borough. I think he has been preaching the Gospel in those parts for about forty years. The last few weeks he has been suffering from a most distressing mental affliction of mind; from my experience of persons in his condition, I very much fear that he will never preach again. He ought never to be left for one moment either night or day. How varied and how mysterious, and often distressing are the sufferings that are experienced during this mortal life; but this is our comfort, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that ye are appointed thereunto." All shall come, and last, and end, As shall please our heavenly friend. I took my leave of my afflicted brother, and of kind and loving friends, and proceeded by train to Raunds, and was met at the station by brother Childs, the pastor of the Baptist church, who drove me to his house, where I remained talking of the kingdom of God, and those things which concerns the Lord Jesus, until it was time to commence my lecture. At seven o'clock I was taken to the Baptist chapel, I commenced my subject with my hand as usual pressing my aching side. I did not intend to speak long, but, in consequence of the clock that deceived me, for it seemed to go just as it pleased, and caused me to speak for nearly three hours. For such immense labour the collection was not in proportion, the amount collected was £1 13s. 6d. ; but the friends say that I must come again, when they will obtain for me a better collection. I left Raunds next morning, amid snow and rain; arrived in London, very ill; when I called upon the doctor, he told me that he did not expect to see me again, for he felt sure that I should be laid up in the country. He said he would not prescribe for me any more, for it was impossible for me ever to get well, preaching, lecturing, and travelling hundreds of miles, as I was doing, and the weather so much against me. He was sure that there was not another man suffering as I was, that would attempt to leave his bed. I went to my lodging, and prayed unto the Lord to have mercy upon me, and that I might not be laid aside from my work. The next Lord's-day I was to preach at Clapham, I therefore determined that I would not go to another doctor until Mon. day, that I might not be prevented from preaching at Clapham. But on Saturday I was worse, and obliged to send for a doctor, who having examined me said that I was very ill from inflammation of kidneys, that I must not preach, if I did he would not attend me. was therefore against my will obliged to submit. The friends at Clapham were very much disappointed, for which I was indeed very sorry. The following Lord's-day I was to preach at St. Neot's. I was obliged to write and inform them that I should not be able to be with them, being a prisoner in affliction. I appeared to be progressing very favour able until Saturday, doctor gave me permission to walk out to see brother Wells, who was then in the furnace of affliction. I had not walked far when the pains came on as bad as ever. On Monday I was obliged to have six leeches, which somewhat relieved me. Directly it was known that I was ill, the sympathy that was created among the friends at the Surrey Tabernacle (I am lodging near the chapel) and others, I shall never forget. I think I may say that I have never met with such kindness in my life; if I were to particularise the different acts of kindness, and visits during my illness, it would take two or three pages to record the practical sympathy of Christian friends. Not getting better, I was obliged to disappoint other friends. On the 6th, I was to have lectured at Potton, and on the 9th and 10th, at Newport Pagnell. To me it is a very great trial, not only in being ill and laid aside from my loved work, but in the loss of collections in those places on behalf of our Sydney cause. My dear brethren, when you read these lines, don't hang your harp upon the willow, and say, there, it is impossible for him to get the money that will save our chapel from being sold, for in obtaining what he has, he has nearly worked himself to death, don't look on the dark side of the cloud, for there is a bright one and a smiling face there, trust in him, he will deliver us. I am as confident as ever, I am sure that the Lord would not have done for me what he has, he would not have brought me to England, opened doors to preach his precious Gospel, which he has blest to many, which is to me a token for good. And having given us £200 (which is an earnest of the rest) and after all this to send me back to Sydney, ashamed, which I should be if I returned without the money! Cheer up, my friends, our fathers trusted in him, they trusted, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me, though he slay me yet will I trust in him," and the Lord did deliver them; they cried unto the Lord, and were delivered, they trusted in him, and were not confounded. My faith has been tried to the uttermost, but blessed be God it is gold, it has not been consumed in the fire, it has not failed, my trust and confidence is still in the Lord, that I shall in due time, the time appointed by the Lord, return to Sydney, a witness of the faithfulness of my covenant God. The Lord, whose right it is to do as he please, is pleased to try his dear children by great and sore trials. This is a very great trial