the scene would end by my going to jail, and what the Lord told her when he set her soul she ending her days in a workhouse. Unbe- at liberty-"Thou shalt know the Lord;" lief got so high, that it seemed almost im- that the Lord could not lie. When I had possible even for the Lord to interpose. How finished, she said, "That is a nice chapter." strange, after so many years of mercies and I then, for the last time in her hearing, berich favour, to rebel against the Lord, and sought the Lord for her, and then said,doubt his goodness! A few months before "You say you are dark: tell me, is it beyond she died, we heard Mr. Wells preach at the grave that you are in the dark about?" Somerstown: it was the same thing again-She answered, "No: he has done so much the dear old truth; and it found a response in her soul. That Sabbath was the last time she trod the earthly courts of the Lord. About three months before she died, I went to Eden Street; when I came home, she was standing at the door of the house. She said, "I want a walk; lead me round the Square. I have something to tell: I thought I would say nothing about it, but I must tell you. Since you have been gone, I have been so happy! I have had such a season! Yes! I have not had one like it for years! It came into my mind, ‘Ah, I shall soon be landed on Canaan's happy shore! I could not wish to be happier on earth." Our walk was sacred, and we rejoiced together. In a few days she took to her bed. She said, "I shall not get up again-it is all over.' I thought so too: we believed that that Sabbath evening's visit was a foretaste of that glory she was soon to enter upon. She suffered much in her last illness; but, strange to say, though naturally of an impatient turn, she was like a lamb; and although she took but little nourishment for the last three weeks, she did not murmur, but was grateful, thanking us for everything we did for her. I come to the last Sabbath but one, she spent upon earth; the day was filled up with reading the VESSEL, hymns, the Word of God, and prayer. It was an interesting Sabbath, and for the encouragement of the "Watchman" I say, she did not find fault with "blacky beetle," nor the 'crawling worm;" nor his "battle for the worm.' It did her good. She knew that she was a crawling worm, and that her Lord did go to battle, and that for "crawling worms." 66 A minister called to see her next day, and she spoke to him of "the beetle and the worm. Messrs. Ellis, Smith, and Ashby, may say what they please about friend Pegg and the "Watchman," I was pleased to see their pieces; for I was dismayed when I read the extracts from Dr. Cumming's writings in the VESSEL" Whether you feel your need of Christ or not, go to him-go to him on principle." Go on, friends Pegg and the "Watchman;" may God make you still more valiant for the truth. Truth is truth, and is of the Lord; the opposite is of the devil. Her last Sabbath she slept the greater part of the day in the evening she said,How I have wasted this day! I thought to have had such a nice day!-that you would have read to me." On the Monday and Tuesday, she was very dark in her mind: she sat up in the bed, and begged the dear Lord to appear for her; with clasped hands she cried, O Lord, have mercy upon me!" Early on Tuesday, I read the 40th chapter of Isaiah to her; dwelt a little upon the word of the Lord abiding for ever; reminded her of for me-could I doubt that I should dishonor him!" I then said, "He does not speak to you as in days of old." She answered, "That's just it: I want a bright shining.' We conversed about her departure: I told her I would come sometimes and stand upon her grave. She said, "What a mercy we shall not be parted! we shall meet again: it will not be long before we shall meet again. When I am gone, you will get on; you will not have me to fret about. I knelt down by the bedside several times through the day. I said, "Have you anything to say to me ?" She said, "Could I speak, could say many things. I have just woke up with,Ah, I shall soon be landed.' Many texts and hymns come to my mind." At In the evening she expressed her confidence concerning things beyond the grave, to blind William; but that she wanted the Lord to shine upon her soul. He then addressed the Lord on her behalf, and took his leave. parting, she took his hand, and said, “Good bye: the Lord be with you, William.” This was ten o'clock; she said but little after, but continued to pray to the Lord. About halfpast one I helped her into bed; laid her head on my arm; saw the change take place. She drew one long breath, and all was over. She died, where she often expressed a wish she might die, in my arms. When she was dying, I held up my hand, and said, "Be still, she is dying in the Lord." On the following Tuesday, November 21st, we laid her mortal remains