or enable us to worship our God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. We, of course, are in relation to Mr. Corbet's decision for instrumental music outvoted, there being, as our readers will see an unanimous shew of hands for him; it is true they were but human hands, so that we must reckon one hand of the Lord on our side to be a good majority against them; so that while with men we are in the minority, yet with God we believe we are in the majority; and hope that our good friends at Trowbridge will in one part of their vote consider themselves a very diminutive minority -we mean not that part of the vote which relates to the address being printed, but that part which implies a sanction of carnal music in the spiritual worship of God.] His memory will be ever dear to me: in him, I have lost a kind and loving father and Christian friend; he it was that first took me within the walls of the Surrey Tabernacle, of which place I can indeed say, "I love her gates, I love the road The church adorn'd with grace, Stands like a palace built for God, To show his milder face, &c." There I learned, (I humbly hope) by the blessed Spirit's teaching, and from the lips of my dear pastor, what I was as a sinner, and what our adorable Emanuel is, as a Saviour, in all the amplitude of his grace and mercy; there in that gospel field, our spiritual Boaz has commanded his reaper, to let fall some handfuls of purpose for the poor gleaners; yes, so poor as only to have a little hope; A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF but the King of Israel said, "The Lord taketh MR. T. S. M. JENNER, Late of Clapham. pleasure in, and his eye is upon, them that hope in his mercy;" and we know, where the word of a king is there is power. When I first went to the Tabernacle, I was an enemy to the truth; and had been nearly brought within the pale of the Church of Rome, when only about the age of thirteen; may I not say, salvation is not of works, but of grace? Bless the dear Lord, I have been enabled, through grace, to hold fast the truth ever since, which is about fourteen years; and I can sincerely say, it is more precious to me than ever. I could write more, but must conclude. That we may be found in him, whom to know is life eternal, is the desire of Walworth. THE CHRISTIAN RUTH. UNIFORM. DRESS uniform the soldier wears Not purchased at his cost or care, Christ's soldiers too, (if Christ-like bred), He was born on the 27th of March, 1787, at Croydon, in Surrey. His Father was a gentleman of considerable property, who left money to bring him up; the person who had the money took it, and put him into a workhouse: there he was for some time, until a relation of his mother's found him, took him out, and brought him up. While with her, he attended the Established Church; was apprenticed in Blackman Street, in the Boro' of Southwark, and there he became acquainted with a Dissenter who sat under the ministry of Mr. Upton; he was baptized by Mr. Chin, of Walworth: was received into that church, and remained there some years. After this, he became a member of good Mr. Francis's WARRIOR'S church, of Snow's Fields; who was related to my dear mother. My father was, for many years, an Itinerant preacher of the gospel; and many, in different parts of the country, could testify of the comfort they received under his ministry. More lately, he joined the church at East Street, Walworth; and remained until the Lord removed him to Clapham, where he preached a free-grace gospel till the day of his death. He did not shun to declare the WHOLE council of God; he could truly say with the Psalmist David, "I have stuck unto thy testimonies." preached his last sermon the day previous to his death in the country; and I know from one who heard him that day, that he preached the truth with zeal and fervour. The nature of his disease prevented him from saying much in his last hours, but he did say while in great pain, this is to take me home, I shall soon be home." Thus he died, on the 12th of Sept. 1854, in the 67th year of his age. He died in the faith, in the truth, and in the Lord; and "Blessed are the dead which die in him." He was interred at Norwood; my esteemed pastor, Mr. James Wells, spoke over him; and while I have to mourn the loss of a very dear parent, I have to rejoice that death was to him, "An open cage to let him fly On wings of love to worlds on high." He Tis linen white, and faced with red; A rich and sightly robe it is, No rose can learn to blush like this, 'Tis wrought by Jesu's skilful hand, No art of man can weave this robe, "Tis of one piece, and wove throughout, This vesture never waxeth old, It makes a soldier, brisk and bold, This robe, Lord, put on me, each day, Shall make me fight, and sing, and pray, cr 'JOB'S" REVIEW OF MR. SPURGEON'S MINISTRY EXAMINED AND CONSIDERED. ད་ If the seven thousand persons, who now purchase the EARTHEN VESSEL cease to do so, we retire from our heavy task at once: but so long as God gives us life, strength, means, and a sufficiency of merciful readers, we will onward steer our course, gladly publishing the tidings of mercy; and rendering all the service to the Churches we possibly can. Now, for a moment, let us review our Correspondence on this momentous matter. The first communication which our brother "Job's" letter has produced-or, rather, the one which we notice first, is the following, which we give