I now began to pray for my relations that they may be brought as humble penitents to the feet of Jesus. Our sister was confined at home some weeks previous to her death. On hearing of her affliction I visited her; she then told me she had passed through great darkness of mind, and conflict with the enemy. Could not feel her interest in Jesus; doubting her interest in the inheritance above the skies, but the Lord had then, for the past few days, appeared in his still small voice speaking to her soul, removing her doubts and fears, turning the dark season into a Gospel day, for she then expressed to me she felt her interest in Jesus, felt she was on the Rock, and that Jesus was precious to her soul; that he could make her dying bed soft as downy pillow are. On visiting her the second time, a few days before her death, she was in the same calm state; was willing to wait the Lord's time; felt she could leave her children all in the hands of the Lord; for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain, absent from the body present with Lord. Thus ended the earthly career of one of the Lord's jewels, who had been kept and preserved in the gracelife for thirty years, and who is now in the presence of her Saviour enjoying the glory of that salvation that was her soul's delight in time. We tried to improve the death, Sunday afternoon, October 6th, to a large congregation and sorrowing relatives from 2 Cor. v. 1. Praying may the Lord sanctify and bless the word spoken to surviving friends. I am yours, in Gospels bonds, A CHRISTIAN DROWNED IN AUSTRALIA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EARTHEN "" VESSEL. KNOWING the deep interest you have always taken in the welfare of the tempted and deeply tried of the Lord's regenerated family, induces me to send you an extract of a letter from a dear friend who left this country about five years since, for New Zealand. Many years before he left, he was brought by the providence of God under the ministry of Mr. James Wells; the Lord blessed the Word to his soul, and gave him a deep experience of his blessed truth. He was admitted a member of the Church of Christ, at the Surrey Tabernacle, and continued so till he left for New Zealand. Arriving there, he was engaged by a large firm, in whose service he continued till he was accidentally drowned on the 13th February last in Poverty Bay, while attempting to swim ashore from the wreck of the mail-packet Star of the Evening," on his voyage from Napier to Auckland, leaving a wife and two children to lament his loss. His last letter to his mother, dated Wellington, January 29, 1867, is as follows:: MY DEAR MOTHER,-I am in a strange land amongst strange people. It is no small matter to be alone, I mean spiritually, to have on all sides those who hate that which I so much love. I have no doubt you have often thought of me with respect to this matter. The Lord has mercifully kept me faithful. I have been more favoured in communion with him and joy in believing than I ever had before. Still, I feel much depressed at times. No one with me, all against me, the Lord keep me, many are the eyes that are upon me, they cannot understand me. Truly I am alone, as the pelican in the wilderness, and as the sparrow upon the house top. The Lord only knows what the sorrows of my soul are at times, my own vile heart my inward and outward temptations, carnal mindedness, the continual opposition of the enemies to vital godliness. But blessed be my God he has not forsaken me, for he comes and lifts and sets me hopefully on again. I left home a month ago, have not heard since. It makes me anxious. I have been very unwell lately, hope you are well. Your affectionate son, WILLIAM HENRY WORRELL. In one of his letters, he said he had never heard a Gospel sermon nor found any person who loved the truth since he left England. He used to stay at home, and read Mr. Wells's sermons and the VESSEL sent him every month, and his Bible, and, with his wife, used to sing— "A day's march nearer home," not knowing he was so near his heavenly home. Thus he was enabled, by God's grace, to hold fast the truth born of God; born of God for ever. Those deep experiences of which he was the subject are sweet to remember to what they lead. "Though painful at present, The conqueror's song!" The Scriptures declare again and again that such mourning souls are blessed, and shall have an abundant entrance into that kingdom prepared for all who are brought to feel their need of mercy. Our departed brother was cut off in his youth being only thirty-one. But absent from the body present with the Lord is a great consolation to those left to mourn his loss. What a dark corner of the earth must be New Zealand! No Gospel truth to be heard preached for five years, yet the Lord still carries on his work in the hearts of his people wheresoever they are scattered. How little we prize our privileges in dear Old England, yet there are some who can sing with all their hearts : "Hail, mighty Jesus, Sovereign Lord, Thy glorious name Thy saints adore, One view of Thy dear smiling face, Rejoice our hearts for evermore, Blessed Jesus, mighty conqueror, Draw our wandering hearts to Thee." If you can find a corner in your EARTHEN VESSEL for the testimony of the Lord's faithfulness to our departed brother in preserving him in the truth, it may meet the eye of some poor tried child of God, and, under his blessing enable them still to hope on to the end, and the same shall be saved. Yours truly, JAMES MITSON. 