the sorrows which sin produces; we turn from these public sepulchres of grief, and go into the cottages and chambers of the deeply afflicted; we must be always hearing the confessions of poor, convicted, and trembling souls, the desires of hoping spirits, the joys of pardoned children, and the songs of the ransomed. All these things, (under the Spirit's anointing grace,) must tend greatly to stamp the man with impressions, which must be read and seen, more or less, by all who have to do with him. It is not the sermon in the pulpit merely; it is not the black and the white which make up his attire; it is not a pretended sanctimoniousness. No!-it is a solemn, earnest, out-spoken, steady, persevering, and continuing character and carriage, assimilating to the spirit and the letter of the gospel, which renders the servants of Christ, (in the main feature of their lives,) the living epistles of Christ, known and reid of men. Perhaps there is not one rightly taught servant of Christ on the earth, but mourns over the prevailing infirmities constantly felt to be in and about his person! Nevertheless, the pastor who is not to some extent, an example to believers, cannot expect to meet with much good success in his work. All ministerial failures proceed, principally from the want of an internal knowledge of truth; from a lack of ministerial and practical decision for truth; or, from frequent inconsistencies of character. Oh! that the LORD would himself speak these words most powerfully, into the hearts of thousands of his dear servants :-Be thou an example unto bolievers. throne, and to the Lamb for ever. An example to believers. We have not room this month for the six specified things, in which Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example: these will come in next month. Mr. T. B. Parker, of Hope Chapel, Twig Folly, preached in the evening. We pray the struggling cause at Cranmer Court, Clapham, under brother Bird's ministry, may rise, and increase for the ingathering of many souls. MR. CARPENTER-HIS DEACONS AND THE BAPTIST CAUSE AT DUNSTABLE. MR. EDITOR-IT is almost four years since I was moved, in the providence of God, to Dunstable; since that time I have attended the ministry of Mr. Carpenter, (formerly of Mitchell-street, St. Luke's, London,) at the old Baptist chapel, in this town. I have heard him both with profit and comfort; he is a faithful and decided preacher of the gospel, keeping back no part of the price, but boldly and faithfully dividing between the precious and the vile. He possesses what could never be obtained by learning,-great originality of thought, and a very fruitful mind in the Scriptures: so that there is a freshness and a variety in his ministry, very acceptable to the people, among whom he has laboured for ten years. It must be encou raging to him to see the work of the Lord prospering in their midst; for many are called to a knowledge of the truth, and saints are comforted, and built up in their most holy An example.-The word example is some- faith. The Lord has also given him Godtimes drawn from that which would imply a fearing, honest, upright, consistent, tenderPillar, with two arms, pointing two ways: hearted deacons; men, whose hearts and souls an uplifted arm of warning on the one hand, ardently long, and pray, for the prosperity of and an arm pointing upward and onward, on Zion; and for Zion's ambassadors." How the other. The tone and tenor of the pastor's beautiful upon the mountains," (they exlife and labour, is designed to warn men of claim,) "are the feet of Him that bringeth the danger of sin and error:-Warning every good tidings! Their heart's desire, and prayman, and teaching every man. A minister er to God for the church at Dunstable is, must not be seen smiling upon sin of any that the union and peace so long enjoyed, sort; or favouring error of any kind; he has may be continued. A sermon, which will been plucked as a brand from the burning; long be remembered by many, was preached he has been delivered from the curse of a on Sunday Evening, February the 28th. The broken law; he has been taken by sovereign subject was Believers' Baptism: the text was grace from the power of Satan; he has been 2 Sam. xv. 15. "And the king's servants constrained to fly from all false refuges of said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are lies; he has felt the force of those words:- ready to do whatsoever my lord the king if the righteous scarcely be saved:-what, shall appoint." After a brief introduction, then, are his inmost feelings? why, such as he noticed,-1st, the King-2nd, the servants cause him to frown upon evil, and