extend our gallery all round, and to enlarge our school. I believe that what we do for the cause of God we shall never lose; on the contrary, it shall be returned to us many-fold." Mr. Congreve concluded by relating a humorous anecdote, and made a forcible appeal to the liberality of the meeting, adding that preaching without practice was a sentiment he did not hold. Mr. Congreve then handed the chairman a slip of paper, which Mr. Moyle announced as a cheque for £10, towards the debt.

The pastor again contributed £5, and there was a donation of one guinea announced from Mrs. P.; then £5 from Mr. M.; £5 from Mr. R.; various donations of £1, ten shillings, and many smaller sums. Mr. Congreve announced that a total of £40 78. had been obtained towards the school debt.

Mr. BLOOMFIELD then spoke on "The Christian a Soldier." The subject Mr. Bloomfield treated in his wonted happy manner; and in the course of his interesting address said, that in Scripture a variety of metaphors were used to set forth the religion of Christ, and one of these was that of a soldier. All who are brought into the army of our Lord Jesus Christ are enlisted by the Spirit of the Most High; and whatever work there is done in this soldiership, it is the work of the Holy Spirit by regeneration. A soldier must not only go through his regular exercises, but he must also be clad in good armour; and so has God prepared a good armour for his people, and given them the sword of the Spirit. He then narrated two or three appropriate anecdotes, and said further, that if we have God's word, we are strong with a sword which is strong throughout all time. A soldier must have the power of endurance, and manly bearing, and discipline, to prepare him for the warfare in which he is engaged; and so must the Christian; for religion is a warfare, and so soon as we become religious we must fight, and our worst enemies are those of our own hearts. What evils and vices are there in the world, the seed of which is not in our hearts? The enemies are numerous and powerful, but they must come to an end. We have a great Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ, greater far than any Wellingtons, Napoleons, or Lees; and he has entire control of the hearts of his followers, and of future events. Our weapons are spiritual, and our cause too good, too holy, to be fought with carnal weapons; and the victory is sure because of the righteousness of the cause. He concluded with a beautiful comparison of the ravages

and desolations of a carnal war, and the sublimity of the spiritual warfare.

Mr. WYARD then spoke on "The Christian a Pilgrim." As Christ is described by various figures, so are we his people. His disciples set out on a pilgrimage, not to Mecca, not to Rome, but on a godly pilgrimage for heaven, God, and glory. He then spoke at some length on Christian pilgrims confessing their sins to each other and to God; and the good effects which a genuine confession produces; that our best confession consists in proving by our acts that here we are strangers and pilgrims, and that our faith, hope, and dependence is on the Son of God. He concluded his speech by reading some nice verses of his own on the Christian pilgrim.

The CHAIRMAN then read a note from Mr. Attwood, apologizing for his absence on account of the affliction of his wife, and praying for the prayers of the brethren.

Mr. ALDERSON on account of the lateness of the hour declined entering on his subject, "The Christian a Priest," still he made a very happy address, in which he congratulated Mr. Moyle and his flock on the length of his pastorate, and the acquisition of a new and healthful place of worship, in which as priests to offer up their prayers and praises to the great High Priest.

The last speaker was Mr. Anderson, who spoke on" the salt of the earth." He said that the teachings of Christ were so plain and simple as to come down to the understanding of his Church. Salt is now in common use, and not sufficiently valued on account of its cheapness; but he could well remember the time when it used to be brought on packhorses through the wilds of Northumberland; and if we could not get it we should soon learn to estimate its value. This figure means that the Church is the conserver of the world. God is pleased to influence one person by means of another; and in illustration of this Mr. Anderson related two striking instances of the influence of religion, even on the most hardened, as having occured whilst he acted as Scripture-reader to a large number of Railway excavators near Brighton; and concluded by showing that, however feeble and insignificant we may consider ourselves, we can always exercise a great influence by our example for evil or good.

"All hail the power of Jesu's name," was then beautifully sung to Mile's Lane; and the chairman closed the meeting by pronouncing the blessing.

MR. EDITOR,-I was somewhat surprised to see my name as being at Plymouth even referred to in this month's VESSEL, particularly as you refused to take any notice of my answer to Mr. J. Corbitt's questions to me in the June number of the VESSEL, 1863: however, by your short notice this month, my Strict Baptist brethren will clearly see I have not as yet expired beneath their lash. You have done with me as a foolish and fond mother often does with her child; first, give it a smart whipping, and then again embracing it, exclaims, Never mind, darling."

