in chance. We doubt if any believe in it, for men who disdainfully reject the Bible doctrine of predestination, believe in fate as doggedly as do the Turks. It was by a confluence of what are called accidents-more properly Providential incidents-that Joseph Hamblin saw his effectual fervent prayers answered, and in such sort as manifested a Divine ordering. He came up to London for a few days to confer with a friend on a subject bearing no relation to the pulpit, and in town met a minister who had been asked to preach at Lion-street Chapel, on the Wednesday, and could not go, and, at his request, our friend went as his substitute. We can fully believe it required all the courage he possessed to enter a metropolitan pulpit, for he was one of the most diffident men that ever lived. At that service were some friends from East-street, Walworth, then destitute of a pastor. After the service they sought an interview with him, which resulted in an engagement to preach at East-street, whither in another month we shall trace his progress.

An Ordination Day.

ON Tuesday, March the 3rd, we met together to witness the ordination of Mr. Griffin at Jireh chapel, East road, City road. On Monday evening preceding, we met in goodly numbers, to entreat the blessing of our God upon the day's proceedings upon which we were about to enter. Long before the service commenced, (and although the morning was wet) friends from Richmond, Brentford, Ealing, Hounslow, &c., began to make their appearance, and when the service commenced, the chapel was crowded in every part; and it was a pleasant sight indeed to see our "Jireh" thus filled with happy and cheerful faces. Amongst the ministers present were brethren Foreman, Hazelton, Milner, Wilkins, Dickerson, Geo. Webb, Wall, Hawkins, Parsons (Brentford) Flack, Silverton, Beazley, Downs, Edgerton, Maycock, Cartwright (Suffolk) &c. Service commenced by our pastor, H. G. Griffin, giving out the 367th hymn,-

God moves in a mysterious way,

when brother Hawkins read and prayed in very earnest and affectionate

manner.

MR. HAZELTON ON THE NATURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.

After singing another hymn,

Mr. Hazelton rose and said: I have been requested to make a few remarks upon the nature and construction of a Gospel church. I believe when a minister states the nature of a Gospel church, it is usual to take a text, I shall therefore direct you to 1 Cor. i. 2, "Unto the Church of God, which is at Corinth." The word church in common usage is taken to denote any denomination of religious professors, Hence we have the Church of Rome, the Church of England, and the Church of Scotland; and there is a very considerable number of professors, known as Nonconformists, and amongst these we have the Baptist denomination, to which it is our happy privilege to belong. A strict Baptist church is one that maintains what is called close communion, they believe that all members of the professing church should be spiritual persons, baptized persons, baptized by immersion, previous to admittance into communion and fellowship. After describing the various kinds of Baptists, our brother then proceeded to examine the meaning of the word "Church," as it occurs in the Word of God, shewing it never means a a material building of wood and stone, &c., but is frequently intended to

denote the whole election of grace, the mystical body of Christ, some were in heaven, some on the way, some in the world, some not yet born. Chosen in Christ, who became a mediator, and a redeemer for her, and each member is called and sanctified, and finally must be glorified. He then pointed out the various doctrines and consequences that rise out of this eternal union to Christ, shewing that we did heartily and thankfully believe them. The term church is used to denote the Children of Israel as the national people of God; hence the Lord Jesus is said to have been with the church in the wilderness. The word church sometimes means the body of professed believers, voluntarily assembled together in fellowship. Mr. Hazelton then proceeded to show what was the constitution of such a church.

I. We hold that the Lord Jesus Christ as king of saints, has left nothing to the will of men, either in regular worship or other emergencies. I (Mr. H.) hold that God has willed a church state (not a state church) and that is, people walk together not alone, and I must insist upon it that grace properly reigns in us, then we shall honour all the revealed will of God. Not only honour those great truths that make for our eternal salvation, but also the smallest command of our loving Lord. The church has not to command but to obey. This church state originated in the mercy and compassion of God, for Jesus saith to his disciples, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall lead you into all truth;" and Paul says, "That which I have received of the Lord, I have delivered unto you." He then most clearly proved that every believer desires Christian fellowship, and from those who do not desire we must turn away; and illustrated by Adam in his purity, that it was not good for him to be alone. Shewing also that as a true Bible church we were not schismatic, but the Church of Rome might be truthfully be called so. He then noticed three things in connection with the church's constitution.

1. That it was spiritual in opposition to political. Its head is spiritual, its members are spiritual persons, and their food is spiritual, and, therefore, to be a member of this church, each one must be born again of the Spirit, and thus excludes all infants, idiots, and ungodly men and women. stands at the very door and cries, "Ye must be born again." But,

Christ

2. He must own his discipleship and become a baptized believer in the Lord Jesus, as we do not believe (as our opponents have said we hold) that baptism is the door of the church of God as a body, yet baptism is the ritual door, not the vital door, and when he has followed the Lord in baptism he must,

3. Become (voluntarily) a member, and the church must voluntarily receive him, and then he has a right to the table and all the privileges of the church. If we attend to these things we shall hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Having shewn that the church of God was not national nor diocesan, nor parochial, but each church independent in its government, has a right to elect its officers, to choose its own pastor and deacons, to receive its own members, and to withdraw from the ungodly and inconsistent, and to pray for each other, and that such a church has two ordinances, namely, baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper, and that scripturally, the one preceded the other, having addressed a loving word to those who walked disorderly, he concluded with wishing us every blessing and much prosperity.

