May the Lord pour out upon his living family a spirit of grace and supplication; for if ever there was a time for "Zion to be on her watch-tower, and pray, surely this is the time. Oh, for more simplicity and less form! took my place in a vessel. There were only tween. There is no doubt, that if short a very few rough fellows in the vessel, and hymns were sung, and four or five were to they were intoxicated, besides the manager of take up the time, instead of two, prayer the little sailing boat. The men seeing by meetings would be better attended, especially my dress that I was a Jew, and a foreigner, as the word of God is so pointed to the subbegan to tease me first, and then ill use me;ject, as, "let your words be few," &c. they at last resolved to throw me into the river; and they would have done so, had it not been for the interference of the manager. When we arrived at the other side, we got out, and they all walked off and left me; I felt too ill to walk; and it being late at night, I remained by the river side. Being in the summer season, early in the morning, a gentleman, taking his walk on the river side, came to me, and seeing me very ill, asked me how I came there; I related to him the circumstance. He was a Jew, and recognized me as one: he took me to his house, and there I remained for a full month under medical treatment, with little hope of my recovery. Here again I was "plucked like a brand " from the jaws of death. Upon the mount of danger the dear Lord appeared his ways are past finding out. The holy apostle speaks of perils of robbers, and I have experienced somewhat of the same both literally and spiritually. Sin, O, what a robber it is, it robs me daily of my heavenly comforts, it robs me of the man. ifestive presence of my dear Redeemer. Satan also is another robber who spoils my heavenly peace. The world is another robber, which steals my better joys. I feel that I am in danger of these robbers daily. I am sensible if it were not for the power of God, the Holy Ghost, keeping me every moment, I should fall a victim, and bring a disgrace upon the dear Redeemer's name and cause." Since our first notice of this volume, some queries respecting its truthfulness have been forwarded to us. We laid the queries before Mr. Samuel; he has answered them in a Christian spirit, and with satisfactory evidence. Before we take a final farewell of the book, we may notice both the queries and the answers. PRAYER MEETINGS. To the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL. DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-I hope the remarks you have made respecting the prayer meeting at New Land Chapel, High Wycombe, may have a salutary effect among the churches in general. That prayer meetings are Scriptural, and of the greatest importance, no spiritual-taught soul will deny. But, alas! how often instead of a lively soul-animating prayer meeting; may not the meetings be termed prating meetings; it is a fact individuals will occupy twenty, twenty-five and thirty minutes of the hour set apart for a prayer meeting, to the discomfiture of those that are obliged to keep their seats until the Amen; and thus through one person occupying three times the length of time he ought, only two individuals can engage, especially if long hymns are sung be From one who knows the privilege of attending a prayer meeting. [It Certainly is time that some consideration be given to this subject. It has long been a matter of much thought with us.-ED] BRIEF LITERARY NOTICES. "GOD IS LOVE: OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FATHER'S INFINITE AFFECTION FOR There has, for many years, been a kind of mist over our mind, with reference to that most emphatic and descriptive sentence,→ "GOD IS LOVE!" We never questioned the fact; but in contemplating the character, counsels, attributes, doings, and developements of the Deity, we have scarcely ever thought of the words, "GOD IS LOVE," but difficulties have immediately presented themselves which would so becloud the spirit, that if any one had said, "Expound clearly to us that most mighty sentence, GOD IS LOVE,'" For many years, in hundreds of places, and to we should at once have replied, "We cannot." thousands of people, we have attempted to unfold the beauties and blessednesses of the gospel of Christ; but in no one case could we ever, with perfect satisfaction and clearness, enter upon a subject so profound and mighty as this, that "GOD IS LOVE." It is (we have sometimes said) a relative term. In the everlasting covenant of grace, in the glorious Person of the dear Redeemer, in the essential • work of the Holy Spirit, in the gospel dispensation, and in all his providential dealings with his saints on the earth, "GOD IS LOVE." And in each, and every one of these grand mediums of Divine manifestation, we are persuaded it is a most sublime reality that "GOD is LOVE." Nevertheless this silent thought would arise again, "That is not all that is intended by that most decided and comprehensive sentence, GOD IS LOVE.'" The other morning we saw the announcement which stands at the head of this