cally an act of faith. Faith in the promise ordinance in one act of their lives, and then of God puts to silence the rebellious feeling of practically belie their convictions all their the heart. After a long exposition, singing days. They shrunk from such a mean and and prayer, Mr. Bloomfield read his text from truckling abuse of truth, and resolved by Dithe 45th Psalm, 13. "The King's daughter vine help to practise no sham, but stand tois all glorious within-her clothing is of gether in the good old paths, however few wrought gold." He said, it had been said their number. Two other members of the there will be but one man, and one woman in church came into agreement with them, and heaven, which at first sight appears limited the five made application to be dismissed on and untruthful; but in looking rightly and the ground of their change of views. As a clearly into the subject, it is not so. The man sample of Christian courtesy and good feeling, is the Man Christ Jesus and the woman is seldom witnessed under such circumstances, the bride, the Lamb's wife, which is his body we give the letter sent to them by their quonthe church, the whole election of grace as one dam associates :in him, and one with him, to all eternity. He spake of the inward glory in such a blessed manner as, methinks, I could have sat all night to have heard him. Many felt it to be a good day indeed. Very solemn did the man of God speak at the close. "Fifty years" he said "has this cause stood; being preserved by the God of truth. How few are here now who were there at the erection of this chapel; they are gone into the world of spirits. Some of which are inhabiting a house not made with hands. How few that are now present will live to see another jubilee in this place. Another fifty years many of you will never see. A hymn was sung and the good man concluded by prayer. L. Z. Beside the above interesting letter, we are favoured with a copy of a neat pamphlet just written by our Christian and ministerial brother, Thomas Jones, of Dacre Park, Blackheath, entitled"Jubilee Jottings. A Retrospect of the Past. An Ebenezer of Praise. Passages in the History of the Baptist Church at Sible Hedingham, Essex." The profits of this little fourpenny book (if there be any) are to be given to the Sunday-school connected with the chapel; and as it is a most pleasing and instructive narrative, we expect it will circulate far and near. The author has given us full permission to use as much of it as we can; we therefore connect with our report of the jubilee services a few extracts from the church's history. The following paragraphs carry us back to the circumstances that led to the formation of a Baptist Church in this rural part of Essex. Mr. Jones says :"It was about the beginning of the present century that three persons, members of the Independent Church at Castle Hedingham, by reading the Scriptures, were convinced of the duty of believers' baptism; and having frequently met together to pray for direction, saw the impropriety of living in the neglect of that ordinance. It was suggested to them that they could go and be baptised without leav. ing the church to which they belonged. They were attached to their brethren, and could not lightly withdraw from them; but they felt it would be inconsistent of them to observe the "This is to certify that Ed. Elliston, Daniel Hurrell, William Scandrett, Benjamin Nott, and Samuel Nott, are hereby dismissed from their connection with the Church of Christ assembling for Divine worship in the Large Meeting, in Castle Hedingham. And in thus dismissing them from our communion, we do most fervently pour forth our supplications to the God of all grace, that he may most abundantly bless whatsoever means they may see it their duty to attend upon; that they may all experience a growing conformity to the image of his Son, and hereafter join us in communion with the church triumphant in glory. (Signed) 666 "ROBERT STEVENSON, Pastor. "Castle Hedingham, Feb. 21, 1801.' "The above letter reflects honour on both parties, and might furnish a lesson to those who think division on conscientious principles must be marked with an entire disregard of good manners and Christian charity." In the village of Erls Coln, at that time, Mr. Pudney was pastor over a Baptist Church; and thither went the Hedingham friends to hear the gospel, and to worship the Lord. Others were induced to unite with them; until, as the writer of "Jubilee Jottings" records : "After many prayers and consultations, eight of the little band proposed themselves for membership at Erls Coln. The church having heard them relate their experience of a divine and on the 8th day of August, 1802, they were change, welcomed them to their communion, baptized in the name of the ever blessed Trinity. They still continued their prayer meetings at Hedingham, and the Holy Ghost wrought with them, and five more were convinced of the duty and privilege of Christian baptism, who followed their Saviour through the flood on October 10th, 1802. The congregation being constantly on the increase, and the distance to Erls Coln, being too great for the very old and the very young to travel weekly and inconvenient for all, they asked permission of their brethren to hold Lord's-day services at home, and their request was granted. But a new difficulty arose-how could they obtain a suitable place to meet in? Prayer prevailed in this case