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a yet greater power: "The prince hath the book of God committed unto him, with charge to see it duly executed, by every one in his calling. That the prince also is charged, and of duty ought, to see that ministers of the church do their duty, and teach the law of God diligently, Deut. xvii. -1 Chron. xxviii.-2 Chron. xxix. xxx. and xxxv. This did Jehoshaphat, and no other thing." The Independents, indeed, as a body, were, even in the times of the Commonwealth, State-Churchmen; while the Baptists not only stood alone on this point in Elizabeth's reign, but very much earlier. Under Henry VIII. they suffered martyrdom for refusing princes "the brightest jewel in their diadem," to wit, headship in the church, as well as for "their anabaptistical erroures." We may, then, fairly and honourably glory, that our great principle of founding the church of Christ wholly on faith as the gift of God;-of abjuring everything from christianity which did not, in all parties concerned, flow from faith ;of refusing to recognize therefore as Christ's "learners, or disciples, or members," those who had not, or could not have, faith ;-we may honourably glory that this principle made Baptists, at the time of the Reformation, the first Anti-State-Churchmen;-and that, as a body, they stood alone in fully enunciating that principle without modification or reserve. For about one hundred years, till George Fox arose and his noble followers, the Baptists were the persecuted, despised, and martyred representatives of the" Crown Rights of Immanuel," and the religious liberties of men. (See Historical Introduction to 1st and 2nd vols. of the Hanserd Knollys Society.) - From "The Examiner Answered," by the Rev. F. Clowes.

IMPRISONMENT OF THE REV. J. SHORE.

Another imprisonment for conscience' sake! Our readers have all heard of the case of the Rev. J. Shore, who was recently a clergyman of the Church of England, and who having conscientiously seceded from that church, but wishing still to continue to preach, has been for some time persecuted for so doing by the noted Bishop of Exeter. It appears that the Bishop will not allow that Mr. Shore having been ordained and having officiated as a clergyman can at any time lose the clerical character; and although Mr. S. has made the declaration required by law as a dissenting minister, he has been prosecuted in an ecclesiastical court, and commanded, as were the apostles of old, "not to teach nor preach any more in the name of Jesus." Like them, however, Mr. S. declares that "he cannot but speak the things which he has seen and heard;" and the result is that, at the instance of the Bishop, he is now in one of the cells of a British prison. Mr. Shore preached in one of the London chapels on Friday, March 10th, and on descending the pulpit, was arrested by an officer sent by the Bishop of Exeter. The officer dis

charged his unpleasant duty with all courtesy and forbearance; and having heard the sermon could scarcely refrain from weeping when asked by Mr. Shore if for preaching that gospel he was to be imprisoned. However, though very unwell, he was at once hurried off to Exeter; and in St. Thomas's Gaol in that city, he now, at the time we write, lies as a common felon. We can scarcely find words to express our unlimited indignation at such an act in the nineteenth century. Surely such a prosecution cannot but disgust all right-minded christians even in the Church of England-especially as a Bill is now before the House of Commons, and seems likely to be carried, intended to apply to cases similar to that of Mr. Shore. But we feel sure that the English people will not allow Mr. S. to remain long in prison. Public indignation must be aroused at such an act of tyranny. Must not these manifestations of the persecuting spirit which a religious establishment allows, tend to awaken all classes of christians to demand its immediate and eternal overthrow ?

BAPTIST UNION.

To the Editor of "The Church." Dear Sir,

We beg to inform you, that the Thirty-seventh Annual Session of the Baptist Union will be held on Friday, the 20th of April, at the Mission-House, MoorgateStreet, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon.

In order that time for due attention to business may be secured, it is very desirable that brethren who attend should make arrangements for devoting to it the whole day, until five o'clock, refreshment being provided at two o'clock in the MissionHouse.

We desire to call particular attention to the fact, that the Committee have, for the present Session, made an important alteration in the general arrangements. They have resolved to discontinue the customary Public Meeting (in which of late but little interest has been manifested), and to introduce in its stead an Introductory Discourse, to be delivered at the opening of the Session by one of the brethren.

