was most affecting; the sympathies of the Colston's School, where one hundred boys are audience were strongly moved by the power- well educated and wholly provided for, for ful details of God's gracious dealings with his seven years. A large amount of interest is soul. His 'call to the ministry,' and his con- required to get a lad into this charity. The fession of faith,' were both satisfactory and time had arrived for John to go to school; and clear. W. Flack united the pastor and deacon an attempt was made to obtain the apwith good words; and Joseph Warren, of Ne-pointment for him. When the application wick, presented a large-hearted prayer for all needful blessings to rest upon the preacher and the people. A comfortable tea was provided in the Chapel, after which J. Webster, of Trowbridge, delivered a 'charge,' which expressed everything one could desire; and I was then called upon to address the people; but found it was too late; and therefore promised if possible, to write a few lines to them another day. The text from whence my thoughts were flowing, was this, Prepare thy work without, make it fit for thee in the field, and afterwards build thine house.' These words appeared suitable for the despised and afflicted church at Rotherfield; and as I could not give vent to my mind on them that evening, I will hope to write a little of it; and send it to all the churches in an early number, if permitted. Two new Baptist Chapels have been built for the truth in Rother. field, very recently. Mr. Russell, the minister of the last new Rotherfield Chapel is a good experimental preacher-a large body of people have found it good to sit under his ministry. hope, both him and Mr. Pascoe are true servants of Jesus Christ, and that each of them may have a long lease of useful labor in Zion's fields below. It is grievous to hear of the divisions which many ministers make in our churches. When will the truthful ministers of Christ aim to walk in love?' when will they listen to, and copy that holy wordI have left you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you?'

was made there was a vacancy for one only:
sixty eight applied, but John was the success-
ful one. Here he received a good education;
which has enabled him to issue and edit
several very valuable works since he has been
After being in Colston's
in the ministry.
school six years, he was apprenticed to a
Bristol merchant, with whom he remained till
his father returned from Ireland in 1798.
In 1800 they again came to the great Metrop-
olis, where considerable privations were en-
dured, and John eventually left the parental
roof, not knowing where he should go, or what
From London he travelled to
he should do.
Egham the first day; then on to Woking; and
on Aug. 2, 1801, he entered Guilford, in Sur-
rey, footsore and exhausted, where he imme-
diately obtained employment at his trade, as
a book binder, with a respectable firm, with
whom he remained 12 years. During seven
years of this period he was a stranger to
God. Here he found an excellent partner, who
bore him seven children. It appears that Mr.
Jones at this time held deistical principles;
and often held controversy with a godly man
by the name of Miles, who, on one occasion
said to him, Jones, I believe one day you
will become a believer in Jesus, and you will
preach that faith you now aim to destroy.'
One Lord's-day in the autumn of 1807, this
person invited John Andrews to go and hear
an aged minister who was to preach at the
Baptist meeting that morning. He consented;
and entered the place a thoughtless sinner,
and sat for the first part of the service utterly
careless of what was being said. Mr. Gill,

MR. JOHN ANDREWS JONES: (the minister a nephew of Dr. Gill's,) took

JUBILEE OF HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.

ON Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 1858, a solemn jubilee assembly was held at Jireh meeting, Brick Lane, Old Street, London, to memorialize the Lord's goodness to the pastor of that church (Mr. J. A. Jones,) who has now entered upon the fiftieth year of his public ministry, and the eightieth year of his age. Tea was provided at five o'clock, to which nearly 300 sat down. At 6 o'clock, we arrived at the chapel, and with very much difficulty obtained an entrance. Long before the public service began, the place was densely packed; and hundreds were compelled to return home, being unable to obtain admittance.