Our brother was an hour and a half in delivering this statement (of which this is but an imperfect sketch) yet the attention was kept up to its close. Brother Parsons then gave out a hymn, and Mr. I. Wilkins, of Soho, ascended the pulpit, and requested the deacons to give to the assembled congregation a short account of the leadings of providence. Mr. Geo. Pocock then stood up and read a paper stating that (the full account of course cannot here be given) the church had for a long time (owing to the retirement from office of our venerable pastor Mr. J. A. Jones) been looking to the Lord for another pastor; but to their sorrow the congregation became very low and the church members fell off. This led them most earnestly to cry to God,

and strange to say, two of our friends went to Hounslow, and heard our brother Griffin give an address, and they expressed a desire to hear him again, but being then settled at Richmond, it was not possible. When we heard of his removal from Richmond, we invited him in the month of May, and he accepted one Lord's-day; the people heard him gladly, thought at that time he was very low in health, and many hearts were made glad. He then supplied us on Tuesday evenings, and sometimes on the Lord's-day, but numerous engagements prevented his being often with us. After hearing him some time, we proceeded to take the mind of the church, and the result was a unanimous invite for three months, which, after long consideration, our brother accepted. The chapel began to fill, and many promises of support made if our brother continued. We had a special prayer meeting, and then took the vote of the church which was most unanimous, not a dissenting voice, and we deny the statement that a large number did not vote, it was but few and they unable to come. Our brother accepted it, and preached to us as pastor for the future, on the first Sunday in January.

Mr. Wilkins then called upon Mr. Griffin to give to the people a short account of his

CALL BY GRACE,

to which Mr. Griffin replied: I will try and tell you what God has done for my soul, and desire to begin where God began with me. I was born of godly parents, but very early proved that I did not inherit their Christian behaviour, or godly nature. I believe it was at the age of fourteen, when God convinced me of sin. I have had many natural convictions, but not till then did I receive any abiding conviction. It was the habit of our parents to keep us from the streets, as they considered we had evil enough in the heart without learning more with bad companions. However I was disobedient, and one day agreed with a boy to play with him in the street; we met, but to my astonishment he refused to play, alleging as his reason that God had met with his soul. Oh! sir, I can never forget that moment, like a thunderbolt it went to my heart, and a voice seemed to say, "All your companions will be saved and you lost." I could point out to you the spot of ground where that took place, it is burnt into my memory. I went home a wretched miserable boy, and from that time tried to be good, and hoped that God would forgive me; but I found sin was too great, and God's demands greater. At length I was brought into liberty by the dear Lord applying that verse to my heart, "Salvation, oh the joyful sound." I felt it was mine, and that Christ was mine, and that I was His; but in this state I did not long continue, for after a time legality began to work in me, and I thought I must do something. Mr. Griffin then referred to the awful temptations, doubts and fears, to which for many months he was subject, having once come to the conclusion that he had sinned beyond the reach of mercy. He referred in a solemn manner to his backsliding at the age of eighteen, and begged that he might be allowed briefly to pass over it, as the thought of it made his heart heavy, and his very soul to be sorrowful. He was again brought into liberty by hearing a sermon from the words, "I sleep but my heart awaketh," and went home singing and dancing along the streets for joy, feeling that all his sins were washed away in the fountain open. Many had been his days of trial, but many had been his deliverances out of them. Mr. Wilkins said: My dear brother, the friends seem interested, and therefore will you tell us of your

CALL TO THE MINISTRY.

Mr. Griffin: It is with fear and trembling that I enter upon this matter, but I will truthfully relate the circumstances. From my earliest recollections, I remember thinking a great deal about ministers, I reverenced the very ground they trod upon, and thought they were perfect, but time as taught me that it is a mercy for the church that they are subject to like infirmities, and require like grace to keep them as the private members; but when God

