  not  fear  them.  Their  Divine  Father 
can,  if  He  please,  make  even  their  very  foes  to  act  the  part  of  a  friend 
towards  them,  for  they  are  all  under  His  control. 

109. — If  one  drop  of  heaven  is  so  sweet  and  exhilarating  to  the 
weary  pilgrim  below,  what  must  it  be  to  bathe  in  the  immense,  the 
unbounded  ocean  of  glory  above  ! 

110. — The  praise  and  esteem  of  men  is  but  a  poor  trifle,  not  worth 
the  seeking  after  ;  and,  if  obtained,  not  suro  of  being  kept. 

111. — Although  we  are  not  what  we  would  be,  yet  we  are  what 
€rod  would  have  us  to  be. 

112. — It  is  impossible  that  we,  through  neglect  of  watchfulness,  can 
be  finally  lost ;  yet  for  the  want  of  it  much  may  be  lost  unto  us,  and 
much  may  be  &llen  into. 

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336  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Not.  1, 1865. 

ihi  MIc  0f  J5hfiuibi[fiad: 

OR,  A  PORTION  FOR  EVERY  SABBATH. 

BT    GIDEON. 


SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  5th.—"  IT  IS  FINISHED." 

"  It  is  fiiiiBlied.''-^ohn  xix.  30. 

The  words  of  the  dying  saint  are  precious — how  carefully  we  treasure 
them  up  like  so  many  gems ;  with  what  feelmg  they  are  repeated  as  so 
many  evidences  that  the  departed  is  at  eternal  rest.  But  the  words  of 
the  dying  Saviour  are  of  infinite  worth.  Art  thou  anxiously  asking,  as 
some  of  whom  we  read,  "  WJkU  must  I  dof*  Ah  I  if  sin  has  become  a 
real  burden  to  the  soul ;  if  its  evil  has  been  seen,  and  its  guilt  felt,  thou 
wouldst  do  anything,  however  haixL  But  hark  !  the  dying  Saviour's 
voice  proclaims,  "  It  is  finisliAdr  What  is  finished  ?  Salvation  ;  the 
prophecies  are  fulfilled  ;  the  law  miagnified  and  made  honourable,  by  the 
(jerfect  obedience  of  Jesus ;  sin  atoned  for  by  his  blood ;  yea,  not  anythiDg 
left  undone.  Observe,  then,  poor  soul,  thou  who  wouldst  do  anything 
and  everything  to  save  thyself,  even  give  the  fruit  of  thy  body  for  the  sua 
of  thy  soul.  But  thou  feelest  that  thou  canst  not  do  anything  worthy 
of  God  s  approval  or  acceptance.  We  speak  to  thee  and  say,  the  *'  finished" 
salvation  is  for  thee — yes,  thine  !  It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of 
him  that  runneth,  but  of  God  that  showeth  mercy.  And  again,  "  To 
him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly, 
his  faith  is  counted  for  righteousness.''  And  how  can  God  justify  ^e 
ungodly  1  Why  by  putting  down  to  their  account  the  ^*  finished"  salvation 
of  Jesus  Chiist.  Turn  away  thine  ear,  then,  from  the  instruction  that 
causeth  to  err ;  our  best  works  are  as  filthy  rags.  By  tbe  work  of  Christ 
alone  can  any  sinner  be  saved.  There  are  none  so  good  as  not  to  need 
Him,  and  none  so  bad  but  He  can  save.  His  finished  work  cannot  be 
mended  ;  nothing  can  be  added  thereto  :  beware  of  that  sin.  Do  not 
insult  the  Saviour  by  putting  thy  poor  defiled  doing  to  His !  And  blessed 
be  God,  His  work  cannot  be  urulone.  In  spite  of  sin,  death,  hell,  and 
every  foe.  His  work  will  stand — '<  It  is  finished  ;"  and  faith  answers  all 
the  law  demands  by  pleading  what  the  Lord  hath  done  !    Amen. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  12th.— THE  BEST  PORTION. 

"  The  Lord  is  my  portion." — Lam.  ilL  24. 
Canst  thou  say  so  ?  Is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  thy  portion  f  then, 
although  thou  mayest  be  poor  and  needy,  tried  and  afiUcted,  yet  thou  art 
rich  to  all  intent  of  bliss ;  for  He  is  all  and  in  all ;  hence  the  great 
Paul  could  say,  '*  Having  nothing,  yet  passessing  all  things  /'  and  again, 
*'  All  things  are  yours, ;  all  things  are  for  your  sakes.  Thanks  be  unto 
God  for  His  unspeakable  gift."     Is  the  Lord  thy  portion  1    Then — 

1.  He  is  a  satisfying  portion  ;  nought  of  an  earthly  kind  can  fill  the 
soul ;  the  more  men  have,  the  more  they  desire ;  the  want  increases  with 
the  wealth;  and  hence  it  is  that  the  most  rich  are  often  the  most 
unhappy  and  discontented,  as  Haman  had  wealth  and  honour,  bat  pride 
and  ambition  caused  him  to  say,  '*  All  this  availeth  me  nothing."     He 


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Not.  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  33? 

was  not  bappy  because  not  content.  Had  the  Jjord  been  liis  portion,  he 
would  not  have  envied  the  king,  much  less  poor  Mordecai. 

2.  He  is  the  portion  of  all  His  people  alike.     The  difference  in  our 
'  places,  possessions,  and  positions,  is  only  for  a  time,  and  only  has  to  do 

with  the  things  that  perish  with  the  using.  Every  true  believer  has  a 
whole  Christ  for  his  own —  My  beloved  is  mine ;"  yes,  all  of  Him  as 
much  as  if  no  one  else  had  any  claim  upon  Him.  All  the  merit  of  His 
blood,  the  benefit  of  His  righteousness,  and  fulness  of  His  grace  are 
mine. 

3.  He  is  an  everlasting  portion.  Evezy  other  possession  is  veiy 
uncertain,  and  the  term  for  which  held  at  best  short.  But  those  who 
CBJX  claim  by  £Edth  an  interest  in  Jesus  have  imperishable  wealth,  honoui*, 
and  glory.  Wait  awhile  ;  let  patience  have  her  perfect  work,  and  soon 
thou  shalt  hear  the  Saviour's  sweet  voice  saving,  '^  Come,  thou  blessed  of 
my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  thee  before  the  foundation 
of  the  world."     Amen. 


SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  19th.— THE  POOR  RICH. 

"  The  Lord's  portion  is  His  people.**— Deut.  xxxiL  9. 

Our  blessed  Jesus  was  poor;  He  had  not  where  to  lay  His  head ;  His 
body  was  laid  in  a  borrowed  grave.  Many  of  the  wicked  men  who  per- 
tiecuted  Him,  and  put  Him  to  death,  were  rich ;  they  had  all  that  heart 
could  wish  ;  yet  His  Father  divides  Him  a  portion  with  the  great.  The 
Church  is  His  wealth — His  special  treasure.  The  Father  said  to  Him 
by  Isaiah  (chap.  xlv.  3),  "  I  will  give  thee  the  treasures  of  darkness,  and 
hidden  riches  of  secret  places."  His  people  are  '^  the  treasure  hid/'  and 
"the  pearl  of  great  price,"  which  He  came  to  "seek  and  to  save;" 
"  for  the  Lord's  portion  are  His  people."  Art  thou  one  of  them  ?  given 
to  Him  by  the  Father,  redeemed  by  His  own  blood,  and  made  alive  by  the 
Spirit  1     Then  be  sure — 

1.  Thou  art  safe.  The  Lord  Jesus  can  never  be  disinherited;  He 
loves  His  people  too  well  to  give  any  of  them  up  to  the  power  of  sin  or 
"Satan  ;  they  cost  Him  too  dear  to  deal  with  them  so.  He  is  too  mighty 
"to  be  overcome  by  any  foe.     None  can  take  them  out  of  His  hand. 

2.  He  will  make  all  His  property  worthy  of  Himself.  No  matter 
in  what  condition  the  Church  was  in  when  He  came.  He  will  not  rest 
till  every  member  thereof  be  quite  recovered  from  all  the  effects  of  sin. 
Each  shall  shine  in  the  perfect  image  of  Himsel£  Be  not  discouraged, 
poor  soul,  because  of  thy  bitterness  or  sinfulness.  Jesus  is  able  to  make 
all  grace  abound  toward  thee. 

"  Upon  a  poor  polluted  worm. 
Me  makes  His  grace  to  shine." 

3.  He  will  dwell  in  the  midst  of  His  people.  "  The  Lord's  people 
are  His  portion ;"  that  is.  His  inheritance — His  estate— and  there  He 
dwells — in  them  by  the  spirit  of  grace,  with  them  by  Divine  power,  seen 
now  only  by  faith ;  but  you  shall  by-and-bye  "  see  the  King  in  His  beauty ;" 
**  this,"  says  he,  **  is  my  rest  for  ever ;  here  will  I  dwell,  for  I  have 
desired  it."  Yes,  the  name  of  the  city  from  that  day  shall  be,  "The 
iLord  is  there."    Amen.  ..     


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338  THE   BABTHEN   VESSEL,  Nqt.  1, 1865. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  26th.— NOT  ANYTHING ! 

"  Is  anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?" — Gen.  x-TiiL  li. 

Unbelief  says,  Yes,  many  things  are  too  hard ;  my  heart  is  too  hard  to 
be  broken,  my  difficulties  to  be  mastered,  and  a  thousand  questions  more 
deep  and  puzzling  than  those  put  to  Solomon  by  the  "  Queen  of  the  South.'' 
Faith  says,  "  Ah,  Lord  God !  Behold,  thou  hast  made  the  heaven  and 
the  earth  by  Thy  great  power  and  stretched-out  arm,  and  there  is  nothing 
too  hard  for  thee."  (Jer.  xxxii.  17.)  Everything  is  too  hard  for 
the  Christian,  if  he  be  left  to  himself,  and  no  doubt  the  Lord  is  pleased 
to  let  us  feel  our  own  weakness  that  we  may  the  more  value  His  power. 
But  while  everything  is  more  than  we  can  manage,  then  our  special 
times  and  seasons,  when  deliverance  seems  to  be  impossible.  In  tem- 
poral matters,  when  there  is  only  a  handful  of  meal  left,  when  rent^ay 
is  near,  and  not  a  shilling  wherewith  to  meet  the  ungodly  landlord; 
when  the  employment  has  ceased,  and  no  other  can  be  found,  ah, 
the  heart  knoweth  its  own  bitterness.  Dear  reader,  it  may  be  the  water 
is  up  to  thy  chin,  and  the  next  wave  threatens  to  sink  thee  quite, — 
Hark  !  Jehovah  speaks ;  He  it  is  who  asks,  "  Is  there  anything  too 
hard  for  the  Lord  r 

"  Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  take, 
The  clouds  ye  so  much  dreistd 
Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break, 
In  blessings  on  your  head!** 

Often  in  spiritual  things,  in  soul  matters,  the  Lord's  people  are 
shown  sore  and  hard  ti'oubles.  Indeed,  those  who  have  merely  taken 
up  religion  without  that  having  taken  up  them,  they  know  nothing  about 
these  hard  things ;  their  path  is  smooth  enough,  and  all  "  daum  kiUJ* 
But  the  living  soul,  who  by  the  eternal  Spirit's  teaching,  sees  what  sin 
is,  and  feels  what  the  oppositions  of  the  Adam  nature  are ;  he  is  almost 
afraid  to  consider  himself  interested  in  any  promise.  "  Is  it  possible,'* 
says  such  an  one,  "  for  me  to  he  saved,  for  all  my  sins  to  be  forgiven,  for 
all  the  deep  stains  of  sin  to  be  washed  out  of  my  spirit  ?"  Then  oomes 
in  Satan,  and  replies,  "  No  !  you  have  gone  too  far.  You  are  too  bad. 
You  cannot  be  saved :  there  is  no  hope  for  you.  Header,  is  this  thy 
case?  Listen  not  to  the  tempter,  but  see  if  thou  canst  answer  the 
Lord's  question,  "  Is  anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord  1  Ah  !  like  Job, 
thou  must  confess  :  '^  I  know  that  thou  canst  do  everything  !"    Amen. 


%  JUpcrg  and  its  Sfsstm. 

In  the  first  frightful  visitation  of  the  cholera  to  this  country,  one  parti- 
cular town  in  the  midland  suffered  more  from  it  than  any  other  town  in 
the  kingdom.  It  attacked  the  inhabitants  almost  by  wholesale ;  entire 
fieanilies  wera  swept  off  by  it,  and  ethers  were  deprived  of  their  heads; 
and  some  hundreds  of  children  were  reduced  to  orphanage,  and  many 
left  without  friend  or  relative  in  the  world.  The  cry  of  diatrees  went 
forth  in  every  quarter,  and  British  phOaathropy,  with  its  wcmted  promp- 
titude and  liberality,  ran  to  the  rescue  with  haAdfals  of  gold  and  silver. 
Among  the  correspondents  of  the  press  who  kept,  the  pubUc  injfonned  on 


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Not.  1,  1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  339 

the  ravages  of  death  and  the  destitiitioii  of  the  survivors,  the  vicar  was 
most  prominent.  His  descriptions  of  the  plague  and  its  operations 
were  creditable  to  his  head  and  his  heart,  and  greatly  helped  in  stirring 
up  the  sympathies  of  both  Government  and  people.  Honour  to  whom 
honour  is  due.  Bodies,  endued  with  life,  must  be  fed,  and  clothed,  and 
lodged ;  and  if  sick,  nursed  and  comforted ;  but  the  soul — the  immortal 
soul — "  What  shall  a  man  give  in  exchangerfor  his  soul  1 "  The  vicar 
took  kind  thought  for  the  bodies,  was  prudently  careful  of  his  own  j 
avoided  risks  from  contagion  by  giving  the  infected  a  wide  offing.  He 
sat  in  his  vicarage  reoeiving  hourly  accounts  of  death's  deeds  in  the 
parish,  and  moulding  the  same  into  pathetic  appeals  to  the  benevolent 
eveiywhere.  As  might  be  expected  there  was  much  religious  excite- 
ment in  the  neighbourhood,  and  the  godly  exerted  themselves  zealously 
and  laudably  for  the  spiritual  good  of  their  benighted  and  terrified  neigh- 
bours ;  but  many  died  without  a  word  of  exhortation  or  prayer,  and  the 
dead  were  consigned  to  the  gi^ve  with  heartless  dispatch,  and  as  with  the 
burial  of  a  dog,  silent  and  solitary.  If  there  was  any  one  to  offer  a  sym- 
pathising prayer  for  the  stricken  widow,  or  bereaved  orphans,  standing 
beside  the  grave  rapidly  filling  with  earth,  most  frequently  it  was  the 
Baptist  minister,  who  was  indefatigable  in  ministering  consolation  to  the 
departing,  and  in  alleviating  the  grief  of  survivors  by  meeting  them  at 
the  tomb,  and  there  presenting  on  their  behalf  earnest  suppUcations  to 
Him  who  is  the  Kesurrection  and  the  life. 

In  God's  good  time  the  plague  was  stayed  ;  charity  effected  all  that 
humanity  could  do ;  the  mass  i*esumed  manufacture  and  trade,  prayer 
meetings  were  thinned,  and  ere  long  discontinued ;  and  the  conviction, 
lately  so  acute,  that  '*  all  men  are  mortal,"  even  ourselves,  faded  away, 
and  the  cholera,  and  death,  and  judgment,  facts  present  and  pressing  just 
before,  became  to  most  matters  of  yesterday,  or  of  a  much  earlier  period. 
8tiU,  there  are  sad  memorials  existing  thereabout  of  the  havoc  wrought 
by  the  destroying  angel ;  and  there  are  yet  living  witnesses  that  Jehovah, 
in  the  midst  of  wrath,  remembered  mercy,  and  that  not  ail  who  were 
frightened  into  devotion  were  allowed  to  return,  like  the  sow  that  was 
washed  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mire.  The  aforesaid  Baptist  minister,  a 
few  years  later,  lost  his  voice,  and  was  disabled  for  work  in  the  pulpit. 
Part  of  his  family  had  removed  to  Austi'alia,  and  thither  he  was  invited 
to  go,  to  dwindle  out  his  remaining  days  in  quiet  and  uselessness.  "  God's 
thoughts  are  not  as  our  thoughts.''  Christian  people  who  knew  and 
esteemed  him,  kindly  subscribed  for  his  outfit  and  the  expenses  of  his 
voyage,  and  prayerfully  dismissed  him  to  what  appeared  a  dreary  future. 
He  had  scarcely  passed  the  nothem  tropic  when  he  was  conscious  of 
improvement  in  his  articulation,  and  before  he  sighted  the  continent  he 
was  sailing  to  his  voice  was  nearly  as  perfect  as  ever.  The  port  at  which 
he  landed  was  some  hundreds  of  miles  from  the  home  he  sought;  but- 
there  was  a  congregation  at  that  port  longing  for  a  pastor.  He  preached 
to  them  with  acceptance,  and  when  he  would  go  on  his  journey  they  said, 
^'  ]^o,  we  have  long  waited  and  prayed  for  such  an  one,  and  now  we  claim 
you  as  sent  in  answer  to  our  prayers,  and  shall  not  allow  you  to  slip  out 
of  our  hands."  He  reasoned  with  them  on  the  circumstances  under 
which  he  had  been  partly  compelled  to  forsake  his  fatherland,  and  the 
expectatioiisof  ius  kindred  who  were  waiting  to  receive  him.  To  all  this 
they  replied,  '<  It  may  be  proper  for  you  to  go,  and  if  you  will  promise  . 


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340  TEE  BARTREN  VESSEL,  Nor.  1, 1W5. 

to  come  back  we  will  consent,  and  will  fumiflh  70U  with  the  means  of 
transit  in  both  directions."  It  was  a  bargain  to  which  both  parties 
were  faithful.  Names  of  persons  and  places  are  purposelj  omitted. 
These  reminiscences  suggest  the  hope  that  our  brother  Cozens  will  derive 
similar  advantages  from  his  tossing  on  the  Pacific,  and  that  he  will  reach 
his  destination  with  a  new  lease  of  health  and  vigour,  able  to  blow  such 
a  blast  on  the  jubilee  tnAnpet  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  as  shall  awaken 
echoes  from  Sydney  to  Shai*k  Bay,  and  from  Cape  Otway  to  Clarence 
Strait  Change  of  air  and  scene,  though  for  a  few  weeks  only,  is  found 
to  be  so  beneficial  to  the  animal  health  and  spirits,  one  cannot  help 
pitying  the  laborious  pastor  who  is  so  isolated  by  position,  or  so  poor  in 
circumstances  as  to  be  unable  to  pay  a  visit,  once  a  year,  to  some  marine 
or  mountainous  region  where  bracing  breezes  blow,  and  where  the  mag- 
nificence of  Grod's  creation  must  expand  and  elevate  the  Christian  mind. 
And  it  is  quite  possible  that  some  of  our  good  brethren,  who  suffer  from 
tenderness  of  the  chest,  and  general  debiUty,  if  they  could  muster  cour- 
age to  strike  out  for  a  southern  climate,  would  find  large  fields  to  labour 
in,  and  increased  strength  for  the  work. 

Wishing  great  grace  and  blessing  for  those  who  emigrate,  and  those 
who  stay  at  home,  I  am,  drc,  Thomas  Jones. 

Blackheath. 


3fi^\^  itm  ih  ^tmrji. 


Dear  Brother  in  Christ, — "Christ!"  What  a  name!  well  the 
apostle  says  "  Christ  is  all  and  in  bXV*  Christ  is  all — God  the  Father 
found  all  in  Him — Grod  the  Holy  Ghost  finds  such  a  fulness  in  Him  as 
to  bear  an  eternal  testimony  concerning  Him.  (John  xvi.  13 — 15.) 
Angels  are  always  delighted  with  His  infinite  excellencies;  creation 
stands  forth  at  His  command;  providence  pours  out  His  everlasting 
resources;  His  salvation  yields  an  abundance  unto  unnumbered 
millions  of  loved,  chosen,  redeemed,  quickened,  and  called  sinners.  The 
living  soul  finds  in  Christ  all  riches.  To  know  Him  is  eternal  life, 
security,  happiness;  they  being  pavillioned  in  His  meritonal  per- 
fections, enjoy  quietness  and  assurance  for  ever.  (Isaiah  xxxiL 
17,  18.)  Christ  is  essentially  all  that  is  great  and  glorious.  He 
possesses  all  that  is  desirable;  He  uribotmdedly  carUams  all  that 
is  enriching  for  time  and  eternity — ^yea,  He  is  the  fulness  that 
filleth  all  in  all.  (Eph.  i.  23.)  To  be  in  Christ  is  to  be  unspeakably 
happy  and  eternally  enriched  with  grace  and  glory.  To  be  like  Him  is 
the  lughest  dignity.  The  enjoyment  of  the  excellence  of  EEis  knowledge 
sinks  all  else  into  the  shades.  To  apprehend  Christ  is  the  grand,  the 
divine  realization  of  the  treasure  hid  in  the  field,  which,  when  once 
enjoyed,  all  else  is  parted  with  as  entirely  insignificant.  Truly,  my  dear 
brother,  it  is  the  greatest  happiness  of  the  renewed  soul  to  Jaww  that  if 
is  in  Christ  J  and  in  having  a  knowledge  of  Him,  in  whom  the  whole 
•glory  of  the  Gk>dhead  dwells  and  shines  forth  to  all  eternity,  and  ^e 
vast  ocean  of  our  endless  blessedness  will  consist  in  beholding  the 
unfolding  of  the  mind,  will,  and  pleasure  of  Jehovah  in  and  through 


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Nov.  1. 1865W  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  341 

HiiD,  which  will  be  opened  in  His-  Peraon,  manifested  in  His  perfect 
work,  and  exhibited  in  His  righteous  reign.  In  Christ  all  tlie  Lord^tf 
designs  centre,  and  by  Him  will  all  the  Divine  purpose  be  consummated. 
In  Christ  we  have  a  fulness  of  life,  light,  wisdom,  grace,  and  righteoui?- 
ness,  or  righteousness  in  its  perfection.  Christ  is  not  only  righteous 
himself  in  His  own  Person,  but  He  hath  performed  and  brought  in 
everlasting  righteousness  to  justify,  to  give  His  people  acceptance  with 
God,  and  render  them  fair  and  beautifal,  amiable  and  perfectly  righteous 
in  His  sight ;  so  that  the  eyes  of  pure  strict  justice  cannot  see  any  spot 
nor  blemish  in  them  as  dad  and  adorned  with  this  righteousness  (Sol. 
iv.  7)  ;  but  how  can  this  be,  that  such  a  vile,  polluted,  guilty  wretch  as 
I  am  be  o^  fair  ?  Blessed  be  God,  we  have  an  answer  in  the  following 
texts — (Ezek.  xvi.  14;  1  Cor.  i.  30;  2  Cor.  v.  21 ;  Jer.  xxxvi.  6)  ;  so 
that  we  may  confidently  say,  as  the  church  in  Isaiah  xlv.  24  :  ''  Surely  in 
the  Lord  have  I  righteousness,"  (fee.  O  blessed  transfer  1  Christ  comes 
into  our  wretched  state,  and  puts  us  into  His  blessed  state,  so  that  He  is 
our  righteousness ;  it  is  in  Him  subjectively  and  inherently  ;  it*  is  ours 
by  imptUation  and  connection,  not  by  inhesion ;  it  resides  and  abides  in 
Christ ;  but  through  rich  grace  it  is  imputed  to  us,  and  accounted  ours, 
and  their  righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the  Lord.  (Isaiah  liv.  17 ; 
Bbmans  iv.  6,  v.  16 — 19.)  But  I  must  cease  for  the  present.  May 
the  Lord  the  Spirit  lead  us  into  all  truth  is  the  prayer  of — ^Yours  truly, 
Prampton,  Aug.  24th,  1865.  D.  WILSON. 


By  Jephtha. 

V. — A.  Modern  Revival. 

A  LOWG  walk  through  a  rough  tract  of  country,  a  wild  by-road,  or 
rather  no  road,  through  a  wood,  and  by-lane,  upon  the  hill  top,  brought 
me  at  the  end  of  an  hour's  walk  to  my  destination.  The  weather  still 
remained  intensely  cold,  and  had  commenced  snowing,  when  about  halt* 
way  there.  After  calling  at  a  few  houses,  I  reached  the  house  which  was 
one  of  my  stations  connected  with  my  little  church,  and  this  was  the 
scene  of  a  reputed  revival,  the  astounding  wonders  of  which  had  been 
sent  forth  from  the  press,  and  filled  the  country  with  the  burden  of 
marvellous  exploits  accomplished.  Can  it  be  possible  that  the  correspond- 
ing accounts  which  we  read  concerning  revivals  can  bear  any  comparison 
with  thisl  What  could  any  Christian  think  of  it  who  had  tasted,  and 
felt,  and  handled  of  the  good  things  of  life  for  himself?  Here  had  come 
a  man  whom  no  one  knew,  his  antecedents  unknown,  his  principles  only 
conjectured,  his  manners  coarse,  his  bearing  self-suificient  and  rude,  his 
whole  proceedings  questionable,  yet  forsooth,  he  was  the  author  of  a 
wonderiul  revival.  Let  me  give  you  a  brief  view  of  this  great  work,  as 
it  was  termed.  Our  worthy  revivalist  enters  a  house  where  three  females 
are  seated  at  their  afternoon  meal :  unceremoniously  he  seats  himself.  A 
pause  ensues.  Our  worthy  breaks  the  silence  by  exclaiming,  ^'  There  is 
no  tea  in  hell"  One  of  the  females  being  in  an  exceedingly  low,  nervous 
«tate,  became  dreadfully  agitated,  and  obliged  to  leave  the  table ;  the 


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342  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Not.  1, 186& 

otihers  followed ;  and  in  the  upset  which  ensued,  our  great  light  erapo- 
rated,  passed  down  the  road  whistling  a  hymn,  and  i^elieved  it  by  singing 
one  of  the  revival  ditties  to  a  ballad  tune  ;  cast  tracts  right  and  left, 
pushed  th^n  under  the  doors,  and  accosted  a  stiuxly  blacksmith,  who 
knew  more  of  divinity  than  himself,  and  enquired,  as  he  held  forth  a 
tract— 

"  Can  you  answer  that  V     Our  worthy  smith  turned  the  questum 
upon  ins  inquisitor,  who  unhesitatingly  replied, 

^^  I  can ;  I  am  saved.''    He  then  transferred  his  attentions  to  the 
blacksmith's  worthy  wife — 

"  Are  you  sure  of  heaven  1"  he  enquired,  in  a  coarse,  rude  manner. 

<«  Well,  I  hope  to  get  there  through  my  Redeemer's  merits." 

"  WeU,  are  you  happy  V* 

"Sometimes  I  feel  something  of  the  peace  which  flows  from 
believing,"  she  replied. 

"  Sometimes  1  But  why  are  you  not  always  so  9  Are  yon  sure  of 
going  to  heaven  1" 

"  Well,  I  hope  to  get  there  through  Christ ;  there  is  nothing  in 
myself." 

"  Hope !  Hope  1  Hope  will  not  do ;  you  must  be  sure;  it  Is  only 
believe,  and  be  saved ;  and  if  you  are  not  sure,  your  state  is  doubtfuL" 

Ah,  poor  man,  if  his  state  were  as  hopeful  as  hen  whom  he  had 
nearly  brought  into  bondage,  it  were  a  blessing  for  him.  Down 
the  road  he  passed  into  another  house ;  here  he  meets  with  a 
young  girl — a  mei'e  child.  He  attacked  her  with  a  few  rough 
remarks.  Poor  girl,  the  tears  stood  in  her  eyes;  this  was  enou^. 
Our  precious  revivalist  laid  claim  to  another  convert ;  and  what  thmk 
you,  reader,  a  little  boy,  not  six  years  old,  was  made  the  subject  of 
prayer  in  that  very  house,  and  being  exceedingly  frightened,  was  pro- 
nounced converted — aye,  to  such  a  state  had  things  arrived,  that  mere 
childi-en  prated  and  aped  the  phraseology  of  our  worthy,  and  asked  eadi 
other,  '^  Are  you  saved  Y*  and  declared  that  they  were — aye^  and  were 
baptized  publicly  as  believers.  Such  was  the  rage  for  baptizing^  that 
they  were  baptized  in  dozens.  Some  of  the  candidates  actually  asked  the 
advice  of  their  friends  in  words  like  the  following : — 

. "  What  would  you  do — ^would  you  be  baptized  if  you  were  in  my 
place?"  Yes,  and  afterwards  declared,  when  led  under  another 
and  diflei^nt  ministry,  that  they  had  then  only  just  begun  to  think 
and  feel  concerning  it.  It  was  my  lot  to  see  and  converse  with 
some  on  the  subject  of  this  revival,  but  I  could  ascertain  ^veiy, 
very  little  evidence,  or  mark,  of  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul ;  it  ap- 
peared to  me  to  consLBt  of  an  assurance  which  strongly  savoored 
of  presumption,  an  enUre  ignorance  of  the  deceitfulness  of  the  heart, 
or  the  horrid  nature  of  sin,  or  how  Christ's  death  benefited  the  soul ; 
they  believed  God's  testimony  concerning  his  Son,  as  they  said,  and 
believing  that  they  appeared  to  have  fulfilled  the  condiHons  qf  the  Oo^Miy 
and  resting  upon  that^  they  declared  that  they  were  saved,  and  lectured 
old  pilgrims  ufion  the  ainfulneae  of /ear 8,  chanted  revival  ditties  (I  will 
not  call  them  hymns,  for  they  were  many  of  them  written  alter  the  model 
of  the  negro  melodies),  and  sung  to  ballad  tunes  to  wit — '^  Bu&lo  Gak^" 
"  Lovely  Dinah,"  &o.  <&c.,  and  proclaimed  themselves  saved,  and  as  sore 
of  going  to  heaven  as  though  they  were  there  j  to  which  place  the  Babbi 


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Nov.  1,  1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  343 

insinuated,  it  was  most  likely  they  would  be  taken  without  tasting  of 
death,  for  the  very  doctrine  which  was  used  to  alarm  and  excite  (that 
the  day  of  Christ's  coming  waa  exceedingly  near)  was  the  dcctrine 
which  was  kept  prominently  in  sight  to  dsj^a  and  alarm,  as  well  as  to 
fan  the  feelings  of  the  proselytes  into  enthusiasm,  causing  them  to  antici- 
pate that  they  would  be  alive  and  remain,  and  would  be  caught  up  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  which  event  was  anticipated  to  be  within  a 
year  or  two.  Such  was  the  state  of  things  which  I  found  introduced 
into  one  of  our  own  stations,  and  myself  considered  an  intruder. 


LITERARY    NOTICES. 

