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years, Margaret, widow of the late Mr. Richd. Howard, of the above place (who died in May last). She was esteemed by many, and was a sincere lover of the truth as it is in Jesus. She had, during her life, been the subject of much darkness and bondage, and knew well what it was "to groan, being burdened;" but in prospect of her approaching end, she could say, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, and thy (pastoral) rod and thy staff (of promise) they comfort me." 23rd Psalm, 4th verse. When asked if she was longing to dwell with Jesus, she said with emphasis, "Yes, for my soul doth wait for the Lord and in his word do I hope." On the 130th Psalm being read to her she remarked, "That is just where I am." Truly her standing was upon the Rock of ages Christ Jesus her Lord. She breathed her last without a sigh or groan. "Blessed are the

dead that die in the Lord."

Her mortal remains were interred on the 8th in the same vault with her beloved partner, at Norwood Cemetery, when Mr. J. Wells of the Surrey Tabernaele, made a most solemn and appropriate address, as also some weighty and experimental remarks on the following Lord's-day evening, founded on the 7th verse of the 130th Psalm. We may say of them as it is said of Saul and Jonathan, "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided." 2 Samuel chapter i. 23rd verse.

THE GOSPEL TELEGRAPH BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AMERICA.

WORKED BY ISAAC COMFORT.

MY DEAR BROTHER. In the immutable ties of that covenant ordered in all things and sure: I greet you, and pray the God of all mercy to bless and prosper you abundantly, so that your soul may be in health, and prosper; your heart warmed with live coals from off the altar-flame beneath the softening, precious influence of the Holy Ghost. So that your heart, in very deed, may be both manifestively and experimentally, the temple of the Eternal Three, the everlasting Rock, sure Refuge and never-failing defence of the weary, heavy laden, buffetted, and temptest-tossed family.

feel, of His greatness, but as a drop to the
ocean, an atom to infinity, a taper to the sun,
or a transient ray, compared with "the glory
that shall be revealed in us, when Christ who
is our life, shall appear, and we shall be like
him; for we shall see him as He is." It
makes my very heart leap for joy, so that with
dear Kent I am constrained to sing,
"My soul anticipates the day,

Would stretch her wings and soar away,
To aid the song, a palm to bear,

And bow the chief of sinners there."
Fly on! fly on! ye lagging moments, and
bring the longed for hour, when I shall realize
the satisfaction spoken of in Psalm xvii. 15.
Yet, content to wait my precious Jesu's time,
for that is well and must be best.

Oh, my brother, you know something of "His way being in the sea, and his footsteps in the great waters." Yet he hath not forsaken you. No, nor never will. For he says, The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but his kindness he will not take from his people, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail."

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Cheer up, then; you need not fear any stress upon this anchor, it is unchanging and unchanged; here, too, is plenty of cable to run out as far as the utmost bounds of the necessities, wants, woes, or fears. Ah! thy heights and depths of everlasting love! how sweet, how precious, and satisfying; no repast on earth, or of earthly things, can be compared with it. It is great, rich, large, free, full, everlasting, eternal, unchanged, and unchanging, and to feel its sacred cords not only drawing forth but binding our hearts to Jesus (our Jesus) in whom it shines-through whom it flows-and by whose promised Comforter (the Holy Ghost) we have been taught it, is precious indeed.

True, we are not yet free from the wilderness of its cares; but this incomparable love of our covenant God raises us above them, and sanctifies them to us, so that we cannot only bless him for his smiles, but for our afflictions also. How these things endear our once suffering Head and Lord! Who can be compared with him? Nothing! no, nothing: the sun is dark, the moon dim, and the sparkling stars fade, and loose their lustre, when he by whom they were made shows himself, and his love in bleeding, suffering, and dying for our sin, guilt, shame, to put it all away; so, that if sought for, he says, "they shall not be found." Praise him, praise him; yes, for ever praise him! we must, we will! Eternity will be too short to tell out one half of his worth, his beauty, or his love; for it is like himself "unsearchable." (Eph. ii. 17-20.)