I must inform you I shall never be whipped out of the course I have taken; neither shall I be kissed into a confession that I have taken a wrong step. A person, some time ago, called on me to know if my mind had undergone any retrograde change since the adoption of free communion with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. I assured him when I first gave up baptizing I was like a tree fresh planted; while, from that moment, without an hour's relapse, I have found my judgment, my faith, and my love, deepening in the solemn conviction that water baptism, in any shape, is contrary to the Word of God; and although I have been hotly pursued and persecuted since 1 gave up this churchdividing ceremony, yet do rejoice, yea and will rejoice, that the Lord has enabled me openly and avowedly to relinquish it entirely; and if you ever hear of my return to it, you may conclude in connection with it that I circumcise also. (Col. ii. 10, 11, 12, 13.) It is enough for me to be privileged to draw nigh unto the Lord, with a true heart in the full assurance of faith (in the finished work of the Son of God), having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience, and my soul and body washed with pure water, even the purest of all waters-the waters of everlasting life and love. (Heb. x. 22; 2 Cor. vii. 2). There is now no washing that is of any account with me, save the washing of water by the Word (Eph. v. 26); and my Divine Lord assures me I am clean through the word which he has spoken unto me. (John xv. 3.) I daily feel my need of this sort of cleansing, and am thankful to say, seldom go long without it, while every fresh unfolding of a precious Christ to my soul confirms my faith in the glorious fact that I am by such a ministration baptized into one body, and so learn that I am an heir with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of the same glorious promises and future inheritance, for they which are of faith (belong to whatever sect they may) are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal. iií.

9), and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.

When I was first called by Divine grace, and sat under the ministry of the Word, and heard anything advanced that did not seem to lie straight with the Word of God, yet feeling in my soul that the minister was one of the Lord's own sending, and taught by his Spirit, I concluded he could not err. Consequently, I dared my inquiring conscience to differ from him. Now, sir, the scene is changed, and I dare to hear, to search, to believe, and judge (by God's Word and Spirit) for myself, and I stand in doubt of that minister who does not commend his testimony to every man's conscience in the sight of God, whether these things are so or not; neither can I allow any to lord it over my faith, but am glad when they prove helpers of my joy, while all I desire is that all I believe with every thought may be brought into captivity to Christ alone.

If ministers were more honest to God, to their own consciences, and their people, they would, like their Lord and Master, oftener fan the floor than they do, while the real wheat would more clearly be discovered, and the Lord be more glorified. But, sir, you live in a locality where there are some professed giants in divinity, but I mourn to read their highly fanciful, but not spiritual interpretations of God's Word, and as a proof they are not spiritual, they are dewless as the mountains of Gilboa, and you can no more make out their meaning than an illiterate heir to an estate can understand the reading of a mystified and cunningly-concocted will. God's people are a plain people, even as Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents, and they require the precious food of the Gospel spread before them in a simple, plain, Scriptural way, so that he that runs may, through the power of the Holy Ghost, both feed and run at the same time. Again, they like clean provender well winnowed with the shovel and the fan, for they like it well sorted and well sifted; neither can they digest dirt, chaff, and wheat, all promiscuously jumbled together. But most have the word of truth rightly divided, and the more their faith grows, and their spiritual senses are exercised to discern things which differ, so much the more they require the right sense of law and Gospel opened up each in their proper place, so also they will require water baptism to be kept back in John the Baptist's dispensation, while they contend only for one Lord, one faith, and one (spiritual) baptism in the spiritual kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

And here I would remind my Strict Baptist brethren that for want of a clearer insight into that which is abolished, they stop too long in the water dispensation (hence the confusion). Let them ponder the following hints:-When the end which God had designed to answer by the lifting up the brazen serpent had had its accomplishment, then the children of Israel worshipped it: no doubt they thought they did right; but, alas! they did wrong. When Cyrus proclaimed liberty to the captive Jews to return to their own land, many of them preferred staying where they were. No doubt they did right; so also Strict Baptists prefer a dispensation of water (which is one of captivity and genders to bondage) to a spiritual dispensation; for God is a Spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and truth. (Acts. xi. 15, 16; Gal. v. 1.)