The  Last  Sermon  preached  in  the  Old  Surrey  Tabernacle^  by  Mr. 
Jambs  Wells,  from  Psalm  Ixxi.  16  (one  penny).  We  had  this  sermon 
taken  down  in  order  to  give  the  cl^urches  and  friends  of  truth,  universally, 
an  opportunity  of  possessing  a  copy  of  the  last  discourse  delivered  in  that 
honoured  sanctuaxy.  Since  the  days  of  William  Huntington,  no 
minister,  we  believe,  has  more  £ulthfully,  experimentally,  and  con- 
stantly, proclaimed  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  than  has  Mr.  James  Wells. 
We  recently  entered  the  chapel  in  Ora/s  Ixm  lane— once  called  ''  Provi- 
dence Chapel" — once  the  scene  of  the  labours  of  that  spiritual  giant, 
"The  Coad-heaver.'  We  solemnly  reviewed  the  sacred  edifice,  and 
thought  of  the  "  Sinner  Saved''-— of  his  study  behind  the  pulpit,  where 
on  Saturdays  and  Sundays  (between  the  services),  he  looked  and  laboured, 
wept  and  prayed,  studied  and  preached,  and  was  indeed  as  "God's 
mouth  to  many  thousanda''  We  confess  we  entertain  a  strong  feeling  of 
attachment  to  the  memory  of  that  eminent  servant  of  Jesus  Christ ;  his 
words  and  his  works  have  been  veiy  precious  to  our  souls  ever  since  the 
Son  of  God  was  revealed  in  us,  and  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  formed  in  our 
hearts  as  the  hope  of  gloiy ;  and  in  times  of  heavy  affliction,  having 
been  encouraged  and  edified  by  the  ministry  of  Mr.  James  Wells,  we 
entertain  kindred  feelings  of  strong  attachment  toward  him  ;  and  honestly 
rejoice  in  all  the  prosperity  Grod  haA  given  to  him.  The  present  onslaught 
made  upon  his  ministerial  reputation,  we  have  viewed  with  the  deepest 
grief  and  sorrow ;  and  in  the  very  humble  efforts  we  have  put  forth  to 
defend  his  position,  we  have  acted  most  sincerely;  and  out  of  pure 
evangelical  love  to  one  who  has  more  of  the  mind  and  spirit  of  Christ 
than  we  can  discover  in  those  who  so  fiercely,  so  publicly,  so  wantonly, 
and,  we  think,  so  jealously,  pursue  him. 

We  are  not  capable  of  fully  justifying  all  the  words  Mr.  Wells  may 
have  used  in  the  "  Rahab"  sermon.  We  know  his  motive  and  his  meaning 
were  consistent  with  the  whole  course  of  his  ministry.  We  know  that 
ministry  to  have  had  its  origin  in  heaven ;  and*  its  one  grand  object  ever 
has  been  to  glorify  God  in  the  exaltation  of  Christ,  in  the  ingathering 
of  ransomed  sinners,  in  the  establishment  of  true  believers,  in  the  restora- 
tion of  fallen  saints,  in  the  recognition  of  many  hundreds  of  ministers, 
in  rendering  aasistanoe  to  churches  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  in 
helping  poor  pilgrims  on  their  way  homeward  to  their  Father^s  house 
above ;  and  while  we  are  persuaded  that  for  nearly  forty  years  the  whole 
ifiiior  of  that  misbtvy  has  been  most  stringently  Biblical,  powerfully 


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344  TH£  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Not.  1, 188S. 

experimental,  and  almost  universally  acceptable ;  while  we  oonfidentlj 
belieye  that  heaven  contains  no  small  multitude  of  justified  spirits,  who, 
on  this  earth,  were  fed  and  nourished  under  the  ministiy  of  Mr.  Wells ; 
and  so  long  as  we  know  beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  that  on  the 
face  of  this  globe,  there  are  still  thousands  who  revere  the  man  for 
the  good  our  God  has  made  of  him  to  their  souls :  furthermore,  seeing 
his  life,  labour,  mental,  and  phjnaioal  powers,  have  all  been  sanctified 
and  preserved  by  God,  consecrated  to  the  noblest  of  all  causes,  and 
honoured  by  the  Three  Glorious  Persons  in  the  Eternal  Godhead  ;  while 
all  these  premises  are  plain  before  us,  we  would  sooner  cease  to  be — 
we  would  rather  ourselves  and  our  works  be  burned  in  Smithfield,  than 
that  we  should  be  guilty  of  signing  a  protest,  the  object  of  which  is  to 
hold  up  before  an  ungodly  worid,  and  a  Romanising  and  truth-condemn- 
ing army  of  professors,  a  long-standing  servant  of  Jesus  Chbist,  as  a 
propounder  and  preacher  of  the  most  awful  heresies ;  and  that  protest, 
above  all  things,  signed  by  men  who  have  for  years  been  proclaiming  to 
the  public  that  Mr.  James  Wells  has  been  their  spiritual  father,  their 
"  beloved  pastor,"  and  their  "  dear  brother." 

If  the  times  we  live  in  are  not  fearfully  alarming,  we  have  no  judg- 
ment at  all.  The  Fenians,  the  Romanists,  the  Jesuits,  and  the  Apostates, 
make  up  a  motley  and  many-millioned  multitude,  all  in  deadly  opposition 
to  God's  most  hply  and  ever-blessed  truth.  We  have  no  doubt  whatever 
but  that  thousands  upon  thousands  of  Grospel  professors  will  join  the  ranks 
of  the  common  foe  in  some  shape  or  other ;  and  those  who  hold  &Bt  by  the 
faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints,  must  be  resigned  to  their  &te,  let  it 
be  what  it  may. 

As  r^^ards  ourselves,  God  is  our  witness,  we  have  silently  mourned 
over  every  kind  of  evil  for  many  years ;  and  in  labours  most  earnest 
have  we  sought  to  render  some  service  to  the  great  Redeemer's  cause ; 
but  the  present  dark  cloud  of  contention  is  the  heaviest  trial  the  tme 
Churches  of  Christ  have  been  visited  with  during  the  whole  course  of  our 
existence  in  a  profcbnlon  of  the  Gospel ;  and  if  there  is  not  some  consistent 
vindication  of  the  Christian  character  and  Gospel  course  of  our  friend 
and  brother,  Mr.  Wells,  at  once  put  forth,  the  adversaries  will 
influence  thousands  to  believe  that  some  most  awful  deed  has  been  done ; 
whereas,  in  their  consciences,  they  know  that  in  reality  not  one  foundataon 
principle  of  the  Gospel  has,  in  this  case,  been  touched ;  and  if  they  thought 
there  was  danger  in  Mr.  Wells's  **  Rahab"  sermon,  why,  in  the  name  of 
all  that  is  holy  and  good  between  Qcd  and  man,  and  between  brother  and 
brother,  why  did  they  not  visit  him,  and  petition  him,  ere  to  all  the 
world  they  proclaim  the  heresy  so  fatal  1  for  thereby  they  would  have 
had  God's  word  on  their  dide ;  and  thereby  Christian  charity  would  have 
been  exemplified ;  but,  instoad  of  this,  wer  is  proclaimed,  eternal  sepa- 
ration threatened,  and  many  godly  Christians  are  made  sad. 

In  closing  this  brief*  notice,  we  again  express  our  deepest  conviction 
that  Mr.  James  Wells  is  still  highly  &voured  by  heaven.  He  is  gather- 
ing multitudes  under  the  sound  of  the  Gospel ;  he  is,  instnunentally, 
lengthening  Zion's  cords ;  and  early  in  November,  we  understand  he  will 
deliver  his  defence ;  after  which,  we  may  more  fuUy  review  this^  to  xa, 
painful  event. 

"  The  Sward  and  the  Trawely'^-^Seyenl  numbers  of  this  monthly 

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Nov.  1, 1865*  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  345 

magazdne,  edited  by  C.  H.  SpunaEOK,  have  been  sent  to  us,  and  in  which 
articles  of  considerable  interest  are  found.  In  this  monthly  record,  a 
clear  statement  of  all  that  is  done,  doing,  and  to  be  effected,  by  Mr. 
Spurgeon,  and  his  large  company  of  students  and  ministers,  is  given  ; 
immense  sums  of  money  are  collected,  chapeh  are  being  erected  in  all 
directions,  old  places  are  bought  up,  and  raised  up,  young  pastors  are 
settled  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  in  some  places  large  and  exciting 
assemblies  are  gathered.  Ood  forbid  that  we  should  ever  entertain  one 
unholy  thought,  or  give  expression  to  one  unhappy  feeling;  but  two 
things  often  wring  our  spirits  with  grief  most  acutely.  First,  the  deter- 
mination to  throw  down  that  separation  between  the  Church  and  the 
world,  which  in  an  ordinance  of  baptism  our  Lord  and  His  apostles  did 
set  up ;  and  secondly,  the  manifestation  of  a  high  mind,  and  a  haughty 
spirit,  looking  with  contempt  upon  the  old  soldiers  who  have  for  many 
years  fought  and  bled  too,  on  the  battle-field,  and  by  whose  instrumen- 
tality there  has  been  continued,  and  preserved,  on  the  earth,  a  living 
testimony  for  God,  a  labouring  Church  for  Christ,  a  medium  of  expression 
for  the  Spirit,  and  a  ministry  by  whom  the  redeemed  have  been  quickened 
into  life,  insti'ucted  in  the  truth,  trained  for  a  happier  home,  and  helped 
even  up  to  their  journey's  end.  Whatever  may  be  written,  published, 
preached,  or  proclaimed,  in  order  to  make  all  the  world  believe  we  are  a 
set  of  vile  Antinomians,  dangerous  characters,  preaching  what  some 
choose  to  call  "  a  Gospel  of  Perdition,"  &c.,  &c,  we  know  "  our  record 
is  in  heaven ;  our  witness  is  on  high."  In  the  main,  nearly  half  a  century 
has  been  spent  even  by  us,  in  searching  God  s  book,  writing  Gospel 
truth,  preaching  heaven  our  salvation,  pleading  at  mercy's  gate,  and 
publishing  to  perishing  men  how  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for 
us.  If  God  is  about  to  give  the  world  a  larger,  holier,  and  more  suc- 
cessful race  of  men,  the  Churches  will  rejoice ;  while  we,  sitting  down 
weary  and  £aint  beneath  the  shadow  of  the  cross,  will  sing — 

''  Within  the  clefts  of  His  dear  side, 
There  all  the  saints  in  safetj  dwell ; 
And  whom  from  Jesus  shall  divide  ? 
Not  all  the  ntge  of  earth  or  heli 

Blest  with  the  pardon  of  her  sin, 

My  soul  beneath  thy  shade  would  lie, 
And  sing  the  love  that  took  me  in, 

And  others  left  in  sin  to  die. 
And  when  that  awful  storm  takes  place, 

That  hurls  destruction  far  and  near, 
My  soul  shall  refuge  in  thy  grace. 

And  take  her  glorious  shelter  there." 

In  our  little  tract,  "  TJie  Anlinomian  Ghost"  we  may  have  room  to  say 
much  more  than  this  Earthen  Yessel  can  contain. 


"  The  Headship  of  Christ.'*  —We  have  looked  again  into  No.  1  of 
'^  Tlie  Dacre  Park  Pulpit'*  (published  at  Paul's),  and  at  this  moment 
when  the  terrible  doings  of  men  are  painful  to  every  tender  spirit,  when 
Satan  seems  permitted  to  rend  in  sunder  ministerial  and  friendly  ties ; 
when  the  fiskmily  is  more  than  ever  divided  ;  when  the  Pride  of  Man  sets 
itself  in  a  deadly  antagonism  with  the  power  of  God ;  when  empty  heads 
are  terribly  roaring  at  contrite  hearts ;  when  Gospel  Churches  are  burn- 
ing all  the  writings  of  long  and  friendly  intercourses ;  at  such  a  time,  how 
apposite  are  the  words  of  Mr.  Wale,  in  the  sixth  page  of  his  sermon,  where 


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346  TRE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Nor.  1,  IMSu 


he  says: — "Sin  has  sundered  man  frQm  his  brother;  but  all  who 
gathered  together  in  Christ  are  brought  into  a  sweet  experimental  oneness 
and  union  to  each  other.  They  are  one  in  experience,  in  the  great  dis- 
tinctive  features  of  spiritual  life,  for  they  are  all  under  the  tuition  of  the  samB 
Spirit.  '  He  must  increase,  but  I  must  decrease,'  is  their  daily  experi- 
ence  and  their  daily  prayer. 

"  The  living  creatures  touch  at  the  mercy-seat ;  they  are  one  there, 
and  they  touch  at  the  win^s.  They  may  diveige  at  a  thousand  points 
from  each  other  in  temper,  disposition,  character,  age,  circumstanoeSy 
position,  and  denominational  name ;  but  they  are  one  in  their  views  of  self^ 
and  their  views  of  Jesus,  one  in  their  felt-need  of  mercy,  in  the  object  of 
their  highest  love,  worship,  and  praise.  Mounting  on  the  wings  of  fidth 
and  prayer  to  the  mercy-seat  of  Jesus,  they  meet  in  happy  oneness  there, 
however  diverse  in  all  things  else ;  no  clashing  interests  divide  them  there  ; 
self  in  each  is  laid  low  in  the  dust ;  and  Christ  reigns  supreme  in  every 
heart  Instead  of  each  working  to  a  separate  centre  in  a  circle  of  his 
own,  all  these  petty  circles  are  absorbed  and  lost  in  the  infinite  circum- 
ference of  Divine  mercy,  of  which  Christ  ia  the  centre,  the  point  of 
departure,  and  the  place  of  rest ;  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,  and  to  whom 
all  love  and  praise  return.  And  this,  my  brethren,  will  constitute  the 
happiness  of  heaven,  and  the  security  of  that  happiness.  Here,  on  earth, 
each  man  is  the  centre  of  his  own  circle ;  a  point  to  which  he  is  constantly 
working,  and,  as  far  as  he  can,  bending  all  the  opposing  circumstances  of 
life.  From  this  fsuct  springs  all  the  discord,  envy,  malice,  clashing  interesta, 
wars,  bickerings,  and  evil  speakings,  which  characterise  and  divide  human 
society,  and  which  has  divided  it  into  a  series  of  hostile  camps.  Now, 
if  all  these  are  to  abolished  in  the  redeemed  people  of  God,  it  must  be  by 
the  casting  down  of  self,  the  breaking  up  of  all  these  sinfiil  centres  of 
action,  and  gathering  together  all  interests,  all  affections,  and  all  aims  in 
Christ ;  and  this  ia  the  purpose  of  God,  the  ultimate  result  of  redemption, 
that  Christ  shall  he  cUl  is  all.  Self  shall  cease  to  be  the  centre  of  a 
thousand  circles  ;  there  shall  be  but  one  infinite  circle,  of  which  Christ 
shall  be  the  centre  and  the  circumference.  All  interests  shall  meet  there ; 
all  hearts,  hands,  and  energies  shall  work  to  that  centre ;  and  in  that  &ct, 
find  happiness,  holiness,  and  Gkxl.'' 

Rejoicing  for  Lovers,  and  Joy  for  Mourners. — ^This  is  a  title  of  a 
sermon  of  great  length  and  variety,  preached  in  Buntingford,  by  W. 
Habbis  ;  and  now  published  by  J.  Paul,  Chapter  House  Court ;  price  2dL 
"We  will  not  criticise  this  sermon  now ;  but  give  one  paragraph  from  the 
preface.  It  will  speak  more  for  the  merits  of  the  discourse  than  anything 
we  can  say.  In  the  preface,  Mr.  Hairis  says  : — "  There  is  a  little  histoty 
in  connection  with  my  text,  which  is  as  follows  : — Five  days  before  I 
preached  from  it,  it  presented  itself  to  my  mind,  and  in  less  than  a  quarter 
of  an  hour,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  texts  I  have  quoted  rushed  through 
my  memory,  and  my  meditation  was  sweet ;  and  as  the  text  abided  with 
me  until  the  next  Lord*s-day  evening,  I  preached  from  it  with  some 
freedom.  iSoon  after  a  friend  caUed  on  me,  and  expressed  a  desire  to  have 
it  published,  which  I  at  once  discarded ;  but  afterward  the  desire  arose  in 
my  own  mind  to  have  it  printed,  especially  for  the  inhabitants  of  this 
little  town,  that  they  might  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  of  those 
things  which  T  continually  ]n'each,  and  which  are  so  vilely  scandalised. 


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Nov.  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  347 

The  guides  I  use  vA  preaching  are  the  Bible  and  my  own  heart ;  what 
these  preach  I  preach,  and  where  these  are  silent,  I  mnst  be." 

The  Union  of  the  Churches, — Charles  Hastings  Collette,  Esq.,  (the  • 
author  of  several  first-class  books  in  defence  of  our  much-beloved  Protes- 
tant  faith)  has  written  an  "  Essay  on  the  Union  of  the  Great  Catholic 
Churches,''  which  proposed  union  is  calculated  and  designed,  we  fear,  to 
merge  the  Church  of  England  into  the  Romish  Church ;  and  to  drive 
Nonconformity  and  Dissent  out  of  the  field  altogether.  Such  a  course,  if 
adopted,  would  soon  wrap  Old  England  in  the  black  mantle  of  the 
Papacy;  and  make  her  streets  rundown  with  the  blood  of  the  faithful  saints 
again.  We  ask  the  Protestants  of  England  to  read  carefully  and  prayer- 
fidly  the  words  of  the  venerated  John — "  Many  deceivers  are  entered 
into  the  world,  who  confess  not  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh. 
This  is  a  deceiver  and  an  anti-Christ.  LOOK  TO  YOURSELVES, 
that  we  lose  not  those  things  which  we  have  wrought,  but  that  we  receive 
a  full  reward."  These  words  of  John  ought  to  be  posted  in  the  streets, 
and  churches,  and  chapels,  and  houses,  and  chambers  of  our  land ;  and 
Mr.  Collette's  "  Essay"  on  the  Union  of  the  Churches  should  be  read,  and 
its  powerful  arguments  considei-ed,  by  every  man  who  reveres  the  religion 
which  our  God  hag  given,  through  His  dear  Son,  and  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Oh,  brethren,  awaken,  we  pray  you  ! 

''jRemarka  on  the  Unbelief  of  the  AgeJ*  By  T.  W.  Fletcher. 
London  :  Cardwell  and  Stevenson.  From  the  history  we  have  heard  of 
the  author  of  this  volume,  we  have  realized  great  interest  in  his  work. 
Mr.  Fletcher  has  evidently  seen  the  world,  with  all  its  vanities,  the  Mse 
Church,  with  all  its  deceitful  temptations,  and  the  true  grace  of  God, 
with  aU  its  valuable  and  eternal  beauties  and  glories.  He  has  read 
heathen  writers,  inspired  authors,  and  plunged  deeply  into  the  varied 
branches  of  gay,  commercial,  and  serious  life.  From  all  these  studies  and 
pursuits,  he  comes  up  out  of  the  deeps,  passes  through  a  spiritual  change, 
flies  to  l^e  cross  of  Christ  for  salvation,  and  with  the  hope  of  being  useful 
to  some  of  his  feUow  men,  he  writes  a  book.  The  title  is  hardly  suffi- 
ciently expi-essive  or  attractive ;  but  the  contents  are  well  suited  to  catch 
hold  of,  and  lead  many  a  careless  one  to  think  to  some  good  purpose. 


"  Melchizedek.*' — Such  is  the  title  of  a  thoughtful  sermon,  preached 
by  S.  Baker,  in  Baptist  Chapel,  Chelmondiston.  It  is  published  in  a 
cheap  form  ;  contains  precious  treasure.  We  have  permission  to  give  it 
in  some  of  our  publications ;  which  we  hope  to  do. 

"  The  Protestant  Dissenters'  Mamud,''  by  F.  Burkow,  Esq.,  is  worthy 
of  special  notice.  Its  title  is  fully  justified  :  and  being  well  printed  and 
bound  for  one  shilling,  renders  it  a  cheap  and  permanent  hand-book. 
Is  published  by  J.  Paul,  1,  Chapter  House  Court,  St.  Paul's. 

"  The  Holy  Spirit's  Operation  in  the  Ministry  oj  the  TTorc?."— This 
is  a  lecture  by  G.  Wyard,  minister  of  Bethesda  Chapel,  St.  Luke's  j  it 


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348  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Nov.  1, 1M& 

is,  we  think,  sound  and  definite,  yeiy  brief,  full  of  thought,  worthy  of 
much  enlargement  in  meditation,  and  will  be  helpful  to  all  who  are  seeking 
knowledge  in  the  right  direction.  At  the  close  of  the  lecture,  the  follow- 
ing paragraph  appears: — "The  London  Particular  Baptist  Itinerant 
Association  hold  their  meetings  (by  permission)  in  the  veatry  of  Little 
Alie  street  chapel,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  each  month.  Applications  for 
membership,  or  infonnation,  to  be  made  to  R.  Dowdall,  Secretary,  1, 
Brecknock  crescent,  London,  N.W. 


PERSECUTION  IN  THE  PROVINCES. 


"We  wish  to  call  attention  to  a  severely  trying  case,  in  which  a  good 
brother  minister  is  involved.  We  give  not  names ;  but  can  give  full 
address,  if  required.     The  writer  says  : — 

"  Dear  Brother  Banks,  I  once  more  trouble  you  on  account  of  our 
poor,  down-trodden,  persecuted  little  cause.  I  have  made  it  a  matter  of 
earnest  prayer  to  the  Lord  for  direction,  not  wishing  to  abandon  it  while 
the  slightest  hope  remained  of  my  stopping ;  but  I  am  just  at  that  point 
at  which  I  may  say  that  I  am  fairly  thrust  out ;  and  I  lay  down  my 
little  charge  of  sheer  necessity,  for  I  have  not  the  means  of  staying,  or  of 
bearing  up  against  the  tide  of  opposition  which  is  brought  to  bear  against  us. 
We  are  now  fairly  turned  out  of  our  room  where  we  meet  in  U — ;  because 
they  are  going  to  have  service  in  the  Inde^^endent  Chapel,  and  the  people  in 
the  house  tell  me  they  should  not  like  to  have  our  meeting  kept  on,  in 

opposition.     The  ejection  of  Mr. from  his  little  farmstead  by  tbe 

church  parson,  who  is  his  landlord,  seems  to  have  struck  terror  into  the 
inhabitants  of  the  locality ;  many  of  whom  seem  afraid  to  be  seen  talk- 
ing to  us.  The  church  parson  says  he  has  been  pestered  with  letters,  whidi 
according  to  liis  account  charge  us  with  circulating  the  vilest  heresy ;  and 
he  is  over-ready  to  believe  those  anonymous  epistles,  because  they  furnish 
him  with  an  excuse  to  exercise  his  influence  against  us.  I  give  you  one 
of  the  charges  brought  against  myself  in  those  letters.  I  am  represented  as 
publicly  preaching  that  if  a  person  is  elected  it  matters  not 
how  immoral  he  lives,  or  how  wicked  his  course  of  life;  he 
will  be  saved.  I  am  also  represented  as  preaching  that  baptiBm 
effectually  saves  the  soul,  however  loose  the  life  afterwards ;  and  also  as 
preaching  that  all  people  who  attend  the  Church  of  England  will  be 
damned.  Could  you  suppose  that  any  man  would  believe  such  a  farrago 
of  nonsense  who  makes  the  least  pretensions  to  common  sense  t  But  could 
you  suppose  that  a  man  pi'etending  to  be  a  Christian,  and  a  preacher, 
would  employ  all  his  power  and  influence  at  the  instigation  of  sacfa 
anonymous,  cowardly,  lying  assailants  of  a  little  feeble  cause,  which  has 
evidently  had  the  blessing  of  God  upon  it  f  My  dear  brother,  I  am  sorry 
to  leave  it,  but  alone,  with  no  suppoit  from  any  one,  I  lay  down  my 
chai^  of  sh^er  necessity.  I  have  no  alternative,  and  in  a  week  or  a 
fortnight,  shall  leave  this  place.  May  the  Lord  direct  my  steps.  I  have 
only  my  little  all  in  it ;  and  shall  go  forth,  leaving  my  wife  here  for  the 
present,  having  taken  a  little  house  over  which  our  enemies  have  no 
control.  And  now,  my  dear  friend,  do  you  know  of  any  church  requiring 
a  supply  ?  if  so,  I  shall  be  glad  to  know. 


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Nov.  1, 188& 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


349 


(Sttil  (5htti[i{Iw»,  (Sur  |aatora,  and  mx  ^^oTfi^ 


MR.   SAMUEL   COZENS*S   FINAL 

FAREWELL. 

Wk  must  press  npon  the  attention  of  our 

readers  the  £ict  that  brother  Cozens's  final 

farewell  to  his  English  friends  will  take 

Slace  at  the  New  Surrey  Tabemado  on 
londay  erenine,  Nor.  6th,  which  Mr. 
Wells,  and  his  deacons,  have  kindly  lent 
for  the  occasion ;  and  when,  we  beliere,  a 
large  concourse  of  Christians  will  be 
gathered  together. 

We  would  suggest  a  P&atsb  Msethc g 
should  precede  the  more  public  and  social 
assembly.  The  prayer  meeting  should 
commence  precisely  at  six,  and  dose  at 
seren.  Eight  or  ten  brethren  might  pour 
out  their  hearts  to  Gkxi  for  His  special 
blessing  to  rest  upon,  and  to  go  with  this 
self-denying  Missionary  and  Evangelical 
Emiffrant  to  the  colonial  shores. 

We  also  venture  to  suggest  that  a  letter 
of  sympathy  and  of  encouragement,  an 
epistle  ezpressire  of  our  faith  in  the  new 
covenant,  and  of  our  fellowship  with  all 
the  Australian  Churches  of  truth,  should 
be  prepared,  and  signed  by  all  truly  ex- 
perimental and  faithful  ministers  in 
Euffland  whose  names  can  be  obtained ; 
and  that  such  letter  be  read  at  the  meet- 
ing;— then  presented  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Cozens  for  him  to  carry  over  the  seas  with 
him ;  and  on  his  meeting  with  the  different 
churches  there,  he  would  then  have  an 
authorised  and  fraternal  document  to  lay 
before  them,  which  we  know  would  be 
received  with  joy  and  gladness  by 
thousands  of  British  Christians  whose  lot 
has  been  cast  in  those  fruitful  valleys. 

This  Exodus  of  Mr.  Cozens  and  his 
family  furnishes  an  opportunity  for  our 
churches  to  prove  their  care  for  those  of 
their  friends  who  have  been  either  con- 
strained or  compelled  to  leave  their  native 
land.  Let  us  embnuse  this  opportunity ; 
and  may  the  rich  blessing  of  Almighty 
Ood  rest  upon  the  meetmes,  the  letter,  the 
voyage,  the  family,  and  au  the  subsequent 
labours  of  our  esteemed  brother. 

THE  MEETING  AT  EXETER  HALL 
It  is  generally  known  that  a  handsome 
testimonial  meeting  was  holden  in  Exeter 
HaU,  on  Monday  evening,  October  9th, 
1865,  presided  over  by  that  kind  and  in- 
telligent Christian  philanthropist,  George 
Thomas  Congreve,  Esq.,  on  which  occa- 
sion a  laige  platform  of  Gospel  ministers, 
aod  a  haUftUl  of  sympathising  Christians, 
met  to  bid  brother  C^ens  a  most  hearty 
Qod-speed. 


We  were  present  at  that  meeting ;  and 
never  did  we  witness  a  scene  more  ex- 
pressive of  good  Christian  feeling,  of 
brotherly  kindness,  and  of  gentlemanly 
bearing,  than  was  exhibited  and  exercisea 
on  that  memorable  occasion. 

The  weather  indeed  was  dreadfully  un- 
favourable; but  hundreds  thronged  the 
hall.  Mr.  Wall,  of  Gravesend,  read  the 
first  hymn — '*  God  moves  in  a  mysterioua 
way."  Messrs.  Silverton  and  Slake  en- 
gaged in  prayer.  Mr.  Con^ve  ushered 
in  the  business  of  the  meeting  in  a  pleas- 
ing and  telling  speech ;  after  which,  Mr. 
James  Wells,  Mr.  Thomas  Jon^s,  C.  W. 
Banks.  Mr.  B.  B.  Wald^  Mr.  WaU,  Mr. 
Silverton,  Mr.  Benjamin  Davis,  Mr. 
Butterfield«  and  others,  addressed  the 
meeting.  The  presentation  of  £130  was 
made  by  the  Treasurer  to  the  fund,  James 
Mote,  Esq.,  Hon.  Solicitor  to  the  Strict 
Baptist  Union  ;  and  this  i)art  of  the  busi- 
ness being  carried  out  with  so  much  of 
cheerful  and  kindly  emotion,  the  recipient, 
Mr.  Cozens,  was  powerfully  excited ;  and 
was  hardly  able  to  commence  his  acknow- 
ledgment; but  he  recovered;  and  after 
fetching  Romanism  a  few  heavy  blows,  he 
thanked  his  friends;  and  the  meeting 
closed  with  a  vote  of  well-deserved  thanks 
to  the  worthy  Chairman,  Mr.  Cozens,  bear- 
ing along  with  him  the  solemn  prayers  of 
hundreds  of  earnest  and  honest  hearts. 

PECEHAM— Ryb  Laks.— The  second 
anniversary  of  the  opening  of  the  new 
schools  in  connection  with  Mr.  Moyle's 
church  was  celebrated  by  a  tea  and  pubUo 
meeting,  on  Tuesday,  Oct  15th.  The 
friends  had  beautiftilly  decorated  the 
school  with  evergreens,  flowers,  and  mot- 
toes ;  and  the  lames  provided  an  excellent 
tea  ^atuitously,  so  that  the  whole  of  the 
receipts  for  the  same  were  given  to  the 
school  building  debt.  At  the  public  meet- 
ing, Mr.  Pillow  took  the  chair,  and  ad- 
dresses were  given  of  an  interesting  and 
practical  character  by  Mr.  Silverton,  Mr.T. 
M.  Whittaker,  B.  B.  Wale,  James  Mote. 
Mr.  Caunt,  and  others.  The  children  sang 
most  delightfiilly ;  and  the  friends  were 
highly  pleased  with  the  efficient  manner 
in  wmch  they  sang.  In  giving  the  finan- 
cial statement)  Ml,  G.  T.  Congreve  re- 
ferred with  pleasure  to  the  penuy  weekly 
oollectinff  cards ;  by  this  means  ^17  had 
been  garnered  during  the  last  quarter. 
The  debt  stood  at  £wl  in  May ;  was  n«w 
reduced  to  £332 ;  and  he  felt  quite  sure 
the  odd  £32  would  be  realized  at  that 


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350 


THE  BABTHBK  VESSSL, 


Not.  ij  1M& 


meeting.  The  friends  then  brought  in 
their  donations,  and  we  are  glad  to  say 
that  Mr.  Congreve's  hope  was  more  than 
realized,  for  before  the  close  of  a  Tery 
pleasant  meeting,  we  were  told  that 
above  the  £32  had  been  given.  Mr. 
Moyle,  the  pastor,  appeared  as  well  as 
usual,  and  the  friends  nappy  and  united. 

