Our Churches, Our Pastors, and Our People.

THE SUFFOLK AND NORFOLK BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. To G. N., PRESTON, LANCASHIRE.

DEAR GEORGE,-Knowing you to be somewhat extensively acquainted with Suffolk, and many of its inhabitants, and that you always feel a very deep interest in the cause of the dear Redeemer among the churches of the Baptist denomination, and, although now far removed, yet, from an old friend you like to hear occasionally as to how religion is moving on in these parts, as far as we can judge by the outward appearance, for, while 'tis God's prerogative alone to look into the heart, 'tis ours to look outside, and thereby discover of what sort the tree is by the fruit it bears. I intend in this letter to give you a little sketch of this year's Association, the meetings of which were held on June 9th and 10th, at Waldringfield, about four miles from Woodbridge, and a long seven from Ipswich, quite an out of the way place; the Baptist chapel is situated on one side of an extensive heath, close by the road side, it is a very nice chapel for a country place, and is capable of accommodating a good sized congregation. Mr. Henry Last is the present minister, he has here been very well received, and is greatly respected, much good has been wrought by his instrumentality, and many precious souls have here been fed and strengthened to tread the heavenly road. The pastor and people are struggling on, cheered by encouragements amidst many difficulties.

Sure we must fight, if we would reign,
Increase our courage, Lord;

We'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by thy word.

Four have been baptized this year, they have 112 members, and a good school.

You are aware I am of a somewhat migrating turn in my manner of life and calling, so, in writing, I am a regular rambler, and am likely to hop from twig to twig without much order or ceremony, but never make the least pretensions to perfection or correctness, so you must make out my scrawls as well as you can, and attribute all blunders and imperfections to my incapacity and weakness.

This summer my hap was to visit the south-east portion of Suffolk, and had you been staying with me for the last fortnight at the beautiful watering place of Felixstowe, I should on the morning of the 9th have tried the soundness of your feet by asking you to accompany me at my pace, through Faulkenham, Kirton, Newbourn, and on for Waldringfield. We should leave Walton on our left hand, where for several years the Gospel's joyful sound was trumpeted forth by that solid man of God, Mr. Thomas Hoddy, now of Horham; but in respect to sterling truth, the fine gold has become dim, and souls who go longing for pure and precious, soul-saving, discriminating manna, will be very likely to leave as they went. Oh! how fond people are of flesh-pleasing preaching, while an honest minister who sets forth that Gospel which separates the precious from the vile, is cast out and cast off as unfit for this world,

and from no class of men do God's own ministers receive more frowns than from the high towering professor, and no class of men are better hands at persecuting the saints than some professed ministers of God. You are aware, dear George, we have seen and heard enough of this in our native country, but all the church's enemies are chained, and can do no more than shall result in God's glory and the saved people's good.

On approaching the very large heath land at Waldringfield, the Association tent appears in sight; it has this year a new top covering, but our beautiful weather afforded no proof of its strength and ability to protect the people from getting wet. When the first glance of the tent was obtained, my mind was instantly led to contemplate the encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness, when God's miraculous interposition was seen, in protecting and supplying that immense host of people, and O the sweet thought, the God of Israel is our God too, and His mercy endureth for ever. The services of the day commenced with singing, reading, and prayer, and Mr. Bland, of Beccles, opened the business by a few appropriate remarks, reading the articles, rules &c., and called for the letters from the various churches.

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Letters from all the churches were read, with two exceptions, viz., Clare and Glemsford. Some of them were quite interesting, and instructive, like so many little refreshing showers of rain upon the thirsty land. Some were long and dry, and the best of them were those which were unpolished, which aimed at only telling out in simplicity, what God had wrought. Some were very small in their pretended greatness, and these I leave out altogether, but will just give you a few extracts from notes taken by myself and some few other friends on the occasion. I have been in the habit of visiting these annual gatherings for more than thirty years, that is, occasionally, when I could get at them, but I never witnessed so few people present, as on the first day this year; the tent was not near full during the time the letters were read, and in the afternoon about 400 were present. You are aware that most of the ministers and messengers belonging to the society are away from the afternoon public meeting on association business. never witnessed so few ministers present who were unconnected with the society; not one from London that I knew anything of, but it was said that a solitary one was there, but neither myself nor any comrades knew anything of him. The Halesworth church has had sore trials in the loss of friends, &c., yet things look encouraging, one baptized, four dead. At Rattlesden, the different agencies employed in the cause are well attended; four baptized. The Friston letter complains of the want of life and activity, yet there is a holding fast by the blessed doctrines of the Gospel, but no great success has this year attended them. At Grundisburgh five have been added by baptism, and five have died. The churches at Hoxne and Laxfield are highly favoured still; Mr. Sears is greatly blessed in the Lord's work, the cause is prospering, the means of grace well attended, and seems to be much enjoyed, eleven have been baptized, there are now 267 members, and 210 scholars. Mr. Masterton at Hoxne, is beloved, earnest, laborious, devoted, and very successful; God honours him, the word is greatly blessed, thirteen have been baptized, eighty-two members, and 136 Sunday scholars. Another cause in that part of the county, viz., Rishangles is also very highly favoured, twenty-one have been added by

baptism. These churches are not at all afraid of being disestablished, nor need those ministers cringe for state patronage and pay; they live and labour in the affections of the people, set an example worthy of imitation, and their arms are upheld by the prayers, sympathies and aid of their respective churches. The cause of God at Pulham St. Mary, enjoys many mercies, the ministry of Mr. B. Taylor is well received, the Lord blesses the word preached, and souls are saved. A new gallery has lately been added to the chapel for the school, and other necessary alterations made, which are all paid for. This looks well, the hearts of the people are in the work.

