Fadeless meadows bloom for thee, From Amana, cold and tall, "WHICH IS THE WAY TO HEAVEN ?" Suggested by a Child's Question. "WHICH is the way to heaven? Our sins may be forgiven; For thee shall heaven win; That spirits rise to God? § Isa. liv. 5. Is it by abnegating self, By labour never past, That when this life's care is o'er, Methinks there have been noble deeds, "Not so; the noblest deeds of earth Can never heaven win. God give thee grace, God give thee strength, God give thee light to know to heaven Down, through the mists of many years, But if they stand in heavenly rest They reached that shore when life was o'er "To God the infinite and pure, Who dwells in endless day, They who have reached the "better land," Have seen through great Emanuel, The only Way to God. Into men's hearts the light must shine, The voice of God alone can speak The words that bid us live. DAISY. Spiritual Correspondence. A LETTER TO A BROTHER MY DEAR BROTHER IN JESUS,-"I do remember my fault this day;" for I did receive a very nice letter from you, and ought to have written to you before this; but one thing I can say, that the delay is not out of any disrespect; for I think I can say, I love all that love Jesus in sincerity. I was glad to hear that you and Mrs. H- were quite well, which is a great mercy; for my own part, I am sometimes very poorly, and then a little better, but have every cause for thankfulness that I am in the hands of a most merciful, gracious, and long-suffering God. I feel happy to say, that the friends at B are generally well, and that the little chapel is well attended, and I think there is rather an increase of people, and there appear many enquiring the way to Zion, with their faces Zion-ward. There are now about twenty-six members in the little church, of all of whom we have a good hope, as being God's renewed children. We dwell together in the best of harmony and union, I hope, in Jesus as our spiritual Head in all things. The friends often talk about Mr. H- and say that they shall be glad to see you, and hear you preach at B again; they have heard that you are coming down to P in the course I of two or three Sabbaths, and they would like for you to spend at least one Sabbath amongst them; and I hope, my Brother, you will feel yourself quite at liberty then, as you did on your last visit. have no doubt but you are somewhat like me, feel your own weakness and inability for such an important exercise. I often feel as though every time I preach would be the last, and then I cry to the Lord for help and strength. Sometimes the Lord gives me such light into his word, that almost every passage seems a text for me to preach from; but this does not last long, and then all appears darkness and confusion, and I hunt almost all over the word and cannot see anything, and I feel quite at a loss, and think I must give it all up, and begin to feel a secret wish that I never attempted to speak at all in public, and sometimes I cannot fix my mind on any part until the Sabbath approaches; but I feel encouraged from past experience, for the Lord hath appeared for me in times past, so I go on in hope that he will this time also; and in general" the Lord is my helper," and then we find it a season of refreshment. Perhaps this is done that we might look more to the Lord and to the Divine Spirit to lead us into the mysteries of his holy word, and to quicken our souls, and to enable us to search the Scriptures more and more, that we might not lean to our own understanding; for what with the temptations of the old enemy to keep us from the word, and what with our own spiritual pride, we should soon grow dead and formal over the best things; and therefore the Lord will try us, and sometimes very sorely, as he did his servants in former times; we shall have trials and troubles, fightings without, and fears within, &c. your company. I have no doubt but the P friends would be equally glad to hear you; but I do think that it is more charitable for you to come to B, because the P friends, I consider, are highly favoured, and I was going to sayhighly fed; for, when Mr. T is absent, Mr. C generally supplies. But, however, this I must leave to your own discretion. Another thing, my dear brother: if you preach on a week-day evening there are many of our choice friends that could not conveniently come to hear you: and on that account, I had rather myself you would come on the Sabbath. And, although I say it, my brother, I think you will never preach to a more attentive people, and a more united people; and I do feel to hope from my very soul that you will not omit to give them all you can of your company, for I do feel the great importance of brotherly love and fellowship, and communion one amongst another for Christ's sake. My dear brother, I know that I am addressing a gentleman far superior to my. self, and therefore I hope you will pardon my freedom; for I feel great warmth in my soul towards you, and my B- friends; for I never felt more happy amongst a people in all my pilgrimage, and therefore I cannot help expressing it. When I look at you, my brother, I say to myself, This is one of my best relations. Oh! what are all earthly relations compared to the relations of Jesus? And