ROSS.

took its flight to the realms of light and joy | THE OPEN COMMUNION CHURCH IN and rest, of which Holy Land he had had so many views, and to that heavenly inheritance he had so long, so sweetly anticipated, August 19, 1856, aged 58. His daughter, Anne Wells, who died two years and four months before him, said on her dying bed, "Father, you will not be long after me, your glass is almost run out;" meaning his hour-glass. On the follow ing Lord's-day, August 24, the mortal remains of Mr. W. H. Wells were committed to the

silent tomb, Bow Cemetery; surrounded by a very great congregation, who were very attentive, though the service continued two hours. Three ministers and one friend took part with deep solemnity and fervour.

Mr. Parker commenced the solemn service, by giving out the well-known hymn of Dr. Wette

"Why should we mourn departed friends,
Or shrink at death's alarms,
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends,
To call them to his arms."

IN a recent number we inserted a letter

matters.

from Mr. Moore, with intelligence of church It appears from subsequent communications, that in some things our correfriends write of new causes-they would let spondent erred a little. We wish-when our the old ones alone; unless they can fully substantiate any exposure they may make of the proclamation of any dangerous doctrine, or fatal heresy. We would never flinch from a bold resistance of deadly errors; but any pancies, or divisions, only gender strife, which reference to other people's deficiencies, discrewe wish to avoid. If ministers-who profess to be Baptist ministers-were honest and consistent, we should have no open communion churches. Expediency," in the order of God's house, is a dangerous thing. We insert the following letter simply on the ground of justice to the minister and church referred

"

to:

He then offered prayer; after which, Mr. Shipway, of Cave Adullam, and Mr. Hawes, engaged. Mr. Kirkness concluded the solemn service over the grave.

On Lord's day, August 31st, 1856, Mr. Kirkness preached the funeral sermon of Mr. Wells at Brunswick Chapel, Mile End Road, from the 57th chapter of Isaiah, 1st verse. He said he had known Mr. Wells more than thirty years; while he was yet very young, he had a most ardent desire to become a preacher of the Gospel. About that time, he had deep and sore conflicts with the great adversary; but, being of a very reserved disposition, he did not tell any one then he was peculiarly favoured with a heavenly mind. Mr. Kirkness said more than once he had seen him called from the pew, to occupy the pulpit, when he had preached with as much readiness and freedom, as if he had received timely notice; so imbued was his whole soul with heavenly things: he was a remarkably happy man; he was a very great lover of the Bible; very peaceful to all men; like the Apostle, worked willingly with his own hands knowing that he had in heaven an enduring substance. He regarded not whatever aspect labour bore, for, during those hours, he held sweet converse with God and Heaven. But he was also remarkable for his great re-word, as to the character of his kingdom," &c. I pass by the ambiguity of this sentence (I' sincerely hope an undesigned one), for it may be did not understand the Lord's Word just as understood to imply that those members who their strict communion brethren did, were not "really sterling men." I would only notice the immodest presumption which charac terises the latter part of the quotation, which nionists do not "understand the Lord's insinuates so broadly that we open commuword " in relation to a point upon which the best and wisest of men have held different opinions.

Mr. Moore continues, "In this cause there have been some really sterling men, whose minds have been led to understand the Lord's

serve. He had many trials, but we heard no. ting of them; many interpositions of Providence, but they are not noted; he had many deliverances, but we hear nothing of them; here he was at fault. As a minister of the Gospel, he was sound, warm, and vigorous to the last; for he loved his Master's work dearly, and ever manifested such contentment in all the movements of his dealings with him, that it is no marvel that he should fall asleep in Jesus, saying, Happy, happy! Happy, happy! This interesting service closed by that beautiful hymn, of which he was very fond:

Mr. Moore goes on to say, "Whatever may have been the notions of others upon these subjects, they, i e. our strict communion friends, have been enabled to measure spiritual things by the measure of the sanctuary, and they have given preference to God's rule

"Vital spark of heavenly flame." And never did hymn suit the departed saint more, or sung with sweeter melody. A CHRISTIAN LADY.

Ross, October 24, 1856.

