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"I have always met with the greatest kindness and attention from my friends at Zoar. I have occupied their pulpit every year but one (from illness) since 1837; and if I may judge from the congregations assembled there, with some acceptance among the people.

his power to bring me to repentance and or nothing to do with the insertion of the confession, and utterly failed, and believed pieces. That is not my department, though me to be a hardened hypocrite, then he might I have a general control, sufficient to reject have been justified in denouncing me pub- what is unscriptural, according to my judglicly. But, to cover up his feelings for six ment. years, under an appearance of friendship, and never seek to get into my mind and conscience upon the matter, but publicly stab me in a chapel where I had many friends as well as enemies, is heart-breaking treatment. I have felt it most severely, and was at first quite stunned by the blow. It made ine weep before the Lord, and cry and groan to him. But I desired to put my mouth into the dust, accept the punishment of my iniquity, and beseech him to make the trial profitable to my soul. I felt that deceive him I could not, and mock him I would not; that he knew the ground of my heart; that all my ways and words were open before him; that he alone could bring me out of this trial and make it a blessing to my soul, And I begged of him to give me godly sorrow where I had transgressed his holy will and word, and power to confess and acknowledge it. These have been more or less my prayers and desires ever since; and more than once, but once especially, I have found much power and prevalence in pleading with the Lord, and on that particular occasion, my heart seemed so enlarged, that I felt as if the Lord were just coming down into my soul to bless me,

"Mr. Tryon did not confine himself to truth in the charges which he made against me. For instance, I understand that he

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said, Why was not this matter brought to light before?' Why, they compromised it, and one said-'If you will not expose me, I will not expose you,' Now this is completely false. I made no such base compromise. Indeed I had no secret sin to cover up; what I did was open; and I know no party who made such a proposal to me. Mr. Tryon said, also, in his letter to me, that I had stabbed those who wished to come to the light.' I may answer, When ?-whom? where ?-how?' I know not; my conscience here is free.

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"As to a change in my ministry, I am not aware of it. I preach as I feel led. I may not be so cutting as I once was, but ministers do not always cut and hew; there is building and planting, as well as pulling down and rooting up. Has the Lord ceased to bear a testimony to the word from my lips? It is not for me to speak on this subject, but I have had repeated testimonies that the Lord still blesses the word. Just after I returned home, in the autumn, the Lord blessed the word in a peculiar way to a poor woman who had been in soul trouble for five I never heard or read of a more

years.

marked deliverance.

'As to the Gospel Standard, I have little

"How far this unpleasant circumstance may affect my coming there, I will not now say; but if I cannot come feeling some confidence in the deacons, church, and congregation, that, they do not justify this attack upon me, and feeling that they have some confidence in me, I would rather not come at all. I cannot go into a pulpit fettered and shackled, and would therefore rather keep out of it.

"If a church meeting be called, I hope the matter will be weighed on Scriptural grounds, and not as a party question.

"Remember me very kindly to your brother deacons and the church. "Your's affectionately for truth's sake, "J. C. PHILPOT.

66

Stamford, March 21, 1845."

Burdens and Blessings

CONNECTED WITH THE GOSPEL MINISTRY.

[We are about to make an extract from a

work entitled "The Wonders of Free
Grace, as manifested in the Life of James
Weller, Minister of the Gospel, Bethel
James
Chapel, Robertsbridge, Sussex."
Weller has for a considerable time been
laid down on a bed of deep affliction; and
Should
is surrounded by a large family.
any of our readers, after perusing the fol-
lowing extract, feel desirous of purchasing
the work, we beg to inform them that
several copies have been forwarded to us
for sale; and as we have reason to believe
the money would be very acceptable, we
shall feel much pleasure in sending the
work to any friend who may forward an
order for it to our office. The following
extract doth well declare the character and
standing of this humble servant of Jesus
Christ. On page 157 he says:-]

