After making a careful investigation, we find that between one and two millions of copies of THE EARTHEN VESSEL have been printed and circulated. To one head and pair of hands, it has been a laborious task, but to many hundreds of thousands, we hope it has been rendered a good help by the way in the right direction. We are thankful that our circulation is still extensive. There is but one monthly -advocating the vital unity of sound doctrine, safe experience, and the observance of the ordinances as instituted by our Lord Himself that excels us in numbers. Considering the character of the times in which we live, the circulation of The Gospel Standard must be highly gratifying to its proprietor, editor, and friends. What are termed The Gospel Standard Churches and ministers, are very numerous; and they are bound together by most powerful influences. There is an immense body of uneducated people to whom that class of the ministry is well suited-besides, there is a vein of rich experimental truth, running through all the writings of the Editor and his correspondents which will always render it an acceptable mean and medium of help and comfort to the tried, the tempted, the afflicted, the oppressed, the bound and burdened sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. We always feel a pleasure in acknowledging the merits and claims of the Standard, and although it has made some sore thrusts at us, we are not angry. We have made many mistakes; we have never sailed on smoothly as it has done; we have had a dreadful hard, uphill work of it; and as soon as we were permitted to reach a position of extensive usefulness and influence, a number of little efforts were made to impede our progress, or to obtain for their originators, a similar position; there is plenty of room for them; and in proportion as they seek the welfare of Zion, we bid them all God's speed. And now, as our own is a peculiar sphere of labour as we aim, simply at two things, we hesitate not to ask still for all the co-operation and zealous enterprising help and effort which the lovers and friends of a good old fashioned Gospel can possibly give us. Our original aim was-our choice and most favourite aim still is-to furnish the most powerful illustrations, the most striking facts, and the richest evidences not only of what THE TRUTH IS, but of what THE TRUTH DOES. fruit found on the Tree of Life, has always been joyful work to us; but, in this departTo gather some of the ment we have seriously failed during the last few years. It has been impossible to fulfil this branch of our design as we desire; but, if our commission is still lengthened out, we are resolved, in the strength of the mighty God of Jacob, to return to the development of GRACE'S GLORIOUS CONQUESTS in the souls and salvation of our fellowmen, with greater perseverance than ever. We have been betrayed, misled, hindered, and injured; but through the forbearance and mercy of our ever gracious Lord, we hope to be rendered more useful than ever in this original and essential feature of our workthe revelation of THE REAL GRACE OF GOD. The other branch of our work is to represent the character, condition, and motions of all those Churches who faithfully adhere to the doctrine and discipline of Apostolic times. This branch of our work has increased, and still it grows: the Churches multiply; ministers spring up on every hand-and all, to some extent, require a channel of communication. Christian friends who are removed far from their first pastors and Churches, are refreshed by reading reports of the Lord's work still going on among their old friends. Destitute Churches need information of the fitness of good men to preach to them; and ministers who are not in cures, are desirous of using all wholesome meaus for the furtherance of their usefulness. Indirect appeals have constantly been made to us to open up a channel for the dissemination of these several objects; we have almost imperceptibly glided into this kind of work; and hence, while some have been offended because too much room has been occupied in this practical department, many thousands have thanked us for the benefit derived Our sincere thanks are tendered to all who have helped to hold up our hands during the many years in which we have sought to spread abroad the savour of Christ; and we would intreat them still to unite with us, so far, and only so far as they may believe we are doing the work of the Lord; and wherein we have given offence, or failed in effecting plans and promises, we ask forbearance and forgiveness. To our energetic and kind Agents, to all our Correspondents, and to our thousands of readers, we ask for continued and renewed favours; and may the God of all grace unite us together in the bonds of everlasting love. So prays, THE EDITOR. END OF VOLUME NINETEEN. LONDON: PRINTED BY ROBERT BANKS, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET. THE EARTHEN VESSEL, AND Christian Record; FOR 1864. VOLUME XX. LONDON: ROBERT BANKS, 9, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C. G. J. STEVENSON, 54, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 1864. CONTENTS. of Mr. Tiptaft Deborah's Lofty Anthem ... ... 19 English and Colonial Book Mission 44 Four Questions touching the Fall ... 66, 120 .13, 35, 58 202 ... Great Battle, the; and the Vision of ... ... 47 Five Negatives. ... Little Stonham, 23; Clerkenwell, Birming- Heywood, Manchester, and Hull Thomas Stringer, 136; Mile End, Vauxhall, Ips- wich, 137; Brockenhurst, Plaistow, Stepney, En- field, 128; Clapham, Ripley, Cheltenham, Bath, Bethnal Green, Borough Green, 139; Manchester, Great Wilbringham, Blackheath, Grafty Green, Keppel street, New York, 142; High Wycombe, Wooburn Green, and Prestwood Common, 170; Deptford, Little Stonham, 175; Stowmarket, Chevitstone, Brighton, Sible Hedingham, 176; Sudbourn, Tunbridge Wells, 177; Horne, Tunstall, Potton, Brockham, Ipswich, 178; Hackney, Stoke Newington, Fressingfield, Chatteris, Aveton Glifford, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Enfield, St. Ives, 172; Stafford, Harwich, Yeldham, 180: Woodford Sunday schools, Keddington, 197; New Baptist Church at Birmingham, Peckham, 198; Glems- ford, Great Torrington, 199; Waltham Abbey, Dunmow, 201; Potton, Epping, 202; Otley, Hayes, Aylesbury, 204; Brand Creek, 204; Tunbridge Wells, Clapham, 242; Windsor, Bath, Aylesbury, Keddington, Glemsford, 243; Leatherhead, 244; East Bergholt, Ropeley, Chatteris, Thurleigh, 229 331 ... ... 331 Letter from New York to the Editor... 200 My Way from the Plough-Tail to the Pulpit... 159, 193, 227, 252, 291, 327 ... 135 Opening of New chapel at Aldborough 26 ... ... Our Fathers-Where are They? ... |