shall deceive many; for many are called, but few chosen, I must, then, again remind you that the Word of God has great power upon the consciences and fears and hopes of men, even where there is no spiritual life in the soul or grace in the heart; and some become enlightened preachers, as Balaam was. Balaam belonged to the self-contradiction tribe, only he could not get his contradiction into his sermon, so he left it to bring it into his practice instead; and so, instead of preaching it, he practised it, by getting the Israelites to worship the Midianitish gods, a part of which worship consisted in prostitution; and so zeal ous was one of the princes of Israel for this new religion, that he brought a Midianitish woman into the camp of Israel, openly in the sight of all Israel, just to make a beginning. But judgment was at once ministered to these presumptuous importers of other gods (Numb. xxv. 6, 7); thus was Balaam a yea and nay man. The nay parts of our modern systems are certainly not so gross as Balaam's nay department; but they are equally, and in some respects more, deceptive. Many, then, are called, and become enlightened, and have very great semblances to the real children of God; but they are but bastards after all: though they are partakers of the Holy Ghost, yet it is only in the letter of his testimony, and though they taste of the heavenly gift, and the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, it is only as the stony-ground hearer did. Now, so far as the Word of God takes hold of men and makes them better members of society, so far so good; but when this is set down for the new birth and vital godliness, then it is deception; yet in this way, merely by the moral working of the Word, what numhers are called, but not chosen, for there are but few chosen. You will, my good Theophilus, meet with some who hold a lie in their right hand, and either know it not, or if they know it, are careful not to confess it; and you will see that the yea and nay held by such is much more implied than expressed. They dare not clearly express what they covertly imply. Beware then, I say, of these false prophets, that come to you in sheep's clothing, but their hearts are not truly with the sheep, but with yea and nay professors. Such hearts they have, for they deceive both themselves and others. You shall know them by their fruits; and though they speak much truth, yet if that be embittered by grapes of gall, by clusters that are bitter (Deut. xxxii. 32), you, if you wish to avoid being poisoned, must turn away from them; and I am sure you do not think it a light thing for the mind to be poisoned against the liberty you have in Christ. You must be careful to distinguish between a fiery flying serpent (Deut. viii. 15; Isa. xiv. 29) and the fiery flying seraphim (Isa. vi.); the one will bewitch you from, and poison you against, the truth, and the true Church; but the other comes with a live coal from off the gitar where the sacrifice is, and finds out the truly convinced and self-despairing sinner, and by the power of God ministers that forgive ness which accords with the sacrifice of the altar. That sacrifice has cleared, on behalf of such convinced sinners, both time and eternity; the atonement of Immanuel having intinitely and eternally more power to pardon, than sin, however deep in dye, has to condemn. No truth short of this can enable a truly-convinced sinner to hope in the mercy of God. Serpents are very cunning, wise, and capable of all sorts of shapes and forms; and they burn with zeal, too; they are determined to make Christians of almost everybody, whether they are Christians or not; and they are very active, too, for they are flying serpents, and will compass sea and land to make proselytes; thus you will see that these fiery flying serpents have some strong likenesses to the seraphims; the very word seraphim siguifies fiery, and so, while the Lord maketh his angels spirits, he maketh his ministers as a flame of fire. The living Word they preach is as fire, to enter the conscience, to burn up the hay, wood, straw, and stubble in which the sinner may be sheltering himself, and to minister in due time unto such a one a sense of pardoned sin. The minister, also, himself, is to be a burning and shining light, shining with the light of eternal life, and burning with the eternal love of God; he has also his six wings; with twain he covers his feet when he goes in to speak with God, thus keeping his foot when he comes before God, treading with care such hallowed ground; and with twain he covers his face, wrapt in holy awe and humility before the high and the lofty One who inhabiteth eternity; and with twain he does fly. Here is their willingness and activity in serving the blessed God, and often it is that by them, as heavenly messengers, the Word runneth very swiftly. Thus, you will need not only grace, whereby to serve the Lord acceptably with reverence and godly fear, but you will need also wisdom and knowledge from on high, and in the hidden parts and experiences of your soul; that you may know to refuse the evil and choose the good, and that you may have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of a yea and nay Gospel, but rather reprove them: evil communications corrupt good manners; and