THE EARTHEN VESSEL. [Nov. 1, 1857. OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES. MR. BAKER'S ORDINATION AT CHELMONDISTON. MR. EDITOR.--As I saw my ordination referred to in "Earthen Vessel," it devolves on me to give a true statement of what I was enabled to say on that occasion. I would say Brother Foreman told me to be as short and as simple in my statement as I could. ability to preach: but I did as I was asked to do; and for the first time, addressed the school children; after which my name was put village in which we were to preach. After I on the village plan, which plan specified the had fulfilled my engagements specified in the plan, my name found no admittance on the next, without being spoken to by the planmade man a mere machine, I drew what inmaker; but being told by an individual, I ference I pleased. After this, I supplied at Ashfield, from thence to Crowfield; but for obvious reasons I left, and followed my busi After singing and praying, Brother Collins stated the nature of a gospel church. Brother Felton then called on me to state the manner in which I was brought from darkness to light. I arose in bondage and darkness, and said, "Iness at East Dereham, and the minister of the could not tell what it was o'clock when the Lord commenced a work of grace in my soul, but I felt thankful that I decended from parents professing godliness, and that my mother carried me when young with a heavy heart six miles on Lord's-day's, believing it was her duty, as a parent, to take me where the gospel was preached. After this, I became a schofar in the Sunday-school, and in the course of providence Mr. Elven, of Burv, preached the anniversary sermons on behalf of the school. I remember he spoke of the sinner's heart by nature as a dark room, and the gospel as a candle, shining therein, discovering the nature of sin; from that time I thought it a true picture of my heart; and I continued praying from fear of death and hell ten years; and what I went through is not possible for me to utter. When about fifteen years of age, I, by the kind providence of God, was led to reside at Bury; I attended under the ministry of Mr. Elven, and in hearing him preach, sin became hateful; and I was enabled to look to the Lord Jesus Christ for comfort; and out of love to his name was constrained to follow him in the ordinance of baptism; and when looking through the sign signified, the joys I shall never forget. After this, I felt more extensively the depravity of my nature, and my inability to stand, unless kept by the power of God. I could not understand a yea and a nay gospel; but by reading some numbers of the Gospel Standard, and Mr. Irons's sermons, under the teaching of the Spirit, I was led to see the permanency of the covenant of grace. I would just say here, although I did not see eye to eye with Mr Elven, he behaved like a father in the advice he gave me. Mr. Elven would shame many who profess to be sound in the faith. When he wrote my dismissal to the church where I preached, he wrote as follows: "We want the doctrines of the gospel in the head, the grace of God in the heart, and gospel practice in the life. Doctrine is soul supporting; experience is soul-comforting; and practice is ornamenting. O! for more about the perfections of our Lord, and less about the imperfections of one another, as we are brethren." But to return; as to my call to the ministry, I cannot say much; therefore, all that I did say ought to have been inserted. I had no particular passage lay on my mind, declaring to me my cause there allowed me to preach on Lord's day evenings, he not being able to attend; and it is, remarkable how the Lord did bless the word through me in opening blind eyes, and leading many from duty-faith and Lord in the ordinance of baptism. I just menarminianism and constraining them to follow the tion this, to show that I did not leave off stated: my employers having no more employ preaching when I left Crowfield, as has been ment, I left, and received a call from the leading men of the Home Mission to preach at Stonham; and being informed that a great many obstacles where in the way relative to the carrying on of that cause I was advised to accept a call from the church at Chelmondiston. I did so; and as I feel in some measure the preciousness of the truth, and the value of immortal souls, God helping me, I intend to proclaim the sovereignty of eternal grace to perishing sinners. I do not write this God's goodness in raising me from sin to preach to aspire after pulpit fame; but to set forth to a people which I think have a little discern blessing, often melts me into nothing. As to ment the contemplation of which, under God's