Markellie, and others; but the cause has been so divided and wounded, that it seems to me to have sunk so low, as to be beyond the reach of any creature power to raise it again. Among the congregation we had the general Baptist Minister (Mr. Everard); the Independent Minister (Mr. Strutt), and a goodly sprinkle of other folks. I felt some considerable liberty and zeal in preaching, but I fear friend Nicholas will find it hard work. Mr. Tryon preaches here once a fortnight, and many follow him who will scarcely hear any one else. How sadly divided, and how sunken into weakness, appear many of the churches, and some ministers preach as though there were no faithful men but themselves, which line of things shuts the people up in bigotry, bitterness, and unfruitfulness in the ways of God.-C.W.B. Willing Ministers made Welcome FOR THEIR WORK'S Sake. Higham Ferrers, July 5, 1848. MY DEAR BROTHER IN LOVE'S ETERNAL BONDS: What can be more welcome to the family of God, oft immerged in the waters of trouble, than an assurance inwrought by God the Holy Ghost, that our Father is not a careless spectator? The devil may be allowed to raise the storm, but every rolling wave that may threaten, and appear enough to sink the soul for ever into the mighty depth, is thrown back by the love fiat of him who spake and it was done. Thus each promise made, is fulfilled, and the fearful soul revived, while the Lord also becomes endeared afresh in every perfection of his character. How often has it appeared in the history of the church, in her little faith and many fears, as though the arm of God was made bare to destroy her, when it has proved the arm of defence, instead of destruction! Our God knows how to manage the flood and the fire, and preserve the life of his people. But why do I write thus? Your mind has long understood all this by a happy experience thereof. I am glad to hear you are again expected in this part of the world. Blessed be God, though we know not the famine' here, that many of God's redeemed know, yet we hail with joy, every sealed and approved minister of the Lord Jesus. And such a ministry God has given to you for his church's use. Our last meeting at Sharnbrook, under the word from your lips, and our beloved brother Drawbridge, has not yet been forgotten by many. What can be more delightful and desirable than those hallowed seasons when God in all the soulconfirming assurance, carries his own truth right home to the very heart, and takes up his own residence there, in all the faithfulness of the Spirit's graces! O! 'tis blessed to feel the truth of God as well as to know it. My dear Sir, why I write now, is to say, that we have a little sister,' about fifteen miles from here, who would gladly welcome you for an evening; some of of them heard you at Northampton, and are anxious to hear you again, if you will favour them with a visit. I was talking with friend Bird, and told him I should write to you. Shall we be intruding upon your strength if we notice your preaching at Ellington on Wednesday, at Wellingborough_on Thursday, and at Higham Ferrers on Friday evenings? Shall be glad to have an answer as soon as convenient. Parsons that are good for anything, it is generally said, never ought to be idle. I assure you, when we have one come to visit us, the first thought is, how and where is he to be employed? Wishing you every new covenant blessing, I remain your's in Christ, To Mr. Stenson. D. ASHBY. How MY DEAR FRIEND ASHBY:-My heart's desire is, that the fountain of divine favor may flow freely from the Father of all mercies into your grace-opened heart, that thereby you may more fully comprehend the incomprehensible fulness of his love, who hath given us all things richly to enjoy,' in the person of his beloved Son, whom he hath made LORD of all.' truly blest are they who are made daily to find, and deeply to feel, that in them, that is in their flesh, dwelleth no good thing, (but every hateful, hurtful, hellish thing,) while in their glorious and precious Lord, they perceive by faith, all goodness in perfection dwells, and not only dwells but delights in doing good May I desire to rejoice before God exceedingly, that the worst of all famines has not appeared in your parts. Happy people! whose appointed and accustomed harvests fail not, and whose hearts fear not the want or lack of any real good, which their heavenly Father knoweth they have need of. the word of our God still be with you, in all its realised testimonies, triumphs, and tokens. May it run among you manifestively and evidentially, creating peace in all your love-raised borders, and causing praise in all your sought out corners; yea, may it run from you ministerially and influentially, bearing its all-heavenly, and unearthly authority to the hearts and consciences of saints and sinners under the almighty power, and soul-saturating and renovating unction of the Eternal Spirit, the testifier and glorifier of the Lord Christ. With reference to your kind invitations, surely, my dear brother, you have forgotten what a very worm I am-the