back dear Brother in the Lord, with what delight | weather, I thought I should no longer delay I read the interesting note on the wrapper the matter, and have therefore contrived to this mouth, from the individual so deeply copy, with a pencil, in a very indistinct way, interested, and my heart went forth in thanks- doing a little now and then, as my poor givings and praise to the Lord, that my feeble and addled head would permit me, his last breathings, with others of his dear children, three letters. I have given word for word, had been regarded by Him who is able to in order that you might be the better enabled preserve in the battle-field, in the midst of to know more of his character, mind, and dangers, as well as in the most safe and disposition, than you could do by mere excomfortable abode. Pardon my freedom in tracts. thus communicating these few hints, and may it be a little encouragement to you, yet to insert whatever your mind may be led to do; and as I perceive you do not escape without some censure or reproach, I would contribute this small testimony of one of the least among the brethren, that your labour is not in vain in the Lord; for many times has your writing as well as others in the worthy treasury, been the channel through which some drops of comfort have been afforded to my weary soul; broken down with affliction, and bruised through manifold trials and temptations. "If such the sweetness of the stream, Believe me ever, Feb. 3, 1855. 20th. When at Totness two years ago, he called at my lodgings one Sunday evening, when I was very ill, and read the 14th chapter of St. John. In doing so, he made some beautiful remarks, which my wife committed to paper the following day-so far as her memory served her-a copy of which I shall forward to you next month, should it be the Lord's will to spare me till then. I beg to enclose a note from a minister of the united Secession Church of Scotland, by which you will see how he wishes some account of his life should be published-a sketch of which was written and distributed amongst his friends by a lady in Glasgow, shortly after his conversion. I believe his sorrowing widow has a copy of it; if so, I will try to get it for your perusal, and it may prove a very interesting and useful article for the Magazine. The Lord has been very gracious to me since you left, and I am thankful to say my mind is more composed and submissive to his holy will, in taking home my beloved Tthough a sad loss to me, the only one I had any correspondence with for many years past using my pencil, lying on my back, the position I am now in. Beseeching your prayers for a poor, vile, miserable, and afflicted sinuer, I remain very sincerely and affectionately yours, Plymouth, Dec. 19, 1854. W. M. Totness, Sept. 9, 1854. MY VERY DEAR W-, I take your hint, that you expect I should write, and direct for you at the post-office. There was a postmark on your previous paper, so that I concluded you had reached Launceston. Well, A DEPARTED BROTHER. we pray the change may be beneficial to all of you, though we were much disappointed To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine. your steps had not been directed this way, MY DEAR AND VALUED FRIEND,-When I It is our privilege to believe that the Lord last had the pleasure of seeing you here with directs our steps, and that wherever we are, our dear Brother G, it was understood He is with us, and that to bless us. Once that he should again call very soon to ar- blessed of the Lord, blessed for ever. Не range and prepare some account of the sud- never reverses his blessing, because He den and most unexpected departure of my changeth not: "Therefore," it is added, "ye dearly-beloved Brother in the Lord, Thomas sons of Jacob are not consumed." L-, who was a Paymaster in the Royal striking instance of this in our first parents. Navy, and to forward the same to you, be- When they came forth in all the beauty of lieving it would be a very interesting paper their creation, fresh from the hands of their for the Magazine. But as I have not Maker, it is said, "God blessed them." Afhad the pleasure of seeing him here since-terwards Eve listens to the tempter, and owing, I suppose, to his time being other believes him rather than God; and thus wise occupied the short days, and bad prostrate at the tempter's feet, she entices Mark a her husband and he, rather than leave her, sets at nought the command of his God, and foully falls with his eyes open. Could anything else be expected to follow than the curse of God? for both became dead in trespasses and sins (i. e.), at enmity against their Creator, hating their God and his holiness. "But hear, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth," the Lord said only, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake." Why was this?" Because whom the Lord loveth, He loveth unto the end;" and that there was an atonement made for their sin in covenant engagements by the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world." Glorious