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KEEPING THE LORD'S-DAY.

The Grace of God in Manifestation

AT MALMESBURY.

MY DEAR BROTHER-It rejoices my heart to inform you that the Great Head of the Church is still bringing into his fold poor sinners in these parts; and, I trust, they are such as shall be saved with an everlasting salvation.

On Lord's-day, October 7th, that aged servant of the Lord, Mr. Martin, baptized nine persons. In the morning he preached to a chapel full of people, from Acts viii. 12; and then went down to the river, where they sung that hymn which begins

"Go teach the nations, and baptize, Aloud the ascending Jesus cries; His glad apostles took the word, And round the nations preach'd their Lord." And after a short but solemn prayer, he baptized seven females and two males, in the presence of twelve or fourteen hundred people. All was quiet and good order maintained. In the evening, the chapel, galleries, vestries, and aisles, were full; when the dear man preached from those words, "Who when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." Acts xi. 23. First, he spoke of the grace of God; seeondly, wherein the grace is to be seen; thirdly, of the exhortation, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord; and, lastly, of the blessedness of those that are partakers of the grace of God; in which, I believe, he felt sweet liberty; a refreshing time it was to many of the Lord's people; for myself, I could say, "Lord, it is good to be here.'

I would say a word or two about friend Martin's manner of preaching. He is past seventy years of age; has been pastor over the baptist church in this town upwards of thirty-eight years; the Lord hath made his ministry a blessing to many precious souls in turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and satan unto God; and in building up the saints in the faith of the gospel. And I can say of the ministry of my dear aged brother Martin, that his delightful theme is "Jesus Christ and him crucified;" and I always find under his preaching the gospel table furnished with bread and salt; here is living bread for living souls; covenant love for a covenant seed; covenant blood for a covenant people; covenant righteousness for covenant children; covenant promises for covenant heirs; and a covenant rod for covenant sons: so that the trumpet gives a clear and certain sound; and, I am happy to add, this dear aged servant and his flock are walking together in love and peace; their hearts seem knit together as the heart of one man.

My prayer is that the Lord may keep this hill of Zion as a well watered garden, that shall bring forth fruit in due season to the praise and glory of his grace.

AN OLD DISCIPLE.

Malmesbury, Oct. 10, 1849.

Keeping the Lord's-day.

To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel. DEAR SIR-AS you have received and published in the Vessel, some communications from Peterborough, of which I have nothing to say by way

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of complaint or objection; nor should I have taken
any particular notice of them, only as many per-
sons (here and elsewhere) suspect me to be the
author of them, I wish publicly to state - I am
not. Nay, I do not know, nor have I endeavoured
to ascertain, who the writer was. I am too old for
controversy; and not in the least inclined to enter
into polemical discussion: I am for peace and not
for war; and nothing grieves me more than to
hear that these hostile parties are among those
It staggers
who profess truth and godliness.
many of the weaklings of God's family and wounds
the minds of many an aged saint.

But, sir, to come to the subject-the point at issue-I was rather surprised that Mr. Tryon, in his very laconic note to the Editor of the Vessel, should say that his non-shaving, and the non-milk taking of a Sunday, did not apply to him; and that you should be charged by others of his admirers with publishing falsehoods; when, sir, it is a fact that can be proved, and that by persons of unquestionable veracity, that Mr. Tryon did preach two sermons at Deeping, on one Lord'sday, wherein those two things, with others, were principally dwelt upon; and when he came to Peterborough, on a Sunday evening, he appeared to condense those two sermons in one, and nonshaving and non-milk taking on a Sunday, was the principal theme. This is a fact, which I think, Mr. Tryon nor his friends will attempt to deny. Perhaps your correspondent was wrong, if he meant to convey the idea that Mr. Tryon had made it (what the schools call) a sine qua non, as to the admission of members: however, happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing that he alloweth. For my own part, I see nothing censurable in advocating a strict observance of the Lord's-day, as far as possible; though many ministers, and good men differ, conscientously regarding it.