"Before I proceed farther, I would note that a few months previous to this time, I became acquainted with Mr. Cowper, a dear brother in the ministry of the gospel, at the Upper Dicker, Hellingly, Sussex, and (at that time) occasionally at Providence Chapel, Cranbrook, who came and preached at Burwash one Easter Tuesday.

before whom I entered the pulpit like a dying man, without a text to preach from. The first hymn that was sung was in substance the cries of a living soul for mercy, and I sighed and subbed with my heart as hard as steel; my darkness was beyond description, and the devil suggested that in this state I should drop dead in the pulpit, which seemed doubly to distress me, as I feared that death would bring greater torments. First I thought I would read the 8th chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, with a who can tell but I may find a little lift as I have many a time before!' and then the thought of using or speaking the positive language contained

and shall save the souls of the needy,' when a sweet unction from above flowed into my soul, so that in hope and faith I began to open my mouth to the congregation, and said, 'O, my dear friends and fellow sinners, what should or could we poor helpless sinners do if it were not for God's wills and shalls?' and I felt an instant release in my soul; my chains fell off, and I was like a hind let loose; and through the whole of the discourse I felt much blessed in preaching, and, was enabled to speak to the refreshment of many of my hearers. How marvellous are the Lord's ways, and that my soul knoweth right well!

"The chapel at Tenterden being in debt, it was thought advisable to hold the usual anniversary, on the consideration of which I wrote to brother C-, requesting him to come on the occasion; and it was appointed for him to preach in the morning and evening, and myself in the afternoon. I had a good hearing in the morning and evening, but was very ill in body, wherefore, when at the friend's house where we dined, I entreated brother C-to preach in my stead in the afternoon; however, through his supposing that the fear of preaching before him had put me in chains, he made light of my desire, and in a jesting manner said, 'Ah, you had better go to bed old man, this after-in it seemed such awful presumption, that at noon, and rest yourself a little,' &c. I re- last I rose from my seat and opened on the plied that I had not the least fear of speak- 72nd Psalm, and read with much fear and ing before him, as I was fully convinced he trembling till I came to the 12th and 13th new the plague of the heart, and would verses, 'He shall deliver the needy when he ather bear with me in my infirmities than crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no nake me an offender for a word. Notwith-helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, standing all I said, he could not be prevailed upon, and as such, I told him I would try and speak, and if he would be present I should feel obliged, because then, if I did not feel relieved in my body, I could make it known to the people, and request him to fill my place. But it pleased the dear Lord to open my mouth when approaching him in prayer, and he sent me relief in body and soul, and blessedly helped me through the service; and in a particular manner made me manifest in the conscience of brother C-, so that after the service he gave me his hand cordially, and said, 'Well my dear brother, I can say to you what I dare not say to many of the parsons in this day-my pulpit, house, and heart are open to receive you at any time when you can come down our way! I thanked him for his kindness, and told him I thought that my preaching would soon be over, as I felt I should be forced to give it up. He then inquired respecting what I thought of doing should such be the case, and I told him I thought of working at gardening: 'Well,' he said, come down to my house, and I will find you a job; and will engage to keep you and your family too, if you can give up preaching. I tell you, man, that you will never give up preaching until you give up living! And I can assure you that we have a people our way would very much like to hear you when you can come; and for my part, can say in truth I would sooner hear a babe lisp out the precious things the Lord hath done for its soul, than all the worldly orators in being!'

"Sometime after this he sent a letter requesting me to supply for him, and I went in accordance therewith; but O, the sinkings of soul I witnessed when I got into the vestry! I was so shut up in my feelings that I nearly fainted. The chapel, which I suppose holds about 600, was full of people,

"Since the above, I have been there several times, and am now in sweet union with dear brother C- and many of his friends, and my desire is that the dear Lord will keep us at his blessed feet, and make us useful to each other and to his dear people; and that the unity of the Spirit may abide with us in the bonds of peace, for his Name's sake. Amen and Amen!"

The Happy Church-meeting.