Many years after the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, through the precious offering of the Son of God once for all, the Jews still continued their sacrifices, and no doubt they thought they did right, but the Lord gives us his thoughts about it in Is. lxvi. 3. And false teachers enforced the rite of circumcision upon legal hearts, long after it was done away in Christ, who was circumcised for the whole spiritual Israel of God, and obeyed the whole law for them; however, they thought they did right, no doubt. Yet it is clear these mistaken zealots robbed God of his honour, notwithstanding all their outward zeal for his glory, for they understood not the new tariff of the Gospel, therefore fell back upon their old stock of new moons, feast days, and Jewish rites, not seeing to the end of all as being abolished in and by Christ. I would admonish my Strict Baptist brethren to be careful lest they in their zeal, which is not according to knowledge, be found doing the same thing, for there is much of an inferential character in the New Testament to lead spiritual minds to conclude that water baptism did virtually cease with the days of the apostles, and although thousands still cleave to it, yet should rejoice in being a means in the hand of the Lord, shewing unto them in all affection a more excellent

way. I am, sir, your Ejected Nonconformist Correspondent,

THOMAS EDWARDS.

EDITOR'S REMARKS ON THE ABOVE. WE have allowed Thomas Edwards to speak his mind freely; although where he finds his authority for putting a negative upon the commandments of our Lord and Master, we cannot tell. This is surely a day of singular signs, of mysterious changes, and of ominous events. Brother Thomas Edwards was a Particular Baptist; we assisted to ordain him as the pastor of a New Testament Baptist Church; he professed his faith in those ordinances unflinchingly good, genuine, honest, and spiritual believers gathered round him as such; his new chapel was erected as a Particular Baptist chapel; and in all this-in Mr.

Edwards's progress as a Baptist minister, the Lord honoured him-the people loved and esteemed him-the church increased under him. By and bye he renounces the ordinance of baptism altogether: he calls it "a church-dividing ordinance:" this is the name Mr. Abrahams has given it and we have no doubt but from such quarters great influence has reached that most pleasant and happy-looking little manThomas Edwards, of Tunbridge Wells; and if he is more happy now than he was when a Baptist; if he has clearer views of Gospel truth now than he had then-if God the HOLY GHOST dwells in him now more richly and powerfully; if He reveals the glories of CHRIST to him more blessedly; if he gathes in sinners by his ministry more numerously; and if, altogether, Thomas Edwards is a more holy, happy, devoted, useful, and God-glorifying disciple of JESUS CHRIST than he was before, then who shall dare to be angry? We are not. We have neither "whipped" him, nor "kissed" him, with any design short of a pure desire to promote truth. It is not for us to say what God the Holy Ghost may have led him into. For ourselves we can only say three things:-1st. We were brought up in the Church of England; we found no rest nor peace there: we went to the General Baptists; we found nothing but death in the pot there we travelled on to the Wesleyans; we were cut to the heart, and cut up root and branch there; but not one moment's peace, nor hope of salvation: after travelling through pouring rains, dark nights, dangerous woods, dreadful snares, deep mysteries, and almost soul-damning despairs, the glorious LORD JESUS CHRIST came himself into our very soul. He sent no angelhe employed no minister--he made use of no sister of mercy; but when in nature's heavy sleep we lay, he came;-early one Lord's-day morning he came :-he spake loudly in our soul-" Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and CHRIST shall give thee light." We did awake: we did arise; at his glorious feet we did fall: we found a happy freedom, and a sacred nearness in prayer:-we walked in the light and joy of it for some time; and then to the Countess of Huntingdon's chapel we repaired; and twice there the same blessed LORD JESUS CHRIST revealed himself; comforting and confirming us in himself;

and most exceedingly happy we were. He never said a word about baptism; and we are compelled to believe that had he called us home then-straight into glory we must have gone; although of the great doctrines of grace, and of the ordinances of the New Testament Church, then, we knew nothing. We did, certainly, at that time, live in the love of GOD, and in the hap piest and clearest meditation upon his Person and work we then lived. Gradually the doctrines of grace were opened: we were led silently into the truth. No living ministry could we then find. The dark cathedral city of Canterbury appeared almost