also, and a door was opened for them where they least expected, and though the building assigned them (and which they entered upon Nov. 9, 1802,) was of the gospel to every creature," that therefore it is no part of the gospel; so (by this rule) neither is the atonement any part of the gospel; for the word atonement is not mentioned in the command. You thus see how the various agents of Satan by subtlety get rid, some of one part of the gospel, and some of another part, and so you may go on down and down, until you come down into Atheism, and thence down into hell. plainest order, the Most High consecrated it by his presence, and made it a Bethel to the people. Their worship consisted chiefly of prayer, reading the Scriptures, and conversing upon the same; using, as common stock, for mental instruction and edification, the wisdom and knowledge bestowed upon them by the Father of lights. Those were good days with the little flock; and the union, love, and peace, enjoyed by those means, might suggest to the living in Jerusalem the propriety of holding fellowship meetings, where all shall be equal; where they who fear the Lord might Election is as essential to salvation, and is speak one to another; where fitting questions as essential to be received as is the atonecould be put, and the diversities of gifts, ment, the Godhead of Christ, or any other wrought by the same Spirit, yield their sav- essential part of the gospel. There is no oury fruits. This need not prevent, or super-right knowledge of, or reception of, or consede a divinely ordained and qualified minis- formity to the atonement, without eternal try, wherever God supplies the men; that election. If Christ be a Priest after a cerwhich pertains to the important service of the preacher and pastor may be done without leav-tain order, so must we be vitally and truly ing the other undone. If there be danger of conformed to his Image, that is, to his form fostering pride, pertness and conceit, by such and order of things. No man can be a social gatherings, then is there the more need Christian but by the forming hand of God; for them, that such stinking weeds may be and those whom he creates he creates in rooted up, and humility, modesty and meek- Christ Jesus, and are conformed to new coveness, be cultivated, where the meek and lowly nant shape, form, and order, but you will Jesus is professedly loved and served." find but very few who have heard the voice of the eternal Father, or seen his shapethat is, his new covenant paternity; this is his shape, to which all his children are conorder be perfect, even as is the Father in his formed, and shall ultimately in this filial paternity. We should have bright hopes of more peace and prosperity in our churches, if these valuable suggestions could be practically adopted. In fact, there are three things which we should be most happy to see perseveringly maintained, and if they could be brought into full play, our strength and success as gospel churches, would be-under the Divine blessing -more vigorous and pleasant. But in the present fearfully divided state of things we feel it useless even to name them. How William Scandrett was raised up as the first pastor of the Hedingham church-the tribulation which attended his path, and the long continued triumphs of the gospel in these parts, purpose to give in detail next month. Thus we have the Father in eternal elec tion order; and the Saviour as the express Image of the same, is as clearly shewn in the eternity of the perfection of his Priesthood. We, then, in accordance with this, have the Holy Spirit with the saints for ever. "He shall be with you for ever," and to this order-if God be true, we must be conformed or be eternally lost. Having said thus much, I now proceed to lay before my good Theophilus the second rule I propose noticing of ultimate judgment we-namely, that of personal character. Now you know, from happy experience, that the grace of God effectually teaches you to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live EPISTLES TO THEOPHILUS. righteously and soberly in this present evil LETTER XXXV. world. You, therefore, are not of the world, but belong to that better country to MOST EXCELLENT THEOPHILUS.-You will which you are hastening. You know, also, not, after what I have said in my last, forget, that again and again it is written, that every nor fail to see and feel, that eternal election man shall be rewarded according to his is an essential part of the gospel, and there- works; that only those that have done good fore essential to be believed, received, known, can come forth to the resurrection of eternal loved, and honored. You will often hear life; that only those who keep his commandpeople say that election is no part of the ments can have right to the tree of life; gospel, and that the Saviour did not say, that not every one that saith, "Lord, Lord, "Go and preach election to every creature,' "shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he but, "Go and preach the gospel to every that doeth the will of my Father which is in creature." Now, your answer to this wily heaven; for we must all appear before the remark of the adversary must be this-that if because the word election is not mentioned in the command, "Go ye and preach the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive that he hath done in the body, whether it be good or whether it be bad." And, "Only