Mr. J. Moore, in the October number of the
DEAR SIR,-I have just seen a letter from
EARTHEN VESSEL. As it reflects seriously
upon the character and conduct of the
thing of my own), I feel bound to notice it.
church under my pastoral care (to say no-
When you have read my letter, I trust you
will see that, as a matter of mere justice, I
can claim the same publicity for it, which
you have given to his. I am sorry that Mr.
Moore did not make more particular inquiries
before he ventured to write of a distant church
as he has. Our strict communion friends
were as well able as I am to expose the er-
roneousness of some of his statements. I
have repeatedly laid before them the facts of
the case: many of these, indeed, lie within
their own personal knowledge. Mr. Moore
states that the church under my care has
been a Particular Baptist Church "only in
"9
name.' This is a strange misstatement. I
can confidently assert that it is, and has ever
been, a Particular Baptist Church in reli
and not merely in name.

wvwxy,

rent for a long period until it should be settled, and it is still unpaid. Another, when I proposed a person for church fellowship, actually moved an amendment to the effect, "that no additional members be received until the communion question be settled." It is, moreover, incorrect to call the recent decision of the church "a change in its laws." The original law of the church was, as I have proved, that open communion should be allowed; and this law has never been formally repealed.

Mr. Moore says that our " strict friends have been driven from their long-loved home." They withdrew voluntarily, and in opposition to the written opinion of the church, that they might conscientiously remain, and that it was their duty to do so. He adds, "They have fought the battle nobly and unflinch That they fought it unflinchingly I freely admit; but when I remember the insulting language which more than one of them addressed to their pastor in open church meeting, I am forced to question the propriety of the other epithet.

I have felt it my bounden duty to write in this strain, as Mr. Moore's letter appears to me to call for notice and censure, on account of the insinuations and misstatements which it contains. I am, dear sir, yours truly, FREDERICK LEONARD.

Here is an

and measure in these matters."
other insinuation. I beg to assure you and
him that we too endeavour "to measure
spiritual things by the measure of the sanc-
tuary, and give preference to God's rule and
measure in these" and in all "matters." We
are glad to believe that our strict communion
friends are conscientious in maintaining their
peculiar views; that they have a zeal for
God (though we cannot think it is a zeal ac-
cording to knowledge); why cannot Mr.
Moore believe the same of us? We conscien-
tiously believe that the principle of open
communion is in accordance with the will
of God, and of the great Head of the church;
as well as expedient in itself. Is not Mr.
Moore's charity large enough to give us credit
for this? He says that he endeavoured to
show the newly-formed church, "that true
Christian love was first drawn out and mani-ingly."
fested to the great Author of salvation, and
then to his people." I am not aware how he
illustrated this topic. Did he mean to insi-
nuate that ours is a false Christian love because
it is "first drawn out and manifested to
Christ's people, and then to the Saviour? If
so, he has greatly mistaken its character.

To quote again from Mr. Moore's letter,
"The subject of open communion has fol-
lowed 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." Any one of the
friends who have lately left us could have
told Mr. Moore that these statements are in-
accurate. "The subject," preceded the ad
vocacy of all doctrinal views whatsoever. It
is recorded in the church book that on the
very day on which the church was formed,
"with the exception of one individual it was
agreed to admit members of Independent
churches to occasional communion." It is not,
therefore, true that "till recently the ma-
jority were always on the strict side of the
question."

And what does Mr. Moore mean by "the vocacy of loose doctrinal views," which he says preceded many years of recent unhappy debate? He seems to refer to the ministry of the Rev. E. A. Claypole, which

extended from 1828 to 1849. But the statement that Mr. Claypole was an "advocate of loose doctrinal views," is one wholly without foundation, and which Mr. Moore would find it very difficult to prove.

To quote again," However, there has been a change in the ministry, and by a determined effort there is now a change in the law also." Your readers will certainly infer from this language that my predecessors in the pastoral office held on the subject of communion different views from those which I hold. This, however, is not the case. Every one of them was, like myself, an open communionist. They may also infer that the recent decision of the church was mainly brought about by me, or by the open communion members. The fact is, the strict members themselves loudly demanded a settlement of the question. One of them (one of the chief build a good chapel in that new and populous supporters of the place) withheld his pew-neighbourhood.