HACKNEY.— Shalom  ChapeIj,  Oval. 
The  gathering  at  this  chapel  on  Tuesday 
erening,  October  17th,  186S,  was  in  all  re- 
spects most  satisfactory.  The  meeting 
commenced  by  Mr.  Chamberlain  offering 
prayer.  Mr.  Myerson,  the  pastor,  as  chair- 
man, said  he  would  express  his  gp^titude  to 
God.  He  had,  indee<i^  done  great  things. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  year  God 
had  condescended  to  hear  the  prayen  of 
the  {church,  they  had  sought  Gk>d*8  bles- 
sing and  help,  and  He  had  heard  and  de- 
livered them.  This  year  had  begun  in 
proeperit}^  and  it  had  continued  in  pros- 
perity. During  the  year,  the  Lord  has 
added  to  their  number  thirty-nine  members 
by  baptism,  and  four  more  were  to  be  added 
on  Wednesday  next,  among  them  his  own 
daughter.  Altogether,  their  position  was 
▼ery  good.  He  was  blessed  with  Chris- 
tian, well  disposed  deacons.  Then,  as  to 
the  people,  they  were  all  he  could  desire ; 
he  loved  his  people,  and  the  people  loved 
their  pastor ;  and  altogether  they  lived  in 
peace  and  unity  of  spirit  Fmally,  he 
praved  that  God  might  bless  them  all.  Mr. 
Lodge  addressed  the  meeting  in  a  quaint 
and  humorot^  but  earnest  speech,  on 
Christian  love  and  unity  among  the  breth- 
ren of  the  ministry,  and  made  a  few  appro- 
priate remiirkB  on  the  desirability  of  educa- 
tion. Mr.  George  Webb  spoke  in  kindly 
terms  and  gratitude  for  past  mercies.  Mr. 
Meeres  was  glad  to  hear  of  peace  and 
prosperity  reigning  at  Shalom,  and  made  a 
good  sound  speech  on  the  work  of  the 
ministry  and  its  resulta  Mr.  Butteifield 
said,  that  as  now-Sr-days  all  works  were 
illustrated  with  plates,  so  there  would  also 
on  this  occasion  be  an  illustration  with 
plates.  The  plates  would  therefore  go 
round ;  he  hoped  there  would  be  a  good 
collection,  and  then,  if  that  were  satisfac- 
tory, he  would  give  a  speech.  Mr.  Butter- 
field  then  made  an  earnest  address,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  said,  that  as  there  was 
variety  in  speech,  as  there  was  variety  in 
the  human  countenance,  no  two  human 
faces  being  ezactlv  alike ;  and  as  there  was 
variety  in  thought,  no  two  men  thinking 
exactly  alike ;  so  there  was  variety  in  the 
beauties  of  nature.  He  had  latterly  been 
making  a  tour,  and  among  other  places  he 
had  been  staying  a  weMc  at  Portsmouth. 
There  he  observed  on  Southsea  Common, 
two  landmarks  for  gpiiding  ships  from  the 
sea  into  the  ohanneL  One  of  theae  was 
painted  red,  and  the  second  was  Uack;  and 
the  mariner,  in  order  to  have  the  proper 
bearing  of  the  passage,  must  so  see  the 
two  landmarks,  that  the  black  must  be 


totally  hid  by  the  red,  in  which  case  the 
entrance  into  the  harbour  is  perfectly  Hie. 
This  might   be   thus   symbolixed: — ^Tlie 
black  is  the  minister  of  the  Gospel,  himseif 
a  weak  sinner  lying  at  the  throne  of  grace; 
the  red  is  the  blood  of  Calvary,  and  the 
weather-beaten  maimer  represents  the  saint 
fleeing  from  the  world,    looking   to   the 
minister  of  Christ  as  a  g^ide,  bat  above  all 
looking  to  the  blood-red  Crosa  of  Chrvt, 
which  coven  ail,  and  bv  which  aloae  he 
can  reach  the  plaoe  of  suety.    To  such  h^ 
the  speaker,  would  say,  remain  in  the  har« 
hour,  and  don^t  go  out  any  mora  on  the 
stormy  sea  of  the  world.  Then,  in  company 
with  a  friend,  he  went  to  view  PortchesteT 
Castle,  to  himself  a  novelty,  bat  not  so  to 
his  friend.    He  wanted  to  go  up  the  tower, 
and  his  friends  took  him  up  a  narrow  -wind- 
ing staircase  without  the  least  i^fanpee  of 
daylight,  and  where  the  steps  werein  utter 
rmns,  so  as  to  cause  a  oonaidemble  aaoaoat 
of  labour  and  fatigue  in  ascending.    Aboet 
half  way  up  there  was  a  little  mote  loom, 
and  a  small  crevice  admitting  a  little  light 
Here,  after  a  diort  rest,  he  wished  to  take 
the  lead,  which  his  friend  readily  granted; 
but  on  goiiig  a  little  further  the  darkneas 
became  again  so  intense,  and  the  ascent  so 
laborious  that  he  offered  to  fall  behind,  and 
as  before,  take  hold  of  his  friend*s  coat- 
tails  ;  but  on  account  of  tbo  nairownee  of 
the  passage  this  was  impossible,  and  he  was 
forced  to  proceed.    At  kst  they  attained  the 
summit,  and  stood  upon  the  ramparts ;  and 
here  lay  i^read  out  before  them  one  of  the 
most    glorious    prospects   he    had  ever 
seen.    This  amply  repaid  him  for  aU  past 
fatigue ;  but  had  he  to  return  by  that  aame 
dreadful  winding  staircase,  where  the  de- 
scent would  be  more  dangerous  than  the 
ascent?    Happily,  no,  for  his  Mend  took 
him  down  back  by  another,  a  broad  stair- 
case.   Now  this  ascent  might  repceaent  the 
winding  staircase  of  the  Christian's  expe- 
rience, whose  motto  should  ever  be^  £z- 
celsior !  or,  onward,  upward!    He  had  also 
gone  aboard  of  some  of  the  shi^  of  war, 
and  among  others   the    ^^Wamoiv"   that 
splendid  ironclad.    Here  he  saw  a  number 
of  sailors  at  all  sorts  of  occupations :  some 
mending  clothes,  oSers  shoes,  othen  reed- 
ing and  so  on ;  but  all  at  onoe  there  was  a 
cry  of  **  All  hands  on  deck!"  and  wifthoota 
moment's  hesitation  the  whole  of  the  men 
left  their  various  employmentsi,andhwned 
on  deck.    Then  some  200  taza  took  hold  of 
an  immense  ropc^  and  with  apparent  ease 
hauled  away  at  ^it,  and  at  last  they  hauled 
up  at  the  bow  of  the  diip  a  huge  anchor 
weighing  some  tons.    Now  this  was  like- 
wise capable    of    illustrating   something 
practical!    Firstly,  it  proved  that  "  unity  is 
strength,"    and    then   he   would  exhort 
them  aU,  when  their  chapel  bell  was  toll- 
ing on  Lord's  days,  and  paitioulariy  on 
Monday  eveninga,  for  prayen  they  woahi 
then  remember  that  ory  of  ^*  All  haads  on 
deck,"  and  leave  their  various  ooounalioii% 
and  rally  round  their  pastor.  Mr.  Butter- 
field  then  said,  that  thero  was  a  debt  of 
some  £10  for  cleaning  and  whitewashing 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


351 


the  chapel  to  wipe  ofl^  and  he  proposed  that 
ten  ladiee  take  each  acard  for  collecting  XI. 
Theae  caida  he  had  provided,  and  to  the 
flnt  lady  that  oflFered  herseryicea^  he  would 
give  twenty  of  hia  aixpenny  hooka,  the 
""Baaket  of  Good  Froit,^  which  also  con- 
tained an  account  of  the  incidenta  he  had 
nairated.  Then  Mr.  Kayoock  made  a 
capital  speech,  alluding  to  a  husk  of  educa- 
tion amon^  nunistera  as  to  be  deplored: 
and  enhuging  on  tiie  principle  of  mutual 
dependence,  and  all  depending  on  Qod. 
Mr.  William  Webb  spoke  on  the  glory  of 
the  Cross.  Mr.  Fahner,  of  Plaistow,  who 
had  preached  the  altemoon^a  sermon,^  did 
not  speak  on  account  of  the  lateness  of 
the  hour.  The  chairman  pronounced  the 
benediction.  H.A.H. 

THE  MAN  THAT  WILL  PREACH. 
-.''M.  £."askB  what  Paul  can  mean  bv 
advising  us  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 
those  who  are  given  to  change?  "Here 
is  a  minister  who  was  with  the  General 
Baptists :  then  with  the  Strict  Letter  Bai>- 
tists  (as  some  call  them),  and  now  he  is 
getting  in  with  those  termed  deeply-experi- 
mental Baptists : — \b  it  safe  to  commit  one^s 
soul  to  the  teaching  of  such  a  man  7*^  We 
suppose  "M.  R"  refers  to  Proverbs  zziv. 
21 :  '^  My  son,  fear  thou  the  Lord,  and  the 
king;  and  meddle  not  with  them  that  are 

g'ven  to  change."  The  minister  he  re- 
ra  to,  no  doubt,  believes  he  is  right  in 
trying  the  Baptists  all  round :  and,  ^rhap& 
by  reading,  by  triala,  by  soul-conflicts  ana 
cans,  he  is  being  led  more  deeply  into  the 
mysteries  of  GocTs  grace.  If  so,  the  generals 
cannot  be  his  companions ;  the  letter-men 
will  not  have  much  sympathy  with  him; 
therefore,  his  only  alternative  is  to  try 
those  men  considered  experimental  We 
can  say  one  thing  of  the  minister  referred 
to:  he  has  persevered  most  wonderfully; 
he  has  tried  almost  everybody ;  and  almost 
every  means.    He  has  met  with  many  dis- 


ouiagements. 
preach: 


His  wife  tells  him  nor  to 
npty  'chapel  prochums  the 
people  do  not  desire  him  to  preach;  his 
over-stnuned  pune  has  often  hinted  he 
cannot  long  continue  to  preach ;  his  labo- 
riously-atudied  manuscripts  tell  him  he 
can  write  sermons,  and  learn  sermons,  and 
rehearse  sermons,  and  print,  and  publish, 
and  advertise  sermons;  but  he  cannot 
prtaek  sermons.  Still  a  chapel  he  will 
nave ;  in  the  pulpit  he  will  stand ;  and  a 
pastor  he  will  be.  And  who  in  all  the 
world  will  dare  to  say,  the  Lord  is  not 
with  him  in  all  this?  We  cannot;  although 
from  seeing  so  many  men  (as  wo  have 
Jean}  changing  their  coats  and  their  colours, 
juid  their  oompaniesL  so  often,  and  yet  no 
Apparent  sneoeas  with  any  of  them,  we 
reaUy  have  our  fean ;  and  our  conviction, 
with  raferBnoa  to  this  minister,  is  this:  - 
The  Lord  is  poetically  saying  to  him,  as  he 
did  to  David;  '' The  Lord  and.  Whereas  it 
'wm  in  thine  haart  to  boild  an  house  unto 
my  name^  thon  didai  wall  that  it  waa  in  thine 
haait  NeverthaleM,  thou  ahalt  not  buUd 
the  house.**  This  shows  a  good  man  may 


have  In  his  heart,  and  in  his  head,  many 
things  which  he  can  never  accomplish,  and 
how  a  good  man  can  persevere  in  trying  to 
stand  in  the  ministry  by  climbing  up  upon 
the  backa  of  eveiybody  some,  is  a  mystiacT 
too  much  for  our  weak  minds  to  nnfolcL 
This  minister  has  now  planted  himself 
under  that  banner,  where  some  of  the 
poorest  things  in  all  the  world  do  succeed 
m  a  certain  sense,  for  a  time ;  and  if  this 
good  man  succeeds  with  them,  he  will  be  a 
respectable  addition  and  characteristic  orna- 
ment to  their  ranks.  We  shall  see  it  if  we 
live  long  enough.  We  cannot,  this  month, 
review  his  sermons— that  may  come. 

THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  ANNIVEB- 
SARY  AT  MASBOROUGH.— Dbab  Sir, 
—Allow  me  to  correct  one  or  two  mistakes 
contained  in  the  Ybkbi^  respecting  the 
Sundav  school  anniversary  at  Masborough. 
29th  of  August  I  shoukl  not  havetroumea 
vou  but  a  enaige  has  been  made  against  us 
by  some  of  the  leading  men  of  Rotherham, 
that  we  have  made  statements  to  you  that 
were  false;  those  statements  appearing  in 
Vessel  for  September ;  and  ^e  are  com- 
manded to  forthwith  retract  them.  As  I 
am  the  neraon  who  gave  you  the  informa- 
1  tiim,  I  teel  called  upon  to  write  and  give 
you  a  plain  statement  of  facts,  for  the  truth 
of  which  I  can  vouch.  In  the  first  place, 
the  neighbouring  chuvclL  did  not  hold  their 
school  anniversarv,  but  the  chapel  anniver- 
sary which  should  have  been  holden  in 
Apvil  last,  but  was  deferred  until  the  day 
when  we  held  our  school  anniversarv. 
Secondly,  the  church  at  Masborough  did 
not  ask  for  the  use  of  the  chaj^el  at  Rother- 
ham, but  for  the  schoolroom,  where,  on  the 
Monday,  we  desired  to  hold  our  school  tea 
meeting.  That  is  aQ  the  correction  neees- 
saiy.  Now  for  the  facta.  It  was  resolved 
at  one  of  our  teachen'  meetings  to  ask  for 
the  schoolroom  at  the  Rotherham  Baptist 
chapel,  bottom  of  Westgate,  for  us  to  nold 
our  school  meeting  in.  Accordingly,  one 
of  their  deacons  waa  spoken  to,  and  he 
promised  to  bring  the  matter  forward.  One 
of  their  membera  waa  also  spoken  with,  in 
case  the  deacon  should  forget  Well,  the 
church  meeting  night  came,  the  deacons 
met  as  usual  before  the  church,  and  the 
subject  came  on,  when  it  was  decided  not  to 
bring  the  matter  before  the  church,  but  to 
refuse  at  once,  and  let  the  thing  drop ;  but 
at  the  church  meeting,  the  member  above 
referred  to,  brought  the  subject  forward; 
he  waa  told  it  hadbeen  settled,  and  it  would 
not  be  discussed  there;  and  although  he 
tried  all  he  could,  they  would  not  allow  it, 
but  prevailed  on  the  meeting  to  confirm 
their  decision.  Much  has  been  said  here 
about  malignant  and  contemptible  peraecu- 
tiott.  After  refusing  to  lend  the  school- 
room or  even  to  allow  it  to  come  before  the 
church,  and  also  to  have  their  own  anni- 
versaiy  and  tea  on  the  same  days  as  ours, 
I  will  leave  the  readers  of  the  Vessel  to 
draw  their  own  conclusions.  If  our  neigh- 
boniB  wish,  I  can  give  them  many  more 
proofs  that  what  you  published  is  only  too 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


NoT.lflMOL 


true.  Kay  the  Lord  enable  you,  and  ns 
idso,  to  Btul  press  forward  in  the  cause  of 
truth,  so  prays  yours  in  the  Gospel, 

J.  «f  OHNSOSr. 

[The  Botherham  Baptist  church  pro- 
fess to  hold  the  same  faith  as  their  httle 
sister  at  llasborough;  and  the  members 
composing  the  Hasborough  church  are 
honest,  laborious,  devoted,  godly  men. 
Why  then,  should  not  Christian  charity 
and  neighbourly  kindness,  on  the  part  of 
the  Botherham  people,  have  induced  them 
to  help  their  younger  and  weaker  sister  ? 
Must  we,  some  day,  say  why  ?] 

OUR  FIRST  ANNIVERSARY.— Dear 
Brother  Lincoln.  As  you  were  much  exer- 
cised in  mind  respecting  my  removal  from 
Old  Ford  to  Squirries  street,  in  Bethnal 
p^een ;  andas'you  were  present  at  our  open- 
ing services,  now  twelve  months  since,  I 
wul  give  you  a  line  to  acquaint  you  of  the 
nature  of  our  first  anniversary,  which  was 
holden  on  Sunday  and  Monday,  October 
lath  and  16th,  1866.  On  the  Sunday 
morning  I  had  these  words  given  me  to 
speak  from,  *^  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped 
us  ;**  and  in  the  evening — "  That  her  name 
may  be  famous  in  IiunaeL'*  I  hope  the 
Lord  did  both  teach  and  strengthen  me. 
On  the  Monday  afternoon,  Mr,  James 
Wells  preached  a  clear  Gospel  sermon,  and 
a  chapel  full  of  friends  had  tea,  which  the 
ladies  of  our  congregation  kindly  provided. 
At  the  evening  meeting  our  chapel  was 
literally  crammed;  and  all  the  speakers 
manifested  a  kind  and  Christian  spirit 
Our  deacons  ^Messrs.  H.  French,  Barnes, 
Fulser,  and  Ball^  with  their  wives  and 
families,  all  did  tneir  utmost  to  render  the 
meeting  comfortable.  Mr.  Mumford,  as  a 
deacon,  told  the  peonle  of  our  proapnees  and 
prospects.  Mr.  R,  l^lyth  (a  good  brother 
of  the  Scotch  Baptists)  gave  an  opening 
and  congratulatory  address ; — ^my  esteemed 
^.Wi" 


brethren,  Thomas  Jones,  F.  W. 
Samuel  Cozens,  B.  B.  Wale,  Elijah  Packer^ 
H.  G.  Mavoock,  H.  Myerson.  W.  Palmer, 
Steed,  and  othera,  heljMd  us  to  render  the 
anniversary  edifying.  Truly  it  was  "a  glo- 
rious time,^  as  Brotner  C.  Alsop  declared ; 
and  the  following  note  written  by  our 
deacon  Hall,  to  be  read  to  the  meeting,  will 
show  you  something  of  the  feeling  and  the 
faith  we  now  enjoy.  God  bless  you,  prays 
0.  W.  B. 

Dear  Christiax  FRiorDa,— In  giving 
you  some  account  of  the  Lord's  dealings 
with  us,  we  have  mingled  feelinss  of  joy 
and  sadness;  joy,  that  the  God  of  our 
grace  does  condescend  to  bless  our  souls 
with  his  mercy ;  and  sadness,  to  think  we 
have  not  a  more  abiding,  keen,  and  happy 
sense  of  His  rich  love  in  our  hearts.  We 
have  not  had  any  rushing  mighty  winds ; 
no  sudden  outbreaks  of  heavenly  strains, 
or  overwhelming  floods;  but  we  have  to 
bless  our  God  there  have  been  silent  distil- 
ling dews,  and  gentle  showera  falling, 
whereby   hearts   have   been  made   glad. 


Twelve  months  have  rolled  away  since  tii« 
church  was  formed,  which  at  that  time 
numbered  forty-thne;  since  that  time 
twentv  have  been  added,  seven  of  which 
been  baptised  by  our  esteemed  pastor,  C. 
W.  Banks.  Our  present  number  of  mem- 
bers is  sixty-one;  two  having  been  re- 
moved by  providence.  We  pray  God  to 
increase  us  and  Zion  all  over  the  world ; 
and  that  a  deep  inward  longing  for  the 
prosperity  and  growth  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  may  abound;  that  his  name, 
power,  grace,  blood,  and  righteousness  may 
be  known  where'er  the  sun  doth  his  suc- 
cessive journeys  run.^1  may  add,  special 
prayer  meetings  were  holden,  asking  the 
Lord  to  bless  us ;  and  surely  these  petitions 
were  not  disregarded.] 


HEYWOOD.— OcroBKR,  lOra.— Dbas 
Bbothcr  Banks, — ^Your  letter  to  me  in  the 
Earthen  Vbssbi^  brings  the  intelligence 
of  the  reopenins^  of  Rehoboth  chapel,  Ked- 
ington,  for  which  I  thank  yon :  1  am  glad 
to  near  of  their  prosperity.  On  the  day  of 
its  opening  I  was  with  you,  and  tho  Spirit 
did  lead  me  to  remember  you  and  the 
friends  at  our  Father's  throne  of  grace; 
that  it  might  be  a  good  day ;  God  glorified; 
sinners  quickened,  saints  edified,  comforted 
and  fed.  May  it  still  be  a  temple  for  God, 
that  the  whole  truth  may  be  proclaimed 
there,  and  the  ordinances  of  God  main- 
tained ;  may  God  still  bless  the  ministry  of 
our  Brother  Murkin,  that  many  may  be 
bom  there,  and  many  fed  and  nourished  up 
in  the  word  of  salvation.  On  the  third  of 
this  month,  I  rose  from  my  bed  with  a 
deep  impression  of  the  p^oodnesa,  long- 
sulfering,  and  tender  mercies  of  my  coven- 
ant God,  in  upholding  me.  All- ■all,  was 
mercy!  All  was  right!  My  soul  was 
melted  down  in  hummty  and  thankfulness 
at  the  feet  of  my  predous  Christ  O!  to 
see  such  love,  cars,  help  and  gxaee, 
bestowed  on  the  meekest^  vilest^  and  most 
worthless  worm.  I  was  led  to  look  at  my 
flnt  Baptizing  at  Kedington,  nineteen 
yean  ago,  the  4th  of  October,  when  five 
persons  went  forth  in  that  holy  ordinance, 
in  the  presence  of  more  than  1,000  per- 
sons. Ten  of  my  friends  came  from  Bot- 
tisham-lode,  eighteen  miles,  to  strengthen 
our  hands  in  the  Lord,  and  for  love  to 
their  old  pastor.  On  that  day,  God  snatched 
a  sinner  from  sin's  destruction.  I  was 
called  to  visit  htr  one  year  after,  when  she 
told  me  of  what  God  had  done  for  her  soul ; 
and  shortly  after  she  went  home  to  heaven 
in  triumph.  In  all  places  where  I  have 
been  called  to  labour  in  the  Lordli  vine- 
yard, he  has  given  souls  for  my  hire  thst 
shall  stand  as  a  proof  of  God*B  rich  and 
sovereign  grace.  ^  Not  unto  me,  O  Lord, 
not  unto  me,  but  to  Thy  name  beall  the 
lory."  As  to  Heywood,  where  I  nawsan, 
believe  God  has  blessed,  and  wiU  blesa 
I  have  baptised  six ;  more  desire  to  foUow 
their  Lord.  The  oongregation  is  inusss 
ing;  also  the  school  and  chvreh.  God  be 


f 


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AND  CHBISTIAN  BECORD. 


353 


pnised !  I  feel  at  liberty  to  ^retunh  his  holy 
word ;  and  he  has  said  that  it  shall  not  re- 
turn unto  him  void :  my  love  is  in  him, 
and  my  expectation  is  from  his  faithfulness. 
God.  Almighty  prosper  you  in  all  your 
labours  of  love,  is  the  prayer  of  your  un- 
worthy brother  in  Christ, 

B.  POWBLL. 

PLYMOUTH.— The  serrices  in  connec- 
tion with  the  seventh  anniyerBary  of  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  F.  Gollina,  at  Howe  8t 
Baptist  chapel,  Plymouth,  were  held  on 
Tuesday,  the  10th  of  October.  The  prayer 
meeting  which  was  held  at  three  o'clock 
was  characterised  with  unity,  simplicitv 
and  power.  Brethren  Horton,  Hooppell, 
and  Burdens  engaged  in  i>rayer,  after  which 
Mr.  F.  Pearce,  Baptist  minister  of  Newton 
Abbot,  gave  a  suitable  and  encouraging 
address.  About  180  persons  met  at  half- 
past  five  o'clock,  to  partake  of  tea ;  a  repast 
which  appeared  to  be  much  enjoyed,  and 
to  give  satisfaction  to  all ;  at  7  o'clock  the 
public  meeting  commenced  with  singing 
and  prayer.  Mr.  Foot  addressed  the  meet- 
ing, expressing  his  sense  of  gratitude  to 
Almighty  God  for  the  blessings  of  the  past 
year,  in  the  peace  and  unity  of  the  church, 
and  the  success  of  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Collins,  during  the  past  year.  After  a  very 
appropriate  address  he  handed  to  Mr. 
(Mhns,  for  his  acceptance,  an  affectionate 
acknowledgpnent  of  esteem  and  love  from 
the  friends  of  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion in  a  purse  containing  X21.  This  gene- 
rous token  of  affection  was  briefly  and 
suitably  acknowledged  by  Mr.  Collins.  He 
observed  that  after  being  in  their  midst  as 
their  minister  for  seven  years,  the  unity, 
love,  and  esteem  between  minister  and 
people  were  stronger  at  the  end  than  at 
the  Deginning.  The  Lord  hath  done  great 
things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad.  Ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  Mr.  Pearce,  of 
Newton,  Mr.  John  Pasterbrook,  and  Mr. 
Wm.  Westlake.  of  an  interesting  and  con- 
gmtulato^  and  encouraging  nature.  The 
cause  at  B!owe  Street  is  growing,  the  Lord  is 
with  his  servant  in  the  ministry,  the  people 
are  united  and  happy.  May  the  Spirit  in  a 
double  measure  be  poured  upon  both  pastor 
and  people.  The  meetings  were  closed 
with  prayer  by  Mr.  B.  Bardens.  The  whole 
of  the  services,  singing,  addresses,  Ac., 
passed  off  giving  much  satisfaction.  The 
Lord  be  praoaed.    Amen. 

CLAPHAM.— Favour  me  by  inserting 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  us  as  a  church, 
by  bringing  two  of  His  hidden  ones  out  of 
nature's  darkness,  at  a  most  advanced  age; 
the  male  had  passed  seventy-eic^ht  years, 
and  his  dear  partner,  eighty-six.  Our 
highlv  esteemed  and  beloved  pastor,  Mr. 
Ponsxord,  of  Zion  HiU,  Courland  grove, 
Clapham,  after  a  very  solemn  discourse, 
from  Acts  IL  88,  administered  to  them,  be- 
lievers' baptism,  they  having  on  the  Thurs- 
day previously,  at  a  church-meeting,  given 


most  satisfactory  evidence  of  their  call  by 
grace,  and  their  warm  attachment  to  our 
dear  paster,  whose  ministry  had  been  so 
much  olessed  to  them.  Our  aged  brother 
on  being  asked  what  his  views  of  baptism 
were,  replied  he  had  read  our  Saviour's 
wordia,  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  com- 
mandments" ;  and  feeling  assured  baptism 
was  one,  he  was  desirous  of  testifying  his 
love  to  his  dear  Bedeemer  by  obeying 
Him,  and  following  His  footsteps  in  the 
ordinance ;  he  spoke  of  the  peace  and  hap- 
piness he  felt  in  communion  with  the 
LorxS,  and  expressed  his  appreciation  of  it 
by  saying  that  he  had  been  abundantly 
blessed  in  providential  mercies,  but  rather 
than  lose  the  savour  of  what  he  now  en- 
joyed, he  would  part  with  all  he  possessed, 
and  that  he  clearly  saw  the  sovereignty  of 
the  Lord  in  having  mercy  on  him,  who 
had  lived  a  long  life  without  acknowledg- 
ing Him  in  any  of  his  ways,  and  the  call 
appeared  to  him  the  more  marvellous,  for 
had  any  one  told  him  fifteen  months  since 
that  he  would  be  a  member  of  a  Gospel 
church  he  would  have  answered,  ^*  You  are 
mad,  man."  At  the  close  of  the  service, 
last  Lord's  day  evening,  after  a  most  im- 
pressive and  affectionate  address  they  were 
added  to  the  church  in  the  brealong  of 
bread.  Truly  we  can  say,  "  What  hath 
God  wrought!"  To  His  name  be  all  the 
praise.    Yours  truly,  my  dear  sir,  A.  M.  N. 


BUBY  ST.  EDMUNDS,  —  Brother 
Corbitt's  visit  here  Lord's-day,  October 
8th,  was  owned  and  blest  of  the  Lord,  to 
the  building  up  of  the  saints,  and  to  the 
feeding  of  many  hungry  souls ;  the  services 
were  well  attended:  and  the  collections 
were  favourable.  This  httle  cause  has  been 
for  some  considerable  time  without  a  minis- 
ter. Our  brother,  James  Howell  was 
the  last  stated  minister,  since  he  left  the 
cause  has  been  sinking,  it  has  been  ahnost 
dosed;— about  fifteen  to  twenty  are  still 
meeting  in  the  vesUy  for  prayer.  Our 
Lord's  command  to  his  disciples  was,  "  Go 
and  preach  the  Gospel,"  not  faults  and  fail- 
ings—and again,  **Feed  my  sheep,"  not 
starve  them.  I  am  grieved  when  I  see  the 
sheep  of  the  Lord  starving  for  want  of 
food,  not  only  at  Behobotb,  but  at  other 
places  in  Bury.  I  am  sorry  to  say  the 
Gospel  is  nowhere  preached  in  this  town. 
Many  precious  souls  would  be  glad  to  sup- 
port the  G^pel.  Mr.  Murphy  has  been  here, 
and  I  believe  he  has  been  the  means,  in 
the  Lord's  hands  of  awakening  many  that 
were  almost  fast  asleep.  May  the  Lord 
send  us  a  man  after  his  own  heart. 

A  Well  Wisheb. 


BEXLEY,  KENT.  —  The  Harvest 
Thanksgiving  services  were  held  on  Oct 
3rd.  Mr.  Wale,  of  Blaokheath,  preached 
the  sermon  from  1  Cor.  v.  8,  and  after  that 
the  public  meetingwas  addressed  by  the 
brethren  Frith,  Wale,  Milboume,  and 
Whittle. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Not.  1,  1M& 


OUB  AGED  MINISTEB8. 

VR.  J.  A.  JOYCES.    BIBTHDAT  CELBBBATION. 

The  minister  of  Jireh  chapel,  Eeet  road, 
City  road,  having  entered  on  the  87th  year 
of  hie  age,  and  the  d8th  of  his  ministry, 
his  friends  met  on  Tuesday,  Oct  17th,  to 
congratulate  him.  It  was  one  of  those 
meetings  plessing  to  record. 

Mr.  John  Foremsn  preached  in  the  after- 
noon.   The  text  was  Isaiah  Izir.  b. 

After  tea  the  public  meeting  commenced, 
Mr.  Andrews  Jones  in  the  chair.  Mr.  Pons- 
ford  engaged  in  prayer. 

The  venerable  chairman  referred  to  the 
glorious  principles  which  had  been  advo- 
cated by  his  predecessorsand  himself  for  now 
eighty-two  years.  His  predecessor  forty-six, 
and  he  (Mr.  Jones)  thirty-six  years.  He 
said  he  was  unable  to  preach  on  Tuesdavs 
or  Lord's  day  mominfls ;  in  the  evening  he 
tottered  out  and  would  do  so  as  long  as  he 
could.  He  was  very  thankful  to  the  faith- 
ful men  of  God  who  assisted  him  from  time 
to  time.  He  firmly  believed  the  Lord  had 
blessed  His  truth  in  that  place,  and  his 
heart's  desire  was  that  when  he  was  taken 
from  this  lower  world,  the  same  blessed 
Spirit  would  attend  the  ministration  of  the 
Word  of  Life. 

Mr.  Milner  viewed  the  Gospel  as  the 
most  wonderful  instrument  in  the  hand  of 
God  for  accomplishing  the  moral  and 
spiritual  benefit  of  mankind.  It  was  one 
of  the  greatest  honours  to  be  engaged  in 
preaching  the  GospeL  The  ministiy  was 
a  noble  mstitution.  He  (Mr.  Milner)  was 
the  other  day,  at  a  meeting  of  mimsters, 
when  it  was  observed  what  a  lengthened 
period  they  had  been  preserved  together; 
and  only  one  had  been  removed  by  death, 
(Mr.  FeUs.)  But  many  of  them  were  in  an 
advanced  stage  of  life.  J^ook  at  brother 
Murrell,  and  corother  Fowman,  who  was 
still  a  giant,  though  now  75  years  of  age. 
Then  there  were  brethren  Dickerson, 
Wyard,  &c,  all  who  had  been  preserved  in 
the  bonds  of  peace.  These  must  soon  eease 
from  their  labours ;  still,  God  would  raise 
up  others  to  preach  His  word,  and  who  per- 
haps would  labour  with  greater  success 
than  those  they  sneceeded. 

Mr.  Alderson  admired  the  **key  note*' 
which  had  been  given  bv  Mr.  Milner.  It 
was  desirable  the  tune  should  be  kept  un. 
The  note  given  was  the  Gospel.  He 
had  been  much  struck  by  the  general 
acknowledgmffiitof  the  uni  venality  of  the 
FalL  All  men  have  fallen,  and  come  short 
of  the  glory  of  God.  Still,  many  spoke  of 
this  more  as  a  theory  than  a  reahty.  It 
was  a  dreadful  thing  to  stand  in  antagonism 
to  God.  As  a  proof  of  this,  he  pointed  to 
the  natural  man's  hatred  of  the  Gospel. 
Yet  there  never  was  anything  which  had 
done  so  much  for  man  as  the  glorious 
GospeL  It  was  the  delight  of  the  spiritual, 
and  he  did  not  conceive  it  possible  for  the 
saint  to  depart  wholly  from  tne  truth.  They 
might  swerve  a  little,  but  the  quickened 
soul  could  never  fall  away. 