I would humbly refer and advise those who have any scruples about the matter, to read the fourteenth chapter of Romans, and ponder over the tenth verse in particular. Yes, let the sincere and serious christian read, study, weigh, digest, believe, and may the Holy Ghost apply what is laid down in that chapter, and then, I trust, he will be enabled to put away the bickerings and opinions of men. I should not now have taken up my pen to address you upon the subject; only as I was fearful that the words, "Unhappy divisions at Peterborough," would lead people at a distance to conclude that we were in sad confusion at Zion Chapel; which, I am thankful to say, is not the case: but quite the reverse; we were never more at peace, and in harmony amongst ourselves. And I trust you will hear from us next month, respecting the Lord's appearance and interferance for and among us, that will gladden your heart, and cause joy among all the liberal baptist churches. "He will keep them in perfect peace whose minds are stayed upon him, because they trusted in him." There, sir, has been my trust and stay for many years, nor has it been in vain. In conclusion, I say to you and your readers"Brethren, pray for us-pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee; peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces; for my brethren and companions sakes, I would now say, peace be within thee. JOHN CARTER.

Peterborough, Oct. 1849.

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The Solemn Times in which we Live. grace to be striving for the furtherance of the gos

MY DEAR FRIEND

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amongst the churches of truth! The Lord give us that true charity which "suffereth long and is kind;" for, "Charity envieth not: Charity vaunteth not itself-is not puffed up-doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her ownis not easily provoked-thinketh no evil-rejoiceth not in iniquity-but rejoiceth in the truth." That the Lord would bring his Zion into a more prosperous, spiritual and peaceful state, is the earnest and continuous prayer of your friend,

pel of Christ-to be preaching under the solemn anointing of the Holy Ghost, the glad tidings of Grace, mercy, and peace salvation, full, free, finished, and eternal. To be from Israel's triune God be with you and the endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in whole mystic body of Christ throughout the world. the bond of peace-to be ministerially instructing, I received your last with much pleasure; and ever feeding, encouraging, and building up the churches esteem it a great privilege to have communica- of God in their most Holy Faith. When we look tions concerning the Lord's dealings from any of around, where is the esteeming of others better his tried people. I was truly glad for your sake, than ourselves? Where is the spirit of humility that you could not hear the flesh-pleasing-man- and prayer? Where is the bearing of each others exalting-reason-idolizing and Holy-Ghost dis- burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ, the honouring preaching of men-who are, it is to be King of Zion? My very soul grieves on the acfeared, strangers to the plague of the human heart count of the division of God's people. I must use -strangers to the solemn operations of the Holy the touching words of the Prophet to give utterSpirit, Zion's teacher-leader-remembrancer and ance to my bosom feelings-"For these things I comforter, and are strangers to the covenants of weep-mine eye runneth down with water," bepromise. The times in which we are living, are cause "the children are desolate, and the enemy solemn, fearful, and eventful: times when the hath prevailed:" the enemies of Zion clap their churches, holding the truth in righteousness, are hands at her-they hiss and wag their heads at in a distressing state-it is truly lamentable, that the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, "Is this the good and gracious men should be guilty of bicker-city that men call the perfection of beauty-the ing-of back-biting and of fanning the flames of joy of the whole earth?" that fire which is separating the godly from The Lord grant his dear people the true spirit each other: the devil-the old dragon, seems al- of prayer, to pour out their souls in humble supready to be rising out of the sea for a sharp death-plication before him for a better state of things struggle with the cause of God and truth on the earth. Thanks be unto God for ever: Satan cannot deceive the elect of Jehovah; he cannot remove the righteous from the rock of Eternal Salvation -he cannot make the most fine gold to perish he cannot destroy the seed raised up to serve Christ in this wicked-ensnaring, and godless world; but he can, and is sowing the seed of discord among the brethren. Beloved of the Lord, he is ever working on the corruption of the human heart-he is dimning the most fine gold; he is murdering the peace and comfort of Zion, and many of God's regenerate people are cast down; but, blessed be the God and Father of all their mercies, that they are not destroyed. What grieves me so, with many others, is to find many gracious men, who principally dwell in their ministry on the great, distinguishing and holy doctrines of God's precious-precious book,-carping with gracious men, in whose ministry the experi- | ence of the christian is chiefly insisted on, and vice This bitterness of feeling-this envying and strife-this evil speaking; does it tend in any way for the glory of God? Does the wrath of men work the righteousness of God? Is this walking as dear children, and loving as brethren? Is this the fruit of the influence, power, teaching, and leading of the Holy Ghost-who, when he descended upon Christ, took the form of the peaceful dove? Is this the tendency produced by a deep experimental acquaintance with the deep things of God? I trow not rather let us use the Apostle Paul's words about this state of things in the churches "Ye are carnal-for, whereas there is among you envying and strife and division: are ye not carnal and walk as men ?"-Cor. iii. 3.

