Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

STEPNEY.-Dear brother Banks,-"In deaths oft" is not an inappropriate motto for the painful circumstances under which a gracious God of covenant love and fidelity has placed me for some months past; but he is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind. Only two months after the Lord took from me my beloved wife, her only son died at Trowbridge, Wilts, in his fortyseventh year, and was interred by me in our family grave; there was hope in his death. On the first of May was interred in Ilford Cemetery, Mrs. Cranston, an old attendant, whose husband was deacon to Mr. Wey; she had attained the age of fourscore, and died rejoicing in the truths heard at the Cave. The pastor improvied the event by preaching a funeral sermon from Psalm xxxix. 7, selected by herself. Next departed an old disciple, whose son, and wife, and daughter are members of the church. An old member of the church, aged seventy-nine, was next called home from this world of care and sorrow; and a hearer blessing God for truths heard at the Cave, was buried last week; and now we have two beloved sisters in the Lord, waiting for a summons: the one. the aged mother of our brother minister (Winslow), and the other the mother of a large family and the beloved wife of a dear brother in fellowship with us. Happy they who can say, "For me to live is Christ." O may the living God bless the survivors by sanctifying these bereavements, and when our time of departure shall come, may we be found looking for the appearing of the glorious Deliverer. Yours in Christ Jesus,

JOHN WEBSTER.

STEPNEY.-CAVE ADULLAM CHAPEL AND SCHOOL BUILDING SOCIETY. - On Tuesday, April 30th, was held the fifth anniversary tea and public meeting. Mr. Webster, the pastor, in the chair. The report shewed that the progress of the society is encouraging. It mentioned the death of one of the committee, Mr. William Grigg, whose zeal and service in the cause as well as Christian worth, have endeared his memory to all who knew him. It appealed for continued help on the ground of the noble objects in view; the ultimate erection of a building in which the Gospel will be preached, and the young scripturally instructed, calling to remembrance the labours of former ministers as well as the labours of our present beloved pastor, through the divine blessing as an earnest for the future. The cash account shewed

the balance in hand to be £147 5s. 8d. The adoption of the report was moved by brother Stringer, of Stepney, and seconded by brother Baugh, of Islington, who, with brethren Banks, Silverton, of Borough, and Lodge, of Cumberland street, in appropriate speeches, enforced the claims of the society upon all present. A collection was made amounting to £2 0s. 2d. Subscriptions and donations, however small, will be thankfully received by Mr. Webster, pastor, 9, Wilson street, Stepney, E.; Mr. C. C. Abbot, Treasurer, 82, Grafton street, Globe Fields, N.E.; or the Hon. Sec., Thomas Culyer, 91, White Horse street, Stepney, E., who will duly acknowledge the same.

HOPE CHAPEL NEW SCHOOLS.Dear Mr. Editor,-In your report of our tea and public meeting on the 23rd of April, your reporter has made a slight mistake which if not rectified may tend to do us harm, inasmuch as he states that the £200 required for the new building was nearly obtained, instead of which, we have only £64 10s. cash in hand with promises of about £20 more to be brought in by the next three months. Truly, many of our friends have offered to lend us about £60 in £5 loans, but this we don't want to do, neither can it be reckoned to our account. will, therefore, rectify the error, seeing we have collecting cards still out at work, you will much oblige us. One of our friends with cards almost met a refusal, as they were told that they had read in the Gospel Guide that we had got all the money we wanted. Our financial position stands thus: Cash in hand £64 10s.; promises for next three months £20, total £84 10.---In Christian love, yours truly,

If you

H. LYON, Sec. 1, Thoydon road, Grove road, E. May 6th, 1867. [Our reporter was quite misled. We hope this note will stir all the collectors up to greater diligence, and that good success will attend their efforts.-ED.]