I thank you for your kind remembrance of me, and was glad to hear of your spiritual welfare; likewise to see the kind supporting arm of our Covenant God beneath you. Your cup has indeed been full, and the draught very bitter to flesh and reason. Yet, faith can say, "It is well." So that afflictions, in His dear and compassionate hand, work for good. It must be so, for He himself declares, and has determined they should, neither can sin, satan, or the world alter it. No! no! Well, my brother, may the God of all grace "My counsel," says our God, "shall stand, cause the precious drops of his love to water and I will do all my pleasure." Oh! what your soul abundantly; then, indeed, will you majesty attends His words, or rather is attend-be rich, happy and blessed. I often sigh for ant upon them.

Yes, His power and love can warm your heart in America, and mine in England. "Who is a God like unto our God? excellent in power, fearful in praises, doing wonders." And what is all we have seen, or may see, or

closer conformity to the image of my lowly Lord. Oh! yes; "that I may know him," suits me for an every day errand to the throne. And I believe my God will hear my cry, and in his own time also graciously answer, notwithstanding the formidable array of foes. Ah,

in myself I might fear, but with my Captain's victory, obedience, and blood, whom shall I fear? For he hath spoiled principalities, and powers, and made a show of them openly; the Holy Ghost takes of these realitics, and reveals them to the election of grace, as done for and on their behalf. Truly the apostle might well cry out in the apprehension of these superlative riches, "I'm full and have need of nothing!" Yes, these are indeed durable riches, in the possession of these we need not fear either want or loss, for they are inexhaustible and unlooseable. Oh, we never shall be able to say we live up to, or beyond, our spiritual wealth or inheritance in Christ, for they are unsearchable, Eph. iii. 6.

I am happy to hear you are favoured with the means of grace, likewise that you find it good to wait upon the Lord, and would say, "Wait my brother, wait upon the Lord, for none ever waited upon him in vain.

We are, as a church, going on much as usual, having had one or two additions to number since you left; and I trust the Lord is still owning his own truth. Mrs.

is dead and buried about three months since. (This reminds me of what the Lord saysVengeance is mine," &c.) Her poor miserable husband is spared still. O may grace touch his heart! Would it not be a miracle of mercy? Old Mrs. T. is still this side Jordan, only waiting the summons, "Come up higher.' It will be a sweet exchange for her -dear old saint! Likewise B. F. is in the same posture, longing to wing her way to the realms where sorrow is banished, and pain unknown.

Thus you will see, some of the shocks are fast ripening for harvest; and what a harvest it will be, when all the wheat is gathered into Jesus' garner, without a single grain of tare or darnel among the whole! Well might Watts sing

"O glorious hour! O blest abode !

I shall be near, and like my God! And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of my soul !" Friends R., M., L., and wives, &c., &c., send their Christian love to you and Mrs. B. Miss S. has entered into the joy of her Lord.

You will perceive from the above, we are still surrounded with changes; but the God in whom we trust, knows no change, but everlastingly was, is, and will be. Solid Rock this, my brother! no fear of sinking, decaying, or destruction, while Malachi 1st and 6th stand on record; so that while he lives, we must; (John x. 26); and while he wills, we shall (John xvii. 24). They are welcome, that like, to measure Jehovah's love by frames and feelings; I would prefer, and am determined, the Lord being my Helper, to compute it only by its Author. You request my thoughts upon the subject of knowledge in heaven. One must suffice; -it being among the hidden things. I do not apprehend our knowledge as creatures will be more contracted there than here; but one only object will there, I am satisfied, engross our affections, and be the supreme source of infinite and inconceivable delight and satisfaction; and that Object, the Lamb

in the midst of the throne; the ever-rising Spring, and flowing Ocean without an ebb, of infinite, eternal and unsullied bliss. And shall we want more? No! heaven contains no more; the Father could give no more; and the Holy Ghost reveal no more; Christ All in all suffices the church here, and depend upon it, it will suffice her hereafter.