MR. FLACK'S MINISTRY. ON Tuesday, Nov. 18, a crowded meeting was holden in Dorchester Hall, Mintern-street, in the New North-road, Hoxton, to congratulate Mr. Flack and his friends on the good success the Lord favoured them with in the publication of the Gospel. After tea the meeting was addressed by the pastor Flack and by the brethren Samuel Cozens, P. W. Williamson, Joseph Wilkins, Charles Waters Banks, Dixson, &c., on the Gospel of God. It was a model meeting; the subject was well sustained; the brethren were all in the right spirit. Could such meetings be more frequent, we think, under God, they would revive our drooping churches. Brother Flack is much honoured. We hope God will help them to

HIGH WYCOMBE.

BROTHER CAWSE has received and accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Newland to become their pastor, and has now a threefold settlement-first, in the confidence and affections of the people; secondly, tor's cottage beside the chapel, his address in ministerial usefulness; thirdly, in the pas now being "Mr. Cawse, Baptist Chapel, Newland, High Wycombe, Bucks." This good brother having been brought out of the Congregational infant-sprinkling churches, we hope at his public settlement to have the pleasure of recording the manner by which the Lord led him to unite himself with our despised section of the Church.

A LITTLE CHURCH.

But some years since a Mr. Knott went down as a supply, and although from weighty causes the influential members and deacons could

STURRY, NEAR CANTERBURY, KENT.

not for conscience sake suffer him to remain, he opened another place of meeting, and took away with him about two-thirds of the church and of the congregation. What a scourge for the people of God was this! You will, perhaps, and many of your readers, remember Mr. Knott, as preaching years ago in London, first at Squirries-street, Bethnal Green, and subsequently at Bloomsbury Chapel, Com

MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have long been waiting and hoping to hear from you, but have waited in vain. Your heavy trials and afflictions have laid heavy on my mind, and often have I carried them to a throne of grace, that the Lord would appear for you. Perhaps you thought I was gone home. No, my brother, I am still in the wilderness, in the sorrowful vale with all the trials attendant on so long and painful afflictions. Bad indeed have been my suffer-mercial-road, where Mr. G. Bayfield now sucings: still, as my day my strength has been; cessfully labours. In a town of nearly thirty the visits of his grace are very sweet. This thousand inhabitants, it seems as though betmorning, after waiting upon the Lord with ter things might be hoped for. There are also some sweetness and liberty, this verse came with life and power,some rooms opened by another cluster of friends, also divided off from Providence Chapel. Mr. Gunner was preaching for them on the 26th. With the blessing of God, I should say a powerful and truthful preacher of the Gospel would meet with support.

"Fear not; I am with thee, O, be not dismay'd,

I-I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I will strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

There are several free-will places in the town, both Baptist and Independent; but the flock of slaugliter can only feed upon those very truths, and drink at those waters which such characters defile with their feet.

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."
Then this portion of his holy Word, “As one
whom his mother comforteth, so will I com-
fort you; and you shall be comforted in Je-
rusalem." Bless the Lord, O my soul. I
must tell you a little good news. A strict
Baptist church was formed here in August
by Mr. Gerrard of seven believers; one
added since; and on October 28th, four were
baptized, and last Sabbath were added to the
church: the dear Lord was with them. Two
of them were Brother Fulforth's daughters-
seals and first-fruits of Mr. Hancock's min-
istry; the other two were males to whom the
Word had been much blessed. So the little
band now consists of eleven members and
their pastor. They are dwelling together in
love and unity; the Lord is with them, and
greatly blesses the Word. What hath God
Wrought!
SAMUEL FOSTER.

[This young Mr. Hancock is the immediate descendant of a family greatly honoured of the Lord. The Editor of this magazine first laboured in the same place, and is therefore deeply grateful to find the Lord has raised up another minister to feed the family of Heaven in those parts. We shall ever pray that great peace and real prosperity may with them be found.-—ED.]