I wish your good gospel manners, as well as your other good manners, not to be corrupted: you must be content to be among the few, and, however, the many may forsake you, you still have the lamp of truth and trumpet of the Gospel, and by the light of the one, and the sound of the other, you will be more than a conqueror through Him who hath loved you; and if in yourself you are like a broken vessel, the light will shine the brighter, while you must still keep to your watchword, the sword of the Lord and of Gideon: the sword of the Lord, to denote it is not the sword of man; and the sword of Gideon, to denote the character of the God who wields the sword of truth. You see, in the case of Gideon's army, what numbers, even thirty-two thousand, felt that they ought to come, yet, out of this thirty-two thousand, only three hundred were chosen; these were all that had true faith in God's holy Word; all the rest were yea and nay men, and the name of such in our day certainly is Legion; but the foundation of God standeth sure; the Lord knoweth them that are his, and from this yea and nay, as well as from every other iniquitous system, those who are taught of God shall depart. I hope in my next to you, to set before you some of those tests by which the few are distinguished from the many. I must close my present letter by again reminding you of the self-accordance of the Word of God. Remember that Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Testament; here you see (Heb. ix. 1) the Gospel is called a testament, that is, a Will, and that Jesus atoned for those sins of his people which were committed under the first testament, that is, the old covenant; now this new testament willed to all the election of grace an eternal inheritance, and these in due time are called from death to life to receive, first, the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb. ix. 15), and then, afterwards, the inheritance itself. Now, a man whilst he lives, may alter his Will; his death is necessary to make the Will unalterable; and so it is that Christ died, and the Will is confirmed and settled for ever, while He Himself is risen from the dead, to carry out all the parts and clauses of the said Will. Our God would not entrust this Will even to angelic, much less to human hands, but He has trusted in Christ; He hath given all things into his hauds, and his language is, ought not Christ to suffer? and as to the sheep, language is, "them also I must bring." his My good Theophilus, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man's covenant or will, yet if it be confirmed (by the testator's death), "no man disannulleth or addeth thereto "(Gal. iii.); the Apostle, in this 3rd of Galatians, shows the strongest feeling against a self-contradictory system; he repudiates the notion of one part of the Word of God contradicting, and so, in effect, disannulling another. He, in bis 1st chapter to the Galatians, calls such a system another Gospel, and anathematises an angel from heaven who should dare to advocate such a Gospel. Amen. spouse, your hopeful family, and your We landed on Melbourne Wharf, Saturday afternoon, where we met my brother's son, who was waiting for us. We went with him over William's Town, where he keeps a school, and there spent the first Lord's-day in Australia. Attended Church service, but heard little of the gospel. We left Melbourne on Monday, and on the Saturday following arrived at Bendigo, where we found Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists. I soon became acquainted with the pastor and members of the Baptist Church; and, so far as I am Why, even Satan has more sense than to be able to judge, I believe them to be divided against himself; and yet the Holy sound in the faith once delivered to the Spirit of God, who is a sworn witness of truth, saints, and very rigid concerning the oris to be represented as giving self-contradic-dinance of baptism, and the rules contory evidence, such as, for want of harmony, could not be received even in human courts of justice. But the Holy Spirit of God has never so done; all his testimonies are eternally sure, and herein is the rejoicing even A LITTLE ONE. of A CORNISH MINER December 25, 1855, Sailor's Galley, DEAR brother and fellow labourer in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since I saw you last, I have often thought on you, your beloved and loving cerning a strict or particular Baptist Church. I preached among them the first Lord's-day of this year, and have been in close communion with them ever since. The church consists of about fifty members; the major part Welch. The pastor is a Welchman. We have some from Scotland, some from Ireland, and some from foreign parts; so we have white, black, and copper-colour, but being joined unto the Lord, we are one spirit with Him, being baptized into Christ as the members of his body, "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all;" and so we endea-"THE MILLENNIUM" IN vour" to keep the unity of the Spirit in the THE HEART. bond of peace." As it respects this part of the world, it is not regarded by its inhabitants as a place of worldly pleasure or ease, for here the hardy of toil are labouring from sunrise till it sets again, to obtain a little of its precious metal, and return back to their native country to enjoy it. The diggers, in general, are a mean and squalid race of men. Hard labour, and so much sweat under the excessive heat of this climate, changes the colour of the skin. Every temptation that can be placed in their way to induce them to spend their money is put in practice. They have their evening assemblies, their midnight revels, plays, balls, and concerts, which continue all night; and this splendid entertainment, including supper, costs from 11. to 17. 