But I must draw to a close, or I shall tire you with my scrawl. Through mercy, we are as a family well. O Lord, help us to watch thy hand, and give us a grateful heart for all mercies, to the present momont. Mrs. Comfort unites with myself and family in love to you and Mrs. B., together with your son and daughter.

And now, my brother, though we may never meet more this side eternity, yet, with the hope and prospect of meeting on the other, where adieus and farewells, sorrow, sighing, pain, woe, sin and grief are not, nor ever will be known, I now bid you farewell, in the language of Ephesians iii. 20, 21, and subscribe myself, your's affectionately in Christ Jesus, ISAAC COMFORT.

4, Peter Street, Yeovil, January 31st.

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L et legions marshalled, on the field appear,
Elisha's God will still be with thee there.
O fttimes, thy hands, like Moses's may drop,
N or Aaron's help, with Hur's, can hold them
E ternal power shall then be thy support. [up,
Goliath may in threat'ning posture stand;
O ne stone from Zion's brook shall slay the man.
O ft Agag's, delicate, will whining, cry-
Now bitter death is past, I shall not die:
I ncline not to such charitable' fools, [souls.
No, though they tell you, that they care for
'T is 'mystery,' 'iniquity,' upon their foreheads
writ;

He who hath made, appoints them to the pit,
E ternal truth declares, and none can alter it.
N imrods may hunt, and far pursue the prize,
A ppear, through swiftness, many to surprise,
Make haste, but little speed, from wrath to come;
E ach step they take, declares, from truth

they're gone.

Opinions, floating in the brains of some, [gone.
Fill them with pride, but bursting, they are
T is not to might, nor power, nor eloquence,
Heaven's King is pleas'd to give the recom
E ternal sov' reignty his right maintains. [pence;
L ift up thy sword, then, "Little One," and cry
Onward, ye hosts, and conquer, though ye die,
Raise high the standard, yea, the truth unfold;
D read not thy foes, Christ has o'ercome the
world.
D. PEGG, Claxton.

OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES.

ANNIVERSARY OF MR. J. E. BLOOMFIELD'S PASTORATE AT SALEM CHAPEL, MEAD'S COURT, SOHO.

THE fourth anniversary of Mr. John E., not only must we love all, but we must regard Bloomfield's pastorate in the above place was celebrated on Tuesday, February 5th, 1856. At five o'clock about four hundred friends partook of tea in the chapel; after which a meeting was held, at which the pastor pre

sided.

In opening he expressed his gratitude and thankfulness to Almighty God for the blessings and mercies vouchsafed unto himself and the church during the four years of his pastorate. He had received into the church during that time two hundred members, fifty of whom had been admitted during the past year; and they had further cause for thankfulness, that during the past year not a single discordant note had jarred the harmony and peace of the whole church; and expressed a hope that that year was but a sample and harbinger of those to come.

Mr. GEORGE WYARD addressed the meeting on

THE OBLIGATIONS OF CHURCH

MEMBERSHIP;