For a moment we would just notice the principal features in the life of this aged minister. John Andrews Jones was born in the city of Bristol, on the morning of Oct. 10th, 1779; he was the eldest son of an extensive tobacco manufacturer. In 1788, they came to London, much reduced; and after a stay of six months his father went to Ireland; and his mother, with the family returned to Bristol, and took up their residence with an aged relative. In Bristol there is a public school, called

for his text, my sheep hear my voice.' In his discourse he paused, and asked solemnly, how are the sheep of Christ known? They know and experience themselves to be sinners.' The Holy Spirit sent these words into John's heart like an arrow-conviction of sin came home to his mind-he was overwhelmed-returned home-entered his garret-fell on his knees, and cried out most earnestly, God be merciful to me a sinner.' For months, deep convictions followed. At length, with the eye of faith, he found Christ as his Saviour to the joy and rejoicing of his heart. At this period the late George Comb, lived in a part of Mr. Jones's house, and they held sweet counsel together, thereby strengthening one another in the faith of the gospel. In 1808, Mr. Shirley, of Seven Oaks, being at Guildford, preaching; and there being no evening service held at the chapel, spent the evening with Mr. Comb, and Mr. Jones. In their conversation, Mr. Shirley lamented the very low state of the cause at Guildford, and encouraged his two friends to put on Christ.' The advice was taken, and John Andrews Jones and George Comb, were baptised together on July 3, 1808, being the first persons who were ever known to be baptised in that

of spiritually-qualified ministers in the church of Christ: noticing, their special characters; their qualifications; their doctrinal right; their fixedness; their desire. In dealing with the subject, Mr. Wells spoke very strongly, respecting the great neglect manifest in so many ministers of the present day, with respect to studying the word.

town. As before stated, no evening service was held at the chapel: this gave rise to a meeting of a few friends in the evening for reading and prayer in a small room. Here Mr. Jones first began to speak in the name of the Lord. He afterwards visited the neighbouring villages; eventually he went to Hartly Row, where he was ordained March 13, 1816. The late Mr. Castleden, George Comb, John Bailey, Mr. Milner said, hoary hairs were a crown John Stevens, George Francis, and S. Perrett, of glory when found in the way of righteous(of Reading) were the six brethren who offi- ness. He was very happy to be present at ciated on the occasion, all of whom now 'rest his brother Jones's jubilee, truly he could say, from their labours.' Here Mr. Jones remain- he had fought a good fight.' He hoped the ed five years; and then removed to Stone- Lord would yet spare him in usefulness some house. After a short stay at Stonehouse, he years. Mr. Wyard said he love brother Jones left, not knowing whither he went.' He much-but expected to love him much more came to London, thence to Cambridge, to ful- in the upper and better world, where they fil a preaching engagement, and on to Beccles should ever bask in the sunshine of everlasting where he was made a great blessing. He bliss. But he would say, he came there that then removed to Ringstead, in Northampton-night-(1) to do homage to old age; (2) shire, where he labored with much usefulness to do homage to vital godliness; (3) to do for upwards of six years. He then removed homage to matured experience; (4) to do to London, and became pastor of the cause at homage to an honourable position; (5) to Mitchell street, where he continued seven do homage to sound theology; (6) to do homyears. In 1838, they built their present age to peculiar gifts; (7) to do homage to explace of worship, which was opened on Sep. tensive usefulness; (8) and lastly, to do hom25, in that year, by the late John Stevens. age to one who will presently turn his face to Mr. Jones has now been pastor of this church the wall, and bid us all farewell. On these upwards of twenty-seven years eight points, Mr. Wyard spoke with much brotherly love and affection. After singing and praying by Mr. Dickerson, the meeting closed. R.

A large number of ministers gathered at the jubilee service, to shew their respect to their aged brother in the ministry-we noticed Messrs Anderson, Bloomfield, Dickerson, Edgecombe, Foreman, Flack, Green, Haw. kins, Meeres, Moyle, Milner, Pells, Ponsford, William Palmer, J. Palmer, Poynder, Charles Smith, James Wells, and others. The service commenced with singing, and prayer by Mr. Charles Smith.

At the

Flory, of Somersham, Isaacs, of Brighton, &c., were present. The secretary gave an excellent report of the proceedings of the past year; it was delightful to hear of the good done to the household of faith.' The brethren spoke well. The meeting was well attended; the largest for years; and was full of promise for the cause at Rehoboth; who, with its devoted pastor, have had some rough LOVER OF ZION. winds to encounter.