in Victoria Park Cemetery-brother Chivers speaking at the grave's mouth; declaring death was no calamity to those who died in the Lord, seeing the work of Christ was perfect; there was no flaw in it. He came home, and stayed the evening. I was favored with brother Cox's company, and six others from the Tabernacle. We sang hymns; brother Chivers read God's Word, made some suitable remarks, and finally addressed the Lord; he was with us. A solemn stillness rested on my spirit at the grave, and through the evening. "It's to the praise of God we sing, Though of a dying saint we tell." Wishing you every mercy, I remain your well-wisher, JAMES BETTS. As the weary sentinel, wet with the dews, or oppressed with the still heats of an Indian night, longs for the dawn of day and the morning gun; so pants the believer's soul for that day, when having thrown off the burdensome clothing of the flesh, and cast down the heavy arms and accoutrements of this mortal warfare, he shall come and appear (this corruptible, having then put on incorruption) before the living God. A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL: veil and conceal the smiling face of our dear HIS WARFARE AND HIS WORK. Copy of a Letter addressed to the Baptist Church at Widcombe, on the occasion of their social tea meeting. Lord, and make him look like Moses. No! Why do men do this? Why are they ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, and Paul, his servant? Why blink the question of God's elect? Why? Because this lays the axe to the root of the tree of free-will and human pride; and these are the idols of thousands in the present day, who have never been brought to see their poverty, nakedness, and blindness. Hence, the blind guides would conceal from the Lord's family a knowledge of their Father's will, by guarding, and shading, and veiling the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Woe unto them, says the Prophet, for they are cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness, the sea monsters draw out the breasts they give suck to their young; but through the defective ministrations of some who have never gone farther than the letter, the tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst, and the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. Thus it is that many of the Lord's children are kept in bondage, and led into a maze, by their yea and nay sophistry; so did not the Apostle; his preaching had a clear and distinct shebeloth. As God is true, said he, our word to you was not yea and nay, but in him (Christ) it was yea; for what is the gospel but an authenticated copy of the will and probate of our heavenly Father? and is proved in the spiritual court of conscience, by the testimony and depositions of the Holy Ghost, for the Spirit beareth witness; and what is the language of this will P-All things are your's, for ye are Christ's; chosen in him, united to him, ever beheld and loved by the Father just as he loved him; hence our Elder Brother is not ashamed to declare it himself, "that they may know that thou hast loved them, as thou lovest me; and thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." Why are men ashamed to preach what Jesus was not ashamed of? Is it because they fear that this strong drink will produce inebriation? What will the water engine set the house on fire? Will the love of God produce the love of sin? Is God will-, ing, and shall we be unwilling? Does he hate the bag of false weights and short measure, and shall we dare to use them? No! dear brethren, we have not so learned Christ; we shun not to declare all the council, we shun not to give full measure, heaped up and running over; not to Hagarenes, but to the children of the free woman; and, therefore, set before you at your social tea meeting, the whole pascal lamb, roasted with fire and bitter herbs, with honey from the rock, and a little milk of the red heifer, to sweeten them. A cruise of water from the well of Bethlehem: a piece of broiled fish from the sea of Tiberius, with some unleavened bread; a little savory meat, with the pot of manna, and the cake baked under the juniper tree; the mandrakes that give a goodly smell; an olive berry from the topmost bough -a cluster of Eschol's grapes; the balm of Gilead, nuts, and almonds, the first ripe figs, with the spiced wine of the pomegranate. Then may the Master of the feast say, O friends, drink abundantly, O beloved." DEAR BRETHREN-It has afforded me much pleasure to find that the solemn and scriptural truths I have preached among you, "not with the words that man's wisdom teacheth," but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, has produced such kind and generous feelings towards me as were expressed on Monday evening, by many of the brethren. You know therefore, brethren, that I