Mr.    Dickerson  said  he   dared  not  lay 


down  the  maxim  that  evenr  natmal  man 
was  an  enemy  of  the  Gospel  of  Chixst.  If 
so,  he  could  not  make  out  his  own  expe- 
rience, for  long  before,  ever  since  he  was 
seven  years  of  age,  he  loved  to  hear  of 
the  Gospel,  and  amnired  those  who  apoke 
of  the  love  of  Grod,  when  he  knew  not  the 
tmth  for  himself.  He  could  not  endorse 
the  sentiment,  therefore,  from  his  own 
experience,  as  he  never  did  hate  the 
Gospel. 

B.  Bloomfield  thought  the  -prvwioma 
brethren  who  hsd  spoken  were  botli  light 
and  perhaps  both  wrong.  If  they  diifaed 
it  was  as  brethren.  The  Word  was  against 
the  natural  man  loving  the  GospeL 

A  man  from  the  gallery  here  said  tfasthe 
was  a  Boman  GataoliG,  and  he  loTed  the 
Gospel. 

Mr.  Bloomfield  said,  so  did  Luther,  and 
he  came  out  from  among  them;  and  he 
hoped  the  friend  who  had  spoken  wooM 
do  the  same.  He  then  alluded  to  the 
honourable  position  of  the  chainnsa.  By 
the  strength  of  God,  he  had  withstood 
many-  temptations.  Few  on  that  plaUoim 
but  na^  been  placed  in  positions^  when  to 
depart  from  the  truth  it  has  been  vcpi^B- 
sented  was  likely  to  be  remunezBlive.  The 
question  of  communion  had  thus  been  pot 
before  him.  But  the  soul  who  had  reosived 
the  truth,  whose  mind  had  been  iUnmined, 
and  whose  soul  had  been  refreahed,  would 
not  easily  give  up  the  truth.  He  hoped  the 
veneraUie  chairman  who  had  been  so  long 
kept  by  the  power  of  God,  would  finish  his 
course  with  joy.  That  his  dying  pillow 
would  be  a  soft  one,  that  he  would  gfide 
out  of  time  blessed  with  the  power  of  the 
Spirit,  and  in  the  liberty  of  the  GospeL 

Mr.  Hazelton  hoped  as  the  aged  aaiats  of 
God  by  whom  they  were  saxrounded,  were 
taken  home,  thedr  mantles,  by  the  blfsiag 
of  the  Lord  would  fall  on  their  saooeasoia. 
This  was  a  day  of  intellectual  light,  and  no 
doubt  of  mosatity ;  but  still  he  felt  it  was 
a  dark  and  cloudy  day,  as  far  as  spiritnahty 
was  concerned.  The  Gospel  (it  was  en- 
couraging to  reflect)  was  not  mortal,  thera- 
fore  it  would  live  and  reign  when  those 
who  now  proclaimed  it  were  no  more. 

Mr.  W^tfd  offwed  a  few  words  of  eon- 
gmtnlation,  and  the  meeting  closed  bj 
sinking  the  doxology. 

A  collection  was  made  at  the  dooni  A 
friend  sent  a  letter  which  eontained  £t, 
the  church  privately  collected  iCS,  the 
whole  of  which  was  handed  over  to  the 
venerable  pestor  as  expressive  of  the  gene- 
ral esteem  in  which  he  is  held. 

To  this  account,  we  may  adds  lew  waids 
respecting 

MB.  jomr  rtnunuirVi  juklbb. 

We  believe  we  were  the  first  to  advocate 
the  celebration  of  the  fiftieth  year  of  Mr. 
Foreman's  ministiy.  We  had  hoped  it 
would  have  been  an  opportonity  for  all  the 
ministers  of  joyful  truth  to  assemUe  to- 
geUier ;  and  in  one  immense  bo^,  to  zaits 


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AND  CHRISTIAN  EECOBD. 


366 


*  testtmonv  to  ike  Power  of  DxTine  tnitli, 
wUch  might  have  been  infiuentiAl  for  good 
In  many  directions.  But,  alaal  over  our 
chnxches  adoud  has  ariaen,  which  ia  fiUing 
the  hearts  of  thousands  with  sadness  and 
fear.  On  the  10th  of  October,  1865,  Mr. 
Foreman's  jubilee  meeting  was  holden  in 
Hovtoi  Zion  chapel,  near  Dorset  square. 
]fr.  Moyle  preached  the  sennon— Mr. 
Ck)I]ier  occupied  the  chair— Mr.  Holmes,  the 
deacon,  made  the  presentation  to  Mr.  Fore- 
man ;  and  seyeral  ministezs  gayo  expres- 
sion to  their  feelings  before  a  large  as- 
semblT.  We  hare  letten  and  notes  de- 
scriptive of  the  scene ;  but,  for  the  present 
we  can  add  no  more. 

MEOPHAM,  KENT.— THAXKSGiyixro 
Servicbb.—  Thanksgiving  services  were 
held  in  the  Baptist  chapel,  at  this  place, 
on  Monday,  October  9th;  the  afternoon  be- 
ing occupied  in  devotional  exercises,  and 
in  the  evening,  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
Mr.  R  BaZj  who  is  at  present  supplying 
the  pulpit  in  the  above  chapeL  At  five 
o'clock,  about  70  friends  surrounded  the 
tea-table,  and  re^ed  themselves  with  an 
ezceUenUy  provided  tea ;  making  the  best 
of  the  drcumstanoes  (it  rained  in  torrents 
all  the  while^  by  animated  Christian  con- 
van^tion.  The  evening  congregation  was 
much  larger  than  might  have  been  ex- 
pected, considering  the  roughness  of  the 
weather.  The  presence  of  the  Lord  aeemed 
to  be  realised,  while  .thankfulness  flDed  the 
hearts  of  the  people.  The  text  for  the 
evening  was  Psalm  Ixvi  8,  9,  the 
nreaoher  giving  four  general  heads,  as  be- 
mg  BO  many  distinct  grounds  of  exhorta- 
tion for  praising  the  Lord.  First,  to 
naise  God  for  what  He  .is  in  himself. 
•Becondly,  for  what  He  has  done  for  us, — 
**  Who  putteth  rmaigln)  our  soul  in  life.** 
Thirdly,  for  wnat  he  is  doing  for  us, — 
**  Which  holdeth  our  soul  in  life.**  And 
lastly,  for  what  God  will  not  do,  viz., — 
**He  will  not  suffer  our  feet  to  be  moved,** 
from  their  grace-standing  in  Christ,  neither 
in  time  nor  etemity.    Praise  ye  the  Lord. 


8UTT0N-AT-H0NE.— Go  Thou  and 
Do  LiKBwisB.— In  addition  to  the  thanks- 
^ving  services  held  in  the  Baptist  chapel 
in  this  place,  on  Monday,  October  2nd,  we 
would  note  the  following  scrap  of  intelli- 
gence,  as  being  worthy  of  imitation,  l^ 
•very  lover  of  God*8  cause  and  people. 
About  two  years  ago,  when  Mr.  George 
Wyard,  of  London,  preached  their  annual 
sermons,  he  suggested  a  plan  for  their 
adoption,  where^  they  might  remove  a 
debt  of  £100  from  their  Building  Fund, 
viz.,  by  msaas  of  collecting  cards,  Ac.  This 
suflgsstion  WM  taken  up  in  an  excellent 
spun,  and  produced  corresponding  results. 
At  their  late  meeting  the  gratifymg  state- 
ment was  made,  that  their  chapel  was  now 
out  of  debt;  but  one  drcumstanoe  de- 
manded   spedal    notiee    and    attention. 


Among  the  collectors  was  a  certain  female 
friend,  who  said  she  could  not  undertake  to 
collect  by  card,  but  she  would  help  in  the 
best  way  she  could.  She  purchased  a 
maiigle  and  devoted  the  entire  proceeds  to 
the  liord  ;  the  first  year  producing  £3  18a., 
and  the  second  year  £5  ;  making  a  total  of 
X8  18s.  raised  bv  her  own  hands.  She 
loved  much,  she  laboured  much,  and  great 
will  be  her  reward. 


BEXLEY  HEATH,  KENT.— Harvest 
thanksgiving  services  were  held  in  the  Bap- 
tist chapel,  Thursday,  October  5th.  Pastor 
J.  £.  Bloomfleld,  of  Soho,  preached  in  the 
afternoon  from  Psahn  Ixiii.  8.  The  dis- 
course was  listened  to  with  marked  attention, 
cheerful  interest^  and  evident  gratification. 
After  the  sermon,  the  friends  (about  120  in 
number)  adjourned  to  the  Congregational 
school-room,  which  was  kindly  lent  for  that 
purpose,  and  partook  of  a  verv  comfortable 
tea.    In  the  evening,  at  half-past  six,  the 

fttblic  meeting  came  on  in  the  chapel.  The 
•astor  W.  Frith  presided.  Mr.  Teal,  of 
Woolwich,  invoked  the  Divine  blessing, 
and  Messrs.  Box,  Webb,  Griffiths,  Camp, 
Teal,  Whittle,  and  Evans  delivered  appro- 
priate addresses.  Altogether  it  was  a  very 
happy  da^.  May  it  be  the  harbinger  of 
many  similar  ones. 


THAME,  OXON.— Mr.  Wale,  of  Black- 
heath,  preached  three  sermons  here  in  the 
New  Baptist  chapel,  on  ]x>rd*s  day,  Sept. 
10th,  from  1  John  iv.  8,  Hosea  xiv.  6,  0,  7, 
and  Isaiah  xxx.  10.  All  the  services  were 
weU  attended,  but  in  the  evening  the 
chapel  was  crowded  to  excess ;  the  galle- 
ries, aisles^  vestries,  pulpit  stairs,  and  in 
the  pulpit  itself,  or  ratner  on  the  platform, 
there  were  six  persons,  beside  the  minis- 
ter, while  great  numbers  were  unable  to 
get  in.  The  collections  which  were  for 
the  Building  Fund,  were  remarkably  good. 
Mr.  Wale  preached  again  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  next  day,  after  which  a  public  tea 
meeting  was  held,  and  the  day  closed  by 
Mr.  Wale  delivering  a  lecture  on  the  "  Wis- 
dom and  goodness  of  God,  as  manifested 
in  the  constitution  and  manifold  uses  of 
the  atmosphere.** 


ETNESFOBD,  KENT.— The  Harvest 
Thanksgiving  services  were  held  at  the 
Baptist  chapel  here  on  Sept  26th.  Mr. 
Wale,  of  Blackheath,  preached  the  sermon 
from  Bomans  i  20.  Several  of  the  neigh- 
bouring ministers  were  present, — Mr. 
Webb,  of  LitUe  Wild  Si,  Mr.  Frith,  of 
Bexley  Heath,  Mr.  Neville,  of  Sutton-at- 
Hone,  and  the  pastor,  Mr.  Camp.  The 
evening  meeting  was  addressed  by  the 
brethren  Wale,  Frith,  Neville,  and  Jack- 
son, of  Sevenoaks.  The  pastor  presided; 
the  meeting  was  a  pleasant)  and  we  trust  a 
profitable  one. 


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THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL, 


Not.  1,  IMi 


BHARNBROOK,  BEDS.— The  opening 
gervices  of  the  New  Baptist  chapel  were 
held  on  Sept  19th.  Mr.  Wale,  of  Black- 
heath  preached  the  eennons  from  Pealm 
xcii.  12,  and  1  John  iv.  16.  Many  of  the 
friends  expreesed  a  wish  that  the  sermons 
might  be  printed.  Abont  two  hundred  of 
the  friends  sat  down  to  tea  in  a  large  and 
commodions  ham,  kindly  lent  for  the  occa- 
sion. Friends  were  present  from  Thur- 
leigh,  St  Neota.  Rannda,  Caxlton,  Bedford, 
and  Pinedon.  The  chapel,  which  has  been 
almost  entirely  rebuilt,  has  been  restored 
and  decorated  with  extreme  good  taste, 
and  is  the  prettiest  village  Baptist  chapel 
we  have  ever  seen.  Mnch  of  the  expense 
htis  been  borne  by  the  princely  munificence 
of  one  of  the  friends.  Mr.  Peet,  the  pastor, 
seems  exceedingly  happy  in  his  work 
May  he  long  continue  so ! 

GLEMSFORD.— PROviDEjrcE  Chapeu 
— The  sixth  anniversary  of  the  above 
chapel  was  held  on  Tuesday,  Sept  26th, 
when  two  excellent  sermons  were  preached 
by  Mr.  Alderson.  We  were  favoured  with 
a  goodly  number  of  ministers  and  friends 
from  neighbouring  churches.  Tea  was 
provided  m  the  chapel,  and  about  180  per- 
sons partook  of  the  repast  The  congre- 
gations were  large  and  collections  liberal 

ICKFORD,  BUCKS.— The  anniversary 
sermons  were  preached  here  on  Sept  7th, 
by  Mr.  B.  B.  Wale,  of  Blackheatli,  from 
1  Cor.  XV.  56,  and  Revelation  xv.,  last 
clause  of  the  third  verse.  The  word  was 
well  received.  The  day  was  fine,  and  the 
attendance  good,  friends  being  present  from 
Thame,  Crendon,  Lydenham,  Ashett, 
Princes  Risborough,  &c. 

PLYMOtrTH.  —  Changes  are  taking 
place  here.  Mr.  G.  Doudney,  from  Charles 
chapel,  being  removed  home  to  heaven,  Mr. 
Courtney  succeeds  him;  the  consequence 
will  be  the  departure  of  some  and  the 
gathering  of  others.  "  Trinity"  is  repre- 
sented in  an  unsettled  state.  Hopes  are 
entertained  of  its  passing  into  other  hands 
ere  long. 

PLAISTOW.— First  anniversary  of  open- 
ing Mount  Zion  chapel,  Plaistow,  was 
holden,  October  8th  and  10th ;  sermons  by 


the  pastor,  W.  Palmer,  J.  K  Sflveirtoii,  and 
Thomas  Stringer.  Addronoao  by  the 
brethren  aforenamed,  Myenon,  Braisher. 
0.  W.  Banks,  Steed,  Ac.  The  cause  is 
steadily  prospering. 

BIRMINGHAM.— Anniversaiy  sennoDs 
were  preached  in  New  street  Baplisi  chapel, 
and  Constitution  hill,  opposite  Bcmd  street 
by  the  ministers,  A.  Howard,  and  O.  W. 
Banks,  October  8th,  and  on  foUowin^  day. 
public  meeting  was  holden-  ThecJiiffch, 
with  its  deacons  and  minister,  hsve  woited 
most  successfully— their  place  of  workup 
is  now  all  that  could  be  desired ;  bat  their 
debt  must  be  speedily  cleared  off ;  and  we 
trust  that  God  will  speedily  send  them 
help. 

AUSTRALIA.— STDNiET.—CWegiT©  the 
foUowing  wrftoftm,]- My  dear  Brother,- 
The  bearer  of  this  note  is  brothw  Lee, 
who,  with  his  wife,  is  a  member  of  om- 
church.  They  are  loved  and  cared  for  by  us. 
for  their  love  of  the  truth,  and  their  con- 
sistent life,  walk,  and  conversation ;  there- 
fore, we  commend  them  to  you,  and  to 
your  care,  or  to  the  care  of  that  chnreh 
whereto  they  may  be  directed,  while  they 
may  reside  in  dear  Old  England.  We  are 
troubled  greatly  for  want  of  help  to  pay  our 
chapel  debt ;  but  for  that  we  should  rejoice. 
I  have  been  from  home  four  months  and 
fourteen  days,  and  have  travelled  5,000 
mUes,  all  through  Victoria  and  Tasmania, 
lecturing  and  preaching;  but  I  have  not 
been  awe  to  do  much  in  the  money  way. 
for  we  are  in  debt  I  shall  have  to  be  off 
again  soon  in  another  direction.  I  wm 
write  some  particulars  of  my  wanderings  ftj 
the  Vessel.  Wishing  you  and  youra,  and 
the  saints  that  are  with  you,  eveiy  YAembm 
—I  remain,  dear  brother,  y  cure  in  the  bora, 

JOH3f  BUXTAN  M'CCBB. 

January  28,  1865. 

Mr.  T.  J.  Smith,  once  Vicar  of  Winterton, 
then,  until  his  death,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church,  Peterborough  (a  good  man),  died 
in  the  early  part  of  this  year. 

Married.  —  At  Walworth  chapel  (Mr. 
Howieson's)  by  C.  W.  Banks,  October  10, 
1865,  Benjamin  Stringer,  Esq.,  to  Mis 
Susannah  Lynn,  daughter  of  Mr.  W.  Ljnn, 
of  CamberwelL 


BAPTIZINGS. 


xnrisTEB's  KAaa. 


Cliainbntok,  D. 
HearsoD,  O.     ... 
Hownrd,  Abraham 
Kemp,  tj.        ... 


NAME  Aim  BITUATIOK  OF  CHAPBL. 


btrici  Bap.  Church,  Maidacone,  Kent 

Baptist  Chapel,  Vauxhall      

Bap.  Chapel,  Con.  hill,  Birmingham 
Baptist  chapel,  Bythorne,  Kent      .- 


DATS. 


Aug.i? 
Oct.M 
Aug.  6 
Sept  94 


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Dec  1,  less.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BEGORD.  9SJ 


Wii\  damning  and  liinigdom  4  ^^2^- 

Ik  dosmg  up  another  volume  of  The  Eabthen  Yesbel,  we  gladly 
introdace  to  the  notice  of  oar  readers,  a  new  and,  we  may  add,  a  most 
seasonable  volume,  by  that  powerful  and  acceptable  writer,  the  author 
of  "  God  is  Love  *'— "  Our  Heavenly  Home  "— "  The  Glorious  Goepel  of 
Christ,"  <fec.,  <fec.,  now  publishing  by  Darton  k  Co.  The  title  of  the 
work  is 

"The  End  of  All  Thikos.** 
This  great  theme  will  occupy  two  handsome  volumes,  and  will  comprise 
an  amount  of  information  exceedingly  rare ;  and  worthy  of  the  attention 
of  Christians  on  all  sides  of  the  Millenarian  question.  Mr.  Grant  having 
made  himself  thoroughly  master  of  the  whole  history  of  this  interesting 
subject,  has  given  us  not  only  a  summary,  but  the  substance  of  nearly 
all  the  productions  of  those  laborious  students  who  have  furnished  the 
church  with  testimonies  of  their  faith  and  conclusions  respecting  a  theory, 
or  doctrine,  now  for  so  many  years  exercising  the  minds  of  the  Lord's 
people.  Were  we  afraid  of  our  own  convictions,  we  should  tremble  at 
this  book.  It  is  no  medium,  or  half-way  sort  of  book.  With  a  strong 
arm  Mr.  Grant  takes  fast  hold  of  the  mystery,  and  unfolds  its  various 
features  with  so  much  ability,  simplicity,  and  evidence,  that,  differ  from 
his  results  much  as  we  sometimes  may,  we  cannot  but  admire  the  dignified, 
yet  delightful  spirit  in  which  the  whole  is  written. 

We  have  lately  suffered  so  severely  from  the  controversial  fires  which 
have  so  fiercely  burned  around  us,  as  to  enable  us  to  sympathise  with  this 
writer  when  in  his  preface  he  expresses  his  strong  reluctance  to  enter 
the  lists  with  so  many  whom  he  loves  in  the  Lord,  with  the  purest  and 
warmest  attachment.  Nevertheless,  he  is  constrained  to  come  forth 
against  us — and  antagonistic  to  all  who  believe  with  us ;  and,  assured  as 
we  are,  both  of  his  ability  and  sincerity,  we  make  room  for  him,  in  order 
that  we  may,  if  possible,  profit  by  his  meditations,  researches,  and  efforts 
to  banish  what  he  believes  is  not  only  unscriptural  but  injurious  to  the 
cause  of  religion.  Well,  let  us  read  some  portions  of  his  preface.  He 
says : — 

''  K I  were  to  consult  my  own  inclinations,  I  would  never  engage  in 
theological  controven^.  There  is  nothing  more  uncongenial  to  my  mind. 
Yet  there  are  occasions  when  it  behoves  every  Christian  to  sacrifice  his 
private  tastes  to  a  sense  of  public  duty,  and  to  do  all  that  lies  in  his 
power  to  resist  the  progress  of  error  by  earnestly  contending  for  the 
£uth  once  delivered  to  the  saints. 

"  That  duty  is  one  which  I  now  feel  called  on  to  discharge  in  relation 
to  the  present  position  of  Millenarianism.  Regarding,  as  I  do,  the  clajss 
of  views  indicated  by  that  term  as  being  opposed  to  the  Word  of  God, 
and  as  involving  deplorable  consequences  to  true  religion,  I  feel  that 
obligations  of  the  most  solemn  kind  are  imposed  upon  me  to  do  every- 
thing I  can  to  expose  the  errors  of  the  Millenarian  system.  But,  whUe 
feeling  this  duty  to  be  imperative,  it  is  with  a  special  reluctance  that  I 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


868  THE  BARTHBN  VEaSBL,  Dec;  1,  IMIL 

undertake  its  performance,  because  it  so  happens  that  a  very  large 
number  of  my  most  revered  private  friends,  both  among  the  clergy  and 
laity,  are  as  firm  believers  in  the  doctrine  of  a  personal  reign  of  Christ 
on  earth,  with  his  saints,  for  a  thoasand  years,  as  they  are  in  any  other 
doctrine  contained  in  the  Scriptures.  I  need,  therefore,  scarcely  say 
that,  if  religious  controversy  is  ^Eitirdiy  foreign  to  my  feelings,  it  must 
be  doubly  so  when  that  controversy  is  with  Christian  friends  for  whose 
diaracter  I  cherish  the  very  highest  regard.  I  oould  name  numbers 
among  oontemporary  Millenarians  for  wham,  as  the  result  of  personal 
intimacy  with  them,  I  not  only  entertain  the  most  profound  esteem,  but 
would,  in  other  respects,  willingly  and  humbly  sit  at  their  feet  They  are 
alike  eminent  for  the  greatness  of  their  tfdents — ^for  their  de^  and 
sustained  spirituality  of  mind — for  a  habitually  close  walk  with  Ood — 
for  their  exemplary  conduct  in  the  society  and  sight  of  their  fellow-man 
— and  for  their  devotedness  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  of  souls.  It  is, 
indeed,  to  the  fact  that  so  many  of  my  greatest  Christian  friends,  equally 
remarkable  for  their  gifts  and  graces,  believe  in  the  personal  reign  of 
Christ  on  earth,  and  the  other  Millenarian  notions  which  cluster  around 
the  personal  reign  as  the  great  central  doctrine, — ^that  my  attention  has 
been  called  to  the  subject,  and  that  I  have  been  led  to  engage  in  its 
investigation. 

"  It  is  desirable  for  the  purpose  of  removing  misconception  that  I 
should  here  state  that,  in  conceding  the  title  of  Millenarians  to  those  to 
whom  I  am  opposed  on  the  question  of  the  personal  reign  of  Christ  on 
earth  for  a  thousand  years,  I  do  not,  for  myself,  renounce  the  name  of 
Millennarian  in  the  sense  in  which  that  word  points  to  a  future  reign  of 
Christ  on  earth.  So  fiar  from  this,  I  glory  in  my  Millenarianism.  I  feel 
a  perfect  conviction,  and  I  rejoice  in  it,  that  there  will  be  a  period  of 
future  spiritual  glory  in  the  Church  of  God  on  earth,  which  wiQ  well 
deserve  the  name  of  Millennial.  I  believe  that,  through  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel  in  the  world,  and  the  practical  adoption  of  its  principles,  the 
time  will  come  when  the  earth  will  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord, 
and  that  the  holy  principles  of  Christ's  holy  religion  will  acquire  such  an 
ascendency  in  men's  hearts,  and  exerdse  so  great  and  salutary  an  in- 
fluence ou  their  lives,  as  thaty  speaking  figuratively  in  the  language  of 
Scripture,  Christianity,  in  the  higher  acceptation  of  the  term,  w^  cover 
the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  &e  channel  of  the  great  deep.  That, 
however,  \a  a  very  different  thing  from  those  Millenarian  views  which 
have  as  their  groand  and  pillar  the  doctrine  of  the  personal  reign  of 
Christ  on  earth  for  a  thousand  years.  .  But^  as  those  with  whom  I  difier 
on  the  subject  imagine  that  they  have  an  exclusive  right  to  be  considered 
Hfill^nATianHj  I  will,  throughout  my  volume,  make,  for  the  sake  of  argu- 
ment, that  concession  to  them.  When,  therefore,  I  use  the  wMd 
"  Millenarian,"  I  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  by  that  term  I  mean 
those  who  believe  in  the  personal  reign  of  Christ  on  earth,  with  his  saints^ 
for  the  period  of  a  thousand  years. 

"  It  is  equally  due  to  myself  and  to  my  readers  that  I  should  hei« 
mention  that,  so  ftr  from  having  engaged  in  the  examination  of  the  daims 
of  Millenarianism,  under  the  influence  of  prejudices  against  the  system,  I 
oould  almost  have  wished  that  the  conclusions  to  wMdi  I  should  oomey 
mi^t  be  in  accordance  with  Millenarianism,  because  so  great  and  grow- 
ing a  proportion  of  the  excellent  of  the  earth  have  embraced  tJie  doctrine 


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Dmi  1, 186S.  AND  CHRISTIAN  RBOOBD.  36t 

of  the  peraonal  reign  of  Christ  for  a  thoaaoad  years,  with  those  other 
llilleDariaa  sentiments  which  gather  around  that  central  portion  of  the 
Millennial  system.  To  goard  against  the  possibility  of  being  prejudiced 
against  MUlenarianJBm  while  parstiing  my  inquiries,  I  sompnloosly 
avoided  the  perusal  of  any  book  of  an  anti-Millenarian  character.  I 
confined  myself  solely  to  Millenarian  works  while  preparing  the  matmals 
for  this  volume.  I  have  no  doubt  that  a  goodly  numbeo*  of  the  argu- 
ments which  I  have  used  have  been  employed  by  previous  writers  on  the 
same  side  of  the  question.  But  the  book  now  in  the  hands  of  the  reader 
is  just  as  original  as  if  no  other  author  had  preceded  me  in  the  advocacy 
of  the  views  which  L  have  here  brought  forward.  When  I  had  finished 
my  manuscript,  I  consulted  some  of  the  leading  anti-Millenarian  writers, 
lest  I  should  have  overlooked  any  fitct  or  argument  of  importance.  In 
the  very  few  cases  in  which  I  have  referred  to  the  reasonizifls  of  others 
who  have  taken  the  same  side  of  the  question  as  myself,  I  have  duly 
mentioned  the  names  and  quoted  the  words  of  the  authors. 

^  The  result  of  my  thorough  examination  of  the  Millenarian  system 
is  a  profound  conviction  that  that  system  is  without  the  shadow  of  a 
foundation  in  Scripture.  I  feel  a  firm  persuasion  that,  so  far  from  this^ 
it  is  at  variance  with  the  Word  of  Qod." 

Here  we  must  pause.  Mr.  Grant's  views  may  be  clearly  anticipated 
from  the  previous  extract.  Three  things  we  puiposa  First,  to  give 
further  extracts  next  month.  Secondly,  to  examine  veiy  closely  the  use 
he  makes  of  Scripture  texts  in  proof.  And,  thirdly,  to  carefully  ascer- 
tain the  well  grounded  authority  and  certainty  of  hidaxguments,  illustra- 
tions, and  evidences. 

This  volume  will  have  an  immense  circulation.  All  Christians  will 
gladly  read  it;  and  from  its  contents  all  will  derive,  more  or  less,, 
spiritual  good. 


%  (^wi  Pan's  lif^  ani  ^t^k 

A  Bbixf  MsMont  of  thb  Late  Mb.  Thoxas  Favkll,  of  Alconburt 
Weston,  Hunts,  who  Depabted  this  Life  on  Tuesday  Mobnino 
Seftehbeb  10,  1865,  in  the  76th  Year  of  His  Age. 


[Ck)NCLtn)SD  rsoM  page  325.] 
"  How  blest  the  righteone  when  he  dies.'* 
In  November,  1861,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  remove  from  him  the  dear 
partner  of  his  bosom.    This,  at  his  time  of  life,  was  indeed  a  cutting 
stroke ;  he  felt  it  most  keenly.  To  be  left,  as  it  were,  alone  in  the  wilder- 
ness was,  to  think  upon  it  closely,  with  him  a  thing  almost  insupport- 
able. They  had  been  together  fortynseven  years,  and  his  life  now  appeared 
to  be,  as  it  were,  bound  up  with  her  who  was  the  darling  of  his  youth, 
the  stay  of  his  riper  years,  and  comfort  of  his  age.     She  died  in  the 
Lcurd,  Shortly  after  repeating  that  beautiful  stanza — 
"  Thete*B  nought  on  earth  is  half  so  dear, 
As  His  delightful  presence  here — 
What  must  it  »e  in  heayen  I  ** 

Digitized  ?yGb0gle 


360  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Deo.  1,  Mft. 

What  straggling  of  flesh  and  spirit  did  he  hare  to  enooonter 
while  bleeding  beneath  this  sore  bereavement  I  Sometimes  rebellious^  and 
kicking  like  a  bullock  unaccustomed  to  the  yoke,  and  sometimes  in  sweet 
meltings  of  soul  and  compunction  of  spirit,  blessedly  subdued  and  brought 
into  sweet  acquiescence  to  His  Father's  will.  The  words  of  the  poet  were 
often  very  sweet  to  him  in  this  his  time  of  sorrow,  and  he  would  be  oft 
repeating  them — 

**  And  shall  I  impatiently  fret,  and  mormnr  beneath  His  kind  rod— 


Hifl  love  and  UJa  men^  fonret— and  fly  in  the  face  of  my  God? 

^  .     iagei 
I  erery  blening  I  owe,  abore  what  the  fiends  have  in  hell ; 


Oh,  no !  in  the  strength  Hefaas  given,  and  pledged  His  own  word  to  bestow, 


Un,  no !  m  the  streng^b  Ue  oas  giv 

ril  fi^ht  through  my  passage  to  heaven,  ancl  sing  of  His  love  as  I  go : 
To  hun  every  blening  I  owe,  above  what  the  fiends  have  in  hell 
And  shall  I  not  sing  as  I  go,  that  Jesus  does  everything  well  ?  " 

His  mind  was  rery  prolific  in  poetry,  and  the  word  of  Christ  verily  dwelt 

in  him  richly ;  and  now  as  he  was  quite  alone,  and  had,  by  the  tender 

mercy  of  his  Heavenly  Father,  sufficient  of  this  world's  goods  to  support 

him,  he  would  more  frequently  be  found  visiting  amongst  the  Mends, 

where  he  always  received  a  hearty  welcome,  while  his  conversation  was 

generally  in  heaven ;  indeed,  it  was  manifest  that  he  was  nearing  his 

Father's  house ;  for,  as  dear  Watts  has  it, 

"  Like  a  bright  setting  sun  he  looked  richer  in  giaoe, 
And  sweetly  foretold,  at  the  end  of  his  days, 
Of  rising  in  brighter  amy."* 

He  had  an  only  daughter  in  London  a  member  at  Johnson  street 
chapel,  and  a  dear  brother  in  the  Lord  also — a  Mr.  Ivett,  who  had 
married  his  youngest  sister,  and  who  has  been  many  years  a  member  at 
SoLo  :  these,  conjointly,  had,  for  a  length  of  time,  importuned  him  to 
pay  them  a  visit,  and  many  were  the  questions  he  asked  of  his  friends  in 
the  country  about  the  propriety  of  his  going  so  far  from  home  at  his 
time  of  life ;  but  all  concurred  that  it  would  be  a  pleasant  change  for 
him.  He  always  had  such  a  dread  of  railway  travelling,  uid  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  his  mind  was  made  up  to  go.  At  length,  after  much 
thought,  and,  no  doubt,  prayer,  Wednesday,  the  9th  of  August,  was 
named  as  the  day  he  would  leave  for  London. 