weakest of all the bruised reeds-full of all complaintsoft times crying and sighing on account of deafness, dimness, dulness, dumbness, distance, and drought, increased by the dust of the desert. May the dear Lord mercifully deliver my poor tried, tempted soul from the dread dens of carnality, the dunghills and deeps of corruption, (see Jonah ii. 6.) and the dark dungeons of confusion, and graciously conduct my trembling spirit into the secret chambers of sweet communion with the heavenly lover of my soul,' the bridegroom of his church. You know, that I am expected to speak for my Lord, to his people at Wellingboro,' on Monday, and at Sharnbrook on Tuesday, morning and evening; and O, that the highest expectations of the praying, panting, pressing, seed of Jacob may be happily realized. But, as regards all beside, I can only say 'the will of the Lord be done,' as I know not yet how long I shall be from home; however, if spared, and strengthened of my God, I will endeavour to talk of his greatness, and tell of his glory,' where'er his hand may lead. It is my intention to try to spend the Lord's-day (viz : the 23rd,) amongst you, for my health's sake, as I am but very sadly, and change of air may be beneficial. Be assured, my brother, that such parsons, and such only, whose hearts are prepared for their work, and whose work is prepared for their hearts by God, will be of any spiritual use to the living and learning family of God; and such cannot be idle, seeing they are neither lords, squires, nor gentlemen; but men of business, men of labour, men of perpetual employment, (see Ezek. xxxix. 14.) men of war, whom devils oppose, earthborn and earthbound men despise, and false professors, free-willers, and flesh-pleasers hate. Yet, Christ they serve-and him lift high, Their souls with needed grace: Therein new wonders trace. Give my kindest love to my dear brother Bird, may his soul be on the wing;' also, to the well-beloved Drawbridge, may his strength be well and wisely spent. And now, leaving all arrangements in the hands of never-failing wisdom,' I can only add, that I shall be most willing and happy to meet your wishes, and the wishes of the dear friends, as far as in me lies. That the God of all grace, who hath called you to his eternal kingdom and glory by Christ Jesus, may continue to conduct you by his counsel, until you obtain the possession and prize of your high and heavenly calling, is the earnest prayer of a poor trembler in Israel, Whose spirit shall tremble ere long, Your's, in Him that is ours, Chelsea, July 7th, 1848. Christian Reviewer. "Grove Chapel Pulpit." London: B. L. Green, Paternoster Row. EVERYTHING in this world appears to be on the increase, even the publication of Penny Pulpits, containing sermons by sound and faithful ministers of the gospel. Our readers have heard of the Thursday Penny Pulpit: and the Zoar Chapel Pulpit: now we have GROVE CHAPEL PULPIT. In the next place we must have Surrey Tabernacle Pulpit; Gower Street Pulpit; Mount Zion Pulpit; and a few others, and then we shall be prepared to suit the various tastes of truth-loving readers. The first number of the Grove Chapel Pulpit is now before us. It is very neatly got up: is ornamented with a view of the exterior of Mr. Irons's chapel, and contains a sermon by him; and is published under his sanction and patronage. The subject with which this new work opens is certainly one of the noblest ; and the most exalted that could ever occupy the mind of man; it is the GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST. We have no doubt that Grove Chapel Pulpit will be well stored with clean gospel corn; therefore, we hail its appearance; heartily bid it God speed; and pray that showers of blessing may attend its circulation and perusal. While journeying to Hull, we have carefully perused this discourse; if there be any failure in it, it is a lack of divine experience as realized in the believer's soul. We certainly should have been thankful if the preacher had more fully pointed out how Christ is glorified in the pardoned sinner's heart; but from a brief extract which we make, it will be seen that the pastor of Grove Chapel dwells on high; his place of defence is the munitions of rocks. Towards the close of the sermon the preacher broke out in the following strain :"Oh, could we look within the veil of bliss, And hear the golden harps-the rapt'rous sounds, That echo thence, amidst ten thousand times And soaring to the house not made with hands, To join the amen chorus near the throne; We would ascribe all glory to the Lamb, Whom God the Father hath so glorified! Well, then, roll on revolving suns-go round Succeeding weeks-draw to the ev'ning tide Old worn-out time; my soul shall outlive all, And soar away to gaze on Jesus' face, Where clouds and darkness never intervene. No foes nor fiends shall interrupt the joy, Nor wandering thoughts, nor vile corruptions rise To chill the love, or dim the glorious blaze, Where all is wrapt in Deity!!!" "Letters on the Great Revolution of 1848, &c. By the Rev. G. H. PARKer.' B. Wertheim, Aldine Chambers. THESE letters are published separately in tracts-they are worth perusing by thinking men. The author's mind (through this channel) throws out some sharp flashes of light on various subjects; but especially upon the signs of the times. We think of dipping into them next month. 