the dear Saviour is not ashamed to own the meanest of his flock, oh, no! and this gives me encouragement to bow at his feet, though vilest of them all. I think, my dear brother, I never shall forget the visions that I had last night upon my bed. I was sleepless most of the night, but I reckon it was one of my best nights. I had such an insight into God's most holy word, that I shall never be able fully to explain; and my poor soul did sing and triumph in Jesus, almost beyond what my vile body of sin and death could bear; and I feel something of its blessedness at this moment; and I am sure I can sing and say, with Dr. Watts,— My dear brother, I was writing to you when your letter was brought to me in the garden, and had got just thus far in it, for I heard of your coming, and was about making my arrangements; and as there will be plenty of time for you and me to write again previous to your coming, I thought I would send this first to you,for, whatever I propose to you, I know will be quite agreeable to my B- friends; for they all with one accord are united to you in the bonds of Christian love, and, I am certain, would rejoice to see you, and to hear you likewise; and, therefore, II think I saw a little of what real poverty think it will be better to arrange it for you to preach at B all day, on the Sabbath of the 24th; and then, after that, we can further consult upon your preaching again. I know without any hesitation, the friends - will like to have all they can of at B "I'd give all mortal joys away, To be for ever blest." of spirit was, and what it was to be exalted in Jesus by God's sovereign electing grace, and love, which then filled my own soul. God bless you, my brother, and cause his face to shine upon you, and give you much of his sacred presence. Write to me a line or two by return of post, and say how you according to your desire. Accept of my settle it in your own mind, and I will act | Christian love, from your loving brother, R. T. Obituary. MR. AND MRS. WILD. DEATH has recently been busy in our midst, at Colnbrook. The wife of our senior deacon, Mr. William Wild, after a long and patiently-sustained illness, was relieved of all earthly sorrow on the 18th of August, in the 73rd year of her age. Although she was not in church fellowship with us, our brother Wild expressed the comfort felt of one who sorrowed, not without hope that his beloved helpmate and companion possessed that good part which shall never be taken away. When visiting our bereaved brother, his mind seemed greatly supported in his testimony that It was not on the hold which he had upon the Lord, but on the hold which he felt the Lord had upon him," that his spirit relied. But the severance of the tie that had continued here so long, was too much for his strength to bear. Truly, the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. He continued in a semi-conscious state until the eighth day after his wife's decease, and then "languished into life," perpetual youth, peace, and triumph in the everlasting arms. On the Monday in one week the family vault received the remains of the wife, and on the following Monday it was again opened for the interment of all that was mortal of our departed brother, who had stood a member of the church at last seventeen years he sustained the office Colnbrook forty-five years, and during the of deacon. On the following Lord's-day, an attempt to improve the solemn event was made from the words, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Several aged relatives are still with us, having their loins girt, awaiting the coming of the Lord. "Be ye also ready." Colnbrook. Intelligence. RYE LANE, PECKHAM. JUBILEE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH. ON Wednesday, August 11th, 1869, three services were held in Rye-lane Baptist Chapel, Peckham, to commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the formation of the church. In the morning a sermon was delivered by Mr. John Foreman, from the words," Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." The afternoon sermon was by Mr. Collins. A large number of friends then took tea together in the noble school-rooms at the rear of the chapel. At half-past six, the friends again assembled in the chapel, when a public meeting was held, ably presided over by our highly-respected friend, Thomas Pocock, Esq. After reading and singing, prayer was offered by Mr. George Cook. The chairman requested Mr. George Thomas Congreve to give a statement of the rise and progress of the church, of which the following is the substance: Fifty years ago, the hamlet of Peckham was a small, quiet, retired village surrounded by fields. A stage coach, slow and S. KEVAN. sure, conveyed old ladies and gentlemen to London. There is an old board said to be in existence now, on which the inviting notice appeared in connection with the coach, "To London and back in a day." The guardians of the public peace were two or three old men, with lanterns and staves. There was, at this time, one dissenting chapel only, within a radius of nearly two miles. Dr. Collyer, a man beloved by all, of whose memory the writer would speak with the profoundest respect, was then in his highest popularity, and a long string