versa.

What cause for lamentation and mourning, that men loving the truth-preaching the truth, and in a measure living the truth, should be spending their talents and their precious time for that which is anything but bread.

J. E. BLOOMFIELD.

5, Northfield Terrace, Cheltenham.

WAS

A FEW REMARKS UPON THE QUESTION,

The Baptism of John,

IT FROM HEAVEN, OR OF MEN?

THis truly important enquiry followed, as you are aware, upon the chief priests and elders of the people questioning Christ, relative to his authority for doing those things which he did when upon earth. And we shall do well to consider for a moment or two, what these words imply in the strict sense of their meaning. It is evidently thisJohn's baptism is either of heaven, and should be regarded as an institution OF GOD, or it is of men, and hence, the slightest possible importance is to be attached thereto. But, then, to say it is of men, would be to charge home folly upon Jesus for attendance upon it; and to say it is of God, is to set the ordinance in its right place; but how is it then, that, by many of the Lord's people it is disregarded? Let conscience decide.

I just glance at the following things in reference to the question before us, as evidently proving it to be of an heavenly origin :

1.-John was sent by God to baptize with water. John i. 33. If God sends a man to do a thing, there is an importance attached to what he does; for God does nothing in vain: to suppose otherwise, would be to insult his wisdom.

What cause for inward grief is this base conceitedness, this striving for leadership in any of us who profess to be the ministers of God and of 2. Not only was John in possession of an truth. The Lord keep us humble, teachable, spiri- heavenly commission, but his motive also, was far tual, and feelingly dependent. The Lord give us from being an earthly one. That which springs

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CHARITY; OR, THE GOLDen rule.

from the earth, has to do with the earth. John, under the guidance of the Spirit, struck at far higher things than pandering to the whims and fancies of mortal men. He was looking at Christ, and his manifestation unto Israel, "therefore," saith he, "am I come, baptizing with water." John i. 31.

3. If we consider his object as well as his motive, we shall see plainly that it had nothing to do with the creature. He came preaching repentance, and the baptism of repentance; and pointing to the Lamb of God; and declaring that he must decrease while Jesus should increase. was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, and his greatest joy was in the extension of the dear Redeemer's kingdom. Matt. iii.-John iii. 29.

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4. But have we not an unanswerable argument for its being from heaven, by the submission of Christ unto it? This would of itself be sufficient to stamp the greatest possible weight upon the statement, that it came from heaven. It became him to fulfil all righteousness; and hence, he was baptized here, only to point to the far greater baptism of sufferings, afflictions, and sorrows, which he had yet to go through and be plunged under.

5.-John's baptism was characterized by those things which places it far from a carnal institution. "They were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." We have characters here attending to it, who knew what repentance was. Is this according to man? This leads me to remark,

6.-That infant sprinkling is inconsistent with this view of the subject: see Luke iii. Infant sprinkling must be a carnal and worldly system: Why? Because there is no sanction for it in the word of God, nor can any precedent be found for its observance from the practice of John, or of Christ's disciples. Now, when children can believe; confess their sins; repent; and bring forth fruits, meet for repentance, and hear the word gladly, THEN, we may observe that form.

7. As to baptism itself, it is evidently a dipping, a plunging beneath, a complete burial, which thing it signifies. Rom. vi. 3, 4.

An observation or two more and I close.