for me to be laid by ill, sixteen thousand miles from my dear wife and children, and while engaged in a good and very important work, but it is all for the best I am sure, and this I well know by experience, when he tries, he strengthens and upholds by the right hand of his righteousness, so that the faith of his children shall never fail. But where faith is not right, it never can fight, So may I be found when trials abound, And learn to walk steady on wilderness ground. All the dealings of the Lord with his own dear children are in love, and it is by these trials we are kindly weaned, and reminded that this is not our rest. Oh for grace cheerfully to do the will of God, and drink the cup, it must be good, 'tis thine; the cup that my Father has given me shall I not drink it? This is the way in which the Lord walks in mercy and love with his own beloved ones, even in affliction's storms, which he holds in his fists. Through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom. They are predestinated to be conformable unto Christ in sufferings as well as glory, and himself having borne their sorrows and carried their griefs, the curse is taken out of all the affliction of the predestinated, the afflicted ones. It is given unto them on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe, but also to suffer for his sake, but when they pass through the waters, the Lord with them, the rivers cannot overflow them, and through the fires, the flames cannot kindle upon them. The bush on fire could not be consumed, because the Lord was in the midst of it; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were not, and could not be consumed in the midst of the burning fiery furnace, because the Son of God was with them. And this is the covenant engagement and covenant promise of him who cannot lie, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." But! oh dear me, what a poor weak creature I am, I have at times during my illness felt as though the Lord had forsaken me, and that his loving kindness was clean gone for ever. Then Satan came in like a flood, and threatened to overwhelm me, "there you see what you have come to England for, viz., to be laid aside from your work, and die sixteen thousand miles away from home, from wife and children, is this your love for those whom you are bound to care for, and whom you ought never to have left, and will never see them again. Shame of you! And now you will be found to be a liar, for you have again and again most confidently declared that you will be sure to get the money, and the chapel in Sydney shall never be sold. You will never get it, therefore you had better give it up at once, for you will never recover from your sickness; and every one will soon know that your faith and confidence was not from God, but only that determined self-willed spirit that you have. Under the influence and power of this dreadful temptation, I could not so much as lift up myself; he seemed for a season to have possession of me. And it appeared to be so true, what he said, until I was enabled to say "Rejoice not against me, mine enemy, when I fall I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." By the power of heart prayer I was helped to pour out my complaint unto the Lord, with strong cries and tears, and blessed be my dear and almighty deliverer, he did indeed cast out the enemy, and took me to himself my refuge and strong tower, when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, for he led me to the rock that is higher than I. My soul rejoiced and shouted for joy, "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." I sang and prayed the spontaneous feelings and wants of my soul before God. For shelter to the rock I fly, O lead me to the rock most high, Thus Satan is a liar, for I am better, Jehovah is true, a God of truth without iniquity, just and right is he; and by the grace of God I am the Lord's witness, and will by the help of the Lord, speak of those things which I have seen and heard. I have seen his love in times past; I have seen that his arm is not shortened; I have seen that he always helps the helpless, and that right early, never too late. I have seen that his ear is not heavy; he hears and answers the poor and needy; I have seen whatever the Lord begins he finishes. For what his wisdom undertakes, 66 I have seen it on the mount, I have seen it in the valley, I have seen it in poverty and in wealth, I have seen it in affliction and in health, I have seen it in the bush and in the city. I have seen it at home and abroad, on the land and upon the sea, that God is faithful, and will not suffer his people to be tempted or tried above that they are able; but will, with the temptation or trial, (not without it) also make a way of escape, that they may be able to bear it. Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." "God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord." "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment," is the constant prayer of your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, JOHN BUNYAN M'CURE. P.S.