entire as it came to hand. The writer says: WE are unexpectedly thrown into a some- | all, that no threats, no cruel insinuations, what serious position. Very innocently,- no thunderbolts, no bitter reflections upon (we think,) in our December number, the past, will intimidate us. impartially, and in a charitable spirit, we wrote a brief review of Mr. Spurgeon's ministry; noticing, and quoting from, some sermons which had recently been preached by him, and published in The Penny Pulpit. Mr. Spurgeon is a public man: his ministry is the property of the professing church in Christendom. Multitudes were crowding to hear him:-On every hand, we were met with queries like the following-"Who is this Mr. Spurgeon?" - -"Where does he come from "To what section of the Church does he belong?" "Is he sound in the faith of the Gospel?" &c., &c. Under these circumstances, we furnished an Article bearing on his ministry; and, as far as possible, meeting the enquiries; not for a moment thinking that we should incur the displeasure of any of the brethren, who stand on the walls of Zion in these days. Our brief, and anfinished review had scarcely made its appearance, ere some severe strictures upon the same came to hand; the first sight of which led us to fear that we had been too precipitate; and that, instead, of rendering Christian love and humility which should chagood service to the citizens of our much-racterize the intercourse of the professor with loved city, we had done mischief: but, on carefully perusing what we had written, on examining our motive and our aim, we feel no condemnation whatever. We consider it imperative upon a Christian man to confess his fault, so soon as he is convicted of having done wrong. Could we have been persuaded that we had done any injury to the cause of truth in thus noticing Mr. Spurgeon's ministry, we would freely and fully have confessed the same. We were not, however, sufficiently convinced of this. Still, we felt it solemnly laid on our conscience to publish the letter signed "Job;" believing that it was calculated to lead to much close examination in the breasts both of ministers and laymen; and that a wholesome benefit to many would be the result. "Job's" letter was published in the January number; and from the first of its issue until now, paper pelletts have been poured in upon us, enough, indeed, to shatter the few poor nerves to pieces, which near thirty years' labour has left in a sadly dilapidated state. We are determined, by the grace of God, to maintain an independent course:-our aim shall be to DEFEND THE TRUTH-let the truth be found where it may. There is not a minister, nor a Christian man on earth, that shall bias, or frighten us, into a wrong course, if we can, by watchfulness and prayer, avoid it. We will tell our Correspondents, once for MR. EDITOR.-It was with mingled emotions of pain and pity, I read in the EARTHEN Correspondent "Job." His censures are exVESSEL for January, the letter from your cessively harsh, both as respects yourself and Mr. Spurgeon; and the arguments used to establish his propositions altogether inconclusive. His letter does not bear those marks of his fellows. I do not presume to penetrate into his heart, and bring to light the mainspring of all the bitter language he uses in his epistle; to an attentive and intelligent reader, that is quite apparent on the face of it; but he has made in judgment. I do not call these content myself with pointing out the errors errors wilful; although it is very difficult for me to conceive how any mind could be so. blinded, unless by anger, or some of the darker passions of humanity, as to fall into such gross and palpable mistakes. The passages of Mr. Spurgeon's sermon are plain and Scriptural; but Job," by some mental contortion, presents them in light. an adverse and erroneous With your permission, Mr. Editor, I will but right that justice be rendered to Mr. briefly confirm the preceding remarks. It is Spurgeon; who, I am persuaded, is too much the gentleman to return an answer to such charges brought against himself; and too much the Christian to be angry because of them. It will be at the same time exonerating you from the blame so unjustly bestowed, and promotive of the cause so dear to your heart. Some weak ones may be stumbling because of the remarks of "Job;" and this may reassure them. It is always injurious to the to observe that law of love he hath ordained. cause of the Redeemer, when Christians fail I therefore proceed to obviate, as much as possible, the erroneous impressions that have been made in the letter by " Job." In the first place, he begins wrong, by throw But "the testimony of the prophets was second hand;" the truth of that remark is manifested by the very passage brought up to refute it, "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ;" that is, they uttered not their own thoughts, but were simply the instru ments of the Spirit, and consequently their testimony was second hand, the Spirit being the prime mover. ing out insinuations which, however unfounded | seeming contradiction pointed out by "Job.' tend to prejudice the mind of the reader. He (Mr. S.) is called "a very questionable personage;" compared to a mountebank of the Grecian stage; paralleled with Dr. Pusey and Cardinal Wiseman; likened to the "Prince of Darkness," who beguiled Eve with very great politeness; and, finally, the "Divine