REVIVAL MEETINGS IN ENGLAND; BAPTIZINGS IN AMERICA; CONVERSION OF AN INFIDEL EDITOR, ETC., ETC. WE wish specially to inform our readers that an Appendix to the May number of the EARTHEN VESSEL has been issued for one penny; and all our readers who feel an interest in efforts made for the gathering of the yet uncalled elect of God are earnestly entreated not only to obtain the Appendix itself; but to circulate it among their neighbours. We have entertained the strongest hopes, that the perusal of the facts contained in that Appendix, may be rendered a great blessing to thousands in these lands. In that Appendix we have given a careful digest, of all the most interesting circumstances arising out of that great Religious Movement which has been gathering tens of thousands to hear prayer and preaching in America, who before, were Galio like-" Caring for none of these things." We are not carried away with this excitement. We expect, in a short time, it will considerably abate; but, that the hand of God is in it for the accomplishment of great and solemn ends, we feel quite certain; therefore, let them sneer that dare; we dare not to think lightly of it. We adore the goodness of our LORD, in that he has been pleased so to overrule the late commercial crisis of the United States, as to make it a precursor to the humbling and deep self-abasement, of thousands in that immense world of wild, forward, and proud speculators. We believe America is being prepared for a hearty and wide reception of the truth as it is in Jesus. In the "Appendix" referred to, we have briefly noticed "THE FIRST MEETING HOLDEN IN LONDON ON REVIVALS" and we give the following extract from a letter since received from a ministering brother, expressive of his feelings on this subject. He says: May 5th, 1858, MY DEAR BROTHER BANKS.-I cannot tell you how much I felt cheered at the meeting last night: it is indeed what I have been longing and praying for, for years; and I could not help feeling we were catching a few drops of the bucket which were as an earnest of a more copious outpouring. But I feel there are a few things we must make up our minds to, if we wish to be successful. First, we must thoroughly make up our minds to abide steadfastly by the great and glorious truths of the everlasting gospel. I thing else but his own truth. And if we cannot believe God will own or bless anyonce come to anything like dependance on our own doings, I believe the Lord will leave us to see what we can do, or rather what we cannot do, in our own strength. It must be the "Sword of the Lord" in the hand of faith. Second we must make up our minds to a steady unflinching perseverance, "through evil and good report." We must make up our own minds to bear sneering at but by our members, our deacons, and even not only by the world and mere professors, by some of our brethren in the ministry. But what of all this, if God be with us, which I really do think he is? But we must, thirdly, make up our minds to practice a little self-denial in the work. I should like to see every minister of truth in London with us in this movement. I should like the meetings to go through every one of our chapels, till we came to the Surrey Tabernacle, and then from thence to the Leviathan Hall. I was very pleased indeed with our brother Wyard's address and should have liked every minister in the metropolis to have heard it. Also with our Welsh brother Williams. Likewise with our philosophical brother Boxer. I still feel my own need of the Spirit's outpouring. I want to feel an abiding sense of our lamentable state; and an incessant spirit of wrestling prayer. 7. Your's very faithfully in the Lord. want to realize the fulfillment of Isa. lxii. 6, I are in Unicorn Yard Chapel, Tooley Street, This letter refers to the meeting held on Tuesday, May 4th. We have omitted the writer's name, because it was not designed for publication; but we anxious to shew the Lord is in some measure moving our hearts in a direction which we trust will lead to a more successful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since the meeting in Unicorn Yard Chapel, a conference and special prayer meeting has been holden in brother Flack's, in Wilton Square, New North Road; and arrangements made for special meetings in all those places keep them in their communion, are obliged to immerse them. Nothing else will satisfy the people. You have no idea the hold Baptist views have upon the community here. Seasons of fasting and prayer are being held in all directions. where brethren are willing to unite. This little | the Methodists. Their ministers, in order to movement will be another test to prove the sincerity of many man's zeal; but of these things we will not speak now: the desire to be helpful (under God) of arousing the sleepy portions of our churches is deep and abiding with us; and whenever the Lord opens the door for the purpose, we shall not fear to enter in. The latest communication we have from the United States, furnish