the church over which I am placed, I would say, I do not think they would knowingly emfame, but having been broken down they want brace a young minister who aims at pulpit knew before I was ordained that I received to hear of the fame of Christ; and they the blessings of the gospel in a sovereign way, and the effect is to love the same. Mr Pegg said he did not want to quarrel with pastor or people; I do wonder where his discernment cernment, and I wonder where his discernment was in not discerning his self-applauded diswas-blessing with his tongue upon that which he afterward's found fault with by his pen. I hope next time he writes he will write the whole truth. Chelmnondiston, Suffolk. SAMUEL BAKER. A NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL FOR (To the Editor of THE EARTHEn Vessel). DEAR SIR.-We are thankful to have to acknowledge the Lord's good hand upon the cause here, in answering prayer, that faithful ministers may be sent to preach his truth, and that the word may be spoken with, and re ceived in, power and joy. Many have witnes sed that it has not been in vain, for they hungered after, and found, the bread of life; signs have followed, to our encouragement as a church, and to strengthen the hands of those who, under God's blessing, have been made instruments of good to our souls: "Thine, Lord, is the power; be thine all the praise and glory, for thou alone givest the increase!" Last Lord's-day morning (October 11th), at their own desire, and on satisfactory evidence of their love to the Lord, six persons publicly put on the Lord Jesus, and were not ashamed to be known in his Church before the world, as his disciples, by obedience to his command. It was a good day to many; Mr. Miller, of Horley, lent us his chapel, for the morning service, and our friends feel thankful for the attention and brotherly kindness shewn to us; it was quite filled, and much seriousness and interest in the solemn, yet delightful, ordinance, was manifested; and some were led to desire they might, in God's time, be made proper subjects thereof by his Spirit's grace and teaching; while others began to consider their ways and reflect how long they had professed to know the Lord, yet disobedient to his own plain command by which to witness their attachment to his truth. In the evening, at our usual meeting place, Redhill Institution, after a suitable discourse from Phil. I. 5, "Your fellowship in the gospel," the members were received, and the Lord's Supper administered, uniting in gratitude for what the Lord had done for us, and in them. One person had been brought to know the Lord, near sixteen years ago, under Mr. Foreman, but was hindered in her profession of Jesus' name by fear, doubt, and timidity, but now felt sure it was the Lord's time. The Lord shone upon her, strengthened her heart, set her soul and tongue at liberty, removed every impediment, and made her find the words that had been blest to her quite true, "Them that honor me, I will honor." We hope, ere long, we may have a chapel here, which is much wanted; after many refusals to sell us a piece of ground, we would thank the Lord that his hand is seen in providing us with a suitable plot, freehold, and near the station. The fund commenced by the "Reigate Baptist Building Association," near five and a-half years since, still increases by constant small subscriptions, its supporters having scrupuously adhered to its fundamental principles and rules, from which we regret some of its early and zealous friends have swerved to new doctrine, and practices, and order. After completing the purchase of the ground, we had near £200 towards the build. ing, so we hope next spring we may see a begining of the place in which we trust "That many sinners round May come to hear of and to love To which may you and all that love his sal- E. H. RYE LANE CHAPEL, PECKHAM. On Monday, October 5th, a sermon was preached in the above place in the afternoon, by Mr. James Wells; after which, tea was provided in the vestry; and in the evening, a public meeting was holden on behalf of the parsonage, just completed, behind the chapel. Mr. Moyle opened the meeting by reading the sixty first Psalm. Mr John Bloomfield engaged in prayer. Mr. Moyle, (who was in the chair) said, as his brother Bloomfield had another meeting to attend, he should at once call on him to speak. Mr Bloomfield then addressed the meeting upon the "Shewbread," in an interesting and practical manner. Mr. Moyll then said-Christian Friends, many, many changes have passed since first I came among you: ten years have gone-I came in October, 1847, and now it is October, 1857-but I feel just as happy now as then. I have been to the settlement