SUFFOLK.-Old Baptist Chapel, Aldborough. This is a branch of the church at Aldringham, under the pastoral care of Henry T. Pawson. On Thursday, the 12th of January, a tea meeting was held. By the activity of friends, the provision was paid for beforehand, and the number who partook quite filled the chapel. In the evening, a public meeting took place, when the chapel was crowded to excess. After

the opening hymn, brother Wilson, son of the first beloved and honoured pastor (by whose instrumentality the church was planted), and an honourable and useful deacon of the church, offered prayer. After a few remarks by the chairman (Mr. Pawson), brother Brown, of Friston, made a short but appropriate speech, expressive of affection towards the minister and people, and the interest he felt in the prosperity of the cause. He then presented to the pastor a purse containing the proceeds of tea tickets, &c., as a token of love from his people, which, with deep emotion, was briefly acknowledged. Addresses were delivered by the brethren Baldwin, of Saxmundham, Baker, of Tunstall, and Brown, of Triston. The speakers were peculiarly happy. The singing was most animating, and the harmony and good-will which pervaded the meetings was truly encouraging. The presence of our living Lord appeared to be sweetly realized, and after singing part of the sweet hymn beginning, "Jerusalem, my happy home," a short prayer, and the benediction, the friends separated, with, we believe, but one feeling, this has been a happy meeting; we must soon have another. To our covenant God in Christ Jesus be all the glory. We regret that the brethren Large, of Sudbourn, and Bridge, of Aldborough, were unable to attend.

CLAPHAM.-EBENEZER CHAPEL. New Year's services were held on January the 4th. Mr. Bloomfield preached in the afternoon with his usual energy, and in the evening a public meeting was held. G. T. Congreve, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Bloomfield sought the Divine blessing. The chairman's opening address was very suitable, full of Christian sympathy, and, at its close, gave a practical proof that his sympathy extended beyond words. The minister read a statement showing the state of the cause, by which it appeared that eightyeight persons had been received into full communion during his six years' stay at Clapham; a statement of the receipts and expenditure was also read, which showed that £596 58. 114d. had been paid off the chapel debt during the three years and a half the chapel had been erected, leaving a balance of £210 3s. 3d. The minister spoke

most highly of the conduct of the church and congregation towards him, expressed his deep gratitude to God, and his thanks to the chairman and ministers for their presence and support, and he hoped his conduct and that of his friends would be such as to ensure their continued countenance, the approbation of heaven, and that they all might be enabled, by the grace of God, to preserve a conscience void of offence both towards God and man. Mr. Caunt spoke exceedingly well on "The Good Exchange." Mr. Bloomfield gloriously

on

"The Royal Feast." Mr. Hawkins equally so on "Holy Ambition," as did Mr. Bracher (in the absence of Mr. Alderson, through illness), on "Glorious Anticipation." The services were thoroughly enjoyed, and the friends were reluctant to disperse.

"Reluctantly they said farewell,

Their pleasure mixed with pain;
Still in each other's heart they dwell,
And long to meet again."

The proceeds of the day amounted to £10 3s. 4d. The minister thanked the friends for their presence, and a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman closed the services. Mr. Ballard and Mr. Whitteridge also favoured us with their presence. Two brethren and one sister were baptized in December, and five received into full communion in January.

RICHMOND SALEM CHAPEL. On Thursday, Jan. 19th, the New Year's Meeting took place. In the afternoon, prayer was offered up by Mr. John Bloomfield; who also read the 84th Psalm; and then Mr. J. Foreman preached the sermon from Psalm cxix 130; "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." The preacher said, that the words of the Lord may be summed up in two, namely, the Law and the Gospel, the Old Testament and the New; the one condemnation, the other salvation. He would never believe in a damuing Gospel; but on the contrary, it is a standard of grace and joy to those, who by His grace are to be saved. The Gospel is the word of grace, which means a peculiar and uncommon favour; such as a king's favour. Words of grace are words of life, even to them that have none in themselves. The Jews wanted to make Jesus Christ a king, when he fed the multitude in the wilderness, because they thought he would always feed them; but when He said to them, "Except ye drink my blood, and eat of my flesh, ye cannot have life," they found that saying too hard for them, and left Him. They did not believe: but to the true believer Christ is all in all. No doubt the believer continued to sin, but he was always an honest sinner. Witness Peter, the most honest of them all,-in the hour of trial he denied his Master, but still he loved Him as dearly as ever. In fact, without Him, what shall we do? without Him, whither shall we go? The Gospel is the word of comfort, as it is written,