-The above letter I wrote in faith while I was very ill, confidently believing that the Lord would raise me up, restore me to health and to my work. But unbelief kept it back for two days, and then it lay upon the table to the great joy of my termentor. I could not tell for some time on which side the victory would turn. "Now if you send that letter to the press it will go forth to the world, and if you do not get better consider what harm you will do to the cause of truth, and the stumblingblock you will become unto the weak in the faith; you had better wait till you get better before you send it." Thus spake my enemy. Oh, you cunning deceiver, a great deal you care for the cause of truth! and how long is it since you have been so very considerate for the weak in the faith? You know that the letter was written in believing confidence in the faithfulness and sufficiency of God, and you want me to make it a matter of seeing and feeling, that you may triumph over my faith, and say, Where is now your faith?" My gracious Lord came to my help against the mighty, and to my faith he gave the victory: the letter was sent off, and the devil too. Although I had scarcely strength to walk yet my mind was impressed that I should preach at Rushden. On the following Lord's-day I felt that I must go. On Thursday it appeared impossible, for I could only walk as an old man of ninety. On Friday I was a little better. Contrary to the advice of kind and faithful friends, who begged of me not to take such a journey in my weak state, I left London on Saturday afternoon for Higham Ferrers. After a journey of nearly four hours I arrived at Irchester station. Brother Brown who is one of the deacons of the Baptist Church was waiting for me with a conveyance; we drove off to Higham Ferrers, and I was most kindly received and cared for, although I looked very white, so they said. I felt none the worse for my journey, for the Lord gave me the strength that I needed. On Lord's-day (which was the finest day I have had since I left Sydney), I was taken to the chapel at Rushden, which was crowded. I was helped and strengthened with all needed might, and preached for over one hour (the doctor told me that I must not preach longer than the half hour). At two o'clock the chapel was packed full in every part-on the platform, each of the vestries, and crowds went away who could not get in. Again the Lord strengthened me, and I preached for another hour. Ifelt quite well and happy, the smiling faces and tearful eyes cheered me, and had such a mighty influence on my mind, I forgot my weakness and the doctor's orders: and in the strength of the Lord I could sing : Though ten thousand ills beset thee, To perform. His gracious word." On Monday evening there was an immense number of people who were crowded together most uncomfortably, yet they listened with great attention while I lectured for two hours and a quarter, concerning those things I have seen and experienced. And through the mercy of the Lord, when I arrived at my lodgings I was none the worse for my work and labour in the Baptist Chapel, Rushden. When the deacon, brother Brown, informed me of the amount of the collection, £15 7s., I was astonished and delighted, for my congregation were all the Lord's poor. I am requested before I leave England to visit Rushden again to preach two or three farewell sermons, and they will give me another collection. I have promised, subject to the will of the Lord, to do so. On Tuesday I went to Wellingborough, saw poor Mr. Drawbridge, who I am very sorry to say is no better, and there is little or no hope of his recovery. Have you ever thanked God for your reason? ought indeed to be the question with us all, and bless the Lord for all his benefits toward us. Particularly for preserving our senses, and enabling us to discharge the duties of life in a reasonable manner. I arrived in London a living witness of the faithfulness and lovingkindness of the Lord, that God is true and the devil a liar. 6, Heygate street, Walworth road, London. THE CHURCHES IN NOVA SCOTIA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "EARTHEN VESSEL." MY DEAR BROTHER,-Although it is many years since I had the pleasure of hearing you proclaim the Gospel message in Enon Chapel, Chatham, where I have enjoyed many precious seasons, yet, as each month rolls round, bringing THE EARTHEN VESSEL to our shores, I still enjoy the privilege of reading the same precious truths from your pen, and feasting on the rich treat there offered. May you be long spared to preach and write, and the VESSEL outride all storms, and bear rich cargoes to rejoice the hearts of all readers for long years to come. Knowing it is your wish to allow nothing but truth on board, I feel assured you will pardon my trespassing a little on your valuable time by offering a few remarks in reference to the contents of a letter on page 256 of the August number of the VESSEL, and dated from this place Jure 20th. Forgive me, dear brother, if I say that I fear you did not exercise your usual good judgment when enlisting the aid of the Christian public in England to form "The Nova Scotia Free Distribution Fund," without first finding out if the facts are as stated in that latter. The good providence of God sent me to this place, where I have resided for more than eight years, and cannot say that I have found it to be a "desolate land;" on the contrary I have enjoyed many precious seasons of refreshing from the Lord. The little Church where I am privileged to hold a name and place, in conjunction with the writer of