he wants, and not to preach a sermon. So he | true-" Lo, I am with you always, even unto begins, and perhaps he makes many blunders, the end." but he warms and improves as he proceeds. My good deacon was telling me this very day to prove that the LORD HIMSELF has called There are three things absolutely essential of what a friend said on Saturday niglit, at a man into the ministry of the Word. prayer meeting; he said, "O Lord, don't know, I'm so ignorant, I can't put six words First, he must know for himself, and be together properly; but take the meaning, able, in some measure, to testify unto the Lord; take the meaning!" Well that was a church, that his conversion to God, his faith very sweet thing for him to say, "take the in Christ, and his hope of salvation, is of the meaning;" and he prayed for me in this operation of the Holy Spirit in his own soul. fashion, "Lord, bless our minister; help him Secondly, he must be led, not by the abwhen he comes to preach next Sunday, stract reading of authors; not by the outand may he preach the Lord Jesus Christ: ward hearing of the gospel, but by the Etergrant that he may set the Lord Jesus right anal Spirit, he must be led, experimentally top of the Bible, and stand right behind him and deeply, into all the vital branches of new himself, so that we can see nothing but the covenant truth, and be so rooted in it, and Lord Jesus and him crucified!" Now when it so powerfully and so preciously rooted in people hear a prayer like that breathed by him, as not only to deliver him from the dean earnest man, they say, "I'll go to prayermeeting: but you don't catch me going when lusions of men, but also so to keep him in I know what they are going to say; it is not the realization, liberty, and holy contention likely; I may as well stop at home and think for TRUTH, as that neither frowns nor smiles, it over." adversities nor prosperities, friends nor foes, can ever remove him from it. Of all the sacred and deep sentences of Paul, concerning the real character of the ministry, we have thought there are none more emphatic, none more expressive, none more conclusive, none more desirable, than those words to Timothy, "Therefore I endure all things FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE, that they may also obtain the salvation which is IN CHRIST JESUS with eternal glory."

The prayer meeting at Wycombe was no stereotyped, or cold expression of an unmeaning phraseology; it was one current of solemn asking God to have mercy on us as a nation, to stop the awful massacres in India; to preserve our highly favoured land, and to revive his churches "in this gospel Jerusalem." In the evening we had the chapel almost filled, and the Lord, I hope, helped us to praise his dear name. The collection was for The Sunday-school Lending Library; if any of my readers have books, which are laid by almost useless to them, but which might be suitable and useful to the rising generation, they might be forwarded per post to Mr. Cawse, Baptist Chapel, New Land, High Wycombe, Bucks. C. W. BANKS.

THE

CONVERSION OF AN ISRAELITE.

A BRIEF REVIEW OF

"THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS." BY EDWARD SAMUEL, MINISTER OF FORD STREET CHAPEL, SALFORD, MANCHESTER,

LAST month we introduced this volume to the special notice of our readers, anticipating some pleasing seasons in going over the sacred portions which make up this, to us, most acceptable work. Since our introduc tory remarks were written we have visited Farnham, and have there conversed with some, to whom the ministerial labours of Mr. Samuel were very powerful and effectual in leading them to the Rock of Ages for a shelter, and for salvation; and not a few in those parts would be thankful if it had pleased the Great Head of the Church to have kept him in their midst. But how frequently are good men removed from the very sphere where their work seems most successful! We hope, however, our Israelitish brother finds in Salford the promise

Thirdly, it is of great importance that a man's ministry be evidently employed by God in calling in some of the vessels of mercy, in building up those who have believed, and in comforting and confirming the sorrowful and the sickly.

We fearlessly ask the immense multitude of men who are now going forth in the profession of the ministry, to produce these credentials. If they have them, they have Heaven's broad seal; if they have not, we fear they only burden the church, ruin their own families, and bring the truth into much contempt, which consequences are very serious indeed.

We have no fears but that the work before us, and the fruits of Edward Samuel's ministry in many places, abundantly prove him to be a minister made by JESUS CHRIST, and a blessing to some parts of Zion. By a further notice of the work now issued by Mr. Samuel, we hope more extensively to prove his happy position.

Passing over several interesting chapters of his early childhood, we quote the following facts, leading up to the solemn period when the delightful command went forth,

"Almighty love, arrest that man!"