CHURCHES IN MAIDSTONE. DEAR FRIEND, I send a few scraps about the cause of God at Maidstone. It is, indeed, very low there, and that, as it appears, through strife and division. I spoke for the friends at Providence Chapel, Moat Road, on Lord's day, October 26th, but the place was so very thinly attended, and produced within me such a heavy depression of spirits, that it was with difficulty I got through the day. There are evidently some few gracious souls connected with that place, and the Word seemed to fall acceptably upon their souls. But the cause is evidently under a cloud; but perhaps some day they may prove the poet's words true,"Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraw." Mr. Leader, Mr. Dappel, and Mr. Slim have each in turn been pastors over this church. It has in past years known much prosperity.

I hope next month to send you a lengthened review of the cause of truth in John Bunyan's old town, if you think it will be acceptable to the church of God.

JOSEPH PALMER. 8, Cranbourn-street, Leicester-square.

THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE. A LARGE and very pleasant meeting was holden in "Zion," Goldington Crescent, Old St. Pancras Road, on Monday, Nov. 10th. Mr. James Nunn, the pastor, presided. Mr. Marks, the worthy and indefatigable deacon, gave a cheerful and interesting report of the progress of the cause during the past six months. That chapel had been built and opened six years. It cost 14001. As near as possible, they had paid off 100l. per annum, besides all other expenses, the pastor's provision included, and the maintenance of a good Sunday school. Even during the last six months, near fifty pounds had been contributed toward the building fund. A steady onward course had been pursued; the Gospel had been faithfully, experimentally, and successfully preached, and Mr. Marks hoped they should live to see the whole debt cleared off. C. W. Banks said it was his privilege to preach one of the sermons at the opening of that chapel. The text was Zech. viii. 12:—“The seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things." He said, "The report brother Marks had given of the six years they had been in that place fully convinced him, that those precious promises had been fully verified in the work of the ministry, in the experience of the people, and in the success of the cause." He said, "One of the names given to Jerusalem-Aholibah-which is translated- My tent and my tabernacle is in her,'-seemed to him to represent Mr. Nunn's position. In that sacred enclosure

BETHESDA CHAPEL, IPSWICH.
ON Lord's day, November 6th, the ordi-
nance of baptism was administered to six per-
sons, by T. Poock, in Bethesda Chapel, Ips-
wich; on which occasion he preached from
Col. ii. 12, to a large and attentive congrega
tion. The candidates were truly and bless
edly helped to enjoy the presence and power
of their Lord in his own appointed way. Per-
haps not very frequently is seen a more af-
fecting sight. One of the candidates had her
aged ungodly parents, who, having heard,
came from a distance to see their daughter
go through the ordinance. Mr. Poock ad-
dressed them in a very touching way, with
their daughter's hand in his from the head of
the baptistery; the poor old man and woman
hung their heads and appeared somewhat af
fected. O that our God may overrule it for
his glory in calling them from sin, and quicken
them to life. And one other came willingly
forth, trembling and crying as though his
heart would burst. This man had been a
cruel drunken husband, who had gone on to
such lengths of iniquity, that he appeared to
have had a legion of devils in him; and one
night he went home tempted to murder his
wife and dear children, and just as his door.
was opened the God of Heaven suddenly
ordina-alarmed his guilty conscience, to feel the evil
of his sin, when, instead of committing the
horrid act of fourfold murder, he falls at once
against the door, and for the first time prays;
"God be merciful to me, and bless my wife
and my dear children." For some time he
laboured under a dreadful state of mind, but
has found mercy; left off drinking for years
anything but tea and water, and God made
him a blessing to her he was tempted to mur
der. They both bend at the same family
altar, were baptized the same day, and are
both members of the same church. Halle-
lujah!

wherein Zion" stands, is both his 'tent,' for rest and refreshing, and his tabernacle for worship. Mr. Nunn was something like the harvestman, who, after hard toil, retired to rejoice with the joy of harvest. The joy of harvest was said to be threefold:-a joy of safety-the crops gathered in; a joy of sufficiency-enough to meet all demands; a joy of satisfaction. When a man realises the fruit of his labours to the content of his heart, he can then rejoice. So the Christian: when sheltered in Christ he is safe; when he views by faith the fulness of Christ, he discovers a sufficiency for all his needs; and when he goes into the tabernacle, eats the shrewbread, holds communion with God at the mercy seat, and is enlightened into all the glorious mysteries of the kingdom of grace, then he is satisfied." Mr. Jenkins delivered a stirring address on the privileges of a faithful Gospel ministry. Messrs. Thomas Attwood, Firman, and Searle were present, and took part in the meeting, and the choir sang several beautiful pieces, which added greatly to the sacred pleasures of the evening.