What singing! What shouting! What heavenly
greeting!
Shall there be at that general, triumphant Church-
meeting!
Shall keep, from that meeting, one brother away.
Nor illness, nor business, nor length of the way,
Temptations and trials no more shall be known:
Nor satan, nor sin, shall e'er cause us to groan.
Each shall tell his sweet story, nor need he be short,
It will never be night. There'll be time enough for't.
Each strange dispensation, will be then understood,
And we shall see clearly, all wrought for our good.
May the foresight of glory constrain you and me,
To consider what persons we ought now to be!
To pray for your brother, my dear friend, fail not,
For, alas! you can't think what a heart I have got;
So stubborn! So stupid! So carnal! So cold;
One half of its wickedness cannot be told,
But, Lord! thou dost know it, thou only canst
Oh, search it, and try it, and wash it, and mend it.

bend it!

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES

Bethesda Chapel, Hull.

AT

THE minister of the church and congregation meeting for the public worship of our most adorable God in his Trinity of Persons in the above neat and commodious place, is that well-known, (by many much despised and persecuted, but) highly esteemed champion for the truth, Mr. Samuel Lane, who has now for thirty years in Hull ceased not to proclaim unequivocally, and without reserve, the unsearchable riches of Christ; and though now far advanced in life, being up. wards of seventy-three years of age, he is still able, (thanks be to God,) and as willing as ever to proclaim the glorious and fundamental truths of the everlasting gospel as he did the first Sunday he preached in Hull. Nor have his labours been in vain; for, notwithstanding the great opposition he has met with at various times, yet the church of God, Christ's little flock, first at Ebenezer, then at the Tabernacle, afterwards at Trinity, and now at Bethesda Chapel, have been greatly comforted and blessed under his ministry; and many, yea, very many, have been brought, by God the Holy Ghost, to the knowledge of the truth through his instrumentality; and many are now singing the new song of 'free grace' in glory, who in their last moments on earth, expressed their deep gratitude to God, that he inclined them to hear the sound of a free grace gospel, as proclaimed by this great champion, and old veteran for truth. By the help of God, this good old saint, and preacher of righteousness, continues to this day, testifying the gospel of the grace of God to the no small mortification of his enemies; some of whom (even would-be parsons) on his first coming to Hull, had the audacity to prognosticate that he would not stay as many days as he has now been years; but, as Solomon hath truly said, Many are the devices in a man's heart, nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, yea, for ever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations.'

|xxvii. 25, 26. On Thursday evening, at our Bethesda, we were favoured with a sermon from Deut. xxxii. 10, 11, by Mrs. Hardwick, from Malton, who gave great satisfaction, for her manner was pleasing, her language eloquent, her ideas sublime, and her remarks respecting God's dealings towards his people, in providence, grace, and glory, very blessed; all tending to debase the creature, and exalt our most lovely Jesus. Few of the male preachers of the gospel can vie with this honourable woman, who labours with them in the gospel. Acts xiii. 50; xvii. 12; Philip. iv. 3. On the Sunday following, Mr. G. H. Godden preached in the morning from Malachi i. 1, 2, 3; Mr. G. Paterson, from Edinburgh, in the afternoon, from Luke xviii. 10-14; and Mr. S. Lane, in the evening from Acts xvii. 28. On Tuesday evening the 12th, the Annual Social Tea Meeting was held in the Temperance Hall, Paragon Street; and after about one hundred had partaken of a most sumptuous tea, provided by Mr. Stonehouse, the meeting was opened with singing and prayer, and Mr. S. Lane was unanimously called to the chair, who, in his usual lively style on such occasions, delivered a very interesting, and edifying speech, to a very respectable and attentive audience; and according to custom it was partly poetic, relating how God called him to a knowledge of the truth about sixty years ago, and that he had now been a preacher of the gospel forty-five years, and the pastor of the church of Christ, in Hull, thirty years. He was followed by very interesting addresses from Mr. G. H. Godden, Mrs. Hardwick, Messrs. Messer and Paterson, and the meeting was afterwards.concluded with singing and prayer; being one of the most pleasant and delightful meetings which had ever been held by the minister and people worshipping at Bethesda Chapel. The last of the Anniversary services was held on Thursday evening, the 14th, when Mr. G. H. Godden preached from 2 Cor. v. 18; and spoke very blessedly about our reconciliation to God, by Christ, and proved beyond a doubt, that the church was viewed by God, On Sunday, July 4, commenced the fifth in Christ, pure and holy from everlasting, anniversary services of the opening of Be- and therefore that God was never irreconciled thesda Chapel, and the thirtieth of Mr. to his people. This is the fourth time that Lane's pastoral care over the church of Mr. Godden has visited our little, but highly Christ, in Hull, when that eminent servant favoured Bethesda, and he is a workman of the most high God, Mr. H. Godden, from that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di Stonehouse, preached two very blessed ser-viding the word of truth: (2 Tim. ii. 15.) mons; his text being, in the morning, Ezra Yea, he is a faithful man, and fears God vi. 16, 17; and in the evening Ephes. i. above many. Neh. i. 2. If the Lord will, 3, 4; Mr. T. J. Messer, of Hull, preached a may we live to see each other again, at our most eloquent sermon in the afternoon from next Anniversary. NUMERIST. John x. 11; Mr. Godden preached again on Monday evening, from Luke xviii. 25, 26, 27; Mr. Messer on Tuesday evening, from Rom v. 14; Mr. Godden also preached at Hessle on Wednesday evening, from Prov.

