Our brother, Mr. J. Bloomfield, minister of Salem Chapel, Meard's-court, Soho, kindly paid us a visit on Dec. 6th, and preached an encouraging sermon from John vi. 37; and in the evening gave us a very interesting lecture, on "Bunyan and his Times," which was listened to with evident pleasure and satisfaction. In the early part of the present year, we invited the children of the school (about seventy), with their parents, to tea in our new school room; and in the evening several appropriate addresses were given to the parents and friends assembled. At this meeting our dear pastor was quite taken by surprise by the presentation to him of a very handsome and useful writing-desk, and a beautiful inkstand, as expressive of the high esteem in which the friends hold him, as a sent servant of the Lord, whose labours God has owned and blessed amongst us. The inscription on the desk is as follows: "Presented by the church and congregation of Salem Chapel, Hayes (with inkstand) to their esteemed pastor, Mr. James Curtis, Jan. 17, 1866." Mr. Curtis deeply felt this hearty expression of love, and expressed his pleasure in receiving it, not for its monetary value, though that is considerable, but as a token of the hearty affection of his friends. We have great pleasure in stating that our prayer-meetings are well attended, and are often found times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. On the last Lord's-day in January, our pastor again went down into the baptismal waters, and baptized three believers in Christ (two females and one male). One of these was attracted, some eighteen months since, to see a baptizing, and the Lord was graciously pleased to meet with her, in the riches of his grace and mercy. When the three friends were baptized, the text was John xv. 13, 14. The chapel was filled with an attentive audience; and many exclaimed, "Lord, it is good to be here." "What hath God wrought?" Our cry is, "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces." "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake." CHATTERIS. ZION SABBATH SCHOOL, ON Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Annual Meeting for the distribution of prizes was held. At three the children, 245 in number, met, and were suitably addressed by Mr. Wyard, of St. Neots. After which the scholars received a book as reward for, and in accordance with, their conduct during the previous twelve months. At five o'clock, upwards of 300 parents and friends took tea. In the evening, a large audience was addressed by Messrs. Wyard and Shaw, the chair being occupied by Mr. E. J. Ekins, the superintendent. Subject-Home Influence; and, judging from the attention given, great interest was felt. The school here is very prosperous, and we trust such may long be the case. DEATH. ON Jan. 9th, 1866, aged 26 years, Mrs. Larrett was called home by the same loving voice that called her out of "darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son," in her girlhood days. We knew her as a docile scholar in Providence Chapel Sabbath school, and as a teacher. At the age of 19 she was baptized by Mr. W. Leach, late minister of the above named place. Before she departed, she read her "title clear, to mansions in the skies," which made her cheerful and resigned to the will of her heavenly Father. She has left a husband and three tender babes to mourn her early departure. May her God be their God, then they will meet to part no more. giving some excellent advice to those around her, and commending her babes, for whom she was very solicitous, to the care of God and others, she ejaculated " My Jesus," which were the last words she was heard to say, for shortly after she gently breathed out her soul to God. After As we gaze upon dear Lotty's clay, A cheerful hope, a heavenly ray Darts in our hearts when we remember Her savory converse of the Saviour, She loved to speak of his charming name, She loved to hear of his wondrous fame; She loved to visit the house of prayer, To enjoy her Saviour's presence there. But now her spirit has took its flight, To glorious realms of dazzling light, She sees her Saviour's beauteous face, And with rapture muses on his grace. Gentle Lotty! Glorified saint! all who knew thee loved thee, and could tell that thou hadst been with Jesus, and now A harp is in your hand, At God's right hand you stand! BRISCOE, Printer, Banner-street, Bunhill-row, Finsbury HEPHZIBAH, THE VOICE OF TRUTH; OR, Baptist Record. SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE." IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY; IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY; IN ALL THINGS, CHARITY. APRIL, 1866. Expositions and Essays. THE EFFECT OF THE INTELLIGENCE OF PAUL'S CONVERSION ON THE JUDEAN CHURCHES. BY MR. R. ANDREW GRIFFIN, Sandhurst, Kent. "But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed; and they glorified God in me."-Gal. i. 23, 24. THE rapidity with which "ill news travels, and the ready credence it receives, are proverbial. It seems indigenous to many to believe, without doubt, the story of the sins of their fellows, and yet to question their virtues. Even in the Christian church there are those who will readily condemn a reputedly backsliding brother, although there are but insufficient grounds for concluding he is so, and at the same time will utter a caution concerning one who is indubitably a sincere penitent. Such weak credulity, or such unreasonable caution, are the sure marks of spiritual decay. It tells that charity has no dwelling in their breasts; or, at any rate, that its power is nearly gone. As it is with the tree when the sap is withdrawn-the leaves wither, and fall, and die; so it is with the human heart, when charity is away. There is no shadow beneath which the weary penitent can be refreshed. No fruit even for the Master's hand, as the apostle saith, without charity "I am nothing" (1 Cor. xiii. 2). When the church is in a healthy state it is sanguine and trustful, for charity "hopeth all things." It would rather err in being too credulous than too sceptical. It looks with no mistrustful eye upon those added to its number, but treats them as brethren till they prove they are