On  Lord*s-day,  the  6th,  he  was  amongst  his  dear  friends  at  Gidding, 
being  ordinance  day,  when  at  dinner  time  he  stayed  with  the  friends, 
who  dined  iii  the  vestry,  and  joined  them  in  their  worship,  as  it  was  their 
custom  to  hold  a  prayer  meeting  before  the  publico  service  commenced. 
They  asked  him  to  give  out  a  hynm,  and  pray  with  themu  He  gave  out 
tiiat  vexy  precious  hymn,  beginning — 

"  Guide  mo,  0  Thou  great  Jehovah ;" 
and  when  they  had  sung  the  last  verse  once,  which  begins — 
"  When  I  tread  the  verge  of  Jordan," 

he  said,  "  Oh  !  it  won't  be  long ;  do  let  us  sing  that  verse  over  again ;" 
and  the  dear  friends  observed  an  unusual  fervency,  savour,  and  mdlow- 
nes3  in  his  prayer,  and  were  struck  with  his  very  solemn  manner.  "  Was 
it,"  says  the  dear  minister  of  Gidding,  *<  a  sort  of  presentiment  from  his 
Heavenly  Father,  that  he  had  met  with  his  dear  friends  for  the  last  time  t 
he  was  e'l'idently  ripening  for  glory  f  and  when  he  left  them,  he  took  an 
affectionate  farewell  of  them,  as  if  he  conceived  he  should  see  them  again 
no  more.  This  he  did  also  with  his  friends  and  neighbours  at  Alcon^ry 
Weston,  from  whence  he  took  his  journey  at  the  time  appointed. 


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Bee  1,  laeflL  AND  CHRISTIAN  BECOBD.  361 

Kothing  at  all  particolar  transpired  in  going  up ;  his  daughter  met  him 
at  King's  Cross  station,  and  being  overjoyed  to  see  her,  he  said  the 
fatigue  of  the  journey  vanished ;  spent  a  fortnight  with  her  at  Kensington 
most  happily ;  and  then  went  to  visit  his  dear  brother  Ivett,  who  minis- 
tered abundantly  to  his  wants,  and  took  him  to  those  places  he  most 
loved— where  the  (Gospel  was  preached  in  its  pureness. 

On  Thunday  evening,  the  7th  September,  they  went  to  hear  Mr. 
Bloomfield,  who  preached  a  harvest  sermon  from  the  words,  '^  And  glean 
not  in  another  field."  He  was  much  taken  with  this  discourse  (it  was 
the  last  he  ever  heard),  and  would  see  Mr.  Bloomfield  after  the  service. 
Some  time  during  that  night  he  was  taken  ill ;  during  Friday  was 
worse ;  and  that  night  was  a  night  of  intense  suffering  and  pain,  arising 
from  inflammation  of  the  bowels.  On  Saturday  he  was  easier,  but  sinking. 
Physicians  were  of  no  avail  His  only  son  was  telegraphed  for,  who  was 
soon  at  the  bedside  of  lus  dying  parent.  His  daughter  had  been  with  him 
since  Friday.  His  mind  was  tranquil  and  calm  as  a  summer  8e&  He 
said,  '<  I  know  whom  1  have  believed,  and  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that 
which  I  have  committed  to  him  against  that  day.  "  Christ,"  he  said, 
is  the  Rock  on  which  I  stand ;  all  else  beside  is  shifting  sand ;"  and  he 
asked  his  son  to  read  a  chapter,  and  commend  him  to  the  Lord,  which 
he  was  enabled  to  do,  after  which,  he  said,  ^  Thank  you."  His  son  said, 
"  We  shall  soon  meet  again,  dear  father."     He  said,  "  Yes — 

'*  There  we  sbaU  see  His  iaee, 

And  never,  never  sin ; 
There  from  the  fountain  of  His  grace, 
Drink  endless  pleasures  in." 

It  was  remarked  to  him  that  he  would  soon  enter  upon  an  everlasting 

Sabbath.     He  said,  "  Yes— 

M  Thine  earthly  Sabhaths,  Lord,  we  love, 

But  there*s  a  nobler  rest  above ; 

To  this  our  labouring  souls  aspire, 

With  ardent  pangs  of  strong  desire." 

He  spoke  very  much  of  the  sermon  he  heard  at  Salem  on  the  Thursday 
evening.  He  said,  ''  And  there  were  to  be  handfula  left  on  purpose  for 
her.  I  have"  he  said,  ''  gleaned  many  precious  handfuls,  and  have  been 
the  means  of  dropping  many  precious  handfuls  for  others.  If  I  ever  got 
anything  in  this  way,  it  was  too  precious  for  me  to  keep  it  alone."  He 
said,  "  I  should  have  to  be  at  the  seven  o'clock  prayer  meeting  in  the 
morning ;  there  is  one  at  Salem,  and  one  at  Soho  also."  He  talked  over 
his  little  afiairs  as  if  he  were  arranging  for  a  journey.  He  said  *'  My 
times  are  in  Thy  hand ;  what  a  mercy  they  are  not  in  mine."  He  said^ 
"  Tell  Mr.  Morris,  if  he  feels  at  liberty  with  that  text,  <  Blessed  are  the 
dead  that  die  in  the  Lord — yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  for  they  rest  from  their 
labours,  and  their  works  do  follow  them,'  let  him  speak  from  it."  Toward 
midnight,  he  was  asked  if  he  felt  comfortable.  He  said,  '*  Yes,  I  will 
hang  upon  Him."  He  was  perfectly  sensible,  and  retained  all  his< 
faculties  until  two  o'clock.  He  said,  "  It  is  haiti  work  ;  hold  out,  faith 
and  patience,  a  little  longer;"  after  which,  he  dozed,  and  about  five 
o'dock,  when,  without  the  least  apparent  moving  of  a  muscle,  his 
redeemed  spirit  took  its  flight  "  to  the  bright  mansions  love  ordained ;" 
and  at  the  seven  o'clock  prayer-meeting,  he  was  no  more  a  member  of 
the  Church  militant 

The  dear  remains  were  removed  from  Newport  Market,  the  residence 


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das  THE  BARTSBN  VESSEL,  Dm.  1,  ISM. 

of  his  dear  brother,  on  Wednesdaj,  the  13th  of  S^ytember  (that  vecy 
day  five  weeks  from  his  coining  to  LcHidon),  to  be  interred  beside  the 
ashes  of  his  dear  wife,  at  Great  Oidding. 

Mr.  Morris,  the  minister,  being  absent  through  ill  health,  his  dear 
bi^other,  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Swansea,  officiated  at  the  foneral,  and  in  the 
evening  preached  a  sermon  from  the  text,  '^  Know  ye  not  that  a  prinoe 
and  a  great  man  has  fsJlen  this  day  in  Issael  T  And  when  Mr.  Monis 
reached  GKddinii;  again,  he  preached  a  sermon,  with  sweet  liberty  and 
freedom,  from  the  text  our  dear  departed  brother  named,  "  May  my  laat 
end  be  like  his." 

«^ Bear  sBiztt  of  Qod,  we  hail  thee  now! 
Belaaaed  from  ereiy  doubt  and  fear; 
A  crown  of  glory  on  thy  brow, 

De8tin*d  by  eovereig^  grace  to  wear. 
True  'twas  at  times  a  dreary  way, 

When  faith  was  dim,  and  love  grew  cold ; 
But  'twas  the  path  to  endless  day. 
To  mansions  lore  ordained  of  old. 

Salvation's  great  and  gbrions  scheme^ 

With  Zion's  babes  'twas  thine  to  trace ; 
And  cheer  them  with  the  precious  theme, 

Of  full  salvation  all  of  grace. 
These  precious  truths  thy  theme  below, 

The  soul  has  gone  to  prove  above ; 
Their  heights  and  depths,  and  lengths  to  know, 

And  bssk  in  everlasting  love. 

Cambridge.  JosEpa. 


OB,  A  PORTION  FOB  BVBBY  SABBATH. 

BT    GIDEOK. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  3bd.— OUR  QUIET  RETREAT. 

^  And  he  took  them,  and  went  aside  privately."— Luke  iz.  10. 

What  a  world  of  bnstle,  and  noise,  and  conflict  this  is  1  How  weaiy  we 
get  of  it  sometimes,  how  glad  to  get  away  from  it  for  awhile,  but  where 
shall  we  gol  To  the  church,  for  the  promise  is  '^  Thine  eyes  shall  see 
Jerusalem  a  quiet  habitation,  a  tabernacle  that  shall  not  betaken  down.** 
Alas !  Alas  !  we  find  the  church  a  scene  of  strife  and  confusion.  Then 
where  shall  we  go  for  quiet  and  rest  and  peace  ?  To  the  bosom  of  the 
loving  Sa/viowr,  How  sweet  when  He  comes  and  takes  us  ^  <uide  pri- 
vately "  for  a  little  while.  Then  He  called  the  disciples  into  "  a  desert 
place"  and  thej  had  but  little  proyision.  There  was  plenty,  the  bread 
and  fish  multiplied  in  His  dear  hands,  and  they  saw  how  Jesus  could 
turn  the  desert  into  a  fruitful  field.  Yes,  where  he  is,  and  manifests  him- 
self, is  heaven  to  such  as  love  Him.  The  believer  has  many  sweet 
moments  in  fellowship  with  the  church,  and  we  must  not  forsake  Zion 
on  account  of  her  faults  but  rather  try  to  mend  them,  at  the  same  time 
the  sweetest  moments  of  our  life  are  to  be  alone  wUhJeetu,  Let  us  offcoi 
go  aside  and  b^  him  to  come  and  visit  our  souls  and  speak  to  our  hearts^ 
.and  communicate  to  us  that  '<  secret  of  the  Lord  which  is  with  them  that 


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Dee.  1,  latt.  AND  CHBISTIAN  BECOBD.  M8 

fear  Him  "  and  to  shew  ns  His  covenant.  It  is  -w^hen  alone  with  Him 
tbat  we  oan  unburden  the  heart,  by  telling  Him  all  our  sorrows,  con- 
fessing all  our  sins,  and  laying  before  Him  all  our  diificulties.  There  are 
ten  thousand  inward  conflicts  going  on  in  the  soul  which  none  but  He 
€an  understand,  and  ten  thousand  wants  which  none  but  He  can  supply. 
O,  then,  get  every  day  a  secret  interview  with  him,  pour  out  thy  soul 
before  Him,  and  thou  shalt  come  forth  peifumed  with  the  firagrance  of 
divine  grace,  and  men  will  marvel  when  they  see  thee,  and  as  of  old  take 
knowledge  of  thee  that  thoa  hast  been  with  Jesus.     .Amen. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  10th.— NEAR3R  HOME. 

"Now  is  our  B&lvation  nearer  than  when  we  belierecL*'— Bomans  xiii  IL 
Reabek,  have  you  believed  1  AH  by  nature  are  in  a  state  of  imbelief 
and  condemnation.  Grace  works  a  revolution  in  the  soul,  old  things  are 
passed  away  and  behold  all  things  are  become  new.  What  a  change  ! 
It  is  a  coming  out  of  darkness  into  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan 
unto  €rod.  Some  can  remember  the  time,  place,  and  circumstances  when 
they  first  believed,  but  others  were  brought  gently  and  slowly,  but  all 
real  Christians  are  bom  again,  and  there  was  a  time  when  first  they 
believed.  The  text  at  the  head  of  this  paper  applies  to  such.  The 
"wheels  of  time  are  silently,  but  surely,  carrying  na  on,  and  soon  death 
will  close  our  eyes  and  ears  to  the  sights  and  sounds  on  earth.  Another 
year  has  nearly  run  its  round,  and  what  a  gloom  might  the  thought  cast 
over  us  but  for  the  blessed  word  of  God.  We  who  have  believed  are 
nearer  home,  nearer  the  inheritance  which  is  incorruptible,  undefiled, 
and  that  fadeth  not  away,  and  which  is  reserved  in  heaven  for  you  who 
are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  ecUvcUion — jea,  it  is 
nearer.  But  what  is  the  salvation?  Heaven,  gl^iT)  ^^^  presence  of  all 
good,  the  absence  of  all  evil,  and  that  for  ever ;  this  is  sure.  No  believer 
can  be  lost,  Jesus  is  able  to  keep  you  from  billing,  aud  to  present  you 
faultless  before  the  presence  of  His  gloiy  with  exceeding  joy.  O  think 
of  that  word  faultless  I  Who  can  enumerate  all  his  own  faults  ?  Our 
neighbours  see  many,  we  ourselves  see  more,  but  the  all  searching  eye  of 
Jesus  sees  more  still.  But,  bless  His  dear  name.  He  sees  our  faults  to 
renMve  them  ;  and  the  day  is  nearer  when  we  shall  awake  in  His  image 
without  spot  or  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing.  For  He  shall  change  our 
Tile  body  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  His  glorious  body.  We 
shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is. 

**  My  griefs  and  my  sorowb  His  tender  heart  bears, 
In  fellowship  sweet    I  cast  on  Him  m^^  cares: 
On  His  bosom  my  head  shall  recline  night  and  day, 
And  m  sing  of  His  righteonsness  here  while  I  stay. 

He  soon  shall  refine  this  vile  body  of  mine, 

He'll  mise  it  immortal  in  glory  to  shine; 

From  earth  into  Heav'n  His  praises  1*11  bear, 

For  soon  He'll  exalt  me  His  Kingdom  to  share."    Amen. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  17th.— SUFFICIENT  GRACE. 

**  My  grsce  is  sufficient  for  thee." — 2  Cor.  xiL  9. 

What  was  Paxil's  thorn  in  the  flesh  ?  God's  precious  gift — "  There  was 
given  to  me  a  thorn  in  the  flesh."  He  did  not  like  the  gift,  and  besought 
the  Lord  thrice  that  it  might  depart  from  him.     O  how  little  we  know 


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364  THE  EARTHEN  VESaSL,  Dea  1, 186& 

what  is  best  for  us  !  And  how  many  times  we  have  besought  the  Lord 
in  ignorance  to  take  away  from  us  his  choicest  blessings.  But  blessed  be 
His  name  he  will  not.  No  doubt,  reader,  you  have  your  thorn  in  the 
flesh,  you  do  not  know  what  Paul's  was,  and  most  likely  no  one  but 
yourself  knows  what  yours  is.  But  you  know  because  it  pricks  the  flesh 
and  through  that  wounds  the  soul.  Well,  grace  is  sufficient,  and  unto 
every  one  of  us  is  idven  grace  according  to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of 
Christ  (Eph.  iv.  7.)  Mark  that  word  "meamre,**  you  see  grace  is 
measured  out  according  to  need.  The  Lord  values  His  own  gi^  if  we 
do  not,  and  he  will  not  waste  an3rthing.  ''  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee  "  not  more.  He  that  gathered  much  had  nothing  over,  and  he  that 
gathered  little  had  no  lack  (Ex.  xvi.  18.)  It  all  came  to  the  same  thing, 
they  stood  upon  an  equality  after  all,  boasting  and  complaining  are  alike 
excluded.  He  who  comes  in  the  morning  needs  no  more  than  a  penny, 
and  he  who  enters  the  vineyard  at  night  cannot  do  without  it — ^the  thing 
amounts  to  the  same  in  the  end.  Bless  God  then  for  sufficient  grace, 
and  bless  Him  that  it  is  measured  out  every  day  just  as  we  need. 

It  may  be  thou  art  looking  forward  to  trouble,  the  clouds  are  gathering 
round  thee,  and  thy  thoughts  are  cast  forward  to  the  coming  year,  and  a 
thousand  questions  are  asked — when  so  an  i  so  takes  place  what  shall  I 
do  ?  All  is  uncertain  but  this,  that  there  will  be  a  supply  of  sufficient 
grace. 

M  And  shall  I  impatiently  fret 
And  mnrmur  beneath  His  kind  rod  ? 
His  love  and  His  mercy  forget 
And  fl]r  in  the  face  of  my  Qod? 
O  no!  in  the  strength  He  has  g^ven, 
And  pledged  His  own  word  to  bestow, 
1*11  fight  through  my  passage  to  Heaven, 
And  sing  of  His  love  as  I  go.** 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  24th.— HIS  NAME. 

''  Thou  Shalt  call  his  name  Jesus."— Matt  L  21. 

What  is  in  a  name  1  Every  thing  in  this  case.     God  can  put  a  wotid  of 

meaning  into  a  single  word.     He  put  salvation  into  the  Babe  of  Beth- 

lehem.     Good  old  Simeon  took  Him  up  in  his  arms  and  said  ''  Mine  eyes 

have  seen  thy  salvation  " — yes,  faith's  eye  penetrated  the  veil  of  flesh  and 

saw  in  the  infant  Saviour  iJl  that  a  sinner  needs  to  make  him  safe  and 

happy  for  time  and  for  eternity.     So  the  Lord  could  put  all  the  meaning- 

of  iJiat  salvation  into  the  one  dear  and  precious  name — ^Jesus  ! 

"This  is  the  name  that  charms  our  fears 
And  bids  our  sorrows  cease 
*Ti8  music  in  the  sinner*s  ears 
Tis  life  and  health  and  peace." 

His  name  is  dear  to  Himself,  an  honour  put  upon  Him  and  a  treasure 
given  Him.  Therefore  He  must  do  aU  that  His  name  means  U> 
maintain  its  honour — that  is  save  His  people.  Art  thou  one  of  His. 
people?  given  to  Him  by  His  Father,  purchased  by  His  blood  and 
quickened  by  His  Spirit  1  then  thou  art  safe.  He  shaU  save  from  the 
guilt,  power,  and  consequences  of  sin,  and  that  for  ever.  Precious 
Jesus  I 

His  name  is  a  Power,  there  is  life  in  it,  all  hell  trembles  at  the  sounoL 
It  is  a  weapon  in  the  hand  of  fEiith,  it  is  l^e  life  and  soul  of  prayer,  the 
sighs  and  groans  and  tears  of  the  penitent  are  perfumed  by  that  name- 


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Deo.  1, 186&  AND  CHBI8TIAN  EECOBD.  365 

and  ent6r  with  acceptaaoe  before  the  throne,  while  the  eloquent  ntterances 
of  the  self-righteoua  fidl  to  the  earUi. 

His  name  is  the  treasuiy  of  the  churchy  in  searching  out  the  full 
meaning  of  Jesus  you  will  find  all  riches  in  it,  and  such  as  never  take 
-wing  and  fly  away.  It  is  a  cordial  for  all  diseases  of  the  soul.  But 
never  forget  that  sinners  alone  can  tell  what  His  name  is — ^that  is,  living 
sinners  who  feel  that  they  need  what  is  in  Jesus.  Yes,  just  as  the  Spirit 
makes  you  see  and  feel  you  are  lost,  will  you  rejoice  that  He  came  ta 
seek  and  to  s&ve  such.    Amen« 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  31st.— FAREWELL. 

"Finally,  brothren,  fareweU."— 2  Oor.  ziii  11. 

"Farewell"  is  a  word  for  earth,  not  for  heaven.     There  will  be  no 

partings  there.     But 

"^  Here  we  suffer  grief  and  j^Bin. 
Here  we  meet  to  part  again,** 

and  have  in  parting  to  say  farewell  to  each  other  and  to  many  things 

beside.     A  few  more  hours  and  the  year  1865  will  be  gone  and  that  for 

ever.     Dying  year,    farewell !    We  thank  God  for  mercy  during  every 

hour  of  thy  days,  we  thank  Him  for  all  the  troubles  thou  hast  borne 

away  on  thy  wings — ^these  will  return  no  more. 

Gideon  must  say  fai*ewell  to  his  readers.     His  promise  is  fulfilled, 

and  with  the  end  of  the  year  comes  the  end  of  his  work,  so  ^eOt  as  these 

Sabbath  day  portions  are  concerned.     Reader,  have  tiiey  been  of  any 

service  to  thy  soiil  1    Have  they  been  the  means  of  encouraging  thee  in 

the  Lord  thy  God  ]    Give  all  the  praise  to  that  Gk>d  from  whom  cometh 

every  good  and  perfect  gift.     But  while  thou  hast  obtained  benefit  and 

the  Lord  deserved  praise,  let  poor  Gideon  be  remembered  by  thee  in  thy 

prayers.     He  is  a  poor  sinner  like  thyself,  therefore  in  remembering  that 

this  is  the  last  time  thou  wilt  meet  with  him  in  these  pages  lift  up  thy 

heart  to  the  God  of  all  grace  on  his  behalf.     And  now  unto  Him  who  is 

able  to  keep  you  from  falling  and  to  present  you  faultless  before  the 

presence  of  His  glory  with  exceeding  joy,  to  Him  be  glory,  majesty, 

dominion  and  power,  both  now  and  ever.     Amen. 


EXPOSITION    OF   MARK    XVI.    Verses  9— 20. 
By  Mb.  James  Wells,  of  the  Sureby  Tabernacle,  Walworth  Road. 

**  Now  when  Jesus  was  risen  early  the  first  day  of  the  week,  he  appeared  first  to  Mary 


Magdalene,  out  of  whom  he  had  cast  seyen  devils.  And  she  went  and  told  them 
that  had  been  with  him,  as  they  mourned  and  wept.  And  they,  when  they  had 
heard  that  he  was  aliye,  and  had  been  seen  of  her,  belieyed  not" 

The  Lord  hath  a  variety  of  ways  of  keeping  His  people  anxious  about 

the  welfare  of  their  souls  and  their  interest  in  eternal  things.    We  see  it 

was  hidden  from  the  disciples  as  to  the  real  nature  of  the  Saviour's 

death  and  resurrection ;  they  had  this  to  learn  afterwards.    And  we  find 

here  that  those  who  feared  they  had  been  deceived,  they  mourned  and 

wept.     Is  it  not  just  so  with  us  when  everything  seems  hidden,  every- 

thing  seems  dead,  and  it  seems  as  though  we  had  been  deceived  t    We 

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366  TBS  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Dae.  1, 1M(L 

know  that  no  deception  oould  be  so  dreadftd  nnto  hb  as  to  be  deoeiTed 
in  these  things.  And  this  mourning  the  Lord's  absence  only  endears 
Him  the  more  when  he  is  again  revealed.  Now  when  it  is  said,  ''  They 
believed  her  not/'  I  think  we  are  to  undentand  this  claiise  with  limita- 
tion. I  do  not  think  that  they  did  feel  sore  for  a  moment  that  He  was 
not  risen,  but  that  they  could  not  give  full  credence  to  it.  It  was  what 
they  wanted,  but  the  tidings  seemed  too  good  to  be  tma  And  they 
were  not  just  exactly  where  many  professors  are  now,  when  they  heaid 
the  good  tidings  of  the  Gospel,  they  lift  up  their  eyes  and  hands  and  are 
quite  shocked,  and  call  it  something  very  presumptuous,  and  something 
very  awfiiL  That  is  the  spirit  of  the  mere  professor.  But  the  disciples, 
when  they  realized  the  fact  of  His  resurrection,  they  rejoiced  therein. 
They  could  not  at  the  first  believe  it^  because  the  tidings  seemed  too 
good  to  be  true ;  but  when  it  was  demonstrated  unto  them,  it  may  well 
be  said, — 

**  Then  were  the  disciples  gkd,  wben  they  sftw  the  Lord." 

And,  perhaps,  we  can  hardly  realize  what  their  feeliogs  were  in 
actually  seeing  the  Saviour.  They  had  walked  with  Him,  they  had  minis- 
tered unto  Him  of  theii*  substance,'and  some  of  them  had  anointed  His  feety 
and  felt  a  love  to  Him  that  language  could  not  describe.  Now,  for  the 
Saviour  to  re-appear,  and  they  to  see  Him  after  His  death,  we  can  hardly, 
perhaps,  realize  what  their  feelings  were.  Yet,  if  the  Ix>rd  is  pleased 
to  appear  to  us  to-day  spiritually,  and  to  bring  into  exeicise  a  spirituality 
of  mind,  that  will  enable  us  to  share  in  some  of  the  blessedness  of  tlie 
resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. 

***  After  that  he  appeared  In  another  form  nnto  two  of  them,  as  they  walked,  aad  went 
into  the  country.  And  they  went  and  told  it  nnto  the  residue ;  neither  heusTsd  they 
them." 

There  is  one  thing  very  remarkable  in  the  Saviour  in  His  life,  and 
very  remarkable  after  His  resurrection,  and  that  was  "Hla  diligence.  See 
how  diligent  He  was  all  His  life  time.  And  thefe  was  no  self-indulgenoe, 
there  was  no  giving  way ;  laboxiring  always,  fi^quently  praying  all 
night.  Now,  when  He  rises  from  the  dead,  He  directs  His  attention 
immediately  to  His  disciples.  If  there  be  two  walking  solitarily  down  to 
Emmaus,  He  goes  and  joins  them.  And  then,  when  He  had  made  Him- 
self known  unto  them,  He  comes  back  to  Jerusalem,  and  appears  to  the 
disciples  there.  So  that  the  Saviour  never  neglected  anything ;  paid 
the  closest  attention  to  them.  And  if  some  of  them  are  beating  about  on 
the  ocean  all  nighty  and  seeking  to  catch  something,  and  cannot.  He  does 
not  neglect  them,  but  appears  to  ihem  just  at  the  right  time  with  the 
inquiry,  "Children,  have  ye  any  meat?"  And  therefore  some  of  us 
la:^  people  might  take  a  little  reproof  here,  and  take  the  Saviour  as 
an  example  of  diligence  as  well  as  of  eveiy  other  excellency  which  He 
possesses. 

**  Afterward  he  appeared  nnto  the  eleven  as  they  sat  at  meat,  and  upbraided  them  with 
their  unbelief  and  hardneiw  of  heart,  beoauae  they  believed  not  Hum  whieh  had  seen 
him  after  he  was  risen." 

Now,  of  cotirse,  they  did  partly  believe,  but  they  ought  fully  to 
have  believed.  Because  Mary  Magdalene  might  have  said,  "  Am  I  a 
liar,  then?    I  have  seen  Him."     "We  don't  believe  you."    "Thenl 

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Dec.  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BSCOBD.  m 


am  a  liar.''  And  the  other  Mary,  the  mother  of  James — "  Well,  then, 
jou  charge  me  with  falsehold ;  I  have  seen  Him ;  we  have  seen  Him." 
**  Well ;  we  don't  beliere  yon."  **  Well,  yon  have  got  a  very  pretty 
opinion  of  ns.  And  so  it  is."  But  the  Saviour  stepped  in,  and  put  this 
to  rights.  What  a  mercy  it  is,  that  when  we  are  not  believed,  if  we  are 
not  believed,  to  know  that  we  have  spoken  the  truth,  thoiigh  we  are  not 
believed. 

**Andlie  said  unto  them.  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  eyenr 
creature.  He  that  believeth  and  is  haptazed  shall  be  sared ;  but  he  that  belieretn 
not  shall  be  damned.** 

I  know  some  of  our  Mends  say,  that  the  baptism  here  means  the 
baptism  of  the  Spirit ;  but  I  think  the  baptism  of  the  Spirit  is  included 
in  believing.  There  can  be  no  believing  without  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  The  apostle  says,  "  We  are  all  baptized  into  one  Spirit."  I, 
therefore,  take  baptism  here  to  be  water  baptism.  He  that  believeth, 
and  publicly  owneth  my  name,  is  not  ashamed  of  me,  shall  be  saved. 
For,  although  the  command  of  the  Lord  is  the  same  in  all  ages,  yet 
circumstances  alter.  Now  in  that  day  no  Christian  thought  of  disowning 
the  Saviour  j  for  the  very  first  thing,  when  brought  to  believe,  was  to 
own  Him  in  that  ordinance,  and  thus  so  to  believe  as  not  to  be  ashamed 
of  Him.  And  yet  I  do  not  for  a  moment  understand  that  although  it 
stands  in  such  a  position  here,  baptism,  water  baptism,  is  essential  to 
salvation.  That  will  not  do ;  because  the  Old  Testament  saints  had  not 
this  ordinance,  the  thief  on  the  cross  had  not  this  ordinance,  and  many 
that  are  called  at  the  eleventh  hour  attend  no  ordinance  at  all ;  and, 
therefore,  though  ordinances  should  be  regarded  in  their  place,  yet  none 
of  them  are  essential  to  salvation^  though  all  of  them  are  essential  to 
Gospel  church  order. 

**  And  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  belieTe:  in  my  name  shall  they  cast  out  devils.** 

The  original  word  here  translated  dernls,  signifies  middle  gods,  in- 
ferior gods.  And  so  you  will  find,  friends,  all  false  religions  have  a 
great  many  sorts  of  mediators,  sort  of  somethings  invented  by  men  to 
plead  our  cause.  What  are  all  human  oixiinances  ?  what  are  all  the 
ceremonies  of  Catholicism  and  Puseyism?  Why  they  are  so  many 
middle  gods,  all  set  up  to  plead  the  causes  of  men.  Whereas  those 
who  are  brought  to  know  the  Lord,  and  believe  in  Him,  they  cast  out 
all  these  mid(Ue  gods,  and  fall  down  upon  this  one  delightful  truth,  that 
there  is  one  Me(Hator,  and  only  one  Mediator  between  God  and  man, 
the  man  Christ  Jesus.  And  the  man  that  is  right  in  the  mediation  of 
the  Saviour,  he  will  not  be  very  long  wrong  in  any  other  department. 
So,  then,  our  language  is — 

«t  Other  gods  have  had  the  dominion  over  us,  but  by  Thee  alone  will  we  make  mention  of 
Thy  name.** 
That  is  what  I  understand  by  casting  out  demons,  or  mediatory 
gods,  which  are  here  called  devils.  ''They  shall  speak  with  new 
tongues/'  as  a  matter  of  course.  When  a  man  undergoes  this  change, 
he  has  new  thoughts  and  new  desires,  and  he  speaks  now  in  prayer,  he 
speaks  now  in  love  to  God,  he  speaks  now  in  dedsion  for  God ;  he 
speaks  now,  and  shall  do  as  he  realises  mercy,  to  the  Lord's  praise. 
These  may  weU  be  called  new  tongues.    "  They  shall  take  up  serpents ;" 

Digitized  b* 


368  THE  EARTHEN  VESSEL,  Dae.  1,  UK. 

not  a  very  pleasant  thing,  but  they  will  have  to  do  so  sometimes,  throw 
them  into  the  fire,  as  Paul  did  the  viper ;  and  if  they  "  drink  any 
deadly  thing,"  and  think  it  is  a  living  thing,  *4t  shall  not  hart  them." 
Or,  if  they  have  deadly  tribulations,  which  would  kill  the  natural 
man's  hope.  Job's  cup  put  into  his  hand  was  a  very  deadly  cup;  it 
killed  all  his  earthly  comfort,  but  it  did  not  hurt  him,  it  did  him  good* 
It  humbled  him  at  the  time,  brought  to  light  what  he  was,  but  ulti- 
mately endeared  a  covenant  God  to  him. 

*^  They  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick^  and  they  shall  recover.  So,  then,  after  the  Lord  had 
spoken  onto  them,  he  was  received  up  into  heaven,  and  sat  on  the  right  hand  of  God. 
And  they  went  forth  and  preached  everywhere,  'the  Lord  working  with  them,  and 
confirming  the  word  with  sigpos  following.    Amen.** 


A  PARENT  INDEED. 


