some time, commenced the drapery business, Occasionally went out to preach, and assisted in the Sabbath-school and village preaching. On his removal to Ipswich to commence business on a more extended scale, he was united in marriage to one of the Lord's family. He determined to give up preaching, and became superintendent of the Sabbath-school; still his mind at times would be uneasy about the ministry. He received various invitations, some of which he refused, others he accepted. But he secretly wished his mouth might be stopped while speaking, then he imagined he should not again be sent for. Health failed, his business was not in a prosperous condition, and through illness he was compelled to give up all engagements. After restoration to health it was considered advisable he should not re-enter the Sabbath-school, but go where the Lord might send him to preach. He received an invitation from various churches to supply for them; amongst others, Tunstall, where he preached upwards of twelve mouths. During this period everything in a temporal point of view failed; he quitted his business and devoted himself to the ministerial work. He did not see the path clear to remain at Tunstall, so left that church in November last. After preaching at Wisbeach two Sabbaths, and Clare four, he received a six-months invitation, with a view to the pastorate. In June he received and accepted an unanimous call to become the pastor of the church at Clare, and has not a doubt, by the seal of approbation God has given to his labours in blessing the word to perishing sinners, he is in the right place. Mr. Collins asked Mr. Pells to give a brief statement of the doctrines he intended to preach and maintain, which he did in a lucid and satisfactory manner. After singing a hymn, Mr. Collins concluded the morning service by prayer. ing on his labours unless his heart be right with God. If the heart be not right, nothing can be right. No embellishment or gift can avail or make up for this one thing needful. See to it every day you are in the favour of God, then you shall not come into condemnation. Be sure you are experimentally acquainted with the grace of God in your own soul. Let it be a clear and settled point between God and you that you are a subject of grace. Seek that your soul be preserved in vigorous condition, and that there be the life of godliness in all your sacred ministrations. Do not imagine that because you are a Christian your ministerial duties will keep you on that elevation you ought to stand. Many a minister has erred in this respect. Do not take it for granted that because you are a minister your soul will be preserved in fatness. It will require prayer and constant effort to live on high. You must study to do this, though it may cost you many hours of pain. Seek to be a workman needing not to be ashamed. 2. Take heed to your conduct. This is a concern second to none. It not only will concern you, but others are affected by your deportment. Paul here gives good advice to Timothy (1 Tim. iii. 1-7). I hope you will walk as well as talk-wear well. You are a bishop-he must be blameless, not sinless, but of good reputation, that your messages may be well received; that you may have the prayers and sympathies of your people. Stand out in bold relief unspotted from the world. Holiness of ministerial character is not sufficiently regarded even by some churches. Some destitute churches have sought for a minister possessing every qualification but this. This should be considered of primary importance,-Is he a good man, one who walks with God, holding the faith in a pure conscience? Nothing has been so injurious to Christianity as the scandalous lives The afternoon service was commenced by of some professed ministers of Jesus Christ. Mr. Thornley, of Stowmarket, reading the Preach by your life as well as by your docScriptures, and offering the ordination prayer. trine. Talk not simply of a holy life, but Mr. Cooper delivered the charge to the newly- let your very life speak of holiness. Miniselected pastor, from 1 Tim. iv. 16,-"Take ters must not be like those drugs which are heed to thyself and to the doctrine." Mr. hot in the mouth but cold in operation, but Cooper remarked, God has put an honour on like musk in linen, giving all a fragrance; or you, my brother. He has committed to you like a box of ointment, which when opened an important trust, having made you a perfumes the room with its odour. Cæsar steward of his mysteries. The duties en- said his wife was without fault or suspicion joined on you by the text are not to be dis- of being faulty. So should it be with minisregarded with impunity. A spirit of heed-ters. Then if reports should fly about, people lessness will prove an effectual barrier to your usefulness, impair your reputation, and damage your holiness. I. Take heed to yourself personally considered, and as regard all the relations you sustain, but especially with the people of your charge. 1. In respect to the state of your soul before God. How fearful the state of those who are attentive to the vineyards of others, while their own is not kept! The Apostle Paul was concerned lest he should point the road to others, and be himself a cast-away. You must have the grace of God in your own heart. He will not have much concern for the souls of others who is a stranger to that concern himself. He cannot hope for a bless will say, "I don't believe it; I know him too well." "Follow righeousness. Fight the good fight of faith." 