BRAINTREE. -SALEM BAPTIST CHAPEL. The anniversary services of the above place, were held on May 8th, when Mr. C. W. Banks preached in the afternoon from Dan. vii. 14. It was truly a Christexalting discourse, wherein God the Father's love was set forth before time, Christ as the great Ancient of days in his reigning power in the kingdom of glory, and in the hearts of his church upon earth. The friends partook of a tea, after which the services of the evening commenced. dresses were delivered by brethren in the ministry. Mr. Beach occupied the chair, and opened the meeting by giving out that sweet hymn, "Grace, 'tis a charming sound." That being sung, brother Beacock implored the blessing upon the service. Brethren Smith, of Yeldham, Debnam, sen., and junr., Allen, and Mr. Banks, each, spoke in their turn. The choir sang a sweet anthem between, taken from the

Ad

138th Psalm. We found the season profitable and refreshing to our poor drooping spirits. The chairman brought the meeting to a close by prayer and thanksgiving. To our Triune God be the praise.

GLEMSFORD.-Mr. Joseph Warren has left this part of the vineyard. In a note he says:- Dear Brother,-All peace at such a time. I finished up at Glemsford last Lord's-day week. I shall be at liberty in May; hope you are resting under the calm shade of the Tree of Life: resting there though busy in the affairs of life. Ah! what times we live in; how fearful! I often feel lost in the scenes around me, and wonder where it will all end. But the name of the Lord is a strong tower: there I am safe, and nowhere else but there. Precious name! a hiding place from every storm; a place stored with every goodyes, all manner of pleasant fruits are laid up there; and he giveth liberally. We have a sure refuge, my brother, who have fled to lay hold. Wishing you every blessing comforting body, soul, and spirit,-I am, yours on the way home, sweet home, J. WARREN.

HOMERTON. MR. EDITOR, The correspondent writing in the May number of your magazine, (in justice to those who left) does not consider the state of Homerton row to have been affected by the pastor's absence through illness; but by the un-Christian spirit which prevailed before that) one would have thought from his credible information supplied, (and upon which he speaks so confidently) he would have learned that the un-Christian spirit was displayed by those to whom he is so anxious that justice should be done. A full and faithful account would not reflect much credit upon the seceders: the good effect would be upon those remaining. Yours, etc., HENRY PERRY.

DEAL.-The first anniversary of the reopening of Providence chapel, Deal, Kent, as a Strict Communion Baptist chapel, under the pastoral care of Mr. Richard Burbridge, was holden on Good Friday, when brother Comfort, of Forest hill, preached two sermons-morning and afternoon-that warmed the hearts of the people and made their countenances to shine. At five o'clock, about sixty sat down to tea, after which, a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by brethren Meader, Rouse, Bird, Featherston, the pastor, and our own brother Comfort. On the following Lord'sday, our brother Comfort again preached

three savoury discourses, and at the close we were constrained to say-What hath God wrought! ONE WHO WAS THERE.

PLYMOUTH.- Dear Mr. Editor,-I observe on the wrapper of the EARTHEN VESSEL for May, a piece headed, "Questions for Mr. John Corbitt, signed, W. E." My piece was signed with my name in full, and I know not whether it be the usual practice of editors to allow queries to appear by mere initials. When the writer has given his name in full, (however, I never reply to initials unless I know the writer.) Let the inquirer give his name and address in full, and I will make a proper reply. I have long since ceased to pay any attention to those craven things that hide their heads under the grass, or to those persons that would make a man an offender for a misplaced word (Isa. xxix. 21.) The most perfect are liable to do this; therefore, no one must expect perfection in such a rash thing as my querist calls me.-Yours, &c., JOHN CORBITT.

DALSTON. - ALBION HALL BAPTIST CHAPEL.-Dear Sir,-On Monday, May 2, our beloved pastor had the pleasure of baptising three persons on profession of their faith, at Mr. Flack's chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. The following Lord's-day, they, with one other previously baptised, were received into the church. We also received two in April. Others are waiting for the moving of the waters. We are happy in soul, in peace among ourselves, excellently attended, and the Word is blessed. J. GREEN.

TRING.-Mr. E. J. Silverton, of Trinity chapel, Borough, preached the anniversary sermons of West End chapel, on Tuesday May 14th. At the afternoon service and tea, a large number were present. In the evening the chapel was full. We had a right good day. We felt the Lord was there. All was happy, cheerful, and pleasant. Ministers present were Bennett, Woodman, Rickets, Cramping, Bell, and others.

