MR. THOMAS STRINGER GENTLY REPROVED. whole, the state of religion is not in a satisfactory condition; and even less so than it was at the close of the last year. Such seems to be the view of all communities concerning their own churches; and of most pastors concerning their own flocks. Never was the Church so free from fanaticism, enthusiasm, false fire, and spurious experience. Religion is taking more and more a doctrinal turn; the knowledge of sound doctrine is rapidly upon the increase, and the form of godliness is also extending, although not in proportion to the increase of population. On these grounds there is much to rejoice in; the thing, therefore, that is wanted is, When power is wanting in the Church, the Gospel never makes much way; and hence at present there is a general complaint, that the work of conversion advances very slowly, and that in the multitude of cases, it is almost at a stand still. Neither in England nor in any part of the world, is there any marked revelation of the arm of the Lord; even where there is conversion it is very much an affair of the understanding; the heart is very slightly power. concerned in the matter. Both the sorrow and the joy that marked the religion of an earlier day, are but slightly distinctive of that of the present. Sudden, decided, and striking conversions from the world were perhaps never, within the present century, so rare as at this moment. These facts strikingly indicate that Divine power is, at present, largely withheld. An Important Distinction. REMARKS CONNECTED WITH THE SOLEMN DAY AT HIGH WYCOMBE. DEAR MR. EDITOR-In the last Vessel, there were a few good lines "on charity; or the Golden Rule;" the next piece ("An Inquiry,") I am inclined to think was quite an opposite spirit, for it is evident it was a stab, at the proceedings of those who compose the Particular Baptist church at Wycomb, in reference to the solemn day on account of the Cholera. At that meeting, we met with our fellow-townsmen for, and on account of the dire disease which was carrying many off in our midst; and I do not see we were at all out of place. It is true, many present knew not the Lord; but it is equally true, that all there present had been spared, and surely if an ungodly man had been preserved from the disease, it was good to see them there to thank the Lord for it. None but spiritual men and women will thank the Lord for spiritual good received. But there is a line of distinction between temporal acknowledgments for temporal good, and spiritual acknowledgment for spiritual good received, at least I think so; do not we find in the word of God, that national mercies and blessings have been preserved and bestowed on account of national humiliation? I read so; and cannot a man thank God for what he receives? This was the broad principle we xiii met upon. We sacrificed no particle of When one would greet another; In such a Christian brother. love in such conduct; but such is the case No, Mr. Editor, there is not much perfect with a few professors here, who cannot go to hear any minister without kicking and pulling to pieces all that is advanced; and proving themselves as being so deeply taught; this is their line of conduct; this is their sentiment-"Stand by, I'm holier is their way of worshipping God; and this than thou." May God of his infinite mercy pull them down in the dust, and strip them enough to do to look to themselves, to measof their pride, and then they will have ure their conduct by God's word, also learn something of Paul's word, "I am nothing," Jesus in their spirit and temper, and the then we shall expect to see the image of worldlings will then even take knowledge of them that they have been to Christ's school, and hence lost all their vain boasting and Pharisaism, and they themselves will gladly join with David, "Not unto us," not unto us." Your's in the bonds of love, a member of the Particular Baptist Church at Wycombe. 66 [This is an excellent answer; we trust it will be productive of good.] Mr. Thomas Stringer gently Reproved. SIR-I rely upon the impartiality associated with your editorial capacity, for the insertion of the following remarks upon Mr. Stringer's piece, headed, "Pharisaic Persecution; or, Modern Popery," in the next number of your valuable Magazine. Let me, in the outset, just state that I am in no way connected with the proprietors or managers of the Southwark Chapel Burying Ground-that I hope I am not an arminian; but, that I am, at least, a reader and an admirer of the Earthen Vessel; and am exceedingly anxious that she should not be exposed to the danger which might arise from the frieghtage of combustible matter. Mr. Stringer, in attempting to throw, down "Popery," sets up another species of the monster! -the essence of popery is, pretension to infallibility. Mr. S. in denouncing the arminian dogmas, aspires to the triple crown, by appearing to assume that his own opinions are unmistakeably right: the Pope himself does no less, and cannot do more. Mr. Stringer takes upon himself to judge-condemn—and, to consign to destruction, the