Such say

those who stand in office; for if they are fitted to fulfil the position in which you as a church have placed them, then they are entitled to that respect and confidence which their office merits, but if they appear unfitted, and forfeit your confidence, then I say it is your place to put them out of that office. If they are wrong, they should submit to your decision, and if there be nothing wrong, they will court examination. Farther, there are obligations binding on all members of churches-especially to attend regularly at that place and with that people with whom they are identified,-1st, when there is a gathering together for the public worship of God; 2nd, when there is a gathering together for prayer; 3rd, in gathering together to attend to the internal affairs of the church. Each has a peculiar importance attached to it. So oft as there is a gathering together, let it be for what purpose it may, you are each and all bound to attend, unless circumstances over which you have no control, prevent you. If the glory of God, and the good of His church, be your object, never say, of which the following is a brief outline:- Oh, its only a prayer meeting." After some introductory remarks, the speaker ings are far beneath the position you have assaid-There are in the church of Christ the sumed. Whensoever the doors are open, Sunoffices of deacons and pastor-I know of no day or week day, (unless business prevent others; while the body is composed of a num-you) be you there. For if one is at liberty to ber of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in truth, who are bound to love one another, though they may belong to different sections of the church of Christ. I grant you that you may love some more than others; indeed some individuals it appears difficult to love at all: and if we do love them it is just where God loved them in Christ. Sometimes we perceive traits in their character so opposed to the truth as it is in Jesusthat, although we believe they will go to heaven, we are inclined to say, "You may go by yourself; we hope to meet you at the end of the journey, where all differences will be put aside." But while we are under an obligation to love all Christians, we are under especial obligation to love those of our own body; not simply in word, but in deed and in truth-at all times, and under all circumstances; to shew towards them sympathy, pity, kindness, help-to "rejoice with those that do rejoice," and to "weep with those that weep." There are certain members who are differently situated to others-they are not so respectable: and consequently there is a degree of diffidence in approaching those who are above them in the world's estimation; yet some special Providence may occur to raise that brother out of his poverty, and he that is in affluence may suddenly be brought down to poverty, for of a truth it is written, "We know not what a day may bring forth." And

stay away, all are at liberty to stay away. Concerning church meetings much has been said-both for and against. Some have said they should only be held once a quarter, but if you admit the principle, why not once a week, or as often as circumstances make them really needful; and supposing a time is appointed, then and there you should be in your place; but if you are too indifferent to be present, pray do not have anything to say about what was done-be silent; for he who is too indolent to attend, must be too ignorant to judge. Some complain that they don't know the members of the church. Why is it? Because you do not attend when you should; and to those who wilfully neglect the ordinances of God's house, a day of reckoning will come. There is no holier or happier state on earth, than a church state. And while it is binding on all members to attend, it is also binding on them to assist in the support of the cause; and to uphold the pastor's hands. When instead of cheerfulness, you see gloom depicted in your pastor's countenance, endeavour to make yourself acquainted with the cause; for if he is downcast you may conclude there is something wrong. See to it, therefore, whether you may not remove the cause, and the effect will cease; else we may hear you saying, "Ah! I don't hear my pastor now." Why? Because you offered up no prayer on his behalf; and you are irregular in your attend

ance: and so circumstances compel the pastor | theory on several grounds: First, because it to rend himself from his people. Therefore, rests for support, almost entirely upon one or be prayerful and uniform in your attendance; so you may preserve him where and what he is. Farther, it is binding on all churches, not only to pray for the pastor, and give your attendance, but give of your property also. The apostle Paul says, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things ?" We must remember that the pastor must live as others, and expenses must be paid; and we are each under obligation to bestow our quota. Many other things, might be adverted to; but I do not feel quite at liberty to enter into them. Live as brethren, be faithful, for Christ's sake. Amen.

Mr. WILLIAM PALMER, of Homerton Row, next spoke to the meeting, having for his subject

THE

MILLENIUM:

IS IT A VISIBLE OR SPIRITUAL REIGN?