10s. Added to this, there are a great number of sly grog shops, where every species of evil is put in practice, murder not excepted. The farmers here are known by the name of squatters. It is they that are realising large fortunes. We never hear of their stations pointed out by acres, but by miles, and the produce of them is very dear; 8d. per lb. for beef, 9d. bread, turnips 1s. each, onions 1s. 6d. per lb., and a very small cabbage on the Diggings 6d. each, and everything in proportion. We are both well in health. (Father and son.) [WE have more love for sound, experimental testimonies, than we have for clearly-written theories; therefore we must give the following.-ED.] MR. EDITOR, Your VESSEL came in April, laden with precious fruit, with some food for the healing of the people; her flag hoisted, bearing the Millennium star, though fairly considered, not fairly received by many. Late in 1854, this beautiful VESSEL was much used for this Millenarian work. I, for one, saw great fear for the VESSEL; it appeared too light upon the waters; there was danger she would upset, and all her crew be lost; just theh a tempestuous storm arose, which appeared to alarm even the man at the helm, with a good effect, for he took in more ballast, and the ship has sailed better, and brought us more valuables ever since. Though I have called upon you this morning, Mr. E., for the first time to come aboard your VESSEL, which I do value above many others of the day, I wish it to be understood I am not an able seaman, neither do I wish to meet in the saloon with the learned, but rather go into the forecastle to converse with the simple about the second coming of Christ. But few doubt that the anointed One, the proDo you still continue to preach the un-mised seed, has once appeared, has lived searchable riches of Christ at Trewellard? a life of perfect obedience, has satisfied I should be glad to hear that you do. I have to preach almost every Lord's-day, and to travel five miles in this hot country; but you have a horse to ride. As to getting on, we have done very little as yet, we have been unsuccessful. Should this letter fall into your hands in the latter part of March, or beginning of April, be so good as to let my dear wife and family know it, for I have not heard from my dear partner these last four months. We have heard by other people's letters that they are all well. My Christian regards and affection to you and spouse and family, and all the dear saints at Sennen. So no more at present from your unworthy brother in grace relations, THOMAS STEVENS. To James Wallis, yeoman, and preacher of the gospel at Sennen, from Thomas Stevens, miner in Cornwall, and preacher of the gospel at St. Just and Trewellard, before he went to Australia. all righteous demands, died, has risen like a God over all power, has ascended on high, and now sitteth on the throne as king for ever, hath sent forth the Spirit of promise to plough the unhallowed ground, and plant the Heavenly seed. I wish not to trouble you with the pedigree, but long before the appointed time of his coming to me, the righteous law lay heavy upon me. My health failed me, the enemy of souls, with his hellish train, was permitted to do his very worst, but not to take life; that mighty foe overcame his victim, and laid me to the very gates of Hell; and there I laid three days condemned, and dumb, without a thought of mercy; confessed by human skill past their reach. It was when Justice was about to strike, then, it was then, my Saviour came. Methinks no poor soul can wish for a more perfect view of their Lord. His voice so sweet. It was with power. It was life from the dead, from judgment, to the full range of a large place of precious Millenarian world. In a word, as soon Hoping these few thoughts came not all from nature's garden, and should any one on whom the Spirit of God doth rest see with me, I hope they may come forth and open up what the poor thing of Little Alie Street hath only hinted at. Whitechapel. J. T. TO SAMUEL FOSTER. My dear, long, and deeply-afflicted Brother, MERCY! A CANTICLE. AH! woe is me, the sinner cries, To warn thee of approaching harm; I know thy nature prone to sin, kiss thy wounded hands and feet, [WE have certainly read the following communication with many peculiar exercises of mind; but, until the writer has finished, we withhold any comment.