news for us poor sinners, who look to, and rely on this covenant, whereby we were saved even before we were born! This is the grand secret which can only be known by those who fear the Lord; for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,' and all who have this fear, will ultimately be brought to know this glorious covenant, and to rejoice in the finished salvation of their God and Saviour. T. Totness, Oct. 9, 1854. darkness, as far as feelings are concerned. We are saved by the atonement of Jesus, or we are not saved. If not already saved in God's view, we never can be saved, because we are not of those who were chosen in Jesus before the foundation of the world. Of what avail then are all our fears and auxieties about our salvation! Let us only be careful to keep our feet (our daily goings) as clean as may be, and believe the fact that we are already saved with an everlasting salvation in Jesus, which neither man nor devils, nor our own wicked fleshly nature can reverse. Our united love be with you all, and believe me to remain in the best of bonds, ever affec tionately yours, T. The following is the last he ever wrote, or put his hand to paper. It was on a Monday, and on that day week his earthly tabernacle was committed to its bed of rest, there to wait for that blessed and glorious resurrection of which he writes, when soul and body will be re-united; "when the entire man will be spiritualized, and see our Saviour face to face." It would appear that he was then in the enjoyment of such glory, by anticipation; and it would seem as if he was taking leave of me, by committing me to the care of our glorious Comforter, as he was then doing his own soul. Totness, Nov. 6, 1854. MY VERY DEAR W-, We were highly interested in your diary; but sad-sad it is, to see how much you must have suffered through the enemy of our souls taking advantage of your bodily infirmities. It is in the fleshly nature of the Christian, that all doubts MY VERY DEAR W-, We were sorry to and fears have their seat and origin. We hear such poor accounts of your health from were saved by Christ's work before even we your messenger, by whom you sent "Rudhad a literal being. Believest thou this? man's Memoir," for which I have to thank (i. e.), that you were crucified with Christ, you, as well as for the beautiful and heartand rose again in Him as effectually for your stirring little publication of, "Rest in Christ." salvation, as if your body had been nailed to If you have any communication with the the cross, &c. You do not believe the glo- Authoress, do say it much pleased, and indeed rious fact in its simplicity, and hence the delighted a brother in Jesus, who could redevil has power to harass you by doubts and joice with her, and join in praises to Him fears, though the Lord has from time to time who hath enabled us equally with Mary, to given you tokens of his love, and that you"Magnify the Lord with our souls, and in are in Him to the glory and praise of his free-grace. Now that the Lord has in some measure restored you, ponder on his finished work for poor sinners, whereby only we are saved; and on the fact that all doubts and fears for our salvation are dishonouring to our Lord, virtually saying with Cain (marginal reading), "Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven." Is this suitable to the believer in Jesus? Have you not come to Jesus? Then what does He say, and his word will stand fast for ever, "He that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Well, but you have been in great tribulation of mind. Could you help yourself? No. But remember, your tribulation will neither save you nor damn you. The same exhortation applies equally to us that Paul gave to Timothy, "Be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus." The quietness of an enlightened soul has this basis of faith to rest on in the midst of our spirits to rejoice in God our Saviour." Would that our spirits could always rejoice in Him; but in this our pilgrimage state, our faculties are incapable of fully appreciat ing the glory of the Lord's salvation in any. thing equal to the degree of its enjoyment, when we get the glorified bodies which are in reserve for us. Even our emancipated spirits at the day of our natural death, will be capa ble of enjoying such a blissful state, as we can only in our most favoured moments here just taste. But at the resurrection of our bodies, when our entire man shall be spiri tualized, and see our Saviour face to face, what flight of imagination now can say, what will then be the extent of our bliss! Let us in the mean time harbour not a doubt that such extreme happiness awaits us through Jesus, "Dying for our sins, and rising for our justification," and thus "fight the good fight of faith" to the end, by the power of our glorious Comforter. To his care I commend you, my brother in Jesus, as I do my own soul. At last the Independent Minister here got me to preach in his Chapel. He