Dear  Children, — May  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you,  and 
may  the  Crod  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob  bless  you  and  your  little 
tribe ;  may  the  good  will  of  Him  that  dwelt  in  the  bush  be  with  you 
and  preserve  you ;  and  may  the  sweet  operations  of  the  blessed  Spirit  of 
eternal  truth  lead  your  souls  into  the  mystery  of  His  everlasting  election 
of  love  to  such  vile  polluted  sinners  as  we  are.  My  dear  children,  I  can- 
not but  be  thankful  for  the  undeserved  mercy  and  grace  of  a  covenant 
God  in  his  everlasting  purposes  of  love  to  such  polluted  sinners  as  we  are, 
in  separating  us  iix>m  the  rest  of  the  world.  It  is  not  because  we  are 
better  than  they  by  nature,  for  we  all  fell  in  Adam  alike,  and  we  all 
came  into  the  world  alike,  and  I  am  confident  that  nothing  but  sovereign, 
grace,  communicated  to  the  soul  by  the  power  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost, 
can  make  any  difference  between  us  and  our  fellow  creatures ;  so  that 
we  have  nothing  to  boast  of  but  unmerited  mercy  to  the  chief  of  sinners. 
You  say  you  like  your  new  house  better  than  your  old  one.  For  my 
part,  I  feel  the  old  one  a  clog  to  my  soul,  I  mean  this  vile  body  of  sin 
and  corruption  that  I  carry  about  with  me  from  day  to  day,  which  makes 
me  cry  out  with  the  apostle,  O  wretched  man  that  I  am !  who  shall  deliver 
me  from  this  body  of  sin  and  death  ?  And  I  can  say  with  the  apostle,  in 
another  place,  I  with  my  mind  serve  the  law  of  God,  but  with  the  flesh 
the  law  of  sin.  Tou  said  in  your  letter,  that  the  Lord  will  carry  on  His 
work  where  he  begins  it ;  I  believe  He  will,  in  His  own  children ;  but  I 
am  oflen  afraid  that  I  am  not  one  of  them,  for  I  have  so  much  sin,  pride, 
unbelief,  hardness  of  heart,  deadness  of  soul,  and  wandering  affections. 
My  dear  children,  I  do  not  know  how  it  is  with  you  in  soul  matters, 
whether  you  have  got  any  of  these  inward  trials  to  contend  with,  or 
\i^hether  you  have  got  a  smooth  path ;  if  you  have,  you  are  different  fh>m 
me.  EecoUect,  the  promise  is,  that  in  the  world  we  shall  have  tribula- 
tion. I  can  assure  you  that  I  am  not  free  from  trouble  long  at  one  time, 
either  from  within  or  without ;  for  I  feel  my  carnal  heart  so  opposite  to 
God's  sovereign  dispensations  in  providence  with  me,  that  I  oft^i  fear 
that  I  cannot  be  one  of  God's  elect ;  though  my  judgment  is  well  con- 
vinced that  what  he  does  is  best ;  and  this  I  have  ever  found,  though  my 
nature  rebels  so  much  against  it,  as  sometimes  to  make  me  fear  I  must 
be  a  deceived  creature.  This  often  makes  me  tremble  when  I  see  so 
many  professors  of  religion  go  on  so  smoothly  without  any  o^  thoae  aonl 


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Dee.  1, 1865.  AND  CHRISTIAN  EECORD.  ^69 

oonflictB  that  I  am  led  into  tkrough  the  cursed  pride  and  unbelief  of  my 
carnal  heart,  which  is  an  enemy  to  vital  religion.  I  know  what  it  is  to 
groan  before  God  in  secret  on  account  of  the  wretched  inbred  corruptionB 
of  my  carnal  nature.  I  heard  J.  W.  describing  the  difference  between 
the  form  and  power ;  and  in  showing  how  fiur  a  man  might  go  in  the 
letter  of  truth  in  the  head ;  I  began  to  fear  that  I  must  have  been 
deeeived,  until  he  said  that  no  poor  soul  that  ever  cried  to  God  to  make 
known  his  electing  love  and  discriminating  grace  in  his  soul  was  ever 
made  a  vessel  of  wrath,  nor  ever  would  go  to  hell  I  felt  the  witness  of 
this  in  my  soul  by  the  sweet  effect  it  produced,  because  it  led  me  to 
thank  God  for  his  everlasting  electing  love  to  such  an  unworthy,  hell- 
deserving  sinner  as,  by  painful  experience,  I  felt  myself  to  be.  I  have 
been  brought  in  secret  on  my  knees  before  God,  to  tell  him  that  if  he 
«ent  me  to  hell,  he  would  do  me  no  injustice ;  and  if  it  must  be  for  His 
^lory  to  damn  my  soul,  I  should  say  amen  to  it ;  but  to  let  me  have  that 
place  where  his  name  was  not  blasphemed.  But  when  I  heard  J.  W. 
preach  from  that  text,  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death 
of  his  saints,"  and  heard  him  say  that  they  were  set  apart  by  €h>d  the 
J*ather  in  electing  lov^  \  but  went  the  same  lengths  as  the  rest  in  a  state 
of  nature,  and  that  sdme  of  them  had  been  on  seas  and  were  preserved, 
my  soul  was  led  to  look  back  and  wonder  at  God's  sovereign  mercy  to 
.such  a  wretch  as  I  was  when  on  board  a  man  of  war,  where  I  delighted 
in  all  manner  of  ungodliness.  Once  when  shipwrecked  I  told  a  lie  to 
get  out  of  the  St.  C^rge,  where  all  hands  were  lost  except  ten ;  and  this 
has  led  me  to  wonder  at  God's  goodness,  to  hate  myself  worse  than  tho 
devil,  and  to  beg  of  the  Lord  to  keep  me  from  sin.  And  now,  my  dear 
children,  do  you  know  anything  of  these  affairs  in  your  souls  ?  If  you 
do  not,  you  are  deceived,  for  a  part  of  real  religion  is  to  feel  sin  to  be 
hateful.  It  h&  not  our  being  a  member  of  this  or  that  chapel,  it  is  to 
know  and  feel,  by  the  sweet  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  we  are 
members  of  God's  sovereign,  electing,  everlasting  love.  I  know  some 
that  sit  under  J.  Ws.  ministry,  and  that  applaud  him  in  his  preaching  of 
-the  doctrine  of  election,  and  who  yet  can  unite  with  those  that  -fight 
against  God's  sovereign  appointments.  But  I  am  brought  to  see  that 
every  temporal  mercy  that  I  receive  is  of  God's  free  sovereign  gift,  as 
well  as  every  spiritual  mercy  ;  for  I  have  no  more  claim  upon  God  for 
"those  mercies  than  devils  have,  as  I  have  sinned  as  well  as  they.  Now, 
my  dear  children,  to  conclude,  I  pray  that  the  Lord  may  bless  us  with  a 
feeling  sense  of  his  goodness ;  and  may  you,  my  dear  Mary,  be  ofben  found 
at  the  feet  of  Christ,  and  early  at  the  sepulchre  seeking  for  your  crucified 
but  risen  Lord.  I  pray,  my  dear  son,  that  you  and  I  may  be  like  John, 
leaning  on  the  bosom  of  Christ  and  often  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
where  pride  dare  not  intrude,  then  we  would  use  the  language  of  tho 
"poet, 

Atnazing  gpnaee!  how  sweet  the  soimd 
Th*t  seTed  a  wretch  like  me ; 
I  once  wee  lost,  but  now  am  found, 
Was  blind,  but  now  I  see. 

No  more  from  your  affectionate  father  in  the  ties  of  nature,  and  com 

ipanion  in  tribulation,  J.  SiMSS. 

Wilts,  April  15,  1840. 


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370  THE  EARTHEN  VESSBL,  Sea  1,  IMS. 

GOLDEN  FRAGMENTS  BROKEN— BUT  NOT  LOST. 
BY     MR.     ALFRED     PBBT,     OP     SHARNBItOOK. 


"  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain  that  nothing  be  lost"— John  tL  12. 

113.  Tlie  more  doselj  the  cross  of  Christ  is  examined,  the  mote 
wonderful  and  glorious  it  appears.  The  thief  who  was  pardoned,  while 
Jesus  hung  upon  it,  was  among  the  trophies  taken  from  the  hand  of 
Satan,  to  ornament  and  adoni  it. 

114.  The  mercy  of  God  may  be  compared  to  a  fountain,  and  branches 
out  into  many  streams ;  there  is  mercy  to  pardon  our  sins,  mercy  to 
subdue  our  iniquities,  to  heal  our  backslidings,  to  bear  with  our  infirm- 
ities, to  restore  us  to  dignity,  to  meet  us  at  the  grave,  to  support  and 
comfort  us  while  passing  through  that  dark  valley,  and  to  conduct  us 
safe  into  the  presence  of  God,  where  the  effects  of  that  mercy  will  tenni- 
nate  in  fulness  of  joy  for  ever.  Twenty-six  times  in  one  Psalm  David 
celebrates  his  truth  that  God's  mercy  endureth  for  ever. 

1 1 5.  Legalists  perform  duties  as  a  slave  fulfils  his  task ;  whereas,  a 
soul  that  loves  God  delights  in  serving  Him. 

116.  The  more  a  flint  is  struck,  the  more  the  sparks  appear ;  so  the 
more  a  hypocrite  is  probed  by  a  heaven-bom,  heaven-taught  soul,  the 
more  his  spite,  envy,  malice,  and  revenge  is  discovered.  Hypocrisy 
cannot  endure  the  light,  but  truth  does  not  shun  it. 

117.  The  memory  may  retain  the  letter  of  Scripture,  but  the  heart 
only  feels  the  power,  and  contains  the  substance. 

118.  When  mistrust  and  carnal  reason  make  head  against  us,  faitL 
in  the  decrees  of  God  ia  that  which  gives  it  a  mortal  wound. 

119.  Were  temptations  sins,  the  devil  would  lay  on  a  heavy  load. 
Temptations  are  not  sins  ;  the  sin  lies  in  }'ielding  to  the  tempter. 

.120.  When  I  hear  a  minister  is  approved  of^  and  applauded  by  the 
world,  I  set  him  down  as  an  hireling,  who  careth  not  for  the  sheep,  a 
false,  deluded  light,  whom  God  never  sent  On  the  other  hand,  when  I 
see  a  minister  hated  of  the  world  for  the  truth's  sake,  and  the  testimony 
of  Jesus  Christ  in  his  own  heart,  I  judge  him  to  be  his  sent  servanti  a 
star  which  he  holds  in  his  own  right  himd.     (Rev.  L  16.) 

One  sensual  mind  another  loTe& 

And  hatee  the  sons  of  heavenly  birth ; 
But  this  their  different  sonship  proves, 

And  should  exalt  an  holy  mirth. 

Christian  reader,  who  thou  mayest  be  I  know  not  If  one  who 
has  read  the  "  Fragments,"  but  has  found  no  comfort^  no  peace,  ne 
pardon,  no  instruction  contained  therein,  nothing  to  assist  thee  in  medi- 
tation, nothing  to  refresh  thy  thirsty  soul,  pardon  me  for  presuming  to 
publish  them  as  dusts  of  gold,  worthy  of  notice ;  some  of  them  are  frag- 
ments of  that  golden  age,  when  ministers  valued  more  the  smiles  of  heaven, 
and  the  approbation  of  God,  than  the  smiles  of  earth,  and  the  applause 
of  a  professed  Christian  world ;  others  are  scattered  thoughts  that  flowed 
from  my  own  mind,  that  have  been  pleasant  to  myself,  and  sometimes 
profitable,  and  I  hope  they  have  been  refireshing  to  some  who^  though 


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Pws.  1,  18e&.  AND  0HRI8TIAN  EEOOBD.  d71 

tried  as  gold,  will  be  able  to  endure  the  fiimaoe,  even  were  it  heated 
beven  times  hotter.  If  you  are  one  that  has  perused  them  to  advantage, 
and  desires  another  series,  if  the  Lord  will,  I  hope  to  present  you  with 
one  under  the  title  of  '^  Cut  Flowers  from  Spiritual  Gardens ;  or,  Seed 
Thoughts  from  Plants  of  Grace ;"  and  while  grieved  at  heart  to  see  so 
much  discord  abound  in  the  visible  Church,  at  this  present  day ;  one  is 
cutting  here ;  another  is  cutting  there ;  this  is  a  good  man  to-day ;  to- 
morrow he  is  a  deceiver;  while  others  are  taking  a  circuit  abroad, 
clothed  in  judgment  gowns,  seated  on  judgment  thrones,  let  us  remain 
at  home,  look  into  our  own  hearts,  and  alter  not  the  Bible  by  pra3ring, 
**  Search  others,  O  God,  and  try  them,  and  display  to  us  their  wicked 
way,  so  that  we  may  talk  about  them,"  but  rather  remembering  we 
shall  not  have  to  die  for  others,  nor  stand  before  the  tribunal  of  Grod  for 
others  j  look  well  to  ourselves,  ponder  the  path  of  our  feet,  and  commit 
our  ways  to  our  Heavenly  Father,  saying,  "  Search  me,  O  God,  and  try 
me,  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me.  So  prays  the  servant  of 
Christ  and  His  people,  ALFRED  PEET. 


"BEWARE    OF    FALSE     PROPHETS!" 


This  title-— or  word  of  warning — has  not  originated  with  us.  It 
came  from  the  Saviour's  lips.  It  forms  the  title  of  the  last  tract  issued 
by  Mr.  William  Parks,  of  Openshaw ;  and  it  is  published  by  Edwin 
Slater,  of  Manchester.  Open  depravity — heathen  and  barbarian  cruelly, 
with  all  the  consequent  miseries  they  entail,  is,  to  us,  one  of  the  most 
miserable  features  of  this  present  world's  existence.  We  daily  sigh,  and 
groan,  and  truly  weep  under  the  awful  pressure  which  we  see  every 
where  crushing  men  down  in  darkness — casting  them  into  premature 
destruction ;  and  finally,  it  may  be,  hurling  them  into  the  bottomless 
pit.  But  the  thought  that  within  the  pale  of  the  visible  Church,  there 
are  "wolves  with  sheep's  clothing," — not  only  prophets,  but  ^^ false 
prophets " — this  fact  comes  home  with  a  keener  and  a  closer  piercing 
pain  than  an3rthing  beside.  For  no  man  can  be,  at  all  times,  so  com- 
fortably confident  of  the  genuineness  and  integrity  of  his  own  character  in 
the  sight  of  a  holy  €rod,  as  to  be  free  from  the  fear  that  he  himself  is 
nothing  more  than  a  deceiver  and  a  deceived  one. 

"Am  I  only  a  false  prophet?"  not  imfrequently  sighs  from  the 
soul  of  many  a  iried  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  ; — ^yea,  while  a  host  of 
proud,  and  iron-hearted  professois  are  standing  strong  in  their  own 
conceit ;  and  while  not  a  few  of  them  are  bitterly  bruising  their  brethren 
— ^the  afflicted  servants  of  Jesus  are  oppressed,  and  often  fear  they  shall 
at  last  be  found  wanting. 

These  are  awful  times  !  And  dreadful  things  in  these  our  days — and 
in  our  Churches — have  been  done.  What  will  be  the  end  of  all  this 
great  commotion,  is  a  serious  question  with  many. 

Mr.  Parks'  alarm — "Beware  of  False  Prophets"— comes  in  very 
seasonably.  We  believe  it  will  be  useful  to  many.  We  give  one  or  two 
of  its  paragraphs.     Mr.  Paifa  says  : — 

To  my  own  mind,  it  is  plain  that  thd  **  ftln  frcphM'  against  whom  we  are  warned, 


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872  THE  EABTRBN  VB88BL,  Bee.  1, 1K& 

are  Chrutian  prof6$9or$^  blameleu  in  their  external  walk  and  oonfezMtion*  and  ma&j 
of  them  men  of  eminence,  piet^,  and  learning  I 

Rely  upon  it,  Satan  is  too  wise  to  tamoer  with  «pir&iia/peoplebvthe  instmmentalitj 
of  vulgar  profanity,  or  open  infidelity,  x^o !  He  aasumes  the  garb  of  sanctity,  and  the 
form  of  an  angel  of  lights  whenever  he  approaches  Qods  eleet  with  objections  against 
their  faith. 

People  often  congratulate  theraselYes  .upon  the  revolution  that  has  taken  piaM  in 
the  conduct  of  the  clergy  of  the  Church  ot'  Eogland  within  the  last  sixty  or  seventy 
years,  bat  I  question  whether  they  have  such  great  reason.  Morality,  certainly,  is 
preferable  to  immoridity ;  consistency  of  walk  and  conversation  is,  certainly,  a  great 
gain,  in  some  respects,  upon  the  hunting,  gaming;  drinking,  swearing  paraoahood  of 
years  gone  by;  but  has  this  solemn  Question  ever  presented  itself  to  thoM  people's 
minds — viz.,— Supposing  derg^en  to  be  unconverted,  which  class  of  them  is  the  more 
dangerous  to  the  faith — ^the  joUy,  rollicking  fellows  of  olden  time,  or  the  moral, 
cautious,  consistent,  pious  haters  of  6od*s  truth  in  the  present  time  ?  Theca  can  be 
only  one  reply.  The  poor  worldlings  of  former  years  deceived  nobody.  The  learned 
and  sanctimonious  formalists  of  modem  days  are  docemng  thoueande! 

Beviewing  the  present  state  of  Religion,  Mr.  Parks  says : — 

Whether  we  look  at  our  own  church,  or  at  the  churches  of  the  Nonconformists,  we 
are  compelled  to  confess  that  vital  godliness  is  at  a  low  ebb.  I  have  no  fear  in 
declaring  this  to  be  the  conviction  of  every  spiritual  man  in  the  kingdom,  whether  he 
be  in  or  out  of  the  Establishment.  Our  own  church  is  in  an  awful  condition.  The 
churches  of  the  Dissenters  are  all  lapsine  into  worldliness!  Of  course  there  are 
parties  in  both  communities  who  will  be  reaay  to  protest  against  these  assertions ;  but 
I  am  willing  to  leave  them  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord's  quickened  family,  to  whatever 
community  they  belong.  There  is  plenty  of  form,  plenty  of  profession,  plenty  of  zeaL 
plenty  of  action ;  but  apirUuaiittf  is  all  but  extinct !  I  do  not  envy  the  man  who  can 
see  differently  ;  for  his  must  be  a  lower  standard  than  mine,  and  Ghid  knows  that  mine 
is  as  low  as  the  Scriptures,  and  allowances  for  the  frailties  of  poor  believers,  will 
admit  »  *  »  *  » 

"  FaUe  prtupheU^  indeed,  have  risen  up  amongst  us !  I  do  not  wish  to  speak  harshty 
of  any  body  of  men,  especially  of  those  who  are  blameless  in  their  outer  walk,  but 
when  tlieir  teachings,  though  moral,  are  in  direct  antagonism  with  those  of  the  New 
Testament,  I,  for  one,  am  constrained  to  uplift  my  voice  against  them !  It  is  high 
time  that  some  one  should  speak  out  1  I  womd  to  Qod  that  some  one  more  able  and 
influential  than  I  would  do  it:  but  when  men  who  "  seem  to  be  pillars,"  are  either 
silent,  or  speak  so  feebly  and  pointlessly  against  this  wronc;  doing,  I  must  open  my 
mouth  boldly  in  defence  of  '*  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,*'  and  deQr  all  gain- 
aayers ! 

We  cannot  follow  Mr.  Parks  all  though  his  searching  enquiries  and 
exposures  of  False  Prophets,  let  us  read  some  of  his  words  on  the  True 
Prophets.     He  thus  writes  : — 

The  true  prophets  bear  the  nourishing  fruits  of  grace,  and  feed  God'a  people  with 
them.  The  false  prophets  bear  the  poisonous  fruits  of  nature,  and  try  to  deceive  God  s 
pe^le  with  them. 

TruepropheU  begin  at  the  rieht  end.  They  lay  man  in  tha  dust.  They  show  his 
utter  ruin,  helplessness,  and  hopelessness  without  God  s  sovereign  merey,  or  fiee 
grace. 

FaUe  propheU  either  deny  the  total  fall  of  man,  or  so  qualify  the  Scripture  account 
of  it,  as  to  make  it  appear  only  a  slight  accident  that  may  be  repaired  by  man's  own 
exertion,  aided  by  God's  help,  which  is  within  reach  of  everybody. 

Wherever  you  meet  with  one  who  talks  thus  of  the  Adam  fall,  and  speaks  confidently 
of  the  facility  with  which  it  may  be  rectified,  be  assured  you  are  in  the  company  of  a 
false  prophet — an  accursed  deceiver ! 

True  propheie  hold  up  Christ  continuallv,  as  the  Mighty  God,  the  Everlastinff 
Father,  the  iVinee  of  Peace,  to  whom  a  family  has  been  entrusted,  whom  He  is  bound 
to  redeem,  and  to  save.  Falee  propkete,  though  the^  speak  of  Christ,  teaeh  very 
difTerently.  They  represent  Christ  as  a  sort  of  an  assistant,  or  guide,  or  exemplar  to 
man,  by  folbwing  wuom  heaven  may  be  gained,  and  by  ne^ecting  to  follow  whom 
heaven  wilt  be  lost.  I  am  sure  it  is  no  misstatement  to  say,  that  this  latter  deseriptioa 
of  Christ  is  sanctioned  by  the  vast  majority  of  churches. 


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Daa  1,  186&  AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD.  373 

WhereTer  yon  meet  with  a  man  who  holds  such  diahonorixig  Tiewi  of  Christ,  rely 
upon  it,  yon  are  in  the  presence  of  a  false  prophet. 

True  prophets  speak  continnally  of  the  Spirit  of  Ood.  They  are  explicit  in  their 
declaration  that  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  matter  of  salvation  is  as  indis« 
Mnsable  as  the  work  of  Christ  It  is  by  the  Spirit,  too,  that  they  internret  the 
Scriptures,  and  hence  they  are  enabled  to  give  their  spiritual  meaning,  where  tne  mere 
letter  would  confnse.  FaUe  prophita,  though  correct  in  the  letter  of  the  word,  av,  often 
mtieallT  correct  according  to  the  original,  speak  without  the  Spirit,  cannot  understand 
the  Scriptures,  and,  consequently,  mislead  their  hearers,  xou  will  invariably  find 
that  false  prophets  lead  men's  minds  to  outward  things — (mtmord  worship,  outward 
ocdinancee,  ovlioaf^  church  government,  and  oit/ieani  self  ffovernment;  whereas,  they 
who  spen^  by  the  Spirit  probe  to  the  very  heart,  and  lead  men  to  spiritual  things, 
teaching  thac  matter  and  form  are  nothins ;  spirit  and  &ith  are  eve^  thing. 

2VifeDropA«tolay  the  foundation  of  their  teaching  in  Scriptural  BOCTBINE,  and 
build  Christian  practice  upon  it. 

Fal8$  prophets  invert  this,  and  set  out  with  praetice,  leaving  the  doctrine  to  follow. 
Indeed,  one  common  mark  amongst  Faiss proj^hUs  is,  eschewing  the  great  and  die* 
tinguishin^  doctrines  of  Gh)d*s  Word,  and  directing  all  their  energy  to  external  practice, 
tiius  ignonng  Christ's  own  maxim — **  Make  the  tree  good  that  the  fruit  may  begootP* 
(Hatt.  zii.  33.) 


MR.  JAMES  WELLS  AND  THE  PRESENT  POSITION  OP 
OUR  STRICT  BAPTIST  CHURCHES. 

Wz  ask  for  a  careful  penisal  of  the  following  letter : — 

TO  THE  EDITOB  OF  THE  SikBTHEN  VESSEL. 

**  Dbab  Sir, — ^The  present  position  of  the  Strict  Communion 
Baptists  is  deplorable ;  they  appear  more  at  variance  than  ever.  Our 
enemies  are  looking  on  with  evident  pleasure  and  contempt.  Can 
nothing  be  done  to  remove  this  state  of  things  ?  It  appears  to  me  that 
we  are  divided  into  three  parties,  namely — The  Gospel  Statuiard  party, 
represented  by  Mr.  Philpot,  Kershaw,  and  others ;  The  Gospel  Herald 
party,  represented  by  Mr.  Foreman,  Bloomfield,  Collins,  and  others; 
The  Earthen  Vessel  party,  represented  by  Mr.  WeUs,  Stringer,  Banks, 
and  others. 

*^  1  beg  to  submit  that  the  above  ministers  acknowledge  each 
oiher  priwUelf/  as  servants  of  €k)d.  Why,  then,  cannot  they  meet  upon 
some  common  platform  (say  the  platform  of  the  New  Surrey  Tabernacle), 
and  there  form  a  union  of  the  erUire  strict  communion  Baptists  ?  Expe- 
rience proves  that  a  mere  pcnrty  imion  will  give  way.  Several  party 
associations  have  been  formed,  but  they  have  languished. 

"  Prom  observation  and  from  repeated  enquiry  I  rejoice  to  find 
that  the  disunion  rests  merely  with  the  ministers.  If  Messrs.  Wells, 
Philpot,  Foreman,  and  Kershaw,  cannot  meet  and  hold  friendly  and 
Christian  intercourse,  their  members  can,  and  frequently  do.  The 
practical  disunion  is  in  the  pulpit,  and  not  in  the  pew.  Should  the 
ministers  still  stand  aloof  from  each  other,  I  would  suggest  that  for  the 
credit  of  our  denomination,  members  of  churches  should  meet  in  order 
to  show  that  while  Strict  Communion  Baptist  mimsters  are  at  variance, 
the  churches  can  and  do  hold  fellowship  with  each  other. 

**  May  I  beg  the  insertion  of  this  in  the  next  month's  Vessel  1 
"  I  am.  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly,  t  ^ 

"JOSEPH  THRfPT. 

<<  Bethel  Chapel,  Larima  Grove,  King's  Cross,  22nd  Nov.,  1865." 

w 

We  most  heartily  thank  Mr.  Joseph  Thrift  for  his  pipd,  common 

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3^4  THB  BABTSBN  VBSSBL,  Daal^lMft. 

sense,  ChristiaD,  and  exoeedinglj  necessaiy  saggestiQn.  If  all  the 
ministers  were  of  the  same  mind  as  Mr.  Tlmft,  we  should  soon  see  a 
strong  and  happy  union  of  the  churches,  and  thousands  in  the  oountzy 
would  rejoice ;  but  the  darkest  feature  in  our  denomination  is  the  Iba- 
tering  of  divisions ;  and  the  secret  and  open  enmitj  of  one  class  of 
ministers  against  another  class.  And  after  such  an  awful  state  of  things 
as  has  recently  come  to  pass,  we  fear  there  is  little  hope  of  any  spiiitual, 
evangelical,  and  practical  union  among  the  ministers. 

We  stand  entirely  alone.  All  the  editors  and  ministers,  with  few 
exceptions,  have  come  forth  in  battle  array  against  us,  simply  because 
we  have  tried  to  defend  Mr.  James  Wells's  character,  position,  mi- 
nistiy,  and  aim.  As  to  his  "  Rahab"  sermon,  %oe  hofoe  never  just^ied 
some  of  its  expressions ;  but  we  have  (from  the  real  love  we  bear  towaid 
him,  and  from  the  confidence  we  have  in  him  as  a  devoted  minister  of 
Christ)  done  our  utmost  to  strengthen  his  hands,  and  to  enoourage  his 
heart,  when  we  found  the  oldest  ministers  in  the  denomination  forsaking 
him ;  and  Protests  and  Ft^testors  proclaiming  to  all  the  world  his  heresy 
and  his  error,  as  they  consider  it.  And  because  we  have  warmly 
espoused  his  cause,  we  are  treated  with  contempt,  held  up  to  ridicule ; 
and  sarcastically  referred  to  by  a  professing  Chnsiian  World.  Have  we 
ever  written,  or  spoken  of  Mr.^Philpot,  as  he  has  done  of  us,  in  his  long 
sixteen  page  review  1  Never.  "  Nor  are  we  at  all  disturbed  at  the  oourae 
he  has  taken.  We  are  ready,  at  any  time,  with  meekness  and  fear, 
and  in  the  Divine  strength,  to  tell  the  Editor  of  the  Goepel  Standard 
(and  all  his  ministers,  yea,  and  all  the  churches  in  Christendom,  if 
needful),  how  the  Almighty  Qod  chastened  us  for  many  years,  under 
the  law ;  how  He  revealed  His  dear  Sok  in  our  hearts,  how  He  carried 
us  into  the  ministry ;  how,  amid  temptations  sharp  and  long.  He  has,  in 
great  mercy  delivered  us  from  death,  wiped  away  our  tears,  and  kept  ua 
from  finally  falling.  And  having  obtained  help  of  the  Lord,  we  coii- 
tinue  until  this  day.  God  forbid  that  we  should  uphold  any  man  in 
error ;  but,  most  solemnly  we  declare  while  we  could  not  speak  at  all 
times  as  Mr.  Wells  speaketh,  yet,  we  cannot  for  one  moment  believe 
he  ever  intended  to  express  anything  essentially  or  injuriously  wrong. 
And  we  as  solemnly  declare  we  could  not  join  the  armies  of  those  who 
are  against  him ;  and  who  by  their  writings  and  speakings  have  done  all 
they  could  do  to  cast  him  down.  If  by  the  charitable  course  we  have 
taken  we  have  sinned  against  heaven,  we  deeply  implore  the  forgiveness 
of  our  gracious  Lord.  If  we  have  sinned  against  the  Editor  of  the 
Gospel  Standard  in  any  shape  or  manner,  we  ask  his  forgiveness  too ; 
and  in  this  spirit  we  shall  leave  him  to  write  of  us  as  seemeth  him 
good.  God  Almighty  keeping  us,  we  will  neither  write  nor  speak  of 
him  in  an  un-Ghristian  manner  for  his  work's  sake,  and  we  will  try  to 
love  him  as  much  as  we  do  Mr.  Wells,  or  any  other  truly  exercised  ser- 
vant of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  if^  because  we  have  cleaved  to 
our  brother  in  the  day  when  the  archers  shot  at  him  ;  if,  because  we 
could  not  believe  tliat  either  Mr.  James  Wells,  or  any  of  his  people 
would  sanction  falsehood ;  if^  because  we  could  not  be  turned  against  a 
brother  who  for  nearly  forty  years  now  has  been  a  consistent,  bold,  and 
valiant  champion  of  Gospel  truth,  many  declare  they  will  destroy  our 
usefulness,  and  take  away  all  our  opportunities  for  doing  good,  we  will 
only  say,  "the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done."    We  have  His  promise  on 


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Sea  1,  IMfi.  AND  CHRISTIAN  BBCOBD.  375 

our  side,  and  -we  have  so  many  yean  proved  the  exceeding  greatness  of 
His  mercy  towards  us,  that  with  David  we  venture  sometimes  to  exclaim, 
^'  The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation,  whom  shall  I  fear  ?  the  Lord 
Ib  the  strength  of  my  life,  of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid  V*    A  weekly  paper 
in  its  efforts  to  chasten  and  crash  ns,  has  descended  to  the  lowest  lan- 
^fuage  and  figure  of  speech  possible ;  if  by  so  doing  it  can  relieve  itself 
of  a  little  of  its  enmity  and  increase    its  exchequer,   we  shall  not  be 
angry ;  nor  will  we  return  railing  for  railing.     "Wliy  shoald  we  ?    Here 
is  one  sample  of  the  good  it  is  doing  to  us.     We  were  invited  to  preach 
for  a  little  church  in  the  far  off  northern  boundary  of  this  kingdom.  The 
deacon,  minister,  and  friends  of  the  church,  who  invited  us,  thinking 
their  own  place  of  meeting  would  not  be  la^  enough,  tried  to  obtain 
the  use  of  some  of  the  aSier  chapels.     But  with  a  cold  complimentary 
n^ative,  they  as  much  as  said,  **No  Rahab  here!^    What  was  the 
consequence  t     Our  friends  hired  the  theatre  for  Sunday  evening,  and 
the  Temperance  Hall  for  two  week  evenings ;  and  we  believe  we  had  in 
our  congregations  double  and    treble  what   we  should    have    had  in 
any    of  their    chapels;    and  good  success    attended   all  our  labours. 
If  by  the  united  efforts  of   those  Critical  Censors  they  can  drive  us 
out    of  all  the  chapels  in  the  different  denominations,   they  may  do 
much  good;  because,  shut  up  in   little  chapels  as  we  have  been  for 
many  years,  we  could  not  get  at  the  people  we  desire  to  be  useful  to 
(we  mean,  the  yet  Ukconterted  Elect  op  God)  ;  but  if  the  Suffolk 
Association  decrees  we  shall  not  preach  in  any  of  their  chapels,  nor  cir- 
culate in  any  of  their  districts ;  if  the  Gospel  Standard  instrumentally 
keeps  us  out  of  the  chapels  in  the  north ;  and  if  the  Herculean  penny 
weekly  poisons  the  minds  of  all  those  genteel  and  kind  creatures  who 
read  in  their  pulpits  their  essays  so  clear — why,  then,  if  our  blessed  Lord 
J  Esus  Christ  wUl  give  us  strength  enough,  and  grace  enough,  and  life  long 
enough,  we  will  go  into  all  the  highways  and  hedges  in  the  kingdom,  and 
publicly  proclaim  the  free  grace  of  Jesus  our  Saviour  to  tens  of  thousands  of 
the  fallen  and  the  feeble  among  the  sons  of  men.     K  the  Lord  desires 
not  our  service  any  longer,  then  grateful  for  the  long  day's  work  He 
has  given  us,  may  we,  in  peace,  lie  down  and  die.     In  conclusion,  we 
would  pray  that  the  heavy  storm  lately  raised  by  Satan  may  not  unduly 
frighten  any  of  the  Lord's  people.     It  will  soon  pass  over.     The  enemy 
has  been  coming  in  like  a  flood.     The  Lord  will  rebuke  him.     The 
Lord  will  lift  up  a  standard  against  the  great  adversary ;  and  good  will 
come  out  of  it.     This  storm  has  troubled  brother  Wells  ;  but  his  best 
friends  say  he  never  preached  so  well  before  as  now.     His  Church  is 
increasing,  and  testimonies  of  his  usefulness  are  many  and  unmistake- 
able.     Let  every  man  beware  how  he  helps  on  this  hot  fire  of  persecu- 
tion.    As  regards  ounelves,  in  closing  this  twenty-first  volume,  we  will 
raise  our  Ebenezer,  and  on  it  humbly  write — 

"  Bis  lore  in  time  past  forbids  ns  to  think 
Hell  leave  hb  at  last  in  tronble  to  sink." 