1. The ordinance of baptism as administered by John, and subsequently by Jesus's disciples, had nothing to do with the old covenant, for it came in under a new dispensation: to wit, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets. Behold, I send my messenger (John) before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." Mark i. 1, 2.

2. That its observance was enjoined on, and has been continued in the church, under the special command of God the Son our Saviour and Redeemer, Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. This was followed by the disciples in the way laid down by their Lord. TEACHING them, BAPTIZING them, then they were received into the church: Acts ii. 41; and others. 3.In a word: the weighty and solemn things which it sets forth, more especially, Christ's dolorous sufferings, bitter death, solemn burial and triumphant resurrection, together with our death to sin, and resurrection to life, stamp it as being of God; and I therefore close with, not, we cannot tell whence it comes; but, I am solemnly persuaded it is from heaven, and consequently, is binding as an act of obedience upon every disciple of Jesus Christ. JOSEPH RUDMAN.

Trowbridge, Oct., 1849.

Charity; or the Golden Rule.

I ENVY not nor man, nor saint,

Who cannot love another;
But pity much, his sad complaint,
And hold him still a brother.
"Tis sad to see a want of love,

When one would greet another;
And when the burden to remove,
We treat him as a brother.
'Tis sadder still, when christians rail,
And stab, and wound each other:
There perfect love does not prevail,
In such a christian brother.

I would not scorn to be despised,
But scorn to hate another!
These passions must be crucified,
In every christian brother.

I tremble for the man, who dares
To trample on another !
The saints of God are fellow-heirs,
In Christ, their elder brother.
One body is the church of God,

And members of each other:
The purchase of Immanuel's blood,
Their loving elder brother.

He sympathises with the saints;

Tells them to love each other:
He bore our sorrows and complaints,
And is a faithful brother.

Love is the weapon to be used,

In conquering each other;
This holy oil will heal the bruised,

And win a faulty brother.

'Tis love, first drew our hearts to him,
And then unto each other:
The love of Jesus is the same,

In every christian brother.

He who does not this rule approve,
Of loving one another;
How can he ask another love,
Or call himself a brother?

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I love to dwell upon the theme,
Of loving one another;
Christ loves us into love with him,
And then we love our brother.
If we love not one whom we see,
How can we love another?
The great Supreme Eternal Three,
Belov'd in Christ, our brother.
WM. GIBBONS.

Manchester, October 15th, 1849.

AN INQUIRY.

DEAR MR. EDITOR-I saw in your Vessel for October "a Solemn day at High Wycombe;" will you, or some of your correspondents, shew us how far scripturally right it is, for the church of the living God to unite in their prayer meetings with Arminians, Arians, and Socinians, when the Holy Ghost says, by the mouth of Paul, "Come out from among them, and touch not the unclean thing?" Will one, or more of the Watchmen upon the Walls of Zion tell us what they see coming, that we may know what position we are to occupy in the day of battle!

AN INQUIRER FOR THE RIGHT WAY.

264

THE LORD'S DEALINGS WITH JOHN EPPS.

SOME OF THE

Lord's Dealings with John Epps,

OF BRABOURNE, KENT.

(Continued from a former number.)

