A WALK NEAR HEAVEN. A NOTE TO SAMUEL FOSTER, OF STURRY, NEAR CANTERBURY. Dear afflicted Child of God,— I write you this line from a chamber not very far distant from North Wales. I am sorry your notes have been omitted; but I have been travelling and preaching nearly every day for a full month, and am now on the borders of Herefordshire, where I have been preaching the Word. The weather is wet, windy, and cold; the country is dirty; but the mercies of the Lord are new every morning; and I do hope you and myself too may have grace given us to bear with patience the trials of the way; and also that we may both of us be enabled to exercise so much faith in the future as sometimes to take down our harps from the willows, and-if we cannot sing yet—silently in our souls to say— Though painful at present, I will cease before long, I was walking yesterday-Sunday afternoon, April 19-between Ledbury and Hereford, in the wet and wind, when my thoughts ran into a direction which led me up to THE CONSUMMATION of that RELATIONSHIP existing between the LORD JESUS CHRIST and HIS CHURCH. "What will it be?" said I to myself. The answer was, spontaneously, sevenfold. It will be, said I, 1. A PERFECTION OF LIKENESS. "As for me I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." That is certainly the end of the great doctrine of Divine predestination, "conformed to the image of His Son;" and how strong the argument, "if we suffer with Him, we shall be glorified together." Perfect likeness will produce eternal satisfaction. No abiding satisfaction until then. 2. It will be a PERFECTION OF KNOWLEDGE. Then "shall we know even as we are known." How little "Oh," said Farmer Martin to me, "if you had seen my wife when her boy came home from sea-how she embraced him, and kissed him, and wept and rejoiced over him—you would not soon have forgotten it." No, indeed, Mrs. Martin is one of a thousand; and when her darling son came home, her heart was filled with joy. So shall the meeting of the Bridegroom and the Bride be one of perfect glory. He will rejoice. over her with singing, and rest in His love for ever. SALEM CHAPEL, MEARD'S COURT, SOHO. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.] More than twelve months have elapsed since Mr. J. Bloomfield ceased to be the pastor of Salem, during which period the church has been without a stated minister, and dependant on supplies. In most instances a church without a minister is far from being in an enviable condition, and Salem furnishes no exception to the rule; the pews become deserted, and the people wander from place to place. But after many prayers and much anxiety, there seems to be a fair prospect of a happier state of things, and the church and people to have a pastor to go in and out before them to instruct them in such things as pertain unto their eternal welfare. Though it is not quite decided, we believe we are correct in saying that it is very probable Mr. W. Ibberson will become the pastor of Salem. He is a young gentleman not yet quite finished his studies, being a student under Mr. Dowson, at the Baptist Theological College, Bury, Lancashire. Should Mr. Ibberson accept the honourable but responsible office, bright days may be yet in store for old Salem. That young gentleman can hardly fail to gather round him a numerous and intelligent people, and must take a leading position among our metropolitan ministers. Some doubts have been entertained lest his health should prove unequal to the strain of continuous pulpit effort. His voice is not strong, though clear and penetrating. He is a man of great promise, his style quite different to what we are accustomed to hear from our strict Baptist pulpits. Bold in imagination, chaste, but free in illustration, of the sacred Scriptures, he revels among Nature's alluring beauties, among authors, ancient and modern, sacred and profane; he seems to hold over his hearers, as it were, a pleasing mastery, while he tells to them the love of Christ, and the exceeding hatefulness of sin. In common with Mr. Spurgeon and others, Mr. Ibberson commences the service with a short, solemn prayer. Then, after singing, reading of the Scriptures by him has a proper observance, in lieu of what is termed expounding, which too often interferes with reading the sacred record, and very frequently causes beautiful sentences to be broken up to give way for commonplace remarks of the preacher's. Mr. Ibberson and his father, we are informed, stand members with the church at Warboys, over which the late Mr. Irish was minister; and Mr. Irish being connected with Salem previously to his entering on his career, thus by a chain of coincidences, Mr. Ibberson may be expected to have special sympathy with Salem, as the birthplace of his late pastor. During the past month Mr. Ibberson has supplied two Sabbaths at Salem with promising congregations, and we believe this is to be the close of his probationary period, but he cannot enter fully on his pastoral duties till about July, in consequence of his not being free from the College. On Sunday morning, April 19th, he preached from "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.' (Matthew xxvi. 41.) After pourtraying the memorial of the Passover, and some of the numerous conflicts of Christ in the garden, the preacher paused to consider the two great principles of Christianity—watchfulness and prayer. Prayer was the great principle of devotion, watchfulness the very essence of practical godliness. These leading ideas were illustrated with singular force and eloquence, calculated to arouse the sinner and to awake the Christian to a more appreciative sense of the power of prayer, and of the importance of watching for the answer from God, and against temptation, On the following Tuesday evening Mr. Ibberson presided over the anniversary of the Sabbath-schools. After the report was read, Mr. Alderson, Mr. Wilkins, and other brethren addressed the meeting. On the following Sunday, the 26th, Mr. John Bloomfield once more appeared among the people at