3. Take heed to what is requisite to the right and honourable discharge of your ministerial work. I hope your furniture, that is, your ministerial abilities, will be good. They are not so far advanced but they are capable of improvement. Remember they must be improved, or they will be likely to wither; or, as has been the case, they may be taken away. Labour to increase your stock of knowledge. Give attendance to reading (1 Tim. iv. 13). Let the Bible be your constant and chief study, with an eye to the Father of lights and the Spirit of truth to bless your meditation. There is no necessity you should confine all venerate God's law in the hands of Christ, as a rule of practice to the saints. Exhibit the law in the Gospel. Preach plainly, with the greatest simplicity. It is improper for ministers to seek for admiration: Paul did not so do (1 Cor. ii. 4). I have heard simple preaching from great men. Do not get among the stars or speculative matters in the pulpit, such as the decrees of God-condition of this world if sin had not been introduced; do not lug these into the pulpit. Be faithful, God looks more at faithfulness than at any other matter. You are accountable for your faithfulness, not your success. I mourn over the errors which are creeping into the professing Church-and even our own denominationwhereby the harmony of the Trinity in man's salvation is despoiled; the Father being represented as a sovereign, and the Son as having universal love. Do not preach yourself; let the church see you are a humble, devoted minister. Preach Christ prayerfully; those ministers have been most successful who have prayed most. The late Dr. Payson has been known to spend three successive hours prostrate on the floor of his study with his Bible in his hand. Pray as hard as you can into the meaning of passages of Scripture, and pray your way into the pulpit. Preach the Gospel experimentally. It is a most miserable sensation not to feel what you are uttering. Let your ministry be spiritual. Expect discouragements, there may be a lack of affections; but remember you have the promised presence of your Master, and your reward. your attention to it, though it should be the principal object of your investigation. The Bible is the statute book of the kingdom to which you belong, and in which you labour; it is the grand treasury from which you are to draw. Dig deep in the mines of evangelic truth. Do not read it officially only, merely as a text-book to find texts, simply because you cannot get on without it, but read it as a poor and needy sinner, as one who has to give an account to God. "Let that word dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Let it dwell in you, and, like food, endeavour to digest it, that its words may find their way into your very heart's blood. You will find no helps comparable with the Scriptures, which are the heart and soul of God. The Bible shows how God's heart is in relation to the church. Give some time to general reading. Do not be frightened by the notion of some, that you deal in dead men's brains, nor follow those who boast of reading the Bible alone. I have known some such ministers, but never estimated them as an extra-spiritual race of folk, but remarkable for their presumption and conceit; the heads of such are often empty, but that is compensated by the vanity of their hearts. Disdain not to read the writings of men who have had the special unction of the Spirit imparted to them, as Charnock, Flavel, Brine, and many others. Consult human authors; hear what the Spirit saith by these men, and may God bless your reading. Be as much in your study as you can. It matters not what talents you possess, you must study if you will preach. Some say, they like to take the joint hot from the spit. It will soon be found out such men do not spend much time in study. Study the gram-dingham. mar of your own language. Rise early. The The evening service commenced at seven ex-Bishop of London surprised some of his o'clock. Mr. Barnes, of Glensford, read the clergy on one occasion by informing them hymns. After reading and prayer by Mr. J. four o'clock was his hour for rising. On sur- E. Perrin, Mr. Dickerson, of London, preached prise being expressed, he replied, "If I had to the church from 1 Thess. v. 12-13. He not done that I should not have been your noticed (1) The position in which a pastor bishop." Cultivate a peaceful spirit. Do not stands, in relation to the church, as a presibecome a partizan when you see a misunder-dent and a labourer. (2) The relative duties standing has arisen between brethren; get off the fire as far as you can; if you approach it let it be with a bucket of water. Command yourself, then will you more readily command others. Take heed to yourself. II. Take heed to your doctrine or teaching. Never dare to preach what you do not yourself believe. The great theme of the ministry is Christ. Do not allow yourself to deviate from this subject, but determine to know nothing among men save Jesus and Him crucified. Your honour and honesty are connected with faithfulness on this point. The matter of your ministry is from God, it is not left for you to choose. Christ must not be divided; you must endeavour to preserve that beautiful symmetry which is to be found in the truth. Do not preach Christ's person without his works, or his work without his person; these two are inseparable. Unite his character and his claims. On whatever character you touch, remember it is founded on his mediatorial work. Do not divide the law and Gospel; you must distinguish, and put each in its proper place. I hope you The service was concluded by solemn