HOXTON TABERNACLE.

ON Sabbath day, Sept. 27th, the seventh annual services commemorative of the tion of Mr. J. P. Searle were held in the above chapel. The pastor preached as usual, though labouring under severe indisposition. On the following Monday the annual tea and public meeting was held, which was numerously attended, the proceeds of which, with the subscription made by the church and congregation, were given to the pastor as the annual token of love and esteem for his work's sake.

The meeting was effectively addressed by our old, tried, and constant friend, Brother Thomas Jones, in one of his cheerful speeches, by Brother Jenkins, Brother Nunn, and others.

Mr. Counsellor Payne favoured us with his company, and gave us a most appropriate and telling address, founded on the words of an old harvest narrative, which he adapted to the seven years' pastoral labour which we were that night met to commemorate, alluding most sweetly to the continued progress of the work, in which he showed we had ploughed well in the conversion of sinners, sowed well the good old doctrines of our holy fat, reaped well the old corn or tried saints, or else they would not have Continued with us, mown well the grass or feeble ones, carried well those who had continued with us till death, housed well at last in the heavenly garner above. Thus he showed that God had not permitted one load of his own wheat to be overthrown, but watched over his own work, sending fruitful showers and ripening sun. Like Barnabas," he was glad when he came and saw the work of the Lord," and exhorted us all with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, saying we had indeed cause to sing the "Harvest-home," which he prayed we might all do in the final harvest of the resurrection. Our anniversary services terminated with two good sermons preached by our friend C. H. Spurgeon:From a Correspondent.

ORDINATION OF MR. HENRY LAST. ON October 3rd, 1856, the ordination of Mr. Henry Last over the Baptist church at Waldingfield, Suffolk, took place. Mr. Poock, of Ipswich, stated the nature of a gospel church, taking Acts xiv. 23, as the ground of his remarks. His statements were to the point-clear, honest, and faithful. He then called upon Mr. Last solemnly and truly, as in the sight of the Lord, and in the hear ing of the assembled church of God, to give an honest account of his call by grace, his call to the ministry, especially his call to that place in particular, his views of divine truth, what doctrines he had preached, and what, by divine help, he intended to preach. Mr. Last rose up, evidently impressed with the solemn importance of his position, and gave a very simple, truthful, unvarnished, satisfactory account of the Lord's mercy and goodness to him, and by him, that warmed our souls most blessedly. The senior deacon told the dealings of God to them as a church, and how sa tisfied they were the Lord had sent brother Last to them. Mr. Poock called upon the church to confirm their call by holding up their right hands, upon the deacon to give the right hand to Mr. Last, upon Mr. Last to

AND CHRISTIAN RECORD.

DECEMBER 1, 1856.]

do so to the deacon, and to brother Felton to give his in token of recognising Mr. Last as a brother in the Lord, and a fellow-labourer in the Gospel, which he most affectionately did. Mr. Poock declared his own feelings, gave a congratulatory short address, and concluded by solemn prayer.

Brother Felton, of Zoar Chapel, Ipswich, prayed most ardently in the afternoon, and gave a charge to our brother Last worthy of being in print, from 2 Tim. iv. 2, "Preach the word." He pointed out his work as to matter and manner, encouragement and discouragement, dwelling clearly upon the blessedness of preaching Christ, the Word, in all the will, work, and way of God's salvation to us poor sinners; his very heart appeared to be affectionately engaged for the glory of his Master, and for the good of his cause.

In the evening brother Large read and prayed; brother Collins was expected, but illness prevented, so brother Poock gave the people a charge from Deut. i. 38, "Encourage him." The congregation was good, solemnly attentive, the sermon was weighty, and we doubt not the blessing of God will crown the services of that day. May every blessing rest upon our brother, upon his labours, and upon the church at Waldingfield. Amen!