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Composed and read by the chairman (S. L.) at the FIFTH Anniversary Tea Meeting held

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at the Temperance Hall, Paragon Street, Hull, July 13, 1847, in commemoration of the opening of Bethesda Chapel, Osborne Street, as also in commemoration of the commencement of Mr. Lane's ministerial labours in Ebenezer Chapel, Dagger Lane, Hull, in the year (July 6,) 1817, now THIRTY YEARS this present Anniversary; during which time, I, (the writer of the following lines,) scruple not to say, I have willingly, cheerfully, and faithfully served you, in the gospel of my dear Christ day and night, from the first day until now; witnessing both to small and great, none other things than those touching Christ Jesus, the Lord, and him crucified; and this I have done through evil report, and good report. Having, therefore, obtained help of God, I continue to this day;' knowing and feeling, that in him I live, move, and have my being. Thus, through God, I can truly say :

I've brav'd the bront of time, these THIRTY years,
I've stem'd the flood of toils, of cares, and fears;
Yea, persecutions, storms, turmoil, and strife,
Has been the lot of my frail, chequered life,
I've fought with men of beastly passions, fierce,
Who, raging, strove with malice deep, to pierce
My feeble soul, and stab my usefulness;
But, still I love, and live my God to bless;
'Tis through the help of God, I, to this day.
Continue pressing on my heavenly way.

I've brav'd the scorching heat of rage and flame,
I've triumph'd o'er my foes, in Jesus' name,
The faithfulness of God's eternal love,
Supports my soul, and bears me far above

The fear of man, of darkness, death, and strife;
Secure in Christ, I view my hidden life; Col. iii. 3.
Thank God, thro' grace, I'm made this truth to
know-

'My life is hid with Christ, while here below;'
Soon shall I see my Saviour's glorious face,
In heav'n, to praise the riches of his grace.