fly from -3rd, the appointment-4th, the willingness error, with all the power the Lord bestows. of the king's servants, to do his pleasure. The In these things he is an example of warning arguments in defence of believer's baptism to believers. This is not all. He has so were powerful and conclusive. The people heard the gospel as to receive it; he has so listened with marked attention, and I trust seen Christ as to love him; he is so under the much good was done; for the chapel was influence of the Holy Spirit, as to know that densely crowded; much good order prevailed. all his springs of life divine, are in the Lord: After the sermon, Mr. Carpenter baptised two hence, he looks to Jesus-smiles on the gos-males and three females; most of whom propel-sheds holy tears in viewing the cross-fessed to have been called under his ministry. casts his eyes of faith and pure desires to heaven; and labours most ardently to lead up the minds, thoughts, affections, and desires of all around, to him that sitteth upon the It was a season long to be remembered. The Lord's presence was felt and enjoyed, and we can set our seal to the truth, that Jehovah frequently manifests himself in the adminis tration of this much-despised but glorious ordinance. The following Lord's-day, March 7, Mr. Carpenter addressed the baptised very affectionately, from Acts ii. 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 1st, he briefly stated to them, the nature of a gospel church; 2ndly, the end and design of a gospel church, and 3rdly, the duties of members. On the last part, he made some useful, excellent, and practical remarks; "stirring up their pure minds by way of remembrance," and admonishing them one and all, "not to forsake the assembling of themselves together." "A hope so much divine May trials well endure !" I desire to be cautious, remembering the words, "let not him that putteth on the harness, boast himself as him that putteth it off." I desire to rejoice that the Lord has given me this hope, and he has promised that "the bruised reed he will not break, nor quench the smoking flax;" with many other great and with some humble degree of confidence, of precious promises, on which at times I lean which I knew nothing twelve months back. I say, thank God for sending us one fitted by himself for a great and glorious work, and may that Almighty Friend who has thus blesto him for his great goodness; may our souls sed us make us really and constantly grateful adore him for that unmerited grace that has snatched us as brands from that everlasting say-burning; may it be his Divine will to continue to us our dearly loved pastor many years, and supply him as hitherto with abundance of "the old corn of the kingdom;" and keep us all in health of soul and body, for Christ's sake, is the prayer of one of the weakest in hope. A. B. C. May the Lord long continue to bless the labours of our brother Carpenter, at Dunstable, and may they long enjoy peace! Oh, how good it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity. Mr. Editor, you can unite with us, and "My soul shall pray for Zion still, A LOVER OF Order. AN ANOINTED PILLAR OF PRAISE. [It is evident, from testimonies constantly coming to hand, that the Lord has "made bare his holy arm" in Orford Hill Chapel, Norwich; for which we would glorify his great name. The following is a small sample of much that has been sent us.-ED.] DEAR SIR-I write a few words to you relative to the cause of God, at Orford-hill. I can conceive of no one thing so desirable in this sin-cursed world, as to be made useful by God, to any of his dear people, and it must ever be to you a sweet reflection,that the Lord put it into your mind and heart to request John Corbitt to come to Norwich; that was but the unfolding of one of the leaves of the volume of which the poet speaks in such sublime strains, "Chain'd to his throne a volume lies With every angel's form and size "His providence unfolds the book, The time was come for the Lord to favour Zion in this very, very, dark corner of the earth; and it must rejoice the hearts of all the dear saints, that are rightly affected, to read, or hear, what great things the Lord has done for us, whereof we truly are glad. I can, from my heart, say, "bless the Lord for sending us such a Shepherd; one whom he has made faithful to the souls of his fellow mortals, whether saint or sinner; and through whose instrumentality my soul has been brought from a state of wearisome perplexity, to enjoy, at times, the blessed and happy liberty of the gospel, and to be looking forward to that happy, happy home, where "the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.'" Norwich, March 15th, 1858. THE THANK-OFFERING OF THE CHURCH AT ORFORD HILL. To the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL. Dear Sir,-It has fallen to my lot to address a line to you on a matter of some importance, because it has to do with eternal things. The Church meeting at Orford Hill, Norwich, has signified a wish publicly (through the EARTHEN VESSEL,) to thank Almighty God for his great goodness toward them in remembering them in their low estate; and you also, sending among them a man, in the person of as an instrument in the hand of God, for Mr. J. Corbitt, to preach the word of truth in this dark wretched city of our's, where errors abound to an alarming extent: and never was the truth as it is in Jesus more needed than at the time which, in the wise order of a gracious Providence our friend came to Norwich, (he having acceded to the wish of the church and congregation to take his standing among them.) We now call him our pastor, and the general feeling is great gladness of heart. I and some of my brethren look back some fourteen months, when we saw a chapel next to empty, and we had many prevailing fears respecting the cause of God here; its appearances said, the doors of the place will be closed, and "Ichabod" might be written on the walls; but that God who seest not as man seest, had thoughts of peace towards us, for while we were looking on outward appearances, our God was working in secret, as has been shewn to us by the power of God being made manifest to heal the breaches, and bring life and immortality to light by the preaching of his servant. We are very happy to say there is a work going on; and we who made the subject a matter of earnest prayer, and have witnessed the change, are compelled to exclaim "What has God wrought?" "What a wonder-working God is the God we adore! enemies; nevertheless the work of the Lord We have proved him "A faithful unchangeable Friend, Whose love is as great as his power, And neither knows measure nor end." Many have been added to the church; some by Baptism, some from other churches; and others who have been wanderers, without any certain dwelling-place for years, have found a home at Orford Hill, and have said, "We will go with you, for we perceive that the Lord is among you.' It has been said, the people in Norwich would not come to hear the truth; but this has been disproved, as our place of worship is well attended, and many come to hear the word of life, for which we are glad. The work of applying the word belongs alone to God, and there appears to be much good going on in this respect; and we desire to render thanks to the name of that God who does as he will in the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth. Our friend has his heart made glad by seeing that he is not labouring in vain, nor spending his strength for nought; and I humbly believe the prayers of the people are daily ascending to the throne of God, that he would not only bless, but abundantly bless his work of faith and labour of love; and that many may be made manifest here that shall be his joy, and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. In the name of the church, your's in Gospel bonds, JOSEPH FIELD. Deacons-ROBERT TALBOT, JOHN GOWEN. THE CITY OF EXETER RISING FROM THE GRAVE. [It has long been said that the gospel could not flourish in Cathedral cities; and, from our own ob servations, and from experience, we have feared the statement is too true. We have been in Canterbury, Rochester, Winchester, Salisbury, Gloucester, Bristol, Norwich, Peterborough, Exeter, Ely, Oxford, Cambridge, and other cathedral and collegiate cities; and in scarcely any of them, has the gospel had a standing of any extent; but, we are led to hope, better days are coming. This month, from Norwich and Exeter, good news is to-hand. We extract the following from a closely written epistle from Exeter.-ED]. DEAR SIR-I have long witnessed the distressing state of professing churches in Exeter, (almost given up to idolatry, Arians, Socinians, Arminians, and Papists ;-) almost starved, tossed and driven about, seeking food, and finding none; ofttimes our eyes failed with looking upwards, and the earnest cry burst from our hearts, "O, Lord, we are oppressed, undertake for us." We rejoice to say, blessed be his name, he has heard and answered our feeble prayers in a most mysterious and unexpected way, in sending us that highly favoured servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Z. Turner, with the glad tidings of a free, full, and complete salvation. The glorious realities are faithfully, unctiously, experimentally, powerfully, and