of carriages awaited the conclusion of his service. Peckham has since increased tenfold. The once retired hamlet now forms a part of the vast metropolis; and where there was one dissenting chapel only, there are now twelve. At the time referred to, many attempts had been made by various individuals, at different times, to establish a Baptist cause in Peckham; but all had failed. It so hap pened in the providence of God, that a certain Mr. Spencer, an active and wealthy In the course of a few years, the debt upon the chapel was entirely removed. The first highly respected deacon, Mr. Kentish, laboured incessantly in the cause, collecting altogether by his individual exertions a sum exceeding £500. Not only was the debt on the building thus removed, but the freehold also was purchased for £415. This too was all paid off by great exertion in 1839; and the freehold conveyed to trust; and the church was then left in quiet posession of a neat, commodious, and unencumbered freehold of the value of £1,800. On the removal of the late Mr. Kentish to the Isle of Wight, Mr. Jackman, Mr. Hawkins, and the late Mr. Henry Congreve, were chosen as deacons, March 2, 1843. deacon of the late Mr. Upton's, of Church | to glory, leaving behind a pleasing testistreet, Blackfriars, was removed to the quiet mony of their love to Jesus." little village of Peckham, for the benefit of his health. Deprived of the means of grace, this good man opened his house for prayer; and the blessing of God rested on the little assembly, a respectable barn being fitted up for service. The barn stood upon the very site where Hill-street church now stands. Ministers from London were invited to come and preach. The late Mr. Upton, Mr.Chin, of Walworth, Mr.Thomas Powell, sen., of Mitchell-street, St. Luke's, (predecessor of the late Mr. John Andrews Jones, and father of Mr. Powell, the first pastor here) were among the more acceptable supplies. The little band gathered strength, and on the 15th of December, 1818, after special and earnest prayer, a church of seven persons was formed, and on the 27th of the following month six other persons were baptized and added to their number. It was about this period that Mr.Thomas Powell, jun., the son of Mr.Thomas Powell, of Mitchell-street, was invited to the pastorate. His ordination service was held at Hanover Chapel, May 3, 1819. In the same year, without living to see these important events, Mr. Spencer (the good man before referred to) entered into his rest. His widow, however, continued to be a good friend to the cause. Subscriptions for building were commenced, and amounted to nearly £600. The chapel was erected at a cost of nearly £1400; and the builder was paid, Mrs. Spencer advancing the deficiency by a loan at 4 per cent. The chapel was then invested in trust, for the benefit of Strict Communion Baptists, holding all the sentiments held by the pastor, deacons, and the members of the church at the present day. On September the 1st, the same year (1819) the chapel was publicly opened; Dr. Collyer preaching in the morning; Mr. Powell, sen., in the afternoon; and Mr.Chin, in the evening. The collections of the day amounted to £68. Three years after the building of the old chapel, a Sunday-school was formed, by desire of the church, and has continued ever since, under the care of three successive superintendents. The first was Mr. William Cray; the second was Mr. Jackman, our present deacon, (who, be it mentioned, was the first boy entered in the school). The present superintendent is the third, and has held office in the school either as secretary or superintendent, for the last twenty years. God has blessed the labours of his servants. Many scholars have been added to the church; many have become members of other churches; many have gone home Mr. Thomas Powell, slept in Jesus, January, 1846, having worthily and faithfully fulfilled the pastoral office for a period of nearly twenty-seven years. ; And then followed a widowed state in the history of the church, which lasted nearly two years. Many earnest and anxious meetings were held. Many ministers came to Rye-lane, but the Lord's hand was not seen till the present beloved pastor, George Moyle, was directed to their midst. From the first, the word was much blessed and the providence of God, a door was opened for his coming. When it was certain he would resign the pastorate of the church at Artillery-street. A cordial invitation was given. This Mr. Moyle accepted, with perfect integrity of motive; no tempting offer of salary could be made, for the church was then weak, and poor, and at a low ebb. He came, we are assured, with a firm belief that the great Head of the church was guiding his way. On the 9th of May, 1848, the public recognition took place. Mr. William Felton delivered an able address on the nature of a gospel church. Mr. J. A. Jones put the usual questions to church and pastor. Mr. Henry Congreve read a statement of the leadings of God's providence in the history of the Rye-lane church, some of the facts of which are thus given in a condensed form. Mr. Moyle gave an interesting account of his conversion and call to the ministry. Mr. John Foreman gave the charge. Mr. Philip Dickerson preached