was to be away for a Parson's week. He had a minister for the Sunday, but no supply for the two Thursdays; and if I did not preach, he said the chapel would be shut on these his usual evenings. I could not resist this appeal, and❘ I accordingly officiated to the comfort of my own soul, as the Lord gave me a readiness of speech to declare the glory of our creation and redemption from the ruins of the fall by our precious Saviour. If any one had prognosticated when I first came to Totness that I would minister a full service in that chapel, I would have replied, that of all things concerning my proceedings, that was the most unlikely to come to pass. But the Lord purposed that I should there call upon the people to praise and bless his holy name for what He has done for poor sinners. I remain ever yours, In the best of bonds, (COPY.) A RECLUSE. * I have been so privileged in hearing C.'s most precious discourses at Chapel, a dear old tried man. There was all that I longed for; weighty matter, solemn manner, and declaring the whole counsel of God; words of warning to dying sinners, not sparing to lift up God's testimony against mumping hypocrites, and loose Antinomians; evidently his subjects were chosen suitable to the state that church has been in lately. There was much encouragement for poor sensible sinners, whose fears led them out after Jesus, while he denounced the system of fears that some came with, to delude the minister. He spoke of Paul's thorn in the flesh being inbred sin, and was necessary to keep him humble. If you remove the ballast of a ship, it will rise; and if the sails be set, and a favourable breeze, it would most likely capsize. teaching of the present day regarding the practical part or effects of grace; in short it seems to me that ministers have run into extremes, and that from fear of legality, they have altogether lost sight of the adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things; and this has led to a terrible loose state of walk and conversation in the Church of God. It has been my lot to be thrown among those who have so staggered me by their pride, untruths, and boasting, while standing high in a profession; and I dare not say or think they are not the Lord's; for I know not how they could have arrived at what I have heard from them, if they had not been. This, and other things, such as witty speeches of a religious nature, and meetings where (if you may judge from appearance) they seem to endeavour to outvie each other in dress, have set me thinking and crying, “Hold thou ME up, O Lord," &c. I know we are saved alone by grace; but from inward experience I know if I go in the least thing contrary to the Lord, He goes contrary to me; and when He enables me to deny self, or do the least thing with a single eye to Him, I feel the reward, by his dear presence and sweet smile; and He has at times seemed to put out his arm, and drawn me up close to his side, especially when I have been standing up for his blessed attributes, desiring only his glory, and my self-abasement. Now when all this is felt, it is no use any one telling me it is vain; because the dispensation is altered, there is no promise holds good on obedience. I say I have felt it; I have had my Father's smiles when walking according to his commands, and 1 have had his frowns when going contrary, either by consultings or following the creature, or giving way to the gratifications of self. I was much exercised on Sunday week about where I should go; the flesh leaned one way, the spirit another. I begged and prayed to be directed, and not for me to have my own way. I asked for a word, when my eyes rested first on, "Plead for the widow" (Isa. i. 17). Who but Jesus can do that? Lord Jesus, plead for me. Then I read on, " If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." This will do; the Lord knows I desire Him to feed my soul; He has made me obedient, for self has been denied. It was too late to go to E- St., and willing He will make me go to Chapel, which He did. When got there before service, I thought on this text respecting the if, or condition, that because we lived in Gospel times, it was not done away with; for Jesus said, "I am not come to destroy the law, but to fulfil it." Therefore an if cannot be blotted out; but here is the blessI want, my dear friend, to talk to you aedness, "My people shall be willing in the little on a subject which I fear, from not day of my power." So that "if ye be good being able to express properly, you may think and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the me legal. If I am, it is not intended; but I land; and if so, it is alone in Christ you can mean, respecting the general preaching and be: if you are not, ye shall be devoured with the sword." The sharp two-edged sword shall cut and prune till you are made willing; for to the good land must all the children come. Remember, I am speaking of the effects of salvation, rather than of salvation; that according to