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with divine power to my soul-'encourage thou him.' I was constrained to go to the throne of grace, enjoyed sweet liberty, and came away with the sweet assurance that you was a man of God, and that (though now scouted by many of Jesu's standard bearers, and oppressed by the publishing of the Earthen Vessel,) the dear Lord would preserve it and you from shipwreck, and ere long grant a propitious gale-I enclose my mite; and will use my best endeavours to further its sale.

"Blessed is the people

a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible one, is as a storm against_the_wall." But how came we in the rock? Did we climb in by faith, repentance, or works? No, electing love put us in; Omnipotent power and grace kept us there; this inhabited rock rises out of the ocean of Covenant love; hath its foundations in the holy mountains; devils cannot climb the mountains; devils cannot cross the ocean; those mountains are eternal immutability, eternal omnipotence, eternal faithfulness, eternal wisdom, eternal holiness; this is Jesu's foundation, as the Christ of God, and ours in him.

everlasting. whose God is the Lord." We are baptised by one Spirit into one body, and it is heaven below and glory in the bud, when by the invincible energy of God the Holy Ghost, we realise a soul transporting plunge into the sea of love and blood. "Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the tops of the mountains." Blessed foundation; in which, and on which, the elect church stands, the Rock of Incarnate Deity; it is a rock that stood the blast of hell; that endured In your letter, you enquire after my the wrath of God; assaulted by Devils, soul's health, ah, my brother, my expe- yet impregnable, tried by God and aprience, (if of vital experience I have any, proved-proved by all the quickened which I often question,) is mysterious elect of God to be a sure foundation; a indeed; dark nights and cheerful days-"strength to the needy in his distress, heavy losses and some spiritual gainssore temptations and seasonable helps tears and smiles-castings down and liftings up-fits of despair and lively hopes -the poisons of unbelief felt, and the triumphs of faith enjoyed-burdened and delivered; sighing and singing; on the mount of communion and in the shadow of death-loaded with corruptions-pardoned by blood-condemned and justified -happy and miserable-fighting and fainting-rising and falling-rejoicing and mourning-yet with that light with which my soul is now blessed, I must add, wonderfully, mercifully, and almightily kept, sanctified, and of glory assured, and, in measure, (if not deluded) brought out of self, to live a life of faith upon the Son of God" who loved me, and gave himself for me." And O what a feast of fat things is the love, blood, grace, finished work, and righteousness of a dear Redeemer, to a poor stripped and beggared sinner, while the Beloved saith "Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved." How blessed to feel a precious Jesus draw near; to feel our hearts drawn to him by the sweet cords of love; none but Zion's children know the sacred joy thats felt; it is a joy unspeakable and full of glory; while at the same time, with the witnessing and sweet anointing of God the Holy Ghost, Abba, Father." Then it is our souls realise the blessedness of being in Christ, we can triumph, feeling that we are bone of his bone, body of his body, flesh of his flesh; and, how sweet the thought, this union is eternal, and indissoluble; here, all is bliss and blessedness; and this bliss and blessedness shall be

we cry,

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You enquire," how we are getting on in the Church." The poor lad with the five barley loaves, often goes into the pulpit with feelings like a malefactor going to the gallows; but the Lord miraculously multiplies and blesses: five were added to the Church last Lord's day; and two others proposed; and there are several precious lambs bleeting outside the fold, who, I hope, will soon be gathered in. We have peace in the church from the God of peace, and as to attendance, we have ofttimes as many as we can comfortably seat; for all this the Lord be praised, while I pray I may be humbled from a sense of the Lord's abundant goodness.

May the God of all grace strengthen, stablish, settle you: remember, it is the lot of the righteous to have persecution : and the lot of the righteous to be supported: under it your afflictions may be multitudinous, poignant, and heavily distressing; but let a few more fleeting moments take their flight, and your loving

Kinsman, Redeemer, shall call you up higher; the eternal cloudless day shall dawn upon your soul, while through a long eternity he will banquet your spirit with his inimitable, matchless, boundless, infinite love, I remain, through grace, your brother pilgrim, EBENEZER.

Society for the Relief of Ministers.

MY DEAR FRIEND,-Last Thursday being the third anniversary of C. W. BANKS commencing his labours in London, the afternoon was set apart by his friends for the purpose of commemorating the event, and many of the Lord's dear family, whose souls have been blessed under his ministry were present to testify their gratitude unto God for the tokens of his goodness unto them, and for his gradual increase of them, as a portion of the living church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mr. BANKS preached on the occasion from 2 TIM. ii. 8, 9, 10. "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." In speaking upon the clause, "but the word of God is not bound," the preacher gave a very soul cheering proof of the truth of the words as evidenced in the church of God assembling at Crosby Row Chapel.