did not handle the word deceitfully, nor sought to please men; for "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel preached among you by me was not after man;" but on the contrary, "is every where spoken against," and slanderously reported; that we say, let us do evil that good may come; but the Apostle says, "their damnation is just." There are some who would have persuaded me not to have any connection with you; but it is my delight to follow the noble example of Paul, that trumpet of thunder, at whose voice hell trembled and pharisees blasphemed, when he went to Philippi; it was not to the synagogue but to the river side that he directed his steps -it was not to the respectable assembly that he spake so as to open his heart, but to the despised and calumniated few of the female sex that resorted thither: like him, I care not whether it be by the river side at Philippi, Mars Hill at Athens, the Synagogue at Antioch, or the School of Tyrannus; wherever I am called, I trust I shall never shun to declare all the council of God; though I know what it is to go bound in spirit, with a mountain in my way, and a mist before my eyes, in weakness and fear and much trembling, dragging heavily, like the chariots of the Egyptians, when the Lord knocked off their wheels; burning sometimes like a seraph, and then cold as morsels of ice-having all things, yet suffering need-very sorrowful, yet always rejoicing the poorest of creatures, yet making some rich-hated and beloved-despised and caressed-condemned and justified-at war, yet preaching peace-a wandering prodigal from my heavenly Father, yet his acknowledged child. My way is sometimes straight as a line and smooth as a plain, and then it abounds with crooks and is obstructed by mountains. It is, however, the King's highway, where he has been employing me in gathering out the stones, and lifting up a standard for the people. In this way I have been humbled and exalted-emptied and filled-highly honoured, yet frequently in the dust-a wretched man of sorrows, yet always triumphing in Christ-my deserts, I know, are the bottomless pit and endless wailings, and yet I hope to dwell for ever in a mansion of light. I have for many years been blowing the trumpet in Sion, and publishing glad tidings, and yet they are neither stale nor old; and so very blessedly has the dear Lord sweetened this employment, that I am determined never to deal in light weight or short measure, which are an abomination to him. You therefore perceive, that I could not "Eat, Hallelujah. Amen. C. M. WIGHTMAN. Our British Baptist Churches, IN the origin of some of our old Baptist Churches, there were undeniable evidences of the sovereign and invincible power of our covenant God, in breaking up the fallowground, and planting the Standard of the Cross, in the conversion of sinners-in the call of some to the ministry-and in the establishment of Gospel ordinances and new covenant principles. The bump of antiquity is not very diminutive with us we love things that are ancient, when found in connection with the salvation and manifestation of the people of God. We are, therefore, pleased with simple testimonies like the following. THE BAPTIST CAUSE AT NEEDINGWORTH, IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE. ABOUT the year 1710, Mr. Rogers, of Rothwell, Northamptonshire, with several of his elders, went abroad in the highways, preaching the gospel. I have had the pleasure of seeing the articles of his church, and likewise the hymns they sung. In doctrinal points, the articles were the same as Dr. Gill's, and the hymns very sound. In the account of his. journies, he preached at Willingham, Cambridgeshire, March, and Chatteris, in the Isle of Ely; and at Needingworth, in the county of Hunts. At the latter place, there is the corner wall of an old chapel now, in the corner of a house, lately occupied by Cave, called Chapel Close. When digging gravel, many human bones were found. It appears to me that God kindled the fire of truth by this man, and satan could never put it out. and preached to them within three weeks of his death. He had not much for preaching; only £16 a year: he had to work hard for a living, and spent £120, which was left him by a relation. He of course suffered much privation, as he had a large family; and also much persecution from the Church clergy. He died in peace. The following tablet was erected by the church and congregation, in grateful remembrance of their beloved pastor: "Thomas ministerial labours in this place fifty-two Ladson, who, with fidelity, discharged his years; and departed this life March 6, 1819, in the 87th year of his age, having been a strenuous advocate for the distinguishing doctrines of grace." After being some little time without a pastor, they engaged a Mr. Sherwood, who, labored among