to the church and congregation in the evening. From that time there was a steady increase, and with the increase of congregation the finances improved, and the minister's salary (very small at first) gradually increased. The church has more than doubled since he came. The father of the writer, Mr. Henry Con worked together for so long, more harmoniously than we. Twenty-one years have passed since the bond of union was formed, and twenty-one years have cemented the union more deeply still. That it may continue and increase, is the earnest desire of all. LONDON: greve was removed in the providence of God has blessed us more than many God with all his family to Australia. A churches with love, and union, and peace. farewell tea meeting and prayer meeting Perhaps never have deacons and minister was held in the old chapel, of very affect ing character, but deeply so to the writer. A large number were present. Shortly after his arrival in Australia, he was called home by death. Brethren Jackman and Hawkins were now left as deacons alone. Three years passed, and brought us on to 1855; it was then thought advisable that two more deacons should be chosen. The choice fell upon Mr. G. T. Congreve, (son SALEM CHAPEL, MEARD'S COURT, SOHO. of the late deacon) and Mr. James Martin, THE Forty-fifth Anniversary of the opening of Walworth. After a few years' service, of this place of worship, was commemorated Mr. Martin resigned, and brethren Jack-on Lord's day, Sept. 19th, and Tuesday, man, Hawkins, and Congreve, have held Sept. 21st. On the Lord's-day morning, office from that time to this day. Mr. Ibberson preached a most animated, A good substantial house was built for instructive, and deeply impressive disthe pastor about this time. The builder, course on 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14. The subject Mr. Archer, kindly erected it at prime cost, had been suggested to his mind by the He had been a member of the congregation very recent decease of a young man, a from the very first, and is connected with member of the church, whom he had it now; having worshipped here for fifty baptized about ten months previously, but years. The cost of the house was £320; no direct reference was made to the cirthe part of that sum not collected, was cumstance in the sermon. In the evening. borrowed by £10 debentures, bearing in- Mr. J. S. Anderson, of Deptford, discoursed terest. These were paid off by penny a on Luke ii. 29, 30, in a very interesting and week subscriptions in the course of about edifying manner,-giving us a good gospel three years. deliverance on the salvation of God, as Then followed events that are yet with-suggested by the text and the circumin the memory of most living friends. stances connected therewith. Notice was given of a railway coming to On the Tuesday, a tea meeting was held to take our quiet home. We ventured our at half-past 5, and a public meeting at a feeble protest; but in vain: the Lord quarter to 7 o'clock; Mr. Ibberson prehowever, appeared for us in all these siding. After singing and prayer, the things. He overruled the mind of a Chairman made some introductory restaunch old churchman to sell us a piece of marks, referring to the circumstances ground at half the price he valued it since, connected with the occasion. A report and a beautiful chapel was erected, with was then read by one of the deacons in gallery and every possible convenience. relation to the history of the church at Mr. Bland was the architect, Mr. Thomp- Salem and her pastor, during the past twelve son, of Camberwell, the builder. It was months, the present position of the cause opened Nov. 18, 1863. We have also a and its prospects. Thankfulness was exgood well-fitted school-room, doubled in pressed therein for past mercies and size about two years since, with class present blessings, and confidence in the rooms. Altogether a snbstantial property, continued goodness and faithfulness of which has cost about £2,300 more than God, as to his abiding presence. Great that we sold. In addition to the compen- good has resulted from the labours of sation by the railway company, our friends Mr. Ibberson, notwithstanding their frein six years have raised about £1,100, and quent interruption by severe illness. The the only debt on the building now is £130 church has been, and still is, favoured with remaining of a loan from the Baptist Build-peace, unity, and brotherly love, although ing Fund, payable by instalments, with at the present time sorrowing greatly on £100, and a trifling balance due in private loans. Surely we have abundant cause for thankfulness for temporal blessings in the history of Rye-lane. With regard to spiritual progress in the church, there has been a steady, but no rapid increase. Nine were baptized within the past year, nine in the year before. The little church numbers 144 members; account of Mr. Ibberson being about to leave; his continued and increasing indisposition having compelled him to give in his resignation of the pastorate. After the report had been read, addresses were delivered by our brethren Wilkins, Alderson, and J. T. Briscoe, on Eph. i. 3, Rom. viii. 18, and John vii. 17, respectively. These addresses were very good, and |