28, Stamford street. QUESTION. MR. BANKS,-The writer would feel greatly obliged if you, or any other minister, who is accustomed to write in EARTHEN VESSEL, would give an explanation of the latter part of 12th verse of Jude's Epistle, which reads, "Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit; twice dead, plucked up by the roots." Oct. 4, 1867. A VESSEL" READER. BOOKS. A MINISTER WEEPING OVER HIS OWN SERMON. The Present Crisis of the Church of God is the title of a small volume just issued by Mr. Partridge, from the pen of Rev. E. Cornwall. It is a book for the present momentous time. We give here one extract. Speaking of the present race of popular and elegantly-philosophical race of preachers, Mr. Cornwall says : These ministers who thus strive to meet the popular taste-may seek to quiet their consciences by bringing ;forward some portion of gospel truth now and then referring to it incidentally in their discourses or, perhaps, after a long and exhausting sermon on some other subject or subjects appending a few concluding words about it as if they were ashamed to put it aside altogether. But surely this is little else than mere spiritual mockery or evasion perishing souls waiting in the house of where, after keeping hungry, starving God a long time without food, then to throw them-a few crumbs at parting! This certainly is not like the great mo 'el preacher who exclaimed, to the most refined and accomplished church in the world, "I am determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified''-not like him who went down to preach in a city of Samaria-and whose preaching is all expressed in one wordJESUS. Such a procedure inflicts a deep and eternal injury on the hearers. They want the everlasting gospel in one form or another fully brought out every Sabbathas much, at least, as would save those hearers who, by the providential appointment of God are never to hear another sermon ere they pass into eternity. Well does the writer remember hearing a remarkable illustration ofthese words from the lips of a faithful servant of God, long since departed. On one Monday morning he was informed that a man, who the preceding evening had listened to his discourse in his usual health-had suddenly been ushered into eternity. His personal responsibility to preach the gospel to men as dying men-as to those who, for aught he knew, might be about to appear at the bar of God-at once flashed on his mind. Rising anxiously from his seat ―he proceeded to examine the manuscript of the sermon which the departed soul had last heard, with the intensely earnest hope that he should find in it-as much gospel truth as-had it been there and then through the grace of God understood and believed by the departed hearerwould have saved his soul. To his inexpressible grief, after the examination was over he found the contrary. He saw that the hearers might have believed every word of that discourse-and remained unsaved. The sermon was scriptural and well prepared lacking in nothingsave the gospel suited for a dying man. Penetrated with a sense of his unfaithfulness on that one occasion (for generally, he was distinguished for the constancyardour-and faithfulness with which he preached the glorious gospel-and for very many seals to his ministry), he burst into a flood of tears and falling down at the mercy-seat, confessed before God with much contrition-his dread omission. And ere he rose from his knees -he made the solemn vow-that, with Divine help, to the day of his death--he would never preach a sermon without setting forth as much of the glorious gospel as would-if truly believedregenerate soul then present--who might be about to enter the world of spirits. -save any un The Whole of Deity is between the Sinner and his Sins. In a season of inexpressible grief, we opened a new little volume sent us from the house of S. W. Partridge and Co., entitled Winnowed Grain, by Denham J. Smith, to which we have before referred. The following sentence met the eye, in some measure touched our hearts, and we resolved to let the readers of THE EARTHEN VESSEL have it for their comfort-if the Lord the Spirit apply the words to them with the essential power-for, indeed, without this, all words fail to heal, or help, or bless. In one paragraph the good man says : On! what life-long slavery is it to wade through the horrible mire of our past sins! Instead of continually examining self. let us examine the truth, and truth will purify self. Where doth the truth put the sins? I would fain examine. O, blessed utterance!"I have BLOTTED out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins." Why, at the cross, should I be digging for the nails of blood and rust were driven into the feet and hands of Christ? Why not rise from sin to rest, from self to Christ? Does God examine us for sin? He does not. Our sins are" cast behind his back," with the whole of Deity between the sinner and his sius! "and are cast into the depths of the sea," ie., to unknown and unseen depths and are gone from His rememberance He says, "I will remember them no more. A Discourse on the Speedy Coming of our Lord, published by Mrs. Paul, Pulpit" office, near Paternoster row. "Where shall we be when He shall appear?" is the great question of this discourse, and, increasingly feeling as we do, the awful state of those who are not in Christ, who have not come to Christ, who have not thought or believed in Christ; and deeply concerned as we are to be clear of the blood of all men, we cannot object to the entreaties and the ex hortations with which this discourse doth close. If reading it is followed with the Lord's blessing, it may lead some to obtain, by the grace of a Triune God, the settlement