NOTES   OP  THE  MONTH. 


Thb  farewell  meeting  at  the  Surrey  Tabernacle,  to  take  leave  of 
Mr.  Samuel  Cozens,  on  Monday,  November  6,  1865,  was  all  that  his 
friends   could  desire.     Mr.   James    Wells   presided;   addressee    were 

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376  THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL^  Dm.  l,  186&. 

delivered ;  £50  was  collected  in  the  ooune  of  the  week ;  and  in  the 
Young  Loehinvar^  we  hope,  his  fiunily  and  himself  are  now  sailing  over 
the  seas  to  Australia. 

The  Faith  of  Rahab  Defended;  or,  The  Defence,  by  Mr.  Jamxs 
Wells,  is  now  published.  It  is  a  two-penny  pamphlet,  containing 
thirty-two  pages,  and  will  be  carefully  read  by  many  thousands.  We 
ought  to  read  it  as  carefully  as  anybody,  for  the  *'  lUhab"  sermon  has 
caused  us  many  anxious  hours ;  it  has  made  lis  many  violent  enemies; 
and  not  a  few  real  Christians  write  us,  expressive  of  their  great  sorroxr 
at  the  course  we  have  taken.  We  have  dreamed  a  little  in  our  time ; 
but  we  never  dreamed  that,  in  preaching  the  Gospel,  Mr.  Wells  coul4, 
for  any  length  of  time,  go  seriously  wrong.  When,  therefore,  this  com- 
flict  commenced,  we  buckled  on  the  armour,  and  fought  without  fear, 
because  we  were  assured  God,  conscience,  truth,  and  Gospel  charity 
were  all  on  our  side.  We  fought  not  for  ''  Bahab,"  but  simply  for  the 
maintenance  of  that  great  precept,  "  Let  brotherly  love  continue ;" 
but  "  brotherly  love"  has  turned  very  cross  and  contrary  ;  therefore,  we 
will  read,  review,  and  write  our  thoughts  on  Mr.  Wells's  Defence  as 
early  as  possible. 

"  Breaking  up  the  Chwrchr—''  M.  W.  B."  says,  "  I  am  neither 
minister,  deacon,  or  member ;  but  I  wish  to  ask,  on  what  ground,  Scrip- 
tural or  otherwise,  can  any  man  or  body  of  men,  dissolve  a  Christian 
church  V*  A  long  tale  of  sorrow  has  been  laid  before  us,  of  the  violent 
rupture  of  one  of  the  churches  in  this  country.  Our  communicant  is 
not  of  the  church  at  all ;  but  being  well  acquainted  with  the  solemn 
histoty  of  the  church  referred  to,  and  having  been  a  ¥ritne8s  to  all 
recent  movements,  believing  the  present  effort  to  be  ungodly  and 
ruinous,  demands  of  us,  as  "  the  Expositor  of  Truth,"  an  answer  as  to 
whether  the  course  now  adopted  is  not  one  which  ought  to  he  laid 
open  as  a  warning  to  all  churches  who  are  in  danger  of  precipitating 
themselves  into  a  pit  of  confusion  and  death  ?  The  character  and  con- 
duct of  the  minister,  the  distress  of  the  deacons,  the  scattering  of  the 
I>oor  old  members,  the  departure  of  the  strength  of  the  school,  and  the 
willingness  of  the  sages  and  reverend  sires  to  sanction  and  smother  up  this 
bundle  of  strange  doings,  is  too  much  for  us  at  present.  We  are  fallen 
upon  times  when  ministers  drag  poor  creatures  to  the  criminal  bar  for 
daring  to  speak  ;  and  when  one  company  can  publicly  pour  contempt 
upon  another.  Satan  triumphs,  an  angodly  world,  and  an  atheistical  army 
gather  strength  to  oppose  the  march  of  Christianity  more  daringly. 
The  baldness  of  the  presumptuous  leaders  is  discovered,  while  the  truly 
afflicted  in  all  our  churches  sit  down  in  shame  and  sorrow — ^in  disgrace 
and  despair.  We  are  fallen  upon  times  like  those  before  Deborah  and 
Barak  arose ;  when  every  man  is  master ;  and  if  he  can  but  gain  a 
position,  will  maintain  it  by  trampling  down  the  children  of  God,  and 
by  strengthening  the  hands  of  the  hypocrites.  «0h !  ye  foolish  and 
unwise,  how  long  will  ye  walk  on  in  darkness,  and,  by  worshipping  the 
golden  calf,  fling  the  pure  worship  of  God  to  tbe  winds?  Think  ye,  we 
believe  that  men  who  live  in  the  love  and  fear  of  the  Lord  could  do  the 
deeds  of  darkness  now  so  glaringly  ?  Never !  But  we  advise 
'^  M.  W.  B."  not  to  publish  the  pamphlet  until  it  has  been  revised ;  and 
if  *'  M.  W .  B.''  sendts  again,  give  us  the  address  and  pay  the  postage,  as 
we  have  too  many  unpaid  letters  already. 


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dBttii  (!Jhttt[4fujs,  dBur  |aator5,  and  mr  ^tfi^lti. 


THE  EXCLAMATION,  AND  THE 
EXPLANATION  OP  THE  APOSTLE 
PAUL. 

London  and  NoRra-WienrBiur  Lens. 
Saturday.  Nov.  18,  1865. 

As  we  are  parsing  through  the  country 
this  morning  it  lool^  quite  cheering.  It  is 
a  great  relief  to  fly  away  for  a  moment 
from  those  gloomy  regions  of  contention 
where  for  many  months  I  have  been 
dwelling.    The  persecutions  and  the  re- 


irons  who  appeared  to  me  to  do  all  they 
could  most  cruelly  to  crush  one  of  those 
high  monuments  of  mercv  God  has  set  up 
— ^these  things  have  made  me  quite  ill  at 
times,  and  my  enemies  will  be  pleased  to 
hear  that  my  soul  has  been  dreadfully 
afflicted,  and  all  things  have  worn  a  gloomy 
aspect  I  preached  last  Wednesday  from 
David's  prayer,  when  Saul,  the  men  of 
Keilah,  and  the  Philistines  were  all  after 
him,  to  destroy  him.  He  knew  not  what 
to  do ;  but  one  thine  he  did  do.  He  feU 
upon  his  knees,  and  he  cried  out— "0. 
Lord  God  of  Israel,  I  beseech  Thee,  tell 
Thy  servant!"  And  God  did  tell  him. 
Thus  1  have  cried  out  unto  the  Lord  to 
tell  me  what  to  do,  for  the  bulls  of  Bashan 
have  bellowed  at  me  furiously.  The  three 
co-workers  who  conspired  to  possess  them- 
selves of  the  literary  estate,  over  which 
one  poor  heart  bled,  broke,  and  died,  and 
over  which  the  bitter  tears  of  the  widow 
have  been  shed  — these  three  dons,  who 
profess  to  be  such  good  and  holy  men  that 
they  can  pour  the  direst  contempt  upon 
those  who  are  beneath  them;  and  with 
their  sledge-hammers  they  have  tried  to 
crush  me.  To  help  them  on  came  all,  or 
nearly  all,  the  Baptist  parsons  in  London, 
Suffolk,  and  other  parts,  crying  out  — 
''  Away  with  him ;  he  shall  not  live  !'* 

"My  Letters"  — to  the  metropolitan 
Inshop,  to  the  Worldly  Christian^  to  the 
editors  of  those  little  things  which  are 
always  angry  with  me,  and  to  some  smaller 
writers — ^may  yet,  ore  long,  open  the  eyes 
of  some,  and  (ufferent  thoughts  may  exer- 
cise their  minds.  Meanwhile,  let  me  tell 
my  readers  I  am  at  this  moment  secretly 
led  to  think  very  much  upon  that  large  and 
lucid  conclusion  to  which  the  Apostle  came 
at  the  end  of  the  seventh  chapter  of  his 
apistle  to  the  Bomans.  His  Exclamation 
and  his  Exphuiation  are  full  of  instruction 
He  had  entered  so  fully  into  the  conflict 
the  Christian  has  to  endure^  that  his  soul 
burst  out  in  an  agony  (as  mine  has  done 
many  a  time)— ^*  Oh,  wretched  man  that  I 
am  I  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of 
this  death?"     And  then,  as  though  the 


Holy  Spirit  revealed  in  his  soul  again  the 
full  and  finished  work  of  Chbist,  he  ex- 
claims —  "I  thank  God,  through  Jsaus 
Christ  our  Lord."  Out  of  this  double 
exeicise  of  mind  comes  forth  a  solid,  an 
indisputable,  and  an  almost  unexampled 
KXPUkNATiON  of  the  two-fold  estate  of  the 
real  Christian- ''^Ss,  then,  with  the  mind  I 
myself  serve  the  law  of  God,  and  with  the 
flesh  the  law  of  sin." 

We  are  not  yet  under  the  iron  yoke  of 
Popery.  We  may,  as  yet,  8i>eak  our  mind. 
Therefore,  if  any  one  ask,  from  whence 
Cometh  aU  the  distiacting  divisions  of  the 
|>resent  times,  I  dare  to  express  my  convic- 
tion that  they  arise  from  men  who  never 
knew  this  fearful  conflict;  hence,  they  are 
proud,  self-willed,  full  of  envy,  enmity, 
and  other  evil  things.  Yet  they  are  weU 
versed  in  the  first  part  of  the  sixth  chap- 
ter of  the  Hebrews,  and  know  more  of 
those  things,  and  materially  enjoy  their 
pro/etaion  of  religion  more,  and  frequently 
succeed  much  better,  than  even  God  s  exer- 
cised children  ever  can.  Children  of  the 
living  God !— all  you  who  are  living  daily 
in  the  conflict — I  ask  you  to  consider  well 
that  most  weighty  text  which  is  occupying 
my  mind  this  day  while  travelling  2tfO 
miles  to  Barrow-in-Furness,  in  Lancashire, 
there,  please  God,  to  preach  to-morrow  the 
Gospel  of  free  gnoe. 

The  Exclamation  has  in  it  the  source  of 
the  Apostle*s  trouble.  He  calls  it  ''the 
bodv  ofthu  deatkr  It  is  the  body  in  which 
is  found  the  seeds  of  every  evil  thing 
which  tendeth  to  death.  If  I>ivine  Grace 
did  as  dearly  remove  sin  from  the  body  aa 
faith  in  the  blood  of  atonement  doth  take 
guilt  from  the  conscience,  then  the  body 
would  not  die,  the  Christian  would  not  be 
so  imperfect,  nor  would  the  living  soul  en- 
dure such  dreadful  temptations  and  sor- 
rows, as  is'now  the  case.  But  this  body  of 
sin  and  death  is  not  radically  cured  by 
nace.  There  is  an  influence,  but  that  in- 
fluence seldom  appean  so  poweriulastho 
Christian  doth  desire.  My  soul  doth  ve- 
hemently cry  out  for  the  entire  consecra- 
tion and  sanctification  of  all  I  am — body, 
soul,  and  spirit  In  every  thought  and 
feeling — in  every  passion,  principle,  and 
power^I  would  desire  to  be,  and  I  could 
delight  in  beine,  pure  and  holy,  imtainted 
and  untouched  Dy  any  unclean  thing.  But 
I  cannot  attain  unto  it.  As  regards  the 
course  and  conversation  of  my  life.  I 
would  be  thankful  if  it  had  been  aU  that 
my  inmost  soul  hath  many  times  prayed 
for -^honourable,  honest,  and  humble,  in 
every  sense ;  but,  alas  I  I  know  it  has  not 
been  so.  Therefore,  those  holy  men,  who 
sit  in  editorial  chain,  and  stand  in  polpits, 
and  creep  into  many  people's  houses,  they 
(although  as  full  ox  the  old  leprosy  of  sia 


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as  myself)  yet,  never  having  had  to  tresd 
the  thorny  rood  which  falls  to  the  lot  of 
not  a  few — their  leprosy  never  having 
oome  outside  of  the  house  —  they  think 
they  are  justified  in  hurling  their  curses  at 
the  heads  of  others  who  bow  not  at  their 
poor  throne.  Ah !  the  body  of  thds  death 
is  the  great  source  of  all  our  miseries  here. 

Then  notice  the  singular  expression, 
^'O,  wretched  man  that  lam!**  Is  this  the 
writer  of  those  words — "  I  have  learned  in 
whatsoever  state  I  am  therewith  to  be  con- 
tent*? Yes;  the  same  man.  Is  this  the 
man  that  so  trinmphed  in  Christ?  Yes,  it 
is  he ;  but  I  expect  his  shield  of  faith  was 
not  always  where  it  should  be;  therefore^ 
Satan  sometimes  crept  in,  shot  fleiy  darts 
into  Paul's  soul,  stirred  np  all  the  worse 
nests  of  his  fallen  nature,  until  the  fire,  the 
fume,  and  the  fierce  assaults  of  the  adver- 
sary filled  him  with  an  horrible  sense  of 
misery,  and  he  gave  vent  to  Ms  inward 
agony,  exclaiming  —  "0,  wretched  man 
that  I  am !"  Of  and  from  himself  he  did 
complain  most  bitterly,  as  almost  every 
Christian  at  times  will  do. 

The  QaMtion^  "Who  shxix  dbuvbr 
MB  ?**  is  expressive  of  a  strong  crisis  in  hig 
mind.  It  seems  almost  to  amount  to  this — 
^*  Surely  the  law  never  can,  and  the  Lord 
never  wilL"  Hence  the  question  comes 
out  of  his  soul  with  dreadful  force—''  Who 
SBALL  DKUVKR  MB  ?**  Our  csss  sometimcs 
so  bad  appear*,  we  assuredly  fear  bevond 
the  reach  of  .£k}d*s  great  meroy  we  have 
srone^  and  east  away  for  ever  we  shall  be. 
Of  open  pro&nity  I  never  knew  anything^ 
In  worldly  amusements  and  pleasures  I 
never  lived;  yet  hath  Satan  nurled  me 
down  in  one  evil  time,  and  it  ever  makes 
me  sad.  But  the  Lord  appears  I  Hear  the 
Apostle's  holy  woids— ''I  thank  Ood, 
through  Jbsus  Chrbt  our  Lord.**  What 
does  he  thank  God  for  ?  He  thanked  God 
for  a  divine  choice  and  decree  before  time 
which  gave  the  whole  election  of  grace  an 
in-being  in  Christ,  and  a  relationship  to 
Christ;  and  he  thanked  God  for  having 
laid  sin  upon  Christ,  and  for  qualifying, 
and  strengthening,  and  appointing  Christ 
to  bear  it  all  awav.  He  thanked  God  be- 
cause-he  saw,  and  knew,  and  believed  that, 
as  Jesus  rose  from  the  dead  with  a  body  as 
free  from  sin.  and  as  free  from  coirupuon, 
and  as  >free  from  plague,  pain,  or  peril  as 
the  holy  angels  themselves,  so  Paul  saw  he 
and  all  true  believers  would  from  the  dust 
of  death  arise,  and  in  their  mansions  in 
the  skies  adore  the  Lamb  for  ever. 

The  Explanation  requires  more  careful 
ventilation  than  I  can  give  it  here.  I  have 
written  these  few  lines  in  a  third-dass 
nor'-westem.  Behind  and  before  me  the 
babes  are  crying  or  singing  —  people  are 
talking— the  train  is  rattling— but  I  com- 
mend these  few  lines  to  the  notice  of  my 
Tsaders.  They  know  the  only  pure  service 
we  ever  here  render  to  God  is  "  with  the 
sanctified  mind.**  The  flesh  is  always 
more  or  less,  in  some  form  or  other,  in- 
fluenced and  disturbed  by  sin.    May  God, 


our  Father,  give  us  gnoe  in  His  dear  Son, 
and  through  Him  take  us  salely  i»<'>'»^ 

For  fntt  twenty-one  yean  I  have  been 
favoured  to  conduct  this  little  monthly; 
and  still  my  period  of  service  is  extended- 
God  Almighty  only  knoweth  how  k»g; 
but  to  all  my  good  old  friends  I  address 
this  word  of  grsteful  acknowledgment,  and 
I  humbly,  yet  earnestly,  beseedi  them  to 
aid  me  in  giving  still  fuither  extsntfonto 
my  work. 

Unmoved  by  the  cutting  eontempt  of 
those  who  think  to  oppose  me,  I  wOl,  as 
long  and  as  far  as  God  shall  enable  me,  aim 
at  three  things.  First,  to  publish  all  Hie 
pure  Gk)spel  truth  I  can,  contending  for  all 
the  doctrines  and  ordinances  of  the  New 
Testament  as  fully  and  as  firmly  as  evec 
And  I  say,  with  great  confldence,  all  who 
esteem  and  value  the  good  old  paths,  and 
the  distinguishing  principles  of  the  Kew 
Testament  must  Duckle  on  their  armoui^ 
and  stand  fast  by  them  who  in  the  glorious 


Second^,  I  will  continue  to  record  the 
movements  and  progreases  of  the  churobes. 
and  the  experiences  of  the  children  of  God 
shall  be  given  as  often  as  genuine  testi- 
monies can  be  found. 

Lastly,  to  render  serviees'to  churches,  to 
ministers,  and  to  the  great  communit;^at 
large,  will  ever  be  my  pleasure  and  privi- 
lege ;  and  if  my  life  be  spared,  if  health 
and  strength  be  aif  orded,  if  the  Lord  does 
not  require  me  in  this  great  metropolis  ss 
a  minister,  I  am  willing  to  be  His  servant 
in  any  part  of  the  world ;  but  if  in  Beth- 
nal  Green  He  will  build  me  a  house  where 
I  maj,  as  His  servant,  feed  His  sheep  and 
publish  His  trutlLnone  shall  be  more  giate- 
iuUy  ready  to  doHis  will  than 

C.W.B. 


A  VISIT  TO  FTTBNESS  ABBEY. 

Nov.n. 
Bbothbb  James  Betts  walked  with  mo 
this  morning  from  his  house  in  BaiTow-in- 
Fumess.  to  the  railway  station,  with  a 
heavy  snower  beating  upon  ua---through 
mud,  and  wet,  and  wind,  we  onward  urged 
our  way,  and  reached  the  station  in  timsL 
From  this,  until  near  midnight,  I  will  be 
shut  in  a  corner  of  a  railway  box — if  the 
tender  mercy*  of  God  will  uphold  me  in 
safety;  and  if  F  give  a  note  or  two  on  the 
journey,  I  hope  tney  will  interest  some  of 
my  readers.  The  uprising  of  a  cause  of 
truth  in  connection  with  Strict  Psptist 
principles  is  an  event  of  some  intersst  to 
an  who  sincerely  adopt  and  present  the 
prayer— "Thy  kingdom  oome;  Thy  will 
be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  done  in  heaven.** 
The  Master  gave  that  prayer  to  His  own 
disciples:  in  the  growth  of  His  Gospel 
kingdom,  that  prayer  has  been  aoswervd 
in  measure,  but  the  larger  and  more  per- 
fect aocomplislmient  of  it  is  yet  in  reserve^ 
How  sweet  to  my  sorely^tempted  soul  thto 
morning  is  that  word  in  the  Pimfans— 


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**  Prmr  than  be  nude  for  Him  contiiiiiAlly- ; 
And  (Uiily  slutll  He  be  praised.**  As  we  are 
carried  this  moming  orer  the  Ulyerston 
■mda,  in  tact^  right  over  an  arm  of  the  sea, 
amaxement  of  mind  is  felt  in  beholding 
what  tiinmphs  and  yictories  the  ingennity, 
peneyeranoe,  and  combined  powers  of  men, 
iiaye  achieved!  In  stretching  out  these 
iron  arms  of  oonyeyance.  they  hare  had  to 
level  monntaina,  fill  up  valleys,  cut  through 
rocks,  run  over  seas,  make  solid  ground  on 
quagmire  sands,  break  down  castles,  clois- 
ten,  and  crowned  towers,  and  thus  bring 
the  utmost  distances  near.  Even  so,  in  the 
progress  of  the  Oosnel,  in  the  epnowth  of 
the  Savioui^s  kingdom,  there  are  many 
Oppositions  to  overcome,  and  trials  of  evexr 
sort  and  kind  to  be  endured.  But  as  *'  AU 
power  in  heaven  and  in  earth"  is  given  to 
our  Lord,  that  He  should  g^ve  eternal  life 
to  as  many  as  the  Fathkb  hath  given  Hin^ 
it  is  oertam  His  Idng^m  shall  gprow,  ana 
His  glory  riiall  be  seen  in  all  the  nations 
where  his  chosen  may  be  found. 

Last  Saturday  I  travelled  from  London 
to  Barrow-in-Furness,  which  is  about  180 
miles,  and  occupies  near  ten  hours  in 
reaching.  This  seaport  town  is  fast  rising 
into  a  corporate  community  of  large  dimen- 
idons.  A  few  years  since  it  was  nothing 
more  than  a  waste  howling  wilderness  be- 
tween the  sea  and  the  northern  lakes  and 
mountains ;  but  now,  in  a  commercial  and 
populous  sensfi  it  is  a  fruitful  field.  Where 
only  a  solitary  uurm-house  and  a  few  fisher^ 
men*s  huts  could  be  seen  for  miles,  now 
streets,  roads,  shops,  immense  factories  and 
furnaces,  custom  houses,  libraries,  villas, 
baaks,  churches,  chapels,  halls,  and  people 
to  the  number  of  14,000  or  more,  are  every" 
where  to  be  seen.  Barrow  is  growing  and 
flourishing,  and  all  the  crowds  seem  busy. 
Till  lately,  almost  everything  was  there 
but  the  eternal  truth  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  The  Church  of  Enghmd,  the  Pres- 
liyterians,  the  Congregationalists,  the  Con- 
ference Wesleyans,  the  Primitive,  and  the 
Free-will  Baptists,  as  well  as  Catholics, 
Qnaken,  and  a  noble  band  of  teetotallers, 
all  find  places  here;  but  the  people  who 
are  Strict  as  regards  Communion,  and 
stringent  as  respects  the  distinguishing 
doctrines  of  grace — the  people  who  are 
taught  to  discern  between  the  letter  and 
the  spirit  of  Qospel  ministrations,  found  no 
place  here.  In  the  Providence  of  GK)d, 
James  Betts  (for  many  years  a  member  at 
Surrey  Tabernacle,  and  a  preacher  of  the 
truth  in  many  of  our  suburban  churches), 
was  taken  down  to  Banrow;  and  (not  to  be 
minute]),  we  hope  it  -bulj  be  said,  God  has 
made  him  instrumental  in  the  formation  of 
a  Free  Grace  Strict  Communion  Baptist 
Church,  and  of  enoouiaging  an  excellent 
joungman — ^Ifr.  Francis  Lowther — to  be 
their  minister :  and  to  this  little  churc^  I 
have  been  prea«}hing,  and  in  the  kindest 
manner  they  received,  entertained,  and 
then  most  honourably  dismissed  me.  Bro- 
ther James  Betts,  and  his  happy  wife, 
opened  their  house  to  me,  gave  me  a  pro- 


phet^s  room,  a  bed,  and  all  things  needful 
for  the  way ;  and,  after  such  a  storm  as 
^^BahabV*  opponents  raised,  I  enjoyed  this 
little  peaoefiil  quietude  beneath  the  shades 
of  the  mountain,  and  in  close  approximation 
to  the  Irish  Sea.  On  Sunday  morning  I 
preached  in  the  Baptist  room ;  in  the  even- 
ing we  assembled  in  the  theatre,  and  I 
preached  on  the  stage.  Monday  and  Tues- 
dav  evening  we  met  in  the  Temperance 
haU  I  and  I  enjoy  a  persuasion  that  the 
Lord  is  smiling  on  His  little  church  in 
Barrow;  on  his  yo«mg  servant,  Francis 
Lowther;  on  the  hard-working  deacon, 
James  Betts;  and  on  the  church  under 
their  care.  There  was  great  opposition 
manifested  toward  me  by  the  resident 
clericals  and  duly-paid  pastors  of  Barrow; 
but  I  had  opportunities  of  speaking  to  at 
least  800  people ;  the  result  I  leave  in  faith 
and  hope  with  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  I 
may  refer  to  Barrow  again,  especially  as 
my  good  brother,  Francif  Lowther,  has 
promised  to  write  out  for  Thb  EARTiflDf 
Vbbskl  God's  gpwsious  dealings  with  him 
in  calling  him  by  grace,  and  in  leading  him 
into  the  ministry  of  the  word.  From  the 
hand-book  of  Ul  verston  and  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Fumessee  I  copy  the  following, 
intending  to  write  my  thoughts  on  visiting 
Fumess  Abbey.  The  wnter  of  Mr.  W. 
Stone's  excellent  hand-book sa3rB : — "The 
district  is  famed  for  its  salubrious  air  and 
for  the  longevity  of  its  inhabitants,  a  tomb- 
stone being  shown  in  Broughton  church- 
yard which  is  perhaps  unequalled  by  any 
other  in  the  nngdom.  Tnis  monument 
records  the  names  of  seven  members  of  one 
family,  whose  respective  ages  were  78,  80, 
84,  92,  94,  101,  and  104  years.  Many  other 
stones  exhibit  extraordinary  ages.  A  very 
remarkable  one  is  let  into  the  wall  of  the 
church,  near  the  vestry  door,  in  memory  of 
one  Thomas  Ashbumer,  a  bachelor,  wht> 
died  in  1732,  a^  91  years;  the  following 
epitaph,  copied  from  it,  may  interest  the 
curious  in  such  matters :  - 

A  Han  of  Sorrow,  ft 
Aduersity 

Under  This  LitUe  Stone 
UothUe 

Who  pray'd  For  All  Good 
People  Uartily 
Fear  Thou  Thy  God 
Honour  ye  King,  it  is  A 
Comelv  Thing. 
My  Christ,  This  it  My 
Groan  ACty 
Let  Me  Lean  on  Thee 
Lire*  or»  Die. 
FobUx  quern  faclunt, 
Allena  pericula  Gaulam 
Jam  Deniel  Tadio 
Cnrva  Seneetapede 
Friends,  Faiewell. 

(To  be  ootUitmed.) 


OUB  CHUBCHES  IK  AUSTRALIA 

Dbab  Bbotrer  BAinca,— I  think  it  is 

nearly  six  years  since  I  last  wrote  to  you. 

My  communication  then  was  of  an  anni- 

yeraary  of  our  brother  M'Cure's  opening  of 


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Honnt  Zion  Ohapel  in  this  town.  Since 
that  time  you  h&re  had  various  oommuni- 
cations  from  correspondents  in  these  parte, 
and,  therefore,  I  have  refrained  from  writ- 
ing. But  I  have  not  seen  any  notice  of 
late  in  the  VBaBBL  referring  to  the  state  of 
things  in  the  churches  here.  I  say  the 
**  churches ;"  would  to  God  I  could  say  the 
church.  What  we  are  coming  to  I  dread  to 
conjecture.  The  language  of  my  soul  fre- 
quently is,  "Is  His  mercy  dean  gone  for 
ever?  will  He  be  favourable  no  more?** 
The  Particular  Baptists,  holding  close  com- 
munion sentiments,  are  but  a  handful,  and 
yet  there  is  no  real  union  among  us.  Out- 
wardly there  is  an  appeantnce  of  fellow- 
ship, but  in  heart  there  is  little  or  none. 
And  the  reason  is  obvious  enough  to  those 
who  have  discernment  In  the  first  place, 
we  have  such  Christ-dishonouring  senti- 
ments propounded,  that  those  who  love 
His  precious  name,  and  are  jealous  for 
Him,  are  constrained  to  prepare  themselves 
for  the  battle,  and  when  it  comes  to  this 
you  know  the  kind  of  distress  produced. 
First,  as  to  the  church  at  Ballarst    There 

Mr.  G D .  officiates   as  pastor  |[?) 

and  has  caused  a  great  division  by  main- 
taining the  dogma  that  Adam  was  not 
created  immortal,  and,  consequently,  his 
posterity  are  not  immortal,  only  as  they  are 
united  to  Christ ;  that  is,  that  the  church 
only,  in  its  several  members,  will  live  for 
ever,  but  the  wicked  will  be  annihilated! 
Is  not  this  a  Iving  spirit  in  the  mouth  of  a 
lyin^  prophet  ?  Was  the  precious  blood  of 
Chnst  shed  for  this  ?  Were  the  powers  of 
hell  subjugated  for  this  ?  But,  strange  to 
tell—and  yet  not  strange  to  tell,  for  it  is 
almost  invariably  the  case  in  such  circum- 
stances— some  of  thoee  who  had  been  con- 
ceived sound  in  the  faith,  and  able  to  teach 
others,  were  among  the  first  to  embrace 
this,  to  them,  new  revelation,  which,  by- 
the-bye,  and  as  one  old  brother  readily  re- 
marked, is  as  old  as  Satan.  These  deluded 
ones  derive,  they  say,  more  comfort  in  the 
reception  of  this  sentiment  than  they  ever 
knew  before ;  whilst  others  of  the  church 
are  fired  with  holy  indignation  at  so  wicked 
a  device.  Oh  !  my  brother,  how  many 
ways  there  are  of  denying  Christ !  But 
this  Cometh  to  pass  that  the  Scripture  may 
be  fulfilled— "And  they  shall  turn  away 
their  ears  from  the  Truth,  and  shall  be 
turned  unto  fables."  I  have  that  within 
me  which  can  readily  understand  the  com- 
fort that  an  unregenerated  man  will  derive 
from  the  annibUation  of  the  wicked,  and 
how  h  pro/euor  ot  the  distinguishing  doc- 
trines of  grace,  never  having  confidently 
realized  his  election  of  God,  would  prefer 
annihilation  to  damnation ;  but  all  praise 
to  the  Uessed  Spirit's  teaching,  I  have  also 
a  heart  to  hate  all  doctrines  of  devils,  come 
they  from  whom  they  may.  It  is  not  mv 
intention  to  dilate  on  this  subject,  although 
it  well  deserves  Scriptural  animadversion. 
I  understand  Mr.  D .  will  shortly  pro- 
ceed to  England. 
You  are  ahready  aware  that  for  some 


vears  past  there  bss  been  nothing  like  fel- 
lowship between  any  of  the  churches  hers 
and  the  church  under  the  teachins^  of  Mr. 

