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176

A HASTY GLANCE AT SOME PARTS OF OUR BRITISH ZION.

A HASTY GLANCE

At Some Parts of our British Zion.

No. II.

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After

I think it not unlikely that there was a vessel of some kind or other in the carriage; and if there were none, if Philip had required a vessel for pouring, he might have INSTEAD of going into the provinces, waited until one could be procured; but no the small towns and hamlets, we had such thing did Philip want; he was an unposed this month to notice a little of what hesitating Dipper, or baptiser into water; to this the Spirit of God directed him; and is going on in the precincts of this great as soon as Philip had baptised the Eunuch metropolis; for of late there have sprang the Spirit caught away Philip, evidently up many little churches professedly hold-proving that the blessed Comforter watched ing the grand essential doctrines of divine over and sanctioned this truly Gospel ordigrace, in and about London, that we had nance. I do not think I ever had the truthpurposed calling attention to their origin, fulness of baptism by immersion so powerprogress, and present position; believing fully opened up in my soul before. that in some cases, encouragement, and in preaching, and speaking a few moments other cases, caution, may from thence be beside the water, I went down and baptised derived. But we are hindered in our sixteen persons who had witnessed a good purpose at present; and can only furnish confession. It was to me and to many, an our readers with the following:unusual time of refreshing, and of blessed establishment in the glories of the Gospel Kingdom. That same evening Mr. Stevens (of the City Road,) baptised in the same pool after I had done; and on the following evening, Mr. John Fowler, now of Providence Chapel, Golden Lane, baptised in the same place: so that it is evident, after all the bitter things said by some of our Gospel ministers against the Baptists, God is still raising up many witnesses to prove that it is an ordinance he hath instituted, and one that he will honour.

SATURDAY, June 9th.-Almost the only leisure moments I get is when travelling in railway carriages. I am now stuffed right in the centre of one, about to start for Crudwell, where I hope to-morrow to be found speaking in the name of the Lord, leaving Mr. James Osbourn in possession of Crosby Row pulpit. This has been a memorable week again with me; and I feel a desire to record some of the mercies of the Lord toward me, a poor, weak, and sinful worm, as in myself considered. As a church and The next morning my poor head and face congregation we have much indeed to be were burning with pains; an affliction I thankful for; the good hand of God still have had at times for years. I was engaged appears to go with us. During the time to preach twice that day at Wantage annithat Crosby Row Chapel was being cleansed, versary; so, with all my infirmities, having painted, and altered, the Lord provided sought the Lord's presence and blessing, I Artillery Lane Chapel for us, and there I set out above sixty miles to travel and twice preached four Lord's- days with considerable to preach. Infinite mercy preserved me; and liberty; our closing service in that place II arrived at brother Irving's house just in hope never to forget: it was Tuesday evening, May 29th. On that day I went in the afternoon to Stratford, preached one of their anniversary sermons, and came back to London with the face and tooth-ache; and sped my way to Artillery Lane, where, that evening, I preached from these words-'See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptised?' I was led to notice what things took place before Philip baptised the Eunuch; the Spirit of God worked a secret work in the Ethiopian's heart; he also worked with Philip, so as to bring them both together; spoke distinctly, too, of the qualification required-'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest:' and I did not dare to pass by Philip's mode of administering this sacred ordinance: they went both down into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch.' Matthew Henry says, 'Of course they had no vessels with them in the carriage; and so Philip took the Eunuch down into the water.' I do not know that; travelling a long journey as they had been,

time for a bit of dinner; but tormenting pains were eating up my strength; nevertheless, after well bathing my face, I went and preached, and in the evening especially, I found my poor soul all alive in my Master's work. There is evidently an increased spirit for hearing Gospel truth in Wantage; and if it pleased our blessed Lord to send them a good, honest, industrious, sound, experimental man, in whom was combined both the PASTOR and the PREACHER, there is every prospect of his gathering a large number of living souls together.