"We through patience and comfort of Thy word," &c.; it is the word of salvation; being the word of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. As to the "entrance of Thy word," the word without and the word within is very different. The one consists in mere doctrines, the other in experience, or practical religion. Roman Catholicism, the State Church, are all outside, like the statue of stone and wood, cold and without feeling. The real thing is the inside. As to "Thy word giveth light," it is a sovereign power which none can feel, except those who have been converted. It has a sovereign entry; it enters with power, as the word of a king, into the very heart; it is altogether the work of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ we can do all things, suffer all things. The great men of Rome even were brought to believe in Him. In almost all the households of the nobility of Imperial Rome they learned to pray to God; because while Paul was there they would always ask him why he was there placed before the tribunal without any apparent cause; and he would then always reply, I am here for the love of my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. This would lead them to reflect, to believe, to pray; and thus the word had an entry there. But it is all by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Gospel teaches free grace and free salvation; and the true minister of God is the honest free grace, free salvation preacher. May God give us more and more the spirit of prayer.-After the sermon, of which the foregoing is, of course, only a feeble abstract, and which was listened to with profound attention by a full congregation, the 920th hymn "Dismiss us with thy blessing, Lord"-was sung, and the benediction pronounced.-Tea was served at five o'clock, in the chapel, to a crowded company; and we cannot but mention the untiring suavity and attention of the friends who took the management.-The public meeting commenced at six o'clock. Mr. Bloomfield occupied the chair, and was surrounded by the following ministers:-Messrs. John Foreman, W. Palmer, J. L. Meeres, J. Anderson, and W. Flack. The meeting was opened with the singing "Kindred in Christ, for His dear sake," and the reading by the Chairman of the 67th Psalm. The Chairman then called upon Mr. Cozens to pray, who begged to be excused on account of ill health. The Chairman then offered prayer. In his opening address, he said, they would this evening have the privilege of listening to subjects of vital importance, treated by most able brethren. What could be of more vital importance than regeneration? The Saviour taught many truths; but none of more importance. Ecclesiastical Regeneration he did not know much about; it is the regeneration as taught by the State Church; but on that subject Mr. W. Palmer would, no doubt, give them ample information. Principles don't die when men die: it is therefore a mistake when people say at the

decease of some able and learned man, what will become of us now? New men are sure to spring up in the advocacy of truth. Truth wants no favour. On the other hand, no system based on error can stand for any length of time. Truth is like the sun, and truth will come in glorious colours yet. He then called on Mr. W. Palmer, who gave a long and able lecture on Ecclesiastical Regeneration, according to the chart of the Rev. Richard Glover, M.A., Incumbent of Christchurch, Dover.Mr. J. Foreman spoke on "Regeneration according to Jesus Christ," John iii. 3; Mr. J. L. Meeres, on the "New Name," Rev. iii. 12; Mr. J. Anderson, on the "White Stone," Rev. ii. 17; and Mr. Wm. Flack, on the "Crystal River," Rev. xxii. 1.-(Our reporter took full notes of the whole of these addresses; and we may in future numbers, give them to our readers.) At the conclusion, the Chairman made a few more appropriate remarks, and after the Doxology and Benediction, the meeting broke up, well pleased with the proceedings of the evening.

BERMONDSEY NEW ROAD.-EBENEZER, WEBB-STREET.-On Monday, Dec. 26th, the twelfth anniversary of Mr. Chivers' pastorate was holden. In the afternoon a sermon was preached by Mr. Bloomfield, from the words, "We have seen his star in the East," &c. In the evening a public meeting was held, at which the pastor presided. On opening the meeting, he said he had no set speech or formal delivery to make. It afforded him much pleasure to meet his friends on that occasion, met as they were in the great principle of truth, to honour God and promote His cause As a church and people they should share in each other's trials; and, thank God, they should also in each other's joys. They had seen God's hand many times outstretched on their behalf; and be it said to His honour and glory, that for twelve years among them as church, there had been no declension from the truth, no departure from the Gospel order of things; but he believed their Christian walk and practice had been such as becometh those professing godliness. These were no small mercies. His anxiety as a pastor was great; his position as a minister pressed upon him with increasing weight, at times tending almost to press the body down. Still God helped and sustained him, and at times comforted him. His prayer was that God would keep him watchful and direct his steps through the yet untrodden paths of life, while his anxiety increased for the honour of the Gospel of truth, and the love of his heart for never dying souls. God knew these things lay near his heart, and he would not give much for the minister whose heart was not moved for the souls of his fellow men. He thanked God for all the mercies past, and desired to commit into His hands all events of the future. All the institutions in connection with the church were

in a prosperous state; among themselves they were in peace, minister, deacons, and people. These things were no small mercies, and for which he desired to render unto God his heartfelt thanks. The subject for the evening's discussion, was "The Authorized Ministry," which was spoken to by Messrs. Alderson, Green, Wyard. Caunt, Thomas, Jones, and J. L. Meeres, Mr. Wyard, jun., and the brethren in office, assisting in the proceedings. A good spirit pervaded the speakers, and Mr. Chivers said, in conclusion, it was one of the best meetings they had ever had at Ebenezer.

