Jan. 10 and 11, Mr. P. W. Williamson, held The anniversary of Mr. Thomas Chivers's ordination was holden at Christmas, in "Ebenezer," Webb-street, Bermondsey New-road. Mr. Bloomfield preached. The brethren Foreman, Wells, Flack, and Bowles gave some good discourses in the evening. All appeared happy and at home in the best things. We understand a building fund is raising to build a more commodious chapel for Mr. Chivers and his friends. Our young suburban causes are holding on in spirit and in truth. EBENEZER CHAPEL, BUTTESLAND STREET, EAST ROAD, CITY ROAD.-The annual tea meeting was held on Tuesday, Jan. 5th. Upwards of 150 took tea. The public meeting was presided over by Mr. S. Green, the pastor. The chairman stated that during the past year 21 members had been added to the church; twelve by baptism, the other nine had been previously baptized, for which the church desired to thank God, and take courage. Mr. Foreman then addressed the meeting on the subject of the gospel armour, after which, the pastor, Mr. S. Green was presented by one of the deacons in the name of the church, with baptizing suit, consisting of waterproof overalls and alpaca gown, as a mark of their esteem and attachment to him. Messrs. Wells, Milner, J. A. Jones, and Hazleton then addressed the meeting on the subject of the gospel armour. Mr. J. S. Anderson closed the meeting with prayer. a SHADWELL.-In Rehoboth Chapel, Victoriastreet, Shadwell, one of the very best meetings was holden on Tuesday, January 19th. Mr Thomas Field, the pastor, presided, supported by his brethren Bloomfield, Samuel Cozens, and others, who gave some intelligent and encouraging addresses. We sincerely rejoice to be able to state Mr Field's health is better; and his ministry in Rehoboth is gradually prospering. CLARE SUFFOLK. DEAR BROTHER BANKS, -Believing you are ever anxious to freight the VESSEL with such things as savour of the power and vitality of the religion of the Son of God, I write to inform you that on Sunday morning, Nov. 1st, 1857, our chapel was densely crowded, when I preached from the pulpit, and gave an address at the waterside, from Acts viii. 35-38, after which I baptized eight persons-four males and four females-varying from 14 to 57 years of age; four of whom are Sabbath School teachers. On Friday, January 1st, 1858, we had a public tea and meeting in behalf of the Sabbath School, which passed off capitally, suitable addresses being delivered, pieces sung, reading the Scriptures, and prayer; and a unanimous vote of thanks to the young friends, teachers in the school, for Sunday, January providing so comfortably. 3rd, after preaching from James ii. 18, ("Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works,") I immersed one young person, who gave satisfactory proof that she had passed from death unto life. Thus the Lord is blessing us, and with such lively stones, he is building up a spiritual house, holy, and acceptable to himself by Jesus Christ. Now, Mr. Editor, allow me to state that your correspondent, who signs himself " A Peckham Plain Man," is in error as it regards the Clare people not noticing you, for were you to come to Clare to-morrow the pulpit would be at your service, and not a murmuring word would be uttered by either the pastor or deacon, or even a single member of the church. One of my deacons told me that the pulpit was at your service at the time the people were destitute of a pastor; and it is hoped that should you come to the Keddington anniversary this year, you will preach at Clare the evening previous to the same. Sometimes at Clare we are called Herald people. Well, we love the brethren connected with the Gospel Herald, and are glad to state that we have the promise of its fourfold increase circulation during the present year. Now as it regards the VESSEL, every one knows you are the Editor, and I have spoken both of it and you from the pulpit, and during the present year, instead of eleven subscribers we have forty-four, a fourfold increase. Thus, Mr. Editor, you see how very much you are disliked at Clare. Several friends have asked me which periodical I prefer, the VESSEL or the Herald? My reply was, "If you read them both, you will know which you like most;" consequently they gave me an order for a copy of each. Let other ministers and agents do likewise, then our worthy Editors will not have to complain so much of their pecuniary difficulties. Lord grant them success, and abundantly bless you, Mr. Editor, in your works of faith and labours of love, is the prayer of yours in JOHN PELLS. Christ Jesus, The Our Australian Mails. A LETTER FROM JOHN BUNYAN MCCURE, TO MR. JOHN FOREMAN. should be called to work in this part of the church,-16,000 miles from that spot where the Lord was pleased to make me the honoured instrument in the conversion of many who were obiiged to pray for themselves, and walk in the footsteps of the flock. I am sure it will give you great pleasure to hear that the Lord is pleased, as a special favour, to give his poor unworthy servant message to his dear people in this distant land: he has made bare his arm, and takes the prey from the mighty, and gathereth a people around the standard of eternal truth, a people from all parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, who fear his name, and some of whom are united together in the bonds of church fellowship. Through the goodness of the Lord, we have been enabled to build an house for the Lord; a stone chapel, that will seat between two and three hundred persons: we have named it "Mount Zion Chapel," and propose opening it on Lord's-day, November 1st. One of our friends will forward a report of the opening to the EARTHEN VESSEL. Mrs. McCure joins with me in prayer to the MY DEAR BROTHER.