without a sound and faithful ministry. But for four years we travelled on in prayer, in reading, and in study; and all we then received from the word of God has continued with us until now. The Ordinance of Believers' baptism was also opened up to us, in secret, from the words of Christ to John "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.' After a long time we were led into the practice of that ordinance. William Matthews, a man of God, and of much prayer, took us into the water. We believed we were following CHRIST; we never dreamed of anything more than it being "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace." We have baptized hundreds since then; and never yet could see how any man could be practically and faithfully a New Testament minister or believer, unless he attended to this one most despised ordinance. Such-Thomas Edwards may say-is our blindness; suchGeorge Abrahams may say-is our hypocrisy; such-friend Wilcockson may say-is our carnality; but, such we say, is the truth. We have never changed; William Huntington in the matter did; George Abrahams and Thomas Edwards have changed; but we have not, cannot, we had almost said, shall not. These more enlightened brethren must pity us if they can; if they cannot, they must leave us to the mercy of the Lord. We add one word more. We have seen strange antics in ministers about this baptism ordinance. We have baptized men who have declared themselves as being deeply and solemnly convinced of the Lord's design in the ordinance; but when they found the Strict Baptists could not make gentlemen-ministers of them; and when a richer, a wider, and a much larger place and people would have them, if they would dispense with this one ordinance, we have seen them turn traitors; we have known them to sell the truth; and off with flying colours they have gone, leaving us poor Baptists to think of them as we might. Certain it is, that these despisers of baptism and of Strict Communion get more people, and more pay, than us stickers to what we believe to be right, ever can expect to receive; and most unhesitatingly we affirm, that if they sell the ordinance of baptism for the sake of the people and the pelf, then woe-betide them some day or other. We do not believe this of Thomas Edwards. No. We must believe him to be an honest man at heart; and a most industrious good fellow we believe he is. Whatever it is has carried him up into this high state of things, we cannot opine. We cannot get there; neither does Thomas ever come to help us. So here we must remain-with the only people we believe to be PRACTICALLY RIGHT- the Strict Baptists; and we do not abide by them because they are, to us, a loving people; but we here continue simply because we are conscientiously and Scripturally and experimentally bound. One word more, and we must leave the subject,

We fear this is the day when Satan is "transformed into an angel of light;" and as such he is deceiving people by wholesale. It is a solemn day, Mr. Edwards, say what you will; for while some men will have nothing to do with baptism, others baptize little boys and girls by wholesale; and we can give the minister's name, who declares one young lady (how many more we know not, but certainly one young lady) has gone no less than six times to one very popular minister, and by him has been immersed six times; but every time under a different name. What new phase will turn up next, we wait to see.-ED.

WALTHAM ABBEY.-The day of our annual meeting has again come round. At the early dawn of the day the sun broke forth with magnificent splendour. Our much esteemed brother, J. Wells, at eleven o'clock, ascended the pulpit, and delivered a discourse full of weight and pith (passing by those analytical disquisitions of his anti-millennial theory). He was led out by the Spirit blessedly upon the words found in Dan. vii. 10, "The judgment was set, and the books were opened." Some of his leading heads were taken from the context, namely, the Ancient of Days in the eternity and attributes of Christ in His everlasting priesthood sworn for ever after the new covenant order. 2ndly. The streaming fire, representing the living servants of the Most High, sent to blaze forth the eternal verities of the Godhead, and by the Holy Spirit to drop sparks of fire into the hearts of them who were ordained to eternal life; to burn up sin, corruption, and evil prejudices against King Jesus; then the judgment given to these servants to pass sentence upon all, according to John xx. 23. Though the literal power of this died out with the apostles, still the spiritual prerogative is exclusively retained by the God-sent men. 3rdly. The books opened, according to John, were five books: 1st. Of the federal laws; 2nd. The Mosaic lawsthe Ten Commandments, which involves the whole world; 3rd. The national sins of the Jews in attempting to nullify the truth in rejecting the Messiah; 4th. The book of profession of those that have a name to live and are dead; the 5th. Is the book of decrees of God, or the word of life, containing the life of the saints and the death of the wicked, whereby all nations of the earth shall finally be judged. Lastly: The universal dominion of Christ, when the angel shall set his right foot upon the sea and his left upon the land, and declare time shall be no longer. After this spiritual feast about eighty of the friends resorted to the place comfortably fitted out for the occasion by the kind benevolence of our much respected friends, Mr. and Mrs. W. Webster, and refreshed themselves with a good savoury repast. After this, at three o'clock, the friends met again for public worship; brother Blake, of Artillery-lane, read Psalm xlii., and sweetly dilated upon it; after which

our brother J. Ballard (who is now toiling among us) took for his text Heb. v. 11, and preached an excellent, homely, gospel sermon, full of the first ripe fruits, of which he had many things to say. At five o'clock about 140 friends sat down to tea; our brother, T. J. Messer, the modern Chrysostom of the age, a profound genius, with full force of mental power, and his soul elated, tempered by the mellifluous bedewings of the sacred Spirit, delivered an elaborate discourse founded upon 2 Cor. iii. 18, in which he exalted the person of Jesus in His mediatorship, atonement, and exceeding glory of His kingly reign and power. The Lord's presence was in our midst the whole of the day, to cheer, comfort, feed, and build up His saints. Brethren T. W. Dyer, of Harwich, Blake, and Alsop, took part in the services. Several other ministerial brethren favoured us with their presence. After singing the old favourite, Day's march nearer home," brother Messer closed with the benediction. Bethel has not for many years been so favoured. To God be all the glory. Amen.-W. W.

