"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."Psalm 1xvi. 16. DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-Wishing grace, And made my eyes o'erflow; he was talking to me, I found a trembling over my flesh, and a terror indiscribable; my sins began to rise up against me, an awful fear possessed my soul, which I was quite a stranger to, when I went into that shop. I have since learned that the young man, was a member of Mr. Luckin's chapel, Clerkenwell. O, my brother! who can describe the terrors of a guilty conscience! I took up my goods and the arrows of the Almighty were within me, gave them to my poor afflicted wife; but I thought of an angry God! I thought of a fearful eternity! I thought of the company of devils, and I trembled. I left my wife, and went to my stables, and there I begged for mercy from the Lord for one so wicked as myself. Soon after this, I was taken very ill with a fever, and inflammation on my chest, and was attended by the doctor; and my poor wife hardly able to move about. My first little boy was very ill; but here was mercy mixed with judgement; for the child drew To record the leadings of a gracious God the disease from its mother. The child was in my soul, and his supporting my poor body taken, and the mother was spared to the unso many years in the wilderness, is to me a worthy writer, to be a blessing to him in his most sweet and pleasant employment; and if declining years; and what was more precious it may meet the eye of some poor, tried, and than life itself, to receive the revelation of tempted child of God, that they may, by view- pardon through the precious blood of Jesus! ing the Lord's dear mercy to me, the most, how often has this blessed portion worked ungrateful, be encouraged to wrestle with the Lord, and, like David, to strengthen them in their God. Four-and-twenty years back, I lived without God, and without Christ in the world; a stranger to my own heart, though not always at ease; for from my earliest childhood, I was the subject of natural convictions, and many fears about God and eternity, and how it would be with me at last; but as none of these brought me upon my knees to wrestle with God for the pardon of my sins, I shall pass over a series of years, until after I was married, when my God sent his arrows into my soul, and brought me down to his feet, to seek for mercy and forgiveness, and which precious mercy, I found to be in the merits and heart's blood of a crucified Saviour. O, blessed Jesus! blessed Jesus! how can such a poor ignorant thing as I, ever be able to record that look thou gavest me? and which look brought new life into my soul? I will, by thy help, oh thou Eternal Spirit, record it in the best manner I can, to the praise of the glory of his grace, "Who saw me ruined in the fall; Yet, loved me not withstanding all." I first notice the time when, and where the Lord arrested me in my sins; which, as you have seen before in some of my writings, took place in a tea shop, in Smithfield. My wife at this time being very ill, and having a young child at breast, I went to shop for her. I had not been there very long, before an oath escaped me, and as the young man gave me my goods he fastened his eyes upon me, and said, "Do you know what it is to be damned?" 1 said, "No." He replied, "To be damned is to be everlastingly separated from God, and from all that is good; to be consigned with devils and damned spirits in hell never to come out; this is the state of the wicked" and while in my mind since that period," I know the thoughts I think towards you: thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer. xxix. 11. Little did I think, when I stood by the side of my weeping wife and departed child, that the thoughts of God were to me thoughts of peace, and that ere long I should raise my Ebenezer, to the praise and glory of a Triune God! My soul was then deeply impressed with the thought, that had it been myself instead of my child died, my soul must have sunk to hell. With this thought I dropped upon my knees and prayed that I might find mercy. Mercy to my sinwounded heart I laboured hard to obtain by my own works, as I knew then of no other way. But the Lord soon read the seventh chapter of Romans in my heart: to will was present with me; but how to perform that which was good I found not, for the good that I would I did not, and the evil that I would not, that I did; and this often made me mourn and sigh, and to think my state a very wretched one. As I am come to the end of my sheet, if Yours, &c., (To be continued.) EVANGELIZING IN HAMPSHIRE. DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-Knowing that you and some of your readers would be glad to hear how the cause of God is progressing in these parts, and as I am engaged a good deal in the work of itinerancy, and having opportunity of observing the little companies of the faithful, I thought that I would take up my pen again in the service of my Master, and give you the result of a few jottings by the way. It appears to us, that there are amongst this people some precious souls, who would be delighted if the Lord was pleased to send In the first place, we shall begin at home. a servant of his, well taught by the Holy Our little church at Longparish was made to Ghost in doctrine and experience, who rejoice in the Lord, on the last Sabbath in would be able ministerially to go before them March, in witnessing the ordinance of bap-in knowledge and in understanding; feeding tism administered