Of his education, and upward training, Mr. Samuel says,—

"I was educated from a child in the Mishna and Talmud, I also read the Old Testament; but this was only a secondary consideration, the former was the principle. When seven

years of age I could repeat from memory the whole book of Psalms and Songs of Solomon. At nine years of age I had to learn daily three or four pages of the Talmud, which consists of questions and answers of the various rabbis. At my grandfather's annual visit, he always examined us boys, to know what progress we had made through the year. I recollect once in my presence he told my father that I would become a rabbi, which was pleasing to my father. This was rather an unfortunate remark for me, as I was often kept more closely to my lesson. But God had something better for me in store; he has raised me to a higher dignity than that. He has made me king and priest unto the living God, and put me among his family, although unworthy of the least of his mercies. Oh, the depth of the riches of his divine grace.

one and two fingers off from their right hand, to disable them from service. At length it was resolved that we should leave home, for the purpose of going to Konigsburg in Prussia; and as there were no passports allowed, we left in the middle of the night-a banker's son, myself, and brother. It is a night much to be remembered by me; my grandfather and grandmother, father and mother, brothers and sisters, all weeping. My grandfather, who was seventy years of age, with a long white beard, placed his hands on our heads, and, with tears trickling from his eyes, pronounced a blessing. Some of the words I have not forgotten, although so many years since. The words were these May the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, bless and preserve you; protect and defend you from all harms, keep you in his fear, help you to study his laws, strengthen you to obey him, nor suffer you to forsake him.' The last words were these, If you forsake the Lord, he will forsake you; but if you cleave to him, he will cleave to you.' They then kissed us all affectionately, wishing us the presence of the Lord, and bid us farewell. Now began the prophecy of my grandmother to be fulfilled, that I should forsake the Jewish religion. My spiritual birth was appointed by God to be in London; place, means, and time are all by his divine appointment. His will cannot be counteracted, nor his council disannulled-'My council shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.' As London was to be the place, so death and hell could not obstruct the way, 'Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out."

"I continued at school until I was about sixteen, when a circumstance transpired in providence that I left home. The cause of my leaving home was fearing that I should be forced to be a soldier. When Alexander, the emperor of Russia, was on the throne, he took no Jews into the military service. He was rather a friend to the Jews than otherwise. After his death Nicholas his brother succeeded him. After his coronation he issued a law compelling Jews to serve in the army and navy. This law was a terror to all the Jews in his dominions; and the reason was, that they must eat and driuk those things which were prohibited by the law of God to them as a nation; break the Sabbath day, violate other festivals, and indeed deny their whole religion. They would rather die themselves, or follow their children to the grave than see them turn from their religion, which I had painfully to experience when called by We must not proceed further this month: divine grace. The law obliged them to serve but hope not to leave the work until we from fourteen years of age. They were sent have fulfilled our mission, constraining many to academies, where they were trained for the of our readers to send to the author, No. 1, army or navy, aceording to their abilities. Moliere-terrace, Lower Broughton, ManThe method they had of taking the Jews was so many from a thousand; the exact number Ichester, for "THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST ON cannot remember: and the heads of the synaTHE CROSS." gogue were obliged to return the numbers. At first they took the lower order, as already said. The town we lived in was small, therefore they were soon picked out. I witnessed at sundry times when these young men were sent away, that the cries and lamentations of parents and relations was most distressing and heart-rending. I remember on one occasion being so affected that I fainted away. They rend their garments on these occasions, as mourning for the dead. After the lower class were picked out, it of course came to the more respectable families, which was done by

[Since this second notice of Mr. Samuel's work was in type, we have received a letter from an aged London pastor, pointing out some apparent errors. We hope to notice these in our next paper.—ED.]

"SONGS IN THE NIGHT:"

OR,

DROPPINGS FROM THE PEN OF RICHARD EVE,

OF BALHAM HILL.

(Continued from page 205). casting lots; and knowing that sooner or later Lord thy God hath led thee these forty years in "Thou shalt remember all the way which the it must come to our turn, my grandfather the wilderness," &c. Deut. viii. 2, 3. advised that I and a brother, a little younger, should quit the country. My eldest brother DEAR BROTHER.-Since I last wrote you, being married was exempt, and the other too great has been my affliction of body; I thought, young. When this law was issued, there ere this, I should have been employed in singwas also another law passed, not to give any ing the high praises of Him that hath loved passports for males from fourteen years of age me; but it hath pleased God it should be to twenty, to prevent them leaving the coun- otherwise, so that I am helped by Him who is try. I have known fine young men chop the strength of Israel to resume my narrative of his gracious dealings with me, a poor, weak, unworthy sinner. After the death of my first little boy, the Lord was pleased to try me

Some who have read Mr. Samuel's work question this; but we have appealed to him.