information that "the great work of God is extending, deepening, and becoming more and more powerful;" and facts of cases are furnished which we hope and most earnestly pray may prove to be the harbinger of a glorious fulfilment of some of those rich clusters of promises in the prophetic field of truth, which have not, as yet been gathered into the bosom of the living Church of Christ. There are two things we wish to avoid-the first is, we desire, in this matter to have no countenance from men who have not faith enough to see God's hand in it. Secondly, we would not discourage the weakest effort, if it come from faith and love. We could write sheets full, but we have only room for the following sentences catched hastily from the mass of correspondence daily coming to hand. It is painful to us to withhold many most precious narrations of good being done, but here are samples. The Presbeyterian of the West, published at Cincinatti, of the 8th inst., gives the following: "At the Business Men's prayer-meeting, on Monday morning, in the First Presbyterian Church, Hon. Bellamy Storer, at the close of some excellent remarks, made in substance the following statement, which was listened to with thrilling interest. He said, on last Thursday morning, at ten o'clock, a gentleman rapped at the door of Rev. Dr. Fisher's study, at the Second Presbyterian Church. Being invited in, he inquired for the sexton, saying, I am the editor of an infidel paper in the city of New York; and travelling on the cars last night, and this morning, I awoke with a sound ringing in my ears, Repent! repent! and it has been sounding in my ears ever since; and passing by this house, I saw in front of it a card stating that there is a prayer-meeting in this house every noon. I wish to send a request to that prayer-meeting for their prayers in my behalf.' Dr. Fisher conversed with him for some time, and found him under the most deep and pungent conviction; and they knelt down together, and united in solemn and earnest prayer. After which, at the doctor's request, he prayed for himself, and arose from his knees, rejoicing in hope. Then he said, 'I once had a praying wife, but by my infidel influence, she was induced to change her religious sentiments. I now ask for the prayers of that meeting for her.'" The American Baptist says: the aggregate of conversions reported in connection with Baptist churches alone, during the month of March, is over 17,000. We hope many are real conversions to Gospel truth. I must say that the present Revival is essentially different from all others that I have witnessed. In them, a large amount of human machinery was manifest; in these, human agency seems to be entirely ignored, and the Spirit of God alone is the moving power. Thousands are immersed who unite with other churches. This is so particularly with JEWETT CITY, R.I.-The Lord has visited Jewett City in mercy, and great has been his power. Between sixty and seventy have been converted, and a goodly number have been reclaimed. The work has moved on with a solemnity and stillness never before witnessed in this place. Old and young have been called upoon to seek the Lord. Thirtyfour have united with the Baptist church, to be followed by others. There has been but little preaching; but prayer-strong crying to God. One of the pastors of Hartford, Connecticut, says that within the last four or five weeks more than 1,000 persons have called on him to converse on the subject of religion! This reminds one of Whitfield's week in London, when he received a thousand letters from persons anxious about their souls. It has been stated, in one of the prayermeetings in this city, that a club of profane infidels in Andover, Massachusetts, were recently discussing the subject of baptism, and using the Bible to ascertain what it said about the matter. The result of their study to know what it taught on baptism, led six or seven of them to Christ, and now they are rejoicing in the Saviour. MOUNT ZION CHAPEL, HILL STREET, DORSET SQUARE. THE annual meeting of the Benevolent Society in connexion with this cause was held on Tuesday, May 18th. At 5 o'clock a goodly number sat down to tea, and about half-past 6, the meeting commenced, the chair being taken by the esteemed pastor, Mr. John Foreman. The report gave great satisfaction, shewing the expences of working the Society to have been very small; and the benefits conferred upon the poor members, to have been very great. Much regret was expressed on account of the dangerous illness of the respected secretary, and much gratitude to God for his goodness, in enabling their beloved pastor to complete his 31st year of labour amongst them, without the least deviation from the great truths with which his ministry was commenced. Brother Keyworth opened, and brother Green closed the meeting with prayer. The claims of the society were ably advocated by brethren Flack, of Wilton Square; Jones, of Jireh meeting; B. Davies, of Greenwich; and Hazleton, of