-Grace unto you, and peace, from him who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. In looking over the EARTHEN VESSEL for 1848, I was much pleased in again reading the outlines of that important charge you gave me, on the day of my ordination, as pastor of the baptist church, Hadlow. The text was "the work of the ministry." It is now more than seventeen years since the Lord called me to this great and honourable work: many have been the trials, losses, and temptations through which I have had to walk; notwithstanding, grace has reigned, and the work of the ministry has been, and is more sacred to me than wealth, friends, or life. For I can say, "though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel :" the precious, glorious gospel of salvation. The salvation of God's own elect, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, as the consequence of electing love and eternal union: God hath chosen you from the beginning to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL, GEELONG, Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is our salvation; therefore, everlastingly permament to all the seed royal, the redeemed of the Lord. The manifestation of their covenant character, and relationship, and standing as dear children, accepted in the Beloved, is through the power and grace of the Spirit Jehovah, being brought to Christ, under a sense of sin, with felt need that corresponds with all he is; "who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, sanctification and redemption;" and need that can only be supplied by that precious blood that cleanseth from all sin; need by which a poor child of God feels that he cannot do without a precious Christ; to whom he is coming, Looking, hungering, in whom he confides, on whom he leans, and upon whom he calls-received by my good brother and present pas "Oh! visit me with thy salvation." Such being led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God, and shall to the end stronger and brighter shine. O, my brother, what a special favour thus to have the witness within, in the court of conscience, that we have passed from death unto life, and are thus evidenced as the chosen and redeemed of the Lord; and that, amid the trials and temptations, and reproaches, through which we have to pass, that we have likewise our witness in heaven, and our record on high; therefore, in all these things we are and shall be more than conquerers through him that loved us. When you gave me the right hand of fellowship in the name of the Lord, as a fellowlabourer in the gospel, I did not think that I THE AND MR. J. B. McCURE. DEAR BROTHER BANKS.- Grace, mercy, and peace be with you and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth. Doubtless you will be surprised to receive a letter from me in this part of the world, but I cannot now enter into details; suffice it to say, that I have proved that God moves in a mysterious way, and that goodness and mercy have followed me to the present moment, not only in providence but in grace, my soul having been kept alive in the midst of famine, not having had the privilege of a Gospel ministry from the time of leaving England until my arrival here in May last. I was most kindly tor, John B. M'Cure, whose ministry is much We there is not a pure gospel ministry. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the Rock; if so, let him take heed that he find, not a famine of bread or of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Yours, for Christ Jesus' sake, JOHN B. EVANS. Since writing the above, I have received the May VESSEL, as also a letter from brother Chivers, and brother Mead. G. Dyer's letter is good, and, I believe, true. The congregation he speaks of under Mr. Hewlett are one in sympathy and interest with the "General Baptist Missionary Society." Mr. H. may, for aught I know, be a good man, but as regards his duty-faith ministry it may be written, "Tekel." (Dan. v. 25.) "There is death in the pot." The sheep cannot feed after their manner. Since leaving Sydney, I hear there is likely to be a cause of truth established there under the ministry of a Mr. Emery from one of our English counties. An abundance of profession is to be found there, but I found it as regards the gospel of God to be a barren land. Poor Mr. Turley struggled hard to raise up the tabernacle of David which was fallen, but in vain. At Bathurst, beyond the Blue Mountains, above 100 miles from Sydney, the Church of England, Romanists, Presbyterians, and Wesleyans have each a cause, but whether there be one individual who knows the plague of their own hearts or the name of Jesus as the hiding place from the storm, I do not know. regards the temporal position of the church, the ground is bought and paid for (£150). think by the time all is finished, the building itself and the vestries will cost nearly £700; this, considering that there is not one amongst our number who can be said to be rich, you will say is a heavy burden, but though we are poor, yet the promise is to the poor of this world, rich in faith, and as the Lord has given our brethren faith and confidence in himself that he will bless and prosper the undertaking. doubtless it must go on; though Satan, with all his enemies, try to stop the way, and though Balaam the false prophet may be eager to curse the people. It is the only cause of