of many men since then, and at some of them the deacons have declared Mr. So-and-so to be just the very man! oh yes, in every pointbut in a few months they have found out their mistake, and perhaps called a meeting, and presented their pastor with a something to send him going our brother Milner was once presented with a silver inkstand, and sent about his business. But here, they have not, my brother, (Mr. Moyle speaking to Mr. Milner) presented me with an inkstand, but they have built me a neat, comfortable house, and I have a vine and a fig tree, and I can sit under my own fig tree, and I hope none shall ever make me afraid. As to the future, I shall not attempt to look into that, but I will do you all the good I can while I stay. If I knew I should leave you this time ten months I would feed you all as well as I could. Let us thank God for the past: and now to business. Mr. Congreve then stated that the contract for the house was £315; the interest on loans, laying out the garden, &c., £15; making a total of £330. Gathered by loans and subscriptions £295. We want therefore to get this evening £35 (Mr. Moyle said I wish you may get it,) and we think nearly, if not all, the £35 was collected, when they sung, "Come let us join our cheerful songs." Mr. Milner then spoke on the Ark, in a most instructive aud able speech-it was to us the richest part of the meeting; Mr. J. A. Jones on the Altar; Mr. Meeres on the Candlestick; and the pastor closed the meeting with prayer. BETHEL CHAPEL, HUNGARY-HILL. Nor far from the Bishop of Winchester's Castle, near Farnham, Surrey, stands a neat little chapel, called Bethel, erected in 1835 by a dear man of God named Smith, whose labours in that part of the vineyard were useful to many souls for some years. At his decease there were two brethren willing to lead the services-Mr. Joy (now of Ripley), and Mr. cided to call the latter, whose ministry stands Drake, the present minister. The church dein a profitable acceptance and usefulness, both in calling in, and building up. Ever since the Lord called him to work in the ministry, he tions, we still think, that, (where the Lord is pleased to give a man a clear call into this office, richly anointing his head, softening and comforting his heart, and prospering the works of his hands), there is no position in all this world, more interesting, more important, or more influential, than is that good man's who is, by Jesus Christ, anointed to feed the Church of God. But how painful to nature has laboured hard, suffered the loss of all things, and proved himself an honest and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ; many times walking on the Sunday morning twenty miles from Staines (where he resides) to Hungary hill (where he preaches), without fee or reward, or any prospect of a wealthy incumbency. All who know the "Hungary-hill pastor" speak of him as one that labours purely out of love to Christ, love to the truth, and love to the souls of the people. We un--to find that even ministers wear out-their derstand he is shortly to be publicly ordained, and then we hope to give an interesting account of his conversion to God, through the instrumentality of Jonathan George, now of Walworth. On Monday, Oct. 5, the harvest thanksgiving meeting was holden at Hungary-hill by C. W. Banks preaching afternoon and evening; the chapel was crowded with friends; nearly one hundred sat down to tea; and the services of the day were rendered a blessing to many. We were glad to hear that through the instrumentality of our friend Drake, the little Bethel is secured to the Particular Baptists, free of all expense. friends wear out—their enemies and their usefulness wear out-and the finale of this, the best of all earthly positions, is to be carried to the tomb-to be laid in the grave. Others beside Paul, however, have often been in a strait betwixt two, knowing that to depart, and to be with Jesus, is far better. Be of good cheer, ye poor, tried, servants of God!