SHEFFIELD, AUGUST, 1865.

A NOTE TO SAMUEL FOSTER, IN HIS OWN LITTLE HOSPITAL AT STURRY, NEAR

CANTERBURY.

DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER-I feel my mind led this morning to address a few lines to you once more. Many years now have you been mysteriously bowed down beneath that heavy affliction of body; yet the Lord hath sustained you; and oftentimes I think of you, and should have been down to sympathize and pray with you long ere this, but I have had neither time nor means at my command; or you should not havebeen forgotten or neglected byyour poor, despised, oppressed, and ofttimes distressed original pastor. No man can work much more constantly than myself; but my work is not reckoned of much value, consequently, you may guess the result. The other evening, when deeply groaning beneath the weight of all things around and within me, those words were to me useful indeed: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee," &c.; and sustained as yet I certainly have been. For all His mercies I desire to praise His name.

At the beginning of this month, I was favoured to baptize some truly Christian people in our chapel at Squirries street; and at the table on the first Sunday, seven were added to our number. Sometimes in preaching I have great spiritual liberty; and hope I am where the Lord will bless my labours; but I suffer greatly from both external and internal commotions.

On Saturday, August 19th, I travelled down to this great cutlery town, where 200,000 souls and more dwell together; and yet not one Strict Baptist Church in the whole of this large body of people. On Sunday morning, August 20th, I had no engagement; I was announced to preach in the afternoon and evening at Masborough for the Sunday school; but they held no service on Sunday morning. This I did not know until late on the Saturday night; or I think I should not have been idle. It is many a long year since, it could be said, on a Lord's-day morning, I had no pulpit to stand in-no sermon to preach. You may guess what kind of Baptists they are here;-had I been made acquainted with the fact that no service was to be holden on the Sunday morning, I certainly should have sought for some open-air scene, where, by Jesu's blessed help, I would have lifted up my voice in proclaiming that Gospel which I know to be the power of God unto the eternal salvation of every one who doth in Him most truly believe.

I am staying at the house of a very godly and really Christian man by the

name of Mr. Joseph Elam: and kinder friends than himself and his wife I could not have, as far as provision, protection, spiritual association, and fellowship in the faith, is concerned. It so happens, my friend Joseph Elam worships God in the church where the Rev. James Battersby is the minister; and my friend, assuring me Mr. Battersby preached Christ's Gospel, and inviting me to go with him, I walked off to church, and sat me down to hear the prayers read, and a sermon preached. The text was out of Leviticus-"The fire on the altar;" and a truly Biblical discourse was delivered.

Could you have left your bed, and stepped into our large hall, or British schoolroom, at Masborough, in the afternoon and evening, you would have seen and heard something rather unusual for us plain and simple Kentish clod-hoppers.

Remember, it was Sunday-school anniversary; and on such occasions, in these parts, great preparations are made, and friends from all quarters came to help. When I entered the room, I saw, at the long, far-off end of it, a gallery full of pretty girls and boys; and an orchestra full of singers, musicians, teachers, and friends. The immense room soon became filled, hymns were sung, anthems were chanted, pieces were recited, Scriptures were read, prayers were offered, sermons were preached, collections were made, and all appeared pleased and happy. I stood in the midst of this large group; and in preaching, my very heart and soul went out of me in inwrought, burning desires to do good. How far God's blessing might attend their labours, I must leave with Him who doeth as seemeth Him good, both in heaven and on the earth.

The little Strict Baptist cause at Masborough is subjected to most malignant and contemptible persecution. In fact, a neighbouring Baptist Church, who professes the same faith and order, and is under the patronage of the great English bishop, actually fixed their Sunday-school sermons on the same day, and fetched in two Congregational ministers from other towns to preach their sermons.

The Masborough little Strict Baptist Church asked the other Baptist Church to lend them their chapel for their anniversary. The matter came regularly before the Church; and the Church (if such a word is not too good for it) actually obtained a majority, not only to refuse our friends the use of their chapel, but also to have their own anniversary on the same occasion; so to prevent, if possible, their own people from coming to help our people in their efforts to do good.