6 Faith and its Counterfeits." City Press, Long Lane. W. H. Collingridge. THE people keep asking us, Who is the Author of the Gospel Cottage Lectures? All we can say, is- DON'T KNOW." We seem to guess, however, that be the author who he may, he is full weight both in truth and in experience; and, that he is the author of this little tract, on Faith and its Counterfeits. Having said this, we have said enough to recommend it. If we are mistaken, we hope to be forgiven. The Way of Life extracted from the works of that great Reformer, Martin Luther. To which is added, An Historical View of the Doctrine of Justification." By the Rev. S. Milner, author of "the History of the Church of Christ." London: J. Baisler, Oxford Street. THIS Volume contains nearly two-hundred pages of closely printed, and exceeding pithy extracts from Luther's voluminous works. From the powerful quotation on "JUSTIFICATION," and "KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST," we hope shortly to furnish some spicy morsels. What subject can be of greater importance than these two-Justification by Christ, and an Experimental Knowledge of Christ? know him? Reader! Do you The Fragments Gathered, and the Twelve Baskets Filled being a Living Testimony of the Lovingkindness of the Lord to a Poor and Aflicted Woman; shewing his Wisdom, Power, and Love to her in Temptations, Afflictions of body, and Necessitous Circumstances, whereby he appeared for her in a most remarkable manner." Leicester: J. Fowler. THERE is a couple of nice tender-hearted believers down at Leicester: one is a printer, by the name of John Smith Fowler; the other is a bookseller, by the name of John Pearson: two men walking in the fear of the Lord. Well; they have put their heads together to publish this testimony of the loving-kindness of the Lord to a poor afflicted old saint, well known to them. Their desire is to glorify the name of our covenant God, and to be instrumental in encouraging his people to trust in him at all times. We make the following extract: and if our readers are moved to assist in circulating this little penny tract, we will get John to send us up a few, and will send them wherever the Lord may bid us. Our extract is the contents of the dear old lady's must "Third Basket.-November, forty-six, I began to feel the cold exceedingly, and oft wondered what way the Lord would take with me, and his will concerning me. Satan often suggested, all your friends are heartsick of you, and the living God whom ye trusted is weary of your complaints; you able dwelling, and there be destitute. This go to the workhouse, or some miserI can assure you, sunk me very deep for a time, and through this month my faith thought all was coming upon me. was tried. I came to the last farthing; I At the close I wanted six-pence for my needs, the Standard, and a comfort or two, and the Lord did not appear for them. Faith I had none; satan roaring, your God is sick of supplping you, you have worn him out. I thought it appears true, until I dreamt that at a certain dirty spot in our yard there was a black piece of wood and stone and under it six-pence. I awoke, and could not, next day, in myself be persuaded to go and see, though I needed; I thought it is only a dream. However, it followed me so close, I consented, and lighted a candle and went; I saw a filthy stone or brick; I moved it, and I saw half a sixpence* as some one had dislodged in their motion; I took it out, and took it to the tap and washed it and my filthy hand. I then went and told two friends my dream. We blessed our own God. I thought my heartstrings would have broke with these words, My God will supply all my needs." I did weep, nor can I forget it when I am looking for the Lord's hand-basket; I then thought I should never, no never be without faith. Bless the Lord, oh, my soul! it is a stone set up with me, nor could I omit gathering this fragment into this basket, for it is of him that willeth that ye shall need and be tried in it, and then be supplied. Thanks be to his eternal name! He works all things for my good, and I am let to see his hand in it, to the joy of my heart!" Scraps and Fragments of the late James Weller Gospel Minister, of Robertsbridge." James THIS work is "published for the benefit of the widow and family, who are in destitute circumstances." To the friends and acquaintances of the late James Weller, it will be exceedingly interesting. Mr. Robert Waters in a very plain and simple manner has here brought together a good quantity of valuable correspondence which was connected both with the life and death of our departed brother. We cannot make any extracts from the work at present. "A Sermon Preached in Harewood Church, December 5, 1847. By Rev. R. Hale, Vicar of Harewood." LONDON: Collingridge, City Press, Long Lane. THE author of this discourse is evidently well acquainted with that mysterious dis It was only half of it seen, the other half covered with filth. tinction which separates the old man from | nothing but what the sinner should do, inthe new. In the following extract he shews what the old man can, and what he cannot do. "It is well observed by a learned commentator on this subject, that this old man is in every heart, not like a visitor, now and then, but an inhabitant. He dwells there, and only becomes a troublesome inmate to those that are born again, for the rest of the world live on the best terms with him. They are quite civil to him-do what he bidsgive way to his wishes-and seek to pamper his appetites. "Some who have written upon this subject, would have you believe that when men are born again of the Spirit, then the flesh-the old man-becomes gradually subdued, and at last so crippled, that he can no longer oppose the new principle of grace implanted in them by the Spirit, and that a sinless state of perfection may be attained to in this world. "I am persuaded there is no foundation for this opinion to be found in the word of God. Paul reminds the saints in Galatia that they could not do what, as unconverted persons, they wished to do, because of the lusts of the flesh which opposed the actings of grace. stead of what a glorious TRIUNE COVENANT JEHOVAH hath done, and will do for the sinner? Oh, it is it dreadful! At the close of the morning's sermon the minister read "a Brief Sketch of the Character and Labours of Mrs. Sherman ;" and from the testimony given of her dying moments we are constrained to believe that she was a vessel of mercy, and that her soul is now in glory. As regards Mrs. Sherman's labours among the poor and afflicted we can only say, we should sincerely rejoice if many of our female friends were constrained by the love of Christ to follow her example. The following is the testimony to which we have referred: 66 On the 17th of May, it was evident that death was approaching; but to the surprise of all, she rallied again, and slept tolerably well during the night. About twelve o'clock on the 18th, no doubt could remain what the result must soon be. The struggle for breath, the excessive pain in the side, and the convulsive agony of the whole frame, were fearful; but the celestial joy within surpassed the expectation of all. To the last, her intellect was unimpaired, and her speech sufficiently loud to be heard. The long looked-for hour is come, my dear,' said her husband. It is,' she replied, blessed be my Saviour!' 'You have long professed that Christ was precious-is he precious to you now? Lifting up her almost fleshless arms and hands, like the wings of a bird ready to fly, she let them fall on the bed, and exclaimed, 'Infinitely! infinitely! Have you, my precious one, any consciousness of the immediate presence of Jesus Christ?' Pausing a moment, she replied, 'No; I do not know what that ismy consciousness is the consciousness of faith. I know that he is with me by the support and ineffable consolations he pours into my soul; but I shall soon know what it is, for It is true that when Paul was in a conflict with some besetting sin, which he called a thorn in the flesh, and which he prayed might be removed, Christ said to him, 'My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.' And no doubt by this grace of Christ, the old man is often kept down when struggling to be uppermost; but this has not been always so with the Lord's regenerated people, for we know that when remiss in prayer or weak in faith, the old man has gained for a time the upper hand, and did so when he led Job to curse the day he was born; and David to commit Then, like David, you can say, you fear shall be with him, and be like him.' the double sin of adultery and murder; and no evil in the dark valley?' She replied, Peter to deny his Master. The old man is The valley is very long, but not dark-for full of sinful lusts and very deceitful. He he is with me in it- his rod and staff comis a mischievous old man, and does all the fort me.' Then you can bear testimony to evil he can, but there are some things which your children, that a life spent in the serhe cannot do; he cannot separate the christ-vice of God is a most pleasant and profitable ian from the love of God: nor make void the decrees and promises of God towards his people; nor deprive them of heaven." Mrs. Sherman's Last Moments. life? As if making an effort beyond her THE funeral services and sermons for the · 'Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to the cross I cling.' Many other precious sentences and words fell from her lips; but these will suffice to show the fulness of her joy, and what an abundant entrance was given her into the kingdom of her God and Saviour. At twenty minutes to four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, May 18th, she fell asleep in THE OPENING OF The New Baptist Chapel, Chelmsford. ON Wednesday, July 5th, the newly erected Baptist Chapel, at