-ED.] THE SECOND LETTER OF "A. BLAST." | cerely believed the truth, and would almost have died to witness it, but now found how shallow is all our natural sincerity and faith, when viewed in the light of God's countenance. The secrets of my heart were laid open, and behold, there was written thereon, as with a pen of iron, "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." I found that I had never yet believed with all my heart, either God or Christ, law or Gospel, sin or grace. It is written, "All have sinned," and "The wages of sin is death;" but the testimony had never taken possession of my soul. I had known the Father's record, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him;" but alas! this blessed majesty, this glorious truth, had never gained the consent of my heart; so that, though my reason assented to it, and my mouth confessed it, in the centre and fountain of my soul, I had rejected both law and Gospel; "He that believeth not, hath made God a liar." I was convinced― Houghton-le-Spring, April, 1856. DEAR SIR-I thank you sincerely for the insertion of my letter in the EARTHEN VESSEL of this month, and now hasten to fulfil my engagements. Aware of the difficulties before me, and of my own insufliciency, it is with much trembling that I prosecute the task which I have ventured to propose. "O that the Lord my God, that has led me hitherto, may anoint me with his holy oil, that the Holy Spirit may assist my memory, enlighten my mind, and bear witness with my conscience, that out of the fulness of my heart, my mouth may speak that which I have felt and handled of the word of God, to whom be glory, through Jesus Christ. Amen." How many there are, I know, that will not give themselves the trouble to consider before they pass a hasty sentence. How many so prepossessed with their own notions, that they will not for a moment entertain any subject which does not come up to the standard they have erected as truth, although a man should make it appear as evident as noon-day! And how loth I know we all are to be convinced of error. Let me therefore entreat those who may read this testimony, to calmly and prayerfully consider it; and if, after an impartial judgment, my views are not commended to their consciences, they may boldly reject them. I court investigation, and I can request no more. If, after plainly stating and elucidating my views, I fail to convince, I have done all that I can; and if no good is effected, I do at least in all sincerity unbur. den my mind. What I have to advance, was not, I believe, taught me by man, but by the Holy Spirit. I was brought up in the Calvinistic persuasion, and like many more, could talk of religion, and man's responsibilities with respect to the Gospel, limiting the requirements of the Word to a carnal obedience, to suit our condition as fallen creatures; not knowing what I said, nor whereof I affirmed. "But as soon as it pleased God to reveal his Son in me," I saw with other eyes than I had hitherto done. Then I learned that "the Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The book of the law, when opened to me, condemned me for my moral offences in thought, and word, and deed; but when I beheld the adorable majesty of the Son of God, who was manifested in the flesh, and crucified for sinners, I looked upon Him whom I had pierced, and mourned with a bitter, inconceivable grief. I beheld Him whom I had pierced with my hard spches, and ungodly deeds, that I had committed against Him. Now I was convincedI. Of my sins of unbelief. I was an infidel; but to the best of my knowledge sin II. Of despising the Son of God, and neglecting his great salration. Again I repeat, that I had ever entertained respectful notions of the person of the Son of God, and of his great salvation; but now found, instead of my notions of truth or belief of it being any help to me, they were my greatest grief. Oli, how I did wish that I had never known the truth! for that knowledge added to my guilt and condemnation. So far from finding my mere natural faith being the substance of my responsibilities with respect to the gospel, or any extenuation of my guilt, it served to shut my mouth the closer. What," said my stricken soul, "have I had the clear knowledge of Christ being the only way whereby a sinner can be saved, and yet lived till now careless, indifferent about it, and unimpressed with my danger? O my stupid heart, and inconstant faith! to believe that Christ is a saviour from sin and hell, and yet never seriously, or perseveringly, to seek his great salvation." A dear aged friend, to whom I told the burden of my mind, said to me, "You could not, dear child, you could not." I made no reply; I confess, that at that time, I looked with suspicion upon the man that talked after this manner, and wondered that he understood not my feelings better. I was conscious that I could not, but reproached my carnal, sensual mind, that hindered me. My dear aged friend-a friend indeed to me, since gone to his eternal restknew not the gospel before he was called; he has told me that he knew no more of the way of salvation when God met him, than a heathen. This made the difference. Christ was despised, or lightly esteemed by me, inasmuch as I had preferred the world to Him. A thousand idols engaged my heart, but the Son of God was not there! I loved strangers, and after them would I go, but the Lord was not in all my thoughts! Things unworthy of my affections, and things abominable, occupied the chief room of my soul, but the Prince of Glory was left standing without! his head filled with dew, and his locks with the drops of the night. Thus "He was despised, and I esteemed him not." I was convinced |