reality of his conversion" is doubted of-upon what flimsy grounds we shall presently see. Now all this is surely ungenerous, and it will shortly be perceived to be altogether unjust. Job says, "We are told, page 1, that the Corinthians had much of the teaching of the Greeks, and were men of classic taste, and that they should have used these gifts to confirm the testimony of Christ;" and then adds, "Mr. Spurgeon, and the Word of God, very widely differ upon this Greek wisdom and classic taste;" but he ("Job") very wisely, for his own purpose, refrains from attempting to show wherein this difference lies; because in reality it does not exist. The Word of God calls this "wisdom foolishness;" and what does Mr. Spurgeon say? Why, simply the very same thing, "that gifts are nothing unless they are laid on the altar of God." He, ("Job") objects to Mr. Spurgeon's remark, "that he (the Lord) determined upon sending a Mediator into the world whereby he might restore it to its pristine glory, and save to himself a people who are to be called the elect of God" because he finds it said, the heavens are to vanish away like smoke, and the earth wax old like a garment; that the earth is to be burned up; forgetting the passages that refer to its restoration. The earth is to be purified with fire; but the Apostle John was privileged to obtain a glimpse in prophetic vision of the "new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness;" this is the restoration Mr. Spurgeon points to; and it is undeniably a restoration to the pristine glory when the Creator pronounced it "very good." "Job" must have surely read the Bible to little use to have overlooked such predictions. Again, he then quibbles about the words "to be" in the passage already quoted; and says, that he "thought this nomination was already settled, and that from before the foundation of the world." It is very true that this nomination was settled from before the foundation of the world, but Mr. Spurgeon was referring to the Council of Eternity, when the Godhead was deliberating of these things which were not yet; and uses the only tense proper in the circumstances. Again, "Job" calls Mr. Spurgeon's remarks upon the testimony of Christ and the Prophets, "vain jangling, and a jargon of truth and error, ingeniously interwoven." This is false, as you see when I take up and refute his seeming arguments: 1st. He says, "The testimony of Christ was direct from himself, but the Word of God contradicts this and says, 'The words that I speak are not mine, but him that sent me.'" Now, the Word of God does not contradict it, for another passage, wherein Christ declares that he and the Father are one, reconciles the 2nd. The sermon says that the testimony of all but Christ was not uniform, and quite correctly, the sermon states wherein this uniformity failed; and if "Job" had but attended to it, he would not have fallen into the absurd mistake he has. It was in their conduct, not in their predictions that they failed; this did not always correspond with the testimony they gave by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which was uniform and perfect in kind, though not perfect in degree, inasmuch as it was continually being added to by those who followed after them, and was finished by Christ. In the paragraph following the one just answered, "Job" attributes to the word final, a sense altogether different from that in which it is used by Mr. Spurgeon; Mr. Spurgeon says, "Christ's testimony was final, and in the next sentence explains what he means by final, namely, "This was the last testimony, the last revelation, that ever will be given to man." Now, this is very different from saying what "Job" would make him appear to say, namely that from their (the prophets) testimony there is any appeal; he does not say there is appeal, but he simply says, that the testimony of the prophets was not last, but Christ's was. It is Again," Job" says, "Mr. Spurgeon's mode of confirming the testimony of Christ is not the Apostle's mode of doing the same." just the same mode; the testimony of Christ is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy Ghost; and Mr. Spurgeon just says that in effect, by saying it is confirmed by conversion, which is the work of the Spirit; by answer to prayer, which is through the Spirit; by support in times of affliction and tribulation, which is by the Spirit. And in confirming it with respect to others, his remarks are also just and right, for it is written, "Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven." In his remarks upon the conclusion of Mr. S.'s sermon, he ("Job,") is equally unkind and unjust as in all the rest of what he writes. Mr. Spurgeon does desire his hearers to go to the throne of grace, and vow afresh, and register this new resolution, so to live as to confirm more and more the testimony of Christ; but he does not say they are to do this in their own strength, they are to seek strength from the Holy Ghost; he does not just then point out the way in which to seek that strength, but having often before pointed it out, contents himself at that time with merely indicating the source of the strength. Now, Mr. Editor, having shewn that every single stricture that "Job" has made on the sermon is unjust and unfounded, I have no hesitation in saying, that I can prove every other objection he chooses to raise equally untenable. He has in