answered: "that I would cry again unto the Lord, and would not move from that spot, nor arise from my knees until the matter was decided, whether I was damned or saved;" so I cried unto the Lord to decide the matter fully, and that the same words might come with greater power, so that satan might not be able to stand before it, and in a few minutes it came with such amazing power as I had never felt a promise before, and the devil was gone in a moment. I rose up from my knees and clapped my hands, and shouted, "vic tory! victory! victory! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; our God is the God of salvation." I walked up and down my room weeping, laughing, singing, blessing, praising, extolling, crowning the great, the glorious, the blessed, the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And in the evening my friend called on me, and I went with him; walked my four miles, delivered the word of the Lord, the people wept and smiled, and I walked my four miles back like a giant refreshed with new wine. of his matter was Jesus Christ, 'the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world,' in the glory of his person, the greatness of his redemption, the grace of his heart, the fulness of his salvation. When proceeding to address an infidel multitude, he does not make their depraved and apostate condition the frontispiece, but the back ground of his address; he does, indeed, assert that; but his grand business is to testify of the gospel of the grace of God,' as revealed in the gift of his beloved Son, lifting him up as ' Him whom God hath exalted with his right hand, to give repentance unto Israel and the remission of sins,' or in other words, to give quickening life and eternal salvation to men dead in trespasses and sins: on this head his testimony differs widely from nearly, if not quite, all the so-called, (and perhaps rightly,) men of truth, that I have heard, and I have heard many, who preach as though sinners must be brought to a certain point of conviction and repentance before Jesus Christ can be of any value to them, which is surely a great mistake, as he is the second Adam, the quickening Spirit, the giver of every good and perfect gift, whether repentance, faith, hope, or any other. And to this want of fully preaching the gospel to every creature, I cannot help, as a mean, attributing in a great measure, the death and barrenness at present almost paralizing the church; for wherever there is most of Jesus Christ, there is the largest measure of the influence of the Holy Ghost; the testifying of Jesus being emphatically declared to be his chief office in the salvation of sinners; and moreover, this is the Man whom the King (even God the Father,) delighteth to honour. Much more might be said INASMUCH as 'it hath pleased God by on the difference in the matter of the the foolishness of preaching to save them apostle Paul, and the preachers of the that believe,' and as the preaching of no truth in this day; but as I conceive this mere man was ever made so mighty to veiling of the all-sufficiency of Jesus and the pulling down of the strong holds of omitting to preach his gospel in all its sin and satan as that of the once perse-free fulness to the lost, (whether they know cuting, but afterwards 'preacher of the it or not,) to be the fundamental error, faith that he once destroyed,' Saul of I pass on to make a few observations on Tarsus, it is most fit that he should be taken for the example of all professing to be preachers, both in the matter and manner of his ministry; wherefore it behoveth ministers and churches diligently to consider these, and see how the sound from our pulpits now, agrees with that of our Apostle. The Alpha and Omega My love to Mrs. Bidder and the family, and to Mr. Banks, and tell him that I circulate the Gospel Standard and the Ambassador among my friends; but I see a few creeks in this Island that looks large enough to hold the Earthen Vessel also, therefore if I can do him good I will. Your's, in the unity of the Spirit, Yeovil, June 8, 1848. G. KELLAWAY. The Apostle of the Gentiles, Versus THE PREACHERS OF THE MIDDLE OF THE 6 the manner of the two parties. Speaking the truth in love,' with a noble, generous, and philanthropic feeling, was the beloved apostle's manner; gentle, meek, and winning; yet firm, decided, and unequivocating; a manner calculated to attract and win the attention of hearers. How different, alas! the manner of many of the preachers of this day! Morose, | Secondly, I trust that ere you entered this bigoted, selfish, austere, uhcharitable; cal-many-thorned path some sweet Bible proculated to deter, and repel enquiring souls, mise entered your heart, producing peaceand to harden and irritate impenitent that the dear Lord approved well your ful satisfaction to your enquiring mind, ones. An appaling picture! but, alas! choice, as being one of his; too true. Wonder not, then, ye ministers and churches that your causes languish, that your word is powerless, and your souls barren. Expect it not otherwise, till Jesus Christ be made the all in all of your ministry; and the care and peace of soul's, your anxiety. Wolverhampton, May 7. A RECLUSE. A FEW WORDS ADDRESSED To a Believer on her Marriage. "And would attend your humble prayer With proofs of his paternal care.' dure all the temptations, privations, and Thirdly, I hope you will be enabled to envexations, and tribulations which will doubtless arise in this your newly-trodden path, with patience, for "The heirs of salvation, We know from his Word, Must follow their Lord." MY DEAR SISTER IN THE BELOVED: Heavenly peace descend and rest upon you with every needed blessing, temporal and spiritual, our covenant God and Father has prepared for, and promised unto you in his holy Word, upon which he has mer-joicing in him. Fourthly, my heart's decifully caused our souls to hope. Although you may have suffered disappointment, from my long silence, yet remember that all our disappointments and distresses, as well as our deliverances, are matters of divine determination: For all must come, and last, and end, As shall please our heav'nly Friend." But, be assured, my silence has not been caused by want of spiritual affection for you, but has been the unavoidable result of divers afflicting circumstances, through which I have been called to pass. blessed be God, I can still say, with hum ble and adoring gratitude "Midst all my conflicts and my care, My soul still finds her shelter there, Yet Where peace and joy are found; E'en though my griefs abound." Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight, sire to God-ward on your behalf, is that May your Marriage union be no hindrance to you, but rather helpful, especiin life and companion in love, be a partaker ally in holy matters; and if your partner of the gospel of Christ, and a companion of the flock of God, as I trust he is, (for none beside would be a fit and proper husband for a God-fearing and truth-loving woman, as I know you to be,) then I would greet you both in the name of the Lord, and in the warmest affections of my heart, would now say, the Lord be with you at all times, and under all circumstances; the Lord bless you out of Zion with all the spiritual glory, and answerable to the word of his blessings of Zion; the Lord bind you to grace, to sink your rising fears, silence your each other and to himself with the three-raging foes, and strengthen your resisting fold cord of mercy, truth, and love; the Lord build you up in faith, and cause you to grow in every grace; the Lord bear you up under all your felt burdens and troubles, and make your souls fruitful in the land of your affliction, (See Genesis iv. 52,) ever proving that the soul grace fructifies, it also fortifies; the Lord bring you forth out of all your distresses and difficulties to declare his righteousness and make known his faithfulness, owning with David, he delivered me because he delighted in me;' (Psalm xviii. 19;) Yea, the Lord brighten your path with the beauty, and beamings of his countenance, and your prospects with the brilliancy of his smiles, which speak salvation and safety to the seeking, suffering seed of Jacob. As regards your membership, it doth appear to be the will of God that you should seek your dismission from us, without further delay, and as to the circumstance you mention, (relative to the two wines,) it is lighter than the lightest feather in the balance of the sanctuary, when weighed against the divine authority which expressly directs, "if ye love me, keep my commandments;" ever bear in mind, that the high claims of heaven's authority must be paramount to every other consideration. And as in the gracious matter of salvation, so in the great matter of obedience, may you peacefully know and practically shew, that " none but Jesus, none but Jesus," is the way, the strength, the end, both of salvation and obedience. For Christ is not only the author and finisher of our salvation, and of our faith; but he is likewise the author, object, and finisher or end of our obedience. You perceive by the "Trumpet," that I forwarded the piece you sent me for insertion, and the only reason assigned for its non-appearance is, that it has been mislaid; however, it may yet appear, and as our all-wise, and all-gracious Lord has the timing of all his people's blessings, it may be reserved for the accomplishment of some secret purpose unknown to us. I know not whether the " Earthen Vessel" is sold in Stockton, or not, but if it is, I advise you by all means to take it in, and assist in recommending it to others, as I conscientiously believe it to be worthy of the widest circulation. Yet, let me add, I do not recommend the "Vessel" to the exclusion of the "Trumpet," but as a companion to it, indeed, among the Carmelites, they run pretty well together, for nearly all who take the one, take the other. And now, my dear sister, I desire in faith and love unfeigned, to commend you to God, the Three-one Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in whose adorable and incomprehensible Name you have been baptized, and who alone has kept you from falling during the past years of your profession, and alone is able to keep you irreproachable and unrebukable unto the end, praying him, according to his riches in faith, so that you may continually sing of judgment and mercy, while you triumph over all the opposing powers before which you have stood trembling. And I further beseech him, of his abundant goodness and mercy, to grant you a five-fold shadow from all enemies arising, evils apprehended, and errors abounding, viz. the shadow of the cross-the throne-the tree of life-the rock of ages-the wings of Immanuel; so will you plead the solemn conquests of the cross; proclaim the secret triumphs of the throne; publish the sweet taste of the tree of life; possess a sure refuge in the rock of ages; and prove the sacred warmth of the wings of Immanuel covering your soul night and day. The God of love enrich you with imperishable treasures, ennoble you with immortal honours, and enable you with implicit confidence to cast all your care upon, and commit all your ways unto him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, to whom be dominion and glory for ever and ever. Amen. May loving-kindness crown your way, May your freed spirit soar. Your soul arrayed shall sing, The nuptial, coronation song, Which shall eternally prolong The praise of Israel's king. In ties indissoluble, and indestructible, I remain your yet acknowledged pastor, Chelsea, June 15th, 1848. JOHN