fearlessly proclaimed; and the Lord has set the broad seal of his approbation on the ministry of our brother. Those who seemed to be pillars in the church, proyed themselves is going on most blessedly. On Thursday, March 4th, seven persons where baptized at Bartholomew Chapel, lent to us for the purpose, when our dear pastor, Mr. Turner, took for his text Acts ii. 41, 42, &c., taking the model church for his pattern; and preached an excellent sermon, full of godly zeal, christian philanthrophy, firmness and decision. Our opponents were surprised; our friends comforted; and the young recruits feasted on the fat things of the gospel by which their souls were refreshed and strengthened to pass through the ordinance with joy. The baptizing was attended to in a very orderly manner: profound silence pervaded every mind while they beheld the redeemed by blood follow their lovely Redeemer in his own appointed way. On Lord's day, March 7th, the young disciples where united to the Church of God at Zoar Chapel, when brother Turner pressed upon them forty-nine exhortations, seven for each, which by God's blessing will make them fruitful in every good word and work throughout their pilgrimage. Glory to God such a day has not been witnessed at Zoar for many years. Now my dear brother will you invite any godly ministers, who may be passing through this place, to stop and preach at Zoar? They will find an hospitable church, and a warmhearted brother in Mr. Turner. I am a ten years' subscriber to the EARTHEN VESSEL, W. SHEPHERD. 77, Sidwell Street, Exeter, March 12, 1858. SOUTHWARK. Yard Sick Visiting Society, Unicorn Chapel, Tooley Street, London.-The annual meeting of this useful institution was holden in Unicorn Yard Chapel, on Tuesday, March 16th. In the afternoon, Mr. Attwood, of Camberwell, read and prayed; Mr. James Wells preached a useful and most acceptable sermon from Phil. iii, 16: a good company then sat down to tea; and, at half-past six the public meeting commenced, presided over by Thomas Pocock, Esq., whose recent illness appeared to give rise to some most excellent and truly Christian introductory remarks. The report of the society was read by C. W. Banks; after which, Mr. Pocock introduced Mr. John Foreman to the meeting, who proposed the adoption of the report, in an address of great length, commenting on the mysterious order of Divine Providence-the privilege of being enabled to help the afflicted poor-and the benefit resulting from organised committees-in a profound and masterly manner. The pastor of Mount Zion Chapel was evidently quite at home in his work that evening. Mr. Chivers seconded the motion; Mr. James Wells pleaded for a collection for the Society, in which he sympathised deeply with his ministerial brother Foreman; and succeeded in securing to the fund nearly eight pounds. Mr. B. Wale, of Reading, proposed the officers for the ensuing year-and the chairman closed the meeting acknowledging a vote of thanks to himself and the officers of A ASHFORD, KENT.-In Ashford, since Mr. Tappenden was called home, there has not been any permanent prosperity in stirling gospel matters. small congregation now assembles for the worship of God, in the Joint Stock Hall, North Street, Ashford. Mr. E. L. Moat, who formerly preached here, has left, and Mr. G. Bradshaw, of Canterbury, now labours among them, to the comfort and edification of the people. We have been favoured to peruse some testimonials of Mr. Bradshaw's usefulness. As a Christian brother we have long known and esteemed him; he has walked in darkness, and "laboured under load;"-if now, the Sun of Righteousness arise, and shine upon his soul, with healing power, his ministry, will, doubtless, be of a lastingly useful kind. We hope a gospel church will soon be formed a house for Christ's glory erected,-and that "the little one may become a thousand." continued love and unity prevailing among us, and closed the meeting with supplication, and the benediction. "And now, O Lord, let thy work children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us !" Psalm xc. 16, 17. A hymn, composed to be sung at the Recognition Now let us see thy smiling face; As our great Prophet, King, and Priest, And would uphold his righteous cause, That constitute thy church below; More of thy teaching, unction, power; To love our Lord, and serve him too! Be bless'd divinely more and more; Lew Books. A FEW WORDS ON THE REMAINS OF SQUIRRIES STREET CHAPEL, BETHNAL GREEN.