them for about sixteen years. Of this man's ministry I can say but little. I believe he went through much tribulation, and entered the kingdom. If he was not blessed as a preacher in his life, his death was blessed, and brought life to another; for when the news of his death reached the ears of a female, with whom I was acquainted, the Lord said to her, "Prepare to meet thy God;" and God prepared her; and now she is among the ransomed of the Lord, singing, Hallelujah! The next part is the most unpleasant-for a man to write about himself; but as I mean to write nothing untrue, I need not be ashamed. As one of the deacons was riding with a Cambridge minister, he said, "I am afraid God will not send us a minister yet." minister replied, "I know of one will just suit you, if he is getable." That deacon came up to London immediately. Just at this time I The was thinking of leaving my place. I did so, and engaged to be at N- on the first Sunday in December, 1836. In September, 1837, This man of God was much per-I was ordained: Mr. George, of Shouldham secuted by the Cambridge University-for he Street, London; Mr. Poock, of Cambridge, came out from thence. The truth has winged and Mr. D. Denham, late of Unicorn Yard, its way, until there is scarcely a village with- preached on the occasion. out a gospel ministry, in the county of Hunts. This good man was an Independent; but they have happily been led into the Baptist denomination. These ministers to whom I allude, stand stedfast in the truth, in doctrine and practice; and though the writer has been evil spoken of, he has not learnt the art of speaking evil of others. The first Baptist minister, Mr. Ladson, was a native of Gamlingay, called to preach before the church of which his father was a member. He labored awhile, at Over, Cambridgeshire; but being a Baptist, this Independent church soon made the place uncomfortable, and he came to reside at Needingworth. In his life, written by himself, in page 65, he says, "I trust the Lord directed my way, and so prospered me, that in the year 1787, we were embodied into a Christian church, at which time we numbered thirteen; but have been greatly increased by the Lord. After many deceased, and many dismissed to other churches, and some few withdrawn from us, we now number 146." This was in the 71st year of his age. He had at this time been pastor of the church about 35 years. He continued there 52 years; At this time the number of members was 40; we soon numbered 60; and ultimately 83. The last year of my ministry there, I baptised in the river somewhere about 22. Some have fallen asleep, and some remain to the present day, which I hope to meet where parting is no more. The time came when the Lord seemed to say, "You have been long enough in this mount." I was unwilling to leave them, because I loved them; so the Lord permitted a dry wind to come, not to fan, nor to change, but to drive me away. The four deacons gave me a good character, which I have by me; and I left with showers of tears, from myself, my wife and my friends: this was in 1842. Soon after this, they engaged with the present minister, Mr. Whiting, who, I understand, has been very useful to the young;-is a man of truth. I do not know how many members they have on their church book; but in looking over my list of names the other day, I find there are about 24 dead, and a number left the place. May the Lord increase their number ten-fold, "with such as shall be saved." So prays the unworthy writer, Bexley Heath, Kent. J. WALLIS. THE BAPTIST CAUSE AT OLD BRENTFORD. HONOURABLE and useful ministers of Christ's Gospel are not so plentiful, as to make the departure of any from our midst a light matter. No, by no means. Whether such ministers as we refer to, are removed by death, or by any other means, their removal must be a source of grief; for while we have a large number of brethren who are willing to carry Christ's gospel to the churches, we, evidently, have but few who can profitably and permanently occupy the place of those who have departed. In London, and its suburbs, we have now several churches whose pastors have been taken from them; and a very difficult task do the managers find it in obtaining suitable, savoury, and soul-satisfying supplies for their pulpits. We shall, at present, only notice Old Brentford. Mr. C. H. COLES, their late pastor, was a consistent and faithful minister of the gospel, as far as his measured gift for that work would enable him to go. Recently he has considered his position as a stated pastor, unscriptural. In some other points, his views have been changed; he has resigned his pastorate; he has left the sphere of his labours; and another place has been opened for him in the same locality. We should much rather have heard that he had not divided the people, who, for