met with my soul, I was led very earnestly to desire the conversion of my fellow creatures, and I fear it was a very fleshly desire, but at any rate, soon after I was brought to the Lord, I began to preach at the villages round Reading, but pride rose up and spiritual death set in, and God taught me that I must not run before him. I therefore got into such a hardened state, that I thought myself some great one, but God humbled me and shut the doors against me; well at this I was very vexed, and did earnestly, but in a carnal spirit, entreat God to let me preach, but, (blessed be His name) He knew best and prevented. I was offered a college education, but refused, and in my wrath against the Lord, apprenticed myself to the drapery and had my membership removed to the Metropolitan Tabernacle, and determined to give myself to business, but when God set my soul at liberty, strange to say, a new and different feeling came upon me altogether. I desired to spend and be spent for Christ, and oh, with many tears I intreated that I might do something, it was to visit the sick, or break stones in the road or any private means, I was willing to do it, but in my secret heart I began to feel the burden of the word of the Lord. One day going down the street, I heard many preaching in the open air, but few the truth, and my heart was so inflamed that I stood up at the corner of Trafalgar street, Walworth, and preached Christ. After that I preached in a room with some success. But now a fresh trial awaited me, my whole soul was full of preaching, and yet I endured much agony in connection with it, that my business was neglected, and I therefore after much prayer, gave up my premium, and my masters' the indentures. I went to Reading, and there for three months I endured more than tongue can tell, every door was shut and I had determined I would not try to get into the work myself. O what hours of wrestling prayer have I spent with God until I have fallen, faint and exhausted upon the floor. I thought my head would have turned, but God was there even then. At last I was invited to Woburn Green, and for about three months preached there, but it was only a little room with a few poor, but real children of God, and many a happy hour have I spent with them. I now received an invite to Trowbridge for one Sunday, and sinking upon my knees I implored the Lord to grant that if called to the work I might never want a pulpit again; and I never have, I could relate many wonderful instances but I forbear. After a time I was invited for three months to Richmond, and then to the pastorate. I remained there about one year and a half, and circumstances arose which seemed to say "go," and so I left, and remember with gratitude the kindness of the friends generally. Had I had more experience and more forbearance it would have been well for them and me. I supplied various churches, and received three invitations for three months. I chose Jireh not as the richest, but as the one I believed God had called me unto.

Mr. Griffin then read a Confession of Faith, consisting of sixteen distinct articles, and in the thirteenth, upon faith-solemnly avowed his opposition to what is commonly known as Duty Faith; and in the fifteenth, his firm belief that baptism was necessary to and previous to admission to the Lord's Table. Avowing at the conclusion his solemn determination that if his views of truth and church order are altered, to resign the pastorate and vacate the pulpit.

Mr. Wilkins then called the church to acknowledge their acceptance of Mr. Griffin by standing up, which they did.

Mr. Dickerson then united the hands of the deacons to our dear pastor, making this remark, "This is a solemn moment, never let clamour separate you but only that which conscience demands. Oh! may you never abandon the covenant entered into." Our tears mingled with each others, and when our venerable beloved brother John Foreman, arose and took our young brother by the hand, the whole congregation as one man were moved to tears; our young brother seemed overwhelmed, and if ever the Holy Spirit entered into the hearts of pastor and people, it was then. Mr. Foreman grasping his hand

said: "You have just begun, I am about to finish my course; your experience is much like mine, and I am pleased with your Confession of Faith, it was clear and distinct and truthful. I believe God has made you a minister, may you be kept faithful to God and the people," &c. The ministers having given our brother the right hand, Mr. Dickerson concluded the morning service with prayer.

Service commenced in the afternoon by brother Flack giving out a hymn. Mr. Geo. Webb read and prayed, and Mr.

JOHN FOREMAN DELIVERED THE CHARGE,

taking for his text, Eph. iv. 12, "For the edifying of the body of Christ." He said: This is what you are to be employed about, my brother, and those doctrines which you advanced this morning as your principles, are the right materials upon which you may have some success. Before us we have twoobjects to notice,

1. The body of Christ.

2. The edifying of that body.

It is a very ancient body, yet not full grown, though in another sense it is. He then proceeded to explain and open up this body, as chosen in Christ before the world began, comparing the grafting of the scion on the stem, the vine at the same time shewing that it was against nature, so that it was but one body united to one living head. He then shewed the completeness of this body as complete in Christ, that he was made everything to them that possibly they could want. That they were sealed to him as his portion, and that seal never could be broken; that there was no contradiction in this body; at the same time and at some length shewing the absurdity of dutyfaith, free-will, and other false doctrines. All the members were not alike, but all were useful and all in their right place.

Mr. Foreman then proceeded to the edifying of that body. Telling our brother that he must not be discouraged with want of success sometimes, for God was sovereign in His operations, and it was sometimes sowing time, and sometimes reaping; that he must wait and watch and pray; that he was to look to God for his text, and by reading, meditation, and prayer, study to shew himself a workman, that needeth not to be ashamed. To bear with the infirm, with the halting, with doubters; to feed the people with sound doctrine and real experience; to tenderly and kindly bear with them, and explain the difficult parts of God's word as the Lord might enable him. To teach others what he knew himself, and preach experimentally, and to get all the infornation he could, but above all make the word his study; not to forget the moral law in his preaching, not to write indiscriminately, but as God's word empowered the characters described. Concluding by wishing him much prosperity, and above all the Master's presence and smile. We have not attempted to give even an outline of this charge, it took one hour and a half in delivery; it was a fatherly, sound, affectionate charge. Brother Dickerson concluded with prayer, and tea was served, over 300 sitting down to tea. Between the services Mr. Dickerson, on behalf of the church and congregation, presented our pastor with two hymn-books, and Dr. Gill's Commentary, in six volumes, Mr. Pocock having presented him separately with the Body of Divinity. Mr. Griffin in a short speech thanked the friends for their kindness; and then the evening service commenced by Mr. Wall, reading and praying. The chapel was densely crowded, and many could not gain admission.

Let it not be forgotten that the coming and kingdom of Christ must be looked at in connexion with His cross. He will never be lovely to any in His crown of glory, who have not admired Him in His crown of thorns.