prayer, offered by Mr. Howell, of Sible He of the people to the minister. They are to know him, esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake. The discourse was an excellent one, and the remarks every way suited to the occasion; and at nine o'clock the happy proceedings of the day were brought to a close. EBENEZER, BATH. DEAR BANKS, I know you are always glad to spread abroad the prosperity of Zion; and I take the liberty of writing to you, as a lover of the glorious truths of the everlasting gospel when preached in all its fulness, to send you a line or two relative to the Lord's goodness to us as a Church at Ebenezer on our Anniversary, August 19th, 1856. After much wrestling in prayer to God for his directions, we were led to invite that man of God, Mr. J. Wells, of London. We wrote to him; but we had a denial. We wrestled again; and, like one of old, we were determined not to let Him go except He heard us. It appeared this was in accordance with his divine will; for when we wrote again we had It is my intention, therefore, to return at once to London, with my dear wife and family. The removal of my business there will, I believe, be an advantage to me. our answer that he would come. The long-of our choicest friends, who at once withlooked-for day came; and we had the plea- drew. But I doubt not it was thus needful sure of seeing face to face the man we had to me to be convinced of its impossibility. I been asking for so long. In the afternoon we hope I shall, through grace, profit by so painhad our heavenly Master's presence. Mr. ful a lesson to the end of my days. Wells took his text from Isaiah iv. 5: "And the Lord will create upon every dwellingplace of Mount Zion," &c. Our souls were refreshed. In the evening he was directed to Hebrews iv. 10, 11: "For he that is entered into his rest," &c. We had a good congregation; collections good; we enjoyed the Word; and we pray that the seed sown may spring up in converting some poor sinner or sinners, that the Lord's name might be glorified. On the sabbath following, our baptizing took place in the river Avon. It was a delightful morning, and hundreds of people were gathered together to witness the solemn ordinance. Our dear pastor, Mr. Kellaway, commenced the service by giving out that precious hymn "Jesus! and shall it ever be, A mortal man ashamed of thee?" You will, therefore, kindly bear in mind that I am at liberty to supply any destitute church near London. I cannot think again of going into the country to settle, as my business would render it unjustifiable; but whenever I can be of use (with such restrictions), I shall be happy to speak in my Master's name. But let all my friends know that henceforth I shall not shame to assert my own principles as a Baptist; and, therefore, shall for the future abide by strict communion. Wishing you all grace and support from above, I am yours sincerely, JOSEPH PALMER. After singing, Mr. Kellaway engaged in with this brother. We hope his last change [Very recently we had private conversation prayer, and then addressed the people in a will prove to be one of sterling principle, and very solemn manner. Mr. J. Wilkins, of that much usefulness awaits hiin. Our own Brighton, baptized four candidates in the pathway has long been beclouded: the cloud name of the blessed Trinity. In the chapel, is bursting. We hope the Lord will enable us Mr. Wilkins spoke from John's gospel, xi. 51, 52, to a large congregation. In the after-clearly and faithfully to unfold the whole; noon Mr. Kellaway took the candidates into and that Psalm xxvii. 6 shall be perfectly true in us. ED. E. V.] the church, with three others from other churches, and Mr. Wilkins administered the ordinance to our souls. Mr. Kellaway preached a very impressive sermon in the evening. We have enjoyed such seasons at Ebenezer as I hope will never be forgotten. We can truly say the Lord is with us and blessing us; and to his name be all the praise and all the glory. JOHN RECORD. STRICT COMMUNION. Bedford, Sept. 13, 1856. DEAR FRIEND, I am almost ashamed to intrude upon you my own affairs while you are called, in the providence of God, to wade through such deep waters; but I trust a covenant God will bring you safely through, and without reproach. GRAVESEND. Street, Gravesend, was held in Zion Chapel, THE Anniversary of Zoar Chapel, Peacock Windmill Street (kindly lent for the occasion), on Monday, Aug. 25, 1856. We were favoured with a fine day-good attendance-good preaching-and good collections; for which we "thank God, and take courage." About 150 sat down to dinner, and 250 sat down to tea. The truth of God was precious to the souls of the people, his presence and his power was felt and enjoyed, and to his great name shall be all the glory. On the following Wednesday evening, the 27th, Mr. Stringer baptized seven believers on the confession of their faith at Zoar Chapel-two males-five females. He addressed the audience at the head of the pool from 2 Cor. v. 14: "The love of Christ constraineth us." Noticing (1) The principle that constraineth. (2) The people constrained. (3) The practice they were and are constrained unto. Good order prevailed, the people were attentive, solemnity was prominent, sweetness felt and enjoyed, the ordinance scripturally defended, and the Redeem I told you, when I last saw you, that I should leave Bedford; but I did not then think that my removal was so near at hand. But having sent in my resignation to the little church, which would have released me at Christmas, that act appeared to work a change in the