I USED to go to the barber's, occasionally, of an evening, and was there tempted that if I sprang up from my seat suddenly as if sadly frightened, the person would thereby cut my throat, and that my death would be considered an accident. And another way, to steal something from a certain shop, which I actually did watch an opportunity for, by so doing, I should suffer the penalties of the law, and that this would be more honourable than any of the executions of the former temptations. Such was the distress of my mind at this time, that I felt quite disposed to make it known, and to give myself up to be taken care of, feeling that I was altogether insufficient to preserve myself; after awhile these distressing exercises did, in a measure, subside. I left my situation, where I passed through all this condemnation in May 1821; and the Lord, in his providence, very shortly removed me to Biddenden, in Kent; and, although I have declared, that I do consider my spriritual birth was in May 29, 1820; yet, now was I more than ever concerned to have it fully decided that I was born again. Visited the minister; and, although I then thought I was as ignorant as I could be relative to the point in hand; yet his entire ignorance caused me to see and feel that I was not totally void and destitute of the meaning and feeling thereof. I did not remain at this place above four months; yet here, blessed be the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I lost my burden of sin; and then was I fully persuaded that the Lord had done great things for me; that I was an elect vessel of God, chosen before the foundation of the world; one for whom Christ shed his most precious blood; and this was brought about thus: in the night season, I dreamed I saw an exceeding large piece of water, of length, breadth, and depth, and that my way was over it; but there was no way to cross it, only stones large enough to stand one foot on, and they at such a distance apart, that it appeared impossible to step from one to another. However, I was desirous to make the attempt, but was greatly opposed or hindered; still, I thought I went, and that from stone to stone with the greatest pleasure imaginable; and that towards the end I began to faint and sink, but I saw two angels clothed in white. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. i. 14. And one spread its arms to embrace me in them, and thus I arrived perfectly safe; when I thought I was thus arrived I awoke, and truly it might be said of me-"In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction." Job xxxiii. 15, 16. And, although this may appear a simple deliverance, yet, blessed be the Lord, it was an effectual one; for instead of distress, fears, and doubts, I had peace, quietness, and assurance, and trust that this was the time that I was converted, and experimentally made acquainted, that I was a new creature in Christ Jesus. Although so short my stay in this place, yet I could see it was the Lord's appointment; for here was this marvellous and mysterious event and circumstance

to take place; after this, returned to my home at Smeeth, there continued until February 4, 1823, when I was removed to Eythorn, in Kent-had been there only six weeks when I heard of the weighty news of the great bereavement of a dear, kind, and indulgent father, who died on the 9th of March. Much shocked at the news thereof, for a short time, I exclaimed, Lord, what must I do? When the words, "Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God," (Heb. xii. 2,) were applied to my soul in a most astonishing way, so as to be quite passive to this event; which I always dreaded, fearing it would be more than I could endure. This was a word in season indeed; I was still as a stone, and with a mind of sweet composure exclaimed, "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job i. 21. I attended the Baptist chapel there; and after giving a testimony of my conversion, as a reason of the hope that was within me, with meekness and fear, was baptised July 6th, 1823, and received into the church, July 20th, and partook of the Lord's Supper. And for what, I trust the Lord had wrought within me; and my thus openly declaring my attachment to the Saviour, by this solemn and public profession, I endured a long, trying, and severe persecution, which is only known to the Lord and my poor soul; but in this I forbear. Indeed, it might be justly said of me, "God setteth the solitary in families." Psalm lxviii. 6. I remained in that church until the 10th of December, 1826; when I was excommunicated for concealing a note of hand that was put into my hands. About Christmas, of the same year, I was sadly and suddenly caught in a snare; disgraced my profession-and awfully wounded my soul. It was a circumstance I always had the greatest aversion to; and yet, alas! I fell into it. That very evening was I wounded to the very quick-thought I had been distressed before, but not equal to this; because I had not known the Lord, but I now knew him; or rather was known of him. But I was departed from him. Thus I went on for six months lamenting my sad condition, always exceeding unhappy; when I read the word it seemed all against me; and when I attempted to pray, there was often some passage on my mind to distress me. I can truly declare, I saw and felt myself the unhappiest sinner out of hell: considering that everlasting destruction, misery and woe, must be my awful doom; having no hope as it were, and as I then thought, without God in the world. Notwithstanding my great distress and trouble, was never so much concerned for others, nor yet so anxious to speak unto them the way of salvation.

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One, who is now in heaven, to whom (blessed be the name of the Lord) I was made, through mercy, a blessing: said, "surely, as you have so much to say of the freeness of Christ's salvation, that you must have a hope in him?" I replied, none for me, but a blessed one for such as you." I went far and near to hear in those days, but could receive no abiding comfort or consolation, until about the month of June; I was very desirous to converse with an individual about Jesus and his free-grace salvation; when, after stating the fall, and attempting to shew we all justly deserved eternal damnation, he replied, "God would be unjust to damn him." I answered,

HAPPY KNOWL HILL.