6

with motives of mischievous malignity;' speaks of the tiny-headed arrow of strict communion;' snarls in contemptuous mockery at a letter of remonstrance; and in a previous article, we find him baptizing, or rather aspersing, the City Press, 1, Long-lane, London, by the dyslogistic name of the headquarters of Antinomianism !'

These few words are sufficient to show what kind of charity and sympathy we may look for from that section of the professing world represented by the Patriot. We hardly think there is another section of the Christian community so deeply persecuted as the Particular Baptist Church. Surely this is no bad sign?

THE STRICT BAPTIST SOCIETY, FOR PROMOTING THE DOCTRINES, PRECEPTS, AND ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL.

SUCH is the name of a new effort to concentrate ministerial power and influence for the furtherance of the truth as it is in Jesus; at least, so it is declared; but we are not yet in a position to venture anything more than We observe Mr. Thomas a passing notice. Jones is the corresponding secretary; and in his heart, head, and hands, we have confidence. A man so disposed to do good to Zion is not to be found every day. We hope he will see more prosperity in connection with this effort than he has been favoured with in

vious associations.

DEATH OF MRS. ANN BRASSINGTON. FELL asleep in Jesus, on Lord's day, Oct. 19th, at the good old age of ninety years, Ann Brassington, of 9, York-street, City-road, member of the Church of Christ meeting for the worship of God in Mount Zion Chapel, Chadwell-street, Clerkenwell. She was a living witness of the faithfulness of her covenant God in Christ, in whom she had been brought to trust for more than half a century, a tree of the Lord's right-hand planting, rooted and grounded in love, and evidenced by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God. She was a hoper in the dear Redeemer, lived upon Him, fell asleep in Him, and now is for ever satisfied, being with Him and like Him.

Her mortal remains were deposited in the silent tomb at Abney-park Cemetery on Tuesday, October 28, in the presence of a great many interested spectators and friends; upon which occasion her pastor, Mr. Hazelton, addressed the friends from the appropriate words, "Sleep in Jesus,"-three words, but a volume in them. First, the precious name of Jesus to the true believer; secondly, the blessedness of union to Him; and, thirdly, the glorious effects-"they sleep in Him until the resurrection morn.' On Lord's-day evening, November 2, Mr. pre-Hazelton improved the solemn event by preaching to a large congregation from the words chosen by our aged friend in Psalm cxvi. 7:-" Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." He spoke sweetly and experimentally, first, of the glorious and only rest of the quickened soul-the person, work, blood, and righteousness of the great Son of God; secondly, the ardent desire of the true Christian expressed-"Return unto thy rest;" thirdly, the argument used" for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee."

The society is but in its infancy; young as it is, a wild Hare has made a fierce attack upon it. The noble secretary beat off the animal; and Mr. Palmer has attended to its wounds. And in two letters, published in his pamphlet entitled," Protesters and PeaceMakers," we plainly perceive that the attack referred to has been considered in a very serious light. One or two sentences rather rudely torn out of Mr. Palmer's letters will give our distant friends an idea of the unhappy attempt made by the Patriot to cast contempt upon the new society. Mr. Palmer, writing to the editor respecting the editor's animadversions, says,

Thus aged saints, matured by grace, are being transplanted from this little garden of the Lord to bloom immortally where everlasting spring abides; but thanks to his holy

"Now for his articles on the Soho meeting, held by the Strict Baptists.' They, and par-name, He is bringing others in and watering a the seed sown, making it productive to our ticularly their ministers, are described as very peculiar class,' but of utter insignificance; souls' welfare and his own eternal praise. sneered at as the little knot;' contemned as 'nameless inventors; stigmatized as 'a Society of Baptist Stokers;' branded as 'incen-lived that I should not be afraid to die; but diaries; accused of 'concocting a plot;' and this I can say, I have so learned Christ that brutalised by the compound epithet of Soho I am not afraid to die.-Stephen Marshall, Pursuers. The same journal charges them Puritan.

FEAR OF DEATH.-I cannot say I have so