I can tell you, my dear afflicted brother, I believe there is more under-hand opposition against myself, and against all the churches who dare to abide by New Testament principles, than against any other man or sect in all the world. Nevertheless, the cause of God and truth goes on; and although we are a sect everywhere spoken against; and although I am everywhere opposed, God is in the midst of us; and He will help us, when the morning ascendeth, as the Old Bible renders that beautiful sentence, "and that right early." JAMES KEYWORTH

was a Sheffield man. I have his Life, which has been published by Morgan and Chase; and it presents a clear testimony of the real effects of sovereign grace in the heart and life of a chosen vessel of mercy. There are some striking features in it. the public meeting of the

At

MASBOROUGH SUNDAY SCHOOL, I was led to make some reference to the late James Keyworth's life. He was a Sheffield man: he was a prize-fighter: he was what we all are, a sinner in the sight of God; and I felt I ought to show the Sheffield people something of the amazing grace of God in saving such a sinner.

In fact, it was laid thoughtfully upon my mind to make some attempt to shew forth clearly wherein the Strict Baptists of this kingdom stand; and why it is they are a separated people from all the people who dwell on the face of the earth. In doing this, I say distinctly we are not Calvinists; we are not Baxterians we are not Owenites; we are not Gillites; yea, we follow no man, no further than he followed Christ; and we follow, or wish to be one, with every good man, so far as his faith, and experience, and practice, stand in harmony with the Word of God. If I know anything correctly of the real faith and practice of the true church of Christ, then I declare roundly and fearlessly, her faith and her practice stands,

I. In the eternal purposes of the New Covenant.

II. In the proclamation of HIM, of whom Paul said, He was "the minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched; and not man." And,

III. In the privileges and powers which the SPIRIT of the living God imparts unto, and implants within the chosen vessels of mercy.

We stand, in the eternal purposes of the New and Everlasting Covenant. Our text is this, "God hath saved us, and called us, NOT according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which He hath given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." In the developments of the divine Sovereignty there are, at least, three leading attributes discoverable. Infinite wisdom, unlimited power, and a perfect freedom, to do in all worlds, in all kingdoms, in all dispensations, and with all creatures, as seemeth Him good.

In the worlds of nature, God hath done,

and still doth do, and will do, as seemeth Him good. The clouds, the winds, the thunders, the lightnings, the storms, the earthquakes, and all the convulsions of these lower spheres are hurled about at his command, as seemeth Him best! "He commandeth," and then "he raiseth the stormy wind," and when he pleaseth, he saith, "Peace! be still." And, then, there is s calm.

Let this truth be spoken, God hath no sympathy with sin, nor with sinners, as in the abstract considered. God determined to take out of the fallen lump, a people for his praise; and as these people were in the fallen mass, and could be saved only upon the grounds and merits of a substitutionary sacrifice, therefore the Son of God was ordained to be the mediator between God and man; and he, that is Jesus Christ, came into the world to save sinners, and all he came to save, he did save, and they are saved; and he said, no man should pluck them out of his hand. Rivers are good things in this world; and the river of God's everlasting love, is that pure river of the water of life from whence comes our salvation. Every thing shall live wheresoever this river cometh. Where God's electing love does not come, life eternal cannot be found, for it is only in this river that life divine is found at all. Let men beware how they put creature power in the place of divine sovereignty.

HOMERTON

ROW. On Tuesday. Aug. 15th, was celebrated the forty-fifth anniversary of the Church of Strict Baptists worshipping in the chapel, situate in Homerton row, Homerton. Mr. John Foreman preached in the afternoon; and at five, there was a tea meeting. The public meeting commenced at half-past six, Mr. Wm. Palmer, the pastor, presiding. At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Bordman pronounced the prayer. In his opening address, which contained less of detail than is usual on such occasions, but which was full of good sense and solid instruction, the Chairman said that this was the fortyfifth anniversary of this cause, and that, though he was not quite sure of the terms on which the place was engaged, still he supposed that about one half of the lease had expired. For upwards of forty years the anniversary had been held on the second Tuesday in August; and surrounding friends had been used to that; but now it was being held this day with a tea meeting and usual services. Forty-five years had rolled away since this building was first dedicated to the service of Almighty God; and few of the members now remained who were then alive. He himself had occupied his present position some ten or eleven years, and during that time, some two-thirds of the members had left them from death or other causes. Thus very few of those who were present at the opening were present now. How marvellous are the changes in this world! Changes