66

SIBLE HEDINGHAM, ESSEX.-The first anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of Rehoboth Baptist chapel was holden on Wednesday, May 3rd, 1865. There was some disappointment at Mr. Bloomfield not being able to fulfil his engagement, but through God's providence and mercy, our friends Kemp and Alderson were enabled to tell out some most glorious truths of the ever-blessed Gospel. Our people appeared to enjoy the day much, as did also the many friends that came with us from a distance. In the morning Mr. Kemp preached from Rev. xix. 12: "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself." He spoke very beautifully of his incomprehensible name, and the preciousness of that name above all others. In the afternoon Mr. W. Alderson took for his text Habakkuk iii., and the last clause of the 4th verse: "And there was the hiding of his power." He said much upon that beautiful chapter, and then spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ as the hiding of Jehovah's harmonizing power, his destructive power, his conquering or saving power, his sustaining power, and his crowning power. In the evening Mr. Alderson preached from"Waiting upon the Lord," founded on Isaiah xl., last verse. It was a practical and encouraging sermon, and well adapted to a country evening congregation. There were many of the poor of this world, but rich in faith, who listened rejoicingly as the minister touched their varied cases in a plain and simple manner. He noticed

first the dignity, and secondly the privileges. He very suitably contrasted the getting to the Queen, or any high authority in this world, and getting to the King of heaven. He then spoke of God as the burden-bearer of his people, and of his

throne as a throne of grace, not justice, on which is written, "Come and welcome, ye weary." He then alluded to the prayer of the destitute, and of faith in prayer; he told us, too, that in coming to the house of God we were to wait on the Lord, not on the minister, nor the deacons, nor the church. In speaking of the eagle, he said the eagle was a high flying bird, and delighted in the brightness of the sun; it built its nest in the rock; and if our hopes are built in the Rock Christ Jesus, we shall be secure: no thorns in a rock; it is when we get down on the earth that the thorns grow. skylark can never sing on the earth; it is when it soars that it sings, and the higher it gets, the louder it sings. It is just the same with God's people. He concluded by saying that we should never be really weary of the service of God. These are a few of the recollections of that day. Mr. Alderson announced subscriptions, £8 14s. towards vestry and schools, collected by the Messrs Bowtell, without the knowledge of any of the friends of the cause. The profits amounted to £8, and about 180 sat down to tea.

The

We

ANNIVERSARIES. Tuesday, May 9th, was a happy day in some little corners of this country. At New Mill, Tring, Robert Shindler was recognised as the pastor of this rather ancient church. knew Robert Shindler before he entered upon ministerial work; and his industry and perseverance in pursuing his studies, and in fulfilling his ministry must be considered commendable. Where-in Gospel principle, or where, in Christian experience he stands, we know not. As the minister of Matfield-green, and some other churches, he has been useful in his measure; but how far he may be instrumental in raising and nourishing the church at New Mill, must be left for future days to declare. On the same day, at West-end, Tring, the anniversary sermons were preached by Mr. Thomas Stringer, whose services in the churches now are acceptable, and quite reviving. Prestwood-common anniversary was holden the same day. Mr. Free, late of Speen, now of Cheetham, read the first hymn. Mr. H. T. Griffin-a young man now supplying at Wooburngreen-read a Psalm, and offered prayer; the sermon was preached by C. W. Banks. A very happy party took tea; several ministering brethren were present. In the evening, Mr. James Clark, of Stowmarket, read and prayed; C. W. Banks preached again: it was a solemn time to many. This cause at Prestwood-common is one of great interest. For many years the Gospel has been faithfully preached here; and large congregations are gathered. It is the birthplace of good old Benjamin Mason, of Knowl-hill, near Twyford, who is now on his bed patiently waiting until his longloved Master shall take him home. Knowlhill is a sweet little garden. Our venerable brother Mason, and his co-worker, brother