most instances perverted the plain meaning of the sermon, to be enabled to start an objection at all; I do not call that pervertion wilful, that I leave to his own conscience and his God; but I do say, that unless it was plainly stated in his letter that he intended to criticise Mr. Spurgeon's sermon, I would never have been able to imagine that the strictures made had any reference to the sermon on " Confirming the witness of Christ." We can now see the utter futility of Job's concluding remarks, his premises being false, his conclusions must also be untrue; he does not offer one valid argument for the excessively harsh opinions he gives forth. In one place ("4thly," page 15,) he tells us that his "opinion is, and his argument is, and his conclusion is," so and so; I defy the humblest, as well as the most profound logician, to shew the smallest vestige of an argument, or conclusion, in that paragraph. wish to write a word or two-first, upon what "Job" has done; and secondly, upon the comparison which "Sarah" makes between Apollos and the present Pastor of New Park Street Chapel. First, as to what "Job" has done. He has certainly written very decidedly, but we believe he has written sincerely. The fact is, during the last quarter of a century "Job" has seen many start up with a flaming zeal, with shining talents, with an attracting style, and with a ministry combining almost all the principal features of each section of the professing church. And "Job" has seen many such men not only go down as fast as they came up; but he has been called to sympathise with many who have been deceived, deluded, and brought into deep dis-. tress. We say therefore, to many of our correspondents who have written so censoriously of "Job"-do not condemn so rashly. Finally, to convince you of my impartiality, We are determined, if the Lord will help and I must tell you I am a stranger in London, guide us in this matter,-to "do justly; to unacquainted personally with Mr. Spurgeon, love mercy;" and to walk humbly and honestly not a hearer of his, and do not know "Job;" as in the sight of a heart-searching God. I have sometimes read parts of your EARTHEN Men, brethren, and fathers-hear ye our VESSEL, and been much pleased with it; I words we have nothing to fear from "Job;" have also read most of Mr. Spurgeon's pub-neither have we anything to seek from him. lished sermons, and have heard him preach We have nothing to fear from Mr. Spurgeon, three times; and can testify that had "Job" neither have we any favors to ask at his have fallen into the error of supposing that hands. "Job" and C. H. Spurgeon are two Mr. Spurgeon neglects the work and agency of men-two ministers-two pastors of influenthe Holy Spirit. tial churches in the great Metropolis. Between these two great ministers stands the attacked Editor of THE EARTHEN VESSEL; and if either "Job" or C. H. Spurgeon, or any of their friends, were to attempt to bias the said Editor-(which he knows they will not)-he would tell them plainly, that sooner But the fact is he does sometimes speak of than he would be the mere tool of a party for the work of the Spirit in his published sermons, although not so fully as in some unpublished; unholy purposes, he would let the VESSEL be for example, at the close of the sermon entitled, dashed to atoms, and himself be driven where"the house of mourning and the house of feast-soever an adverse power might carry him. ing," we have these words, "it is the power of the Holy Ghost alone that can give the life." been there on those occasions he would not Only a very small moiety of Mr. Spurgeon's sermons has been published, and to suppose that because he does not there set forth at length a view of the operations of the Spirit, he denies its efficiency altogether, is unlogical, unphilosophical, and unjust. I am sorry, Mr. Editor, to have trespassed so much upon your room; but it was due to Mr. Spurgeon, as well as to yourself, and coming from a stranger to all parties, it is hoped these remarks may not prove unacceptable or unprofitable. I wish well to you, and the great cause of our common Lord. HENRY J. MCLARDY. While we thus speak, we highly esteem, and feel deeply grateful to "Job," for the use God has made of him on the walls of Zion these many years. We say it fearlessly, "Job" has his peculiar work, and his singularly original way; but that God has rendered his ministry an essential blessing, thousands can testify. We are bound, therefore, to believe that what he has done, he has done for the good of Zion; and if in the doing, he has not. exactly done it as some could wish; let us forbear; let us forgive; let us continue to love him, and to pray that his life and his labours may be lastingly and increasingly useful in gathering ransomed sinners to Christ, and in feeding the living family of our ever "Sarah says she calls Mr. Spurgeon gracious God. We have no sympathy with 66 THE APOLLOS OF THE BOROUGH ;" and after those butterflies, who-will make a servant much consideration, she has wished that of Christ an offender for a word, and for such "Job" had done as Aquilla and Priscilla did supposed offence turn from and speak unkindly with Apollos, of whom it is said, that "when of him. From all such proceedings, and from they had heard, they took him unto them, and all such professors, the good Lord deliver us. expounded unto him THE WAY OF GOD more A farther notice of