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But, no; his work was done; he fought the good fight of faith, and laid hold on eternal life. He experienced many trials and troubles which none but God and himself knew; he seldom complained, let him be in what trouble he might: I saw him nearly every day in his last illness; sometimes he was able to speak, and sometimes not: the devil was suffered to try him very much; yet, on the whole, the Lord did enable him to lean upon His Almighty arm; he was enabled to submit to His will; and to look at death without fear; yea, he rejoiced to the last; he said to me, "What a mercy to have an Almighty arm to lean upon, when all earthly comforts fail. Oh, to feel that we are loved with an everlasting love; and that we shall shine for ever in the dear Redeemer's righteousness. These are blessed resting places."

The day he died, he quite revived about one o'clock; and his conversation was truly blessed; he was as much composed as though he was going to sleep; he asked his dear wife to read the first chapter of Ephesians, and the 23rd Psalm this being done, he seemed very comfortable, and in a little time afterwards enquired what was the time. This being told him, Mrs. M. asked why he inquired the time? His reply. was, that he thought it was later, and that it was not quite time for him to go home. These, I believe, were the last words he uttered. About half-past five o'clock on Tuesday, the 27th of October, 1846, his happy soul took its flight to those bright mansions above, which were prepared from everlasting, before ever man was made, much more before he fell in Adam; and now he has received a crown of glory which God our Father had given him in Christ Jesus. And sure I am there is one waiting for every one of his dear elect; neither the devil, nor sin, nor all our enemies can deprive us of them. I can truly say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." May the Lord brighten up our prospects for a brighter and better world, is the sincere desire of one that is in the footsteps of the flock. May the Lord be with his dear partner the few more days she has to be in this wilderness of sin and sorrow; may He direct, preserve, and keep her, till He is pleased to take her home to glory.

May God the Holy Spirit support and uphold you, my brother, and abundantly bless you with those blessed realities from the everlasting hills; and may you still be favoured to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus, and may God the Holy Spirit attend it with almighty power.-Your's, in that bond that can never break. J. BUCKINGHAM.

Pimlico, London.

Unicorn Yard Chapel.

To the Editor of the Earthen Vessel. DEAR BROTHER.-The late extraordinary circumstances which have transpired at Unicorn Yard Chapel, Tooley Street, have necessarily caused the hearts of many, much trouble and reflection. For some time past I have had under consideration the policy of publishing to the Churches of Christ, some have now determined to make such a report of the leading facts connected therewith, but as I hope will tend to warn Israel of false prophets, feeling convinced by the aspect of the times, that such cases will not be singular. It may be said, "why publish these things to the world?" to which I would reply, that did I consider the opinion the world entertains of the Church of Christ to be of more importance than that, Zion, Jehovah's peculiar treasure, should be warned of her foes, I should most certainly keep silence; but believing it to be of superior importance that her beguilers, I have no hesitation in endeavouring to blow "the trumpet," that the people of the Most High may prepare themselves for the universal battle, which I know, ere long, will engage every true soldier of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Israel should be instructed in the arts of

The late pastor of the Church, Mr. PENROSE, commenced his labours in Unicorn Yard, nearly three years since. Having preached to the people on approbation, he was unanimously elected to the Pastorate, but did neither make a confession of his faith, nor was he ordained: with respect to the former omission, it afterwards proved disastrous, as will appear. His objection to the rite of ordination was, that it was of popish institution. Mr. P. continued to preach for two years with apparent success, and the church increased with extraordinary rapidity.

Here I must invoke the pardon of your readers, if I make a few observations suggested by circumstances attending Church.

the

Having remarked that the ministry of Mr. P. was attended with apparent success, allow me to explain.