are constantly going on, except in God, who remains ever unchangeable. All his creatures change, all creation changes, perhaps even the angels may change; but our God remains ever the same, self-existent, for he never changes. The Divine sovereignty has been exercised; death had been busy among them. God is the Author of our existence, and of all creatures; all creatures out of God have a dependence on God for the continuance of their being, and He alone is independent by the excellence of His being. Many of God's creatures expire at their appointed period: some of them die, but only in order to exist. When man dies, he does not cease to exist, but he continues to live without a material body. God was pleased to make man in the image of Himself, and to make him an intellectual being; but man fell, and great was that fall. The image was marred; man was shut out from Paradise; but still God was pleased to promise him the Messiah, to set him up over his people, to gather his children together. The Gospel of God and of his Christ is a blessed Gospel, it is a Gospel of grace, and the preaching of that Gospel is an important thing. Therefore the preacher of the Gospel requires a locality where he may exercise his calling. And now Mr. Palmer touched upon the history of chapel building: how that the first Christians met together in the Synagogues; then they were turned out from these, and assembled in private houses, and so they went on until the time of Constantine, when they turned heathen temples into places of Christian worship, and erected splendid churches. Where there had been least vital truth, there had been the most sumptuous edifices. He then said that the Baptists possessed more truth than any other, and among them, one part possessed more than the other. He regretted that the Church of England was turning towards Rome, and he regretted equally that the Dissenters were turning towards the Church of England. It mattered not how plain a place of worship was, if there were but an invisible agent to fill it; for without God, it was a thing of nought. The great necessity is the Spirit of God: he is the great Teacher, Revealer, and Testifier of Christ. He inspired men of old to write the Scriptures; and the same Spirit of grace and supplication is now wanted to inspire men to preach the truth. He then said that Messrs. Brunt and Bloomfield, who had been expected to take part in the proceedings of the evening, were, from some unknown cause, absent. The Chairman then called on Mr. J. Webster to address the meeting on the "Rod of Moses." (Exodus iv. 2.) Mr. Webster, in a very able and sensible speech, recounted the history of Moses as the man of God, the sage, and deliverer and lawgiver of his people; and showed him to be the prototype of the Messiah. He compared the miracles of Moses with those of Christ, the great difference between them being, that Moses

with his rod wrought miracles, which were a punishment; whereas, those of the Saviour were such as conferred blessings. The last miracle which Moses wrought was the striking of the rock, whence gushed out a stream of water. This is said to have been Christ himself: and it was typical of his being rejected by the Jews. Mr. Thos. Chivers spoke on the "Song of Moses." (Exodus xv. 1.) Mr. Flack gave a short, edifying address on the "Blessing of Moses (Deut. xxxiii. 1); and Mr. Geo. Webb, in a short speech, supplied the place of the absent gentlemen by taking the subjects allotted to them; viz., the "Death and Burial of Moses." The Chairman then made a few concluding remarks, pronounced the benediction, and the meeting separated. H. A. H.

CANADA, WEST.-York River, Hastings Co.-Dear Brother Banks, -It is my painful duty to inform you of the sudden death of one of your most esteemed and valued correspondents, Mr. W. H. Peck, of Halloway, C.W. Our brother was leaving home to go to Belleville when his horses took fright, at what we know not; he was thrown out of the waggon, and died in fifteen minutes; he had gone but a few yards from his own door, and in sight of wife and children, who are mourning his loss. He was born at Wreslingworth, in Beds, February 16, 1829. At the age of five he lost his father, who died suddenly. His mother seems, from his diary, to have been a "mother in Israel." He notes her earnest pleadings at the throne of grace, on behalf of himself and little brother

"How can I bear the piercing thought,

What if their names should be left out; When thou for me shalt call ?"

She ever had them with her at all religious meetings, and trained them in the ways of the Lord. In 1840 his mother died, leaving the orphan boys in the Lord's care; and well the trust was kept. He was happily preserved from the excess of riot in his youth; but still he felt a sliding down the incline to the gates of death. In 1848 and 1849 the Almighty fiat went forth, "Arrest that man;" the law entered; and its light revealed the deformity of his nature. He withdrew from his companions, and went with those that "feared the Lord." He sat for a time under Thomas Rowe, Gransden. In 1852 he joined himself to the Lord and the church, at Mount Zion, Dorset square, where he profited much under John Foreman, of whom he ever spoke in the most affectionate terms, and ofttimes sighed for an opportunity to hear him again. In 1853 he came to the United States, and was in fellowship with the Baptist church, Cleveland, Ohio; but, like Noah's dove, found no resting-place till he came to Canada. Whilst in the United States he lost his wife, leaving one daughter, who now survives. He came to Halloway in 1858, and there commenced business, in which the Lord prospered him. Here he married again, in

the Lord, a help-meet every way worthywho can discern between the precious and the vile? When I was appointed to this mission the first letter I opened was from our dear brother, and from that moment we were like David and Jonathan, so that I feel the removal acutely. There was the largest concourse of people at the funeral ever seen in these parts. His parson, Mr. A. Anderson, preached from Ps. lxxxiv. 4, and at the Old Thurlow Baptist burying ground his uncle, J. Cox, Esq., of Ottawa, made some excellent remarks. On Lord'sday, May 13th, I preached his funeral sermon from Rev. xiv. 13, to a large congregation. The widow and three little ones are left to mourn his premature death. May the great Head of the Church be their guardian through this vale of tears, and their everlasting portion above.-Yours, affectionately, SAMUEL JACKSON.