deceived. This is always a source of joy to young Christians. It was so with the Apostle Paul. Years afterwards it cheered his heart to think how readily the churches had received him, making him write, “But they had heard only.............. and they glorified God in me." Let us now endeavour to show what were the emotions excited, the blessings brought, and the crowning results obtained by the news of Paul's conversion. I. The emotions excited by the intelligence of Paul's conversion. (1). That of gratitude. For they had one persecutor less, and one preacher more. They knew the zeal, the boldness, the learning which were used against the church VOL. V. NO. LII., NEW SERIES. G would now be employed in her service. They rejoiced with grateful hearts; for now Jesus was shown to be the Saviour of the learned, as well as the illiterate. The proud Pharisee was taught that the power of the gospel could exert its influence on the most prejudiced and hardened. The Gentile was taught that the Messiah was, in very truth, their Saviour. (2). That of love.-Those hands which would have recoiled from the grasp of the persecutor were stretched out with loving eagerness to welcome the penitent. They only needed to be assured of the reality of his conversion to open their hearts to receive him indeed, some did not wait for that, when "they had heard only, they glorified God in me." It is a blessed fact, that when God brings a man into the Divine family, there is an instinctive feeling of love towards him implanted in the hearts of every other member of it. Thus, love to the brotherhood, is a characteristic of discipleship. (3). That of devotion. They told their joy to God. This new blessing drew them to their knees. It intoned their praise; it gave emphasis to their prayers. This should be the effect of all prosperity, whether in the believer's own experience, or in the church's. Every blessing is a harp God gives us on which to make melody to him. David sang, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things." "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." The Prophet Jeremiah predicts the song of praise as the result of God's bringing Israel out of captivity: "The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness; the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride; the voice of them that shall say, Praise ye the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good.” II. The blessings it brought. (1). Their faith was exercised." They had heard only." They had not seen his tears, or heard from his own lips his profession of love to the Saviour. It had not been wonderful if they had disbelieved the story; there was so much of the marvellous about it, that they might have reasoned, Could it be possible that one so educated in the Jewish prejudices was changed so soon? Could it be that the man who a few months before curled his lip at the mention of the name of Jesus, called him an "impostor," and branded his followers as fanatics, was then one of the most devout of them? Could it be that Gamaliel's proud scholar was Jesus' humble disciple? Could it be that one with such stern mental qualities was convinced and converted in so short a time? Could it be that the life object of such a man was really changed in one night? Could it be that the habitude of his thoughts, the associations of his whole life, the influence of his many friends did not deter him from openly avowing his attachment to the Lord Jesus? Doubtless some such thoughts were theirs at first, but the majority heeded them not, but rejoiced and glorified God. (2). The truth of Christianity was vindicated. With triumphant tongue that truth was thus heralded-" The cross of Christ is a power." The men who had sneered at fishermen, and beggars, and women, saying, ""Tis only publicans and sinners that follow Jesus," cannot sneer on this point longer; for here is one who says, "After the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee " (Acts xxvi. 5); "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. iii. 5); who professes "to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The truth of Christianity was, moreover, vindicated in the eyes of every Christian. This was a matter for joy. They knew it was true, and yet they rejoiced to see this fresh proof of it. Assurance is always grateful to us, however settled our belief may be. (3). Their zeal must have been inflamed.-As victory inspirits the soldier to more daring deeds, so does every success of the gospel inspirit the soldier of the cross. When David had slain Goliath, the Israelites arose and pursued the Philistines, and slew them. And now Saul is converted, no wonder greater effort should be put forth. that many more trophies may be laid at the Redeemer's feet. There is a voice from every conversion, my brethren, calling to us, to be up and doing. (4). They had now a fresh theme for discourse. They could invite sinners, and give them hope of acceptance, and an illustration of God's mercy to the vilest. Blessed indeed was the church when the messenger brought these glad tidings of great joy. III. The crowning results it obtained. (1). God was glorified.—This was the grandest result of all. God's glory should ever be our one object. It should ever rejoice our hearts when we see it declared. Let us use every endeavour to glorify him now, for this will be our one blessed employment for ever. God is glorified whenever one of his hidden ones is brought forth. Oh my brethren, should not this stimulate us to praise him, and the more earnestly pray for the ingathering of all those he has elected to everlasting life? (2). Paul was encouraged. The love of the saints was prized by him, as it is by every true child of God. As we have said, his heart must have rejoiced to know he was welcomed by them. Learn from the reception given to Paul by these Judean churches, to welcome all those who give proof that they are the subjects of Divine grace. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT-PEACE. BEFORE sin entered into the world, and by its baneful influence, spread confusion and terror through the fair and beautiful creation of God, we have every reason to believe that peace, with her balmy influence, reigned all around, coming from a peaceful source, and governed by innocence and love. There was a bond that united the whole together, and made each member of the new-born society conduce to the happiness of the other. We don't think there was then any poison in the fangs of the serpent, nor any ferocity in the natures of the lion and the bear; and we may add, nor any undue selfishness in the heart of man. Endowed with a rational and an immortal soul, that gave him a superiority over all the rest, he acted as God's vicegerent upon earth, and the whole animal family cheerfully submitted to his will, by coming to him, and receiving their names from his mouth. But we have every reason to believe that things did not continue long in this happy and peaceful state. Sin entered into the world, and death, with all its concomitants of evil entered too, and not only spread their direful effects among the race of rational beings, but among the irrational as well; so that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain until now.' Whether the prophecy of Isaiah is to receive a literal fulfilment or not, time alone must reveal, when the wolf is to dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child lead them," &c. Certainly the prospect is pleasing, and should animate us to do all we can to spread that knowledge of the Lord which is destined to "fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea.' Leaving the outward for a moment, let us look at the inward. The soul of man, formed in the image of his Maker, was perfect in all its faculties, like a beautiful piece of machinery, it moved in complete harmony. No cloud of ignorance blinded the understanding; no blot of evil defiled the conscience; no pang of sorrow rent the heart: all in the calm quiet of innocence was perfect peace; but no sooner was this robe polluted than peace took her flight from the soul of man, and left him in darkness and distress, and the outer world in a state of anarchy and confusion. But, glory be to the rich love and free mercy of Jehovah-where sin abounds grace shall much more abound: sin reigns unto death, and grace reigns unto eternal life. Christ, the second Adam, has more than restored the ruins of the first. In him the elect have a rich, secure, and unloseable inheritance; and one of its first and last blessings is peace. This is the third fruit of the Spirit, that we have now to consider. It is twin sister to joy. They are both found together in the same breast, and spring from the same principle-saving faith. Hence, we read of "joy and peace in believing :" one fills the heart, and the other calms the conscience. Let us, then, first look at the grounds of peace, as it is very important for us to feel that we are on a safe foundation. Many cry, Peace, peace, to themselves, when there is no peace! A secret knowledge of an interest in the covenant of grace gives peace. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant, which is called the covenant of peace; symbolised by the rainbow round about the eternal throne; in sight like unto an emerald, ever green and verdant,-the sign of peace being made between God and the sinner. And when this is revealed to the soul by the peaceful whisper of the Holy Ghost, saying, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love," then it can sing with interest "'Tis mine-the covenant of his grace, And every promise mine All flowing from eternal love, And sealed with blood divine. "On my unworthy, favoured head Blessings more numerous than the stars; More lasting and more bright." 66 Second. A personal knowledge of an interest in the whole work of Christ, ensures peace; he is the Prince of peace, and is called the peace of his people, having made peace by the blood of his cross between God and man, and through that blood sprinkled on the conscience the sinner enjoys peace. The frowning face of Deity is turned into smiles on the one hand, and the soul, under the influence of the blessed Spirit, is calm on the other. An acceptable standing in Christ's righteousness brings peace. Being justified by faith we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Here the law is magnified, justice satisfied, truth established, and holiness honoured. The sinner thus saved without a single perfection of Jehovah being in the least sullied,-no charge can be brought against God's elect either in heaven, on earth, or in hell. Every tongue being silenced, all is peace. The prevalent intercession of Christ procures peace. He is the Daysman of Job, the one Mediator of Paul, and the successful Advocate of John, able and willing to lay his hand on both parties-the offender and the offended-and make them both one, thereby making peace. "Peace by his cross has Jesus made, Third, The gospel proclaims peace. It is called the gospel of peace. When the great Author of it became incarnate in our nature, the angelic hosts sang over the plains of Bethlehem, "Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will towards men." Christ himself proclaimed liberty to the captive-the opening of the prison to them that were bound; comforted all that mourned for sin, bound up the broken-hearted, and said to his disciples, "In me ye have peace." The early preachers of this gospel proclaimed the same glad tidings. One of them that laboured more abundantly than they all, when speaking of the union of Jew and Gentile, in the same common blessings, says that he-Christ-(in their preaching) spake peace both to them that were far off, and to them that were nigh; and this has been the purport of every true evangelical minister down to the present time. Lastly, The Holy Ghost shedding abroad the love of Christ in the heart, promotes peace. This is the blessed experience of every true child of God This calms his conscience, and quells his fears, and inspires him with a good hope that will at last enable him to triumph over all his foes. "The fruit of the Spirit is peace." Let us turn for a moment and consider some few of the excellencies of this peace. It is a peace connected with life. There is the peace of inanimate nature, and there is also the peace of death. The conscience of the sinner may become so |