people whose "sentiments he hates," while his Master has told him to "judge not ;" and while it is God's province to condemn and to execute his own righteous judgement. xiv TO MY CORRESPONDENTS GENERALLY. Mr. Stringer feels grieved at the spirit manifested by these people towards him; and, in return, denominates them by epithets that savour more of the "image of the earthy than of the heavenly." What says the Word?" Recompense to no man evil for evil. Has he been used unkindly? What says his Lord?" Pray for them which despitefully use you." Has he been abused by opprobrious and awful names? Should he then, in retaliation, indulge in like excess, by a copious flow of extravagant and uncharitable expressions? I trow not-inasmuch, as it partakes not of the spirit of him, "who when he was reviled, reviled not again." In thus declaiming against the arminian, Mr. Stringer does not preach Christ-but himself. I is the effusion of the natural man, and not of the spiritual, and its effect is rather to rouse the spirit of the devil, than to induce to candid and solemn enquiry-for it is a carnal weapon and injures more the hand that wields it than those at whom its force is directed. educated man. He has been obliged time after time to dispose of his furniture; and him and his wife now make soldier's trowsers, the two earning about six shillings a week; he has seven children at home; all now in one room. I was thinking that you might be able to send him as a supply sometimes; it would be a great assistance to the poor fellow." Horsham.-T. H's evangelical lines on the preaching of the Gospel in No. 1. John Wade's second Spiritual Letter is for early insertion. John Howard's Chosen Vessel is acceptable; but we cannot yet crowd it in. Think we must make a Poetry book, as a Companion to the Vessel. Glad to find Young Timothy's heart is still in the right place. The late John Gardener-An account of the life and death of this afflicted child of God appeared in the Earthen Vessel for November. We give the following as it came to hand : able to testify that fact." "I remain your's &c. "R. G. EDWARDS." "My dear sir---In my comments on the life of If then, Mr. Stringer really does (as he affects our late friend John Gardener, I stated he had to do) pity their ignorance and their danger-and also some of the rich to see him, but that is all I would, if "he could transform them," let him can say of them.' Since which, I have heard still go on to expose their errors. But, how? By that they also have manifested some acts of kindthe light of the cross: let him go on preachingness towards him, and feel most happy in being Christ, and leave "Ephraim alone with his idols:" let him preach the truth in love, and he will find that the darkness of ignorance and depravity will be better discovered by the brightness and refulgence of "the glorious gospel of the blessed God;" which is "peaceable" as well as "pure" "gentle"-though "mighty in power." Your's, in the best of bonds, TIMOTHY. H. P. says, three letters have been sent, and no notice taken of either; the last one is a truly spiritual epistle, evidently written by a Father in Israel and this letter we shall put into No. 1. What, say you, is the meaning of No. 1? Why, No. 1, is a drawer into which all communications intended for insertion, are placed. Such communications as are of a doubtful character, are placed in No. 2; and those abandoned, are thrown into No. 3, until wanted to light the fire. S. Sidders asks "Is it right to acknowledge the receipt of some correspondents, and not others?" We answer, No-it is not right: but what is a man to do, situated as we are? From eight in the morning until nine at night, the postmen continue bringing letters; all around us now are heaps; answer all we cannot; we will do all the dear Master will permit. A Poor Minister.-A brother writes on behalf of a poor Minister of Jesus Christ. Reader! Peruse the following extract and if you know any destitute church that could give this afflicted brother an invitation for a few Lord's-days, let Our correspondent says "He is a well us know. South Chard, Nov. 12, 1849. Edward Warren's letter to Mr. Silver should be published as a separate tract. Mr. Silver's attempt to overthrow the divinity and correctness of the Acts of the Apostles, has sorely wounded many of the Lord's family. We did not expect such a man as Mr. Silver would have resorted to so cruel a subterfuge, in order to maintain his unholy warfare against his Baptist brethren. More of this anon. Mr. Silver is a rich man; in some respects, a learned and influential man; more than all, he is a GOOD MAN, being in vital union to Christ the only fountain and source of goodness; but he has shewn us how grossly a good man may labour to overturn what God has ordained shall stand. in A Weeper, at Chatham, is evidently a kindhearted soul. He says "My soul has been knit to you since last June. When in town, a friend lent me a small pamphlet, 'The Tree cut down but the Root preserved.' May I join you praising Jehovah for the blessedness of that scripture, 'Return