MAPLE HOUSE, KELSALE, SUFFOLK.-On Lord's-day evening, August 13th, a very interesting open air service was held on the lawn, in front of this pretty country residence. Maple House has for some few years, been occupied by our beloved brother Roots, whom the Lord has been pleased to make very useful as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ among the churches. We have always found our brother ready and willing to serve both the churches and his brethren in the ministry, which he has done with acceptance and success, the Lord being pleased to own his ministry, in the edification of His people, and the conversion of sinners. We regret that our brother Roots is leaving this country, and the service in which we have been privileged to unite, is the last of the kind with which we may be favoured. On this occasion a very large assembly of dear friends, connected with neighbouring churches and congregations met together, to testify their high appreciation of the character and services of Mr. Roots. At six o'clock our brother commenced the service, with much trembling, by giving out the sweet hymn,

Now to the Lord a noble song. Having read the scriptures and offered prayer, we were again favoured to hear him preach Jesus, with much earnestness and affection, from the words of our Lord, "Peace be unto you," John xx. 19, from which the preacher dwelt upon the blessing of peace, the nature of this peace, Jesus the peace-maker, our peace, peace a legacy to the Lord's people, Jesus the giver of this peace, peace enjoyed through faith in the Redeemer, peace perfected in heaven. There was marked attention, deep feeling, and we trust the Lord was indeed there. Brother Brown, of Friston, followed with a short address, full of truth and fraternal love, and brother Pawson, of Morningham, after a few remarks, expressive of regret that our brother Root is called in providence to leave us, and his gratification

at seeing so large an assembly present, and among them, not only so many of his own beloved people, but so large a number from Friston, and other churches and congregations, gave out the closing hymn and offered the closing prayer. After the service the friends lingered as though unwilling to part. Again the dear friends who most efficiently led the singing, raised their voices in solemn praise to God, to whom we desire to give all glory, and then we were obliged to say farewell to our dear brother, and his beloved wife. Mr. Roots leaves followed by the good wishes, and fervent prayers of those who knew him best, and consequently loved him most. THOMAS

TAXING "SUPPLIES."-Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Believe me, dear sir, I love you for the sacred truth you proclaim, from both pulpit and press. I have known you, and frequently heard you ever since you preached in an upper room in Windmill street. I only mention this to convince you of my sincerity in writing on the following subject, which has been as a fire in my bones ever since I heard it from a friend of mine. I hardly know how to approach it, but I must. The thing I have been obliged to hear laid to your charge is that you supply destitute churches with supplies on commission; receiving so much out of what they get for preaching; whereas, if they preach for you, they receive a mere trifle, say "eighteenpence." Dear sir, forgive the liberty I have taken. FLORA FOSTER.

[This "Aged Pilgrim" says a friend of ours has announced this falsehood. We ask Flora Foster, of 5, Crown street, Old Street road, to tell us who the friend is? We have written hundreds-perhaps thousands of letters, and have devoted time and money to get churches supplied, and to get churches for brethren out of a charge. If the man can be found of whom we either ever asked or received a commission; or to whom we have given eighteenpence for preaching, we should be glad to see him. Towards that race of self-denying men, called "Itinerants," we have ever entertained a desire to help-not hurt them. One wild, if not wicked Irishman, told Mr. Myerson, in the presence of Mr. Jeffs, of Richmond, that we received commission from supplies. When this Irish gentleman next called on us, we charged him with this falsehood: he denied it; and fled off. We have never seen him since. We frequently have ministers writing to, and calling on us now, for the purpose of obtaining pulpits; but there are very few we have either time or mind to attend to. We would gladly; but we cannot serve them. This is a day for children to play in the streets. The old men, and many others, may rest now.-ED.]