to three believers in the them with the pure word of God, and not with Lord Jesus Christ. One of our sisters was the commandments and doctrines of men. brought to the knowledge of the truth, under the ministry of a man of God of the name of Cubitt, in the Church of England, at Winchester; but being removed in the providence of God into our neighbourhood, and hearing of us as preaching strange and dangerous doctrines, she thought that she would come, and hear for herself; which she did, and found that what was declared by the preacher, were the very same truths that had made her heart to rejoice in God as her Saviour. After hearing us for some time, and seeing the doctrine of baptism as it is revealed in the Scriptures of truth, she requested the administering of the ordinance at our hands, and also fellowship with us as a church of baptized believers. Our other sister had been amongst the Primitive Methodists and Independents, but like the woman in the gospel, with the issue of blood twelve years, instead of getting better, she rather grew worse: she had spent her all, and was brought into great distress of soul. Well, just about this time, she also was directed to come and hear the man that was everywere spoken against, and when she heard us proclaim the way that we obtained mercy, the good Lord blessed the word to her soul, so that she was strengthened with faith to believe, and with love to obey. The brother who was baptized at the same time with our sisters, had been a lover of truth for years, and formerly sat for some time under brother Foreman's ministry in London, but had never publicly put on the Lord Jesus Christ by an open profession of faith in his name. The Spirit of our God wrought so blessedly by the word, that he also cheerfully took up the cross, and followed his dear Redeemer in the much neglected and despised ordinance of baptism. seasons. On the 24th of May, in company with brother Mower, we held an open air service on the banks of the river, at Netheravon, Wilts., and after a sermon preached by brother Mower, four persons were led by him into the river, and were baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. There was a large concourse of persons, to witness the primitive mode of immersion; we were much pleased at the order and decorum manifested by the assembly. In the afternoon we spoke to the church and congregation in the meeting house, and after preaching, brother Mower presided at the table of the Lord, and received into the church the brethren and sisters, who had been baptized in the morning. In the evening we again addressed the people; was greatly refreshed in our own soul. Truly it is a beautiful work, when we feel the preciousness of the truths we utter. On the Monday evening following we went to a village (Enford), two miles off, and although the weather was unfavourable, we had a good congregation, and many testified of the Lord's presence and blessing. Tuesday evening, we met again in the chapel, Netheravon, and were favoured with a sweet experimental subject. Wednesday evening, for the first time, paid a visit to Upavon, the scene of the late Joseph Rudman's first labours. Although I did not know him personally, I felt a good deal of interest in the people amongst whom he laboured. On entering the pulpit my spirit was greatly subdued; for the thought was brought home powerfully to my mind, that the herald who once occupied that pulpit, was now before the throne, and in a short time, I hoped through the mercy of the same covenant God, to take my place also amongst the redeemed in heaven. Brother Mower, of Shipton, preached to us in the morning, and the pastor of the church preached and administered the ordinance in On Wednesday, June 3rd, we held our anthe afternoon. It was a day to be remem-niversary at Longparish, when we were adbered by us, and our prayer is, that the Head dressed by brethren Mower, of Shipton, Cox, of of the church may often favour us with such Andover, Kingston, of Chute, and Puntis, of Winchester. The subjects on which they spoke were, "The Church" "Her Life;" "Her Redemption;" "Her Security." We were gratified in listening to so much sound gospel truth, and hope that the good seed of the kingdom which was then sown, may be found springing up to the praise of the God of truth. On Good Friday the church at Ludgershall held their anniversary tea meeting; there was a nice gathering of the lovers of Zion, and after partaking of a refreshing cup of tea, a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by brethren Cox, Kingston and Dyer. Brother Mower presided. The circumstances of this people are very We were able to inform our friends then peculiar; they have no pastor, and for the present (many of whom came from a distance) most part so poor, that they cannot pay for of the goodness of the great Head of the supplies; and besides, they are so locally sit-church, manifested towards us during the last uated, there being no means of conveyance to the place, that if we knew of a faithful brother, who spoke in the name of the Lord, we could not get him there without great inconvenience. eighteen months. There have been added to the church during that period nine members; the ordinance of believer's baptism has been administered twice, and we are at peace amongst ourselves. There is one feature in our present position | out of hell, much more to be able to say we which is very peculiar, it is so unlike the gene- are well; the words of the poet suits usrality of