They have, to their high gratification, prevailed on the Rev. T. Morgan, of Birmingham, to render this service for the present year; and he will accordingly address the Union immediately on its assembling, on Friday Morning, April 20th, at ten o'clock. By a resolution of the Committee, this portion of the proceedings will be open to any christian friends who may wish to attend.

We are, dear Sir,

E. STEANE,
J. H. HINTON, Sees.

THE HON. AND REV. BAPTIST W. NOEL.

We learn from the Christian Times that the Rev. Baptist W. Noel, M.A., whose secession from the Church of England we

announced in a former number, is visiting various Dissenting chapels and witnessing the admission of members. He was present on February 26th at the admission of some members at Surrey chapel (Mr. Sherman's), where the church meetings appear to be public, and addressed the newly-received members. On the ninth of last month, he witnessed the baptism of several persons at Dr. Cox's, Hackney. His intention to attend being known, the chapel was of course crowded.

TRURO.

Efforts are being made by the friends connected with the Baptist church, Truro, for the erection of a chapel. The present chapel has been occupied 140 years, is delapidated and insecure,-is held on lease, the only surviving life being more than 80 years. The new chapel is in a central position in the town,-the ground paid for,will accommodate 450,-without galleries for the present, -and will cost £1,100. Toward this £500 has been raised in Truro. The church consists of 78 members, of whom 33 have been added during the past 13 months. The average congregation is 200. The case is recommended by the Revs. F. Trestrail, T. Winter (Bristol), S. Nicholson (Plymouth), and several other ministers. The Rev. E. H. Tuckett, the esteemed minister of the church, is now visiting several of the larger towns to ask the assistance of the churches; he will thankfully receive any aid that the kindness of christian friends may incline them to render; or subscriptions can be forwarded, per post, to the Treasurer, W. H. Bond, Esq. Truro.

SHADWELL.

Mr. Timothy Moore having laboured upwards of twelve years at Shadwell, is compelled, by impaired health, which has laid him aside from preaching during the past year, to resign the charge of the infant flock gathered under his ministry, and to commit the building of the chapel to other hands. Encouraged, under these circumstances, by medical men and other friends, to hope for recruited health and capacity to labour in a more congenial climate, he intends to embark, with his wife and five children, for Australia, early in the spring, to renew his labours in the gospel in that important part of the world, should adequate means be provided to enable him to undertake such a mission.

SOHO-STREET, LIVERPOOL.

Mr. John Stent, formerly the pastor of the Baptist church in Tipton, Staffordshire, has succeeded Mr. R. B. Lancaster in the pastorate of the church meeting in SohoStreet. He entered upon the duties of his new sphere on Lord's-day, 7th January. A public meeting was held in the chapel on Tuesday evening, the 23rd January, to give him a welcome, and to introduce him to the churches and ministers of other congregations. Appropriate addresses were delivered

by ministers and brethren from other churches in the town and neighbourhood. There is much in the present circumstances of the church to encourage minister and people to consecrate themselves to the service of their Saviour.

STALYBRIDGE..

At a very interesting tea party held at the Baptist chapel, Stalybridge, on Friday, Dec. 31, 1848, Mr. Geo. Brewers, the senior deacon, presented the Rev. J. Ash, the pastor of the church, with a copy of the New Selection and Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, beautifully bound and gilt, which had been subscribed for by some of the female members of the church, as a token of the esteem they entertained for the character of their pastor. Mr. Brewers in a very pathetic address adverted to the low state of the church when Mr. Ash settled amongst them, and then took a review of the many important improvements that had since been effected. Mr. Ash responded in an appropriate and affectionate manner.

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT.

Mr. Vernon, the pastor of the Baptist church, Newport, has accepted a cordial invitation to become the pastor of the church at Broughton, Hants. He entered on his stated labours on the first Lord'sday in March.-On Wednesday, Feb. 21st, a female tea meeting was held in the Baptist chapel, Newport, when several appropriate addresses were delivered, and Mr. Vernon was presented with Barnes's Notes on the New Testament, and Baptist Noel's Essay on the Union of Church and State, as a token of the affection and esteem of the church.

GUERNSEY.