RYE LANE PECKHAM SCHOOLS.On Sunday afternoon, July 30th, the happy and affectionate pastor of the Baptist church presented Mr. G. T. Congreve, superintendent of the school for seven years past, with a very handsome inkstand from the teachers and children, as a token of their long-standing love and esteem. The inkstand bears the following inscription, beautifully engraved :-"Presented to to Geo. Thos. Congreve, Esq., by the teachers and scholars of the Rye lane Sunday school, in token of their grateful appreciation of his valued services as their superintendent." The school was densely crowded. The pastor, as chairman for the occasion, presented the gift in a most kind, hearty, and telling speech, in the course of which he remarked the significance of the present, and the great things that had been done through the means of the inkstand. Mr. Congreve was deeply affected as well as surprised. Having been away from London for five Sabbaths, the matter had been kept secret. With much emotion, he acknowledged the gift, saying that, "whatever advantages his time and services had rendered to the school,- -to God their thanks were due, and not to him. It was his earnest desire that they all, both teachers and scholars, might continue loving and united still: he should always look upon this beautiful present with feelings of pleasure as a memorial of many happy hours spent in the Rye lane school."-N.B. On Lord's-day evening, Aug. 13th, six females were baptized by Mr. Moyle; two of them teachers, and one of them a scholar of the school.

MR. THOMAS CHIVERS'S JUBILEE.-EBENEZER BAPTIST CHAPEL, WEBB STREET, BERMONDSEY.-A public_meeting was held on Monday evening, July 31, 1865, to celebrate our pastor's Jubilee, but owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance was rather small. The meeting was opened by our pastor giving out that favourite hymn,

"God moves in a mysterious way," &c., and then read a portion of God's Holy Word. Brother William Stringer offered up an affectionate prayer. Our pastor then gave an interesting account of the Lord's leadings and goodness to him during his 50 years' journey in this wilderness. Brother Kennett, after a short address to our pastor, wishing him every blessing, and that his last days might prove his best days and brightest days, both in providence and grace, then presented him with a neat purse containing £21, which was acknowledged by a short address. A hymn was then sung,

"The year of jubilee is come." Each deacon followed by an address, wishing our pastor every prosperity and blessing might accompany him in his labours and in his family. The meeting was closed by prayer by our pastor.-We sincerely thank

those friends that responded to our circular, both for their contributions and their kind Christian feeling manifested toward our pastor. Yours, faithfully, on behalf of the deacons, JOHN KNOTT.

198, Bermondsey street, S.E.

WARE, HERTS.-The anniversary was held at Zoar Baptist chapel, July 16th, 1865. Mr. Flack and Mr. Bloomfield fulfilled their engagement. Mr. Sampford, the pastor, opened the service by giving out the well-known hymn

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!" Mr. Bloomfield, in the morning, spoke from Hosea xi. 4. It was a blessed time. In the afternoon Mr. B. gave a discourse on 1 Tim. iv. 8. The friends increased to double the number; those that came with empty vessels were not disappointed; the oil and meal had so increased as to fill their vessel to overflowing. One hundred partook of tea, and the friends were cheerful and happy; and well might those be who were possessors of that godliness which is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Mr. Flack came in most seasonably in the evening. His discourse was Mark v. 19. Mr. F. preached on the Lord's-day following. In the morning, Psalm cxvi. 6: "I was brought low, and he helped me." In the evening, Exodus iii. 14: "I am that I am;" and we have reason to bless God for the benefits bestowed upon us through the instrumentality of his servant. We thank our ministerial brethren for their work of faith and labour of love, and our kind friends who favoured us with their presence, and for the aid they afforded on the occasion. "Is anything too hard for the Lord ?"—I hope in the bonds of the everlasting covenant, WM. ROBINSON.

BEARFIELD, WILTS.-DEAR EDITOR, Will you insert the following:-There is at Bearfield, near Bradford-on-Avon, a small and very poor Baptist cause, who are, I believe, truth-loving and error-hating people, who glory in the cross of Christ, honour the Holy Ghost, and worship the Father in spirit and in truth. A short time since, they found it necessary to erect a schoolroom adjoining the chapel, and also to make a few alterations in the chapel itself, but had no funds, and were unable, so far as they could see, to find them; nevertheless, in faith, they set to work, and have now a debt of £20 to clear. Should this meet the eye of any of the Lord's stewards I trust the Holy Ghost will lay it on their hearts, that it is required in stewards, that they be found faithful, and that if they feel led of the Spirit, they will come to the help of their poor brethren. Contributions will be acknowledged in the VESSEL, and may be sent to J. H. Lynn, 364, Albany road.