near seven years, had been his faithful friends and firm supporters. To say the least of it, we seriously question whether his dividing the people is not as great a sin, as it could be for him to continue the pastorate, where he believed the Lord led him, and where the Lord made much use of him. When we reflect upon the promise, "I will give them pastors after mine own heart," when we consider well the indisputable fact, that in every age the Lord has owned, honored, made use of, and greatly blest, a stated and a standing ministry, we can hardly be reconciled to the steps taken by Mr. Coles; and if he does not repent of it before many years have rolled over his head, we are much mistaken. But Mr. Coles has written a book; he has published his views; to that testimony, therefore, we refer our readers. It is entitled, "A Treatise on some Important Subjects, &c., &c. By C. H. COLES, late Pastor of the Baptist Church, Old Brentford." London: James Paul, Chapter-house Court. In the Preface to this pamphlet, Mr. Coles has clearly stated the course he pursued in coming to his present conclusion. An extract or two, may be interesting to such of our readers as cannot read the whole work. He says: "Ever since God, in his wonderful mercy to my poor soul, distinguished me by his sovereign grace, I have had a great thirst to know his mind and will upon all things recorded in the When it Scriptures of eternal truth; and when he has discovered to me any part of his will, it has been my anxious desire to follow, by the assistance of his grace, in the way he has shewn, and to do the thing he would have me to do. pleased the Lord thus to call me by his grace and set my soul at a happy liberty, giving me the Holy Spirit as the seal and earnest after I heard the word of truth and believed the gospel of salvation (Eph. i. 13, 14); and things were settled between God and my soul; when I knew that he had loved and chosen me, and that I now loved him, and chose him in return, I began to search the word, and found that those who believed and received his word were baptised. Having been brought up in the Church of England, I knew nothing of Baptism; I never recollect hearing any one preach about the which refer to it, I saw that the only mode found subject; but, in carefully reading those parts in the Scriptures was immersion, and if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.' As soon as ever I saw this, I followed in obedience to my dear Lord, and thus became his willing disciple, set at his blessed feet; and from his word, and by his promised Spirit, I was led to receive into my heart those great truths so generally called the doctrines of sovereign and distinguishing grace; and from that time to the present, I have never seen any good reason to part with one jot or tittle of them. No one who has given any degree of attention to can have failed to see that something is wrong the present dark and sickly state of the churches, somewhere-that some change in the order and government of the churches is loudly demanded and greatly to be desired by all who have seen and are now experiencing the evils existing among those who profess to follow only the Word of God. Now, whatever judgment may have been formed by others with respect to the cause of this state of things, I feel, for one, that we have most grievously departed from many parts of the New Testament; and, just in proportion as we have done this, we are found in conformity to the world-disunited from each other; and the only remedy for this state of things is at once to confess our sin, and return to the order and example of the churches in the New Testament. "Just at the time my mind was exercised about these things, a beloved friend lent me Sibbs on the Soul's Conflict, and the following extract from that work made a deep impression He says:-'When things are on my mind. beration is dangerous, and for the most part clear, and God's will is manifest, further deliargues a false heart-as we see in Balaam, who, though he knew God's mind, yet would be still consulting, till God, in judgment, gave him up to what his covetous heart led him to. A man is not fit to deliberate till his heart be purged of false aims; for else God will give him up to the darkness of his own spirit, and he will be always Where the aims are warping, unfit for bias. good, there God delighteth to reveal his good pleasure. Such a soul is fit and suitable to any good counsel that shall be given, and prepared to entertain it. In what measure any lust is favoured, in that measure the soul is darkened. Even wise Solomon, whilst he gave way to his lust, had like to have lost his wisdom.' goeth :" thus, I. The persons. II. Their pri that vilege. Considering the persons from the context. 