churches, that it demands a passing "Tell it unto sinners, tell, notice, it is this, our congregation is very much reduced in consequence of our proclaiming the distinguishing doctrines of God's free grace; and yet the church is increasing in the number of its members. If the dear Lord is but pleased to give unto us, as a church, living souls, we can well spare dead professors. And now for a word or two in conclusion. It seemed to me that the county of Wilts. is greatly blessed with the gatherings of the saints. I do not know, Mr. Editor, whether you are aware of the following fact, but if you are, I desire to give it publicity; that in the valley of the Bourne, commencing at Netheravon, there are a considerable number of free grace Baptist churches, within about two miles of each other. I believe there are eight or nine such, and the whole of them without pastors. Some of their supplies come from the churches at Devizes and Towbridge. If it were the will of God, I could wish that we had something to report of the like nature in this county (Hampshire); but no, for the most part, all is dark and uninviting; it might be truly said, that we dwell where Satan's seat is. I have often thought that as our brother Wells, of the Surrey Tabernacle, is (I believe) a native of the county of Hampshire, whether he could not give us a week's testimony during the summer season, and revisit the scenes of his boyhood. It may be (who can tell?) that God would bless the labours of his servant, in causing an enquiry in the minds of many concerning the things which they shall hear from his mouth. You must not conclude from what I have stated, that there is no profession in the country. O dear, no, there is an abundance of it, such as it is, but it is all characterized by formalism; worldly conformity; and enmity to the distinguishing grace of a covenant Jehovah. For a man to preach the unconditional doctrines of God's truth in these parts; he needs to be divinely supported in his own soul, for he is sure to incur the hatred and opposition of all the workmongers, duty-faith men, and men-pleasers in the neighbourhood. Soliciting an interest in the sympathies of the Lord's people; and apologizing to you, Captain Banks, for the size of this package for your next month's VESSEL, I remain, yours for the truth's sake, GEORGE DYER. I am, I am out of hell." Oh! had it not been for that everlasting covenant ordered in all things, and sure, by the blessed Trinity in unity, what must have become of the whole race of man? We can see no hope apart from this; for having once broken the command of his Maker, lost the power of his will, sin having taken possession of it, he fell under its tyrannizing influence and power, and what is worse than all became its willing servant. If we look at the Word of God, and see what sin has done in, and by our nature, it makes one tremble, especially when the Lord is pleased to bring one to a felt acquaintance with his own heart, by opening up the fountains of the great deep that are within. There have been times in my little experience when I have trembled, lest my God should give me over to Satan and sin, as a punishment for the abominable wickedness that I have seen and felt; but I have reason to bless his holy name, that by his power I have been kept till this present time. Some talk about having a will, and power to choose good or bad, which they please. If I mistake not, man has not lost his will by the fall, before which its full bent was towards his great and good Creator; but, alas! it is not so now, and that we find to our sorrow, sin having taken possession of the will, dictates to it, falls down to it, and away goes the old man, and if not prevented by the power, and grace of God, goes down to the world of despair, to reap the reward of his own sins; then how can we ever charge the ever blessed God with injustice ? If he had left the whole human race to perish in their sin, he would have been just. But what a lustre is there now in the justice of our God in the salvation of poor sinners! how respendently does it appear for them, and to them! It gains nothing in condemning the wicked, but it gains glory in saving the redeemed; receiving such an overflowing satisfaction in the heart's blood of Immanuel, that, instead of being an enemy to God's dear people, it takes their cause and case in hand, and sees them righted everywhere, screening them from the killing power of the law; but viewed in their law-fulfilling Head and justified in and by his blessed obedience, cleansed by his blood, and inhabited by his Spirit, they are protected, reserved to pardon, peace, perseverance, holiness, and happiness complete. What should we do if the infinite justice of our God was not satisfied in our salvation ? We should be afraid to enter yonder bright and glorious world; angels beholding us would be filled with jeopardy respecting the perpetuity of their holy, happy position; but when we behold mercy manifested, truth established, righteousness maintained, peace proclaimed, justice completely satisfied, the poor sinner saved and glorified, God himself therewith, and thereby, honoured, it is here we see the exceeding worth of the work and merit of a precious Christ, in bringing together that which seemed to be opposed to the sinner's salvation, although we may be sure the attributes of our God never opposed each other; and, blessed be God, they beautifully harmonize in the sinner's salvation. Oh, Sir, this is a salvation worth the employment