Chelmsford, was opened. It is a neat and very convenient_place of worship, of gothic architecture. It has a front gallery, admission to which is gained by flights of stone steps on either side of the entrance. There are two convenient vestries attached. The place is computed to hold about five hundred persons. The cost of its erection was between six and seven hundred pounds, part of which sum had been raised; £200. has been lent by the Baptist Building Fund, to be returned in ten years, without interest; and on the day of opening we were told that they only wanted to raise £120 by Christmas next; and that then with the exception of the £200 lent by the Baptist Building Fund, they would be nearly free. Thus much for the building. Mr. Geo. Abrahams, in the morning took for his text, Gen. vi. 22. "Thus did NOAH according to ALL that the Lord commanded him, so did he." He said, "The Holy Ghost by the apostle Paul makes use of this blessed declaration-' Every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.' And I am quite sure that if God will not have it built, it shall not be built." Mr. Abrahams said "After my return from the country the other day, I was rather uneasy at having no text to preach from at the opening of the new chapel at Chelmsford. All in an instant this word of my text came to my mind, and I was sure if there was anything spiritual in it, it was suitable for the opening of a house of prayer; though the devil tried hard to get me away from it. "Our subject is not to be limited to the antedeluvian world; but by the divine teaching of God the Holy Ghost, I will endeavour to explain it Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him; so did he.' "I notice first,-That with all buildings, there must be a plan to build it by. - "Secondly,-The specifications. "Thirdly, The estimate; for they want some money when it is built; and as I came flying along I thought of the estimate of Noah's ark; it was the destruction of the whole human race, with the exception of Noah and his family. Fourth, In the next place I thought I would notice the internal part. "Fifthly,-The utility of all this. And 1. The plan that was laid out for Noah to build the ark. He was not left to build it according to his own whims and fancies; but according to the plan laid down by God. Yes! God has been pleased to draw out the whole plan; has the builder put a seat too many? not a seat in this ark but for it there is a son of Jesse. God the Father drew the plan; the Son executed the deed; and the Holy Ghost comes and fills up every creek and corner. Christ and his sufferings were intended by the ark passing through the hurricane. "But not only must there be a plan, but there must be a specification, stating what kind of material was to be used. And what kind of material was to be used by Noah in building the ark? It was to be made of Gopher wood. Gopher signifies, a covering for atonement. 'And shall pitch it without and within with pitch.' Pitch is from an Hebrew word, signifying propitious. The one atonement; the other propitious. But why build it of Gopher wood? There was oak and other kinds of hard wood then as well as now. I'll tell you what the ancients say. They say, gopher wood never would rot if it had lain in water from that day to this. The length of it was to be three hundred cubits, which, at the lowest computation is about five hundred and twenty-seven feet. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door in the ark thou shalt set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.' In the first place I understand, that by the first story is intendedGod's dear children in the wilderness who are yet in the ruins of the fall. By the second story-The church militant below; and by the third story-The church triumphant above. Yet all are one-the lower story as secure as the second; and the second as secure as the third. "So the light was to come from above, and depend upon it no other light will be of How blessed then to have this any use. light shining from above-not the light shining from an academy. Why put the Because it door in the side of the house? is through the wound in the Lord's side that the sinner is saved. Lastly, we notice the utility of the ark. It was that all the creatures therein contained should be saved from the hurricane; and it is in Christ that the child of God is preserved from the hurricane of sin and satan without. If you had lived in the time of old England's hurricane; oh, the dreadful hurricane of popery under the cloak of Protestantism-you would then have seen the utility of this ark." This is but a brief running outline of Mr. Abraham's opening discourse. In the afternoon, Mr. Tydeman, minister of the place, preached from Acts xix. 20. And in the evening, Mr. Shorter, of London closed the services of the day. Dinner and tea were provided in Mr. Tydeman's old chapel, which was fitted up with stools and tables, and decorated with flowers in every corner. From its present appearance we should say that the new chapel was not built a day before it was wanted. |