SHEFFIELD.-A correspondent says "There is a Mr. Quick, a man of truth among the Independents, and there is Mr. Battersby in the church, the only two we have in this large town. I see from the VESSEL you have been to Hull and Heywood; I have had a desire to hear you for a long time, and, God willing, hope to realize it. We are one in soul matters, and I have had my soul refreshed by reading your writings in the VESSEL, because you lift up my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the all and in all in the salvation of a poor sinner. You have had a deal to pass through; but the Lord has been with you, and the God of Jacob has been your help. Yes, and He will be to the end of time; for He has said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' O for grace to be enabled to live unto Him who has loved us, and given Himself for us; who died, the 'just for the unjust, that He might bring us unto God.' We want more of this love in our churches. I am sure where the love of Christ is enjoyed, by the Holy Ghost, envy and evil speaking cannot live. Charity thinketh [We thank the Lord for every good word like this. Our work has cost us ten thousand sorrows, and has been very, very imperfect; but how far it has been useful God only can know. The fiery darts of Satan, the dark clouds of cross Providences, the unkindness of mischievous spirits, and the conflicts between the flesh and the spirit, have all but sunk us into despair and death. But surely underneath have been the everlasting arms; therefore we live and labour still in the fear of the Lord and in the faith of the Gospel. When our next journey northward is arranged, we shall be willing to tell the friends of Truth in Sheffield all we know of Jesus and His great salvation.-ED.]

no evil."

On

WARE.-ZOAR BAPTIST CHAPEL. 2nd of January, the annual tea meeting was held the best we ever had. Our brother Sampford does not receive anything for his laborious work. Bless the Lord, there are a few that love the truth, and love their pastor for his work's sake; and they endeavour to show their love by their deeds. This was done by making him a small present at this meeting. I say small, for some have a full heart but an empty purse. I am glad to say, there has been an increase

We

every year, and this was the best. had to tea over 150, and the friends enjoyed themselves. It will not be forgotten by some as long as they live. I felt much delighted with your introductory remarks for the present year; and I know if we could be kept looking more and more for that blessed hope, it would buoy up our spirits, and we should be living more and more in anticipation of what the apostle says, "We know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." O that we may be looking and hoping for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. When He comes, their owner will come, who gave Himself for them. The Lord continue to bless your EARTHEN VESSEL. WILLIAM ROBINSON.

A

BEXLEY HEATH.-BAPTIST CHAPEL. Jubilee services were held in this place on Tuesday the 10th instant, to celebrate the fiftieth year of the pastor's ministry. very appropriate sermon was preached in the afternoon by Mr. Camp, of Eynesford, from Acts xxi. 16: "An old disciple." About 120 sat down to a very comfortable tea, and at six o'clock, a public meeting was held, when the following friends of the "Old Disciple" delivered suitable addresses, viz.: Messrs. Webb, Wilson, Blake, Smallwood, Gibson, Holland, Pierce, Slim, Whittle, and Skelt. The pastor spoke of the goodness of the Lord all these fifty years. The meeting was a good one, and we are thankful to the friends who so kindly came to help us on this occasion. Subscriptions are still thankfully received by Mr. New, Church-road, Bexley Heath, secretary to the Jubilee fund.

DACRE PARK, BLACKHEATH.-A New Year's tea meeting was held in this place on Friday, January 13th. About 100 sat down to tea, the arrangements of which were carried out with the comfort and success of former years. A public meeting commenced at 6.30; Mr. Cozens in the chair. After singing and prayer, Mr. Cracknell, the late pastor, who was on a visit to Blackheath, in a neat speech, wished the friends a happy new year, and was followed by Mr. Thomas Jones, who gave an eloquent and powerful address on the new covenant. After a few pithy remarks by the Chairman. Mr. W. Leach, of Plumstead, acquitted himself well in an address on a new heart, and the new name. W. Alderson, who was to have spoken on "All things New," having been prevented by illness from fulfilling his engagement, Mr. Jones kindly supplied the want by some telling and soul-elevating remarks. James Mote, Esq., introduced the collection, and Mr. W. Poplar, also a member of the Church, concluded by prayer, a happy, and it is hoped, a profitable meeting.