STENSON. Baptizing in the River. FROM Mr. Hawkins's little work, entitled Lydia and Philip,' referred to in another part of this month's Vessel, we make the following beautiful extract, descriptive, we believe, of the mode of administering the ordinance of believer's baptism at Bradford, in Wiltshire. "On the arrival of Mrs. Freeman and her little party, at the river, some twelve or fourteen hundred persons had assembled; and just then, as the old church clock was striking eight, their usual time of baptizing here, the pastor, attired in a black gown for the occasion, was seen coming under the old archway, having on his right hand Mr. Freeman, one of his deacons, and on his left, Mr. Treadwell, clad in a black gown too, for the purpose of walking into the water to ascertain its depth, or to remove any stones that may have been thrown in, also to render any assistance needed. After these, followed fourteen couple, one of each being a candidate, attired in a light coloured woollen dress, if a female; and her friend attending walking with her. The male candidates being clothed in black dresses, each accompanied with a friend to wait on him. In this order they slowly approached the river bank, when the worship began with a hymn of praise. After the hymn had been sung, Mr. Treadwell, one of the members, gave a very solemn address, taking as his motto the question put to John the Baptist, 'Why baptizest thou then? During the delivery of this address, the utmost decorum and order prevailed; at the close of it, Mr. Truman prayed for the Lord's blessing upon the spiritual persons present, the wilful sinners, the nation, the rulers, and especially on the churches of Christ, and those about to be immersed. This prayer was followed by another hymn, part of which reads thus: "Hast thou the cross for me endured, "Didst thou the great example lead, In thy delightful ways." "On the singing ceasing, the pastor took one of the candidates by the hand, and said, 'Let us go down into the water together, my brother, in honour of that Lord, who died to save; the agonies of whose death was a saving baptism for us. "If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest,' saith the sacred word, and this qualification thou hast manifested to the satisfaction of many; and I therefore baptize thee, immerse thee, bury thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' So saying, he gently put him beneath the water for an instant; and in that instant the singers started a very pretty, short chorus, to the words: "Hinder me not, ye much-loved saints, For I must go with you." THE Literal Interpretation of Scripture. MY DEAR SIR,-I could but be pleased to hear you maintain this morning that the literal interpretation of Scripture is now a days put aside as unnecessary by many persons, who must have formed a creed, or are the advocates of sentiments which the letter of the word is entirely opposed to-for instance, take away the literal interpretation of prophecy, and christianity falls; but if we tenaciously cling to it when referring to the birth, life, and death of Christ, by what authority do we renounce it, when the future advent and kingdom of Christ is spoken of? Surely no change has come over the meaning of the words of prophecy since that time? Man may vary his systems of divinity; and cannons of interpretation may change, but the word of our God endureth for ever. The following instructive conference between a christian minister and a Jew, is recorded in W. Burgh's sermon on the second advent. Taking a New Testament, and opening it at Luke i. 32, the Jew asked, "Do you believe that what is here written shall be literally accomplished, The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever?" "I do not," it to be figurative language, descriptive of answered the clergyman," but rather take Christ's spiritual reign over the church." "Then," replied the Jew, "neither do I believe literally the words preceding which of a virgin; but take them to be merely a say that this Son of David should be born figurative manner of describing the remarkable character for purity of him who is the subject of the prophecy. But why (continued the Jew) do you refuse to believe literally ver. 32, 33, while you believe implicitly the far more incredible statement of verse 31?" "I believe it," replied the clergyman, “because it is a fact." "Ah !" exclaimed the Jew, with an inexpressible air of scorn and triumph, "6 you believe scripture because it is a fact; I believe it, because it is the word of God." On leading another into the water, the pastor said, 'Let us go down into the water together, in honour of our adorable Lord, who commanded this our obedience, with the promise of, Lo! I am with you" alway, even unto the end of the world.' He sees us. He is here, then,' he added, 'and having blessed thee as a poor penitent at the mercy-seat, he will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Having given thee to thy faith, the addition of fortitude thus to profess him, thou shalt go on thy way rejoicing; and, upon thy repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize thee,' &c. In a similar manner the whole were thus honoured, by the profession of bap tism, to put on Christ. The service concluded by singing the well-known doxology,— "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," & c. Your's, A CONSTANT READER. Christian Reviewer. Lydia and Philip: or the Visit to Kiffenford. A narrative for the Times, founded on facts, wherein are set forth the true Church, its profession and fellowship." By WILLIAM HAWKINS, author of "Essays on the Prominent Doctrines of the Gospel," &c. &c. London Houlston and Stoneman, Paternoster-Row. There is one thing that we wish to impress upon our readers with reference to this interesting