FOXCOTE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.The anniversary sermons of Mr. Jacob Short's chapel, were preached on Tuesday, May 21st, by C. W. Banks. Our good brother Short is still preaching the Gospel in many places in the western parts. We hope he will be in London in the autumn.

CHELTENHAM.-The new iron church building for Mr. Jones, who left Bethel chapel, (it is said) will be opened shortly by Mr. J. E. Bloomfield.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

The Gigantic Powers of Sin.

SERMON BY E. J. SILVERTON, TRINITY CHAPEL, BOROUGH, SUNDAY

MORNING, MAY 12TH, 1867.

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."-1 Cor. xv. 57.

THE chapter shows us the doings of sin, how it lays the body low in the dust, and makes corruption of the fairest sons and daughters of our grand parents Adam and Eve. The chapter closes with a challenge, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" It is a very blessed experience when we can challenge death to sting us, and the grave to hold us; when we feel that we are so blessed by God that death shall have no sting, and that the grave shall not hold our bodies always, but at the judgment morn we shall arise to meet Christ in the air. Not only does the Apostle in this part of his epistle give this notable challenge, but he has given a decided announcement of victory, "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory." And then, lastly, in this chapter there is an affectionate advice, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Seeing that death hath lost his sting and that there is a complete victory over sin and death, it behoves us as the followers of Jesus Christ, to give "thanks to God which hath given us the victory."

I. But coming to the words let us first observe :-SIN'S GIGANTIC

STRENGTH.

In the fifty-sixth verse we find that sin is spoken of as having strength. "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." Sin is a very mighty thing. O what slaughters has it made in the world! We see its image at the corner of every street; in the family of every house; and in the life acts of every man. Who is there in this world that has not been marred by sin? It is a pernicious commodity that is found in every kingdom, in every nation, in every town, no matter what people, whether civilized or otherwise, they are all subjects of sin, for all have sprung from the original fountain, and are tainted by sin.

We turn first, and see coming from a lovely garden, a man and his bride with sad countenances, we behold that their breasts heave, and we listen to the deep sighing of those two persons. We see marks of glory and beauty about them, yet it seems to be veiled with shame and disgrace, and as they leave the garden of Eden, as lothfully as Lot's wife left Sodom, we ask them, "Why are you leaving this paradise? Why has thy Creator and thy God turned thee out? Why has he set a flaming sword so that thou shall not enter? Why art thou become thus cursed, O man! to earn thy bread by the sweat of thy brow? And why, O woman! art thou to bring forth children with great sorrow? Why is this gloom, this sadness? Why look ye so miserable?" And the answer comes from their voices amalgamated into one, "Because we bave sinned; because we have yielded to sin, broken Jehovah's.com:

mandment, disbelieved His word, formed a league with Satan, become friends with the evil one, therefore are we cursed and turned from our God to sorrow and to labour in this world that is to bring forth thorns and briars. How strong must sin have been to have blighted the glory, to have destroyed the free-will with which our first parents were endowed, and so helped to have so deluded them, to yield to the monster and to have lost their blessing.

We come a little farther and we draw near to a stupendous building, and as its walls are being reared we venture to enter and instead of listening to the distinct articulation of the master and the man, we hear a confusion of tongues, and no man understands his fellow, and the work is stayed, and we ask, “Why is not this Babel tower being reared to the skies? Why is not the work going on; and why are men now changed in their language? Why this confusion of tongues? And there comes a dismal murmur from them, and yet hardly plain enough for us to understand, but still we hear that these in the wicked imaginations of their mind and in defiance of Almighty God have sinned, and God has blasted their language, and stopped the work.

We are reminded also when we look back of the great flood; we see the waters swelling and swelling till the banks, of the mighty deep are covered; yea, we hear the rushing of the water over the banks of the deep, and it spreads over the entire face of the land. Now picture for a moment in your imagination the world covered with water and then while you see it flow higher and higher, until the highest mountain peak is covered, and all are drowned beneath the flood. Follow with me on angels' wings and fly abroad on the face of the deep, and while you flutter those wings about the door of the ark, ask why this deluge? Why are the windows of heaven opened? Why has God poured down these mighty torrents, and why are thousands of the sons and daughters of Adam swept away beneath the waters and drowned in this flood, and Noah with a deep toned voice, as in the presence of God, answers, "Because the sin of the world rose up like a mighty dense fog in the presence of God, and God repented that he had made man; so he drowned him from the face of the earth, saving Noah and his only.” How diabolical, how strong, how cursed a thing must sin have been to have moved Jehovah to have swept man away from the earth.