he that overcometh can inherit all things." Now, all these apparently difficult Scriptures become perfectly easy when read in gospel order. "They that have done good." Now, this sentence has a two-fold aspect, one towards God, and one towards man. 1st, Towards God. In this aspect it will mean love in opposition to enmity. Now the Saviour being supremely endeared to you, you can do nothing against the truth, but stand out for it, hold it fast, trade with heaven by it, in proportion to the amount of living truth administered to you; and you as a believer (for they must be works of faith) feel that you could not give up one particle of his truth. Thou hast, saith the Lord, a little strength, and hast kept my word, and not denied my name; you are but an earthen vessel, but yet by you as a vessel of mercy the truth is to be unto the last preserved in you. This is a good work, and it is by your possessing the truth in the savour of it, that you are a part of the salt of the earth. Give up, as many basely do, all, or any part of the truth, and you at once lose your savour. Now, to love God in truth, by the truth, is a good work; and to hold fast to the end, to endure to the end, is a good work; and to stand out for the truth, nor say a confederacy with any of the yea and nays, is a good work; to suffer for the truth, even if it be unto death, is a good work; to profit by the truth, is a good work; to grow in grace, by the truth is a good work; to receive the messengers, the ministers of the gospel, is a good work; to receive babes in Christ, the little ones, is a good work; to cleave unto the truth with a ready mind, a willing heart, is a good work; to seek the Lord by prayer and supplication, is a good work; and to give thanks unto his holy name, is a good work. But now, who is the man that can perform these good works? Not the natural man, for he "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." Thus, most excellent Theophilus, for your personal character to be good, you must stand well with new covenant truth; you must be conformed to its order. Čan the mere natural man really receive the truth in the love of it? can he trade with heaven by the truth? can he hold it dearer than mortal life? can he truly and spiritually receive the ministers of God? can he refuse strangers or flee from them? can he receive in heart and soul the humbled, the broken-down sinner, who is so completely brought to free-grace terms that he is called a little one, and his very life, or rather the nourishment of it, is the sincere milk of the word? Can the natural man seek God on truth's ground by prayer and supplication? can he truly praise the new name of the Lord, which he does not know? So true it is that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Now, to do what I have here described, is to do so far the will of the Father; this is to keep his commandments, and so to have (evidential) right to the Tree of Life, and thus enter in through the gates into the city; for all who are not thus born of God, and made one with the truth, will be judged by their first Adam characters, which are those of dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and idolators, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." This is what men are without Christ; for "there is none righteous, no, not one; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Who, then, maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" And if thou didst receive it, it was according to the purpose of eternal election, purposed in Christ Jesus. Well, now, of the good works of which I have spoken you will have to give an account; and it will be, or may be, thus summed up: "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood, for I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth." But this doing good has another side to it, its aspect is towards men. Now, you must "walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners," (enemies to the truth), nor sit in a free-will or duty-faith seat, or any other seat of the scornful; for such scorn the really poor and needy; but your delight will be in the law of liberty, as it is by that law you are to be judged. tical love to the brethren; you must pray Now you must, then, I say, walk in pracfor them, abstain from slandering them, as there will be plenty of people to do that, without any of your assistance. You must forgive unto seventy times seven. You must honor the Lord with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; or how can the Judge say to you at the last, "I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; thirsty, and ye gave me drink; sick, and ye visited me; in prison, and ye came in unto me; a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me." Nor must you think this a hardship, but bless God that you have a heart to love those whom he loves. He loveth a cheerful giver; he giveth us all things richly to eujoy. You are with all your might and means to favour his righteous cause. "Remember them that have (not a lordship or Popish, but a pastoral) rule over you." You are to esteem them very highly for their work's sake; nor are you to slight the house of God, but reverence his sanctuary, "not forsaking the assembly of the saints." Also you are to do evil to no man, but do all the good you can to all men; you must mortify selfishness, for a little, or rather, a great deal of work in this way is essential