of the question, "When He comes to judgment I where shall I stand?" "Perils and Penalties; or, Let the Old and Young take heed," is the startling heading of the first article in Old Jonathan, for October, publishing by Mr. Collingridge, and is illustrated by large engravings which increases our knowledge of the deep and dreadful snares which in this world abound. Drowning, poisoning, murderings, of every kind and class, startle and make you shudder at every turn. Oh, how wonderfully happy should all consider themselves who know the truth of Watts's lines"He that hath made his refuge God, Shall find a home secure above; The Work of God in every Age, By Rev. W. Froggatt; published by Jackson, Walford, and Hodder; is a thick volume containing comprehensive reviews of what religion is; what it has done; and what it is yet further designed to accomplish. To all devout and zealous Christians it will furnish information, and suggestions worthy of prayerful meditation. 4 Conference between a Papist and a Jew. This is an ancient reprint issued at G. J. Stevenson's, 54, Paternoster row, and contains arguments in defence of the pure Protestantism of Christ's Gospel which, for plainness and force of illustration, is really excellent. The Scattered Nation, published by Elliot Stock, has, in its November part, some papers of great merit, as regards "The Jews,' "The Last Times," and other themes which the students of prophecy, and believers in the coming glory of the mystic body, will be much delighted with. "The Memorable Hymn," a sacramental discourse by C. H. Spurgeon, is the first article in The Sword and Trowel, for November; it is full of strong sympathy with Christ, and with all his suffering saints. A paper on "The College" is also given, and much information fetched from the many fields wherein Mr. Spurgeon and his large band of workers are now employed. Wayside Lyrics, by George Newman; published at Whittaker's in Ave Maria lane. Sweet and simple beyond all that words can tell, are On the some of this poet's lines. great theme of LOVE, he says :— แ Amazing, free, eternal Love Whence all our comforts flow- Oh for that grace to strike the lyre, Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Prohibited by the Law of God, is lucidly stated by Rev. John Hannah, in a sixpenny pamphlet published by Mr. Elliot Stock; and may relieve some who are doubtful. Still, it is astonishing how little such parties consult God's order of things, when marriage is the prospect. By not sufficiently studying the Lord's Word, how many sorrows on ourselves we bring! The Rainbow, edited by Dr. Leask, presents the numerous shades, beautiful colours, and pleasing harmonies of the future Advent of the Son of God. Dr. Leask has a large number of talented contributors, and to persons who are at all disposed to learn more than they have received of the Millennial subject, The Rainbow will be found a profitable companion. Our Own Fireside, for November, has for its frontispiece, "A Forest Scene at Madagascar," and such readable essays and tales as will refresh any one who is disposed to read wholesome and instructive pieces. Dr. Chalmers driving the Hypocrite out of his Study would make a fine picture. My Log-Book, being Mr. John Bunyan M'Cure's Voyage to England, is attracting special notice. We were sure its simple narratives would do good. THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE PRESENTATION WATCH. WHICH WAS GIVEN TO MR. P. W. WILLIAMSON, Tipp'd in thy curious frame, Thou saith, "Dug from that miry clay, The cold, Adamic rock; Part of the Spirit's stock," To be work'd up some future day, The image we admire. Engrav'd by skill Divine; They shall in "good works" shine. What various thoughts they bring! The wheel encircling, wheel; "Ten jewels." Shall we count them o'er? "L Faith," Virtue," "Knowlege," these, 66 And so we know is "God-likeness," And "Love"--that gem so rare. That modest, lovely grace! As jewel ten we place. That main-spring! 'tis the love of God, So weak is faith, so erring sense, Should time miscalculate; The sacred, watchful paraclete, Then to the Throne above. The case we close: how shall we know Look at that pure white face: They keep their steady pace. Luna might shed her gentle rays, Soul, studious con the lesson there; Should warp thy hand of faith, Withhold anointing power; How point salvation's hour? Should warp, and twist, and dull the soul, Should Satan's snares awhile cajole, Whence could it gain relief? Thou fair engraved case of gold, The glass and pointers still enfold, For shielded well by Thee; * 1 Peter iv. 9. No careless touch shall work them ill, True as the moments flee. To shield our pastor from all harm; Thanks, teaching thing, and now farewell: In gentle accents seem to say, Which here make little noise. But who can tell ITS worth! Imag'd in every link I see Some wise decree of God. That first great link, it knows no date; They span and reach the soul, * Rom. viii. 30. HARRIETTE THATCHER. ONE YEAR NEARER HEAVEN. WRITTEN FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. Saviour Divine, we're nearer Thee, By yearly mercies given; With which the Church has striv'n: -one year nearer heaven. Nearer by ev'ry sin denied, And earth's rejected leaven; Nearer to Him, the Crucified, Yes,- -one year nearer heaven. Nearer to Him whose blood Divine, Speaks all our guilt forgiven; And at whose call we soon shall join, The perfect Church in heaven. The rolling months their sorrows bring, And grief the heart has riven: But let the saints enraptured sing, "WE'RE ONE YEAR NEARER HEAVEN!" Manchester. WILLIAM STOKES. |