The scene forcibly reminded me of the words of the Psalmist, which seemed peculiarly applicable, especially to the minister. Ps. lxxi. 20, 21. "Thou which hast shewed me great and sore trouble shall quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt enlarge my greatness, and comfort me on every side." For though we must look for the full realization of these words beyond the grave; yet they have a beauty and a fulness as they refer to the Lord's dealings with his dear family here; and I doubt not, but that our dear Brother, who has past through the bitterness of the "sore trouble," is now in the enjoyment of the blessings which follow and that the Lord is enlarging his greatness,' both in his soul, and in his ministry, is evident on every side.

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After the services of the afternoon, about two hundred persons partook of tea, in the chapel, and at seven o'clock a public meeting commenced in connection with the poor Baptist Ministers' Relief Society. After singing, that venerable looking man of God, Mr. LUCOMBE, addressed the throne of grace for the presence, and blessing of the Lord, upon the occasion, when C. W. BANKS, the

minister of the place, was unanimously requested to take the chair.

The secretary, Mr. FENNER, being called upon by the chairman, gave a very encouraging statement of the funds of this infant ed the meeting: this good man brought Society. After which, Mr. ALLNUT addressforward most convincing proofs, not only of the real benefit of such an institution; but also of what might be done on its behalf. One circumstance must be noticed, which was doubtless heard with deep interest by every child of God: the writer must confess that it was with difficulty he suppressed the tear of sympathy, while his bosom glowed with love and soul-union unto the person, (although unknown and probably will remain unknown to him in the flesh,) whose generous spirit could make the sacrifice, and that too in the midst of poverty, to aid the suffering servants of Jesus Christ, who are often made to lose their all in this world, while spending and being spent for the spiritual good of the church, by spreading abroad the savour of the everlasting gospel, and of exalting our precious Saviour, whose boundless love is past understanding, whose matchless grace is unsearchable, and whose glories will fill the tongues of the church above with praise and blessing through the ages of eternity. The fact I allude to is briefly this: "A poor woman who was at the time of her minister taking his leave, to be present at the meeting, entirely destitute of money; but who having a watch which she had preserved for many years as a memorial of her deceased husband, she pressed Mr. ALLNUTT to take it, and devote it to the temporal relief of those servants of the Lord whose circumstances from time to time plead hard and often plead in vain, upon those whom God hath favoured with a plentiful portion of this world's good.

The meeting was severally addressed by several other ministers, who gave some painful relations from their own experience of the straits to which ministers of the gospel are often reduced in providence, and also of the wonderful deliverances of our wonder-working God in appearing for them, not always in the hour of need, but when their strength was all gone, and after much privation had been endured.

Letters were read from absent ministers, at a distance too great to be present on the occasion, expressing the interest they felt in the Institution, and their willingness to do all that lay in their power to fix the object of the Society upon such a basis as to afford necessary relief to necessitious ministers in distress.

It was moved that letters be addressed to the leading ministers in London, soliciting their co-operation in this benevolent object. It is to be wished that this resolution may

be carried out, and that those whom the Lord in his providence has placed in circumstances which secure them from want themselves, may come forth to the help of an Institution, the only object of which is to aid and assist their less fortunate but often equally useful brethren in the ministry.

The interesting proceedings of the day being over, with a song of praise and a parting blessing, the meeting broke up at nine o'clock; and truly my heart said, through the whole, "It is good to be here."

Your's in truth and love,
AN OBSERVer.

London, December 8, 1846.

A Word for the Editor of the
Earthen Vessel.

"Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens; and he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant, and bowed the shoulder to bear," Genesis xlix. 14, 15.

CHILDREN of Zion; men of the true Israel; ye that serve God in truth, and worship him in the Spirit; an appeal has already been made to you by the "Watchman," in the last number of the Earthen Vessel, who, like Issachar of old, is now couching down between two burdens, viz, the work of the ministry, and the labour and expence of carrying on this work; he seeing that rest is good, that is the glorious rest prepared for the people of God, through the mediatorial work of the dear Redeemer, and that the land is pleasant; even the land to which the Israel of God are every hour drawing nearer to, and having the glory of God and the comfort of his dear people at heart, is still willing to bow the shoulder to bear; but shall those who reap so much benefit and comfort by his labours, withold the small mite it will require to ease him of his burden; a mite which would to some produce but a little self-denial, while to others it would be no

more than the trouble of sending it; shall

the children of mammon be zealous in

contributing to the various vanities of the times, while a work that bears the stamp of divine truth and speaks to the praise of a triune Jehovah, be left to fall to the ground, or its author, as he states in the December number, at times not having a penny to call his own.