Chadwell Street. The meeting was of a most pleasing character, and the prospects of this admirable society are most encouraging. It was stated during the meeting that when Mr. Foreman first came to the cause they found difficulty in raising £80 a year, but the Lord had so blessed them, that now their charities alone produced above £200 per annum. Ye little struggling causes and pastors, take encouragement from this, and trust in the Lord. PROVIDENCE CHAPEL, BRIDGE STREET, GREENWICH. se DEAR BROTHER-Our Anniversary has passed off exceedingly well. The congregations were remarkably good, and the collections were much more than we expected to have, falling a little short of twenty pounds. Our former Pastor, Mr Wilkins, leaving us at the end of 57, shook the cause considerably, but under the ministry of our young brother Davies, we are again revived, and things look much more cheering and encouraging. It has seldom fallen to my lot to hear three sermons with so much pleasure and profit as I did on the day of our anniversary. Our brother Davies seemed quite at home in his work, although evidently laboring under a very severe cold. In the morning he preached from Eph v. 25, "Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it." And in the evening from James i. 25. "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Our good brother John Foreman in the afternoon, gave us a good, powerful and savoury discourse from Psalm iv. 8, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety." The blessing realized on the Lord'sday made us hope for a continuance on the day following, and we were not disappointed. Our brother Wells, of the Surrey Tabernacle gladdened our hearts by shewing us the excellency and glory of Jehovah's temple. So that according to his text, (Jonah ii. 4) many were constrained to say, I also will look again to the holy temple. and waiting upon the Lord, under a sense of guilt, for an assurance of her interest in him, on the 16th anniversary of her birth day, the Lord gave her that she sought for, which she calls the best birth-day presents and rerelates it in the following words: 'It was Sabbath day; I awoke early, remembering it was my birth-day: my thoughts ascended to God in prayer, that he would make it a day never to be forgotton in my soul's experience for good; and would that day enable me to believe in him as my Saviour and my Redeemer. I was still confined to my bed; and after breakfast, I read a portion of God's word with much pleasure: my heart was warmly seeking for an assurance of God's love and my interest in him, so that I said, O Lord, this is my birth day; the anniversary of the day, on which thou didst please to bring me into this world. O grant it may be the day on which thou wilt bring me into thy family, and make me a child of God, an heir of heaven. O bless me to day! and give me a birth-day present! Thou dost know that nothing but thyself will satisfy my soul. O grant me some assurance of thy love! shew me some token for good! Let me feel that thy banner over me is love; and hear thy voice." I had scarcely finished speaking, when these words came with such power to my mind, indeed it seemed as if I heard a voice saying, "I have loved thee; and given myself for thee!" O Lord, I exclaimed, let me not be deceived. If they are indeed thy words let me hear the voice again. I paused and as distinctly as before, but with more power, the words came, I have loved thee, and given myself for thee." My heart was melted; and I said, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief." Then my mind was led sweetly to contemplate the words At five o'clock our spacious school room was and the more I thought about them, the quite filled with our friends who were looking sweeter they seemed. O, to think, that the after a cup of their favourite souchong, which King of kings, and Lord of lords, should say by the kindness of our ladies had been pre- to a poor sinner like me, "I have loved thee!" pared much to the satisfaction of all present. O what love! how great! how vast! and not Soon after six the public meeting commenced, only that, but "have given myself for thee." our brother Butterfield gave out a hymn, and On reflection, I shed tears of gratitude; and brother Attwood engaged in prayer. Lively longed to know more of the love of God, and encouraging addresses were delivered by which passeth knowledge. It is quite true, our brethren Wells, C. W.Banks, Wyard, Flack that love begets love: and we love him beand Boxer, brethren Fenlon and Whitter-cause he first loved us, for no sooner did I idge also taking part in the meeting. The speakers gave us some most excellent counsel, with respect to the means which should be employed in reviving the cause of God. Their advice we have, and still hope to carry out; and believing that Jehovah will bless us we desire to thank God, and take courage. I am, dear brother, your's affectionately. S. FISHER. Union Wharf, East Greenwich. THE BIRTH-DAY PRESENT. DEAR BROTHER