the children's walk, so will they be dealt with (Matt. vii. 2; Luke xii. 47, 48; John xiv. 15). I see that the Lord's people are dealt with now as Old Testament saints were, regarding their outward walk. David sinned publicly; but chastening was public, and so now; we daily hear of instances to the same effect, "He taketh vengeance on their inventions," though their souls are all safe. But nothing of this sort is ever heard from the pulpit; so long as they get to heaven, their walk here seems to be of little moment. This is very selfish, and surely it should be our desire to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Oh, that He may keep me steadfast in Him; I fear falling myself. How dreadful it would be to bring dishonour on his blessed name. May He do anything with me, rather than suffer it. My dear Friend, tell me candidly if I am wrong or deluded in anything I have written. M. L. R. P.S.-Perhaps the Editor will kindly make some passing and profitable remarks, which may tend to strengthen and encourage a dear tried Sister in the Lord. THE COPIER. [Excluded as for most part we have been during the last eight or nine years from society, we have not been in a position personally to witness but little of those things of which "M. L. R." speaks. We, nevertheless, do not call in question the fact. For years and years our conviction has been, that there has been too great an amalgamating with the world even upon the part of those who we cannot doubt have the root of the matter in them. There is a sad falling away from that childlike Gospel SIMPLICITY, which is one of the most lovely features in a new-born soul. There is too much reason to fear, that even many of God's dear children have become heady, and high-minded. They "seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ's." Paul's warning is no longer a prospective matter; but verily the time has come, "when they will not endure SOUND DOCTRINE; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." We had proof of this when last in England. An exceedingly popular man was to speak. He was represented not only as talented, but SOUND in the faith. Alas! alas! there was entertainment certainly; but as to food for a hungry soul-comfort for a dejected soul-refreshment for a weary soul-light for a poor sinner in a felt-darkness, it was out of the question. There was not a particle of it. All was calculated to strengthen rather than to loosen the fetters of the really spiritually awakened. And yet after this kind of teaching multitudes of whom better things might have been expected, were going. "M. L. R." says, she has " staggered at the pride-the untruths-the boasting, among those who have stood high in a profession ;” and we confess, when in England, we were equally "staggered" at a dear child of God's making similar representatious. A child of God "lying!" We were almost ready to exclaim, "Impossible !" But if so-if allowed thus Peter-like to fall, there will be Peter's anguish-Peter's bitterness-Peter's deep, deep self-loathing, before there can be genuine peace, solid comfort, filial confidence. We are sure it is perfectly true, as our correspondent asserts, "If I go in the least thing contrary to the Lord, He goes contrary to me.' Most thoroughly certain we are, that, though nothing can affect the security of a believer, yet the willing indulgence of so much as one evil thought or polluted desire will bring a veil over his mind and a burden upon his conscience, which nothing less than the renewed application of blood can remove. The believer is saved for this life-that is, saved to manifest whose he is and what he is-as well as for the life to come. He is to be a living "epistle known and read of all men." Heuce the many precious exhortations in the word, addressed to the living in Jerusalem. As a Church and people, we indeed stand in need of purging and purifying. Heavy calamities have visited our lands. There is reason to believe, that even many of the dear children of God have fallen under some of these calamities. May the Lord, of his mercy, spare us those sufferings which still heavier chastisements would ensure. In the midst of deserved judgment, may he remember mercy." Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, where is their God ?"