The next day (Thursday) I was at Knowl Hill; this is the chapel where Mr. Savory (now of Brighton) was formerly pastor; for some years, our esteemed brethren Mason and Webb have laboured together in the ministry of the Gospel here. The Lord has owned their labours, but at present the cause is low and weak. In some country places the church of England folks are either buying up the people, or using other means to compel them to attend the steeple

A HASTY GLANCE AT SOME PARTS OF OUR BRITISH ZION.

house, these things (in some places) thin the ranks of hearers where Gospel truth is preached; but the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth; and although he often sifts the house of Israel, yet will he take care of his chosen sheep. Our re-opening day at Crosby Row was a happy one. In the morning I besought the Lord to speak home some word of instruction and consolation to my soul. I wish to make nothing more of this than it really is, but it is my mercy to know that the dear Spirit of Truth has not left off to speak softly (at times) into my heart; of this I am confident; for this I desire to be exceedingly grateful to the God of all my mercies. As I was coming down stairs on the morning of the 3rd of June, (our re-opening day,) these words came loudly into my spirit-My house shall be called an house of prayer;' and this was repeated several times. I continued for some time in silent waiting and prayer, until these words fell with weight into my soul-' REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.' I searched, and found the words in the 2nd Psalm, 'Seek the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.' No words could be more wholesome and suitable: from them I preached, and found a holy freedom in the work: but in the afternoon of that day, great darkness came over my mind; and I can certainly say, that I knew what it was to grope for the wall, like the blind; I endeavoured to pray, but no access; I turned the Bible over from end to end; but every sentence appeared to be sealed up against me. I wandered about my room, as though God had forsaken me; I looked, I sighed, I felt dying fears, and heart-felt sorrows; but a little before the time came, these words fastened upon my mind-'I, even I, am He that comforteth you; who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die?' I went again to the pulpit, and I spoke from the words, but it was laborious work, my soul being cast down. After sermon, I received sixteen into the church; and found a humble hope that I stood in the work and power of the Lord. Certainly, mine is a mysterious path; goodness and mercy follow me; but deep inward exercises often depress and sink me low.

With one word about CRUDWELL, I must close. I was enabled to preach there three times, Lord's day, June 10th. We had a large gathering of people; and there was a blessing for some souls. The cause of God in these parts of Wiltshire appears to be weak, but there are many who are panting for the power and the presence of the God of Jacob. It is no use attempting to deny the fact; a heavy cloud hangs over the greater part of our British Zion. That the Lord may arise, and have mercy upon her, is the earnest prayer of, Your devoted servant, for the truth's sake,

C. W. B.

177

Studley, (Warwickshire.)-From a letter written to the friends at Studley by John Freeman, and which has been forwarded to us, we fear there is not that decision and zeal for the truth as is needful for the prosperity of the cause. How painful it is for ing a love for the truth) so much indecision, Ministers to find (among the people professindifference, and slavish fear! Of the what we often said when amongst them: cause at Studley, we will publicly repeat in the first place, we know of no cause where firmness for TRUTH and consistency in practice, is more essentially necessary. Let them waver, and be easily shaken; or let them give way to laxity and uneven walking, and their enemies will triumph over their downfall; but let them by grace divine) stand bound up together though weak in and of themselves, they in gospel love and holy union, and then, will increase with the increase of God; and the vile, base, hypocritical, and awfully deceptive opponents who surround them, and eagerly watch for their halting; shall be covered with shame and confusion of face. Oh, ye beloved friends of Divine Truth, in Studley, be ye fully persuaded of these two things: TRUTH has never yet entered into any part of Satan's kingdom, led against her: so, again, whenever, and but all his battering rams have been levelwherever TRUTH has been fairly dealt with; whenever, and wherever her friends have been unflinching in their attachment, and clean in their practice; she has never failed to triumph over all her foes, and bring peace and prosperity to her real friends. She says to all who would walk with her-It is given unto you not only to believe on his name; but also to suffer for motto. But he that taketh up his cross his sake.' NO CROSS-NO CROWN! is her for Christ's sake, shall never be deStudley, we say, lastly, it requires careful prived of the crown. Of the cause at nursing, much patience, and fervent constant prayer.

Let not John Freeman's heart be discouraged; let him and the friends at Studley beseech other good men, (such as our brother Jay, of Birmingham) to come to their help; and let them also urge the Poor Gospel Ministers' Relief Society to send them aid. We have men of God around us who would come down to their help and encouragement. Let the of the Relief Society (who are now half friends at Studley stir up the Committee asleep,) and let the Committee of the Relief Society stir up some of their ministering brethren to go down to their help. Look at such men as William Skelton, and others, who are both willing and able to serve destitute churches; but doors must be opened; necessary means must be afforded. Let these things be considered.

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(Continued on page 196.)

Faith and fear, though not good friends, are sometimes very near neighbours; yea, they often lodge in one house, in one and the same heart."-Toplady.

178

A FAITHFUL PORTRAIT OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER.