the letter above referred to, numbers two hundred members, and our heavenly Father is smiling on the labours of our much loved pastor, the Rev. J. E. Goucher, by monthly adding to our numbers such as we trust will be saved. Our hearts are made glad as one after another follows our dear Saviour in the way he has marked out. Our house of worship has got far too small, we have therefore set our energies to work in building a much larger place, and hope soon to get it finished. Having been connected in some humble manner with most of the religious enterprises in this province for the past six years, I can testify to the ministers of our Baptist Churches being for the most part good sterling men, who do not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, as he hath given them ability, and without any mixture of Arminianism; and therefore feel it my duty as a member of the same Church, sitting under the sound of the same servant of God, as the good brother referred to above, to state that I cannot agree with him in saying, "We cannot feast on the food we get here;" nor in his expressed desire of 66 gathering in a number of truth lovers to form a Church in this desolate land." Far be it from me to suppose brother W. has wilfully misrepresented facts in order to mislead you as to the spiritual state of the people on this side of the Atlantic; but there are statements in the letter which, if I read them correctly, are quite inconsistent with truth; however, I find my letter has already reached to too great a length, and will therefore leave it for the present, by just appending the statistics taken from the minutes of the three associations for the present year, as follows: Ministers. Eastern Association Churches. Total 644 16,746 If agreeable to you I may at some future time jot down a few of the Lord's dealings with us in this new dominion, as they may be of interest to your numerous readers. The VESSEL can be obtained of Miss Wells, of the Bible and Tract Depository in this city, in any quantity by ordering in time. May grace, mercy, and peace be with you. Amen. Yours in Christian fellowship. 107, Maitland St., GEORGE ROBINS. Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1867. [We should be thankful for testimonies from Mr. George Robins, descriptive and conclusive, of the experience and faith of the ministers and Churches he refers to. We sincerely desire to give no tidings but what are faithful and true.-ED.] DACRE PARK CHAPEL, BLACKHEATH.-The third anniversary of the Rev. B. B. Wale's pastorate, was commemmorated on Tuesday, February 4th, when a goodly number of friends sat down to an excellent tea. A public meeting was commenced by singing, reading, and prayer, brother Baugh, of Islington, invoking the Divine blessing. The Pastor, who presided, opened the meeting by speaking of the Lord's dealings in bringing him to Dacre Park, and of the great happiness and sweet liberty he had experienced in his work here, and the heart-felt joy of which he was the subject in seeing the Church in so happy, peaceful, united, and prosperous a condition. Mr. Gwinnell, of Greenwich, then addressed the Church in affectionate terms, urging them to hold fast the truth as it is in Jesus, and to exemplify the same in a closer walk with God. Mr. Ross, of Hackney, congratulated the Church on its great increase since his first acquaintance with it, and then with his usual tact made some telling and forcible remarks on the scriptural mode of supporting the cause of God, and the ministry, by laying by in store weekly. After Mr. Baugh had addressed the meeting, a purse containing fifty pounds was presented to our Pastor by one of the deacons, from the Church and congregation, and as a token of their love and esteem and sympathy, and with the earnest desire that God would still abundantly bless him in his labours, not only in Dacre Park, but in the surrounding Churches where he was called to declare the truth. Our esteemed Pastor having acknowledged with deep feeling the testimonial thus presented to him, Mr. Silverton, of Trinity Chapel, Borough, addressed the audience briefly, and then this very happy and united meeting closed with singing and prayer. To God be all the praise. W. P. BERMONDSEY.-EBENEZER CHAPEL, WEBB STREET, NEW ROAD. The seventh annual meeting of the Sunday school, in connection with this place was held on Tuesday, Feb. 11th. Our esteemed and venerable brother Thos. Pocock, Esq., occupied the chair; Mr. Steed implored the divine blessing on the meeting, after which the secretary read the report, from which it appeared that though the chapel and school had through the year past, gone through the trying ordeal of the loss of a minister, yet that both had come through the trial with comparatively little hurt, only about ten or twelve members having left the chapel. The committee of the school earnestly wished their late pastor "God speed" in his new sphere of labour, while they regretted the falling off in the church, which appeared to be the Lord's hand in causing his removal. The superintendent of the school had been unanimously asked by the church to supply the pulpit for the second three months which he was now doing (as the report expressed it) without money and without price. The school still continued to prosper, several pleasing incidents being given