In these latter times it is evident a

theoretical knowledge of revealed truth is faith be made," it being a matter in which obtainable, while the man may exist in utter the members themselves are chiefly interested; ignorance of the practical power and experi- therefore should it not be told to them, "what mental influence of the same. Divinity is the Lord hath done for the soul" of him who now studied as a system. Preaching the desires fellowship with the members? Is gospel is chosen as a means of livelihood. not true intimate fellowship advanced by a So are there to be found those preaching knowledge of the state of experience of the sound doctrines, being ignorant of the grace brother? Members of Independent Churches of the doctrine. Now the ministry of Mr. P. remain in much ignorance of the spiritual during two years was characterised by a knowledge or difficulties of each other, it courageous contention for doctrines. He being only to be obtained by personal enwas during this time a declared enemy to quiry. I am sure, my brethren to whom these real christian experience, although this op- remarks may apply will not lay to my charge position was directed by such a channel, and an impure motive, when I say that whether it means so deceptive employed to cloak his be the admission of adult members into intended aim, that till lately few could dis- christian churches by private confession, or cover the immediate object of the preacher. the admission of infant members by public His pulpit and private ministrations tended sprinkling, I say that whatever is done by to assure his hearers that a total absence of proxy, is done contrary to revealed direction. doubts, and fears, and perplexities, should I have been led to speak thus, in consequence be their condition; and that he not being of foreseeing the much greater mischief which troubled with any, his wish was that the flock would have ensued, had Mr. P. possessed the should participate in such a boon. For my-prerogative of admitting members. Many, it self I must say, the devil never leaves me is true, are now members, concerning whom, alone; 'satan and old-adam nature are sym-I would hope possess life divine, while he pathysing friends, and agree to annoy me has been frustrated in the introduction of with doubts, fears, and perplexities, the produce of unbelief. A miserable comforter is he who would tell me I should not be the subject of them; when I bid farewell to the devil and this earthly tabernacle, I shall be no more troubled, but till then the fight must continue.

I will not say that Mr. P. has not been made useful, to the conversion of souls, nor will I say that Mr. Perkins was mistaken, in attributing his convictions of sin to the exclamations of an ungodly woman in the streets of Cambridge. Many who have died in their sins have been instrumental to the conversion of others. "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Believers have fed upon the truth he preached. It was at the commencement of the third year of his ministry, when he began to publish erroneous doctrines, while, for many months previous, the people were unable to hear with any comfort or edification.

I shall say no more for the present regarding his ministry, but will make a few remarks respecting the rapidity with which the church increased; and now that the Lord has condescended to bless those means which were employed to remove Mr. P. from the pulpit, I cannot avoid making a few comments upon the superiority of the system of Church government existing in Baptist Churches, it having mightily accelerated his removal.

There can be no doubt that the admission of members into these Churches by merely the approval of the pastor, as is allowed by the system of government adopted by Independents, is contrary to every principle contained in the New Testament. "Before the great congregation, should confession of

others. Circumstantial evidence proves that the object of Mr. P. was to obtain a majority in the church of such members as, (when the time arrived, (which he had previously determined) to unlock the devil's casket of damnable doctrines,) should greedily devour dogmas so pleasing, so plausible; or grasp the delusive key which promised its possessor a vision of those "heights and depths" which are unknown.

The present position of the Church is this:-On Tuesday, December 8, a church meeting was held in order that Messrs. Beach and Bradley, who are deacons, might have an opportunity of fulfilling their desire, to attempt to justify their conduct in supporting Mr. P. and his doctrines. Both these gentlemen dealt entirely with the doctrine of "Justification." Mr. Beach, assured the members, he neither received the disputed doctrines, nor did he reject them, he neither believed in the mortality, nor immortality of the soul, the endless duration or cessation of punishment in the world to come. Mr. Bradley declared his disbelief of the immortality of the soul, and that consequently, punishment would cease. Upon these grounds, they considered their past conduct, quite justifiable, expressing their willingness to be shewn their error. This confession of doctrinal depravity was followed by a resolution being put to the church, confirmatory of confidence in their conduct, as fit and proper deacons to hold office in a church; professing to be "built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ, himself, being the chief corner stone." An amendment was put to the meeting, to the effect that the church had no confidence

to contend for Apostolic Faith, attend elsewhere until the Lord shall again appear for their help. Those who adhere to the modern, or newly-received dogmas, still remain in the

church.