A FAITHFUL

Portrait of Christian Ministers.

your read

MR. EDITOR,-You have favoured
ers with some interesting extracts from my
"Bunhill Memorials," for which I feel
obliged. In my forthcoming number will
be found an account of the late Mr. James
Upton, of Church-street, Blackfriars. I had
transcribed the essential parts of a Charge,
(perhaps one of the most important of its kind
ever published) as delivered by Dr. Gill to
Mr. John Davies, of Waltham Abbey, who
was Mr. Upton's pastor; but I found it too
long for insertion, as a note, in Bunhill. As
it is too valuable to be cast among my accu-
mulating mass of papers, perhaps you will
give it a place in your next Vessel; it will

not deteriorate the value of the number.
I am, dear Sir, Your's, &c.

July, 13, 1849.

J. A. JONES.

MINISTERIAL REQUIREMENTS. Extracted from a Charge, delivered by Dr. Gill to Mr. John Davies, of Waltham Abbey, August 15, 1764.

Iunity of the faith, to a perfect knowledge of the Son of God, and to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." They have need of all their strength to enable them to bear with the infirmities of weak saints, and with the insults, indignities, reproaches, and persecutions of sinful unregenerate men. They have need to be strong in the grace that is in Christ, in order that they may be able to do the duties of their office, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, strong to labour in the word and doctrine, and to do the work of the Lord as it should be done.

Ministers should be clear-sighted men; they should have as it were a vulture's eye, sharp sighted. Yea, they should be Argo'slike, have many eyes, and they have need of all they have, to look into the sacred scriptures, which are a sealed book to learned and unlearned men, destitute of the Spirit of Christ. This book is only to be looked into so as to be understood, by such as have their eyes enlightened and their understandings opened, by Christ. Ministers of the gospel had need to be full of eyes, to look to themReader! Art thou a professed minister of selves, and to the flocks committed to them, the everlasting gospel? If so, listen. Minis-to take the oversight of them, and to feed ters of the gospel are the servants of the Most High God. They are to acquaint, all that they are concerned with, that salvation is by Christ alone. They are to set Christ forth as the propitiation, the mercy-seat; they are to keep in view, in all their ministrations, the doctrine of atonement by his blood; to let this be the pole-star by which the whole course of their ministry is to be steered. They are to be humane and courteous; pitiful and compassionate to wounded consciences, and tempted souls; men of understanding, wise and prudent, manly and courageous, strong and valiant in the cause of their master. Men looking upwards to Christ in heaven for fresh supplies of gifts and grace; for an increase of spiritual light and knowledge, to fit them more for their work, and to enable them better to perform it. Ministers of the gospel have need of a large share of knowledge, both of things natural and spiritual:-knowledge of themselves, and of their state by nature and by grace; they should have a good experience of the work of the Spirit of God upon their own hearts. They should have a spiritual knowledge of Christ; his person, offices, and grace: They should know the holy scriptures, which are profitable for doctrine and instruction, and are calculated to fit and fur-judgment of the truth of the doctrines which nish ministers for the work they are employed in. They should have a good knowledge of the mysteries of grace, of God, and of Christ: all which are absolutely necessary for them; since their business is-to feed". men with knowledge and understanding, and to train them up in it, "till they come to the

them with the words of faith and sound doctrine, wholesome, pure, and incorrupt; they are to look diligently, lest any root of bitterness, of error or heresy, or of immorality or profaneness, spring up in the churches, and trouble some, and defile others; they are to watch against false teachers, and to be careful to keep up the discipline of Christ's house; they should have eyes before and behind: eyes behind to observe things past, the fulfilment of prophecies, and promises of Christ; before, to look to predictions yet to be fulfilled, relating to the church and kingdom of God; behind them, to watch against satan, who often comes upon the back of them unawares; and eyes before them, to look to the throne of God and the Lamb, on whom is their alone dependance, from whom they expect constant supplies, and whose glory they are altogether to be concerned for; they are also to have eyes within, to look into the sinfulness and corruption of their nature, that they may be humble under all their attainments, gifts, and usefulness; to look also into the state and case of their own souls and their inward experience, and which will qualify them to speak to the cases of others, and by which also they can form a

they preach, having a witness of the same in their own souls; they are also to look upon the treasure which the Lord hath put within them, in order to bring forth from thence "things new and old," for the profit and pleasure of those that hear them; they are moreover to move swiftly, in all readiness

A FAITHFUL PORTRAIT OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER.

