the saints, an holy solemnity is stamped by Jehovah himself. And the Lord shall create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.' Isa. iv. 5. There are three things necessary to the exercise of the spiritually gospel ministry in the present awful state of the professing church. counsel of God, in season and out of season, through evil and good report, seeking the honour which comes from God only. Solemnly insisting on an inward and experimental acquaintance with divine truths, a sweet enjoyment of them in the soul, and a correspondent life and conduct; labouring to have a conscience void of offence before God and man; this by the blessing of the Holy Ghost will make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And now, my brother, thus far suffer the word of exhortation, from one who has been for near thirty years testifying of the grace of God among the scattered flock of the Lord Jesus, and if it be the will of God may he bring you forth in his own time richly laden with the blessings of peace, that you may be a true witness of the Gospel of the grace of God. • Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. He that believeth shall not make haste.' The Lord's time, will and way are the best, and remember he makes no mistakes in his matters. He is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind.' with you, Amen. Peckham, Sept. 1847. Grace be W. H. WELLS. Godly Conversation. First, Warning against the present corruption in, and the coming judgments on the nominal and professing members of the visible church, For they come as the people of God cometh, and they sit before the Lord's prophet as the Lord's people sit, and they hear his words, but they will not do them for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.' (Ezek. xxxiii. 30-33.) Such are to be warned. God is the searcher of hearts, and the trier of the reins of the children of men.' 'Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather his wheat into his garner, but burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' Secondly,- A leading up the true believer to a remembrance of his high and exalted position as a witness for Christ in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation: For we are his witnesses of IF you talk about physiology, it should be of these things; and so also is the Holy Ghost the great mystery of godliness, God maniwhich God hath given to them that obey fest in the flesh;' if of astronomy, it should him.' (Acts v. 32.) For as Christ is the be of the 'Sun of Righteousness,' 'the image of the invisible God, so we are the bright morning star,' the life of the world, image of an unseen Christ; for as we see and the light of life;' if of geology, it should no more of God than we discover in the be of 'the Ancient of Days,' before all worlds, person of Jesus, ('For no man hath seen the Rock of Eternal Ages;' if of minerGod at any time, yet he that hath seen me, alogy, it should be of the gold tried in the hath seen the Father also,') so the world fire,' the 'pearl of great price,' 'the unsearchsees no more of Christ than they see in his able riches of Christ;' if of agriculture, it members, who dwell among them. We then should be of him who has invested us with a are witnesses for Christ. And thirdly, a title to, and a meetness for, the glory of all making ready a people prepared for the lands,' an inheritance incorruptible, undeLord by the powerful ministry of the Spirit. filed, and that fadeth not away;' if of botany, 'The Lord is at hand.' 'He will surely it should be of the Rose of Sharon, and visit his people.' The sifting time is near. the lily of the valley;' if of zoology, it should The decree is passed. The sinners in Zion be of the Lion of the tribe of Judah,'' the shall be afraid, fearfulness shall surprise the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of hypocrites, for our God is a consuming fire. the world;' if of architecture, it should be of Who shall dwell with the devouring fire? 'the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Jesus Christ, himself, being the chief corner They shall go into the holes of the rocks, stone, in whom all the building, fitly framed and unto the caves of the earth, for fear of together, groweth unto an holy temple in the the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty; Lord;' if of jurisprudence, it should be of when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth, the Lord, our righteousness,' in whom all and not the earth only but the heavens also, the seed of Israel is justified, with whom we both the world and church. The time is at are joint heirs, and who is the end of the law hand, the work of a true minister of the for righteousness to every one that believes; Spirit, is to separate the precious from the if of military tactics, certainly it should be vile, the possessor from the mere professor, of the 'Captain of our salvation,' who is the the wheat from the chaff; and in the name of christian's panoply, beneath whose cross we Jesus by the power of the Spirit, to preach'fight the good fight of faith,' and through fully, freely, and without reserve the whole whom we are more than conquerors.