— We held our annual tea meeting, Feb 23rd, 1858. We never had a more crowded, or better meeting; much praise is due to those active friends who so disinterestedly, and gratuitously, toil on these occasions for the comfort of the many. Our subject was "THE CHURCH;" and when our friends sang his lofty praises melodiously, they gave God their best in the service of song. Brother Sack supplicated the divine blessing; brother Flack spoke upon the "Foundation;" brother Chivers on the "One True and living Church;" brother Bowles' upon the "Churches Ministers and THE LATE MR. CHAMBERLAIN, Servants." These were the three speeches of the evening, rivetting the attention, and well sustained in spirit and ability. Our venerable friends Wallis, from Bexley, and Firman, from Hackney, also spoke sweetly of the consolations of the tried family. Our young friend George Webb, (a member with us), and who is labouring with much acceptance in White Street, Finsbury, where Mr. Whittaker labored for many years,) also spake well upon the subject of the Church's enemies. Brethren Bracher, Ballard, Harris, Keyworth, and E. Minton gathered around me in the chair, and their presence was truly refreshing after my late trying affliction. Yours in best bonds, W. T. HASLOP. MAIDSTONE. A Public Tea Meeting was held Feb. 22nd, at Mote Road Chapel, to recognize Mr. John Dixon as pastor of the Church there. There was a good company. After tea, a hymn composed by the pastor for the occasion, was sung very heartily; the senior deacon prayed, and gave an address; after which he introduced brother Dixon as the newly-elected pastor of the baptized church of Christ meeting in this place. Brother Dixon then gave an outline of his conversion, his call to the ministry, his belief, and of the way in which he had been brought to this sphere of laAnother hymn was sung, brother Boasey, (one of the deacons) made a short speech, and prayed. Then we sang the hymn commencing, bour. "With heavenly power, O Lord defend Him whom we now to thee commend." Afterwards Deacon Wager addressed us, and prayed for our peace and prosperity. Then the pastor gave out a hymn on the desirableness of OF LEICESTER. Our OUR first notice of two volumes, entitled "Selections from the Correspondence of the late Rev. Joseph Chamberlain," (with sermons and recollections, written by his widow, and published by Mr. Henry Morgan, of the Crescent, Leicester,) was given last month. We proceed now simply to notice the commencement of his natural, his spiritual, and his ministerial life, which to all lovers of the Huntingtonian school, are events of no small interest. sympathies with the late William Huntington, the late Isaac Beeman, and many others, (ex. cept in the matter of believer's baptism) have always been very strong, and, as we pass on, we see nothing materially to alter or lessen our attachments. There are eccentricities, defects, extravagancies, and infirmities about us all. We all confess we are poor, sinful. creatures, and at our best estate, in ourselves, are vanity. Let it not, then, be ours to mul tiply grievances, but to search after graces. Let us never trade in an exhibition of vices, but in testifying to the virtues which the Spirit of God may have brought into the vessels of mercy. Let it not be ours to follow the best of men in those things where they were but men; but rather, let us follow, if it be the weakest of the Lord's flock, in those things wherein grace led them to follow and to honour Hill; whether it be General Havelock, or the poor" Converted Convict" (whose letters we have just published in a separate pamphlet) it matters nothing to us: whether it be a Peer in the Parliament, or the meanest peasant in one of our remote provinces-if the grace of God shines in the man, of that grace in the man, we would talk, and write, and sing, as long as breath shall in our bodies move. Our extracts from the volumes referred to, touching the threefold commencement of Mr. Chamberlain's earthly career, are, of necessity, deferred until the May number appears. THE NEW WORK, "GOD IS LOVE.' (To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel.) SIR,-In very sincerely thanking you for the frequent and eminently favourable notices which you have been so kind as to give in the EARTHEN VESSEL, of my new work," God is Love, or, Glimpses of the Father's Infinite Affection for his People," will you add to the obligation by allowing me to make a remark or two in reference to the conclusion of your review in the number for this month, in which you express regret "that there is not a chapter or two on the Personality, Divinity, and Work of the Holy Spirit." Christ. We have been so near to the regions of the lost; we have sunk so deep in despondency; we have proved ourselves so utterly unworthy