"he would be just to damn me to all eternity for the best day I ever spent." To use his own words, he said, "you put me in mind of what is written in the Bible about the Pharisee and the Publican; you are the publican and I the pharisee :" which words, the Holy Ghost applied with Almighty power to my soul; and delivered me, in a moment, out of my trouble. He seeing me shake from head to foot, said, "What is the matter?" I replied, "I would to God, you was altogether the same." Thus God wrought in this mysterious way, and that I afterwards saw-" That he may withdraw man from from his purpose, and hide pride from man." Then could I experimentally exclaim, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is

my strength and my song; he also is become my

salvation." Isa. xii. 2. Thus was I able to go on my way rejoicing.

In the autumn of the year 1829, the Lord laid his hand of affliction very heavily upon me; (namely, spasms in the head,) I was brought down exceedingly weak and low in body, not able to speak or be spoken to scarcely, day by day : yet, as happy in Christ Jesus as I could possibly wish to be; living, by grace divine, a life of faith on him. And twice did I conclude, I was in the very act of dying; begged of the dear Lord, if it was his will and pleasure, to afford unto me another token for good; and if not, I was satisfied. Almost immediately these words were given, with most blessed satisfaction indeed-"I know whom I have believed—and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Tim. i. 12. With which I could have died triumphantly in Christ Jesus my Saviour. Another time, quite as ill as before,

these words were a sweet solace, and as great a support to my soul.

(To be concluded in our next.)

Happy Knowl Hill.

MY VERY DEAR BROTHER IN OUR HEAD-Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from a Three One God. Amen.

We must say the Lord has done great things for us, and made our hearts glad. About five years ago, a gentleman, then living at Henley, called to see me; and after that, attended some few times at Knowl Hill; the Lord was pleased to bless his word to him, so as to give him a deeper concern about soul matters. He had been a hearer of Mr. Huntington, Richard Burnham, &c.; he is now eighty years of age; he well understood the doctrines of the gospel for years; and, in a measure, saw sin to be sinful; but not so as to forsake it. The Lord has been pleased, of late years, to open up the depravity of his nature to him; and, also, to reveal himself to him as his Saviour; and to crumble him down at his feet so as to constrain him to love him in return. He left Henley about two years ago. I received a letter from him some time past, to say, the Lord had impressed on his mind the ordinance of Believer's Baptism, and that now he must follow Jesus; after waiting some few times, I called on him, at Egham; had some satisfactory conversation with him on the subject; found his wife desirous also to follow Jesus, because he had done such great things for her soul. I shall not forget with what pleasure I and my dear wife were received by

265

them both. John said, "we know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." They said, their wish was to be baptised at Knowl Hill, and cast in their lot amongst us, as there was a union of soul to us, and the spot was dear to them.

The appointed time for the solemn ordinance was Monday, September the 17th, 1849; the dear old pilgrim, with his spouse, arrived soon after eleven o'clock; when they related a little of what the Lord had done for their souls; which was in a plain and satisfactory manner, it rejoiced our hearts to hear how the Lord is pleased to work. After they had related these things, we went to the pool; brother Webb gave out a hymn, "Jesus, mighty King in Zion," &c.

Gave a very suitable exhortation on the occasion, and prayed; a poor thing gave out another hymn, "Dear Lord, and will thy pardoning love, &c." A few words more, and a prayer; a solemn and a feeling time it was. I then took our sister by the hand, and we went both down into the water, and I baptised her in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; then handed our aged brother down also; and in like manner, baptised him; although very feeble, we went through the ordinance with much comfort and composure. We then refreshed our bodies with the good things prepared for us. Afterwards we attended the ordinance of the supper; I had the privilege to give our brother and sister the right church; and, I do believe, the Lord was with us hand of fellowship, and received them into the the Lord is in this place. Our friends said, it was there also, so that we could still rejoice, and say, the best day they ever had; our friends left us, to return home, and left us something to help us to pay our interest; so that it was, indeed, a good day, and we look at it as a token for good; and we are constrained to say, "the Lord has done great things for us," and our poor hearts are made glad, and we are willing to give him all the praise. B. MASON.

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