Salem, the more immediate occa sion being to preach two sermons on behalf of the Aged Pilgrims. Of course, his re-appearance was looked forward to with considerable interest. The anniversary meeting of the Sabbath Schools in connection with the above place was observed on Tuesday evening, the 21st, by a tea and public meeting, Mr. Ibberson in the chair. After singing and prayer, the Chairman expressed the pleasure he felt in any way promoting Sabbath Schools. He was one who believed the Church ought to put forth every effort in furtherance of the cause of Christ, depending for success on the Spirit of the living God. In fact, what evidence had we of the life of God in a Church unless we saw the people putting forth means to bring in those out of the way. He believed the rod of Moses was still to be stretched forth, and he rejoiced that the Church at Meard's-court, while they believed in the sovereign grace of God, believed also in using the means of grace. They were met on that occasion to strengthen and stimulate the Sunday-school workers. He felt some hesitation in accepting the position he then held as chairman, but when he was told he should be supported by his dear brethren, Messrs. Alderson and Wilkins, whom he had long known, he was encouraged and gratified to have the opportunity of meeting_to promote for so good an object. He read of an old Roman soldier who, before he rushed into battle, had for his motto the three words, "Deeds not words." Deeds he was certain must be the motto of those who went forth to labour in a district like the Seven Dials. The report was read by Mr. Bearn, which stated there are 14 teachers, with 100 scholars on the books. Mention was also made of a foreign class, conducted in a separate building, by the Curzons, with 50 children, French, Germans, and Italians, and a few Japanese, the greater portion of whom were Catholics, and in some instances the priests had succeeded in withdrawing the children. Mr. Alderson, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated Mr. Ibberson as his old friend, in whom he took a deep interest, on his present position, and on the probability of his settlement at Salem. If he (Mr. Alderson) were to say what he believed he should say, Mr. Ibberson would prove to be the right man in the right place. This assertion was met by general signs of approbation by the assembly. Mr. White, of Chelsea, seconded the adoption of the report. Mr. Dexter, Mr. Wilkins, and others, having addressed the meeting, the proceedings closed. OBITUARY. EDMUND L. DILLON, Deacon of the Baptist Church, Howe street, Plymouth. E. L. Dillon was born in the year 1781. He entered the army at an early period of life, was made a lieutenant, and left it upon half-pay when about the age of twenty-six. At this time he was dead in sin, ignorant of himself and of God, an enemy to truth and to holiness, though, when at home in Ireland, he was brought up as a strict Protestant Christian. He left his regiment while lying at Plymouth, in which town he continued to reside for the remainder of his days upon earth. About this time he was led to Stoke Church, where he heard Mr. John Hawker preach. Under this sermon, the Lord was pleased to bring home the Word with power to his heart. His conscience was wounded, and he felt unhappy. Upon his return home, he said to his friends that he would never hear that man again, for he had insulted him, and told him that he was an infidel. Before the next Sabbath, however, his anger towards the preacher had passed, and he went and heard him again. From this time his heart was opened to receive the Word of Life, and his ear was nailed to the doorposts of the house of the Lord. Shortly after this, a friend insisted to go with him, and hear the father of Mr. John Hawker -the late Dr. Hawker. The Lord blessed the ministry of Dr. Hawker to his spiritual good. A strong attachment grew up to the Doctor and to his ministry, and with a strict regularity he continued to attend his ministry for the remainder of the Doctor's natural life, while a friendly correspondence sprang up between them, evidential of the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of the Gospel, which only ceased with the Doctor's mortal life. After it had pleased the Lord to remove his servant from the church militant to the church triumphant, the deceased was led to attend the ministry of the late Arthur Triggs, at Trinity Chapel, Plymouth, and here he continued his attendance until, in the order of Divine providence, the late Mr. Joseph Rudman was called to minister to the people worshipping there. Soon after this our deceased brother was brought to see that the New Testament order of Baptism was by immersion upon a confession of personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and was baptized, upon a confession of faith, by Mr. Rudman, and became a member of the Baptist Church at Trinity Chapel. But, oh! what a life of changes is the present state! In a very few months the Lord was pleased to remove Mr. Rudman from the labours and afflictions of this life to enjoy the repose and rest of being for ever with the Lord. Matters at Trinity Chapel soon became uncomfortable for the baptized members. A strong opposition arose against the nature and order of a strict Baptist church. This led to the removal of the baptized members from Trinity Chapel to Howe street Chapel, where a strict Baptist church was formed, and our late brother was chosen to the office of deacon. In this the more public part of his pilgrimage, as well as in his more private connexion with the Church of Christ, the grace of God was conspicuously manifested. ardently loved and abode by the doctrines, as experienced by the Eternal Spirit, of free and sovereign grace all his days. For many years after he settled in Plymouth, he was called to walk through deep waters of outward afflictions. His embarrassments, necessities, and sorrows were at times all but not quite overwhelming. The Lord was his support, his strength, and his salvation. Within also