May the Lord grant them eyes to discern "the true light," which alone can dispel the darkness of their delusion, is the prayer of Yours in christian bonds, W. JEFFERY. We shall commence in our February number a Sermon preached at Jamaica Row, on Thursday Oct, 22, 1846, on the duration of the punishment of the

wicked.

Baptism with Fire.

in consequence of being unsound in the falth. | mind till the Tuesday week after, when For the resolution 80 voted. For the amend-my mind was more powerfully arrested. ment 62, leaving the party for truth in a I thought what a wretch I must be to go minority of 18. Alas! alas! "truth is fallen about with a such a man as Mr. L. I in our streets." Those who are determined thought I should turn into the world again, and then he (Mr. L.) would be ridiculed about me; and the words, "out of Christ eternally damned," seemed to ring afresh in my ears, and I was led to look at what it was to be eternally damned, and then at the sentence of the damned-"Depart, ye cursed," &c.; and, really, it looked but one step before I should hear that sentence passed on me; and then the thought came, that the work must be begun. But that thought I could not believe; and then it appeared as if I was asked, Who disEVER DEAR AND AFFECTIONATE SIS- disturbs you so? I said, natural conTER. According to promise, I now sit viction, and was going to say the devil, down to inform you, with trembling, when the sin against the Holy Ghost yet, I trust, with humble confidence, of was charged against me, and I begged the dealings of the ever-blessed Lord of the Lord to keep me from committing with my poor soul; and, indeed, when that sin, and was obliged to shed tears, I look back on my past life, it appears to which seemed to carry it off, though that me to have been one continued scene of sin seemed to follow me about until the rebellion against the God of all our mer- following Monday morning, when this cies; which made me exclaim, Oh! the text came to my mind,-" If our own height, the length, the depth, and hearts condemn, God is greater than our breadth of the love of God, which pas- hearts, and knoweth all things;" which seth knowledge. But where to begin gave me great encouragement. I felt I know not. The first impression that very low all day, and at night when I was made on my mind was, when I went to bed I begged of the Lord to went to offer myself as a teacher in the show me by a vision in the night Sunday-school at Mendlesham-green, whether I was in Christ or not. I went when Mr. Whitemore read to me the to bed and fell into a sleep; and when rules of the school, one of which was, I awoke, I thought it had been time to "that no teachers be admitted until get up, and felt quite angry that I had they had been proposed a month, so as not had a dream; and then I was led they might inquire into their moral to think what a mercy it was that I character." But, said Mr. W., we ad- did not awake in hell; and, to my surmit you, because we know your charac-prise, the clock struck three, and I laid ter; and I thought, if you knew my character, you certainly would not have me here; and, from that time, I was led seriously to consider the awful condition I was then in; and I thought I was living a good moral life. But I was not left there; for it pleased the Lord to bring these words with power to my mind: " in Christ eternally saved; out of Christ eternally damned." But they did not seem to abide long; though, at times, I had wonderful views of the justice of God, and of my own state as a sinner before him. A few sabbaths since, Mr. Langham asked ne to walk with him to Winston, and, when I got there, I felt so ashamed, I knew not what to do with myself. I was in a very low state of

in the greatest agony of soul until four o'clock, when I went to sleep, and saw a fine building, such a one as I never saw before; and as I was going from it I looked behind me, and I saw a cart coming, and I could hear from the cart the cry of, "Lost! lost!" and I stopped to see what it meant; and when they drove up I was told that was a cart load of orphans, and that house a receptacle for them; and I saw them drove quite in; and then I had a very distressing dream about my wife, and then awoke. And, as my wife was going the same day to see her friends, I thought it meant that I should never see her again, which made me weep bitterly for about an hour and a-half, after which I was

the poor orphan, and Christ the recep-
tacle for me, which brought such a light
over my mind as I shall never forget.
I could, then, commit my wife, my all,
yea, a thousand worlds, if I had them,
into the hands of my Jesus, bless his
dear name. I trust it will ever be sweet
to me, who deserved the hottest hell; I
have been brought to put my trust in
him. Having thus given you, as well as
I am able, a few hints, according as I
promised, of which I then so greatly
doubted, I now beg a few lines from
you the first opportunity. My kindest
love to you, from your loving brother,
JOHN.
Suffolk, November 5, 1845.