unto me, O backsliding children, for I am married unto you, saith the Lord?' Here is a God of long suffering and infinite condescension, in not only wounding, but healing with the balm of a Saviour's precious blood; in not only causing us to return with weeping and supplication to his dear feet, but in remembering his holy covenant, I am marrried unto you.' What! married unto me, Lord! a sinful crawling worm of the earth? Don't you remember, dear sir, when he put the ring of everlasting love upon your hand and said, "Thou art mine;' when he clothed you with the garment of salvation, adorned you for your glorious husband; when he brought you to his banqueting house, and doings, and estimation of his people's conduct, is far above ours; and very far out of our sight." Samuel Smith, (of St Mary's, Lynn,) sends twelve pages of what he calls "lumber;" it appears to be of excellent quality; but it requires repacking. If the Lord permit, we will do this for him, and send it off as early as possible. said, 'My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is | But we must bear in mind, that God's thoughts, drink indeed.' O for faith to feed upon this precious Lamb daily, though it be with 'bitter herbs.' My heart is full, it seems ready to burst, pray for a stranger in the flesh, an outcast among men; for one who cannot be happy without the shining of him, who is the bright and morning star. Farewell." Blessed be God! Although 'The Tree Cut Down' came up out of sorrowful circumstances; and has been, and is, despised by men, yet the Lord has owned it, and made it a blessing to many souls. James Raynsford and the "Standard Party."In a long and friendly epistle from our esteemed brother Raynsford, he says :-"Mr. Banks little knows the contentions, and arguments, and oppositions I have to meet, against the Vessel and its Editor from the Standard party, in Sussex; nor how repeatedly I have been constrained to stand fast in defence of the Vessel and its Editor so as to have sold near five-thousand numbers among people, above half advocates for the Standard. This has not been done without more trouble, opposition, and exertions, (on the part of such a worm as me,) than Mr. Banks will ever know as long as he lives." We know that the strongest and bitterest opposition has gone out against the Vessel in every part of the land; but, in the face of all, she has increased more and more. 'Not unto us; not unto us; but unto thy name, O Lord, be all the praise." Ipswich.-Brother Joseph Flory's Peaceful Salutation is intended for insertion if possible. We are sorry so much ingratitude has been manifest on our part towards an old friend. It is not wilful, but circumstantial: we are circumscribed in every sense, except a supply of matter; of that we have a re-dundance. We have a host of pamphlets on subjects of importance and interest in these remarkable days. We would give the substance of them if we had room. We are more than ever desirous of spreading wholesome, useful, and really spiritual matter; and we could, now and then, make up an excellent supplement to the Earthen Vessel, but the re-printing back numbers and supplements are serious losses. Publications of this kind require more capital to carry them out effectually than we possess. James Osbourn's affectionate epistle to Mrs. Norris, we have promised to insert. That pledge (D.v.) we will not break. An Old hearer of Henry Fowler's.-Your letter on brother Powell's "Effectual Calling," is po The Poems-"My times are in thy hands,""The Mother to her departed Infant." The Enquiry, by brother Bradley-thankfully received. Matilda's lines are excellent; the Lord permitting, they shall soon appear. Edward Arnold, (Cuckfield,) a letter delineating the very vitals of Godliness in the souls of saved sinners, is put into No. 1. It ought long since to have been printed. Caleb Young's verses acceptable. Mr. Tryon. Mr. R. Claydon, Jun., of Lynn, insitively to be in the January number. Norfolk, has written to us once and again, charging us with impartiality, and so on. While Mr. Claydon is so ready to condemn us, we can assure him that our fears (respecting the man he so strongly supports) rise higher and higher. It is now well known in London that but a short time after Mr. M'Kenzie's death, the party Mr. Claydon refers to, did publicly denounce Mr. M'Kenzie as a false prophet; and sarcastically asked-" And where is he gone to?" Now, Mr. Claydon, if you are disposed to hold up such a man as that, do so; but trouble us no more. We will, however, grant you your request, as you consider it unfair to put Mr. Tryon's note on the wrapper; we therefore here insert it, that it may be bound up in the body. We wish that justice be done to all parties. Here then we repeat Mr. Tryon's note: "Sir-Having heard of a charge brought against me in this month's number of your Magazine, I obtained a copy to-day. There is no cause for my writing much. My note published in your October number was the truth. The persons, who your correspondent considers "of unquestionable veracity" had better give evidence. Truth will bear searching. I deny that the remarks alluded to in my note of September 11th, are truth. "FREDERICK TRYON." James Osbourn.