J T .  of  Melbourne.    Besides  the 

self-sufficient  disposition  of  this  gentleman, 
he  holds  and  propounds  erroneous  senti- 
ments, so  that  the  churches  of  Truth  could 
not  and  cannot  receive  him.  Some  time 
ago  he  essayed  to  establish  a  religious 
periodical,  but,  owing  to  the  hateful  views 
therein  propounded,  it  had  a  very  short 
life,  and  so  much  the  better.  The  poison 
which  wrought  its  ruin  was,  "That  a 
pracdee  of  calling  on  the  Holy  8i>irit  by 
name,  as,  *■  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  Ac,*  is  more 
like  the  Bomish  practice  of  using  the 
Virgin  Mary  or  one  of  the  Apostles  as  a 
mentor  or  advocate  than  a  Seriptuial 
mode  of  address  ;**  and  "  That  to  invoke 
the  Holy  Spirit  sepaiatelv,  as  a  separated 
person,  to  aid  us  in  our  addresses,  either  in 

S raise  or  prayer,  is  not  good,  for  it  is  not 
criptural ;  and  when  examined  by  the 
liffht  of  God's  Truth  it  is  found  to  be  one 
of  the  many  dehmons  which  Satan  has  been 
permitted  to  set  up,  whereby  the  mind  is 
drawn  off  Christ.^  The  words,  "as  a 
tgmrated  person"  are  purely  invidious,  and 
are  indignantly  disclaimed  bv  all  true  wor- 
shippers of  the  Holy  Ghost  If  my 
memory  serves  me,  there  was,  many  yean 
affo,  a  correspondence  in  the  £UimfX!C 
VESSBLt  commenced  by  one  "  Timothy  the 
Elder,"  hailing  from  Brighton, and  answered 
hy  Mr.  Bidder,  Mr.  Triggs,  and  others^ 
The  subject  was,  "Prayer  and  Praise  to 
the  Holy  Gho$i  by  nameT  Timothy,  if  I 
mistake  not,  retired  from  the  conflict— for 
such  it  became— professing  to  be  convinced 
of  his  error ;  he  having  held  the  same  sen- 
timent as  that  held  by  Mr.  T ,  who,  I 

feel  almost  satisfied,  is  the  identical 
Timothy  the  Elder,  for  he  did  reside  at 
Brighton,  and  (again  I  tax  my  memory 
merely)  a  rhyming  effusion  was  part  m 
Timothy  the  Elder^s  way  of  expressing 
himself.  It  comprised  this : — 
**  First  to  the  Fiather  we  did  pmy. 
Then  to  the  Son  our  piaycia  woold  aqr. 

Then  to  the  Holy  Ohost 
The  triune  Ood  we  did  not  know. 
And  felt  condemned  for  doing  ■Ot*  Ac 
This  same  rhyme  was  reproduced  in  the 
periodical  above-mentioned.    Now,  if  this 
were  the  case,  Timothy  the  Elder  exem- 
plified in  full  force  the  truth  of  the  old 
couplet— 

*'  He  that  fights  end  nins  away 
Lives  to  fight  another  day.** 
But  as  the  committal  of  one  sin  leads  to 
the  committal  of  many,  so  the  holding  of 
one  error  makes  an  easy  passage  for 
another  and  another.  Subsequently  to  the 
death  of  the  periodical,  Mr.  T pub- 
lished a  sermon,  or  the  substaooe  of  oiub^ 
wherein  he  sets  forth  that  Jesus  is  not  in 
Heaven  in  the  body  in  which  He  suffered. 
Against  this  destructive  do^ma  I  have 
taken  up  my  pen,  and  by  this  post  send 
you  the  production— "Tun  samk  Jksu&" 
If  you  think  it  worth  re-printing,  and 


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3)6e.l,186& 


AND  CHRISTIAN  RECORD. 


381 


likely  to  mU,  you  are  at  liberty  to  nee  it  in 
that  way,  and  to  apply  the  proceeds  to  the 
most  neceamtoiiB  of  the  charities  in  our  de- 
nomination. 

But,  secondly,  there  are  other  things  to 
lament  in  those  who  stand  up  as  teachers 
in  our  connexion,  for  they  are  heady,  high- 
minded,  and  lovers  of  themselves  more 
than  lovers  of  God.  Hence,  the  flock  is 
scattered ;  people  are  preached  at  from  the 
pulpit,  because  of  some /Mm>na/ unpleasant- 
ness which  has  arisen  between  them  and 
the  pastor,  or  them  and  the  pastor's  friends. 
Thus,  the  sacred  office  is  prostitnted  to  the 
most  mischievous  of  all  uses;  thus  the 
wicked  passions  of  the  wicked  heart  are 
stirred  up ;  and  it  is  only  by  the  mighty 
loving  kmdness  of  our  gracious  Gk>d  that 
the  poor  things  are  not  crushed  for  ever. 
Instrumentally,  they  hold  the  helm  of  the 
church's  present  comfort—  its  social  peaca 
They  see  the  course  which  they  are  steer- 
ing will  run  the  boat  dead  on  to  the 
bieakers,  and  fix  her  on  a  frightful  shore ; 
but  they,  in  their  mad  determination,  will 
still  hold  on.  They  see  it  plainly,  but  they 
are  now  fully  possessed,  and  he  who  has 
such  a  hold  upon  them  fires  them  with  a 
proud  delight  in  hastening  on  the  ruin. 
They  must  find  pleasure  in  it,  or  they 
would  never  persist  in  so  ungodly  a  course. 
God*s ministers  areio  bean  ensample  to  the 
flock;  but  if  the  flock  followed  such  an 
example  as  this  what  a  hell  upon  earth  the 
church  would  be!  Do  you  know,  I  am 
oonstmined  to  conclude  that  very  many 
who  hold  our  faith  hold  it  as  a  mere  creed ; 
they  have  never  received  it  in  the  grace  of 
it ',  some  monster  has  taught  it  them,  and, 
therefore,  they  hang  to  hun.  As  to  com- 
munion with  the  Church ;  as  to  coming 
into  the  Church  for  fellowship  with  its 
members,  because  they  are  Christ's,  it  is 
quite  out  of  the  question.  Indeed,  they 
are  asked,  in  our  days,  whether,  if  the 
minutry  should  become  objectionable  to 
them,  they  will  quietly  walk  out  Is  not 
this  priest-craft  with  a  vengeance?  I 
cannot  but  think  it  would  be  more  like  a 
sincere  desire  for  Ood's  glory  to  invite 
such  to  "The  Word  and  to  the  Testi- 
mony," in  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  holy 
confidence,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  would 
make  the  crooked  thing  stmight.  The 
constitution  of  Church  fellowship  is  now 
regarded  as  a  political  existence,  and  hence 
there  are  partiei  in  the  Church  ;  parties 
meet  around  the  emblems  of  the  body  and 
the  blood;  and  that  all-blessed  Saviour  who 
said,  **  As  often  as  ye  do  it,  ye  do  it  in  re- 
membrance of  me"  looks  down  to  see  that 
it  in  partaken  of  by  partiet,  who  feel  no 
blessing  in  the  highest  privilege  enjoined 
the  Church  on  esjfth.  Thus  they  go  from 
time  to  time,  and  all  is  ^'Ichabod;''  they 
can  bear  it  no  longer ;  they  feel  there  is  no 
dew,  no  unction,  and  they  leave  the 
Churoh,  and  go  wandering  about  like  peli- 
cans of  the  wilderness!  Perhaps  they  open 
another  place,  and  then  there  are  two 
places  where   there  should   be  but  one. 


Those  who  remain  go  on  for  a  little  while, 
and  then  the  same  scene  is  played  over 
again.  And  who  to  thank  for  it  ?  Men  of 
ungovernable  tempers,  who  have  no  more 
control  over  themselves  than  they  had 
when  they  were  great  whimperinR  school- 
boys I  And,  if  out  of  a  sincere  desire  for 
the  well-being  of  the  individual  himself, 
and,  above  all,  for  the  peace  of  the  Church, 
you  attempt  to  point  out  to  such  a  person 
the  course  he  should  pursue^that  moment 
he  becomes  your  enemy.  He  takes  fire, 
and  thinks  you  want  to  rule  him,  not  being 
able  to  distinguish  the  difference  between 
the  counsel  of  friendship  and  the  domi- 
neering of  an  upstart  I  need  not  tell  you 
that  the  voice  of  true  friendship  is  often 
obliged  to  speak  loudly,  and  that  a  true 
friend  is  often  obliged  to  be  determined; 
but  there  is  always  that  associated  with  the 
individual  which  shows  whether  he  is 
seeldng  to  exercise  over-bearing  rule  or 
not  But  one  who  fears  God  and  loves  the 
brethren  can  bear,  through  grace  imparted, 
the  false  imputations  recklessly  heaped 
upon  him,  knowing  that  it  must  soon  be 
made  manifest  that  those  who  are  the  most 
impatient  of  wholesome  restraint  are  the 
very  pOTBons  who  most  need  it 

Methinks  I  hear  ^ou  say,  **Well,  well, 
the  Particular  Baptist  sky  in  Victoria  is 
very  cloudy."  Well,  it  is;  but  there  are 
bright  blue  spots  in  it,  for  all  that,  which 
gladden  the  soul ;  and  although  the  clouds 
are  dark,  I  know  they  are  big  with  meroy. 
One  is  favoured  to  get  behind  them,  and  by 
faith  to  read,  "  All  thingB  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God,"  Ac,  and, 
"Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee,  because  he 
trusteth  in  Thee  ;'*aDd  herein  lies  the  great 
difference  between  the  mind  of  the  man 
who  acts  under  the  sacred  influence  of  the 
Spirit,  and  the  mind  of  him  who  does  not — 
one  has  peace,  the  other  has  war;  one  has 
quiet,  the  other  has  tumult;  one  stays 
himself  upon  his  God,  the  other  stays  him- 
self, or  seeks  to  do  so,  on  persons  who  are 
as  faulty,  as  tottery,  and  as  empty  as  him- 
self;  and  the  end  of  such  a  trust  must  be 
shame  and  confusion  of  face.  Yours  in 
the  Truth,        CHmarropusR  8.  Fbiknd. 

Geelong,  August  12th,  1865. 


ISLINGTON.— PROviDKifCB  Guafel.— 
Anniversary  services  were  held  Lord's  day, 
November  12,  and  Tuesday  14,  which  were 
very  encouraging.  To  give  them  in  detail 
would  take  too  mtch  space.  Mr.  Wall,  of 
Gravesend,  preached  two  excellent  ser- 
moivi:  in  the  morning,  Isaiah  xL  10;  in 
the  evening,  the  Sore  Foundation,  about 
which  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  these 
days  of  departure  from  the  Truth,  when 
its  enemies  are  trying,  to  their  utmost,  to 
sap  or  remove  it;  but,  nevertheless,  it 
Btandeth  sure.  In  many  a  dear  and  sacred 
spot,  where  God's  Truth  has  flourished,  it 
must  now  be  said  of  many  such,  truth  is 
The  preacher  had 


fallen  and  cannot  enter. 


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THE   BAETHEN  VESSEL, 


Dec  1,186s. 


oooMion  to  go,  a  few  veekB  baok^  within  a 
short  diatoace  of  where  the  immoital 
Legh  Biohmond  l&bouredi  in  a  town  in 
Bedfordshire.  He  walked  oyer  to  see  the 
tombstone  of  snch  a  good  and  gnMsious 
man^  and  while  gazing  npon  it  in  sweet 
meditation  upon  the  dust  that  lay  beneath, 
his  eyes  were  suddenly  attncted  by  tre- 
mendous long  candles  at  the  altar,  and  all 
the  paraphernalia  of  the  Romish  Ohmroh. 
What  a  contrast,  thought  he,  between  the 
past  and  the  present  How  many  such 
spots  are  there  in  dear  old  England.  GKhI 
luees  the  few  faithful  men  we  hare  now  to 
protest  against  such  proceedinffSb  Chaves- 
end  has  got  a  gooa  WalL  May  it  long 
stand  to  repel  the  attacks  of  the  enemy. 
We  had  a  good  sermon  from  Mr.  Silyer- 
ton  in  the  afternoon.  On  the  following 
Tuesday  we  had  a  good  sermon  from  Mr. 
Baugh,  a  good  company  to  tea,  and  a  good 
meeting  in  the  evening,  and  good  coUec- 
tiona,  which  the  deacons  received  with 
much  thankfulness.  Kone^  perhaps,  can 
enter  into  a  deaoon^s  position,  who  is  not 
there  himself,  where  there  is  no  pastor. 
How  liable  they  are  to  hang  down  their 
heads,  but  half  a  word  spoken  unkindly 
piercing  them  through ;  and,  on  the  other 
haadj  any  cause  for  rejoicing  equally  oper> 
ates  in  the  opposite  direction.  We  cannot 
speak  too  highly  of  the  speeches  of  the 
neicrhbouring  ministers.  They  were  ex- 
ceedingly kind  and  sympathising.  Messra. 
Flack,  Crowhurst,  and  Haselton,  eq)ecially 
the  latter,  who  spoke  well  upon  the  union 
of  the  neighbouring  Cburchea,  Would 
there  were  more  of  it,  and  less  strifa  How 
good  for  membera  to  dwell  together  In 
nnity,  and  Churches,  too.  Messrs.  Silver- 
ton  and  Holmes  spoke  well,  and  the  meet- 
ing was  brought  to  a  close  by  Mr.  Stutch- 
field  repeating  some  poetry.  Mr.  Baugh 
presided  in.  a  judicious  manner.  Many 
thanks  to  him,  and  also  for  his  lecture  on 
the  following  evening,  on  Character,  which 
should  have  been  heard  by  many  hundreds 
more,  the  purport  of  which  was  so  good 
and  true.    We  hope,  ere  long,  to  have  a 


settled  pastor. 


A.  WiLLET. 


BTOKB  NBWINQTON.—Anniveisary 
on  Sunday,  November  12.  Preachers :  Mr. 
Cornwall,  C.  W.  Banks,  and  Mr.  Osmond. 
On  the  following  Tuesday  a  good  number 
partook  of  tea,  which  did  great  credit  to 
those  who  were  entrusted  with  the 
management.  At  the  public  meeting  the 
place  was  well  filled :  chair  taken  by  Mr. 
ComwelL  After  singing  and  prayer,  the 
chairman  £pive  an  outline  of  the  Lord's 
dealings  with  them  as  a  Church  during  the 
last  year,  from  which  it  appeared  they  had 
to  endure  much  from  Popery  and  prieet- 
craft,  Stoke  Newington  being  a  hot-bed  of 
Puseyism.  The  Church  had  not  made 
much  progress  as  regarded  numbers ;  but 
the>  were  still  going  on.  and  hoped  shortly 
to  be  in  a  more  commooious  place  of  wcmt- 
ship.  Mr.  Osmond  said  he  was  gratified  at 
being  prvsent;  the  more  so  because  he  was 


celled  upon  to  present  the  flhairman  with 
an  easy  chair,  an  embossed  ink-stand,  and 
a  lamp^  the  gifts  of  the  friends  titers.  He 
then  spoke  for  some  time  upon  the  mercy 
of  the  Jjord  Mr.  Bataon  gave  sn  address 
upon  Unity,  and  read  some  very  good 
verses  he  had  composed  upon  the  snhjeci. 
Mr.  Desniy  spbke  at  srane  length  in  a  de- 
liberate, but  impressive,  manner  upon  the 
Temple  as  set  up  in  the  hearts  of  the 
Lord^s  people.  Mr.  Henry  Stanley  eaid,  aa 
it  was  near  nine  o'clock,  he  would  not  de- 
tain the  hearers  more  than  a  few  minutes. 


He  was  pleased  to  see  the  esteem  in  which 
they  held  their  minister  manifested  in 
those  things  which  had  bsen  presented  to 
him.  He  hoped,  while  he  made  use  of  the 
ehair,  he  would  remember  the  mercy  eeai ; 
and  that  he  would  not  forget  in  the  lamp 
the  golden  candleetiek;  and  in  the  ink- 
stand the  ark  of  the  covenant,  as  that  con- 
tained the  writtm  htw.  These  things  all 
pointed  to  Cmusiv  of  whom  he  could  not 
say  too  much,  nor  exalt  him  too  high.  At 
the  same  time,  he  could  not  lay  the  sinner 
too  low.  To  this  he  believed  was  to  be  at- 
tributed the  success  of  the  Qospel  minister. 
By  singing  and  prayer  was  concluded  a 
very  happy  meeting. 

EQEBTOK  POSTAL,  KENT.— VsMo- 
RAifDiTic,  Oct.  8th,  186&-This  is  the  fifth 
annivernry  of  my  attempt  to  speak  the 
Word  of  God  unto  the  dear  friends  at  the 
FoetaL  Five  years  have  I  been  kept  in 
the  work ;  five  yean  of  anxiety  about  the 
work;  and  five  years  of  great  mercy  on 
the  part  of  Grod,  and  of  kindness  on  the 
part  of  the  friends  in  the  work.  Alter  the 
afternoon  servioe,  my  dear  friend  and  bro- 
ther, Stephen  Weeks,  the  clerk,  rose  and 
addressed  me  in  the  name  of  the  Church 
and  congregation,  in  a  few  ^>propriate  re- 
marics,  and  presented  me  with  a  veiy 
handsome  tea  service,  as  a  token  of  their 
esteem  and  affection  for  my  poor  servioe 
towards  them ;  and  I  gather,  from  this  re- 
newed instanne,  as  well  as  their  oft- 
repeated  kindnesses  to  me,  that  they  are 
not  tired  of  me ;  and  although  I  have  often 
to  fiBel  so  empty  that  I  seem  to  have  no- 
thing for  them,  yet  that  abili^,  and  I 
would  hope  gprace  too,  is  given  in  time  of 
need,  and  that  Qod  gives  me  favour  with 
them.  Oh,  may  He  continue  to  bless,  and 
so  to  bless,  that  they  may  see  and  admow- 
ledge  that  GKid's  hand  is  in  the  woik,  and 
shines  through  so  feeble  a  worm,  so  that 
they  may  be  ^flted,  and  never  have  cause 
to  regret  their  many  acts  of  kindness,  is 
my  earnest  pmyer.  I  do  desire  and  piay 
that  they  may  dwell  together  in  love,  and 
grow  in  the  grace  and  knowledge  of  our 
adored  Lord.  To  this  end  may  I  ever  la- 
bour with  and  for  them.  Amen.  Dear 
brother,  I  send  this  to  you  as  the  Editor  of 
the  Vbsoel^  if  you  deem  it  worthy  of  a 
place  therein ;  if  not,  throw  it  into  your 
waste  drawer.  Yet  whilst  in  our  Zion 
there  is  much  we  would  rather  not  sse  and 
exceedingly  regret,  yet  there  is  hers  and 


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AND  CHBI^IAN  EEOOED. 


there  a  Utile  spot  or  trait  that  shows  ns 
that  life  is  not  extinct,  nor  the  work  and 
labour  of  lo^e.  Kay  the  God  of  faithful 
Abraham  be  your  shield,  and  keep  you 
steadfast  and  yigilant  in  the  great  and  al- 
most finished  work  He  has  for  you  to  do, 
is  the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  brother 

BOBBBT. 

81BL£  HEDINqIaK,  ESSEX.  ^ 
Bbuoboth  Baptist  Chapel. —  The  anni- 
versary of  the  above  place  of  worship  was 
holden  in  October,  wnen  Mr.  S.  Kemp^  of 
Glemsford,  preached  three  excellent  ser- 
mons to  full  congregations  on  Lord*s  day, 
October  the  15th.  On  the  foUowing  Tues- 
day Mr.  Wm.  Alderson,  of  London, 
preached  a  sermon  at  half-past  twa  Uis 
subject  was  the  prayer  of  Hezekiah,  based 
on  Isaiah  xzxyii.  15.  In  the  eyening  we 
held  a  public  meeting.  Mr.  Wheeler, 
minister,  was  chairman,  and  amonp^t  the 
speakers  were  Messrs.  Cook  (Bramtree\ 
Whoiiow  (Sudbury),  Beach  (Chelmsford), 
Kemp  (Glemsford),  Smith  (Yeldhami 
Smith  (Bulmer\  and  Alderson  (London). 
Our  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Whorlow,  gave 
an  encouraging  address,  his  motto  being 
''  Onward  r  after  which  Mr.  Beach  followed 
very  acceptably.  He  desired  to  stimulate 
the  people  to  make  a  good  collection.  Mr. 
Kemp,  m  his  lively  manner,  exhorted  the 
people  to  thankfulness.  He  reviewed  his 
past  knowledge  of  this  cause  (having  been 
present  when  the  stone  was  laid,  and  at 
every  meeting  since),  and  he  effectually 
caUed  up  the  grateful  feelings  of  the 
friends  to  the  God  of  all  our  mercies.  Mr. 
Alderson  closed  the  happy  meeting  with  a 
most  savoury  address  on  Home.  He 
alluded  to  the  interest  shown  by  other 
speakers  in  this  cause ;  but  said  he  would 
be  second  to  none  of  them  in  it  He 
always  enjoys  himseU  at  Hedingham. 
The  singers  sang  two  verses  prior  to  each 
speech  to  very  choice  tunes,  which  were 
fnlly  appreciated.  They  dosed  with  ^*A 
Day's  March  nearer  Home."  There  were 
212  persons  to  tea,  and  the  report  read  1^ 
the  secretary  was  very  satisfactory,  in 
which  it  was  stated  that  the  profits  of  this 
anniversary  would  go  towards  ceiling  the 
chapel,  which,  with  a  few  other  prior  sub- 
scriptions, made  £19  towards  the  purpose. 

PLYMOUTH.— Dear  Fmknd,  — The 
people  at  Trinity  have  now  supplying 
them  a  Mr.  Charles  Drawbridge,  hem. 
Korthamptonshire,  a  complete  originaL  I 
have  heard  him  two  Lord's  days,  and  he 
has  one  more  to  serve.  He  ^reaches  some- 
where almost  every  day.  He  is  none  of 
your  lazy  parsons,  who  go  through  their 
work  as  a  burden,  and  are  glad  when  it  is 
done.  Oh,  nol  he  certainly  is  not  of  that 
class.  He  preaches  the  Gospel  very  pre- 
ciously, and  exalts  the  Great  Redeemer 
most  noblv;  but  when  he  turns  aside  to 
deal  with  hypocritical  professors,  mere  pre- 
tenders, leading  men,  and  carnal  worldly 
religionists,  he  osrtainly  does  startle 


people.  From  what  I  can  see  and 
feel  of  his  testimony,  so  far,  mere  formal 
religionists  must  feel  exceedingly  uncom- 
fortable under  the  keen  and  cutting  attacks 
of  his  withering  sarcasms.  However,  I 
myself  have  been  enabled  to  leave  the  ob- 
jectionable part  of  his  facetious  sayings, 
and  love  and  esteem  him  for  the  very 
blessed  truths  he  so  faithfully  and  ably  sets 
forth.  You  know,  Mr.  Editor,  when 
people  are  resting  in  forms  and  a  few 
empty  cant  phrases,  which  they  use  on  all 
occasions,  it  is  very  mortifying  to  have  it 
all  knocked  about  their  ears.  The  profes- 
sion in  these  three  towns  is  most  extensive 
indeed ;  but  the  true  living  people  of  God. 
with  the  root  of  the  matter  in  them,  alas ! 
are  few  and  far  between.  Ah !  we  Ply- 
mouth folks  have  been  somewhat  noted  for 
our  understanding  of  Divine  things;  but 
instead  of  fine  gold,  I  fear  a  great  deal  of  it 
has  been  tinsel  A  Looker  On. 

KING8LAND.  —  Bethel  Chapel, 
Ware  ffTREEX,  Kingsland  road.— Tues- 
day, Nov.  14th,  annual  tea  and  public 
meeting  was  held.  Mr.  Foreman  preached 
in  afternoon  from  Psahn  xxiiL  6,  "  Surely 
goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 
days  of  life,  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord  for  ever."  A  full-weight 
Gospel  discourse,  full  of  Gospel  food  and 
medicine  too.  Towards  the  close,  thence 
was  full  of  attentive  listeners.  Mr.  Whit- 
teridge  nrosidfaig;  Mr.  Dixon  prayed;  and 
brother 'Whitteridge  opened  the  meeting 
by  clearly  expressing  his  mind  on  the  pre- 
sent controversy ;  and  then  Mr.  Butterfield 
was  to  have  spoken  from  the  first  subject, 
"Christ,  the  believer's  Life,"  but  being  un- 
avoidably absent,  his  subject  was  spoken  to 
by  another  minister  who  was  present. 
Brother  Lodge  spoke  well  from  "  Christ 
the  beUev^s  Food;"  Mr.  Evans,  of 
Hounslow,  gave  us  a  good  address  from 
" Christ,  the  believer's  Robe;"  and  brother 
Myerson  "Christ,  the  beUever's  Phy- 
sician." Brother  Braeher  told  us  how 
Christ  was  the  believer's  only  foundation. 
We  sung,  "All  Hail  the  Power  of  Jesus' 
Name."  Brother  Sack  concluded  with 
prayer.  Some  of  our  friends  who  can  sing 
with  the  voice,  and  heart,  and  understand- 
ing too,  during  the  evening  sang  some 
pieces  to  music.  The  ministers  spoke  well, 
and  friends  were  happy.  [We  have  joy  in 
recording  brother  Whltteridge's  good  suc- 
— Ed.] 


Married.  —  At  Eaton  Socon,  l^  Mr. 
Horley,  October  4th,  1865,  Alfred  Peet 
(Baptist  minister,  Snambrook)  to  Miss 
Mary  Topham,  daughter  of  J.  To^iam, 
Esq.,  who  has  been  deacon  at  St  Keot's 
fMr.  Murrell's  chapel)  upwards  of  twenty- 
five  yean. 

Married.— Tuesday,  November  7th,  at 
the  Baptist  Chapel,  Gravesend,  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Chaplin,  Stanford-le-Hope,  Essex,  to 
Mary  Ann  Msan,  of  London. 


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THE  EABTHEN  VESSEL, 


Deo.1,  1865. 


Mwli  t0  fym,  (^eiinal  3ifc" 


Ki  . 


There  were  fbur  things  came  to  my  mind,  aa  I  walked  through  the 
dark,  wet,  and  dirty  streets,  the  other  night,  intending  to  preach  from 
the  words,  "  And  in  the  world  to  come,  btehkal  life,"  which  I  thought 
too  good  to  be  lost.     I  asked,  "  What  is  eternal  life  V 

Another  year  is  closing.  This  life  is  vanishing.  VSThat  is  there  in 
"  the  world  to  come  ?" 

There  are  four  things  found  in  a  true  Gospel  life,  which  are  the  earnest 
of  eternal  life.     "What  are  they  1 

1.  Freedom,  Believers  in  Jesus  here,  by  faith,  sometimes  enjoy  a 
little  freedom.  Their  burdens  are  beneath  their  feet ;  they  wait  on  the 
Lord ;  the  Spirit  helpeth  their  infirmities ;  they  mount  up  as  on  the  wings 
of  eagles  ;  in  their  soul's  feeling  they  rise  above  all  time  and  things,  and 
they  fly  on  the  wings  of  faith  and  love  into  the  blissful  regions  of  fnirity 
and  felicity ;  but  they  soon  fall  again.  There  is  no  eternal  Jreedom  here ; 
but  "  in  the  world  to  come,"  there  will  be  a  freedom  of  thought  pure 
as  the  heavens,  a  freedom  of  knowledge,  of  pursuit,  and  of  joy,  of  fellow- 
ship and  of  service,  altogether  incomprehensible  and  unspeakable  by  wis- 
dom in  this  lower  state. 

2.  Eternal  life  will  be  "  eternal  wniow."  We  have  little  idea  of  spiritual 
union  here ;  yet,  how  sometimes  we  love  those  in  whom  Christ  is  seen 
to  dwell !  We  are  here  united  to  truth,  and  to  truth-loving  people ; 
but  in  the  world  to  come,  our  union  will  be  a  perfect  oneness  with  the 
Holy  God,  and  all  His  saved  and  glorified  family  :  a  union  which  will 
never  break  or  diminish. 

3.  Eternal  life  will  be  eternal  rest.  Here  we  have  scarcely  any  real 
rest.  Night  and  day,  in  some  small  way,  we  dream,  and  labour  on ;  but 
there  will  be  the  rest  of  holiness,  the  rest  of  satisfaction,  the  rest  of 
service,  and  the  rest  of  likeness,  rich  and  great  indeed.  Oh  I  to  be 
saved,  to  be  in  heaven,  to  be  with  the  Lord,  will  be  a  blessing  weighty 
and  worthy,  resulting  in  the  glory  of  a  Triune  God  for  ever. 

Lastly.  In  the  world  to  come  will  be  eternal  glory.  There  is  no 
glory  here,  only  as  we  can  sometimes  give  praise  to  the  Lord  in  earnest 
and  grateful  songs.  But  there  our  conquests  will  be  completed,  and 
the  crowns  of  glory  will  be  given  to  all  who  have,  through  grace, 
believed.  Once  more,  dear  readers,  at  the  close  of  ano^er  year,  we  say. 
Farewell. 


BAPTIZINGS. 


MIHISTSB*8  VXMS. 


NAMIS  Aim  BXTVATIOjr  Or  CHAPXX.. 


OATB. 


Chiven,Tbos.... 

Hall,  H 

Howard,  A.     ... 
Feet,  Allred     ... 
Waterer.  W.  8. 
Webb,  Q«orge... 
Whoriow,  G.  0-. 


...    Ebeoezer,  Webb  St.,  BmnondBey    ... 

...    Bbenezer  Cbapel.  Clapham    

...    Constitution  Hill,  Binninsham 

...    Old  Baptist  Chapel,  Sharnorook      ^ 

... '  Newbmr  House,  Hornfl«y  Bise 

...I  Little  Wild  street,  Lincoln's  inn-fleldB 

...  I  Providence  Chapel,  Olemsford 


Oct.tf9 

NOT.l 

Oct.»- 
SeptM 
O0I.S1 
OtLtB 
Kor.  IS 


B0BB8T  BAVKS,  PBXVTIB    CBAXZ  OOITBT,  TkEBT  BTkBBT,  XOXI>OK,  S.C 


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1 


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le 


I't 


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