We descend the steps of time, and we find ourselves gathered round the exterior of a large mob, and that mob is gazing upon three individuals suspended between heaven and earth. We hear their railing; the cursings of the thieves on either side; we behold the pale and innocent countenance of the Lord Jesus Christ, and while we stand at Calvary's mount and we see this crucifixion, we behold Jesus being put to death, and we ask, why is that centre man hanging there? Why is he crucified? Why is it written above his head, "King of the Jews?" What does it mean? And while the clamouring mob are discussing his genuineness, as to whether he was really the Son of God, one smiting upon his breast and saying, "Truly he was the Son of God," another speaking of his miracles, another bringing proofs, "How could he have opened the eyes of the blind, or made the dumb to speak, if he were not the Son of God?" Again, we ask, why is he put to death? What does it mean? And the answer comes, "Because he was a sinner." That is the answer that the priest, the pharisee, and the mob generally

give; but then we listen to a voice out of heaven, and we hear Jehovah saying, "Not because he was a sinner, but because of sin, and because I determined to put away sin, He, beloved, became spiritually and significantly sin for us that we who are sinners might be saved from sin. He became sin for us that we might be presented faultless before the throne of God. How strong a thing must sin have been to have taken the life of Christ! how damnable a thing must sin have been that it was necessary for God's darling Son to go down to the depths of hell' to compensate divine justice in saving from sin. Pen hath never written or thought entered the mind of man of how mighty and diabolical a thing sin is in its nature. Go with me from this chapel in your imagination through prison gates, and passing through the dark dull passages of prison houses, look ye here into this cell, see that man with all the marks of education in his face and forehead, with all the marks of gentility, goodness, and kindness, and you ask the gaoler, why is he here? Ah, Sir, he committed a notorious sin. See from the youth of sixteen to the old man of seventy lying in those cells, and ask why they, are there, and the one answer is, because they have sinned. Have you ever seen (I never have); of course we have all read of the horrible transactions of hanging men, and as you see your fellow-creature suspended from the gallows, ask why he is hanging? Because he has sinned. Go down to hell's gates and listen to the dying moans of tortured souls, and ask why they are there, and the answer comes back, because they have sinned; because they have died in sin. Oh my hearer if thou art a sinner, unwashed by the blood of Christ, not dressed in Jesus' righteousness, sin will murder thy soul and plunge thee into everlasting woe. That will be God's judgment upon thee when thou standest before him to take thy trial.

Sin is stronger than pure man. Adam comes forth from his Maker God, pure, holy; Eve is created from Adam pure, holy; sin comes and does battle with pure man, innocent man, sin struggles hard for the mastery, and obtains it. It takes Adam's diadem, and breaks it before him and throws it to the winds, it takes his sceptre, snaps it in twain, and leaves Adam uncrowned, bereft of his sceptre, and sends him forth a man cursed of God in that particular that he was to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.

Sin is stronger than good resolutions. How often have you and I formed resolutions ! I can remember while a youth I have often resolved for days and weeks and months how much better I would be. I have made resolutions at the beginning of the new year, and on other particular days, how much better I would be, and I have resolved again and again that such should be the case, but sin was stronger than all my good resolutions. Man may resolve to be good, but sin and the devil resolve that he shall not be good, and sin is stronger than our resolutions. Sin is stronger than reformation.

There is many a man to-day walking in the footsteps of virtue and is, so far as morality is concerned, good; but the devil will trip him up again before long, sin will overcome him before long. No man is safe being simply reformed; it may be, and God grant that it may, that many of them, most of them, may continue in morality for a long season; but sin has often taken the reformed man who has been washed, and again thrown him into the ditch of sin. He was a changed man for a time

« AnteriorContinua »