brief notice. What! we said, has the author of "The Brother Born for Adversity" (that written a volume on this very subject, "GOD purely spiritual balm for afflicted minds) IS LOVE?" Yes, he has. Presently the book was in our hands. We have begun to seek for something from it entirely to chase away the mist referred to, and we have an hopeful DEC. 1, 1857.] expectation that we shall not be disappointed. | a deal to learn before he will be an able minThe author is a powerful, conclusive, yet ister of the New Testament. When he has easy writer; he is one of the most laborious been to Joshua's school (Zech. 3) he will know literary men of the day; his works have been how to distinguish "Things that differ," and eagerly sought for, and much honored. The instead of lisping sibboleth we shall hear him present volume, "GOD IS LOVE," has been shout shibboleth (Judges 12. 6). favourably reviewed already, and the demand for it has been considerable. We purpose thoroughly to investigate every particle of the work (the Lord permitting), and if this precious Bible-sun, "GOD IS LOVE," shines more clearly in our souls through the instrumentality of this beautiful volume, it will be to us a pleasure to endeavor to comfort our readers with the same consolation which we ourselves hope to enjoy. We would extend this notice, but cannot this year. THE EARTHEN VESSEL. "THE TWOFOLDNESS OF DIVINE TRUTH:" by R. GOVITT. London: James Nisbett and Co. DR. CUMMING'S "BAPTISMAL FONT." It is singular that our attention should be called to Dr. Cumming's work on Baptism, and to "A Villager's" Questions on Baptism at the same time. The quantity of papers which have rolled in upon us this month have put the "break" upon our progress with the Doctor's "Font," Two letters are already in this number on the subject. We must not occupy more room now. We shall carefully tie up all the papers we receive, with Dr. Cumming's volume, and peruse them as opportunity serves, giving our readers, and the Doctor too, the full benefit of those valuable communications with which our brethren have favoured us. There is so much that is true, and so much that is contradictory and unproved in the Doctor's work, and in the views of our opponents, that we feel too much care and prayerful caution cannot be exercised in dealing with the subtle and popular advances made upon us by adverse powers, Unquestionably reviewing religious publications is not the least responsible department of an Editor's duties. If the work placed in the Editor's hands be of God, it is an insult to the Most High to throw it aside as waste paper; or, if in animadverting upon it, we speak disparagingly of its contents, and thus hinder its circulation, we damage that interest whose God is the Lord. On the other hand, if we should patronize, by our Editorial recommendation, that which is not of God, we do thereby promote the interest of antiChrist: for, all evangelical publications whose father is God, is identified with Christ: while all other religious works, however fine the title page however flattering the preface however flowing the language-however facinating the contents however philological the composition-however logical the arguments, whose pedigree is not Divine, ignores Christ, and is, to all intents and purposes, Antichrist. With these convictions we feel it an important and difficult task to discharge our reviewing responsibilities. The work before us is evidently written by a clever and educated man, and from his philosophical style of writing, we are inclined to think his talents might have been more advantageous to the scientific, than to the religious world. He ignores arminianism and calvinism; and yet hugs both. He lives between Sinai and Zion; he hears the sound of thunder, and the voice of mercy; but he is so remote from Zion, and so distant from Sinai, that he cannot define the sound of either. He is a spiritual polygamist; and, while, he would retain Sarah, he will not let Hagar go. He is the servant of two masters, and loves Moses as much as Jesus. He wears a linsey-woolsey garment, because he lives so far from the torrid zone; there pure linen is enough. He sows his field with mixed seed, that he may insure a crop; even, though it be of tares. He ploughs with the ox and the ass, because two are better than one; even, though one should be an ass. Hence the peculiar aptness of the title page which is indeed prophetic of what was to follow. We would not say that Mr. Govitt is not a good man, but he has MR. JAMES WELLS'S NOTE RESPECTING "PLAIN PAPERS ON THE MILLENNIUM." [We have had these "Plain Papers" by us some weeks, intending to notice them. Our brother Wells has stepped in before us with the following note, which we cheerfully give, although we consider Mr. Palmer's Papers worthy of a more extended notice. The subject itself, the views now in existence upon that subject, and the able and comprehensive manner in which Mr. Palmer has brought it before the churches, all demand what we hope to give a more enlarged review.