sion in this quarter, it is encouraging to find that Mr. Bourn is cheered by some instances of success. The following is extracted from the last letter received from him, dated Belize, May 31, 1825. God has been pleased in some degree to own my labours, and is still owning them. The man I first baptized, pos sesses a mind superior to any coloured person I ever met with. His improvement in scriptural knowledge has far exceeded my expectation; he knows the French, and in part the Spanish and Musquito languages, preaches usually in the week, and holds prayer-meetings in different parts of the settlement. He usually attends at a fixed time for religious instruction at my house, and I have such confidence in him, that I should feel no fear in trusting him to defend the cause of religion with any white man in the settlement. I baptized last ordinance day two elderly brown females, who gave very satisfactory evidence of a change of heart; and I am about to baptize to-morrow, ral more, and receive two into the church. I fully expect in another month to baptize seve of whom I have reason to hope well. The work appears to be going on silently and powerfully, though not rapidly; the congregation is as good, if not better than ever, and so is the Sunday school. Last ordinance day we were twelve in number, including whites, blacks, and browns. I have a young man who has been lodging with me ever since January, who has been in the settlement three years, and sustained during that time a good moral character; he had been brought up among the Friends before he left England, but seldom attended any place of worship here, till he came to reside with me; since then he has constantly attended, and there is good reason to think the word has been blest to his soul. One Sabbath evening, a little while back, in some private conversation on the things of religion which I had with him, the word had such an effect upon his mind, that he wept for about two hours. He has had thoughts of going to live at the shore, and endeavouring to make himself useful, though he is doing well for himself here. Contributions received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary Society, from August 20, to September 20, 1825, not including Individual Subscriptions. FOR THE MISSION. £ 8. d.' 15 0 Devonport, Juvenile Missionary Association, by Rev. Thomas Horton 12 0 3 18 ... 27 2 20 0 10 10 2 0 0 Eye, Collected by Three Young Ladies, by Rev. P. Saffery. TO CORRESPONDENTS. THE thanks of the Committee are returned to Mr. Weston, for a parcel of Magazines, "Gold Ends," &c. by Rev. John Bain; to the Rev. J. H. Hinton, of Reading, for a Collection of Magazines and other Pamphlets; and to a Friend to the Mission' for six volumes of the Evangelical Magazine. · To many Correspondents, anxious to be visited by our much esteemed brother Mr. Eustace Carey, the Secretary has to state, with deep concern, that the health of Mr. C. is so much impaired that he is wholly unequal to the fatigue of much travelling and preaching. Whatever engagements may be found consistent with his strength Mr. Carey will gladly fulfil; but these must, of nccessity, be very few for the present. Printed by J. BARFIELD, Wardour-Street, Solio. BAPTIST MAGAZINE. NOVEMBER, 1825. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN CHAMBERLAIN, LATE MISSIONARY IN BENGAL. MR. JOHN CHAMBERLAIN was born at Welton, in Northamptonshire, on the 24th July, 1777. He received the best education the circumstances of his parents would admit, at a village school, where he was the first of a considerable number of children much older than himself a circumstance which his biographer mentions, as the first indication of that principle which led him in all he undertook to labour to excel. He was the subject of serious impressions, at a very early period; he says in a note, "Nor did I dare even then to do any thing I thought sinful. I used to attempt to pray. When I went to meeting I was delighted with the singing, and united with all my might to give vent to my rapture. Sometimes then, glimmerings of Divine truth illumined my mind, which at least prepared me for after days. I thank my God for parents who, though poor, taught me to read the Bible, and took me to hear the word of God preached. Ah! how much I owe to the care of my dear mother!" Mr. Chamberlain in his infancy was very weak and delicate, and by a fever lost his hearing in one ear, which he never recovered: he was brought up to the farming business as a likely means of strengthening his constitution. This occasioned his removal to Market Harborough, where he attended the ministry of Mr. Gill, and was occasionally much VOL. XVII. affected, though no lasting impres sion was produced. In the year 1794, he went to reside at Burby, and heard Dr. Bridges, now of Bristol. The state of his mind at this time, he thus describes-" Here I heard the glorious news of salva tion. Here I began to think and read and pray. Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns were my constant companions. I committed the greatest part of them to memory, and was continually repeating them, whether walking in the fields, or working in the barn. Morning, noon, and night I was glad. But, alas! how vain and weak was I; puffed up with pride! I formed resolutions, but sin revived! My futile efforts failed, and I rolled down the tide of vanity. My heart, treacherous heart, beguiled me. I soon forgot my vows, sinned vilely, and strove to lull my conscience fast asleep. But in vain,→→ it stood faithful, and with severe réproofs chastised me for my sin. My guilty soul was overwhelmed with deep remorse, shame, and bitter pain." In 1795, he went to live at Braunston. Here he was required to promise not to go to meeting: to this he agreed, only insisted upon going to hear Dr. Bridges at a neighbouring church, where he attended every other Sabbath. Having been prevented from going to church for three Sabbaths, on the evening of the third he said to his mother, "I have not been to church a long time, I wish you would let me go to meet2 s ing; it is not right to break the Sabbath in this manner." His mother said, "Why, John, if you go once, you will want to go again, and that will not do. You may go to-night." He went Mr. Simmons (now at Wigan) preached-Divine power accompanied the word to his heart. Speaking of that night he says, "My joys overflowed! such wondrous things I felt. O, it was a happy season!" The Sabbath after he again solicited permission to go to the house of God; it was granted, but with a strict charge, never to ask any more. Persecution follow ed, and, in 1796, he removed into a serious family. In the summer of that year he, with his master, one of his fellow-servants, the house-keeper, and eleven others, were baptized by Mr. Simmons, at Guilsborough, It was in October, the same year, that his mind was first impressed with the state of the heathen. He heard of Messrs. Thomas and Carey, and continually wished to be with them; their very trials fanned the flame, till it was like a fire in his bones. He read the sermons preach ed at the formation of the London Missionary Society, and says, "I then felt a burning zeal for the welfare of the heathen. Sometimes I thought I could die in the cause, and triumph in the tortures of a fire. My hopes were directed to India, though I saw no way how they could be fulfilled. Involved in labyrinths, I walked in darkness." Considering it impossible to realize his desires, he went to live with Mr. Haddon, at Newry, in 1797; but, a true missionary spirit is the same in all places, and Mr. C. here evinced the same devotedness of heart for which he was subsequently so distinguished. Intending to change his occupation, that he might be more at liberty to serve God, the subject was mentioned by his master to some ministers, and by them Mr. C. was recommended to the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society. On September 20, 1798, he was received as a probationer, and placed under the care of Mr. Sutcliffe, of Olney. Here he continued about a year; during which period his diary furnishes ample proof that he paid the most scrupulous attention to the state of his heart, and rigidly examined the motives by which he was influenced. On November 1, he writes, "I feel myself condemned, and fear nothing but selfish motives have induced me to propose myself as a missionary-the thought of being a great man, such as John Chamberlain, Missionary in India ;—but, cursed be the motive, or, such motives as these, if such are in my heart. If such things move me to engage in this work, O Lord, overturn them, turn them to foolishness!" He was often dejected with a sense of un. worthiness, discouraged by thoughts of unfitness, and overwhelmed with the responsibility of the undertaking he was here exercised with deep searchings of heart. Before Mr, C. had been a year at Olney, it was concluded, that as the Baptist Missionary Society had no immediate need of his services, he should be advised to continue his studies at Bristol, with a view to the ministry; leaving it to future circumstances to determine his final destination. Altogether uncertain respecting his path, he prepared to quit Olney, with a heart overflowing with gratitude to his beloved tutor, and the family and society in which he had lived, bowing to the will of God. "I am satisfied to resign and resume my former station (he writes) and to take hold of the scythe or plough with cheerful submission." He was, however, immediately invited to ministerial labours, in different parts of the country, till he entered the Academy at Bristol, where he proved himself to be a dis ligent scholar, a pious christian, and a true philanthropist. His diary during his residence at Bristol, furnishes many interesting particulars; our limits forbid our transcribing more than the following: On seeing a ship launch, he writes, "it brought to my mind this reflection;- so we must launch into eternity. When our time is come, our heart-strings will begin to break, and we shall soon be gone. At first our souls will begin to flutter, as the ship when she just began to move; but when released, they will move with a force which nothing can impede, Not dear relations and beloved chil dren, nor any, nor all the enjoy ments of this world, can cause our souls to stop one moment: no; swift, like an arrow, they will dash into the boundless main, whence they will not return till the heavens are no more, &c." that was near and dear to him, and to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ. Does this agree with my experience? Could I leave all for Him? Not of myself; but if I should be then called, will he not assist me?" Dec. 29, 1799, Lord's-day, "Have been reading the life of that dear man of God, John Elliot, the apostle to the Indians. O that I were of his spirit! what love to God and man, what indefatigable zeal did he ma nifest! Was much affected to-day in hearing my tutor mention what Mr. Carey had said, viz. that it is the bounden duty of