The Rev. S. Spurgeon having sent in his resignation as pastor of the Baptist church, Wesley-road, in this island (after having sustained this office for nearly seven years), has, by some of the members of his church and congregation, been presented with an elegant drawing-room timepiece, as “a token of their undiminished affection for him, for the mildness of his disposition as a member of the community, for his exemplary and unsullied character as a christian, and for his unwearied efforts to extend the kingdom of Christ in the world, as a minister of the glorious gospel of the blessed God."

OAKHAM.

The Rev. J. Jenkinson, who has for more than twenty-five years been pastor of the second Baptist church at Kettering, has accepted an invitation from the Baptist church at Oakham, and will commence his labours there on the second Lord's-day in April.

DRIFFIELD.

Mr. R. Morris, late student of Horton College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Driffield, Yorkshire, and commenced his stated labours there on the first Sunday in March.

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20.

MAY, 1849.

OUR ASSOCIATION MEETINGS.

A great part of these meetings will soon be held, and it may be worth while to suggest the enquiry to our church members and ministers, "How far can they be made available towards increasing the piety of our churches, and their influence for good on those without ?"

We are not of those censurers who, if our annual meetings do not accomplish all they might, or do not forward our favourite schemes, pronounce them at once useless. No. It is some good for ministering and other brethren to meet in christian friendship, thus strengthening the fraternal bond between our churches. It is some good for them to consult together, and worship together, and to circulate their annual letters; and we heartily rejoice in every thing which does only some good, in a world where doing evil is the rule and doing good the exception,--we prefer the hopers to the complainers, the improvers to the destroyers. Let then, we would say, each church consider for itself what it can contribute towards a profitable Association.

There are certain well-known evils, or minor inadvertencies, which all may avoid; such as trying to exhibit the largest possible numbers in the circular letter, and hence baptizing frequently rather in haste, because the Association is near. Better far that it be a monition to purify the church-books, to visit the lapsed, and wandering, and lukewarm, and to use every effort not to appear, but to BE a better church at the time of the annual examination. Times of honest, unsparing self-examination are the most important steps in an individual's spiritual advancement: they are no less essential to the healthy growth of a church. If our Associations led the churches annually to a humble consideration of their state before Him who walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks, the good resulting might be incalculable. The church which humbleth itself shall be exalted."

Being led to advert to this topic, may we be pardoned the remark, that of late years the tendency has been far stronger than it used to be in Baptist churches to assimilate themselves outwardly to other denominations in what the world deems respectable. By all means let our social habits refine and improve with those of society, but let us beware of losing our love for reality and New Testament simplicity.

Amongst minor evils, we may mention tedious common-place letters consuming the time without adding to the interest of the Association meetings, inexact and careless returns of numbers of members, Sunday scholars, teachers, stations, &c. If we have statistics, let them be trustworthy.

VOL. III.

F

But the greater question recurs, what can our meetings effect? We can give united and public expression to our views on all the great questions of the day which have a religious and moral aspect, as well as a social one. We should think it a great good were all our Associations to pass carefully and consistently worded resolutions on peace, war, and arbitration, on the evils in principle, and the now oft-occurring practical mischiefs, of the Union of Church and State,—on the abomination especially of ecclesiastical courts and church-rates,-on the sin of compelling to swear; and if they were, in addition, to send, by order of the Association, printed copies of the resolutions in the most respectful way to the Cabinet Ministers and their Borough and County Members, this we should think good: it would remind our rulers practically that there are higher aspects of the matters before them than they are wont to take account of. Yet these to us are amongst the lesser matters;-" to be done" indeed, but woe to us if, through these, far greater matters are left undone.