-A friend in Baltimore, writing to his cousin in London, says :-" Mr. Osbourn is a mysterious man; many of his doings I entirely disapprove; but I am obliged to say he is a most highly favoured man; his intercourse and communion with God, are far, very far, before and beyond any man I ever knew. Did not his course in preaching and in all he does, please the Almighty, there would be a measurable withdrawal of divine light and comfort upon his soul, but there is nothing like it, hence I conclude that he does please. The Lord is merciful and very forbearing, I know, yet he is strict to mark iniquity. Brother George Kellaway's Half-a-crown for Widow Gorbell and Five-shillings for Poor Issachar, received, and distributed: he says it was given in answer to prayer. This does indeed make it ten thousand times more valuable. Hull. A tribute of affection to the memory of Mrs. Dinah Temple-by M. C. P. shall, (D.v.) be printed. An Important letter on the darkness that now pervades the church of the living God, by W. C. Powell, we sincerely hope soon to publish it is deep, solomnizing, and calculated to effect a vast amount of good to such men as can think. The Banner, by Cornelius Slim, in January. Letter by R. Eve.-Abounding in Hope; and, Christ is Precious; by Geo. Smith.-F. G. sends us forty-three pages on "Jesus, all-glorious and pre-eminent;" it seems to be a very choice lump of good things; but requires more room than we can spare yet.-Prayer, by Timothy.-Complete in Him.-Lines by Susannah, Bromley.-To James Griffen, Birmingham, I would gladly write all my heart, but illness, and a continued pressure, has prevented. Such a description of Doncaster ! Will try it some day. Brother Corbitt says, "I have read Thomas Guy; he was as bad a sinner, and as good a saint as I am; where he is gone, there shall I go." Let xvi DEATH OF THE LATE J. H. EVANS. every advocate for man's free-agency read Thomas Guy: a book of facts. The Confessson and Conversion of a late Methodist Preacher would have made a good article in this "Fly-sheet," but it must wait a bit. Lines on the Death of Mrs. Isles. Food for the Living Family !-Look here! Here are some blessed extracts from an excellent Ser mon by J. J. West, of Winchelsea; but no room for them. I promise them as early as possible. You may depend on it, there is some choice matter in hand for the Vessel, if the Lord will give us life and strength still to pursue our course. Maidstone.-Some of Samuel Simmonds's letters have been turned up in the heap. His writings are deep though frequently ironical; many of our readers would be pleased with them. The Gardener and Rose Tree.-The Christian Soldier.-Poems by Eliza.-The Chief Good.&c., &c. We have searched through two chests of papers; wearied, and worn down with the fatigue of examining, we here for the present relinquish the task leaving two bundles yet unnoticed. An affliction in the head prevents further research now; but, God helping, the early numbers of 1850, will bring tidings of some more long neg lected friends. EDITOR. Death of Mr. J. H. Evans, Late Baptist Minister, in John Street, Bedford Row. BEFORE 1849 closes up, it has pleased the Lord to remove another servant of his from the church below. Mr. Evans had his peculiar sphere of usefulness and labour; he had gifts fitting him for that position; and in that position God honoured him for ment is all that we can give in this Supmany years. The following brief announceplementary number: Some safe and certain delineations of the Footsteps of the Flock.-On my way from Billesdon Anniversary, I called on Friend Garrard, of Leicester-("The Watchman on the Walls,")-he was alone, and well; and told me he had been, of late, engaged in writing letters to some Baptist Ministers in America-(at their earnest request :) descriptive of the Baptists in England. It does appear that there certainly are some truth-loving, and God-fearing, faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ, in some of the States of that country: and they, like myself, are concerned to publish the wholesome and heavenly truths of the Bible far and wide. This made my heart glad; for I must, I will, confess, I do love Zion: her eternal foundations-her mighty bulwarks-her inward gloryher happy position, and divine possessions, are a pleasure in my soul, base, vile, and worthless, as in myself I be. I therefore inwardly rejoice to find any man, or set of men-who are labouring to lift up the banner of the cross, even though it be on the walls of Babylon. Beside friend Garrard there lay a book—a newly-printed book, entitled, "GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS." By Samuel Adams, M.A., Curate of Thornton, and Bagsworth, in Leicestershire. My fingers itched to be handling it: my eyes longed to peruse it. Presently friend Garrard went out : I snatched up the book, and found it contained some precious things. When he came in, he said—" Ah, that book is by a good man: a