—" there is a rest which remaineth for you;" and when on that glorious rest you enter, never shall thy poor brains be overheated, nor thy poor souls be sorely tempted more, the crown and King's smile will make amends for all. You know, dear reader, we have seen William Scandrett's early ministerial career. After he had laboured nearly twenty years at Sible Hedingham, a change in his peace and prospects took place. lee Jottings," closes up the first pastor's meThomas Jones, in his pretty book "Jubimoir in the following manner : DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-I am sorry to hear of your heavy domestic affliction, which caused so great disappointment. I was at the station to meet you; when I found you was not come, many things crowded upon my over the tabernacle. Mr. Scandrett, whose In the early part of 1822, a dark cloud canfe mind. I was sad. A few words dropped into ministry had been so successful, and his remy mind, which seemed to decide the matter; so that I was prepared to receive your letter putation unsullied, through a combination of on this day. I went on to Ilchester; found trouble ensued. As is common to all such second causes, became embarrased, and much four ministering brethren waiting; brethren Blake, Wisloch, Kirk, and Mr. Roberts, from cases, a variety of opinion existed. Bitter Cornwall, all these send their love to you. ties, made work for repentance. words were not wanting, and perhaps, all parBrother Kirk read and prayed; and brother feature of humanity more prominent than There is no Roberts preached a good, sound, savoury this, every man knows his neighbour's business sermon, which was heard with great satisfac- better than his neigbour does; aye, better than tion. We had good congregations, and the he knows his own. Hence, hasty conclusions, Master's presence made the service very and uncharitable and unjust judgments. We On Thursday I went to Hardington, com- cannot wonder that such a subject should be municated to them the illness that had hap- prolific of reproach, censure, and maliciouspened, and found the sanctuary filled withness. It led to the vacation of the pastorate, attentive hearers; there the Lord shone into my soul gloriously, and the streams of gospel truth flowed freely. This was a great change to me, after having many months captivity: We did rejoice in God, and glory in the rock of our salvation: the smiles of a sin-pardoning God makes amends for all. G. KELLAWAY. cheerful. WILLIAM SCANDRETT'S END. and a temporary division of the church, and caused sore distress to many minds. "The valley of Achor is the door hope." Here was torrent of prejudice and cares; and at Godan able minister of Christ's gospel flooded by a manchester there was a faithful few, who wanted a man to guide and feed them. They sent a deputation to Sible Hedingham, who searched out the matter, and came to the conclusion that there was no wrong which charity could not cover. So they arranged with claimants, and carried off William Scandrett bodily. And their courage and kindness were amply reWe have often felt persuaded that no warded in the long-continued and devoted happier position could be found on this earth, services of their adopted pastor, who, for many years, waved the banner of the cross among than is that of "THE FAITHFUL, THE DEVO- them, and was instrumental of much good TED, AND THE USEFUL PASTOR.' And al- both to saints and sinners. "Honour to though our course has been one of deep trial, them!" we say, without implying or intending and painful anxiety-and, although we have any reflection on his former charge,-"ve say seen many pastors in most humiliating afflic-"Honour to the men," who liberally (Concluded from page 229.) and wisely came to the rescue, and secured a bene- | parallel. A list recently sent us by one pubfit to themselves by overstepping reproach, lishing-house, announces between thirty and and setting a fallen soldier on his feet, that forty volumes, written or produced by Dr. he may again do battle with the King's ene- Cumming. There is scarcely any one branch mies. Their estimate of his worth, and their theological, devotional, practical, or controaffection for his person, are recorded on a tomb-versial-but Dr. Cumming has taken it up: and stone in the Baptist Chapel Burial Ground, his style is so perfectly easy, pleasing, and inGodmanchester, of which we subjoin a copy: telligent, his researches have been so imIn memory of William Scandrett, the faith- mense-his powers of application and adaptaful and esteemed pastor of the particular bap- tion, so clever - his controversies, generally tist church in this place during seventeen speaking, so captivating and triumphant, years. The peculiar doctrines of the gospel that he has obtained a place and a position in which he warmly advocated in life were the the professing Christian church which but joy of his soul in affliction and death. He few men can reach in any one given period of was called home to glory, June 25, 1841. world over, and it is only for him now to antime. Dr. Cumming's Works are all the Aged seventy-four years. Thus, then, we have recorded William Scandrett's pastorate. We have some more richly edifying memoirs of pastors now in glory. We hope to give a series of them. "Jubilee Jottings" may be had, post free, to any address for five stamps sent to T. J., 3, Spencer-place, Blackheath, Kent. REVIEWS. DR. CUMMING'S "BAPTISMAL FONT," AND "PHASES OF APOSTACY," &c., BY "PHILOLOGUS." nounce a new one; and edition after edition we say, are rapidly taken off. "All hail to the Dr." "Honour to whom honour," And when we reflect upon his small beginning-his obscure exodus-his struggles-his labourshis most incessant toils in reading, writing, preaching, and lecturing; we say, again, as an industrious man-and perhaps, as a man sincerely desirous of doing good, he deserves the esteem and "praise of all the Churches." More especially, if, when Dr. Cumming and Eternal Truth, it cannot be said-"Thou art his Works are well weighed in the balances of found wanting." the same. and certain points, as to sail smoothly down He has so avoided all the sharp the stream; and if the Dr.'s work, called The Baptismal Font," had not been so directly opposed to New Testament practice, if a review of his work had not been so imperatively called for, if "Philologus" had not water, we had never presumed to have even -unintentionally-plunged us into such hot named the Dr. in our humble VESSEL; but as it is, we must go on next month, if the good Master of us all will permit. In the meantime, we must recommend Baptist ministers particularly to read "Philologus's Phases of postacy," published by Piper, Stevenson, and Spence, price sixpence. Both these works are now before us: they There is, in all the Dr.'s works, a large are before the Church at large: they are with proportion of gospel truth, most beautifully in the reach of every intelligent and truth-expressed; and worked out with so much seeking Christian: and they give rise to that none but an eagle-eyed discriminator natural sympathy, softness, and affection, questions which are closely identified with the could ever dare to question the soundness of declarative glory of God, and the holy, the happy, and the consistent walk and worship of the real Christian. These Works have been thrown before us; we dared not pass them by without notice; we could not notice them without expressing our mind freely, frankly, and fully. By so doing we have lighted a fire which we suppose will not easily be extinguished. Letters from ladies and from gentlemen, epistles from "scribes well in structed," and scurrilous notes from arrogant spirits, have assailed us, simply because we announced an exposure of the fallacies of Dr. Cumming's "Baptismal Font." Perhaps before the matter closes some portions of these effusions may be introduced; at least, if we should require illustrations of overheated zealotism, we shall have a full supply. But we desire to write soberly, seriously, and effectually, or never to write at all. May the Lord give us his Spirit, his mind, his will, his truth; may he pardon in us anything like a Jehu-tone, and only let us be used for his glory, and his ransomed people's good: then, although a host should rise against us, we shall feelingly exult in the fact, that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Wherefore we shall have no real ground for fear. Dr. John Cumming, the "Minister of the Scottish National Church, in Crown Court, Covent Garden," is one of the most prolific Christian writers of the present age. He is, in fact, a most clever, and talented book-maker and his success in obtaining circulation for nearly all his works, is, perhaps, without "THE SEVEN SEALS, CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE EMANATING FROM THE It is neither pleasant nor easy to review works of this character. In the first place, while we are assured that "Blessed is the man that reads and hears the words of this prophecy," we also believe that the opening of the seals-the understanding of the mysteries the defining the periods-the simplifying the metaphors-are privileges only enjoyed by men favoured as Daniel and Ezekiel were. It is in "the visions of God," that highly fa voured men come to a knowledge of the "deep things" of heaven: and although such men may very clearly see the mind of God in high and holy matters, they cannot convey to others, that anointing oil wherewith their own eyes have been so sacredly enlightened. In the next place, almost every minister, and careful student of prophecy, has his favourite theory, notion, or principle, which, in many cases, we have found to be exceedingly wide and conflicting. Nevertheless, when we meet with a man whose whole soul is devoted to God, whose whole mind is given up to the diligent study of God's Word, whose whole aim is to exalt the Saviour, glorify his Maker, and benefit his fellow-creatures, and who, as the rich reward of these his labours, obtains special light, and heavenly understanding, we feel gratefully constrained to listen to such an one, to sit at his feet, and to catch, if possible, a little of the unction which, by God's grace, from his teaching, may descend. Such a brother, we trust, is "Gideon :" and although he may tread in some paths never opened up to us, nor trodden in by us, still, we must believe he is searching for truth. Let the elders of the Church carefully peruse this sixpenny pamphlet; and if they can discover any antiChristian mixture, let them declare it. We feel anxious to go over this work again with ten-fold more care, and report accordingly. "THE SHUNAMMITE.