christians, to expect great things from God, and to attempt great things for him; and that we, as christians, ought to be ashamed and confounded before God, because we have attempted no greater.' wept much. Blessed be God that any impression was made on my hard unaffected heart.??e On hearing this, I When the news of Mr. Grant's death arrived, he writes, "My mind was impressed as though I must go to India, to fill up the place of my dear brother, removed to the world above." On reading the life of Edwards, he says, "What holy resolution! what a fervour of mind! O may I imitate his example, especially his guard over his words; his grave de portment on the Lord's-day; his moderation in eating and sleeping; his early rising; and his habitualThe motto on a pioneer's cap, close thinking! I am persuaded this "Aspera non terrent," which on one is the only way to improvement." occasion powerfully arrested Mr. On hearing of the death of Mr. Chamberlain's attention, and is so Pearce, and of his experience rela truly descriptive of his missionary tive to his going among the heathen, character, is not less applicable to he writes, "My soul, let these things his labours while a student at Bris deeply affect thee; let them be tol:-be commenced preaching in powerfully impressed upon thee. the streets of the city; and both Remember the importance of being out of doors, and in such rooms as united to Christ; this union is an could be obtained, he made known everlasting one; death will but com- "the unsearchable riches of Christ." plete it. O my Saviour! be thou His diary, describing these engagemine, and I ask no more. Mr. ments, is as truly missionary, as Pearce's feelings brought my past any of his communications from experience to my mind. What pie- Hindostan; nor did he labour in ty is manifested in what he wrote! vain, or spend his strength for what love to souls! what disinte- nought. He says, "My public rested regard for the glory of God! work I see to be good and glorious; He was willing to leave every thing but when I survey the manner in which it has been performed by me, I have cause for great self-abase ment before God. O what a work, and what a worm to do it! I believe Jehovah thrust me out into the city, to preach the gospel to my fellow sinners, and this has encouraged me almost beyond any thing before." Thus, well trained for his arduous career, Mr. C. received intelligence that more missionaries were to be sent out. On December 14, 1801, he says, "Since there has appeared any probability of my going to Bengal, to engage in the work, I can truly say my heart has been much revived. When the important question was put to me, Are you willing to go? though I expected my mind would be stag, gered at it, yet I was composed and unmoved by fear, and with pleasure answered, I am willing. Since then I have never repented of my answer, but have found it afford increasing satisfaction to my soul. I now view the prospect of going with solid joy and steadfast pleasure. Of that I were more devoted to God, more absorbed in the will of my heavenly Master." Shortly afterwards he left Bristol. The intenseness of his application, and the fervour of his piety, may be conceived of, from the fact that he was often engaged nineteen hours every day; and while literary objects were pursued with avidity, he was accustomed to read (besides other devotional books) fifteen chapters of the Bible each day,-five in the morning, five at noon, and five at night, and he was particularly fond of reading it in the original languages. Mr. C. anticipated the period which would intervene between his leaving Bristol and his embarkation, as likely to afford an opportunity for contemplating the great object with becoming seriousness, and for observing days of fasting and prayer. To these purposes he improved it. He endeavoured to satisfy himself that he was called of God to the work, made a proper estimate of every sacrifice required, and every privation and suffering to be endured:--having counted the cost, he renewed the surrender of himself to God, and imploring his blessing, resolved to go forth in his strength. In these exercises he experienced great delight, and laid the foundation for future contentment and tranquillity. On April 29, 1802, he married the daughter of Mr. T. Smith, a deacon of the Baptist Church at Walgrave; and with this pious companion of his labours, sailed for India, by way of America, the following month. They reached New York in July, and sailed again from Newcastle on August 16th. His opportunities for usefulness on board ship were few; he laments that the captain was averse to religion. The state of his own mind may be ascertained, from his observing, "Prayer keeps all the powers of body and soul in order, and adjusts all things in due proportion. By this the rising passions are quelled and restrained, the sinking spirits are supported and elevated: this prevents our fears, encourages our hopes, silences our murmurings, produces resignation, and leads the soul from the valley of sorrows to the mount of rejoicing." With little opportunity for the exercise of zeal on the passage to India, Mr. and Mrs. C. were called to endure a most severe trial of their faith: an event not anticipated was realized. On the 6th of December Mrs. C. gave birth to a daughter. Through the kindness of the captain and gentlemen on board, every thing was done which could conduce to her comfort; but the babe was born, only to weep and die. "He gave me my dear child," says Mr. C. |