179

and cheerfulness to do the work of God, to | penetrating efficacy of the word of God, when preach the gospel, to administer gospel ordi- accompanied with the Spirit of God to the nances, to visit the members of the churches souls of men. when needful, and to do all good offices for the saints that lay in their power.

Ministers should be deeply sensible of the purity and holiness of God, of the spirituality of his law, of their own unworthiness to be employed in his service; they should look on themselves to be less than the least of all saints; to be ashamed of their poor performances, to acknowledge they have nothing but what they have received, and have therefore nothing of their own to boast of or glory in. Sound gospel ministers should have an affection towards each other, to give mutual assistance to one another, to have a joint concern in the same work, preaching the same truths, administering the same ordinances, having the same zeal for the glory of God, love to Christ, and to the souls of men, and, being of the same mind and judgment, as they all will be so in the latter day, when " they shall see eye to eye." Isa. lii. 8.

Ministers should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. And besides their public work, they should do much work in private, in their studies and their closets, in meditation and prayer, where no eye sees them but the eye of God; they are also to make straight paths for their feet; they are not to be found walking in crooked paths; they are to walk uprightly, according to the truth of the gospel; they are not to turn to error on the one hand, nor to immorality on the other; but having put their hand to the plough of the gospel, they are neither to look back nor turn back, for such that do so, are not fit for the kingdom of God.

Where the true and sound ministers of the gospel are, there generally true and sound gospel churches are to be found: and, as the ministry of the word is continued or removed, so is a church-state fixed or changed. It is in this way and by this means that the candlestick is either continued or removed out of its place. Generally speaking, as ministers are, so churches are. If ministers are lively and active, so are the churches under their care; if they are sound in the gospel, so are their churches sound in the truth; if the minister is legal, you will usually find the members of his church to be of the same complexion, views, spirit, and temper. When the light of truth shines clearly in the ministry; when there is ardent love to Christ discovered, and to the souls of men, then may such ministers be said to hold forth the word of light and life, to be as a shining and burning light or lamp; their own hearts being warmed, they become the means of warming the hearts of others: and when their fire is bright and clear, as the word of God is, then, "out of the fire went forth lightening," (Ezek. i. 13.) which denotes the quick and

In a word, ye servants of God,-preach salvation by Christ; the doctrines of pardon by his blood, of justification by his righteousness. Be laborious in your master's work; bold and intrepid, watchful and wakeful, tender and compassionate; be always an example to the flock; constantly look up to heaven for all your fresh supplies of grace to carry you through your ministrations in all the branches of it:-so do, and may you be as burning and shining lights in your day and generation, successful in your work, have many souls given you for your hire, and at the end of your labours, enter into the joy of your Lord for ever.

To

Lines addressed to Mrs. E. Foster, OF STURRY, IN KENT,

console her mind under much distress, by loosing a dear child in its infancy.

WHO is that poor dejected soul,
Elizabeth by name,

That mourns in Sturry village now?
Oh, sister, what a shame!
The Lord, in tender love, has took
A lilly home to rest;

He saw the storm was coming on
And open'd his dear breast.
Ah, nature says 'tis very hard
To loose a child so sweet;
And Lisse feels the cutting stroke,
Is most amazing great.

In health, your thoughts on this dear child
Did often fondly dwell;

But your Lord Jesus claims your heart,
And takes your babe as well.
Now think for once, if she had liv'd,

And broke thy heart with care,
And gone in all the paths of sin,

And fell in every snare:
Then died at last, a victim base
To all the baits of sense,
Without one single spark of grace
And God had drawn her hence;
Then might you grieve, and cry, indeed;
A daughter gone to hell;

But now, thy God has took her home,
Cannot you say ""TIS WELL ?"
"A child so dear, I did much crave
Might live to comfort me:
But, precious Jesus! now I find
My comfort's all in thee."
A token this, in love is sent,

He loves thy soul so well;

He said, "My daughter, come to me,"
And so remov'd the spell.
Thy Jesus had but half thy heart,
Thy daughter had the rest;
He cannot bear a rival, mind,
Because he loves thee best.
"Submission sweet, dear Lord, bestow,
To give my child to thee;

I cannot nurse her now I know,
Dear Jesus, now nurse me,"
No fatal storms to dread, nor want-

No sorrow now, nor pain;

Do give thy child to him, dear friend,
Who for thy soul was slain.
How sweet to feel as potter's clay,
"dear Lord, take all-
Prepare for that most solemn hour
When for me thou wilt call."

Sussex.