-ED.] TO "THE COLLIER." DEAR FRIEND,-I suppose you have before this time thought, that your 66 Scrap" socalled, did not satisfy, because you have not been requested to resume the subject. How. ever, I have been waiting ever since that time for an abler hand than mine-or rather that which moves the hand-for you to be kind enough to "Resume the subject;" and may the great Head of the Church bring things to your remembrance, and in mercy, condescend to give his blessing for his name's sake. I subscribe myself yours, THE TRICENTARY OF THE MARTYR- | noble thought, that upon that spot there DOM OF THE REFORMERS. To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine. MY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,-I enclose you postage stamps for the Gospel Magazine, and I also take this opportunity of congratulating you, which I do heartily upon your recent appointment. May we not see the hand of a providing Jehovah in this? He has given you some of those creature necessities which you require; but without withdrawing you from your present post of usefulness, where humanly speaking, you are so much wanted. May this seasonable providing goodness, my dear brother, lead you more and more to be a daily pensioner at the door of grace, and may it lead you to rely more unhesitatingly upon the grace and faithfulness of a covenant Jehovah. I would also take this opportunity of expressing to you my delight at the last work your Irish lads have turned out. "" Your KEACH on the METAPHORS," is a production which reflects great credit upon your" Industrial Printing School." Altogether it is a wonderful duction from them, and I earnestly pray that the blessing of God may go with it into many a Minister's study, and many a Christian's home. shall ever be a living man of God, to proclaim from time to time those blessed and glorious and died. You will seek to aid this work, truths, for which so many of the faithful bled will you not? Thanks be to God, the candle lighted in England 300 years ago is not yet put out; and, in spite of Romanists, and Jesuits, and Puseyites, a full, free, and gratuitous salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, is still proclaimed from many pul pits, and in many parishes. May grace, mercy, and peace be with you, my dear Friend and Brother; and if it be his will, may God long spare you to be a witness for the truth, and a son of consolation to many of his tried and afflicted people. pro Believe me to remain, JOHN KNAPP. TIDINGS FROM AFAR! You must not think it strange, my dear REV. AND DEAR BROTHER,-The time long Brother, if you seldom or ever hear from me; desired, when I can send you the names of a my interest in your work, and my affection few subscribers to the Gospel Magazine, has for your person, must not be estimated by arrived. And I assure you, it is as gratifying the frequency of my correspondence with you. to my own feelings, as it will be welcome to The Lord has placed me here to do no slight you, to find that some hearts have been work; what with the vineyard within, and the touched by the hand of a covenant God, and vineyard without, I think I cau in some mea-nade to vibrate in unison with those of his sure understand the experience of the apostle, 2 Cor. vii. 5, 6. Enemies to the truth, and they are legion, are bitter in their opposition, and antagonism from false brethren, oftentimes brings me low at a footstool of grace; nevertheless the Lord honours his own truth; blessed be his name, the word returns not void; many under deep concern are evidencing that the Spirit of the Lord is amongst us, and that for good; and the knowledge that the Lord is for me, quite and altogether outweighs all that the malice of Satan and his children an do against me. May I seek an interest in your prayers, that I may ever be faithful, and that the word of the Lord in this place may have full course and be glorified ? people in a foreign land. In my first letter of 1853, I stated how my attention had been called to the existence of the old publication which was begun by the worthies of Israel. Now, further, you will receive some small fruit of the Lord's working, and who shall say whereunto this may grow? Without any other solicitation than that arising from a perusal of a few odd numbers of the Magazine, seven persons have been induced to bring it to their homes and to their hearts as a companion and comforter. I believe they are at the same time, fully aware and persuaded, that it will prove to be what they desire, only as it is commissioned by the Blessed Spirit of God, and as it comes fraI trust, my dear Brother, you will not forget grant with the Rose of Sharon and with the to notice in your next the Tricentary_of_the breath of the Lord. How marvellous is his commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Eng-power and grace! He can make, what, to the lish Reformers; exactly 300 years ago (1555) world and to a worldly Church, seems a root Rogers, the first martyr, was burnt in Smith-out of dry ground, a rich and refreshing field, and almost every week during this year, cluster of knowledge and consolation! will be a commemoration time of some of that noble army of martyrs, to whom, UNDER GOD, England owes so much. Now that the market is to be cleared away, it is proposed to build in Smithfield a Church, to be called the "Martyrs' Church," upon the spot where our Reformers perished in the flames. It is a We have been led also to feel a deep interest in the Schools at Bonmahon. I procured a copy of Gill's Commentary, and an examination of it induced a bookseller in this city to open a correspondence with Mr. Collingridge. By this means several copies have been imported, and a way opened for |