feelings and intentions of some at once, and my warmest friends looked coldly and seemed to become heartless in the cause. But I shall not dwell upon weak-er's command observed. Our dear brother nesses to which we are all liable. I will try and make the recollection of past kindness to turn the edge of subsequent changes. My dear friend, I have bitterly proved that mized communion will blast church prosperity, and be as fetters around the minister. I soon saw this, and soon retraced my way to strict communion; but the injury was done. We had a nice company, and every appearance of prosperity, until the church was opened, which wounded the minds of many John Nichols read and prayed solemnly- Pray ROSS, HEREFORDSHIRE. Whitestone, Herefordshire, Sept. 10, 1856. DEAR BROTHER,-I have no doubt that you will be glad to hear of what is doing in the kingdom of Christ in this part of the land. attended with much enjoyment to us all; and CHARLES STREET CHAPEL, KEN- MR. EDITOR,-I feel pleasure in sending The noted town of Ross, Herefordshire, has had for many years a Baptist cause under the name of Particular; but, like many other churches, only so in name. In this cause there have been some really sterling men, whose minds have been led to understand the Lord's word, as to the character of his king-particulars of a meeting held on Monday, dom, its foundation, and the laws and ordinances thereof; and whatever may have been the notions of others upon these subjects, they have been enabled to measure spiritual things by the measure of the sanctuary, and they have given preference to God's rule and measure in these matters. The subject of Open Communion has followed the advocacy of loose doctrinal views, and has, for a great number of years, been the source of many unhappy debates; but till recently the majority were always on the strict side of the question. However, there has been a change in the ministry, and by a determined effort there is now a change in the law also. Consequently the strict friends (15 in number) have been driven from their long-loved home and associations as dear to them as their own lives; but they have fought the battle nobly and unflinchingly, and now stand out as men of principle. 8th September, in Charles Street Chapel, Camberwell New Road, on which occasion the friends who collected for a fund to enable us to erect a large room for our sabbath school produced the result of their labours. About 60l. was forwarded to the Treasurer, which constrained us to exclaim, "What hath God wrought for us!" Some addresses were delivered from the word of command delivered by Moses to Israel: "GO FORWARD." At the close of the meeting, which was of a most satisfactory nature, a committee was formed, and resolutions made to commence the building as soon as possible. Further notice of our proceedings will be forwarded to you, trusting that the Lord will prosper us in this our undertaking for his own glory and the good of souls. A LOVER OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL. MR. EVERETT.-In reading your sketch of the life of my much-esteemed friend Mr. Everett, in the EARTHEN VESSEL, there are two inaccuracies. The last text my old friend preached from was not from Nehemiah, but Nahum, 1st chap. 7th verse, "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." The remembrance of the ministry of this highlyesteemed servant of God will be long appreciated by the little flock over whom he was pastor in this place, not, as you have it, once a month, but once a week for five years, with scarcely any intermission. Notice being given, some weeks previously, of the desire of these dear friends to be formed into a church on strict principles, I went to Ross on Lord's day, August 30, for that purpose, and here I found a room comfortably fitted up for the worship of Jehovah. Our morning service was well attended, and the people seemed to hear well. In the afternoon the little church was formed after the following order: We opened the service by reading and prayer; then gave an address on the nature, laws, and ordinances of Christ's kingdom, and showed the obligation of believers to obey Him whom God the Father had raised to the highest dignity and honour. The simplicity of style, the correctness of I endeavoured to show them that true Chris-doctrine, and the peculiarly savory manner tian love was first drawn out and manifested in which he delivered his message from God, to the great Author of salvation, and then to made him a valuable instrument to us; and his people. Mr. Hill then briefly stated the one material feature in his ministry was, that painful circumstances of their separation, and he was free from every sectarian feeling; he also gave a statement of the doctrines held proclaimed the doctrines of the grace of God, by the friends he represented. I then ad- and loved all those that bore the image of the dressed the friends on their present conspi- beloved Jesus, belong to whomsoever they cuous position, the trials which were likely to might, and this not in word, but in deed and follow this step, the pleasing consciousness of GEORGE LAMERT. having acted from pure motives, and a desire to promote the glory of God according to his own directions; also the new duties devolving upon them. I then gave to each the right hand of fellowship, and after a prayer for a blessing to rest upon this little hill of Zion, we dispersed till the evening service, when Mr. Jones, of Lay's Hill, preached a very powerful sermon from Ezekiel xliii. 