minister of truth: an Hunting-ped. The fall occasioned some slight wounds, tonian." Oh, I felt I must possess it. I offered to buy it; but he made me a present of it. I read some of it as I rode home to London and I am going to give a few drops out of this spiritual bucket, which has evidently been down deep into the well where living waters are, in my next. Reading Sermons. A Friend from Westmeon, in sending one of brother Joy's letters, says Truly, East and Westmeon are dark places nothing on a Lord's-day but sermons read; and though they may be sound, yet my soul cannot feed on that. It is, as you observed at Alton, like dry and mouldy bread; souls that are hunger ing and thirsting after righteousness, want pleas ant food, and cannot rest satisfied in a regular routine of forms and ceremonies, unless they find the living bread in them. I know from experience, we may frequently hear preaching as well as reading, and feel as dead as a stone under it. Yet preaching seems to me the most consistent way to expect a blessing, as I know not any Scripture which commands the reading of sermons in public. Christ sent forth his disciples to preach the gospel, not to read it." The Lines by James Raynsford, on the Queen of Sheba's Visit to King Solomon, shall go into "The Earthen Vessel Flower Pot, and Poetical Companion," if we are spared to publish it. This highly-esteemed man of God is now numbered amongst the dead. His decease took place on Saturday, December the 1st at Stonehaven, in Scotland. Although for a considerable time (not having preached since August, 1848) his nervous system had been unhinged, the immediate cause of his death was owing to a fall from a phaton about two months since, in which was Mrs. Evans and another lady. The horse suddenly took fright, and threw him off, the ladies retaining their seats until the animal was stop which, it was thought, would soon be healed, It is pretty generally known, that most WHAT HENRY LANGHAM SAYS ABOUT ZION, ETC. the sorrow of near relatives, but he had a xvii the captivity of Zion; when her Watchmen he became an altered man, and a friendship John Foreman on Christian Baptism. sprang up, which ultimately led Mr. Drummond to build the chapel in John-street, and present it entirely free to Mr. Evans for life, As a man, Mr. Evans was much valued by those who best knew him. The influence of his instructions, his example, and his prayers are yet in operation, nor will it be known until the great day, how far he has been instrumental in awakening the conscience, establishing the weak, comforting the desponding, and directing the inquirer. His published works are but few, but they all clearly show that his aim was at the heart, more than at the head, He has left behind a widow, two sons, and one daughter (by his first wife), and a loving Church, over whom he had been pastor about thirty years. To sum up his character, we may say, "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." It is remarkable, that Mr. Noel, now the pastor, had only commenced his labours the second Sabbath in the past month. Our MOUNT ZION CHAPEL,-Hill Street, Dorset Square. Lord's Day, November 25th, Brother Foreman administered the Lord's ordinance of Believers' Baptism to four persons, two males, and two females, before a numerous and attentive audience. brother's text was, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Alluding to the mode of baptism, and the use of these words by the Lord, as expressive of his sufferings; with suffering, or was he plunged, and comour brother asked, was Christ only sprinkled pletely immersed in that which he endured into a sea of suffering as it were, be called a for his Church? And if this being plunged baptism; what short of such a plunging is Christian baptism? He also observed, that seven times as much is said in the New Testament about baptism, as there is about communion at the Lord's table: and yet, because the former is a cross to take up, there is unceasing disputation about the one, but the other every professor is willing to observe, However, we will abide by New Testament practice, and our God will abide with us. W. H. A Solemn Circumstance at Chelsea DURING THE RAGING OF THE CHOLERA ON Lord's-day evening, September the 9th, around us, a young man was smoking a 1849, when the Cholera was raging all pipe at a beer shop opposite my house; he was in the habit of doing so; but on this evening, he was suddenly taken ill with the above disorder; was taken home, and died. How solemn! what a place to be in when arrested by the hand of death! On the Lord's-day-and in the devil's house! THIS bold defender of THE TRUTH, who is If brother Banks would let this appear in the "Vessel," it might catch the eye of some thoughtless young man who is in the habit of doing the same, and cause him to reflect, and to direct his feet towards the House of God instead of the devil's den. Let him who, instrumentally, converteth a sinner from the error of his way, remember that he saveth a soul from hell, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James W. C. |