This is a question upon which nearly all the intelligence of the age has been concentrated, and no small amount of criticism expended. Will the period referred to, be characterized by the descent and residence of Christ, in visible humanity, or will it be as now, a spiritual reign? I may just remark that the word millennium signifies a thousand, and in its connexion with years, it means a thousand years. But whether this number be literal, mystical, or prophetical, is matter of great controversy. Hence some refer it to the ministry of Christ; some to the ministry of the apostles; some to the whole gospel dispensation; some to the last thousand years of the gospel ministry; some to a new dispensation which is to follow this, and continue till the end of the world; and some to a dispensation which is to commence after the dissolution of the present earth. Persons who believe in the visible appearance of Christ, at the commencement of this era, are termed pre-Millennarians; while those who suppose he will come at the end of a spiritual reign, are designated post-Millennarians. From these brief remarks, you will observe the subject to be a fruitful one, and the several systems to be marked by differences of great magnitude, the comparative merits of which it is not my province now to examine. Modern pre-Millennarianism I hold to be a delusion; but it is not my intention to utter any offensive remarks towards those who think otherwise, holding, as I do, that all have a right to form their own opinions; and that however far they differ from me, I differ as far from them, the line being the same length, measure from which end of it you may. While, however, I accord to the right of private judgment, I cannot cherish as certainly true the visible descent of Christ to this material earth, for the purpose of setting up a politico-ecclesiastical rule-taking up his abode at some central spot-some say at Jerusalem; the Millerites fixed upon one of the United States; Joseph Smith elected Kirtland, and afterwards Narvoo; while President Brigham is clear upon the Salt Lake. Now I object to this

two solitary portions of Scripture, and these occurring in a book filled with highly-wrought imagery, of confessedly difficult interpretation. A book of symbols in fact, the exact import of which has never been ascertained, from the explanation of which, the most learned and devout have instinctively shrunk, and which even Luther at one time discarded from the cannon of inspiration. I allude to the Apocalypse; and to that part of it which depicts "the first resurrection;" a resurrection which our pre-millennial friends understand literally, and which is made to comprehend all the elect up to that period, or all the martyrs, or some of the martyrs only, for herein they differ widely. For the sake of brevity, I shall remark that this first resurrection is not the resurrection taught by Christ and his apostles:Not by Christ; for according to his teaching, "All that are in the graves shall hear his voice," at the same time, or in that "hour," "and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." Here the resurrection is represented as one event, and as comprehending all mankind. The same doctrine is taught in the parable of the tares, and of the net, and of the Shepherd dividing his sheep from the goats. Nor is it the resurrection announced to the Corinthians; for that comprehends all that are in Christ as a head; whereas the pre-millennial resurrection takes in at most only the elect up to that period, after which the world is to be converted by Christ, and continue a thousand years-during which period more conversions are to take place than in all the previous history of mankind. Nor is it the resurrection described to the Thessalonians, for then "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God," by which is meant not a providential visitation, but a final recording. Again; the resurrection of the just is said to take place at the last day, and at the last trumpet sound; but according to pre-Millennarianism, there must be two last days, and two last trumpet sounds! "He that hath ears to hear let him hear." Now, where the literal and the figurative disagree, either the literal must rule the figurative, or the figurative must rule the literal. If the former, pre-Millennarianism is doomed; if the latter, then have we no "sure word of prophecy to which we do well to take heed." But the first resurrection is clearly figurative. It is a vision; and the ground of the scene is the Roman Empire. The period of its history reaches from the commencement of the Christian era to the subversion of Imperial Rome. But the first resurrection is yet future, and, therefore, cannot be literal. But if not literal it must be figurative. And if figurative it must be the resurrection of a party previously depressed. Now this has always been the case with the Church of Christ. But so it shall not always be. The church shall be the majority; and the present majority become the minority.