sometimes the waters ran high; the two seas meeting con He founded all his fleshly wisdom and power. Of In those days his personal interest in Christ was much veiled he could not see his sign. Unbelief and fears afflicted his soul. He possessed the assurance of faith in the certainty of salvation to all the chosen seed. the truth and reality of the doctrines of discriminating grace he had no doubt; but the enquiry into the reality of his profession, his religion, his faith and hope was earnest and incessant-often cast down and exercised with deep soul trouble, arising from the discovery of the treachery, rebellion, and abominations of his fallen nature, and begging, as for his life, that the Lord would show him his salvation, and give him that truth that would abide the test of the swellings of Jordan. Few manifested a more sincere attachment to the ordinances of God's house-to the ministry of the Word and prayer. He appeared to be ready at all times for every good word and work. While able to take his wonted place in the sanctuary, his complete dependence upon the Holy Ghost for the power, the peace, and the enjoyment of the truth, he felt and confessed. There were seasons when he rose by grace above all his fears and complaints. When the flowing in of strong consolation from the Word absorbed all the powers of his soul, and constrained him to sing most sweetly the living praises of his King, stereotyped religious phrases, neither from the pulpit nor from monthlies, could satisfy his longing soul: nothing would do this short of the living and springing waters of salvation. Many times has the writer witnessed the soft tears of joy running down his cheeks, while he has been drinking of the streams of the river which maketh glad the city of God. He used the office of a deacon well, and purchased to himself a good degree. Kind, courteous, and affectionate to his chosen minister; to his brethren in office meek, deferential, and loving; to the Church a willing servant, disinterested in labours, always cheerful however humble the manner, while promoting the comfort of the pastor, the peace and prosperity of the Church, and the honour of his Master's name. In the truth he was firm, consistent, uncompromising. Thus the mighty grace of God manifested itself in his life. For the last three years of his life he was scarcely able to leave his room, because of his bodily affliction. As long as he could be brought to the chapel in a conveyance, and by the help of crutches he could get to his seat, he attended the ministry of the Word. During the period of his confinement to his room, the Lord dealt with him very graciously, revealing Himself in love to his soul in a most marked and blessed manner. Never," were his words, "did I know in all my life the power of faith and the liberty of the Gospel as I have known it since my affliction. I can truly say this affliction has been sent by the Lord for my good." His disease at times gave him the most agonizing pain, being what is called the rheumatic gout, but grace enabled him to endure without complaining. 66 As he approached death, his mind became more and more calm, and he descended the waters of the Jordan composed, and in unconquerable peace. A few days before his departure, he said to his pastor, "Satan has assaulted my soul; he told me I was wrong, and that after all it would go ill with me. But," added he, with a heavenly smile upon his face, "Jesus came to my help, and brought me the. victory." This was spoken with triumph; it was the outpouring of the soul in possession of Christ, while in the midst of the waters of Jordan. While sinking in the deeps of the river, his hand held the victory. We saw the more: we saw his hold on heaven. Heaven owned its friend on this side. Let life be short or long, but, oh, for such an end! On Sunday, March the 1st, our friend fell asleep in Jesus, perfectly conscious, and appeared as though singing to his friends his favourite stanza "Should death be at hand, Since Jesus, through death, to glory has gone," aged seventy-seven years, having been a follower of the Lord for fifty years. His remains were conveyed to their resting-place in the cemetery, Plymouth, by his brethren, Monday, March the 9th, and on Sabbath last, March the 15th, Mr. F. Collins preached a sermon on the occasion from the words, "Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. xv. 34.) NEW BOOKS. We have received Dr. Carson's second edition of Capital Punishment is Murder Legalised; published by Houlston and Wright, in London. Dr. Carson is no superficial writer, no enthusiast, no novice he turns his attention to one of the greatest national and social subjects, and pursues his argument with an amount of ability, patience, and research, which reflect the highest credit upon the mind and motive of the author. Could Dr. Carson's thoroughly convincing arguments, proofs, and illustrations be extensively read, prejudice and dark superstition must fly and fall before the light of evangelical and reasonable truth. The Rainbow: a Magazine of Christian Literature, by Dr. Leash. This is a powerful pleader for the doctrines of the Second Advent, and of the Millennial Reign of the Prince of Peace. Whatever difference there may be in the faith of good men in these prospective themes, all unbiassed minds must admit that Dr. Leash leads on a large army of noble spirits who freely and beautifully unfold some things which to many persons are hard to be understood." In the inmost feelings of the soul we agonizingly wish that these days of man-worship, of error, of strife, of confusion, and of uncertainty touching elmost everything, were passed away, and that the Reigning King of Zion might be alone exalted. Our Own Fireside for April comes in as sweetly as doth a choice little. dessert after a substantial meal. It. is like a dish of pleasant fruits-no poison, no error, no dry, no dismal, no overdrawn theories, but wholesome tales which touch the hearts of many, and make them long to see Our Own Fireside again and again. |