severely; my whole family (consisting then of into my harness room, and threw down the three little girls) were down with the meazles; saddles, and bridles, and offered me every inand my second child had the water and inflam- sult, so that nature could stand it no longer, mation on the brain, who, after laying more and I turned him out of the harness room in than a fortnight in an insensible and delirious a passion. My strength was all gone, and all state, died, six months after the other. O, my free-will; and I felt myself a wretched my brother! language cannot convey to your being indeed; and as I stood at the door, like mind, neither can I utter what passed in my a man drunk, and bewitched, Satan set in hard soul at that time. Deeply impressed with the upon me, and told me it was no use me trying solemnity of the state I then stood in as a lost to be religious, God's children were perfect; sinuer, without gospel hope; ignorant of God's but "look," said he, "what a wicked sinner way of salvation: expecting soon my time to you are. come, to endure the wrath of a justly offended" You must go to hell." O, I said, I will give Give it up! give it up!" He said, God, I stood weeping with my sorrowing wife, it up; and I heaved a heavy sigh, as I found who was then equally, with myself, ignorant my hopes of heaven again blasted. I shall of God's mercy, though she did not feel her only bring disgrace upon true Christians, and need of it, then as I did. I fear here to tell deceive my soul at last; and I went to the the workings of my heart against God. harness room, but the thought darted into my Shame and confusion have often covered my mind to pray; I fell down upon my knees to face since then for the hard thoughts I felt attempt it, but such awful blasphemies darted against God; but, though so utterly unworthy into my soul that I jumped up like a man beof notice, and ignorant of his love, it did not hin- side himself, and walked about the stable with der his compassionate heart from watching over my hands clenched, begging of the Lord to me. My long tried affliction made me very poor, have mercy upon my soul; when this little and much tried in providence; but the Lord, word dropped into my soul like honey from who has the hearts of all, sent my master to the rock," Who can tell ?" and with it such see my suffering child, and its careworn mo- light, such love, such hope, sprang up in my ther, and his heart was melted to give me a soul, that made me almost leap from the sovereign, and sent my wife a bottle of wine, ground, it came with such power, “Who can and wrote a letter to one of the chief physi- tell," but you may yet escape hell, and be cians of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, who was with Jesus Christ in heaven? then residing on Clapham-common: but it guage fails me to tell out what I felt within; Here lanpleased the Lord to take the child. Many, I seemed in a new world for a time, but if you my dear brother, many at this time were the are not tired of following me in my zigzag cobweb dresses I spun, to cover my guilty path, you shall hear more in my next. soul from that damnation which thrilled through my soul in the teashop referred to in my last. I reformed my outward conduct, I slid

away from my wicked companions, I set up family prayer; I remained at home with

R. EVE.

A DRY AND THIRSTY LAND.

A SINCERE believer in Christ, in the North

entire

my family; and to outward observers, I was of England, saysan altered man; but the arrow was within, the poison whereof was drinking up my spirit;nity to express gratitude at seeing friends "DEAR BROTHER BANKS, I take opportumy flesh was consuming off my bones; and come forward to "VESSEL" Redemption Fund. many thought me going into a consumption. I should dearly love to hear of "The spirit of a man may sustain his infirmity, freedom. I forward you these few stamps. but a wounded spirit who can bear ?" Thus II wish we were blest with such a gospel as the your went about for four years, as it were with a Vessel maintains; but never did I experience sword in my bones, striving for holiness of such a day as now; nothing scarcely in the heart and life, to make myself fit for the com- pulpit but duty-faith preaching, passionate heart of Jesus. O, what fools we about 10 of us in the church, which I make a We expect are! and how blind by nature! for with all part of, will be cut off, because we cannot my striving I appeared to get further from sanction the doctine advocated by our miniboth. I have even put my finger into the ster. What step to take we know not. My flame of the candle, so sure was I of being poor heart often cries out, damned, to see if I could bear the torments that protect me, that I sin not against thee nor thy "Lord, guide and awaited me, as I then thought. One morning, people." Some times I think I will be silent Satan helped me to kindle a fire, and with the in the matter: then again, when I consider sparks of which I attempted to warm myself what the dear Lord hath done for me, in for awhile. I made a covenant as it were opening my blind eyes and unstopping my with the Lord, if he would be pleased to give deaf ears, I cannot be silent. His cause is me ease from my heavy burden, that I would like a burning fire within me which it seems live a holier and better life; and this conceit impossible to quench." wrought pride in my heart, and self-consequence; but through the mercy of the Lord, he soon pulled me down, for my young master, who was a bitter enemy to me, and who has since gone to his account, came into the stable, and tumbled my horses' cloths off, and patted the horses, to see if he could find any dust, or rather to make me speak, that he might have occasion against me. He then went

the power of the Spirit, and so heard and When and where the gospel is preached in received, it is a blessed privilege indeed. We rejoice to know in a multitude of cases THE EARTHEN VESSEL is an instrument of great good to many of the Lord's hidden ones. We hope for the writer of the above, and his friends, "the Lord will appear." ED.