-W. A. AFFLICTION AND DEATH Among the Servants of Christ. Banks had pleaded his affliction as one requiring help. £5 was sent to him a few weeks back by the Society; another pound the Society sent him two or three days before he died; and £2 afterwards for [We are decidedly opposed to trumpeting funeral expences. Several shillings were about our doings and our deeds; and therefore should by no means give inser-Since his death, £5 16s. 4d. has been colgiven in a private way expressly for him. tion to the following letter, was it not that lected for his widow, after the sermon you we desire that the proceedings of the Society for the relief of poor ministers preached for him at Mile-end. may be fairly stated and fully understood, Both our friends and our foes can then see what is being done.] DEAR BROTHER BANKS:-Will you allow the Gospel Ministers' Relief Society to express their thanks, and acknowledge the sum of nearly twenty pounds collected in connection with a sermon preached by you at Beulah Chapel, Shoreditch, on Lord's day afternoon, Sep. 12th., in order to raise funds for administering relief to some of our poor brethren in the ministry. For the few following reasons I do especially desire you to give insertion to this letter. First, that publicity may be given to the kind feeling manifested by many of the people of God towards the poor, sick, tried and dying ministers of Christ; and do thank them for that liberality which was so freely and abundantly administered on the occasion referred to. The second reason is, that such persons as object to the disposal of these monies in the way hereafter mentioned, may have an opportunity -if their objections are rightly founded, of dropping us a line, stating particulars. For, the committee desire that the relief be confined to men of truth-ministers of righteousness of upright conversation-whose ministry and life will bear a little scrutiny before men. A third reason is, that some other ministers who instead of speaking evil of it, may be prevailed to assist. Some men call the Society a dirty affair; let them prove it; let them stand as clean as you have done in assisting your poor brethren; (but let not their pharasaical rags deceive them.) The Lord keep you, and help you to live down all accusers. And fourthly, by shewing how the money has been distributed, others have an opportunity of knowing who have been benefitted, and what are their circumstances. Seven names were announced on the bill on whose behalf the collection at the chapel at Shoreditch was made. The name who stood first was represented as being in the greatest distress; but he afterwards declined receiving any assistance, and objected to his name standing in the list. (I say to all, Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord' unholy hands must not touch the sanctuary.) The second case was the sound and experimental, long tried, and afflicted James Weller, of Robertsbridge, whose earthly labours terminated a few hours after Mr. stated in a letter (read by Mr. Banks,) his Henry Langham, of Harleston, Norfolk, wife then lay dead, himself in straitened circumstances with family.' Also in his letter he mentioned more especially the case of another poor minister living in the same place with himself, James Mason, who said, he had been out the whole day endeavouring to sell a little tea, to help provide for his afflicted family, but he could only sell two ounces.' 'These (says Brother Langham) are trying places, but few know what it is to pass through them.' The Society determined on sending £3 to Henry Langham, and £2 to James Mason. The case of George Norris, of Harwich, Essex, called for serious attention, and the examination of the parties accused, must not be neglected. Mr. Norris states his case as the most trying; having a wife and nine children in a distressed condition. From the painful circumstances narrated by him, the Society sent them £3. James Raynsford, of Horsham had been deeply afflicted with rheumatism, and laid by for some time. The Society sent him £4. We are happy to inform our friends, this old veteran, so well known throughout the county of Sussex, is able to resume his long accustomed diocese; travelling from east to west, and from west to east; preaching the Way, the Truth, and the Life,' without the fear of, or applause of dying worms. Mr. Gladwish's, of Lamberhurst, was а very peculiar case. A friend on his behalf writes to the Society, and states that Mr. G. was about thirty years the pastor of both Mattield Green, and Lamberhurst churches. In 1846 he became paralysed, deprived of the use of his limbs, memory, and speech. His congregation raise him twelve shillings per week; but, from continual nursing, medical attendance, and many other expences, that it is inadequate to meet all his necessities. The Society sent him £3. Richard Jefferey, of Holywell mount, London-who, after a long and painful illness, died, September 3, leaving his wife and child quite destitute. This good man moved on in a very silent, unobtrusive way; his ministrations seem to have been chiefly confined to itinerant labours, and perhaps few men laboured harder. The Society had sent him £4; and £2 10s., for his funeral expences. Thus, a brief outline is given of what has 'A been done with the money in a few cases; Sitting down under the Apple-Tree. without which, as the widow of Richard Jefferey told me, they must have wanted, had it not been for the timely relief sent by it, to her husband; who was a poor shoe maker, working hard under the pains of a wasting consumption, until within about six weeks of his death. O, strange demand! when nature's KING, For, man grown bankrupt to his God, Heav'ns wealth he did forego; The earth has lock'd its coffers up, Are list'ning to his word. Quick thro'; the waves make way; Which shall be first to do his will, These scaly tribes contend; All else, but man, are proud to serve Take shame, my soul, and mark his nod; With zeal and joy, where he directs, "It is better