The plan proposed by the "Watchman" of sending Six-pence each, or six penny postage stamps, is simple, but if generally followed would be effectual. Might not some of the most influential members in the various congregations to whom it has been made useful, take a collecting card, then even the poorest who have a good will to the work might give their penny, and the "widow's mite" would add as great a blessing as the

gift of those who could give much. May the dear Lord put it into the hearts of his children to give freely, and that the remarks made in the last number, and those now added may meet with his blessing and approval; and that the Editor may still be enabled to go on with the good work, is the desire and prayer of one who like David of old, "can open his mouth and pant after the knowledge of him that filleth all in all. Walworth. J. B. E.

State of the London Churches.-No. 4. OVER the doors of many of our large Chapels, in and about London, as also in the country, might very well be written the word Exhibition. Exhibition of what? you ask. I reply, of Christ in preaching, or setting forth his name, person, deeds, and gospel, now made the vehicle of human applause, eloquence, and honours, by one class of preachers. Of this I will give an instance coming under my own knowledge very lately. At the opening of a large Baptist Chapel in the town of Leicester, built upon a model taken, I suppose, from the ancient idolators; from its gaudy and fantastical appearance, styled classical, but properly" the heathen."

The very talented and popular minister on this occasion was the author of Mammon. His subject for the edification of his auditory, was taken from Job vii. 17. He philologically entered into the geologists' view of the creation, the nature of man, and description of the Deity's greatness; in no common language; of course an eloquent sermon. The same discourse (verbatim read) I heard from him at the opening of another chapel, a few weeks after; alas! that the exhibition of this ADORABLE NAME, before whom heaven, earth, and hell tremble, should thus be prostituted to the shrine of applause. It hath pleased God by what is termed "foolishness to save them that believe," and to make what is weakness (in their esteem)

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for pieces of bread:" and all who do so belong to "great Babylon"-" Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken; the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." The traffic and merchandise with the name of Jesus, carried on within this old city "clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones and pearls," will be found to have been of very great extent, and in some places least suspected. O, that those who stand prominently for the name of Jesus, would consider, not what men say, but "what saith the Lord."

But we go on, as we may be helped, to search out Jerusalem, "to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof." Who can do this, or give a faithful and correct statement of the outward acknowleged church of Christ? An angel cannot. We look at what is said here and there, but the ballance totters, we cannot hold it steady with an unskilful diseased hand. But if "God lay righteousness to the line and judgment to the plummet" do believe what is esteemed very highly will be found to consist of loads of rubbish only.

We now seem to have lighted upon a kind of "Smyrna" sort of people; we mention two churches; Mr. Wright, who has been prophesying near thirty years in Salem Chapel, near the Obelisk, Waterloo Road; and Mr. Gravener, in Garden Row, St. George's Fields, Lambeth, about twenty-four years; both of the Huntingtonian ministry. Mr. Gravener lived with W. Huntington, and was a domestic servant of that renowned champion. He has continued witnessing from his own experience that "the way of life" is narrow, and "above to the wise;" in opposition to the broad way, and common beaten path of professors. He states that 500 have left him during his ministry. He has contended for a living faith, in union with a living head, opposing one that is dead and unproductive. I was at his place about a month ago, on the Tuesday evening; four others besides myself made up the congregation; after staying a short time, the old gentleman said there would be no preaching. The Lord has permitted him for a few

months past to walk in great darkness of mind; also in bodily affliction, during which time there has been supplies for the Sabbath only. To all human probality the place is likely to be closed against the preaching of the Word; and I have been told this old saint is likely to end his days in the work-house: we hope not; we recommend Mr. Abrahams' congregation to do to him, as Mr. Wells has done to the late Mr. T. Lord. I shook hands with Mr. G. on the above evening, he was very heavily groaning in spirit. I said, "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer."