Tis dropping piece by piece, yea, drop it must.
My under-bearers totter as they move.
My keepers trembling, each conspire to prove,
My days are dwindling to the shortest span,
I've pass'd the period call'd The life of man ;'
Thus, hast ning on, as through the earth I roam,
My grinders cease, because they are so few,
Fast as the wings of time can bear me home.
Which proves I soon must bid you all adieu.
My windows darken more and more each day,
In these low lands of darkness and of death;
Which also proves I have not long to stay
I feel I soon must yield my fainting breath,
And sink bencath the sod no more to rise,
Until the Judge of all shall rend the skies.
The gloomy grave alone will be my urn.
I sprung from dust, and must to dust return,
My doors will soon be shut, and then good bye,
The Word informs me I was born to die. Heb, ix. 27.
Prove I must soon be numbered with the dead.
The almond trees which flourish on my head,
My silver chord when loos'd, my bowl must break,
'Tis then I must my dearest friends forsake.
My pitcher too, when broken at the well,
And when in heaven-I there my Saviour meet-
Will prove on earth I can no longer dwell.
Should friends below, then mourn about the street?
My dearest friends, forbear to weep for me !--
Could they but hear me sing with joyful glee--
They'd cease their sorrow, and aloud proclaim-~.
All glory's due to Jesus' lovely name.
Farewell, dear friends! I leave you to his care,
While I in heav'n, my Saviour's bounty share;
And, although dead to living friends below,
I'm only gone to where you all must go.

Watchman-What of the Night?

CHRISTIAN READER- Under this head, I purpose to give you (from time to time) some little information respecting some of the circumstances connected with Zion, the church of the living God. I have no desire to declare grievous things; but what I am led to see in and about poor Zion, that may be

Full SEVENTY YEARS and THREE on earth I've useful and interesting to you and at all declara

trod,

And now I'm moving onward up to God,

Where I shall see my dear Redeemer's face, And sing with saints, salvation's all of grace.

tive of the power and presence of our Lord in his church, that I shall simply declare.

I will begin by stating I went on Thursday,

Full THIRTY YEARS in Hull, I've stood my 20th of July to the TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNI

ground,

And ever faithful, I, my God have found.

Full SIXTY YEARS I've known the ways of God, This blessed truth I cheerfully record.

Full FORTY YEARS and FIVE I've preach'd the Word,

Nor flinch'd, nor fear'd the foes of Christ, my Lord.

For none I know, can find the way to heav'n,
Until that knowledge of the way be giv'n
By God alone, who must the way make plain,
Or human teaching will prove all in vain;
None ever did, or could find out the way,
That leads the weary to eternal day;
None ever did, or can in Christ rejoice,
Until they hear and know the Saviour's voice,
Nor can such hear, until they're taught of God,
To know the way the holy prophets trod.
I thank my God, in whom I have believ'd,
Nor can I in my Jesus be deceiv'd.
I've preach'd his name--The Lord our righteous-

ness.

His spotless life, I call my wedding dress.
I've preach'd his blood, the pardon of all sin,
Past, present, and to come, alone thro` him,
Who died on Calvary's cross, yea died for all
The chosen seed in him before the fall.
And now my days are drawing to a close,
Soon I shall bid adieu to all my foes;
My house decays, 'tis crumbling into dust,

VERSARY OF GROVE CHAPEL, CAMBERWELL.

Mr.

In the morning, Mr. Joseph Irons preached a good gospel sermon from these words"God is in the midst of her, she shall not be and happy position to which the Lord had moved." He rejoiced greatly in the high raised them as a church; and, certainly, as far as appearances go, there seems much ground for gladness and thanksgiving. Irons said, they not only had large congregations; but God had been in their midst in the conversion of sinners; in the confirming of such as had wavered; and in the comforting of the saints. These are great mercies for a faithful minister to be blessed with. Abrahams and Mr. Luckin also delivered two excellent discourses; and it was considered a good day; for which the Lord be praised.

Mr.