to be a child of Abraham, though called a DOG, as the Syrophenician woman was, than to be a dog, and yet to be called a CHILD, as Dives was." James Os A NEW Edition of Spiritual Gleanings,' and of the city of Baltimore) has been published by Mr. Cluster of Evangelical Truths,' (by James Osbourn, James Tyler, of Brighton: and may be had (through the Groombridges') of all Booksellers. bourn has a peculiar gift for writing most sweetly upon the person and work of his loving Master. Speaking of Christ as the Tree of Life, and the believer's sitting down under the shadow of that Tree, he says "This very delightful shade, is quite as near heaven as men can get while here below; and owing to the vicinity between this place and eternal noon, is how we are to account for this lovely retreat smelling and tasting so remarkably strong of the upper world; for indeed, people here feel at times as if they were standing on the very threshhold of heaven, and then do they talk pleasantly of their long home. No place on earth is equal to this for relieving heartsickness, and settling hard and knotty cases, and doubtful points, and removing mental diseases, and giving relief to afflicted consciences, and confirming feeble knees, and lifting up hands that hang down. Much of this sort of business is carried on under the shadow of this mystical Apple-Tree; and hence it is that we invite all of you here, at this time and we hope you will not suffer the wrongs which you see in yourselves, or the maladies which you may be labouring under, or your own unworthiness of divine favours, to deter you from coming to this lovely retreat, for it was prepared for you, and for such as you. We therefore say, come returning prodigals, and heavy laden sinners, and afflicted saints, and sin-sick souls, come and partake of the choice benefits of this healthful and delightful shade; and sing, yes, sing aloud to the praise of the mystical Apple Tree: Build all your hopes of heaven here, and only here, and rest your all here both for time and eternity." THE ZOAR PULPIT- Containing sermons by Mr. J. C. Philpot. We are glad to find this work, in future, is to be published in monthly parts, neatly done up in wrappers, at six-pence each part. The proprietors say it is their intention to devote its pages to men of sterling truth.' 'There is only one complaint that we have heard against the Zoar Pulpit ;' it is this-the people in the country among whom we have laboured, say, ⚫ it is too much confined to the sermons of one man.' We are well assured that Mr. Philpot's sermons are read and received in many places where other gospel ministers' sermons would be cast out as unworthy of notice. We also know that the Zoar Pulpit,' through its publication of Mr. Philpot's sermons, has been rendered a blessing to very many precious souls. We would not therefore, dictate to to the proprietors any new line of things; but we do believe that by their giving oc casionally sermons by some other acknowledged ministers of truth, the circulation and usefulness of the Zoar Pulpit' might be greatly increased, It is published at 48, Mark Lane, City, and can be had through any bookseller. The Departure of Mr. John Stevens. My soul, come meditate the day, And think how near it stands, And dwell in other lands. And you, mine eyes, look down and see THAT venerable and useful servant of ing; but depending on the Lord he Jesus Christ, John Stevens, (for many would notice three or four things: years the pastor of the Baptist Church first, the promise to Abraham, that meeting in Salem Chapel, Meards' Court, he should live to a good old age: Soho,) finished his earthly course, and secondly, that he should be buried : was called to his heavenly rest, on and, thirdly, that he should go to his Wednesday morning, October 6th, 1847. fathers, and that in peace. He said, There has been for sometime before there were not many according to nature his death, something very remarkable in that lived to an old age, compared to the texts from which he preached, as well those that died earlier; and he thought as in the tenor of his ministry. His soul there were only three instances in the was evidently brought into much happy Word of God of individuals who died familiarity with heaven and heavenly or were buried in a good old age. Abrathings. There was, as it were, a double ham, as recorded in the text, was the index in his ministry: one pointing with first; the next was Gideon, (Judges viii.); much solemnity downwards to the grave, the other David, (1 Chron. xxix.). saying, There was nothing good about old age abstractedly; on the contrary, it was grevious to behold an old age in some; to constitute old age, a good old age, it must be found in connection with him who is goodness itself, even Christ, this only made it good, living a life of faith on the Son of God; he said there were but few found in the church of Christ in this gospel day who lived in a good old would have a few as witnesses to his age but there were some; the Lord faithfulness, and as far as they were right, they would be found encouraging those who were young, and travelling after them; and such venerable saints would be found witnessing to the younger ones in sharp temptations, and saying, 'I was also sorely tempted, but the Lord was faithful to his promise; and delivered me out of the temptation.' If greatly tried in temporals, they would be found witnesses for God, declaring that no good thing had failed of all that he hath promised; and so on-in the ninety second Psalm it is said by the Psalmist, they shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing, to shew that the Lord is upright;' he dwelt at large here shewing what fruit should be found upon them. The first, I believe was faith, but I cannot quite recollect the course he took here, it was very searching and faithful. He said, the attitude of these would be, as far as they were right, with their feet on the world, looking homeward; looking for a city which God has promised. When e'er the summons come, Father, I long, I faint to see Here I behold thy distant face, In the evening of the 29th of August, he preached in Bethel Chapel, City Road, on behalf of our aged and much esteemed brother in the Lord, John Lucombe. The following brief outline of the discourse has been furnished by a christian brother, who heard it with much soul profit. He says, 66 'Mr. Stevens took his text from Gen. xv. 15. 