THE yearly meeting of the Sick Visiting Society, took place on Tuesday the 19th; a good number took tea at five o'clock. Mr. Foreman (the Chairman) said, old ac- public meeting, Mr. T. Field presided. Brequaintance has its attachments and its in-thren Dickerson, Bloomfield, Pells, Bland, fluence: it also suggests, that there are old disciples, and aged pilgrims. It is now fortyone years since I first became known to brother Jones; (I then preached for him at Hartley-row ;) just one year longer than Israel was in the wilderness, our brother has now completed his fiftieth year in the ministry, and his eightieth year of age. He is somewhat a head of me-I have been fortythree years in the ministry; and it is fortyseven years since God effectually called me: respecting the ministry, my life has been from hand to mouth-often entering the pulpit down-cast, and wondering what I should say to the people-but, the Lord has always appeared, and I have never yet been confounded. It is no short period to be in the Lord's service. From Easter to Harvest, I average eight sermons, in a week; and travel many thousands of miles: but with all these many years of travelling and preaching, I never met with the slightest accident; no, truly my God has been ever watchful over me; and I must praise him. But our brother Jones has a little something to say of the Lord's goodness, and long continued mercies.

[We must give Mr. Jones's address next month: want of space compels us to this coure.] After the aged speaker had concluded, Mr. James Wells then spoke upon the divine faithfulness in continuing a succession

The Meetings recently holden in connection with our churches in London have been thoroughly good for three things-1. They have showed good progression in the cause: 2, They have been well supported by large audiences: 3, The zeal, ability, and Christian spirit, manifested by the speakers, was acknowledged to be most powerful and edifying. At Mr. Flack's, Wilton Square, we learned they are building good School-rooms; great success attends the ministry; R. Bowles, C. W. Banks, and J. Butterfield, gave us three good addresses, after Thomas Stringer had preached a behalf of the Building Fund, in Johnson-street sermon full of Gospel. The annual meeting on Chapel, Notting-hill, was, in every sense, a great and good gathering. Our brother Wells preached the sermon the pastor, P. W. Williamson read the report, which showed the ladies had acted most praiseworthy and successful; the brethren Woollacott, Pells, C. W. Banks, Bloomfield, and Flack, spoke on the subject given them much to the comfort of the meeting. The aged deacon, brother Cook has since gone to his rest.

Our Australian Mails,

THE CHURCH IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. [FOR the information of Emigrants, and as an illustration of Christian unity, we give the following letters-ED.-]

MR. EDITOR-DEAR SIR, I have, in read-union! what equality! 'brethren!' all of one ing the EARTHEN VESSEL, seen some accounts, repecting the cause of truth in connection with Australia; and feel still much interested in a cause founded during my residence in Adelaide, and to me is as,

Nov. 1, 1858.]

PROPOSED ASSOCIATION

OF PARTICULAR BAPTIST CHURCHES FOR
BERKS AND HANTS.

DEAR MR. EDITOR-I have for some months past felt the necessity of an associative effort in the Particular Baptist Churches of the two counties, for supplying destitute village stations with sound gospel preachers. Now, there are attached to nearly all our churches, some two or three individuals, capable of speaking and expounding the word of life, so far as they have experimentally realBut in ized its meaning and its sweetness. consequence of no association of the churches existing, they are known only to the church to which they belong; and thus their candle is hid, or put under a bushel, while numbers of villages where there light might shine, are lying in darkness.

In consequence of being out constantly, preaching in the villages round Reading, and have an opportunity of seeing the spiritual destitution which exists, while at the same time I have no power to relieve it, I am constantly receiving applications from village congregations, to know if I can send them sound and faithful ministers as supplies. They cannot have them from London, because of the expense, and in consequence of there being no association of the churches in the district, I am at a loss to provide acceptable supplies.