-ED.j DEAR MR. EDITOR. Could you kindly afford me a little space in the December number of the VESSEL, just to say that Mr. William Palmer, of Homerton, has published eleven successive tracts, or "Plain Papers," as they are called, to be had of Houlston and Wright, Paternoster-row, and by order, of course, of all respectable booksellers? These Papers are upon the Millennium; the object is to shew the reign of Christ is not temporal, earthly, or local, but spiritual. And what I can but wonder at, is that these should not, ere this, have "Plain Papers been read by every lover of the Bible throughout the land, especially by everyone who believes that the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. I say nothing of the unbounded researches of the author, or of his uncommon industry, or of his full acquaintance with all the millenarian theories, from the first of the ancient fathers, down to the present day. I say nothing of the literary excellencies of these Papers. I trouble not myself to make any remarks upon the strength of the lan guage he employs, the force of his sentences, the propriety of arrangement, clearness of diction, and sonorous collocation of words; nor will I stop to notice the masterly way in which he sets principle by the side of principle, leaving them both room fairly to struggle with each other; nor will I describe the terrible plight into which the earthly-millennium principle is brought. THE EARTHEN VESSEL. I have read these Papers with much interest, and have been edified and confirmed in what always have been my feelings and sentiments upon the millennium. I can imagine three chief causes of these Papers not being universally read. First, they are not in their real value much known. Secondly, many who would like to read more, really have not the time to spare so to do; the world, of necessity, absorbing nearly all their time. They have to struggle hard for the bread that perisheth. Great allowance must be made in this department. LINES BY HER NEPHEW. But the third cause of good substantial books ON THE DEATH OF MISS ELEANOR BAILEY, -requiring close attention and some little labour to understand-one reason such books are not more read, is the almost universal custom now of reading almost exclusively books and periodicals of mere gossip and comparative trash; our theological skies are covered with these clouds without rain; and these wells without water are found everywhere; these upas trees overhang and poisonously shade thousands of professors, who deal so largely at these sweetmeat shops that the purity and healthiness of their taste are gone; wholesome food cannot be enjoyed by them; it is enough to tempt one to think that the churches are being prepared for some fiery judgment. We all no doubt like a little bit of light reading now and then; nor shall I be either so fastidious or hypocritical as to deny this; but then, to take a little bit of sugar candy now and then is one thing, but to attempt to live upon it is quite another thing. Therefore I wish I could see, in place of so much light reading, a little more solemn laborious reading; it would be better for us all. Now, my object in speaking so highly of these "Plain Papers, Palmer, of Homerton, is that I wish others written by Mr. to be profited by them, as I myself have pro REDEMPTION [DEC. 1, 1857. fited by them; and the apostle says, "It is a truth; we shall yet have plenty of trials, and FOR ENTIRELY EMANCIPATING Sum announced last month, £73 18s. 8d. Miss Clark, Sandwich, 18; Mrs Wild, Hayes, 38; Mrs Moore, 1s; Hyde-park, 18_6d; A Lover of Truth, with Questions, 1s; Mrs Hacker, Bildeston, Suffolk, 2s 6d; E. S. L. S., Lewes, 18; C. H., 38; W. F. (Bexley Friend), 28; A Constant Reader, 6d; A Minister, Berkhampstead, 58; Friend C., Tring, 68; G. Peppitt, Poplar, 1s 6d; Another mite, not to be acknowledged, 18; W. Z., Walthamstow, 6d; A few Friends from Sturry, near Canterbury, by Samuel Foster, 48; Two Lovers of Truth, 28; Hopeful, by Mrs Bowyer, 1s; Mrs Boys, 1s; Mr W. Pimm, Baptist Minister, Newport Pagnell, and a Friend, 78 6d; Mrs Moore, Stoke Newington, by Miss King, 28 6d; J. Cheshire, Hoxton, 18; Miss Cheshire, 1s; M. C., 6d; R. C., 6d; Mr Thos. the impulse of the moment To mourn for dear departed friends Rather rejoice--thank Him who gave The coffined dust of one now lies Mouldering in death's embrace, Though short her illness, yet her soul For soon was snapped the mortal chain, F. B. FUND, "THE EARTHEN VESSEL." Friend at Wantage, 28 6d; Mrs Lodor, 2s 6d= Medhurst's, Mr., Letter on Faith M'Cure, J. B., a letter from Life of the Late John Warburton Baker B. B. Wale Clerkenwell Devonport Earith Brosely Colchester, and Mr. Collins Crowfield, Suffolk, Recognition at Camberwell Coggeshall, Essex Chatteris Goswell-road Ilchester and Hardington Jersey Kingston-on-Thames Page, 16, 33 18 134 222 Lynn, Norfolk Little London, the Church at Leighton Buzzard 35 - 207 19 26, 77 116 - 219 · OUR BRITISH BAPTIST CHURCHES: . 129 Kettering Longparish Church, the History of 32 141 Bermondsey Bedford, the Churches in Brighton and Lewes 89, 96 190 . 165 . 166 . 15 69 . 236 39 - 262 - 93, 141, 163 214 15, 40 96 17 - 118 19 95, 165 17 118, 239 192, 284 |