in the report; to bear this out, the treasurer held a balance of about £5, which by the collection of the evening was raised to over £11. Unity, peace, and harmony reigned among the teachers, the school had more scholars than it would conveniently hold, and as many teachers as classes could be found for. The report was altogether of a most pleasing character and promised well for the future prosperity of the school. Mr. Thos. Stringer, of Stepney, in a speech overflowing with zeal and humour, moved its adoption, which Mr. C. W. Banks seconded in a warm hearted speech, shewing that God had given him his first seal to his work within the walls of a Sunday school. Our highly esteemed friend and brother, Mr. Wm. Čaunt, followed with a hearty address on the moralizing effects of Sunday schools; while our respected late member, Mr. Thos. Steed, followed in the same strain. Mr. R. A. Lawrence made a few remarks on Sunday school work, and in doing so passed a graceful tribute of respect to the faithfulness of our late minister, and concluded by moving a hearty vote of thanks to our respected chairman, which being seconded by Mr. W. Caunt, was carried unanimously, every one (at brother Caunt's suggestion) holding up two hands instead of one. After a few remarks from our good deacon and clerk, brother Stringer numbering one or two remarkable ways in which God had blessed his word through our young brother Lawrence's instrumentality a truly happy meeting was brought to a close. The children sang several pieces in the course of the evening which seemed much appreciated, the chairman made several weighty remarks, the chapel was well filled, (being the largest attendance we have ever had on behalf of the school) and all seemed to promise well for happy, bright, and prosperous days at Ebenezer. A MEMBER. Five SUTTON, ISLE OF ELY. corpses were lying in our little village on Lord's-day, Feb. 16th; four of them aged females; one was our dear sister Mrs. Mary Gunton, the beloved wife of our aged deacon for more than half a century, who died Friday, Feb. 14th aged seventy-five years. She was a real lover of the truth; and lived and died firm in the faith of Christ, having been a member of the church for nearly fifty-four years. Here was a rare instance of undying attachment of husband and wife, apparent to everybody who came in contact with them; they were like two turtle-doves, they had but one heart and one voice. Her husband said to me this morning, "We never had a quarrel in all our lives, a kinder-hearted creature never could be; I believe she would have laid down her life for me." This is indeed the fact, and without saying more at present. I will just state that she actually became a martyr to herfond affection for her husband. He was taken very ill on Feb. 1st, but on the5th, he was so much worse, as to require watching and attending night and day. Though she had assistance, and might have had to any extent, yet against all our protests, she must attend, she must do all for him, which she carried out five days nights, till at last she assented to leave him, and go to bed in another room. She never saw him again, the next day she was delirious, and though after she became sensible, yet in four days and four nights from her leaving him, she breathed a last and long farewell to all. leaving her loved husband helpless on a bed of affliction, and we fear hopeless of permanent recovery. She leaves a fond sister near her own age, and other relations to mourn her loss. The last Sabbath she was at the house of God, I preached from Isaiah lx. 11, "Therefore, thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night." She had such a blessed time, she wept for joy continually whilst referring to that precious sermon; little did she surmise then they were opening to receive her so soon. SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE. DEAR BROTHER BANKS, Although I have been a reader of THE EARTHEN VESSEL Some years, I have never before sought the favour of a place in its columns, for I am rather inclined to be retiring, "little and unknown;" but when one's toes are trodden so sharply, like the poor worm that turns in self-defence, when the foot comes upon it, I ask some corner in the VESSEL, to correct a misrepresentation, such as truth and righteousness to myself, and the Church of God, render imperative. A few weeks ago I was invited to preach at a place in Gloucestershire, but before I reached the place, a gentleman, and a minister too, on leaving the place, represented me to be a Fullerite, an Open Communionist, and coming to the place under false colours, although we were entire strangers to each other. I need not ask your opinion of such conduct, but as the whole statement was base and fabulous, I may say that there was no regard to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, in James iv. 11, "Speak not evil one of another brethren," etc. Of all men, ministers should be the last to speak evil one of another. While I feel" In my flesh dwelleth no good thing," and that "I am the least of all saints," still, I do not feel I should be justified in suffering false reports to be circulated, damaging, not only to myself, but the cause of truth. While I remember what is enjoined upon saints, 1 Thess. v. 15, "See that none render evil for evil," I cannot but |