-FAITH AND PROVIDENCE-PROVIDENCE AND GRACE-A WORD TO PILGRIMS." By the Rev. John Waters Banks, Assistant Chaplain, Portsmouth. London: Partridge & Co.; Robert Banks & Co. month, only refer to a much and most dearly beloved brother's book, by saying-we have read it with pure delight, and special profit. It is chaste, spiritual, encouraging, and evidently designed to help many a poor pilgrim in his heavenward journey. After making all the deductions we can for predisposed affec tions for one who is a brother both by nature and by grace, we must confess we do wish that thousands of Zion's pilgrims may enjoy "The Shunammite" as much, and even more than we have done. "THE PILGRIM SISTERS:" An Original Poem, by George Bartlett, a Living Witness of the Boundless Grace of God. London: W. H. Collingridge, City Press, Long Lane. We know nothing of George Bartlett, but we exceedingly delight in the beautiful, the bold, the fearlessly-outspoken, and, to us, most precious description of character he has appended to his name-"A Living Witness of the Boundless Grace of God!” Not a witness merely, but a living one. Not simply a wit ness of the grace of God, but of the boundless grace of God. Ah, George, if this be true, then "Happy art thou," and happy shalt thou be, when this vain world shall be no more. This work contains a poetic dialogue between two sisters, in which the sacred deeps of a divine experience, the emotions of a Christ-extolling heart, and the confessions of a grace-taught spirit, are declared in a strain of purity, simplicity, and greatness, which makes us wonder whether these poems are of recent production ? or are they fetched out of the old stores of ancient, and giant-like times, when divinity, faith, love, zeal, and gospelhope, were as so many strong men, who rejoiced to run a race, looking into the glories of Immanuel, and triumphing in his most de In taking up this three-penny pamphlet just issued, we felt a strong desire to draw a map compassing the journeys which the writer of this review, and the author of this "Shunammite" have travelled, since that eventful Sabbath when both of us set out to-lightful name? gether in the public ministry of the word. But, it is Saturday night-it is nearing the end of the printer's month-and room in the Vessel is very scarce; we can, therefore, this There is no answer to be found in the book; but there are evidences sufficient that it has been written by "An Israelite indeed." Some quotations we wish to give another day. REDEMPTION FUND, FOR ENTIRELY EMANCIPATING "THE EARTHEN VESSEL." Sum announced last month, £67 4s. 11 d. Ashampstead, 18; I. J., a Lover of the Truth, 1s; Mr Moneyment, 1s; A Member of Birch Meadow Chapel, Brosely, 1s; Collected by Mr C. Merritt, from friends at Mendlesham, £1 178; Mrs Solomon, 108; Mrs Beeden, Grimston-park, 6d; Friend, by E. C. Bird, Thame, 1s; Mr R. Collins, High Wycombe, 108; W. Arnold, 6d; E. Carr, 6d; Friends, by Mr R. Mower, Shipton, 10s; W. Prouse, Devonport, 1s 3d; "A Blind Believer," 6d; "H. E. C.," Clapham, for the Redemption Fund of the VESSEL, expressive of our sympathy with the Editor, 108; Watkin Morriss, Preston, 2s; Lady, by Mr Wallis, Bexley-heath, 28 6d; Captain A. Dale, Chelmondiston, 2s; A Reconciled Sinner, 18 8d; Thomas and Mary Johnson, 28 6d; C. W., and Friends, Cheltenham, 28 [C. W., Cheltenham, says: Ac cept the stamps towards redemption of EARTHEN VESSEL, from a few friends. I would say, 1 have cause to love the VESSEL: the contents have often been blessed to my soul]. A Friend, by Mr Beacock, Wantage, 1s; E. H., Red-hill, 2s 6d; E. Belsham, Wendover, 28 6d; M. J., Shalford, 1s; Mr Gideon White, Castleford, 18; Mr John Keal, Chelsea, 58; Mr Glaskin, 6d. By Mr R. Channen: Mrs Kidman, 1s; Mrs Moore, 28 6d; Mrs Read, 28 6a; Mr Evans, 6d; A Chosen One in the Furnace of Affliction, 18. By Miss E. Moss, Peckham: Mrs Grunt, Is; Mr W. Moss, 28 6d; A Friend, 1s; Mrs H., 6d; Miss H., 94d; Mr J. P., 2s 6d; Mr Weston, Is; Mr J. Moss, 28 6d; Mr G. Buttwell, 18; A Friend, 2s; Mrs Robinson, Moulton, Sea End, 28 6d. P. W. WILLIAMSON, Cash Treasurer, 14, Clarendon-road, Notting-hill. |