pure, yea and amen, gospel truth in Geelong. It is to be named, I understand, "Mount Zion," and may the dear Lord command his blessing, even life for evermore. I should tell you that our brother McCure gives his services quite gratuitously, and that he keeps back no part of the word of truth; the trumpet gives a certain sound, and they come who are ready to perish. It is yea, and amen in Christ Jesus. "And whosoever thirsteth, let him come and take of the water of life freely." I have felt constrained to write from reading the July number of the VESSEL, and while writing my spirit yearns for the days that are past when I have sat on an evening like this, (the Sabbath) and my heart has bounded within me when at the Surrey Tabernacle, that highly favoured servant of God, my dear pastor, who now signs himself" A Little One," has opened up the Scriptures and instrumentally led me over BAPTIZING AT HOUNSLOW.-On Lord's day again those paths through which I trust the morning, January 3rd, the first in the new year, Lord has brought me. And my dear brother two believers passed through the solemn ordinance Chivers; my wife and myself often think and of baptism. One of the candidates had been talk of him. We would, were it possible, be he has been settled here. How truly encouraging awakened under brother Palmer's ministry since amongst those whom we did not think so dear are these seals to the ministry: the labourer's until lost to us, so far as this world is concerned, best hire. We cannot but trust a good work is perhaps for ever. While memory lasts I think going on at Zoar. We have good reason to beI shall never forget the impressive and search-lieve that several others are deeply wrought on ing solemnity of our dear brother Thwaites, from those words, "And he was speechless,' at the little prayer meeting, Gloster Row, (brother Chivers's). O! my dear brother, I can truly say that if any thing depends on me as a creature for acceptance in the sight of God, I shall be speechless to all eternity. But bless his precious name, though I may be, and am, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, wounds, bruises, and putrifying sores, and like Joshua clothed in filthy garments, yet HAPPY MEETING AT WHITTLESEA:-Dear broJesus the Angel of the Covenant will rebuke ther, I know you rejoice in the welfare of Zion, the devourer for the sake of election's loving wherever you hear of it. I may tell you a very choice of the brand. I feel that in Jesus there happy evening was spent on Monday, January 4th, is, as it were a boundless peace. My soul an- by the church and congregation attending Zion Chapel, Whittlesea. Our brother Ashby has ticipates the day when the Lord God shall been ministering the word amongst us four years, wipe away all tears from off all faces, when and God has blest that word with "signs followthere shall be no more sin, no covetous or un-ing," as 40 have been added to the church since clean desire, but there shall be one song" Unto January, 1854. And the chapel has been considerhim who hath loved us," and the name of the ably enlarged and improved at an expense of about city is the "Lord is there." I should like to say ing was addressed by Mr. Whiting, of Needing£300, and a small debt only remains. The meetmuch, very much, more concerning temporals worth, and Mr. Foreman, of March. And the and spirituals, but want of space forbids. As friends with the ministers appeared to rejoice in regards the advisability or not of persons emi- the blessings of truth and peace. A very welcome grating, I cannot at this present time gift as a token of the affections of his people was say anything, but let every man be persuaded given to our brother Ashby, while many and in his own conscience in the sight of God, and hearty were the prayers presented to God on his behalf, that yet more of Jehovah's blessing might so let him act, as the counsel of God may accompany the word of truth in that now enlarged direct; but let him beware of going where and well filled house of prayer. A MEMBER. long we shall have other souls desiring to follow through the word, and cannot but hope that ere their baptized Head through the baptismal waters. On the occasion, brother Palmer spoke from Matt. xvi. 24. He first noticed what it is to be a follower of Christ. 1, to love his person and character; 2, to receive his spirit; 3, to imbibe his doctrines; 4, to tread in his footsteps. Secondly, brother Palmer spoke of the necessary cross. 1, a family cross; 2, a cross of heavenly pattern; 3, a significant cross; 4, a sanctifying cross. AN OBSERVER. BRIEF REVIEWS.-"A Reply to the Letter of the Rev. C. Smyth, by the Rev. J. Clements.” Mr. Clements is the pastor of the Baptist church, at Woodford, near Thrapstone, in Northamptonshire. The Clergyman of Woodford, has, in his blind zeal, endeavoured to repudiate the ordinance of Believer's Baptism. Mr. Clements, in masterly manner, has done more in defence of that ordinance than any modern writer we have yet seen. Baptist ministers may do good by circulating this tract. "The Book of Books: a Lay Sermon by W. Tidd Matson." A pamphlet designed to urge the necessity of searching the Scriptures. Mr. Matson is a talented Lecturer and Writer. We would ask one question-we wish he would reply-Does not fallen man need a Guide to direct him, and a heavenly Lamp to enlighten him, in his search through the Scriptures? Why is it that nearly all our Lecturers, Preachers, and Divinity Writers, now leave out the Holy Spirit's Personality, and essential work in the matters of our Salvation? We look in vain for this, in nearly all the productions of modern times. The faithful ministers of Christ's Gospel must more than ever insist upon the paramount necessity of the Holy Spirit's Office, Character, and Work. The omission of this is fast making way for Candles, Crucifixes, Creature-doings, and for anything and everything but the one thing needful' without which the kingdom of God can never be seen. A LETTER FROM SAMUEL FOSTER, OF STURRY, KENT. A LITTLE BANK OF FAITH.