to prove that you do partake of the spirit of the gospel; and when you have done all, you are to go and tell the Lord that you are, after all, but an unprofitable servant; that you have merited nothing; for that you have done only that which was due from you to God, in gratitude for his neverceasing mercy to you. I hope next month to sum up this part of the solemn matter we have in hand, somewhat to your satisfaction; and believe me, your sincere servant in the Lord, A LITTLE ONE. JESUS CHRIST- nor from this law in the members, this thorn in the flesh, this plague in the heart, this le prosy in the house, can any relieve us. But do you mean to say that we are not to expect to get better? I do mean to say that you never can by any human effort better your spiritual condition. Well, what is the mercy in nought; and ye shall be redeemed without this misery? "Ye have sold yourselves for money. They shall not be required to purchase their own freedom. And as Cyrus, not only redeemed them without money, but also endowed them with valuable gifts to take to the holy city; so our blessed Lord will not only take us out of sin without price, but He will also furnish us with every essential for the holy city. If an Israelite was murdered, his kinsman, was to avenge his blood. "The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer." This word "revenger," signifies a blood avenger, or, a vindicator of violated rights. Jesus is the Vindicator of our violated rights. Satan was a murderer from the beginning. He has in all ages deceived men, and been the cause Ir it were possible to make too much of the Sin is of the devil: death is by sin, and so of their spiritual, coporal, and eternal death. types-if the offices, names, characters, and "death passed upon all men, for that all have excellencies of the dear Redeemer could be sinned."" Satan stung with malicious resenttoo highly or too fully declared, or too ment and rebellion against that avenging elaborately defined and delineated-if undue Christ, who hurled him from the heights of enlargements in such subjects could possibly glory, down to darkness and despair; and be given, we should say Mr. Samuel Cozens filled with malignant enmity against him who had over-stepped the bounds in his Thought bore the image of that God from whom he Book-the first part of which is now in had revolted, struck death into his immortal course of publication. But too much of HIM soul, and murdered all the human race in the in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the God-person of Adam their federal head. Now in head bodily can never be said by angels, murderer, and to avenge our blood, our dear order to vindicate our cause, to punish the ministers, or saints. Mr. Cozens evidently Redeemer assumed our nature, pursued our finds in every branch of his work, not only a murderer into all his strongholds; yea, and river which cannot be passed over, but an followed him even down to death, and through ever-flowing ocean of Eternal Truth. And death, "He destroyed him that had the power herein he revels and launches forth, some- of death, that is, the devil." The glorious times most gloriously. The following speci- avenger of our blood has not only punished mens are from the paper headed, "THE the murderer, but he has restored life to the KINSMAN." murdered, that in their own persons they may overcome the wicked one." If an Israelite had sold himself into slavery, the kinsman was to redeem him of his master. my Redeemer liveth." Job had an interest "For I know (that my Goel, my Kinsman) We not only forfeited our inheritance by dis- in the dear Redeemer, and knew it ; which is obedience, but we sold ourselves to the most the greatest blessing that can be enjoyed this sordid vassalage, and became the servants of side of Jordan. It is possible to know Christ sin and the slaves of hell; in which service we were viligant in serving divers lusts; and redemption (devils know him to be such); and as a Redeemer, and have no interest in his though that service was leading us down to some may have an interest in Christ, and yet death, to ruin, to hell, and to eternal woe, we not know it :--"Interest is before knowoften grieved we could sin no more. And are all ledge." The babe has an interest in its mothose evil passions eradicated? No! No!! ther's breast, before it knows, or desires, the No!!! We know that the law is spiritual; «sincere milk." The child has an interest in but I am carnal; but I Paul am carnal; but its father's affections, before it knows or unI Paul an apostle am carnal; but I Paul the derstands paternal love. The heir has an inchief of the apostles am carnal; but I who terest in the testator's will, before he knows have been in the third heavens am carnal; it; so we have an interest in the Redeemer, bebut I who have seen the Lord Jesus am car-fore we know him; and we are brought nal, sold under sin. This is strong language savingly to know him, because we have an into set forth the strength of sin. Paul with all est in him. This knowledge is too wonderful his grace and gifts, could not master it; but for me! It is so wonderful, that we can sin, like a mighty conqueror, took him a prisoner, led him captive, and bound him so fast that he could not do the things that he would; | "-bid farewell to every fear, It is so wonderful, that it makes afflictions advantageous, and bereavements bearable. It is so wonderful, that it turns conflicts into conquests and darkness into day. "I know," yes," I know," I am confident, I am certain, WARNING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND ALL WHOSE FEET ARE READY TO SLIDE. [We have been intimately acquainted with the following case. The Lord has, we hope, made us useful in some measure. We have felt the deepest sympathies, both of a sorrow. ful and of a joyful kind, in connection with the travail of her soul who penned the following lines. We hope, indeed, that they may be a blessing to many-not only in warning the tempted, but in giving encouragement to the downcast and the distressed.