Mr. Wright still continues at Salem Chapel, which, like Mr. Gravener's, is a small upper room; but large enough for the small number attending. Mr. W. is not so eccentric nor so satirical in his expressions as Mr. Gravener; his manner and style being more sober, yet fully maintaining and setting forth, in a sweet experimental strain, the preciousness of faith in Christ. The last time I heard him he said, Christ was everything to the Father, and the same to every poor sinner. Two or three months ago, I took down the following from him:66 My friends I am only accustomed to speak to a few, there are many sit under the sound of the gospel who go away saying, what an eloquent sermon; a delightful man; &c. I do not want to hear that; 1 would rather hear you say, the Holy Ghost has harrowed up my soul with the word, and caused me to believe on Jesus; being ashamed of yourselves and finding fault with your own ways."

Mr. Hobbs, who is also an Huntingtonian, and has been nineteen years in Haberdasher's Hall, Staining Lane, in the city, has left that Chapel, and is now in the neighbourhood of these two old ministers who seem about departing.

Thus, this part of God's Israel seems to be coming low, whilst the stately appearance of the bondwoman and her children are spreading in every quarter. The temple is building without might, power or eloquence; victorious grace, sovereign power, and redemption's pur. chase, shall reign triumphant.

If the Lord shall spare us, of the once fruitful field (the Hunntingtonian) we may soon have something more to say.

H. W.

Cleanings from the Vintage.-No. 1. Extract from a Sermon by Mr. JAMES WELLS, May 4, 1844, at the Surrey Tabernacle, Borough Road.

THERE is nothing in religion but what is included in the word love; and if we are not brought to feel the need of that love, it would have been better for us had we never been born; but if we are brought to feel our need of it, then we shall see and know what it can do:-that it can blot out our sins from the book of judgment-that it can blot out our sins from our consciences. There is an almightiness in the love of God: this appears in the Lord's dealings with his people from day to day. When all other loves wither and die, the people of God have left with them the everlasting love of God. If the Lord's people live, what is their portion when they live? The love of God. If they die, what is their portion when they die? The love of God. If they rise again at the last day, what is their portion when they rise again? The love of God. The love of God is an enduring love. Could you treat a dear friend that you knew loved you, in the same manner that you treat the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you think that that dear friend could bear for one week only what the Lord Jesus Christ is continually putting up with from you? Do you think that any husband could bear from his wife what the Lord Jesus Christ bears from you? The Lord's people may possess the love of God's truth of election, without possessing the assurance of it; but they cannot possess the assurance of it, without at the same time, possessing the love of it. A man cannot possibly hate that of which he feels his need. Those who cannot endure the truth now, will not be able to endure it at the last great day. "Come ye blessed of my father," (that will do, says the free-willer,) "inherit the kingdom," (O yes, to be sure, says the free-willer, such good people as we ought to inherit the kingdom;) prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (O no, that wont do at all; we wont go, says the free-willer.) But the people of God lay up a good foundation for themselves; they lay up God's eternal election; they feel their need of it, and they must of necessity love it. The religion of Balaam was a religion not now, it was a religion not nigh; but if you are brought to re

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ceive the truth of God in the love of it, your daily cry will be, "visit me to day, Lord; visit me with thy salvation this day." None but those who are spiritual can do spiritual actions, proceeding from the love of God. If a child of God be in prison, and a freewiller visits him, and feeds him, and clothes him, what does he do it for? Does he do it from a love to that child of God, and because he is a disciple? No. Does he do it because that child of God receives the doctrine of eternal election? No. Does he do it because that child of God detests free-will, and all these volumes of smoke that ascend from the bottomless pit? No. Well then, what does he do it for? Why because he believes it is his duty to do it, and that he may receive a higher place in heaven. In the love of God there is a fulness; and in all that is said of God there is a fulness. In eternal life there is a fulness. If you had your health and strength upon earth, and everything went in your favor, and nothing appeared against you, how long would you wish to live such a life? Why, say you, I should like to live for ever; I should never wish to die! Well, then, it is just such a life the Lord's people will have after death; they will never wish to die, but for ever be with those they love, where

"Their best friends, their kindred dwell, And God their Saviour reigns!"

The late Mr. MARKELLIE,

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

DEAR BROTHER.-I have been acquainted with our departed brother about nine years; and I must say I never met with one that I could walk with as I could with him. Many happy hours have I spent with him, talking about those blessed things that alone can do us good. He was favoured with a clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus; he was made an instrument, by God the Holy Ghost, to unfold the scriptures in a blessed way: many times have I been refreshed by him. I feel his loss very much; he was a brother, indeed, to me. With regard to his ministry, it was not long; yet many poor souls were blessed, and comforted, and built up in their most holy faith, and would have rejoiced for him still to have proclaimed the unspeakable riches of Christ, had it been the Lord's will.

D

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