of your poor clay tongue to tell out to us poor sinners, when the blessed Spirit is pleased to tell it into your poor soul. How suited to such poor mortals as we are! how safe for time and all eternity! Many are the doubts of a poor worm respecting his interest in it, especially when the Lord is pleased to allow Satan to come in with his fiery darts, my own corruptions to arise, and the wrath of my God appears to be in my poor conscience ready to burst in upon my soul. Dear pastor, we stand in need of an Intercessor at such times as these, or what would become of us? Desperation would assail our mind, and verily if not kept by the power of the blessed Spirit we should open our mouth, and curse our God, and consign ourselves to everlasting misery. But, blessed be his holy name! though tempted to do this for years, can say with the poet, "Yet have been upheld till now, I Who could hold me up but thou ?" I think I make no mistake about what have wrote, having been brought to some acquaintance with these things for several years, more or less. Dear pastor, if I have made too free, forgive; if not accept the lines from one of your pastoral care, and his heart's desire for you is, that God may bless you, hold up your hands, make you strong in his strength, and at last victorious in his victory. Give my love to Mrs. P.; come and see us as soon as convenient, you won't expect to see us grand folk, but we shall be glad at any time to welcome you with such as we have. Take this as a full invitation from a poor helpless worm in himself; but hope interested in the same common salvation as yourself. J. DEARING. Needham Market, Suffolk. a hast not strawed." But we learn from the Scriptures that faith is the gift of God. 2. Duty-faith points the sinner to himself for a remedy against sin. It virtually says, salvation is within the reach of every man. It is free-will under a gospelized mask. It virtu. ally says, it is thine own fault, man, if thou art not saved: there is a full salvation, tossing to and fro for any one to catch, and it is thy duty to believe. Jesus has done much; but the first upon which thy salvation turns is this, Wilt thou believe? Why, brethren, how basely unscriptural is all this: we know, who are taught of God, that it is a part of salvation, in its individual bearing, for the Holy Ghost to work faith in the heart, and make a poor sinner first to apprehend, and then to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of the soul. deceive. An honest preacher is very anxious 3. Duty-faith is calculated to mislead and not to deceive souls. His work is to unfold whatever appears dark in the word of God. But he who preaches duty-faith virtually denies the absolute necessity of the new birth. Surely it is the work of a minister to show how the word of God beautifully harmonizes when rightly understood. He ought to be an interpreter. The contradictory statements of some men are insulting to the common sense of their hearers, if they did but use it. Their yea and nay preachments amount to nothing. Now, a God-sent minister seeks the soul profit of the people. The fear of God preserves him from seeking to amuse or to excite the natural passions of his hearers. These he leaves for the playhouse. He reads, "He that sows to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption." He dare not thus trifle with solemn realities and the never-dying souls of men. He finds the word of God to be a burden. And this feeling solemnly influences his ministry. Knowing, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men." He who knows the plague of the heart, and mourns daily over its wretched depravity, will DUTY FAITH. never plead for duty-faith. The knowledge of an evil heart of unbelief is a certain cure for DUTY-FAITH is surely one of the most God. that. Arminianism, in its thousand-fold shapes, dishonouring dogmas to be found in the midst cannot exist in that school. The teachings of injustice, and points the sinner to himself for much rubbish in a speculative way, which the of professing Zion. It charges a holy God with God the Spirit in the heart will be sure to correct the errors of the head. We may gather remedy against ruin. We know it is fashion-furnace work in the heart will have to burn up. able; we know it is flesh-pleasing; but the Thus the Lord's ministers and people become minister of Christ has to declare the truth at rooted and grounded in the faith. And a God the expense, peradventure of friends, reputa- sent minister will never contradict the teachtion, and worldly advantage. And he dare not, ings of the Spirit of God in the heart. This and would not, willingly deceive his hearers. 1. Duty-faith dishonours God. To preach marks a man to be a minister of the Spirit, that it is man's duty to believe savingly in and not of the letter. Letter-ministers, who Christ is absurd. A babe in grace knows better. are very speculative, may make strange misWhat! can that be a duty which is out of the takes; their speculations, like all other specupower of a natural man? Does God expect to taught of the Spirit of God, while he abides by lations, may prove failures, but he who is gather figs of thistles? There must be a new what he has tasted, and handled, and felt, will nature given before saving faith can be exercised. To preach otherwise is, indeed, to repre- it has been taught him from above, feelingly never err; he preaches and opens the word as sent God as a hard Master: the language of the servant in the parable might then