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Power and prudence shall thus change hands; Again: I have theological objections. The and what shall the change be "but life from system I am now combatting interferes with the dead?" This is the "first resurrection." the whole compass of doctrinal truth. It igAnd the second is like unto it; thus pre-nores, for example, the kingly authority and serving the theory of correspondence, so dear rule of Christ. Last Tuesday evening, I attended to our pre-millennial brethren. For the rest a lecture, entitled, The Misunderstood of the dead-the remnant, or remaining part Prayer-Thy Kingdom Come;" which the of the dead party, live not again till the thou- lecturer explained of the millennial reign; sand years are expired, when Satan is loosed maintaining that the kingdom of God was not for a little season, deceives the nations, and the gospel, nor the church, nor anything else the end of the world ensues. That the resur- short of the millennial reign. But when Jesus rection under notice is a figurative one seems began preaching, he said, "The kingdom of plain. The angel, the key, the chain, the God is at hand.' John did the same. And seal, the abyss, the physical contact, were all what was at hand two thousand years ago, can figurative. Besides, John saw the souls, not hardly be yet future. Paul told the Collosthe bodies of them that had been slain, of sians God had "translated them into the whom "the first resurrection" consisted. Such kingdom of his dear Son." Now if Jesus a figurative representation is common both in Christ had not then a kingdom, how could the the Old and New Testaments, in secular Collossians have been translated into it? history, and in common discourse. I am How could any one? And how could the aware our friends are great sticklers for the same apostle have said, "Wherefore we, re"literal sense." They turn poetry into prose, ceiving a kingdom that cannot be moved, let and heaven into earth, for a "literal sense.' us have grace, whereby we may serve God But will they tell us what they mean by a acceptably with reverence and godly fear." literal sense? Are they agreed among themselves on that point? Is there a single writer among them, who abides by the literal sense, or who is consistent with himself? There are passages of Scripture possessing much force and beauty when interpreted spiritually, which not only lose all their excellency when interpreted literally, but which breed confusion in the sacred oracles, and set even inspired penmen together by the ears. For instance, I read in Genesis "While the earth remain. eth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease;" but in the millennium it is said, "there shall be no night there." Of the same period it is said, "The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it," "Neither shall the sun light upon them, nor any heat;" whereas, Isaiah saith, "The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days." In John's millennium, as explained by our brethren, "there was no more sea; but Zechariah says, "Living waters shall go forth from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea.' John says, "There shall be no more death;" yet Isaiah says, "The child shall die an hundred years old." Again, I read, "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself." But in Ezekiel's vision, which our brethren say beautifully describes the millennium, it is expressly said, one of the gates of the temple shall be open on the day of the new moon; and on the new moons, sacrifices shall be offered. Now when has the moon withdrawn itself? Why, precisely at the time when the new moon begins! Interpret these passages literally; and see the consequence: the laws of nature are reversed, the ordinances of heaven are changed, if not destroyed; apostles contradict the prophets, and the prophets contradict one another, and themselves too. So that by literal interpretation the pre-millennial theory stands utterly condemned.

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It is argued, by pre-Millennarians, that the present dispensation is merely an introductory one. Paul, however, said it could not be "moved," for it remained after heaven and earth had been shaken. Again, we are reminded that the present dispensation has been tried and has failed-that the present class of agents-the existing order of things as ordained of God, though sufficient for the elect, are incompetent to the salvation of the world. It might suffice, one would think, simply to inquire, is the gospel designed to save more than the elect? Did Christ expect to save all mankind by the foolishness of preaching? If the gospel was designed to convert the world to Christ,-to save all the elect, and all the rest who are blinded,-if, I say, this was its mission, why then it has failed-grievously, and ignominiously failed. There is no concealing the fact. Nor is this attempted. Indeed it is made the basis of an argument; for say they, it is in consequence of this failure that a new dispensation is required-that Christ must appear in visible humanity and convert the world himself. This is the pith and sinew of their cause. They assume the world is to be converted to Christ; the gospel is unequal to a mission of this magnitude; therefore, the visible reign of Christ is a necessity. These assumptions involve grave considerations, and under pre-millennarianism a question of vital importance: a question which will probably divide the churches as Fullerism did some fifty years since. Christian brethren, bear in mind the Saviour you love will come again, but not in the way and manner described by pre-Millennialists. The Saviour reigns now: Personally, Sovereignly, Efficiently. We have the "Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one." These are to continue till "the end of the world," up to which consummation Jesus says, Lo, I am with you alway." If you stake the success of the gospel on human agency, you err, knowing neither the Scriptures nor the power of God; and you will witness failure, lamentable failure, and nothing

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