1, Their union to Christ; 2, Their redemption by his blood; 3, The song they sing; 4, Their freedom from pollution; 5, Their spiritual perfection. Their privilege: 1, They were called to follow the Lamb; 2, They are constrained to follow him; 3, They are come to follow him. Brother Nichols commenced the service by reading and very solemn prayer; the order was good, and the attention great. "If God be for us, who can be against us ?" "After deeply pondering over the matter, and feeling that the things were clearGod's will was manifest-that I was not only called to preach them to others, but that it was my imperative duty to be found practically carrying out the same, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well-and although I should, like Abraham, go out not knowing whither he went, I must not confer with flesh and blood, but hearken only to my dear Lord and Master, Jesus, who hath said, He that loveth father or mother, son or daughter, more than me, is not worthy of me.' Having now counted the cost, and in some measure prepared for the consequence, I invited our Deacons to meet me at my house to take tea on Monday, June the 26th, when I pointed out the particulars in which I believed we were not conforming to the Word of God in the order and discipline of the Church, adding that, as I saw differently now in these things to what I did when I became their Pastor, I was quite prepared to resign, if the Church should decide that no alteration should take place; that I should not for the future preside at the Prayer Meeting, nor could I break bread with them as heretofore. I clearly saw both to be unscriptural, and therefore I must at once cease to do evil: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin: that when we meet for prayer, each brother should pray, read a portion of the word, and give out an hymn, just as he was led to do as if in the presence of Christ, who had promised to be in the midst, and in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, who alone can qualify us for every spiritual act in the worship of God; and that when we meet to break bread, each disciple was as much qualified to do this as the Apostle Paul. It was the Disciple's own act, that the appointing of any man to the administering this ordinance was a Popish tradition, and that it had no authority or sanction in the New Testament whatever." In the discourse itself-for this pamphlet embodies the substance of Mr. Coles's farewell sermon-there are some excellent things; and although we differ from the author in some of his main points, we nevertheless, wish him every new covenant blessing. We part with him very reluctantly; he has taken steps which have wounded many of his friends, and limited his usefulness; whether he is more happy, more holy, or more successful in his labours, we shall not at present attempt to determine. We shall, if spared, review his work more fully in a future number. The nature of the gospel ministry; and the positive position of pastors of churches, we hope, then to discuss. GRAVESEND. ON Wednesday evening, December 13th, 1854, Mr. Stringer baptized five believers in the Lord Jesus, at Zoar Chapel. The Lord has thus added to us twenty two members by baptism in ten months, (one has left us) the rest continue; and five have united with us from other baptist churches. The good hand of our gracious God is with us, and he is evidently at work among us. Mr. Stringer spoke on the present occasion (at the head of the pool) from Rev. xiv. 4, "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he HYMN, composed and sung at the baptizing of my daughter, who, under the ministry of my well-beloved brother in Christ, and fellow labourer in the glorious gospel of the ever blessed God, THOMAS STRINGER, Gravesend, was called to the My knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. prayer to God on his behalf and for the flock of his charge, is, that they may increase with all the increase of God, and live in the unity of the Spirit. JOHN NICHOLS, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Cook's Ground, Chelsea. ETERNAL Spirit now descend, Make known to us the sinner's Friend, Now shed abroad the Saviour's love, To save his fallen Bride; The type she loves, for 'tis his own, For her despoil'd the grave. The conq'ror over hell. Come saints and view the wat'ry grave, And join his praise to swell.] In thine own way, great Prince, we're come, Through water and through blood! Our hope---Incarnate God. Let others of their merit boast, 'Tis he alone that made our peace, To be baptiz'd by thy command, To follow Thee, their Lord; Before the Church of God. They love that Christ, who first lov'd them, ORFORD HILL, NORWICH. DEAR BROTHER-On the 3rd Dec. we were favored to witness four believers in the Lord Jesus, publicly put on Christ by baptism. In haste, with christian love, ALB. BROWN. |