-ED.] hand, do with it as you think fit. that my Redeemer liveth." Job might have said to all his afflictions-"I know that my Redeemer liveth; and ye afflictions shall cease." He might have said to all his losses-"I know that my Redeemer (the unspeakable Gift) liveth; and what are my losses in comparison with such a Gift ?" He might have said to his persecuting friends, who charged him with 8 want of godliness, with hypocrisy, with DEAR PASTOR.-Having read with deep inwickedness" I know that my Redeemer liveth terest, and I trust some profit, a piece in the to disprove your falsities." He might have VESSEL entitled, "The Backslider's Woe and said to sin-"I know that my Redeemer liveth, Warning," I feel a great desire to write a to blot out all my transgressions." He might short account of the faithless part I have acted have said to the world" I know that my as a Sunday-school teacher, which may be of Redeemer liveth, to deliver me from this pre-use as a warning to others. I give it into your sent evil world." He might have said to the law-"I know that my Redeemer liveth, to screen me from your curse." He might have said to Satan-"I know that my Redeemer liveth, to shield me from thy fiery, fatal darts." He might have said to death "I know that my Redeemer liveth; and now, oh death, where is thy sting ?" He might have said to the grave-"I know that my Redeemer liveth; and I will demand, oh grave, where is thy victory ?" He might have said to hell-"I know that my Redeemer liveth; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against me." I know that my Redeemer liveth." He lives! to look after us; to listen to us; to love us. He lives! to plead our cause; to provide for our necessities; to pardon our souls. He lives! to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; to comfort us in all our tribulations; to conduct us in all our goings. He lives! to support us in the greatest afflictions; to succour us in the sorest temptations, and to save us from all our enemies. "He lives! the great Redeemer lives! (What joy the blest assurance gives!") Are you afflicted with disease? Job's Redeemer lives to heal your diseases. Have you lost your property? Job's Redeemer can restore that which is taken away. Are you bereaved of all your children? Job's Redeemer is more than all these. "Am I not better to thee than ten sons ?" Are you so obnoxious to the companion of your bosom, that you are wished to insult the Most High in such a manner as to provoke his wrath to your destruction? Job's Redeemer can silence the foolish woman. Is the devil multiplying his temptations upon you? Job's Redeemer can hold your soul in life. Have your friends forsaken you? Job's Redeemer is more than all to you. Are your friends persecuting you? Job's Redeemer will gag them in eternal silence, and they shall never open their mouth any more. At the early age of fifteen, I was engaged in the labours of the Sunday-school in the country, and I believe the Lord had bestowed upon me great gifts, for although so young, my class was a Bible class. I was at that time under deep convictions of sin, and in great concern about the salvation of my immortal soul; and I believe this made me very earnest in my work, for I felt deeply the importance of my charge, and sought, by earnest prayer, assistance from the Giver of all grace to teach the dear children rightly; and many sweet and solemn seasons we then enjoyed. But circumstances occurred which caused the removal of my parents to London, and with deep regret and many tears, I was separated from my beloved class and Pastor, who had been in the Lord's hand the instrument through which I believe I was first brought truly to seek the Lord; and his great kindness to me during the time I remained, while in deep distress of mind, I never shall forget; and my rebellious heart murmured greatly against the Lord, when by his providence I was removed from his pastoral care. I knew not then that the Lord worketh by what and whom he will, but he taught me shortly afterwards by working a great deliverance for me, in bringing my soul out of the deep sorrow, that nothing previously could remove, and leading me to Jesus by the powerful applicatian of his own word, while reading it, that his work was not hindered by any circumstance that could occur, and that it was the power of the Holy Spirit alone that could take of the things of Christ and reveal them unto those whom he hath quickened. Thus, the Lord taught me a great lesson, and my own soul being filled with peace and joy, I could not rest without my beloved work, for I longed to encourage others to seek the dear Redeemer, who was then so precious to me; and besought the Lord to open a way for me, which request he granted me very shortly afterwards; and again I became teacher of a |