And say,

J. RAYNSFORD.

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Things that must Shortly Come to Pass. | tower: eat, drink; arise ye princes and anoint the shield.'-May our God keep W. C. POWELL. you here. Amen. Brenchley.

Eternal Union :

A CHRISTIAN BROTHER.

The Lord, we are told, this pattern began,

His bride for to marry before he made man ;
In mystical union before she was born,
She dwelt with her Lord on eternity's morn.
'Twas the will of the Three-One, who counsell'd
Countless millions to save, even down to a man ;
Sin, satan, and world, her destruction design'd,

that plan,

Yet, by oath, there shall not be a hoof left behind.
of eternity's plan to all the elect;
Her union in time, is but the effect
They shall persevere, tho' hell may assail,
Since Christ is the Surety, they all must prevail.
Tho' oft' like a Jonah, cast out they have been,
And nought but destruction by them could be seen;
Yet still, like the throne, which for ever must stand,
So sure shall they enter on Canaan's land.
When the supper's prepar'd, each seat for it's guest,
Not one shall be missing-no room for the rest;
But with banners of blood the top stone must come
in-

With shoutings of vict'ry over death, hell, and sin.

FROM my solitary dwelling in the desert I drop you another line. I often ascend my tower, and look around, and find that the day is dark and lowering: and LINES OCCASIONED BY THE MARRIAGE OF if I make no mistake, a fearful storm is gathering in the north. Very lately I have discovered that the prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel xxxviii., has a two-fold application, like most others. The first to the end of the present dispensation, and the other to the next, the millennial, as in Rev. xx. The features of this judgment are expressly the same as those in Joel and Habakkuk; and soon it will waste Christendom as the Chaldean wasted Jewry! Look at the combination of evil spirits and evil men at the present time. Together they must form one vast vortex on the field of Armageddon to swallow up truth and the church! All must come under the sway of one sceptre, and none more promising at this moment than that of the Czar of Russia! The head of the Greek church aims at universal dominion! He has crushed Poland; is crushing Hungary; and is buying the papal dignitaries over to his interest. His power politic is giving them that liberty and life which republicanism has denied them. He can serve them, they will serve him. For many years I have had the presentiment that another particular and powerful headship must arise on the ruins of the papacy. Steps are now taking us that way. Developements are rapid. Is your lamp well furnished with oil? To go in with the bridegroom and stand with him like an army in reserve, will be both our safety and our comfort. Nothing but prophetic knowledge will grant us the liberty. Experience and doctrine only, will not do. Peculiar times require peculiar faith; peculiar faith can live only on peculiar truth. Much of this we have in our treasure house, but none seem to unlock, and spread it on the table; for the prophets must not prophecy, and the seers must not see! Smooth and comfortable things only will go down; the reproof of iniquity, and the alarm of war are too terrific to be allowed of among our mother's sons! Nevertheless it is yours; it is mine, to be first faithful to our Lord, and then be as soft as we can to the people. Our work seems to lie here. Prepare the table; watch in the watch

6

things be?"-A correspondent says, "Mr.
Changes. "What shall the end of these
T. and his people have had a disaagree-
ment at Peterboro'; and he does not preach
here. The great cause of the division arose
because he has made up his mind not to
not see with his eyes respecting the 'insu-
have communion with any people who do
rance of lives and property;' and he con-
siders to shave on a Sunday,' 'to buy a
little milk,' &c., is sinful; none of his
members are to do it. At what point we
indeed a question if a minister is justified
shall next find him, is a question." It is
in ceasing to preach to the people, and ex-
cluding them from church communion
because he cannot bring them to his mind
on such minor points.

changes connected with the cause of God
Hackney.-How solemn have been the
at Hackney! In the midst of them all,
however, the Lord keeps his people alive;
and continues to raise up witnesses to pro-
claim his truth. Mr. Hughes frequently
now addresses the people that meet withhim,
Mr. Godsmark's labours in Hackney have
although he does not go into the pulpit.
proved acceptable to many: and they de-
sire him to be settled over them; but this
he has not done yet. Mr. John Osbourn
preaches the gospel in Providence Chapel,
Cambridge-heath
Gate; and he has reason to hope that the
Prospect Road, near
hand of the Lord is with him and his peo-
ple for good. Many, very many little doors
in and around London are constantly.
opening for the spread of the gospel. We
hail these, as the fulfilling of ancient pro-
phecy; and as far as we can see the motive
to be pure; we heartily bid them God-
speed.

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