The past has been a very melancholy year for the cause at Charsfield, Mr. Thomas Leggett, the pastor, died March 21st, and about a fortnight later, their former pastor, Mr. John Runeckles, aged eighty-four years, committed suicide, having spent about half a century in preaching the Gospel. Dear George, what are we to say of such things? 'tis very solemn, for a man to make a profession of love to Christ, preach the Gospel, and seem to be an ornament to Christianity, yet die by his own hand. When you again write just tell me if you know of any Scripture, that will encourage one to hope a self-murderer is gone to heaven? I confess myself greatly staggered by such events, and don't know what to

say.

The little church at Great Ashfield, have experienced many sorrows since Mr. Wm. Snell left them. A little more than twelve months ago, a Mr. Henry Cooper went among them, and bitterly the people have repented since then for being so hasty on that occasion. The letter stated that although the cause had been suffering very much from the ill effects of this minister's conduct, so that many of the congregation left in consequence, yet the members, one and all, had continued at their post, "all honour to them for their conduct," (said Mr. Hill who read the letter). Echo says, all honour to those members for continuing true to the cause, in time of trouble.

Mr. Henry Backhouse, of Bury St. Edmunds, is now preaching to them, whose quiet manner, and searching ministry, will, I trust, be very useful among them; he has entered on a second six months' call to speak in the Lord's name.

Mr. Field, from Beccles, has gone down to Hadleigh, under encouraging circumstances; three have been baptized. The church at Tunstall is without a pastor, Mr. Baker has left, troubles have attended them, they respectfully presented Mr. Baker with a new suit of clothes when he left them. Fressingfield church records the Lord's mercies through another year. Mr. Caleb Broom, late of Little Stonham, is preaching there under twelve months' call, and Zion's Head seems to be prospering his way, five have been baptized, and other encouraging circumstances are also seen. The Saxmundham church has succeeded in obtaining a minister likely to be useful there, a Mr. House, of Hounslow, they seem to set steady steps; Mr. H. accepted an invitation for one, four, and six months, respectively, the minister and people both deserve credit for their cautious manner of acting. A bazaar was held on May 7th, in the Market hall, the use of which was granted on the occasion, for the purpose of raising a fund to pay off the debt of £65 remaining on the chapel; when the sale closed, the proceeds were found sufficient to pay off the debt. On the second

day, a tea meeting was held, at which Mr. Sears, of Laxfield, presided, and an interesting evening was spent. You know, dear George, I don't much like these fancies to get money for chapels, but different people have their different tastes. Mr. Kiddle has settled down at Lowestoft, has been afflicted in person and in family, was publicly recognised last month, their chapel debt is felt to be a burden, and they beg other churches to help them; the cause is growing. The Aldringham cause looks rather better than it did last year, some of their troubles are gone, but they have still days of sadness as well as days of gladness; five have been restored to them, they have not forgotten their folly in so hastily laying hands on a late minister, are still without a settled ministry; Mr. Churchyard, late of East Bergholt, is often supplying for them, have still a debt of £20 on the chapel. The cause at Yarmouth is making but slow progress; Mr. Suggate is still preaching there, he finds it hard work and inconvenient, being all the week engaged in business, and having to travel so many miles. Mr. Hosken is labouring at Gildencroft, Norwich; five have been baptized, and three siand proposed for baptism. They would like to see the teachers and many of the elder children of the school join the church; there are seventy members, and 112 children. Bradfield St. George is as yet favoured of the Lord, and Mr. Wright seems useful there, and is highly esteemed.

You, dear George, would doubtless like to hear more from other churches, but my time and patience are almost gone for this work at present, perhaps you will yourself be in Suffolk if spared until next year, when the Association is to hold its meeting at Somersham, which is by far a better locality for it. I must, however, just give you a few hints more about Waldringfield meeting. The Moderator stated at the close of the letter reading, that the letters altogether reported 124 as having been baptised, and a clear increase to the churches of 55, last year the number baptised was 95, and then made an appeal for money to assist the churches who were in need of help; some of the Ipswich traders were very kind in making provision near the tent, to refresh poor mortal bodies, but very likely they had some other end in view, besides providing accommodation for others; the genteel people you know, some of them, at least, patronise the spread that is made for the more fortunate race of mankind. This marquee was well stored with the good things of this life, and very handsomely decorated by the able hand of our old friend Mr. John Vince, of Bildestone, who stands almost unequalled in Suffolk for taste and talent in this business.

At half-past 3 o'clock we again repaired to the tent for the afternoon service, on the platform were Mr. Willis, now of Zoar Chapel, Ipswich; Mr. Woodgate, of Otley; Mr. Wm. Leggett, of Cransford; Mr. Pawson, late of Aldringham; and Mr. Masterson. of Hoxne, who conducted the service. He commenced by singing that lovely sweet hymn, 440 selection, "Come, let us join our friends above," &c. Mr. Woodgate read Ephesians 2nd, and offered prayer, Mr. Leggett sung 218 selection, "Faith adds new charms to earthly bliss," and Mr. Willis took as the foundation of his sermon Matthew xvi., 18. The discourse was well composed of the great foundation truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ;" these (said the preacher) are the words of Jesus, words, the like was never spoken with such love and affection. On referring to the verses preceding the text, Mr. Willis said, Jesus needed no information for himself, but the question was asked to arouse the attention of the disciples, and to draw forth from Peter that noble confession of faith, he being always spokesman for the rest. And the Lord Jesus in substance said, on this, the substance of thy confession, on this rock I will build my church, Christ himself is the rock here