BANKS-It hath pleased our Heavenly Father to bereave me, and my dear partner of our daughter, aged 17 years. I send you an extract from her manuscript, which she wrote the last week she was able to use her pen. After much exercise in seeking feel assured that Jesus loved me, than I "TO THE GLORY OF GOD." O, WHAT shall I render? oh, what shall I bring! Thus was my heart filled with joy and peace in believing, and I went on my way rejoicing. The language of my heart was, "I have found the pearl of greatest price My heart doth sing for joy, And sing I must, for Christ I have, Oh what a Christ have I." It was indeed a blessed day, and I found by experience the best birth-day present is an interest in God's love. This assurance she was enabled to hold fast unto the end of her short race, at which she arrived on Lord's-day morning, May the 9th, 1858, at about two o'clock. Some of her last words were "It is well; I am happy; I am not afraid to trust him," &c., &c. We committed her poor body to the silent tomb yesterday in our burying ground at Penn, in the presence of a multitude of followers and witnesses. Brother Cawes officiated. May the Lord sanctify and overrule this solemn visitation for our good; and the good of many others. She has left several manuscripts of short meditations on passages of Scripture. I will send you a sample for CHEERING WORDS. Wycombe Marsh, May 17th. J. P. MILLER. AN IMPORTANT INQUIRY: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ROM. VI. 14? [The following query was placed in our hands, while preaching in Cuddington, near Aylesbury: We promised our esteemed brother that we would lay the matter before the Lord, and, give such replies to his queries as may appear to us to be in accordance with Original Poetry. "SORROWFUL, YET ALWAYS REJOICING." A cup of sorrow mix'd with joy, When I can hear that still small voice, Though waxing, waning, like the moon, And can I be mistaken? What sorrows had those saints of God If, therefore, thou wilt keep me low, ELIZABETH. the revealed word and will of "HIM with Gleanings from the Portir Writings whom we have to do." Should any brother have clearer light into the passage than we may be favoured with, we shall be glad to receive his communication.-ED.] TO THE EDITOR. "DEAR BROTHER-I believe you wish to be useful to God's tried people. If you will give us your thoughts on the following passage, I do hope it may, under God, be very useful to many :-Rom. vi. 14. I know one poor soul that has been tried for years about that passage; please to give us your thoughts on it next month, if possible. May God the Spirit be your teacher. There are two things God's tried ones want to know: One is does sin have dominion over the open backslider? It is plain he lives in known sin, but even then, does sin have dominion in the way the Apostle means? The other thing is we want to know if there is not a difference between a partial and absolute dominion?" W. MEEKINS, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Waddesden Hill, Bucks. [The words of Paul above referred to, are these,-"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law; but under grace." Since the above queries were laid before us, our minds have been much exercised upon them; and on two occasions we were favoured with special unction and liberty, An article or two shall immediately be given, if we are spared-if not, we hope there are many well-taught brethren who will be able most clearly both to open and to illustrate this notable text.-ED.] OF THE LATE MR. THOMAS BIDDLE, Pastor of the Baptist Chapel, Brockham. [Before this useful servant of Christ finished his course, he requested a friend to furnish us with some portions of his writing. We hope, occasionally, to insert them, as they breathed the feelings of a true believer's heart-ED.] THE PASTOR'S CHIEF DESIRE. Is to serve the God of truth; I read and spread his glorious gospel, Lay the rebel sinner low; Great things here, O Lord, I seek not, Grant me Lord this one request; Lord, I would leave all the rest. THOMAS BIDDLE. [A large stock of Poetry on Chistian experience is waiting for room; but three things are desirable. First, we want "Poetry," not mere rhymery. Second, we want Poetry of a Biblical Expository Character. Thirdly, we want short, pithy, savoury pieces.