10-12. After which he administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to the newly-formed hurch. The whole business of the day was in truth. Forest, Walthamstow. MR. JOHN STENSON, OF CHELSEA.—A few days since we sat beside this deeply-afflicted brother. He is almost powerless and speechless. Many medical men have pronounced his case beyond the reach of cure; but as we looked upon him, hope seemed to say, "There is nothing too hard for the Lord." Mr. Stenson has lost his valuable deacon, Mr. Rose, and the cause at Carmel cries out for a living and a laborious ambassador of Christ. showed her her state, and now she began to cry for mercy, for she saw and felt that she was a sinner in the sight of God and under his condemnation, and was crying day and night for mercy in Jesus' name. spoke to her, and encouraged her all I could, by showing what the blood of Christ had done, and what it still could do-even Manasseh, Magdalene, and the thief on the cross, who was saved in the last hour, and that same precious blood could save her. I Oh! how eagerly did she swallow down my words and call for mercy; but at times, she would cry out, O Tom, I shall go raving mad! O Lord, have mercy upon my sinful soul! These were piercing words to me. again told her that the blood of Christ was able to save an old sinner as well as a young sinner, for it could save to the uttermost all that came unto Him, feeling their needy and helpless condition, and that I hoped He would save her soul at last. I called in one Sunday morning when she had had a dreadful night, and as soon as she saw me, she cried out, "O Tom, pray for me, pray for me;" which I did, and I begged of the Lord to look down cious blood of Christ, in which she heartily and earnestly joined, and shortly after this she seemed to have a little ease; and on Monday, September 8, after I had been wrestling in prayer for her, and had just got up from my knees, the Lord broke in upon my soul with these precious words: "He is able, he is willing, doubt no more." Thus, after thirty-two years, the Lord gave me an answer to my many prayers. The and I firmly believed that my poor old mother, tears of love and gratitude now began to flow, after a very long life of ein and rebellion, was saved at last, with an everlasting salvation. She continued in prayer while she was able she called for me, but I was not there, and to speak, and a few hours before she died, when I came home she was insensible, and at 11 o'clock on Friday night, September 12, 1856, she breathed her last, and I scarcely It is now nearly thirty-three years ago. I was then a very worldly young man, following and loving the evil courses of this world as far as my means would allow, being fond of playing music, singing songs, dancing, and going to the theatres, being quite joyful and happy in my awful state; but in the midst of my career and folly, I was providentially led into a little chapel where William Wales Horne used to preach, in 3, Colt Street, Limehouse, and the Lord met me under his ministry and brought me down as a guilty sin-in pity, and show her mercy through the prener crying for mercy, and for several months I was daily afraid of dying and falling into perdition, for my conscience was loaded with guilt, and I knew not how or where to get deliverance: my conduct now was very different, and my mother could not make out what was the matter with me, though she knew I went to a chapel, and she said she would rather see me go the way I had been going, for then I was only ruining my body, but now I went to meeting I was ruining my body and soul too, for she hated and detested the meetingers and the crawling pantilers. And I can well remember, when I was a boy there was an old woman, a Mrs. Spence, who used to get her living by carrying water from the river to supply the inhabitants, and my mother used to rail very much against that poor woman, calling her all manner of ugly names, so that I used to look at her with a degree of terror, and I thought she must be a witch, or a wizard, or something worse; but since I have grown up, I found out that she was a good old christian, a member of Mr. Bailey's, at Zoar Chapel, Alie Street, Whitechapel, London. . . .. But to return: my mother could not stop me from going to chapel, and after a few months the Lord gave me deliverance, and a hope in Jesus Christ, so that I was now like a prisoner set at liberty with a free pardon. I now began to convert everybody as I thought, but I was wofully mistaken, for I found I could convert nobody, especially my mother, for she said she would go to hell her own road, where her mother and father, her grandmother and grandfather, and all her relations, had gone before her; and that God himself could never make her believe the doctrines of the bible; these expressions ofttimes horrified me, but I continued still to pray for her up to the present time, and about ten weeks ago she was laid on a sick bed, still in an hardened state; but after she had been confined about a month, the Lord opened her eyes and could see that she was gone. Thus she died, being nearly 88 years old, and she was buried in St. James's Churchyard, Ratcliffe. She her long life the truth despised, Mr. WARD announced to us the fact that Mr. Bunyan M'Cure had transmitted the cash to redeem his friends. Mr. WILLIAM GROSER finished his course towards the close of Wednesday, the 6th August, after an illness of about two years' duration, which was especially severe. His last labour was preparing and arranging articles for the Baptist Magazine for the current month, and sending it through the press. |