'And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.' "He said he felt himself very weak as it regarded his earthly tabernacle, and that nothing but a desire to serve his aged brother, whose interest they were met to promote, could have induced him to be found speaking to them that evenNovember.-PART XXXVI. VOL. III. "I shall pass over the second particular, he said but little upon it; and now come to the third particular, and thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace;' first, 2 G what was the meaning of the Holy Ghost; he said, he did not believe there was an allusion here to the depositing of his body in the grave with his fathers, indeed, this was not true of Abraham that he should go to the same grave as his father, for as far as we know, Sarah was the only person laid in the cave of Machpelah up to his death. No, the allusion was to his peaceful entrance into the presence of the spirits of the just made perfect, and to the presence of Christ, who is our peace, and in whose presence is a fulness of joy for ever; it would have been no comfort to Abraham to know his body should be laid with those who had gone before him, compared to this to know that when absent from the body he should be present with the Lord, with that Lord who had led him hitherto, and now promised that he should be buried in a good old age, and go to his fathers in peace." It is worthy of remark, that a friend who heard this almost his last discourse, says 'I really felt as though our brother Stevens was preach!ng his own funeral sermon,' the tone and spirit of the discourse really proved how fast he was ripening for glory, and how rapidly the brittle cord of an earthly life was being loosed. news for you as a church, our brother John Stevens is in heaven.' Although this event has been anticipated and feared, yet the deepest grief and sorrow is felt by the church and congregation at Meard's Court; they have lost a most faithful and affectionate pastor, an able minister, and a valuable friend. Having been favoured with some most valuable communications connected with his ministry, illness, and death; what follows may be relied on as strictly accurate. [The following interesting particulars we extract from a kind communication forwarded by Mr. George Murrell, of St. Neots. He says: "I can say but little of the last days of my beloved brother Stevens. The last the 25th of September; when I had about time I saw him was on Saturday evening, half an hour's conversation with him, during which he made the following remarks. 'I have no clothes of my own to appear before God in, no covering but to cleanse in, but the blood of his heart. the righteousness of Jesus, no fountain I could wish the Lord would either give home to see his face in glory.' He then me strength for my work, or take me said I feel very ill.' Soon after this I left, and he went to his bed; I believe he never again left his room till his ransomed spirit took its flight to the bosom of his disease of the heart, the medical attendcovenant God. His complaint being ants gave strict orders that none but the family should be admitted to speak to him, as the least excitement would be likely to prove instant death: therefore, although I frequently called at the house I never saw him after the time mentioned above, but some members of the family, September 12th, was the last Lord'sday, but one, on which he preached. A friend says, 'when he took his text in the morning, I thought he would never live to get through his sermon: the words were these And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Mr. Stevens then took a threefold view of the cross: he noticed the three great points-in the centre, there was SALVATION : on the right hand, there was ELECTION: and on the left, there was REJECTION. It was a very solemn, weighty and important discourse which he delivered. The following Lord's-day was the anniversary of Salem Chapel, when he preached again in the morning -and we understand this was the last time. On the Thursday evening after his departure, Mr. George Murrell, of St. Neots, preached from—” He led them “I need not say he was a man of close by a right way that they should go to a thinking, of deep devotion, firm and fixed city of habitation.' Before he read his in the doctrines of sovereign grace, with text, he said, 'My friends, I have some much more than common ability to state solemn news for you as a church-our and defend them; he was blessed with much brother John Stevens is gone-he is real, christian experience, and there was dead;' again, said he 'I have some good' often a very blessed savour attending his who know the Lord, told me the state of 'I shall behold his face, I shall his power adore, And sing the wonders of his grace |