be justly and experimentally; and, unless he be indeed applied to the Lord-namely, "Lord, I knew a novice, running before he has properly learnt thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where his message, he will never preach DUTY-FAITH. thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou Hounslow. JOSEPH PALMEE. OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. WILLIAM SCANDRETT, THE FIRST PASTOR OF THE SIBLE HEDINGHAM CHURCH. (Continued from page 171). We have lately been looking into the printed biographies of Edward Blackstock, William Allen, John Bayley, and some other faithful men who once lived and laboured on this earth, but who have long since, with tens of thousands of others, been called home to their heavenly inheritance. There is something sweetly salutary in reviewing the scenes of tribulation, and the happy hills of holy triumph, which, made up, more or less, the earthly existence of those dear men. We are much desirous of giving our readers a few beautiful sketches drawn from the stores left behind of God's most wonderful dealings with his own beloved messengers. of everlasting love, salvation by grace alone, of the robe of righteousness which covers and adorns the regenerate, and the separation from the world effected in those who are predestinated, called and justified. They saw, heard and rejoiced, for their souls were fed and taught by his message. Not so the preacher. He had sore travail! He feared he was running unsent: wondered that anybody could obtain profit through one so weak, so ignorant, so dark, as he; often begged the Master's forgiveness for his presumption, and resolved to give up. If he had begun of himself, he could have left off of himthe servant of another, of One who will self; but he was not his own, he was be obeyed; so William Scandrett, who was called to preach sovereignty, must bow to sovereignty, and do the Master's bidding, despite the cowardice of the flesh, self-distrust, godly jealously, and satanic opposition. While he was thus exercised, and expecting Last month, we commenced a review of his mouth to be stopped, his ministry was the history of the Baptist church at Sible growing in depth and savor, and signs folHedingham, drawn from "JUBILEE JOT-lowed in the conversion and ingathering TINGS," (a neat little book recently issued by creased attendance, and an addition was made of souls. The place was too strait for the inthat laborious evangelist, THOMAS JONES, of to their space. Generally the baptised went Blackheath," as they call him;) and we are to Earls Coin on ordinance days. Sometimes truly glad to learn that our little article was the pastor, Mr. Pudney, came and administhe means, in the Lord's hands, of giving tered the Supper at Hedingham, and fredecision to a dear sister in Christ, in the quently preached to them on week evenings, West of England, who was staggering be- all which, under the divine blessing, conduced tween Independency" and "New Testa- to the strengthening of their hands, and the ment Gospel order and obedience." Cheer spread of truthful information in the neighbourhood. up, Thomas Jones, your little book, through our notice of it, has had the approbation of heaven stamped upon it. We hope it will clear the eye, and cheer the heart of many a pilgrim to Zion; and strengthen the wavering footsteps of many a seeker after truth. We have promised to shew "How William Scandrett was raised up as the first Pastor of the Hedingham Church." Here is the fulfilment of that promise. Our historian says:"After a little time spent in this simple profitable manner, it became evident to the more intelligent that their brother Scandrett possessed gifts beyond the rest, and that he grew fast in knowledge and spirituality, and aptness to teach. They stated their thoughts to the church at Erls Coln, and requested he might be examined as to his ability and worthiness for a more prominent place among them. The result justified their hopes concerning him, he was called to a trial of his gift, and was counselled to addict himself to the ministry of the Word. He submitted to the judgement and wishes of his brethren, but it was with fear and trembling. To them it was evident the Lord was preparing him for a useful work in the vineyard: his mouth was opened to speak sweetly of the Sinner's Friend, As the number of the baptised had grown to form a church of themselves, and set up to twenty, they thought they should do well the standard more conspicuously. Not daring to act on their own opinion, they went to the throne for direction, and being more and more impressed with the propriety of the step, they consulted their brethren at Erls Coln, who kindly and prayerfully considered the matter, and came to the conclusion that the time was come for a separation, and they agreed to dismiss them for the purpose of forming a church in their own village. On the 12th, February, 1805, the following ministers attended, to assist in the formation of a Baptist Church at Sible Hedingham, viz.: Mr. Goody Pudney, of Erls Coln; Mr. Bowden, of Coggeshall; Mr. Hody, of Clare; Mr. Shuttleworth, of Coggeshall; Mr. Smith, of Bures. Of these good men, and of the thirty men and women who that day clasped hands, and pledged themselves to the Lord and to each other, not half-a-dozen remain alive to tell how solemn and sweet were the services of the occasion, of which the church book contains this notice: "This was a day in which the Lord was pleased to favour ministers and people with |