Our annual meetings afford a noble opportunity to discuss the spiritual dangers and changes in our churches, and not less the adaptation of our preaching, our Sunday school instruction, our habits and manner of worship, our church rules, and our plans to attract enlighten and gain the people, to compel the inward respect of the scorner, to oblige the patriot and philanthropist to own that we prize the rights and feel for the woes of our fellow-men, to win testimony from the widow and the fatherless that ours is "pure and undefiled religion," and to secure for the religion of our Lord as exhibited by our churches the unhesitating respect of all fair-minded men. Let our excellencies (if we have them), our defects, and our general proceedings, be discussed humbly and devoutly; especially without bitterness and contempt for the different shades of doctrine, different modes of discipline, and diversities of plan and habits existing amongst us. Liberty and love, and liberty through love, is the social glory of christianity; let it pervade and bless all our meetings for conference. The question never was so fairly before us, brought up by several circumstances, Why do the common people hear us less gladly than they used to do? Some, indeed, assert that the question itself is an assumption; but one view of it is, we think, no assumption, that is, that the very intelligence which we have created by diffusing education, is beyond all that could have been anticipated disposed to scepticism. It sees so much imposition all around, both in the ecclesiastical and political world, that it gladly concludes "all is imposition alike." Moreover, there is a vast and increasing number in our churches and congregations who are honestly sceptical; not, indeed, respecting the main pillars of our faith, but respecting the divine authority for many of the usages of a christian society, and the justness of many of the scholastic forms in which the vital truths of christianity have descended to us from the twilight of the Reformation. There is more than ever a disposition to throw aside the formulas of the past in religion, as well as in literature and social life, and to seek afresh for our own age, a conception of what our Blessed Lord has given as His religion in the New Testament. It is of no use to frown upon this spirit. Why should we? We shall only repel, and repel for what? for being sound Protestants, for really practising the duty of private judgment, and seeking truth at first hand. We must draw a broad line between him who doubts from love to truth and solicitude to know it, and him who doubts because he seeks a covert for his vices. Now, all these peculiarities of the age might be most advantageously discussed in prayerful conference at our Annual Association Meetings.

There is one point which should not be forgotten. The opportunities for private devotion are generally fewer at an Association than in our

ordinary course of life. It behoves, therefore, each individual to bring thither what he desires to find there. Prayer and meditation at home, on the wants of the churches, and, we should like to add, a special church meeting for free and devout conference on the subject, before the ministers and messengers left for the Association, would be the best means to ensure our deputies assembling with beneficial results."

one.

ON UNION AMONG CHRISTIANS.

BY THE REV. E. DAVIS.

"That they all may be one."-The Redeemer's Prayer.

F. CLOWES.

In an important sense this prayer is answered, and his followers are "There is one body and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The grand foundation of that union which subsists among the family of God is the truth as it is in Jesus,-the glorious doctrine concerning Immanuel, as crucified for our offences, and raised again for our justification. The atone. ment which was offered by Jesus Christ on Calvary is the common and acknowledged basis of their peace with God. Here they all unite. Here their interesting relation to one another is formed. Their views of the Saviour's dignity and atonement are the same; the blessings they receive through Him are the same; and the same are their obligations to Hi redeeming grace. Whatever external distinctions may mark their condi. tion in the world, there is thus a union commenced which is independent of them all, a union destined to endure when these diversities have for ever passed away; for "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Yet while it is pleasing to trace in this unity of believers the fulfilment of our Lord's prayer, it must be confessed that in another sense there is reason to wish for a more obvious accomplishment of His desire than we have hitherto been privileged to witness. While there exists a spiritual and essential union which binds them together in one brotherhood, and which shall endure for ever, there is wanting more of the visible manifestation of this union. Christians are one as believers in the same Saviour, possessed of the same hope, influenced by the same spirit, and travelling to the same home. How desirable, then, that their oneness should assume a more visible form,—that it should be brought out into clear and constant exhibition, that their spirit and conduct towards each other should be such as to convince the world of the excellence of the christian faith, and shew even to the most casual observers the delightful tendency, and thus the Divine origin, of the gospel of the Son of God.

In what respects, then, may the union of christians be more fully realized among themselves, and made manifest to others? Not in the adoption of one uniform creed in every point however subordinate,—not in subscription to any prescribed formulary of worship,—not in the observance of any particular rules for church order and government,—not in the spirit that aims at proselyting all to a party. There is no real unity in this. It is not in the nature of such measures to produce it. On

If our friends will send us copies of their Circular Letters, or even of the resolutions, by the 10th of July (by which time they will generally be printed), we shall be pleased to give a summary of their purport, which may be interesting.

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