The terrors Hell and the joys of
Heaven.

Dear brother in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, grace, mercy and peace be multiplied to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,

PERMIT me, a stranger to you in the flesh, (a poor outcast) to address you. I have perused your writings in part, and from them I discover that you have passed through seas of tribulation, some of which correspond with the waters my poor soul has experienced.

There appears some shade of difference between us, a secret hope at the bottom seems to have followed you; this, however, was denied me, during a period of seven years. Alas! alas! I am a man that hath seen affliction, from the rod of his mouth; yet, through mercy, my soul is restored; and I enjoy (at times) the light of God's reconciled countenance, O! the Infinity of divine mercy, sovereign, free, and matchless; and hath "lifted me out of the horrible pit and miry clay, put a song of praise into my lips, healed all the diseases of my soul, and forgiven the iniquity of my sin." I now adore his matchless, free, and immutable love. I now trace the good hand of my Covenant God towards me, from my earliest recollections, and particularly his great forbearance, his long-suffering in not cutting off a rebel, since I have professed his name; his compassions fail not; self-loathing and self-abhorrence lay me, as a lump of clay, at his footstool; and my prayer is, Oh! that the Lord would keep me from evil, and work in me to will and to do of his good pleasure, that the residue of my days may shine forth in the glories of rich, ruling,

At this time he very much doubted his interest in Christ-he could not think he was one of His.

and reigning grace, through the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord.

About fifteen years ago, I was called to the work of the ministry, and preached with some success; was ordained pastor of the Particular Baptist Church, worshipping in about seven years. At the close of that Guildford, Surrey, with whom I laboured period, I sank into great darkness of soul: a personal trouble of long standing, that touched the vitals of my temporal existence, came upon me at this time with irresistable force; and, in consequence (as I imagine), I was left, in the providence of the Lord, to curse the individual thus opposed to my happiness, and to pray and to hope that some signal judgment from the Lord might remove my enemy out of time. This trial was peculiar. I have never heard of a child of the Lord so exercised. It came upon me on a Lord's-day morning, while meditating on the word, having three sermons to preach and three persons to baptise. Sudthe individual alluded to, would that day, denly, an impression entered my mind, that in some way, cross my path. Instantly, I felt much pain of mind; distress being visible, my wife inquired why I looked ill. I could not tell her; partook of my breakfast, prepared for worship, fully expecting to meet my foe on the way, my wife being with me. We passed on through the first and second streets, had reached the westend of the Chapel-a rush was heard behind, the party referred to came up, and stood before us as we reached the chapel door. His appearance was like a demon; I did not resist his conduct, but went into the chapel.

I passed through the services of the day with feelings not to be described. From that circumstance I felt and found an insurmountable mountain; I had no faith to stand against this ponderous trial-no way to hope for deliverance; my soul filled with depression, so that I could not look up: my misery was great, indeed. The church became disunited; tares sprang up, which added to the distress of my soul; and, as troubles increased, SO darkness spread around me. The darts of the enemy took deep hold upon me. On a Sabbath morning, when going to chapel with my wife, the enemy insinuated, "You are the greatest hypocrites in the town." I had not faith to resist this hellish dart; and, on the last Sabbath of my preaching at the Baptist chapel, the enemy told me that I had concealed the glories of the Mediator; that I preached Him only as a mere man; and, on leaving the pulpit, the enemy came upon me with a powerful threat, that if I should enter that pulpit again, I should die therein as a presumptuous sinner.