Mr. Edmund Greenfield has been up to town; he preached for Mr. Isaacs, at his Anniversary; a judicious friend of ours says, he went (with some prejudice) to hear him :

he delivered some, sound, solid, gospel and like a fire, that shall burn up the wood, hay experimental discourses: the Lord's people and stubble of a proud, self-conceited, and were blessed under him; and in this also empty profession; and such a ministry in we desire to rejoice: for although Mr. Green-Southwark is not a little needed. field's writings have made him some enemies; There is reason to hope that the cause of yet, if the Lord has made him a watchman truth at BANBURY is reviving under the on the walls, and a workman in the fields of ministry of D. LODGE. The cause there was Zion; we would be the last to speak against so low, that it was thought the door must be him. Mr. Irons told us on Tuesday morn- closed; but, now, the congregations are good; ing, that he never attempted to make a the labours of our Brother Lodge are blessed Christian of old Adam yet; but he did expect to the people; and Who can tell, but that grace to reign over him. So we suppose many precious souls may yet be gathered in? every minister has his old Adam, and no O, Lord, send out thy light and thy truth! doubt sometimes old Adam writes books, and let thine own word have free course, run, and preaches sermons, which, when weighed in be glorified. the balance of the sanctuary, will be found to be wanting.

be found,

In every part of the word of God, as well as in the subsequent histories of the The SECOND ANNIVERSARY of PROVI- church of Christ, we have striking inDENCE CHAPEL, KINGSTON, was held on stances in proof that the more God's Thursday, July 15. Mr. James Wells, Mr. Israel have been afflicted, the more they John Foreman, and Mr. Thomas Stringer have multiplied and grown. What is preached the sermons; things appear to be said of the havoc Saul made of the church looking very well there; some of the folks when he entered into every house, comare not satisfied with the ministers who sup-mitting men and women to prison? Why ply there on the Lord's-days: it would be just this, "Therefore, they that were well if they could get a sound, faithful, ex-scattered abroad, went everywhere preachperimental pastor and preacher of Christ's gospel; but good men are not everywhere to ing the word." What a calm, but blessed declaration! We are pinched for room, therefore cannot enlarge; but briefly add The PARTICULAR BAPTIST CHURCH, at this scattering and increasing of the chilHARLESTON, in NORFOLK, have given Henry dren of grace, and of gospel truth, is, we Langham a call for six months. Most fervently do we pray that his labours there may Manchester at the present time. Firsttrust, being very successfully enacted in be rendered exceedingly useful. A good old established believer, passing his opinion upon a division takes place in the late Mr. Henry Langham as a preacher, says -"his Gadsby's church; this gives rise to the matter is good; but he is in too great a hurry formation of the church, and the procla in the delivery." We think it very likely,mation of divine truth at Oldham Street, that the afflictions through which poor Henry by Mr. Bidder. Now something has oChas been, and still is, passing, will have a curred to cause Mr. Bidder to leave Oldtendency to sober down a little of his minis-ham Street, and I believe, (says a corterial zeal. The good Lord is preparing him respondent,) Mr. Bidder now meets with for much usefulness, and we hope the friends to real, gospel, experimental truth around a part of the church in some room in the Harleston, will be found holding up his town; but which is supposed only to be hands, and encouraging him in his labours; temporary.' We can only add-we trust for this he greatly needs. the good hand of God will be ultimately doctrines of sovereign grace to be proseen in all this, in causing the glorious claimed in many parts of Manchester. As regards the church at Oldham Street, the presence of the Lord has been much realised; a blessing has attended the word; and great numbers flock to hear. Mr. Tant, of Brighton, has been with them four Lord's Days; and he is to be succeeded by Mr. Corbitt, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. We may have more to say respecting this part of the vineyard in our next.-EDITOR,

THE CHURCH AT UNICORN YARD, TOOLEY STREET, have, by a large majority, invited Mr. BONNER to become their pastor. The people say he is a man of great talent; and bids fair to be of much service to Zion. Well; we hope that, (like Ezekiel,) he is made to eat the roll, before he declares it unto the house of Israel. If Mr. Bonner's ministry is an honest speaking out of that, and only that, which God the Holy Ghost sovereignly, graciously, and experimentally revealeth and worketh in his own soul, then we are sure that his labours will be owned and honoured of God; and be a lasting blessing to the people; his word will be like a hammer, that will break in sunder the rocky heart; it will be

[Our Review of Ebenezer Vinall's Call to the Ministry is deferred for the present.]

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