QUESTIONS ON BAPTISM.

To the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL. SIR-I shall feel greatly obliged if you will insert the annexed questions on Baptism in the VESSEL, hoping that some of your Correspondents will have the kindness to answer them. Your's truly, A VILLAGER.

I.-Why was Christ baptised alone, and not any of his disciples with him, if he was not baptised as the Head and Representative of his people, but merely as an example for them to follow? Christ was not baptised with John, but by John, and for John, and all the rest of the family of heaven.

II.-Why did Christ not once after his Baptism, name it, nor make any allusion to it, nor give any directions to his disciples at any time to follow his example in being baptized?

III.-Why are we to be baptized, and not circumcised, when Christ was both and were they not both ordinances antecedent to Christ, or the gospel dispensation?

IV.-Why did not Christ himself baptize, and where is the proof that his disciples during his ministry baptized by his authority and positive command? His first disciples are said to have been baptized by John, and therefore as followers of John, and not of Christ, they baptised others: for when did Christ authorise them so. to do?

V-Where is it once commanded by Christ, that his disciples and followers, or believers, should be baptised in water? In Matt. xxviii. 19, and Mark xvi. 16, water is not named, neither is there any word either in our version, or in the original of those two texts, that has any allusion to water.

VI.-Why is nothing said in the four gospels about the apostles, or the Samaritan believers (John iv. 39, &c.), and many others (John viii, 30, &c., x. 37, &c., and xi. 45, &c.), being baptized?

he

VII.-Why did Paul thank God that had not baptized more than he had, if baptism was a command of Christ? and who sent him to baptize, if Christ did not? 1 Cor. i. 14, &c.

viz., water baptism, and the Spirit's baptism? and that he believed in the latter is undeniable from 1 Cor. xii. 13, “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body."

XI.-Why is the Christian's Sabbath, or the first day, called the "Lord's-day," Rev. i. 10, and the Supper called the "Lord's Supper," 1 Cor. xi. 20 and water baptism not called the Lord's baptism?" The phrase "John's baptism" we meet with, but no where in the New Testament do we find named the "Lord's baptism."

XII., and lastly-Why should we have recourse to Greek Lexicons, or the writings of learned men, either ancient or modern, to ascertain the true meaning of the word baptize, when the Holy Ghost by the apostles, have told us in plain language that it means "to shed forth," Acts ii. 33, "to pour out," Acts x. 45, or "to let fall?" Acts xi. 15.

4th, Their personal application, "I will give you the sure mercies of David."

1. Whose the mercies are said to be-Da

vid's. Many things that David speaks of in the book of Psalms, which many think he spoke of himself, conveys to us the idea of his being a lively type of Christ, and that what in its true import, can apply to none in its he does speak, as in the language before us, direct application but to the Lord Jesus Christ; in a secondary point of view they might be David's, and sure they were; they were his VIII.-Why has the Holy Ghost given by gift; but, mark you, they were not his to us such a particular account of the institu- give. I am certain that a greater than David tion of the Lord's Supper as in 1 Cor. xi. 23, is here, and while we may be disposed to view &c., and not any account of the institution him as a type of Christ, yet if we minutely of water baptism, &c. observe the language of my text, we shall see IX.-Why is there not one command, the type swallowed up in the great Antitype. exhortation, or precept, to be found in all Our David will appear here but as a shadow, the twenty-one Epistles in the New Testa-prove just as easily for me this night to give and Christ the great substance. It would ment relative to the observance of water baptism?