Mr.

BRIGHTON. DEAR SIR,-Upon the threshold of another year, my soul is con

strained to tell you what the Lord has done for His cause and people in this town, where the privileges of Gospel Truth are felt and enjoyed by very many. Salem, Bond-street, is now a Bethel to many souls. For some time it was in trial and perplexities; but favoured were they even then in their supplies. Many of these dear sent messengers, with their messages of love and mercy, will long be remembered, and borne upon hearts for the truth's sake. Mr. John Glaskin, the present pastor, is, indeed, choice, deeply experimental, and filled with holy zeal and Divine anointing. What rejoicing for members; what cause for thankfulness and praise; many a Godglorifying, soul-comforting, season is enjoyed within its walls; and in prayer, such wrestling, such beseeching the throne; how often has the cry been, "Lord, it is good to be here." May God richly bless him in Divine things, and peace, unity, and love live and reign long amongst them. Friends and others interested in this cause will greatly rejoice to learn of its continuing prosperity.

SAXMUNDHAM.-New Year's meeting. The object of the meeting was to cultivate a spirit of friendship with the brethren in the ministry, and the members of the churches of the same faith and order in this locality. In this we were not disappointed. We had seven brethren in the ministry, with several of their friends, who all expressed themselves highly gratified. On Tuesday, January 10th, our brother Hoddy preached a good sermon from Eph. iii. 17, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." A goodly num

ber sat down to tea at five o'clock. In the evening we had a full house. We sang, "Kindred in Christ," &c. Brother Newman, a deacon of the church at Tunstall, prayed. Our brother Sears, of Laxfield, spoke upon the Constitution and Character of the Christian; Brown, of Triston, the Christian's Privileges; Pawson, of Aldringham, Duties; Baker, of Tunstall, Sorrows; Large, of Sudborne, Joys; and Hoddy, the Christian's Home. Between each address our singers sang an anthem, which had a very pleasing effect. The speakers were all at home in their work, and we hope good was done in the name of the holy child Jesus. After singing "Home, sweet home," from the selection, the Benediction was pronounced. The meeting was closed very happily about nine o'clock.

J. BALDWIN.

(late of London) having accepted the almost unanimous call of the Baptist church, meeting in the above place, commenced his labours Lord's-day, January 1st. Being for some time without a pastor, the cause was low. I believe the Lord will bless his labours. We have an increasing congregation; many are led to rejoice under the sound of the Word. Mr. Flory is full of zeal for God and Truth. We anticipate having a public tea next month to welcome our newly-chosen pastor. A VERY LITTLE ONE.

MANCHESTER.-At the annual meeting of the church and friends in Baptist chapel, Higher Temple-street, last Monday week, a happy Christian spirit was manifested. Mr. Smith has for many years laboured there with comfort and peace; his honourable position, and his grace-sustained Christian character have set him high in the estimation of all who can appreciate a liberal-minded yet firm and faithful Gospel minister. We should be rejoiced to know his health was established.-Jan. 5, 1865.

NOTES, QUERIES, AND REPLIES.

IN our Baptist Almanack list, we omitted the name and address of our brother Maycock; it is No. 9, Portland-place, St. Mark's-road, Camberwell New-road. During the last month, he has been preaching with much acceptance to the church meeting in Bethel, at Old Ford. The Hounslow church have, we understand, been favoured to hear him with considerable blessedness. We shall much rejoice to see him happily and successfully settled over a large and truth-loving people. We had the honour of baptizing him; and the more we have seen and known of him, the more highly we esteem him. After long struggles, he was brought from the Primitive Methodists; he now stands firm in the Truth. Very recently, we have been favoured to baptize another of the Primitive Methodist preachers, Mr. Alsop, of the Hackney-road, a brother of good experience, and of an earnest spirit. We heartily pray that he may be a blessing to many of our churches who are cold and languishing, and seriously lack "a live coal from off the altar" to re-kindle in their midst the flames of " never-dying love." Over the brethren to whom we have referred we watch with much anxiety, and fervently hope they will be burning and shining lights in our churches, and that many more like them may be given unto us from the ranks of the free-will armies.

Death.

Mr. J. FILEWOOD, deacon of Bethesda chapel, Clapham rise, departed this life January 20th, 1865, aged 53. Thus, within four years, has the pastor and two deacons been called home. May the Lord soon send faithful men to take their places.