LETTER FROM NORTH ADELAIDE. DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-I once more endeavour to break the long silence by greeting you, dear brother, in the name of the Lord, hoping it is well with you, and all the dear friends at Unicorn Yard; that sacred spot where my soul has so often feasted on love divine. I hope the same grace is still floating through the same ministerial pipe into the hearts of the Royal Family of heaven. You will see I am totally in the dark as to how or where you are, for we cannot get the VESSEL. I can sell hundreds of them if you will send them out; but I hope to receive some by the mail. Since I last wrote, we have had to pass through deep waters, as a little church. I believe when I last wrote, the cause appeared to be prospering under the Pastorate of Mr. John Kether, late of Cave Adullam, Stepney. Well, dear brother, that state of things lasted but a short time:-trouble came upon us: Mr. Kether left: and with him half the church: and all the congregation. Thus we were left like a cottage in a garden of cucumbers; but bless the Lord he did not leave us; but poured upon us a Spirit of earnest prayer; and very soon he raised us up a dear man of God, a Mr. W. Gurr; and truly our hearts are knit together in love; and the Lord is abundantly blessing his ministry; so that our little chapel is now full; and we are crying out the place is too strait; give room for us to dwell: and I hope soon to be able to give you a very pleasing report of our expansion. I am sure you will say, there is need enough for it-for our little Salem is the oldest chapel in the colony, and was built by the Wesleyans and will only seat about 100 persons: this little cause three years ago was the only Particular Baptist place in the vast colony of South Australia; and at that time the church and congregation amounted only to between 20 and 30; but since that time another little church has become strict: and I hope they will unite with us shortly. I write this to shew you how very unpopular the old Scriptural form of worship is in this colony; while there are numbers of large handsome chapels as any in London of all Creeds and Faiths; but the poor dispised Baptists are left in poverty and affliction. We are kept by grace praying, and hoping that the Lord will arise and have mercy upon Zion. I trust the set time to favour her is now come: perhaps the following will be interesting. On Tuesday, May 26th, the 7th anniversary of the formation of the Particular Baptist Church, worshiping at Salem Chapel, Kermode Street, North Adelaide, was celebrated: -about 130 persons took tea, provided by the ladies: the proceeds of which, together with a collection amounting to over £13, was presented to the pastor, Mr. W. Gurr, in the course of the evening. The report was an encouraging and heart-cheering one; 18 persons had been added to the church, during the past MELBOURNE-A letter written by Mr. year; five by baptism and letters from other churches; there were also three that related Daniel Allen, Baptist minister, to the venertheir experience to the church and were bap-able Henry Dowling, descriptive of Zion's tized in the River Torren, on Sunday, May the 30th. We now number 50 members. We are in excellent health; but in no liklihood of getting rich. Your's, C. AND M. HOOPER.

At present, in order as far as possible to remedy this state of things, I have undertaken alternate week night services at Basildon, Theale, and Padworth, and have just consented to take another week night service at the Independant Chapel, at Pangbourne; and there are two or three towns and villages where I have been solicited to take a weekly or fortnightly service; but in consequence of my numerous engagements, have been compelled to refuse. Now what I propose is this-that the churches shall put themselves in communication with each other, though a common medium-say the 'VESSEL,' or myself,-furnishing the names and addresses of all their members who are in the habit of preaching occasionally.

If the pastors and deacons of the various churches will favour me with this information, I can place myself in communication with the supplies, whenever I receive application for ministerial assistance.

I throw this out as a suggestion, which I should be glad to see immediately carried out. The insertion of this in the next number of the VESSEL' will oblige, your's most cordially in Christ Jesus,

B. B. WALE.

prosperity in Australia, is most cheering; but too late for this month.

[We should rejoice to see our churches generally acting in a spirit so noble, generous, and becoming-ED.]

In answer to some enquiries, the Editor of the EARTHEN VESSEL begs to announce a full statement of the Redemption Fund will be given in December number. Also that a Special Public Meeting will be holden in Unicorn Yard Chapel, the first week in January; of which further notice will be given.

DEAR MR. EDITOR-Will you allow the following request to appear in the VESSEL? Being surrounded by Wesleyans, and dutyfaith men, and often attacked by them in controversy upon the subject of man's free will, and agency, to choose or refuse salvation; their strongest arguments from the Scriptures they found upon that passage of St. Paul to 1 Tim. ii. 6, who gave himself a ransom for all. And also in his epistle to the Hebrews, ii. 9, that he, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man; we should esteem it a favour, and hereby, request our much esteemed brother, Mr. S. Cozens, to give us (through the EARTHEN VESSEL) the etymology, and import of the every and all contained in the above passages of the Lord's Word.