little volume,-it is A NARRATIVE add, that this narrative embodies, and sets FOUNDED ON FACTS. And when we further forth all the leading principles of gospel truth, as realized, proclaimed, and practised by the faithful family of the most High God, we think we have said all that is needful. We may, nevertheless, add, Mr. Hawkins, in a very pleasing and profitable style, has herein exhibited the ignorance and the enmity of the natural mind; the vanity and bigotry connected with mere national forms and ceremonies; the omnipotent power of God the Holy Ghost in leading the sinner into the way of life; and then his delineation of the fruits of grace,' enabling the believer to take up the cross and follow the Lord in a spiritual, and in a gospel manner, renders this little manual exceedingly suited (as an instrument in the Lord's hands) for the conveyance of truth to such persons as would not peruse more deep and comprehensive works. Under the head of' WHO CAN, AND WHO SHOULD PROFESS CHRISTIANITY,' we have Mr. Freeman's account of his conversion. These are the things we rejoice to speak of and to publish. THE LIFE OF GOD IN THE SOUL-SINNERS PLUCKED AS BRANDS FROM THE BURNING-THE GOSPEL EXEMPLIFIED IN DECISION OF CHARACTER! These are valuable, these are solemn, they are eternal realities. We live in days when even the gospel is turned into a drama; and the pulpit becomes a stage for the exhibition of natural wit, and theological oratory. Ah, and even christian experience is pourtrayed with such precision, that if a striking likeness' could be mistaken for a living man, the deception would be most awful indeed. But, although many hundreds are deluded by the shadow, we firmly believe God's quickened elect will, sooner or later, find out where the presumption of man stands in the place of THE POWER OF GOD; and having discovered it, will turn from it with much searching of heart. We must not now enlarge; but come at once to Mr. Freeman's testimony: "Ah! sister,' said he,' these are solemn things. To turn one's opinion, is a small affair; but, to be translated from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, is of eternal consequence. Of my christening, confirmation, and zeal, in the establishment, you know,-of my illiberality to all others, you are aware also. Well, so I continued, until one Sunday I was reading the bible, as you know we were taught to do on that day by our parents; when it happened that I read the Lord's words: Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' Although I had often read them before, they impressed me greatly. I felt convinced, that notwithstanding all my church-zeal, I was a condemned unconverted sinner before God. I became alarmed for eternal consequences. I sought instruction of the Vicar, but he was ignorant of any religion but the form, and recommended me recreation and pleasure, to ease my mind. I spoke to the Curate, who seemed more earnest, and he pressed me to say more prayers and to consult the Whole Duty of Man.' These things I observed for a considerable time, but all proved of no avail to my guilty conscience, for I was continually followed with that solemn scripture sounding in my soul :- Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, is guilty of all.' Notwithstanding all my doings, I was guilty of all.' I shall never forget how blind the preaching of our clergymen appeared to me then. Yet I blindly adhered to my church, as we church-folk termed it. How long I should have done so, I know not, but one day worshipping in a neighbouring parish, one of the lessons was the xv. of Matthew, and as the 13th and 14th verses were read, they seemed to pierce my heart. I will repeat them :- Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, they shall both fall into the ditch.' turned home at a loss what to do. I became conscious that a true christian is made such by God alone. And greatly did I wonder that he should condescend to make any. I also was convinced that no outward observances could plant any one in God's vineyard-and all that are merely professionally planted, either personally, or by others-whether church, pope, priest, or teacher, God will root them up. And what affected me much, was that, if I blindly followed blind guides, I should with such guides only fall into the ditch of destruction. What shall I do to be saved?' cried I, almost in despair. Myself, my profession, and my teachers, I now discovered to be all blind. I re "With great trouble and nearly constant prayer, I passed the week, and on the next Lord's day, not knowing where to go, nor what to do, I rose early and took a solitary walk, and a solemn season it was. But as I came towards home, I was arrested with the sound of devotional singing, and I soon perceived before me a large concourse of people assembled to witness the baptist pastor immerse several men and women in the river. This was a new sight to me; for as I would not have been there then with any forethought, so I had never chosen to witness this ceremony before. Yet the solemnity of the pastor, the appeals which he made, the beauty of the hymns, and the excellent softness of the singing, all affected me greatly. But when he took the first candidate by the hand, to lead him into the water, I was almost overpowered. In addressing him he said-'My dear brother, you were long satisfied with a mere name to live, while you were dead to true godliness; from which dreadful state, the Lord, by his invincible grace, brought you as a ruined sinner to his feet, crying earnestly, God be merciful to me a sinner;' and Ŏ, eternal thanks to his name! He led you to feel the inward witness of that mercy and peace which flows from, and through, the blood of the cross. O my brother,' he added, exalting his voice, 'you are a monument of |