communications on perfectly." Upon this hint of "Sarah's" weJob's' strictures will be found on the covers. We make no comment upon this letter. The sermons referred to, are in print. Our readers can judge for themselves. We proceed to notice one other Correspondent; and with that we leave the subject for the present. The Correspondent referred to is "Sarah." A FEW MORE WORDS FROM "JOB." DEAR MR. EDITOR-In one part of my re Now, secondly, for "Sarah's" comparison. | And, like "Sarah," we say to brother "Job," The character and portrait of Apollos is do as Aquilla did; and until such a New drawn in Acts xviii., of whom the Holy Testament example has been followed-until Ghost says, he was "an eloquent man," he personal intercourse has proved the contrary was "instructed in the way of the Lord;"-hope that of Mr. Spurgeon it may be true, "he spake and taught diligently the things of as of Apollos it has been said, (after Aquilla the Lord," and "he spake boldly in the and Priscilla had done with him,) "HE synagogue." We are free to confess that in HELPED THEM MUCH WHO HAD BELIEVED some points "Sarah's" comparison will hold THROUGH GRACE." We must for the present good. Since the thoughts and conclusions of forbear. brother "Job" have been published, we have been exceedingly concerned to know, if possible, the real position of this our modern Apollos; consequently, seeing him announced to preach the Association sermon on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 10th we went to hear for ourselves. He took for his text 2 Cor. x. 4, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds." The strongholds of "antiquity," "infidelity," arminianism,' "antinomianism," 66 sinful self," and "righteous self," were surveyed, attacked, and denounced in an energetic and forcible manner. The character of " weapons" were then described, "not carnal," but "mighty through God." We left the sanctuary with a solemn impression of this our view of Mr, Spurgeon's sermon, I have said of Where angels fear to tread." What I have written, I have written conscientiously and sincerely, and without partiality, and without hypocrisy; and sought on my bended knees by solemn prayer to God, direction in this matter; nor am I conscious of one vestige of anger, or unhallowed, or wrong feeling in the matter; and the Lord himself is my witness, that I have no feeling wishes (subject to the law of gospel truth) for towards Mr. Spurgeon, but that of the best his welfare; and if in the face of the tens of thousands of perishing fellow mortals in this Metropolis, I could have written from envy, I think the sooner I throw off the Christian name the better. Never, under heaven, were accusers further from the truth than those who impute such a feeling to me. concern for truth, and vital godliness, has been my motive. I have exercised merely the right of judging for myself, and others of course have a right to do the same. A kind to ourselves we said : "the ministers of Jesus Christ are said to stand on the walls of Zion; these walls, of course, separate "the garden of the Lord" from "the widespreading wilderness," and "from the valley of dry bones" some of Christ's faithful ministers who stand on these walls have their back to the wilderness and the valley, and their faces and their front toward the church looking right into her midst, and speaking to her heart. In such a position, more particularly, stood William Huntington, the rich and mellow-minded Brooks, William Gadsby and a host beside. But others of Christ's ministers stand with their face and front more generally towards the wilderness, instrumentally attacking the enemy's strongholds; instrumentally sounding forth the terrors of Sinai, and the glorious attractions of Calvary's Cross; instrumentally calling for the four winds of heaven to come down into the valley, and to breath upon the slain; instrumentally Mr. Spurgeon himself intends taking no I am, Mr. Editor, credibly informed, that plucking sinners as brands from the burning, notice of what I have written, and if I am to and leading them up to the gates of Zion. be counted an enemy because I have spoken And, IN SUCH A POSITION did we conceive what I believe to be the truth (Gal. iv. 16,) I Mr. Spurgeon to stand that afternoon. In am perfectly willing to bear the reproach such a position stood Martin Luther, Toplady, thereof; and most happy should I be to have Whitfield, and a multitude beside; and we do just cause to think differently of his ministry; prayerfully anticipate the day, when side by but I am at present (instead of being shaken,) side, on Zion's walls, there shall be seen our more than ever confirmed in what I have writrapid and deep-taught brother "Job," with ten. I beg therefore to say that anything said his heart beating over Zion's afflicted child-upon the subject by Mr. Spurgeon's friends will ren, his back bent in stooping down to sympathise with them, and his tongue pouring out the mighty, the mysterious, the merciful, dealings of a covenant God with covenant saints; while in juxta-position there shall be found the eloquent Apollos of the present day. (Jeremiah i. 18,) and of which I shall take no be to me as straws thrown against a stone wall, notice. Only let them beware lest a voice from him by whom actions are weighed, say unto them, "Ye have not spoken of me the the thing that is right as my servant Job hath." Ĵob. xlii. 7. JOB. |