of the least of God's mercies, that, instead of magnifying the motes in good men's eyes, we would so repent of the beam in our own, as to feel more deeply grateful that there is a fountain that cleanses from all iniquity, a charity that covers all deformity, and a Saviour that will present every regenerated and believing soul unblemished and complete before his Father's heavenly throne, with There is a class of joys divinely great. preaching and praying men we cannot love, because we cannot feel or see the Spirit of Christ in them; nevertheless, as far as we can believe that they have the truth in them; and are concerned to serve the Lord, so far would we ever desire to serve them; on the other side, there is a class of men, whom we do most sincerely love, although they never God forbid, condescend even to notice us. we should ever measure good men by their We desire inconduct towards us, or ours. creasingly to know no man after the flesh; but to know them in Christ; to love them in Christ; to pray for them, and to serve them, because they belong to Him. Of this class of men some are now living. Were we now to meet them, we suppose they would pass us by, as Haman passed by Mordecai; yea, they do not fail in secret to lay reproach upon If I know my own mind, there is no subject us. Pulpits we could name, and parlors we could mention, have rung with violence. But in the Word of God to which I attach "the Lord reigneth." And the delightful, greater importance than to the Personality, and the Work,- of the the soul ravishing facts, that he sometimes the Divinity, gives us a little nearness to his throne-gives Holy Ghost; and should I be spared, I us messages to carry to his people-gives us a hope to devote to that great and glorious sublively hope of immortal blessedness-gives us ject, a separate volume. But in this instance, our hands full of work in his vineyard: these as it is distinctly stated in the preface to my things lift our hearts above the sons of men; volume, I had one great object in view, nameand enable us to say, none of these things ly, to unfold the infinite love of God the Famove me. Here is a case in point: we have ther to his people, and thus to aid in drawing been in Leicester many times. Had we called out their affections more fully and habitually on Mr. Chamberlain, ten to one but we had towards him, on the principle that "we love been spurned from his door. Were we in Lei-him because he first loved us.' cester to-morrow, his bereaved church would, doubtless, sooner assemble for months without any preacher, than stoop to invite us to speak to them: but what of all this? Do we the less esteem Mr. Chamberlain as a ser vant of God? Not one atom. Do we think the less of his bereaved church? Not at all! If then, we enter too largely, as some may think, into Mr. Chamberlain's remains, if we extol the grace of God that was in him, and if we rejoice greatly in the work that was done by him; let it not be said, we do so, because he was a Baptist-for such he was not; let it not be said, we do so, because he favoured us; or because we expect to be favoured by his people, nay: but let the truth be spoken: we do it simply because these volumes contain such a mass of purely spiritual, and sterling gospel matter, that to do otherwise than we hope to do, would be a sin not to be pardoned by the thousands and tens of thousands who look to the Earthen Vessel for some of that heavenly treasure which only our great High Priest can give either to us or to them. Whether it be Joseph Chamberlain, of Leicester; or Thomas Drake, of Hungary - But though, for the reason I have given, I have not, in my present work, gone into the subject of the Person, the Deity, and the Work of the Holy Spirit, you will see from the Preface to the volume, as well as in many places in the body of the book, that I distinctly recognise his Almighty agency in the work of If you could conversion and sanctification. make room for my Preface, which is but short, I should be exceedingly gratified, because it places more clearly before the reader the views with which I wrote the volume, and the circumstances under which it has been penned, than I could do in this letter. But should you not have space for my Preface, I am sure you will readily give insertion to this explanatory letter. THE AUTHOR OF "GOD IS LOVE." PREFACE. "THE great object of this Volume will be seen in every page. It is to establish and illustrate the glorious truth, that GOD IS LOVE.' In another little work lately published by the Author, under the title of THE BROTHER BORN FOR ADVERSITY," be has sought to set forth the sympathies of the |