-My dear brother in a precious Redeemer, I will try and dictate a few lines to you; and tell you a little of the goodness and mercy of my ever loving and precious Saviour. The poor bush is still burning, though not consumed. I am ill indeed: still "it is well!” All must come, and last, and end, As shall please my heavenly friend. Sweet the moments rich in blessings And sit with Jesus on his throne? FOR to my back door; it escaped from the fowler : the As we draw near our journey's end, My new years gift was these precious words, "Lo, My soul anticipates the day, REDEMPTION ENTIRELY Sum announced last Nov. FUND, EMANCIPATING "THE EARTHEN Friends from Woodford, by T. C. VESSEL." Friend, Unicorn Yard, from Holloway, 0 1 0 Friend per Mr Butt, Friend, Cave Adullam, given to C. W. Banks, Given at Mr. Bowles's anniversary, Christian brother (Peckhain) .. H. Young Basket and 1s; from Sturmer Mr John Sales, and friends Orpington... Miss Winser, Margate Mr G. Bartlett, Trowbridge, H. B. C. W. S. E. S ... 038 0 1 0 0 10 0 050 0 10 050 ... ... 0 26 020 M J. Foale, Dartmouth Friend, Mrs Gruitt E. S. W. H. W. S.... Mrs Ford and Stonham friends 0 0 6 0 0 6 050 A brother, per Mr Jas. Wells... Brother John Freeman Cheltenham Ministerial Biography. THE LATE MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, OF LEICESTER: HIS CONVERSION; HIS MINISTERIAL CAREER; HIS LETTERS; AND HIS LATTER END. as the tops of Gilboa? No, indeed we have not. Neither are we at all happy in those hot contentions, and controversial fires which burn up the little green leaves of fruitfulness growing in our souls, and leave us as seared and as barren as the worst parts of an Hampshire heath. We would gladly away with all these deadletters for ever; and as gladly would we leave all controversial spirits to themselves; but, alas! alas! we are no sooner out of one of these marshy places than we fall into another, and to keep the VESSEL, and ourselves clear of them, seems impossible. Sometimes, we hope that this fanning and sifting, this shaking and tossing, this grieving and wounding of our ever deeply lacerated spirits, by cruel professors; controversial writers; and over zealous children, is designed to work out good to some parts of Zion; and to develope certain truths, principles, and practices, which otherwise would be kept in obscurity; and, therefore, we wish to bear with patience, the trials and the taunts connected with an editor's life and labor. Especially when we consider that from time to time, we are favored to enjoy fellowship with those who once mourned as we do, but are now gone to glory; whither we hope, after all our battles are fought, we shall go too. EXCEPT the Bible, there is no class of books so dear to our hearts as the biographies of truly godly men. We love -most vehemently we love-to read the accounts they give of the travail of their poor souls-of the fears of their broken hearts, of the distress of their agitated minds, and of the solemn sense of condemnation they endured while beneath the curses of God's violated law they laid. We rejoice not in their sorrows in the abstract; but three things make us prize these genuine testimonies of a repentance that needeth not to be repented of the first is, because our own souls derive much comfort and confirmation from these living streams which from the wounded spirit of a quickened vessel of mercy doth flow: the second reason is, because we are quite sure that such souls will come into the bond of the covenant; into the banqueting house; and into the glorious liberty of the sons of God: the third reason is, because amid the multitude of professors around us, it is so rare a thing to find a man whose heart has been broken by the law, and healed by the love and blood of Immanuel; it is so rare a thing to find even a gospel preacher whose spirit is humble, contrite, devout, sincere, and assimilating unto the mind of Christ; we say, it is so seldom you can meet with one whose secret breathings of soul tes- These remarks have rather spontatify that they are living branches of neously thrust themselves out of our Christ the living vine; these persons are minds, while we were about to commence so few, and so far between, that it re- a review of those two most precious joices our hearts in no small measure, volumes just issued by Mr. Henry to have even the written history of a Morgan, of the Crescent, Leicester, and really heaven-bound servant of God. entitled: Do you think we have any fellowship with mere speculators in divinity, or any delight in those fulsome pulpit-hunters which infest the churches, and split our Zion into ten thousand atoms? Do ye imagine we are at home with men whose brains are as active as the electric wires, but whose hearts are as hard and as dry VOL. XIV.-No. 156. "A Selection from the Correspondence of the late Rev. Joseph Chamberlain, Minister of Salem Chapel, Leicester; and Sketches of some of his Sermons; with Brief Recollections of his Life and Last Illness. By his Widow. In two volumes, with Portrait." And two very handsome volumes they D |