X.-Why did Paul say, there is 66 one baptism" (Eph iv. 5,) if he believed in two

salvation to you all, as for any one, or even David himself, to give to any individual the mercies here referred to. You will observe, by referring to the following passages of holy

writ, that the language will apply to none and eternal electing mercy of the other. How but our spiritual David, the Lord Jesus great the mercies of redemption, pardon of Christ. In the Prophecy of Jer. xxx. 9, " But sin, regeneration, salvation, and eternal life! they shall serve the Lord their God, and David These all spring from the grace and mercy of their king, whom I will raise up unto them." God, as it is said, "The mercy of the Ezek. xxxiv. 23. 24. "And I will set up one Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, them that fear him." The term mercies even my servant David; he shall feed them, in my text includes all the blessings of the and he shall be their shepherd !" "And I covenant that is ordered in all things and sure. the Lord will be their God, and my servant And, O, how wonderful is God's preserving David a prince among them, I the Lord have mercy to the heirs of salvation, during the spoken it." Ezek. xxxvii. 24, 25. "And days of their unregeneracy, made manifest, in David my servant shall be King over them, our departed brother, under the malignant and they shall have one shepherd; they shall diseases with which he was visited. Why also walk in my judgments, and observe my was he not cut off as a transgressor? Because, statutes, and do them; and they shall dwell although he knew it not, he was interested in in the land that I have given unto Jacob my the sure mercies of David; therefore, preservant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and served in Christ. After being called by divine they shall dwell therein, even they, and their grace, how short and how rugged was his pilchildren, and their children's children for grimage from earth to heaven; but amidst it ever and my servant David shall be their all, he had upholding, sustaining, and supprince for ever." Hos. iii. 5. "Afterward porting mercis, in which he greatly rejoiced, shall the children of Israel return, and seek realizing in them a part of the sure mercies the Lord their God, and David their King of David in which he was interested. Depend and shall fear the Lord and his goodness on it, beloved friends, the mercies of God are in the latter day." I trust, beloved bestowed upon his people when most needed. friends, you see with me, that David in my text evidently refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, our all-glorious antitypical David; and that all covenanted blessings are treasured up in him, the great covenant Head of a covenanted people, even all the election of grace, for whom it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. And for the confirmation of the dear child of God, Could we, under spiritual guidance, and in the Holy Spirit under whose divine ministry the light of the Spirit, always read truth, and we are favoured and privileged to be found, the covenant in settlement, how it would cause as was our dear brother, he being deprived us to triumph in our affliction! Our departed of the ministry of truth, through the gospel | brother thus experienced it, for when harassed, of the Holy Spirit, was pleased to exalt his perplexed, and tempted, he realized the suc precious Head by giving out of his fulness, couring mercy of Christ, his Elder Brother, these sure mercies, said to be "the mercies of who knows what sore temptations mean for David," and so raise the precious standard, he has felt the same; under which he was when the enemy had come in like a flood, helped to say, "thanks be to God who giveth endeavouring as it were to drown his soul, me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." blast his hope, and remove him from the hope of the gospel.

II. Take notice of the mercies themselves. Mercies signify blessings; and the question now to be solved is, what are the mercies, or blessings referred to in my text? The mercies contained in my text are incomprehensible, and in number innumerable a few must suffice. First, there is the Father's electing mercy; to this some may object; be this as it may, I feel sure and positive that my standing would not be worth a rush if it was not founded in the electing mercy of Jesus Christ; the Father's electing mercy, the Son's redemption mercy, and the Holy Spirit's quickening mercy, is what our dear brother, rejoiced in here below, but is now basking in the full enjoyment of above; for this trinity of the mercies of God, first being made acquainted with the Holy Spirit's quickening and calling mercy, he was then led to Christ for redemption mercy: "in whom," says the apostle," we have redemption through his blood, the forgivenees of sins according to the riches of his grace:" when led thus far, he was enabled to discover that the whole sprung from the everlasting love,

It may be the blessings are delayed in our judgment, but not as it regards God's purpose; but it will be found in the end that our visited time is the choicest part of the mercy. In the days of our pilgrimage the Lord has fixed our lot: the things we should enjoy, or love, all are ordered by the covenant in which is found all the sure mercies of David.

III. Their security-here called " sure mercies." And well may they be called sure, for they are sure as a Triune God could make them. The covenant in which is treasured the mercies spoken of, is an unconditional covenant of grace, and peace; its date and duration everlasting; if the Father's love was from everlasting, Christ the Son was Mediator of the covenant from everlasting, and its blessings secured before the door of time was opened; therefore it must have an everlasting covenant, and as it contains all the mercies to which my text refers, they must of necessity be secure. How rightly then has the Holy Spirit called them "sure mercies;" the covenant being made with Christ, these mer. cies were put into his hand for the whole election of grace, and come through his blood to them; hence, they are said to be sure ones; they are in safe hands; Christ, who is entrusted with them, faithfully distributes them: by his death he made a way for the communication of them, consistent with the justice of God; as also he rose again, and lives for ever, to distribute, them and to see that there is an application of them made to the persons for whom they are designed.