-ED.] Reviews. "Sermons and Special Lectures, &c. By Rev. Robert Maguire, M.A., Incumbent of Clerkenwell. London: Partridge and Co., and B. Seely, Islington Green. efforts are being made to convince our deeply fallen fellow-creatures of the degradation into which they are plunged. We shall most heartily rejoice to know that Mr. Maguire is honoured of God to lead many into a vital acquaintance with the saving powers of sovereign grace. To all benevolent Christian philanthropists, the pamphlet will be useful and might greatly aid them in their walks among those who are out of the way. Mr. Maguire is, in some respects, a Nehemiah of modern times. We cannot say, that like that good old biblical reformer-the son of Hachaliah, and the companion of" Conversations on Scripture." Nos. 1, & 2. Hanani-that the zealous incumbent of 4 page tracts. Mr. Billing, Livery-street, Clerkenwell has "sat down, and wept, Birmingham. and mourned certain days, and fasted, In short, plain, and instructive dialogues, and prayed before the God of heaven," on these papers carry forth much Bible-truth: account of the afflictions of Jerusalem, and, We are anxious to see more of them. more than all, on account of his own once faroff condition as a sinner in the sight of a Holy "The Saint's Death: a Sermon by T. W. MedGod: we cannot say for certain that he has hurst, Baptist Chapel, Kingston-onwrestled hard in prayer, as Nehemiah did, Thames. Occasioned by the death of Mrs. pleading by faith in the covenant-keeping Sarah Ruff, aged 73." Robert Banks & Co. character of Jehovah we cannot answer for There are sufficient evidences in this serthe deep experimental knowledge of Mr. Ma- mon to prove two things: first, that Mrs. Ruff guire, as regards his being enabled, with was an exercised, but genuine Christian woJohn, to say, " and truly our fellowship is man. Secondly, Mr. Medhurst, in preaching, with the Father, and with the Son Jesus is an advocate for that gospel which embodies Christ" but we can refer to those increasing the great doctrines of grace, the essential opefforts of Mr. Maguire which prove his zeal, erations of the Spirit, and the fruits of grace his ability, and his success, as a great Moral in the character and conversation of those who Mr. Reformer, and Noble Benefactor, in that im- profess to love the Saviour's name. mense district to which his labors are now Medhurst is a young man of considerable zeal; principally directed. Clerkenwell greatly needs and from those who have received good a laborious man like this bold, out-spoken through his ministry, we have heard, he is gentlemanly, and devoted priest of Irish ori-growing in the right direction. We hope gin, but now of England's Protestant Na- the Lord will keep and prosper him. tional Church; and in all his labours for the "Salvation by Grace: a Funeral Sermon suppression of evil and the enlargement of right preached in Wiverhoe Chapel, near Colchesand wholesome principles, we heartily wish ter, upon the Death of Mr. Thomas Sandhim abundant victory, and increasing prosper- ford. By J. Collins, Baptist Minister, Colity. He has succeeded in crowding a recently chester. empty church; and in many ways, he is instrumentally conferring blessings upon those committed to his care. Beyond all question, there are some men designed for external work; there are others for internal work. In the erection of new earthly temples, there is a striking difference between those powerful men who go, first, and cut down the trees, grub up the roots, break up the ground, dig down for the foundation; and those who come when the house is finished, and furnished with every domestic and requisite homely comfort. Even so, between those giant-like men who go forth among the rude masses, and reprove them for their unighteous ways; and lay down the law before them; and such soul-comforting inside men, as Mr. Maguire's neighbours, the brethren Abrahams, Hazleton, and others; there is a vast difference. Still, as the one is as needful as the other, it is not for us to say, they are not equally the Ambassadors of Christ. This six-penny pamphlet under the title of "Sermon, and Four Special Lectures," contains, first, an intelligent and telling discourse" The Three Curacies under the Pillar of on the character and observance of the Lord's- Providence." By a Chaplain. London: day; and four Lectures on "Sunday Buyers, Partridge and Co. 124, pp. One-shilling. Sunday Sellers, Early Payment of Wages, and To us, this narrative is one of surpassing Early Closing." Those of our readers who interest: furnishes a beautiful outline of the have, with us, mourned over the awful flood struggles and successes, the disappointmentof iniquities which run down our streets on ments and deliverances of a life labouring the Lord's-days, can but be thankful that any under heavy loads, for the glory of God. Here are sixteen pages of wholesome gospel matter. One of the best funeral sermons we ever saw. It might be placed in the hands of young seekers for truth, to great advantage. Letters of Counsel to Young Servants." London: Cash, 5, Bishopsgate; Birmingham: T. Ragg. A cheap and useful four-penny book, which mothers and mistresses may present to those under their care with some hope of effecting good. "Eternal Union; or Grace Relationship between the Righteous and their Righteous Head," &c. By Arthur Wilcockson. Second Edition. London: H. Wilcockson, 13, Roll's Buildings; to be had of the Author, 2, Nuckell's Place, Broadstairs. The Author of this Poem is a promising young minister, and is favoured with excellent gifts, deeply sanctified by grace and heavenly teaching. As a writer, we hope he will meet with encouragement. |