I left the chapel, went to my home, re

should never more enjoy the goodness of
the Lord in the land of the living, I would
take my fill of sin, although it should sink
me deeper into hell. The rebellion of my
heart was very great, but my altars were re-
peatedly thrown down; in many instances
the Lord kept me from my dreadful pur-
poses and crossed my designs. I am, how-
ever, sunk into reproach and peculiar straits,
in consequence of my conduct while under
the dark providence of the Lord. My ene-
mies are lively and they are strong; my
name is cast out as evil, yet the Lord
thinketh upon me. With regard to profes-
sors, here I am, as a pelican of the wilder-
ness, a sparrow on the house top. I am for
peace, but they are for war.
I wished an
opportunity to testify the goodness of the
Lord in restoring my soul; but I find they
are so secure in themselves, that the return-
ing prodigal must not be their associate.
This, however, is of small moment compared
with the mercy of a covenant God, who
meets the prodigal son with the kisses of re-
lationship, flings open his doors, his ward-
robe, his tables, his vaults, and orders the

dance, and the jubilee trumpet to sound into
the saved ear, circumcised by his love,
power, and mercy. This far outweighs the
privileges of mere will-worshippers, or life-
less professors; and you and I, dear brother,
have no cause to envy the most upright
among them. Our song is,-Not unto us,
not unto us, O Lord, but unto Thy name,
be praise everlasting, Amen.

tired to my chamber, and endeavoured to spread my case before the Lord, my mind full of confusion. The Lord was turned to be mine enemy, saying-Let the enemy persecute his soul, and let him take it, as he loved cursing, so let it come upon him. I sensibly felt the anger of the Lord as a heavy pressure upon my head. Alas! into what state of misery was I hurled in an instant; the rememberance of which makes me shudder. My poor heart began to throb and bound within me, and seemed determined, if possible, to get out of a tenement so vile; but I was bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness, there to lay, until death should take me away, to sink into the lowest hell, doubly damned. Oh! the bitterness of sinning against God. I was at that time postmaster of the town; my distress being so great, I scarcely knew how I performed my duty. I was awakened on the following morning by a dreadful dream. A large serpent had fastened on my heel, which I considered a confirmation of my final overthrow. From that time I restrained prayer, lest I should provoke the Almighty to an increased degree of in-viol, the harp; the feet of faith, or the dignation. I could not peruse the Scriptures they appeared full of condemnation. The pain of my heart increased daily; my flesh wasted; I was brought to the gates of death, expecting a speedy dissolution. I went to bed prayerless, and for some time expecting to awake in the torments of hell fire. I continued in this state several weeks; finding, however, that my bodily powers were not quite exhausted, I thought of my fa- My restoration was wrought by the mercy mily, having eight children-that I ought to of the Lord, who bereaved me of a son 27 struggle against the despondency on their years of age, whom, I trust, died in the account-when the following scripture, faith, as the Lord gave this sweet testimony "Then were they in fear where no fear at the time of his death. "I, the Lord, saved was," caused me to conclude that death was at the eleventh hour." By this circumstance, more distant than I had anticipated. I began the Lord made a way into my hard heart on to recover my bodily strength; but, alas! Lord's day, November 9th, 1845, and on the every reflection brought me to that fearful following day was pleased to make my heart conclusion, eternal destruction-deepest hell soft, and to unseal my tears, which had been -a Judas, cursed, for ever cursed. I was closed up so many years. The Lord showed now repeatedly tempted to destroy myself. me the immutability of his nature and perThe water, razor, or to throw myself down fections, saying,-"I the Lord change not; stairs and break my neck, was presented my thoughts are not as your thoughts; my before me; but eternity in view kept me ways not as your ways." I felt astonished from those snares. I now settled my mind and overcome. My sins came into rememto destroy myself whenever brought into a brance before him, and he kindly said—“ All hopeless affliction, for I dreaded that any manner of sins shall be forgiven unto men, person should witness my death, lest I for I am the Lord God, gracious and mercishould divulge the wretchedness of my con- ful-slow to anger, abundant in goodness dition. I thought the Lord had so exposed and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression me, that everyone knew what a rebel and and sin." O! this irresistable sentence of apostate I had become. The thoughts of pardon in the court of conscience! who can Mr. Bunyan's damnable apostate constantly put it away? I sunk at his footstool in hufollowed me. I thought it was legibly writ-mility, wonder, and praise. My soul leaped ten on me. As my bodily health increased, as a hart. I repented, rejoiced, praised, and so I got more natural confidence, became sung in alternate strains, while the universe filled with every devilish propensity, began seemed too confined to hold the praise-it to make altars to sin-conceiving that I must ascend to the heavens in hallelujahs,

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